Chapter 14
JESSICA
A strangled roar floods my ears, making me turn around. Alec wrenches his neck up and glares at me, his feral gaze drilling into my soul. It steals my breath, but not in the same way as Devin.
My new Master makes me feel safe, desirable, and like the most beautiful thing on the planet. The way Alec looks at me makes me feel far more unsafe than I ever thought he was capable of making me feel. How could he act like he loved me then look at me with such hatred, such hostility?
Despite trying to be strong, I snuggle back into Devin, needing my Alpha’s strength. He brings his arms back around me and purrs. The soft sound seeps into my body, making me limp in his grasp.
Somehow, this only seems to make Alec even more furious. His bride comes over to his side to help him up, but he shoves her away. Her soft shriek of surprise slams into me as if it’s a physical sensation.
In an instant, Devin’s gentle purr turns into a warning growl. He unwraps me from around him and eases me behind where he can stand in between Alec and I. Bringing his hands forward, he cracks his knuckles and eases his head from side to side to pop the joints in his neck.
With a snarl, Alec rises, keeping his body low, hunched down to the ground. “You’d protect her? That manipulative ice princess bitch?”
“With my life,” he responds, his voice even-keel. “You will do well to keep her name out of your mouth if you want to leave here unscathed.”
“You know nothing about her!” he screams, his eyes going black as a feral madness tinges his voice.
“For two fucking years, she promised she’d let me fuck her once we were married.
Two years I waited. And one ‘I do’ from you and she’s already spread her legs?
Don’t I get a turn? I’m the one who waited. ”
My insides twist and I step forward, pain, anger, and humiliation churning deep in my gut. However, Devin holds his arm out, preventing me from coming any closer. Turning, he gives a small shake to his head, the wicked wrench of his lips brooking no argument.
“She owes you nothing. Not her body, not her time, not her heart. Nothing. She set a boundary, and you agreed to it. You could have simply told her you didn’t want to wait. You could have pursued other omegas. But you didn’t. You lied and cheated. She deserves better than that. Better than you.”
“Oh, and I suppose you’re so much better? How many omegas have you fucked?”
“None. Not that my sex life is any of your business.”
“Please. You can’t stand here and tell me you’re a virgin,” he spits out, venom lacing his tone. “Perhaps I should still be her first. That way, she has someone who knows what they’re doing. ”
Devin’s spine goes ramrod. “Trust me. I’m skilled enough to make my little bride scream to the heavens. I’m not a virgin, but she will be my first omega. I know better than to toy with someone belonging to a vulnerable dynamic, something you apparently know nothing about.”
My heart stills for a moment. I’d be his first? Just like he’d be my first. Somehow, it feels right. A tendril of arousal slithers up my spine as I rest my cheek against Devin’s back.
Honestly though, it wouldn’t matter to me even if I wasn’t his first. Just knowing he’s honest about everything is enough for me. Pulling back, I go to urge him away from my ex when Alec races forward.
Devin reaches behind and shoves me over before lowering down into a protective stance. I watch, dumbstruck, as the men wrestle about. Alec’s bride stands off to the side, her mouth ajar as she, too, takes in the scene.
Poor omega. Sliding over beside her, I take her hand in mine and give it a squeeze. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize he was like this.”
“Neither did I,” she murmured. “He was so sweet at first, so…”
“Attentive,” we say together.
Shaking my head, I watch as Alec tries to punch Devin, but my Alpha simply dances away, his movements controlled where my ex is erratic. Calm in every crisis, it seems. A small crowd gathers, but neither seems to take notice.
“She won’t be any good, anyway. Fuck her. See if I care. She’s nothing but a stuck-up little prude.”
At his vitriolic words, Devin balls his hand into a fist and slams it against Alec’s jaw. A sickening crack echoes through the air before Alec cries out and crumples to the ground. Government officials race in, pulling the two apart .
“No!” I cry out, running to Devin’s side. “He was protecting me.”
Alec’s bride shuffles forward, tears dotting her eyes. “He’s my newly appointed husband. What she says is true. He just… he became unhinged.”
“Bitch,” Alec stammers out, the word pained, slurred, and a bit muffled.
The officials scoop him off the ground before giving each of us a look. “This isn’t over. You will come to the station with us for an official report.”
“Anything you wish,” Devin nods. “We have nothing to hide.”
By the time we get back to the resort, my body is stiff and sore. Glancing down at the time, I groan. Far too late for anything good. Instead of wanting a nice, long, luxuriating time with Devin, I just want to curl up in his arms and sleep.
He pulls me in for a hug, smirking as he holds me close. “Don’t worry, little newb. I won’t initiate you into my world tonight.”
As much as I wanted hot, decadent sex with the Alpha who stood up for me, rewarding both of us for the traumatic event we went through, I’m so grateful he feels the same way I do. The moment he opens the door, he scoops me into his arms and carries me over to the luxurious bathroom.
He sets me down on the lid of the toilet, leaving me there while he prepares the bath.
We’re both silent as he turns on the faucet over the massive tub, allowing the sound of water splashing to fill the silence.
My mind grinds over and over, replaying the events of the day.
Not all bad, but certainly soured by the last interaction.
Turning, he unbuttons his shirt with such slow, agonizing precision.
If I wasn’t so tired, I’d get down on my hands and knees and beg him to take me then and there.
Unfortunately, as much as I enjoy the show, I sway back and forth as fatigue hits me.
It’s as if my body knows I’m finally safe and is determined to just let everything go.
“Whoa now,” he murmurs, dropping the shirt to the floor. “I know I’m hot, but I didn’t peg you as the type to faint at a set of chiseled abs.”
“Ha ha,” I tease back, stifling a yawn. “I’m sorry. I’m just-”
“Letting go. It’s okay. If anyone has earned it, it’s you. Now let’s get you naked.”
With a wink, he helps me up and quickly rids me of my clothes. He’s far faster at disrobing me than he was removing his own clothes. Standing there in just my bra and underwear, I shiver, finally feeling a touch self-conscious.
“Sit down on the edge of the tub and spread your legs.” His deep voice permeates my brain, breaking through the mired thoughts threatening to drag me down.
Again, that tick of nervousness thrums through me until I wrap my arms around my front in a poor attempt at hiding myself. “Here? Now?”
His chuckle washes over me, making me shudder with need despite the exhaustion weighing on me. “I need to get the vibrator out of you. That is, unless you want to do it yourself.”
“N- no,” I stammer, doing my best to relax. “You can do it. ”
“Are you sure?” He looks down at me with such concern, such care.
“Not really,” I sigh. “But I’ll have to get used to you touching me.”
“That you will, little new,” he rasps out kneeling between my splayed knees.
His fingers brush against the lace of my underwear, dragging a soft moan from my lips. Tipping my head back, I open even wider, my body craving his touch. Instead of teasing me, however, he slides the fabric to the side and pulls tugs at the vibrator.
The thick, bulbous head grinds against my G-Spot, sending shards of arousal through my body. My legs quake with the strength it takes to keep them open. Need pours through me, causing slick to gather at my entrance.
Thankfully, Devin doesn’t seem unaffected. His breath comes in harsh grunts as he pulls the toy out of me and tosses it to the side. “So fucking responsive,” he growls, standing back up so he can put some distance between us.
“Somehow, it seems to only be that way with you.”
“Regardless of how or why, I can’t wait to explore every inch of your delectable body.”
A nervous laugh escapes my lips as I do my best to change the subject. “You’re a bit overdressed, aren’t you?” I gesture toward his unbuttoned pants hanging dangerously low on his hips. “If I have to be naked, so do you.”
“Oh really? And who made that rule?” He raises his eyebrow, affecting a comically stern expression.
“You know. Smart people.”
“Uh-huh. Remind me to look that up later.”
“Or you could just take my word for it. I am smart too, you know. ”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “That was never up for debate. I have no doubt you are highly intelligent. It certainly takes smarts to find loopholes as fast as you do.”
“I was hoping you’d forget about that.” My lips quirk up into a sheepish smile. “Hey. Can’t fault me for trying, though.”
“No. I certainly cannot. However, if you want me more undressed, I think it’s only fair you do it yourself. I did help you undress after all.”
My fingers tremble as I reach out and grab the end of his belt. How is it I was so calm and collected at the sex club, yet here I feel like a fumbling idiot? Devin lowers his hands to mine and holds on.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to do this.” His voice is low, soothing, a hum almost.
I shake my head and slip my hands out of his. “Yes, I do. I need to force my body to forget to-”
“No one is forcing you to forget.”
“But I want to. Don’t you get it? I don’t want to remember helping him take his clothes off. I don’t want to close my eyes and picture him naked when all I want is you.”
“Love.” He slides his knuckle under my chin and gently tips my head up. “You barely know me. We met for a night of kinky passion and then were married the next day. You don’t know me. Not really. Part of you still feels the need to protect itself. And I respect that.”
“But our marriage…”
“When I said I do, I didn’t mean for six months. I didn’t go into this thinking about leaving. Unless there is something just fundamentally incompatible between us, I’m not looking for a way out. Are you?”
My head drops to my chest, guilt flooding through me. “ At first, I was. But that’s when I thought Alec was, too. But after I met you… I can’t really see myself trying with anyone else. I want to give this a fair shot. To do that, I need to get rid of this baggage weighing me down.”
“My silly little newb,” he chides, wrapping his arms around me. “There will always be baggage. No one comes into any relationship without something. But it’s how we work on it and work through it that counts.”
Tears gather in my eyes as I look up at him. “But you haven’t even had sex with an omega. What baggage could you possibly have?”
Devin heaves a sigh as he pulls away and goes back to the tub. After turning off the water, he sits on the edge for several moments, just staring off into space. “Come, let’s get you in here and I’ll tell you.”
We work at our clothes, slipping them off and tossing them to the side. Once we’re both naked, Devin slips into the steaming water and holds out his hand. With such care and gentleness I’ve never known before, he helps me in and settles me between his thighs so my back can rest on his chest.
A soft groan slips through my lips as warm water and Devin’s heat surrounds and soothes me. For a while, we’re both silent. But then, for some reason, it doesn't feel like any words have to be said. Not now. Not just yet.
“I’ve never known a life before the Governing Body forced marriage upon us.
However, my parents were not of that generation.
Every day, I watched as he brought one omega after another into the house, promising them forever, only to cast them out the first chance they did something he didn’t like.
Hell. I don’t think I even know who my birth mother was.
He never talked about her. Never brought her around. ”
My breath hitches in my throat as I reach behind me to pull his arms forward. As much as I enjoy the comforting circle of his arms, this time I want to be there for him. It’s not as if we can switch places, so hopefully me holding onto his arms will give him a similar comfort.
“He was never physically cruel to them, mind you. But his words would cut through them. It was as if they were disposable. Women to be used then cast out. I saw the tears, heard the pain in their voices.” For a moment, he pauses and holds hard onto me. “The same pain I heard in yours.”
A soft sigh drifts over me as he settles deeper into the water. “Once I was old enough to know how to use my dick, I vowed to never cause that type of pain. Granted, once I discovered kink, I realized there were other types I could inflict, consensual types. But I refused to be like my father.”
“But that’s a good thing,” I murmur, stroking his forearm. “Isn’t it?”
“Yes, and no. In many ways, yes, because I never led an omega on. I never did what Alec did to you. But on the other hand, I deprived myself of some potentially good relationships. But honestly, at what cost? How agonizing would it have been to form a connection then leave? At least with betas, they know eventually an Alpha will pair with an omega.”
“Sorry. I’m not trying to be cruel, but I’m still not seeing how that’s baggage.”
His chuckle rumbles through my back. “It may not be as traumatic as yours, but even now, I’m still having to tell myself that it’s okay to have you. It’s a constant argument I fight within myself that you’re mine. I can finally taste what I’ve denied myself for so long.”
“Like me.”
“Like you.”
“Would me saying I consent to you sleeping with me help?”
He tightens his arms around me once more, enveloping me in a tight hug. “It does help, my little newb. Thank you.”
“Don’t you mean slave?”
This time, his chuckle deepens into a full laugh, jostling me and the water. “Whatever term of endearment I give you, you’ll take it, and you’ll like it. Understand, my little loopholer?”
“Hmph. Fine. I guess I don’t really have a choice then. Do I, Master?”
“In this, you do not.”
Again, silence descends upon us, but it’s more tranquil and not froth with unspoken words between us. As his fingers kneed my shoulders, I drift between sleeping and wakefulness.
“Come on, my sleepy little bride. Time to put you to bed.”