Page 161 of Captivated

“You didn’t. And he’ll know that.”

Robert inclined his head toward the cabin. “Nate asleep?”

Zeeb nodded.

“So you have no objections to staying here while you recuperate?”

He bit his lip. “You knew I wouldn’t, didn’t you?”

Robert shrugged. “I had a hunch.” He gazed at Zeeb. “I saw Nate in your room at the hospital. He was a mess.” He tilted his head. “And I think what I saw went beyond him worrying about a friend.”

Zeeb drank a little. “Early days, Boss. Early days.”

“But heading in the right direction?” Robert’s hazel eyes locked on his.

He smiled. “Yeah. It’s all good.”

And after the previous night’s conversation, he had an inkling of which direction this fledgling relationship might take.

Which was kinda scary, because that was definitely virgin territory.

Ha. See what I did there?

Robert drank the last of his coffee, then stood. “Thanks for the coffee. And the talk.” He handed Zeeb the cup, then headed for the steppingstones across the creek.

“Robert.” The word came out louder than he’d intended.

He turned. “Did I forget something?”

Zeeb rose and went over to him. “About those fuckers… We need a lawyer. Someone who’ll present our case to make sure they get all that’s coming to them. A really good, shit-hot lawyer, who isn’t afraid to muddy the water.”

Robert nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.” He tipped his hat. “Now go wake Nate with some of that great coffee. And remember—take it easy. You need to heal.” And with that, he crossed the creek, untied Rusty, and mounted him.

There goes an amazing man.

Zeeb waited until he was no longer in sight before going back into the cabin.

“Do I smell coffee?” Nate’s face appeared above, his hair tousled.

Zeeb snorted. “Nothing gets past you, does it?”

“I thought I heard voices.” Nate grinned. “So unless you’ve started talking to yourself, we had an early visitor.”

“Get your butt down here and I’ll pour you some coffee. I’m getting a crick in my neck from looking up at you. And yeah, Robert came for a chat. I’ll tell you all about it.”

Nate smiled. “You sound better than yesterday.”

That’s what happens when I spend a night with you in my arms.

Zeeb returned his smile. “I feel better too. I’m also getting hungry. This nurse that’s supposed to be taking care of me had better feed me before I have a relapse.”

That earned him a chuckle. “Let me put some clothes on, and I’ll be right down.” He disappeared from view, and a moment later Zeeb heard him humming.

He had to smile.

“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” sounded like the perfect advice.

Robert’s chest tightened at the sight of the empty bed.

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