Promises: Part I (Bounty Hunters Book 1) (16 page)

Duke’s moan was evidence of how much he needed Vaughan. There was no denying it. Duke was aching for affection. God knew how long it’d been since the man had felt appreciated and valued, but Vaughan would make sure he never felt the need again. He’d love Duke for as long as he could.

Duke’s plea against his lips as he whispered painfully for Vaughan to do something had him almost throwing them back onto the bed—surgery be damned—and healing Duke from the inside out. “Shh. I’m gonna give you everything you’ve ever needed, Duke. I promise you. But please don’t ask me to make love to you right now.” Vaughan squeezed his eyes shut, holding onto Duke’s hand like he’d wither away if he weren’t anchored. “I don’t know if I have the strength to deny you.”

Vaughan didn’t open his eyes until he felt Duke’s final kiss on his jaw before the bed dipped and Duke was closing himself into the bathroom.
Thank you, lord
. It’d be damn hard to explain to Dr. Chauncey that they both needed an emergency visit because they’d both needed to fuck and have kinky, rough sex. Claiming, violent, possessive sex.

Vaughan yelled through the door when he heard the water running, “I have toothbrushes under the sink.”

“Got it,” Duke called back.

Vaughan pulled out his notepad and his new thermometer from the nightstand drawer so he could go back to being a responsible post-op living donor. They both still had things they needed to do now that their surgery was complete to ensure Duke and he were both healing properly. That meant keeping a food journal, along with weighing themselves and taking their temperature every day. Tracking those things would help the doctor determine if Duke’s body was rejecting the kidney or if infection was present in either one of them.

Duke had put on the clothes Vaughan gave him, and he felt proud that he was wearing his clothes. Trying not to stare, Vaughan asked Duke, “Do you have your journal with you?”

It took a second for Duke to catch on, but after a few moments his eyebrows rose higher. “Oh, shit. How the hell could I forget about that? I can’t even remember what I ate yesterday.”

Vaughan opened the notepad to a clean page. “Well, you had a salad here and banana pudding. Just list that and we’ll do better keeping track today. But for the time being, here.” Vaughan handed Duke the thermometer. Without amusement or disdain, Duke popped it in his mouth and picked up Vaughan’s brush off the dresser and began brushing back his wayward locks. When Duke removed the thermometer he looked at it.

“I’m good.”

When he handed the thermometer back, Vaughan saw it was ninety-eight point eight.

“Is this what you’re going to do while I’m here?”

“Excuse me?” Vaughan stood, buttoning up the rest of his lounge shirt over his own tank top.

“I don’t want a babysitter. I’m capable of managing my own journal.” Duke’s eyes were hard and penetrating. “I don’t want to burden you. You don’t have to be responsible for not only saving me but also for my post-op care. You’ll be tired of me before we’ve had one date.”

Vaughan snorted lightly. He stood and carefully wrapped his arms around Duke’s waist and leaned in until their foreheads were pressed together. “I would never try to babysit you, micromanage you, or make you feel like you’re incapable. I was just letting you know that I have everything you need to spend the day with me. I’m sorry. Forgive me for making you feel like that.”

Duke was staring at him like he had two heads.

“Baby. I really am sorry. I won’t do that again. I swear. I’ll leave the stuff in the bathroom, the thermometer, gauze, pain reliever, and you just use when you want.” Vaughan rubbed one hand up and down Duke’s arm and stroked his cheek with the other. “Okay?”

“Sure.” Duke broke apart after kissing Vaughan’s forehead. “I didn’t mean to be snappy. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”

“Let’s go eat. I’m starving. I might start eating you if I don’t get some food soon.”

“I’m delicious and meaty,” Duke teased, easing the tension that had drifted in like a storm cloud, settling over them.

Making their way downstairs, Vaughan realized that his father said he’d be leaving early for work, so they were there alone. He smelled coffee and bacon as soon as his feet hit the landing. When they entered the kitchen, Vaughan went straight for the coffee, fixing them both a cup while Duke pulled out two plates. The food was warming in the oven and Vaughan was so grateful for his dad’s thoughtfulness. The eggs and bacon rejuvenated both of them. Duke read the paper his friend had left on the table while Vaughan answered emails on his laptop. It was oddly domesticated. Comfortable.

“What’s the weather today, babe?”

Duke flipped back to the front page. “Um. High eighties.”

“Nice.” Vaughan closed his laptop and took another sip of his coffee. “You want another cup of Joe before we go for a walk?”

“Yeah.” Duke thrust his empty cup across the table. “That last cup was really good.”

“I added cinnamon.” Vaughan winked.

“You spoil me.” Duke shook his head, a grin spreading across his face.

“It’s just a spice, honey. I haven’t begun to spoil you.”

********

Duke held Vaughan’s hand loosely while they walked around his best friend’s spacious backyard. They kept the pace comfortable and easy. They weren’t up to brisk walking yet, but probably after their next checkup they’d be cleared to get on a treadmill or stationary bike and increase the pace and elevation.

Duke had been so surprised at how easily Vaughan had apologized for upsetting him that morning. People, not to mention potential lovers, never apologized to him or cared how he felt. After Vaughan had apologized, Duke didn’t know what to say. He immediately felt bad for raising such a fuss in the first place. It’s not a bad thing that someone who loved you wanted to make sure you were healthy and healing properly.

After breakfast, Vaughan and Duke had stretched together; doing some of the basic physical therapy exercises they’d been taught. By the time they got to the ten-pound weights, Duke was already sweating. He quadrupled his effort on his one good hand, putting both weights in his palm and curling them. It looked like Vaughan wanted to object but he didn’t. They had instructions not to lift anything over fifteen pounds, so Duke only did one rep. He didn’t want Vaughan walking around on eggshells, like Duke would bite his head off at any moment.

As they strolled, Duke stopped and took Vaughan’s hand into his and kissed his palm. His man’s grin was sexy and assured. “Don’t think you can’t say what’s on your mind, okay. I know I bitched earlier, but I may have overreacted.”

Vaughan moved in closer, both of their sweaty chests molding to each other even through the thin tank tops they wore. “You didn’t overreact. I was being a mother hen. I want to be your man, not your handler.”

“You
are
my man,” Duke whispered, backing both of them up. “And for the record. I don’t mind being handled.”

Vaughan’s eyes sparkled with mischief. When Vaughan’s back hit the tall fence, Duke felt himself being pulled in tighter. Tilting his head automatically, Duke went in for another taste of his own. Vaughan was the same height and they fit so perfectly together, as if the fates had designed them for each other. It was crazy to think that way, but there had to be some divine intervention, because while Duke wasn’t chopped liver, men like Vaughan didn’t end up with men like him. One thing for sure was Duke didn’t question Vaughan’s loyalty or dedication to him, for obvious reasons.

Duke closed his eyes and let Vaughan’s strong hands roam his body. “You feel so damn good. Full of tight muscles,” Vaughan murmured in between sweet kisses. “I want all of you, Duke. The good, the wonderful, the bad, the ornery; everything that makes you, you. I want it.”

Duke held his head back, gazing up at the warm sun. The Atlanta heat had nothing on his man’s scorching tongue. Vaughan moaned low and deep in his throat while he sucked on Duke’s skin, running that sinful tongue along his Adam’s apple before dipping into the dimple just beneath it.

“Fuck. Feels good.” Duke’s cock was so hard and uncomfortable it bordered on painful. He was constantly getting erections, but no release. Although his abdominal pain had significantly reduced—unless he overdid it—he still wasn’t sure how an orgasm would feel. He was sure Vaughan would practically make his head pop off, especially since it’d been far too long since he’d had someone other than himself responsible for giving him pleasure.

“You taste so good, sweetheart,” Vaughan marveled in his smooth, velvety tone. “I don’t know how much longer I can resist you.”

Duke pulled on Vaughan’s hair, directing his mouth back over to his ear, back to that spot behind it that made him delirious with want. “Goddamn you,” Duke hissed when Vaughan assaulted that spot in the best way.

“I see you guys have worked everything out.”

Duke groaned at the deep voice carrying all the way from the other side of the backyard. Vaughan didn’t bother letting Duke go but he knew that Judge’s tall, brooding figure was watching them. Surprisingly, Duke didn’t care how long he’d been watching either.
Good
.

Vaughan licked Duke’s lip, sucking it in between his teeth, his hazel eyes locked on Duke. He wasn’t stopping anything Vaughan was willing to do to him, regardless of their audience.

“They at it again?”

Duke finally jumped apart at the sound of Quick’s voice. He could play exhibitionist with Judge but not with Quick, especially when it was his son that Duke was utterly enjoying. “Jesus.”

Vaughan laughed and lightly swatted Duke on his ass before grabbing his hand and walking them back across the yard. His man had so much confidence and swag that it couldn’t help but rub off on him. Duke was sure his neck was bright red; he just hoped he could blame it on the heat and exercise instead of Vaughan’s ministrations.

“What are you two doing here?” Duke asked for lack of anything better to say after getting caught trying to dry fuck against a fence in the middle of the day.

“I live here,” Quick retorted humorously, turning back into the house.

“Do I need a reason to come visit my best friend after he’s had life-saving surgery?” Judge added, walking right up to Duke and hugging him. Vaughan was forced to move back to allow for Judge’s huge frame. Duke hugged his friend back. Even though he’d come at the most inopportune time, Duke was still glad to see the big lug. He had on his dark jeans and a white t-shirt stretched so tight across his massive chest that it struggled not to tear apart. His beard had gotten longer, and Duke had a quick flash of memory of how much he used to love to pull on it when they fucked. Though they were back to being strictly platonic friends, Duke would never forget what he and Judge had shared for so long. But Vaughan was so much better for Duke than Judge had ever been. Vaughan was a lover, a partner, someone who craved love as much as Duke did. They were perfect together in many ways and he hoped he’d get a chance to show that to the young stud soon.

“I’m gonna go shower,” Vaughan announced, giving Judge a side-eye. He looked pissed, but it was hard to tell. Duke wanted to protest his man’s departure as Vaughan took the steps upstairs gracefully. He’d promised they’d shower together and take a nap… naked. Now all that’d changed and it appeared neither one of them were happy about it.

Judge pulled out two thick manila folders from his messenger bag and dropped them on the table. Duke took that as his cue to get ready to talk business.

Quick came out the kitchen with a plate of deli sandwiches and salads. “Hey. Where’s my boy?”

“He went upstairs to shower,” Duke answered, already sifting through the contents of the folder and not liking what he saw. As soon as he heard the water turn on upstairs his thoughts fled from work mode and went to images of a glistening, wet, sexy man who was all his. Duke’s cock wept for attention. For only one man’s attention. He wanted to tell his friends to leave, not caring if one of them paid the mortgage, and insist they come back in a month because that’s how long it would take him and Vaughan to recover from their honeymoon fuck period. At that moment he knew that he had to get out of Quick’s house and be alone with his boyfriend before they were caught doing something none of them would ever be able to forget, because the things he needed Vaughan to do to him bordered on obscene, maybe even illegal in some states.

Duke chewed a few pieces of lettuce, his stomach rebelling at the little bit of food he was able to take in while listening to his buddies go over both the bail bond and PI businesses’ latest cases. One in particular had Duke sweating; images of baseball bats and boards being slammed down on his body repeatedly forced their way to his mind.

Quick’s hand was on his shoulder bringing him back to reality. “Duke. You need to go after this guy.”

“Gotta get back on the horse, buddy,” Judge added.

“Don’t give me those bullshit clichés, Judge,” Duke gritted out. He knew how PTSD worked for the most part. He was terrified to go after another bounty. He’d almost died the last time. Was at death’s door with one foot over the threshold before god answered his prayer and sent an angel to save him. Now his friends were sitting there trying to convince him that he needed to go after the same guy that had beat the shit out of him and left him for dead.

“He’s suspected to have killed again, Duke.”

“I thought you said he was already in jail,” Duke barked at Quick.

“I thought wrong.”

Duke ran his hand through his still-sweaty hair. Which was odd since Quick had the AC pumping harder than in a restaurant kitchen. He was scared.
Fuck me
. “I need time to think, guys.” Duke stood up, leaving his partially eaten sandwich and salad.

“Duke. You still have a few weeks of recovery, man. No one’s saying go out there tonight. I can put my guys on surveillance, tap phone lines, and interview this bastard’s acquaintances. I mean, the whole nine yards. It’ll be a clean recovery. Put this piece of shit back in jail where he belongs. And you can show every fuckin’ one out there that you’re still the baddest bounty hunter on the East Coast. Imagine suffering an injury like you did, and then practically coming back from the dead and taking this asshole out. You’re back to being the motherfuckin’ man.” Judge tried to assure him and it was working. Judge always knew how to give a damn pep talk.

Duke’s mouth turned up in a sinister grin. In his mind, Duke knew what Judge and Quick were doing was right. It’s the same thing he’d do if one of his guys had been severely injured. He’d try to help them recover physically and then get back on the job so the fear didn’t take root and consume them. It was something he had to do. He wasn’t ready to retire and he couldn’t imagine doing anything else. He needed to put his star back on as soon as possible and get back out there.

“How’s Dana? I haven’t heard from him since I left the hospital.” Duke looked back and forth between his two guys.

Judge sported his usual poker face, making it obvious he was hiding something. But Quick. He was never a good bluffer. His sharp green eyes communicated any and every emotion he was feeling. And at that moment his expression contained a mixture of exhaustion, regret, and apology.

“Spit it out, Roman,” Duke demanded.

“It’s nothing we need to discuss right now,” Quick told him hastily, standing and clearing their lunch dishes. “You barely ate, Duke. You gotta keep up your strength, pal. Vaughan will have my ass in a sling if I don’t ensure you eat.”

Duke didn’t speak as Quick hustled around him. When his friend moved to pick up his salad plate, Duke’s hand darted out and grabbed his wrist; the abrupt move forcing Quick to finally look him in the eye. “Does it look like I need you to spare my feelings right now or make sure I eat all my food like a good little boy? I had a mother; I don’t need her replaced. I want to know what’s going on with my guy and I want to know now. Because if I find out something is wrong, you’ll pay first, Rome. I found out about the surgery you tried to hide, I’ll find out whatever it is you’re trying to keep from me now, too. Only this time I won’t let you off the hook so easily.”

Judge’s hearty laughter broke their tense stare off. “Fuckin’ Duke, man.”

Quick shot Judge an evil look, prying his wrist out of Duke’s grip and dropping into the recliner next to him. “First of all. Dana is healing fine. He’s just… he doesn’t.”

“Quick,” Duke growled.

“Just tell him already,” Judge urged.

“He’s still feeling responsible for your injury. He was one that did the surveillance and he was the one I was helping, the reason I couldn’t get upstairs to help you, so—”

“God, that is such bullshit! Why would he think that?” Duke fussed, his anger rising quickly. If all his friends thought him such a badass, then why were they treating him like a little bitch? All the ducking and dodging, and lying to so-called
protect
him was driving him insane “Get Dana on the phone. Yesterday!”

Quick reluctantly but hurriedly pulled out his cell phone and hit a couple buttons.

“No more secrets. I mean it. No fucking more,” Duke declared.

Judge and Quick both nodded once, then his friend was handing him the phone: already on speaker. Duke didn’t wait for Dana to say a word. His conversation was fast and to the point, like Dana was used to.

“Hey, man. You feeling alright?”

“Um. Sure,” Dana claimed hesitantly, obviously shocked at hearing his boss’s voice from Quick’s phone.

“Good. Get your ass over here for a mandatory meeting now. I’m at Quick’s.” Then hung up. Duke would set Dana straight and hopefully they could all go back to their lives.

********

Vaughan was sprawled across the bed listening to his man’s deep voice carry up the stairs to him. He’d left the door open on purpose. He wanted to hear what was going on but he didn’t want to go down and interrupt the impromptu business meeting. He’d been more than a little pissed off when Judge put his arms around Duke, almost pushing him out of the way.
He
was Duke’s man. His partner. He wouldn’t be disrespected. Judge’d had his chance and been too stupid to take it.

Another man had arrived about forty minutes after Vaughan got out the shower. Although Vaughan couldn’t see him, he figured the guy was as big and burly as all the rest of the men that worked for Duke, because his voice was deep and frightening even though he wasn’t in fight mode. The visitor had started out with apologies, but Duke and his dad cut him off. It was only a few minutes before they were off the subject of fault and back to talking about business.

Vaughan wanted to throw up when he heard that Duke was going back after the man that had tried to kill him. Somehow the asshole had eluded the authorities again and was back on the loose. Why did his man have to be the one to hunt the rabid animal down? Couldn’t they send the FBI or some other team to get him? Shouldn’t the guy be on the Most Wanted list? He didn’t expect Duke to become a desk jockey but he hadn’t expected him to try to get back in the field so fast, either. He wasn’t sure what to say or do about it. His love wasn’t conditional. He had no other option regarding his heart but to love Duke in every way. He’d pray every day that his man was safe when he left his bed to go to round up bad guys. God had answered his prayer before so he’d keep doing it.

He’d been so deep in thought that he hadn’t heard Duke come up the stairs or into the bedroom until the bed was dipping down next to him.

“Hey. You feeling okay?” Duke questioned softly, climbing up next to Vaughan and dropping wearily down onto his pillow. He nuzzled in close to Vaughan’s left side, running his nose along his man’s smooth jaw. “You always smell so good.”

Vaughan brushed his fingers over Duke’s cheek, along his clammy skin. “You look so tired, sweetheart. That was an awfully long meeting. It’s almost dusk.”

“My head hurts a little,” Duke admitted, draping his arm over his eyes, blocking out the afternoon sun shining through the sheer curtains. “You should really get some darker curtains.”

“I won’t be here that long. I’ll get my own place after I’ve worked and saved a bit.” Vaughan kissed Duke’s forehead, his dark brown eyebrows rising when he pulled back.

“What?” Duke peeked from beneath his arm.

“You feel hot. Like feverish hot,” Vaughan said.

“I’m just tired. And it’s hot as hell outside.” Duke looked at him sheepishly, like he knew it was a silly excuse as soon as it left his mouth.

“Yeah. But it’s not hot in here.” Vaughan got up and went into the bathroom, emerging seconds later with the thermometer and a cool rag. “You can gripe if you want but I’m taking your temperature.”

Duke opened his mouth like a good patient. His mood looked like it was already lifting as Vaughan took care of him. His man’s temperature was ninety-nine point four, which wasn’t bad but wasn’t good. If his temperature got over one hundred, he’d have to go to the hospital.

“I think a cool shower would help,” Duke answered Vaughan’s concerned expression. “I don’t feel like I have a fever. I feel like I had a stressful meeting and I need some rest, is all. Even Charlie showed up, but at least he brought me some things from my place.”

Vaughan ignored his excuses and wiped across Duke’s forehead, and then peppered kisses down his temple to his cheeks, and finally his lips. Duke opened willingly for Vaughan’s tongue, accepting it with excitement. There were mmms and groans while they nipped and bit at each other. “I’m so fuckin’ crazy about you.” Vaughan accented each word with a kiss. He took Duke’s good arm and wrapped it around his waist, letting his casted arm rest untouched on his other side.

Duke held him tight and turned his head to the side, letting Vaughan have his way with him. Demonstrating also that Vaughan would have full control when they were in bed. Most of the time, anyway. Duke trembled when Vaughan bit his earlobe. “Fuck. I’m crazy about you too, Vaughan.”

********

Really?

“More than you were…,” Vaughan hesitated and shook his head slightly. “Never mind.”

“Tell me,” Duke urged, turning Vaughan’s head back to look at him. He leaned in and captured those sexy lips, pulling the bottom one into his mouth for special treatment since it was particularly tasty. Vaughan hissed when Duke bit him, then moaned when he licked and sucked away the sting. “Tell me. Now.”

“It’s silly. And I’m starved,” Vaughan mumbled nervously. He turned, eyeing the tray of food Duke had bought up for him since he’d missed lunch. He secretly admitted he liked this side of Vaughan. It revealed his human frailty. That he wasn’t as perfect as he portrayed. He got scared, nervous, rattled and… jealous, just like any other man, and Duke wanted to rejoice. He thought he’d never be worthy of someone so composed and put together as the man beside him. But Vaughan wasn’t Superman, so Duke didn’t have to worry about playing the man in need of rescue.

Vaughan got his lunch tray, and after he was back on the bed eating his salad, Duke got up to shower. He leaned in and whispered in Vaughan’s ear, “Yes, I’m crazier about you than I ever was about Judge, and he can already see it, that’s why he baits you, handsome. And just so we’re clear. I was never in love with Judge. Not like I already am with you.” Duke cupped Vaughan’s cheek and oh so gently pecked him on his kiss-swollen lips before closing himself in the bathroom. Leaving a speechless Vaughan behind on the bed.