The Entitled (The Entitled Duet 1)

“Reed? You okay, son?” Swallowing, I sense the room is once again invaded by unwanted family and friends. My dad is chuckling with Brance and Jax. I don’t even care if they think I’m crazy, because… are you kidding me?

Grabbing Tess by the waist, pulling her close, I lean into her, the scent of vanilla filling me up.

“How are you going to top this when you marry me, Kitten? I can’t use enough adjectives to describe how stunning you are,” I whisper in her ear.

“Reed!” my mom says. “Let Tess breathe.” Smiling, she widens her eyes at us in warning.

Yet I ignore her. Right now, the whole world could end, and I would be fine.

“I told you, you would be happy with the wait,” Brance gloats.

“You are right once again, Brance,” I say, not taking my eyes away from Tess’s.

Interrupting my Tess high, Anna, the Russian woman, blurts, “Oh, they are serious, huh?” Disapproval drips from her.

Tess glances over, looking as aggravated as I am. A small frown appears. I almost kiss it, but that would lead to more inappropriate displays of affection. Obviously, no one thought to give the birthday girl a heads-up that strangers were crashing her party.

“Kitten, this is…” Christ, I’m so caught up in her web, I can’t even remember my own name much less theirs.

“Oh, right… Tess.” Claire steps forward. “I forgot to mention that Brad and Caroline brought some friends.” Waving her hand at Dimitri and Anna, she kind of stumbles over to the blond girl. “And, this is their daughter, Lexi, right?” She looks to my mother for confirmation.

“Lexi is going to start school on Monday with you guys.” She smiles, and the big balls of collagen in her lips look like they might pop out. “We thought it would be nice for her to have some friends. What better way to get to know each other than at a party.” She sings the last part.

“Christ,” I mumble. Tess is stiff throughout all of her mother’s ramblings.

My mom smiles and walks over to Lexi, gently bringing the girl forward. “You guys go have fun.” Like we’re children. She reaches for another glass of champagne.

Lexi stares right at Tess. She’s taller. Standing next to my jewel, everything about her screams average.

Tess cocks her head and extends her hand. Lexi hesitates, then peeks at me as she shakes it.

An awkward and weird silence fills our small circle. Thankfully Jax grabs Tess, swinging her around. She screams, trying to grab on to a white cushion on one of the couches. The bad energy evaporates as my twin twirls her faster. She squeals as one of her high heels almost knocks over a large glass vase.

“Jaxton Bradley Ian Saddington, knock it off,” my mom yells.

I’m sick of it too. Jax is way too affectionate with Tess. It was fine when we were young, but now, this shit needs to stop.

Claire isn’t even fazed. She must be drunk. How else is she not seeing this? She claps her hands and announces that dinner is being served.

“Jax!” I hiss. “Put her down.” He grins at me, gives her one last tight squeeze, then lets her go. “Reed, lighten up.”

“Then don’t touch Tess.”

Reaching for her, I tuck her into my arms, kissing her forehead, inhaling the fresh scent of her hair. “Why won’t everyone leave us alone?” I grumble in her ear.

“Because it’s my birthday.” Her delicate fingers run through my hair. “I missed you today. It scares me how much I need you.” Her raspy voice hypnotizes me for a moment.

Lifting her finger, I lightly bite it. “I don’t want you to be scared. I want you to always need me.”

Hearing her exhale, I flash her a grin. She pokes her finger in one of my dimples—she has a thing for them. “So bad.”

Jax makes a gagging noise, then turns to talk to Brance.

That’s when I make my move. Taking Tess’s hand, I maneuver her around the corner and into the gold hallway. Pinning her up against the wall, I can’t help myself. My nose goes straight for her throat. That seems to be my weak spot today. Every day it’s a different part of her. I wasn’t going to do anything other than tell her I love her, but now that we’re alone and the loud laughter is in the next room…

My mouth attacks her neck. She groans. The sound makes my dick hard—well, harder. She inhales, taking my breath with her. I feel that rush of love, energy, chemistry. It zings through my body, making me invincible. I kiss the side of her mouth, loving the way her lips feel like velvety softness.

My tongue wants in. “Kiss me, Kitten,” I whisper into her mouth. Her sapphire eyes narrow as she parts her lips. My head feels light as I dissolve into her, claiming her perfect mouth.