Perfect?I laugh it off. “Hardly. But I can’t cook, and frozen pizza is all I’ve got right now.”
He’s quiet as he follows me inside, and I go about making my dinner of champions while he works on installing the new glass.
I may or may not glance at his round, muscular ass several times as he stretches over the sink. I’ve never been particularly drawn to a man’s rear end before. But every now and then, one demands you take notice. And I’m definitely taking notice.
If he can look, then so can I, right?
4
James
“Wait, she made Dadhandcuffyou?”
I glare at Leo as he doubles over with laughter, clutching his stomach.
Dad’s belly shakes as he laughs, and even though I’m furious with my brother, I can’t help the relief seeping into my stomach. Seeing Dad happy makes the anger subside.
“God, I would’ve loved to see that.” Leo stuffs a piece of bread into his mouth. “The almighty James Russo with his hands behind his back.”
“I did what I had to do. Poor thing was scared shitless.” Dad glances at me over the rim of his glass. “She looks to be around your age.”
Leo shoves another piece of bread into his mouth. “She’s hot.”
I shoot my brother another look.
“What? She is. Don’t act like you didn’t notice her in those spandex pants tonight.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “Girl’s got curves in all the right places.”
Oh, I noticed.
Long brown hair, plump lips, and those big doe eyes. And yes, she has a fit little body. She’s gorgeous. But my new neighbor also has a snarky remark for everything, telling me what to do with my own brother as if she knows better.
Hell, maybe she does.
I shouldn’t have snapped at her tonight. Maybe that’s the reason why I made her a container of food and left it on her porch. Blame it on the guilt, instead of the fact that I wanted to provide her with a decent meal that hadn’t come out of a freezer.
“Leave the girl alone, Leo.” Dad sets down his glass. “Why don’t you tell me about what happened to your face?”
Leo chokes on his bread and slaps his chest as he coughs.
I shake my head.Idiot.
“This bread is dry as fuck.” He chugs his water. “Tell the chef he needs to do better.”
I kick his shin under the table. “You’re lucky the chef is letting you eat any of his food at all.”
“Dinner tastes great, as always.” Dad nudges my arm. “Don’t listen to him.”
Leo smirks. “Does your ass ever get sore from Dad’s head being up there?”
I squeeze the steak knife in my right hand. “I can ram this knife up your ass and show you what it feels like if you’re jealous.”
“Enough.” Dad’s voice makes us both jump. “It’s the first time we’re sitting down together in a long while. Can’t we get through one meal without arguing?”
Leo and I exchange glances.
Dad sighs and glances at Leo. “You’re fighting again, aren’t you?”
Leo nods, and it’s not so much of a lie as it is a stretch of the truth. He’d fight whether it was with me or someone else. “I like fighting. I’m good at it.”