Page 47 of Wicked

“It’s okay. I’m here. I just need to put something on really fast.”

“Put something on? No, you need to take some things off. Don’t leave me. You can’t leave me.”

He holds me tighter. “I promise I will not leave you. I swear to God. I’m only putting on a necklace. It’s a trick my therapist gave me.”

I keep my grip on his shirt as I slowly pull back to look him in the eye. “A necklace? What kind of therapist did you go to?”

He laughs. “One who has a little magic on his side.” Manny lowers his arms slowly and reaches into his back pocket to pull a slim box out of his pocket. “This will help with my anxiety during our first time together.”

“So it’s like a Xanax in necklace form?”

He laughs again. “I won’t be able to have sex with you if I take a Xanax, but yes. It’s similar to that.” He opens the box to reveal a ruby necklace with the most complex chain I’ve ever seen. It must be made of magic metal.

“So if you wear that, you’ll be able to have sex with me?” The ache between my legs makes me want to scream at him to hurry and take me, but I’m afraid if I do, he’ll leave.

“That’s the idea.” He cups my face and pressed his forehead to mine. “You are so strong. It’s time for me to pull my weight in this relationship. Will you let my shirt go so I can put on this necklace?”

I nod, but my fingers won’t loosen of their own accord.

“I’m sorry. I don’t want you to leave me.”

He kisses my wrist, my thumb, my knuckle. My fingers soften as he presses kisses all over them until his shirt is free.

“Okay,” he says with a nervous smile. “Here goes.”

He winds the chain around his neck and connects the clasp. For a moment, I worry the necklace is broken, and he’s going to leave me. I reach for his shirt again, but he grasps my hands and squeezes them.

“It’s okay, Candlewick. This is harder for me than I thought. I’m not accustomed to happiness. It feels foreign to me.”

The change comes over him gradually. First, he straightens his back, then a calm smile spreads across his face. After a few moments his eyes even twinkle.

Manny is not the kind of man who has twinkling eyes. I love him to death, but that isn’t him.

“Don’t leave me,” I repeat for what is probably the millionth time, but I’m not sure if this stranger with twinkling eyes is my mate.

“I won’t ever leave you. I just need to take some of my anxiety away so I can appreciate you properly. That’s all this is.” He peppers my hands with kisses again, and that helps a little. It doesn’t ease the ache between my legs though.

“Please, Manny. Please.” I want to beg him to fuck me. If only I could ask for what I need. How will I survive this painful yearning if I don’t get any relief?

“Let’s help you feel better, huh? That’s why I’m here.” Without fanfare Manny pulls his shirt over his head. It’s much easier for him with the magic necklace. “I’m going to take my pants off next, which I would normally be nervous about. My penis is small. Don’t worry, though. I’m very good with my fingers, and if my knot isn’t enough for you, I know how to compensate.”

It all makes sense now. Manny wasn’t just dealing with his memories from the pits, he was dealing with good, old-fashioned insecurity because of his penis size. Despite how badly I need him in my ass this second, I recognize how important this moment is for us. He may be wearing a magical necklace now, but he won’t be forever, and if I react the wrong way to this information, it will haunt him forever.

“I’ve had the best sex of my life with smaller guys. In fact, I usually spend my heat with omegas, and they can’t knot. Your size doesn’t matter to me, Manny.”

Manny swallows hard, his eyes filling with tears. “Thank you.”

I launch myself at him and kiss him so hard, everything else melts away. He kisses me back without any restraint, his hands roaming all over my body with a confidence that takes my breath away. He lifts my shirt over my head and lowers his mouth to my neck and shoulder, sucking at the sensitive skin of my scent gland.

“I’m going to make you mine forever, Candlewick,” he promises.

Heaven help me, but I believe him. He’s that sure of himself.

He peels off my pants, which are soaked with slick, grasping my cock. I moan, letting my head roll back, overwhelmed by the pleasure of his touch. Everything has always been good with Manny, and this is no exception.

I can’t imagine what it will feel like when he’s inside me.

“Will you present for me?” he whispers in my ear. “Please. I would do anything if you’d be willing to show yourself to me like that.”

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