Page 29 of Love Lessons

Dustin looked relieved to hear that it was a good choice for a beginner, and Landon was glad to see that Dustin was being realistic about his abilities. As he’d expected, Dustin flexed the crop to test its springiness and then slapped his own arm with it.

You have good instincts there, Landon continued. You should never use a toy on a sub that you haven’t tested on yourself. You need to know exactly what it feels like and how hard it can hit. Do you see where the tip connects with the shaft? You want to hit with the tip, and if you miss and hit with the shaft instead it’ll be a much harder impact. More like a cane. And I suppose if you did it often enough it would break the crop since it’s not really meant for that.

Dustin slapped himself a few times on his thighs, first gently and then harder, though his jeans were still muting the effect. Landon watched as he hit himself again, this time striking with the shaft. He gave Landon a scrutinizing look. And you really enjoy this? You want it?

I crave it, Landon said simply.

But you don’t want to be whipped or caned. You wrote that on your list.

Landon was glad that Dustin had been paying attention, though he wasn’t surprised. Dustin had a sincerity to him, and an openness, that more experienced Doms seemed to hide. It would be a shame when he lost that, not that Landon would probably still be scening with him by then. He’d just have to take advantage of it while it lasted.

That’s right. I enjoy impact play, but I’m a bit of a lightweight in comparison to some others. Everyone has slightly different tastes, and it’s important to follow the limits that someone sets. If you figure out that you’re into harder stuff, you’ll want to find partners that are into that, too. I keep toys in my drawer that I feel comfortable having used on me.

I’m glad that you’re taking care of yourself, Dustin replied.

Landon wasn’t quite sure what to do with that comment, but it made him feel all squirmy inside. Kind of too hot and a little bit needy. So he just ignored it. Of course he was taking care of himself. It was the responsible thing to do.

Determined, he went on with his lecture. You should always start out slowly to get the muscles warmed up. Use your hand before you use the crop and pause in between strikes. That helps the body absorb the sensations, and usually heightens them.

I read about that.

Good. He couldn’t think of too much more information that he needed to give.

Landon leaned across his bed and grabbed a cylindrical pillow. You can practice on this first. Make sure you’re hitting with the tip.

Dustin nodded, face somber in concentration. He hit the pillow a few times, then moved back a bit and did it again. He seemed to be methodically trying softer and harder hits.

You’re doing a good job. It looks like you’ve got the angle right. You should try a few more times on yourself.

Dustin pulled up his sleeve and hit himself twice, once softer and once harder. He winced at the second one. Then he did it a third time, shaking his arm afterward to relieve the sting.

Landon shivered, imagining it on his own skin. Dustin was new to this, but he had all of the right instincts and he was conscientious. The way that he’d pulled Landon’s hair earlier, holding him off balance until he was aching not to move, was a good sign for the rest of the night.

Landon’s groin tightened just thinking about it.

Landon moved to capture Dustin’s attention, then reviewed safewords and a few more details about positions and angles.

When he felt like they were both ready to go, he consciously changed his body language to move them back into the scene. He felt confident when he was submitting and seducing, using lowered eyelids and the tilt of his head to express his desire. Ready to test that out?

Dustin looked him over carefully in that intense, brooding Dom way that he pulled off so well. You’re a good teacher. I can see that you love teaching.

Landon could feel himself blinking. That wasn’t what he’d expected at all. He did love teaching. But he’d never had anyone mention it before, unless it was at the end of a public talk or demonstration.

Dustin didn’t wait for him to answer, though. He placed the crop carefully on the side table, then crowded into Landon’s space. He moved one hand to the base of Landon’s skull, anchoring him in place.

Landon thought Dustin would come crashing into him, kissing and mauling and claiming. Or maybe do the cold, demanding Dom thing, expecting him to follow terse commands. Instead, he stayed just a hair's breadth away, their lips unbearably close but not quite touching.

Dustin moved his head along Landon’s cheek, the warmth of his skin and his breath crackling in the tiny space between them. Landon was growing desperate for his touch, for any contact beyond that tight hand at the base of his skull. But his imagination and that agonizing need were more erotic than anything he could have anticipated.

Dustin moved his lips along Landon’s collar bone, still a whisper apart. Each tiny exhalation made Landon shiver. And then he moved his hand down the front of Landon’s chest, barely stirring his scant body hair.

Landon could feel himself whimpering. Why wouldn’t Dustin just touch him already?

Dustin slowly moved his hand back up, hovering just over his chest. Landon’s imagination raced into overdrive, filling in every sensation that he needed, but which Dustin wasn’t quite giving him.

Landon looked down to watch Dustin’s hand. He circled his fingers right above Landon’s nipple, so close that Landon was positively aching for it.

He’d never been teased like this, never felt so strangely helpless and turned on by sensations that weren’t even sensations. Dustin’s hand wandered across his ribs, seeming to leave an invisible trail in its wake.