Anytime Lily and Lo’s sex life arises, it closes the door to discuss ours. It’s a ploy, a simple distraction, but Rose is also truly invested in her sister’s recovery. She cares. I do as well, but Rose will always be my number one priority.
“They’re touching more than usual,” I say. “But I think it’s more for the camera’s benefit.”
“He’s teasing her, and she’s going to regress…after all the progress she’s made.”
“You have to trust him.”
She cringes at the idea of putting faith in Loren Hale. They only tolerate each other for Lily’s sake. I’m in a difficult position because I’ve grown to like Lo as a real friend.
“I need a favor,” she suddenly says.
“Favors,” I muse with a smile. “It’ll cost you.”
“I knew being your girlfriend wouldn’t have many perks. I still owe you things.”
“You have plenty of perks,” I tell her. “You just choose not to delight in them.” I edge close to her, setting a hand on the counter, my mouth near her neck as I lean in low. She tenses as my hand dips to her thigh. “What favor do you need?” I ask, slipping my palm beneath her robe.
“I’m going to burn you,” she says, not as a threat. Fear spikes in her voice. She unplugs the curling iron quickly and sets it aside.
I bite her ear and whisper, “Breathe.”
Shebarelyexhales. “I need you to give Lo the talk.”
I hunch over, resting my chin on her shoulder for a second. My expression stays complacent, composed—the face I carry with me throughout the day, the one Rose calls “fake.”
“I think we’re past thattalk, Rose.”
She glowers, her entire body responding to the emotion. Her eyes narrow, her stance closes, her shoulders pull back, forcing me to straighten up.
I almost get hard.
“Don’t patronize me,” she says. “Lo’s going to get my sister pregnant on accident. He’s impulsive and careless. So you need to do what you do best and instill some common sense into him.”
“I imagine that conversation blowing over as well as a hurricane.” I twirl her by the waist so she leans against the counter, facing me. “So it’s going to cost you.”
She peruses my body with a sharp gaze. “I’m prepared to pay.”
My lips slowly rise. “Are you?”
“Yes.” But her eyes speak differently, and my smile fades. She’s really, truly scared.
“You’re safe with me, you know that, Rose?” I ask her. “I won’t ever hurt you.” I’ve always treated her like she’s an extension of myself.
The more hostile, torrid side—that is.
It’s a reason I’ve become so possessive of her throughout the years, even when we weren’t together.
“I know,” she says, relaxing her shoulders.
“Then I’ll talk with Lo.”
“What do I need to do for you?” she asks, too stubborn to back down, even if the unknown frightens her.
“Stop thinking for a minute.”
“What—”
I kiss her, my large hand cupping her delicate face, my lips against her soft. Her breath rises to her throat, and her body curves to meet mine. She rouses, clutching my muscular arms with her free hands. The uncertainty still lingers on her lips, hesitating.
