Brazen (Brazen 1) by Maya Banks Page A

for me to win their love. I wanted to exert my independence. Make them see me not as someone they were stuck taking care of, but as a strong, independent woman capable of making it on her own.
    “But my time in Paris only made things clearer to me. I was being a coward by running away. I never once stayed and fought for them. How can I expect them to see if I wasn’t able to show them? And so here I am, wanting so much but no idea of how to make this work.”
    Carmen sighed. She drew away and framed Jasmine’s face in her hands. “Sometimes, niña …sometimes we don’t get what we want. You have to prepare yourself for the possibility that you may never get what it is you most want. And more than that, you have to figure out what you’re willing to risk in your attempt to gain your heart’s desire. Because if you fail in this, your relationship as it is now with Seth and Zane can never be the same.”
    “All or nothing,” Jasmine said simply. “I understand what you’re saying, mamacita . But I’ve already thought about that. I know if this doesn’t work out, things can never be the same. It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
    “Then I will pray very hard for you to succeed, mi niña . I love you dearly, and I want what any mother wants for her daughter. I want you to be happy.”
    Jasmine hugged Carmen tightly. “I love you,” she said, her voice muffled by Carmen’s shoulder. “I never want to do anything to disappoint you.”
    Carmen patted her back and pulled away to look her in the eye. “I am very proud of you, Jasmine. You know your mind. I’ve never doubted that for a moment. Your convictions are strong.”
    “Let’s hope they’re strong enough,” Jasmine said. “I have a feeling they’re going to be sorely tested.”
     
     
     
    Jasmine spent the rest of the day sequestered in the study with her computer. She answered the email from Wildscapes and made arrangements for them to fax a contract for her to sign. But she declined the offer for a regular column.
    It may have been stupid, but she simply would not entertain that her future was anywhere but here at the ranch. And if worse came to worst and she was forced to consider a path that would take her away from Seth and Zane, she’d consider her options then.
    At one point, she fell asleep at the desk, her head pillowed on her arms. She awoke when Carmen gently shook her.
    “Go on up to bed, niña . The boys have gone to their rooms for the night.”
    Jasmine rubbed her eyes and glanced at the clock. It was nearly midnight. “Goodnight, mamacita . I love you.”
    “I love you too,” she said, kissing Jasmine on both cheeks before she left the study.
    Jasmine stood and stretched then shuffled out of the room. When she reached the top of the stairs, she stared down the hall at both closed doors. She walked down to Zane’s room and quietly tried the knob, only to find it locked.
    Hurt swelled and knotted in her throat. He was shutting her out.
    The ache in her chest only grew as she trudged to her room. She closed the door behind her as she slipped in, and she leaned heavily against it.
    She slid down the smooth wood until she crouched on the floor, and she drew her knees to her chest, hugging them tightly. What would she do? How could she force Seth to see her, to really see her?
    Her plan had seemed so simple. But things in theory always did. It was easy to dream of how it would be, and that all she had to do was return, show them that she loved them and everything would fall into place.
    Apparently she was a naïve idiot. So much for growing up. Maybe they were right. Maybe she was too young for them. Maybe she was just a silly little girl playing at being a woman.
    But damn it, her love for them was real. It wasn’t some misplaced adolescent crush. She’d had those. She knew the difference.
    And she’d never been flighty. She’d made up her mind very early on that she wanted Seth and Zane. Even when the opportunity came up for