A Mate for Gideon (11 page)

She
sucked in a deep breath, preparing to answer him.

“Before
you say anything…” Gideon could feel his heart beating in his chest, could hear
the rush of his blood in his ears. “Even if you are here for escape… I
completely understand. You may have come as a last resort and I’m fine with that.”
It would fucking kill him
. “I will make sure that you are safe, that you
have the means to start up again. Somewhere far away. You can do so under a
total new identity. He won’t find you and he won’t ever touch you again.”
Because
I’m going to fucking kill the son of a bitch
. “Be honest about this. I’m a
grown ass male. Please, whatever you do, don’t just tell me what I want to
hear. I promise you, on my honor, that you will be taken care of no matter what
you say.” He was going on and on like a pussy. It was time to shut the fuck up
and let her talk.

She
smiled at him and his heart clenched. Fuck. It felt good to see her happy and
to know that he had been the one to put that smile on her face. It also scared
the shit out of him. Then she lifted her little hand and stroked his cheek, his
stubble catching. “Does this mean you want to get back together? To start off
from where we left off?”

Gideon
pursed his lips for a few beats. His heart raced. “It means that I don’t want
you to go just yet.”

Her
eyes filled with tears. “Yet. That doesn’t sound promising.”

He
sighed. “We can’t just pick up from where we left off. Too much has happened.
We can spend some time together.” Gideon shrugged. “Let’s see where things go.”

Jenna
nodded and she let out a pent up breath. “I understand. You need to know that I
want to be with you too. This is where I belong…right here at your side.”

Gideon
huffed out a breath as well. “Okay.” He said, unable to stop the wide grin from
forming on his face. “We’ll see how it goes then? Are you sure you want to be
here? You would be protected either way.”

She
frowned. “I already told you what I want. I’m very sure.” Jenna smiled. “I
can’t wait for us to start over. I also need to be sure that you also want to
give this a shot though. You’re not doing this just because you feel sorry for
me, are you?”

“Like
I said, I don’t think we can just continue where we left off. You have your
past to deal with. We both have trust issues, but we can work on it…together.”

She
nodded. “I will admit that, although I understand why you were so hurt over
finding out about Rob, it upset me that you just up and left. You broke my
heart.” Her eyes filled with tears all over again and knowing that she was
crying because of him this time was just too much. “You didn’t let me explain.
You said you loved me yet you refused to even try and understand the
situation.” She sniffed. “It was wrong of me not to have told you but it was
just as wrong of you to have just left like that.”

“I
couldn’t understand. I still don’t completely understand how you could mate
someone and then leave them. It’s not our way.” They had agreed to being
honest. He needed to stay true to that bargain. “I’m still nervous that I’ll
get in deep with you and that you’ll up and leave or that something else will
come to light. I guess I’m mostly worried about you changing your mind about me
in years to come. I am fucking petrified.”

She
blinked a few times. The light catching the tears on her lashes. “There is
nothing else to tell you. I’ve told you everything.” Her eyes were wide. “I
want to be with you…only with you. I want to try.”

Thank
fuck
!
Maybe they could be together then, the next few days would tell. “We need to
take it slow. Really slow.”

Jenna
licked her lips and he couldn’t help but to watch as her little pink tongue
slid across the full expanse. She nodded. “That’s a good idea.”

He
nodded. “We can get to know one another again. There is also the little problem
of my not being in the breeding program. I technically can’t come anywhere near
you.”

“I’m
sure if you went and discussed this with your kings…” She paused, biting down
on her bottom lip. “I’m sure they would understand.”

He
couldn’t help the choked laugh that escaped.
Like fuck
. “No, they so
won’t understand. Like I said, let’s take this really slow. We shouldn’t rush
into anything anyway and in the meantime I’ll figure something out.” It was
close to impossible, but he would find a way.

“We
only have a couple of days before I get kicked out. The guys get to choose a
woman that they want to spend more time with. Trouble is, I haven’t spoken with
any of the guys. The only person I’ve made any effort with is Lazarus. As a
friend.” She quickly added the last, she must have felt his body tightened. It
felt like a storm clouds descended over him at the mention of another male’s
name. Even though Lazarus had explained the friendship to him. Even though he
knew that there was nothing between the two of them. He had never gotten over
this female, so it didn’t surprise him.

“I
feel completely drained. I know there is one more chance tonight, but please
don’t ask me to make an effort to try and get one of the guys to notice me…or
something crazy like that so I can stay.”

He
growled and felt his lip curl away.
Like fuck.

Her
eyes widened and she sucked in a ragged breath.

“Don’t
be afraid,” he whispered. “It’s just that the thought of you trying to seduce
one of the males, getting them to pick you. It makes me a little crazy. I would
never hurt you though…not ever. Stay away from those horny bastards.” He smiled
at her.

Thankfully,
she smiled back. Just a tiny ghost of a smile but it still had the ability to
make his fucking day.

“I
do need you to go tonight. I don’t want you drawing attention. Spend time with
Lazarus like you normally would.” Fuck but she had the most beautiful eyes. The
most kissable lips. Her hair was so soft. Her scent enough to drive him to
distraction. He needed to keep reminding himself to take this slow. “I’m going
to have a chat with him. I don’t think he plans on choosing a female. I’m going
to ask him if he would consider choosing you.”

She
looked confused for a few seconds. “I don’t understand why you can’t get into
the program. Surely there must be a way.”

Gideon
shook his head. “The ten elite males that made it into the program fought their
way in. I chose not to take part. I can’t just be given a place…it doesn’t work
like that.” He took a deep breath. “Go to the dance. I’ll speak with Lazarus.
The two of you will really need to look like you’re hitting it off tonight. He
will take you back to his suite, I will be there waiting.” Gideon swallowed
hard, he’d never been more unsure of anything. “That is, if you want to meet me.
We can talk. No sex.” He sounded like an immature, inexperienced teenager and
forced himself to shut the fuck up.

“I
would like to meet you later.” She stood up on her tippy toes. Her breasts smashed
against his chest. She cupped his jaw in her little hands. The scent of her
arousal filled the air.

Fuck.

His
dick instantly hardened. Becoming rock fucking hard within a mere two seconds.

“It
will be fun,” she said.

“We
can talk, maybe hold each other a little. No sex.” he repeated. Fuck but he was
a pussy. Gideon shrugged.

Her
lips were so full, so pink, so damned moist. His dick twitched when she pushed
herself more firmly against him. He bit back a moan.

She
swallowed hard and he watched as the porcelain column of her throat worked. Jenna
could feel his need for her. Her pupils were dilated and her eyes dropped to
his lips. Her nostrils flared as she inhaled deeply.

No
sex.

Kissing…another
story all together.

Gideon
leaned forward and closed the distance between them. He brushed his lips over
hers. So damned soft. So familiar.
So his
. He cringed at the thought. It
had just slipped out. They needed to take it slow. He needed to be sure that
she meant it. That she wasn’t just running scared and grabbing onto the first
opportunity at salvation. He could still remember how it had been between them
before. From the second they had met. It was as if they had been made for one
another.

Take
it slow.

He
breathed in her scent. “Jenna.” He whispered her name like a plea. His lips
still on hers.

She
pushed her mouth more firmly against his, and he was helpless but to deepen the
kiss. His tongue moved against hers. Her hands fisted his shirt and a desperate
moan escaped her. He slanted his mouth more firmly across hers. His first
instinct was to touch her everywhere. To lay her down on the ground right there
and take her. Then he was reminded of all she had been through. Although this
was wrong, he couldn’t help himself. He would break every rule in the book to
give this relationship another chance. Gideon would never forgive himself if he
walked away now.

He
had to fight to keep his hands on her back. To take it slow. He needed to give
her all the space and the time that she needed to be sure that he was what she
wanted. She also needed time to recover. To find herself again and to come to
terms with all that had happened. The attraction was still there, but could
they both move past everything that had happened? He sure as hell hoped so.

It
physically hurt him to pull away from her. It took a few seconds for his eyes
to focus. To pull himself out of the lustful haze. Her scent of pure rapture wound
itself around him, threatening to pull him back down. Her lips were swollen, pinker
than before. Glistening even in the shadows the leaves cast on her beautiful
face.

Still
utter fucking perfection.

“We
need to head back.”
Before he did something stupid
. “Before we are
missed. I will walk you to the edge of the forest.”

Jenna
nodded.

He
cupped her cheek, leaning in for a quick brush of the lips. Fuck, he wanted her
more than he had ever wanted a female before. Nothing had changed there. The
problem was that so many other things had changed. “When we get to the edge of
the forest, keep walking until you get to the human accommodations. It would be
better if we didn’t talk in case someone overheard us. We will need to continue
to pretend that we don’t know one another.”

Her
eyes seemed to cloud for a minute, then she nodded and smiled. “I understand.”

“Good.”
He had to smile back at her. “I look forward to tonight.”

He
was fucked if the scent of her arousal didn’t hit his nose at full force. He
felt his pupils dilate when she pulled her lush bottom lip between her teeth.

It
was going to take all of his willpower not to rut with her that very night.

Using
every ounce of strength in him, Gideon pushed the heavy weight up off his
chest. He did this twice more, making a groaning noise with the efforts. He
could feel sweat drip off his brow. His chest heaved and his muscles strained.
His arms were shaking as he managed to get the bar back onto the stand above
him. Lazarus stood over him, ready to assist. It hadn’t been necessary. It
never was.

“Not
too fucking bad.” The big male grinned. “For a pussy that is.” He made a
grunting noise that Gideon realized was supposed to be a laugh.

“Yeah,
well…takes one to know one.” Gideon was still breathing hard. He pulled himself
upright, grabbing the towel at his feet. His body was drenched in sweat. He
used the towel to wipe his face and then his chest. “That’s me.” He huffed.
“I’m done.”

“Giving
up so soon?” Lazarus raised his brow.

“Not
all of us feel the need to pump iron several hours a day, besides, my shift
starts soon…” Gideon shook his head.

Lazarus
grimaced, looking every bit the warrior son of a bitch he was. “I’m a little
frustrated at the moment. So what if I take it out on a few barbells and a
punching-bag or two. I can’t find anyone willing to spar with me.”

Gideon
had to laugh. “Can’t say I blame them, you fuck them all up. You do realize
that there is a big difference between sparring and actual fighting, right?”

Lazarus’
frown deepened.

“What’s
got you so depressed?” Gideon had to ask.

The
big male ran a hand through his hair. It was shaggy and thick. Pretty much an
unruly mess that suited the male perfectly. Lazarus was the vampire version of
the Hulk himself, all he was missing was the cutoff pants and green tinged
skin.

Lazarus
grunted. “None of the humans want to talk with me, let alone anything more,” he
grumbled.

“If
you rut like you spar, I don’t blame them. I’m surprised they even let you into
the program in the first place. Human females are soft and timid.” Gideon
watched as Lazarus’ face clouded. As his hands curled into fists at his sides.
Ridiculous sized muscles bunched and corded. Gideon put up his hands and choked
out a laugh. “I’m only playing with you. I’m sure you have a whole string of
vampire females willing to take care of that frustration until the right human
female comes along.”

Lazarus
sat down, his big shoulders slumped forward. “That’s just it… I really want a
human female. Now that I’ve seen them, scented them…” He shook his head, his
dark eyes gleamed. “I seriously want one for myself. I just wish that one of
them would talk to me. It will be weeks before any new females arrive.” He
shrugged, looking despondent. “If these females are afraid of me, chances are
good that any future females will be afraid of me too. Maybe I should just give
up on the whole idea.”

Gideon
felt like a total asshole asking what he was about to ask, but he had to. Maybe
he could find a way to help the male in return. “Lazarus…” He paused, not sure
how to continue.

The
big male lifted his eyes. “If you tell me to stop drinking blood and to remove
my weapons, I will fucking hit you.”

Gideon
shook his head. “That’s not it. I have a favor to ask.”

Lazarus
nodded. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thick thighs. “Go ahead.
Ask away.”

Gideon
nodded, looking about the room to ensure that no one was listening. There were
only two other males in attendance. The others were wrestling with one another,
too wrapped up in what they were doing to be paying any attention.

“Remember
when I told you that it wasn’t like that…” Gideon shoved his hands into his
pockets.

The
big male smiled and nodded once.

“I
was in denial.” His voice was low and he forced himself to maintain eye contact
with the other male.

“Of
course you were.” Lazarus’ smile grew wider.

Gideon
clenched his teeth. The male was only messing with him. “Jenna,” he whispered
her name. “We have feelings for one another. I want to get to know her better but
I need your help.”

Lazarus
snorted, he shook his head. “I fucking knew it. That’s why she isn’t interested
in any of the others. It’s you she wants.”

Gideon
nodded, once again glancing about the room. “No one can know.”

“You’re
playing with fire. What’s so special about this female anyway?” He raised his
brows. “Don’t get me wrong, she is really nice, really friendly.” He shrugged.
“I like her and I can understand the attraction part of it. Her scent…” Lazarus
rolled his eyes and made a groaning noise.

Gideon
couldn’t help the growl that was torn from him. The two males on the mat on the
far side of the room stopped to turn and stare.

Lazarus
smiled, he rose to his feet and slapped Gideon on the back. “So, by your
reaction I would say that it’s serious then?”

Gideon
nodded. “Yeah, it is.”

Lazarus
grabbed the water bottle at his feet, pulled open the lid with his teeth, and took
a few deep draws. The scent of fresh blood hit Gideon in the nostrils. Lazarus
swallowed down the liquid before turning his eyes back to him. “Serious as in”—his
eyes darted to the two males who had resumed their sparring—“you want to mate
her?” A low whisper that sounded like more of a growl.

Gideon
nodded. “It’s a distinct possibility. There are a couple of things that we need
to work through.”

“When
are you going to see Brant? Then again, maybe you should go and have a chat with
Zane instead.” Lazarus smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll visit you when you’re in the
dungeon.”

It
was Gideon’s turn to roll his eyes. “You’ll visit me, well thank fuck for small
favors.”

“Your
dick will grow back as well.” Lazarus chuckled. His nostrils flared. “You don’t
scent of a human female.”

“Not
that it’s any of your fucking business but I haven’t rutted her.” Gideon spoke
under his breath.

Lazarus
took a step closer. “You want to mate this female and you haven’t even tested
compatibility?”

He
wasn’t about to tell Lazarus about the events of a year and a half ago. He
wasn’t going to tell anyone if he could help it. “That’s where the favor comes
in. Please spend the evening with Jenna. You guys need to make it seem like
you’re hitting it off. Take her back to her suite. I will be waiting.”

Lazarus
narrowed his eyes, his jaw tensed and he cocked his head to the side. “Did you
not hear me when I told you how frustrated I am? You want me to bring back a
human female to my suite so that you can have her? Where will I be when all of
this is taking place?”

“The
ten victorious elite’s were given larger suites in preparation for them mating
and starting a family. I know you have two bedrooms.” When Lazarus’ eyes
clouded in anger, Gideon quickly added. “I know I’m asking a lot.”

“Damn
fucking straight you are.” Lazarus gnashed his teeth together.

“Let’s
make a deal…” Gideon sucked in a deep breath. “If you find a female, then I’ll
completely understand. You carry on, get to know the female, take her back to your
suite. If not, spend some time with Jenna and bring her back for me.” He
paused. “I’ll make time for you tomorrow and fill you in on human females.
Their likes, dislikes… I’m no expert but I know more than most. Maybe it will
be enough to turn things around for you, if not in this round, then in the next
one.”

Lazarus
raised his brows, while keeping his eyes narrowed. The result was pretty
terrifying. “You said that if I find a female then the deal is off but I need
to spend the whole evening pretending to like your female. How’s that gonna get
me anywhere with the other females?”

Gideon
shrugged. “I know I’m asking for a lot. Please…”

“It’s
fine.” Lazarus said on a loud sigh. “I haven’t managed to get even one of those
females to speak to me for longer than ten seconds. I doubt I’m going to turn
any of them around at this late stage of the game. You’re on. At least one of
us will get some. I’ll just have to pump iron for an extra hour tomorrow to get
rid of some of the extra testosterone built up. You will fucking owe me. Big
fucking time”

“Yes,
I will.” He couldn’t help but to smile.

“We
will have that talk tomorrow. Maybe you can shed some light on the enigma that
is the human female.” Lazarus shook his head.

“Thank
you. I really appreciate it.” He slapped Lazarus on the back. “We will get you
ready in time for the next round.”

“I’m
not fucking changing for a female,” Lazarus growled.

Gideon
shook his head. “Okay.” He couldn’t wait to see this big male brought to his
knees by a small human. Then he remembered his own predicament and wiped the
grin right off of his face.

****

Lazarus’
jaw dropped. His eyes pretty much bugged out of his skull before his gaze
dropped to the four inch heels on her feet and then slowly moved back up. Jenna
noted that he paused, as his gaze landed on her cleavage. She had to fight the
urge to pull on the low cut gown.

It
was one of Julie’s dresses, since Jenna didn’t have anything suitable. Her
friend had insisted that she wear it and had told her how stunningly beautiful
she looked in it. That red was her color. It was an a-line cut with a halter neck
top that dipped at her breasts. With an open back, she couldn’t wear a bra and
was feeling pretty exposed.

Jenna
blushed as several of the vampire males visibly checked her out. Although the
dress came to about mid calf and only showed an inch or two of cleavage, she
felt practically naked.

Trying
to ignore the urge to go back to her room and change, Jenna looked about her. Every
effort had been taken to decorate the large space. Delicate music played in the
background. Vampire men and women walked around carrying trays with high flute
champagne glasses and delicious looking snacks. The glasses looked like real crystal.
Which wouldn’t surprise her. The appetizers were made up of canapés, prawns and
other tasty looking bite sized treats.

“I’ve
changed my mind,” Lazarus growled. “I’m taking you back with me later but I’m
not handing you over.”

“Shhh…someone
might hear you,” she whispered.

“They
would have no idea what we’re talking about.” His eyes glinted with humor. “So…you
do like us vampires after all.” He grinned. “I was beginning to think that your
being here was a mistake.”

“I
like vampires just fine. Let’s stop talking about this.” She looked about the
room but no one seemed to be paying any attention to them.

Lazarus
put his arm loosely around her shoulders. “I’m about to hear you cry out in
ecstasy. No need to be embarrassed.”

“Shhhh…”
She elbowed him in the ribs. “Stop your shit.”

The
big guy chuckled while snagging a glass of champagne from one of the passing
waiters. “Here, drink this. Loosen up a bit.”

She
narrowed her eyes at him but took the glass anyway. “Please try and behave. We
don’t want this getting out.”

Lazarus
leaned in and spoke in her ear. “And when
you know who
leaves my room
reeking of human pussy…”

She
gasped, using her hand to stifle the noise. Some of the champagne splashed on
the floor. “Look what you made me do.” Jenna looked down at the wet spot on the
shiny, marble floor.

Lazarus
chuckled. “Don’t look so shocked. Have you seen yourself in that dress?” He
whistled, his gaze traveled back downwards to her breasts. “You have really
big…beautiful… eyes. I could look at them all freaking day.”

Jenna
couldn’t help but to choke out a laugh. “My eyes are up here.”

“Soft
looking as well.”

“Soft
eyes…I don’t think so.” Her shoulders shook she was laughing so hard. Lazarus
was such a sweetheart even though he was a little rough around the edges. She
felt bad for him that he hadn’t met anyone and probably wouldn’t. She heard
some of the women talking about how big and scary he was.

He
made a low growling noise. “Damn…
you know who
is one lucky fuck. Makes
me wish I had earplugs.”

“It’s
not going to be like that. Tonight is not what you think,” she whispered.

“Not
what I think huh? I’ve heard that one before.” He threw her a wide grin. “You
should take that dress off the second you’re in my suite. I wouldn’t want to
see it ruined.”

Tonight
was about them talking, getting to know each other again. Who was she kidding?
She knew exactly what she wanted. Gideon was the one for her. She just had to
convince him of that fact. It had been easy to see how unsure he still was. How
guarded. They didn’t have much time before she would be sent away though. It
would be better not to think on that right now. She would concentrate on getting
Gideon to trust her first, to reawaken his feelings for her. It had to work, it
just had to.