Page 28 of Devoted

not helping what?

that I’m now worrying about you

I touched my bottom lip, staring at the screen. When was the last time anyone had worried about me?

Sam

nah, it’s fine

Zeke

is there a call option on here?

what…you want to talk to me? Like, over the phone?

if that’s okay.

My hands were trembling. Was it okay? Removing another block between us would only result in my heart and brain getting more…involved with Zeke.

Oh, who the fuck was I kidding? If I didn’t do this, I’d end up awake all night overthinking it.

Without giving myself time to spiral I put on the headset I used for work and hit the call button. I didn’t turn the camera on though. If this thing between us ever did move into the real world, I wanted to look better the first time Zeke saw me.

Not the sweat and dust covered mess I currently was.

The line rang once before it was answered. A black box appeared on my screen, but like me, Zeke had his camera off.

“Sam?”

Fuck, I mouthed, extremely glad he couldn’t see my reaction to his voice. It was even better than I’d imagined—rich and gravelly, like the honey and whiskey drink my gran used to make me sip when I was poorly.

“Yup.” My voice, however, came out as a squeak. I inhaled deeply and tried again. “I mean, yes. It’s me. Hi.”

“Hi,” Zeke said. “This okay? It’s not making you anxious?”

Strangely, it wasn’t. I usually despised having to make calls. Even with my clients it was something I struggled with. But with Zeke that anxiety was just…missing.

“No, I’m fine.” That he’d even thought to ask was astounding. “Thank you though. It’s nice to hear your voice.”

Zeke’s laugh washed over me across the miles. Fuck, if I’d thought his voice was sexy, it had nothing on his laugh.

“I’m not sure any of my un—I mean, housemates, would agree with you. Most of them hate the sound of my voice.”

“Is that because you’re grumpy with them?”

“Probably.” Zeke sighed. “Can’t help it though; grumpy is my default setting. It’s just getting worse as I age too.”

“Ah yes.” My cheeks were aching from how widely I was smiling. “I forgot you’re ancient. Are the nursing staff okay with you making this call? Did you have to get permission first?”

“It’s okay, I’ve got a deal worked out with one of the caretakers. He lets me use his laptop and phone in exchange for blow jobs.”

I leaned back in my chair, both relieved and amazed at how easy this was. “Out of curiosity, do you leave the false teeth in or remove them?”

“Oh always remove them,” Zeke said. “You can get far more suction without them in the way. Plus, there’s no chance of them accidentally snapping shut and causing an injury. Can’t have Bernard getting hurt and not letting me use his tech anymore. What would we do then?”

My shoulders were shaking with laughter. “Cheers for that, Zeke. No doubt that disgusting imagery will pop back up when I jerk off later.”

There was a pause. When Zeke spoke again, his voice had dropped an octave. “I’m only joking. I’ve been told that me on my knees is a pleasing sight.”

---