Outfoxed by Marie Harte Page A

were jealous Gabby had gone to live at the pride. If the foxes hadn’t been so snooty, she probably would have stayed with her clan. But too many of them preferred full-blooded foxes to half-breeds. Burke didn’t give a shit what you were, so long as you had decent sense and a backbone to defend the pride. In that he truly respected his brother.
    He stepped through the front door and caught her scent without even trying. The moment his feet hit the tile, she swung from a customer to face him. Her face turned a pretty shade of pink before she smiled down at the older raptor fingering a bolt of fabric on the counter between them.
    “There you go, Millie.” Gabby’s husky voice aroused him every time. Sex and sin all wrapped up in a redhead with a smile to die for. “Now remember, I give you this, I get free ice cream through the summer.”
    Not a bad deal. Millie owned the local ice cream parlor, and with the weather finally heating up, it was a bitch fighting all the kids to get a cone. He cleared his throat and nodded in Millie’s direction.
    Gabby didn’t quite smother a smile. “Oh and a free cone for Grady too.”
    Millie turned to look at him, no doubt remembering all the trouble he’d caused when younger. Damn Dean. As usual, he’d have gotten away with a helluva lot more if his little brother hadn’t been tagging along all the time.
    “Grady Chastell, eh? This big galoot hasn’t been bothering you too much, has he?” The old bird had a twinkle in her eye that meant trouble.
    He gave her a wide smile and sidestepped a few older she-bears with big ears and roving hands. Fortunately they seemed to be leaving, so only Millie remained. “Now, Millie. Is that any way to talk to a man who’s had a crush on you since he could walk?” He took her frail hand in his, kissed it and pressed it to his heart, aware of Gabby watching him with wide eyes. “You gave me my first peppermint stick. How could I not love you?”
    Millie flushed and shoved him away, but not before squeezing his hand in hers first. “Oh please. Boy has less sense than looks, I can tell you that. But those looks, whooee. Gotta love those cat eyes, eh, Gabby? And he’s got that strong Chastell blood.” She turned to Gabby and in a conspiratorial tone said, “Everyone thinks Burke is the dangerous one, but Grady’s the one to watch. He’s tricky, like a fox. He’ll ease his way into your confidence, then pounce.”
    “And then it’s too late.” He wiggled his brows and had both women laughing. “You need help with that, Millie?” He pointed to the fabric.
    She shook her head. “No. I’ll leave it here and have someone pick it up for me tomorrow. You kids have a nice night. Grady Chastell, behave yourself.” She gave him a stern frown, but the smile in her eyes took a great deal of the sting from it. “Bye, Gabby.”
    “Millie.”
    He and Gabby stood in silence, watching Millie take her sweet-ass time leaving the store. Grady had to grin. He’d seen the older woman move like lightning when she wanted to, despite her advanced years.
    When she finally departed, he turned to see Gabby watching him, that blush still riding her cheeks.
    “So you—” he said just as she said, “How was your—” They laughed together.
    God, could she get any prettier? Gabby wore her silky hair pulled back in a ponytail. Wisps had escaped the band and framed her face, making her look like a tired pixie who wanted to have mischief on her mind but hadn’t the energy to do much. He swore he could see her fox sizing him up, then her cat taking his measure. He wanted to go hunting with her, racing through the woods as cats and then watching her shift into her fox form, all sleek and silver and red.
    “You first,” she said softly.
    “Oh um. Yeah.” He felt like a fool, unable to think of anything else to say but, “You’re pretty.”
    “Thanks.”
    They stared at one another. He wondered if she remembered how good it had been between them. If