Bedside Manner
Chapter 12
Bella said she was busy. I've come by Nick's at least three days this week in hopes of bumping into her. Stalker much, Cullen? I've dragged Emmett out there with me for lunch on Tuesday even though our office is across town. He didn't complain since it was my treat, but I think he's on to me since I've suggested lunch or dinner at Nick's a couple more times this week.
Saturday can't come fast enough.
I'm abusing the treadmill again—too many fried tacos—when Emmett joins me.
"Still not getting any?" he says through a chuckle before cranking up his machine.
I try to ignore him, but my mouth has other ideas. "I'm so horny ... and confused."
Emmett snickers. "You, of all people, should know the mechanics of the act."
Rip the band-aid off and just tell it, man. Locker room confessionals are sacred. Emmett's a good guy; you can trust him.
"Does your sudden affinity for fried tacos have anything to do with a particular brunette who lives a few blocks from there?"
Shit.
I stop my workout and hang my head. "She's Esme's cousin."
His feet stop moving. "Oh…"
That's it? That's all I get?
"Are they close?"
I nod. "First cousins ... Esme's like her big sister. A bossy big sister."
Emmett paces the gym before balancing himself on an exercise ball; he watches me as if I might run away. "And here I thought you were fretting about falling for your patient."
My legs feel like they've been swept out from under me, and I stagger to a nearby bench. "Have I been that obvious?"
His eyes shine with stifled amusement. "A sign that says: "Bella Swan owns my ass" would be less obvious. But I feel your pain. Really." He rises to sit beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Here I thought your biggest problem was how to drop her as a patient—and that's really a non-issue—but she's your lady's cousin—"
"Esme's not my lady," I practically shout, interrupting him. "We're not exclusive…"
Emmett rolls his eyes. "Well, she thinks she's your lady. You fuck her yet?"
I shake my head. "I've been avoiding her."
"Well, that's good. But why?"
I don't even know why. "Esme's fine, and she's fine, but since I met Bella I just don't feel right about trying to make anything lasting with Esme."
Emmett nods.
"I went by Nick's last night and I saw her there…"
"Who?"
"Bella. Keep up." I rake a hand through my hair ... it's getting long. I need to find a barber. Maybe Bella knows of—
"Between all the patients and other women in the office throwing themselves at you, and now kissing cousins, it's impossible to keep up with your ever-growing harem, Valentino."
"Can you be serious, please?"
"There's no fun in that, but I'll try. What happened when you saw her?"
I scratch up and down my thighs because speaking my feelings out loud will make this real.
"Carlisle." Emmett reaches out to still my hands before I draw blood. "What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything. She was there with another man ... hugging him. Looking really fucking cozy—happy." I'm disgusted at myself for how I reacted when I watched Bella jump up from her seat and wrap her arms around that guy. He gripped her just as fiercely, burying his nose in her hair. The world stopped. The air thinned. I stared; I know I was staring at them. "I'm pretty sure he saw me watching them."
Emmett looks amused. "You're a total creeper, you know that right?"
"I'm an asshole. That's what I am."
"I would tell you that you were the fucking man, balancing two chicks and all that—but Bell is my people. I don't know whether to give you a fist pound or pound my fist into your face."
My shoulders slump. I wanna punch myself in the face. "It wouldn't be so fucked up if she wasn't giving me vibes or whatever. I know she's feeling me, too."
"So dump the designer."
"I can't, she's moving to New York." Defeat weighs down my words. "This is supposed to be the best time of her life. I can't ruin that by saying we should break up because she's moving, nor can I tell her the truth about wanting to pursue a relationship with her cousin."
"Okay, first—you are not all that for her to be depressed about losing something she doesn't really have in the first damn place. Second—I didn't go through a hundred years of medical school and all that shit, but there's a flaw in your logic, Doc." Emmett chuckles.
"What am I supposed to do? Esme wants to try and maintain—build—our relationship, but she keeps leading me into temptation."
"What does that even mean?"
"Bella. She's hounding me and Bella to spend time together. Bella's my own personal welcome wagon. The messed up part is that I love it. Love spending time with her. She's funny, man. Hysterical, and so damn smart."
"And she's beautiful. Can't leave that out."
I nod. "That she is. And Esme wants us to be friends so damn bad. She calls constantly to make sure we're having fun. I don't understand it." Esme's a puzzle.
Emmett's face gets serious. I didn't know that was possible. "Let me get this straight. You like Bella. Bella likes you."
"Right," I answer with a nod.
"Then there's this not-so-pesky situation of her being your patient, but there's a slightly larger issue of a not-exclusive non-girlfriend who happens to be closely related to the object of your affection. Have I got it?"
I nod again. "Clear as mud, huh?"
He shakes his head. "Definitely."
"Tell me what to do, Emmett!" I truly am desperate to beg for his advice.
Standing to head back to his treadmill, he shakes his head again. "I think you need to invest in a new pair of running shoes and a shit ton of lotion. You'll be taking care of yourself for a while." He begins to run. "In all seriousness, don't come between family. Just be Bella's friend—nothing more, nothing less–but get rid of Esme. She's not right for you—you're only wasting time with that one."
I restart my own workout program, unsure of how to feel about Emmett's advice. He wants me not to pursue my attraction to Bella and stay in the friend zone. After seeing her with that man the other day, I don't know if I can do that.
Somehow knowing where my mind has gone, Emmett adds, "Bella's worth it, dude. She's a great friend to have. Just play it cool, okay?"
Cool. I can do cool.
({()})
Feet with blood red toes rest on my thigh, rubbing up and down. My head is pillowed on my arm while my other hand holds onto my beer. She shifts beside me and moans, dipping her feet between my thighs and inching her scarlet phalanges up toward my crotch. I tap the soles of her feet with my bottle. She squeals and snatches her feet back.
"That was cold!" She sits up and swats my shoulder.
I wink and shake my beer bottle at her in acknowledgement. She pivots beside me to lean her head against my shoulder, forcing me to drop my arm so that we're cuddling.
"This is nice," she says with a breathy sigh against my neck, raising goose bumps on my flesh.
Play it cool, Cullen. I nod. "Yeah, it is."
She kisses the spot her breath has warmed, and her hands slither across my chest and shoulders, one into my hair and the other gently clawing at my pecs. My heart is about to pound out of my chest.
This isn't right.
Her hand inches down my chest and over my abs, just grazing the waistband of my slacks. She reverses her course and plays with the buttons of my shirt while nuzzling against my neck. Her long, brown hair falls across my body as she shifts to suckle on my Adam's apple. My stupid hand decides to rub up and down her back, and the other hand threatens to drop my beer so I can get her in a better position. Preferably naked and straddling my lap.
I close my eyes; this feels so fucking good.
"Carlisle ... let's take this to the bedroom." She reaches up to kiss me hard. Pleading. "I want you so bad."
Her lips linger against mine. Her words vibrate in my chest.
This isn't right.
But her sweet mouth is cool from her fruity drink, and she wants me. We're consenting adults. She shifts to straddle my lap, pressing her heat against me. I moan. I can't help myself.
"God bless America, woman," I mumble into her mouth. She giggles, and it feels fan-fucking-tastic through every part of our bodies that are touching.
"Make love to me, please."
Sweet baby Jesus in swaddling clothes do I want to, but this isn't right.
She sighs and clambers off my lap. Immediately, I miss the weight and warmth of her. Standing, she smooths out her clothes, once again the picture of poise. "You're a good guy, Carlisle. I know you're struggling with being honorable and respecting me, but I don't think you understand just how bad I want you."
I stand as well, setting my beer on a coaster before taking her hand. "I don't want us to do something we'll regret." I hope she feels how much I value our friendship. "There are too many variables right now, but if one day this thing between us grows into more, I won't fight it."
Her eyes fill with tears which she quickly wipes away.
"Please don't do that." I wipe away the new tears which have fallen.
She looks up at me with such innocence and sadness. "I can't help it. You're kind of perfect. I'm sorry."
"I'm far from perfect." I nudge her chin up. "I'm messy—why do you think we're always at your place? I can hardly take care of myself. I eat take out or frozen dinners. I'm habitually late. I eat cookies in bed ..."
She wraps her arms around my waist, and I pull her close. "I don't mind any of that, Carlisle. You don't need to make excuses." She takes a deep breath and then steps away. "I was being greedy." Her bare feet make the faintest sound as she crosses the room. "Edward's taking me to the airport in the morning, I know you and Bella have plans." She moves to the front hall to fish something out of the gazillion suitcases leaning against the wall. "The more I talk with Aro, the less likely it may be that I'm able to come back except for once every several weeks. Here's my new business card." She hands me a glossy card which I turn over in my hands a few times.
"Park Avenue, huh?"
She grins and turns bashful. "Aro wants me to redecorate all of his offices, his corporate housing, and a couple of his personal apartments."
"I'm happy for you, Es. Really. This is a great opportunity."
Her eyes rise to meet mine and shine with excitement. "I'm happy for me, too."
I look at the clock, it's still early for a Friday night, but I need to go home and cool off.
At the door, Esme gives me a lingering hug, seeming to inhale at my collar. She hums. "I'm gonna miss you."
"No, you won't."
She laughs. "When I'm not busy, I'll miss you."
"You'll be too busy to give me a second thought."
"You're kind of unforgettable, Carlisle Cullen."
"So are you, Esme. So are you." I squeeze her one last time before stepping through the door. "Next time you're in town, give me a buzz and we'll have drinks. Okay?"
"It's a date!" she says cheerfully before closing the door.
The relief that overtakes me has me flying high. I pull out my cell and text Emmett. He and the guys are shooting pool at a bar across town. I get directions and head over there. I feel like celebrating.
####
How y'all doing?
So … Esme is outta there. Let's all do a happy dance. But will Carlisle seize the opportunity? Will Bella allow it?
Tune in tomorrow for more.
Thanks for reading!
