Page 31 of Love Unlimited

Zhong ruffled Ash’s hair in a wordless agreement to the plan. You ready to go?

Yep! What’s in my lunch?

A surprise.

Can I see it?

Nope, Zhong grinned.

Ash gave him the biggest, sweetest begging eyes. It should be illegal how cute they were.

Your puppy dog eyes don’t work on me, Zhong admonished.

Ash laughed playfully. Yes they do.

Zhong gave them another kiss. You’re right. They do. But I also happen to know that you like surprises, so this is in your best interest.

Ash looked like they were going to protest again, though clearly the objective wasn’t to actually get into the lunchbox. It was just Ash-style flirting. Landon was starting to recognize the type of cajoling back-and-forth that Ash used to make sure they had all of their Daddy’s attention and affection.

After watching Ash do it so much, Landon was beginning to notice that he did the same thing with Dustin. It just looked different. Like being an asshole, mostly, if he was being honest with himself.

Dustin nudged Landon, still holding him from behind, and then signed into the space in front of both of them. Ready to go running?

Landon shrugged. Because, of course, instead of being cute and sweet like Ash he had to be a dick. He still surprised himself sometimes when he did it, since he was so professional and polite in the rest of his life.

But watching Ash and Zhong together definitely made him want… well, a lot of things. Starting with all of his Daddy’s attention.

He pulled out of his Daddy’s arms without looking at him. He had no destination in mind, just this fierce thing inside him that wanted to fight and provoke. To see what would happen, in this strange tangle of superficial annoyance and a deeper well of something that felt like freedom.

Dustin grabbed Landon’s shoulders and swung him around. Did you eat yet?

Lust pooled in Landon’s belly, so naturally he just shrugged again.

He could see the desire flare in Daddy’s eyes. You know the rules. Yogurt, energy bar, or toast with peanut butter.

Landon slowly strutted over to the cabinet, knowing Daddy’s eyes were on him. He reached up—maybe a little higher than he needed to so that his ass stuck out—to get the energy bars.

Ever since he started running with Daddy, he’d started wearing his very shortest shorts, leaving his long legs exposed. He’d traded in loose t-shirts for tight, stretchy athletic gear. The cut was unisex, but today he’d chosen hot pink shorts and a lavender shirt. Daddy still knew he was Landon instead of Lena right now, though.

And Daddy was watching him very, very carefully.

Landon lounged back against the cabinet and peeled back the wrapper with infinitesimal slowness. It was his own version of making sure that Daddy was taking care of him.

It still surprised him most days that Dustin was willing to do it. No, not just willing. Dustin really wanted this.

Actually, it still surprised Landon sometimes that Dustin wanted him. Not just his body, but all of his neediness and prickly desires that had pushed every other boyfriend away.

Eat, Daddy commanded.

Landon rolled his eyes.

At the other side of the kitchen, Zhong waved a cheerful goodbye. Ash waited until they were standing in the doorway where Dustin couldn’t see them, then blew warm breath into their slightly curled fingers to sign hot!

It was strange how doing this around the other couple seemed so much easier instead of harder. And Landon had to admit that he liked having Ash’s eyes on him, too, adding an extra tingle of excitement to everything.

Zhong’s warm acceptance felt completely different. Just as important, but more affirming than arousing.

The two of them left the room.