The Better Brother

by Rye Hart

  “You still haven’t told her, have you?” he asked. “I mean, I’m assuming since I didn’t hear dishes breaking or see her slap the shit out of you, that you didn’t?”

  I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. “No, I didn’t.”

  Rick shook his head and looked at me sideways. “Waiting isn’t going to help man. It’s only going to make it worse.”

  I nodded. “I know that, but I’ve been thinking.”

  “Uh oh. That never leads anywhere good,” he teased.

  “Shut up man. What I mean is, maybe I don’t have to tell her. I’m falling for her hard Rick. At this point, I don’t even care if she gets pregnant or not. Sure, it’ll suck to lose out on my inheritance, but I just want to be with her. For the first time in my life, I want an actual relationship. Something real and solid. She’s so smart and so talented. I’ve never felt the way I feel about her for anyone else.”

  Rick tried to hide his smile, but then he turned and gave me a sympathetic look. “She reminds you of your mother, doesn’t she?”

  “Painter, photographer, they are both creative spirits, with stories to tell through their work. You know, my father was always jealous of mom. When they’d go out to a party, and people would praise her work instead of his, it would rub his ass red. He’d get drunk and bitch about it all the way home. What a waste of time art was. How her painting room was a cluttered mess, just like her mind. He drove her to those damned pills. If he had lifted her up, just one time, maybe she would have been okay.”

  Rick nodded. “You want to save her. You know, you haven’t been your grumpy self. I mean, you’ve been grumpy, but not as abrasive. It’s kind of nice.”

  “Watch it. My muse if gone. I’m liable to unleash all my stored-up anger at any moment.”

  He let loose a soft chuckle. “She does make you a little more bearable is all I’m saying.”

  “If I’m so bad, why do you put up with me?” I heard a ping from my phone and glanced down to see a message from work. An instant scowl crossed my face. I hated my job. I hated any connection to my father and even though he was long dead, dealing with my uncle, who he’d left in charge, was just as bad.

  “Because you make me look like an angel.” He turned and saw the hard expression on my face. “Damn, that didn’t last long. What’s the matter?”

  “Work.”

  “You hate that job. Why don’t you just quit? You know, you get away from that place long enough, and you’re a totally different person. It’s not just Bella who makes you better. You’re hindered by that fucking place.”

  “I agree, but I can’t do anything until I get my money.”

  “But you just said you didn’t care if she got pregnant or not-”

  I shook my head and smiled. “She might be anyway. I mean, I did what I was supposed to do to make that happen.”

  He looked at me, incredulous. “So, you might not have to tell her about the stipulation.”

  “Hopefully not,” I answered.

  Rick shook his head and I could see that he disapproved. “It’s wrong, man. You’ll always know you’ve deceived her. How can you live with that?”

  “As a fucking billionaire? Pretty comfortably. But how do I tell her that? She’ll always question if I care about her, which I do. She’ll always have it in the back of her head that she’s some baby machine, and that what I feel for her means nothing.”

  Rick just looked at me like I’d finally lost my mind. I didn’t care. I loved Bella and I was going to have it all.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN - BELLA

  I had messaged Reed as soon as my plane landed, but I wasn’t about to call so soon. I needed a moment to think about what I’d left behind and to what I was returning. So much had changed since I’d left Phoenix and despite my new relationship, which I was determined to take super slow since it was a bit unexpected, I had to find a place to live. Staying with Kayla was temporary, and I had a feeling that she’d be leaving to go back to Dallas for Rick before all was said and done.

  She’d talked about him nonstop on the flight home, which was fine with me. It kept her from asking me too much about Reed and even better, from comparing him to Gavin.

  As Kayla and I walked into her apartment, my phone let out a ping. “Welcome home.” I read the message aloud, and Kayla’s eyes narrowed.

  “What’s that?” Kayla was the first to drop her luggage to the floor and mine soon followed.

  “Not what. Who. It’s Gavin. He knows I’m back in town somehow. That’s impossible, right?” I flipped through my phone and scratched my head. He’d never said anything about where I’d been in his past conversations.

  “Does he have you on his GPS? He might have a locator on you through your phone.” I’d never thought of that, and the confirmation came through in the next message.

  “How was Fort Worth?” I glanced at her sideways not quite understanding how Gavin knew.

  “Reed’s house is technically in Fort Worth, not Dallas, so that has to be it.” She crossed the room and took my phone and swiped through it. “Look. This is the ap that he’s using. Let’s delete it.”

  “Please. I had no idea. Though now I know why he used to question me so much about my whereabouts; he was trying to catch me in a lie” We sat on the couch as she looked through my phone.

  Kayla’s thumbs moved on the screen as she let out a breath. “What a controlling asshole. You’re so much better off with Reed. Even though he’s a bit hard too.”

  “He has a soft, gooey center.” I thought of the way he could make me melt inside and warmed a little as the heat of needing him washed through me. He could be very attentive.

  “I bet you had a taste of it too, didn’t you?” She gave me a wide smile, and my cheeks reddened as I nudged her.

  “You’re disgusting.” I giggled as she nudged me back. “We’re not going there.”

  “Oh, we so went there. Rick’s got a nice creamy—”

  “Enough, you little freak, I don’t want to know about Rick’s creamy anything.” It was good the two of us could laugh, but I was still aggravated that Gavin knew where I was and had been.

  “There, all set.” She handed me the phone, and I let out a long cleansing breath.

  “Thanks. I didn’t want to deal with Gavin, and now he knows where I’m staying and where I’ve been. And after Reed’s blow up, he’s probably really pissed off, and this is his passive-aggressive way of letting me know he thinks he knows what’s up.”

  She leaned back against the soft sofa and kicked her feet up on her coffee table. “Surely he doesn’t think you were cheating on him. I mean, if he had you on this GPS and he was looking at your phone, then there’s no way he ever found any proof. He must think you’re clever if he believes it.”

  “No telling what he thinks, Kayla. All I know is if he tries to start anything don’t tell Rick about it. If Reed finds out, there is no telling what he’ll do to the guy.”

  A slow smile spread Kayla’s lips. “That might be fun to watch. Gavin always did piss me off.”

  I shook my head. “You can’t sic my new boyfriend onto my old one.”

  “Reed is your boyfriend, huh? That’s so cool. He’s filthy, stinking rich and hot. If I weren’t so hung up on Rick, I’d fight you for him.” I knew she was only kidding around. She was head over heels for Rick.

  I reached across the distance where we sat and placed my hand on her arm. “You know I owe you a thank you. I know you said things were getting a little deep for you there, but think how they were for me? I needed to get back home if only to cool things down a bit. Reed’s like a locomotive going full speed. And as soon as I’d get my head on straight he’d seduce me. I was no match for that man.”

  “Yeah, I think I was scared with Rick. He has so many other women in his life, and I was afraid I couldn’t match up. I want to be the only one for him.”

  “You are. He worships you, not to mention he’s extremely handsome and filthy, stinking rich too.” She met me with a w
ide smile and nodded.

  “That he is. How’d we get so lucky?”

  She wasn’t kidding. The two of them were so down to earth for a couple of rich boys, and I couldn’t help but wonder what made them who they were. I didn’t know a whole lot about Reed or his family, and I was going to have to remedy that. The longer I sat there, the more I missed him.

  “You’re going back to work tomorrow?” Kayla got to her feet and glanced back at me as she crossed the room.

  “Yeah, I may as well. I promised Reed in a week to come see him.”

  “Rick is going to come here when you do since we’ll probably still be living together by then.”

  I felt bad that I had imposed on her in such a hurry but thankful she’d offered. “About that, I’ll try and hurry up and get out of your hair.”

  “No worries. I’m glad I can help.” I knew she was genuine, but I didn’t want to take away her privacy while she and Rick were getting deeper. It was her place, and he shouldn’t have to wait until I was gone to stay.

  “I think I’m going to go to my room and unpack. I have a ton of photographs to go through, and I think I better check my phone for anything else that psycho might have downloaded.” There was no telling the lengths he’d go to.

  “Make yourself at home. I’m going to my room to call Rick.” She gave me a wink, and I wondered what the two of the would get up to. She’d let it slip on the plane that they’d had lots of cyber-sex and that she couldn’t wait to finally meet him and do it in person. I knew one thing, I wouldn’t go into her room without knocking, even if I knew she was in there alone.

  I sat on the bed and went through the memory card from my camera and flagged a few pictures that were keepers. While I was going through the images that I’d taken after the storm, my phone sounded out a song, and Reed’s name shown on the screen.

  “You can’t miss me already.” I let out a long breath and leaned back against my pillows.

  “Of course, I can. I got used to having you around. Did you have a nice flight?”

  “Yes, but—”

  I pulled my lips in tight to keep from finishing that sentence, but he wasn’t having it.

  “But what? Did something happen?”

  “No, it’s nothing. The flight was wonderful.” Crap. I didn’t need him being over protective on me.

  “Did you see your ex?”

  I let out a sigh. “No.” I was content to let it end there, but I couldn’t lie. Maybe he wouldn’t lose his mind as he had before. “I didn’t see him, but he messaged me. It seems he had put a tracking GPS app on my phone. He knew I was in Fort Worth and he knew the minute I got home, and I’m sure he knows where I’m staying.”

  “Did he threaten you?” His voice was low and rough.

  “No, but I can’t believe he put that on my phone without asking me. No telling how long he’d been tracking my every move. So much for building something on trust.” I had caught myself before I said too much. I didn’t want to vent about Gavin to Reed.

  “Right.” He was quiet after that for a moment, and then he changed the subject. “So, what are you wearing?”

  A slow smile parted my lips. Kayla wasn’t the only one who could do the long-distance thing, and I let out a soft laugh and answered him.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN - REED

  Ten minutes into our conversation and Bella already had me hard as diamonds. “I’m wearing red lace panties and a silky white bra.”

  “I’d peel those panties down nice and slow, slip my tongue right across that hot little slit.” I kept my voice nice and low, breathy as I took my cock into my hand. “Touch it for me, Bella. Touch that little slit for me. Rub it like you want me to.”

  She let out a moan, and I could only imagine her doing it. It was a hot daydream, the perfect image in my head of her spread and ready for my cock. “It feels so good, Reed.”

  “That’s my girl. Tease it with tiny circles, touching only your clit. I bet it’s nice and tender too, swollen for my mouth?” She had the hottest clit, and I wanted to nibble it between my teeth as I shoved about three fingers in her.

  “I’m doing just as you told me. I want to dip inside so badly.” Her voice had dropped an octave.

  “Don’t do it, Bella. Not yet, you don’t.” I gripped my balls with my other hand and gave them a good tug. Their weight was heavy with my load, and I knew I’d be letting more opportunity go to waste by not having her with me.

  “I’m behaving, tiny circles like you requested.”

  “Mhmm. Tease it for me as you suck your fingers, get them nice and soft for me.” I imagined her laid back with her hands in her mouth, sucking them with her pouty mouth, her tits heaving with her panting breaths.

  I heard her slurping them and then she moaned with a mouthful. I closed my eyes and imagined on her knees, my fat head in place of her fingers. I rubbed my palm over the swollen tip to feel it. “Touch yourself, Bella. Dip your finger into your honey and spread it around that swollen clit for me.”

  Her breathy moans sent static through the phone. “I’m going to come, Reed. God, I miss you being inside me.”

  “Imagine it. How I’d work that little pussy, fuck it nice and deep and come for me.” She exploded into a fit of moans, which she soon muffled and then I heard a breathy giggle.

  “I forgot that Kayla is in the next room. I’ll have to be quiet.” She had lowered her voice, and I could still hear the smile in it as she seemed to hold back laughter.

  “Don’t stop working it. I’m going to make you come again, and again with me. I want you to miss me so bad you hurry back to me.”

  “I’ll have to find a flight I can afford first,” she said. “And then there’s the matter of rent. I have to pay Kayla something for letting me stay here.”

  I had wondered if she’d let me get her set up in a place. It would be much easier for me to come and visit, and if she were going to have my baby, she’d need a place. She wouldn’t want to move.

  “I’ll take care of the money.”

  “No, I couldn’t let you.”

  “You’re not letting me. And aside from making me come here in a few minutes, you have no control over what I do. So why don’t you just focus on that? I need it so badly, Bella.”

  “Mm, you’re a bully. I should hang up and make you suffer.” She let loose another giggle.

  “I wouldn’t advise that. I might end up begging on your doorstep by morning.”

  “You keep making promises like that and I’ll call your bluff.” She moaned, and I knew she was still working it for me. My balls had tightened so much that I knew my release wasn’t too far away, but I edged a moment, holding back.

  “If you want me there, Bella, all you have to do is say the word. I’ll be on the next flight over. I’m only behaving for your sake. I know you needed some space of your own, and that’s why you left.”

  “Mm. I’m sorry. I hope you understand, and I’ glad we’re getting to experience this together. Are you touching your cock?”

  “Yes, I’m going to come for you too.”

  “You’re so naughty.” Her giggled bubbled through her moan, and then the sounds of her pleasure building filled my ear.

  “I’d like to help you get a place, too. One where I can come and stay with you.” I stroked my cock and heard her breath hitch on the other end of the phone. Then she made a sound of uncertainty, and I waited for her to say no.

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. It’s all so new.”

  “You need a place, and I have a boatload of money with nowhere to spend it.”

  “It’s too much.”

  I was growing frustrated and didn’t want a debate. “Bella, you’re going to let me do this for you.”

  “But—”

  “Shh. Rub. Tell me how good it feels.”

  “It does feel good, not as good as when you’re inside me, though.” Her tone had sweetened, and I could only guess that she was going to try and sweet talk me out of it. “Reed.”


  “Tell me yes, Bella. Stop fighting me. It’s not as big of a deal as you’re making it. It’s only money.”

  She let out a frustrated sound. “Well, it must be nice to have that attitude.”

  “You’ll find that I’m much more agreeable when you give me my way. Say it, Bella, then come for me.”

  “Fine. Yes. I’ll let you set me up in a place, but only if I get to help pay for it.”

  That wasn’t about to happen. “We’ll negotiate later. Tell me how naughty you’ll be when I come for a stay.” I was on the verge of release again.

  “You’ll come for a stay and stay for a come?” She tried to laugh, but pleasure consumed her as she moaned through another release.

  “Mhmm, see how much you like being agreeable?”

  “Mm, yes. I’m going to be so naughty for you. I miss your cock in my mouth and the taste of your cum.” Her voice was so convincing that I quickened my pace and closed my eyes, imagining busting my load all over her pretty, smiling face.

  “That’s a girl. Here I come, Bella.” I moaned as my cock exploded, shooting all over my chest in the process.

  “Mm, that’s so hot. I do miss you, Reed. Will you come down and look for a place soon?”

  “You can find something suitable, and I’ll approve. Make sure it’s nice, though, Bella. I don’t want my girl living in a dump to try and save me money. Only the best.”

  “I don’t need much,” she argued. “Gavin kept all the big stuff, and I don’t want to fight him over anything. Besides, it’s easier to furnish something smaller.”

  “I’m going to furnish it, Bella. Choose anything you like. I’m not kidding.”

  “Fine, but the only reason I’m going to agree is that if things end between us, I won’t be any worse off. I’ll start with nothing, and I’ll leave with nothing.”

  I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Not if I can help it. And stop being so negative. You want it to work out, don’t you? Because we’re the only ones that can make this a success, and I don’t want to start out with doubts.”