Promises Part 1 (Bounty Hunters #1)(35)
“Calm down. Don’t hurt yourself,” Vaughan said softly. “Due time, honey.”
“I can’t fuckin’ wait,” Duke murmured.
“You can and you will,” Vaughan scolded, asserting his dominance, and Duke wanted to moan his submission.
Yes, I will wait. Because you told me to.
Duke hadn’t felt like this in so long. His body vibrated all over from Vaughn’s words. He felt like he was back in college, learning his body; figuring out what it craved. He’d found out fast that he wanted a man to dominate him, control the sex, and ride him hard into submission. He wasn’t a masochist. He didn’t want to be flogged or whipped, but damn if he didn’t get off on a man that could make him leak with well-worded orders. Judge never found that appealing about him. He wanted another alpha in the bed with him, fighting him for control. That wasn’t Duke. He was strong, masculine, and all alpha… just not inside the bedroom. Duke might have moaned again at the thought of Vaughan finding that quality about him hot.
“Duke. You alright, son?” Charlie tapped on his door as he spoke through it.
Shit. How loud had Duke moaned? “I’m good, Charlie. Was just settling back down into bed,” he answered quickly, feeling slightly embarrassed, especially when Vaughan started to laugh teasingly in his ear.
“Need some help?”
“No!” The thought of Charlie coming in and seeing Duke’s erection sticking straight up like a rocket was mortifying. Duke calmed down before Charlie, thinking Duke was upset, came in anyway. “No, I’m good. I’m gonna get some sleep. Night.”
“Good night. See you in the morning.”
“Night,” Duke said, and listened as his friend walked slowly down the hall to Duke’s second bedroom.
“He still staying with you?” Vaughan asked after a while.
“Yes.”
“That’s good.”
“I’m thinking of sending him home at the end of the week though.”
“I’d hate to think of you there alone, especially if you need help or something.”
“I’m getting stronger every day. I feel good. I’m moving more during the day. I’m pissing good—” Duke stopped, cringing with mortification that he’d just said that last part. That wasn’t attractive at all. It made him sound geriatric.
“That’s great, sweetheart. I can’t wait to get back home so I can see for myself that you’re okay.” Vaughan’s voice dropped a couple octaves. “Need to see you so bad.”
“Me too.” Duke’s shaking voice betraying his faked composure.
“Soon, okay? I promise,” Vaughan assured him softly.
“Promise.” Duke didn’t care how needy or desperate he sounded right then. He needed Vaughan like he’d needed a kidney. Needed him to survive. Already, he was hooked. If Vaughan did him like Judge did, just found someone else and left suddenly, he wasn’t sure if living was going to be such a great idea anymore. It would suck balls, that for sure. “Vaughan, just don’t—”
“Duke, baby. I can hear it in your voice. I won’t hurt you. That, I can promise easily. I’ll show you when I get back, okay. That if you’ll have me. I’m in this for the long haul.”
Duke smiled, relieved and reassured. It would do for the moment. But after they hung up, he thought some more about the differences between them. Those thoughts always came back to taunt him. How much younger Vaughan was. How smart and talented he was. How culturally diverse he was.
All Duke knew was how to run a bail bonds and private investigations business. He hadn’t traveled the world or studied at the best schools in the country like Vaughan. He didn’t dress like a supermodel, hell; he could barely shop for one decent outfit. He wasn’t as suave and debonair as Vaughan either, but for some reason the man wanted him, so he had to have some faith. He was just an ordinary working man, but Vaughan saw something that obviously no other man had seen. Duke certainly couldn’t see whatever it was that Vaughan did in him. He hoped he could hold on to a man as wonderful and beautiful as Vaughan. He fell asleep wishing there was something to guarantee him Vaughan was serious and his heart was safe with him.
It had only been a week and two days. Vaughan was still down in Miami for work. Duke missed him so much, but at least he was healing and would be able to see Vaughan when he came back. He’d had his checkup the day before and Dr. Chauncey was happy with his progress. His incisions were healing, still red and puckered, but no sign of infection or rejection to be found. It was such a relief to move around more freely. He did fifteen minutes of light exercise twice a day, eager to get stronger, but careful not to overdo it. Vaughan had made him swear he wasn’t doing too much. He wouldn’t be dishonest. He kept his physical therapy to only what the doctors recommended.
He wanted to call Vaughan and tell him that he was in his office today for the first time in weeks, but he knew Vaughan would be busy in the middle of the day. He’d have to tell him that night when he called. He sat at his desk, looking out over the street as people moved about, their schedules busy. Quick had been in that morning but wasn’t there when Duke made it in. He was hoping to speak with Quick; get the details on the few bounties he’d had to give away. Luckily, they still did bonds, so the business was fine for the time being.