Chapter 5
Ricard
On your knees .
Had I really said that?
The memory of him kneeling before me, those wide, expressive eyes looking up as I commanded him, ignited something primal within me once again.
Decadent, like a potentate of old.
For a moment, I lay perfectly still, savoring the warmth on my face and the silken embrace of the Egyptian cotton sheets against my skin as I palmed my morning erection. This brief, peaceful interlude before consciousness fully claimed me was a luxury seldom afforded back in Avaline.
There, my mornings began with Sebastien's precise knock at exactly 6:30 AM, followed by a meticulously planned day filled with meetings and obligations. Here at The Ranch, time felt more fluid, more mine.
I stretched, feeling truly rested as thoughts of that young man flooded back.
I had sent him away too early. There was something in his eyes when I dismissed him that struck a chord of regret within me.
Hurt? Disappointment? I hadn't meant to be cruel, but that last news about Remy had put me in a terrible mood, and I had taken my wrath out on him.
Speaking of Remy…
I reached for my phone on the nightstand, then remembered with a wry chuckle that it was still at the bottom of the pool.
A rather dramatic gesture, perhaps, but there had been something undeniably satisfying about watching it sink, taking with it all the demands and expectations of my life in Avaline, even if just temporarily.
With no phone, I allowed myself to revel in the silence, free from urgent emails, immediate crises, and reminders of my brother's latest transgressions threatening our family's carefully maintained public image.
Just me, alone with my thoughts in this hedonistic paradise.
I rose from the bed and padded naked across the cool tile floor to the bathroom. The mirror reflected a version of myself I rarely saw. Hair tousled from sleep, face relaxed without my noble mask. I looked younger, a little less burdened.
The shower was an indulgence—multiple jets pulsing hot water against my skin.
I closed my eyes, letting the steam envelop me as I considered how I’d spend my day.
The Ranch offered countless diversions: pools, spa treatments, scenic hiking trails, equestrian facilities, and the enticing company of exceptionally attractive staff.
Yet no matter how alluring the distractions, my thoughts returned to that young man.
Theo.
Upon my arrival the previous day, Vincent had given me a tour, but I had been too consumed by the eroticism surrounding me to truly appreciate my surroundings.
Now I made my way from my villa down the pebbled path towards the main resort, I noted some of the other unique elements of the resort—the wildflower gardens, Spanish Colonial architecture, and tranquil fountains. Quite extraordinary.
As I drew closer, I noticed a group of men 'walking' their pets—naked men on leashes, on all fours.
One man wore a dog mask and tail attached to his rear.
I nodded in greeting, a grin spreading across my face.
While I appreciated the display, this particular kink wasn't for me.
No, I preferred to imagine using that leather leash to bind one of these men to my bed, experiencing our connection in privacy rather than parading him for onlookers.
With luck, I’d soon have that chance.
I approached the clubhouse for a late breakfast. Or was it an early lunch? The Americans had peculiar notions about mealtimes. But as I passed a small building, I glimpsed a man receiving a massage through a floor-to-ceiling window, and the idea appealed to me more than food.
The older man managing the spa that morning, who introduced himself as Graham, somehow recognized my status and proved very accommodating.
“Let me get you some fruit right now, Your Grace, and place an order for lunch to be ready for you post-massage. Roman is finishing up with a client, so I'd recommend a few minutes in the steam room. You’ll feel loose and warm in time for his expert hands.”
“That sounds delightful.” I accepted a thick white robe and shower shoes, following Graham to a small locker room.
I discarded my clothes and stepped into an atmosphere of warmth, humidity, and calming scents.
“Ah, oui,” I sighed as the heat seeped into my muscles, the wooden bench beneath me offering a comforting perch.
The air filled with the sharp yet refreshing aroma of eucalyptus, its scent a soothing balm to my racing thoughts.
I stepped out of the steam room reluctantly, feeling as if I had sweated out some of my anxieties.
I pulled on my robe just as a dark-skinned man with broad shoulders entered the locker room.
“Your Grace? I am Roman. I will be your masseuse today.” His appraising gaze swept over me, and he nodded.
“We will work on those knots and get you feeling rejuvenated.”
“C'est exactement, oui.” I followed Roman into a small room housing a massage table, where I lay down and attempted to relax.
Roman applied oil to my shoulders, applying deep pressure to massage away the tightness.
Each kneading motion sent shivers down my back, my body surrendering to his expert touch.
He glided his hands deftly, finding each knot and applying concentrated pressure until it loosened.
I gasped as his fingers dug into the small of my back.
“Mon Dieu, that's good,” I murmured, my body sinking deeper into relaxation as Roman moved down to my thighs. His muscular hands gripped the strained flesh, relieving any residual stress.
“You have an exceptional physique, Your Grace,” Roman observed.
As I reveled in the sensations, Roman’s touch shifted toward the erotic. His skilled fingers wrapped around my growing erection, causing me to gasp in surprise and pleasure. Waves of guilt washed over me for thinking of Theo that way, even as desire pulsed through me.
“Is this what Your Grace needs?” Roman whispered into my ear. My mind flashed back to Theo’s delicate hands wrapped around me, his breath warm as I tasted him.
“Please.” As he stroked me with practiced ease, images of Theo’s lips and the heat of his mouth enveloping me surged forth. “Merde,” I gasped, the memory pushing me closer to the edge. With a guttural moan, I spilled into Roman’s hand, my body shuddering as release coursed through me.
“Feeling better, Your Grace?” Roman asked, a knowing smile dancing across his lips.
“Oui, yes, very much.” I rolled to my side. “Thank you, Roman.”
With my muscles relaxed but my thoughts unsettled, I cleaned up and prepared to face the world again. I headed toward the pool area, hoping its bustling atmosphere might distract me from my conflicted feelings.
The vibrant poolside was alive with laughter and activity. Sun-kissed bodies lounged on chaise lounges while others splashed in the water, their laughter harmonizing with the sounds of indulgence. Couples embraced, their hands exploring one another’s bodies without inhibition.
Leaning against a poolside railing, I watched a couple entwined in each other’s arms, their moans merging with the ambient noise.
This indeed was an extraordinary experience, like stepping into a parallel universe where pleasure was the only currency that mattered.
Sunbathing on a nearby chaise lounge was Julius, Baron von Konigsberg, my old friend, his slicked-back silver hair and well-groomed beard giving him a distinguished air against the backdrop of rustic luxury.
Wearing only designer sunglasses and swim trunks, a diamond-studded watch catching the sunlight at his wrist, Julius looked every bit the poster boy for European wealth and privilege.
“Ah, Julius.” I walked over to greet my friend. “Bonjour, mon ami. It’s been too long.”
“Viens t'asseoir avec moi,” Julius beckoned, motioning to the empty lounge chair beside him. “Didn't I tell you that you'd be right at home here?”
I laughed as I sat down, pulling off my shirt to soak up some sun. “I was thinking about how unreal this all is.”
“Ah, my boy, nothing compares to the pleasures found in this place.” He gestured broadly at the surroundings. “Vince and Ibrahim have created an oasis in this cultural backwater. An amusement park for sexual freedom.”
“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 the less 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 the pleasure of 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?