Page 29 of The Wrong Sister

“We made a mess last night! You don’t like that.” In the time I was gone she tidied up all our abandoned clothes, washed our dishes, and swept the floors. I’m loathed to admit it, but I do feel much more relaxed now without the clutter.

“You didn’t have to do this.”

She stretches up, giving me a soft peck. “I know. Now that it’s done we can relax and eat and you don’t need to think about how much the mess is bothering you. Smells incredible! Do you want me to grab beers?”

“Absolutely.” I watch her unconsciously sultry walk to my fridge. Will the want ever lessen? I fucking hope not. She sits the bottles down, curling up on the couch next to me and leaning forward to sort through the bags.

“Are these truffle fries from Moku?” she squeals.

“They’re your favorite.” I shrug and she crawls into my lap, kissing me until I forget all about our food. She licks my lip sensually and pulls back, rubbing our noses together.

“Thank you. That was very thoughtful.”

I feel hazy, both comfortable and filled with lust. She crawls back over to her spot and opens her container like she’s unaffected.

“How do you do that?” I ask her as she bites into her burger, closing her eyes with delight.

“Do what?” She pops a fry into her mouth, happy dancing in her seat.

“Go from kissing me likethatto eating dinner, no big deal? You affect me so fucking much, like I can’t even function. I don’t do that to you.” What possessed me to reveal that? There has to be something wrong with me.

She turns her body to face me, her expression frank. “That’s categorically wrong. You definitely do that to me. All the time. The difference is: I’ve always felt this way. I have a lot of practice functioning like a normal person even though every fiber of my being is pulsing with want.” She shrugs nonchalantly.

“Truly?”

“Truly. I have a decade’s worth of skills. AndIgot to do it without any hope of reciprocation. Your burger is getting cold.”

My brain can’t decide which direction to take. I’m at risk of getting a giant ego-swollen head, thinking about how much she’s always wanted me. But the flip side of that coin is how long she’s felt like that, alone, while I was completely oblivious. I settle on simply being happy we’re both in the same place, at the same time.

“I’ll admit, I feel fairly embarrassed by this conversation—embarrassed that I’ve been so oblivious and that it’s taken me so long to catch up—but I’m also glad I can talk to you like this.”

“Always, Griff. Honesty above all else. Even if it ends up not being polished or my delivery is less-than-ideal, I always tell the truth. You can rely on that.”

I kiss her temple and dig into my dinner. It’s a strange turn of events, feeling secure in a woman’s interest in me. And I certainly was not expecting to be here, with Mina of all women, tonight. I turn on the next episode ofPoldarkwhile we eat, pausing when we both finish to take care of the trash and wipe off the coffee table. I press play and sit, stretching my legs out. I want Mina to come back over and sit with me. Instead, she takes my foot in her hands, massaging it while watching. Her hands are strong and she seems to know exactly what I need. That’s becoming a trend with Mina.

“I’m feeling pretty spoiled,” I tell her as she switches to my other foot.

“I’m sure we can find a way for you to return the favor.” She winks at me but her fingers keep working on my arch.

“Something tells me I’ll enjoy whatever you decide on as much as you will.” She blushes, a flush of soft pink staining the tops of her cheekbones. I bend my legs and lean forward, using the advantage of my height and length, reaching my hands towards her. She lets me grab her and haul her forward, into my lap. She scoots herself up against me, studying me quietly.

“You were too far away,” I tell her as I cup her small face in my hands, bringing my lips to hers. I keep the embrace soft. I’m not trying to get anywhere, I only want to feel her, to be connected. She trails her fingertips across my jaw, spanning the planes of my face to my cheekbones. Everywhere she touches tingles with sparks of heat. I slide my hands down the graceful lines of her neck, tracing my thumbs along her collarbones. We kiss, her tongue teasing, the warmth of her breath and the feel of her plump lips intoxicating. I pull her ponytail down, running my fingers through her silky hair and she wraps her arms around me, pressing her body closer still. I can’t mistake the drag of her hot center against my cock.

“Will you take me to bed, Griff?”

“Can we keep doing this?”

“You don’t want more?” She looks a little self-conscious. That sort of vulnerability is unfamiliar on her.

I smooth my hands over the soft skin of her face. “Are you kidding? Of course, I want more. But I’m also enjoying kissing you. I want to do a lot more of that.” She looks relieved.

“Me too.” She climbs off of my lap, heading towards the bedroom. Stopping in the doorway she strips my t-shirt off, dropping it on the floor. “Are you coming?” She slides her panties down and steps out of them. I stand up and she crooks a finger at me. I make myself walk slowly, taking my time to look at her. Really look at her.

“How is so much packed into such a tiny body?” I marvel.

Gliding my hands up her sides, I run my thumbs across the rosy peaks of her nipples. Mina lets her eyes drop closed for a moment and then intertwines her fingers with mine. I trail behind her into my bedroom. Once we make it to the bed she turns, sliding her hands up my torso, taking my shirt with them. I make quick work of my bottoms and we’re both standing there, naked and silent. This feels weightier than before. There’s no frenzy of lust. I feel laid bare.

Mina turns down the covers, folding everything to the end of the bed. I scoop her up into my arms, kissing her as I place her on the mattress, then stretch out beside her. Communicating through kisses and caresses, we lie pressed against each other with no sense of time. I’ve never done this before, at least not since I was a teenager and that was all we could do. Even then, it wasn’t like this. I feel like a deeper part of myself is connecting to Mina; like it’s more than mere touching. When we do finally have sex it is tender and slow. It’s never been like this before. I’ve never wanted anything like this before. I’m thankful when she falls asleep in my arms and I can let myself succumb to sleep. If I’m asleep I can’t worry about what any of this means.

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