Page 4 of Captivated

If he needed to get laid, there were opportunities available, enough to satisfy any man. Not that he broadcast his sex life. Zeeb hated the fact that he’d met women with whom he’d thought maybe something might have developed, but then he discovered they were married. He cut that off quick. He understood if they weren’t getting what they needed at home, then of course they’d go to look elsewhere, but it wouldn’t be with Zeeb.

All the same, he was lucky if he got laid twice in one year. And another thing about those casual flings—they didn’t fill the empty spaces in his life.

He glanced at the horizon, redder than before.

Maybe therewasa change coming.

Whether he wanted it or not.

“Hey, Zeeb? Walt says we might see a shooting star tonight,” Dempsey called out.

Zeeb chuckled. “He says that every time we bring guests here. There’s nothing on the calendar for this month, but we do get a stray one occasionally.”

“Then I’m going to keep my fingers crossed we see one,” Haskins said as he came closer to the fire. “And then I’ll make a wish.”

“What’ll you wish for?”

Haskins gave a grim smile. “That we don’t get any wolves trying to take down any of the cattle. And us.”

Zeeb laughed. “I think you’ll be safe enough.” He stared up at the sky. The stars wouldn’t put in an appearance for a while yet.

And if you do see a shooting star? What would you wish for?

He smiled. He had no wish to become a millionaire—they all seemed miserable as fuck despite their bank balance. He didn’t want to be famous. Lord knew, there were plenty of people chasing that dream, and they could keep it.

Is there anything I want? Anything I need?

Then it came to him, and Zeeb realized he did want a change after all. Despite Walt’s age—he’d only reached thirty, for God’s sake—he was more astute than Zeeb gave him credit for.

I’d wish for something real.

Someone to come home to.

Chapter Two

June 29, 2024

Robert Thorston handedover the glass of whiskey. “Good to have you back.” He retook his seat in his Adirondack chair, the ranch spread out below them, its white barns trimmed with green standing out against the lush meadows. Once upon a time, there had only been three such barns, but not anymore.

Salvation had grown.

Derek Caldwell chuckled. “I know. It must have been, ooh, a month since I was here last. And that includes sitting on your porch, drinking your whiskey, and enjoying the view.”

“Good to know we can give you what you need.” Robert had liked Derek Caldwell from the get-go. They were a similar age, and shared more than a few common interests. When Derek had arrived for his first stay at Deliverance back in May of 2023, Robert had given him the tour of the Leather Barn, the stables, the whole damn ranch.

Toby had joked and said evenhe’dheard the click.

Then Derek came back the following month, and the one after that, and… He’d gotten to be such a regular fixture that he was on friendly terms with all the hands. They’d laugh and joke together after supper, and on more than one occasion, two or three of them had come riding with Derek and Robert.

Derek was family.

It felt good to have a friend he could talk with about everything. They’d skirted around their histories, and that was just fine by Robert. Derek shared little about his personal life, apart from the fact he had a twenty-six-year-old son, Nate. Most of the time they talked about politics, current affairs, you name it. A regular activity was watchingOnGuardSalon, a YouTube site where four old Leather Men—their description—smoked cigars and discussed queer history and the issues affecting the BDSM community.

Robert could listen to those guys forhours,and the fact Derek was happy to sit with him?

Pretty freakin’ perfect.

Except for right now when Robert was certain something was troubling his friend. That wrinkled brow and tapping foot were a dead giveaway.