Pride and Were (anything goes 4) Joyee Flynn

Anything Goes 4

Pride & Were

Cody knew who he was and never made any apologies for it. He
was a shifter with a high libido and enjoyed not only lots of sex,

but life. And he saw nothing wrong with that, no matter what
people might say about him at times. Besides, he had other issues
in life to deal with.

And then he falls into the arms of a gorgeous pride demon named
Belz.

As the owner of Caesars Forum, Belz deals with a lot of fake
people who want him for his power and money. He is tired of the

games and lies, and then he meets a gorgeous man who makes
him feel more than he thought possible.

But when trouble from Cody’s past finds him and tries to take him
from Belz, will they be able to get past it, or will it make Cody
have to run once again?

Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length: 35,673 words

PRIDE & WERE

Anything Goes 4

Joyee Flynn

EROTIC ROMANCE

MANLOVE

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Erotic Romance ManLove

PRIDE & WERE
Copyright © 2012 by Joyee Flynn
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62241-919-7

First E-book Publication: November 2012

Cover design by Sloan Winters
All cover art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

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PRIDE & WERE

Anything Goes 4

JOYEE FLYNN

Chapter 1

I love sex. There’s no two ways about it and while most people

wouldn’t admit as blatantly as I would, I didn’t think it was something
I needed to apologize for either. For years I hid what I liked, and was
nervous about approaching men because some saw me as a bottom
boy that they could control because I was small.

That I didn’t like.
So I tried stripping because dancing is fun for me. That didn’t

work out because there were way too many men, and women treated
me like a whore they could use if they wanted. I’m not even into
chicks.

I flounced from job to job for centuries but never really found

anything I loved until I met Cal, a lust demon, and he talked me into
working for one of his clubs… A leather sex club. And for the past
few weeks I’d been having the time of my life. Hell, the owners
encouraged us to have fun and put on a show as long as our tables
were tended to.

“I got your tables,” Gabe told me with a giggle as he gave me a

nudge. “Go play in the shower.”

“There’s going to be one of the wrath demons there, right?” I

asked nervously. I wasn’t sure what was so different about this than

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when I had sex normally while the club was open. Maybe because I
was supposed to be the focus of the club now instead the attention
being a byproduct of having sex?

“Nolan’s going to be at the door and he won’t let anyone in unless

you point them out. We got you covered, Cody,” Mick explained
gently, giving me one of his bright smiles. I was glad that even after
we got off on a rocky start, Mick and I were able to move past it. He
was one of the best friends I’d ever had now and the whole reason we
were having a shower night at the club was because it had been my
idea.

“Right, I got this,” I told myself mostly, and walked over to the

shower. I’d seen gelatin wrestling, mud wrestling, and while fun,
those get overdone. So when Mick asked everyone who worked at
Anything Goes: The Leather Edition for ideas, I had said we should
bring in a glass shower stall for a show.

The owners had all loved it. So they had two showers custom

designed, rigging up hoses and showerheads from the rafters above
and a small draining system so we didn’t end up swimming. Though,
we’d talked about doing that too for another night.

“Don’t let anyone hurt me,” I whispered to Nolan as I got over to

my spot. I was waiting tables that night, but since it had been my idea,
Mick said I should get to be the first one to christen them. Then
regular patrons could try it after we got the ball rolling and I could go
back to work.

“Never, I swear it,” he said firmly as he leaned in and gave me a

half hug while groping my ass. I giggled and he smiled widely,
getting the desired reaction from me. I liked Nolan. He was a good
buddy, but there wouldn’t ever be more between us. I thought he
might have had the hots for someone else, honestly. But I still gave
him a blow job here and there when I was bored and wanted to have
fun.

I also really liked giving head. I was good at it and ate up the

praise people would give me. Plus, I just liked the taste of cock.

Pride & Were

He opened the door for me as the club’s announcer came on over

the PA system. “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we have a new act and
treat for you all! What you see before you on the dance floor are two
fully functioning showers. Our very own main stage dancer, Reid,
from Anything Goes will be performing in one tonight, to be joined
by his husband Temp for your viewing pleasure.

“And in the other, we have Cody, everyone’s favorite, and

normally naked, waiter. But we have one slight problem. Cody has no
partner. So, any guy interested in taking this hot, hot man for a ride,
tell the security at the shower and Cody will pick one lucky guy!”

“No pressure,” I mumbled as I stepped into the shower. Nolan

chuckled as he closed the door behind me. I reached overhead and
grabbed the wrist restraints in my hands. I didn’t want to be bound for
this. I just wanted something to hold onto to start.

The music kicked back on and I started dancing, giving a squeal

when the water shot out of the showerhead and it was freezing. I
dropped my hands and wiped my eyes, shivering at how icy it was.
Yeah, we really needed to get that kink in the plan worked out.

“You okay in there?” Nolan called out.
“It’s freezing!” Reid and I yelled together. I glanced over at the

other shower and saw he’d looked at me too. We both burst out
laughing and then focused on the crowd. The water started to warm
up or I simply got used to it. Either way, it didn’t bother me anymore.
I would have to suggest to Mick about maybe not so much pouring
out. It was too much to look sexy while dancing in, more like buckets
of water being dumped on my head constantly.

I stepped out of the direct spray a bit, not having too much room

in the stall, and plastered my naked ass against the glass. Dancing
around, I heard it squeak against the wall and thought that might not
be all that sexy. Then I just went with the showering idea. I grabbed
the loofah from the built-in shelf, and the body wash, ignoring the
waterproof lube for right then. I was slicked up and ready to go,

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complete with plug, but whoever I chose to be my partner would need
it.

I washed my flat chest and even flatter abs as I eyed over the

crowd. I heard several groans as I held out my cock and washed it
thoroughly. About five minutes in I saw who I wanted to join me…
Mr. Tall, Dark, Sexy As Sin, and Confident staring at me. I kept my
gaze on him while crooking my finger at him. He got a feral grin on
his face and stepped forward towards Nolan. Then I turned to my
security and pointed to the guy.

“You want him?” Nolan called out. Oh right, the booths weren’t

soundproof. My bad.

“Very much so,” I purred, meeting the guy’s eyes. “If he’ll have

me.”

“Only if I get you more than once,” he growled as he yanked off

his shirt. I shivered and nodded as I set the loofah down and rinsed
off. By the time I was done, Nolan was letting the guy into the stall
with me. I moaned as his lips found my neck as he grabbed my hips.
“Hold on to the handles.”

I did as he wanted as he lifted me up, there being a big enough

height difference where if I didn’t move up, he’d have trouble getting
the leverage he needed to make it fun for both of us. Then I braced
one foot on a different wall of the shower as he grabbed the lube with
one hand and balanced me with the other.

“So strong,” I purred.
“So perfect,” he growled in return and then lowered his voice.

“Do you mind if I feed while we do this?”

“What kind of feeding?” I swallowed loudly but hoped he didn’t

hear. I didn’t realize until he said something that he wasn’t human.
With the overwhelming scent of the body wash I’d missed what he
was.

“Envy. There’s so much envy coming off the crowd in waves

because they want to be the one with you that I could feed for a
week.”

Pride & Were

“I don’t know the rules on that,” I whispered as I glanced back at

them. “Will it get me in trouble with the owners?”

“No, as long as I don’t take much from any one person we have an

agreement amongst demons that it’s acceptable to feed from other
businesses than our own.”

“Then feed away as long as you don’t take all my energy.”
“Nope. You’re not envious of anyone here,” he chuckled as he set

the bottle of slick back down. I felt his cock pushing at my hole now
that he’d removed the plug as well. Just how big was this guy? I
didn’t get a chance to look when he stripped. I got my answer a
moment later when he pushed into me.

Very big.
“Shit, you’re perfect,” he moaned as he thrust halfway into me.

He moved one hand off my hips and grabbed my cock. “What kind of
shifter are you?” I flinched at the question, my main goal in life to
keep that from people. “Oh, so you’re rare.”

“Rare enough to know not to talk about it,” I said firmly. He

nodded and I relaxed. That was the problem with being this close to
nonhumans. While most couldn’t tell because they probably never
scented anyone like me, it was best no one found out. Most didn’t
even believe there were dinosaur shifters.

“Do you need a minute?” I could hear him grinding his teeth in

restraint as he bottomed out inside of me.

“No, but start slow,” I whimpered, needing what he offered, but

not wanting to get torn to shreds. “You’re a very big boy and I didn’t
stretch enough for someone of your size.”

“Is this okay?” I melted against him at how sweet he was being. I

knew he saw me as a person if he was acting like this and not just a
hole.

“Yes, wonderful.” He was going slow but deep and it rubbed

every pleasurable part inside of me. I moaned and moved my feet
wider as I leaned my head back on his chest.

“You work here, right?”

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“You want to talk now?” I countered with an incredulous tone.
“It’s my first time here and I have a feeling I’ll be coming back a

lot if you’re here and available.”

“Yes, I work here most nights and I’m allowed to play during shift

as long as my tables know I’m going to be busy.”

“What about after work?”
“I don’t like going off with men alone,” I answered honestly as he

kissed my neck. “It normally ends up badly for me. I just want to have
fun with no strings.”

“I can do no strings, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be back for

more.” He picked up the pace and I didn’t have enough air for
complete sentences so I simply nodded. The gorgeous man behind me
gasped and I opened my eyes that had fluttered closed. I felt my
mouth fall open in shock. There were about a dozen men who were
watching us from the dance floor, whacking off. “And that’s why I
don’t go off with people alone. Some know me from here and don’t
respect me just because I don’t play games.”

It was hard to get out between grunts.
“I understand now but I could keep you safe. Something simple?

Maybe come to the pool I run at Caesars with a friend tomorrow. I’ll
give you a cabana and you can relax, see I want to be your friend.”

I thought about that as he nailed my prostate. A day by the pool

sounded wonderful and I didn’t have to work until later tomorrow.
“Okay, but that doesn’t mean you own me or can make demands of
me.”

“I’m not that type of guy. I like simple and fun, no strings as well.

Just want to be your friend and maybe your first choice when you’re
horny.”

“Deal,” I agreed. The guy fucked like a pleasure machine so there

was no hardship in what he was offering. Plus, I really did like to
swim but I hadn’t a chance to get the lay of the land since I’d moved
to Vegas. That and I rarely left my old apartment before rarely leaving
my new one above the club besides to work.

Pride & Were

“I’m Dexx,” he grunted as he picked up the pace and stroked me

faster.

“I’m coming!” I screamed as I shot all over the glass stall. I

mewled as he kept right on taking me, drawing out my orgasm as he
fed off the crowd. I didn’t know how it worked for envy demons but I
knew each demon had a different style of feeding.

He followed me right over, filling the condom Nolan must have

made him slip on. I was a shifter so I didn’t get diseases and neither
did the demon taking me, but the humans there didn’t know that. And
we didn’t want to have people acting like the club was sleazy for not
taking proper precautions.

“Again,” he growled as he pulled out of me, his hands

everywhere.

“Yes,” I hissed as I let my feet fall to the ground before letting go

of the handles. He lifted me into his arms and Nolan opened the
shower. Next thing I knew I was on my back on one of my tables for
the night, the customers getting a show as Dexx plundered my body.

“Me next,” one of my customers demanded after we finished.
“Maybe later, stud,” I panted as Dexx pulled out and lowered my

legs. “I need a rest and I have someone covering my work. I need to
get back to my tables.”

“I’ll pay whatever you want,” he pushed.
“I’m not a hooker,” I growled as Dexx offered me a hand. I slid

off the table and gave the average-looking guy a dirty look. “I would
have said yes to later but that was just rude. I enjoy sex and give
myself freely. I’m not for sale and there’s a difference.”

“Apologize to him,” Dexx demanded, earning some brownie

points in my eyes.

“I’m sorry,” the guy said adamantly, looking properly chagrinned.

“I’ve never been to Vegas before and the impression people give you
and what you see in movies is that anyone hot is a hooker. I really
didn’t mean any offense. Please forgive me.”

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I eyed him over a minute and nodded. “You’re forgiven but my

answer is still no. I’ll get a round of drinks for you guys on me. I
don’t want any hard feelings but I hope you understand why I won’t
stand for being talked to like that.”

“No, you shouldn’t have to,” he agreed while his friends nodded

as well. Good. I gave them a smile and headed to the bar, aware that
Dexx was following me. Mick shook his head and handed me a towel.

“Oh shit, my bad,” I groaned as I saw Nolan following me as he

moved his feet on the towels he was using to mop after me. “Sorry!”

“It’s all good. Just next time we do this we should lay some mats

around the stalls,” Nolan chuckled and shrugged.

“Yeah, that would be smart,” Mick agreed and pulled out his little

notebook he used to write everything down. I wasn’t sure where he
had it hidden because there wasn’t any room in his shorts to carry
something like that, or a pen, nor did it have pockets.

“So I’ll see you tomorrow?” Dexx asked as he leaned over and

kissed my neck.

“Can you give Mick your number and I’ll let you know? I have to

see if I can find a friend to come with me tomorrow.”

“Come with you where?” Nolan asked as he reached us and tossed

the towels behind the bar. I used the one I had to finish drying off and
did the same.

“Dexx invited me and a friend to check out Caesars Palace’s pool

tomorrow. Want to come?” I saw the hesitation in his eyes but then I
think he realized I didn’t really have any other friends I could ask.

“Will you at least wear those hot little shorts that match your

eyes?” he drawled, looking completely put out.

“I suppose I could do that for such a wonderful escort,” I giggled,

batting my eyelashes at him playfully.

“Hey, Dexx, Cody, you guys have fun?” Sark asked as he leaned

over the bar and grabbed something. “I think this shower stall night
idea of yours is a hit, Cody. I’m sure Cal will give you a bonus on

Pride & Were

your next check for the draw it’s brought. We’ve never been this busy
on a Wednesday night since we opened.”

“Oh, cool, thanks,” I mumbled as my cheeks heated up.
“Yeah, Cody’s amazing,” Dexx growled, giving me a heated look.

“This was your idea?”

“Um, yeah, kinda. I mean, I didn’t come up with the rigs or

anything. I just thought it would be cool to have a shower area for the
public to play in like we do the swings.” I shrugged, not used to
getting praised like this for an idea I had.

“I’ll have to ask what you think of the Venus Pool when you come

over tomorrow.” He smiled as if getting business handled at the same
time as fun.

“I hear it’s really cool. Thanks for inviting us.” I gave him a shy

grin. I was good at the sex part… Not so much at flirting and
interacting with people.

“No problem. I’ll make sure there’s a spot held for you. Just come

to the pool and give them my name and they’ll find me.”

“Sure.” I gave him a quick kiss and went to pull away. Instead, he

took it deeper and I moaned as he groped me. I smacked his chest
with a giggle and he let me go. “I have to get to my tables. Gabe’s just
covering for me and he’s never really been a waiter before. I don’t
want to take advantage of his kindness.”

He nodded and I walked over to my friend, still completely naked.

That was the other thing I loved about working here… Clothing was
optional. As a shifter, I was comfortable with nudity and while
normally I at least wore flip-flops, I was going barefoot until I
remembered where I put them.

“Where did you guys find him?” Dexx asked when he thought I

was out of earshot. I had better hearing than any of the demons and
most shifters so it was as if he was standing right next to me. “He’s
amazing and so hot. I would have loved to have gotten him for one of
the pools I own. He’s a sweet little thing. My customers would just
eat him up.”

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“No poaching,” Sark growled. “Cal met him somewhere after

Cody moved here and talked him into taking a job. He’s wicked smart
and never a problem. His customers love him and even at a club like
this ask to be sat in his section.”

“I can imagine why,” Dexx chuckled. “I’ll catch you guys later.

I’ve got to open the pool tomorrow because one of my managers got
in a car accident.”

“Are they okay?” Mick asked, his voice genuinely concerned.
“Yeah, just a fender bender, but he’s got some bruises from the

airbag going off so I gave him a few days’ paid vacation to heal up.”
It made me feel better that Dexx was a good guy.

I listened to Gabe as he caught me up on my tables and got back

to work. My thoughts kept drifting to tomorrow though. I was excited
for a day in the sun and to relax.

The owners and my friends had explained to me when I first

started working at Anything Goes how the demons split up Las
Vegas. Lust demons, like the owners, owned sex clubs and most of
the strip joints. And while greed demons owned most of the casinos,
other demons owned specific parts, which humans didn’t know about.
Glutton demons, restaurants, and buffets.

Envy demons owned the pools and got the income from them and

fed there. Because where was there more envy than a pool? People
watched people they were envious of because of their looks, the
attention they got, and the people they were together with. I bet it was
a feast for the envy demons most days.

I worked my tail off the rest of the night, making sure my

customers were happy, and only breaking quickly to give one blow
job to a hot guy and then have sex with another one. When the club
closed I sat at the bar and Mick handed me my box. Most of us didn’t
wear pouches like most waiters. We took whatever payment our
customers gave us when they cashed out and then handed it to the
closest bartender to where our specific box was hidden behind the bar.

“This is all for me?” I asked excitedly as I started counting.

Pride & Were

“Yeah, we had a lot of people drop tips off for you after you were

done in the shower,” Mick chuckled. “Nice haul?”

“I’m on five hundred already,” I answered, gesturing to the pile I

counted. We both looked at the other pile I hadn’t worked through yet
and I guessed there was another thousand or so there.

“Let me know if you want to go again next time we have the

shower,” Mick offered with a wink. I smiled and nodded before he
walked away. I went through my receipts and made sure they were all
cashed out the right way. Nothing would upset me more than
accidently taking advantage of the owners or messing with the bar
registers at the end of the night.

“I heard you go on and on to those guys that you weren’t a

whore,” Aviel, another shifter and waiter, sneered. He gestured to my
pile of money. “What’s the difference between a hooker and what you
do? You give your ass for money.”

“No I don’t,” I defended adamantly as I quickly gathered up my

cash, the fun in counting it ruined. I stuffed it in the pouch I’d left
behind the bar so I wasn’t walking up to my apartment with a bunch
of bills. “I have sex because it’s fun. My tables don’t have to tip me
for the additional show. If they want to, great. If not, I did it because I
like sex, not for money. Bartenders get extra tips when they flirt and
are good looking. There’s no difference.”

“You keep telling yourself that.” He snorted and looked at me

with disgust. “The rest of us don’t make money like that because we
respect ourselves.”

“You don’t make money like this because you’re mean and

cranky,” I shot right back as I hopped off the stool. “I don’t want to
have this conversation again or I’m going to talk to Cal.”

“Now you’re a snitch too?” he growled and I shook my head.

What an ass!

“It’s not snitching. You’re harassing me for doing something that

the owners encourage. I don’t deserve that kind of treatment and they

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told me if there were any problems to tell them.” I narrowed my eyes
at him in accusation. “You’re being a problem and I don’t like it.”

And with that I left. People wondered why I kept to myself

outside of work. Jerks like that were the answer to the question.

Pride & Were

Chapter 2

It was about noon when Nolan pulled the car up to the valet at

Caesars. I was practically bouncing in the passenger’s seat. “Thanks
for coming with me, Nolan. I’m sure you have lots of things you’d
rather be doing than hanging out with me but I appreciate you taking
the time out of your busy schedule.”

“Why do you always do that?” he asked as we got out of the car. I

gave him a look of confusion as he walked around the car before the
valet pulled away with it. “Why do you always talk about yourself as
if you’re a bother to the people around you?”

“I normally am. I’m a little odd to most people and I’ve been told

so many times that I’m annoying.”

“People are douche bags. Don’t listen to them. I like hanging with

you and I think you’re a cool guy, with a big heart, and a good
person.”

“Thanks, Nolan,” I whispered in awe. “That’s the nicest thing

anyone’s ever said about me.” It was true. Most of my family hadn’t
liked me because I was gay and didn’t have aspirations of ruling the
world like they basically did. They were those people who always
knew better, did better than everyone else, and wanted power more
than they wanted anything else in life.

I didn’t care for them much either but they were my family and

when they were mean to me, it hurt.

None of that mattered now because I was having fun today. Beck

had given me a ride about an hour outside Vegas so I could shift and
let my animal free for a bit which I had really needed to do. If I had
waited any longer he might have clawed me from the inside or

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something he had been so annoyed. In his defense I’d been in Vegas a
few months now and he’d only been out once.

Beck said I could borrow his car anytime I wanted though so I

wouldn’t have to keep him contained all the time anymore. Plus, he
had showed me a spot where some of the cliffs and rock formations
would keep me hidden from any random passersby in the desert.

And now I was going to one of the swankiest pools in Vegas with

my friend, on an invitation, and I didn’t even have to use any of my
hard-earned money to rent a cabana or lounge. I’d called and asked on
the prices… They were insane. I mean, four hundred dollars for a
day? I couldn’t get over how people actually paid that! Did doing my
taxes come included with that price or something?

“Hi, we’re looking for Dexx?” Nolan asked the man at the desk

letting people in. “He invited us to be guests for the day.”

“Let me call him, but you can go on through. I’ll have him meet

you at the bar,” the young guy said quickly as a line had already
formed behind us.

“Thanks.” I followed Nolan as I took everything in. My mouth

was hanging open as we walked through the doors and outside. There
were waterfalls all over the place and the Venus Pool just screamed
lavishness and luxury.

“Screw the bar!” I squealed as I handed Nolan my bag with my

stuff and whipped off my shirt. I toed off my flip-flops and raced to
the pool, jumping right in where no one was around. The water was
perfect. It wasn’t cold, but they must have done something to it to
keep the temperature cool in the hot Vegas sun. I floated around after
I resurfaced and sighed.

“How old are you?” I glanced up and saw Dexx standing there

with a smirk on his face.

“Much older than I look but what does that have to do with getting

excited to go swimming?” I asked as I found my footing and stood.
He opened his mouth and then shut it again before doing it once more
to impersonate a fish.

Pride & Were

“Not a damn thing actually,” he chuckled as he held his hand out

to me. I climbed out of the pool and stood in front of him, soaking wet
and not sure what to do. “I’m glad Nolan suggested those shorts,
Cody. You look good enough to eat.”

“Thank you.” I felt my cheeks heat up and fought the urge to hide.

They were green boy shorts that were swim trunks and a little
revealing for a family pool, but it was Vegas after all. Instead we
headed over to Nolan who was still laughing.

“Excited about the pool?” he asked when he calmed down. I

nodded and grabbed a towel from him. “When was the last time you
went swimming?”

“A few years at least and never at a place like this.” I glanced

around and smiled. Life was good. I couldn’t believe they’d even let
me into a place this swank much less that I was invited by the owner.

“Let’s get you guys a drink and I’ll have the cabana manager

show you to your spot,” Dexx said as he moved his hand to my lower
back. I smiled up at him and crooked my finger at him to lean down.

“Can I kiss you at work for a thank-you? This seriously was what

I needed more than I even realized. It’s been so long since I’ve just
relaxed and felt normal.”

He gave me an odd look at that last part but then smiled. “I would

never say no to a kiss.” I stood on my toes and brushed my lips over
his, careful not to get him wet. He was wearing expensive khakis and
probably the uniform polo they wore there. I didn’t want to mess his
attire up.

“I’m glad we’re friends,” he purred and gave me another kiss.
“Friends are good.” I gave him another bright smile and let him

lead me to the bar after he took my bag from Nolan. What a
gentleman!

“What would you like?” he asked me after telling the bartender

that he was to put our drinks for the day on his personal tab that he’d
clear out later. I wasn’t sure what that meant but I figured he was the
owner so he could do whatever he wanted.

Joyee Flynn

“I don’t really drink so nothing too strong. I want something

fruity, blended, and vacation-like,” I answered after a moment. I
glanced at Nolan before looking back to Dexx. “I trust you guys not
to let me go to work tonight drunk off my ass or hungover.”

“How about a strawberry mango daiquiri then?” Dexx suggested

with a wink.

“That sounds heavenly,” I whimpered. Nolan ordered a rum

runner and when the drinks were in our hands, mine taking two hands
to hold it was so big, he led us over to the cabana manager.

“Anything you need, you tell Dave here and he’ll see it’s done.”

Dexx gave the man a look that clearly said that better be how things
went while we were here.

“Oh, we’re fine,” I said quickly. “I just want to swim and read.

We won’t be any trouble.”

“No trouble at all, Cody.” Dexx leaned over and gave me another

kiss. “I’ll try and stop by every so often to see how you guys are
doing. I’m busy tonight with my weekly poker game but I was
wondering if you’d save me your break time if I stopped by the club
tomorrow?”

“Sure. As long as my tables aren’t crazy I’d love another round,” I

chuckled, waggling my eyebrows at him. He smiled widely and left us
to Dave.

“He’s courting you,” Nolan whispered as we followed the

manager to our cabana. “I thought you didn’t do dating?”

“I told him that and he said that’s fine. He likes fun and to play. I

think I said something that made him realize I don’t get out very
often. He’s just being nice and said all he wanted was to be first on
my dance card if he was at the club.”

“Okay, as long as you guys discussed what’s going on here,” he

said with a shrug. “Personally, I’m just glad I’m the friend you picked
to bring along today. I’ve been here a few times, but never with a
cabana and drinks. Every time I think about getting a day pass to one
of the pools, I end up just sleeping in.”

Pride & Were

“It’s hard when you work nights,” I agreed. Most of the demons

were friendly with each other and welcomed each other to their
business so I knew he was telling the truth and not something else
going on about being around the envy demons. We thanked Dave
when we got to our cabana. I was shocked it was a prime spot. The
place was pretty packed already and it was lunchtime. Wouldn’t a
spot like this already be reserved?

“Glad we could accommodate you at such late notice,” Dave said,

giving us the fakest smile I’d ever seen. “Enjoy your onetime visit
like all Dexx’s conquests get.”

“Oh, he’s already conquered me and wants more,” I replied in just

a completely fake, bitchy tone. Then I turned my back to him and set
down my drink before spreading out my towel.

“I didn’t realize you bit, Cody,” Nolan chuckled as he pulled off

his shirt.

“What do you mean?” I lay down on the chaise lounge and sighed

as I put my sunglasses on and picked up my drink.

“I’m glad that even though you’re a sweetie you still stick up for

yourself. You realize you’re worth more than being talked to like that
and I’m glad you do.”

“I’m used to people being jerks to me. I tend to hide a lot because

of it, but bitchy comments like that I have no problem snapping back
at. I can’t say I always stick up for myself though. That guy sounds
jealous and that’s not my issue.” He nodded, letting go the part where
I didn’t always stick up for myself, and I appreciated it.

We sat there, sipping our drinks as we read, and I was enjoying

myself thoroughly. When the sun became a little too much, we agreed
it was pool time. Nolan hid our wallets and phones in the little safe
that was in the cabana. Wow. I couldn’t get over that they had hotel
safes outside like that. They just thought of everything!

“Bring your drink.” I nodded and grabbed it before following him

to the pool. I danced a bit as I walked, pleasantly surprised that they
had a great DJ there. The music was quieter and not overwhelming,

Joyee Flynn

but it was a good mix. I saw on the posters that the real party started
in about an hour so I would enjoy the calmness until then.

“Where do you want—shit!” I squealed as I lost my footing and

slipped… Into the pool. My drink went everywhere and I hit the water
and something else, which I feared was a person. Strong arms
wrapped around me and brought me back up to the surface. “I’m so
sorry!”

“Are you hurt?” a man asked in an annoyed tone.
“No, are you?” I dropped the massive glass that was now full of

water and not daiquiri and wiped the water out of my eyes. I stared up
into the gorgeous indigo ones the man had.

“I’m fine,” he answered, his voice so deep I thought it might be an

octave I’d never heard before. He looked me over as if deciding how
quickly to get me naked before meeting my gaze again. “You did spill
my drink on my day off though. Since I caught you I should get to
keep you.”

“I could buy you another drink and say I’m sorry again,” I offered

instead, shivering at how hungry the look he gave me was.

“Cody, are you okay?” Nolan asked, hopping down into the pool.

“I turned around when you swore but then I couldn’t get to you.”

“I’m fine. I landed on this nice man who saved me,” I answered,

moving to get out of his arms. Instead, the sexy man held me tighter,
his hand moving to my ass. “If you don’t ask before doing something
like that, I’m not going to say you’re nice much longer.”

“You’re right.” He gave me a nod as he cleared his throat, moving

one arm to his side so I floated to my feet. “I apologize. I was lost in
your sexy body that fell right in my arms for a moment there.”

“Again, I’m really sorry for that,” I mumbled as I bit my lip. I

liked way it felt to be in his arms and I did want him to touch me. But
no one should without permission. “Can I buy you a drink?”

“No, I have a tab here,” he chuckled and then gestured to his

glass. “But your drink is in the pool now. Let me get you another for
my thoughtless behavior.”

Pride & Were

“Okay,” Nolan drawled and then chuckled. “I’ll be lounging over

here by myself if you need me, Cody.”

“I’ll be there in a minute,” I quickly said, feeling bad as if ditching

my friend. “Um, I have to go apologize to Dexx for making a scene
when he invited me here.”

“No you don’t,” he said at the same time as Dexx. I glanced up

and winced, unable to see his expression with the sun behind him.

“I’m so sorry, Dexx. I slipped and I didn’t mean to hurt him or

land on him. I just lost my footing.”

“Cody, it’s fine. I just came to see if you were okay. I’ll have

Dave bring you both another drink. Your usual, Belz?”

“Yes, thank you, Dexx.” Then Belz glanced up at Dexx with a

raised eyebrow. “Is this the guy you were bragging about this
morning? The one you met last night at the new Anything Goes?”

“You were bragging about me?” I asked, practically preening at

the idea.

“I was,” Dexx answered, giving me a wink before focusing on

Belz. “He is. Do you blame me for bragging that I had a chance to
taste such a feast?”

“No. No, not at all. I honestly thought you were exaggerating how

attractive he was but I can see now you weren’t.” He leaned in and
gave a subtle sniff of the air. “And rare too. I can’t tell what type of
were he is.”

“Thank you for the compliment but I’m standing right here,” I

said calmly. I didn’t like people trying to figure out what I was and
people talking about me as if I wasn’t there even less. Then I looked
up at Dexx. “I think the drink might be a bad idea. I’ve already
wasted one simply by trying to walk. Maybe it’s not wise to try
again.”

“Nonsense,” Dexx chuckled. “It was no big deal, Cody. Today’s

your day to relax and I promised you some fun. I’ll get another one
sent over.”

Joyee Flynn

“Do I get to give you a kiss as a thank-you like last time?” I asked

shyly. He was being so nice to me when most people would be pissed
I just dumped two big drinks in the pool.

“I’ll collect tomorrow night,” he answered, his eyes shining with

desire. “I want to see what else that mouth of yours can do.”

“Oh, I love giving blow jobs. I’ll gladly give you one tomorrow to

show my appreciation.” Dexx’s eyes went wide as Belz coughed in
shock. “Yeah, now you know why I don’t go out much and interact
with people besides at work.” Dexx just gave me another wink and
walked away as I turned to head over to Nolan.

“I don’t see any reason why you would hide after a comment like

that,” Belz said as he gently grabbed my wrist. He wasn’t being
grabby, simply letting me know he didn’t want me to leave yet. It
wasn’t like I couldn’t get away from his hold. “And I didn’t mean to
talk about you like you weren’t here. You were a part of the
conversation, just it was in reference to a discussion we’d had this
morning.”

“I know, I just didn’t want it to turn into me feeling like a piece of

meat as you guys talked about me. I’ve learned to say something
when the conversation starts heading in that direction instead of
waiting until it’s an issue.” I gave him a smile to show there were no
hard feelings.

“And your comment surprised me and made me hard,” he purred.
“You got hard because I offered to suck Dexx’s cock?” I tilted my

head as I stared at him, not sure how that one worked out.

“I got hard as nails,” he confirmed as he moved my hand under

the water to feel he was. “Because the visual of you on your knees
sucking cock makes wants me to beg to see it.”

“My, my, you’re big,” I giggled, letting him rub my hand over his

trunks-covered groin. “Maybe you should visit the club tonight and
we can play on my break.”

“I thought you were Dexx’s?” He raised an eyebrow at me.

Pride & Were

“And yet you’ve got me groping you?” It was my turn to mirror

the expression.

“What is it about you that makes me forget myself?” he growled

and released my hand. “I don’t poach on my friends’ men.”

“You’re not poaching,” I chuckled. “Dexx and I fucked and will

probably fuck again. That’s it. He offered to be my friend and treat
me to some fun today. I’m my own and don’t want anything more
than fun.”

He eyed me over as if deciding what to say next to get what he

wanted. Interesting. “I can be fun.”

“Then come by the club tonight,” I offered as I took a step away

from him. “Maybe I’ll see you there.”

“Oh, you definitely will,” he growled. I turned away before he

could see the smirk I had on my face. Good. I wanted to see him
again. I wasn’t the best at flirting but sometimes my wanting to run
when I was embarrassed worked to my advantage. Most took it as
teasing them and leaving them wanting more.

It worked for me because honestly, I wasn’t that smooth.
“Another admirer?” Nolan grumbled.
“Maybe?” I hedged as I sat on the ledge in the pool next to him.

“Why? You sound like you’re upset or jealous.”

“No, yes, but not for the reasons you probably think,” he said with

a sigh. “Yes, we have fun sometimes but that’s not why I’m your
friend. I’m just frustrated with my own lack of love life.”

“Want to tell me about it?” I asked gently.
“I do but you know the other person I’d be talking about and I

don’t want to tell their secrets. Thanks for offering though.”

“You could talk to me and I’d never say anything to anyone,

Nolan. I’m not a gossip.”

“I know you’re not,” he said quickly. “I just feel like I’d be

betraying them by bringing it up.” I nodded my understanding though
I really didn’t. If he wanted to keep it private, that was his business. I

Joyee Flynn

just wanted one of my only friends to know he could talk to me if he
wanted.

Dave brought me another drink, which I thanked him for. Then

Nolan and I lounged in the pool for a while before getting out and
going back to our cabana. Just as I sat back down I met Belz’s gaze as
he stepped out of the pool and I shivered. That one look was full of
such hunger, such heat that it made my blood boil.

So I rolled over onto my stomach to make sure no one saw how

hard I got from one stare and picked up my book. It didn’t take long
until we were too hot to simply lie in the scorching Vegas sun.

“You good here on your own?” Nolan asked me as he stood and

stretched. We’d been there a few hours and for some who weren’t
used to relaxing, it wasn’t something to jump into. I found moderation
to be the key of most things.

“I’m ready too,” I answered, shoving my stuff into my bag. “I

need a nap and a shower before work. I want cool air.”

“Yeah, today’s a killer even by Vegas standards.” We headed

towards the exit and he smiled when Belz and Dexx were standing
there together deep in conversation. “I’ll get the car pulled up and
meet you outside while you say good-bye.”

“Okay,” I chuckled, shaking my head as we split off. What did he

think I was going to do at a crowded pool? Hump them both?

“You’re not leaving already?” Dexx raised an eyebrow at me as I

sauntered closer to him.

“Nolan’s got to get back for some meeting with the security staff

and I’ve not been out in the sun for a while. I already feel as if I’m
starting to burn.”

“We can’t have you in pain or that perfect skin hurt,” Dexx agreed

with a nod as he drank me in. “Am I still welcome to come tomorrow
night or have you been taken off the market?”

“Of course you can,” I hedged. “Who would have taken me off

the market?”

Pride & Were

“Apparently no one.” Dexx gave Belz a smirk before leaning

down to me. “See you tomorrow.” He brushed his lips over mine
before walking away, shooting Belz another satisfied look. Something
weird was going on there and I didn’t want to get in the middle of it.

“See you tonight, Cody,” Belz told me in a husky voice. I was

able to hide the shiver it made me feel and gave him a smile as I
waved, heading for the door.

That man was trouble in all the best ways I had a feeling.
Twenty minutes later I was saying good-bye to Nolan as we

separated in the elevator, his floor before mine with the nicer
apartments for those who had worked for the owners longer. I got off
on my floor, unlocked my apartment, and tossed my stuff on the
couch.

It was the nicest apartment I’d ever had but it was still sad…

Mostly because of my own issues. I glanced around, seeing how
sparse it was. The whole place was ready to be packed in twenty
minutes with what I would need to survive if I had to run. Experience
had taught me that was the best way to live to stay safe.

But not to have a real life at any one place.
Everything could be replaced and besides my wallet and cash

there was only one thing I would never leave behind. I reached out
and picked up the only picture I had in the apartment. Touching the
silver frame and then photo, my heart hurt. It was the only photo I had
of my mother, taken over a century ago. I missed her but since I
couldn’t change the past the present was what I had to focus on.

And with that thought, I went to lie down before work, smiling at

the fun I’d had that day.

Joyee Flynn

Chapter 3

I was having a good night at work. The tips were big, my tables

were all really nice to me, and the music was kicking. I danced back
to my section after having loaded up with drinks from the bar. A few
men touched my naked body, playing with the glow bracelet I had
around my cock in good fun. Nothing bad or that I wouldn’t allow.
Quite the opposite since I loved the attention.

“Are you on break now?” a shy guy a little taller than me asked. I

smiled at him, knowing what he wanted after the way he’d been
eyeing me up most of the night. Behind him, I saw Belz walk in and
wondered if the night was looking up or if he’d be weird again.

“No, sweetie, but I probably will be soon,” I answered, leaning in

and giving him a kiss. “You’re hot, but we’re both bottoms. You’re
looking for a fat cock tonight, aren’t you?”

“You have one,” he whispered as he moved closer and touched

my hips reverently. “Fuck me. Please?”

“No, because I don’t like to top. Let me introduce you to someone

I think will take good care of you. You ever been with two men?”

“No, but I want to,” he whimpered. I smiled and took his hand. He

let me lead him over to the bar like a puppy dying for attention.

“Cal, this young man wants a fat cock and to be double-teamed.

You up for it?”

“Thanks for bringing him to my attention, Cody,” Cal answered

with a smile. He reached out and cupped the guy’s face. “My husband
likes to watch me fuck other men. Are you okay with that?”

“He can fuck me too,” the guy offered with a nod. I chuckled and

gave them a wave they didn’t notice as I went back to work. My good

Pride & Were

deed for the day was done. Cal would give the guy the ride of his life
and get to feed off the lust it caused. Both got what they wanted and
needed.

I glanced over at Belz, seeing he was talking to Sark while I

settled the tab of one of my tables. Demons had great hearing, shifters
even better, but my brand of shifter was the best. I normally could
hear everything more clearly than anyone else in the room.

“I want him, Sark. I want his contract,” Belz growled.
“He’s not a sub, Belz. Cody likes his freedom and doesn’t have a

contract. He’s a good kid who works hard and likes to play. If you’re
looking for a new sub, I think you’re going to be sorely disappointed
if you pursue him as one. If he invited you here, then he must like you
but don’t take that as the beginnings of a contract.”

“Fine. I’m taking his empty table and he’s going on break.”
“I don’t have anyone to cover for him right now,” Cal called out

as he teased the guy I’d brought over to him. Belz growled in
frustration. “Fine, if you let my mate go shopping at your place and
find me something to get him for our anniversary then I’ll go cover
Cody’s tables while you guys have fun.”

“Deal,” Belz immediately agreed.
“Be back in a few, sweet cheeks,” Cal told the guy and pointed to

a barstool. “Stay there and play with yourself until I get back. I want
you primed and leaking.”

I rushed to clear off my now-empty table before handing my tray

to Cal. “Since you guys have already decided my break for me, you’re
going to need this. I just checked my tables and brought them what
they wanted. Table six is wrapping up, probably their last round.
Table eight is doing shots all over the place so watch for more and if
you can, figure out if anyone drove. I asked but they offered to drive
me all night.”

“You’re spoken for this evening,” Belz purred as he wrapped his

arms around me from behind. I shivered as he leaned over and kissed
my bare shoulder.

Joyee Flynn

“So I hear,” I drawled as I glanced up at him, smiling when he

fondled my cock.

“You heard us all the way over at the bar?” His eyes went wide

before he schooled his reaction.

“Yes and Sark’s right, Belz. I’m not a sub and I don’t want a

contract. I’m a free agent and loving that I can play when and where I
want. I told you I wasn’t looking for more than fun.”

“I know but sometimes people say that when they don’t mean it so

they don’t come off desperate or as if they will be clingy.”

“Nope, I really meant it.”
“Will you still have fun with me tonight?” he asked quietly as he

pulled me against him and led us over to my empty table. “I need to
be inside of you, Cody.”

“Still?” I chuckled. “I don’t remember to agreeing to it in the first

place. You said you wanted fun and I told you to come in tonight.
That wasn’t a date to fuck. It was an invitation for a drink.”

“Cody, don’t toy with me,” he growled and lifted me onto the

table, moving between my legs and spreading them wide. “Ever since
you fell into my arms I’ve been hard and wanting. Wanting you. Give
me what I want.”

“Ask for it.” I was standing my ground on this. He was used to

subs and I wasn’t one. Belz needed to know right away that I
wouldn’t be controlled or dominated.

“May I please fuck your sweet ass and make you scream until we

both come?” I could see the anger flaring in his eyes right along with
the desire.

“Yes, you may, thank you for caring enough to ask and be polite

to me.” I gave him my best smile as I moved my feet to the table and
spread wide. “Is this how you want me?”

“Yes,” he hissed as he eyed me over. I lay back onto the table and

lifted my hips so he could see everything. Belz groaned and yanked
off his tight black shirt before undoing his pants.

Pride & Were

“Take the show to the main stage,” Sark yelled over. “It’s a

slower night and we don’t have another act for an hour. Might as well
make use of it.”

“Gladly,” Belz shouted back. I yelped as he lifted me up as if I

weighed nothing and raced across the dance floor.

“Humans are here,” I hissed when he leapt up onto the main stage

easily.

“I. Don’t. Care,” he snarled and finished undoing his pants. “All I

care about is having you.”

“Okay,” I whispered as he laid me down on the padded table. I

wasn’t sure if Belz’s intensity was a turn-on, never having been
desired like this before… Or it just scared the fucking shit out of me.
He turned me so I was on my side and lifted my leg so my foot rested
on his shoulder as he pushed my other knee up to my chest and
yanked out the plug I normally wore.

Quickies at sex clubs didn’t normally lead to a lot of foreplay or

stretching.

Belz gently pulled off the glow bracelet I had around my cock and

balls, moving so I finally got a chance to see what he’d pulled out of
his pants. “You’re fucking huge.”

“I’ll start slow,” he whispered as he kissed along my knee as he

lined up his huge mother of a cock to my hole. “I would never hurt
you, Cody.”

“It wouldn’t be hard with that thing,” I giggled nervously. It really

was the truth. I’d been with different paranormal beings before,
finding the sex with them more interesting than humans. I moaned as
he pushed into me, pulling out a packet of lube from his pants
hanging off his hips. He applied more to his cock and worked it inside
of me.

“Seems you’re going to need to start wearing a bigger plug for

me, doll.”

“Having a big cock won’t necessarily get you repeat sex,” I

teased, but meant it. I wasn’t all about being one person’s. My life

Joyee Flynn

didn’t work well when I formed attachments. I had too much in my
past and too many people who would want me for the wrong reasons.
My being carefree and on my own was what was best for everyone.

“I’ve got more than enough skills that would make you want to

have sex with me all the time.”

“Are you a pride demon or something?” I joked, moaning as he

bottomed out inside of me. I glanced over at the crowd that had
formed to watch the show, remembering to lower my voice even
though the music was probably loud enough to mask what we said.

“Do you have something against pride demons?” My gaze

snapped to his and I saw the anger was back. Shit.

“I don’t know any,” I hedged as he moved slowly, testing to see if

I was ready or not. “But lust demons are full of lust, so I would think
pride demons are full of pride and I doubt that’s someone I would get
along with.”

“We’re more like wrath demons, in the fact we feed off pride but

aren’t full of it. Though every man has a certain amount of pride so I
would never say we’re without it.”

I licked my lips and nodded, not sure what to say that wouldn’t

possibly make things worse. He got the idea and decided the time for
talk was over. I gasped as he slammed back into my hole, a slight
sting and a whole lot of pleasure radiating throughout my body.

“Yeah, fuck my tight ass,” I moaned and lifted my hips to meet

his thrusts. His nostrils flared with desire and I smiled. This demon
was about to become a Cody addict. “You like my dirty talk, Belz? I
might not be a sub but I know how to please a man and beg when
needed.”

“You are so fucking sexy,” he growled and picked up the pace.
“Shit. Fuck. Yes, harder. Oh god, right there,” I mewled as he

pounded into my willing body. “Big cock in tight hole make Cody
happy. Fuck me harder, Belz. Fuck my ass with that huge dick!”

Pride & Were

“Yes, doll,” he hissed and held on to me tighter for leverage. Then

his other hand stroked my cock and he slowed down. I batted it away
and met his gaze.

“I can come from just cock in my ass if you do it right,” I

explained, grunting as he want faster again. “Almost there. Just don’t
stop or slow down again.”

“As you demand it.” Belz didn’t sound very happy at that

statement, as if I’d told him that he’d done something wrong. Men. I
swear sometimes it was like coddling a child with their egos.

“You’re loving every second of my ass.” I narrowed my eyes at

him, letting him know I wanted a reply. He nodded and started taking
me harder. That did the trick. I couldn’t get enough air for talking and
be fucked at this pace. I cried out as he pounded into me, reveling at
the places he was taking my body.

He went on and on in his ferocity. I’d never had a man take me

that didn’t get tired, didn’t slow down, and lasted this long. I think I
was in shock from it and that’s why it took me so long to find my
orgasm.

We had to have been fucking a good twenty minutes before I

screamed out that I was coming. But I didn’t just come. Oh no, my
nuts basically exploded and it all came shooting out of my cock like a
squirt gun. I watched in awe as I hit people standing at the stage
watching with my cum. Holy shit!

I rode my orgasm, whimpering and crying out in a way that must

have pleased Belz because he kept growling and eying me over like I
was his before he came. He grunted and then gave a strangled moan
as he filled my ass up with his release. I watched his whole body
shake when my own climax started to ebb.

Gasping for air, I lowered my leg down from his shoulder and

turned so I was more comfortable on my back. Belz fell over me,
catching himself at the last second before he squished me, though still
keeping a good deal of his weight on me.

Joyee Flynn

“Never been like that before,” he panted, kissing along my neck.

“And all I want to do is fuck you again and forever.”

“I can’t,” I giggled nervously, not a fan of that word forever. “I’m

working.”

“I can take care of that.” I didn’t even get a chance to ask what he

meant as he stood up, pulled out of me, and fixed his pants. Then he
lifted me up, threw me over his shoulder as if proud of his conquest,
making sure to smack my ass that was leaking with his cum, and
jumped off the stage.

“What are you talking about?” I squeaked as he jogged over to the

table we’d started at and grabbed his shirt. I watched as he stuffed it
in his back pocket before pulling out his wallet. “Belz?”

“Cody quits,” he told Sark when we got to the bar. I watched in

horror, only having a partial view from over his shoulder, as he
slapped down about a grand onto the bar. “That should cover his
missed shifts while you find a replacement or divide up his hours.”

“Cody?” Sark asked me, his eyes wide. I stared at him a moment,

opening and closing my mouth in shock. It was a great impression of
a fish and all, but I couldn’t get my voice to work I was so thrown off
by what Belz was doing.

“He agrees,” Belz said, and I could practically hear the smirk in

his voice. He took about two steps towards the door before I snapped
out of it.

“I don’t quit,” I growled, banging my fists on his back. “Put me

down this instant!”

“Of course you do, doll. I can’t fuck you whenever we want if

you’re working here. And I don’t want you to be with anyone else
after what we shared. You will live with me and I’ll take good care of
you.”

“Stop this, right now!” I screamed, making a scene and not caring.

I lifted myself up enough to see where we were and realized he was
about five feet from the door. If he got me out of the club I might not

Pride & Were

ever be free again… Or alive depending on how crazy Belz was.
“Beck! Nolan! Help! I’m being kidnapped!”

“You are not,” Belz growled and slapped my ass. “You felt the

connection too, Cody. Don’t tell me that wasn’t the best sex of your
life.”

“Yes, but being taken by a crazy man doesn’t make the best sex

ever worth it. I’ll take good sex over mind-blowing sex with crazy
any day.”

“You think I’m crazy?” He sounded horrified and almost missed a

step but caught himself at the last minute. He lifted me off his
shoulder and moved me so I was face-to-face with him. “I’m not
crazy, Cody. I just know what this is and want to spoil you so you
don’t have to work slinging drinks ever again. I can be enough to
make you happy and give you all the sex you need so you never turn
to another man again.”

“Crazy is not asking me if I want any of that and telling my boss I

quit before carrying me out of here like a caveman who just bought a
new slave,” I whimpered, fighting to get away. Just then I was ripped
from Belz’s arms. I sighed in relief when I saw it was Nolan as Beck
shoved Belz against the wall.

“Tell me you didn’t come in here, fuck our friend, and try to

kidnap him,” Beck growled, more pissed off than I’d ever seen him.

“I thought he wanted to come home with me after what we

shared,” Belz mumbled, not even fighting the huge wrath demon.
“Everyone always wants me to set them up in my house and take care
of them. I finally wanted to do that with someone but I went about it
the wrong way.” He met my gaze then. “You’re not a slave, Cody.
You are a gem in a dull world that should be treated the best ways so
you shine and be protected. That’s what I wanted to do.”

“And fuck me whenever you wanted,” I hissed at him, not letting

him be the wounded party here. “Don’t act as if you were being noble,
Belz. You wanted me for yourself and just about pissed around me to

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show it before announcing to everyone here that I was now yours and
you were going to do with me what you wanted.”

“Yes, I did, but not because you’re a toy or a slave or something.”

He growled in frustration and shook his head. “I got excited and
thought you felt it too. I’m sorry.”

“Just go and never come back here,” I whispered before burying

my face in Nolan’s chest. “Leave me alone, crazy.”

“No, Cody, I’m sorry,” he exclaimed and I heard what sounded

like shoving. “Wait a second, Beck. Let me apologize to him. I can
make this right, okay? Doll, don’t ban me from seeing you. Cody?”

“You heard the man, get out of here,” Nolan yelled before turning

away. He carried me back towards the bar and I saw from the
reflection of the mirrors Beck and another guy from security forcibly
removing Belz.

“I’m so sorry, Cody,” Sark whispered as he leapt over the bar and

took me from Nolan. “I should have handled that better. I was in
shock. I couldn’t believe you’d just up and quit.”

“I wouldn’t.” I sniffled as he lowered me to my feet. “I wouldn’t

just ever quit and leave with someone like that. No way. I can’t
believe he’d treat me like that.”

“I’m not defending him, but I do know Belz. I actually have been

friends with him for years,” Sark said quietly. “He’s a good guy.
Intense, but he’s not crazy. He’s a loner, doesn’t like to get close to
people, very reserved and old school. I was shocked he showed up
here and would have sex in front of people like this. He handled
things badly, but he’s a Dom. He’s used to people doing as he wants
and I think you opened something up inside of him and it scared
him.”

“Well, tell your friend to close it back up and leave me alone,” I

grumbled before storming off to the locker room. So much for tonight
being a good night. Yeah, I got the best sex of my life… Right before
a crazy pride demon tried to decide the rest of my life and control me.
Fan-fucking-tastic.

Pride & Were

I quickly cleaned up and splashed some cold water on my face.

When it didn’t work and I was still shaking, I went for extreme. I
turned on one of the showers on full blast cold and stepped right in
front of it.

That worked. I yelped, snapping out of my shock and numbness

before turning it off and quickly toweling off. Glancing in the mirror,
I pinched my cheeks to get some color back to them. Maybe I was
overreacting and Belz wasn’t really going to kidnap me, but I didn’t
know him… And it wasn’t the first time someone had run off with
me. Twice actually and I went through hell. I’d rather die than be
back in that position.

Plus, Belz’s argument didn’t make sense. He had fucked me, that

was it. There hadn’t been any kissing, or discussion, no intimate
moments either. So what was all that shit about me being a gem? Was
that code for having a great ass he wanted unlimited access to? I was
blond… Not stupid.

Either way the man had proven to be drama and potentially very

unstable. Neither thing did I need or want in my life. So it was over,
time to forget the best sex of my life, and move on. I stepped out of
the locker room and back into the club, ignoring the weird stares I got
from people. I went over to the bar and grabbed my shorts I’d stuffed
back there and toed on my flip-flops once they were on.

I know walking around barefoot in a club sounded nasty but the

owners were crazy on the cleaning side of running a place. They had
it cleaned every morning professionally. And I don’t think I’d ever
seen anything untoward on the ground, not even one unclean toilet
either. It was a classy place even if we got down and dirty in it.

“Take the rest of the night off, Cody,” Cal said quietly as I went to

get my tray back from him. “It’s a slow night and I can split up your
tables between the other servers.”

“I’m fine.” We both knew I was lying but I wasn’t going to turn

tail and hide. The drama was over and there was no point in adding to
it. I took my tray from him and went around to my tables. When they

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had all they needed I headed over to Nolan and stood on my toes to
give him a kiss on the cheek.

“It’s my job, Cody,” he chuckled before getting serious. “I’m

sorry we didn’t get to you sooner. There was another issue we were
handling.”

“You mean you guys aren’t my personal bodyguards?” I drawled,

trying to ease his guilt. He gave me a wink and I went to thank Beck
next.

“I banned him from the club,” my friend informed me.
“Is Mick going to be upset about that?” I asked hesitantly. “I don’t

want to hurt business because one guy got too excited. And I don’t
want the owners to get mad about me having sex on the clock. I got
the feeling Belz was a big-shot or something.”

“Doesn’t matter,” he said firmly. “We take care of our own and no

one has the right to act like that. Belz isn’t a bad guy but he acted like
a douche and should be treated accordingly. Maybe he’ll figure out a
way to apologize and then we can let him back in. But for now he’s
banned.”

“Thanks, Beck.”
“No problem, pint size. Want to use my car tomorrow? Your

animal has to be restless that he couldn’t come out and defend you.”

“Yeah, but I’m an ace at controlling him. We learn from a young

age how to suppress that need. What would happen if I turned into a
couple-ton tyrannosaurus in the club?” I wasn’t a T-Rex but I was still
one of the biggest tyrannosauruses on record after all.

“It’s Vegas,” he chuckled and shrugged. “They’d probably think it

was a prank.”

“Maybe, or call the government to nab me and I’d be back in

some lab,” I said before snapping my mouth shut. His eyes went wide
and I turned on my heel and took off back towards my tables. My bad.
Sometimes I opened my mouth and even I was shocked as to what
came out.

I wonder if I had an off switch? Probably not.

Pride & Were

The rest of the night was uneventful, a few people asking if I was

interested in some fun. But when I turned them down, they were
polite and understood why I wasn’t in the mood. I thought a lot about
what Sark and Beck said. Everyone handled something badly or
abnormally now and again. Belz didn’t strike me as evil or depraved,
just off. But if two people I really liked were friends or at least
friendly with Belz, that spoke a lot on the man’s character.

Then why did he act like such a freak?
By the end of the night when I was done with work and crawling

into bed, I had no answers and too much swirling around in my head.
Sleep came fast, but it was the restless type that made me want to go
right back to bed when I woke the next morning.

Joyee Flynn

Chapter 4

The next morning I was pouting. There wasn’t another word for

how I was feeling. I hadn’t slept well and then I was woken up hours
before my alarm with a text that Cal wanted me to come down to the
club.

That was never good. The owner calling me downstairs was like

being sent to the principal’s office in high school. There was just
nothing good that could come from it. I yanked on some sleep pants,
not bothering with anything else other than my flip-flops. Well,
except brushing my teeth. I didn’t go anywhere without brushing my
teeth.

I grabbed my keys at the last second, not wanting to leave my

door unlocked, no matter how much I was basically still asleep. I
leaned my forehead against the elevator doors when they closed,
hoping the cool metal would calm my hyped-up and almost shot
nerves. No such luck. I was still nervous and pouting when they
opened up and I stepped off them into the club.

“It would be really just cruel if you woke me up to fire me,” I

grumbled as I sat down at the bar next to Cal where he was signing
stuff. He’d worked last night but he’d taken off after what happened
with Belz, hours earlier than closing.

“Not going to fire you, Cody,” he chuckled, reaching over to

ruffle up my hair. “You’re a fantastic employee. And I’m not just
saying that because you sleep with the customers and that makes them
happy. No, even the ones you’ve turned down or never been with
can’t stop raving about how wonderful you are.”

Pride & Were

“Then why did you want me down here?” I asked curiously,

preening a bit under his praise.

“You got some deliveries,” Cal snickered and nodded towards the

other end of the bar.

“Some?” I gasped as I looked over there. I was wide awake now.

“Who are they from?”

“I didn’t look.” Cal caught my arm as I practically tripped out of

the stool, making sure I was okay before letting me go. I rushed over
to the piles of packages, not sure where to even start.

“This is more stuff than I have in my whole apartment!” I felt like

a kid at Christmas! Well, at least from the way they acted and it
seemed on TV. I’d never had a Christmas growing up. I grabbed the
first card on one of the baskets, this one full of chocolate.

My dearest Cody,
I’m so very sorry for my deplorable behavior last night. I cannot

think of any way to explain what happened other than when I’m
around you, you are the only thing I can think of and you consume me
in a way I’ve not felt ever in all my years. I hope this basket of sweets
makes you smile at their taste and moan in pleasure, as your
sweetness has me.

Please forgive me,
Belz

“These can’t all seriously be from him,” I whispered as I glanced

at the lot of them. There were at least ten baskets, some I couldn’t
even see what was in there. Then there were dozens and dozens of
perfectly wrapped presents of various sizes… Not to mention the life-
size teddy bear in the corner by the bar. “Is he nuts?”

“Aren’t we all?” Cal chuckled as he snatched the card out of my

hand. He quickly glanced it over and clucked his tongue. “The man
knows how to grovel, that’s for damn sure. Next time I get in trouble
with Gabe, I’m going to him on how to get out of hot water.”

Joyee Flynn

“I can’t accept these.” He was right about the groveling though.

That was the sweetest note I’d ever gotten, even if it was an apology.

“Why not?” Cal asked curiously as the elevators opened. I glanced

over and saw Mick before turning back to Cal.

“Accepting these would mean forgiving him and I don’t think

that’s smart. Plus, he wants things I don’t. He wants a sub, Cal. He
went crazy last night. He didn’t even kiss me so I’m not sure what this
life-altering connection was that he was talking about. This is insane.”

“Welcome to life,” Mick snickered as he joined us. “These from

Belz? Beck told me he tried to sweep you off your feet last night and
instead basically almost kidnapped you.”

“Well it is kidnapping when you say no and the person doesn’t

listen. Besides, I don’t know him well enough where I could have
known he was even trying to sweep me away instead of just taking
what he wanted.”

“Hey, no one blames you for your reaction,” Mick said gently as

he wrapped an arm over my naked shoulders. “Beck was really upset
he didn’t get to you sooner. And then you let something slip that had
him even more worried but he wouldn’t talk about it because you
didn’t give him the full details.”

“I knew my big mouth would come bite me in the ass,” I

grumbled as I shook my head. “It’s not a big deal and it was a long
time ago. Some human faction who knew about shifters found out
what I was in the mid-fifties and locked me in a lab for a decade
doing tests on me. They didn’t understand how I was alive when
dinosaurs were extinct.”

“I don’t know what I find more shocking there,” Mick cursed

before turning my around to face him. “That you say being locked up
and tested on for a decade is no big deal or that you’re way fucking
older than I thought.”

“Okay, it was a big deal but I’m over it. It was decades and

decades ago,” I admitted with a sigh. “I’m like four hundred years

Pride & Were

old, Mick. Just because I look twenty doesn’t make it so. You should
know that better than anyone.”

“True that, but wow. I always forget that shifters can live that

long. I was raised that only demons and angels could.”

“Some shifters can’t but dinosaurs can. My mother told me that it

was because when they started dying out, evolution made us into
shifters so we could survive. And that’s how come we can live forever
when others don’t.”

“Your mom still around?” he asked hesitantly, probably because

I’d never opened up before.

“No, she died trying to protect me from the humans. They

drugged me and I was too out of it to be able to focus and shift, but
she did. I watched, unable to do anything as they killed her.”

“I’m sorry, Cody. I can’t even imagine how hard that was on

you,” Cal said gently as he rubbed his hand on my arm.

“I’ve lived on the run ever since I escaped, never staying in one

place more than a year. The last time I really dated anyone a decade
ago, I found out he was taking samples of my DNA in my sleep
because he wanted to know what made dinosaur shifters immortal
when he was a wolf and only had a longer life span than humans. I
vowed never to be tricked again or get close to anyone.”

Why was I telling them all of this? Fuck!
“I need coffee,” I grumbled, hating that I’d told them so much.
“We’ll keep you safe, Cody. You don’t have to run ever again.”
“That sounds nice but don’t make promises you can’t keep, Cal.” I

reached behind the bar and sighed in relief when I saw there was a
full pot of coffee. I made myself a mug, fixing it with lots of cream
and sugar before taking a sip and eyeing over my gifts. “I can’t keep
these.”

“How are you not diving into them? The curiosity is killing me

and they’re not even for me,” Mick drawled, his eyes lit up and
excited.

Joyee Flynn

“Because he wants to own me, Mick. It was like nothing that he

made life-changing decisions for me and balked at the idea that I
didn’t agree with him when I said no. He’s trouble and drama and I
want neither.”

“Look, I’m not saying he wasn’t an ass, Cody,” Cal said gently as

he held up the card he’d taken from me. “But I know Belz. He’s a
good guy that doesn’t do well with people, but that’s not his fault. Just
like it’s not yours that you’re having such a strong reaction to the way
he acted after all you’ve been through. I get why you’re scared, but
speaking as the sometimes caveman in my mating, we don’t always
think.”

“I don’t want a caveman,” I whispered, not even sure I believed

the words myself. “He can’t just make decisions for me, throw my life
off kilter, and then expect some presents to make everything better.”

“I don’t think he believes this will make anything better,” Cal

replied as he shook his head. “This card is from a man begging for a
second chance. That tells me that whatever you decide or if you even
talk to him again, everything will be on your terms. This is a specific
note for the chocolate basket, Cody.

“What do you want to bet that each present has a different note

catered just for that gift? A man takes that much time to select
presents like that and write all these notes isn’t apologizing to some
quick fuck he crossed a line with. This is a man who wants more with
you, something real, and is willing to show how special you are to
him. That’s someone worth taking a chance on.

“Either way, you owe it to yourself and the doubt I see on your

face to at least read the cards and look through the gifts. If you still
don’t want them, I’ll take them back to Belz myself and explain to
him that you want to be left alone. Deal?”

“Deal,” I sighed and picked up the first gift within reach. Even the

wrapping was gorgeous. It was a green paper that matched my eyes
and hair, with a silver bow that I could never be able to tie. I opened it

Pride & Were

up and almost dropped the jewelry box that was inside. No one had
ever got me jewelry.

Not being able to bite back the moan when I opened it and saw the

most gorgeous belly button ring ever, I flicked off Cal and Mick when
they laughed at my antics. It was at least a carat-size emerald of
perfect quality.

“I can’t believe he saw that I had a piercing there,” I whispered,

glancing down. I kept a small stopper in for when I worked. I found
either people hated piercings there on men or loved them. So it
seemed smart since my job depended on tips to keep myself as
uncontroversial as possible.

To match the most gorgeous, most expressive eyes I’ve ever seen

in all my years. They shine like your smile and I want nothing more
than to be there, watching your reactions as you experience
everything good. Simply watching your eyes told me everything you
were feeling while we had sex and exactly what you wanted, Cody. I
know I was an ass, but you cannot deny it was something special for
both of us.

Please forgive me,
Belz

“I wonder how many of the gifts he got right and you’re going to

love,” Mick mumbled. “That’s something to take into consideration if
you think you’re just a quick fuck to him.”

“Fair enough,” I agreed, setting down the gorgeous gem and

picking up the next box. I opened it and saw the Versace box and
gagged. “He got this one wrong, I can assure you. I saw their fall
preview and it was just wrong. They need to leave the 80s in the past
and stop trying to redo something and call it new and clever.”

They both stared at me funny and I ignored them, opening it up.

Sure enough it was some tacky idea of a suit… Thing. Missing

Joyee Flynn

sleeves, with shorts, it was just ugly and all wrong. Even if the fabric
was fabulous.

“I wouldn’t be caught dead in this no matter how expensive it is,”

I said as I got up and put it on the closest table.

“Okay, so he got two right and one wrong,” Mick chuckled as he

opened my chocolate basket and snagged a piece.

“Mick! I’m not keeping any of this. I can’t return it if you eat it.”
“You can keep one gift basket,” he drawled, holding out a piece of

chocolate to me. I sighed and ate it, moaning at how good it was.
“Keep opening.”

I rolled my eyes at my friends, trying not to catch their

enthusiasm. Next was a pair of Vilebrequin swim boy shorts with
peacock feather designs that I just adored. Fine, that went in the good
pile. Then there was the Louis Vuitton messenger bag that probably
cost more than I made in a week. That was pretty and functional.

The Coach man-purse thing… Not so much and ugly. That went

in the bad pile.

“Some of these boxes are marked edible, Cody,” Mick informed

me as he went to pick up another one. We went through the rest of the
boxes and pulled out the ones that were food. Then we set them all up
on the bar and started opening them, Cal and Mick setting the cards
next to the boxes so I knew what went with what.

“I’m so calling Gabe down here,” Cal chuckled as he pulled out

his phone. I glanced over and saw the world’s largest cheesecake that
was already precut and of different flavors.

“I don’t get it. Where did he get all this stuff before ten in the

morning? He couldn’t have gotten it all shipped last night or picked
up this morning.”

“He probably could have created any of this if he wanted,” Mick

explained, waving his hand and dishes and forks appeared. “But he
owns Caesars Forum so he can get anything he wants at any time he
wants I’m sure.”

Pride & Were

“He owns the ritzy mall attached to Caesars?” I squeaked. Holy

shit was Belz loaded.

“You didn’t know that?” Cal asked quietly as he stuck his phone

back in his pocket. I shook my head and stared at the piece of
cheesecake Mick pushed in front of me. “Did Belz know that you
didn’t know what he did?”

“Huh?” Mick and I asked together.
“Right, sorry. I’m just saying that explains his reaction to you if

you didn’t know what he did.” I must have still looked confused
because he went on. “Belz is used to people wanting him because he
has money and power. He’s a pride demon and has all the best
connections because he feeds off snobs. Everyone wants to be the boy
toy on his arm, Cody.”

“Not me, I like being the man on your arm,” Gabe said as he

joined us with their daughter Corrie. “Ooooh, yummy food! So Belz
is making up for being a bad caveman?”

“Cal tell you what happened?” I poked at my cheesecake,

normally loving the stuff but so lost and confused that I didn’t really
have it in me to enjoy it.

“Yeah, Gabe likes Belz because he sent over a slew of toys for

Corrie when she was born,” Cal answered. “But seriously, Cody.
Imagine all your life someone wanted you for the wrong reasons.” He
gave me a knowing look and I nodded.

“Yeah, I know what that feels like,” I whispered sadly.
“Then there’s this hottie that everyone wants but isn’t throwing

himself at Belz like they normally do,” Mick said, picking up the
explanation. “So you intrigue him. He doesn’t know if it’s a ploy or if
you really just don’t know and don’t care who he is. But he also likes
you or he wouldn’t have cared that he upset you and done all this.” He
gestured to the half-open gifts.

“So the real question is do you like him, Cody?” Cal asked as he

patted my leg. “If he hadn’t been a dipshit last night would you be
seeing him again?”

Joyee Flynn

“Yes,” I whispered as I stabbed my cheesecake. “Yes, okay? It

was the best sex of my life and I liked just talking to him yesterday. I
felt the connection too. But it doesn’t matter. I won’t ever be owned
or have my choices taken away from me ever again.”

“We get that, buddy, we really do,” Mick said gently. “Give him a

break though. He screwed up and made some assumptions. He wasn’t
mean or vicious to you.”

“Assumptions?” That was the part I didn’t get. They acted like it

was just a misunderstanding.

“You work at a BDSM sex club, sweetie,” Gabe giggled. “You’re

small like me. Most Doms or big guys assume we’re more submissive
when we like to bottom. Belz is used to guys who work at places in
Vegas, hoping to land a big whale and have someone carry them off
to a better life. It probably never crossed his mind that you work here
because you want to.”

“I told him that I wasn’t a sub and I liked my freedom.”
“Yeah, because men aren’t known for listening when they’re

horny,” Gabe drawled, rolling his eyes. “He wasn’t thinking with the
right head, sweetie. Call him and tell him you’re willing to go out to
dinner with him, someplace public, and will hear him out. Keep
things simple and go from there. If you don’t think he’s really sorry
for what he did then you never have to see him again. All we’re
saying is everyone screws up. You can’t write them off after one boo-
boo.”

“I’ll think about it,” I promised. That was all I could commit to

right then. We ate and then I moved away from everyone else to
finish opening my gifts, needing some space. It was crazy the way I
loved most of what he got me.

He couldn’t possibly know me that well after one meeting and

sex… Could he?

“I need to go shift,” I said to no one in particular. I clutched my

chest as I backed away from the pile of gifts.

Pride & Were

“Cal, you take Corrie. I’m going to go with Cody since I don’t

think he should be driving right now,” Gabe ordered his mate. I barely
heard him, lost in my own world. Then I flinched as an arm wrapped
around me. “Come on. I want to see the dinosaur inside of you.”

“Okay,” I mumbled as I let him lead me out of the club. I felt bad

for leaving the mess of wrapping paper and presents, but I just
couldn’t deal with it right then. The cleaning crew that came every
morning for the club should be there soon and could take care of it. I
hoped they didn’t toss anything I wanted to keep.

Gabe drove to the outskirts of Vegas, already knowing where

Beck had shown me was safe to shift. Part of me thought it was just
too funny. What if he got pulled over and I was in nothing but jammie
pants as we drove out into the desert?

The idea was absurd enough to almost make me bust out laughing

but then I was feeling close to crazy already. I didn’t need any help
jumping off that cliff.

“This is the spot, right? I’m far enough out of sight?” Gabe asked

hesitantly as he stopped his SUV now that we were off the road by a
good ways.

“Yeah, this is great.” We got out of the car and Gabe was staring

at me like kids I’d seen at the mall waiting to meet Santa Claus.
“Admit it, you just wanted to drive me out here so you could see me
shift.”

“Yes,” he whispered as his cheeks heated up. “Dinosaurs were my

favorite growing up. I had a ton of action figures for all the different
types. I bet I even know what type you’ll be. Cal said you weren’t a
T-Rex but you’re a big tyrannosaurus, so that makes you—”

“Daspletosaurus,” I answered for him, cutting off his thought. It

made me uncomfortable when people got all excited. I was just a
shape-shifter, no matter what animal I shifted into. I knew Gabe
would never do anything to hurt me or set me up, but it was still weird
to me when friends got almost giddy to see the show.

Joyee Flynn

“Right, yeah, I was going to guess that,” he said quietly, realizing

he was being a total “fan boy” to me right then. I sighed, realizing I’d
probably hurt his feelings.

“You can climb up and ride me after I shift if you want,” I offered

as I toed off my flip-flops and yanked down my pajama pants.

“Thanks, but maybe another time,” he giggled. “I do want to see

what your skin feels like.”

“Knock yourself out.” I gave him a nod and let the change flow

over me. When I was done I opened my eyes and stared down at
Gabe.

“I think I’m going to piss myself,” he yelped as I lowered my

head down to him. “Fuck, those are some big-ass teeth you’ve got
there, Cody. Don’t eat me. Cal would be really pissed and I’m a
daddy.”

I snorted in his face to let him know I didn’t like the jokes.
“Sorry, I’m a nervous rambler. You have to keep in mind I grew

up at a convent. I didn’t know anything about this world until a few
months ago. I’ve never even seen a shifter change before. And well,
you’re fucking huge and could eat me in one bite.”

I thought about that. Yeah, it was freaky the first time I saw my

mom shift too. I could let Gabe slide then. I gave his hand a lick and
he broke out into peals of laughter. After he petted me a bit and got
his fill of his excitement, I walked around a bit, smiling when I set off
his car alarm as the ground shook from my weight.

After about twenty minutes I was tired and we’d been out in the

sun long enough. I shifted back and grabbed my stuff, getting dressed
again.

“Thank you for being patient with me. It’s like I knew you

wouldn’t eat me but every instinct inside of me was screaming to
run.”

“I get that a lot,” I chuckled. And I did. Gabe told me all about

Corrie and how cool it was that she could talk to him telepathically as
we drove back. When we were at the club again, I sighed in relief that

Pride & Were

all the presents were cleaned up. Mick told me that they used my keys
that I left on the bar and put it all in my living room.

That was fine by me. I could deal with it later. Right then, I just

wanted to nap and let things mull over in my mind.

Joyee Flynn

Chapter 5

Work that night was normal, no surprises except that I hadn’t been

in the mood for sex. Dexx had let me know that something had come
up and he wouldn’t be coming to the club that night. I had a sinking
feeling he’d been turned off from coming by Belz but of course, I
couldn’t prove anything.

A crying sound woke me the next morning. I headed out into the

living room and ended up in the middle of the presents… And gasped.
One of the boxes had air holes. How could we not have seen that? I
quickly lifted the cover and without thinking, pulled out the pet
carrier and opened it.

Only to have a small, very sharp-clawed kitten leap out onto my

face. It dug in its claws and I tried getting it off, but it wouldn’t budge
until I gave an inhuman growl. Then it leapt off me and darted across
the room, hiding under my sofa.

“That fucking idiot got me a cat?” I groaned as I flopped back to

the floor. I pulled out my cell phone and called Gabe, knowing he was
staying at his apartment here this week instead of at the original
Anything Goes.

“Let me guess, you found the cat?” he answered with a giggle.

“We realized there was one in there and you didn’t want to deal with
the gifts, so I took care of him yesterday while you were at work. He
should be ready to be fed, but he’s fine after being in the carrier for a
day.”

“Fuck the cat, I’m the one that needs help,” I bitched. “I never

heard the cat not until now and I’m sure it was desperate. Want to
know why? It’s the same reason my face is scratched all to shit. I’m

Pride & Were

part animal and at the top of the food chain. Cats, dogs, wolves, and
most natural animals fucking hate shifters.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that. I’ll be right up.”
“Thanks, Gabe. Sorry I yelled. My face stings like a bitch and

well, there are some places claws should never be.”

“I don’t blame you.” He hung up as I got to my feet and unlocked

the door. Then I went back to my spot across the room from the
kitten, still hiding under the sofa. It took Gabe only a few minutes to
come over.

“Be careful when you open the door,” I called out when he

knocked.

“What?” he asked after he opened it, holding it too long.
“Never mind,” I grumbled as a small orange ball of fur raced past

Gabe. “I was going to warn you that the cat would probably bolt to
get away from me, but well, he’s gone now.”

“I’ll go find it,” Gabe sighed.
“Fuck that thing. Let it curl up on the elevator and get smooshed.”
“Cody! You don’t really mean that,” he exclaimed, narrowing his

eyes at me.

“No, but my face hurts and I’m pouting. I’m not a mean person. I

hate that animals react to me like that. Either way, we shouldn’t have
to do anything. I’m calling Belz. Let him handle this shit because he
got me a stupid present.”

“Well while you take your frustration out on him, I’m going to go

look for the little ball of flame.”

“Just don’t bring him back here,” I warned. “I’ll get Belz to come

get him.”

“Or maybe I can talk Cal into letting me keep it. I bet Corrie

would love a pet.”

“Knock yourself out.” I went back in my room and grabbed my

phone along with one of the cards. Belz had made sure each of them
had his number on them in case the other tons of them I lost. I dialed
the number and plopped down on my couch, in a complete tizzy.

Joyee Flynn

“Hello?” a deep voice answered that made me inadvertently

shiver.

“So the worst present to get a shifter is a cat or any animal of one

nature. They freak out because we’re humans and animals and if
you’re a predator like I am, then they really shit their pants. I’ve got
claw marks all over my face and Cal’s mate is chasing the damn thing
down.”

“Oh fuck,” Belz groaned.
“Yeah, oh fuck just about covers it. So I might not be able to

return that present like I was planning to. Some of the owners ate the
cheesecake. Mick had some of the chocolate and I’ve only opened
about half before I became overwhelmed and had to get away from
them. And now there’s a cat on the loose that I can’t chase down.”

“Tell me what I can do to fix this, Cody. I’ll make this right, I

swear it.”

“Get the fucking cat out of here!”
“Oh, I would love to but I can’t get into the club. I was banned.”
“There’s a back entrance just for the apartments on top of the

club. Park in the back and I’ll buzz you in. Cal’s going to kill me that
his mate is crawling all around looking for a cat, Belz. If you cost me
my dream job I’ll never forgive you.”

“I’ll be right there, doll.” He hung up and I flopped back to the

couch. Turning to look at the baskets, I stuck my hand into the
chocolate one and pulled out some nummies. It was already opened
after all.

“Gabe sent me to get the cat carrier and food, hoping to draw it

out,” Nolan bitched from the other side of the door.

“It’s open,” I called out.
“Shit, that looks painful,” he said with a wince when he saw my

face. “Note to self, animals hate shifters. Good to know.”

“Yeah, they know we’re not human, but we’re not animal either

really so we screw with their internal meters of what’s what. Plus for
me, they know I’m a bad-ass predator.”

Pride & Were

“Why haven’t you healed yet? I’ve seen some shifters heal from

almost anything and quickly.”

“Different shifters have different tricks,” I explained. “For me I’d

be healed if I shifted, but since that’s not feasible right now, I’ll heal a
little faster than humans but not scar at least. It still hurts.”

“I’ll send up Groll with a first-aid kit,” he said as he grabbed the

kitten’s crap, glancing around. “Because I doubt you have one here or
much else besides these gifts.”

“I live simply,” I drawled as I focused on another piece of

chocolate. “Can’t you tell by all the drama surrounding me?”

“Aww, perk up, sweet cheeks. You’ve got enough admirers that

you can just rotate through them when you’ve got drama.”

“What the fuck, Nolan?” I gasped, sitting up and focusing on him

with narrowed eyes. “That’s the second time you’ve been a bitch to
me about not picking one person to only have fun with. If you’ve got
a problem with it, then spit it out and be done with it.”

“No, no, I don’t,” he groaned and banged his head against the

open door. “I’m sorry, Cody. I haven’t been sleeping and Gabe woke
me up and I can’t get one man to even talk to me and you’ve got a
line out the door of those who want you and yeah, I guess I’m jealous.
I’m chasing after him and everyone else is chasing after you. I used to
think I was special enough to chase after.”

“You are, Nolan. If he can’t see that then fuck him. I see guys

checking you out all the time. Maybe he likes that you chase him but
if you turn the tables he’ll get real instead of playing games.”

“Yeah, maybe,” he agreed with a nod, giving me a frown. “You

know I woves you, Cody, right?”

“Woves you too, dork,” I giggled and stuck my tongue out at him

as he darted out the door.

It was a weird group of friends I was forming amongst my

coworkers, but truth be told, I wouldn’t have traded any of them in for
normal friends. The door clicked closed behind him and I lay there,

Joyee Flynn

trying to ignore the stinging of the scratches as I sucked on some
chocolate heaven.

“It’s open,” I bellowed out when the next person knocked. I heard

someone come in and gasp when they got close to me. It hurt to keep
my eyes open since I had scratches on my eyelids. That was fun. “Tell
me you have something to take away the pain, Groll?”

“You’re naked,” Belz whispered as he knelt next to me, his hand

moving between my legs. “And you’re hurt. Shit, it’s hard to focus on
anything other than you being naked when you are.”

“I forgot I even was,” I mumbled as he fondled my groin, trying to

keep in the moan of how good it felt. “I sleep naked and when I heard
a strange crying in my living room I didn’t think to get dressed first.
Belz, you have to stop. This isn’t why I called you here.”

But I wanted what he was offering. Wow, did I ever. It was why I

didn’t even open my eyes. I knew if I did and looked at his handsome
face I would melt and let him take care of me.

“You’re right, I’m sorry,” he whispered, brushing his lips over

mine. “I’ll go find this Groll. He has something for your wounds?”

“Nolan said he would send Groll over with a first-aid kit so I’m

assuming yes.”

“If he’s on his way I’ll get the cuts washed then.” Belz lifted me

into his arms, walked over to the door to my apartment, and propped
it open. Then he carried me into the bathroom and sat me on the sink.
I hissed when he turned on the light, my eyes sensitive with all the
scratches there. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I wouldn’t have thought the stupid bathroom light

would have made my eyes hurt either.”

“Keep them closed. They probably sting because the cuts have

bled into your eyes.”

“Groll can help me,” I said when he turned on the faucet. “Go

help Gabe find that damn kitten.”

Pride & Were

“He had a whole army helping him look. He asked me to tend to

you because he was worried you wouldn’t be able to with where the
cuts were.”

“Good point. Glad he found help. I voted to let the thing die in the

elevator shaft,” I grumbled, crossing my arms over my chest in a pout.

“You weren’t serious though,” he chuckled. I hissed again when

the warm washcloth touched my eyes.

“How do you know I’m not?”
“Because the man I met, who was so apologetic that he fell on me

in the pool, which was no big deal, but who was so upset about it,
wouldn’t want a kitten harmed. You have too big of a heart to really
wish anyone malice.”

I opened my mouth to argue but then shut it right back up. He had

me there.

“That’s what I thought.” He was quiet a few moments as he

tended to me. “So besides the kitten, did you like any of the other
presents?”

“I don’t like Versace,” I answered, being a brat. “But I loved the

messenger bag and the belly button ring. Not sure I’ve ever seen one
so fancy. All the food I’ve eaten was fabulous too.”

“Does that mean I’m forgiven?”
“No, but I had planned on calling you to see if we could talk

tonight. Someplace public because I don’t trust being alone with
you.”

“We’re alone right now, Cody.”
“Oh, yeah, we are,” I said nervously, squirming on the counter. I

hadn’t even realized that with everything else going on and now that
he brought it to my attention I didn’t like it.

“Fuck, I really did scare you, didn’t I? That was the last thing I

wanted, doll. I would never hurt you. I know you thought I was
kidnapping you but I swear I was just going to bring you back to my
condo above the Forum. There’s no dungeon there or anything scary.

Joyee Flynn

I wasn’t going to lock you up or tie you down. Well, maybe play with
handcuffs.”

“Mick and Cal speak very highly of you,” I hedged, deciding to be

honest with him. “They said that they understood my reaction given I
have been kidnapped twice in my life and haven’t had the best past.
But they knew that you really didn’t mean me any harm.”

“No, no I didn’t. And I can’t say I would have handled things

better in my lust-induced haze if I had known that you’d suffered like
that, but I truly didn’t mean to frighten you.” I nodded, not sure what
to say. I wanted to believe him, but only time would tell and I
wouldn’t say it when I didn’t mean it. “I know you want your
freedom with other men and I accept that as being part of who you
are. I was wondering if I might court you though.”

“A little backwards there, isn’t it?” I giggled, shaking my head.

“Sex, then gifts, then courting? Sure, why not. Traditional is boring.”

“I hope we still have sex and lots of it, but I’ve screwed up and

you’re scared of me,” he said in a husky voice, leaning forward to kiss
my neck. “I simply meant I think a night out in public, getting to
know one another, would ease your mind.”

“We could do that. I’m off tonight,” I panted as his hand ran up

my thigh.

“Cody? You here?” Groll called from the front door.
“I’ll bring him in with the medical supplies,” he said, giving me a

quick kiss before stepping out of the bathroom. I heard him walk into
my living room and greet Groll. “Do you know how to administer
first aid?”

“I can slap some cream on his cuts that will help the pain,” Groll

chuckled. “It’s not surgery.”

“Fine, thank you for coming so quickly.” I smiled as Groll stepped

into the bathroom with me, Belz hovering outside the doorway.

“I think you have an admirer,” he fake whispered. “It’s a shame

because I enjoyed our fucking when you were working.” He gave me
a wink and I bit back a smile.

Pride & Were

“Cody has made it perfectly clear that he is not off the market just

because I wish to be involved with him,” Belz bit out, a slight growl
in his voice. “Your liaisons won’t be impeded by me and will
continue as long as Cody wants them. That being said, you hurt him
and I will rip out your intestines through your mouth, wrath demon.”

It was the best possible response he could have given and I

decided to reward him. “Groll was teasing you, Belz. We’ve never
been together. He just wanted to make sure you were going to respond
the right way.”

“Oh, and did I pass?” he asked, raising an eyebrow as Groll

squirted some Neosporin on his fingers.

“I think he did.” Groll gave me a sympathetic wince. “This

shouldn’t sting but it might not feel great either.”

“Don’t worry about me.” He nodded and started slathering up my

face. “I’d say your answer was perfect enough to where I won’t ask
you to leave when Groll’s done. And I’m no longer mad about the
kitten. We all make mistakes.”

“Well then good thing I decided to go with honesty instead of

possessiveness,” Belz chuckled. “Maybe I can learn some new
tricks.” He seemed quite proud of that.

To each his own. Groll finished up and by then none of the cuts

were bleeding anymore. He helped me into my bed and said he’d
check on me later. Next thing I knew the bed dipped and Belz’s scent
filled my nostrils.

“I am sorry that the kitten hurt you. Dexx told me he didn’t think

you had any roots or a lot of happiness in your life from what he knew
about you. I figured what better gift than a kitten to show all the love I
see inside of you with. I had no clue they didn’t react well to shifters.”

“I believe you,” I whispered, moving closer to him but careful to

stay on my back. “There’s a lot you should know if we get involved
but I’m just not there yet or ready to trust you. And I’m not saying yes
to anything yet other than going out with you tonight.”

Joyee Flynn

“It’s more than I deserve and I can be as patient as you need me to

be, doll.”

“We shall see,” I yawned as I drifted off to sleep. It seemed

getting attacked by kittens was an exhausting thing. Well, all of it was
really, but time would only tell if Belz was worth it or not.

Pride & Were

Chapter 6

I woke several hours later alone in my bed. There was a note from

Belz saying he would be by to pick me up at five sharp. I glanced at
the clock and my chin just about hit my chest when I saw it was
almost four. I must have been tired! It had been a long, long time
since I’d slept away a day like that. I might work nights but I was still
up pretty early most days considering.

Apparently I had needed to get caught up on sleep.
I hopped in the shower and scrubbed everywhere. I almost didn’t

but at the last minute I decided to stretch myself out and wear the
largest plug I had. Glancing back at the note when I was done, I saw
he had specified we were going to dinner and a show, though he
didn’t mention which ones. I could work with that.

I threw on my nicest pair of jeans, dress shoes, and a button-up

shirt that was flattering without being too sexy. Then I styled my hair,
put on the finishing touches before stuffing my pockets with what I
would need. Last but not least, I grabbed the cologne Belz had gotten
me that I loved from one of the presents. I still had a bunch more to
open and I swore I would get to those tomorrow along with returning
what I didn’t like.

If I was honest with myself I could get used to being spoiled like

this.

At five sharp my buzzer went off and I flipped the switch to talk,

saying I’d be right down. I darted out the door, locking up my
apartment, and caught the elevator downstairs. Belz was waiting at
the door and I smiled at him.

Joyee Flynn

“You look simply ravishing, doll,” he greeted me, as I stood on

my toes to give him a kiss. “I’d like nothing more than to take you
back upstairs and feast on your body all night.”

“Maybe later,” I chuckled. “I’m excited to see what you have

planned given it was such short notice.”

“I am not a man without means,” he informed me as he held open

the car door for me. I slid inside, Belz getting in after me before the
driver locked the doors and pulled away. The second Belz had the
partition up so the driver couldn’t see or hear what we were doing he
pulled me onto his lap. “They look better but I am shocked they are
still there at all.”

“I heal almost human slow. Shifters and paranormals get outed

because they do things that aren’t humanlike. Some of us whose
species have been around the longest have adapted to make sure we
don’t stand out.”

“How long has your species been around, Cody?” he asked firmly

as he inspected my face.

“How long has yours?” I snapped, letting him see the anger in my

eyes. “I’m not sure that’s suitable first-date conversation, Belz. I
thought you promised you were going to be patient.”

“Wow,” he whispered, his eyes wide as he removed his hand off

my face. “Either you really don’t want to be here tonight and you’re
only giving me this chance to appease your friends and so I can fail it.
Or there is something you really feel the need to hide from me. This
isn’t the first time you’ve freaked out about my asking what type of
shifter you are.”

“I hide it from everyone,” I sighed, sliding off his lap. “If it makes

you feel any better, hiding it keeps me safer.” He nodded, staring
down at his hands as if too scared I’d jump all over him again no
matter what he said. “Mick and Cal told me people try to use you for
your wealth and power. That they pretend to feel more for you
because you have something they want. I know what that’s like, Belz,
and I’m not rich.”

Pride & Were

“Your animal is that rare,” he mumbled with another nod. “I get it.

I do.” The car pulled up at the MGM Grand and he turned to me
instead of opening the door. “Is this date a setup, Cody? Are you just
here so you have ammo against your friends who know me and want
you to give me a chance?”

“No, I swear that’s not why I agreed to come with you tonight.” I

gave him a soft smile and placed my hand on his arm. “I felt
something between us. You just went bat shit crazy before we could
explore it. You’ve kept this in public so I feel safe and I want to get to
know you. That’s all that’s on my agenda.” I flinched when I realized
something else and he caught it.

“Tell me. Don’t lead me on if you know this isn’t what you want,”

he growled as he pulled me closer. “I want you for the long haul,
Cody. I know this already. Leading me on is just mean and you’re not
a mean person.”

“Nothing like that,” I gasped, shocked at the intensity of his

reaction. “I just was thinking that I put in a butt plug when I showered
so that might not be all that was on my agenda. But I wasn’t sure if
there was really a need or not for it tonight.”

“You haven’t decided yet if you’re going to sleep with me after

the date?” he purred as he slid out of the car.

“No, I haven’t,” I answered as I stepped out onto the curb. “I told

you, best sex of my life isn’t worth bat shit crazy. So no more sex
until I know you won’t go postal on me and try to take over my life
and shit again. Until then, this is a sex-free date and I’m a sex-free
zone to you.”

“I kind of assumed that’s the way things were right now but

hearing you say it so bluntly just hurts,” he grumbled as he moved his
hand to my lower back and led me towards the man holding open the
door. “I’m crazy. I won’t deny that but no more crazy than anyone
else. I believe sanity is just an illusion.”

“I tend to agree,” I giggled as I gestured to the lion habitat in the

lobby of the hotel. “Besides, we live in Vegas. Normal doesn’t sell.”

Joyee Flynn

“Touché, doll. Touché.” Belz led me to the fancy restaurant I’d

heard about that the MGM Grand had, Craftsteak.

“You really are good at spoiling someone,” I chuckled as he

pulled out my chair for me after we were led to our table by the
hostess.

“Only if they’re worth spoiling,” he purred, eyeing me over as if I

was on the menu. “And you’re definitely worth it.”

“Answer me one thing that’s been bothering me and I promise to

relax and let you spoil me tonight, woo me.” I waited until he nodded
to continue. “Did you talk to Dexx about staying away from me? He
canceled on me last night.” Belz’s eyes flashed shock as he blinked a
few times.

“I swear I did not. We had a conversation about how I messed up

and what I felt for you already but I said nothing about you being
mine. He met you first and he gave me the okay to pursue you as is
the guy code.”

I studied him for a moment, reading his expression. Either he was

telling the truth or Belz was an Oscar-worthy actor. I went with the
first. “I believe you.”

“Dexx is a good guy, great friend, but he tends to get distracted,”

Belz hinted. “He doesn’t like complications which I think he told you.
He probably saw my interest in you as complicating things and if
that’s what happened I apologize if it upset you.” I nodded that I
understood. “That being said, I’ve not made it a secret that I don’t
want to share you so I’m not sorry to see he stepped out of the
running for your limited time.”

“Nicely added,” I teased.
“Thank you. I’m quite good at being the diplomat after years of

dealing with so many spoiled, rich people.”

“Yeah, I didn’t know you owned Caesars Forum until Cal told me

when I was shocked you had all the presents delivered.”

“Did you like them? I saw some weren’t opened yet.”

Pride & Were

“I liked most of what I opened,” I hedged, deciding to be honest.

“It was overwhelming, Belz. You went a little overboard and I needed
to take a step back. I apologize for not handling it better and letting
you know right away that I was touched by your kindness and
generosity, but it was more gifts than I’ve gotten in a century all at
one time. It was too much for me to handle.”

“That’s not what I wanted,” he sighed. “I simply wanted to show

you that I did notice a lot about you and it wasn’t simply about sex to
me.”

“I did get that.” And that was the reason he got another chance to

take me out to dinner. I just hoped he didn’t blow it or I made the
wrong decision.

I smiled at him as the waiter came and asked what we wanted to

drink. Belz ordered an expensive wine that would go well with steak
since that’s what the place was known for. I glanced over the menu,
not sure what all of it was but not really caring. I mean, steak is steak,
and even bad steak is still as good as a burger. But great steak is
orgasmic. So can’t really go wrong then.

“How would you like that cooked, sir?” the waiter asked me after

I told him what I wanted.

“So rare it might still have a moo or two left it in,” I answered

with a bright smile. The guy blinked at me in shock a few times
before nodding and taking Belz’s order. When he was done the guy
gave me another funny look before walking back towards the kitchen.

“Another moo or two left in it?” Belz asked, smirking as if trying

not to laugh.

“You know I’m a predator if the kitten freaked out. Animals don’t

normally stop to cook their food, Belz. I have an ironclad stomach.”

“Right, okay,” he mumbled and then reached for his water. I gave

him a funny look and he shook his head. “You’re going to get mad.”

“Tell me anyways because I don’t like secrets,” I drawled, not

sure where this was going.

Joyee Flynn

“It’s not my fault I’m so curious about what kind of shifter you

are,” he hissed under his breath. “You allude to it but yet hide it like
it’s the biggest secret since who killed Kennedy. And yet I’m just
supposed to not wonder? Now you’ve got an ironclad stomach and
wow, it’s just like this is my punishment for being an ass the other
night that you’re going to tease me forever but not tell me.”

I opened my mouth to reply and then shut it. Then I tried again to

come up with a response and had nothing. It took me a few more tries
before I settled on the simplest response I had. “I’m sorry, Belz.”

“Wait, what are you sorry for?” he asked hesitantly as if having to

change what he thought he was going to have to say to my reply.

“I’m sorry for being a tease like that. I didn’t realize how it would

seem from your side and you’re right. But I swear I wasn’t doing it on
purpose as a punishment or something. I’m just not very good with
people.”

“Cody, forgive me for finding that hard to believe, but everyone

around you adores you always. You have friends, a line of men who
want you out the door, and no one I know who knows you has an ill
word to say about you.”

“I’m good with small talk,” I explained after a moment. “I’ve

been working with those guys for a few months and none of them
even knew if I had any family until yesterday. I keep to myself and
talk about music, the entertainment for the night, if tips are good, and
I ask a lot of questions because people like to talk about themselves. I
shut down or come up with a reason to go if someone starts asking
about me.”

“Ah.”
“Yeah, so with you when you ask the questions I haven’t been

really in a position to just make an excuse and jet. Like you were
holding on to me in the pool. And then today, I don’t know. I think
you got through some of my walls by darting over to my place this
morning. I mean, you had to know the kitten didn’t kill me, but you
were genuinely concerned. Then you took a nap with me, no sex,

Pride & Were

nothing in it for you, but it was about me. So I guess I’m starting to
trust you and not watching what I say.”

“I was very concerned when you called,” Belz said gently,

reaching out to take my hand. “I was in a meeting but I ignored it
because I was thrilled you were actually calling me. And then when I
answered and you were upset, hurt even, I rescheduled the meeting
and came right over.”

“You didn’t have to do that for me,” I whispered, in awe that

someone cared enough to drop what they were doing like that.

“You’re more than worth it to me, doll.” He lifted my hand to his

lips and just the soft brush of them made me shiver.

“Dinosaur,” I blurted out quietly. His eyes went wide as his other

hand moved to cover mine when I tried to pull it away.

“I can see why that wouldn’t be something you’d tell a lot of

people,” he agreed, clearing his throat. I was glad he didn’t even
pretend that he didn’t know what I was talking about or play stupid. I
hated when people got a secret out of me and then basically gloated
about it.

“Did I do the wrong thing by telling you?” I whispered, glancing

at him through my lashes. I was scared of his answer, though if I was
honest with myself, there was no way that if he had nefarious
purposes he’d actually tell me of them.

“No, no, my dear Cody, you didn’t.” He kissed my hand one more

time before letting it go. “It matters not to me what you are besides
I’ll have to make sure to feed you more often and keep a better look
out for those who might want to take you from me.”

“I hope that’s the truth,” I said under my breath as our waiter

brought our food. I saw Belz’s eyes flash with hurt before he gave me
a sad smile. I wasn’t trying to be a jerk or rub in the fact that we
didn’t know each other very well. But he needed to understand that I
was taking a huge leap of faith here by trusting him.

Joyee Flynn

We dug into our food and I didn’t realize that I was being a little

overzealous in my eating until Belz cleared his throat. “I take it you
like the steak?”

“It’s awesome.” I glanced at his eyes and did a double take at the

heat and lust I was seeing in them just for me. “There’s nothing better
than a great steak.”

“Apparently,” someone joked from the next table over. I looked

towards them and saw half the restaurant was staring at me.

“Oh god, shoot me now,” I groaned as I sank a bit in my chair as

my cheeks heated up. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

“Embarrassment is not what I’m feeling towards you right now,

doll,” Belz chuckled and gave me a wink. “If you keep making noises
like that I must warn you that we might miss the show because I’m
begging you to rent a room instead.”

When I saw he really wasn’t upset with me causing a scene I

decided to go with a playful response. “Or maybe just a dark corner
before the show so I can thank you for spoiling me.” I gave him an
evil grin when he choked on the wine he was drinking.

“Eat faster,” he growled when he recovered.
“But I don’t want to rush such a wonderful steak.” I batted my

eyelashes at him as I stuffed a large piece in my mouth.

“I’ll hire the chef for his off night to make you all the steaks you

want.”

“I was just teasing, Belz,” I whispered when I was done chewing

and swallowing. “I’m not high-maintenance. I liked you before I
knew you even had money.”

“I know, which is why I enjoy being good to you. You don’t

expect it or want to use me for it.”

“You’re more than your money.” I saw the smile on his lips as we

kept eating, knowing that was a hard topic for him. I was glad we got
it out of the way though.

When we were done and the check was paid, Belz practically

dragged me out of the restaurant. I laughed like a loon at his antics.

Pride & Were

He found a part of the casino no one was using, waiting to open it
until they got busier that night or during the weekend. Then he led me
into one of the bathrooms there and locked the door behind us.

“If you don’t want this, say no now,” he growled as he stalked

towards me. “I find I have little to no restraint with you and I don’t
want to screw up again.”

“The only way you could screw this up is by not kissing me first

when you say this is more to you than just sex.” He flinched and
stopped coming closer when he was still a few feet away from me.

“I didn’t even realize that I hadn’t kissed you before we fucked

until you said that. My god, I’ve been a cad. I don’t know how that
happened, Cody, but I’m sorry. Something about you overrules all my
senses. My mind goes straight to being connected to you and burying
myself into your perfect ass.”

“No need to be sorry,” I said gently as I closed the distance

between us. “I was just explaining why your words were so confusing
to me. You made it sound like fucking me was a life-altering moment
and you hadn’t even kissed me.”

“It was but I can see how that would confuse you.” He reached for

me, moving his hand behind my head and leaning over. “My sweet,
sweet date, may I kiss you until we both melt into the floor?”

“Yes please,” I whimpered. He slowly lowered his lips to mine,

giving me a soft, quick kiss. Then after a few of those, he mashed our
mouths together and thrust his tongue past my lips. I moaned and
opened for him, throwing my arms around his neck as he lifted me up.
He kept one hand behind my head as the other moved under my ass
and held my weight.

This was what I wanted from him to let me know it was more than

just fucking. This was the connection that changed my life. Kissing
Belz was like coming home to chocolate and ice cream and lots of
naked men… But better. We fit in a way that I never had with another
man.

Joyee Flynn

“Melted. Fuck me,” I begged against his lips. “Fuck me so I

squirm in my seat as we watch the show and it turns you on so you
have to fuck me again when you take me home.”

“With pleasure,” he growled. He lowered me to my feet and I

quickly stripped off my clothes, not caring where they landed.

“No, leave all your clothes on but just pull your slacks down a bit

so the zipper doesn’t hurt me,” I ordered when he went to take off his
shirt. “There’s something erotic about my being completely naked
while you’re dressed.”

“I agree.” Belz eyed me over and moaned. In a flash I was up in

his arms again, the plug being pulled from my ass. “I love that you’re
not a sub. I change my request for you to be one. I’ve never had more
fun with a date than I have tonight and I like that you give tit for tat.”

“I’m glad,” I gasped as the head of his cock found my hole. “I will

submit to you in bed, but there’s nothing submissive about me, Belz. I
want a partner if I’m going to stop playing the field, not a master.”

“Does that mean you’ll stop playing the field while we see what’s

between us?” he asked hopefully.

“Yes, but we need to go over rules later. Fuck now, talk after the

show.”

“Deal.”
I cried out as he slammed inside of me, his cock still bigger than

the large plug I had used. I held on to him, burying my face in his
neck as he lifted and lowered me, giving me so much pleasure it was
like a dance we had perfected. Then he moved me against the wall of
the bathroom and held my hands over my head as he thrust into my
willing body.

“Jesus, you are so fucking perfect,” he moaned against my lips.

We kissed passionately, with tongue and teeth while he fucked me
silly.

“Gonna come,” I warned.
“Fine, but you’re coming again when I do.”

Pride & Were

“I’ve never been with someone who could fuck for so long at such

a pace,” I praised.

“You should see what I can do if I get a second round,” he

growled. I cried out as I came, the images he was giving me too much
to hold back. Belz never slowed down, slamming into my body as the
walls of my ass spasmed with my orgasm.

“Fill me with your cum and put the plug back in me,” I

whimpered as my climax started to ebb. His eyes went wide and he
roared out my name and exploded inside of me. I moaned as his
mouth found mine and we rode the waves of his orgasm together. I
loved the feeling of a partner filling me with his seed.

“I wasn’t ready for you to say that. I lost all control and

endurance,” he panted when he was spent.

“That was the point,” I teased and the groaned as he pulled out of

me.

“Does that mean I can’t leave my seed in you?” He picked up the

plug that he’d set on the sink and glanced between it and me.

“Oh no, you totally do. But I meant to make you come all of a

sudden. And I want what I said,” I replied with a giggle. Just to prove
my point I bent over and stuck my ass out towards him. “Stick it in,
Belz.”

“You’re going to be the death of me.”
“Not tonight,” I whimpered as he slowly pushed the plug into me.

“We have tickets. How long until the show starts? And what are we
seeing?”

“KÀ by Cirque du Soleil,” he answered once it was in me. He

handed me my jeans and checked his watch. “We have fifteen
minutes.”

“Better get a rush on then. I’ve always wanted to see a Cirque du

Soleil show.” I gave him a wink and then moaned, grabbing onto the
edge of the sink when my jeans hit the plug. “Wow. This might be a
little harder to concentrate than I had thought.”

Joyee Flynn

“Was I too rough?” he asked, concern in his expression as he

glanced at my hole. “You said you wanted me to pound into you.”

“I did and I loved it,” I assured him. “Just with the plug in after a

rough ride and your cum in there, I’m like vibrating with need again.”
I gestured to my hard, leaking cock. “I’m not even sure how I’m
going to get that back in my jeans.”

“The shows never start on time,” he purred and dropped to his

knees. “Let me help my date with what he needs.” I squeaked as he
took me into his mouth. Oh fuck, he was just as good at sucking cock
as he was at fucking me stupid.

When he took care of my problem, we got dressed, and made it to

our seats with a couple of minutes to spare. It was turning out to be
the best date of my life. I snuggled up to Belz as he wrapped an arm
around me as the lights went down. I really could get used to being
happy like this.

Pride & Were

Chapter 7

The show was amazing. There were people jumping and flying all

over the place in ways I didn’t even think possible. Granted, some of
the performers were paranormals, so that probably helped but the
humans in the audience didn’t know that. Either way, I was impressed
at how the people in the show got their bodies to move.

“Did you watch any of it?” I teased Belz when it was over. “Or

did you just grope me and try to get me hard?”

“You were hard, doll,” he chuckled. “I caught most of it but I’ve

seen it before. I’ve never seen you watching it before and that was as
amazing as what was happening on stage. Your eyes lit up and you
were even more breathtaking.”

“And that made you want to stick your hand between my legs?” I

laughed when he nodded, slipping my hand in his as I moved along
the stairs to the exits. I smelled something familiar and flinched. “We
might have a problem.”

“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know yet.” I followed the scent and sure enough I wished

I hadn’t.

“I know what you are, Cody,” Ken, a werewolf I knew, hissed at

me. “Don’t start anything and I won’t out you.”

“And I know what you are, Ken. Don’t forget which of us can eat

the other,” I whispered as I moved Belz behind me. Silly move since
the man towered over me, but I was trying to tell him not to get
involved.

Joyee Flynn

“Frank is still looking for you. Won’t he be interested to know I

saw you.” Ken’s eyes lit up at the idea. I groaned when I saw Dexx
move closer and wrap his arm around Ken.

“You guys know each other?” Dexx asked me, surprise apparent

in his tone.

“Yes, well enough that I know you deserve much better than this

piece of shit,” I blurted out. Dexx’s eyes went wide as he glanced
between me and his date. “This isn’t a jealous thing. You’re a good
guy, Dexx, and I know Ken always has an agenda.”

“Ken?” Dexx growled, staring at the wolf. “Your name is really

Ken?”

“You’re dead meat, Cody. I’m telling Frank where you are and

he’ll fly right out to finish his experiments on you.” Ken ducked away
from us and with the crowd that was leaving the theater, he
disappeared.

“Shit, that was stupid,” I sighed, rubbing my hands over my face.

“Shit, shit, shit!”

“Let’s get you back to the club. I have a feeling your friends

would want to know trouble is starting,” Belz said quietly. “Dexx, if
you could join us please?”

“Yeah, of course. I’m just really confused here, guys.”
“As am I,” Belz agreed. I didn’t say a word as he led me towards

the front of the MGM Grand while calling for his car. Dexx flanked
the other side of me, keeping a lookout. I was lost in my own little
world mostly.

It made sense given I’d just rattled the hornet’s nest and now had

to wait to be stung by it.

Belz got us in the car and I didn’t realize I was shaking until he

pulled me onto his lap. “I’m so sorry, Dexx. I didn’t mean to blurt that
out. I should have handled that better. Ken’s an ass and I didn’t want
him to use you for whatever he wanted. He’s not a nice person.”

“I believe you, Cody. I’m glad you told me but I’m sorry you’re

so upset. Whatever just happened we’ll keep you safe.”

Pride & Were

“People keep making me that promise but you guys really

shouldn’t because it might not be one you can keep,” I whispered as I
wiped my eyes. “I think it’s time I pack up and run again.”

“What? No!” they both exclaimed.
“People get hurt around me when others figure out what I am or

find me,” I explained, my tone sounding desperate.

“I’m calling Beck,” Belz muttered as he wrapped his free arm

around me once he dialed. “Beck, Cody’s in danger. We’re on the
way but I suggest you round up the troops.”

“Didn’t you hear me?” I growled, shoving at him. “I don’t want

others involved in this. They want me. If I leave no one will be in
danger.”

“Did you hear us?” Dexx shot right back. “We protect our own

and I know your friends feel the same. You’re not running. We have a
better chance fighting whatever is going on together than you on your
own.”

“You can’t make me stay,” I hissed. “I won’t let you guys get hurt

because of me.”

“Actually, we can,” Dexx growled, power flaring in his eyes.

“Envy demons can knock people out with just a touch. So don’t make
me use it on you because I won’t let you be a martyr when you just
saved my ass from whatever Ken, or Bill as he told me, was up to.”

“You’re hot when you’re pissed,” I grumbled as I sat back against

Belz’s chest.

“Then you should think I’m fucking gorgeous right now,” Belz

bitched in my ear. “But you can’t see me right now and I doubt I’d get
away with saying what Dexx is because I’m not your friend, but the
man who wants to be your lover.”

“You are my lover and I actually went out on a date with you,” I

admitted with a sigh. “I’d be just as pissed with you as I was with
Dexx.”

“But you’d cut me off and not see me again if I’d been the one to

say it.”

Joyee Flynn

“I don’t know and I can’t think in what ifs right now. My head

fucking hurts,” I muttered as I rubbed my temples. “I was finally
starting to be happy and come out of my shell, make friends. Now I
remember why I never do that.”

“Because you don’t let your friends be your friends?” Dexx asked

with a snarky tone as the car stopped.

“You don’t know what you’re dealing with here, Dexx, so don’t

judge,” I snapped as I got out of the car. I didn’t wait to see if anyone
followed me, storming into the club. I wanted to hit the envy demon
who was my friend when I saw most of the owners and security
gathered. “False alarm. You guys have other things you need to be
doing. It’s no big deal.”

“You big fat liar,” Dexx shouted from behind me. “Tell us what’s

going on and why you said it was time for you to run.”

“Cody? Is that true? What’s going on?” Mick asked me gently as

he moved to me and put his hands on my shoulders. “Talk to us.”

“That guy I dated, Frank, the one who was doing tests on me in

my sleep and locked me up when I realized what was going on. One
of his pack, Ken, was out with Dexx tonight. We bumped into them
when we got out of a show and I busted him. He’s pissed and said
he’s going to tell Frank where I am. They’ll come for me, Mick. You
don’t want that. I quit, okay? I’m going to pack a bag and get on a
plane.”

“No,” Belz snarled and grabbed my arm, forcing me to face him.

“No fucking way, Cody. We can take on some werewolves. Everyone
here cares for you and won’t leave you alone to handle this.”

“Don’t you get it?” I shouted and shoved away from him. “I’m a

fucking tyrannosaurus shifter, Belz. I’m one of the few shifters who
are actually immortal. There are humans who know about us that
would want me in their labs again. There are demons who want me to
use me as a stage prop or magical illusion.

“There are shifters who want me to figure out how I’m immortal.

And then there are humans who are completely oblivious to what I am

Pride & Were

and just want me as their bottom boy pet. Either way, there’s always
someone who will come for me and wants me to be kept in a cage.”

“You’re a dinosaur shifter?” Dexx whispered, his eyes going

wide. “Holy shit, Cody.”

“Yeah, that about sums it up. That’s why I never stay anywhere

more than a year,” I grumbled as I reached behind the bar and
grabbed a bottle of rum. I took a long swig and plopped down on the
bar, swinging my feet like a lost kid. “You guys really don’t want any
part of this. Once someone finds me, then others will too. I’ve had fun
here but it’s time for me to go.”

“Bullshit,” Gabe yelled as he stomped his foot and moved in front

of me. “I’m sorry you haven’t had friends who’d stick up for you
before, but you do now. No running, Cody.”

“Gabe, don’t do this,” I whispered, my eyes burning with tears.

“It’s too much to dump on you guys. You have a family here. I won’t
ruin that. Hell, you’re mated, Gabe. Think of Corrie!”

“I am thinking of Corrie,” he said gently, patting my knee. “What

would I tell my daughter happened to her Uncle Cody as she calls
you? What kind of man would I be if I answered her that we let you
run because we didn’t stand at your side? We trust and care enough
about you to let you babysit our daughter, Cody. You think we
wouldn’t be with you now? You’re like her favorite sitter because you
sing to her, but it’s not words.”

“Yeah, we still can’t figure out what you were doing but she still

talks about it,” Cal chuckled. “Well, she talks in Gabe’s head about
it.”

“It’s not singing really,” I admitted with a blush. “I forgot she

could snitch on me when I did it. It’s how dinosaurs communicate.”

“Like mating calls?” Gabe asked, raising an eyebrow.
“No, it’s chirps for different things,” I answered, shaking my

head. I cleared my throat and let out a series of chirps that echoed
around the club. “It’s a little different when I’m a few tons and have
bigger vocal cords, but basically that’s what my mom used to do

Joyee Flynn

when dinner was ready. This is the one that Corrie loves.” I did a
different bunch of chirps and blushed. “Um, well, they don’t really
translate to English.”

“What is the closest translation it gets to English?” Cal asked with

a smirk.

“Get your ass in bed and go to sleep before I eat you?” I giggled,

taking another swig of rum. “My mom used to do that when we
wouldn’t sleep and then would nip our tails.”

“You guys spent a lot of time in animal form?” Nolan asked

curiously as he tried to take the bottle from me. I stuck out my tongue
at him and wrapped my arms around it. It was about as good of a time
as any to get drunk.

“I was the youngest of three, and I was born in the early 1600s.

There was still shit loads of land that hadn’t been discovered. There
weren’t satellites or censuses to keep tabs on people. We moved a lot
in animal form because it was easier to hunt and eat, carry all of our
stuff on our backs like nothing. We were nomads.”

“Then things changed?” Belz hopped on the bar next to me and I

offered him a drink. He smiled and took it but then tried to keep the
bottle.

“Give it back or no more of my ass,” I threatened, smiling when

the bottle was instantly returned. “Yeah, things changed. We had to
spend most of our time in human form. My sister died in an accident,
trampled by some horses. We might be able to live forever, but we’re
not indestructible. Then my brother mated and moved away. He
ended up dying in a plane crash. And I told you guys about my mom.
So it’s just me. I don’t know of any other dinosaur shifters.”

Everyone was quiet a few moments, letting all of this sink in.
“She really calls me Uncle Cody in your head?” I asked, knowing

I wasn’t phrasing that right. Corrie was only a few months old so she
couldn’t speak. But since she was a sprite like Gabe, they could
communicate telepathically. What that all entailed was a mystery to
me.

Pride & Were

“She really does,” Gabe answered with a smile. “She knows

you’re family, Cody. Don’t make me explain to my daughter why you
ran from us.”

“Don’t make me stay and be the reason she gets hurt,” I choked

out, setting down the bottle and covering my hands over my face as I
started to sob. “My life isn’t worth hers, Gabe. If you guys can handle
the wolves, there’s no telling who will come for me next. You can’t
fight the US government and that’s who held me for a decade.”

“Yes we can,” Beck growled and smacked my leg. “We’re friends

with the head of the Las Vegas police department, Cody. His wife is a
shifter. Hell, the Governor of Nevada is a demon.”

“Really?” I sniffled, wiping my eyes and staring at him in shock.

“You’re shitting me.”

“No, it’s the truth. You picked the right place to hide this time,

buddy,” Mick said with a bright smile. “Half the residents of Vegas
are one type of paranormal or another. Why do you think this town is
so damn crazy?”

“I’m not going to win this fight, am I?” I glanced around the

room, seeing all the determined faces. Faces of people who truly
cared for me and what happened to me.

“No, you’re stuck with us,” Dexx chuckled and then smiled

widely. “Isn’t the head of the police department’s wife a wolf?”

“Yes, yes she is,” Cal agreed with an evil smirk. “I know who

we’re calling first.”

“Thank you,” I whispered as Belz wrapped his arms around me.

“Thank you so much. I’ve wanted a home for the longest time.”

“Now that we’ve got that settled, let’s get you to bed while they

figure out a plan,” Belz said gently.

“Only if bed is code for fucking me the rest of the night,” I agreed

as I hopped off the bar. I heard a few chuckles and coughs, smiling
widely. “I said I’m staying, not changing my ways. I like sex.”

“Sweetie, you couldn’t have picked a better group of friends given

that fact,” Mick teased, bumping my fist.

Joyee Flynn

Amen to that.

Pride & Were

Chapter 8

“How come no one’s here?” I asked, being vague inadvertently

because of my buzz. Luckily Beck figured out what I was referring to
and gave a snort.

“Are you kidding me? I told them that you were in trouble and

they kicked everyone out. They made up some shit about a pipe
bursting and sent everyone with vouchers over to Anything Goes
along with the bartenders and waitstaff to help out.”

“Really?” I whispered, staring at the owners that were there. “You

did that for me?”

“Yeah, not sure why,” Cal teased. “It’s like we like you or

something. Weird, huh? I mean, why would we like some pint-size
shifter with green-tipped hair?”

“Smart. Ass,” I playfully griped and elbowed him. “You just like

my sexy ass.”

“He does, but it’s also that you babysit, let him feed lust off the

people you play with, bring him horny men, and let him watch.” Gabe
gave me a bright smile and then a hug. He was cool with me doing all
of that, even though Cal was his mate. Sprites were the biggest
voyeurs or something and while Cal wouldn’t share Gabe, Gabe was
all about his mate playing. As long as Cal didn’t keep playing with
the same people and it crossed over into “affair” status, Gabe was
happy.

Go figure. To each their own and all that. I wasn’t sure I’d be so

cool about it but I had kinks of my own that I was sure not everyone
understood. I liked to be watched as much as Gabe liked to watch.

Joyee Flynn

Maybe that’s why Gabe and I got along like bread and butter? We
were yin friend to the other’s yang.

“I thank you for helping Cody and your concern for him,” Belz

said, the depth of his relief and emotions apparent in his tone. “I
understand you have an anniversary coming up. I’d like nothing more
than to give you a relaxing day at any of the Forum’s spas while Cody
and I babysit the lovely Corrie.”

“Oh, I like you,” Gabe giggled, standing on his toes and giving

Belz a quick kiss. I growled and everyone turned towards me.

“I have no idea what that was,” I gasped, my eyes practically

bugging out of my head. They all kept staring at me and I started
backing away from them towards the elevator. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay, Cody. You’ve picked a mate.” Gabe winked at me and

gave a good-natured shrug. “If he makes you happy then I’m thrilled.”

“Mate?” I squeaked. I had enough on my shoulders and too much

booze to be able to handle this one. Turning on my heel, I fled. I
slapped the button for the elevator, debating if I should just use the
stairs when strong arms wrapped around me and lifted me into the air.

“I’m not letting you run again,” Belz growled as he buried his face

in my neck and inhaled deeply. “Not when I plan on eating you up
once we get to your apartment.”

“I can’t handle the idea of mating, Belz.” It was probably a shitty

thing to say, and while I was a commitment phobe, that wasn’t what
this was. My life was on the cusp of falling apart… Bringing another
person into it wasn’t what was best for either of us right then.

“Then don’t.” I glanced up at him, relaxing when I saw

understanding in his indigo-blue eyes. He stepped on the elevator and
hit the button to my floor. “Right now we’re going to have wild sex to
wrap up the best date of my life, even with the unexpected drama.
Then you’re going to drift off in my arms, knowing I’d give anything
to keep you safe, so you’ll get the rest you need. In the morning we’ll
go through the presents and deem what you want to keep.”

Pride & Were

“You have a plan,” I mumbled, going over it in my head. For

whatever reason, Belz having a reasonable, desirable plan made me
relax some. “We have a plan. Nothing can be too much or scary when
there’s a plan.”

“No, it can’t,” he agreed. I handed him my keys when the elevator

stopped and he shifted my body so I was wrapped around him. I clung
to him tightly, trying my best to hold on. “Would it be too much to
ask why you’re scared? I’m not judging or looking down at you in
any way for being scared, Cody. It’s a natural response to stress, but I
would have thought you would feel better after talking with your
friends and realizing they were all on your side.”

I didn’t say anything at first, trying to gather my thoughts and

come up with the answer. It was a good question and I had so much
swirling inside of me I couldn’t settle on any one thought. Belz
opened the door to my apartment, carrying me inside before locking it
all back up and setting my keys on the table by the door. Then he
moved into my tiny kitchen, setting me on the counter before
grabbing me a Coke.

At first I fidgeted with it in my hands, staring at the comforting

sight as if it would give me the answers. But then I realized why I was
so scared and I needed something to drink. I popped the top and
downed about half of it before setting it down. He stared at me, not in
that impatient way like he was waiting for an answer, simply letting
me know he was there and concerned. I opened my mouth to tell him
what I’d figured out and instead let loose a burp of epic proportions.

“That’s your answer?” he teased when I was done.
“Apparently,” I drawled, rolling my eyes as I slid off the counter.

I glanced at him and our eyes met. Next thing I knew we were both
laughing so hard that we were holding on to the fridge to keep from
falling over. We were still getting the last of it out of our systems
when we made our way into my bedroom, hanging up our nice clothes
as we got undressed.

Joyee Flynn

“We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to,” Belz said

gently. I shook my head and kept my back to him. Maybe it would be
easier to say if I wasn’t looking at him.

“I’ve never fought before. I was raised that it was a fight we could

never win and to run. So that’s what I’ve always done, for centuries
now. Sure, I’ve fought bears in my animal form, other shifters, even a
shark once when the bastard tried biting me when I was taking a bath.
But this fight? No, I don’t even know how to start to prepare or wrap
my brain around it.”

“What else?” Belz’s tone clearly, but nicely, told me he knew

there was more. I didn’t face him, instead sitting on the side of the
bed and hanging my head. I felt his naked, warm body surround mine
from behind. His hands mapped out my skin, teasing and pushing me
to give him what he wanted. “What else is going on in that sexy brain
of yours, doll?”

“The last person I got involved with drugged me during sex and

ran tests on me. That’s who’s coming for me.” I didn’t know what
else to say, leaving it at that and letting him draw the conclusion I was
getting at.

“And now as we’re just getting involved this is dragging up so

many issues for you.”

“Yeah,” I whispered, fighting the urge to pull away.
“Well, let’s address that. And I thank you for being honest with

me and opening up about your concerns.” I smiled. He talked so
formally sometimes it cracked me up. I think when he was stressed or
not sure what to say he reverted back to the businessman persona.

“You’re very welcome. I thought it only befitting of our budding

relationship that I tell you the potential pitfalls up front.”

“Smart-ass,” he growled and moved me over his lap, slapping my

butt in the process.

“This is my kind of talking,” I moaned as he played with the plug

I still had in my ass.

Pride & Were

“One, I’m immortal,” he said, ignoring my comment but spanking

me on the number. I liked this game. “So, two, your life span doesn’t
mean anything to me other than I’ll never have to watch you die. And,
three, you’re a shifter, beyond that, the type of animal matters not to
me. Four, the Forum doesn’t really cater to the attractions and theme-
park crowd. Five, well, I don’t really have a fifth point. I just wanted
to spank you.”

“Make it up,” I begged. “I’m enjoying this.” I really didn’t have to

state it. My cock leaking on his lap was a dead giveaway I was pretty
sure.

“Six, the person you are is more important to me than what you

are. Seven, a man who has friends willing to fight for him like yours
shows me even more that you are a man of character. Eight, I love
your tight ass. Nine, your heart is so big I see it shining in your eyes
and it melts mine. Ten, can we have sex now or do I have more
concerns to address?”

“No, fuck me,” I whispered, touched at his words.
“How about I make kinky love to you and show you how much

you mean to me,” he countered as he flipped me onto the bed. I
smiled up at him and nodded. Belz mashed his mouth down to mine,
pulling out the plug without any more teasing. I moaned as his cock
pushed against my hole, already slicked up from our last time having
sex.

“You make me feel things I never thought I would again,” I

admitted as he pushed inside of me. He froze, staring down at me
before a feral smile crossed his lips. “I didn’t mean like that.”

“Oh, let my ego have the win,” he purred as he wrapped my legs

around his hips. Then he changed his mind and moved my right foot
up onto his shoulder so he could go deeper. “Feel like this?”

“Yes, but also feel as in I’m falling for you, Belz. No one has ever

stood at my side and fought to keep me when they didn’t want me for
something that they shouldn’t.”

Joyee Flynn

“It’s all part of my plan to move you into my home and my bed,”

he growled. I cried out as he thrust forcefully into me again but
slower than our previous couplings.

“Do you have any cats?” I teased. He smirked at me and snapped

his hips several times.

“No, I have a tropical fish tank. Any of them going to try and

attack you?”

“No, we should be good,” I panted. He kissed me again and took

my body places I’d never been before. When I started to peak, I
reached up and grabbed the headboard, needing the feeling of being
grounded so I didn’t float away with what he was doing to me. I
screamed out his name as Belz nipped my shoulder, asking in the
most primal way that I submit to his wants.

I couldn’t have been more thrilled which shocked me down to my

core. In my heart, I knew Belz had just officially taken me off the
market. I was his. And he was mine.

“Sweet heaven,” he grunted as he filled me with his seed. I

collapsed against the bed when we were spent, melting as the
aftereffects of my orgasm made me feel limp. “Cody, you broke the
headboard.”

I felt my eyes go wide as I tilted my neck and glanced at my

hands. Then I let go and sure enough the wooden headboard fell
behind the bed. “Proof of a job well done on your part. I didn’t even
realize it.”

“I’m always available for such a service,” he purred, leaving

gentle kisses on my face as he pulled out of me. I smiled when he
rolled out of bed and padded to my bathroom, gloriously naked. The
man was fine with a capital F and I enjoyed having a front-row seat to
such a sight.

Belz smiled like a man happily sated as he got back into bed. He

moved to clean me up, tossing the towel onto the floor when he was
done. I lifted the covers and crawled underneath, staring at him and
letting him know he was invited.

Pride & Were

“I’ll convince you that this is real and we belong together, baby. I

swear it,” he whispered as I curled around him. I smiled against his
chest, hoping he really could. I wanted what he offered and the more I
got to know and spent time with him, now that we were over our little
hiccup… I wanted it all with him.

* * * *

The next week was wonderful. When I wasn’t working, Belz and I

got to know each other better. He gave me a tour of Caesars Forum,
showing me off as his man. We hung out with Dexx at the pool,
having told him that I was trying to have something real with Belz
and his saying he was happy for us. Belz showed me some of the
coolest places in Vegas. Either the man was really Don Juan in a
previous life, or he was giving me his A game. It didn’t matter to me
if we spent time simply watching movies and eating takeout, I just
wanted to be with him.

That didn’t mean I wasn’t soaking up the attention and lavish

treatment. Hell, I was only a man after all. Who wouldn’t want to be
spoiled?

When I was working, Belz sat at the bar, talking with the owners

and having a good time until my break. Then he was all about putting
on a show. Granted, I knew he wanted as many people as possible to
see us together. He liked the attention, but I knew it was also about
putting a claim on me. I was cool with it though. Which shocked the
shit out of me because I’d never been into possessive men. But with
Belz, it was different. He wasn’t controlling or a jerk about it. And he
didn’t try to get me on a leash.

He just wanted to show off the hottie he snagged as he told me

most nights. I’d never been someone’s hottie before. I kind of liked it.

All the fun and attention almost distracted me from the worries I

had. Almost.

And it all came to a head at the worst possible time.

Joyee Flynn

I was playing on the floor of the club with Corrie while Gabe and

Cal ran out to grab some food for all of us. I offered to come in to
help since they were testing out some new lighting setup for the show
that was going on that night. It was going to be hot. Some fae who
performed really hard-core BDSM scenes were coming in. Even I was
drawn to them as a shifter and I thought it would bring in a big crowd.

Nolan was helping bring in an order of alcohol along with the

bartenders on that night. We were set to open in a couple of hours, so
it was really business as usual… Until I smelled a scent I had wished
to never breathe again.

“Nolan,” I growled as I lifted Corrie onto one of the booths and

moved in front of her. “We’ve got problems.”

“I don’t sense anything,” he said slowly, setting down a case of

something.

“They just pulled up.” We watched the door and moments later

when it opened I knew it was game time. I didn’t have a half-and-half
form like some shifters. But I could change my hands, eyes, and teeth
to something more than human if I wanted. I thought adjusting my
appearance would make my dislike of our guests clear. “Leave!”

“Oh, baby, you’re safe,” Frank gushed as he walked in with

another wolf.

“Come any closer and I will kill you,” I warned.
“This man doesn’t seem to be your mate,” the strange wolf said

with a sigh. He glanced from me to Nolan. “I’m sorry about this. Cal
asked me to ban him from coming to Vegas but I got word from my
chain of command that Frank had put in a claim that Cody was his
mate.”

“Bullshit,” I snarled, relaxing some and changing back when I

heard Corrie whimper. “Bram, come take Corrie and keep her safe.”
The bartender nodded and rushed over, realizing the shit was about to
hit the fan.

Pride & Were

“You cheated on me?” Frank whimpered, staring at Corrie as if he

wanted to make her lunch. I knew the game. He’d just found my
weakness. I’d do anything to protect that little girl.

“She’s not mine and we’re not mated.” I waited until Bram had

Corrie. I pointed back to the bar, wanting them close but able to take
cover. “I will eat you, Frank.”

“What have they done to you that you’re acting like this to me?”
I was done with his bullshit. I turned to the wolf I didn’t know.

“Alpha, I carry no mating marks or bites. This man is lying to you.
Cal told me he filled you in on why he wants me.”

“I know, but he pulled the mate card and I had to come

investigate,” he said sadly. “We take that very seriously, as you know.
I couldn’t deny him entry into Vegas on the basis that he said you
were kidnapped and he had a right to see for himself your condition.”

“More like he wanted you to lead him right to Cody,” Nolan

bitched. Then he moved closer to me and leaned in, talking so only I
could hear. “Cal, Beck, and Belz are on the way. All we have to do is
stall.”

“I can do one better,” I replied, an idea forming in my head. I

walked over to Frank and the Alpha. “Want me to prove we’re not
mated?”

“Yes. I have my own pack to attend to and I don’t like being a

pawn in some game,” the Alpha said darkly.

“Don’t blame me for this shit,” I snapped.
“I don’t. But I want to eat this one.” He gestured to Frank with his

thumb, clearly not buying his shit either. “How would you like to
prove you’re not his mate?”

I smiled as I stared at Frank, who was acting as if he was the

victim here. I let my hand shift into claws and quicker than they were
ready for, I moved in and decked Frank in the face. “Mates can’t hurt
each other. It’s ingrained in us down to our very core when we make
the bond between souls. If we were mated I would chew off my own
arm rather than hurt him.”

Joyee Flynn

“You’re going to pay for that, you little shit,” Frank spat, picking

himself up off the ground.

“Well isn’t that the change in attitude,” Nolan drawled. “Doesn’t

he get dead or something for lying?”

“He’s still my mate,” Frank argued, trying to salvage what he

could. “They’ve brainwashed him.”

“Bullshit,” I snarled as I shifted my hand back. “Watch him,

Nolan.” I waited until the man nodded and pulled off my shirt.
“Alpha, you may inspect me for any mating marks. Wolves, like my
kind, bite. Do you see any?”

The Alpha sighed and shook his head. “If this is the route you

choose to prove you’re not his mate, you better strip. I’ve seen some
put mating bites in different places so they can’t ever be seen by
humans accidentally.”

“I hate you, Frank.” I pulled off my lounge pants after toeing off

my flip flops. The Alpha moved closer to inspect me. I tilted my neck
one way and then the other, before he lifted each of my arms. Just as
he moved behind me and asked me to bend over to check more
intimate places, Belz walked in.

“What the fuck is going on?” Belz growled as he stormed over to

us.

“Frank went to our higher-ups and told them I was his mate,” I

explained calmly, trying not to throw fuel on the fire. “I’ve agreed to
let the Alpha inspect me for mating bites.”

“In your ass?” Belz’s eyes flashed with power. I shook my head,

praying he didn’t make things worse.

“It’s not always on the neck or shoulder,” the Alpha answered for

me. “Humans could see that if someone was shirtless. I assure you
this isn’t fun for me and I’m going to have to explain to my mate why
I smell like another man’s intimate parts.” Belz nodded, his hands
clenching in tight fists as he moved closer to me and put himself
between Frank and I. “Alright, he has no mating marks. Frank, you
have some explaining to do.”

Pride & Were

“They could have cut them off his flesh or used acid to burn them

away,” Frank argued. Man, he really just wouldn’t accept defeat on
this, would he?

“Seriously? You think that wouldn’t be apparent?”
“We heal from just about everything,” the Alpha groaned,

realizing he’d have to listen to the argument.

“What else can he do to prove he’s not Frank’s mate?” Belz

asked, pulling me into his arms the moment the Alpha stepped away.
“He’s mine.”

“I am,” I purred, rubbing myself against him. All I had wanted to

do was show him we were on the same page, and I appreciated the
support. Cal, Beck, and Gabe came racing through the front door and
Nolan and I both pointed towards the bar, knowing they’d want to see
Corrie.

“Well, the fact that he’s allowing you to touch him like that is odd

for someone who’s mated,” the Alpha hedged, rubbing his chin in
thought. It gave me an idea.

“I do more than let him touch me,” I replied as I spun in Belz’s

arms. “Gabe, cover Corrie’s eyes.” I dropped to my knees, hoping I
wasn’t scarring my niece for life, and opened Belz’s pants. “If I was
mated I couldn’t be intimate with anyone else without my mate’s
permission and not cause myself pain.”

Basically if Frank and I had brought in a third to play in our

mating it would be fine. But if a mate tried to cheat on their partner, it
would hurt them.

“I give—” Frank started to say but Nolan was there in a flash.
“Oh no you don’t,” Nolan growled and moved his hand over

Frank’s mouth. “You’re not drawing this out or making it worse for
Cody.”

“Yeah, I would just have to let Belz fuck me then,” I chuckled as I

licked the head of his cock. My man stared down at me with such lust
and anger I shivered. I knew the anger wasn’t directed at me, that he
was barely holding on to a thread to keep from killing Frank.

Joyee Flynn

Personally, I wanted to see the bastard die but not at the expense

of Belz getting in trouble with the local wolves. So instead I gave him
a world-class blow job.

“Stand,” he ordered when I was getting really into it and he was

almost ready to blow. I stared up at him with a confused look and he
nodded to do it. Letting my favorite toy slip from my mouth with
regret, I stood… And gave out a shrill yelp as he lifted me up in the
air and flipped me over.

“Warn a guy,” I moaned as he effortlessly held me upside down

so my face was back in his groin.

“Suck my cock, baby,” he growled. I took him right back into my

mouth, bracing my hands on his hips as he moved my thighs over his
shoulders. “You will not come here and try to take Cody from me.” I
gasped as he shoved a dry finger in my ass. “He is mine. He has said I
am his. And I will kill anyone who even thinks to take him from me if
he doesn’t want to go.”

“And we don’t have a council or higher-ups to keep us in line,”

Cal drawled as if this whole thing bored him. “We just have Hell. We
can go there and debate this out if you want, Frank, Alpha. We tried
to play nicely but we can do it the way of demons.”

“Let’s just make sure this doesn’t hurt Cody and I will concede

they’re not mated,” the Alpha answered. I smiled around the cock I
was sucking. Maybe there was a light at the end of the drama tunnel
after all?

“Cody is mine!”
I gasped as I felt pulses coming from Belz’s finger and radiate

through my ass. My dick was so hard after that stimulation I thought I
was going to collapse with bliss.

“Finish me, Cody.” I sucked harder, wanting to please Belz in

every way possible. He groaned as he kept finger fucking me. I
swallowed every drop down when he climaxed, loving the taste of his
cum and the fact that I’d made him cream like that. When he was

Pride & Were

spent I pulled off of him and he flipped me back around, removing his
finger as he set me on my feet. “Cody is mine.”

“Yes, yes I am,” I purred as he moved his hands over my body,

holding me close to him.

“Are you agreeing that you belong to this demon?” the Alpha

asked me, raising an eyebrow.

“As much as he belongs to me,” I agreed, glancing up at Belz. He

nodded, his face softening as he stared down at me. “We’ve not
officially claimed each other, but I have given him myself in ways I
have never given to another man.”

“And Frank knew this,” Nolan drawled as he shook the man in his

arms. I glanced at my ex-boyfriend, shocked when I saw how calm he
was. Oh, right, Nolan probably fed off Frank’s rage.

“Can you prove that?” the Alpha asked, staring at the other wolf

with disgust.

“Yeah, he knows I’m here because one of his pack saw me out on

a date with Belz. He knew we were involved. He went back to Frank
to tell him where I was so Frank could keep testing on me for his
crazy evil scientist shit.”

“Oh fuck this shit. Kill the bastard and let me get back to my

pack. I like you guys,” the Alpha said to Cal. “We get along well.
You’re friends with the husband of one of my pack, you normally buy
us the first round of drinks when we come here. I value our alliance
more than this piece of shit. I will tell my superiors he lied and came
after Cody.”

“Done,” Cal said as he extended his hand to shake. And just like

that, it was the end of Frank.

Joyee Flynn

Chapter 9

“I don’t understand how he got away,” I grumbled once again at

work that night.

“I said I was sorry,” Cal sighed, rubbing his hands over his face.

“I should have just snapped his neck. I didn’t think of it then. I
thought Belz would want to shock Frank to death given how upset he
was. That would have left a scorch mark on the dance floor. Mick
would have killed us if we messed up his baby like that. I just wanted
us to take it outside.”

“On the bright side, we now get to kill him when we find him

without the Alpha getting into trouble,” Beck added.

“Right, if he doesn’t nab me first.” I was being a baby and I knew

it but gawd damn! I finally got this glimmer of hope that it’s all over
at least with the wolves trying to get me, and now well, Frank was on
the lam.

“He won’t get you, Cody. We’ve got the place covered and even

the police are looking for him. Well, those who know about us, but
that’s really most of the force,” Cal said gently. I nodded and took my
tray full of drinks. I needed to watch my mouth. It wasn’t their fault
and I appreciated that they’d even stuck up for me and helped so I
didn’t have to run.

I was just in a bitchy mood over the whole thing. But I didn’t

think anyone could blame me for that.

“Hey, Cody, are you in the mood tonight?” one of my regulars

asked with a bright smile as I set their drinks down.

“Can’t, Ryan,” I chuckled as I shook my head. “I’m off the market

now, sorry.”

Pride & Were

“Seriously?” His eyes went wide with shock and I couldn’t blame

him for his reaction.

“Yup. Someone swept me off my feet and changed my mind

about being in a relationship.”

“He can’t be hotter than us,” his friend argued, puffing out his

chest.

I smiled and pointed at Belz who was sitting at the bar staring at

us, probably listening to the conversation. “That’s my man.”

“Damn, he is hot,” Ryan grumbled. “I can see why you’d pick

him.” He narrowed his eyes and took a closer look. “Isn’t that the
owner of Caesars Forum?”

“Yeah.” I blushed then. I didn’t like when people recognized him.

I worried Belz wouldn’t want to be associated with someone like me.
I did work at a sex club, was well known for being easy, and he was a
successful businessman after all.

“Wow, you got a rich one too.”
“I didn’t know that when we hooked up,” I mumbled as I quickly

grabbed their empty glasses.

“Hey, what’s wrong, Cody?”
“Nothing, Ryan. You guys have fun.” I turned to head back to the

bar but the tray was taken from me.

“I was a very lucky man to have met Cody at the pool at Caesars,”

Belz said tenderly as he wrapped his free arm around me.

“Yeah, Cody’s a catch,” Ryan agreed. “Most everyone who comes

in here would love to be his man.”

“I doubt that,” I said quietly, fidgeting as I tried to get Belz away

from the guys. “Enjoy your drinks.” He got the idea and led me to the
bar, setting down the tray before grabbing my wrist and leading me to
the employee locker room. “Belz, I’m working.”

“This can’t wait,” he growled.
“Why are you mad?” I squeaked, not sure what I’d done.
He simply shook his head and held up a hand to Beck, waving the

man off, right as we got to the swinging door. The second we were

Joyee Flynn

inside the room, Belz surrounded me with his arms against the lockers
and moved so we were almost nose to nose. “Why were you
embarrassed?”

“You could feel that, right? I always forget demons can tell

everyone’s emotions,” I mumbled, shifting my feet nervously.

“Answer me.”
“Please, don’t, Belz,” I whispered, wanting him to let it go.
“No, this isn’t the first time I’ve felt it from you either, Cody. You

said we were together now. People talk about their feelings and
what’s going on with them in a relationship. Or were you just saying
that so the Alpha backed off?”

“I didn’t lie,” I growled, shoving at his chest. His eyes went wide

a second as I moved him, scrambling to catch his balance. Yeah, I
was short, but I was a shifter and stronger than most demons. “I know
being in a relationship means we talk. That doesn’t mean you need to
know every thought in my head, okay? Some things are private!”

“Like your being embarrassed with me?”
“What?” I gasped, my turn for the wide eyes. “No! I’m not

embarrassed at being with you. I’m embarrassed for you!” I snapped
my mouth shut so fast I bit my tongue.

“What?” he growled, moving so I was cornered again. “You think

I’m embarrassed that I love you, am with you?” I shrugged and he
sighed, cupping my cheek when I stared down at my feet. “Baby,
you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You’re sweet and
kind and sexy as hell. I’ve never been with someone so passionate and
open with what they want. You give yourself completely to me and it
makes me feel like a king.”

“I’ve had people tell me I’m basically a whore because I give

myself too often,” I whispered, tears burning in my eyes. “You are
this important businessman everyone knows and respects. I’m just the
hot piece of ass who waits tables at a sex club and bends over all the
time because I’m a horny twink.”

Pride & Were

“You are not a whore,” he said firmly, grabbing my shoulders and

shaking me. “I adore the fact that you don’t play games. You like sex.
So fucking what? Everyone does. You’re just honest about it and
don’t tease people with what you want. There’s nothing wrong with
that.”

“You deserve someone sophisticated and not so damaged.”
“Bullshit! I deserve who I want and I want you, always.” I nodded

as the tears started to fall, listening to the words but not really
believing them. “Doll, I’ve been happier in the brief time we’ve spent
together than I have in all my centuries. Do you know what that tells
me?”

“What?”
“That you are amazing and a gem that I’m lucky enough to have

found when you fell into my arms. Hell, Dexx could feed off the
entire club with the amount of envy I feel from people when they
know you’re mine.” He sighed and leaned his forehead down to mine.
“Did you miss the part about me saying I loved you earlier?”

“No, I just don’t get it. Why me? You must have a line out the

door of people who would want to be yours.”

“I never asked them to line up, but maybe,” he chuckled, brushing

his lips against my temple. “I do know the line for you would be three
times as long. And what does it matter who would have a bigger line?
I want you, Cody. You make my life mean something, as if I was put
on this planet to love you. I want to take care of you and make sure
you’re always walking around with the bright smile. I want you to
love me back one day and that’s all that matters to me.”

“How can you not be embarrassed to be with me?” I still didn’t

get it. What he was saying warmed my heart, but here was this
godlike man who had everything… And he loved me. It just didn’t
make sense in my world.

“Because you’re amazing,” he answered again. He searched my

eyes and realized he wasn’t getting through to me. “I’ll prove it.”

100

Joyee Flynn

I yelped as he swung me up over his shoulder, spanking my ass in

my tight little white shorts. Since I’d admitted to Belz I was his, I
didn’t walk around the club naked anymore because that just seemed
wrong to me. He carried me out of the locker room and headed to the
main stage. I wasn’t sure what was going on until he whispered to the
DJ that he needed to borrow the microphone.

“Sorry for the interruption, everyone,” he said as he set me down

on my feet. “This won’t take long. I just wanted to know how many
of you know Cody here?” He waited until most everyone raised their
hand and even let loose a few catcalls. “Now how many of you are
gay or bi and single?” About half the hands stayed up. “Who of you
with your hands up would love to have Cody as your man, not just for
tonight, but for keeps?”

I stared in shock as most every hand stayed raised and several

went back up… Even about ten hands that belonged to men I knew
were straight.

“What’s your favorite thing about Cody?” Belz asked a guy

closest to the stage.

“He’s sweet and never acts like he’s too good for anyone or teases

for money like hot guys who work at most clubs do,” he answered. I
blushed under the praise, moving until I was right against Belz. He
smiled at me and wrapped his free hand around my waist. “And he’s
totally smoking.”

“And you don’t care that he likes to have a lot of sex and has

engaged in shows in the club with strangers?”

“No, why would that bother me?” The guy glanced between us

with a confused look on his face. “He likes to have fun and let people
watch. I think it’s hot as hell that he’s so adventurous and playful.”

“Anyone else agree?” Belz waited until most of the hands went

back up. “Thank you for proving a point I was trying to make to
Cody. I do have to inform you that he is now off the market. My name
is Belz Dominguez and I own Caesars Forum. I’m madly in love with

Pride & Were

101

Cody Thorton and I wish him to spend the rest of his life with me as
my partner.”

“What?” I gasped as Belz got down on one knee.
“I was waiting for the right moment to ask you, baby,” he said, the

microphone still picking up everything he was saying. I watched in
shock as he pulled a small box out of his pocket and held it up for me.
“I was thinking about how happy you make me while roaming
through the stores of the Forum to check on my renters. I ended up in
one of the jewelry stores looking at the wedding rings. And just like
that I knew you were my forever.”

I sniffled as the tears fell freely, taking the box from him and

opening it up. I let out a small cry at how beautiful the ring was. It
was platinum setting, with a line of diamonds and emeralds to match
my eyes and hair. It was the most gorgeous, breathtaking ring I’d ever
seen.

“Really?” I whispered, glancing into his eyes.
“Cody Thorton, will you do me the great honor and make me the

luckiest man in the world by giving me your hand in marriage? I
promise to always put you first, love you unconditionally, treat you
like the prince you are, and fuck you on every flat surface you want
no matter who is watching. I swear you own my body, heart, and soul
and they are yours to do with as you wish for the rest of our days.”

“Yes,” I answered, my voice cracking. “Yes, I’ll marry you,

Belz.”

“Yes?” Belz looked as if he was going to bust at the seams with

joy and pride.

“Yes.” He let out a whoop and lifted me into his arms. His mouth

found mine and I almost dropped the box it was such a hot kiss. I
moaned and wrapped my arms around him, grinding my hips against
his. “I love you too, Belz. I never thought I could love another person
like I do you.”

“Even though I’m an idiot caveman who tried to kidnap you?” he

asked quietly as he leaned back enough to see my face. “I am sorry

102

Joyee Flynn

about that. You were just too special for me to ever risk you getting
away from me.”

“I forgave you a million times already,” I giggled, shaking my

head. “When I realized it wasn’t because you were a creepy, psycho
stalker, and just you really, really liked me, it actually made me feel
special. I’ve never had someone react to being with me that
drastically and desperately.”

“Is that bad?”
“No, it made me feel better because I wasn’t the only one who felt

it,” I admitted for the first time. Hell, I hadn’t even let myself think
anything like that since I met Belz. It was too dangerous for my heart
to acknowledge that kind of connection.

“Love you,” he whispered against my lips and then tossed the

microphone to the DJ. My hand shook as Belz took the ring out of the
box and slid it on my finger. “It’s almost half as beautiful as you are,
baby.”

“No way, these are some fucking rocks,” I exclaimed, moving my

hand so it caught the light. “I’ve got bling, baby!”

“Oh god, I’ve created a monster,” he chuckled as he jumped down

from the stage and held his hands towards me. I smiled and let him
grab my hips, lowering me to the floor like the gentleman he was.

“Seriously, this had to cost an arm and a leg, Belz,” I whispered as

we headed towards the bar where all our friends were cheering and
catcalling. “I’m not worth this kind of engagement ring.”

“I’m going to ignore you just said that,” he growled, smacking my

ass hard. “Didn’t I just prove to you how much you’re worth to most
everyone here and especially me?” I opened my mouth and got a dirty
look from him.

“Just bat your eyelashes and thank him, sweetie,” Gabe teased as

we got to the bar. “They win. I’ve got the same lavish rocks on my
hand, remember? Cal wouldn’t even hear of something simple.”

I leaned in when Belz was busy being congratulated by Beck,

Mick, and Cal. “Right, but umm, we’re guys too. I can’t afford a ring

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103

like this for Belz and I probably should, right? What did you get for
Cal?”

“Corrie.” He blinked at me as if to say duh. I stared at him a

moment and then burst out laughing. How true. Gabe carried and gave
birth to their daughter. That was the best present in the world.

“I can’t get pregnant though,” I reminded him when we calmed

back down.

“No, but you leave teeth marks I hear.” He wiggled his eyebrows

at me.

“Very true,” I purred as I stood on the stool. I glanced at Gabe,

who gave me a nod, before leaping onto Belz’s back.

“It’s my flying lover,” he grunted as he reached around to steady

my weight. “Yes, dear?”

“Gabe just reminded me that I have to give you my part of the

engagement,” I whispered as I moved my hands over his chest and to
his shoulders. “Where would you like your mating bite, Belz?” I ran
my fingers over his shoulder and up his neck. “Where everyone can
see it or somewhere private like your inner thigh?”

“Both?” he groaned as I kissed along where my fingers had

played. “Everywhere?”

“Oh, that’s a good answer,” I chuckled as I slid down his back. He

turned enough to see me and raised an eyebrow. “I have to pee before
I get back to my tables. I am working.”

“Right, of course.” He shook his head as if he’d completely

forgotten. “I’ll be right here waiting for you to get off. And then I’ll
get you off all night.”

“Nice,” I drawled, giving him a wink. He threw back his head and

laughed as I turned on my heel and gave myself a double smacking
with both hands. Hell, I did it so hard my ass vibrated the next few
steps.

Glancing down at my ring, I couldn’t get over what had just

happened. I had been bitchy and cranky, letting stupid things cloud
my mind, and with the coolest, grandest gesture I’d ever seen much

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less experienced, Belz had me back on track. What we had was
important. Not Frank or bullshit that life threw at us. My friends, who
were cheering their heads off for us, were important. And that’s what
I’d focus on.

“You don’t get a happily ever after with a rich stud,” Aviel

growled as he stepped out of the shadows as I got to the bathroom.

“Piss off. You’re not ruining my moment, snake,” I replied, not

even glancing at him… Which ended up being my mistake. I’d taken
his comment as some more bitchy jealousy, but it wasn’t this time.
Just as I opened the door to the bathroom I felt something metal
connect with the back of my head. I went down like a bag of rocks,
grunting when my face smacked right into the marble floor.

“Grab his feet, Aviel,” Frank said. “I’ll get his shoulders.”
“No, Belz,” I tried to yell, but all that came out was a mutter as

the darkness swarmed me.

Fuck.

* * * *

I woke up naked on some cot with my wrists tied to a rope

wrapped around my knees that basically kept me in the fetal position.
I grunted as I tried to break them, but nothing happened. Then I lifted
my head a bit and my vision swam.

“Drugged me?” I mumbled as I tried to focus on anything in the

room. Then I called to my animal but he was taking a nap in the
corner of my mind, whatever I’d been given making things hard for
me.

“Oh yeah, big time,” Frank chuckled from behind me. I wanted to

vomit when I realized he was in the bed with me. He rolled over and
surrounded my body with his and I whimpered when I realized he was
naked too. “Yeah, I knew you missed me.”

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105

“Fuck off. I hate you,” I growled. I wasn’t going to go down like

this. No fucking way. I got pissed, trying to burn through whatever
they gave me, but it wasn’t working.

“No you don’t,” he snapped as he smacked my face. “You loved

me once and I know it’s still inside of you. I was good to you, Cody.
You need to remember that because you’re mine forever. Now that
you’re up I can claim you.”

“No!” I wailed, trying to push him away from me. “Claiming

someone against their will is a death sentence, Frank. Don’t do this.
Besides it won’t take if I don’t get aroused or hard.” I wanted to bang
my head against the wall for letting that last part slip out. Now that’s
all he would focus on.

“I can make you hard,” he growled, shoving his hand between my

legs roughly. Yep, that’s about what I thought he would do. He tried
for a few minutes, not getting anywhere. “It must be the drugs.” He
twisted what was in his hand in a way it shouldn’t go and I cried out
in pain. One of the other reasons I never loved Frank but stayed with
him because I wanted to be loved was his temper.

Well, until I found out about the medical experiments of course.

Then I left so fast there was a Cody dust cloud behind me.

The bed moved like we’d gone over a bump and I stopped

whimpering from the pain enough to focus. Holy shit! “We’re in the
back of a semi?”

“Yep. Your idiot demon and his friends will be looking locally. Or

they’ll search airports, car rental places, bus and train stations. And
we’re cruising on the expressway in a trailer I rented. It ends up that
Aviel was a truck driver and had connections to get a cab we could
borrow.”

“Really? Truck driver to sex club waiter?” I didn’t see that one.
“Shocked me too. He was very helpful in getting you though.

Seems not everyone loves you, Cody. You pissed that guy off big-
time. He didn’t like you taking all the guys that wanted to fuck and all

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Joyee Flynn

the tips. All I had to do was give him some good cock and he was up
for anything I wanted.”

“Did he sleep with someone other than you because you’re not a

good lay?” Wow. What did he give me that I just said whatever came
into my head?

“I’m awesome in bed!” Frank screeched in that psychotic angry

tone he had. He rolled me onto my back and punched me twice in the
ribs. Part of me wished he had gagged me. There would have been a
better chance of my survival if I had been. “You loved my cock in
your ass. You used to beg for it all the time!”

I bit my lip to keep in my next comment. Yeah, because you only

could go for thirty seconds so it took four of your orgasms to even get
me off.

“Maybe I should remind you what it feels like?” he threatened as

he held up a bottle of slick.

“Really? In the back of a semi after you kidnapped me when I

don’t want it and I’m drugged. You’re not this guy, Frank.”

“I am now that you left me and ruined my life!” That was news to

me. “I was the laughingstock of my pack. I told them I was close to
cracking why some shifters were immortal, and they all said I was
nuts. Then I take some of them to my lab and my test subject is gone.
I was a social pariah after that!”

“And you wouldn’t have been when they found out you

kidnapped someone?” I asked incredulously.

His eyes darkened with anger. It was obvious even to me when I

was seeing double of him. “I will teach you your place, Cody. What
have they done to you? You used to be the perfect submissive.”

“No, I just never cared enough to fight with you about anything,

Frank. I grew up and stopped letting the past interfere with my life. I
stopped being the passive doormat I was when we were together.”

“It’s a shame you aren’t because with the mouth you have on you

now you’re in for a world of hurt,” he warned. Then he worked me
over to the point I wished he’d just kill me. I cried as he beat me, for

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107

so many reasons. One of the big ones being I’d never get my happy
ever after with Belz.

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Joyee Flynn

Chapter 10

I figured we were driving cross-country because we were on the

road for days. Frank would rotate between trying to seduce me and
beating me as Aviel drove. Then when he took a break and pulled
over somewhere, they’d fuck right in front of me as if trying to make
me jealous.

Un-fucking-real.
I didn’t want either of them, hating them and wishing they would

die. But yet they thought this was the way to get me to cooperate.
Aviel was just the patsy driving. He had no idea that Frank wanted me
to be his mate. He thought Frank would be intimate with me to keep
me from fighting back.

He had no idea how wrong he was.
On the fourth day they left me in the trailer alone, probably

getting food. Frank had been angry with me again and had given me a
beating but no drugs to knock me out like he had been when we
pulled over somewhere. I waited until they were gone for at least ten
minutes I guessed, and rolled out of the bed. I bit my lip to keep from
crying out as I landed on the hard metal floor, my gashes and bruises
protesting.

Then I wiggled as best as I could all tied up to the back of the

trailer and the door. I wasn’t sure what to do. It took me a few
minutes to figure out the only way to get any leverage was to lie on
my back. I wiggled into position until my feet were against the door
and then kicked as hard as I could over and over again until I thought
I would die.

Pride & Were

109

“You didn’t drug him, did you?” Aviel growled as I heard a key

unlocking something. I kept right on kicking, hoping to draw a crowd.
When the door opened I was already in mid motion and my feet
connected with Aviel’s face.

“Fuck!” he screamed as Frank cursed as well. The momentum of

my kicking sent Aviel flying but also rolled me out of the trailer. I
screamed as I landed on my shoulder. Frank quickly grabbed me and
lifted me up.

“Shut the fuck up, Cody,” he snarled. The sunlight was blinding

but I had just enough energy left to focus my vision. I saw a squad car
about fifty feet away, but no one in it. We were parked at a truck stop
diner.

“Help! Police!” I shouted with everything I had. Frank bitch

slapped me and quickly threw me in the back of the trailer.

“Shit, we’ve got people running towards us,” Aviel warned. “Get

in the cab and let’s leave him and the trailer.”

“I’m not leaving without Cody,” Frank growled as he slammed

the trailer door closed.

“We are going to have a serious talk about him when we get out

of this,” Aviel bitched. Part of me wanted to laugh. Frank was nuts.
He’d probably kill Aviel if the man wasn’t driving.

“Drive the damn truck or you’ll end up on the liability list, Aviel.”

There, now maybe he’d wise up to Frank’s shit!

I heard the cab doors open and close before the semi started up.

Apparently he wouldn’t wise up then.

The truck lurched as it was shifted into gear, trying to make our

mad escape. Yes, pun intended. Did they really think a semi just
starting up would outrun anyone giving chase? I mentally pumped my
fist in the air as I heard sirens approaching. Maybe this hell would
really be over soon?

The chase went on for at least ten minutes, all the while the police

on their speaker demanding the truck pull over. The truck swerved
and I thought maybe there had been a roadblock or something that

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Joyee Flynn

would help me… But then we were going on uneven ground. Did they
seriously try to take a semi off-roading?

The trailer lurched to the left and I went slamming into the metal

side. I heard a groan that wasn’t human, but I didn’t know what it was
until I heard a loud snap. The trailer came off the cab. It started
rolling and I got through about the third wall I slammed into before I
realized this was how I would die and everything went dark.

* * * *

“We transferred power to Temp to help him heal when Reid had

that nightmare,” Cal said quietly. “I think we should try it with Cody.
I mean, damn, guys, he looks like he’s dying.”

I tried to open my eyes or say something but nothing worked. Was

this what people talked about being there but not when they’re in a
coma? At least I wasn’t seeing the white light to heaven, right? That
had to be a good sign.

“He’s a shifter, Cal,” Sark hissed under his breath. “He can heal

from just about anything.”

“Before Belz loses his mind though? The man hasn’t slept or

eaten anything since Cody was taken. And I don’t know what he’s
been pounding on but his hands are all cut to shit again, Sark. The
man won’t survive this. Gabe’s a mess, everyone’s on edge and
freaking out. Our family is distraught, Sark. How can you say we
don’t try to help?”

“I would help if we knew it would work, Cal. What if we make

things worse?”

“No way. Transferring energy to his body won’t hurt another

paranormal. Worst case it does nothing.”

Hey, I was all for the idea from the moment Cal said Belz was a

mess. I felt warm heat radiating through my body like when eating hot
soup when I’m sick. It was comforting, and sooo nice.

Pride & Were

111

“Good choice,” I groaned when it stopped several minutes later.

Yeah! My voice worked again. “Can you hit me with some more so I
can go help Belz? How bad is he?”

“Slow down, Cody,” Cal chuckled as I opened my eyes. “You’ve

been pretty much dead for almost a week now. Let’s just get your
man in here to see you’re awake and then we can get you out of here.
The doc’s a friend but people are starting to ask questions as to why
every test result has gone missing.”

“Oh goodie. At least I won’t end up in some lab. Thanks.”
“No worries,” Sark said with a smile. He slipped out the door and

moments later it burst open. I met Belz’s frantic gaze and took note
that my man looked like shit.

“You are a beautiful sight,” I whispered, tears burning in my eyes.
“I’ll give you guys a minute,” Cal mumbled and practically darted

out of the room.

“You’re really awake? I’m not hallucinating this?” Belz looked

shell-shocked as he approached the bed in jerky, almost forced
movements. If the situation wasn’t so serious I would have teased him
for his zombie impression.

“If you are then we’re having the same hallucination.” I held my

hand out to him, smiling as he practically dove to my side. “I love
you, Belz.”

“Love you more,” he sobbed as he kissed my hand and up my

arm. The door burst open again and a very worried-looking Sark
darted in the room and started turning off machines.

“We need to get you out of here. Now! The doc friend just warned

us that you’re about to be put on a hold so you can’t leave the hospital
because they don’t think a human would have been able to survive or
wake up after the crash.”

“Fuck,” I groaned. Belz immediately lifted me into his arms, IV

still in and all, and carried me to the door. Sark caught up with him
and got me untangled and then we ran for it. Cal caught up with us in

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Joyee Flynn

the parking lot, saying he swiped my file so he didn’t know if that
would help or hurt me. “Fill me in on what happened?”

“Frank and Aviel are dead. I mean, decapitated in the crash,” Sark

explained as he drove like a bat out of hell. “You were out, of course,
but we’d been searching for you everywhere. It turns out there
weren’t too many missing persons with green-tipped hair. Once you
were stable we got you airlifted back to Vegas, pissing off a lot of
police that were involved in the whole kidnapping thing. And a week
later, you’re waking up.”

“How do I transfer power or whatever you did to help him?” Belz

asked, holding me so gently as if worried I’d break. I snuggled up
against him as best as I could with my injuries. I wanted nothing but
him. If they threw in some healing so I wasn’t in so much pain, all the
better.

“I don’t know if I can explain it,” Cal grumbled. “I have enough

energy to share with him though.”

“Please just help him,” Belz whispered, completely broken up.

Cal did his thing again and by the time we reached the club I felt
almost normal. When the car stopped and Belz got out still carrying
me I was finally able to look at my hands.

“No,” I whimpered, holding up my left hand where my ring

should be.

“I have it,” Belz assured me as we entered the club. “We found it

by the bathroom door and then started scouring everywhere for you.”

“I’m so sorry. I would never have taken it off for anything,” I

whispered as the tears started again.

“I’m glad you feel that way.” Mick cleared his throat as we

walked past most of my friends. “I can’t share him right now. We’ll
come back down after I clean him up and know this is real.”

“Take your time,” Mick chuckled. “He’s safe and healing. We can

celebrate that later.”

Pride & Were

113

“Thanks,” I said to all of them as Belz continued to the elevator. I

felt as he did. I was glad my friends cared and I wanted to catch up
with them, assure them I was okay, but right now I needed my mate.

Belz stripped us down once we were in my apartment, not that

there was much to take off of me besides that horrid hospital gown.
Then he started the shower and we stood under the water simply
holding each other.

“I need to bite you,” I admitted, mumbling against his chest as I

tried to hold on to this feeling. “It’s killing me that I almost never got
the chance to claim you.”

“Me too.” He waved his hand and suddenly I was stretched and

slicked up. Being with a demon was really, really cool at times. I
practically climbed up Belz as he helped me, bracing my shoulders
against the shower tiles. Then he lowered me onto his cock and we
both moaned in pleasure.

I stared into his eyes as he took me slowly, lovingly, as if I was

the most important thing in the world. It warmed my heart because he
was the most important thing to me.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t the one to save you,” he whispered as he

buried his face in my neck.

“Doesn’t matter as long as you were looking for me.”
“We looked everywhere.”
“Then I love you more than I did when I was taken,” I told him

firmly. I felt my animal stir, knowing what was going on as my teeth
extended. “Neck?”

“Oh yeah,” he groaned. Belz tilted it for me, exposing it, and I

didn’t even hesitate. I bit down hard, ensuring that the bite would take
for our mating and wasn’t just a nip. My mate cried out in pleasure
and took me even faster. We came at the same time and I felt the bond
snap into place.

“You’re mine now,” I warned him with a giggle when we were

spent and my teeth went back to normal.

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Joyee Flynn

“That’s a tie for the best news today,” he said with a smile as he

washed my hair… His cock still inside of me. I raised an eyebrow at
his comment. “The other was when Cal told me you were awake and
going to make it.”

“I’ll always come back to you, Belz. We’re forever now,” I

whispered against his lips. And we were. Belz was it for me and I
knew that as surely as I knew my name. It was him and me for
eternity.

THE END

WWW.JOYEEFLYNN.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joyee dreams of one day living on enough land to have a few

horses, and find a couple of cowboys or pool boys of her own. A
lover of men, Joyee is all about them in any form in her books;
vampire, werewolf, shape-shifter, military…It’s all good! She loves to
get lost in fantasy that only books can bring. Her wide interest in
reading is reflected in her writings, whether short stories, romance, or
mystical. Currently Joyee lives with her dog, Marius, named after a
vampire from Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire series.

For all titles by Joyee Flynn, please visit

www.bookstrand.com/joyee-flynn

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com

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