by Pamela Ann
I called out to him before he managed to grab the door handle, “You better be on your best behavior, Carter Mason, because the minute you touch another woman, you’ll be dead to me.”
“Never, my love.” Carter blew me a kiss and swiftly closed the door behind him.
Sighing, I plopped down on the bed. My phone weighed heavily in my hand.
I glanced at it like I had never seen a cell phone in my life. Curious, I unlocked it. Sure enough, the battery was low. I had two missed calls from my mom and seven missed calls from Bass. When I opened my messages, Mom sent me one and Bass sent me five.
Mom: Honey, we haven’t heard from you in a while. I called because I wanted to tell you Aunt Gemma and little Joey are here and we’d love it if you could come by. Please call us. We miss you!
Scrolling towards the first message Bass sent me, I quickly opened it. It was his reply to my last text message.
Bass Cole: I know that my life is my own, but if you did ask it of me, then I would be more than happy. I’m leaving for Canada soon and I can’t help thinking about you and what happens next. I know it’s too early for you to even think about being in another relationship, but that’s what I want with you… I just want you to know... need you to know that I’m serious about us. When you’re ready, I want to be with you, Emma.
Oh, Lordy. Ugh! Now I was totally confused! That, of course, didn’t stop me from reading the rest of his texts.
Bass Cole: Was that too much at one time? I’ve waited for your response for over an hour now. Emma?
I didn’t have my phone, but even if I did, would I have replied to that heavy loaded text message? Maybe…
Bass Cole: Sorry, Em. I guess that was the wrong thing for me to say. It was inconsiderate even. I merely wanted assurance that you somehow… somewhat… feel the same.
How spot on because I did feel a connection. I had never been in tune with any guy until Bass came along.
Bass Cole: Emma? I suppose your silence is answer enough. That’s all right. I’m not angry, so don’t worry. I won’t mention it again.
The message was sent this morning. Did I want to call him and apologize? Explain how Carter took my phone? If I did, was I ready to answer Bass’s questions? Or better yet, was I ready to tell him about Carter?
Bass Cole: Martin called your phone, but it went straight to voicemail. I’m just letting you know that he made a reservation for six-thirty Monday night at Melisse.
Business manner, cut straight to the point with no hi or hello. What did I really expect after not replying to any of the text messages he sent?
Me: Thank you. Tell Martin I will be there.
I stared at my phone for a good twenty minutes, waiting for his reply, but it didn’t come.
Exhausted, emotionally and physically, I dragged my body towards the bathroom to shower. When I was done, I checked my phone again, but there was still no response.
I should have felt like I was floating on cloud nine because Carter and I were back together, but I wasn’t. My heart weighed heavily in my chest.
Carter woke me up when he noisily came back to the room, drunk as hell. He stripped to his naked glory and slid into bed. Pulling me close to him, he whispered, half asleep, “I love you.”
I blinked a few times, feeling a little guilty that my thoughts had been consumed by Bass the entire time he was downstairs.
Depleted, I willed myself to go back to sleep and tried to erase the image of Bass Cole’s hypnotizing blue eyes from my mind. I tried, but didn’t succeed. They were haunting me.
“Friends will keep you sane, Love could fill your heart, A lover can warm your bed, But lonely is the soul without a mate.”
~David Pratt
Chapter Twenty-One
It was Monday afternoon and I was on my way to meet up with Trista and Lindsey at the café. When they learned I was back with Carter, they didn’t look too happy. I guess it would take time for them to get over Bass Cole, too. They all adored him.
They were both already seated with their drinks when I finally walked in. I sat at the table and saw that they had already ordered my coffee. “You guys are the best!”
“We know!”
Sipping the still hot coffee, I savored the first taste of my caffeine fix for the day. I ran late to school again because Carter wouldn’t let me out of the damn bed.
“Things are great between you and Carter?” Trista asked cautiously.
“Yeah, they are. Why?”
“Are you going to tell Bass?” Lindsey pressed on.
“Yes, I actually plan to… tonight.” Trista and Lindsey both just sighed.
Okay... “What? Just spit it out.”
Lindsey spoke first, “We get that you just got back with my brother, but are you sure you want to let go of Bass? I mean, Emma, ding dong. You like Bass! Why don’t you sit tight for a second and really think it through before you give him the axe? Bass really likes you and, to be honest, I think he deserves you way more than my brother.”
Ding dong? I had thought it through, hadn’t I?
“Lindsey has a point, doll. I know my love life is hopeless at this point, but yours… you could still salvage it, you know?”
“I have thought it through, so please stop.” Lies. The only thought that had been occupying my mind were those spellbinding azure eyes. I turned to Trista. “You’re not going to keep this affair going, are you? Not only are you hurting yourself, but your cousin, too.”
Trista instantly looked sad all of a sudden. “I know, but have you ever felt that strong pull towards someone without explanation? Like having them around makes you feel complete? I read about this twin souls crap online. They’re soul mates, but so much more. When you meet your twin soul, you feel an intense love for them, but conclude that it’s just lust. It said that you could try to move on, but it would be impossible. No matter how hard you try to fight your feelings, you would always be a part of them.”
“That being said, I felt that intense, powerful love when I met Harry. I tried to forget about him and as soon as I thought I had, we would run into each other and all those intense feelings would come rushing back. For two years we fought this magnetic pull towards each other. It was difficult—it physically hurt to be apart from him. One night, when everyone decided to go to bed early during a family get together, it happened—we happened. Harry says he wants to leave my cousin, Becka, but I told him not to. I haven’t thought that far ahead yet and I’m not too sure if I’m ready for my entire family to disown me.”What. A. Conundrum.
I supposed no matter how much you twisted it around, someone was going to end up hurt. However, in this case, Trista was hurting her family. She was not just hurting a person, but she was hurting people; people that were dear to her. I felt sorry for her. I’d hate to be in her shoes.
“I hope Harry is worth it, Tris. I’ll skin him alive if he’s playing you for a fool,” Lindsey finally spoke up.
“Make sure he’s worth it because if he isn’t, maybe it’s time to move on,” I added as I looked at her saddened face.
I turned to Lindsey. “How’s Amber doing?”
After her hermit-like hiding in Lake Tahoe, I spoke to her briefly before we all rode back to school yesterday morning. She said she was tired and that she didn’t feel like talking. I gave her a quick hug and let her be.
“She dropped out today and left for New York to be with her grandmother. She didn’t even say goodbye in person. All I got was a freaking text message.” Trista looked even more upset now. Lindsey and I confirmed that we got the same message.
“Will her grandmother help her?” Amber needed to heal and deal with her drug habit.
“I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I really hope so because I don’t know what I’d do if she overdoses. She’s stubborn and doesn’t like to be told what to do. It’s hard to help someone when they don’t want to help themselves.”
I was going to ask Lindsey about the men in her life when I got interrupted.
“Here you are!” Carter surprised me as he gave me a big smacking kiss on the lips. “Hey, Tris and baby sis.”
“Hey, yourself. What are you doing here? I thought you had class?” I asked as he sat on my retro chic armrest.
“I do and I’m about to head out soon. I just wanted to drop by and say hi. How about I take you ladies out tonight for dinner?”
All three of us exchanged glances. They knew I was going to see Bass tonight, so they remained mum.
“Baby, about that… I’m actually going to go meet Bass tonight. This was planned a week ago.” Sort of…
Carter immediately tensed. “Do you really need to go see him? I don’t think it’s necessary, Em. He can go fuck himself.”
“Ugh, you’re such a tool, Carter. You didn’t like it when Emma was making your life a living hell, right? So back off! You just got her back; don’t make her change her mind now.” Catty, weren’t we? Lindsey didn’t want me back with Carter—that was obvious. I knew she loved him, but I wasn’t sure why she didn’t want us together.
“Just back-up a second there, Linds.” Carter turned to me and spoke, “If this is what you need to do, then I trust you, okay? I have to run to class. I love you.”
“I love you.”
With a quick kiss, he darted off to his class.
“That was harsh, Lindsey!” Trista chided. Lindsey just shrugged and leaned back.
“I just don’t know. I don’t want him to hurt Emma again. Look, there’s this guy who is super sex on legs that treats her so well and she’s trading that to be with Carter? I don’t know. I just don’t want you to have any regrets, Em. That’s all.”
“Lindsey has a point, Emma, but if Carter is the one that really makes you happy, then we will fully support you.”
“Thank you.”
The thought of seeing Bass again made my stomach churn. So much had happened since I last saw him five days ago. Tonight, I had to be brave when I faced him. I would have to keep myself composed, no matter how Bass treated me. I supposed I’d get to see how good of an actress I could be.
It was time to put my big girl panties on and act like one.
~E~
I dressed with the utmost consideration. I chose a silver and black sequined, silk tunic, loose dress that stopped at mid-thigh and had a low curved back. I left my hair loose and amped up my make-up. I went for the smoky eye look and accentuated the top part of my cheeks and the curve of my eyebrows with a slight white shimmer mousse cream. I applied my candy pink lipstick and finished it off with a swipe of tinted peach gloss and then blended them together.
It was already twenty to six and I would be extremely late if I didn’t leave right away.
Frantic, I gathered my silver clutch as I slipped into my silver cut-out bootie shoes in haste. “I’m leaving!” I called out to Lindsey, splashing a spray of my perfume before dashing out the door. I slipped inside my G-Class white on black Mercedes and headed to the restaurant, getting a call from my mom as soon as I got on the road.
“Sweetie, how are you?” Mom’s voice came through the car’s speakers. I sighed once I saw the traffic jam that awaited me. Crapper.
“I’m well, Mom. I was hoping to speak to you guys tomorrow or the day after? It’s about something important.”
“That sounds serious. What is it about?” Mom sounded worried.
“It sorta is—well it’s about my future… I think I’ve finally found my niche,” I went on, giving her a clue.
“Hmm… why do I feel like this is going to give me a cardiac arrest?” Mom sounded suspicious. “Your dad and I are both off tomorrow since Aunt Gemma and baby Joey are visiting.”
A car honked behind me and I rolled my eyes. Geez, what’s the hurry? Everyone is bumper to bumper. No one is going anywhere so there’s no need for the damn honking! I fumed.
Cali drivers… they’re fucking insane!
“You shouldn’t be talking and driving at the same time, young lady!” My mother scolded me for the thousandth time.
“One word—Bluetooth.”
“I’m getting off the phone now so you can focus. We’ll see you tomorrow. Love you, kiddo.”
“Love you, too, Mommy Dearest,” I said as a joke.
Finally, at six-forty, I was outside of the French restaurant, Melisse, on Wilshire Boulevard. I was ten minutes late and I was so nervous I felt like I was about to piss my undies. I took three calming breaths before I got out of the car and handed my keys to the valet.
Once inside, I was greeted by a slim, pretty brunette. “Good evening, I’m Alyssa. Do you have a reservation?”
“I’m with the Lombardo party,” I said and noticed how her eyes snapped open.
“With Bass Cole? He just got here.” She started to become chatty as she eyed me with interest.
“Okay. Um, can you direct me to where the table is located?” I pointed towards the dining room.
She immediately stood ram-rod straight and stepped out to show me to my table. “Certainly, sorry. It’s just that I am a huge fan of Bass. I heard he’s going to make a risqué Lombardo film. Is that true? I can’t wait to see him on the big screen. He oozes raw sexuality, don’t you agree?” Alyssa smiled as she sashayed about.
“I suppose,” I muttered. It wasn’t that I didn’t feel like talking, it was the fact that she was talking about Bass and I didn’t want to talk about him.
Martin and Bass were already seated in a darkened corner, talking in hushed voices. Martin stood up as I neared the table and Bass… well… he barely glanced my way.
“Here you are. Is everything to your liking, Mr. Lombardo?” Alyssa asked in a saccharine tone.
“Perfect, thank you.” Martin dismissed her in a polished manner as he came over and gave me a quick peck on the cheek and pulled out my chair.
“Good evening, Martin, Bass.”
“Emma,” Bass greeted me through gritted teeth. I hated that he was treating me with cold indifference. It made me feel like shit.
Sensing the tension, Martin stepped in. “Still looking beautiful as ever, Emma, how are you? How was Tahoe?” Martin inquired as he poured me a glass of Shiraz.
“I had a great time. I’m glad to be home though.”
I looked at Bass, but he was busy on his phone, completely ignoring me as he sipped on his wine.
The waiter came and took our orders and Martin waited a minute or two before speaking again. “Thanks for taking on the role as Angela on such short notice, Emma. I must say that I am quite anxious to start filming this movie. The studio had a lot of reservations about it in the beginning once the script was done, but that didn’t deter me. You and Bass will make it happen for me. I can’t wait to see it on the big screen.”
Wow, pressure much? “Thank you. It’s not like I could decline it. It’s a great opportunity for me and thank you for offering it. You don’t know how awesome this is.” I cleared my throat before I continued, “You know, just in case I totally suck, you can take the money back. I’m not doing this for the money. I’m doing this because I really love to act and I want to see if this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
That caught Bass’s attention. He and Martin roared with laughter.
“Oh, Emma Anderson, you are a gem. Where have you been hiding all this time? I like your personality. You’re going to be great, so your money back guarantee assurance is of no need, my dear.” Martin shook his head in wonderment.
Yes, the money was great. Come on, it was one million dollars, but in all honesty, I was really doing this for myself. There was no other reason behind it.
“So what were you up to this weekend, Emma?” Bass finally diverted his attention to me as he slipped his phone inside his pocket. His azure eyes were drawing me in, looking very decadent and sinful.
I licked my lips. “I… uh, partied and spent a lot of time catching up with my friends.”
Martin excused himself to take a phone call. Bass waited until Martin was out of earshot before he spok
e again. “And Carter? You’re back with him, aren’t you?”
Shit. How does he do that? He seemed to just know.
“Yes, we did get back together.” I braved it out and took a quick glance at him. Sigh, why did he have to be so… everything?
Bass was playing with his fork, making circles with it as he stared at it. “It was going to happen eventually. It was a given when you decided to join them. A part of me hoped you didn’t though.” Bass lifted his eyes. They burned holes in me. Ah, fuck.
We stared at each other and I took in his face. How did he get such perfect skin? Was he a fan of facials? Fuck, and those lips… I dreamt of those lips. Why was he so stingy with his kisses? I still didn’t get it. It was like the more he hesitated, the more I craved them. But it was just as well; I was with Carter now.
“Bass, are you angry with me?” He gave me a sad smile before he shook his handsome head. His dirty blond hair stuck out in all sorts of directions—bed head—but he sported it perfectly. In fact, it made him look sexier.
“What should I be angry about, Em? That you’re in love with Carter? No, I am not angry. I’m not an idiot.” Bass huffed out a sigh. “As long as you’re happy, nothing else matters.”
“Bass! Fancy seeing you here! I’ve missed you. Do you want to come over again tonight? I’m free and available for you,” A stunning woman interrupted us and gave Bass a long lingering kiss on the lips.
No. Shit. This woman had the privilege to kiss him? I eyed her with a covetous stare.
When the blonde woman came up for air, Bass spoke, “Lydia, this is Emma Anderson. She and I will be co-starring in Blasphemous.”
When Lydia finally turned to me, I was rendered speechless. Hell, she looked like a pretty angel. She was tall and lithe with clear blue eyes. Wait—Lydia? As in Lydia Cornwell? Ha! She really was an angel… a Victoria’s Secret angel.
“Hello, Lydia. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Same to you, Emma.” She gave me a beautiful smile before looking back at Bass. “Call me tonight? I’ve got to go. My agent is here with me. I will see you tomorrow. I can’t wait for Canada!”
