Undeniably Yours (Torn, #3.5)(25)

“We’re checking in, is all. How are things?” the man kept on rambling. The urge to cut the call was profound, but my curiosity was getting to me, so I held on for a few more minutes.

My parents weren’t really parental. They were two beings who thrived on each other with constant splurges of money to fund their gambling addiction and my mother’s extravagant lifestyle.

“Get to the point. I don’t have time to spare for nonsense.”

My father snorted, as if my words didn’t hold meaning. “I’m sure you’ve spent all the nonsense with your ever evolving need for exotic varieties.” He gave another snorting sound again, grating me further, before he spoke his intent. “I’m calling to see if you could spare us half of your inheritance. You’re young and you don’t have the need of it. You’re making your own money, so there’s no need to hang on to the sum that was supposed to be all mine in the first place.”

Ah, there it was. Always… it was forever about money. “Guess Grandmother didn’t deem you worthy of it all. Besides, it’s never too late to start working, you know.”

“You ungrateful child! You would be nothing without us!”

Here we go again. “I got here because of hard work. I worked countless hours to gain experience. I succeeded because I didn’t give up. There was never us here. It was all f*uking me. So, don’t take credit for something you didn’t even lift a finger towards. And as for the inheritance, you got the same amount I did. The large sum should tide you two over until you’re buried six feet under.”

“Without us, you wouldn’t even be born. Just because you’re all great now doesn’t mean shit to me, you hear? As for money, we have enough to tide us over for the next few months. If you’re unwilling to give us a portion of yours, I’m going to take you to court and contest that will. If I win, I get it all.”

“If—that’s a big if.” I pulled my hair out, laughing drily at the absurdity of my so-called father. “Do what you like. I don’t care.”

“I’m sure you will. Your mother is giving you a couple of months. If you won’t change your mind, you’ll be hearing from our lawyer.” He immediately cut off the call then, not willing to hear what I had to say.

I knew they meant the threats, which was why they weren’t a part of my life now. Once upon a time, they had a heart, but all of that changed when I was about four or five. I can’t remember properly, but I think it all shifted downhill when my grandmother started getting sick. That’s when my father had more access to her money.

My grandfather kept all of his stock money during The Great Depression. Most of those stocks were heavily invested in oil. Once the economy bounced back, their penny stocks became millions through the years. Half of my inheritance was still untouched, still invested in those companies.

I intended that money for my children, never for me. I could work for my own money. Yet, what irritated me was the fact that my parents thought they had the right to simply demand such things from me when they hadn’t done shit to earn it.

Money was a poison that ruled and crippled the world. People changed because of money. People killed to have money. People betrayed loved ones to gain more.

Money preached.

Even though I loved the lifestyle it gave me, I also resented how people saw me because I had it. That’s why it was hard to trust people because most of the folks you met, needed and wanted something out of you.

Maybe that was why Emma appealed to me more, because she never mentioned the damn word. Maybe because when I looked at her, I saw her looking at me. Not the fame I came along with. Not the money attached to my name. Not the man on the tabloid, but at me—the man behind the glamour and glitz of Hollywood.

Pushing my parents aside, the question remained, where did I go from here?

It wasn’t until my legs felt weary that I decided to turn back and stroll towards the cottage.

Once I got inside, I quietly paced myself until I saw her sleeping form. Her nakedness was evident even if her body was covered by a sheet. From the door, I studied her, yearning from afar.

Tomorrow was another day.

Who knew what would happen then? At this point, I was all tangled and twisted because of one woman. I was going to let fate take its form, guide me from here on out.

It was time she saw the real me. Not the man who was all considerate of her feelings and her love for another man. No. She was going to see the real Bass Cole.

The one I had been hiding from her because I wanted to lure her in with kindness and consideration—but that was out of the window now.

If she wanted to come play, she’d better make sure she could handle the ride.

It was all or nothing… from here on out.





A Kiss, That’s All It Took



“It’s my turn,” I furiously hissed at her the second I parted from her lips after they concluded the scene.

I didn’t know what had come over me, but I knew the second my lips touched hers, there was no going back. The scene was fake. It wasn’t about Emma or Bass; it was about Angela and Logan. Yet, it felt like the damn kiss had obliterated my ability to think straight. It consumed me—caught me on its hook and held onto me. There was no way I could brush it off.

No, tonight. I didn’t care if we were going to have a yelling match, or some gargantuan fight because, either way, this was going to end tonight.