Page 172 of Captivated
“’M fine. Just moved wrong, that’s all. Keep talking. I love the sound of your voice.”
Warmth flooded through him.
“Being here played a part too.” Nate ran his fingers down the trail of hair, dipping the tip of his finger into Zeeb’s navel. “Owen and Simon ran the youth home where I ended up. They were the first gay couple I’d ever encountered, and my first experience of healthy intimacy.” He frowned. “I guess in my head, for the longest time I equated sex with punishment or sin, not a connection. Not joy. And then I came here, and saw Robert and Toby, Butch and Sol…” He sighed. “It was good to see same-sex relationships that worked.”
Zeeb didn’t speak for a moment, but held Nate close, Nate’s ear pressed against his chest, feeling the thump of Zeeb’s heart.
“I just thought you were nervous cuz you’d never done anything with a guy,” Zeeb said at last.
Nate let out a chuckle. “That was part of it too. I wasn’t sure how to even begin. Then I worried about doing it all wrong. I didn’t know how good sex should feel, did I?”
Zeeb cupped Nate’s chin, tilting Nate’s face toward his. “How did last night feel?”
Heat blossomed on his cheeks once more. “It felt good.”
“So now you know.” Zeeb’s eyes were warm. “I’m in the same boat. I’m just playin’ it by ear, goin’ with the flow, doing what feels right…what makes me feel good.” He paused. “And about those other activities you mentioned….” He rubbed his thumb along Nate’s jaw. “There’s no rush. We have all the time in the world.”
Nate sat up, straddled Zeeb’s hips, then bent down to kiss him on the mouth, careful not to put pressure on his chest. “I like the sound of that,” he murmured against Zeeb’s lips.
“Thank you.” Zeeb covered Nate’s hand with his.
“What are you thanking me for?”
He smiled. “For trusting me. For baring your soul. For being you.”
Nate’s throat tightened to see Zeeb’s expression, the light in his eyes, the warmth of his smile. The way Zeeb looked at him as though Nate hung the moon.
Is this what love looks like?
His stomach chose that second to grumble, and Nate chuckled. “I think I’d better make breakfast.”
“I’ve got a better idea. How about we go have breakfast in the bunkhouse?”
Nate blinked. “After their performance yesterday? I thought you’d want to avoid them for a while.”
Zeeb moved as if to sit up, and Nate got off him. “That’s kinda my point. I gotta show my face, and the sooner the better.” His eyes glinted. “Besides, I have a bone to pick with them.”
Nate narrowed his gaze. “Can I remind you that you’re in no state to brawl with anyone?”
Zeeb grinned. “There’ll be no brawling, just a few choice words.”
Nate had the feeling breakfast was going to be entertaining.
Nate switched off the engine. “You go on in. I want to check on Butterscotch. I haven’t seen him for a few days.”
Zeeb cackled. “Sure, but don’t count on there being too much food left if you take too long. You’ve seen this pack of vultures eat.”
He hoped his relief wasn’t too obvious. He’d wanted to talk to the guys about Nate, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Zeeb stepped into the bunkhouse to be greeted by a mingling of delicious aromas. Butch was the only one seated at the table. His eyes gleamed when he spied Zeeb.
“Well, good morning.”
Zeeb scanned the interior of the bunkhouse. “Where are the guests?”
“They went with Paul to the stable. All horse newbies, so he’s showing ’em how to groom.” He grinned. “Didn’t think I’d be seeing you for a week, not after you two snuck out of the dining room like a pair of horny teenagers when the parents are gone for the night.”
Zeeb arched his eyebrows. “I think you’re confusing ‘sneaking out’ with ‘not giving a flying fuck who saw us.’”
