by Beck, Paloma
“Close your eyes, love. Close your eyes and just enjoy,” Madden’s words were gentle but the command was still evident. Layla placed her head back on his chest and closed her eyes.
The first tender touch of Anton’s mouth caused Layla to jump, only to settle back so that the feel of Madden’s firm cock grew more pronounced on her bottom. Anton sucked and kissed along one thigh until he was nearly at her apex and she pressed forward to give him more, whimpering in desire. Anton ignored her movement as he pulled back to begin the same titillating kisses along her other thigh. Layla’s breathing was shallow and a fine sheen of sweat glistened along her skin before Anton had completed his journey to her apex. She wanted to scream for mercy.
* * * *
“Bella Donna,” Anton spoke just as he drew his tongue along her folds, “Beautiful, beautiful girl.” Madden understood the emotions firing inside his old friend, but he knew Anton spoke them in reverence to Layla and this sparked a sense of pride in him.
Layla whimpered, pleaded for more with her eyes, her pleasure evident as she lay in Madden’s arms. Madden knew Anton would continue his slow exploration. He was in awe of Layla’s willingness to share her most private self with his friend. Anton’s ability to calm her was astounding.
The two old friends knew immediately upon Anton meeting Layla that he was their Tre Adoro. The connection was instant and the calming effect Anton had on Layla allowed her to feel comforted on her first morning in this new world. Now Anton would be invaluable in teaching Layla to accept her position as Madden’s mate.
Madden was thrilled as he watched his best friend and his mate together. He’d come to understand they were meant to share Layla. Madden had heard stories within all the old legends that it was possible for a couple in the Acclimation period to bond with a third, the Tre Adoro. Never had he imagined being a part of such a rare bond but there was no doubt now that Anton’s role of Tre Adoro had been realized.
Watching Anton gently lapping at Layla’s folds, drinking in her honey and hearing Layla’s moans of pleasure were nearly too much for Madden. His teeth sharpened, allowing him to puncture Layla’s skin and succumb to his urge, an urge to drink that was at its most intense. Yet he held back, aware Layla and Anton needed this moment.
Anton shared his desire. Knowing that their commitment as a Tre Adoro Coupling would be complete should they both drink from her at the same time was almost too much. Madden nodded at Anton’s raised brows. They would proceed.
“You are certain?” Anton paused from his ministrations only to have Layla lift herself toward him. Both Anton and Madden chuckled. Perhaps this was their answer.
“Never more certain than this moment,” Madden answered, assuring his friend.
With no more than those words, Anton returned to Layla’s core where he used his fingers now to raise her arousal until she shouted, “please, please, I need more.”
“We want to share you, Layla. May we share you? From this day on?” He didn’t need to explain it any further. Through their blood bond, she could feel the significance of his questions, the result of their next action. Her slight shiver told him she felt the importance of her next words.
“Forever. Yes, yes, please.” Layla thrashed her head from side to side until Madden took his hand and held her neck exposed to him. He had waited and had not taken her this way until now to give her time to adjust to the blood exchange, the claiming. But he could wait no longer to drink of her. She belonged to him. Madden leaned into her neck to breathe in her scent before he pierced her skin with his sharp teeth and drank from her. Her blood was a warm, salty syrup that coated his throat as he drank. Madden allowed it to fill him.
Because of her Magdalena circle lineage, Layla’s blood would sustain him. She provided him strength and life through her blood, but as a Tre Adoro Coupling, Layla would require both Madden and Anton’s blood to give her lengthened life.
While her blood warmed him, he needed more, more of Layla. He needed to be inside her when she came. Anton sensed his need through their bond and helped Madden lift Layla up and place her back down along his cock in one fluid motion. The sigh that escaped her reassured him that she was pleased as he slowly moved her up and down along his shaft.
Madden watched as Anton moved back between Layla’s legs. He couldn’t see Layla’s reaction since she faced away from him, but he knew the moment Anton latched on to her puffy little clit and placed his lips over her, sucking and tugging. Madden could feel Layla convulsing around him. Would he ever get enough of her, ever feel sated?
Madden groaned at the sensation of her spasms as he felt Anton’s fingers stroking the folds that clung to his cock. He had never imagined sharing his mate with his best friend but damn if it wasn’t amazing.
Madden was fully seated within her. With every thrust, he burned for her more. The fires of his own desire heated as he held himself back to wait for her. Mesmerized by her willingness to accept him, to accept Anton and to open herself to their coupling, Madden knew he loved this woman. When her orgasm hit her hard and she screamed and tried to pull herself away, Madden held Layla to him as he strained to control himself. They weren’t done with her yet.
Anton pulled away from her clit and removed his hands from her saturated folds, pleased with his role in making Layla come and enjoying the sounds of that first orgasm. Now his eyes sought out the vein pulsing in her thigh. Anton’s teeth flashed in the light for just a moment before his head lowered and Madden felt a second orgasm ripple through Layla. He withdrew his own teeth just moments later and watched as the blood moved along the column of Anton’s throat as he too drank from her. They were now one.
It felt right when Madden released Layla’s limp body to him and allowed Anton to carry her back to their bed. As Madden went to shower and prepare for the day, Anton cared for Layla. Without waking her, he cleaned her with a warm cloth and settled her under the covers.
“We need to talk, Anton. I need time with Layla before I can return to active status on any upcoming missions. We’ll need to plan. And once we talk, you should return here so one of us is present when she awakens.” Anton admired his friend’s composure, still feeling off kilter from their joining with Layla.
“She doesn’t know what you do yet?”
“No, not yet. I’m fairly certain she thinks I run the vineyard with my family,” Madden explained.
“Why didn’t you tell her?”
“You saw how spooked she gets. We need to ease her into all of this. Telling her that I head up an invisible arm of the CIA, the Terrorist Elimination Unit—TEU—would’ve been too much, too soon.” Madden was worried, had always been concerned, that should he take a mate, she’d be living in danger. Now he planned to take every precaution to keep Layla safe.
“I think you underestimate her, my friend,” Anton replied, shaking his head.
“I think you will see when she wakes up and wants to play twenty questions,” Madden returned sarcastically.
“I’m certain she will have questions.” Anton chuckled and agreed with Madden on all accounts but especially that this perfect woman would be filled with questions.
“And I am certain you will find it most easy to ease her concerns.” Madden grinned. Both men were aware now of Anton’s charms when it came to Layla. The talents of a Tre Adoro are only unlocked when he meets the female in the mated couple he is meant to serve. Years in service to the Santucci family had never brought such an honor to Anton, but finally, he had been satisfied.
Chapter Four
Madden sat behind his large mahogany desk surveying the latest files delivered since he’d left his office on Friday. Unaware of the profound events the weekend would hold for him, his plan had been to sort, research and assign out the recent cases this week. Most likely, he would have been taking on a few himself, but he was second-guessing that now. Being away from Layla during this period of Acclimation was dangerous for them. As their bond grew, they needed to be near one another, to be able to nurture
the Tre Adoro Coupling and drink from each other as often as possible until the levels in their blood leveled out.
The knock came quickly, followed by the entrance of Agents Seamus and Donovan. “Madden, we got the message you needed to see us this morning.” Two of Madden's largest men filled his doorway, both tall and wide, each nearly equal to Madden’s own height by virtue of their Valendite Breed lineage. It was ingenious of the US government to strike a partnership, albeit a highly confidential one, with the Valendite Breed when an agency discovered their existence. Now the TEU worked under Madden’s guidance to eliminate the world’s most heinous criminals. It was work he was proud of, but also work that might endanger his new mate.
“Thanks for coming so quickly. I try not to call you away with such haste unless it’s vitally important.”
“We understand,” Seamus said as they sat in the two leather chairs facing Madden’s desk. Madden didn’t watch to see who sat where. The two agents, longtime friends, were nearly interchangeable.
“No big deal. We were having a little boxing competition down in the gym,” Seamus laughed and tilted his head toward Donovan, “but someone was glad for the distraction since I had him pinned.”
“Fuck you, muskrat. I was giving you a breather before I spun out to flip you on your ass.”
“Is that what you call that move? It looked a little like taking a nap to me.” They could argue for hours if you let them, and usually Madden enjoyed their antics but he had things to get back to at home. He needed to focus them on their task. Once he got them on a mission, there were no other men more focused than Seamus and Donovan.
“Okay, boys, as fun as it is to watch your banter, we’ve got one lead that needs immediate follow-up. The rest will wait.” Madden wanted to get down to business and back to his house where Layla was hopefully relaxing.
“What are we waiting on, boss?”
Always direct, Madden came right out with it. “I’ve claimed my mate. Obviously, that means now isn’t a good time for me to be away. I’m going to need us to lie back if we can and to give myself a chance to acclimate.” The room was silent. Neither man made any of the smart remarks Madden was certain they were thinking. “You don’t have to act like I just told you I had cancer.”
“Boss, you have a mate.” Leave it to Seamus to state the obvious.
“Yes I do.”
“Shit,” Donovan snickered. “You okay? I mean, it’s not every day one of us finds a mate.”
“Yeah, for us it really is like a one-in-a-million chance,” Seamus added.
“Like I said, it’s not like I have cancer. It’s just a mate. She—she’s my mate,” Madden took a breath and shook his head. “Her name is Layla, and I am sure you will meet her soon enough. But she’ll need some time to get used to our life here at the compound.”
“Sure,” Donovan agreed. “So what can we do?” Leave it to Donovan to get them back to business.
“There’s a new lead on Abdul-Nassir. You two will go check it out. Under the radar. And remember as always, we do not exist. Lucas will be your go-to guy until I can check back in.”
Madden handed the file to Donovan just as his computer beeped with an incoming message. “That’s Caedon with the research I’m waiting for. Be safe.” With those simple words, Madden sent his agents from his office and turned his attention to his computer.
“What do you have for me?”
“I’ve worked all angles on the family. All seems in place. She’s not on any radar—clean and clear, that’s your girl.”
“Good. Consider this me issuing a permanent watch on anything regarding Layla. So much as her name popping up on anything, you shut it down and let me know.”
“You got it, boss.”
“She’s vulnerable, Caedon. And I can’t allow anything to happen to her because she was unlucky enough to be my mate.”
“I doubt she’s thinking about being unlucky right now.” The knowing taunt in his voice alluded to Caedon knowing more than he spoke aloud.
“Want to tell me what you know?” Madden wasn’t used to this tightening in his gut when he talked to any of his men about women they’d spent time with. It was different with Layla and Madden expected a lot to change at the compound in the coming months.
“I’m watching her out on the far lawn with Anton. He’s showing her the gardens and she seems happy.”
“Right. Those cameras you have, Caedon…” Madden paused, not sure how to ask what he most wanted to know.
“…Are not anywhere in anyone’s personal quarters,” Caedon finished before Madden needed to ask his question. How fortunate he was to have such good friends. They’d been together since most of them were just boys in their early twenties. Five decades together meant knowing one another on a whole different level. He’d had Caedon’s back and vice versa more times than Madden could count. There were no other men he trusted more. Caedon, the department’s computer geek, was solid in both stature and beliefs. Caedon was not your typical computer geek. The other TEU agents got a laugh every time a newbie met him and realized that Caedon was the one behind the screen.
“Good then. I need to go. I’m off.” Madden clicked the key to terminate his chat box. He closed up his computer, forwarded his calls to his cell, and made his way to the gardens. It was good to know he was going to find a happy Layla. He’d have to thank Anton for that later.
* * * *
Layla wrung her hands while she waited for Madden to get dressed for dinner with his parents. With her boiling nerves, she’d gotten ready early and began pacing. Nothing he said seemed to calm her.
“Layla love, my parents will love you,” Madden reassured her, “and if they don’t, I still do.”
“Thanks but that isn’t so helpful. I’m not good with people, Madden,” Layla confided her fear. She trembled and Madden was certain she would explode any moment unless he could relieve some of that tension. Moving quietly into the palatial changing suite where Layla now sat moving the empty hangers by controlling the air, Madden lowered himself onto his knees in front of her.
“What?” Layla scowled but she looked more scared and uncertain than angry. Honestly, Madden thought she looked adorable. Her spunky façade was crumbling under all this uncertainty. He liked the spunky side, wanted her to feel secure and safe with him but the vulnerability meant she needed him.
“I thought you had a nice time with Anton in the gardens?” Madden had no idea what had wound her up so he would start with this. Looking up into her eyes as she stared back at him, he raised a brow and waited. She was beautiful even as she pinched her lips together and looked at him so disdainfully.
“I did have a nice walk with Anton. That does not mean I am any less unhappy about having dinner with your parents.” As she spoke, he took her feet into his hands and began to stroke them. Her words became less harsh, her back less rigid. “I would have thought you could’ve given me more time. We’ve only just mated.”
“They would want to meet you. It’s just dinner,” Madden worked at reassuring her again.
“I won’t know what to say. I don’t do good with people.”
“You do good with me,” Madden rubbed his palm along her cheek and she pushed into his touch. “And Anton.”
“It’s different. These are people I don’t know…”
“…who will love you as if they’ve known you forever,” Madden finished for her.
“Now, on to more important things,” Madden prompted, “How can we help you become more comfortable here?”
“I don’t know. There is a whirlwind surrounding me and I’m barely able to see straight. I have nothing of my own here. I haven’t seen my sisters today...” A tear escaped her eye and ran downward to her cheek. Madden stopped her rambling and quickly swiped the tear with his thumb, raising himself towards her to kiss her tears away.
“Layla love, you need only ask for anything you want. I will be happy to send someone after your things. And your sisters are welcome here anytime.�
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“But I am not allowed to leave.” Layla stated this as fact. So, Madden understood now that Anton had explained the compound’s security in which Layla would need to live. Ah, he had wanted to wait a few days, but he supposed Anton had the right idea. She needed the understanding.
“Of course you can leave. As soon as I’ve assigned a security team, they will take you anywhere I cannot go with you.”
“So I’m a prisoner,” Layla snapped, her anger he’d seen earlier solidly back in place.
Madden fought to keep his own anger tamped down. “You are my mate. You are not my prisoner.” Madden’s anger rose, his words biting.
“Call it what you want but I don’t see why I might need security like this. It’s insane.”
Despite her own outrage at feeling confined, he saw the fear flash in her eyes before she looked away so he capped his anger and lowered his voice again, “Love, you must be protected now from people who do not like the work I do.”
“What kind of work? Anton explained you’re part of a security company and that you don’t work in the family business. So what is it exactly you do that would put me in danger?” Layla regarded him with some skepticism, but the anger was softer in her eyes, directly impacted by his own mood.
“For now, you just need to know that I could never forgive myself if I allowed people who dislike me to hurt you. I cannot risk losing you.”
She spoke so quietly this time that it was barely audible, “because I am your mate.”
“Because I love you.” Layla allowed Madden to kiss her. All the fight evaporated out of her at those fragile words spoken by such a powerful man. With Madden’s lips strong and solid against her own, she submitted to his ministrations. She parted her lips to allow his tongue inside to stroke her. Lost in the kiss, lost in this man whom she could not deny, Layla gave herself to him. She felt him pick her up and relished the feel of his strong arms holding her as he carried her to the bed. Madden laid beside her and stroked her stomach.
