But she just kept seeing Gwyneth’s smug face, half-exposed breasts, and freshly paddled ass.
Had they really turned the woman down?
Lost in a chasm between painful hope and white-hot fear, she didn’t know how much time had passed. Suddenly, Liam turned up to the gate of a posh residential district.
When she’d been a girl, she’d sometimes sneaked away from her father and ridden her bike here, imagining herself in one of these big, character-filled houses. In her imagination, each one had been filled by a happy couple who looked on fondly while their children played on the manicured lawn, then enjoyed a hot meal every night before Mommy and Daddy tucked them into bed with kisses. Life was perfect here.
To Raine’s shock, the gate opened immediately for Liam.
“We’ll be there in two minutes,” he said suddenly.
Her heart stuttered. “Where?”
Raine already knew there wasn’t any thru traffic on this street, only more houses. Were they taking her to a private play party with the rich and famous? To meet some celebrity? Or…
She’d heard about houses that took in subs for training. Surely Hammer and Liam wouldn’t drop her off like dirty laundry and leave her to be tutored by strangers…would they? No. They were too damn controlling. If they’d wanted to do that, they wouldn’t have bothered taking her to the lodge.
“It’s a surprise,” he replied in a low, beguiling voice.
“A good one,” Hammer added softly. “Relax.”
She wasn’t very good at that. They might be with her now, but the part of Raine that knew she’d never been half as pretty as Macen’s usual conquests was petrified that Liam’s nasty slut of an ex-wife would steal him from her.
Follow where they lead you. Let go of your control. They’re not going to let you fall. Seth’s words earlier rolled through her head. Instead of believing that, Raine had stomped her way back to Shadows, looking for a fight because that was easy. In fact, she could fight all day long. She’d spent most of her life fighting—her abusive father, her feelings for Hammer, and now these stupid insecurities about Gwyneth. She even wanted to fight against the bleeding wound inside her after Liam’s remark that he wouldn’t sully his wife with BDSM.
But Raine couldn’t be mad at him because his commitment to her wasn’t strong enough for marriage. She’d just been dumb enough to think they’d have a storybook ending. Yeah, because the princess in the tower always got it on with two guys.
Liam and Hammer cared, absolutely. They would appreciate the woman with whom they shared good times, a few laughs, and lots of mind-blowing sex. It was her fault for wishing that meant forever.
Raine withdrew her hand from Liam’s and stared out the window, blinking away her tears while trying to hold herself together. Just a little while longer. She’d look at their surprise, then beg a headache when they returned to the club, lock the bathroom door, and cry this maudlin shit out of her system.
Then she’d just enjoy one day at a time with them, all the way to the inevitable end.
Liam made another left, and the houses just got bigger and bigger…until they passed one with a tennis court in the backyard. There, they made another left, onto a cul-de-sac. Toward the end of the street, Liam pulled into a U-shaped driveway lined by lovely manicured hedges with an interior filled by a patch of lush grass. A brick walkway, guarded by two marble statues of lions, bisected the foliage and led to the front door, illuminated by warmly glowing lights.
The house was huge but somehow still oozed charm. Big, beautiful windows dotted the front of the pale gray stucco façade. The French doors in the middle opened to a white Juliet balcony, which, along with a pair of traditional fluted columns, formed the portico over the massive front door with glass insets, which gave the house grandeur. Wrought iron planters spilling out with a profusion of colorful flowers framed all the other windows along the front.
Liam killed the engine. Hammer all but jumped out of the car to open her door. As he helped her out and Liam came around to take her other arm, Raine stared.
“Why are we here?” she asked them. “Do you know who lives in this place?”
“I do. Isn’t it lovely?”
“Incredible.” God, she’d give anything to stay here for even a night, just so she could pretend the house was hers.
Liam’s smile turned brighter. “Then come with us.”
Raine grew more confused with each step they took up the brick entrance, toward the front door. Had they rented it for the night since the lodge was so far away?
When the three of them reached the portal, Liam reached into his pocket. “Hold out your hand, love.”
With a puzzled frown, she did. He set a small blue velvet box in her palm, cupping the top of the soft case with his fingers and curling them around her own. “Raine, whatever you think, you mean everything to Hammer and me. We’re not planning to be with you for a day or a month or even a year. We’re committed to staying by your side, through thick and thin, day in and day out, sharing our lives with you. We love you, now and forever.”