Brazen - Brazen #1 - Maya Banks Page 0,30

push too hard too fast and ruin her chance at happiness.

So she nuzzled into his chest, closing her eyes as the warmth of his embrace bled into her body. “Then be angry at me tomorrow,” she said. “But for tonight, I don’t want to be alone.”

Chapter Ten

Seth knew before he ever opened Zane’s door that he shouldn’t go looking for trouble. Still, he was compelled to see if Jasmine was once again in Zane’s bed. It was early, not even light, and when he’d peeked in on Jasmine, he’d found her bed empty.

But he wasn’t prepared for the sight that greeted him. Jasmine, naked, curled up next to Zane, who was also—naked.

His fingers clenched the knob and anger buzzed over him in a white hot flash. Zane’s arm was thrown possessively over Jasmine, and his hand cupped one of her breasts. His cheek rested against her dark hair, and both were sound asleep.

He felt—betrayed.

Before he did something he knew he’d regret, he retreated, shutting the door behind him. He stood outside Zane’s door for a long moment, trying to control the anger, and if he were honest, the jealousy that was fast taking over his rationality.

He stalked down the stairs and headed outside. His fists were still clenched, and he willed himself to calm down. He had no right to be pissed. He’d pushed Jasmine away. Been cruel to her. On purpose. She had every right to find comfort elsewhere.

But a large part of him was angry that she’d found it so soon. And with his brother.

What a goddamn mess.

He began unloading sacks of seed from the trailer, hoisting them to his shoulder and tossing them down in a row inside the shed. He worked mechanically, trying to numb his raw emotions.

He barely noticed sunrise, and only stopped to drag an arm over his damp brow when the sun had been up a good hour. His shoulders and arms ached from the continual lifting and tossing. But he only had a few sacks left.

“Hey bro, you should have waited on me,” Zane said from behind him. “I told you I’d help you get those unloaded this morning.”

Seth tensed and slowly rose to a standing position. He wiped his hands on his jeans and turned to face his brother.

“I figured you were otherwise occupied,” he said in a clipped tone.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Zane asked. But he averted his eyes almost guiltily.

Which only made Seth angrier.

“What the hell are you doing fucking that little girl?”

Zane blinked, his expression shocked by Seth’s outburst. Then his eyes narrowed and his lips thinned.

“She’s not a little girl, Seth. You know it and I know it.”

“I don’t give a damn. You crossed the damn line. You know it and I know it,” he said, tossing Zane’s words back at him.

“What line is that exactly?” Zane demanded. “The one where you tell me how to act and feel? I’ve got news for you big brother. I don’t need a goddamn babysitter, and I damn sure don’t need you telling me who I can or can’t fuck.”

Seth saw red. No matter that he’d been just as crude. Hearing the words from Zane’s mouth, the blatant disrespect enraged him. Even if it did make him a goddamn hypocrite.

Before he could think, before he could stop himself, he swung his fist, connecting with Zane’s face. Zane’s head snapped back, and his knees buckled for a split second before he recovered and lunged for Seth.

Well, fuck. It had been years since they’d gone to fist city, but as pissed off as Seth was, he could use a good barnyard brawl.

* * *

Jasmine woke to sunshine streaming in through the window. Automatically she felt for Zane but once again was greeted by a cold, empty spot. She sighed and rolled over for a moment, hugging his pillow to her. One morning she’d like to actually wake in his arms.

Reluctantly, she pushed herself up and swung her legs over the side. Her head felt a little muggy, but at least it wasn’t hurting. She searched around for her shirt and found it half hidden underneath the bed. She rose and pulled it on before padding to the door.

She cracked it and nervously looked out before slipping into the hallway. She hurried toward her bedroom and into the shower. Thirty minutes later, she collected her camera and headed downstairs to the small study that housed the computer.

Her hands shook as she sat down and fumbled with the USB cord that would enable