The Brink (Unbroken Raine Falling 3)

“Rationally and calmly,” Hammer insisted.

Liam nipped at her inner thigh, his fingers plying her clit with maddening circles. “Without yelling or sounding as if you’re from the gutter. You know I don’t like that language from you, lass.”

She did. She knew. “It slipped out. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

“It best not.” Liam laved her clit slowly.

The friction kept her achy and needy. Raine had no idea if she could keep her promise, but she’d have to try damn hard because she couldn’t possibly make it another thirty seconds without this orgasm.

“No.” She shook her head frantically. “Communication. Honesty. Trust. Got it.”

Hammer leaned into her face, his expression sharp, exacting. “Tell me why we should believe you.”

“I want you,” she gasped out.

He tweaked her nipple again. “That’s a given. I can see the flush turning your skin rosy and smell your sweet pussy.”

That wasn’t helping her train of thought. Panting, Raine closed her eyes and tried to gather her wits. “No, I mean I want to make you both happy, please you, make you proud. I know I lose my temper, but deep down, that’s all I want. Please…”

“Hmm. Your words make me even harder, precious.” He caressed her cheek, and she opened her eyes, her lashes fluttering.

“That’s true for me as well,” Liam agreed, then settled his mouth over her pussy again, the torture-by-tongue igniting a fever of hitched breaths and ecstasy poised right on the precipice… Abruptly, he pulled away once more, his lazy fingers replacing his tongue.

She writhed, her legs twisting as she moaned long and low. “Please…”

“Not yet,” Hammer murmured as he toyed with her nipple, then shot Liam a knowing smirk.

What now? She dug her nails into Hammer’s hands, arching, trying to cling to sanity.

“Why don’t you think you’re worthy of us, Raine?” Hammer demanded.

“What?” How the hell was she supposed to answer that?

Liam pinched her clit. “You heard us. We’re waiting.”

Raine’s hips shot off the bed. She knew their game, and it sucked. They wouldn’t relent until she talked, so she squeezed her eyes shut and dragged in deep breaths that did absolutely nothing to calm the raging fire inside her.

“I’m not the type either of you are attracted to.”

“Type? What do you think we like?” Hammer demanded.

Plastic Barbies whose IQs are smaller than their ring size. “Come on. Marlie was beautiful, but Gwyneth leaves her in the dust. They’re both gorgeous, blonde, and—”

“Void of a heart or soul,” Liam interrupted.

Hammer crossed his arms over his chest. “So you measure your self-worth by comparing your physical appearance to women who mean absolutely nothing to us?”

Apparently, this answer interested Liam since he paused his torture again.

Frustration set in. “They were clearly easy to ogle and fu… Um, screw.”

That made Hammer scowl. “And even easier to forget. Damn it, Raine. I’ve been in love with you for six fucking years.”

It would have been nice if you’d told me, instead of turning me away and making me feel ugly.

“And I fell hard and fast for you in a way I never had. But …” Liam shrugged, then quirked a brow toward Hammer. “That complicated everything.”

Macen sent him an ironic smile. “Complicated or not, I’m still glad.”

“I’m glad, too.” She bit her lip and turned to Hammer. “How I’ve felt about you is no secret. But you surrounded yourself with Marlies for years. I wasn’t ever going to be tall or blonde or look like I’d spent hours at the salon. My mom left when I was young, so what I knew about makeup could fit in a thimble. I couldn’t compete. I didn’t know how to try.”

She closed her eyes. God, she hated dredging up this icky shit. It made her sound weak and feel wretchedly inferior.

“Your honesty was very nice, precious,” Hammer praised, letting go of her wrists.

No, it was embarrassing and sucked big monkey balls.

“Open your eyes,” Hammer insisted. “No hiding.”

Raine weighed the pros and cons of complying. But she couldn’t not face them forever. And if she wanted that orgasm Liam dangled like a sweet carrot, she would have to fall in line.

She opened her eyes and stared at the crown moldings. They really were lovely and… Why was Hammer removing his belt? She’d barely wondered before Liam’s warm breath wafted over her aching pussy. Then it almost didn’t matter.

“We’re proud of you, love.” Liam sent her a satisfied smile, then lowered his lips to her clit again and sucked gently.

Raine melted against his mouth. Finally… Had she told them what they wanted to hear? It seemed so, and she thanked her lucky stars they intended to put her out of her misery.

She stretched, luxuriating in the rise of bliss again, needing and squirming and trying to catch her breath.

When she grabbed for Liam’s hair, Hammer gripped her hands and pulled them above her head again. Her eyes flew open wide as she craned her neck in time to see him wrap the belt around her wrists like makeshift cuffs.