Page 145 of Devoted

This was definitely one of the latter.

Starting at his feet, I tucked the duvet in all around him. I even pulled it up over the back of his head, fashioning it like ahood. When I was done, the only part of him that was visible was his face.

“Good?”

Sam’s sleepy smile made me feel like I’d won a medal. “Perfect. Thanks, Zeke.”

I crouched beside him. “Do you need anything else?”

“Umm.” He thought for a moment before his eyes widened. “Fuck, my meds. Did I take them? Oh god. Maybe I did…”

I booped his nose, which confused him so much that he stopped spiralling. “You didn’t. Your new pill box will arrive later today. Once it does, are you happy for me to take over?”

His teeth worried at his lip. “You don’t need to do that.”

“Stop worrying about what you think I should or shouldn’t be doing. Do youwantme to do it for you?”

“Yes, please.” He squeezed his eyes shut and swallowed hard. “That would be wonderful.”

“Great. What do you need to take this morning?”

“One tablet of sertraline,” he whispered. “I think they’re on the desk in my room.”

A few seconds later, I was back at his side, his tablet in one hand and a glass of water in the other.

Sam huffed. “Typical. You’ve made me the most perfect burrito ever, and now I’ve got to sit up to take my medicine.”

I rolled my eyes. As if I wouldn’t tuck Sam in as often as he wanted. “Here, let me help.”

Wriggling an arm under him, I lifted him, burrito and all, into an elevated position. With my spare hand, I popped the tablet into his mouth and then held the glass to his lips.

“Those muscles really are something else,” Sam said as I lowered him back to the bed and set about checking that the duvet was tucked securely in.

I smirked. “I’m glad you approve. Okay, is there anything else you want or need?”

Sam went to speak but stopped himself, a slight flush on his cheekbones. “No thank you. You’ve done enough already.”

I crouched back down, so our eyes were level. “Baby, I know you’re not being honest right now. I suspect it’s because your brain is telling you that you’re a burden, or that I’m going to get bored of taking care of you.”

Sam’s silence confirmed I was right. “Whatever bullshit it’s saying, it’s wrong. Nothing makes me happier than taking care of you, Sam. Making you happy makesmehappy.”

“Because I’m your mate?”

“No,” I answered honestly. “Because I love you. And, when you love someone, you want them to feel happy. Comfortable. Safe. Secure. Let me help you feel that. Please, Sam.”

Silver lined Sam’s eyes, and his lower lip trembled. “My headphones please. And you in bed with me, but not touching.”

I got those for him and handed them over. “Do you need your phone for music?”

“No.” He lifted his head and popped them in. “Just the noise cancelling. It’s soothing.”

My chest ached at how overloaded Sam was. My room was almost silent, just the hum of the heating and the ticking of a clock.

But even that was too much for him right now.

I slid into the bed beside him, wriggling until I was close, but not touching. As much as I ached to pull him into my arms, that wasn’t what he needed.

He wanted me close though. That was a good sign.

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