Tempted (Tempted #1)

by Heather Doltrice

  We walked up to the house, hand and hand. Roman pushed the door open and I followed in behind him.

  “Mom! We’re here.” Roman yelled.

  “Quit you’re yelling! I’m coming, I’m coming!” she yelled back at him.

  She walked into the living room and pulled me by the hand to the couch.

  “Roman, go get your sister. She’s in her room.”

  He walked over to me and softly peck my lips. I playfully slapped his chest.

  “Roman, your mother is here.” I told him.

  He laughed and walked out of the room to get Lucy. I watched him until he disappeared.

  “I’m sorry about him kissing me in front of you.”

  “Oh honey, don’t worry about it. I love seeing him happy.” She said as she squeezed my hand.

  “Me too. How are you holding up?”

  “Better than I thought. I just wish Roman didn’t have the weight of the world on his shoulders.”

  I could tell by her eyes that she was genuinely worried about her son.

  “Everything is going to fine.” I told her as I watched her wipe a tear away.

  “I hope so. Do you want to help me finish dinner?”

  “I would love to but be warned the only thing I can make is cereal.”

  She laughed and led me into her kitchen. I could smell fried chicken. Closing my eyes, I took it the mouthwatering smell. My mom never made fried chicken; she was far too fancy for that. But I had always loved it.

  “That smells great, Ava.”

  “Thank you, it’s Roman’s favorite.”

  Roman and Lucy walked in the kitchen laughing at something. I could how close he was to his little sister.

  “Call your brother. Tell him stop harassing whatever poor girl has caught his eye now and come home to eat, now.”

  “Okay, mom.” Roman said laughing.

  He walked out of the kitchen to call his brother.

  “Emma, you’re pretty.” Lucy told me she sat on the stool swinging her legs.

  “Not as pretty as you.”

  Ethan busted into the kitchen like he was running away from a serial killer.

  “What’s wrong?” His mother asked.

  “I had to get out of that car. It was like world war three in there.” He said as he sat down at the table.

  “Maddie and West fighting again?” Ava asked.

  “When are they not fighting.” Roman said.

  “It’s like their an old married couple except they’ve never been together.” I said laughing.

  Everyone stopped laughing, the whole room went silent.

  “Have they dated before?” I asked them.

  “It’s not our story to tell. Their history is sort of complicated.” Roman said to me.

  Ethan and Roman changed the subject by teasing Lucy about a boy at school that she liked. I watched Ava’s face as she watched her children. I always wanted a family like this and I think I got them.

  Chapter 22

  A few weeks had passed and for what felt like the first time, our lives seemed to be drama free. Or so I thought.

  I decied to take the year off from Brown, so Maddie and I moved into a two bedroom apartment down town. Roman and I were more in love than ever. I had not heard from my parents. And I had gotten a job working at the local daycare. Everything was like it was supposed to be.

  “What time did Roman leave for work?” Maddie asked through a mouthful of cereal.

  I made breakfast. Hence the cereal.

  “Umm, about an hour ago.” I told her, checking my phone.

  “Did you already pick up your costume for the Halloween party tonight?”

  “Not yet, have you?”

  “Nope, we should go together.” I told her as I rinsed my bowl out.

  “I was actually about to go get mine right now. Are you ready?”

  “Yeah, let me grab my bag and phone.”

  I ran through the hall and pushed my door open. I stared at the bed, that I share with the most amazing man in the world and couldn’t hide my smile. Life was perfect. Grabbing my purse, I picked my phone up and threw it inside. I shut the bedroom door behind me and went to meet Maddie in the kitchen.

  “Why are you smiling like an idiot?” Maddie asked as she opened the front door.

  “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Sure you don’t.”

  “Can we go?” I asked her pretending to be annoyed.

  She walked over to the door and opened it.

  “After you.” She said dramatically.

  Laughing at her, I walked out the door and Maddie followed closely behind. As we were walking down the stairwell I felt a wave of nausea hit me. I stopped and grabbed my stomach. Grabbing on to the hand railing, I tried to steady myself.

  “You okay,Ems?” Maddie asked as she grabbed my arm.

  “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. Just a little sick.” I told her. “But I’m fine now, it passed.”

  We walked outside and made our way to Maddie’s jeep. Getting in, I quickly threw on my seatbelt and took a few deep breaths. I hadn’t ever felt that.

  As we drove to the local Halloween shop, Maddie’s phone beeped indicating that she had a text. She checked and tried to hide her smile. I started to ask her who it was but before I could she turned the music up as loud as it would go.

  Pulling up to the store, we got out of the jeep and walked inside.

  “Let’s go to the back and see what they have.” I told Maddie.

  “We have to decide something before we pick where to look.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “Sexy or sluty. Duh!” she said as walked towards the back of the store.

  Laughing, I followed her to the back. As I looked through the costumes I saw one that caught my eye, sexy race car driver. I quickly grabbed it off the shelf. My parents would have never approved of this but I was my own person now. And I loved it.

  “Mads, I think I found the one.” I called over my shoulder.

  “I’ll be out in one minute.” She said from the dressing room.

  Looking in the full length mirror, I held the costume up and smiled. Roman would love this, I just knew it.

  “That’s the one! You need to try that on, Ems.”

  I heard Maddie say from behind me. Turning around to face her, I saw the costume she was trying on. Sexy Angel.

  “Mads, it’s perfect. I love it.” I told her.

  I wondered if West had anything to do with her decision.

  “Go try yours on. I’m going to change and I’ll meet you here.”

  I nodded and ran inside the dressing room. Slipping of my clothes, I let them hit the floor. I slid the barley there costume up and caught my reflection in the mirror.

  “Ems? What’s taking so long?”

  “I’m coming! Hold your horses.”

  I walked out of the dressing room and closed my eyes, not wanting to see Maddie’s reaction. Waiting for her to say something, I heard silence. I peeked one eye open and saw her smiling from ear to ear.

  “It’s perfect! Roman is going to die.” She said as she clapped her hands together.

  “You don’t think it’s too much?”

  “Are you kidding? It’s just enough!”

  “I’m going to change ,so we can pay for these and go.” I told her shaking my head.

  Quickly running in the dressing room, I changed back into my clothes. I threw my bag on my shoulder and walked out to meet Maddie.

  We got in line at the register with our costumes in hand.

  “Where exactly is this party?” I asked Maddie as I played with my phone.

  “Quit looking at the selfies Roman sends you, it’s weird. And the party is at that old abandoned barn on Walsh Street.”

  “That the perfect place for a Halloween party, it’s really creepy.”

  “I know, it’s almost as creepy as Preston’s obsession with boat shoes.” She pretended to shiver.

  I laughed at
her comment, but she was right. Preston’s boat shoe collection was pretty creepy. Feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket, I reached in and pulled it out.

  Roman: Thinking about you. I love you.

  Me: I love you, too. Get back to work!

  I must have been smiling at my phone because when I looked up Maddie was making gagging gestures.

  “Jealous.” I told her as I stuck my tounge out.

  “You wish.” She told me as she handed her costume to the cashier.

  After we paid and got in the jeep, I checked my phone. It was almost lunch time.

  “Do you want to grab the boys some lunch and bring it by?” I asked her as I fiddled with my heated seat.

  “Yeah, Taco Tommy’s or Noodle palace?”

  “Taco Tommy’s.”

  It was Roman’s favorite. I loved doing little things for me but no matter what I done it would never be enough. He changed my life for the better and I could never repay him.

  “Are you using this lunch as an excuse?” Maddie asked pulling me from my thoughts.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Do you just want to go to the shop so you can have dirty mechanic sex? Like on the hood of some car?”

  “Maddie!”

  “What? You didn’t deny it.”

  “I’m going to see my boyfriend and bring him some food. Not have sex with him on top of a car.”

  That did sound really fun, though. I might have to bring that idea up.

  We pulled through the drive thru at Taco Tommy’s and Maddie ordered enough food to feed a small country. The lady at the window handed us our food and we made the five minute drive to the shop.

  Jumping down from the jeep, I reached back and got some of the bags of food. Maddie met me around the front of the jeep with the other bags.

  “Hey, Ems. What’s up, Mad-dog?”

  “Hey, Ethan.” I told him with a smile.

  Ethan was a kind soul with the bad boy look. He was perfect.

  “Stop calling me that.” Maddie told him as she stormed inside.

  “So sensitive. Is she on her period?”

  “You have been around West and Roman for too long. Here’s some lunch.” I told him as I handed him one of the greasy brown paper bags.

  “Thanks, Em. You’re always thinking of me.” He winked and then walked away.

  I shook my head as I walked inside of the shop. Walking towards the garage, I saw roman working on some old car. His t-shirt was plastered to his body and he was covered in grease.

  Maybe sex on the hood of car was a good idea after all. How could I get all of these people out of here?

  Chapter 23

  I watched him as he worked on the car in front of him. He wiped the sweat from his head. When did sweat become sexy? Watching him use his hands on different parts of the car, I imagined him using them on me instead.

  “What are you doing here, pumpkin?” Roman asked with surprise evident on his face.

  “I brought you lunch.” I said holding up the brown bag.

  “My favorite girl with my favorite food.” He said he pulled me close for a quick kiss.

  “Are you wearing a costume tonight?”

  “Pumpkin, no self-respecting man wears costumes.”

  I laughed at his horrified expression.

  “Whatever you say but I’m dressing up.”

  “Now that I have no problem with. What are you going to be?”

  “It’s a surprise. You’ll have to wait and see.” I whispered in his ear.

  “You’re killing me.”

  “Hi, Emma.” I heard someone say behind me.

  Turning around I saw that it was my mom. She had pretentious look on her face like she was about to catch something from being in here.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I came here to find you. I went to your apartment but no one was home.”

  “What do you want?”

  “I need to talk to you about Brown.”

  “What about it?”

  This should be good.

  “Your father wants me to send word to you. He wants you to go back to Brown, now.”

  She had to be crazy if she thought she could tell me what to do.

  “I’m not going back right now.” I could feel Roman rubbing my back in support.

  “You’re throwing your life away with this boy. What about if you get pregnant? You think he’s going to stick around?”

  “Please leave, mom. You don’t get a say in this.”

  She turned on her heels without another word and let the glass door slam behind her.

  “I’m sorry that she came here.” I told Roman.

  “Don’t let her upset you.” He told me as he pulled me into a big hug.

  I relaxed into his arms. The feeling of his hot skin against gave me goose bumps.

  After staying like that for a few minutes, the bell at the door rang indicating that a costumer was here.

  “I’ll let you get back to work. I love you.” I told him as I kissed his cheek.

  “I love you, more. See you tonight, Pumpkin.”

  Walking away to find Maddie, I could feel his eyes on me.

  “Get to work.” I told him, shooting a wink his way.

  I spotted Maddie talking to West by her jeep. Her eyes looked sad as she played with her necklace. It was like they sensed me walking up because she moved away from him very quickly.

  “Maddie! How many times do I have to tell you. I won’t have sex with you in public places. I’m a man, not a piece of meat.” West yelled as he threw his hands in the air and shook his head.

  “Shut up! I wouldn’t touch you with a ten foot pole.” She said.

  I couldn’t figure those two out. It’s like they couldn’t stand each other but always wanted to be around each other.

  “Ems, are you ready to go? I’m losing brain cells just by talking to this idiot.”

  “Talking isn’t what she wanted to do, if you catch my drift.” He said nudging my arm with his.

  Without another word Maddie got in her jeep. She had her head hung low.

  “See you tonight, West. You’re going to love Maddie’s costume.”

  He tried to fight the smile forming on his face but the smile in his eyes gave it away.

  Hopping in the jeep, I looked over at Maddie.

  “Hey do you want to fix my hair and makeup super sulty?” I asked her trying to make her feel better.

  “Yes!” she exclaimed.

  She drove home like a crazy person. I mean she is a crazy person but she’s my crazy person.

  Pulling up to our apartment, we got out and went inside.

  As we walked up the stair well, I l take a few deep breaths. The wave of sickness from earlier came back but I hid it. There was no need to make Maddie worry. It was nothing. We should have taken the elevator but Maddie was afraid of them.

  Reaching our door, I unlocked it. I walked in and looked at what was my new home. It was beautiful but what I loved about it the most is the freedom it brought.

  “I’m going to set everything out. We have to get to work if we’re gonna you look sluty.”

  “Thanks, I think.”

  I wasn’t so sure if that was an insult or a compliment. Choosing that compliment, I walked into my room. Just as I was about to set my costume out, I heard a knock on the door.

  “I got it!” Maddie called from the living room.

  I could hear Maddie having a conversation and things seemed to be getting heated. Running out of my room, I saw Luca standing in our living room.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked him as rudely as I could.

  “I just came to ask you lovely ladies if you were going to the Halloween party tonight?”

  “What does that have to do with you?” Maddie asked him with her hand on her necklace.

  “Everything.” He answered in a clipped tone, with his ever present smirk on his face.

  He always looked like he was planning world domination. But the
n again he probably was.

  I checked my watch, pretending to check the time.

  “Roman will be here any minute so if you’re done here I think it’s best you leave. He won’t like you being here.” I lied.

  Roman wouldn’t be here for at least a couple hours.

  “Right. Well see you girls tonight. Can’t wait to see your costumes.” He said as he winked and shut the door.

  “What in the hell was that about?” I asked Maddie.

  “I’m not really sure. Halloween brings out all of the creeps.” She said as she shivered.

  “You can say that again. I can’t believe you dated him.”

  “Okay, let’s forget about him and start your slut makeover!” she said as she clapped her hands.

  She was way too excited about this.

  “Don’t make me look like a stripper.” I warned her.

  “Boo! You’re no fun.” She said as she led me into the bathroom.

  Closing my eyes, my eyes I felt the soft bristles of the makeup brushes caress my skin. My mind went back to Luca and his odd unwanted visit. I had the feeling that something wasn’t right. But I shook it off because I didn’t want to ruin the night for everyone.

  What felt like an eternity later, Maddie was done with my hair and makeup. I looked in the mirror and couldn’t believe what I saw. It actually looked good. Not sluty, just sluty enough. I could definitely see why this took two hours.

  “Go get dressed while I do my makeup and hair.” Maddie said she sat in front of the vanity.

  Rushing out of her room and into mine. I let the clothes I had on fall into a puddle at my feet. Grabbing my costumes off of the bed, I slipped it on. Walking over to the full length mirror in the corner of my room. I took in my appearance, a few years ago I would have never been allowed out of the house like this. But they didn’t have a say anymore.

  “Pumpkin! Where are you?” I heard Roman yell from the living room.

  I smiled and tried to calm the butterflies in my stomach. Yep, he still gave me butterflies.

  “Hold your horses! I’m coming!”

  “That’s what she said!” I heard West’s big mouth chime in.

  Shaking my head, I walked into the living room. I stood there looking at Roman’s face, trying to read his thoughts. He was looking at me with his mouth wide open.