Chapter One.
Jessina
“Damn, he looks good,” I whisper to Dare as we both watch War being promoted to Colonel.
He snickers as the crowd starts to clap when his twin shakes hands with the General. It’s a full circle moment for them. After living with the brothers for the last two years, I’ve learned a lot about what shaped them into the men they are today.
“What, no love for me? I do have the same face and body.” I elbow him so he remembers to lower his voice when the old lady in front of us turns around to glare.
One look at Dare, and she shuts up quickly.
They may be identical twins, but Darren Smith doesn’t have to keep his tattoos regulated as Warren does. I glance at the ones peeking out from his collar and grin at the red lips kissing his neck that match my lips perfectly. Warren has the same tattoo right over his dick.
“Earth to Jess,” Dare waves his hand in my face, and I blink slowly.
I can feel my cheeks are beet red, and my breathing is harsher than it should be. Whoops! From the look on Dare’s face, I know I’ve been busted.
“I’d ask where your head is, but I’m fairly certain I know. Now, how about we blow this joint and find somewhere I can crawl under that skirt without getting arrested.” The same lady clutches her damn pearls as she gives us both the evil eye.
Dare blows her a kiss, causing the poor old hag to sway on her feet.
“Careful, she probably doesn’t remember what an orgasm is. You might give her a heart attack.” He chuckles as he places his hand on the lowest possible point of my back, then leans in as we start to walk towards War.
“But what a way to go.” I giggle and push him away as he nibbles my earlobe.
“BEHAVE.” I hiss at him as we approach the General.
“Never,” Dare says confidently as War salutes the General before being dismissed.
“I’m so proud of you.” I lift on my tippy toes to kiss his cheek, but he lands one on my lips in plain sight of everyone.
He’s not a public display of affection type of guy, and I gasp when he does it.
“Pay up. Told you he wasn’t gay.” I hear from a few officers standing by and snort when War ends the kiss to reprimand them.
I stand next to Dare, watching the younger officers get dressed down, and sigh, both missing the uniform and happy with where I am in my life now.
“I’ll never understand it, but I can respect the dedication it takes to be a soldier. But for now, can we GO!” He raises his voice so that War gets the point and turns me away from his brother to find the closest exit.
“Are we set for tonight?” I lower my voice to ask about the secret I’ve been working on.
“Mmhmm, Yearn and its kitchen are all yours. I’ll take War out for drinks and then meet you there at eight tonight.” I smile as I remember asking him for help a few weeks ago.
* * *
“He’s impossible to shop for! He wants nothing, and I can only suck his dick so often.” I slump onto the couch next to Dare in a huff.
“Never underestimate the power of a great blow job,” I slap him in the face with one of the throw pillows before he can finish his sentence.
“Not helpful. Come on! You’ve known him since the womb. What can I get him that he’d appreciate?” Dare raises his beer to his lips with a thoughtful look, but after taking a sip, shakes it just as lost as I am.
This is a big deal. We need to celebrate it properly.
“Nothing you give him will mean shit. He’s always been more into acts of service. No stop, I mean it!” He chuckles as I get ready to pound him with another pillow.
“War likes gifts from the heart. You don’t need to spend money on him.” Okay, well, that was rather insightful.
“I suck at arts and crafts, Dare.” He cracks open another beer and passes it to me.
The smell alone makes me want to vomit, and I wave it off.
“You feeling okay?” I roll my eyes.
“I’m great, just not in a drinking mode.” I bite my thumb as my brain turns on Dare’s suggestion.
What can I make or do for him that would be meaningful?
“I’d better start dinner. Or we’ll all starve.” Dare stands and walks into our kitchen as I frown.
I suck at cooking and really wish I had learned how growing up.
Wait.
“You are a genius!” I skip into the kitchen to join him as he’s pulling out ingredients.
“Well aware, but how so today?” He turns with that smug look that warms me in all the right areas.
His eyebrow arches as he notices the effect he’s having on me, and I need to turn this conversation around quickly before I become dinner.
“I want to learn how to cook for him.” That stops him, and he tilts his head in question.
“Just him?” Is he really fucking pouting?
“Don’t get jealous. It’s his special day, not yours. Besides, you get the benefits too.” He slaps the counter, then points at me.
“I’m so fucking sick of getting his sloppy seconds.” I grin and pull my sleep shirt off, dropping it to the floor.
I back away slowly in nothing but a lace thong, enjoying the predatory look he’s giving me.
“That ain’t what you said last night.” I lick my lips as I watch his eyes narrow.
“That’s it! Come here, you little brat.” He jumps over the counter, and I run.
But not too fast.