Natural Born Enemies (Cedar River Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

own. I began dressing the front window with today’s special, making it look pretty. I used lots of red dishes to emphasize the spiciness of my new candy.
    I was in the back preparing the trays for the display case when I heard the bell chime. “Just a moment,” I called out.
    “It’s alright. I’ll just help myself to the cash register,” came the reply.
    I laughed because I knew it was the last thing Adam would do. “C’mon back,” I called back.
    Adam poked his head around the doorway. “Now that I’ve been in here, I can’t seem to resist the temptation. Of course, it might just be the owner.”
    I could feel the blush begin in my cheeks. “Try one of those chocolates in the red dish and tell me what you think.”
    “These here?” Adam asked, pointing to the orangish-red dish sitting on the work table.
    “Yeah,” I said as I turned to retrieve the dark chocolate filled orange creams from the chiller.
    “Mmmm,” was where Adam’s response began, then moved to “Wow!”
    “Are they too spicy?” I asked hesitantly. I know Adam and I love spicy things, but I didn’t want to overwhelm those customers who want just a hint of heat.
    “No, they’re perfect. I wasn’t expecting it, but I like it. What did you call these?”
    I blushed, “Kisses at Midnight.”
    Adam smiled that slow, sexy smile of his, “These taste just like your kisses.”
    I looked at the rugged sheriff’s deputy from under my eyelashes, “I named them for you .”
    His smile grew broader. “So are you saying your mom didn’t scare you away from me?”
    “Never. I hope my dad wasn’t too big of a pain in the ass.”
    “Nah. He’s the same pain in the ass he’s always been. Rockwell McIntyre seems to think he owns this town, but he doesn’t own me.”
    I set down my trays of chocolates to jump into Adam’s arms. His kiss wiped all the doubts from my mind and set my heart free.
                                                              

Chapter Eight-Adam
     
    Things were quiet at ten o’clock so I told Bowie I needed to run. “If you hurry, there might be a kitten out in those woods, looking for some company,” he called on my way out the door.
    Rockwell McIntyre had tried to push the wrong puma around today. I don’t like to be threatened and he’d made threats against everything I held dear, my aunt and uncle, the town, the Goldens and Luna.
    When I pulled into the driveway at the Golden’s property, it was as if a weight was automatically lifted off my shoulders. I hadn’t run on the pride’s land since I was sixteen. I had too many enemies there. Every puma assumed I was willing to fight him or her for a position in the pride. No one understood how happy I am being a loner and doing my own thing.
    I got out of my truck and closed the door, softly. I hated to disturb Lorelai or Bernie. Lorelai came out to the porch. “You come in for some breakfast when you’re done, Adam,” she called.
    “Yes, ma’am,” I said. Mama G.’s breakfasts were the best.
    It was one of those mornings where the misty fog still clung to the treetops. The smell of the damp earth filled my nose. I stripped down and lay my clothes over one of the rocks, noticing there was a pile of clothing already there. Ana. I shifted and began to stalk. Hunting for Bowie’s wife out here would be just as fun as finding something to hunt and kill. The pride treats Ana like a pariah as well. Anastasia Golden is a puma shifter/witch hybrid. The pride refused to take her in when she lost her parents. Now, Uncle Roman really wanted to have Ana come to the pride. It seems the Dragon Council is putting her witch abilities to good use and it pisses Uncle Roman off.
    I was lost in my own thoughts and forgot to be on the lookout for Ana. Out of nowhere, a furry body collided with mine. I rolled across the ground and she was right there with me. I heard Brady Golden, laughing. “You have to pay