Page 148 of Devoted

“That I’ll die,” Sam said bluntly. “That or murder someone. All my life, those have been my biggest fears, the things my OCD takes advantage of the most. And you’re telling me that you can remove one of those fears?”

“Technically I can remove both, as long as the ones you murder are supes. They’ll come back to life and probably just show you a more efficient or painful way to do it next time.”

Sam gave me a pointed look. “You know I don’t actually follow the intrusive thoughts, right?”

“I know, but if youdid, nothing bad would happen.” I tapped his temple lightly. “Maybe that knowledge will stop your OCD latching on to that particular pathway.”

“It’ll just find a new route,” Sam said glumly. “It always does.”

“I wish I could say you won’t have OCD when we’re mated, but it doesn’t work that way.”

“Yeah, I figured that out already.” Sam elaborated at my questioning look. “Benji. He’s autistic, right? You can be anangel and be neurodivergent, so I guessed being mated to you wouldn’t change it.”

“I wish it would. I’d give anything to help you have peace of mind.”

He kissed me softly. “You already do, Zeke. More than you’ll ever know.”

My heart fluttered in a way I hadn’t even realised it was capable of. “Fuck, I love you so much.”

Sam grinned as he pressed another kiss to my lips. “Love you too.”

“Do you have any more questions?” The temptation to strip Sam naked and have my way with him was growing with every kiss. But that wouldn’t be happening until I was certain he had all the answers he needed.

“Only a few thousand,” He popped another Jelly Baby into his mouth with a wink. That action shouldn’t have been as erotic as it was. “So, none of you are professors, but youarea unit of soldiers.”

“Yes.”

“And Micah’s in charge.”

My lips twitched. “That’s right.”

“And you’re the second?”

I kissed away some icing sugar from the corner of his mouth. “Should I be insulted? Are you saying I’m not good enough to be the second-in-command of God’s most elite unit of angels?”

“No,” Sam hissed as I trailed my tongue along his jaw. “I’m clarifying because it’s fuckinghot. A little scary, but mainly hot.”

I pulled back at that. “Why scary?”

“Because”—he gestured with a sugar covered hand—“you were already out of my league. Now you’re telling me you’re also an extremely powerful, immortal angel. And I’m just…”

“You’rejustthe man I’ve fallen in love with,” I said firmly. “The man who, if things go to plan, is the one I’ll happily spendthe rest of eternity with. You’re the special one out of the two of us, Sam. I might be powerful, but you’re the one who holds my leash.”

Sam swallowed, his eyes glassy. “I’ll be right back.”

I frowned as he shot off the bed and into the bathroom. He returned with a sheepish smile, flashing me his now clean hands. “Sorry, all I wanted to do was touch you then, but I realised my hands were sticky so?—”

“So you washed them.” I got to my feet, heading for the bathroom, picking up our dishes and rubbish on the way to deposit on the side. “Makes perfect sense, baby. Don’t apologise for that.”

I washed my own hands thoroughly and dried them. Sam’s cheeks were pink as I returned. “You didn’t need to do that.”

“Yes, I did. You’ll be more comfortable now.”

“But—”

“But nothing,” I growled, yanking his legs until he was on his back beneath me. “I don’t want you thinking about anything else while I’m getting you off. Your mind needs to be on me, and only me. You got that?”

“Yes,” Sam breathed.

---