ChapterFive
Thayer heard her bedroom door shut and sagged against the couch. “Shit.”
He rubbed his hand over his jaw, his eyes trained on the darkened hallway she just disappeared down. He didn’t know what the fuck was going on, but he had never felt the kind of connection with a woman as he did with her.
Hell, she was hurt and scared, and here he was thinking all kinds of inappropriate things.
He didn’t know how long he sat there, but Deacon came through the front door, sweat pouring from his body and his breathing labored.
They stared at each other for several long moments, and then Deacon strode down the hall and into his room. Thayer was left alone, with only the sound of the crackling fire to keep him company.
He thought back to the conversation he had with Deacon right before Jessa walked in.
Jessa. Even her name had his body coiling tight.
Their hushed argument had been about her. The scent Deacon had thrown off when Thayer had mentioned Jessa had been potent. His older brother was trying to stake a claim on a woman who didn’t know them from Adam, Thayer could sense that much.
If she knew exactly what they were, what they were capable of, she would run out of there screaming. It didn’t matter that his brother wanted her, because Thayer wanted her, too. That much was clear in the very short time they spent together.
It made absolutely no sense, but Thayer knew what he felt, knew that ignoring it would have been the smart and safe thing to do, but that he couldn’t just disregard it, especially where his brother was concerned.
Thayer loved him, would give his life for his brother, but there were times Deacon needed to be protected, even from himself.
The sound of the shower running broke up his thoughts, and he stood. Trying to take his mind off of the situation, he cleaned up the kitchen and then made his way down the hallway toward his room.
He stopped in front of her door and found himself closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. The sweet scent of green apples permeated his senses, and he forced a purr of pleasure from escaping.
What the hell is wrong with you? You’re standing outside her door like a stalker, like you can’t get enough of her.
Shaking his head at the absurdity of what he felt, he turned and stopped when he saw Deacon standing in his open doorway, a thick towel slung over his arm. For a suspended moment they stared at each other.
There was no animosity in Deacon’s gaze, but there was a deep understanding. Whatever happened within Thayer happened within Deacon as well. It was crazy and unrealistic … and so not going to happen. He would make sure she left before they were able to act on whatever the hell they were feeling.
It was safer for everyone that way.