Page 57 of Love Lessons: Expanded Edition

Chapter 9

Landon

Landon tapped his fingers against a folder, making only a minimal effort to act like he was paying attention. He was at a school-wide teacher meeting to discuss some new STEM initiative from the district. It sounded more like a bunch of new requirements without any new science or technology equipment to carry them out. And engineering? Hilarious.

Even if the school got new resources, they’d never make it down to his classroom. His students had tablets because he’d written the grant himself, thank you very much. And some of the other teachers still thought he should share them.

But to be honest, the main reason he wasn’t concentrating was because Dustin, frustratingly, continued to fill his thoughts.

He told himself it wasn’t anything. But that moment continued to play out in his head.

Dustin was leaning over him, so serious and concerned, but still all Dom. And then those words. I’m sorry. I was wrong. You’re far too precious to be a toy.

Why was he still thinking about it a week later? Because Dustin had apologized? Because he never stuck to the fucking script?

But inside he knew that wasn’t it. It was because Dustin had seen him.

That first night together, when Dustin had noticed that he got off on having his sides touched, Landon had been impressed. Dustin was a fucking God in bed, more attentive than anyone he’d ever been with. The sex had been mind blowing. And he had felt seen. Like his body and his desires were important.

But that moment had been completely different. Because that wasn’t just about his body. It was about some tangled, secret need that crouched in the depths of his submission. And maybe his fears. You’re far too precious to be a toy.

He didn’t even know what it meant fully, or maybe he wasn’t ready to admit it to himself. Certainly not to Dustin.

But Dustin had seen it anyway. He’d noticed it when Landon didn’t think he’d even reacted. And what had Dustin signed next? I haven’t paid attention to anything but you.

He’d meant the movie. But it felt like he meant so much more.

And that was terrifying.

Especially since Landon was supposed to go over to his place today and meet his best friend.

That felt serious. Kind of like meeting the family or something.

If it had just been a game night, he would have been all-in from the beginning. Hanging out with a crowd, making some friends, no problem. But Dustin talked about Zhong a lot. He featured in maybe half of his stories and a surprising amount of his plans.

So Landon was feeling justifiably nervous. This was starting to feel like a relationship.

Someone jostled Landon’s chair and brought him back to the present, only to realize that the meeting was over. He slid the folder into his satchel, said his goodbyes, and headed out the door. While he walked down the hallway, he tried to put some things in perspective.

Dustin was a baby Dom. He had no idea what he was doing. Pretty soon he’d get himself sorted out and go be the perfect Dom for some other sub.

Landon was just his training wheels. He wasn’t sure whether he felt proud about that or sad. No, he kind of did know but he wasn’t going to think about it.

He needed to get going now, but he took a moment to check the mirror in the teacher’s bathroom. His school had a pretty low-key dress code for the teachers, so he was wearing a nice pair of khakis with a burgundy button-down shirt.

Did he look good? He wasn’t sure. He looked like he usually did. Teacher-y. Blech.

He opened one of the buttons. That was better. He tried another one. Was that too slutty? Usually he’d just go for it, but he was feeling a little off balance. He buttoned it again.

He wondered now if he had time to go home. Maybe he could change into something more casual. He wished he’d at least brought a t-shirt with him. Or maybe it could be a Lena evening?

What would Dustin want?

He shook off the thought. It wasn’t like it was supposed to be a date or anything. Or not really. Dustin had said it could be a date if he wanted it to be, which didn’t help at all.

Especially since they weren’t doing anything that sounded very date-y. Except for, you know, meeting the most important person in Dustin’s life.

It was supposed to be low-key. They’d also invited Ash from the munch, which was comforting, and would maybe take the spotlight off of Landon.