The Entitled (The Entitled Duet 1)

I take one more glance at myself.

Reed will think I look hot. Suddenly I remember my birth control pill. Shit, I must get better about taking it. Obviously, Reed is not going to use protection. I can’t keep forgetting it. Especially since I’m the one who doesn’t want kids. Popping it into my mouth, I go to find Reed.REEDAs I hang up with Dr. Miller, Brance walks straight past me as if I’m not there. Fucking drama queen! I smile. Brance has balls. I’ve missed him.

He stands at his refrigerator staring at the contents.

“So, Tess making you get your dick checked out, huh?” Obviously, he heard me on the phone.

“Yep, it helps to have money. Dr. Miller is sending someone here to draw my blood. I should have the results by the end of the day. Do you mind letting your guys know not to kill him?”

He snorts but presses the intercom alerting Alejandro.

“I’m doing this for Tess.” He eyes me. Going back to the refrigerator, he takes out the orange juice and shuts the door, shaking his head. “I can’t have you hurting her, Reed.”

“Brance, I’m going to tell you this one time. I love her and we’re back together. The rest is none of your business. She adores you and you’re her best friend. That makes us stuck with each other.”

He slams the container down and little drops of orange juice hit us.

“Fuck off, Reed. If I were against you, I wouldn’t have allowed you in here this morning.” Pulling a hand through his hair, he goes on. “And you know what? It is my business since I’m the one who has to pick her up and put her back together after you destroy her.”

“I’m not here to argue with you. I appreciate that you took care of my girl. But I can take it from here.” Absently my eyes travel around the kitchen. Brance has stainless steel cabinets. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before and wonder how they’d look in our penthouse-to-be.

“I’m not going anywhere until you have redeemed yourself.” He pours the OJ into a tumbler and takes a huge swig.

My head snaps back to him. “I think you are forgetting she is the one who has been gone for three years! She’s the one who wouldn’t come back. What did you expect me to do?”

He rolls his eyes. “Right, it’s Tess’s fault that you fucked anything that moved.”

I grate my teeth, then check for Tess. The last thing I need is for her to hear this conversation.

“It’s done… over. I can’t change the past. All I can concentrate on is the future. I have a headache and you are making me want to punch something.”

He snorts. “Tell me something new. She loves you, Reed. You sure you’re ready to be what she needs?”

“Judge me all you want.” I scrub my hand over my face. “I love her. Always have. You have been in her life for three years. I have been there forever.”

“So? You think because you two were having tea parties together that gives you a get-out-of-jail-free card?”

“You know I love her.”

We stare at each other in a silent battle. He raises his glass. “Great! Because you two don’t do casual.”

He doesn’t trust me. But I don’t give a shit. As long as I have Tess, I’m willing to put up with a disapproving Brance.

“She’s moving in with me starting today!” I blurt.

“Well, I guess that’s not moving fast.” Brance leans toward me, elbows on the counter. “I don’t care that your family is a bunch of billionaires. I come from drug money. I will have your penis cut off and shoved down your throat if you hurt her again.” He lifts the last of the juice to his mouth.

I can’t help but smirk because if Brance is sick enough to think it, he’d probably do it.

“Fair enough, man.” Grabbing a banana, I start to peel it.

“Did you even ask her? Or did you tell her she was moving in with you?”

“Does it matter?” Glaring at him, I pop a piece in my mouth.

“Does what matter?” Tess walks into the kitchen.

My pulse leaps. Fuck, she does things to me. My eyes follow her as she drops her bag on one of the stainless steel barstools. I want to grab her, pull up her pink dress, and thrust myself deep inside her. But I refrain. Brance probably wouldn’t appreciate it.

The intercom beeps, interrupting my thoughts and alerting us that the guy Dr. Miller sent is on his way up.

Tess walks up to Brance, checking his head with her hand for a temperature I guess.

Jealousy punctures me, and for a moment, it takes my breath. I want her touching me, not Brance.

I reach for her. “So, Kitten, this guy is going to draw my blood and whatever else needs to be done. I will have the results by the end of the day.”