Landon's Desire (Book Three of The Pulse Series 3) (8 page)

“Why don’t we concentrate on saying goodbye and call it a night. Daddy’s here and we’re going home.”

Carl was truly confused. “What got you so fucking pissy?”

“Briggs walking through the fucking door,” Landon snapped.

It was apparent Landon had a hate on for Briggs, he wasn’t offering an explanation and Carl wasn’t asking. His mood had changed dramatically, the happy-go-lucky Landon who was joking about boners not two hours ago, was acting completely out of character.

Then Carl watched Landon do a complete one-eighty, as he said his goodbyes, he was debonair and charming, an utter professional.

“Done, now get me the fuck out of here?” Landon asked, shrugging on his jacket. “I’m going to need a stiff one once we’re home.”

Carl laughed at the innuendo, Landon did not.

“This nightmare just never ends,” Landon spoke in a whisper.

“What was that?” Carl asked, but Landon walked ahead in a rush, choosing to ignore the question.

Not a word was shared on the ride home and once in the door Landon disappeared, leaving Carl to himself. He sauntered behind the bar and loaded crates with dirty glasses taking them to the kitchen and filled up the dishwasher. It was better for Carl to stay busy, then he wouldn’t have time to think about Landon. He came around the back of the bar with a crate of clean glasses and started filling the glass shelves. He heard a familiar voice ask Rex for a Coors lite and watched as Landon twisted the cap off a beer bottle and took a long swig. So strange for Landon to drink anything containing alcohol, Carl knew something was bothering him but he wasn’t about to pry.

Landon’s eyes followed his every move. Carl felt his stare burning into the back of his head as he topped up the ice wells, olive trays and prepared for close. Once finished, Carl sneered at Landon’s overt attention and grabbed a stack of towels for the bar upstairs.

Landon’s hand covered Carl’s before he could open the rear entrance door into
Passion
, Carl quickly yanked his hand away.

He moved about like a ninja, his stealth training was paying off as far as surprising Carl went. Landon could move from one end of the building to the other in the dead of night with the floors covered in bubble wrap and not make a sound. One minute Carl was all alone, the next second Landon was standing in his face and Carl had no idea where he came from or how.

“You haven’t got a clue do you?” Landon asked.

“I guess not, because I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Carl said, pulling open the door only to have Landon close it again.

“How hot you look.”

Crazy thing was, Carl could say the same thing, but he wouldn’t.

“You’ve been drinking,” Carl said, pulling the door again, and sighing with frustration as Landon closed it, yet again.

“I need to put these away.” Carl held up the stack of towels as proof he was too busy for games.

“Carl, you’re not on the clock.”

“I’m helping out, what’s wrong with that, it keeps me busy.”

“My point exactly,” Landon said, knocking the towels from Carl’s hand. “Any excuse not to deal.”

“Fuck,” Carl dropped to the floor to pick up the towels. “Are you out of your mind? Deal with what?”

“When are you going to deal with who and what you are, when will you admit you like me and want to be with me?” Landon stepped closer, weaving his hands into Carl’s hair applying just enough force to make him stand.

“Look into my eyes and tell me you don’t feel something,” Landon whispered. “Go ahead and tell me you don’t feel your cock getting hard when I’m near.”

Carl didn’t answer, his eyes looking everywhere except at Landon. He knew Landon was right, something did stir when he caught Landon watching him, he did grow hard at the thought of Landon nearby or far away, hell it would happen if he was a universe away. But to admit it, meant no good would come.

Carl slowly shook his head. “Even if I did feel something…and I’m not saying I do, it can’t happen. I won’t let it.”

He bent down, picked up the towels and held them tight to his chest. “Find someone else, Ace. Save yourself.”

Pushing Landon aside, Carl yanked the door open and flew through the door, he threw the tousled pile of towels onto the bar and disappeared up the back stairs to the apartment, locking the door when he got inside.

Minutes later Landon stood knocking on the door. “Carl let me in.”

“Go away, Ace, I’m not interested in talking, I have nothing to say.”

Landon wanted to know what he meant by
save yourself
. It sounded like an ominous warning from a horror movie, like he was stricken with some kind of savage disease that ate away at your flesh if you got too close, or you would come down with an incurable virus that rotted you from the inside out if you came into contact.

Well, he had kissed him twice and body parts hadn’t started falling off. It was going to take more than idle warnings to keep him away.

“I know where you keep the key.”

“Don’t you fucking dare,” Carl called out.

“Then let me in.” Landon chuckled. “This is a chick thing you know? Only women lock themselves behind closed doors.”

Hiding was kind of childish, Carl tittered but wasn’t about to budge, then he had a thought. “Tell me about you and Briggs and maybe I’ll let you in.”

Just the idea of confessing to Carl about that night made Landon’s stomach ache, his palms became sweaty and he rubbed them together and then wiped them on his thighs. He shook his head and stepped back from the door.
Not in this lifetime
, he thought, confession in this case was anything but good for the soul. He was in no mood tonight to cleanse his soul.

“No deal,” Landon said, stepping further away. “Not…fucking…going…there.”

“Then you’ll stay on that side of the door, Ace.”

“Works for me,” Landon stormed down the stairs. “Later, Babes.”

SIX

“Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

Carl stared at the stream of cold water dribbling from the showerhead. He screwed up royally this time thinking he could adjust the temperature. It looked so easy when he watched the plumber do it. All he had to do was pop off the cover, take a wrench and turn the round thingy. It was simple in theory, but when it came down to doing it he may have turned the wrong thingy.

Being born a man didn’t mean you were born with a toolbox in hand and a knowledge of how to repair all things broken. Carl’s old man was a rich lawyer, he could afford a repairman, and therefore he instilled the ability to dial a phone on his son, rather than do-it-yourself tutorials.

Now Carl was left with asking for help. Landon would never let him live this down, he was going to be a laughing stalk for years to come, but he had no choice. He needed a shower. He had a doctor’s appointment and wasn’t going to it smelling the way he did after his stellar workout.

He sent a text, feeling like a fool, not relishing talking to the man he wouldn’t open his door to less than twelve hours ago.

Landon knocked at Carl’s apartment door, resting against the frame and waiting after being summoned by Carl to adjust the pre-set temperature settings on the shower. Carl was admittedly not a toolbox friendly kind of guy. Landon wasn’t even sure if Carl knew which end of a hammer to use, much less anything to do with plumbing. Whereas Landon had been essentially born with a unique knowledge of tools and could repair just about anything. He was a hands-on guy.

Carl was wrapped in a white plush terry towel robe, his hands tucked in the pockets and his feet bare. The slightest hint of hair peeked out at his chest, a smattering of fluff on his legs, not too much just enough to entice, made Landon lick his lips. Landon couldn’t help but stare, his eyes roved up from Carl’s toes to his handsome face and their eyes collided. To his surprise Carl didn’t look away, his gaze set on Landon, there was even a hint of a smile.

Stepping closer testing the waters, Landon swallowed back the urge to dart forward and rip the robe from Carl’s body. Instead, he circled around him like a lion prowling his kill. Standing at his back he leaned forward and scented him, he smelled of manly perspiration and oranges.

“Ace?”

“Uh huh.”

“Are you sniffing me?”

“You smell like an orange.”

“It’s Bergamot oil, it’s a neuro-tonic, helps fight depression, fatigue and frustration,” Carl said, with a laugh.

Carl wasn’t bolting, wasn’t moving at all and Landon couldn’t resist asking, “Does that include sexual frustration?”

“It may, it has many valuable properties.”

Landon continued his slow quest until he stood face to face with Carl. He lifted his hand to the lapel of Carl’s robe and ran his finger down to the loop at his waist. He gave it a tug and Carl’s eyes dropped to Landon’s hand and darted back to his face.

“You’re not running.”

“No, I guess I’m not.”

Landon smiled.

“Do you like games Carl?” Landon asked, moving into Carl’s most private space, noting Carl swallowing hard.

“It depends on the game,” Carl answered.

“Do you like to try new things, are you the adventurous type?”

“I don’t know,” he answered truthfully. “Maybe…?”

“That’s not an answer,” Landon said, leaning into Carl’s ear. “You want to play a game with me, Carlton?”

“I don’t know.”

“Again, that’s not an answer,” Landon said, the corner of his mouth connecting with the lobe of Carl’s ear causing him to flinch. “If I promise to keep my dick in my pants, will you play my game?”

“Ace, what are you doing?” Carl asked, as a rush of hot air from Landon’s breath collided with the flesh under his ear, sending a spark reeling from his head to his toes.

“This is a game of trust,” he whispered. “I think you’ll like this game as much as I will, there are a few rules though.”

“Rules? What kind of rules? I’m not going to be happy am I? You’re going to fuck with me aren’t you?” Carl asked, full of cynicism.

“Relax, Babes, I’d never hurt you, I want you to trust me,” Landon pulled back to see trepidation on Carl’s face. “Don’t fear me, just feel.”

“Before I give an answer tell me these rules.”

Landon smiled, happy that Carl wasn’t pushing him away, that maybe he was finally willing to surrender and admit he had feelings for him. This was just the beginning and even though he wanted nothing so badly in all his life than to own Carl’s heart and soul, he would move at a snail’s pace and ease Carl into his world. Pushing him before he was ready would only prove detrimental results and Carl would crawl back into his closet and lock the door. At least for now, it was open a crack and Carl had stepped away from the threshold. Carl was maybe not as willing as Landon wished, but it was time to show him what he was denying himself, the pleasure of another man’s touch.

“The rules are simple,” Landon said, moving back. “You keep your eyes closed and once we start there’s no stopping, can you live with that?”

Carl’s brows shot up. “I, um, I suppose.”

Landon laughed. “You’re not very good at answering questions. A simple yes or no will suffice.”

Sucking the inside of his cheek between his teeth, his hesitation was adorable and Landon couldn’t help but reach out and cradle his chin in his palm with a gentle smile.

“Relax and trust me. I already said I’d keep it in my pants.” Landon stepped forward and whispered against the side of his neck, “Close your eyes.”

Carl’s heart started to accelerate as he slowly closed his eyes and his lips parted to take in a deep breath. “I have no qualms with decking you Ace, so be good.”

“I promise I’ll be good…incredibly good.”

Landon’s hand tugged the loop of Carl’s robe open and he watched as the front of the robe teased open the slightest bit revealing absolutely nothing, to his dismay. He looked up finding Carl peeking from one eye.

“Rules Carl, fuck this,” he snarled, racing from the room.

“Ace, come back,” Carl called out. “I couldn’t help it. I’ll keep my eyes closed this time,”

“Fucking right you will,” Landon said, coming back into the room producing a wool scarf. “Good thing I remembered this hanging by the door.”

“What are you going to do with that?” Carl asked leery, grasping Landon’s wrist.

“I’m going to blindfold you,” Landon said, “This way you can’t peek.”

“Would it make me sound like a pussy if I said I’m nervous?” Carl asked.

“No. Would it make you feel better if I told you I was too?” Landon assured him.

“
You’re
nervous?” Carl asked, as the knit material surrounded him in darkness.

“I’m not a total fucking jerk,” he said, securing the scarf with a tight knot at the back of Carl’s head. “You’ll find I have real feelings and emotions, my heart can be broken quite easily and if you cut me I bleed red like the rest of you.”

“And you’re the biggest smartass I know.” Carl laughed.

A finger touched against Carl’s lips causing him to jump. “Now shut up and relax.”

“Easier said than done.”

“Shhhh….” Landon hissed, with only the distance of one finger between their lips, Landon’s hot breath on his face making Carl shiver.

Landon spread out his fingers raking them through Carl’s blonde curly locks atop his head and then, grasping the nape of his neck, he pulled him in for a gentle teasing kiss. Carl tasted like mint but Landon resisted plunging his tongue into his mouth for a better taste, he had to take on a nice-and-slow mantra, repeating it in his head continually.

His lips cruised down the side of Carl’s neck and he smiled when he tilted his head to allow Landon’s quest. Peppering kisses along his collarbone, he watched as a layer of goose bumps formed on Carl’s skin. He nuzzled along his shoulder, forcing the robe open with his nose, brushing his lips over his smooth flesh, repeating his attempt to disrobe Carl from his other shoulder. But instead of the robe falling, Carl’s elbows folded in a knee jerk reaction and caught the fabric around his waist.

“Let it happen, Babes, don’t stop me now.”

“Ace, I…” Carl’s words stuck in his throat as he felt a strong callused hand sweep over his chest and graze his left nipple. He sucked in a breath and surprised himself with a quiet moan.