Chapter One: Our Secret Moments
"This should be fun," Rosalie hummed as we stood in the lobby of the Four Seasons hotel in Vegas.
I looked around and smiled as I made eye contact with an incredibly sexy man. "Coming with you is the best decision I've ever made."
"It's only just begun," She twirled her blonde hair as a bellboy came and gathered our bags.
Rosalie and I had known each other since diapers. Our fathers were partners in one of Chicago's best law firms. We lived right across the street from each other and spent almost every waking moment together. We knew each other's secrets and had made a vow to never rat on the other. She covered for me and I covered for her. We were best friends and no one had managed to tear us apart no matter how much some tried.
"By the end of this trip, you will have forgotten completely about Liam," She said. "Trust me. We'll get you laid by an older guy and dumb seventeen-year-old dick will just be a distant memory."
I sighed. "Who's Liam?" I asked trying to sound cool about everything. But the truth was, I was still kind of hurting. Liam and I had been dating for almost two years. I lost my virginity to him. We weren't planning our future just yet, but I didn't think we were going to end things so suddenly.
But two weeks ago, Liam came to my house and broke up with me. He said he needed to be a free man and we shouldn't get too serious since our senior year was coming up. I was completely shocked as he walked away so easily. He didn't even bat an eyelash as he broke my heart. He apologized for hurting me and then he just left. I cried myself to sleep that night and Rosalie had done everything to bring me out of my funk.
But three days ago she told me she was tired of sitting in my room with me. She encouraged me to come with her to do literally anything else, but I told her I didn't want to go out and risk seeing Liam with another girl. Since he was able to walk away so easily, I was pretty sure he was seeing someone else but he'd never admit that to me.
That's when she pushed me to join her and her family in Vegas for the week. Her father came here to drink and gamble, her mother came here to spend her father's money and Rosalie came here because it was better than sitting at home for a week. I was always invited but I had never been that drawn to Vegas as a place to go on vacation. But I needed the distraction and Rosalie would be there.
The two of us went to Seattle a day before our flight and spent a lot of money on clothes my father would have made me return if he saw me in them. We stayed at a hotel and Rosalie flirted with one of the waiters and had a bottle of champagne up to our room. We were giggly all night and I knew that if we weren't even in Vegas yet, we would have fun.
It was going to be a great week. I was sure of it.
Mr. Hale got us checked into the hotel and we were given our room key. It was two doors down from theirs and we were pretty much on our own for the week. We were seventeen years old, we didn't need a babysitter. Plus, he wasn't here to spend time with his family.
Once we got into our room and got settled a bit, Rosalie handed me my fake ID.
I smiled at it. "This looks so real."
"I know," She smiled. "Paul did a great job. I mean, I paid him enough so if they looked fake I would have killed him."
"So, where are we going tonight?"
She laughed. "Oh, Bella. We don't plan Vegas. It just happens," I raised my eyebrows at her. "Stop being such a fun sucker. Just...let things happen the way they're supposed to happen. Get out of your fucking head."
"Okay," I smiled as she opened her suitcase and pulled out her swimsuit. It was the middle of July in Nevada. I was fucking hot already and it was only ten o'clock in the morning.
I followed her lead and got into my suit. We grabbed our towels, sunscreen, and sunglasses. We got down to the pool and Rosalie was walking around like she owned the place. I was confident in my body but there was something about Rosalie that made me look like a shy, timid girl.
Since it was such a nice hotel, the pool was crowded with cheating wives and hot businessmen. In the time it took us to get from the elevator to the pool deck, I'd already seen four couples making out in places they thought they couldn't be seen. I wondered if the people they were dry humping in public were people they came with.
Rose and I found a set of lounge chairs close to the pool and laid our towels down. We put on some sunscreen because we both had fair skin and didn't want to spend the week in pain due to sunburn, and laid down in our chairs. Rosalie put in one earbud and turned on her music and I opened my worn copy of Emma and started to read.
I might have been in Vegas to get over Liam, but I needed to have a good book with me at all times.
I was so into my book, I didn't even realize when something blocked my sun. Rose noticed though and pulled her earbud out of her ear and looked up at what was creating the shade.
"Hey!" She sighed. I looked over at her a smirked. I loved Rosalie, but you had to get to know her before she let you see her sweet side. "You're blocking my sun," She spat. I marked my spot and closed it. When I faced her again, she smiling. And it wasn't just a polite smile. It was the kind of smile you have when you wanna jump someone. She went from pissed to smiling in two seconds so I figured a hot guy was the culprit. I looked up at him and gulped.
It was a hot guy alright.
"Sorry," He batted his eyelashes. "Are these seats taken?" He nodded to the chairs next to me. People had been sitting there but I guess they had left while I was reading.
I shook my head. "Nope. Take 'em."
"Thanks," He winked and flagged down whoever he was with. Another hot guy followed him over and they each pulled out their hotel towels and sat down. I wanted to play it cool and go back to reading, but I was finding it difficult to concentrate when I could feel him looking at me.
I closed my book again and turned to him. He was gorgeous. He didn't look older than twenty-five and he had an incredible smile. I tried hard not to look down at his abdomen, but I failed. He was fucking ripped and I sighed. Liam was cute, but he was butt ugly compared to this guy.
Still trying to play it cool, I removed my sunglasses and looked him right in the eyes.
"Can I help you?" I asked.
His eyes widened like he was embarrassed I'd caught him staring at him. "I was just trying to see what you were reading."
"Really?" I was caught off guard. Rosalie had made me buy a pretty revealing swimsuit so I assumed he was checking out my boobs. I was also very aware that he was just saying that so he didn't come off as a perve. I decided to just play along and I showed him the cover.
He smiled. "I'm a sucker for Jane Austen."
"You are?" I asked, still unsure if he was just saying that. Most guys didn't even know who she was, let alone one of her novels.
"We read Pride and Prejudice in my AP English class," He explained. "I pretended to hate it like the other guys in my class but I secretly loved it."
I grinned. "Prove it. Favorite Jane Austen novel?"
"Mansfield Park," He told me and I was surprised it wasn't Pride and Prejudice since it was her most well-known book (and since it was the book her read for school).
I smiled in agreement. "That's a good one."
"I'm Edward," He said, smiling at me again. Damn...his smile was perfect. "And that's my older brother, Jasper." He pointed to a guy walking across the pool with two beers in his hands.
"Bella," I smiled. "And that's Rosalie," I pointed to Rosalie who was pretending not to be watching us. I knew her though and she was listening to every word we said to each other.
"Sister?"
"Basically," I giggled. "We've been best friends since we were babies. We're neighbors and our dads are partners."
"Gottcha,"
"How old are you?" I asked. I looked for any indication that he was married, but I didn't see a ring. Then again he probably wouldn't wear it to go swimming. My father never wore his when we'd go swimming when we were kids.
He smiled. "I just turned twenty-six yesterday. That's why we're here."
"Happy birthday," I smiled and he bit his lip like I was making him nervous or something.
"Thanks."
He didn't really look like a party guy so I wondered what he was doing in Vegas. "Did your brother drag you here?" I asked.
He nodded. "I just finished law school and got a job with a pretty big law firm," He explained. "Jasper said I needed a few days to unwind and have some fun before I went into the cooperate world."
"He's right."
"What about you? How old are you?" He asked. Shit. He'd never keep flirting with me once he found out how old I really was. "Why are you here in Vegas?"
"Oh I'm..."
"We're twenty-one," Rosalie lied as she sat up and removed her headphones. "We're celebrating the end of summer before we go back to school." I stared at her. I didn't like deliberately lying to people when they asked a question.
"Where do you go to school?"
"IU," Rosalie lied. Again. I hoped he wouldn't ask what we were majoring in.
"That's a good school," He commented. "I looked into going there for my undergrad, but I ended up at Northwestern."
"I like Northwestern a lot," I told him honestly and Rosalie slapped my arm telling me to shut up about college.
"Is the start of school the only reason you came here?" He asked.
Rosalie giggled. "Nope. Bella here is getting over a break-up," She answered for me. "So, yes. She's single."
"Rose," I mumbled but she ignored me. Rosalie and I were complete opposites which is why our friendship worked so perfectly. I had always been more cautious but Rosalie always threw caution to the wind and did whatever she was feeling in that moment.
"What about you?" She asked. "Are you single…" She hadn't heard his name.
"Edward," He smirked.
"Are you single, Edward?" She asked and I wondered if she was wanting to hook up with him. I closed my eyes, preparing myself for him to say he was married or engaged to a beautiful girl his age.
He nodded. "Yep. Law school doesn't allow for much time to date."
"How long will you be here?" Rose asked and I sat back and let her talk to him. I was obviously open to getting over Liam, but one night stands never appealed to me. And this guy was in a very different place in his life and was probably just looking to get laid. I didn't judge him for that but I also knew Rose wasn't opposed to just having sex.
She wasn't a slut or anything. She just liked having fun with really hot guys.
"Just the weekend," He said. "My brother said a weekend was all we needed."
"Brother?" Rosalie smirked as the man who Edward pointed out earlier finally made his way to the chairs. He handed Edward his beer and sat down next to him and smiled at us.
"Hello, ladies," He smiled as he took a drink. "I'm Jasper."
"Hi, Jasper," Rosalie smiled and waved. "I'm Rosalie and this is Bella." I waved a hello.
"I should probably warn you that I'm happily engaged," He laughed.
Rosalie sighed. "The good ones are always taken," She nudged me. "I'm parched. Jasper, would you like to come with me to get a drink."
"Rose, he just handed Edward a drink."
"I know but...I don't know where to get a drink," She looked at Jasper and practically winked at him. She did hear that he was engaged...right? She stared at him for a few seconds before bobbing her head between Edward and I. I rolled my eyes once I understood where she was going with this and he seemed to understand too.
"I'd love to show you, Rosalie," He got up and they walked off towards the drinks. Edward sighed and turned to me.
"Rosalie seems..."
"Intense?" I laughed and he nodded. "Her hearts in the right place."
"So is Jasper's," He said. "But he doesn't get it. He's been with Alice for five years and they were friends long before they started dating. He doesn't understand how hard it is in the dating world."
"Who says I'm trying to date anyone?" I smirked and he raised an eyebrow at me.
"No one. I guess I'll take what I can get."
"And what if I don't give you anything?"
He smiled. "Then I guess I'll have to find someone else."
I didn't know what else to say. Rosalie was a natural flirt and made it look so easy when she talked to guys. Liam and I fell in love at a slow and steady pace. We were friends first and it slowly transitioned into something more. I didn't know how to bat my eyelashes and say witty things to get a guys attention.
Thankfully, Rosalie and Jasper were back with drinks before the conversation could go any further. She handed me a bright, coral drink with a paper umbrella and fun straw. I looked up at her, silently asking her what it was.
"I got you a Mai Tai," She smiled and I took a sip. It was really strong but tasted really good. I could see Edward smiling as he took a drink of his beer.
"What?" I giggled. "Do you have a problem with my friends choice of drink?"
He shook his head. "Not at all. Those kinds of drinks are just too sweet for me."
"Maybe you're just too uptight," I shrugged as I took another sip. He was right. The drink was really sweet, but I'd tasted beer a few times and it was gross. I stuck to the sweeter cocktails and wines whenever I did drink.
He lifted his eyebrows at me. "Maybe you're right."
"Edward is definitely uptight," Jasper laughed. "He didn't have any fun in high school or college."
"Why?" He asked his brother. "Because I actually studied?"
"That's all you did," Jasper rolled his eyes. "He never lets loose. I had to practically drag him here. He's twenty-six years old and he didn't want to come to Vegas with his brother for a weekend."
Edward shrugged. "I have a lot going on. And you were practically given on job on a silver platter with dad. I had to work for the job I got."
"I work hard," Jasper shrugged.
Edward laughed. "And play harder."
"I'm gonna go get in the water," I sighed as I pushed myself up and walked towards the water. I shook my hips a little more knowing that Edward was probably watching me. I jumped into the pool and then pulled myself partially out of the water to look at him. Edward was practically drooling and Rosalie was smiling at me with approval.
"How's the water?" Edward finally called and I shrugged as I pushed my boobs together even more. They were almost falling out of my top and I'd caught the attention of a few other guys near us. I went back under the water and swam to the other side of the pool.
I was only a little bit disappointed when Edward didn't follow me.
Rosalie and I spent the majority of the afternoon at the pool. Eventually, the guys left and some loud college girls took their spots. I wanted them to stay, but Jasper said he had plans for his brother that they couldn't be late for. Rose was sure it was some sort of hotel room stripper, but I had a feeling Edward was classier than that.
Rosalie pointed out that his big brother wasn't.
After the pool, we went back up to our hotel room to get changed for dinner with her parents. We pulled on less revealing sundresses and put on a little bit of makeup. As much as I loved Rosalie's parents, they weren't as attentive to her as my parents were with me. She was sure her father wouldn't notice what she was wearing, but I wanted to look a little more age appropriate in front of the rents.
After dinner was over, Rosalie and I went back upstairs to change again. We pulled on ridiculously short, tight dresses and put on more makeup. Rosalie curled my hair and pinned half of it up and out of my face. When I looked in the mirror...I hardly recognized myself.
"I look like a slut," I blurted out and Rosalie slapped my arm.
"Shut up. You look like me."
"It's too short."
"It's fine."
"It's too tight."
"You look great, Bella. We're in Vegas. No one here is ever going to see us again. Just let loose and have some fun," she said. "It's why we're here."
"I thought we were here because you wanted to get over Liam?"
"By letting loose and having fun," She left out the duh but it was implied. After she finished doing her hair, we went downstairs to wait for the Uber.
The club she'd brought us to was packed. We got in easily with our fake ID's and she pulled me inside and right to the bar. She ordered us a few drinks and they were really strong. Again. After the Mai Tai this afternoon I was already feeling it. I didn't want to get too drunk because as much as she wanted me to get laid...I just wasn't that person. I didn't like the idea of hooking up with a random guy just to get over my boyfriend.
After about half an hour and one drink, I saw her looking at the door and she was smiling. Like her evil, I'm up to no good smile. I knew asking her about it would be pointless so I turned around.
And there was Edward looking really sexy in his khaki shorts and a clean, white t-shirt. Jasper was smiling as he clapped his brother on the back when he saw us at our table.
I turned back to Rosalie. "Did you do this?"
"No," She lied. "I just told them what club we'd be going to and when we'd be here. I didn't invite them."
"If he wasn't engaged, I would tell you to marry Jasper because you're two fucking peas in a pod," I rolled my eyes. I liked Edward and he was a lot older than me. I didn't want to make myself sound dumb or younger than I was in front of me.
"Look who we have here," Jasper shouted over the music as they approached us. "Isn't that funny."
"Really funny," Edward rolled his eyes. "I promise we aren't stalking you...well I'm not stalking you. My brother might be."
"Rosalie mentioned you might stop by," Jasper shrugged innocently. "I thought it sounded like a nice place. I didn't think you'd really be here."
"You're a terrible liar," Edward yelled but Jasper pretended not to hear him. Jasper took Rosalie's hand and led her to the bar so he could order a drink. Then they sat down at a table close by and pretended not to be staring at us.
"Looks like we have overly enthusiastic wingmen," I smiled as I twiddled my thumbs.
He smiled. "Wanna drink?"
"Sure," I nodded. We walked over to the bar. He ordered a beer and I asked for a Screwdriver. When I took a drink, I made a face.
"Is it not good?"
"It's just strong," I shrugged. "I'm not much of a drinker."
"Me either. This is the most I've drunk in a day since I turned twenty-one."
Edward and I sat down at a seat further away from dumb and dumber so we could actually talk. Well...we tried to talk but the music was too damn loud. After we both finished our drinks, he asked me to dance. I wasn't a dancer, but the two drinks I'd had were starting to take effect and I agreed as I stood up and let him lead me onto the dancefloor. I could see Rosalie and Jasper high five as they pretended to not watch us.
"You think they'll get tired of this?" I asked Edward.
He laughed. "No. Jasper has been trying to get me laid for months."
"Oh."
"I've been busy with the bar and exams and finding a job," He shrugged. "Girls just weren't on my radar."
"I'm guessing girls are always on his radar?"
He nodded. "Alice is. He's always been a ladies man, though. I'm actually surprised he's settling down this early."
"You two seem pretty different."
"So do you and Rosalie."
I shrugged. "She's my rock. If it weren't for her insisting I come with her I'd probably still be sitting in my PJ's and eating ice cream to get over Liam."
"He's an idiot for breaking up with you," Edward said but I wasn't sure if I was supposed to hear that so I pretended I didn't.
Edward and I spent the majority of the night together. He kept buying me drinks and I kept accepting them. We continued to dance and by the fourth drink, I was grinding on him. I could feel his erection through his shorts and it really turned me on. I was ready to jump him in the middle of the club but I wasn't quite that drunk yet.
I was surprised when I heard the familiar tune of Naughty Girl by Beyonce starting to play. Sure, it had been remixed to fit the vibe more but I still remembered secretly listening to this song with Rosalie when we were in sixth grade because it made us feel more grown up.
I turned around and faced Edward. His eyes were kind of glossed over like he was really enjoying dancing with me. I slowly ran my hands up his chest and I could feel his defined muscles through his shirt. He gripped my hips and dug his fingers into my skin. My breath hitched as he slowly dragged his fingers up my side, up to my neck.
"Fuck," He breathed as he wrapped his hand around my neck. He bent down and kissed me. I saw fireworks when our lips touched and I instantly felt a need between my legs. I wrapped my arms around his neck and stood on my tiptoes to give him a better angle. He swiped his tongue along my bottom lip and I greedily opened my mouth, letting him in. I just needed him even closer.
He pulled back slightly and kissed my jaw all the way down to my neck. He found a sweet spot and sucked lightly making me whimper. I know I was saying I wasn't one to just meet some random guy and have sex with them but what the hell did I know? There was no way I was leaving this club alone and there was absolutely no fucking way I was leaving Vegas without having hot sex with Edward.
I opened my eyes for half a second and glanced over to where I last saw Rosalie and Jasper. They were both watching up with their mouths gaping open in surprise.
I pushed Edward away at that moment because if we were going to do this I didn't want an audience.
We stared at each other while we tried catching our breath. I didn't even realize how consumed we were with each other before I heard the whistles of random people surrounding us.
"Wanna get out of here?" I asked and he just nodded. HE took my hand and we walked over to Rosalie and Jasper. Edward told Jasper to not even think of showing up at his room until he was told to and I gave Rosalie his room number just in case. She promised she'd cover for me if for some reason her parents showed up. We both knew they wouldn't, but it was still good to know she had my back.
Before going back to the resort, I dragged Rosalie to the bathroom with me while Edward waited for the Uber to come to get us. When we got there, Rosalie squealed and hugged me. She handed me a few condoms just in case I'd lost the ones she already gave me or Edward didn't have them. I splashed some cool water on my face and Rosalie helped me fix my makeup so I didn't look like such a mess. She walked me out to the curb where Edward was waiting with the car.
"Have fun," She whispered. "Be safe."
I nodded. "Always." Edward took my hand and we slid in the backseat. The driver clarified the address with Edward before leaving and started driving. Edward put his hand on my bare knee and if we had been alone, I would have jumped him there. The five-minute drive to the resort seemed to take forever and when we were dropped off, Edward's lips were immediately on mine.
We drunkenly stumbled through the lobby, not caring who could see us. I was just grateful we didn't run into Rose's parents. When we got to the elevator, there were a few people also waiting with us. Edward put his hand on the small of my back and I gulped.
I wanted to tell the other people to fuck off and find another way up to their room.
When the elevator doors opened on his floor, he bent down and kissed me. We stumbled out of the elevator and I heard some guys whooping for us as the doors shut. We somehow made it to his room without tripping over each other and when he pulled his room key out, I did something completely out of character for me.
I cupped his dick through his pants.