Free Landon's Desire (Book Three of The Pulse Series 3) by Jennifer Rose

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