Page 27 of Hers to Rule

Mari turned to look up at him. “Thank you. For everything. You’ve been so supportive through all of this. It’s helped so much.”

He kissed her ever so gently. “You’re welcome.”

When they were done, Greta moved closer. She touched Mari’s shoulder first, obviously used to having to help people to feel more comfortable. “Just going to take a look and make some marks to make sure everything is nice and even when it goes in. Relax and try to sit straight.”

Rio’s fingers brushed over her shoulder. Greta had an exceedingly professional touch and set Mari instantly at ease. She closed her eyes and sat back, trusting them both to take care of her. Her breathing slowed, and a sense of peace settled over her. Drifting quietly, she had the sense that something unfathomable was waiting for her out in the darkness, but she had no idea what. A sense of peace settled around her.

What seemed a long time later, Rio’s voice came softly an inch from her ear. “I know that look.” She could hear the smile that curled Rio’s lips, and it sent a shiver up her spine.

“Didn’t know she was a sub,” Greta offered conversationally as she marked the outside of her right nipple. The touch of the pen was distant, barely there.

Rio chuckled. “She’s not.”

“Then she does the best impression of one I’ve ever seen.” Greta marked the inside. “She’s way down. Look at her breathing.”

Rio hummed to himself. “I’ll have to talk to Cisco about it.”

“She’s so calm,” Greta said as she marked the other nipple.

“Deep waters,” Rio murmured.

“Okay, Mariana,” Greta said. “We’re going to do the right side first. I’m not going to numb the first one. We’ll adjust after that if we need to. Going to put you flat.”

The table moved under her, but it didn’t startle or worry her. A moment later, she was lying flat.

Rio took her hand and held it gently. “If you need a little juice, I’m right here.” His desire tugged at her like a siren song, pulling at her magic and tempting her.

There was a pinch that stroked something low in her belly in exactly the right way. She lifted her chin.

The pain, when it came, was sharp and undeniable and shot her right out of that perfect peaceful place where she’d sensed something lurking in the darkness, but scorching desire followed hot on its heels. Both sensations raced down along her body, zinging all the way, until they pulsed between her legs with a hard beat that she could swear actually rocked the earth beneath her. She gasped. Rio’s hand tightened around hers.

“Whew,” Greta said in a low voice. “She’s like the best drugs.”

Rio leaned down and kissed her. “That was perfect. She’s just going to put the hardware in.”

The pressure that followed almost undid Mari. It seemed to go on forever, and every nudge went straight to her core and left her panting in moments. By the time Greta finished both piercings and had healed up the wounds, Mari was sobbing, and not from the pain. Her arousal had twisted so hard around itself that it felt like someone had punched her in the gut repeatedly.

“Okay, she needs a break,” Rio said. “Let me take the edge off.”

“Yeah, of course,” Greta responded. “Should I step out?”

“Please.” Rio waited until Greta’s footsteps retreated and then put a hand on her stomach.

Mari flinched at his touch. “It hurts,” she whispered, tears still falling.

“I know, honey,” Rio soothed, his mouth soft against hers. “I’m going to make it better.” He slid his hand under her skirt and past her panties. His fingers slipped through her slick folds and zeroed in on her clit with a firm caress.

Mari cried out in desperation.

“Don’t hold onto it,” Rio said. “Just let it go.”

At his gentle urging, she climaxed on the third stroke, her voice breaking with her sobs. Her magic only released a fraction, as if it had been wound so tight that it couldn’t let go. She wailed in frustration.

“Easy,” he said against her lips. “We’ll get you down safe. Come here.” He helped her to sit up and eased her to the edge of the table.

Mari lifted her chin, searching for his mouth. He gave in to her, leaning down to plant a searing kiss on her upturned lips. As he deepened the kiss, he slid his hands under her ass. She canted her hips eagerly, pleading with her entire body as she wrapped her legs around him. She gripped his shoulders to pull him closer, moaning into his mouth. He impaled her with a slow, incessant thrust. She broke the kiss with a wordless cry as she came again, pleasure sizzling up her spine as magic poured out every inch of her skin.

Rio jolted as she clenched around him, tightening his grip and pulling her closer until she was flush against him. His desire spiked, dark and wild. And she knew exactly why. When her orgasm had moved through her, it had sparked through her new piercings like wildfire. She imagined the one in his cock had felt similarly.

---