Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82109 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82109 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Dana’s eyes shuttered before finally focusing on Ford. He’d only been asleep a couple hours but the meds were probably just peaking at their maximum strength. Ford came over to Dana’s side of the bed and eased his big body up next to him. “Hey, Superman. You sleep well?”
“Shut up.” Dana chuckled lightly.
“How you feeling? Still in a lot of pain?”
“Not too bad. Head still a little achy.” Dana hissed in frustration.
Ford ran his palm over Dana’s forehead. He was damp and clammy. Ford got up and went into the bathroom, grabbing the first washrag he saw and rinsed it thoroughly. He came back and started to pat Dana’s face with the cool cloth.
“You hungry?”
“A little. I don’t want anything heavy, though.”
Ford kept stroking Dana’s face while he spoke. “Perfect, because Sway is bringing some soup his mom made for you. She said you loved it as a kid.”
Dana’s eyes beamed with excitement. “Ginger chicken and rice soup. Oh, babe. It’s a mother’s love in a bowl. You’ll have to try.”
Ford leaned down and kissed Dana’s forehead. “I will.”
The doorbell rang, followed by a couple sharp raps on the door. “Sway’s here,” Ford murmured against Dana’s lips. “I’ll be up front with Brian. The doc’s coming by to check the bandage on your head around eight. I’m sure Quick will be with him. But you let me know if you’re not up for company.”
“Stop worrying. I’m not a doll baby.” Dana bit Ford’s lip.
“Brat.” Ford sucked Dana’s tongue. He didn’t want to let go, but he could hear Sway talking to Brian so he knew he’d better get out there. Ford regretfully pulled away. “I’ll be up front.”
“Love you,” Dana said.
Ford kissed him again and left the room. He walked into the den, surprised to see his baby brother staring at Sway with the oddest expression, his mouth slack and his skin a little pale. Ford frowned and moved closer, turning his attention to Sway. He looked taken aback by Brian, but he kept talking.
“I grew up with Dana. So, you work with him too, you’re Ford’s bother, right? I’m Sway.” Sway held out his hand, looking up at Brian, waiting.
When Brian didn’t clasp his hand, still staring at the man like he had wings, Sway scoffed and took his hand back.
Ford stepped forward. “Um, my brother doesn’t—”
Sway held his hand up, turning his back to Brian and speaking to Ford. “It’s okay. No need to explain, Ford. Is Dana asleep? I just wanted to peek in on him on my way home. I’m kind of walking on fumes. I’ve been at the hospital since six this morning.”
“No. He’s awake. I’ll take this and make him a bowl. He seemed eager for it.” Ford took the still-warm Crock Pot Sway had set on Dana’s breakfast bar and took it into the kitchen.
“Sure.” Sway cut his eyes at Brian and darted them away just as fast and left, heading down the hall.
Ford walked over to Brian. “What was that all about?”
“I think I know him, Ford.”
Brian
It couldn’t be. Brian’s heart was beating so hard he had to put a hand to his chest and brace his heavy body against the wall with the other. What were the odds that the man he’d been obsessing over for months walks right through the damn door? With this kind of luck, he needed to play the lottery. Brian nervously ran his hand over his rough stubble. How could he be sure it was him? Was he so desperate to have him again that he was hallucinating? He hadn’t gotten a good look at the guy’s face at the club. It’d been dark in the main area. Brian had only caught glimpses of those delicate features under the red and purple strobe lights. When they’d nestled into their love cave, everything had been pitch dark.
But damn if he wasn’t the exact same height and build. Brian couldn’t see all the definition because he was wearing scrubs, but he saw enough. Even his hair looked like it was a perfect fit. It was light brown, long, with soft, golden curls tucked behind his ears. Brian remembered those curls, remembered they’d smelled like vanilla and sandalwood. If Brian could somehow march back into Dana’s bedroom and pull the smaller man to him and bury his nose in his hair, that would give him validation. But Dana and his brother would probably think he’d flipped his shit.
Brian had begun to pace back and forth. He wanted it to be the man from the club so much his body vibrated. What did he say his name was again? Brian had been struck stupid while the man was introducing himself.
Sway! Yeah, that’s what he said. It sounded sassy and sexy. Brian liked it. It fit, from what he’d seen so far. Brian had answered the front door. The shock was all over Sway’s pretty face when he saw him, but he swallowed noticeably and looked up Brian’s full six foot three body and told him he was there to see Dana. What sparked the instant fire of recognition in Brian’s gut was Sway’s voice. That voice had plagued his dreams for weeks. The way Sway had whispered and moaned in Brian’s ear when he was deep inside him. The way he unconsciously understood what Brian was feeling and spoke his words into existence in that sweet, harmonious voice. He couldn’t mistake it. It was him. It’s him!