A Mate for Griffin

by Charlene Hartnady

  It wasn’t simple. Not at all. Lance was talking the biggest load of bullshit. Sarah didn’t love him. She didn’t. She was in love with Lance.

  He turned to face Sarah, but her gaze was somewhere on his feet. “Sarah.” He all but whispered. She made another little strangled sounding noise.

  Using a finger under her chin, he tilted her head up. Her cheeks were red. Her eyes darted to Lance and then back to him. She had a pained expression on her face. Shit! How had he missed this? Shit! His heart soared for a second, but he didn’t allow himself to revel in the joy he felt at the knowledge. She loved him.

  He cussed under his breath and pulled his hand back. This didn’t change anything. Not a damn thing. It made things worse. Fuck!

  Lance cussed as well. “Idiotic, moronic, stubborn.” he muttered, while rolling his eyes so hard that Griffin was sure he would strain a muscle. “Will you please excuse us for a moment?” He squeezed Sarah’s hand. She sniffed and he realized that she was crying softly.

  He cussed again. “Sarah I—”

  “Shut your trap,” Lance growled. “Get in there.” He pulled Griffin and then shoved him into the adjacent room. It was Sarah’s bedroom. Her bed was neatly made. The room scented strongly of her.

  Lance shut the door. “I swear,” the male muttered. “Next, I’ll be wiping your ass as well. Didn’t you hear a thing I said? Sarah is in love with you. I happen to know that you feel the same way, so what the fuck is your problem?”

  Griffin folded his arms. “She’s not my female. As much as I…” He looked down at his feet. It hurt him. To say the words without being able to act on them. Tore him apart from the inside out. “As much as I love her, she can’t be mine.”

  “Why the fuck not?”

  “She was with you first, okay? Happy now?”

  “No! I’m not fucking happy!” Lance bellowed. “When I said moron, I meant fucking, serious moron.” The male shoved a hand through his hair. “And did I mention stubborn?” He didn’t give Griffin a chance to answer. “Yeah, I rutted Sarah.”

  Every muscle in his body clenched. He wanted to hit Lance just for saying the words but he held back. Only just.

  “You were right when you said that she’s perfect. She is perfect.”

  “Not helping right now.” Griffin groaned, frustration etched into every word. “I want to kill you for touching her. Take you the fuck out.” he snarled.

  “Do whatever makes you feel better. If it means getting over it, then by all fucking means.” Lance spread his arms out in surrender.

  Griffin paced to the other side of the room before turning to face Lance. “I can’t be with Sarah…not after you and her…”

  “You can’t or you won’t? Fuck it!” Lance growled. “Sarah gave me her body.”

  Griffin grit his jaw so fucking tight that his head hurt. He couldn’t seem to make himself unclench his fists.

  “Big fucking deal. Don’t you realize that she gave you so much more? She gave you her heart and her soul. She wants you. With me”—he slapped his chest—“it was lust. With you, it’s love and if you can’t see that then I can’t help you.”

  “She told you that she loves me?” He could hear how hopeful he sounded.

  Lance shook his head. “She didn’t have to. I can see it by the way you look at one another. The small touches, that hot as fuck kiss.”

  “That was all an act,” Griffin grumbled.

  “Was it?” Lance raised his brows. “It didn’t look like it from where I was standing. Get over your shit. We’re best friends. I don’t ever want to lose you. The truth is…” His jaw worked. “I do care about you, okay? There I said it.” Lance smiled. “I’m thankful for all you have tried to do for me. I want to see you happy. Sarah is the one for you. Don’t let what happened between her and I stand in the way of the two of you. What you guys have is the real deal.”

  Griffin didn’t know what to say.

  “If you let her walk away. If you turn your back on her, you will regret it. Trust me on this one.” A look of hurt crossed his face.

  Griffin nodded.

  “You’d better get back in there and pray that she’s the understanding and forgiving type. You’re doing a great job of fucking things up.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “Let’s go.” He gave Griffin a pat on the shoulder. “Fuck it.” His best friend said, just before throwing his arms around him.

  Griffin couldn’t help but to smile as he returned the hug.

  Almost as soon as Lance gripped him, he released Griffin. “Don’t you dare tell anyone I did that.” he growled, pretending to look angry.

  “A man hug is perfectly acceptable.” Griffin smiled.

  “Like fuck it is.” Lance grinned. “Good luck in there. You’re going to need it.” He all out chuckled.

  Griffin frowned. He’d fucked up big time. Hopefully, Sarah could forgive him for being such an asshole. Lance was right, he was an idiot and a moron. He planned on doing everything in his power to make it up to her though.

  ****

  “Go easy on him, Prim.” Lance shouted just as Griffin closed the door in the grinning vampire’s face.

  Griffin turned, his dark eyes on her. He seemed to take up the whole hallway. Just like in one of her cheesy romance novels, her knees actually felt weak. He wore leather pants that clung to his thick thighs. His leather vest left his arms bare. His biceps were all over the place. Lance was right though, his five o’clock shadow was more of a scruffy beard and there were dark circles under his eyes, which were red rimmed. His hair was also too long.

  He was still as sexy as sin and right now it pissed her off that she even noticed. He was acting like a total asshole. Make that, he was a total asshole. They stood there staring at one another for a few seconds.

  “Is it true?” he finally asked before taking a step towards her.

  “Is what true?” She decided to play dumb.

  “Do you love me?” His voice had dropped several octaves and his eyes seemed to darken up.

  She pursed her lips and stared at somewhere over his shoulder. His eyes were too intense right now. “I shouldn’t.” She finally blurted.

  “You shouldn’t what?” he growled.

  “I shouldn’t give a damn about you. I shouldn’t love you.”

  “So you do love me?” He took another step forward which brought him smack into her personal space.

  Sarah took a step back. “I shouldn’t.” She put her hands on her hips. “You wouldn’t see me after we got back. You called me once in the last ten days. An all of thirty seconds call.”

  “I was checking in to make sure that you were okay.”

  “Well…” She felt her eyes fill with tears. Damn her tear ducts. Damn them. Why didn’t they listen to her for once? She did not want to cry. “I’m not okay. You’re an asshole, do you know that?”

  He nodded. “Yeah I do and yeah I am.” He spoke softly, concern filled his eyes. He wiped a tear from her cheek.

  What was wrong with him? How was she supposed to stay mad at him if he admitted to being wrong?

  “I’m sorry, Sarah. I didn’t realize that you…” Emotion made his voice thick and his eyes haze over. “…felt that way. I thought you loved Lance. I saw you as his female. I refused to acknowledge my own feelings until you left. You didn’t react when I first drank from you. You kept on calling me your friend. I couldn’t bear being near you and not being able to have you. Please try and understand that.”

  “Okay.” She sniffed and wiped her face. “Then what was that just now? When Lance told you that I had feelings for you. You looked like you’d just received the worst news of your life.”

  “You heard Lance, I’m an idiot, a moron and damn stubborn. Fuck!” he groaned. “I mean it.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. His hand catching against his facial hair. “I’m an A-grade asshole.” He sucked in a deep breath. “Please try and understand, I’ve seen you as Lance’s female for all of this time. The two of you h
ave a history.” He clenched his jaw.

  “Oh my god.” Sarah clapped a hand over her mouth. “You can’t deal with the fact that we had sex. Of course you can’t. That makes sense.” She turned to face away from him. “He is your best friend and well we…”

  Griffin put his hands on her shoulders. “Stop.” He gently turned her back to face him. “That’s in the past, Sarah. You did nothing wrong. I will admit that it was difficult for me but I’m not throwing away a future with you because you spent one hour in Lance’s bed. What we have is special. I made love to you, Sarah. You do realize that, don’t you?”

  She nodded and started to say something but he slid a finger over her lips. “I love you. I seriously fucking love you. I want to mate you and spend the rest of my life with you. I want to have a whole horde of children with you. I’m sorry for being a stubborn idiot and an asshole. I hope you will forgive me.” He slid his arms around her. “I love you so much.” He put his head against her forehead.

  She was so overwhelmed at his admission. So happy. Tears coursed down her cheeks and a lump lodged itself in her throat.

  “You’re not saying anything.” Griffin tightened his arms around her. “I fucked up. Shit! I promise to communicate going forward. I promise to love and cherish you always.” He pulled away so that he could look at her face. “You’re crying and smiling?” He frowned. “Are you happy or sad? Do you forgive me, Sarah? Say something.”

  She nodded and giggled. Crying harder. Damned tear ducts. “I’m happy.”

  “Why are you crying?”

  “I’m ridiculously happy and I love you too. I’m also sorry for being an idiot and for being such a scaredy cat. I wish I’d had enough courage to speak up when I had the chance. I really need to grow a backbone.”

  He cupped her face. “You are courageous and brave.”

  “Yeah, yeah for a human.”

  “You are courageous and brave, full fucking stop.” He kissed her nose. “You need to stop coming between fighting males though. How many times do I need to tell you that?”

  “Um…a lot…it might take years before I start to listen. According to your best friend, I’m an idiot and a moron and I lack communication skills.”

  His whole face turned serious and he let her go. “About becoming my mate and having all of those children together?” Griffin got down on one knee and took her hand. “It would make me the happiest male alive if you would do me the honor of becoming my mate.” He looked nervous He licked his lips. “I don’t have a ring. I know it’s human tradition to give a ring. I’ll get you one”—his eyes widened—“better yet, you can choose one. Or I’ll pick one—”

  “Yes.”

  “Yes, I should pick one or you…?”

  “Yes, I’ll become your mate and have your children, although hordes of them?” She giggled. “I’m not so sure about the hordes part. I don’t need a ring. I just need you.”

  He jumped up to his feet and pulled her into his arms, cradling her against his chest. The move was so quick that she squealed. “What are you doing?”

  “We’re skipping to the part where I carry you over the threshold.”

  “Um…Griffin…we’re already inside.”

  He looked around them, his gaze moving to her bedroom door. “We’re skipping to the part where I carry you over the threshold of your bedroom. I need to be inside you right about now.”

  His voice was rough. Her nipples tightened.

  Griffin walked quickly. He lay her down on the bed and removed her sneakers. “Mmmm. Hot pink.” He touched her toes. “Off.” he growled, touching her jeans.

  Sarah undid the clasp and pulled down the zipper. Griffin growled softly as he gripped her pants and pulled them from her body. “The top needs to go.”

  “Um…” She felt her cheeks heat. “I’m not wearing the sexy underwear that you gave me.” She pulled her shirt over her head, knowing that he would see her white cotton briefs and matching bra.

  His gaze dropped and heated. “Fuck, Sarah! I love you. All of you.” he chuckled. “Granny panties, warts and all.” He flipped her over, his gaze raked over her. “Although I have yet to find any warts.”

  Sarah giggled. “It’s just a saying. I don’t actually have warts. Although…” She had to laugh. “It’s kind of sweet that you’re still so into me even though you think I have warts.”

  He turned her back around and his stare was so intense that it made her toes curl. “I think you are fucking hot in granny panties. So much so.” There was a ripping noise. “I can’t wait to get them off of you.”

  If she wasn’t so turned on, she would be mad at him for destroying her clothing, but all she could do was whimper as he pushed her back. Griffin grabbed her ankles, his heated gaze moving to between her thighs.

  Sarah swallowed hard.

  “Fucking amazing.” His voice was thick. He ran a hand over her mound and she whimpered arching into him. “Fur…” His eyes half rolled back in his skull and he made a groaning noise.

  He obviously hadn’t noticed when they were together before. It had been rushed and frantic.

  She reached back and unclasped her bra, pulling it away from her body. Griffin all out growled when his gaze moved back up to her chest. “Your breasts are perfection.” He leaned over her and sucked on a nipple.

  Sarah couldn’t help the gasp that escaped or the way she arched into his hot mouth. He nipped and licked, and sucked until she was mewling. Her fingers buried deep in his thick black hair.

  “Open your legs for me.” he growled against her flesh, causing shivers to race through her.

  Griffin pulled away, moving down her body. “Wider, sweetheart.” he snarled. “That’s it. Fuck, but you are beautiful.” Her heart was beating so wildly. Like it wanted out of her chest or something.

  She gasped as his mouth closed over her clit. Then she drew in a ragged breath and clawed at the sheets as he began to suck her off. “Oh. My. God.” She croaked. It was too much too fast. It felt so damned good that her eyes rolled back as she threw her head back.

  Just when she thought she might scream, he eased off of her, using just his tongue in soft, slow strokes. She tried to rock her hips, but he held her in place with his hands and shoulders against her thighs.

  “Fucking delicious,” he growled. “I’m going to live between these legs. Can I lick and suck on your sweet pussy every day?”

  “Yes,” she mewled.

  “Every fucking day.” he growled as he pushed a finger into her. She squirmed and groaned. One finger became two fingers. He thrust into her in deep, even strokes.

  “Yes…oh yes…yes…” There was a coiling sensation in her belly. Her skin felt tight. Her body, heavy. She struggled to take in enough air. Griffin sucked on her clit and her back bowed off of the bed, as her orgasm ripped through her on a loud, deep groan. He made her ride it out. Her body clenched around his fingers. Her back continued to arch. Her groan became an all out moan.

  He finally released her and she fell back in a limp, boneless mess. “Oh my god.” She was still panting hard. “I didn’t think that it could be so good. Oh my…”

  “Wait a minute.” Griffin pulled himself onto her. His hips against hers. She could feel his erection through the thin leather. “You aren’t saying what I think you are? Was that the first time that you have ever been eased?” He was frowning like mad.

  Sarah nodded. “Yeah, Eric didn’t believe in oral sex. He said it was disgusting and…”

  “Thank fuck you didn’t mate him.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t have put it quite like that, but yeah…I’m really glad right now that he and I didn’t get hitched. It would’ve been a shame to miss out on that…” She could feel herself blush. Then she squirmed and licked her lips. “Look…I’m sorry but I have no experience in…well…you know.” She needed to suck it up. Griffin was her future husband…mate. “I’ve never given anyone a blowjob before either, so I won’t be very good.”

  “Sweetheart.” He ki
ssed her softly before moving back so that he could look her in the eye. “You touching me is the biggest turn-on. I’ve been with a human female before. She eased…”

  He must have seen her look of horror because he quickly added. “We’ve both been with others, but that’s all in the past. From now on it’s you and me and it’s all I need. Just looking at you is enough to make me come. One small touch would be all it would take, I swear. I love you, Sarah.”

  “I love you too.”

  “I need to be inside you now.”

  She giggled as he tore at his vest and pants. His leathers were half way down his legs before he realized that his boots were still on. Griffin toed them off and yanked his pants the rest of the way off.

  Wow. He was handsome. His six-pack was a thing of utter beauty. His chest was… “You’re still injured.”

  “I’m fine.” He moved over her.

  “No, you are not.” She touched the scab on his heart.

  “It was broken when you left but I’ll be fine now that I have you back in my life.”

  She laughed. “More like you need blood and sex to heal.”

  “My way of saying it was so much more romantic.” He kissed her.

  “Yeah it was.” She nipped at his lip and he growled. “Listen...”

  He stopped nuzzling her neck and pulled back so that he could look into her eyes.

  “Let’s make love and then I want you to put your mouth on me again.”

  Griffin chuckled. “I’ve created a monster.”

  “You promised every day.”

  He laughed. “Twice a day, sweetheart. Put your legs over my shoulders.”

  “Do I look like a gymnast?” She had to giggle. There was no way he was getting her legs over his…

  He growled and lifted her legs, pulling them over his shoulders. Alrighty. He also thrust into her at the same time.

  Lord. Help. Her.

  She cried out.

  Chapter 20

  Lord help him. He felt like praying right now. Like getting down on his knees and thanking God for the female under him.