The Perfect Mess (11 page)

“Three days,” Landon said as he pointed at the man and he waved it off.

“Yeah, I’ll get my grandson to run it over,” he grumbled and Landon laughed as he turned and Ben was all too happy to push the door open for him.

“I can’t believe you bought that,” Ben said as he stood next to Landon on the sidewalk. Landon grinned as he hailed a taxi.

“That table is awesome,” he insisted then stepped off the curb and reached for the door when a taxi stopped in front of them. Landon gave his address and Ben wondered if they understood the word Awesome to have different meanings as he slid across the bench and waited for Landon to join him. “I used to have a gnome salt and pepper shaker set but my niece stole it,” Landon said as he reclined and Ben bit his lip to keep from laughing.

“I was thinking that was what your apartment lacked,” he murmured as he started scanning his phone for dinner ideas and Landon chuckled.

“What do you want to do for the rest of the day?” He asked and Ben felt Landon’s hand settle on top of his on the seat. It was such a delicate gesture, his hand rested so lightly, Ben could have missed it if he’d been more distracted. Landon’s thumb caressed the tops of Ben’s fingers and warmth swirled in his groin. Ben turned his hand over and teased Landon’s palm with his fingertips as he watched Landon’s eyes get heavy.

“Maybe we could nap on the couch or watch a movie. Maybe order pizza and stay in for the night?” Ben offered and Landon’s lips tilted as he hummed happily.

“It’s like you read my mind,” he said softly and Ben angled his legs so their knees were touching. Ben watched as Landon’s fingertips traced the underside of his wrist and the cabin of the taxi became much hotter.

“I can and you’re not thinking about watching movies,” he said as his eyes slid to Landon’s face. He shook his head and licked his lips.

“We’d already be laying down…” His pupils were large as his eyes locked on Ben’s lips. Ben groaned as his cock grew hard and pushed against the front of his jeans. A tickle of apprehension twirled in his stomach as he guessed what Landon was imagining. Ben scolded himself as he nodded and shifted his hips, trying to find a little more room for the bulge that was becoming uncomfortable. Even though Landon didn’t keep track and there was never any expectation or pressure, it was Ben’s turn to bottom. He didn’t understand why he felt it was necessary to keep score or make sure that he kept things even between them. Every time he let Landon fuck him, he loved it. Yet he needed an excuse to make it ok in his mind, for some reason. He couldn’t just accept that he enjoyed the intimacy and vulnerability and it just felt really, really good. In fact, there was the tingling and the gnawing ache in his ass and he felt impatient to get back to Landon’s. He even sighed in relief when the car came to a stop. Ben reached for his wallet and Landon narrowed his eyes as he pulled his out of his pocket.
There you go, you can put out because he paid for brunch and both cab rides this time. And he said that you were a dream, it would be rude not to,
he teased himself.
You have to get over this masc bullshit,
he decided as he stepped out and followed Landon into his building as he silently wondered how and envied Landon for being so comfortable with his sexuality and expressive about his fantasies. Ben shrugged inwardly. He was letting Landon fuck him and he never would have imagined that he’d have gone along with or gotten lost in playing a priest/god, who knew what else he was capable of.

Landon leaned against Ben’s shoulder as they waited for the elevator. When the doors opened, he walked in and pulled Ben with him as he fell against the wall. Once again, Ben was lost as his lips brushed against Landon’s and their bodies pressed together. It was like being drunk, the way his body got heavy and loose at the same time and his self control evaporated. Everything became warm and his body hummed with anticipation and need, he couldn’t keep his lips and hands off of Landon. They panted as they arched and ground against each other until the elevator lurched to a halt and the doors opened. Ben pushed off of the wall and stepped back and clenched his jaw as Landon’s hand curved around Ben’s ass as he walked past. Ben followed slowly, enjoying the clenching of Landon’s ass as he walked. He checked to make sure the hall was clear before his hands slid around Landon’s waist and worked the button at his fly free as Landon unlocked his door.

They stumbled through Landon’s door and it shut just as Ben’s hand wrapped around Landon’s cock and began to stroke. Ben knew they wouldn’t make it to the bedroom when Landon groaned and thrust into Ben’s hand as his head fell back on Ben’s shoulder. His teeth dug into Landon’s neck and he felt Landon’s erection pulse. Ben was torn. He wanted to drop to his knees and run his lips and tongue all over Landon’s beautiful cock but he urgently needed that throbbing heat deep inside of him. Ben slid his free hand into Landon’s pocket and his mind was made up when his fingers closed around a lube packet. Landon had taken to carrying them with him since Ben’s test results and it drove Ben crazy, knowing that Landon imagined sex could happen at any moment as he was getting ready to go out. Ben ripped the packet open and Landon hissed as Ben stroked lube over his straining length.

“We’re going straight to that?” Landon asked hoarsely and Ben’s hands shook as he worked at his belt and the buttons of his jeans. He nodded frantically as he kicked off his shoes and stepped out of his pants.

“Now. I need it now,” Ben commanded as he turned and put his hands against the door. He spread his feet and thrust his ass back and Landon groaned as he wrapped his body around Ben’s.

“Are you sure?” It was gravelly and damp in Ben’s ear and he shivered as he nodded.

“Just fuck me, Landon,” Ben said as he looked over his shoulder, searching for Landon’s lips. They crashed into Ben’s and their tongues and teeth collided as Landon positioned himself at Ben’s entrance. Ben hauled in a breath and pushed back as the head of Landon’s erection pressed against his hole. He exhaled and felt it slip past the tight ring and squeezed his eyes shut, savoring the sting and incredible pressure as it mingled with tingling need. His body relaxed and Landon grunted as he slid forward, slowly filling Ben’s passage. “That’s so good,” he whispered as he pressed his cheek against the door.

“Really good,” Landon sighed as he pulled his hips back then thrust forward. Ben’s eyes rolled as he stretched around Landon’s shaft and heat spilled down his legs. Ben’s hands braced against the door as Landon’s hips slapped against his ass. Landon tilted Ben’s hips and drove hard and Ben’s mouth fell open as Landon’s erection rode his prostate. Ben must have made a sound because Landon laughed as his hands pressed against the door outside of Ben’s. “I always know when I’ve found it,” he panted. “You get so tight and you jump,” Landon explained breathlessly. Ben was about to tell Landon that he was full of himself when searing pressure pushed up Ben’s length. He forced his eyes to focus as he looked down.

“Holy shit,” Ben slurred as a string of pre-cum poured from the end of his cock. His eyes grew wide as it reached the floor and formed a puddle. Pleasure and heat pulsed through his body as the tiny gland and his sack drew tighter. Ben gasped for breath and was about to beg Landon to fuck him harder when a knock at the door made them both jump. Ben froze but Landon’s hips kept driving into Ben. “Landon!” Ben hissed.

“Why don’t you see who it is?” Landon said softly and Ben ground his teeth to keep from moaning loudly as Landon bucked, crushing his prostate and pushing Ben against the door. Ben’s cheeks puffed out as he lined his eye up with the peephole. It was hard to make anything out as his body kept bouncing. Eventually, he was able to see through the hole.

“It’s a woman. I think she has a gift bag,” he whispered as Landon kept thrusting.

“Is it your birthday?” He asked and Ben would have snorted or said something sarcastic but he was forced to bite his lip as intense pressure gripped his balls and pushed into the base of his cock. He shook his head and pulled his lips in to keep from screaming as his nerves contracted. “It isn’t mine,” Landon said under his breath as his fingers dug into Ben’s shoulders. “Though it’s starting to feel like it,” he added as he rose onto the balls of his feet and slammed into Ben, bringing Ben’s feet off the floor and forcing a thick rope of come to shoot from the end of Ben’s cock. There was another knock and Ben shook his head drunkenly before it fell. His neck was limp and his head bobbed as his nerves flickered and heat washed through him. “Oh, fuck, Ben!” Landon whispered loudly as he thrust deep and froze. Ben’s fingernails scraped at the panels as he clenched tight around Landon. He felt Landon’s shaft swell and pulse and Landon bucked a few times before his body started to shake. Molten heat flooded Ben’s passage as Landon melted against Ben’s back. Ben shivered and sighed as Landon’s lips found his ear. Landon’s breath was a hot, damp huff as they waited for their muscles to become solid again. Landon kissed Ben’s ear before he pushed off the door and pulled out. “Now, I definitely need a nap,” he announced as he stepped back. Ben pried himself off of the door and shook his head in disbelief as he stared at the mess on the floor.

“Before we pass out, you should clean this up and see what she left,” Ben said as he trudged across the living room with his jeans still wrapped around one foot.

Chapter 16

“Why do I have to clean up your mess?” Landon asked. He heard a loud “pfffttt” from the bathroom.

“Because I’m cleaning up yours and you’d be a shitty host if you didn’t,” Ben said and Landon laughed.

“I don’t think you still qualify as a guest,” he argued as he grabbed the paper towels and spray. He quickly wiped up Ben’s puddle and was about to pull the door open when Ben walked out wearing the pajama pants and t-shirt Landon loaned him the first night Ben stayed over. Not that Landon had any illusions of getting them back. Watching Ben drop onto the couch and stretch onto his side flooded Landon with more peace and joy than he’d ever expected.
How did this ever feel like home without him?
Landon wondered. Ben raised a brow then waved his hand impatiently.

“Would you hurry up? I want to watch a movie,” Ben urged and Landon laughed.

“You know we won’t last ten minutes, we’ll be asleep before the opening credits are finished” he said as he zipped his jeans and Ben shrugged.

“I know but I still want to put something on. It makes the nap feel more complete if there’s a movie playing,” he explained and Landon’s brows pulled together.

“It’s not a complete nap if we don’t fall asleep during a movie?” He asked and Ben nodded.

“Yes. If that doesn’t make sense to you, I can’t help it,” Ben said and Landon threw his hands up in defeat as he turned toward the door.

Landon’s eyes flared as he looked at the bag at his feet. It was tall and narrow and Landon knew without looking that it probably contained a bottle of wine. His lips twisted as he dropped to his knees. He reached in and pulled out the bottle. Champagne. He frowned as he looked for a card or label but found nothing. The elevator dinged and he looked up as Cassandra walked out. She paused then smiled as she walked forward. Landon waved as he picked up the bottle and bag then leaned against the door. For some reason, seeing his real estate agent dressed in a pair of really short denim shorts, a black, lace trimmed camisole top and black ballet flats made him feel like he’d swallowed a brick. Not that she looked bad. Most men would find the petite blonde very attractive. Just not Landon.

“Hey, Cassandra!” He said brightly. “Did you do this?” He asked as he held up the bottle and she winked as she waved a card at him.

“Silly me! I left the card in my car,” she said as she stepped close and slipped it into the bag. “I knocked but you didn’t answer,” Cassandra purred and the weight in Landon’s stomach became heavier. He did his best to appear surprised or confused then nodded.

“I must have missed you, I had my headphones on,” he lied and she waved dismissively.

“That’s fine! Were you working out?” She asked and this time, Landon was honestly confused.

“Working out?” He asked and she pointed at his chest and Landon frowned as he looked down and saw that his shirt was clinging to his skin.

“You look like you’ve been sweating,” she murmured as her finger traced the groove between his pecs and Landon flinched.

“Right. I must have got carried away,” he said as he leaned back and hugged the bag to his chest and she looked at Landon expectantly. “With the music,” Landon mumbled and she laughed.

“You were dancing? I have to see this,” she insisted and Landon shook his head quickly.

“I’m a lousy dancer,” he said a little too loudly and she rolled her eyes. “Really. And I wasn’t really dancing. I just got carried away,” he repeated. “So, what brings you by?” Landon asked and Cassandra bit her lip as she leaned close and stared up at Landon.

“I was hoping that you might invite me in for a drink. I’d love to get to know you better, Landon,” she murmured softly and he swallowed loudly.

“You want to get to know me better?” His voice cracked and she nodded.

“I feel like I know so much about you from your paperwork and the time I’ve spent in your apartment but we’ve never really talked,” she said and Landon frowned.

“What do you want to know?” He asked and she shrugged.

“All kinds of things!” She said as her fingers twirled a lock of her hair. “I don’t even know what you’re doing after you sell this place. You never mentioned being in the market for a new place. Do you have another place? Are you moving in with a girlfriend?” Her eyes grew wide as she said “girlfriend” very slowly and Landon shook his head.

“No. I’m moving to California,” he said and she deflated as her lips pushed into a pout.

“That’s terrible! I should have known that I’d find Mr. Perfect just as he was about to leave,” she complained and Landon cringed.

“Right. Actually…” he didn’t get to explain before she shrugged again and tapped the bottle with her finger.

“I don’t suppose you would be interested in something casual…before you left,” she said and Landon heard a bark of laughter from inside the apartment. Cassandra’s mouth fell open and she jumped back. Landon winced as he tilted his head forward.

“I’m really flattered, Cassandra,” he whispered loudly. “But I’m gay.” Landon gave her an apologetic grin and forbid himself to laugh as her face turned red. “And my boyfriend might object,” he added and Cassandra nodded as she slowly backed away.

“I am so sorry! I had no idea,” she said loudly and Landon held his hands up soothingly.

“It’s fine,” he insisted and she bit her lip before she looked back to see how much further she had to go before she could escape into the elevator.

“I just…” She licked her lips nervously. “You don’t seem…gay,” she whispered and Landon laughed.

“I promise, I am,” he said. “You can ask my boyfriend, if you don’t believe me.” Landon knew it was cruel but he’d tried being subtle and she had been stubbornly forward. Cassandra shook her head.

“No, I’m good,” she said as she pushed the button fifty times. “Enjoy the champagne and I’ll call you on Monday to work out the details,” she said then sighed in relief when the doors opened.

Cassandra waved as she dashed into the elevator and Landon waved back absently then turned and walked back into his apartment. He examined the bottle before setting it on the counter.

“She seems lovely,” Ben teased as Landon opened the card. Landon glared at Ben before he read.

Congratulations! They made an offer. They’re buying your apartment at your asking price! I’ve been waiting for your place to sell so you wouldn’t be a client anymore and I could ask you out. Let’s celebrate!

Cassandra

“Oh, shit,” Landon mumbled as the card slipped from his fingers. Ben sat up and jumped to his feet.

“What’s wrong?” He asked as he went to Landon.

“My apartment. They’re buying it,” he said as he looked up at Ben. Ben stopped and his arms fell at his sides as he pulled in a steadying breath. It should have been good news but Landon felt like he was sinking. He reached for Ben and he gasped past the tightness in his chest as Ben’s arms locked around him. “We’re not going to panic, right?” Landon asked shakily and he felt Ben nod.

“No.” It was hoarse and weak. “We still have time,” he murmured as his hands pressed against Landon’s back. Landon shut his eyes and begged his stomach to unclench and his nerves to settle. Five weeks. The last month had gone by so quickly and Landon knew the next five weeks would go just as fast.