Page 30 of Waiting for a Prince (Island Tales #1)

Chapter Twenty-Six

“How come you never told me you could cook like that?” Mark pushed away his empty plate with a contented sigh.

He’d arrived home to the strange experience of being buzzed into his own flat, since Sam had his keys, only to be greeted by a wonderful aroma as he climbed the stairs to the top floor.

Sam was leaning over the banisters, watching his approach, the mouthwatering smell emanating from the open door behind him.

Sam blushed. “I wasn’t sure if you’d like it.” He’d prepared chicken breasts in a delicate white wine and cream sauce, along with brown rice and broccoli. The flavour had been sublime.

Mark lifted the tray from his lap and placed it on the floor, before leaning across to kiss Sam on the mouth. “I loved it,” he murmured as he pulled away from the kiss. “I feel positively spoiled.”

Sam winked. “Then you’re going to love this.” Mark arched his eyebrows when Sam removed a bottle of champagne from the fridge. Sam flushed. “I thought it would be nice to celebrate us deciding to live together.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Mark said wholeheartedly. He went to the cabinet where he kept his glasses, and withdrew two tumblers. He looked sheepishly at Sam. “Okay, I need to buy some wineglasses, I get it.” His voice was gruff.

Sam snickered. “What does it matter what we drink it out of? It won’t change the taste of the champagne, will it?”

Mark’s heart swelled with love. His man was eminently practical.

My man .

Damn, that sounded good.

Sam poured the champagne and handed him a tumbler. He brought his glass to Mark’s and clinked it lightly.

“To us.” The words were uttered softly, Sam’s gaze fixed on Mark.

“To us.” Mark’s reply was equally soft. They drank the bubbling gold liquid, its taste bursting into life on Mark’s tongue. He took Sam by the hand and led him to the couch, where they sat and sipped their champagne.

“This is wonderful.” Sam leaned against the seat cushions and sighed happily.

Mark couldn’t agree more. “So, what are your plans?”

Sam tilted his head. “Plans?”

“For a job. Moving in here. Stuff like that.”

Sam stretched out his long legs. “I rang round a few games design companies this morning and one of them expressed an interest. They want me to interview next week.”

“That’s great,” exclaimed Mark.

Sam wagged a finger. “Don’t get carried away just yet. This isn’t a done deal, all right?”

Mark nodded, his eyes shining. “They’ll love your stuff,” he declared emphatically. He paused, unsure of how to phrase his next sentence. “Have you thought… you could take your dad to court, you know. What he’s doing is illegal. He’s discriminating against you because you’re gay.”

Sam sighed. “Yeah, I know, but I’m not about to sue my own father, even if he is being an arsehole.

I’m just going to find a company who want me and design them the best games I can.

I figure success is the best revenge.” He gave a sad smile and then sipped more champagne.

“I brought enough clothes and stuff from my flat to last until the weekend. Then I figured you could help me move out on Sunday.” He quirked an eyebrow. “Does that sound okay?”

Mark stroked his chin. “Well, only if you’re going to pay me for my services.” He grinned.

Sam stared at him, his pupils large. “What did you have in mind?” His deep voice was suddenly husky.

Mark gazed at Sam’s full lower lip, moist from the champagne.

Sam’s breath hitched as Mark took the glass from his hands and placed it with his own on the coffee table.

The air crackled with sexual tension as Mark slowly leaned in to kiss Sam, taking his time.

He ran his tongue lightly across Sam’s lips, feeling the shudder that rippled through him.

To his surprise Sam pushed him flat onto the couch and stretched out on top of him.

He rolled his hips, the sensual movement pushing his erection against Mark’s.

The motion became more urgent as Sam claimed Mark’s mouth in a kiss white-hot with need.

Mark moaned softly when Sam’s weight pressed him into the seat cushions, pushing up his hips to meet the insistent thrusting of Sam’s cock.

“Want to be inside you.”

Mark froze as Sam’s words penetrated his brain.

Oh fuck.

Sam raised himself on his arms and stared down at Mark with an expression of consternation. “You… do you not want me to….?” His words trailed off. He started to pull away, and Mark groaned inwardly to see the hurt in those eyes. He grabbed Sam and pulled him down onto him.

“ Never think I don’t want you, okay?” Mark swallowed. “It’s just that I…” He took a deep breath. “I’ve only ever been fucked once. My first time when I was seventeen.” He shuddered. “Not a good experience.”

“And you’re nervous to try it again?”

Mark huffed. “You could say that.”

“What was so bad about it?” Sam smiled. “I wouldn’t know about bad experiences. My first time was with this amazing guy who took care of me.”

Warmth spread through him. “He sounds like a keeper.”

Sam pushed the hair back from Mark’s forehead. “He is, and I intend keeping him for a long, long time.”

Mark cradled Sam’s nape and kissed him, slow and sweet. “I love you.”

Sam smiled. “Funny. That’s what my guy said.” He propped himself up on his elbows. “So tell me about your first time.”

Mark sighed. “He wasn’t even gay. I’d given him a few blowjobs, and somehow I managed to talk him into fucking me when Mum had gone out.” He bit his lip. “I should be grateful it was over fairly quickly.” Mark winced. “Something vital was missing from the event.”

Sam’s mouth fell open. “Now I know why you insisted on a lot of lube.” He kissed the tip of Mark’s nose.

“Poor baby. No wonder you never bottomed again. Now, if you’d been with someone like my guy…

” He stilled. “But I’m not talking about fucking.

I’m talking about making love.” He leaned down and kissed Mark softly on the lips.

“To the man I love.” His eyes were so large and round, the barest sliver of blue around those wide pupils.

“Please, Mark, I want to do this. I want to be inside you.” Another soft kiss.

“You made it good for me—let me do the same for you.”

Mark’s heart swelled with love. He couldn’t deny Sam anything.

“Then yes,” he whispered. He cupped Sam’s nape once more, only this time there was heat in their kisses, fanning Mark’s need into a blazing fire. Sam fed him low moans, his hips rolling, ramping up Mark’s desire.

He broke the kiss to meet Sam’s urgent gaze. “Make love to me.”