CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Charlie’s week dragged. By the time Friday rolled around he was practically vibrating, waiting for eight o’clock to arrive.
Normally the last couple of weeks before Christmas went by like lightning because he was never quite ready, always a couple of things he had to get, but not this time. He’d bought all his presents, sent out cards to family—well, his mum and dad, and Kath and Mike. He hadn’t put up any decorations yet, much to Kath’s horror, but he had the weekend to sort that out.
The days had seemed like months because he was dying to see Sam again.
He was beginning to wonder if he’d imagined that kiss they’d shared.
His phone buzzed as he let himself into his flat. Talk of the devil, Sam’s name flashed on his screen. Charlie opened the message, closing the door behind him with his foot.
Ordered a taxi for 8. Be round just before. x
Charlie smiled as he read. Sounds good. Just jumping in the shower. x
Checking his watch, Charlie muttered a curse. Just after seven already. He’d better get a move on.
A KNOCK SOUNDED as Charlie was pulling on his T-shirt. He hurried to open the door, smile widening when he saw Sam on the other side. “Hey.” In black jeans and a deep purple shirt, Sam looked good. Charlie told him as much. “Are you sure you want to go out?”
Sam laughed, ducking his head a little, cheeks pink. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
“What, this old thing?” Charlie smoothed down the front of his long-sleeve T-shirt—that he’d bought yesterday on his way home. Late-night shopping was great once most people had gone. He shrugged a shoulder. “Thanks.”
Sam’s gaze dropped to Charlie’s mouth, then back up again. “Maybe we could—”
A beep sounded outside.
They both sighed, then grinned.
“Hold that thought.” Charlie grabbed his coat off the hook, checked his pocket to make sure he had everything else, then motioned for Sam to go first. “Let’s go eat.”
THE EVENING WAS every bit as enjoyable as promised.
Arriving together again meant he and Sam got the piss taken out of them for a few minutes, but after that, no one gave them a hard time.
Conscious of what he might be up to later, Charlie ordered one of the milder curries and kept his drinking to a manageable amount. He didn’t want to get shitfaced or anything, and he didn’t want a dodgy belly either. He noticed Sam doing the same and hid his smile in his pint.
If any of the others noticed, no one commented. Although he did catch Dave smirking in his direction a couple of times.
They’d reconvened to the pub down the road and were halfway through their drinks when Alex raised the topic of clubbing.
“Who’s up for going into town?” he asked, looking around the group.
There were a couple of nods. Dave was a maybe.
Alex turned to Charlie. “What about you, Char. Fancy it?”
“Um…” He wanted to glance at Sam to see what he was thinking but was trying not to be that obvious. Clearly he failed because Alex rolled his eyes and laughed.
“Never mind. And I won’t even bother asking Sam.” He gave Sam a playful elbow to the ribs, then turned to those in favour of town and set about making plans.
Sam set his empty pint glass on the table and caught Charlie’s eye with a raised eyebrow.
With a slight nod, Charlie downed the last bit of his drink. “Right then.” He rubbed his hands on his thighs. “Think I might call it a night.”
Dave snorted and raised his glass. “See you guys later, then.”
The others laughed when Sam grinned and stood, slipping on his coat. “Enjoy the rest of your night.”
They said their goodbyes and headed to the front door.
“Oh fuck.” Charlie stopped abruptly when he opened the pub door, Sam bumping into him.
“Wow. That’s got a little worse then.”
Huge flakes of snow fluttered down, carpeting the pub car park, and all the cars in it, in a thick blanket.
Charlie looked up at the sky in awe, laughing as fat flakes landed on his eyelashes. Blinking them away, he nudged Sam as a thought occurred to him. “Shit, do you reckon we’ll be able to get a taxi home?” It was way too far to walk, especially in this weather when neither of them was dressed for it.
“Should be okay, they had the gritters out earlier on the main roads. Our estate might be fun, but we can always get dropped off by the shops if it’s too bad.” He glanced down at their feet. Thankfully they both had boots on this time. “I’m not sure we’ll have much chance at flagging one down out here though.”
“No.” Charlie shivered and gestured at the pub behind them. “Back in?”
“Yeah. I’ll try and order one.”
Once back inside the warmth of the pub, they informed the others, and Sam attempted to find a free taxi or Uber to take them home. Unfortunately, but to no one’s surprise, that proved harder than usual.
After about ten or so minutes of calling around, Sam finally raised his fist in a silent cheer. “Got one,” he said, setting his phone on the table. “But it’s going to be about twenty to thirty minutes.”
“Time for another?” Charlie didn’t feel particularly drunk; the curry had apparently soaked up most of the beer. But he wasn’t sure he fancied another cold pint after being out in the snow, even for those few minutes. “Maybe a whisky?”
Sam grinned and rubbed his hands. “Yeah, that sounds great.”
The others also thought so, and all seven of them sat there nursing shots waiting to be picked up. Town had been vetoed. No one wanted to chance getting stuck there, and by the way a couple were already yawning—Alex included—Charlie reckoned it was for the best anyway.
“You all right to drop me off on the way?” Dave asked, glancing out the window at the still falling snow.
Sam nodded. “Yep. Told them there’d be three stops.” He tipped his glass at Alex. “Alex first, then you, then me and Charlie.”
The others had organised a lift with someone’s brother, Sam hadn’t caught who’s, just satisfied that everyone was okay to get home.
Their taxi arrived bang on the thirty-minute mark, and as Sam had pointed out, the main roads weren’t too bad with the gritters having done their job. They dropped Alex and Dave off without too much hassle, but as soon as they turned into his and Sam’s estate, Charlie knew they weren’t going much further.
No gritters had been down these roads.
The driver slowly pulled to a stop at the first roundabout and glanced back at them. “Sorry guys, don’t think I can go any further.” He gave an apologetic shrug.
“Nah, that’s fine.” Sam handed over what they owed and patted him on the shoulder. “Roads look shit. I wouldn’t want to drive on them.”
Once out and on the pavement, shuffling about in thick, fluffy snow, Sam grinned. “Right. Your place or mine?”
Charlie laughed. “We live next door to each other. We could literally decide on the doorstep.”
“I know that.” Sam started walking, and Charlie fell instead beside him. “I just wanted to say it.”
Charlie bumped his shoulder against Sam’s, and when Sam looked over, Charlie smiled, slow and happy as a warmth spread through him. The snow had already started to collect in Sam’s hair and his cheeks were pink from the cold, but his green eyes sparkled with excitement, and Charlie had the strongest urge to kiss him, right there in the snow.
So he did.
Tugging gently on Sam’s arm, he pulled him to a stop and turned him so they were facing each other.
“What?” Sam asked, eyebrows raised. When Charlie shuffled closer, bringing them chest-to-chest, he whispered, “If you hadn’t noticed, it’s snowing rather heavily, and we should probably get inside.”
“I know,” Charlie whispered back. “But I wanted to do something. I’ve been waiting all night.” With gloved hands cupping Sam’s jaw, he eased Sam forward and kissed him. And it was every bit as good as he remembered—cold lips, warm mouth, and when Sam grabbed the sides of his coat and pulled him even closer, Charlie sighed into the kiss.
He could’ve stayed there all night. But the snow was turning to drops of water where it hit his skin and then running down the back of his neck, and his toes were starting to go numb. “Come on,” he said, reluctantly taking a step back. “Let’s go home.”
To Charlie’s delight, Sam reached for his hand, and he took it eagerly, not caring if he was grinning like an idiot.
Normally it’d take about ten minutes to walk to their flats from where they were dropped off, but as the temperature dropped, the pavement got steadily icier, and if they didn’t want to end up in a heap, the going had to be slow.
Even trudging along at a snail’s pace, Charlie lost his footing a couple of times and was immensely grateful for the grip of Sam’s hand. The third time it happened, Sam almost went with him.
Laughing, Sam clung onto the handily placed lamppost for dear life while Charlie regained his balance. “Fuck’s sake Char, have you got any tread on those boots, or what?”
Charlie stayed perfectly still, one hand stretched out, the other wrapped around Sam’s. “I reckon the soles are made of glass.”
Sam laughed again before letting go of the lamppost and straightening. “Ready?”
“No.” Charlie grimaced but gingerly started to walk again. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Sam frowning. “What’s up with you?”
“Nothing.” Sam shook his head, but his frown stayed exactly where it was. Then he sighed. “I was just wondering if Storm was out in this.”
Not at all prepared for Sam to mention his cat, Charlie turned to stare at him and lost his footing altogether. Even Sam couldn’t save him this time and Charlie landed on the grass verge with a thump. “Fucking ow!” The snow provided a little cushioning but not nearly enough.
“Are you okay?” Sam peered down at him. His voice sounded strained and when Charlie looked up, he saw the tension around Sam’s mouth as he fought not to smile.
“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up.” Wet snow began to seep in through his jeans, making his arse cold.
“Sorry, it’s just… your face.” Sam gave in and grinned, eyes crinkling at the corners, and Charlie couldn’t help but smile back.
“Bastard.” He held out a hand. “Help me up?”
Carefully, Sam hauled him to his feet and helped brush off most of the snow. “So, is she outside in this?”
“Who?” It took Charlie a couple of seconds to realise who he was on about. “Storm?”
“Yeah.” Sam took hold of his hand again but made no move to start walking.
“I dunno, maybe?”
Sam frowned. “You don’t know? I’m pretty sure she’s not a fan of the cold, Char. She’s been crying outside my door every night this week. Do you have to put her outside?”
Charlie stared back at him. He looked so earnest, and despite the fact that his cat had Sam wrapped around her paws, Charlie was touched at the concern Sam was showing for her. Especially considering Sam’s reaction when he first met her and what Dave had told Charlie at the pub. Finding it hard to hide his smile, he asked. “Do you let her in?”
“Um…” Sam’s cheeks got even pinker, and his expression changed from concern to apprehensive.
“It’s okay,” Charlie hurried to add. He didn’t want Sam feeling bad about it. “I’m not mad.”
“Phew.” Sam blew out a breath. “I’m not trying to steal her or anything, but I can’t sit on the sofa and ignore her when she’s meowing like that with her little paws on the glass.”
That was it. Charlie laughed, unable to hold it in any longer.
“What’s funny about that?” Sam narrowed his eyes. “Would you rather me leave her outside in the cold?”
Charlie shook his head. “No, I think it’s lovely that you let her in, especially when you hate cats.”
Sam huffed. “I think hate is a bit extreme.”
“That’s not how Dave put it.”
“Dave’s full of shit.”
“Mhmm.” Charlie’s grin widened. “You know I’ve got a cat flap, right?”
Sam’s head snapped up from where he’d been examining his feet. “What?”
“Yep. Installed it the day after I moved in.”
“Oh. So…”
“She doesn’t need to be outside if she doesn’t want to be.”
“But she always looks so pitiful.” The look of shock and disbelief made Charlie laugh, the sound loud in the stillness of the night. “Oh fuck off.” Sam gave him a light shove, but it was enough to make Charlie slip and fall on his arse again.
“Hey! What was that for?”
“I’ve been played by your fucking cat.”
Charlie laughed again, ignoring the wet patch forming in his jeans. “My genius fucking cat.” He pointed a finger at Sam. “I bet she sits on your lap, and you don’t move all night because you don’t want to disturb her, right?” Sam’s silence said it all. “She’s got you sussed.”
Sam put his hands on his hips, lips twitching, and glared down at Charlie still on the ground. “Get up or you’ll be soaked.”
Charlie smiled and held out his hand again. “Little help?”
Sam sighed and rolled his eyes but held his hand out.
Instead of letting Sam pull him up, Charlie tugged hard on his arm, toppling Sam off his feet so he landed in the snow next to him. “Not so funny now, is it?” he crowed.
“You wanker!” Sam reached for him and shoved him onto his back, grabbed a handful of snow, and then rubbed it in Charlie’s face. His laughter rang out like a peal of bells, as Charlie spluttered.
“Oh it’s on.”
Reaching for as much snow as he could fit in his hands, Charlie shoved it up the back of Sam’s coat. He managed to get at least some of it up Sam’s shirt and down the back of his jeans, judging by the way Sam shrieked and tried to squirm out of the way. That resulted in him rubbing against Charlie in the most delicious way, and Charlie grinned up at him, hands still buried under his coat.
“If you keep squirming like that, I might have to grab more snow.”
Sam’s eyes narrowed a little, his lips curving into a smirk, and he rolled his hips in a slow dirty grind. “Like that you mean?”
A strangled laugh escaped Charlie, and he wrapped his arms around Sam’s back. “Yeah,” he whispered. “Exactly like that.” He was about to return the favour but what was supposed to be a sexy move suddenly turn into a full body shiver as his damp clothes reminded him where they were lying.
Sam rested his forehead against Charlie’s for a second, a soft sigh tickling his lips. Then in one smooth move, he pushed up onto his knees and then stood, hand out for Charlie to take.
“How did you do that without even slipping once?” Charlie looked up at him in awe.
Sam’s smile lit up his face, his pale skin and bright pink cheeks making his eyes seem that much greener. “Unlike some, my boots actually have tread on them.” He beckoned for Charlie to get up. “Come on. You need to get out of those wet clothes.”
Grabbing Sam’s hand, Charlie gingerly got to his feet, not letting go until he was sure he wasn’t about to fall over. He scrunched up his nose as his jeans and boxers stuck to his skin. “Ugh, it’s gone all the way through.”
Sam’s smile turned into more of a smirk as his gaze dropped to Charlie’s arse. “Then you’d best take everything off then.” He gave Charlie a gentle tug to get him walking.
Even going as fast as they dared, Charlie was shivering by the time they reached the entrance to their building. Sam opened the front door, then paused and raised an eyebrow at Charlie. “Whose flat are we going to?”
“I’ve got some beer but not much else,” Charlie offered. “Probably enough milk for tea.” Saturday morning was when he did most of his grocery shopping, so by Friday night, his cupboards were pretty bare.
“I’ve got hot chocolate and marshmall—”
“Yours,” Charlie almost yelled it, making Sam laugh. He smiled in return, and his cheeks hurt from all the laughing and grinning he’d been doing. Either that or the cold, but honestly, Charlie couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so… happy. Even wet denim rubbing against his thighs with every step couldn’t dampen his mood.
Sam let them into his flat, and Charlie followed him inside. The heat hit them as soon as they walked through the door, welcoming them in, and Charlie let out a contented sigh.
With shoes kicked off and wet coats hung up, Sam turned to face him. “I think a hot shower would do us both good.” His eyes darkened, and he licked his lips.
“Yeah.” Charlie swallowed, his heart rate kicking up a notch. “Who’s first?” He knew what he wanted Sam to say, and he bit his lip, waiting.
“It might be a little snug in there, but…” Stepping close, he cupped Charlie’s jaw and leaned in for a kiss.
Charlie closed his eyes, cold damp clothes forgotten as he lost himself in the warmth of Sam’s mouth. Soft lips and the barest hint of stubble scratching against his skin, everything Charlie loved about kissing. But when Sam backed him up against the wall, Charlie flinched as his clothes stuck to him again. “Shower,” he whispered.
Sam pulled back enough to meet his eyes. “Together? That okay?”
“Yeah.”
In silence, Sam led him through to the bathroom. Identical to the one in Charlie’s flat, there was room to move around easily enough, and they made quick work of shedding their wet clothes. Ordinarily in this position, Charlie would’ve paid much more attention to a hot guy stripping off next to him, but he was freezing and the only thing on his mind was getting under that hot water.
Well, maybe not the only thing.
As he straightened, naked as you like, he was faced with Sam’s bare back. Broad and solid-looking, Charlie reached out to run his hand over the muscles there.
Sam yelped and almost tripped over as he struggled to kick off his jeans. “Fuck’s sake, your hands are like ice.” Grinning as he turned around, he had his own hands on Charlie before Charlie realised what was happening.
“Hey!”
“Cold, aren’t they?” Sam gave him another quick squeeze before letting go and leaning in to start the shower. While they waited the few seconds it took for the water to warm up, Charlie took the opportunity to get a good look at Sam.
They stood facing each other, and Charlie let his gaze wander lazily down Sam’s body. He wasn’t super ripped with washboard abs or anything like that, but then neither was Charlie. And besides, Charlie liked his men with a bit of meat on their bones.
Sam’s work must keep him fairly in shape because while he might not have a six-pack, Sam had muscular arms, broad chest, and flattish stomach. A line of dark-reddish hair trailed down his belly, and Charlie followed its path until his gaze settled on Sam’s cock. It hung half-hard against his thigh, but before Charlie could reach out and touch, Sam grabbed his hand and tugged him into the shower.
“Oh God,” Charlie moaned as the hot water hit him. Their bathrooms might be the same size, but Sam’s shower was ten times better than the one in Charlie’s flat. The shower head was huge for one thing, and there was another one spraying water out further down the wall, so it hit them about lower-back height.
Soft laughter sounded behind him. “It’s good, right?”
“Mm…” Charlie closed his eyes and tipped his face up towards the water, just as Sam stepped up behind him, standing flush against him from shoulder to thigh. His skin was cool, but the water cascading down on them took the chill away, and Charlie moaned again, unable to help himself. “So good.”
Sam’s hands roamed over his body in a lazy exploration, and Charlie was more than happy to let him have at it for a bit.
“You’re not falling asleep on me, are you?” Sam kissed the back of Charlie’s neck, teeth scraping the shell of his ear, and Charlie shivered, not from the cold this time.
His cock began to fill, and he smiled. “Definitely not asleep.”
Soft, soapy hands touched his stomach, and Charlie wondered how he’d missed Sam getting the shower gel, but then Sam’s fingers dipped lower, and Charlie didn’t care about that anymore. He felt the nudge of Sam’s hardening cock against the back of his thigh and turned around, wanting to see him.
“Hey.” Charlie’s smile was soft, intimate as he met Sam’s gaze.
“Hey.”
With soapy fingers, Sam wrapped a hand around them both, drawing a gasp from Charlie. “This okay?”
“Yeah… more than.” The slippery stroke of Sam’s hand felt like heaven, and with the hot water hitting his back, Charlie didn’t even try to contain his groan of contentment. Being cold and wet now a distant memory.
It dawned on him he was hogging all the hot water and that was just bad manners.
“Here,” he said, shuffling around a little until the spray hit them both side on. “Better?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
They kissed as Sam stroked them, his pace unhurried, and Charlie drifted in a swirl of steam and deft fingers. He slid his hand up along Sam’s biceps, smooth warm skin under his fingertips, and held on as he felt that familiar pull low in his belly.
Drawing Sam in with a hand on his neck, Charlie kissed him, grip tightening as Sam brought him close to the edge. He glanced down between them; the sight of Sam’s long fingers curled around his cock made his breath hitch and balls draw up.
He kissed Sam again, moaning into his mouth as pleasure built and built. The pulse of Sam’s cock against his own finally tipped him over, and he clung to Sam’s shoulders as his orgasm roared through him.
He rested his head against the crook of Sam’s neck, breath coming in harsh pants. “Fuck,” he muttered.
Sam laughed and placed a kiss on the side of Charlie’s head. “All warmed up now?”
“And then some.”
Reaching to turn off the shower, Sam’s fingers grazed Charlie’s hip as he pulled back. He let them linger, curling in to hold on.
Looping his arms around Sam’s neck, Charlie planted a soft, quick kiss on him, then rested their foreheads together. “Not that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy showering with you, but I believe you lured me in here with the promise of hot chocolate.”
Sam chuckled, breaking the tension between them. “So I did.”
“With marshmallows,” Charlie added, smiling.
They dried off with big fluffy towels, and with both of them dressed—Sam in pyjama bottoms and a T-shirt, Charlie in borrowed trackie bottoms and a hoodie—Sam took him by the hand into the kitchen.
Charlie leant against the worktop, watching Sam putter about, making their drinks. He paused halfway through spooning drinking chocolate into their mugs. “Sure you wouldn’t prefer a beer or whisky?”
“No.” Charlie shook his head. “I’m looking forward to this, haven’t had one in ages.” He’d drunk enough at the pub. A hot chocolate and a cuddle on the sofa sounded fantastic. Charlie glanced out the window behind him. The snow had almost stopped, but it still looked cold and unwelcoming out there.
He only had to nip down the hall to his flat, but he really hoped Sam would ask him to stay.
They took their drinks into the living room, put the TV on low, and no sooner had they settled on the sofa, than Sam pointed at the French doors with a snort. “Look.”
Charlie followed where he was pointing. There, with her paws against the glass, was Storm. Her pitiful meow was barely audible through the glass, but loud enough for it to tug at Charlie’s heart. She saw him and started to paw at the door. He glanced at Sam and didn’t even have to say anything.
“Go let her in, for God’s sake.” Sam rolled his eyes. “I think we’ve established who’s the boss out of me and your cat, and I don’t remember it being me.”
Charlie smiled, for what seemed like the hundredth time that day, and set his mug on the coffee table.
Careful to let as little heat out as possible, Charlie opened the door only wide enough for Storm to slither through. She fussed around his legs, purring, then skipped past him. When he turned around, she was in the process of settling down on Sam’s lap.
Charlie put his hands on his hips and mock glared at them. “Oh, I see how it is.”
Sam’s smug expression made it hard not to melt. “She’s clearly got excellent taste.”
“Oh she has, has she?” Charlie took his seat next to them and stroked Storm under the chin. She stretched out her paws, digging her claws into Sam’s thigh like he knew she would.
“Ow.” Sam elbowed him in the side. “Stop that.”
“Sorry.”
“You look it.”
They sat there, staring at one another, Storm purring loudly in the background, and Charlie was struck with a feeling of rightness so strong he was momentarily lost for words.
Which was probably for the best. He didn’t want to blurt out something stupid and send Sam running for the hills.
Sam broke the silence. “I’m glad we sorted things out.”
“Me too.” Charlie reached for his hot chocolate and took a sip. He was about to make a quip about missing out on it otherwise, but the intensity of Sam’s eyes stopped him. “I’m glad we got to do this.” He gestured between the three of them.
They sat in silence for a while, finishing off their drinks. Charlie got the feeling Sam wanted to say something but was taking a while to spit the words out.
Eventually he said, “I can’t believe he lied about everything. What a wanker.”
Charlie didn’t need to ask who Sam meant. And although he was wary about having this conversation again, he figured they needed to talk it out. Clear the air properly.
He finished the last of his hot chocolate, set his mug down, and shifted so he faced Sam better. He had a few questions of his own.