A Mate for York (The Program Book 1)

by Hartnady, Charlene

  York actually looked relieved, like he had gotten off lightly. He nodded, giving her a reassuring smile. “Twenty lashes is for pussies. It’s like a scratch for us vampires. I’ll heal in ten minutes. Don’t worry about it.” He winked at her.

  “Careful, I might double it.” Brant turned his hard eyes on her. “It will take longer than ten minutes to heal and it will hurt like a bitch.”

  York growled next to her, she even saw a flash of a fang but he kept his eyes averted.

  “There are silver spikes on the end of the whip. As most humans are aware, silver is toxic to us non-humans. His back will be a bleeding mess, the silver will slow the healing process.”

  Brant was a sick bastard, he actually took pleasure in telling her all this knowing that she would be affected. Cassidy worked hard to keep a handle on her emotions.

  Zane turned to Brant. “York doesn’t have bloodlust. He said he would prove that he didn’t have it and he did.”

  Something didn’t sit right with her about that statement. She wasn’t exactly sure what it was. The conversation continued before she could put her finger on it.

  “He disobeyed an order. He doesn’t deserve a place in the program.” Brant raised his brows.

  “We said we wanted proven warriors, only the best to continue our line. I hate to tell you but that’s him” Zane said as he gestured to where York was standing.

  Brant let out a huff of air. “Twenty fucking lashes and you stay away from the humans during the next two days. You can rut all you want when the chosen females arrive. Keep it in your pants until then. For a second there I thought you were turning soft.” Brant actually smiled, looking anything but happy. “I thought you really went to see this female to talk with her…to apologize.” He was talking about her like she wasn’t even in the room. “When your main reason was to prove that you didn’t have bloodlust. That’s why you rutted her and why you turned yourself in. Fucking genius.”

  The nagging feeling she couldn’t put her finger on. Brant voiced it, summing it up perfectly. Anger and hurt warred inside her. That would explain why such an attractive, out of her league guy was interested in her.

  What hurt the most was how he had faked being so turned on by her. How he genuinely seemed to enjoy her company when it was all an act to ensure that he got enough of her scent on him and vice versa. She felt like a fool for sharing so many private details from her life when in the end he only wanted back in the program. It was all about using her so that he could still get one of the chosen humans so that he could start a family. It was never about her. Never genuine.

  “That’s not true.” York said, but they were just meaningless words. She knew better. People lied and broke trust all the time. Sean had taught her that. It was all about number one in the end, that was what her ex boss Mark had always maintained. He said it all the time, only she chose not to believe it and she was a fool.

  The joke was on her.

  Cassidy turned away from York, not wanting to see him. Trying hard not to cry. “If that’s all, I’ll be leaving now.”

  Brant didn’t move a muscle. “You’ll receive your contract amendments before close of business. Be sure to sign them.”

  She nodded, not trusting her voice.

  Brant looked at his watch. “You’ve missed breakfast, your first session starts in twenty minutes.”

  Cassidy nodded again while biting onto her lip to try and stop it from quivering. She was such an emotional idiot. It wasn’t like she even knew York. There was no way she had any real feelings for him. What was wrong with her? Why the hell was she on the verge of tears? She shouldn’t let this get to her.

  “Cass…” York said from behind her, his deep voice washed over her, making her feel so much worse. He had really hurt her. There was no way to stop the feelings of betrayal that coursed through her. At least he wasn’t allowed anywhere near her again. She just had to make it out of this room.

  Don’t cry, Cassidy.

  “I’m going now.” Her voice came out sounding hard and cold. She didn’t even look Brant’s way, just turned for the door and began to move.

  A warm, calloused hand closed on her wrist. It was a touch she knew all too well. For just a second she allowed his heat to seep into her skin and then she yanked her arm free and fled from the room, sure to slam the door behind her. Cassidy broke out into an all out run, praying that York would not be permitted to follow her. The tears began to flow even before she made it to her suite.

  It must have been all the old memories of Sean, of how badly he had hurt her. This whole ordeal had brought things to the surface that were best left buried. She wished she had never met York, that she had never come here in the first place and if she had any other choice she would leave. As it stood, she was sorely tempted to do just that regardless of consequences.

  Chapter 9

  Room B loomed ahead.

  It was one minute before ten. Cassidy didn’t want to linger around, she’d timed this perfectly.

  The vampire head of security, his name was Gideon, stood to the left of the door. He nodded in greeting and gave her a small smile. His eyes filled with what looked a lot like sympathy mixed with what she could only describe as pity.

  Looking away, she held on tighter to her purse strap, she really didn’t need this. Not after she’d only just managed to pull herself together. Her eyes were a bit bloodshot and a tad puffy, but mascara and concealer could work wonders. She’d even put a bit of blush and lipstick on to try and appear fresh and upbeat.

  “You did good in there earlier,” he said as she approached.

  When she looked back up, the pity had been replaced with a genuine smile.

  “Thanks…I guess.”

  “No, really.” His face turned more serious. “There are very few people that have ever dared to stand up to Brant. Aside from his mate and one other female, you are the only human that’s ever done it. You deserve to still be here.” He looked around them, speaking softly. “York pulled a serious dick move. I’ve never known him to act in such a way. I know that he really wants a family. I just can’t believe he would treat you so badly in order to reach that end. It’s not on you though and I want you to know that. I plan on having a talk with him about it.” He took a step closer to her, again looking around to make sure that no one was listening in. “I know how emotional human females are when it comes to sex. The only consolation I can give you is that he doesn’t realize how bad this has made you feel and if he does, he doesn’t fully understand why. I don’t believe he intended to hurt you.”

  “I’m not hurt,” she blurted. “I hardly know him.” She tried to play it down.

  “I could scent how hurt you were. I can still scent it on you even though it is underlying.”

  Fuckity fuck.

  That meant that they all had smelled it on her. She’d prayed that she had looked and seemed more together than what she actually was, not thinking for a minute that her blasted scent had given her away. Vampires sucked!

  “I felt used. Like an idiot. I’m fine now. Thanks, I appreciate it.” Maybe they weren’t all so bad.

  Gideon nodded. “I will keep a close eye on you. Just shout if you need anything. Do you still remember the safe word?”

  Cassidy nodded. “As if I could forget.” Just thinking of it made her heart squeeze and her eyes feel watery. It made her think of last night, reminded her of York. The big, fat jerk. If she ever saw his face again it would be too soon. “Can we maybe use another word?”

  Gideon looked confused for a second, and then he shrugged. “Sure, what did you have in mind?”

  “Um…noodles…maybe.” Pumpkin. She’d never been overly fond of vegetables.

  Gideon broke out into a smile. He nodded once. “Noodles it is then. I’ll just brief the guards as well as the ladies in the comms room and we’re all set.”

  “Thanks again.” She did feel a little bit better.

  “Anytime.” Gideon pulled out a two way radio. “Be safe
in there and don’t forget the new safe word.”

  “I won’t.” She said as she continued towards the door.

  “Comms room B, Comms room B come in…” There was a clicking noise and the sound of static before a woman’s voice crackled over the system.

  Cassidy couldn’t make out what she was saying because she entered the room and closed the door behind her.

  The vampire was sitting sprawled out on the sofa. Although very tall, he wasn’t nearly as built as York.

  Stop it.

  She had to try and get that asshole right out of her head.

  He moved swiftly to his feet, rubbing his hands on his jeans. By now she was getting used to how attractive vampires were and wasn’t affected at all by his wide, dimpled grin. He looked a bit younger than the others she had met. There was an air of mischief about him. “Hi, I’m Griffin.” He extended a hand which she took.

  Not nearly and big or as warm as…

  Stop it.

  “It’s really nice to meet you, Griffin.” She found herself smiling despite the nervous tension.

  He raised his brow, his lips still turned up at the edges. “You have amazing eyes…though I’m sure you’ve been told that dozens of times.”

  “Thank you.” Although she had received a ton of compliments over the years, she hadn’t had many recently. These vampires were all a bunch of charmers, that was for sure.

  “You don’t have to be nervous.”

  “That’s what the big, bad wolf said to little red riding hood and he tried to eat her,” she muttered.

  Griffin chuckled. “I don’t know much about girls wearing red hoods and I’m not a wolf shifter.” His voice was a low growl. Not nearly as deep and gruff sounding as…

  Stop it.

  Dammit, she was getting irritated with herself.

  Griffin winked at her. “I’m a vampire which means that if I wanted to eat you I wouldn’t have to try, I would just go ahead and do it.” His nostrils flared and she realized that he could smell what had gone down last night.

  It made her blood heat and not in the way he was hoping. Cassidy put her hands on her hips. “Like hell you would. You probably think I’m some easy, idiot human. Well…I’ve got news for you, if you think that I’m letting you or any of your kind anywhere near me again, you’re deluding yourself.”

  Griffin’s eyes widened and his brow creased. He put up his hands. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m sorry if I offended you.” He looked genuinely sorry. Even had the whole puppy dog look down pat.

  “It’s fine, it’s just I’m not used to everyone knowing my very private business. I don’t like it.” She mumbled the last.

  “Just so you know, vampires see rutting as just one of those things. We view it as something that needs to happen, like breathing or eating. It’s not a big deal. I thought you would’ve received this information in your training.” He hooked his thumbs into his jeans.

  “Not really since we weren’t actually allowed to have sex.”

  Griffin chuckled. “York has big balls to have touched you. He will be sorry later when he goes under the whip…I’ve only ever had ten lashes and that was bad enough.”

  Don’t feel sorry for him Cassidy. Don’t you dare feel sorry. He used you.

  “I can’t believe you’re not up for a round two though.” Griffin lifted his brows, that mischievous glint was back. “He can’t have done it right if you don’t want more.” It was delivered so innocently that she had to laugh. “Not that I’m suggesting anything.” He quickly added, a big grin on his face. “I swear.”

  Despite his words, she did notice that his eyes dipped to her breasts before returning to her face…make that her mouth. He was checking her out. God, these vampires were certainly an oversexed bunch. “Um…” He lifted his eyes to meet hers. “Do you want me to touch you while I…” He rubbed a hand through his hair.

  ****

  Motherfucker!

  York was going to punch the shit out of Griffin directly after this session was over. If he so much as laid a finger on her, he wasn’t sure he could wait until the session was over. His hands clenched at his sides and he suppressed a growl.

  “What are you doing in here?” Sasha asked as she swiveled in her chair to face him. “This is a restricted area.”

  Lea glanced at him over her shoulder, a small smile toyed with the corners of her full lips. “Hey, York. I haven’t seen you much lately.” Loosely translated, he hadn’t rutted with her in a while.

  He smiled back. “Hi, Lea.”

  Her smile grew. “I can scent that you have been playing with the humans. You naughty thing you.” She licked her lips. “I hear you are getting twenty lashes for it as well.” She pulled a face for a few seconds before smiling again. “You should come to me later…I’ll fix you right up.”

  “Yeah, sounds like a plan.” Normally he would’ve jumped at the opportunity. Lea was attractive and they were highly compatible. The thought didn’t appeal to him at the moment as much as it should have though.

  “You can leave now.” Sasha turned her hard eyes on him.

  “Please, let me stay.” York tried not to sound desperate.

  “Males are not permitted to watch. Humans become embarrassed when our males ease them.”

  The thought of Griffin’s hands on Cassidy infuriated him. Schooling his expression and working hard to get a handle on his emotions, York nodded. “This female will not let Griffin touch her.”

  Lea laughed. Even Sasha cracked a smile. “They all let the males touch them. Every single human, every single time without fail,” Lea said.

  “It’s true,” Sasha added. “The agreement was that we could monitor them so long as it is a female who does the monitoring. That means that you have to leave…now.” Her voice held a hard edge.

  “I will leave if she allows him to touch her.” He could barely get the words around the lump in his throat. “I am merely concerned for her safety. Griffin is still young.” That was it…yes…her safety was at the forefront of his mind.

  Lea gave a quick laugh. “That’s the human you rutted? Am I right? Please don’t tell me you have feelings for her.”

  York scowled. “No way. I guess I feel I owe her. I don’t want to see her hurt. That is all.” The female was really sweet. Brant had gone and fucked everything up. Cassidy had been badly hurt. He owed her this much.

  “There are three guards outside that room. You really don’t need to be here.” Lea glanced at him before returning her gaze to the screen.

  York shrugged. “Humor me…please.”

  Sasha grinned. “I guess it’s nothing you haven’t seen before anyway.” She too put her focus back on the screen.

  “Keep quiet and no one finds out about this or we will all be in serious trouble.” Lea didn’t look comfortable.

  Tough luck, he was staying. York felt his blood boil as Griffin alluded to eating Cassidy. Little dickhead was going to cry like a baby by the time he was done with him. He almost laughed out loud and fist punched the air when Cassidy put him in his place even though her words didn’t sit right with him.

  She’d said that she wasn’t going to let him or any other vampire near her again. The pain in her voice and her eyes was evident. He wished he could see her and explain things but that’s what had caused all this shit last time. He was back in the program and forbidden to see Cassidy. It would be better if she finished up here and moved on with her life.

  In order for that to happen, he would make sure that she got through the next six sessions alive and well. York didn’t care who he needed to bribe or beg to make that happen, only that it would. He wasn’t technically in breach of his agreement with Brant since he wasn’t in the same room as her.

  He narrowed his eyes at the screen. The little fuck was mentally undressing Cassidy. Griffin’s eyes were glued to her breasts. By the way Cassidy squirmed, he could see that she was uncomfortable under the scrutiny.

  Um…” Griffin lifted his eyes to meet
hers. “Do you want me to touch you while I…” He ran a hand through his hair.

  Little shit didn’t just say that?

  York knew he was being irrational, it was the exact same question he had asked the previous day. Problem was, he couldn’t seem to help himself.

  “No…thank you.” Cassidy quickly answered and he was able to take a breath into his starving lungs. Thank the gods.

  Griffin’s beady little fucking eyes lowered back to her chest for half a beat. “Are you sure? It might get a little difficult for you. I wouldn’t mind at all.”

  I’m sure you fucking wouldn’t!

  Cassidy threw Griffin a small smile that looked sad. York felt it inside himself. A funny feeling in his chest. It didn’t feel good. He really liked Cassidy, she was a good person that had been hurt before. York hated that he had been the one to hurt her this time around. Fucking hated it!

  “No…I’m good thanks. I assure you that I won’t need you to”—she paused—“to touch me in any way.”

  Griffin shrugged. “Suit yourself. Let me know if you change your mind.”

  She won’t.

  Lea turned her head slightly, still keeping her eyes on the screen in front of her. “Shhhh.”

  York realized that he had spoken out loud and pressed his lips together to prevent any further outbursts. He also shoved his hands in his pockets.

  Griffin removed his shirt and sat back down on the sofa. “Get more comfortable and take a seat.” He gestured to his lap.

  Cassidy removed her jacket, turning and folding it neatly before bending to place it on top of her purse.

  There were several cameras in the room, placed in various positions. York ground his teeth together watching how Griffin checked out Cassidy’s ass as she bent down. The male even repositioned his dick in his pants. The fucker was hard for her. York had to close his eyes for a few seconds in order to keep himself under control.

  “You might want to lose the dress.”

  York shook his head, running a hand over the buzz on his scalp. The neckline on Cassidy’s dress was a little lower than the blouse had been yesterday. Not low enough to reveal even a hint of cleavage but low enough that her neck was sufficiently exposed. The little fuck was trying his luck, plain and simple.