Love at Stake (12 page)

How was he supposed to let that go?

But how could he live with himself if he didn’t?

…

Maybe they had a chance after all. Abbey smiled to herself as she typed information into a new account. Melissa seemed to think they did, and she knew her sire far better than Abbey.

Not to mention the way he’d fallen on her last night as soon as they’d gotten back to his apartment. Her body heated just thinking of how he’d stripped her body bare and run his lips across her skin. He’d taken her with such abandon that her cheeks still burned to think about it. But mostly she thought of the way he’d held her through the night, their bodies entwined. Surely he felt more for her than he would for a temporary fling.

She hummed to herself as her fingers flew over the keys. Only a few hours until she saw him again. Would he even go through the pretext of going on the date they’d lined up? Perhaps they could skip it and head right to bed.

A knock sounded on her door and Chloe poked her head in. “I’ve got something for you.”

“What?”

A man stepped into her office, a crooked smile on his full lips. “Forgive the intrusion. I came in to straighten a few details out with my account.”

“And I told him you were free right now,” Chloe said with a wink. “Have fun.”

The witch disappeared, closing the door behind her.

Abbey stood. “You’re—”

“Christian Kae.” He stepped forward and held out his hand. “We’ve exchanged a few e-mails.”

She shook his hand automatically. The werewolf was far more handsome in person than on his profile photo. Rich auburn hair curled around his ears, giving him an almost boyish charm. His golden eyes were warm and inviting, as was the wide smile on his face. He was tall and more muscled than she usually preferred, but she supposed that came with the territory. Werewolves, of all the weres, tended to be a more active species. No doubt he’d participated in his fair share of dominance battles and pack hunts.

His clothes were impeccable but more casual than Lucian’s usual attire. The first few buttons of his collared white shirt were undone to show off the golden skin underneath. Fit jeans and a brown sport coat finished his ensemble, giving him an air of a man put together but laid back. She could imagine grabbing a beer with him and telling raunchy jokes. Definitely a change from her straitlaced vampire.

“Yes, I meant to reply to your last e-mail. Sorry.”

“No worries,” he said, waving away her apology. “As I said, I was coming in anyway so I thought I’d try my luck. May I sit?”

“Uh, please.” Abbey took her own seat as she tried to figure out how to handle this. Christian was striking, that was for sure. But she had Lucian. Didn’t she?

“So you work for Fated Match,” he said, giving her another easy smile. “Must be an interesting gig.”

“Yeah, I like helping people find their right mate.”

“Rewarding.” He nodded as if he understood perfectly. “I’m a chef myself. Catering mostly and some restaurant work.” He tossed her a boyish grin.

“A chef?” She blinked. “I assumed you’d have a job with the pack.”

“Tried it. Wasn’t my cup of tea.”

Which meant he was strong enough to break away from the rules. Lower members of a pack were rarely allowed to seek employment in the human world. They worked for their alphas, helping the leader run the day-to-day operations of the pack. To break free of what she understood was an extremely tight community, Christian had to have some serious pull.

“Do you like working with supernaturals?” he asked.

“I wouldn’t stay if I didn’t.”

His charming grin widened. “Does that mean you’ve dated a wolf before?”

“Actually, no,” she replied, praying she didn’t blush.

“Lucky me, then.” He leaned his elbows on her desk. “Look, I’ve used Fated Match for years and it’s never really gone anywhere, but when I saw our match rating, I was floored. A ninety-six percent is pretty unheard of.”

“I know.” They had very few pairs with that close to a perfect compatibility rating, and almost all of them ended up together long-term.

“So I thought I should try to meet you. Can I take you to dinner or something?”

She cocked her head at his easy invitation. “Doesn’t it bother you that I’m a human?”

“No. I figure, I’m more than my wolf. You must be more than your humanity, too. I didn’t want that to stand in the way of meeting you. For a ninety-six percent pairing, very little would make me want to walk away.”

“What would?” she asked, curious despite herself.

“If you’re not a Yankees fan, I think we’re done here,” he said.

“Not much of a sports girl, I’m afraid.”

“No problem. I’ll teach you. So how about that dinner?”

She was surprisingly tempted. Christian looked exactly like the man she had always dreamed of. Someone who could laugh, who didn’t mind her human roots, and who really wanted to get to know her. If she’d met him a week earlier, she would have jumped at his offer.

But she wasn’t into dating two guys at one time, especially not when one of those men was Lucian.

“I’d like to, honestly I would, but I’m sort of seeing someone right now.”

His face fell. “Your profile said—”

“I haven’t updated my account yet.”

Some of his disappointment faded. “Is he a were?”

“Vampire.”

A slow grin curved his lips. “Vampire, huh? Cool-blooded suckers.” He reached into his coat and pulled out a business card. Then he scrawled something on the back.

“Here.” He held out the card to her. “I wrote down my personal cell number.”

She accepted the card with a frown. “I just said…”

“I know. But vampires are notoriously bad with humans. I have a feeling I’ll be getting a call from you soon.”

“Arrogant,” she said.

“Confident,” he corrected. “Ninety-six percent rating, honey. Tell me you’re not interested in exploring that.”

“Maybe if I were free, but I told you, I’m involved.”

He shrugged. “Someday you might not be and let’s face it,” he spread his hands, “I’m not getting any older.”

She smiled despite herself. “I’ll take the card but I make no promises.”

“My offer to feed you still stands. I’m a sucker for anything spicy.”

“Me too.”

The grin widened. “How ’bout that.”

“Fine, fine. I’m keeping the card but you need to leave.” She gave him a smile to lessen the impact of her words.

“I’m going.”

She offered her hand and tried not to notice how nice it felt when he enfolded her small fingers in his larger ones. Abbey tried to withdraw her hand but he held on, pulling her closer.

“Just so you know,” he said. “I’m a hell of a lot more fun than any leech.”

He kissed her cheek before she could protest and left her with a last, wicked grin.

Abbey stared after him, one hand on her cheek. He was bold, she’d give him that. But she had Lucian and brash or not, he was the man she wanted to go home with tonight.

…

Something was off. She sensed it the moment Lucian stepped into her office and accepted the file she had waiting. He viewed the information on the were-tiger he was meeting and asked a few questions, showing more interest in the dating process than he ever had before.

“Lavender perfume,” she said, pushing the small pink gift box toward him. “Her favorite.”

“Thank you.” He pocketed the box without protest.

The drive to the restaurant seemed like an eternity.
Had something gone wrong?
she wondered. When she’d left him this morning, he’d grinned and dragged her back to bed, begging her to spend the day. He hadn’t seemed like a man about to pull away from her.

Yet that was exactly what was happening.

They pulled up in front of the restaurant and she unfastened her seat belt. “I’ll wait for you at the bar,” she said.

“No.”

The word froze her, one hand on the door.

“What?” She swung around to face him.

In the shadows of the car, it was impossible to read his expression. Not that she ever had much luck predicting his feelings.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean this isn’t fair to you. We need to stop.”

“Stop what? Sleeping together?”

He nodded.

Pain ripped through her heart. When had this happened? Surely he hadn’t gotten tired of her in the few hours since they’d last touched.

“Why?” she demanded.

He didn’t reach for her. “I made you a bet and I haven’t been upholding my end of it. I need to focus on finding my mate. Nothing else.”

She flinched. He’d never take a human as his mate, she knew that.

“So you woke up this morning and suddenly I wasn’t good enough for you?”

His fists clenched. “Of course not. I just don’t want you getting attached.”

“Because you’ll never feel anything more for me. And you thought, what? That I was doodling ‘Mrs. Redgrave’ in my work binders? Sometimes great sex is just great sex, Lucian.”

He looked away. “Good. I don’t want you hurt.”

She shook her head in disbelief. “You are an absolute jerk for doing this now, here. I didn’t deserve any more consideration than dumping me in your car on your way to meet another woman?”

“I’ve handled this poorly. I meant no insult.”

Anger curled through her. “No insult? I find it pretty damn insulting that you think I’m either a hopeless fool wishing for something I can’t have or a disposable commodity that’s met its expiration date.”

He lunged forward, surrounding her without touching her. “That is not it at all. Dammit, Abbey, can’t you see I am trying to protect you?”

“From what?”

“From me.” His roar filled the car.

She scowled, holding her tongue.

“If you want more, I don’t have it in me to give. And if you only want great sex, I can’t keep playing this half game. Seeking other women and coming home to you. It’s not fair. Not to anyone involved.”

“I told you all that before we even started this thing,” she snapped.

“And I should have listened. You were right. You are always bloody right.”

“Convenient that you see that now, after we’ve gone to bed together.”

“This isn’t about not wanting you,” he denied. “It’s about wanting what’s best for you.”

“I choose what’s best for me,” she said. “And who. Be clear about this. I’m not a simpering milkmaid to swoon after you. Do this and I won’t be waiting if you change your mind.”

He said nothing, his gaze locked on hers.

Her heart thundered in her ears as she waited.
Choose me,
she prayed.
Don’t end this now, not yet. Not until we see where it leads. I don’t need forever, I’d settle for right now.

Lucian leaned forward until his lips were a breath away from hers. She held still, forcing him to come to her.

They hung there, frozen in limbo.

Until he moved back. “I won’t change my mind.”

She couldn’t believe he’d said it. How had she been so wrong about everything?

“Screw you, Redgrave.” Abbey burst from the car, unable to look at him. Her heels pounded the pavement as she stalked away.

How dare he? She’d known there was a reason to avoid vampires. They obviously liked to play with their food.

Her mind filled with images of him over her, under her, behind her. They’d done things together she couldn’t spell but it seemed a few nights was all she was good for. Vivian had been right, damn her. Humans were toys to be used and thrown aside. She’d never been anything else to the bloodsucker.

Her hands fisted at her sides. The need to destroy rose within her, to pound some inanimate object into dust. It was either that or have a mental breakdown.

Angrily, she shook her head. No way would she waste tears over the bastard. Everyone had seen this coming. She’d get over him.

The thought slowed her furious march. One man had predicted tonight’s outcome just hours before it happened. Christian’s card was in her purse, and the werewolf was just the thing to take her mind off staking her ex-lover.

She’d show him. Other men wanted her, even if Lucian didn’t. And she had promised him she wouldn’t be waiting when he realized his mistake.

Grabbing her cell, she dialed Christian’s number. He picked up on the second ring.

“Still want to take me out?” she said in greeting.

There was a beat of silence before he replied, “Hell yes.”

Chapter Ten

“Honey, you look ready to do battle,” Christian said.

Abbey twirled on the street corner as the wolf loped toward her. He’d been quick. It was barely twenty minutes after she’d called and here he was.

The light from the streetlamp overhead added a golden sheen to his tousled hair. Traffic whizzed by the intersection but she only focused on her would-be date.

“You’re fast,” she said.

“You motivate a man,” he replied with an easy smile. “So do I want to know what put murder in your eyes?”

“No.”

He studied her for a moment before replying, “Whatever the leech did, I’ll have to thank him for it someday.”

“I need a drink,” she said. “Somewhere loud and bright.”

“You called the right man. I promise you’ll forget the bastard’s name by the end of the night.”

“I’ll hold you to it.”

He grabbed her hand and pulled her down the street. “We’ve got to ride there.”

“How?” she asked.

A black motorcycle waited by the side of the street, propped on its stand. “Weres like adrenaline,” he said. “You game?”

She eyed the two helmets waiting. “Yeah.”

“Atta girl.” He tossed her one helmet and kicked his leg astride the bike. “Come here.”

Abbey settled in behind him, relishing the new feeling of being on a motorcycle. Christian threaded her arms around his torso and pulled her against him. “Hold on,” he commanded over her shoulder. “As tight as you want.”

The engine roared to life beneath them and a small gasp escaped her as they shot off onto the street.

Wind rushed by her, no doubt tangling the hair escaping her helmet into an epic knot. Her skirt ruffled against her legs but she didn’t feel cold. Instead she hugged Christian close and took advantage of his body heat. Weres ran naturally warm and right now, the heat was a welcome bonus.

She breathed in the scent of pine and earth on his skin. Perhaps he’d been in the woods before her call, running with his pack. She liked the idea that someone wanted her enough to drop whatever he was doing and join her. At least someone thought she was worth such effort.

They weaved through traffic and a startled laugh escaped her. Christian handled the bike with expert confidence. She felt no danger riding with him despite her human fragility. The wolf was in full control.

At the sound of her pleasure, he revved the engine and zoomed ahead even faster. Abbey watched the city fly by in a way she never had before. Adrenaline surged through her body, just as he’d predicted, and she welcomed the sensation. She’d been following too much of a routine these past few days. Letting Lucian suck her into his structured schedule when she far preferred her own brand of chaos.

Looked like Christian preferred it, too.

With a grin stretching her lips, she held on tight and let him take them where he would.

The ride ended far too soon. They could have driven all night and she wouldn’t have complained.

“Where are we?” she asked as Christian undid her helmet.

“It’s a were bar I know. You down with that?”

“Bring it.” Couldn’t be worse than a vampire ball, could it?

He flashed her another grin before twining his fingers through hers. Wondering what she was getting herself into, she followed Christian into the bar.

Sound exploded the moment they stepped from the street. The bar was packed, laughter and music filling any second of silence. Plush red booths lined one wall with the bar running down the length of the other. Toward the back, dartboards were surrounded by a jumble of eager contestants. Very little floor space was left unoccupied as the weres toasted each other and downed their pints. Christian waved to a few people as he tugged her through the throng.

“Are you a beer girl?” he asked.

“The darker, the better.”

“Honey, I think I’m in love.” He gestured to the bartender and held up two fingers.

They managed to battle their way to the booths and the slight privacy they offered. She couldn’t see any that were empty but that didn’t stop Christian. He headed for one the farthest away from the pulsing speakers and stared at the two occupants within.

The young weres took one look and him and vacated the seat.

“How did you do that?” she said. “I feel kinda bad.”

“No need. I’ll buy them a round. Please, sit.”

Figuring there was no sense in letting the prime booth go to waste, she slid onto the plush seat. Within seconds, pints were placed in front of them, along with a bowl of fries.

Christian slapped the waiter on the back and said a few words to the man before turning his attention back to her.

“So,” he said, reaching for a fry. “Feel like telling me what he did yet?”

“Nope.” She took a sip of the stout. “Mmm. Good choice.”

“All right, then let’s focus on more mannered subjects. How’d you like the ride here?”

She grinned. “We need to do that again.”

“We will,” he promised without missing a beat. “Weres like adventure.”

“I know. My mom is one.”

“Seriously?” He raised his drink to his lips. “What tribe?”

“Were-badger. She was out hiking one day when one came tearing out of the trees. A were-cougar was chasing him and he’d gotten lost trying to get away. He’d been in a frantic state when he crossed paths with my mom. She was bitten by mistake.”

“Rough break,” Christian said. “We try to only turn people who really know what they’re choosing but now and then, mistakes happen.”

“Tell me about it. Stan’s not a bad guy but a bit of a flake. We really didn’t have anyone to show us all the were ropes.”

“She doing all right?”

Abbey nodded. “Mom met a guy in a badger clan here in the city. They actually got married a few months ago.”

“So a happy ending.”

“All things considered.”

Christian’s eyes were sharp as he took another sip. “You never considered turning with her?”

“Were-badger isn’t exactly the type I’d go for. Though mom looks damn cute on a full moon.”

“I highly recommend wolf,” he said. “Just sayin’.”

“Think you might be a little biased?” she teased.

“Best kind of supernatural you’ll find.”

She grinned and snatched a fry. “I’ll reserve judgment. You’re the first wolf I’ve really had much to do with.”

“Starting out with a winner. You sure can pick ’em.”

Abbey laughed. An hour ago, she hadn’t thought she’d ever laugh again, and here Christian was, good to his word, distracting her from Lucian.

“So were you born were?” she asked. “Or bitten?”

“Wolf born and bred. My folks were from up north but I petitioned to join the New York pack as soon as I was old enough.”

“Why?”

He shrugged. “Wanted to explore the big city. I attended culinary school here and decided to stay. I’ve got everything I need here.”

“Sounds like. I never expected to end up in the city when I was a kid but now that I’m here…”

“You can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

“Something like that.” Abbey popped another fry in her mouth.

“I guess I’m lucky life brought you here and landed you at Fated Match. Who knows how long I’d have had to search otherwise.”

Her eyes flickered up to his. “Do you really put so much stock in the match rating?”

“Don’t you?”

She shrugged. “I know I work for the company, but I always figured there should be more to it than a computer system.”

“It’s got a wicked high accuracy rating.”

“I know. And I’ve seen it work firsthand. I just… I don’t know, thought there’d be more to it.”

“A computer can match a pair but it’s up to us whether we fit into each other’s lives,” he said. “But I’ve got to say, I’ve known you a day and think any man who would let you get away is an idiot.”

She flinched at the reminder and regret crossed Christian’s face.

“Sorry,” he said. “I put my foot in it sometimes.”

“No, it’s okay. It’s refreshing to meet someone who also spits out everything they’re thinking.”

“We should form a group. Tactless Anonymous.”

Abbey chuckled. “I know a bunch of people we could get to join.”

“Don’t we all?”

“So why did you sign up for Fated Match?” she asked, reaching for her drink.

Christian sat back with a shrug. “Didn’t have much chemistry with the females in the pack. Seemed a good idea at the time.” His grin widened. “A very good idea in hindsight.”

She felt heat fill her cheeks. “Are there many wolf-human pairings that you know of?”

“A couple, maybe. They don’t stay that way for long.”

“What?”

“I mean, the human usually turns pretty fast. It’s a great way to introduce new blood into the pack.”

A shiver of unease ran through her. “What if they don’t want to turn?”

“Why wouldn’t they?”

Christian stared at her blankly and she realized he really didn’t understand why she’d want to stay human.

Subject for another time,
she thought.
Not a first-date conversation.

“Tell me about working as a chef,” she said instead. “I bet you have all the female staffers wrapped around your finger.”

Christian let out a laugh and settled in to tell her about his job. As he talked, Abbey realized how nice it was to be comfortable around him. He didn’t put her on pins and needles the way Lucian had. He also didn’t make her heart pound as loudly, but that would come. She just needed a little time.

Tossing back a fry, she wondered if Christian was right. No one walked away from a nintey-six percent.