Promises Part 3 (Bounty Hunters 3)

“What’s up, D?”

Dana smiled even wider. “Swish-and-sway. How’s it going?”

“You’re a clown.” His friend laughed tiredly at the horrific nickname Dana had used to irritate him since high school. “At least I don’t have a girl’s name.”

Dana chuckled. “Are you sure about that? And Dana is unisex, Squirt. Thank you.”

“Ugh,” Sway grunted. “We need new arguments.”

“True. But we’ll have to think of more later, right now I have something to tell you.”

“Well it better be good, it’s eight in the morning on a Sunday.” Sway yawned in his ear.

“You’re not taking your mom to church?”

“No. She had a rough night.”

Dana could hear the weariness in his friend. “I’m sorry. She okay, Sway?”

“Yeah. No worries. It happens, D. But anyway, tell me your news.”

“Ford invited me over to his place last night to watch the game. Things started out rocky, but once we both chilled out, we had a good time.” Dana looked both ways then hurried across the intersection before the light turned green again.

“Ohh, now that is nice. Making good headway on your straight crush,” Sway teased.

“When I got up to leave, he stopped me at the door.” Dana paused for affect. “Then he kissed me.”

Dana heard a shout, a loud clunk and a bit of shuffling, before he finally heard Sway’s voice. “No-freaking-way. That big, macho motherfucker kissed you? You didn’t steal a kiss then called it mutual, did you?”

Dana threw his head back and laughed loudly, drawing the attention of a couple older men walking into a coffee shop. Yep, he was still on cloud nine. “Well he didn’t actually lay a deep, tonsil-sucking kiss on me, it was more like a brief but memorable brush of his lips behind my ear.” Dana knew he sounded like a Hallmark movie, but there was no other way to describe that hint of heaven. He had to rein in his thoughts. He couldn’t pop wood while he was trying to jog. But damn if he hadn’t replayed that scene over and over and it still wasn’t enough.

“Wow. Behind the ear. That’s sexy as shit,” Sway said wistfully.

“It was, man. Who knew he’d be so gentle. I was expecting a hand on the throat, forcing me to yield to him.” Dana almost tripped when his cock jerked at the thought of Ford handling him. Dana turned at the next block instead of continuing all the way to the freeway ramp like he usually did before turning around. He was too wound up. He had to be in the office at one. Duke had some new information for them and Dana had a feeling it would involve long hours with his partner tonight, so he had to get himself together. God, how should he act with Ford now? Oh shit, and I have to talk to Jess. ASAP.

“D, I can hear the excitement in your voice. But I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t worry.” Sway paused then exhaled slowly. “Are you sure you want to put yourself out there with this guy? I mean. I don’t know. He looks like a tits kinda guy. I don’t want you to get hurt again and then swear off men for another ten years.”

“It hasn’t been that long,” Dana bit off unsurely.

“Doesn’t matter. It was a long time.”

“You don’t know him, Sway.” Dana was already turning back onto his street while he listened to his best friend’s argument. “He’s not a good faker, he doesn’t sugarcoat, and he definitely doesn’t do phony. I’ve seen the way he looks at me.”

“Anyone would look at you like they want to devour you… you’re hot. It doesn’t mean that he’d want what you want.”

“Well. You think I’m hot, Swish-and-sway?”

“Okay, I’m nauseated now.”

“You said it.” Dana jogged up the steps to his front door.

“No, I said I want you to be careful. Just don’t move to fast and show him how huge your heart is before you know if he even has one.”

Dana rolled his eyes. “He is a hard ass, but he’s not the tin man.”

“I’m serious, D. You love nothing more than to fall in love. Be careful and go slow.”

“I’ll be careful. I swear. I’ll let him set the pace.”

“Okay, then. That’s all I ask.”

“Man, you really have to stop hanging out with your mom so much, you sound just like her. Stop acting like you’re seventy years old and get out and do something grown up… well grown and reckless. Have some fun, Sway, and stop worrying all the time.” Dana wasn’t even winded when he removed his clothes and got his shower ready.

“I have fun. See how much you know. I’m going out tonight. To a club.”

“You’re not talking about the Price Club, are you?” Dana burst out laughing.

“I should hang up on your ass. But if you must know. It’s a hot, exclusive spot another nurse told me about. Invitation only, so you can’t even get in.” Sway tried to project some snootiness into his voice, but all it did was make Dana laugh louder.