In Zach's Arms (Once a Marine, Always a Marine Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

ten hours and you slept most of that,” Zach defended. “And you could use another eight to ten.”
    Elizabeth ignored him and turned her head toward Jesse. “As you were saying?”
    “I like sassy women. You remind me of my sisters.”
    “That’s really sweet.”
    Jesse shrugged and smiled.
    “God, you’re such a marshmallow.” Zach said it so quietly that Elizabeth shot him a quick look. Wide-eyed, she checked to see how Jesse took it. When he smiled and gave Zach a shove, she guessed he wasn’t bothered. Probably a guy thing.
    “Why don’t you tell Elizabeth exactly what we do,” Jesse said.
    Zach sat down and threw an arm around the back of Elizabeth’s chair. Then he turned his attention to her. The force of his intensity hit her squarely in the stomach. Warmth spread through her body. She crossed her arms on the table in front of her chest. It was embarrassing…the way her body reacted to a simple look.
    Jesse was just as good looking, but she felt nothing when he looked at her.
    Zach’s thumb caressed small circles on her back as Elizabeth waited for him to speak. “It’s a security business.”
    “Like bodyguard stuff?”
    “More like home and business security systems. Jess designs the systems, so they are unique to each business or home.”  
    “Oh sure, tell her all the boring parts. Zach gets to have all the fun while I’m forced to work in the office all day. He gets to act like a burglar.”
    Elizabeth flinched at the wording, but tried not to show it. Zach frowned at Jesse, but when she shook her head, he didn’t say anything. She thought she could guess what they were doing from some of Zach’s cryptic letters. Not that he was ever intentionally cryptic, just not explanatory.
    “So, Zach breaks into the home or business to assess the weak points and then you build a system to make sure he can’t do it again without tripping the alarms. Is that right?”
    Jesse smiled and saluted. “Sassy and smart. That’s exactly right. He gets the adventure and I go blind programming the systems.”
    She liked the banter, even when Zach glared at his friend.
    “I got the looks at least, and I laugh more often. He just makes grunting noises.”
    Elizabeth bit the inside of her cheek. Jesse’s outrageous comments almost dragged another smile out of her. “You’re so full of shit.”  
    She was amazed at how comfortable she was with Jesse in the house. He was light and fun, where Zach was dark and serious; they complimented each other. They made her feel like she belonged. It was a rare experience and she savored it.
      “I’m not an invalid,” she muttered, as Zach shooed her into the living room after dinner.
    “You are my guest,” Zach said.
    “Jesse’s a guest too, and he’s allowed to help.”
    “You can come over to my place tomorrow and cook and clean to your heart’s content.”
    Zach moved from the kitchen to the living room, standing with his back to the fireplace. “Go home, Jess.”
    “Stop being rude to your friend,” Elizabeth said.
    “Zach’s being more social than I thought he’d be, given the circumstances. I need to get home anyway. It’s a three mile hike to my place.”
    “You live that close?”
    “Zach and I bought neighboring patches of land.”
    Jesse walked to the door. Elizabeth went to shake his hand. “It was really nice meeting you.”
    “You too. Don’t let Zach scare you away. I’d like to see your pretty face again soon.” Jesse reached out and, instead of shaking her hand, he enveloped her in a bear hug. When he let go, they were both grinning from ear to ear.
    Then, Zach shoved him out the door.

Chapter 4

    “Can we have a fire?”
    “Sure.”  
    Zach knelt by the fireplace, placing logs and kindling in a pyramid. When he struck the match and tossed it inside, the wood caught and blazed, casting his face in flickering shadows. Such a grim face. Elizabeth wished he would smile more. He was handsome, but when he actually smiled –