Free 3#Unlikely Mates: BBW Shifter/Vampire Romance (Their Everything) by Charlene Hartnady

that she didn’t want a
mate? She couldn’t do the whole forever thing. Nothing had changed. The more
time she spent with the two of them, the more she felt herself slip in way over
her head.
    All
she wanted was to be able to go back to her apartment, all on her own. After a
nice long bath and her comfy, warm bed, she would feel herself again in no
time. In a better frame of mind to put this whole thing behind her. Though a
nagging voice inside her told her that she was lying and that was why she
wasn’t fighting this more. Putting her damn foot down like she normally would.
She needed the company. Maybe having two strong non-humans at her side, just
for today, was really what she needed.
    This
was only a short term thing, if they expected to stay indefinitely, they would
be sadly mistaken. She hadn’t changed her mind about anything. She didn’t want
either and even if she did, how the hell would she choose? It was impossible.
    Ross
drove carefully, taking it really slow and easy. He kept glancing at her in the
rearview mirror; his eyes were filled with concern. He growled at Rushe every
so often for taking up all the space and kept on telling him to keep his fat
knee and elbow on his own side of the vehicle. She couldn’t help but to smile
at the two of them. Although they pretended not to get along, she noticed that
they did seem to have a begrudging respect for one another. She might even go
so far as to say that given a chance, the two of them could even be friends. It
was weird and she wasn’t sure she liked it. Then again, the alternative was a
fight and she liked the idea of that even less.
    “It
won’t be long now, we will hit the paved road soon. The ride will be smoother
and we’ll be back at your place in no time.” Ross glanced back, throwing her a
lopsided grin.
    “I’m
perfectly fine. Don’t worry about me.”
    “It’s
my job to worry.” He growled, glancing back again.
    “No
it isn’t.” She snorted, narrowing her eyes at the rearview mirror.
    “He’s
right you know.” Rushe glanced back at her. Irritating her even more. “Except
it isn’t his job, it’s both of our jobs, at least until you pick one of us.”
    “Rubbish,”
she said. “I’m so not freaking picking.”
    “Let’s
not argue about this now,” Ross said. “We’re both staying with you tonight and
that’s nonnegotiable.”
    “It’s
my apartment so I definitely have a say.” She tried to get up. This wasn’t a
conversation to have while lying sprawled out on the back seat of a moving
vehicle.
    Somehow
Rushe managed to squeeze himself around and between the front seats and
actually gently pushed her down. “Lie still. I agree with Ross, you’ve been
through a terrible experience. We are to blame. The least we can do is to watch
over you, make sure that your every need is met. We promise not to fight.”
    “So
this is another thing that you guys have discussed and agreed on without
consulting me first?” She went up onto her elbows, looking into the rearview
mirror while catching each of their gazes in turn. Bright, glowing blue and
dark, intense brown. Her heart actually flip-flopped. She was probably still
having a panic attack after her whole ordeal.
    “It
wasn’t something we needed to discuss, it is just how it is.” Ross said, his
voice had a gravelly edge. “You have been through a lot. The wolf and I will
set aside our differences.” Ross glanced at Rushe. “For now. Neither of us
would concede to the other, the right to stay at your side in order to help you
through this tough time. Therefore it would be better if both of us were with
you. This way we would prevent a fight.” Ross sighed. “As much as I would love
to keep the honor for myself, you would not like us fighting right now so we
will have to deal.”
    She
chewed on her lip, not liking the logic in his statement.
    “What
Ross said is true, I would fight to be with you. It would be better if you
allowed both of us to stay at your