Free Sawyer (Torey Hope: The Later Years #2) by A. D. Ellis

body when his brain registered the scent of soap and man.
    Almost roughly, Sawyer grabbed the paper towel and ran it under the water. Dabbing gently at Luke’s lip, trying to calm his feelings, Sawyer worked until the blood was cleaned away. Using the damp towel, Sawyer managed to clean Luke’s nose. Finding a piece of clean gauze, he handed it to Luke. “Keep this until you’re sure your nose is done bleeding.”
    With a last dab of the towel on his lip, Sawyer dug through the kit in search of ointment for the wound. “Here. This should stop the bleeding and maybe numb it a little.” Sawyer let his thumb brush lightly over the crack in Luke’s lip, wishing he could dip his head and let his lips follow this thumb.
    Sawyer watched for several seconds as Luke’s chest heaved and his blue eyes darkened. He backed up a bit as Luke abruptly stood up, but he didn’t move quickly enough to miss the other man’s obvious physical reaction to the situation as it rubbed against his own barely-concealed erection. Glancing upward to make contact with Luke’s heated gaze, Sawyer fought the need to wrap his arms around the man and pull his mouth down to his own.
    “So, thanks for fixing me up, Doc. I think the sparring is done for tonight, but I’ll take a raincheck for another time. And we definitely need to get you through some yoga and meditation sessions; sounds like you could use the benefits of both practices.” Sawyer saw right through Luke’s attempt to change the subject and avoid the tension between them, but he took the bait.
    “Yeah, my therapist has been telling me I should look into some relaxation techniques. Yoga and meditation would probably be just the right combination. I’ll definitely take you up on the lessons. Thanks man.”
    “So, um, I don’t know about you, but I’m not tired at all. Must be from the adrenaline of the fight.” Luke smiled as brightly as his busted lip allowed him to. “I’m not ready to go to bed yet. You want to grab some coffee at that 24 hour place?”
    Sawyer’s brain flitted from excitement to confusion. He was thrilled to be asked out for coffee by Luke. However, he got the distinct feeling that, even though there was a definite physical attraction, Luke would fight tooth and nail against anything more than friendship. The thought disappointed and puzzled him. Shaking his head to clear the jumbled thoughts he convinced himself he could delve into the why’s with Luke once they knew each other better. And going out for coffee was the perfect way to get to know someone better.
    “That sounds good. I’m not sleepy either. Luckily I don’t have to work tomorrow. I’m sure I’ll end up here at some point, but I can stay up until the wee hours of the morning drinking coffee and be none the worse for the wear tomorrow because I can sleep in.” Grabbing his bag and locking the door behind them Sawyer headed toward his car. Halting briefly he scanned the parking lot. His gaze landed on a motorcycle. “Is that yours? Do you want to just ride with me? I can bring you back by here after coffee.”
    He watched the hesitation flash over Luke’s face. Sawyer read right through him, he wanted to climb into the car, but he wouldn’t allow himself to do so.
    “Nah, I’ll take my bike and just meet you there.”
    Sawyer swallowed his ridiculous disappointment. Don’t be an idiot. He invited you for coffee. He’s meeting you there. It’s not a date, you don’t have to drive him there. As he chastised himself he watched with heated eyes as Luke’s ass sauntered away.
    Climbing into his car Sawyer noticed a message from Hayden.
     
    Hayden : Hey there.
     
    Hayden: So, tonight was really great. Better than I had hoped for.
     
    Hayden: Just wanted to check on you and see if you are okay. You seemed distracted when you left. If I know you you’re probably feeling guilty about tonight. I’m not expecting a ring on my finger now. Maybe we can make plans for a date