Promises Part 1 (Bounty Hunters #1)(43)
Vaughan had just finished brushing his teeth after he fluffed up the sheets on the bed, too tired and achy to change them. Since his father had done it for him the night before and Vaughan hadn’t beat off in ages, he felt it was good enough.
He’d heard his dad announce Duke’s arrival so tactlessly and he had to respond in kind. When Duke turned the corner into the guest room Vaughan’s heart skipped a beat, the lyrics to Etta James’ At Last annoyingly filled his mind, and he had to blink hard to banish them. He’d play it cool even though he wanted to pounce on the man like an animal would its mate. Vaughan was almost there, within reach of claiming what he’d waited so long for. They needed another couple weeks to heal completely, so he’d take the time to get to know Duke better.
“You look so tired, babe. Why don’t you take a quick shower and come join me.” Vaughan tilted his head towards the queen-sized bed in the center of the room. He loved the way Duke nodded his head once and headed towards the bathroom to follow his suggestion, a slight pinkish tone gracing his strong cheeks. So damn handsome. Vaughan pulled back the covers and climbed beneath the cool cotton sheets. He sighed heavily and sank bank into the pillows on his side of the bed. He was so excited and drained at the same time. It had been a pretty long day and he hadn’t realized how much he’d needed relaxation until he stopped moving.
When the shower turned off a few minutes later, Vaughan’s stomach fluttered and his cock twitched happily. It was obvious Duke had gotten the same post-op instructions as him, that showers were to be limited. Maybe turning on the television would derail his mind from the direction it was headed, as he thought about Duke next to him half-naked and smelling like his soap. Ah. The Late Show. That’s about as nonsexual as he could get at that hour.
“You don’t watch the news,” Duke said, coming out the bathroom, a billow of steam following him like he deserved to make a dramatic, sexy entrance. He had a long, soft white bath sheet wrapped around his lower half, tucked low enough that Vaughan could see Duke’s scar. Duke’s scars. Jesus Christ… my other kidney is in there. How did Vaughan not prepare himself for that? He swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat up, staring at Duke as he rummaged through the top drawer of the one large chests Vaughan had in the room. His man pulled a pair of pajama pants out, but before he removed the towel and put them on, he turned and noticed Vaughan staring intently at him.
“What’s wrong?” Duke frowned, looking concerned. His eyes followed Vaughan’s line of sight and it was like a lightbulb flicked on in his head. “I must’ve worn the same expression a few hours ago.”
Vaughan thought he was going to lose it. He’d come so close to losing the man in front of him. A man that had been his focus through the grueling college and law school years. All the exams, studying, traveling, loneliness and aching, so much stress he’d endured – all so he could be a man worthy of the one standing so close to him now. Vaughan brought both hands up and delicately placed them on Duke’s hipbones. His eyes heavy but focused, he took in all of the splendor before him. All the magfuckingnificence that was Duke Morgan. Badass bounty hunter and brilliant businessman. Strong, solid chest, fine definition around his abs. Not as much as before, but once Duke got back to his daily routine and exercise regimen, all that would change. Vaughan could already tell that Duke had started to work his arms again because the one that wasn’t casted look bulky and solid. The V that formed at the bottom of his abdomen was something out of a Men’s Health photo shoot. And to stoke the hot flames blazing within Vaughan, Duke had the nerve to have fuzzy black hair spread across those thick pecks and down past his belly button. But oh god, as it did… the hairs there were a beautiful, enticing blend of silver and black. Even the small bald areas where Duke’s incisions were didn’t detract from his beauty. Vaughan thought he’d come right there just looking at him.
“Jesus, kid,” Duke groaned, squirming under Vaughan’s scrutiny.
Kid, hmm? Vaughan didn’t like that. He stood slowly, lifting one hand and brushing his knuckles across Duke’s coarse cheek, up to the scar that had recently lost its stiches above his right eyebrow. Damn, if the scars and bruises weren’t a fuckin’ turn on now, too. Now that Duke was going to live. Even the cast was hot. It told Vaughan that it took a house full of crazy cracked-up psychos to take his man down and they still hadn’t succeeded.
But, being called “kid” wasn’t gonna fly. Why’d he stay away so long if he was going to come back only to still be considered a young’un? Vaughan drove his fingers up into Duke’s long hair and gave a slight pull at the length on top, not enough to hurt, but enough to make Duke anticipate the hurt. Hurt he’d inflict later. He leaned in and took a long whiff, his nose against Duke’s damp neck, inhaling until his lungs would no longer expand. Did that a few times while Duke waited patiently. Tuning his lips against Duke’s ear he spoke as calmly but as intimidatingly as he could, ensuring his lover got the picture.
“Listen to me, sweetheart. I’m your man. Do you understand me? I’m not a kid. I’m not a boy. I’m the man who’s going to love you more than anyone ever has. And as soon as we’re healed up—” Vaughan gently blew his hot breath inside Duke’s ear, licking his fleshy lobe, only to blow again. Duke moaned prettily, though it was deep and growly. “I’m gonna go ahead and apologize now.”