The Purrfect Predicament (Australian Shifters) by Angela Castle Page A

the statement it had been there a long time.
    "Our parents built this before we were born; we've lived here all our lives, and modernized it as the times changed. Recently we've put in a nice little den with a few big screen TVs."
    She heard the pride in Hamish's tone and eyes as he gazed on the beautiful old building. He hurried ahead and opened the front door. Andy carried her inside. Her eyes moved about a delightful little vestibule of lead lights and gleaming, polished wood. She tilted her head up to see intricate painted ceiling roses and tessellated tiles, with ornate cornering and luminous timber trim.
    Within the generous space of the entrance way opened four doorways at various points of its pentagonal shape. Set in the centre, she gazed over the fine timber stairs.
    "Hang on, your parents built this? But it has to be over a hundred years old."
    "Hundred and thirty give or take a few years."
    "You're not making any sense."
    "We will soon." He carried her down a long hall. The smell of hot cooked food wafted in, just before they came into a large white and black marbled kitchen with a huge centre island. Gleaming silver appliances sat on the black marble top bench tops.
    "Looks like the ladies have been here." Hamish moved to inspect several pots on the counter. He ripped off a little white note as Andy finally set her on her feet. He yanked out a black chair with leather padding.
    "Sit, we'll organize everything."
    "We heard of your plight and thought you would enjoy some home-cooked meals," Hamish read the card aloud.
    "We'll have to thank them." Andy nodded, pulling out plates from the gleaming white cupboards.
    "No doubt they'll be around soon enough, wanting to meet her."
    Juniper's head was spinning with so much conflicting information. Her temper hit the boiling point, she'd had enough. She threw off the blanket, jumped to her feet and screamed. "What the hell is going on?"
    Twin sets of eyes turned to her. Her body shook with her fury. Were they all completely insane?
    "Sit down, Juniper." Her butt hit the seat at his dominating, no-nonsense tone. She gaped at him. Andy moved in and loomed over her; he bent and placed a kiss on her lips. "Good girl, we need to take care of you properly, and we take our duty seriously. Do you understand?"
    She nodded, shuddering a little at the carnal gleam in his eyes. It vanished and he smiled, back to happy go lucky Andy. "I promise we'll answer your questions after a good brunch." She flushed as she realized she was sitting there half-naked, both Andy's and Hamish's gazes raking over her exposed body. She bent and snatched the blanket off the floor, quickly wrapping it around herself.
    The stereo chuckles from the brothers was freaky. Hamish went back to getting the plates and setting them out, while Andy collected the glasses then fetched a carton of juice from the big silver refrigerator. Within moments they had the table laid and were piling scrambled eggs, warm scones and sausages onto her plate, as well as their own.
    Hamish took the seat to her right and Andy the one on her left, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
    "There's enough here to feed an army." Her mouth watered as she grabbed her fork and dug into the scrambled eggs, which were also loaded with cheese, onions and peppers. It had been a long time since she'd eaten anything this good.
    She moaned in pleasure, and then glanced up, startled as they were again staring at her, their eyes hooded with pure lust that kicked her own back into gear.
    Hamish cleared his throat, snapping Andy from his stare.
    "We tend to eat a lot." Hamish ate his own eggs.
    "High metabolisms." Andy bit into a sausage.
    She finished her eggs and drained her juice. Then nibbled on the scone, and waited until they had finished their large piles of food.

Chapter Six
    Brunch finished, Andy was feeling as satisfied as one could with good food warming his belly, but there was still a lot to come today. He led their little mate