Brian
Brian had gotten there at twenty minutes to five just in case Sway finished early but no such luck. When five past five rolled around Brian’s heart had begun to pound and his hands held a persistent sheen of moisture that wouldn’t go away no matter how many times he scrubbed them on his jeans. How could he sign with sloppy hands? Brian huffed a harsh breath and rubbed his big hands down his face, wiping the dampness along his cheeks and beard. He was sweating in the dead of winter. Damn, what was wrong with him? Sway was just a guy, right? By five twenty, Brian thought he’d been stood up and he debated going in there and dragging Sway out and demanding to know what the deal was, then tucking his tail and going home alone.
Then he saw him run outside and Brian enjoyed the excitement and nerves flashing in Sway’s eyes. He watched him move rapidly down the sidewalk in those skinny jeans with his jacket wrapped securely around him. Brian’s first thought was getting Sway warm. He sank into his seat with relief before he climbed out of the car, the heavy feeling of dread and disappointment he’d felt a minute ago rolling off his lap and hitting the asphalt where he stood.
He couldn’t stop the smile, the pure joy he felt as the man he’d obsessed over for weeks was now only a few feet away… and then in his arms. Brian pulled Sway’s tight body to him more forcefully than he’d intended but the way Sway reciprocated, he didn’t think he minded. He smelled so good, like hand soap and vanilla. Brian inhaled deeply, dragging his nose along Sway’s jaw up to his temple.
“It’s really good to see you too. You look great.” Sway took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I’m late. It got pretty busy a couple hours ago.”
Brian nodded, staring and licking his lips like a wolf. Looking at Sway right then, within his grasp, close enough to smell and feel, made him turn predatory. But the hunger he felt wasn’t coming from his groin. The ache wasn’t just there. “I understand. It’s fine, I wasn’t waiting long.” Brian shrugged like it was nothing, and instead asked, “Ready to eat?”
“I’m starved, I haven’t eaten since early this afternoon and even that was only a snack.” Sway talked while Brian led him over to the passenger side door and opened it for him. He watched as Sway slid his body gracefully onto the soft leather and it was difficult for Brian not to yank him back out and make him do it again.
“You have a place in mind that you like?” Brian asked when he’d got in and turned to face Sway. He wasn’t picky when it came to dining, he could eat a roasted squirrel on a skewer if it was cooked through… he had before. He was happy going along with whatever Sway wanted… or they could stay right there. He’d be content sitting in his car eating a granola bar in the nicely-lit parking lot as long as the man sitting next to him stayed right where he was, looking at him just like that.
Sway blinked those puppy dog eyes and Brian fought the desire to reach out again. He didn’t want to be too needy, come off as too hard up. “There’s a place that serves amazing samosa dumplings in Emory Village, if you like Asian. Only a few minutes from here, on Decatur. It’s good food… and I hear you like to eat.”
Brian watched a faint cherry hue tint Sway’s ivory cheeks. His heart stuttered. Whether Sway just meant to say that or not, he’d just confessed to asking around about him. Brian hadn’t been dismissed and ignored like he’d thought, Sway had been doing recon. It had to have been Dana spilling the info, since he was Sway’s best friend. Dana always made fun of Brian’s robust appetite. He was a six foot three, two hundred and forty pound man, of course he loved to eat. Brian started his powerful engine and coasted out of the parking lot. There was no need to hurry. He was going to make the small amount of time he had with Sway last.
“This car is smoking. It smells really new.” Sway said it as statement, but Brian nodded anyway with a satisfied smile on his face. Sway blushed, playfully rolling his eyes and added. “Well at least I know you’re not overcompensating.”
This time Brian’s eyes widened at the slick wit. It was rare that he was caught off guard, but he hadn’t expected such forwardness. He thought Sway might dance around how they’d met and focus on starting fresh. Brian admitted he didn’t really want to do that. He loved how they’d met. Loved that even though they were there for nothing special, that wasn’t what either of them had found.