Dalton: NAC & The Holly Group (Alpha Team Book 2)

by Chelsea Handcock

  It seemed his Emma might not be as wholesome as he thought.

  “Damn, okay. Either my bear, or just because of the man I am, I am extremely dominating in everyday life. But also, sexually, baby. My animal nature would require my partner to submit to me in every way in the bedroom. I would never hurt you; only bring you pleasure. I can’t help my need to dominate.”

  Emma just smiled to herself. Dalton actually thought that him being dominant was a surprise to her. Maybe his animal senses weren’t that great after all. Biting her bottom lip, kind of feeling shy, she wanted to shock her big bad bear.

  “Are you going to wipe out a contract and ask me to go over my hard and soft limits?” Emma said, licking her lips. “I can tell you right away, golden showers or similar things are way out of the question. I also don’t think there is anything remotely sexy about blood play. No knives, needles, or anything close will ever turn me on. I do know that humiliation would have an adverse effect on me. Call me a slut or a cunt and you will get punched. Normal toys, a little slap and tickle, and bondage with silk scarves, now those are some things I could get behind,” Emma said with a laugh.

  She knew that she was trying to make light of something Dalton seemed to be so tense about. But damn, this was not the conversation she thought she would be having tonight, or any night for that matter.

  Damn, that little pink tongue was getting to him.

  Adjusting his hips, Dalton laughed, “Oh honey, I think we are going to have a lot of fun.”

  Dalton was shocked. He never expected Emma to know about BDSM. To him, she was sweet, almost innocent. He would have tried to be the gentle lover he expected her to need and want. He just didn’t know if he had it in him. That was one of the reasons that he had been holding back. Dalton wasn’t hardcore into the lifestyle like Ethan was, but he loved to play and it looked like his innocent little Emma wasn’t as innocent as he might have thought.

  Her face was flushed and her words and gestures were getting more animated as their conversation went on. He would have to thank Cash and Ryleigh for the opening because he never thought in a million years this would be the outcome. His little pixie was full of surprises. She might have been a bit shy at first, but damn, she certainly threw out all the stops; scat and blood play, what the hell? She had more than just a basic knowledge of kinky, and that turned him the fuck on. Content to just listen to her for a while, he sat back and relaxed while she continued.

  “I’ve never experimented much, but some of the stuff I have read has excited me. I’ve always liked the thought of the man taking control. Can’t we just see what happens? I don’t have a problem submitting to you sexually. I just don’t want it to feel like a game, or, I don’t know, artificial. I have a ton of questions. I just think it would be for the best if you just laid out what you expect of me.”

  “Shit baby, I think I am kind of blowing this,” Dalton laughed. “No, I will not be wiping out a contract. If you don’t like something I do to you, just tell me and ‘NO’ will always stop me. If you want a safe word, we can talk about that. But I think that is down the line some, once we know each other better and you trust me fully. I don’t expect high protocol ever, but I can say that the thought of seeing you kneeling at the end of the bed naked waiting for me definitely turns me on. I was more worried that my dominance would put you off, not all the other stuff.” Laughing, he included, “I am also glad to hear that scat and blood play are of no interest to you.”

  Emma squelched her nose. To each their own, but she was never going there.

  Emma settled back into him and Dalton felt like he could rule the world. His Emma had a kinky side and the idea of his dominance didn’t freak her out. He had been afraid, holding back for several weeks because he didn’t know how to approach Emma, giving her time to heal and accept him. The small touches and kisses had been driving him crazy. He dreamed of more, but was so afraid that her experiences in the past would hinder that. He thought his actions in the bedroom would cause her more harm than good. He wasn’t too vain to realize that he might have been wrong. This conversation seemed to be exactly what they needed to clear the air. Maybe they could move forward in their relationship now.

  “I just want you to know that I never want to cause you harm, but I will spank your luscious ass if you get out of line,” Dalton kind of laughed. “You have earned quite a few of those recently,” he said, tickling her side.

  Dalton’s declaration made sitting still almost impossible. Emma kind of wanted to feel his hand on her ass. She liked his dominant nature.

  “What I can tell you is that the thought of you dominating me has my panties wet.”

  Dalton had to adjust himself just from hearing those words. Emma was wet and it was for him. That made all of it worth it. He never dreamed of having this type of conversations with her before they even got past second base, but his relief and excitement were palpable.

  Emma snuggled closer and Dalton felt her tense.

  “I am willing to try, but are you prepared to accept it; if I don’t like kinky sex and just want vanilla? That is the real question, Dalton.”

  Ah, Emma still didn’t trust him completely. Talking about sex was easy, but talking about emotions was quite another thing. Emma had no idea how far gone he was for her. He loved her heart, soul, and all that shit. He tried to portray that in action and gestures, but obviously, he had failed. His Emma needed the words, and he promised to say them soon. Deciding to broach that topic later, he decided they needed to finish this one and maybe start building their lives together.

  “Baby, our sex life will never be entirely vanilla. Do you think missionary every day would keep you interested?”

  “Well Dalton, considering that my only experience to draw on lasted all of 30 seconds several years ago, I can’t answer that question.”

  Emma snarked playfully, but kissed him soft and sweet to take away the sting.

  Dalton didn’t like the idea of Emma being with anyone but him, and his bear was hated it even more. Yeah, that part of the conversation definitely needed to end. He was too aroused and he could tell Emma was too.

  Chapter 38

  Emma’s kiss had both surprised and please him but he knew they still needed to talk about a few things. He also knew nothing was going to happen tonight she was still healing. So, it was time to douse the fires literally. She needed to get cleared by Mia before he could make love to her and he hated to admit it but he also needed to hold off for himself so that he could gain more control. If he made love to her right now it would be rough and hard not sweet and slow like he wanted their first time. Like he felt Emma deserved. He would pleasure her to the point that no other would ever do. That was what he wanted. As it was he was locked and loaded. He needed her to understand that what they had was more than just lust. The kissing and touching needed wait just a bit longer even if it fucking killed him.

  He hadn’t yet talked with her about becoming a mated pair he wanted Emma to know everything before they took the next step in their relationship. He wanted Emma so badly that cold showers and self-pleasure weren’t going to hack it any longer. Damn! He was so hard it hurt. Sitting on the lounger with her wrapped in his arms he was somewhat in control. He decided now was the time to lay all his cards on the table. “Emma, we need to talk.”

  Oh, those dreaded words she wanted to kiss and touch not talk. Emma’s brain went right to worst case scenario mode, her thoughts running wild. He wanted to sleep with her but nothing more. He didn’t feel anything but friendship for her. He was gay yeah that was reaching the man was definitely not gay. Dalton caught on to her thoughts pretty quick and the man had the nerve to laugh.

  “Baby do you want to tell me what just went on in that mind of yours?” Shaking her head all Emma said was “No.” She was pretty sure she was in full pout mode lip out and all, trying to regain her composure she sat rigidly in his arms.

  Rubbing her neck and shoulders Dalton attempted to reassure Emma. I want to talk but I w
ant to hold you while I do.” He skillfully arranged her stiff body where he wanted it and then he started talking. “Baby I need you so badly it hurts but we have to wait. I know it sucks but you’re still healing and damn for my sanity I need to make sure you’re going to be alright if we go any further please understand? I’m not a small man honey and right now I want you so badly I couldn’t go slow, I am afraid that I could hurt you and that is something I never want to do.

  Emma knew Dalton’s concerns were coming from a loving place but damn it she truly didn’t give a crap right now she was horney and she really wanted to continue with what they had been doing. Did he really need to mention how big he was? She had been fantasizing for months being large only added fuel to her fire.

  Dalton held her more tightly, he needed her to stop squirming wanting to relieve her ache just as he wanted her to relieve his but this needed to be said. I have been trying to give you the time and space you need to heal so that we might be able to take this to the next level. I just don’t want to do anything that would impede the progress you have been making or send you mixed signals. I want everything between us to be crystal clear from the beginning.

  Emma nodded her head not trusting her voice at the moment. She didn’t want to hear Dalton say this was a one-time thing or that he didn’t see a future with her.

  “My bear claimed you and then McKenna at first sight. The bear claimed you the day you introduced me to the little girl I hope to be my daughter someday. But you had me way before that the trust you showed for me from the start blew my mind. I knew you had reservations but you fought your human nature and allowed me to be a part of that moment and I will be forever grateful. I knew pretty early you were my mate. The day we all shifted I knew for sure, my bear is not docile but you made him act just like a puppy at your feet. Do you understand what it means to take a mate for one of our kind baby?”

  Emma wasn’t completely sure, she knew that Jacks and Ryleigh were mates, had they said they were but she didn’t understand exactly what that meant so she answered as honestly as possible. “Ryleigh and I talked about it a bit and I assumed it was like a marriage?”

  “Yeah honey it is but also much more. For me up until I met you it was just a fairy tale told by old men thinking of a different time. You already know that we are different because of our bears but what you don’t know is that for a true mating to happen both the man and bear have to claim the woman. Most shifter men only experience a partial mating, with the man choosing a woman. It is said that when there were female shifters both the bear and the man would bond and claim the woman creating a true mating. In that mating the deep bond is for life. Emma I you need to understand that there would never be the possibility of divorce for a true mated pair. The bond is so complete it is even said that the couples of old could communicate telepathically I don’t know if I believe that but that is what we were told.”

  That sounded far-fetched to Emma the whole telepathy thing was beyond her comprehension. But if he was talking about her being his mate, she felt like she wanted to jump for joy and do fist pumps in the air. Deciding to hear him out wanting to hear the rest but she also loved hearing Dalton talk, the deep timber of his voice did something to her soul.

  Turning her head to the side Emma rubbed her cheek against Daltons soft shirt she wished they were naked so she could feel his warm skin against her own but it seemed he had other ideas. She felt connected to Dalton in a way she had never experienced with another human being. If all this mating stuff was on the up and up she was in 100 percent. She longed for a lifetime with him more children, more memories, and more happy moments. She wanted a family with him. Snuggling closer Emma wanted him to continue talking just so this moment would not end. Running her fingers over the soft fabric feeling the vibrations his voice made in his chest wanting nothing more than to kiss and lick every inch. Realizing he was right it was better to know some of what to except than to constantly question everything like she had been doing? She realized that she loved him and even though he hadn’t said the words she was pretty sure he loved her too.

  “Our bears are constantly looking for their other half making them irritable and uncontrollable. Even if our human side is content our animal will push for more, there will always be a feeling of unrest within us till both the man and bear find their true mate. As a result, the majority of marriages between shifters and humans don’t stand the test of time, shit honey most of them don’t make it past lust. The majority of us have accepted that being single is for the best not wanting to go through what our fathers or grandfathers went through. I myself felt that way until I met you.”

  Emma lifted her head and stopped playing as soon as he said those words “you feel that I’m your mate?” She asked, her voice thick with emotions. Her stomach flipped, had she just heard the words she had so longed to hear? A confirmation of her deepest desire fulfilled. She was his mate and he was hers.

  “Yes, I know it's soon and I want you to have all the time you need to come to terms with this. Emma, you are my true mate and I want you to be my wife.” Emma was stunned she was expecting some kissing maybe even sex she, never thought Dalton would put himself on a silver platter for her and she couldn’t be happier. It felt right, she had been feeling the same way since the beginning attached and connected like two souls living as one. She had never experienced anything like it. Everything he was saying made all she had dared to wish for come true. For normal people, all of this might seem farfetched but for Emma and Dalton it was right. This man was everything she could ever want or hope for. She was just about to say “Hell Yes!” when he stopped her with a finger against her mouth effectively shushing her response.

  “Baby I need to say everything” but Emma just couldn’t let him have his way this time. Playfully snapping her teeth at his finger, Dalton moved it away.

  “Dalton, you are sending me all kinds of mixed signals.” A million thoughts running through my mind. Asking myself “Does he want me? Does he think I can be what he needs or doesn’t he? I mean here I am thinking my luck might have changed you said I was your true mate and want me to be your wife. I want the same with my whole heart but then you stop me from answering you. I understand your concerns and I am grateful that you voiced them. But I am dying here! I want you with every part of me.”

  “If you want to take it slow and see what happens, then jump my bones and let’s go from there we have only shared a couple of kisses. I want more. I want it all! Part of the excitement is in discovering what makes us both tick and building on our relationship from there. We have both said we love each other and we both want the same things. I just don’t understand what you want or expect from me.”

  The man actually had the nerve to start laughing again. Emma went to full on pout, lip out and arms crossed. Dalton was infuriating her she was trying to be serious and he was laughing he then Dalton kissed her. “I know baby and I’m sorry I have totally fucked this up. Let me make it simple I want you for my mate, and Kenna for my daughter. I want us to live happily ever after just like in the stories I was told as a boy. I also want to jump your bones hear your screams of pleasure and push your limits. But baby there will be no jumping of bones tonight Mia hasn’t cleared you yet. You're still healing from having a Kenna and everything else you went through. I will never risk your health or wellbeing baby. Tonight, is about starting something new and moving towards the future. We have the rest of our lives to fuck like bunnies. Dalton tried tickling her again but Emma seemed to be too deep in thought to respond as he had hoped.

  Your right I guess, I am just the type of guy that likes to lay all his cards out of the table I thought you would get upset when I mentioned the BDSM stuff earlier and then I thought the whole mating thing was going to push you out the door. You need to know that I want nothing more than to sink into your luscious body right now and I will do just that very soon but tonight and until Mia says you are good to go you are only going to get cuddles.” Dalton said tickling her ribs
.

  Still pouting to say Emma was disappointed was putting it mildly. She loved how it felt to be in Dalton’s arms she just wanted to feel more. She longed for a deeper more intimate connection but if she really thought about it didn’t he just do that? He was worried about her and wanted her to understand everything that was going on in his mind. What he planned for the future it was all very sweet and loving.

  Baby steps, Emma thought to herself at least until Mia got there and cleared her for more. Laughing again he is “After I jump your bones as you so delicately put it I think we should get one of your favorite novels and play out some of the scenes you particularly enjoy, you seem to have some pretty spicy tastes in reading material.” Then he started tickling her again until she almost peed her pants she also lost the snit she was trying so hard to keep.

  Dalton knew it was time to take care of his mate, he had laid quite a bit on her and it pretty cold out, He also knew they needed to check on Kenna. The little angel had been sleeping through the night since birth but even though they had the monitor with them he liked to see that baby with his own eyes just to be sure. He debated for a bit his decision to go inside loving the moment but knew it was the right thing to do. “Come on honey lets head off to bed.” Emma nodding her agreement, thinking about all that they had discussed, she needed time to absorb everything he had just said.

  Walking next to him into the lodge Emma remained quiet thinking over everything. It all sounded so good almost too good to be true, could she honestly have it all? Everything she wished and hoped for? She sure hoped so. Chewing on her lip she weighed everything Dalton had said her mind was deeply in thought so much so she hadn’t been paying attention because they made it all the way to her room without her even realizing it.

  Not realizing that she had been biting her lip, she was startled when Dalton turned her so that her back was to the door taking his finger he ran it down her cheek pulling her lip out from under her teeth. Swiping her tongue across her lip had been involuntary she needed to relieve the little sting that her teeth had left but the results were far from what she expected Dalton growled deep in his chest and then leaned forward tangling his hands in her hair and pulling her forward and then kissed her.