“You could…” Alex slipped his arm around Tom’s shoulders. “Or we could seduce each other? Recklessly, of course.”
Tom leaned back against the sofa. “Each other sounds good. And what was it you were saying, about lunging at me?”
“Less of a lunge,” his lover murmured, moving closer. “More a tactical lean?”
And he pressed his lips to Tom’s, those gloriously fluttering fingers settling on his shoulder. Tom held him close, feeling the delicious weight of Alex against him, that sensation of Alex having him, of Tom yielding.
Their kiss was more passionate than Tom could’ve hoped—it had been days and Tom knew that Alex had been just as lost as he had been. But now they had found each other again, and Tom held Alex tight.
Alex’s roamed his mouth over Tom’s jaw and nuzzled his throat, filled with hunger. His hand rested on Tom’s hip, and he nibbled lightly at his earlobe. When Alex spoke again, his voice was low with desire.
“Touch me.”
“Oh, darling, I…where?” Tom reached between them, stroking Alex’s chest. “Here?” he teased. Alex’s hand closed over his and guided it lower, until their joined fingers were pressed to the heat of his erection.
“Here.”
Tom closed his eyes as he caressed through the fabric of Alex’s pajamas. “You’re so hard, so big…” Then he gazed at Alex and whispered, “This is quite an honor—would you like me to…go inside?”
“Or would you rather we do this in bed?” Alex asked, breathless.
“Bed,” Tom replied. “And I want your pajamas dangling off the lampshade.”
“Yes, Captain.” Alex laughed. “Can we take the wine? If we’re going to be decadent, we might as well go all-in.”
Tom winked at him. “Wine, nudity, and a handsome man in loose pajamas—sounds like my perfect evening.”
“A handsome man?” Alex pantomimed a look of surprise. “I didn’t know you had a guest over!”
“You’re bloody gorgeous, Alex. And I’m not going to let you deny it.” Tom rubbed the tip of his nose against Alex’s. With a soft laugh Alex kissed Tom again, a sweet little peck on the lips. Then he took his hand and together, they made their way through the flat to Alex’s bedroom.
And of course they forgot the wine, but with that enormous bed waiting for them, neither Alex nor Tom was in a rush to go back for it.
Between the bedroom door and the bed, Tom had managed to lose almost all his clothes, and he had started to peel Alex out of his pajamas. Tugging up the hem of Alex’s T-shirt, Tom said, “Your body does things to me, Alex. I won’t lie.”
“It’s not quite burlesque, but…” Alex took a step back and for a second Tom’s heart plummeted. As Alex peeled the T-shirt higher then cast it aside, though, the jolt of anxiety disappeared with it. This time there wouldn’t be any timidity, that much was clear.
Tom smoothed his palms appreciatively over Alex’s firm, broad chest. His skin was so warm, and that lovely scattering of hair… Still stroking with one hand, he slid his other down to the waistband of Alex’s pajamas. “Ready?”
“Ready,” he said. “More than ready, I think.”
Tom kissed him, slow and deep, as he slid Alex’s pajamas down. He traced the revealed skin of Alex’s buttocks and onward to his the top of his legs, then, gazing into Alex’s eyes, stroked down his stomach. “Lie down?”
He settled back onto the pillows wordlessly, his expression tender as he watched Tom. Tom’s breath hitched as he ran his gaze over Alex’s body. He was exquisite in every way.
Tom slipped out of his shorts and lay down beside Alex, kissing Alex’s chest as he stroked his stomach, then he brought his lips back to Alex’s as he closed his hand around his erection.
“Would you like to guide me?” Tom asked. In reply Alex slipped his arm around Tom’s shoulders and held him close as he entwined his fingers with Tom’s around his own erection, stroking slowly.
“You feel really good,” Tom murmured. “You’re very big. Really good to hold.”
“That night we spent together… I was so desperate for you and so mixed-up.” Alex touched his forehead to Tom’s. “I thought I’d wrecked it.”
Tom seemed to fall into the depths of Alex’s blue eyes as he gazed at him. “You didn’t. And don’t be shy. You have absolutely no reason to be.”
“I’m going to seem very naive and clueless to you for a bit,” he smiled, moving their joined hands a little faster. “But I’m very keen to learn.”
Tom looked down at their hands. A frisson tingled through him at the thought of seeing Alex climax. “All you need to do is tell me what you’d like. Anything, Alex.”
“This. Just you, really…” Alex admitted breathlessly. Then he kissed Tom again, kissing him into the pillows, as he had said bashfully just a few days ago.
Like Scarlett O’Hara.
It was as if Alex somehow knew that Tom wanted him to do it, as if he knew that Tom had tried so hard not to gaze at him and imagine just that. Had Alex daydreamed about it? Alex might be new to this, to taking a man to bed, but his intuition seemed more finely honed than some of the men who had spent years building up their repertoire. Tom was so wonderfully aware of him, of the strength of his embrace, the touch of their skin, the heat of his erection beneath their joined hands.
Against Alex’s lips, Tom whispered, “I want to taste you.”
“Please,” Alex breathed, the word filled with desire.
Tom helped Alex roll onto his back, and he moaned as he kissed his way down Alex’s body. Perhaps he should have teased, taken his time, but Tom could sense Alex’s need as keenly as he could his own. He felt every tremble of Alex’s body as he moved lower, and he locked his gaze with Alex’s as he kissed the tip of his erection.
He saw a shudder of pleasure run through Alex’s muscles and as it did, a moan slipped from his lips. It was filled with need and heat and promise, filled with everything Tom now knew that they both wanted. Alex reached down and stroked his fingers through Tom’s hair, then whispered, “You’re absolutely beautiful, you know.”
“Not too bad yourself.” And he showed Alex just how beautiful he thought him by taking him in his mouth. As Alex’s hips rose to meet him, Tom saw him clutch at the bedcover, another moan escaping his lips. For a moment his head tipped back into the pillows, then he looked down at Tom, his expression caught between pleasure and wonder.
Tom didn’t break their gaze as he rose and fell on Alex, tasting him, enjoying him, and knowing from every gasp that he was pleasuring him. What an honor to be in bed with this majestic man, to be trusted and held close.
Every sigh, every moan made Tom’s heart pound faster, and when Alex’s hand closed on his shoulder, the suggestion of contained strength sent fresh darts of excitement through him. In the pale light he could see the tensing of his lover’s muscles as his climax approached, the rise and fall of his chest growing faster with every second.
Tom’s heart seemed to open at that moment, affection flooding him. He held Alex’s hand where it rested on his shoulder, and they were joined, their once-separated bodies at last bridged.
A shuddering gasp of Tom’s name announced that Alex had reached the peak. His body bucked as his orgasm swept through him and his eyes closed in an obvious transport of pleasure. He surrendered to Tom at last, giving in to the need to feel.
Tom slowed, tender now where he had been carried away with lust. Then he crawled up the bed and brought Alex into his arms as he kissed him.
“It was worth it, wasn’t it?” Tom asked. Alex nodded and held him tight, silent for a time, other than the sound of his breathing as it slowed from the pitch of pleasure. He clung to Tom, kisses taking the place of words.
Tom caressed Alex, a sheen of perspiration contouring his body. He was so desirable, but more than that, Tom was drawn to his strength and his tenderness. And Tom wanted to look after him, to give him love.
“Oh God,” Alex whispered, touching his fingertips first to one
eye then the other, as though worried he might find tears there. “That was wonderful, Tom. I feel like I should probably say thank you.”
“And I would say you don’t need to, because you deserve it.” Tom kissed him, then lay still, just looking at him. His handsome, glorious lover.
“I’m…” He smiled and shook his head. “I’m a little bit overwhelmed. In the best way.”
Tom propped himself up on his elbow and drew circles on Alex’s chest with his fingertip. “You of all people? I didn’t think that was possible!”
“So after four years living in a very snug flat together, I can still surprise you?” Alex reached up and brushed Tom’s hair back. “I’ve surprised myself tonight.”
“You surprised me when you first dropped your drawers in front of me!” Tom laughed gently. “You’re a fine figure of a man.”
Alex nodded, his cheeks flushing. “I creak along well enough.”
“You’re all broad and strong and when you kiss me into the pillows—” Tom chuckled. “How did you know I’d like that?”
He smiled bashfully and admitted, “I didn’t. Perhaps we just go together really well?”
“I think we do. Alex and Tom. Tom and Alex.” Tom assumed a silly voice. “Hello, Alex and Tom, get yourself a babysitter, we’re all going to Collette’s. Sounds good, doesn’t it?”
“It does, actually. Tom Southwell, the Prime Minister’s boyfriend, arrives for the State Opening of Parliament.” Alex grinned. “Sounds better than, the State Opening is bereft of handsome former soldiers who look like shower gel models. Again.”
Looks like a shower model? Tom wasn’t too sure about that, but he laughed and said, “Should I wear just a towel around my waist?”
“Now I’m thinking of that massage again.” Alex closed his eyes and drew in a very contented breath. “I think just a towel would be perfect. Let the Mail publish that!”
“And what if I accidentally drop it?” Tom leaned forward and kissed Alex’s chest. “You’d have to defend my modesty with your jacket.”
“Would I have to roll my sleeves up too?” The tone was pure innocence and all the more teasing for it. He drew one fingertip down Tom’s back. “What about unfastening a few shirt buttons?”
“Unbutton them all except the last three, and that election’s yours.” Tom chuckled. “And my erection, too. Sorry, obvious joke, but I had to say it.”
Alex looked down rather pointedly. “Bearing in mind that I’m new to all this… What would you like me to do about it right now?”
“You could stroke it, or…” Tom put his finger in his mouth and slowly drew it out, but he laughed at how silly it must look. “Whatever you’d like. As long as you’re doing it, I’m happy.”
But Alex didn’t look as though he thought Tom was silly. Instead he kissed him, starting at his lips and slowly working his way down his jaw to his neck, easing him back against the bed as he went. With tender care he danced his lips down Tom’s chest, pausing at his nipples to stroke and tease with his tongue.
“Alex…” Tom sighed as he caressed Alex’s hair. “Darling…”
Some things only needed instinct, not experience, and Alex seemed to have instincts to spare. He lingered at Tom’s chest for a while before he kissed his way lower, circling Tom’s navel with his tongue, and all the time they were gazing at each other.
Tom gripped the bedsheet with his other hand, a shiver of anticipation trembling through him. Alex’s lips felt so warm and sure, so caring against him.
Then he went lower, low enough to draw the tip of his tongue along the length of Tom’s erection. It sent a blaze through his blood, a heat that increased as Alex gently kissed the very tip. Tom pushed his hips down, trying not to buck against Alex.
“Yes,” Tom murmured. “That’s wonderful.”
“If I get it wrong, I want you to tell me,” Alex murmured. He put his hand on Tom’s hip then took Tom’s erection in his mouth, moving with gentle care.
Get it wrong? He couldn’t if he tried.
“You won’t…you can’t…”
Tom had never been to bed with someone he cared for so much before. Everything was more intense, as though tingles of electricity were shooting through him.
At first Alex was tentative, but as the minutes passed Tom sensed a new confidence in him. He rose and fell, his tongue swirling, his lips tight around Tom’s body, and as he did, Tom could hear gentle groans of pleasure in his lover’s throat.
It was those sounds that sent Tom over the edge, his body pulling taut with bliss before pleasure swooped through him. He shuddered, moaning Alex’s name. And if any of this took Alex by surprise, he didn’t show it. Instead he slowed his movements as the waves of Tom’s ecstasy subsided, bringing him gently back to Earth.
Tom reached his hand to Alex. “Come here and hug me, you lovely man.”
Alex returned his head to the pillow beside Tom and embraced him. He pulled the covers over them and they cuddled together, wrapped in each other’s arms. They fitted together so well.
“That was amazing,” Tom said.
“What do you think, Captain?” Alex propped himself up on one elbow, cradling his head on his palm. “Can you work with these raw materials?”
Tom ruffled Alex’s hair. “Oh, yes. We can have lots of practice—we’ll enjoy that!”
“And…I don’t want you to think that I’m trying to keep us under wraps.” He drew his fingertip down Tom’s chest. “Mum and Dad are back from holiday next week. When they are, I’m going to tell them and Jenny and Malcolm and the kids about us. If we’re together, it’s not going to be some secret.”
“Look, if it’s going to affect the election—I don’t mind it being between us just for a while,” Tom said, his voice soft. “I’d just hate for it to be a secret forever, that’s all. Although the twins might work it out, and any more talk to Nana about tickling in bed—they’ll all guess anyway!”
“The election isn’t— Before any of this happened, I was already doing a lot of thinking about that.” He shrugged. “I haven’t quite made my mind up yet, but I’m tired of seeing the kids for an hour, two if I’m really lucky. Gill and I always said two terms maximum, but I don’t know if I want another five years of missing my children grow up.”
“What would you do if you weren’t prime minister?” Tom tried to picture Alex going through a different door—not number 10 or number 11 or into the Houses of Parliament, but a glass office block where nothing remotely governmental went on. “I know that sounds weird, it’s just I’ve only ever known you as the prime minister!”
“I’d take a very long holiday, and then, who knows? I loved what I did before, with the charity. Maybe I’ll go back to that. It didn’t take four years to make something happen.” Alex snuggled down on the pillow again. “But whatever it is, I’ll take my time to decide. People seem to think I’ve done a decent job, but…it’s been exhausting. I wonder if it’s time to leave the stage.”
“Decent job? You’ve been fantastic.” Tom stroked his arm under the covers. “And, well, you haven’t had the easiest time of it, and you carried on anyway—I think the country owes you, you know. You’ve been great.”
“If the bill goes through next week, I can do so much more actually out in the field than I can behind a desk in number 10. And I can do it without working twenty-hour days.” He kissed Tom’s shoulder, his voice thoughtful. “And we can all have a normal home again with just the occasional CPO to remind us we used to live here.”
Tom was silent for a moment. The image he had in his head of Alex stepping into that office building became clearer. Then Alex was at a youth club, surrounded by interested kids—not for a photo-op, because there were no cameras there, but because he was there, listening to kids who few grown-ups bothered with. “Then I hope it goes through.”
“Until then, my diary’s manic. But I’m coming home to my family, that’s all I need.”
“We’ll be ready with dinner and the continuing tales of
the Madastair.” Tom kissed Alex then lay back and looked at him. Admired him. Alex’s blue eyes were dancing, and Tom said, “I’ve loved you for so long in a…well, a brotherly sort of way. But it’s changing. Maybe it’s already changed. Alex… I love you.”
“You must know how I feel about you.” Alex’s words were a whisper. ‘You must know.’ “I love you, Tom.”
Tom smiled broadly, every wish he’d had suddenly realized. “Then that’s just perfect, isn’t it?”
“Perfect,” his lover echoed.
Chapter Twenty-One
Tom wasn’t sure if he was dreaming or if he really was floating. He was in love. And it was like nothing he’d ever felt before. Perhaps being with such a wonderful man helped, and not someone who was just passing through and looking for a bit of fun. This was real, and deep—but above all, it brought Tom a happiness and lightness that he didn’t recognize.
The twins seemed to have picked up on a lightened atmosphere in the flat, and were even more contented than usual. Madeleine had insisted that Alex join them in a dance around the lounge with Billy on Tom’s shoulder—the poor man had only just come in from a long day, but Tom knew he wouldn’t fail his child.
“It’s the weekend!” Madeleine had said, and together the little family had danced around the living room as Alastair turned every surface in the room into part of his own impromptu drum kit.
On Saturday morning Alex would be out again for one of his morning constituency surgeries, but for now, it was Friday night. And on Friday night, even the prime minister didn’t work late.
Tom and Alex took turns reading the bedtime story, Tom providing steam train sound effects. Finally, the twins fell asleep, and Alex and Tom settled on the sofa with a well-deserved glass of wine each.
The evening couldn’t have been more peaceful. Phones were silenced, dinner had been eaten and everything seemed almost perfect.
Until the knock at the door.
“Not expecting anyone, are we?” Tom rose from the sofa. “Billy’s in, so it’s not her.”
The Captain and the Prime Minister Page 17