Ty

 

Ty awoke that morning to his alarm blaring on his cell phone. It took him a moment to come out of the erotic dream he’d been having to reach over and turn off the offensive noise. He looked down at the tangled sheets between his thighs and the tall tent in his boxer briefs. He was harder than brick. When he thought of what he’d been doing to Kell in his dream, his cock throbbed painfully, leaking in his shorts. Ty arched, every muscle in him struggling at the restraint it took not to pump his aching shaft once and shoot his load all over himself.

No. That release belonged to Kellam.

He and Kell had only gotten closer over the last three weeks. They were almost done with the observing portion of their training and both had been excited when Duke told them they’d start joining them in the field next week. Work was fulfilling and the gratification of learning from such a talented group of men was more than he’d imagined. He was learning so much from Dana and his unrivaled marksman skills. Duke and Quick were an inspiration to him. They were more like brothers than best friends, their lives almost completely intertwined. Ty couldn’t keep up with Ford on that computer, but he was learning daily. Then there was Brian. When they had downtime, he found himself gravitating toward him. To how he talked. To how he would quote things his father used to say, how he would sneak a lesson in, no matter what they were doing. Ty was learning the true meaning of brotherhood. Like his father wanted him to.

Then finally, when the day was over, it was his and Kell’s time. Each evening after work they’d had dinner together and talked for long hours about their childhood and different upbringings. About Kell’s bullying and how it had led him to learn self-defense, and Ty’s own run-ins at prep school. Then they talked forever about their future aspirations. Sometimes, they went to the dojo and practiced their skills, sometimes they just walked around Peoplestown before Ty saw Kell to his front door every night. At first, Kell thought it was funny that Ty made sure he—a martial arts master—got home safely, but later he began to see the change in Kell’s eyes whenever he unlocked his door and kissed his forehead.

Kell hadn’t been to his hotel room and he’d yet to set foot inside Kell’s home. He also hadn’t been invited in… yet. He thought that had more to do with what could possibly happen if they were alone for too long with a comfortable, flat surface. Understandable. Because he was still solid in his shorts at the thought of what they were doing together in his dream, and he’d be lying if he wasn’t constantly thinking about it when they were together. He’d started watching some videos when he got back to his room at night. Videos that had him rising in his briefs and shifting his legs restlessly under the covers. Not because the men in the videos turned him on, because they didn’t, only Kell did that, but because he was imagining him doing those specific things with Kell.

Ty wanted to do a lot more than just sex him. He wanted to love him. Wanted to hold his cheek in his hand and kiss his soft-looking lips, wanted to bury his nose in his thick hair and lose himself for hours. He hadn’t done any of those things yet. But, that was all about to change. He believed he’d shown Kell that he was true, and his intentions were honorable.

They’d had another busy weekend, and it didn’t appear as if Duke was lightening up on the case load for this week either. Ty wouldn’t wait any longer.

The sun was just breaking through the dawn. He took his time grooming himself, wanting to look his absolute best. He used his hair trimmers to freshen the line on his fade and touch up his face. He went back into his room where he’d laid out his clothes for the day. He’d opted for dark blue jeans, and a gray, untucked spread-collar shirt. After he laced up his black Polo boots, his nerves finally started to kick in at what he’d planned to do today.

Hopefully this would be the day his life changed forever.

Ty went to the hotel safe and punched in the combination. His hand trembled slightly when he reached inside and removed the rectangular black velvet box. He closed the safe then took the box over to the bed and sat down. He tilted his head upward. He wanted so desperately to feel that his father was watching him with pride. All the lessons he’d had on finding his soul mate had flooded to the front of his mind the moment he laid eyes on Kell. Because he’d never thought his queen would actually be a knight, he’d had to do some serious courting to be sure. He was sure. Every minute he spent with Kell only made him greedier for more. Ty closed his eyes.

“I’m doing the right thing, Father. He’s the one. I know it. He already loves me. I’d be a fool to wait. Like you’ve always said. Receive and embrace love without hesitation.”

Ty opened the slender box and fingered the cool metal. Smiling at the special memory, he remembered when it was first presented to him on his birthday. One of several precious heirlooms left to him by his father to gift to his soulmate. When Ty had gone to the bank and retrieved it from his safety deposit box this week, he’d removed the other jewels as well. He’d make sure they were all perfect; already envisioning a badass diamond and black opal ring. Ty closed the box. This was it. The start of his life with Kell… if he said yes.

Ty draped his own chain over his neck, gripping the single dog tag next to his heart. He hoped his father approved.

It was going on six, he needed to get moving. Ty ordered his Lyft. Kell should be done with his morning meditation and reflection by now, and Ty was wanting to surprise him with breakfast. He took his knee-length black corduroy coat out of the dry cleaner plastic and put it on. He un-buttoned the wide cuffs of his dress shirt and flipped them up over his jacket sleeve. Fastening his watch, he glanced around his quiet hotel room. Not much longer and he’d have a real home.

Ty picked up the velvet box and tucked it into his jacket pocket and left his room.

Kell

 

Kell shut off his blow-dryer and placed it underneath the bathroom sink. Brushing his hair made him think of Ty. About how much he liked it, how he stared at it when he thought no one was watching him. However, he’d yet to touch it. They’d done a lot of hugging and handholding but no kissing. Kell knew he was ready to go all the way with Ty, but he wasn’t going to pressure him. They had time. Kell had already waited years for the right guy to make him feel special and to make him fly, so he’d be patient a while longer. Ty was worth the constant ache in his groin from blue balls. He hadn’t come in weeks and he was starting to fear something bad could happen if he got too backed up.

He checked his reflection in the mirror as a blush crept up his cheeks. For heaven’s sake. Just thinking about Ty made him flush with passion. With a faint smile, he left the bathroom to get ready for work. He was glad it was Monday, he was eagerly anticipating his first paycheck on Thursday and his first weekend off. He was exhausted. When Duke had said twenty-four-hour availability, he hadn’t been joking. Kell only had his pants and socks on when there was an abrupt knock at his front door. His heart jumped. No one had ever knocked on his door at seven-fifteen in the morning.

Can’t be.

But, really, who else could it be?

Kell hurried to the door, his chest still damp from his hot shower, the coolness of his living room making his nipples harden to rigid buds. With chills running down his spine and his stomach quivering with butterflies, he asked, “Who is it?”

“It’s exactly who you want it to be.” His partner’s deep, sensual voice penetrated the flimsy wood door and went directly to Kell’s cock. He shuddered at the truthfulness of those words. Kell unlocked both locks and turned the knob. He took one look at Ty and slammed the door back, clutching at his aching balls.

What the actual hell?! Ty couldn’t come there looking like that and think he’d be safe. And think Kell wouldn’t pounce on him. 

“Open the door, Kellam.” Ty’s voice held a whole lot of sexiness and a hint of amusement.

“Tyrell,” Kell growled, his hands braced against the door. His body was zinging as if he’d been struck by electricity.

“Open. Now.”

Mmmmm. That damn authority. Kell gripped his dick hard then adjusted it the best he could before re-opening the door. He could hardly look Ty in his eye when he sauntered inside. My God. There were no words to describe how delicious he smelled. Dressed like a model in that hot-as-sin coat and ass-stomping boots. His style did crazy things to Kell’s libido. Insane things. His gaze brashly traveled up Ty’s long legs—he couldn’t stop himself—until they snagged on the sizable bulge below Ty’s waist. Kell swallowed roughly.

It took a minute for Kell to meet Ty’s eyes but when he did he saw the same fire and yearning reflected back at him through widened pupils. The little of Ty’s irises that he could see was the color of coffee, in his bright living room. Neither of them said anything more and perhaps that was for good reason. Kell’s mouth was as dry as a desert and Ty’s breathing became more strenuous as he scanned Kell’s bare chest.

“You have to cover yourself,” Ty said almost desperately, while staring at Kell’s stiff nipples. “Now, Kell.”

He blinked. Ty was dead serious. It turned out it wasn’t Ty who was the unsafe one. His partner glared a warning that said all bets were off if Kell didn’t move his ass in two seconds. He nodded once and went into his bedroom, closing the door behind him. He leaned back against it and caught his breath. After composing himself, he slowly put on his undershirt and tunic, wanting to give Ty a chance to calm down too.

When he came back out Ty was standing in front of the single window in his living room. “Good morning. This was an unexpected but very nice surprise.” He said honestly, now that he could think with the head on his shoulders.

Ty turned and gave him a smile that melted him. “Good morning. I’m glad.”

Then he was enfolded in thick, heavy arms. Ty loved to tuck Kell into his chest and practically drape his tall body over him. It often felt like an alpha marking his scent on what he’d claimed. Kell hugged him back. When Ty pulled away he placed a gentle kiss on his forehead and glanced down at his now fully clothed body. “Better. Now I can think.”

Kell laughed lightly, “Think about what?”

“Breakfast. I had a place in mind to take you, but I forgot the name of it after you opened the door.”

Kell remembered slamming the door in Ty’s handsome face. He couldn’t hide the humiliation flooding his cheeks. “I think we were both surprised when the door opened.”

“Mmmhmm. I sure was.” Ty ran his finger down the center of Kell’s chest. “Do you usually open the door in various stages of undress, Kellam?”

Kell shook his head in pleasure at the way Ty said his name. Damn, he loved to hear him talk. Loved to listen to his intellect, quick wit and sharp tongue. And when he turns his slang on and off at will. Oh my god.

“No. Because, I don’t ever have company.”

“Good. I’d hate to have to put an end to that,” Ty said casually, before walking off to look around Kell’s small place. 

Kell covered his grin.

Ty stood in front of one of the two bookshelves Kell had next to a television he hadn’t turned on in months. He didn’t have cable or Netflix so there was no point. Ty fingered the bindings of the classics he loved, before pulling one out and opening the cover. It was his favorites entitled The Mastery of Love.

“You mentioned breakfast. If you’re hungry. I can make you something. We don’t have to go out to a restaurant. We’re always eating out,” Kell said. Now that Ty was finally in his place he didn’t want him to leave so soon. Thank goodness he’d been able to pick up some groceries this week.

Ty replaced the book and came to stand in front of him. Sometimes Kell wished he was a mind reader, because the way Ty gazed at him said so many things he wished he could hear aloud. Ty didn’t stop advancing until their chest were touching.

“You wanna cook for me?” Ty whispered in his ear.

He held in another moan at Ty’s intoxicating fragrance engulfing him. “Yes.” He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Ty’s body responded. “I mean. I’m not a master chef or anything but I think you’ll like it. And I… I really want to cook for you.”

Ty put his thumb and finger under Kell’s chin and lifted his head. Kell’s hair fell back against his shoulders, Ty’s eyes followed the movement. “That sounds nice,” he murmured softly. “If it’s not too much trouble.”

“Of course not.” Kell pulled away, not wanting to stab Ty in his thigh with his hard erection. “You can sit at the table. It won’t take long. You want some water or juice?”

“Orange juice, if you have it.” Ty settled his long legs under Kell’s bistro table and watched him prepare their banana oatmeal pancakes, scrambled eggs and cut up oranges. They talked about their work week, and how excited they were to advance to the next stages and maybe getting a bit physical in the field.

Ty’s smile was beautiful, his laugh light and contagious. Kell cooked their food with extreme meticulousness. He wanted the eggs to be so fluffy they dissolved in Ty’s mouth. And the pancakes to be as light as air. It felt really good to be able to do this for him. Ty had fed him daily for weeks now, he was glad to be able to return the favor in the only way he could.

When Kell stopped getting his small allowance from his father at eighteen, he’d had to move to an even smaller apartment. Back then, he’d barely made ends meet with his few hours at the dojo, and odd jobs for Duke, but by the grace of God he’d managed each month. A tight budget didn’t begin to describe his financial situation. He’d prayed that wouldn’t be a turn-off to Ty, since the man didn’t appear to be hurting for money and was all about style and image. But in an individually special, and enduring way. Not in a pretentious way. Never once did he make Kell feel less than, or frown at his cheaper clothes with disdain. It was always the opposite. Sometimes the way Ty looked at him made Kell wonder if he was about to be devoured.

Like right now.

He placed the carefully arranged plate in front of Ty while trying to avoid those suggestive eyes that watched him like a hawk. He refilled Ty’s orange juice without him asking and added two glasses of chilled water to the table. He placed a few condiments between them then set his plate down opposite him. He bowed his head and said his grace. After he said amen, Ty picked up his fork and began eating. Kell watched him take the first few bites. Liking what he saw.

“This is delicious.” Ty all but purred.

“Glad you like it.” Kell smiled. On the inside he beamed. Ty’s approval meant so much. And he knew why. He loved this man. Loved everything about him. There’d been times he’d wanted to pinch himself in disbelief. Ty didn’t always seem real, the way he catered to Kell’s every need and want. If they were deciding on dinner and he wanted Chinese but Ty wanted seafood… they ate Chinese.

“I do. I love banana pancakes.” Ty grinned with pretty white teeth.

“I know.” Kell remembered Ty mentioning that a couple of weeks ago to Dana in idle chitchat. He was glad he’d been able to work on the recipe in the mornings.

“You up in my head like that already, shorty?” Ty winked, leaning back in his chair, making his chest strain against that fancy dress shirt.

Kell’s balls ached. His partner was doing it to him again. When Ty flipped on that off-the-block slang and gave him some street attitude a part of Kell wanted to get street right back at him.

“I’m glad you came,” Kell said. He was in Ty’s head. He’d done nothing but study him from the moment they’d met.

“Me too.” Ty took his napkin and wiped some syrup from the corner of his mouth. Kell had to fight to focus on the words coming from those lips and not what was on them.

Sweet, warm syrup. Kell’s eyes fell. He licked his lips.

“Kellam.” Ty’s deep voice penetrated his lust.

Oh God.

Ty’s knowing smirk said he knew exactly where he’d gone. “I said your hair looks nice today.”

Kell tucked one side behind his ear. He was glad those extra twenty minutes of conditioner wasn’t for nothing. “Thank you. You look very nice. I’m sorry but are we going to same place this morning? Because I’m going to do work as a bounty hunter, you, you must be going to the Ebony Man Festival.”

Ty’s laugh was so explosive and robust he surprised even himself. He appeared almost embarrassed, glancing down at his fresh ensemble. “Nice one. Wasn’t expecting that,” Ty said fondly as his laughter died down. His look turned to affection. “Thank you for the hella’ compliment.”

“You do look very sexy,” Kell said softly. “What’s the occasion?”

“You.”

Kell frowned in confusion, “Come again?”

“I have something to ask you and it needed to be done in private.” Ty stood from the table and took Kell’s hand. Leaving their empty plates, they went and sat in the living room.

Ty was so serious Kell suddenly felt nervous. Ty turned toward him and took his hands in his. He just stared at them for a long moment, intertwining their fingers and rubbing his thumb along the sensitive skin on Kell’s wrist. The silence stretched on for a long time but he refused to rush Ty if he had something heavy on his mind.

Then Ty looked into his eyes and said in the smoothest, most sensual tone he’d ever heard him use, “I’m in love with you, Kellam Knight.”

Kell almost slid off the couch and rolled flat onto his back on the floor. Could he possibly have heard right? He’d never expected Ty to tell him like that. He expected for them to continue to take it so slow that he almost went insane. He appreciated Ty being a gentleman and not wanting to throw him in the sack after only a few weeks, but he felt his partner had been more than noble. It was time.

“You do?” Kell asked breathily. He couldn’t believe his prayers had been answered. Thank you, Jesus.

“Yes. Very much. I’m sure of it.”

Kell closed his eyes and took a deep breath then spoke his heart’s truest confession, “I’m in love with you too, Tyrell Jenkins. I have been for a while.”

“I know.” Ty whispered. “I felt it, every day. Did you feel mine?”

Kell nodded, holding Ty’s hand tightly.

“I have something for you.” Ty reached over and took his nice coat from where he’d draped it over the couch and pulled a black rectangular box from the inside pocket.

Kell sucked in an inaudible breath. He just managed to stay calm. It wasn’t a ring box, but the way Ty held it, it was obvious there was something very special and very valuable inside.  Ty flipped the top open and this time Kell’s shocked breath escaped his gaping mouth. Inside the box was the shiniest, most gorgeous piece of jewelry he’d ever seen.

“Ty.” He gasped. “This is—”

“For you,” Ty interrupted. He turned the box around for Kell to see. “My father gave me this on my birthday. The year I became a man. A proposal gift for my first wife.”

Kell’s smile began to fade.

Ty nervously chuckled. “Let me explain that.”

Please do.

“I told you my father was from Kenya. Well my grandfather was the tribal king in Makuyu. Islam was their belief and their way of life. They lived by those laws and practices. Polygamy is a common one. My grandfather instituted a lot of traditions, and bestowing gifts upon your son for his wives was one of them. When I became a man, we lived in America, so my father knew I’d never have multiple wives. However, it was a tradition my father was not willing to abandon when he started a family. Each milestone in my manhood he’d give me a gift for my wife. Sometimes he’d say for my ‘soulmate’, or ‘my spouse’ or ‘my one and only’.”

Ty kissed Kell’s hand. “I’m giving my proposal gift to my one and only soulmate.”

Kell’s smile returned tenfold. That was the most incredible thing he’d ever heard. He stared down at the stunning, masculine herringbone still not believing it was for him. He’d seen some of his mom’s stuff when he was younger, so he knew fine jewelry when he saw it.

“This is a twenty-four-karat gold, handmade herringbone chain. It was made by my great grandfather’s uncle in Ghana.” Ty took it out of the box and unclasped the chain. He held it up and Kell leaned his head forward, sweeping his hair to the side. When the cool metal touched his skin he almost wept. Soulmates.

“It was my first piece of jewelry from my father.”

“You said when you became a man.” Kell noted. He sat up with the precious metal resting on his collarbone. “How old were you?”

Ty stared proudly at the chain against Kell’s flushed skin. “I was twelve.”

My God. “Thank you. It means the world to me.”

“Do you know what this means?” Ty questioned. His powerful gaze still on the chain.

Kell believed he did. Dare he say it? Was this really it? A tear formed in Kell’s eye. His throat was clogged with emotion. Ty slowly reached up and wiped it away, explaining further.

“It means that you are mine. You are mine to love and treasure and protect. You’ll never have a want, you’ll never have another need not met. I’ll never leave you, Kellam. I will never stray. I’ll be as close to you as your own shadow and I will love you deeper than you knew existed.” Ty leaned in and kissed Kell’s forehead. “My queen was a knight all along. A protector of a king.”

Another tear slipped away.

“I’ll place the diamonds, and jewels and gold my father left for me, on you. Only you. I will put you in a house on the land he left me. I’ll be your faithful lover, Kellam Knight, for the rest of our days. I propose with my gift. And at the end of this week, I will put a ring of eternity on your finger and declare before your God that I will cherish you all the days of your life.”

“Yes. Please.” Kell broke down.

Ty caught him.