Chapter 9

Timmy's surgery is scheduled for today, the Wednesday after their first appointment with Dr. O'Malley, so I rearrange my classes and stay home with Tommy for the day.

Tommy, thankfully, has gotten all of his tests cleared, but he will continue to be tested every six months for the foreseeable future. This news is a weight off of all of our shoulders, and we take that piece of good fortune as a sign that everything else will turn out all right.

Tommy and I occupy ourselves with the Wii, and while he mostly behaves like he normally does, he sporadically asks me a question about his brother. I can see he's upset and confused about his twin. He knows he's sick, but obviously the details have been kept from him. Alice and Jasper have been careful to not devote all of their attention towards Timmy while they've been dealing with this, but it's impossible for him not to have been affected by the behavior of his parents.

There have been a few times where I wish I could talk to Manchu. He's the only person I know who would be able to really answer any questions I have about Timmy's condition and prognosis. But I screwed that one up royally. By making him think I had become uninterested in having sex with him, I not only lost that, but his presence altogether. I just knew I wouldn't be seeing him at the coffee shop any longer since I made it seem like I didn't even want to talk to him. A fact that made me more depressed than this health crisis already had.

Finally, Jasper calls the house saying that the surgery went well, and that Alice was glued to Timmy's side as they wait for the anesthesia to wear off. Dr. O'Malley seemed to think they had gotten the entire tumor while leaving enough of the kidney intact. Jasper mentions that Dr. Cullen was on hand to assess the remaining tissue and organ, and was also confident they had removed it all. They performed a biopsy of the surrounding cells and would know soon if any further treatment was necessary.

I breathe a sigh of relief and hug Tommy to me, the little boy picking up on my emotions and hugging me back.


I'm not surprised on Friday morning when it's Katie sitting across from me and not Manchu. I'm filling her and Ms. Nosy in on the details of Timmy's surgery. Mimi, as she introduced herself, is joining us in conversation today. Having been a part of Manchu's and my extremely ridiculous antics, I feel like I've known her forever.

The biopsy results are due back today, and Timmy should be able to return home sometime next week, barring any infection issues or complications.

Every time the door opens, it's like a beacon drawing me in. I tell myself when I'm continuously disappointed that it's for the best; he really was an arrogant jerk most of the time I interacted with him. I can't stop thinking of the few good, no, excellent moments we had, though.

The two women make my Friday morning enjoyable enough, but I try not to make faces at the latte that just doesn't taste as good as it used to.


My mood behind the bar tonight is mellow; I'd yet to hear from Alice or Jasper despite the voicemail I left both of them. I hoped it wasn't a bad sign. Angie knows I'm worried and takes more command of the night, hopping on the bar to give out the shots and to dance, pulling random female customers up with her which is always a huge crowd pleaser.

The band tonight is a group of Nashville natives, an original band playing their own unique sound, and I predict they won't be playing bars for long. Everyone seems to be enjoying them and the floor in front of the low stage is crowded.

I'm making a batch of SoCo and lime for a group of girls when Emmett calls out to me that Alice is on the phone. I quickly serve the drinks and wipe my hands on my rag, grabbing the cordless receiver from him, and move to his office to get some quiet and hopefully good news.

The biopsy confirms Timmy has no trace of cancer. I start to cry, which sets Alice off, and we're blubbering and making all kinds of plans for when he recovers. Ridiculous things like taking him on an African Safari, but it makes us feel good that we can plan at all.

I feel so fantastic when I return to the bar that I jump up and start dancing, kicking my cowboy boots up and stomping them hard on the coppertop. The band finishes one song and before they can start their next one, I lean over precariously to ring the bell above the register. The crowd quiets and I announce a free shot for everyone, much to Emmett's gaping dismay. The customers line up and Angie and I pour the liquor into their waiting mouths, while Seth gives out plastic shot glasses to those not wishing to be doused.

I lean down and motion Emmett over, and once I tell him the news, he hugs me and joins in the giveaway, taking a bottle of Tequila and a handful of shot glasses over to the game area, to share in the exuberant mood. I yell that the shots are on Malice, which was Alice's nickname when she worked here. The regulars that knew her yell louder, and I grab my phone to take a shot of the crowd cheering her, not that they really know what the occasion is.

Once the shots are doled out and Angie and I are back to our regular bartending, I look at the picture I took, intending to forward it to Alice's phone. I stop mid-send when I see something in the picture I can't believe I captured. I take my fingers and blow up the picture, and there, in the back of the bar near the door, is Manchu.

Manchu with the pretty blonde nurse.

I snap my head up to look towards the doorway and see them there, talking and looking towards the band.

He wouldn't.

My good mood is gone in a flash as I eye Rose. She's even prettier out of her nurse gear. No wonder he didn't acknowledge me in the office. I can't imagine he lied when he said he wasn't sleeping with anyone else, but yet again, I don't really know him. Oh god, what if he cheated on her with me? I begin to feel panic creeping in; I've never been the other woman and that certainly is not on my fantasy list.

The panic I feel turns to something else, as I watch them lean close together and smile at each other. A twisting in my stomach signals an illogical feeling of proprietorship. I can't be jealous, I just can't.

I become a girl and side eye Rose for a minute or two, until I realize I'm being irrational, so I tamp down my feelings and get back to my job. I'm hyper aware they're here, however, and I may or may not make a mistake or two in the drink orders.

I'm finishing ringing up a tab that's being closed out when I turn back to give the card and receipt to the customer. Next to the guy cashing out, stands my rival. She's got what I deem an obnoxious smile on her face, but someone else would mistake for friendly. I notice Emmett eyeing her ass and roll my eyes at him.

"What can I get for you?" I say to her amiably enough, ever the professional.

I'm surprised when she holds her hand out to me in greeting. "Izzy, my name is Rose. You can stop eyeballing me. I'm Edward's sister." Her smirk matches his, and I have to admit that when I look closer, I see the family resemblance.

All I can do is look chastened as I shake her hand and return her greeting. "That obvious, huh?"

"You give good glare." She laughs and I chuckle, slightly embarrassed. "I've been served that look from strangers that assumed the same thing." She looks down and pulls her hand from mine, which I didn't realize I was still holding. "He's never felt the need to introduce me to someone he was interested in before. He wanted to in the office, but he says he was caught off guard." She shakes her head and smiles. "He's right, you're very pretty."

The statement that he'd never introduced his sister to anyone before gets stored away for later examination since my brain is occupied by other thoughts. I have no idea why he's here, or if he's here for me at all, regardless of what she just said. I thank her for her unexpected compliment and ask what she'd like to drink.

"I want a biker drink. Something rough. I've always wanted to be a biker chick!" Rose exclaims with excitement in her eyes, while looking around the bar at the motorcycle and cowboy décor. I see Emmett's eyes widen at her statement and stifle a laugh.

"You got it. Do you like tequila?" I question.

"Love it!" Behind her, Emmett places his hands over his heart and makes a fainting motion. I shake my head at him and turn to make her a Cactus Bite.

As I'm shaking the cocktail, I watch Manchu slide up next to her and lean his long frame against the bar. His eyes are intense and he makes no secret of the fact that he's watching my boobs move as I use the shaker. A thrill runs through me, and I feel my nipples instantly harden. I can tell when he's noticed, as his eyes narrow and shoot to my face. I look away before we make eye contact, and grab a glass to pour the drink into. Sliding it to Rose and with no other option, I place my hands on the bar and quirk an eyebrow at him in silent question.

He smoothly rubs his facial hair with two fingers, knowing I like it, and begins to speak. "I'm an arrogant asshole, Half Pint, that much is true. But I'm an arrogant asshole that always gets what he wants."

My knees threaten to buckle at his words, his tone dark and dripping sex. "And what is it that you want?" I manage to force out.

Expecting he's teasing and about to say the word 'beer' or something, my mouth waters when he continues in a low voice.

"I'd like the opportunity to fuck you again."

The whole crowd evaporates and all I can see is Manchu, looking at me like I'm something to eat. I don't know if he expects an answer, but the tightening in my stomach tells me that I want exactly what he wants.

I meet his burning gaze for a moment, before revealing my thoughts. "I'll let you."

We continue to stare at each other for a moment, absorbing and accessing, until I'm ripped from my dreamlike state by Angie ringing the bell. I hadn't noticed the band went on break, and it's trivia time.

"Excuse me, but I am trying to work here." I smirk at him, probably unsuccessfully, but he returns his own and it's a silent gesture that we've come to a truce. I'm relieved that we didn't need to have some sort of draining conversation, re-hashing our argument, to get back to where we were.

Manchu keeps his position holding up the bar for a while, and I see him introduce Emmett to Rose. They kick up a conversation near his post at the end of the bar and Manchu spends his time watching me.

An hour or so later, he nods to me, signaling he wants my attention. I stand in front of him as he says, "Seven thirty tomorrow, be ready, I'm going to pick you up."

I'm a bit miffed by his assumption. "I have plans tomorrow night." I throw back at him. Just as I finish speaking, and like she was listening in, Angie comes over to cancel our dinner plans.

I'm left flabbergasted, staring at my supposed friend as she just grins at me then Manchu, and saunters away.

"Looks like you're free now." He says, full of overconfidence.

"Bitch." I mutter under my breath at her retreating back, only to see her waving to me from behind her head. I turn back to Manchu. "I thought it was clear, whatever this is, isn't going to turn into dating."

"Oh, this isn't a date. I'm not even going to feed you." He smiles. "Food anyway."

My jaw aches at the insinuation, thinking about his girth. "I'm not letting you pick me up either."

"Fine." He grabs a pen and writes on a cocktail napkin, sliding it over to me, tapping his knuckles against it. "Seven thirty."

"Is this your home address?" I ask, looking at the street name. Belmont Boulevard, near the University. Ritzy.

"Yes, but don't worry, you're not even going to get a tour." He winks at me before turning away, taking Rose's empty glass for her and setting it back on the bar. I see her say something to Emmett, and he punches what's obviously her number into his phone. She waves to me before they walk to the exit, Emmett watching her ass swing as they go. He looks back to me and just raises his eyebrows with a stupid grin on his face.

"I'm going to marry her."


Pulling up in front of Manchu's house, my jaw drops open. The street is full of grand Victorian homes, and his is no exception. I decide to pull my bike up the sloping driveway and park in front of the detached two-car garage, behind the BMW, instead of leaving it on the street. Placing my helmet on the handlebars, I quickly pull my stiletto ankle boots out of my bag and change out of the necessary motorcycle boots, which I leave on the driveway next to my bike.

Moving up the walkway towards the house, I'm jealous of the huge wrap around porch that encases the entire front of the gray house. The windows are grand with black plantation shutters on either side, while pops of blue on the window boxes add another dimension. There appears to be no draperies, the whole house lit up and open, showing me the inside before I've entered.

I run a hand over my hair, praying I don't have helmet head and ring the bell. One of the extremely tall double doors opens, and there stands Manchu, sexy and masculine in a ripped t-shirt and jeans. I look down and see that his feet are bare, and even that part of him makes my body parts tingle.

He rests his arm on the side of the door, watching me look him up and down. His other hand moves under the hem of his shirt and I can see his happy trail leading the way over his stomach and disappearing into the waistband of his low-riding jeans. Umph.

I look up to see him smiling at me, letting me know I've been caught ogling. I just shrug and don't deny it, and he laughs, taking a step back to usher me in. "Hi." is all he says.

"Hey." I say back, a bit nervously. I take off my leather jacket and he grabs it, carrying it with him as he starts to walk. Before we get very far, a big, slobbering bulldog walks over and stands next to him.

"This is Roscoe." He says as he pets the dog's head vigorously. "Do you like dogs? I didn't think to warn you."

"He seems harmless enough. I love dogs. Do you smell my cat?" I ask Roscoe and bend down, sticking my hand out for the dog to sniff, which he does rather disinterestedly. I pat him on the head and stand back up.

"Cat, huh? Makes sense." When I look at him in question, he motions between us. "Cat and dog owners. Oil and water." He laughs. "Come on, I know I said I wasn't going to feed you, but I think a glass of wine is okay." I follow him towards the right of the house, and take a quick look around.

The dark wood flooring of the large entranceway has a rustic quality to it and seems to cover the entire downstairs. I peek behind me into the formal living room, large and comfortable, and very neat. Beyond that room, I see steps leading down towards a hallway at the back of the house. Separating the two front halves of the house is a large stairway painted white, with the same dark wood planks making up the steps.

I catch up to him and pass the staircase, moving into the other side of the house. There is a huge comfy couch and flat screen TV, obviously the den, but what makes my mouth drop open is the enormous kitchen attached. The cabinets are all white with some glass and solid doors mixing together, while the countertops are black granite. The same stone covers the large island that has a pot rack overhead, and the breakfast bar as well.

After tossing my jacket on the back of the couch, he motions to a chair at the island, where I sit under the old fashioned exposed light bulbs hanging from their industrial fixtures. "Red okay?" He asks as he moves to a floor to ceiling wine rack, removing a bottle and lifting it up for me to see.

I agree, and watch him twist the opener to release the cork, the tail of his dragon tattoo peeking out from under his sleeve as his bicep moves. I silently moan as the veins in his forearm undulate under his skin, strong and utterly manly. I take a deep breath to calm nerves I have no reason having, unless you figure in the fact that I'm in his home, which feels decidedly personal.

He stands behind the breakfast bar and hands me a glass. "Cheers." He clinks his glass to mine, and we sip. He swirls the liquid around for a moment, until he takes a deep breath and starts speaking. "When I'm in a relationship, I sleep with one woman at a time. I would hope that you feel the same?"

And he calls me blunt. "We're not in a relationship."

He raises an eyebrow and lowers his chin, looking at me like I'm daft. "We're about to start a sexual relationship, if I'm not mistaken. You don't want to date, so this is all about sex, am I right?"

Does that mean he would prefer to be dating? No, he would've said that, wouldn't he? I clear my head, what he wants doesn't matter. Only what I'm getting out of this does.

He continues. "I'd like to make a proposition."

I look at him warily. "Maybe. What is it?" Taking a sip of wine, I watch as he does the same.

"For each orgasm I give you, I get to ask a personal question."

I practically spit my wine out. "How many do you expect me to have tonight?"

"Tons." He says it like it's a normal thing to expect. "But I mean every time." I watch him take a swallow while I ponder his request. "Some personal interaction will make everything more enjoyable. I can't not know you."

I contemplate his words, and think he's probably right. I've never done this before, and assume he has, so he's the expert. "Do I get the same deal?"

He shrugs. "Sure. Although I bet I learn a hell of a lot more about you than you do me." He smiles devilishly.

"You haven't experienced my oral skills yet." I mentally pat myself on the back when he widens his eyes slightly. "So how many women have you had this kind of an arrangement with?" I ask.

"You, Half Pint, are the first."

My eyes widen; I must've heard wrong. "You're joking."

"Why would I joke about that?"

"You just seem to know what you're doing, like you have experience at this sort of thing." I shrug, trying to contain my surprise at his admission.

His eyes shine as he answers. "Oh, I know what I'm doing all right."

I roll my eyes at him as he pours some more wine in our glasses and I turn to look around the space. "No curtains?" I ask.

"I like the view. You can see the sunset over the houses across the street since I'm slightly elevated. Some nights, like tonight, it's amazing." He's right, the sky is that extraordinary mélange of pink and purple that makes up dusk. "The curtains automatically close at night." I look up and see that hidden from the outside, at the very top of the windows, is draped fabric that apparently drops down to the bottom.

"Well, your house is stunning."

"I know." I roll my eyes at this, but he continues. "But not as stunning as you." He looks me over, taking in my tight jeans and black t-shirt, stopping at the words gracing the front that he hadn't noticed yet.

"Use Me, Abuse Me, Just Don't Bruise Me" He reads aloud and barks out a laugh. "I can't promise anything."

He walks up next to me, his closeness making me heady, and extends his hand. "Shall we?"

"Before we go any further, I just wanted to say something."

"Go ahead." He lowers his hand and rests it on the countertop.

"Thank you, for Timmy." I say simply, knowing he'll understand why I won't gush.

He seems a bit surprised, but answers immediately. "You're welcome."

I fear I've altered the mood, until he extends his hand again, and I place mine in his, the sensation of his touch coursing through my body.

I watch as he raises our hands, bringing mine to his mouth, and places a kiss on the back. "I have a surprise for you."


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From the planetblue Archive of Awesome Fic List:

The Elusive Mr Cullen by dariachenowith

Bella is a high class escort, Edward her newest client. They soon realize that there's more between them than great sex and witty conversations. While Bella doesn't believe in fairy tales, her life seems to be turning into one fast. Or is it? AH/OOC

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