by ML Skye
The air became charged.
He didn't fight the magnetic pull drawing him closer to her. Her head drifted slowly forward, her gaze locked on his, and her lips met his… tentatively at first, then with a hunger that threatened to consume him. Exchanging heated kisses, they tore at each other's clothing with frantic movements, trying to remove it with haste. Jason dragged his shirt over his head and threw it across the room, and Chloe pulled hers open losing a couple of buttons when they popped off to land on the floor. Lips met skin when Jason shoved his pants down until he could kick them off to land in front of the table. Chloe quickly undid her jeans, and Jason tugged them down her hips, following their path with a burning trail of kisses.
He lost his ability to think rationally when he fought with Chloe's jeans and finally won the battle. After tossing them behind him, he dragged his lips back up her body, stopping to shove her bra out of his way so he could tease her breasts with his mouth. He tasted one peak, drawing it into his mouth and swirling his tongue around the nipple until she groaned. He switched to its mate and did the same until her hands twisted in his hair, tugging him upward to meet her lips in a hot kiss that melted his brain. She proved to be everything he'd ever imagined and more.
* * * *
Chloe's body burned and writhed under Jason's. She wrapped her leg around his torso and grabbed his head, drawing him closer so she could feel his lips against hers. Her breath coming in rapid bursts, she broke the kiss and moved to his shoulder, running a wet trail with her tongue to his neck. She moved her mouth over the corded muscle and couldn't resist sucking on the skin, then grazing her teeth over the mark she left. Her thoughts were all jumbled, and she dragged her lips back to his and slid her tongue in his mouth. He'd become heat and flame and a lot more than she had bargained for.
Jason shifted to the side and moved his hands over her body, tracing her skin like he wanted to memorize the swells and curves. Reaching her thigh, his fingers detoured to slide into her wet center, drawing a long moan from her. His lips found her throat, and he tasted her skin. His thumb found the nub of nerves, and she bucked up into his hand. Moving his lips to her mouth, he teased it open so he could thoroughly explore its depths. Chloe slid deeper under his spell.
She responded to Jason's expert touch, and her hand wrapped around his shaft, making him groan into her mouth. Moving over his cock with a soft, firm touch, she literally felt him swell against her hand. The heat soared when each continued their pleasurable spiral out of control. Pulling Jason over her, she ached for him, and her lips caught his in another kiss. She opened her eyes to a sea of blue, and a moment of clarity hit her.
Poised to enter her, Jason tensed and froze his position when she sucked in a harsh breath.
Breathing hard, her voice ragged, Chloe rasped. "We can't… can't do this, Jace." She closed her eyes, her body in agony, needing the release it craved.
* * * *
Jason hissed out a hard breath, then drew away from her. "Fuuuuccck, Chloe." He winced, the pain physical and mental. "Right. You're right." His body throbbed, and he ached to have her.
But losing his brother wouldn't be worth it. Despite their numerous differences, Jason loved Marc. Chloe did, too.
He backed away, but her hands grabbed his head and drew it down. "Chloe. No."
Already in motion, she slid out from under his weight and traded positions with him. She leaned forward, her lips snagging his in a quick, hard kiss.
She couldn't fight the pull between them either. She straddled Jason's hips, embracing him again before moving up against his cock.
"We need the release." She started to explain but couldn't seem to find the words so she let her body do the talking, writhing against him. "Understand?"
Before he could answer, she snagged his mouth again, continuing to move her hips.
Jason's eyes closed against the feeling of her slick folds moving over him, the slippery wetness easing her movements and making it hard for him to breathe. He understood what she sought. Relief without penetration. He opened his eyes to her searching gaze and couldn't deny her.
His head jerked in a nod. "Release." His breath rasped out. "That's all."
Part of him wanted the moment and night to never end. Another part figured he'd burn in hell for being a shit brother. He ignored the last one in favor of savoring the exquisite feel of Chloe's ass rubbing against his thighs and her hot pussy moving over his cock. God, it felt good. Better than anything he'd experienced in a long time.
Moving his hands to her hips, he helped guide her movements until they were close to the edge of bliss.
* * * *
Chloe gasped, and a slow burn started low in her belly, spreading outward to her limbs. Gliding along the length of Jason, the friction against her clit had her spinning out of control. The intense sensations almost overwhelmed her, and they weren't even engaging in full on sex. Her mind whirled, not quite ready to believe the reality just yet.
Her brain refused to compare technique between Jace and Marc, and she thanked the universe for the small favor. The fact Jace knew what she wanted without her having to say it pinged something deep inside. Communicating without words had become a premium wish of hers. It held a spot of honor in her hopes for the person she'd spend her life with. A stab of guilt over Marc not having the ability shot through her, but she ruthlessly tamped it down. She'd have one pure moment of selfishly taking what she wanted and enjoying it before she let the recriminations sink in.
Jason's head thrashed against the cushions, indicating he'd soon be sliding into oblivion. A very big part of her wanted to watch Jace come unglued. Knowing she would be the cause thrilled her on a very deep level. She had a strong desire to witness the very controlled man completely lose it in a mind-blowing orgasm.
Bracing her hands against his chest, she circled her hips over Jason's cock, and her thighs quivered, a sure sign she'd soon hit her pinnacle. He bucked upward, and it sent her over the edge. With her head tossed back, she came against him, shuddering with intensity.
* * * *
Witnessing Chloe in the throes of orgasm sent Jason out of orbit. He called her name, and his body quaked with the force of his release. He hauled her close and kissed her soundly, knowing she would never be his. His heart held the secret knowledge, only just realized, that he could truly love her. But neither she nor Marc would ever know his feelings.
He had no desire to be that guy—the one who ruthlessly grabbed for his most cherished desire, uncaring who got hurt in the process. Didn't help his brother had the one person in the universe Jace could finally fall for. Or that he'd pretty much put Chloe into an impossible position. But he wouldn't change what happened.
Instead… he'd live with it and hold the memory close.
* * * *
Sprawled against Jason, Chloe hated herself. She'd just had the hottest sex of her life, and they hadn't actually even done the deed. Zero penetration, yet she'd been reduced to a quivering pile of goo. It made her wonder—no she couldn't go there. Not yet. Probably never.
Her feelings were conflicted and confused regarding what she'd just done. She could have stopped it at any time. Jason would have heeded her decision, and that would've been the end of it. But she couldn't do it… had to know if what drew her to him would ruin her love for Marc.
She flinched inwardly. She loved Marc, she did. But she had a feeling she could love his brother also. Possibly more. How incredibly fucked up. No, she had fucked up.
Lifting her head slightly, her heart heavy, she whispered, "We just cheated on Marc." She fought back tears, the weight of what they'd done settling around her.
When Jason nodded, acknowledging her words, she said them out loud again. "We cheated on him." She sat up and moved to the edge of the couch, fixing her bra while looking for the rest of her clothes.
God, she couldn't believe how far she'd gone. All because she thought Marc might propose. What did that say about her?
* * * *
&nb
sp; Marc couldn't find out… about how far Jace had fallen. It would destroy them, and Jason wouldn't do that to his brother.
He sat up and stilled Chloe's movements with his hands, waiting until she looked up. "Marc won't know about this. He won't hear about it from me." His eyes searched her face for some kind of sign she wanted it any other way.
It felt like a punch to the gut when the pain creeped into her eyes. "Chloe, he doesn't have to know."
When she nodded, fighting back tears, Jason suggested she grab a shower.
He gathered up their clothes, folding hers neatly and setting them outside the bathroom door. He did a quick cleanup, wiping the evidence of their lust away with his shirt. Tossing his garments in the laundry bin, he pulled out fresh garb, grabbing an extra shirt to replace Chloe's ruined one. He dressed on autopilot and walked out of his bedroom just when she opened the bathroom door, wrapped in a towel. Their gazes locked in a guilty exchange before Jason handed over the tee he'd brought out for her.
When she re-emerged from the bath, fully-clothed this time, Jason hovered outside, wanting to get a look at her injured cheekbone. He kicked himself for not even thinking about it while they were in the throes of passion. She shrugged off his concern and asked for something to drink.
Jason headed for the kitchen area and filled a glass with ice and water. He shouldn't be hurt she'd pushed him away. He had no right to comfort her.
* * * *
Chloe could barely breathe past the lump in her throat, but she drained the glass of cold water Jason pressed into her hands.
Still unsure of how she felt, except miserable, she cleared her throat. "Jace…"
She had no clue what to say, didn't know how Jason felt. His normally expressive face gave her no indication where things stood.
Or how to even handle things with him for that matter.
So not like her. She usually had a natural instinct to make things work out. Then again, she'd never cheated on anyone, let alone with their brother. She doubted a standard operating procedure existed for her current dilemma. And dammit, she couldn't exactly look it up in the 'how to cheat and not feel like shit' manual.
She met his gaze. "I have no idea what to say."
* * * *
Jason watched her struggle and made a choice. The honest admission surprised him, Chloe rarely admitted defeat. Her being at a loss for words only firmed up his decision.
It broke his heart, but he plunged forward. "Look Chloe, we were stupid." She flinched but didn't disagree. "Blame it on the alcohol, the bump on your head, whatever… it shouldn't have happened." Swallowing hard, he forced his next words out. "And it won't happen again."
Her eyes closed, and he braced for her response.
* * * *
Chloe fought against the hurt his words caused. She shouldn't be wounded… he told her exactly what she wanted to hear. "Right. Stupid."
Jason didn't care about her… couldn't possibly love her. So being off the hook shouldn't bother her. Didn't bother her.
"And Marc doesn't need to know?" The guilt would ease and she'd be able to live with it. "This won't touch him?" Dammit. Why did her heart hurt?
* * * *
His head and heart ached, but Jason agreed. "It won't touch Marc." He made himself say more. "Not by me. I love him, too."
Chloe's shoulders slumped in relief, and he'd made the right choice. His brother would be happy and so would she.
Jason not so much, but he would be content.
Eventually.
Chloe gave him a tremulous smile and asked him to call a cab. He waited with her outside until it arrived and made sure she got in, then headed into the apartment. Alone, he couldn't think about sleep or staying put until he had to leave to catch the flight to the next base.
He showered, his head resting against the tile surface until the water ran cold. After drying off, he tossed his gear in his bag and left his apartment, closing the door and locking the best and worst night of his life up inside. Slinging his duffel over his shoulder, he walked to the transport station, arriving just when the sun broke the horizon.
* * * *
Chloe paid the cab driver to wait while she collected her stuff from the guest quarters on base. She crawled back inside and gave him her home address. Easing back, she closed her eyes until the car pulled up to the curb to let her out.
Chloe settled with the driver and walked up the sidewalk to the home she shared with Marc. She wanted to mourn the loss, then felt stupid… because what had she really lost? Not a damn thing. Other than her head for one insane night.
Yet Jason would keep his word. He had too much honor not to do so. Marc would never be the wiser or know anything even happened. Exactly what she wanted, right?
It bothered her she didn't know for sure.
* * * *
On the flight to the next base, Jason pondered an engagement between Marc and Chloe.
Could Chloe really be the one for his brother? Or did Marc just think the time had come to settle down and get married? Jason wished he knew because the idea kind of boggled his mind.
Marc might stick with one woman at a time, but Jason honestly wondered if he had it in him to go the long haul in a marriage. And Jason really hoped he didn't feel that way because of what happened with Chloe.
Jesus, he hated himself right then.
Hated that he'd betrayed his brother. That he'd probably do it again under the same circumstances. Chloe might not be Jason's typical 'type', but God… he wanted her. Even now, knowing she could soon be wearing their mother's ring.
Geez, he sucked. On so many levels.
Thank God he had to leave for the next leg of the exhibition. And he couldn't wait to get back on the Nimichellen where he couldn't possibly reach out to Chloe or come into close proximity to her.
The night before hadn't been enough. Jason doubted it would have been even if they'd had full-blown sex. Just the small taste he'd had left him wanting more. If he'd actually entered her, sheathed himself in her hot center, Jason had a feeling he wouldn't have been able to let her go.
But Chloe couldn't be his. He believed her when she said she loved Marc. The way he figured it, she'd been a little skittish about the idea of wedded bliss so she had gone on a bender. Once Marc actually asked her to marry him, she'd settle in with the idea, and they'd have a good life together.
Maybe he should he have called her? Checked in before leaving and attempted to make sure they were still cool as friends? And hell's bells, would he always feel weird about talking to her now?
He opted to let things lie for the moment. He'd leave it alone, leave Chloe alone, and expect to congratulate her and Marc on his next trip back to visit them.
And the bitter taste in his mouth? Well, he'd blithely ignore it. What else could he do?
Chapter Five
Chloe lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Marc's deep, rhythmic breathing didn't seem to be enough to salve her wounded soul. She just couldn't sleep in her usual position, cuddled up next to him. Couldn't even bear the thought at the moment.
That night had been the first night their schedules had them home at the same time. Marc had been back for three days, and after asking about the bruise on her face and being satisfied the other guy looked worse, he'd started dropping hints about a surprise for her. Her stomach churned at the idea. She'd have a huge gaping hole in the lining pretty soon if she didn't get her shit together.
She cursed her stupidity. Hated her brain and wanted to tear out her traitorous heart. Something had to give, and Chloe feared it might just be her sanity that ended up suffering.
Because the worst of the worst had happened. She'd just had sex with Marc and spent the entire time thinking about Jason, seeing his face, reliving the night she'd spent with him. By the time Marc emptied himself, Chloe had a litany running through her head.
I cannot be with the wrong brother.
But her gut told her different.
Clutching at her offending mid-section
, Chloe rolled over to her side, fighting back a wave of nausea.
Did she really think she belonged with Jason? Or did the idea of a lifetime with Marc just freak her out?
She couldn't be in love with her boyfriend's brother. Except she sorta thought she might be. Or maybe she didn't feel as strongly for Marc as she should. When the hell had it happened? Forget that, how could she have let it happen?
She wished she knew… because she truly hated herself right now. And she had a feeling the other shoe would drop soon. Marc wanted to order in tomorrow and have a nice, quiet dinner together.
He never did that.
He'd spring the surprise that wouldn't really be a surprise, and she'd have to answer. What could she say? What should she say?
Yes?
Oh, Marc, I'd love to marry you.
Marriage? What in heaven's name are you thinking? That one probably hit closer to home than anything else.
Gee, Marc. I'd love to marry you, but I sorta have this thing for your brother.
Argh!
The urge to heave overwhelmed her, and she bounded out of bed and hit the bathroom running. Bending over the toilet, she emptied her stomach into the bowl and flushed with a shaky hand. Turned the water on and splashed her face. Sank down to sit on the hamper, pressed her cheek to the cool tile surface of the wall and closed her eyes.
She had to get a grip. Needed to get out, away from Marc, and think. Figure stuff out.
She stood and rinsed her mouth out. Exited the bath and made a detour to her dresser. She yanked open a drawer, pulled out a shirt, and shrugged it over her head. Movement from the bed made her freeze mid-reach for a pair of shorts.
Marc's sleepy voice cut through the sudden quiet. "Chlo? What're you doing?" He yawned and sat up.