The Brink (Unbroken Raine Falling 3)

A rosy blush stained her cheeks.

“And when exactly did you start doing that?” Hammer drew the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip, desperate to know.

Raine darted a shy glance away. “Since I understood what this place was and why I was so drawn to you. Probably about two weeks after you found me in the alley.”

She’d begun to star in Hammer’s fantasies even before then. Once the bruises and cuts from her father’s abuse had healed and Raine had stopped looking at Macen as if he were another monster with a cock intent on hurting her, he’d started dreaming about the beautiful girl handing herself over to him. Two thousand three hundred and some odd days—and the same number of long, empty nights—he’d burned to bring her to his dungeon and stake his claim.

“You weren’t the only one,” he confessed, then scowled. “But lusting after a girl who hadn’t yet reached the age of consent made me feel like a sick fuck.”

His desires had only increased as he’d watched the girl finish growing into a woman. For years, every day had been an exercise in restraint and creativity, conjuring new ways to deny himself the pleasure of Raine.

“That didn’t make you a pedophile, Macen. I was seventeen, not five,” she reminded pointedly. “I still ache for you, you know.”

“I hope you always do, precious. My feelings will never change.”

“Then help me, please.” Raising those big, trusting blue eyes to him, she curled her fingers around his lapel. “My head is whirling with what-ifs. What if I fail you because I can’t turn off my brain?”

“Let me worry about that.” The weight of him taking her to subspace for the first time rocked Hammer deep. No way would he fuck this up.

“I want to, but you’ve scened with so many subs over the years, most of them far more experienced. I don’t know exactly what to expect,” she whispered.

Conscious of all the eyes still on him, Hammer pulled her into his arms and pressed a kiss to her forehead, longing to push the chaos and apprehension from her mind and replace them with reassurance and love.

“The only way you’ll fail me is to not try,” Hammer assured. “Do you trust me with your body, your safety?”

“Completely.”

Her answer filled him with masculine pride. “Then let me guide you. I won’t fail you.”

“Yes, Sir.” She sighed, closed her eyes—already trying to give herself over.

Pressing his lips to her neck, he slowly loosened her corset. When it slipped from her breasts, he eased back, watching the material fall loosely around her body. The sight of the wicked red bite he’d left on her flawless flesh a few short hours ago burned desire through his veins, seizing him with the urge to mark every inch of her and show the world she belonged to him. Tracing his finger over the welt, Hammer bent and laved his tongue over the swollen impression.

“I’m going to mark you again, precious,” Hammer murmured against her breast.

He felt her shiver before she reached up to slide her fingers through his hair. “I want that.”

Lolling her head to one side, Raine exposed her slender neck to him in invitation. Macen didn’t refuse. He nipped a trail of tiny red blotches as he worked his way toward her mouth. Stopping, he hovered over her lips, tasting her warm breath as he deftly tugged her corset free, letting it drop to the floor.

“What do you call me?” he prompted against her lips.

“Sir. I want that, Sir.”

“Very good.” He cupped her nape and drew her in, holding her captive to his stare. Then he melded their lips together, sweeping deep inside, drinking in her heady power, her luscious control.

A collective gasp echoed through the dungeon, followed by a buzz of hushed whispers. Hammer had no doubt his heated possession of Raine’s mouth, along with his choice of a partner, would keep tongues wagging for days.

Once upon a time, no one had batted an eye when he’d entered the dungeon with a sub. Hell, he’d had a different one damn near every night. But this past spring, Hammer had finished a session with a crop, then reached for his zipper and a condom, only to see tears of agony swimming in Raine’s eyes. The sight had been a jagged stake through his heart.

He didn’t even remember the other woman’s name, but he’d never forgotten the debilitating hurt on Raine’s face. After that moment, he’d more or less stopped sceneing in the dungeon.

And he’d never—ever—kissed any sub with such passion.

Now, he ignored the whispers of the others and took Raine’s mouth again. He’d spent too many years burning for the chance to publicly declare her his. To hell with the rest of the world.

Hammer deepened the kiss and felt his everyday persona begin to slip away…and his natural Dominance take over. His shoulders squared. His chest expanded. Then he fisted Raine’s inky mane as he growled out his possession, took her tongue, and dragged her small body flush against him.