victorious. Until I realize that my hand is touching my tattoo.
REED
I can’t stop myself from turning around to look at her. Tess is still so fucking beautiful, my chest burns. My eyes follow her incredible ass in that bikini, which I will definitely be throwing away. The vanilla smell that is hers lingers, clinging to my skin. I vaguely hear Lexi talking to me. But I can’t look away from Tess. Hating myself even more for letting Tess go, I take a step after her, then stop. I have to get my shit together. The need to go to her, grab her, lock her in my room, and mate is overwhelming.
Tess is back!
And we are old enough so that nobody can dictate our lives. Like a stalker, I watch her cling to my twin. Like a sleeping lion, my anger awakens. I don’t care if she lies to herself. She can claim it’s over as much as she wants. Her words float in my brain: You’re not the same boy I loved!
Well, that may be true. But she’s changed too. My little kitten has grown some claws. Mine! I want to roar.
“Fuck me.” I run my hands through my hair.
What the hell was Jax thinking keeping Tess from me? I thought I was going to beat the shit out of him. Jax and I are evenly matched. But I have rage on my side, so that would give me an edge. Tess will be mine until one of us takes our last breath.
I’m all off and wish I’d never snorted that coke. I want to go caveman on Tess. Those fucking eyes of hers, like glittering sapphires. Shaking my head at her ridiculous lips, I smirk. Only Tess can get away with pumping shit into her lips and still looking hot. My cock’s getting hard. Great! Now, all I can think of is how unbelievable her lips will feel wrapped around my shaft. Shifting uncomfortably, I’m in board shorts, so being this hard with my size is not something you can hide. Turning, I walk into the house, needing to splash water on my face and put on some jeans and a shirt. Maybe I should take a shower.
“What are you doing?” Lexi’s voice jolts me back to the present, her skinny body following me.
“Christ.” I had forgotten about her.
My obsession with Tess was steamrolling over me. Speed walking into the guest room where I left my stuff, I say, “Listen, Lexi, I’m sorry.”
I go to tell her it’s over, but she is staring at her feet.
Gritting my teeth, I continue. “I’m going to take a shower and then we’ll talk.”
She shakes her head. “There is nothing to talk about. I’ll wait.” She moves toward the door.
Grabbing her arm, I stop her. “Lexi,” I say gently because she’s not getting it. “I know you saw us going somewhere. But the truth is even had Tess not come back, it never would have worked.” I let her digest what I’m saying. I don’t owe her any more than that.
“Will you still be my master?” Her voice sounds scared, eyes still downcast. I have to take a breath. Now is not the time to lose my patience.
“Excuse me?”
“It’s what you are. We don’t have to stop. We haven’t been having sex anyway. I will let you dominate me.”
Taking a step back, letting go of her arm, I’m stunned. I wonder again if Andrew had bad coke because What the hell?
“Lexi, come here.” My tone is demanding. I pat for her to sit next to me.
Instead she kneels. Like I’m a fucking king or something. “Look at me.”
When she looks up, her eyes are full of tears.
Sighing, I say, “I’m sorry, I’m not what you need or what you want. We are not the same. You want a master. That’s not me.” My thoughts stray to Tess. Did she put her dress back on? Is Jax making sure no one talks to her?
“Why?” Lexi’s thin shoulders shake.
“Hey… come on, Lex.” I almost lift her onto my lap. I want to comfort her. But how do I do that without giving her false hope?
“I’m not what you need, Lexi, and you know it.”
“You’re wrong.” Her eyes light up. “You could be great. I knew it from the moment I laid eyes on you.”
Shaking my head, I push on. “I’m trying hard not to make this unpleasant. We were friends before. Let’s go back to that.” I’m done talking, so I stand.
“Do you honestly think