“If they hadn’t intercepted me, I would have already sought you out.”
“I did try to go to sleep, and when I gave up, Chloe found me sneaking out. We had a good talk, but I’m exhausted and not sure I can sleep, um, alone.”
I grinned so big my cheeks hurt.
“Do you want to stay here?”
“My room would be a lot quieter right now, but wherever you are will do.”
“Give me a minute.”
I left her in my room to seek out Denny.
“Heard you were back and mating Zoey Rey.”
I rolled my eyes. “Rumors spread quickly.”
“You know, that’s what I was thinking too, but you aren’t denying it.”
I just looked at him for a moment, not willing to say it out loud in a room full of shifters all listening in but also knowing he would understand.
“It’s plugged in next to the nightstand,” Lauren said as she walked over and hugged her mate.
I grinned and Denny shook his head.
“That’s what you wanted?”
“Absolutely. Thanks Lauren. You’re the best.”
I ran off to collect the dampener that seemed to have been passed down to each president through the years. I had no idea where it originated from, but in that moment, I was thanking the stars for it because I wanted Zoey in my space, my room, my bed.
Finding it quickly, I unplugged the thing, took it back to my room, and plugged it into the wall. Like magic, all the noise from the party faded away.
“Is that a dampener?” she asked.
“It is. Denny let me borrow it for the night.”
“Wow. I’ve heard about them but never expected to see one. They really can’t hear us outside of these four walls?”
“Nope. It’s as close to being all alone as possible in a fraternity house like this.”
“So cool.”
I was sure to lock my door just in case one of my asshole brothers tried to interrupt us and then pulled her into my arms and kissed her like I hadn’t seen her in months. I was desperate for her.
She was already in her pajamas, and while I’d been courteous enough to sleep in a T-shirt and sweatpants at the lodge, I typically only slept in boxers at night.
Without giving it much thought, I stepped back long enough to strip down to just that.
Zoey’s eyes widened as she checked me out with open curiosity just as she had that day in the bathroom when I’d been naked.
That felt like ages ago.
When she licked her lips, I was done. Five seconds later I had her in my arms, in my bed. I pushed the covers away, not wanting her to stop looking at me like that, but also needing to feel her body against mine.
Why the hell did she have to wear so many damn clothes to bed?
I needed her with terrifying desperation, but I was determined not to rush her.
