The Other Sister (Sister Series, #1)

by Leanne Davis

  “Would you do something for me?”

  “If I can.”

  “Would you kiss me? It’s not to have sex with me, or hurt me. But just to kiss me. Would you do that? Would you pretend we just met, and you really think I’m lovely and you want to kiss me for just that reason?”

  His neck drew back, and his jaw stiffened, while his lips pressed into a frown. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Please? I just want to know what it’s like.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know how to be lovely. I don’t know how to be caring. I would like to know what it feels like to be kissed by someone who knows those things, like you.”

  “Like me?”

  “Respectful. Decent. Good.”

  “You’re very naive about me. I’m not some fucking saint lying next to you. I’m not gay, Jessie. I’m a guy, like any other. You turn me on. You know you do. So no. I won’t lie in a bed next to you and kiss you, just so you can feel something that middle school kids feel.”

  She was quiet and never expected Will to respond like that. Not Will. But then, there was the other side of Will. The one who stormed a compound for her, and killed four men. The soldier who made a profession out of killing and maiming people just because the government ordered him. Will was not her nice, gay friend, whom she could cuddle with. He was right. She didn’t want to have sex with him. She didn’t feel turned on that way. Not by anyone. She felt safe, and well cared for with Will. And she just wanted to know what it felt like to be kissed by someone who really cared for her. Not sex. She knew sex, as well as all its forms.

  “You don’t even know what you’re like. You’re unlike all men. You’ll stop. You will always do what I ask. I just want to know what it feels like to control it. To stop it and enjoy it. I never enjoy it.”

  “Ever?”

  “No. Not ever. I hated every man that ever touched me, kissed me, or pushed himself into me. I hated each and every one of them. I know it makes no sense. I was the pursuer most of the time, and told them to do it. Yet, I hated them. I hated myself. And it was a good way of punishing me. I don’t want to do that anymore. For once, I just want to kiss a man because I like him.”

  His hand shifted to her elbow, then slid down her arm to her hand. He laced his fingers into hers. He rarely held her hand. His other hand brushed her side, her stomach, and the outside of her breast as he ran it up her torso, so gently, and slowly until it met her jaw line. He cupped her chin, and slowly lifted her face, her mouth, towards his. He had to shift slightly and lean over her, before his mouth descended on hers.

  His lips were warm and full. They pressed hers so gently. Then he raised his head, and looked at her, before lowering it again, and placing his lips back on hers. This time, there was more pressure. He moved over her lips, first her upper, then her lower, kissing her softly and gently.

  She nearly sighed with pleasure. It was so... nice. Slow. Gentle. Languid. And lovely.

  His hand moved into her hair. Goose bumps broke out on her skin. It was so new: his affection, his slowness, and his awareness of her as a person.

  He started to pull his head back, and she shifted, raising her head so her lips stayed on his. He lowered his head and suddenly, his mouth changed, becoming firmer, faster. He opened his mouth and she felt his tongue. She instantly closed hers. Here it comes. The inevitable overpowering. The taste of a man. Sex.

  He suddenly stopped.

  “Where did you go just then?”

  She opened her eyes and saw him staring right at her. “What?”

  “You changed. You didn’t like that. It becomes clinical, doesn’t it?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  His mouth lowered on hers again. Closed and gentle, she liked that. He was right. She liked it that way.

  She could feel his body next to hers. He was getting turned on. She could feel him rigid and hard along her leg. His heat penetrated his jeans, warming her. He warned her. She couldn’t get mad or frustrated. They weren’t still in middle school. She couldn’t expect him to let her explore foreplay without it all leading to the logical conclusion: sex.

  His hand slid to her shoulders, and his mouth came off hers, moving to her chin, and then her neck. Butterfly-like kisses. She felt a strange chill settling over her skin, but it wasn’t abhorrence or fear. On the contrary, it was pleasant.

  His hand slid to the side of her chest, and along her breast. He could feel the weight of it, but he didn’t move. He didn’t grab, and he didn’t rub. His mouth stayed on her neck, her collarbone, her jaw, her earlobe. His breath was warm and sweet. He moved slowly. Easily.

  She sighed at how nice it felt.

  His hand slid from the side of her breast, and over the top of her, touching the silk of her nightgown. Her nipple hardened into a tight, almost painful bud at his soft caress. Then his hand swept back over it, barely grazing it. Barely touching it. She nearly came off the bed with surprise. It felt so good. A little intense, but soft and tender.

  Then his hand slid lower. And stopped.

  Because her baby was there in a growing round mound.

  She sighed. It was over. All of it. Only a few seconds of her life allowed her to escape her reality. For only a few seconds she actually felt something new. Something nice. Something good. Something that felt like it would be a different way to have sex than she ever imagined.

  His lips moved off her. He put both arms around her and pulled her closer to him. She could feel him against her. He didn’t, however, do anything with it, but just held her near him. Her body warmed to his, but he didn’t move against her, or even try to relieve the pressure he had to feel. Tears leaked from her eyes. They trickled onto his arm under her head.

  “You knew it wasn’t going to happen.”

  “I know. I just wish I could be normal.”

  “You will be one day.”

  “You don’t even like me.”

  He was quiet, but finally, he said softly, “I like you.”

  She laughed. It came out like a strangled, sad sound. “I didn’t know that.”

  “No, you just don’t know how to believe it.”

  She let their conversation die. His body relaxed next to hers and his erection disappeared. “Will?”

  “What?”

  “I won’t see you after you leave, will I?”

  “No. You won’t see me.”

  “Because you think I need you too much?”

  “Yes.”

  “And my father?”

  “Your father won’t know where you are, as far as I can help it.”

  “Do you think he’ll ever get punished for any of it?”

  Will suddenly tensed and shifted. His arms tightened around her, and she was surprised by the sudden change in him. The sudden blast of heat from him. “Yes. I think he’ll get punished someday, somehow.”

  “Thank you. If I never have the chance to tell you but now, thank you for saving my life today.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Will watched Jessie. Something had definitely shifted between them, and it was due to last night, and touching her. He finally let his guard down with her, even though he knew better. How does one turn down a person who could be pleading for her very soul? How do you say no to Jessie when all she wanted was the most basic human need, which she was always denied: affection. She also lacked validation. Hearing someone tell her just once that she was worthy of love, care, and respect and so much more than she’d ever been given.

  He fell in love with his young, troubled, moody wife. She was not what he intended to have in his life. Neither was she whom he wanted to love. But love her he did. She thought she couldn’t be his type, but little did she understand him. He could barely obey her wishes, and show her how to kiss and touch with no sexual connotations. How could he resist? He loved her. It was only natural for him to want to make love to her, simply because she was the woman he loved.

  The only hope he saw for her, and
ultimately, for them, was by leaving her. That was the last thing she thought would be best for her, however. Getting her the specific care and help she needed that he couldn’t give her, as well as getting her away from the military and her father were the only solutions in Will’s mind.

  Jessie started closing up the moment the sunlight peeked through their drawn drapes. Neither of them slept. They both pretended to towards morning, but neither did. He finally got up and left her, knowing it very well might be the last time he touched her. His first and last time in one night. He had to hurry. So many things to do. Things for Jessie. Things she might never know about.

  She came out of the bedroom hours later and glared at him. Her black hair was messed up, and her eyes were rimmed with makeup. “When does operation ‘Save Jessie’ start?”

  “I leave tonight.”

  She blanched. “Tonight?”

  “That’s why last night happened, and why I ambushed you. I don’t have any time left, and neither do you, or we.”

  She sat down on the couch, crossing her arms over her chest. She didn’t bother to pull at her nightgown, which was riding up her legs. “I think it’s all stupid.”

  He smiled behind her back. “You’re right. It’s stupid.”

  “You’re placating me. Don’t think I’m so stupid not to see that.”

  He smiled a lopsided grin at her. “Of course, I’m placating you.”

  She looked at her feet. “How long before I see you again?”

  He sighed, and crouched beside her. He touched her knee so she’d look up into his eyes. “Years. Think in terms of years, rather than days or months.”

  She flinched. “I don’t understand.”

  “I know. I hope you will someday. It’s what’s best for you. Try to remember that, at those times when you hate me the most. Whatever I did for you was what I thought was best.”

  “Fuck you. It’s the military you want. The life you want to get back to. I know what a burden I am. I know it’s easier to saddle me with Gretchen and Lindsey, than to try and deal with me.”

  “It’s not easier. Not anymore.”

  She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She finally raised her eyes to him. “How do I survive without you?”

  “One day at a time.”

  “What about this baby? Tell me what I should do with it! How do I have it without you?”

  “By healing.”

  There was knocking at the door, but Will looked into her eyes for a moment longer. Then he slowly rose to his feet and answered the door. Lindsey was there, as he expected.

  Jessie groaned behind him. “Wasn’t yesterday enough humiliation for even me?”

  Lindsey came forward and saw her sister on the couch. “We’re just starting. I’ll be here every day.”

  “Be where?”

  “Wherever you’re going.”

  Jessie glared at Lindsey. “Right. You can’t just leave the post. What about the general?”

  “What about him? I don’t want to be anywhere near him. Besides. I’m taking an emergency medical leave. I can’t stay with you for as long as I want, but I will as long as I can.”

  Jessie’s face slowly loosened from her scowl. Something deep, but hopeful flashed in her eyes. Will felt a physical ache just watching her. “You’re staying with me?”

  “Through it all. Better late than never, right?”

  Jessie finally nodded. “Late is okay.”

  Lindsey smiled. “There’s a place we think you should go, and stay before you go to Will’s friends.”

  Jessie looked from Lindsey to Will. “What place? Like a mental hospital?”

  “Like a place for you to get the help you need. You’re not a mental patient. You aren’t sick, Jess, you’re hurt. There’s a huge difference.”

  Jessie looked at Will. “You want me to go there?”

  There was physical pain in his heart. The hurt and the abandonment she so obviously felt nearly made him fall down to his knees, and hug her, while telling her to stay in his apartment if she needed too. Wait for him, and he’d be back. He’d save her.

  Instead, he nodded.

  Tears filled her eyes. “Okay. I’ll do whatever you want.”

  “Thank you.”

  He glanced at the clock, and she noticed. She stood up. “You’re leaving now, aren’t you?”

  “I have some things to attend to before I leave tonight.”

  Lindsey stepped aside, moving towards his kitchen. Her eyes wearily watched her sister and him. “You want to come to the base, and say goodbye there later? You can.”

  “Like all the other proud military wives? No fucking way, Will. I’m not your proud military wife, am I? I’m not anything really to you. You just—”

  He stepped forward, putting his arm around her. She was about to attack and he knew it. He didn’t blame her. “Not today, Jessie,” he said quietly into her ear. “Today, you’re just going to be quiet.”

  Lindsey’s eyes opened in awe when Will glanced at her. How easily he managed to stop Jessie. How easily she responded to just a little bit of care, a little bit of respect, a little bit of love.

  “I want you to let your sister help you.”

  “And you? Do I pretend I never knew you?”

  “No. Write to me. Like you did before. Only send them through a friend of mine. This time, no one will intercept your letters.”

  “Will you call me?”

  “No. I won’t contact you very much.”

  “Why?”

  “You know why.”

  “I hate you for this, soldier.”

  He looked into her eyes and saw the opposite. “I know.”

  He surprised her, as well as Lindsey, when he lifted her off her feet, and held her to him. In his arms. Next to his face. Her arms encircled him, and he held her. He leaned down and his lips touched hers in a soft, gentle, closed-mouth kiss that spoke of leaving and longing and all the other things he couldn’t tell Jessie.

  “I told you a long time ago, someday, things would be different for you. This is the only way I know how to fulfill that promise for you.”

  With that, he released her and watched her eyes filling with tears as she nearly collapsed on the couch. Lindsey came over to her and they awkwardly figured out how to hug each other. Will leaned down and gathered his bag. As he turned to leave, he saw the two sisters huddled together, tears falling from their eyes.

  “Goodbye, Jessie,” he said as he turned and left her.

  ****

  General Bains stood up when Will entered his office. Will was waiting for almost an hour. The general was deliberately making him wait, hammering into Will once again how inferior he was to the great General Travis Bains.

  Will saluted as he entered and stood before the general. The secretary scurried around the office before finally, quietly, shutting the door as he left. Will dropped his hand.

  The general leaned back in his chair and regarded Will. He had a strange know-it-all glint in his eye.

  “You’re off for awhile, huh, soldier?”

  “Yes, sir. I am. But then you arranged that, didn’t you?”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “To get to Jessie.”

  The general smirked. “You make it sound so sinister that I want to see my own daughter.”

  “You won’t see her. She’s gone.”

  “Gone?” the general’s chair bobbed slightly as he suddenly sat forward. “Gone where?”

  “Gone away from you.”

  “I’ll get you court-martialed for that. You fucked with the wrong man, Will Hendricks. To say I’m disappointed in the soldier you turned out to be is an understatement.”

  “Ditto that, sir.”

  “What does she have? What does Jessie have that you would ruin your life like this? A magic pussy or something? Let me tell you, son, you can find another one just around the corner. Hell, probably in the next office over.”

  “Why her? Why did you abuse her and not Lindsey?”
>
  “Do what, soldier? Abuse her? I was merely trying to get the best out of her I could!”

  “You pimped her to your friends. You arranged for her kidnapping in Mexico. Why was it all directed at Jessie and never Lindsey?”

  The general’s mouth opened, and his left eye twitched. Other than that, he was completely still. “When did she tell you all that? You really are a chicken shit to believe her.”

  “She didn’t tell me. I figured it out. You were always mean to her. That’s why she didn’t fight you when you started offering her to your friends. She was already broken by you.”

  “You don’t know shit. I’ll have your ass for this.”

  “It’s because she’s not yours, isn’t it? Jessie isn’t your daughter. Her mother cheated on you. That’s why you only abused Jessie and left Lindsey alone.”

  The general’s face turned red, then purple, and the veins in his face bulged like he was about to have a stroke. Will only hoped he would.

  “God, you believe everything she spins for you, don’t you?”

  “She doesn’t know. She doesn’t know why. It took me awhile to figure it out. But I know now. Why did you have to hurt her so much? Even if she wasn’t yours, why would you be such a perverted fuck to her?”

  “My wife never cheated on me. She wouldn’t have dared.”

  “But she did, didn’t she? What did you do to her? What happened to her? That’s the thing Jessie is strangely unclear on. How and why did her mother leave her?”

  The general slammed his fist onto his desk. “Your life is going to hell for this.”

  “No. It’s not. Nothing is happening to me. To Jessie. Or to Lindsey. I have proof. And you’re not going to fuck with me or Jessie ever again, or it all hits the press before you can shit. And if something ‘accidentally’ happens to me during my deployment, don’t worry. I have it safely and securely guarded. Just in case, sir.”

  “You have nothing.”

  “It took me awhile. I finally decided to follow the money. The trail from you to Mexico. To her kidnappers. I found them again. It was easy to get them to see my way, because they wanted to live. They gave me the proof I needed. Photos even. Why did you do it? Why did you do that to her on top of everything else?”