14
Sam
Ben’s response to that question was the last thing Sam had expected. It was so honest. He’d laid himself bare in front of Sam’s entire family and not even cared that he did it. Then again, it could all be part of the act. They were supposed to be boyfriends, after all. But Sam didn’t think that was the case. There was too much truth to what he’d said, and Ben’s expression betrayed him. It was gentle and searching, as though looking for some proof, some sign that Sam felt something for him. Maybe he had misread the signals all along and the entire time, Ben had been flirting with him.
“What about you, Sam? Why’d you say yes?” Uncle Richmond asked.
Oh god. After Ben’s answer, what the hell was he going to say? Might as well go for some version of the truth.
“Because I thought he was one of the most gorgeous guys I had ever seen in my life.” How many times had he wondered what that scruff would feel like on his body, or what Ben would look like in his bed? “But besides that, he’s just one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met in my life, and I wanted to get to know him better.”
He didn’t take his eyes off Ben as he answered, watching as his expression morphed from confusion to something deeper. Something more predatory and dangerous.
“Well then, it seems like you two certainly hit the jackpot with each other,” Aunt Louise remarked.
Sam reached over and took Ben’s hand. By now, he was starting to get used to the warm weight of it, the way Ben’s fingers linked with his own. It felt right; like they had been holding hands for ages. And why hadn’t they? Ben had been coming in for just over a year. Why had he been so afraid of asking him out?
“God, you two are disgusting,” Ambra said with a grin. “Look at you, all in love and stuff. It’s sickeningly sweet.”
Grandma Hattie shot her a look. “I think it’s nice.”
“Now let’s see a kiss from you two love birds!” Aunt Harper exclaimed, raising her wine glass in a toast.
Oh. Shit. Sam hadn’t actually considered that they might actually have to kiss, much less in front of the entire family. He wondered if they would be forcing them to do it if he were with a woman. Knowing them, probably.
“No, that’s not—I don’t think—”
“No one here minds. Give the man a kiss,” Sam’s mom joined in.
He took a deep breath, bracing himself. Ben didn’t look much happier about the prospect, but they were supposed to be a happy couple, after all. One quick peck wouldn’t hurt. Wrapping one arm around Ben, he pulled him in and pressed the quickest kiss of his life to Ben’s lips. The kiss wasn’t even long enough for him to have a clear memory of how it felt.
Aunt Harper scowled. “Not like that. Give him a real kiss. Like you’re still in love and not forty years old and unhappy.”
Dear god, someone needed to take the wine away from her, or at least distract everyone else from her raving. Unfortunately, it seemed that the only people who could provide that distraction were Ben and himself.
He pulled Ben closer this time, so that their bodies were flush against one another, and tried to ignore the stirring of his cock in his shorts. Reaching up, he cupped Ben’s jaw, his scruff prickly against Sam’s palm. Then he tilted his head up and captured Ben’s lips with his own. The kiss started out chaste, both mouths closed, but then Ben wrapped an arm around him and parted his lips and Sam was gone.
This was what he had dreamed of for so long—holding Ben in his arms, kissing him soundly and sweetly. It was every fantasy he’d ever had played out…in front of his entire family. That reminder had him pulling away immediately, and he stepped back, out of Ben’s embrace. Almost immediately, he missed Ben’s touch, but he was just going to have to miss it. They were playing with fire here, and if they weren’t careful, one of them was going to get seriously hurt.
Ambra coughed. “Damn guys. You two were really going at it there.”
Sam’s mouth was dry and his cheeks were scalding, but he couldn’t let her one-up him. “Yeah, that’s what happens when your boyfriend’s as hot as Ben is.”
“Fair point,” she said with a laugh.
They were spared any further embarrassment by Matías, who chose that moment to walk over and wrap his arm around Ambra’s waist.
“Not to break up…whatever was going on over here, but the steak and lobster are finished cooking, so we should eat while it is hot,” he said.
Thank god. Food would keep them entertained for at least the next few hours, probably longer, and then it would nearly be time to go to bed. Grabbing Ben’s hand—it was almost a reflex now—he all but bolted toward the food-laden table.
He would have to apologize later for his family’s odd requests, but for the moment, he just wanted a bit of normalcy. Good food, light conversation with his family, and definitely no thinking of just how amazing that kiss had made him feel—even if it was one of the best kisses Sam had ever had in his entire life.