And Alex enfolded him in those gorgeous arms of his and kissed Tom’s hair. “They’re so bright and colorful that they just jumped out at me. I always think of you as someone very cheery. So I thought…these.”
“I try to be cheery! They’re gorgeous. Thanks so much for thinking of me.” Tom hugged him. He didn’t want to let him go. “I missed you today.”
“I’ve been distracted as a schoolboy with a crush! I’m going to win your affections with a boozy spag bol of my own making and a vast and decadent trifle of somebody else’s making.” He kissed Tom’s cheek. “How does that sound?”
“Amazing. Almost as amazing as being with you.” Tom rested his head on Alex’s shoulder. “I got us a loaf of Oscar’s amazing bread. You’ll love it. I should take you there sometime! I’m sure no one’ll mind if the PM keeps being seen hanging out in Soho.”
“Ohh, bread!” Alex stroked his fingertips down Tom’s back. “I forgot bread. Which is lucky because now I get special bread instead. Can we have a kiss?”
“Yes we bloody can!” Tom brought his lips to Alex’s in a rush, hungry for his kiss. First flowers, now the sort of kiss guaranteed to knock a chap off his feet, if that chap wasn’t being held in the very masculine arms of the most powerful man in the country. Yet it wasn’t power that had quite unwittingly seduced Tom, it was the person behind the public face—gentle and silly and…well, yes, gorgeous too.
Tom had missed him today—had felt lost without Alex around. Here they were on the cusp of something that in some respects would change their lives forever, but in other ways only shored up what they already had. Closeness and friendship, and now that went deeper.
“You have no idea how much I needed this,” Alex murmured, resting his cheek against Tom’s. “I need to shed some of these layers and get the kettle on. After a bit more hugging.”
“I’ve always been here for you,” Tom replied, loosening his embrace. “But now…you get kisses, too.”
“And at the end of a six-day week, I need all the kisses I can get.” He smiled. “I was starting to get worried I’d miss the kids when they called.”
Tom dropped his arms from Alex. “Then you’d better get on. Can’t delay you with kisses!”
“Well, we’ve got twenty minutes to fill,” Alex teased as he took off his jacket. Next came that very sensible jumper, and he dashed his hand through his hair. “Let’s get unpacked. Forget tea, I think you mentioned wine yesterday?”
“I did indeed.” Tom walked backward, beckoning with his finger. “I have a very nice red waiting for us in the kitchen.”
With the stuffed shopping bag safely in his hand again, Alex followed Tom. At the sight of the table, laid and ready and bright with flowers, he laughed. “Snap.”
“Couldn’t resist!” Tom settled the flowers Alex had bought for him in the kitchen sink, then took wineglasses from the cupboard. “I’ll find a vase for those in a minute.”
“And Stuart behaved?” Alex began to unpack the shopping. “I’m not going to interfere, I just— I remember how badly he treated you, I’m bound to fuss.”
“Yeah…yeah, he behaved. Well, he didn’t seem too pleased that I’d ordered before he arrived, but you know what those places are like—or maybe not. But they’re so busy, you can’t just sit there and not order anything.” Tom bit his lip. “Sorry—I sound a bit ranty, don’t I? We’re going to be friends, though. I’m glad he wanted to make his peace with me—he’s changed. I think.”
Alex nodded. “Old army pals too. I’m not surprised you look out for each other.”
“He seems to be doing okay for himself. Yoga instructor, celebrity clients.” Tom nudged him playfully. “You could sign up if you’re in the mood for getting bendy!”
“Hmm.” Alex put his arm around Tom’s shoulders. “I think I’ll stick to wine and pasta—bendy isn’t an ambition of mine.”
“Good. I like solid.” Tom patted Alex’s stomach. “Firm. Manly.”
“Forty-five,” Alex teased. “I’m in my prime!”
Tom kissed his neck. “You are—you’re a very attractive man, Alex. But I’m sure you know that!”
“You’re going to spoil me, you know.” Alex tipped his head back with a sigh. “I’ll have to get used to it!”
“Yes, you will! I like looking after you.” Tom occupied himself opening the wine, then he filled two generous glasses. He passed one to Alex.
“To a peaceful Saturday night?” Alex raised his glass.
Tom raised his in answer. “Yes, to a peaceful Saturday night.”
Five minutes and plenty of kisses later they were sitting on the sofa, Alex’s tablet propped up on the coffee table ready for their video chat with the twins. It all felt wonderfully domestic, curled up here with a glass of wine as Saturday afternoon deepened into the evening.
Tom removed his hand from Alex’s knee. “I’m sure they wouldn’t understand, but…”
Alex pecked a kiss to Tom’s cheek as the incoming call blared from the speakers. He leaned forward to touch the screen and a moment later there were Madeleine and Alastair, sitting at the scrubbed pine table in their grandparents’ homely kitchen.
“Hello!” Alex called, his happiness at seeing them sending a dart of affection straight to Tom’s heart. “You look like a happy pair of mini-Harts!”
“Daddy!” Madeleine waved. “We’re having fun!”
“We’ve been feeding the animals.” Alastair grinned. “And riding on donkeys and eating a little bit of chocolate.”
Alex sat forward and asked, “A little bit?”
Madeleine giggled behind her small hand. “Maybe lots, Daddy!”
“That’s grandparents for you!” Tom laughed. He could hear Jenny and Malcolm in the background somewhere, the clatter of pots and pans and occasional cheery asides as they prepared supper lending to a picture of perfect domesticity. There was no wonder that Alex and Gill had grown up so confident and assured, with families like this. Alex’s mum and dad were just the same. Accomplished, loving, solid. A family. Everything that Tom’s upbringing had never been, everything that Madeleine and Alastair were now wonderfully able to just take for granted.
Everything that he and Alex could be.
“I did drawings, Daddy!” Madeleine clapped her hands. “Look!”
She held something up to the screen, so close that it blurred.
“Excellent!” Tom said. A moment later her drawing was unceremoniously shoved aside and replaced by another, this one held by her brother. Alex gave Tom a little nudge and grinned, pointing wordlessly to a blurred figure with blue hair.
It’s becoming a trend.
“So when I ask Nan and Gramps, they’re going to tell me you’ve both been behaving?” Alex asked.
Madeleine nodded, her lips pressed together. It was her Honest, I am behaving look. Alastair looked at his sister, then said, “We always behave, Daddy.”
“They do!” Jenny appeared in the shot behind them, wearing a no-nonsense pinstripe apron and wielding a ladle. “Tickled toes if they don’t!”
“Tom tickled Daddy’s toes!” Madeleine giggled. “Tom tickled Daddy in bed!”
Tom stared at the screen, his grin fixed. Oh my shitting bloody God!
“Tom tick—” He saw Jenny glance away from the camera toward where he assumed Malcolm stood. Her brow furrowed, then she said, “I’m sure he didn’t.”
“He did!” Alastair exclaimed. “They were in bed and Tom was tickling Daddy.”
Malcolm’s voice, quiet and strained, sounded off-screen somewhere. “Time to wash hands in a minute…”
Alex, of course, was used to such matters of diplomacy. He held up his hand toward the screen and said, “Believe me, Jenny, it’s not half as shocking as you think it is. I’ll explain tomorrow, but you don’t need to look so worried, okay?”
She tossed her bob and assured him, “Oh, I’m very open-minded. But yes, a quick chat tomorrow perhaps!”
“Red or white, Jenny?” Malcolm asked, sti
ll off-screen. Then he wandered into view, clearing his throat, his face red.
Tom gripped the edge of the sofa. This did not bode well.
And Alex was still doing his best to pretend that this was nothing worth a moment of concern, because now was clearly not the time to tell them. He waved toward Malcolm.
“Look, the kids had a nightmare and wanted to come into my bed and wouldn’t settle unless Tom was there too,” Alex explained, perfectly reasonable. But Malcolm and Jenny don’t look convinced. “Poor bloke had to sleep at the bottom of the bed like a bolster!”
“And when I woke up…” Tom wafted his hands, but he realized too late how camp it must look. “Alex’s feet were just there, so I tickled them.” Tom placed emphasis on his last words which he hoped would make sense to the grown-ups and fly far over the children’s heads. “His feet—I only tickled his feet.”
Jenny’s ladle landed in her palm with an audible slap. She smiled, though, thank God. “Well, that all sounds very Boy’s Own. It’s a different world, Malcolm, I suddenly feel terribly old.”
“You and me both,” Malcolm replied, and cleared his throat again.
“Tickle, tickle, tickle!” Madeleine giggled, waggling her fingers at the camera. “Tickle Daddy! Ha ha ha!”
“Billy sends a big kiss,” Alex told the children, deftly changing the subject. “She’s chasing mice at the moment, but she can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”
Tom nodded. Safer territory by far. “She said she hopes you’re having a great time, and she wants to hear all about the donkey when you get back.”
“Come on now,” Jenny told the children. “Time to wash hands for supper. Say night night to Daddy and Tom.”
Alastair waved. “Night night, Daddy and Tom! Don’t forget your night night kiss!”
Madeleine pressed her ragdoll’s face to the screen. “Kissy, kissy, kissy!”
Tom nudged Alex’s toe. He would rather have held his hand or outright said, It’s all right, honest, don’t worry. But he didn’t want to give anything away.
“Night, night, kids!” Tom waved.
“Night, love you.” Alex pressed his fingers to his lips and blew a kiss toward the screen. The children returned the gesture and, a moment later, the call was ended. As the screen went dark he looked at Tom. “I’m going to tell them, but the time has to be right. Mum and Dad are off on their latest trek around Nepal or wherever… I want everyone to know at roughly the same time. I don’t want Gill’s folks to know tonight and my Mum and Dad to read it when they get off the plane. Is that all right?”
“Of course. More than all right.” Tom rested his head on Alex’s shoulder, his arm around Alex’s waist. “Coming out isn’t easy, and I didn’t even have to do it in public.”
Alex kissed Tom’s hair, then put his fingers to Tom’s chin, easing his head higher. He placed a soft kiss on his lips and whispered, “I don’t deserve you.”
“I don’t deserve you.” Tom kissed him in return. “Darling, if you’d rather this was kept quiet, I don’t demand everyone know. I’m not like that. I’m so lucky—this is more than I ever hoped for. If a secret’s easier for you, then…then that’s fine.”
“Only for now, not forever.” He touched his nose to Tom’s. “Do you want to choose some music? Keep me company while I make supper?”
“If you like. How are you feeling? Classical or poppy? Or big, loud guitars?”
“Oh, big, loud guitars, I think?”
“Good choice!” Tom took out his phone and scrolled through to the albums. “Here we have my big, loud guitars playlist!”
“Right!” With another kiss, Alex rose to his feet. “Let’s attack supper!”
Chapter Eleven
Tom did his best not to interfere as Alex cooked, there being nothing more annoying than a back-seat driver in the kitchen. But he did occasionally have to intervene when Alex couldn’t find the colander or the cheese grater.
Alex didn’t do too bad a job of the bolognese, but to Tom it was the best pasta he’d ever tasted. Cooked by his boyfriend, and eaten at a table that had not one but two vases of flowers. And this time, they didn’t have to worry about anyone spotting a stolen touch or an affectionate smile, because there was nobody here to see. It was perfect.
After dinner, Tom abandoned his usual spot on the armchair and sat beside Alex on the sofa.
“A kiss for the chef?” Tom asked. Alex cocked his head to one side and put his wineglass down on the table, as though considering the question.
“At least one.”
Tom ran his fingertip up and down Alex’s bare forearm. “Two?”
“Let’s start at two,” Alex decided. He reached up and skimmed his fingertips down Tom’s cheek. “And see where we end up?”
“Let’s see.” Tom wrapped his arms around Alex and brought their lips together. It felt great to be so close to him. It felt great to feel Alex’s answering embrace too, and to feel the way his hands slid over Tom’s shirt, trailing tingling heat through the fabric. There was a hint of a groan in Alex’s throat as his tongue explored the kiss, more confident now than he had been before.
As their kiss went on, Tom covered one of Alex’s hands with his own and guided it to a button on his shirt. He did nothing more, leaving it to Alex to decide if he wanted to take it further. Tom hoped Alex wouldn’t find it too much—it was up to him if he wanted to unfasten the button or not.
Alex’s hand slid down Tom’s back to rest on his hip. For a few seconds his fingers lingered unmoving on the shirt button, then, without breaking their kiss, he popped it from the buttonhole.
Tom gasped. He kissed Alex with more heat now, a groan in his throat as he hoped Alex would touch him. Another button followed, and another, then Alex’s hand slipped beneath Tom’s shirt, caressing his chest. Tom could hear the change in Alex’s breathing, the hoarse tremble of excitement as he explored his body.
Tom thought he was about to float up off the sofa and moaned in pleasure. “Alex… Alex…” He brushed his hand over Alex’s chest, his nipple hard under Tom’s palm. Would he mind if Tom unfastened one of his buttons?
“God, Tom,” Alex gasped, nuzzling kisses to his throat. He stroked his fingertips over Tom’s nipple, as though daring himself to go further. “Is it all right if—”
Tom arched his back into Alex’s touch. “Yes… Alex, please…”
The kisses were fiercer now, filled with heat and hunger, and Alex tweaked Tom’s nipple between his finger and thumb, teasing him.
Tom moaned again. He’d wanted Alex for so long but had never thought it would be like this—his touch sent shudders through him.
“Alex, can I sit closer?”
Alex blinked at him, then nodded. “God, yes. Yes, you can.”
Tom slipped his arms around Alex’s neck then levered himself up to sit astride him. He brushed his forehead against Alex’s. “Are you sure? Like this?”
“Like that,” was Alex’s breathless reply. He rested his hands on Tom’s hips and whispered, “You’re absolutely gorgeous, you know. I must seem dreadfully inexperienced to you.”
“You’re perfect, Alex.” Tom kissed his neck and lowered himself against Alex. He was careful not to press himself to him, even though he could feel the hardness of Alex’s erection against him. “You know what to do…you know what feels good, right?”
He gasped an acknowledgment, arching his neck against Tom’s kiss. He could feel Alex’s pulse racing beneath his lips, the heat of his skin even more evidence of his desire—not that Tom needed further proof. Yet since Gill’s death, Tom knew that there had been nobody intimate in Alex’s life, so his sweet shyness was hardly surprising.
“Whatever you want to do or try or touch, ask me, that’s all.” Tom nibbled Alex’s earlobe, then whispered, “Don’t feel embarrassed.”
“I don’t know where to start,” Alex admitted softly, drawing one fingertip down Tom’s chest until he reached the next fastened button. He popped it free and murmured, “But
I don’t want you to stop.”
Tom held Alex’s hand and entwined their fingers. “Tell me if I’m going too fast. I’m like a kid in a sweetshop with you!”
He laughed and admitted, “No one’s ever said that before.”
“Well, I have, and I mean it. You’re one big delicious treat and I—” I want to lick you all over. Now that would send him running. But he was irresistible, his blue eyes blinking up at Tom, those three tempting buttons unfastened on his shirt.
And I do want to lick you all over.
“I think I’m shy,” Alex confessed through a bashful smile. “But… I think I just need to get past that, Tom. It’s been a long time for me.”
“It’s all right, really.” Tom bumped the tip of his nose against Alex’s. “How about— Would you like me to undo another button for you?”
“I’d love it,” he whispered.
So Tom undid the next button down and he smiled to see how louche Alex looked with it open. He leaned down and pressed his lips to the skin that had appeared, the hair on Alex’s chest tickling Tom’s cheek. Alex gasped Tom’s name and as he did, his hand slipped down to rest on Tom’s buttock. There it stayed, the fingertips circling gently, as he arched his back toward Tom’s lips.
Take it slow, Tom reminded himself.
“Can I undo another button?” Tom murmured.
“As many as you like,” Alex told him. “On the understanding that I’m in my forties, I didn’t follow your lead and serve Queen and country, and I’ve never studied yoga in my life.”
Tom took the next button, but before he unfastened it, he asked, his voice catching with excitement, “All the way down?”
“Oh bloody hell, why not?” He grinned. “You’ve only got a couple left, but…can I?”
“Please do.” Tom sat back a little and deliberately peacocked for Alex, tensing his pectorals as he let a ripple run through his muscles from his chest down to his stomach. He saw Alex’s gaze follow the ripple and heard the trembling breath that met his little display, the prime minister debauched and smiling there beneath him. Alex’s eyes finally lifted again and he drew in a long breath before sighing it out again.
The Captain and the Prime Minister Page 10
