The Enlightened (Entitled Book 2)

by Cassandra Robbins

  “We’ll get everyone together and go to Vegas tonight. We can be married tomorrow.”

  “Oh, I’m not marrying you until after the baby is born.” I lean over trying to get him to kiss me again.

  He leans back. “What are you talking about? You’re pregnant.”

  I almost laugh at the look on his face as I wipe away my tears and try to make sure mascara isn’t on my cheeks.

  “Yes, I am.” I smile “So?”

  “So? I… we need to get married, Tess. This isn’t a joke. We have two kids already and you’re…” He looks genuinely shocked.

  I push him back and straddle him. “I can’t wait to marry you,” I say, grabbing hold of his face as he tries to move me off him. “I can’t, but I want a wedding. I’ve had my dress picked out in my head since I was fifteen. I want to say my vows somewhere spectacular. Be able to drink Cristal and eat strawberries. This will be my day. No one will be able to take it away. This is it for me. When I say, ‘I do’ that means forever.”

  I playfully rub myself on his growing erection. He grabs my hips and thrusts against me for a moment then gently lifts me off him. He walks to the window where the game is on display. If the noise level is any indication, it’s a good night for the Kings. Reed’s head is down giving me a perfect view of his gorgeous profile. He sighs and uses both hands to go through his hair then turns and silently stares at me.

  I shift on the couch and take a sip of cool water, still tasting him on my lips.

  “You seriously want a princess wedding? After all we’ve been through? With three kids sitting watching their parents get married? You want that?”

  I stand up and walk to him. His greedy eyes narrow and watch my every move. I stop a couple inches away, our energy so powerful that it vibrates through me like music that steals your breath away.

  “I do. I want every little bit of it. I deserve it and so do you. I want to stand in front of everyone and claim you.”

  A slow smile kisses his lips. “If that’s what you want, then that’s what you will have.” Suddenly he jerks me into his arms. “I’m not happy about this. I was excited about making you legally mine,” he growls.

  “I know,” I whisper as I lift up on my toes and kiss him.

  He pulls back. “We’re going to have a baby, Kitten.”

  This time instead of crying, I laugh. “We are, we really are.”

  REED

  Twenty-seven years old

  The Saddington Estate, New York

  I stand and wait in my tux outside our family mansion. The day couldn’t be better. It’s sunny and there’s not a cloud in the sky. My twin is at my side. The love of my life is about to be my wife. What could possibly put a damper on my happiness?

  Our wedding is taking place by the old gazebo and duck pond. Row after row of white chairs line the green manicured lawn. A long crimson red carpet is rolled to the end where thousands of white and red roses are placed. The elite and entitled of the world sit and wait. All their colorful dresses and hats remind me of opening night at the Met. None of them matter though. I’m doing this for her. She wants to play princess for a day. Who am I to deny her? Not that I have ever been one to deny her anything. I can’t help but smirk that Tess decided my grandfather’s estate was where she wanted us to say our vows.

  “You okay?” Jax stands with sunglasses on and I curse myself for not thinking about that. The photographer is buzzing around the posh event snapping photos. I’m not only blinded by the sun but also reminded that I’m probably squinting in every shot. Whatever, none of these pictures matter without Tess in them anyway. I look down at my polished black shoes and take a breath.

  “I’m fine. It’s hot out.” Although I seem to be the only one with sweat on my brow. Jax looks cool and fresh. A voice clears and we both turn to Brance who looks like he should be doing a photo shoot instead of giving away the bride. Casually he glides over to where Jax and I wait.

  “What’s wrong?” I snarl unable to help it.

  “Relax,” he whispers, flashing the rich assholes in the front a big white smile. “We had a little wardrobe malfunction. Lana is on it.” He’s saying all this like he’s telling me the weather. He straightens his gold-and-diamond cuff link.

  My hands clench. “Brance, what the fuck are you talking about?” I’m full-on sweating now and small rivulets trickle down my back.

  He smiles again at an old lady who’s a friend of my father’s. I glance at her then glare at him.

  “She leaked through the satin.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me.” He stares me straight in the eyes.

  Jax starts laughing and not like a chuckle. He throws back his head and laughs. If we weren’t standing in front of hundreds of noisy people, I would punch him.

  “I’m sorry, but who cares? What, she has like a small dot on her breast? Please tell me that is not why I’m standing out here sweating like a pig.” I almost spit out the last part.

  Brance sighs and looks at Jax. Like he would be any help? He can’t even stop laughing.

  “Reed, I understand that you are anxious…”

  “I’m not anxious—I’m almost frantic. Get Tess out here now, Brance. I don’t care if she’s wearing a sweatshirt. I will be saying my vows with Tess in ten minutes.” I puff out some air, giving a quick look at the guests. Then I look up at the hundred twinkling lights that hang down from the large oak tree. Tess decided that she only wanted white and red roses. So lights play a big part of the dramatic effect she and Brance came up with. The sit-down dinner will be under a large chandelier that is also hanging from the oak tree. I must admit it turned out better than I originally thought.

  “Clearly you didn’t hear me. Her breasts leaked milk on her couture satin gown. It’s white and satin.” He looks at me like I should instantly get this.

  My face grows hot and I take a breath and look at Jax. He has stopped laughing enough so to say, “How can we help? I mean why didn’t she nurse Brendan before?” He bites his lip trying not to start laughing again.

  “Well, that’s just it. She did, but she is producing a lot of milk since apparently Reed—”

  “Okay, enough,” I say. “How much longer? Did you have a new dress delivered?”

  He snorts as if that is the stupidest thing he’s ever heard. “No, Lana is trying to tape the veil so that it covers it.”

  “Okay, but what happens when I kiss her?” I glance around the beautiful yard. Maybe New York isn’t the place for us.

  “Reed?” Jax’s hand is on my shoulder bringing me back to my reality that Tess is late because of breast leakage.

  “Brance, I swear to God, fix this. I don’t care who you call or how much money I have to spend. Get her a dress.”

  “Relax. I have it all worked out. After you lift the veil for the kiss, place it back down. Walk her down the aisle. Lana and I will take her to the pink suite, and we’ll put her in her reception bridal dress. He gestures like an explosion has gone off. “Problem solved.”

  “Jesus Christ.” I wince and look around, hoping no one heard me. “Get me my bride.” I pinch my nose.

  “Oh, Reed, I have grown to completely love you. That being said, patience is a virtue.” Before I can strangle him, he spins on his stupid designer shoes and disappears toward where Tess is kept.

  “Jax, I swear to God.”

  “Reed, it’s going to be fine. I had no idea you were into the breast milk.” His mouth twitches. And I can’t help it. This is so absurd that I start laughing.

  Thankfully we have an orchestra and the conductor must feel that things are not running smoothly because he lifts his hands and the outdoor venue vibrates with violins.

  “Take a breath then look.” Jax nudges me. The music changes and everyone gasps. Murmurs of “beautiful,” “stunning” fill the air, yet they’re not needed as I watch my five-year-old daughter walk down the crimson-red carpet. Her long, dark curly hair is pulled up so you can see her exotic face. Her green
eyes aim at me and then Jax, and she smiles as she gracefully tosses the flowers. And it’s at that very moment that I know I can die a truly happy man. This child has my heart. I must inhale because Jax has his hand on my shoulder, tears in his eyes.

  “I would give anything to have what you have.” It’s so soft that I almost don’t think I heard him correctly.

  “One day, Jax. One day you will look at someone and you will know.”

  “Might not be in the cards for me. Or maybe I just missed her. How would I even know?”

  Claire and David walk down next. She arches an eyebrow at me. Or at least I think she does; her face still barely moves. I give her my best smile because as ridiculous as Claire is, she has turned out to be a good grandmother. David looks at me and we share a moment. He nods and I have to grin. He gets it. Hell, he lived it with me.

  “You know how you’ll know?” My eyes follow my daughter and over to Brendan, my six-month-old baby. He sleeps on Jay’s shoulder, his fat cheeks looking angelic. “You’ll be willing to die for them. When you feel that, you know you’ve found her.”

  My parents are next. They look so happy and proud. Behind them is Luke in a tuxedo identical to mine. I give him an approving nod. He smiles back, his dimples out in full force. He carries the white satin ring pillow with not much enthusiasm. Luke’s not much into getting dressed up, so Tess and I had to bribe him with a Guardians of the Galaxy Lego set. I have never thought of myself as a spiritual man, but as I look at my son and daughter, I can only hope and believe that they will one day meet their soul mates. One day they will love someone so fiercely that they will risk it all to have them.

  Lana emerges with Andrew. She looks beautiful if not slightly sad. But she’s here today and that’s all that matters. Thinking about Robert, I grit my teeth in frustration. He still hasn’t spoken to Tess or even met his grandchildren. What kind of father doesn’t come to his daughter’s wedding? According to Lana, he is still waiting for an apology. Good luck with that. My eyes glide back to my twins and Holly, Robert and Lana’s six-year-old daughter.

  It shouldn’t bother me, but I secretly think Tess believed he would show up, so it does bother me. Lana makes her way to her spot bringing the twins and her daughter with her, Luke’s and Lilly’s dark hair such a contrast from Holly’s platinum blond it makes my heart squeeze. Tess made Holly one of her bridesmaids. She’s painfully shy, so we decided it was best if she waited for Luke and Lilly rather than walk down the aisle in front of everyone. I watch my daughter whisper something to Holly, and they both giggle. I almost roll my eyes. It’s karma coming back to kill me. Lilly is way too smart and beautiful for her own good.

  The orchestra switches from playing “Wedding March” to Wagner’s “Here Comes The Bride” from Lohengrin and my gaze zooms to the end of the red carpet where I swear to God a halo surrounds Tess. It’s the sun or maybe it’s the universe saying this is right.

  I must still be breathing because my chest is moving and my heart is beating as I stare at her. She stands with Brance looking like the goddess she is. She wanted her fairy-tale wedding, and besides her leaking breasts, she’s getting it. She walks toward me, her shoulders back, no veil covering that stunning face. Instead it drapes casually over her long curls and floats over her breasts. Her long shimmering train sparkles as she moves. I’m lightheaded, and it’s almost surreal as if we’ve done this before and maybe more than once. Blinking away my déjà vu moment, I focus on her and her face, which is glowing. Her large cat eyes stare at me as she arches an eyebrow and smirks.

  I flash her my dimples as she and Brance move closer. She smiles back and I reach for my heart and my tattoo. Everyone has their moments that change them for good or bad. I have had many, but they have all revolved around Tess. I blow out some air and blink back tears. I have no idea why this moment is so profoundly important to me. None of this changes the way I’ve always felt about her. Maybe it’s that everything is now as it should be for me. Or maybe it’s that I’m still that much of a dick that I’m finally marrying the love of my life and she’s mine. But deep down inside, I know it’s not any of that. This is about both of us. We have loved and lost and now live in the moment and I can’t take my eyes off her.

  Suddenly she’s reaching for me, and Brance nods as if he truly is giving her away. She cocks her head at me and gently she moves next to me.

  “I love you more than you will ever know. I will love you forever.” It comes out of me and vaguely I hear people murmuring awws.

  “Okay, Reed.” Her puffy lips break into a smile as she winks and turns to the justice of the peace.

  Okay, Reed—it floats over me like the softest blanket. One of the first things she ever said to me twenty years ago. I turn her to face me because all I want, no all I need, is to see her.

  Her eyes caress my face and she squeezes my hand awakening me from somewhat of a trance. It’s like I’m in a Peanuts movie where all I hear is the adults saying wa, waa, wa, waa!

  Instead it’s the nice man with silver hair legally binding Tess to me forever.

  So I say, “I do.”

  And she says, “I do.”

  And all is right.

  THE END

  This completes Tess and Reed’s love story, but don’t worry. You’ll see them again in Jax and Ava’s story!

  But first, remember David? Well, I’d like to introduce you to his cousin Jason and his girl Eve. I’m very excited to bring you all into the world of The Disciples, my new MC novel!

  The Disciples Coming 2019

  Blade McCormick is not a nice guy.

  He’s pure adrenaline and smells like smoke and leather—the kind of guy you look at and know he’s going to be a combination of nasty and irresistible. The moment I allowed myself to touch his hot skin and kiss his full lips, I. Was. Done.

  Like currency, I’ve become part of a transaction. Blade took me to pay off a debt. I try to tell myself, Eve, you should hate him. He’s a bad guy. But then again, I’m not a good girl. Blade’s the president of the Disciples, the notorious motorcycle club. I should be frightened, yet somehow, he doesn’t scare me. If anything, I think I scare him.

  It takes a lot of work to become the club’s Queen, but I’ll stop at nothing to have the King!

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  The Entitled Duet

  The Entitled

  First and always, to my husband and my two beautiful children. Their patience when I’m trying to figure out how to do this self-publishing journey is amazing.

  My brother Chris and his wife Dahlia, my baby brother, Duke, and Jake—I’m so lucky to have you. My dad and Susie, my Minnesota family, thank you for all your support.

  My editor Nikki Busch: not only are you the best at what you do, you are also a good friend. To my PR company, The Next Step: Kiki and the girls are amazing. Colleen Oppenheim I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everything you do for me, and I’m so grateful to have your expertise and help. Thank you!

  To my incredibly talented cover designer Michele Catalano Creative. You amaze me at how you just understand my vision and bring it to life. Thank you. To Elaine York, you’re a master at making the inside of my books look incredible.

  My betas Ann Marie, Annie, Regina, Sarah, and Colleen thank you from the bottom of my heart. I asked you guys to read The Enlightened fast and get back to me. All of you are fabulous.

  To my author friends who have become a huge support system.
Leslie McAdam, Auden Dar, Naomi Springthorp, Bex Dane, Marika Ray, Cece Ferrell-Krapes, L. M. Halloran, Tempi Lark I could go on and on. Lastly, I thank you, my readers. You are what matter. I hope you enjoyed Tess and Reed’s journey. If I didn’t mention you, you’ll be mentioned next time.

  Cassandra Robbins has threatened to write a romance novel for years. After a stint as an actress, she finally let the voices take over. She’s a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic driven to create obsessive, angst-filled characters who have to fight for their happily ever after. Cassandra resides in Los Angeles with her hot husband, two beautiful children, and fluffy Samoyed, Stanley. Her family and friends are her lifeline, but writing is her passion.