The Enlightened (Entitled Book 2) Read online

  Blinking, I see colors and long thin legs in a silver string bikini. Making my way to her face, I blink again.

  “Lexi?” I sit up and she moves closer. Her flowery perfume invades my cabana. I lean back and cross my arms over my chest unable to help but smile. “Well, what do you know.”

  “Can I sit down?” Her blue eyes averted, she gazes at her high-heeled silver stilettos.

  Silently, I make her wait as I look at her. She hasn’t changed that much. Her blond hair seems longer, but her face and body have remained the same. Good for her. Somehow, I’m pleased that Lexi has stayed natural. Give me her small breasts over big fake ones any day. To be honest, I’m surprised at how hard my cock is as I watch her wait for my command. Not going to lie, it turns me on. Although the Moon Rock is definitely flowing through my bloodstream, which might have something to do with it.

  “Sit, Lexi.” I’m king of the world. This girl will let me do anything. Years ago we dated, sort of. I never could let it go further than spanking and tying her up. Tess always haunted me… I shake my head. Well, not this time. Tess is nothing but an oxygen thief.

  Lexi sinks into the chair David vacated.

  I lean over close to her. “Lexi, Lexi, Lexi, you little stalker. How the fuck did you find me?”

  “Your mother mentioned that you were here.”

  “Ah.” Relaxing, the weight that I’ve been carrying on my shoulders seems to disappear.

  “How is my family?”

  “Well, okay, although your parents are worried. I heard about Tess.” This makes my eyes snap to hers.

  “I have certain rules, Lexi,” I snarl. “No one mentions her. She doesn’t have any significance. Do you understand?”

  Turning red, she wiggles her chest, her breathing labored. Lexi is a fucking freak. The shit she likes to do was way too dark for me years ago. Her blue eyes lift to mine and I see into her twisted head.

  My cock grows almost painfully hard. Yeah, Lexi is exactly what I need.

  I can’t help but flash her my dimples. “Lexi, I want you to close the curtains, then crawl to me and take out my cock. I think it’s time you and I finally fucked.”

  She leaps up and efficiently unties the cords. People are all around us and anyone could walk in. Not that it matters. The cabana darkens and slits of sunlight peek in through the bottom. She drops to her knees and crawls, her ass high, back slightly arched as she slowly degrades herself across the hard cement. What she doesn’t have in breasts, she has in her ass. It’s perfectly round, unlike Tess, who had amazing curves but her ass was definitely on the skinny side.

  Fuck, Reed, focus. She’s crawling to you. I take a breath in and wait until she slithers up in between my legs. She does exactly what I tell her and pulls down my swim trunks, taking out my throbbing cock. She holds it, waiting for me to tell her what’s next.

  “Do you need pain to get off?” Lexi bites her thin bottom lip and nods. Her eyes are alive with pent-up excitement.

  “Fuck… that’s good, because I’m in the mood to give you some.”

  Darkness, like a cartoon where the evil hand takes ahold of you, forcing you to become someone else—that’s how I feel. It wraps its arms around me. And like a python, it squeezes the last bit of life out of the old Reed Saddington. I will be reborn today. This is who I deserve. And this is who I am. Lexi can call me master and together we can destroy each other’s souls. Untying the strings at her neck, I watch as it falls off her small breasts. Her pink nipples are tiny and jut out. I close my eyes for a moment as bright colors swirl in my head. Pleasure pumps to the music yet I don’t even hear the music anymore.

  “Turn around, ass in the air.” She circles around, and I pull the strings on the back of her bikini. “So fucking hot, Lexi. Look at you on all fours.” My voice praises her, but I stop for a moment: I only praise one woman and she’s hundreds of miles away.

  “I’m going to redden this.” I slap her ass hard and she hisses.

  “Then I’m going to fuck it, but… only if you don’t make a sound.” My fingers go straight for her hole and rub it. She puffs out some air but stays quiet.

  “Yeah, you stay quiet, and I will put my cock so far up your ass we will both see stars.” She shuts her eyes, ecstasy on her face. I smirk knowing I’m a demented shit not letting her make noise, but I can’t stand it. Only one woman’s moans do it for me.

  Roughly, I pull down her bikini bottoms and smack her hard again. I don’t need her to count because I don’t care enough about her to care. Over and over I spank one cheek then the other until her body convulses with her orgasm.

  I knew it—she likes the pain more than the sex. It’s why I never had any real interest in her sexually. She wants a Dom, a master who will hurt her so she can forget whatever nightmare she needs to.

  Just like me.

  I sink to my knees, my hand throbbing. I grab a cushion off the lounge chair for my knees. My fingers spread her bright red ass open, then I spit right on the hole. I don’t bother to ask her anything or get her a pillow. I line my thick cock up and slowly push through her tight entrance.

  “Fuck yeah, that feels good…” Again, I don’t want a response. Her silence is everything I need. I thrust into her. My balls are so tight against her warm cheeks. God damn, I love it. Grabbing her hair, I twist it around my fingers as I rut into her, back and forth. I try to enjoy it without seeing her, but the drug is stronger than me, and a euphoric feeling tingles through me. I close my eyes and hear her. Fuck, it’s Tess, and I’m loving her tight hot hole. My heart is pounding and I hold on to her hips. I whip my eyes open right as I’m ready to come. My cock jerks as I release into her. My Tess. Her sapphire eyes stare up at me, ruby red lips part for me. She’s here with me, and I don’t want her to leave me. Because she will as soon as I blink.

  I sigh and slowly let in some air. My eyes adjust to the room and a kneeling Lexi. Pulling up my trunks, I grab a napkin and toss it at her.

  “Clean yourself up.” Sitting down, I look at her as she pulls up her bottoms and ties her top.

  “Sit,” I say, tilting my head. “Did you like it? Everything you’ve been wishing for?”

  She’s still breathing heavy, excitement in her eyes. “Yes, the best I have ever had, really.” She licks her lips and crosses her legs. “Did you like it?”

  My eyes lock with hers, and I look away. Not because she makes me feel anything, but because she doesn’t. I truly have become indifferent.

  A monster.

  Rubbing my hands up and down my face, I’m amazed at how I feel nothing. I’m floating, so I guess that’s enough.

  “I like your darkness.”

  “I told you years ago I would wait. Do you remember?”

  “I won’t talk about my past.” Already tuning her out, I hear the beat of the music in my chest.

  “That’s fine, but I’ll be anything you need. Just let me stay with you.” Her voice cracks as she looks at me like I’m a god.

  Would that it could be so easy. I reach out and touch her hair, rubbing it in between my fingers. It’s dry and coarse. I drop my hand and push open the curtains. The pool is packed, and my eyes scan the scene. So much happiness surrounds us: everyone laughing, drinking with pure joy. Inside this cabana are two fucked-up souls. Lexi wants darkness and pain. And I’m… ashamed.

  Cracking my neck, I answer, “Why the fuck not?” I snort. Lexi and I deserve each other. Nothing but misery is in our future. I smile, and she returns it.

  “I fuck who I want, Lexi. If you want to fuck someone, all you have to do is ask me.”

  She walks up behind me wrapping her arm around my stomach. My first instinct is to pull away, but my skin tingles, so I let her stay.

  “I will do anything you want. You are going to be so happy with me. I’ll give you what you need.” It’s starting to heat up. The warm sunlight brings out her colors and my vision takes it all in.

  Turning around to face her, I cup her chin. Her blue eyes sparkle with vict
ory. She thinks she’s won and is ready to claim her prize.

  “I don’t love you.” She flinches. “I will never love you.”

  “But, it’s only because you loved the wrong gir—”

  I cut her off, smiling. “Shhh. The heart wants what it wants. Someone wrote that. It’s true you know.”

  She stares at me. “What are you on?” Her voice takes on a slight edge.

  “See?” My voice is back to being commanding. “We need to be clear. The old Reed is gone, Lexi.” As I shake my head, my curls fall over my eyes, and I pull my hands through my hair, making a mental note to get a haircut.

  “I get the feeling he is who you want. If that’s true, then you should leave because I’m so far from that guy now.”

  She smiles, her eyes strangely glassy, or maybe it’s because I’m so high and feel so fucking good. She looks fixated on me like she honestly does worship me. No one should have that kind of power, especially a monster like me, but I’ll take it.

  “You need to catch up.” Reaching over to the crystal lying on the table, I break off a piece. “Open.” She does.

  “Have you ever tried Moon Rock before?” I inhale her flowery scent, wishing it was vanilla, my mouth tracing her lips.

  She shakes her head no. “Well, get ready for the ride of your life.”

  Yeah, David was right. I shouldn’t have left my room today.

  TESS

  Past – twenty-one years old

  New York, NY

  The park I spotted when I left my doctor’s office is loud and swarming with kids of all ages. Instead of getting a cab, here I sit.

  My head still spins as I simply try to be. Horrified, I watch as a kid of indeterminate age throws sand in another kid’s face for no reason. The other kid lets out a bloodcurdling scream. I jump at the high-pitched wail and start to sweat.

  “I can’t do this.” I move to another side of the playground. It looks peaceful, it’s green, and it has some picnic tables. Jesus, don’t any of these mothers ever wipe their kids’ noses? The sand and the dirt and the snotty noses. Do mothers seriously do this every day?

  I try not to be obvious as I listen. In my defense, all these two women near me do is scream at their kids and rapidly talk to one another. It’s frantic, like they’re scared they won’t get it all out, and they don’t even make eye contact when they talk, their gazes constantly focused on the playground.

  I pretend I’m looking at a tree above one of their heads, so I can take in their appearance. They look tired, with ratty hair and no makeup. I guess I’d better stock up on sweats and tennis shoes. Apparently, that is what you wear once you become a mom. Even the nannies are in sweats. A plane flies over us and the kids squeal and point. I can’t help but grin at a chubby, dark-haired boy. Dark curls cover his head and he can barely walk yet. My heart squeezes. Is that what our babies will look like? Tears spill down my cheek. This is so surreal, I think as my hand touches my small bump.

  “You okay?” one of the moms I was spying on asks.

  “Oh, um… yes.” Wiping my tears with my fingers, I add, “Sorry, I don’t know what came over me.”

  She nods sympathetically. “First trimester is the worst. It gets better, don’t worry.”

  “I’m eleven weeks, I really hope you’re right.” Trying to smile makes me even more uncomfortable.

  “Well, usually it does. When I had my daughter, I threw up the whole nine months. God that was awful. But with my son, after the first trimester was over, I felt great. So keep your fingers crossed.” All of a sudden, her son starts screaming. He fell and skinned his knee and is bleeding. She jumps up. “Good luck.”

  “Thanks, you too.” My voice sounds weak. I glance up at the sky where the plane was. Had I not gotten pregnant, Reed and I would be in Europe. It’s too painful to think about, so I start walking toward my lonely penthouse. Reed is gone. I need to face the truth—he is never forgiving me.

  I’m pregnant. It’s time I called Lana and my dad.

  Lana is my dad’s girlfriend, and besides Brance, she is my best friend. Two months ago, she had a baby herself—a little girl. So she’s been busy and sleep deprived; otherwise, I would never have gotten away with not telling her the truth about Reed. I feel horrible keeping this from her. Lana has always been in my corner. She’s going to freak when she finds out. Which is why I keep putting it off. I know it’s going to upset and worry her, and she already has her hands full. But it’s time. I need her and Brance!

  I stop right in the middle of the sidewalk. People curse at me and swerve around me. Moving to the side under a small awning, I pull out my phone and email Brance. I don’t care that it probably makes no sense and sounds desperate. That’s pretty much my state of mind right now. I guess I should feel guilty. After all, he is off with Logan saving the world. But right now, I need him to save me. I can’t wait another month for him to come back.

  Taking a breath before I lose my nerve, I push Lana’s name on my phone. With a quick glance my watch, I cringe. It’s 5:00 a.m. in London. Shit! If she doesn’t answer after three rings, I will…

  “Tess, thank God. I was about to send your doorman to check on you,” Lana snaps, her slight Russian accent barely there anymore.

  “I’m sorry, Lana, did I wake you? Or the baby?” I can barely choke out the words, the lump in my throat so large. Swallowing it down, I start to walk again, surprised that I’m almost home.

  “No, please, I never sleep anymore. What is going on with you? I know something is wrong! And don’t say the flu.” Her voice sounds demanding.

  “Lana, I need you to support me when I tell you this. Promise me.”

  “Tess Gallagher, you’re scaring me. Spit it out.”

  “I’m pregnant! And I told Reed I wanted an abortion. For which he decided I was a horrible person and that he doesn’t love me anymore. And he’s gone. Vanished!” I take a breath because I don’t think I’ve breathed the entire time I vomited those awful truths. Silence is all that greets me. Horns are honking, people are laughing, talking, cars are whirling by. But the phone line is eerily silent.

  “Lana?” I whisper. “Are you there? Did you hear me?”

  Suddenly I hear my baby sister cry. “Shh… It’s okay, Holly. Mommy didn’t mean to wake you.” The baby quiets and again Lana is silent. At last, she clears her voice. “Tess, how far along are you?”

  I look up, and I’m standing at my building. How long have I been walking? No wonder I feel like I could fall asleep in the lobby. Peter opens the door for me. He also walks me to my elevator. He’s worried. After earlier, I don’t blame him. I give him a weak smile. “Thanks, Peter.”

  I wait until the elevator door shuts to answer her. “Eleven weeks and don’t wake up Holly when you hear the rest.” I close my eyes and take a breath. “I’m pregnant with twins.”

  All hear is Russian, which is bad. Lana only speaks Russian when something is a disaster.

  “Lana… Lana please,” I yell over her rant. “You promised! Please, don’t tell my dad.” That stops her. “You’re kidding, right? He has to know. He is your father for fuck’s sake! And I did not promise anything.” Holly starts crying in the background again.

  “Lana?” I hear my dad’s voice.

  Shit! “Lana, not now. I’ll tell him later. I can’t deal with him right now. I don’t feel good.”

  I hear her sigh. “Robert, go back to bed. I’m sorry I woke you. Holly’s being fussy.”

  “Who are you talking to? Why do you look like that?” His voice is coming closer.

  “Just Tess. She knew I would be up early. We’re catching up.” Her voice is so chipper it’s obvious that something is wrong. God, she is the worst liar ever!

  Suddenly I hear my father’s voice and I almost hang up. “Tess Rose Gallagher! Why haven’t you returned my calls? This is not acceptable behavior for someone who is an adult. I expect and demand more. Why are you so selfish?” I open then shut my mouth since he continues. “Lana has been worr
ied sick about you. This is how you treat her after she has given you a baby sister?”

  I’m so tired I want to crawl into bed. I walk out of the private elevator straight to my couch and drop onto it. I should get off the phone because the way I feel, I’m about to get ugly. “Dad, I haven’t been well an—”

  “Don’t give me any of your excuses. You’re spoiled and have no consideration for anyone else’s feelings.”

  “Jesus, Dad.” My head throbs. “I called to talk to Lana, not you. But since you have called me all kinds of awful names, I think I deserve a moment to tell you why I haven’t called.”

  He snorts. “I don’t want your pathetic excuses—”

  I interrupt him because I’m done. Fuck him and anyone else who wants to judge me. “I’m pregnant, Dad! Almost three months, and I’m no longer with Reed.” Puffing out some air, I lean back into my soft leather couch.

  “What did you say?” His voice is a hiss.

  “You heard me, and I’m too tired and sick for a lecture, so save it.” I rub my forehead.

  Silence again. Perfect!

  “Get an abortion.” Three little words that sound so cold and unfeeling. No wonder I’m so fucked up. Truthfully, I feel gutted. This must have been what Reed felt like when I told him the very same thing. He said I was my father. Suddenly I don’t care what he’s done. I only want him home. I need to tell him I was wrong and the last person I want to become is my father. Tears fill my eyes.

  “No, I’m keeping them.” My voice cracks.

  “Them? Jesus, Tess, are you telling me that my daughter, who is only twenty-one years old, is pregnant with twins? And the fucking entitled prick who knocked her up has deserted her?” He’s yelling, so I hold the phone away as I look around my apartment. It feels so empty without Reed. One huge void.

  “Tess?”

  My father’s voice brings me back to this nauseating conversation. “He only left me when I told him I was going to get an abortion and now that I’m not, I can’t find him.”

  “Good.” He sighs. “So you still have time. Do yourself a favor and get one, Tess. Do it tomorrow, before you completely ruin your whole life.” His voice is so full of passion it makes me cry. I know he has always resented me and that our relationship is strained. But this… this is unacceptable.