When the needle touches her skin, her breath catches and she flinches.
I pause. “You good?”
“Yeah, sorry,” she sighs, licking her full lips.
Fuck.
“Keep going.”
FORTY-SIX
noia
The pain is sharp,and it stings something fierce, but there’s also something strangely addictive about it. I keep my attention on Ryder’s face as he works.
Deep in concentration, his dark brows pull together, eyes narrowed and focused. “You’re doing great,” he murmurs.
Eyes full of heat, he glances up at me, voice low and soothing as he wipes away the excess ink with a damp paper towel.
I give him a slow smile and bat my eyes.
He returns my smile with a wink and gets back to work.
I can’t take my eyes off his hands. Those strong, capable hands that have brought me an insane amount of pleasure are creating something beautiful and permanent on my skin. There’s an intimacy I hadn’t expected, something almost more vulnerable than sex as he marks me, changing me forever with his art.
When the needle moves over a specific spot on my ribs, I suck in a sharp breath, the pain making my eyes water.
“Just breathe. You can do this.” Ryder splays a hand firmly across my side to steady me, brushing his thumb back and forth.His gentle touch helps to ground me, easing the sting. “Almost done with this section.”
Gentle but firm, the side of his hand randomly brushes along the underside of my breast as he works. Each contact sends sparks through my veins, making it even harder to stay still.
The buzzing stops, and he leans back to examine his work. “How you holding up?”
“I’m okay,” I say, surprised when my voice comes out in a needy sigh. “It hurts, but... not as bad as I thought it would.”
His lips curve into a knowing smile. “Some people find it... stimulating.”
My cheeks heat. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“No?” His thumb strokes lightly across my ribs, just below the fresh ink. “Your nipples say otherwise.”
I glance down at my hardened nipples, which are clearly visible through the fabric of my T-shirt. Looking up, I narrow my eyes. “It’s cold in here.”
“Sure it is,” he chuckles. Lowering his voice to a sensual growl, his eyes darken as they rake over my breasts. “Ready for more?”
His double entendre goes straight to my clit and I have to swallow against the lust blooming between my legs. “More than.”
The needle starts up again, and I watch his face as he works. It’s more than magical being able to see him so at ease, doing what I know he loves.
“The words are going to hurt more,” he warns as he shifts his position. “It runs right along the bone.”
I nod, bracing myself as the needle moves to the sensitive area directly over my ribs. The pain makes me wince and grip the top of the chair.
“Easy,” Ryder murmurs, his thumb stroking my side again. “Breathe, baby.”
I focus on his touch, the way his hand splays possessively across my side, steadying me as he works.
“This is going to sound strange coming from me, but…” I close my eyes for a moment and the machine stops. When I look up, Ryder is watching me. “…I kinda get why ‘Moaner Lisa’ got off on this. Especially with the way you’re touching me right now.”
