Page 209 of Captivated

Nate laughed, and the sound startled him. It still surprised him that he could laugh and not feel guilty.

“Yeah,” he said. “They are.”

He walked to Zeeb’s side of the bed and sat on the edge of the mattress, brushing his fingers over Zeeb’s forearm, connecting them. The silence between them was broken only by the birds outside, and the sound of the wind through the trees.

It was time for honesty.

“I used to think I was ruined,” Nate said at last, his voice barely more than a breath. “That being with a man meant I’d failed at something. That no one could love me, not really. Not if theyknew.”

Zeeb didn’t flinch or look away. “I know,” he said, his tone gentle.

“I didn’t think peace like this existed,” Nate whispered. “Not for someone like me. Not after everything. But now… with you…” He swallowed, the breath catching in his throat. “I don’t feel broken. I feel… wanted. Like I belong in my skin.”

“Come here.”

Nate leaned over, pressing their foreheads together, their breath mingling.

“You do belong,” Zeeb said. “You always did. You just didn’t have anyone to tell you.”

Nate closed his eyes. There was a fluttering in his chest, as though something old and buried was trying to break the surface. He sat up and took Zeeb’s hand in his.

“I think I love you.” He took a deep breath, then spoke again, his voice firmer. “No, that’s not right. IknowI do.”

Zeeb exhaled softly, a sound that mixed relief and wonder.

“I’ve been holding those words in,” Zeeb said, his voice rough. “Maybe since the night you showed up again, after you drove to Oregon. I kept thinking, ‘don’t say it, not yet, don’t scare him off.’ But it was always there.” He touched Nate’s face, brushing a thumb across his cheek, the touch steady and warm. “You’re not ruined,” he whispered. “You’re brave as hell. You survived something no one should have to. And you still found a way to love.”

Nate laughed again, his eyes hot. “You’re gonna make me cry.”

Zeeb’s eyes glistened. “Then we’re even.” He reached for Nate, cradled his head, and drew him down into a slow, sure kiss.

Nate’s heart soared and he lost himself in the moment.

Then Zeeb pulled back and gazed into Nate’s eyes.

“I love you too,” he said with no trace of hesitation. “I think I have since the first time you looked at me like I wasn’t a mistake. You’re the first person to see me—allof me.” He laughed. “Lord, it feels amazing to finally say the words.”

Nate lay on the bed beside him. “My dad has a guilty little secret. He might be into leather and BDSM, but he’s also a sucker for a romantic movie. You know what I’ve just realized? Those movies show the couple declaring their love for each other like it’s the end, but it isn’t—it’s just the beginning.” He stroked Zeeb’s bare chest, the mat of hair soft beneath his fingertips. “We’re not at the end of the road. Not even close.”

What filled him was hope, powerful and strong. For the first time, the future felt like a place he could walk into without fear.

Hand-in-hand with Zeeb.

Chapter Fifty-Four

August 24, 2024

“That’s it,”Zeeb whispered. “Yeah, keep doing that.” His voice was husky even to his own ears. Watching Nate like this was almost as good as sex.

Almost.

Nate stood in the middle of the paddock, his back toward Butterscotch, ignoring him. All the hands stood at the fence, arms resting on it, watching as the pony moved closer to Nate. Every time Butterscotch got within a few feet of him and stepped in front of him, Nate would turn away.

The pony looked a damn sight better than he had a month ago, but then again, they’d been at this same point several times.

All we need now is a breakthrough.

“Walk toward me,” Paul said to Nate in a low voice. “Don’t look back.”

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