Pedestal -- An Ensnared Short Story Excerpt

“Is it wise to delay taking action?” Lord Maceo asked in a strained voice.

“I believe Darius means to have the perpetrators will worry all night about what is coming,” Mykos smiled.

“He knows me well, milord,” Darius said.

“That is a wise move,” Maceo conceded.

Darius keenly desired solitude with his beautiful Consort, but he was as keenly aware that his emotions were held in check by the thinnest thread. Though Andreas was significantly stronger than their first night together, Darius knew he could still harm him if he initiated sex in that state. He caught Lexo's eye before he left the Conference Room and asked for a cold snack plate and strong red wine. Andreas noticed but was intent on bidding Maceo and Erienne goodnight.

“We're going to have a snack with wine,” Darius said to Mykos as they headed out the door. “Would you like to join us?”

“Thanks, Brother, but no,” Mykos replied tiredly. “I'm going to have a nice, hot soak with a large cognac, then head to bed.”

Mykos shared the Leaders Suite in the Center Tower with Darius and Andreas. It had almost the same size in square meters as two stories of the Penthouse at home. There were four large bedrooms. Each had an en suite bathroom and huge walk-in closets. There were two living rooms along with offices, a small gym, and a room dedicated to electronic entertainment. It was large enough that they had plenty of space to work or entertain and still have as much privacy as they desired.

“Goodnight, Mykos,” Andreas murmured.

“Goodnight, Brothers,” Mykos said. “Sleep well.”

“So, why aren't we having a long soak or heading to bed?” Andreas asked softly. “It's been a long and stressful day.”

“I find that I am extremely...unsettled by these revelations,” Darius replied. “I believe it would be best if I had time to relax until this...passes.”

Andreas considered that for a moment before shaking his head.

“You're pissed off about all those eyes watching me move,” Andreas countered in silken tone. “You have every right to be. I belong to you. This...intrusion cannot be tolerated. And now, you must take back what is yours, Cosi.”

Andreas waggled his eyebrows and smiled his most sinful smile.

“Andreas...”

“Stop,” he said softly. “I know how strong you are, and I can feel the fury tormenting your mind. I gave myself to you for moments like this. My vows included care for you no matter what. I am yours to use...to take...I am strong enough for you. Darius...please – mmmph.”

Darius could bear no more. He crushed Andreas against his body, then kissed him savagely.

A thrill ran down Darius' spine as Andreas moaned into the kiss. His fury turned into something far more pleasant and urgent. Andreas helped move things along when his knees buckled, allowing Darius to lift him for the swift trip to their bedroom.

“Lexo. Leave the trolley at our door,” Darius said, knowing that the intercom would activate.

“Very good, milord,” Lexo said. “Goodnight.”

Andreas mumbled.

“Andreas says goodnight, Lexo,” Darius chuckled. “As do I.”

With that, Darius kicked the door shut. He placed Andreas on the opulent bed, then considered his Consort's clothing. His Consort started to pull his top off.

“Be still, Andreas,” Darius murmured.

Andreas obeyed immediately though there was a clear challenge in his beautiful green-gold eyes. That was enough for Darius to lose what little control he had left. He grasped Andreas' top at the bottom of its deep Vee and tore it to the hem. Andreas was undoubtedly glaring at him, but Darius was paying that no mind. He was busy ripping the matching, silk pants apart.

“Hey!” Andreas said with a growl.

“Patience, sweet Consort,” Darius murmured. “I won't keep you waiting long for my body.”

Andreas huffed at that while Darius was fashioning quick restraints out of the ruined lounging clothes. The loops for restraints remained on the headboard, but Darius had the shackles removed. They were made of metal and had no linings. They were heavy and likely to cause pain and injuries. Those would never do for the exquisite skin of his beautiful Consort. Those manacles weren't fit for a prisoner, let alone a life partner like Andreas. And Darius felt that way, despite the names his beloved was calling him at that moment.

Those mutterings ceased as soon as Darius tied Andreas' wrists together. The tether was pulled through the metal loop on the headboard until Andreas' arms were stretched straight, but not to the point where he was straining and tied firmly.

“This isn't fair, Cosi,” Andreas pouted. “You know how much I enjoy touching you.”

“I love your hands on my body,” Darius admitted softly. “But my patience has almost reached its limits. Your touch would take me over the edge. I will not harm you.”

Darius ended the discussion with the kind of kiss that made Andreas moan and arch his lithe body demanding to be touched.

“Stay still,” Darius said softly.

Andreas was dreamy-eyed when Darius stood up to undress. In the interest of speed and fairness, Darius ripped the clothes from his body while his Consort looked on with a mixture of amusement and amazement in his expression.

“Spread your legs,” Darius commanded. “Knees up. Feet flat on the mattress.”

“Y-yes, Darius,” Andreas managed with a hard swallow.

Darius opened the lid to the pot of Arnica infused gel and coated his fingers. He eased onto the mattress alongside Andreas. While his fingers set about thoroughly stretching Andreas' strengthened opening as quickly and gently as possible, his mouth set about tormenting sensitive skin everywhere save for here his Consort desperately wanted him to go.

“Patience, sweet Consort,” Darius murmured against his skin. “We climax together.”

Darius kissed Andreas before he could use his considerable skills of persuasion to get his way. Soon, Andreas relaxed his body completely allowing Darius to push inside and begin to stretch him. After several long moments, Andreas tore his mouth away from the kiss.

“Now...please, Darius...”

He didn't hesitate. Darius rose to his knees while turning Andreas on his stomach, then raising his hips until he was on his knees. After quickly slicking himself with the gel, Darius began an achingly slow push inside that nearly painfully snug opening. Once their bodies touched, Darius went still to give Andreas a chance to get used to being filled, but he wasn't having it. He pushed back against Darius causing them both to moan. All control was gone at that point. Darius pounded into Andreas' tight heat relentlessly. Andreas didn't try to keep up. Darius could tell he was using all of his strength to keep upright on his knees.

During their time together, Darius learned that Andreas no shrinking Dami. He was even bolder as a Consort. Andreas was a giving lover, but he did not have endless patience. There would come a point when he demanded that Darius finish him off. The language that Andreas used was often quite colorful. That night, he seemed too tired to get creative.

“Hey, Cosi!” He panted in exasperation. “Finish me!”

Darius smiled as he obliged, slicking his hand before grasping Andreas' straining erection. It was fortunate that Darius was very close. Andreas came with a few firm strokes. The pleasure drenched moan was too much. Darius came hard. He felt Andreas' knees buckle. Darius wrapped an arm around his waist, and they collapsed on their side in happy exhaustion.

Andreas wasn't at all lucid as Darius gently wiped him down with the warm, damp towels, Lexo left by their bedroom door. They were in a small towel warmer on the trolley with their mini sandwiches, fruit, chilled water, and a small carafe of wine. His beautiful Consort was almost alert by the time Darius dried him. He was able to hold his own glass of water while Darius cleaned himself.

“How are you feeling?” Darius asked as they devoured their sandwiches.

“I'm fine,” Andreas replied, blushing deeply. “And I should be asking you that.”

Darius leaned close to kiss Andreas briefly.

“I feel much better,” He murmured before having another bite of his sandwich. “I appreciate your care of me.”

“It is my pleasure,” Andreas smiled with a blush. “As always. Do you want to talk about a plan?”

“No,” Darius replied. “We need to sleep.”

Andreas yawned as he tried to reply, then chuckled when Darius laughed softly. Somehow, they managed a last gasp of energy to put the trays on the trolley and pull the blankets up. Darius knew that Andreas was asleep as soon as he was positioned along his side. Darius drifted asleep as he wrapped his arms snugly around his Consort.