“I apologize.”
“No need. Your diagnosis is accurate, and I concur. I’m actually going on break right now. I don’t have much time, so I better head out.”
Dr. Dominick gave Sway his full attention. “I saw you’re pulling a double tonight.” The doctor stared boldly. “Maybe I can interest you in a two a.m. cup of old coffee in the breakroom?”
“Um, sure.” Sway’s smile was stubborn. The way Dr. Dominick stared at him made him feel extremely awkward, especially when there were several other nurses watching the hot doctor. Sway hated the gossip mill and avoided it if he could. Getting cozy with a department head usually turned into juicy rumors that spread like wildfire. “I guess I’ll see you around.”
“I hope so.” Sway heard Dr. Dominick say in his deep voice. He kept walking down the hall, before he turned the corner he checked to see if the physician was brazenly watching him from behind… and he was.
Sway hurried through the locker room, after changing his clothes and stopping at the full-length mirror to double check his appearance. He had on a simple pair of no-name jeans and a beige sweater. He wet his hands and finger-combed his hair, trying to tame the soft ends that curled around his ears and at the base of his neck. Remembering to grab his fleece-lined denim jacket, he spared another glance at the time and cursed that he was sixteen minutes late and he still had to haul ass back to the ER department. Damn.
Sway scanned the common area as he rushed past two paramedics wheeling in a stretcher. He didn’t linger by the doors when he heard the roaring sirens of another ambulance quickly approaching. The last thing he wanted was for his manager to run after him for help. He couldn’t cancel on Brian, if he was still there. At half past five, dusk was about to blanket the already overcast skies, but there were plenty of street lamps to help him see across the hospital courtyard and into the parking lot. He closed his coat over the thin sweater when a chill wind whipped through the tall buildings. Students and staff hustled about the campus with book bags and Starbucks’ cups, all of them with places to hurry to and Sway was no different. Seeing Brian suddenly felt as urgent as the traumas he’d had today. Sway spun in the other direction at the sound of a horn honking. The first thing he noticed was the sporty, extremely masculine, all-black Mustang outshining any other car in the parking lot. It was very sexy, but not near as sexy as the tall, well-built man standing in front of it, his ensemble coordinating as if it was made to go with the car. Dark black jeans that clung to thighs the size of oak branches, a jet-black T-shirt with a simple logo on the right pec was stretched to capacity, but it was the leather coat that set off the look. It made Brian appear just as dangerous as his friend Dana said he was. Then he smiled, and all Sway saw was stars.
Jesus. Okay, just breathe Sway.
It had only been a few weeks. Had he forgotten just how breathtaking Brian was? Sway concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other and not falling on his face as he approached. Brian pushed off the car when Sway was only a few feet away and came towards him. One word rose to mind as Brian moved. Powerful. Sway wasn’t sure if he should go for a hug, a kiss, a handshake or fist bump, he didn’t know what was typical for their situation. He wanted to wrap himself around one of Brian’s thighs and hump it until the pressure in his pants subsided, but he was sure that wasn’t the proper greeting protocol either. His and Brian’s relationship was starting off so completely backwards that Sway had no clue how to move from there. He was so out of practice he was embarrassed. When he was close enough, Brian pulled him into his large body, enclosing him within a cocoon of hard muscles, spicy cologne and amazing body heat. Sway rested his head on Brian’s chest, realizing just how much he’d missed his touch. He didn’t know why he’d waited so long to reach out.
“Brian,” Sway whispered in awe when strong arms squeezed him tighter. He realized Brian was talking to him, communicating just how much he’d missed Sway too. He could tell by the way Brian affectionately rubbed his back and shoulders. He’d forgotten how Brian spoke with his body. His actions so much louder than any words.
Sway stared into Brian’s dark eyes. Eyes that sparkled under the parking lot lights.
“It’s really good to see you.” Brian signed with one hand, keeping the other snug around Sway’s lower back, as if he feared Sway might run again.