The silence stretched between them, filled with unspoken challenge. Then, as if reaching a decision, Olivia sank to her knees before him.
“Good girl,” he said softly, giving her a small earned token of praise.
A flush spread across her skin at his words, her eyes widening slightly as if surprised by her own reaction. Victor noted the response with satisfaction. Praise affected her deeply, as he had suspected it would.
“Surrender can be its own form of power,” Victor said, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face, his touch gentler than before.
Olivia’s brow furrowed. “How can submission be powerful?”
“Because it is a choice,” Victor explained, his finger tracing the line of her jaw. “One that here, between us, means trust. Iwill guide you, protect you, and in return, you will accept my authority. And the intense pleasure that follows.”
The words hung between them, weighted with meaning. Victor didn’t trust easily, and he believed his new bride was much the same.
He sat back in his chair, studying her kneeling form. “Touch yourself for pleasure,” he instructed.
Her eyes widened, comprehension dawning in their hazel depths. “You intend to watch?”
“I shall do as I please,” he replied calmly, “and I can show you what happens if you make me repeat my instruction.”
She cupped her breast with hesitant fingers. “This way, Your Grace?”
Victor’s jaw tightened, desire coiling within him. “Continue. Remember, any reluctance or disobedience will merit correction.”
A tremor passed through her at his declaration, but she grew bolder, circling her nipple until it pebbled beneath her touch. She caught it between thumb and forefinger, drawing forth a soft intake of breath.
“Attend to your other breast,” Victor instructed, his control fraying at the edges. “Show me what brings you satisfaction.”
Olivia obeyed, her unoccupied hand rising to lavish attention on her neglected breast. Her spine arched subtly, head tilting back before she recollected herself and recaptured his gaze.
“Well done, little one,” he praised, the endearment falling from his lips.
The softening of her eyes at the name made his chest tighten with unexpected tenderness.
“Now lower,” he directed.
Her fingertips traced a meandering path down her torso until she reached the thatch of hair between her thighs. She paused, challenge kindling in her expression.
“Do not test my patience, Olivia,” Victor cautioned, leaning forward until mere inches separated them. “Widen your stance and touch yourself. This is your last warning.”
For a heartbeat, rebellion flashed in her gaze. Then, she opened her legs, each inch intentional, revealing herself to him. A sound caught between a gasp and a moan escaped her lips as her fingers found her most intimate flesh.
“You’re wet, aren’t you, little one?” he asked, his voice softening even as desire roughened it.
“Yes,” she whispered, the single syllable barely audible.
“Yes, what?” He raised an eyebrow, awaiting the proper acknowledgment.
“Yes, Your Grace.” Her voice was steadier now, acceptance beginning to replace resistance.
He inclined his head in approval. “Is that the speed you use when you aim to find your release?”
Her fingers located her pearl, encircling it. She increased her pace and worked herself with mounting urgency, moving her hips in a complementary rhythm as her eyes closed.
“Look at me,” Victor commanded. “I’m allowing you to experience this pleasure, and you will look at me while you do so.”
Olivia’s eyes locked with his, vulnerability laid bare as her fingers moved in increasingly rapid circles. With her free hand, she returned attention to her breast, squeezing more firmly now.
Her breathing fragmented into short, sharp pants as her hips rocked faster. Victor inclined closer, but he forced himself to refrain from touching her. Not yet. First, she needed to understand that her pleasure was his to grant or deny.
