Page 22 of Love Lessons

Oh, I read a few different things. Some classics. A few newer things. He shrugged.

Dustin wondered if Landon had been teased before for liking comic books, or if he was just that uncomfortable opening up. He wanted him to feel more comfortable. Like what? What’s your favorite old one and favorite new one?

Landon watched him for a moment, assessing, before answering. For old stuff, maybe X-Men. New stuff, probably Young Avengers.

I haven’t read Young Avengers. I’ll have to check it out. He would, too, if it meant this much to Landon that he wanted to protect it. I always loved Wolverine. He actually couldn’t remember that many characters. There was… Storm, maybe? Professor X. He remembered one of the movies better than the comics, and even then, just had a vague impression of a shape-changing blue woman.

Landon relaxed marginally. Everyone likes Wolverine.

Who’s your favorite X-Men character?

Beast.

Memories slowly trickled back. He’s the quiet, scholarly one with blue fur?

Yeah.

Now that was interesting. Landon was so outgoing that he would have figured he’d choose a similar comic book character. Was that how he saw himself? Academic and serious, but with an appearance that didn’t match? Now that he thought about it, a lot of the books on those shelves indicated a bit of a science nerd, which made sense for a math and science teacher.

I forgot about Beast. He was pretty awesome.

Landon gave him a small smile but didn’t take the bait. Dustin felt a sense of unexpected loss. He hadn’t expected to be instant best friends, and he knew this was just supposed to be a “lesson,” but he really would like to get to know Landon better.

He’d seemed so outgoing at the munch that it was strange to see him acting a bit more defensive here.

Landon eased back on the couch, showing off the long lines of his torso, the graceful length of his legs. It was an unmistakable invitation and completely transformed him from the shy comic book geek back to the flirty man he’d met before.

Landon was just so… sexual, sitting there with all of that gorgeous skin on display. Dustin wouldn’t lie to himself and say that he didn’t want to climb all over him. His muscles were smooth and inviting, his long hair just waiting to be caressed and tugged.

But that confident sexuality was also intimidating. Especially when Dustin was supposed to be taming or controlling it somehow.

Dustin scrambled for something to talk about, but he felt like an idiot even as he was signing it. How was dinner with your family?

Landon looked guilty, though Dustin couldn’t imagine why. Oh, it was great.

How old did you say the kids were?

They’re seven and four years old. The older one is really into Pokémon cards and the younger one wants to be, but he has no idea what he’s talking about. His shoulders were still tense, but his smile was genuine. So, he wasn’t lying about the kids, but he was feeling guilty about something else.

It probably shouldn’t have been Dustin’s business, but everything about Landon had him intrigued. He was a puzzle and Dustin wanted to solve it.

Landon had been so open and friendly this morning, ready to talk about anything. But here in his home, he seemed guarded. And definitely hiding behind sex. He reverted to it whenever things got uncomfortable.

Or maybe he just really didn’t want more than their formal teacher-student relationship. He probably wanted to do their lesson and send Dustin home.

But that nervous evasiveness just made Dustin want to know more. To break through that protective shell and see Landon relax. It sounds like they’re lucky to have you in their lives. Do you play Pokémon with them?

Landon covered his face with his hand, but he seemed to be acting out embarrassment more than feeling it. He looked up between his fingers. I do. I actually played it until I was like, fifteen or something. Now the kids have all of my cards. Did he look wistful?

Dustin could envision Landon as an awkward, gangly high school geek. He must have been adorable. He wondered if he still felt that way under that sexy, mature exterior.

For the first time Dustin felt like maybe this could work. Landon was more human and touchable now. Dustin wasn’t sure whether it was easier to talk about Pokémon because he’d already given his cards away, because they’d already paved the way with comic books, or because he liked his sister’s kids, but he was glad Landon was opening up.

Landon luxuriously stretched and Dustin couldn’t keep himself from staring. God, he had that casual sensuality down to a T, his body language enticing and unquestionably erotic.

Alright. The first two times had been sexy, but the third one was a bit of not-so-subtle hint. Landon wanted him to get started, but Dustin still had no idea what he wanted or how to get there.

He kept wondering if Landon had any friends when he was younger. Growing up Deaf or gay wasn’t usually easy, depending on where you lived. While Landon certainly seemed to have a lot of friends now, it didn’t sound like he was close to anyone except his sister.