by Paloma Beck
“I want you to claim me. Just do it,” she assured him, already able to feel his emotions. Gage could feel her emotions as well and knew they weren’t near as certain as her words.
“But you—”
Amelia cut off his words by pressing her mouth to his. She didn’t want to talk, not anymore.
He pushed her away enough to speak, “Amelia, you still don’t know if you want to. I can’t force you.”
“Dammit, Gage. I think if we just do it, my anger will evaporate and I’ll be fine.” Even Amelia’s breathless voice was tinted with anger. As he stopped and looked at her to be sure, he saw she grew more frustrated. “What are you waiting for?”
“I can’t do this. Not with you like this.” Gage pushed away from her, frustrated and angry at himself. Nothing was going right.
Gage was nearly to the door when Amelia grabbed onto his arm and tugged him back. He pivoted to look at her, searching for any sign that she wanted him nearly as badly as she wanted him. What was wrong with him? Now he was getting angry. Damn, he wanted to punch something… or maybe there was another way to get out his aggression. Maybe his mate was right.
Before he could second-guess himself, Gage had Amelia in his arms. His long legs carried them back to the bed where he dropped her, only to follow. There was no stopping this now. She’d asked for it and she was going to get it. With a determined focus, Gage looked at Amelia and willed her clothes from her body.
“Not wasting time, beautiful,” he grinned down at her naked form. Fuck, she looked delicious and he was a man ready for a feast. Her legs were spread enough for him to see the wetness, telling him just how much she desired him. He growled as he brought his hands to her thighs and traced the lines of her muscles inward. He pushed her knees out and up to make room for his torso as he laid himself down.
“We’re bonded already. I can feel your emotions,” Amelia spoke in awe. “Oh Goddess, I don’t want to but I can’t help but want this, want you.”
“It’s more powerful than either of us. There’s no controlling it, only accepting it.” Gage answered her while he continued to take in the landscape of her body. She was all sweet curves and soft flesh, flawless skin beckoning to him. There wasn’t a blemish or freckle anywhere, with the exception of her marking as a woman of the Magdalena Circle, a small birthmark set right above the springy curls of her core. That was the mark that made her perfect for him, his perfect match, and his one true mate. Gage ran his hands along the sides of her torso, following the curves of her body as he learned the feel of her body.
“I’m going to touch you now. I know you want me. I also know you can’t help but fight it so do your best. I can handle it,” Gage watched her eyes as he talked, laying out his plan and trying to sound as confident as he wished he could be. He needed to make love to her, to claim her as his mate. Warmth radiated out from each part of his body touching hers. The energy between them where they touched caused tiny sparks.
He placed his fingers at the juncture of her thighs and stroked a finger downward. She was wet and he could smell her arousal. His nostrils flared as he took deep breaths, trying to control his next move. He allowed his eyes to flutter closed, savoring her. Never before had his senses been this intense.
Even as he continued to stroke, Gage leaned right into her ear, boxing her in with his arms on either side of her head to hold her steady. His body was aligned with hers from knees to chest. He spoke softly but had her undivided attention. “I might just even like it when you fight me, sweetheart.”
Amelia bucked against him at that, causing him to chuckle. Oh yea, he was going to enjoy his mate and the entire struggle that came with her. He couldn’t argue with the perfection of their mating. After all, his nickname with the guys had always been Wildfire. What else could he have ever expected in a mate but an equal blaze?
Amelia’s eyes burned up at him when she shook her head and then directed her stare at him. “I’m ready if you are.” The challenge was given. The game had begun.
Gage licked a path from her ear and down her throat. Her response was immediate as the heat from his lips seared through her senses. She returned his kiss with an intensity that encouraged him to deepen his touches further. Amelia was all his.
Her powers caused bursts of sparkling light to explode as he ran his tongue along her lips, pressing in demand for her to let him inside. Gage intended on being inside every part of her before this night ended. It felt right to hold her tight with his arms and insist she accept him. Her moans only confirmed what he suspected. This was what his mate needed.
Gage nipped at her upper lip and sucked at her lower one until he felt her core press up into him. Their kiss grew steadily deeper and his body ached for the release that was to come. He trailed his hands along the sides of her stomach, feeling her soft skin. No longer held in place, Amelia reached up to tug at the hem of his shirt. He pulled away just long enough to let her get his shirt off, but when she reached her hands down to his pants, he stopped her. No way would he last if there was nothing between them. His jeans stayed on.
Gage leaned back down and returned to feasting on her delicious pink lips before she could make another move that would undo him. His tongue pressed against her lips again, found her tongue, and challenged her for submission. A deep need to dominate her overtook him as he felt her struggle between relaxing into him and fighting the instinct.
Crushing himself against her, Gage felt his arousal align perfectly with her warm center. He breathed in her scent as he ran his lips along her jaw and down her neck. He scraped his teeth against her throat before taking a nip along that soft piece of skin on her shoulder. She shook and moaned, calling out his name, and damn if he didn’t feel ten feet tall. The waves of sensation he felt wash over her nearly stole his ability to think clearly.
Gage worked his way down as Amelia wiggled beneath him. Still keeping a reading of her emotions, he knew she wanted this. He might be pushing but she wasn’t truly resisting. He reached her nipples and stopped, savoring the sight before him. As he kissed and then blew on each nipple, stiff peaks cried out for attention. He took her breasts in his hands to massage them as he gently nibbled on each peak in turn. Amelia thrashed and sought a firmer touch. He could hear her labored, heavy breaths and knew he was pleasing her.
She began fumbling with his pants again so he took her hands and placed them over her head, held them down firmly, and paused to look her in the eye. “I’m not stopping long enough to look for supplies, so you sweetheart, are going to leave your arms right there above your head. We clear?”
Amelia nodded once and made a noise Gage could only describe as a whimper. A smile lit his face.
“Good girl. I’ll lead and you only need to follow,” Gage spoke to her in between gentle bites to the swells of her breasts. He continued to nip at her skin until Amelia shouted at him.
“Please. I just need you to do this. Be inside me already.”
Taking pity on her and feeling content that he’d pushed far enough, Gage stood, pulled down his jeans, and stepped out of them. He watched her look at him, her eyes running up and down his full height. He could tell she liked what she saw, but already he was too close to his release to stand there a moment longer. It was time to make the final play.
Gage bent his head and lapped his tongue once against her straining nipples. They were like berries in his mouth as he sucked on them. She tried to pull back but only succeeded in increasing the friction he inflicted upon her sensitive breasts.
Breathing through his nose as she did this, Gage became aware of the scent of her arousal. “I can smell your desire.”
Gage used both of his hands now to tug on her nipples while he watched her face for a reaction. She was fighting him, but the pleasure shown on her face was magnificent. He needed to take her quickly. Holding back a moan, he pivoted his pelvis and rubbed his cock against her. He felt the moistness of her center as he pressed closer and then spread her legs.
“Look at
me while I claim you,” his voice was rough with unspent desire.
Then in a single thrust, he entered her completely. Wasting no time, Gage immediately pulled out and pushed back inside her channel, setting a demanding rhythm. Using his hands underneath her buttocks, Gage lifted her slightly and brought her up against him so their cores pressed fully against one another.
“I want us to drink from one another like this. Ho bisogno di te. I need to be a part of you in every way possible.”
Amelia reacted with a shudder to his confession of his need for her in their native language. Her powers came to life and sparks of color burst around them as Amelia writhed beneath him, but offered no argument to his proclamation. She appeared as ready to explode as he was from the combination of shared sensations.
Gage leaned onto his knees for support and took her arms from above her head so she could hold onto his shoulders as he pulled her up. Without withdrawing from her, he set her above him so she sat on his thighs. The angle brought them deeper and allowed them to feed from one another.
His cock spasmed as her channel flexed around him, warm and moist. He was desperate for her. When she tilted her head to the side, he immediately latched on. He broke her tender skin and was awarded the prize. Amelia’s blood flowed between his lips and down his parched throat. It was true ambrosia, better than any blood he’d had. Goddess, this was the connection to her he needed. From here, he could make everything between them right. His mind was occupied by the possibilities when he felt her tiny blunt teeth work at his own flesh.
After a few lighter attempts, Amelia’s teeth sunk into his flesh and drew out short bursts of blood. Her brown curls tickled his skin where it streamed from her head. The pulls on his blood pushed him further with need. Already the erotic sensation of flow—one from the other—was stronger than any release he’d ever had with a normal woman.
Once Gage drank his fill and sealed the puncture wound, he grabbed onto her hips and used his strength to slide her up and down on his cock. He pumped ferociously and heard no complaints from Amelia. Sweat beaded on his forehead even as he tightened every muscle waiting to feel her explode so he could go with her.
They fit perfectly. His cock was snug. Her inner muscles contracted as they fought to make room for the intrusion. He knew she was full with him. He filled her completely which mirrored the fullness in his heart at having something all his own.
“Sweetheart,” Gage groaned with his teeth clenched. “Come for me now. Let’s come together.”
Amelia raised her head from his neck and it was the first moment he could recall locking eyes with her. She rotated her hips, grinding her pelvis into him. Her muscles tensed and then suddenly shook and in that single moment, Gage lost all illusion of being in charge. He simply let go.
“Yes. Oh Goddess, yes. You are mine,” he called out as he closed his eyes and clung to Amelia. The tears in her eyes went unnoticed.
Chapter Three
“Madden is waiting for you.” Nicolaus looked up from the comm desk when Gage walked through the doors to the TEU office. It still felt odd not to see Caedon at his post and he wished the agents would return soon from the overseas office.
Knocking once, Gage entered Madden’s office without pause. His brother looked up from a file he was reading and nodded. “We need to talk. There’s some questions you might be able to answer.”
Gage shrugged. “I’ll give it my best shot.” He hoped this wouldn’t take long. After a quiet night with Amelia, he’d left to go for a run and a quick check in at TEU, but had no intention of staying away long. “What is it?”
“I spoke with the lab’s director to go over the events of the other night.” Madden shook his head again. “She was surprised to hear that Amelia was in the lab in the evening and wondered what she was doing. Since she couldn’t get in touch with her last evening, she went to the lab to look around and found compounds she herself couldn’t explain.”
Gage shifted in his seat, curious now just where Madden was going with all this.
“Under normal circumstances, we wouldn’t bother a newly mated couple. But obviously, with so much happening and still no resolution on Nassir’s purpose, it seems cause to question Amelia.”
“Wait, question her? You think she was doing something wrong in the lab?” Gage ran his hand through his short hair and shook his head in disbelief. “What the hell, Madden?”
Madden held out his hands in surrender. “I know nothing except that your mate might know something. And if she does, I want that information.”
“I’ve just gotten her to talk with me and try to connect. Shit, she just agreed this morning to let Paige bring her a suitcase of clothes.” Gage shook his head, frustrated that once again a wrench was thrown into his Claiming.
“How about over dinner then? We’ll make it seem casual.” Madden was interrupted by the phone. He clicked the intercom button. “Yeah?”
Nico’s voice was strong on the other end. “It appears Amelia is on the move.”
Madden locked eyes with Gage before replying to Nico, “Have them follow her and report in when she arrives at her destination.” He clicked the button once more before turning back to Gage. “Was she going out?”
“Not that I knew. She’s still recovering. Hell, I had to carry her to the bath tub this morning.” Gage was worried now. He’d told her he’d return for lunch and would only be gone a few hours.
“Well, little brother, I’d say she’s walking fine now.” Gage wanted to punch the smirk right off Madden’s face.
“I’m going with you when you find out where she is,” he said.
“I expect nothing less,” Madden agreed. Then they sat in silence, waiting.
* * * *
Amelia stumbled as she made her way for the door to MagCircle Lab. She shouldn’t be up yet with her injury still not fully healed, but she needed to get to her lab. This was the first chance she had and she wasn’t wasting any time. Gage would be back to his house by lunch and she planned to be waiting there for him when he returned. He’d be none the wiser.
She shuddered at the mess in her lab. The blood—or any signs of the altercation—were washed away, but all of her supplies that were usually neatly stored away before she left remained out on the counter. Some bottles were still open and she was sure there would be unsalvageable samples to dispose of. Setting to her task, Amelia worked anxiously to put her lab to rights.
When the door opened a half hour later, she was surprised to see Gage, Madden, and Dr. Whitner standing in her lab. This was an almost certain sign that someone saw the compounds she was working with and had questions. And those questions would most definitely be ones she didn’t want to answer.
She swallowed and plastered on her most convincing smile. “I’m afraid it’s not quite as clean as I’d like for hosting guests.”
“We’re not worried with cleanliness,” Dr. Whitner said in way of greeting. “I do hope you are well though, Dr. Sinster.”
“Yes. Thank you. My recovery is going remarkably fast.” Amelia couldn’t stop her eyes from roaming to Gage who stood still and silent.
“Dr. Whitner, have you been introduced to my mate, Gage Santucci? He works with his family’s security company.” Amelia groped for a way to turn the focus from herself, but without success.
“Yes, we’ve been introduced. I’m also very aware he’s the man who shot you.” Her lips quirked up, “I suppose that made things awkward.”
Amelia looked away but answered quietly, “Well understated.”
The silence in the room as they all stood assessing the lab was driving Amelia to alarm. “Do I dare ask why you’ve come to see me?”
Madden spoke up. “We want to know what exactly you were doing in the lab the other night. You weren’t signed in—no one was. The director here wasn’t aware you were keeping evening hours. So, naturally, it made us curious.”
Dr. Whitner added, “I visited your lab yesterday after Madden phoned me. I thought I would hel
p by seeing to your supplies but what I found was most questionable. It didn’t have anything at all to do with your current project and when I tried to determine the elements, I couldn’t.”
“Well, I’ve been spending some of my own time on an experiment.” Amelia explained vaguely.
Dr. Whitner’s eyebrows shot up. “Please tell us. Perhaps we’d be interested?”
“Yes. I think we’d all like to hear.” Madden pulled out a stool on the end of the island they now stood around. It looked as if Amelia had no choice.
She looked to Gage who stood rigid. His deep brown eyes appeared cold and edgy. Amelia couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but there was a definite vibe of anger rolling off him. That was one emotion she could easily tap into. Pushing a strand of hair that fell loose behind her ear, she sighed and sat down across from the others.
“I’ve found an anecdote to Valendite Breed life sustenance.” Amelia looked at Madden while she spoke these first words, but then turned to Dr. Whitner to explain further, “Remember when we tested the fertility drug for humans? Well, I noticed some of the auxiliary benefits included renewed energy. When I tested blood samples from the subjects, I found a complex compound formed when the drug was mixed with human blood.”
Dr. Whitner’s brows shot up. “What you mean to say is that we inadvertently created a drug to prolong life.”
“Correct,” Amelia smiled. “And when given to a Breed, I hypothesize we can sustain life without a mate. It will benefit those who can’t find a mate.”
“Wait. Wait a minute and talk so Gage and I can follow this. What drug?” Madden leaned forward scowling. Amelia knew he couldn’t understand.
As Amelia began a simple explanation, Gage interrupted, “Holy Goddess, you’ve created an artificial drug to take the place of natural mating.” He didn’t sound as thrilled about this as Amelia and Dr. Whitner were.
“Essentially, yes,” Amelia assented.
“Why?”
Gage’s question surprised her.