Landon's Desire (Book Three of The Pulse Series 3) (23 page)

“Old times?” Carl questioned, slapping the card against Landon’s chest.

Landon shrugged, as he took the card and slipped it into his pocket. “I’ll give this to Johnson.”

“Mmm…” Carl hummed, clearly not impressed, Landon grabbed hold of his hand.

Snatching his hand away, Carl opened the office door and with a huff disappeared inside.

Landon scratched his knuckles over his jaw and blew out a long sigh, as Rex tittered at his side.

“I think the bottom just fell out of paradise,” Rex said. “Someone’s not getting laid tonight.”

“Fuck off.”

“Looks like you have time for a drink, can I tempt you?”

“Give me two beers,” Landon said.

“Coming up,” Rex said with a grin.

He fetched two beer bottles from the ice cooler set them on the bar and unscrewed the caps, tossing them in the waste basket. Just as Rex reached for one, Landon snatched them both away and blew him a kiss.

“I’ll be sure and toss a tip in the jar, sweetheart.” Landon winked.

“Fuck you,” Rex said, tossing a coaster in his direction, missing by a mile.

Landon shouted over his shoulder with a nasty smirk, “You wish!”

There Carl sat in Mikala’s hot pink executive’s chair, fiddling about at her computer with a pout on his face, Landon couldn’t help laughing. It was almost flattering the way Carl got jealous when Briggs came sniffing around, almost. If it hadn’t been for the fact that Briggs was a vile creature, whom Landon wished would crawl back into the hole from which he came, it would be somewhat gratifying.

“Whatcha doin’?” Landon asked, teasingly.

“Fixing the website, Mikala’s been on my ass for months to do it,”

“Here,” Landon handed him a beer. “So you pick this minute to work on the website... You have nothing to worry about you know,”

“What would I be worried about?” Carl asked, acting nonchalant while he tapped away at the keyboard.

The sound of Landon’s bottle slamming on the desk didn’t seem to faze Carl in the slightest, making Landon’s temper peek. He came around the side of the desk and spun Carl in his seat to face him. He fisted the collar of Carl shirt and growled into his face, smashing his lips to Carl’s and then pulling away.

“I will only say this one more time, he is nothing do you hear me, nothing!” Landon hollered. “No one else matters but you.”

As fast as his attack came, Landon had Carl spun back facing the computer, breathless with his mouth hanging open, and walked over to the door.

“So when you’re finished tinkering with the fucking computer, I’ll be waiting for you upstairs.” He walked through the door and looked over his shoulder. “You have until the bath water gets cold…or you can choose to join me.”

An unfamiliar piano concerto was playing on the stereo as Carl walked through the apartment, removing pieces of his clothing and tossing them on the floor leaving a trail to the bathroom door. He stood naked watching Landon lying with his eyes closed as his big toe played in the end of the faucet.

“Are you teasing me?” Landon asked, startling Carl.

“How did you know I was standing here?”

“I could smell your cologne,” Landon said, opening his eyes and turning to Carl. “Are you just going to stand there all night?”

“Are you going to tell me the truth?”

“I’ve never lied to you, Babes, and I wouldn’t.”

“Tell me about Briggs.”

“I don’t want to,” Landon told him. “Get in.”

Reluctantly Carl climbed into the tub, allowing Landon to situate him between his legs, cradling Carl’s back to his chest.

“If I’m going to do this,” Landon said. “I don’t want you to look at me.”

“Okay.”

“And I don’t want you to say anything,”

“Okay.”

Several pregnant moments later, Landon took a deep breath and cleared his throat.

“The night I went out as the escort for Mik, Briggs was the client,” Landon combed his wet fingers through his hair, “and…I was a fucking moron and let him blow me in the washroom, I didn’t want him to, it just happened.”

He was intentionally hesitating. Carl knew there had to be more since he was being so vague. Wanting badly to urge him on, Carl ran his hands back and forth along Landon’s thighs and held his jaw tight.

“On the ride home…he made me return the favor,” Landon said, he was getting annoyed and pushed Carl forward, trying to escape.

“Ace, stop,” Carl shoved back.

“There’s no more to tell.”

“The waters getting cold and I know you hate cold water, so if you expect to get out of here while it’s lukewarm, you best finish.”

Landon was tired, the water was changing temperature quickly and he needed to get it off his chest once and for all. Walking around with the feeling of guilt, embarrassment and anger was taking a toll on him.

Rubbing his temples he blurted, “He was going to fuck with Mikala, he told me if I didn’t let him…he gave me no choice…I couldn’t let anything happen to Mik…I’m so sorry Carl, forgive me.”

“Forgive you?” Carl asked, turning and splashing water over the tubs edge. “He forced you to give him head and you want
me
to forgive
you
.”

Shaking his head, Landon dropped his eyes and yanked Carl into his arms. “He fucked me, he made me get down on my hands and knees…he made me…all I could think about was you…I’m going to be sick!”

Landon flew from the bathtub and landed on his knees in front of the toilet. Carl threw a towel over his wet body and wet a face cloth holding it at the back of Landon’s neck until he was finished. And then he sat beside him on the floor and rocked him in his arms.

“Say you’ll forgive me?” Landon whispered.

“If that’s what you want,” Carl said. “But we weren’t even together then.”

“In my mind we were,” Landon sat up and looked directly into Carl’s eyes. “From the moment we met, all I wanted was you. That night I felt like I cheated on you.”

“Ace, you’re punishing the wrong person. It’s Briggs who should be suffering, not you.”

Landon stood, pulling Carl up with him. He led Carl to the bedroom and climbed into bed, settling them into a spooned position with Carl cradled against his chest, cuddling him tightly.

“I need you to understand.” Landon said.

“Yes?”

“About Briggs…I have to make Briggs pay. I have to do whatever it takes to see him suffer. That’s why I’ve agreed to help Johnson in his investigation.”

“I don’t like this,” Carl choked out. “But you need to do what you need to do and I’ll back you one hundred percent…I’m sorry he did that to you.”

Entwining his fingers with Landon’s, he raised a hand to his mouth and kissed each of Landon’s knuckles before swathing Landon’s arm around his waist. He listened to the sound of Landon breathing, he could smell his distinct scent and felt the beat of his heart against his back and smiled, he was the happiest he could ever remember.

Dare he say he felt cherished, safe, even loved. Maybe he wouldn’t take it that far, but it was special, unlike anything he’d ever experienced before. His heart pained at the idea, but Carl was certain this was the beginning of something extraordinary.

He was falling in the love.

***

“I smelled bacon,” Landon said, wiping sleep from his eyes. “It made me slightly horny and had to get up.”

Carl laughed raising his brows, “It doesn’t take much to make you horny, sit and I’ll get your coffee.”

“I can get my own.”

“I’m sure you can, but I want to do it,” Carl said, reaching into the cupboard for a coffee mug. “I like serving you.”

“Mmm…” Landon moaned, cuddling against Carl’s back, nuzzling into the junction where his neck and shoulder met. “As much as I enjoy you serving me, I don’t want you to feel like you have to.”

“And I don’t,” Carl assured him. “BLT?”

“Hell yeah!”

Blowing into his coffee mug and taking a careful sip, Landon watched Carl making his sandwich. His brow creased as he concentrated on his task and suddenly Landon remembered that same look on his face in the bedroom, that same concentration while he fought getting off. Landon bit into the tissue inside his cheek and hummed.

“Oh my God,” Carl laughed, “are you thinking about sex while I’m making breakfast?”

“Babes, I’m always thinking about sex,” Landon wiggled his brow.

“Mayo?” Carl asked, rolling his eyes.

“Yes please, load it on.” He grinned, a hint of naughtiness barely hidden in his eyes. He set his empty mug aside and Carl placed his sandwich in front of him and lifted the mug.

“More?”

Landon nodded, winked and took a bite, moaning his appreciation as he chewed. His cell phone started vibrating and Carl retrieved it from the coffee table for him.

“I could get used to this, Babes you’re spoiling me.”

“Answer the phone,” Carl said, and sat beside him with his own sandwich and coffee.

A marred expression appeared on Landon’s face. He looked at Carl apprehensively and put the phone down on its face, then took another bite and chewed while the wheels turned silently in his head. Carl watched and waited.

“Three guesses who that was,” Landon finally spoke.

Carl knew. Briggs was the only one that could put such a poisoned look on such a beautiful face. The man was the epitome of all things evil. Carl didn’t like the idea of Landon taking him on, even with the police force behind him, and the fact that he used to be a cop himself. Briggs was a dangerous man who would obviously stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Carl hated that Briggs wanted what was his.

“What does he want this time?” Carl snarled.

Landon touched his hand to Carl’s cheek. “Easy does it, Babes, I haven’t looked at the text yet, he could be telling me he doesn’t want to bother me anymore.”

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

“Do you have any idea how fucking horny you make me when you get all primal?” Landon licked his lip seductively.

“Read the text, Ace,” Carl said, picking apart his sandwich and popping a slice of crisp bacon into his mouth and chewing, as he watched Landon pick up his phone.

Landon read it out loud. “Since you won’t attend my daughter’s wedding with me, at least come to the rehearsal party. Saturday night, it will be a casual affair at my home.”

He sent a text and turned to Carl. “I told him I’d let him know, I need to talk to Johnson and see what we can set up.”

“I notice he didn’t tell you to bring a guest,” Carl tilted his head with a scathing look pasted on his face.

“Come on,” Landon said, taking Carl by the hand and leading him along the hall. “I need a shower and you’re joining me.”

“Let me clean the kitchen first,” Carl pulled away, proceeding to the kitchen when Landon lifted him off his feet.

“No, I want a shower now,” Landon told him, the demanding side of him hijacking the moment. “The mess will still be there when we’re done, we can clean it together. You get the towels and I’ll start the shower.”

“Yes sir,” Carl saluted.

“Dolce and Gabbana...fancy,” Landon said, standing under the spray of the shower head opening the cap and taking a sniff. “Yep, that’s the smell.”

“What smell?” Carl asked, setting the towels on the counter and opening the glass door.

His eyes scrutinized Landon’s body intently, from the top of his head to the tips of his toes and came to rest on the apple firm cheeks of his ass. He had the most outstanding gluteus maximus. Carl just wanted to sink his teeth into it, and gave him an appreciative caress as he climbed in behind him.

“This is what I smell when you’re near, this and oranges. It’s fucking wild.”

Taking Carl’s hand, he poured a generous amount of body wash into his palm and the same into his own. They took their time washing each other, their chests and backs, legs and arms and then soaped each other’s cocks and rocked their hips in unison until they were breathless and thirsty.

Landon reached his soapy hand around Carl and lathered between the cheeks of his ass paying extra attention to his puckered opening. His finger slipped in and out as Carl groaned, closing his eyes and licking a trail along Landon’s collar bone up his neck, over his chin and then melting his mouth to Landon’s.

Their tongues delved between each other’s lips, while the sound of heavy breathing and groans echoed within the walls of the shower stall. Carl pulled Landon into a bear hug and trailed his finger down Landon’s crack and shoved his soapy finger inside his hole. For several long, steamy minutes they played like this, exploring each other.

Carl bit into Landon’s bottom lip and listened to his growl, enjoying the nip of pain. He knew Landon was into more than the subtle taste of vanilla, he clearly enjoyed a variety of flavors, and Carl shivered at the possibilities.

“I’m ready to get out of here, you coming?” Carl asked, turning off the taps and opening the door.

Landon’s hand wrapped around Carl’s throat as he exited the stall, stopping Carl from moving another inch, he pressed into his back, his hard length forced against his thigh.

“Not yet,” Landon whispered, his lips making contact with the lobe of Carl’s ear. “But I will be.” He nipped his ear and walked him out of the room.

The sensation of Landon’s hand grasping his throat, the slight tingle of excitement along his spine as Landon’s hold tightened ever so slightly and Carl knew he was owned.

Reaching the beds edge, Landon toppled them forward, landing his full weight on Carl, who grunted and Landon rolled them onto their sides. He peppered kissed on the nape of Carl’s neck and ground his erection against Carl’s ass.

Stretching his arm back around Landon’s head, he turned his head back and kissed him then spoke against his mouth, “Fuck me, Ace,”

“Don’t have to tell me twice,” Landon said, sliding his hand under the pillow, emerging with lube and a condom. “On your belly, ass in the air,”

“Very demanding,” Carl said, getting into position.

“Very quick to submit,” Landon countered, as he squeezed lube onto his fingers and rubbed it along Carl’s seam.

Landon grinned and bit into his lip as he pushed a finger into Carl and listened to his moans.

“You like?”