Page 200 of Captivated
Nate sighed. “I didn’t mean to make this awkward. And that wasn’t a demand, by the way—it was more out of curiosity.” He shrugged. “I’m still figuring all of this out, but in my mind, I’d always imagined sex as being a case of mutual exploration. Two guys, learning about each other’s likes, preferences…. Taking turns.” He paused. “I guess I thought we’d explore everything together. Not just the highway—the scenic routes. Maybe even a dirt road or two.” He bit back a smile. “That sounds a bit dumb, doesn’t it?”
Zeeb’s eyes softened, but not with pity. It was more like recognition. Maybe even something Nate couldn’t quite name, but whatever it was, it made his pulse slow.
“It’s not dumb,” Zeeb said. “It’s actually kinda brave.”
Nate’s throat tightened at that.Brave… forwantingsomething?
Zeeb regarded him with a contemplative expression. “You want to learn what you like. Makes sense. And maybe it’s time I learn too.”
Nate blinked. “You’d try?”
Would he? That was the million-dollar question.
Okay, so he’d never even played with his ass before. Maybe he was missing out. And he hadn’t avoided putting anything in his hole out of fear or shame, just habit. He’d never been with a woman who’d wanted to explore that avenue either.
I got into a rut, didn’t I?Sex was predictable, physical, uncomplicated.
But Nate was different. He didn’t only want to be touched. He wanted to discover.
And maybe I should do a little discovering of my own.
He stared at the ceiling. “I guess that means I’m gonna have to look up some YouTube tutorials.”
Nate snorted. “Oh God, please don’t. You’ll end up in a Reddit thread full of questionable advice.”
Zeeb laughed. “That sounds like experience talking.” His chest felt tight. Vulnerable. This wasn’t just about sex. It was about surrendering something he’d never even questioned before.
“I want to try,” he said, finally. “For you. With you. Maybe I’ll hate it. Maybe I won’t. “But if you’re brave enough to explore everything with me—to trust me—I should be willing to trust you too.”
Zeeb’s words filled Nate with something he hadn’t expected. Relief, sure, but also warmth. Not just because Zeeb was willing to try, but because he wanted to.
For them.
“You don’t have to if it’s not you,” Nate said gently, brushing his fingers over Zeeb’s forearm. “I don’t want to force anything.”
Zeeb looked at him then,reallylooked, and Nate’s breath caught in his throat.
“Someone—I forget who—said once that growth is uncomfortable,” Zeeb said. Then he snorted. “So is yoga, and I still pretend to do that sometimes.”
Nate laughed, curling into him again, his heart beating a little lighter.
“We’ll figure it out. Together,” he said.
A quiet moment passed.
“Just promise me one thing,” Zeeb murmured.
Nate looked up. “What?”
He clutched his chest. “Be gentle. It’s my first time.”
Nate grinned. “I’ll light a candle for your ass.”
Zeeb groaned. “Better be a damn expensive candle.”
“Only the best for my brave little bottom.”
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t call me that.”
