Before she could reply, he ushered her out to the chilly winter morning, helping her through the snow and into the backseat of the warming SUV. She scooted into the middle, against Hammer’s big body, as Liam dashed back to the porch to lock the door of the lodge. Neither Beck nor Seth turned his head from the front seat as Liam slid into the vehicle, sandwiching her in.
From the window, she watched the lodge as they pulled away, feeling bereft at leaving this place—and the magical night they’d shared—behind.
As Seth stared at his phone, Beck raised an impatient gaze from the rearview mirror. “Settled?”
“Good morning to you, too,” Raine quipped.
“Morning. Sorry to rush you, princess.” Beck’s tone lacked remorse.
“I totally understand why you have to get back,” Raine replied, then sipped her tea and sent Liam and Hammer a forced smile. “They’ve promised to make it up to me.”
“We will.” Hammer arched a brow at her. “Did you not get enough sleep?”
When he dropped a hand to her knee, she remembered every single reason she’d gone virtually without rest. Her breath hitched after just one touch. “Not so much.”
“You didn’t seem to mind it last night, now did you, love?” Liam questioned.
She slanted a seeking gaze his way. The knowing look in his dark eyes made her flare hot and squirm. The memories rushed back until her nipples peaked under the soft cotton of her shirt. Her skin almost felt too tight as she recalled being enveloped between Liam and Hammer while they’d both filled her, coaxing her from one orgasm to the next.
He knew damn well she hadn’t minded. The question was, had he? Liam had struggled with jealousy in the past, some part of him resenting that she loved Hammer, too. Did that have anything to do with this morning’s mood?
Raine shook her head softly. “No.”
As much as the men had mended their rift to work together to help her overcome her insecurities, everything about the morning had stirred them up again. Raine hated to admit how much she still needed reassurance, but barely a month ago, Hammer had been nailing every free sub in the dungeon. And just a handful of days ago, Liam had severed their exclusive but admittedly dysfunctional relationship. Believing now they both loved her forever wasn’t easy.
She crossed her arms over her unbound breasts feeling somehow naked, stripped, sitting between them and wearing so little…and wondering if they still wanted her—together—in their future.
“I didn’t think so.” As if sensing her anxiety, Liam clasped her hand, his warmth reassuring. “Besides being tired, how are you feeling this morning? Sore?”
Raine was terribly aware of every sweet ache in her well-used body, especially the blissful burn lingering between her legs. She could happily grow accustomed to that discomfort.
Would she ever feel it again? Or just more of this confused yearning for the seeming devotion they’d given her last night?
“A bit, but I’m fine,” she murmured.
“Are you sure?” Hammer asked to her right.
She turned and nodded, knowing emotion swam in her eyes. Hammer had finally made love to her, baring everything in his heart—a revelation after years of her unrequited love. He wouldn’t shut her out and turn her away again, right? But if he didn’t, could Liam handle it?
“It was the best night of my life.” The words slipped out. Maybe they were too honest for the setting, for the mood in the vehicle. But Raine couldn’t have stopped them.
He flashed her a wicked smile, and a shiver rippled up her spine. She turned to take in Liam’s reaction but found him gazing out the window, his attention elsewhere.
Doubt became anxiety and seized Raine’s belly. She gnawed on her lip. What if he did regret last night? But…they’d woken her together with tender affection. That should have allayed her worries. But the fear just wouldn’t let up. What was going on? Had he and Hammer fought? Or decided they couldn’t bear repeating last night?
With a frown, she tugged on Liam’s hand. “Are you all right?”
He jolted ever so slightly and turned to her with a questioning gaze. “I’m fine. Forgive me. I’m a bit preoccupied with things I shouldn’t be when I’ve got a beautiful lass by my side.”
“Is anything wrong?” Raine smoothed her thumb over his knuckles.
He squeezed her hand. “I’m just away with the fairies, is all.”
Yes, Liam wasn’t always a talker, but he usually indulged and coaxed her. Something definitely troubled him now. Maybe he needed a bit of time to work through everything that had happened. After all, they’d changed their dynamic from a couple to a threesome overnight.
“If there’s anything you want to talk about, I’m here.” She cupped his cheek and tried to comfort him.
He just sent her a faint smile and kissed her forehead, then directed his attention out the window once more, dismissing her. Mentally, he’d left her again.