The Enlightened (Entitled Book 2)

by Cassandra Robbins

  As soon as it shuts, I jump up. “You asshole.” My face heats up and my body shakes. “How dare you? Do you think I’m that stupid?”

  He stands and reaches for me. “What are you talking about?” He runs his hand through his hair.

  “You are nothing but a liar.”

  “Use your words, Tess. What the fuck are you talking about?”

  “I don’t appreciate you fucking me all night,” I whisper. “Saying that you need me, can’t live without me, all so I’ll do what you want. I’m not your pet. I won’t let you control me ever.”

  Reed’s eyes narrow and darken, but he stays silent. We stare at each other. Then he shakes his head, rubs his hands up and down his face, and sits down again.

  “Drink your coffee.” He gazes at me like he has no idea what to do with me. For a moment, I wonder if I might be overreacting.

  “Sit. You look like you’re going to attack me and unless you want me to fuck you against the wall, I’d sit my ass down.”

  I look over at the window catching my reflection: hands on hips, hair wild. I lower myself onto the couch and cross my legs.

  He takes a breath. “The reason I asked Andrew is because I thought it was important that you understood everything you and our children inherited. He’s a friend to both of us. He’s not my lawyer. He really is doing both of us a favor.” His eyes never leave my face.

  “I can read, Reed. I don’t need Andrew to explain things to me. As a matter of fact, I think this is the perfect time for me to let you know what I need.” I breathe in deeply, fortifying myself.

  His lips twitch. “Please, continue.”

  I scoot closer and mimic his pose. “I will not allow Lexi or drugs near Luke and Lilly. I live in Los Angeles. I do not have a nanny. I’m a stay-at-home mom and I love it.” I point at him. “You will have to visit them. I hate New York and they are not traveling alone even with private jets or nannies that you hire.” I reach over and grab my coffee hoping he doesn’t see my hands shake as I lift it to my lips. He simply stares at me.

  “Can I respond?”

  I nod.

  “You love Los Angeles. Our kids are happy there. Why don’t I live in your guest house until we get situated?”

  I nearly choke. Again, hope surges straight to my stomach making it flip. I look down at my leg, which is bouncing. “I don’t have a guest house.”

  He looks surprised.

  “I told you I don’t live that life. I have a cute house in Santa Monica with three bedrooms and a yard.”

  “Fine. I’ll buy a place close by. I want to make them breakfast every day.” I open my mouth, but the look he gives me makes me shut it.

  “Now that I have heard your terms, here are mine. First, you know that Lexi and I are divorced, so she will never be around. Second, I admire how strong you are and that you don’t have a nanny. I knew you would be an amazing mom. Third, I can’t wait to see your house. Fourth, I won’t be denied my children.” His warm, strong hand moves up my leg to stop it from bouncing again. My heart is pounding. Adrenaline rushes to my cheeks heating them some more. I’m like an abused child willing to take any sort of affection from him.

  “Why don’t we sell your place? Or rent it? I’ll buy a place with a guest house.”

  “No. I love my house. It’s all mine. I decorated it—all of it. I have no intention of selling or renting it.”

  His eyes caress my lips and I grow warmer. “Is there room for me to build a guest house on your property?”

  “I don’t know. Probably. But, you’re going to want something on the beach. I live on a cul-de-sac filled with families and dogs.”

  He stands. “You have no idea what I want or what I’ve been through. All I ever wanted was you. Now I want my life back and that’s our children.” He turns to leave but stops and turns.

  “We’re real people, Tess. We bleed and have bad things happen to us.” His eyes search my face. “But even with all our pain, I’d say we are a hell of a lot better than most.”

  “I agree.” I straighten my shoulders. “I… what do you want me to say?”

  He shrugs. “I want you to acknowledge that you understand that we did this to each other.” His voice is almost hoarse. “You and I had everything.” He crosses to me, tilting my chin up so that I can see his beautiful face. “Do you know what a gift that is?”

  My brain is spinning. He’s too close—too many emotions are floating around us. “I can only say I’m sorry so many times, Reed.”

  He lowers his head, and his lips almost brush mine. “I don’t trust you.”

  If he had taken a kitchen knife and stabbed me, I think I would feel better. I jerk back out of his grasp. “You hate me, don’t you?” Tears blur my vision.

  “I can’t hate you, Tess. You’re my soul.” In slow motion I watch him turn. “I need to see Andrew out.”

  TESS

  “Mommy?” I look down at Luke who is rolling around on the beige carpeted floor. We’re waiting for Reed to finish his talk with the pilot. Lilly is happily playing with her American Girl doll.

  “What’s taking Daddy swo long?” He reaches over and starts banging his foot on the back of a chair.

  “Luke, honey, don’t do that and don’t roll around on the floor. Okay?”

  “Why not? This is our vewy own plane, Daddy sas.” He flashes me his dimples.

  “That still doesn’t mean we can destroy it,” I snap.

  “It’s fun, Mommy.”

  Lilly looks over. She’s placed her baby in a leather seat and buckles her in.

  “Shhh, Luke, my baby needs quiet. She’s seeping.” She holds her cute, chubby finger up to her lips.

  “That’s not a baby. That’s a dwoll.” He keeps kicking and looking straight at me.

  Lilly marches over to him. “That’s my baby.” Her big eyes fill with tears.

  I stomp over and grab Luke and Lilly by their arms.

  “Okay, both of you need to stop. You know what?” I take a deep breath. “We’re getting ready to take off, so let’s get you both buckled into your seats.” They completely ignore me.

  I drag in another deep breath. “Luke, Lilly, Mommy is tired.”

  I hold my hands as if I’m pleading with them. “Now get into your seats.”

  It’s the truth. My sleeping has been at the most three hours a night. Otherwise, I’ve been torturing myself about Reed.

  I put Luke in his leather bucket seat and Lilly reluctantly slides into hers.

  “Can I swit with you, Mommy?” His legs dangle.

  “Hey, no fair. I want to sit with Mommy.” She starts to get down.

  “All right, that’s it. Why are you two acting like this? You guys are making Mommy yell!”

  Both of them look up at me surprised. I hardly ever yell. As a matter of fact, I make it a habit of always trying to breathe through stressful situations.

  “I swear to God, guys, I can feel my blood pressure rising.”

  Thank God we’re leaving New York. The last two weeks have been horrendous. Not to mention that Reed hates me. Actually, hate is probably wishful thinking. More like he’s indifferent.

  “Now both of you are going to sit still.” I calmly wave my hands. “We’re going to eat dinner and then it’s bedtime, and when you wake up, we will be back in Los Angeles.”

  Lilly starts crying and Luke squirms.

  “Come on, Bunny, please stop.” I can’t blame her. In a way, I feel like joining her. Thank God we have our own plane. I flop down into a chair next to them, rubbing my throbbing temples.

  “Everything all right?” Reed’s strong voice makes me feel better.

  Before I can complain, Lilly pipes up. “Luke is a meanie,” she wails, causing Luke to start screaming.

  “Come on, guys.” He points. “Look, we’re taking off. Look out the window.” It’s dark, so the blue and orange lights on the runway distract them. I stare, almost resentful at how calm he is with them.

  He takes the chair next to mine
. “When we’re in the air, go take a nap. I’ll feed them and get them to sleep.” His eyes sweep over me, and that’s all I get.

  I close my eyes as the jet takes off. The engine hums. The wind is barely audible as the plane glides smoothly into the air.

  “Kitten?” Reed’s warm hands are unbuckling my seatbelt.

  “Did I fall asleep?” My face grows warm. The last thing I need is Reed feeling sorry for me because of my insomnia.

  “Go rest. You’re tired. I’ve got the kids. We’re fine, right guys?”

  Neither answers. Both are still staring out at the dark night, the lights of New York slowly getting smaller.

  I stand up and go straight toward the bedroom, horrified that I’m going to let Reed take care of our children because my head is throbbing so badly. I shrug out of my jacket and sit on the bed. Everything smells new and fresh. White calla lilies sit on the table. That makes me smile. The door opens and Luke and Lilly barrel in, jumping on the bed. They both hug me and Reed hands me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a bottle of Fiji water along with three Advil.

  I can’t look at him. It hurts that he can read me so well. I guess I need to toughen up since this seems to be us from now on. Not friends but not enemies either.

  I sniff and hug Lilly and Luke. “Thank you.” I swallow the Advil and go back to snuggling with my kids.

  “Eat, Tess.” He looks around the room. “Where’s your purse?” I stick my nose in Lilly’s cheek and she giggles. “I left it on the couch.”

  “My twurn.” Luke jumps onto my lap. I stick my nose in his cheek. Pulling back, I pat the bed for both of them to sit next to me as I reach for my sandwich. I catch Reed staring at us. His eyes are so peaceful, filled with love and longing. There goes my heart fluttering. You’d think it would stop at some point. He gifts me with one of his radiant smiles—the kind that used to be only mine. I want to freeze this moment… screenshot it. We stare at each other until Luke jumps off the bed causing both of us to reach for him.

  “Luke would you like a bite of my sandwich?”

  “Yes.”

  “This is my favorite sandwich.” I take a bite and the peanut butter sticks to the roof of my mouth dissolving quickly. The jelly is fresh, so it was probably brought from the estate. I get a whole strawberry in my first bite. Nearly groaning at the sweetness, I lick my lips. “So yummy.”

  “We know. Daddy told us.” Lilly sighs as she cuddles up next to me. Her curls feel like silk as she rests her head on my arm.

  I look up at Reed as he glances at my lips, causing me to lick them again in case I have peanut butter on them. He looks away and my eyes follow every step he takes. Even with all the hurt and disappointments, I have never imagined a day that I haven’t wanted him. Reed has always held me hostage.

  I glance down at Luke and give him a bite. He loves peanut butter almost as much as I do. Lilly hates it. She also hates sandwiches. He happily chews it and reaches for more.

  Reed claps his hands. “Come on, guys. Let’s let Mommy sleep. You both can help me with your dinners.”

  He reaches for Lilly whose little eyes look tired.

  “I want a swandwich like Mommy’s,” Luke informs him with a huge mouthful of bread and peanut butter.

  “Luke! Chew with your mouth closed.”

  He inadvertently spits some peanut butter on my leg. “Why?”

  “Because it’s rude, son. And not healthy. You need to take your time when you eat. Savor it.” Reed smirks as he answers for me.

  “Okay, Daddy.” He slowly swallows then smiles.

  “Perfect, Buddy.” He caresses his curls.

  “Get some sleep. Do you need another sandwich?” We both look at my half-eaten sandwich. “No, thank you.” Not wanting him to leave, yet not knowing how to keep him, I bite my lip. “Reed?” He turns. He’s so handsome my heart aches. “Um…” I roll my eyes. “I don’t know what I’m trying to say.”

  He grins and gives me his damn dimples. “Just sleep.”

  “Do you think you could grow your curls back?”

  He does a double take.

  I’m horrified. “I have no idea why I said that.” I flop back onto the soft, downy pillows throwing my hands over my eyes. “I meant to say thank you.”

  “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll let my curls grow out if you gain some weight.”

  “I’m nervous. I always lose…”

  “I know, but things are calming down now. You need to eat and sleep.”

  I lift my arm to tell him I’ll try, but he’s shutting the door. I sit up and finish my sandwich, brush my teeth, and strip down to my underwear and T-shirt and crawl under the soft sheets, closing my eyes.

  A small hand hits me on the cheek. Trying to get my bearings, I blink. I remove my child’s hand from my face and turn Luke on his side.

  I’m in bed with my children, and Reed is lying on his side staring at me. I can’t make out his face, but I don’t need to—I feel him. My heart races.

  “What time is it?” I ask, clearing my raspy voice. He sighs and turns on his back, placing one arm under his head.

  “About midnight. We have around another hour.”

  “Everything go okay?” I whisper. I need to use the bathroom, but my first priority is Luke and Lilly.

  “They were great. Go to the bathroom, Tess.” He chuckles.

  I really do need to go, and lacking any snarky comeback, I follow the orange-white lights and shut the door. Quickly I finish up and slide back under the covers.

  “I’m back.” Cringing, I realize how ridiculous I sound. Thankfully it’s dark. I sigh. All of my exhaustion is gone, so I fidget with my nails at war with myself and my need for him. Why can’t I stop wanting him? Or stop enjoying him? God, I’m happy merely lying here with him and my children. If only it could be like this forever.

  “Do you want me to leave so you can go back to sleep?” Goose bumps pepper my arms and legs as I try not to let on how much his voice moves me.

  “No,” I rasp. That sounded desperate.

  “Then relax. It’s only us.”

  I want to scream, “That’s my problem.” Memories, always memories, they hold me prisoner.

  I sit up and cross my legs, rubbing my hands nervously up and down my arms. “I’m scared of needing you or maybe wanting you.” I shake my head. “I don’t even know what I’m trying to say, only I feel—”

  “I know.” He stops me.

  “Do you? Do you feel the same way?”

  “You’re way stronger than you think, Kitten. Always have been.”

  “That’s it?” I don’t even try not to sound disappointed

  He sits up and rubs the back of his neck. “I can’t give you what you want.”

  I pull my hair back and twist it into a bun. “What do you think I want?”

  “Forgiveness.”

  His words float over me like the wind, ringing through my head. He’s right; that’s exactly what I want. That and so much more. The fairy tale is still in the back of my mind. And every time he touches me, it blossoms into hope.

  I nod, not caring if he can see me. My throat is too constricted to talk anyway.

  He gets up and cups my chin with his warm hand. His thumb caresses my lips. I stop thinking… stop breathing.

  “You make me crazy, Tess.” His thumb trails down my lips to my chin. “Then you take my breath away.” His hand drops. He leaves me frozen because Reed Saddington has robbed me of speech.

  TESS

  Present day – twenty-five years old

  Los Angeles, CA

  We land in LA around 1:00 a.m. I carry Lilly and Reed has Luke. I feel sorry for the guy driving us. Both Reed and I are quiet so as not to wake the twins. Not only is the driver doing the late shift, our energy is anything but friendly. I give him my address then caress Lilly’s hair. Its softness calms me. Even with the nap, my eyes are still gritty and irritated.

  “Why don’t you stay with us tonight?” I look over at Reed’s handsome
profile. He’s staring out the window. Luke is drooling on his shoulder.

  “Fine.”

  Nice. We’re back to being polite strangers. If it wasn’t early in the morning, I might engage. The one positive thing about flying in at 1:00 a.m. is traffic is flowing, so the large black Cadillac SUV is pulling into my driveway in no time.

  The driver opens my door and I step out and reach for my bag. The weather is heaven. Midsixties in December—this is why I live here. As I dig through my bag, searching for the house keys, I look at Reed. He seems to be assessing my neighborhood. He’s not frowning, but he doesn’t seem impressed.

  “Whatever,” I mumble, pulling out the long macaroni key chain the twins made me at summer camp. The driver has already unloaded our luggage. It waits on my brick porch. Reed reaches into his pocket to tip him as I open my door and turn on the lights. My yellow walls and open floor plan greet me like a dear friend. Reed walks in as if he has been here a hundred times and goes straight for the stairs. I follow. “Their room is on the right.”

  He swings open the door and gently lays Luke in his Hulk bed. I had it specially made. It reminded me of Reed’s room as a boy. Luke mumbles something and turns into his pillow as Reed slips off his slippers.

  I move some of Lilly’s stuffed animals aside so that I can lay her in her pink sleigh bed. Pulling back her sparkly canopy, I tie it so she doesn’t trip on it when she gets up in the morning.

  The twins’ room is one of my proudest creations. I finished redecorating it about two months ago. Luke’s side is blue with the Avengers on his wall. Lilly’s side is pink with My Little Pony characters casting magic spells. Reed can be critical of the rest of my house, but I know the kids’ room is fantastic.

  We both stand and gaze at them.

  “They’re so perfect.” His voice cracks with emotion. Unable to stand his pain right now, I look away.

  “Let’s get some sleep. They’ll be up early.” I take his hand, and the tingle of familiarity trickles up my arm. He doesn’t speak and neither do I. Instead of leading him to my guest room, I open up my room and bring him in.