Landon is taking a hot shower, steam rolling out from the cracked door of the bathroom as he hums softly to himself. Moments after we finished, with me disposing of the used condom and him stretching obscenely right in front of me, he demanded that I give him access to my facilities.
Using a wet washcloth for myself in substitution—because there isnoway I’m showering with the fucker—I sit on the edge of my now dirty bedspread, grabbing my phone from my discarded pants pocket.
I need a distraction. I need literallyanythingthat can pull me away from the daunting reality of how much I enjoyed that. How much I want to do it again.
Unfortunately, the distraction I get is not a pleasant one. A message from Calum came through a bit after I got home, this time on mypersonalphone. Which means whatever it is he has to say, he doesn’t want the organization to see it.
Calum 7:12 p.m.
C has flagged your gig. Be careful.
I eye the message, reading it for what it really means.
The council has marked my mission to repress Landon as a flight risk of sorts, something they have to keep an eye on and may have to intervene at any moment.
But I know them. Before they insert themselves, they’ll have me fail and then use it against me later. I have time.
I shoot back an affirmative, but despite what Iknowof the council, my heart is still pounding. The idea of them keeping an eye on Landon, onme, is nerve-wracking. If I want things to go smoothly, according to my own plan, I need Landon to lie low.
I have to protect him from them, even if it’s a means to an end. Even if it’s only so that I can break him later.
After I taste him a few more times. That’s not too much to ask, right? He’d let me—he wants it more than I do.
Then I’ll fucking destroy the self-absorbed brat.
Landon comes into the bedroom, the towel I gave him wrapped low around his waist, andmytowel in his hand as he dries his hair.
I shove my phone under my pillow, eyeing him nervously.
How is he going to act now? Will he scream and punch and whine? Or will he act as if nothing happened?
“Watching porn?” is what he eventually says, dropping my towel to his side as he stares at my pillow in disinterest. “Was pounding my ass not good enough for you?”
I scoff, crossing my arms over my chest. “I wasnotwatching porn.”
“Yeah, I figured. Can’t get it up twice in one night anymore, can you, Nate?” Landon is grinning now, and each step he takes toward me only fuels the desire and anger lingering inside of me.
“Not for you, no,” I reply coolly.
Landon’s grin fades into a piercing glare, his muscles tensing as he stands on nearly full display.
“You’re such a fucking ass,” he grumbles.
I have to keep what we’re doing a secret, and I have to keephimaway from the council. It’s the only way.
Taking a deep breath, I stand and approach him. His vibrant eyes track my every movement, hands fiddling with my towel as his head tilts back slightly to stare at me where I hover in front of him.
“You have to go,” I say quietly, trying my best to show my sincerity with my eyes. “You have to lie low for a while. No using your coercion.”
“Why not?” Landon asks, his brow quirking as he cocks his hip. “Scared I’ll lure some innocent man into bed? Do you think I’m going to rob a bank or burn down an orphanage—w-what?”
My hands cradle his cheeks, feeling the slight stubble covering his skin as he takes in an unsteady breath. Landon’s eyes are blown wide, as if he can’t believe I’d touch him in such a soft way.
I understand his surprise. I feel the exact same way.
“I’m serious,” I murmur, my eyes searching his.
“Why should I listen to you? You hate me.”
