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Grabbing another length of rope, Hammer attached it to the table and tossed it over her hips, then thrust the other end at Liam. He took it grimly and tied it off at her other hip with a scowl.
“How did I do that?” Liam demanded incredulously, finishing the knot. “Because I loved you and I wanted you to love me back?”
“Yes.” Her entire body shook as she cried. “I didn’t know how I could be so afraid of something I wanted so badly. The fear paralyzed me.” She dragged in a jagged breath. “Every time I’d let go a little, I’d be so proud of myself. Then you always seemed angry that it wasn’t more. I felt so out of my element.”
“You shut down,” Hammer supplied.
Raine nodded.
“You never said any of this,” Liam pointed out softly. “How was I supposed to know?”
“How could I give you what I didn’t know how to give? Love seems so easy for you. The words just pour out. Me?” She shook her head. “What I knew was that if I wanted something too much, it would be taken and destroyed. You were so good. I wanted more. I didn’t dare tell you.”
“So you destroyed it yourself?”
She closed her eyes as sobs wracked her again. “See, I fuck everything up.”
Liam caressed her cheek. “Shh. No. Falling in love with you was so easy. From day one, I wanted to protect and guide you. I wanted to reach you. You made me laugh. You made me mad. You twisted me up in knots. But you made me feel alive. My vanity was believing my love was enough for us both. I never meant to make you feel unworthy.”
“I know you didn’t. I’m sorry I haven’t been honest. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you.” Her lashes fluttered open and her gaze clung to Liam. Everything about her face was a plea for acceptance. “I love you.”
The air left Hammer’s lungs in a rush. It didn’t surprise him that Raine was in love with his best friend. Deep down, Hammer had known it, but hearing Raine’s sweet words wrapped in such earnest need… Fuck, he wanted to scream, rage, tear the room apart. But he couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. Liam had waited for weeks, hoping she’d declare her feelings. Now that she had, Hammer just clenched his jaw, grateful the others were so engrossed in each other they didn’t notice he was quietly coming undone.
“Oh, god.” He cradled Raine’s face. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear that. Thank you for being brave. And here’s my heart, bound to yours.” Liam grabbed a stretch of rope and fitted it under her breasts before he handed it to Macen to complete.
Hammer stared at it mutely, seeing the overwhelming love in his friend’s eyes. With numb fingers, he took the silken length and wrapped it around the bolt on his side of the table as Liam bent to Raine and covered her mouth with his, delving deep, mastering her lips. Telling her without a single word that he loved her, too.
As Liam lifted away from Raine’s kiss, Hammer couldn’t do a damn thing except paste on a stoic expression.
Immediately, she looked his way, soft concern on her face. Yeah, she didn’t want to hurt him. Too late.
“How long have you been in love with him?” Hammer whispered.
Raine paused. He could see her thoughts turning, watch her scan memories.
“I think…” She smiled wryly. “When Liam fed me pickles. It was the most tender yet terrible way imaginable to tell me that what I said mattered.” She turned to Liam. “That night at dinner when you wanted to know about my childhood and finally persuaded me to tell you, do you remember? It was then.”
“I do. I made dessert out of you after that, love.” Liam grinned.
Raine blushed prettily, and they shared a memory Hammer knew he’d never precisely understand. It fed every insecurity he possessed. But he forced himself to swallow it down, along with his wounded pride.
“You’re doing so well, precious. He’s waited a long time to hear how you feel.” Hammer murmured to her.
How the hell could he be happy for his friend and so enraged at the same time?
“It doesn’t change the way I feel about you, Macen. Nothing ever would.” She glanced up at the ceiling and drew in a deep breath. “And that’s what I really didn’t know how to say, that I love you both.”
“I knew. I’ve known for a while. That’s hugely honest. You’re doing great,” Hammer choked out.
He grabbed some rope and handed Liam another piece. Together, they bent her knees, then secured the silk around her ankles and tied the lengths off to the table. Hammer checked her circulation along his side.
Liam did the same on the other with a shake of his head. “You might have told me, mate.”
