Page 27 of Trick or Treat Nurse at My Feet
"What, how did you know?" slips out at the same time Ethan says, "Weeks?"
This new habit, neck rubbing when nervous around Ethan, might become a problem if my rising body temperature is any indication. "Months, actually.” There’s no point in trying to hide it now.
The guys laugh, and it strikes me how different this is from what I feared. No disgust, no anger, just the same teasing they'd give me over any girl I liked.
"Didn't know you were into the sparkly twinks, Ty!" Cameron shouts, causing another round of laughter.
Ethan's face is growing redder by the second. "I should probably—" he starts, gesturing vaguely toward the door, clearly ready to bolt.
Watching him, I'm suddenly sure that if I let him leave now, he might never come back. He looks ready to file this under "embarrassing mistake" and disappear forever.
And I don't want that. Not at all.
"You know what?" My voice is calm but firm.. "Let's go talk."
Before he can respond, I bend down and, in one smooth motion, hoist him up and over my shoulder. He weighs almost nothing; all that gym time is paying off.
"What are you… PUT ME DOWN!" he yelps, suddenly dangling over my shoulder, those "NURSE HOTTIE" scrubs on full display for everyone to see.
My brothers lose it.
"DAAAAAMN, TY!" Cam howls with laughter. "Staking your claim?"
"Our VP finally bagged himself a Hot One!" Drew announces, arm around a giggling Emily.
"It's the psycho-killer instinct," Gavin calls out. "Find prey, throw over shoulder, drag to cave!"
"Hey!" I call back without stopping. "I resent that comparison. My room is way cleaner than a cave!"
"Barely!" someone shouts, earning more laughter.
Catching sight of Sylas pushing through the crowd, he looks shocked.
Ethan's struggles are half-hearted at best. My arm is secure around his thighs, and when his hands instinctively grab onto my back to steady himself, I feel a jolt of electricity where he touches me.
"The twink's gonna need those nursing skills after tonight!" Taj calls out, earning a loud cheer and then a smack up the back of his head from Gavin.
It feels good to have Ethan bury his face into my back as I carry him through the parting crowd. Every brother I pass adds another comment or wolf whistle, but none of them sound angry or disgusted; just the typical, idiotic comments I'd get with anyone I was interested in.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Ian calls after us. "Which isn't much!"
“Gentlemen,” I acknowledge with a dip of my chin, proceeding through the gauntlet of my snickering brothers with Ethan's weight balanced perfectly across my shoulder. Emily gives an enthusiastic thumbs-up, but Sylas's expression instantly transforms from shock to fierce protectiveness.
"Where exactly do you think you're taking him?" Sylas demands, materializing in front of us with impressive speed considering his platform boots. His perfectly made-up eyes narrow dangerously. "Put. Him. Down."
Ethan's body, slung over my shoulder, tenses, vibrations traveling through his torso into mine as Ethan's upside-down voice defends us both. 'Sy, it's okay. I'm fine with this.'
Sylas doesn't budge, one glittered eyebrow raised skeptically. "You sure about that, honey? Because I can absolutely destroy this frat boy's pretty face if you need me to."
Adjusting my grip carefully, I swing Ethan around until I'm cradling him in front of me, princess style so that he can face his friend directly. His cheeks are flushed a spectacular shade of red that even extends to the tips of his adorable ears.
Since when do I find ears adorable? Well, his are, and I kind of want to nibble on one. Focus, you idiot!
A nearby pledge whistles. "Damn, VP's got the princess carry down perfect. Been practicing?"
"Nah," I quip without missing a beat. "Engineering. It's all about leverage and center of gravity."
"Is that what they're teaching you in those fancy classes?" Ethan mutters, his face still flaming red. "Advanced Manhandling 101?"
