Page 3 of Captivated

“And you want somewhere in between?”

He nodded. “I’m not sure I ever want to get married—unless someone comes along and changes my mind. There’s always that possibility, right? But I want more than a roll in the hay.”

Zeeb smirked. “You know what Butch says about that.”

He laughed. “Yeah, make sure you’ve got a couple of thick blankets under you because that shit gets everywhere.” Walt returned his gaze to the fire. “And what about you?”

Zeeb blinked. “What about me?”

“When did you last go on a date?”

He shrugged. “Can’t say I remember.” It had been a while, he knew that much.

Walt stared at the boss’s tent. “He’s happier than I’ve ever seen him.”

Zeeb couldn’t deny that. Robert had been given a second chance, and he’d seized it with both hands.

“And Butch… Lord, he’s like a different person since he and Sol got together.”

He peered at Walt. “You goin’ somewhere with this?”

“You bet I am.” Walt locked gazes with him. “We all deserve happiness. Maybe it’s your time to find some.”

Zeeb grinned. “We talking happiness—or romance? Who says I’m looking for that?”

Walt stood. “You’re not fooling me, Zeeb Nolan. You’re just like the rest of us. You wanna be loved.” He smiled. “And now I’ll go put a burr up Matt’s ass and make sure he’s working on the supper. His guitar can wait.” He sauntered off in the direction of Matt’s wagon.

Zeeb stared after him.Where does he get these ideas?

Zeeb never talked about such things. Ever. Hell, he’d worked on the Salvation ranch for twelve years, and he was only recently beginning to understand and accept he had another side to his nature, one he’d buried for the longest time.

One he didn’t talk about.

He knew his fellow ranch hands would be cool about it, but for fuck’s sake, he was more than that. It didn’t define who he was as a person. It was simply a small part of what made him Zeeb.

The times they are a’changin’, though.And those changes had been fast. These days, everyone wanted to talk about their sexuality. Everyone except Zeeb, it seemed. Sure, he made comments, kept everyone guessing about him, but most of the time it was a smokescreen. Hell, one time he’d even told the boss the thought had crossed his mind once or twice to have him a bromance.

Shit, the look on the boss’s face.

Then there’d been the time Zeeb had told Sol and the others that he was a late bloomer, and that he might be up for a little experimentation—not Sol’s line, however. Zeeb had seen enough to know kink was not his bag.

Hey, each to his own, right? We can’t all like the same things. And if Sol and the other leather-clad guests were happy to live their lives that way, more power to them.

Two years since Deliverance had first opened its doors to the BDSM community—and anyone interested in learning more about it—and it was going well. Bookings were solid. The guests were varied, all ages, all sizes, all professions.

It was all good.

Things had changed in Bozeman, however, and not just there but a few other towns north of the ranch too. And that wasnotgood.

There was nothing too obvious, too extreme, but more and more, Zeeb was starting to notice an atmosphere. Word had gotten out about Deliverance. Of course it had. Keeping something that big a secret? Never gonna happen. At first, nothing was said. Most of the guests who stayed in the Leather Barn didn’t go into town. There was no need. And those who did had enough sense to leave their leathers at the ranch, going sort of incognito. But every time Zeeb or one of the other hands ventured out, there seemed to be more folks who stared, who sneered.

And who clearly didn’t give a fuck about letting their true feelings show.

Everyone had gotten bolder all of a sudden, and it didn’t feel good.

Zeeb gave himself a shake and pushed such thoughts way down deep. His mind went to Walt’s words, and he frowned.

What does he know? Iamhappy, dammit. I’ve got no need to feel sorry for myself. I’m not after romance. I’m not hankering to settle down.