Raine needed a break from her disquiet, a way to get out of her head. Hammer had the will and the means to provide that.
Holding her hand, he led her down the hall.
She resisted. “Where are we going?”
“To the dungeon. I intend to give you what you need.”
A little frown wrinkled her forehead. “What I need is for Liam to come back.”
“Until he returns, I’ll take your mind off your worries…and everything else.”
Raine took a moment to sort through his words, then gave him a breathless nod.
As they entered the dungeon, members glanced their way. Hammer ushered her past most of the equipment inside, then pulled her to a stop at the same spanking bench on which Liam had claimed her virgin ass a few short weeks ago. Then, he’d seen his friend take what Hammer had always hoped would be his, and caustic anger had rolled in his veins. Feeling cheated, he’d watched, barely blinking, until the deed was done.
Now, Hammer gripped the sturdy frame of the spanking bench and began dragging it to the center of the dungeon, beyond eager. Around him, the club members did a double take. Their stares skidded off him, then came to a screeching halt on Raine, waiting self-consciously beside him. As he came through with the bench, patrons parted like the Red Sea, acting as if they were about to witness a miracle. Hammer felt the OMG hanging in the air.
In six years, he’d never once scened with Raine. No one had since he’d declared her under his protection…except Liam after the disastrous public punishment Hammer had assigned last month when she’d tried to seduce him. Beck had botched that, of course, giving his Irish pal the chance to step in and claim the girl. As far as the members knew, she belonged to Liam—and him alone.
Hammer intended to set the record straight and nurture the bond of love the three of them finally shared. Besides, publicly staking his claim on Raine using the same piece of equipment Liam had held a certain poetic symmetry.
The sound of paddles and whips from surrounding scenes faded. Doms paused, moving closer to caress their subs and stare. Some long-term members simply smirked as if they’d been waiting for Hammer to pull his head out of his ass and acknowledge his feelings for Raine.
He clenched his jaw. He’d fucking give them something to see.
“Everyone is looking at us,” she murmured.
Hammer turned and quirked a brow at her. “Because you’re stunning, precious.”
“I’m sure it’s because you rarely play in public anymore. And to them, you’ve never touched me.”
“It doesn’t matter why they’re staring. Let them,” he whispered, noting the flicker of nervous excitement on her face. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
Raine scanned the crowd. “Maybe. I don’t know. The time Liam took me in front of the others, he had me so focused on him the crowd faded away. I hardly remember anyone there. Just him. And you.”
Hammer already knew she was going to love it. He bent close to her ear. “Come on, my little exhibitionist. Let’s get you splayed out and cuffed up so we can fuel more speculation.”
Raine set tentative fingers on his chest. The way her gaze clung to him, uncertain yet seeking reassurance, stirred his Dominance.
“I’m not here to please anyone but you and Liam. I don’t give a dam…um, darn what anyone else thinks as long as they know I belong to you two.”
“By the time we’re done, I won’t leave a single doubt in anyone’s mind.”
She blinked, and he caught the heartbeat accelerating at her neck. “What exactly do you—”
“Plan to do to you?” Hammer interrupted with a wolfish grin.
“Yes. I’m excited, but I don’t think I can… No whip for me, please.” She shuddered. “That scares me.”
Because it made noises that convinced her he’d inflict tremendous pain and leave gashes in her flesh. He could—but not with her. Never. Naturally, he’d respect her limit…for now. It was a Dom’s nature to push, but he’d do that later.
“I know pain isn’t going to enhance your submission.”
Raine nibbled her bottom lip. Worry and nerves ate at her composure, but she nodded.
Hammer palmed her face and snared her gaze. “Talk to me. What’s going on inside your head?”
“I’m still worried about Liam,” she answered in the same hushed tones. “Why hasn’t he called?”
“If something were wrong, he would find a way to reach us.”
“But… shouldn’t we wait until he can join us?”
“Liam is with you, precious. Right here.” Hammer patted her heart. “I want you to feel him through me. Do you understand?”
More tears formed in her eyes. “I’ll try, Sir.”
“You’ll succeed. Now make us proud.” Macen brushed away a tear that had spilled over her thick lashes.
She sniffled, surprisingly tense. “What if I can’t do this, Macen? I mean, the right way.” She struggled with her quiet words. “I want this. God, I’ve wanted it since I first started fantasizing about you.”