Page 25 of Hers to Claim

“I’ll keep that in mind. Restraints?”

“Hell yes.”

“Do you need to feel like you can get out of them?”

Dante swallowed. “No.”

“Oh, so you like it tight?” Cisco reached to tilt Dante’s chin up. “How tight?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t we try it and find out?”

Cisco grinned. “You’re such a brat.”

Mirth danced in Dante’s eyes. “Something tells me you like that.”

“I really do. Breath play?”

A shiver passed through Dante as he stared up into Cisco’s face. He seemed to remember he was supposed to answer after a long moment of silence. “Yes,” he croaked.

“Oh, my sweet boy,” Cisco purred. “You’re going to have such a good time choking on my dick.”

“Can we skip right to that?” Dante whispered, his cheeks taking on a lovely pink hue.

“Not just yet, but soon.” He smoothed his thumb over Dante’s parted lips. “Mariana, what did he say could harm him?”

“Iron, mistletoe, and cruel words,” she answered with no hesitation. She hadn’t been able to tear herself away from the interplay between them for a moment. If he needed her to, she could repeat the entire conversation word-for-word.

“All the metal in this room is titanium or platinum. I know because I picked it all out myself. The only time there might be mistletoe in this house is at Christmas, but while he’s here we’re going to make sure Giselle doesn’t put any up. And I don’t think we need to worry about humiliation?” He turned to her with one eyebrow raised for confirmation.

“Not from me, and you don’t like it either.”

Cisco nodded, and then returned his attention to Dante. “What’s your safeword?”

“Tulip.”

He stared into Dante’s eyes for a moment that lingered. “That word is a promise between us. I’m not afraid of that word. The only thing I’m afraid of is that I might do something that hurts you in a way you don’t like. So, please, use that word if you feel uncomfortable or afraid or even if you need a minute to collect yourself.”

Dante blinked up at him. “Fuck, you’re hot.”

A slow smile curled Cisco’s full lips. “Tell me something that’s a no.”

“Pony play,” Dante offered immediately.

“Good boy.” He squeezed Dante’s shoulder and then glanced at Mari again. “I ask that so they have to tell me something that’s off limits. Everyone should have boundaries, but unless you ask for specifics some submissives pretend they like everything because they think it’s what you want to hear.” He waited for Mari to nod before he continued, “It also gives you a chance to do a vibe check. He’s very clear on what he likes and he's not afraid to talk about what he doesn’t, both of which are good.”

He returned his attention to Dante once more. “Any other limits I need to know about before we start?”

“No spurs.” He shot a wink at Mari, which set off a fit of giggles.

Cisco laughed. “Holy shit, people are fucking weird.”

“Seriously though, I’m pretty easy.” Dante grinned, light and carefree. “I’ve been doing this a long time and have seen almost everything. I’ll tell you if I’m not into something, but there is really not a lot.”

Cisco ran his fingers through Dante’s hair with a fond smile. “Part of what we’re here to do is learn what Mari likes. None of us has any idea how deep and dark that well goes. So especially where her magic is concerned, I want you to be extra vocal about things that make you feel unsafe.”

“I understand.” Dante’s eyelids fluttered as he enjoyed the contact. A soft whicker trilled from his throat. “What should I call you?”

The tips of Cisco’s fangs showed briefly with his smile. He leaned closer, the subtle change in his body language making every hair on Mari’s arms stand on end. She recognized at once that the tenor of the exchange had shifted. Cisco radiated calmcontrol. “Whatever you want, sweet boy. Sir. Daddy. Papi. Oh Lord, please don’t stop.”

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