A Mate for York (The Program Book 1)

by Hartnady, Charlene

  York shrugged. “I feel more strongly about her than about having young. I still want her. I love her. I don’t care about anything else. Procreation is no longer important to me.”

  “Are you sure that you want this, because once you are out it’s over. I won’t take you back.”

  “I’ve never been surer of anything.” York could feel himself grinning. He couldn’t help it. His female had come to him. It looked as if Brant was about to agree. Things couldn’t get much better.

  “You can wipe that look off your face,” Brant growled. “I don’t want to agree to this. I can’t believe you males. Why can’t you just follow the damned rules?”

  York shrugged, keeping his eyes locked with Brant’s. “Love doesn’t conform. It knows no boundaries or rules…it just is. I love Cassidy regardless of the shit storm it brings down on me. If taking the easy route means that I don’t have Cass in my life then I’ll gladly take the difficult path with her by my side. She is mine just as I am hers. There is no other way.”

  “Oh, York.” Cassidy sobbed, drawing his attention to the door. Her eyes were wide and her bottom lip was pulled between her teeth. “Do you really mean it?”

  York leapt to his feet so quickly that his chair went crashing. “I’m so glad you came.” He ate up the distance between them taking ahold of her hand.

  She pulled a little face. “I had to see if you really meant it…about not caring that I can’t have kids, that is. I see that it really and truly doesn’t matter to you.”

  York was grinning like the village idiot but he didn’t care. He shook his head. “You are all that matters to me, Cass. Only you.” He cupped her chin. “I fucking love you.” His voice was so deep with emotion.

  Cassidy sucked in a breath, her lip quivered. “I love you too. I didn’t think it would be possible to fall in love with someone so quickly, but I was wrong.” Her eyes filled with tears and she sniffed, clearly trying not to cry. “I know you well enough to know that you are it for me too.” A single tear fell and he was just about to wipe it away and kiss the hell out of her when Brant interjected.

  “Hold on just a damned minute.” He growled, standing right next to them. “I haven’t given permission for the two of you to be together. You are still officially a part of the program.” His hard gaze bore into York.

  He didn’t give a fuck what Brant said, or what Brant wanted. His king could go fly a kite right off of a tall cliff for all he cared. He and Cassidy were going to be together. York had meant what he said about leaving if he had to.

  Brant cursed. “You are, unfortunately, right about love not damn well conforming to rules.” He shook his head. “Even when those rules are for the best. The thing is, I do understand…I really do. I’ve become such a fucking wimp since Sam was born…hell…since Tanya came into my life.” His whole demeanor softened. His eyes radiated love.

  It was the strangest thing York had ever seen. The male standing in front of him right now was not his king. It was like aliens had invaded Brant’s body. York held his breath. Cassidy’s focus was solidly on Brant as well. She too seemed to be holding her breath.

  “I’m probably going to regret this, but I hereby expel you from the program.” Brant looked pointedly at York. “Your female is welcome to join the coven.”

  York was about to fist punch the air when Brant carried on talking, making him suck back a breath into his lungs.

  His king turned to face Cassidy. “You do realize that when a vampire mates, that it is for life? There is no going back…no divorce…no fucking around with other males. We are not humans and you need to be very sure that this is what you want. If you mate one of ours, you will become one of us, governed by our lores and a part of our ways. Do not take this decision lightly.”

  “I’m sure.” Cassidy shrieked. She threw herself into Brant’s arms. “Thank you so much. You won’t regret this.”

  Oh shit!

  Cassidy was so excited that she was hugging Brant. Hugging the meanest motherfucker ever to walk the earth. Blood had been shed, in the past, over less. At first, his king just stood there like a statue. Then he shook his head and actually smiled. Brant smiled. It was a small miracle. He put one hand lightly to Cassidy’s back and sort of hugged her back.

  York had to chuckle. Everything was coming together…Then Brant’s face took on a confused look and a frown appeared on his forehead. “What is the meaning of this?” he growled.

  Cassidy jumped back, making a soft gasping noise. York pulled her behind him, putting himself between his female and his king. He couldn’t help it when his hands squeezed into tight fists.

  “Why the fuck would you lie?” Brant snarled. “What purpose could it possibly serve?”

  “My lord?” York didn’t know what his king was referring to.

  “This female is not infertile.” Brant’s eyes were narrowed and his fists clenched.

  It was York’s turn to frown. He glanced over his shoulder at Cassidy who looked just as shocked and confused as what he felt.

  “Scent her.” Brant growled, gesturing in Cassidy’s direction. “If she’s infertile then I have a tiny dick.” He made a snorting noise.

  York turned, yanking Cassidy into his arms. She gasped but didn’t try and pull away when he buried his nose into her neck. He sniffed deeply.

  Fuck!

  York made a growling noise. His cock instantly hardened and his heart rate picked up. Adrenaline surged. His first reaction was to throw his female over his shoulder and to find the nearest quiet spot in order to completely ravage her. He resisted…only just. “That smells so damned good.” His voice sounded thick to his own ears.

  “What does?” Cassidy pushed at his chest. “What’s going on?” She licked her lips, her beautiful eyes were wide and a little fearful.

  “Um…Cass…” York grinned. “Would you like to get pregnant?” Excitement coursed through him.

  Confusion and pain warred with her delicate features. Her eyes clouded and a deep frown took up residence on her face. “Don’t say that. I would love to have a child but I told you that I can’t…I don’t ovulate. Even the strongest fertility drugs didn’t work. Please, York, don’t say things like that, it isn’t fair.” Her lip wobbled.

  Brant chuckled. “All I can say is that we have the most potent fucking seed.”

  York ignored his king and cupped Cassidy’s chin. “I would never do such a thing. You are at the start of your heat. I couldn’t pick it up earlier and it is barely there now, but it’s happening…” He couldn’t help but to smile.

  Her confused expression became even more pronounced. “I don’t know what you are talking about. What the hell is heat? It’s really hot outside but I don’t know what that has to do with me or babies.”

  Brant had walked over to his wrecked desk and was rummaging through the debris. He gave another small chuckle. “Hot outside,” he muttered while shaking his head.

  “Don’t look so worried.” York cupped her face in both of his hands. “You are going into the fertile part of your cycle.”

  “I don’t have a fertile part of my cycle. I don’t have a cycle…period.” She tried to pull away from him. “Stop this crazy talk.”

  “Hold still.” He moved his hands to her hips, holding on so that she couldn’t get away. “Brant and I can scent that you are preparing to release an egg. We call it going into heat and you humans call it ovulate.”

  Cassidy narrowed her eyes, still frowning. “Don’t you mean ovulation?”

  “Yeah, that’s exactly what I mean.”

  “Wait a minute. Are you saying that you can smell on me that I’m about to ovulate?”

  York nodded. “Yeah, it is a unique and wonderful scent that cannot be missed. It makes me want to rut you right now.”

  “This is my office!” Brant yelled. “Don’t even think about it.”

  York continued to ignore his king, his sole focus was on the female in front of him. His female. Her frown lessoned. He could see that she wa
s thinking things over. The edges of her lips curled upwards in the start of a smile. “Are you sure?” Her words were breathy.

  “Very sure, Cass. You will be fertile over the next few days. We might be able to have a baby.” His heart was racing about a mile a minute. He clenched his jaw, feeling a well of emotion rise up inside of him. The thought of having a child with this amazing female did strange crazy things to him.

  Her heart rate took off and her breathing became a little erratic. It looked like she might have a panic attack or something. Her gaze moved to and then fixed on the ground. He couldn’t get a handle on what she was feeling or thinking.

  “That is…if you want to try,” he said. “We don’t have to. It’s just that it might not happen again and right now there’s a good chance that—”

  “I want a baby.” When she looked up, her eyes were tear-soaked and this time judging from her wide smile, it was out of sheer happiness. Her eyes sparkled and she even gave a small bounce.

  “Are you serious?” York asked, feeling like an idiot for even asking.

  “Yes, I am.” Dents appeared in her lower lip when she bit down on it.

  “Are you sure? It’s a big step and—”

  “I’m so very sure. I want a baby…” She made an excited noise. “Let me rephrase that, I want a baby with you, York. I couldn’t think of anything better.” Her beautiful eyes were locked with his. They shone with sincerity.

  “We’re back in the program.” York flicked a glance at Brant who was trying to get his computer to work.

  “Fuck that,” Brant growled. “I said you were out, so you’re out. I told you that there would be no coming back.”

  “I don’t give a flying fuck about the program…I love you, Cass.” He closed his lips over hers, swallowing her reply.

  By blood, she tasted better than anything he had ever experienced. His cock twitched as her little tongue swirled with his. Her hands came up around his neck and her breasts pushed up against him.

  York growled, pulling her more firmly against him. He palmed her lush ass with both his hands.

  “Get a fucking room.” Brant growled, reminding York that he was still in his king’s office. The only thing on his mind right now was being inside of his female. Making babies. He grinned at Cassidy as he pulled away from her and she grinned back.

  “Are you okay with moving in with me?” He had to double check that she was comfortable with moving to the castle.

  She started to nod when Brant spoke. Cassidy’s eyes stayed on York.

  “I’ll organize you one of the bigger suites. A single room is no place to raise a child.”

  Just the thought of Cassidy’s belly swelling with his child had a lump forming in his throat.

  “Let’s go and fetch my bags.” She giggled softly. “I’m already packed.”

  York leaned in so that his lips brushed against her ear. He felt her shudder, loving that he had that effect on her. “You do realize that we’re going to have to make love many, many times over the next few days?”

  “Oh, I really hope so.” Her words came out sounding breathy and he could hear that she was smiling. “Let’s go fetch my bags then.”

  “We might be a little while.” York managed to tear his eyes off of Cassidy long enough to glance at Brant.

  “Sweetwater is only fifteen minutes away,” Brant growled. Then he chuckled. “Go and fetch your soon to be mate’s bags…Let them know at the gate that you will be gone for a few hours.”

  “The rest of the day,” York growled.

  “Fine,” Brant growled louder this time. “Just get the fuck out of my office already. I’m going to have to make an example or two around here to stop this shit from happening again.” He shook his head, pretty much talking to himself. “I’ve had it with insubordination.”

  Brant wasn’t as bad as he made out to be. He had gotten to know the male well over the years. Although he could be a cruel, soulless motherfucker at times, he was that way because he cared. The key, make sure you were with him. Get on his bad side and you were fucked…good and proper.

  York grabbed Cassidy’s hand and walked out before his king could change his mind. Full moon couldn’t come soon enough and until then, he was going to work hard on filling her belly with his seed. He couldn’t wait to get started.

  Chapter 15

  They rushed up the stairs and down the hall. Cassidy could see her apartment just up ahead. York kept squeezing her ass and trying to touch her and kiss her. She slapped his hand away for the tenth time since they’d exited the vehicle.

  Cassidy giggled. “Stop that. I can’t find my keys.” She rummaged around in her purse.

  “I can’t wait to have you.” He growled, sending shivers up and down her spine.

  Just as her hands closed on the set of keys, there was the sound of someone clearing their throat. York took a small step away from her which was strange since he was so damned big and strong. Who could possibly have caused such a reaction in him?

  Cassidy whipped her head to the side and there stood dear old Mrs. Simmons, looking anything but sweet and frail. Her arms were folded across her chest and her foot tapped a fast, even beat on the floor. The noise echoed through the hallway. Her eyes were narrowed and blazing. “I thought you’d taken care of that spider problem. You told me you had them exterminated.” She said the word with such venom that York actually flinched.

  “Um…no…no extermination. Just a little misunderstanding. It turns out I really like spiders after all…very much.”

  “You’re sure it’s not venomous?…Those poisonous ones are real pests. Deserve to be squashed, the lot of them.” To emphasize a point, she bent down and removed her shoe, whacking it on the wall with a loud crack, she even glanced at York as the shoe hit home.

  York moved back in next to her and even put his arm around her. “Deservedly so.”

  Cassidy put a hand out to touch the old woman’s arm. “Thanks for your concern. I’m fine, better than fine. There is no need for extermination services, I assure you.” She smiled at her soon to be ex-neighbor, who did visibly relax…at least to a degree. “I’d really like for you to meet my fiancé, York.”

  Mrs. Simmons gave him the once over. “Well alright then, but don’t hesitate to call if you need to borrow a shoe.” She still ignored York, as well as the fact that she’d just introduced him as her fiancé. Her heart raced and she couldn’t help the smile that took hold of her mouth at the mere thought of becoming his wife…mate. A much better concept.

  “It’s really good to meet you, ma’am. I promise to do right by Cassidy. I love her very much.” Her heart ached when she saw the emotion reflected in his eyes.

  Mrs. Simmons must have seen it too because she finally relaxed completely and even smiled at York. “Good, she hasn’t had it easy and deserves a good man to take care of her. You are a fine specimen aren’t you?” Then she was looking him up and down like he was a hot chocolate sundae on legs.

  York gave one of his gorgeous panty combusting half smiles. “I will take excellent care of her…I promise.”

  “Just one more little thing.” The old lady turned to Cassidy, putting a hand up around her mouth to block what she was saying from York. As if that was even possible. Keeping her voice really low, Mrs. Simmons leaned in. “I believe you said that the spider was hairless. Did you mean it?” Her eyes were wide, they glinted mischievously.

  Cassidy felt York twitch behind her, obviously trying to keep from laughing. Biting down on her lip, Cassidy had to work hard herself. “We have to go, Mrs. Simmons. Take care of yourself.” Before her neighbor could say anything more, she inserted the key in her door and they both flew inside closing it behind them. Cassidy had to put her hand over her mouth to hold back a laugh. It threatened to spill right out. York’s great, big shoulders shook and his eyes filled with tears but he didn’t make more than a soft grunting sound.

  “She’s something.” He finally choked out.

  “She’s harmless.
”

  “And really sweet. Good thing I plan on loving you always or I would be really scared.” His eyes were locked with hers. Blue like a crystal blue spring.

  “Good thing,” she whispered.

  His chest still heaved from holding back his laughter, his eyes narrowed on her, turning hungry and desire filled. His nostrils flared. They reached for each other at the same time.

  His fingers dug into her flesh just as hers clasped his. York growled, it was loud and quite terrifying. If she wasn’t used to the noises he made, she would be very afraid right now. Her heart raced and her skin felt flushed but not from fear. The opposite was true.

  “I want you so badly. The scent of your heat is getting stronger.” His eyes moved from her lips back to her eyes back to her lips again. His irises glowed. His skin was taut and all of his muscles were bunched. “I need you wet, Cass.” He pushed a hand under her dress and ripped off her panties. Shredded them like they were paper.

  It turned her on big time and she gave a little squeal. Then his fingers found her clit and the squeal turned into a moan.

  “That feels good.” She panted, as his other hand palmed her breast.

  “I need to see you.” He growled, tearing the front of her dress with a loud rip. His gaze dipped to her chest and he made a sound of annoyance, snapping the front of her bra using just his fingers.

  His features relaxed somewhat. “Much better.” He picked her up easily, closing his hot mouth over one of her hardening nubs.

  Cassidy put her legs around him. Her clit throbbed and she rubbed her core against him as her ankles locked at his back.

  “I can’t believe it.” She said the words that had been swirling around in her head on the whole trip over here. “We’re going to be together.”

  “You had better believe it.” He lowered her and nipped her lip before swirling his tongue with hers.

  “Are we really trying for a baby?” She asked as he broke the kiss. “Because I can’t believe that either.”

  “We will be trying very hard and very often. Your scent is getting stronger by the second. There is no doubt that you are fertile. I’m not sure how it happened but it has and we are going to make the most of it.” He began to move taking long, easy strides. “I’m going to rut you on the bed now.”