A Mate for Griffin

by Charlene Hartnady

  Her right hand came within a breath of his cock and he grabbed it just in time. “You might want to be careful where you put that.”

  “I’m so sorry.” She sounded horrified.

  “I don’t mind in the least. You are welcome to touch me wherever you want and any time.” It was wrong of him to say it but he couldn’t help it. “I don’t think it was your intention though, so I thought I would tell you.” He smiled.

  “Um…no…”

  “Let me help you.” He moved her hand to the top of his pants and did the same with the other one. Still not looking, she pulled them down to his ankles. Then she eased them off, one leg at a time.

  He chuckled when she covered her eyes with a hand and turned around. Then got to her feet. “I’ll give you some privacy.”

  “Thanks…” he grunted as he reached for the faucet and turned on the water. He eased himself off of the wall and almost fell as he took a step to where the water cascaded. He staggered and fell to one knee. “Fuck!” he growled in frustration. He had never been this bad. Then again, he had never died twice in such quick succession. Never had to fight so soon after rousing. He’d never starved himself of blood and sex before either. It had been stupid. He would find a female as soon as he returned to the castle. He couldn’t deny himself any longer. Sarah could never be his. He was holding out for something that could never be.

  Her small hands closed on his shoulder and she leaned over him. “Are you okay?” The water cascaded over her, soaking her hair. Small drops beaded on her face, her lips.

  For a second he was too stunned to talk. Her sheer beauty had his tongue tied in knots.

  “I’m fine.” he finally ground out, trying to keep his eyes on her face.

  “You’re not fine. I’ll help you.”

  He nodded. “You might accidentally see me naked.” He smiled at her. “I’m not sure you can handle it.” His smile widened.

  “I’m sure I’ll manage.”

  He had to laugh as her cheeks turned pink. She adjusted the faucet while muttering about the water being too cold. Steam filled the small cubicle. The hot water felt fantastic on his aching muscles. “Thank you.”

  “No problem.” Rivulets of water cascaded over her, soaking the lace of her underwear. At this vantage point he could see the soft curls between her thighs, could scent her. His nostrils flared and he groaned.

  Chapter 16

  “Are you in pain?” She looked down at him. Griffin was on one knee. His face was soaked. His dark hair was plastered to his scalp and forehead. His eyes had lightened up. There were flecks of gold in their depths.

  He nodded. His mouth was clenched. His jaw tight. He didn’t look fine. He looked like he was in pain or angry, or maybe both.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.” He tried to smile but it was tight. He looked tense. The dressings had become soaked.

  “It might not have been the best idea to get your wounds wet.” She peeled the dressing away and gasped. “Wow. Still bad but they look a week old. You would never know that you were shot, just hours ago.” The injuries were still angry, red and scabbed over. She knew that it must really hurt for him to move.

  “It is why I am so weak. All of my energy is going towards healing.”

  She opened the shower door and dropped the dressings on the floor before closing it again.

  “Help me back up.” he grimaced.

  She gripped him under the arms and pulled. Griffin groaned. He put one hand on her hip and the other on the wall behind him. It took some effort to get him back onto his feet. He swayed, his eyes squeezing shut. She wrapped her arms around him to help steady him.

  He groaned again. That’s when she felt it. Hard and wet against her belly. An erection of epic proportions.

  “Um…” Her voice shook. After everything she had been through, it should’ve been fear coursing through her, but it wasn’t.

  “Are you okay?” Griffin pulled back slightly, he seemed oblivious to her turmoil.

  “Yup.” She squeaked and without thinking she looked down between them. Directly at his straining…member. Why the hell had she done that?

  Her eyes snapped back up as Griffin sighed. “I’m a male and you are a female.” he said, his beautiful eyes locked with hers.

  “You can’t even stand, yet you…that…” She made a sound of frustration. “I thought you said we were friends.”

  “We are, but you are very sexy. My eyes were not affected by the gunshot wounds.” His stare narrowed into hers. “If you were a vampire female, I would take you right now.”

  She swallowed hard. Do it then! The words hovered on her tongue but she swallowed them back.

  He sniffed, his eyes darkening. The water cascaded down his face, his neck. Even marred with bullet holes, his chest was a thing of raw, masculine beauty. His abs were prominent. The wound on his stomach had healed the most out of the three. It was a puckered red welt. She touched him there, sucking in a breath as his shaft jumped in time with her touch.

  Long, with a wide girth. There was a vein that ran along its length. His head was pink and thick. It looked soft and velvety.

  “You really shouldn’t look at me like that.”

  Sarah quickly averted her eyes. “I thought you said that you didn’t mind my looking.” Her voice was a mere whisper. Dammit! She’d been caught ogling the hell out of him.

  “You’re aroused,” he growled. “My instincts are riding me hard so it would be best if you stopped. Your scent is fucking killing me.” He sniffed again, making a pained noise.

  “I’m not aroused.” She took a step away from him and he sagged forward against the wall. The muscles in his back roped. His ass was sculpted. Shit, she was aroused. Big time. She wanted to touch him. To run her hands up and down his body. To touch his…no! Best she stop thinking about it.

  “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It is natural.” he groaned, leaning his head against the tiles.

  “I’m sorry. I…”

  “Don’t apologize. I’m thankful that you are helping me. It was my stupidity that got you into this. I am to blame.” He turned his head to her. “I’m the one that is sorry.”

  “I chose to take part in The Program and chose to stay when you asked me to. I also chose to leave in the middle of the night, against the wishes and advice of the guards. I did this to myself. Thank you for coming after me and for risking your life to save me.”

  “There is nothing to thank me for. I would do it again and again.” He slid down the wall as his knees gave in.

  “Ohhhh.” She grabbed him from behind. “Right now, you need to get to bed. We still have some time. We can go once you have napped.”

  He chuckled. The sound held no humor. “Sleep is the last thing I need right now.” He shook his head. “We need to get dressed.” Griffin grit his teeth. His fangs were out and in all their glory. He looked vicious. He looked gorgeous with the water glittering on his skin. His muscles tense from trying to keep his footing.

  “I doubt we would make it to the vehicle. We might not even make it out of this shower. You need more blood. Don’t even try and deny it.”

  “I’ll manage,” he bit out.

  Why was he being so stubborn? “No you won’t and yes, you do. You can drink from me and then we can hightail it out of here.”

  He gave a tight nod. When he looked at her, his eyes looked red and scary looking. His fangs were huge. Griffin was breathing hard. His fists were clenched. “Give me a minute.” he growled, his voice deep and rough.

  “Are you okay? There is something…wrong with your eyes. They’re freaky looking.”

  “Shit!” Griffin shook his head. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You’re weak but you can’t hurt me.” She turned off the water. “I’m not afraid of you.”

  “I can hurt you. I can’t lose control.” His voice was so gravelly, it was hard to understand him. “Fuck!” He sounded anguished. Griffin rested his head on the tiles. “You shou

ld be afraid.”

  She ran a hand down his back. “You won’t hurt me.”

  He snarled and when he looked at her, she could see that more red had bled into his irises. “You should go and right fucking now.”

  “No. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Sarah. Please.” His chest heaved. “I might not be able to stop. You need to go.” He probably didn’t even realize what he was doing, but even as he asked her to leave his arm slid around her middle and pulled her to him.

  “Let me help you. I owe you my life. Lean on me and stop fighting me.”

  “You need to start listening to me, please. You take the vehicle. Leave me here. I…”

  “No!” She practically yelled the word. “Friends don’t do that to one another. You came for me and I refuse to leave you, so get that out of your head.”

  Griffin swallowed thickly. His Adam’s apple bobbed. His eyes were narrowed and if she didn’t know Griffin as the sweet caring guy he was, she would be afraid. He snarled, his gaze moving to her throat. She took it as a concession.

  “Lean on me.” She urged, ignoring the way her heart beat faster. He seemed a lot stronger, this time, hardly having to lean on her.

  They made their way to the bedroom. Griffin grimaced. “It stinks.” They maneuvered between the bodies shutting the door behind them. His grip around her tightened but it felt like he was pulling her closer rather than using her for assistance.

  She glanced at him. He was soaking wet. His jaw was set. His eyes blazed. She was in so much shit. Her heart actually clenched looking at him. Other parts of her reacted as well. She couldn’t help it. He was naked dammit. Naked and beautiful. It was wrong on so many levels that she noticed. Griffin see’s me as his friend. Just a friend.

  His nostrils flared. “You need to stop that or I’m going to fuck you.” he growled. “I can’t drink from you either.”

  “Why not? You have to.” Then her eyes widened when she realized how he might take that. “Drink from me that is…you have to drink from me.” She tried to ignore the other thing he had said. Tried even harder to stop her body from reacting.

  “I’m stronger. We can find some clothes and get out of here.” His grip tightened on her and he growled. “Don’t argue with me.” He released her on a snarl and actually pushed her away from him. “Put something on. Do it now.” He sounded angry and looked even angrier.

  Shit! He probably thought less of her. What kind of a woman became aroused so soon after being kidnapped and assaulted. Nothing had happened but still. “What’s wrong? Are you angry with me? I’m sorry I was looking at you and sorry that well…that I became aroused. I swear I didn’t mean anything by it.”

  “I told you that it is natural.” He swayed. She tried to go to him, but he put up his hand. “No…don’t.”

  “Why are you fighting me on this?”

  “I don’t want to hurt you, Sarah. I have little control left. Try and understand.” he groaned, his gaze became hungry as it moved down her body. “I don’t want to become an animal. If I drank from you, I would need to rut you…I’m so damned sorry.” He turned away. “I’m no better than those asshole humans. I refuse to hurt you…I would rather die.”

  “You’re nothing like them. I trust you.”

  He held his hand up again as she approached, but she ignored him. She put her arms around him and helped him to the couch. “Dammit, Sarah!” he growled. “You’re wrong to trust me,” a whisper.

  “I’m not wrong.” She helped him on to the threadbare furniture.

  “You’re wrong about my being angry with you,” he practically snarled. She felt his chest vibrate. “I need something to wear.” For the first time since this ordeal started, he looked panicked.

  “You sound angry.”

  He ignored her as his stare landed on a tote bag in the corner. “Please, find me a pair of pants.”

  “You’re kidding right?” She looked him head on. “Those guys were small compared to you, there is no way you’re fitting into any of their clothing.”

  He held her gaze for a few moments before nodding once, a muscle ticked in his jaw. “Just so you know, I’m not angry with you, I’m angry at myself for putting you in harm’s way and for being so damned weak right now.” His stare had moved back to her throat.

  His eyes glowed red and his fangs were enormous. Too big for his mouth, yet she wasn’t in the least bit afraid. Although weak, he seemed taller, bigger, more formidable somehow.

  “You’re only partly right.”

  What did that even mean? There was no time to argue. “Just drink from me.”

  She raised her arm to him and he took her hand. He clasped his fingers around her wrist, his gaze still locked with hers. “If I tell you to get out, I need you to listen.”

  She nodded.

  He looked away for a second before looking back at her. “You didn’t become aroused earlier but it could happen this time. I don’t want to put you in an uncomfortable situation. Are you sure about this?” Every muscle was tensed. His eyes blazed.

  She nodded. “You need the blood. I’ll handle it.”

  “If I tell you to leave and you do not listen, I will rut you, do you understand that? I don’t ever want to hurt you, Sarah.” He cupped her chin. “I couldn’t live with it. I need you to be sure. My instincts are telling me to take what I need, which is blood and sex and lots of it. I have very little control.” He squeezed his eyes shut for a few seconds, his chest heaved.

  She swallowed thickly and nodded again. His words made her feel flushed, they made her blood rush and her nipples tighten. She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anyone else.

  “Dammit, Sarah.” He lunged for her, hauling her onto his lap.

  She sucked in a breath, her hands closing over his strong shoulders. Her chest came up flush against his. She could feel his breath, hot against the inside of her neck. Her skin prickled and goosebumps formed. He snarled and his hands dug into her waist. At first it felt like a tender kiss against the pulse on her throat, then there was a sharp stinging as his fangs pierced her skin.

  She gripped him harder. They both groaned as he sucked. Sarah wasn’t sure which was louder. The sound of her own blood rushing, or that of her heart racing, that was too loud in her ears. She all out moaned when he sucked on her a second time. Need wound its way around her. It became a living, breathing thing inside of her, becoming stronger with every second.

  Wetness pooled between her legs. Sarah squeezed her legs together to try and quell the raging desire. It only made it worse.

  Griffin growled, the vibrations caused her to moan and to arch. “Please,” she groaned. Her clit throbbed. Her channel felt achy. “Please,” she groaned again. Louder this time. Her voice was so thick and husky that she struggled to recognize it as her own.

  Griffin snarled as he pulled away from her. “Go.” he growled, but his hands continued to clasp her hips. His eyes were no longer as red, but his teeth were clenched and his muscles roped. His skin looked too tight for his body. His muscles bulged. Both terrifying and beautiful. His eyes narrowed and his fangs gleamed. A single drop of blood, stained his bottom lip. She should be scrambling away. She really should.

  Instead, she shook her head. Now she knew what it was like for a moth, drawn to the flame. Bright and beautiful but deadly. She could never be with Griffin but she could have this one moment. A memory to last her a lifetime. Instinctively she knew that it would never be this way with any other man.

  Griffin had made it clear that he thought of her as just a friend and yet she still couldn’t force herself to leave if she tried. She just couldn’t. With all that had happened, she realized how treasured life was. How short. She wanted to feel alive. Needed this.

  “It’s fine.” Her voice was breathy. Still ridiculously husky.

  Griffin shook his head.

  “Yes.” She straddled him, threading her hands around his neck.

  “Sarah.” He looked pained. His eyes were filled with hunger, with a need that would be mirrored by her own. They softened for a second as he cupped her face and her heart sped up. It was almost like he felt more for her…like…then his hungry stare was back and she pushed away the thought.

  Griffin pulled her towards him, his mouth closing over hers, his tongue breaching her lips. The kiss was ferocious. A mad dash frenzy that had her moaning. She pushed herself more firmly against him, gasping as she felt his erection against her sex. Hard and throbbing.

  Within mere moments, she was panting and mewling. She rubbed herself against the hard length of him, already on the verge of coming.

  Griffin broke the kiss on a low growl. For a second she was sure that he was going to push her away. She gripped him tighter and was about to urge him on when he dropped his gaze to her neck a second before he plunged his fangs into her. She cried out.

  He shoved her panties aside, just the brush of the lace against her swollen sex had her groaning. He yanked at the fabric on a low growl that sent shivers racing up her spine. She heard the fabric tear. He sucked hard and her back arched, her breath catching in her throat.

  His thick finger pushed into her just as his thumb stroked her clit. Everything in her tightened and her breath stayed frozen inside her. With another deep thrust of his finger, he gave another almighty suck. Pleasure coursed through every vein. Igniting her blood. It pooled at her center where she exploded on a strangled cry. It felt like every muscle clenched almost to the point of pain.

  Griffin snarled as he pulled away. His hands closed back on her hips and he lifted her, thrusting into her from below in one easy stroke.

  “Fucking wet.” he moaned. “Sarah.” He snarled as he thrust into her again.

  She made the most god-awful noises, feeling filled to capacity. He ripped at her bra and there was another tearing noise. His thrusts were frantic. His snarls harsh. His breathing ragged. Her pants were just as ragged. Her cries just as harsh. Her answering movements just as frantic. Her breasts bounced with each rough shove.

  Already her body was tensing. There was the familiar coiling and building deep inside her. Griffin’s mouth was clenched. His jaw tight. His eyes burned into hers. She couldn’t look away. So beautiful. He was so incredible…a cry was torn from her as she was thrown over the edge. His answering roar was deafening. He kept thrusting until his shoulders hunched and his movements became jerky.

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