9781618854704HolidayGemBeckNC Read online

  “Madden, this is Gemma.”

  “Gemma, it’s good to hear your voice. I’m sorry we’ve thrown off your plans. Layla tells me you dislike that but it couldn’t be helped. We’re going to get you home for the Winter Solstice. It is my vow,” Madden’s softened voice surprised Seamus but no more than what Gemma said next.

  “Thank you, Madden. It seems my need for so much stability might not be so strict now that I am mated,” Gemma paused to smile at Seamus and look around at the others standing silently in the room, “And as much as I don’t want to be away from Seamus, he needs to go on this mission. We will be okay for fifty-two hours without feeling the effects of not exchanging blood.”

  Madden sighed. Seamus sighed. Of course his mate would know such things. Goddess, he loved this woman. Fuck. Seamus loved his mate. Having sensed his revelation, Gemma squeezed his hand and smiled at him before she continued, “He needs to do this. I fully understand the risk, Madden, and I am requesting this on behalf of my mate.”

  Madden sighed louder this time. Seamus knew he was going to acquiesce to her wishes. “I see it isn’t just my mate with these special persuasive skills. Very well. You both understand the risk so we’ll proceed.”

  “Thank you again, Madden,” Gemma’s voice was sugary sweet and left Seamus beaming as his mate wrapped his boss around her finger, “Please send hugs to my sister for me. I’m going to find these men something to eat while you make your plans.” Gemma kissed Seamus’ cheek and floated out of the room. His mate was amazing. She’d need to teach him how to get his way with Madden someday.

  “Alright then. Look at your screens as Caedon flashes up what we’ve been able to see.” Madden shifted the focus onto the mission and the men got busy planning.

  “Nicolaus will stay back with Gemma.” Nicolaus rolled his eyes as Madden spoke, “Don’t think that’s a light assignment, Nic. As more of the sisters find mates, there’s been rumors building about the prophecy. Soon we’ll be likening them to celebrity in our society. We’ve tried to minimize any talk from here. All Sinsters have been asked not to share the news outside their close circle.”

  “Gotcha, boss. I’m good,” Nicolaus confirmed.

  “Can I suggest expediting the mission by Seamus flying us mid-way? Then we’ll drive the rest of the route,” Gage suggested. Seamus nodded his head in approval. Gage, the youngest of the three Santucci sons, tended to take orders well but didn’t often speak up. Seamus was impressed he’d engaged.

  “Good idea, little bro,” Madden agreed.

  “Okay, guys. I’ve got the tracker on Donovan placing him in a small village just over the mountain from where he’d been left. All vitals register healthy. Nothing unusual to explain what happened,” Caedon gave the details he pulled from his digital readout.

  “Good news is that he still has that chip implant,” Seamus said.

  “Remind me to give Caedon a raise someday for having each of us implanted with these chips. Here I thought he was just being paranoid after finding out his parents had been kidnapped,” Madden added.

  “Anything significant about the village he’s in?”

  “Nothing. However, my connection at the CIA is cross-referencing. We need to give him a few hours,” Caedon informed the team. “I’m signing off but let’s touch base before you roll out.”

  “Then the plan is to leave when the sun sets tonight. We’ll meet up via links before you roll out. I’m off.” Madden disconnected and the three men standing in the makeshift office were silent as they each weeded through the intel.

  * * * *

  Gemma watched Seamus sneak into her room. She knew they had some time before he had to leave. The men had filled her in over lunch. Gemma wanted to think of nothing else but Seamus for the next few hours. She saw how distracted he was. His tension radiated outward; the negative energy wasn’t going to help him on his mission.

  “Lie down and I’ll give you a massage,” she instructed him.

  “You don’t need to…” Gemma cut him off, pointing a finger at him and then placing her hands on her hips before she explained.

  “Seamus, let’s get something straight right now. I know I never have to do anything. I know you will never command me to do anything. That’s why I am willing to choose to do things for you. Got it?”

  Seamus grinned and nodded his head. Then he took his shirt off. Not able to stand still a moment longer, Gemma moved towards him and crushed herself against him. She felt his arousal through his jeans. She couldn’t wait to get her hands on him. First, she’d start with his chest which was exposed to her touch. Seamus’ skin was smooth like fine velvet. The muscle underneath rippled as she drew her fingertips along his torso. Then she guided him to the bed but before she could press him down, he unbuttoned his jeans and dragged them down his legs. Gemma was aware he could have simply used his powers to remove them and appreciated that this was for her benefit. She watched as he slowly revealed his long, muscular legs. Twisting her fingers, Gemma waited. When at last he was completely naked, she pounced. Her legs went up and around his waist as she threw her whole body at him and knocked him down onto the bed.

  “Gotcha,” she playfully called out as she sat astride him.

  Quicker than she could see, Seamus flipped her and laid his body on hers stretched out limb to limb. “Gotcha,” he mimicked.

  “Let me care for you. Please let me give you this,” Gemma implored him. Seeing she needed to do this for him, Seamus raised himself onto his knees and crawled to the center of the bed where he lay down on his stomach. Gemma was once again grateful for this amazing mate. The trust he gave her filled her with confidence.

  She took her lotion from the bedside table, smoothed it in her hands and began massaging it into the tight muscles along his shoulders. She grinned when Seamus let out a deep moan. Adding more lotion to her hands, Gemma embraced this time Seamus allowed her to care for him. She had the feeling it would often be the other way around. Her mate was a caregiver. She smiled recalling how well he’d taken care of her yesterday.

  Once she’d come to the bottom of his back and began massaging the beautifully sculpted globes of Seamus’ ass, his moans deepened further. In a quick movement, he rolled over and pulled her down against him. His lips found her jawline first and kissed their way down her neck. Seamus scraped his teeth against her throat, teasing at her vein, and a rush of intense need stole her ability to think. Gemma’s body grew warm. She wanted nothing between them and began tugging at her clothing.

  “Allow me, beautiful.” With a simple thought, Seamus removed her clothes.

  Gemma lay naked next to him. Her nipples instantly grew more sensitive and the stiff little buds begged for attention as Seamus ran his hands along her belly, the sides of her breasts and never quite touching where she needed him. Her mate loved to play. He enjoyed teasing her. But right now, she needed more and his teasing was driving her crazy.

  “Seamus, please stop teasing,” Gemma pleaded.

  “I like to tease. I find it’s rather fun to do with you,” Seamus leaned in to speak into her ear. His breath tickled her sensitive skin and caused her to shiver.

  Continuing his leisurely exploration as if she’d never spoken, Seamus stroked the swell above her breasts lightly with his fingertips. Gemma tried to adjust her position so his hands would find the right place on her body. She was insane with need for her mate. Fully aware he was purposefully playing with her, Gemma wanted to show him she could play as well. Her life had been always so serious but Seamus made her want to be fun.

  Yet knowing he would soon be away from her increased her need to be close with him. She needed a memory to hold onto when he was away. Feeling his gentle touches here, there, everywhere, and never knowing where to expect them forced all of Gemma’s attention on the moment. Forgotten was all the trouble surrounding them, especially worries over the mission on which Seamus would soon leave. The only focus was on Seamus’ touch. Gemma could hear her own labored breaths as she concentrated
on the feeling he was drawing from her. Finally, his mouth came closer to her chest. Gemma’s heart rate kicked up when she felt his breath against her moist skin.

  “Good, beautiful. Just feel,” Seamus spoke in between gentle bites to the upper swells of her breasts. He nipped and licked without touching her nipples until her skin was so sensitive Gemma nearly screamed in aggravation.

  “Seamus, you are not playing fair. You know I want more. Give it to me. Please,” Gemma begged for his touch, completely unashamed. She absolutely didn’t care about anything but having Seamus’ mouth on her nipples. Her infuriating mate knew this and still he refused her. What was this game? And how could she get even? Gemma grinned at a thought and waited for her moment of revenge.

  “Is this what you want?” Seamus asked right before he ran the tip of his tongue over her straining nipples. Gemma pressed her pelvis against him, rubbing along his thick shaft as he continued to torment her nipples with gentle strokes. Now she needed more again. Gemma wanted a deeper touch. Seamus brought this desire out of her. Goddess, what this man could do to her. He brought out her greed for something entirely different. She was greedy for him because she absolutely adored him and hoped that would never change.

  “I smell your need, beautiful.” Seamus’ voice was rough and his nostril flared as he took a deep breath. Then he tugged at each of her nipples in turn while he watched her face. Gemma could see he was now fighting his own need now to keep their joining slow this time. But she didn’t want slow. She wanted to push him to the edge, to see his intensity in full force. Gemma wanted every bit of her mate.

  Slinking his way lower, Seamus pushed Gemma’s knees open and made room to spread himself out and place his face at her core. He blew out a breath and cooled her warm folds. Gemma arched up as the cool air moved across her core and the sensation rippled up in a direct line to her tender nipples. Gemma held her head forward, fighting to keep from throwing her head back, to watch Seamus’ eyes as he looked at this most intimate part of her.

  “You are beautiful everywhere,” Seamus’ voice filled with reverence, “And now I have to taste you.” Seamus’ words shot through her as his fingers brushed along the outsides of her folds. He held her legs apart with his shoulders as he used his fingers to open her. The gentle strokes caused her to tremble.

  “Seamus, Oh Goddess, this is wonderful,” Gemma called out as she dug her fingers into his short hair. The tiny spikes tickled her fingers but she needed to keep him in place. Gemma wouldn’t let him stop now.

  “It’s about to get better.” Seamus dropped his tongue to follow along the path his fingers took, drawing the moisture up along her core and around her clit. Gemma cried out at the intense vibrations shooting through her core. She moved against his hand, his tongue. A delicious friction from her thrusts nearly put her over the edge but Seamus pulled back enough for Gemma to calm.

  Seamus withdrew his fingers, bringing them up to his lips as he raised his head and focused his sight on Gemma. She saw her juices on his fingers just before he sucked them into his mouth. She never imagined such a thing; and she certainly wouldn’t have thought it would be this arousing to see Seamus with her juices in his mouth.

  He reached down again, his eyes remaining on her, and pumped those same fingers in and out of her core. Gemma’s back came off the bed when he stroked her clit with his thumb. Then he circled it until the friction caused her to squirm under his hold. Goddess, Gemma didn’t know if she could last through this game. She whimpered a plea for him to allow her to find her release.

  “Ssh,” Seamus soothed her reassuringly, “This is all part of the pleasure. Don’t be in such a rush to find the end. Just feel.” Seamus slowed his touches but still didn’t stop as he spoke to her. His persistence made her want to scream.

  And this time when his fingers pressed into her and he rubbed his thumb across her clit, Gemma was overtaken by her orgasm. Lights burst around her and Gemma had exactly what she wanted. Her eyes rolled back in her head as she rested it back on the bed without a care in the world. Seamus lightly massaged her legs as he brought them into a comfortable position. The room was silent as they both waited for Gemma’s breathing to return to normal.

  Chapter Five

  “Ready for round two?” Seamus knew his words and his teasing tone immediately caught Gemma’s attention. She was suddenly alert, her exhaustion from her release left behind. He watched from his position sitting next to her as she lifted her head to look up at him wearily. Her eyes darkened with the intensity from her desire. They were nearly red, a hot cinnamon. She was truly his match.

  “What do you have in mind?” Gemma sounded cautious but curious.

  “I’ll go easy on you, I promise,” Seamus grinned.

  “I didn’t ask for easy.”

  “What is it you want then?”

  “I want everything you can give me.” Seamus’ cock thickened unbearably tighter when Gemma followed up her statement by licking her lips. Her sweet and innocent smile was his undoing.

  Seamus picked Gemma up from the bed and held her in his arms as he turned to sit against the pillows and placed her on top of his lap. Gemma straddled his hips and he used his hands on her hips to pull her along his cock until it sat fully inside her. Then he stilled her.

  “Gemma, you are my mate, my treasure, and I give you everything I am. Ti voglio molto bene.” Seamus remained purposely still while he talked to her. He simply wanted to feel himself surrounded by her heat.

  Gemma’s eyes shone with tears. Seamus knew he’d never been this serious with her before. He needed to open himself fully to her before he went away. Leaving a mate is opposite anything a Valendite Breed is taught. He wanted to treasure her, keep her safe and lavish her with attention. So early in the mating, they should be together nearly always.

  Gemma’s voice broke when she finally responded to his declaration. “I love you too, Seamus. I think you are everything I didn’t realize I needed.”

  Kissing her tears from her face, Seamus laughed, “I’m going to choose to take that as a compliment.” Then he lifted her slightly and brought her back down onto his cock.

  “Yes,” Gemma called out at the sudden unexpected friction.

  “Now onto the matter between us,” Seamus said as he raised his eyebrows and grinned. “I want us to drink from each other while I fuck you. Just. Like. This.” With each of his last words, he drove himself deep inside her core.

  Sparks of bold colors ignited above their bodies as Gemma moved up and down on Seamus’ lap. He knew she was ready to explode. Her tiny hands reached up to hold onto his shoulders as he brought his lips down, first to suck on one nipple and then the other. He drew the pebbled tip firmly into his mouth. With each sucking motion, Gemma’s inner muscles grabbed onto his shaft harder.

  Gemma cried out as her flesh quivered with her arousal. When Seamus tilted his head to the side, she latched on instinctively and he sighed in delight. This was new for her and Seamus had wondered how his mate would take to his blood. He needn’t have worried. With just a few attempts to pierce his skin, Gemma found what she was seeking. His blood slid between her lips and down her throat like an elixir. Her sucking pulls setting his skin on fire from the inside. Seamus needed to bite into her. He needed to taste her while she drew from him.

  Seamus’s sharper teeth sunk easily into Gemma’s flesh. Smoothly, he drew out her blood while resisting the urge to take too much. He was certain his eyes were glowing as they met hers with a hunger that spoke volumes about their connection. Their bond had been formed, and sure enough, as he thought it, Gemma heard it. Seamus was having a conversation with his mate inside his head. Just as his parents had once told him, but still it was so much like a miracle to him. Her confused thoughts came to him in a rush from inside her head.

  She spoke through his mind, “It’s an ability I was fairly certain we would have but was afraid to hope for.”

  Never having someone inside his head before, it was slightly unnerving.
Gemma had at least experienced this with her sisters. Blended with the sizzling sensation of flow-one from the other-was stronger than any sexual experience Seamus had ever had. He felt truly bonded in every way now. They would always be close no matter their distance. He’d ask more questions later. For now, he was going to experience this new bond to a higher level.

  They each slowed their drinking and lapped hungrily at each other’s necks while Seamus placed his hands at her sides and used what remained of his strength to bring her up and down his cock. He paused and looked down to where their bodies joined before he pushed in slowly, inch by inch, and could feel himself stretch her tiny channel. They were a perfect fit. His cock was thick and her newly discovered muscles hugged him tight. Goddess, he felt ten times bigger when he thought of being her first.

  “Talk to me while we do this. Tell me how you feel,” Seamus spoke inside his head.

  Gemma raised her head from his neck and gave him a shy smile of innocence. “I don’t know how to describe what I feel. It’s so new to me and it’s not like anything,” she paused in her thoughts to take in his down stroke, “It’s not like anything I’ve ever known.”

  She shifted and surprised herself by then taking him in deeper. Her gasp delighted Seamus. Fuck, he was a smug bastard and he knew it. “Sorry,” Seamus spoke aloud. Then he went silent again, relying on his thoughts, “You take the lead so I’m sure it feels good for you.”

  Gemma grabbed onto his arms for support and adjusted so she was sitting higher on Seamus, her legs closed a bit more. “Are you large?”

  “I’d like to say so but I guess I’m the right size for a Valendite Breed.”

  “No comparing in the locker room?” Gemma teased and Seamus laughed.

  “Sorry. Perhaps I can organize a line-up. Maybe call in the guys now?”

  “No,” Gemma answered aloud, alarmed until she saw Seamus’s grin. Fuck if he’d let another man see his mate like this in all her beautiful naked glory. He laughed at her large eyes and then shifted his hips to push in firmly again.