Pride Mates

by Jennifer Ashley

  “How did it not strangle you when you shifted?”

  “When the Collar goes on, it becomes a part of the Shifter. Don’t ask me to explain the technology or the magic, because I don’t understand it myself. The Collar allows us to change to our animal forms—because if we were denied that we’d die. Our animal form is part of us, with us at all times. So the chain adapts to it.”

  Kim ran her fingers around the Collar, feeling the cool contrast of the silver with his hot skin, the bump of the Celtic knot. “What do you mean by ‘the magic’? It’s triggered by your adrenal system, isn’t it? To shock you or tranquilize you when your chemical balance changes, right?”

  Liam chuckled. “You saw me shift from cat to man, and the wolf die away to dust under Sean’s sword, and you still don’t believe in magic?”

  “Not really. There’s an explanation for even the most bizarre things.”

  “Remind me to take you to Ireland someday. I’ll show you magic. An Irishman made these chains, an old man who was permeated with magic himself.”

  “A leprechaun?”

  Liam laid his head back and laughed. Kim’s hand was still on his neck, and catching his head in her palm felt intimate and warm.

  “No, sweetheart, no little men in green with shamrocks. The man who made the first Collars was half Fae. Your government—and others in the world where Shifters are allowed to live—agreed that the old mage could supply the chains that keep us weak.”

  “You keep talking about Fae. What’s Fae?”

  “Sometimes called Fair Folk or fairies, but they’re not cute little people with wings. The Fae are ancient and arrogant beings who once regarded the earth as theirs. Terrifying, they are. They made Shifters to be their pets, their hunting beasts, but we weren’t having any of that.”

  Kim wasn’t certain how much of this she bought, and she couldn’t tell if he believed it himself or was having her on. “You said the man who made the chains was half Fae. Do you mean he’s dead now?”

  “He is. But he passed the knowledge to his son. The son stays hidden away in Ireland and sends the Collars as they’re needed.”

  “How was it that you could fight and kill the feral Shifter then? Or do the Collars work only if you try to attack humans?”

  “No, like you said, the Collars are keyed to our adrenal systems. Doesn’t matter who we’re violent toward. But some of us have found ways to…delay…the system. It’s painful, but it can be done.”

  Liam met her gaze calmly, but something raged behind his eyes. He’d changed since he’d come into this room, but she couldn’t put her finger on how. “You’ve learned how to override yours, you mean,” she said.

  Liam shrugged again, but his shoulders remained hunched. There it was—the key. Instead of Liam the strong and protective, he’d withdrawn into himself. He’d talked with her and smiled at her, but his thoughts were far away.

  “I have,” he said. “I only override it when necessary.”

  “Like tonight.” Kim touched his chest, feeling his heart beating too rapidly beneath her fingers. “And that hurt you?”

  “It did, love. That’s why I’m sitting quietly on this bed and leaving your beautiful self alone. My entire body is brutal raw with pain.”

  Chapter Eight

  Liam hadn’t lied; he hurt like hell.

  Kim’s eyes went wide with shock. “But we were dancing half an hour ago.”

  “I can hold it off for a long time, especially if the excitement of the kill is high.” He let his gaze drift over her delicious little body. “And dancing with you—let’s just say I wasn’t letting anything stop me from enjoying that.”

  She looked worried. “And you’re in pain now?”

  “Excruciating.” Agony bloomed behind Liam’s eyes and in every nerve ending, every muscle. His spine felt as if someone had twisted it with a giant pair of pliers. The punishment didn’t even spare his smallest toes.

  “Liam, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

  “A man doesn’t like to admit when he’s hurting. It shames us.”

  “Can’t you do anything for it? Would ibuprofen help? I have some in my purse.”

  He wanted to laugh. Ibuprofen wouldn’t make a dent. “Nothing to be done but wait it out. Having you sit here with me is nice.”

  Kim watched him in concern for a few more moments, then snuggled down against him. Liam smiled as he gathered her close, reflecting on the ironies of life. On the one hand, the pain was driving him crazy. On the other, Kim would likely never have draped herself over him if he hadn’t admitted his suffering.

  “What about Sean?” she asked. “Is he in pain too?”

  “Probably a little, but he didn’t make the kill. He only cleaned up after.”

  Kim smoothed his T-shirt over his abdomen. “Why would you do this to yourself? I mean all Shifters. Live with the possibility of this hurting?”

  “We had to.” Liam stopped, talking becoming too much of an effort. The pain would recede, probably by tomorrow morning, but he’d have horror to go through first. It wasn’t so bad this time, maybe because he’d been fighting to protect Kim. He’d acted on instinct when he realized she was in danger, not even worrying about the price he’d pay.

  “You make me want to kiss you,” Kim said.

  His heart beat faster. “What a sweetheart you are. But I don’t kiss.”

  She lifted her head. “What are you talking about? You’ve kissed me plenty today.”

  On her hair, her neck. Liam moved as his cock started to harden with memory, even through his pain. “I don’t kiss like humans do, on the lips. I don’t see the point.”

  “You mean Shifters don’t kiss at all?” Kim’s eyes narrowed. “Wait a minute, I saw a Shifter kiss his wife in the bar. That was his wife, wasn’t it?”

  “You mean Jordie? Yes, she was his mate. I didn’t say all Shifters don’t kiss. I said I don’t. When I’m with a Shifter woman we have other things on our minds.”

  “You mean you hump her without intimacies? Figures. Tragic that someone who looks as good as you isn’t interested in the woman’s pleasure.”

  The pain receded the slightest bit. “What shite are you talking? There’s plenty of pleasure when I’m with a woman. On both sides.”

  “Huh. You don’t even take the time to kiss her.”

  “Since you’re not a Shifter woman, you wouldn’t understand. It’s fast and furious, no time for much else.”

  Kim shook her head, her curls tickling through his shirt. “You have no idea what you’re missing, Liam.”

  “I’ve never been with a human.” Liam liked her face close to his, her scent filling his whole body. “You’re right, I don’t know.”

  “All right, then. Hold still.”

  Kim knelt beside him. Her jeans tightened against her thighs, and her blouse gaped open, giving him a glimpse of soft breast swelling above lace.

  Her scent was driving him crazy. Liam had used protective marking before, but he’d never smelled such a heady mixture as he did now—his scent and Kim’s blended in almost equal parts. As though they belonged together.

  Kim’s hesitant fingertips brushed his cheek, her caress so different from her forthright manner and sassy speech. “Am I hurting you?”

  She was worried about him, the sweetheart. “The pain’s backing off.”

  “That’s good.”

  She came close, closer. The warmth of her skin, the scent of it, made Liam’s hard-on throb, his lust start to break through the excruciating pain. Kim’s lashes swept down as she touched her mouth to his upper lip.

  Something shook in Liam’s core, and the hurting began to lose the battle. Liam moved his lips in response, clumsily catching her mouth with his.

  The satin-smooth slide of Kim’s lips took his breath away. He had kissed in human form before, but they’d been quick, affectionate pecks with friends or female members of the family. He’d never experienced the full sensations of a slow, hot kiss, lips moving and exploring. He cu
pped Kim’s neck, encouraging her to continue, and nearly jumped off the bed when she thrust her tongue into his mouth.

  Kim jerked away. “What? Did I hurt you?”

  “No.” Liam laced his fingers behind her neck, under her warm hair. “You surprised me, is all. Is that your way of kissing? I like it.”

  “My way? I think it’s everybody’s way. Don’t tell me Shifters don’t French kiss.”

  “I’m Irish.”

  Her smile was gorgeous. “Well, well, something I know that the all-powerful Shifter-man doesn’t.”

  “Let’s try it again. I’m a quick learner.”

  Kim cupped his face. “I shouldn’t be doing this.”

  “You should. It’s helping me.” Stay with me.

  “I can’t get involved with you, and besides, you’re trying to keep me prisoner in your house. Not that you’ll succeed, by the way.”

  “It’s for your own safety, love. I’m responsible for what happens to you.”

  “I do feel safer here.” It cost her to admit that, Liam could see. “If I were alone in my house right now, I’d be scared. Being attacked by that feral—it was so fast. I always thought I could defend myself, and I suddenly realized I couldn’t.”

  Liam kneaded her neck. “Here you don’t have to worry.” He tugged her closer. “Let’s try the French way again.”

  Kim wanted to resist—Liam saw hesitation in her eyes. She wanted to say no, to pull away, to walk out. He also sensed her wanting. She craved to be touched, and she thought he was harmless, sitting here in so much pain it made his teeth ache. Never mind that she was mostly right.

  Kim closed her eyes before their lips met again. Was this required for a kiss? Liam kept his eyes open, liking to watch the way her lashes curled against her skin, how one lock of her hair slid over her cheek.

  She put her tongue inside his mouth again. Liam caught it, licking, lapping, playing. He tilted his head so he could better fit their mouths together.

  Damn, this was good. Humans had something going with this kissing, even if they gave it a French name, like the fries he insisted on calling chips. Liam’s erection was getting massive now. He wasn’t sure whether he’d be embarrassed if the tip peeped above the waistband, or whether he’d be pleased to show her how much he wanted her.

  Playing catch-me with Kim’s tongue, Liam slid his hands to her thighs, wishing she still wore the skirt from this morning. If so, he could inch his way under the hem, latch his fingers over the tops of her stockings, unhook the garters, peel the stockings down…

  Kim eased back, her eyes half closed. “Liam, you’re going to kiss my lips raw.”

  Liam smiled. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  “I thought you were hurt.”

  “I’m feeling so much better.” Liam dug his fingers into the denim covering her thighs, his strength returning. He could roll her over onto the bed, press her down into the mattress, have her teach him some more about human kissing.

  He touched her lips again. “You’re a sweet, beautiful thing, do you know that?”

  “For a human?”

  “For an anything, love.”

  He kissed her one more time, then made himself push away and sit up. This was getting dangerous. His strength was growing and with it, rampaging lust.

  Kim looked at him in confusion, her lips swollen and red, her eyes dark, pupils wide. “What’s the matter? I thought you wanted more lessons.”

  “Afraid not, sweetheart. I have to get out of here before you regret it.”

  She smiled a little. “I don’t regret a little kissing.”

  It would be so much more if he didn’t leave. Goddess, she was delectable. “You’ll be safe here tonight, I promise you. No one, not even Fergus himself, will get through Dad, me, and Sean. Even Connor’s a good fighter, young as he is. They like you, and we’ve taken you in. You’ll be protected like you were one of the pride.”

  She looked surprised, then thoughtful, as though she hadn’t considered it that way. “I admit I’m afraid to go back home right now. But I can stay only until morning. All right?”

  Liam didn’t answer as he stood. He knew damn well she could see his erection—how could she miss a thing of that size pushing at her? If she asked him to, he’d unbutton and unzip to let her see him, or touch him, or take him in her mouth.

  Bloody hell, he had to get out of here.

  Kim wet her lips. Liam put his hands on his hips, his pulse thumping so hard his fingers hurt. Her mouth was lush and red, lips plump, making him want to bite them.

  “I should sleep now,” she said, sounding as though she had to make herself acknowledge it. “I have a lot to do tomorrow.”

  Sleep. In his bed, her head on his pillow, her body damp and warm. Maybe wearing that little wisp of a silk thing she’d been in when he’d rescued her tonight.

  “See you at breakfast then,” he made himself say.

  “What do Shifters eat for breakfast?”

  “Wheaties. Or I can fix you my pancakes, like I promised.”

  Didn’t she look mouthwatering, sitting cross-legged on the bed, her blouse half unbuttoned, her nipples hard enough to press through her bra and the white fabric? He could push her back onto the pillows, close his mouth on one taut point through the shirt.

  Kim picked up a pillow and hugged it to her chest, cutting off the beautiful view. “Good night, Liam.”

  “I won’t be sleeping much, that’s for certain. Not thinking about you down here in my bed.”

  “Down here? Where will you be?”

  He pointed at the ceiling. “Connor’s got the whole attic floor. Plenty of room for me to bunk down with him. Want me to knock on the floor, let you know when I’m there?”

  Kim got off the bed, still hugging the pillow. “What I want is to sleep and forget about this awful night. Then get up and go home. I don’t mind staying here tonight because I’m scared, but tomorrow, when I’m done being afraid, I’m going home.”

  She wouldn’t be going home. Liam wouldn’t argue with her right now, though. No point in it.

  He smiled at her, forced himself to turn his back on her compact body and pretty eyes and leave the room.

  He had to stand in the hallway a long time after he closed the door, waiting for his fierce hard-on to go down. He needed to talk to Dylan, but he couldn’t face his father with an erection that could stop a train.

  Seeing the light go off under the door behind him and hearing the squeak of his bedsprings as Kim climbed into his bed didn’t help deflate him at all.

  An hour later, Glory opened her back door to admit a moody Dylan Morrissey.

  Glory had never met a Shifter who turned her on faster than Dylan could. So what if he was a Feline? Glory’s friends didn’t approve, but they could eat their hearts out. Dylan was tall, broad-shouldered, and temperamental, with the best ass she’d ever seen on any male, Shifter or human.

  Glory let Dylan pace, happy he’d responded to the veiled invitation she’d thrown out when she’d talked to the human girl. Dylan didn’t always respond to hints; he did what he pleased. Damned alpha male.

  “You’re giving me motion sickness,” she said after a time. “What have you decided to do about the little human? Let Fergus kill her?”

  “I don’t know what I’m going to do about her.” Dylan finally stopped and rested his broad fists on her kitchen counter. “Liam just spent an hour talking me out of taking her to Fergus, which means I disobey Fergus’s direct orders. Fuck.”

  If only.

  Glory knew damn well Liam hadn’t talked Dylan out of anything. If Dylan thought the girl should go to Fergus, nothing Liam could do would stop Dylan from taking her there.

  “Why do you think Liam’s right?” she asked.

  Dylan’s hard blue eyes sparked with anger, though he flicked his gaze away before his dominant rage could fix on her.

  “What makes you think I agree with him?”

  “Because if you didn’t, you’d have h
er ass in your truck and be hauling her down to San Antonio instead of standing in my kitchen with me.”

  Dylan slammed his fists into the counter. “I know that. But Liam…” He straightened up and shook his head. Glory glanced quickly at the counter, but Dylan hadn’t dented it. This time.

  “But Liam what?” she asked.

  “He cares about her.” Dylan ran his hands through his hair, mussing it in a sexy way. “I’ve never seen him like this. I thought he wanted to protect her because Liam always protects the weak. But it’s more than that. Let’s say I’m surprised he’s letting her sleep alone tonight.”

  “You think he’ll claim her?” Glory started brewing coffee to cover her nervousness, not to mention her rampaging horniness. “She’s human.”

  Dylan leaned his backside against the counter and folded his arms. “You know how high the ratio of males to females is in Shiftertown. It’s doubtful Liam will ever mate with another Shifter.”

  Glory poured fragrant ground coffee into her coffee-maker and closed the lid. “You’d let him take a human as mate?”

  “Never in the old days, but those days are gone.” He looked exhausted, Dylan who’d lived so long and seen so much. “She seems robust, and she’s not afraid of us.”

  Glory snorted. “If she’s not afraid of you, it’s because she doesn’t know any better. Though I agree, she’s got spunk.” She admired the way the human girl had said what she’d really thought, though Glory would never admit it. In Glory’s experience, most humans she encountered either avoided eye contact with her, pretended contempt, or simply ran away.

  “Another reason I don’t think Liam will claim a Shifter woman is because he thinks too much about the good of the clan,” Dylan was saying. “He pushes potential mates on other Shifters rather than claiming them himself. I asked him why, once. He said that Shifters lower in the hierarchy have more time to breed and raise a family, and that’s what Shifters need most. Cubs, not testosterone contests.”