The Perfect Sister (Sister #7)

by Leanne Davis

  “What? Stay in bed? It’s already two o’clock.”

  “It’s Sunday. Come on, sunshine.” Ally hadn’t even seen the light of day yet. She felt inexplicably drawn towards him even though he didn’t have to touch her. She dropped down beside him and he turned towards her, his arms completely engulfing her, wrapping his body around hers, and spooning snugly behind her. He buried his face in her half damp hair.

  Incredibly, Ally actually slept with Nate until well past four o’clock that afternoon when he woke her up. It began with all kinds of nice touching and kissing that soon had her eyes fluttering open before her conscious mind could register what was happening. That episode used up a couple more of her condom supply and the pleasure she received made her scream Nate’s name too many times to count.

  Groaning when she heard movement in the apartment, Ally grumbled, “I think my roommates have returned.”

  Nate lounged beside her, innocent enough for now. Ally couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much sex. Her body felt sore and stiff in places she had not experienced before. He rolled over and wrapped his warm arms around her. Nate was touchy-feely in a way Ally was entirely not used to. She didn’t encourage it and contrarily, usually forbade it from her dates or boyfriends. Now Nate, her drunken hook-up, had been touching her for a good twenty-four hours straight. Ally couldn’t begin to figure out why or what it might mean tomorrow. And the unpredictability of that nearly short-circuited her usually orderly brain. Ally had no reason to be with Nate other than because of the amazing things she was feeling. His hand started to wander lower, but she snapped her legs shut. “Not if I intend to ever walk again.”

  Nate chuckled as he leaned over, kissing the end of her nose. “Sore?”

  “You could say that. How is your head?”

  “Much better. Thank you very much.” His suggestive grin made her stomach churn in response. That was not how she normally reacted to his teasing and flirting.

  “I still have homework,” she blurt out almost desperate for something to grab onto that felt familiar.

  “So do I. We could work on our project again. I can see you’re done here and now in need of accomplishing something. You could come over to my place. I don’t have roommates so it’ll be nice and quiet.”

  Why would she do that? They simply hooked up. It was nearly Sunday evening and real life was ruthlessly knocking at the door again. Yes, it was a really amazing sexual experience. No doubt about that. She never had quite so much sex or sex that was so good, especially with the number of orgasms. But their little fling was over now and she had real work to do. That ominous B+ still loomed over everything. And as for the project? Yes, it didn’t hurt to get ahead. She shrugged and finally agreed. “I would like to get it done sooner, rather than later, so I can focus on other subjects.”

  He laughed. “No, you want it done just so you quit obsessing over it. Come on, let’s go back to work on it. We’ll grab some food on the way. I’m starved. Dehydrated. Dying. Depleted of all my internal resources. Aren’t you?”

  “Yes. I could eat a bite or two.”

  And so they showered yet again. Ally hadn’t done that twice in a day with a guy either. She slipped into a pair of jeans and a shirt before grabbing her backpack and another bag of stuff for their project. Nate took that from her and followed her out. Ally had no idea if Nate knew she was intentionally hiding him, but he seemed to get it without any words. She could not think of any words to describe this, let alone try to tell anyone else. She couldn’t let it become an ongoing inside joke from her roommates. She didn’t know what it was yet, but it wasn’t anything to laugh about either.

  She was uncharacteristically quiet as they walked the few blocks to Nate’s home. He rented the top floor room of a three-story house. She followed him up the flights rickety, old stairs that eventually opened up to a refinished attic space. The ceiling was lower on one end where it dropped to the floor. There was a large bed, a desk and a dresser with large drawers. Three high windows created weird squares of sunlight on the worn out hardwood flooring. It still possessed a certain charm. Perhaps a bit too small and quiet with only a small shower and toilet.

  Ally walked around it. “How come you live alone? I figured you’d have a bunch of roommates. You’re so friendly and popular.”

  “I am. But maintaining a high GPA takes studying and quiet. So sure, I can go out and have lots of fun, but when it’s over, I can come back here and think.”

  “I don’t know now how I missed it. I didn’t have a clue you were so responsible.”

  Ally dropped her stuff and so did Nate, along with the food. He opened up his backpack and brought it to the floor where he sat, leaning against his bed. Ally copied him. Opening the take-out bag, he handed her some food while she sipped the drink. She smiled with gratitude and relief at having something to eat. It had been all day, she only then realized. She dug straight into it, relatively guilt free, and so did he. Neither of them spoke for a few minutes, being too ravenous to bother with words. When she set it aside at last, she took out the latest draft of their city project and Nate showed her some papers where he scrawled down a few statistics before he started explaining what he found and where.

  Ally couldn’t help staring at his mouth when he spoke or getting totally hung up on his eyes, and almost forgetting to listen. He was seriously pointing out things in the text that added to their comprehensive analysis. He had a deep, even voice that didn’t fluctuate up or down much. It was soothing and commanding all at once. He seemed trustworthy and articulate and well-read. She felt compelled to listen to him. How did she manage to miss all of that before tonight? She kept losing track of what he was saying since she couldn’t stop fantasizing over what his mouth could do and where. She was also staring at his beauty. How did she seem so casual in her interactions with him before now? He was incredibly hot, in an exotic, bold way. One that totally complemented her auburn hair and freckles.

  “Ally?”

  She blinked when his voice scattered her wayward thoughts and she shook her head. “What?”

  “I asked what other homework you had.”

  “Oh. There’s a quiz in my Land Use and Laws class that I need to study for. And at some point, I really must start my senior thesis.”

  “Should we test each other? I have the same quiz, only at a different time.”

  “I forgot that. Yes, sure.”

  Ally had to try harder to focus and quit staring at Nate as if she’d never seen him before. It was so odd because she passed by him, bickered with him, sat near and across from him for three and a half years, and suddenly, all at once, she was completely captivated by him. She could barely make her brain work whenever she was around him. That was crazy because nothing ever got in the way of her concentration.

  Finally, after another two hours, Ally knew the material to her satisfaction, and so did Nate. She started her notes for her Oceanography class and set aside her laptop to arrange her books in her backpack. Nate did the same and silence descended between them. She should have gone right then, of course. Why would she stay? But she didn’t want to leave. Not at all.

  Nate came closer until they stood a foot apart, awkwardly, with their arms at their sides. He cleared his throat. “You could stay longer. If you want to.”

  Ally shrugged. Nate finally seemed just as nervous and unsure as she was. “I do want to.”

  Nate offered her his hand, palm up, and she placed hers in his. He tugged her close again and the simple contact seemed to melt all the stiffness away. They fell onto his bed, kissing, their hands pulling and tugging under their clothes. Nate finally gave up and fell backwards, flat on the bed. Fully clothed, Ally lay next to him, her head resting on his shoulder just below his chin. His hand clasped hers. Ally sensed a unique tenderness in the way he held her, and the gentle motion of his hands rubbing through her hair, or across her cheeks and other body parts.

  “I’m glad you want to be here. I never pictured it, although
I wanted to.”

  It was dark now, and they hadn’t turned on even a lamp. The shades were open so all the stars were visible, as were several distant street lamps. His room seemed to float above the fairly quiet residential street. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles as he sighed against them. “But I can’t picture what you’re going to act like tomorrow.”

  Her heart beat faster at the light touch of his lips. It was such a small, but unusual gesture that made her stomach flutter around strangely. “What do you mean?”

  “I just can’t picture it. I think you’ll get weird with me now. You’ll pretend this didn’t happen. Or that it doesn’t matter; I’m not sure which.”

  “Why would you think that? If you’ve noticed me at all, you must have noticed I don’t do things like that. I’m not like Kylie, I don’t hook up with guys.”

  “No, I get that. But it’s different this time, because you already know me. But you don’t want me to be the one you hooked up with.”

  “Well, I didn’t, no, you’re right about that. But I had no idea what you were really like. And I misjudged you, okay? I admit it, and everything you said was right. I didn’t give you the time of day.” She traced the lines of his shirt. “But I should have. What made you come up to me last night? Or was it just the obvious: too much alcohol?”

  “No. I mean, sure, that gave me the courage. Ally, I’ve had a thing for you since we were freshman. You just weren’t ever receptive toward me. I can read people that much. Why do you think I always bother you so often? Because I don’t like you? I feel like an elementary school boy always chasing you at recess. Some attention is better than none.”

  Her heart dipped and quickly accelerated. Freshman year? She hadn’t suspected that. He wanted her attention? “For real? All that bickering was you just wanting my attention?”

  “Yes. Was it really because of Kylie you rarely enjoyed a party? It was nice to see you do that for once.”

  “Yes, because of Kylie. I usually had to keep my eye on her.”

  “Did she ask you to keep an eye on her?”

  “Yes. I mean, not outright, but I was the one she always called countless times. Until she met Tristan. So… it’s a first for me. Ever since Kylie came to school, this is the first time I feel like I could go out and enjoy a party with my friends.”

  “That’s a lot of pressure. Being her caretaker, and maintaining the kinds of grades you do.”

  She pretended to punch him in the chest. “The kind of grades you manage to earn without a problem.”

  “Yes, that’s why I know. I know how much work it’s been for me.”

  “I felt like I needed to monitor Kylie. She used to scare me all the time, to be honest. I assume that to you, she seems like just a girl enjoying college, but there were too many times when it went way too far. It’s a damn relief now that she’s got Tristan. She seems to have done a complete about-face and even her grades climbed higher towards the end of last quarter.”

  “Do you really feel that way?”

  “What? Am I glad my sister is doing so well? Of course I am.”

  “I know that’s how you’re supposed to feel, but I sense you miss her. You spent a lot of time and energy ensuring her well-being and now Tristan comes along and she’s capable of standing on her own two feet? I just thought perhaps you might feel a little… let down.”

  She drew in a quick breath. “I, yes, to be honest, I do miss her. I mean, she won’t even text me back half the time. That’s always been Kylie though. I was the one who kept us in contact and close, but now that she’s with Tristan all the time, she doesn’t respond.”

  “She’s been essentially your primary responsibility and now, she’s not. As good as it must be, I would imagine you feel a sense of loss with it too.”

  “Yes.” Ally frowned up at the ceiling now. It was like he spoke her thoughts. And yet she never noticed a single feature about him. How could there be such a discrepancy? How could it take one dance at a party to open all of this up?

  He rolled towards her, his hand resting on the side of her waist. “Well, whatever the reason, it was nice to see you smiling and relaxing and flirting like that. Especially, when you finally did it all with me.”

  “Did I really not flirt with you?”

  “No. You really were always clear in your annoyance and disdain of me.”

  “You did try to cause that reaction, didn’t you? I don’t think I imagined that.”

  “Well, again, it was better than getting no reaction. Except I always hoped you’d look past some of your disdain long enough to see me. And maybe even like me. But I honestly didn’t hold out much hope.”

  “What now do you think?”

  “Whatever you want. I think you already realize you hold all the power here. I’ve been pretty honest with my feelings. You just have to decide what you want to do with that knowledge.”

  Ally had no freaking idea. One day, things were one way and the next day, they were another. She wasn’t good at accepting any change, let alone, emotional upheaval. “I wouldn’t mind keeping things private for a little while longer.”

  His hand stopped idly making circles on her lower back and hips. “Like it’s not just a hook-up? We’re still… pursuing this?”

  “Just privately. It’s pretty important to me.”

  “Fine. I don’t need anyone else’s attention or permission or participation. Just yours. If you’re willing to give it to me, it works for me.”

  “Especially Vickie. You absolutely cannot tell her or anyone in my family.”

  “Okay, noted. Especially Vickie or your family members.”

  “Is that possible for you? You do seem to talk to her a lot.”

  “Not as much as you’re suggesting. I call my dad, and if she answers, I chat briefly with her. I also try to see my dad quite often, so if she’s there…”

  “You chat. I get that. But will you have a problem not chatting about me?”

  He squeezed her next to him but she could feel him smiling over her head in amusement. Of that, she was sure. Yes, she still harbored petty jealousy over her aunt. It was odd and maybe irrelevant, but it was how she truly felt. “I can be sure not to chat about you.”

  Chapter Five

  ALLY SPENT THE ENTIRE following week with Nate. Every night, they slept in his bed and used a full box of condoms. They preferred to study at Ally’s place and work on their project in her living room. It was sheer torture when something so innocent as a brush of his hand against her forearm or the slightest touch of his fingertips on hers managed to light up her entire body, making her instantly ready for so much more. She blushed when her eyes met his gaze because she was feeling embarrassed by how much she wanted him. Craving nothing but having sex with him was something she never felt with any other guy. It was an all-consuming attraction that only required a look, a touch, or a simple word from Nate before Ally wanted to jump against him, wrapping her arms around him, and locking her lips on his while wishing all of her clothes were gone.

  It was almost illicit the way they kept their secret exclusively between them. Ally could barely glance at Nate in class without her underwear instantly getting damp. It was humiliating at times and so juvenile, but also hot. It was so hot. He’d approach her, ostensibly to take notes, or to simply talk to other students, sometimes not even paying any attention to her, yet Ally could not restrain her fervid fantasies and got red hot and bothered just watching him.

  However, their close living arrangements also made things harder for her. Privacy was always a cherished premium. She craved, no… she demanded it. Especially regarding food. He was open about eating, like normal people. Not her. He often liked to eat out. Way too much, in fact. The problem was, she wanted to join him.

  Nate was far more interesting than Ally ever dreamed he could be. He could speak at length on any subject and she enjoyed listening to him. The subjects varied from what they were studying to just simple observations about the people they bot
h knew. Nate managed to keep Ally so busy the urge to purge didn’t come, thank God, at least not any of the times when she was with him. Ally was more relaxed around Nate than she ever expected she could be. Always attentive and nice, he was so not what she expected. What began as a drunken hook-up one night turned out to be the best sex and companionship Ally could ever remember enjoying with a man.

  Inevitably, however, the family get-together arrived. There were so many, it was nearly impossible for Ally to count, much less try to avoid. This particular one was Grandma Gayle’s birthday, so it was mandatory that she attend.

  “Wanna drive together?” Nate asked. He was lying naked on her bed, sprawled across it and hogging nearly every square inch. Nate possessed no sense of modesty or embarrassment. Ally was busy curling the ends of her hair with a hot curling iron.

  “No. We haven’t before.”

  “But we’re friends now, because of the project. My dad and Vickie know about it, so why wouldn’t it make sense for us to show up together?”

  “Too risky. People will talk. And don’t look at me either when we’re there.”

  At that command, Nate stood up and turned towards her. She had his undivided attention now. “How do I not look at you?”

  “It will be too obvious if you do. You do this thing… like you’re doing right now; Kylie will notice, for sure.”

  “What thing am I doing?”

  “You seem to be mentally undressing me with your eyes.”

  He smiled as he wiggled his eyebrows. “Guilty. I might just look at you like that.”

  “Well, it’s too obvious.”

  “Why should we care? I have to ask you this: why not just tell them? I’m sorry to burst your bubble of confidential importance here, but no one, and I mean no one will care.”