Promises: The Next Generation (Bounty Hunters 5)

When his job was done, he came and stood with the rest of them, listening intently to Duke’s introduction. Ty caught those light eyes watching him multiple times. He was an interesting man, Ty could admit that. Dressed almost like a ninja in loose, thin black pants, long black hood and scarf, arranged to only show his mysterious eyes. He didn’t really know what to make of the smaller guy. He can’t be a hunter. When he came in, loaded down with all that firewood, he appeared average height. Couldn’t’ve been no taller than five-nine or five-ten with a lithe build.

Duke asked him to introduce himself to his new partner, gesturing toward the small man. Ty didn’t show his disappointment outwardly, but why would he be paired with someone he may very well have to protect? The young man must not have known what kind of position this was. He hardly looked qualified for anything. Actually, Ty couldn’t tell what he looked like. He was fully covered from head to toe.

Ty met each of their eyes before he spoke. “My name is Tyrell Jenkins. My father served with King most of his career. That’s how he and I met when I was still a boy. I’ve lived in Atlanta all my life. I’ve never thought of being a bail recovery agent before, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not interested. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.” Ty went over and stood directly in front of the man who was to be his partner. Either for training, or permanently. “Good evening, you can call me Ty for short. And you are?”

Instead of an answer he was met with a silence that was more amusing than awkward. The man was watching him. Not arrogantly, but curiously. Ty waited while the small man sized him up. He stood stock-still as those silvery eyes started at the soles of his shoes and didn’t stop until they lingered at the top of his head. Ty smiled inside. This man is bold. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been studied, dare he say, so appreciatively. Those damn eyes were full of intrigue and light. He’d never experienced that before. As he moved on his block, females would turn and glance at him, wink, shake their asses harder, or flirt shamelessly to see if they could bait him to turn in their direction. He’d automatically get the feeling they were working an angle on him. This man wasn’t doing that, he was sure of it.

Blue-green eyes narrowed, then widened when Ty stepped closer. He was enjoying the man’s reaction to him more than he cared to admit. “Will you make me guess your name?”

“Kellam Knight,” the man said in a voice that was sure, but slightly muffled by the scarf. “Kell for short. I’m one of sensei’s… I mean I’m, one of Quick’s students. I’m doing the program with you.”

Sensei? So he is into marital arts. Is he really a ninja?

“I see,” Ty said, watching the interesting man who’d yet to remove his fitted beanie and hood. Even his thick scarf still rested over most of his face as if he hadn’t warmed up yet from being outdoors. Ty felt a fascinating stirring in his stomach when he tried to picture what his new partner—this ninja—looked like beneath all the garments. His pulse raced at the unknown. He was confused by his reaction, but it didn’t stop him from whispering for only Kell to hear, “Show yourself to me.”

Ty heard the slight gust of breath at his words as Kell continued to stare at him. No one moved or spoke behind them, but of course all the hunters were there, watching, seeing if they clashed. Ty wasn’t sure the smaller man would do as he asked until Kell slowly raised both hands to his face. With nimble fingers, he gripped the top of the scarf and pulled it down until it was beneath his chin. Ty unconsciously licked his lips while Kell moistened his slim peach ones. The visible half of his face was youthful with not even a trace of stubble Soft. Ty waited patiently to see if Kell would remove the beanie and hood right after.

He didn’t.

Ty wasn’t upset, he was charmed. For some reason, he wanted to see more. Perhaps his new training partner felt Ty hadn’t earned that right. Who was Ty to demand the man reveal himself to him? No wonder he remained covered.

I’m no one to Kellam Knight… yet.

Kell

Kell couldn’t remember the last time he’d had butterflies in his stomach. I’m never nervous. I can’t be nervous. But, his stomach was flip-flopping all over the place. He could hardly meditate this morning. He’d thought for a moment he might be coming down with something, but he knew that was a stretch. He stayed extra-conscious of what he consumed and was always appropriately dressed for the weather. He’d had a terrible case of asthma when he was younger, however he’d exercised and trained so much that it wasn’t much of a factor anymore. Except during the winter, he was prone to upper respiratory infections—catching germs from other ill people—so he doubled-up the Vitamin C, and stayed covered in public, shielding his mouth and nose.