Page 101 of Captivated

Paul nodded. “Except it’s not a horse—it’s a pony.” Then his face tightened. “Someone’s treated him pretty bad.”

Zeeb scowled. “Then whoever did that needs to be strung up by his balls, assumin’ he has ’em.” He pushed his chair back. “Okay then, time to earn my pay.” Another glance to Nate. “We’ll collect the wire, hammer and nails, then we’ll take my truck.” He gave a lopsided grin. “Right after I take that shower.” Nate blinked, and Zeeb snickered. “I kinda got distracted.”

“How far is the south pasture?”

He chuckled. “Far enough that we can’t get there on foot.”

Nate stood. “Give me ten minutes, and I’ll be right with you.” Plenty of time to return to the cabin, brush his teeth—and find the sunscreen Dad had stuffed into his bag. He’d been careful so far, but the prospect of being out in the open, with that hot sun beating down on Nate’s exposed flesh, told him extra precautions were called for.

Zeeb’s arms were tanned, as was the skin showing above the neckline of his tank top. Then Nate recalled the pallor of Zeeb’s ass as he’d plunged into the cool waters of the lake. “Not all of you gets the sun, does it?” He couldn’t resist a smile.

Zeeb blinked, and all of a sudden Nate got the impression Zeeb didn’t want Teague knowing Nate had seen him in all his glory.

Itwaspretty glorious too.Not overly long, but thick. Very thick.

Heat bloomed on Nate’s cheeks. He’d tried not to stare, but the sight had been mesmerizing, especially before the coolness of the water had gotten to it.

It took him a moment to realize that was the first time he’d thought about another man’s dick, and he hadn’t been overcome by shame and guilt.

Damn. It felt like a victory. An achievement.

They walked the fence line, Zeeb carrying a hammer and nails, Nate the coil of wire. The morning sun warmed their backs, and a breeze kicked dust up from the road running alongside the fence.

They hadn’t spoken much since leaving the barn, and Nate didn’t mind that one bit. It was a comfortable silence, and he was glad neither of them felt the need to fill it with chat.

Zeeb pointed to a loose rail. “We’ll start here.” He knelt beside it. “Gimme the end of the wire.” Nate unrolled a little of it. “Now hold it there. Use the pliers.” Nate did as instructed and Zeeb began hammering. When he no longer needed to hold the wire, Nate leaned on a nearby post, his arms crossed, pretending not to stare as Zeeb’s arms and back flexed.

Somethinghadshifted, all right. Nate had woken up to the realization that Zeeb was a good-looking man.

No, it was more than that. He might even stretch his description to say Zeeb was hot. The fifteen years or so thatseparated them apparently didn’t matter. Something in him called to Nate, and Nate didn’t have a clue what to do about that.

Who says I have to do anything?It was enough to admire the view.

Zeeb glanced at him, and grinned. “This is you helpin’, is it? You gonna stand there and watch?”

“You’re quieter than usual,” Nate observed. “Well, more than your usual quiet.”

Zeeb grunted and went back to his hammering. “That right?”

“Breakfast was... different,” Nate said carefully. “Everyone kept looking at you as if you’d grown wings, or confessed to being royalty.” It was the closest he could get to describing the atmosphere in the bunkhouse.

Zeeb gave a dry chuckle and stood, wiping his hands on his jeans. “Not quite royalty. Just told ’em I’m bi. Not that they didn’t already know, of course, but it was the first time I’d said it out loud.” He glanced at Nate. “To them, at least. You were my first.”

Nate blinked. “Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“Huh.”

Zeeb quirked an eyebrow. “That all you got?”

Nate laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “No, I just… I thought maybe I’d missed something. I guess I did.”

“You didn’t miss much.” Zeeb leaned against the fence post, facing him. “Butch kinda… gave me a nudge. Said it was time I quit pretending it didn’t matter. So I told the boys right before you came in to breakfast. Figured they’d give me hell.”

“And did they?” Nate tried to read his expression.

“Oh yeah.” Zeeb gave a lopsided grin. “But the usual kind. Walt called me Loverboy. Teague threatened to punch anyone who gave me crap about it. Butch did too for that matter.” His eyes twinkled. “You know. Standard ranch love language.”

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