Cat Groove (Stray Cats) Read Online Free PDF Page B

should’ve gotten you something to wear.”
    “I’m good.” He curled his arm around her. “I can find a groove in whatever I’m wearing.”
    “These two claim to be your brothers -- Ascher and Joel.” She half shrugged. Confusion shone in her eyes. “They said they smelled you.”
    The man who’d approached him first grinned. “It’s me, Fang. I brought Godzilla with me.”
    “These days we go by Ascher and Joel,” the second man said. “I know it’s nuts.”
    Roman wobbled on his feet. Thank goddess he had Jessa for support. His brothers. The more he looked at the two men, the more he knew the truth. His family -- the rest of them -- had found him.

Chapter Five
     
    “How… how did you know I was here?” Roman collapsed on the couch. They said they’d smelled him. Could they?
    “Intuition,” Ascher said. He knelt next to Roman. “We had a feeling you were here and then we smelled you. Our family has a scent.” He patted Roman’s thigh. “Give me a moment. I’ve got clothes in the car. You need something else besides that ridiculous get-up.” He stood, then strode out of the house.
    “I don’t think it’s that bad,” Jessa murmured.
    Roman reached for her. “He didn’t mean that.” He tugged her onto his lap. Holding her close gave him strength.
    “He’s a pro at shopping. Ever since he found out he could go into the stores and buy clothes he likes, he’s kind of addicted.” The dark-haired woman offered her hand to Roman. “I’m Penelope. Ascher belongs to me.” She smiled. “Hildegard made sure I took him. He’s been a trip, but worth the hassle.”
    “Have you two mated?” The blonde murmured. “You don’t look like you did.”
    “Hayden,” Penelope said. “That’s personal.” She swatted Hayden’s arm. “Why don’t we take Jessa into the kitchen for some girl talk? I think it would help.” She, along with Hayden, grabbed Jessa’s biceps and hauled her to her feet. “We can explain a lot.”
    “That would be good.” Jessa kissed Roman’s cheek. She nodded to Joel and then allowed the girls to lead her out of the room.
    Roman took a deep breath and let the air flow out of him. “So…”
    “Feeling overwhelmed?” Joel rested his elbows on his knees. “Trust me, Asch and I understand.”
    The front door opened and Ascher came back into the apartment with a paper bag. “Here you go. You look like you’re about our size.” He grinned. “Having brothers is a good thing sometimes.”
    “I guess I’ll have to get used to you.” Roman rummaged through the bag. Ascher had decent taste in clothes. Roman shook out a blue long-sleeved T-shirt.
    “That’ll look better than the sweatshirt.” Ascher folded his arms and widened his stance. “Like I said, I’ve been in your shoes… er… sweatshirt. Penn didn’t exactly have tons of clothes for me to wear. Joel saved my butt. And we’re freaking you out. Sorry.”
    “We’ve got a doozy for you.” Joel, the softer-spoken of the two, grinned. “I have the feeling your girl is about to save you and good thing. I wouldn’t drop your shorts. Asch probably didn’t pack any of those.”
    “I didn’t. Shoot.” Ascher frowned. “Sorry.”
    “What’s the doozy?” Roman demanded. He worked his way out of the sweatshirt, then donned the T-shirt. The extra room was so much nicer. He retrieved the pair of jeans. “Nice. Might be a little baggy.”
    “You’ll like them better baggy.” Joel sighed. “The doozy is there’s a man named Branker who is trying to do us in. He seems to think our blood will help humankind. When we’re unmated, our blood is precious. There are healing properties that the humans would love to have. I’d love to share it with them, but not Branker.”
    “He tried to kill me.” Ascher paced the length of the small room. “Thank goddess Penn saved me.”
    “Because you’re mated?” Roman stepped into the jeans and held his breath. He’d made love to Jessa but something had