9781618854704HolidayGemBeckNC Read online

  “Gemma’s on her way down,” Seamus told the men, both present and over the connection. “I won’t hide anything from her but let’s try not to scare her. Got it?”

  Grunts of agreement followed. This had turned into a dangerous mission and much depended on it if what Caedon had dug up was right. Already Lucas and Granger were on their way. Caedon and Madden would be following shortly, leaving behind only the Santucci security to watch over the compound hidden within the Santucci Vineyards. Of course, Valentino, Madden’s father, as well as Anton would be there should anything happen, but all their instincts said the battle would be played out in the small town of Pontedra, Italy. Having the full TEU team on the mission clearly spoke to that potential danger.

  “We have a solid plan,” Lucas, the second-in-command spoke, “with the intel gathered overnight by Caedon, we’ve been able to determine an exact location and watch for movement.”

  “We know there are currently at least twenty men in the building with Donovan. And we got a definite sighting of Van. He’s unharmed and just like we thought, it’s obvious they believe him simply a human.” Caedon’s fingers tapped on his keyboard while their monitors flashed different photos of the men and Van exiting a dirty truck and entering the run down building.

  Lucas focused them on their objective, “First priority is getting Van out. Seamus and Madden are taking point on that. Gage and Granger will be set in the sky with rifles trained on the location. Take any of the bastards out long-range on the go. Caedon will be our eyes and ears from the surveillance location. Nico and I will pull in first and take out anyone between us and Van before circling to clean up the scene.”

  Madden added to the instruction one final thought, “If Abdul-Nassir is present, kill him. And I want his body as proof.”

  Fuck, Madden was still furious at the man for using Layla as hostage. Nassir would be lucky if one of them got to him first. Madden wouldn’t kill him quickly. He heard an intake of breath at his neck and realized Gemma had snuck into the room. He reached around and pulled her onto his lap, breathed in her fresh scent and allowed himself to relax a bit.

  While Seamus listened to Caedon, he also took in her clothing. She wore stretchy leggings with a large mens’ shirt. He liked seeing the shapely curves of her legs but wondered about the shirt.

  “Who’s shirt?” Seamus asked with an arched brow. He was certain he didn’t hide his disapproval.

  “Mine. I like big shirts over leggings. It’s comfortable.” Gemma shrugged.

  Seamus smiled then. “Good. You can borrow some of mine anytime you want. I think I’d like seeing you in my shirts.”

  “Wait a minute. That’s what that look was for a minute ago. You thought I was wearing another man’s shirt?”

  Nicolaus covered his laugh with a cough. Seamus was smart enough to look contrite. “Well, I – I,” Seamus stuttered.

  “Don’t even bother. I love even this possessive side of you,” Gemma spoke against his lips before she surprised him with a soft kiss.

  Then their focus was back on the monitors as new information began streaming live on the screens in front of them. Caedon had collected any data TEU or the CIA ever had on Abdul-Nassir and some of it they’d never seen before. Now that they knew these were connected, Caedon was piecing the situation together and suddenly the random acts were making better sense.

  “Okay. That’s all from our end for now. Madden and I are scheduled out of here in two hours. We’ll meet the team on location. Everyone in position at twenty-two hundred hours.” Caedon disconnected and the energy in the room dipped. For a long time, no one spoke.

  Seamus stroked Gemma’s back as she sat curled in his lap. He continued reading from his screen but was so grateful she was here with him. Being away from her during this period of Acclimation had been a risk for both of them. As their new bond grew, they needed to be near one another and to drink from each other as often as possible. Just the short time Seamus was away the past few days was already upsetting the balance of their blood levels.

  Seamus kissed the top of her head. “I have to finish reading this information and then I’m all yours. We’ll have some breakfast and then find our way back to bed.” He thought he’d spoken soft enough but by the groans he got from Gage and Nicolaus, he guessed they’d heard. Gemma giggled and sat up to look at him.

  She placed her tiny hand against his cheek and gave him a smile that lighted his world. Her eyes remained sad though, and his likely mirrored the sentiment. Saying goodbye to her for another day would be painful, but he’d prepare her again as he’d done before he left the last time. Seamus could feel through their bond that Gemma was afraid; not for herself, but for him. She was aware that this mission was far more dangerous than the first. And he couldn’t do anything to reassure her but to remind her that the Valendite Breeds were stronger than anything they would come up against.

  * * * *

  When Gemma had sensed Seamus in the house, instant relief had flooded her. She was anxious to get downstairs to see him. Her hands trembled even now as Seamus’ emotions mixed with her own in an amazing symphony of relief. Here in his arms, she knew he was safe. Thank the Goddess, her mate was safe.

  After the conference with TEU finished and he held her in his arms while he continued reading, she couldn’t stop herself from touching him. When she placed her hand on his cheek and he smiled down at her, she kissed him with all the need that had built while he was away. Gemma needed Seamus and she couldn’t seem to hold it back. Once she’d had that one kiss-that single touch-she couldn’t get enough. Despite being in front of Nicolaus and Gage, Gemma demanded his attention. She licked at his lips until he gave in, picked her up and walked out of the room with her in his arms.

  “We’ll join you for dinner before we need to head out.” Seamus spoke to the other men before marching them directly back to her room. Gemma was now more than pleased with her clothing choice now – easy off, easy on.

  Placing Gemma onto the bed with a bounce, Seamus followed down immediately on top of her and took her lips. His lips were soft, a gentle touch against her mouth with no insistence, none of the quick heat she’d become used to with Seamus. It was a tender and reassuring kiss. She felt their connection pull and their thoughts touch as the relief he was in her arms again washed through her. Gemma’s body melted against him and absorbed everything Seamus gave to her.

  When he pulled away, there was a furrow between his eyes. “What do you need, beautiful?”

  “You. Just you, Seamus,” Gemma responded. She watched him through her lowered lashes for a reaction and returned his smile when she saw him grin from ear to ear. Seamus’ smile never failed to make her feel treasured.

  “I can tell by the look on your face, you have no idea what a compliment you just paid me. No woman has simply wanted me and nothing else without another agenda,” Seamus stroked his fingers through her hair, massaging her head before using his grip to tilt her head to the side and expose her neck. He ran his index finger up and down her throat. “I need to drink from you.”

  “Yes,” Gemma answered in a breathy voice as she tilted her head even further. His words settled over her and she wanted to show Seamus she gave freely to him. She belonged to him now. Goddess, she truly was his.

  As if reading her thoughts, Seamus spoke into her mind, “You are mine, beautiful Gemma, my Snow White.” He ran his lips against the skin of her neck and she shivered.

  “Yours, Seamus,” Gemma replied as he held her head still with his hands in her hair. She whimpered ever so softly at his tightened grip on her hair. His hunger pounded in his blood and through their bond.

  Seamus leaned into her neck to breathe in her lavender fragrance. He scraped his teeth up and down her neck and across her shoulder before finding that perfect spot over her life-sustaining vein. Then he growled as he sank his teeth into her neck without preamble. His need was simply that great. Gemma could feel it inside him and it thrilled her. Seamus’ need to reconnect with he
r was as great as her own desire. The deep pulls caused all thought to vanish.

  Gemma’s body trembled under the touch of his tongue as he lapped along her skin. He drank deeply and as he swallowed her blood, she couldn’t hold back her moans of pleasure. She rubbed herself against him to try to relieve the pressure she felt at her core, but with every thrust, she only burned for more. She knew they were both at the point of explosion when he finally released his suction, moved to nibble on her lips, and then used his tongue to soothe the sting. There was no holding back her moans of pleasure as they continued to drown out even her own thoughts. Gemma gave herself enthusiastically over to her mate. Never again would he feel unwanted.

  Gemma felt his muscles in his upper chest bulge as he shifted her and stood. He removed first, her clothes and then his own with nothing but a thought. His intuitive Valendite powers were damn sexy. Combined with his physical strength, he had to be unstoppable. The thought that he could overpower her thrilled her. Knowing he made her feel safe. Seamus looked down on her with his normally glassy green eyes, now clouded over with lust. Gemma’s body shook in anticipation of what was to come. She needed the connection being skin-to-skin gave them.

  Taking in his corded body as he stood before her, Gemma couldn’t resist looking down at his long cock. It was leaking pre-cum. The thought made her instinctively lick her top lip. And damn the man but he noticed and grinned. Seamus brought his hand to his shaft and fisted it. He moved his fist up and down with a force that made Gemma think of him inside her. Then he slowed and she noticed his breathing was nearly as ragged as her own breaths.

  Gemma moved to the edge of the bed and found her way to his cock. She surrounded it with her warm mouth, slowly brought it in and out of her mouth and massaged his sack with her fingers. She pushed forward to bring his cock more fully into her mouth, allowing it to touch her throat so she could swallow around the head. Gemma wanted Seamus to lose control. She wanted to be the one to cause it.

  Bringing his cock fully out, Gemma smiled up at him. She licked her lips and looked up at him from under her thick lashes. Gemma had definitely found something she very much enjoyed doing, especially as she watched Seamus lose his control and melt into her touch.

  “I want you to come in my mouth,” she said with a deep, sexy voice that made his cock jump in her hand. “I love your taste.” She hardly recognized herself in this moment but she was feeling too good to be embarrassed.

  “Beautiful, I don’t want you to have to do that,” he said.

  “I won’t ever do anything I don’t want to do. I promise you. Now stop thinking and feel. Feel my emotions and you’ll know I want this as much as I can feel you want it,” Gemma said before she dipped her head again and took him completely into her mouth. Faster and faster, she pulled him in and then out of her mouth.

  Gemma admired his cock as she pulled him almost out of her mouth again, freeing the pulsing length of his erection. It was magnificent with thick veins ridged along the length and running around the fullness of his cock. It was warm to touch but made warmer still by her mouth. The steel hard shaft under a soft layer of skin felt like the richest velvet on her tongue.

  Seamus couldn’t fight her anymore-what man would-and released the control over his body. In this moment, he belonged to her. She reveled in the power of the act as she watched him throw his head back in pleasure. Gemma felt the muscles in his thighs quiver. She would make certain he didn’t regret allowing her this moment.

  Using her tongue on the underside of his cock, Gemma found a sensitive spot that made him groan in pleasure each time she stroked it. She used it to work him into an erotically pleasing frenzy. As his moans grew louder, she began rhythmic pulls on his shaft and she knew he was reaching his orgasm. She continued to take him deep, savoring the taste of him, the feel, and the sounds. In this moment, he was everything that surrounded her.

  Seamus had another idea and pulled himself out of her mouth. “Let me come on your breasts. I want to mark you.”

  Unsure and not able to fully understand, Gemma simply nodded her head and watched him. His eyes now nearly glowed yellow. Gone was her fun-loving mate and in his place was this sexual beast holding back and doing everything he could to ease her. Seamus, even overcome with his own needs, took the time to be sure Gemma was comfortable. She saw his desire. She could nearly feel it in the air, but he put her first. Gemma liked it; she liked it a lot.

  Seamus grinned at her and gave more instruction, “Take my cock in your hands and stroke me hard like you watched me do to myself.”

  Gemma looked down at his shaft, grabbed it firmly and began moving her hands up and down. Seamus placed his hands over hers, sealing her fingers between his hard, steel shaft and his large warm hands. He pressed more firmly than she had and his head rolled back at the friction they were causing. A deep moan escaped him and Gemma wanted to shout to the Goddess above. Instead, she doubled her efforts, focused on bringing him to completion.

  “Fuck, beautiful, lean back. Lean back on your bottom and arch your back,” Seamus told her as he stepped away from her and pulled away from her hands. Gemma had only a moment to wonder why he’d moved away before she felt shots of warm, thick liquid hit her breasts.

  Her nipples tightened immediately and she kept her eyes locked on his as spurt after spurt covered her breasts. Seamus’ cock spasmed and he arched his back. He looked magnificent. He was laying claim and she couldn’t have been happier than in this moment they were sharing. Their desire overpowered everything that once made sense. Gemma was no longer worried about pleasing him. She simply knew she would.

  A stirring in the air began. Growing wisps of air grew thicker and hotter around them as their shared desire overtook them. She kneeled trembling. Even after his orgasm ended, he didn’t step away. Seamus grabbed each breast in his hand and rubbed them, massaging his cum into her skin. Moans of pleasure escaped her and the wind once again grew stronger.

  “Your powers are coming in quite strong,” Seamus commented as he touched her.

  “I can’t yet control them when my emotions are so high.”

  “I don’t mind in the least, beautiful.” Seamus grabbed onto her nipples then and put an end to the conversation. Gemma lost her concentration to the sharp sensations shooting from her nipples to her core. Without warning, her whole body convulsed. An orgasm sprung from nowhere and knocked her over as she panted and gulped for breaths.

  Seamus lifted her in his arms and brought her onto his lap. Gemma lay in his arms as she recovered, her fingers playing in the soft hair lightly covering the muscles in his arm.

  “How – how did you do that? You never even touched me,” Gemma asked. Seamus had floored her by that unexpected orgasm. Perhaps she should’ve done research on sex during all her years of study. She shook her head at how much she must not know. Then Gemma smiled when she thought about what a good teacher Seamus had proven to be.

  Seamus brushed her dampened hair from her face. “I can do a lot without ever touching that deliciously warm center of yours though I admit to still wanting a sample.” Seamus moved his hand from her stomach to her hips as he brushed by her center.

  Gemma pushed into his touch and Seamus chuckled, “Beautiful, I’m pretty certain you’re ready for more too.” He continued with a deeper massage. Gemma’s muscles grew relaxed and her eyes closed. Seamus gently pushed her legs open and moved his hand between her legs. He never touched where she needed him most, but rubbed along the outside of her folds. She moaned as sensation began to build again.

  “Yes, definitely ready,” Seamus’ voice came out deep again and his eyes darkened as he lifted his fingers that now glistened with her arousal. Then before Gemma realized what he was doing, Seamus flipped her over onto her stomach on the bed and was on top of her. He pulled her hips up to raise her ass into the air. She knew she was fully exposed to his view but the heat coursing through her body made it impossible for her to care about being so exposed. Then in a single quick movement,
he thrust deep into her.

  “Uh,” the groan escaped Gemma’s throat, “Seamus, you’re so deep.”

  Seamus paused. “Are you okay? Have I hurt you?” His voice was suddenly concerned and his muscles tense. Shit, she didn’t want him to stop.

  “No. No, I just-just feel you so deep,” Gemma stammered.

  “That’s what’s so good about this position.” Seamus placed one hand on her hip and the other on the back of her neck. “That and if I wanted to drink from you, this would be perfect.”

  “Yes,” Gemma groaned as Seamus shifted out and back in again, slowly inch-by-inch.

  “But you are going to drink from me this time, from my wrist,” Seamus explained, “It will be a game. I will continue fucking you like this for as long as you drink. But you have to come by the time you finish drinking.”

  “Or?”

  “Or what?”

  “What if I don’t come by then?”

  Gemma turned her head again to look back at him and saw a grin split his face before he answered, “Then you don’t come at all.”

  “This doesn’t sound like a fun game to me.”

  “Hush. You said you like when I’m playful. So let’s play,” Seamus answered before he drew his teeth across his wrist and placed it to her mouth. Colorful sparks from her elevated power level danced around her as she began to drink.

  That was the only encouragement Seamus needed. In the next moment, he pistoned in and out of her with a ferocity he’d never used on her before. Gemma reveled in the strength and power she felt in the act. He was her strength now. That’s what he brought to her and why she didn’t have to be so afraid, and felt so in control of everything around her. Gemma could finally relax and let her mate give her the extra strength she needed.

  Gemma grew slicker as she drank from Seamus and he continued his assault. His thrusts were so strong and focused. His sack slapped against her each time he moved in and his cock nearly slipped from her channel with every pull out. Seamus was a man with a mission and her orgasm was the reward. Each time she thought she was getting close, Seamus would slow his rhythm and she wanted to scream but his wrist blocked her mouth.