The One by Lora Leigh

until that night a year ago when his father had managed to trick him and send him to Brenna’s room. She looked ill, his father had stated. Something was wrong. Jase had rushed to her room and walked into a sensual minefield that he hadn’t expected. “Well, aren’t you the one who sent me home yesterday?” She arched a dark brow mockingly. Damn her. She’d never been one to play games before, why the hell was she doing it now? “You are ignoring me, Jase.” Mocking laughter filled her gaze as she crossed her arms over her breasts and tilted her head to the side. “You know that really doesn’t work.” She knew him too well, and that was the problem. Pushing his fingers through his hair, he breathed out a hard sigh, still fighting the inner battle to keep from rushing upstairs after Brenna. Brenna had looked devastated, and he’d known his words would hurt her. The implication that she no longer had a home here had done more than hurt her though. It had done more than insert a wedge between them. He’d seen it slice straight into her soul and leave her bleeding. “She’s crying, Jase,” Miriam said softly, the accusation in her voice impossible to miss. “I saw her run up the stairs. She was sobbing.” His jaw clenched, his fingers curled into fists and it was all he could do to force himself to stand in place. To keep from going after Brenna. To keep from holding her, to keep from begging her for her forgiveness. “Let it go, Miriam,” he growled. “You are such a coward.” Amusement filled her v