The Purrfect Predicament (Australian Shifters) Read Online Free PDF Page A

it is like, will help to ease all those nights I've spent alone and afraid."
    Tears pricked the back of her eyes. Secrets she'd kept hidden, buried deep down, welled up. Her chest ached every day and her shoulders felt as if they carried the weight of the world.
    Andy's purr continued and she smiled. "My real name is Juniper." Her mocking filled the air for a moment. "Odd to say it after so long, Juniper, apparently my mother ate a lot of Juniper berries when she was pregnant with me. I used to love my name." She sighed heavily, enjoying cuddling the big cat. They sat there for a while in silence as she listened to his purr, struggling to bring her emotions under control.
    Her stomach rumbled. She was feeling light headed from lack of food. She'd shopped so she had enough for a few days. But she had to make it last the whole week. Since the big black cat had eaten hers.
    "Maybe I should have taken Mr. Brown up on his offer of dinner, but I like this, being here with my new friend."
    Andy licked her cheek, but pulled back and got off the sofa. He walked into her little kitchen.
    "You hungry again?" She forced herself to her feet. Wincing at some of the new blisters from the day's activities, she followed him into the kitchen. "Well I did buy bread and canned spaghetti. Unless you want to eat the cat food I got for the strays?"
    Andy growled, giving her a dry look.
    "I guess not."
    She jumped, startled as another knock sounded at the door.
    "Uh, Mr. Smith?"
    Hamish Brown was back. Unconsciously, she tried to smooth down her dyed black hair as she hobbled to the door. Andy shot past her and sat at the door, his tail swishing.
    Juniper's heart sank; maybe he really did want to leave now. With trembling fingers, she unhooked the three chain locks and pulled open the door.
    Hamish stood there with a box. "I uh, got you and Andy dinner, since you wouldn't come out with me; I thought I'd bring it to you." With another pulse-racing grin, he pushed the box at her. She had no choice but to accept it or let it fall.
    Wafting smells of roast chicken hit her, making her stomach growl embarrassingly loud. She felt heat flood her cheeks.
    "I, uh, thank you, Mr. Brown." Yeah, you're just great with the conversation there, Juniper.
    "Oh call me Hamish. I know I'm a twin, but I've been told I'm far better looking than my brother." He winked, and she couldn't help the burst of giggles.
    Damn this man is making me act like a stupid teenage girl. It was dangerous. She sobered and straightened. Andy growled low, his tail flicking back and forth. She knew an angry cat when she saw one.
    Hang on, back up a step. Is he flirting with me? Oh hell, he thought she was a guy. Which meant… Her heart sank, he had to be gay.
    "You'd better feed him, he gets down right grumpy without food, and since he ate yours there should be enough here, for you both."
    "Enough? You bought a whole chicken factory?" she blurted out.
    Hamish's laugh was as rich as the melted chocolate of his eyes. The heat of pure lust raced through her veins. Her body heated like a moth getting too close to the flames.
    God she wished she was his type of uh, guy. The strangled grip on her heart cooled her desire.
    Get a grip woman. Even if he wasn't gay, he's not your type.
    Type? What was her type? Easily intimidated wimps who jumped when her… No, don't think about that.
    Hamish winked, gay or not, it still melted her insides. "Well, I'll leave you to it." She stared dreamily after him, as he turned and strode down the steps.
    Andy butted the door closed with his head, and she glanced sharply down at the big Panther. "You really eat this much?"
    She set the box down on her table and went back to re-latch the door. Andy already shoved his head in the box. "I guess you do. Hey, wait, let me open it for you." To her utter amazement, Andy gingerly pulled one roast chicken out with his teeth gripping the foil paper it was wrapped in and walked over to her.
    "Why thank you." She took the