Page 66 of Captivated (Salvation #3)

“When I woke up at seven, he was on his knees in front of me, my dick down his throat.” Matt held his hands up.

“I swear to you, he was stone cold sober. Then he wanted us to go back into the bedroom. He took off his clothes, got on the bed, and pulled his knees up to his chest and begged me to fuck him.”

“Which you did,” Butch concluded.

“Of course I did.” Matt rolled his eyes.

“Not all of us look like you, all big and chiseled and hot. We’re lucky to get it once every few months.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but getting laid is starting to be a once in a blue moon thing for me.

He tried to tell me to be gentle, said it was his first time.

So of course I was. But when I got three fingers in?

” He snorted. “First time? Like fuck, it was. When we were done, he kissed me at the door, and asked if we could do it again some time.” He shrugged.

“Last time I ever saw him.” Matt huffed.

“I’ve heard of buyer’s remorse, but never bottom’s remorse. ”

Teague’s scowl deepened. “Okay, how’s this for a theory?

” He pointed to the TV screen. “This guy blows Matt, gets fucked—and something happens to make him regret it. So when his buddies start mouthing off about Salvation—and let’s face it, any of those reasons we’ve mentioned would work, right?

—he decides the best way to cover his tracks is to get in on the action and beat the living daylights out of Toby and Zeeb. Maybe he’s the one who instigated it.”

“Whichever way you look at it, that don’t change what happened.” Zeeb glared at the screen. “They’re probably gonna hire themselves some fancy lawyer an’ get off scot-free without a stain on their characters. Hell, they’ll be hailed as heroes in town.”

“By some, maybe.” Teague’s phone vibrated. He removed it from his pocket and glanced at the screen. “Hey, guys?” He smiled. “There’s an ambulance on its way. Toby’s coming home. I’d better go on up to the house.”

“When can we see him?” Zeeb hadn’t seen Toby since he’d peeked into his room before they’d discharged him.

“Let him get settled. The boss’ll tell us when we can visit. We don’t want to wear him out.” He left the bunkhouse.

Nate peered at his phone. “My dad’s messaged. He’s stopped for some coffee and to hit a restroom. ETA is four o’clock.”

“Your dad is all right,” Butch said warmly. “He’s a good guy.”

“Can I ask you something?” Walt gazed at Nate. “I know you took his surname, but did you ever think of changing your first name too? I mean, if it were me, I’d always associate my name with the guy who gave it to me, and I didn’t think you’d want to be reminded of your real dad.”

Nate sighed. “To him, I was always Nathaniel. In the camp, I was Nathaniel. And I wasn’t about to let them take everything from me. I had to hold on to something.” He took Zeeb’s hand. “It’s enough to be Nate.”

“I hope the storm holds off before the next guests arrive,” Butch muttered.

Zeeb glanced toward the window. “You sure about that? It looks pretty fine out there.”

Butch held his phone up. “The weather channel says different.”

Nate frowned. “I thought summer storms weren’t that frequent around here.”

“They’re not, but when we get one, it’s usually a doozy,” Zeeb admitted. He took a peek at Nate’s face. “I’ll make sure we’re someplace dry when—if—it hits. I know you’re not partial to storms.”

Nate bit his lip. “It’s just a little atmospheric discharge, as the weathermen like to say. A little discharge never hurt anyone, right?”

Zeeb narrowed his gaze. “That depends what kinda discharge we’re talkin’ about. Because there are a few. Pee, cum, STDs. So yeah, not all are good.”

Nate pulled a face. “Ew. Why would you go there?”

Zeeb smirked. “Because we’re dudes living on a ranch. We work hard, we play hard, and we deal with gross things.”

Nate’s eyes sparkled. “One of them doesn’t sound gross at all.”

“And that’s my cue to get the fuck outta here.” Butch stood. “Think I’ll go find Sol. See if I can lend him a hand with something.” He walked out of the bunkhouse, his gait a little stiff.

“You gonna talk like that in front of your dad?” Zeeb wanted to know.

“I’m sure he’s heard worse, especially when he visits the ranch.” Nate cocked his head. “Besides, I need to introduce him to the all-new-and-improved Nate Caldwell.” He smiled. “A guy he’s only caught glimpses of.”

“That sounds very positive.”

They turned as Sol approached.

Zeeb cackled. “Your other half is lookin’ for you.”

Sol grinned. “He found me.” He gazed at Nate, his eyes warm. “I came to say I am so proud of you.”

“Why?”

“You’ve come a long way since those first two weeks you spent here. And you worked damn hard to get to this point.”

Nate flushed. “Thank you. And thanks for all your advice.”

“You’re welcome.” He paused. “But I’d like to add a note of caution, if I may.

This isn’t the end of the journey, you know that, don’t you?

There’s always going to be a chance something could trigger a memory and you’ll have a bad day.

” Sol smiled. “But now you’re stronger. Dealing with those days will be easier.

” He patted Nate’s arm. “And we’ll be right there with you. ”

Nate drew in a deep breath. “What you’re saying is, I’m doing better but I’m not cured.” He smiled. “I know that, because there isn’t a cure. All I can do is deal with it day by day.” He glanced at Zeeb. “And lean on you, just like I hope you know you can lean on me.”

“You got that right.” Zeeb could be Nate’s rock whenever he needed one.

“Nate? Want to give me a hand with the mucking out?” Paul called from the stable.

Nate laughed. “I get all the best jobs.” He peered at Zeeb. “You coming?”

“I’ll be right there.”

He gave Sol a nod, then hurried toward the stable.

Sol let out a sigh. “Sure, he’ll lean on you some days, but others he might push you away. You need to stay strong.”

“I can do that.”

Zeeb intended doing everything in his power to be there for Nate, to support him, celebrate his successes…

Love him.

Nate had to smile. “Dad, you’re staring again.” They were sitting on Robert’s porch, drinking beer. Teague and Zeeb were upstairs with Toby and Robert, Toby’s first visitors. Robert was limiting visits for the time being, but Nate was happy to wait his turn.

Right then he was grateful for a little quiet time with his dad.

Butch had been correct: the sky was darkening, heavy clouds rolling in, the smell of rain in the air.

Dad chuckled. “I’m sorry. It’s just that…

I can’t get over the change in you. I mean, I only saw you two weeks ago, and look at you.

” He laughed. “If I’d known what an effect asking you to move out would have on you, I’d have done it sooner.

” He let out a sigh. “Except that wouldn’t have worked.

This was the right time.” He tilted his head. “And Zeeb is the right man for you.”

Nate glowed. “I’m glad you like him.”

“I did before, but now I see him with you?” Dad beamed. “You two are such a good fit.”

Nate knew that, balls to bones.

There was still an elephant in the room, and if his dad wasn’t going to bring it up…

“And you’re okay with him being?—”

“I know he’s older, Nate. Fifteen or so years, if I figured it right.”

“Sixteen, next month.”

Dad was quiet for a moment. “You remember asking me once if I’d ever felt something so huge that it overwhelmed me?”

He nodded. “You said you had—once. Then you showed me his photo.” He widened his eyes. “He was older than you.”

Dad smiled. “By more than a few years. His name was Enoch. He was a sweetheart of a guy, willing to do whatever to make people happy. Had a spine of steel, though. Never let them push him around. Anyway, I met Enoch when I was twenty-two. He was forty-six.”

“You said you regretted not telling him how you felt. Was it the age difference that made you scared to tell him?”

“No. I don’t know. Maybe? His mom took ill, and he went to San Antonio to be with her.

Having him there must have helped, because she bounced back.

” He gazed at Nate with warm eyes. “The reason I’m telling you this is because I loved Enoch.

Sometimes I wish I had gone with him when he asked, but I had a life in Idaho.

A good life. Then eight years ago an eighteen-year-old bundle of joy walked into my life. ”

Nate laughed. “That’s not how I’d describe me.”

Dad chuckled. “But I would. I don’t regret staying, because you’ve made my life richer, fuller. But age gaps? If you’re in tune and want the same things? They’re as strong as a mountain.”

His words brought renewed peace.

“Robert said you’re living in the cabin?”

“For the moment, yes. I don’t know if we’ll stay there, but for now, it works.” He gestured to Dad’s jeans and shirt. “No leather?” he teased.

Dad chuckled. “Tomorrow. I’ll be in full Dom mode then. I won’t ask you to visit the Leather Barn and see me in action, however. I know it’s not your kind of place.” He paused. “Look, Nate. I know you’ve never seen me when I’m here. If you’d like, I’m happy to just visit with you and?—”

“Dad,” Nate blurted. “I’m going to be here from now on. You can’t change your entire life just to avoid me seeing you. I think you’ve already done enough to make me comfortable and happy. Now it’s your turn. Besides…” Nate fought the urge to laugh. “I might have visited the leather barn already.”

He blinked. “Oh really?”

That was as far as Nate was willing to go.

Time to change the subject.

“So what do you think about my idea for Zeeb to write a book?”

The silence that fell made his stomach churn.

“I get it, Nate. I really do.” Dad paused. “But are you sure this is the right move?” He held his hands up. “I’m not saying you shouldn’t tell your story, but this is a big step. If you do this thing, and you publish it, people are going to read it.”

“That’s sort of the idea,” Nate quipped, despite his roiling stomach.