Rayne counted the steps as she made her way downstairs. Reaching the bottom, her toe touched the bottom step—four.  She took two steps back up and re-stepped the last two again.

Five... six.

Perfect! 

Passing the large circular mirror on the hall wall, she peeked at her appearance.  She wore a pale blue summer dress that stopped just above her knee with white pumps.  Her hair she had left down—as Nathan loved her curls loose, a little wild and free.

Twisting to look at the rear. Yes, this was an outfit to greet visitors.  She tried not to focus on her first interaction with Jaxon.  Perhaps it was because it had disturbed her routine?  That explanation seemed plausible.

Yes, that had to be the reason—wasn't it?

Laughter erupted from the direction of their kitchen.  Here goes. 

One...two...three...four...five...six.

Both men ceased laughing, turning her way as she entered the large open planned kitchen. 

"Sweetheart.  You look beautiful."  Nathan's chair scraped on the wooden floor, standing as he made his way towards her.

Breathing steadily, focusing her attention on Nathan, he placed his hands on her shoulders before running them smoothly down her bare arms to grasp her hands, squeezing them gently. 

He leaned in, stealing a chaste kiss before whispering so only she could hear.  "I keep having flashbacks to eating the best thing I've ever tasted, right here in this room."

She shivered, her stomach clenched, remembering too what had happened in the kitchen the night before.

Nathan pulled back, an amused look upon his face. "Okay?" To look at him, you wouldn't have thought he was thinking such thoughts.   He took a moment longer to look into her eyes to check for any signs of anxiety.  Rayne offered him her shy smile, but hesitancy remained.  He leaned his forehead against hers. "Remember what I said upstairs, Rayne.  No shame."

He kept hold of her left hand and led them to the table.  "Jax, this is Rayne. Or as I like to call her my little Rayne-drop."  He looked down smiling, holding her hand reassuringly. "Rayne, this is Jaxon.  My brother."

Jaxon raised his hand and signalled a wave.  If he thought she was beautiful earlier, stood before him now, hair loose and wild, eyes wide and bright, full pouty lips.  Her summery dress exposing every womanly curve that god had bestowed.   She practically took his breath away. "It's great to meet you, Rayne. And sorry about earlier.  I didn't mean to just drop by or get in your way, upset you. You have to forgive me, I can be a thoughtless asshole sometimes."

Rayne appreciated it would have appeared crazy, shaking his hand before turning tail, disappearing without explanation.  "No, I'm sorry Jaxon. It was terribly rude of me to run off like that. I had a moment and sometimes I find it a struggle meeting new people. But it is lovely to finally meet Nathan's brother. He's not told me much, so it will be nice to get to know you."

Glancing up at Nathan, pride and love stared down.

Jaxon nodded his head, his smile genuine, warm.  The strange fluttering feelings returned to her stomach, her cheeks heated.  To say this was peculiar would have been an understatement.

"It's my fault, I should have called first, I don't like unexpected visitors either. And me, well not much to tell, honestly you're not missing much." His mouth twitched.

Rayne sighed internally.  Formalities over with. She could do this, act normal, sure the strange feelings would go in time.  It was Nathan's brother, after all.  Family. 

Happy that he didn't seem upset, she hoped they would become friends. "Can I get anyone a refill?"  She pointed to their cups.  An impulse to keep herself busy.  Busy hands, calm mind!

"Don't you want to sit and talk to Jax sweetheart, become familiar with one another and I'll get you a coffee?" asked Nathan.

"No!" hastily replying.

Nathan squeezed her hand.  Taking a deep breath, she looked towards Jaxon.  She was doing it again, making him feel uncomfortable.  "Sorry.  Please let me." Her heart rate picked up.  Damn!  "No, honestly, please, you sit and relax.  You've hardly seen each other."  He kissed the crown of her head. 

Rayne smiled towards Jaxon.  "Nathan says you were travelling for months now?"

She removed her hand from Nathans and quickly retrieved the cups from the table and set about cleaning and making fresh coffee.

"Yes, sadly business, not pleasure though."

"That's disappointing. I've always wanted to travel," she answered distractedly, her practiced routine now in full flow. 

Jaxon watched as she reached for fresh cups, emptied the coffee and set about brewing fresh—she worked as if starting from scratch rather than using their existing cups and the coffee he'd already brewed.  Unable to tear his eyes away, he watched with curiosity.  Concentration etched on her face as she lined up the fresh cups, placed a spoon either side, adjusting the space in-between them, almost perfectly.  Her lips moved silently.  Was she muttering under her breath? 

"Counting," interrupted Nathan, speaking quietly whilst observing his brother with interest.  "Six to be exact."

Jax turned to Nate. "Counting... Six?"

Nathan nodded.  "Everything is always about six.  She will wash the cups six times, rub them dry six times, stir the coffee six times. You'll get used to it. I don't even notice it now."

Jaxon couldn't wrap his head around it all.  But then again, he had met no one with OCD before.  He decided he would 'google' it when he had the chance.  Looking around the room, he counted everything in sight.  There were six flowers in the vase.  Six pieces of fruit in the bowl. Although finding it all a little strange, something about this small beautiful woman pulled at his very essence.  A strangeness that he would no doubt attempt to figure out later.

~ ~

Following coffee, Nathan invited Jaxon to spend the day.  Eager to learn more, he happily accepted the invitation, keen to see the interaction between his brother and the woman who had stolen his affections. 

Jaxon couldn't deny Rayne's beauty.  Natural with a warmth that enveloped him too when he brushed against her.  She was feminine, dainty in both a cute and sexy way.  He had to adjust his clothing on more than one occasion.  Her laughter was easy and smooth on his ears; igniting the atmosphere surrounding them.  And once she started gigging, it was almost contagious, unable to stop himself laughing too—even when Nate was poking fun at him.

Delicate came to mind as he lost count to how often Nate would pull her towards him, tucking her under his arm or pulling her onto his lap, kissing and cuddling her frequently.  An all too familiar feeling sprouted claws, something that felt very much like jealousy tore at the insides of his gut.

Sadly, not a stranger to this emotion.  Often thrown upon him when Nicole instigated affection towards Nate rather than him, knowing he was always the more attentive one.  Jaxon enjoyed cuddling, craved closeness. Nathan did not, but now here with Rayne, apparently, he did. And if he had not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have imagined his brother like this, tranquil and satisfied.  His smile relaxed—genuine. 

It was as sure as the grass was green, Nathan loved this woman.  Jaxon's heart sank a little.  Why would he give up Rayne to return to Nicole? 

He wouldn't.

Once again Jaxon compared, not for the first time that day, the relationship they had shared with Nicole.

Nicole and Rayne were poles apart.  One shy, beautiful and he could see why Nate wanted to cuddle, almost protect her, wrapping himself around her.   It brought out a deep sense of protectiveness bordering on possessive within himself.  One which he couldn't dismiss, let alone comprehend - never having dated a woman that needed shielding from the world. 

Like Rayne, Nicole too was beautiful, but she didn't need shielding from the world.  An air of confidence that few others could carry exuded from that woman.  Nicole knew exactly what she wanted and was quite willing to take it without permission, no matter the fallout from her choices. 

Rayne was serene waters, whereas Nicole was a hurricane.

Yes, no matter if he shared a relationship with his brother or was a voyeur to Nate's new relationship—the burn of jealousy ran painful and deep.