Rough Beast 22
Lifting the strange iron stand from its box, he mused where to place it. Eventually, he opted for a side wall. He checked the cuffs, and trembled while imagining a strong, virile body bound to the contraption, taut with apprehension while the man in charge could approach it and check all its vulnerabilities. Take a man his ability to move, and he would be nothing but a toy. Fallen in the wrong hands, even a sturdy toy could break. Cory’s fingers fluttered for a second over the cold metal.Property © NôvelDrama.Org.
He took the silken blindfold in his hand, feeling the smooth fabric. After a short moment, he decided to let it hang on the iron stand. Most probably Xavier intended to take the man not only the power to move his limbs, but also his ability to see what was happening to him.
Next came a collection of objects that could be mistaken as jewelry, if they hadn’t been so heavy. The crop whip didn’t look too menacing, but a short tentative slap over his open palm convinced Cory it would hurt to be hit with it. He opted out the flail whip, though.
He arranged everything on the bed and withdrew quietly. He hoped Xavier would be pleased. Apparently, his master had lately become the master of mood changes, and he did not want to get on his bad side.
Lucas’s bright green eyes looked serene as Cory took his coat and invited him in. He might not suspect what Xavier plans, the servant thought and he looked with unease at the guest.
“Lord Lucas,” he whispered softly. “Are you … are you planning to spend the night?”
Under normal circumstances, the question would have seemed out of line. But Lucas looked straight at Cory as he spoke.
“Yes, Cory, and I hope you will be able to join us,” he smiled. “Of course, if your master allows it.”
“But,” Cory’s face turned into a worried frown. “Master…”
He had no idea what he could say. It was not his place to say anything. A large warm hand came to rest atop his head. His eyes were a bit moist, and he blinked to look at the man he was secretly lusting for. In a world full of beautiful males, when he laid in his bed at night, his thoughts still wandered to the warm green eyes, the harsh, yet handsome features of Lucas’s face, and the god like body he had seen only once before in all its naked glory. There was no measure for the attraction and adoration he felt towards the man, and it made him wonder why in the whole world, he was singling this one out. And, why, oh why, the man was singling him out in return. It felt unfair. But, seeing how the ways of world went, what didn’t?
Maybe it was all happening because Lucas was showing a genuine interest in him and that was completely new to Cory in this harsh world dressed in silk and glitter. Lucas was not like Xavier, who cared only for dominance; he was not like Antoine, who wanted his ego tickled by sleeping with a servant belonging to the most powerful lord in Drena. He was not like the rest, who seemed to have their heads empty, or better said, filled with ambitions and perverted desires. In a world where he had so few friends, Ayn and Dion being the only ones not damaged and twisted to their core, Lucas seemed different, way above anyone else.
But it was so wrong to want him. Cory knew it and he knew it well. He could feel it in the marrow of his bones, in the last thread of self-preservation and common sense telling him to stop thinking about the man. But Lucas wanted him, too, and that made his dreams even more painful. Between them stood Xavier, never satisfied, always wanting and demanding more. Cory envied his master. He had Lucas’s friendship and he didn’t care for it. The servant could not understand the rich. Xavier was nothing but a spoiled brat, forever unhappy with everything that was handed to him on a golden platter.
“Don’t worry, Cory. I’ve known Xavier for a long time. There is nothing he can do or say to make me feel or think otherwise. Tonight won’t change a thing. But it may get me the one I desire for so long.”
Cory’s eyes grew wide. Lucas’s hand descended on his cheek, caressing it with tenderness. “Xavier is a man of honor. For tonight, for everything he wants to do with me, you will be mine for an entire night in fair exchange.”
There were no words to describe Cory’s surprise. “Lord Lucas, please,” he grabbed at the man’s arm, confused and scared in the same time. “I am not worthy of…”
His words were cut short by the sound of the main door opening and closing. Xavier was home. Lucas got up with grace, throwing a last meaningful look at Cory, and he exited the room, to join his longtime friend.
“So, what are you thinking?” Xavier sneaked on Lucas from behind, while letting his friend take in the setup before his eyes.
Lucas just shrugged. “I was expecting this. As always, you fail to surprise me,” he said, his voice laced with sarcasm.
“Really?” Xavier’s voice gained slithering tones, as he cupped Lucas’s cheek with one hand, forcing him to turn and look him in the eyes.