In all honesty, Sam didn’t find it all quite so funny. He probably would’ve had to be there. But then again, perhaps, Ian probably wouldn’t have pulled the stunt if he were around. It wasn’t that they weren’t friendly, but they didn’t have the same rapport. He didn’t find it troubling per se, but sometimes he felt a little left out.
He smiled though, for Drew’s reaction more than anything. He loved it when Drew smiled, loved the crinkles around his eyes, loved how his whole face transformed into something bright and vibrant. He went from hard to soft, stone to plush, and it made Sam so happy. And he was happy when Drew was happy, even if Drew’s joy was his own.
“Too bad you didn’t record it.” Sam said at last, rubbing circles on Drew’s knuckles with his thumb.
Drew mumbled in agreement, cocking his head so he could look at Sam straight on. He’d recovered from his laughter and now regarded his lover with a curious expression. “You’re in a mood, aren’t you?.”
Sam’s expression fell, only just, but enough for Drew to notice. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing. You’ve been acting strange since dinner.” Drew mimicked Sam’s thumb motions with some furious petting of his own. “Talk to me.”
Sam considered deflecting, but he knew better than to think Drew wouldn’t draw the answer from him eventually. Instead he just sighed and rolled over onto his back to stare up at the empty white ceiling. “It’s Cassius.”
Drew frowned. “Cassius. What about him?”
“He’s seeing someone.”
Drew snickered. “What, really? He’s got a girlfriend? That’s unexpected.”
Sam shook his head. “He doesn’t have a girlfriend. He’s got a…I don’t even know. He’s…” He didn’t know how to classify what Cassius and Adrian were to each other. It wasn’t like Cassius had explicitly said they were dating. He’d just said they were to each other what Drew and Sam were to each other, which seemed so impossible, because, were Sam and Drew really dating? No, not really. They just were. So maybe Cassius and Adrian just were, too.
“You’re not jealous, are you?” Sam turned quickly to face Drew, mouth already open in protest. “Because if you’re jealous, I—”
“I’m not jealous.” Sam scowled. “I’m just shocked.”
“You’re shocked that Cass managed to find someone? Ouch. Harsh.”
“No!” Sam insisted. “It’s…look, hold on a second. You noticed the eye-sex happening between Simon and Harris, yes?” Drew nodded, not seeing where the conversation was headed. “They weren’t the only ones having eye-sex during dinner.”
“If you’re talking about Carson, then—”
“I’m not talking about Carson.” Sam leveled Drew with a look. The look said, come on, baby, read my mind. Drew just stared at him dumbly. Sam sighed. “Cassius and Adrian are fucking.”
“What?” Drew just about choked on his own tongue, then he blanched. “You’re out of your mind! No, they’re not!”
“Yes, they are. Cassius told me. After you took off, he pulled me aside to tell me.” Sam maintained a serious expression, even as concern seeped into his voice.
Drew managed to get over his initial dismay rather quickly. “That’s just so…like, why? That guy is so weird. He’s nice enough but he’s so awkward. And weird. Did I say that already? God. Also, I thought Cass was into girls.”
“So did I,” Sam said, sounding more and more worried, even just from his breathing. “But that’s not all of it. He…Cass, …I mean, …he…told.”
The color drained from Drew’s face then, the realization of what it could all mean hitting him like a load of bricks. “He told Adrian?” Sam nodded. “Why would he even do that though?”
Sam answered simply, “Because he’s in love.”
Drew cringed. “So, he’s put everything on the line, just so he can keep fucking around with Adrian?” Drew was, to say the least, unimpressed.
Sam bristled a little. Well, when he put it that way. “I did the same thing with you, Drew.”
Oh. Right.
“But we’re in lo—” Drew almost said it, but didn’t quite. He didn’t have to, the look which the two of them shared just then spoke volumes, could shut up any naysayers. “Like, actually. Really. We are.”
“So are they,” Sam said simply, then reached over to stroke Drew’s hair. It was sticky from all the product in it, but he was used to the texture.
Drew closed his eyes and leaned into Sam’s touch, recognizing that the petting was only partly to comfort him, but mostly meant to reassure Sam. There was always tension underlying these conversations. Sam didn’t like talking about his curse or talking about the potential fallout of exposure, and Drew didn’t like seeing the man he loved twisting under the strain. It was unfair to him. Sam shouldn’t have to worry about all that bullshit. He’d coddled Cassius for over a year. It was time Cassius paid the same kind of courtesy to Sam.
“I could strangle him,” Drew said, though he clearly didn’t mean it. “Or at least give him a piece of my mind. Like, what the hell! He should’ve told you he wanted to tell Adrian instead of just doing it.”
“Yes, well. It’s done now.” Sam let his hand drag down Drew’s cheek, then along the rough skin of his jaw. “I think what bothers me most is, I don’t even know this guy. He could be a complete jerk and I wouldn’t know it.”
“He’s a weirdo is what he is.” Drew said.
Sam raised his eyebrows. “But do you think he’s trustworthy? Or am I completely screwed here?”
“He never struck me as a snake, Sammy.”
Sam let that settle in. He more or less agreed somewhat. Adrian seemed enthusiastic, perhaps to a fault. Sometimes needlessly loud. Opinionated. Generally strange, but flighty, too, like he picked and chosen the information he retained. Like he might be easily distracted,. Or he could say something stupid and regret it right away. And those perceptions, quite frankly, scared the crap out of Sam. The last thing he needed was to be revealed by someone foolish enough to speak before thinking. Handling Cassius had been difficult enough. He wasn’t sure if he could take on another babysitting job, and this one could be long distance.
Drew sensed the turmoil in Sam’s head, gently petting his lover’s hair. “I’m gonna talk to him. Tomorrow.”
“What? To who?”
“To Adrian. I’ll size him up. If he’s a complete fuck-up, then we’ll handle it. And if he’s serious about Cass and it’s not gonna be a problem…well, then we’ll know.” He and Sam locked eyes, and he smiled. And as he smiled, Sam felt his tension slipping away.
How he ever got so lucky, he’d never know. He must have been a saint in a past life or something.
Drew leaned in and kissed him. They stayed like that a moment, lips brushing softly, breath warm as they strove to stay together. When they finally parted, Drew smiled again. “We’re in this together. I won’t let anyone screw you over.”
“I know.”
“So just relax. Let me handle this, alright?”
“Alright.” Sam wasn't entirely certain, but he trusted Drew. He wasn't going to face this alone. He had Drew by his side, and he couldn't ask for a better man for the job.
Chapter 14
First Time
To say Adrian and Cassius’s relationship was one founded on true love and romance, and hearts and flowers was more than misleading, it was completely inaccurate. It hadn’t been love at first sight for them. It hadn’t even been lust at first sight. It had been tolerance at first sight, followed by an adequate length of time spent feeling each other out before easing into a sort of comfortable camaraderie.
They’d met, become friendly, gotten to know one another, the usual. They’d swapped some jokes, shared a few meals together, and then over time they’d actually, halfway, become friends. It was all benign, normal, and not romantic in the least. The bond between them blossomed slowly, fueled by complimentary personalities and the easy flow of conversation. After the first few call ups, they f
ell into an easy sort of friendship and without anyone else really noticing, they became good friends.
It wasn’t until they’d won a game that anything happened, and even then, it seemed unlikely that it would develop into anything besides a one-off. Drunk on champagne and on the jubilance all around them, Cassius remembered meeting Adrian’s eyes and seeing something peculiar in them. Want, need, longing. Fire, anguish, lust. He was dumbstruck, at a loss for what to do now that the unspoken had passed between them. He didn’t even like guys like that, he was pretty sure. But when he looked at Adrian, laughing and celebrating with the rest of the team, he found himself suddenly willing to make an exception.
Adrian had only smiled at him, cheekily in a way, as his eyes flicked toward the door. Cassius nodded quickly, and without a word to anyone else, the two left together.
They ended up back in Cassius’s hotel room. Quite how, the details were a little bit fuzzy still. Somehow, they’d both lost their shirts and Cassius’s pants were partway unfastened, hanging on his hips. He remembered kissing Adrian, standing over him, wanting to control him and dominate him in a way which almost made him feel afraid. He had Adrian pressed to the wall, biting hungrily at his collarbone, wild with the feral sense of urgency and instinct.
Cassius pinned Adrian’s wrists up above his head, using his size and strength to hold and keep Adrian just where he wanted him. Cassius felt at once both entirely in control of things and completely out of his element. His struggle only intensified when he eased back from Adrian and looked into his eyes. Adrian smiled, relaxed, calm, and completely at ease.
“You really like that, huh?” He said, smile spreading wide.
Cassius gulped, licking his lips. He could still taste the champagne there and he tried to remember how much he’d had. Not nearly enough to justify his behavior, but he wasn’t sure he especially cared anymore. And from the looks of it, Adrian’s inhibitions were also decidedly absent as well.
Realizing he’d spent an inordinate period just staring at Adrian and basically undressing him the rest of the way with his eyes, he nodded, shifting away from the other man, letting off the pressure on his wrists. Adrian gave a wicked smirk, reaching down to stroke Cassius’s burgeoning erection, still trapped in his pants. He looked up at Cassius, eyes both seductive and mischievous, veiled by his long lashes. That look had Cassius feeling all turned around inside.
“Look how hard you are, Cass. And it's all for me.”
Cassius gasped, body arching at the touch. Making out was one thing, but groping was another. Or was it? The lines seemed blurry somehow. Was Adrian really asking for that? Did he really want to…?
“Yes. Fuck, yes, Adrian. It's all for you.” Cassius spoke before he could stop himself, but realized quickly that he didn't actually want to stop. He didn't want to stop at all. He dared steal a glance down at Adrian's crotch, heart racing at the outline of his bulging cock.
Adrian flicked his tongue over his teeth, breaking the serious mood then with a knowing laugh. Still, there was a flash of doubt mingling with the heaviness of his need. Underneath the bravado and his need to take control, Adrian was a little bit afraid. Or maybe it was just nerves and the rush of intimacy. Maybe that's what it was. Cassius felt it, the desire practically radiated from Adrian as he urged their hips back together. “Then keep going. Don't stop now. Not when we've gone this far already.”
Cassius hesitated, only for a moment, to consider if he could go through with it, or should. His dark eyes raked over Adrian, taking him in, consuming him with a look. His stomach twisted, nerves and hormones rushing through him.
If he was going to do it, he had to do it then, otherwise he would surely chicken out. So, he took a deep breath and pressed back into Adrian, and in the course of things they’d wrestled their way to the bed, tussling with each other, pulling off their pants and underwear, tangling themselves in the sheets with strong bodies tensing and teeth gritted and gnashing.
They kissed and bit each other, struggling for dominance until Cassius wound up on top. He was bigger, stronger. He could keep Adrian right where he wanted him.
Cassius felt the rush of nerves and the sickening turn of anticipation in him as he pinned the other man down and dragged his teeth along his jaw. Adrian smelled like sweat and cologne and sex, and Cassius couldn't stop himself from forcing Adrian's legs apart with his knee. As he slid his body down along Adrian's, their cocks brushed against each other and they both moaned for it.
Adrian rolled his head back, exhaling sharply, clearly impatient. “Are we gonna fuck or not?”
Cassius almost choked, pulling back from Adrian's neck, just below his ear, where he'd been pressing his teeth against flesh, leaving a little bruise. He felt himself blushing faintly, though he knew full well he had nothing to blush about. “I...yeah. I just haven't ever...You know, not with another...”
“Virgin.” Adrian said amused, pulling Cassius’ face to his, fingers tangled in his thick dark hair. “Never been with a guy before? Hm. Well. Just do what I say and you'll figure it out. Basic instinct kicks in. It's all a matter of biology.”
“When you put it that way, it sounds so clinical.” Cassius responded, laughing nervously.
“Just follow my lead, Cass,” Adrian murmured, pulling Cassius down so he could bite at the faint white scars on his throat. “I'll make it good.”
The sex was rough, almost brutal in its savagery. Cassius had no idea what he was doing, only knew that he wanted to hear Adrian whining and moaning and sobbing for him, always wanted to hear it, never wanted him to stop making those sounds.
They didn’t have proper lube, only having the sample sized hotel lotions to make do and a condom. And make do, they did. Adrian didn’t seem to give a shit if the sex was pretty or painless. He was demanding. He was commanding. And while Cassius was the one doing the fucking, there was no doubt at all as to who was actually in full control of the situation.
Adrian showed Cassius what to do to prepare him for sex, how much lubrication was needed, showed him how to insert a finger first, then two, to stretch him and get him ready for penetration. He knew what he liked and how he liked it, and Cassius was an eager pupil, eager to please.
Adrian dictated their position, the angle, the speed. And he talked, a lot. Cassius almost found it distracting, but at the same time he was desperate to do it right, to fuck Adrian how he wanted it, to please him. And it was so satisfying when Adrian shut up, unable to speak in coherent words because he was moaning and panting and begging Cassius to fuck him harder, faster, right there, fuck, right there, oh god, right there, don’t fucking stop now fuck, fuck, fuck!
Cassius felt his orgasm coming on quickly, felt the wave building inside. He couldn't take much more, not with the obscene way Adrian rolled against him, so tight around him, like they were made to fuck each other, like Cassius's cock was made to fit inside of him, like he wanted Cassius in him for the rest of his life. This was bliss. This was fucking heaven. Why had they never done this before? Fuck.
He slowed his thrusting, just so, fingers pressing bruises into Adrian’s hips.
“Don’t fucking stop, you bastard! Fuck me!” Adrian wailed, glaring over his shoulder at him, moving his own hips back against Cassius’, frantic to ride the wave of sensation, to get himself off.
“Adrian, I…” Cassius’ breathing had become unsteady and he sounded so helpless that Adrian couldn’t help but smile a little. “I’m gonna come.”
Adrian didn’t seem to like that answer, abruptly stopping himself and making an attempt to squirm away. Cassius was so dumbfounded by what was happening that he made no move to prevent him, instead watching in horror as Adrian escaped his grasp and flipped onto his back on the bed.
Cassius had to admit, he was a delicious sight, sweaty and lean, pupils dilated with lust, cock hard and leaking and begging to be sucked. He’d never sucked cock before, but he’d go down, he thought. He had to grab hold of his own cock and apply some damn pressure before he came
all over Adrian right then and there.
“Get me off. I want to come. Me first.” Adrian said, lowering his chin as he made his demands. Cassius nodded, unable to deny him anything he wanted. His own erection still in hand, he rolled Adrian onto his side and lowered himself down beside him, aligning their hips just so. He took hold of both of their cocks in one of his hands, stroking them slowly at first, then increasing in speed and intensity until he drew out the most brilliantly desperate pleas from his lover, mimicking those same sounds on his own. Adrian came first, shuddering as he shot all over Cassius's cock and belly.
Cassius came a moment after, orgasm hitting him suddenly like a tidal wave as he spurted into his own hand, using the come to slick over the both of them, milking out every last drop until they were both empty and satisfied.
They'd stayed in bed like that for a moment, breathing hard, stuck together in a messy heap before Adrian took hold of Cassius' hand and brought it up to his lips, tongue darting out to taste the remains of himself and Cassius on his finger tips. Adrian held his gaze as he did, smirking a little as he licked some of their cum off Cassius's knuckles. Cassius shivered, and then, without thinking much at all, he leaned forward and pressed their mouths together.
“Dirty.” Adrian murmured as they broke the kiss. Cassius couldn't help it. He was grinning, so pleased with himself. “And smug, too. You had a good time, I presume.”
“Hell yeah,” he said, studying Adrian, like he was trying to commit every detail of him to memory. “And you? Did you...was it good for you?”
He clicked his tongue softly, sitting up. As he did, he gave Cassius a sly smile. “I should go. It's getting late.” Cassius opened his mouth to protest but was stopped by Adrian's commanding stare. He could only watch in wonder as the other man cleaned up using his bed sheets, then dressed himself quickly.
Howl At The Moon: MM Shifter Romance Page 9