While Hammer had been trying so hard to keep his shit together, he had left Raine swimming in guilt that she’d done what she’d had to. “I wouldn’t care if you’d given him a hundred blow jobs. You survived.”
Liam tipped her chin his way and fused their gazes together. “Precisely. If you hadn’t used your head, you and the baby would have been lost to us.”
“But you saw the way I killed Bill,” she choked out. “I gutted him, carved him up—in less than a minute.”
“I’m proud of your strength and courage.” Liam tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
Hammer nodded. “If I could kill him all over again, I would happily slaughter the bastard.”
“I didn’t just kill him because I had to. I enjoyed ending him. What kind of monster does that make me?” Her voice cracked. “Does it ever cross your mind that you’re having a baby with a killer?”
Hammer cradled her close. “We’re having a baby with a survivor.”
“And a defender,” Liam added. “You’ll protect our child until your dying breath.”
“If you were a cold-blooded killer, Raine, none of this would worry you,” Hammer pointed out. “He deserved everything you gave him for the years of pain and abuse he heaped on you and your family. So don’t think for one second that I’m at the club working late because I don’t want you or I’m horrified by what you did or regretting that we’re starting a family. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
“Do you understand?” Liam prodded.
She exhaled a shaky breath. “I needed to hear that.”
Hammer pressed a soft kiss on her forehead. “How long have you been holding that in?”
“Since Christmas.” She dropped her gaze, looking contrite. “I tried saying something around New Year’s but…I didn’t. I’ve been working on this with my therapist. She kept pointing out that if I didn’t tell you, I’d always wonder and feel insecure.”
Hammer stared. While he’d been wallowing, Raine had made miles of progress. “The way you just communicated… I’m so proud of you.” He tried to lighten the mood. “It worked a whole lot better than throwing dildos, right?”
She choked out a laugh between her tears. “Yeah. But you have to admit, when I tossed half the toys across the dungeon, that got your attention.”
“It also got you a red ass.” He squeezed her hip and shot a glance at Liam. His best friend had both supported him and forced him to see their train had been inches from jumping the track. “Thanks for everything, man.”
“You’re welcome.” He looked relieved. “And can I say that I’ve never met two more stubborn people in my life?”
With a watery laugh, Raine threw an arm around them both. Her hot tears spilled down Hammer’s neck. “I’ve been so worried. And I’ve missed you. Will you stay this morning? Make the bad memories go away?”
Liam’s raised brow told Hammer they’d both interpreted her words the same way. She wanted them inside her.
Hammer’s blood pumped. “I’d love nothing more but are you sure you’re ready?”
“Very.” A little smile floated across her lips. “And I wouldn’t mind a red ass, too.”
“Is that all you want, minx?” Liam skimmed his fingers along the hem of her robe.
“No. I want to feel you two deep. Touch me.” She released a shuddering breath. “Please.”
Hammer ached to put his hands on her, command her. It would silence the chaos inside him.
He anchored his hands behind his back. “I’ve missed you, too, precious. Kneel.”
Beside him, Liam squared up and stood tall, shoulder to shoulder, in a silent show of unity.
Raine dropped to her knees in a graceful slide before them.
The Dom inside Hammer roared and stretched. Pride rose. His cock burned with need as he breathed her in. He was relieved to see her submissive side still responsive.
Beside him, Liam caressed her hair. “You sure you’re ready for more than the spankings I’ve been giving you?”
“Do I have to beg?” Desperation rang in her voice.
“Probably. Liam and I will spread this lotion on you. Then…” He leveled a hungry stare at her.
Hammer sat on the mattress and urged her up so he could tug her short robe back, then he dipped his fingers into the jar of cream. He smoothed the lotion over the flare of one hip. The feel of her warm, velvety skin made him groan.
As Liam dropped his hands to Raine’s stomach, Hammer caressed his way up until he cupped her lush breast. Was his imagination playing tricks or did it feel heavier than before?
He brushed the pad of his thumb over her pebbled nipple. Raine sucked in a sharp breath, filling him with primal delight. His mouth watered for a taste of her candy-hard buds. And as she melted into his and Liam’s touch, Hammer’s desire surged again.
As he teased her breast, she let out a blissful, shuddering sigh. A knowing smile slid across Hammer’s mouth. If this went as planned, he and Liam would soon be drowning in her silken heat to a soundtrack of her mindless pleas and spine-bending screams.