The Enlightened (Entitled Book 2)

by Cassandra Robbins

  “Well, we can take them with us and—”

  He leans forward and rubs his head. “Stop. You can’t leave and you know it.” His eyes land on me then the bed. “Did you fuck Reed?”

  Heat floods my face. “I was going to tell you. It just happened. It was nothing. I don’t even know how it happened really.” I stare at him not even blinking.

  Standing, he walks toward the closet. He pulls his luggage out and opens it next to me on the bed. I start to pick my nail polish off. I can handle anything except Brance being disappointed in me.

  “You disapprove, don’t you?” Tears are already forming and I have to breathe to keep them from spilling.

  He throws his stuff in, staying silent. I open my mouth to say something but shut it.

  Finally, he turns. “No wonder he was so territorial. You won’t leave, Tess, and he knows it. He wants you and his kids. Fuck, he deserves them.” His laugh sounds off and I wonder what has happened. “And… as much as you are my heart, I have to go to Logan.”

  “I’m scared,” I choke out.

  He gives me a sad smile. “You’ll be fine. Have you ever thought this is how it’s supposed to be?” He zips up his bag then opens his arms and I throw myself into them. I bury my nose in his shirt. “You have to work this out, Tess. If he wants to be a dick, he can get his lawyers to do all kinds of things. But the real issue is that you still love him.” He pulls back to look at me as I shake my head no.

  “I don’t.” I sniffle. “I can’t.” Brance simply stares at me. He knows the truth, so I don’t say anything else.

  “Reed’s a man now, Tess. He’s not going to fall at your feet like when we were kids. But trust me, he still loves you.” He kisses my head and lets me go. “It’s time we both face our darkest truths. I need to go home to face mine.” He runs a hand through his hair.

  “I feel awful. I should be there for you,” I whisper.

  “No, I need to focus on Logan.” He hoists his large bag off the bed. “And, Pretty Girl?” His eyes are serious. “If you want Reed, you need to forgive him.”

  I watch almost trancelike as he opens and closes his hand again. I reach for it. He’s warm when I feel cold.

  “What’s wrong with your hand?”

  “I finally punched Reed. God, it felt good.” He leans over and kisses me on my shocked mouth. “See you as soon as you get back to LA.”

  I sink back down onto the bed, staring around the beautiful room, sensing Brance’s loss already.

  “Tess?” Looking up into Reed’s pretty eyes, I become calmer, then hate myself for it. I can’t become that Tess again. I can stand on my own two feet. The problem is, do I want to?

  “What?” I’m so tired, numb. I don’t even try to comprehend why Reed’s voice sounds gentle. But his eyes seem sympathetic. He knows and always has. This is why I’ve been tortured. My heart knows that instinctually I need this man, yet my brain needs to protect it. I’m amazed I have done as well as I have because now that he is back, I can’t believe I’ve survived without him.

  “I’m having Lilly and Luke stay with my mom and dad tonight.” A crazy bubble of laughter escapes me. I give up—I’m too tired to fight it.

  He cocks his head as he takes my face. “He has to go, Kitten. I’ve got you.”

  What am I doing? “You said you had me before and then left. It almost killed me.” It’s meant to be challenging, but it comes out soft.

  He ignores it and proceeds to the twins’ room and comes out with some pajamas.

  “Mommmyyy.” They burst in. “We’re having a sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa’s.” They both run around picking toys to take downstairs.

  “I heard. If you need me, I’ll be here. Okay, guys?”

  “I know. Now we are going to go swim in the tub.” Lilly skips down the hall.

  I look at Luke who is busy stuffing cars into his shirt. “Sweetheart, you’re only going downstairs. Let’s leave some of that here.” I try to remove a couple cars from his grip.

  “Noooo, I need them, Mommy. Bye, Daddy.” He marches off. Reed pins me with a stare and I sink back onto the bed. He turns and follows Luke with the pajamas.

  I must have fallen asleep because it’s dark and I feel strangely warm and safe. My eyes pop open. Lying still, I try to focus on my breathing. Reed is spooning me, his hard-muscled chest pressed to my naked back and his strong, muscular leg draped over me. What the hell? I remember lying back not wanting to think. The stress of the week, Brance leaving, and the sex with Reed made me want to close my eyes and rest my mind.

  I need to pee. Gently I move, not wanting to wake him and trying to process what the hell I’m doing. I flush the toilet and wash my hands and face, brush my teeth, then moisturize my face. According to the clock hanging on top of the ornate tub, it’s 3:00 a.m.

  Perfect, now I’m awake. I should probably call Brance and make sure he made it given that its only midnight in LA. The only problem is I have no idea where I left my phone. Yesterday feels like days ago. I walk back to the bed and feel around on the nightstand. Nothing. I guess I’ll lie back down and try to go back to sleep.

  I slide back in staying on my side. Reed’s even breathing used to always calm me. This morning, all it’s making me want to do is straddle him. Closing my eyes, I try to visualize the ocean and blue eyes that look like the ocean with white beaches. Eyes that have shown me every emotion. I blink, almost laughing at what a failure I am at meditation. I can’t sleep next to him. I can’t sleep in general.

  “Relax, Kitten.” His deep voice slides over me like velvet.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  He grunts and pulls me on top of him. Absently I wonder if I said that I wanted to straddle him out loud. He might just be waking up, but his cock is hard and thick, my thin panties the only barrier we have. In one fast jerk, he snaps them off.

  Tossing the slip of material away as he leans me toward him, he merges his mouth with mine and our tongues tangle.

  “Fuck me slow or hard. I need to be inside you.” He latches onto my right nipple and starts to suck as I groan and my stomach flutters. This addiction I have for him is like a brush fire that found the wind and is now an inferno. I rub my wet pussy on him and slowly slide his shaft inside me.

  “Yeah, slowly. Take all of me. That’s it.”

  “Oh God, Reed.” I press my hand against his hard chest and dig my nails into him.

  “Now fuck me.”

  I move on him, up and down. “So good,” I whimper. “Why is it so good?”

  His strong hands hold me still and my sex pulses as I clench around him.

  “Come here, Kitten. I need these lips.”

  My breath catches. Every single part of my body is awake, alive. My breasts are swollen, nipples hard and achy. My stomach flutters and my heart beats way too fast. Even my fingers ache as I dig my nails harder into him. Amid whispers of promises, we’re caught up in us… only us. Our words swirl around us like a hummingbird seeks a flower, delicious truth or lies laced in passion. Hope surges up my body as I seek his mouth. He kisses me slowly when I feel frantic.

  “Slow, Tess. I need you slow right now.” His hands hold me tight as I sensually rub my clit against him.

  “Fuck, you’re going to kill me,” he grunts into my mouth. “Go, baby. Rub that swollen clit on me and come.”

  I rock on him, my wetness giving me that wonderful friction I need, and I’m gone, soaring. Reed is so deep inside me I clamp on, pulsing and quivering on him. Slowly we ride this sensation together. Our bodies and minds move as one. I’m scared at my thoughts because they are coming like a torpedo. And suddenly I need to tell him the truth: that I need him to breathe, that I forgive him… love him.

  “Reed, I—”

  “Shhh.” He wraps his hands in my hair and flips us over. Lifting my legs over his shoulders, he impales me deeply as if he’s trying to chase away my thoughts or maybe his. His hips thrust into me, and I stare mesmerized at his strong neck an
d lips.

  “I’m going to come again,” I groan.

  “Fuck.” His hands dig into my hips. Our rough breathing mixes together.

  “I can feel it, baby.” My body spasms as he fucks me through my orgasm causing me to scream.

  “Tess…” His voice coats over me like honey. “I can’t stop needing you. I tried.” Then he’s jerking and lowering my legs, his hard body on top of me as he kisses me. It’s intense and searing and full of unspoken words as he fills me full of himself.

  Our hearts are still racing as he pulls out of me almost as if he’s scared of what we’ve said. I’m too tired to care that he’s pulling away. I can only close my eyes in contentment. The last thing I remember is me mumbling that I need him too.

  TESS

  “Mommy.” I hear Lilly’s sweet voice above me. “Mommy, time to wake up.” Her little fingers try to pry open my eyes.

  I grab her hands. “Bunny, not my eyes.” I squint tentatively at her. She’s dressed in a pink frilly dress, a big smile on her red lips.

  “What time is it?” I ask, wanting to sink back into the deep sleep I was in moments ago. I haven’t slept this well in a long time. My body is sore, but I can’t help grinning at her as I stretch.

  “Ummm, don’t know. But Daddy said to git up. The lawer is here.” Her fingers run through my hair.

  “Hmm. A few more minutes, okay baby? Mommy needs some coffee.”

  She jumps over me causing an umpf to come out as I avoid her shoes.

  “Lilly!” I sit up.

  “Sowry.” She twirls. “I’m gonna git you some coffee.”

  “No, sweetheart, I’m up.” I hold my hand out to steady her as she starts to twirl again. Rolling my neck, I look at the morning sun’s glare through the window.

  “Now, what did Daddy say?”

  “He said the lawyer here.” Alarm creeps over me raising goose bumps on my arms.

  “What?”

  “The lawer or lawyour—I don’t know. Some guy with red hair.” She stops spinning, her arms extended for balance.

  I feel like I’m off balance. He can’t be that much of a maniac to have fucked me so that I play nice with the lawyers, can he?

  “He can’t.” I jump up, not even caring that my body has a huge red hickey on my left breast.

  Lilly stops twirling. “What, Mommy?”

  I look around the room and grab the first thing I see which are black yoga pants and Reed’s stupid sweatshirt, whatever I need to get in there fast. Lilly starts to happily twirl once more in utter childhood bliss. I’m so jealous—even when I was a child, I never had that. My children are the only good things I’ve done, and I’ll be dead before I let Reed take them.

  Rage and disgust infiltrate my brain as I roughly brush my teeth.

  “Lilly?” I spit and rinse.

  “Yeah, Mommy?”

  “I’ve decided that we need to go on an adventure, you, me, and your brother.”

  “Yeah.” She claps her hands. “And Daddy.” She says this like I forgot the most important ingredient. I almost scream. Instead I smile and splash cold water on my hot cheeks.

  “This adventure only involves you, me, and your brother and it’s top secret.” I hold my finger to my lips, and she follows. As I glance in the mirror, I cringe at how crazy I look. “Where are they?” I say as we rush down the stairs, my heart nearly beating out of my chest.

  “In here, Mommy.” She skips ahead to the parlor.

  I stop, horrified for a moment, then reach for her. “You guys aren’t touching anything, right?”

  The elegant gold and turquoise parlor always scares me. It’s only a matter of time before Luke and Lilly break something. And nothing is cheap in here. This room holds vases that are thousands of dollars and some of the art might be priceless. The furniture is a mix of Queen Anne and Chippendale styles, which makes Luke go nuts because he has a thing for lions. And all the feet are carved like lion paws.

  Last time we came to visit, I found him driving a car on the foot of the giant ornate buffet in the corner. Of course it got scratched. Grandfather Ian laughed, but I was not amused. The ceiling has gold inlaid flowers and vines swooping from one side to the other. Jesus, a Leonardo da Vinci hangs in here. Three large windows allow the occupants to view the rose garden and greenhouse. Ornate Persian rugs grace the floors along with an enormous fireplace.

  It’s raining outside. What a shocker. This is why I hate New York. Well, this and because Reed loves it and it always reminds me of a girl who doesn’t exist anymore. The wet drops dribble like small worms down the windowsill.

  Reed stands with his back to me laughing with a man in a gray suit. Reed is dressed in jeans and a crème sweater, and he’s barefoot. Damn it, I hate when he dresses casually. He always looks so hot. My cheeks heat up as I think about last night. And the worst part is I loved it. I have to call Scott and tell him the truth or somewhat the truth. Because even though I don’t consider us a couple, I know he still has hope. I bite my lower lip. Two days. That’s all it took for me to jump into bed with Reed. Screw that, I didn’t jump; I dove into him the way you do when you’re satisfying a craving you’ve been denying yourself. Once you get a little taste, you go insane. I’m humiliated at how weak I am.

  “Tess? There you are, honey… Oh.” Caroline’s eyes take in my appearance and I almost laugh at her confused expression. She’s on her cell phone, her heels clicking on the wood floor.

  “Um, Claire let me call you back. Uh, yes… I’ll tell her. Although she looks a little tired.” Caroline’s eyes travel over my rumpled clothes. Perfect. Of course she’s talking to my mom. I wonder if she’s still in Spain.

  “Claire, I told you not to feel guilty about not being able to make the funeral… I’ll see you in a week.” She hangs up and turns to me.

  She blows out some air. “Well, she sounds good. She wanted me to remind you she’s coming for the twins’ party.”

  “So she says,” I respond and take a breath. My mom is not the reason I’m filled with self-loathing at the moment. The problem is the six-foot-four asshole with his back to me. Shaking my wild hair, I walk farther into the large room.

  Reed turns, and for a second I falter at the way his eyes light up when he sees me. My stomach drops as I look at the man standing next to him.

  “Andrew?”

  “Hey, gorgeous. I hear you’ve been busy?” He wraps me in a big bear hug.

  I hug him back because Andrew is a good guy. Even if he is a manwhore.

  “You look good. Please don’t tell me you’re a lawyer?” Reality sinks in as I look at him then Reed.

  “I am indeed a lawyer.” He holds up his hands like I’m going to hit him. I can’t help my smile from peeking out. Andrew has obviously become even more savvy at charming the girls. He was a pro in high school and doesn’t seem to have slowed down.

  “Today I’m just a friend who understands all the legal jargon. Reed wanted me to tell you all your options since you both missed the will reading.” He grins and sits down on one of the couches. His auburn hair is slightly shorter. His face has a bunch of freckles I don’t remember. He motions for me to sit.

  “I hate to disappoint you, but I won’t be doing anything without my own lawyer.” Crossing my arms, I try to block out Reed. The more he stands there saying nothing, the more I hate myself for yesterday and last night.

  He grins. “Tess, you don’t need a lawyer. Reed wants you to hear what they said yesterday and discuss a couple things.”

  I look over at Reed. He’s lounging on the edge of an antique table with his arms crossed. His biceps tease me even with that sweater. I sit down, grateful for the heated floors since I ran out of the room without shoes.

  “Really? I find his timing odd.”

  I let Andrew decide what he wants.

  “Oh, Tess.” My gaze swings to Caroline. Great. I’m so absorbed with Reed, I completely forgot she was there.

  “Reed wants what’s best for your children.” S
he nods and gives me a strained smile.

  “Oh, I know.” I smile back, hoping it looks cheerful.

  Obviously I fail because she says, “I think maybe I’ll take Luke and Lilly to another room.” She fidgets with her perfect hair. “Come on, kids. Let’s go find Grandpa.” Both their curly heads pop up and they run toward Caroline.

  I rub my temples. In the last few days, I’ve barely seen Luke and Lilly. Dropping my hands, I say, “You guys behave with Grandma and Grandpa, okay?” I sit back on the silky turquoise fabric.

  “We will. We play hide-and-seek.” They each hold Caroline’s hands.

  “We’ll play,” I correct as I watch them leave. The room goes silent save for the fire crackling in the fireplace.

  “You seem unhappy this morning.” Reed frowns “After last night… Maybe you need some coffee.” He teases with a slight flash of his dimples and I grit my teeth to stay focused.

  “Christ.” Andrew shakes his head. “Good to know things haven’t changed with you two. Do you want to eat something, Tess?” He looks at his watch. “I can stay for a while, but I do have to be in court this afternoon.”

  “No, I’m fine.” I cross my legs and reach for the cup of coffee Reed has set on the table for me. I take a sip. It has a light taste of cinnamon, my favorite.

  “Is it good? I had them make it especially for you.” Reed drags an ornate chair over and sits across from me.

  “It’s fine,” I mumble into my cup almost burning my lips.

  “All right.” Andrew pats his knees. “Well, if Tess wants a lawyer, then I guess I’ll let him go over everything.”

  Reed clears his voice. “Why don’t you want to hear what my grandfather left to our children right now? We have Andrew here. He can answer any questions you have. I need to make some decisions.” His eyes search my face. “If you’re happy in LA, then I need to buy a place to be near you.” He leans forward, his elbows on his knees, forcing me to lean back. I look away from his mesmerizing eyes. All they do is lie to me anyway. The rain has picked up and even though the room is toasty warm, my skin pebbles.

  “You know what? I need to make a phone call. I’ll give you guys a moment.” Andrew stands and saunters out the door.