Page 80 of Medium

Desire to save money rather than spend it on non-essentials

Usually able to perform college-level mathematics by age ten, if not earlier

CHAPTER 18

SHANE

Arch had parkedbehind Rory’s SUV, so we were following him heading to the highway. Not that I would’ve expected him to let someone else lead.

Ellis probably sensed my thoughts through our connection. “I’m sorry about Arch. He’s always been like that.”

Rory chuckled. “Half dickhead, half defender?”

Ellis relaxed. “More like three-quarters dickhead, one quarter defender. My dad was always holding Arch up as an example of the kind of man he wanted me to be. It didn’t make for healthy sibling relations.”

I reached over the seat and patted Ellis’ shoulder. He put his hand on mine, and something inside me eased. “He seemed to want to be there for you. Or something. He didn’t have to come.”

He sighed. “Except when your boss tells you your brother’s been attacked by vampires, you can’t very well act like it’s no big deal. Even if he hadn’t wanted to come, he wouldn’t want to look bad in front of Dominic.” He turned his head toward Rory. “Dominic is exactly like Dad wished I’d turned out tobe. Hell, he would’ve traded Arch in if he could’ve had Dominic for a son.”

Rory reached over and put his hand on Ellis’ knee. “What’s so great about Dominic?”

I smiled. I was looking forward to being bonded to Rory. Hell, I was looking forward to the bonding itself.

I shifted in my seat. Ellis squeezed my hand, no doubt sensing my lust through the connection. “Sorry,” I said.

Rory shot me a frown. “Sorry for what?”

I hesitated, but Ellis let go of my hand. “Show him.”

Well, okay. But Ellis was going to fucking participate.

I looked around for any state troopers, but Ms. Jackson must have been keeping them away. I unlatched my seat belt then scooted over to sit on the middle seat so I could reach between Shane and Rory’s backrests. I leaned forward and put one hand on Ellis’ shoulder and one hand on Rory’s. I made sure at least one of my fingers was touching their skin under the collar of their shirts.

“You know how we told you we’re all connected?”

“Yeah?”

“The connection is stronger if we’re touching. Especially skin-to-skin.”

“And that means we can feel what the others are feeling?”

I tightened my grip on him. “Exactly. And a minute ago, I was thinking I was looking forward to being bonded with you.”

He met my eyes in the rear-view mirror. “Yeah?”

“Definitely. But that got me thinking about the actual bonding part, and Ellis felt my reaction.”

I remembered how Rory looked naked. Then I imagined Rory and Ellis naked together, kissing and writhing against each other, their hands and legs never still, touching and gliding together.

Rory gasped, stiffening in his seat. “Fuck!”

Ellis patted my hand. “Tone it down, Shane, he’s driving, remember?”