Page 57 of Waiting for a Prince
“Oh Sam, I love you.”
Sam became still. Those soft lips parted as he stared at Mark, his eyes so large and round. That poor, damaged face was never lovelier. “I love you, too. I wanted to tell you how I felt, but?—”
Mark laid a finger gently on Sam’s lips. “It’s okay. I know.” His face broke into a smile of sheer joy. “You don’t know how happy I am to hear you say those words.” He hadn’t removed his hand from Sam’s face. He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Say them again.”
Sam’s face was wreathed in a beautiful smile. “I love you, Mark.”
Mark let out his breath in a slow, steady exhale before moving closer once more to take Sam’s mouth in a kiss that seemed to spin out into yet another time-stopping moment. Samsighed into his mouth, the sound swallowed up as Mark kissed him softly.
Reluctantly Mark broke the kiss and pulled away. “I have to tell you, I’m so relieved you broke up with Rebecca.” He focused on Sam, his eyes narrowing. “But why didn’t you tell me what was going on?”
Sam’s cheeks were flushed and he tried to look away, but Mark wouldn’t relinquish hold of his face, forcing him to look Mark in the eye. Sam’s breath suddenly hitched. “How could I tell you? The idea of telling anyone, even you, that a woman hit me. I mean, women don’t hit guys, do they? God, Mark, I was so ashamed.”
Mark let out a soft sigh.
Oh, Sam, if you only knew.
Then Sam yawned, and a second later, Mark joined in. Sam gave him an inquiring glance.
“How much sleep did you get while I was on the couch?”
He bit his lip. “Some?”
Sam smiled. “Is that Mark-speak for ‘I didn’t sleep because I was too busy watching you, Sam’?”
Mark chuckled. “Maybe?” His head was still in a spin after hearing Sam confess to loving him.
And the rest. Talk about a night of revelations. Except it was morning, and he’d never felt so tired.
As though he’d seen Mark’s thoughts, Sam cupped Mark’s cheek and gazed into his eyes. “Love you.”
Mark’s heart soared. “Love you too.” He curled his hand around Sam’s nape and pulled his face closer, their lips meeting once more in a lingering kiss. Sam sagged against him, and that was all Mark needed to bring the conversation to a close.
He broke the kiss and gave Sam a searching glance. “Wonderful though this is, you need some rest. Me too. We can talk more later.” He got to his feet and held out a hand. Samstared at it, his brow furrowed. Mark smiled. “Come to bed. I want you in my arms tonight.”
The look on Sam’s face made his heart sing. “Oh yes,” he breathed, his face alight.
Mark took hold of Sam’s hand and led him to the bedroom in silence.
Even after spending a number of Mondays naked on the beach with him, Sam’s cheeks were flushed as he stepped out of his jeans, leaving his boxers in place. Mark followed his lead and left his briefs on. At that moment the only thing on his mind was to get Sam into bed and hold him. The soft murmurs that emanated from Sam when Mark spooned up around him, told Mark that Sam was more than content to lie in his arms. They kissed briefly, but it soon became clear both men were badly in need of sleep.
“Mark?” Sam covered Mark’s hand with his own. “This isn’t a dream, is it?”
He kissed Sam’s shoulder. “You’ve had bad dreams for a while. They’re over now. This is reality.”
Before Mark drifted off into a deep, velvety sleep, one thought flitted through his head.
I hope the nightmareisover for him.
Chapter Twenty
Sunday, September 22
The early afternoonsun spilled through the yellow curtains of his bedroom, bathing the room in a warm light. Mark lay in bed, his arm around Sam’s waist, his body curled around Sam’s, drinking in the sensations. He could still detect the slightly medicinal odour of the dressing on Sam’s stitches, an unwelcome reminder of the previous day’s event. Mark nuzzled his chin into the juncture where Sam’s neck met his shoulder, inhaling the aroma that was Sam, familiar and comforting.
That’s better.
To awaken and find Sam still in his arms was like a dream.
