Work Text:
Picture of a title card for Tangled Reservations. There is black silk fabric in the background with a decoratively cut notecard that says, “Tangled Reservations: An OFMD Kinktober 2023, Day 3 AU (lingerie, rutting, ‘you’re so wet for me.’)” There is a bit of pink lace laying on the right side and a gold old-fashioned key laying on top of the card and black silk.
After sitting through a long transcontinental flight, Ed felt every muscle in his body ache as he finally stepped into the serene lobby of the boutique hotel nestled in the quaint northern French town. A bath was calling his name, the perfect way to cleanse away the travel fatigue and soak in some much-needed relaxation. Also craving the enveloping comfort of a hopefully plush bed, he was eager to finally enjoy a night of restorative sleep.
He had traveled to this charming town with a distinct mission: to acquire French lace for his queer-inclusive, body-inclusive lingerie collection. Anticipation buzzed within him at the thought of meeting some of the world's most revered lace artisans. Yet, this trip wasn't solely about business. It also represented an opportunity for Ed to escape his life, if only briefly.
Severing ties with Jack had been difficult, perhaps one of the most draining experiences Ed had ever gone through. Despite Jack's relentless attempts to win him back, full of emotionally manipulative tactics, Ed had reached his breaking point. Their codependent relationship had spiraled through a tumultuous decade of on-again, off-again dynamics, each reunion bringing diminishing returns. This time, Ed was firm: their chapter was definitely closed.
As he approached the hotel counter, his suitcase rolling along behind him, Ed's gaze couldn't help but gravitate towards the man stationed there, speaking to the desk clerk. The man was, quite frankly, hot. His well-defined calves and toned arms were tastefully highlighted by a form-fitting sweater and fancy, tailored trousers. The artful arrangement of his blonde locks further added to the man’s appeal. For a fleeting moment, Ed envisioned himself kneeling before this striking individual, eagerly prepared to take his cock into his waiting mouth.
But he promptly quashed that train of thought, banishing the fantasies from his mind. He was not here for romantic or sexual pursuits; he had come with a professional objective and a personal mission for self-care. No matter how tempting the man before him was, Ed refused to let himself be derailed by fleeting attractions.
"Wait, so you're telling me the reservation I made…for myself…somehow got mixed up with someone else's reservation, and this Edward Teach is the main name on the reservation?" The man's voice, tinged with a distinct Kiwi accent, reverberated through the lobby, immediately evoking a sense of homesickness within Ed. It had been an age since he'd heard that familiar lilt in conversation, except for his conversations with Fang, of course.
"I'm so sorry, monsieur, I 'ave no idea how zis 'appened, but unfortunately, we are all booked up, and Edward Teach is ze main name on ze booking," the desk clerk responded with a thick French accent. A knot of unease tightened in Ed's stomach. They were talking about him. Though he wasn't directly responsible for the jumbled reservations, guilt gnawed at him, recognizing that this stranger's travel plans had been thrown into disarray due to the mix-up. "Edward Teach is ze only one who can check in with zis reservation."
"Excuse me," Ed interjected, finally approaching the counter. As the man pivoted to face him, Ed felt like all the air had been stolen from his lungs. Up close, the man's magnetism was even more potent, and Ed's internal alarm bells began to ring. He was so fucked. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation, but I heard my name, so I couldn't help but listen in. It seems there was some kind of mix-up with our reservations?"
Ed observed the widening of the man's eyes and the flush that filled his cheeks, a reaction that sent his heart plummeting. No doubt, the stranger was likely fuming at him for his reservation being messed up.
"Ah, are you Edward Teach?" the desk clerk inquired, his face drained of color as if he were bracing for a catastrophe.
"Yes, I am," Ed confirmed, his shoulders tensing involuntarily.
"Ah, yes, so it seems there was a glitch in our system, and somehow your reservation got intertwined with zis man's reservation," the clerk explained, his brow furrowed in consternation. Ed couldn't help but feel empathy for the individual behind the counter. It was highly improbable that he was the culprit behind the booking mishap, yet he was the one left managing the fallout.
"Ok, so can you just…take me off his reservation and get me onto one of my own?" the frustrated Kiwi-accented man demanded.
"Well, unfortunately, we are fully booked," the clerk responded, his eyes flickering with a momentary look of trepidation.
"You've got to be kidding me," the man exclaimed, his voice tinged with rising irritation. Ed could understand his exasperation but felt uneasy about the vitriol directed at the clerk. Seeking to defuse the situation, Ed decided to intervene.
"Hey, listen, can you tell me if there are other hotels in the area?" Ed asked the hotel clerk. "Maybe I could call around and see if I can find a room elsewhere, and then you could take the room here," he suggested, swiveling to address the blonde man.
"Oh, well, that's very kind of you, but…" the man started to say, but Ed quickly interceded.
"It's fine, really," Ed assured him. "Not a big deal if I can find somewhere else to stay."
A swift phone call revealed that there was only one other hotel in the vicinity, which was fully booked. The clerk hung up the phone, a renewed dread flooding his eyes.
"I am so sorry, but it looks like zey are completely booked," he said, visibly quaking.
"This is…absolutely ridiculous," the blonde man retorted, his frustration peaking once more.
Though Ed had reservations about the very idea he was considering—especially since his brief interaction with the man had left him somewhat exasperated—he felt a pressing need to resolve the situation. "Look, why don't we just share the room?" Ed suggested, scrubbing his hand over his recently trimmed beard. "Does it at least have two beds?"
Ed felt he knew the answer; he had explicitly requested a single-bed room. Still, he hoped that detail had also been bungled.
"No, monsieur, I'm so sorry, it does not," the clerk responded, his complexion resembling that of a person on the brink of nausea. "But we do have a roll-away bed we could bring in for you."
"Fine, that works," Ed said, clicking his tongue nervously as he gauged the blonde man's reaction, hoping to avoid a public spectacle. "I'll take the roll-away, and you can take the bed," he directed at the man beside him. "Does that sound ok?"
The blonde man scrutinized Ed carefully, his cheeks turning pink again, and fuck , what that flush of color did to him…
"I couldn't…I don't want to impose," the man finally uttered.
"Look, mate, it's either that or one of us sleeps out here on that couch over there," Ed pointed out, gesturing to a small, overly ornate couch occupying the center of the lobby. "And it doesn't look too comfortable between you and me."
Exhaling a deep, contemplative sigh, the man finally spoke. "Ok, looks like there isn’t another viable option. Thank you; it’s very kind of you to offer," he conceded to Ed. "I’ll pay for half the room, though I think there should be a severe discount, all things considered."
"Yes, monsieur, of course, let me just get my manager on ze phone, and we’ll see what we can do for you," the desk clerk assured, his eyes sending a look of immense gratitude toward Ed.
Fast forward a few minutes, and Ed found himself in the elevator next to the blonde man, who he had since discovered was named Stede. As the elevator ascended to the third floor, the atmosphere was thick with an almost electric tension. A brief, inadvertent brush of their hands made Ed's cheeks flush a rosy hue as an electric wave of heat shot down his spine. Clearing his throat as a reflex, he subtly repositioned himself, creating a safe personal space boundary.
"I think I owe you an apology for my behavior down there," Stede initiated as the elevator doors slid open, allowing them to exit onto the floor.
"I don’t know if you owe me an apology, but you probably owe someone one," Ed responded, a mischievous smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Stede's eyes widened perceptibly as he considered Ed's comment.
As they reached their designated door, Stede paused, his gaze weighing heavily on Ed. For a moment, Ed pondered whether his previous remark had been a step too far. But then he dismissed the thought. Yes, he concluded internally; Stede absolutely did owe that desk clerk an apology.
"God, you’re right," Stede conceded, exhaling a subdued sigh. "I was a complete ass. I swear, I’m not usually like that. I’m just exhausted from traveling, and then I get here, and the hotel has messed up my reservation. But obviously, it’s not that poor man’s fault."
Tapping his nose twice to indicate Stede was stating the obvious, Ed locked eyes with the man. A shy smile crept onto Stede’s face, the familiar blush reappearing on his cheeks. Ed was feeling better and better about his decision to ask the man to share a room; there was something about him.
"I’ll get settled in the room and go downstairs to apologize," Stede declared, inserting his key card into the door and pushing it open.
"Smart move," Ed commented, gently and playfully nudging Stede’s shoulder. "I totally get being exhausted."
"Yeah, well, you weren’t a dick," Stede retorted, holding the door ajar for Ed as they stepped into the room.
"Believe me, I’ve had my share of dick moments," Ed blurted out, immediately realizing the unintended innuendo.
Catching Stede's eye, both men burst into laughter.
"Fuck, see what exhaustion does? Has me inadvertently making sexual comments to a stranger," Ed admitted, feeling like he was digging deeper into the awkward situation.
Stede chose to be gracious, averting his gaze downward, cheeks flush with color as he wheeled his luggage further into the room and stashed it in the closet. Ed was grateful for his grace, feeling thoroughly embarrassed by his comment. People usually didn’t have this flustering effect on him.
"Well, I’m gonna apologize to that desk clerk. Be back shortly," Stede announced, clearing his throat as he maneuvered past Ed.
Way to make it awkward , Ed mused, setting his own luggage on the petite sofa. He unzipped the top compartment to retrieve his toiletries, which he placed in the bathroom.
Not too long after, a knock resounded at the door. When Ed opened it, a hotel staffer wheeled in the rollaway bed. Eyeing the thin, lumpy mattress, Ed felt a twinge in his back. So much for a restful night. In a moment of regret, he wondered why he’d been the gentleman and offered the more comfortable bed to Stede. He should’ve opted for rock, paper, scissors.
Upon Stede's return, the room had undergone a minor transformation. Ed had unfurled the rollaway bed, positioning it strategically in a corner to maximize available space. He was in the process of unpacking, filling half the dresser drawers with his clothing. He discreetly concealed some lingerie underneath a jacket as he did so, leaving it tucked away in his suitcase. Though he sometimes enjoyed wearing lingerie as a self-indulgent pick-me-up, Ed reckoned that wouldn't be an option now, given he was sharing quarters with a stranger.
"You know, you really don’t have to take that bed," Stede interjected, gesturing towards the rollaway. "I can sleep on it. I feel like it’s only fair after the way I behaved down there."
"How does that make it fair?" Ed inquired, a light chuckle coloring his voice. "I said I’d sleep on it; it’s fine."
Internally, Ed kicked himself. Why hadn't he suggested the game of rock, paper, scissors to decide? For some inexplicable reason, he was willing to endure a night—or multiple nights—on this terrible mattress for the sake of...well, he didn't even know why.
"So, how long are you here for?" Ed ventured, neatly folding the last of his garments into the dresser. He zipped up his suitcase and stowed it back in the closet.
"Well, my conference runs tomorrow through Friday, but I’m staying an extra week. So, a total of two weeks," Stede disclosed.
A sinking feeling washed over Ed. Two weeks on this mattress? He made a mental note to ask to be notified of any room openings in the next two weeks with the desk clerk the next morning.
"Ah, that’s how long I’m here too," Ed said, sounding more disappointed than he intended.
"Edward, seriously, I can sleep on that mattress," Stede persisted, a skeptical eyebrow arching upwards. "Or maybe we could take turns?"
"Nah, mate, I'll be fine," Ed asserted, mentally scolding himself for not shutting the fuck up. You may not regret it now, but you'll regret this when you're paying the chiropractor back home , he told himself.
************
Choosing expediency over indulgence, Ed opted for a brisk shower instead of a luxurious soak in the large claw-foot tub that beckoned him so temptingly. Time was a factor now that he had a roommate, and the clock was ticking towards midnight. Climbing into bed afterward, he couldn't shake off a sense of disappointment considerably different from the hopeful mood he had envisioned for his first night at this elegant hotel. Thankfully, the roll-away was adorned with plush pillows Ed noticed had come from the bed, inviting him to sink into their comforting fluffiness. Stede must've put them there. He drew the covers up to his chin and rolled onto his side, grateful he at least had the soft pillows. As his head sank into their cushiony embrace, he hoped his fatigue would numb him to the unwelcome lumps and bumps of the unforgiving mattress beneath him.
"So what brings you to France?" Stede inquired, seated in the bed with a book propped open. His sexy, wire-rimmed glasses, lending him an irresistibly bookish charm, rested on the bridge of his nose.
Ed had been teetering on the edge of sleep and had little appetite for idle chatter. However, given that he might be rooming with Stede for a couple of weeks, maintaining a sense of politeness seemed wise. He also found it increasingly difficult to ignore his magnetic attraction toward the man. Stede's sleepwear—an expensive-looking silk pajama set—made Ed suddenly self-conscious of his own choice of bedtime attire: a worn band t-shirt paired with nondescript sweatpants. It wasn't that he didn't own finer sleepwear; in fact, he had packed some upscale pieces for this trip. The problem was that they would be a tad too…provocative for the current setting.
Hesitant to divulge the specific nature of his profession, Ed chose his words carefully. "I'm a...clothing designer," he declared, avoiding the detail that his specialty was designing high-end lingerie. It wasn't a matter of shame; instead, he was uncertain how Stede would react to such information. Being unfamiliar with the man, Ed thought it best to err on the side of caution.
Observing Stede closely, Ed noticed his eyes widen, soon followed by an enthusiastic smile stretching across his face. "Oh, wow, that's exciting," Stede exclaimed, placing his book on the nightstand beside him. "I'm a bit of a clotheshorse, so I'd love to see your designs if you'd be interested in showing me."
Well, shit. Ed was caught off guard. It would be wise to familiarize himself with Stede a bit more before revealing the sensual nature of his designs. "Yeah, maybe another day," Ed responded cautiously. "I'm actually here to source some lace for my latest collection. Northern France is renowned for its intricate lace, some of the most expensive in the world."
Ed was becoming increasingly drawn to Stede, his eyes drinking in the sight before him. The soft golden fuzz on Stede's chest was visible through the deep, positively slutty v-neck of his luxurious pajamas. Overcome by curiosity and a burgeoning interest, he decided to probe further, wanting to learn more about the man. "What brings you here? What's the conference you mentioned earlier?"
Stede's reply was immediate. "Oh, I'm a history professor," he shared, and Ed mentally laughed. Of course, Stede was a history professor; it should have been obvious by his clothes alone. "The conference focuses on medieval castle-building techniques. While my true passion lies in the Golden Age of Piracy, my dissertation was in medieval studies. That's the subject I'm currently assigned to teach. I've tried switching courses, but unfortunately, my university is inflexible on the matter."
Intrigued by the man before him, Ed decided to dive further into his questioning. "So, where do you teach?" he inquired. His interest in history had always been strong; he had minored in fashion history during his college years.
Stede's response was startling. "Oh, Columbia University," he revealed. The coincidence was staggering. Of all the cities Stede could reside in, he lived in the same one as Ed. Though it was New York City—a highly populated and highly sought-after place to live—the odds seemed improbable.
"New Yorker, huh?" Ed remarked, unable to hide his enthusiasm. "Me, too." He was pretty sure he saw Stede's eyes light up at this, a glimmer of hope kindling within him. "So, what brought you to the States?"
Stede's answer was tinged with something Ed thought might be sadness. "Oh, um, my father, when I was fifteen," he began. "He relocated us to New York to manage the family business more effectively. Initially, he had moved back to Aotearoa after marrying my mother. But following my grandfather's passing, we moved to the States. How about you?"
Ed responded candidly. "Well, I always wanted to be a designer, and New York is a prime location for that," he explained. "Not much more to it, I'm afraid."
As their conversation progressed, Ed began to feel a nagging discomfort in his back, regretting his decision to stay awake rather than seek immediate sleep. He rolled onto his back, hoping a change in position would alleviate the issue, but the relief was elusive.
Sensing the time, Stede spoke up. "Well, I've got an early day tomorrow, so are you ok if we head to bed?"
Caught off guard but appreciative, Ed chuckled, "Oh, yeah, absolutely, was tryin’ to do that when you asked what brought me here." Stede appeared apologetic.
"Oh…sorry, I just thought…if we were going to share a room, might as well get to know each other a bit," he said, his face falling as he switched off the light.
Feeling remorseful, Ed quickly clarified, "Shit, sorry, mate, I didn't mean for that to sound accusatory or anything. I just meant…yeah, that's fine."
Stede's voice lifted slightly. "Oh, ok. Thanks again for sharing the room with me."
"Hey, it's no problem, mate," Ed returned. "G'night, Stede."
"Goodnight, Edward."
Half an hour later, Ed was still awake, contorting in discomfort, his back aching incessantly. It was shaping up to be a long, agonizing two weeks.
Breaking the silence, Stede finally spoke. "Edward, come sleep in this bed. All your tossing and turning is keeping me up. I don't mind sharing the bed if you don't. That mattress looked horrible."
While initially relieved at Stede's offer, Ed's mind raced with reservations. He was a tactile person, naturally inclined to touch and cuddle. What if, in the depths of sleep, he unconsciously drew Stede close and startled him? Even more daunting, what if he awoke pressed against Stede with a raging boner?
Stede's voice broke through Ed's reverie, tinged with gentle exasperation. "I can hear you overthinking it from here," he said. "Please, just come sleep in the bed? I really don't mind."
Torn between judiciousness and a gnawing desire to share the bed with Stede, Ed silently rose to his feet. Grasping his pillows, he padded softly across the room and slid into the inviting bed. As he settled in, the contrast was immediate; the mattress was like a soft cloud compared to the torture device he had been lying on. He tugged the plush down comforter up to his chin, and his leg inadvertently brushed against Stede's.
"Shit, sorry," Ed blurted out, mortification sweeping through him like wildfire. A thrum of anxiety pulsed in his chest; he had no idea about Stede's orientation, and the last thing he wanted to do was make the man uncomfortable. Turning his back to Stede, he mentally vowed to remain as still as possible for the remainder of the night.
"It's fine," Stede assured him, his tone polite and untroubled. "Goodnight."
"Night," Ed echoed. And then, despite the whirlwind of concerns that had plagued him just moments ago, he succumbed to sleep far more swiftly than he'd anticipated.
************
Immersed in a sensation of comforting warmth, Ed felt safe. Strong arms encircled him, holding him close, as he nuzzled into the inviting curve of a shoulder. The feeling was intoxicatingly pleasant. However, an unexpected sensation disrupted his peaceful state—a noticeable hardness pressed against his thigh. Ed's eyes flew open, arousal blooming in the pit of his stomach. It was very early, darkness still enveloping the sky.
Stede appeared in a deep slumber yet clung to Ed like a lifebuoy in choppy waters. And yes, that was unquestionably Stede's hard cock making itself known against Ed's thigh. The irony wasn't lost on him; he had been so worried about his potential behavior, yet here was Stede, drawing him close in his sleep.
The experience of being held in Stede's arms was intensely gratifying, though they were practically strangers. A sense of uncertainty began to cloud Ed's thoughts. What if Stede was in the throes of some dream, imagining some woman in his arms, and woke up to see Ed? Determined to extricate himself without waking Stede, Ed began to shift cautiously. His efforts were futile, though, as Stede's eyes fluttered open, and a surge of panic rushed through Ed. Shit.
"Oh my god," Stede blurted, hastily withdrawing from their intimate embrace. "Fuck, Edward, I'm so…Fuck! I'm sorry…" With that, Stede quickly retreated to the bathroom, and Ed heard the door lock clicking into place.
Confused and concerned, Ed sat up in the bed, pondering his next move. Wanting to dispel the awkward tension and check on Stede, he approached the bathroom door and tapped lightly against the wooden surface.
"Stede, it’s…fine, mate," Ed offered reassuringly, speaking through the door. "No big deal; you were asleep. I won't hold your sleeping actions against you," he added, injecting a chuckle into his voice in an attempt to alleviate the palpable tension.
An unsettling silence enveloped the room, amplifying Ed's rising anxiety, accumulating like a storm cloud in the pit of his stomach. Breaking the quiet, Ed spoke, his voice tinged with nervous energy. "Hey, mate, um, listen," he began, "We could just pretend that never happened. Just...forget it, okay?"
The sound of the bathroom door lock disengaging broke the tension. Stede emerged, his expression tinged with vulnerability, and his brow creased in apparent indecision. "We could?" he asked hesitantly.
Eager to mend the awkward situation, Ed met his gaze and offered a warm, reassuring smile. "I mean, I could, if you could," he proposed. "Never happened."
A moment of emotional wavering crossed Stede's face before his lips twitched upward into a tentative half-smile. The subtle shift in Stede's expression accelerated Ed's heartbeat. God, that smile. "Thanks, Ed," Stede finally said.
"No problem, mate," Ed replied, his eyes still riveted to Stede's as if tethered by an invisible force. They stood, suspended in time, their mutual gaze holding a universe of unspoken emotions. Ed took a tentative step forward, closing the slight gap between them.
At that precise moment, the jarring trill of Stede's alarm clock shattered the intimate atmosphere, erupting from the nightstand behind him. Both men jumped, their startled reactions giving way to spontaneous laughter. With a grin, Stede sidestepped out of the bathroom, reaching over to silence the insistent alarm.
************
Having a few hours before he needed to start his day, Ed chose to retreat back to the comfort of his bed, leaving Stede to prepare for his morning commitments. With the grace of a practiced roommate, Stede navigated the dim room, relying on just a sliver of illumination seeping through the nearly closed bathroom door as his guide. He moved with calculated care, aiming not to disturb Ed's rest.
Yet, Ed's mind was far from tranquil. His thoughts involuntarily fixated on the glimpse he'd caught of Stede's chest when the man exited the bathroom draped only in a towel, scooping up his clothes before disappearing back into the well-lit sanctuary. Ed felt a pang of guilt for stealing that momentary glance, but he was powerless against the magnetism of his curiosity. The tuft of golden chest hair he had spied the night before had lodged into his psyche, kindling an irresistible desire for a more unguarded look.
As minutes ticked by, Ed's internal temperature seemed to rise. He lay there wrestling with his body's growing arousal as Stede readied himself in the bathroom—fixing his hair, brushing his teeth—all while resisting an overpowering urge to touch himself. Thoughts of Stede's earlier morning erection pressed against his thigh didn't help his internal struggle.
Summoning a distraction, Ed closed his eyes tightly and initiated a mental exercise. He began listing famous designers in his head, along with their countries of origin and signature styles, hoping to divert his mind from the temptation that was Stede.
Sometime later, Ed awoke to the sun pouring through the window, the silence of the room signifying Stede's absence. His earlier arousal had thankfully dissipated. Fully alert, Ed got ready for his own day ahead. He slid his suitcase out of the closet and unzipped it to retrieve the jacket he'd left to hide his lingerie. According to the day's weather forecast, a chill was in the air, and he wanted to be prepared.
As Ed flipped open the suitcase lid, his eyes widened in disbelief, compelling him to slam it shut almost instantly. A quick scan of the bag's exterior made him realize—it was identical to his own. Walking to the closet, he confirmed his suspicions: he and Stede owned the same brand and model of suitcase. Ed felt a mix of embarrassment and curiosity; he'd just intruded into Stede's personal belongings, and what he'd glimpsed was too eye-opening to ignore.
Compelled by an urge to verify his initial sighting, Ed cautiously lifted the suitcase lid once more. There was no mistaking it—a conspicuously large dildo and a sizeable bottle of lube lay within. Understanding dawned on Ed: Stede's frustration over the reservation mix-up wasn't mere irritation; he’d been planning to have a grand time.
A smile curled across Ed's lips as he zipped up the suitcase and carefully returned it to the closet, retrieving his own luggage instead. Now, Ed didn't claim to be an expert on straight male preferences—most of his social circle was queer—but he felt reasonably confident that owning such adult toys was less typical among heterosexual men. Especially toys of such, well, impressive dimensions.
This revelation prompted Ed to earmark a new item on his mental agenda: find out if Stede was, in fact, gay. If it turned out that he was, Ed knew that his previously unspoken reservations would evaporate. He'd be all in, no holds barred.
************
Ed spent most of the day exploring a local lace factory, hoping the intricate patterns and textures would divert his thoughts from Stede. Unfortunately, the mission proved far less successful than he'd hoped. Just as he'd begin to marvel at the complexity of a lace sample, an unbidden image of Stede's face would flash across his mind, utterly disrupting his concentration. However, the thought of returning to Izzy without any orders was a powerful motivator. Imagining Izzy's scowling face shouting at him, he managed to steer his focus back to the task. As much of a pain as his assistant was, he had a knack for keeping Ed on track.
Returning to the hotel, Ed felt accomplished, having secured several promising orders. His mind began to teem with creative ideas, tempting him to seek a quiet corner of the hotel to sketch and bring his visions to life.
But when he stepped into their shared room, his eyes were instantly drawn to Stede, who was engrossed in a book on the balcony, those endearing wire-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. All thoughts of solitary sketching evaporated. What happened to not being here for romantic pursuits, eh, Eddie? Ed thought to himself. Fuck it.
"You're back!" Stede announced, closing his book and returning into the room. He closed the balcony door behind him, and Ed noted the rosiness in Stede's cheeks. He quickly dismissed it, attributing the flush to the brisk autumn air.
Stede meandered toward what had somehow become 'his' side of the bed—his side…they had sides of the bed—and deposited his book onto the bedside table. Ed, following suit, chose a seat in a chair positioned at the corner near the window.
"How was your conference?" Ed inquired, eager to spark a conversation and learn more about Stede.
"It was good," Stede replied, his eyes narrowing as if searching for the right words. "Well, no, it was quite boring, actually," he chuckled, his dimples making a charming appearance. "There's only so much you can learn about medieval castle-building techniques."
Unable to resist, Ed laughed along, wrestling with the involuntary smile that took shape on his face. Those fucking dimples. He fantasized momentarily about tracing them with his tongue, continuing the imaginary journey down Stede's neck and across his chest.
"Hey, have you had dinner?" Stede interrupted, mercifully...or cruelly...pulling Ed out of his daydream. "There's a little restaurant across the street. I thought we could go grab some food...if you wanted. If not, I understand; I just thought since neither of us had anyone else to eat with..."
"Yeah, sure," Ed responded, perhaps a bit too eagerly. Seizing the moment, he added, "Would you mind if I took a shower first? It was hot in those factories today, so I got sweaty. Wouldn't want to stink up the place."
"Of course," Stede affirmed, looking completely unfazed. "I'll just go back to my book for now."
Truth be told, Ed didn't really need a shower. He needed a chance to test the waters, so to speak. Ed was pretty confident that Stede was either gay or bisexual, but he yearned for more concrete proof. The desire to know for sure felt almost palpable; Ed couldn't remember the last time he'd been this attracted to someone. He couldn’t help but wonder if he was half-insane, being so infatuated with a man he'd only just met, but rationality seemed to take a back seat when it came to Stede. There was an undeniable chemistry, an inexplicable pull that neither logic nor caution could diminish.
Emerging from the shower, Ed took a moment to towel-dry his long, wavy locks before expertly positioning the towel as low on his hips as it would go without the risk of it falling. Using his hand, he cleared a patch of the steam-fogged mirror to better scrutinize his reflection. He looked quite appealing, if he did say so himself, and the visibility of his multiple tattoos led him to wonder whether Stede had a taste for inked skin. If not, the experiment he was about to conduct might not yield any definitive conclusions.
Taking a steadying breath to calm his nerves, Ed reached for the bathroom door handle and pulled it open. Stede's gaze instantly met his, and for a fleeting second, Ed caught those gorgeous hazel eyes unmistakably scanning him head to toe. Stede, however, quickly looked away, a flush of pink coloring his cheeks. Suppressing a smile that threatened to betray him, Ed ambled over to the dresser.
"So, uh, did you happen to see what the level of dress was at this restaurant?" Ed inquired, opening the top dresser drawer to extract a pair of boxer briefs. Slipping into them under the concealment of the towel, he then discarded the towel over the back of the chair near the window, making a mental note to return it to the bathroom later. With an anticipatory twinkle in his eye, Ed turned to face Stede, bare-chested and practically humming with excitement at the delicate game he was orchestrating.
When Stede looked up, his eyes appeared as though they might pop out of his head. His chest also seemed to rise and fall at an accelerated pace, further fueling Ed's excitement, and suspicions.
"Um…what was your question?" Stede stumbled, causing Ed to divert his gaze toward the dresser, unable to suppress the triumphant smile that erupted on his face.
"I asked how formal this restaurant was," Ed managed to say, making a concerted effort to mask the elation in his voice. By now, he was pretty convinced Stede had been eyeing him appreciatively.
"Oh, um, it looked somewhere between casual and formal," Stede responded, clearing his throat as if to regain some semblance of composure.
"Perfect, I know just what to wear," Ed announced, pulling a pair of well-fitted black trousers and a leather belt from the dresser. He then sauntered to the closet to select a button-down shirt with a red and white rose pattern he had hung upon arrival.
Stede stood sidled up to Ed, reaching for his own clothes. As their bodies grazed, entirely on purpose, Ed apologized as if it hadn’t been. Internally, he relished the audible, stuttered intake of breath that escaped from Stede at the contact, and a visceral thrill of heat surged through him.
Soon after, the duo was seated at a cozy table in the intimate restaurant across the street from the hotel. The atmosphere was tinged with an unspoken excitement. For Ed, this setting had all the earmarks of a date, and he was hell-bent on embracing the moment in that light.
Once the waiter had attentively taken their orders and set a glass of fine wine before each of them, Ed lifted his glass. "Cheers to new friends," he declared, a warm smile gracing his face.
"Cheers," Stede reciprocated, his smile lighting up his features as he clinked his glass against Ed's. Setting his wine down, he leaned in, curiosity dancing in his eyes. "So, tell me about yourself, Edward. Do you have any family? A wife? Kids?"
With a measured but candid tone, Ed responded, "Dad’s dead, good fuckin’ riddance, but Mum lives next door to me in New York. She was alone back in Aotearoa, so I moved her to New York to be close to me. She’s there now, looking after my cat. And, well…definitely no wife." Taking a moment to gauge Stede's reaction, Ed opted for full disclosure. "No…um…husband, either, which...would be far more likely than a wife," he added, locking eyes with Stede, his brows knitted with worry.
Ed scrutinized Stede's expression, catching the moment recognition lit up his face. "Oh…oh! Yes…sorry, I…um, didn’t know," Stede finally articulated, a flicker of relief passing through his eyes.
A brief but weighty silence filled the space between them, and Ed began to second-guess whether he had misinterpreted their earlier interactions while Ed was getting ready. Just when he was about to spiral further into doubt, Stede broke the silence. "No…husband for me, either," he revealed, a shy smile painting the corner of his lips.
Seizing the opportunity for clarification, Ed pressed, "No wife, either?"
Laughter escaped from Stede, breaking the intensity of the moment. "No, no wife either. There…uh, was a wife, but we divorced…when I came out as gay, and she admitted she’d been sleeping with her best friend for two years."
An elated grin stretched across Ed's face involuntarily at his suspicions about Stede being confirmed. Realizing it might be inappropriate given the context, he hastily corrected his expression. "I'm sorry about that," he managed, his tone sincere but tinged with excitement.
Stede waved it off. "Nah, don’t be. Mary and I never should have been. I’ve always known I was gay, but it was just…easier to pretend I wasn’t. Let’s just say it’s good fucking riddance about my dad being dead, too."
Ed chuckled, lifting his wine glass high. "To the shitty dad’s club," he toasted, gleeful in their newfound understanding.
Stede laughed in agreement, adding, "That’s not a club anyone wants to be in, Edward." Nonetheless, he raised his own glass to clink against Ed's, taking a measured sip afterward.
"Sure, but might as well turn it into a joke, yeah? Personally helps me to laugh about it. You can call me Ed, by the way," Ed interjected, seizing the chance to steer the conversation. "Most people do."
"You're just now telling me that?" Stede chuckled, a light note of incredulity coloring his tone. "I've been calling you Edward for twenty-four hours."
"I dunno, kinda like the way it sounds coming out of your mouth," Ed shot back, a playful, almost roguish grin settling on his face.
Stede paused, then returned the grin. "I’ll…uh…keep that in mind," he said, eyes gleaming with mischief. The words sent a wave of arousal cascading through Ed, pooling in the pit of his stomach. He took several deep, steadying breaths, battling to maintain his composure, not wanting to end up with a hard-on—especially not here in this fancy restaurant.
Over the course of their dinner, an almost imperceptible shift had occurred in the dynamic between Ed and Stede. Where they had initially upheld a facade of formality, owing to their unfamiliarity with one another, the atmosphere had evolved into something markedly different. Now, they were at ease, leaning in closer to one another and punctuating their conversation with casual, yet intimate, touches. The chemistry was palpable—electric even—and Ed felt invigorated by it. It was as if they were caught in an unstoppable gravitational pull, spiraling towards something monumental. And while it felt like he was on the edge of something beyond his control, Ed had no desire to pull away.
By the time they returned to the hotel, laughter still lingering between them from a joke Stede had just cracked, the tension had escalated to a fever pitch. As they stepped into the elevator and the doors slid shut behind them, Stede turned to Ed, that delicious smile returning to curl at the corners of his lips. At that moment, all reservations evaporated.
With a sense of urgency, Ed's hand shot out to slam the elevator's stop button. Stede lunged forward simultaneously, seizing Ed’s lips with an intensity that spelled no argument. His arms enveloped Ed, hands clutching at the fabric of his shirt, pulling him as close as humanly possible.
Stede's tongue licked into Ed’s mouth, eliciting a visceral moan that emanated from the depths of Ed's chest. As their tongues danced, Stede shoved Ed back against the elevator wall with such force that the entire compartment shuddered. Ed’s hands navigated their way up Stede’s back, intertwining with his soft, wavy hair. The tactile sensation was euphoric—far surpassing any of Ed's previous imaginings.
Breaking away for a breath, Stede heaved, "Fucking hell, Edward. You’re so fucking hot. The moment I saw you I wanted…like I’ve never wanted before." The words, tinged with an unabashed desire, left no room for doubt. Lost in the moment, suspended between floors and feelings, both were acutely aware that they had crossed an unspoken boundary into a new, exhilarating phase of their association.
"We need to get to the room...now," Ed commanded, his finger jabbing the stop button once more. The elevator resumed its ascent with a lurch, amplifying the tension that already filled the confined space.
The moment the elevator doors parted, Stede seized Ed's hand, his grip unyielding as he led him down the hall. Ed’s pulse quickened, every beat throbbing in rhythm with his escalating desire. Once inside the room, Stede closed the door with a swift motion and pressed Ed against it, his lips once more seeking Ed's with an insatiable hunger.
"Wait!" Ed interjected, gently but firmly pushing Stede away. Stede stepped back, his eyes widening with a flicker of fear. "Did I…did I do something I shouldn’t have?" he queried.
"Shit, no, sorry," Ed reassured, drawing Stede back towards him, their bodies once again colliding. "It’s just…do you have any condoms? I…don’t."
A grin unfurled on Stede's face as he made his way to the closet, extracting a suitcase that he placed on the bed. "I…um…did bring condoms," he confessed, his voice tinged with a mix of relief and anticipation. “But just so you know, I’ve been tested since the last time I had sex and was completely clear. It’s, uh…been a while.” As he unzipped the suitcase and lifted its lid, his expression changed abruptly. "What the…"
Stede's gaze shifted between Ed and the suitcase, the closet, and Ed, a look of puzzlement overtaking him. Ed felt his stomach knot; he had completely forgotten they owned identical suitcases.
"We have the same case," Stede announced, his cheeks flushing a rosy hue.
"Shit, um…" Ed stammered, his mind racing at the thought of Stede discovering the lingerie he had packed.
"Do you…wear these?" Stede inquired, extracting a piece of lingerie from the case. His eyes widened, and Ed felt his own cheeks ignite with a flush of color.
"Um…yeah," Ed admitted, gathering his composure. "I designed them, too. I…um…design lingerie."
"Fuck, Ed," Stede exclaimed, scrutinizing the intricate bodysuit he held in his hands. "Can I…see you in it?"
At Stede's request, a radiant smile spread across Ed's lips. He sauntered over, plucking the bodysuit gently from Stede's grasp. Planting a tender kiss on Stede’s cheek, he winked and said, “Just so you know, I’ve been tested since the last time I had sex with anyone, as well. And I’m all clear,” he added before retreating into the bathroom.
Slipping into the bodysuit, Ed stood before a full-length mirror to examine himself. This was an unreleased piece from his upcoming collection, and he was quite enamored with it. Fashioned from exquisite black lace, the bodysuit boasted off-the-shoulder sleeves that elegantly graced his biceps. The design featured crisscrossing strings that traced a mesmerizing path across his chest, downwards beneath his navel, forming a deep 'U' shape that converged with the black lace enveloping his sides. Additional strings crossed his back, connecting the lace on each side. From the juncture of his hips, further strings descended to mid-thigh, where they transitioned into lace and fishnet stockings. The stockings themselves began as lace and then seamlessly evolved into pure fishnet from knee to toe.
Ed swept his waves over his shoulders, running his fingers through them to make them look as nice as possible. He turned and looked at himself from all angles, making sure everything was just so.
Satisfied with his appearance and awed by his own handiwork, Ed took a deep breath. This was an exceptional piece, even by his standards. Reassured and emboldened, he readied himself to unveil his creation, desperate to see Stede’s response.
The moment Ed cautiously swung the bathroom door open, his eyes met Stede's. Sitting in an armchair by the window, Stede was dressed in just an undershirt and boxer briefs. Ed felt a tantalizing mixture of hunger and anticipation grip him, a chill cascading down his spine. Stede's face lifted at the sight of Ed, his eyes darkening with an insatiable yearning. The air between them was thick with electric tension. God, how Ed wanted this man.
"I need to see you, Edward," Stede implored, his hands clenched tightly around the arms of the chair.
Ed stepped into the room, causing Stede to audibly gasp. His eyes roved over Ed's form, and he licked his lips before biting the lower one in a display of barely controlled desire. "Fucking hell, Edward, you are…a vision," Stede murmured, awe tinging his voice as Ed walked over to him.
Almost instinctively, Stede's hands found Ed's hips. Fingers trembling with eagerness, he caressed the contours of Ed's sides, sliding upward to brush across his lace-adorned chest. "I’m going to worship you, mon beau ."
Hearing Stede utter those words in sultry French weakened Ed's knees, rendering him nearly breathless. As Stede rose and wrapped his arms tightly around Ed's waist, their lips met in a searing, impassioned kiss. In a seamless motion, Stede guided him backward toward the bed. When Ed's legs met the mattress's edge, he tumbled onto it, pulling Stede down on top of him. They scooted toward the center of the bed, and Stede broke the kiss, rolling to Ed's side, his hand coming to rest over Ed's rapidly beating heart.
"God, you’re so beautiful," Stede whispered, his hand tracing an adoring path from Ed's chest, gliding down his side and venturing over his thigh.
Ed felt a twitch of arousal, his cock quickening to full hardness under Stede’s expert touch. Reaching up, Ed tenderly stroked Stede's cheek. "I wanted you the moment I laid eyes on you," he confessed. Stede's face lit up with a heartwarming smile, and Ed felt a knot of affection tighten in his chest. Fuck , he liked this man.
"So…this morning," Stede ventured, his fingertips still exploring the landscape of Ed's body, "when you woke up…"
"With your arms around me and your hard cock pressed into my thigh?" Ed interrupted, a mischievous grin spreading across his lips. "Yeah, wanted you then, too, mate."
Stede erupted in a deep, genuine laugh before leaning down to tenderly kiss Ed. When their lips parted, Stede's eyes were filled with an undeniable blend of longing and adoration. Ed felt as though he might crumble under the weight of such emotion.
Gently, Stede began peppering Ed's chin and jawline with soft kisses, before grasping Ed's chin between his thumb and forefinger, guiding his head to the side to expose his neck. What started as sweet, lingering kisses gradually escalated. Stede's body, rutting against Ed's leg, signaled a growing desperation. Ed felt the distinct hardness press against him through the scant fabric of Stede's boxer briefs, and when Stede's mouth latched onto the sensitive flesh of his neck, Ed let out a pleasured moan. It was an intoxicating sensation, and Stede sunk his teeth into Ed’s throat, sucking the flesh, marking him.
"I want everyone in this hotel to know I did this to you," Stede murmured, his breath hot against the sensitive skin he had just nipped, sending shivers down Ed's spine. A gasp involuntarily escaped Ed's lips as Stede proceeded to shower his neck and shoulder with a series of lingering, hot kisses. Pausing his journey, Stede looked up into Ed's eyes, his fingers gently pinching the delicate lace against Ed's skin. "How…attached to this are you?" he inquired, his tone suggesting a tantalizing promise. "I need to know how careful to be."
"I have access to more," Ed responded, his voice tinged with anticipation. "It’s part of my newest collection. I can make another. Make a mess of me, Stede."
At Ed's invitation, a wicked smile unfurled across Stede's face, sending ripples of pleasure coursing through Ed, pooling in the pit of his stomach. "Good," Stede purred, resuming his descent down Ed’s torso. His tongue performed an intricate dance around Ed's nipple, separated only by a thin veil of lace. Simultaneously, Stede's hands traced a tantalizing path down Ed's sides, finally coming to rest on his hips.
"Fucking hell, Stede, your tongue," Ed gasped, his back arching off the mattress, eager to chase the touch that seemed to ignite his very nerves. "It's magic."
Stede's mouth carried on its hypnotic journey, leaving a trail of wet warmth over the lace on Ed's abdomen as it ventured toward his hips. Meanwhile, Stede's hands snaked around Ed's waist to grasp his ass, squeezing with intensity. The sensation shot through Ed like a bolt of electricity, sparking a twitch in his cock, still sheathed in the lace.
"Fuck, Edward, that cock," Stede exhaled in a reverent whisper, planting a heated kiss just above the growing prominence. "I want it in my mouth."
Without further delay, Stede enveloped the tip of Ed’s cock with his lips, the lace serving as a tantalizing barrier. His tongue circled the fabric-clad slit, sucking into the fabric. Overwhelmed by the sensation, Ed's spine arched off the mattress again, a guttural moan escaping the depths of his chest.
"That’s right, baby, let me hear you," Stede encouraged, his voice dripping with velvety allure. "You're so wet for me already, aren't you? You taste so good, Edward."
Holding Ed's gaze, Stede languidly dragged his tongue along the entire length of Ed’s lace-covered cock. It was a touch that made Ed shake, his body convulsing in ecstasy. His hands slammed down to clutch at the mattress, fingers tangling in the bed sheets as waves of pure pleasure washed over him.
In a frenzied moment, Stede ripped through the lace to free Ed’s cock and enveloped it with his mouth. The sight alone unleashed a torrent of chaotic emotions within Ed—desire, need, lust—all clamoring for more. More of Stede's touch, more of his mouth, just an insatiable yearning for more.
"Fucking hell, Stede!" Ed exclaimed, his voice tinged with incredulity and fervor. As Stede's mouth descended along his length, his tongue meticulously exploring the sensitive underside, the sensation was mind-bending. Ed could feel Stede's nose nestle into the dark, curly hair at his base, taking a deep inhale to savor Ed's intoxicating scent. From deep within Ed, a guttural moan erupted as Stede's cheeks hollowed, creating a vacuum along the shaft while his hand delicately gripped him, stroking in sync with each rhythmic bob of his head.
Ed felt an impending wave of pleasure cresting; he knew if Stede persisted, the intense sensations would crescendo into a swift climax, ending their encounter prematurely. "Stede, fuck! If you, uh, keep this up, I’m not gonna last," Ed warned, his voice shaky but urgent.
Stede, however, was far from deterred. If anything, he doubled his efforts, quickening the pace of his motions. And God, Ed could hardly contain himself; his back arched off the bed, a series of ecstatic moans tumbling from his lips.
The coiling heat within Ed's abdomen grew unbearable. On the brink of surrender, he found himself gasping out exclamations of euphoria: "Oh, god, YES! Right there!" Just as he teetered on the edge of that blissful abyss, Stede withdrew his lips, tongue, and mouth, leaving Ed with a devilish smile.
"I'm not done with you yet, Edward," Stede purred, and the sound that escaped Ed—a heart-wrenching whimper—laid bare the raw magnitude of his need and the abrupt emptiness he felt at the loss of contact.
"How would you feel about being fucked?" Stede inquired, his words interspersed with wet, hot kisses as he navigated back up of Ed's body. He came to a halt, hovering over Ed, his gaze a molten blend of intensity and yearning. Those hazel eyes radiated a heat so palpable, it melted Ed's very core. The unspoken realization settled in—Ed needed to feel this man inside him.
"Yes, please," Ed found himself pleading, his voice hitching with each labored breath.
"I like hearing you beg for it," Stede responded, the corners of his devilish grin broadening. He leaned in, capturing Ed's lips in a kiss so heated, it was as if he was dying of thirst and Ed was the oasis.
As they broke the kiss, Stede whispered in Ed's ear, "I'll be right back." The gentle timbre of his voice sent shivers cascading down Ed's spine.
Gracefully, Stede rose from the bed and walked over to the closet. He retrieved his suitcase—his actual one—and placed it atop the dresser. Fumbling for a moment, he located a bottle of lube and unzipped a hidden compartment, from which he extracted a condom. Making his way back, he gently placed the items on the bedside table before crawling back onto the bed.
"Turn over, darling," Stede instructed, his hand tracing a path down Ed's chest, leaving behind a trail of tingling warmth.
Obedient to the command, Ed turned onto his stomach. Stede positioned himself over Ed's legs, his thighs straddling the lower half of Ed's body. With tender authority, he ran his palms along the contours of Ed's back.
"God, I know I keep saying this, but you’re so beautiful, Ed," Stede murmured, his fingers kneading into the tense muscles of Ed's shoulders. Soft, involuntary moans spilled from Ed's lips as he felt himself press urgently into the mattress beneath him. His hips twitched, subtly angling for the friction they craved. "And this fucking lingerie," Stede continued, his hands grazing over the lace that adorned Ed’s sides. "You’ve got an incredible talent."
Stede's hands navigated further down the curvature of Ed's spine, finally settling on the rounded swell of his ass. His fingers dug into the soft, yielding flesh, eliciting from Ed a keening moan. Caught between the mattress and his own overwhelming sensations, Ed's cock gave an involuntary twitch. His head arched back, his expression a vision of unbridled ecstasy.
"This fucking ass, Edward," Stede articulated, seizing the delicate lace just above where the g-string embedded itself into Ed's cheeks. With a swift, decisive tug, he ripped the fabric, severing its once-continuous link from front to back. "I literally dreamt about this ass. That’s what had me so turned on this morning, actually. Seeing it in those fucking leather pants you were wearing yesterday…Who the fuck wears leather pants on an airplane?" His voice was tinged with a playful incredulity, rounded off by a hearty chuckle.
"Yeah, well, who wears fancy trousers and expensive cashmere sweaters on a plane, mate?" Ed retorted, turning his head just enough to lock eyes with Stede, a smirk dancing on his lips.
"Those holding the power to your orgasm, darling," Stede responded, his eyes twinkling as he shot Ed a conspiratorial wink. "You want to keep being a brat?" His tone was playful, yet it carried the weight of a command, subtly recalibrating the electric tension between them.
Ed lifted his hand, tracing the outline of an imaginary halo above his head with a flirtatious grin, smiling playfully at Stede. In response, Stede administered a light yet purposeful swat on Ed's exposed ass. "That's much better," Stede commented, fluidly dismounting from his straddled position over Ed's legs to reach for the bottle of lube on the bedside table. "Now, you're not going to come until I tell you you can, understand?"
"Understood," Ed replied, his heart pounding rhythmically against his ribcage, electrified by the authority in Stede's voice. The deep, visceral craving he felt for this man was undeniable. "Please, Stede, I need you inside me."
Gracefully, Stede leaned in, his lips hovering tantalizingly close to Ed's earlobe, whispering in a voice so sultry it sent shivers down Ed's spine, causing goosebumps to erupt across his skin. "That's right, baby, you do, don't you?"
In the hushed ambiance of the room, the audible sound of lube being dispensed into Stede's palm was unmistakable. Ed felt his legs being gently parted before the sensation of Stede's two lubricated fingers gracing the sensitive flesh at his entrance. The moment Stede slid a finger inside him, a surge of pleasure so intense washed over Ed that he thought he might climax right then and there, teetering perilously close to the precipice of overwhelming sensation. His body was a taut wire of pent-up desire and unfulfilled need.
"Holy fuck, Stede!" Ed keened, a moan imbued with urgency tumbling from his lips as his hips ground down involuntarily against the mattress below him.
"That good, huh?" Stede queried, an audible grin infiltrating his voice. "God, I can't wait to be inside you. You're so tight, Edward."
"Please, Stede, I need more," Ed implored, consumed by a desperate yearning for the deeper intrusion of Stede's finger. When Stede obliged, thrusting further into the tight, welcoming heat, Ed's head flung back once more, his body twisting and contorting on the bed under Stede's skilled touch.
"Careful, now, Edward," Stede intoned, his voice a blend of silk and seduction. "I warned you not to come before I say you can."
Faced with the gravity of Stede's words, Ed took slow, labored breaths, endeavoring to subdue his spiraling arousal. He so wanted to be good for Stede.
"Good, Edward," Stede murmured, the pad of his finger gliding rhythmically in and out of Ed, setting a tempo that was as deliberate as it was tantalizing. "You're doing so well for me, baby."
With each term of endearment that cascaded from Stede's lips, Ed felt his heart rush. Being called "baby" and "darling" by this man transformed something deep within him, as if each word recalibrated all he knew of intimacy and desire.
"Please, Stede, more, I need more," Ed pleaded, a symphony of gasps and moans falling from his throat as he writhed in a state of feverish anticipation beneath Stede's masterful touch.
Complying with Ed's earnest plea, Stede gently but firmly inserted a second finger, a sense of fullness expanding within Ed. The answering moans that filled the room were resonant enough to make Ed briefly consider the possibility of their neighbors overhearing. Yet, in that heightened state of pleasure, the thought of being overheard seemed inconsequential; let the world know the extent of Stede's skill, he mused.
"God, those sounds..." Stede commented, his voice tinged with a mixture of awe and lust. "Do you have any idea what you're doing to me with those filthy sounds you're making, Edward?"
Ed shook his head in silent reply. Without missing a beat, Stede dropped his chest flush against Ed's side, his fingers continuing their intimate exploration even as he thrust his hips rhythmically into Ed's leg. Through the wafer-thin fabric of Stede's underwear, the rigid outline of his arousal slid frictionally against Ed's skin.
"Do you feel how hard you make me, darling?" Stede whispered sultrily into Ed's ear.
With a sequence of slow, deliberate thrusts against Ed's leg, Stede sought his own delectable friction while maintaining the intricate dance of his fingers inside Ed. When those fingers deftly curled to graze that sensitive cluster of nerves within him, Ed's eyes rolled back into his head and a sharp, exhilarating moan broke from his lips. His fists clenched tightly into the bedsheets.
"Holy fucking SHIT, Stede!" Ed bellowed, heart thundering in his ears. "Yes, please, right there!"
"Edward, you're getting a little too heated again," Stede cautioned, his voice laced with a warning undertone, reminding them both of the delicate balance they tread between pleasure and control. “I believe you have it in you to maintain control, darling.”
Stede's fingers sustained their pumping inside Ed, each touch a choreographed blend of stretching and teasing. The skillful movements elicited a building crescendo of pleasure within Ed, compelling him to voice his urgent desire.
"Please, Stede, I need your cock inside me," Ed articulated, his voice scraping the edges of raw desperation. "I'm ready, please."
In response, Stede withdrew his fingers, and the sudden absence of that intimate contact evoked a new whimper from Ed, echoing his earlier sentiments of need.
"On your knees for me, please, darling," Stede directed, his hand trailing down the contours of Ed's back, his fingers momentarily snagging on the delicate strings of Ed's bodysuit.
With a sense of profound intimacy enveloping him, Ed shifted into a kneeling position, exposing his ass vulnerably to Stede. He reached for an additional pillow to place beneath his chest, wrapping his arms around it to establish a comfortable posture. The faint crinkling sound of a condom wrapper punctuated the room's charged atmosphere, followed by the subtle movements of Stede on the bed. Ed guessed that Stede was shedding his underwear.
"Are you comfortable?" Stede inquired, his question imbued with a depth of consideration that nearly brought Ed to tears. It was a poignant contrast to any previous experiences with Jack, who had never invested such care in Ed's comfort. The moment was transformative, but Ed calmed himself; this was neither the time nor the place for emotional vulnerability.
"Yes," Ed responded, camouflaging the swell of emotion in his voice. "Fuck, please, Stede, I need you."
"God, you're beautiful like this," Stede affirmed, his hands gripping Ed's hips, then gliding sensuously over the curves of his ass. Carefully, he aligned himself with Ed's entrance. The sensation of Stede's touch had Ed's skin erupting in a new array of goosebumps, while a molten core of anticipation solidified within him. "Hearing my name fall from your lips...fuck. I'm gonna go now, ok?"
"Yes, please," Ed gasped, overwhelmed by his need for the fullness only Stede could provide. As Stede gently but decisively thrust forward, Ed felt the initial penetration envelop him in warmth. "Yes! Fuck!" Ed exulted, each word laced with a breathless moan. "Please, more!"
"Patience, Edward," Stede crooned, his hand caressing Ed's spine in a comforting gesture. "God, the look of you below me..."
Slowly, almost reverentially, Stede began to move. Each rhythmic thrust ventured deeper, moving toward complete union, until Stede was fully sheathed within the inviting warmth of Ed's body.
"You feel so good, Stede, please, more," Ed pleaded, his voice fractured by the shallow, urgent cadence of his breaths.
"Remember, darling, do not come until I tell you you can," Stede said, and Ed's nod was almost frantic. A scorching torrent of arousal pulsed through him, setting every nerve ablaze.
With Stede's utterance still lingering in the air, he escalated his pace, each thrust now a concentrated assault on Ed's prostate. The angle was nothing short of divine, generating an unparalleled friction that sent Ed spiraling into a realm of heady rapture. As Stede went deeper, his breaths became ragged gasps—each one filled with an audible urgency. Within Ed, a molten core of impending climax was forming, drawing him perilously close to the precipice of release, yet he willed himself to hold back, awaiting Stede's express command.
"Oh, god, I’m so close!" Stede exclaimed, his voice cracking as his body quivered in electric waves above Ed. "Edward, you feel…so good! God, touch yourself, Edward, I want you to come with me."
Frantically, Ed's hand shot down to grasp his desperately hard cock, his skin aflame with the desire for friction. The relentless glide of Stede within him accelerated his journey toward climax. As his fingers wrapped around his own cock, the gathering storm of imminent release began to unleash its energy within him, each breath shuddering from his lips in a harmonized dance with his mounting arousal.
"Fuck, Edward, I'm gonna come!" Stede roared, his voice slicing through the room. Only a handful more thrusts, and Ed sensed the seismic shift in Stede's form, the tremor of his breaths betraying his impending climax. His entire body clenched, convulsed, and shuddered as it found blissful surrender behind Ed. The sheer realization of Stede reaching his orgasm catapulted Ed over his own edge. His climax roared through him like an untamed torrent, each wave of pleasure engulfing him as he released his spend onto the bed. As he succumbed to the powerful current, he found himself shouting Stede's name, the sound muffled and absorbed by the pillow that cradled his face.
As they gradually descended from the euphoric plateau of their climax, both men collapsed onto the bed—breathless, satiated, their bodies still humming with residual pleasure. Stede enveloped Ed in a warm embrace, a gesture that Ed hadn't often experienced but one that now drew an unbidden, radiant smile across his face.
"Holy fucking shit, Ed," Stede exhaled, his breaths beginning to settle into a more rhythmic pattern as he tenderly kissed Ed's temple. "That was...incredible."
"It was," Ed concurred, weaving his fingers into Stede's, sealing their entwined hands as if to lock in the intimacy that had blossomed between them. His heart, which had not long ago been drumming in concert with physical pleasure, now beat for a different reason—the hope that this wouldn't be their last shared experience. "Definitely think I'm gonna have to make myself another one of these," he said, his voice tinged with humor as he gripped the shredded lace fabric that clung to his side.
"I'll be right back. I need to discard this," Stede announced, nodding toward the used condom as he disengaged from their embrace to head for the bathroom.
Stede returned shortly, armed with a moist washcloth. With attentive care, he cleaned the lingering traces of Ed's spend from the bed before tossing the cloth back into the bathroom.
"Can I help you out of this? Probably not too comfortable to sleep in," Stede inquired, his fingers grazing over the lace fabric that still adorned Ed's torso.
With a nod from Ed, Stede gently stripped the delicate material down his arms, guided it off his torso, and eventually slipped it off his legs. Tossing it across the room, it landed atop a dresser.
"C'mere," Stede beckoned, drawing Ed back into the cradle of his arms and planting a soft kiss on his hair.
"I...um, was going to ask at the front desk for them to notify me if another room opened up, so you could have this one to yourself, but..." Ed's voice trailed off, laden with a hopefulness he couldn't entirely conceal.
"Stay," Stede interjected, and Ed's face erupted into an irrepressible smile at hearing the very word he'd been hoping for.
"Yeah?" Ed inquired, the note of hope now underscored by an emotion close to wonder.
"I think it's pretty obvious, but I really like you, Ed," Stede confessed, his thumb tracing the curvature of Ed's cheek as if it were the finest silk. "I'd love to get to know you more. We know we're in the same city, so...maybe we could see where this goes?"
Ed's heart revved up its tempo once again at Stede's earnest words. "I like you too, Stede," he responded, his smile a mirror to the affection he heard. "I'd love that."
Stede's answering smile was nothing short of luminescent, and Ed felt as if he'd just been bathed in the golden glow of a warm sunset.
"Then it's a plan," Ed affirmed, sealing their newfound understanding with a deep, lingering kiss.
Lying there, enveloped in each other's arms, the room around them felt suspended in time. The intimacy of the moment, punctuated by that deep kiss, left a lingering promise hanging in the air—full of potential and awaiting exploration. Both men, basking in the afterglow of not just their physical connection but also an emotional one that had just been acknowledged, felt the stirrings of something much deeper than a fleeting rendezvous. As they drifted off to sleep, curled up in the comfort of each other's presence, it was clear that this was merely the first chapter in a story neither had anticipated, but both were eager to write.