They broke apart, both breathing heavily. Alistair’s eyes had darkened with lust, the pupils wide and hungry. “What do you want?” he whispered, tracing Sam’s cheek with his fingers.
The caress felt amazing—everything felt amazing. Sam’s pulse pounded in his groin, his whole body alive with sensation and desire.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I’m not sure what you’re asking me.”
Alistair smiled, a gentle smile that changed the harsh lines of his features into something softer. “Would you like to stay here on the couch and neck some more? Go to bed and sleep? Stay up and talk? Or would you like to make love?”
Sam’s thoughts seemed to desert him for a moment, other than “anything, everything.” But that wasn’t the answer he wanted to give. “What do you want?”
“Here’s something to know about me,” Alistair said seriously. “I’ll never give you any options that I’m opposed to. If I make a suggestion, accept that I’m fine with it. And if you make a suggestion, I promise to tell you honestly if I’m not interested in doing that. Will you do the same?”
It made sense. And it was a relief, to be honest, not to have to guess. “Then I…I’d like to make love.”
Alistair grinned. “If you change your mind at any point at all, speak up. Deal?”
“Deal.” Sam bit his lip. “I’ve never, um, you know. Been intimate. I mean, you probably figured that out already, but...”
Alistair placed a finger on Sam’s lips. “Everyone has a first time. There’s no reason to be embarrassed, or nervous.” He replaced his finger with his own lips, the kiss soft and slow now, almost chaste. “Come to bed.”
It was one thing for Alistair to say he shouldn’t be nervous. Worries crowded his mind when Alistair took his hand and pulled him up off the couch. They were going to take their clothes off in front of each other for the first time—what if Alistair didn’t like what he saw? What if he realized he’d made a mistake? What if Sam did something stupid, humiliating? What if—
Alistair kissed him, slow and languid, his tongue touching Sam’s, as if he meant to savor him. Sam pulled him close, felt the hard line of Alistair’s erection against the curve of his belly. It sent a jolt of desire through him, that only increased when Alistair drew back and began to undo Sam’s bow tie.
“You looked so good in that suit tonight,” Alistair said, voice almost a growl. “I didn’t want to take my eyes off you.”
Sam’s cheeks warmed at the compliment. “So did you. Look good, I mean. Handsome.”
He didn’t want to just stand there like a fool, so he moved to unbutton Alistair’s tailcoat. There was a lot of kissing and fumbling with buttons, but soon enough they were both stripped down to their trousers. The feel of skin-on-skin made Sam groan with pleasure, pressing into Alistair while Alistair’s hands traveled up and down his bare back.
“Fur and feathers,” Alistair gasped when the kiss ended. “Let’s get to the bed.”
Sam followed him, drinking in every revealed inch of skin. Alistair had almost no hair on his chest, and only a thin line vanishing downward on his flat stomach. A scattering of small scars peppered his back—hadn’t he once said something about being hit by shrapnel in the war? His muscles were lean, his body as lanky as the cheetah’s. He was perfect.
Alistair pulled off his shoes and socks, then unbuttoned his trousers and swiftly shucked them. His erection pressed against his drawers, and he shot Sam a devilish grin and rubbed it very deliberately with one hand. “Do you like what you see?”
“You’re gorgeous,” Sam said, his voice thick with a desire he couldn’t hide.
Alistair slowly popped each button, before peeling his underwear away. The sight left Sam’s mouth dry and his mind blank of anything but need.
“Are you going to join me?” Alistair asked, a teasing note in his voice as he drew back the covers.
Sam couldn’t imagine himself having the confidence to display himself the way Alistair had—still was, actually, sprawled invitingly on the bed and stroking his erection with one hand. He looked away from Alistair and removed his clothing as fast as possible, before sliding into bed. When he dared meet Alistair’s gaze, he was relieved to see a delighted grin and hungry eyes, rather than regret.
“You’re the cat’s meow,” he said, and pulled Sam to him.
Their bodies pressed together, Alistair’s erection hard and leaking against Sam’s stomach. His own prick pressed against Alistair’s thigh, and it was all he could do not to rub against him. They kissed, deep and passionate. Alistair’s hands threaded through Sam’s hair, and the tug against his scalp unexpectedly stoked his lust even further.
Alistair drew back, breath ragged. “I’m going to explore every inch of you,” he vowed. “I don’t want to rush anything.”
Sam swallowed, trying to remember how to formulate words. “A-all right.”
Alistair was as good as his word, starting off by kissing Sam’s throat, then making his way down to his chest. He licked one nipple, and Sam let out a sound of startled pleasure.
Alistair’s hands caressed him everywhere: shoulders, arms, back, belly. He peppered kisses down Sam’s body, over his hip, and down onto his thigh, making sounds of appreciation the entire time. It left Sam gasping with desire—but also feeling desirable in return. The doubts he’d held before getting into bed couldn’t stand up against Alistair’s very clear appreciation of his body.
There was, however, one area Alistair had teasingly avoided. “Would you like me to touch your cock?” he asked.
“God, yes.” Sam moaned
Instead of doing so, Alistair pulled himself back up so they were looking into each other’s eyes. His black hair formed a tousled cloud around his face, his lips parted and glistening, his amber eyes heated.
“How do you want to come?” Alistair asked. “Do you want me to stroke you? Do it French style? Or would you like to fuck me?”
Sam wasn’t at all sure he was confident enough for the last option yet. “French style? Is that with your, um, mouth?”
Alistair licked his lips. “Mmm hmm. Shall I?”
Sam swallowed. “Please? If you want to?”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t,” Alistair reminded him. He kissed Sam—then started working his way back down all over again, pausing to lick and nip his nipples, give little bites to his belly, so by the time he arrived at his destination Sam was as aroused as he’d ever been in his life.
Instead of moving straight in, Alistair once again took his time. He fondled Sam’s balls, drawing out needy gasps. Sam closed his eyes, fighting to get himself under control, then opened them again because he didn’t want to miss the sight of Alistair touching him.
Alistair skimmed light fingers along his prick, making it jump and bob in response. He caught it at the base, then leaned in and gave the head a lick. The sensation drew an involuntary whimper from Sam.
Then Alistair closed his lips around Sam’s prick and slid down. He used his tongue to advantage, cheeks hollowed as he sucked, hand working the base of Sam’s cock.