The Bond (Unbroken Raine Falling 4)

“Macen?” She blinked up at him.

She wanted to know what was wrong with him. The answer was everything, but that wasn’t her fault. Raine had shelved all her worry to give him succor. He had to do the same.

“Shh. I’m here right now.”

Tears shimmered in the corners of her eyes. “I’m here always.”

His chest buckled. Hammer swallowed, then he dipped his head to kiss her again, this time brushing his mouth over hers. Like always, her cheeks flushed. She softly exhaled. Her lips parted.

When he bent again, he couldn’t stop his hunger. He clutched her silky hair in his fists and seized her mouth, plunging deep.

She blistered his control, and he saturated his senses with her. His head screamed at him to slow time down and bask in this breathtaking moment. Make it last forever. But Raine whimpered, curling her hands around his shoulders and wrapping her legs around his hips. Desperation tightened her grip.

Desire crashed through Macen like thunder, and he was lost.

He dragged in rough breaths and surged inside her mouth to lay claim. Raine tangled her tongue with his. He ate at her, starved for her taste. She imprinted her flavor on his taste buds. He pressed her into his heart.

The bed dipped as Liam joined them. Without breaking their kiss, Hammer rolled to his side, taking Raine with him. She wound her thigh over his hip and pressed her pussy against him, letting herself be swept away. He held tighter and took her lips again, diving in deeper.

Then Liam spooned her. Their hands brushed in her hair before the man dragged her shirt down one side, kissing her exposed shoulder, working his way up to her neck.

Raine shuddered, loosed an aroused breath. She reached back to grip Liam’s thigh so she could touch them both before she arched in surrender.

Macen inched back. As the drugging kisses ended, fear and anxiety crept back in. He refused to scare her now or ruin the sanctity of the moment.

But she knew, and her face crumpled. Tears spilled.

“Don’t.” He thumbed the drops away and clutched her cheeks, comforting her with a lingering touch of their lips.

Against him, he could feel her body jerk with a silent sob, but she nodded, exhaling into him, giving him her silent trust.

Liam took her hand in his, caressing his broad thumb across her knuckles. “Love.”

Yes, he should be the one to soothe her. Hammer couldn’t promise her a future, and Liam might be left to pick up the pieces soon. Besides, once Macen had stopped insisting on having her all to himself, one of his greatest joys—and turn-ons—had become watching his best friend pleasure their girl.

Cupping her shoulder, Hammer pressed a kiss on her forehead and turned her to Liam.

Instantly, she reached out, latching on to the man. He took her face in his big hands and scanned her expression, silently seeking. Liam loved her. Of that, Hammer had no doubt. He could see it glowing in his friend’s eyes.

A little frown worked between Liam’s brows. His friend worried a lot. But Raine moved in, laying a soft, searching kiss on his mouth before skating her lips up his cheek, across his forehead, then working her way down his nose. A breath later, she surged forward and fused their mouths together. Liam met her more than halfway, clutching his fingers in her shirt and all but inhaling her. Hammer watched the love ebb and flow between them.

A bittersweet pang twisted his guts. He’d spent fucking years wallowing in the past—in worry, guilt, and other useless emotions. He’d been an idiot. A fool. For the first time, he shoved it all aside and simply marveled at the utter devotion they had forged. At the unconditional love that now melded the three of them.

Captivated, he stared as Liam and Raine poured themselves into the hungry kiss. Liam soothed her, stroked her as she writhed gently, open, accepting. Hammer felt the tremors of need rippling through her. His friend answered by drawing her closer, almost as if he intended to absorb her.

Hammer realized they needed affirmation of their love and connection every bit as badly as he did.

When Liam eased away, Raine rolled to her back, glancing between them as they shifted above her. Hammer stared at Raine’s swollen mouth and her blue eyes full of turmoil. She looked close to breaking again when she reached out to them, torment in her touch. In unspoken consolation, Macen nuzzled his cheek in her hand, then turned to kiss her palm. He drank in the feel of her slender fingers, the burn of her flesh, the love in her eyes.

Beside him, Liam rose to toe off his shoes, shuck his shirt and pants. Hammer followed suit. Raine watched them with a desperate gleam. Some reckless part of him wanted to dive onto the bed again and ravish every inch of her. But if this was one of his last chances to savor their love, he wanted to take his time and surround her with the tenderness and devotion she deserved, immerse himself in them.