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Ha of thethe latest reality “celebrity” in the background Exhaustion weighed on hiue the result of another fitful night? The incessant replay of Raine’s cries of pleasure earlier thisin his head of the advice Beck had given hio that he still hadn’t taken?

While punching his pillow and tossing restlessly last night, he’d coize to Liam The speech he’d prepared in his head and practiced in the shower felt more stilted than he’d like But he’d say it Once that was behind him, he could move onto the second step necessary to take control of his life again Hoould Raine react when he confessed that he loved her and always had?

Hammer mussed his hair and threw on some clothes, determined that today he would sit Raine down and utter the three words he’d carried in his heart for so long

He shouldn’t be as nervous as a teenage boy asking his first girl out on a date, but his stomach was in knots Once he’d told her how he felt, he hoped they could ether—just the two of them

The possibility exhilarated him

Dressed and ready to vanquish his demons, he strode to the rooy repeated through Haain No one answered

Frowning, he irl was baking But it, too, was en of life was a freshly brewed pot of coffee that s Raine would make Still, he needed it

Ha and took a sip as he left the kitchen, gri down his throat

When he reached the dungeon, he skilance over the open space He didn’t see Liaynored his knock, too wrapped up in their cocoon of bliss to give a fuck about him?

Fighting impatience, Hammer climbed the stairs to the bar To his surprise, Lia of the terrible coffee

“Good ,” Hammer said stiffly

Lialanced his way, just nodded and sipped ue “God, that’s shit”