Chasing Ella (Love Ever After 1)

She lets an exaggerated sigh, shakes her head in disapproval, and removes a set of keys from her pocket. “You poor thing. Take my car.”

I push out my hand. “No, I couldn’t. You’ve done enough for me already.”

“Please, I would feel better if you use my car. Philadelphia public transportation at this hour is not safe for a girl like you, and you will be sure to attract attention in this gown.”

She’s right. The three buses I take to get to Strickland University in the daytime are bad enough, let alone the creatures that might lurk at night.

“Thank you,” I say with a smile.

She slips the keys into my palm, and I close my fist over them, praying that I make it there in one piece and that nothing bad happens to the car or the dress. That would be my luck.

The ride to the fraternity house was rougher than I had imagined. Either I drive too slow, after all these years out of practice, or the people in this city drive too fast. They almost ran me off the road, inciting such fear inside me that my fingers trembled beneath the leather steering wheel the entire ride. Parked at the corner of Greek Row, I take a minute to compose myself before I get out of the red Mercedes coupe.

No one even blinks an eye when I click the lock button, and the lights flash in the darkness. Cars like this are a dime a dozen on this campus, despite how out of place I feel in one. As I walk toward the Delta Sig house, heat creeps up the back of my neck from all the stares aimed in my direction.

While the car might not stick out, I do in this dress and mask. It’s unlike anything the girls I pass have on, further drawing more attention to the fact that I don’t belong. At one time, I would have fit right in. But the Fitzgerald name no longer carries the same status it did when my dad was alive.

The looks I get from the people on the front lawn of the house create an uncomfortable silence. Even the man at the door, wearing a golden mask fit for a Roman Emperor, doesn’t bother to ask me for my name before I step through the open door.

Inside the house, screaming girls dance with each other and grind on their dates. I’d always wondered what a frat party would be like since I had never gone to one. Natasha and Anastasia are sisters at Kappa, the sluttiest sorority on campus. They fit right in, of course.

I should have known they would never welcome me into their world. When Clarissa had agreed to let me out of my room for the night, I should have known that her daughters would do her dirty work, as per the usual. She’s the type of woman who never raises her voice and always keeps a calm head, all while plotting something vicious. Her smiles are devices used to trick the mind into believing she has a heart or that she’s capable of showing anyone love, other than her two brats.

The DJ scratches the record, and people yell in protest, before their attention shifts to me, causing my cheeks to burn from the unwanted attention. I hate having people stare at me. I’d rather fade into the background and blend in with everyone else. But I came here with a mission—kiss Shawn Finch.

Scanning the room, it takes me a minute to find Finch. He’s not hard to miss with his strong arms and shoulders and dirty blond hair that’s always somewhat messy as if styled that way on purpose. I drink in every delicious part of him, working my way up from his muscular thighs to his thick chest, and stop at his handsome face.

Even with the mask covering his steel blue eyes, I see something flicker in them from across the room. He appraises every part of my body and licks his lips before he settles permanently on my face.

Does he recognize me? I sure hope not. The reason this party is the perfect opportunity to meet Finch is the rule about names. You can’t ask for one, and you don’t have to provide one. It seemed like the perfect plan when Tori had invited me. Now, I’m kind of glad that her phone kept ringing when I called to meet up because she would have introduced me to Finch as one of her friends.

I’d rather he not know my name or my link to Tori. It’s better this way. One night of pleasure with the man of my dreams, and then, I can go back to being me. We lock onto each other, ignorant to our surroundings. Getting Finch’s attention is much easier than I’d expected.

This is fate, I tell myself. This is supposed to happen.

That’s why my new next-door neighbor appeared at the right time, handed me the perfect dress, and now, I’m staring back at the perfect man.

I need to get him alone, though I have no idea where to lead him. Shuffling through the crowd, I dart through the sea of people and head toward the back of the house, allowing my instincts to guide me. To the left of the kitchen, I spot a hallway and stop. I look over my shoulder to find Finch pushing his way through the crowd to get to me.

My feet move fast on the slick tile floor, despite wearing five-inch stilettos. It’s been years since I’ve worn anything other than jeans or the occasional hand me down dress. So, I’m surprised how well I can walk in these heels. Oddly enough, I feel just as confident in them as my usual pair of sneakers.

Checking over my shoulder every few feet, I see Finch moving through the crowded hall with a purpose. He’s chasing after me just as I had hoped. Everything is falling into place. So, I think when I turn a corner, only to hit a dead end. Where I thought I’d find stairs, there’s a locked door with the kind of lock you need a key to open.

Yanking on the knob, I give it a few tugs, even though I know I’m stuck and will soon have to face Finch. Before I can spin around, I hear footsteps, followed by someone touching my hip.

My breath hitches when he dips down to speak against the shell of my ear. “You look lost, princess. What’s a beautiful girl like you doing all by herself?”

The heat from his breath warms my earlobe. I cannot move, think, or talk. I take in his masculine scent, the sound of his husky voice, and his fingers that dig into my side. He pulls me back and into his chest, the grip he has on me tightening, not forceful but more protective. It’s as if Finch has claimed me.

“I was looking for the bathroom.” What a liar.

“I can take you if you want.”

I close my eyes and allow his voice to command control over my body. The soft moan that escapes my lips serves as my response.

“I have nothing but time for you.”

His words sound like a line, but I don’t care. Lines are what I had expected from a guy like Finch. I want the full illusion tonight, even if that’s all it will ever be.