The Entitled (The Entitled Duet #1) - Cassandra Robbins Page 0,7
Once again, she has stripped me of all my self-confidence. What is wrong with her? She’s my mother. Shouldn’t she be my biggest fan?
“I guess I will take my chances,” I choke out.
Alex clears his throat. My face heats up, and I’m embarrassed that he has heard every ugly thing. “Um… we’re here.” His deep voice is filled with sympathy.
“Thank God,” I say, grabbing my purse.
Turning to my mother, I glare at her. “Good luck, Mother. Try not to die on the table.”
The door opens, and I can’t get out fast enough. Strong hands reach for me. I’m filled with relief as I stare into the most intense blue eyes with a ring of green around them.
“Hello, Kitten. I’ve been waiting for you.” He flashes me his incredible dimples and my heart skips a few beats to the point that I absently wonder if I should have it checked out.
“Reed.” I breathe in his fresh scent. We’re standing on the curb. It’s crowded with people, but all I see is him.
“You’re fine, beautiful. I’ve got you.” And just like that, I am fine. Those little words erase all the ugly things my mother said. She’s right that I’ve changed—hopefully for the better. If I ended up like her, I don’t know what I would do.
Bringing me close, he brushes my lips with his. There’s that flutter again.
This time he smiles and holds my hand up to his strong heart. “Mine flipped too.”
“I doubt that yours feels like a machine.” I love Reed’s heartbeat; I’m kind of obsessed with it.
He kisses my nose. “Come on,” he says, lacing our fingers together as he pulls me toward his massive building.
“My mom is waiting for you. She’s got some new rules.” He winks.
Suddenly, I remember turning away from my mother. She’s gone. “Great!”
What, if she does die on the plastic surgeon’s table? And the last thing I said to her was “Good luck.” Now I have guilt.
“What’s wrong?” His dark brows arch at me.
“God, Reed, I told my mom to try and not die on the plastic surgeon’s table.” Putting my hands over my mouth, I swallow. “I’m the worst daughter ever.”
He bursts out laughing as we zigzag through people. “Why the hell would you feel guilty about that? All you said was the truth.”
See? I feel better. Reed is like a drug I can’t live without.
“You think?”
“I know. You have to stop letting her crazy insecurities affect you. You’re too strong for that. The only thing you need to worry about is how to sneak into my room tonight.”
“Reed!” Slapping my free hand on his bicep, I wave hello to Thomas the doorman. He winks at me, causing Reed to glare at him.
“What do you mean sneak?” I glance around at the elegant lobby. It’s pretty much all gray marble with giant mirrors.
“I always sleep with you whenever I stay the night,” I whisper, so Thomas doesn’t hear us.
“Yeah, that’s part of the new rules Mom is going to talk to us about, I think.” He slips my purse strap back on my shoulder, grinning. The sound of a ding makes us turn, and we enter the private elevator for the Saddington family’s penthouse. It’s the only one that can go from the ground floor to the top. Even making it work is a whole ordeal. He punches the code, then uses his thumbprint to start the thing, and… up we go. It’s so smooth and fast, we are there before I can even comment.
The elevator opens to vast elegance and an incredible view of Manhattan. Thank God, I’m not scared of heights. Mozart’s playing softly in the background.
Reed stops me, caging me in. “Kitten, Mom is going to try and guilt you. Do not let her!” He rubs my bottom lip with his thumb, and I quickly kiss it. My pulse speeds up.
“What is going on today? First my mom, now Caroline. You know I hate this kind of stuff.”
When he cocks his head—he’s so hot!—his blue eyes are filled with tenderness.
“You’re mine. That’s all you need to know. She’s going to give us the ‘we’re too young’ speech.” He shakes his head, his eyes locked on mine. “I don’t care, Tess. I will not have her dictate what is mine. Especially, when I get you for two whole weeks.” His warm, clean breath caresses my lips. He rubs his nose on mine, and I can’t help but smile.
“This is practice for when we get our place together.” I nod. He