Brazen - Brazen #1 - Maya Banks Page 0,1

He wore a tight T-shirt that stretched across bulging biceps and a hard, muscled chest. Wrapped around his upper arm, between the upper and lower muscle, was an intricately woven tattoo. A pair of deer antlers interrupted the circular flow of the band. It was the same graphic that was branded into the metal arch over the driveway to Sweetwater Ranch.

Zane’s blue eyes twinkled in welcome, and when he opened his arms, she forgot all about not throwing herself at him. She felt the sting of tears at her lids. She was home. She flew across the crowded room and launched herself at him.

He caught her with a chuckle and palmed her ass as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

“Gee, Jaz, one would think you missed me.”

Following her instincts, and her desire, she ignored his outburst and pressed her lips to his. He stiffened in surprise, his hands tightening on her behind.

For the briefest of moments he returned her kiss, allowing his mouth to work hot over hers. It was a bolt to her system, a welcome flood of desire.

One of his hands slid up her back, resting against her spine. She shivered at the feel of his palm against her bare skin. His tongue brushed over the curve of her mouth before he tore his lips away. He stared at her, his eyes wide with shock and something else. Lust. He blinked rapidly and eased her body down his until her feet hit the floor with a thud.

Behind him, the sound of a throat clearing caught her attention.

It was then that she saw him. Seth. Standing behind his brother. Had he been there the whole time? Why hadn’t she seen him before now?

A groan worked from her stomach into her throat. She hadn't known he was coming. Zane hadn't told her.

She swallowed and looked up at him, her mouth gone dry from the hard frown he gave her. He closely resembled Zane. He still wore his hair cut short, but it was the same silky black as his brother’s. His eyes were the same intense blue, and the tattoo on his arm was an exact match to Zane’s. But she knew Seth wouldn’t be caught dead with any piercings.

Where Zane gave the appearance of being easygoing and laid back, Seth was his polar opposite—ultra responsible and brooding, seriousness etched into every facet of his face.

“Hello, Seth,” she said nervously.

He looked curiously between her and Zane. It didn’t help that Zane shuffled from foot to foot and wore an expression that screamed “guilty as hell”.

“Ah, why don’t we go see about your luggage, Jaz?” Zane asked.

“Do I get a hug?” she asked Seth in a husky voice.

He hesitated for a split second before opening his arms to her. She walked into his chest, curling her arms around his waist. She buried her nose in his shirt and closed her eyes.

This was coming home. For a year, she’d ached for him. Missed him. Yearned to be back home and in his arms. And finally she was here.

A current of electricity flowed between them, something that had been absent in the past. She could feel his quick intake of breath, as if his realization of her was sudden and unexpected.

After a second, his hand crept up to stroke her hair. He kissed the top of her head. “I missed you, little bit.”

It was something he’d called her plenty of times in the past, but now it irritated her.

She pulled away, frowning at him. “Little bit?”

He grinned. “You’re still a little bit of a thing. You barely reach my chest.”

She clenched her teeth together in annoyance. He was already putting distance between them. Already labeling her as the little girl he was used to. Maybe it made him more comfortable, but she didn’t give a damn about his comfort. She wanted him to burn the way she burned. Want the way she wanted.

She turned to Zane easing her jaw as she smiled at him. “Let’s go get my luggage. I can’t wait to get home.”

“We’re not immediately going home,” Seth said.

She shot him a sideways glance. “No?”

He shook his head. “I’ve reserved hotel rooms for us. It’s too late to start back now. You’re no doubt tired from your flight. We can go home in the morning.”

She nodded then quickened her step to catch up with Zane. He slid an arm around her shoulders as she leaned into him.

“I missed you, Jaz,” Zane said. “It’s damn quiet at the ranch without you.”

She