Crossing lines (Noah and Aiden) novel Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Aiden shot me a mischievous glare, as if he was seriously contemplating some devious idea, but then he shook his head firmly. “Not this time,” Alden said calmly to the piercer. “He wants to have his nipples pierced.”

My head whipped around so quickly I thought I might give myself whiplash. “I do what? No—Sir, I absolutely don’t!” I blurted out, panic rising in my voice.

The piercer chuckled, clearly entertained by my reaction, as if my panic was the highlight of his day. Alden, however, remained completely unfazed, not even blinking.

“Believe me,” he said with unwavering certainty, locking eyes on me, “you do.” A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, barely there but unmistakable. “And that little outburst just cost you ten.”

My heart began pounding so fiercely I thought I might be sick. Every fiber of my being screamed to run, to escape, but my feet stayed rooted to the spot. Because he told me to stay. Because a part of me needed to prove I could handle this.

The piercer grinned at my obvious discomfort and began arranging his tools on a cold steel tray. “First time?” he asked casually.

Aiden’s hand slid down to rest on my lower back, warm and steady, grounding me. “He’ll manage,” Aiden assured him quietly.

When Aiden told me to sit, I obeyed without hesitation. I peeled off my shirt when he instructed me to. The chair creaked as it reclined, and before I could second-guess myself, leather straps clicked securely around my wrists.

My breathing quickened, shallow and uneven.

The piercer pinched one nipple between his gloved fingers, dabbing it with alcohol before pressing down hard with the clamp. The cold metal bite made me flinch violently against the restraints.

Then, as he reached for the curved needle, my body betrayed me—I jerked sharply like a trapped animal. “Please, Sir,” I gasped, lightheaded. “May I ask something?”

Aiden leaned in, his face filling my vision, calm and commanding. “What is it?”

“Can he numb it? Please.” My voice cracked, trembling. “I’m terrified of needles.”

By the time the silver rings were secured, sweat had plastered my hair to my forehead, and my chest throbbed with raw, fiery pain. The piercer cleaned the area with a cool saline spray, the relief almost too sharp to bear.

“Keep them clean, four to six times a day,” he muttered while packing up his tools. “No rough stuff for now—no playing, no licking, nothing.”

—

Aiden’s lips curved into a small smile, but his eyes never left me. He reached down, his thumb brushing gently over the tender skin between the new piercings. His touch was both reverent and cruel, sending a shiver through me. “Beautiful,” he said softly, and I wasn’t sure if he meant the piercings or the fact that I hadn’t run away.

I swallowed hard, trembling, caught between pride and humiliation—or maybe a confusing mix of both.

And God help me, when he leaned down close and whispered “Mine” against my ear, I knew without a doubt I’d endure it all again.