A Mate for Lance (The Program Book 5) (21 page)

He managed to croak. “I’m sorry.”

Zane smiled. He actually smiled. “No need.”

What?

He had obviously hit his head harder than he had thought.

“The way I hear it. You were polite and apologized, it was Ward that overreacted although”—he shrugged and raised his brows— “I technically can’t blame the male.”

Lance’s head throbbed. He winced.

Zane chuckled. “Stephany was pissed off though. She gave Ward a stern talking to. How’s that for a turn in tables?”

The throbbing slowed.
Damn.
He needed to drink. The only reason he had stayed down, and was still feeling it, was because he was running on empty.

“You should have stayed away but I understand why you needed to speak with her. Closure. Maybe you can go after that female now.”

“Not you too,” Lance groaned. “I need a female but not her.”

“You sure?”

“Very fucking sure. You had better get back to the celebration. It’s not every day that the royal heir is anointed.”

Zane nodded. “Yeah…the elven prince is a major dickhead. He looks angry, like he might snap at any moment. Xavier could do with some help. Inter-species relations are tricky. Our females are interested in their males and our males want to beat on theirs. I must say, the wolves seem keen on taking things further with our females. Maybe we need to look at starting a program that would bring the two together. Especially considering our females can carry and bear wolf young.”

“You’re giving me a worse headache,” Lance stated, making a face. “I’m not the right person to speak to about this.”

Zane looked deep in thought. “I’m going to set something up with Ward to discuss it.”

“Whatever makes you happy.” His king had gone off the deep end, for sure.

“Get better. Titan leaves in two days so I need you focused on protecting the humans.”

He nodded, relieved to be discussing a safe topic. “No problem.” But fuck! He had forgotten all about his new duties.

Zane looked at him like he was crazy. “You really look like shit. Put some ice on the lump on your head and get yourself a female…any fucking female. Sort your shit out.”

“Yes, boss.”

Zane snorted. “It’s good to have you back. As cocky as ever.”

He did feel better, though his skull was screaming at him. Lance smirked.

“That’s the male I know and love.” He gave Lance’s arm a light tap.

“Go already.”

The male grunted. He strode from the room.

Lance must have dozed off because he woke up with a start when a very naked female curled herself around him. In his sleep-induced haze, he first thought that she was Amber. He even wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. He inhaled her scent.

Wrong.

Alarm bells went off.

His body stiffened and not in a good way. As in, his dick didn’t respond at all. His eyes flashed open and the female gave him a lazy smile. She flashed him a descent pair of fangs. She was all leg. Very pretty. She wasn’t Amber.

Fuck.

Where had that thought come from?

“Someone told me that you were in need.” The female turned over and wriggled her ass at him. Her very naked, very tight ass.

Lance turned away. Nothing happened. His body remained completely disinterested. Maybe if he touched her.

Lance grit his teeth and moved in behind her. Her back was long and elegant. Her legs went on for fucking miles. He put his hands on her hips and she sighed, arching her back even more. He could scent her arousal. Her skin was soft.

Nothing.

Not a fucking thing.

Lance sniffed. His eyes stung. What was wrong with him? What the hell was going on?

“I’m ready for you.” She did a little thrust thing with her hips. “Would you like me to…” She turned to look at him over her shoulder. Her face morphed to concern. “Oh honey…are you okay? Lance?”

“I’m fine.” He growled, gripping her hips tighter in answer. “Open wider.”

“You’re not fine.” She frowned. “Shit! You’re…you’re…” She swallowed hard. “You’ve got a little something on your cheek.”

He swiped a hand over his face. It came away wet. “What the fuck?” he said to himself, disturbed and shocked. “I need to go to medical. There is something wrong with me…my eyes”—he took a deep breath— “my chest. It hurts.”

The female turned and sat down. She crossed her legs. “If I didn’t know better, I would say that you’re suffering from a broken heart.”

“That’s bullshit,” he said immediately, trying hard to laugh it off. No such fucking luck. The pain in his chest only grew worse. “I need to get to the healers.” He rubbed his chest.

“We’ve rutted before. You were like an animal. Hard and heavy from the word go.” She pointed at him. “This isn’t you.”

“I told you, I need medical. I’m sick. I have to be.”

“Yeah, you’re love sick. It’s that human isn’t it? I’ve heard the rumors.”

Why couldn’t they leave him the fuck alone?

“None of your or anyone else’s business.” He took in her features for the first time. Waist length, blond hair. Stunning green eyes. A full mouth. He didn’t recognize her for shit. “Are you sure we’ve been together. That we’ve…”

“Rutted?” She nodded. “I’m very sure. You made me come so quickly and so hard, it was obscene. What was even more obscene was how quickly you made me leave. No round two. No time to recover. Just boom, bam and out.”

That sounded about right.

“I’m sorry. What is your name?”

“Brooke.” She smiled, clearly amused.

“I apologize for not taking the time to ask your name and for kicking you out so quickly. It was…wrong of me.”

She shrugged and gave a small laugh. “It was fine. I came for a good rut, it’s what I got. I didn’t complain then and I wouldn’t complain now. Are you sure you…” Her eyes widened and she slipped a hand between her legs.

Lance shook his head. “No, thank you. I told you, I’m sick. I need some serious help.”

“Your loss.” She shrugged and got up off the bed. Brooke pulled on her dress and sauntered from his room.

Lance didn’t feel any sense of loss as the door closed. There was no desire to call her back. No desire to find another female to take her place.

He needed to find a healer and right fucking now. Brooke was right, he was broken.

That evening…

Brynn put a hand to her back and she stiffened.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I wasn’t trying anything.” He held up his hands. “I swear. I’m a good guy. I would never try to take advantage. You’re not in a good place right now.”

It was the understatement of the year. No, she was much better.
Lance, who?
“He’s a dick. An asshole. An arrogant pig. I’m over him,” she lied through her teeth.

They paused in the hotel lobby. Brynn looked at her like she was full of it. “I agree, he is all of those things and more. Stupid idiot would be top of the list. You shouldn’t say things that you don’t mean though. We both know that you’re not over him.”

She put her hands on her hips. “I so am.” Maybe if she said it out loud enough, and enough times, she would feel it. “I’m completely over that jerk.”

Brynn gave her a reassuring smile. “You’re not on vampire territory for my riveting company, that much I’ve figured out.”

“Rubbish. We’ve become good friends. I like spending time with you.”

“But you’re not still here because of me. You’re hoping he changes his mind. That he admits to—”

“Don’t even say it,” she said quickly, to make him stop talking. “I think I may have completely misread the whole thing.” She felt her lip quiver. Amber wished she could pull herself together. A tear slipped out. Just one little tear. May as well be a thousand. She wiped it away. “This is why I can’t go home. It has nothing to do with that jerk. Well, not really. I can’t face my parents or go to work every day. I’m a mess.” Another tear fell. This time she ignored it. “I think I was wrong about him…loving me.” The thought had been on the edge of her mind the whole time. She hadn’t allowed herself to fully think it though, let alone say it. Her voice broke. Her eyes watered badly.

Okay fine, she cried…a lot.

Brynn rubbed her back like the good friend he was. He ushered her to the sitting area. He had been so sweet to her. Amber found herself wishing that she had fallen for him instead of—

“You should know…” Brynn stopped rubbing her back.

She dug in her purse for a tissue. She didn’t leave home without them. Then again, this had only been her first outing since she and Lance…ended.

“I think that he does have feelings for you.”

Amber looked down at her hands. Brynn was being so nice and he deserved a woman who was deep into him. “Really?” she said, her voice thick. “He said such awful things to me. Words that really hurt, shook me to the core.”

“I can’t talk for the male. All I know is that he hasn’t been at any Elite training sessions He hasn’t worked a single shift. If rumors are to be believed…he hasn’t even taken a drop of blood.”

Amber leaned toward him when he stayed silent. “What?” She needed to know. Any information was better than nothing. Then again, that wasn’t true. Not at all. There were things that she would prefer not to know.

“He hasn’t taken another female to his bed. He keeps turning them away. I think that it is…”

Amber didn’t hear what Brynn was saying. It was killing her to think that he had moved on. But believing that he was back to his old manwhoring ways helped. If he wasn’t, it still didn’t mean anything. Did it?

Brynn squeezed her arm. “Amber.”

She refocused on him.

“It can’t last though. He can’t go without blood indefinitely. Lazarus mentioned that he will be back at practice tomorrow. That his duties as leader of the human guard start in two days. He will need to be at his best which means…” He looked pained.

She held up a hand. “I know what that means.” Her modicum of peace evaporated. Lance would need to…move on today. She nodded. “I need to pack and go. You’re right… I’m an idiot…” She chewed on her lip. “I was hoping that he would suddenly realize how much he loves me and can’t live without me.”

“You’re not an idiot. Lance is the idiot.”

“I am too… I should never have fallen for him. I was in such denial, refusing to believe I hated him when all I was feeling was fear of rejection. I should have known.”

“Life very rarely goes according to plan.” He rubbed a hand over the stubble on his chin. His beautiful silver grey eyes and cleft in his chin was sexy. He was tall and stacked but…not for her.

“You’re so right about that. Why couldn’t I have fallen in love with you?” She cupped his chin for a second. “You’re going to make someone very happy one day, Brynn,” she told him firmly. “And what a lucky woman she will be.”

His smile was sublime, but tinged with regret. “I wish you had fallen for me too, but hey…what can you do? I have two more heats to find my mate.”

“You’ll find her.” Amber swallowed hard as she rose to her feet. “I’m going to pack. It would be really nice if we could stay in touch.”

“I’ll visit.”

Her eyes widened at the thought of what her parents would say. “You’ll have to speak in a French accent.”

He chuckled. “No way. You should tell them.” Brynn stood as well, holding her hand briefly in his.

“Yeah, maybe you’re right.” Amber smoothed out her dress as they walked toward the elevators.

“I will miss you, Amber.” His eyes widened. “As a friend.”

“You’ll visit so we’ll still talk. I can’t wait to meet the woman that captures your heart.”

He smiled, looking shy. They had already pushed the button for the elevator when the receptionist cleared her throat. Amber turned.

It was the vampire woman that liked Lance. She was very pretty. “You should know…”

The elevator doors opened and Brynn stuck his hand out to keep them that way.

The woman looked unsure. Then she made a show of straightening her badge. “Lance was here.” She sighed.

“What?” It fell from her lips as a soft gasp.

The woman nodded. “Yeah…he came by twice. He looked agitated.”

“Where is he now?”

She shrugged.

“Did he leave a message?”

The receptionist shook her head.

Arghhh! Lance had been here. Twice. Looking for her. Maybe he had come to declare his undying love and to tell her that he couldn’t live without her. She thought about it for a few seconds. Right!
Bastard
. She could well imagine why he had come. It was no coincidence that his training started tomorrow.

Brynn gave her the thumbs up. “I told you he—”

“You’re wrong,” she snapped. “I’m going to his suite. There are a couple of things I need to tell him. A couple of choice names I need to call him.” She made a sound of frustration.

Brynn had to walk quickly to keep up with her.

“I cannot wait to smack the smile off of his face. I hate his guts. I can’t believe I ever loved him. He doesn’t deserve my love. Not one bit.”

Brynn stayed silent. He obviously knew an angry woman when he saw one and Amber had never been more pissed off in her life. They made it to his door in no time. She knocked twice. Then she knocked again. “I know you’re in there…” No she didn’t, but she was angry, dammit. More than angry. She was pissed beyond belief. “Open up, you…”

The door opened in mid-knock. Lance was grinning. The bastard was grinning at her. He obviously thought…what a complete dickhead. She grit her teeth, then she slapped him. So hard that the sound reverberated down the hall. So hard that her hand stung. His head whipped to the side but he kept that horrible knowing grin.

“I’m not here for that,” she shrieked. “Stop smiling.”

Brynn chuckled. “I’m out.”

“No, don’t go.” She wanted to turn to look at him but Lance’s gaze was too fierce.

“Yes, you are here for that.” He put his hands on her waist and pulled her inside, slamming the door as soon as she was in.

Amber tried to dig in her heels but she was no match to his sheer strength. “No… I…no…” She squirmed and tried to pry her hands from her body. “I came to give you a piece of my mind.” She kicked his shin and yelped, grabbing hold of her toe. “Are vampires made of steel or something?”

“Yes…we are. A piece of your mind…” He made a humming noise. “I like the sound of that. Now take off that dress so that we can get started.”

She gaped at him. “You are an arrogant asshole. I hate you so damned much I could scream.”

“It’s exactly what I had in mind… I’m glad that we’re on the same damn page.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” She huffed, confused but turned on.

“You are going to scream…loudly, and several times. Why is your dress still on?” His beautiful azure gaze wandered down her body.

Amber crossed her arms across her chest. “Don’t you dare look at me like that. You have no right to look at me at all, let alone like that. I didn’t come here to… I didn’t come here—”

“To fuck?” Lance smirked.

“No!” Her chest was heaving. The air couldn’t enter or leave her lungs quick enough. Her hands were fisted at her sides. She made a noise, sounding like a deranged woman. “I didn’t come here to…”

“Fuck?” He raised his brows. The asshole was wearing a pair of jeans and a plain white tee. He looked…he looked…like a bastard. A delicious bastard.

“You are a horrible human being.”

“Good thing I’m not a human.” He took a step towards her. “I’m a vampire.” His voice was low and deep. His eyes mesmerizing. “I’m glad you didn’t come here to fuck.”

The air left her lungs in a whoosh.
What?
Disappointment flooded her. She hated him even more for making her feel this way. She gritted her teeth, working hard at holding her tears at bay. Tears of anger, frustration and despair. “Wh-what?” she stammered.

“I’m so very glad.” He took another step forward and her ass hit the door with a thump. His voice was soft and tender. “I don’t want to fuck you, Amber, I want to make love to you.”

“What?” she repeated, but frowned at the tables being turned once again. “I didn’t come here for—”

“Bullshit.” He swallowed hard. “Cut the crap for once in your life and so will I. I’m sorry for saying those things to you even though I meant every word.”

“You make absolutely no sense. I want to hit you and scratch you and I don’t like you…”

He grabbed her chin with his hand and she couldn’t help but to lean into the touch. “I think you have amazing tits and an even more amazing ass. I happen to love your tight pussy…”

She gave his chest a push. “You are such a damned pig. I can’t believe I ever let myself fall for you.”

“I’m so glad you did because I love you. I love so much.” He cupped both her cheeks. “I was scared. I still am. I need you and I think that you need me too. Stop shaking your head.”

Amber hadn’t even realized she was doing it. “You just want sex.”

“I do want sex. Lots of it. I want sex with
you
. Only you.” He smiled. It was damned naughty. “That’s why you’re here right?”

She hedged. “No.”

“Yes, it is. You want me and you love me.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Amber.” The way he said her name had her full attention. “It screwed me up when Stephany left. I know it had a lot to do with dying as well.”

“What?” she said, startled.

“I died. It took days to come back. Days of sheer hell. It messed with my mind. The only thing I could focus on was Stephany being dragged away. I told myself that if I got her back and made it up to her that the chaos would go away. That all would be well. I was wrong though. I never really loved Stephany. We were never mates. You are my mate. It’s you.” He ran his thumbs down the sides of her jaw. “The pain I felt at losing her was nothing compared to losing you.” He smiled a little. “I thought I was sick. My eyes wouldn’t stop leaking. I couldn’t look at another female. The idea of you even gone from my side for a second tore me up inside. You are mine. I am yours. We belong together. I’m only sorry that it took me a little while to realize it.”

She felt herself soften. “You cried?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed. “No…males don’t cry. My eyes leaked.”

“You seriously cried?” She couldn’t help but to smile. She grabbed a hold of his hips.

“Really? I tell you how much I love you. How much I love every part of you.” His eyes dipped to her boobs for a second. “How I want to make love to you and nothing? I tell you about my…eyes and that’s all you have to say? You’re a really strange female, Amber. Really, very different.”

“Yes, I guess I am. You love me?”

He nodded and tried to kiss her.

She pulled away. “You mean it, like from the bottom of your heart?”

“We’re exclusive.” He kissed her softly. “We’re dating.” He kissed her again. “We’re mating like yesterday and I’m going to make love to you at least a hundred thousand times starting right now…”

She stood up on her tippy toes and kissed him back. “Okay. I’m good with that. Can we take a break here and there between the bouts of love making?”

“Um…” He sucked in his lower lip for a second while looking at her mouth. “Short breaks. We can take really short ones. We have to make up for your dry spell.”