Time as ever waited for no person and one month shifted into three as Nathan, Rayne and Jaxon returned to their Hampton's home and life somewhat settled into the peaceful rhythm they had established before heading to the city.

During this time, they had learnt of Rayne's mother passing away, which had led to a flat-out refusal from Rayne to attend the funeral.

Nathan and Jaxon hadn't tried to convince her otherwise and felt more relieved than worried at her reluctance.

Rayne's therapy sessions continued but had reduced those visits with Dr De-Luca to one per week.

Life, as they say, was returning to normal... their normal.

Rayne's routine may have remained the same, but reconnecting with her estranged family had taught a valuable lesson—ask for help when needed. Which in turn had led Nathan and Rayne down the BDSM rabbit hole and Rayne freely accepting her role of submissive to Nathan's dominant. And in return, they had become closer deepening their love and trust in one another, strengthening their bond.  Nathan had designed and kitted out a 'play-room' for him them both in their Hampton home and whenever he would return home in the evening, if Rayne was waiting in this room for him, he would deliver on his promise to ease her torment.

Jaxon as ever was supportive but remained an observer in that world and Rayne appreciated his softer side to Nathan's harder edges.

She loved them both unconditionally.

~ ~

As winter approached, Nathan sadly had been dragged overseas to direct the merger of two of Knights Communications recent acquisitions.

Woefully, this hadn't gone as smoothly as predicted, already having been apart from Rayne and Jaxon for ten days. The outlook wasn't due to rectify for at least another week by his reckoning. And following another long day of tedious negotiations Nathan picked up his phone to see he had missed five phone calls from Jaxon and two from Rayne.

An unsettling, familiar feeling tangled into a knot as he stepped into his waiting car to be driven back to his hotel. He returned Jaxon's call first. "Hey, sorry, it's been a hell of a day. You called?"

"Hang on Nate," Jaxon muttered. Nathan heard footsteps and the closing of doors. "Sorry, needed some privacy."

His brothers tone twisted the ever-growing knot in Nathan's stomach. "Everything okay. Rayne, okay?" He hated the distance between them as he listened to Jaxon's aggravated sigh.

Jaxon didn't know where to start, knowing the pending conversation would upset his brother and make the distance between them even more unbearable.

Breath whooshed into Nathan's lungs as the silence became torturous. "Jaxon, speak man!"

"Rayne's not having a good day. The bare truth of it—It's one of the worst I've witnessed, since..." There was no point in withholding any information. "Her dumbass brother sent some of their mother's personal items to the office. Suzanne questioned nothing inside and just forwarded onto Rayne here in the Hampton's."

"Fuck!" cursed Nathan, cutting him off. "What are these personal items?"

Jaxon ran off the list. "Photographs, a ring and a diary."

Rayne's diary? "A diary—Rayne's?"

Jaxon wished. "No. Her mothers. Detailing every thought she ever had about Rayne. It's disturbing Nate, fucked up. If the woman wasn't dead, I'd fucking kill her with my bare hands."

"And Rayne read it?"  Fuck, fuck, fuck.  "How is she?"  Fucking Marcus!  He should have gone with his initial plan and had the motherfucker assassinated.

Jaxon paced the room. "She said she was fine, and I fucking stupidly thought she was. We had lunch and talked about going sailing tomorrow... but."

"But what?"

"But then she said she wanted to change all the bedding. I should have known something was wrong, it's Thursday." He wanted to punch someone. "After thirty minutes I went to find her and found her inside the shower cubicle in the spare guest room, huddled in the corner, clothed, counting over and over. The water was ice cold."

Fuck! "Had she hurt herself?"

"Nothing beyond pinching and the shower. But I'm freaking the fuck out, Nate."  He stopped pacing. "I hated seeing her like that. Despising herself. " His hand fisted in his hair. "Fuck, even in death that woman haunts her, fucks with her head."

This was what Nathan had been most worried over. A time when he wouldn't be there to help her through an episode. Fuck! He had to remain calm and think this through. "Jaxon, we knew one day this might happen."

Jaxon scrubbed his hand across his face. "I know."

"Have you spoken with De-Luca?"

"One time he's on fucking vacation. Not back till the weekend."

"Where is she now?"

"Sleeping. I held her till she fell asleep, but she was so tense in my arms, I could practically hear her mind tormenting her."

"This leaves us little choice. Question is, Can you Jaxon? She needs to know you can help when I'm not there." Nathan's driver came to a stop as they pulled up outside the hotel. "Fuck, but I don't want to push this on you if you're not able to give her what she needs." He rubbed his forehead. "That will only make things worse...for her."

His stomach tightened uncomfortably. "I just need to get over the idea I'm gonna cause her more pain, watching from the sidelines is easy. You make it look easy."

Nathan understood his brother's concerns.  Opening the car door he stepped out of the car. "Listen, I have an idea. But you're gonna have to do everything I say. Yes?" Shutting the door. "Trust me Jax.  You won't hurt her."

The line went quiet and Nathan could still feel his brothers unease.  "I trust you Jax. I wouldn't ask you to do this if I didn't."

Swallowing, chest tight. He would do anything to help Rayne. "Yeah, anything."

"I'm heading inside the hotel. Let me plan a few things and message me when she's awake."

~ ~

Two hours later. Nathan felt relieved when he saw an incoming face-time call from Rayne. "Hey sweetheart."

He saw the paleness of her skin, dark circles beneath her grey eyes, the tell-tale stress signs as she fidgeted with her fingers in the familiar pattern he knew worked in six's "Jaxon told me a parcel arrived for you?"

Rayne gulped. He knew. He would know about the shower. Would he be angry, disappointed? She bit into her bottom lip.  One... two... three... four... five... six.

Nathan knew her well enough. "I'm not upset Rayne or disappointed. Talk to me."

Rayne relaxed slightly, taking the edge off her anxieties—anxieties she had been managing so well since they had returned to their Hamptons home. Nathan had only taken them outside their normal comfort zone four times since their first experience of exercising her demons. "All the memories came flooding back." She bit back a cry.

"It's okay, sweetheart. Nothing changes overnight. You know that, right? Dr De-Luca said there will be setbacks. Good and bad days."

She nodded slowly, yes she did. "I wish you were here, I miss you." Her hand instinctively shifted to her inner thigh beneath her slip. "I don't think I can do this on my own." She admitted, hating that it may make him feel even worse being so far away. "I'm scared, Nathan." Her eyes dropped from his.

"Look at me, Rayne." Nathan stared at her unblinking, his tone firm, but his heart was pumping hard in his chest. "Sweetheart, I miss you too but I need you to know that I'll always be your lifeline. And no matter where I am in the world, I will still be able to help you because no matter what you're going through, I'm with you helping you hold on. And Jaxon too."

Nathan straightened in his chair. "Now what I need from you is your trust, as always. Trust me to help you."

His tone made her shiver and soothed her frayed nerves. Nathan was her anchor, her rock, he never let her down. "I trust you."

"Perfect." He smiled.  "When we are finished with our conversation, I will need you to go to the playroom and wait as you would when you need to expel some of those demons?"

Her brow furrowed with confusion. Why make such a request when he wasn't coming home?

"Sweetheart, have faith in me."

"Okay."

"That pleases me. Now I have a plan."

They said their goodbyes and Rayne did as instructed and went to their playroom.

~ ~

Rayne waited, naked, in her kneeling position.

Hearing the door open, fire flooded her veins, and her skin prickled. She knew it was Jaxon as he stepped up to and held out his phone. "It's Nathan." She looked up and took the phone.

"Hey sweetheart. If we do this right, it will feel as if I'm there with you."

She nodded but didn't understand.

"Jaxon is going to blindfold you at the start, so you will only hear my voice. Jaxon will follow my instructions and be me whilst I can't be there. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes." She breathed out, slightly hesitant, knowing Jaxon didn't like to play this way. Light spanking, fucking her hard maybe. But not pain.

"Good. Hand the phone back to Jaxon."

She did.

Jaxon took the phone. "You know what to do," said Nathan "Stick to the plan."

Jaxon did. Ending the call, he walked to the waiting laptop and logged in. He connected to Nathan's laptop and his face came into view. He shifted out of the way so he could see.

"Yes, I can see everything. Perfect."

Jaxon breathed a little easier.

"You got the blindfold and the rope?"

Jaxon had complied. Having them ready next to the laptop. Seeing the nod from Nathan, he walked over to Rayne and held his hand out for her to take to rise from the floor.

Tension held Rayne's frame before she felt a tingle of heat trail from one shoulder to the next as Jaxon walked around her, running his finger across her smooth skin. "Let me take care of you tonight," he whispered. "I'm going to give you what you need, and then take what I need."

She shivered as he placed the blindfold over her eyes, plunging her into darkness.

"I will be your pleasure and your pain, little one."

Nathan watched his brother tie the blindfold; a sly smile crossed his lips. This might work better than he hoped. "What is your safe word, Rayne?"

"Fairy, Sir," she replied without wavering.

"Good. Now Jaxon is going to use the rope to tie you up. Relax and listen to my voice. Picture in your mind I'm there with you." Rayne nodded.

"I need the words Rayne."

"Yes Sir, I understand."

"Proceed like we discussed Jaxon." Mischief lurked in Nathan's eyes, as he'd spent the last two hours planning this out in his mind. He only hoped his brother could carry this through.

As soon as he heard the command from Nathan, he returned to the table to retrieve the rope.

Although in darkness she was acutely aware of Nathan and Jaxon's attention on her. A delicious shiver ran through her. This was different, exciting. Exhaling a slow breath, she hoped she wouldn't disappoint Nathan or upset Jaxon.

Stood in front of Rayne, the muscle along his jaw flexed as his eyes wandered over her. "Fucking beautiful." Stroking his thumb across her cheek, he inhaled slowly.

"Hands out Rayne." Nathan instructed.

Rayne raised her hands. "Thank you, Jaxon," she whispered.

Jaxon smiled as he uncurled the rope; thankful he had paid attention, watching his brother do this so many times with other submissives. A picture of concentration. He wound the rope around her wrists before sliding it between her wrists in an infinity pattern. Ensuring it wasn't too tight and kept flicking his eyes up to check in on Rayne.

Happily, he trailed the rope up to her shoulder, gliding it behind her neck to ensure he didn't catch her hair, before wrapping it around her neck twice to feel her tense.

"Don't be afraid, Rayne," said Nathan as she relaxed with the weight of his tone. She knew he would never hurt her outside of what was needed.

"I trust you." She repeated for him to smile and Jaxon to relax.

"Good sweetheart. Now, is it too tight, because I need Jaxon to wrap it a third time around your throat?"

"No. It kinda feels different, but nice." Nathan had only ever bound her wrists and feet with sashes. The rope felt rougher against her skin as if demanding she give up control.

Jaxon wrapped it around a third time before checking her hair still wasn't caught in the rope's threads. Satisfied, he trailed it down and wrapped it one final time around her wrists and knotted the end to ensure nothing would come loose.

"Are you ready to start?" asked Nathan

"Yes Sir, I'm ready."

Although Nathan wasn't there in person, she felt his dominance, as if he stood right in front of her. Heat blasted up her legs, clotting in her centre. Although unable to see, she assumed Jaxon had created a harness and moving her hands would loosen or tighten it.

"Ouch." She yelped as a sudden movement from Jaxon as he reached through her hair, clasping the back of her head as he pulled on the rope, startling her, choking her for a moment before he relaxed the pull.

"Deep breath, sweetheart."

It had her heart racing in the most adrenaline-charged way.

"To the bench," instructed Nathan.

The odd piece of furniture was a cross between a wooden horse and a bench which Nathan had specially designed himself and had made by a local carpenter. Rayne could either be bent over it, used to sit or spread and tied down, depending on how the bench seat was adjusted. Today it was raised and lay flat, almost like a table.

Jaxon pulled the rope and Rayne followed. He positioned her in front to ensure Nathan could still see and then adjusted as needed for the perfect height.

"Slightly, to your right, Jax..." Jaxon shifted.

"Good." confirmed Nathan "Much better."

Jaxon turned and shifted Rayne, standing behind as he bent her over at the waist and moved her forward.

"Hands above your head, reach for the edge of the bench Rayne." She did as Nathan instructed, which tightened the rope around her throat, but not terribly uncomfortable.

Bent over, stretched out, she turned to rest her cheek on the cool wooden surface.

"Jaxon, come back to me."

Jaxon turned to the screen and walked towards the last item on the table, where a paddle sat. It was different to what he had seen Nathan use on Rayne. This was a pale pink and not as wide and softer to touch. Although it didn't ease the knot in his stomach.

Nathan sensed his hesitation and lowered his voice, softening his tone. "I need you to understand Jaxon, it's never the power that makes a great Dom but his integrity, his need to meet his subs needs and draw out the needs she doesn't know she has. She will give you her trust without question and you must remember there is no permanent physical harm."

Jaxon nodded in understanding. He had watched Nathan many times over the years with his submissive's and he knew what he said was true. He could do this; he would do this for Rayne.

Rayne couldn't hear the conversation between Nathan and Jaxon as guilt twisted. Jaxon didn't enjoy hurting her. She couldn't let him. Wriggling, she pushed herself to her elbows, twisting her head in the direction where she thought Jaxon stood. "Jaxon, you don't have to do this. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable"

Jaxon's head shot in her direction, gritting his teeth as he walked toward her, taking her chin in between his fingers. "I want to. Let me do this for you little one." Capturing her lips, he hoped she sensed his honesty. "Trust me." He placed the paddle down "I need to remove my shirt and then it will begin."

He unfastened his shirt, stripping it from his shoulders to reveal his decorated, tanned, sculpted chest. His jeans sat low on his hips and Rayne licked her lips instinctively, unable to see, in her mind she knew every inch of Jaxon... and Nathan.

She had always thought Nathan was beautiful, built for sex. Jaxon too, but he was built for fucking. "I trust you both."

"Good, now relax sweetheart."

Jaxon stepped to the rear as he ran one hand over her bare, smooth ass. "Beautiful." He rubbed the flat side of the paddle in a circle.

"Count each one, sweetheart."

Rayne's heart was beating so fast she almost didn't hear his request. Count! "Yes, Sir."

The first strike brought heat to her flesh and a smile to her lips. "One, Sir."

"Beautiful," muttered Nathan.

Jaxon started off lightly but held the paddle so tensely he thought the handle might break.

The smacks alternated sides as his intensity increased. On the second set of six he brought it down hard enough that Rayne cried out. He paused; his breath held as his eyes flicked to Nathan's. He couldn't help but notice Nathan's look of hunger as he watched them both. It turned him on.

"Please, more," she said breathlessly. "Don't stop." The discomfort she felt was nothing compared to the anxiety he might stop.

He loomed over her, his jaw set, but as he heard her request, he relaxed and continued.

The slapping of the paddle on skin filled the room as he delivered the blows at more of a punishing tempo. Rayne counted each one. Her skin burned but silenced her warring inner turmoil.

"You ass looks so fucking sexy, a hot shade of red sweetheart."

Rayne peeled her cheek from the wooden bench, the excitement in Nathan's tone brought forward a sudden impulse. "Please, can you remove my blindfold... I want to see you both."

Jaxon's head flicked to Nathan's who nodded his agreement to her request. Jaxon pulled on the small knot and it fell away.

Adjusting to the dim light, she arched slightly and turned to look at Nathan. His lips were parted as he sucked in air, and his shoulders moved rhythmically. Rayne's eyebrows shot up as she realized what he was doing. To think he was jacking off thousands of miles away whilst Jaxon delivered the hard plows to her ass gave her a huge buzz of gratification and pleasure.

Jaxon was breathing hard from the scene and from the exertion as he continued to the next set of six.

Rayne counted each one as a sheen of sweat covered her back.

She looked so sexy as he realized for the first time that it turned him on himself watching her ass redden and her moans increase. His free hand ran over his erection and gently squeezed. "Tell me how you are doing, little one?"

"Good, good Sir. I'm feeling so much better. I can't hear the voices."

Nathan paused for a second absorbing her words. "Deliver the two last sets of six Jaxon."

Jaxon gave one nod but oddly felt something dark shift inside him, sending a surge of lust to his cock, calling on every possessive part of his being. He was doing this for her, helping her. With an enthusiasm he'd never experienced he aimed the paddle lower, he swung it so quickly it cut through the air and didn't give her time to prepare or brace herself as the first crack landed.

Rayne cried out... Yes, this was what she needed.  The searing pain that shot through the back of her thighs forced her head to shoot up and raise to her toes. Stretching her hands out she gripped the edge of the bench, forcing the rope to tighten, pressuring her airways.  The idea she might not be able to breathe excited her beyond anything she felt before.

Jaxon blew out a breath but continued as Rayne shuddered and cried out a continual string of yes's as he delivered each swat to her upper thigh, bringing a storm of pain consuming her with searing heat that she almost couldn't breathe.

As the last one hit, she collapsed forward, surrendering to the physical pain and her emotional pain silenced. She relaxed her hands to shift the tightness from around her throat as Jaxon's hand was between her legs, his fingertips stroking her clit. This was heaven as agony and pleasure carried her forward, sweeping an unimaginable heat through her.

Jaxon had done this for her.

"Look at me, Rayne," Nathan demanded.

Breathing heavily, she turned to Nathan as Jaxon slid two finger inside her pussy, pushing deeply. Her groan was low as she caught the look on Jaxon's face of pure lust, and Nathan continued to stroke himself.

"You look so fucking perfect, sweetheart, tied up, ass red and Jaxon's fingers fucking that tight pussy of yours ."

"Yessss." Rayne whispered as Jaxon's fingers moved faster inside her.

"You took your punishment so well sweetheart, and look you've made me so hard." His hands moved faster as he shifted the screen, so his lower body came into view, his pants were open and pushed over his thighs and he ringed his thumb and forefinger around his cock, pumping up and down. Rayne gasped.

"See what you do to me, you're going to make me come?"

Rayne's eyes widened, happy that Nathan was just as much a part of this with her... and Jaxon.

"You make me so happy taking your punishment so well. Dirty girl." Rayne sighed into his praise as she clenched around Jaxon's fingers as he pumped faster.

"Do you like being tied up by me, little one... for me to use, do as I wish?" asked Jaxon

Oh boy, did she! "Yes... oh my god... yes."

His hand moved faster as she floated to that space she craved... needed.

"So perfect." She vaguely heard Nathan as a sense of urgency grew within her. She now needed to come so badly.

Jaxon's fingers were like magic, one stroked her clit whilst the others plunged in and out like a bomb she was about to detonate. "Ohmygod. Ohmygod!"

"Come for us Rayne, coat Jax's hand with your delicious honey." said Nathan, also slightly winded.

As she writhed on the table, pushing her bound wrists hands forward, tightening the rope around her throat once again. The orgasm wasn't to be denied as it rose like a crest on a wave and crashed over her, wiping every coherent thought... the pain, the pleasure together was perfection.

Jaxon was panting just as much as she was as he heard Nathan cursing as he had released along with Rayne.

Rayne's legs shook. Now it was his turn. He had done what he needed for Nathan and Rayne. Gently he raised her from the table and scooped her up, bridal style, and walked towards the bed. Sitting her down, keeping her upright, he slowly loosened the knots with skill, unwinding before lifting her hair to unravel from around her neck.

Rayne didn't move, lost between that dreamy state and an awareness of peace. Her eyes fluttered open as she felt soft lips kiss her wrists, moving up her arms, pushing her hair from her shoulders he pushed her to lay down and kissed along her neck whispering words of love.

Each kiss created a wonderful warm shiver as his hands moved across her chest and cupped her breasts, her hard nipples needing his attention. Jaxon's mouth followed his hands to capture her nipple, swirling with his tongue before teasing with his teeth as Rayne arched slightly and Jaxon bit a little harder. With his hand free, he dug his fingers into her thigh as his knee forced her legs apart.

He had given her pain and now he wanted to give her pleasure... his pleasure. "I'm going to fuck you now, little one."

A gasp burst from Rayne as he buried himself  inside her. So deep, right on the edge of discomfort. Jaxon moved inside her body, his warm, ragged breath against Rayne's shoulder. With each thrust he felt her tighten her legs around him, pulling him deeper inside. Both she and his moans became louder, more urgent as her hands dug into his shoulders.

Jaxon's thrust became harder, more frantic as he fucked her ruthlessly almost primal, taking what he needed from the woman he loved.

Rayne soaked up every thrust as he pounded in to her. She wanted to see Nathan but couldn't shift her gaze from Jaxon, who had moved to look into her eyes, his face so intense those whisky eyes she loved, dark with lust.

He let out a sudden cry as he came in splattering bursts.

Rayne was sure she felt the heat of his come coat her walls as she tightened around him, allowing her own orgasm to run along his, whilst both their chests heaved for air.

One breath at a time they both came down from their high, and Rayne realized how sore she was. Her ass and thighs still burned, and her pussy felt abused... sore, but in a good way as Jaxon, still breathing heavily, stroked her cheek.

"Are you okay, little on?" His eyes filled with something other than lust... concerns.

Rayne licked her now dry lips. "I'm wonderful, Jaxon... thank you... thank you." In that second, he had never looked so undeniably sexy to her.

A relieved smile crossed his face before his lips pressed down on hers as she groaned, their tongues stroked and loved each other. "I love you so much. Mine forever, mine," he whispered against her lips as she muttered the same.

Nathan had watched till the end with a sense of relief, fulfilment and pure joy. It had played on his mind being so far away and Rayne needing him. But now he could trust Jaxon to help her when he couldn't.

What they had together and shared may never be normal to the outside world, but to him this was their normal... perfect.