Brazen (Brazen #1)(39)

Her cheeks warmed. “I borrowed handcuffs from J.T. and handcuffed Seth to his bed. Then I stripped in front of him and seduced him.”

“I’m guessing he didn’t fight you too hard,” Zane said dryly.

“He was reluctant. At first. But then…” She sighed. “It hurt, and I didn’t expect it. I know that sounds stupid. I’m not stupid about sex, and uhm, I’ve experimented with alternative measures to the full-blown act of sex, all of which I enjoyed, so I honestly didn’t think it would feel so…well…terrible!”

“He wouldn’t have liked hurting you,” Zane said gruffly.

She shook her head. “No, he didn’t. I know he hated it. And on the heels of that, he hated me for forcing the issue. He was angry that I didn’t tell him. I should have, I suppose, but he wouldn’t have touched me if he knew I was still a virgin.”

“And why were you?” Zane asked softly. “You’ve not had a shortage of men interested in you despite our best efforts to beat the shit out of all of them.”

She grinned but then sobered as his stare penetrated her. “Two reasons. One, I couldn’t imagine giving myself willingly to anyone but you and Seth. And two, after what happened six years ago, when I was expected to sell myself for sex…I swore I’d always value my body and my self-respect more than that. I wouldn’t give my body to anyone I didn’t love.”

Zane squeezed her to him and kissed her forehead. “I don’t know what to tell you about Seth, baby. I’m not even sure what I want to happen. I won’t lie to you. But I’m not angry about what happened between you. I understand what it is you want, and while I’m not convinced it’s what I want, we’ll work it out. I don’t want to lose you. If you believe nothing else, believe that I won’t let you go.”

Her heart took wings and flew at his vow. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For understanding.”

He kissed her again then pulled away with a look of regret. “We should go downstairs. It’s late, and while I don’t mind who knows it, we should ease Carmen into this. It’s going to be a hard adjustment for her. She still sees you very much as her baby. Not to mention the fact that Seth is going to want to kick my ass again.”

Her eyes flew to his. “You won’t fight again, will you?” she asked anxiously. “I don’t want to come between you. I love you too much.”

He smiled as she touched the fading bruise around his eye. “We won’t fight, baby. And if we do, it’s nothing for you to worry about. We’ve squabbled since we were children. It’s what brothers do. Now hop up and let’s go get breakfast before Carmen comes and chases us out of bed.”

They dressed and headed downstairs together. Carmen eyed them suspiciously as they sat down to eat.

“You two are speaking again, eh?” she observed as she puttered around, setting plates in front of them.

“Yes, mamacita,” Jasmine said with a smile.

“We’re doing more than talking,” Zane said with a wink in Carmen’s direction.

“Zane!” Jasmine exclaimed, shocked that he’d be so blunt.

Carmen chuckled and shook her head. “This girl is impossible to resist when she puts her mind to something, yes?”

Zane grinned. “Yes.”

Carmen stepped between them and pulled them both into a hug. “I’m very happy for both of you. I love you both as my own.”

“Where is Seth this morning?” Jasmine asked casually as Carmen walked back toward the stove.

Carmen turned, her gaze troubled. “He hasn’t come home.”

Zane shrugged. “He was heading to Tucker’s last night. You know him. If he drank, he’d stay in the hotel.”

“But it isn’t like him to drink so much that he can’t drive,” Jasmine murmured.

“He’s upset right now, Jaz. You have to give him some time. He’s got a lot on his mind.”

She nodded unhappily. She was impatient. Now that things appeared to be working out between her and Zane, she was more anxious than ever to bring Seth into the relationship. But even as she thought it, she realized it would be the battle of her life.

As if sensing her dour thoughts, Zane leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her. “Just give him time, honey. That’s all you can do.”

Chapter Nineteen

Jasmine’s wait for Seth to return bordered on a sick vigil. She paced the living room and haunted the window overlooking the driveway. Zane had gone out to do some work, a fact she was grateful for, because she didn’t want to have the confrontation with Seth when Zane was present.

Supper was a subdued affair. Jasmine sat and picked at her food while Zane wolfed down his. Even Carmen didn’t have much to say. After they’d eaten, Zane dropped a kiss on her forehead.

“I’m going to go up and grab a shower and head to bed. I’ll see you…later,” he said.

Jasmine nodded and smiled, though it was a strain to do so. The longer she waited for Seth to come home, the more worried and anxious she became.

She stood by the window long after darkness fell, staring down the road. Finally around midnight, she saw the headlights of his truck bounce over the hill. She stepped away from the window and rubbed her hands nervously down the back of her jeans.