Page 11 of Right Side of Paradise

Whatever She Wants

Up until a minute ago, I was sure the three men in front of me would give me whatever I wanted.

Rico and his best friends, Christian and Soul, became my best friends by default almost fourteen years ago. And in that time, they’d never let me want for anything.

But maybe that was changing.

I mean, I couldn’t blame them. What I was asking for—the only thing I wanted—wasn’t a simple favor.

It was a big deal. The biggest favor I’d ever asked them for.

My eyes darted around the family room to all three of my friends before I looked at the TV Rico had put on mute during the commercial break.

It was quiet in the house. My mom and Rico’s dad left early this morning for another medical conference.

Brock was one of the only plastic surgeons on the island and jumped at every opportunity to travel and learn more about advances in his field.

My mother always traveled with him. Something that was working in my favor right now.

My twenty-first birthday was in two days, and I only wanted one thing.

I’d thought long and hard about it.

Soul was the first to break the silence, his perplexed expression giving way to an emotion I couldn’t name.

“Harley baby, you want what for your birthday?”

“I want to have sex.”

Christian stared at me, stunned into silence.

Rico’s eye twitched.

And Soul? Soul had his hand on mine in support, but I could feel the tension leaving his body and flowing into mine.

“Tough crowd,” I muttered, trying to break up the silence.

Rico rubbed his hand over his brow, a habit he’d picked up whenever something I said stressed him out. I couldn’t tell if he did it because he regretted getting my name inked there or if he did it to summon patience when dealing with me.

I was leaning toward the second option when he stood up abruptly and walked straight toward me.

He removed Soul’s hand from mine and grabbed me by my wrist. We were already halfway out of the family room and headed upstairs before I realized what was happening.

“Rico!”

He didn’t acknowledge me until we were in my childhood bedroom with the door shut behind us.

“What the hell has gotten into you?”

“Nothing, that’s what I’m trying to remedy.” I laughed at my corny joke but coughed to cover the silence that followed.

“You can’t just ask a group of men to have sex with you because you’re tired of being untouched.”

Ouch .

I was a late bloomer in every sense of the word. But that didn’t mean I didn’t have options when it came to dating and potential partners.

The problem was I didn’t trust any of the men interested in me any farther than I could throw them.

In fact, the only men I trusted were in this house with me right now.

“Why would you ask us that?” Rico backed away from me until his calves hit the plushness of my frilly pink comforter. He sat down with his head in his hands.

Damn, he was a drama king.

“Because I want to know what it’s like. And I trust y’all.”

“We’re like brothers to you, Harlow...” His words trailed as he looked up at me.

“I don’t see Soul and Christian as my brothers. And I don’t think they see me as a sister.”

“Your mom literally married my dad.”

“I know!” My voice rose with frustration. “But we’re not blood related. And you don’t have to fuck me. Nobody is making you?—”

“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 he wasn’t there. 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.