by Paloma Beck
“You don’t like to clean, do you?” Gemma inquired.
“I clean when I’m done with my task.” Seamus shrugged.
“You realize this is going to drive me crazy? I need order, neatness, and organization. Are you familiar with any of those things?” Gemma was only half-joking. What would she do about his messy habits?
“You’ll get used to me,” Seamus shrugged again seeming unconcerned. “Look, you’re already doing it. We’re working great together here.”
Gemma sighed. He was right.
While they ate dinner, she discovered Seamus was Anthony Bonmarito’s son. It was no wonder then that he knew what would heal Gemma. She’d worked with Anthony on a few occasions and his knowledge of his field was nothing short of remarkable. A flash of her and Anthony working more closely in the future went through her mind. The Goddess worked in miraculous ways to ensure mates were perfectly paired.
* * * *
Leaning across the table as she finished her meal, Seamus brushed his lips against hers. He was slow to deepen the kiss so they could savor the moment. Gemma sighed and opened to him when she felt his tongue swipe along her lips. He was completely taken in by her.
As part of the Valendite Breed, Seamus was raised by his parents to know the prophecy and to appreciate the significance of claiming a mate. He planned to treasure Gemma just as they had taught him until the day he died. The sharing of blood was so sacred that nothing could tear them apart. Not only would their blood bond them together, but it would also sustain Seamus and prolong Gemma’s life so she could live as long as he did.
Slowly drawing out of the kiss, Seamus framed her face with his gentle hands. Gemma immediately looked up at him and he shivered at the depth of emotions he read in her light brown eyes. He knew he wouldn’t ever get used to this feeling.
“Do you know what to do?” Seamus asked her expectantly.
“Of course. I’ve spent years researching our race,” Gemma smiled up at him. He felt foolish for asking, realizing his mistake. Of course she knew about the blood exchange. She likely knew more than he did. That thought stopped him in his tracks. Oh fuck, she definitely knew more than he did. Seamus allowed himself to be intimidated for one moment before he focused back in on the Claiming.
“Let our blood exchange bind us now and forever,” Seamus whispered against her lips before drawing on her again, nipping along her lips and seeking entrance.
Such gentleness he had never known until Gemma was the woman before him. He sucked on her tongue and then nipped as gently as he could while still drawing out her precious, life-giving blood. She responded by nipping his lip as he tried to pull away.
With the first drop of blood into his mouth, Seamus lost some control. Their blood blended and his head spun. Seamus growled out his pleasure and knew all gentleness would be washed away and all playing would be left behind. He feared frightening her even as his chest rumbled with his desire for her. Gemma tensed ever so slightly before she relaxed again into his warmth.
“I want you just as you are. You will never hurt me,” she assured him, already able to feel his emotions. Seamus could feel her desire now as if it were his own. Together their desire was near explosive as everything they were-every particle of their beings-wrapped around one another now.
“Oh Goddess, Seamus, please. I know you won’t hurt me and I need to feel more. I’m greedy for more still,” Gemma’s breathless voice came across his skin like a whisper.
“Me too, beautiful.” In one quick movement, Seamus had Gemma in his arms. His long legs carried them to her bedroom. There was no stopping this now and certainly no more slowing it down. With a focused intensity, Seamus set Gemma down and willed both their clothes from their bodies. “No use in wasting time when I can do it so much faster,” he grinned and winked at Gemma who smiled right back.
Holy fuck, she was absolute perfection in all her naked glory.
“We’re fully bonded now. I can feel your emotions,” Gemma spoke in awe. “Oh Goddess, I can really feel your emotions.”
“It’s way more powerful than I’d imagined it would be. I feel like you are inside of me.” Seamus spoke while he took in his fill of her body. She was a petite little thing, likely not more than five feet four or so, and she had flawless skin everywhere. There wasn’t a blemish or freckle on her tiny body. Seamus shivered at the thought of how small she was, how breakable she might be.
“What was that?” Gemma asked when she sensed his emotions shift.
Seamus knew then there were no more hiding feelings from his mate and he sighed. “You are so tiny. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Are you bragging about your size, stud?” Gemma batted her eyelashes and beamed up at him. As he stood gaping at her comment, she moved forward, wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest.
“You little tease, you know what I meant. I am so large-my whole body-that you seem all the more fragile,” Seamus lowered his voice and dipped his head to smell her hair. “You’re a breakable as the porcelain your skin reminds me of.”
“And now you’re just sweet talking.”
“Okay. I can see you aren’t going to be serious.” Seamus ran his hands along the sides of her torso to find the ticklish places. Along the way, Seamus was able to learn some of the landscape of her body as his hands trailed her curves. Then finally, Gemma’s laugh was the reward for finding her sweet ticklish spots.
“Stop. Stop, Seamus. I’ll be serious,” Gemma was breathless from the tickling. “The Goddess placed us together as mates. She is all knowing. I have to believe that we will fit-in every way- perfectly.” Gemma winked at him and turned out of his arms to pull the bed linens down.
When he saw Gemma climb onto the bed on her hands and knees, nothing could hold him back. Seamus came up behind her so that her bottom was firmly against his abdomen. He could smell her arousal as he arched his back over her.
“Seamus, I was fixing the pillows for us so we could get comfortable. Now let me turn around.”
“Not on your life. I’m comfortable right here.” Seamus added a few thrusts as explanation.
“So you’re an ass man?”
“Yes, ma’m, I am,” Seamus answered her while running his hands along her lightly flared hips and beautifully curved ass. If only she knew the truth. Since all his other experiences with women had been alongside Donovan, being an ass man was a necessity. Those days were now long gone and he didn’t have a regret in the world.
“I’m going to touch you now,” Seamus spoke into her ear, bent over her body to feel the warmth spread across him. He just needed to make love to her, to claim her as his mate. Warmth radiated out from each spot he touched along her skin. There was an energy between them whenever they touched.
“I thought you already were.”
“But now, Snow White, I plan to touch you right here,” Seamus spoke the words as he wrapped his right arm around her leg and placed his fingers in the juncture of her thighs. It was wet and he could smell her arousal. His nostrils flared as he took deep breaths and allowed his eyes to flutter closed. Fuck, he could nearly taste her arousal. Never before had his senses been this sharp, this intense.
With a grin, he flipped her and laughed at her shriek of surprise. Seamus leaned right over her again, boxing her in with his arms on either side of her head. His body lightly touched hers from knees to chest. He spoke softly into her ear so she’d have to strain to listen. He wanted her full attention. “You do realize that our blood bond will make the sex we are about to have even hotter than anything you’ve ever experienced.”
“I’m looking forward to the first-hand knowledge of that.” Gemma took Seamus off guard by replying so coyly, but then she gasped as he licked a path from her ear and down her throat. Seamus wanted to play with her.
Chapter Three
Gemma brushed her hands along the contours of his back as Seamus lay on top of her. His muscles rippled with raw power as he held himself just above her.
Each muscle tightened slightly as she stroked over it. Seamus exuded a sexy strength; the vibrations emanating from him flared Gemma’s desire until a glowing aura of light surrounded them.
“My powers,” she said with awe as she looked around them. Gemma felt small as she contemplated her powers and moved her arms around Seamus, only to realize they didn’t meet in the back. He was massive compared to her smaller frame. He was power and she felt a frisson of safe refuge in his arms. He would protect her. She would never have to be afraid again. An image of her panic attacks leaving her body sent a shiver through her and she looked up at him as he brought his head up from her chest.
“Did you feel that?” Seamus asked.
“My anxiety; it was as if it just left me,” Gemma couldn’t hold back the awe in her voice. Her relief was so great. A giant burden had been lifted and Seamus did that for her. She reached up to him and sucked on his lower lip.
Seamus ran his tongue along her mouth until Gemma let go of his lip and stroked his tongue with her own. Her fingers still clung to the muscles bulging along his arms as he held himself above her, but she lost herself in their kiss. A heat inside of her grew intense. Gemma couldn’t stop her need to touch every part of this miraculous man. She yearned to know him intimately, needing him to belong to her in every possible way. Gemma gasped as she pulled away from his mouth to run her tongue along the curve of his shoulder. Seamus was salty and complete male deliciousness. His skin was smooth but the muscle just below was firm. Everywhere she touched, he was hard.
Gemma squealed when Seamus flipped her so she was now lying on top of him. Since she wasn’t prepared for the movement and hadn’t put out her hands, her body was flat against him. It was delicious as she felt her softer body melt into his muscle. Seamus’s rock hard cock rested between them.
“Am I hurting you?” Gemma asked.
“You, beautiful, are the tiniest thing. I promise you can’t hurt me like this; unless of course you don’t let me finish.” Seamus grinned up at her and winked.
“So I wouldn’t hurt you if I did this,” Gemma asked as she rotated her hips to grind Seamus’s cock against her pelvis.
Seamus’s eyes rolled and he grabbed onto her hips to still her. “You might not hurt me but I’m likely to explode.”
“Then this might be better.” Gemma sat up astride his hips, ran her hands down his chest, and felt the soft sprinkles of light hair trailing down his abdomen. She brushed the shock of hair at his groin before she reached with a firmer grip to hold his cock in her hand. Seamus gasped, closed his eyes and then relaxed. This left Gemma to explore.
“I haven’t done this before,” she confessed as she moved her body lower. “I’m happy you’re my first.” Gemma brought her mouth down as Seamus watched. She locked eyes with him so he could not only feel, but also, see her desire.
“This. Meaning at all?”
“At all. I’m old fashioned,” Gemma giggled, “I was saving myself for you.” Gemma felt his cock grow larger still. Her body grew warmer as she watched his eyes dilate at the thought of being her first. She wanted this. She craved this. She absolutely needed this. There wasn’t a single doubt or fear inside her now that she shared the one insecurity haunting her. He knew he was her first. Now, she could be free to be as she was.
“So you have never…” Seamus began but before he could move or say anything more, Gemma placed her open mouth around the head of his cock. She used her tongue to lick him with firm strokes up the sides. She could feel the grooves and ridges below his firm, smooth skin. Her mouth began to water with need and she hummed as her own excitement grew. Her body screamed for release-a flood of moisture in her core-but she wanted to give this to him. For just a bit, Gemma yearned to control the most precious part of his masculine body.
Reaching her arm up, Gemma ran her fingers across his chest and down the ripples of his abdomen. She marveled at Seamus’ tight muscles beneath soft flesh. When he tried to pull her back up, Gemma pulled free and drew a wet line with her tongue down his delicious body. She paused when she got to his weeping cock again. She bit her lower lip and considered her next move. It wasn’t that she didn’t want him. She definitely wanted him. Gemma just wasn’t exactly sure how to do what it was she craved. She wanted him in her mouth, deep where she could control his pleasure. Would he think her a fool?
“Beautiful, you do not have to do that,” Seamus explained. His hand went to cover hers. Gemma couldn’t take her eyes off the remarkable masculine beauty of the sight before her.
“No. I know,” Gemma interrupted him. “I want to do this but-but I don’t know what will please you.” Suddenly shy, she tilted her head so her long waves would fall over her face.
“I can teach you,” Seamus paused, “Or we can wait for another day.”
“Teach me,” Gemma whispered as she slipped softly onto her knees before him.
“Lick it first. Let’s take it slowly,” Seamus encouraged.
Gemma used her tongue to lick the drop of pre-cum she’d seen glistening on the tip of his cock. Then she reached up to grip the base of his shaft with her hand, noticing her fingers didn’t reach all the way around. She was as small as he was large. Gemma licked up and down his length with little flicks of her tongue as she’d lick a lollipop. She peeked up to see his hands fisted and a look of dark lust in his eyes.
Her confidence grew and she sucked in just the head of his cock. She ran her tongue all around to feel his velvety skin. She licked and tasted the salty flavor of his skin. Seamus was a savory treat to her senses. Gemma began to feel powerful and it was a heady feeling.
When she ran her tongue along the underside of cockhead, Seamus stiffened and put his hand on her head. “Whoa. You can’t do that or I won’t be able to hold back.”
“I don’t want you to hold back,” Gemma implored him.
“My beautiful mate, you have no idea what this could be like if I didn’t keep some restraint. We’re going to pace ourselves.” Before he finished his sentence, Gemma ran her tongue along his shaft from root to tip.
Seamus’s muscles coiled and his hands fisted in her hair. When he spoke, his words were stilted. “Put it in your mouth, beautiful, please. Keep your hand on the bottom so I don’t go too deep and take it as far as you can.”
Gemma slid the smooth shaft into her mouth, lapping it with her tongue as it passed smoothly in. She stopped only when she felt it touch the very top of her throat. There was still part of his cock unable to fit and she worked to stroke it with her hand. He felt wonderful. It was like silk over steel.
She worked him out and back in with a steady rhythm. “Mmm,” she hummed as she moved him out and back in deeper.
“Fuck, you’re a quick learner. This is amazing,” Seamus’ voice was raspy. He caught on to her rhythm and began tugging on her hair in time.
Gemma felt a fine sheen of sweat form along his leg as she steadied herself with one hand. She looked up at him while keeping his cock firmly at the back of her mouth. She knew through their bond the effect this particular movement had on him. He was ready to explode. Would she keep him in her mouth?
“Beautiful, please, don’t swallow. Please, I don’t want it to be too much,” Seamus grunted his plea with ragged breath but Gemma had no intention of moving. She would not be denied.
Instead, Gemma quickened her rhythm. She stroked more intensely and consumed his erection. Unable to hold back, Seamus pumped his shaft in and out of her mouth in a punishing rhythm. Gemma tightened her mouth on him and caused him to moan louder still. She was so pleased with herself as she saw her strong mate lose control at her hands. And mouth, she thought slyly.
Then Gemma took him clear down her throat and swallowed one final time before she felt the pulsing of his release as Seamus let out a wild groan. She sucked at him as she swallowed every drop he offered her, relishing in the knowledge that she had brought him this pleasure. Goddess, she loved the power this moment brought her.
* * * *
Seamus wanted to shout from the mountaintops when he saw the look of satisfaction in his mate’s eyes. And the secret she’d shared was amazing. It was an amazing gift to know he would be the only man ever to see her in the throes of passion.
He considered his own history and it occurred to him that she was his first of sorts. This was the first time he laid with a woman alone. He’d never before flown solo. Van was always there to be the caregiver but now the Goddess had given Seamus this gift. He would never share her. Finally, he was willing to be the nurturer. All his instincts to protect and care for someone flew to the surface as he drank in his mate’s perfection with his gaze.
Gemma snuggled into his side, exhausted from her own orgasm. He tried to be still and allow her to recover but the scent of their lovemaking increased his need. Seamus’s heart raced as he worked to slow it down. Despite his orgasm in her mouth, his cock grew insistent again. The knowledge of Gemma belonging to him was completely overwhelming.
He felt her sultry little movements along his body and realized she too was ready. Thank the Goddess. Seamus turned onto his side so they lay on their sides facing one another. After tasting his fill of her lush reddened lips, Seamus leaned in and bit her lower lip. He drank in her flavor, licked along the seam of her lips until she opened to invite him in. He ran his tongue along her teeth and licked at her lips again. Seamus was ever so soft with Gemma as he kissed her and began to explore the small curves of her body. He used firm strokes from her breasts trailing down her side to her waist and to the slight curve of her ass. Seamus kneaded her flesh as it grew warm in his hands. He hungered for her.
Breaking the kiss, Seamus firmly grabbed Gemma’s hips and tucked her below him. Her legs opened to spread around his hips and her hot center pressed against his groin. Fuck, just a single move and he could take her. Seamus could join them at their very cores for the first time. An emotional tidal wave washed over him. It was never more obvious than in this moment that he would want nothing more than Gemma for the rest of their lives. His mate would always be enough for him. And the miracle in this was that Seamus could feel through their bond that Gemma felt the same desires. Words were unnecessary because they now shared their emotions through their blood bond. Forevermore, Seamus would feel every emotion she felt, and now combined with his own intense craving, their joining—that bond all Valendite Breeds share with their mates—was becoming an incredibly overwhelming experience.