Promises Part 2 (Bounty Hunters 2)

Joe got right in Cayson’s face, making him rear back to keep their mouths from being too close. Joe stabbed a long, accusing finger at Cayson’s chest. His old friend’s fury was palpable, and it choked Cayson, gripped him, and tore at his conscience. There was no way he could give Joe another chance. He wasn’t a glutton for punishment. He realized then that he was slowly but surely losing a friend, and all Cayson could think about at the moment was where in public Quick was taking him.

Spittle flew out of Joe’s mouth and landed on Cayson’s chin as he hurled more insults and fired off threats. “I’m not coming back if I leave this time!”

“That’s a promise I’m going to make sure you keep.”

Quick’s voice cut through Joe’s fussing, and the tone he used sounded like he already had a short leash on his anger. The gate was still open, and Quick was through it and at Cayson’s side in seconds. Damn, the man looked fine as wine. Dressed casually, but still very handsome. Dark slacks and a dark gray ribbed turtleneck under his jet-black pea coat. Cayson was stunned stupid because it was the first time he recalled seeing Quick’s hair loose and flowing across his shoulders. He looked like Cayson’s Renegade Highlander fantasy come to life.

“I’m talking to Dr. Chauncey, not you.” Joe stood his ground in front of Quick, but he’d lowered his voice.

“Leave. Now. Or else I’m going to show you just how thuggish I can be,” Quick said. His teeth clenched as he spoke, as if he were trying not to raise his voice.

“I’m not scared of you, meathead. You thought you were so cute in the ER today, but I can play dirty, too,” Joe threatened uselessly. Cayson didn’t think Quick was the kind of guy who scared easily, and his non-reaction proved it.

“You sure you want to dance this dance with me, Ana?”

Joe tightened his eyes at the name, and Quick laughed right in his face. “You’re an anesthesiologist, right? Thought I’d call you Ana for short. And since you act like a bitch.” Quick over-annunciated the last word. “I thought it fitting.”

Cayson couldn’t stop the abrupt laugh that escaped his mouth, but tried to disguise it with a cough.

“Fine. Have your fun, now.” Joe looked around Quick’s large frame, throwing his next threat at Cayson. “This isn’t over.”

Maybe Joe shouldn’t have said that, because Quick went from zero to a hundred in a second. When Joe moved to leave, Quick grabbed him by the lapels of his suit jacket and pulled Joe so close to his mouth that to anyone watching on from a distance, it looked like they were getting ready to share a passionate kiss. Joe was up on his tiptoes, trying to pry himself out of the hold. Quick’s mouth was close to Joe’s ear, stating something that Cayson couldn’t make out. Only the squinting of Joe’s eyes told Cayson that whatever Quick was saying to him, Joe didn’t agree with or appreciate at all. He finally jerked himself out of Quick’s tight grip and hurried down the rest of the stairs and out the gate. He looked back for a second, and Quick nodded before Joe turned back and got in his Mercedes S Class and carefully followed every traffic law that applied when he pulled away from the curb and drove exactly the speed limit out of Cayson’s neighborhood.

“Dumbass,” Quick grumbled. “Can’t even make a threatening exit. Who puts on a blinker to pull away from a curb?”

Quick turned and looked Cayson up and down as if ensuring he was alright. Slowly lifting his right wrist, Quick pulled up Cayson’s sleeve to see if he had the watch on. “Why didn’t you call me?”

“You said this was for emergencies. I had everything handled.” Cayson smiled. He was too excited to be going out on a date to worry about what’d just transpired between his new beau and his old friend.

“What did you say to him just now?” Cayson asked, running his hand mesmerizingly through Quick’s soft mane. It looked so full and beautiful, like he could’ve starred in a hair conditioner commercial. It was such an erotic, refreshing change from Quick’s usual ponytail.

“It’s of no consequence. Now get inside, I want to get a good, long look at you.” Quick’s eyes turned hazy with his hunger and Cayson wanted to tell him to cancel all reservations and take him upstairs and not let him out of bed until he could barely walk.

As soon as they were back inside, Quick had Cayson’s back against the door and his hands all over his body before he could ask another question.

“Damn, you smell good… and you look… fuck, Cays. You look so fuckin’ beautiful.” Quick fingered Cayson’s pale pink bottom lip with the pad of his thumb while he kissed him.