Page 18 of Love Limits

Landon and Dustin were getting dessert, so they stayed in the living room and chatted with Zhong about what to play next.

Ash slowly realized that Landon and Dustin had been missing for a suspiciously long time. What do you think they’re doing in there? Ash asked with a chuckle.

Zhong’s face went a little tight, though he still put on a smile. Not much of a mystery, is it?

Ash wasn’t sure how to answer. Was Zhong jealous? He and Dustin certainly seemed close with the way that Zhong knew the house. And it backed up Ash’s theory that they were exes or… something.

Before Ash could formulate a reply, the pair returned with dessert plates and Zhong picked the game.

It was a new one to Ash, Codenames: Duet, and they loved word category games. Ash was on Zhong’s team again. They scootched their chair a little bit closer and picked up the box lid to shield their signs from the other team while they debated possible words. It was fun brainstorming with Zhong, who brought both creativity and logic to his suggestions.

Their team was killing it on their turns, but since it was a collaborative game, they could only win if everyone made an effort.

Dustin and Landon, though, were flirting instead of paying attention. Landon was draped over Dustin’s lap, and Dustin was dropping pieces of fruit into his mouth. Landon just watched him with dreamy eyes.

Dustin dropped a kiss on Landon’s forehead. For someone who said he wasn’t a Daddy, Dustin was sure acting like one with the inadvertent comments that Ash had caught. They’d never seen Landon, who usually flirted his way into different beds each night, so hung up on someone.

It was quietly passionate in a way that made Ash feel both pleased and envious. Not jealous—while they were attracted to Landon and thought Dustin was hot, they still wanted both of them to be happy.

If anything, it was adorable and erotic seeing both of them together. Ash would have looked away, but Landon had mentioned before that he enjoyed being observed in scenes, so Ash wasn’t shy. It was exciting watching Landon find someone who could tame his restless spirit.

And hot.

They kissed, and Landon’s eyelids fluttered shut, like he’d forgotten where he was and gotten completely absorbed in Dustin.

Ash looked aside. This was more intimate than sexual, despite the bright, tantalizing thread of desire that arced between them. It wasn’t a scene. It was much more raw and real. Especially for someone like Landon who never dated.

Ash just wished they had someone like that in their life, too.

Ash looked over at Zhong, who was studying the couple, brows furrowed like he was trying to figure something out. What was he thinking?

When Zhong finally noticed Ash’s gaze on him, he rolled his eyes in mock annoyance.

That was a good point. It was game night, and if the happy couple was going to spend it making out, they deserved a little teasing.

When Ash looked back, Dustin was feeding Landon a piece of banana. Ash picked up a discarded napkin and threw it at them. You guys are disgusting. The sign showed fingers curling into a nauseous belly and they hammed it up.

Landon threw the napkin back with a smirk, though it missed Ash completely. This was part of their normal banter. I told you I saw him first.

Ash took the opportunity. This was their chance to let Zhong know a bit about what they were looking for. He clearly wasn’t adverse to kink. Yeah, but if I knew he was going to go all Daddy and keep you instead of being a one-night stand, I would have fought you for him harder, they joked.

It wasn’t true, of course. Ash was delighted that the two of them were together, as long as Dustin was actually good for Landon. They just wanted a Daddy, too. Poor me, they added dramatically.

Landon seemed to tense at the word “Daddy” or maybe the bit about keeping him. Dustin responded by gathering him close, turning his head so they could only see each other.

Oops. Ash really hadn’t meant to say anything upsetting. Now they felt horrible. Zhong looked concerned, too. Not at all the reaction Ash was hoping for.

Dustin started saying something to Landon that Ash was pretty sure they weren’t supposed to be a part of, so they looked away. Hopefully they hadn’t messed things up for the couple.

What’s our next word going to be? Zhong asked, apparently thinking the same thing.

They strategized behind a box lid for a moment, but basically came to the conclusion that it wasn’t possible to win the game. There just weren’t any more two-card combinations and they were running out of turns. They could at least have fun with the cards that were left, though, and they brainstormed a few ideas.

When they looked back, whatever it was seemed to be resolved. Ash had a sense that continuing to joke about it would actually make things easier for Landon instead of harder. I think you two should stop cuddling out of respect for the single people in the room.

Landon stuck out his tongue and made a show of wrapping an arm over Dustin’s shoulder. Good. It looked like everything was alright then.

Ash felt a touch at their knee and turned to Zhong.