The Betrayal by Shayla Black

Liam led Raine to his room beside Hammer’s, rage still pinging inside him. She’d spent the night fucking Hammer, damn it. He tamped the anger down, compartmentalizing it for later, and shut the door behind them with a quiet click.

He looked at her standing naked in the middle of his room, lost, her shoulders curled self-consciously as she wrapped her arms around her middle. Fuck, bruises and marks covered her everywhere. What the hell had Hammer done, tried to fuck her to death? He’d rarely seen so many marks on a sub. Damn if he didn’t want to punch his “friend.”

Later.Now had to be about processing this logically, figuring out what the fuck had happened, and deciding what to do next.

Because the bruises she wore weren’t marks of tender passion at the hands of the man she loved, but were brands from a bastard who’d meant to betray him by marking her as his possession. Message received loud and clear, Hammer.

Liam fully intended to mark her, too, but his would be deeper than the flesh. And he knew exactly how to do it.

He approached her and draped the robe over her shoulders. “You have ten minutes to wash Hammer’s stench from your body and be dressed to leave.”

Raine looked like she wanted to shed guilty tears, but she held them back. “I’ll just go. You don’t have to—”

“I don’t recommend arguing with me just now. Shower and dress.” A muscle twitched near his eye as he shoved down more anger.

She swallowed and dropped her gaze. But she finally nodded. If she wanted to know where they were going, she didn’t ask.

“And be quick about it.”

With guarded posture, Raine obeyed. The wild tangle of her dark, silky hair was the last thing he saw before the bathroom door closed. He heard the water come on. She stepped in a moment later, interrupting the spray. Sobs followed.

Fuck if that didn’t piss him off all over again.

But he had other things to do besides stand about and listen to her cry her heart out for another man. At the end of the day, he’d wanted to believe she was different. Didn’t that make him a fucking idiot?

Exiting his room, Liam backtracked down the hall and shoved the door open to Hammer’s domain. The man just stared like a statue, unmoving. He wore the same shell-shocked expression as Raine.

Everything he’d believed about Hammer, everything that had happened past and present, converged to just this moment as the silence beat heavily.

What the fuck had happened? That’s what he’d like to know. He’d awakened to an empty bed hours ago and heard Hammer and Raine fucking like bloody rabbits. It was what they’d both wanted. What he’d originally sought for them. From the cries of Raine’s ecstasy and Hammer’s roars of passion, Liam had assumed they were happy together. That he was out, and Hammer was in like Flynn. And her betrayal had hurt far more than it should for a woman he’d taken to bed once or twice. Everything about it had poked his most miserable insecurities.

But Hammer knew that.

After listening to them fuck half the night, hearing Raine scream Hammer’s name, Liam had packed, fully intending to walk away from the pair of them. Let them bloody well tear one another apart.

Looking at Raine’s ravaged body and her mournful face…his anger had spiked. He shouldn’t feel sorry for her, but goddamn it, he couldn’t help it. She’d been hurt enough.

Raine had gotten under his skin. Caring about her hadn’t been part of his plan. How the bloody hell had it backfired so quickly? Despite Hammer’s mocking reproach, she’d already become more than a pair of blue eyes and a great rack to him. Far more.

Hammer had hit him where it hurt most. By god, he intended to do the same.

Cold fury curled like a wild thing inside him, itching for release, as he stared at Hammer. He forced it down, delivering every word with control. “I remember Juliet being marked now and then, but nothing like what you’ve done to Raine. Your own wife couldn’t handle it. How do you think the girl will cope? You used her with a ruthless selfishness, but I shouldn’t be surprised. You have the audacity to think you love her? Like you ‘loved’ Juliet?”

Again, Liam clenched his fists at the thought of all the bruises, of her pain as she’d tried to walk back to his room. Of the betrayal Hammer had dealt him, doubly vile because the man knew how it would push his buttons.

Hammer seethed, rage in his haunted eyes. “I do love her. God help me, even more than Juliet. Not that I owe you an explanation.”

Liam sneered. “Not that I believe you. Take a look at your wretched mug in the mirror. You’re a pathetic motherfucker who destroys women to make himself feel big. You’re not fit to call yourself a Dominant, let alone her Dominant.”

“I told you yesterday that I wasn’t good for her, but you wouldn’t listen.” The man lunged in his face. “Who the fuck do you think you are? You’re not my life coach. You’re not God. You sure as hell aren’t my friend.”

“I could say the same to you.”

Hammer’s eyes turned to ice. “You thought this up, didn’t you? Of course. How fucking like you. You ‘collared’ her to trick me into claiming her. And now you’re pissed that it almost worked? Asshole,” he hissed. “I’ve seen you play people for years. I just never imagined you’d do it to me.”

“Fuck you! I tried to help. You could have taken Raine as your own any time before last night, but you chose not to. Now I agree with your reasons. You aren’t good for her, but you conveniently forgot that, didn’t you?” Liam accused. “You waited until Raine became mine to fuck her. For the pleasure of cuckolding me? Were you trying to crawl under my skin? You broke the Dominant code of conduct. Don’t you ever think of touching Raine again. I’ll be taking her and going now. And after the way you’ve treated us both, I’d best not be hearing a word from you.”

“Don’t you dare preach to me about the code of conduct. The honor of your training collar means shit! Only you would collar a sub with ulterior motives. Stellar job, asshole. Don’t deceive yourself; you’re going to fuck up her head.” Hammer shook his head in disgust. “Oh, and you’re not taking her anywhere, motherfucker!”

“Watch me.” Liam raised a brow, then turned and walked away. He left the door open in his wake as he headed back to his own room. And to Raine.

She sat on the bed with a towel still wrapped around her, staring at her feet. Her eyes were red. At least she smelled of soap now rather than the animal who’d used her sorely.

He shut the door. Seething, he made his way to his dresser, yanking out a fresh robe. He helped Raine to her feet and gently removed the towel. Wrapping her in the robe, he picked her up and grabbed his suitcase, then carried them both from the room, past a gaping Hammer, and out of the dungeon. He didn’t stop until he’d reached the car, tossed the case in the boot, and secured her in the seat beside him. Only then did she turn to him.

Her big blue eyes filled with tears, and Liam gripped the steering wheel as he peeled away from Shadows. A glance in the rearview mirror showed Hammer panting in the door, looking all but ready to run after them. Well, after her.

Liam reached behind Raine’s seat and extended his middle finger in the air. Hammer wouldn’t miss it through the back window.

She was oblivious to the drama taking place behind her. She dropped her gaze to her clenched hands folded in her lap. Her delicate profile was taut and so fucking sad...

He gritted his teeth. She’d chosen to fuck Hammer without giving her supposed Sir so much as a heave-ho first. But if his former mate had treated the girl carelessly before he’d taken her to bed, he’d treated her far more wretchedly afterward. Liam didn’t need to be a mind reader to see Raine was breaking.

“I’m sorry,” she said so softly he could barely hear. “I know it’s not much. I don’t have a good explanation, except that I was stupid. Impulsive. And I thought it was love.” She drew in a shuddering breath. “I’ll answer whatever questions you have. I owe you that. Then you can take me back and wash your hands of me. I’m going to leave Shadows. I have an old friend who might be in Vegas. I’ll find her, and I’m sure she’ll take me in…help me find a job.”

How long would she be homeless in the meantime? The very thought filled him with anxiety he probably shouldn’t feel. He clenched his jaw.

“Never mind.” Her face closed up even more. “I’m sure you don’t care.”

She paused, and he sensed that she worked up the courage to look at him again. When she did, the pain on her face stabbed him. Liam cursed under his breath.

“For what it’s worth, I really appreciate everything you tried to do,” she whispered. “I wish I could have deserved you more.”

Some logical part of him thought he should be happy at how bloody the girl was beating herself, but it only burned anger through his veins. And made him want to take her in his arms more. For now, he’d use it to his advantage.

“I’m not so sure I’ll be taking you back there, Raine. Whether you meant it or not at the time, you gave me your commitment to be my submissive.” He felt her gaze again, but this time he stared straight ahead, paying attention to the traffic. “You and Hammer both seem to have had no compunction whatsoever about letting that wee fact slip your minds. But now you will submit to me. Have no doubt that you will learn well what it means to be mine. That’s what you owe me.”

“Why would you want… I did everything wrong, just like I always do. I would have thought you’d want to sever the collaring and tell me to go to hell.”

The lass was defeated and self-blaming, and he’d have to fix that over time. “You weren’t listening when I told you that I don’t back down from a challenge, were you? Best mark my words from now on.”

She went a bit wide eyed. “Oh. Okay.”

Liam could read her so easily. She didn’t think he’d last long with her, that he’d grow tired of her after a few days or weeks and cut her loose. Raine didn’t know him well yet, but she would.

“You know damn well that you need not fear me. Every time I touch you, you’ll have your safe word, but by christ, I’ll not be played again.”

“I never meant to—”

“I’m not finished.” Of course she hadn’t meant to cross or upset him. She hadn’t thought of him at all last night. And that burned bitter in his gut. She meant far more to him somehow than she should after a handful of days. And he wouldn’t let her go until he figured out why. “You and I will spend some time together, just the two of us, until we share an understanding. Do you hear me, Raine? I was as clear as I could be yesterday when I told you that you were mine and I would not share you with another.”

She just nodded, her face a mask of guilt.

“I meant every word. Now lay back and get some rest. We’ve a long drive ahead of us.”

“Why would you bother?”

He turned to stare at her, raised brow, silently chiding her for her disobedience. She bit her lip and looked down.

The truth was, he usually made every decision logically. But this he couldn’t explain.

Her eyes were soft and contrite. “I don’t mean to question you, but yes, you’re right. I owe you and I didn’t stop to think enough. I never thought you’d really care...but when I hear myself say it, it sounds lame. I am more sorry than you know. I don’t expect you to forgive me, so don’t worry. Can I just ask that if you want to spank me that you try to avoid the bruises? But if you’d rather not, I understand. I’ve earned it.”

“I’ll answer this, then you’ll stop with the questions and rest. And you’ll obey.” As she started to speak, he stopped her. “Nod, Raine. Take a deep breath and just nod. Don’t disappoint me. Listen, then you’ll sleep. I’ve a place that’s remote and beautiful this time of year. We’ll be alone there, and we’ll sort this out. That’s all you need to know now. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” The word held a vast quantity of remorse, but she’d said the one word he wanted to hear.

“I ‘bother’ with you, as you say, because I’m a Dominant. Because you need what I can give you.” But Liam was painfully aware that wasn’t the only reason, just the one that made the most sense and would be more likely to win her cooperation. “By the time we’re ready to face...others together once more, you and I, I promise that you’ll not forget what it means to be truly owned. And you will never mistake my kindness for weakness again.”

She looked like she had a hundred more questions, but she held her tongue, laid back, and tried to rest. She curled into herself, and he couldn’t help but notice that she shivered. The November morn was nippy, and with her wet hair and bare feet, the lass had to be chilly. He turned the heater up, questioning again why she mattered. But the answer remained the same. This damaged girl needed someone to care for her, take her in hand. For some reason, he wanted to be that man—and it wasn’t because he pitied her. Because he didn’t want to lose at the infidelity game again? Maybe… But he could picture her now naked and waiting for him in their bed, her big blue eyes welcoming him before she spread her legs and invited him into her lush body, or kneeling before him, head bowed, offering him her submission...

Liam jerked his gaze back to the narrow mountain road.

When she finally fell asleep, he placed a call to Adam, the caretaker of the cabin he’d inherited last year. He hadn’t visited the place in years. Best of all, Hammer would never find it.

He made the necessary arrangements to have everything ready for their arrival, and Adam assured him that he and his wife, Ngaire, would collect some clothing for Raine, as well as lay in food and provisions. He hung up, checking that task off his mental list, then he allowed his thoughts to drift back to the morning as he drove steadily onward.

Hammer’s incomprehensible behavior still had him shaking his head. And the conflicting rage and protectiveness Raine had instilled standing before him both bruised and dazed stunned Liam. Then, not surprisingly, his thoughts turned to the moments he’d claimed her in the dungeon and again in his bed…followed by the memory of his crushing disappointment. Waking to find her gone from his bed and hearing her cry out in passion from Hammer’s... Fuck!

His past come to haunt him all over again.

Why in the hell hadn’t he just walked away from her and Hammer and the whole sordid saga before it had come to this? After all, he’d had ample opportunities to leave. It wasn’t as if the man had asked for or wanted his help. Hammer’s assertion that Raine had only used him to get her boss’s attention flitted through his thoughts. It was possible. Probable even. But Liam knew without a doubt that Raine felt something when she was with him. She might love Hammer, but her responses when she’d been with him had been all innocent gasps, clinging arms and legs, sugary-spun kisses, and welcome. He didn’t have much certainty about anything right now. But two things he did know: Raine wanted him, and he wasn’t ready to let her go.

By the time he pulled up in front of the lodge a few hours later, she was waking. “We’re here. Stay where you are, and I’ll fetch you inside. We’ll get you warm soon.”

She glanced up at the lodge, clearly puzzled. But she banked her questions—for him, that much was clear. But her meekness wouldn’t last. Guilt would wear off, especially once he started to confront her issues. Then…Liam knew he’d be in for a battle.

He was fast coming to realize that Raine knew well how to fight fire with fire. Hell, sometimes she started the fire all by herself. But when someone lavished her with consideration and caring? She had no weapons—and unless he missed his guess—no experience with that. When showered with tenderness, she all but whimpered like a kicked puppy. But she needed it, and using that weapon would help him get answers. Though he probably shouldn’t care, he didn’t have the stomach to see her so tormented and ill-treated again.

As he jumped from the car, he blocked the caretaker from opening Raine’s door. “Thank you, Adam. I’ll help her in. She’s had a rough time of it. If you’ll just take my bag…”

The caretaker nodded and pulled his suitcase from the back.

As the man turned away, Liam helped Raine from the car. She winced and walked slowly, obviously tender and sore all over, as Liam led her toward the warm lodge, wrapping an arm around her wee waist.

What exactly had happened between Raine and Hammer? Why had she been crying as if her world had near ended yet be furious to boot? And why was she always determined to leave when trouble rolled around? Liam sensed that her waters ran deep and her secrets deeper. If he wanted to hang onto the lass, he’d best be getting smart and coax some answers from her.

After watching a few of her ginger steps, he swept her into his arms again and strode inside. A fire burned brightly in the hearth, warming the cavernous room, while the yeasty scent of fresh-baked bread made his stomach growl. Raine trembled in his arms, but he merely held her closer and mounted the staircase beyond the open lounge.

Inside the master bedroom, he laid her carefully on the bed and continued to the bathroom, then set about filling the massive tub. As he approached Raine, her eyes followed him. Though she watched him mutely, he knew she’d find her moxie again soon enough. But he was ready.

“Use the bathroom, if you need. Once you’re finished, get in the tub. Let the water and Epsom salt ease your aches and pains. I’ve added some oils to soothe you. Away you go. I’ll be there in a minute. I want to check on our lunch first.” He waited until she’d carefully moved from the bed and into the bathroom before he headed downstairs and to the kitchen.

Bless Ngaire! She’d prepared some hearty sandwiches with lots of fruit and a bottle of wine, crusty bread, cheeses, a jar of fine pickles, and an unexpected treat. He put together a platter, grabbed two glasses, and headed upstairs once more.

Liam poured her wine, then stripped and sauntered into the bathroom to join her. She lay with her head back against the tub, eyes closed, immersed in the scented water.

As he stepped in the hot tub with her, Raine started, sitting up and gathering her knees to her chest, watching him wordlessly with wary eyes. He handed her the wine as he sank down and leaned back against the opposite edge of the tub, lifting each of her legs in turn and spreading them open and over his own.

Steam swirled softly around them as his stare bore into hers. “Take a drink of your wine, Raine.”

She did, and Liam picked up one of her feet and laid it against the hard flesh of his belly. He had to lower her guard, convince her that she had nothing to fear. So he kneaded her gentle arch with his hands, smiling at her little moan.

“What are you thinking? Tell me what’s on your mind.”

He could tell by her silent consideration and sudden tenseness that she was trying to figure him out and decide how honest to be.

Liam leveled a fierce stare at her. “No editing your answers. Spit it out.”

“I don’t know how to take you.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Tears sheened her eyes, and she took another sip of wine to hide it. “Hammer had six years invested in me and he let me leave with barely a word. You spent a few hours with me and yet you’re still here, despite…everything.” She took another sip of wine, then set it on the window ledge beside her. “I can never tell you how much I appreciate what you’ve done for me. I needed to get out of there. But if anyone should have been happy to see my ass getting smaller in the distance, I would have thought it would be you.” She smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “You have a knight in shining armor fetish?”

He didn’t respond right away, simply kept kneading and pressing, circling and gentling the foot he cradled in his hand. How the fuck should he answer her? Certainly, he couldn’t tell her that he’d first approached her, because he’d schemed to use her to make Hammer jealous. Nor could he confess that something he couldn’t explain had happened along the way. That their first kiss had blown his plans to hell. That he couldn’t imagine letting her go now.

“Knight in shining armor, not exactly. But a Dominant who can’t stand seeing a sub so starved. The guilt is written all over your face. And I won’t say I’m happy with your choices. There will be consequences. But you can repay me by learning, and this time, giving me your trust and honesty. Can you do that, Raine?”

“I don’t know. How I can be afraid of something I’ve wanted so badly for so long?”

He watched her struggle to hold in her tears. She tossed her head back, furiously blinking them away with sheer will.

“If you need to cry, then cry, lass. Let it out.”

She shook her head, her mouth tightening mulishly. “If I’m going to cry over anything, it’s going to be because I was stupid. I’d rather learn from my mistake and move on.”

“Fair enough. Why do you think you can’t give me your trust and honesty?”

Raine didn’t answer right away. “I’m not...very good with either one. I never learned as a kid. I haven’t had much practice at Shadows. I even lied to myself that Hammer could love me as more than a little pet. I don’t think he knows how to be honest, either. To get rid of me, he spouted a bunch of crap about having a wife who was a slave that you shared with him. I wish he’d have saved the B.S. I could have filled in the blanks with a better lie of my own.”

“What makes you think he lied? Juliet was lovely, but sadly flawed, like most of us. She seemed the most devoted slave to Hammer.” Liam kept talking into Raine’s stunned expression. “Yes, we shared her on occasion, but the lesson you should take from her tale isn’t obedience, though that would be nice… But what you should learn that she tragically never did is communication. We rely on it in the power exchange. It’s as essential as the air we breathe. You’ll learn to give me your tears and your broken heart. I would have your pain, just as I will your pleasure.”

Liam lifted her then, as easily as he would a child, and sat her on his lap. Holding her to him and surrounding her with his strength, he rocked her, stroking her until the terrible pain she’d been holding in for so long couldn’t be silenced a moment longer. She wept long, hot tears.

“Get it all out. Just hold on to me tight and let it go.”

She hid her face from him, but couldn’t stop her sobbing. “I don’t know how to do this, cry and bleed in front of someone. I feel too exposed. It hurts too much.” She shook her head, struggling for each shuddering breath as she fought to contain her emotions. “He didn’t tell me what happened to Juliet—god, she even sounds pretty—but I’d lay money I’m far worse at communicating than she was.” She sat back from him, curling her arms around her middle. “And I’m not going to be good for you. You’ll split me open like a ripe peach, all right, but you won’t like the rotting core underneath. I can’t stand that, without meaning to, I’ve come between you and your best friend. I’m like an atomic bomb everywhere I go. Destructive. Stupid. Thoughtless. You should cut your losses and let me go. I owe you too much to stay and screw up your life.” She yanked from his grip altogether and climbed from the tub, then raced for the door.

The pain in her voice told him that her terrible guilt only fed her inadequacies. She would dart, even naked, into the cold. Yes, to save herself. But everything about her expression said she actually believed she’d be saving him, too.

Liam acted quickly. Chasing her put the control in her hands. Time to wrench it away.

“Stop! Present yourself, sub.”

Her body froze. Liam could almost hear her determination to flee fighting with her need to submit to his Dominance. He waited a moment, letting his command sink in. Then, with a sob, she fell to her knees on the tile and assumed the pose. Her shoulders still shook, and her breath still shuddered. He waited as she composed herself, soaping his body and rinsing. He saw the moment she chose to heed the submissive within. Her breath evened out. Her body relaxed. Her mind seemed to quiet. And Liam just watched.

Raine giving him her power was intoxicating.

He stepped from the tub and squatted beside her as steam rose upward from their heated flesh. “As I said, you will learn to give me everything inside you, Raine. Easy or hard, that’s up to you. But you will learn.” Rising, he extended a hand and helped her up. “Come, before you get a chill. Let’s dry you off. Then I intend to feed you.”

* * *

Raine trembled, her knees aching from the cold tile. But it was the power of his whip-like commands still lashing through her brain that made her shake. Oh god, oh god, oh god. He’d found one of her weaknesses and he was too smart not to know it. With that voice, somehow sharp and velvety at once, he’d revealed himself a Dom in gentleman’s clothing.

Biting her lip, Raine risked a peek up at him. One look at his face told her that he’d brought her here not just to rescue her and let her heal, but to unravel her utterly. Here on his turf, in his bed, under his control, she’d have no place to hide. And no Hammer to interfere.

Anxiety bloomed in her stomach.

Liam reached back for a towel, but did he give it to her or cover her with it? Of course not. He gently dried her, then wrapped it around his waist before leading her, stark naked, to the bed. There was a message in that, and she couldn’t fail to understand.

She eyed the food spread out on the nearby dresser. Not that she was hungry, but eating would buy her time. Because not for one second did she imagine that what came after the meal would be easy.

“Kneel on the floor facing the bed, Raine. Get comfortable. You might be there a while,” Liam said with an arch in his brow.

She watched as he moved to the thermostat in the room. He stared at it, nodded, then turned back toward her, clearly ready to unleash whatever he had planned. So maybe he wasn’t waiting until after the meal to make her life difficult.

Prowling to the dresser, Liam removed something from one of the drawers and set it aside, out her line of vision, before selecting food for them both. Then he returned to the bed and sat in front of her. “Hands behind your back.”

Why? She wanted to ask the question, but knew how BDSM worked. He commanded; she obeyed without question. That didn’t mean she always liked it…but she wanted it. Reminding herself that Liam wouldn’t really, truly hurt her, even though he must still be angry, Raine slowly wound her hands behind her.

“That’s not bad. A little faster would be nice. Try hard not to think so much. Trust, not logic. Do you understand?”

She watched him, her stomach dancing with nerves, then she nodded.

“Answer me with words. I’ll not be relying on a bob of your head.”

Raine had a hard time getting the word out, as if it implied more trust than she was ready to grant, but she knew that he’d likely make her spend all day on her knees until she complied. “Yes.”

“Yes, what? What do you call me?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Better. Now open your mouth. Let’s feed you a bit.”

“I’m not actually hungry.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “I didn’t ask if you were hungry. You skipped breakfast, and you won’t be skipping lunch. I told you to open your mouth.”

Raine eyed the little platter in his hands, then watched as he picked up a piece of buttered bread and brought it toward her mouth. She leaned away and turned her head. “I can feed myself.”

“I assume you’ve been doing that for years. But I’ll be feeding you today. No arguments.”

She should probably let it go, but…damn, she found that hard. When she opened her mouth to argue, he merely shoved the bread inside.

“Chew now. Swallow.”

Reflexively, she did, then he followed with a sip of red wine. A chunk of pineapple after that, then a bite of succulent roast beef. Wordlessly, she allowed him to place the food in her mouth, squirming as he watched, the flavors mingling on her tongue while she consumed every bite. It was intimate and weirdly arousing, taking food from his hand. She didn’t hate it.

Until he came toward her with a dill pickle spear. Then she backed up quickly, almost springing to her feet to avoid him. “No.”

Liam paused. “Are you allergic to them?”

She scrunched up her face. “No, but they’re disgusting. They reek like fermented gym socks.”

He smiled. “That’s quite an analogy.”

She gave him a hesitant grin back. “Well, they do.”

“So it’s safe to say you’d like to be avoiding them, then?”

“Absolutely!”

“Keep that in mind as we go on. And last…” He popped a piece of chocolate into her mouth.

What wasn’t to like about chocolate? But this chocolate? Positively divine. Something baked by the angels and sent down from heaven. The best she’d ever had in her life. As it melted on her tongue, she moaned.

“Like that, do you?”

“This qualifies as love. Oh my god…”

He grinned at her again, and was probably laughing a bit at her expense, but she didn’t care. That chocolate was worth whatever bit of fun he poked at her. She’d almost crawl across glass for more.

“Well, then, you should also keep that in mind as we move on.”

Raine wasn’t quite sure what he meant by that statement, but if there was more chocolate involved, she could deal. “Yes, Sir.”

“Excellent. Now close your eyes.”

The command made her frown. He wanted to feed her when she couldn’t see? “Wait. Is this one of those ‘trust’ exercises? Wouldn’t it be better if I let you stand behind me while I tipped back and waited to see if you’ll catch me?”

“Another day, maybe. Not now. Yes, this is about trust. Everything is. Close your eyes.”

His voice had dropped another octave. A fresh swarm of butterflies emerged in her stomach. She didn’t like it. Not being able to see made her feel wretchedly exposed.

“If you don’t hurry, I’ll be taking everything back to the kitchen except the pickles.”

Raine slammed her eyes shut.

“About time. Keep them shut and hold still.”

She heard the bed squeak just a bit, then felt the rush of cool air on her arm as Liam walked past. His gaze on her back seemed to singe her skin. Then something cool and silky fluttered in front of her face before he settled it over her eyes and knotted it at the back of her head. A blindfold. Oh, hell.

It scared her a little. But she was also able to focus on the sounds of his movements, the warmth in the air, the humming of her skin. Anticipation. Everything he did to and for her felt almost like a seduction.

His footsteps trailed away from her, then a drawer opened, closed. He returned, and Raine felt his grip settle around her wrists. A moment later, he snapped something around them snugly. Leather? A gentle tug proved the cuffs were attached.

“Restraints? What the… I said I wouldn’t try to feed myself.”

“I heard you. Think of these as my insurance policy. Beside, you look fetching all bound.”

He was a Dom. Of course he’d think so. Besides… “You pervs just like it because it makes a sub’s boobs stick out.”

“That, too, you mouthy wench. Now focus. Pay very special attention to everything I say. There’s going to be a test.”

Great. She’d failed plenty of those in her life. She wasn’t keen to fail this one now. Somehow, she was pretty sure he’d make that really unfun. And the idea of failing him again upset her even more.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Glad to hear it,” he sounded almost amused, but she didn’t believe for a second that he wasn’t taking this seriously. Yesterday, she might have believed that he’d dance to her whim. Now...not so much.

“What’s your favorite color?”

Liam had not dragged her out of Shadows and up a mountain to find out if she liked green more than blue.

“Red,” she said tentatively, hoping like hell there wasn’t a wrong answer.

“A nice color. Open your mouth.”

The demand made her pause, wonder what the hell he was up to. But maybe there would be chocolate. She parted her lips. Between them, he stuck more bread and followed that with a sip of the sweet, rich wine.

She smiled. This might not be a terrible game, after all…as long as the questions didn’t get too difficult.

Yeah, she didn’t hold out a lot of hope for that.

“And what’s your favorite pizza topping?”

Was this a getting-to-know-you exercise or a quiz for dinner? She didn’t know exactly where they were, but she gathered he’d brought her to basically the middle of nowhere. Doubtful anyone delivered out here. “Mushrooms and extra cheese, but I’m not that picky. Avoid bell peppers and anchovies, and I’ll probably eat it.”

“Good to know. Open up again.”

This time she did so quickly, hoping for a bit more of that lovely melting heaven on her tongue. Instead, she got a bite of a really rich cheese. A little tart, a tad smoky… He followed it with more bread. Raine sensed his eyes on her, felt her nipples getting hard. Wow, this game was way sexier than she’d first thought. She licked her lips, then plumped them a bit. “What’s next?”

Absolute silence. She could hear him breathing. His body heat poured toward her in a warm wave. His displeasure wasn’t far behind.

“Sir,” she corrected quickly. “What’s next, Sir?”

“When matters get tough, why do you always run, lass?”

His question slammed her in the chest like a semi chasing the land speed record. She had to force her answer out. “I-I don’t run; I just leave a situation when I’m making it worse.”

“I see. Open.”

Raine couldn’t get a read on his tone, but she dutifully parted her lips.

“Stick out your tongue.”

She frowned, hoping he was in the mood to give her chocolate. She could hope it was melting.

Instead, something slimy slithered across her taste buds. That awful smell hit her next. She curled inward as her stomach bucked. Damn, she didn’t have her hands free to clutch it, but she did something even better; she spit the pickle out.

“Stop. That’s not acceptable! Open again. By god, you will chew and swallow.”

“B-but I answered you.”

“As answers went, it was a weak one, and well you know it.”

“No, that’s the serious, honest truth. Why would I stay where I’m not wanted? Where I just seem to fuck everything up?”

That wave of his displeasure came at her again, this time like a towering tsunami. “You will not use that language, Raine. Do you hear me?”

Seriously? She was supposed to amend her vocabulary, too? But that strict voice…even without seeing him, Raine knew he’d unleash something really unpleasant—like a whole jar of pickles—if she didn’t cooperate.

“Yes, Sir. I’m telling you the honest truth, Sir.”

Liam paused for a long moment. “All right, then. If that’s the truth as you see it, we’ll let that go for now. Open.”

“Am I getting the pickle?” She cringed.

“Open now!”

Raine did, knowing she probably looked like a toddler spitting out its vegetables. Sure enough, he plopped the pickle on her tongue again.

“Chew and swallow.”

Crap, she felt like she might throw up. But she managed to hold her breath and choke it down.

“Wine?” she croaked.

He placated her, putting the glass to her lips and letting her take a few long swallows.

“Thank you.” The flavor of the fermented grapes was a relief.

“Who are you thanking?”

What was his sudden preoccupation with formality and protocol? “You, Sir. Thank you, Sir.”

“Better. Who taught you to cook?”

How did they get from running away to knowing her way around a kitchen? “I taught myself, Sir. It’s better than starving.”

“Fair enough.”

For her effort, he rewarded her with a juicy bite of the roast beef that did a blessed shitload to remove the terrible pickle flavor lingering.

“Why were you in the alley the night Hammer found you?”

What kind of question was that? “Because I had no place else to go and the one behind Shadows wasn’t crowded with drug addicts and pimps searching for fresh meat.”

He grabbed her jaw in his hand. He didn’t squeeze hard or hurt her, but his grip let her know that he could. “Are you willfully misunderstanding my question?”

“No. Sir,” she added hastily. “If you want to know why I chose Hammer’s alley over another, that’s the reason.”

Liam sighed, and she sensed him re-gathering his patience as he released his hold on her jaw. “Let’s try again, then. Why, at seventeen, were you spending the night in an alley rather than under your parents’ roof?”

“I ran away. I was making the situation there worse, according to my dad. So I left.”

Those were some of the hardest words she’d ever spoken. Funny how the awful man’s rejection still had the power to hurt her years later. She needed to get over it, but Raine had discovered telling herself that logically and actually being able to do it weren’t the same thing.

And on top of Hammer’s rejection… It was like a can being crushed, then recycled, only to be crushed again.

Her breath hitched as she choked back a sob. Crap, she’d been a teary mess all morning. Maybe she really should just move on. This wouldn’t be the first time she’d lost her place in the world. She’d survived after leaving home and found something better. Maybe she could do that again. One door had closed, then she’d opened another, right?

Right. But Hammer had been the first man to break her heart. Getting over that and the loss of home at once wouldn’t be easy.

“I believe that’s how you see the situation,” Liam murmured softly.

She leaned forward to lay her cheek on the bed, but found his thigh instead. The human comfort was too much to resist, even knowing that giving him control now only gave him the power to hurt her later. But when he started softly stroking her hair, she couldn’t resist nuzzling him a bit more.

“That’s a good lass.” He caressed the side of her face with his fingers, then nestled them at her nape and lifted her face to him. “Mouth open.”

Dutifully, she complied. The sinful flavor of that good dark chocolate burst over her tongue. She moaned long and low, smacking her lips.

Suddenly, Liam bent and took her mouth in a ravaging kiss, stealing inside and ransacking, taking her tongue. Immediately, she tasted the roast beef, pineapple, and wine in his kiss. Then they shared the chocolate flavor, and he ate at her mouth hungrily before suddenly lifting away.

“Watching you eat is a sensual experience, especially when I give you that chocolate. Christ, you make a man hard.”

Raine felt a happy little flush crawl up her cheeks.

“What’s your favorite, gold or silver?”

She got the game now. Innocuous questions followed by zingers. One was supposed to lull her into false comfort before he hit her hard. The food either rewarded or punished her, depending on how completely and honestly she answered.

Well, hell. She had to give Liam credit. It was damn clever. He could dig into her psyche while he established his control over her, all without laying a single swat anywhere on her bruised body. She was so used to Hammer, who was all glowers and demands, all thunder, and strict, and as subtle as his moniker. Liam was good with misdirection and confusion. He coaxed. He would sneak under her defenses if she wasn’t careful.

Raine cleared her throat. “I like gold and silver. Why choose?”

He tapped the end of her nose with his finger affectionately. “I shouldn’t have expected a different answer. Why, indeed? You’d look stunning in either.”

Maybe he meant it. Maybe he didn’t. But she could get used to compliments like that. “Thank you, Sir.”

His palm cupped the side of her face. “Spoken so beautifully and naturally. Good.”

He brushed something slightly textured and sweet over her bottom lip. She smelled the pineapple and opened her mouth automatically, allowing him to plop it on her tongue.

“Very nice, lass. You’re coming along and pleasing me.”

The praise warmed her. It shouldn’t, really. God, she’d only given him a common courtesy and eaten a bite of fruit. But Raine knew the drill. He was pleased because she’d called him Sir and because she’d trusted him enough to eat willingly from his hand without being told.

Even so, she couldn’t deny that his kind words made her glow. She smiled at him, and in return, he brushed a little kiss over her mouth.

“How sorely you tempt a man…” he groaned, then popped a piece of the roast beef on her tongue. He followed that with another, then gave her a pinch of bread and some wine to wash it all down.

The warmth seeped deeper in her bones. She could really get to liking this game as long as it stayed friendly.

“What’s your happiest memory?”

The question flicked across her skin like a knife so sharp she almost didn’t feel the cut. God, she hadn’t allowed herself to dwell on this in years. It made the hell of the next decade that much worse. But she also hated the thought of Liam imagining that she was just a miserable woman whom no one in her life had ever wanted. Useless, discarded, forgotten.

“When I was six, my parents sent me to spend the holidays with my grandparents in Wisconsin. Just me. There was a big tree, and Grandpa lifted me up to put the star on top on Christmas Eve. There was snow. Grandma baked, and the house always smelled heavenly.”

“Does baking now calm you because it reminds you of that time?”

Raine froze. She hadn’t thought of it quite like that, but when she baked, she could close her eyes and be transported back to the moment she’d first awakened in the big, warm bed they’d given her and everything smelled like cinnamon and yeast and happiness.

“Maybe… Yeah, I guess.”

His thumb slid over her bottom lip, and she parted, opening for him without thought.

“Lovely, lass.”

More chocolate. It sat on her tongue, sweet and firm, until she sucked at it. Slowly, it broke apart and melted inside her mouth, making her taste buds sing.

“That is the best chocolate ever. I would eat that all day, every day, if I could.”

“And give yourself a stomach ache.” He chuckled. “Probably best if I dish it out to you a bit at a time. Don’t you think?”

Probably. Otherwise, she could outgrow her entire wardrobe fast.

She wrinkled her nose. “It pains me to say it, but you’re probably right, Sir.”

“That’s a good girl.”

He fed her a bit more of the roast beef and pineapple. As far as he tipped the glass up, it seemed as if she’d finished the wine. The relaxation curling through her seemed to suggest that, too. The smile on her lips was probably a bit too happy for the moment, but it was as if getting away from Shadows for a bit, then having a good cry and a good meal with a man who seemed to care about her was cathartic. She felt a bit lighter, her soul not so weighted down with regret. She still had plenty, of course. But at least now it might not drown her.

“What happened to you as a child, Raine?”