Red (A Brett MacLean Duet)

  “Brett?”

  “I know we’ve only been dating for a few weeks but like I said before, I fell for you, hard. The urge I have to claim you and mark you as mine every time a man comes near you is powerful. I can’t control it,” I breathed against her shoulder. “Right now, I like knowing my cum is inside of you.”

  Her pussy clenched at my words. The walls of her core squeezed me as my rigid cock lengthened inside of her. Taking the hint, I pushed into her hard, forcing a gasp from her lips.

  “You’re mine,” I said, slowly pumping in and out of her. “And I want you to know that, no matter what happens, moments like this make it all worth it.”

  ***

  I woke to an empty spot beside me with the fresh scent of coffee invading my nose. It stirred all of my senses like a druggie having their first high of the day.

  Pushing out of bed, I pulled on my pants and shirt, and headed out into the hall to find the woman who had invaded my soul only a few weeks before.

  When I reached the kitchen, I found Evvie taking a sip of coffee. She moaned, the soft sound shooting straight to the tip of my dick.

  Walking toward her, I placed a soft peck on the side of her neck and inhaled. The scent of sex and my cologne coated her skin.

  “Hmm…you smell like me,” I said, taking another inhale.

  Evvie placed the cup on the counter and turned in my arms. Wrapping her hands around my neck, she licked her lips.

  “I enjoyed the attempt at control you took this morning, lover. Even though it didn’t last long.” I smirked, running a finger down her arm.

  She laughed.

  “I never wished you a good morning, so morning, Evvie.” I kissed her forehead and grabbed a cup of coffee for myself. I could get used to this. Waking up to fresh coffee and finding a beautiful woman standing in my kitchen with that just fucked glow caused by me.

  Evvie headed into the living room and sat on the couch.

  “Where’s Kane?” I asked, joining her.

  “I know he sometimes goes to visit his grandma or he could be out for a run.” She thought a moment. “Is he sleeping with Tatiana?”

  “I don’t know.” I raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

  “Just curious.” She took a sip from her mug.

  “Would it bother you if he was?”

  “No.”

  She denied it but I could still see the questions behind her eyes. Tatiana was known to go for the ladies. Kane must have done something to gain her interest.

  I pinched Evvie’s chin and placed a soft peck on her mouth. “Be happy for him.” I took a sip from my own mug, the morning sustenance soothing my nerves.

  Sitting back against the couch, I couldn’t help but notice the glow Evvie had. Her cheeks had a rosy tinge to them, her blonde curls were messy and unkempt but perfect in my eyes. “You’re beautiful,” I whispered.

  Evvie smiled softly, the red in her cheeks becoming more pronounced. She leaned in to kiss me when footsteps sounded from the hallway.

  When I looked up, my gaze landed on Claire. A growl escaped me, rumbling from within my chest like it had a life of its own.

  Claire only grinned.

  “What the hell is she doing here?” Evvie snapped, her body stiffening beside me.

  “Well don’t you two look cozy?” Claire sneered.

  “What’s going on?” Ethan asked, frowning.

  Evvie rose to her feet, pointing at the woman who tried to ruin my life. “Get the fuck out of my apartment.”

  “Evvie.” Ethan stared wide eyed at his sister.

  “Get out. Now,” Evvie yelled.

  Stepping up behind her, I placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled her back against me. As much as I would love to see Claire get hers, I needed to protect Evvie more. Claire was shady as fuck and would charge her even if the only damage done was a broken nail.

  “You need to control your woman,” Claire told me, crossing her arms under her chest.

  “I think you should leave.” My voice was eerily calm.

  “Aww, come on, Brett,” she purred. “Didn’t you miss me?”

  Evvie stiffened.

  “Leave. Now,” I boomed. I was sick of this shit and the hell she was putting us through.

  “Fine, I’ll leave but I just have to ask.” She looked at Evvie. “How do I taste?”

  As soon as Evvie dove at her, I caught her around the middle. A string of curse words left her lips that made me quite proud.

  “Get out. Now,” she screamed, struggling against me.

  Claire laughed and headed to the door. “Oh, and Brett, did you tell your little pet that you slept with me right before you fucked her?”

  Shit .

  My jaw clenched.

  Claire looked away, clearly seeing on my face that I was not in the mood for these damn games.

  “Get. The. Fuck. Out,” Evvie snarled.

  Claire licked her lips. “With pleasure.”

  “What the hell was that about?” Ethan demanded.

  I almost forgot he was there.

  “That’s Brett’s ex who’s been trying to fuck with our relationship since before we even started dating.” Evvie smacked her brother’s arm. “How could you sleep with her? Of all the women in this city, you had to choose her?”

  “Evvie, I am so fucking sorry.” He met my gaze. “I didn’t know.” He slumped on the couch, dropping his head in his hands.

  Maybe if we were friends, I would have cared that he fucked my ex. But we weren’t and I wasn’t. I was pissed for Evvie.

  “That’s because you always think with your dick,” Evvie mumbled.

  “I’ve been in jail—”

  “So, you fuck the first thing that approaches you?” she cried, punching his arm that time.

  “That’s not—”

  “How did you even meet her in the first place?” she asked, grabbing hold of my hand. As soon as we touched, her body relaxed slightly as did mine.

  I’m here, sweet girl.

  Ethan huffed and rose to his feet. “She was waiting outside the club. She came on to me.”

  “Did she say who she was?” Evvie asked, moving to the couch and pulled me down beside her.

  “No.” He frowned. “Why would she?”

  Evvie rolled her eyes. “Of course not. Let’s just sleep with the first woman we see in a week.”

  “I said I was fucking sorry, Evvie. It’s not like you’ve never had a one-night stand,” Ethan said looking between Evvie and I.

  Her back stiffened. “That is not the same thing.”

  Our night together was not a one-night stand. I knew she slept with guys before me but that fact alone made me want to rip Ethan’s face off for even bringing it up.

  “Uh-huh. Right.” Evvie shook her head. “She must have known you were my brother.”

  “How the hell would she have known that?”

  “Because she’s fucking psycho,” she cried.

  “Evvie,” I whispered in her ear and rubbed a hand over her upper back.

  She jumped up from the couch. “No. And you.” She pointed at me. “How could you?”

  My eyes narrowed, my hands clenching into fists in my lap. “Evvie,” I said, my voice filled with warning. I would not have this conversation with Ethan in the room.

  “What? You get on my case about other men but I can’t when it comes to Claire?” she asked, placing her hands on her hips.

  My dick twitched. Fuck me, her sass turned me on. “We weren’t together, Evvie,” I said, even though she was right.

  “God, I know. It’s just…” She shivered, her face paling. She slumped back onto the couch. “Ethan, I’m sorry.” She let out a deep sigh. “It’s not your fault and I shouldn’t jump down your throat.”

  Ethan knelt before her and gave her a hug. “If I would have known, even though I don’t like Brett, I wouldn’t have slept with her.”

  I bit back a chuckle. I appreciated his honesty.

  “I know,” she said softly.

/>   “I’m going to leave.” He stood. “Give you guys some time alone.” And with that, he left the apartment.

  “Do you still have feelings for her?” Evvie asked me, ringing her hands in her lap.

  I searched her face, my jaw clenching. “No.”

  “Did you ever?”

  “She was around when I got bored.” It was the truth. I didn’t know how I felt about Claire. I had never gone through these emotions until I met Evvie.

  “You didn’t answer the question,” she pointed out.

  “She was familiar.” I grabbed her hand, squeezing it tight. “With you, it’s always something new. I can’t get used to the sex with you or even just being with you, because it’s different each time. That’s what I want. It’s what I need.”

  “What did Claire mean about your deep dark desires?” Evvie blurted.

  “I don’t know how to explain that,” I mumbled, shoving my other hand through my hair.

  “You can tell me, Brett.”

  “As you already know, I like it rough. I like being in control. It turns me on having your body doing whatever I want.”

  “You don’t see me complaining,” Evvie said, chewing her bottom lip.

  I searched her face and took a deep breath. Might as well get it all out there. “I enjoy administering pain for pleasure. The feel of your skin warm underneath my palm gets my blood pumping.”

  “I’ve liked what you’ve done so far.”

  A smug smile formed on my face. “You have, haven’t you?”

  She nodded.

  I looked away, memories from my past catching up with me. No control. Pain. Lots of excruciating pain.

  Mama will always love you, baby boy.

  She especially loved me when she could tie me up and hit me if I didn’t comply. “My mom used to beat me.”

  Evvie gasped. “Brett.”

  “Not my stepmom but my real mom. She died a couple of years ago.” I turned back to her. “No one knows this, Evvie. Not even my sister. It happened when I was really young but has stuck with me ever since. That’s why my dad left her.”

  “Did…” She swallowed hard.

  “It was nothing sexual if that’s what you’re wondering. Just mental and physical.” I chuckled. “God, that was so fucking long ago.”

  “I’m so sorry,” she whispered, her eyes welling.

  My heart jumped. “Lover?”

  “Yeah?” she croaked out.

  “I love you. I hope you know that. I’ve never been one for looking into the future and shit but I meant what I said before. You are my future.”

  A sob escaped her, tears rolling freely down her cheeks of their own accord.

  I sighed and wrapped my arms around her shoulders as she broke against me. “My Evvie. So heartfelt.”

  She snuggled against me and cried.

  “Hey, it’s over. I’m better. Don’t cry for me,” I crooned against her neck.

  “I love you. I love you so much,” she finally said through her tears.

  Pulling her onto my lap, I cradled her against me and kissed her tears away. “No one has ever cried for me before.”

  “I’m—”

  I silenced her with a kiss. “I think I fell in love with you all over again, Evvie.”

  IT HAD BEEN a long time since someone could piss me off this much. My stomach churned, anxiety coursing through me at what I held in my hand.

  Evvie and I were fine. We were finally moving in the right direction. But it didn’t last long.

  Pictures.

  Pictures of Claire and me in compromising positions that left nothing to the imagination. I should have listened to my gut when she had approached me months ago. But my dick was hungry. If only I would have waited. None of my other exes were like her.

  Crumpling the pictures in my hands, I sat back in the leather chair just as Ian came into my office. He stopped suddenly.

  “Problem?” he asked, standing up taller.

  “Claire Morgan,” was all I said.

  He nodded once. “I’ll take care of it.” He left the office, leaving me to the demons in my head.

  I didn’t want Claire harmed in any way, as much as she may deserve it, but I wanted to scare her. Just a little bit. Ian had gone to school for law but found his calling in marketing and PR work instead. He was the best business manager I ever had and he sure as hell made my life a whole lot easier. But Claire didn’t know he was no longer practicing law. I had offered to join him when he approached her but he said it would be best for me to stay away. She got a little riled up where I was concerned.

  “What can I say? I am irresistible,” I had said.

  “Well I’ll be.” Ian grinned. “Brett MacLean, making a joke.”

  I tried getting a couple more hours of work in but couldn’t concentrate, so I went home instead.

  When I walked into the apartment, it was like the happiness I felt but didn’t deserve, was dangling in front of my face only to be taken away.

  Evvie sat on the couch, holding what I could only assume was her own set of pictures. I had to give it to Claire. She was good and damn determined. I just prayed the love Evvie and I shared was stronger.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked Evvie even though I already knew.

  She pointed to the floor.

  “What are you going to do?” I asked, leaning against the wall, and crossing my arms under my chest.

  “Are you going to deny it?”

  “Why would I?” The words left my mouth before I could stop myself. God, I was an asshole.

  “I was hoping they were fake,” she whispered.

  Yeah. Same here . “Do they look fake?” I couldn’t control the words leaving me. Everything that happened with Claire, got under my skin. And the fact that Evvie didn’t trust me, pissed me off even more. Claire was getting what she wanted whether she knew it or not.

  “You don’t have to be a condescending asshole,” Evvie threw at me. “Care to explain these to me?”

  Having enough of her accusatory glances, I pushed away from the wall and headed down the hall. “I think they’re pretty self-explanatory,” I called out.

  “What the hell is your problem?” Evvie stomped after me. “Do you not care that I found these? They were addressed to me, Brett.”

  Fuck. Claire really wanted to make a statement this time.

  But I didn’t stop and went right to my office instead and sat at my computer.

  “Brett.”

  “What, Evvie?” I snapped, slapping the top of the desk. “What do you want me to say? Want me to tell you that it’s not me in those pictures?”

  “I want you to apologize,” she cried. “I want you to tell me why your stupid ex sent these in the first place.”

  “How the hell would I know?” But I did, didn’t I? My jaw clenched, my teeth grinding so hard together, a pain shot up the back of my head.

  “You’re acting like you don’t even fucking care. Oh wait.” She laughed. “You want both of us, don’t you? When you get bored with one, you go to the other, like the fucking asshole you are.”

  “Watch your tone, Evvie,” I demanded, rising to my feet.

  “Whatever. I’m out of here.” She turned on her heel and headed toward the door.

  “Do not fucking leave,” I yelled, slamming my fist down on top of the desk.

  Evvie looked at me over her shoulder before leaving the office. “Fuck you.” Just as she stepped out of the room, I was on her.

  I couldn’t control my actions when I threw her over my shoulder. This whole situation wasn’t right. It shouldn’t have happened. But because I thought with my dick, Claire wouldn’t leave me alone.

  “Put me down,” Evvie screamed, fighting against my hold.

  I carried her to my bedroom, throwing her on the bed, and kneeling between her legs.

  “Do not fucking leave me,” I growled through clenched teeth.

  She moved to the edge of the bed. “You should have thought of that before you cheated on
me.”

  “I didn’t cheat on you,” I gritted out, pushing her onto her back.

  “Then what, Brett?” she demanded. “You didn’t tell me about the pictures either.”

  “The pictures were none of your fucking business.”

  She flinched, like I had slapped her, but she shook it off in a matter of seconds. “Then tell me why she sent them.”

  “Because she’s a bitch.”

  Evvie frowned. “You don’t seem surprised that she sent them.”

  “I’m not.” I shook my head. “Once Claire gets her claws into someone, she never lets go.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me this?”

  “Because I didn’t think it would matter. I thought it was over. I told her to move on. Demanded she leave me alone. Things ended but now that she knows you’re around…”

  “So just because she doesn’t want you, no one else can have you?” Evvie scoffed and pushed out of my grip.

  In a quick move, I had her pinned beneath me. It would be the only way she would listen. Her pupils dilated, her breath coming out in short bursts of air.

  I brushed a hand down her cheek, memorizing the way her being restrained by me made her look.

  “Let go of me.” She squirmed under my touch.

  My hold on her tightened. “I love you, Evvie. You and only you. I’ve fucked up in the past. I don’t deserve you but I need you. Those pictures were taken before you. I’m not a cheater.”

  “I hate fighting with you,” she said, no longer trying to shove me away.

  “I hate when you doubt me.” I brushed my nose along her neck.

  “I don’t.”

  I lifted my head, looking down at her and raised an eyebrow.

  “Okay, fine,” she huffed. “I did, but wouldn’t you in my position?”

  “No. I trust you.”

  “You trust me? Really? One hundred percent trust me?”

  My brows narrowed, my chest tightening. “Yes.”

  Evvie pulled her hands free from my wrists and cupped my face. “Then why did you punch out my brother?”

  “Fuck.” I shoved out of her grip. “I told you it was men that I don’t trust, not you,” I snapped, sitting back on my heels.

  “If that were the case, Brett.” She leaned on her elbows. “Then you would trust that I would stop it. I keep telling you that I love you. That you have nothing to worry about.”