“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.” Greg’s voice fell like rain against his skin.
Now, he definitely felt Greg’s fingers dancing like a feather across his hip and skating down to the leather of his pants before stilling.
“You grew up,” Greg continued on.
“Please let me go,” Landon said, a whisper he hoped was loud enough to be heard over the noise of the club.No.He didn’t need Greg’s permission to move—to go. He was mad at himself for even saying such a thing. That relationship was long gone, buried deep under a life that had been built separate of a bond he’d once taken for granted.
Greg’s hand was gone, as though giving permission, and Landon was down the last stair and into his office before he knew how he’d gotten there. Less than a minute later, Verity pushed the door open and closed it quietly behind them with a click.
“Callum has the bar; now tell me what’s going on.”
Landon’s shoulders shook and Verity was on him, wrapping his arms around Landon’s back and pressing his face into their neck.
“It’s Greg,” Landon mumbled.
“Gregory?”
“Gregory is Greg,” Landon clarified, and Verity’s arms tightened. Landon had told them the story years ago. Verity may have been able to re-tell Landon and Greg—Gregory’s breakup better than Landon could at this point.
“Ohh…” Verity drawled, a realization ringing through their voice. “I didn’t know. I wouldn’t have booked it.”
“Of course you didn’t know,” Landon cry-laughed then pulled away from Verity and wiped a hand under his nose. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Do you want to trade me? Take the bar and I can manage upstairs?” Verity rubbed Landon’s cheeks then cupped their hands around his neck.
Landon sniffed and shook his head. “That’s dumb.”
He laughed and it sounded like he was underwater. “I just had a moment where I felt like I was eighteen all over again. But I’m not. I’m halfway through my thirties. I can be an adult about it.”
“Did he try and talk to you upstairs?” Verity’s thumbs were stroking a reassuring pattern up and down his throat.
“Yeah, but…” Landon trailed off, not wanting to admit how Gregory’s command had stopped him in his tracks. “It’s fine. Water under the bridge.”
Landon smoothed his hands down his chest and stomach, lingering on his hip where he could still feel the weight of Gregory’s touch before shaking himself free of Verity’s hold. He took Verity’s hands in his and pressed kisses across their knuckles and offered what he hoped was a reassuring smile.
“It’s fine. I promise.”
“Landon.”
Verity cocked an eyebrow at Landon, and Landon fought back resentment directed at everyone acting like they could voice him into submission tonight. He knew that wasn’t Verity’s intent, so he swallowed it back.
“Verity,” Landon countered, then he shook his head and forced a smile. “You need to go find a Dom; you’re getting far too pushy for me.”
Verity rolled their eyes and took their hands out of Landon’s and turned toward the office door.
“You’ll come get me?” Verity asked half a question, and Landon nodded.
“Yes.”
Yes, I’ll come get you if I can’t handle this. If it’s too much. If it hurts. If it burns. If it bubbles inside of my heart into something warm, I’ll come to you.
“Thank you, Verity.”
They smiled and slinked out of the office door in the fluid way that only Verity moved, then closed it behind them leaving Landon alone again in the office with his thoughts.
Landon blinked back the memory of how kneeling at Gregory’s feet used to feel like home and then checked his face in the mirror, straightened his harness, and left the office. He navigated through the people on the dance floor and slipped behind the bar. Verity cast him a sideways glance that Landon ignored in favor of collecting a few bottles of whiskey and vodka to take to the loft.
As he approached the stairs, Landon saw Gregory standing there, resting against the banister. Gregory saw him and started forward, ready to speak, but Landon shook his head and carried on up the stairs. He set the bottles on the small bar that was tucked near the corner of the stage and made his way over to Justin.
