Page 101 of Ruthless Prince

“Plus our families are major rivals,” Logan added. “So we wanted to keep it a secret as long as wecould.”

“That makes sense. I guess you’re kinda like Romeo and Juliet.” Paloma’s smile widened. “How long have you been together,anyway?”

“Five years,” Logan said, ruffling myhair.

Her eyes widened. “Wow. Thatlong?”

“Yup.” Logan flashed a sweet smile at me and patted me on the ass. "We were friends when we were kids, and then I fell for her when she was sixteen and I was nineteen. I’ve never wanted anyoneelse.”

“God, that’s so romantic.” Paloma practically had stars in her eyes now. “I wish I hadn’t signed that non-disclosure agreement earlier. I totally want to tell my friends how cute you guysare!”

“Sorry, but I’m sure you understand our need for discretion,” Logansaid.

She nodded. “Of course. Don’t worry; I won’t tell a soul.” She looked back at me. “Do you live here now, or are you still at the White House with yourfamily?”

I swallowed thickly. “I just moved in,” I said softly. Even though I’d known for several days that I would never return to the White House, let alone any other family home, saying it out loud made the cold reality set in that muchdeeper.

Paloma’s thick black brows rose. “So things are getting really serious,huh?”

Logan winked at her. “Careful. You might spoil my other future surprises,” he said with agrin.

Her eyes widened. “Ooh, I think I know where this is going. How exciting!” she gushed. She picked up a piece of paper and held it out to me along with a pen. “Anyway, Willow, I need you to sign this consent form for the piercings. I know you said you want them, but I need to make sure I have it in writing from every client, just incase.”

I nodded and shakily signed the little box at the bottom, even though it was pointless. My consent meant nothing in this room. Not when it was entirely coerced. “There you go,” I murmured, handing it back toher.

“Thanks.” She put the paper down and snapped on a pair of latex gloves. “I’ll do your nipples first, if that’s okay withyou.”

I gulped. “Sure.”

“Would you like me to apply some numbing cream before we get started?” she asked. “I’ve also got injectable lidocaine if you have an extra low painthreshold.”

Before I could open my mouth, Logan answered for me. “She doesn’t want anypainkillers.”

“Are you sure?” Paloma’s brows gathered in as her eyes flickered withuncertainty.

I nodded. “I don’t like painkillers. I prefer to experience things properly, as natureintended.”

She smiled faintly. “Nature probably doesn’t intend for nipples to have bars through them, so I promise I won’t judge you if you change your mind just thisonce.”

She said it in a semi-joking tone, but I was too scared of the imminent pain to even try to fake amusement. “I’ll be fine,” I said after a deepbreath.

Logan moved away, and Paloma asked me to open my robe to bare my breasts. I held it open while she marked two ink dots on either side of my nipples to serve as a guide for the barbell insertions. Once that was done, she wiped betadine over the whole area and used a small silver clamp to pull the skintaut.

“This is going to feel weirdly hot, and then it will sting pretty badly, but I promise it won’t last long,” she said, picking up a cannula. “Are youready?”

I glanced at Logan. Henodded.

“Yes,” I said. “I’mready.”

I gritted my teeth to stop myself from screaming as she slid the cannula through my left nipple. The resulting sensation was biting hot agony, worse than anything Logan had done to me so far, but it was mercifully brief, just as Paloma promised. My nipple still hurt once the initial jolt of pain had passed, but it was just a dullache.

Paloma attached a barbell to the end of the cannula and pushed it through before screwing the ends on to keep it stuck there. Even though I wanted to cry at the thought of experiencing that horrible burning pain with my other nipple in just a few seconds, I had to admit the jewelry looked nice. It was gold-plated with little Swarovski crystals on either end instead of the usual little metalballs.

“Are you okay?” Palomaasked.

“Yes,” I choked out. My eyes stung with the threat of tears. I was willing to bet they were bloodshot,too.

“Do you need a minute before I do the otherside?”