“Indeed.” I chuckled, trying to focus on Julius.
“During one of my visits,” Julius continued, “I found myself bound and blindfolded in a candlelit chamber, where skilled hands explored every inch of my body, each touch like a spark of pleasure coursing through me.” His eyes gleamed with mischief. “Another time, I took part in an outdoor gathering beneath the stars. You lose yourself in that hedonism, bodies moving together, every inhibition cast aside as we embrace our primal desires.”
“Sounds... exhilarating.” Even as I responded, a tingle of caution swept through me. My gaze drifted toward the pool, watching a nearby couple enjoying their own wild abandon. “While I’m not sure I’m ready for an all-out orgy, perhaps I’ll book one for my next trip.”
Julius turned and chuckled, amused by my hesitance. “You kind of get used to it.”
As he spoke, a server arrived with my lunch—a roast beef sandwich, kettle chips, and a warm cookie—and a bottle of sparkling water. “They know how to take care of your needs here.”
“Cheers to that.” Julius raised his glass. “But as much as I love this place, there's another little spot in Europe that offers something similar. Not as well appointed, mind you, but not so picky about being a little rough or heavy-handed with the staff. A place where they care little for bruises or pain.” Julius caught my eye, a hint of something predatory in his gaze. “Sometimes, I wish The Ranch would permit what one might call theless civilized expressions of desire.”
“Perhaps,” I murmured, though the thought of causing actual pain, of bringing tears of genuine distress to a lover's eyes, wasn't arousing in the slightest. My stomach clenched at the image.
I'd always found power in control, in dominance, but never in cruelty. The line between them seemed so clear to me, yet Julius spoke as if they were naturally connected.
Even worse—I imagined the headlines if rumors of that kind of behavior leaked to the media.“Duke d'Moncloud: Royal Sadist.”My father would have another stroke. Remy's scandals would look like child's play.
“Ricard?” Julius's brows furrowed in concern. “You seem... distracted.”
“I’m sorry.” I offered a tight smile. “Just... a lot on my mind.”
“Ah, family troubles?” Julius guessed, his expression shifting as he scrutinized me. “I’ve been keeping up a bit. There’s only so much you can do. No one can help Remy if he doesn’t want to help himself.” He waved a staff member over and ordered another drink.
Suddenly, Theo emerged on the opposite side of the pool area, striding alongside another man. His dark curls were tousled, catching sunlight in ways that made me want to run my fingers through them again. When he smiled at a lounging guest, I noticed how it transformed his entire face, genuine and unguarded in a way I rarely saw in my world of diplomatic smiles and political masks.
The sight of his lean, muscular form, barely concealed by that flimsy white robe, sent heat rushing through me. But it wasn't just his body that drew me. It was something in his unpolished authenticity, the way he seemed both out of place and yet somehow more real than anyone else here.
“Now that is a sight for sore eyes,” Julius remarked, his gaze tracking Theo's progress with the calculating assessment of a collector eyeing a new acquisition. “He's new, isn't he? I haven't had thepleasureof his company yet.”
A surge of jealousy punched me in the gut, hot and unexpected. My jaw tightened at the idea of Julius eyeing him like prey, of those hands that enjoyed causing pain touching Theo's skin. I pictured Theo's expressive eyes filled with tears of genuine distress rather than the submissive pleasure I'd glimpsed, and something protective roared to life inside me.
“He is quite appealing,” I conceded, my voice betraying a hint of possessiveness that surprised even me. What right did I have to feel territorial after how coldly I'd dismissed him?
“Well, I’ll have to inquire about him soon. After all, we are here to indulge, aren’t we?” Julius added, his tone casual.
As Theo turned and met my gaze, offering a curt nod before walking off with his companion, a lump formed in my throat. “Perhaps,” I murmured, my focus shifting away. Trying to shake off the sensation, I headed over to the bar area, seeking a distraction.
There, I found a small kiosk, with a computer screen ready for reservations. My fingers scrolled through the list of available companions, but only one name resonated within me: Theo. A fierce determination took hold, driving out all doubts. I had to secure another reservation with him. I told myself it was to explore our connection further, but I couldn't ignore the protective instinct Julius had unwittingly awakened.
To my relief, Theo was available tonight. I hadn’t expected it happening so soon, but I seized the opportunity, tapping on the screen to confirm my reservation. A satisfied smile crept across my lips as I locked in our next two engagements, ensuring I’d see him at least twice more before I had to leave.
Satisfied, I returned to my lounge chair, a strange mixture of anticipation and unease settling in my chest.
“Tout va bien?” Julius broke my concentration, his eyes full of curiosity.
“Tout est parfait,” I assured him, settling back again. “Just needed to take care of something.”
“Of course.” His attention soon wandered to a deeply tanned young man adorned with vibrant tattoos and an alluring green wristlet signaling his availability. He waved the man over.
Who was I to judge? After the indulgent massage, I could hardly claim the moral high ground. So I reclined in my chair and closed my eyes, trying to block out the soft grunts of pleasure emanating from Julius’s newfound companion.
But as I lay there, images of Theo's vulnerable expression flashed behind my eyelids. I'd spent a lifetime maintaining emotional distance—it was one of the first lessons of nobility. Why was this young American companion getting under my skin so quickly?
Perhaps Vincent was right about The Ranch revealing things we keep hidden even from ourselves. The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying. What else might I discover before my week was over?
Chapter 6
Theo
