Brazen (Brazen #1)(5)

He started guiltily when the bathroom door opened and Seth walked out. His older brother eyed him curiously before walking over to throw his toiletries in his suitcase.

“We should be getting on the road,” Seth said. “I’d like to be home as early as possible. Carmen is expecting us, and if I know her, she’s cooked enough to feed an army for Jasmine’s homecoming.”

Zane nodded and swallowed. “I’ll wake Jaz up.”

He walked over to the bed, purposely keeping his eyes as far from the bare expanse of her legs as possible.

“I’ll do it,” Seth interjected, shoving in front of Zane. “You get the luggage down to the truck.”

Zane frowned in irritation. “Don’t f**king treat me like I’m some kind of goddamned ra**st, Seth. I was honest with you, which is more than I can say you were with me. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to jump her bones at the first opportunity. Now get out of the way so I can get her up.”

Seth put his hands up in surrender and turned away. Zane shook his head and sat down on the edge of the bed next to Jaz. He reached out to touch her hair. He let his fingers trail down the strand until they reached her shoulder. He shook her gently.

“Jaz, wake up, honey. It’s time to go home.”

She didn’t so much as flinch. He smiled and shook her again.

“Come on, sleepyhead. Up and at ‘em.”

She stirred and her eyes fluttered open, a sleepy, dreamy look to them. She stared up at him then smiled, and his chest lurched.

“Good morning,” she whispered.

He leaned down to kiss her forehead, just like he’d done a million times in the past. Only now he felt cheated. He wanted to explore her lips.

“Get up, Jaz. We’re heading home. Carmen’s waiting for you.”

She struggled to sit up, and he eased off the bed. He stood for a second, not really knowing what to do to alleviate the tension he felt. Then he walked over and snagged the two suitcases Seth had just zipped up.

“I’ll take them down,” he said shortly. “I’ll meet the two of you in the lobby.”

Jasmine watched him go, a mixture of hurt and confusion wracking her brain. Was he avoiding her now? This wasn’t something she’d counted on. She knew it would be difficult for them to see her in a new light, but had it been all too easy? Were they no longer comfortable around her as a result?

She wasn’t ready to let go of the relationship she shared with the two men who had taken care of her for the last six years. She loved them, wanted more than their protection. She wanted their love. Oh, she knew they loved her, but she wanted the all-consuming love. The kind between a man and a woman, not the kind they’d given a sixteen-year-old runaway from the streets.

She looked up at Seth who regarded her cautiously. The wariness in his eyes wasn’t something she was used to. He’d never been easy, but he’d always been hers. Her friend and confidant. Her protector. She didn’t like the distance that had opened between them in the space of a few hours.

“Is something wrong?” she asked softly.

He shook his head and looked away.

She looked down, trying to control the wash of emotion his rejection caused. The Seth she knew would never have turned away from her like he just had. It hurt.

Across the room, she heard Seth groan. Then suddenly he was in front of her, pulling her into his arms.

“I’m sorry, little bit.”

The endearment did little to comfort her. She looked up at him. “Should I have stayed in Paris?” She held her breath, praying that he really hadn’t wanted that. If he didn’t want her…she hadn’t given consideration to that possibility. What if he was tired of being responsible for her?

He bit out a curse and clasped her face between his two hands. “Look at me, Jasmine. You will always have a home here. Do you understand me?”

She studied him for a long moment, searching his eyes for something, though for what, she wasn’t certain. “But do you want me here?”

“Of course I want you. I can’t believe you’d have to ask. Honey, I don’t know what’s going on with you, but never doubt that you are welcome at the ranch. It’s your home. That won’t change. You understand that?”

She leaned forward, his hands still framing her face, until her forehead rested against his. She put her arms around his neck in a hug. “I’ve missed you, Seth. I only feel at home when I’m with you and Zane.”

He sat there a minute longer then slowly stood up, letting his hands fall from her cheeks. “Zane’s waiting on us. Go on and get dressed. I’m going to head down to the lobby to check out. Come down when you’re ready.”

The miles stretched out over the West Texas landscape. Flat, barren, but beautiful to her. Jasmine stared out the window as the truck ate up the highway. The sun was high overhead, and although it was just the end of May, the heat had already settled in.

She leaned her forehead against the glass, idly listening to the two men talk in the front of the truck. Her mind was occupied with memories of the first time she’d taken this trip. A scared sixteen-year-old. No clue what the future held. Desperate to be away from the circumstances of her past.

She closed her eyes, remembering that night in a Houston bar when she’d approached Seth, her throat nearly swollen shut in fear. She’d propositioned him, knowing her only other choice was to be tossed back onto the streets. When he flatly refused her, she’d panicked, knowing he was her last chance.