Amazed (Tempted Book 3) (9 page)

I had learned one thing about myself through everything and that was that when it came to Ethan I was a pushover. I was a doormat and I was addicted to him. The high of being with him was like nothing I had ever felt before but the low of being without him was the worst pain I had ever experienced.

And in that moment I was so high I was touching the sky. I was in the clouds.

Standing in the bleachers, I cheered on my man. He was killing it on the field and after every point he scored he would find me in the crowd and smile.

“He’s really good,” Holland said, watching the game like her life depended on it.

“He’s the best,” I sighed, not taking my eyes off of him.

“You’ve got it bad,” she said, nudging me.

“Can you blame me?”

Everyone in town knew how I felt about Ethan because I made no secret about it. Ever since we started dating again a couple of weeks ago I walked around Lakeview with a smile on my face and more pep in my step.

The talk of my kiss with Talon had died down. Everyone was on to their next victim of small town gossip.

There was thirty seconds left on the clock and everyone was on the edge of their seats waiting to see if Ethan was going to score the winning touchdown.

Biting my lip, I prayed the he could pull it off but I knew he could.

Squeezing my shut, I waited until I heard the crowd’s reaction. Hearing people chanting Ethan’s name, I opened my eyes and saw all of the football players celebrating on the field.

“He did it!” I screamed, hopping up and down.

“I know! He was amazing out there,” Holland said, mimicking my reaction.

I was so proud to be able to call him mine. He stopped celebrating his huge win with the guys and locked in eyes on me and blew me a kiss. Pretending to catch it, I laughed and made my way down the steps.

Tossing his helmet on the grass, he ran toward me and scooped me up.

“Congratulations, Baby,” I said, placing a kiss on his cheek.

“It was all you, Babe. You’re my good luck charm.”

“What’s the plan tonight?”

“Bonfire party at the lake and then you and me all alone in a bed,” he said, nipping on my ear.

“I like that plan.”

“I’m going to shower. Why don’t you go wait with Holland and then we’ll head over to the party,” He said, placing me on my feet.

“Okay, don’t be too long,” I said, pouting.

“I won’t. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

He kissed me and then he walked toward the locker room.

“Are we going to the party?’ Holland asked, leaning her head on my shoulder.

“How long have you been there and how do you know about the party?” I asked, raising my eyebrows at her.

“I literally just walked up and a little birdie told me,” she said, smiling like a giddy school girl.

“By any chance does that little birdie look like a Hollywood bad boy and have a sour attitude?” I asked, placing my hands on my hips.

“Nope. You must know a different little birdie. The little birdie I know is sweet, smart, and funny, but he does look like he stepped off of a movie.”

Ignoring her statement, I leaned against the fence and watched the exit of the locker room hoping to see any sign of Ethan. When I was away from him it was like I had separation anxiety. It was really sad.

I had become so dependent on Ethan. I knew it was dangerous but I couldn’t help myself. I also knew that I was putting myself at risk of getting hurt again.

I was just so scared he was going to slip away from me again.

“Are you trying to give yourself x-ray vision?” Holland said, giggling.

“What are you talking about, Holl?”

“You’re literally trying to burn a hole through the locker room. He’ll be right out. Calm down,” she said, showing me how to breathe in and breathe out.

“Ha-ha, very funny,” I said, rolling my eyes.

After what felt like a lifetime Ethan strolled out and walked our way. As he got closer I saw that his hair was still a little wet.

“Was you too excited to get to me that you couldn’t dry your hair?” I said, flinging myself into his arms.

“You know it, Babe. I missed you too much,” he said, gripping my waist tightly.

“You two are the worst,” Holland said, walking toward the parking lot.

“Is somebody jealous?” Ethan called to her.

He was answered by her spinning around and flicking him off. Throwing my head back in laughter, I gripped Ethan’s hand. I felt right at home when I was with him, like I belonged with him. I had found my place in life and it was beside him. Always beside him.

“Where are you?” Ethan asked, nudging me playfully.

“In this moment,” I replied, cracking a ginormous smile.

“I love you,” he said, coming to a complete stop.

Turning to face him, I stared into his eyes.

“I love you, too,’ I said, feeling his mouth land on mine.

The heat that was radiating from us was enough to start a wildfire.

“Are you two going to have sex right here or do I need to call someone to drive me to the party?” Holland’s voice boomed bringing me back to reality.

“Call someone,” Ethan yelled back, putting his mouth back on mine without even waiting for her answer.

We were lost in our own little world and we were content. All I needed was him and I knew that he felt the same about me. We were a perfect match, we clicked and that made me want to jump for joy.

Finally coming up for air, I turned my attention to Holland and you know what I saw? Holland getting on the back of Luca’s Ducati.

How long had we been kissing?

“Holland, what are you doing?” I yelled, sending death glares Luca’s way.

“Ethan told me to call someone, so I did. I don’t really feel like being the third wheel,” she said, wrapping her arms around him.

She looked like she had been on his bike before. Many times.

“You ready, Babe?” Luca asked Holland, looking over his shoulder at her.

Babe? Did I miss something?

“Don’t call her that,” I said, trying to seem intimidating.

Ignoring me, he kept looking at her like she was the only girl in the whole world.

“See you at the party,” she called, putting on a helmet and speeding off with the devil himself.

“Wait, was that her own helmet?” Ethan asked, scratching his head in confusion.

“I’m going to kill him. No, wait, I’m going to call her dad and make him kill him,” I said, pulling my phone from my purse.

“Tell him tomorrow. Let’s make an appearance at the party and then go back to your place. That’s when the real party will begin,” he said, winking and pulling me toward his car.

That statement instantly made me feel better. I could worry about Holland and her infamous bad decisions later. I needed to focus on me and my right decisions. Apparently I was the smart one when it came to relationship. Who would have thought?

Nodding, I let him help me in the car and I couldn’t fight the smile that was appearing on my face. Every time I stopped to think about how lucky I was the smile showed up.

“I love your smile,” Ethan said, gripping the steering wheel.

“I love
you.
Every single thing about you,” I told him, resting my hand on his thigh.

“Right back at you, Beautiful.”

Biting my lip, I gently ran my hand up and down his leg.

“Babe, If don’t quit doing that I’m going to pull over and take you right here,” Ethan growled, glancing at me.

Feeling pleased with myself, I removed my hand and cranked up the radio. I couldn’t wait to get the party over with and to climb in bed with my man. That’s where I felt at home, that was my idea of a good time. Not a party.

“You have no idea what you do to me,” Ethan said, adjusting himself with one hand while he kept the other on the steering wheel, “I can barely focus on the road when you’re here.”

“Why? I’m not doing anything,” I said, feeling confused.

“Because I don’t want to take my eyes off of you, Babe. You’re everything beautiful in this world and you’re all mine.”

Just when I thought he couldn’t get any better he went and proved me wrong.

Every single time.

Sweat. Skin. Kiss. Moan. Lick. Grind. Ride. Repeat.

That was the words that best described what was happening and I was enjoying every single minute of it.

“Harder,” I moaned, feeling Ethan diving into me.

“You want it harder? I’m about to give it to you,” he said, drilling into me.

We only stayed at the party for thirty minutes and we couldn’t take it anymore. That why we were parked down an old dirt road and I was straddling him in the backseat.

Flipping me over on my back, he pushed himself deeper into me. Grazing my teeth against his shoulder, I let out a soft moan.

“You make me feel alive,” he said, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

Digging my teeth into my bottom lip, I fought back a scream. The pleasure that was ripping through my body was enough to make me explode.

“Oh, Ethan. Keep doing that,” I gasped, hearing the sound of out flesh hitting together.

It was like music to my ears. Everything about us fit perfectly. Our bodies were completely in sync but so were our hearts.

He rammed farther into me and it made my back slide against the leather of his seats. The sensation it caused was indescribable.

“You feel so good, Babe,” he said, looking into my eyes as he continued to move inside of me.

I felt beads of sweat forming all over my body. Who needed the gym when Ethan Charles was like your very own personal trainer? It was one fun work out.

“I’m almost there,” I said, clawing his back.

My body began to shudder and then completely gave out under him.

“You’re so good at that,” I breathlessly said, wiping my forehand and fanning myself.

Laughing he pulled out, and placed the soiled condom in a bag.

After we got dressed I asked Ethan to spend the night and he happily agreed. Walking into my apartment, I saw West, Maddie, Emma, and Roman sitting there like they were completely at home. And in a way I guess they were.

“What are you guys doing here? And where is Holland?” I asked, pulling Ethan toward the empty chair beside West.

“We have no clue. She’s probably been kidnapped and being sold as a hooker as we speak,” West said with a super serious expression taking over his face.

“No more crime shows for you, Babe,” Maddie said, rubbing his shoulder.

He rolled his eyes at her causing everyone to crack up. I shipped West and Maddie so hard. Always had.

Sitting on Ethan’s lap, I dialed Holland’s number and was answered by her voicemail. My mind started to run rampant with crazy theories.

What if she’s hurt?

What if Luca did something to her?

“I’m sure she’s fine,” Emma said, leaning into Roman.

At that moment the door swung open and Holland came in with Luca. Yeah, she brought Luca into our apartment, into a room full of people who hated him like it was their life’s mission.

“Hey, guys,” Holland said, holding on to Luca’s inked up arms.

Crickets.
That’s all I heard, complete silence.

Well, that was until Roman spoke up.

“What in the hell are you doing here?” Roman asked, gritting his teeth.

“He’s here because I invited him,” Holland said, stepping in front of him.

Their bond puzzled me. In the short amount of time she had been here they had become freakishly close. I had never seen her get so confrontational over a guy. Trent always tried to dull her shine and made her stand behind him. To him she was better seen than heard. She was only arm candy. Something for his friends to look at and be envious over.

“Hey, let’s all relax,” I told them, trying my best to get rid of the bad vibe taking over the room.

“Yeah, she’s right. Let’s get some drinks flowing,” West said, walking into the kitchen and retrieving a ton of alcohol.

Roman and Ethan gave him a funny look but they went along with it. I didn’t want him here anymore than they did but Holland was my cousin, my sister, and my best friend and if she wanted him here than he was staying.

While West grabbed shot glasses we all gathered around the coffee table.

“Let’s play a game,” West said, finding a seat and pouring the clear liquid into the glasses in front of him.

“You’re so creepy,” Emma said, rolling her eyes.

“You love it,” he said, blowing her a kiss.

“Maddie, control him.”

Laughing, I scooted closer to Ethan.

“What game?” Luca asked, wrapping his arm around Holland’s shoulder.

I could tell he didn’t want to be there anymore than we wanted him there but at least he was trying to make an effort to get along with everyone.

“Never have I ever,” West replied, seeming a little too excited.

“How very high school of you,” Roman said, laughing.

“Everyone know the rules?” he asked, completely ignoring Roman.

Everyone nodded.

“I’ll go first,” he said, smiling from ear to ear, “Never have I ever lost to Roman in a race.”

Luca picked up his glass and tilted it back.

“My turn. Never have I ever made out with Marilyn Thomas while I was dating someone,” Luca said, shooting daggers with his eyes at West.

He had him there. West picked up his glass and drank.

“I guess I’ll go,” Roman said, “Never have I ever sought someone up to get arrested for no reason.”

Luca drunk his second shot. Looking over at Holland, I study her face and she doesn’t looked shocked by what was being revealed about Luca.

“What are you guys doing?” Holland asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Playing a game,” Roman said, innocently.

“Come on, Luca. Let’s go to my room,” Holland said, getting up with Luca following behind her, “Grace, please let me know when
your
friends leave.”

Hearing the door shut, I flinched. Holland was rarely ever mad but she was fuming that night.

“I can’t believe you guys,” I said, shaking my head.

“I’m sorry, Grace but that’s Luca Davis. You know the asshole that tried with all his power to ruin my relationship with Maddie. They guy who got Roman arrested, he enjoys ruining lives.”

Everything he said was true and I knew that but Holland liked him. That made me want to give him a fair chance even if he didn’t deserve it.

“What you guys did tonight makes you just like him,” Maddie said, getting up and walking out of the door.

“Maybe even worse,” Emma said, following her.

“We should go after them,” West said, getting up and exiting the apartment with Roman in tow.

As soon as I heard the door shut I looked at Ethan and realized he never threw his two cents in. I wasn’t sure why because he wasn’t exactly Luca’s biggest fan.

“Why didn’t you join in on the let’s bash Luca party?” I asked, curling up beside him on the couch.

“Because everyone has a past, Babe. Everyone has done bad things. I messed up and you gave me a second chance. I think he deserves one and maybe Holland is his.”

“His what?”

“His second chance, his redemption,” he said, stroking my hair.

He was right and on that couch I feel deeper in love with the man of my dreams. I was drowning in Ethan and I didn’t want to come up for air.