The Brink (Unbroken Raine Falling 3)

Fuck, what does she know?

Clearing his throat, he nodded. “I’ve got all the time in the world for you.”

As she stepped into the room, she quickly glanced around. “Where’s Liam? I was hoping to talk to him, too.”

“He’s not here, but come in. Shut the door and tell me what’s wrong.”

Hammer stood and rounded his desk, unable to fight the urge to wrap Raine in his arms and promise her everything would be all right.

She closed the door behind her, looking oddly nervous as she glided toward him, dressed again in the jeans and T-shirt she’d worn to breakfast. He tried really damn hard not to notice how the word reckless on the tight red cotton stretched across her breasts.

Taking a few steps forward, Raine suddenly stopped, then sank to her knees before him and cast her gaze to the floor, legs spread, palms atop her thighs.

Hammer stood mesmerized. The breath caught in his lungs. A lump of pride lodged in the back of his throat. His rigid cock jerked demandingly beneath his zipper.

She didn’t say anything, simply waited for his acknowledgement. He gaped for words, then opted for a moment of silence to savor the incredible sight. Yes, she had knelt to him before, but always when he’d instructed her to. She’d never simply offered her submission to him like a gift.

Finally, he stepped between her knees and smoothed his hand over the top of her head, petting her dark, glossy hair. A shiver rippled through her at his touch.

“You look breathtaking, precious. To what do I owe this honor?”

Slowly, Raine raised her head to meet his stare. “I’d like to talk to you and Liam, Sir.”

Christ, her soft voice even sounded submissive. Her open expression seemed to welcome him inside her soul. He wanted to wrap her in his arms, spread her legs, shove his cock inside her, and fuck her to a gasping climax. Then he’d take her to his bed and start all over.

Hammer clenched his jaw and untangled his fingers from her inky hair. He needed to break physical contact with her until he could tamp down the fantasies searing his brain. Raine had come to him with something on her mind. He had to listen to her before anything else. Then maybe he’d strip her down and ravage her.

Part of him hated that plan. Somehow, Hammer had managed to suppress his inner beast when he’d showered with Raine earlier. He’d had her naked and to himself exactly once before. The primal male animal inside him remembered every bit of that night he’d fucked her bareback and raw. Today, as he’d slid his soap-slick hands over her supple flesh, those memories hadn’t been good for his restraint because that hadn’t been the time to plunder her. Now wasn’t, either. The snarling, clawing demand to make her his slave still thundered through him. Without Liam here to balance him, how long would he be able to keep this need at bay?

“I’m sure Liam will be sorry he missed whatever you intend to say. If you’d like to talk to me, I’ll gladly listen.”

She seemed to weigh her options at length. “I can talk to him about it later, I suppose.”

“Or I can,” Hammer offered. “Whichever you prefer.”

“Thank you.”

She dipped her head again, and he couldn’t stop staring. Or wanting.

“Look at me, precious.”

Raine complied easily and naturally. A million times, in his dreams, he’d imagined her like this, surrendering her power to him. The reality was so fucking heady he nearly staggered. She just glowed with an undeniable purity that radiated from her heart.

“You have no idea how stunning you are right now, do you?” As a slight pink hue rose in her fair cheeks, he grazed her with his knuckles.

Raine tried to look away and smile past his compliment, but Hammer settled a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to focus on him. To his relief, she didn’t fight him or turn away.

“You make me feel that way,” she murmured.

Hammer sent her an encouraging smile. “What do you want to talk about?”

Crossing his arms over his chest, he waited. No doubt, she’d come to ask more questions about Liam’s recent troubles. Raine had likely been eating herself alive with worry all day. A rush of guilt slammed Hammer. He was far more to blame than Liam for putting her through this turmoil. Tonight couldn’t come soon enough.

She hesitated slightly, as if unsure of her words. She licked her lips. At the sight, the beast inside him jerked against his mental chains again, growling to sink his teeth into the arch of that soft pink bow of a mouth and devour her whole. He certainly didn’t relish dodging questions he couldn’t answer.

“I know there’s something more going on than a problem involving Liam’s work. I suspect you’re keeping whatever’s happening to yourselves because you’re trying to protect me.”