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Chapter Nine
"So how does it feel?" Alice asked me as she leaned back on the bar sipping her drink.
I shrugged, "I dunno. The same. I guess it hasn't quite sunk in yet." I looked around the room where all my ex-workmates gathered to wish me farewell.
We were at a happy hour at a bar not far from the McCarty and Partners building celebrating my departure from their employment and impending new job. I was excited to move on, as much as I liked being a receptionist, this new opportunity meant I could broaden my horizons a little.
Its amazing how it seems that time can move so fast. Six months with Edward had flown by. We had fallen into a nice routine. We would spend entire weekends together and have dinner a few nights during the week, which usually led to one of us staying at the other's apartment. Alice often reminded me that I didn't have much of a life before Edward so it was a big change for me. Gone were the weekends eaten away by reading a good book and weeknights catching up on my DVR's. I spent most of my spare time wrapped up in Edward. Quite literally. And I had enjoyed every single minute.
Edward's work life had also changed a little over the past few months. He had found an office perfect for Cullen Web Design not too far from McCarty and Partners. He hired his friend Liam not long after his trial run. Liam was an excellent web designer and a nice guy too, but he was messy as hell and Edward often complained about having to clean up after him. CWD had also taken on a lot of new clients, and naturally, the more work that Edward and Liam took on, the more general office work needed to be done. Rather than the web designing they should have been doing, they were sending invoices and taking care of everyday clerical tasks.
My old boss, Mr. McCarty, who was adamant that I call him Emmett, had actually been the one to come up with the idea that Edward hire me as his new office manager. Edward and I had spent a fair bit of time socially with him and his wife, Rose over the past few months and he had been on the receiving end of many of Edward's more colorful rants about his hate for all things clerical.
Jay had also dropped a bombshell on Edward not long after CWD had expanded. He'd been offered a promotion at the accounting firm he worked at that involved some bigger clients and he wouldn't be able to take CWD with him. He was upset that he couldn't help his friend out and had even tried to do the work after hours on the weekends, but in between work and playing gigs he couldn't guarantee his time.
In my spare time, I often helped Edward around the office, and having taken a bunch of accounting classes for my business degree, I had a look at what CWD's financial work involved and had taken to it easily. At the same time I had been thinking about my career. I knew I didn't want to be a receptionist for the rest of my life, and I had a degree sitting there not being utilized. So it was just a natural progression for me to take over the job full time.
My heart rate picked up when I spotted Edward across the room as he talked animatedly with Emmett and Jay. It amazed me that no matter how often I saw him I could never get used to the way he made me feel. He glanced in my direction and our eyes met, and I swear, in that instant it almost felt like time had come to a complete stop. He grinned widely and excused himself from the conversation, never taking his eyes from mine as he made his way towards me through the crowd.
I couldn't help but check him out as he neared me, he was so hot as he ran his hand through his hair, his shirt sleeves were rolled up with those sexy inked forearms on display for the whole world to see. He took his time too, not exactly rushing over, if we'd have been in a movie he'd have been in slow motion for sure.
"You're here," I breathed when he stopped in front of me.
He nodded having heard me over the bar noise and leaned down to kiss me. His hand creeped up the back of my neck and into my hair like it always did. His tongue traced my lower lip lightly and I gasped as he deepened the kiss but somehow he never let it get too out of hand. His warm lips pressed lightly against mine once again before he pulled back and looked down at me.
"Are you all mine now?" he asked with a wicked glint in his eye.
I laughed, "I've always been yours."
A loud snort came from next to me. "Can't you guys tone it down a little just for one night?"
Edward's eyes finally left mine as he looked at Alice who I had forgotten was still standing at the bar with me.
"Hey, Alice. Good to see you again," Edward greeted her coolly.
They'd had a love/hate type of relationship ever since they'd first met. It wasn't that they didn't get along, but more that they liked to deliberately rile each other up. She smirked at him and then took off across the room. I knew exactly where she was heading; although she wouldn't admit it she had a thing for Jay.
Edward huffed, running his large hands across my shoulders and down my back. His hard body pressed against mine.
"How much longer do we have to stay?" He whined. I laughed into his chest; he hadn't even been here that long.
"I need to at least put in an appearance, you know. This might be the last time I see some of these people," I replied. "Have a drink or two and then I should be ready to go."
He hummed in reply and turned us around so that he could order at the bar without letting me go.
For the next couple of hours I mingled with my ex-coworkers. I spoke to most of the people I'd spent some time with and even some I hadn't had a chance to work with at all, all the while Edward stayed right at my side, holding my hand or with his arm around my shoulder, sometimes joining in the conversation but mostly just happy to watch.
It didn't take long for the majority of the McCarty and Partners crowd to move on. Some heading home after a long day at work, others taking the party elsewhere. Jessica surprised me by hugging me as she left and wished me all the best. I was a little sad to say goodbye to her, other than Alice she had been my closest work friend.
I slumped down into a seat next to Edward. Emmett, Jay and Alice were the last ones left, sitting at a table in the corner.
"Can we go now?" Edward asked as he leaned over and nuzzled my ear, totally ignoring the conversation going on around us. His lips snuck down and sucked on that spot that gave me goose bumps.
"Yesss," I gasped.
We both hastily stood up causing the conversation to stop abruptly and all eyes moved to us.
"We're gonna… head out," I stuttered, pointing my thumb behind me. Edward grabbed for my hand and was trying to pull me away from the table before I'd even finished speaking. I tugged him back so that I could at least say goodbye.
I hugged Alice and asked her if she wanted a ride home; she rolled her eyes and waved her hand at me dismissively. I could have bet good money that she was planning to make a move on Jay; she had been practically sitting in his lap half the night. Jay smiled and tipped his imaginary hat and Emmett wished us a good night with a snicker causing Edward to give him the finger in response.
And then we were out of there.
"I've been waiting all night to get you alone," Edward murmured in a low voice as he pushed me up against the Camaro.
His mouth pressed desperately onto mine. His tongue was wet and hot as he rubbed up against me, groaning loudly. I moaned and threw my head back against the car when his hardness touched me in just the right spot, but then I remember that we're in the middle of a garage.
"Edward," I panted, "let's go home."
He dropped his head to my shoulder and took a moment to collect himself before he opened the passenger door for me.
We made it to Edward's apartment in record time, reminding me a lot of our first time together. Same situation, same car, same apartment. It was still just as intense and thrilling. Only now we knew each other better, we'd been together for months and were committed.
I was still just as clumsy, tripping over air as we rushed down the hall to the bedroom, practically rolling my ankle trying to get undressed too quickly. We fell onto the bed half naked, moaning, hair tangled, bodies pressing together. Edward pulled his arms around me and held me close as his mouth descended on mine.
We made love slowly, deeply, clothes hanging off of us, the sheets bunched beneath us.
"I love you, Bella," he said as we lay sweaty and sated.
"I never thought I would ever feel this way. This love. With anyone. I love you too, Edward, so much. Always."
I don't think I ever would have felt love so intense if I had never met Edward. He was all that I wanted for the rest of my life. This amazing, sexy, remarkable man.
A/N
Hi!
Sorry for the long wait. Any errors are mine (I had a play before posting). I hope you liked it.
Thanks so much to everyone who supported this little story, I appreciate you all, so much!
Extra special thanks to Dolly Reader and Mary Kitty Masen. I love you guys.
There will be an epilogue; it's about two thirds written so far. I promise you won't have to wait as long for it as you did this chapter.
Nat
xx
