Everyone agreed and it turned out way better than she could’ve expected. A couple of the guys grumbled at first, but once she mentioned snacks, they were all in. Emma had to assure them that Kenna had been taken care of and show them the monitor attached to her hip. That wasn’t good enough for the Alphas. Bas went and put the intercom on so they all could hear if Kenna even took a deep breath. Dalton wanted them to bring the laptop out so that they could watch the little girl. Emma loved how taken they all were with her daughter.
After spiked, hot chocolate and more than a few gooey snacks, the men started opening up and sharing stories from their pasts. It was everything Emma had missed growing up. Hanging out with friends and telling stories might not seem like a big deal to most, but she’d never had the opportunity. So, to her, it was golden.
Emma was enjoying her first-ever, real campfire s’mores, cooked to gooey perfection over an open fire. The marshmallow was just warm and charred enough to cause the chocolate to melt in the most perfect way, dripping over the sides. Emma couldn’t resist licking the chocolaty goodness away, moaning from the decadent flavor exploding on her tongue.
Dalton was in hell. Emma was moaning over the sugary snack and using that little pink tongue to wipe away all the evidence. His cock was so hard, he was sure that his zipper would leave an imprint. He was entrapped by thoughts of what he really wanted that tongue to be doing. Hell, he would have no problem coating his body in melted chocolate if it got this kind of reaction from his mate. She didn’t even realize what she was doing to him, making it all the more erotic.
Dalton sat on the chaise lounge and pulled her in between his legs, covering them with a blanket; Emma enjoyed the security and comfort she felt, and his big hard body beneath hers. His hard body which was getting harder by the minute. Emma went to move away from his stiff length, but Dalton pulled her right back, moaning a soft, “No”.
Emma wasn’t sure what she’d done, but was giddy with the knowledge she affected him so much. She spent so much time wet and wanting lately, she was happy to have caused him a similar discomfort.
Bas was great at telling campfire stories and the other guys soon tried to outdo him. It was actually kind of funny because the other guys didn’t have the talent he did. After the campfire stories, everyone started talking about their favorite camping memories. when it was her turn. she startled.
“I only have one this one.”
“No little sister, a real camping story. Like getting stuck in the porta-john, or the prettiest place you have ever seen,” Bas teased, giving her a hard time.
“This is the most beautiful place I have ever seen.” Emma didn’t want to bring the mood down, so she didn’t go into it. The group looked a bit puzzled, but thankfully Bas had ended his line of questioning. This little party was going into her top 10 best memories. It shouldn’t have surprised her that Dalton once again sensed her thoughts and hugged her tighter, placing a kiss on Emma’s head, making the moment one of her top five best memories.
“Baby, look at me,” Dalton whispered, causing the hairs on her body to stand on end. This man affected her on a monumental level. Emma leaned back and stared into the blue depths.
“This is my favorite place, too, right here, holding you in my arms.” With those words, the moment made it to the top three. When the party was starting to wrap up, Ethan was the first to say his goodnights.
“Thanks, Emma, for a lovely time.” Looking to the group, he said, “We should do this more often. It’s nice to step away from our issues and enjoy a little downtime.”
“Oh, come on, dude,” Cash spoke up, “we all know where you’re headed. I think your issues are going to be taken out on some sub’s bottom pretty soon.”
Everyone laughed at the comment, and Emma felt a little out of the loop. Ryleigh was the next to give Ethan a hard time.
“Are you taking your special toy box or rather bag-o-Sultan of kinkland?”
“I think you all are trying to get me in trouble with Emma and share secrets,” Ethan answered with a shake of his head, turning to walk into the house.
Emma was curious about the interplay, but she also felt bad for Ethan. He was expressing his heartfelt compliment and thanks, but the others seemed more interested in embarrassing him. She didn’t know if she would ever get used to the relationship this group had. They were constantly ribbing and razzing each other. Never having had siblings, Emma felt kind of out of the loop and their actions, at times, seemed cruel. Emma didn’t like it and decided she would talk with Dalton about it when they were alone.
Shortly after Ethan left, everyone else made their excuses and said their goodnights. Dalton and Emma remained on the porch, cuddling. Emma couldn’t hold in her questions any longer.
“Dalton, why was everyone giving Ethan such a hard time about heading out?”
“Baby,” Dalton cleared his throat, “they weren’t giving him a hard time, just a razzing him a bit.”
“Why? What he does in his free time doesn’t affect the team or anyone else.”
Emma was feeling protective of the big man. She leaned forward, turning her head back so she could look Dalton in the eyes. She couldn’t figure out what everyone was talking about. Emma wasn’t that naïve, after all, she cleaned his room. The man had a sex toy collection that could rival any store. Not to mention, he owned more leather clothing than was probably necessary. Emma read a lot and enjoyed erotic romance and BDSM. Damn, some of the thoughts those toys inspired had caused more than a few panty changes. Rubbing her thighs together to relieve the aches, Emma squirmed in the lounge. Dalton moaned, pulling her closer.
“Maybe I’m not used to the family dynamic, but the jibes made me feel uncomfortable for him.”
Emma’s scent was driving him crazy. Damn, if she didn’t stop squirming soon, he was going to come in his pants like a teenager. She was thinking of something which was making her arousal skyrocket, and he would have to kill Ethan if she’d been thinking of him. Emma was his, he wouldn’t accept her wanting anyone else.
“I’m sorry you felt that way, but I’m sure it wasn’t what Cash or Ryleigh intended. But baby, what were you thinking about? Your scent changed and it wasn’t because of how Rye and Cash treated Ethan.”
Emma knew her face was beet red. She’d never put it together before. All of those times she’d been drenched from wanting Dalton, he knew; he could smell it, his bear could smell it. Damn, if he could, then the guys could, too; how mortifying.
“Um I…” Emma stuttered. She never stuttered. Should she just come out with it? Tell him what she’d been thinking from the very beginning? Let him know how much she wanted him, had been dreaming about him? Let him know that she wouldn’t mind him using a few of those toys she seen on her? No, she wasn’t ready yet, but soon. Soon she wouldn’t be able to hold it back. She wanted Dalton and she wanted him bad.
“It’s really not hard to figure out that Ethan is heading to a club, specifically a sex club,” she said, avoiding his question. “I clean his room, have been for several weeks now. Cash mentioned subs and Ryleigh was talking about his toy bag. I haven’t been living under a rock, Dalton, I get that Ethan’s into the whole ‘scene’. I have never once seen him riding a motorcycle, so I figured all the leather has to do with something. I also know that he’s the team’s Weapons Specialist, but I can’t imagine any of you fighting with floggers and crops. He has quite an impressive collection of them.”
“Oh, really, my little pixie, why don’t you tell me what you know about the whole scene.” Dalton pushed Emma forward on the lounge, and she turned to meet his eyes.
Emma thought, well, avoidance was definitely not her answer. Embarrassed, she sat there looking at Dalton, imagining the possibilities. Could she have this conversation with him now before they even had their first real kiss? Could she tell him all her deep dark fantasies? Wanting to say so much, but unable to find the words.
Dalton could smell Emma’s arousal, but he could also sense her unease
, maybe she wasn’t ready for this conversation.
“Shit baby, listen, we’re all dominant, it’s the nature of the beast. But Ethan’s kink is a bit more severe. He goes to a club not too far from here that caters to his specific needs. It's private and personal, and no one cares, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to give him a hard time about it. It’s the way we are.”
Emma was still caught up in her head imagining Dalton in the “scene”, dressed in tight leather pants, with his ripped chest on display, demanding she kneel before him. The throb in her lower region was insistent now, making her squirm.
“What about you, Dalton, how do you feel about what Ethan does?”
It seemed his Emma might not be as wholesome as he thought.
“Damn, okay. Either because of my bear or the man I am, I’m extremely dominating in everyday life. But also, sexually, baby. My animal nature would require my partner to submit to me in every way in the bedroom. I would never hurt you, only bring you pleasure. I can’t help my need to dominate.”
Emma smiled to herself. Dalton actually thought him being dominant was a surprise to her. Maybe his animal senses weren’t that great after all. Biting her bottom lip, feeling shy, she wanted to shock her big bad bear.
“Are you going to whip out a contract and ask me to go over my hard and soft limits?” Emma said, licking her lips. “I can tell you right away, golden showers or similar things are way out of the question. I also don’t think there’s anything remotely sexy about blood play. No knives, needles, or anything close will ever turn me on. I do know that humiliation would have an adverse effect on me. Call me a slut or a cunt will get you will get punched. Normal toys, a little slap and tickle, and bondage with silk scarves, now those are some things I could get behind,” Emma said with a laugh.
She knew that she was trying to make light of something Dalton seemed to be so tense about, but damn, this wasn’t the conversation she thought she would be having tonight or any night for that matter.
Damn, that little pink tongue was getting to him.
“Oh honey,” Dalton laughed, adjusting his hips, “I think we’re going to have a lot of fun.” Dalton was shocked. He never expected Emma to know about BDSM. To him, she was sweet, almost innocent. He would’ve tried to be the gentle lover he expected her to need and want, but he didn’t know if he had it in him. That was one of the reasons that he’d been holding back. Dalton wasn’t hardcore into the lifestyle like Ethan was, but he loved to play and it looked like his innocent little Emma wasn’t as innocent as he might have thought.
Her face was flushed and her words and gestures were getting more animated as their conversation went on. He would have to thank Cash and Ryleigh for the opening. His little pixie was full of surprises. She might have been a bit shy at first, but damn, she certainly threw out all the stops; scat and blood play, what the hell? She had more than a basic knowledge of kinky and that turned him the fuck on. Content to listen to her for a while, he sat back and relaxed while she continued.
“I’ve never experimented much, but some of the stuff I’ve read has excited me. I’ve always liked the thought of the man taking control. Can’t we just see what happens? I don’t have a problem submitting to you sexually. I don’t want it to feel like a game or, I don’t know, artificial. I have a ton of questions. I think it would be for the best if you laid out what you expect of me.”
“Shit, baby, I think I’m kind of blowing this,” Dalton laughed. “No, I’ll not be whipping out a contract. If you don’t like something I do to you, tell me and ‘NO’ will always stop me. If you want a safe word, we can talk about that, but I think that’s down the line, once we know each other better and you trust me fully. I don’t expect high protocol ever, but I can say that the thought of seeing you kneeling at the end of the bed naked waiting for me definitely turns me on. I was more worried that my dominance would put you off, not all the other stuff.” Laughing, he included, “I’m also glad to hear that scat and blood play are of no interest to you.”
Emma squelched her nose. To each their own, but she was never going there.
Emma settled back into him and Dalton felt like he could rule the world. His Emma had a kinky side and the idea of his dominance didn’t freak her out. he’d been afraid, holding back for several weeks because he didn’t know how to approach Emma, giving her time to heal and accept him. The small touches and kisses had been driving him crazy. He dreamed of more, but was so afraid that her experiences in the past would hinder that. He thought his actions in the bedroom would cause her more harm than good. He wasn’t too big-headed to realize he might have been wrong. This conversation seemed to be exactly what they needed to clear the air. Maybe they could move forward in their relationship now.
“I want you to know, I never want to hurt you, but I will spank your luscious ass if you get out of line. You have earned quite a few of those recently,” he said, tickling her side.
Dalton’s declaration made sitting still almost impossible. Emma wanted to feel his hand on her ass. She liked his dominant nature.
“What I can tell you is the thought of you dominating me has my panties wet.”
Dalton had to adjust himself hearing those words. Emma was wet and it was for him. That made all of it worth it. He never dreamed of having this type of conversations with her before they even got past second base, but his relief and excitement were palpable. Emma snuggled closer and Dalton felt her tense.
“I’m willing to try, but are you prepared to accept it if I don’t like kinky sex and only want vanilla? That is the real question, Dalton.”
Ah, Emma still didn’t trust him completely. Talking about sex was easy, but talking about emotions was quite another thing. Emma had no idea how far gone he was for her. He loved her heart, soul, and all that shit. He tried to show that in his actions and gestures, but obviously, he’d failed. His Emma needed the words, and he promised to say them soon. Deciding to broach that topic later, he decided they needed to finish this topic first and maybe start building their lives together.
“Baby, our sex life will never be entirely vanilla. Do you think missionary every day would keep you interested?”
“Well, Dalton, considering that my only experience to draw on lasted all of thirty seconds several years ago, I can’t answer that question,” Emma snarked playfully, but kissed him soft and sweet to take away the sting.
Dalton didn’t like the idea of Emma being with anyone but him, and his bear hated it even more. Yeah, that part of the conversation definitely needed to end. He was too aroused and he could tell Emma was too.
Chapter 38
Emma’s kiss had both surprised and pleased him, but he knew they still needed to talk about a few things. He also knew nothing would happen tonight, she was still healing. So, it was time to douse the fires, literally. She needed to get cleared by Mia before he could make love to her. He hated to admit it, but he also needed to hold off, so he could gain more control. If he made love to her right now, it would be rough and hard, not sweet and slow like he wanted their first time to be, like he felt Emma deserved. He would pleasure her to the point, no other would ever do. That was what he wanted. As it was, he was locked and loaded. He needed her to understand that what they had was more than lust. The kissing and touching needed wait a bit longer, even if it fucking killed him.
He hadn’t yet talked with her about becoming a mated pair; he wanted Emma to know everything before they took the next step in their relationship. He wanted Emma so badly that cold showers and self-pleasure weren’t going to hack it any longer. Damn! He was so hard, it hurt. Sitting on the lounger with her wrapped in his arms, he was somewhat in control and decided now was the time to lay all his cards on the table.
“Emma, we need to talk.”
Oh, those dreaded words; she wanted to kiss and touch, not talk. Emma’s brain went right to worst case scenario mode, her thoughts running wild. He wanted to sleep with her, but nothing more. He didn’t feel anything but friendsh
ip for her. He was gay; yeah, that was reaching, the man was definitely not gay. Dalton caught on to her thoughts pretty quick and the man had the nerve to laugh.
“Baby, do you want to tell me what just went on in that mind of yours?” all
“No.” Emma said, shaking her head, in full pout mode, lip out and all. Trying to regain her composure, she sat rigidly in his arms. Rubbing her neck and shoulders Dalton attempted to reassure Emma.
“I want to talk, but I want to hold you while I do.” He skillfully arranged her stiff body where he wanted it and then he started talking. “Baby, I need you so badly it hurts, but we have to wait. I know it sucks, but you’re still healing, and damn, for my sanity, I need to make sure you’re going to be alright if we go any further, please understand. I’m not a small man, honey, and right now, I want you so badly, I couldn’t go slow. I’m afraid I could hurt you and that’s something I never want to do.”
Emma knew Dalton’s concerns were coming from a loving place, but damn it, she truly didn’t give a crap right now; she was horny and really wanted to continue with what they had been doing. Did he really need to mention how big he was? She’d been fantasizing for months, his being large only added fuel to her fire.
Dalton held her more tightly; he needed her to stop squirming. He wanted to relieve her ache, as he wanted her to relieve his, but this needed to be said.
“I have been trying to give you the time and space you need to heal, so that we might be able to take this to the next level. I don’t want to do anything that would impede the progress you’ve been making or send you mixed signals. I want everything between us to be crystal clear from the beginning.”
NAC & The Holly Group - Box set: Alpha Team Page 52