Sway had just finished his shower and was dabbing on a smidge of the cologne Tweetie had given him for his birthday two years ago, while he drove himself crazy on the possibilities of tonight. He smelled the cap of the bottle again. He hoped it was still good. Doesn’t smell bad. More than that he hoped it wasn’t some old, discount drugstore brand that should’ve gone out when Stetson did. He didn’t know what was good these days. Working in a hospital, he never wore cologne because he’d never know if it would affect a patient’s allergies or sinuses. So, he typically avoided fragrances. Until tonight.
His heart hammered. He didn’t know why he was so nervous. He and Brian weren’t strangers. They’d been intimate already, and had met up a couple of times since then, so why was he so anxious? Maybe because I’m so fuckin’ tired I can barely see straight. What if he kisses me, and I fall asleep right in the middle of it? Sway shook his head at his silliness. It was impossible to think about anything but Brian’s touch when he was around. Sleep would be the last thing on his mind. Sway let out a loud yawn, rolling his eyes. He needed to enjoy tonight, he didn’t get many opportunities like this. Wake up, wake up.
“I would ask if you had special plans tonight since you look so nice, but the way that yawn sounded, I’m not sure,” Dr. Dominick said casually, leaning against the row of lockers.
“It’s been a hectic forty-eight hours, but I’m good,” Sway said, avoiding the doctor’s eyes. Sway wasn’t sure what he thought he saw in them, but each time their paths crossed, Dr. Dominick would give him a slight wink, or a lingering leer. He wanted to believe it was all in his head, because the man was way above Sway’s level. Yeah, he was surely reading too much into Dr. Dominick’s politeness. That was all it was. They’d be working together soon, so he was probably trying to build a rapport.
“Nurse Best told me you put in your notice with her.” Dr. Dominick began taking off his lab coat, then his silver and black tie, his watch and shoes. Next was the top button of his crisp white dress shirt. Which all would’ve been nothing if he hadn’t been staring in Sway’s eyes the entire time. “I was glad to hear it.”
Sway had decided to participate in the trial with Dr. Dominick and Dr. Chauncey. He had so much respect for Quick’s partner. Cayson Chauncey was the most empathetic, compassionate person he’d ever met. He’d be a fool not to seize the opportunity to not only work side-by-side with him but to also learn from him. Sway had been in the ER for so long, he’d never thought of going into a specialty. Nephrology was a demanding and growing field, Sway didn’t need to limit himself and he was done doubting if he could do this. If both the lead physicians wanted him as their charge nurse on this project, then he’d give them everything he had.
“Thank you. I’m really excited. It’s bittersweet, ya’ know. I’ve been in the ER for six years. It’s weird to know I won’t see them on Monday or the day after. I’ll be on the sixth floor for the next several months.”
“That’s right. Jason will have your office all set up by Monday. I’d say get yourself familiar before the meeting at eight.”
“Who’s Jason?” Sway asked.
“He’s my assistant.”
Sway pulled out his work phone and began to type a note. “Got it. Nania is Dr. Chauncey’s assistant. So, Jason is my go-to to communicate with you.” Sway said more to himself than anything as he scribbled with the stylus. It was important to know physician’s assistants because often times it was the only way to reach them or get an urgent message to them.
“Absolutely not.” The doctor was in nothing but a too-tight, T-shirt and his designer slacks that were unbuckled and unzipped, showing Sway a small peek of dark gray boxer briefs. Sway swallowed and focused on his phone, ignoring the man’s proximity. He noticed Dr. Dominick had pulled out a white business card and flipped it over, showing Sway a number scribbled in doctor’s scratch.
Cell phone
James 404-555-0287
“If you need me, you call me. Even if I’m in surgery you can still reach me on this line.”
Sway smiled uncomfortably until Dr. Dominick added, “All my department heads should be able to reach me directly… especially my charge nurse. You’re my emotional link to my patients during this trial, Nurse Hamilton. If anything is wrong, you’re going to be the first to know and my first point of contact regarding them.” Dr. Dominick brushed his heavy hand down Sway’s arm, but pulled it away too quickly for Sway to think anything of it.
He’s just being nice.
“You can call me Sway.” No one had described his work like that before. Nurses gave patients the emotional support and care they needed when in the hospital and Sway was surprised to hear Dr. Dominick not only admit that, but seem to admire and appreciate it.
Dr. Dominick chuckled softly. “Sure, Sway.”
Sway needed to go. It was ten past five, and he didn’t want to wait another second to get to his final destination. “I’ll see you on Monday. Have a good weekend, Dr. Dominick.” Sway hefted his book bag onto his shoulder and headed to the locker room entrance.
“Hey, Sway.”
He was at the door when Dr. Dominick said his name. He looked back and had to make sure to check his first reaction—to drop his jaw—on seeing the virile doctor standing there in nothing but a pair of briefs and a cocky smile.
“Call me James, please. I prefer my friends did.” Dr. Dominick took his towel and draped it over his shoulder and turned to walk towards the showers. Sway didn’t gawk as his strong back moved like a tiger’s. Muscles and tendons in perfect sync. It did nothing for him. Sway hurried out of the locker room. Dr. Dominick was going to be his boss. The man was a legend at Emory and Sway had no reason to question his professionalism.
Just because you have the sexiest man alive vying to spend time with you, doesn’t mean every man is interested. Sway talked his fool head down and practically jogged to his car. All other thoughts vanished and only one image flashed across his mind.
Brian welcoming him into his home.
Sway followed the GPS to Brian’s street in Berkeley Park. It wasn’t far from his own apartment and only about twenty minutes from his job. It was dark out, but he knew this area well, having been born and raised in A.T.L. Brian lived on Berkeley Avenue, right on the northwest curve, around the corner from Dana. The neighborhood was nice with quiet, spacious, ranch-style homes. Lush trees lined the street and towered over the homes, providing a kind of permanently shaded community. No doubt that was amazing during the dreaded Atlanta summers. The houses were close enough to wave to a neighbor from the porch but still far enough apart to give a sense of privacy.
Turning into the driveway, he remembered he’d meant to stop and pick up a quick bite to eat so his stomach wasn’t growling like last time, but in his excitement to get there he’d forgotten all about it. There was something else Sway wanted to empty more. Don’t be a tramp. If he was going to make this work with Brian, they had to have more than just the physical in common. So far, everything about the man intrigued him. Now, sitting in front of the nice home, he surveyed the lawn and well-kept flower bed with some fall foliage nestled between thorny bushes. He wouldn’t’ve been able to see it if the motion lights hadn’t activated as soon as he’d pulled up. Staring at the house and the outside, Sway wondered if Brian came out on warm days in a large gardening hat and gloves and got down on his hands and knees and planted those pansies or did he hire someone. He looked at the new windows where the garage once had been, there was a bright red building inspection permit displayed on the front. Is he remodeling? Sway groaned. Why was he still sitting there next to Brian’s sleek car asking himself silly questions?
He checked his phone one last time to see if his mom’s nurse had answered his text from earlier. Tweetie had texted him back that everything was fine, and his mom had just finished eating dinner and they were getting ready to put away her goodies she got at the market before it was time for their prime-time shows. Tweetie’s last text made him laugh and gag all at the same time.
Tweetie: My cuzin Jamar. Remember the gay barber?? He said something about lubricashun being important. Did I type that right? Do you got some of that shuga?
Oh God, why me? He put the phone on vibrate and tucked it into his book bag, not daring to dignify any of that with a response. Okay, he was going to have to really find this Jamar and tell him he’s giving his sweet little cousin way too much information. Sway got out the car and made quick work getting to the door. He was dillydallying. He wiped his hands on his jeans one last time and pushed the doorbell. He took a calming breath and released it slowly just as the door opened.
The relaxing breath did nothing, because the sight of Brian in lounging pants and a black wife beater—that couldn’t hide the ample, slick black hair on his chest—made Sway’s heart do that flippy thing when he was nervous. Instead of passing out, he swallowed hard and gripped the porch railing. Maybe his fatigue and elevated heart rate were making him feel this way and not how sexy Brian was. His cock thickened when one side of Brian’s mouth kicked up, as if he knew all of Sway’s dirty thoughts. Brian unlocked the screen door and moved to the side to hold it open. Next thing he’d noticed was Brian had cut quite a bit of length off the top of his head; the man bun was gone. He liked it. It was mature and sexy. Sway moved down from that handsome face to Brian’s thick biceps in that tank top and the way they flexed while he held the heavy door. As Sway got his legs to move, he stepped past his host and into the dark foyer. He looked around quickly before his eyes went right back to Brian’s chest. He smelled delicious, or was that coming from the kitchen? Maybe both.
Brian smiled easily and stepped into his personal space. The closer he got the more Sway had to crane his neck to see those intense eyes. Brian said so much with his expressions that it always took Sway a moment to prepare for all the feels. Brian stared down at him as if he was waiting for a sign. Sway felt his heart stammer as he got lost in the darkness of those black orbs. So much behind those eyes. Want, warmth, hurt… pain. Sway stared back at him. Three little words came to his mind when he reached up and touched the center of Brian’s chest and felt his heart beating at an even faster pace than his own.
I’m here now.
Brian leaned down and touched their foreheads together, keeping the connection as he reached up and gently took Sway’s book bag off his shoulder, then his jacket. There was a deep oak hall tree on the opposite side of the door, Brian slowly turned and hung his coat there and took the bag and put it onto the bench. Sway felt he was under hypnosis. The sexy man did everything so precisely and stealthily… silently.
“This is really nice.” Sway pointed at the furniture. He cleared his throat to kick some of the huskiness it held. The dark wood was perfect in the dim hallway and the paned mirrors reflected the moon from the skylights.
“Thanks. I made it.”
Sway blinked. Did he read Brian’s sign right? Did he say he made that? Jesus. Sway whipped his head around to stare at the gorgeous furniture, seeing the beautiful craftsmanship in a new way. “Wow. You could probably sell something like this.”
Brian seemed happy with the praise. They stared at each other for a minute, like neither could believe the other was right there. Sway almost said he’d missed Brian, but he didn’t want to sound like a fool, since he’d just seen him yesterday. He didn’t know what to say or do. He couldn’t do what he really wanted to without coming off as a sex-crazed maniac, so he stood and blushed in front of this strong man.