Page 48 of Wild Card

I nod, snuggling my face around until it finds the comfiest spot. “I’m sorry that I rushed things between us, but please don’t think my anxiety had anything to do with you.” I wrap my arm around his chest, giving him a squeeze. “I’m quite fond of your exterior. You’re hot as hell, Bear. Don’t doubt that.”

He pulls me even closer as his chest starts to vibrate with a ragged purr that makes my inside warm and fuzzy.

“You’ve seen Rush. Our entire lives, if a woman talked to me, it was to get information about him.” He does his best to block his discomfort from the bond, but it still spills through the link.

It makes me feel guilty that I have access to his thoughts and feelings outside of what he chooses to share, but I don’t know the bond well enough to understand how to shut it off.

If that’s even possible.

“Those women have no idea what they missed out on,” I say, trying to find a way to comfort him.

“I love Rush. If I was ever going to end up in a pack, I wanted us to be packmates.”

“I can see why that would be hard.” I run my fingers over his chest. “My parents, teachers, even friends compared me to my sister when we were growing up. They’d wonder why I couldn’t just shut up and sit still. Or tell me that if I’d stop fooling around and concentrate, I could be as smart as Brooklyn.” I scoff, shaking my head. “Only, I’m dyslexic. I didn’t read basic sentences until I was in sixth grade.”

“Jesus Christ,” Bear says, holding me even tighter. “Your parents never realized?”

“Nope, my sister is the one who finally caught on.” It makes my chest ache. I’ve always been envious of how easy everything came to Brooklyn. And she’s actually a really great sister. “The school had me evaluated, and I was diagnosed with mild ADHD and severe dyslexia. Only, we didn’t have health insurance, so I got the extra tutoring the school provided, and Brooklyn spent hours at the library, picking up any books she could find. She used a bunch of tricks to help me learn to focus on the bigger words, and my brain helpfully fills in the smaller ones out of habit now.” I frown, running my fingers over the vibration of his purr. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make that about me. I was just trying to share a story of my own personal experience to let you know I understand how complicated sibling relationships can be.”

“I understood perfectly,” he murmurs, kissing the top of my head. “Now, if I can ask you to do something for me?”

I nod.

“No more needless apologizing.”

“Sorry,” I whisper.

My eyes clench closed as my face burns.

This is why people think I’m stupid.

“Okay, we can work on that as you get more comfortable here.” Bear runs his huge hand down my side as his chest rattles with his purr, and it’s very relaxing. “Let’s change topics. Tell me how you feel about Rush.”

My chest gets tight.

Rush is attractive and easy to be around, but I can’t stand the thought that Bear might believe I was using him to get to his brother.

My shoulders bounce as my mind races, trying to figure out what to say.

“I wouldn’t mind it if something were to build between the two of you,” Bear says, like he can read my mind. No, he’s probably following my emotions in the bond. “And not because I’d selfishly like to keep my brother close by. I know he would treat you with the respect you deserve.”

“I like Rush. He’s easy to be around.”

“Good, so if something happens there, you’ll know it won’t bother me.” He stretches to kiss the top of my head once more. “Now, let’s get some rest. You’ll need to focus on setting up your nest tomorrow. And if you need me, I’m right here.”

“Thanks, Bear.” I snuggle closer, focusing on the sound of his ragged purr. “That thing is next-level playing dirty. Even the vibration against my cheek makes me warm and fuzzy.”

“You’ll be able to take advantage of it any time you’d like from now until forever,” he rumbles.

Holy shit.

That’s going to take some getting used to, but in the best way possible.

Chapter Sixteen

Rush

I’ve never been jealous of Bear. Okay, maybe a little in the way he’s never cared what other people think. He deserves something good in his life, and it’s not like I want to take Lennox away from him.

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