by JoAnna Grace
With this wolf, she had brought the whole Pride, unsure of what to expect. He hadn't offered to 'play' with her like the other alphas. Perhaps he didn't care for cats? Or, perhaps what she did for a living turned him off. Not that she cared what people thought of her occupation, but it still stung that Kasey showed no signs of sexual attraction. He was a stunning man. Perhaps he had higher standards. Amazing, Vivian thought, that she could sing to hundreds and dance for money, but under the microscope of one male she was unexpectedly unsure of herself.
CHAPTER THREE
It didn't take long for the Pride to take Kasey up on his offer to run free range for a while. He smiled to himself as he answered his cell phone.
"This is Kasey."
"I'm just letting you know that my Pride will be taking a walk in the woods for the next couple days."
The husky voice sent his blood pooling in low places. "Why, Vivian, what a delight to speak to you again."
If her pause was any indication, his cordial greeting threw her off balance. "Um, thanks. Do you have any other shifters besides wolves and bears around here that we need to be aware of? Deer? Elk?"
"No. All the other animals around here are natural. There is a wonderful herd of elk deep on the inside. You could have some real fun with them."
"Perfect." His wolf's ears picked up a spike in her voice. She was excited about hunting.
"You know, Vivian, if you are looking for a challenge you should come over some time and we could—"
"Spare me." Her voice said she meant business. "Let me guess what you're about to say. I could come over and we could take a tumble under the sheets, have some fun. In exchange you would offer my family protection. But that offer only lasts as long as I please you, right?" she scoffed. "Save it. You think you're the first alpha to offer?"
"Judging by your bitterness, I'd say no. But that wasn't the train of thought I was on."
"Right, okay. You keep all your offers to yourself and leave us the hell alone."
Kasey growled into the phone before he could control the animal within. "Miss Blake, was that a threat?" His tone darkened, reminding her just who she was dealing with.
"I'm simply giving you a heads up that we will be out. Good day, Mr. Blackburn."
With that she hung up. Kasey looked at his cell phone knowing damn well that he would not be letting this kitty cat run around his mountains unchecked. It was time to measure up the Pride.
The next morning he took Sampson and Alias out to stalk the Pride as they hunted. The three wolves carefully scented the mountains for both cats and humans. They found the trail about the time they scented a herd of elk. Creeping up to a peak where the cats couldn't see or smell them, they got a bird's eye view of their hunt.
They are used to hunting together, Sampson said telepathically. Look at their formation. The two leopards are on the outer rim, the little one is moving around to block off the creek. Damn, that's a big lion.
It has to be Conall, Kasey said. But where was Vivian?
The four cats erupted at the elk herd and took down a cow efficiently. It was a quick and effective example of teamwork.
Nicely done, Alias said with true appreciation in his voice. But they seem to be missing one. You mean to tell me the alpha female lets her pathetic little Pride do the dirty work for her? Such an alpha.
His snide laughter rang in Kasey's head. He began to search the edge of the clearing. Vivian was close, but where?
With a burst of speed so lightning fast the three wolves nearly missed it, a gargantuan tiger flew from the cover of the trees and targeted the largest bull in the herd. In one move the tiger pounced, closed her massive jaws around the neck and snapped it, killing the elk instantly.
Holy shit!
Where the hell did she come from?
She's a mammoth!
The wolves sat paralyzed for moment. The tiger must have weighed five or six hundred pounds. The bull appeared nothing more than a white tail deer under her paws. They were even more surprised when she dragged the carcass over to where her family fed and laid it down. She then began to guard the others while they feasted.
Would you like to retract your previous statement, Alias? Kasey asked with clear approval of Vivian's actions in his voice. She lets her Pride eat before she does. Guards them even. I'd say that is the heart of a true leader, wouldn't you, to take care of those under her protection before herself?
With an indignant huff, Alias rolled his canine eyes. There is nothing left to see here. The solid black wolf sauntered off.
Sampson and Kasey kept watching the Pride as they ate. When the tiger was satisfied that the coast was clear, she sat next to the others and had her fill of elk meat. When the kill was devoured, the cats began to romp and play. The two wolves laughed when the tiger laid out the male lion just as easily as she did the little snow leopard.
Hard to believe that same being was the beautiful woman who sat in my office, isn't it? Kasey laughed.
If I didn't know you better, I'd say you were developing affection for the cat. Sampson was not judgmental or ridiculing his friend. He was the one person Kasey trusted completely. As his brother-in-law, it was Sampson who knew him best.
The cat is amazing. The woman takes my breath away. I've never had the thoughts she brings to my head.
Do you believe she is your mate, my brother?
I don't know, Sampson. It was a lie. Kasey knew his animal had claimed Vivian at first sight. I just don't know. But when I see her or think about her, my heart and body ache to claim her as mine.
This makes me happy to hear. Sampson nudged Kasey with his brown muzzle. I feared you would be a virgin your whole life. There was laughter in his voice, but Kasey snipped at his leg in reprimand anyway.
Just before he left, Kasey looked down the ledge at the Pride. They lay together, piled on the body of the giant tigress. Her wide head rested on the stomach of the lion, the two leopards lounged their bodies on her, and the little one tucked safely by her belly. They had enjoyed their meal and play, and now they lazed in the sun. Kasey looked on and the large head of the tigress shifted to peer right up at him.
Two feline eyes, yellow in color met his grayish blues. The cat didn't alert the others, who remained obliviously content. She merely gave him a slight nod to acknowledge his presence and rested her head back on the napping lion.
CHAPTER FOUR
She prowled the stage, a huntress in search of prey.
Kasey had seen the show twice already and every night, when Vivian graced the stage, his heart leaped in his chest. There might have been two others on stage, but his focus was on her. The woman was sex and feline elegance in human form. Her reddish-brown hair fell past her shoulders in a cascade of loose curls. Her eyes were hazel globes of fire and passion, the eyes of a wild jungle cat ready to pounce. The top she wore was nothing more than a leopard print bra with fringe.
It was enough to drive a man insane. And there was an abundance of insane men in this place. Vivian's hips, covered in tight black leather pants, sashayed and pumped to each beat of bass as she and her two companions made their way down a short catwalk. The three women moved in sync, their choreography well rehearsed and performed. When Vivian began to sing, Kasey's entire body was held captive under her spell, making blood pump to low places.
The woman was amazing. Every show he'd seen was the same, yet each had been different. He had her sensual dance moves and the husky tones of her voice memorized. Why such a talented group of performers were here night after night in this tourist trap of a city was beyond his reasoning. The trio worked in perfect harmony like they were part of the same brain.
A vicious smile came to his mouth when the three women pulled up some schmuck out of the audience and gave him a thrill he would never forget. The potbellied man with receding hair and glasses sat in a chair while the temptresses danced around him, rubbing him like he was the king of their universe. Kasey could smell the poor fool's arousal from the back of the theatre
where he watched. When he noticed Vivian looking at him, the sudden urge to rip the loser's head off disappeared. She might have been giving the man on stage a thrill, but she was dancing for Kasey.
Vivian dipped her hips down to the floor and rolled her body up the man's leg provocatively and their stage guest nearly came in his pants. He stumbled when Vivian took his hand, led him to his seat and kissed his cheek, flashing one of her million watt smiles.
Kasey nearly choked. Her tempting lips drove him to the point of losing his self-control. How would those full lips feel wrapped around his cock?
His thoughts were interrupted by the wolf sliding in the booth next to him. "Boss."
"Jake. Anything new?"
"Nothing concerning. Kevin's put the cats on other duties. Turns out the brunette and the blonde are bartenders too. The big guy, Conall, has started working the doors with me a couple nights a week. Ty helped Kev with a security problem a couple nights ago. It was those teenagers breaking into cars in the parking lot. Don't know what happened, but by the time the human police showed up those boys were climbing over themselves to get in the squad cars."
Kasey thought that was comical. Good for Tyrone. "So nothing I should be worried about?"
Jake cleared his throat before he said, "I think the blonde is turning tricks on the side, but I'm not sure."
Kasey looked at Jake and narrowed his eyes. "You're not sure? That's quite an accusation for something you aren't positive about."
"I heard her and Bristow talking. He was giving her a hard time. Something to do with Vegas, how she could do that kind of thing here, but she had to be quiet about it and he got a cut. Told her to use one of the back rooms. I haven't investigated. Didn't know how deep you wanted me to dig. The cats know I'm your eyes around here and they're careful."
Kasey looked at the three beautiful women in the stage. He knew Tyrone wasn't about to let his mate turn tricks and he couldn't imagine the man would let his sister either. And Ty would know. Sex has a scent and shifters have better noses than any animal on earth. Amilynn couldn't hide it from her family. It made him wonder if Vivian had extracurricular activities as well. "I'll find out."
Kasey found Bristow and struck up a conversation. After some carefully placed comments about the women on stage, Kasey had the stupid human right where he wanted him. Bristow had no idea who he was talking to. He leaned over close and told him that if wanted a real show, he could hook Kasey up. It would only cost him a grand. Kasey took the cash out of his pocket and slid it across the bar.
"When they go off stage, come see me."
As soon as Vivian and her troop were finished with their set, Kasey sought out the bar owner. Bristow took him to the back of the bar and told him to wait in one of the dressing rooms that had been lavishly decorated with satins and silks. Candles were lit. The place stank of flowers. "Wait here."
"Who do I get?" Kasey asked.
"It depends. Sometimes it's the blonde. Sometimes it's the brunette. Keep your hands off, no matter what. You give them shit and I'll kick your ass. Am I fucking clear?"
Well, that answered one question. Can't have sex without touching. "Crystal."
* * * * *
"I've got a guy in the red room," Bristow said as Vivian she walked into their dressing room. "Paid eight hundred."
She sighed and rubbed her neck. "Where's our cut?" Bristow shelled out six hundred and handed it to her.
"Looks like he's made of money. You might get some extra."
"I don't do the 'extra'." Vivian scowled at the man who was constantly trying to get Vivian to do more than their standard dance.
"No, but you will. Eventually." Bristow scoffed.
"Screw you." Vivian grabbed the money and went back into her dressing room to freshen up and put on something slinky and sexy. What Bristow didn't know was she could shift. The magic of shifting into a tiger would cleanse her skin and when she went back on two legs, she could manifest clothing over her body.
Vivian stared at her reflection for a moment. She could let Amilynn do this, God knew it would be easier. Amilynn had the ability to shut out the other person in the room, dance, and leave. It meant nothing, she felt nothing, and she could do it a thousand times a night. A man wanted to see bare breasts, no problem. She'd get the cash, take off her top, and keep going like he didn't exist. Vivian doubted she ever noted their faces.
Because of their animals, the real problem was the scent of a human male's arousal. It was repulsive. Thankfully, Vivian had found a candle that put off a floral smell to humans, but covered the other scents in the room. Amilynn and Vivian bought a crate of them and always put them in the rooms they danced in.
"You don't have to go in there you know," rumbled voice from behind her. Vivian had stopped outside the door of the red room, wrapped in a robe. Unlike Amilynn, she hated this part of making money. But it was good money for five to ten minutes of work. And no one touched her.
"It's rent. No biggie." She shrugged at Ty.
"You want me to check him out?" Ty popped his knuckles.
Vivian smiled and laughed, "I can handle one lousy human male. Thanks, though."
"I'll be right outside."
Vivian kissed her brother-in-law's cheek. "Thanks, Ty."
She opened the door and stepped into the dark room. Only a few of the candles were lit, but it was enough to cancel out the human stench. From the moment she crossed the threshold of the door, she became a performer. The satin robe hung off her shoulders, her heels clicked on the floor. "Here's the deal, baby. You get one dance. No touching. Okay?"
A nameless, faceless man sitting in the dark agreed. Only the area where she would dance was lit. Vivian turned on the music and began to sway, her back to the customer. The key was to concentrate on the music. Hear the beat. Move to the deep thump of the drums. Pick out the saxophone and let her arms become the wave of their melody. Her robe slipped from her body and fell to the floor. She heard a sharp intake of air and knew her John was enjoying her choice of revealing lingerie.
Only when she was immersed in the music did she turn around and move closer to him. He was behaving, so she closed her eyes and danced. It was the only way to get through the next few minutes. Most of the men would get riled up, touching themselves. If Vivian didn't bury herself deep in the music, she would hear them groaning.
This one was still, silent as the grave, and it was easy to pretend she was somewhere else. Vivian hummed along to the sensual words of the song.
"Sing," the man commanded, holding up two Benjamins. Vivian moved just close enough for the man to slip the money in the side of her thong before retreating back into the place where he didn't exist.
* * * * *
Kasey put the money in the thin strap of blue lace that covered her hip. It was painful to keep his fingers from touching her skin. Vivian was fantasy and magic in the way she moved. He knew by the way she kept her eyes closed that she was trying not to acknowledge his presence. It was her way of coping. He was afraid to move, to make a sound. Afraid that if his delectable kitten realized it was him, she would bolt. Or kill him.
When she opened her mouth to sing, he about came undone. The words spoke of sex and passion deep in the night. Only Vivian could turn him on like this. No other woman had registered in his mind the way she did. No other woman had intrigued his wolf. Pretty women were a dime a dozen, especially among shifters. But to him, Vivian was so much more than beautiful. He never imagined a woman so perfectly made. And here she was not three feet away from him looking naughty and sexy and provocative.
Then he thought about the fact that she had done this in front of other men.
He couldn't stand it any longer. This was too much. The wolf couldn't take it. "Stop," he ordered, lowering his voice. Vivian's eyes flew open and she took in a deep breath. He knew all she could smell was the candles. It didn't take him long after Bristow left him sitting in the room for him to lose all other smells. He figured it out.
"Something
wrong?" she said, her voice like silk against him.
"Can I get more?" Kasey probed, wanting to know just how far his kitten would go to make a buck. "Money is no object."
"Sorry, babe, all I do is dance." She paused, trying to focus on him. The odd lighting made both of their night vision useless. "Do I know you?"
"Not nearly as well as I now know you."
CHAPTER FIVE
Shit! Vivian quickly gathered the robe off the floor and covered herself. She flipped on the light. "What are you doing here?" she whispered, her face heated up and every breath was labored.
"I had a tip that cats were turning tricks in my territory. I came to check it out."
"Jake," Vivian guessed.
Kasey nodded. He would have stood up, but at the moment that wasn't a good idea. "Are you doing more than dancing, Vivian?"
"No."
"Is Amilynn?"
"No." She couldn't look at him.
"Vivian?" He walked over to her, erection or not. He wanted the truth. Using two fingers he tilted her chin up and looked her in the eyes. "Is Amilynn selling sex in my territory?"
"No," she growled, her pupils narrowing a fraction as her cat reacted. "No touching below the waist or the guy gets his nuts handed to him. Topless lap dances. That's it. You really think we could stand screwing humans?"
"It doesn't matter. You're done. No more of this."
Hazel eyes morphed to yellow. "What makes you think you can tell me what to do? Besides, you seemed to like it." Vivian reached out and grabbed the hard evidence in his pants.
Kasey growled as his eyes nearly rolled back in his head. "You're playing with fire."