The shower’s spray had finally ceased, but the steam lingered, warm and heavy in the air. Jian Ci’s heart was beating fast in anticipation.

Just then he realised he had forgotten something. He rushed to the walk-in closet and picked up the bottle of body oil.

He had forgotten to apply it earlier. The instructions on the box promised fragrant arousal, a heightened sensitivity for both parties.

He poured a generous amount into his hand and slapped it against his chest, the chill shocking his skin before warmth spread. He rubbed it in hastily, over his pecs, down his abs, across his shoulders.

The scent bloomed something musky, sweet and expensive. It made his own skin smell alluring.

When he stepped out, Yu Xi was already there. The man stood by the console table, his robe a dark slash of silk against the candle-lit room. His fingers, long, elegant, were tracing the array of things Jian Ci had laid out on the table. Yu Xi’s smirk was a slow, dark curve.

"What a setup you have here." His voice was low, a lazy drawl that wrapped around Jian Ci’s spine and squeezed. Then Yu Xi looked up.

His eyes traveled over Jian Ci’s oiled body, glistening under the dim, golden light. They lingered on the lace jockstrap, black threads clinging to Jian Ci’s hips, framing the hard curve of his ass and the thick promise of his cock straining against the delicate fabric. Then they rose to the collar, simple black leather, snug around Jian Ci’s neck.

Yu Xi’s smirk deepened. He knew. Of course he knew. This was from the stash, the secret collection shoved in the closet, the things that old doctor had nudged him to buy when he went to get his medicine over the years.

Jian Ci shifted his weight, feeling the cool air on his hot skin. "I was packing up our clothes when I saw your secret stash," he said, voice a bit breathless. "Do I look nice in them?"

He made a pose, turning slightly, flexing his back so the muscles rolled under the slick oil. He wanted Yu Xi to see everything. The power in his legs, the strength in his shoulders, the desperate need in the way his cock pushed against the lace.

Yu Xi didn’t answer with words. He picked up the leash from the table, a matching black leather strap with a silver clip. He tossed it. "Put it on for me," he said. "Complete the look."

Jian Ci caught it. The leather was smooth and cool. "Anything for my fiancé," he said with mischievous smile.

He clipped the leash to the ring on his collar. The click was final, a punctuation mark. He spun the leash in his hand, the length whirling with his excitement.

Yu Xi moved to the armchair by the window, a deep, plush thing. He sat down and his robe slipped off one shoulder, revealing a line of smooth, supple skin.

He sat with his legs apart, the robe parting at his thighs. The pose was kingly, commanding.

"On your knees."

Jian Ci’s breath caught. Not in a hitch, but in a full, greedy swallow. He knelt. The plush carpet was cool against his knees, a sharp contrast to the heat blooming inside him.

Yu Xi’s eyes held him, dark and unblinking. "Bite the leash," he instructed his voice calm and absolute. "And crawl over here."

Jian Ci obeyed. He took the end of the leash into his mouth, the leather taste bitter and real. He leaned forward, placing his hands on the floor. Then he crawled.

Each movement was a submission. His shoulders worked, his back flexed, his ass lifted and lowered with every step forward. The leash dangling from his mouth, controlled by Yu Xi’s gaze alone.

He crawled across the room, the distance feeling vast, until he was before the armchair, between Yu Xi’s parted legs.

Yu Xi reached down. His fingers didn’t grab the leash; they touched Jian Ci’s jaw, tracing the line of it. "Good," he murmured. Then his hand went to the collar, his thumb rubbing the leather strap against Jian Ci’s throat. "You look perfect like this."

Jian Ci groaned, the sound muffled by the leash in his mouth. Yu Xi’s other hand came down, palming Jian Ci’s ass through the lace. The fabric was thin, so thin, and Yu Xi’s fingers pressed against the firm muscle, then dipped lower, tracing the cleft.

"This jockstrap," Yu Xi said, his voice dropping, "It’s so fucking slutty on you. Showing off everything you have for me."

His fingers slid under the lace edge, finding Jian Ci’s bare skin. He rubbed a circle over Jian Ci’s butt and smacked it. Then he yanked at the leash.The sudden force pulled Jian Ci forward, his balance broken. He fell onto his hands, his face now inches from Yu Xi’s crotch.

The hunger in his eyes didn’t dim; it burned brighter, a furnace now stoked. Yu Xi leaned down, his face hovering close. He teased, moving his lips so close Jian Ci could feel the phantom heat of them. When Jian Ci leaned in, desperate for contact, Yu Xi retreated, a cruel, delightful game.

Jian Ci’s Adam’s apple bobbed his expression a silent plea. His breath came faster, ragged.

"You want it," Yu Xi stated, his voice a knowing caress.

Jian Ci’s eyes flickered to those lips, pink and perfect. He nodded, a sharp, eager jerk of his head. "Yes. Yes, I want it. I want you."

Yu Xi’s smirk deepened. He leaned in again, and this time he didn’t retreat. Their lips met in a rough, hot, and breathy kiss, an explosion of pent-up desire.

Yu Xi’s hand tightened on the leash, pulling Jian Ci up, pulling him closer, until their bodies were aligned, chest to chest. The kiss was a battle and a surrender, tongues clashing, teeth grazing, the wet, slick sounds of their passion filling the quiet room.

Yu Xi tasted like power and dark honey. Jian Ci tasted like desperation and worship.

When they finally parted, gasping, they pressed their foreheads together. Their panting breaths mingled. They looked at each other, eyes wide and dark like beasts in heat, ready to pounce.

"I want to fuck you so bad," Jian Ci whispered, the words torn from his throat.

"Yeah?" Yu Xi breathed, his own voice unsteady.

"Yeah." Jian Ci’s gaze was locked, enslaved by those enchanting, commanding eyes.

"It depends on your performance," Yu Xi said, his voice regaining its taunting edge. And he spread his legs wider, the silk robe parting further to reveal the tantalizing skin of his inner thighs.