Page 18 of Love Lessons: Expanded Edition

Dustin looked over at Landon for a second, a mixture of arousal and threat on his face, then went back to Ash's story. Was Dustin actually ignoring him, or was he playing too?

After a moment, Landon reached over and stole one of Dustin’s fries. He made sure to slather it in plenty of ketchup from Dustin’s plate, stretching out the action, and then popped it in his mouth.

Dustin was watching his lips, and Landon felt warm everywhere.

Did you want some of my fries? he signed.

Landon nodded.

Ask. He looked a little dangerous. And sexy.

Landon lowered his head, making his body meek as he looked up at Dustin. May I please have some of your fries? Damn, that felt good. That had to be the sexiest un-sexy thing he’d ever said, but the chemistry crackled between them.

Go ahead. Dustin pushed over the plate with a few remaining bites of a burger, a limp piece of neglected lettuce, and about a dozen lukewarm fries. But Dustin’s indulgently amused look made him feel like he’d won a prize.

Ash caught his glance and raised a subtle eyebrow. Landon shrugged with the barest movement of his shoulder. Ash gave the faintest twitch of an eye roll.

They weren’t close friends, but he’d chatted with Ash enough at the munches to know what they were thinking. Maybe it was the universal language of subs, he thought with amusement.

Yes, Landon was chasing shamelessly after another man who would lose interest in him after a night or two. And yes, he was damn well allowed to do it because he was an adult and it was his choice.

He wrinkled his nose, glaring at Ash in mock aggression. Ash drew back infinitesimally, as though denying his accusation.

Something you two want to share? Dustin interjected.

No, they both signed together, giggling. When neither of them was flirting with someone else, they often flirted with each other. This was more like being in a secret club, though.

Dustin gave them both another harsh look, but he didn’t seem to actually be angry. He also ate every one of the fries that Landon flirtatiously offered him from his own fresh order.

After the munch, of course Bruce needed to remind him of his schedule so that Landon could take over the group’s emails while he was on vacation. Then there was a new sub who wanted some resources. When he looked around again Dustin was gone.

“Sorry, I’ve got to run,” he said to the new sub, abruptly. “Email me if you have any questions and hopefully we’ll see you next month!”

Then he was tearing around the corner to the parking lot. Dustin was already getting into his car.

“Dustin!” he yelled. He could hear his own voice a little, conducted through the bones of his jaw. He wasn’t sure what Dustin could hear, especially since he’d noticed that he wore ear plugs.

Dustin looked around and then stood up. Thank goodness.

Again? he asked from across the parking lot, the fingers of one hand meeting the other palm in an exaggerated arc.

Sorry,Landon signed. I thought you would wait.

Dustin looked at him curiously. All you had to do was ask.

Oh, right. Sorry. I just… got so caught up in the flirting that I forgot. But he couldn’t say that. I just had to talk to a lot of people afterward.

Something flashed across Dustin’s eyes. Pride? It couldn’t be pride. You’re very popular. And I can see that you’re a good resource to them.

It was a compliment, and Landon wanted to preen, even if it wasn’t quite the type of compliment that he was angling for.

Do you want to come over tonight?he asked directly.

Dustin pulled back a fraction. Was he actually surprised? For what?

Landon put on his flirtiest smile. A scene? Sex? Whatever you want. It was better to be direct.He knew that Dustin was still trying to figure out if he was into kink, but surely they could hook up. There was definitely something there between them that deserved some exploration.

Dustin looked concerned, or maybe indecisive. Dammit. Had Landon read him all wrong? Now that Landon was worried about being turned down, he realized how much he’d been hoping for this.