Page 62 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“If it helps, your markings will differ from the other girls. You’ll only have one nipple ring.”

She forced a small smile, not wanting to anger him. But it didn’t help.

He kneeled next to her. “It has to be this way, my love. And your rings will differentiate you from the other girls, even if you’re not wearing this.” He lay her hand on her pendant that Ian had returned earlier in the day. “And, after the main parts of the ceremony are over, I am going to perform a very special ritual with you, to bond us together and make you completely mine.” He stroked her cheek and kissed her. “Would you like that, Anna? Would you like to have no more doubts?” His voice grew soft and melodious, and she leaned into him, losing herself in his words and his obsidian eyes.

Her eyelids fluttered and grew heavy. Her head nodded as if about to fall asleep. His voice grew even softer. “No more worries... no more doubts. You will be free to do as you wish, because your only desire will be to please me.” He brushed a stray piece of hair away from her face. “We will spend so much time together.”

Yes, that is what I want! Why would I want anything other than that?

His fingers glided down her neck and along the neckline of her robe. She shivered as desire made her body grow hot. He pulled open the robe and took a nipple into his mouth, sucking gently.

“All mine,” he whispered. Devin caressed her breast and slid his hand up her leg to the apex of her thighs. His fingers slipped inside her, and she closed her eyes, savoring the gentle rhythm as he slowly moved in and out. His thumb delicately traced circles on her clit.

Anna sighed and pressed her hips against his hand.

“I love you, Anna. I want you. I want you to be mine, completely. Do you want to be completely mine, Anna? No one could ever separate us.”

Anna floated on a cloud of desire and love. He wanted her. He loved her. Nothing could separate them. Ever. Her head spun at the idea of a complete union with Devin.

She nodded and opened her eyes. “Yes, Devin,” she whispered, dizzy and euphoric.

“Good girl.” He turned her to face him and spread her legs apart. “Baby, there will be parts of tonight that are painful. But I want you to trust me, and give me your pain as you did this morning. Can you do that for me?”

A thrill ran through her at the thought. “Will it feel as good as it did this morning?”

Devin chuckled. “It might.”

Anna grinned. “I can do that.”

“Good girl.” He spread open her pussy with his thumbs and bent down and kissed her most intimate place.

“Oh!” Her head fell back against the wall behind her. He feasted on her as if he were a starving man. His tongue was everywhere at once, his teeth gently tugging on the sensitive folds of skin. She moaned and grasped the edge of her chair. “Oh, Devin! Oh, yes!”

He continued sucking and licking and kissing her. She moaned and writhed under his mouth. Slowly, she climbed the mountain of ecstasy and leaped off, soaring into the stars under Devin’s skilled mouth.

Slowly, his tongue’s movements subsided and she floated back to earth.

He leaned back on his heels, and she slumped into the chair. She forced her eyes open and gave him a wide but lazy smile. He grinned back, his black eyes sparkling in the lamplight.

“Anna, Baby, for your protection, I’m going to remove your ability to speak. I don’t want the men to think poorly of you for speaking or making noise. Women must remain absolutely silent during the rituals.” He smiled. “You’ll be able to speak in the morning, though. Don’t worry. Anything you want to say before I do so?”

Anna’s brows twitched, trying to understand his words, but her mind wouldn’t focus on anything other than her love for him. “I love you...” His face grew blurry, and she squinted, but it did nothing to bring his face into focus.

“I love you, too, Baby. I’m so proud of you.”

He trailed his fingers up to her neck and across her throat, murmuring softly. Her throat tingled, and instinctively she knew she wouldn’t be able to make a sound until he deemed it time, and had no desire for it to be otherwise. Peace settled over her and she smiled.

“Finish your dinner. Maggie will be back soon.”

Anna nodded as he kissed her temple and left the room.

She finished eating, and Maggie and Sarah returned to prepare her for the evening. Her head cleared as they washed her, and she grew impatient for the Gathering to begin. She would be Devin’s. Wholly. Completely. She imagined even Master Jack couldn’t separate them.

“Mistress, this is a ritual night. You will be unclothed,” Maggie said.

Anna nodded, scarcely paying attention to what she said. Whatever Devin wants.

They wrapped her wrists and ankles in her diamonds. Her hair hung loosely around her shoulders.

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