Page 62 of Captivated (Salvation #3)

Chapter Fifty-Two

Nate smiled sheepishly. “Yeah. That.”

Zeeb hadn’t expected that question. Or maybe he had, but had ignored the possibility.

“You thought we’d switch things up?” Zeeb asked.

Nate nodded. “Isn’t that how it works?”

Zeeb ran a hand down his face. Fuck .

“Well… for some guys, yeah. Some switch. Some don’t. Some have very strong…. lane preferences.”

Nate’s face fell. He tried to cover it with a casual shrug, but Zeeb saw it. That little flash of disappointment landed like a punch.

“So you’re a one-lane kind of guy?” Nate asked, his voice soft as though he already knew the answer.

Zeeb hesitated. He could lie, but he’d promised honesty with Nate. That had always been the rule.

“Historically? Yeah. I’ve always driven the car. Never really sat in the passenger seat, metaphorically speaking. Which makes sense, right? I mean, I’ve never been with a guy, so my chances of being a passenger were awful low. And no, never been with a woman who wanted to drive, either.”

Nate laughed, the tension cracking just a little. “You’re such a nerd.”

“Hey, you brought up lanes first.”

And now he’d said it, Zeeb couldn’t get the thought out of his head.

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… for wanting something?

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, really looked, 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.”

Nate’s eyes twinkled. “Too late.” Then he craned his neck. “Yoga? Really?”

Zeeb cackled. “Paul got me into it a few years ago. It was kinda relaxing.” He grinned. “And now I think about it, the Downward Dog pose would be perfect for what you’re proposin’.” He pulled a face. “Once I can get into it again without fear of breakin’ something.”

Nate laughed. “Remember what you said? Use your common sense—if it hurts, don’t do it. And I’m not saying we do it now .” He grinned. “Besides, I don’t know how long it takes a guy of your age to…recuperate.”

Zeeb picked up a pillow. “Run, little rabbit, before I throw this at you. I may only have the use of one arm, but I’m a damn good shot. Get your ass in the shower.”

Nate’s laughter filled the air as he ran downstairs.

Zeeb waited until he heard running water before making his call.

“Whassup?”

“I need some advice.”

Butch’s loud snort greeted his ears. “Twice in twenty-four hours? This must mean we’re in the End Times. What kind of advice?”

“This is gonna be real personal.”

Another snort. “Gee. You bein’ personal. Never had that before.”

“Have you ever bottomed?” Except he thought he already knew the answer to that, remembering Butch’s stiff gait one morning.

Crickets.

“Butch, I have my reasons for askin,’ all right?”

“Okay then. I’ll play along. Yes, I have. Now tell me why you wanna know.”

“Nate wants to….” He coughed. “Top.”

“Is that all? Let him. I love it. You probably will too.” He paused. “Unless you’ve got a problem with havin’ a dick in your ass?”

“The only problem I have with it is down to my present state. So I’m asking… how much movement are we talking? I mean, does it get pretty… strenuous?”

“Ah. Now I understand. You’re a little incapacitated at the moment. Gotcha.” Another pause. “I might have a solution.”

“I’m listening.”

“You’ve been in the Leather Barn, right? You know they’ve got these slings hanging from metal frames?”

Zeeb frowned. “I do recall seeing them.”

“Well, so you’re aware, a sling supports your body. Your feet are in stirrups. And it holds you in a comfortable position at just the right height, if you get my drift.”

“Sounds to me like you’re talkin’ from personal experience.”

Butch cackled. “Lord, I have so much fun when we play with those.”

“When you—how long have you had this secret life?”

He snickered. “Pretty much since Sol became a part of it. Okay, let’s talk practicalities. This Saturday the barn is gonna be full, and it’ll stay that way for a week. But until then? Seems a shame to let the space go unused. Unless you wanna wait until September.”

“Isn’t that where Sol has his office?”

“Sure it is, but give me a heads up and I’ll keep him occupied elsewhere.”

The water switched off, and Zeeb was silently cursing Nate for choosing this occasion to prove how fast he could be in the shower. “Fine. I’ll let you know. Gotta go.”

“Hey!”

“What?”

“Did you like my little gift?”

Zeeb laughed. “Yeah, thanks. Although the way things are going, you should’ve bought a crate of the stuff.”

Butch let out a loud snort. “That’s what you get for dating a younger guy. I have no sympathies.” He hung up.

Zeeb smiled to himself. I wasn’t lookin’ for sympathy. I was hoping to make him green with envy.

Now all he had to do was lure Nate to the Leather Barn without arousing his curiosity.

Yeah, right.

His phone pinged, and he glanced at it—and almost had apoplexy.

Butch had sent an image of a bright red butt plug.

You might wanna use one of these. They’re in the Leather Barn too. Just check the cleaning instructions in the drawer before you put it back.

If you need some help puttin it in, you only have to ask. [grin emoji]

Zeeb made a choking sound. Hell no.

“Are you okay up there?”

He cleared his throat. “’M fine. Gonna grab a shower.”

His phone buzzed again, and he was almost too scared to take a peek. He clicked on the link Butch had sent and frowned. What the fuck would I want with a 2 in 1 function high pressure hand shower wand? Then he looked at one of the graphics.

Light bulb.

He one-clicked that baby so freakin’ fast.

I am going to owe Butch a lot of beer.

August 21, 2024

Nate caught the sound of hooves. “I think we have company.” He got up from the couch and went toward the door. “I wonder who it is?”

“Ain’t you forgettin’ something?”

Nate glanced back at Zeeb. “Like what?”

Zeeb’s face was the picture of innocence. “Oh, I dunno. Maybe you might wanna put some clothes on first?”

He froze. “You are getting me into bad habits.” He made a dash for the stairs.

“Throw me down a pair of shorts while you’re up there?”

Nate grabbed his jeans and squirmed into them, falling onto the bed in his hurry. He threw Zeeb’s shorts over the railing and they sailed down into the living room. “Who is it?” he whispered as he came down the stairs.

Zeeb pulled his shorts up and peered through the window. “It’s Teague.” He opened the door and stepped out onto the porch. “Good afternoon. What brings you here?”

Nate went outside, doing his best to appear calm and unruffled. “Hey, Teague.”

“Hey.” Teague’s eyes gleamed. “I haven’t interrupted anything, have I?” He held a brown package in one hand. “Mailman brought this just now.” Zeeb took it from him and went indoors.

Nate coughed. “We weren’t doing anything particular.”

“Mm-hm. And I’m here because I’ve got some news.” He beamed. “Toby’s coming home on Saturday.”

Nate’s throat seized, and lightness suffused him. “Oh, that’s awesome. Robert must be so happy.”