“You can’t promise that, son. Never make a promise you can’t keep,” Quick told him for the millionth time in his life.
Vaughan patted his dad on the back. “I know.”
Vaughan couldn’t eat or drink anything, so they sat together on the back porch and looked out over the lush lawn, the dewdrops glistening as the moonlight hit the blades of grass. It was peaceful and quiet until his dad’s work phone rung.
“Goddamnit, not now,” Quick barked, pulling out the large phone.
“Go on. I understand.”
“I wanted to have this time with you,” his father said, pulling on his long hair. “But since Charlie’s retired and with Dana and Duke hurt we haven’t had the time to hire more guys. So it’s just me running the bail bonds and Judge running the PI office.”
“It’s okay. Duke’s gotta have a business to come back to. I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll go to see Duke first, around five, and then I’ll check in.”
“I’ll be here to drive you to the hospital. You don’t want to leave your car in the lot anyway.”
“Sure thing.” Vaughan gave him another quick hug and headed back inside. “Be safe.”
“It’s just a bond. I’ll be back in a couple hours. You go on and sleep.”
But sleep never came.
Vaughan stifled his yawn right before he tapped on Duke’s door. He wished he would’ve gotten at least an hour of sleep, but all he did was toss and turn. His mind wouldn’t shut off. He thought of everything under sun that could and couldn’t happen. After a while, he simply concentrated on what his and Duke’s first date was going to be like. At least that made him smile. If he couldn’t sleep, he’d think happy thoughts.
Surprisingly, Duke was awake. He was sitting up for the most part—as far as he could— watching the early-morning news.
“Why are watching that crap? It’s always bad news.” Vaughan entered with a smile on his face. He was wearing a pair of tan slacks and a cream fleece pullover. Classic traveling clothes for an attorney, right? Had to play the part. The small duffle on his shoulder adding to the traveling illusion.
“I’m in the bad news business, Vaughan,” Duke answered with his own smile. Thank goodness. He was glad Duke was in relatively good spirits.
Vaughan stopped and looked at Duke. He was clean-shaven and a pleasant soap and water scent wafted off of him. He looked good. He looked fresh and ready. “You look good, babe. Ready to knock ‘em dead.” Vaughan almost rolled his eyes at his own stupid comment. Damn, Duke wasn’t getting ready to play a football game for Pete’s sake; he was having life-saving surgery. It had to be his nerves getting the best of him. Coupled with the lack of sleep. It might be best if Vaughan just sat and visited… keeping his mouth shut.
“I brushed my teeth real good,” Duke said softly, his beautiful eyes staring right at Vaughan’s mouth.
Vaughan walked close to Duke’s bed and dropped his bag off his shoulder. His own smile was wide and genuine. He’d said he’d kiss Duke before his surgery and obviously the man hadn’t forgotten. Seemed like he’d been looking forward to it because he was prepped and ready. Vaughan laughed. “That’s good to know, but it wouldn’t have mattered.” Vaughan dropped the guardrail on the left side, his eyes never leaving Duke’s. Propping his hip on the bed, careful not to sit too close, Vaughan leaned in and Duke closed his eyes right before their lips met.
Vaughan could taste the minty toothpaste along with the subtle taste that Vaughan recognized immediately as all Duke. He felt Duke’s left hand gently graze his cheek before traveling over to his mouth. Vaughan pulled back just a hair and let Duke trace his bottom lip with the pad of his thumb.
“You have the most beautiful mouth I’ve ever seen,” Duke whispered.
Vaughan leaned back in. It was the sign he’d been looking for. Duke looked at him with so much awe and wonder, Vaughan knew right then that they were going to make it. Not only through the surgery, but also as a couple. Duke was finally looking at him the same way Vaughan had looked at him since he was sixteen. Like he was head over heels in love. Vaughan pressed his lips to Duke’s cheek, his temple, his eyes, his forehead, before making his way right back to his supple mouth.
“You taste like heaven,” Vaughan murmured into Duke’s mouth. Kissing and gently licking his way inside. Light, gentle nips of his teeth against Duke’s lips had Vaughan’s cock rising rapidly. He took his time, exploring his man until he couldn’t stop the moans from escaping his parted lips.
“Oh, god. I don’t want you to… but stop. You gotta stop.” Duke’s eyes were closed tight, tiny beads of sweat popping up around his hairline.