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He hated that Brian had dated those weak-assed men who couldn’t handle being with a real man who had to deal with real life issues. Sway knew how Brian had gotten those issues. Maybe not the details, but he knew enough, and he respected and appreciated him so much for what he’d done… for what he’d sacrificed for his country. Sway wasn’t one of those men who scared easily. He’d seen enough in his short thirty-five years to know that nothing was promised. Not another day and certainly not a real shot at love. Stanton had always told him, ‘If there’s something good within your grasp… take it, Squirt.’
And that’s exactly what he was going to do. His mom was doing well, his professional life was looking so bright he might have to start wearing shades. All he had to do was get his personal life in order. Sway could tell that Brian was having doubts now. He’d just have to show him with time that he could be trusted. Trusted not to desert him.
For a big, virile man like Brian, Sway knew it’d be critical to not make him feel less than. He knew how strong he was, but it was so easy for him to get caught up with being a nurturer that sometimes he could be too fussy. Brian didn’t want another big brother, or a daddy, or another therapist. He seemed to want a partner. Sway didn’t know if he’d ever be that man, if they’d ever get to that place, but he wouldn’t cower and run from the challenge.
Sway rubbed the flat of his palm down Brian’s chest. He was still damp from his extremely long shower, his skin flushed and warm. There’d been so many times when he’d gotten up from the small dinette in the kitchen and tip-toed back to the bathroom door to listen. He refused to barge in and demand Brian come out. He understood he needed a minute to himself. But God, how he wanted to just keep holding him and rocking him like he’d done on that cold hard floor in the garage. Sway rubbed his cheek against the appealing hairs, wanting to stick his tongue out but just barely stopped himself. This wasn’t what Brian needed either, but Sway couldn’t help his body’s natural reaction. He didn’t see Brian as broken, all he saw was the most amazing man in the world who’d been to hell, fought the devil, and managed to escape, still standing strong in front of him. If Brian only knew how amazing Sway already thought he was.
“I’ll pass on the cake. I got some coffee I think you’ll like,” Brian signed half-heartedly. His movements were sluggish, still Sway was able to put enough of it together to understand what he was saying.
“Good coffee? Now, I’m never leaving.” Sway rose on the balls of his feet and wrapped his arms around Brian’s neck, putting them nose to nose. “I still want my tour too. But, I don’t want the ten-cent one anymore. Oh no, sexy. I want the full dollar tour. Front of the house, backyard, and every one of the zillions of rooms in between. The attic, a basement if you got one.” Sway let go, popping one eyebrow up while cheekily still ticking off rooms with each finger. “The deck, the front yard, the roof, the shed—”
Sway stopped talking mid-sentence when Brian’s face smoothed out and one side of his mouth quirked up, shaking his head at Sway’s silliness.
Yes! Sway shouldn’t have felt this way already, but that slight smirk gave him a spark of joy.
Brian slung his shirt over his head then walked over to a tall chest of drawers and pulled out a pair of worn sweats. He pulled them up under the towel, only giving Sway a sliver of ass to see before it disappeared beneath the thick material. Brian chucked the towel towards the bath and held his hand out to him, nodding to the entrance of his bedroom. Sway held his hand tightly and let himself be led across the hall.
Brian flicked on a couple of switches, lighting up a nice-sized room that had a tall ceiling and recessed lights. A large desk sat in the corner, with a desktop computer and multiple files and folders scattered across it. Sway spun in a circle. Shelves crammed with books lined three of the four walls. A space had been opened up in the center of the shelves for a stone-pit fireplace. It was beautiful. Two deep burgundy wing-backed chairs surrounded a low top table. A thick fur throw rested haphazardly across a large, rustic leather chaise lounge. An empty mug and still open book lying beneath the reading lamp beside it suggested Brian used this room pretty often. Sway surveyed the bar selection. Most of the liquor bottles had never been opened. But the bar was a beautiful addition.
