Free Pride Before the Fall by JoAnna Grace Page B

protection now," he whispered as he continued to taunt her with his touch.
    Everything stopped for Vivian. This was exactly what she wanted to avoid. If Kasey took her as a mate, she would have his power among his Pack. And if people ever found out what she was, what she had done and the ineffable things done to her, she would be cast out as the reject she was.
    Vivian turned her head and looked up into his eyes. "Don't mistake lust for love, Kasey. You might want to have sex with me, but you don't want me . I might be qualified to be the alpha of my band of misfits, but I'm not the kind of woman your Pack wants to see on your arm." She untangled herself from him and walked away.
    "What happened in the past doesn't matter, V."
    "It's easy to say that when it's not being put on trial and staring you in the face." Vivian found a quilt and wrapped it around her body. As much as she wanted Kasey to alleviate the oncoming fever, she didn't want to continue romantically.
    "Vivian, have you ever heard of animals making a mistake when picking their mates?"
    She faced him, pushing her hair back out of her face. "Ask me what I did to earn money while we were in Vegas."
    Kasey shook his head and shrugged, "No. You know what they say about things that happen in Vegas."
      "Ask me, Kasey. Because I guarantee you it will come up. Somehow, someone will find out and ask you."
    He sighed heavily and tilted his head. "Fine. What did you do in Vegas?"
    "I was a stripper. Amilynn too. We were exotic dancers. I don't mean the gentleman's club kind of girls. I mean the clubs where men would stick drug money in our thongs. We would have to wash the bills before we spent them. You really want the young girls of your Pack looking up to a stripper as a role model? You think their parents do?" Kasey lifted his chin slightly and remained silent. Vivian huffed. "Thought so. Look, why don't you just go. I can manage."
    "You're not getting off that easy." He rose from the bed. "You think I don't know what you're trying to do? You think I haven't done my research on you, Vivian Blake? I know what happened in Nevada. I know what happened in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Vegas, and even that tiny Montana town you stayed so long in." He took her by the shoulders, looked her in the eyes. "I. Don't. Care."
    "And your family? Your Pack? They're just going to let all my transgressions slide?" she said sarcastically. "I nearly killed my alpha. What makes you think I won't try to kill you too?"
    The cat flashed in her eyes. He could feel her fever radiating off her body. "You've already tried to kill me, kitty cat. And I hope you're about to do it again."
    "Kasey—" His hand between her legs stopped her words. He rubbed and stroked until her breathing was shallow and her eyes closed.
    Kasey kissed her slowly. He nibbled and licked at her lips until she was drowning in sensual intimacy. It was more than she knew was possible. How could a man capture her with a kiss or a touch?
    "Because they are out of a growing affection. One that will be love, if you just let me." Kasey slowly stoked her body into a fire that burned hot and long. Instead of just screwing her, he made love. Every caress was endearing and gentle. Each crest reached was lingering, shared with him. And when the fire burned down, embers were left still glowing and warming Vivian in ways only a true mate could.
    Kasey fixed her breakfast in bed and they spent the morning wrapped in each other's arms talking and making love. Vivian listened as Kasey divulged things about his life. The information he trusted her with touched her heart. Here was a man who knew without a doubt she wouldn't betray him. That kind of faith shifted something deep within.
    Her small family trusted her because she was the most dominant. It was in her DNA to protect them, lead them, and keep them close. Yes, they loved her. She had no doubt. But her Pride was her family. They had been with her since childhood. Kasey, on the other