Page 154 of Captivated

Waiting to hear where this was going.

“I was taught—” Nate’s voice cracked, and he swallowed. “Taught that someone like me deserves to be alone. That what I feel is wrong.”

The world narrowed to the space between them, electric and fragile.

“But when I’m around you,” Nate whispered, “it’s not wrong. It’s just... quiet. It’sgood. And it scares the hell outta me.” He sucked in another breath as though he was drowning. “I don’t know how to do this, but I know... I know I want to try. With you.”

Zeeb’s heart hammered.

“You don’t have to know.” His voice shook. “You just gottafeelit.”

“Can… can I touch you?”

Zeeb swallowed. “If you’re gentle.”

Nate reached out, slow enough that Zeeb could see it coming, and cupped his face in both hands. Zeeb froze, as if the slightest movement would shatter these few precious seconds. Nate’s forehead came to rest lightly against Zeeb’s, Nate’s breath warm against his mouth, their closeness a living thing sparking between them.

“You ain’t broken,” Zeeb murmured. “You’re probably the bravest man I ever met.”

For a long moment, they simply breathed, tethered together by something fragile yet fierce. With a small, broken noise, Nate leaned in and pressed his mouth, trembling, against Zeeb’s.

At first it wasn’t even a kiss, just a breath shared between two wrecked men. Zeeb ached to slide his hand to the back of Nate’s neck, to steady himself, to ground himself.

And then—finally—Nate kissed him.

It was soft. Barely there. The world fell away, until there was only the warmth of Nate’s mouth, the certainty of his hands, the silent promise in every heartbeat.

When they broke apart, Nate pressed his forehead back against Zeeb’s, his eyes squeezed shut.

“Again?” Zeeb whispered. “Just so I know I’m awake an’ this reallyishappening.”

Nate smiled. “I think I can manage that.” Then his lips brushed Zeeb’s, soft as a whisper.

Zeeb let out a sigh. The kiss deepened, slow and sweet and earth-shattering. Nate made a soft sound in the back of his throat, pressing in closer, his hands warm on Zeeb’s face, holding onto him as though he was anchoring himself.

It wasn’t a movie kiss. No fireworks, no sweeping music, just the quiet exhale of two people who had spent years learning how not to want, finally letting themselves feel.

Nate drew back, and Zeeb instantly missed the feel of his hands.

He exhaled shakily. “Well… I guess you can stay.”

Nate’s grin was a joy to see. “Guess I will, then.”

Zeeb was broken and bruised, held together with gauze and morphine. But something settled inside him. Not just from relief.

From finally coming home.

Robert stared through the glass at Toby’s bed, surrounded by monitors, IV stands, and God knew what else.

“Did you get any sleep last night?” Butch murmured beside him. He’d volunteered to drive Robert to the hospital. Not that he was the only one: they all wanted to see Toby, but Teague had explained the situation.

Butch had won out over the others, but it hadn’t taken long for Robert to realize there was more to the offer than giving him a ride.

They don’t want me driving. They probably think in my present state of mind, I’d crash into the back of something, or run the truck off the road.

They weren’t wrong.

Robert huffed. “Sleep is for the weak.” At least, that was what Toby said every time he fucked Robert into the early hours of the morning, until there wasn’t a drop of cum left in him, and Robert’s ass ached like a bastard.

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