Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78088 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78088 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
With his eyes back on Duke’s, Vaughan took the pen and slid it easily inside his suit coat pocket. “My only graduation gift. I’m glad it was from you.”
Duke went to open his mouth but Vaughan inched in closer, his eyes appearing to be obsessed with Duke’s lips. His voice was raspy and low when he spoke again. “I’ve traveled all over Europe for two years, Duke. In Eastern Europe, they kiss on every occasion. They kiss to say hello, goodbye, to congratulate, to comfort, and especially to say thank you.”
Duke’s eyes fluttered slightly as Vaughan’s chest barely touched his. That damn scent was causing his dick to quickly take interest. He should’ve pushed Vaughan back, but he didn’t want to overreact. He wasn’t even sure Vaughan was gay. There was nothing wrong with saying thank you for a gift, right?
Next thing he knew, Vaughan’s soft hand was on his neck, his grip light but controlling. He pulled Duke in and at the last second before their lips could touch, Vaughan averted his head and grazed Duke’s cheek with his own beard stubbled one, pausing to place a gentle, lingering kiss there. His lips were as silky and smooth as satin. Still keeping the contact around his neck, Vaughan pulled back just enough to leave a ghost of hot breath over Duke’s mouth to get to the other side. He kissed him there too, but this time he lingered even longer. Whispering a warm, “Thank you,” against his ear.
A breathy, “You’re welcome,” was all Duke could muster.
No sooner did Vaughan step back and put some much-needed space between them, than Quick’s abrupt knock sounded right before he came through the door. “I’m not interrupting anything am I?”
Duke quickly got behind his desk and sat down, hoping to avoid anyone noticing the considerable bulge in his pants. “No, Quick. I was just giving Vaughan his gift.”
“Uh-huh. Well I’m gonna head on home now. Vaughan, I’ll see you when you get there.”
Vaughan didn’t take his eyes off Duke, even when he responded to his father. “Sure thing.”
Quick gave Duke a conspiratorial wink which he had no clue to the meaning of before he closed the door. Looking back at Vaughan’s sexiness wasn’t an option, so Duke pushed around a few files on his desk.
“Why don’t you come over to my father’s place tonight? We’re gonna watch a movie or something. Just chill out.”
“I don’t want to impose on you and your dad’s time, kid.” Duke moved around some more files until the dead silence in the room finally made him look up. He didn’t like the look on Vaughan’s face. It wasn’t an angry one, but a look that clearly displayed irritation and annoyance. Duke tried to recall what he’d just said. “Your dad’s been waiting a long while to have this time to spend with you. I just want to give y’all some space. I’ll probably hang out tomorrow. Who knows?”
Vaughan buttoned his suit jacket and turned to leave. Before he got to the door, his back went ramrod straight, and he turned and strode back over to Duke, walking around his desk, bending until their faces were inches apart. His eyes were like fire, blazing a searing path over Duke’s face. “I’m not a fuckin’ kid, Duke,” Vaughan hissed. His eyes softened for a second. “The sooner you realize that, the happier you’ll be.”
Duke watched Vaughan walk out the door, leaving that amazing scent to linger in his office. He spun in his chair, leaning back to take a deep breath. What did he mean? The happier I’ll be? No. He can’t be saying that. Why would he be interested in some old man when he could clearly have anyone he wanted? When Charlie stuck his head in Duke’s office door, he had no clue how long he’d been staring into space.
“Boss, you wanted to see me?”
Duke sighed tiredly. “Yeah, Charlie. Come on in and close the door, buddy.”
“Everything went fine down at processing this morning. Sorry it took me a while to get back; I had a doctor’s appointment and then stopped to pick up my prescriptions. They gave me a hard time down there again.”
“You’re not having any problems with your insurance are you?” Duke leaned in.
“No. No. They just need to get a newer system.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Cholesterol’s a tad high and my knee still locks up every now and then. Side effects of getting old, boss.”
“Tell me about it.” Duke huffed.
Charlie waved him off, looking at him like he was crazy. “Old, my aching ass. You’re in your prime, buddy. Man. I was something else in my early forties. Still could turn a gal on the dance floor like it was no one’s business. Your dad and I pulled all the honeys in our day.”
Duke smiled while Charlie reminisced. He never minded hearing Charlie’s stories about him and their other friends. That’s why it was killing Duke to have to do what he was about to.