Fractured Brotherhood (Devil's Knights 2nd Generation 7)

I really hadn’t, but I at least made it through the night without freezing or running out of my own house. “I don’t think I would go that far, but I did okay. I only stuttered every fourth word instead of every word.”

“No one even noticed.”

I rolled my eyes and laid my arms on Zag’s shoulder. “I think they noticed, but just like you, they didn’t care.”

“Just like I told you, they wouldn’t. There are so much worse things in this world that you could do or have, Tess. A little stutter is shit.”

If only I could have heard those words from my mom when I was young. “Maybe one day I’ll believe that.” I pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “For now, I’ll celebrate my victory of having people over and you sleeping in my bed tonight.”

“I’m glad about that first one, Tess, but that second thing you’re going to celebrate will not happen.”

“Zag,” I breathed out. “I just want to sleep in the same bed as you. Why is that such a big deal to you?” I understood he wanted to take things slow with me because I had zero experience with men, but how slow did he want to go? It felt like we were moving at the speed of dripping honey.

“Because if I get in bed with you, we’re going to sleep for about ten seconds before sleeping will be the last thing on either of our minds.”

“I don’t see anything wrong with that,” I shrugged. I was more than ready to round all of the bases with Zag. I just needed to get him on board.

“There isn’t anything wrong with it, but it’s just moving a lot faster than the pace we’re moving at.”

“I didn’t set this pace, Zag.” I tipped my head slightly and planted a kiss on his collarbone. “I just want to sleep next to you.”

“Tess,” he hissed.

My lips trailed over his skin and up his neck. “Zag,” I moaned. “Just let me sleep with you. I promise I won’t do anything you don’t want.”

“You’re the one who should be saying that to me,” he breathed out.

He was right, but it was time I flipped the tables on him. I had been dutifully listening to him, saying we needed to move slowly, but I was over it.

“Just one night,” I bargained. “And then we can go back to sleeping in our own beds.” I tipped my head back, and my eyes connected with his. “Please?”

“Goddammit, Tess.” Zag stepped back, bent over, and planted his shoulder in my stomach. He lifted me and marched up the stairs.

Finally, I got what I wanted.