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It’s 5.23pm on a Friday afternoon, and instead of being on the way to the bar with his friends, Ed is stuck on the sixtieth floor of Bonnet Enterprises. All because fucking Nigel Badminton, Director of Advertising, insisted on an in-person meeting with Ed about an upcoming account.
A meeting that could easily have been an email, of course, but then Nigel wouldn’t have had a chance to make himself feel important by speaking at Ed for forty minutes about how important their new client was and how imperative it is that the art department (that Ed is the head of) really work on capturing the essence of the brand. Like Ed didn’t understand the job he’d been doing for the last fifteen years.
And now he’s on the sixtieth floor waiting for a lift to make its way up to him, so he can go back to his office and then get the hell out of the building until Monday morning. But of course everyone is trying to get out of the building right now, so the lifts are taking forever.
“Good afternoon Edward.”
Jesus Christ, Ed thinks. He’s not sure he has enough energy left to play nice with more executives. Especially Stede Bonnet.
There are a few things that Ed knows about Stede Bonnet. He’s the Vice President of Bonnet Enterprises, his father being the President. He got divorced last year, which was apparently some big scandal but honestly Ed could never understand what all the fuss was about.
The other thing Ed knows about Stede Bonnet? He’s hot. Thick blond hair, solid like a fridge, biceps that Ed wants to bite, and legs that could win awards. Not that Ed has ever seen him in anything except a perfectly tailored full suit in the office, but there was a photo of Stede on a yacht in a company newsletter a while ago where he was wearing shorts and a polo shirt.
Ed might have kept a copy of that photo. He's interested in yachts!
Fine, Ed has a major crush on the man, but it’s not like anything can come of it. He’s nice to look at, that’s all.
Ed takes a deep breath and turns around to face Stede.
“Good afternoon, Mr Bonnet.” He plasters his pleasantly bland ‘talking to a higher up’ smile onto his face.
“Please, you can call me Stede.” Stede smiles back, and Ed can tell it’s a genuine smile. It lights up the other man’s face. Ed probably won’t call him Stede, because he knows how these executive types get. Palling around with you one minute and then calling you out on it the next.
“Going down?” Stede asks. As if Ed would be standing outside the lifts on the top floor for any other reason. “Here, you can come down with me.”
There’s an executive lift next to the other ones that can only be accessed by a special swipe card. Stede swipes his card and the doors open almost immediately. Ed should say no, he should say he’s fine to wait. Ed really wants to go home though.
“Thanks,” Ed says, getting in the lift. The doors slide closed, just the two of them in the small space.
“Fifth floor for the art department, I assume?” Stede asks, punching the button. Ed nods. “Heading down that way myself. My assistant had to leave for the day, a medical appointment, I hope he’s okay.”
Ed knows full well that Stede’s assistant, Lucius, is at the bar with everyone else. Probably a drink in hand already and his tongue down his boyfriend Pete’s throat. Ed makes a non-committal hum, watching the numbers counting down on the electronic display in the lift.
They’re between floor 29 and 28 when the lift suddenly grinds to a halt. For a terrifying moment all the lights go out, before flickering back on a little dimmer than before.
Great, this is the last thing Ed needs.
“Oh dear,” Stede says, punching the buttons in the lift with urgency. “Oh dear.”
None of the buttons light up, the lift is going nowhere right now.
“I’ll call maintenance,” Ed says, pulling out the emergency phone in the lift. Stede watches him with worried eyes the whole time as Ed talks to Ivan, who he knows from weekend cricket games.
“What did they say? How long will it be?” Stede asks, a note of panic in his voice.
“He’s not sure, some sort of electrical short. We’re safe, but we won’t be going anywhere for a while until they can fix it.” Ed says, watching as Stede starts chewing on his bottom lip. “You okay?”
“I’m fine!” Stede exclaims, though his tone of voice indicates that he’s not fine at all.
“Cool,” Ed says. He’s not going to make this his problem. He slides down the wall and sits on the floor, pulling out his phone. Only 11% battery remaining, of course, fucking perfect. It occurs to him that this is definitely not the most professional thing he could be doing right now, but desperate times.
Besides, Stede doesn’t seem to even notice. He’s taken off his jacket and has started pacing around now, back and forth, back and forth, there’s not enough room for him to go more than a few steps in either direction. He’s run his hands through his hair so many times that the normally perfectly set blonde waves are sticking up in all directions. Ed wonders if security’s watching on the cameras.
“There are no cameras in here,” Stede says suddenly. Ed wonders for a moment if he spoke his thoughts aloud. “We could die in here, and no one would know, no one would be able to see until they found us.”
Ed goes to say something comforting, and then stops. “Wait, there are no cameras in the lifts?” He says instead.
“Well, in the regular lifts there are. Not in the executive ones.” Stede’s loosening his tie, pulling it off over his head and throwing it on the floor next to Ed.
Of course there aren’t cameras in the executive lifts. They only care about spying on their workers, making sure no one’s goofing off and not doing their bidding.
Stede’s starting to sweat now, his breathing becoming heavier. He’s unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt and rolled up his sleeves. Ed can see wisps of gold arm hair on strong forearms, appreciates them for a second before snapping himself out of it. Not the time. Stede is not only his boss’s boss, he’s also clearly in the middle of some sort of panic attack.
Ed sighs, gets himself up off the ground and back to standing, and, very carefully, puts a hand on Stede’s shoulder. Stede immediately freezes, looking at Ed with wild eyes.
“Hey Stede,” Ed says, trying to sound soothing, like he’s talking to a skittish cat.
“I’m fine!” Stede says again, like he’s repeating a mantra. “I’m not fine,” he chokes out, his face crumpling.
“So sometimes I have panic attacks,” Ed starts, then wonders why he’s volunteering information about his mental health to a superior. Oh well, too late now. “And this looks a lot like you’re having a panic attack.”
“Oh… Is that what these are?” Stede looks confused for a moment. “I’ve had them my whole life, my father always told me I was being hysterical, making a scene. But I can’t help it!”
Fucking hell. Ed thinks. Bonnet senior sounds like a real piece of work.
“It’s not your fault Stede.” Ed says softly. “Will you let me try and help? If I can?” Stede gives a small nod. “Okay,” Ed positions both hands on Stede’s shoulders, trying to ground him. He looks around, the 5-4-3-2-1 technique probably isn’t ideal in this particular situation, they’re stuck in a tiny lift, he doesn’t want to make Stede even more aware of that fact.
“I want you to look into my eyes, and we’re going to breathe together. In for four, hold for four, out for four. Watch me.” Ed demonstrates, Stede never takes his eyes off him. “Can you do that with me?”
Stede follows Ed’s breathing dutifully, staring directly into Ed’s eyes, and after a few rounds Ed can feel Stede start to relax slightly.
“You’re doing so well Stede,” Ed says, rubbing circles into Stede’s shoulders with his thumbs. Stede bites his lower lip again, but this time it doesn’t look anxious. If Ed didn’t know better, he’d almost think Stede was about to kiss him.
Then Stede kisses him.
Stede closes his eyes, his soft lips pushing against Ed’s own as his hands settle on Ed’s waist. Stede’s tongue darts out, licking the seam of Ed’s lips and Ed opens his mouth to let Stede in. Stede tastes like mint and lemon. Ed probably tastes like bad coffee and strawberry-glazed doughnuts. For a moment, Ed feels Stede melt into him, all the tension draining from his body, and Ed wants to melt back.
As quickly as the tension left, it’s back again as Stede’s eyes suddenly fly open. He pushes himself away from Ed with a horrified expression.
“Oh my god, Ed, I’m sorry.” Stede scuttles back until he’s flush against the wall of the lift. “I shouldn’t have, I mean, just because I find you attractive… you’re just being nice to me, I never meant…”
Ed can tell that Stede is about to spiral again. He steps forward to close the gap between them.
“Stede, it’s okay,” he says, smiling. “I actually fucking loved it.”
“Oh,” Stede says, looking and sounding a little confused until understanding dawns across his face. “Oh,” he says, different this time, and gives Ed a small smile back.
Something niggles in the back of Ed’s mind as he makes sense of what’s just happened.
“You’re attracted to me?” Ed asks. Stede’s cheeks turn a colour that would give a strawberry a run for its money. He’s adorable when he blushes.
“You really liked it? When I kissed you?” Stede finally asks back.
“A whole lot. Might be a bit attracted to you too.” An understatement if ever there was one, but Ed figures he should try and play things at least a little bit cool. “Now, if I kiss you again, would that help with this whole stuck in a lift situation?” Ed asks, giving Stede his best sexy smirk. Stede gives a small nod, and that’s all Ed needs before leaning in and kissing Stede again.
Stede is an excellent kisser. He wraps one arm firmly around Ed’s waist, his other hand twisting lightly into Ed’s hair, and Ed feels like he’s being devoured but in the best possible way. Their bodies are pressed together, and Ed becomes aware of a rather impressive bulge in Stede’s pants. Ed shifts slightly so he can slot a thigh between Stede’s leg, and Stede whimpers with the friction, rutting minutely against Ed.
Emboldened, Ed runs his hands down Stede’s chest, feeling the nipples tighten as his fingers graze over them through Stede’s shirt, and starts undoing Stede’s belt. He dips his fingers below the waistband of Stede’s pants, and ghosts them over the top of Stede’s cock, still trapped in what feels like some very fancy briefs.
Stede moans, breaking the kiss and looking at Ed.
“Is this okay?” Ed asks. Stede nods. “You said no cameras in here?” Stede shakes his head. His pupils are blown wide and he’s panting, but Ed can tell that the tension in his body is all anticipation now. Ed slips his hand into Stede’s briefs and cups his cock gently.
“Oh god, Ed,” Stede whimpers, rocking into Ed’s palm.
Ed smiles, gives Stede another kiss, and then slowly sinks to his knees, pulling Stede’s cock free as he goes.
“Fucking hell Stede,” Ed says. “You’re magnificent.” Stede’s cock is just as impressive as it had felt through his pants. Long and thick, moisture already beading on the tip. If they weren’t in a lift, Ed would be begging Stede to fuck him, he wants to feel the stretch of Stede inside him. Not that he’s complaining about getting his mouth on Stede.
Ed leans forward, giving the underside of Stede’s cock a long, slow lick up its length before swirling his tongue around the tip, the salty taste of precum spreading over his taste buds. Stede is looking down at him like he can’t quite believe this is happening, which makes two of them. Ed loves giving head, he’s good at it, but he’s always thought that people talking about a ‘mouthwatering’ cock seemed hyperbolic. Until now. He wraps a hand around Stede, admiring the girth and the weight as he gives a few slow pumps before taking the head into his mouth and savouring it.
Stede’s breath is ragged as Ed starts bobbing his head, the slide of Stede in and out of his mouth feels intoxicating. Stede whimpers every time Ed works his tongue along the underside of his cock, and Ed can tell he’s holding back. Stede lets out a disappointed groan as Ed pulls his head back, Stede’s cock slipping free of his mouth.
“No one else around Stede, you can be as loud as you like. Let me hear how good you’re feeling, yeah?” Ed says, giving Stede’s balls a gentle fondle as he talks.
“Okay,” Stede says in a wavering voice.
Ed smiles, relaxes his jaw, and takes Stede in until he’s almost up to the hilt, his nose brushing against the coppery blonde curls on Stede’s pelvis.
“Fuck Ed,” Stede shouts, and Ed can feel Stede’s knees trembling. Ed lets go of Stede’s cock, placing both his hands on Stede’s hips and pushing him firmly back against the wall. Stede’s hands fist into Ed’s hair as Ed starts moving again, then loosen suddenly.
“Was that okay? I don’t want to hurt you?” Stede asks. Ed just nods, mouth and throat full of Stede, and then hums happily when he feels Stede’s hands tighten in his hair again.
Stede no longer holds back, a slew of gasps and praise and down-right filthy words falling from his lips. His hips buck forward, thrusting further into Ed’s throat, and Ed pulls him closer, encouraging him, until it’s hard to tell if it’s Ed sucking Stede or Stede fucking Ed’s face. Either way, Ed doesn’t care.
Ed knows Stede’s about to come, even before Stede gasps out a warning. He doesn’t break their rhythm, letting Stede spill down his throat, swallowing around him to take in every drop as Stede cries out above him.
Stede slips out of Ed’s mouth, and he slides down the wall, holding his arms out to draw Ed in for another kiss. There’s still heat behind it, but it’s also gentle. Stede’s hands go back to Ed’s hair, but this time he gently massages Ed’s scalp before carefully running his fingers through the strands, as if he’s trying to ease out any damage he may have done.
Ed’s just starting to wonder what the hell he’s gotten himself into when the lights blink back to full brightness. There’s another small lurch, and then the lift starts moving again.
“Guess they fixed it,” Ed says with a hollow chuckle. “You can finally get out of here.”
“Oh, yes, that’s good,” Stede says. It looks like Stede is almost disappointed.
They hurriedly get to their feet, Stede tucking himself away and trying to quickly put his tie and jacket back on. It’s a good thing that no one is around when they finally arrive on the fifth floor, it’s almost 7pm and everyone is long gone, because despite Stede’s best attempts he looks completely dishevelled. It looks good on him, Ed thinks.
“Right, well, ahhh, guess I just need to get my stuff and head off then,” Ed says once they reach his desk. There’s a fake lightness to his voice that makes him cringe on the inside. “Hope you have a good night!”
“Ed.” Stede takes Ed’s hand in his before Ed can walk away, pulling Ed back towards him. “Please, let me take you to dinner.”
Ed is confused for a moment. “Like as a boss thing or a thank you thing or—”
“Like a date thing, Ed.” Stede says with a small chuckle. “If you want to.”
“Yeah, I do want to.” Ed can’t keep the smile off his face.
“And then maybe you’d let me take you home?” Stede’s voice drops low.
“Ahhh, yes, yep, definitely. Nice, very good, love that.” All of Ed’s cool has entirely left the building, but the way Stede is looking at him he can’t seem to care.
“Great!” Stede says brightly.
“You need to get anything from your office before we go?” Ed asks, turning off his computer and picking up his bag.
“There’s nothing up there that’s worth going back for, I have what I need.” Stede gives Ed an appreciative look. “My keys and my wallet are in my pockets. My car’s in the garage downstairs, I can drive.”
“Sure.” Ed catches the bus to work, there’s limited parking on site, but of course Stede has an executive car spot. “Shall we head down?”
Stede looks nervous as Ed starts walking back towards the lifts. Oh right, Ed thinks.
“Come on babe,” Ed gives Stede’s hand a squeeze. “We can take the stairs.”