A Mate for Lance (The Program Book 5) (14 page)

He nodded, looking deep in thought. “Maybe you are right.” Then he folded his hands behind his back. “Goodnight, Amber. I enjoy our talks. Thank you.”

“No problem. Goodnight to you too. Do you have to go back?”

He nodded. “Yeah, unfortunately. It will go on long into the night.”

“Enjoy.”

He scowled. “I’ll try.” Titan nodded once. She knew he would wait right there until she was safely inside.

Amber let herself into her suite. Lance wasn’t there. She actually sighed, feeling relieved.

After a shower, she put on her nighty. She was just slipping into bed, when a knock sounded. Amber pulled on her robe and tied it twice. She needed to be dressed for this. Next, she slipped on a pair of slippers and opened the door, just as Lance was about to knock for a second time.

He grinned, looking genuinely happy to see her. “I thought you had fallen asleep.” His hair was gelled. His shirt was white with black buttons. He wore blue jeans. The dark kind. In short, he looked really good. Bastard! Smelled good, too. Really, bloody good. Asshole!

For a second she was tempted to tell him to go away but since that wasn’t going to work, she opened the door and gestured for him to come in. Instead of walking into the suite behind him, she folded her arms, choosing to stay at the door. “You aren’t staying.”

“Bullshit, I’m not.” He turned, his blue eyes boring into hers. “At least, I’m not leaving until I get what I came for. It’s what we both want.”

Her tummy did this flip-flop thing at the sight of his forearms, of the tattoo peeking out at the bottom of the left sleeve. She pushed her need for him aside. Her body could go to hell. “I mean it, Lance. Please just go. We need to stop this. It’s not healthy.”

“We’ve gone over this. Not having sex for three and a half years is unhealthy.”

“Stop. My sex life, or the lack thereof, is no concern of yours.”

“We’ll have to disagree on that as well. I’ve made it my concern.” He closed the distance between them so that she had to crane her neck to maintain eye contact. “Sorry, sweetheart, but you’re stuck with me.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah right. Me and half the female vampires you’re sleeping with. No, just no.”

“Is that what this is about?” He narrowed his eyes.

She shook her head. Was it? Would she keep doing this if he agreed to being exclusive?

He didn’t give her a chance to finish the thought. “I heard you turn Brynn down. I knew you couldn’t go through with it.”

“Well, good for you.” She knew she sounded a bit like a child be couldn’t help herself, he made her stark raving mad. Then she shook her head. “Just so you know, I didn’t do it for you.”

“I know that, otherwise I would be worried.”

She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Yeah, that I’d developed feelings for you…” She mumbled that mainly to herself. A little louder, to Lance, she said, “Well, know what? I really haven’t. I probably dislike you more than ever.”

Using just a finger, he hooked a wayward strand of hair and tucked it behind her ear in much the same way Kai had done. Only this time butterflies went wild in her stomach and she had to fight a shiver.
Why him?
Why?

He smiled. A small half smile that made her breath catch. “It’s an improvement then, you used to hate me…now you only dislike me intensely.”

She shook her head, weary. There was nothing about this that was funny. “Look, we don’t like each other. Let’s stop this.”

“
I
have never said I didn’t like you.” He cocked his head slightly. His eyes had that amused look.

“You have a funny way of showing it.” She huffed but she realized he was right. Still… “Look, if you really wanted our…arrangement to continue, you would’ve agreed to being exclusive. You can’t even give me that. It’s not all that much to ask. It’s not like I ever want more from you, it’s just—”

Lance nodded. “Okay.”

Wait a minute. Her eyes went round. He wasn’t supposed to say that. She’d planned this. He was supposed say no and then she was supposed to kick him out, easy.

“Don’t look so shocked.” He cupped her cheeks with his hands. “I really want to keep fucking you and if that means agreeing to being exclusive then yes”—he clenched his jaw— “I agree.” He kissed her, softly, almost intimately. Shit! It made her knees feel weak and her heart race. She gripped his shirt and tugged him closer.

He broke the kiss, moving just a fraction away, leaving them almost nose to nose. “What? No slaps. No kicks. I’m oddly disappointed.”

Amber could only blink. Then she sucked in a breath. “You shocked me. That’s all. I’m shocked.”

“I stunned you silent.” He smiled. “Let’s see if I can shock you in other ways. Except I want screams not silence.”

And there it was. A zing of need that moved right through her.

He narrowed his eyes for a second, looking really serious. “We’re exclusive but the arrangement hasn’t changed. You know that, don’t you?” He let go of her face, his hands moving to the knots on the tie of her robe.

“Yes…of course.”

“We fuck and that’s it.” His gaze had moved to the tie, which he got loose. His long lashes fanned his cheeks. He pulled her robe from her shoulders.

“Yeah, I know.” She could hear the irritation dripping off her words.

“There will be no roses. No romantic walks or whatever the fuck couples do. We are never going to do those things. We’re not a couple, we never will be. I will fuck you until I get tired of you or until you go, whichever comes first.”

And after tonight, she’d have one more day, then it was game over, for the both of them. “I could get tired of you first. You’re so damned arrogant.” She slapped his hand away as he tried to hook his arm around her. “Just go. I don’t want you anywhere near me, you pompous piece of—”

Lance smiled, then he growled and yanked her against him. His lips were hot and heavy. His hands clasped her ass.

As much as she hated to do it, she melted against him, wrapped her legs around him. She moaned as her nipples made sweet contact with his chest. Her back hit the bed. When had he moved? He pulled her silk nighty up over her breasts as he unzipped his pants.

He ripped a condom foil with his teeth. “I can’t fucking wait to be inside you.” His eyes glowed and his fangs erupted. Lance pulled her legs up higher and thrust into her. They both groaned. He felt so good. Too good. They were both panting.

Why was she feeling so damned happy? Relieved even. Lance had agreed to be exclusive with her. Could that be it? Or was it because their…thing…whatever it was…wasn’t over. At least, not yet. Then he began to move and she lost all ability to think.

Not a fuck!

No way!

Just no!

He felt his heart palpitate. The thing skipped beats. Then beat like a motherfucker. Then skipped a few more beats, before half racing out of his chest.

He must have made a noise because Amber stirred. He tried not to move even though his first instinct was to throw the covers aside and hightail it out of there. The problem was that she was draped over him. He needed to be gone. It didn’t matter that he was buck fucking naked.

Sun streamed in through the window. Sun, god dammit. Jesus fuck! He could count the number of times a female had still been in his bed, come morning, on one hand. One. It was normally if a female passed out. And only if he was unable to rouse her. His solution, on those few occasions, was to make himself scarce until she disappeared. He’d never had a sleepover at a female’s place. Ever.

Amber’s head was on his chest, her leg over his thighs, her little hand over his heart. Which was still beating like crazy. His eyes were wide. His right hand still palmed her thigh, the other, was on her lush ass. This was asking for trouble. Any sudden movements would wake the female. Lance stayed where he was, unable to move. The hand on her ass clenched a little tighter. She felt damned good in his hands. So good at his side with her hot breath on his chest.

No freaking way.

He needed to leave and right fucking now.

“Why are you breathing like that?” Amber pulled herself up onto her elbow. Her hair fell in a dark tumble about her shoulders. It was wild. Lance wasn’t surprised. He’d had her on her back, on her knees and then Amber had ridden him. The female knew how to let herself go, how to listen to what her body was telling her. There was no fear or inhibition, just…

“Oh my god…” She gave him a long look. “You’re freaking out.”

“Am not.”

“You so are.” She smiled, clearly loving every minute, flattening her hand and feeling his racing heart. “You look like you’re about to have a heart attack or something. Is it the exclusive thing?”

He shook his head. “Vampires don’t have heart attacks.” Surprisingly he felt okay about being exclusive on the condition that it was sex only. Just as long as he got to keep doing this…make that, her. This, not so much. He needed to avoid this type of situation, at all cost. He moved to the edge of the bed, away from her, even though his dick had decided that morning sex was in order. It was like the bastard had already forgotten about last night. Typical.

She gasped and her mouth rounded. Amber looked like she was having a fabulous time. “You’re freaking out because you spent the night?” She clasped a hand over her mouth for a few seconds. Then she smiled at him. “Don’t worry about it, it doesn’t change anything.” She shrugged, averting her eyes. “You were worn out. Both of us were. No big deal! You’re welcome to shower before you go.” She frowned, her eyes meeting his. “You need to try and leave without anyone seeing you though.”

Then she sucked in a breath and her spectacular chest heaved. Shit! Amber was fucking beautiful in the morning. No human face goop. No clothes. Wearing nothing but sunshine. Hell, his eyeballs were doing somersaults and his dick was doing hand-fucking-stands.

So damned beautiful.

Maybe they could…

“You’re leaving right now.” She jumped off of the bed. Lance groaned at the sight of her heart-shaped ass. “Stop gawking at me.” She picked up his jeans.

Lance had to grab his dick at the sight of her bending over like that.

“Oh no you don’t. Get your mind right out of the gutter and right now. Here”—she handed him his jeans— “you’re right. Sleeping over is not a good idea.” She shook her head, her eyes were…panic-filled.

“Would it be so bad if others found out?” He felt oddly…unhappy…that she hated others knowing. What difference did it make? At least it would stop the other males from sniffing around. Amber was his, at least, her pussy was his. He would prefer it if others knew.

“Yes. It would be terrible. Here…” She thrust his shirt at him. “Why aren’t you dressing? The later it gets the more chance there is of someone seeing you.”

He began putting on his jeans. “It’s not a big deal if—”

“No way!” Her eyes were wide. “We aren’t even in a relationship.” She gestured between them. “This…is nothing. Less than nothing. I would be embarrassed if other people found out.”

“You would be embarrassed of me?”
Fuck that. Fuck!

She nodded. “Yes…well, don’t take it personally…not you, just this whole thing. What we are doing is so shallow. Oh god…” She rubbed a hand over her face. “I don’t want to be seen as one of your conquests. Make that, one of your
many
conquests. Please humor me on this.”

What could he say to that? The female wasn’t wrong. He still didn’t have to like it. He finally nodded. “I will sneak out and make sure that no one sees me but you will fucking owe me.”

She looked relieved. “Yes, sure, anything.”

“Anything?” Lance loved the sound of that.

“Yes, just go already.” She pushed him towards the door. Pushed his shoes into his free hand, then he was out in the hall, the door closed in his face. In his fucking face.

Lance made a sound of frustration. What had just happened?

****

One day later…

Kai stepped forward, his eyes firmly on Amber. It was no surprise when he said the female’s name.

Lance had to work hard to fight a smile. This was perfect. Now that they were here, he had been a worried that none of the males would end up choosing the female. What then? He sure has hell didn’t want to pick someone. Granted, his choosing her would’ve been strictly for sex but it would’ve been…uncomfortable. He drew in a breath. Problem fucking solved.

Two more males stepped forward, each picking females of their own.

Then it was Brynn’s turn. The male was like a puppy dog where Amber was concerned. He hadn’t backed down one bit since the female had made it clear that there would be no future for them. Yet, he insisted on pursuing her regardless. Fucking pathetic. Never again. He’d been there, done that, he had the scars to prove it.

“Amber.” The male winked and smiled like he actually stood a chance. Pup didn’t have a clue.

Amber looked distinctly embarrassed. Her face was a bright red. Her arms were tightly folded in front of her. She avoided any eye contact with Lance. His only solace was that she avoided eye contact with all three of them.

Amber’s friend, Bethany jumped up and down when Joshua picked her. The two of them couldn’t take their eyes off of one another. It was almost too sweet to watch.

Then it was his turn. Happy fucking days! He wanted this over with so that he could get his hands on his female. Amber had refused to let him in last night, stating that she desperately needed a good night’s rest.

Like a horny teenager, he’d been forced to take a long shower and to take things into his own hands, so to speak. Seriously humiliating but what option did he have? None. It wasn’t just that he had agreed to being exclusive, he found he didn’t want any other female. It was just a matter of time before he grew tired of Amber. Just a matter of time, but until then…he couldn’t wait to get his hands all over her.

“No one.” It wasn’t lost on him how Amber seemed to sigh softly. She was relieved that he hadn’t picked her.
What the fuck!

“Are you sure?” Zane raised his brows.

“Yes!” He answered more harshly than he intended. Lance cleared his throat. “Thank you for the opportunity to change my mind, but no,” he quickly added.

The male rolled his eyes and smirked. “You do realize that males in the second round may only pursue a female if they picked her.”

What? This was the first he was hearing of this. “No, I wasn’t aware.” He frowned. “That can’t be right, I didn’t pick anyone in the first heat, yet…”

“You fucked around anyway.” Brant growled. “It’s the exact reason why we changed the rules before the second heat. If you’d paid any attention you would’ve been aware. Is there someone you wish to pick? If so, say her name now or stay away from the females.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Amber give a small shake of the head. To any of the others it wouldn’t look like anything but he knew better. She didn’t want him to pick her.

The seconds ticked by. For the first time in a long while, he didn’t know what to do.

“Well?” Zane smiled. He was loving every minute of this…the bastard.

Then Brant went all dickhead on him. The male stuck his finger in Lance’s face. “I swear to god that if you so much as sniff at one of the females, I will have your dick…do you hear me?”

He bit the inside of his cheek. Wanting so badly to tell his king that he didn’t swing that way. Lance glanced towards the females. Amber’s eyes were wide. She’d gone from a healthy flushed look to as pale as a bloodless corpse. And, there it was, the slightest shake of the head, disguised as a flick of her hair.

Did she realize that their time together would be over if he stayed silent? He would not be able to go near her again.
Fuck that!
He wasn’t done with her. She might not want to admit it right now but she wasn’t ready for this to be over with either. She wasn’t. The female already hated him…she could hate him even more. So fucking what.

Fuck!

Brant turned away from Lance. “Good…moving on—”

“Amber,” Lance said, quickly before he could stop himself. There was the sound of collective feminine gasps.

Brant’s back stiffened. He turned slowly, looking as shocked as hell. “What?”

The fucker had heard him. The dickhead was going to make him say her name again. “Amber,” he repeated, this time much softer.

He kept his eyes on Brant who quirked an eyebrow. Then he shook his head. “Fine,” he huffed.

Zane laughed. His king strode over and slapped him on the back. It wasn’t like that. At least the one person who counted knew that it wasn’t fucking like that.

Amber.

Shit! She looked pissed. Her eyes were narrowed and her lips pursed. Her arms were still folded across her chest. They were together…full fucking stop. Not together, together but…exclusive. It went both ways. The sooner the others knew it, the better.

Lance was glad they all knew. He glared at Brynn, who looked like he was ready to burst a coronary. Then at Kai whose jaw was clenched. The male swallowed hard. He stepped forward. “I’d like to say something please.”

The human females continued to titter amongst themselves like little pecking hens.

Brant sighed dramatically. “Go ahead.”

Kai looked at Amber. “I’m sorry but I’m going to have to retract. You see…” He paused. “Three’s a crowd but four is…too many. I hope you understand.” He raised his brows, looking pained.

Amber tried to smile. It didn’t reach her eyes. She gave a nod of the head. “I do.” Her voice was close on a whisper.

“That was fun.” Brant smiled.
Dick
. “Congratulations to those of you that were chosen. The rest of you need to please return to the hotel. You will be given two hours to pack and to say your goodbyes. I need to add that if you were chosen but wish to leave…” He looked pointedly at Amber.
Motherfucker!
Brant could be a jerk. That was for fucking sure.

Lance grit his teeth and looked away.

“You are within your rights to do so,” Brant resumed. “If you were chosen, you are free to leave whenever you would like. There are strict protocols in place to ensure your safety. These will be explained to you during your debriefing prior to leaving our territory. Thank you all for taking part. I hope to see a mating, or two, at the end of this heat.”

When Lance looked back, Brant was looking at him. The male smirked. Not a fuck. They could all go to hell.

Nothing had changed. The only thing that was different was that he had staked his claim. Brynn may have picked Amber but the male wasn’t getting anywhere near her. He made eye contact with the male and flashed a fang. In Brynn’s defense, the male didn’t look away but neither did he retaliate.

Bring it the fuck on.

When he looked back towards the humans, Amber was gone. His little human could run but there was no hiding from him. Lance moved quickly from the room, following her sweet scent. Roses in full bloom. Mouth-fucking-watering.

Amber was walking so quickly that she was almost going at a slow jog. One of the guards was at her side.

“I’ll walk the female.” He was sure to keep his voice deep as he stepped in next to the male at her side.

The guard nodded.

“No!” Amber shook her head. Her eyes were blazing. “You stay.” She pointed at the guard. “You can go away.” She glanced at Lance before looking straight ahead. Her nostrils flared.

“Fuck off.” He gave the guard a look that could kill, whose eyes took on a look of panic. Good! Best he be afraid. Very fucking afraid.

“Don’t you dare go anywhere. I’m not talking to you. You’re an asshole!” she shouted.

His mouth twitched. Oh how he loved it when she called him names. Next, she’d give him a couple of choice slaps, maybe even a hard punch. He couldn’t wait.