26. Troublesome Reed

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

I was still debating on whether to put on the lingerie or not when the doorbell rang. He was already back from work? My heartbeat began thundering loudly as anticipation built inside me. It was difficult to explain this sudden exhilaration coursing through my body but all I knew is that I could not ruin tonight. Maybe I was actually a little fascinated by the man despite his cold demeanor. I mean, he had quiet the sexy body and now that I knew he was not in the mafia, I was relieved.

Well, the lingerie could wait for some other day.

I placed it on the bed then raced downstairs. After readjusting my smile, I swung open the door only for the smile to drop.

"Oh, it's you," I muttered as my eyes settled on Reed. It was impossible to mask my disappointment.

"Yeah, and from the looks of it, you were clearly expecting someone else, or maybe not, " his gaze ran over my shoulder off, mid-thigh length red dress.

I crossed my right leg in front of the other, suddenly feeling underdressed. For the first time, I felt completely uncomfortable with Reed gazing at me ravenously like that. I had no idea why I felt like that but I just did.

"What are you doing here Reed? It's like eight in the evening. Shouldn't you be out clubbing or something?" I questioned, glancing nervously behind him every second.

"Yeah, I just...I couldn't resist the urge to see you, Nicole. You know after day I confessed how I really felt about you, I haven't been myself ever again. I keep thinking of you and my moments are just full of reminiscing about you,"

"Are you drunk or high?" I asked, suspiciously eyeing him.

"Neither. This is me unable to get over my brother's wife," His glazed expression somehow made my heartbeat stop for a split of a second.

"What are you talking about? Shouldn't you at least have some respect for your elder brother?" I let an angry expression roll over my face.

"Come on, we both know you aren't in love with Dominic," His hand cupped my butt cheek but before I could react he had jerked me towards him.

"W-what! Of course not. I love Dominic, he is my husband and you should get your hands off me. It’s really inappropriate," I stuttered in defense, trying to push his hands off me but he was much stronger than me.

"You see, you are even stuttering. If you really loved him, you wouldn't stutter,"

I wouldn't stutter if you weren't holding me in such a sensual position.

"Can you please get your hands off me Reed?" I requested ignoring the tingles.

"Why Nicole? Because my touch makes you crave me? Because it makes you want more? Because it makes you want me? “He whispered, his heavy breathing hitting my nostrils.

"Because it’s inappropriate and I’m married to your older brother," I whispered back.

Suddenly he pushed me against the door, his frame hovering over me, while his body held me securely against the door.

"We both know this is what you want," before the meaning of his words could sink in, his lips had already claimed mine.

I froze for three seconds before what he just did sink in. I tried to push him away from me but he was much stronger and the more I struggled the rougher his lips grew against mine. When he pulled away, I slapped him, completely enraged.

“Are you insane Reed? “My face was flushed but not from blushing or anything. I was very much mad at him for kissing me even though he knew I was married to his brother.

"I love you," He breathed against my lips, completely undeterred by my slap.

It felt like somebody had just spread ice inside every part of my living, freezing every cell.

"W-what?" I stuttered once again.

"Since the first day I saw you looking all flustered in Dominic's house, I felt my heartbeat racing just like how it happens in movies. I didn't want to believe you were really Dominic's fiancée and now I know why. It's because you were my other half, not his. I love you, Nicole," Possessiveness dripped down in his words and for some reason, it scared me to the core.

"Reed... “I trailed not knowing how exactly I was supposed to react to his confession.

"How many times should I tell you to stay away from my fucking wife?" I jumped on hearing Dominic's enraged voice.

His eyes were bloodshot and that didn't help matters. I was trembling visibly my eyes trained on Dominic. He dropped his briefcase on the floor, matching in short, and quick strides towards his younger brother.

"What brother? Because she said she is in love with me? “Reed smirked pocketing.

Wait, what? I didn't say I loved him. I was about to deny his words when Dominic landed a blow on his face. I yelped in fright as Reed just laughed it off, spitting the blood from his mouth.

"Oh, I’m sorry, did that hurt older brother? How can your wife choose me over you? But how can she not? Nobody loves you and nobody will ever love you. Haven't you gotten that in your head yet?" He spat as Dominic clenched his jaws.

"I mean, mum had you put up in rehab when you were only fifteen. You know why? Because nobody can stand you. Nobody," my focus was diverting between the two brothers wondering what the hell was going on.

"And let me guess, your wife doesn't even know that," Reed smirked flirting a quick gaze at me.

"Does she know dad - I mean my dad only gave you the company because your own father rejected you,” Dominic landed another blow on him.

What the fuck! Now more than ever I felt confused. They were not brothers? How the hell did I miss all of this?

"You know nothing about my father," Dominic was clearly hurt.

"I know the fact that he abandoned you in some filthy slum," Reed smirked despite his bloody form.