by Paloma Beck
Clearly, Donovan was done holding himself back. His restraint had obviously met its limit. Paige would need to do some fancy footwork to keep on even ground with her mate. Ach, her mate! She had far too much self-respect simply to be someone’s mate. She could entertain him for a few weeks while she prepared for her trip to Paris. Then, on her own terms, she would allow herself to be claimed. She took great pride in her self-control.
Opening the front door to her house, Paige wondered if her sisters were home. With three sisters now mated, it left only Sadie, Gracie, Amelia and herself to share the large home that had been a gift from her parents. Though they drove each other crazy, she couldn’t imagine not coming home to her sisters. Yet in this moment, she didn’t want them here to witness her potential downfall. No one saw Paige weak.
“Madden and Layla invited your sisters for dinner tonight.” Donovan spoke behind her as she paused outside the front door to listen for sounds inside.
“Thank you.” A ripple of humiliation rolled through her as she considered everyone talking about her. Paige had never wanted to bow down and cry as much she did in this moment, but she refused to give in. She would maintain her pride. She would hold onto her dignity.
“Damn it, Paige. I’m not the enemy here.” Donovan closed the door behind them as she continued into the kitchen. “I know who you are to me. And you know the same. This should be amazing, wonderful and a time to celebrate.” Paige took notice of his sincerity and it sparked a small frisson of interest. He was clearly pleased to be with her. She noticed her hands becoming clammy, her heartbeat accelerating and that warm sensation continuing to grow in her stomach. Resisting him was going to take effort.
“I’ll make us dinner,” Paige offered as conciliation. No way was she discussing the topic of their mating with him. Eating always occupied a man.
“That would be nice as long as you understand our claiming will not wait. It won’t be too much longer before my need consumes me and I fail to act as the gentleman I am.” There was a distinct warning tone to his words. Paige would meet it head on. After all, it wasn’t as if he was wrong. Their mating would happen. She just planned to hold him off a bit more.
As if he still sensed her resistance as she avoided eye contact and flittered about the kitchen, Donovan stood with his hands on his hips and watched her. He was enormous. In her home, he now appeared larger than the other times they’d been near one another. He was also incredibly intimidating, damn it, as his massive body filled her kitchen. Paige felt tiny and worried for a brief minute that she wouldn’t be able to control him. Then she smiled, reminded that she may be small, but she was mighty. As Layla always said about the two of them—great things, small packages…and all that stuff.
Paige’s next move was a tactical mistake. She allowed herself to look at him, really admire him. Her eyes roamed along his muscular torso as his bulging arms crossed over his chest. Ooh, she so wanted to touch him! His shoulders were broad and strong. Paige didn’t doubt the muscles hiding beneath his shirt were corded and rock solid. Then his long legs crossed the kitchen in a few strides to the large window overlooking their back yard. Paige swallowed a moan back as she glimpsed his rounded ass clad in tighter-than-tight blue jeans. Thanks for that view, she thought.
Donovan turned towards her, nodded and grinned. He couldn’t possibly hear her thoughts, could he? That only happened with mates once the Claiming was completed. Impossible. He was simply toying with her. Paige turned back to preparing their meal.
“You know, there are stories about this place, the elusive Sinster House,” Donovan interrupted her thoughts, his deeply menacing voice seeming to stroke her from across the room.
“Right. You’ve heard the one about once a person comes inside, we don’t let them go,” Paige teased, rolling her eyes. “My sisters love that one.”
“I’m not sure I would mind if that saying were to come true.” Donovan’s words had her abruptly turning around only to come face-to-face with the man. He’d managed to move silently across the room. His head now so close, if he turned just slightly to the side…no, no, none of those thoughts. Donovan’s cunning silver eyes sparkled with humor. He was toying with her, something she was coming to expect from him. Goddess, his eyes were burning silver so near steel they were smoldering.
His appearance might frighten a lesser woman. He could so easily look evil with his closely trimmed goatee and sharp, angular features. It only served to make Paige wonder how wicked he could be in bed. Paige just bet his short-cropped hairstyle would feel soft under her fingertips. She reached out before realizing she’d moved. Her hand touched the side of his head, just above his right ear, and before she could pull away, Donovan placed his hand over hers.
“I like your touch,” Donovan spoke softly as if to a frightened animal.
“I shouldn’t have done that. I…”
“You may touch me wherever and whenever you’d like.”
Paige forced herself to avert her gaze. She tugged her hand, which he obligingly allowed her to reclaim. His strength was like an aura that surrounded him. When she got close, there was no telling how in control she could stay. She could see so much of her father in Donovan with those same abilities all Valendite Breed shared, but Paige wondered what his unique traits were.
“How about I get us drinks?” Donovan moved away and leaned against the kitchen island.
“Please. There’s a wine chiller below the cabinet on the other side. Any red wine will be fine.” Good, keeping his hands occupied and away from her was good. Those hands were massive, formidable and made Paige wonder how they’d feel against her. Her heart was thudding, and when she swallowed, she realized she really did need a drink after all. Her throat was dry. She also really needed to find a few minutes alone to get a hold of herself.
Paige wasn’t going to get that lucky though. She finished folding ingredients into a pocket of dough and popped it into the oven. Stromboli made the simplest dish and she couldn’t do much more on such frayed nerves. Then a few seconds later, Donovan handed her a glass of wine. His hand was cooler than hers, but not overly cold, and his skin was smooth but firm—softer than she expected. As her skin tingled, Paige realized she could sense his emotions; there was a tenderness fighting with his need for dominance, and his hunger. She knew she was sensing his hunger for her, and it was incredibly erotic. She’d taken lovers, always humans, but never had she felt so in tune with them. This was what it meant to be mated.
“Come, sit down with me while we wait for dinner to cook,” Donovan offered. Paige complied, following him to the smaller kitchen table. The big table in their dining room was reserved for large family gatherings. “Now, ask me anything you’d like to know about me. Here is our chance to get to know each other.”
Toying with her wine glass, she hesitated and then asked, “How old are you?”
“That’s the first question you ask me? First, tell me why you want to know this over all other things you could know about me.” Donovan watched her intently, a dimple in his cheek indicating amusement.
“To me, it’s the most important because it tells me about your life experience. If I’m to spend the rest of our existence together, I want to know how long you’ve lived before finding me,” Paige acknowledged, hoping to lure him in to answering more of her questions. For good measure, she scrunched up her nose in a way only her father thought was endearing, but Donovan didn’t even blink. He simply chuckled once and stroked his finger along her jaw.
“Not going to work, Principessa.” He laughed as she stared at him. How’d he know what she was trying to do? And why exactly didn’t it work? Crap. Maybe none of her magic worked on him. She’d never seen her mother use magic on her father. “You have spunk. I like spunk.”
“What a beautiful thing to say. You sure know how to seduce a woman.” Paige answered sarcastically, but she was also mulling over his use of a pet name with her.
“No worries, there’s no seduction necessary. We’re destine
d to be mated.”
“Right. I’m a sure thing,” Paige blurted out without thinking, only to be delighted by Donovan’s robust laugh—a full belly laugh that made her laugh at herself as well. It pleased her that she could make him laugh. She considered the idea she might like him too.
Once he stopped laughing and realized she sat stoically waiting for his teasing to end, he said, “I truly do like you, Paige. I’ve done a lot of investigating while you’ve been busy ignoring me.”
Paige rolled her eyes but maintained her smile. “Great. I can only imagine what you found,” she teased. Secretly, she was desperate to know exactly what he’d uncovered about her, but no way was she going to beg for the information.
Donovan smiled back at her and nodded his head, taking a sip of wine while watching her. It seemed he never took his eyes off her. It was unnerving how warm they felt, as if they were touching her, stroking her. She felt naked under his gaze. She adjusted herself in her chair, uncertain why she was uncomfortable with such intense attention when the spotlight was something she thrived in.
“Let’s just say that I’ve never met another like you,” Donovan paused, taking another sip of wine, “in all of my one hundred twenty four years.”
“Wow. That’s old.” Paige knew enough to do the math. He was seventy-four years experienced. With the Valendite Breed genes, he matured to mating age at fifty years old.
“Not really. In your terms, I’m still just twenty four, which makes me the very same age as you.” Donovan grinned and Paige found herself lost in the softness his smile brought to his angular face. He was a contradiction of sorts between his strict persona and gentleness, and she found it to be quite an intriguing combination.
“What else do you want to know? I’m all yours,” Donovan encouraged her to go on.
“Okay. Tell me about your powers,” Paige gave him a pointed look to see if he would cower. Nope. He just continued to grin at her. “And I know you’re all too aware of my powers. I’m betting my meddling sisters spilled all our secrets. So now I want to know yours.”
“I bet you already guessed that I can block any of your mindreading or other trickery you try on me,” Donovan acknowledged her earlier assumption.
“Keep going,” Paige encouraged as she rose to pull dinner from the oven.
Donovan rose as well and re-filled their wine glasses. Then he waited and watched as she brought their plates to the table and sat back down. The man had impeccable manners. She was impressed.
He took a bite of his Stromboli and moaned. “This is amazing.”
“Yea, yea, I know but go on, tell me more about your powers,” Paige said though somewhere inside, she was quite proud of the fact he was enjoying her cooking.
“I can use telekinesis. It doesn’t work on people or anything with a personal will, just inanimate objects.”
“Awesome. Layla mentioned she’s seen Madden move things but I’ve never seen…” Before Paige could finish her thought, the bottle of wine was dancing its way across the table to hover over her glass. “Amazing.” She clapped her hands and he set the bottle down.
“That’s just for fun. It’s more impressive when I use it for important things. As a medic with TEU, I can often gather supplies with my mind so I don’t need to leave the patient.” Donovan went on to explain his work. His enthusiasm told Paige just how much he enjoyed his job. He truly cared about his ability to heal for people.
They ate in silence for a bit. It was a comfortable silence she appreciated since so much of her life was filled with noise.
“What about dessert? I have another useful talent, a keen sense of smell, and I smell chocolate,” Donovan said as he raised his eyebrows in a silly gesture.
“I made them this morning. Chocolate lava cakes are Gracie’s favorite. She’s been blue lately so I thought they’d cheer her up,” Paige grinned at Donovan and bit on her lower lip. “But since she’s not here, I guess we get to enjoy them.”
“They sound delicious.” Donovan scooted closer and placed his hand on her knee. It felt good. Paige wondered again how much longer she could hold out.
“They look even better.” Paige bit down on her lip again, realizing her comment was laced with innuendo.
“I just bet they do.”
Oh Goddess, Paige shot up so fast the chair fell backwards. If she didn’t move away from the heat they were creating, her plan to wait was not going to work at all. “Let me get our dessert and make some coffee. We could sit in the living room.”
“I’ll clear the table,” Donovan offered as he tried to keep from laughing at her antics. How could he not? She wanted to crawl under a rock at how she was reacting to him. Head high, girl, keep your head held high.
* * * *
Donovan dangled his fork laden with chocolate cake in front of Paige. “Take a bite.”
“I can feed myself,” Paige snipped.
“I know. I just wanted to have some fun. Play along, Principessa.”
With the slightest hesitation, Paige opened her mouth and took in the bite. She moaned her pleasure as she closed her mouth and savored the rich decadence as Donovan pulled the fork from between her lips. His eyes were fixated on her mouth even as he took another forkful and placed it in his own mouth.
“Delicious,” Donovan’s voice was deep and rough, full of the lust he was finding difficult to reign in.
He fed them alternating bites and watched as she enjoyed the moment. For once, she almost seemed unconcerned, unhurried and, dare he suggest it, relaxed. Unable to stop himself, Donovan leaned in to lick a tiny smudge of the chocolate sauce from her lip. When she didn’t flinch—thank the Goddess—he brushed his lips against hers, this time for a kiss. It was gentle and slow at first, until she responded with her own need, and then he couldn’t help but deepen the kiss. Paige sighed ever so gently and opened to him. He ran his tongue along her lips and inside her mouth. She was delicious; a tempting blend of chocolate and desire.
Touching her after being denied all this time made him tremble with need. She was an exquisite beauty and yet…magical. It was as if he held a fairy in his palm, so delicate and soft. Donovan wanted to feel this power between them for all time. His mate was spectacular.
Suddenly she pulled away. “Stop this,” Paige said as she pushed against his chest with her tiny hands. Donovan was huge, broad compared to her slighter frame, and his muscles bulged as he took deep breaths to steady himself. He reigned his power in and sought self-control. Perhaps bringing her around wasn’t going to be as easy as he thought. He needed a way to show her she needed him as much as he needed her.
“Principessa, that was a close call. I can’t play this game of red light-green light with you without ramifications.” Only a fraction of the warning contained in Donovan’s eyes was conveyed by his tone.
“I need to focus on the Coupe du Monde. Once it’s over, once I’ve accomplished that, I can give myself to you.” Paige used her high-pitched, sweet-as-sin voice that seemed always to get him to agree. He was on to her now though, and it was not going to work this time.
“Here’s the thing about that, Princess, you don’t get to choose the when.”
“Yes, I do,” Paige actually crossed her arms in front of her chest and pouted, “And stop calling me Princess. I know you don’t mean it nicely.” She actually sounded hurt. Goddess, he wanted to bite her pouty lips, remembering the taste of only a few minutes earlier.
Instead, he asked, “Do you control everything in your life?”
“Yes.” Paige’s eyes flared and then turned sad. Donovan now saw how her need for control affected her. She was actually spiraling out of control and could barely hold on. He knew just the way to help her. Smiling, Donovan realized Madden had been right in his advice.
“Paige,” Donovan spoke her name very purposely, “You’re right. I use Princess when you are acting like a spoiled one. Now, you will need to forgive me for this but I have only now discovered what it is you have needed all along. Giving
you time was not the answer.” As he made his final statement, he grabbed firmly onto her upper arms and brought her body across his lap.
* * * *
“What do you think you’re doing?” Paige shrieked as she kicked out her feet and grabbed onto Donovan to gain balance. Shock was an understatement at how he was treating her. He’d just been so sweet and now this. What was he thinking?
With her torso dangling down from his lap, her legs hanging off the other side and his arm banded across her back, Paige was held firmly in place. She attempted to get loose from his hold, but to no avail. She was completely at his mercy and that just pissed her off. How dare he do this! He still hadn’t spoken and her anger was steadily building.
“Donovan, please, what are you doing to me?”
“We’re trying things my way, Principessa.” Donovan’s voice frightened her, but then a flush rushed over her skin as he ran his hand under her skirt. Cool air nipped at her skin as he pushed her skirt around her waist and bared her tiny scrap of a thong.
Donovan rubbed along the cheeks of her ass and, as if that wasn’t enough humiliation, wedged his hand between her thighs. His fingers deftly found Paige’s small bundle of nerves and a shiver rippled through her body. Her clit grew engorged, now on fire. The blood rushed to it from everywhere else in her body and she couldn’t think straight. Her concentration was shot as everything in her focused on her mate.
Donovan continued his exploration as Paige settled into a gentle rocking rhythm. His fingers drew through her folds. He moved them faster and faster in a firm motion, bringing Paige so close to orgasm. She was dizzy and lightheaded, unbidden moans escaping from her throat. Her body knew this was her mate touching her, and melted under his touch. It had never reacted this way before.
“We’re going to do this Claiming on my terms now, Paige. Your way didn’t work so well. So right now is your chance to say stop. It’s now, or never again,” Donovan spoke through the waves of pleasure his fingers were orchestrating. Paige shook her head frantically, not wanting him to stop her from reaching these heights.