Page 18 of Love Lessons

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.

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. Sex? 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.

It wasn’t just that Dustin was a sexy Deaf guy. Or that he had all of the markings of a spectacular Dom from the little bit Landon had seen while they were flirting. He was also kind and funny and seemed to appreciate talking to Landon instead of just trying to get into his pants. Landon had felt a little glow when he got those three silly texts thanking him for the resources. That was fucking rare.

Getting turned down now was going to suck, even though he’d only been looking for an evening together. Landon wrapped his arms around his chest, trying to play things off like he didn’t care, but actually feeling like he needed a shield. He hated feeling insecure.

Finally, Dustin responded. I don’t usually do one-night stands.

What? You can’t tell me you don’t fuck, Landon replied in exaggerated surprise.Unlike in English, there were no gentle euphemisms for sleeping with someone, unless you literally meant sleeping beside them. “Sex” was two bodies crashing together, legs spread. Fucking.

Dustin looked amused. I didn’t say I never fuck. I’ve been in three long-term relationships. I’ve even dated sometimes. I just don’t usually do one-night stands and that seems to be what you’re interested in.

Oh, right. Of course one-night stands weren’t the only way that people had sex. They were just the only way that Landon had sex.

He’d tried relationships in college and grad school and now he was done. Whatever fucked-up impulse made him want to chase after people like a puppy looking for affection only left him feeling more abandoned, and he wasn’t going to put himself through it again. He knew he was probably attracted to the wrong people, since he was always looking for something that wasn’t there, and that was why it was easier to keep it casual.

That pathetic, rejected kid wasn’t who he wanted to be.

Was Dustin judging him now? There’s nothing wrong with one-night stands, he added, trying to look calm and sex-positive, not defensive.

Now Dustin looked really amused. What was so funny? There’s nothing wrong with one-night stands. They’re just not really my speed.

So did that mean that Dustin was turning him down? After all of that flirting? Landon was starting to feel a little fragile, and that wasn’t who he wanted to be. He’d obviously been turned down before, just not by someone who lit him up like this and watched his every move.