Page 17 of Love Limits

Dustin put his head in his hands theatrically, then looked up. Are you going to be as insufferable as Zhong at this?

Ash met Zhong’s eyes, understanding and delight passing between them. I sure hope so! If Zhong was a Scrabble master, that pretty much made him perfect.

Dustin and Landon each took their turns, adding on low-point words. When Zhong’s turn came around, he didn’t hesitate to use Ash’s V to spell V-E-X-E-S, getting him the triple word score on that tasty 8-point X.

His face shone in excitement when their eyes met again. It wasn’t a competitive look, though, more like he was inviting Ash into a secret Scrabble world with him. It was gamer flirting, and Ash adored it.

After that, it was on. Landon enjoyed the game, but was having more fun telling stories about his students and listening to Ash’s tales about his patients.

Dustin played lackadaisically, clearly here for the people instead of the game. He seemed more interested in watching Landon and making sure everyone had plenty of food. He was kind of a Daddy-type, too, even if he didn’t identify that way.

Zhong was the one that Ash was really watching, though. As they played and chatted, Ash started to get a sense of his analytical approach to life and dry wit. Sometimes he would say something with such a straight face that Ash wasn’t sure if he was joking until Dustin clued him in. Then he was hilarious.

His Scrabble moves were also on point. Like Ash, he was good at filling in high-point multi-words by building just a single tile or two onto what had already been played. The two of them were soon competing for the good spots while the other two kept giving them openings.

Playing with a skilled partner was a rush, and they were neck and neck for most of the game. Combining that with the way that Zhong kept watching them… it was delicious.

Zhong also loved teasing Dustin in an easy way that spoke to years of friendship. It was sweet to see them together.

Mostly, though, Ash kept watching Zhong to get another one of those sweet, happy smiles. The ones they exchanged every time one of them played a good word. Or when Dustin and Landon did something cute together, and Zhong gave Ash a look like they had their own secret something to share.

On Zhong’s next turn, he made an excellent play, adding a W to spell A-W and W-H-I-P at the same time with a double word square. Ash had been waiting to use that square with an S, but Zhong’s 34 points were a much better use for it. Ash made a goofy, frustrated face, but still got that sweet smile in return.

Then, Zhong signed the word in Dustin’s direction, a doubled motion showing the sideways strike of the whip. There’s some inspiration for you, he said with a smirk.

Dustin’s face grew red. Fuck off. He seemed embarrassed, but he was handling it well. The two of them teased each other a lot.

Landon laughed, amused by the exchange.

Don’t be shy, Zhong chided.

You’re horrible, Dustin returned. Stay out of my sex life.

Really? Zhong asked. Why?

Dustin turned his head away, pointedly ending the conversation since Zhong couldn’t sign to him any longer.

The whole exchange was fascinating. What was Zhong and Dustin’s relationship anyway? That comment made it sound like they used to sleep together. Or maybe still did? If they were exes, they sure seemed to be close. And did that mean that Zhong was kinky, too? It had to, right? Or were they both Doms?

It was Ash’s turn next, and they could have chosen a higher-point word, but they just couldn’t resist when the perfect one was just waiting there. Since half the word was already there, they spelled B-U-T-T-P-L-U-G.

Everyone but Dustin giggled like children. Because, come on. Buttplugs were funny. Zhong gave Ash a high five. Nice!

Dustin was burning up, but he laughed good-naturedly. Really, children?

For the rest of the game, Ash and Zhong competed for both spelling dirty words and Scrabble mastery. The other two had already given up the game, playing footsie and adding little five- and ten-point words while Zhong kept Ash on their toes with sneaky multi-word scores.

Ash ultimately won, but it was close. They made a show of bowing to Zhong from their space on the floor. You are a worthy opponent.

Zhong smiled back. That was awesome. I almost never meet people who can beat me. Do you ever play on your phone?

All the time!

Can I invite you to a game?

That was Zhong asking for their number, right? Hell yeah.

They took out their phones and exchanged information, then helped with cleaning up the game and most of the food.