Page 161 of Devoted

Thank you,I mouthed at Micah, who winked at me as they left. He’d not only given us privacy and space for Sam to recover, but he’d made sure we both knew how they’d be protecting Sam. That all of them were on guard, taking precautions to look after him.

My mate.

Sam patted the bed beside him. “Come join me?”

I slid down until we were face-to-face, both lying on our sides. “Do you remember anything?”

“I think so,” he said slowly. “But before we get to that, can you do something for me first?”

“Yes, of course. Anything. What do you need?”

He took a deep breath, setting his jaw as he met my gaze. “I need you to make me your mate. Right now.”

36

Sam

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “I can’t remember everything that bitch said, but the main thing she wanted was for me to leave you. She wanted to stop me becoming your mate.”

The memories of the incident were hazy, like trying to spot a tree through a murky window during a rainstorm. I knew what it was, but I couldn’t see the individual leaves.

There was something else there though. Something I was forgetting…

‘You’re making things up again. Nothing else happened. She just wanted you to leave Zeke.’

Fury flickered in Zeke’s eyes. “Don’t let Gloria rush you into this, Sam. I need you to want it for you, for us. Not because of her.”

“It’s not just because of that.” I raised my hand to cup Zeke’s face, my muscles screaming in agony. “I’d already come to this decision, Zeke. When Gloria found me, I was on my way back to you. I was going to tell you that I’m ready. I want to be yours, forever.”

Zeke’s lips twitched, then they curved into the most beautiful grin I’d ever seen. “You mean it?”

“I do.” I smiled back at him, the happiness bubbling up in me enough to make me forget all the aches in my muscles. “I really fucking do, Zeke. I know you wanted it to be special and romantic, but I don’t want to wait. Not for another second, Zeke.”

A tear slid down his cheek as I continued.

“I remember what I said to you when I was compelled. The agony on your face when you thought I was walking away from you.”

“I knew you didn’t mean it,” Zeke whispered. “Deep down, I didn’t believe it because I know you love me.”

“I do.” My hand was trembling with the effort of cupping Zeke’s face, but I didn’t let him go. I needed this connection. We both did. “But I remember, Zeke. Someone was able to have power over me, power that led to you being hurt. I can’t accept that, Zeke. I won’t. So I want you to make me your mate so no one can attempt to come between us again.”

“No one will be able to compel you either,” Zeke said. “Those who have been marked or bonded can’t be compelled.”

“All the more reason then.” I shifted onto my side, wincing as my ribs screamed. “I don’t know about you, but going through this bullshit twice is plenty for one lifetime.”

“You’re telling me,” Zeke said darkly. “If I wasn’t immortal I’d be concerned about my blood pressure. I never want to see you go through that again.”

“Mark me then,” I whispered. “I’m ready, Zeke. Make me yours.”

“You know, you implied earlier that this wasn’t very special or romantic,” Zeke rasped. “But I think you’re wrong. I can’t think of anything more special than you asking to be my mate.Or anything more romantic than it happening in the bed we share. The bed we will continue to share until it falls apart.”

“We might want to start having sex in the other room then,” I said solemnly. “The slats on this will never last if you keep railing me the way you have been. Which, for future reference, I’d like you to.”

Zeke’s laugh rumbled up from his chest. “Fuck, I love you, Sam.”

I winked. “Trust me to take the tone down a notch.”

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