Amazed (Tempted Book 3)

by Heather Doltrice

  “Do we have everything? I have a feeling that we’re forgetting something,” Holland said, coming close to having a nervous breakdown.

  “Chill out. We’ve got everything,” Emma said, trying to calm Holland down and she was failing miserably might I add.

  “I can’t chill out. This is the first time I’m going to meet Luca’s friends,” she said,

  Holland didn’t have a future career in party planning because she couldn’t take any kind of pressure.

  Laughing, I caused every one of them to turn their heads and focus on me.

  “Did you do the nasty?” Maddie asked, raising her eyebrows and planting a hand on her hip.

  “What?”

  “You know, did you and your ex-boyfriend bump uglies?”

  “No, why would you even think that?”

  “I heard moaning and your cheeks are the color of ketchup,” she said, picking up a bag of party supplies and taking it to the door.

  “Leave her alone, Maddie. Grab whatever you need to get ready for the party and meet us at the car,” Emma said, picking up the remaining bags.

  “Who’s car?” I questioned.

  “Luca’s Escalade,” Maddie said, wiggling her eyebrows up and down.

  “He’s letting you drive the Escalade?” I asked Holland.

  Nodding, she took deep breaths trying to calm herself down and walked out the door. Running into my room, I grabbed the outfit had previously picked out and everything else I needed and tossed it in my bag.

  On my way out my messed up bed caught eye and it took me back to Ethan with his fingers inside of me, making me want more than what he was giving. Shaking my head, I thought of ways to get him back. I wanted to feel how I felt on that bed when he left, so I unpacked my outfit and went back to my closet to get the tightest dress I own and my highest heels. Putting them in my bag, I ran out of the apartment and walked to the car.

  “I thought I was going to have to come up there and drag you out myself,” Holland said, motioning for me to get in the car.

  “She needs to get super wasted tonight,” Maddie said, rolling her eyes and pointing to Holland.

  Throwing my bag in the back, I got in and took the vacant seat next to Emma. Putting on my seatbelt, I heard Holland crank up the radio and then she pulled out of the parking lot.

  “What’s up with you and Ethan?” Emma said, looking at me with a faint hint of a smile on her face.

  Great, I so didn’t want to have this conversation.

  I wasn’t quite sure how to answer that.

  “I actually have no idea,” I answered honestly.

  “What do you mean you have no idea? How is that even possible?” she asked, looking way beyond confused.

  “I don’t know what we are. We agreed to take it slow but now he doesn’t want to.”

  “You’re being kind of vague,” she said, looking at me skeptically.

  “I literally am as confused about everything as you are,” I informed her, shaking my head.

  She smiled at me and turning her head to look out the window. She didn’t have anything else to say about the hot mess that was my relationship with Ethan but I couldn’t really blame her. I didn’t know what to say either.

  After getting every set up just how Holland wanted it and her having a few more anxiety attacks, we all went upstairs to get ready. Make up was flying everywhere and so much hairspray had been sprayed we all needed gas masks to breath.

  “I feel like I’m at a rave,” Maddie said, coughing.

  She waved her hands in front of her face trying to clear the air so she could breathe.

  “Please explain to me how,” I said, giggling.

  “We’re surrounded by this toxic fog, there’s a shit load of eyeliner, music is pounding through the speakers, and we’re all dressed like hookers. See? It’s pretty similar to a rave,” she answered, applying her lipstick, “All we lack is strobe lights.”

  “Do we need strobe lights?” Holland asked with a dead serious expression on her face.

  “No calm down,” Emma said, patting her on the back.

  Ethan was about to get a taste of his own medicine. I was bringing out the big guns and they were aimed right at him. He thought he could play games with me this morning? I was about to show him that two could play that game.

  Looking in the mirror, I took in my appearance. My slinky black dress hugged my every curve and my black strappy heels made my legs look killer. My smoky eye and nude lip screamed vixen and my voluminous hair completed the look.

  Ethan was going to be eating out of the palm of my hand and I couldn’t wait.

  Chapter 24

  The lake house was overflowing with people but I found myself focusing on one in particular. Ethan was staring at me from across the room, daring me with his eyes to come closer. He wanted to have his way with me again, he wanted to get in my head but it was me that was going to be stuck in his head. He just didn’t know it yet.

  “Let’s play, Ethan,” I said so low that I almost didn’t hear it myself.

  I had plans for him and I intended on making every one of them happen.

  He hadn’t peeled his eyes off of my legs from the moment he walked in. His reaction was just what I hoped for. He was practically salivating from the mouth. Seeing him start to walk over to me, I done an inner happy dance.

  “Hey, Baby, you look great,” Ethan said, leaning in for a kiss.

  Everyone knew we were back together officially except us. We agreed to take things slowly and neither of us had seen anyone else. Our every waking moment was spend together, so we should have just stopped acting like middle schoolers and stopped playing games but we didn’t.

  “Thanks,” I said, running my nails against his neck.

  Hearing him clear his throat, I knew how I was affecting him. He thought he was in control but he had another thing coming. I was running the show now

  “Do you want to go upstairs?” he whispered in my ear.

  Oh, I wanted too but I also wanted to watch him suffer a bit.

  “Maybe later,” I whispered sensually, turning to walk away.

  Making sure to shake my ass in the process, I walked until I found Holland, Emma, and Maddie. They were sitting in the corner watching us like we were a movie.

  “What’s going on with you two?” Emma asked, smiling knowingly.

  Choosing not to answer her, I just shrugged.

  “I could feel the heat all the way over here,” Maddie said, fanning herself.

  Rolling my eyes, I turned my attention to Holland and saw that she seemed upset. This was her boyfriend’s birthday party, why wasn’t she having a good time?

  “Hey, why the long face?” I asked, nudging her.

  “He’s avoiding me,” she said and I swear I saw tears welling up in her eyes.

  “What would make you think that? He’s not avoiding you,” I said, trying to reassure her.

  “He is, Gracie. I walk in a room, he walks out. I try to talk to him and he makes an excuse to leave. Maybe I should go home,” she said, pushing herself up from her chair.

  “No, Holland, you’re probably just imagining it,” I said, turning to walk away.

  “Where are you going?” Holland asked.

  “To have a talk with Luca,” I called over my shoulder, scanning the room for him.

  I walked away before she could tell me no to tear Luca a new one. What was his deal?

  Finally, I spotted him chatting up his friends and throwing back shots like he didn’t have a care in the world.

  “Hey, Luca, can I have a minute?” I asked as sugary sweet as I possibly could.

  “Um, yeah. See you guys in a little bit,” he said, excusing himself and leading me out of the door into the backyard.

  We walked until we reached the lounge chairs by the lake.

  “So, what’s up?” he asked, looking kind of irritated.

  “What’s your problem?” I asked equally irritated.

  “What are you getting at her
e? This is the first time I’ve talked to you tonight, so how could you possibly be pissed at me?”

  “Why are you avoiding Holland?”

  “I’m not,” he said but I could see the guilt in his eyes.

  He was hurting her on purpose, I just didn’t know why.

  “Luca, you can’t bullshit with me. What’s going on?”

  He paused and let out a deep breath.

  “It’s just not working. I didn’t want to tell her while the party was going on and ruin it for her, I was going to wait until everyone left.”

  “You don’t want to break up with her, Luca. You love her, I can see it every time you look at her,” I said, trying to talk some sense in his thick skull.

  “Don’t tell me how to feel, Grace. I don’t want her and I don’t love her. I don’t love anyone,” he said, yelling and running his fingers through his hair.

  Opening my mouth to tell him how big of an idiot he was, I heard someone sobbing behind me. Turning, I saw Holland hit her knees. Running over, I helped her up and wiped her eyes.

  “I hate you,” she screamed, pointing at Luca, “You’re just like him.”

  I knew just who “Him” was. Trent. And she was right he was the same. Maybe he didn’t hit her like Trent did but he was emotionally hurting her. I mean he really had her believing he loved her and he had me believing it as well. He was a fake person and I should have knew what he was going to do.

  A leopard doesn’t change its spots and an asshole doesn’t change his ways.

  I saw a flash of regret in eyes but as quick as it came it was gone. He was a heartless bastard and as much as I hated to see Holland hurting I was glad that she could put him behind her. She deserved someone who was all about her and Luca just proved he wasn’t the guy for her.

  “Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m going to enjoy my party with my friends,” he said, walking past us.

  Watching him walk away like he had done nothing wrong, I pulled out my phone and called Ethan. After he heard what happened he came rushing out of the house.

  “Where is he?” he asked through gritted teeth.

  I knew it wasn’t the right time but seeing him angry and all alpha male turned me on. I apologize for being human.

  “He went inside but forget about him. He’s not worth your time,” I said, trying to calm him down, “He’s not worth any of our time.”

  “Stay here with her. I’m going to run in and get everyone, so we can leave,” he said, kissing my forehead and Holland’s before walking back in the house.

  “He’s one of the good ones, Gracie. Whatever you two are doing stop now and just be together. Don’t let him slip away,” Holland said, knocking sense into me.

  She was right, he was one of the good ones. One of the few and he was mine.

  Ethan and all of our friends came filing out of the door. Emma and Maddie rushed over to us.

  “Don’t worry about him, you deserve better,” Maddie said, pulling her in for a hug.

  Holland attempted a smile and then wiped her tear stained face.

  “I’m fine, really. Grace, can I talk to you for a minute?” Holland asked, grabbing my hand.

  “Yeah, sure.”

  We walked until we were out of earshot from everyone.

  “I want you and Ethan to have some alone time, so I’m going to spend the night with West and Maddie,” she said, sniffling.

  “What? No, you haven’t even asked them,” I told her, shaking my head.

  “I know they’ll say yes, I mean who wouldn’t take pity on the girl whose boyfriend broke up with her at a party she planned for him,” she said, starting to tear up again.

  “Is everything okay?” Ethan asked, walking over to us.

  “Yep, fine. Listen, I’m going to spend the night at Maddie and West’s because I want you and Grace to have the apartment to yourselves. Don’t have sex in my bed,” she called over her shoulder.

  I loved her and I knew she was right. I needed to just be with Ethan and be happy. The games had to stop.

  Watching her until I saw her leave with Maddie and West, I turned and pulled Ethan in for a big kiss.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he said, pulling away.

  “Good idea.”

  Hand in hand we walked to his car and quickly got inside. The way my body felt I wasn’t sure if I could hold out until we made it to the apartment.

  “Ethan, I need you now. I can’t wait,” I said, leaning over and letting the tip of my tongue graze his ear.

  “Shit, Grace,” he said, pulling over.

  Looking around I saw that we were parked beside the football field and a genius idea stuck me.

  “Do you have a blanket in here?” I asked Ethan.

  “Um, yeah. It’s in the trunk,” he replied, trying to figure out why I wanted a blanket.

  “Let’s take it and lay it on the field. I’ve always fantasied riding you on the football field,” I whispered, getting out of the car and walking to the vacant field.

  Not a second later I heard Ethan’s door shut and his feel shuffling to catch up to me. Reaching the field, I took the blanket from him and spreading it across the grass.

  “Lay down,” I commanded him.

  Listening, he laid down and never took his eyes off of me. Slipping out of my dress, I let it hit the ground.

  “Beautiful,” he whispered, taking me in, “Get over here.”

  Walking over, I laid down beside him. Ethan’s frame appeared over the top of my body and planted his mouth on mine. Feeling his hand slip inside my underwear, I let out a breathy moan.

  His fingers rubbed me causing my whole body to ache.

  “Always so wet,” he said, smiling at the way my body reacted to him touching me.

  Feeling him move his hand, I frowned and hoped it wasn’t going be a replay of that morning. He ripped my lacey underwear to shreds. Smiling, I reached for his belt buckle and loosened it.

  Stripping off his jeans and underwear, he pulled a condom from his pocket, opened the package with his teeth, and slid it over his massive erection.

  “How did you know you were going to need a condom?” I teased him, giggling.

  “Wishful thinking,” he said, shooting me a wink.

  Positioning himself on top me, he swung one of my legs over his shoulder and tenderly sunk into me. When he was deep he start rocking back and forth. Grabbing my breast, I rubbed my nipples adding to my pleasure and I knew that Ethan loved to watch me do it. So, it was a win-win.

  “That drives me crazy when you do that,” he growled, pounding into me with all his might.

  “I know.”

  Moving my leg, he rolled over, so I was on top of him. Straddling him.

  “Ride me,” he said, running his hands over my breast.

  So, that’s what I did. Over and over again.

  Touchdown.

  Chapter 25

  “How’s Holland?” Ethan asked, dipping a fry in ketchup.

  “She’s in a funk. It’s been a week and she’s still as bad as she was the night he broke up with her,” I said, stirring my sweet tea with my straw.

  “You okay, Babe?” he asked concern all over his face.

  “I’m just worried about her,” I said, shrugging my shoulders.

  “Everything will work out. She’ll find someone who deserves her. A good guy.”

  “I hope she finds someone like I did,” I said, looking dreamily at him.

  “Who are you talking about? Do I need to kick his ass for charming my girl?”

  Laughing, I stole of one his fries.

  “Hey, you have to pay me for each fry you steal.”

  “How much per fry?”

  “One kiss,” he said, smiling like an idiot.

  But boy did I love that idiot.

  Leaning across the table, I gave him a sweet kiss.

  He kept pushing his plate of fries to me as if he was tempting me to take one, so he could get another kiss.

  “I love you,” he said, going f
rom playful to serious.

  “I know, Baby. Where did that come from?”

  “I was thinking about the way Trent and Luca have treated Holland. I just wanted you to know you mean the world to me.”

  And with that statement butterflies released into my stomach.

  “I got you something,” he said, nervously smiling.

  “You did?”

  Nodding, he slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small black box. Feeling panic set in, I thought there was no way he was asking me to marry him. We’re were so young and definitely not ready for that.

  I loved him and that’s exactly why I hoped he wasn’t about to pop the question. Not yet anyway.

  “Grace, I love you more than anything in this entire world and I want to marry you, someday. We’re both young and we have the rest of our lives to be together but I wanted to give you this ring as a promise. A promise that someday you will be my wife and that someday we will have a huge family and a house with a white picket fence. Grace Emerson, will you be my someday?” he asked, opening the box and revealing a beautiful sliver band with a small diamond in the middle.

  “What do you think?” I asked, laughing and crying at the same time.

  Laughing, he pulled the ring from the box he slipped it on my finger. Admiring it, I replayed his whole speech in my head. How did I ever get so lucky?

  “I had a big night planned for this but after everything that happened with Holland I wanted you to know how I felt about you,” he said, holding my hand and rubbing his finger over the ring.

  “I love you,” I said, looking at him in total awe.

  He was so perfect that I couldn’t believe he wanted me. But most of all I couldn’t believe he was my future.

  “I love you, too,” he said, squeezing my hand.

  Hearing the door open, I turned and saw West and Roman walking our way. I had to give it to them those boys sure knew how to ruin a moment.

  “Scoot over,” West said, pushing me further into the booth with his hip.

  Laughing, Ethan moved over and let Roman sit beside him.

  “Why do you get the normal one?” I asked Ethan, pointing at Roman.