Promises: Part I (Bounty Hunters Book 1) (15 page)

He chanted over and over in his mind.
I’m gonna sleep with Duke, I’m gonna sleep with Duke.
Despite the fact that he couldn’t fuck him yet, it was still going to be heady lying with him. Touching him, smelling him, caressing. Those weren’t off limits.

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.”

“Apologize for?” Duke gritted out.

Vaughan took his hand, still clutching that thick, wavy hair and tugged it to the side so he could claim Duke’s mouth at exactly the angle he desired. When he finally came up for air, both of them panting into each other’s mouth, Vaughan played his trump card. “Apologize because as soon as we’re healed. I’m going to show you the man I am. I’m going to fuck you so hard your ass is gonna curve to my dick. And you’ll love me back because I’m the only
man
that can make your body fly.” 

“Oh my fuckin’ god, Vaughan,” Duke cried, holding his stiff cock through the terrycloth fabric still covering his lower half. “You can’t say shit like that.”

Vaughan kissed Duke again, needing more. Would he ever have enough of Duke? He was skeptical at best. “You taste so fuckin’ good. Like life and experience.” Vaughan licked at Duke’s lips and a languid smile appeared on his face; Vaughan couldn’t stop his own radiant smile.

“Come on. Bedtime,” Vaughan said, suddenly. He had to cool them down, or else his father would be banging on the door barking at them to stop trying to kill each other.

“That sounds good.” Duke still held the pajama pants as he turned back to the bathroom, looking over his shoulder as Vaughan watched Duke strip off the towel and gingerly step into the pants, making sure the waistband didn’t ride up to irritate his incision. But not before giving Vaughan a good look at his furry ass. His mouth watered. He’d slick all that hair down around that dark hole with his saliva real soon.

Duke climbed into the other side of the bed, seemingly careful not to cross over the invisible line running down the center of it.
Oh no. Can’t be none of that
. Vaughan sat up and placed a pillow on Duke’s right side so he could prop his casted arm up while he slept on his back. Vaughan turned on his side and eased closer until his leg was intertwined with Duke’s, one arm resting on top of his pillow, the other on Duke’s chest. Stroking him calmly, easing him to sleep. He wasn’t only there to fuck Duke the way he needed it, he was there to be his partner, and that meant taking care of every need. And just then his man needed rest.

Duke tried to pry himself from his nightmare, his chest heaving because in his dream he’d been running for his life. Why did he keep having the same damn dream over and over? Who was he running from? Then everything went still and tranquil. A large warm hand was caressing him from his throat down to his navel, so patient and careful. The sweetest, gentlest touch he’d ever felt. Like he was being cherished. He needed to open his eyes all the way, but what if he was still dreaming. Finally, he was completely free of the dream, breathing normally; he didn’t want to wake and ruin it.

“Easy, sweetheart. It was just a dream,” a sensual voice said next to his throat.

Duke wanted to bury himself under Vaughan’s delicious morning growl and stay there until he was forced away. It comforted him like nothing ever had. Waking up drenched in sweat, his voice hoarse from yelling out had been a frequent occurrence in recent weeks; starting right before he left the hospital. He was afraid that he may have to take Charlie’s advice. The old man had run into Duke’s bedroom one too many times looking as frightened as Duke felt before he reluctantly insisted Charlie go home. Nightmares had never killed anyone. He’d figure it out on his own.

“Do you get them a lot, babe?”

Duke was wide-awake, but he kept his eyes closed, wanting to soak up every moment of comfort, every inch of contact that Vaughan was giving him. He was so close; Duke could feel the warmth wisping over his sensitive neck with each word he spoke. He moaned slightly when Vaughan stroked his chest, not bothered by the sweat that clung to him. “I’m fine.”

“I know you are,” Vaughan quipped back. “But I didn’t ask how you were.”

“I have them almost nightly, but at least they’re not getting worse. I don’t think I was yelling.”
Oh no, was I?

“No. You weren’t yelling but you were breathing hard and grunting.”

Great
. “Your dad probably thought we were going at it.” Duke rolled his eyes. “Well… The grunting is better than how I used to wake up. Honestly. This was the best I’ve slept in months.”

Duke finally opened his eyes fully and turned to look at Vaughan, and the sight took his breath away.
Holy shit.
Duke was speechless. How was it possible for someone to wake up looking like Vaughan did right then? Duke was discreetly trying make sure he didn’t have a drool trail on his chin while Vaughan laid there looking, like the song says:
I woke up like this… flawless.
All that sexily tousled honey-brown hair somehow looked as if it’d been styled that way. Smooth, olive skin that went for miles down Vaughan’s entire body glowed beautifully in the morning light. Shit, who could possibly wake up to the sight of him every morning and still be a functioning, working citizen? All Duke wanted to do was turn towards that gorgeous man and let himself be had, all day, into the evening, and then all night. He’d never leave their bed. 

A man like him didn’t get so lucky. He was just an aging roughneck with no social or cultural skills. His life was common and boring. If he wasn’t at Quick’s eating nachos and watching a game, then his fantastic nights consisted of beer and catching up on his favorite shows on DVR –
Ice Road Truckers
,
Deadliest Catch
,
Arrow
,
Person of Interest
—basically anything that showcased badasses; he liked it.

Fact was Duke knew nothing of dating and romance. He always liked the idea of it but had never gotten a chance to experience it. It looked like that was about to change because Vaughan was the Grand Poohbah of romance. He had no doubt he would be more than happy to teach Duke how to tap into his inner Casanova.

“What are you thinking about so hard, handsome?”

Duke chuckled lightly. “You.”

“Me.”

“Yep.”

“What about me?”

“I’m thinking how I don’t want to get out this bed with you still in it.”

“Then don’t,” Vaughan almost growled, turning and sidling closer. “Stay right here with me. Close to me. Touching me. Kissing me.”

Duke closed his eyes when Vaughan’s lips touched his collarbone, then the bottom of his jaw, his soft lips making their way to his mouth. But Vaughan lingered around the edge of Duke’s lips, the corner of his mouth twitching persistently as his man continued to blow and talk against his skin. “I wouldn’t mind you staying right here with me, keeping me company. We can have breakfast. Do our therapy together. Talk. Exercise. Then I usually take a pill after exercising.”

“Me too,” Duke agreed.

Vaughan turned stunning, bright eyes on him. “Yeah. Then we can shower and take a long nap… naked.”

Duke groaned. “I’m gonna die of blue balls.”

“You’re so weak,” Vaughan said playfully, tugging on patches of hair across Duke’s chest. “I’ve waited for you far longer than you’ve waited for me, love.”

“I never said I had patience.” Duke folded his hand over Vaughan’s to stop him from yanking on more hair. “I’m glad it’s a quality
you
possess. But don’t expect me to have it.”

Vaughan’s laugh was sinful. “Sure thing, babe. Come on, then. Let’s rise and shine.”

Duke pushed at his insistent erection.

“That’s not what I meant by rise.”

Duke scowled at Vaughn. “It doesn’t seem to listen to me anymore when you’re around.”

Vaughan reached his hand out and Duke let himself be pulled to a sitting position. He let the covers pool between his legs while he waited for his cock to get under control. Which didn’t take long because aches and pains began to make themselves known everywhere. His incisions were pulling. His back was sore from having to sleep on it constantly and his arm itched like it had herpes. The cast was driving him insane, and unfortunately, he didn’t have the dissembled wire hanger that he’d been using to scratch beneath the hard plaster. Duke sat on the edge of the bed watching Vaughan rummage through the dresser for more clothes. After a minute, Vaughan threw him a soft pair of sweats and a tank top, but Duke was busy clawing at his skin above the cast, digging his finger in as deep as it could go.

“You itching, honey?” Vaughan smirked at him.

“This is shitty, Vaughan. You ever had an itch you couldn’t scratch?”

Vaughan gave him an “Are you for real?” stare.

“Never mind,” Duke mumbled, still assaulting his skin.

Vaughan kneeled in front of him, gently prying Duke’s finger from under his cast. “Trust me, okay?”

That was all he said before he disappeared into the bathroom. Duke hadn’t gone back to scratching, but was close, when Vaughan emerged with a hair dryer. He watched him plug it in and then sit next to Duke, placing the heavy, casted arm on his lap. He powered on the device and set it to cool air. Vaughan lifted his arm and begin to blow the cool air inside the very small opening at the edge of his cast. The air somehow reached the area that burned regularly from itching. Duke watched Vaughan focus on his task. Watched how intently he took care of him. The blow dryer was actually working. Immediately cooling Duke’s skin. So much that it wasn’t itching.

Three more weeks and this dang thing will be gone. 

“Your skin is very sensitive and delicate under there right now, sweetheart. Scratching it like that, or with objects you shove between the cast and your skin, can cause open sores and abrasions to get infected beneath it. Blowing cool air on it helps a lot, but I have some other tricks, too. Just tell me when it starts to become too much and you need to scratch.”

Duke leaned in and placed a kiss on Vaughan’s cheek. He lingered there while Vaughan continued to work on making him comfortable. “You are amazing,” Duke confessed.

Vaughan smiled almost shyly and cut off the dryer. “Better?” he asked.

“Yes,” Duke whispered. He was so close to Vaughan’s mouth that his body vibrated. He wanted a kiss. He understood they couldn’t do more but he’d take anything… really, anything. “Vaughan.”