Page 51 of Love Lessons

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.

It felt like that was true.

And that was terrifying.

Especially since he was supposed to go over to Dustin’s place today.

Someone jostled him and he realized the meeting was over. He slid the folder into his satchel, forcefully putting the entire event out of his head.

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 jeans 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. Dustin’s best friend, Zhong, was going to be there, and they’d also invited Ash from the munch. They were going to make dinner together and then play some board games.

The idea of cuddling on the couch with Dustin while they played Scrabble or something made him flush. But of course, this wouldn’t be anything like that. It was all very confusing.

What wasn’t confusing was that Dustin had told him to come over after he was done with school and was expecting him at 4:30 to cook. Since he’d had a meeting after school, he had just enough time to drive over.

He ran his fingers through his hair unnecessarily. Dustin was confusing.

When he got to Dustin’s house, he was impressed. He’d never explored the northern part of the city too much, but there were actual houses up here instead of apartment buildings. He had no idea how much they cost and he kind of wanted to check Zillow. Was Dustin rich?

His yard wasn’t big, though, and while his home was well-maintained, some of the neighboring places were a little worn. Nothing major, just some fading paint and unmowed lawns. It looked a little suburban--not the type of place he’d expect from Dustin. But maybe Dustin was taking care of his parents or something?

He realized that there was a lot that he didn’t know about the man.