Page 30 of Trapped for Christmas

“That will not happen, but I think you need to be the one to make a move.”

“But I’ve never done that before.”

“You’ve never made a move on a guy?” asked Hunter, looking shocked. “What about . . . you know.”

“That’s different. It was work. You can’t include that. I wasn’t myself then. It was just a mask, and a way to earn money.”

“You could be more subtle,” said Felix. “Watch a film on the sofa, and ‘accidentally’ fall asleep on him. Just let him know you’re still interested so he doesn’t feel like he’s pressuring you.”

“You’ll only be there a couple of days,” said Hunter. “Things need to be accelerated so you can get down to business with Mason on top of you.”

Zeb flushed at the thought, and his dick twitched. He’d fantasized about Mason for a long time. That was a lot of pressure on the guy for him to deliver. Zeb wasn’t sure what to do. He liked the idea of being away with Mason for a weekend, so that part he was good with. There was no way he could make a move, though. What if Mason rejected him? He’d be so humiliated. He would have to move across the country or die of embarrassment.

If he couldn’t have Mason the way he wanted, then he would do nothing to risk losing him as a friend. Zeb had gotten a small taste of what it would be like to not have Mason in his life, and he never wanted to experience that again.

CHAPTER 10

MASON

14th December

It was only a three-hour drive to the cabin, although snow was predicted, so they’d left straight after the morning rush to avoid the busiest traffic. Mason was looking forward to spending time with Zeb away from the city, but the timing wasn’t great. Rather than being away on a weekend when the restaurant was hosting several holiday parties, it was Monday, and they’d be back on Wednesday. Mason also suspected—well, he knew for a fact—there were shenanigans going on from their friends regarding this trip.

Zeb had gone out for lunch with Hunter and Felix, and Deacon and Ryder had stopped by to see Mason at the same time. They’d suggested it would be good for him to take Zeb away for a weekend. Mason had agreed, but said it would need to wait until the new year because this was the busiest time of year for the restaurant. Ryder had said that was “too late” and Zeb needed the break now, and Mason had narrowed his eyes at his friend, knowing he was up to something. It was only Deacon adding that Zeb hadn’t had a break since getting away from Kaden that had convinced Mason he should at least consider it.

Then Zeb had come home—which was what Mason regarded his house as being for Zeb now—and he’d asked if he could go to the cabin on his own for a break. There was no way he was going to let Zeb go on his own, and everyone knew that. Did they all think he was stupid? It was only because it appeared Zeb was in on whatever this was that he agreed. He was curious about what their plan was. Besides, the idea of being in a confined space with Zeb for a couple of days certainly had its appeal.

“Do you want to put some music on now that we’re out of the city?” asked Mason.

He had brought the Range Rover for the drive, in case they hit any bad weather. It also had plenty of space in the trunk, and Mason might have gone overboard with how much food he’d brought, but he wanted Zeb to have options. Mason loved cooking for Zeb, although Zeb’s moans when eating didn’t help keep his dick soft. He might have thought he was doing it on purpose, but lots of people moaned at his food, even some of his best friends, who then flushed with embarrassment. It was the highest form of flattery. Thankfully, whenever Zeb was moaning over his dinner, they were always sitting at the table, so Mason could wait until things had softened before standing up.

The music started, and of course it was something Mason had never heard of. He couldn’t stop the sigh coming out.

“We can put something more . . . classic on if you prefer,” said Zeb.

Mason had his eyes on the road, but he could sense Zeb was smiling.

“Are you calling me old, Zeb?” he teased.

“I see you as more . . . experienced.”

Mason couldn’t help but look at him; Zeb gave him a flirty smile. Mason’s dick throbbed, and he swallowed. Would it be acceptable behavior to pull off the freeway and pull Zeb into his lap? He’d never wanted anyone so much, but if something happened between them, it was not going to be in a car. Mason wanted to take his time with Zeb and worship him. The thought of bringing out those little moans from Zeb as he begged for release had his dick hard, which was painful pressed against his pants. There was no way he could adjust himself, or Zeb would see, and what would he think? He needed to focus on driving, not on anything else.

Maybe he should have let Zeb go to the cabin on his own. But if something happened to Zeb and he was on his own, Mason would never forgive himself. In just a few weeks he’d gotten used to having Zeb around all the time, at work and at home, and he loved it. That was another thing holding Mason back. It wasn’t just because Zeb had experienced a recent trauma, but he also didn’t want to lose what they already had. Not seeing Zeb for a month was something he could never go through again. Mason had to be certain before he asked for more.

Zeb had made his interest clear for the past two years, but Mason had always held back. He was the boss, and that was a no-go area for him. But seeing his brother with Jacob had smashed through those walls. Their situation was different, as Leo and Jacob had no history the way Mason did with Zeb, but his brother had made the valid point that their two years of knowing each other before anything happened could be a good thing.

“You’ve used your position as an excuse for long enough, Mason,” said Leo.

“What do you mean?”

“The reason you’ve kept Zeb at arm’s length is because you’re terrified of fucking it up and losing him completely. You’d rather have this halfway measure, which makes you both miserable, rather than take a risk.”

“When did you become the expert on relationships?” Mason snapped.

“I don’t claim to be. Just an expert on the Reid brothers. We’re alike in many ways, although I am the better-looking brother.”

Mason snorted. His brother was handsome, but they’d both been blessed with good genes from their parents.