THE NIGHTINGALE JOURNALS
A/N: Just watched Pirate Radio, featuring Tom Sturridge, and ladies, I'm NGL—if I died in the middle of an RPattz/TomStu sammy, I'd be a very happy little girl. UNG.
Things I own: The DVD of Titanic, because sometimes you just need Kate, and you need Leo, and you need them right now.
Things I don't own: Anything Twilight. It all belongs to Stephenie Meyers.
Thanks to my beta, Trinity/TFX, who has encouraged me time and again to remember my New Year's resolution. ILY, bb.
Thank you to Ladyeire72 for pre-reading and assuring me that Edward did indeed have his mojo.
CHAPTER TEN: I'M KING OF THE WORLD
The four of us walk over to the Leavenworth Beer Garden from our hotel so that no one needs to worry about being a Designated Driver tonight. We all want to let loose and enjoy ourselves.
There is a palpable energy between Bella and me, and we keep stealing glances at each other along the way. On several occasions, I fight the urge to grab her, throw her over my shoulder, and run back to our suite. If I don't get some relief soon, I will die a martyr, with the bluest balls ever seen. I'm bound to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records at this rate. This was not one of my life's goals. Ever.
During one of my casual glances at Bella, I take in what she's wearing. Her micro-bikini is history, for which I'm both grateful and hugely disappointed. If she happened to be wearing it right now, she would most definitely be over my shoulder and on her way back to the suite. She's changed into a navy blue dress, which is all crinkled; I'm pretty sure it is supposed to look like that. She probably thinks the texture hides her nipple piercings, but believe me, it doesn't. Not even fucking close. I'm so obsessed with seeing them that I'm probably eyeing her rack more than is socially acceptable, but that's a risk you take when you flaunt your pierced nipples in front of horny Pediatric ICU Fellows. Namely, this horny Pediatric ICU Fellow.
Fuck, this is not helping the blue ball situation at all.
I've also noticed that her hair is down, long and wavy along her back. She never wears it like this at work, and it is a sight to behold. It's like she's silently screaming at me to run my fingers through her hair. She's one of the few women I've ever known who needs absolutely nothing to improve upon her natural beauty. Her hair looks best long and unadorned. Her brown eyes are so big and beautiful they need no make-up. Her lips are a beautiful shade of pink, in no need of embellishment. She smells amazing; every time she turns her head, a wave of her scent wafts through the air and knocks me out all over again. It's remarkable that this woman, freshly showered and dressed in under 15 minutes, can be more beautiful in this moment than someone else who took three hours to get ready.
She must be able to sense that I'm staring at her, because she looks over and gives me a coy glance through her lashes then bites the side of her bottom lip.
Concentration officially destroyed.
I grab her hand and yank her into me, then pull her roughly to my lips. My need for this woman is overpowering and all-consuming. My dick simply doesn't understand the concept of having to wait for the right time to be formally introduced to Swan.
The moment our lips collide, it's like a nuclear reaction, and a heady moan slips out from both of us. We're soldered together in the middle of the sidewalk, people walking around us. Someone clearing their throat in my ear gets my attention. Barely. It's like I'm being awakened by a very annoying alarm in the middle of a pleasant dream.
"Dude, remember the concept of going to the bar first?" Jasper semi whispers to me.
Fuck. Yes, I do. I think.
Bella makes a whiney "Nooooo!" as she's pulled away from me by Alice.
I lean over and whisper, "Remember, these are all just appetizers. Sometimes, you eat so many appetizers you aren't hunger for the entrée. Trust me, you want to save room for the entrée." I finish with a small nip to her earlobe, and she shivers.
Good response.
Bella grabs my hand and laces our fingers together. She looks up at me, smiles, and I suddenly understand the scene in Titanic where Leo DeCaprio shouts out, "I'm king of the world!" When you have the woman you've desired for years holding your hand, looking at you with a smile, and the prospect of red-hot sex to come, you fucking own the world, and in that moment, there is nothing—nothing—that can take your feeling of omnipotence away.
The minute we arrive on scene at the beer garden, we see that our PICU nurses make up half of the customers on the outdoor patio. There is music playing and they appear to be having a wonderful time, which, when roughly translated, means they're all quite toasted.
Excellent. Fewer people to notice me pawing at Swan.
Jasper and I grab a few pitchers from the bar and bring them back to the long table filled with nurses. I see that Bella has saved a space for me next to her, and it fills me with a sense of pride and awe.
Of all the guys she could save a seat for, I'm the one who gets it. Fucking lucky bastard.
"You know, we haven't eaten all day, we should really get something in our stomachs before we start slamming beers."
"Not a bad idea, Swan, but that will hinder my plan to get you drunk and take advantage of you."
Her eyes widen for a minute, but underneath the table, she puts her hand on my thigh and gives it a squeeze.
She leans over and whispers, "I thought I said that I would be molesting you."
"We can form a mutual grope society. I'm good with that."
"I'm sure you are, doctor."
Fuck. I'm never going to last through this night.
Exactly one pizza and three pitchers later, Alice announces to our foursome, "Bella, it's time for KFM."
KFM stands for Kill, Fuck, or Marry. Apparently, it is Alice's favorite game. She comes up with the names of three medical professionals, and we all have to determine which of the three we would kill, which one we would fuck, or which one we would marry.
The look on Bella's face is priceless. It's a combination of "stink eye" and "I need to hurl."
"Aw, no, Alice, not tonight. You're just gonna stick me with choices that will result in my needing to bleach my brain afterwards."
"OK, OK, I have a great one. Dr. Mooseknuckle, Dr. Hunchback, or Dr. Napoleon."
"Wait a second here, I'm at a distinct disadvantage! I have no idea who these people are!"
"Cullen, you don't count. These are guys. We'll do a girl version for you and Jasper next."
"Okay, then, I'm going to use this as a segue to take a bathroom break."
Alice gives me a tense little glare. "It's no fun to see Bella's reactions if there aren't casual observers."
"Well, Jasper is here."
Jasper looks at me, grinning and shaking his head. "Naw, I think it's time for me to take a bathroom break, too."
"You guys are acting like little first grade girls, you know!"
"Alice, you know these are always about male doctors. As much as I love you—which is, admittedly, more than life itself—there is no real fun for me in participating in this game. Well, aside from the fact that watching Bella's reactions is amusing."
Alice crosses her arms while her jaw gapes open in shock. "You are SO not getting any tonight, Jasper Whitlock!"
"Aw baby, don't be all mad! I just need to pee my face off. I'll be right back."
Her face melts into a satisfied grin. "Like I could turn you away if I wanted to—"
Bella plugs her ears and starts singing "Lalalalala" out loud. "TMI, Alice—we've been through this before!"
I look at Jasper, who shrugs his shoulder, and we head off to the bathroom.
I grab the only available stall and shut the door behind me, pulling out my phone. I type in a text to Bella.
I want u so fckin bad! Need to be IN U STAT!
U r a fckin tease, Cullen! Like I don't wanna see ur hard cock?
Jesus, Swan! U can't say stuff like that!
Dude, u strted it!
OK, bb. I wanna lick ur tits
*groan*
Then I wanna twist ur nips
STOP!
Lift ur dress, feel ur pussy
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT'S HOLY STOP!
Fck u against the wall
I don't hear u
From behind
Ur sleeping alone 2nite!
Hear u cum
In ur dreamz!
Watch ur face
Get the fuck out here NOW!
Mission fucking accomplished. Thank you to whomever invented texting. And more importantly, sexting!
I quickly finish my business then make my way back to the table. What I discover when I get there leaves me motionless: Bella Swan is dancing like she's a fucking succubus. I'm certain that every XY chromosome in the nearest mile is staring at her, too.
Sorry, dudes, she only dances like this for ME.
I amble over to her, practically leaving a trail of drool in my wake. She looks me straight in the eye the entire time, swaying her hips, sultry smile on her face. She crooks her finger at me, beckoning at me to come closer.
I follow her command, and get as close as I possibly can while still wearing clothes. She grabs my hands, and slides them down her sides, placing them on her ass. I realize at once that there is no elastic band underneath her dress.
Wait, what? SHE'S commando? In the middle of a bar? Wearing a dress?
I feel my brain start to implode; I pull away to look at her face, and she's wearing a sly grin and nodding her head. She suddenly slaps my hands and whispers in my ear, "Payback is a bitch," then saunters back to our table.
Well, fuck me, she can tease with the best of them!
With the four of us returned to the table, Alice flips back into serious business mode again. "Okay, I'm going to give you really good KFM choices so you can't complain. How about Dr. Green-Eyed Monster, Dr. Delicious, and Jasper."
Bella's eyes go wide then she shifts to a glare aimed at Alice. "NO! Those are totally unfair!"
Alice pretends to act innocent. "Why? They're all hot, Bella!"
Huh. This is getting to be amusing. I see what Jasper means. This is like a spectator sport.
Bella's face is beet red. "Because Dr. Delicious is old enough to be my father, Dr. Green-Eyed Monster is off limits, and Jasper is like thinking about fucking my brother. If I had a brother. Gross. I can't possibly choose amongst them."
Jasper pipes up, "Yeah, and then there's the whole parka thing. That's going to be a deal breaker right there, Alice."
"Whitlock, if you want your junk to remain in one piece, you will shut your trap starting right NOW!" Bella threatens.
Given his present expression, it doesn't look like Jasper wants his junk in pieces.
Bella and Alice go back and forth, trading barbs, when it becomes clear Alice won't be the one to back down, Bella almost blurts out the answer.
"Okay. Kill Jasper, Fuck Dr. Green-Eyed Monster, and Marry Dr. Delicious."
"What the hell, Bella? Why would you choose that way?"
"Look, I played the game, I don't expect to have to defend my choices."
"Oh no, honey, you know that isn't part of the process. You have to explain your logic."
"Fuck, all right. Kill Jasper because you love him and made me play the game, so it is purely a revenge killing. Fuck Green-Eyed Monster, because you know why. And Marry Delicious, because he's very handsome, he's way older, and I would be a trophy wife."
The scowl on Bella's face is fierce; it reminds me that I never want to be on her bad side.
I'm confused about her answer, so I ask for clarification. "Who the hell is the Green-Eyed Monster? And what do you mean about wearing a parka? Is that some kind of fetish you have, Swan?"
Jasper snorts and spits out his beer.
"Umm, never mind, Edward."
"Oh, but I do mind, you see. Come on, Swan, spill the beans."
She remains the deepest scarlet color I've ever seen, and she is shaking her head vehemently.
"Nope. Not happening. Ever."
Jasper and Alice are crying, they're laughing so hard, and Alice complains that she wet herself.
"No way, Swan! We are not leaving this bar until you tell me what it means. You know how persistent I can be."
"I'm-not-telling," she says, poking her finger into my chest with each syllable she speaks.
"I bet Alice and Jasper would be more than happy to tell me."
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Try me."
She shoots them both the biggest stink eye in the world. She crosses her arms and looks at me, eyebrow raised. I cross my arms and look at her. We are at an impasse.
Alice clears her throat, and gently puts her hand on Bella's forearm. "Bells, this is probably something that could be resolved over some Patron. Know what I mean?"
Bella quickly turns her head towards Alice. "What?"
Alice simply nods and shrugs her shoulders. Bella groans, clutching her stomach. She weakly whispers out, "Really?"
"He's going to find out one way or another, don't you think you should be the one to tell him?"
I'm watching this unfold in front of me, and it's beginning to freak me out a little bit. I can't imagine what has made the unflappable Bella Swan so sickened. We were playing a light and happy bar game, and it dissolves into this?
Shit, I hope this isn't about the blog. I'm so not ready to come clean with that one yet.
Her loud sigh interrupts my thoughts. "Jasper, will you do the honors and procure the Patron, please?"
"How many?"
"Four."
He stands up, and bows deeply. "As you wish, princess. As you wish."
Shortly afterward, there are four shot glasses sitting in front of us, and Alice and Jasper quietly make their way to the dance floor, giving Bella and I some much needed space.
"So, when are you going to tell me about the Green-Eyed Monster and parkas."
"Um, never. Unless you get yourself so drunk that you won't remember my telling you."
"No, sorry, that excuse doesn't work. But let's get these shots out of the way, hmm?"
We both grab a shot and down it. Bella turns hers upside down, so I follow suit.
"It's just really embarrassing and inappropriate. I don't want you to think I'm completely unprofessional."
"Why would I think that about you? You happen to be one of the most professional, personable nurses in the PICU."
Bella goes for her second shot, and I grab mine, too. Again, we turn them upside down.
"Thank you, Edward. I do appreciate that. What I'm about to tell you is very, very bad. And pervy."
"How is pervy a bad thing?"
"You'll understand better when I tell you."
"All right then, let's have it—who in the hell are Dr. Delicious and Dr. Green-Eyed Monster, and what is this about your sex-in-a-jacket fetish?"
Bella grumbles, looking incredibly uncomfortable. She shakes her head while covering her eyes, and mumbles, "Dr. Delicious happens to be the nickname for your father. And you are the Green-Eyed Monster."
Huh?
"Why am I the Green-Eyed Monster? I'm not the jealous type."
She giggles at my response.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh my god, did you forget Dr. Titmouse? Or Red from Starbucks? As much as I loved your coming to my emotional rescue, Edward, there might have been a little bit of territorial display going on there."
"That had nothing to do with territoriality."
"Oh really? Anyhow, thank you for skimming over the fact that your father was part of that equation—I don't even want to go there. And dude, seriously? What color are your eyes?"
"Oh, well, yeah, they are green. I would hope I'm not a monster, right? Do I seem like that bad a guy? I always try to be pretty nice to the nurses and residents."
I hear Bella mumble something that sounds like motherfucking Patron truth serum.
"Ah, monster doesn't refer to your temperament. It refers to a certain part of your anatomy."
I pause for a moment. My anatomy? OH! My genital anatomy!
"I don't understand; no one has ever seen me!"
"Remember that birthday gift I gave you earlier? Believe me, we've all seen you."
"You guys seriously notice that kind of stuff?"
"Edward, it's a little hard not to. Have you failed to notice all the attention you get from Jessica and Lauren and their counterparts?"
"Well, I guess it's good to be known for something positive. If my nickname was the Green-Eyed Pea, that might be a little embarrassing."
"You are in no danger of being a pea, unless you decide to alter your anatomy."
My hands instinctively go to cover my crotch. Then I remember Jasper's comment about the parka fetish.
"What does wearing a parka have to do with anything? Do you really have a jacket fetish that I don't know about?"
Bella once again blushes profusely, and I can't imagine why this is so embarrassing for her.
"The parka I was referring to do has nothing to do with clothing."
What the hell does that mean?
"Then I don't get it."
"Please don't make me say it, Edward. Please!"
I up the ante by leaning over and taking her earlobe into my mouth. Her breath hitches and a smile to myself.
"Sorry, Swan. I need to know."
"Okay, fine. We need another shot before I can divulge this. You need two."
"If the price of learning about your parka fetish is two shots of Patron, so be it."
I go to the bar to get more shots and get back to the table as quickly as possible.
We slug our shots, and I watch her draw a deep breath. "Parka is another word for foreskin. I happen to have a thing for uncut cocks."
Bella Swan is blushing the most beautiful shade of red I've ever seen, and trying to hide her face. I wish I had a picture of it, because I want to remember this moment forever.
"You've got to be shitting me."
She huffs at me, indignant. "I am most definitely not shitting you! I wouldn't kid about something like that. I take my dick very seriously."
"So, you chose me to fuck instead of marry because you'd want to be able to marry someone who's uncut?"
"Yeah, if I'm ever going to get married, I'm sorry, the guy has to have a parka. I'm being completely honest here."
"Bella, you are aware that my father is British, right?"
"Yeah, so?"
"Umm, well, when I was born, my parents thought it would be a good idea for me to look like my dad, avoiding any anatomical questions."
She looks at me, confused. "Edward, what the fuck are you trying to tell me?"
"British guys, in general, are uncut."
"Oh… so, you're…OHHHH!" I see the light go off in her head.
"Exactly."
She swallows hard. "Edward, I don't think you should have told me that."
"Why not?"
"Because I really, really need to fuck you. Now."
"Well, that's perfect, because I really, really want to fuck you."
Our eyes are locked on one another, both trying to figure out how the hell to get back to the suite without arousing suspicion.
"Okay, I'm going to the bathroom, and you're going to settle our tab. I'm going to casually slip outside, you're going to casually slip outside, and then we are going to fucking run back to the hotel. Are you with me?"
"Absofuckinglutely!"
"OK. 1-2-3, GO!"
I watch as Bella's ass wiggles its way to the bathroom. When she disappears, I stand up and head for the bar. On the way, I make sure to capture Jasper's attention, so he knows we're leaving. Without waiting to see what the bill is, I hand the bartender $100 and exit the bar. As I turn the corner, I see Bella waiting for me; her eyes are wild, and she has the most adorable, silly grin plastering her face. She waves her hand at me, encouraging me to hurry. When I reach her, she squeals, and we take off running, just like we planned.
END NOTE: No, I am not deliberately cockbocking, dear readers, I promise. Chapters 10 and 11 will be posted simultaneously. For story flow, however, it made more sense to have them in separate chapters.
Bella is (briefly) wearing Banana Republic's petite silk crinkle dress. A picture of it can be found on my Live Journal page: .com Please be aware that there are some NSFW things posted on my LJ page, too. You have been warned!
