Page 80 of Devoted

“Of course you are,” I said roughly, buttering some toast just so I had something to do. As much as I wanted to be completely open with Sam, I wasn’t used to it. It’d been much easier last night. With the adrenaline riding me and the knowledge that Sam was my mate, I’d forgotten to be nervous. To feel awkward about baring my soul.

It was a little more difficult in the cold light of day.

His hand appeared on my thigh. “You’re important to me too, Zeke.”

There was no way for me to hide my grin. “Good.”

“I could’ve gone downstairs though,” he said, picking a pain au chocolat from the tray and nibbling at the edge. “I don’t expect people to wait on me.”

“I know. But I figured you might not want to deal with all of them right after waking up. Let’s at least get you caffeinated first.”

Sam chewed slowly while studying me. When he swallowed, he said, “You’re really thoughtful. Do you know that?”

Now it was my face flushing. “Nope, can’t say I’ve been told before.”

“Oh my god.” I glanced up to see Sam grinning. “You can’t take a compliment.”

“Yes, I can.”

“Reeeally.” Sam drew the word out over several syllables, mischief dancing in his eyes. “Let’s test that, shall we?”

My nose wrinkled, but Sam put down his breakfast and scooted closer, and all discomfort was replaced by a buzz of joy at having him there. Our knees were brushing now, but Sam wasn’t done. He cradled my face in his hands, stopping me from looking away. “You’re thoughtful.”

I scoffed, but didn’t pull away.

“Caring.”

Sam drew a little closer.

“Sensitive.”

His eyes darted down to my mouth.

“Hilarious.”

I wasn’t even breathing now. Sam’s lips were so close. Just one more movement and they’d be on mine.

“Protective.”

His lips brushed over mine; the lightest whisper of a kiss.

My heart stopped. It was barely anything, but somehow, it was everything.

The final word was spoken against my mouth. “Intuitive.”

His lips were hovering against mine, his hands trembling on my face. He didn’t take that final step though, like he was waiting for something.

You, you idiot. He’s waiting for you.

And he called me intuitive.

“Zeke,” he breathed. “Please.”

His words kicked my brain into high gear. The final syllable had barely left his lips before I was crushing his mouth to mine.

There were the usual physical sensations. His full lips parting. My tongue flicking over his. Hands lifting to cradle his face. Heat travelling down my spine. Pulse racing. Cock stiffening. All of that was to be expected.

It was what was beneath those physical sensations that rocked me to my core.

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