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Ruari reached for the box on the bedside table and pulled out another foil square. This time, instead of tearing it open, he held it out to Cassian.

“Here. Feel it first, so you know what you’re working with.”

Cassian took it. When he tore the corner and eased the condom out, the ring of latex rested on his palm like a small, slippery hat. He pinched the rim and began unrolling it, stretching the tube down over his index finger, then two fingers, then his fist.

The latex kept going. Cassian unrolled it to its full length and held it up between them, dangling like a deflated windsock.

“Ruari.” He stared at the stretched-out condom. “Who has a cock this big?”

Ruari’s laugh came from deep in his chest. He looked so delighted by the question that Cassian stretched the latex wider between both hands, testing its limits and pulling it taut until it turned nearly translucent. He could probably fit his head through it, if he committed.

“Okay.” Ruari plucked it from his grip before Cassian could investigate that hypothesis. “That one’s done for, Cass.”

A third condom emerged from the box. Ruari tore the packet, tipped the contents into Cassian’s waiting palm, and wrapped his hand around the base of his own cock, holding it steady and upright.

“Pinch the tip.” Ruari guided Cassian’s fingertip to the reservoir. “Squeeze the air out, yeah, like that. Now set it on top and roll it down. Use both thumbs, nice and slow.”

Cassian positioned the condom on the broad head of Ruari’s cock and began rolling it down the shaft with both thumbs, his tongue poking out in concentration. The latex caught on a vein halfway down and Cassian smoothed it flat with his fingertip, tracing the ridge beneath the thin barrier.

“Keep going,” Ruari murmured, his stomach muscles tightening under the progress of Cassian’s hands.

Cassian rolled it to the base and paused to admire his work. The condom sat flush against Ruari’s shaft, the latex stretched taut over the thick girth, and Cassian felt a swell of accomplishment entirely disproportionate to the task.

He leaned forward and took the head into his mouth, suckling experimentally on the latex. His face crumpled on contact. The artificial strawberry flavouring returned, joined now by the rubbery tang of warm latex.

Ruari settled a hand on the top of his head. “Let’s not try that tonight, then.”

“So that’s what it’s for?”

Ruari didn’t answer. He reached for him instead, caught Cassian’s hip and turned him over. Cassian settled onto his hands and knees while Ruari’s palms slid up the backs of his thighs and spread him open.

The blunt press of Ruari’s cock against his rim made him shiver. Ruari’s thumbs dug into the meat of Cassian’s arse.

“Arch your back for me, Cass.” Ruari’s hand pressed flat between his shoulder blades, guiding him into a curve. Then Ruari slid into him slowly.

“There you go.” Ruari pulled Cassian’s hips back to meet him, teaching him the rhythm, and Cassian learned fast. He rocked into every thrust, twisting the sheets in his fists. Ruari’s pace climbed until the headboard knocked the wall with each of his movements.

Ruari’s hand slid around to his cock, stroking him in time with his thrusts, and Cassian came so hard his elbows gave out. His face hit the pillow, his arse still in the air, Ruari’s hips stuttering against him as the alpha followed him over with a groan.

Ruari peeled the condom off, pinching the base, and held it up. It hung heavy with the weight of his spend.

Cassian propped himself on one elbow. “That’s a lot, Ruari.”

“Cheers, Cass.”

“You’re a very fertile alpha,” Cassian praised him.

Ruari tied off the condom and lobbed it in the direction of the bin. It missed. Neither of them got up to pick it up.

Cassian had melted into the mattress with his limbs spread out. His breathing had gone slow and thick, a warning that he was about to be unconscious, but Ruari’s hand closed over both his wrists. His pulse stayed slow under Ruari’s thumb.

“Up,” Ruari said, and pulled.

Cassian went dead weight. Every muscle in his body committed simultaneously to the act of becoming the heaviest object in London. “No, alpha.” He kept his eyes shut. “No more. I’m too tired.”

“Good lad. You say no to sex, and we don’t do it. That’s how it works.” He hauled Cassian upright with one arm. “But you can’t say no to food, so get your trainers on. It’s steak night at the Elgin.”

“I don’t want steak. I want to lie here and sleep.”