The Right Kind of Wrong: A Brother's Best Friend Romance

by Fabiola Francisco

  “No, but she’s my blood.”

  “And all those years of saying I was your brother was bullshit? If the tables were turned, I’d give you the benefit of the doubt despite your past choices. I trust you enough to believe you when you tell me you’re sure about something. I guess you don’t trust me when it comes to Allyson.” I stand and drop two twenties on the bar.

  “You may be that child’s uncle, but I’m the father.” With that, I walk out of the bar, frustrated as hell.

  It isn’t fair to think I don’t have what it takes to be a good father and a partner, especially after putting my vulnerability on display the way I did. Allyson, she’s different. Not in a cliché way, but she’s different for me. She brings something out in me that no one ever has.

  Screw this. I make a few calls and head back to my apartment. I’m going to see my girl. Hell, I’m going to go make her my girl.

  - - - - -

  I jumped on a late-night flight yesterday and headed straight for Ally’s apartment when I landed at the airport. I called my clients after my conversation with Easton and told them I had to travel. If they want to replace me, then I’ll give them the names of a couple people I trust to do as good a job as I do. Thankfully, they were all understanding, Jim included. I do most of their work remotely anyway.

  A few seconds after I buzz Allyson’s apartment, the front door opens. I make my way to the elevator, my eyebrows bunching in confusion. She didn’t even ask who it was; she simply let me in.

  I knock on Ally’s door, excited and anxious to see her. My conversation with Easton left a sour taste in my mouth, and I’m determined to prove I’m worthy of Allyson. I won’t lose both my best friend and the girl.

  The door opens, and Allyson’s eyes widen as her mouth drops open.

  “Do you just let anyone up here without asking?” I cross my arms over my chest and smirk.

  “What are you doing here? I thought it was my lunch order.” Her hand comes up to cover her mouth, and her eyes soften as she looks at me.

  I’m the one that can’t tear my eyes away from her. She could’ve sent me a million pictures, but nothing would’ve prepared me for the emotions I’d feel when I actually saw her. She has the perfect round bump and there’s no denying she’s pregnant.

  I drop to my knees and lift her shirt, dropping a kiss on her stomach. When I look up at her, I notice a few stray tears. I kiss her stomach one more time before standing and wiping her tears again.

  “I missed you. You look stunning.” I grab the back of her neck and slam my mouth against hers in an urgent kiss. Our tongues swipe together, and I kick the door closed. My hands run down her swollen stomach, lifting her shirt and sneaking my hand under it.

  “You’re freezing.” She shivers, wrapping her arms around my body. Pride swims inside of me at the way she holds me, the way she looks at me.

  “You look… So damn beautiful. Pictures don’t do you justice, Kiwi.” I kiss up her neck to her jaw. When I hear her moans, I smile against her skin. Her flowery scent hits me with a feeling of home, and I desperately need to hold on to that.

  “Need you now,” I say between peppering kisses across her collar bone.

  She takes off her shirt without a second thought, and I lean back, staring at her. “I can’t believe I missed seeing this grow.” I rub her belly and drop a kiss on the swell of her breasts. Nothing is sexier than her in simple cotton underwear that remains true to herself.

  “I’m so fucking hard for you.”

  I hiss when she palms my erection over my joggers.

  “Hard as Steele,” she smiles, using the pun I told her months ago.

  “All for you, baby.”

  “Fuck,” she moans, her hand sneaking into my pants. “Room, now.” Her throaty, desperate words make my cock even harder. I grip her ass and lift her, her legs coming around my waist.

  Seeing her glow, needing me as much as I need her, it makes me a wild man. I become primal, instinct taking over as I lay her on the bed and kiss up her throat until my lips find hers. Ally’s hands go to the back of my head, tugging my hair, and arching her body up to mine. She strokes her tongue along mine, her kiss becoming wild and lighting something inside of me I’ve never felt.

  I’ve been with women in the past, but Allyson’s touch and kiss leave me hungrier for more. It’s never enough. I don’t give a shit what Easton thinks. I’m all in when it comes to Allyson and this baby. All. Fucking. In.

  Her hands hold my cheeks, and she stares into my eyes, abruptly stopping the kiss. “What’s wrong?” Those green orbs burn into me.

  “Nothing,” I shake my head, shifting on the bed to lie next to her.

  “You’re a terrible liar,” she points out with a smile. “Talk to me.”

  “I’d rather continue what we were doing.” The last thing I want is to talk about her brother while I have her half-naked on a bed. I suck her earlobe into my mouth, and she groans.

  “Fine, but we talk after.” Her hands come to the hem of my shirt, bunching it up until I have no choice but to remove it. Pleased, she smiles as she traces my chest, smoothing a finger down my skin as she trails it toward my abs. My stomach contracts at the sensation, but I let her continue her exploration.

  When she reaches the band on my pants, I look at her with a raised eyebrow, waiting for her next move. A wide smile takes over her face, brightening it and making me forget about everything but the two of us in this moment. She doesn’t hold back, instead reaching into my pants and stroking my length.

  “Shit, Kiwi…” I shift and run a hand down the side of her body.

  “That nickname used to annoy me, but don’t you ever think about calling me anything else but that.” She leans forward, brushing her lips against mine.

  I take her bottom lip between my teeth and tug, flipping us, so I’m on top of her. I thrust my hips into her palm before removing her hand and holding both of them above her head. I wink and smirk, kissing down her jaw and chest, using my free hand to unsnap her bra and remove it.

  “Gorgeous,” I whisper, running my tongue across her nipple and savoring her reaction. Her body tenses beneath mine, but I don’t relent. I move to her other nipple, flicking it with the tip of my tongue. Ally’s moans are music to my ear.

  “Camden…” She calls out when my teeth scrape along her sensitive skin. And when I take her nipple between my lips and suck, she goes buck wild, her legs coming around my waist and holding me to her.

  Keeping her hands above her head, I kiss down her body until her legs have no choice but to fall from my waist. I take advantage of her surrender and stare into her eyes. “Keep your hands up there. Hold on to the headboard. Good,” I say when she grips the metal railings that make up the headboard.

  My fingers hook into her leggings, trailing them down her legs along with her underwear. Her pussy glistens just for me, and my dick begs me to let him play. But first, I need to taste her. It’s been too long.

  Once she’s naked, I swipe my tongue up her core, catching her by surprise if the yelp that leaves those pretty, full lips is telling.

  “Hands,” I remind her in a warning tone before dipping my tongue back up her pussy, sucking her clit.

  Allyson thrashes and pleads for more.

  “Is this what you want?” I fuck her with my tongue, giving her all I’ve got as I get my fill of her.

  “Y-yes…” she stutters on a moan, her hip arching toward my mouth and her hands gripping the headboard.

  “My greedy girl.” I kiss the inside of her thighs as I twist a finger into her, her tight core gripping it.

  I look up at her as I thrust my finger inside of her, a stunning view of her naked body tensing as I enter a second finger. When I hook it and find that spot she loves, her face scrunches up.

  “Look at me,” I demand. My voice is hoarse to my own ears. Watching her like this, surrendering to me, tests my patience and self-control, but I know the result will be sweeter.

  I flick her clit with t
he tip of my tongue, and her hands land on my head, pulling me toward her.

  “Kiwi, hands,” I say against her body.

  “Damn it, Camden, let me touch you.” Her nails scrape my scalp, and I groan, which must affect her by the way her body jolts. I take her in my mouth again, relentlessly bringing her to the brink and back down until she’s begging me to let her fall. And hell if I don’t want her to fall straight into my arms and heart.

  I take every bit she gives me until her body is limp on the bed, her breathing heavy as her chest rises and falls rapidly.

  I kiss my way up her body, settling between her legs. My dick begs to enter her, but I kiss her first, letting her taste herself as I tease her with the tip of my erection.

  “This gives just the tip a whole new meaning, Camden.”

  I chuckle, and my forehead falls onto hers.

  “This baby is mine, and so are you. No one else, babe, no one else.” I say through clenched jaw as I thrust into her, taking her lips with mine. I claim her, body and soul until she’s crying out my name.

  - - - - -

  After we’re both satiated and eating lunch in her living room, I ask her if she knows of any other hotel near the area.

  “I need to find a new hotel. The one I’m staying in only had a room available for today.”

  “You can stay here. I mean…if you want to. No pressure. You probably want your own space, and that was weird of me to ask.” She trips over my words adorably.

  Heat rises to her cheeks, turning them red as she keeps talking. “You know, save money since I’m gonna need that money for child support. Oh, my God. That was a terrible joke. I’m only kidding. I don’t want your money. It’s just…I like to make things more awkward than they already are.” She covers her face with her hands, and I bite back a chuckle.

  I peel her hands away and stare into those gorgeous eyes, kissing her softly. “Deep breath, Kiwi.” I smile, holding back my laughter. “I’d love to stay with you.”

  “Okay, cool.” she nods.

  I chuckle and pull her to me. “You’re something else.”

  “Awkward as fuck. I hope this child gets your confidence.”

  “Whoa…” I stop pulling her to my lap and stare at her with furrowed brows. “You’re confident, strong, smart, and funny. I hope this boy is just like you—looks, personality, and heart.” I grip the sides of her face, and my eyes pierce into hers. “I’m nothing compared to you.”

  I tear my gaze away, dropping my head.

  “Hey, that’s not true. You’ve always been a great person, and these last few months, I’ve seen a different side of you. One that I wish I had known earlier. I believe you should show it to the world more often. This child is lucky to have us both.” She shifts on my lap and hugs me. My arms curl around her body, keeping her close.

  “That’s not what your brother thinks.” I shake my head, releasing a heavy breath.

  “Cam, Easton is coming around. He’s afraid you’ll hurt me because he knows one side of you, but I’ve gotten to know you, and I trust you…with my baby and my heart.”

  I brush my thumb across her bottom lip, smiling sadly. “Thank you.” I grab her chin and bring her lips to mine, kissing her with every ounce of emotion I possess. I won’t stop until I make her mine, even if it takes me a million years. I’m so deep with her that I never want to find my way out.

  chapter 22

  Allyson

  When Camden showed up at my door some weeks ago, I couldn’t believe it. I was waiting for him to call me and let me know when he’d be flying back. After extending his trip while he was in Richmond, I wasn’t sure if I’d see him anytime soon.

  Then, he surprised me, and my doubts about him returning dissipated. When he kissed me, I felt as if all the stars in the universe were aligned.

  We’ve spent as much time together as we can. He’s met my friends, we hosted our own Thanksgiving dinner in my apartment, and I’ve shown him more of the city. Rubén and Vanesa have made it a point to help Camden with his Spanish whenever we get together, which has been more helpful than I thought. The weeks leading up to the holidays always feel a bit lonely since I can’t fly home for Thanksgiving, but this fall has felt different.

  I rub my stomach and sigh. I’m waiting for Camden to finish up in the shower so we can go to my doctor’s appointment.

  My boss took the news well, and I told everyone at the office afterward. Now, at twenty weeks pregnant, there’s no denying I’m with child.

  I hear his steps nearing the living room and smile up at him when he leans against the wall with an easy grin on his face. He’s been staying with me since he returned, and it’s been my own brand of perfection. Laying with him at night, talking about our child, and the articles he’s read about pregnancy and parenthood has given us a chance to work through this.

  Camden walks toward me on the couch. He leans down and brushes his lips against mine while his hand touches my belly. “Ready to find out if we’re having a boy or girl?” His eyes twinkle with excitement.

  “I thought you were confident it’s a boy.”

  “I’m positive, but since you doubt my psychic skills, I’ll humor you.” He winks and reaches for my hand to help me up, lacing his fingers with mine.

  Once outside, Camden waves down a cab and opens the door for me to slide in. “I thought we’d ride to the doctor’s office.”

  “Thank you.” I scoot over and wait for him to sit before giving the cab driver the address.

  Camden’s fingers brush my palm in soothing circles. I’ve been waiting for this day for weeks. My heart hammers against my ribs. I know the baby is healthy, but it’s always nerve-wracking going into a check-up. Today, though, I’m excited to find out the gender, so the nerves are caused by an overwhelming sense of joy.

  “Are we going to tell our families right away?” Camden interrupts my thoughts.

  “We can,” I nod. “Maybe we can record a video and send it to them in the group chat.”

  “I like that idea.” He leans in and kisses my temple. Then, he runs the tip of his nose down my jaw, inhaling deeply, and his hand runs slow circles over my swollen stomach. A shiver runs up my spine.

  “You smell so good.” His voice sounds gruff. Heat creeps up my neck. I’m still getting used to being this way with Camden.

  Following his lead, I inhale his masculine scent. It’s spicy and woodsy and reminds me of Everton for some reason—which is ridiculous since Camden has nothing to do with that part of my life.

  As soon as he got back, he opened up about giving a relationship a try. He was ready for every excuse I threw his way. Truthfully, I want nothing more than to see if we could be a family, but there’s still the fact that we live in two different countries, and legally, his stay here will end soon. I also worry about what will happen if we break up. If that’s the case, I hope we can be adults and still co-parent, so our child has a happy and healthy upbringing.

  I turn my head and smile at him. “Thank you. I bet you never thought I’d be your girlfriend,” I tease him.

  “You’re the best surprise I never expected.”

  My breath hitches as tears fill my eyes. Camden strokes my cheek with his thumb. His lips touch mine, and my heart swells. I reach up and cup his cheek. “Thank you for being here.”

  “I want to,” he assures me with a firm nod.

  “I know.” I lean into his side, resting my head on his shoulder as we weave through the busy streets.

  When we arrive at the doctor’s office, Camden holds my hand while we wait for them to call us. Once I’m in the examination room, Camden stands by my side. The technician goes through the explanation I’ve heard numerous times from my other check-ups, and she goes on to do the sonogram.

  After letting us know that everything looks good, she taps the keys on the computer and zooms in. With a wide smile, she congratulates us, telling us it’s a boy. Camden whoops so loud, both the technician and I jolt. I cover my mouth as tears stream down m
y face. Camden grabs ahold of me and kisses me shamelessly.

  “A boy,” he whispers against my lips. “You owe me a date.” He winks.

  I nod, still overwhelmed with emotions.

  “Pretty sure we already had plenty of dates.”

  “Nah, this one is special, Kiwi.” He kisses me again before staring at the screen again.

  The technician smiles at us, and we wait for the sonogram to print before leaving the office.

  “I’m so damn happy.” Camden’s face is lit up as we walk down the sidewalk. “You’re not going to work until four, right?”

  “Yeah.” I took the morning off for the appointment, and it’s one day I’m especially grateful for Spain’s odd work hours. I stare at the printout in my hand—our baby boy. I can’t believe it.

  “Let’s have lunch.” He swings his arm around my shoulder and pulls me toward him. I put the sonogram away in my purse, careful not to wrinkle it, and wrap my arm around his waist.

  At times I can’t believe this is my life.

  “Can we do something before?” I peer up at him with a smile.

  “Anything you want.”

  I bring out my phone and signal Camden to bend down a bit so that his six-foot frame is even with my five-five one. I flip the camera until it’s facing us and hit record.

  “We just got the best news.” I look over at Camden. When I stare back at the camera, I yell, “We’re having a boy!”

  Camden laughs, confirming our news. I choke up when he tells them that we’re using my dad’s name as the baby’s middle name, and we’re so excited to meet our son.

  I end the recording, but my tears flow down my face. He kisses my cheeks and dries my tears. A boyish smile takes over his face; it’s my favorite smile of his. My heart slams against my ribs as I stare into his face. Everything fades but the man in front of me, looking at me with so many emotions. My entire body freezes when I realize I’m falling in love with him, irrevocably so.

  - - - - -

  My realization has been on my mind all afternoon, distracting me from work. Falling in love with Camden. I chew on the inside of my cheek as I ponder this. He’s definitely the kind of guy I’d fall for, but we’re still nowhere close to figuring out where the future will lead. I’m afraid I’ll end up with a broken heart.