Theo was in a dream. It was the only explanation.

James’s mouth was softer than he expected, but it was still strong. The kiss deepened as he felt James lean closer down to him. Theo ran his hands up James’s back, feeling the muscles shift as he did.

James lifted one of his hands from Theo’s hip to cradle his face. Their noses bumped together as tongues and lips met over and over. Theo could feel the passion simmering inside him, fizzing beneath his belly button.

He needed more.

He brought his hands around James’s sides, skimming his flanks and running them up his chest until they were resting on either side of James’s throat.

James shocked the hell out of him as he let go of Theo’s face and grabbed his hips with both hands, lifting him up. Theo squeaked, automatically wrapping his legs around James’s waist and clinging to his neck.

“Hello,” he said giddily.

“Hello,” James repeated. His smile was big and infectious.

Theo poked James’s shoulder. “Excuse me,” he said, attempting to be serious. “But you interrupted a very good kiss there.”

“I do apologise,” James replied. “Only, I thought I might ask if I could take you to bed.”

Theo’s heart skipped a beat. “Yeah?” he said.

James hugged him a little closer. “Is it too fast?” he asked.

Ordinarily, Theo would have said there was no such thing as ‘too fast’. But he’d never dated anyone before. Anytime he met with a guy it was always just a prelude to shagging. It didn’t feel like that with James at all.

But who knew how long he had with James? This could be their one and only night together. Theo had no idea what was down the line.

“S-sure,” he said, doing his best not to fumble over a one-syllable word. “If you want to, I mean?”

James laughed. “That’s kind of why I asked.”

“Sorry,” Theo said, feeling himself blushing. “I think I used all my smooth moves on the dancing.”

“Hmm, I hope not,” James said. He nuzzled Theo’s nose with his, sneaking another kiss. Then he lowered him back to the floor strewn with rose petals. “Shall we?”

Theo looked around at their romantic setting reluctantly. The sun was setting behind the trees and there was birdsong being carried on the warm breeze. The table was still laid with their half-finished dinners.

“Should we tidy up?” he asked. As desperate as he was not to break the mood, he didn’t want to be a dick and leave a trail of mess.

James shook his head, a look of devilment spreading across his face. “It’s not often I abuse my privileges,” he said. “But I asked Quintin to ensure the gramophone was rescued before dawn. The rest can be dealt with in the morning.”

Theo nodded. “I’ll help put everything away,” he promised. “You set it all up. It’s only fair.” James gave him a funny look, as if he’d spoken another language. “What?” he asked nervously.

James shook his head, smiling. “You are extremely thoughtful, aren’t you?”

Theo’s blush deepened. “It’s just manners, innit?”

James lifted Theo’s hand and kissed the back of his fingers again. “Indeed,” he agreed.

Dusk was falling around them as they walked hand in hand back towards the doorway. Theo’s heart was hammering against his chest, his skin was on fire and his cock was swelling in his jeans. Theo was glad he’d thrown a box of condoms in his luggage when he was packing. At the time, he’d told himself he might meet someone at the ball. Now he planned on using every single one of them with James.

It was a miracle neither of them tripped down the curved flight of stairs. James couldn’t seem to keep his free hand from slipping under Theo’s T-shirt, nor his lips from trailing enticing open-mouthed kisses along the back of his neck. Theo shivered with each touch. It took all his remaining composure not to moan. It wasn’t particularly late. There were bound to still be staff around.

Once they reached Theo’s room, he closed the door behind them and locked it from the inside using the key in the door. There was no way he was risking any interruptions tonight.

Leaving the key in the lock, Theo turned around and pressed his hands against the door, splaying his open palms against the wood. James was right there, stepping back into his space, resting his hands on Theo’s hips and smiling down at him.

“It looks like I have you all to myself,” James remarked, his voice low and seductive. “Whatever shall I do with you?”

“I might have one or two suggestions,” Theo whispered and bit his lip.

It was a good while since Theo had felt nervous about sex. He had decided a long time ago that if he took charge, there wasn’t anything to be afraid of. But that was just sex. This was something more.

Theo knew he talked a big talk about not wanting a boyfriend, but the truth was it was safer that way. He was perfectly capable of enjoying the physical pleasures of sex while keeping his heart locked up tight. That meant there were no consequences in the bedroom. As long as it was consensual and everyone was having a good time, Theo didn’t care what they did. If anyone judged him the morning after, he would never know and therefore didn’t care.

He cared deeply what James thought of him. If this was going to be their only night, Theo wanted it to be perfect. He wanted James to always think of him fondly, wherever he was in the world. When Theo saw him on the news or in magazines, he had to know that he did his best tonight.

He ran his hands up James’s chest, trying not to tremble. The more he gave to this man, this prince, the more he had to lose. How much was Theo going to have to leave behind when their worlds tore apart again?

He was mourning the loss of something he still had within his grasp. But once he knew how James felt in his arms, would he be able to let that go without a fight?

He wished he had grabbed this with both hands sooner.

James echoed his thoughts by placing his hands over Theo’s and squeezing tight. “Come back to me,” he murmured.

“Sorry,” Theo said again, then cringed. Being timid wasn’t sexy. He needed to dig deep and find his usual bossy, sassy self. But that Theo didn’t seem to want to come out to play.

It seemed this Theo was just yearning for James to convince him he was good enough to be here with him. Worthy.

“What do you like?” Theo rasped. His attention was focused on their interlocked hands resting on James’s chest. “What do you want?” If he got an indication of what James was into, perhaps he’d feel more confident. Normally, Theo was able to get a sense of what kind of partner he was bedding before their clothes were on the floor. But James was something of a mystery.

James leaned down and kissed the side of Theo’s neck. “I want to take your clothes off,” he whispered into Theo’s ear, licking the shell and sucking the lobe. “I want you to take my clothes off. Then I think the rest will sort itself out.”

Theo shuddered. His breaths were ragged and he whimpered. “G-good plan,” he stammered. “Simple, easy to follow.”

James chuckled, his hands drifting under Theo’s T-shirt again. “Did you know what you were doing when you got naked in the rowboat?” he murmured against Theo’s throat. He slowly dragged his hands up, his fingertips skimming Theo’s ribcage as the T-shirt rose, bunching up above his wrists.

“Uh,” Theo uttered. He was clinging to James’s shoulders, helping himself remain upright. “Saving my phone?”

Once again James laughed. Good. Theo could do this if they kept it fun and easy. Less chance of fucking up if they were relaxed and he could just ask James what he wanted. What made him feel good.

“I almost smacked my face with an oar,” James grumbled, but his tone was still playful. “You’ve got a gorgeous body.”

Theo snorted. “Says you, Mr Muscles.” He squeezed James’s deliciously thick biceps to prove his point. But then James pulled up Theo’s T-shirt in one quick motion, making Theo raise his arms and leaving him exposed.

Ordinarily, Theo pranced about naked, not caring about looking one way or another for his sexual partners. But now as he glanced up at James, his anxiety to be good enough was probably clear.

James’s pupils were blown wide, his lust obvious. It went a fair way to reassuring Theo he was desirable. James ran his fingers down the centre of Theo’s chest, glancing over his navel and carding through his golden happy trail leading to his crotch. There wasn’t much hiding Theo’s erection now, but James ignored it in favour of caressing Theo’s sensitive tummy, stroking the soft hair.

“Gorgeous,” he said again as if he was proving his point.

Theo couldn’t help but smile. He did very much like the way he looked. He was petit but compact. Guys were often surprised by how much muscle definition he had for a slim guy. But he didn’t often go with guys as big as James, the rugby player types who could crush him if they weren’t careful. If he did, they were generally the more effeminate, teddy bear types.

Theo knew full well he was wary of bigger guys that were overtly masculine for a reason.

But James didn’t make him feel nervous. In fact, he felt safe. It was enough to help his confidence rise again. James thought he was gorgeous. He wasn’t going to hurt him.

“I want you so badly,” Theo rasped, the words barely audible even to his own ears.

James smiled and brushed the backs of his fingers against Theo’s cheek. “You have me.”

But for how long?

No. Theo had wasted enough time. He refused to squander a moment more.

He took hold of James’s open collar and pulled him down to claim his mouth again. James slid his hands around Theo’s lower back, dragging their bodies together. Oh. It appeared Theo wasn’t the only desperate one. James’s thick arousal dug into Theo’s hip.

“Oh,” Theo squeaked and tried not to giggle. “Your Highness.”

James went still. “No,” he said quietly with a small shake of his head. “Just…James.”

Shit. That was exactly the kind of faux pas Theo had been trying to avoid.

“James,” he repeated with a nod. He took James’s face with both hands and looked directly into his eyes. “James,” he said again with emphasis.

He knew exactly who he was here with. This wasn’t a game. He wasn’t turned on by James’s title. He was drawn to the caring, capable, fucking sexy man in front of him.

James closed his eyes. “Theo,” he said.

Theo ran his hands over James’s cheeks, down his neck, across his chest and along his arms. He wanted James to feel him all over. “It’s just us,” he said, taking hold of James’s hands and squeezing a little too tightly. James opened his eyes at the pressure. Good. “I won’t play any more games, I’m sorry.”

James let out a breath and smiled. “Thank you.”

Honesty. That’s what Theo’s lover needed from him.

Theo felt buoyed with confidence. James needed something from him. They were equals here. It was as if he was finally finding his footing on uneven ground. Theo was starting to understand how to navigate this tryst.

He began undoing the buttons on James’s shirt, undressing him like he had requested. James watched him, his chest rising and falling with deep breaths as Theo exposed it button by button. He bit his lip to help him concentrate, but James was gently running his fingers over Theo’s belly and hips, distracting Theo with featherlight touches that held so much promise.

“You’re very gorgeous, too,” Theo said, glancing up. He could feel a smile tugging at his lips. “Not sure I mentioned that. I might have, but, well, it doesn’t hurt to say it again, does it?”

“I guess not,” James said, also smiling.

Theo could feel the last of the tension melting from between them as he tugged James’s shirt free of his trousers. He reached up and pushed the material over James’s large shoulders.

It was only when he pushed the shirt down his arms that he realised the cufflinks were still very much in place.

Theo snorted, destroying any kind of seduction he had going on. “Shit,” he giggled as he tried to twist one of the cufflinks straight so he could poke it back through the hole.

James laughed softly too. “I should have planned ahead accordingly,” he said as he tackled the other wrist. “Selected attire more easily removed.”

“Yeah?” Theo asked, winking up at him. “You were planning on getting into my knickers the whole time, were you?”

James dipped down and captured Theo’s mouth for a kiss that suddenly ramped the hotness right back up to a ten. “I hoped,” he admitted against Theo’s lips. There was an undeniable rawness to the two words.

Theo kissed him back, again and again. “Me too,” he murmured.

He got the bloody cufflink out and cradled it while James freed the second one. Theo took it from his fingers and placed them both carefully on the dresser nearby. Then he slid his hands around James’s watch, determinedly not thinking about how much it cost. Theo would be careful with it whether it was worth thirty quid or thirty thousand. It was James’s, so he would treat it with respect.

Because that was how James treated him.

James gave him a slight nod, so Theo undid the clasp and set the watch down by the cufflinks. There was nothing stopping him tugging the shirt down now, allowing it to pool on the floor. Soft, dark hair ran across the top of James’s pecs and down the centre of his chest, all the way to his belt buckle. Without pause, Theo moved his hands down to James’s belt, pulling it free with the whisper of leather against cotton. It dropped on the carpet with a soft thud.

There was something so exhilarating about undressing someone else. The way James was watching him, trusting him, as Theo divested him of his clothes was a special kind of erotic.

Slowly, Theo looked into James’s eyes as he lowered the zip on James’s fly.

They were in real danger of not making it to the bed.

James placed his hands over Theo’s, stopping him from going further. Theo caught the doubt in his mind before it had time to grow. James didn’t look annoyed. Theo hadn’t done anything wrong.

James just wanted his turn.

He began kissing down Theo’s neck, pushing him against the door. His big, sturdy hands held onto Theo’s waist as James kissed down Theo’s chest and then sank to his knees. Theo’s breaths were fluttery little gasps as James nuzzled his nose against the cock inside Theo’s clothes, trailing his hands down Theo’s jeans.

When he reached the brand-new Converse, James rested his temple against Theo’s thigh and used both hands to reverently undo the knotted bows, then slipped one shoe free followed by the other. “How can you make that sexy?” Theo asked in disbelief as he lifted his feet, one at a time, for James to tug his socks off.

James chuckled. “You’re the one making it sexy,” James assured him. “I don’t even have to try.”

Theo snorted. “I’m not so sure about that,” he said.

James stood back up. “Everything about you is sexy,” he said with an impish grin, hugging Theo close to him. The sensation of their bare skin touching was divine. “Why do you think I followed you out of the ceremony room that first day? I couldn’t help it.”

Theo’s mouth dropped open and he gasped in mock outrage. “Were you stalking me?” he asked, poking James’s naked pec. Theo was a few inches shorter than James and his chest was tantalisingly close to his mouth.

“I like to think of it as having my eyes on the prize,” James said cheekily, rocking Theo back and forth. “Speaking of which…”

He leaned in heavier, using his body to press Theo against the wooden door and trapping their cocks together through their trousers.

“Oh, fuck,” Theo uttered. “I think we need to speed up the plan. There’re way too many clothes still hanging about for my liking.”

James grinned as he kissed Theo’s lips hungrily. Together they fumbled with each other’s buttons and zips, shoving the material over their hips. Theo gasped as the air hit his cock when it sprang free, already leaking and straining hard with want.

James appeared to give little regard to his dress shoes as he impatiently kicked them off without undoing the laces. Finally, they were both naked, and James crowded Theo against the door once more. Goose bumps flurried over his skin as they pressed their flesh together.

“Oh my days,” Theo muttered, rolling his head back to allow James to kiss his throat. Because of the height difference, his cock was rubbing on James’s thigh and James’s was against Theo’s stomach. Theo was becoming convinced he could come just like that.

He lifted his hands to rub James’s nipples and was rewarded with a salivating moan and the little nubs hardening under his ministrations. He wanted to explore every inch of James’s sculpted body.

“Bed?” he murmured while sucking on James’s collarbone and running his fingers down James’s back. The temptation to mark him was enormous, but instinct told Theo to hold off on that. A prince might get in trouble if he was caught with hickeys and scratches.

This time, he was fractionally more prepared when James picked him up. “You sure?” James asked. “I could fuck you like this.” He was right. His strong arms held Theo against the door at just the right angle so the wet head of his cock rubbed up against Theo’s arse.

Theo moaned. He wanted that desperately. However, once again, he hoped he wasn’t going to break the mood. “Um, we need lube. And, uh, protection?”

James smiled. “Always thinking,” he said fondly. He rubbed his stubbled cheek against Theo’s, the friction making Theo shiver.

“Sorry,” Theo said.

But James shook his head. “No, you’re right,” he said with a sigh.

Theo got the impression James wanted to be reckless, but Theo wouldn’t do that with anyone, let alone British Royalty. But if he wanted to keep it natural, there were ways they could do that.

“Take me to bed,” Theo whispered. He ground his cock against James’s chest and looked down at him through his eyelashes. He would make sure James wasn’t disappointed.

James’s lips parted as he looked up at Theo with pure lust. Then he raised his left arm to cradle Theo’s back, still supporting his arse with his right, and carried him easily over to the four-poster bed. The setting sun gave the room an ethereal glow for Theo to look at his lover.

Normally, Theo liked being on top, even if he wasn’t actually topping, but tonight he let James lay him down on his back. This position worked best for what he wanted anyway. The soft cotton sheets were cool on his damp back. Even after a few nights here, Theo still wasn’t used to how plump the pillows were.

As James hovered over him on all fours, Theo reached down and palmed his straining cock, rubbing the precum he was leaking along the shaft to help them along. James groaned, his eyes fluttering shut.

“Come here,” Theo told him. He placed one of his hands on James’s back, encouraging him down, then used the other to angle James’s cock between Theo’s thighs. He clamped his legs together, giving James tight flesh to thrust into.

“Oh, fuck,” James moaned as he rolled his body on top of Theo’s. Theo took his dry hand and cupped James’s face to keep him steady while he kissed him.

“Does that feel good?” he asked.

James nodded as he continued to thrust. “Good for you?” he uttered between kisses. Theo nodded back.

Truthfully, it was more of a tease for Theo as his cock was once again bouncing around between their two bellies as they undulated. But he’d worry about coming after James. Right now, he wanted to give this to him.

They were slick with perspiration as James grunted and thrust harder between Theo’s wet thighs. His kisses were desperate, almost feral, as he dug his fingers into Theo’s skin. Oh, how Theo wanted James to bruise him. Maybe afterwards, Theo would ask about leaving a small hickey somewhere inconspicuous on James’s body. He craved some outer sign that this was real between them. That they belonged to each other, if only for a night.

“Theo,” James gasped. “I’m going to come.”

“Yes,” Theo hissed. He hugged James to him, encouraging him to bury his face against Theo’s neck. “I’m here, James. Come for me. I love it.”

James made an animalistic noise as he climaxed, gripping on to Theo for what felt like dear life. Theo held him as he shook and gasped, spilling his seed against Theo’s skin and on the duvet cover. Theo wondered briefly if that was going to be an issue with the cleaning staff. But that was a problem for future Theo.

He rubbed James’s back as his shudders diminished. “Dear lord,” James croaked. He blinked and raised his head, kissing Theo tenderly on the lips. Then he looked down and saw Theo’s situation.

“I’m fine,” Theo said automatically. James looked so blissed out and boneless, Theo didn’t want James fretting about him not coming. His entire body was zinging, but it was pleasant. If he left his cock alone, it would calm down soon enough.

But James shook his head and rolled onto his side, shuffling so Theo was spooned by his side in his muscular arms. “Allow me,” he murmured.

He wrapped his large hand around Theo’s cock, slick with sweat and precum, and began to stroke. Theo grunted, biting his lip and pressing his forehead against James’s. He panted, his lips hovering by James’s, gazing into his blazing blue eyes. It was only a hand job, but it felt nothing like the quickies Theo had traded with other guys in nightclub bathrooms.

He felt utterly exposed as he lay on his back and allowed James to pleasure him. James’s other arm was under his back and that hand gripped Theo’s arm tightly. Theo felt surrounded and secure. It had him letting go far quicker than he usually would. He pawed at James’s chest and cupped his face. “Going to…” he uttered, kissing his lover between gasps.

“Please, Theo,” James whispered, kissing him again.

Theo wailed as quietly as he could, his back arching as his climax hit with tremendous force. He shot his load between his and James’s chests, spreading even more mess. He clung to James’s neck as the tremors through his body subsided.

As he came back to reality, Theo was almost scared to look up at James. Was this it? Had the illusion shattered? Was James going to up and leave him now he’d had some fun? Theo normally didn’t mind guys who headed home right after sex. It avoided awkward mornings. But try as he might, he couldn’t seem to unclasp his hands from behind James’s neck.

“Hey?” James whispered. Theo took a shaky breath and forced himself to look. “Are you okay?” James expression was concerned.

Theo opened his mouth, then realised he wasn’t sure what he wanted to say. “That was amazing,” he said truthfully.

But James shook his head. “Are you okay,” he asked again.

Honesty. Theo reminded himself that was James’s cornerstone here.

“A-are you going to leave now?” Theo asked, expressing his honest fear.

James considered him. “I’d like to stay,” he said. “But if you’re not comfortable with that-”

“No,” Theo interrupted, then grinned. “Um, no. I think I’d like you to stay, too.”

James inhaled long and slow as a big smile spread over his face. “Thank you.”

He looked sleepy. His hair was all sex-ruffled and his happy sigh was the icing on the cake.

Theo knew this was undoubtedly going to hurt him at some point. There would come a time where he would have to let James go. But that time wasn’t now. For tonight, he could look after his lover and keep him close.

“Don’t move,” he said fondly, tapping the end of James’s nose. James moved quick enough to kiss Theo’s fingertip, though, making Theo giggle. Then James flopped down against the many pillows, his gaze fixed on Theo as he slipped off the bed.

Theo smiled over his shoulder, then walked to the bathroom on slightly wobbly legs. He returned with a warm washcloth and wiped them both as clean as he could, then dried them with tissues. James watched him as he worked.

“What?” Theo asked eventually, unable to help the grin on his face.

“No one’s ever done that for me before,” James said. He brushed his fingers up and down Theo’s arm. “I mean, it’s not hard to pass over a tissue. But to take care of someone else like that…”

Theo bit his lip. He daren’t admit he didn’t usually do this for his partners either. But it felt natural to do it for James.

He shrugged instead. “Now we’ll be comfortable,” he said.

Reluctantly, they both stood so they could yank the covers from where they had been tightly tucked into the mattress. Night had fallen almost all the way, giving the sky deep streaks of violet. Theo crossed the room and closed the curtains, then returned to join James under the covers.

Before he’d even settled his head, James pulled him close, wrapping his arms around him and allowing Theo to use his bicep as a pillow. James gave him a sweet kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for an exceptional evening,” he said drowsily.

Theo squeezed his arms in response. “It was perfect,” he said.

Even if it was only for tonight. Theo tried to promise himself he wouldn’t be disappointed when the magic was gone tomorrow.

He fell asleep before he could swear to that promise.