Eternal Brand (18 page)

It was well past time Brand opened her eyes.

Chapter Nineteen

“But where did he go?”

Emily paced the floor, glancing again at the wall clock. When Jet didn't respond to her query, she halted her strides to look at him. “Jet?”

“I don't know,” he said. “He took Daisy out again. He didn't take the same track we came in on, that's all I know.”

Emily narrowed her eyes at him. “Did you two have a fight?”

“Sort of. Nothing unusual for us though.”

He was lying. Emily could tell by the way he didn't quite meet her eyes. She could always tell when Jet was lying. Even in the beginning when he'd lied about only being an “old friend” of Brand's, she'd suspected something was off.

“You're a sucky liar,” she told him, and started pacing again.

Jet smiled. “Okay, we had a fight. But I'm sure he'll be back.”

“He knows Penny's party is tonight?”

“Yeah, he knew.” Yet he wasn't home, and according to the clock on the living room wall, they ought to be leaving about now. As though sensing her thoughts, Jet said. “He won't let you down.”

“I hope not.”

She wanted tonight to go well. Her whole family was going to meet Jet, and it had become very important to Emily that they like him. They were merely going to introduce him as Brand's friend, of course. No way was her family ready for the truth. But Emily hoped someday they might be.

She really hoped there would
be
a someday for her, Brand and Jet.

“You're not helping my cause you know.” Emily scowled at Jet. “The two of you fight like two dogs in a cage sometimes. It doesn't exactly promote domestic harmony.”

“Is that what you see happening with us, Em?”

Emily froze once more and stared at Jet. The doubt inherent in his query frightened her. “Don't you even ask that. I thought we were getting somewhere.”

“Because Brand likes to watch us fuck, you think we're going to live happily ever after?”

The brutality of his sarcasm winded Emily. She sank to the couch opposite the one on which Jet sat. Her voice sounded small and far away. “Is that all we've been doing?”

She saw remorse gleam in his dark eyes before he turned away. He gazed out the window at the purple sky. “Maybe I shouldn't come tonight.”

Emily's stomach plummeted. “You have to come. I want you to.”

“Brand probably won't.”

“Oh, Jet. Be honest now—how bad was this fight?”

He turned back to meet her gaze, and in the dim twilight, dark shadows fell across his face. One side of his mouth lifted in something that parodied a smile. “I fucked up, Em. I pushed him too hard.”

“But that's what you do,” Emily said, desperate to hang on to hope that Jet was simply being melodramatic. “You push him and he gets aggravated, then I sweet talk him and we all make out and everything's fine.”

Jet didn't respond in kind to her joke. His face held that same sober expression that scared the hell out of her. “I don't think this is going to work, Em. The three of us. Not the way you want it to. My being here could ruin things between you and Brand.”

“No, I don't believe that.” Emily stood and crossed the floor. She settled onto Jet's lap. She held his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. “You being here has been the best thing that's ever happened to Brand and me.”

“Are you trying to tell me things weren't easier when it was just you and Brand?”

“If this is about my Monica-related freak-out today, I'm sorry.” She'd thought over her outburst this afternoon and now felt silly. So what if Monica had been interested in Jet? Jet wasn't going to do anything with some random woman who came here for a trail ride. He loved Brand. Maybe he even…

Too soon to be thinking that, Em.
Although ever since the day of their shopping trip, she'd been preoccupied with thoughts of Jet and what he might or might not feel for her—what she definitely felt for him, which was something much stronger than like and longer lasting than lust.

“I'll tell people whatever you want me to,” she continued, knowing her voice was climbing an octave in her desperation to plug whatever hole had been punched in the perfect bubble of paradise she'd created here with Brand and Jet. “I'll lie, I'll cheat, I'll do whatever it takes. Just don't tell me there's no point trying. Not you, Jet. If you lose faith I'm the only one with any shred of it left, and I can't fight the both of you.”

“Ah, shit, Em.” Jet's arms were strong and fierce as he drew her tighter to his body. He cradled her on his lap, fitting her face into the curve of his neck and gently rocking her. “I don't want you to lie. You're too damn sweet and honest, and I love that about you.”

Emily's heart skipped a beat at his use of the L-word. She closed her eyes, breathing in the scent of him which had become so familiar, some mixture of exotic spice and leather. She filled her senses with it, filled her soul with everything about Jet that she'd come to love. A calm sense of purpose overcame her. “Then I'll tell everyone the truth.”

Jet sighed. “No, Em.”

“Why not?” Her family loved her and wanted her to be happy, and once they understood that Jet and Brand made her happy, they would accept her unconventional choice. She hoped. If they didn't…well, she didn't want to think about that right now. “I don't want to hide you, Jet. I'm not ashamed of you.”

Jet closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers. “You really think you can do this? Tell your whole family you're in a relationship with two men?”

Emily's palms sweated at the very thought, but she said, “I have to. It's what I want and I don't want to lie about it.”

“Ah, Em. We're going to have a hell of a time convincing Brand. He's running scared right now.”

His words frightened her, but his use of the word “we” helped alleviate some of the fear. They'd work this all out somehow. Together.

Emily stroked the silky hair at Jet's nape. “Don't give up on me, Jet. I need you. Brand needs you.”

“I can't give up, Em. Christ, I love you both too much.”

Emily's heart leapt to her throat at his impassioned confession. Before she could get her bearings, he kissed her fully, his warm lips and mobile tongue drawing the usual response from her.

Jet loved her. Emily's pulse raced, spreading the desire quickly around her body. She tilted her head back and opened her lips compliantly, encouraging Jet to deepen the kiss.

He devoured her, and Emily responded fervently, kissing him back until they both ran out of air. “Oh, Jet,” she panted when they broke apart. “I…”

The sound of the dogs whining a greeting made her break off. She turned to see Brand standing in the doorway, his expression fierce.

“Brand!” Emily gave Jet's hand a squeeze before standing and walking toward Brand. “Where have you been? We were worried.”

“Were you?”

He gave her body an assessment that was both scathing and intensely carnal. Emily was suddenly aware that her nipples must be standing out clearly against the silken material of her green crossover top. She flushed with embarrassed heat, which was crazy because this was Brand. Brand had seen her in an aroused state more times than she could count.

Rebelliously, she planted her hands on her hips, not bothering to hide herself. “Yes, we were. Did you forget I wanted to leave for Penny's party by five thirty?”

“No.” His gaze wandered indolently over her outfit again, taking in the slim fit of the top and black slacks and the high heels. The outfit Jet had helped her choose after he'd convinced her not to buy some frilly dress she wasn't comfortable in. “You look damn sexy. Are there any kisses left for me or did you use them all up?”

Emily didn't like the latent anger in his tone. He didn't have the right to complain that she was kissing Jet. “Not until you tell me—”

He cut her off by grabbing her and forcibly yanking her into his arms. His kiss was peremptory, almost brutal. The absence of the gentleness Emily was used to made her lose her breath. She was stunned into compliance. She could do nothing else when Brand simply took what he wanted without asking.

Despite the complete lack of finesse in the kiss, by the time Brand pulled back Emily's nipples gave away her response. Brand studied the effect, his lips tilting mockingly. “Plenty left for me, after all.”

Emily swallowed, not at all sure what to make of Brand's behavior. “We need to get going.”

“Your family can wait a bit longer.” Brand followed up his arrogant statement by placing his hand on her ass and squeezing. “I want you.”

Heat flushed through Emily. Part of it was due to embarrassment, because Brand had never spoken to her with even an ounce of condescension and she didn't know how to respond to it now. The other part was pure physical reaction, because despite his attitude Brand's brusque hand on her ass was a turn-on.

He put both hands on her ass and drew her toward him. His hardening flesh prodded her stomach as he swooped down to graze his teeth over her throat. Emily shuddered with pleasure at the peremptory treatment, her panties filling with damp heat. Brand was being a total ass, but somehow Emily was still aroused by him.

“Brand, wait.” She gathered the strength to push against his chest in protest. “I don't want this.”

“Bullshit.” He lifted a hand to cup her breast, rubbing his palm over the distended nipple. “You're enjoying it.”

He gave her a solid pinch to prove the point. Emily gasped, both in shock and undeniable sexual response. If this had been a game, Emily would have apparently loved to explore it. But it wasn't a game. Something was wrong, and they were late for her sister's party already.

“Brand, don't.”

Emily shoved at his arms, trying to wrench herself out of his embrace. When he didn't immediately release her, Jet came and pulled her out of Brand's arms and into his.

“Brand,” he hissed. “She said no.”

Brand took a step back at last. He lifted his hands to show his compliance, but the twist of his lips was mocking. “Just trying to be straight up about what I want. Felt like a screw without all the foreplay. Guess I should have come to you.”

Emily sensed the anger vibrating through Jet's frame. “I'm not in the mood.”

Brand laughed, a cruel sound. “Emily is.” He raked his gaze once more over her body. “You got her hot, but I get her hotter. And she's always saying she wants all of me. Just the way I am, isn't that right, Emily?”

Brand raised a brow, his silver eyes assessing her flushed cheeks and heaving chest. Was he challenging her? “That's right. I even want the parts of you that are one hundred percent asshole.”

“No, you don't.”

“You're not going to scare me off, if that's what you're trying to do. Is it?”

“Thought I was clear about what I was trying to do.”

“Jesus, Brand,” Jet swore. “Lay off.”

“Emily doesn't need your protection. We were fine before you came along.”

“That's a load of bullshit.”

Brand glared at Jet, and Emily could see the situation was only going to deteriorate if she didn't reduce the level of airborne testosterone.

“It's okay, Jet.” Emily stepped out from under Jet's protective arms. “You said you wanted to give the bike a run. Why don't you go on ahead? We'll meet you at Leyton's.”

“No.”

Emily looked at him steadily. “I'm okay. Brand and I will be right behind you.”

Disbelief swirled in the depths of Jet's dark eyes. Maybe a degree of hurt too, something Emily would have to smooth over later. Hell, the man had just told her he loved her and now she was effectively kicking him out. She'd definitely need to make it up to Jet. But right now separating him and Brand was the priority.

“Please, Jet.”

Swearing under his breath, Jet stalked to the coffee table and grabbed his keys. He shot daggers at Brand with his eyes. Brand responded with a smirk. Jet didn't even look at Emily as he left the house, slamming the door behind him.

A moment later the thrum of the Harley started up. It roared as it sped off into the night. Emily prayed Jet wouldn't speed and get into an accident.
I'm sorry, Jet.

All through Jet's stormy exit, Emily and Brand faced each other. When the sound of the motorbike's engine had faded, Emily said, “It's just us now, Brand. Is there something you want to get off your chest?”

“You think I want to talk?” His gaze seethed with lust as it raked over her.

“Do you honestly believe sex is going to fix whatever's got you pissed off?”

“It's never hurt my mood before.” When his gaze reconnected with hers, Emily was sure her pulse stopped. “Get your clothes off.”

Her heart started again, beating so hard and fast Emily felt faint. Brand's dominance was something she'd grown addicted to in the past month, and she couldn't prevent her body from responding with a rush of wet heat.

Was he intentionally being a jerk to prove she didn't want all of him as she'd always said? That she didn't want his dominant, demanding side or the darkness that he had never before shown her? She'd always sensed there were depths to his personality he kept back. If she turned him away now, would she ever find out what he was hiding?

“Emily.”

The steely command caused her breasts to tighten. She allowed her base lust, and love, to make the decision for her. She would do whatever it took to prove to Brand that she wasn't afraid of his pain. She grasped the hem of her top and dragged it over her head, revealing the black lace bra she only wore for special occasions. See through, push up. It had all the seductive elements, and it never failed to incite Brand's passion.

Now, his response was more like fury than lust. “Bedroom. Now.”