A/N: Hello friends. Here's the promised bonus chapter, because being snowed in most of the week makes me productive. I hope you all had a super sexy, fun Valentine 's Day. If not, here's some lemons to make up for it. & some other stuff too, like plot and character illumination, blah, blah, blah ; )
Obvs. I don't own twilight or its characters. I do however own a yard with more than four feet of snow in it…that's almost as good.
EPOV
Bella was looking entirely adorable as she spun around the massive kitchen, taking everything in for the first time. I was a far better cook than either of my siblings, but I was only just passible, having learned so that I could survive on my own. Years of living with servants and a mother who loved to cook herself, had left us all fairly helpless in the kitchen. So Bella would be the first person to really enjoy cooking here since my mother was last here.
With a look of utter wonder, she opened the large stainless steel fridge and began poking around at its contents. She started piling things up on the island behind her, occasionally squealing with excitement when she found some ingredient that pleased her.
"Are you sure I can use anything in here? Your sister won't mind?" she asked as she continued to accumulate ingredients on the counter.
She was so fucking cute. "Really, whatever you want. The housekeeper stocks the fridge with basics and cooks a couple of nights a week. She'll restock tomorrow anyway, so go crazy," I said, sliding onto one of the stools near the island so I could watch her at work. I don't know why I enjoyed watching Bella cook so much. I guess, I just liked seeing her take a bunch of seemingly random things and turn them into something delicious with little effort. It was a little like magic to me.
Soon she had muffins in the oven and a couple of pans going with various things: definitely bacon or pancetta in one and something of the vegetable variety in the other. My mouth was already watering from the aromas in the air. I heard soft footsteps behind me and turned to see a very sleepy looking Ali shuffling across the room in giant pajamas that she was nearly drowning in. She plopped down on the stool beside me and rubbed her face in a way that made her look like a four year old waking up from a nap. I reached across the counter to pour her a cup of coffee. I slid it and the cream and sugar in front of her. Without fully opening her eyes she added copious amounts of each to her mug before taking a giant sip. About two minutes and half a cup later, Ali seemed to start actually waking up.
"Oh my god. What is that glorious smell?" she asked still sounding subdued for her. Her eyes widened comically as she took in Bella's activity at the stovetop, it was as if she'd never seen someone cook before. While Ali sat in her stunned silence, Bella set a plate full of food in front of her. I had to laugh at the look of utter shock that graced my sister's face.
"What is this?" Ali asked, sounding confused to an alarming degree. If I didn't know her better it would have sounded rude. Looking over at Bella I saw uncertainty on her face.
"It's breakfast Ali. What does it look like?" I responded.
She looked down at the plate closely as if inspecting an unknown substance. "No, breakfast is toast with jam or maybe cereal. This," she said waving a hand toward her plate. "this is a fucking work of art!"
Bella giggled, relief evident in her voice when she spoke. "You're not a vegetarian are you? There's bacon in there."
"Yum! I love bacon!" Ali exclaimed picking up her fork. She took a huge bite of her omelet and moaned loudly in response. As soon as she could speak again she said, "Thank you so much Bella! This is fan-freakin-tastic! I can't believe you can cook like this. You could open a restaurant!"
"It's just an omelet, muffin and some toast Alice. It's nothing," she shrugged.
"I would argue with you, but I need to keep eating this. Just know that I would win this argument eventually. So you ought to just concede now. You are a fuck-awesome cook!" Ali exclaimed before shoveling another forkful into her mouth.
"You really are, Love." I agreed. "Thank you." Bella had just placed a plate of food in front of me. She came over to join us a few minutes later and we all settled into a comfortable silence as we ate.
As soon as Alice finished her food it was if a switch had been flipped and she was able to approach the day with full energy. Which for Ali meant hyper and frenetic energy.
"Thank you so much Bella! Yum!" she exclaimed, pushing her plate away. She hopped up and poured herself another cup of coffee before turning to Bella with wide excited eyes, "What are we doing today? Do you want to come to my studio and try on some of my new designs?"
"Um….sure?" Bella responded, looking over at me with a touch of fear in her eyes.
"I have this really beautiful dress that would be perfect for you. You're short, like me, well not as short as me because no one really is, but I'm always trying to make things for us girls of smaller stature. It seems like everything you see in fashion only suits one body type," she ranted. Drawing a deep breath she continued her monologue on fashion. "I mean, I think tall, slender women are lovely, don't get me wrong, but I want to design clothes that will look amazing on all sorts of women, you know? Ohhhh! I just got the best idea!" She started bouncing on the balls of her feet unable to contain her enthusiasm.
"You should model for me!" she screeched looking at Bella. "Oh! You'd be perfect! You're so beautiful and I want some girls who aren't six feet tall and rail thin like Kate and Irina. Please, please, please say you'll do it! I would love you forever and ever!" Alice was in full pout mode, which seemed to leave Bella speechless.
"Uuhhhh…" she looked over at me with wide, worried eyes.
"You don't have to do it if you don't want to, baby," I said, trying to reassure her.
Ali reached over and smacked the back of my head. "Shut it Edwardo! She can make decisions for herself," she chastised me. Turning to Bella she said, "You know you can say no if you really don't want to, but we will have so much fun and can get to know each other better in the process! Oh, and I know you're really busy so we can work around your schedule. I promise! Please say yes!"
My girl's sweet laughter filled the air. "You really don't need that second cup of coffee, do you?" She looked at my sister for a moment, weighing something in her mind. "Okay. I'll do it, but—"
"You'll do it!" Ali shrieked, interrupting whatever Bella was going to say. "Oh I'm so excited! I have so many ideas for you! You're going to look amazing! I can't wait-"
"Ali!" I shouted, causing her to jump a bit and stop talking instantly. An embarrassed look took over her face as she became aware of her exuberant outburst. She'd always had trouble reining in her enthusiasm once she got going. I knew she'd had trouble maintaining some of her friendships over the years. People often found her a bit much to handle.
"I'd be happy to help you out Alice," Bella said, reaching over to reassure Ali with a gentle squeeze of her hand. "but I have to ask you not to put me in anything too revealing and to not make me do anything provocative or sexy. I wouldn't be comfortable with that."
"Of course," Ali answered in a slightly muted tone with a shy smile. "I wouldn't ever want you to be uncomfortable. Just tell me if I push you to do anything you don't want to do. I might need to me reminded…gently if I get too carried away. But I want us to have fun."
"Okay. I'll give you my contact info and we can work things out."
"Awesome! Thank you so much. You won't regret this!" Ali was back to bouncing now and Bella just laughed at her antics.
"So…" I said, changing the subject. "I wanted to talk to both of you." They each looked at me with faintly apprehensive expressions. "I have to go back to Forks for a couple of days. I have to arrange some things for the house and find someone to take care of the place. Do you know anyone, baby? It would be a paying job with housing if they want it."
"What housing? The cottage you were living in there?" she asked.
"Yeah. I'm going to get it cleared out. I need to have my piano moved here and to pack up the rest of my things. But then the house would be available to the caretaker. Plus a salary. I just need someone reliable to keep an eye on things and arrange to have things repaired if they break." Most of my mom's things were still in the main house. I wasn't quite sure what to do with everything yet. Bella had said that maybe getting away from that house for a while would make it easier to deal with. So maybe in a year or so I could go back and deal with it.
"Actually, Ben and Ange have been living in a small townhouse that they barely fit in. The cottage would be perfect for them." She paused for a minute, considering something. "I'm not sure how excited Ange will be about moving so close to her due date, but Ben would be a great caretaker. He works for the park service and is pretty handy. Plus he's related to half the town's tradespeople, so that'd be helpful."
"Would you give her a call and ask if I can meet with them while I'm out there?" I asked. "If they're not interested they may know someone who is."
"When do you have to go?" she asked. I understood immediately the anxiety I detected in her eyes. We'd both just acknowledged how hard it was for us to be apart and now I was telling her I had to leave.
"I'm pretty flexible, but I didn't want to put it off too long," I answered. "I only need to go out for a couple of days. I promise, I won't be gone long." I said, cupping her cheek. "I was thinking I'd go after your classes start. You'll be so busy you'll hardly miss me."
"I'll miss you," she said softly. "but I understand that you have responsibilities."
After breakfast we cleaned up the kitchen and Ali agreed to meet up with us again at 9 to head to the club so we could watch Jasper's band play. She was more than eager to meet Bella's friend Rose. I on the other hand was a bit apprehensive at the prospect. I didn't expect a warm welcome, but I would work to gain her approval.
BPOV
"Ange said they're definitely interested," I said, walking into the music room where Edward was working. He looked up from his laptop, his green eyes stunning me yet again with their vibrant hue. The small smile that tugged at his lips sent a wave of desire through me. Would I ever get used to the effect this gorgeous man had on me? Probably not.
"She's kind of pissed that I won't be coming with you to meet them," I explained. "She said they can be around any evening next week, but if you need to meet in the day it'll have to be on the weekend."
"No, the evening should be fine. Thank you for arranging things," he said, reaching out to pull me onto his lap. He seemed to want me close whenever possible, not that I minded. "I'll email her and work out a time to meet. I was thinking I'd go on Monday, so I could try to get back before the weekend."
I sighed, hating the idea of him being across the country from me, but I knew it only showed how serious he was about staying. I loved the idea of Ben and Ange living in his cottage. They'd been renting the townhouse from her folks since they got married, but she'd been stressing about the limited space ever since they'd found out she was expecting. This could be great for them. And I knew Ange wouldn't mind a bit of distance from her family. Her family was the polar opposite of mine; they smothered her with affection and wanted to be involved in every aspect of her life.
"I know you need to go. I'll be fine, I promise." I said, kissing him tenderly. "I'll miss you though. You have to promise me a day in bed when you get back."
"Mmmmm…" he moaned against my neck, the vibration radiating across my skin from his lips. "I like the sound of that. We still have a few hours before we need to start getting ready, should we have a trial run of our day in bed?"
He moved to capture my lips with his own. Just as our kiss was starting to heat up I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket.
"Ugh. I'm sorry it's probably Rose. Let me just check in with her really quick." I said, wiggling a bit more than necessary on his lap as I pulled out my phone.
"Fuck, baby," he said, squeezing my ass. "You're evil, you know that?"
I just shrugged and gave him a smug grin as I answered my phone. I probably should have looked at the display before I answered, but I was too distracted by Edward's tongue running along his full bottom lip.
"Hello?" I said.
"Izzy! How are you sweetie!" the shrill voice greeted me. My face must have spoken volumes because I instantly felt Edward's arms tighten protectively around me.
"Mother. I've asked you many times not to call me that. It's not a name that I like. Please stop using it." I said with as much civility as I could manage.
"Why do you insist on being difficult? It's a sweet, affectionate nickname," she argued with an odd little giggle as if this was all super amusing. "For Christ's sake! You'd think I called you something rude or disrespectful. I am your mother; I named you Isabella so I could call you Izzy. It's sweet."
"It's disrespectful to continue calling me something you know I dislike. Why can't you just honor my request to call me Bella?"
"Wow, Isabella. When did you become such an uptight little brat?" she laughed. She liked to mask our conflicts with laughter. I was sure she thought it defused tension, but in reality it only served to hurt my feelings. "I swear I raised you to respect your elders."
I wanted to tell her that she'd hardly raised me at all, but she was severely delusional about her parenting skills. I rubbed my temple and took a few deep breathes to calm myself. My mother had gotten increasingly unpleasant in recent years. She used to just make me feel neglected, but recently she seemed to resent me. I couldn't figure out what had changed. Maybe I'd never understand her.
"Is there a reason you called, mother?" I asked as calmly as I could.
"Do I need a reason to call my daughter?" she countered with another irritating giggle.
"You usually have one. It's a reasonable question," I answered.
"Fine!" she huffed. "I was calling to tell you we'd be in Boston next weekend for Phil's work. I'm not asking to stay with you or anything. God knows I can't stand those hick roommates you live with, but I thought we might meet for dinner or something while we're in town. Initially Phil thought his business would only take him a few hours and we'd have most of the weekend to sightsee, but it looks like he'll be busy for most of the weekend and I'll be bored on my own so much. So he suggested I should visit with you. Isn't that nice?" Yeah, super nice backup plan.
"Sure. Why don't you call me when you're available and we can get together," I said, careful not to commit myself to anything. I'd learned long ago not to make concrete plans with my mother. It was easier on both of us to just hope things worked out at the last minute. Otherwise I ended up really annoyed when she would inevitably cancel at the last minute after I'd rearranged my whole schedule to accommodate her. This way, if I have time I'll see her, if not, no big loss.
"Okay, sweet pea. It was so great catching up! I'll see you soon!" she hung up before I could respond. I wondered if she even realized that we didn't catch up about anything at all. Other than discussing her upcoming visit, we'd basically just rehashed old arguments. Well that was Renee for you, always walking away from a conversation with her own distinctive perspective on what had happened.
"Baby, are you okay?" Edward asked cautiously. I was still sitting on his lap, snuggled up a bit with my head resting on his shoulder. He had been stroking my hair soothingly as I talked.
"Yeah, I guess," I responded. "I just keep being surprised at how uncaring she is. She used to be flakey, but kind to me. Lately it seems like she's angry with me, but I've barely seen her and I can't imagine what she could be pissed about."
He pulled me tight against his chest and kissed my hair softly. "Baby, you have had such a shit hand dealt to you as far as family's concerned. I swear I will spend the rest of my life making sure you know how loved you are. You are so special, so fucking unbelievably worthy of love, your family are all missing out on so much by alienating you the way they all do." His voice had taken on an angry edge that I'd only heard a couple of times before. It seemed to come through when he was feeling protective of me.
"Fuck baby, I'm sorry. I don't mean to talk shit about your family. I know I shouldn't, but I hate that they treat you like this. You are such a good person and they should be so fucking proud of that. Instead, it's like they can't even see who you are at all."
I lifted my head from his chest so that I could look into his eyes. I found exactly what I expected, a fierce determined fire burning within them.
"Thank you," I said, my voice a bit rough. "I don't know how I got so lucky, finding you the way I did, but I will be forever grateful. I love you, so much."
He wiped away the tears that I hadn't realized were falling on my cheeks and then pressed his lips softly to mine. The heat from his tongue slid against my lips and parted them. I let myself get lost in his kisses and his soft touches. He lifted me from the chair and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He quickly carried me to the adjacent bedroom and laid me on the messy bed. Slowly he stripped my clothing, leaving reverent kisses and touches along the way. This was about more than sex. This was about Edward showing in action, what he'd just told me. That I was worthy of love, that I was so very loved by this man. I could feel his love for me in every touch, every kiss.
His lips found their way to my hot folds. Soon he slipped his tongue inside me, tasting me, making me writhe and moan as only he could. My back arched off the bed as he rolled my clit between his fingers and continued to plunge his tongue in and out of me. More quickly than I could have imagined I was shaking with my orgasm as my fingers gripped tightly on his hair.
As I lay panting, I watched him strip the rest of his clothing of piece by piece. I was mesmerized anew by his perfect body. He was lean and muscular and his movements all had a sort of natural grace to them that seemed inhuman at times. Dropping his jeans and boxers to the floor, he crawled up onto the bed between my still-trembling thighs. Resting on his elbows above me he kissed me slowly, languidly, sharing with me the taste on his lips. I gasped as he entered me, my legs coming up instinctively to wrap around him.
"I love you so much baby," he said as our bodies moved together. I held his face between my hands and held his gaze with my eyes. I needed him to see the love within me. Our slow deep thrusts turned faster and harder as we moved together. I felt his hand slide between us and begin to stroke and tease my clit.
"Baby, are you close…." he breathed out against my lips. I could feel the tension in his body as he struggled to keep himself from cumming.
"Yes!" I gasped. "Harder!" I cried out, my heels digging into his ass.
"Fuck baby!" he said, instantly complying with my demand. I cried out as my climax washed through me and he quickly followed. His hips drove against mine with one last forceful thrust as he gasped out my name and came deep within me.
When our breathing had slowed and our hearts had calmed I found myself laying under his heated body. He'd lifted himself off of me and was resting with half his body draped over mine. I was stroking his soft hair as he dozed and reflecting on the last hour or so. I felt so at home here, in Edward's arms, more at home than I think I'd ever felt. To belong here, with him, was both thrilling and terrifying. Before now, I would never have known what it was to miss belonging to someone. I'd never really felt tethered to my family as most people do. But here, now, with Edward, I felt bound in a way that I couldn't even have conceived of a month ago. I was beginning to wonder if this is what it felt like to have a family, to have a home.
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"We should start getting ready." Edward's groggy voice vibrated against my chest where his head rested. He'd said the words, but he made no move to get up. I chuckled as he nuzzled my breast and began laying open mouthed kisses there.
"What's so funny?" he asked, his mouth half full of my flesh. This only served to cause giggles to burst from my lips. So fucking cute.
"You," I stated simply.
He lifted his head from my chest, leaning up to look at me. His face was creased with sleepy lines and his eyes were still half closed.
"What exactly did I do to amuse you so much, Love?" he asked, his voice husky and rough with sleep.
"You don't seem fully committed to the idea of getting up and getting ready, no matter what you say," I teased, running my fingers through his riotous hair. I loved the way he groaned in pleasure as I ran my fingernails lightly over his scalp. It was impossible to resist when he looked at me like this.
"Can you blame me baby?" he asked. "How could I want to be anywhere else, when I have you here, warm and naked…" he trailed off as he ran his hand down my body and slid his fingers over my hot center, "…and oh so wet for me always, baby. How can you expect me to be strong enough to ever willingly leave this bed?" He slipped two fingers through my folds, gently caressing me and causing me to whimper and squirm under him. When his fingers sank into me, moving in and out of my pussy in slow, rhythmic strokes, I gasped and raised my hips to meet his hand.
"That sound right there, my love, that desperate, needy moan that just left your lips, is a sound I've grown to live for," he said as he continued to move his hand in slow deep thrusts.
His thumb began pressing small circles to my sensitive clit, causing my hips to buck and a fresh moan to spill from my lips. His movements became more purposeful, no more teasing, soft touches. I was barely aware of the needy sounds coming from me as I moved against his talented fingers.
"Yesss. Give it to me baby girl," he said, his voice raspy and rough with lust. "I need to feel you come on my fingers. I need to see your face as you scream out my name." His word sent me over the edge and without thought his name rasped from my throat in a hoarse cry. My body shuddered as he fingers slowed, easing me down from my high.
I lay next to him, barely conscious, trying to regain control over my body. When I could speak again, my throat slightly sore from crying out before, I opened my eyes slowly and said roughly, "magic fucking fingers." Causing him to chuckle deeply. I loved the feel of his laughter rumbling out of his chest and through me as our bodies lay pressed together.
"We really should get going…" I said reluctantly. "Come shower with me." I said with a sly grin. I could feel his erection pressed against my leg. I pulled him up with me toward the bathroom, eager to reciprocate.
EPOV
"Baby, we're not gonna have time to get dinner at this rate," I said over my shoulder. Bella had slid her hand around my waist and up my bare chest as I was fastening my jeans. We were running late thanks to our extra-long nap, followed by our extra-long shower, but we really didn't have time for more if she wanted to see her friend's band tonight. She huffed out an annoyed breath and walked away to get ready.
When we were headed down the stairs a while later, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and frowned down at the display.
"What's wrong baby? Is it your mom again?" I asked, hating the hurtful things I'd overheard earlier.
"No, it's Jay," she responded sounding irritated. "He's threatening me with blackmail." She didn't sound particularly worried, so though I was curious, I figured it wasn't a big deal.
We found Ali waiting downstairs, bouncing as usual.
"Hi guys! I'm so excited. I've never been to this club before. Am I dressed okay?" she asked, looking down at her outfit with concern.
"You look great Alice!" Bella said. Ali was wearing a short, black leather skirt with some kind of black tights with a crazy pattern on them. She had super tall heals on and a red silky top on. She looked a little overdressed if you asked me, but she usually was. Bella and I had kept things pretty casual, both of us opting for jeans, though my girl was a bit more dressed up, with skin-tight pants and a sexy blue top that hugged her curves.
We stopped at a little café down the block from the club and had a bite before we met up with Rose. As we were sitting down with our food a tall, curvy, blond woman approached our table.
"Hey guys, mind if I join you?" she asked with a slight southern softness to her voice.
Bella jumped up from the table. "Rose! I thought you couldn't make it until later!" she said excitedly. "Are you hungry? We got a bunch of food."
Rose sat down next to Bella and eyed me speculatively before turning to my sister with a wide, sweet smile. "Hi I'm Rosalie Hale, but you can call me Rose." She reached out her hand toward my sister.
"Hi Rose!" my sister replied, taking her offered hand and shaking it. "It's so good to meet you! I'm Alice! I've heard so much about you. I have to ask, have you ever considered modeling? You are stunningly beautiful!"
Rose looked a bit astounded at my sisters outburst, as people often did when first meeting Ali. I chuckled at her confused expression. She turned her eyes to me and the narrowed suspiciously. "So you must be Edward then." She didn't offer me her hand; she only watched me with a hard, reproving stare.
Undeterred, I reached across the table, offering my hand to her. "Hi Rosalie, I'm Edward. I'm so happy to meet you." She made no move to take my hand so I dropped it to the table, but I wouldn't be discouraged that easily. I knew how important Rose was to Bella. "I haven't met much of Bella's family yet, just Angela. So I'm looking forward to getting to know you."
She was silent for a moment and I could see Bella getting anxious. I grabbed her hand under the table and squeezed it for reassurance. She needed to know I wasn't going to be spooked easily.
"Yes, well, I won't be as eager to like you as Angela. She's a sweet girl, but I'm not gonna fall for your charm like she probably did. Don't you think you're a little old to be dating a twenty-one year old girl?" she asked, a cold edge in her voice.
"I wouldn't really call Bella a girl, but yes, we've got quite an age gap." I looked at her suspicious glare and I knew I had my work cut out for me. "Listen, I know it's going to take time for you to trust me and my intentions toward Bella, but I love her deeply and I don't plan on going anywhere unless she sends me away. I'm here for as long as she'll have me."
She eyed me for another long moment before turning back to my sister. "Did you ask me if I modeled?" Rose asked her, sounding slightly confused. "That seems kind of random."
"Well, Rose, you are absolutely gorgeous! You have that whole tall, hourglass figure thing going on." Ali said. "I'm getting marketing together to launch my clothing line this summer. Do you think I could talk you into modeling for me. Bella's already agreed to do it—"
"Really?" Rose asked incredulously, turning to Bella with surprise. Bella just nodded as she took a bite of her sandwich.
"Yes!" Ali said. "I have three models so far, but I'd really love to work with you. It would just be a couple of fittings and a couple of photo shoots. Plus I love the idea of working with professional women who have interesting careers. I'm thinking of featuring a short bio of each of you. Bella's an up and coming scientist, Kate's in publishing, Irina's a curator, and you're an engineer, right?" Rose just nodded as she started in on some of the snacks we'd filled the table with.
"Wouldn't that be such a great campaign? Young, hot, career women in hot clothing." Ali was full out bouncing in her seat now. "I wonder if I could find a couple of other women in interesting fields. Maybe a musician or someone in teaching…" she mused.
"What about Maggie?" Bella asked, turning to Rose. "She'd probably do it. And she's hot. Fiery red hair, light brown skin, striking green eyes."
"Yeah, she'd be into it," Rose agreed. "Plus it'd be good exposure for the band."
"Who's Maggie?" Ali asked, her eyes lit up brightly.
"She's the fiddle player in Jasper's band. She's super hot," Rose said. "She's really cool too, super laid back and really funny."
"Oh! I can't wait to meet her. Do you really think she'd do it?" Ali asked.
Bella shrugged. "I think she would. She's modeled a bit in the past, but usually for artist friends of hers. We can ask her after the show."
"Awesome!" Ali glanced down at her phone. "Can we head over now?"
"Uh, the doors don't open for half an hour," Bella laughed.
"Oh. Okay." Ali pouted causing the rest of us to laugh at her.
BPOV
We made our way into the already crowded club. The space wasn't huge, but it was a decent venue for the band. They'd been making some noise in the local music scene lately and some of the hotter clubs were starting to book them. They'd done a small tour this fall of colleges in the north east and were planning a larger tour in the spring.
We found a table near the stage. The girls and I staked our claim, while Edward went to the bar to get us some drinks. Rose was trying her hardest to dislike him, but I could tell she'd already softened to him a bit.
"I'm so excited! And I can't wait to meet Maggie!" Ali enthused. I was beginning to really like Edward's sister. She was kind of intense in her energy, but she was so sweet and genuine. I had a hard time imagining how anyone could dislike her. But according to Edward Ali had a tough time maintaining friendships and she was insecure about her overpowering personality.
Just then the band started making their way on stage. Jasper caught my eye and raised a brow at me and I just nodded in response, causing a smug smirk to cross his face. He'd named his terms and I knew I'd give in to him. It would be easier than Rose coming after me for 'desecrating the entry of our home' as Jasper kept calling it. He loved that he had something over me. He knew my fear of Rose would win out and he could get me to do what he wanted.
"Good evenin' folks." Jasper rasped into the mike. "To start us off tonight, I've coerced my good friend, Bee to join us on the stage. She's always a bit reluctant, so help me convince her to get her sweet ass up here to help us out with the first song." The audience clapped and shouted at his request and I was glad Edward was over at the bar so he didn't have to see my bright red face. Refusing to look at Rose or Ali, I jumped up and joined the band on stage. I hated singing in public. I'd been talked into doing backup on some of the recordings the band did last summer, but Jasper loved dragging me on stage when he could. I wasn't really nervous; I knew my voice was okay. I just hated this kind of attention.
I turned and saw Maggie doing some final tuning on her fiddle. Her eyes were lit up with mirth and I knew the rest of the band was enjoying my discomfort as much as Jasper was. I just scowled playfully at her which only caused her to laugh. They started playing a song I'd sung with Jasper on drunken nights in our apartment, but never before an audience. I love this song; it was one of the few covers the band did. Jasper always preferred playing their original stuff.
He looked over at me, that annoying smirk on his face making me want to smack him. I leaned toward the mike and closed my eyes. If I pretended we were home, drinking in our living room, I could get through the song.
"I don't own a single gun. but if I did you'd be the one to hold it, aim it, make all of the bad men run, but I don't own a single gun.." I began the Lumineers' song that Jasper had reworked into a slightly country sounding duet. His voice joined mine and I had to admit we always sounded good together. He had a southern twang to his voice and I knew my softer voice layered with his well.
When we finished the song, my eyes were still closed. I heard the cheers and applause from the room around us and I felt my face heat in response. When I finally opened my eyes I found Edward instantly. His expression was dark and filled with lust. It made me want to run to him and jump him right here in this crowded club.
"A huge thank you to the lovely Isabella Marie!" Jasper called into the mike. The noise in the room surged again as I hopped off the stage and back toward our table. Edward's eyes never left me as I made my way over to him. I went to sit back in my seat, but he wasn't having it. He pulled me roughly onto his lap and captured my lips in a needy kiss. Forgetting where we were for a moment, I moaned as he deepened the kiss. I was about ready to grind myself against him when I felt something cold and wet splash across my face. We pulled apart instantly and turned to see Rose and Alice watching us with amused grins.
"Did you just throw water on us?" I asked Rose incredulously.
"I only splashed you a bit! Someone had to do something before you two started fucking here in the middle of this bar."
Alice laughed, most likely at my embarrassed expression. Rose was right. We'd been completely unaware of anything but each other.
"Bella! That was amazing! You and Jasper sound unbelievable together! And he's SO HOT! Please tell me he's single!" Ali gushed. I giggled at her ramble. I had a feeling Jasper would love the adorable ball of energy that was Alice.
"Thanks Ali. And yeah, he's single." I replied. The goofy smile that took over her face made me laugh, but I felt Edward tense against me. I looked over at his scowling face and asked, "What's wrong?"
His face softened and he whispered in my ear, "I can't help it. My baby sister is lusting after some guy she hasn't even met yet. It's an automatic older brother response."
"Get over it. Ali's a big girl and Jasper's a good person." His lips were in a tight line, but he nodded reluctantly.
"They're really good!" Ali said to me as the noise quieted down from the latest round of applause. "I've never heard anything like this music. It's awesome!" The crowd was all riled up as the band kept the music going. We had a great night drinking and enjoying the band's performance. By the time they were winding down, I could see Ali was completely starry eyed for my charismatic roommate. That man's charm knew no ends.
"Thank you guys! You've been an awesome audience." Jasper's voice filled the room again. "Thanks again to little Bella for lending us her gorgeous voice. This is our last song tonight, but we'll be out front with CDs and other merch after the show. So come by and meet us." He started strumming his guitar with the familiar chords of a song I remember him working on last year. It was an angry, vengeful breakup song that he wrote after he finally split up with his on-again off-again girlfriend Maria for the last time. She was sort of crazy, at least they seemed to make each other crazy.
I looked over at Alice. Her face was wide open and full of wonder. She was so smitten already, but then again Jay seemed to have that effect on most women.
We hung around for a bit sipping our drinks at our seats, while the band manned the table out in the lobby. Twenty minutes or so later things were winding down so I brought Ali and Edward over to meet the band. Alice had somehow quieted her frenetic vibe and she was calmer than I'd ever seen her as we walked across the lobby toward Jasper.
"Hey guys! Great gig!" I said, pulling Jay down for a hug.
"Thanks Lil' Bell. Your debt's clear," he said pulling away. "You sure you won't consider guesting for us more often? I don't always want to have to use unsavory methods to get you on stage with me."
I rolled my eyes at him. "No Jay, I still hate it," I said. Feeling a small hand gripping my arm a little too tightly, I turned to see an anxious Alice. "Oh, Jay this is Edward's sister Alice. Alice this is my good friend and roommate Jasper Hale."
I saw the flip switch as Jasper took in Alice and turned his charm on full blast. "Well hello there little darlin' it's good to meet you. Did you enjoy the music?"
"Oh my goodness! You guys are amazing!" Ali gushed. I turned to see Edward scowling down at her and I could only laugh at him.
"What?" he asked, turning to me with overly innocent eyes.
"I think it was just yesterday that Jasper was giving you that same exact look!" I said, amused with his behavior. He pursed his lips slightly, trying not to let himself laugh at my observation.
He pulled me to his chest and leaned down for a kiss, Alice's fixation on Jasper forgotten for the moment. I could hear her bubbly voice chattering away in the background and Jasper's melodious laughter responding.
"Are you guys gonna be like this all the time now?" Rose's acerbic voice interrupted.
I pulled away to look at my friend, prepared to snap back at her snarky tone, but she looked amused instead of annoyed like I expected.
"Yes," I responded. I hooked my arm around hers and kept one around Edward's waist. We walked toward the exit.
"Ali, we're headed out. You coming?" Edward asked as we neared his sister.
She looked over at her brother in surprise. I had a feeling she'd forgotten we were here. "Uh, no I think I'll stick around a bit," she said. Turning back to Jasper she said, "Do you want to go get a drink somewhere or do you have to finish up here?"
He smiled brightly, not the typical cocky grin he usually threw at girls. "No sugar, we can get a drink if you're up for it. I'll just let them know I'm taking off. The guys can pack up." He faced Edward, looking him directly in the eye. "I will make sure she gets home safe tonight. You have my word." There was no doubting the sincerity in his voice, even Edward looked pacified by the statement.
"You be sure to do that," he responded sternly. "Good night Ali. Be safe okay."
"Sure thing big brother. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight guys." She said cheerfully.
We walked Rose home and the walk was far more enjoyable than I would have thought. It seemed like she was trying to give Edward a chance after her initial coldness toward him. She asked him about his work and he asked about her studies. Things were far from easy, but they were getting there. After we dropped her off, we made our way back toward his house, enjoying the crisp winter air. It wasn't so bad when you had a warm, boyfriend to snuggle up with. We kept stopping to warm each other up with kisses so the walk took twice as long as necessary. By the time we got to the house we were both worked up and eager to get inside.
"Baby, I fucking loved watching you sing up there tonight," he said as we climbed the last few steps to the third floor. "I understand that you don't like performing, but it was fucking hot and I hope you'll sing for me again sometime." He'd been pulling me toward the bedroom and we'd been stripping each other of clothing on the way. I started unbuttoning his jeans like I'd wanted to do all night and I dropped to my knees in front of him.
"Oh fuck, baby," he groaned as I released him from his boxer briefs and slid the rest of his clothing toward the floor and out of my way. I kissed the tip of his gorgeous cock with an open, wet mouth causing him to grunt in response. I loved the taste of him. I never thought I would enjoy giving head the way I did with Edward. I slid my mouth down over the length of his shaft and I heard the air leave his lungs in a rush. His fingers wove through my hair and he gripped it the way he'd learned I liked. I loved when he guided me, when he took what he wanted from me. There was something that turned me on so much about my sweet, caring boyfriend getting all needy and a bit rough. I liked that he was losing control, that he wanted me this badly. I moaned around his cock as he thrust in and out of my mouth. Loving the feel of his smooth, heated skin against my lips. I gripped his hips with my hands as I sank my mouth further down onto him.
"Jesus, baby. You are so fucking good at that," he gasped, increasing the speed of his thrusts. I could feel the wetness between my legs and almost without thinking I slid one of my hands from his hip and trailed it down between my legs. I worked my clit in furious circles as his hips thrust against me.
"Fuck baby, are you touching yourself?" he gritted out. "that is so fucking hot. I'm so close baby. Can you make yourself come for me." God I loved when he talked to me like this. His dirty words drove me closer to the edge of my orgasm. He seemed to swell even more in my mouth as I worked my fingers against my swollen bundle of nerves. I felt the warmth of my climax begin to flood through me as his movements began to become erratic.
"Baby, I can't wait…." he groaned. I sucked harder on his length before lightly grazing him with my teeth. That was enough to send him over the edge and I felt him spill in long spurts down my throat. He let out a load roar as he came. He stilled after a moment and I heard his ragged breaths begin to calm. Before I knew what was happening he'd lifted me off the floor and thrown me onto the edge of the bed. He sank to his knees and swirled his hot tongue over my aching clit.
"Oh god!" I cried out. I was already so close to cumming that it didn't take long before I was crying out his name as he sucked hard on my sensitive clit. I shook under him as he licked gently at my core, prolonging my pleasure until I didn't know if I could take any more. We collapsed in the bed, our limbs tangled together, my head on his chest as he stroked my hair lovingly.
"I'm never letting you go. You know that right?" he whispered as he kissed my head. His words warmed my chest and filled me for a hope for the future that I didn't know I'd been missing.
"I'm yours Edward," I said quietly. "I don't want to be anywhere else, but with you." He pulled me tight against his chest.
"I'm yours, too. You know that, right?" he asked. "In every possible way. I'm yours."
We fell asleep, our bodies still entwined, his heartbeat pulsing in my ear like a gentle lullaby soothing away my worries and calming my fears.
A/N: I haven't been doing this, but a story I read this week made me desperate to rec it to people. So here goes: Fic rec of the week: Kush by LayAtHomeMom: This story had me cracking up, plus it's super sweet. My only complaint was wanting more of it, but that's not really a complaint as much as a compliment.