The party was in full swing with just about everyone that was invited having showed up. The DJ played Charlie’s favorites, all Bluegrass Country, and Vaughan was glad for the quietness of Duke’s office. He really did appreciate all types of music, but those tunes had him thinking that someone should be sitting in a corner clicking spoons while another strummed a metal tool on a washboard. His mom always told him that he had an old soul; it’s why he was so mature. But that music was a little too old school, even for him.
As soon as Duke entered and closed the door behind him, Vaughan crowded into him, pushing him against the door. He buried his nose in Duke’s neck, the tip of his tongue snaking out to lick him just under his collar. “Damn. You smell good.”
Duke murmured against his throat. “You do too. You look really nice tonight.”
Vaughan hummed. He rubbed against Duke’s strong physique like a feline marking its mate with its scent. He wanted to absorb Duke. How did one manage that? He ran his fingers through the short strands just above Duke’s neck. “Damn. I can’t believe this is happening.”
Duke huffed an indignant laugh. “You can’t believe it.”
Vaughan chuckled deeply. “Well, we can be shocked together. Hmm.”
“Will you kiss me?” Duke said on a choppy breath.
Vaughan pulled back and smiled, gently cupping Duke’s jaw. “When was the last time you were properly kissed?”
Duke ducked his head but Vaughan tilted his chin back up. He needed to see those dark, soulful eyes, needed to see what Duke wanted, what he craved.
“Umm.” Duke shrugged casually, but his eyes pleaded dramatically. “Couple years, I guess. Maybe more. Give or take.”
“Fuck.” Vaughan groaned. How could he make this perfect for Duke? “I really want to devour you right now. But there’s a room full of people out there and there’ll probably be a knock on your door any minute.”
“Sorry. I know. I just—”
“Hey,” Vaughan cut Duke off. “I’m gonna give you every damn thing you need and more, if you’ll let me. But you’ve been thinking about the idea of me and you for what? A couple of days now?” Vaughan put both hands on Duke’s neck, forcing him to look in his eyes. Wanted him to see his sincerity. He just barely brushed his lips across Duke’s. “I’ve been thinking about this moment for almost fifteen years.”
“Jesus Christ.” Duke closed his eyes.
“Open,” Vaughan ordered, and Duke easily complied. As soon as Duke was focused back on him, Vaughan pressed his lips more firmly against Duke’s parted mouth and flicked his tongue against his bottom lip. “You taste so fuckin’ good. No amount of fantasizing compares to this right now.”
Duke’s arms were around his waist holding on to him for dear life. How the fuck was it possible that he’d been hooking up with Judge for the past few years and hadn’t been kissed. Vaughan didn’t think he could’ve thought any less of Judge, but he did. Wouldn’t kiss Duke, would only fuck him. That motherfucker. Duke adjusted his head to the other side and Vaughan tamped down those thoughts and oh so gently kissed Duke’s supple mouth again. “Fuck,” Vaughan hissed. “Enough. I can’t… fuck. If we don’t stop, I’m gonna have a huge damp spot on my pants that will not be easy to lie about. I’ve wanted this too much… too long, to do it here, like this.”
Duke nodded his head in agreement, his eyes still cast downward at Vaughan’s lips. He licked them, enjoying the gasp of breath Duke expelled. “I rode here with my dad, so I have to take him home. Can I take you out tomorrow night? A nice dinner, maybe a movie.”
Duke smiled. “I’d like that.”
After their night out, Vaughan was going to have to apologize for how hard he was going to fuck Duke. With a devious smile, Vaughan gave Duke one more kiss before he stepped back. “Goddamn, you look hot.”
Duke blushed and Vaughan thought it was the most adorable thing in the world. He was getting ready to show Duke what it really meant to be in love. Both of them were floating on cloud nine after they left the office. Stolen touches while no one was looking. Discreet winks from across the room had Duke blushing and no one understanding why. Vaughan thought it was hilarious to see his man so flustered and buzzing with excitement. The best part about the rest of that night was that Duke hadn’t paid a lick of attention to Judge.
Duke was thinking of going to Macy’s to put together another outfit, but he didn’t want to feel silly. He’d dress casual for his date that night. He wasn’t gonna behave like some ridiculous kid with a crush and pull everything out of his closet. A pair of jeans and his corduroy blazer. Nothing wrong with that. He was sure all eyes would be on Vaughan anyway. He fixed himself a bologna and cheese sandwich and sat at his desk going over some of his guys’ reports. All of them had to detail the sequence of events of every one of their bounty captures. Just in case anything was needed for court or if anyone tried to sue them.