The Entitled (The Entitled Duet #1) - Cassandra Robbins Page 0,41

her. Almost.

“Reed.” Her bony hands grab my arms. She must see I’m truly being sincere because she throws herself into my arms.

There goes feeling sorry for her. Stiffly I pat her back.

“I can’t cry. Brance will never forgive me. And it would mess up Tilly’s taping of my eye.” She blinks, and her tears instantly evaporate. I can’t help but chuckle at her dramatics.

I want to whisper that she probably doesn’t want everyone to know that she has a fucked-up eye because of Botox. Instead, I grab her hand and kiss it. A bit over the top, but the room seems to love it besides Jax, who snorts loudly.

“I’m being honest—you are a vision tonight, Claire.”

“Reed, you charmer.” I know she loves that I’m giving her my attention since I never do.

“Mother,” I say turning toward my mom, “looking lovely as always.” I kiss her cheek. She smells like peppermint. Must have been drinking her favorite coffee drink—the main ingredient is peppermint schnapps.

“Oh, sweetheart, you look so handsome tonight. You’re not a little boy anymore.” She strokes my cheek with her hand.

“Brad?” Her voice is loud. “What are we going to do? Our babies are growing up so fast.” Clutching his jacket, she looks a little unsteady.

“Dad, how much has she had?” I ask, arching my brow.

He laughs. “Don’t worry about your mother, Reed. I’ve got her.” He winks at me.

Frowning at him, I turn away. The last thing I need is a visual of my parents.

“Holy shit.” Jax exhales as he stares at the double doors that have been painted a silvery blue. Following his eyes, Brance stands to the side, allowing me the most stunning view I will ever need.

Tess.

My heart is thudding so hard, I don’t even hear the classical music playing anymore. I’m so fucked! So ruined. I’m unable to move, even speak. Vaguely, I hear my brother say something. Holding up my hand to shut him up, my eyes sweep her form, seeking her eyes.

Like a magnet, she moves toward me. God, that fucking walk of hers gets me every time. My hand goes to my chest. It hurts to look at her.

She wears a red chiffon dress—well, I think it’s chiffon; I have no fucking clue. All I know is that it’s tight around her breasts, making them almost spill out and the waist is covered with what looks like small pearls. Layer after layer, the rest of the dress makes her look like a princess.

Tess’s body always drives me crazy, but in this dress…

Brance is whispering like a proud father, something about Dior. All I see is the most exquisite girl in the world.

Her dark brown hair is straight and shiny, parted in the middle. Her eyes are smoky, and her puffy lips are red, matching her dress.

She stops when she gets close to me and twirls. Time slows, and everyone fades into the freshly painted white walls. It’s only us. As she twirls, the dress expands, like a butterfly, and I inhale again. Her face looks so happy. Like a flawless angel, she throws her head back and laughs. My eyes latch on to her long neck. And the pulse—I swear I can hear it from here.

“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