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Hammer swallowed a thick knot of lust and raked a hand through his hair. He couldn’t do any of those things. But he could save Raine from himself. He might be what she wanted, but she knew nothing of the demons lurking inside him that ensured he’d never be what she needed. So he let her believe he saw her as a child, not a sexy woman who’d grown into the focus of a neverending lust he couldn’t slake.
If she managed to break his self-control, god help her. He’d be the worst fucking mistake of her life.
He’d destroy her.
As Raine retreated, Liam stepped from his private room, watching her delicate figure with a speculative stare. He had no idea what was running through his friend’s mind. But even though she’d dismissed Liam and walked on, jealousy whacked Hammer in the face like a two by four.
The moment she rounded the corner, Liam turned to him with a disapproving frown. He wore a lot of those lately.
“If you’re worried about Raine, don’t be,” Hammer insisted. “She might look upset, but it’s for the best.”
Liam approached him, that crafty mind of his obviously working. “Best for who, mate? You’re tying yourself up in knots over that wee lass. I’ve watched you both since I came here, and even a blind man can see you have feelings for one another. Why won’t you act on them? You could have her any way you want, if you’ve a mind to.”
“It’s impossible, man. Corsets and stilettos aside, Raine is built for picket fences, babies, and minivans. You know Juliet slammed that door shut for me years ago. I’m not going near it again.”
Compassion softened Liam’s face. “Not another soul here knows you like I do. We’ve been through the mill together, you and I. How long are you going to let the past haunt you? Put it behind you, mate, or it will suck you dry. Believe me, I know. If I hadn’t done my soul searching in the past year since my divorce, no doubt I’d still be a bleak bastard.”
Liam was probably right, and Hammer had tried to come to terms with everything, but… “Well, I’m glad you got your shit together. You’re a better man than me, I guess.”
And damn, didn’t he sound bitter?
“Bloody hell. Not better, just more determined to move on.”
“Don’t you think I’ve tried every way I can think of?” The impatient sweep of his hand mirrored his pissed-off mood. “Drinking it out of my system. Talking it out. Fucking it out. Nothing works.”
“You haven’t tried Raine. And don’t tell me you don’t want that girl. I see the way you protect her, the way you watch her. You crave her so badly, you can nearly taste her. But you deny yourself, as if you’re paying penance for an act that wasn’t your fault.”
Liam just didn’t understand.
“That’s your way of looking at it.”
His friend sighed, tapping an impatient hand on the side of his leg. “If you won’t consider yourself, think of Raine. She pays the price for your distance, too. You’re ripping her heart to shreds. No other Dom here will touch her for fear of your wrath. At least try to live up to your responsibility and give her what she needs.”
Macen swallowed hard. “First, she’d have to finish growing up.”
“She has. You just don’t see it. I don’t think you want to.” Liam laid out the ugly truth. “But if you won’t take her under your wing, you’ve got to let her go.”
Hammer knew he’d been unfair to Raine, but release her to another man? Some asshole who might truly hurt her? God, Hammer already felt half dead—and that would finish him off.
“How about you stay the fuck out of this?”
“Not this time. Eight years is a long time to grieve.” Liam patted his shoulder. “Why do you keep such a tight grip on your guilt?”
“So I don’t make the same mistake twice.”
“Juliet chose her path without even talking to you, mate. You couldn’t have known.”
“I should have. I knew everything else about her, down to the last miniscule detail.” But nothing changed the fact that he hadn’t known how Juliet felt until it was too late.
“I probably should have known, too. I spent a fair amount of time with her. But she didn’t communicate with either of us. You can’t take all the responsibility for her feelings. You couldn’t read her mind. It’s time for you to move on and find happiness.”
“Yeah? You think Juliet would agree?” Hammer challenged.
“Your misery won’t bring her back, but I think Raine could save you.” Liam stared at him calmly, as if he wasn’t dissecting his life with a few pointed words.
No way he would ever confess everything he felt for Raine. If he did, Liam would never stop pushing for the impossible.
