Eternal Brand by Sami Lee Read Free Book Online

Emily, and Brand had to protect her from his past.
    He forced himself to look at her. She was staring at him and Jet, a furrow between her brows. She’s noticed something. Brand’s pulse spiked, along with a sense of guilt he’d buried so deep he’d considered it nonexistent. He hadn’t told her about Jet. He’d justified it by telling himself he hadn’t asked about Emily’s past loves. He didn’t want to know numbers or names, so why would Emily? If she’d ever asked anything, Brand had simply said he’d never met anyone like her, that there was no place he’d rather be than with her.
    It was all true. He’d never lied to her. But when Emily looked at him with confusion marring her pretty face, Brand had to acknowledge what a big lie it was to keep his bisexuality a secret.
    â€œIt smells done.” Both Brand and Emily looked at Jet. He nodded his head toward the kitchen and tilted his lips at Emily. “The banana bread smells done.”
    â€œOh! You’re right.” She flashed Jet a smile. “Thank you, apprentice.”
    Jet gave a mock bow. “You’re welcome, chef.”
    Emily hurried into the kitchen. A moment later Brand heard the sound of the oven door creaking as it opened, of a metal tray being placed on the sink. All the while his gaze burned into Jet’s. Jet stared back, not even breaking eye contact when he picked up his coffee mug and sipped from it.
    â€œMaybe a tad overdone, but it’s good,” Emily said as she came back into the dining area. Brand tore his gaze away from Jet to offer her a half smile. Her glance passed between him and their visitor, that furrow returning to her brow. She took a breath, brightening forcibly. “I have to go out back and check Pony. His owners are coming to pick him up around noon. Will you boys be all right without me for a while?”
    â€œSure.”
    Jet answered for the both of them, making that muscle tic in Brand’s neck. He didn’t want to be alone with Jet—being alone with the man had always been dangerous. But he couldn’t speak freely in front of Emily, so Brand said nothing as she walked over and kissed him on the cheek.
    Brand gripped her forearm, stopping her before she could leave. He cupped her jaw and pulled her in for a proper kiss. Her mouth was warm and mobile, her fingers light where they rested on his chest. Long seconds passed before Brand sensed her reluctance, her recollection that they weren’t alone.
    When he released her, Emily smiled ruefully at him, her cheeks flushed. “I’m only going out the back, Brand. See you both in a bit.”
    A moment later she was gone, the sound of the screen door banging behind her. Its hinges were squeaking again. Brand put oiling them on his mental to-do list.
    â€œThat was hardly necessary.”
    Brand returned his attention to the man standing in front of him. “What?”
    â€œThe kiss. I’m well aware you’re playing the good boyfriend now.” Jet raised a dark brow. “I heard enough last night to get the picture.”
    Memories of returning home in the early hours came back. Reaching for Emily, her ragged moans of now, now . The thought that Jet had lain awake, hearing all that, caused heat to rush along Brand’s skin. “You stayed here last night?”
    â€œUh-huh. Came yesterday afternoon looking for you. I twisted my ankle, then the weather got nasty.” Jet shrugged. “Emily insisted. Said it was what you would want. But I guess from your demeanor she was wrong.”
    â€œI don’t know what you want me to say, Jet. You show up here without warning—”
    â€œYou tend to disappear without warning,” Jet interrupted. “So why not?”
    â€œThis again,” Brand muttered. “You knew I was leaving, Jet. Both times. It’s the army—they run to a pretty rigid schedule.”
    â€œSure, say it was the