“That’s one delicious cake you got in there.” Sway chuckled, still leaning against Brian’s beautiful chest. He inched back with a teasing grin hoping to pull another one of those rare smiles from the big man. “It was for me, right? I hope so because I’m getting ready to get some more.”

Brian nodded as if he couldn’t do much more. Sway could still see the fatigue, worry, and embarrassment all over his face and he wished there was something he could say to make it all better, but he couldn’t. The last thing he was supposed to do was make Brian feel as if it was his fault, or give him unsolicited advice. Sway wouldn’t try to invalidate or minimize the experience either. He understood it was huge, but he needed Brian to understand that he wasn’t afraid. Over the last couple of weeks, his late-night reading hadn’t been on modern nephrology, but on how to be in a relationship with someone with PTSD. A lot of it was information he already knew from having to help his mom through hers years ago but it was different when involved with someone intimately.

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.

“I don’t have much company. Thank goodness liquor doesn’t go bad, right?” Brian’s eyes held no humor.

Sway walked back across the plaid area rug and nodded. “You read a lot?”

“I never was big on television. When I was young my dad didn’t allow us to have one. Besides, I don’t like today’s television, so I usually read.”

“I watch a couple old sitcoms, not much else. I guess I don’t much like today’s television either.” Sway held his hands out. “This room is the…great room?”

Brian blinked and threw up one hand, signing. “Library.”

Sway barked a laugh and ducked his head. “Right. All the books. I thought you—”

Brian pointed over his shoulder. “Great room is down the hall from the garage. It has a partition in front of it.”

Sway took Brian’s hand this time. “Lead the way.”

Brian made a left and opened the one door at the end of the hall. “Guest bath.”

It was nice. Clean and ready to receive guests. Sway guessed Brian must have a cleaning lady. He didn’t even see streaks on the mirror.

Brian turned and led them up the hall, and into the entry leading to the foyer. The kitchen was off to the right. He’d already noted the dining area and the obvious renovations in the kitchen. The stove and appliances weren’t the newest on the market, but they were a lot fancier than his. Brian slid open the patio door and walked them out onto the deck. He pointed out that the deck went all the way around the house and ended at his bedroom.

“Promise we’ll sit out here soon,” Sway demanded. He loved the romantic idea of sitting under those strings of lights, tucked under Brian’s heavy arm, while watching the fire’s flame reflect off his irises like black diamonds.

Soon. Brian answered with his eyes.

There was a sitting room, another bathroom, a den that Sway lingered in the longest because it was that awesome. Everything in that room spoke of Brian. The awards, the medals, the plaques, the pictures. Jesus Christ. Is that the White House? Brian let Sway take it all in. Marvel at his brilliance, his stunning bravery. Sway’s gaze moved across the entertainment center staring in awe. Then he saw them. An eight by ten of what looked to be twelve men. They weren’t in standard US military uniforms. They were in dark pants, dark shirts, some had long tunics on. They all had scraggily beards, and headdresses on, like the native men wore over there. Sway found himself stroking his fingertip over the tall one standing in the last row with eyes darker than any of the others. Was that them? Was it okay for him to speak about it?

Sway felt Brian behind him. Timid hands eased around his waist and clamped together across his stomach. He automatically tilted his head to the side and let Brian find that place behind his ear he seemed to like so much. He didn’t speak about the pictures. There’d be more time later, because he wasn’t going anywhere.

The rest of the house was just as nice. The great room wasn’t quite finished either, but Brian said he hoped that it would be like a family room. Sway hid his smile by chewing on his bottom lip. Family sounded nice. When he finally broke down and asked if Brian had a decorator or cleaning lady, he’d confessed to using catalogs and online images to furnish the rooms. That he really couldn’t take credit when he’d literally copied each idea someone else had already designed. Sway stood there in the Asian inspired room shaking his head disbelievingly. Until Brian pulled up a Pinterest pin and showed Sway the exact same room in the image that he was currently standing in—even down to the types of throw pillows—he thought he’d never stop laughing. Brian was something.

After the tour was over—minus the garage—they went back to the kitchen and Brian started a pot of coffee that smelled so heavenly Sway couldn’t wait for the entire pot to finish brewing before he was up and standing in front of the maker, tapping his mug impatiently.

Brian turned to face him, leaning against the counter. Sway took that as an invitation. Besides, Brian couldn’t walk around in a thin T-shirt, commando, with low-riding sweats on and not expect Sway to react at some point. Instead of treating Brian like a fragile-minded child who needed to be handled with kid gloves, he stepped between those nice thighs and made his want evident.

Sway tilted his head up and licked his lips. He wanted Brian’s mouth on him and not chastely. Brian ran one hand through Sway’s hair, stopping at the nape of his neck. He felt delicious pressure and then a tug and Sway’s mouth was against his. The pressure was just right. Brian tilted Sway’s head, and eased his tongue past his lips, taking his precious time. Sway noticed Brian never moved at a frantic pace. He enjoyed and savored. And that’s exactly what he was doing to Sway’s mouth with that kiss. Sway leaned in harder and ran his hands up those defined arms, moaning with each new muscle group he crossed.

Brian’s thick chest rumbled with a hushed growl. God, yes. He couldn’t help but tilt his head back farther, letting Brian’s lips vibrate the tender skin over his pulse. He was so demonstrative—every move he made, Sway understood it. Those big hands smoothed up and down his back, his shoulders, and his neck. All neutral zones, as if Brian wasn’t trying to take this too much further. Sway didn’t want to push him if Brian wasn’t ready to be intimate again. He was more than happy to wait until he was. He’d tasted the goods…he knew it’d be worth the wait.

After dessert, they’d talked and conversed over two cups of that delectable coffee. By the time they were done, it was almost midnight and Sway had slid his chair so close until he was almost in Brian’s lap. There was so much to learn and in those few hours, they’d only grazed the surface. However, Sway was completely tapped out.

“I’m tired,” he whispered, resting his head on Brian’s shoulder.

Brian stood and held his hand out again. Sway didn’t mind Brian leading him, he preferred it. When he was in bed, Brian left, presumably to lock up and turn out all the lights. By the time he returned, Sway was nestled comfortably under the covers, waiting. Sway pulled the heavy comforter down after Brian stoked the fire. He didn’t remove his clothes and Sway had stayed in his lounging pants to sleep. Regardless of the thin layers between them, when Brian pulled Sway flush against him, the feeling was so intense they both trembled.

They were lying on their sides facing each other, Brian lightly fingering the fine hairs on his neck. Sway wedged his leg between Brian’s and tucked his arm against their chests. Sway lifted his head and rubbed his mouth against the raised scars along Brian’s throat. He thought he’d tense when Sway placed a delicate kiss on them, but he was comforted to feel Brian’s entire body relax.

Brian kissed the top of Sway’s head, lingering a moment before he rested his cheek there.

“Good night,” Sway whispered back.