Taking my thick length in my hand, I stroke it with a tighter grip than normal, the friction from the water adding extra sensation as my mind goes to the night of the premiere and how she’d looked in that dress. All those long limbs encased in purple silk, her cleavage perfectly framed, those pouty lips slicked with that sexy plum-colored lipstick. My first thought was how that shade would look when smeared along my dick, Harlow on her knees at my feet. My own knees buckle slightly as the images work to send my pleasure even higher, and I put my other hand out to steady myself against the wall.
Closing my eyes, I continue speeding up my strokes while a movie reel plays through my mind, all the times I lashed out at Harlow and she gave back as good as she got. My toes curl against the tiles as a tingling starts at the base of my spine. I want to know what all that passion would feel like when put to a completely different use than fighting. But then again, I do like a good anger fuck. With those last thoughts, I’m moaning her name and painting the tiles with my cum.
No sooner than my cum washes down the drain do the feelings of guilt and disappointment hit. As much as I’d like to explore my visceral reaction to Harlow, I also feel that if I gave into these feelings flowing through me it’s almost like I’m betraying my sister.And isn’t that the worst mood killer.
My head flops back against the tiles as I lean on the wall, the water sluicing over my shoulders and down my back as my mind whirls like it hasn't since I was a teenager. When I failed to protect my sister and hadn't noticed that something was going on in her life, so absorbed in the woman I was dating at the time. She had me so wrapped around her finger I blew off Jacinta’s messages, thinking nothing in her life could be as important as the women who kept me occupied with blow jobs and hot sweaty nights. When the night of their sixteenth birthday had come and everything that followed came to light, I finally woke up to the fact that I had failed her. Had let her down when she needed me the most, and I swore up and down that it would never happen again.
But here I am, once again finding myself led by my dick and the softer emotions I feel when I look at Harlow. I know she doesn't deserve everything that is being done to her, but what can I do? I don’t know if I can pay the cost of treating her the way she deserves.
Blowing out a sigh, the cold water and the depressing thoughts have successfully gotten me off to a bad start. Turning off the water, I step out of the shower, grabbing a towel to dry myself off.
Time to get dressed and make my way downstairs, preparing for the next round of exchanged barbs between Harlow and me. And just like that, the thought of all her feistiness has my cock starting to twitch once more.I’m so fucked.
* * *
Harlow
Deciding to take him at his word, I hurry through my morning routine, lost in thoughts about Jacinta and Jaxon’s life before my dad, desperately wanting to know what they went through. Maybe, like me, they suffered at the hands of a drug-addled mother, but unlike my refuge with the Bostons, they didn't have anything until Dad found them. My heart pings a little with sympathy, knowing the kind of things they may have gone through first hand; without the Bostons, I may have very well ended up bitter and twisted as well. I could’ve been just as guarded and aggressive toward strangers. Hedidmention an incident later in life that helped mold her, so who am I to judge? I just hate that I’m at the end of her firing squad at the moment. I guess one positive of the situation is that I just got a different glimpse of Declan. I almost admire him for sticking to his guns and honoring a promise he made as a child, but really, she’s an adult. She’s able to defend herself now, as everyone witnessed at the premiere, and I really am no threat to her or any of them.
Making sure I have everything thrown into my backpack, I hurry to the main wing of the house to find the breakfast table empty of everyone but Nana, Poppy, and Declan. I didn't notice before, but he’s dressed in black suit pants and an emerald green long-sleeved button-down shirt with a silver tie. The shirt brings out his stunning green eyes, which meet mine as I rush into the room.
“Finally, you’re here. We can get moving.” He’s lost any sign of the slight warmth he showed early, a more gruff and cold exterior already in place. Draining his coffee mug, he stands up, grabbing his suit jacket from the back of his chair and putting it over his shoulder. A black leather satchel is snatched from a nearby chair, also thrown over his shoulder, before he goes out the back door, heading for the helipad we used on the night of the movie premiere.
“Sorry, dear.” Nana waves a hand in his direction, her eyes rolling. “He’s in a hurry this morning. We’ll get you something to eat and a coffee at the office.” She too is dressed in a pantsuit and armed with a designer handbag, her eyes raking over my outfit. A smile comes to her lips when she’s looked her fill. “You look gorgeous. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.” Her words ease some of my insecurities, knowing that I’ve got her in my corner. Giving Poppy a kiss on the cheek, she hurries after Declan.
“Give them hell, Hally.” Poppy salutes me with his cup of coffee and goes back to reading his newspaper as I follow after the two.
Nana’s waiting for me just outside the large glass doors, and she tucks my hand under her arm as we walk toward the helipad. “Now, I wanted to tell you how much Brad actually wanted to be doing this, but he’s concerned you’d feel like he was trying to force a relationship with you. He’s so worried that he’s going to scare you off that he’s being overly cautious.” Nana’s words sound similar to what Kai was saying the other day. “Don't think he’s not interested! Say the word and he will jump in with both feet. I told you before, the man is a brilliant businessman, but his social skills are not great. Though Emma seemed to bring him out of his shell last night.” When I take a peek at Nana, she has that scheming look in her eye, and I breathe a sigh of relief that it’s aimed at Dad and not me.God knows my life is complicated enough right now.
The helicopter blades are already spinning as we get closer, and conversation becomes too hard over the noise. Looking at the cockpit, Declan's cryptic words finally make sense. Sitting in the pilot’s seat with a headset on is none other than the man himself.
Chapter Thirteen
Harlow
Stopping suddenly, I look between him and the house, wondering if it’s not too late to go back and drive in. It would mean I get to drive that awesome car of Oliver’s again, so I’m seriously considering it, but Nana must see what I’m thinking.
“Hurry up, dear! We need to get moving.” I start to follow her into the backseat, but she shakes her head.
“Why don't you sit up in the front with Declan? The view is so much better,” she yells over the sounds of the engine, her eyes twinkling with mischief and voice loud enough that I can’t pretend not to hear it. Damn it, what is this woman up to now? She knows well and good that he hasn't been welcoming. Why would she force us together? I start to shake my head, but she pulls the sliding door closed, giving me no option but to climb into the passenger seat next to the pilot.
There’s a headset on the seat as I pull the door open and climb up, thanking God and whoever else is up there that I hadn't worn a skirt or a dress today. The thing would have been around my neck with the wind rush. My eyes meet Declan's, the almost permanent frown still on his face, as I pull the headset on.
“About time,” he grumbles to me, and within moments, the helicopter is moving upward.
“Now, now, Declan, we never confirmed a time with Harlow, so I think we can let it slide, don't you?” Nana’s voice holds a hint of steel in it, and she quickly changes the subject, the queen of keeping her grandchildren in line. “Anyway, I’m pretty sure you were a part of the reason she was held up. Didn't I see you hovering around her room before you made it to breakfast this morning?” The steel turns to a teasing lilt, and my head shoots to Declan. Crap, Nana saw him. Damn woman is going to get the wrong idea.Even if I tell her otherwise. Especially if I tell her otherwise.Declan blushes slightly at my attention, but the frown doesn’t leave his face.
“Just trying to see if I could get my cat back,” he tells her, and I hear a tiny scoff in the headset before she changes the subject yet again.
“So, you’re staying with Alex and Shane tonight? They’re such nice boys and so handsome. What do you think they’re going to do with you?” Nana’s question sounds more suggestive than it should, and when I turn to look at her, there’s a huge grin on her face. Rolling my eyes at her, I shrug.
“Not sure, but probably just stay in because I have that interview tomorrow.” This time, Declan's head turns quickly to me, his eyebrows lifting in surprise.
“Job interview?” he prods, but I don’t engage. Instead, I watch the world go by until we reach the towering building that is Neighpalm Headquarters.
Once we touch down on the helipad on the roof, Declan is busy shutting down the helicopter while Nana and I hop out right away, making our way to the elevator. Once inside and away from the noise, she starts to give a run down of the day's schedule.
“Okay, I’m going to take you straight to Hope. She’s going to take you down to the ground floor and work your way up. She will give you a tour through each of the different business levels and explain a little more about each. Then, after lunch, you and I are going to be interviewing a few people for temporary design positions within Neighpalm Couture.”
