December 19, 1999

The elevator doors slid shut and the illuminated numbers began counting off to the 27th floor. Raven watched each number flicker to life, ignoring the twinkling lights of the city outside the clear-glass walls, having never been comfortable with heights. He jumped when Sandman came up behind him, wrapping his strong arms around him, nudging his ponytail aside with his chin to nuzzle the vulnerable nape of his neck.

"Rave...." He murmured seductively. "you ever been fucked in an elevator?"

Raven stiffened, dragging his eyes away from the rising numbers, avoiding looking outside. "No, and I don't think I want to now."

Sandman chuckled, reaching past him to push the stop button, causing the glass cubicle to grind to a halt about 20 stories up.

"What the hell are you doing?" Raven demanded nervously, inadvertently glancing out the transparent floor to see the street far below them. He quickly closed his eyes, feeling slightly dizzy.

Sandman felt the faint trembling and kissed his ear. "Oh, c'mon, birdman. Don't tell me you're a little afraid of heights, HMMM?"

"Of course not," Raven snapped back haughtily, though he didn't open his eyes again.

Sandman smiled inwardly, knowing the truth and deciding to tease him about it. "Uh-huh. And that's why you're nearly scared shitless and won't look out the elevator."

With a tremendous effort, Raven pried his eyes open, turning his head to glare at his lover, careful not to let himself catch a glimpse of the outside. "There...are you satisfied? I'm perfectly fine. Now can you get this crate moving again?"

The blond man's blue eyes glinted with humor as he turned Raven around, enclosing him in a warm embrace, pulling him close. "Mmmm...satisfied? No, not yet. But I expect we both will be after we finish what I have in mind."

Raven opened his mouth to ask just what he had in that devious brain, but he was forestalled by a hot, sensual mouth covering his. He forgot his protests almost as soon as they were thought, melting into Sandman with a low moan, locking his fingers behind his neck to deepen the contact.

"Ahh, I can see you're starting to see the advantages of being stuck in an elevator with me, hmm?" Sandman murmured flicking his tongue down the column of his throat, stopping at the studded leather collar.

Raven made an indignant chuff before sinking his teeth so hard into Sandman's shoulder that the edges ripped through the fabric of his shirt.

"God dammit, Scott!" he gritted out. "Don't make me have to punish you for marking me. That's my job."

Raven laughed softly, undulating his body against the blond man, hissing sibilantly in Sandman's ear, "And who made up that rule, dreamboy?"

Sandman squeezed Raven in a tight bearhug, satisfied when he heard him wheeze in discomfort. "I did, and don't you forget it, baby." He loosened his hold and returned to nibbling on Raven's throat, tugging at his shirt to let his nimble fingers explore his back.

Raven leaned against the wall, forgetting for the moment where he was, reveling in Sandman's touch, his eyes half-lidded as he idly sifted his own fingers through his hair. They fluttered open when Sandman moved away to rest his back against the opposite wall, arms crossed, a wicked grin on his countenance.

"Strip for me."

Raven frowned, glancing around and remembering with a violent start where he was and felt his body grow cold with apprehension. "No. Not here."

Sandman's grin widened, a golden brow quirking in mockery. "Oh, Scotty, I never pegged you as a prude."

Raven gave him an exasperated glare. "You know better than that, dumbass," he growled. "I just rather do it anywhere but in this glass cage."

Sandman shrugged, highly amused by Raven's uneasiness, but determined to get what he wanted if they had to hang here all night. "I've got my heart set on having a little fun in this elevator and we're not leaving till we get it."

Raven stared at him hard, eyes narrowed and glittering. "Are you telling me that you're willing to trap us here until you get your way?"

Sandman nodded, blithely crossing an ankle over the other.

Raven snorted and moved toward the row of buttons. "Well, I'm not willing to play your game this time, Jim. You know I'm usually up for anything you've got in that twisted mind of yours, but this is something I-" He had reached for the release button to make the elevator continue its ascent, but Sandman, in a swift move, caught Raven's wrist and wrenched him away, shoving him back against the wall, letting him go and settling back into his former position.

"Rave, honey," he whispered in a deceptively pleasant tone. "You know me well enough to know that when I want something, I will stop at nothing to get it."

Raven looked at him very closely and was dismayed to see that iron stubbornness that he sometimes dreaded, knowing that his lover would, indeed, get his way. He sighed and raked his fingers through his hair in deep frustration, dislodging the rubber band holding it back. "Why are you doing this?" he whined plaintively. "You know how I am about heights. And being in this transparent cell is even worse."

Sandman rubbed his chin thoughtfully, looking at the twinkling lights of the city spread out below them. "I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone...help you conquer your fear...."

"And what's the other?"

Sandman glanced up, that diabolical smile on his lips. "Why get a little lovin' in the process."

Raven made a sound of disgust, but sagged against the wall, defeated. He just wanted to get this ordeal over with so they could get out of there. "What is it you want from me now?" he grumbled sullenly.

"Oh, c'mon, baby. Don't be so sulky," he cajoled. "I bet you by the time we're finished, heights won't be a problem for you ever again." Raven gave him a dubious look and Sandman chuckled. "Take off your clothes, first of all.:"

"Look, Jim, I know I enjoy being an exhibitionist on occasion, but this is-"

"Do it, Raven." Raven recognized that tone of command and knew he wasn't going to win this particular battle, so with a gusty sigh, he pulled off his shirt, dropping it to the clear floor, kicking off his shoes. He hesitated with his hands on the fastening to his snug-fitting leather pants, debating whether to try again to change Sandman's mind, but the look on his face made him continue his disrobing, nudging the pants aside. He stood, gooseflesh rising on his skin at the blazingly hot gleam in Sandman's eyes as they traveled slowly over him. Despite himself, Raven found himself getting aroused at Sandman's obvious appreciation.

"Touch yourself, sweetheart," the blond husked. "I want to see you pleasure yourself."

Raven swallowed, daring a peek through the floor, quickly looking away, snapping his eyes shut as a wave of vertigo overwhelmed him. When it passed, he focused on the other man as an anchor to his spinning world. He tentatively began to slide his hands over his chest, flicking his thumbs over his nipples, circling them until they tightened into hard pebbles. He moved to his ribs, delicately tracing each one, taking a deep breath so that they expanded, making his stomach concave as he followed the hollow to his navel, dipping an index finger inside.

Sandman's nostrils flared as he watched Raven sensually trail his hands over his hips and down to squeeze the thick muscles of his thighs, lightly raking his nails up the inner sides to his balls.

Raven was beginning to fall into the heady sensation of what he was doing, the outer world fading as he saw Sandman's body react to his ministrations, growing more aroused by it. He cupped his balls, rolling them in his fingers, relishing the soft moan that his lover emitted. He leaned back against the cool glass wall, skimming the tips of his fingers up the pulsing length of his shaft, gently pinching the tip as a few drops of precome trickled out. "Jimmy..." he purred, lightly grasping and stroking himself. "I'm getting a little lonely over here all by myself. My cock is aching for you. Can't you see how it's weeping to feel you?"

Sandman gritted back the groan that threatened to escape, wanting nothing better than to grab Raven and fuck his ever-loving brains out. But he didn't want it to be over so soon. He wanted to draw this out as long as possible, knowing that it would be all the more gratifying to both in the long run. "Yes, honey, I see it," he rasped. "But I want to watch you jerk off a little more. Get on your knees for me."

Raven gracefully slid down to settle on his knees, spreading them wide the way Sandman liked, his taut buttocks resting on his heels. He used both hands to caress his thick length, one hand pumping the root, the other tickling the sensitive spot just below the ridge. He moaned, his head falling back, his hair rippling over his shoulders and down his back.

Sandman watched his man in fascination, feeling himself becoming painfully erect. It never failed to surprise him how beautiful Raven was when he was in the throes of passion. He couldn't help but drop to his own knees and crawl to him, pressing his lips to the pulse that fluttered in the hollow of his throat. He then lowered his mouth to capture a hard nipple between his teeth, sweeping his tongue over it before sucking it deep.

Raven arched, gasping as his hands squeezed himself more firmly, his hips jerking as Sandman's hand covered one of his, guiding the rhythm, slowing it down, much to Raven's frustration.

Sandman raised his head, reaching into his pocket and pulling something out, brushing Raven's hands away and slipping the leather cockring on. He took a thin silver chain from his other pocket and fastened it to the ring, then to the leather collar around Raven's neck. "Put your hands behind your back and keep them there until I say you can move them, understand?" When Raven nodded, his dark eyes wide with anticipation, Sandman straightened and removed his own clothes, sitting back to admire his lovely partner. "Gorgeous," he whispered appreciatively. "You are perfect...and you're mine. Am I right, Raven? You're mine mind, body and soul?"

Raven paused, looking deeply into Sandman's dark blue eyes. "I was always yours, Jimmy. I will always belong to you, just as you will belong to me. We are bound forever."

Sandman stilled, gazing at him for a long, silent moment before slowly leaning forward and cupping Raven's face, probing his lover's eyes deeply. "Bound. Yes. We are bonded by something far stronger than love and loyalty. It's deeper than that, isn't it?"

Raven bowed his head, not taking his eyes from Sandman, unable to speak past the lump of emotion that rose in his throat. Instead, he kissed the blond man's lips with infinite tenderness, moving away, eyes lowered in unspoken submission.

Sandman studied this man, this magnificent creature that he considered to be his and felt a little humbled. He drew a hand down Raven's bicep, loving the feel of hard, smooth muscle beneath satiny skin. He suddenly felt Raven stiffen and he glanced up to see that Raven's gaze was fixed out the window at the city lights, the color draining from his face, turning it a sickly green.

"Jimmy..." he croaked. "Can we please...I mean...it's too high."

Sandman knew he had to distract him, get him to focus on something else, so he roughly shoved him back against the wall, satisfied to see Raven's eyes jerk toward him in surprise, the chain becoming taut as his head came up.

"Keep your eyes on me, Scotty, and everything will be fine, hear me?" Sandman ordered sharply.

Raven swallowed hard and nodded, his breathing rapid and shallow, his pupils dilated until they looked almost black in the glow of the light.

Sandman rose onto his knees, moving in close to Raven. "Suck me, baby," he directed hoarsely, wrapping his fingers around the base of his own shaft and tugging it until the blood rushed into the head. Raven carefully shifted until he could position himself to do as the other man bid. His tongue slithered down the heated flesh, tracing the throbbing veins, coming to Sandman's fingers and licking them. He lowered his head and nibbled on his balls, rolling his tongue around them before taking them into his hot mouth, worrying them gently.

Sandman sank his free hand into Raven's hair and yanked him up, pressing his lips to the tip of his cock. "Please...now..." His voice was ragged and strained. He groaned loudly as Raven curled his tongue around the head and drew it into his heated depths, sucking softly. He inched the thickness deeper, stiffening the tip of his tongue to flicker over the sensitive vein on the underside, the stud adding more stimulation.

"Jesus, Scotty," Sandman gasped, removing his hand from himself and pulling Raven down, feeling him swallow every aching inch of him. "I just love your mouth, baby. So sweet...so hot..." He let his eyes drift closed, savoring every nuance of his lover's manipulations.

Raven slowly rose and fell, sucking firmly, wanting to use his hands to massage Sandman's balls, but he adhered to his directive and kept them behind his back. The chain jerked on his own shaft every time he sank down on Sandman, making him whimper as the exquisite pressure built until his hips were arching helplessly.

Abruptly, Sandman withdrew from Raven's mouth, quickly squeezing the root of his shaft to prevent himself from erupting before he was ready to. He panted, attempting to compose himself. He looked at Raven, who's expression was dark with desire. "Turn around and put your hands on the wall." Raven obeyed, closing his eyes against the sight of the city outside. Sandman pressed his body against him, using his knee to nudge Raven's wide apart. He sucked on his fingers, wetting them thoroughly before trailing them down the valley of his buttocks to tease at the tight entrance. He slowly eased them inside, stretching him, probing and delving, pleased to feel Raven shudder and push back, murmuring for more. Sandman spat into is other hand and lubed himself up, removing his fingers to place the blunt tip of his cock against the puckered hole.

Raven half-moaned, half-gasped as Sandman drove deep, wriggling a little against him in pleasure. "Oh, yes, Jim...ahhh, you're so big...so good..."

Sandman gathered up Raven's silky dark hair into a fist and abruptly wrenched his head back, making him cry out in surprise and pain, the chain snapping tight. He slipped his free hand around him and caressed Raven's heaving chest, moving lower to his hollowed belly...still lower to palm his balls, kneading and pinching them almost idly. "Does this hurt, baby?" he asked huskily, twisting his hair, tugging his head further back as he languidly thrust into him. Raven whimpered his distress, his muscles quivering as he fought to keep from ripping off the chain. Sandman chuckled, stroking the engorged cock, liking the way his hips bucked into his hand. "Oh, Scotty...are you ready to come for me, sweetheart?" Raven gave a wordless plea, rearing back in desperation. "Mmm, then beg for it, love," he growled softly into his ear. "Arch your back and beg for me to let you come."

Raven panted raggedly, curving his back gracefully, mewling as the cockring became nearly unbearably tight. "Please, Jimmy...let me-oh, Christ! Please, let me come. I can't stand it!"

Sandman's arm wrapped around Raven's waist, holding him still as he began to pound powerfully into him, occasionally yanking on Raven's hair, hissing erotic things into his ear. Raven was practically sobbing with the exquisite dual sensations of pleasure and pain. He was reduced to writhing and pleading, his hands balled into fists against the glass wall.

Finally, feeling he'd had enough, Sandman released his hair, drawing the cockring off and leaned back a little, lightly grasping Raven's hips.

"Come on and ride me, baby," he ordered gruffly, further instructing him to pleasure himself. He watched in the glass as Raven squeezed and stroked himself frantically, bouncing on Sandman in hard, slamming plunges. He was right on the verge of orgasm when Sandman halted him, pulling completely out and slapping Raven's ass smartly, laughing at his loud objections.

"Don't worry. I'll give you satisfaction. But I want to see it, so come here, lie down and spread those legs wide for me." Raven eagerly obeyed, moaning in feral anticipation when Sandman stretched out atop him, bracing his weight on his forearms and looking down into the face of the man he loved with such a ferocity, it frightened him sometimes. He slowly inched into him, pressing deeper and deeper with each forward motion, his intent gaze piercing him as he sank home. He lay still for a long moment, savoring the snug heat of him, gently brushing the damp hair from Raven's forehead and temples, skimming his fingertips over his cheekbones and jaw as if committing the beloved face to memory. Raven blinked, then locked his hands behind Sandman's neck and drew him down for a long, lingering kiss, their tongues entwining and dancing together, their breaths mingling. Sandman started to move, thrusting in and out in a steady rhythm, grinding his hips lightly into him. He groaned as Raven met him ardently, his nails raking down his back to dig into his working buttocks. Sandman reached down between them to grasp Raven's cock, pumping it firmly as his tempo increased. He began rocking into Raven in a sensual glide, twisting his hips just before fully burying himself, stabbing against his G-spot repeatedly, taking a savage pleasure in hearing Raven's whimpers of delight.

"Ahh, yes, Scotty-baby," he rasped, his respiration harsh and ragged. "I'm ready for you...shoot for me now. I'm coming...come with me!"

Raven bucked against Sandman, grunting with each pounding, ramming stroke, wrapping his legs tightly around his lover, writhing and arching as he felt himself getting closer and closer to his climax. "Oh, Jimmy...oh, yes, baby...holy fuck!" Raven nearly levitated off the transparent floor as he nearly shattered the glass with his screams of release.

Sandman growled as he felt the hot spurt of Raven's come on his hand, continuing to milk him as his thrusts became short, sharp and uncontrolled. "Oh, God...Scott...lift your hips a little. Oh, yeah! Aww, baby, that's it! That's it!" Sandman gave a hoarse shout, driving deep and nearly bursting inside Raven, almost passing out with the intensity of his climax. He collapsed atop him, panting heavily, resting his forehead against Raven's shoulder, unable to move a muscle. When he came back to himself, he found himself cradled in Raven's arms, his face nuzzled into his throat.

"You're amazing," Sandman whispered, pulling Raven close and lifting his head to kiss him tenderly. Raven smiled lazily, idly caressing his slick back.

"You're not so bad yourself, big boy," he returned, pinching his ass before quickly rolling away. Sandman made a grab for him, but Raven was much faster and vaulted to his feet, hurriedly dragging on his clothes, slowing down when he saw that Sandman wasn't making a move to chase him. He lay back, hands behind his head and watched him in amusement. Raven bent down to pick up one of his shoes, when in a lightning move, Sandman reached out and snatched the chain that still dangled from the collar and yanked him down for a mindblowing kiss, releasing him almost immediately, leaving Raven breathless and stunned on the floor. Sandman laughed, sitting up and starting to dress, holding out a hand to the other man to help him up.

"I don't know why you always try to outsmart me, birdman," he remarked dryly, pulling his T-shirt over his head and tucking it into his jeans. "You always fail."

Raven unsnapped the silver chain from his collar and stuffed it with the cockring into his pocket, fluffing his hair out with his fingers before replying. "One of these days, dreamboy, I'll manage it."

Sandman shrugged, an arrogant smirk on his face. "Well, at least we cured you of your fear of heights."

Raven froze, his eyes widening as he stared through the floor to the street far, far below. He paled slightly, but to his surprise, he didn't feel as if he would pass out as he had earlier. He looked all around him, a relieved smile dawning on his face. "Yeah, I guess they don't bother me as much now." He gave Sandman a sly glance out of the corner of his eye, sidling up to him and throwing an arm around his shoulders. "I am afraid, however, that every time I step foot inside an elevator, I'm going to get a painful hard-on. So, I think you may have given me another phobia about elevators now."

Sandman guffawed, jabbing at the button to release it to rise. "Well, maybe I'll just have to be with you every time so I can 'cure' you of your phobia, hmmmm?"

The two men laughed as they stepped off the elevator on their floor, their fingers entwined as they wandered down the hall to their hotel room.

Read the final story Mr. Sandman, Bring me a Dreamer in her The Learning Tree series