The Purrfect Predicament (Australian Shifters) (3 page)

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Nosing his way into Jo’s house, Andy knew caution would be needed.
Once he discovered the truth about them, he'd be outraged at Andy's bold moves to get into his life.

But the more he watched this Jo, the more he learned, and the more things didn't add up. The change in his voice, and his sweet feminine smell. Heck, he'd called himself hostess.

When Andy nuzzled into his mate and licked his face, he’d tasted so sweet and had felt so soft.
The desire to touch, nuzzle, stroke with his own hands grew stronger.

Not yet buddy, one step at a time.

The more he observed, the more he found their mate had a very feminine streak.
More than likely he is gay
. At least him being gay worked in their favor.

Hamish was going to kill him for pulling this stunt, but so far it was working.

Andy took in the meager furnishings; a two person sofa in a hideous bright orange. Two large besser bricks and a long plank of wood made up a table, which was piled with old, stained books, some even had their covers ripped off. But, despite the peeling paint, rotting corners of the wooden floor, Jo kept a tidy house.

Andy glanced over the books. So, his mate liked to read. Scanning the titles, he realized they were all romance books. Needing to investigate his mates dwelling further, he trotted into the bedroom.

Ugh
, a mattress lay on the floor with several blankets. Hell, he was living rough. By the door stood a battered black suitcase. Beside the bed, a smaller brick table, on top of which sat a box of matches and candle in the centre of a chipped tea saucer. More books were stacked by the bed. He growled low at the dangerous position of the candle, next to so many flammable books. What if he fell asleep while reading and the place caught on fire? This place was a death trap. Andy was even more determined to rescue their mate from his situation.

"I hope you're house-trained," Jo called from the kitchen.

Andy snorted.
Yes baby, more than you realize.
Andy went back and sat in the doorway to the kitchen, watching Jo move about and studying his features more closely. He had a rounded face, but his high cheekbone structure gave him a feminine look. Andy's gaze dropped to his chest. He seemed well rounded. He'd always like his women with extra to hold on to; that way the woman could handle both him and his brother without fear of breaking her. Maybe being with Jo, it wouldn't be so different.

Jo moved, humming as he stirred something bubbling on the stove. Wafting smells of chicken and sweetcorn soup filled the air. He glanced down to where Andy sat. Jo's reddish full lips curved up into a smile reaching his pale green eyes. There were no buts about it, even for a guy, Jo was, beautiful.

"Finished being nosy? I know the place isn't much, but home is where you lay your head. I bet you're used to finer accommodations." Jo sighed. "Once upon a time, so was I…"

Andy noted the distant look in Jo's eyes before he blinked. So, he hadn't been born into poverty. Something happened to drag him down.

"No use dwelling on the past and dragging up bad memories, hey." He turned off the stove and poured his soup into a bowl.

"You want some of this, I made double. I have no idea if big cats like chicken and corn soup. I do have some milk, if you'd prefer that."

Andy did his best house cat impersonation, got off his butt and slid his body against Jo's legs. He giggled again, reaching down to rub Andy's head. Ooh it felt good. He nudged at Jo's hand for more.

"You really like to be petted." Jo sank down onto his knees and rubbed more of Andy's head and neck.

Baby, I love your hands on me
. He purred his approval.

"Most of the cats out back are strays, only a few let me pet them. I like that you're so cuddly. But damn, it's still weird having a Panther in my house."

He nuzzled in; loving the way Jo put his arms around him. Hell, he loved being close to his, no, he corrected,
their
mate.

Having to share with his brother seemed natural. After all, it wasn't the first time they'd shared. But in this case their mate would be a permanent placement in their lives.

"C'mon, I'm starving; the only thing I've eaten today was a small bucket of chips."

Andy growled his disapproval; their mate wasn't eating enough.

Jo rose to his feet and finished serving out the soup before carrying both bowls into the sparse living room, he set one down on the floor and his on the table, before flopping down on the couch.

He noticed Jo wince, the pain evident on his face. "I'm sorry, sweetie, but I gotta take something off, it's been killing me all day. I hope you don't mind half naked people."

Andy pretended to sniff at his soup, while Jo proceeded to remove his jacket then slowly unbuttoned his shirt. Andy's head rose, staring at Jo as he peeled off a vest to reveal a mass of thick bandaging.

What the hell?
Andy watched, blinking in surprise as Jo unwound the bandages. He or rather, she, sighed in relief as her breasts were freed from their compressed confinement.

Andy blinked, he, no, not a he, but a she! A girl, she was a girl! He suddenly wanted to dance in utter triumph. Jo wasn't male at all! All those mixed things suddenly made sense. Wait, no, it didn't, why the hell is Jo running around pretending to be a guy?

Now free, she rubbed at her obviously sore, beautiful, bountiful breasts. Andy licked his lips and without thinking, jumped up on the couch next to her, nuzzling against those beauties. He couldn't wait to be able to change back into a man and put his hands on them, slide his cock between them. Oh yeah, his mate had a body made for loving. He purred loud and proud with happiness.

Andy noticed a deep rounded scar the size of a child's fist, prominent just under her left breast. He scowled, recognizing a gunshot wound. Who the hell had tried to kill his mate? Who the hell would shoot a woman? A deep anger curled in his gut.

"Uh, sweetie." Worry creased her forehead at Andy's sudden low snarl.

Andy pulled himself together and continued nuzzling at her chest.
Breasts, breasts, beautiful breasts!

Jo giggled; it sounded so much better now that he knew the truth. Well, one truth, the rest they would discover in time.

"Hey, I guess you do like half naked people; typical male." She lifted her hand to stroke his head. He took full advantage of her arms on him and licked between her wonderful female breasts. Oh yes, she tasted so darn sweet.

She gasped and shoved at his head. "Naughty kitty, who the heck taught you to do that?" She struggled to get back into her ugly blue shirt.

Mine, mine
,
mine
… His Panther purred, reveling in being so close to his mate. Sure there were a heck of a lot of unanswered questions, but one thing at a time.

With great effort he forced himself back. It was such a crime to let her cover up; once they got her home he would...

A loud knock sounded at the front door, startling Jo. He didn't miss the sudden fear in her eyes. Andy let out a low growl, jumped from the sofa, trotting to the door. He sniffed, trying to determine who was on the other side.

Jo fumbled with her shirt and reached under the sofa, pulling out a kitchen knife. Inwardly, he frowned as she approached the door with extreme caution. Little pieces added up, but still didn't make a whole picture. Something was going on with their woman; the fear he saw in her eyes. She had been attacked, shot? And now lived her life in fear? Had someone in this neighborhood done it?

"Stay back sweetie, I don't want anyone to see you. I'd have a hard time explaining how I have a big Black Panther in my home, and I don't want you getting hurt."

He snorted; it was his job to protect her, not the other way around.

"Who is it?" She'd lowered her tone, into her 'man' voice.

"Oh, hello, I'm looking for my cat?" Jo glanced down at him as he planted his butt down and swished his tail, relaxing at the sound of his brother's voice.

"Your cat?" She reached for the door handle and opened it, only as far as the three chain locks would allow and peered up at Hamish.

"Uh, hi, yes my cat, he's a bit unusual, and you really can't miss him. A big bastard, dark brown with black patches and weighs about a hundred and eighty pounds. Oh, and is nosy as hell."

A sad expression crossed her lovely features as she glanced back at Andy, still sitting there, looking at her. "I knew one as beautiful as you would be owned."

If only she realized it was the other way around. She owned him. "He wouldn't be a Panther?"

"Yup, I know it's strange to keep a Panther as a pet, but he's very friendly and tame." Hamish flashed her a charming smile.

"Well, I'm sorry, but he's here. I uh, found him on my back step. He invited himself in. Just a moment please." She closed the door, unhooking the chains and opened it fully. "Here he is." She nodded towards Andy.

"You're always getting into trouble Andy; you know it's not polite to barge into people homes. I'm so sorry for this."

"Oh, it's alright, it's nice to meet a Panther. I've only ever seen things like him standing behind wire fences at the zoo."

"I'm glad he didn't scare you senseless. You're a brave man to let Andy into your home, but he really is harmless, unless he wants to protect something that belongs to him."

Andy poked his cat tongue out at Hamish and proceeded to curl his body around their mate's legs and growled at Hamish, who glared back at him. There was no way he was going anywhere.

"His name is Andy?" Jo stared down at him.

"Yes, I hope he hasn't been any trouble."

"Oh, no trouble at all." Jo frowned. "I know you, I mean, I don't know you, but I saw you earlier today."

"Café by the docks." Hamish leaned against her door frame, giving her his best charming smile. "Always remember a, uh, nice face."

Andy chuckled, Hamish had no idea Jo was female.

She sighed. "Well Andy, you'd better go now."

He planted his butt, refusing to move.

"He's very taken with you." Hamish seemed in no hurry to move either.

"I can't imagine why."

"He's always had a knack of finding good people. Are you going to get your butt out here or not?" Andy dismissed Hamish and turned, and went back to his bowl of soup, lapping it up.
Humm, it's nice. A mate who can cook.

"I'm so sorry Mr., Uh."

"Brown, Hamish Brown. Please, don't apologies, this is not your fault in the slightest."

"I thought I saw two of you today by the docks."

"That would be my twin and dim-witted brother, Andy."

Andy growled at Hamish's insult.

"Your cat is named after your brother?"

"Yeah, we both own Black Panthers, Andy's one is named Hamish, kind of a cosmic joke."

"How did you get to be all the way out here from the docks?"

Yeah, Hamish answer that one oh, mighty know it all.

"I had a delivery out this way; Andy must have gotten out of the car. For a cat, he's smarter than my brother."

Smart arse.

He noticed Hamish's gaze drop to Jo's chest. He frowned, before glancing over at Andy with questioning look. Andy licked the last of the soup, and then went for Jo's bowl.

Invite yourself in twit
. Hamish glared back. "Guess I owe you a meal, I think he's eating yours."

"Oh, what?" Jo turned, dashing over to where he lapped from her bowl. "Bad kitty, don't you know it's my only…oh dear."

Hamish took the opportunity to move further into the room, but leaving the door open.
Smart, Bro, you don't want her feeling unsafe.

"Uh, not to be rude, but why do you have a knife?"

She glanced down at the knife in her hand. A rosy red flushed into her skin. Damn, she was adorable, even with a knife. "Sorry, it's ah not a, safe, area to live."

"I can see that, but no harm done. Hey?" Hamish smiled again. "I'm not from here, so I promise you you're safe with me and Andy there."

She glanced from Andy to Hamish. "So how about it, can I take you out for dinner? Say sorry for Andy's bad behavior?"

"I, uh, um, no, please, just take your cat and go."

Andy growled. He wasn't leaving.

Hamish went for the big lost boy look, widening his eyes. "So sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. Andy looks set on settling down here for the evening. Are you sure I can't buy you a meal?"

Living below the poverty line, but proud and stubborn, Andy noted. He stretched himself out on the sofa and lay his head down closing his eyes.

"Can't you make him leave?" There was a hint of desperation in her tone.

"Honey, he's a Black Panther, able to shred a guy as big as me into pieces. If he doesn't want to leave, I'm not about to make him."

Andy chuckled,
darn straight.

"But you're his owner, he should obey you."