Page 208 of Captivated

Nate took in Teague’s furrowed brow, the restless movement of his hands, the way he held himself so stiffly. “Sure.”

“I tease the fuck out of him, but you know what?” Teague raised his chin and looked at Nate. “I love Zeeb. He’s always been straight—no pun intended—with me. He calls me on my bullshit, but he’ll also defend me to anyone who has a problem with that bullshit.” He smiled. “He’s like the big brother from hell. Sweet one sec, then giving you noogies the next.” He paused. “But there’s one thing you need to know. Zeeb is... well… he’s not wired like everyone else.”

“What do you mean?”

“We all go up to Bozeman or Livingstone now and then. A few drinks, maybe some of us get lucky… But Zeeb? He might find someone for a night, but they almost always have to approach him. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s afraid of rejection. Comes from having a soft heart, you know.” Teague gave Nate an intense gaze. “If you want him—and I meanreallywant him—I think you’ll need to grab his attention and show him you’re the guy for him. Don’t let him bullshit with you. He cares, a lot. He just needs someone who understands him.”

Nate’s heartbeat quickened. “And you think that’s me?”

Teague grinned. “I’ve seen the way you look at him. It’s you, all right. All I know is, one day I want someone to look atmethat way.”

Nate caught a hint of something in Teague’s voice, but he couldn’t decipher it. “You said you’ve never loved someone?” That was so sad. Teague was a good guy. Anyone would be damn lucky to have him in their life.

“Nope.” Teague shrugged. “Not that I go out of my way to find it, you understand. And I don’t really have time for love. I have my life here. If I want some action, I go elsewhere, but that isn’t love, that’s just sex. And after what happened to Toby and Zeeb, I think it’ll be a long time before I do that in town again. Hell, before any of us do. We’re safer here. So if I’m going to meet the man of my dreams, he’s gonna have to come to Salvation.”

Nate folded his arms. “So what would he be like, this dream guy?”

Another shrug. “I have no clue. Let’s say my ideas have changed a little in the past two years. I’ve seen stuff that makes me…well… look at myself differently.” His eyes sparkled. “I guess I’m what you’d call open to persuasion.”

Nate looked Teague up and down. “He’d better be someone who’s into muscles and tattoos.”

He cackled. “My bedroom space is taken up with two things—my bed and my weights.”

Nate gazed at Teague’s arms. “Why tattoos of eagles?” He could count at least three.

Teague didn’t speak for a moment. “Eagles are strong. Brave. They overcome challenges. I know all about that. When I was sixteen, I ran away from home. My dad didn’t think I’d have the courage to do that. Guess I proved him wrong.” He picked up another strand of hay. “Eagles soar high. They see even the smallest mouse from way up in the sky. They’re free.”He chuckled. “Paul once told me that in some cultures, eagles are seen as messengers between the earthly and divine realms, symbolizing spiritual connection and wisdom.” He grinned. “I don’t know about all that, but it sounds good. A little wisdom is a good thing, right?” Teague stood. “I only wandered in here because I spotted you as I was walking to the bunkhouse and I got curious. I didn’t intend to bore you with my ramblings.”

Nate smiled again. “You haven’t. And they weren’t ramblings. Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Well, talking with me. Sharing.”

Teague smiled. “You’re family now. We’reallgonna be talking your ear off.” He walked over to Nate and put a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Be good to him, okay?”

“I promise.”

Teague tipped his hat, then ambled out of the stable.

Nate gave Sorrel a final petting. “I have to go now. I have to wake Zeeb up and tell him something important.”

He hurried out of the stable and over to Zeeb’s truck. Now that he’d made the decision, he didn’t want to waste a second. His heart hammered as he drove along the narrow track that led to the cabin. By the time he reached the door, he was buzzing.

Inside the cabin all was quiet except for the sound of Zeeb’s breathing, regular and even. Nate climbed the stairs and stood at the foot of the bed, watching the rise and fall of Zeeb’s chest.

He looks so peaceful. Grounded.

Nate’s skin still hummed with the memory of their touch, the way they’d come together like gravity, with no hesitation, no shame.

Just truth.

I didn’t know I could feel like this.He felt safe, anchored, unafraid. For years, he’d swallowed his truth like poison, wrapped in scripture and silence. He’d prayed it out of himself.He’d let others try to ‘fix’ him. But nothing had ever made him feel as human as he had when Zeeb touched him.

When Zeeb’s voice softened as he said Nate’s name.

A quiet warmth filled him, new, terrifying, and impossible to contain.

“I can hear your thoughts,” Zeeb murmured. He opened one eye. “They’re loud.”

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