Page 23 of Right Side of Paradise
“Watch your mouth, Harlow.”
“Or what? We’re all the same age and you treat me like a ten-year-old.”
Rico got up and started pacing on my white rug, a place he’d frequented during our time under this roof growing up. He was always in my room, checking on me, giving me money, making sure I was awake to get ready for school.
“Because you deserve the best. Why is it wrong for me to be protective?”
My defenses weakened at the emotion in his words. “I didn’t say it was wrong, Rico. I came to y’all because I know I deserve the best and that’s what y’all are.”
He was rubbing my name again, eyes closed while he continued to pace.
“Why are you really upset, Rico? Talk to me.”
He stopped pacing. Closed the space between us and stared at me. “You could ask for anything you want, Harlow. That’s what you want to use it for?”
Every time I smelled the subtle notes of his sandalwood cologne, I knew everything was going to be alright. If Rico was near, nothing could go wrong.
His frown softened and he pulled me into his arms, squeezing me until my face was smushed against his hard chest. I listened to his heartbeat until he sighed and moved one hand to my hair.
“I’m sorry for how I reacted.”
Affection tightened my chest.
“It’s okay. I know it’s not traditional. You don’t have to be there. Maybe I can talk to Soul and Christian privately? Sorry, I’m just used to telling y’all everything, so it didn’t cross my?—”
“I want to do it.”
My heart stuttered.
“What?”
“I want to be there. I want to take care of you. We don’t have to fuck but I want to make you feel good. I wanna watch Soul and Chris make you feel good.”
Each word he spoke made my breath hitch a little more in my throat.
I backed up and stared at him, wide eyed and breathless. “You want to do it? You don’t think I’m fucked up?”
“No more fucked up than I am for wanting to do it. Maybe you shouldn’t take all three of us on your first time. But we can make you feel good without penetration too.”
“Oh.” A reckless, needy thrum had settled at the apex of my thighs.
“Jesus, Harlow.” Rico cupped my chin. “I’m your brother.”
“Stepbrother,” I corrected. Out of nowhere, my voice was raspy and thick with need. “And you can always say no.”
I really didn’t want him to say no.
As fucked up as it might have been, I wanted Rico right there in the room when we did it. Seeing it all. Hearing it all. Something told me it wouldn’t feel right if hewasn’tthere. But I’d live if it was too much for him.
“I’ll never tell you no.”
His lips collided with mine after that, and all I remembered was the way he smelled and the way his mouth felt against mine.
My name? Couldn’t tell you.
The date? No clue.
All I knew was Rico Donovan—my fucking stepbrother—was kissing me like our lives depended on it and I didn’t want him to stop. Not even for a second.
