Sam’s chest tightened. “Of course, love.”
Ollie
Twelve months later
Roses. Two dozen red roses. Plus an incredible home-cooked meal, quiet cuddling on the couch while watching a movie, and chocolate cheesecake for dessert.
It was perfect, and not at all what Ollie had expected when Sam had asked if his mom could “dog-sit” for them that night. When he’d asked Sam what the occasion was, Sam had said, “No occasion. I just want to show my husband how much I love him.”
And now, as Ollie sipped his wine while Sam put the last of the dishes into the dishwasher, he felt like maybe he’d never been happier in his life.
He set his wine glass down, stood up, and made his way around the island to Sam.
“Ready for bed, love?” Sam asked gently, setting down the dish towel he’d been holding and reaching up to place his hands on Ollie’s upper arms.
Ollie nodded and slid his hands up Sam’s chest and around to the back of his neck. Some intense warmth coursed through him, familiar and yet also different in some way, as he pressed himself up against his husband. “Yeah, sounds good.”
He didn’t miss the way Sam’s eyes darkened slightly or the way Sam’s breath caught just before he dipped down to kiss Ollie. Their lips met softly—a warm, gentle kiss full of all the love Ollie felt and knew—and he heard a quiet hum rumble deep in Sam’s chest.
“I’ll finish cleaning up, and then—”
Ollie shook his head. “Leave it for morning?”
“Well, okay, but—”
“Aren’t you always saying, ‘Whatever my husband wants, he gets’?” Ollie stepped back from Sam with a teasing grin and let his hands slip slowly down to rest on Sam’s chest, his fingers pressing into Sam with more than just a light touch. Sam closed his eyes and groaned.
“Well, yeah, but—”
“So . . . I’m telling you. Bed. Now.”
Ollie grinned again and then spun and took off toward the stairs, not waiting for Sam to follow. He took the steps two at a time, Sam right behind him, and when they reached the top, Ollie laughed as he turned around. Sam’s arms immediately wrapped around his waist, and their lips met in a different type of kiss—playful and yet also deep and arousing.
Heat shot straight to his groin as Ollie let Sam direct them into the bedroom, their lips not losing precious contact. And when Sam moaned against him, there was a tug in Ollie’s heart.
He broke the kiss, breathing hard, and Sam too—Sam’s breath came in rapid pants, his chest rising and falling quickly. The warmth of his husband’s touch on his back sent Ollie’s pulse racing with eager anticipation, and when Sam’s fingers dipped just under the hem of his shirt, Ollie didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grasped the hem, then pulled the shirt off over his head and tossed it to the floor beside them.
“Gorgeous,” Sam murmured, and pleasure shot through Ollie as Sam’s hot mouth met the sensitive skin right at the base of his neck.
He let his hands settle on Sam’s hips as he tilted his head back just enough to give Sam more room. Sam’s kisses were somehow both intense and gentle, and Ollie found himself pulling Sam closer as his arousal grew.
“Mmm, love, so... what exactly does my husband want tonight?” Sam’s voice was low, his breath warm against Ollie’s skin.
Rather than answering, Ollie stepped back, smiling at Sam’s weak moan as his fingers slipped under the waistband of Sam’s jeans. He tugged lightly and backed up the last few steps until his legs hit the bed. Then he pulled Sam up against him, stretched up a tiny bit, and whispered in Sam’s ear, “I want you to make love to me.”
Sam’s lips brushed softly against Ollie’s cheek, and his hands stilled on Ollie’s back. “You mean...”
“Yes,” Ollie breathed. “I’m ready, and I want... to try.” And the butterflies started dancing—nervous butterflies. Nervous but eager, excited, hopeful.
It had been nearly a year since Ollie had shared his desires with Sam. A year since they’d started exploring. And it had taken all of that time, each small step a hard-earned win. Even with Sam’s careful touch and the level of trust they shared, progress had been really, really slow, with frequent setbacks.
But now . . .
Ollie let his hands smooth up Sam’s chest, pushing his shirt up, and Sam lifted his arms to help Ollie pull the shirt over his head. The sight of the well-defined muscles in Sam’s chest and arms made Ollie’s arousal twitch with interest, and he groaned and slid his hands up from Sam’s stomach to his pecs, his thumbs brushing over Sam’s hard nipples.
“Mmm, god... I love when you do that,” Sam murmured, his voice low and raspy.
“It feels good?” With a grin, Ollie leaned in again and trailed a path of open-mouthed kisses down Sam’s sternum as his thumbs repeated the same motion.
