by Pamela Ann
“It is to me, hon. I miss waking up next to you.” She sounded so sad, I almost felt bad for breaking things with her.
But she knew the score. Why was Nikki being so clingy? I wasn’t joking when I said it was over. What’s so hard to grasp about that? “I have to go.”
“Do you not miss me at all? Not even a little bit?”
I don’t know? Honestly, I haven’t thought much about anything or anyone except for the woman who broke my heart. When I glanced at where Emma was standing, I caught her looking at me for a second before breaking the contact.
Fuck. That one look—even if it was directed with hate—made me want to marry her and keep her with me forever.
“I’ll call you back after I check the message. Bye.” I cutoff the call before Nikki had a chance to whine again.
But wait—did I just think of marriage? Fuck. Marriage after half an hour with her in the room? In-fucking-sane.
I knew I had to get out of here before I decided to do something stupid. Coming out of the room, Dimitris and Emma surprisingly trailed behind me as I went to go see Max, who was going to interview us in a short while.
“Bass! Awesome to have you back in!” The world-renowned disc jockey greeted me like an old friend as we shook hands before he did a double take behind me. “Ahhh, you must me the beautiful Emma Anderson.” Max reached out and gave her a hug before offering his hand to Dimitris. “And the hot Greek. Great to meet you, man! You guys have a massive crowd outside waiting for autographs, but we’ll do the interview first. We’ll go live in two minutes.”
He showed us where to sit. As always, Emma sat in between us. She was so close that when I got a whiff of her smell, I salivated so badly that my hands started shaking.
I released a long, drawn out breath when I saw the countdown to go live was about to hit the zero mark. Let me think of anything… anything other than Emma.
My wish was partially granted when Max directed a lot of his questions towards me and Dimitris.
That didn’t last long, though.
“Emma, let me tell you, most of the questions are from your male fans. That GQ spread was on fire. They want to know if you’re single or seeing someone? If not, what’s your type?”
She gave a husky laugh, not even blushing at the kind of compliment Max just said to her. “I’m single, going on dates here and there and I’m loving it so far. My type? Hmm… let see. I like athletic men; tall, charming, funny… something along those lines.”
“Why athletes in particular?”
“I love the thighs. It’s my weakness.”
Well, that explained why she kept Carter. I bet she was imagining him when I was with her. I couldn’t explain it, but I was getting angry. The urge to wipe that easy, flirty smile off her face and drag her out of here was suddenly more appealing to me than sitting here, boiling to a combustible point.
One thing I noticed with her, though, Emma definitely had changed. She was really flirty now. The way she laughed, played with her hair, the provocative way she walked, even the way she bit into her bottom lip—which was cute and innocent before—but now it seemed quite suggestive.
Emma wasn’t demure before, but she had that air of naiveté and being sexy at the same time.
Eight months later, this new Emma was pure sin. Gone were the innocent, shy smiles. She radiated with sex appeal. Confident with everything she did like she was in her element.
I was in awe and, at the same time, terrified of her because whether it was the old or the new Emma, she still smelled like home to me.
After eight, long months of staying away, I knew I wanted to go home.
The question was… when?
Chapter 24
“It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.’ I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.”
- Rose Kennedy
Emma
“T and T is the bomb-diggity!” I kissed Trista and gave the birthday boy, Taylor, a big, crushing hug. “Happy Birthday Tay Tay!”
“Gee, Em. It’s only seven-thirty in the evening and you’re almost drunk.” Taylor kissed my cheek before turning towards Carter, doing that whole handshake, chest-to-chest thing. “Keep an eye on her, man.”
I only had a glass or two to calm my nerves is all. What was the big deal? Seeing Bass again today did a good number on my sanity. Not only had he looked so good, but he made me want to die and float at the same time. Not to mention, that call he had with his girlfriend earlier almost made me lose my shit on the spot.
Nik.
He called her Nik. My anger skyrocketed then. It took all the will in me not to yank that phone away from his ear and kill him with it. Yeah, my thoughts were becoming deadly. Bass made me crazy, literally; physically and mentally deranged.
Hence Carter’s presence tonight as my plus one. I needed someone close to tell me to breathe and get it together before I embarrassed myself.
“I will, I don’t plan on doing anything else.” Carter pulled me close to him just as Trista started talking about how Lindsey was acting weird. Knowing our girl talk was not going to end any second, Carter excused himself to get us drinks and Trista pulled me towards the bedrooms, opening a door to let us in.
“See! I think she’s losing it.” Trista pointed at Lindsey, who was all dressed to the nines, sitting crossed-legged on the bay window, smoking what looked like weed.
“Lindsey!” I screeched, walking towards her. “I need some of that! You need to learn how to share.”
Lindsey barely glanced at me before handing the rolled-up joint over. Since I was an amateur with these things, I ended up coughing it out since the burn behind the back of my throat made me choke.
“What the hell is going on? Why?” Trista went to sit on the bed, clearly upset. “We’ve all been living together for months now, I don’t get why the sudden slippery slope?”
Lindsey ignored Trista as she explained to me how to do it properly. Per her instructions, the second hit was much better. Then I went on my third just to make sure I got it properly. Much, much better, I thought; pleased at myself.
“See, it’s easy, doll.” Lindsey smiled at me, but her eyes were sad.
“You two have lost your minds! Amber is going to be here soon. She can’t be around drugs. What the hell, guys! Why aren’t any of you listening to me?”
“Relax will you, Tris?” Lindsey looked at me, then at Trista, then back at me again. “Is he out there?” she whispered.
Trista was folding her arms across her chest, incredulous. “Who? Brody? Or Dimitris? Yes and yes, both are out there.”
That explained things. Lindsey was nervous to see Dimitris after months of not seeing him. Not to mention, Brody was in the same vicinity, the man she’s been yo-yoing for the past year.
“Damn you guys! Why did you have to invite them here? Why did you have to throw a hissy fit if I didn’t come here tonight, Trista? I don’t think I can handle this.” Lindsey shot her a hateful glare.
“Oh, come the fuck on, Lindsey! You ended things with Dimitris like forever ago. Big deal! That was last year. He’s not going to throw a damn tantrum just ‘cause you have another man after you. Brody, Carter, Cooper and a few other people are here because we grew up with them and, not to mention, Taylor is friends with them by association.” Trista huffed, getting up, frustrated at the both of us. “This is the first party I’ve ever thrown and it’s Taylor’s birthday for crying out loud. He’s done so much for me and I’m absolutely crazy about him. So, please, please, don’t screw this up. I need you guys’ support and help out there. I won’t ever forget it if you guys fuck this up.”
Trista’s guilt speech made me feel, yep, like a selfish brat. She was right; she needed us to help out even if there were caterers, waiters and waitresses out there to get things moving.
“His mother and his brother will be here soon from Paris. This will be the first time I’m meeti
ng them and I’m scared that they might not like me. Do you guys think Taylor will leave me if they don’t?”
“Trista, there’s nothing to worry about.” Lindsey smiled at her, handing her whatever’s left of the joint. “Here, it helps. Trust me. Just for tonight, we need it.”
“Fine, one puff, then we’re all out of here, kids!” Trista obliged with one puff like a pro, pulled it out then dabbed the entire thing on the side window before throwing it in the trash bin. “Now, scoot and put those pretty smiles on and cleavages out. Make sure you guys are the most charming hostesses, comprende?”
The pool was adorned with rose petals and water lilies scattered atop it along with a clear, thick glass above it, making it a dance floor. The lighting was subtle, romantic, and it perfectly went with the setting that Trista was going for.
“Emma Anderson! I’m a huge fan of the GQ photos. I’m Jacob and I go with Taylor to school. I was hoping for a picture?” A nice looking man with a charming smile intruded my thoughts.
“I’ll take the picture.” Amber came out of nowhere and offered with a mile-wide grin.
Jacob cleared his throat. “Is it possible if you could kiss my cheek? It’s my birthday next week so that could be your present for me.”
“Emma, sex kitten, go wrap those arms around him and give him a kiss he’ll never forget,” Amber goaded.
Will I ever get used to this life, someone asking for a picture or an autograph randomly? I saucily posed as Amber demanded and gave Jacob a hot kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you, Emma! I can’t wait to see you in Blasphemous.” He blushed before walking away.
Carter and Brody came over, joining us with amused expressions on their faces. “You’re becoming a staple in the locker rooms, Emma,” Brody announced like he couldn’t believe why that was happening.
Carter stiffened, looking at Brody like he was out of his mind. “Who’s locker?”
“Like I’d tell you, hot head. Where’s Lindsey? I haven’t seen her around,” Brody asked his usual question each time we were around.
He needed to man-up and demand Lindsey to take him seriously. They were having sex for crying out loud, yet she kept him at a distance.
“She’s somewhere. Do you need a refill, Brody? I can get one for you,” Amber offered, smiling at him.
“I’m good. This one’s my second and I need to slow down if I want to last for tonight.” He declined her offer with a shrug.
My eyes shot-out at a passing waiter with lemon drop shots. I hastily grabbed two and took them, one after the other without hesitation.
I needed to calm the fuck down. Bass gave me palpitations. He looked like he’d been working out more. His hot body used to make my undies wet, but now, I came in them. Yeah, his arms and chest were bigger and I wanted to feel them badly. That was until Nik called. From then on, I just wanted to murder him.
“Emma, slow down.” Carter pulled me to the side, whispering into my ear, “Want to go somewhere quiet and chill for a little bit?”
Looking from the commotion inside the house, I would bet my soul that Bass just arrived. Bass with Nikki in his arms was the last thing I needed to see. “I’d love that.”
Carter excused us from Brody and Amber as he pulled me close, directing us towards a dark corner, reaching the side of the house that led to a gazebo. The music could still be heard from here, but it was more of a background ambiance.
Even if I was extremely nervous with Bass around, I felt somewhat good now. Thanks to alcohol and Lindsey.
Carter gathered me in his arms, kissing my forehead, before he planted one on my nose, and then a soft one on my lips. “Feeling okay, baby? Anything I can help to make you less… tense?”
Without a word, I kissed him. Knowing how much Carter wanted me, he didn’t even protest as his lips practically ate me. One of his hands was on my breast and I guided it between my thighs. “Make me feel good, please.”
Yes, I thought as I moaned, eyes closed and focused on the sensations my body was feeling.
We were gone for over an hour. I came so much that my underwear was disposed of in the garbage bin. I felt bad that Carter didn’t even get a release, but he made me promise that once we got back home I was going to make him come—one way or the other.
I was glad that this was working out fine, that he was more than okay to satisfy me orally without penetration. It was a win-win without risking anything on my part.
“Emma! Where the hell have you been? We were looking all over for you,” Trista almost yelled at me when she spotted me walking towards the pool area with Carter holding my hips.
“God, Trista! Will you take a chill pill? She was obviously busy with Carter. Maybe you should get busy. A nice glow like Emma’s would do you good right about now,” Amber suggested before she popped an olive in her mouth.
Trista pulled me inside the house, away from the others, looking stressed out. “Don’t tell me you disappeared to have an orgasm while I’m freaking out in here because we’re out of ice!”
Someone cleared his throat and we both blanched when we saw Dimitris, Bass and Taylor standing nearby.
Holy shit cakes! Fuck.
Taylor came by, hugging Trista from behind. “Will you stop chiding her? It’s only a party. I love you, but you’re becoming such a terrorizer. How about we get you a drink to calm you down? Or do we need to go for more drastic measures here?”
Trista gave a shaky nod. “Both, I think I need both. A good drink and a good monster.”
He merely laughed before kissing her cheek. “Let’s get you attended to then.” Taylor and Trista disappeared quickly, while I stared after them, feeling a little off.
They were in love and I couldn’t be any more glad that Trista had a man like Taylor to love her.
I was jealous, though, because I had a man once who had treated me like that. One who was staring holes at me. Without even glancing his way, I knew he was about to crack.
My sex life wasn’t his business. He made it plainly simple so what’s with the angry stares then?
Biting my lip, I suddenly didn’t feel too well. The inkling to cry was so strong, I had to bite the insides of my mouth until I tasted blood, just to stop me from shedding a tear.
“Emma?”
Dimitris.
“I’m fine,” I called out without giving the men a glance before I almost ran out of there. When I finally spotted Carter, it only took one look to know that I was about to lose my shit.
“Let’s go.” He pulled me against him, grateful for his strength as he weaved us out of there.
Chapter 25
“I could not tell you if I loved you the first moment I saw you, or if it was the second or third or fourth. But I remember the first moment I looked at you walking toward me and realized that somehow the rest of the world seemed to vanish when I was with you.”
- Cassandra Clare
Bass
“Looks like that was the man who gave her orgasms,” Dimitris murmured as we both watched Emma and Carter leave. He had his hand on her hip, possessively, letting everyone know that she was clearly taken.
The raging inferno in my body was getting out of hand. Each time Emma was around, I become undone, but seeing her with the guy who broke us apart made me want to wring her neck.
I wondered what kind of a relationship they had since it was just this morning that Emma said she was single. However, the way those two looked, it was obvious they were together. An open relationship, maybe?
“You’re in love with her, but now, you’re just loving her from afar. Is that what you want?” the Greek was speaking his opinions out loud.
I usually didn’t mind it, but right now, it really was a sore subject to dwell on.
“I don’t know,” I replied curtly.
“You don’t know if you’re in love or if you want her back?”
He kept on reminding me of the shitstorm Emma left me with. “I don’t know, Kosta. Maybe you should speak to your estranged wif
e who’s wrapped in someone’s arms on the dance floor, maybe that could help enlighten me somehow.”
Dimitris spat out a string of Greek before he emptied his glass and strode out, looking like he was about to explode.
This night was a disaster, I thought, getting up and leaving Taylor’s house. The party was great, but seeing Emma with Carter fucked with me. Since Taylor was already occupied with Trista in his room, it was safe to leave.
I ducked when I saw Taylor’s brother and mother coming out of a hired car. His mother, Eloise, was old friends with my folks. Anything that directly related to them, I avoided like a plague.
On my way home, I ran through three red lights, past caring if the cops were around or not.
Now, I was out on the patio as I stared into the night. My thoughts played out Emma and Carter fucking their brains out.
Sleep, I did not.
B
“Alriiight. Ready? Those fit you superbly!” The stylist skimmed through my form, fixing whatever she thought needed it.
I was about to thank her when out of nowhere my spine started to feel funny and the arms on my hair stood out. My hands immediately rubbed my arms, soothing the hair back down.
The reason behind this sudden electrifying attention just stepped into my orbit. There was only one person in this world who my body saluted its attention to like it was being summoned by its mate. It was a perfervid feeling in its primal form.
It seems, that Emma was here somewhere.
And she was. The golden goddess strode out after a minute looking foxy. Dressed in a fitted scarlet dress, lipstick and heels. “Bass,” she said, barely glancing my way as she continued walking towards the shoot area, ready to pounce on the camera.
Five minutes in the shoot, I sure was ready to pounce on delectable treat that was enticing me to take a sample.
“Hold on, guys,” the photographer directed us before he turned his attention to someone from the back. “Get me more lighting here!” I could hear him bark out orders while the two of us quietly kept still.
