Page 72 of Trapped for Christmas

Dante gave a deep chuckle. “I think I’d enjoy seeing your man’s reaction.”

This guy was something else, but hearing him refer to Mason as “his man” gave him a warm sensation all over his body. Zeb had only been in Cherry Falls for a week, and this place had completely changed his life. The old demons were still there, and would always be, but they weren’t as loud. Mason had a lot to do with that, but this place was special. He intended it to be his future as well. They’d talked more about living here one day, and had agreed that before he was thirty, and Mason was fifty, they were going to make it happen.

“Zeb. I didn’t expect you to be here,” said Mason, walking into the tattoo studio.

He eyed Dante, who was wearing a tight tank top showing off his muscular arms covered in ink. The man was a work of art in himself, and Zeb had definitely made the right choice in choosing him as his tattooist. Then Mason’s eyes landed on Zeb, and the design on his chest close to his heart.

“It’s beautiful,” said Mason, stepping forward, reaching out but not touching. “Did it hurt?”

“A bit, but it was worth it.”

“For a first timer, he took it like a champ,” said Dante, with a grin on his face.

Mason’s eyes darkened, but when Zeb burst out laughing, he joined in.

Dante smiled and shook Mason’s hand. “You’ve got yourself a remarkable young man there, Mr. Reid.”

“He’s the best,” said Mason, smiling.

The way Mason said it without hesitation made his heart beat faster. It was something he was going to have to get used to.

“What do I owe you?” asked Mason.

“Mr. Carter has already paid.”

Zeb had paid before they started, although there was no way it was only a hundred bucks. The level of artistry was better than anything he’d seen in New York. Yes, they were upstate in the middle of nowhere, but he had expected it to cost at least ten times more, and he’d been prepared to pay it from his savings. Zeb suspected Dante had his reasons why he’d given such a massive discount. He doubted it was something everyone got.

“Let’s get you wrapped up,” said Dante.

He wrapped the tattoo and passed some cream to Mason. He explained what he needed to do to make sure it healed properly, and Mason listened attentively. It was clear Mason was taking charge of his tattoo aftercare, and he was good with that. Once Zeb had his upper layers back on, they said goodbye. Mason got a handshake. Zeb got a kiss on the cheek.

“I’m sure our paths will cross again, Mr. Carter.”

Mason shook his head with a smile, and they both left the shop. The cold hit instantly, but it wasn’t the same shock it had been when he’d first arrived. It was cold in the city as well at this time of year, but in Cherry Falls it felt different.

“Are you ready to go home?” asked Mason, taking Zeb’s hand.

He nodded. The last week had been the best one of his life, and he knew there were even better ones to come.

The honeymoon period lasted two days when they got back to New York. That was how long it took Catherine Delaune to make her appearance with her brat daughter, Sapphire, in tow.

The morning had been uneventful until Mason had bent Zeb over his desk and eaten his hole until he’d cum hands free and been unable to stop himself from crying out. Opening the office door, a grinning Ryder greeted them.

“Never pegged you as an oral king, Mason. That sounded hot as fuck. I’m gonna have to go home and give Felix a pounding.”

Mason snorted. Zeb was embarrassed, but Mason pulled him close, kissing him on the temple. They’d lasted all of one day without something happening at work. Everyone at the restaurant knew about them, and the most common comment was, “About time.” Zeb wasn’t sure what he’d been worried about.

“Doesn’t Felix have a gig today?” asked Mason.

“Oh yeah. It’s fine. I’ll pound him later.”

There was never a dull moment with Ryder around. Felix was used to him by now. There had been several images on social media of Ryder carrying Felix over his shoulder into his apartment building or out of a restaurant. The fans lapped it up. There was even fanfic written about them, not that Zeb had read any of it when Hunter had sent the link.

“What do you want, Ryder?”

“Catherine Delaune is here, and she brought the brat with her,” he said, looking gleeful.

“Are you sure you want to do this?”