Okay, so we're going to embark on a journey. A darker journey, one that will be around a different kind of Edward, a snarky, bossy Bella and a new Esme. It will be a drabble-ish type fic. The chapters will be between 1000 to 2000 words. Updates will come on Mondays and Fridays with teasers on Tuesdays and Saturdays on my blog. The link for the blog will be on my profile. The story is planned, but not pre-written.
Up next will be the introduction to Charlie and some more teasing.
Chapter Nine
EPOV
We walked into the lobby and Bella was practically attacked by some chic-looking people. She hugged them, giving them kisses on the cheeks. From her tense posture, she didn't feel comfortable around them and she shuddered when one woman mentioned Riley.
"I'm sorry to hear about you and Riley," said the woman, her voice breathy, sounding like Marilyn Monroe who smoked three packs a day. Her face was filled with collagen and she was far too old to be wearing the slinky dress she had on, nor was it appropriate for the occasion. "He was such a handsome man."
"Aunt Tanya, Riley cheated on me," Bella said, pursing her lips. Aunt Tanya smirked. I think. I couldn't tell because of the sheer amount of Botox she had done to her face. Bella's eyes widened and she flushed angrily. "Fuck, with you, too? Why?"
"Why not?" Aunt Tanya replied, adjusting her too-large breasts that were almost spilling out of her too-small dress. "He wanted this. Why deny him? He was a formidable lover. He made me so wet."
Ugh. Ew.
"I hope you were protected, Aunt Tanya. He's diseased," Bella spat. "And put some fucking clothes on. You look like a two-bit whore."
"How dare you!" Aunt Tanya growled. "I'm still your family and deserve to be respected!"
"You're not family. You are like Riley. A gold-digger," Bella sneered. "Sometimes, I question Uncle Paul's sanity." Aunt Tanya walked off in a huff, teetering in her Lucite stripper heels and finding an older gentleman, with salt and pepper hair. Bella blew out a breath and clenched her fists. "Sorry about that."
"She's your aunt?" I asked.
"Yep. By marriage, unfortunately. My dad's brother, Paul, got remarried to Tanya when I was twenty. His first wife, Charlotte, divorced him because they were incompatible. They fought like cats and dogs. They were better as friends and stayed that way until Tanya came into the picture. Charlotte tried to convince my dad that Tanya was a two-bit, gold-digging hoochie with a fire crotch, but Paul wasn't hearing any of it. He was enamored with her. I stood up for their wedding as a bridesmaid, wearing this garish puce dress. I gave the wedding a month, two at most. Here we are, six years later and she's still around, much to my chagrin. Though, I think it may be ending since she fucked with my ex-husband," Bella smirked. "I had to get tested out the ying-yang because of Riley's indiscretions. He should have informed all of his partners, including Tanya. Perhaps, I should tell Uncle Paul. He doesn't deserve to have his dick shrivel up and fall off because his wife couldn't keep her legs closed."
"That's …" I trailed off, arching a brow in shock.
"You can say it," Bella giggled.
"Fucked up," I snorted, giving her a crooked little smirk.
"My dad hates Tanya, too. He's all about image and portraying that image appropriately. It's part of the reason why I had to have a date to this shindig. Why I'll always wear the best clothes and never leave the apartment without being all gussied up. Dad and I, we're a brand. We're always on display. If we market our product poorly, no one will want to come to our hotels," Bella explained, walking me toward a group of people. "I think he's a bit obsessive about it, but I understand why he's so adamant on keeping up with appearances."
In the group of people, I recognized Charles Swan from the pictures I'd seen online. I also saw Paul hissing at Tanya. He didn't look pleased with his wife. Charles and Paul were both dressed in sleek suits, befitting the event. Tanya was dressed in a yellow sundress that left little to the imagination. Paul tugged on Tanya's arm, leading her away from the crowd. Charles walked over to me and Bella, eyeing me dubiously.
"Who's this?" Charles asked gruffly.
"My date, Charlie," Bella deadpanned. "You were insistent that I come to the opening with someone. Do you not remember that conversation?"
"I remember. Where did you find him?" he asked, giving me the evil eye. "You said that he was a friend of Rosie's."
"A mutual acquaintance," Bella answered. "Edward Masen, this is my father, Charles Swan. Charlie, this is my date for the evening, Edward Masen."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Swan," I said, holding out my hand to him and giving him a confident smile. "Your hotel is absolutely beautiful building and an architectural marvel."
"Hmph," he grumbled, ignoring my hand. "Do you think that Paul is going to pull his head out of his ass about Tanya? What the hell is she wearing?"
"I don't know, Dad," Bella smirked. "However, it turns out that Tanya was one of Riley's conquests."
"I'm telling my brother about Tanya and Riley. With all of the medical testing you had to endure …" Charles said, shooting me a sheepish look. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have opened my mouth. Your date may not have been made aware of your ex-husband."
"He knows, Charlie, but thanks for reminding me about my shame," she spat, her face flaming. I slid my arm around her waist, idly rubbing my fingers along her bare arm. She leaned against me, her body vibrating in anger.
"I'm so sorry, Bella," Charles frowned, trying to comfort his daughter. "Riley just brings out the worst in me."
"Well, by the end of the week, hopefully, he won't be in our lives. Rose managed to get me on a docket for with some judge to finalize my divorce. However, I need a moment, Chuck. Go spread your vitriol to Paul so he can finally kick that baggage to the curb," Bella said, taking my hand and leading me away from her father. Charlie obviously felt badly for what he said, but he made no move to apologize. He was rooted in his spot until a reporter came up to him, asking a few questions. Bella led me back to the conference room. I could feel her sadness. I guided her to a seat. I sat down and pulled her into my lap. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"You have no reason to apologize, beautiful," I murmured. "Your father blurted out some very personal information, which is somewhat shocking since he is all about portraying the appropriate image." I ran my fingers down her cheek, only to feel tears there. "What's this?"
"I feel like a failure," she sniffled. "All I wanted is to make my father proud. Professionally, I've done that with my degrees and successes in the infrastructure of Swan Towers. Personally, I'm a failure. My marriage was a failure and Riley's infidelity was splashed all over the gossip pages."
"Don't cry, beautiful. I hate to see beautiful women cry," I said, wiping her tears away. I leaned forward and kissed her sweet mouth, desperately wanting to take her pain and shame away. Bella relaxed, moving closer to my body. She whimpered, her fingers moving to tangle into my hair. I groaned inwardly when her hand brushed against a bump that Felix gave me a couple of nights ago, but played it off as a moan of pleasure. My left hand tightened around her waist and my right hand rested on her knee. Moving my hand up, I slid it underneath her skirt. Her legs spread slightly and I traced nonsensical circles on the heated skin of her upper thighs.
"Edward," she breathed against my mouth, her fingers tightening in my hair. "You are driving me crazy."
"I do aim to please," I purred, my fingers just centimeters away from heated center. It almost scorched my fingertips. I wanted nothing more than to slide two fingers inside her to feel her body from the inside. Not yet, though. I wanted to be able to see her body and give her the loving and attention in the privacy of her own suite. "And I want to drive you insane with desire, beautiful. Do you want that?"
"Yes, Edward," she said, her mouth moving from mine and her lips trailing down my jaw. Her teeth nipped at my earlobe, making me squeeze her body closer to mine. I loved that. However, tonight wasn't about me. It never is. It was all about her and giving her pleasure. I maneuvered my head, cupping her jaw with my hand. The same hand that was mere inches away from her probably drenched pussy. "You taste so good," she said, her tears gone and her eyes now filled unbridled need.
"I bet you taste better," I argued. "I want my own taste tonight. I want to kiss every inch of your body. Only if you're a good girl."
"I am a good girl," she pouted adorably.
"Hmmmm, I have no doubt. But, you need to go back out there and wow those people in the lobby for the opening of your hotel. Then, afterward, I will make you scream in pleasure, my beautiful, sexy girl," I cooed. "Do you want my tongue buried deep inside of your pussy?"
"Oh, fuck," she whimpered, her legs pressing together.
"Ah, ah, ah, your orgasms are mine, Isabella," I chastised, spreading her legs apart, slightly. "Answer my question."
"Um, I, ah, forgot?" she squeaked, her eyes trained on mine.
"Do you want me to lick your sweet, wet, tight pussy?" I growled.
"Fuck yes," she panted. "So badly. I want that. I want to feel your tongue between my thighs."
I smiled crookedly, pressing my lips to hers chastely. I kissed her gently for a few more moments before helping her to her feet. She was unsteady as a newborn foal. "Then, show those people what you're capable of, beautiful," I said encouragingly. I looped her arm through mine and winked at her cheekily. She snorted as I led her back out of the conference room. In a few short hours, I'd be able to lose myself in this perfect creature and remember what it would feel like to be in a relationship that was somewhat normal.
Not one where I degraded myself for money.
Not one where I was tortured because I didn't follow the rules by the devil herself.
It was dangerous to think this way, but I needed this escape. If only for just one night.
A/N: Yeah, Charlie has a case of foot-in-mouth disease. I wanted to smack him with his comments. He will come to realization of his faux pas. Anyhow, we're going to get to the end of the grand opening in the next chapter and enjoy the first part of the lemon. Hmmmm, citrus. Gotta love it.
Pictures of Uncle Paul and Aunt Tanya are on my blog. Uncle Paul may be around more often, but Aunt Tanya is more than likely an incidental character. You can find the link for that blog on my profile. I'm also on Facebook: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation and on twitter: tufano79.
Leave me some!