Predator's Serenade Read Online Free Page A

and teased from under his Hugo Boss jersey shirt. And you just knew he was the sort of man who looked even more devastating in the nude.
    Insult added to injury? Check.
    Not that it mattered. She was here to help her son, not feel sharp pangs of embarrassing lust. She adjusted the way she was sitting on the bench. Damn, somehow Soren Snow had managed to ooze right under her skin. How had that happened?
    Okay, he was crazy hot, she could admit it. And the famous lothario must think she was an emotional nutcase. Way to make a first impression, G .
    Gioia stared at the hands in her lap, frowning at her cracked knuckles, so dried from washing dishes at home. Her nails were clipped and short for work, chipped in a couple of places, and in desperate need of a manicure. Sex goddess hands…in a parallel universe, maybe.
    She heard footsteps approaching. She looked up and saw her second cousin Wes. Wes Clementine was a bear shifter who'd made it his mission to spend as much time as possible with Gioia and Gunnar since Paul's demise. She appreciated it, seeing as Gunnar didn't deem her worthy of conversation. Wes had not only been Paul’s cousin but his best friend, and he was one of the few stable male influences her son had in his life. So when Wes had suggested he come along on the retreat to the lodge, Gioia had jumped at the opportunity. It was important for Gunnar to know his family cared.
    If only he hadn’t been acting so strange lately. There was a new, curious light in Wes’ eyes, and it always seemed trained on her. She dismissed the thought as usual, figuring she was reading the wrong emotions in his heated looks. "Hi, Wes."
    Her relative smiled and sat down next to her, putting an arm around her shoulder. He drew her close and kissed her forehead. "You're worrying again. Don't. It'll all work out in the end."
    "Promise?"
    "Promise, sunshine."
    He picked up her hand and stroked it, running his thumb over her palm in a caress that felt way too intimate to be appropriate for second cousins. Gioia slid her hand out of his as awkward heat scored her skin. He regarded her with obvious interest for a moment, took a breath, and then spoke. “So, did you and the boy meet the big rock star?” He sniffed, a look of disdain marring his handsome features.
    Gioia knew his opinions about getting Soren Snow involved in their problems. Wes was suspicious of anyone outside their circle to begin with; most shifters just had to live by that code. But when she’d mentioned Gunnar might be meeting his idol, Wes had been quick to register his disapproval. She couldn’t blame him. He felt just as she did.
    “Wes, what do you want me to do? I’m at the end of my rope.”
    The shifter’s lips tightened, and he rested his forearms on his knees, contemplating. “Gunnar just needs more time with his family. With us. We’ll set him straight, you and I.”
    “I don’t think we have the luxury of time anymore. It’s been almost a year since the accident,” she argued. “We need to reach Gunnar sooner rather than later.”
    He leaned into her, his thigh brushing hers. She slid away a degree. “I’m not criticizing you, sunshine. I know how hard it’s been, and I miss Paul too. I’d give anything to have him back. I just don’t want Gunnar to get his hopes up this Snow person is going to become his fancy new best friend and fix all his problems.”
    “I know. I don’t want that, either.” She considered the short exchange with Soren and Gunnar. “But I think he’s already made a bit of an impression on him. Gunnar spoke.”
    Wes’ eyes widened. “Really?” However, within seconds, he once again resembled a bear whose salmon had been stolen away. “Well, let’s just hope Soren Snow doesn’t run off with some movie starlet just when Gunnar needs him most. Didn’t he just have an affair with that ditz from the reality show?”
    “Just because The Examiner prints it doesn’t mean it’s true,” she said softly.
    His