Happy Saturday! Thanks to my usual peeps- Rachel, Nicole, and Kyla. Love you madly. Waving hi to the girls on the LTAE FB page, you are all SO much fun!
All your reviews keep me going, I cherish each one.
Enough chatter, I think some of you may be anxious to read this chapter.
Stephenie Meyer owns all, but I do have a fabulous Edward Cullen cardboard cutout!
Chapter Nine
Royce
As soon as she walked past me in that tight ass dress with those never ending legs, I knew I had to know more about her. Damn, if she isn't the finest piece of ass I have seen in a long time.
I pull out my Blackberry and dial Crowley. "We need to extend our trip. Alert the staff that we will be staying indefinitely." I don't give him a chance to respond as I hit the end button.
My plan was to head back to the New York office in the morning, but that isn't happening now. Just the thought of her leaves me weak in the knees and hard as a rock. I have no choice but to follow my dick on this one. I'll just FedEx all the completed merger documents to the board and phone dad to let him know I am staying in Seattle. I'm Royce freaking King. I call the shots.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Masen huh? Well, well. This is really way too easy. Edward Masen Senior is a pain in the ass attorney from Forks. His cases are usually high profile and he rarely loses. Our family's involvement with the Masen's goes way back. In this business, one has to be cunning and clever, and Masen is into the straight and narrow. Let's just say we agree to disagree on what's considered legal. We now have James Hunter on retainer. He's a conniving son of a bitch, but that's what we pay him for. I hit his number on my phone.
"Hunter."
"It's King," I say. "I need you to find out everything you can about Edward Masen, the second. More specifically, his wife, Kate. I expect an email within the hour."
He doesn't disappoint.
Katherine Nicole Denali Masen. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Denali, deceased, formerly of Alaska. Sister of Tanya Denali, graduate of UW, currently an Editing and Publishing Consultant for S. Meyer's Publishing. Kate also graduated from UW, and is currently employed at Seattle Behavioral Clinic as a newly certified and licensed marriage therapist. Wed to pretty boy Edward Anthony Masen, II. He graduated top of his class at University of Washington Medical Center and is now in his residency there.
As I read the email, I have to respect Edward for not following in the footsteps of his grandfather or his old man, smart. They have no kids, no home, a few cars and a huge pile of credit card debt. Hmm, looks like the Masen's are living beyond their means.
Kate Masen may be just the distraction I need, not to mention a great way to stick it to Masen at the same time. The high and mighty Masen's would never want their son to face a scandal that could tarnish their family name.
~LTAE~
Kate
Just as I expected, Dr. Marcus chastises me about Edward's little caveman display at the restaurant. My first day in my new position, and I'm already making excuses for my husband's bad manners. My day is long and tedious. Between updating tons of paperwork for human resources and reviewing all the files for my new patients, I am completely exhausted.
The only highlight to my day is when Dr. Marcus informed me that a Mr. Royce King called to say he was interested in making a sizable donation to the clinic. He told Marcus he would like to update our current location, and open up a second one as well.
This should be a fun conversation to have with my husband, since Friday evening I am expected to attend a dinner at the Marcus residence where the official announcement will be made. All the prominent people of Seattle will be there, Royce included, and all I can think is that Edward better be on his best fucking behavior. Dr. Marcus has appointed me as head of this project so I will be in close contact with Mr. King … what an intriguing thought.
I drive home at a snail's pace because I know Edward is home and will not take this news well. Frankly, I'm tired of arguing with him all the damn time, but I can't very well keep this from him either. Of course his Volvo is in its parking space when I pull into the complex, and I feel myself already tensing for battle. Damn, I could use a drink.
The lights are on in the apartment, but Edward isn't around. I kick off my shoes and walk down the hallway and into the bedroom. He is asleep in our bed, laying on his side, his back to me. He looks peaceful. Without thinking, I reach down and run my fingers through his hair, and he stirs lightly before slowly opening his eyes.
"Hi," I whisper to him once he's a bit more awake.
"Hey," his voice is thick with sleep. "Did you just get home?"
"Yeah, long day. I'm exhausted, too."
"There's room right here," he offers, his eyes glancing to the spot in front of him. I accept the olive branch he is extending and curl up next to him. His arms immediately wrap around me, it feels … nice.
"How was your first day?"
I start slowly. "It was really busy but productive. Edward, we have to attend a dinner party Friday night at Dr. Marcus'."
"Okay, I'm not on rotation that night, it sounds fun."
I take a deep breath. "Marcus has asked me to oversee a new project. We will be opening a new clinic … and the King family is funding it."
I feel his arms tighten briefly, and prepare for the oncoming battle. He lets out a loud sigh and resumes his previous disposition, lightly kissing the back of my head.
"I'm sure Dr. Marcus picked the right person for the job, you'll do great. Let's talk more about it later, k? I'm really tired and would like to sleep."
I let out the breath I wasn't aware that I was holding. As I listen to his breathing get deeper, I start to drift off too. My final thought before I fall into slumber wrapped in my husband's arms ... at least we had a moment of normalcy.
~LTAE~
Edward
Friday night finds Kate and I dressed to the nines. I'm wearing my basic black tuxedo, with a peak lapel, white shirt and black bow tie. Kate is wearing a black silk, floor length gown with a corset top and gold beaded waistband. It has an open back, with criss cross straps, and a slit up to her mid-thigh. Her heels are three inch gold sequined slingbacks, and all kinds of sexy. She looks ravishing. I can't remember the last time I wanted my wife, but tonight I do, bad.
We are on our way to the Marcus residence. This week has gone by relatively smooth and I am actually in a great mood. I'm ecstatic that I have a night off, and that we are going out. It may be nothing more than a glorified business meeting, but I'll take it. Dr. Jon Marcus and his wife, Didi, are notorious for their dinner parties for Seattle's upper class, so if nothing else, the food and wine selection will be top notch.
On the ride there my mood is light, and I can't take my eyes off of her. I actually feel married ... and a bit playful. Kate insisted that we take the Audi tonight, which means she is driving. This also means I can focus all my attention on her while she drives … perfect.
"Edward, really, we don't have time for this," Kate says in a slightly annoyed tone as she pushes my hand away from her thigh. I just want to touch you, Kate, please.
"Just relax babe, we have plenty of time before we get there, and I haven't touched you in so long," I say as I move my hand back to her thigh and slowly sneak it under the slit of her dress. I'm so turned on that I don't even care that I'm acting like a sixteen year old, distracting Kate while she is driving. I place some soft kisses along her jaw and nip at her earlobe, feeling her shudder. Yeah, I still got it. I continue creeping my fingers slowly up the inside of her thigh. Just as I'm about to slip under the edge of the lacy thong I know she is wearing, Kate hesitantly pushes my arm away.
"Mmm, as good as all that feels, Edward, I'm trying to drive. This is an important dinner meeting and I have to concentrate," she says as she gives me a coy smile. "I want to get us there in one piece."
"Fine," I reply, leaning back over to my side of the car, my ego a bit bruised. "But I'm making one thing perfectly clear," my tone is firm. "The second we get home I'm going to be inside you … all night." With that comment lingering in the air, I lower my hand to adjust myself as my dick is now straining against my zipper. It's going to be one long evening. Kate says nothing in response, and all of a sudden there is tension floating in the air around us.
Cocktail hour is in full swing when we arrive and I'm feeling a bit edgy from Kate's reaction in the car. She is already walking over to Dr. Marcus and I follow along, politely greeting him and his wife. After Kate re-introduces me to a few of her other colleagues, she takes the floor and commands the group.
I notice that bastard, King, is hanging onto every word she says and it doesn't miss my observation that her hand stays attached to his arm. I stand here, tight lipped and reserved; all the while, inside I am fuming. Great, first I'm shot down in the car on the way over, and now she's gushing like a schoolgirl with her first crush over that asshole.
After about forty-five minutes of standing there watching Kate laugh and blush like a new bride, and eating up all the attention His Royal Fucking Highness is giving her, I decide I've had enough and I excuse myself. Kate dismisses me with a peck on the cheek. Talk about our evening taking a turn all of a sudden.
I need a drink and make my way to the closest makeshift bar since there are several set up around the room. As I approach it, I notice a woman standing there wearing a midnight blue gown. I can't help but notice how the color compliments her long, flowing chestnut brown hair and the peachy tone of her skin. Stepping up behind her, I feel a charge in the air, and I am immediately transported back three years to a bakery in Forks.
"Can I have a glass of Chardonnay please?"
I'm hit with a wave of emotions as a scene plays in my mind, like a movie, starring my beautiful brown eyed girl. Before I can even think, I lean towards her and whisper in her ear, "Alors je me demandais, as-tu finalement pris ta décision à propos de Duroy?"
She shivers and I hear a sharp intake of breath, hers.
My heart accelerates in anticipation.
Slowly she turns around.
Brown eyes gazing into green.
She smiles, and it lights up her face.
So breathtaking, and even more beautiful than I remember.
My hands long to pull her into my arms.
This moment feels surreal. It's like I have woken from a dream and this stunning vision has followed me into my waking world.
Mere seconds pass, but it could just as easily have been hours … I can't bring myself to look away.
"It's you," she whispers.
"It's me," I whisper back.
The words spoken between us are so simple, so powerful. It's like the stars aligned at precisely the right moment, bringing two strangers back together … fate, kismet, chance ... call it what you will, I can believe in it now.
I feel like I am disconnected from my body, yet I feel grounded standing here with her. I slowly extend my hand, reaching for hers, entwining them together. On impulse, I bring her hand up to my mouth, lightly placing a soft kiss on her knuckles. I finally say what I should have said years ago, "Hello, I'm Edward."
She flashes a brilliant smile at me, "Bella." I'm dazzled … she just dazzled me.
It can't be a mere coincidence that my brown eyed beauty's name is Bella. Beautiful … so beautiful. The word is on a continuous loop in my head. I am literally under some kind of spell here.
"Wow, you were so talkative in the bakery, what happened to you?" she laughs and squeezes my hand to indicate she is teasing me.
I look down and realize we are still holding hands. I like the connection. I smirk at her, "Yeah, it seems I have lost all cognitive ability," I say, laughing as well. This feels so comfortable, so right. I suddenly realize that we are standing in the middle of a crowded reception room.
I want to be alone with her.
I want to talk to this captivating woman for hours.
I want to repeatedly hear that melodious laugh.
I want stare into those bright brown eyes.
I want to study each smile.
I want...
"Eddie! There you are sweetie. I was wondering where you disappeared to?"
I want to curse fate for being the cold, cruel and heartless bitch that she is.
Ah Kate, she is always getting in the way. So, was their reunion worth the wait? In case you are wondering, Edward asked Bella in french if she had finally made her decision about Duroy. (Remember? He had asked if she thought Georges was a scoundrel or a seducer.) **sigh**
I know, you want MORE right? Next week?
Judy
XO ***He he he, this is Kyla, I hijacked Judy's page, LOL - LOVE YOU and MISS YOU***
