Page 31 of Real

Timothy follows me into the beach house. The floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the ocean are pebbled with raindrops. The sea rages behind them, capped with a frothy white foam.

I always thought Candlewick would be standing by my side when I finally saw the ocean in person. I wonder what he would say if he were here. He’d probably make some joke about the ocean being as temperamental as Dorian.

What would Candlewick do if he was the one about to make love to Timothy? Candlewick is good at sex. Alphas pay him for it. If only I could be more like Candlewick, then I’d know what to do.

Timothy places his hands on my hips. “Are you okay?”

I nod.

“Are you nervous?” he asks.

Is it that obvious? I’m already messing this up, and we haven’t even started yet.

“I’m sorry.”

He lets out a breathy laugh and leans his forehead against mine. “Don’t be. I’m nervous too.” He takes my hand and puts it on his chest. The quickthump, thump, thumpof his heart beats against my palm. “I haven’t had sex in twelve years. I’m a little out of practice.”

That’s such a long time. Was it because he didn’t want it? What makes today any different?

All my thoughts and questions melt away as he lowers his mouth to mine. His kiss is still gentle, but he eases my mouth open and slides his tongue inside. I let out a moan without meaning to. He wraps his arms around me and plunges his tongue in deeper. My knees go weak.

I slip my fingers into his hair. He holds me tighter against him. The curve of his stomach is soft, yet steady. I want to melt into him. Dorian’s body was all hard ridges and unforgiving angles. It never felt safe. Timothy’s body is like a life raft. I can grab hold of it and not get swept away in the thrill of desire that washes through me as his mouth trails to my jaw and underneath my ear. He sucks my skin, and God. My cock becomes so hard, I can’t think.

“Please, Timothy,” I beg just as shamelessly as I did while I was in heat.

“What do you want, baby?” he whispers in my ear. His hot breath against my skin is almost as good as the sucking he did earlier.

“More.” I never want this to end.

One of his hands lowers to my ass and spreads wide across my right cheek. He squeezes me. I let out an “Oh.”

“Fuck, baby. I can smell your slick. You smell so good.” His voice is low and throaty. He really means it.

He likes the way I smell.

I lift my leg and wrap it around him. He moans and latches onto my neck again with his mouth, sucking at the skin. “You’re so perfect, you know that? Can I bite you again?” His voice shakes at the end like he’s nervous about my answer.

“Yes.”

He bites down on the crook of my neck with a vibrating growl. I go boneless in his arms. It’s like he’s claiming me all over again, and I want him to. I want it so badly.

“You’re mine tonight, right?” he says.

“Oh yes.”

He licks and sucks at the bite. “I’ll take care of you, okay? I swear.”

I clutch him tighter to me. This is better than I ever imagined sex could be. It’s different too. I thought good sex would be all pleasure and orgasms, but Timothy sucking and biting at my skin is so intimate, I feel safe and exposed at the same time.

I never want him to stop.

“Can I take you to bed?” he asks.

I nod. He can do whatever he wants as long as he doesn’t let me go.

He grabs my ass with both hands and hoists me into his arms. I burrow my nose in his neck. Timothy hasn’t had sex in twelve years. Why am I the lucky guy who gets to have him?

“Thank you,” I say so softly, I’m not sure he’ll be able to hear me. It’s probably not good to thank an alpha for having sex with me. I just don’t know what else to say to express what I’m feeling right now.

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