After an eventful first meeting between the teams, lunch passed by peacefully, although there was little conversation. Tom still wasn't sure whether Dill was the cause of that or if something else had happened that he wasn't aware of. Thankfully Dill decided to stay silent and not cause any more problems. He didn't look happy when told they would be speaking to him later though. After they had all eaten and cleared up most headed out to continue looking over the grounds. Rather than separate again, Sam and Tom instructed them to go as a group so that the wolves could show the panthers the training areas. The two headed to Sam's office together, neither really saying much.
Sam was still considering how to keep his feelings in check. No matter how cute Tom was, there was no way he was going to let him know he thought that. They had a mission to do, and it was not the time to be getting involved with a colleague, especially not one who was also an Alpha, and not even the same species. Besides which, it was unlikely Tom would be interested; what were the chances of him also being gay?
Tom was following Sam, wondering something very similar. At their first meeting at the Council he had felt a connection and thought it wasn't just him feeling it either, but perhaps it was wishful thinking. Since he had arrived there had been a couple of moments when he thought Sam was looking at him with definite interest. If he could only be sure it would be appreciated he would make a move and try and see how deep that connection could be. He was also enjoying the view of Sam's muscular back and pert backside as he walked ahead of him. So much in fact that he only noticed him stop at the office door at the last moment and narrowly avoided walking into him.
Sam turned as he got to the door, and was surprised by how close Tom was to him. They were so close to touching he could feel the heat from the other man's body. He heard himself draw in a sharp breath and felt a twitch in his groin confirming his body liked this closeness and wanted more. He quickly opened the door and moved away from Tom before his urges got the better of him. He managed to breathe normally again once he got some distance between them, but he saw a look on Tom's face that suggested he had noticed. He decided to give Finn a call straight away so they weren't on their own too long.
Tom had definitely noticed Sam's reaction to him being close, and his senses had been in overdrive as well. It was some confirmation of his hopes about Sam, but the fact he had moved away so quickly suggested there was some reason he wasn't comfortable with it. He wanted to push the closeness again to see what happened, but before he could make a move there was a knock on the door and Finn had been invited in.
Finn addressed Sam immediately. 'I'm sorry boss, I shouldn't have let him get to me like that. He was just being so cocky and kept pushing til he got a reaction from me. I know you expect better.'
'I gather he did a good job of getting everyone's backs up. I do expect better though and I don't want it to happen again. Tom, is there anything you want to ask?'
'No, not really. You confirmed my suspicions. I'm sorry Finn. He is good at his job but he thinks a lot of himself sometimes. I will be having words.'
Finn was quickly dismissed and said he would head out to join the others. Tom tried to call Dill in his head but got no reply. He had been told not to leave the house, so unless he had been very stupid and disobeyed more orders, he must have fallen asleep. 'I can't get an answer, he must be out of it.' he said to Sam. 'I'll go fetch him.'
'It's okay, I'll ask Tilly,' Sam replied, without thinking that this would mean being alone with Tom again. He thought out to her and although he got a reply he got the definite impression she was still unhappy with him for his orders earlier. 'She's on her way to his room.' he said with a wry grin.
'You in the doghouse, if you'll excuse the turn of phrase?' Tom couldn't resist asking. He took the opportunity to move closer to Sam's chair, noting his reactions as he went. He wanted to see how he reacted to the closeness, because his breathing when they had stood so close at the door had indicated he was attracted to Tom. Now though Sam looked nervous more than anything, as though he was expecting Tom to attack him. 'Not unless it's to kiss him until he moans,' thought Tom.
'We had a minor disagreement. It'll be fine.' Sam replied slowly. He felt nervous, like he was being stalked, and he could almost see a predatory glint in Tom's eye. He was now aware that Tom was attracted to him, and it made matters even worse. He wasn't going to get involved in this and although he knew his cock was twitching and he was having to keep his desire under control, it wasn't going to happen no matter how much his body might be craving it.
He realised he was wheeling back in his chair slightly, trying to keep his distance. Tom stopped moving and just looked at him, but there was still a glint in his gaze. It made Sam even more uncomfortable because he couldn't help thinking that all Tom wanted from him was something immediate and if it was long term he might have waited a little longer to make a move. The last thing Sam wanted was a quickie, especially not when he really wanted a lot more.
'Do I make you nervous Sam?' he asked softly, letting his eyes travel slowly down Sam's body across his beautiful chest to what looked like a bulge in his loose joggers. He licked his lips and looked back up at his face, noting that Sam had seen what he was doing and his face showed a mixture of fear and lust. Tom thought he was gorgeous, and both his human and animal sides were crying out for some contact with the vision before him. 'You don't have anything to be afraid of, I only want to touch you' he continued, and started to move forward again.
Sam shot back in his chair fast, hitting the bookcase behind him. 'No.' he said, although it took a lot out of him to say it. 'We aren't going to do this.'
'Why not? You know what I want and you want it too. What's the problem?' Tom wondered if he had it wrong, but he had seen Sam's reactions to him, and there was no doubt there was an attraction, he just seemed to be fighting it for some reason.
'Typical arrogant cat.' Sam growled under his breath. He knew he was shaking all over, and his body was almost screaming at him to let Tom touch him, hold him, and love him, but his rational mind was still just about in control.
That brought Tom up sharp. 'Is that your problem? You who've been around cats all your life and know how well you work together.'
Sam stood, although slightly shakily, but was glad to find his voice was clear and sharp. 'No. My problem is people, whatever they are, assuming what I want and trying to take what they want. You turned up today and already think you know me. And I can work well with cats.'
The emphasis was not lost on Tom. He'd probably deserved the 'arrogant' comment, as he'd clearly pushed Sam too quick, he just couldn't help himself. He could only hope that things were not lost, and perhaps if he showed them how well they could work together other things would follow. Time to be on his best behaviour. 'Sorry. Dill isn't the only one of us that gets carried away with his own importance. I won't push you.' He turned away so Sam couldn't see the sadness in his face.
Tilly heard the command and agreed to go get Dill, although she made it very clear she was not happy with Sam. She didn't particularly relish having to see Dill alone either, but she didn't send that thought back. If Sam was going to close off to her about his issues she wasn't going to talk to him about this attraction to Dill either. It was crazy to be thinking it after how rude he had been, but he was obviously interested in her and there was something about him that had stirred some primal feelings.
She knocked on his bedroom door and got no reply. She knocked again, louder than before, and still nothing happened. The thought crossed her mind that he had run off, and she opened the door to check. What she saw made her gasp. Dill was asleep on the bed, stretched out and totally naked. She could see not only the chest that had attracted her earlier, but his tanned and defined legs, and what drew her attention the most, a semi-hard and large cock lying on his flat stomach. She couldn't seem to stop looking at it, and tingles in her body told her she was enjoying it. As she stared it seemed to move and grow harder. The movement kept her attention for a moment but she finally broke her gaze and her eyes flashed back to his sleeping face. Only it wasn't sleeping any more. His brown eyes were open and looking at her with interest. She felt herself blushing at being caught out.
