Page 42 of Merry & Bright
Afterwards, after Sam’s greyed-out vision had returned, and the pleasure had ebbed, they shifted around again. Nick retrieved the bedcovers from the floor, and they returned to the more conventional arrangement of heads on pillows.
“Come here,” Nick said softly, reaching for Sam.
Sam shuffled over. He pressed the length of his body against Nick’s and rested his head on Nick’s shoulder, and for a few minutes they simply lay there, blissed out from the sex, drifting in a pleasant half haze of not-quite-sleep.
After a while, Sam murmured against Nick’s shoulder “Did you mean it?”
“Mean what?” Nick touched Sam’s chin, tipping his face up so their eyes met.
“That thing about”—Sam bit his lip—“wanting me from the first time we met.”
Nick’s bitter-chocolate gaze softened, a faint smile hitching his mouth upwards. “Well—yeah. I was pretty much smitten from the moment I saw you—that very first time in Mike’s office.”
Smitten?
How had Sam not noticed? Had he missed the clues because he’d been so obsessed with showing Mike, and everyone else, that he was as good as Wonder Boy?
Or was it—perhaps—that with all the knocks he’d taken to his confidence lately, he couldn’t believe that someone like Nick could possibly be interested in him?
“I didn’t realise,” Sam mumbled. “I was oblivious.”
Nick’s handsome features formed an amused frown. “Really? You hadnoidea?”
“None whatsoever.”
“Jesus, Sam, you must be blind! Why do you think I kept popping into the office? Kept calling you to tell you things I’d remembered about my files? Whodoesthat?”
Sam looked at him. “Wonder Boy does.”
“Who?”
“That’s what I used to call you in my head. Everyone at M&H thinks you’re amazing, especially Mike. The clients too. I couldn’t get through a single day at work without someone telling me how wonderful you were. So, when you kept calling and popping round, I thought”—he shrugged—“I don’t know, I sort of had this idea that maybe Mike had been asking you to help me out because I was making such a mess of things.”
“What?” Nick looked appalled. “Sam, I didn’t mean to make you feel that wayat all. I just wanted you to notice me. That first time we met—when Mike called you into the meeting—it was only meant to be a quick chat, but when you walked in I couldn’t stop staring at you. You looked so bloody perfect in your beautiful suit, with that face and”—he gave a rueful laugh—“the hair, of course.”
Sam wrinkled his nose. “That’s just looks.”
“I know. And the looks are lovely, but that wasn’t all there was to it. You were so nice. You seemed interested in everything I had to say about the cases, and you asked all these smart questions, and somehow I ended up talking and talking. You’re good at that, you know. Bringing people out of themselves, making them feel listened to and important.”
Sam swallowed, remembering his annoyance and resentment that day. Plainly, he’d covered up his feelings too successfully, and now he felt dishonest. Two-faced. If Nick knew what he was really like...
“I’m really not as nice as you think,” he mumbled.
Nick’s lips curved. “I think you’re perfect.”
“Nick, seriously, you havenoidea how imperfect I am,” Sam replied, mortified. “People always say that I’m this nice guy, but sometimes my thoughts aremean.Remember what I told you about what an arrogant prick I was when I joined M&H? If anyone’s perfect, you are—you’re the one—”
He got no further.
Nick silenced him with a kiss, just enough to shut him up. Then he eased gently back again.
“I know you’re not perfect,” Nick whispered, his breath warm against Sam’s lips. “God knows, I’m not either. But I think we might be... perfect for each other. And I’d certainly like the chance to find out.”
“Would you?” Sam asked thickly.
Nick nodded. “Right now, I feel a bit like a Secret Santa gift. You didn’t really choose me, did you? You’ve only just taken the wrapping paper off, and you’ve not had a chance to think about keeping me. But if youcouldkeep me, for a bit, maybe we could try it out? Try us out. See if we might be perfect together?”
He looked so uncertain.