Satisfaction (2 page)

Chapter Three

He stared wordlessly at her, his heart pounding in his chest. A new and unexpected warmth surged through Jace as their eyes met; he felt an unbelievable shock as the truth set in. He had found her! After all of these centuries of searching, she was standing within touching distance of him—
his mate
.

There was both delicacy and strength in her face; her nose was straight, short, and charming. Even the corners of her pretty face turned upward more than they turned downward.

Her skin was richer than a Hershey’s bar, making his fangs ache to take a nibble of her sweetness. What he could see of his mate’s hair, it was pulled back into a tight bun at the back of her neck with only a few loose tendrils touching her cheek.

“Hello, who are you?” Jace asked, moving away from Devin over to the vision standing near them. “I’m Jace Diamont, Devin’s older and much more handsome brother.”

Chestnut-colored eyes blinked up at him from a truly beautiful face. He wouldn’t mind spending the rest of eternity looking in her eyes as they made love or just talked the day away with each other. He was so glad that woman was his mate, because he couldn’t envision spending another day without her.

“Hmm… Hi, I’m Ashlynn Mowry,” she answered, sticking her hand out for a handshake.

Wrapping his fingers around his mate’s delicate hand, Jace slowly tugged Ashlynn’s body closer to his and stared down into her enchanting eyes. He could feel her desire for him, and he was going to use it to his advantage. How could he allow her to think for a moment that he wasn’t drawn to her the same way she was to him?

“What a beautiful name,” he whispered before kissing the back of her hand.

The soft scent of her body mingled with her blood almost sent him over the edge, straight into the clutches of
satisfaction
, but Jace got a hold of his urges before he lost control and allowed it to take over completely, which would scare his mate away at their first meeting.

Unlike Devin who probably jumped in without a plan to win over Krishell, he was more mature and wouldn’t do anything to ruin this, since he had been waiting century after century to find her.

“Thank you, Mr. Diamont,” she said, easing her hand out of his grasp.

Jace’s gaze was riveted on Ashlynn’s face, and then he moved it over her body slowly. He had to fight his overwhelming need to be closer to her again, but he could wait until the time was right. He had all the time in the world to make Ashlynn his. Despite the symptoms of satisfaction clawing at him to drag her away from everything around them back to Atlanta.

“Jace, can I speak to you for a minute?” Devin asked, but it sounded more like a demand to his ears.

What in the hell did he want? And it better be important to draw him away from his fantasies of being with Ashlynn. Couldn’t he and Krishell find someplace to go so he could get to know his woman better?

“Can’t it wait?” he questioned, not taking his gaze off Ashlynn who was still looking at him with wonder in her eyes. “I want to talk to Ashlynn some more.”

“No, it can’t.” Grabbing him by the arm, Devin dragged him away until they were away from the women and standing at the corner of the building. “Do you care to tell me what in the hell you were doing back there with Krishell’s best friend? Leave her alone.”

“I can do anything I want,” Jace snapped, furious.

“She isn’t for you. Why don’t you just go back home and forget that you ever saw us? We were doing fine before you decided to pay us a surprise visit, and I can tell you that we will be doing even better when you are back in Atlanta.”

Jerking his arm away, Jace smiled, showing only the tips of his fangs. Devin was crazy if he thought he was leaving after everything he had ever desired…longed for…yearned for just came into his world. Ashlynn was his, and he wasn’t about to go anywhere without her.

“Sorry, but I’m not leaving Kansas.” He smirked.

“Fuck!” his brother swore. “Why are you staying here? There isn’t anything keeping you here. You warned me about Father, so I can keep an eye out for him now.”

Jace started wondering how well his news was going to go over. “I wish it was that easy,” he said, watching Devin closely. “I had to extend my visit because I just met my mate. I’m not about to go back home without Ashlynn. I’m planning to win her over, then take her back with me.”

“Are you kidding me? You can’t be serious.” His brother glanced back over to Krishell and Ashlynn, then suddenly back over to him. “Do you really think she would uproot her life here as a choreographer and go away with you? She doesn’t know who in the hell you are.”

He wasn’t worried about her not accepting him as her lover and mate, because he was Jace Diamont and every woman wanted him. All he had to do was flash Ashlynn his killer smile and she would fall right into his arms.

Isn’t that what a true vampire’s mate
is
supposed to do
?

* * * * *

It was him. The guy she had been waiting for. She would get Jace into her bed and get out of her dating rut.

“Your brother-in-law is hot,” Ashlynn said, glancing around Krishell to look at Jace standing a few feet behind them. “Why didn’t you tell me about him before now?”

“Technically, Jace isn’t my brother-in-law since Devin and I aren’t married yet. However, I didn’t know he even existed until a few minutes ago,” Krishell answered.

“Isn’t he gorgeous? I think I might have found the man to get myself back on the dating track. I mean I almost fainted when he kissed the back of my hand. I haven’t been this drawn to a man in months.”

Ashlynn noticed how Krishell’s eyes widened in shock. She practically could hear the wheels spinning around in her best friend’s head. It was almost as if Krishell didn’t want her to look at Jace. It made her wonder what was going on.

“I don’t think you should think about using Jace like that; it wouldn’t be the right thing to do.”

Ashlynn waved her hand in her face. “Are you trying to tell me I’m not good enough to date your fiancé’s brother?” she questioned, hurt.

“No, that’s not what I’m saying if you truly wanted to date Jace, but we both know that isn’t the truth.” She touched Ashlynn on the shoulder. “All I want to ask you is, do you want to date Jace or only to have a one-night stand with him?” Krishell removed her hand and waited for an answer.

“You know I’m not looking for anything long-term right now. I mean I have no interest in finding my Prince Charming like you were with Devin. I’m too independent for what you have with him. Besides, aren’t we getting off track? All I said was Jace was hot, and you start acting like he's meant to be with me. How about I take one step at a time and ask him out on a date first? We’ll see how things move on from there?” Ashlynn suggested.

Krishell sighed. “I still think this is a bad idea, but I know how you are. You won’t take my advice no matter how many times I take yours.”

Ashlynn found it impossible not to smile at the displeased look on her best friend’s face. Of course, she wasn’t going to back down from trying to get Jace into her bed with a body like his. What woman wouldn’t want to find out what the sexy Jace Diamont was hiding underneath his clothing?

“Ashlynn, all I have to say is don’t play with Jace and be careful. Don’t you remember how possessive Devin became after we made love? From the looks of his brother, he seems like he could be ten times worse.”

She patted Krishell on the arm, loving how she was trying to give her advice on men. She knew how to handle herself even with someone who looked like Jace. Most men were the same despite coming in different packaging.

Once a woman unwrapped them, each man always craved the same things, and luckily she knew what that was. Looking past Krishell again, Ashlynn found Jace watching her, and when their eyes met, she blinked, feeling lightheaded as a sudden flash of awareness shot through her, settling at her pussy.

A smug grin tugged at Jace’s firm mouth, as if he knew what had just happened to her, but Ashlynn pushed the thought from her head. It wasn’t possible for him to know what was going on with her body. She was just imaging things; however, a small part of her felt as if she wasn’t.

Could Krishell be right and she should just leave Jace alone? Yet, the need to sleep with him was so strong that she felt if she didn’t get him into her bed that she would be missing out on the best things that could ever come into her life.

What in the world was going on with her?

Chapter Four

Later that night, Jace rested his shoulder against the wall near the window in his hotel room, but not really seeing anything below him. After raising the glass in his hand to his mouth, he took a long, satisfying sip of the warm blood, enjoying the taste as it slid down his throat.

He made sure to pack enough with him to last the trip, because he didn’t want his hunger craving to start while he was here. As much as he loved the taste of eating human food, there was still nothing like the flavor of blood after an exciting day, and tonight definitely fell into that category.

All of his well-laid plans to leave Kansas early changed when he saw Ashlynn standing in front of the building tonight. His mate was beautiful, but he felt there was more to her than a pretty face and an amazing body.

She was hiding a strong personality deep inside, and he was just the vampire to bring it out of her. He was no longer interested in finding a woman to pass away the time with while he was here.

Glancing down at the picture in his hand, he brushed his thumb over the face of the smiling woman there, Ashlynn. His father hadn’t told him anything about Ashlynn or anything of the photograph while he and his brother had been growing up. He had found out by accident when he saw his picture hiding two pictures inside of his desk.

Of course, after Sebastian walked out of his office, he snuck inside and looked through everything until he found the pictures. The instant he laid eyes on Ashlynn, he felt a bond with her. Jace right then and there knew she was his mate without even going to his father about it, which would have only gotten him lies and more lies.

Since he was already close to being three hundred years old now, he was well past the age of asking for any kind of help from his family. So, he had packed up the same day and left home to find her and make his mate his forever.

However, after searching for what seemed like more years than he could count, he finally settled in Atlanta and got involved in the nightclub business after taking a job as a bouncer, because he could work the night hours without a problem.

Honestly, he had given up hope of being with his beloved mate. Surprisingly, he had his own brother to thank for chasing after Krishell and ending up here, which led to him finding his own.

Leaving Ashlynn had been extremely hard for him, but he walked away from her because satisfaction was taking over swift and fast at the moment. He couldn’t yank her into his arms and have his way with her on a public sidewalk. No matter how strong the sexual chemistry was between them at first sight. He wasn’t about to disrespect his mate in such a way. He would have to find another way to get in her good graces without using sex.

One thing he had learned over the years and years of endlessly and mindlessly dating women was most of them didn’t want a man to do something over the top like buying them an overly expensive gift. He made that mistake once, and truthfully he was glad the woman left him. Because if she hadn’t, he would have settled for a relationship that wasn’t meant to be and now he wouldn’t be thinking about Ashlynn.

Something about the short time they had spoken showed Jace that he would have to find a smart yet romantic way to get his foot in the door with her. He didn’t and wouldn’t only depend on the natural bond a human mate shared with her vampire. Having her genuinely want him was his main motivation, but if he could use a tiny part of their natural chemistry, he wouldn’t completely banish the idea.

After finishing the last of the blood, Jace set the glass down on the table next to him, then walked away from the window. He made his way across the room and picked up his cell phone off the bed. Quickly, he scrolled through his numbers until he found the one he wanted and dialed it.

“Hello, boss,” Clark answered on the second ring above the blaring music in the background.

“I’m calling to tell you I’m going to be gone longer than I first thought,” he said.

“What…? Why? Did something happen there with your brother? This place is crazy without you here taking care of everything; plus your father just left, and he isn’t pleased I keep lying to him. I know he’s trying to read my mind, but I keep blocking my thoughts. He’s about to lose it at any second.”

Sebastian was the least of his worries at the moment. Jace had a purpose for being here now, and he wasn’t leaving until he accomplished it.

“Just keep doing what you’re doing, but I didn’t call you about my father or to find out how the club was doing. Clark, I found her.” He couldn’t keep the excitement out of his voice.

“Found her?” Clark asked, clearly confused.

“My mate…Ashlynn Mowry, and she’s the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on.”

Jace heard moving around in the background, followed by a door opening and closing, then complete silence without any music blasting in the background. He guessed Clark went to the office, away from all of the noise.

“I can’t believe it. Tell me about her. Have you staked your claim yet? How soon are you bringing her back to Atlanta?”

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he waited until his buddy was done firing off questions before he answered them. He loved Clark, but when he got excited, he became a way different vampire. He already felt sorry for his friend’s future mate.

“I can’t tell you that much about her,” Jace said, finally interrupting. “All I know is she’s best friends with Devin’s mate, Krishell. I want her, and I’m not going anywhere until she accepts me.”

“Jace, when have you ever had any problems with women? I’m surprised she isn’t there with you right now.”

The teasing tone in Clark’s voice angered him a little. Ashlynn wasn’t any of those women he passed his time with in the past. She was special, and he would pursue her heart, mind, and body fearlessly until he won her over.

“How about you stop comparing my Ashlynn to those females,” he warned in a low voice. “I no longer remember them, and I don’t want to either. Ashlynn is here now, and she’s my mate. I only want her in my life as it should be.”

“Boss, I apologize. I wasn’t trying to imply anything about your woman.”

Jace calmed himself. Clark truly didn’t mean anything by his comment, but patience wasn’t his best quality. He was incredibly impatient; he wanted Ashlynn, and he wanted her
right now
.

The very instant he realized who she was, he vowed to protect her against anyone who might want to insult or hurt her in any way possible. She was his responsibility now.

Holding back from claiming her was making his fangs ache. It was hard for him not to fulfill his destiny with her; however, he would let his plan unfold as slowly as his paper thin patience would allow.

“I know you didn’t,” Jace said, jumping right back into the conversation as if he hadn’t been daydreaming about Ashlynn.

“How soon are you going to approach her?” Clark asked.

He was never one to take a back seat to anything or anyone, so he already had plans about when Ashlynn would see him next.

“I’m going to see her tomorrow. I did a little search for her on the Internet so I could find out anything about her my brother might have left out. Devin already told me she was a choreographer, but he left out she had won a couple of awards for her abilities on the dance floor.”

Clark whistled over the phone. “Man, you lucked out. I bet her body is perfection waking.”

“My mate’s body is only my concern and none of yours. How about you head back to the club?” Jace suggested. “I don’t want anything to get out of hand since it’s Friday night.”

His buddy cursed underneath his breath. “You’re right. We were having problems with a guy earlier. He was pissed the bartender wouldn’t give him any more drinks. Just remember, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Clark teased before hanging up.

I’m going to do more than you would ever do, Jace thought. He was playing for keeps, so he would have to up his game, and tomorrow would be the perfect time to do it.

Standing up, Jace whistled as he slid his phone into the pocket of his slacks and walked toward his hotel room door. For a second, he thought about vanishing, but changed his mind since he wasn’t sure who would be in front of Ashlynn’s place.

He was too wired to get any kind of sleep, so instead he decided to take a walk before going to bed. Something very important had to be taken care of, and if he didn’t get it done now, a good night’s sleep wouldn’t happen for him.

Going out the elevator door, Jace walked inside and watched as it closed in front of him.
He counted the minutes until his gaze landed on his mate again.

I’m coming
,
Ashlynn
,
Jace thought, sending the message to her, hoping her mind was clear enough to receive it.