“Did you ever have a case where a man was the one abused? It would have to be physical abuse though, right?”
She held his gaze with steady blue eyes. “Men can be abused as easily as women, Zach. And it doesn’t mean they’re weak or that they deserved it.” Her hands formed fists and rested on her thighs. “I’ve seen cases where a man was assaulted by his female partner. The problem is most men are too ashamed to report it. And while every case I’ve personally dealt with has been physical abuse, it almost always starts with the victim being verbally abused.”
Now, so many years later, Zach could take that step back and be thankful Nathan left when he did and had never taken it further with him. Remembering the scared, shaken boy he’d been in college, growing up as sheltered as he’d been, Zach wondered if he would’ve had the courage and the guts to stand up for himself had the verbal taunts turned to anything more physical than the nipple twisting and pinning him face down in the bed. Had it escalated to serious violence, would he have said anything, to anybody?
Zach suspected not.
“It’s empowering for the victims as well, am I right?
“Absolutely.” She was about to say something when the photographer approached the two of them.
“Katie, we’re ready for you.”
“Okay.” She stood and gave Zach a kiss on the cheek. “Any time you want to talk, feel free. I feel like we’re all family now, Zach. It’s nice to have more brothers.”
Touched yet uncomfortable under her knowing gaze he smiled and nodded.
“Oh, so this is Zach.” The photographer’s assessing gaze raked Zach up and down. “Julian told me you’re the computer whiz.”
“I’m into development mostly.”
He stroked his short-trimmed beard. “You, Marcus, and Julian have all beenfriendsfor a long time. That’s so interesting.”
The emphasis onfriendsmade the photographer’s words sound obscene, an insinuation that there was something sexual between him and the others. Zach answered back with a rare spurt of anger.
“There’s nothing interesting about having people in your life you care for and count on.”
“Well said, Zach.” Katie gave his arm a little squeeze.
“Hey, I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m Andrew, by the way, Andrew Trachtman.” He held out his hand.
“Zach Cohen.”
If pushed for a reason, he couldn’t say why, but the touch of the man’s hand made Zach feel dirty, like he needed to soak it in some hand sanitizer and rub until his skin turned red and raw. It was unusual for him to have such a visceral reaction to another person, and he jerked his hand free, muttering an apology.
“I can’t wait to take your picture, Zach. The blue of your eyes and shirt against the black-and-white backdrop…” His grin turned slightly feral. “Stunning.”
“I think we should get started,” said Katie. She shot Zach a troubled look. “Follow me, Andrew. My brother and Julian will tell you the shots our family wants.”
Andrew winked at Zach and gave his shoulder a squeeze before he joined Katie. “I’ll see you in a few, Zach. Save your smiles for me.”
“Whoa, that guy wants your ass. Better make sure Sam doesn’t see him flirting with you.” Marcus leaned on the wall nearby, a grin teasing his lips. “We’ll have one dead photographer, and I know Julian wouldn’t like blood all over his nice wooden floors.”
“Don’t be an idiot. He was being friendly.”
“Friendly, my ass. I know a player.”
Marcus had a point.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m not interested.”
Because it was a loft, the elevator opened directly into the apartment, and Zach’s reprieve, in the form of his mother and Sam, appeared.
“There’s my mom and Sam. See you later,” he said, but not before he heard Marcus mutter, “Bet your ass, you will.”
Putting the whole unsettling incident out of his mind, Zach hurried to his mother and Sam. “Hi.” He bent down to give his mother a kiss, but his eyes were on Sam, drinking in his face, broad shoulders, the strength in his arms…desire swept through Zach, so rich and so strong he felt physically weak from its pull on his heart.
“Hi, darling. Sam was so lovely; he picked me up at the beauty parlor and took me to the florist so I could pick up a plant for the boys, a little gift. I couldn’t walk in empty-handed. We’ve been having the best time on the way over here.”
