The Entitled

by Cassandra Robbins

  “Reed?” My mom goes to hug me. “Please don’t be upset. We were trying to protect both of you. I thought you were trying to have a relationship with Lexi. I… I should have told you about Tess. I see that now.”

  “I’m over it, Mom. Getting upset is pointless now.” I give her a hug and nod at my dad and Jax as I jog out the hospital doors.

  Starting my new Ferrari, I command my car to call Brance. It rings and goes to voice mail. Slamming my fist on the steering wheel, I wince at the sting in my right hand where I punched the tile in the bathroom. I hang up and try again.

  “Goddamn it, Brance, answer.” Listening to the phone ring, I reach over to disconnect right when Brance answers.

  “Reed! You do know I’m under no obligation to answer to you!” Brance sniffs into the phone.

  With a sharp exhale, I grip the steering wheel tightly and start to back out of the hospital’s garage.

  “You sound like shit. Is Tess staying with you?”

  “Nice, thanks for your good energy. Why would I ever tell you anything about Tess, you entitled dick?” He blows his nose into the phone.

  “What the fuck, Brance?” I say, weaving in and out of traffic.

  “I’m sick. And going to bed. Goodbye.”

  “Don’t you dare, man. I have had a shit day and shittier three years. I’m on my way to your place. Let your guards know.”

  He sighs, then starts coughing. Christ!

  “It’s late. My phone has been blowing up with everyone texting and posting about your girlfriend trying to kill herself. Trust me when I tell you this: talk to Tess tomorrow.”

  I don’t answer him because I hadn’t even thought about that. But of course, everybody at the party would be posting all kinds of shit.

  “Hello?” I can almost see the smirk on his face at my drama.

  “Feeling guilty, Reed?”

  I start laughing partly because I’ve missed Brance. He’s an asshole, but he loves Tess.

  “You’re a piece of work, Brance. You know Lexi was never my girlfriend, and—”

  “Excuse me?” he says. “I personally asked you if you two were together, and your answer was yes! I’m sick and don’t have any patience. Go home. Get some sleep. See Tess tomorrow. Trust me—you will thank me for this.” The line beeps off.

  “Motherfucker.” I go to redial then hang up. Maybe he’s right. I’ve been up for two days. I need to make this right with Tess. I can’t get anywhere near her tonight. Without Brance’s help, I’ll never get in. His security is as good as the president’s. Turning my car around, I head to a hotel close by. I’ll start fresh in the morning.

  TESS

  Something awakens me, and I sit up and glance at my phone. It’s 6:00 a.m. I hate when I wake up this early. Flopping back onto my fluffy down comforter, it’s all I can do not to scream.

  “Jesus, Reed! You scared the shit out of me.” I blink at him. He’s sitting in my chair in the corner.

  The morning peeks in, casting a soft light on his handsome face. His hair looks wet. One long leg is resting on his knee, and he looks like a king on his throne. I back up, pulling the comforter with me.

  “How did you get in?”

  Hoping to quiet my heart rate, I try to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. He doesn’t talk but keeps staring at me as though he hasn’t decided what his next move is. Either that or maybe he knows and is torturing me.

  I square my shoulders back and cross my legs. Taking my rubber band from my wrist, I pull my hair into a messy bun and shoot him a glare.

  “Shouldn’t you be at the hospital?”

  The latest wound is still too fresh for me to say more. Dropping my hands with a dramatic slap, I look out my window, mind spinning. After I convinced Jax it would be better for everyone if I left the party, I had barely made it into the apartment when Brance shoved his phone in my face. There I was with Reed and Lexi. Posts and videos all over Instagram, Facebook, even Twitter. Then the pictures started coming in of Lexi overdosing, Reed by her side looking every bit the concerned boyfriend.

  Frowning, I glance down at my floral comforter. “You two deserve each other. You can do drugs and have threesomes.” My voice cracks. I sound like a child but can’t stop myself.

  He sits there, unmoving. His gaze makes me shiver. It’s intense, almost yearning. My fingers ache from gripping the comforter so tightly.

  Finally, he stands and like old times, and my heart skips a beat. Damn him. He’s at the edge of my bed in seconds, his large form looming over me. With a deep breath, I attempt to steady my breathing.

  He reaches for a piece of my hair, rubbing it in between his fingers as if he’s testing its softness. Then his strong thumb finds my lips. His touch is not gentle. Back and forth he rubs my lips making them hot, swollen, tingling.

  I almost bite him. But he stops as if he can read my mind. I guess this is his subtle way of telling me he disapproves. His strong hand reaches under my chin and jerks my comforter off me.

  “Reed!” My voice rises two octaves. “You can’t march in here and do this.” Pushing him aside, I have to get away from him. Already I’m on the verge of crying.

  I bolt out of bed, make my way to the bathroom, and slam the door.

  Leaning against it, I try to get ahold of my emotions. I’m so weak around him. In less than two minutes, he has me hiding in my bathroom.

  “Jesus, pull it together!” I snap at my reflection in the mirror. Swollen red lips and giant blue eyes stare back at me. Angrily, I grab my toothbrush and slather toothpaste all over it. I will not allow him to do this to me. He has a girlfriend. Who OD’d last night! Spitting out the foaming toothpaste in the sink, I pee and wash my face quickly. The last thing I want is for him to think I’m hiding, so I open the door and march out. An empty room greets me.

  “Reed?”

  Quickly, I throw on some sleep shorts and make my way to the smell of coffee. The kitchen is deserted and dark, which is unusual. Someone is always around. Grabbing a mug, I pour myself some liquid energy. I make my way into the main room and slow down to watch him.

  He’s lost in thought. Staring out at the magnificent view of Manhattan in her morning glory. Why does he have to be so beautiful? Why does he still have so much power over me?

  He must sense me because he turns and his eyes take hold of mine. Exhaling, I wait for him to make his move. Instead he turns and looks back out the window.

  “I would like answers.” His deep voice is smooth, calm. It carries across the room.

  “Okay.” I hear a slight echo as I sit on the leather couch. The heat clicks on. Even though it’s summer, Brance’s building gets cold in the morning.

  “Why are you back? And don’t say college.”

  My head lowers. I stare, fascinated at the steam swirling up from my coffee.

  “That is why I’m back.”

  He doesn’t respond but keeps staring out the window. A garbage truck faintly beeps its presence.

  Clearing my voice, I ask, “Can I get you a cup of coffee?” I don’t know why I’m being nice. Maybe because he’s actually acting mature, making my earlier outburst seem juvenile.

  “I would like that, Tess.” His voice is rough, raising goose bumps on my arms.

  Swiftly I stand, relieved to have a task. I’m already needing him far too much, and he is not mine to need anymore. I pour him a cup, leaving it black. That’s how we both used to drink it. Granted that was three years ago.

  When I return, he has moved and now sits on the couch, elbows resting on his knees, fingers clasped together. Not hesitating, I invade his space, forcing him to lean back. He reaches for the cup. Our fingers touch. A zing of electricity hits me.

  Pulling away like I’ve been burned by scorching water, I almost spill the coffee.

  He arches a dark eyebrow. “Thanks, Kitten.” Both of us freeze at the endearment. He recovers first, taking the coffee from me with both hands.

  “I didn’t put anything in it. I don’t know ho
w you like it now.” Wow, if that’s not the truth. I’m flustered, which aggravates me. I sit, turning slightly so I can see him. He leans over again looking down at his coffee.

  “I’m all fucked up, Tess. I have been since you left.”

  Oh God, stay strong, I chant to myself.

  “I want to say I’m sorry. But I think we both are so…” He looks at me, his eyes so blue and open. For a moment, I’m back three years ago, when his honesty was pure and no darkness haunted him. Time stands still as we evolve into each other.

  “What do you want me to say?” I whisper.

  “I want you to tell me the truth. How you feel about me… us?” He runs a hand through his exquisite curls. “I need to find a way back to you.”

  I exhale. Even when I fantasized about Reed begging for forgiveness, it was never this. Sitting up straight, I look directly at him. “I don’t see how that can ever be possible.” Breaking eye contact, I sip my coffee.

  “Why?” His voice sounds strangled.

  My anger returns, and I look back at him, slamming the mug down. The loud crash almost makes me jump.

  “You’re kidding me, right?” I puff out air. “If you don’t know, then you’re not as smart as I thought.” Jumping up, I pace back and forth.

  “Humor me, Tess.”

  My face heats up. Anger drives me to be honest with him. “I loved you. And you gave away all your firsts!” My hands are clenched in front of me. I need him to hear me… to know that his actions are why we are in the place we are today. “You betrayed me. By giving it to prostitutes and Lexi!”

  “Tess… Christ.” His eyes are filled with tears. “I… you had all my firsts.”

  Reed’s words bring me down. My legs give out, and I sink to the couch. I avoid looking at him and focus on the coffee table. If I see his pain, I won’t be able to stop my tears. Frantically, I reach for my coffee. I can barely swallow the mouthful with the lump in my throat.

  “Go on. I want it all, Tess. Let it out.”

  I blink a couple of times at the ceiling, trying to reel in my emotions.

  “Cry, Kitten. Then we’ll put us back together.” His strong hands reach for me.

  I twist away. “You’re with her now. What does it matter?”

  “It matters. We’ll get to Lexi later. Talk to me!” He stands up.

  I follow, not allowing him to intimidate me. “What should I tell you? That I can forgive you? Or forget that you used to be a different person?” In need of a barrier, I scurry around the couch.

  He crosses his arms. “I begged you, Tess. Literally begged you to come back to me. And what did you do?”

  “Stop.” I wish I could put my hands against my ears.

  “What?” he yells. I jump at his anger.

  “You killed me,” he says. “You took my heart and ripped it out. So yeah, you’re right. I turned into a different person.”

  “I can’t do this. You shouldn’t be here.” My eyes scan the room.

  “Relax, Tess.” His voice is strong and reassuring like a warm blanket. “This is the only place I should be.” He stalks toward me, graceful, like a dark, sleek panther.

  Run! flashes like a neon sign in my brain. I back away until I hit a wall.

  His warm breath is at my ear. “What do I need to do to get you back?”

  My breathing is harsh. Again, he robs me of thinking clearly. He’s too close. His fresh Reed smell makes me almost groan with want.

  “Kitten?” It sounds like a caress. I want to tell him he is not allowed to call me that anymore, but what’s the point? Instead I nod my head yes.

  “When Robert showed up that morning, I didn’t panic because I was positive my father would send one of his planes and you would be back. When that didn’t happen, it all spiraled out of control for me.”

  He looms over me, forcing me to look at him.

  “I was like a drug addict without his fix. You were my drug.” His thumb rubs my lips, his eyes fixated on them.

  “I had Jax, but you are my soul, my life,” he murmurs so close I can smell his minty breath.

  Then he pulls back, his arms caging me in. “Your father wouldn’t let me visit you. Every time you told me that you were coming back, I believed you. When you started lying, the pain was something I never want to go through again. It broke me, Tess.”

  I prepare to defend myself, but his eyes stop me. “No. You did and by the time you told me the truth, it was like you took that piece of my soul I had given only to you and sliced it out of me.”

  “Reed please…” I don’t even know what I’m asking for.

  “Let me finish. I was not mature enough to understand or believe that you would come back.”

  A sob escapes me. This time I do cover my ears. He’s making me the bad guy. I can’t be the villain. He grabs my wrists tightly, pinning them on top of my head.

  Twisting in his grip, I say, “Let me go, Reed. I had no choice!” I’m frantic. If he touches me, I’m doomed.

  “No choice?” His eyes pierce mine. “You had a choice. I told you I would take care of you. All you had to do was come back to your mother. But after two years of listening to your pathetic excuses, I gave you an ultimatum. And you chose your fucking father!” He’s so close, his full lips almost touch mine. “Why, Tess?” His grip punishes my wrists. “Why didn’t you come back to me?” His voice is pleading, almost hoarse.

  “You never gave me a chance to explain. I called you, wrote to you. But you never even called back,” I whisper, chest heaving.

  His eyes examine my face then move to my breasts. The room that was so large a moment ago has shrunk. The intense attraction that has always been with us has been unleashed at last.

  He leans his forehead against mine. “What would have been the point? To make myself suffer even more? Just keep dragging it out?”

  “You’re hurting me! And you’re a liar!” I spit out.

  He pulls back slightly, then drops my wrist and runs his hand through his curls. “Fine, Tess. I’m the asshole.” He grabs my chin “You’re not a victim. Don’t tell me you’re still pure! I might have betrayed us first, but I’m positive you are no saint.” He sneers.

  I’m stunned. Slowly my mind begins to process his words. “You shit!” I push him back hard. But he’s like a tank, barely even moving.

  He arches a dark brow at me. Not even stopping to think, I slap him. His head snaps back. I go to hit him again, but he grabs my wrists.

  “Watch it, Kitten.” He grits his teeth.

  “You selfish ass,” I say, trying not to think about my stinging hand, which he’s holding way too tight. “You don’t deserve to know about my personal life. Get out. Don’t make me call Carlos—he’s not a nice man.” How dare he make himself feel better about betraying me! I should tell him. Watch his smug face crumble with my truth.

  Narrowing my eyes on him, I hiss, “Let me go.”

  “No, I think I like you like this. I have you right where I need you.”

  “Fuck you, Reed. No matter how you twist it, you did this. You didn’t want to wait for me.” I try to free myself, causing his fingers to tighten. “God, you’re such an asshole!” I try to wrestle my hand away. “Admit that you wanted to fuck other girls. That you can’t be faithful! I deserve better.”

  That seems to do the trick. He releases my wrist like I’ve got a disease. “You do deserve better. But I can’t let you go. You’re mine.” His voice sounds tortured. Or maybe that’s only what I want to hear.

  Suddenly I’m tired. The stress and pain have worn me out. I want to crawl into my soft bed, pull the covers over my head, and cry.

  “Why are you doing this? It’s pointless. You’re with Lexi.” My voice is cracking, probably because the bile in my stomach is churning at the thought of it.

  He looks out the window as if it has some magical information. The way his eyes are downturned and the edges of his mouth tug down makes him look sad, almost guilty. Finally, he looks straight into my eyes. “I’
m not with Lexi. It was a mistake.”

  “Oh, right.” A crazy laugh escapes me. “I heard you broke up with her, and she tried to kill herself.”

  Suddenly, he’s in my face. “She a very sick girl. But she was someone who put me first. So, keep your judgment to yourself.”

  Turning away from me as if he doesn’t trust himself, he says, “Goddamn it, Tess.” He scrubs his hands up and down his face. “Just so we’re clear, I never fucked her.”

  It’s as if I’ve been slapped. Saying nasty things about someone who almost died is beneath me. And he knows it. I want to bolt, hide, anything but stay here. He must sense it because he grabs my hand, pulling me behind him as we enter my bedroom.

  “I’m not leaving, Tess. We can fight, scream for days, but I’m not going anywhere.” He locks the door. My stomach flutters in excitement, which horrifies me a little.

  Shaking my head, I tell him, “You’re a slut and a liar.”

  He doesn’t try to defend himself. Instead he reaches for me and in one swift move, lifts me onto my dresser. Spreading my legs, he pushes in between them, pulling me close. His large hand wraps around my neck, his thumb rubbing my pulse.

  “I did a lot of things I wish I could take back. I’m sure you feel the same. I can forgive you.” He presses gently on my racing pulse. I swallow.

  “You need to let the past go. Let’s finish this now.” He pulls me tight against him, pressing my pussy against his erection.

  “But I…”

  He dips his head to my neck as his tongue licks me.

  “Your pulse is racing. Are you scared?” A shiver goes down my spine, and he smiles as though he felt it.

  “I’m not scared.” I raise my chin, noticing us in the mirror. My blond hair and flushed face stare back at me. Reed’s dark head and broad shoulders are sexy as always.

  “I can’t breathe, Reed. Let go of me.” My voice is soft, sounding the opposite of what I’m saying.

  His lips and nose are in my neck. “You can breathe,” he coaxes, then lifts his head to cup my cheeks, forcing me to see him.