Brazen (Brazen #1)(28)

She grinned. “Sounds good. I left the ranch before Carmen had lunch finished.”

They went two doors down to a small café that only stayed open from eleven to two every day for lunch. After they’d been seated and their orders taken, J.T. took a long drink of his tea and focused his attention on Jasmine.

“Now what can I do for you, sweetness?”

Heat crept into her cheeks, and she felt some of her courage desert her. She took a drink of her ice water, praying it would calm her embarrassment a little.

She cleared her throat as J.T. continued to look inquisitively at her. “I wondered if…uhm…” She leaned forward so that no one would overhear and whispered, “I wondered if you had an extra set of handcuffs I could borrow.”

His eyes widened in surprise. His lips parted, and then he closed them again. “I know I’m probably going to regret asking this, but why on earth do you need handcuffs?”

“Do I have to say?” she asked.

J.T. chuckled. “Oh boy. Tell me it’s legal at least.”

She pretended to consider for a moment. “Well, you know Texas has some pretty funky sex toy laws…”

He hooted with laughter and shook his head. “You’re serious. You want handcuffs?”

She sighed and sat back in her chair. “I’m desperate, okay? I need a way to make someone stay in one spot long enough for me to do a little convincing.”

“Damn. What a lucky son of a bitch. Darlin’ if you ever want to convince me, I can guaran-damn-tee that you won’t need handcuffs. Unless you really, really want them,” he added with a wicked grin.

They were interrupted when the waitress put their plates down in front of them. After she left, Jasmine chewed on a fry and glanced over at J.T. “So can I have them?”

J.T. gave her a thoughtful look. “Sure, I have a pair. Just don’t be telling your unwilling partner that you got them from me. Oh, and make damn sure you don’t lose the key.”

She chuckled. “Thanks, J.T. You’re a prince.”

Jasmine returned to Sweetwater a bit more cheerful than she’d left. J.T. always lifted her spirits. They went way back. Or at least the few years he’d spent hauling her out of Tucker’s bar when she managed to sneak in. He’d spent almost as much time looking out for her as Seth and Zane.

She tossed Zane’s keys on the kitchen table as she walked through, and she cocked her ear, listening for any sounds within the house. She could hear Carmen’s television from her room, but the house was otherwise quiet.

Seth and Zane had either gone out or they were locked in their rooms avoiding her. Well, that was fine because Seth’s time was limited. One way or another, things were going to come to a head. Just as soon as she got the chance to use those handcuffs.

Chapter Twelve

Zane leaned against the back porch railing and stared up at the broad expanse of stars twinkling against an inky black sky. He took a swig of his beer and set the bottle down on the wooden rail. Night sounds echoed across the terrain. In the distance a coyote howled, and closer, an owl hooted, followed by another a little further away.

As he took another sip of his beer, the bottle rubbed across the split in his lip, and he grimaced.

This was one time he was actually grateful to Seth for trying to kick his ass. Though Seth had certainly not escaped unscathed. Zane grinned then winced as he once again irritated his sore lip.

They both looked like shit, and while Zane couldn’t speak for Seth, Zane felt like shit. They’d had plenty of squabbles over the years. What brothers hadn’t? But never over a woman. Not one they both obviously had feelings for.

But the episode had forced Zane to examine a simple truth he’d been avoiding ever since Jaz had returned home. His feelings for her had changed. But the confrontation had also made him consider that for the first time, he and Seth were going to be at major odds. Zane didn’t see a way around it. He wasn’t willing to push Jaz away just because Seth thought it was the right thing to do.

He honestly had no idea how things would work out. Triangles were things of soap operas. Oddly enough, the idea that Jaz might have feelings for Seth didn’t bother him as much as he might have thought. In a twisted way, he imagined she probably did have feelings for them both. That he could deal with. The idea of Jaz not being part of his life in some way? That bothered him.

He downed the last of his beer and headed back inside. It was dark in the kitchen. Carmen had long since retired. She wasn’t exactly thrilled with him and Seth since their fight, and she hadn’t gone out of her way to be accommodating.

As he walked through the living room, he saw Jaz asleep on the couch, the television still on. He quietly walked over and took the remote from her hand. He pointed it back at the TV and turned it off.

He laid the remote down on the end table by the lamp and stood there looking down at her. She was curled into a tight ball, one fist tucked under her chin. Her long dark hair spilled over her shoulders, satiny and fine. He reached down to touch her cheek, unable to resist the temptation.

She sighed and nuzzled closer to his hand. For a moment, he thought she’d awakened, and he tensed, not prepared to explain why he was standing over her, but she snuggled deeper into the couch and resumed her even breathing.

He relaxed in relief then reached for the afghan folded at the end of the couch. He pulled the blanket over her and gently arranged it so she was covered. Then he walked away.