Read Online All or Nothing by Deborah Cooke - Free Book Online Page B

prickly and opinionated, she seemed to have softened James’ edges. His brother was more at ease in his own skin. Happier maybe.
    Not to mention that the two could generate heat like no couple Zach had ever known. He looked everywhere but at them directly. This was his oldest brother, after all. The man was in his forties and had three kids. The evidence that James knew about sex was there for the looking.
    Come to think of it—which Zach would have preferred not to have done—James had probably come home at lunch for a quickie.
    Zach was thinking that the plate glass in the windows was going to liquefy, just from being in the vicinity of this kiss, and couldn’t stand it any more. “Hey, keep it legal, you two.”
    To his relief, they parted, but neither looked particularly embarrassed.
    James grinned and shrugged into his suit jacket. “Behind closed doors and all that.”
    Zach gestured to the front door. “It’s open.”
    â€œThat’s your fault,” Maralys said. “Come in already.”
    James paused on the threshold to look at Zach’s eye. “That looks new. What happened?”
    â€œDoesn’t matter.”
    James arched a brow. “It does if you’re going to be making another one of those calls for help from the big house.”
    Zach felt his mood sour even more. “I came for medical advice not career counseling.”
    â€œGood.” James held his gaze steadily. “Because you know that you can’t call me any more.”
    Zach straightened. “Or Matt. You two have made it pretty clear that I’m on my own. I’m not so stupid that I didn’t get that.” Zach turned to his sister-in-law, who was watching this exchange with interest. “So, Maralys, I was just wondering whether I needed to go to the hospital, or whether you think it’s normal for it to swell this much this fast.”
    She folded her arms across her chest and leaned against the door frame to the living room. “Because I know so much about black eyes, street-fighting and otherwise trouble-making dudes?”
    Great. She was insulted. “No. Well, yes.” Zach fumbled with the words. “Because you know stuff, all kinds of useful stuff.”
    Maralys smiled, proof that he’d found the right words.
    â€œLet me see.” Zach jumped when James touched his eye. James put on his glasses and frowned slightly as he checked it out. “Easy. Just let me look at it.” James lifted the lid gently as Zach stood motionless, then touched the swelling with his fingertips.
    James’ manner was patient and paternal, which surprised Zach. He hadn’t been used to a lot of consideration from his brothers, especially in recent years. But then, James did have two teenage sons of his own. He’d probably checked out a lot of minor injuries in his time.
    This certainly had never been their own father’s attitude—Robert had shouted a lot and been preoccupied more. Zach couldn’t remember his father ever showing interest in an injury. Getting into trouble had gotten him yelled at, but at least it was an acknowledgement of his presence.
    James stepped back and peeled off his glasses. “There’s no cut, no glass in it. I’ll guess you just got popped a good one.”
    Zach felt an uncharacteristic need to be straight. He figured that’s what kindness did to him—it threw his game. “You don’t need to guess. That’s what happened.”
    â€œScary when it swells up so fast, isn’t it?” James asked with a sympathetic smile.
    Zach felt better. The accord between them wasn’t familiar and probably couldn’t be relied upon to last, but it felt good to not be completely at odds. “I feel like I’m going blind.”
    â€œJust for a day or two. It’ll be better if you get some ice on it.”
    â€œCome on,” Maralys said. “I’ll make you an ice