I take her wrists in my hands.
"These hands," I murmur, pressing my lips to her pulse point. Her heartbeat races against my mouth. "These hands that build security systems and type code and could probably bring down governments if you wanted."
I close the first cuff around her left wrist. The click echoes through the empty theatre.
"I'm going to own them tonight."
The second cuff closes around her right wrist. She's bound now, her hands together in front of her like she's praying. The rose gold looks beautiful against her skin.
"Dmitri." My name on her lips is barely a whisper.
I look up at her face, my hands still cradling her bound wrists. Her eyes are wide, pupils blown. Her lips parted. She's not afraid. She'shungry.
I reach into my jacket pocket, my fingers closing around velvet. The red ribbon I brought slides free.
Vittoria's eyes track the movement.
"Open your legs."
Her breath catches. For a moment, I think she'll refuse. Challenge me.
But she doesn't.
Slowly, her thighs part. The chair is wide enough, the arms curved and ornate. Perfect for what I have planned.
I kneel at her feet.
I wrap the velvet ribbon around her left ankle. She shivers. I tie it to the carved leg of the chair, testing the knot. Secure but not painful.
"Dmitri—"
"Quiet."
I move to her right ankle. Same ribbon. When I'm done, she's spread open for me. Bound at the wrists, tied at the ankles, completely exposed under the golden spotlight.
She's perfect.
I look up at her face. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips swollen from biting them.
I stand slowly. Leaning down, I cup her face in my hands. I press my lips to hers.
When I pull back, her eyes flutter open.
"You're my queen," I tell her. "You know this, yes? Since the moment I saw you at that gala, running from me like I was something dangerous."
"Youaresomething dangerous."
I smile. "Yes. But I'myourdangerous something now." I brush my thumb across her lower lip. "And queens deserve worship, solnyshko. They deserve to be shown proper respect."
I drop to my knees again. This time, I don't go at her ankles.
I press my mouth to the inside of her thigh. Her muscles clench beneath my lips. I can smell her now—sweet. My cock throbs painfully against my zipper, but I ignore it. This isn't about me.
This is about making her understand what she is to me.
I drag my tongue higher. Her hips jerk against the restraints.
"Stay still," I command against her skin.
