by Jan Bowles
“Call me your kid brother once more, and I will split your head open like a ripe water melon. I’m warning you, Reed, don’t push it.”
His brother had fire in his eyes and meant what he said, but Reed wasn’t about to back down anytime soon. Shane was as hard as nails but he was harder. If Shane was in no mood for compromise, then neither was he.
“Hey, kid brother, didn’t anyone ever tell you that talk is cheap?” Reed, too, stood abruptly from the table in anticipation of the challenge from his twin. He beckoned Shane toward him. “Bring it on, man. That’s if you have the balls for it.”
His brother did have the balls and managed two steps toward him before Jessica finally decided that enough was enough.
“Stop it! Stop it, both of you. You are brothers. Twin brothers, and yet you are acting like wild animals that want to kill each other.” Reed was surprised at the amount of emotional fury contained within Jessica’s slender frame. She, too, stood from the breakfast table. “You may be my bosses, and I respect you both, but I will not stand here and watch you tear each other apart.” She made to leave and Shane moved to cut her off.
With sadness showing in those expressive brown eyes, she stretched out her arms to halt his progress. “Stop right there, Shane. You don’t own me. Nobody really owns me unless I love them enough to allow it. I’m a human being—a woman—not just a worthless piece of female flesh that can be used to make your brother jealous. Don’t come to my room tonight, Shane, just don’t.”
Although visibly upset, her stridently delivered words were a tonic and Reed couldn’t help but smile at the look of dejection showing on Shane’s face. As she hurriedly made her way from the breakfast room, Reed was already planning his next move.
Don’t get mad, get even.
Chapter Eight
What Jessica needed now was a healthy dose of polished professionalism. It wouldn’t be easy, though, because as soon as she entered Reed’s private office, which was located on the third floor of the purpose-built MAT facility in Boston, she felt out of her depth. It wasn’t the first time she had experienced these disturbing feelings.
Reed sat majestically at his desk, his eyes downcast as he put his signature to a seemingly endless procession of company documents. In a perverse sort of way, she actually enjoyed waiting obediently until he slid the important legal documents to one side. He then screwed the top on his gold fountain pen and placed it on his desk.
Reed nonchalantly motioned to the empty chair opposite him. “Take a seat, Jess.”
He had the same predatory look as his brother, and however hard she tried, she couldn’t deny her attraction to her powerful and sexy-as-hell boss.
“I’d rather remain standing, if that’s okay with you, sir?”
“It’s not. Sit down.”
His curt answer mirrored his mood, and Jessica thought it wise not to anger Reed. “Yes, sir. Right away, sir.” Exactly as with Shane, those mesmerizing blue eyes contained the devil—a demonic force that scared her a little and excited her a lot.
As she sat across from him, Jessica did her very best to come across as the consummate professional. “Sir, I have the report on the new CRB 60 microprocessor that MAT has been testing. The results look promising, Mr. Masters.” Her hand shook as she placed the document on his desk.
When Reed leaned back in his chair and folded his arms, she knew he had something to say. Four days had passed since he and his brother almost came to blows, and since that traumatic morning she could have cut the atmosphere with a knife. Since then, the two Masters men had been avoiding each other like the plague, and she had been uncomfortably stuck in the middle.
“How long is this going to continue, Jess?”
“How long is what going to continue, Mr. Masters?” She knew she played with fire, and if Reed decided to demonstrate the power he had over her, there would be precious little she could do about it.
“Stop playing games that you can never win. You know exactly what I mean.”
She noticed he bared his teeth slightly as a warning to her. Deep down, just as she had with Shane, Jessica wanted to rouse the wild animal that lay beneath the handmade Italian suit. If she did, the consequences would be unpredictable and more than a little scary.
Be careful, Jessica. Look at his eyes. He’s through being diplomatic. Good, because I don’t want him to be diplomatic. I want him to… I want him to…
Her hand fluttered nervously to her throat as Reed’s laser stare unearthed her darkest fears and vulnerabilities. Yet still she persisted in trying to bait him.
“I…I’m not playing games, Mr. Masters. Really I’m not.”
Without warning he banged his fist on the desk. “Fucking hell, woman. How much more of this crap do you think I’m going to allow? Damn right I’m your boss, and this ‘yes, sir, no, sir’ shit is fine when we are out of the country on MAT business. But here in the office, with just the two of us this ‘Yes, Mr. Masters, no, Mr. Masters’ approach is only ever going to piss me off.” Clearly irritated, he dragged a hand through thick dark hair. “Despite what has gone on between you and Shane, I know that you want me, too, Jess. Deny it if you dare.”
He was right, and from out of nowhere her emotions suddenly got the better of her. So much so that she held her head in her hands and quietly sobbed
“I’m so mixed up, Reed. I just don’t know what to think anymore. I mean, yes, I like Shane. Truth be known, I adore him. I know he acted like an idiot when you and he almost fought, but that’s not the real Shane. He’s your twin brother and deep down he is a good man. Just like you.”
Reed rose from his desk and moved behind her, and when she experienced strong yet gentle fingers soothe away the tension in her shoulders, it felt wonderful.
“Shhh, Jess. Don’t distress yourself. I’m right here for you.”
She put her hand on his. “Thank you.” Her emotions were all over the fucking place, but being close to Reed felt good. Felt right.
“Let me ask you a question, Jess. Do you think it’s possible for a woman to worship and adore more than one man? To love more than one man?”
He understood her. “Yes, I think so. To outsiders it would appear that this woman is little more than a whore, a cheap tramp. She should dismiss the opinion of these narrow-minded people, because life is too short. Only it isn’t that easy.”
“Ah, I see. That’s why you’ve become cold and aloof to both Shane and myself. That’s why you built a barrier. You built it to protect yourself from the feelings and thoughts that torment you.”
“Yes… I try so hard to be professional and detached. I try so hard to be no more than your personal assistant.”
“But you can’t do it, can you, Jess? Because the beautiful sexual woman that lies within you always overpowers any rational objective thinking on your part.”
“Yes, Reed, I can see that now.” With his fingers still soothing away the ache in her shoulders he leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “That’s good, Jess. That’s the way it should be.” His voice had the texture of molasses as his breath feathered across her skin. “You should always surrender to feelings that give you pleasure. Never fight these feelings, Jess. Go with them.”
Logical thought was deserting her now, because with Reed this close, she found it hard to think rationally.
“But…wh–what about Shane. He’s away on…on…” She felt his hands leave her shoulders and begin to caress her breasts. “He’s away on business in Canada. Reed, no. You mustn’t.”
“I say yes.”
She jolted as he squeezed her nipples through the flimsy silk material of her blouse. “In fact, I insist.”
Jessica was losing control, losing her ability to reason. “But h–he–he’ll be angry when he finds out. He’ll want to kill you.”
“All the better. All the more exciting. The moment is upon us, Jess. The time is now. I want you, baby. I need you, and I won’t rest until I’m deep inside your silken wetness. Think of it this way, Je
ss. Everything that is about to happen is now out of your control. That makes you blameless. Being blameless is good. Being blameless is a free ticket to sexual freedom.” His fingers now caressed her belly before sliding seductively lower.
“Yes…yes…yes. I have no control…I’m blameless.”
It was true and it was also convenient. If she had no control over what was about to happen, then to her way of thinking she wasn’t doing the dirty on Shane. Besides, despite what she had said in the throes of passion, Shane didn’t own her any more than Reed did. She wasn’t married to him, and he hadn’t made any commitment toward her. She didn’t wear his ring. If she did then she would be ferociously loyal to her man, and Reed would be rejected. Shane was away on company business in Montreal, and Jessica had no doubt that if a leggy blonde suddenly appeared in his hotel room then Shane Masters, just like most men, would find it difficult to refuse the offer of a no-strings-attached fuck. Since the dawn of time, women had been made to feel guilty for so much as looking at an attractive man. Men on the other hand were hardwired differently, and didn’t suffer with the consequences of guilt, or at least not to the same extent.
Reed then further reinforced that she had nothing to feel guilty about.
“I know, Shane, and let me tell you that my kid brother is no angel, Jess.” He quickly checked his watch. “Right this moment he’ll be sitting having a relaxing drink in the hotel bar. He has no conscience when it comes to sex, and he’ll be checking out every woman under forty. There’s a strong possibility that one or more of these women will come to his room and then—”
“Don’t say any more, Reed.” She wasn’t stupid or naïve, and was well aware that Reed was playing mind games with her. “I know that men can’t help themselves, just like you can’t right now.”
“Yes, whenever I look into those beautiful, big brown eyes of yours, all the logic and objectivity that I need to run MAT successfully goes clean out the window. That’s the effect you have on me, baby. You are so very special, Jess.”
He flattered and deceived in equal measure and she fell for it hook, line, and sinker. What woman wouldn’t? Reed Masters was six foot three inches and 220 pounds of male perfection. He was articulate, intelligent, and highly educated. He headed a multimillion-dollar business that was gunning for Microsoft, and as a result was wealthy beyond the dreams of ordinary people.
Was she really going to turn down this colossus of a man because she’d had sex with his equally gorgeous twin? The answer was a resounding no. What was more, she would enjoy every minute of it. Why the hell shouldn’t she?
Just as with Shane, it was the eyes that did most to break down any resistance that remained. Resistance. What resistance? Why would any woman in her right mind want to resist a man like Reed?
“I’m not the kind of guy who asks you what you want, what pleases you sexually. I already know. You have spirit and resilience, I can see that, but underneath it all, you are a natural submissive, Jess. A submissive who longs for a powerful man to take control. That man is me. Your previous boyfriends have been a big disappointment to you, because not one of them has satisfied your sexual needs, Right?”
“Yes.” He knew her better than she knew herself and she figured that although he demonstrated more compassion than his brother, Reed was no less a dominant alpha male.
He pulled her from her chair, using so much force that her feet actually left the ground. He then cradled her head against his broad masculine chest. His heartbeat was fast but steady, and she found reassurance in the rhythmic regularity.
Jessica didn’t feel one ounce of guilt now. I have no control. I am not responsible.
Those steely blue eyes briefly connected with her own before the wild animal within emerged with teeth bared. Large unstoppable hands tore the blouse and bra from her body and his total domination made her feel vulnerable but so very alive. The force he exerted was frightening, and she guessed that Reed liked to see fear in the eyes of his captive. Captive? Yes. I’m his captive, his prisoner, and his slave. He is in total control… I have no control, therefore I am blameless. Yes, being blameless gives me the freedom to enjoy.
In the same brutal uncompromising manner, those same hands separated Jessica from her skirt, panties, stockings, and shoes. Now completely naked, she trembled before her beautiful oppressor. Dear God above, was it possible that Reed was even more of an animal than Shane?
“Please, sir, take pity on me. Have mercy on me.” She pandered to him, flattered him. Like all dominant men, Reed had an ego the size of a small planet.
“Mercy, huh? Well, you allowed my brother deep inside you before me. I’m not minded to overlook such an error of judgment.”
She submissively lowered her head. “He came to me first, sir, and he was too strong for me to refuse.” There was a smattering of truth in her statement, but no more than that.
As he towered over her, he started removing his clothes. “You will remedy your mistake, by always putting me first in future.”
“Yes, sir. Of course, sir.” His naked chest was impressive, his perfectly honed six pack to die for. When he kicked off his shoes before finally removing his pants, Jessica gasped in awe. Reed wore no underwear. “Oh, sir. Oh, Master.” It was almost impossible to believe but true. His cock was even larger than Shane’s magnificent manhood.
“On your knees, woman. Let’s see how sorry you really are.”
She complied immediately and willingly. Despite it forcing her mouth uncomfortably wide, feeling that huge cock slide between her lips felt like heaven on earth. She cupped his balls as she sucked, licked, kissed, and generally worshiped the most intimate part of Reed’s body.
No guilt. None.
She was enjoying herself and loved the way his fingers teased through her hair. He clearly appreciated her efforts to please him, because soft moans of delight came from above.
“You’re beginning to redeem yourself.” He forced his cock deeper into her mouth. “I…I…” His words were breathy and halting. “I…I…I still haven’t forgiven you completely…and some strict discipline may be required…but…”
Close to blowing his load, his hands fisted painfully into her hair. How she longed to experience the rush of his semen as it hit the back of her throat.
“Enough.” He pushed her away—hard enough for Jessica to fall backward.
“Do I not please you, sir?” She knew she did, but his approval would be most welcome.
His huge cock twitched in front of him as he spoke. “You don’t disappoint me. How could you?”
“Thank you, sir.”
Chapter Nine
As Jessica rose from her knees to stand submissively before him, Reed felt a lump in his throat. What he experienced was the physical symptoms of human emotion, pure and simple, and he now understood that Jessica was the only woman in the world for him. The erotic sensation as those perfect rosebud lips had closed around his cock had been sublime, and although he had decided at the last moment not to shoot his load in her pretty little mouth, the experience was no less profound.
This enchanting lady was finally where she should be. With me and only me.
He felt a twinge of disappointment that he and Shane were growing apart after all these years. However, he couldn’t and wouldn’t allow Jessica to become Shane’s woman. He didn’t need to ask his brother if he felt the same way. He knew that he did, and when Shane returned from Montreal the shit would hit the fan. The consequence of his love for Jessica could even be enough to split MAT right down the middle.
Was he really willing to risk such meltdown for a mere woman? For a mere woman the answer would be a resounding no.
As she stood naked before him with her head respectfully bowed, Reed figured that Jessica was as far removed from a mere woman as was humanly possible. One half of the equation was correct, because Jessica was that most wonderful of creations—a woman—and her captivating beauty caused his prick to twitch with the need to be buried deep inside her. However
, the insignificant four-letter word “mere” could never be used to describe the 120 pounds of naked feminine perfection that softly trembled before him.
Frightened yet excited eyes briefly held his gaze before she lowered her head again. “Please, sir, may I have your permission to speak?”
He authoritatively raised her chin with his index finger. “You may.”
She wanted to be here with him, wanted him to fuck her, adore her. She also wanted Shane. Well fuck you, little brother. This is my woman and my woman only.
“Sir…I–I–I’m finding it difficult to get my head around my emotions right now. I feel happy, yet I feel sad. I see things with total clarity, yet everything seems so confused. One moment my head and my heart say the same thing, the next moment they are at war with each other, exactly like you and Shane are.”
Reed had envisioned this very scenario rearing its ugly head. It was as inevitable as night following day.
He disliked asking the question but needed an unambiguous answer. The uncertainty of not knowing was tearing him apart. Reed passionately kissed full red lips, and his passion was instantly returned in full. “Jessica…”
“Yes, sir?”
“Do you want Shane more than you want me? Do you love Shane more than you love me?”
A solitary tear meandered down her porcelain cheek before she hastily swiped it away with the back of her hand. “Oh no, sir. No. No. No. Can’t you see the dilemma I face? I love you both. I adore you both. You and Shane mean the world to me. Please try and understand that, Reed. When you or Shane smile at me, kiss me, tell me off, or even discipline me, I love it all.
“You are both kind, strong men. Taking in your sister’s child is evidence of that. You are also dominant, powerful beings who take what they need from a woman. I love that part of your personalities, too, and I wouldn’t want either of you to change a single thing.” Looking slightly bewildered, she shook her head and Reed allowed Jessica free rein to express her feelings.
