My cock hardened instantly. “Tell me your safe word.”
“Avaline,” he responded without hesitation.
That made me laugh. “Good. Remember it. Use it if needed.”
I led Theo by the hand through the villa, past the living room with its sweeping views now shrouded in darkness. My pulse quickened with each step, a curious mixture of desire and anticipation coursing through my veins. The bourbon had dulled the edges of my anxiety without diminishing my arousal. If anything, it had heightened my senses, making me acutely aware of the warmth of Theo's hand in mine, the soft padding of our feet against the cool marble floors.
The bedroom awaited at the end of the hallway, its door ajar. I pushed it open to reveal the massive king-sized bed that dominated the room, its crisp white linens glowing in the dim light provided by bedside lamps. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered the same panoramic views as the living area, though I'd drawn the curtains partway for privacy.
I turned to face Theo, drinking in the sight of him. His robe had slipped further, revealing more of his collarbone and chest. With deliberate slowness, I reached for the sash holding the garment closed, my fingers brushing against his warm skin as I untied it.
The fabric slipped away, pooling at his feet like water, leaving him gloriously naked before me. My breath caught in my throat at the sight. His body was a work of art, lean yet defined, with just enoughmuscle to suggest strength without bulk. His skin bore a natural tan, except for the paler regions typically hidden by clothing. A light dusting of hair covered his chest, trailing down to his navel before thickening around his cock, which was already beginning to harden under my gaze.
“On the bed,” I instructed, my voice husky with desire. “Face down.”
Theo moved to obey, climbing onto the mattress with a fluid grace that spoke of an innate physical awareness. He settled himself on his stomach, head turned to the side on a pillow, arms relaxed by his sides. The long line of his back tapered to a narrow waist before flaring to a rounded ass that practically begged for my touch.
I stood transfixed for a moment, savoring the visual feast before me. Then, with deliberate movements, I undressed. First my shirt, buttons slipping free one by one, then my trousers, until I stood as naked as he was. My cock jutted from my body, fully erect now, aching with need.
At the head of the bed, attached to the frame, were leather restraints, a feature of The Ranch's accommodations that I'd discovered during my initial tour. I reached for them now, gently taking Theo's wrist and securing it to one corner of the bed.
“Is this too tight?” I asked, checking the fit of the leather against his skin.
“No, Your Grace,” he replied, his voice muffled by the pillow.
I repeated the process with his other wrist, then moved to the foot of the bed to secure his ankles. With each restraint tightened, I felt a surge of power. Not the political authority I wielded in Avaline, but something more primal, more intimate. Here, in this room, there were no protocols or expectations of royal behavior. There was only desire, raw and honest.
Stepping back, I admired my handiwork. Theo was spread-eagled on the bed, his limbs secured at each corner. The sight was intoxicating. I wrapped a hand around my cock, stroking slowly as I drank in the view.
“Tu es magnifique.”
I approached the bed, kneeling on the mattress beside him. My hands hovered over his body for a moment before making contact with his skin. Starting at his shoulders, I ran my palms down the length of his back, feeling the subtle ridges of his spine, the smooth expanse of muscle on either side. His skin was warm beneath my touch, alive and responsive.
Every so often, Theo would pull against his restraints, testing their hold, the leather creaking with the tension. Each time he did, my cock twitched in response, growing impossibly harder. There was something profoundly erotic about his controlled helplessness. He had given himself over to me, trusting me with his body.
My hands continued their exploration, moving lower to the small of his back, then to the swell of his ass. I kneaded the firm flesh, squeezing and massaging, eliciting a soft moan from Theo. The sound went straight to my groin, fueling my desire.
“You like that?” I asked, my voice rough with arousal.
“Yes, Your Grace,” he breathed, arching into my touch.
I spread his cheeks apart, revealing the tight pucker of his entrance. A surge of primal hunger swept through me at the sight. Leaning down, I pressed a kiss to one rounded globe, then the other, inhaling his scent, clean and musky and male.
Reaching for the bedside table, I retrieved a bottle of lubricant. The cap opened with a soft click, and I poured a generous amount onto my fingers. The clear gel warmed against my skin as I rubbed my thumb and forefinger together.
Returning my attention to Theo, I traced a slick finger around his entrance, feeling the ring of muscle twitch at my touch. Slowly, I pressed inside, past the initial resistance, into tight heat. Theo gasped, his body tensing momentarily before relaxing to accommodate my intrusion.
I worked him open, adding a second finger when I felt him loosen around the first, stretching him, preparing him for what was to come. All the while, I watched his reactions, the way his fingers curled into fists when I brushed against his prostate, the subtle arch of his back as he sought more contact.
“So tight,” I murmured, adding a third finger. “Si parfait.”
When I deemed him adequately prepared, I withdrew my fingers, eliciting a small sound of protest from Theo. Smiling to myself, I applied more lubricant to my cock, stroking the length to ensure it was fully coated.
Positioning myself between his spread thighs, I guided the head of my cock to his entrance. With one hand on the small of his back and the other holding my shaft, I pushed forward, breaching the tight ring of muscle.
The sensation was exquisite—hot, tight pressure. I paused, giving him time to adjust to the intrusion, watching in fascination as his body accepted me inch by inch. Slowly, I sank deeper, until I was fully seated within him, my pelvis flush against his ass.
“Mon Dieu,” I breathed, momentarily overwhelmed by the sensation.
