Page 7 of Expanding Command

Leander pondered the idea, then nodded. He'd made himself review all the possibilities before, good and bad. Additional people might complicate things, someone might fall for his Tristan, feelings might get hurt - but those thoughts were quiet. This couple's dedication to each other was unmistakable. If they were willing to play, then they'd be a fitting match.

"I think they might be the right ones to try it with," he said with a smile, caressing Tristan's cheek. "And we shouldn't keep them waiting."

~~~

4 - Raffles and His Little Bunny

Miles Bennet

"Let's not rush off too soon," Darren said as Miles changed into the leather pants and chest harness he'd brought to wear post-performance. "It was a very charged moment in there. We should make sure it was more than pure sexual tension. Establish some baseline compatibility."

Despite how the dom had clearly deferred to him, Miles nodded. There was far more to compatibility than the role one took in the bedroom or the lifestyle, of course. "Alright. I'd like that, too. I'll follow your lead?"

Darren nodded, claiming a kiss, before heading out with him, one hand warm and affectionate on the small of Miles's back.

The pair were waiting in the entry as he'd directed, looking much more put together. They were also still masked, but the masks didn't hide their eager excitement.

"Thank you for meeting us," Darren said, offering his hand to the dom. "You may call me Red, here, or Master Red. This is my husband and play partner, Muscles."

The dom grinned. "Appropriate."

Miles inclined his head with a smile. He might not have chosen the name himself - it seemed far too self-serving - but Darren had given it to him, and he couldn't deny that he adored it. "Pleased to meet you."

"We're very pleased to meet you," the dom replied. Up close, he was even prettier than Miles had realized, with startlingly green eyes and an infectious energy. "You can call me Raffles. This is my husband and partner, Bunny."

What the hell kind of a name was Raffles? Miles didn't quite manage to hold back a laugh of surprise. Fortunately, 'Raffles' was clearly used to this, or at least not offended, because he laughed.

"It's a ridiculous old British literature reference," he said, immediately putting on a pretty believable posh accent. "Don't worry, nobody else gets it. They're foils to Holmes and Watson but far more queer and - but enough about that. Would you like to go for coffee?"

He was holding hands with his sweet sub - Bunny, he'd called him - who had rubbed his Master's hand with his thumb as he rambled. The small social cue was barely noticeable but clearly kosher for them and appreciated. It intrigued Miles, and he was sure Darren must have noticed it.

"We would," Darren replied, letting go of Miles as he stepped closer to Raffles. Darren's dominance was always at the forefront at these events, but now he drew himself up to shift from casual and friendly to formal command. His broad-shouldered form became still and imposing, his voice lowering to a purr as he favored Raffles with the same lopsided smile that still never failed to knock Miles's pants off. "First, we need to talk. While we were performing, I heard something about you wanting to come on my back, pretty Raffles?"

He was far more bold than Miles would have had the courage to be. But then, Darren had always been exceptional at reading people. Miles stared in awe as Raffles' entire countenance changed. His lips parted to a soft gasp, body arching as if his knees had turned to liquid. "Yes. Please forgive me my transgression, Sir," he breathed, and Darren's smile widened.

Darren's... and Bunny's, whose blue eyes shone behind his cute glasses with unfettered happiness as he watched his husband.

"Perhaps I will let you earn that forgiveness," Darren decided, which made the man shiver visibly. "But for tonight, understand that we're not interested in sex. Playtime, possibly. Tomorrow, possibly. If we stay, and if we like what we see. I want to be up front with you: we're not interested in a passing fancy. I need willing submissives that my husband and I can offer personal, dedicated command to now and in the future. I won't waste my time with someone who isn't at least willing to test our compatibility to that end. Is that something you might be interested in?"

Bunny clutched his Master's hand tightly, faintly vibrating with silent excitement. Raffles's answer was thick with unexpected relief. "Yes, Sir. Very much. Oh god, please."

Darren glanced at Miles in silent query, and Miles didn't hesitate with his nod of approval. He could tell how engaging Darren found this beauty, so much so that he would have agreed just to see it play out. But the promise of getting to know the quiet man at his side was even more enthralling.

"Good. Let's take a walk in the garden, then, you and I." Darren made a small motion towards the backyard. "If you would trust my husband to take care of your sweet Bunny in the meantime?"

"Of course." Raffles straightened and squeezed his husband's hand. "Stay with Master Muscles and wait for me, my darling. Please serve him as he wishes."

"Gladly, Sir. Thank you," Bunny murmured, his voice throaty in a way Miles hadn't expected from the smaller man. Then he cast Miles a shy, eager smile, and something inside Miles melted even more.

Raffles bowed his head to Miles again, the same deferral he'd offered Miles after their performance. "Then I trust my most precious devotee with you, Sir. You may use his tie as a leash if you wish, but I don't find it necessary. He is exceptionally obedient and a very, very good sub. Please keep him safe."

Heart pounding, adrenaline and anticipation spiked through him in tandem. Miles forced himself to breathe and nodded. "I'll protect him with my life," he said, because the words felt warm and right. "Thank you for the gracious gift."

"We'll come find you," Darren told him with a smile and a wink, then steered Raffles towards the kitchen and the doors to the outside.

Alone, Bunny turned his eyes up to Miles. There was still a nervous tension in his form that reminded him of the animal his Master had named him after. Miles offered a hand to him with palm outstretched, drawing a soft breath as Bunny placed his own into it without hesitation. The simplest touch was like a live wire between them, and he had to focus to speak. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Bunny. You may speak freely but respectfully while we are together. I'd very much like to get to know you better."

"Thank you, Sir." Bunny lowered his eyes briefly, unmistakably pleased. His mask did nothing to hide the flush that colored his cheeks. "I'd like that, too. May I get you something to eat or drink?"