Free Eternal Brand by Sami Lee Page B

Emily.” There was a pause while Jet waited for his pulse to recover. Then she added uncertainly, “Brand’s Emily.”
    â€œI knew which Emily.” He’d recognized her voice from the first word. And he could never forget who she belonged to. “I was just…I was taking a photo.”
    â€œOh. What of?”
    â€œThe headland with the storm clouds closing in on it. There’s lightning out on the horizon. It’s spectacular.”
    â€œSounds like it.”
    There was another awkward pause where neither seemed to know how to continue the conversation. Then Jet remembered what he’d told her before he’d left last Sunday. If you ever need to talk. Evidently, she’d rethought her initial rebuff of his offer. “Where are you?”
    â€œIn a place called the Beach Break Café.”
    Which was in the main street of Leyton’s Headland. It’s where Jet had taken to having breakfast because the coffee was amazing. “I’ll meet you there, buy you a coffee.”
    â€œI’m sort of coffee’d out, actually. I’m in the mood for something stronger.”
    â€œI have wine at my place,” Jet said, thinking that whatever Emily wanted to talk about it, a noisy pub was probably not the best place for it. “Do you know where Azure is?”
    â€œThe big blue apartment complex, right?”
    â€œRight. I’m in room twenty-one. I can meet you there in fifteen minutes.”
    â€œI’ll be there.”
    She hung up without saying goodbye, a not-so-subtle reminder that this was not a simple social visit. Jet remembered Emily being bubbly and liberal with her sense of humor. Her distant tone made him hyperaware of how the cold weather had infiltrated his flesh.
    No less than what you deserve. He’d kissed her boyfriend. Jet figured he was lucky she was speaking to him at all.
    He repacked his equipment in the waterproof backpack-style camera bag he used, strapping it securely to the back of the bike. More than once he’d considered trading in the Electra Glide and investing in a more suitable vehicle for himself, but he decided against it every time. There was nothing like the thrill of speeding down country highways or hilly coastal roads on the Harley. He couldn’t give it up even if it made no sense.
    Which was a great metaphor for how he felt about Brandon Walker.
    He’s Emily’s now. You told her you’d walk away, and you’re going to keep your word. And when you see her you’re going to beg forgiveness for all the shit you brought down on her relationship.
    When he got back to his rented apartment, she was already there. She wore fitted jeans with faded patches at the knees, a red and white checkered shirt and a chocolate-brown corduroy jacket, the collar turned up to ward off the afternoon chill. Her hair was in the same braid it had been in when he’d met her. Jet wondered what her hair would look like unleashed from that sensible style, the locks curving around her face, falling through his fingers.
    He must have a death wish or something. He was attracted to her again—or was it still? Either way, it was undeniable. He could hardly make out her feminine shape beneath the bulky jacket, but it didn’t stop his hands itching to trace her curves.
    If Emily guessed the turn of his thoughts, there was no reciprocation in the malignant look she cast him as he approached. “Are you going to take him from me? Is that why you’re here?”
    Jet arched a brow, trying to cover the way he flinched inside. “What, no hello?”
    â€œHello, Jet. Did you come here to take Brand away from me?”
    â€œI’m in Leyton’s Headland to photograph the coastline.”
    Emily simply continued to stare at him, letting him know how full of shit she thought he was. Which made her a damn smart woman. Jet stifled a sigh and pulled his keys from his jacket pocket. “I think