Enthralled: A Box Set

by Pamela Ann

  There were a lot of celebrities there; this was, after all, a local celebrity stomping ground.

  I didn’t know why I chose this hotel. Since Lindsey and I were supposed to stay here the last time, it was the only hotel that popped into my brain. There was only one thing I was here for and that was to mend my broken heart and find solace.

  I finally managed to get a room without shedding a tear. The woman at the registration desk was a fucking chatterbox and she asked way too many questions. I smiled and pretended to listen to her, but in reality, I was holding my temper before I completely lost it and snapped her head off.

  “Here you go, Ms. Anderson. Have a pleasant stay.” She finally handed me my keycard. I murmured my thanks before I headed towards the bank of elevators.

  Once I got to my floor, I inserted the keycard and let myself in the one-bedroom suite. I felt like I just walked in on an old school TV set, circa 1940’s. Mustard colored couch, beige walls, the style of the rug and the lamps were quite fashionably; period-themed? The room was homey and charming and made me feel right at home. Although, I felt like Lucy and Ricky Riccardo would walk through the door at any moment.

  I walked over to the bar and got myself a chilled bottle of water. I grabbed the wine bottle along with the wine opener and strode towards the bedroom. Sighing, I took my jeans off and jumped into bed. I decided to text Lindsey and Trista.

  Me: Hey. I just checked in at Chateau M. for the night. Carter and I broke up. Be back on Sunday.

  FML!

  What the hell just happened? Carter and I were doing well before the incident happened. Well, I guess that was that.

  Groaning, I sat up and opened the bottle of wine. Since I would be getting drunk alone there was no need for a wine glass. I grabbed the remote from the side table and turned the TV on. I immediately went to check out the movie section. Maybe I should watch The Notebook, or something really depressing like A Walk to Remember? Scrolling and browsing, my thumb stilled when I found one of Bass’s films—Knights of Cimmerian. Should I? Since I really hadn’t paid attention to any of his movies before, maybe I should start now? Oh, fuck it. I pressed play.

  Lucian, the vampire, was definitely something. I got excited when I remembered Bass had a blatantly hot sex scene in this film. I supposed you could say that I was doing some ‘research’ for Blasphemous.

  I took another gulp of my wine and almost choked on it when I saw that Carter was calling me. WTF!

  “Leave me the fuck alone, manwhore,” I muttered aloud as my heart pounded at the thought of him.

  Why was he calling, to apologize and give me some reasonable explanation as to why he cheated on me with not just one woman but with five? I chastised myself for getting back with him. I shouldn’t have, especially when I wasn’t a hundred percent sure about it at the time.

  You lived and you learned. Well, lesson learned. I was not going to rock that cheating boat again because being betrayed like that is not the greatest feeling in the world. My phone started ringing again and I hit ignore.

  “Fucker!”

  I willed myself to ignore the phone calls and concentrated on watching the movie. I melted when I heard Bass’s voice. How pathetic and idiotic was I, right?

  I was so engrossed with the movie that I didn’t hear the door open. I jumped out of my skin when I heard someone yelling, “Dooooll!”

  Within seconds, Lindsey and Trista walked into the bedroom. I stared at them like they had come from outer space. “How did you guys get in here?”

  Lindsey Mason gave me a grin and waved a keycard in the air. “Well, since our doll face is moping, Trista and I decided to drive up here and chill with you.”

  I was touched by their sweet gesture. “Thank you, guys, but how did you two manage to get in?”

  Trista laughed as they both joined me in bed. “Lindsey had to dish out some heavy boob seduction to get the guy at the reception desk to hand us a keycard.”

  I barked out a laugh. The image Trista painted was just too funny not to.

  “Hey! I had to. You weren’t picking up your phone and we were thinking crazy things. I was desperate to get to you quickly. Who cares? It was just a nice peek-a-boo to make the poor guy’s shift memorable.”

  Oh, I just bet.

  My easy mood got squashed when Trista spoke, “What happened with Carter, Em?”

  Where did I even begin? Shit. “I had a pregnancy scare a couple of days ago and I think Carter just lost it after that. I hadn’t spoken to him since then. He wouldn’t pick up my calls or return my messages so I was really frustrated with him, but at the same time, I understood why he freaked out because I did as well. Anyway, I went over to Amanda’s party to look for him and I found him in the boat house with Amanda, Cece and three other girls, having an orgy.”

  “Fucking Carter! I told you my brother was not good enough for you!” Lindsey was upset. She scooted upwards and sat next to me as did Trista. Both of their heads were on my shoulders.

  “Men are such horn-dogs! I’m sorry, Emma.” Trista looked at me and rubbed my arm gently.

  “Thank you, guys, for being here. It means a lot to me.” I held both of my arms out and hugged my friends.

  “Well, look at the bright side, sunshine; you can finally go for Bass Cole without anything holding you back.” Lindsey pointed at the screen where Bass was kissing a woman.

  The camera focused and zeroed in on their locked lips. My eyes took in how he kissed her. The sight alone of him kissing made me nauseous. I shook my head. “Bass and I are dunzo in that department, Linds. He probably doesn’t even remember me.”

  Lindsey huffed. “Nah, that’s wishful thinking, my friend. That man liked you. I mean really, really liked you and you dropped him like a hot potato. Bass Cole, dumped? That’s unheard of. Trust me, doll, that guy will forever remember you. Guys don’t take rejection kindly. Although, he might just hate your guts a wee bit.”

  Trista got all hyped up. “I think you should go see him, Em. You know, make a whole grand gesture thing?”

  Uh, how about not? “That would be terrifying. Let’s just drop the subject about Bass, please? I just got cheated on,” I reminded them, but they seemed to be busy thinking about Bass and me.

  “Bass wants you, doll. I say, give him a call,” Trista insisted.

  I bit my bottom lip. “I—he probably doesn’t like me much. It’s fine, really. Bass and I didn’t happen. It’s best to just leave it at that.”

  “Wait until Greece, you’ll see.” Lindsey was quite persistent.

  “Greece? Who’s going to Greece?” Trista looked at us both.

  Crap. I hadn’t mentioned it to Trista and Lindsey had promised not to speak to anyone about it, so she was clueless. “I’m actually going to star in Martin Lombardo’s film as the female lead, with Bass.”

  Trista stood up and started jumping on the bed. After her small acrobatic routine, she landed back to earth. After catching her breath, she screamed excitedly, “Oh. My. God. You are so banging Bass there! And fuck, you’re going to be an actress! How cool is that? I can’t wait for Cece to hear this one. She’s going to hate you even more.”

  I was sure of that. “Well, she already got my boyfriend. That should suffice her, don’t you think?”

  I hated thinking about what I witnessed in the boathouse. The images kept flashing in my head. I just wanted to throw something or scream my anger out, but that wasn’t going to happen. So, I just opted to simmer.

  “Ah, forget Carter Mason. You should, like, have a seduction plan ready when you get to Greece.” Trista clapped her hands together. Well, it was great that she was all in high spirits again.

  “Better yet, I have the grandest idea! We should visit you in Greece and watch you guys film. Is that possible, Em? I would love to see it all happen!” Lindsey and Trista were both looking at me.

  “I totally agree that you both should come and visit me. We can go island hopping! I have no idea if you’re allowed to watch us film, but I’l
l let you know,” I suggested while they got excited.

  “All those hot Greek men!” Trista shrieked.

  I thought she might have been a little drunk.

  Lindsey threw the wine cork at her. “Before you get all excited and start gushing about Greek men, what are you going to do about Harry, Tris?

  Trista lowered her head and fidgeted with her big toe. “I don’t know about Harry anymore. My cousin’s two months pregnant.”

  Fuck.

  “What do you plan to do? You can’t keep being the other woman. He’s obviously having the time of his life while you’re stuck being miserable!” What was with all these men? Ugh!

  Tears started falling down Trista’s face. I reached out and gathered her in my arms. Trista sobbed, “I love him. I don’t know how I can move on. I know it’s wrong and I want to just leave him, but I don’t think I have it in me. I don’t know if I can survive without him.”

  Lindsey stroked her hair. “I know this must be very painful and difficult to do, but you have to let him go. He has a baby on the way, a little boy or girl. You don’t want to be that person that takes him away from the little one, doll. I don’t think your conscience could handle it. You’re strong and your strength is in there somewhere. It’s high time you really let Harry go.”

  Trista was now crying uncontrollably. “I know, I know. I just need time,” Trista spoke in between sniffs.

  Taking Trista’s face and wiping her tears away with my thumbs, I gave her a hug. “I think we’ve had enough of sadness tonight. Do you guys want to go through the room service menu and eat our hearts out while we watch Vampire Bass kick some ass?”

  “Um, yes, please?” Trista tried to lighten up the mood.

  Lindsey stood up and pulled Trista out of bed. “You look like you’re in need of some pancakes and bacon. Come on, I’m starving!”

  Trista just nodded.

  “Do they even offer breakfast at this hour?” I asked.

  “If they don’t, I’ll make them. If pancakes will make Tris happy, I’ll make damn sure she gets some.”

  I loved Ferocious Lindsey.

  I got up and followed the two who were both hovering over the menu. “Don’t forget to order a shitload of dessert. I think we all need a little sugar lovin’. I want me some chocolate cake!”

  “You betcha!” Lindsey grinned at me.

  E

  “What the fuck! Who farted?” Lindsey jumped out of the king-sized bed and opened the sliding door that led to the balcony while fanning her button nose.

  Trista started laughing. “Sorry, I think I ate too much last night. I’m gassy. There seems to be no way of stopping it.” She then resumed her laughing hysterics.

  Fuck, that stunk, BAD. I jumped out of the bed and went out on the balcony with Lindsey, laughing. Trista followed us.

  Lindsey pulled out a chair. “Sit your ass down woman and wait until the gods of shit bestow you the gift of using the toilet. Until then, do not come near me!”

  Trista was now on the floor, laughing. “Aye, aye, Fart Patrol!”

  It was already two in the afternoon; we woke up late because we kept rewinding the sex scene with Bass all night. Yeah, we drooled at the sight of his tight ass.

  Lindsey sat across from Trista. Both of their laughs were dying down. I plopped down on the other chair next to them. “Have you guys heard from Amber? I’ve tried calling and texting her, but she’s not picking up.” Amber had been MIA since Tahoe.

  Trista looked serious all of a sudden. “I’ve been trying to get in touch with her, too, but she doesn’t answer me either. I guess she’s just not ready to talk to anyone.”

  Trista had a point. It was obvious that Amber didn’t want to be bothered. I just hoped she was doing okay.

  We had to go home soon and I wanted to shower, but I hadn’t brought any clothes with me. “Guys, we have to check out in two hours.”

  “What? Why?” Lindsey asked, confused.

  “Because we have to go home?” Duh? We didn’t live here, although, I wished I did.

  Lindsey pulled down her shades and leaned against the chair, her face basking in the sun. “Forget it. We’re staying another day here. We’ll go shopping for clothes later and have dinner somewhere. How does that sound?”

  Hmmm, strange, I thought. I folded my arms and stared at her. “What’s your reason, Lindsey? Why don’t you want to go home?”

  She rolled her eyes at me. “Same shit different day. Brody and I—I told him I didn’t want to do the whole relationship thing. Besides, I think this will be good for us. To stay another day, I mean.”

  And another one bit the dust. “Yeah, another day sounds good.”

  Trista stood up. “Sounds good to me. I have to get my phone charger. Be right back.”

  Lindsey and I were waiting for the coffee and fruit bowl we ordered when Trista came back. “Guys, look what I found!” She was out of breath when she slammed the magazine on the coffee table.

  Lindsey and I both leaned over to check it out. It was Bass coming out of a club with the gorgeous Winston Twins. The Winston sisters, Kate and Khloe, were models as well as socialites; they were beautiful and rich. Their father, Grant Winston, owned one of the largest production companies in Hollywood. Guess Lydia Cornwell was history.

  Lindsey and Trista were looking over the article, but I didn’t join in. I honestly did not want to know about Bass’s sex life. At all.

  “This picture was taken last night. It seems Bass is here in L.A. for the weekend,” Trista shrieked.

  Okay, so? I wouldn’t call him. “Well, that’s nice.”

  Trista looked at me and then back to the trashy magazine. “Well, who needs another playboy anyway? I sure don’t.” Trista took the magazine and dumped it in the trash.

  That was much better, thank you.

  Untitled

  “I wonder, when you look into my eyes and watch my heart shatter, does it break your heart too, even crack it a little bit?"

  ~Author Unknown

  Chapter One Hundred Sixteen

  I heard a loud knock on the door.

  “Emma, talk to me, please?” Ugh, not again!

  “Go away, Carter. You’re majestic dick is not needed here. Goodbye!” It had been a month since the boathouse incident and Carter was still trying to talk to me. Every. Single. Day. He hadn’t been successful, though.

  We dropped by Home Depot to buy new locks before we headed home from L.A. after the weekend at Chateau Marmont. I didn’t want to take a chance on Carter prancing in here, asking for forgiveness, with me caught unaware. He waited for me everywhere, but I’d been able to avoid seeing him so far.

  At times, I feel bad, like I was Cruella de Vil, but it didn’t last long. All I had to do was remember the boathouse and it set me off in flames. I felt relieved when I heard him kick the door and stomp off.

  Way to go and fuck up my day, Carter! Today of all days when I had to leave for L.A. Barbara’s assistant, Mark, booked me a room to stay overnight in once a week. Upon arriving in L.A., I had to see my acting coach, Shiva, for two hours. After that, I had a one hour yoga session with Liston. The next day, I had a two hour grueling work-out session with my personal trainer, Ben. This painful, ass-kicking schedule started last week and today, I have to start it all over again. I didn’t think my body had even recovered from the trauma it went through last week. Yes, Ben was crazy. It was hard to catch my breath with him. He was always breathing down my neck to keep on going and blah, blah, blah.

  I honestly didn’t think I needed to lose any weight. My stomach was flat and my body was toned from years of Pilates. I didn’t know why Ben made me feel like I was the fattest kid in town. Whatever. I decided that after every session with him, I got to reward myself with something sweet and fattening. I knew it was naughty of me to cheat like that since I only had three months left before I left for Greece, but I really did believe that I seriously deserved it.

  E

  Lindsey and I were busy chatting
as we unloaded our groceries from the trunk of her car. Once we got everything out, we walked towards our place. We both stopped chatting when we saw Carter leaning on the door.

  “Emma!”

  Of course, we both pretended that he wasn’t there. When we got to the door, Linds pulled out her key and opened it.

  “We need to talk, Em. I’m so sorry,” the six-some lover said.

  Ignore.

  “Do you hear that weird sound, Em?” Lindsey asked me, amused.

  I cocked my head a bit and blinked a few times. “Yeah, I think that’s the sound of a dog crying because he got his balls stomped on.”

  Carter caught my arm and pulled me aside. Lindsey was about to flip a switch when I stopped her. “Go on in; this will only take a minute.” Linds nodded and closed the door behind her.

  For the first time in a month, I looked at Carter’s face. I gulped, even though he was my least favorite person, it didn’t change the fact that he still somehow affected me. Looking away, I hissed, “I’m only giving you a minute, Carter. I suggest you make the most of it.”

  Carter took hold of my chin and made me look at him. “Don’t do this, Em. We need to talk… in private. Not out here. Please, I’m begging you.”

  “Will you leave me alone after you say your piece?” I looked at him skeptically. With Carter, it was hard to predict if he would keep his promises. His mercurial personality was one of the main things that infuriated me about him.

  He shook his head. “No, I can’t promise that. What I can guarantee, though, is that I won’t be pestering you on a daily basis.”

  Good thing he knew he had a problem with sticking to his promises. Resigned, I reluctantly nodded. “Where do you want to talk?”

  “Can we talk in your room?”

  Let’s just get this shit out of the way. “Yeah, that’s fine.”

  Lindsey looked sour when I informed her that Carter and I were going to talk in my bedroom. Once inside, I sat on my bed and waited for him to speak. He was leaning against the wall, pensive. What could he possibly say that would make anything better? Nothing, absolutely nothing.