Free Pride Mates by Jennifer Ashley

brick pillars on the porch. One corner of the porch held a picnic bench and a table, the other, a porch swing.
    "I've always wanted a porch swing," Kim said. "Stupid, but I was never allowed to have one. Homeowner's association didn't approve."
    "You're welcome to lounge on our porch swing anytime you want."
    "Anyone ever tell you you're a sweetie, Liam? Isn't it a little late for a visit, though? Will your father be up still?"
    Liam's smile answered her. "We're night people."
    "Like vampires? Hell, I've had too much beer."
    "No. Not like vampires." Liam opened the front door and ushered her into his house. "Vampires are different."
    Kim wasn't certain what to make of his answer. Was he teasing? But heck, Shifters existed. Why not vampires?
    She'd definitely had too much beer.
    The front door led straight into the living room, which was dominated by a big box of a television. The couch and chairs had been grouped around it, with folding TV trays for end tables. The tables were littered with soda cans, beer bottles, bowls holding crumbs of corn chips, and stacks of videotapes and DVDs. It looked as though they'd had a movie night. The floors were polished wood with mismatched rugs and runners on them, unlike Kim's cool tile floors with plush handwoven carpets.
    As Liam led Kim inside, Sean and another man came down the stairs to her left, and a young, lanky Morrissey bounded out of the kitchen that opened beyond the living room.
    "Is that her?" the young man asked.
    The oldest man moved past him and held out his hand to Kim. "I'm Dylan."
    Liam's father. He didn't look any older than forty, but like Sandra, his eyes held the weight of years. Those eyes assessed her, much as Liam's had, but without the warm interest. His grip was strong, not overpowering, but it let Kim know he could overpower her anytime he wanted to.
    Kim decided that if she'd met Dylan instead of Liam, she'd have hightailed it out of Shiftertown and never looked back. No wonder Liam was the one Brian said everyone approached. You had to be brave to look into Dylan's eyes and not quail.
    Sean stepped off the stairs. "Connor, why didn't you clean up this crap? I told you Kim was coming."
    "I'm doing it." The young man started gathering the jetsam into his big hands.
    "My nephew, Connor," Liam said. "Our brother Kenny's son."
    The brother who'd died. Kim watched the long-limbed Connor shoulder his way into the kitchen, trying to carry everything at once.
    Liam gestured for Kim to sit down. A couch, which had seen years of bouncing children and men's booted feet, sagged when she sat on it. Connor reappeared and handed Kim a cold soft drink. Kim wasn't in the mood for one, but she thanked him, opened the can, and took a sip. No reason not to be polite.
    Liam sat down next to her, close, as he had at Sandra's. Shifters really didn't understand personal space. Or if they did, they didn't care.
    Sean stood ill at ease, his hands in his pockets. He wore a frown, as though he didn't like having Kim there, but not because he didn't like Kim.
    Dylan watched also, but with a quietness that the younger men of the family didn't have. He was closer to the predator than any of them.
    And here I am, the gazelle.
    To calm her nerves, Kim looked around at the decor, which was mostly bachelor clutter. "Hey, I have a suitcase just like that." She pointed at a black bag with metallic studs that stood next to the TV set. "Wait a minute, that is my bag." She glared at Liam, who didn't look the slightest bit guilt-stricken.
    "Gee, I wonder how it got here."
    "Remember my friends who went to fix your back door? They brought it."
    Kim set her can carefully on a TV tray. "Want to tell me why? Or do you have a fetish about stealing other people's luggage?"
    It was Dylan who answered. "Because you're staying here, Kim. Liam knew you'd want your things."
    "What do you mean, staying here? Spending the night? I haven't had that much to drink."
    Liam slid his arm around her, strong, holding her