She hesitated, then plopped down on the bed, looking somewhere between embarrassed and miserable. “I thought that before I could really consider your offer, I had to see if there was any chance that Hammer could...” She stopped, sighed. “But there isn’t. I went to his room dressed in a lot less and tried to seduce him. Even when I had my mouth on his—” She looked away with a grimace, and Liam had a vivid mental picture of what she’d done to get Hammer’s attention. “He still turned me down. It hurt. We fought. I lost my temper. It got ugly.” She shrugged. “Here we are.”
A smile pulled at his lips. “No doubt you startled the hell out of him. Awakening to the soft, wet heat of a woman’s mouth wrapped around one’s John Thomas is generally something to appreciate. I’d say you surprised him, and he reacted poorly. Surely you’d not hold that against him.”
She jumped to her feet. “I should have known you’d take your pal’s side. I surprised Hammer, all right. And I aroused him. But he didn’t want to deal with me, so he tossed me out of the room and jacked off. He had the nerve to shout my name when...well, you get it. You’ll probably say it’s his Dom’s right or whatever, but I got so mad, I saw a red haze. I went to the dungeon and threw everything I could find on the floor. Okay, so it was stupid. But from that, Hammer decided that I needed a spanking. And to stick his fingers up my—” She shook her head. “He’s not dictating to me when I can have an orgasm, and I made that clear.”
Raine was like an angry wee bird, feathers bristling as she emphasized her words, her hands waving and breasts heaving. She was glorious.
He gave her a genuine smile, picturing only too well the scene she described.
She rolled her eyes. “And you think it’s funny. Fuck, I am so leaving.”
When she marched for the door, Liam leapt up, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her back against him. He surrounded her completely, stroking her back lazily to offset his unyielding hold.
“There now, lass. Christ, I’ll bet the orgasm he gave himself was an empty regret compared to one he’d much rather have had between your lips.”
She snorted. “No. I’m like a sister to him. He doesn’t want me. He never will, and I don’t think I can stay and watch him with women like Marlie anymore.” She fidgeted in his grasp. “Can you let me go?”
Not a chance in hell, and if she thought Hammer truly wanted anyone but her, then someone had to pull back the man’s curtain and show her the truth. Words wouldn’t do it, but actions… Hammer in a jealous rage ought to convince her.
“You can’t really want to leave home and all you know?” he said softly. “My offer still stands. Hammer hasn’t done a good job teaching you or making you feel valued as a woman. So let me do that. Aren’t you even a little curious to see what you might gain?”
She hesitated, considering. Liam wanted to push, but he didn’t. The time wasn’t right. Instead, he cajoled.
“C’mon lass. You’re ready. Any responsible Dom gives the sub what she needs, and you’ve gone too long without that since Hammer has stifled you.”
Raine stared at him, biting her lip. He could practically see her thoughts working. Time to lean on her a bit.
“Be brave, lovely. Take what I’m offering. I’d be good to you.”
“That sounds great and all, but you’re Hammer’s best friend. And it’s taken you a couple of months to reach the conclusion that I need...whatever it is you think I’m doing without. Plus, you never really told me what’s in it for you. Yeah, you said I’m pretty, but I don’t think that alone would motivate you to spend the weeks or months it will likely take to train me. Not to mention that you danced around telling me what you said to Hammer a few minutes ago. So forgive me if I’m a little suspicious.”
Clever girl. She was smart to be wary. But he couldn’t allow it to continue.
“It seems to me that you have more to gain than to lose by giving me a go. Hammer has already rejected you, and I’m sorry for it. But should you have to lose your home, as well? Rather than leaving, why not take this opportunity to try something new? Test your limits and grow.” He stepped back and put a bit of distance between them so she wouldn’t feel crowded or threatened. “You seem to think I have some ulterior motive, but I’d be lying if I said your plight doesn’t grate at my need to protect and teach you what I believe you crave.”
She sent him a considering stare. “If you have nothing to hide, then what did you two talk about before you came in here?”
He forced a casual shrug. “I’d have thought that would be obvious. We discussed why he was allowing you to get under his skin and create an uproar. Both of you were hot enough to fry eggs. He’s my friend. Why wouldn’t I be concerned?”
“About him, sure. That makes sense. But me? I’m nothing to you.”
Just like Hammer had said, trust was going to be a major issue for her. Earning it while he wasn’t being totally honest was an added challenge. But his plan would ultimately benefit Raine and Hammer both, if it worked. While he trained her, he would have to separate his ploy from her progress and focus on giving her exactly what she needed. She would eventually trust that he wanted her happiness.
“Because my concern for Hammer extends to his responsibilities as a Dominant. If he’s unable to manage them, for whatever reason, then I will. That includes you.”
Her nose wrinkled in distaste. “I’m tired of being someone’s responsibility.”
“That’s not all you are to him. You’re wrong if you think he doesn’t love you. It may not be the way you want him to, but he cares.” He cocked his head. Talking to her was a bit like playing a chess match. He had to carefully consider his every move. “I’ll be more honest than I should when I say you won’t be simply a responsibility to me. You’re an untested submissive. That makes you a very attractive proposition. I’ll enjoy coaxing your surrender. You’ll be a lovely challenge.”
She flushed. “And it won’t bother you that I love him?”
Liam crafted his words carefully, then took a half step closer to cup her cheek and delve deep into her eyes. “I don’t need your love, lass, just your trust. I’ve said I’d be willing to help you become the submissive you’re wanting to be. Leave, don’t leave. The choice is yours. But know this, Raine: Regrets are a heavy albatross to carry around your neck for the rest of your life.”
She turned her attention from him to her own thoughts. He watched her face, practically saw her mind start to spin and race. Fascinating, really. He’d grown so used to women with towering walls guarding their thoughts, especially his ex-wife. Raine was so new, a blank slate in so many ways. Fresh. The idea of molding her excited him. The idea of touching her excited him, too—far more than it should.
“I see your point,” she finally conceded. “What’s the catch to your offer?”
Slowly, but surely, he was reaching her. “Hammer insists that he’ll have his pound of flesh. I can’t stop Beck from punishing you on his behalf. But if you agree to let me train you, I won’t let him touch you. Either way, I’ll be by your side to lend what support I may.”
She lifted her chin. “If I stay, I’ll manage Beck. I’m not a coward.”
Liam fought a smile. Raine was many things—a minx, a smart girl trapped in a woman’s body, a submissive without a Dominant to guide her—but he would never call her a coward.