Scornfully Yours (Torn Series) (11 page)

     “I love you more baby!” I kissed her cheek. To which she replied a ‘yeah, yeah’ with a cute pout.

     The dress was simple, elegant and it was sexy. More importantly
, it was perfect!
I thought as I studied my reflection. It was a body-hugging nude lace short dress with short sleeves. I love that it gave me a good amount of cleavage but not too much. The back was exposed but not too blatant to be vulgar either.

     “Okay, okay. Let’s get your make-up started. You want to go for a smoky sex-bomb, absolute goddess or delicate ethereal look?” Lindsey asked as I sat and browsed through the make-up selection before me.

     “Absolute goddess, definitely!”

     After twenty minutes of priming and brushing, she was done. She used a lot of gold and bronze creamy hues. It made my eyes look divine and quite stunning. My cheeks were bronzed and highlighted to perfection. She teased my hair and put some mousse and other hair styling products making it look playful and sexy.

     I went back to my closet and took out my three and a half inch rose-gold metallic pumps and slid them on.  “How do I look?” I asked as I moved sideways to give her a good view.

     “You look, like scorching hot, doll! Bass will fall at your feet and worship you until he’s out of breath!” How she exaggerates but I basked in it all the same!

     “That’s pushing our luck, don’t you think?” My phone started shrilling and I didn’t even need to check it to know who it was—Bass was calling me to let me know that he was right outside.

     “Shit—I haven’t even gathered my purse and stuff!” I freaked, scouring for the needed items.

     “Let me go downstairs and get him.” Linds was halfway out the door already and didn’t even wait for me to respond.

     Thank God for my awesome friend!

     Once I got everything in my puny clutch purse, I heard Bass and Lindsey’s voice enter the apartment. I gave myself another once over just to make sure my eyeliner didn’t smudge or my mascara started to flake. Nope, I’m all set!

     I was a nervous wreck when I strode out of my bedroom and into the living room. Bass was talking to Lindsey when he gave me a double take.

     Blue azure eyes glittered. My heart sped up at his slow, heated admiring gaze.

     Bass Cole looked totally delicious dressed in all black.

     “Hey, Bass! Ready to go?” I asked and looked up when the apartment door swung open–the dynamic duo. Brody strolled in and Carter was behind him. Fucking shit, what luck!

    “
What are you two doing here?
” Lindsey asked in annoyance.

     Brody saw me and his gaze landed on Bass. “We, uh—thought you guys would like to go and get something to eat.” Poor Brody, he looked perplexed.

     Carter looked like he was about to blow-up any minute now. I could seriously hear him grinding his teeth together.

      Calm it down, caveman! I wanted to yell at him.

     “Didn’t you guys have soccer practice?” Lindsey asked again, eyeing both men in question.

     “It was cancelled Linds.” Carter’s deadly voice noted.

     No one bothered with introductions because the atmosphere in the apartment was so strained and tense.

     Bass leaned next to me and held my hips, a tad possessively. “Let’s go?” Carter simply growled like raging bear. His fists were clenching and unclenching at his sides.

     I could feel Carter’s hatred. It was there and for a second I was torn and immediately scolded myself to snap out of my funk.

    
As much as I loved him, it wasn’t enough.

     Being with him wasn’t enough anymore.

     I want what he can’t give me.
I reminded myself.

     “Let’s go.” I nodded in agreement. Turning towards Lindsey, I spoke. “Linds, thanks for the help and everything. I’ll call you later.” I gave her a quick hug before Bass and I exited the place.

      Brody was silent, observant. Carter was brooding with contempt. As much as it bothered me that he was pissed off as hell, there was nothing I could do about it.

      I tried to push the thoughts away as Bass led me towards his parked car.

     To be honest, I was actually surprised that Carter held himself back. I expected him to go ape-shit about me going out with Bass. But thank goodness, he held back.

     Seated and buckled, Bass turned to me before he started the engine. “That was your ex, wasn’t it?” Always forward, isn’t he?

     “Sorry—I didn’t know they were coming over. I feel really bad…” What happened at our place was something I didn’t anticipate. I was not prepared for it. I was not prepared for Carter to see me with someone else–well not for them to meet face to face.

     It was a whole different level, way too personal for my liking—and awkward to boot!

     Bass just shrugged.

     “No worries. I would’ve acted the same way if I saw my ex—who I’m still hung up on—looking so sinfully beautiful.” He cocked his head and gave me a breathtaking smile.

     A smile that made me forget—even for just a moment.

     He thinks I’m sinfully beautiful? Gah, melt me even further, why don’t you?

     Bass gave a quick tight squeeze on my left thigh then started the engine and joined the traffic.

     Even though he took his hand away from my thigh a few minutes ago, I could still feel it on me. Butterflies fluttered about in my stomach.

     During the ride, his cellphone was ringing like it was possessed. It was non-stop! His agent, his publicist, his friends and the list went on and on. Everyone seemed to want a piece of him and he complied with patience.

     When my phone vibrated, I fished it out of my purse, a little relieved for something to do.

     Carter Mason: You just broke me apart, Em. It took all my strength not to yank you away from him and keep you for myself. But what good would that do? You don’t want me. I guess I have to accept that, huh? I get it. The message is loud and clear. That’s why you’re going to understand that I won’t wait for you anymore. I guess good things always slip away. You were special to me, Emma.

    
I was special to him? What?
Since when?

     Was he just going to say anything so that I would comeback as his exclusive bootie call?

    So. Not. Cool.

     I was lost in my own thoughts when Bass spoke again. I suppose he just finished his call too. “There. I turned the damn thing off. My phone’s not going to kill our enjoyment tonight.” He declared. 

      “You don’t have to do that for my benefit. What if you miss an important call?” I looked at him perplexed at his idea.

     He grabbed my hand and held it. The gesture was sweet and I indulged in his warmth.

    “What could be more important that would deter my time with you?” He cocked his head back in question, decided and sure of himself.

     A whole lot of shit, I wanted to add but didn’t want to ruin the mood.

     “If you’re sure…” I trailed off.

     “Never been so sure of anything in my life,” Bass exclaimed, letting his words hang in the air.

     We both knew he wasn’t talking about his phone being turned off for the rest of the night.

      I remained silent not knowing what to say.

      For I do not know how to respond to a man who is far too handsome and rather determined to have a piece of me.

     A piece that was already taken by
another man
.

     Bass has been keeping his distance as he promised. But the things he does, like the way he holds my hand, how he looks at me with adoration, and how he hugs me in a way that makes me feel cherished—are drawing me closer to him.

     If this was his way of breaking my barriers—then he’s doing a fantastic job.

“My love for you is like an alarm clock, you can hear me but you chose to ignore me until you throw me. Don’t worry, maybe I am broken but surely keep ringing until you pick me up again.”

-
Yvonne Urlanda

Carter Mason

     “Yo, bro, you cool?” Brody asked as I stared at the door—contemplating if I should yank it open and grab Emma back inside and away from that stupid Hollywood guy. He had his arm wrapped around Emma—
my Emma
—like she was
his
already!

      The poison that’s tearing me inside was toxic and I’m being enslaved by its burning pain and I had no clue how to stop it.

     My Emma, she was out with
him
again.  Without thinking, I shot her a text message. After I was done, I reverted back staring at the door. What was she doing right now? Where were they going tonight?

     “Carter, hey!” Lindsey shook my arm. I blinked twice and ordered myself to snap out of the trance I was in.

     “I’m good. You guys want to bounce and get some grub?” I asked my sister and Brody as they both looked at me differently. Worried would be the right word—but they shouldn’t be.

     It’s only pussy right? This shit won’t get me down.

     I have said my piece and begged twice for Emma to consider us again. But tonight she made her point, her choice. I’m not going to waste my time pining for someone who was fucking explosive in bed.

     There are dozens of women out there. Emma’s just one of many.

     Are you sure about that? Then why have you declined all the pussy platters that are offered to you like a goddamn buffet, ey?

     Okay, cool, Emma was special, I conceded. So special, in fact, that I haven’t been tempted to stray for three months straight. That’s a fucking record for me.

     “I’m staying home. I’m not that hungry.” Lindsey replied.

     “Lindsey! Come on, join us?” Brody begged my sister.

     It was obvious that Brody liked her but Lindsey was keeping her distance. God knows what the fuck’s going on with these two. If it were any other guy, I would be worried, but it’s Brody, my childhood best friend and one of the people I know who are decent around here. I wouldn’t mind him asking my sister out as long as he treated her well and not fuck up because if he does, I’m the one who he’ll answer to. That is my baby sister, after all.

     “No, I said I don’t feel like going out, okay?” Lindsey snapped.

     “Feel like going through In n’ Out and then straight to Amanda’s party?” I asked Brody, but he was too engrossed in staring at my sister to hear me.

     Fuck, enough!

     “I’m going to bounce. You two figure shit out,” I said as I closed the door shut.

    
Fuck it all!
I’m going straight to party.

     Amanda Johnson was having a party in her parent’s mansion in Carpinteria that overlooked the ocean. It didn’t take me that long to get there and once I was inside, I felt a bit better. The party was in a wild party mode—just my kind of style.

     “Yo, bro! You going to try out for basketball since soccer season is over?” Dwayne Russo asked as he tapped my shoulder and shoved a Corona in my hand.

     I downed the drink in one go and had a few more along with a few shots of vodka. I needed to consume as much as I could to make myself numb to get through the night.

     I wanted to forget everything and not feel shit.

     I love basketball, but my heart lies with soccer. But I just might go for basketball since I need to have some kind of distraction, it seems. “We’ll see, dude. What’s been going on?” I looked around the
vast lawn that sprawled towards the shore. People were milling about laughing and drunk as fuck.

     “Heads up though, Amanda’s been asking everyone if you were here. I guess you can easily say she wants to be your next candidate. You’re such a lucky bastard, man!” He laughed and decided to mingle towards a giggly blonde trio who were licking salt off each other’s breasts, setting up for a shot.

     “Carter my man, my man!” Cooper, obviously drunk, slurred his words. Where the hell has he been? He’s been gone most days now. He and Brody seemed to have gotten into some nasty fight because they aren’t talking.

     I’ll have to address that soon, I mentally made a checklist.

     “You think it’s time to slow down the booze?” I asked with concern. I’ve never seen Cooper like this.

     Cooper decided to ignore my question. “Where the fuck is Brody man?” His eyes squinted as he looked around for him.

     I shrugged. “He’s back at Lindsey’s dorm.”

     “Son of a bitch!” He cursed as he stomped away. I immediately followed him inside the house, but only got halfway.

     “There you are! I’ve been waiting all night for you.” Amanda snagged me aside and led me towards a quiet sitting room—away from the buzz of the crowd–then pushed me on an Edwardian couch. Amanda’s been trying to get me for the last three months. She would’ve been successful if I hadn’t met Emma first.