Chapter 20 The Grand Finale #2
Beautiful and appreciative. Most definitely interested in them. Darren liked these men even more.
Letting himself take in the man's form and eager display of worshipful gratitude, Darren nuzzled his husband's ear. "Shall we entertain their interest, my love?"
Miles nodded, seemingly enthralled by the man at their feet.
Darren perched on the ottoman in front of him. "Can I help you, little sub?"
"My Master wishes to bestow a token in thanks for your performance, as well as an open offer of hospitality during your time in our city.
Tours, dinner, drinks, coffee. Anything you wish.
" Wonderfully well-mannered and well spoken, he extended the bills.
Darren tucked them away with a nod of acknowledgement.
The open generosity was reassuring in a way that many offers to connect they'd received hadn't been.
Too many people focused on drinking to further a social contract, or even jumped straight to kink.
Being offered something where he didn't have to immediately negotiate or decline for the sake of Miles's sobriety earned this pair a lot of brownie points right off the bat.
Darren reached out to lift the man's chin with his fingers, assessing his reactions.
The sub's lips parted to a soft breath, trembling under his touch.
Nearly simpering for domination, the way the sweet young boy at Folsom had.
This sweet man needed a big, strong dom to protect and master him. .. or two. Or three.
Darren didn't need to look to know that his husband was entranced.
"Thank you," he said, unable to resist testing their commitment once more. "And for the offer, which makes me begin to regret our decision to drive home tonight."
"The offer would extend to use of our guest house," the sub added without hesitation. "Anything you need, Sirs."
Perfect. "Is that so?" Darren looked up to where Cheekbones was watching with eager intensity.
The man inclined his head, acknowledging and owning his sub's offer. There was a desire in his unexpectedly vivid green eyes that Darren was very, very familiar with. He itched to unlock it.
I'm going to fuck the hell out of that beautiful man. I'm going to tie him up and fuck him and make him watch while Miles wrecks his sweet partner.
Glancing back at his husband, Darren smiled as Miles gave an unmistakable nod, his own gaze dark and glittering. They were aligned in this, just as they were in everything else.
Darren turned back to the sub. "I'd be happy to accept your offer of coffee. We can discuss the rest then. Please meet us in the entry lounge."
Then he rose, helping Miles into his robe and gathering their things to go change. They'd completed their triumphant appearance.
Now, the weekend was just beginning.
? ? ?
The End... for now
Miles and Darren will return in Intricate Ties #6, Expanding Command. Join my newsletter for updates and get a free steamy story!
? ? ?
∞ What's next in the Intricate Ties series: ∞
Book 6 - Expanding Command coming Summer 2026 from A.E. LeMercier!
Four men. Two marriages. One "Intricate Tie" that changes everything.
Miles and Darren have a love built on sanctuary and strength. They’re ready to expand their world, but they aren't looking for a hookup. They’re looking for a connection that feels like home.
They never expected home to be standing in a Boston ballroom.
When the masks come off, Miles recognizes the brilliant, blue-eyed man kneeling at his feet. Tristan is no longer the "little neighbor boy" Miles once protected; he’s a man craving an authority that only Miles and Darren can provide.
Alongside his devoted husband, Leander, Tristan is ready to step into a new world of shared devotion. But as the past and present collide, the four of them must decide: is their bond strong enough to support a four-way command?
Step into a story of high-heat discovery, protective devotion, and the "Spicy & Cozy" joy of finding your tribe. This is the evolution of trust. This is Expanding Command.
Meet the Chase-Morgans: High-powered, deeply in love, and ready to meet the men who will finally put them in their place.
Excerpt:
Miles Bennet
Driving up to Boston with his husband, Darren, for an exclusive black-tie party, Miles Bennet found it nearly impossible to sit still.
"Can I drive for a bit?" he asked, when they'd gotten out of the city and stopped for gas.
Darren joined him at the pump, running a hand across his shoulders to stroke the back of his neck. The familiar, heavy weight of his hand and the warmth of his skin were grounding, making Miles suddenly notice how much tension he'd been holding. "Of course. We can talk while you do."
It was good to have something to focus on, adjusting the car seat and settling into the long drive. It was better to know that Darren had at least seen the strange, nervous energy that had left Miles not quite sure what to do with himself.
Darren rested a hand over his on the gear shift. "What are you worried about right now, pet?"
Miles sighed in relief, more of his uncertainty bleeding away.
Darren's word choice - the simple, gentle title - was even more grounding than his touch had been.
Darren's strength, expertise, and deep compassion had drawn Miles from the moment they'd met, leading to the magical love and partnership they now enjoyed.
After nearly four years of being together, Darren's understanding of how to lead and mentor him was intuitive and masterful.
His husband had recognized that he was struggling and moved to gently take control.
Darren's own experience was always a reminder of how far Miles still had to go, of course, but it was impossible not to take comfort in it.
This wasn't a journey he was walking alone.
Darren would be beside him every step of the way.
"I'm ready for this," he said, letting out a long breath and focusing on the excitement of the statement. "I want to do what you do, or at least a bit of it. We've never been to Boston, so we won't really know anyone there. That means possibility. I want to find another couple together."
Darren nodded, and when Miles glanced over, he was smiling softly. "I have a good feeling about tonight, too. Now, what part of it are you worried about?"
"Everything?" Miles admitted. "How will we know if someone is right?
I don't want to just... I don't know, jump into something with some sweet little thing that's making eyes at me, even if his boyfriend - and my husband - are encouraging it.
And sex gets so complicated for me, I don't even know if I could jump into something - "
"Then we don't jump into something," Darren replied, unfailingly logical.
"But we're going to a sex party."
"We're going to a black tie event," Darren corrected smoothly. "And we're in charge."
"You don't think it's completely unreasonable? That we'll be - I don't know, giving people unrealistic expectations we aren't planning on delivering on?"
"No." Darren's smile was bemused as he rubbed the back of his wrist. "Think about the events we've gone to, love. I know you're often distracted with your service to me, but try and take a step back from that."
Miles snorted. It was true, of course. When he was serving, Darren became his whole world in ways he'd never imagined could be possible. His memories about others were all wrapped up in the pride and gratification of how his service to Darren affected them.
But they'd spent months now at events in other capacities.
Darren had been instructing him in knotwork, and shibari, and the art of command.
They'd done an entire day of tying harnesses on people for charity at a local festival, and more practice ties with people they knew.
That was what Miles wanted more of, and what Darren wanted for him.
"So no hooking up tonight," he said, relief filling him in a rush. "We're in charge. Within the bounds of whatever we agree to with a new couple."
"No hooking up with another couple," Darren replied with a grin, a twinkle in his eye when Miles glanced over. "This will be about testing the waters. Seeing if we want more. Then we take it one step at a time."
~~~
One step at a time, Miles reminded himself as Darren slowly brought him out of the suspension they'd just finished.
His throat was delightfully sore from having served Darren's pleasure, finding his own catharsis and release in that accomplishment.
Worshipping Darren like that always made him feel powerful and cherished.
It was a quiet, grounding reminder of the courage he'd found when he'd first pushed their relationship past the professional healing and sanctuary he'd hired Darren for, towards the deep love and partnership they enjoyed now.
He'd done it so many times at parties, he'd been watched so many times. Disappearing into it - into the suspension, into service, into subspace - was quite possibly his favorite thing about the lifestyle other than Darren as a whole.
It had never felt like that before.
As soon as he'd noticed the couple watching them, there'd been no disappearing. But he hadn't been left struggling to connect in the chaos of the party. Darren's ropes and Darren's control had still focused him. Except that focus had expanded along with Darren's own attention.
It had been like the only thing that existed in the room had been them and this other couple.
The two men who had been the focus of his and Darren's attention were magnetic.
Miles could sense the connection between them, how they always seemed aware of each other even as they watched his and Darren's performance.
How, at the same time, they seemed entirely transfixed, murmuring the most encouraging things to each other about Miles and Darren even as they made love.