“I really like your bedroom,” Sway said, leaning against the door while Brian put his boots on. Brian’s stomach grumbled so loudly after a couple of hours of talking, it humorously broke up the gloom that had settled over their heads.

Brian stood and pointed to the sitting area by the fireplace. “It was two rooms. I had the wall broken out to make it into one large bedroom.”

“No shit.” Sway moved to the love seat. “Your house is really nice. I mean like super nice.”

Brian’s chest seemed to puff up. It was obvious his house was a source of pride for him.

“Where are we going to eat?”

“Anywhere you want, beautiful. I’m not picky.”

Sway followed Brian through the house, to the foyer. “Anywhere?”

Brian nodded.

Sway gave him a playful smile. “I know this quaint little place in Richmond, Virginia that I’ve been dying to go back to.”

“We better get going then. If we leave now we can eat by eleven tonight.” Brian grabbed him behind his neck and pulled him into that brick hard chest. Brian slanted his mouth over Sway’s and licked his way inside. After all the confessions and admissions, Sway only wanted Brian to use his tongue for pleasure now. Sway hadn’t realized Brian was inching them backwards until his ass hit the wall. He released a grunt into Brian’s mouth and he returned a hissing groan that tasted so naughty it made Sway’s cock leak and press uncomfortably against his zipper. Brian was promising him something delicious and very soon. Sway moved his hips the same way he moved his tongue. With passion and fire.

Sway wanted to climb Brian like a six-foot-three pole and rub himself all over him. After Brian had admitted how upset he’d been when he’d thought Sway wasn’t coming back he’d wanted to reassure him that he wasn’t one of those ignorant punks who Brian had dated in the past, a coward, a runner, but he understood now that there was only one way to do that. He had to show and prove.

Brian’s strong hand gripped him behind his thigh and lifted it until it rested on his hip. He was glad he was still leaning against the wall, because the way he arched at the sensations coursing through him, he would’ve fallen. With his leg cocked up on Brian’s hip, it gave his balls a little more room to breathe and throb. “Brian,” Sway rasped. “God, you feel so good.” He was so damn big and strong. Sway rubbed his abs and chest while Brian kept his controlling hold on Sway’s neck and thigh. Next, he went around his middle, feeling the hard planes of his back, the slightly raised scars, all the way down to his—Sway gasped.

Brian panted heavily against his temple as he ground himself relentlessly against him. At Sway’s shocked gasp he pulled away with a hot, bad boy smirk on his face, knowing exactly what Sway had just run into.

“Jesus, Brian. Is that a gun?” Sway said breathlessly, staring at Brian with a mixture of surprise and uncontrolled lust.

“No. I’m just really happy to see you,” Brian smiled.

Sway liked this teasing, joking side of him. He wondered how many people actually got to see it. He laughed loudly at the classic joke, and let his leg slowly slide down Brian’s thigh until his boot was on the floor. “Do you always carry?”

Brian rubbed his scruff against Sway’s cheek once more, the burn feeling amazing. “Yes. Hard habit to break. But, don’t you worry, it’s no danger to you.”

Sway looked up at Brian… he wanted danger. Wanted his bad boy to take him out of his comfort zone. Where he got the bravado from, he didn’t know, but Sway leaned seductively against the wall and reached forward, gripping Brian’s thick leather belt. He used it to pull Brian to him, watching him come readily. Sway reached up and caressed Brian’s cheek, while he sneakily wrapped the other hand under his shirt and around his back again, wanting another forbidden feel of that hard, cold steel. He ran his fingers over the butt of the gun, watching Brian’s reaction the entire time. He saw him bite his bottom lip as if he was fighting for control.

“Feels sexy,” Sway moaned, his eyes drifting lower. He had no clue he could get so turned on by a man being armed. Dana carried all the time but he’d never paid any attention to it, never cared. There was just something about Brian that made Sway want to do something out of his norm; and acting like a sex-depraved, gun-slut was definitely one of them. Sway closed his eyes all the way and imagined Brian with that deadly weapon in his hand, using his military-trained skills to capture criminals. Before Sway knew it, he’d moaned out loud and thrust his hips forward. God, he could only imagine Brian’s dark body, lurking in the night. So damn quiet. Sway reluctantly moved his hand away from the hardware and slid it up the strong planes of Brian’s back, feeling them twitch under his caress. “My silent hunter.”

Sway felt a gust of hot breath across his cheek as strong fingers with blunt nails pulled on the curls at the nape of his neck. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Brian staring down at him like he’d never seen him before. Oh shit. Had he said that last part out loud? He hadn’t thought so. But, why was Brian frowning like that?

Sway straightened some. “I’m… I was only…”

“The things you say with that pretty mouth,” Brian admitted, backing away from Sway and taking his amazing heat with him.

Sway smiled nervously and dropped the slutty performance. He wanted to show Brian he meant what he was about to say. “I mean everything I say,” he signed first then thought carefully how to word what he truly felt about Brian. “I’ve steered away from relationships for a long time. Under the premise that nothing good lasts forever. It’s a sad motto to live by, but I didn’t realize that until I met you.” Sway shook his head unbelievingly. “You think your mutism is unattractive but it’s not. Do you know what a relief it is to be able to feel what you’re saying… that you use your touch to express yourself?” Sway breathed deeply. “It’s so damn special to speak with you, Brian.”

Brian was watching him closely, expressions of surprise, and relief shadowing his features and making them shine.

“You’re so special that maybe I’m feeling a tad… inadequate.” Sway shrugged as if it was nothing, but he hadn’t meant to say that last part. He wasn’t insecure on a regular day, but paired with a war hero he began to question his own accomplishments. They were few and far between. He’d taken care of his mom after her crushing heartbreak and decline in health, and graduated with his masters… then he’d gone to work. Big deal. He did what the rest of the world does. Brian had lived so much more than him. Seen the world… protected it. Sway just wanted to know he was good enough. Was Brian settling? Sway quickly dismissed the thought. He wasn’t chopped liver, he was a good man. A caring man and all he wanted to do was care for the heart directly in front of him, crying out for comfort. He had an abundance to give.

Brian shook his head, stopping Sway’s doubt. He pushed him back against the wall, using his pelvis to pin him there while he signed. “Inadequate?” Brian growled. He actually growled. A rolling rumble deep down in his chest that Sway felt down in his bones. It wasn’t particularly loud, but it didn’t take away from its power. Sway shivered, bracing his hands on Brian’s thick pecs. “Impossible.”

“I’m just a nurse—a measly five-foot eight man who still lives with his mom—but I’ve never been a quitter,” Sway whispered with conviction, lightly fingering the collar of Brian’s shirt, the part that covered the deeps scars along his throat. Sway was always drawn to that secret place. The one Brian only let him touch.

“If you give me a chance. I’ll show you you’re so much more than that, Sway.”

A week later, Sway was still thinking about the things Brian had admitted to him. Sway guessed he was in a relationship now. They’d both agreed to give this a good ole-fashioned try. He was being courted. Sway smiled.

“Sway?”

Sway jerked and looked up to see that all eyes around the large boardroom table were on him. Crap. What did I miss?

“I already saw the nurse’s schedules. He cc’d us in the email he sent this morning.” Dr. Chauncey answered to Dr. Dominick, effectively bailing Sway out, because he had no clue what he’d been asked.

“Oh. My secretary must’ve printed it before I saw it. My apologies.” Dr. Dominick was watching Sway with curious eyes. “Do you have anything additional to report Nurse Hamilton before we wrap up for today?”

Sway swallowed but stood confidently. The department head meeting had gone well, albeit long, but their first potential candidates arrived the beginning of next week. Dr. Chauncey and Dr. Dominick were adamant about running a clean and effective trial. That was why Sway needed to speak up. He was the charge nurse and he’d been all ready to discuss his new team’s concerns, but not with Dr. Dominick staring at him like that. As if he knew what had Sway lost in thought a moment ago. When he thought he had Sway’s undivided attention as he spoke… but he didn’t. Only one man held his thoughts. It wasn’t possible anyone could know the reason for his recent smiles and dreamy stares. The only one who knew of his new budding romance was his best friend and mom. With that assurance swimming at the back of his head Sway held up one finger before Dr. Dominick could dismiss them all.

“Yes. I have one last mention. The nurses have expressed a concern about some negative attitudes from a couple of the physicians they’re assigned to. We understand how serious and stressful this work can be and we only want to help simplify your lives and make your patients comfortable. So, I simply want to ask that the physicians be a little more courteous not only to my nurses but to all the staff throughout the duration.” Sway made eye contact with one of the other nephrologists and a visiting oncologist—the reason he had to make this statement in the first place—before his eyes returned to his bosses.

Dr. Dominick stood. “Your concern isn’t small by any means.” Dr. Dominick looked around the table making stern eye contact with everyone, especially the physicians. “If we receive a complaint about anyone engaging in disrespectful behavior, they will find themselves subject of a speedy investigation that will most likely lead to your removal from the case. You were all hand-selected by my team, so I hate to say it like this, but you are all replaceable. There are alternates waiting to take your place if you can’t display proper work etiquette. Do not think you can mistreat the staff here at Emory and not have repercussions. You will. And they’ll be harsh and swift,” Dr. Dominick’s voice boomed. “You will treat everyone in this facility with respect, whether they’re from janitorial, admin, or the damn hospital president. Am I clear?”

There were jerky nods around the table before Dr. Chauncey took over.

“Nurse Hamilton. Thank you for voicing your staff’s concerns. If you have any other issues, I’d like you to bring them to me, directly,” Dr. Chauncey said and quickly dismissed everyone with one of his encouraging smiles. “Good meeting. I’ll see everyone bright and early on Monday morning.”