Eternal Brand by Sami Lee Read Free Book Online Page A

army. You had to go off and fight for your country and that was more important than anything else. It doesn’t change the fact you left in the dead of night without saying goodbye.”
    â€œI thought it was easier that way.”
    â€œFor me or for you?”
    Brand’s gaze tracked over Jet’s face, lingering on those sinfully full lips, the arc of his throat. A white T-shirt molded to his sinuous muscles, clinging in tantalizing places. Brand’s body tightened. Leaving Jet the first time had been hard enough. Saying goodbye four years ago after that night together would have been the hardest thing he’d ever done. “For everyone. Long distance wouldn’t have worked, you know that.”
    â€œI know that’s what you said.” A challenge glimmered in Jet’s eye. “I figured the truth was you didn’t want to be out in the defense forces. Am I right?”
    Brand emitted a sound of disgust and turned away, walking a few paces until he was in the living room. He ran a hand over his crew cut, a style he kept because he’d gotten used to it and it was easy to take care of. Over the last decade, the army had become a part of him. His instinct to defend it was strong, but he owed Jet a more honest truth. “If you’re asking me if it’s easier to be straight than bisexual or gay in the armed forces, it is. But that wasn’t the reason.”
    No, the reason he’d had to leave Jet was something else entirely. Jet had a way of looking at him with his love unhidden, his hopes and dreams on display. There were expectations there that Brand knew he couldn’t fulfill, and he hadn’t been able to stand the thought of one day looking into Jet’s eyes to see the hope had gone and all that was left was disappointment.
    The kind of disappointment that was in the man’s voice now as he came to stand close, too close. “You’ve never had any trouble passing as straight, Brand. Is that what you’re doing with Emily?”
    Brand tensed and shot Jet an acid look. His face was mere inches away, and his nearness made Brand as tetchy as the accusatory words. “You don’t know anything about me and Emily.”
    â€œI know you haven’t told her anything. Not about me or…anything else.”
    The hot tingle of shame crept up Brand’s neck. He’d always told himself it didn’t matter that Emily didn’t know about his past, that it didn’t change how he felt about her now. But deep down he knew Emily deserved better. And maybe he’d thought if she knew the truth about him, she’d finally kick him out.
    Selfishly, he’d chosen silence so she’d let him stay.
    â€œIt’s not fair to her, Brand.”
    â€œI know that,” Brand shot back. Jet might be right but that didn’t mean Brand had to thank him for pointing out his failings. “I don’t get why you think it’s your business all of a sudden.”
    Jet lifted a shoulder. “I like her.”
    Brand narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean, you like her?”
    â€œI mean, after spending all afternoon and evening with her, I see the appeal.”
    Jet brushed past Brand, his chest grazing Brand’s biceps. The muscle quivered in response. Brand’s reaction to the contact was as disturbing as Jet’s next words.
    â€œWe get along very well, Emily and I.” Jet plonked himself down on one of the floral-patterned sofas and propped his bare feet on the coffee table. His lips formed an evil curve. “Didn’t you wonder why she was already horny when you came home this morning?”
    Talk about poking a wild bear. Sweat broke out on Jet’s brow as Brand’s expression set in forbidding lines. His gray eyes turned from stormy to ice-cold, and the scar on his forehead, normally faint from age, stood out like an angry gash.
    He’d always had an immature habit of needling Brand. When they were