Page 166 of Captivated

Zeeb climbed the stairs as though he was wading through molasses.

What made those fuckers do it?When he replayed the supper in his head, he realized Nate had nailed it.

That was an intervention.

His next thought was the shocker.

And maybe I needed that.

He’d been home two days. Two nights in Nate’s bed. Two nights without either of them making a move. Two mornings of waking up with a hard-on, aching to touch Nate the way Zeeb yearned to touch him, to trace the contours of his body with his fingertips, his lips…

Two mornings of watching to see if Nate had similar ideas—and seeing nothing.

He sat on the bed, winced as he bent over to remove his boots, then sank back against the pillows with a low moan of relief.

“I don’t think I’m gonna move for the next few days,” he murmured as Nate appeared at the foot of the bed. He certainly had no intention of going anywhere near the bunkhouse, not after the performance he’d just witnessed.

Nate handed him the pills and the water, and he swallowed them.

“Are you mad?” Nate asked in a quiet voice.

Zeeb blinked. “You think I’m mad because those fools played matchmaker with all the subtlety of a mule kick?”

Nate hesitated. “A little?”

Zeeb forced himself to take a breath before speaking. “Can I be honest?”

That earned him a blink. “I hope you’re always honest with me.”

He sighed. “I’m a little mad because I don’t know what we’re doing here.” He met Nate’s gaze. “I sleep in your bed, you hold my hand when no one’s looking, you look at me like I’m the last thing you wanna lose…” He paused. “And I have no idea what you want. Where you want this to go. I mean, we kiss, I hold you in bed, an’ you say that’s enough.”

Nate swallowed. “Are you saying thatisn’tenough for you? That you want more?”

“Do you?”

Christ, this felt like a dance, with neither of them touching.

Nate’s face was flushed. “Yes, but I didn’t think you did.”

Zeeb chuckled. “Then you’ve been missing some big signs, cowboy.”

Nate’s face crumpled—from guilt, relief, or something deeper than either, Zeeb couldn’t tell. “I thought maybe… you were just being kind. That maybe you felt sorry for me. After everything I’ve been through.”

Zeeb arched his eyebrows. “You think I kiss men I pity?”

“I don’t know what you do,” Nate said. He let out a sigh. “I don’t know whatIdo, if it comes to that.” He shifted closer. “You know how it is. I was taught that none of this was okay. That wanting this meant I was broken. And I don’t think I ever got the part of myself back that knewhowto want someone.”

“I get that. They programed you. But you’re re-educating your brain.” He sighed. “As much as I hate to admit it, those assholes were trying to help in their own way. Trying to show you they’d never judge you. That there’s nothing wrong with lov—caring for another person. And I gotta admit, they’re helping me figure out the same lesson.” He grimaced. “Doesn’t mean I don’t wanna beat ’em.” He took Nate’s hand in his. “And you don’t have to know everything right now. Just tell me if you want to try.”

Nate glanced at their joined hands, then raised his gaze to stare into Zeeb’s eyes. “I want to try.”

Zeeb’s heart did a little happy dance. “Then try with me.” He bit his lip. “So long as you remember this is all new to me too. I mean, bein’ with a guy.” He smiled. “We’re on the same page, like I said.”

“Then maybe it’s time for the next chapter.” Nate leaned in and Zeeb met him halfway.

This time, the kiss wasn’t cautious. It wasn’t a question.

It was a promise.

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