Page 36 of Love Lessons: Expanded Edition

Chapter 6

Dustin

Dustin popped the last bite of bread into his mouth and wiped his hands. It had been a relaxing day. Zhong had come over early in the morning to make soup while Dustin made bread.

They’d both gotten some work done here and there, pausing while Dustin mixed the dough, let it rise, and finally shaped it and put it in the oven while the broth simmered on the stove. Now it was evening and they’d gotten to eat it, cuddled up on the couch.

It was like things used to be, a simpler time in a way. He’d needed a Zhong day.

How’s your new employee doing? Zhong asked. He pulled his feet back while he put his bowl down and then got their legs tangled up together again. This was their favorite way to sit on the couch, snuggled up but still able to sign.

Dustin rolled his eyes. Still difficult. I want to mentor her, but she’s not making it easy for me. I feel like it’s OK to be inexperienced, but if you don’t want to learn, it’s not going to go well for you. I might have to let her go.

I’m sorry. That sucks.

Yeah. It’s this whole HR thing and then I have to go through resumes again and start over with someone new.

I don’t know how you do it. I’m so glad I freelance.

I’m so glad I live in a world where I can manage a team with all-technological communication. It was such a relief, and if he’d been born a decade or two earlier, it wouldn’t have been possible.

They smiled at each other. Their careers were one of the many things that they’d figured out together, and it was nice to know that they’d both settled into something that worked for them.

Zhong picked up one of Dustin’s feet and started a massage, so Dustin reciprocated. He’d really missed this. For a while, they didn’t say anything, just relaxing in each others’ presence. Dustin let his head drift back and closed his eyes.

He opened them again reluctantly when Zhong lifted his hands.

So, explain to me again why you’re not going to the munch tomorrow?

Ugh. He’d invited Zhong over for hanging out and snuggling, not the interrogation-slash-pep talk that was apparently coming. He should have known that Zhong was just biding his time.

Landon cancelled twice on me when we were supposed to have more lessons. I thought we were really connecting over text, but apparently not. Dustin had really been enjoying their conversations, too.

It had taken them a while to hit their stride, but when Dustin started sharing comic book memes and trivia, it could launch whole conversations. He’d gotten to know a bit about the kids in Landon’s classes, without their names of course, and all of the amazing work that Landon did to support them.

But then the weeks had passed, and there hadn’t been another lesson. When he’d suggested coffee or dinner, Landon always took forever to get back to him, and then said that he was too busy. Or he took forever, set a date, and then cancelled it. But somehow, the comic book memes got responses right away.

If he were interested in me, he would have found a time to meet. And it’s fine that he’s not interested. I just don’t want to see him.

Zhong started running a soothing hand up and down Dustin’s leg, stroking from ankle to thigh. When Dustin had first met him, he’d gotten hard every time this happened. He’d even been convinced for a while that Zhong had a crush on him, too. Now he knew that it was just Zhong’s style of friendship, and, perhaps more importantly, his way of getting his own needs met.

Or maybe not any more? Zhong seemed determined to find an asexual partner, and Dustin wanted fervently for him to have everything he wanted. Even if it eventually meant drifting further away.

For right now, Dustin wanted all the best friend cuddles he could get. Especially if they were going to talk about Landon.

Maybe you can go and just not talk to him.

No, that’s the problem. If I talk to him it’ll be awkward, and if I don’t talk to him it’ll be awkward.

Because you had sex? Or because it was kinky sex?

Dustin rolled his eyes. You know I wouldn’t answer these questions for anyone but you.

That’s why you’re my best friend. And you give the best cuddles.

Dustin affectionately rubbed Zhong’s knee while he gave himself a moment to think. It’s because… I can’t even explain it. And maybe I’m just being a stupid newbie. But it felt really special, what he shared with me. He let himself be so vulnerable with me, and I think… I think he doesn’t share that much with most of the Doms he’s with. I was just… in awe.

I mean, I like sex, he continued, ignoring Zhong’s snort. But what we did together went so far beyond sex. I can’t even really explain the difference. It was like it was more pure somehow. I know this sounds hokey, but it seemed like it was our true selves connecting or something.