Page 56 of Captivated (Salvation #3)

Chapter Forty-Eight

Zeeb sat on the porch, a notebook open on his lap. He’d been doing more thinking than writing, and maybe that was the problem. Despite Nate’s confidence in him, there was one obstacle in his path.

I’m scared of getting it wrong.

This was a big fuckin’ deal. Nate was putting a whole lotta trust in him. The temptation to close the notebook and put it aside swamped him.

“Remember what I told you at the lake about drawing something?” Nate stood in the doorway.

“I said if you didn’t draw a line on that blank page, it was going to sit there and taunt you.

The same is obviously true for writing.” He came over to Zeeb’s chair, bent down, and kissed the top of his head.

“I like the way you smell,” he murmured.

“Kinda warm and musky. The way you smelled this morning in bed.”

Zeeb chuckled. “You keep talking like that, and writing is definitely going on the back burner.” He picked his phone up and glanced at the time. “I’m about ready to eat. We should be thinking ’bout lunch. You wanna eat here or at the bunkhouse?”

Nate bit his lip. “After my performance this morning, I might leave it a while before I show my face there.”

Zeeb caught hold of his hand. “Hey. You know not a damn soul is gonna judge you. And now they know the truth? They’re gonna be almost as proud of you as I am.”

Nate’s face glowed. “You’re proud of me?”

“Are you fucking kidding ? You told three strangers and all the ranch hands about the camp. And you said it so calmly.” Zeeb brought Nate’s hand to his lips and kissed his fingertips.

Nate’s breathing caught. “You portray yourself as this rough ‘n’ ready cowboy, all banter and swearing, and then you do something sweet and intimate like that.”

“Hell, we all need a little sweetness and intimacy, right?” Zeeb stilled at the sound of an engine. “We’ve got comp’ny.” He didn’t relinquish his hold on Nate’s hand, however.

Anyone about to walk around the corner of the cabin knew what to expect by now.

Teague hurried into view. “Zeeb. Thank God.”

“That I’m here?” Zeeb rolled his eyes. “Where else would I be? Can’t exactly go riding anywhere at the moment.”

“I need you. Hell, I need everyone. Can you come with me, please?”

Zeeb gaped. “What kind of emergency can I be any help with?”

“Trust me, you’re needed.” Teague sounded a little breathless.

“What about me? Can I help?” Nate asked.

Teague shook his head. “Sorry, but I need the experienced hands. I’ll bring him right back, I promise.”

Zeeb placed his notebook on the empty chair beside him, and stood. “I have no clue how much use a one-armed man is gonna be, but if you need me…”

Nate grabbed his arm. “Don’t go making things worse, all right?” His eyes twinkled. “Not when I have plans for you.”

Aw fuck.

Zeeb’s cock reacted in a heartbeat.

“We’ll talk about your plans when I get back.” Zeeb grabbed his hat, and followed Teague to the truck. “What the fuck is goin’ on?”

“You’ll understand when we get there.”

“Get where ? You ain’t said where you’re takin’ me.” He got into the passenger seat, and Teague backed out of the space. They headed down the track toward the ranch, then Teague took a right and drove over the wooden bridge that crossed the creek.

“Teague? Where the fuck are we going? This leads to the meadow. What kind of emergency can you have in a goddamn meadow?”

Teague brought the truck to a stop. “Okay, this is where you get out.”

Zeeb frowned. “What the fuck? All I can see is wildflowers.”

He pointed. “Go thataway.”

Zeeb heaved a sigh of pure irritation. “Fine. Whatever game you’re playin’? Fine.” He walked a few feet from the truck?—

And stopped at the sight of a blanket laid out, surrounded on all sides by flowers. On it sat a dark brown picnic basket.

What the ? —

Zeeb opened the double lid and stared at the basket’s contents. There was a plastic box filled with fried chicken, another with biscuits, yet another with some kind of salad, a bottle of wine…

He turned to grill Teague, only to find him waving as he backed the truck up.

“Get back here, you son of a bitch!” Zeeb yelled. The prospect of walking to the cabin wasn’t a pleasant one, not in his present state.

Except Teague was gone.

Zeeb stared at the blanket and the basket, then chuckled.

Well, I said I was ready to eat.

He sat on the blanket and gazed at his surroundings. Yellow flowers atop stalks of maybe two to three feet high alternated with patches of pink ones that hugged the ground.

Guess it’s a pretty spot for a picnic. For one.

Then he peered once more into the basket.

Or maybe not. That’s a helluva lotta food for one person.

Then he heard the squeal of brakes. That had to be Teague bringing the rest of the gang. Zeeb stood to greet them.

Except it wasn’t them.

Nate hurried through the flowers. “Are you okay? What happened?”

Zeeb blinked. “Huh?”

“Teague came back and said you’d fallen and twisted your ankle, and that everyone was too busy to help get you to the hospital.

I got in my car and came here as fast as I could, once he’d given me directions.

” He held up a plastic bag. “I even brought ice.” He frowned.

“You’re standing. On both feet. You don’t look hurt to me. ”

Zeeb pointed to the ground. “We’ve been set up.”

Nate gazed at the basket for a few seconds before bursting into laughter.

“All this for us? That’s so sweet. I guess we won’t be needing any ice then.

” He set the bag down and sat on the blanket, grinning.

“So let’s eat.” He removed all the boxes and opened them.

“This looks amazing.” Then he looked at their surroundings.

“I gave some of the yellow flowers to Diana. Do they have a name?”

Zeeb snickered. “We call ’em mule ears, on account of the leaves being long ‘n’ fuzzy like a mule’s ear. They’re soft to touch, cuz they’ve got these thin hairs on the surface of the leaf.”

“They look a little like sunflowers,” Nate remarked.

“They’re probably a relative. Birds, insects, rodents… they love ’em.”

“And what are these?” Nate pointed to the pink-flowered plants.

“That’s bitterroot, and it’s really an herb. It’s also the state flower.” Zeeb chuckled. “Do you want a lesson in botany, or would you rather eat?”

Nate’s stomach gave a loud rumble, and he laughed. “I think you’ve got your answer.”

Maybe it was being outside that made everything taste better. Except Zeeb had a feeling it was more to do with the company. They said nothing for several minutes, and when at last his hunger was assuaged, Zeeb let out a happy sigh.

“Damn. Matt did us proud.”

“There’s a note in here.” Nate held up a piece of paper.

“What does it say?”

He read it aloud, “Happy first date. You’re welcome. Teague.”

Zeeb laughed. Then Nate let out a gasp, and Zeeb regarded him with interest. “What else have you found?”

He raised his chin, his eyes wide. “There’s a bottle of lube in here.”

“Thank God,” Zeeb replied with a snort. “I was wondering if we could make do with chicken grease.” Nate’s lips parted, and he cackled. “That was a joke.” Then he glanced at Nate’s crotch.

Hoo boy. Someone was hard.

“Well, it doesn’t have to be a joke,” he said with a grin.

There was that gasp again. “Here?” Nate adjusted his package.

Zeeb couldn’t manage a shrug. “Why not?”

“But… someone might see us.”

The way Nate’s chest rose and fell, the bloom on his cheeks, the raggedness of his breathing… All of that told Zeeb maybe Nate kinda liked the idea of getting caught.

“Think of it as an adventure.” Zeeb held out his hand. “Gimme the lube.” Nate reached into the basket, then handed him the bottle. Zeeb glanced at it and snorted. “Cherry-flavored edible lube? Cherry ?”

“It’s appropriate, isn’t it?”

Zeeb arched his eyebrows. “It is?”

Nate stared at him. “I think having my dick sucked for the first time counts as popping my cherry, don’t you?” He paused. “Unless that’s not something you want to do.”

Zeeb let out a chuckle. “Why would I not want to get my mouth on you? And if we’re gonna do that, we don’t need lube.” He dropped it onto the blanket, then crooked his finger. “Stand up.”

Nate blinked. “Seriously?”

He rolled his eyes. “You think I can do something as strenuous as suck you off?” He gestured to his collarbone.

“Uh-uh. I could make it even worse, not to mention it would be painful as fuck. So you are gonna stand in front of me an’ feed me your cock.

” Another grin. “And I am gonna sit here an’ take as much as you wanna give.

” He waggled his eyebrows. “Besides, while you’re standing, you can keep a lookout for any passing hikers or riders.

” He gave Nate a pointed stare. “You’re still sitting.

Maybe you don’t want that blow job after all,” he quipped.

“I was hoping you’d kiss me first,” Nate murmured.

Zeeb smiled. “Kissin’ you is fast becoming one of my favorite things to do.” Nate got on his knees and shuffled closer, sighing when their lips met in a tender kiss.

Zeeb could kiss Nate all day long. It was like food for his soul. Nate’s hands were warm on his face, his lips soft, and the noises that tumbled from them set him alight, his own body trembling in anticipation.

He pulled back. “Stand up, baby.”

Nate was on his feet in a heartbeat, his fingers trembling as he unfastened the buckle on his belt.

“Plant your feet on either side of my hips,” Zeeb suggested. “You’ll be more balanced that way.” He nodded as Nate straddled him. “That’s it. Now… take your dick out.”

Nate lowered the zipper, reached into his briefs, and freed his solid cock, tucking both the cotton and the denim under his balls.

Zeeb licked his lips. “Lord, that is a thing of beauty.” Nate’s slim shaft jutted toward him, flushed, the head peeking out from beneath the sheath of skin.

“Is this where I remind you about teeth?” Nate teased.

He laughed, unable to tear his gaze away from Nate’s dick.

Nate cupped Zeeb’s chin, tilting his face up. “You’ve never touched a guy’s cock before, have you?”

Zeeb shook his head. “Thought about it, though. Thought about it a lot.”

Nate glanced around them, then smiled. “Touch it.”

Zeeb curled his hand around warm hard flesh, the skin satiny beneath his fingertips. Nate let out a low moan, and Zeeb’s heart soared.

He wants this as much as I do.

“Pull the skin back a little,” Nate instructed.

Zeeb did as he was told, entranced by the sight of a bead of pre-cum at the slit.

“I’ve tasted my own,” he said in a low voice. “Cuz who hasn’t done that? But I gotta wonder if yours’ll taste any different.”

“Then stop wondering and find out.”

Zeeb gazed up at him. “You’re gettin’ a bit bolder.

I like that.” Then Nate shifted forward a little and brushed the head of his dick over Zeeb’s lips.

Zeeb licked them. He smiled. “No, it don’t taste like mine.

Yours is sweeter.” He took the tip of Nate’s cock between his lips, and Nate shuddered.

Zeeb held his breath and gave it a good suck.

“Oh my God,” Nate exclaimed. He brought his hands to Zeeb’s head and cradled it.

“Do it again.” He rocked his hips, sliding his dick a little deeper into Zeeb’s mouth, and Zeeb moaned around it.

“Oh God, I can feel that all the way to my balls,” Nate said with a groan.

He held Zeeb’s head steady and settled into a rhythm, slow and even, each time pushing a bit farther.

Zeeb put his hand on Nate’s ass, not exerting any pressure but to give himself something to hold on to.

Nate picked up a little speed, and Zeeb did his best not to move as Nate rolled his hips, sliding in and out of Zeeb’s mouth, punctuating each glide of his cock with a staccato breath.

Now and then Nate raised his head and scanned the horizon before returning his focus to Zeeb’s mouth.

Zeeb’s dick ached, but he ignored it, delivering all his attention to the stiff shaft pistoning between his lips. Nate’s hips jerked, and Zeeb knew it wouldn’t be long. He flicked his gaze up to Nate’s face, and Nate’s eyes widened.

“Oh God, look at you.” He stiffened, pulling free of Zeeb’s mouth.

“You seem to be calling on God a lot,” Zeeb gasped. “Not sure how he feels about being called on in the middle of a blow job.”

“I’m sure he’s used to it,” Nate said with a moan.

A heartbeat later, warmth spattered Zeeb’s cheeks, lips and chin, his nostrils filled with its mild scent.

He ran his tongue over his lips, savoring the hint of sweetness.

Tremors rippled through Nate, and he held on to Zeeb’s head with one hand, the other gripping his dick as it pulsed out its last few drops of cum.

Zeeb stared at Nate’s reddened face. “Come down here so I can kiss you.”

Nate dropped to his knees, one arm looped around Zeeb’s neck, and Zeeb shared the taste of him, exploring Nate’s mouth with his tongue, moaning into the kiss.

Then Zeeb caught the sound of hooves, and he froze. “Duck!”

Nate flattened himself on the blanket, and Zeeb knelt up, cautiously raising his head above the level of the wildflowers all around him. A man and a woman were several feet away, both on horseback. The guy tipped his hat in Zeeb’s direction, and the woman gave a nod.

“Great day for a ride,” Zeeb called out to them.

“Isn’t it?” the woman replied with a smile. They continued riding, and Zeeb watched until they were out of sight. He glanced at Nate, who was lying on his back, his dick limp, and laughing silently.

“It wasn’t that funny,” Zeeb said with a chuckle.

Nate grinned. “I was just thinking about what she said.” Zeeb frowned, and Nate’s eyes gleamed. “She was right. It is a great day for a ride. But I think I’ll wait until we get back to the cabin.”

Zeeb tilted his head to one side. “What are you talk?—”

Oh fuck.

Heat flooded his body, and there was a fluttering in his stomach. His cock strained against its denim prison, as if to say I know what he’s talking about.

He chuckled. “Wow. You really have gotten bolder.”

Nate tucked himself into his jeans and sat up. “Not really. I just think I’ve waited long enough. I think we both have.” He smiled. “Don’t you?”

Zeeb leaned over carefully and kissed him. “You’re not gonna hear any arguments from me.” His heart lurched, however, and something rolled in his belly.

I think I need a little advice.