Page 12 of Spilled Coffee

A dense wall of heat greeted him like a wave, stinging his eyes and creeping over his skin with an insistent grip, leaving no part untouched.

He blinked, as the faint scent of cedarwood and something earthy, almost primal, wrapped around him, teasing his senses.

Devon handed Logan two bottles of water, their chilled surfaces slick with condensation that pooled into tiny rivulets before racing down the sides.

“I’ll leave you to it,” he said, his voice a deep rumble of confidence. There was a faint smirk on his lips as he clapped Logan’s arm with a solid thud then flicked his gaze knowingly between them. “Take as long as you need,” he added with a wink. “There’s no more clients today, so you’ve got the place to yourselves.”

Ethan caught the glint of unspoken understanding in his eyes when he and Logan looked at each other. There was a weight to it, something unsaid that made Ethan’s stomach somersault with both curiosity and nervous energy.

Logan returned the grin with one of his own—casual, warm, and calm in a way that made Ethan feel invisible. “Thanks, man. Today’s been solid.” He dipped his chin slightly. “Won’t let it drag out so long next time. We need those cold ones you’re always bragging about buying.”

Devon chuckled, like the sound of distant thunder rolling across an open field. “Looking forward to it.” Then without hesitation, he pulled Logan into one of those firm bear hugs men like him seemed to master—strong and brief, but undeniably genuine.

He stepped back and his gaze shifted to Ethan with an easy charm that felt like it could pin you in place. “Nice meeting you, kid,” he said with a more obvious wink that set Ethan further on edge. “Enjoy the sauna.”

And just like that, Devon was gone.

The silence that followed settled heavily between them, amplifying every creak of wood and drip of condensation from the walls.

Being alone—really alone—with Logan felt different. In all the months since joining Alfa, Ethan couldn’t recall a single moment without the Team’s constant noise filling the gaps: the laughter, the banter, not to mention the arguments over strategy or dinner orders. This quiet was unfamiliar. It pressed against him like the heat wafting from the sauna itself.

“You known him long? Devon, I mean.” Ethan’s voice came out too quick and too loud for the intimate space they were in.

Logan leaned casually against one of the wooden beams framing the sauna door. “Devon?” he repeated before nodding. “Yeah... known him years.”

He paused briefly, letting memories flicker across his sharp features before continuing. “He’s an old hand—Team Six back in the day. EOD specialist—a wiz with explosives.” There was admiration in his voice which drew Ethan’s attentioncompletely. “Took a bad hit—IED tore through half his squad.” His jaw tightened for a moment before he exhaled slowly through his nose. “Spent close to two years in rehab after that. Being sidelined nearly wrecked him.”

Ethan listened, captivated by the way he spoke, not just about an old teammate, but someone who’d fought battles far beyond any battlefield.

“Being out of action wasn’t something he could accept. So he quit drinking and retrained as a physio. Decided if he couldn’t be in the fight himself, he’d help guys like us get through it.” Logan’s gaze drifted briefly to where Devon had disappeared moments ago before returning to Ethan with something warm in his eyes, a rare vulnerability showing through his usual mask. “This place is his way of giving back,” he added simply.

Suddenly the things he’d noticed about Devon made sense. The guy wasn’t just big, he was built for battle, but when he could no longer be in the fight, he’d chosen healing instead.

“Didn’t he think it was weird? Us showing up together like this?” Ethan gestured vaguely between them, the question carrying more weight than he intended.

Logan’s chuckle rumbled low, unbothered. “Trust me, nothing fazes Devon. He’s the most open-minded person you’ll meet. Like I said, he set this place up for guys like us—no judgment.” His eyes lingered on Ethan’s face for a moment, as though searching for something. His voice softened when he added, “Besides, I’ve brought people here before. Just not anyone from the Team.”

Before Ethan could make further comment, Logan gestured toward the sauna where steam continued curling invitingly outward with beckoning fingers.

“C’mon,” he said with that same calm authority Ethan recognized, and maybe even craved. “Let’s go relax.”

As Logan moved past him toward the sauna door, his hand brushed against the small of Ethan’s back, a brief touch, yet somehow it felt deliberate.

This is either a terrible idea or exactly what I need,Ethan thought as he followed Logan into the swirling steam.

CHAPTER 7

Ethan steppedthrough the wooden door, which groaned faintly on its hinges as it closed behind them.

The heat hit him like a wall, then wrapped around his body, seeping into his pores and stealing the air from his lungs.

He barely managed a shaky breath before lowered himself onto a slatted bench along one side. He sank against the warm wood, still clutching his towel as though it were a lifebuoy.

It wasn’t just fabric, it was armor, a thin but crucial barrier between him and everything he didn’t yet know how to face.

Logan leaned casually against the bench opposite, one powerful arm draped across the backrest as though he owned the space. His posture radiated ease, but his eyes were fixed on Ethan.

The corner of his mouth lifted in a slow, deliberate grin as he watched Ethan continue to fuss with the knot of his towel. “You won’t need that,” he said at last, his voice carrying that unmistakable note of authority. “Hand it over.”

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