9781618854704HolidayGemBeckNC

by Paloma Beck

  “I don’t want the fuss of what my other sisters had. I thought we could celebrate here with just our family. We could host my sisters of course and their mates. Please don’t insist on a big ritual in the vineyard,” Gemma implored her mother.

  “Gemma, that was never me. That was all your sisters’ choosing. Well, in Layla’s case, it was also a bit of Adelina,” Chiara laughed. “I think your idea is perfect. Let’s have a quiet holiday and then ask them to travel for the next full moon.”

  “That happens to be just two days later so it’s absolutely perfect,” Abigail clapped her hands together. “Let’s have Anthony and Valentino make the travel arrangements while we plan a menu.”

  “Good idea. We’ll just let you two have some time. You both look like you could use some rest,” Chiara rubbed Gemma’s back, gave Seamus’ arm a squeeze and followed the others into the house.

  “It would appear we’ve just been dismissed from the planning of our Pronouncement,” Seamus commented.

  “My mother knows it wouldn’t matter to me.” Gemma paused, “Oh, did you want for us to plan it? I can stop them…”

  “No,” Seamus interrupted her, “I only wanted you to have the chance if you wanted to but I just want forever. The mothers can have the day.”

  Seamus scooped Gemma up and carried her into the house and straight to the bedroom they’d been sharing before he left for the latest mission. Now he seemed set on an entirely different mission. It was one she wouldn’t want to miss.

  Chapter Eight

  Gemma was amazed by Seamus’ strength, especially now as she clung to him. She wrapped her legs around his waist and the heels of her feet dug into his ass. Seamus had her pinned against the wall of the bedroom seconds after the door closed. She hadn’t even been able to blink before he’d willed their clothes away. They were completely, gloriously naked and she loved knowing she could touch him everywhere without barriers.

  Seamus’ skin was just slightly cooler than her own but being against him heated her blood. His cool touch was almost refreshing as Gemma felt as if she would overheat. Gemma admired how his darker complexion offset her own pale one. Their bodies were natural complements to one another, just as she suspected they were in personality.

  As she dug her nails into his back, Gemma felt the sparks that burst when they touched. She rested her head on his shoulder and stroked his back, watching the dancing lights. The kisses and the light nips Seamus was placing on her neck were growing more aggressive. She knew soon enough he would bite into her and drink. Goddess, how she craved that moment.

  A particularly sharp spark caused Seamus to raise his head in question. “Did I hurt you?”

  “No. I’m just learning to control my powers now that they’re out. It seems my powers grow stronger when I’m aroused.” Gemma was embarrassed because never before had she had difficulty mastering something. Because she sought all knowledge, she believed she could transition without any stress, but studying something was far from practicing it.

  “I don’t mind, beautiful. The idea of making you lose a little bit of your reserve excites me,” Seamus teased. “Let’s see how bright we can get these sparks.” With a quick quirk of his eyebrow, he dipped his head to Gemma’s neck again.

  Gemma gasped in surprise when Seamus pierced her skin without warning. It felt deeper than it had the other times. She struggled with managing her powers and coping with the overwhelming sensations.

  “Just let go and feel. It will all be fine if you just let go for a few moments,” Seamus assured her through their bond as he drew her blood from her.

  His hands clasped her hips; his cooler touch caused shivers to run up her back and her nipples to pucker against his chest. Gemma pressed into him and he growled. Seamus positioned himself at the perfect angle so she needed to simply shift down and he entered her core. His long cock drove deep into her and she steadied herself, willed herself not to move.

  “I want you inside me while I drink from you,” Gemma told Seamus before running her tongue along the vein in his throat.

  “Yes.” Seamus tilted his neck enough to allow her access while he continued drinking from her. They needed this connection so badly. They had both been without blood for nearly two days. During the Acclimation, newly mated couples drank from each other multiple times a day. To say they were starving for one another was just the beginning.

  Gemma bit quickly using her sharpest teeth. She disliked that first snap of skin because she worried she’d hurt him but Seamus sent reassurance through their bond. Then she began to drink in long pulls. Gemma and Seamus were literally starving for one another. It had been far too long for new mates and the rigorous pulls they took while their blood transferred one to the other spoke of their need.

  I don’t want to be away from you again like that. Gemma spoke into his mind. Had she been able to use her voice, she was certain it would’ve cracked with tears.

  I feel the same way. It will be better once we have more time to strengthen our bond, Seamus responded.

  He tilted his hips and shifted his cock inside her. Slowly, he drew in and out until she was clasping around him. Her body was instinctively trying to hold him in. He licked over his bite marks to close the wounds and, once she too was done taking her fill, Seamus ran his teeth down her chest.

  He took one breast nearly completely into his mouth to suck while his fingers found the other and toyed with her nipple. He used his tongue to stroke the nipple in his mouth until she arched her body into him needing more. He moved to her other breast and lavished equal attention on it. His talented tongue licked and soothed while his teeth bit and nipped. Gemma had never experienced this rougher side of Seamus. Well, neither had she even imagined sex against a wall.

  * * * *

  Seamus didn’t let up on his ministrations until Gemma was panting with such blatant desire, she was scratching his back. Her breath was labored and Seamus knew she was so close. He had been holding himself back because he just didn’t want it to end; but now he desperately needed to plant his seed inside her. Goddess, the thought of starting a family with his amazing mate had him near to bursting. Now that they had drunk from each other, it was entirely possible. Seamus shook his head at himself that the thought didn’t have him running scared.

  He lifted his head and looked her right in her eyes. He wanted to watch her as she climaxed. He needed to get as much of her as he possibly could. “I want to watch you, Gemma. Look at me.” Seamus dropped his hands from her hips to the two small curves of her ass. His hands were large enough to hold her fully, his fingers edging ever so slightly into the valley between her legs.

  His deft fingers stroked her damp folds, running his fingers around his cock as it drove in and out of her core, until Gemma pressed against him again, rubbing her wet core along his shaft. Each of these sensations worked in harmony to tilt him over the edge. His entire body tightened as he forced himself in and out of her with all his power and strength.

  “I need you. I can’t ever be without you, Seamus.”

  “Never without me.Never.” Seamus promised as he gave a final press into her core and felt her muscles grab a hold of him. His orgasm rushed out of him from the very tip of his spine, through his sac and straight into his mate where he could feel her reciprocate her own pleasure.

  Sweaty and hot, Seamus carried Gemma to their bed. She felt perfect in his arms and he couldn’t help but kiss her as they walked. Adoring the sounds she made as she came down from her orgasm, Seamus was unwilling to pull himself out of her just yet. Grateful that the mate bonding kept him unable to pull away for a few more minutes, he savored the feeling of their bodies stuck together.

  Seamus ran his hands along her body to soothe away the tension in her muscles. His hands roamed from her petite breasts along the curve of her stomach and cinched waist to the slope of her ass while he continued to kiss her. He placed her gently on the bed and followed her down with his body propped up on his arms on either side of her.


  When Gemma shifted her hips below him, Seamus couldn’t resist pressing into her again and was surprised when she pushed back. He looked down at her, quirked an eyebrow and was surprised when Gemma grinned up at him.

  Seamus’ mate wanted to play. He was more than ready for another round. He grabbed onto her hips and flipped her so she was sitting astride him as he lay on the bed. Gemma spread her legs deliciously on either side of his hips with his shaft still buried deep in her core. She rotated her hips and he knew he could stay here forever. Seamus never wanted to leave his mate again. It might even be time to rethink his profession.

  Seamus looked up at Gemma. Her flaming red hair draped down onto her narrow shoulders and stopped in time to bare her breasts to his gaze. She was his perfection. When she tilted her pelvis, his cock brushed her clit each time she moved up and down along his shaft. Gemma set a slow, steady rhythm. Her eyes sought his approval so Seamus presented her with a grin. Slowly, Seamus’ shaft grew full again and became rigid. His labored breathing matched hers as he pushed forward to meet Gemma’s thrusts every time she came down on him. Together, they created a mind-numbing friction. Nothing existed outside of them.

  Just when he began to tense, he felt the desire inside her reach a boiling point and she threw her head back in abandon. Seamus knew without a doubt that Gemma shared his desires because he could feel it through their bond. Her need coursed through his veins making it unnecessary to use words. This was a gift. Seamus knew it and he would forever appreciate it. He vowed it to himself and to his mate.

  “Yes,” Gemma answered as if she’d heard his thoughts. Perhaps she did. The emotional connection of their mating overwhelmed him once again. This bond all Valendite Breeds share with their mates was an incredible experience. He was thankful his parents had prepared him for this. Still Seamus knew it would take him a long time to get used to it.

  “Oh Goddess, Seamus, I feel it too. I need you again. Us together,” Gemma cried out to him.

  She was beautiful so wanton above him. He wanted to give her the world. For now, he’d start by giving her what she sought. Their bodies were joined at the warm, wet core of her body and it was an amazing sight. They couldn’t have been closer than in this moment.

  Seamus reached his hand down and stroked her clit with a single finger. She bowed her back and whimpered. His eyes never left her as he watched her reaction. He didn’t want to miss a single moment of this joining.

  “Look at me, beautiful. I need to see you when you come.” He hadn’t fully spoken the words before he felt Gemma tense and flood his fingers with her juices.

  She watched him with sparkling eyes. He knew she was hungry for more as her tight core squeezed his cock. Her body called to him and he intended to answer as she continued to move slowly along him for several long minutes. Gemma was so close, she no longer worried about the display she presented. She rode him, her hips tilted and rotated.

  Seamus waited with his jaw clenched as he fought his urge to take over. His cock throbbed and wanted more of her tight, hot passage. Seamus wanted it faster and harder but it was more important that he let her have this moment. She looked so unlike herself. Here, she was a sexy minx with all the confidence in the world. She was coming out of her shell and he loved it. He planned to teach her all about this side of herself over the coming years.

  “Yes, please, Seamus,” Gemma called out and Seamus let out a deep moan.

  “You can bring us there, beautiful. You are going to take us higher than we’ve ever been.”

  Seamus continued to stroke her clit as she pumped harder now. Gemma furrowed her eyebrows, her skin glistened and her breathing sped up. She was so close and Seamus needed her to feel the reward soon. He shifted infinitesimally and hit exactly on the spot inside her he knew would push her over the edge. Gemma sunk back down while he continued to pump up into her.

  Seamus felt her tense and then shudder and knew she was close. He added pressure to her clit just as he knew she liked. She threw her head back and arched her body into him. “Seamus…” Gemma screamed his name as her muscles went rigid. Her channel grasped his shaft with extraordinary strength and it milked him until the final drop had been relieved. She drew out everything he had inside of him. Never had he been more satisfied. Gemma was his perfection, his true other half.

  “I love you, Seamus,” Gemma spoke softly as she dropped onto his chest. There was nothing but their damp, clammy skin between them. Seamus could think of nothing better.

  “I love you too, Snow White.” Seamus kissed the top of her head and then tickled along her sides until he heard her laughter. His two favorite sounds were her pleasure and her laughter. “And I love to hear you happy without a care in the world.” No truer words had he ever spoken.

  * * * *

  On the winter holiday-the Winter Solstice-Gemma woke to a bundle of warmth at her side. She first thought it was Seamus until she heard tiny whimpers. When she ran her hand toward the sound, she felt something soft and furry and then she felt a wet tongue on her hand. Shoot, then teeth on her finger.

  “Ow.” Gemma shot up from the bed, suddenly wide-awake.

  Seamus sat in the chair in the corner of their room. She saw him watching her but then immediately turned her attention to the bundle of energy pushing against her leg. It was a puppy. Her heart leapt. Gemma had always wanted a puppy but her parents were worried for it to grow up with a little girl who needed everything to be planned and scheduled. Puppies couldn’t necessarily live on a schedule. Now because of Seamus, she could have this dream.

  “You?” she asked Seamus, grinning ear to ear. Her fingers found the puppy’s belly and stroked the little bundle of fur.

  Seamus nodded with a grin to match hers.

  “How did you know?” She continued to rub the puppy. He was white and brown, a striking ginger brown with a nose to match his fur. His sad brown eyes peered up at her. This little puppy immediately captured her. He would hold a special place in her heart now and always.

  “Your mother gave me the idea. She said it was something you had always talked about and wished you’d had.” Seamus stood up and moved towards her but the puppy drew up onto his paws and growled at him. “Ah, the only problem is that fur ball doesn’t like me very much.”

  Gemma laughed. “That can’t be true. He just has to get to know you. Come here,” Gemma put out her arm and gestured for him to join them on the bed.

  The puppy growled louder; the fur on his back stood on end.

  Seamus paused halfway to the bed. “I apparently have this effect on dogs.”

  Gemma couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of her at this grown man seemingly afraid of a little puppy. “You aren’t afraid of this little puppy, are you?” Gemma teased Seamus before talking to the puppy next to her in a voice one might use with a small child. “Hey, Growly, you stop scaring Seamus. He’s scared of you. Yes he is.” She pulled the puppy onto her lap and tried to calm him with gentle strokes. His ginger and white curls were soft in her fingers. He quieted, placed his head on Gemma’s arm, but continued to rumble low growls in Seamus’ direction.

  Seamus made his way to her side and sat on the edge of the bed. “Apparently they get attached and protective of their owners. I had assumed that feeling would extend to me as well but he seems to already know who he belongs to.”

  “What breed is he?” Gemma had no idea about dog breeds and would need to spend some time researching it.

  “The official title is Lagotto Romagnolo. Its literal translation is “Romagna lake dog” since it originates from Romagna. My parents knew a breeder there just north of Tuscany.”

  “A lake dog?”

  “It likes to swim,” Seamus explained, “And hunt too, but not animals. It’s bred to hunt truffles in the wild.”

  “Truffles? That’s great.” Gemma turned her attention to the puppy. It had gone to sleep and finally stopped growling at Seamus. She ran her hands through his fur and leaned down to rub her face against him.r />
  “Jealous over here,” Seamus interrupted. “This puppy better not get more attention than me.”

  “No one gets more attention than you,” Gemma promised as she reached over to embrace Seamus and the puppy picked up his head to begin barking again. “We’ll work on this. I promise.”

  * * * *

  Gemma spent the morning of the day everyone was set to arrive with Abigail and Chiara. They were giving her the details of the Pronouncement since she hadn’t been involved with the planning until now.

  “Dearling, I am so impressed by your willingness to let us plan this for you,” her mother complimented her.

  “We could’ve waited until the next full moon if you’d wanted to be a part of it.” Abigail offered.

  “No. We wanted to do it right away and it’ll be beautiful with all of our Winter Solstice decorations up. I will love anything you planned.” Gemma smiled at her mother and then at Seamus’ mother.

  This year’s Winter Solstice was the best Gemma could ever remember celebrating. She’d worried about not having her sisters with her but she was completed in such a different way by Seamus that it made any potential hall non-existent. Never in her life had she been so happy. Now she was ready to help with the preparations for their Pronouncement.

  “Now tell me what I can do. Do you need help?”

  “Your sisters will arrive this afternoon and you can go pick out a dress. We’ve arranged for a special showing at the shop in town where I purchased my Pronouncement gown,” Chiara told her.

  Her outing with her sisters was perfect timing because Gemma knew Seamus had a meeting scheduled with Madden, Donovan and Caedon when they arrived. Since recovering Donovan from his captivity, TEU had been a flurry of activity. Gemma was grateful to be far from it. But Gemma suspected Seamus would use the time she spent in preparation for the Pronouncement to be briefed on work.