A Mate for Griffin (10 page)

She shook her head. “No, I didn’t. Why do you look so angry?”

Griffin shrugged. “I’m not. I don’t like that he called you that. Fuck, but he can be such a dick.”

“I don’t think he meant it in a bad way.”

“Prim.” he snarled. “Really? Prim and fucking proper. Hell no.” He shook his head. “I don’t like it. If we’d stayed, I would’ve hit his disrespecting mouth. Made it bleed.”

She touched his arm. “Thank you for sticking up for me, but I really don’t think he was trying to be derogatory or mean. He seemed nice for the first time.”

“Nice! Did you see the way he was looking at you? Christ, there was nothing nice about it.”

“How was he looking at me?” She frowned.

Griffin shook his head. He ran a hand through his hair. “You don’t want to know.”

“I do.”

“Like he wanted to rip your clothes off and fuck you into next week.” His big chest heaved.

“That’s good isn’t it? I mean, he’s noticing me and that was the intention.”

Griffin shook his head. “You are worth far more than that, Sarah. He should want to get to know you. To spend time with you. What the fuck is wrong with him? It’s a start though. At least we know that he wants you.”

“Yeah,” she whispered. “It’s a start.” She gripped her elbows waiting to feel excitement, happiness…something. The feelings never came.

That could only mean one thing, she wasn’t as in love with Lance as what she had thought. Maybe she wasn’t in love with him at all.

She stumbled and Griffin gripped her elbow so that she didn’t go flying.

“You okay?”

“Yeah.” She nodded.

He released his grip. “You did good. Really good, Sarah. Thanks again for doing this. Lance is one lucky vampire.” He smiled and for the first time that evening it actually reached his eyes, lighting up his entire face.

Sarah nodded, her own smile felt tight and forced. “Sure.” She still needed to give this a chance. She had promised Griffin that she would try. They were seeing a new side to Lance. Sarah needed to get to know him. Maybe she would start to feel something soon. There had been something there initially, hadn’t there?

Yeah, attraction. Those beautiful, haunted blue eyes. His thick, unruly blond hair. Ridiculous good looks. Cocky, arrogant, seemingly untamable and all in a great package. All of that delicious male was actually noticing her and she would see where it went. She couldn’t let Griffin down. He was a good guy. He was her friend. She glanced up at him, locking eyes with his dark, intense gaze and shivered.

The next day…

Sarah gave Griffin’s hand a squeeze. It had become a habit to hold it while walking in public.

“Is everything okay?” She whispered. “You seem a little preoccupied.”

He squeezed her hand back and gave her a tight smile. “I think we might need to move things along a little.” He stopped moving and looked around them before releasing her hand. They were somewhere between the castle and the hotel.

Griffin continued to look around them, staring into the pitch black on either side of the pathway. “Let’s see how things go. If Lance is as interested as he was last night, then I’m going to tell him about our plans.”

She shook her head. “It’s too soon.”
No. No way.
He couldn’t do that. What if Lance laughed in their faces? What if he didn’t?

Griffin shook his head. “I don’t think so. He’s interested. Really interested. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look at a female like that before.”

“That’s lust. It doesn’t mean anything. He doesn’t even know me. It’s too soon.” She was babbling but couldn’t seem to help herself. “We’ll ruin the whole thing. It could blow up in our faces. You were supposed to help me. Teach me…stuff.” Her mind wandered to Griffin’s lips on hers. How inappropriate. She shut down the thought.

Griffin shrugged. “I don’t have to teach you anything. You, are you. You are perfect just as you are.” He smiled at her but it looked a little sad. “Granny panties, warts and all.”

She had to smile back. “Leave my panties out of this.” She tried to make light of it. Tried hard to sound flippant, but failed.

For just a brief moment his eyes seemed to heat, but the look was gone before she could tell for sure. “Lance is as interested as hell. He would be nuts not to be. I’ve told you that from the start. The two of you are going to make each other very happy.”

She nodded, not sure what to say.

“I think it would be best if I tested him. If he reacts then we know for sure.” Griffin shrugged. “In which case I’m going to talk to him.”

“What kind of test?”

“I’m not sure yet.” He took back her hand and they continued to walk. “Just trust me and follow my lead. After today, we will know whether or not he is really into you or if he just thinks that you…never mind. We’ll know either way.”

“Then what?” Her voice sounded soft and timid. She didn’t like either outcome.

“If he passes, I’ll explain this whole thing to him and the two of you will live happily ever after.”

A wave of panic threatened to overwhelm her. “Um. More like we take it slow and see where this goes. Lance and I know very little about one another.”

“Yeah, yeah. Semantics.” He waved his hand. “You’ll get to know one another.”

“What if your little plan doesn’t work? What if he isn’t into me?” Her heart beat faster. She wasn’t ready for this. They still had time. Why was Griffin rushing this?

“He’s into you.”

“You might be wrong.”

“I’m not.” There was a slight growl to his voice. “Look…” He stopped and put his hands on her shoulders. “If by some miracle he doesn’t feel the way I think he does, then we’ll discuss it but I know I’m right, so play along and we’ll soon have our answer, either way.”

She nodded. “Okay.” They continued to walk in silence. The castle was strangely quiet.

A movement to her right caught her attention. It was hairy, long legged and…A scream erupted before she could help it.

Sarah jumped into Griffin’s arms. She wrapped her legs around him and buried her head in his shoulder.

“I’m hoping that your behavior has nothing to do with Lance” He sniffed. “I can scent that you are very afraid.”

She shook her head, trying not to notice how nice he smelled or how strong and broad his chest felt. “There’s a big spider on the wall.” She shuddered involuntarily.

Griffin chuckled. “Afraid of a little spider.”

“It’s not little. It’s huge.”

He chuckled some more and his chest vibrated against hers. His arms tightened around her. “Hold on,” he growled. “I’ll kill it for you.”

“No!” She shrieked. “Don’t kill the poor thing.”

He all out laughed and she found herself smiling as well. “You’re petrified of the thing, yet you don’t want me to kill it?”

“It’s not the poor spider’s fault that I’m such a baby. Walk a little down the hall and then you can put me down.” She sighed. “I guess I may have overreacted a tad. I told you that I have a bit of a phobia.”

“Yeah you did.” He shook his head. “You’ll throw yourself between two fighting males, but you’re afraid of a bug.” She could hear that he was smiling.

“It’s not a bug, it’s an arachnid. It’s venomous and bites.”

Griffin walked on and she felt her chest open and her heart rate begin to calm.

“You shouldn’t be here if you don’t like a little bite or two.” She couldn’t help it, the thought of Griffin sinking his fangs into her had her tightening her legs around him as something inside her clenched.

No wait, that wasn’t right. Lance’s fangs…yeah…the thought of Lance biting her…Griffin sniffed and growled. He stopped in his tracks. “I think we are far enough away. Can I put you down?” His voice sounded tense and formal.

“Um…yes of course.”

Instead of releasing her and sliding her to the ground like she thought, he kept his hold on her. Only, he moved his hands to her hips. “Unhook your legs.” He pulled her away from himself and set her down. It was like he didn’t want her touching him. It was odd.

“Thanks for your help.”

“Anytime.” He sort of smiled. It was tense. He even looked a little angry. His eyes dipped to her chest for a second before returning to her face. “Pretty soon, it will be Lance carrying you past spiders.” His eyes clouded for a half a second and then he gave her a bright smile. “Whatever happens in there”—he motioned to a door down the hall—“just remember that I care about you and that you are my friend.” He stopped talking just as they walked into the bustling room.

What did that mean? What was he planning?

“Okay.” There was a slight quiver to her voice. There were vampires everywhere. Playing pool. Talking in groups. Dancing. Sarah pulled on the hem of her shocking pink dress. The music was low. A recent hit was playing. A pop song. She couldn’t remember the artist.

“You look beautiful.” Griffin spoke into her ear. “The most beautiful female in the room.”

Sarah felt like snorting.
As if
. Vampire women were all amazing. Tall, slender, naturally athletic. They were all wow…beyond wow. He was a really good friend and really sweet.

The women wore very little. Tiny dresses. Even tinier skirts. The guys were all really muscular and ridiculously tall. It was easy to feel drab and dull, amongst such beauty.

Griffin was dressed in a white shirt and black jeans. He looked really handsome. Lance approached them with a wide grin on his face. He wore a black button-down shirt and black pants. His eyes were bright.

She held onto Griffin’s hand for all she was worth, noticing how several pairs of eyes tracked her. Heads lifted and sniffed at the air as she passed. “No one is permitted to touch you. It is only the elite ten that are allowed to…date human females.”

She swallowed thickly and nodded.

“You are safe. Regardless of how this goes down, know that I have your back.”

She nodded again.

“Glad you could finally join us.” Lance smacked Griffin on the back.

“Prim…” Blue eyes locked with hers. “Good to see you as always. You still owe me a dress or should I say undress.” He winked at her and she felt her cheeks heat.

She half expected Griffin to react but apart from a slight tightening of his jaw he didn’t do or say anything.

“I have your shoes and ear jewelry. I tried to bring them this evening but they burned the fuck out of my fingers.” Lance smiled.

“Oh shit…sorry.” Damn. The earrings were silver. She was such an idiot.

His smile widened. “I was stupid enough to think they were white gold or platinum since silver is banned on vampire territory. You did know that didn’t you?”

“They were a gift from a good friend. I…shit…I feel awful. I do know that it’s banned but I didn’t think. Show me your hands.”

He lifted them and true as hell there were welts on the ends of his fingers.

She clasped a hand to her mouth and gasped. “Oh no. Find me a first aid kit and I’ll sort that out for you.”

She dropped Griffin’s hand so that she could take Lance’s, holding his fingers more to the light. “You poor thing. You must be in terrible pain.”

“You have no idea.” Lance was frowning. “Silver is agony. I definitely need some TLC.”

Griffin growled. “I’m going to mingle.”

“Why the fuck would you do that?” Lance growled back.

“None of your fucking business,” Griffin practically whispered. She could only just hear what he had said. “You can go with Sarah and she can help you with your hands.”

Lance frowned. “My hands are fine.” He clasped them behind his back. “I’m fine.”

“They’re not fine.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Let the female help you. We have decided to date other people for the time being. I’m going to mingle. Take care of her for me.” Griffin walked away.

Sarah licked her lips, trying not to show her shock at Griffin’s statement. What the heck? This was his plan? They were dating other people?

“What the fuck was that about?” Lance growled, turning his stare on her.

She shrugged. “We’re dating other people.” She tried not to show her shock.

“Vampires don’t date. It’s a bunch of bullshit. What the hell is he talking about?” Lance sniffed her. “Fucking hell!” He shook his head. “The male is an idiot,” he mumbled.

“Let me take another look at your hands.” Flip. Silver was against the rules. “Are you going to turn me in? Will I have to pay a fine?”

Lance smiled. “Forget the silver and the rules. It was an honest mistake and my hands will be fine…I assure you.” His eyes were focused somewhere over her shoulder. He muttered something else that sounded like a string of curse words. “Do I look like I was born fucking yesterday?” He finally said. “No don’t…no…you idiot.”

She tracked his stare. Griffin was talking to a particularly beautiful woman. “Wow,” Sarah whispered. Her hair was long and thick. Auburn with hints of rust. Her skin looked like it had been dipped in honey. Her eyes looked to be either a light brown or green maybe. It was hard to tell. Griffin had a hand on her hip. He squeezed, dipping around to cup her ass.

“Asshole,” Lance muttered.

The woman laughed at something he said. She wound her hands around his neck. Then they kissed. Slow and passionate. It quickly turned hungry.

At first Sarah felt a sort of numbness. It was probably still shock. Then she felt something inside her clench. She put a hand to her chest. She grimaced. What was wrong with her?

The woman crushed herself against Griffin. They all out kissed. It wasn’t the clumsy, little kiss that they had shared. This was wild and hot and, shit…her eyes stung. A lump was forming in her throat.

Shit!

If she kept watching them then she was going to cry. It didn’t make sense. Why was she feeling this way? Griffin was her friend. Her buddy. Yet, she felt hurt and jealous and shocked and…shit!

Sarah spun around, hitting straight into Lance’s chest. One of his brows was raised. “Was this decision unanimous?”

“What decision?” She needed to get out of there. She needed to think things through. To try and understand what she was feeling.

“The whole, date other people thing. You don’t look like you agree.” He quirked a brow.

“I’m fine with it.” She needed to leave and right now.

Lance choked out a laugh. “That’s why your eyes are brimming with tears and your heart is racing. You’re not fucking fine with it.”

“It’s the disco lights. I have sensitive eyes. You’re wrong, I’m perfectly fine.” No! She wasn’t. She was freaking out. Big time.

“Bullshit, Sarah. Now speak to me, what is going on?” Lance took a step towards her.

“Nothing whatsoever.” She pretended to yawn. “I’m bushed. It’s been one hell of a day.”

“Why did you guys decide to date other people?” His eyes narrowed in on hers and he took another step. Sarah had to crane her neck to keep eye contact.

Sarah shrugged. “We just did.” She tried to sound casual and failed.

Lance shook his head. “Why did you decide to do that? Was it that asshole’s idea?” he said without taking his eyes off of hers.

She shrugged. “It was my idea.” Griffin was trying to help Lance who looked decidedly pissed.

“Why are you lying to me?”

“Fine. It was Griffin’s idea but it’s not what you think.” Was she supposed to explain things to him? Sarah didn’t want to right now. She didn’t understand what she was feeling. She really needed to get out of there.

“Fine, Prim. Let’s give him what he wants. He wants you to mingle and to fucking date other males. Fine.” Lance picked her up. “That’s fucking fine with me.”