The Thorn in the Bush
"I don't know about this guy, Bells."
Jasper leaned against the edge of Bella's counter, watching her eat her bowl of cereal with a serious look on his face.
"Jazz, don't"
"I'm serious. What guy asks a girl for a second date on the very next night?"
"Hot and sexy Italian guys do," Alice chimed in, swinging her legs from her seat on the counter as she gave Bella a conspiratorial wink. Bella stifled a giggle with her the back of her hand.
"He's pushing too hard." Jasper's face set in hard lines, his expression took on the one Bella had seen countless times over the years. It meant he didn't approve.
"Lay off her, babe," Alice chided as she hoped down from her perch. "Even if he just wants some sex, Bella could use it."
Bella glared at Alice's retreating figure as the terrible pixie made her way to the bathroom. She hated when her friend made those kinds of comments.
Bella just needs to get laid . . .
Bella, you need a good fucking . . .
Don't worry, Bella. A good orgasm fixes everything . . .
She didn't understand what any of that meant. Yeah, she enjoyed sex, but it wasn't on her list of top ten favorite things to do. And with every little comment Alice made about sex being the answer to all life's stresses, Bella began to think something was wrong with her.
"I have a really odd feeling about that guy." Jasper wouldn't let it go.
"Jazz, look." Bella set her spoon on the counter and looked her best friend in the eye. "I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."
"I've heard that one before," Jasper retorted, giving her a knowing look and raise of his eyebrow. Bella grimaced.
"Heading out into a bad side of town in the middle of the night is not the same thing, here," Bella defended. "And I wasn't really in the right state of mind when that happened."
"No, you were three sheets to the wind," Jasper chuckled. "And still adamant that you could take care of yourself."
"Yeah, well . . . this is a bit different."
Bella lowered her gaze to her granite countertop, not wanting to see his expression when she confessed her true feelings.
"I really like this guy," she began with a soft tone. "I like the way he makes me feel about myself. And yeah, things might be moving a bit fast, but it's not like he's tried to take me to bed or anything."
"And he better keep it that way."
"Keep what, what way?" Alice asked, rejoining the conversation.
"That Italian charmer better keep his Italian sausage away from Bella, is what."
"Oh, please." Alice swat at the air. "Bella is going to fuck him tonight. Aren't you, baby girl?"
I don't know how many you ladies are going to get out of me tonight. I am a tired girl. The sickies tried to womp on my ass today. Sent one to Jesus and the other is surely on her way. Show me some love. I need it tonight to keep the fires burning.