The sun had descended low on the horizon, changing the clouds to a vibrant purple and orange. The winds swung round to come from the east and then died to a sibilant breeze. Theo at last reentered the main back doors. At the sight of the massive curving staircase, Claire slowed, stopped, and found herself shivering. No farther. Not a step.
“Take this off, Theo,” she whispered, her head bowed. She’d withstood forced marches, marathons, but never anything like this. Her feet seemed a long way down.
“Dankyo and all my staff call me sir. I think it’s time I made that a rule for you also.”
“Sir.” It was too much effort to stop and think about that. She swallowed, only seeing his black shoes before her on the polished timber. “Please.”
“Here? I think not.” He swept her up into his arms with ease and began to climb the staircase. Beneath the tiredness, she marveled at his strength. It was a long staircase, and she wasn’t light. But she clung to his neck and enjoyed the tranquility of resting in his arms.
The doors to his bedroom swung open. She heard the creak, saw nothing beyond the woven fabric of his shirt, embraced by his male scent. The doors shut with a slam. The floor lightly thumped under his boots. He lowered her to his bed, and she gazed up, unable to stir a finger, imagining all the things he might do to her, wanting…
“Ah. You need to drink.” He rummaged under her clothes, unclipping and removing the voltaic device. She didn’t stir, only glad that the tiny claws of that horrible yet irresistible thing were gone from her body. If she lay here for a little longer, perhaps her body would forget it completely. The hunger quieted.
“Mmm. Thank you,” she muttered. Silence screamed at her. Peeking with one eye, she saw his stern expression. “Sir.”
She felt herself raised by his hand at her back and drank as a cool glass pressed at her lips. He stripped the dress off her, then the corset, guiding her tired limbs. Another sip from the glass, and she lifted her head, feeling revived, and put her arms back to prop herself against the bed. Theo moved his thumb against her clit. She stiffened. At that single touch, every time she’d almost orgasmed surged to the fore, clamoring at her again. Her arms collapsed, and she slid to the bed in a boneless heap, whimpering.
Theo chuckled. “That’s more like it.” The glass chinked as he put it aside.
She shuddered and rolled onto her side, curling up around where his thumb resumed massaging, revolving round and round on her clit. Almost, but not quite, enough pressure.
“Maybe not ropes, but this—” He clipped a wide cuff around each wrist, buckled another pair around her ankles, leather on skin, and dragged her up the bed. Though she knew she had muscles, they weren’t working right then, and she didn’t want them to. Just let him maneuver her into position—kneeling, with head down against the pillow and turned a bit sideways so she could get air. She panted, mouth open, needing, wanting only one thing—him inside her, fucking her.
“I’ve wanted you like this since I first saw you. Bottom up, held down, with your legs apart.” He rumbled the words against her ear, licking at the lobe, then fastened her wrists together and chained them to the headboard. Strapped her thighs against her calves so her heels pressed under her bottom. She let him. She was his.
“Nice.” He slicked a finger along the line of her wet slit, and just when she thought he’d penetrate her…and put something inside her…
He carefully flipped her until she looked up at him, lost in the haze of lust and the pounding ache. He knelt between her legs, planted his arms either side of her chest, lowered his head, and applied tongue to her nipple.
She arched, her toes under her bottom, digging into the quilt. “Ah!”
The spark from his wet tongue spread, sending fire-laden streaks to her *. The stubble on his chin scraped. His hand was on her, down there. His fingers dancing, pressing everywhere…delicious and conjuring liquid heat. So stirred to the heights, she grunted each time he touched those vital places—clit, nipple, or his fingers in her * and ass. In and out, around, slicking, teasing her as her wetness spread. Flesh against tantalizing flesh. She groaned and tightened, felt everything roil together and explode in a blast of light.
A little choking noise came from her throat. Released at last. “Ohh, thank God,” she said softly. As her memory replayed the sensations, new reverberations rocked her body.
“You’re not getting off that easily, agapi mou.” He lightly bit at her nipple.