You still mad, or can I have a hug? he asked. I shrugged. It wasnt his fault Marc had dragged me home.
Ethan set his apple on my dresser, and before I could blink hed enveloped me in his long arms, my cheek resting on a chest smooth enough to be mistaken for a boys, if not for an obviously mature physique. And it wasnt just his chest. Ethan was two years older than I was, but you couldnt tell it from his cherubic face, all dimples, wide eyes, and long, gorgeous lashes.
He squeezed just a bit too hard, to show me how much Id been missed. Then he swung me in a complete circle as I squealed, taking me back to my childhood, when Id spent every summer tagging along behind him and Jace, just in case they decided to let me play.
He set me gently on the floor, then plopped down on my bed and leaned back, propping himself up on his elbows. The pose was familiar enough to send a pang of nostalgia ringing through me. As children, wed spent hours sprawled across my bed, making fun of Michaels latest girlfriend and laughing at Owens most recent attempt to sneak a terrified pet past our mother.
So, he said, still grinning. Got your escape planned yet?
Like Id tell you if I did. I curled up at the head of the bed and pulled a small, frilly pillow into my lap. It was one of those worthless, decorative things that do nothing but get in the way. My mother bought it, assuming Id like it because I had ovaries. She was right, but for the wrong reason. I used it when I needed something to punch.
You think Id rat you out? Ethan asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
I know you would. Thats your job. He didnt deny it, and I couldnt work up any real indignation. Trying to hold a grudge against Ethan was like trying to catch a fish with your bare hands. Not impossible, but damn near.
A soft shuffling sound from the doorway drew my attention. At the threshold stood Owen, my third brother. He was just tall enough that a chunk of his perpetually tousled hair brushed the top of the door frame. Dark eyes met mine and a smile spread across his face, slow and sweet as his Texas drawl. Hey, sis, I heard you were home.
Owen! I crawled off the bed, tossing the pillow aside, and ran toward him. He met me in the middle of the room, scooping me up into a hug to shame all others, the kind that pops your spine and steals your breath, all in the name of brotherly love. Owen was our resident farm boy, cowboy hat and all. He smelled like the land, like dirt, fresh water and hard work. His jeans were torn and permanently stained, which meant he hadnt changed out of his work clothes yet. But then, he hardly ever did. Or, more accurately, he hardly ever stopped working, which eventually turned all his clothes into work clothes.
Arent they feedin you up there? he asked, holding me at arms length for a better view. Youre lookin kinda skinny.
She looks good to me, Jace said from the doorway. He dropped my suitcase on the floor and snatched Ethans apple from the dresser. Grinning, he took a big bite and sank backward into my desk chair, his arms crossed over the arched back.
She is thin. Ethan sat up to scratch one tanned shoulder. But it wouldnt be quite so noticeable if youd wear actual clothes, Faythe.
I am wearing actual clothes. I glanced down at myself, trying not to see his point. Okay, maybe my shirt was a little low cut. And tight. And my jeans didnt quite reach my belly button, but thats how everyone on campus dressed in the summer. We lived in Texas, for crying out loud. It was hot. Besides, its not like you have any room to talk, I said, eyeing his bare chest.
He shrugged, as if to say he didnt make up the rules. Its different for guys.
A double standard. Shocking, really.
Leave her alone before you scare her off again, Owen drawled. You know how sensitive women can be about their clothes. He put his arm around my waist and squeezed me affectionately, a gesture as smooth and gentle as his temperament.
Shes no woman, shes our sister, Ethan said. I twisted in Owens embrace to stick my tongue out at him. Ethan reciprocated and moved to sit on the edge of my bed, feet brushing the thick taupe carpet.
Shes not my sister, Jace said around a mouthful of half-chewed apple. His easy grin spoke of casual teasing, but his eyes met mine with enough heat to make me pause with uncertainty for a moment before replying.
I smiled to soften the coming blow. Im not your anything.
Ouch! He leaned back against the desk with one hand over his heart, covering an imaginary wound. Then his smile reached his eyes, and he took another bite of the apple. Clearly Id dealt him a fatal blow.
Owen hugged me one more time, brushing the top of my head with his chin full of prickly stubble, then let me go, backing up to lean against my wall. On the radio, the first notes of Miss Independent played, and I smiled at the irony of listening to it from inside my tumbleweed prison. Lucky bitch, I thought, turning it up to give my father every opportunity to hear the song through the walls.
I sank onto the bed next to Ethan and leaned my head against his bare shoulder. Whats this about you fighting a stray at school? he asked, draping one arm around my waist. Didnt your mother ever tell you its not ladylike to pick on boys?
Had she ever. It was nothing. Just a scuffle.
Jace tossed the apple into the air and caught it behind his back. Marc thinks it was the same guy who took Sara.
Like hed know, I thought. But what I said was, Couldnt have been. He was too easily frightened. It was just some asshole intruder looking for a little excitement.
Sounds like he found it. Owen drawled.
I grinned. Damn right.
Looks like you found a little too, Jace said, his gaze focused on my stomach.
Shrugging out from under Ethans arm, I looked down at the gap between the hem of my shirt and the waist of my jeans. An amorphous purple blob had taken shape on my left side, over the lowest of my ribs. Beautiful, I said, standing to get a better view in the mirror. Just lovely. It hadnt looked anywhere near that bad when Id left campus. Sammi hadnt even noticed.
Wheres everyone else? I asked, tugging my shirt down to hide the bruise as I sank back onto the bed.
Vics out looking for Sara, Jace said. He tossed the apple core into my trash can and held both fists up in victory. I rolled my eyes. Guys may get bigger, but they never really grow up.
Yeah, I heard. I pulled away from Ethan, rolling my head on my shoulders, trying to ease the tension that had been building since the moment Id smelled the stray on campus. It didnt work, but it did give me a pretty good crick in my neck. What about Parker?
Hes around, Ethan said. Marc has him out playing foot soldier.
On our own property? My eyebrows arched in surprise as I rubbed my neck. Then the implication sank in, and my hand fell into my lap, my discomfort temporarily forgotten. Daddy must be really spooked by all this.
Ethan and Owen exchanged looks, but I wasnt fast enough to interpret them before their expressions were gone. Something else was up, but they werent talking. Wonderful. I hate secrets Im not in on.
We better go, Owen said, shooting Ethan a stern look. Were supposed to help Parker.
Yeah, yeah. Ethan mumbled, pulling himself off the bed with one hand wrapped around the corner post.
Owen slapped him on the shoulder and shoved him toward the door, turning back to look at me from the threshold. Were going huntin later, if you wanna come.
Well see, I said, careful not to commit myself. I loved hunting, and he knew it. But if I appeared too eager to go, they might think I was glad to be home, and I certainly couldnt have a dangerous rumor like that floating around unchecked.
Owen gave me a leisurely, knowing smile and disappeared into the hallway. I listened until I heard the back door slam shut, then turned to look at Jace.
He smiled back at me from my desk chair, showing no inclination to leave. Big surprise. I considered kicking him out so I could pout in private, but then he turned those bright blue eyes on methe playful sparkle mingling seamlessly with a hint of that earlier heatand I couldnt do it. I couldnt kick him out and watch the light fade from his eyes.
Instead, I returned his smile, running my hand over the bed to smooth out wrinkles I didnt really mind in the first place.
Jace leaned back in my desk chair, his Kentucky Wildcats T-shirt stretched across broad shoulders. He was descended from the original Kentucky wildcat, which, of course, was more than just a mascot. Dont be mad at me, he said. None of this was my idea.
I know. I tilted my head to the left, still trying to work out the muscle cramp. You can stay. Until you start to bore me.
Why, thank you, Your Highness. He stood to perform a deep, highly sarcastic bow. But instead of returning to the chair, he sat down behind me on the bed, brushing my hand away from my neck. Careful not to tug, he gathered my hair and laid it over my shoulder, then began massaging my neck at the base of my skull.
His touch was firm and warm, and his fingers moved with confidence, seeking the tensest muscles. I moaned with relief, then stiffened and flushed from embarrassment. Jace only laughed and rubbed harder until I relaxed again.
So, how ya doin, kid? he asked, moving down to work on my shoulders.
Not too bad, for a prisoner.
He chuckled, sounding distinctly unsympathetic. Could be worse.
How?
You could be a hostage.
I huffed, plucking imaginary fuzz from my comforter as he moved lower, kneading the muscles between my shoulder blades through the thin cotton of my shirt. At least a hostage has hope of a ransom.
His hands hesitated for a moment, his breath stirring my hair as he sighed. Your dads only trying to do whats best.
For whom? I pulled away, turning to half face him.
For everyone.
Whats good for the gander isnt always good for the goose, Jace, I said, resorting to a mutilated cliché. It didnt help. He couldnt understand. Tomcats were immune to my particular plight, a fact Id envied all of my adult life.
Youre not poultry, Jace said, grinning as he brushed a strand of hair from my shoulder. And anyway, after everything thats happened the last couple of days, you have to admit us watching out for you was a good idea.
The hell it was. I beat Jace over the head with that stupid fancy pillow as I spoke, punctuating each word with another harmless blow, even when he brought his arms up in defense. Iwatched outformy self. After one final whack, I dropped the pillow into my lap and sat frowning at Jace. Marc wasnt even there. But dont you dare tell Daddy. Im getting ready to try my hand at blackmail.
A new hobby? What, you get tired of the disappearing act?
Funny. I smacked him one last time with the pillow. But Im not kidding. He has no right interfering in my life. For that matter, neither does my father.
Jaces grin faded slowly. My father died when I was three, and my stepfather never gave me anything but a hard time. Your dad gave you five years of freedom. Why isnt that enough? With nothing appropriate left to rub, his hands settled aimlessly into his lap, and I stared at them to avoid seeing the dejected look in his eyes. He was taking it too personally. It wasnt like Id left him in particular.
Because my life isnt his to give, I said, my words clipped short in frustration. Its mine, and I should be able to do whatever I want with it. Whyis that so hard for everyone else to understand?
Jace shrugged. So, what do you want to do with your life?
My hand clenched around a handful of my comforter. I dont know yet.
Instead of laughing, he nodded as if he understood. He probably did. If Jace had any long-term goals, surely he wouldnt have still been working for my father.
He ran a hand through his straight, light brown hair, and my eyes tracked the movement automatically. Your dad never sent Marc, you know. He could have, but he didnt.
Until today. I tried not to pout. I really did, knowing Id never be accepted as an adult as long as I acted like a child. But old habits really do die hard.
Todays different.
No, todays the same. I straightened out of my slouch, drawing his gaze up with me. Its the same as tomorrow will be, and the next day. Its the same as it was when I left.
Not quite, he said, and the grin was back. He shifted into a more comfortable position, wrinkling my comforter, and leaned forward, blue eyes gleaming. Youre out of practice now.
Out of practice? A slow smile spread across my face. He wanted to run.
Is that a challenge? My pulse quickened at the thought of a race, my heart already preparing to increase the blood flow to my muscles. I leaned forward in anticipation, my breath coming fast and shallow. My aggravation was gone, overwhelmed by my love of the chase.
Its a fact. Jaces eyes sparkled as he edged subtly toward the side of the bed. Theres no way you could have kept in shape up there, with nowhere to stretch your legs.
I flashed him a smile, brazen and cocky. Youd be surprised.
His eyes narrowed. Id be astonished.
To the tree line? I asked, and he nodded. Lets go. Pulling the barrette from my hair, I hopped onto the floor, kicking off my shoes one at a time. I was already halfway to the hall when Jace tackled me from behind. My knees and elbows hit the carpet with a rapid series of thuds. He fell on top of me, pinning me to the floor on my stomach, his body stretched the length of mine.
My breath whooshed from my lungs, and I struggled to replace it for a long moment, until Jace realized the problem. He propped himself up with one elbow, giving me just enough room to breathe. Irritation blossomed, and I opened my mouth to demand that he get up. But my words were forgotten at the first tentative brush of his fingers against my bare skin.
Jace and I had always enjoyed a very casual physical relationship, trading chaste smooches and the occasional rump pinch with no more significance than a hug from a brother, which he practically was. However, this was a new kind of touch, different even than his boldly seductive greeting in Daddys office. Before, hed acted with confidence, almost arrogant in his certainty that I enjoyed his attention. But now he was hesitant, his touch featherlight and slow, as if he expected me to stop him at any moment.