Reese took Harrison’s hand. “Come on, I want to show you my bedroom.”
Trisha cocked an eyebrow at Reese.
“Where are you two sneaking off to?”
Reese smiled at her. “Just showing him my old room.”
Trisha laughed and Salvatore smirked.
“Dinner’s in an hour, guys. Don’t be too long.”
Reese flipped her middle finger up at her sister in jest. Harrison laughed as she led him upstairs to her old childhood bedroom.
When they reached her former room, Reese turned and kissed him deeply.
“You’re about to enter my past. Think you can take it?”
Harrison smiled. “I think I will survive. I want to see your old cheerleading photos.”
Reese threw open the door to a large bedroom. The walls were painted a light-pink and covered in posters and photos of Reese and her friends. Trophies from beauty pageants and cheerleading competitions covered her large oak dresser. As Harrison walked around, he glanced at photos of Reese looking darling as a little girl dressed as Cinderella. Something struck him as odd. Every year, Reese had dressed as Cinderella for Halloween.
“So you were Cinderella every Halloween?”
Reese laughed. “Of course. Can’t you see me as a princess?” She twirled about the room.
Harrison chuckled. “Definitely!”
He continued to view her pictures as a sexy high school cheerleader in a blue and gold uniform.
“Ugh, don’t look at those pictures! My hair is terrible!” Reese covered some with her hands.
Harrison seized her wrists forcefully. “No, I want to see you. You look absolutely beautiful.”
Surprised, but aroused by his forcefulness, Reese backed away. Harrison continued to move about the room, picking up her trophies and studying her things.
In the center of the room was a large four-poster bed with a lacy pink duvet. On the wall above her bed were large cutouts of sayings like “Someday my prince will come” and “Happily ever after”.
“Wow, you really were looking for a prince charming, weren’t you, baby?”
Reese bit her lip and nodded. “Yes, I suppose I was.”
Grabbing her and pulling her to him, he bent to kiss her. “Guess I fit the bill okay, don’t I?”
Reese smiled. “Absolutely.”
“And you are every bit my princess, baby. I can only imagine how beautiful our wedding will be. I will give you everything you ever wanted.”
Falling back onto her bed, they began kissing. Hot and panting, they rolled around. Suddenly, something caught Harrison’s eye. Her nightstand drawer was partially open. Inside, there were several stacks of old newspaper clippings. One looked like a clipping from an old tabloid magazine, The Chatterer, which used to regularly run stories on him and his family. Interesting. Back when it was in print, it was primarily a New York publication. It was seldom seen anywhere else. He wondered why or how Reese would have it. She claimed she didn’t know anything about him or his family until he’d told her. Strange, he thought.
A sharp knock on the door made the pair jump up from the bed.
“Dinnertime, you guys! Get dressed already!” It was Trisha laughing outside the door.
“Ready to eat, baby?” Reese asked him, pulling her dress up.
“I’m always ready to eat you, baby.” Harrison caressed her under her dress.
Reese playfully slapped his hands away.
“No, real food, silly.”
“Well, if you insist, but I want you for dessert…” Harrison allowed himself to be led downstairs.
“Everyone, shall we continue this little gathering on the deck? We have an amazing dinner tonight! Fresh grilled lobster!” Meg gathered them all out on the deck.
Harrison, still holding Reese’s hand, inhaled a deep breath of the salty sea air. It was beautiful here. He wondered why Reese would leave when she was so close to her family.
“Take a seat anywhere, Harrison. Would you like a drink? Meg was standing in front of the outside bar.
Harrison nodded. “Sure, I’ll take a scotch on the rocks if you have it.”
“I have Johnnie Walker. Is that okay? I’m afraid we aren’t big scotch drinkers. Ever since Reese’s father left, I haven’t kept much around,” Meg said with a slight smile as she pulled out a crystal tumbler.
“That would be fine, Meg.”
As Meg handed him the glass, he sat down next to Reese to enjoy the beautiful ocean view.
“It’s very beautiful here, Meg. Do you enjoy the water here much?”
Meg nodded. “Yes, we do. Salvatore has a boat, and we all go out every now and then. I adore living on the coast. I understand your family is from the East coast?”
Harrison swirled the ice in his drink. He nodded.
“Yes, I am from New York originally.”
Salvatore, who had been quietly sipping his own glass of scotch, stopped and looked at Harrison.
“Wait a minute, is your father Harlan Grantham, the billionaire?”
Both Meg and Trisha held their glasses in mid-air. Reese just smiled and squeezed Harrison’s arm.
“Actually, yes, he is.”
Salvatore let out a low whistle. “Wow. So you’re the heir to the Grantham fortune? Holy shit.”
“What fortune?” Trisha was taken aback.
“I don’t get all of it. I have a brother too.”
“Holy shit, I didn’t know you were one of those Granthams! Wow. Reesie, I’m impressed! You are going to be living large.” Salvatore grinned and gave Reese a playful nudge.
Harrison kept his arm around Reese protectively. He didn’t like Salvatore’s ‘friendliness’ with Reese, nor did he like the implications of what he was saying about the Grantham family.
Sensing Harrison was uncomfortable, Meg asked the housekeeper to bring out the meal.
“Harrison, this is Antonia. She is our part-time housekeeper and sometime cook. I love to cook myself, but I am not very good at grilling. Reese’s father used to do it, but now he’s gone, so I let pretty much anyone else grill.”
Harrison chuckled. “No problem, Meg. Nice to meet you.” He shook the petite housekeeper’s hand.
As Antonia brought the lobsters out to be grilled, they continued talking. Meg got up to get more ice from the kitchen.
“Where is your brother, Reese?” Harrison looked around.
“Oh, he was called away for business. Didn’t Reesie tell you?” Trisha looked at Harrison, still eying him. Suddenly, her straw for her drink fell. She stood up to retrieve it, bending over right in Harrison’s face. He could see straight up her skirt to the tiny black panties she was wearing wedged up between her lips. She has a decent ass, he thought, but nothing like Reese’s.
Reese pursed her lips, seeing what her sister was doing. Always flirting with her boyfriends, and none of them ever liked her or gave her a second glance. She was happy to see Harrison glance and then look away. She nearly laughed out loud.
“Sorry to hear that. I wanted to meet him. What about your father, Reese?”
A hush fell over the group. After a long, uncomfortable silence, Reese whispered, “Harrison, very recently, my father decided he needed his ‘freedom’ and left. He moved to Seattle, and we haven’t seen him in nearly a year. My mother was particularly devastated when he left.”
Harrison bit his lip and nodded. “I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me? I thought they had divorced years ago.”
“No. They aren’t divorced yet. My father does still send her money so she can remain in the house, but we have not spoken to him since. I really don’t have anything to say to him. He hurt my mother, so I don’t know what to think or say about him.” Reese’s eyes flashed with anger.
Harrison hugged her close. “I’m sorry, Reese. I didn’t know. I hope I wasn’t being rude.”
“You didn’t know. It’s fine.” Trisha reached over to hug him too.
“Let’s not speak of it in front of my mom though, o
kay?” Reese watched Meg in the kitchen from the deck.
“Sure.”
After the meal had been prepared, they all sat down to a delicious dinner of grilled lobster and corn.
“This is wonderful, Meg. I love lobster.” Harrison smiled as he enjoyed the rich meal.
“Thank you, Harrison.” Meg smiled at him.
“Bet a rich boy like you eats lobster all the time, don’t you?” Salvatore gave him a mean smirk.
Trisha jabbed him under the table.
Harrison’s face reddened a bit and his eyes flashed. From the tone of voice and the look on Salvatore’s face, it was obvious he had meant the comment to upset Harrison.
“What do you mean, Salvatore? Do you have some kind of problem with me or my family?”
Salvatore feigned confusion. “Why should I? I don’t know them or you.”
Harrison nodded. “Okay, I get it. You have some type of jealousy towards me because I am rich. Is that it?”
Salvatore’s face burned hot. He stood up.
“No, I don’t. I just don’t like you coming in here thinking that because you have all this money, you are better than the rest of us.”
Now Harrison stood up to face him. “I don’t think that. I never did. I have no idea what you are talking about. Reese, did I say something to indicate that I felt that way?”
Reese looked up at him. “No, not at all.”
Meg looked from one man to the next. “Boys, please sit down. Salvatore you are getting all upset for nothing. Harrison is a delightful young man who loves my Reese. He had said nothing about his family’s wealth until you brought it up.”
Reese pulled Harrison’s hand until he sat down. Salvatore reluctantly took his own seat.
They all continued eating in silence for a bit.
“Hey, Reese. Have you set the big day yet?” Trisha asked her between mouthfuls.
Reese blotted her mouth with her napkin. She nodded.
“May 21st.”
Salvatore had been quiet since the first confrontation, stabbing pieces of lobster and eating them. He stopped and smirked at Harrison again.
“Sounds so romantic.”
Ignoring the sarcasm, Reese continued to talk to Trisha about wedding dress details.
Salvatore deliberately wiped his mouth slowly with the napkin. Tossing it down, he turned to smile again at Reese and Harrison.
“How was it your first wife died, Harrison?”
Harrison and Reese both stopped chewing. They gulped the food down and looked at him.
“Salvatore, I already told you his wife died in fire.”
Meg nodded. “Yes, that was so tragic. I’m so sorry, Harrison.”
“Thank you, Meg. Your daughter has given me the strength to rebuild my life.”
Meg smiled broadly at Reese. “She would. She’s so beautiful. My darling girl…”
She reached over to brush Reese’s soft hair out of her face.
“Exactly. So, Harrison how long have you and Reese been seeing each other? I understand your wife just died a few months ago.” Salvatore continued to pick at Harrison, hoping to draw blood.
Harrison gritted his teeth together. This idiot just won’t leave well enough alone! He thought.
“My wife,” he pounded the word, “died six months ago. I met Reese through mutual friends about three months ago. Does that satisfy your curiosity, Salvatore?” His hazel eyes bored into the man.
“So you propose to Reese after only three months? Quite soon, don’t you think?”
Harrison shrugged. “Not soon enough in my opinion. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted.” He smiled at Reese as both Meg and Trisha swooned at his words.
Salvatore became furious, and his face flushed red with anger. “Bullshit, Harrison. I think you and Reesie have been doing the nasty for some time. I think you knew her long before your wife’s death. Now, since she’s gone, the two of you can bring your relationship out in the open.”
Although Salvatore had hit the nail on the head, the pair were incensed.
“How dare you! You don’t know me. I loved my wife. She died. I met Reese and fell in love. Plain and simple.” Harrison threw his napkin down and stood up.
“Why are you so mad if what I am saying is bullshit, Harrison? I think you know I speak the truth.”
Harrison quickly walked around the table and got right up in Salvatore’s face. They stood nearly nose to nose.
“What the fuck is your point, man? Seriously, give it up! Are you jealous of my money or the fact I have Reese now?”
Trisha pulled her head back and glared at Reese. Meg looked confused and upset. Salvatore cut his eyes to Reese.
“What the fuck are you talking about, man? I’m married to Trisha. Reese is nothing to me but my sister-in-law.”
Harrison snorted. “Oh, really? Then why have you been staring at her all day? I saw you.”
“No way. Reese is like a sister to me, and we were talking about you. How you buy everyone, how you bought Reese, and now you’re going to marry your former mistress.”
Reese shot up from her chair. “What the hell, Sal? I just met him.”
“Don’t talk about Reese, ever. I am warning you, man. I don’t know what the fuck your problem is, but just don’t talk to me.” Harrison gave Salvatore a tiny shove and started to walk away.
Salvatore reached out, grabbed Harrison and spun him around by the shoulder.
Caught by surprise, Harrison found himself hit with a hard left. He staggered backwards slightly. Blood began oozing from his nose.
Reese screamed, Meg ran for the first aid kit and Trisha grabbed Salvatore’s arm.
Shaking off the pain, Harrison shot his arm out, struck Salvatore squarely on the jaw and a loud cracking noise was heard.
“Son of a bitch!” Salvatore fell back clutching his jaw. “You broke my jaw!” His voice was garbled.
Holding a napkin to his nose, Harrison cursed him and spat on him.
“Don’t you talk about Reese, ever. I told you. Don’t you ever come near me again.”
Harrison took Reese’s hand and led her into the house.
“Meg, I’m so sorry that things ended up this way. Please forgive me. I’m not violent, but that man pushed me too far.” Harrison continued to hold the napkin to his face.
Meg nodded. “I know. His hot Italian temper causes him many problems. I adored meeting you, Harrison. I am happy you are taking care of my baby.” She hugged him tightly.
“Mom, I’m so sorry. Tell Trisha I am sorry, but Sal was a real jerk. I can’t believe he did this.” Reese hugged her mother.
“It will be okay. Just have to keep the two of them apart,” she said, looking out on the deck where Trisha was trying to doctor the bleeding Salvatore.
“You can visit us in Chicago, mom. Anytime.”
Meg nodded. “Oh, I will. I would love to see your new home!” With that, Reese and Harrison said goodbye to Meg.
“What a stupid asshole,” Harrison remarked as they got into the car.
“I don’t know what got into him.” Reese was bewildered.
“Jealousy.” Harrison began driving them to the airport. As they drove onto the airfield, Harrison recalled the clipping he had seen in Reese’s room. How strange she would have an old copy of that tabloid. Why would she? It looked quite old, as if she had had for years.
As they departed on a private jet, they began talking about her family’s antics.
“Your sister is quite the flirt! You were right. She kept dropping things on the floor and bending over in front of me.” Harrison chuckled.
Sipping champagne from a crystal flute, Reese laughed.
“I tried to warn you. We were always competing with each other growing up. When I became a model, she was extremely jealous. She had tried to model for the same agency, but they had told her she didn’t have the ‘right look’, meaning she was too flat chested for bikini modeling.”
“She doesn’t have your rack; that’s for sur
e.” He reached over to squeeze her ample breasts.
Reese giggled as he kept fondling her.
“No, she wanted implants, but never got them.”
“Why not? She seemed pretty small to me. Don’t get me wrong, Trisha is quite attractive, but nothing like you, baby.”
Reese shrugged. “She’s afraid of surgery. She’d always had plenty of boyfriends who didn’t care about her chest size, but every time we would be on the beach together and she would see me in my bikini, she would make up some excuse to go inside. When I had started modeling, she had refused to look at my pictures. The funny thing is, Salvatore had put one of my calendars up in his office. One day, she met him for lunch and saw it. She flipped! She tore it down and wouldn’t speak to him for days. She accused him of having a ‘thing’ for me. He’d said the only reason he’d done it was to make her mad. Seemed he’d thought it was funny.”
Harrison narrowed his hazel eyes. “How do you know all that?”
Reese finished her champagne and placed the crystal flute on the tray.
“He told me. It was kind of a family joke. No big deal.”
“He was an asshole. Jealous jerk.” Harrison wiped his nose with a napkin, blotting a few drops of blood.
Harrison stood up and poured himself a bit of scotch into a crystal tumbler.
“I think he DOES have a thing for you, Reese. He stared at you the whole time we were there. But then I can’t really blame him, can I? You’re beautiful.” Harrison sipped his scotch while eyeing the plunging neckline of her dress.
“Oh, shut up. He’s like a brother. You are so silly!” With that, Reese reached over to swat him on his leg.
Grabbing her wrist, he flung her down. Immediately, she reached for him as he fell upon her. His lips covered her graceful neck with kisses as his tongue lightly traced her collarbone.
“Oh, Harrison,” she moaned, gripping his hair in her hands.
“You’re too sexy, baby,” he mumbled as he pulled the straps of her dress down. Roughly, he wrenched her bra down, baring her beautiful breasts. Reese arched her back and moaned with pleasure as they writhed on the floor of the private plane. Harrison began licking and sucking her nipples until she cried out with pain.
Devil She Became (Devil's Angels Book 1) Page 22