A Mate for York (13 page)

“I’m
York and this is Lazarus.”

“I’m
Jenna.” She shook both their hands in turn. The good news was that she didn’t
seem too afraid of Lazarus. She even gave him a shy smile. “Is everyone here?”
She asked, still craning her neck to take a good look around the room.

“I’m
not sure,” York answered. “I think all the females are here. How many of you
made it through? I was only expecting for there to be ten. Since there are ten
of us.”

Jenna
finally turned her gaze back to him and Lazarus. “Um…there are twenty five of
us. We were warned that not all of us would be chosen.” Then her eyes swept
back across the space. “I was talking about vampires. Are all of you here
tonight?”

Lazarus
gave a grunt of affirmation.

The
female even lifted slightly off her chair to get a better view of the club.

“Are
you looking for someone?” York had to ask. It was glaringly obvious that she
was.

Her
face turned bright red and she vehemently shook her head. “No…I mean yes…one of
the other girls. I said I would keep an eye out for her. She must be in the
ladies room or something.”

“All of
the males are here.” York said, watching her face cloud in disappointment.

What
the fuck?

“Hi
there.” A really pretty female came up and joined their small group. She moved
in right next to York, turning her eyes on him. “I’m Vanessa.”

“There
you are.” The shy female smiled broadly. “This is York and that’s Lazarus.”
Jenna gestured to each of them. Maybe she had been waiting on her friend after
all.

Vanessa
had long blond hair and just about the bluest eyes York had ever seen. Like all
the humans that had been chosen for them, she was both tiny…in a way that only
a human could be and curvy…also in a way that only a human could be. Her hips
were wide, made for holding onto. Her ass was so fucking lush, it should’ve had
his hands itching for a grab.

Her
breasts were like two pillows. The perfect cradle for both his mouth and head.
His dick should be jumping out of his pants by now, yet…nothing. Not the
slightest fucking twitch.

The
female visibly flinched when she shook Lazarus’ big hand and even took a step
closer to York. She scented of cinnamon bathed in vanilla. His mouth didn’t so
much as water and his fangs stayed firmly in his gums.

Fuck!

York
took a quick look around the club, really looking at the human females for the
first time. When it came to looks and scent, Vanessa was right up there. One of
the sexiest humans in the room. Lance glared daggers at him. Two guesses on who
the male had picked as a possible prospect. It almost made York want to put his
arm around the female.

If
only he was in the least bit interested.

“So.”
Vanessa pulled her full lower lip into her mouth for a few beats. “I’m
seriously hoping that since you are here, that you are one of the eligible
vampire bachelors.”

York
nodded. “Yeah, I am.” Maybe if he chatted with her for a bit. “What made you
decide to be a part of all of this?”

“What?
Are you kidding? You guys are so incredible…you live in a castle…are seriously
wealthy. What girl in her right mind wouldn’t jump at the chance? By the look
of the mass of women”—she giggled—“and even a couple of men…out there, I’d say
that loads would agree with me.” She smiled, looking up at him through her
lashes.

“Reality
can sometimes be very different from fantasy.”

“Honey…”
Her eyes moved over him in a way that should’ve had something firing up inside
him. “I’m looking at the reality and you’re even better than any fantasy I have
ever had. May I?” She put a manicured hand out, wanting to touch him.

York
grit his teeth. Surely her hands on him mingled with her exotic scent would
rouse him from whatever it was that was wrong with him. He nodded.

The
scent of her arousal kicked up a whole lot as her hand smoothed over his chest,
her fingers brushed lightly over his pecs before crossing to his biceps where
she gave a squeeze. “Wow!” She breathed the word rather than said it. “You sure
are stacked. Makes me want to know if you’re like that everywhere.” She kept
her hand where it was for a few beats, her eyes stayed locked with his.

For
blood’s sake! The female didn’t waste any time. The last thing he wanted was
for her to think that he was interested because he really wasn’t. Not even a
little.

“I’ve
decided to take my time getting to know all of the human females. I don’t want
to rush into anything and neither should you.” He sounded like a total pussy.
It almost felt like the roles had been reversed.

Vanessa
licked her lips. Her tongue slowly dragged over them in a sensual, well
practiced move that did fuck all for him. Normally this type of display by a
really hot female would equal equally hot sex. The problem was that he wasn’t
here for a fuck, he was here to find a mate. Sure, compatibility would need to
be tested but there needed to be more there to begin with. York suppressed a
yawn.

Vanessa
must have sensed that she was losing him because she pressed herself against
him. Her lush curves should have felt really good but all he could think about
was Cassidy. Her unique green tinged eyes, her honeyed skin, the splash of
freckles across her nose. She had no idea how utterly intoxicating she was. How
sensual and sweet. It was a combination that had brought him to his knees then
and made him want to find her now.

Vanessa
cleared her throat in an effort to draw his attention. “That’s exactly what I’m
suggesting…that we get to know each other a bit better. We were briefed on how
sexual vampires are. You don’t have to hold back on my account.” Her eyes
traveled the length of him. “I’m game if you are.”

“We
are not permitted to fuck tonight and I’m a stickler for rules.” York said,
trying not to growl at her.

Lazarus
barked out a laugh that sounded raw and gravelly. York threw his friend a dirty
look, hoping he would shut the fuck up.

Vanessa
shrugged, her fingers played on her skin in the vicinity of her cleavage. It
was an invitation to look. York declined by keeping his eyes on hers.

“There
are plenty of other things we could do. Besides, we’re allowed to have at each
other from tomorrow on. Tonight could be a practice run.” She was clearly used
to getting her way.

“Thank
you, but I would rather we…” Damn but he had turned into a serious pussy. “Talk.”

This
resulted in another laugh by Lazarus. He and the shy female were, at least, making
small talk.

The
female in front of him, looked crestfallen for a second before her eyes
hardened up. “Suit yourself. I can see that you’re not interested.” She turned
and headed back to Lance, draping herself over him. Much to the dismay of a
sweet looking female who had been talking with him. The idiot male put his arms
around Vanessa, he even cupped her ass with both his hands.

York
felt nothing but relief.

As
much as he wanted a female and a family, he couldn’t move on without properly
explaining things to Cassidy. It ate at him that she thought badly of him. That
she thought he had used her. The worst part of it was that it would affect her
self-confidence and her ability to trust again. The thought of her with another
male angered the hell out of him but the thought of her all alone made him feel
even worse. He had to set the record straight. Then, he would actually be able
to give one of these females the time of day.

Unfortunately,
Gideon would know exactly what he was up to if he tried to leave early.

“What
made you join the program?” Lazarus asked.

“I’m
looking for a vampire,” Jenna answered.

Lazarus
gave a rough bark of a laugh. “You came to the right place.”

“I
sure hope so,” the female answered. She didn’t seem afraid of Lazarus but she
also didn’t seem interested in him. In fact, she didn’t seem in the least bit
interested in any of the males.

“Can I
get either of you a drink?” York interjected. If he was going to have to hang
around, he would try to make the most of it.

There
was screaming from outside. Loud, hysterical screaming. Guards streamed into
the club, at least ten of them. They positioned themselves at various points
within the club interior. York noted that the entrances were all covered.

Jenna
pulled her bag closer to her chest. Her eyes became saucers in her skull and
her heart rate kicked into overdrive. York could scent her fear.

“What
the fuck’s going on?” Lazarus growled at one of the leather clad guards. The
male looked alert and ready.

“Someone
threw a pig carcass onto the pavement in front of Aorta followed by a bucket of
blood. The pig’s heart was stabbed with multiple silver tipped stakes.” The
male looked grave. “Just a bunch of haters causing shit.” He then turned to
Jenna. “You have nothing to fear. We have the situation under control.”

She
swallowed thickly, nodding once but her face still looked pale and hers eyes
wide.

“It’s
them.” Lazarus’ hard eyes landed on him. He kept his comment cryptic not
wanting to frighten the little human any more.

“We
don’t know that.” York worked to keep his voice even.

Lazarus
snorted. “It’s them. I fucking know it is.” He moved to the bar gesturing for
the barman to give him his weapons.

“Who’s
them? Is everyone okay? Did anyone get hurt?” Jenna looked panicked. Her heart still
raced and she clasped and unclasped her hands.

“A few
people in the crowd got splashed by the blood but everyone is fine,” the guard
said. “It’s nothing to worry about.”

Jenna nodded
again, some of her color returning.

“Can I
have a quick word?” He looked pointedly at Lazarus who nodded. They moved to a
quieter part of the club. The guards were being questioned and the human
females reassured. York hoped that enough of the attention was on other things
and that no one would be focused on them or their conversation.

“What’s
up?” Lazarus growled under his breath.

“I’m
leaving.”

Lazarus
didn’t look shocked. His face remained completely neutral. “Are you sure you
want to risk everything?”

“I’m
just going to talk to her. I need to set the record straight. How did you know
that’s where I was going?”

“You
have a thing for that female.”

“I
don’t,” York growled. “Okay maybe I do, but”—he shrugged—“it’s complicated. I
just need to sort things out with her before I can move on. That’s all.”

“If
you go, you will end up fucking her and if you end up fucking her you risk
being booted from the program. You need to be very sure that you’re okay with
that.”

Since
when did Lazarus turn into a fucking shrink? “I have more willpower than that.”
York clenched his jaw. “Give me a little more credit.”

Lazarus
grinned, his teeth gleamed, making him look more murderous than humorous.

“Jeez,
bro, don’t smile like that around any of the females, they’ll run a fucking
mile.”

His
smile widened even further. “Then they must run. My mate will like that I am
built like a brick shithouse, she will love the fact that I drink blood. She
will love my smile. When I am with her, I will smile often so she had better
love it.”

York
found himself smiling as well. “You’re right my friend. A mate should love
everything about you…the good…the bad and the ugly. Even if the ugly outweighs
everything else.”

His
eyes hardened and his mouth became a thin white line. “Are you saying that I’m
ugly? I can show you ugly.”

“Wouldn’t
dream of it.” York put up his hands, laughing hard. He felt so much better now
that he had decided to go and see Cassidy. “I need to get out of here while the
attention is diverted elsewhere.”

Lazarus
shook his head. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“I’m
only going to talk with her.”

Lazarus
choked out a laugh. “If you say so.”

Cassidy
looked at her bags. They had been packed for days and yet she still hadn’t
left. Damned if she knew why she hadn’t taken the plunge yet.

She’d
given notice on the apartment and her lease was paid up. All loose ends had
been taken care of. The only thing left to do was to leave. Get in her newly
serviced car and hit the road. Destination unknown…the world was at her
fingertips with so many opportunities and adventures ahead of her. What the
hell was wrong with her?

Right,
she was going to shower and hit the sack early so that she could leave in the
morning. This was it. Decision made, she waited for the excitement to bubble up
inside of her but instead she got…nothing. Not a damned thing. Maybe she was
fearful. That was probably it. It wasn’t every day a girl got to start over. It
was a major life change. It was normal to drag her feet like this. Normal to
feel a little apprehensive.

There
was a knock at the door.

It
must be Mrs. Simmons from next door, she thought. She probably needed to borrow
a cup of sugar or some eggs again. The old woman was mostly just really lonely
and would make up any excuse to pop in for a quick chat.

“Hi
Mrs…” The rest of her words died a quick horrible death on her tongue which
chose that moment to become paralyzed. Her whole mouth fell open, so the
paralysis extended itself to her jaw as well.

It was
the last person she had expected to see. York leaned in against the doorjamb.
He was wearing a stylish button down shirt and black jeans, sporting a six o’clock
shadow that made him all the more attractive.
Bastard
! She didn’t want
to be attracted to him. It irritated her how his shirt pulled tight across his
chest. How his jeans encased thick, mouthwatering thighs
. Damn him!
Cassidy hated the knowing look on his face followed by a half smile that could
ignite panties. Not hers thank you very much. Not again.

She
somehow managed to get her mouth to close.

“Can I
come in?” Deep and velvety. His voice was like rich, dark chocolate. Melted and
dripping in thick rivulets. It made her hungry for things she couldn’t have…make
that didn’t want!

“No.”
She tried to close the door but he put a boot in the way. “I suggest you move it
or lose it.” Her voice sounded really confident.
Way to go Cassidy.

“I
need five minutes…please. I need to explain.” His eyes shone with sincerity and
his voice was filled with remorse.

For a
second…just one…she was tempted to let him in. Then she remembered how he’d
used her. Lied to her. Made a fool of her. Her resolve hardened and she shook
her head. “Like I said before, I don’t want your brand of apology. Please just
go away.”

His
jaw clenched and he sucked in a breath through his nose. For a brief moment it
looked as if he was going to back off. Instead, he took a small step towards
her, putting him mere inches away.

She
had to crane her neck to maintain eye contact. “Go…as in leave…as in turn
around and walk away. I’m not interested in what you have to say.”
Please
go.

“What
Brant said was bullshit! That’s not why I went to see you that night.” Again,
he looked so honest. Like every word was heartfelt. She wasn’t buying it.
No
way.

Cassidy
shook her head. “Look…I don’t know why you’re really here, maybe you get off on
messing with people’s minds or something. Maybe you’re some sadistic fuck. I
don’t know. You’ve said your piece and now you can go.”

“You
don’t believe me,” York growled. “I’m not leaving until you hear me out. I’ll
camp outside this door if I have to.”

“Good
luck with that since I’m leaving in the morning. My bags are packed and
everything.” She blurted, feeling like an idiot.

A
pained expression crossed his face for a second before he schooled his
features. His eyes burned with an intensity that scared her. “I will follow
you, Cassidy. Wherever you go, so you might as well hear me out now so that we
can both move on.”

“That’s
stalker behavior. You sound like one of those crazies.” A seriously gorgeous
stalker. In fact, he was the one that should have stalkers not the other way
around.

York
smiled and gave a small shrug. “I don’t like the way things ended between us.
I’ve done a couple of crazy things since meeting you so one more won’t matter.”
He reached out, almost touching her arm but pulled back at the last second. “I
wouldn’t be here if I didn’t mean it. Why would I care enough? Brant is full of
shit. Think about it. Please let me in. I never used you, I swear.”

Cassidy
rolled her eyes and sighed heavily before looking him in the eyes for a few
beats. This was a bad idea but what he said made sense. Why would he care
enough to be here if he had used her? Unless he needed something more from her.
Maybe he had something else to prove. She started shaking her head.

“I
fucking loved our night together,” he growled. “It had nothing to do with the
program or Brant or anything else. The only thing that mattered was you…our
attraction. The pull I feel for you…” He ran a hand over his head. “I know you
feel it too. It’s why…” His eyes moved to the side. Someone walked by, slowing
down as they neared her door so that they could gawk at what was happening.

Once
the person was out of earshot, his eyes moved back to hers. “That’s why I’m
standing here…like a big fat loser…at your front door begging to be let in.”

“You’re
not a loser.”

“I’ve
never had to beg a female so much in my whole life.” He was grinning. “Never.”
He shook his head. “Maybe I should go.” York shoved his hands in his pockets and
stepped back far enough to allow her to close the door.

She
didn’t move.

His
eyes softened. Turning from stormy blue to the color of the sky on a sunny day.
“I hope you believe me. It was never my intention to ruin your life or to hurt
you.”

“You
didn’t ruin my life…that was a bit overdramatic. It did hurt just a tiny”—she
held her thumb and index finger a few millimeters apart—“teeny bit to think
that you had used me, that’s all.”

“I
didn’t use you. I wanted you...” It looked like he wanted to say something more
but swallowed the words. His Adam’s apple worked. “I’ll go now…I’m sure that—”

“Come
in.” Cassidy interrupted him, stepping back, she held the door open. “Stay for
a drink,” her eyes flashed to his. “I have tea, coffee, water…I don’t have much
I’m afraid.” She quickly added, sure to let him know that her blood was not on
the menu.

York
chuckled. “A coffee would be great.” He stepped inside and her small apartment
suddenly became even smaller. Then he tensed up and stopped midstride. “Look, I
think I should probably go. I said what I needed to say. Fuck, Cassidy…” His
eyes lifted to the ceiling for a few beats. “You’re beautiful and intelligent.
I wanted you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. I really hope that you believe
that.”

When
he put it that way, it made her want to jump him all over again but she held
back…only just. “I wouldn’t have let you in if I didn’t believe you.”

“Good.”
His voice was low and deep. It sent shivers down her spine and had her toes
curling into her cheap linoleum floor.

His
eyes were so blue, so intense they had her mesmerized. It was then that she
realized how close she was to him. Her breath became a little erratic and she
swallowed hard. The attraction that flared up between them was so strong that it
was practically tangible.

His
nostrils flared. “I think I’d better go now.”

She
felt herself frown. “I thought you wanted a coffee. I can brew us a cup in no
time.” Cassidy didn’t want him to leave…not just yet.

York’s
nostrils flared a second time and she could see his jawline tense up as he
clenched his teeth. He shook his head slowly. “I wasn’t lying when I said I
wanted you that night.”

She
could feel how her frown deepened. “I know. I said I believed you.”

“I
would be lying if I said I didn’t want you right now,” York growled. “I think
you should ask me to leave now, Cassidy. Kick me the fuck out. I’m about to do
something we might both regret.”

“Oh.” Such
an eloquent thing to say.

York
took a small step back, keeping his eyes on hers. They were burning up with a
need that took her breath away.

“Urm…”
She wanted him more than she had ever wanted anything before. The problem was
that she already had feelings for him after one night. They couldn’t be
together, so sleeping with him again would only amplify her feelings and hurt
her more in the long run.

York
gave her a half smile, actually managing to look forlorn and lost. “All of the
best. Don’t let some guy mess with you again. You deserve the best, Cass…the
best. Don’t you dare settle for less.”

She
nodded, unable to trust her voice.

York
turned. Her heart felt like it was beating right out of her chest. “Please,
don’t go,” she whispered.

His
whole body stiffened, his neck muscles became distinctly corded. He turned his
face ever so slightly. “I should…leave…right now.” He sighed. “It’s for the
best.”

“Okay.”
It came out sounding like a breathy sigh loaded with disappointment.

“But I
can’t.” He pushed the door shut and turned to face her.

If it
weren’t for the desire in his eyes, she would’ve thought that York was angry.
His whole body radiated raw tension. His muscles bulged, straining the fibers
of his shirt. He even growled flashing a long, ivory fang as he advanced on
her.

Her
heart leapt to her throat and excitement coursed through her veins. He picked
her up, as in off the floor and with no trouble at all.

The
little gasp she made was swallowed as his mouth covered hers. His tongue
clashed with hers and the sound of ripping filled the room. Cool air abraded
her very wet pussy just as his hard cock rubbed up against her. She wrapped her
arms around his neck and pulled her knees up.

There
was no time to think or even to breathe as her back hit the wall. “Put your
legs around my hips. I need to be inside of you.” He nipped at her lower lip,
sending shock waves through her body. Her clit throbbed. Her breasts felt
heavy.

She
did as he said, locking her ankles behind him.

“I
need you so badly.” York growled as he pushed his hand between them using a
finger to rub on her clit. It was at total odds with what he had just said but
she didn’t care because his touch felt so damned good.

Her
breath came in rugged pants which turned to a loud moan when he pushed a finger
inside her.

“You’re
so fucking wet.” He growled in irritation when his shirt tails got in the way
of his hand and ripped it open. Buttons went flying, making soft noises at they
hit the ground around them. York didn’t seem to notice.

It
turned her on seeing the desperation etched into his features and actions. This
time he breached her with two fingers, pushing in and out of her in slow even
strokes that made her cry out.

“Are
you ready for me?” he growled.

She
looked down, seeing the head of his thick cock pressed between them. She could
feel it hard against her stomach. “Yes.” A needy cry was torn from her lips.

York growled,
sounding frustrated and he continued to finger fuck her. She could sense that
he was holding back.

Cassidy
was panting hard. Her orgasm, hovering somewhere just below the surface.
“What’s wrong? I’m ready.”

He
growled again, his eyes went from desire filled to pained. “I don’t want to
hurt you. I haven’t had sex since I was with you.”

And
one week without sex was a long time?

Some
of the training resurfaced and she remembered them mentioning how sexual
vampires were. “Wait a minute.” She held onto his hand so that he would stop
touching her for a second. “Is that unusual? I mean, is it unusual to go a week
without sex?”

York
nodded. “Yeah. I’m feeling really turned on right now. I want you so badly…to
be inside you…really deep. It’s just…” He clenched his teeth and shook his
head.

She
moved his hand away from her opening and grabbed ahold of his cock. York’s eyes
drifted shut and he made a growling sound that she’d come to recognize as
arousal.

Cassidy
closed her hand around his thick girth. “Take me then.”

York
crouched down a little so that she could position his head at her opening.

“Maybe
it would be easier if we went to my bedroom.” She licked her lips.

York
shook his head. “I’m too desperate for you.” He pushed his tip into her.

Cassidy’s
head rolled back against the wall and she made a whimpering sound.

“Tell
me if I’m hurting you,” he growled.

“Feels
good,” she somehow managed to grind out.

He
thrust into her again, deeper this time and she cried out. It stung a little
but it mostly felt really fantastic.

“You
good?” His eyes were filled with both concern and lust. His jaw was tense, his
whole expression told her that he was on edge. His brow was deeply creased.

Cassidy
somehow found it in her to smile. “I won’t break. Fuck me already.”

It was
all that York needed because he shoved her up against the wall on a deep growl.
Hard enough to maybe cause a bruise or two but she didn’t care because he
thrust into her again and kept on going. Hard and deep. Giving her everything
he had. His eyes were locked with hers. He grunted every few strokes. It was
cute, it was seriously hot. A sheen of sweat gleamed on his brow. His neck
muscles were all over the place.

His
dick hit nerve endings inside her that she never knew existed. She moaned as
his pelvis ground against hers, as his hips rocked with hers. As his breath
mingled with hers.