Brazen (Brazen #1)(49)

He heard a door close in the distance, and he stood and walked out of the study to see if it was Zane. It was, and he called out as Zane headed for the stairs.

Zane turned and looked inquiringly at him.

“How did it go in San Antonio?” Seth asked.

Zane put his foot down from the step and ambled over to where Seth stood. “Good. Got two bookings and several maybes. They were impressed by my presentation. Could be a good year for us.”

“That’s great,” Seth said, though he knew his voice lacked enthusiasm.

“Is everything okay?” Zane asked sharply.

“Jasmine was hurt today. Esme threw her.”

Zane’s eyes widened. “Is she all right? Why didn’t you call me?”

“Because by the time I found her, there was nothing you could have done anyway.”

“Found her?” Zane asked in a strangled voice. “Was she missing?”

Seth rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “Esme came back without Jasmine. I called J.T., and he and one of his deputies came out to help me look. I found her out about a mile. Got a knock to her head and a bum ankle.”

“You didn’t take her to the hospital?”

Seth made a face. “You know how stubborn she is. She just wanted to come home.” It was on the tip of his tongue to tell Zane what happened, but he couldn’t. He didn’t want to see how his brother would react. Maybe he wouldn’t care. Maybe he would. Seth didn’t have any desire to find out.

“Where is she?” Zane demanded.

“Upstairs asleep.”

Zane turned and without a word headed toward the stairs. Seth watched him go, his hands tense. He knew Zane would go up, touch her, make sure she was okay. Probably get into bed and hold her. Something she’d asked Seth to do earlier. He closed his eyes and turned away, unable to stand the thought of Jasmine in his brother’s arms.

Chapter Twenty-Four

As soon as Jasmine became aware of the hard body wrapped around her, she knew it wasn’t Seth. Her eyes fluttered open to see Zane staring down at her, his blue eyes filled with concern.

At what point had Seth left and Zane arrived? Instead of being put off, she drew such comfort from knowing that both had stayed with her. Both taking care of her, loving her, just as in her dreams, her most wonderful fantasies.

For a minute, she didn’t say anything. She merely burrowed into Zane’s strong arms, content to live in the moment.

“Are you okay, Jaz? Seth said you hurt your head and your ankle.”

She pulled away. “What time is it?” she mumbled.

“Eight.”

“In the evening?”

“In the morning,” Zane said. “You slept all night.”

Her brow furrowed. She vaguely remembered Carmen waking her at two different intervals. She’d grumbled but Carmen had insisted that she wake and answer questions. She’d complied then immediately fallen back asleep.

“Jaz,” he prompted. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m good,” she said. She stretched and flexed her ankle experimentally. Pain shot up her leg, and she couldn’t control the grimace.

Zane latched onto it like a pit bull, yanking the covers down. He took her foot in his hands and brushed his fingertips across the swollen skin.

“You need to stay off this,” he said grimly.

She sighed.

“Now show me where you hit your head.”

She sighed again.

“Jaz,” he said pointedly.

She lowered her head and pointed to the spot that ached. He burrowed his fingers gently into her hair, parting it so he could see the wound.

“Ouch,” he said sympathetically. “Why the hell didn’t you let Seth take you to the hospital? You probably need stitches. That’s a hell of a gash.”

She put her hand to his and pulled it away from her head. “I’m fine, Zane. Really. I’ve told Seth that until I’m blue in the face. I’m sure I’ll walk around like an old woman for a day or two, but I’ll be just fine.”

“You shouldn’t have been out riding Esme alone,” Zane grumbled.

She arched an eyebrow and smiled at his concern. He certainly never used to mind her hell-raising ways. Heck, she’d taken off by herself more times than she could count. Half the time, she’d wound up at Tucker’s only to be hauled out by J.T. But now Zane looked at her like a woman. His woman. It gave her a ridiculous thrill for him to be so worried and protective.

She put a hand on his cheek and coaxed him down so she could kiss him. “I love you. I missed you.”

“I should have been here with you.”

“Seth took care of me.”

She sucked in her breath as the words fell. She hadn’t meant to say it, even though she’d never made an effort to hide anything from Zane. But she didn’t want to do anything that could potentially hurt him.

Zane seemed to read her worry. He kissed her tenderly, his lips melting over hers. “I’m glad he did, baby.”

She sagged in relief.

“Now would you prefer breakfast in bed or do you want me to carry you downstairs so Carmen can fuss over you in the kitchen?”

She grimaced at the idea of spending the day in bed. “How about you leave me to take a shower and then I’ll join you downstairs.”