Page 74 of In Frame
He was choosing that, open-eyed.
He said it again: “I’m here, Leo. With you.”
Leo’s whole face brightened. Leaves danced in English greenwoods. “Oh, good. I mean, I hoped so, of course, you do feel awfully solid. Tangible. Present. Thoroughly…massive.”
Sam burst out laughing, in part because Leo’s hand had snuck down to wrap around his dick and give it a meaningful tug.
Leo grinned at him. “What did you think, though? If we did something smaller, to start…and then I’ll say something during the press extravaganza, tomorrow or the next day…”
“You meannow?”
“Well, yes. Why wait?”
“Why—um. Okay. Yeah. You…do mean now.” Life with Leo would never, ever be dull. It would be vivid, impulsive, full of kaleidoscopes and rocket ships and jumping off cliffs into rainbows. And Sam had already said yes; he’d say yes a hundred times over. A thousand.
He said, “What were you thinking?”
“Oh, something simple, for the moment…” Leo hesitated; Sam realized suddenly that the pause was something like asking for approval, or at least hoping for understanding. Leo embraced spectacle without a second thought, when the spectacle was lighthearted and insubstantial. But this—
This was Leo’s heart.
Because he couldn’t think of good words, he caught Leo’s face in both hands and dove in for a kiss. Leo kissed back, tongue teasing Sam’s, lips parting with enthusiasm. Sam wanted to kiss him forever.
Hands still framing Leo’s face, he suggested, “You want a picture of us? To share?”
Leo’s expression got all wide and open and soft, pleased and astonished and full of yes. “Yes—I wasn’t necessarily going to ask, but if you would—nothing explicit, and not necessarily your face, of course not, keeping you safe, but tantalizing, perhaps? You’d know better than I would, about how to do that. And I could post it, and let people start to get used to the idea…of course everyone’ll ask tomorrow, and that’ll be the big revelation, but…”
“You want to let people know you. First.”
“Mypeople,” Leo said. “My fans, the people who’ve always supported me…they’ve always been there, you see. They come to conventions, they ask questions, they show up, over and over. If I ask them to donate to a children’s hospital or a kitten adoption agency…if I ask whether someone knows how to make a top hat or a plush unicorn…I owe them so much. I think they should get to know me. I’ve always thought that.”
“I know.” He did. And if he hadn’t already adored Leo Whyte before, he would now. Head over heels. Non-stop falling. “You’ve always shared yourself.”
“I want to now.”
“Will it cause any problems with—”
“My agent will have an entire litter of puppies, but in a good way. She’ll be thrilled at the publicity.” Leo raised an eyebrow, added, “It’s trendy to be gay in Hollywood, haven’t you heard?”
Sam snorted.
“Well, maybe not,” Leo agreed. “And it’s probably bisexual, in any case. Or I think so. But I’m serious about the rest. It might’ve mattered more a few years ago, but less so now, I hope. And it’ll be perfect for the press for this film, not that that’s why, but it’ll be so much fun as far as timing. So yes. Right now. Let’s.”
“Right now.” And Leo trusted him, believed in him,wanted him, wanted this. Jumping off that cliff, taking that leap: but they’d jump together.
Sam glanced around. Considered options. If Leo really wanted it to be good, he’d use the proper Nikon, that sharper focus, not just his phone—though he could make the phone work if Leo wanted quick and casual…“What do you want it to look like? Just our hands, or your snow globe, like a present, or us in bed?”
“Us,” Leo said. “Something incontrovertible, and happy.”
* * * *
Sam grabbed a camera: well-worn, but professional-looking, and more complex than Leo’s own experience with random mobile phone snapshots. Leo sat up in bed, hugging a knee, and watched. The sheets tumbled in riotous waves over his toes, a froth of fabric to match seahorse pillows and excitement.
He liked Sam’s hands, competent and assured. He liked Sam’s body: sun-kissed and sturdy, a trail of dark hair below his navel, flat abs, firm thighs, and the lovely heavy swing of his cock, which made Leo squirm a bit against the sheets. His body wanted to feel all nice and full again.
Sam evidently had no qualms about being naked. Leo didn’t either, not as such; he had, as he’d often proclaimed, no shame. Or at least very little. So he sat and happily watched Sam, on display. “What’re you doing?”
“Getting you in focus?”
