Page 188 of Captivated

Zeeb turned and walked toward the stable, the sun behind him, his heart a little lighter.

Sometimes all you need is a good friend to say it’s okay to be scared.

Nate wrinkled his nose. “Lord, I smell awful.”

Zeeb cackled. “You’ve just spent hours cleaning out the stable and the barns. What did you expect, to come out smelling o’ roses?” He stepped closer, until Nate could feel the warmth radiating from Zeeb’s body.

That was one thing about sleeping with Zeeb—Nate would never be cold.

Zeeb sniffed. “I think you smell amazing.” His voice grew husky, and the raw quality of it stirred something inside Nate.

The buzz of Zeeb’s phone shattered the moment.

Zeeb glanced at the screen. “It’s the boss.” He tapped it. “Hey. What’s up?” He listened intently for a minute. “When?”

Nate’s heart sank. He’d planned on making supper for them, something simple but filling, then the idea was to spend the rest of the night on the couch, making out.

Or anything else they felt like doing.

Nate had his hopes pinned on anything else.

“Okay, we’ll be there in about…” Zeeb looked Nate up and down. “Twenty minutes.” He hung up.

Nate did his best to hide his disappointment. “Trouble?”

“Not exactly. The boss wants to see us up at the house.”

“Did he say why?”

Zeeb shook his head. “But that just gives you enough time to go to the cabin, grab a shower, and a clean set of clothes.” He grinned. “Imight like how you’re smelling right now, but the boss might think you smell like twenty pounds of shit in a ten-pound bag.”

Nate laughed. “Wow. That’s graphic. Well, come on, then.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to ask if Zeeb wanted to climb in the shower with him and wash his back—and anything else he felt inclined to clean—but he bit back the words.

Two blow jobs, and he was still nervous.

Hungry for more, but nervous.

Zeeb knocked on the patio door. “Boss?” Nate stood beside him, the scent of soap still clinging to him.

Robert appeared a moment later. “Hey. Come in. I’m about to leave for the hospital. My last visit of the day.” He smiled. “My last visit there, as it turns out. They’re moving Toby to Gallatin County tomorrow.”

Zeeb beamed as they stepped into the house. “Aw, that’s fantastic. Any idea when he can come home?”

“Well, he’s up, he’s mobile… The doctor said if he doesn’t require supplementary oxygen he can go home, but with physio follow up. So it might not be all that far off.” Robert beckoned them to follow him. “I’m sorry if I’ve spoiled your plans for this evening, but I needed to see you.” He led them to the dining room, then paused at the door.

“Is anything wrong?” Nate asked.

“No, nothing’s wrong. Your dad called. He said he’d been trying to reach you, but he hadn’t had any luck.”

Nate flushed. “Yeah, there’s a reason for that. My phone might’ve had a little… accident.”

“It had some help,” Zeeb muttered. He’d already been thinking about remedying that situation.

Nate glanced at Zeeb, his flush deepening. Then he addressed Robert. “Could you call him back and let him know I’m okay?”

“Of course.” Robert’s eyes gleamed. “Do I tell him you’re more than okay? I mean, given the present circumstances.”Before Nate could reply, Robert pushed the door open and Zeeb caught the aroma of beef, garlic, herbs…

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