“We’ll definitely talk to Raine about our intentions, ask her for her hard limits and whatnot. But I don’t want to give her too much up front. The less she knows, the less she can prepare ways to sidestep us.”
“Can’t argue with that. And I already know Raine’s hard limits. I asked her before I collared her. But that’s not what I meant. You and I need to negotiate our behavior.”
“For instance?” Hammer’s voice turned chilly.
Liam refused to let the man’s tone change his agenda. “First off, we can’t help Raine if we start fighting in the middle of a scene.”
“At this point, I think that would be the worst thing for her.”
“Right. I also think you and I should have a word or phrase that will pause everything so we can discuss whatever’s happening.”
“A safe word?”
“Something like that, yeah.” Liam nodded. “I still find Raine’s hidden triggers now and again. We have to be mindful.”
Hammer relaxed, seeming to see the train of his thoughts. “Yes. She’s probably a damn landmine. The night I spent with her, I thought about doing so many things that I didn’t because I worried I might step on some hot spot.” He gave a self-deprecating laugh. “I’ve known Raine for so long, but I don’t know this side of her. How does she do with restraints?”
“She loves them.” As Hammer reared back, Liam shrugged. “After seeing what her father did to her, I’m a bit blown over too. But she hates gags.”
“Does that surprise you?” Hammer laughed.
Liam joined in. “Not much. If you let her, she’ll try to tell you what she wants in a scene. Of course she sometimes talks herself out of a panic, too. You don’t always know what you’ll get with Raine. She’s seemed leery of whips, so I haven’t given that a go. I think riding crops are a big ‘no’ for her, which is fine with me. She loves a good spanking.”
“Does she ever reach subspace?”
He nodded. “Surprisingly well, given her trust issues. It wasn’t easy at first, but over time, she’s become more comfortable.”
All this talk about Hammer partaking in her submission was making his guts churn. But if he was going to give Raine what she needed, he would have to grit his teeth and stifle his jealousy.
“Good to know.” Macen swallowed down more coffee. “How about if either of us says it’s time for a breath of fresh air, that will be our signal to pause and find another solution to the scene?”
“That will work.”
Hammer hesitated for a long moment. “You know, I think that’s a good idea. When we were with Juliet, I sometimes took her further than you thought I should have, right?” At Liam’s nod, he went on. “I wish like hell I’d asked your opinion and listened. She and I probably would have wound up divorced, but maybe she’d be alive.”
“You’ve got a hard head, Hammer. I don’t know that you’ll listen now, either.”
The man blew out a rough breath. “I’ve grown since then, but you’re right. I’ll do my best. Sometimes that dark side of me wants to take over. Having you to reel me in when that happens might be best. I don’t want to scare Raine or damage our progress with her.”
Since his old friend often seemed to think he knew best, that was a big admission for Hammer. It shocked the hell out of Liam—and made him look inward as well.
“I’ve been a bit too guilty of letting Raine have her way more than I should. I enjoy coddling her sometimes, and god knows she could use the tenderness. But she also needs firm guidance.”
“So I won’t let you shirk that. Got it.” Hammer smirked. “Look at us getting along and shit.”
“Don’t jinx it,” Liam scolded.
“What else?”
He paced the length of the room again. “We don’t know how long her progress will take.”
“It sure as hell won’t be overnight, but I’m willing to stick it out. What about you? If you had any intention of going back to New York after the winter, and she’s not ready…”
“I’m not leaving L.A. without Raine. I’d decided I was staying indefinitely, so I bought a house here. I’d planned to give her the key wrapped in a box the morning the shit hit the fan.”
Hammer stared, blinking. “You were planning to move her to this house?”
Liam squared his shoulders. “I was.”
“Holy shit.” Hammer sounded floored.
“Raine needs a steady home.”
Guilt flashed across Hammer’s face, and he raked a hand through his hair. “Goddamn it, I know.”
“You did the best you could at the time. Let’s not get off track. Raine won’t be moving on with her life at all if we can’t help her.”
“True,” Hammer agreed.
Another thought occurred to Liam, and he winced. “I also think it would be best if you were discreet with your other subs. I’m not suggesting you give them up, but it would help her if you hid them better than you did Marlie.”