The Other Brother (Snow and Ash Book 3) (15 page)

She’s too late. I’ve given myself over to him entirely. I don’t have anything left now, not even glue, and I’m glad.

I place a G and an N before an AT. It’s a triple.

“I’m doing fine, Tish. You watch your own life.”

~ ~ ~

Kent finds me later that afternoon in our suite. I’m in front of the bathroom mirror brushing my hair, trying to get the tangles out. He takes the brush from my hands and begins running it through my tresses. Wow.

“I missed you this afternoon,” I say.

He flicks me a glance through the mirror. “Maybe once Lawrence recovers, I’ll have more time.”

“It’s okay. I understand. I just like to be with you.”

He pulls the brush in a slow, extra-firm draw, sending tingles down my neck.

“What were you and Tish arguing about?” he asks.

I stiffen. “Nothing, really. Just sister stuff.”

His hands drop to his sides. “Really.”

I turn around. “Look. I realize you like to know everything, but I don’t want to discuss it. Okay?”

He mashes his lips and tosses the brush onto the counter. “I thought we talked about secrets.”

 
“But it’s okay for you to flirt around with your old girlfriend and tell me to mind my own business? This is my sister. Okay? It’s not some guy.”

He frowns. “You were upset. It does concern me.”

He’s like a dog with a bone. I throw my hands up. “She’s just Tish. She has this way of hurting my feelings even when she’s joking. Everyone laughs because it’s funny, but I don’t like it.”

“What did she say to you?”

“Lots of things, Kent. She doesn’t mean anything. She’s just…” What is she? “She’s used to me being like I was back in Knoxville.” I move past him into the bedroom, but he catches my hand and stops me.

“I want to know what she said to upset you.”

I huff and roll my eyes. “Fine. I’m fat, all I do is eat, I used to be so motivated but now I’m lazy and I sit around all day.” I shrug. “My hair’s frizzy, my clothes make me look ridiculous, I have a big fat ass, I can’t think for myself, and I’m self-deluded. There. Happy now?”

“What did she mean, you’re self-deluded?”

Figures he’d focus on that. “Kent, please. I don’t like whining. It’s just Tish being Tish.”

“Answer me.” He grabs my hands and raises them over my head so they’re pressed against the wall. His lips come down over mine, and his tongue parts my lips, invades my mouth. It sets off super-wow tingles, and I kiss him back. I can’t touch him like I want, and it drives me crazy. I feel like I’m being attacked by an erotic wolf as he goes after my neck, my shoulder, my collarbone. When he nips me, it sends a jolt straight to my womb. I’m like a baby bird, mouth raised up, begging for another kiss. He lets go of my hands and raises me up so his cock meets my cunt, and I wrap my legs around him like he’s the only thing that stands between me and despair. I entwine my hands in his hair; he cups my backside as he begins to grind himself against me.

We aren’t even naked, but it’s so damn hot.

He French kisses his way from my shoulder to my ear, and oh God, I swear I’m going to shudder to death.

“What else did she say?”

“Who cares?” I dig my hands into his hair and bite him just below his collar.

His cock jumps and he groans. “Tell me. Tell me what she said.”

“No.” I twist my face away and let go of his hips.

He releases me. “I’ll get it from you. You know I will.”

I pull away. “Stop! I don’t care what you do. It’s not going to work this time.”

His eyes flair, and he retreats from me. My heart jerks. I hate saying no to him. It hurts seeing that look on his face.

“Kent, please! I’m so in love with you. I’ve never felt anything like this, but she’s my sister and it’s my job to deal with her. It’s only for a little while. She’s leaving soon.”

Kent’s lips part in a sharp inhale. He blinks like he’s upset. Or confused. I don’t know.

I said I loved him. I know he heard me this time. Why doesn’t he say something?

He rubs the back of his head and frowns at something I can’t see. I don’t know what to do. I want him to trust me, maybe love me someday, but nothing good can come of telling him the things Tish said about him. I would never, ever hurt him like that.

I press my palms against his chest and lean into him. “I already had to sit there and listen to her. Don’t make me suffer twice because of the things she does.”

I search his eyes for understanding.

After a moment his eyes soften and he rests his hands on my hips, curves them around my backside in a caress. “You’re stubborn. You know that?”

Relief sweeps through me and leaves me weak. “I can’t wait until it’s just us. Tish doesn’t belong in our bedroom.”

He abandons my backside and cups my breasts. He rolls my nipples through the fabric and I moan.

“God, you’re beautiful.” He raises my top over my head and flings it to the side. With a twist my bra’s unhooked, and then that’s gone too. He kneads my breasts, and oh, I think I could come just from that. He bends and takes a tip in his mouth and gives a gentle suck.

“More!” I arch my back and press his head to me.

He gives a strong pull, and it’s like I’m spread with hot, buttery need. This time when he bites, he’s not gentle. I cry out.

He scoops me up and practically tosses me onto the bed. His hands are working on undoing my pants as he massages my nipples with his teeth, lips, and tongue.

Shaking, he jams his fingers into my crotch.

“God. Yes!”

He tears his jacket off and has his shirt halfway undone when there’s a knock on the door.

“Get lost!” Kent rips his shirt the rest of the way off, buttons flying everywhere. It’s going to happen. Dear God, I want him in me so badly. I want to squeeze that cock of his with everything I have, and he’s taking too long.

The knock comes again. “Sir, it’s the general.”

You’d think someone hosed us down with cold water. Kent pauses to catch his breath. He runs his hands through his hair. “Just a minute.”

He takes me in with a look I can only describe as lust.

I am not vanilla. “You’d better go see what it’s about.”

He nods and steps back. He scoops up his ruined shirt and flings it toward the bathroom, then stalks toward the closet. I’ve got my clothes back on before he reemerges in a fresh one.

“I hope he’s all right. Send word, okay?”

He touches my cheek and kisses my forehead. “I’ll do that.”

“Kent?”

He swings around.

“How do you want me tonight?”

He grins. It’s wicked. “Naked and waiting. Just like last night.”

God. If he doesn’t fuck me this time, I think I’ll explode.

The good news is the general’s fever broke and he’s alert. He appears to be doing a lot better. That’s who summoned Kent. The bad news is I’m sleeping when he comes home, and I’m still asleep when he leaves again.

Col. Ernshaw will be leaving tomorrow, which means this is my last day with Tish. A pang of regret makes the day bittersweet. I love her dearly, but we are as different as ash and snow.

I catch Tish as she’s leaving her room to go down to dinner. As usual she’s gorgeous; the gold lace against her skin makes her complexion glow. I tense, halfway expecting her to comment on the royal-blue one-shouldered dress with the see-through panels at the waist and hem. It leaves the small of my back entirely bare. It’s another one of Kent’s picks. Well, they’re all his choices, and it excites me that he’ll have to look at me all evening and not be able to touch.

Down in the dining room it’s a similar ensemble as last time. Maj. Arpin and his fiancée are replaced by Majs. Platt and Gehring.

I glance at the name card at the foot of the table, expecting to find my name, but it reads Nicholas Barry. My heart leaps, and I float up the side of the table until I find the card bearing my name. It’s at the end of the table, just to the left of Kent. I don’t even try to contain my smile, and a flush of pleasure caresses my skin.

“Mrs. Barry, may I just say how beautiful you look?” Col. Ernshaw stares at my belly button, which is clearly visible through the translucent fabric. His gaze runs to my hips and up to my chest before he seems to realize what he’s doing and snaps back to my face.

I dimple. “Thank you, Colonel.”

Tish winks. “Bianca is single-handedly bringing the Rubens look back in style.”

Maj. Gehring smothers a laugh. So does Platt. Nico laughs outright.

I bite my lips. “We’ll be sorry to see you leave tomorrow.”

“Perhaps you’ll visit your sister soon.” He maintains his composure, not even a peek at my chest.

Col. and Mrs. Wagner arrive, and right behind them strides Kent. I suck in my breath and do a little bounce on the balls of my feet. I haven’t seen him since yesterday.

He has to pass by me to get to his seat, and when he does, he grazes his hand over the exposed skin of my back.

My breath catches as my knees go weak. My entire being glows.

“I hope I didn’t keep everyone waiting.” Kent takes his seat, and the rest of us do the same.

“How is the general?” Maj. Platt wears a frown so deep it leaves creases between his eyes.

“Out of danger. Well on the road to recovery.”

“That’s wonderful!” I smile. Not to be selfish, but this will leave me more time with my husband.

Kent squeezes my knee under the table, and I go still as I absorb his heat.

Even Col. Ernshaw raises his glass when Nico proposes a toast.

The conversation tonight revolves around the general’s recovery and the pending departure of our guests. Ernshaw travels with a group of nine well-armed soldiers. Tish has a guard of twenty, in addition to one medic. Dad always sends at least one medical professional when anyone important travels. You never can be too careful when the desperate roam the landscape.

“I hope you all won’t be too bored without us,” Tish simpers.

“It’ll be a challenge, I’m sure,” Kent says wryly.

She grins. “My poor sister will go out of her mind. When I got here, I caught her reading a book. I don’t think she’s voluntarily read anything in her life.” She flicks Kent a teasing look. “You’ll put a brain in that girl yet, Kent.”

I raise my napkin to my lips. She’s right. I never did read a lot. When I did, it was nothing grand. Not like Tish at all. She read constantly. In between boyfriends, that is.

“When do you think the general will start giving orders again?” asks Maj. Gehring.

Kent smirks. “Yesterday, when he came to.”

Platt and Wagner chuckle, as does Nico.

“He’s in charge again, then,” Gehring presses.

Kent very deliberately picks up his glass, never shifting his eyes off the major, and takes a sip. “He always was.”

An awkward silence follows before Mrs. Wagner speaks. “I’m sure you’ll miss your sister when she’s gone, Mrs. Barry.”

“I will. It’s so strange not to have family around—my birth family,” I amend. “But everybody’s been so nice here I can’t complain.”

Tish catches my eye and mimes smoothing her hair. Point taken. My hair is frizzing. I glow neon as I sneak a glance around the table to make sure no one’s looking before I surreptitiously pat it down. Tish nods her approval.

“She’ll miss me, all right,” she says with complete confidence. “When we were younger, we were inseparable. Back before the ash fall, Bianca used to follow me around like I had her on a leash. It drove me nuts sometimes, but she did whatever I told her to.” She looks off into the distance and giggles. “This one time my friends and I told her to meet us on this corner by a bar. She was like fourteen. It was a Friday night, and while we were at the football game, she stood outside a packed biker bar for—I don’t know—two hours before she figured us out.”

“Yeah, I fell for it.” I raise my hand to my brow and push my hair from my face. The pressure in my temples just keeps getting tighter. Kent casually reaches over and rubs the back of my neck.

“I know how you feel, though, going to a place where you know no one.” Tish bites her lip and traces the rim of her cup. “I feel bad. I guess things are easier for me, with my personality. Bianca’s always been awkward and being here with all of this”—she sweeps her hands wide—“she’s totally out of her element. It’s a good thing she has Kent to tell her what to do or she’d—”

“That’s enough!” Kent slams his hand down on the table and everyone jumps.

Tish freezes, unsaid words frozen on her lips.

“That’s the last time you’ll demean my wife. Is that understood?”

Tish has gone pale, and her mouth works like a fish. “I didn’t…I didn’t mean…”

“I don’t want to hear another word. You are a guest. Your behavior so far has not impressed me. If you ever wish to be invited back, you’ll treat my wife with respect.”

Tish nods her head ever so slightly.

“Good.” Kent is still frowning when he spears a piece of fish and shoves it into his mouth.

I feel bad at Tish’s stricken expression. I ache for her. She is who she is; I doubt she realizes she’s hurting my feelings when she says these things. She thinks she’s being witty. Entertaining. The center of attention, just the way she likes it. She doesn’t realize it’s not funny when the joke is at someone else’s expense.

But I grab Kent’s hand under the table and squeeze it hard. My heart doesn’t know how to beat. He stood up for me. He told the whole room I was important to him, that I matter. I raise my eyes to his, and the look I offer him is so full of love there’s no way he can’t feel enveloped in it.

He squeezes me back.

I would walk naked to Knoxville and back if he asked.

We’ve just finished dessert and risen from the table when a lieutenant crosses the room and smartly salutes Kent.

Kent returns it. “Lieutenant?”

“Sir, the general is asking for you again.”

Kent sighs and dips his chin. “Tell him I’ll be there shortly.”

Really?

“Sorry.” He smiles wryly. “I think it’s going to be another late night. You might as well get some sleep.”

He’s leaving?

I thought tonight… My good mood sinks through the floor like a block of lead. I don’t know what to say. Anytime we have something special planned, something I’m looking forward to—something I think we need—Kent gets called away. And he goes. Every time, he goes. My throat closes up as I realize I’ll always come last. I didn’t marry a man. I married a Barry.