Well, we can't have drama or intrigue without Royce and Angela, can we? But our two lovers are tough and can handle it, I think.
Thanks again to Kriszta Farkas for always being there and for Sherry Neal for her awesome beta skills. You two are quite the team! xox
CHAPTER 14
'This is for real, isn't it?'
Upon hearing Edward's question, Bella pulls her head back, looking him in the eye. She repeats his question over and over in her mind.
"What do you mean?" she asks, apprehensive.
"This. Between you and me. It's real, right?" he asks, needing clarification.
Bella snuggles into him and smiles.
"Yeah. It's real."
He doesn't want her to see it, but he grins into her hair and tightens his arms around her.
"Good," he whispers, before falling asleep in her arms.
~.~
The following morning, after Bella makes breakfast, they ride down to Rodeo Drive for a little shopping. Stopping at a secondhand vintage store, Bella finds a pair of jeans, a leather bomber jacket, and several vintage band t-shirts.
Edward has his arms full of items similar to hers, and once they deposit the pile of material on the counter to pay for them, Bella reaches for her wallet and Edward scowls at her.
"I want to get this for you," he says, handing the clerk his credit card. All the while, she shakes her head and tries to tell the clerk that she'll pay for her own.
"Edward, you can't be buying me clothes. I want to pay for my own," she pleads.
"Nope. It's all of what … fifty bucks? I want to be able to say, 'I got those for her' when I see your cute ass wiggle in those jeans."
Bella blushes and gently shoves him at his flirtatious comment and concedes, allowing him to pay.
As they walk out of the store, arm-in-arm, Edward squeezes her close to him.
"I have something to tell you, and I can't wait any longer," he says, smiling down at her.
Returning his excitement, she beams up at him with a questioning look on her face.
"Before we left Mendocino, I arranged for the yacht to be sailed down here. It'll arrive tomorrow. You and I are sailing back home."
"Really!?" Bella squeals, jumping in front of him, walking backward as she digs for more information. "What about the bike? When do we leave? How long will it take?"
"Slow down there, cowgirl. There's a holding bay underneath that will hold the bike, and it will be just the two of us. Oh, and the captain, of course. My dad had a guy on staff who skippers it. His wife will be with him to kind of take care of us, but you and I will be cooking our dinners together."
"Thank you! Thank you for making this a wonderful vacation. I'm so excited," Bella says as she throws herself into his arms.
"We leave tomorrow, as soon as it gets here," he says quietly, kissing her forehead. "How about we go out for dinner tonight? There's a place I like not far from the apartment. We can walk if you want."
"I'd love that," she whispers, holding herself against him as they walk toward the bike. "I won't be able to sleep."
After the pair shower and dress for dinner, they stroll hand-in-hand down the sidewalk toward Edward's favorite hole-in-the-wall Italian bistro.
Ordering a bottle of wine, antipasti, and pasta dishes that they'll share, they find themselves full on the endless basket of warm garlic bread.
Embarrassed, they request their pasta be placed in take-out boxes they'll take with them on the boat tomorrow. After finishing the bottle of wine, they decide to walk off the carbs along the boulevard.
"Let's go in here for a cup of coffee," Bella suggests, after spying a romantic table outside.
"All right, you grab that table, and I'll get us the coffee," he says, kissing her forehead then pulling her seat out for her.
Bella scoots her chair in, and when she looks up, she looks right into the angry eyes of Angela Weber.
"Well, if it isn't the homewrecker," she says loud enough to turn the heads of everyone within hearing range. Bella's eyes scour the surrounding tables at this ridiculous, albeit embarrassing, accusation.
"Angela, don't start something you can't finish. First, he wasn't married to you. Secondly, he moved north after his parents passed away, leaving you here. I just happen to be lucky enough to have met him. Move along, would you, I'm on a date," Bella smiles, shooing her away with her hand.
At that moment Edward comes out of the café and rolls his eyes when he sees the unwelcomed visitor.
"Here you go, beautiful," he says, kissing Bella on top of her head. After he places the coffee cups on the small table, he takes his time before he even acknowledges Angela's presence.
"Angela, why do you insist on wearing that god-awful perfume? It stinks. Go over there," Edward says, pointing to the tables across the street.
Bella unsuccessfully hides a giggle, and when the other patrons sitting around them laugh loud enough for Angela to hear, she begins to pout.
"Eddie…" she whines, stomping her foot like a petulant child. He holds his hand up, cutting her off.
"Angela, I'm with someone?" he says raising his eyebrows. Angela huffs and then snarls at the couple before turning to leave.
Edward apologizes to Bella for having to endure yet another encounter with Angela and lifts her hand to his lips. He smooths his lips over her soft fingers, gently easing his tongue between them. When she bites her bottom lip and smiles at the sensual maneuver, he chuckles at her blush.
"I've had a wonderful time, Edward. I can't wait until tomorrow," she says giddily.
After finishing their coffee, they stroll down the street to his apartment. Once inside they wrap themselves in each other's arms, making sweet love until exhaustion takes them both.
The following morning, they pack their meager belongings, lock up the apartment, and ride to the docks where Edward's boat awaits, dwarfed by the large ships and barges in the bay.
After receiving clearance to sail, the captain pulls out to sea, where Bella and Edward spend the next four days enjoying the sun, getting to know each other and becoming closer.
"We arrive home in an hour," Edward says, burying his nose in her hair and inhaling.
"I don't want this time with you to end," she purrs, closing her eyes to his touch. She loves the way he runs his fingertips over her cheek.
"It has been good, hasn't it?" he asks quietly, running his fingers through her long hair.
"The best," she whispers.
He lifts her face to his, and their lips meet and before long, the kiss turns heated and deeply passionate. Slipping Bella's head from his shoulder, he props himself on his elbow, cupping her face.
"You've turned me into a wimp, do you know that?" he scolds gently. "I ride into town, wanting to hold onto my anonymity and to stay only a few days. Then, in walks a brunette who steals my heart at first sight."
"How do you think I feel? A newcomer in town, in leather no less, with messy hair, tattoos, and a loud, rumbling motorcycle. My undies haven't been the same since," she confesses with a childlike giggle.
"Is that right?" he asks in a deep, growling tone. His hands caress her hip and under the delicate band of her white panties. "These right here?"
She exhales a quivering breath when he cups her at the apex of her legs, slipping into the warmth of her smooth lips.
"Y-yes," she stutters, involuntarily parting her legs at his firm, yet gentle touch.
"My, my, my, what have we here?" he moans, into the curve of her neck. "Listen to how wet you are."
"Oh, god, the way you touch me—the way you make me feel," she murmurs when he slides his long fingers along the length of her.
"Do you know I wanted you the minute I saw you?" he asks, pushing her legs out further with his own. "I tried to ignore you, but your scent called to me."
He tugs at the bit of material, sliding them down her hip.
"Lift your ass," he orders. When she obeys, he pulls the panties down her legs.
"That night in the bar, when you told me you dreamt of me, I wanted to take you home and eat you alive. I wanted to sink myself inside you."
"Oh, shit," she says, breathless, her hands fisting the sheets.
"I wanted to fuck you so hard you screamed, waking the neighbors," he says, lowering himself, kissing along her taut stomach.
"Are you trying to seduce me, Mr. Cullen?" she says, breathless. When he lifts his head, their eyes meet.
"Oh, yes, Dr. Swan," he says, his voice raspy with desire. "I want to taste your sweet pussy, I want to fuck you hard and deep, and then I want you to tell me how much you love me while I'm doing it," he answers "I want to show you how I felt when I first laid eyes on you. How much you tortured my nights when I wanted you so badly, but you strategically avoided me."
He returns to his task of making his way down to taste her, turning her into a withering mess.
"Oh, god," she cries when his mouth suckles her clit, flicking it with his tongue.
Her cries spur him on, and he attacks her with even more enthusiasm to ensure her pleasure is complete. Knowing she's nearing her climax, he slows his attack and gently savors her, humming against her as he circles her clitoris with his tongue, pulling on her flesh with his lips.
"Please," she begs. "Please." She holds his head in her hands, weaving her hands through his hair as she slowly moves against his mouth. When he uses his thumbs to spread her lips open, he licks her, then sucks on her, and licks some more, sending her into a mind-boggling frenzy. Feeling her thighs tighten on the side of his head, he finishes her off, reveling in the fact that only he has been with her like this. No other man has tasted her, and that's exactly how he wants to keep it.
Wiping his mouth on his arm, he moves up her body, lying over her. Her arms and legs wrap around him as he thrusts himself into her, unable to wait any longer.
"Ah, fuck, baby," he growls, as he withdraws and slams back into her. "You feel so … fucking … good."
Bella lifts her legs higher, giving him deeper access, as she meets him thrust for thrust.
"Edward…" she pleads. "Oh, god ..."
He rocks his body into her, holding her tighter as he feels his orgasm prepare itself.
"Come on, baby," he breathes harshly. "I want to feel you come."
"Harder," she whispers. "Fuck me harder."
That's all it takes for him, and he pushes into her harder, and his balls nearly disappear before he explodes.
"Fucking, yes!" he growls low in his chest, his hips thrusting into her as he fills her.
Remaining still, staying inside her as they hold on to each other, letting the intensity of what they just shared speak loud and clear.
"Fuck, Bella!" he says, dizzy and sated.
"Oh, yeah," she replies, smiling.
~.~
After the quiet and slow ride home, Edward pulls into Bella's drive and both remain silent, sad that their time alone is over. After he helps carry her bags inside, the awkward silence is deafening.
"Well," he begins, looking down at the floor.
"Yeah," she responds. "I had a wonderful time, Edward, really," Bella says, stepping into his arms, not wanting to say goodbye.
"I did too. Do you work tomorrow?" he asks.
"Yes, you?"
"Yeah."
The uncomfortable strain is overwhelming as they continue to hold each other.
"I don't want to let you go," he whispers.
"Me neither."
"Um, do you need a couple of days to get settled?" Edward asks.
"Not if it means I don't get to see you," she replies. "Let me see what my schedule is like tomorrow, and I'll let you know. Do you want to come over and have dinner and a movie or something?"
"I'll take or something," he jests, nuzzling her ear.
"Call me tonight if you want," Bella says, hopeful.
"I will. I'll call before I go to bed."
After he finally leaves, and Bella hears his motorcycle disappear in the distance, she jumps giddily and pulls out her cell phone.
"I'm home," she says, excited to hear her friend's voice. "Wanna come over?"
"Oh hell, yeah," Rosalie says, hanging up on Bella.
It's not fifteen minutes before Rose is banging on the door wanting in.
"You better hurry and answer this fucking door!" she shouts.
As soon as the door opens, she rushes in and immediately demands the details of Bella's vacation, to which all is divulged, very explicitly.
"Wow, that Angela sounds detached from reality, doesn't she? There's a name for that kind of behavior. I wonder why I feel you haven't seen the last of her?" Rosalie ponders.
"So, what's going on at the hospital? Anything new?" Bella asks, turning her body to face Rosalie.
"Nothing out of the norm. A few broken bones, the flu, Dr. McCarty told me he loved me, Nurse Young is pregnant, Dr. Brown—"
"Wait, what? Dr. McCarty what?"
"Told me he loved me," Rosalie beams. "He was nervous telling me too. It was cute."
"And?"
"And what?"
"And did you say it back?" Bella asks, her eyes wide.
"Of course I did. I'd be a fool to let that man bed anyone else but me!"
"Rosalie, you crack me up," Bella laughs, reaching over to hug her friend. "I'm so happy for you."
"Me too. He's a sweet, sweet man," Rose says, pensively. "Hey, I'm happy for you too. You finally ditched that V-card. It's about fucking time too!"
"Between you and me, Rose, we did it before we went on vacation. I didn't want to wait any longer. I think he would have waited forever if I wanted him to, though," Bella says behind a blush. "But there is no freaking way I was going to wait with him hanging around. He is just too beautiful."
"Did he treat you well? You know, that first time?"
Bella's smile is all it took to convince her friend that Edward did his job and did it right.
"Come on, let's go to The Shack and get a burger. I'm starving."
"Me too," Bella replies, jumping up to grab her purse, leading the way out the door.
After the two back out of the driveway, Bella phones Alice to join them.
"Is she coming?" Rosalie asks.
"Yep," Bella says with a nod. "I've missed her too."
"She did a good job holding down your office. I had to call her a few times to get some patient information and she was right on it, giving me anything I needed."
"For whom? What patient?"
"You don't want to know," Rosalie says, rolling her eyes.
"Who?"
"Fuckwad."
Bella sat back for a moment to contemplate who she's talking about, and it dawned on her.
"Royce?" she asks, her eyes wide with interest.
"Yep. He came in with a few broken fingers and demanded to see only you. When he found out that you were out of town, he became belligerent, as usual. He said he needed pain meds. I wouldn't give him anything. He said you gave him morphine, and when I looked up his records, I didn't see anything in there, so I called Alice to see if she had a file for him, not knowing if you treated him privately or not."
"I saw him a couple of times outside of the hospital, but I've never prescribed him morphine before," Bella says. "He came in before my vacation with a broken hand. I wonder what he's up to, and how he's breaking all these bones."
"He didn't seem to need anything until he found out that you were on vacation with Edward."
Bella, shocked, snaps her head in Rosalie's direction.
"You told him who I was with?" she asks.
"Well," Rose says shyly. "It felt good rubbing it in his face, what can I say. It only made him angrier."
Pulling into the back lot of the Shack, Rosalie and Bella sneak in the back door Rogan uses for deliveries and they're willing to be scolded by him for it. They're on a mission.
"Lassies," Rogan draws out, folding his arms over his broad chest.
"Rogan," Bella replies, rolling her 'r.'
"Ye know the door is right over der, don't 'cha?" he admonishes in his Irish lilt.
"Ya, we know, and 'tis too bad you're married because that accent makes all the lassies swoon, Rogan," Rosalie says in a perfect lilt.
"Oh, be off with ya," he says blushing.
"We'll have a couple burgers and fries," Bella says, grinning on her way to the booth in the corner.
"Better make it three, me darlin', Alice be joinin' us," Rosalie says, making him grin.
It wasn't but a few minutes after they sit that Alice comes barreling through the door.
"Boss!" she shrieks pulling Bella in for a hug. "I've missed you so much!"
"I missed you too," Bella returns, laughing.
"How was－wait," Alice says, leaning back, staring at her. "Something's different."
When Alice looks over at Rosalie, Rose raises her eyebrows and grins.
"Oh. My. God. You had sex!" Alice nearly shouts.
"Alice! Good grief that is not for public broadcasting," Bella says angrily. "Jesus."
"I'm sorry, Bells. I'm so happy for you. Was it everything we all think it would be?"
Bella drops back against the booth and closes her eyes.
"Better."
When the girls start giggling, Bella eventually joins in, remembering the wonderful vacation she enjoyed with Edward, especially the nights.
"He fucked you!?" a voice demands from behind them.
All three turn to see Royce standing there with his arm in a sling and a pool cue fisted in the other.
"So, you gave it up to him, didn't you?" he asks, his voice seething with anger. Anyone could see that he was incensed and knew something was about to happen.
"It's none of your business, Royce. When are you going to leave me alone?" Bella asks. "Do I need to get my father involved?"
"I don't give a fuck about your father, Bella," he says, stepping closer to her. Leaning down behind her, he brings his face close to hers. She repels his advance and cringes away. "I don't give a fuck about Edward either."
Rosalie and Alice are about to jump him when Bella holds them back. She's not sure what he's capable of with that stick in his hand and she doesn't want them hurt. She's going to see her father tonight.
"You've known for a long time how I feel, Bella. Why did you have to go and fuck that loser? You blew it, bitch," he hisses next to her ear. Shocked, Bella jerks her head away from him just as he sticks out his tongue, prepared to lick her cheek. That's when a deep, dark howl booms throughout the pub.
Edward, flanked by Emmett and Jasper, lurches at Royce and his fists clamp around his throat. It takes his two friends to pry his fingers free, and Bella pleads for him to let go.
Before he can get to his feet, Rogan is there with a ball bat, pressed hard against Royce's crotch.
"That's it. You done me fuckin' nut in," he says. "Get out, stay out, never come back ye arsewipe."
Emmett and Jasper grab him by his injured arm, causing him to scream like a baby, and toss him out on the street.
Royce keeps his eyes on them as he wipes the dirt from his chin.
"Do you really think I'm scared? Do you think I'm afraid of him?" Royce fumes, wiping the spittle from his mouth. "I'm not afraid of him, but he's going to be afraid of me, mark my words."
Jasper and Emmett laugh as they turn to go back into the pub.
"Tell him. Tell him that!"