The Better Brother

“You’re all alone?” I suddenly felt a wave of uncertainty wash over me. He’d wanted me alone with him in his big house. I wasn’t naive enough to think that he just wanted to talk over the next two weeks, but I figured if there were other people around, I’d be safe.

“My parents are both dead. I have my uncle, but he lives in the city closer to our family’s business.”

In the back, Kayla let out a little moan, and Rick sighed. The two were sound asleep and had more than made up from the incident that landed me in my current mess.

I was grateful that Kayla was asleep for the time being and I could at least have more time to think of an excuse for why we were all traveling to Reed’s estate. I didn’t want to tell her what I’d agreed to. She’d been too drunk to know precisely what was happening, and I didn’t want her to feel like it was her fault that we were here—even if it was.

To be honest, agreeing to spend two weeks with a handsome stranger was both unlike me and completely exhilarating. Back home, I told myself I was ready for a change and a new chapter in my life, but I would never have imagined being in such a predicament. I really didn’t know what to make of it all, but I would be lying if I said my nervousness wasn’t starting to fade into a serious turn on. What the fuck was wrong with me?

Maybe these two weeks was just want I needed to kick off my new life. I wasn’t foolish enough to expect anything other than a good time with Reed. He was clearly a rich bachelor who was experienced in getting what, or who, he wanted. The thought that he wanted me, was making me sweat a bit.

We walked into the house, and I was immediately impressed. The furniture was expensive and ornate, yet still looked inviting. There were several vases of fresh flowers like the ones I’d seen growing outside scattered around the large room, and rows of beautiful photographs lined one wall.

Immediately drawn to the photos, I crossed the room and began to examine them closely. They were mostly of scenery, though some were of beautiful horses, and fields of roaming cattle. Whoever had taken them, had a very good eye.

I felt Reed come up beside me. “You like them?” he asked.

“Yes. The composition is amazing, and the photographer used the perfect filter for each one,” I said, continuing down the line.

“You seem to know a lot about photography,” Reed said.

I glanced at him to see that he was regarding me with a look that said he was impressed. “Yes, it’s actually what I do. I’ve actually published some of my work,” I said.

“Wow,” Reed said. “Is it a hobby or something else?” he asked.

“I’d say it’s been relegated to hobby status for the past few years, but in reality, it’s my passion. I want to do photography full time, to have my own studio, and eventually a gallery to display all my work,” I admitted out loud for the first time.

Reed whistled low and looked at me with a newfound respect.

I couldn’t help but feel proud of myself for finally putting my dream out there.

The two love birds finally woke and came inside, and since Rick knew his way around, they disappeared up the stairs, hand in hand leaving Kayla’s suitcases. I glanced over at my stack of luggage and decided I’d need to know where to take it. It was getting late and I was getting tired.

“Could you show me to my room?” I took my largest bag by the handle and Reed walked over to the bar.

“What’s the rush? Wouldn’t you care for a drink first? I’ll pour.” He poured two shots of whatever he was drinking and carried one over and offered it to me.

“I don’t drink.” I placed my hand on the neckline of my blouse as he shrugged and turned them both up, one right after the other.

“I’d like to go upstairs and shower and change my clothes, please.”

“Fine, I’ll show you to your room.” He walked over and lifted the larger bags as if they weighed nothing and I took two of the smaller ones.We headed up the long, curved staircase to the upper floor. He led me down the hall, and we made a turn down past a row of doors to the one on the end. “Here, just put them wherever. My bathroom is through that door and—”

I froze in place. “This is your room?”

“Yes, where you’ll be staying, with me, per our agreement.” Reed’s face was impassive as always, leaving me wondering what he was thinking.

“You at your house, not in your room.”

Reed stepped closer and took my hand, and it was as if an electric current went through me. He wasn’t gentle, but the sensation hit me right in my core with a burning ache of desire. “Well I guess you should have asked for clarification before you agreed.”

“I’m not staying in here. There are fifty other rooms in this place, and I’ll take any of them, thank you.” I figured if I were firm then he wouldn’t insist, but I was wrong.

“So then, you’re okay with me calling my lawyer first thing in the morning and filing that report?”

My mouth popped open as he stroked my wrist with his thumb, still holding tight to my hand. “You won’t do it; you’re just teasing me. Trying to use it as an excuse to seduce me.”

“I don’t need to seduce you. You’ll do what’s right to help your friend. Besides, I can tell you want me.” He met my eyes, and for the firsts time while staring intently at me, he smiled. “Your ego is laughable.” I started to turn, but he pulled me close to him, his lips brushing mine just before he took them without permission. It wasn’t that I didn’t want him to kiss me, but I was terrified of what might happen next. I could very easily give in to him. He awakened things inside me that Gavin had long since lulled to sleep