by Shayla Black
“I know, love,” Liam crooned.
She sighed, then rolled to her back, the pillow falling away. She wore an adorable pout as she brushed her dark hair from her face.
“What time is it?” Raine asked hoarsely.
“Before sunrise.” Hammer dragged the covers down, exposing her to the morning air.
Goose bumps broke out all over her body. Neither could resist touching her. Liam brushed a hand over her cheek. Hammer stroked a soft hand up her calf, fingertips gliding along the back of her knee, before dipping down to her graceful feet.
Her nipples hardened. Her pale skin flushed. Liam bit back the need to strip off and bury himself inside her, to forget everything else. He held back, instead cupping her head and caressing his thumb over her temple. “It’s time to rise and shine.”
She stretched, her back arching, her nipples thrusting up in invitation. Her legs parted slightly. Beside him, Hammer tensed, his gaze fixed on that bare, slick paradise they both wanted again. Oblivious, Raine groaned and reached up, letting out a happy sigh as she melted into the mattress.
When she opened her eyes once more, the come-hither enticement on her face nearly made him decide that Beck’s timetable must have some flexibility.
Unable to stop himself, Liam brushed his palm down her shoulder, lingered on her breast, then splayed over her abdomen. Hammer’s fingertips reached up her thigh. She shivered.
“Can’t we stay in bed?” she breathed.
“No.” Liam wished they could as he cradled her hip. “Get that saucy, wee ass moving.”
She propped herself up on her elbows to glance at them. Her gaze landed just beyond Hammer, on the suitcase all packed by the balcony doors. She zipped her stare over to the empty nightstand. Her pout became a frown, disappointment and confusion crossing her brow. “We’re leaving?”
Hammer sent her a sharp nod. “Unfortunately, we have to head back to the club.”
Raine blinked. “Already? I thought we were going to stay here for a few days.”
“Beck got called into surgery this afternoon,” Liam explained.
“Then let him take the car and go. I’m sure the three of us could find something to do while he’s gone.” She batted her lashes.
“Trust me, precious,” Macen growled. “There’s nothing we’d rather do than come back to bed and make you scream, but Beck won’t be back for days, maybe a week. We can’t stay here that long, no matter how badly we’d like to.”
“And we would.” Liam stroked a hand through her silky mane. “Now up with you. Here. Take a sip of coffee and get dressed.”
As she sat up, Liam handed her the mug. She wrinkled her nose at the scent. “That sucks, but I suppose that’s the life of a surgeon.”
“We’ll make it up to you,” Hammer promised with a sly grin.
“Deal.” She took a sip of the dark brew, then winced and handed the coffee back.
Liam took the mug. “Now stop driving us to distraction. Up with you. We’ve got to get on the road.”
She frowned at them as she climbed out of bed. “Let me brush my teeth and use the bathroom.”
“Ten minutes.” Hammer rose and retrieved the suitcase.
Liam grabbed the duffel. “We’ll be downstairs. Don’t keep us waiting.”
Chapter Two
Raine blinked as she watched them leave the bedroom. “Seriously?”
Last night, she’d finally been granted her dream come true when Liam and Hammer had taken her together. Never before had she felt so treasured, surrounded, and safe. After all the sensual touches and words of love they’d exchanged, this morning they’d hustled her back to real life without a single kiss. Or even a hug. No, she hadn’t expected rainbows or carriage rides—or marriage proposals. But they’d behaved as if nothing particularly special had happened. In fact, she’d sensed a strange vibe humming around them.
With a sigh, she padded into the bathroom. Maybe Beck’s need to head down the mountain had thrown the guys for a loop. Someone’s life hung in the balance, and it wasn’t as if she wanted Beck’s patient to die so she could have a leisurely morning in bed with Liam and Hammer. But yeah, she’d expected more.
After emptying her bladder and searching around for her toiletries, she realized they’d left her one zippered pouch with her toothbrush. A comb lay next to it. She frowned. No skin care, makeup, or deodorant. She wanted to poke her head down the stairs and point out their oversight…except she bet it wasn’t. Raine huffed. She could do a bit more in ten minutes. After years of having her under his roof, Hammer especially should know that.
Instead, they couldn’t shove her out of the lodge—where everything wonderful had happened—fast enough. Simply because of Beck’s tight timeline…or did they want to put last night behind them?
Frowning, she completed the parts of her morning routine she could and tried to figure out what the heck was going on. Nothing added up. She hadn’t thought they’d lose interest already, but she wasn’t sure what other conclusion to reach. Disquiet wound through her.
As Raine headed out of the bathroom with her few items in hand, she noticed the pile of neatly folded clothing on the overstuffed chair in the corner. When she shook out the garments, she realized they were the same ones she’d worn to the lodge a few short days ago. Those two hadn’t packed her many clothes. Did that mean they had intended to spend most of their time with her in bed…or that they hadn’t planned to stay here for long?
Scowling now, she pulled on the little black skirt, her tank, cardigan, and kitten heels. No undergarments. At the moment, she wasn’t sure whether that delighted her or just pissed her off.
Feeling unsettled, she grabbed her toiletries again and made her way downstairs. Liam rushed from the kitchen and shoved a travel mug in her hand. “I made some of that tea you like.”
Raine softened a little that he’d remembered. “Thank you.”
He dipped his head, and she settled against his warmth. But when she parted her lips to kiss him, he merely planted a peck on her cheek, then pulled away. “Everyone is waiting in the car.”
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.
Alarm clanging through her, she turned to Hammer, her expression silently asking what was wrong.
He laid a finger over his lips for silence, then snaked his fist into her hair. He tugged, tipping her head back slightly before crushing her lips under his own. A rush of desire thundered through her, sizzling her even more when he swiped his tongue over the seam of her lips, demanding entry. Raine opened for him, and Macen delved deep, sweeping inside for a thorough, sweltering kiss.
But what if Macen’s affection upset Liam even more?
With a soft whimper, Raine pulled back and blinked at Hammer, searching for answers.
He skimmed his lips up her neck, across her jaw, and worked toward her ear. “Everything is fine, precious.”
“He’s upset,” she whispered with a shake of her head.
“None of us got much sleep last night,” he murmured in hushed tones. “Not every bad mood means we’re pushing you away. Give him a little time.”
What Hammer said made sense. Sometimes her moods weren’t stellar, and that was no reflection of her feelings for Hammer or Liam. He was a man, so not every thought was about her, the three of them, or the future. Hell, he might simply be cranky because he hadn’t had a hot breakfast yet. Though Liam had seemed fine when they’d awakened her, she had to trust that Hammer wouldn’t lie, especially if Liam had doubts about them.
For the next ninety minutes, the miles slipped past. Once Raine finished her tea in the uncomfortable silence, she set the empty cup in the holder attached to the back of the console, then reclined her head and tried to nod off as the droning tires hummed along the road.
To her frustration, she couldn’t sleep. The silence grated. She didn’t expect everyone to be chipper before seven a.m. But this morning’s hush was nothing like the teasing, bawdy conversation they’d had on the way up the mountain. Instead, Seth had his head tipped back as if he was catching some Z’s. Beck probably had work on his mind since it had called him away. Hammer didn’t usually have much to say in the morning. All true…but the utter void of sound, along with Liam’s odd demeanor, kept her worries bubbling.
Hoping for a distraction, she leaned forward and cocked her head in Beck’s direction. “So, what kind of surgery is your emergency?”
“A heart transplant,” Beck offered. “My patient’s been waiting over a year for the right match to come along. He’s lucky. Too many die before they make it to the top of the donor list.”
“I bet he’s grateful but he must be scared.”
“Sure. But I’ve talked with him more than once about how the procedure works. He and his family knew if a donor heart became available, we’d have to move fast.” Beck shot a glance at her through the rearview mirror. “The donor will be taken off life support about noon Eastern. We’re expecting the organ to arrive a few hours later.”
Raine nodded. No wonder everyone had been in such a rush to head back. “It’s a complicated surgery, right?”
“It is, but I’ve had plenty of experience with transplants. This patient needs it bad. His heart looks like a liver.”
She frowned. “How long will it take?”
“That all depends. Each one is different, but the norm is around four hours, barring any complications. I won’t know until I slice open his chest and slide in the spreader—”
“Are you taking your play to work now?” she teased, then sobered. Beck might actually be perverse enough to take an implement intended to keep a sub’s thighs parted and use it on someone needing a new ticker.
“Funny. I meant the kind of spreader that pries open the rib cage.”
She knew, but it was fun to yank his chain. “I’m shocked people actually trust you to fix them once the anesthesia has kicked in. There they are, all helpless and at Dr. Sadist’s mercy.”
“Don’t be a smartass, or are you eager to have another ‘chat’ with my rubber paddle?”
Raine flinched. “No. Not even a whisper.”
Beck laughed. “Once I have the patient open, I can really get busy. After I’ve secured the bypass and cut the aorta, I need to get a good cross-clamp going. But once in a while, you get a spurter. That’s always messy. Blood everywhere.”
The mental picture his words painted turned Raine’s empty stomach. “I’m glad you can fix him, but please don’t say any more.”
“What? You don’t want to assist me in the OR?” he teased.
Raine sent him a sour expression, pressed a palm to her stomach, and slumped back between Hammer and Liam. “Not unless you want me vomiting in the patient’s chest.”
“Stop, man. She can’t even watch an episode of The Walking Dead.” Hammer chuckled and slung his arm around her shoulders, drawing her close. “You’ve always been a squeamish little thing.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I can’t help it. I hope you don’t kid about the surgery like that with patients and family, Beck.”
“Nope. I put on my responsible doctor mask.”
“I
’ll bet that explanation is still too graphic for me.” She winced. “I feel sick.”
“If you’re going to toss your tea, let me know. I’ll hold your hair back,” Hammer offered.
She huffed at him. “You’ll pull my hair, you mean.”