Authors: Maya Banks
“Will you let me taste you?” she whispered. “Will you come in my mouth like I came in yours?”
He let out a string of curses. He sounded like a man who was losing the last vestige of control. In answer to her question, he surged upward, burying his cock in her mouth. His hand tightened in her hair as he held her in place.
His other hand found the hem of her nightshirt and he pulled upward. “Take it off,” he muttered. “I want to see you.”
She released his cock and rocked back on her heels. Her hands fumbled with his as they both yanked at her shirt. She pulled it over her head and tossed it to the floor.
Zane stared at her, his eyes glittering as his gaze fastened on her breasts. “Come here, baby. I want to taste them.”
He pulled her forward, angling his mouth so that her nipple slid between his seeking lips. Pleasure rocketed through her abdomen, tightening her pussy until she squirmed.
“Like candy,” he murmured. “So sweet and delicate.” He nibbled at the rigid tip then coaxed her over so he could lap at the other.
She threaded her hand into his thick hair, holding him against her. His mouth, so hot and wet, sucked avidly at her breast and sent delicious shivers down her spine.
Then he released her, and he pushed impatiently at her shoulders, guiding her back down to his cock. “Finish it,” he said huskily. “Make me come.”
She lowered her head, once again grasping his cock, and guided it to her mouth. She closed her eyes and sucked him deep, allowing herself to revel in his taste and feel.
“That’s it,” he moaned. He stroked her hair, touched her face, feathered his fingers across her jaw as he pumped his hips up and down.
As she took him deep, his hands glided down her body to cup her breasts. He rolled her nipples between his fingers, alternating cupping the small globes with thumbing her stiff peaks.
“I’m going to come, baby. If you don’t want me to come in your mouth, you need to move,” he said in a strained voice.
She ignored him and sucked harder. She moved her hand from the base of his cock and wrapped her fingers around his sac. She loved the feel of the soft, puckered skin dotted with fine hairs. His balls tightened and rolled as she lightly squeezed.
His hand curled around the base of her neck and held her firmly in place as he buried himself one last time. Warm, salty fluid spurted into her mouth.
It felt thick and creamy as it spilled onto her tongue. She’d never experienced anything so erotic. She swallowed, opening her mouth so he could go deeper. She wanted him. All of him.
Finally he slumped back onto the bed, sliding from her mouth in the process. She stared up at him, and he stared back with lazy contentment. He reached out a thumb and wiped his fluid from her lips.
“Beautiful,” he murmured. “So fucking wild and beautiful. I hope to God you never change.”
She curled herself into his embrace, melting against his hard body. He wrapped his arms around her and rolled until they lay side by side.
“Don’t make me go,” she whispered. “Hold me just for tonight.”
He leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips. “We can’t do this, Jaz.”
She wanted to argue. Wanted to point out that there was no reason they couldn’t other than his own personal hang-ups and the fact that Seth had probably already laid down the law. But she also knew she was going to have to be patient. Zane and Seth were worth it to her. It would take time, and she didn’t want to 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 her to download pictures from her camera to the computer.
She was scared to death to face Zane. And Seth. Seth had rejected her, and while Zane hadn’t at first, he’d made it clear he considered what had happened a big mistake. She was making a first-class mess of her intentions, and worse, she was failing miserably in her quest.
After downloading her pictures, she checked her email, grateful once again that Seth had installed satellite internet for her.
She smiled as she read a quick note from Cherisse. The bubbly French girl always managed to cheer her up. She typed a quick response and sent it on its way.
As she scanned the rest of the emails in her inbox, her gaze focused on the subject header of one.
Wildscapes Magazine
. She clicked to open it and skimmed over the message.
Photos that she’d taken while in France, as well as older photos of the West Texas landscape, had been accepted for publication by
Wildscapes
. In addition they were very interested in other photos she might have and would like to know if she would consider a regular feature for their magazine—“Without Words”, a photo column on a monthly basis.
She sat, stunned, then read back over the message again. Truthfully, she’d submitted them on a lark, in a moment of weak indecision before she’d determined that she would return to Sweetwater Ranch.
She eased back in her chair and stared for another long moment before sliding the cursor over the “X” to close the email program. She unplugged her camera and set it to the side then rolled her chair backwards to get up.
She should be excited. But how could she greet the news with enthusiasm when it would mean leaving Sweetwater? And the Morgan brothers.
Paris had been a catalyst for so many things. She’d gone there to find herself. She’d experimented, thrown herself into life away from the ranch, made new friends. But she’d been unable to escape the inevitable. She loved Seth and Zane. Would always love them. That wouldn’t go away with time, distance or newfound maturity.
She trudged down the stairs, hungry and wanting the comfort of Carmen’s company. But when she walked into the kitchen, she was greeted by a sniff and a reproving look.
Not what she needed today. Was everyone mad at her? She plopped down onto a barstool and propped her elbows on the counter.
“Good morning to you, too,
mamacita
.”
Carmen stared balefully at her. “Hungry,
niña
? You’re awfully late for breakfast. I should make you wait for lunch.”
Jasmine sighed. “Why are you angry with me,
mamacita
?”
Carmen ignored her and bustled around the kitchen plating some of the leftovers from breakfast. She thrust the plate into the microwave and stood, hands on her hips as she waited for the time to lapse.
The door from the patio opened and shut and Jasmine swiveled on the stool to see who had come in. She gasped when she saw Zane standing there, rumpled, dirty, his mouth bleeding and his eye blackened.
Before she could open her mouth to ask him what the hell had happened, his lips tightened, and he strode out of the kitchen in the opposite direction.
She turned back to Carmen. “What on earth happened?”
Carmen huffed and plunked the plate down in front of Jasmine. “You are what happened,
niña
. You and these games you are playing with the boys.”
Jasmine shook her head in confusion.
“They fight,” Carmen said in exasperation. “I go outside and the two of them are rolling around in the dirt trying to kill one another. It’s no way for brothers to behave.”
Jasmine felt sick. She shoved the plate away, unable to stomach the thought of eating. She buried her face in her hands. “Oh, God, I never meant for this to happen.”
Jasmine heard the ruffle of Carmen’s skirts, and then she was enfolded in Carmen’s arms. Carmen coaxed her hands from her face and cupped her chin in her hand.
“You’re playing with fire. You know this, eh
niña
?”
“I love them,
mamacita
. What would you have me do?”
Carmen’s face softened and she hugged Jasmine to her. “I know you do. But these boys. They’re stubborn. They won’t be easy to win over.”
Jasmine nodded as Carmen moved back toward the stove to stir the chili she was making.
“What are your plans,
niña
? Now that you are home from Paris. What will you do now?”
The earlier email floated through Jasmine’s memory. She leaned forward, resting her chin on her upturned palm. “I don’t want to do anything. Is it so terrible that I don’t want my life to take me away from here? This is my life. It’s where I belong.”
Carmen walked over to stand close to her once more. “Listen to me,
niña
. You can’t put all your eggs in one basket. Because if that basket falls, all the eggs break and you have no more. You can’t put your life on hold waiting on something that may never happen.”
Jasmine winced even as she knew Carmen spoke the truth. She did have to plan for a future that may not include Seth or Zane.
“Oh, Carmen, what am I going to do?”
She let all the pent-up despair spill over. Carmen hugged her close and stroked her hair soothingly. “You’re young,
niña
. Young and beautiful. You have your entire life ahead of you.”
“But I don’t want a life without them,” Jasmine said quietly. “I realize how dramatic it may sound. You think I’m young. I don’t know my mind. That this is all some crush that will fade as soon as the next hunky guy comes along.”
She broke off but Carmen remained silent, waiting patiently for her to have her say.
“I left here,
mamacita
. I left here with the intention of not coming back. I didn’t think I could ever have what I wanted, that there wasn’t a way for me to win their love. I wanted to exert my independence. Make them see me not as someone they were stuck taking care of, but as a strong, independent woman capable of making it on her own.
“But my time in Paris only made things clearer to me. I was being a coward by running away. I never once stayed and fought for them. How can I expect them to see if I wasn’t able to show them? And so here I am, wanting so much but no idea of how to make this work.”
Carmen sighed. She drew away and framed Jasmine’s face in her hands. “Sometimes,
niña
…sometimes we don’t get what we want. You have to prepare yourself for the possibility that you may never get what it is you most want. And more than that, you have to figure out what you’re willing to risk in your attempt to gain your heart’s desire. Because if you fail in this, your relationship as it is now with Seth and Zane can never be the same.”