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“You thought I was a little insane, didn’t you?”
“Maybe a touch.” She rimmed her wineglass with her finger and smiled at him.
“But now you know.”
“I do,” she agreed, taking another sip.
“So the issue isn’t really the words they exchanged tonight. The more important thing is what happens next. What do you think you should do? Be smart here…”
Raine stepped back from the situation as much as her emotions would allow. If she were giving a friend advice in this situation, what would she say? “Sit them down and be completely honest about the fact that I love them, that I hate it when they fight, and that I want them always. But that sounds unrealistic, too. If they can’t get along today, there’s no tomorrow. And with that argument tonight, I can’t imagine them trying to climb in the same bed with me together—ever.”
Beck shrugged. “There’s an important thought in there. Keep digging. You want another wine?”
She looked down to see that she’d drained the glass and shook her head. “I’ve had better wine from a convenience store. No offense.”
“None taken. I’ve had better coffee from a hospital cafeteria, and that’s saying something. Ready to go?”
When Beck made to stand, she grabbed his hand. “One more question.”
He settled in his seat again. “Shoot.”
“Did they have more tasks planned for me?”
“One,” he admitted grimly. “It revolved around trust.”
“They wanted me to give them my trust?” she clarified.
“They wanted a show of it, yes.”
Something about the way Beck tensed put her on alert. “Okay, cough it up. What were they going to do?”
He hesitated, looked at his coffee, lifted it, and set it aside with a scowl. Then he drew in a deep breath. “Tomorrow afternoon, they intended to take you into the playroom and put you entirely in Seth’s hands. No options off the table. They wanted to see if you trusted them enough to extend your trust to someone you didn’t know well because they asked you to.”
That startled Raine. “Sex?”
Beck shrugged. “They wanted to see if you would put your faith in them enough to keep you safe.”
“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.” She sighed.
“Tell me how you really feel, princess.” Chuckling, Beck leaned closer. “I have no doubt they never would have let him lay a finger on you. They just wanted to see what you’d do.”
“I’m familiar with the tactic. I’ve seen other Doms use it at Shadows. Liam and Hammer are crazy if they thought I wouldn’t see through that. If they can barely stand each other touching me, they’re not going to let Seth do it.”
“Oh god, you’re going to keep them on their toes. I’m going to enjoy this ringside seat.”
She swatted his shoulder. “Seriously!”
He grinned. “Just out of curiosity, is the idea so stupid because it’s transparent?”
“Besides that…” She waved his words away. “Trust, like communication and honesty, should run both ways. Or in our case, all three ways. None of it works unless everyone is doing their best. Gosh, listen to me. I learned something!”
Beck nodded. “Yes. So you have to tell them what you need and trust that they’ll communicate honestly in return. It isn’t more complicated than that. Well, except the part where you have to trust them to take care of you.”
Individually, she really did. She hadn’t always been good at showing it. She’d never had to submit to Hammer. And she hadn’t really let go with Liam like she should. In the end, though, they had done so much to make her whole. She trusted that they wanted what was best for her. But could they do that together?
“You’re right. I think I have an idea.” She hopped up from her seat, eager to return to the lodge.
“All right.” He threw down a twenty and turned to wink at the waitress who was pretending not to spy on them. “Let’s blow this taco stand so you can go wrangle those men.”
Ten minutes later, they walked through the door of the lodge into the cheerful great room with its blazing fire. Seth stood near the hearth and turned when Raine entered. But she barely noticed him.
Dressed in jeans and freshly showered, Liam and Hammer stood, both tense. Then they stepped toward her, and she got a good look at their faces.
She gasped. “What happened to—” The truth hit her between the eyes, and Raine threw her hands up in exasperation. “You two fought? What the hell? And don’t talk to me about language right now, Liam. I have every right to be ridiculous if you’re going to be.”
They both had the good grace to look sheepish.
Liam rubbed at a mottled, red-purple spot on his jaw. Both their noses looked swollen. Hammer had a bit of a goose egg on his chin.
Behind her, Beck chuckled. “God, you two are funny.”
