Landon spent his next Theory class watching at Derek. From the moment he entered the classroom, Landon had been helpless. Derek looked delectable in his dark green collared shirt and dark gray slacks. More than a couple of times, Derek shot him a knowing smirk. Landon hastened to look away, trying in vain to pay attention to the lecture.
Nina’s earlier words echoed in his mind. As strange as it was, it felt as though she had given him permission to pursue Derek. Landon felt giddiness fill him at the thought. He knew they would need to stay discreet, that nobody could know about it. The fact that others had successfully done it only made Landon’s excitement grow.
Until he remembered what had happened the last time he knew he could have what he wanted.
Landon rubbed at the scar at the edge of his hairline. No, it would be best if he ended this whole thing before it even began. He had school to focus on. He couldn’t afford any distractions.
But that still didn’t stop Landon from looking.
Class had been mercifully short. Landon knew he missed most of the material due to his daydreaming. He would get it out of Carson later if it killed him.
There was no way he was going back to Derek’s office hours for help.
Landon relished the hour between Theory and rehearsal. It was easier to push thoughts of Derek aside when he was with his friends. Thankfully, he conversation hadn’t drifted toward professors, especially the newest one. Landon feared if Nina could figure out his predicament, his friends definitely could.
Landon grabbed his trumpet out of his locker and made his way down the stairs, toward the rehearsal hall. Anticipation made his hands sweat. Landon wondered what Derek would say to the trumpets today. He also hoped that Derek would slide him one of those secret smiles of his.
No, he didn’t. He needed to keep his focus, unlike in class earlier.
Pausing outside the rehearsal hall, Landon took a few deep breaths.
Landon knew the moment Derek’s eyes fell on him. He glanced up, convinced it was all in his mind. Who could really feel if they were being watched? But that dark gaze had been watching him. Landon’s heart jumped into his throat. Derek looked away as another student approached him.
Sucking in another breath, Landon took his seat. At this rate, he would hyperventilate before rehearsal even began. Landon busied himself with removing his trumpet from its case. Carson joined him moments later, giving him a quiet greeting. It seemed Landon wasn’t the only one a bit anxious about today’s rehearsal.
“Hey,” Landon said, turning toward Carson. “Chin up. Part of being a musician is being flexible, right? So let’s just play some music and prove to the bastard that we’re a good section.”
Carson flashed Landon a relieved grin. “Yeah, you’re right.”
A couple of claps drew Landon’s gaze forward before he could think twice. Derek looked stunning. The golden light of the hall made his skin appear creamy, his hair more inky and shiny.
“Good afternoon, everyone.” Derek’s deep, smooth voice filled the hall. Landon repressed a shudder of desire at the sound.
Get a grip!
Derek gave a brief speech about the concert schedule, which had finally been set. Then he set the band to tune and run a few scale exercises. When it came time to play, Landon focused all his attention on the music, only taking quick glances at Derek.
“Trumpets!” Derek called, continuing to conduct the band. “You’re falling behind! Eyes on me!”
Landon back stiffened but glanced up at Derek. Which turned out to be an even bigger mistake. Landon’s eyes traveled over his broad shoulders and trim waist. He wondered what it would be like to haul him up against a wall somewhere secluded.
“Landon!” Carson hissed urgently before lifting his horn to his lips.
Shit!
He lost count and missed his entrance. He eased back in to the music, but it still felt off.
Derek cut off the band, lifting his voice over the fading instruments.
“Let’s try that section one more time. Trumpets, remember to count,” Derek said, lifting his arms. A slight smirk lifted the corner of Derek’s mouth as his eyes met Landon’s. It was as though he were daring Landon to do better.
Embarrassment washed over him, heating his neck and cheeks. He had been caught. Derek knew what a distraction he could be to Landon. Was Derek playing with him? Teasing him? The idea made Landon cough.
He nailed the entrance the second time, which Derek didn’t acknowledge. Landon frowned, trying to shake off the feeling of disappointment. He didn’t need Derek’s acknowledgment.
But he wanted it.
By the end of the first piece, Landon came to the conclusion that Derek was baiting him. Shoulders tense, Landon grit his teeth together. Derek’s actions were all harmless. Nobody would be able to tell there was something going on between them. But it set Landon on edge.
What is he doing?
“Are you alright?” Carson whispered as the band shuffled their music, bringing up the next piece. “You seem a bit off today.”
“I’m fine,” Landon lied, casting a quick glance up at Derek. He didn’t look back.
“Bullshit,” Carson spat, causing Landon to look over at the kid in shock. Carson never cursed. “Don’t let him get to you. Think about the music and the trumpet. Prove to him you know how to play. I dare you.”
Landon sat straighter and nodded, giving Carson a smile. He could do this. Looking back up at Derek, Landon caught his eyes and cast him a challenging glare. Derek immediately reciprocated. Landon gave a sharp bark of laughter, feeling himself relax.
He could do this.
Landon played like the devil was after him. And in a way, he was, if the devil looked like Derek Serrano. He nailed every entrance, playing with a confidence that had been missing. There were wrong notes, but Derek knew better than to call Landon out for those this early in the semester. By the time Derek called for a break, the rest of the trumpets and even some clarinets had tuned in to Landon.
“That’s more like it!” Carson exclaimed, standing and placing his trumpet on its stand.
Landon grinned. “Yeah, that felt pretty good. It’ll only get better from there, right?” He placed his trumpet on its own stand and followed Carson out of the concert hall. He usually stayed in the hall during breaks, but he needed to be away from Derek.
They walked toward the lobby, gravitating toward the sunshine. They talked about their trumpet lessons, discussing the solo pieces they would be working on.
Landon caught sight of Derek as he strode across the hallway to the office. The man’s long legs ate up the floor, those pants clinging to all the right places. He looked like a man on a mission, intense and unapproachable.
How he would love to follow Derek and rumple him up.
“Landon?” Carson shook Landon’s shoulder. “Earth to Landon.”
Landon shook his head, trying to clear the daydream.
“Yeah, sorry. Worrying about Theory,” he lied, though it was a valid concern. “Think we can go over it together tomorrow sometime?”
“Sure thing. Come on, we should get back.”
Landon followed Carson back into the rehearsal hall. When Derek returned, they exchanged quick challenging looks once again. Landon had to bite his cheek to prevent a goofy smile.
The rest of rehearsal flew by. Landon spent too much time watching Derek, a plan forming in his mind. Derek had been teasing him most of rehearsal. It seemed only fair that Landon should reciprocate.
Landon took his time putting away his trumpet. He watched Derek talk to other musicians, trying to convince himself that he should just pack up and go home. There were a plethora of reasons why this thing between them was a bad idea.
Derek caught his gaze through the throng of busy musicians. Landon felt the stab of desire, it’s heat snaking through his blood.
There was no stopping this.
Landon stayed later than the others. He gathered and organized the chairs into stacks along the side of the stage. He found moving the chairs reminiscent of hauling bales of hay and was grateful for the distraction. Many musicians called a thanks to Landon, but they fell on deaf ears. Landon concentrated on the chairs, biding his time and watching Derek.
Derek helped percussionists put instruments away into the back room and side closets. Derek’s shirt stretched over his shoulders as he worked. Landon bit his lip when he caught Derek flipping his hair out of his face.
Soon, the chairs were put away and only Derek remained.
Landon imagined he could hear his control snap as he stalked across the stage. Derek turned when he heard the footsteps approaching. Landon almost smiled at the look of surprise on Derek’s face. He wondered what Derek saw in him in that moment. Determination? Desire? Both coursed through Landon, taking control. Whatever it was, it prompted Derek to lean up against the wall of the stage, tucked behind one of the drawn curtains. His lips quirked up into a smirk.
Landon wasted no time in pressing his chest and hips into Derek. The sweet, woody scent of Derek surrounded them. He felt himself grow hard. Groaning, he leaned his head into the space between Derek’s ear and shoulder.
Hands rose to rest on Landon’s arms, steadying both of the men. Landon into Derek’s startled face, those beautiful brown eyes wide and open. A light blush rose to his pale cheeks and his mouth parted, drawing Landon’s attention.
Landon crushed his mouth to Derek’s. Derek’s grip tightened on his arms, pulling Landon closer. Landon slipped a thigh between Derek’s, pinning him in place. Landon couldn’t hold in the moan as he ground his hot length into Derek’s hip.
“Fuck,” Landon growled, letting his lips travel down Derek’s neck and back up to his ear. “You did all that on purpose, didn’t you? Are you trying to get me to jump you? Right in the middle of rehearsal?”
Derek moaned, throwing his head back against the wall. The grip on Landon’s arms tightened. Landon wondered if there would be bruises. He shuddered at the thought.
“You’re driving me fucking crazy.”
“Landon,” Derek whispered, his voice tight. Needy. His hands moved to Landon’s hair and pulled him back. “We have to stop this.”
Landon pushed forward, meeting Derek’s mouth again. Derek responded eagerly, contradicting his words.
“We don’t have to,” Landon said, his lips brushing against Derek’s. It felt more intimate than their kisses. “We don’t have to stop this at all if we don’t want to. We would just need to be careful.”
Derek froze under Landon. Landon pulled back, meeting Derek’s eyes. The worry in them made Landon’s chest ache.
“This is a mistake,” Derek said, his voice quite. He pushed at Landon. Landon stepped back without hesitation, though his mind screamed in protest. He wouldn’t force anything on Derek.
Derek slipped out from behind the curtain and disappeared. Landon remained where he was, listening as Derek’s footsteps faded.
Landon braced himself against the wall, trying to calm the rush of pure need that coursed through him. As his mind cleared, Landon welcomed the shame with open arms.
“Fuck,” he whispered.
What the hell had he done?
Thank God Derek had somehow kept his rational thinking through Landon’s loss of control. Hopefully, Derek would realize Landon’s behavior for what it was, a momentary lapse of reason.
Landon would apologize to Derek. Again.
God. They really would do nothing but apologize to each other, wouldn’t they?
Landon left the protection of the curtain. Grabbing his case, Landon left the rehearsal hall and headed up the stairs toward his locker. He stowed his case and music, his hands shaking. Grateful his classes were done for the day, Landon planned on going home and curling up on his couch. Maybe watch a good action flick.
Landon groaned, banging his head against the locker door. There was no way Royce wouldn’t notice that something had happened.
Pressing Derek up against the wall had been the hottest thing he’d ever experienced. He wanted more. Needed more.
Landon shook his head. He needed to stay away from Derek. Derek made that utterly clear.
The sting of rejection hurt, but Landon couldn’t be angry about it. Of course they couldn’t, shouldn’t be together. Landon might be willing, but it wasn’t fair to expect the same of Derek.
Shutting his locker door, Landon made his way down the hall and out of the building.
Derek slid his office door shut behind him before slumping against it.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
His erection strained against the front of his slacks, begging for release. He ignored it. Instead, he clung to the self-disgust that burned in his gut.
He had goaded Landon. Teased and taunted the musician until he had snapped. Derek didn’t know what possessed him to do such a thing. No, he did. He had wanted to see that beautiful flush across Landon’s cheeks again. And when Landon had responded to his challenges, Derek had felt powerful. It shouldn’t have been a surprise when Landon had pushed him up against the wall after rehearsal.
Derek had been helpless against Landon’s demanding mouth. He felt his hands grip Landon, pulling him closer. He had wanted, for one crazy moment, to let Landon have his way with him.
A groan escaped his lips as he pushed himself away from the door. Derek collapsed into his office chair and stared unseeing at his computer.
Kissing Landon in the practice room yesterday had also been a mistake. One he had spent most of the night mulling over. Derek had never felt so out of control before, especially over a person. Something at Landon pulled at him, something basic and elemental. He knew if he had any chance at preserving his career, he needed to keep clear boundaries between them.
He had avoided the coffee house that morning, needing to strengthen his resolve before seeing Landon. Derek spent every spare moment in his office, mentally preparing himself for when he did have to see him.
His music theory class had been a challenge. Whatever he had been expecting, it hadn’t been Landon staring at him all period. It wasn’t hard to guess what Landon had been thinking about. Derek felt embarrassed to admit he had enjoyed the attention.
And it had carried straight into rehearsal.
Landon had felt so good in his arms. His fresh, clean scent made Derek’s mouth water. The heat of Landon’s hard body had spread into Derek’s, making him wonder how hot Landon’s naked body would be.
It had been that thought that had begun to pull Derek back into reality. And hearing Landon’s heated whisper that they didn’t need to stop this insanity had been as shocking as a glass of ice water to the face.
They had been in the rehearsal hall, in the middle of the afternoon. Anybody could have found the two of them and reported them. It had been beyond stupid. He couldn’t allow himself to behave this way any longer.
Rising from his chair, Derek grabbed his jacket from the coat rack by the door and slipped it on. He slipped his computer and textbooks into his messenger bag and tossed it over his shoulder.
He could only hope Landon would keep these encounters a secret.