Disclaimer: The Twilight Series and its characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. Any other characters, settings etc. are property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Chapter 21:
We were back from Forks, and at the Monday meeting, I was surprised when James announced that I was to be included in the group of editors who were going to attend the annual writer's convention, held in Las Vegas. Initially, Angela, Mike, Ben, Jessica, and of course Alice, along with people from different departments were the only ones going. At the last minute James added his name and mine to the list.
I didn't mind, but it only gave me one day to get ready where the rest of the group had weeks, as we were leaving the following day. James handed me my plane tickets, and hotel information, and with an apology gave me the rest of the day off so I could pack and make arrangements for my departure.
I got to my apartment and heard Edward working at his piano. I dropped my keys on the kitchen counter, walked straight to the balcony and went to Edward's to share the bad news —bad because the convention would last five days. Five days without Edward.
Edward stopped playing when he saw me jumping balconies. "Hey, what happened? You're home early." He stood and extended his arms.
I walked straight into is arms and kissed his neck. "James gave me the rest of the day off so I could get ready for a business trip to Las Vegas."
He held my hand and guided me toward his couch. "What business trip?"
"It's the annual convention for writers. At first I wasn't part of the group. But now I am," I explained.
"How long is the convention?"
"Five days."
Edward became pensive, looking at the wall, lost in thought. He didn't seem bothered by the upcoming separation; it bugged me.
"I'm going to miss you," I said and my tone sounded irked instead of sweet.
Edward looked at me and smiled. He kissed the tip of my nose. "You better go get ready. What time is your flight?"
No, 'I'm going to miss you too?' Fine! Be that way. "At ten."
"I'll take you to the airport," he offered.
"It's not necessary; I will be picked up by the company's van. Thank you for offering though."
"No problem. Go get ready. I'll see you tonight."
Why bother I wanted to say. Edward seemed eager to shoo me out of his place. It bothered me to no end but I didn't let him know. "Okay," I said and stood up and walked toward my apartment without glancing back at him.
Needless to say, I was in a bad mood the rest of the day. I packed my bags — business suits, jeans, T-shirts and pajamas, and ordered pizza for dinner. I didn't feel like cooking. When the pizza arrived I phoned Edward and he joined me a moment later, seeming cheerful and happy. I, on the other hand, was miserable and sad.
"Is something wrong, Bella?" Edward asked after he realized I wasn't taking part in the conversation we were supposed to be having. I didn't even know what he'd been talking about for the last ten minutes.
"No. It's just the jitters from the trip," I lied.
Edward smiled and we finished eating in silence.
We were getting ready to go to bed and my bad mood started to dissipate as I realized how immaturely I'd been behaving. So what if our separations affected me more than it did him? Edward still loved me.
I joined him in bed and after kissing him ardently; I curled my body closer to his. My head was tucked against his chest, and I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, after getting ready and packing the last items in my suitcase, I made my way to the kitchen preparing coffee and bagels. At seven-thirty my ride arrived and I took a few minutes to say goodbye to Edward. "I'm going to miss you," I said after a breathtaking kiss.
Edward smiled. "I love you so much Bella, it hurts," he said and hugged me tightly.
In silence we left my apartment and walked toward the white van, parked in front of the building. Edward carried my luggage. I was happily surprised that Angela was already inside the vehicle. I hugged Edward once more and got in. Edward greeted Angela before closing the door. As we left I waved goodbye to my love and turned to Angela. "Good morning Angela, How are you?"
"Better than you, it seems," she said.
I smiled at her. I guess I just couldn't hide my sadness.
We made a few stops to pick up Mike, Jessica, Ben and two other people from the office, and then headed toward the airport.
After checking in our luggage and passing through the very strict security, we made our way toward our gate. James was already there, talking to a group of guys. As soon as he saw us, he seemed to excuse himself to the people he was talking to and walked toward our group. "Good morning, everyone," he said.
"Good morning," we answered in unison. I felt like I was back in Elementary school.
"Well, it seems everyone is here. Our plane is on time so we'll be leaving in thirty minutes," James informed us.
I walked around the waiting area looking for Alice. I didn't find her so I walked back toward James. "Have you seen Alice?"
"She is already in Las Vegas," he informed me. "She left last night to make sure we won't have any problems with our reservations. Hotels tend to have mix-ups when conventions as large as this one take place on their grounds or near their vicinity. Alice will make sure our arrival is smooth and stress free."
Bummer I was counting with Alice's company to make the plane trip more acceptable. I smiled at James and thanked him for the information. Then I walked toward our group and claimed the seat next to Angela. James followed me and sat across from me.
I tried to get into the conversation that was already happening. Everyone was excited about the trip. They were treating it as a pleasure affair instead of a work related event.
"We could try to get tickets to the Blue Man Group," Angela said. "I'm sure that during the week is easier to find reservations than if we wait for the weekend."
"I want to see a comedy show," Ben said. "Robin Williams is going to be in town this week."
"Jay Leno will also be there," Pete from Mystery department chipped in.
"I don't want to see shows. I want to gamble," Mike said.
"Well, I want to go to a concert," Jessica said. "A Celine Dion concert." She then looked at me. "Didn't you tell me you liked Celine Dion, Bella?" she asked.
"Yeah," I said. I might have mentioned I like Celine Dion—a little, once, when Jessica told Angela and me she loved her.
"I could get us tickets to see the concert," James said, looking straight at me.
"You would?" Jessica answered enthusiastically, forcing James to turn his gaze from me toward her.
"I could try," he said, shifting in his chair. He seemed suddenly uncomfortable.
"That would be wonderful!" Jessica said.
"Bella," Angela whispered next to me. "I'm going to the ladies' restroom. Do you want to go with me?"
"Sure," I said.
We stood up and on our way there I asked Angela what was up with everyone treating this trip as anything but business.
"Because it's not just business," she said. "Have you ever been to any of these conventions, or to Las Vegas?" she asked.
"No," I said.
Angela smiled. "That explains a lot. See Bella, when you go to a convention in Las Vegas, you work during the day and party at night. That's why everyone in the office is hoping to be selected to go. It's like going on a vacation with all your expenses paid by your boss."
"Really?"
"Yep. Friends and family members could even meet you there. You work during the day, and then party with them at night. James is very cool about it. As long as you show up on time to the seminars in the morning, and don't look hung over, he is fine with it."
An idea started forming in my head. What if I asked Edward to join me in Las Vegas? He could work in the hotel room, or by the pool while I met my working duties, and then we could spend the night together touring the wild city, and who knows, end up doing wild things.
It sounded like a great plan.
I stopped outside the entrance to the ladies' room. "Angela, I'll wait for you here. I need to make a phone call."
"Sure," Angela said and went in.
I took out my blackberry and dialed Edward's cell. My call went straight to voice mail. I didn't leave a message; instead I tried his home number. He didn't answer. Then I tried my home number. Nothing.
Edward was nowhere to be reached.
Disappointed, I put my phone away and decided to call him once I got to Las Vegas.
Minutes later we boarded the plane and not soon enough for my taste, we arrived at Las Vegas airport. As we exited the air-conditioned building to board our ride to the hotel, I felt the110 degree heat slap my face with invisible force. Everyone complained. I secretly welcomed it. It reminded me of my beloved Arizona.
We were staying at the Paris Hotel. The line at the reservation counter was long and moved slowly. Or maybe I was in a bit of a hurry to be in the privacy of my room and make my important call to Edward.
Man, I hoped he hadn't made plans yet, and accept my invitation to join me in Sin city.
When I finally made to the clerk, she was nice and made me feel welcome. She talked while typed and told me about the hottest shows in town. I appreciated her service but mentally ordered her to hurry. Come on, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry!
"You are all set, Ms. Swan. You're suite is in the North Tower. Number…"
I didn't catch the room number as I was looking around me to see which way to the North Tower. "Thank you," I said, and was surprise to see a bellhop, waiting for me —a cart with my luggage next to him.
"This way, Ms. Swan," he said and I followed him toward the elevator.
As we ascended, I checked my phone. There were no missing calls.
We stopped on the fifteenth floor and walked on the long hallway all the way to the end. We stopped in front of a room with double doors, which surprised me because all the doors we passed before were single ones.
The bellhop asked me for the electronic key and opened the door for me, letting me in before him.
As soon as I stepped in, I turned to him. "I think there must be a mistake," I told him.
He checked the reservation paper, checked the key. "No madam. This is your suite."
I looked around and the place looked like a small luxurious apartment. There was a glass topped round table with four chairs around it; a bouquet of colorful fresh flowers set in the middle of it. A few steps ahead, an elegant couch stood out in the middle of the living room, facing a big screen TV. A complete bar was set against the wall on my right. No bed was in sight; it was probably located through the door to the left.
"I'll take your luggage to your bedroom," the bellhop said.
"It's alright," I said. "Just leave it there. I'll take it myself."
"Sure."
I tipped him and closed the door. Instead of taking my luggage to the bedroom, I dialed Edward. He answered on the first ring. "Hello, love," he said.
"Hi. I just arrived to the hotel."
"Did you have a nice ride?"
"Yeah. Listen, I was wondering if you would like to join me here. I just found out that there are a lot of night-time activities we can do. I mean, I knew this was a city that never sleeps, but it didn't cross my mind I could mix business with pleasure. We can take care of business during the day, and go out at night."
When he did answer I added, "Of course, I understand if it's not possible for you; with such a short notice. So don't worry if you can't, I…"
"Bella," Edward interrupted me. "I'd love to."
"Really?" I whispered and sighed in relief.
"Yes, really. I thought you'd never ask," Edward said, his voice seemed so close to me.
"When can you come?"
"Sooner than you'd think," he said.
Yes! I started doing a victory dance.
"Nice moves," Edward said, making me whirl around to face the entrance to the bedroom. There he stood, in the doorway, holding his phone to his ear. "Is this soon enough?" He pocketed his phone and gave me a breathtaking grin.
I was speechless. "How…When…"
Edward walked toward me and hugged me tightly, kissing the top of my head. "I didn't want to miss your first trip to Las Vegas," he explained. "I also knew that Alice always brought Jasper to these conferences. So I thought why not tag along with you."
"And you didn't think of mentioning any of this to me?" I asked. I meant to sound angry, but I was too happy to pull it off.
"I wanted to surprise you."
"Well. Mission accomplished."
"Indeed. Do you want to see the rest of the suite?" He asked.
"Sure. But first, I'd like to know how you got access to my room. No, maybe you better start with how you arrived here before I did. Last thing I remember, I left you waving at me in front of our apartment complex."
Edward grabbed my hand and led me toward the couch. He sat on it and pulled me on his lap. "Well, when you told me about your trip, I immediately decided to join you. That day, I made plane reservations, but I booked them at Bob Hope airport in Burbank, instead of LAX."
That explained why I didn't see him at the airport.
"My plane left forty minutes before yours. And remember, I didn't have to pick up people on my way to the airport like you did. So after you were picked up, I drove to the airport and easily made it to my flight."
"Okay. Now, explain how you got access to my room."
"This is not your room. It's our suite. I booked it yesterday. Alice canceled the reservation your company had arranged for you."
"You did all that, for me?"
"I did it for us. I'm too selfish not to experience your first time in Las Vegas with you. I want to experience many first times with you."
I didn't miss the meaning of his words.
Hope flourished inside me. Maybe this was going to be the right time for that all-too-due first experience. I held his face and reached for his lips. I kissed him with all my love and he responded with the same ardor.
Edward held me close, cradled me so tenderly yet so completely. With a single motion, he stood up, with me in his arms and carried me toward the bedroom. All this without breaking the kiss.
He deposited me on the bed and fell with me, both of us entangled with each other. He broke the kiss. But just for a moment.
Edward cupped my jaw in his hand and kissed me again. He moved more fully over me and his weight pressed me into the mattress. I loved the feeling of his body on top of mine.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer still. His knee pressed between mine and I opened my thighs willingly. He slid one hand down my throat, to my chest and covered my breast with his large palm—over my shirt. I jolted at the shot of sensation that ran through me. I wished there were no barriers between us. I wanted to feel his touch on my skin.
As if reading my mind, Edward tugged at the neckline of my blouse and slid his hand underneath my bra, touching my very sensitive nipple while kissing me languidly, sweetly. Yeah!
Suddenly, a knock on the door startled us. I sat up abruptly breaking the moment. Edward cursed, stood up, inhaled a couple of times, and walked out of the room ready to kill, I hoped, the intruder. I stayed on the bed, trying to regain my composure.
"You know, Edward, you are a very ingrate brother," I heard Alice's voice and I flew off the bed. "I just wanted to see, how the surprise of finding you here went. And I also wanted to invite her to go with me to the Venetian Hotel. The shops there are just fabulous."
I exited the bedroom to find Alice standing at the doorway, outside the suite. Edward was blocking her entrance. "Hi, Alice," I said.
She ducked under Edward's arm and got in. "Bella. Were you surprised?"
"Very pleasantly," I told her.
"I knew it," Alice said confidently. "Well, tomorrow, after the seminar, we have a two-hour window before the book signing starts, so we could go shopping. We can go the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian or we can go to Boulevard Mall. Or…"
"Or you can mind your own business and leave Bella alone," Edward interrupted her.
Alice glared at him. "It's your fault, you know," she told him.
"What is?" he asked.
"With this 'I-want-to-surprise-Bella-so-don't-you-dare-tell-her-I'm-coming-alone' plan of yours, I'm sure she didn't pack the right clothes," Alice told him and then turned to me. "How many outfits, beside business suits did you bring?"
None.
I didn't need to answer aloud. She knew. "We'll leave tomorrow at one o'clock. And don't worry; we'll make it back on time for the book signing." She left without waiting for an answer.
Edward shook his head and closed the door after her departure. "She is the most annoying person in the entire world."
"But we love her, don't we?"
"She is my sister. I have to love her. What's your excuse?" Edward asked, and walked toward me pulling me into his arms.
"Let's just say she is the sister I never had and always wished to have."
"That'll teach you to be careful what you wish for," he said, and sighed deeply.
I sighed along with him.
Later that day I went downstairs to pick up my badges, and the package with detailed information of the event. James was also there gathering his as well. "Bella! I was about to call you," he said.
I smiled at him. "Is there something you need?" I asked.
"No. I just wanted to make plans for dinner. We have the night free, before the convention starts tomorrow."
I was about to inform him to make plans without me but he kept talking. "Of course, I'm going to ask the guys to join us if they can or want to. I'll ask Alice as well, but since she always brings Jasper to this event, I'm pretty sure they already made plans. After dinner we can go see a show, or we can simply walk down the Strip and sight-see around the city. What do you prefer to do?"
James seemed to have all the extracurricular activities perfectly planned. I felt a bit bad for bursting his bubble. But even if Edward weren't here, I was not planning on spending time with him outside the conference. "I'm sorry James, but I already have plans for my free time."
He shook his head. "Come on, Bella. I know how you feel about spending time with me, alone. But I'm talking group activities. I'm not asking you for a date."
"I know you're not asking for a date."
"Then?"
"I already made plans with Edward. He is here with me," I informed him.
His face became a hard mask. "He couldn't stay away, could he?" He sighed deeply. "Very well. I'll see you tomorrow. First seminar is at eight o'clock."
"Okay," I said. James gave me what felt like a longing look before he turned around and left the room.
I waited a moment before I walked out as well.
When I entered the suite, Edward was done showering and minutes later we left for dinner. Edward wanted to go to a fancy restaurant, but with only jeans and T-shirts in my wardrobe I opted for the buffet right there at the hotel.
After we stuffed ourselves with all the different dishes we could get our hands on, we walked down the Strip to burn the thousands of calories we had just consumed. After a few minutes, Edward started complaining about the 110-degree temperature, at eight o'clock at night, and wanted to go inside an air-conditioned building.
"Don't be a baby. It's just heat," I told him.
"It's an inferno!" he said.
I shook my head and pulled him toward the water show, happening across the street, at the Bellagio Hotel. The light, water and music show was beautiful; especially when Andrea Bocelli's "Time To Say Goodbye" came on. The choreographically complex water feature along with one of my favorite songs took my breath away. Edward hugging me close from behind, singing along with Bocelli —in perfect Italian, was just too much. I became overcome with emotion. Tears gathered in my eyes.
We stood there watching the aquatic concert for a long while. After it ended we walked across to our hotel and went to bed with the beautiful tunes freshly on our minds. Well, at least on my mind. It was a peaceful night.
The following morning I got up early and when I came out of the shower, Edward had breakfast already served. Room service was actually really good in this place. We ate and I left for my seminar —with just minutes to spare. Edward plans were to go down to the pool and soak up some sun, and write some music while there. Later in the day he was going to meet with Jasper and spend time with him. I was glad he was not going to be alone while I was working.
At one o'clock, Alice, Angela and I went on our shopping expedition. Since we were on a tight schedule, Alice took me straight away to buy the things I really needed.
I chose a few outfits while Alice and Angela got some for them.
I took advantage of Alice and Angela locked inside the dressing room and ran to buy some sexy lingerie I had eyed when we came in the store. A classic black item. On an impulse I also bought a miniskirt and sexy tank top I planned to use in my attempt to seduce Edward. One can dream, right?
I ran back to dressing room area as Alice and Angela were coming out and we left for the book-signing event. I went to drop off my bags and was disappointed to find Edward missing. He was probably still spending time with Jasper. I hid my sexy garments and went downstairs to the book-signing.
James was there already, and introduced us to some writers we hoped would soon join our editorial house. We mingled with Authors and fans. And soon the event was over for the day.
I hurried to my room—eh, suite, and found Edward watching TV, waiting for me. I talked about my day and he about his. Then we made plans for the night. We were going to have dinner at the at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant and then Edward was going to teach me how to apply the gambling lessons I was taught by Emmett and company that long ago at my apartment.
After dinner we made our way to the casino. The place was busy. Alice and Jasper were already sitting at a Black Jack table along with Mike and Ben among others. Edward claimed a seat on that same table and patted the spot next to him. "I want to watch first," I told him and stood behind him.
The truth was that I didn't want to play. It was one thing to play with close friends in a private atmosphere, and another to play under the pressure of experts who were risking money in order to have fun. It was too intimidating for me.
I noticed that Alice had several columns of black chips in front of her. The look of concentration on her face was priceless. I didn't know the value of black chips, but knowing Alice I bet they were on the high side. The rest of people had an assorted color chips. Soon, Edward started building his own roll of black ones.
I was happy they were winning but the music of the slots machines, on the other side of the room, kept getting my attention. "I think I'll go try my luck at the slot machines," I whispered to Edward.
"I'll go with you," he said, and got a collective groan from his game partners.
"Don't leave yet. Please," An old lady asked him pleadingly. "We are on a roll. Our winning streak will break if you leave now."
I touched Edward's shoulders. "Please stay. I'll be right there," I said, and pointed toward the twenty-five cent slot machines located a few feet from their table.
Edward seemed hesitant. "I'll join you in fifteen minutes," he said, aloud, letting people know in table how long they had to rack up more money.
I walked around and chose one of the twenty-five cent slot machines located against the wall. I fed it a twenty-dollar bill and started playing. I pulled the handle. Nothing. On the second try I pressed the button instead. Again, nothing. I pulled the handle once more and got a cherry —which gave me three coins back. And after the eighth roll, I got three cherries —thirty coins back. The music coming from the slot machine as it was giving me my winnings was loud and I wondered what it'd play if you were to win the jackpot. I tried once more and again it gave me three cherries. I was on a roll; happily I started dancing in my seat. I've won seven dollars and fifty cent, consecutively.
I'm bad! I'm bad! I'm bad I mentally chanted along with the music.
"It seems you're winning," James interrupted my incantation. He was grinning at me.
I looked at him with a little bit of embarrassment; he had just caught me dancing on my seat. "Yes I am. I got three cherries, twice."
James chuckled softly; probably thinking fifteen dollars was nothing. I didn't care. I was happy.
He sat on the chair next to me and from the corner of my eye I saw him feed his machine some money. "How come you are not playing at the tables like everyone else is?" I asked him without interrupting my gambling.
"I don't want them to ban me from the casino," he said, and I felt his eyes on me as he answered.
I looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"Remember I told you I have a photography memory?" he asked and I nodded. "It was no exaggeration. As soon as I start playing black jack or poker, unconsciously I start counting cards. And although that is not illegal, the casino has the right to kick you out if they suspect you are doing it. So, I try to stay away from the tables as much as I can."
"In other words, because of your gift, they keep you from playing? That's unfair."
"Thanks for your support, Bella, but I do gamble. I play black jack or poker for short periods of time, and I also play craps and roulette."
"And slots machines," I reminded him pointing at the one in front of him.
James smiled. "Yep."
He pressed the button, and what do you know. He hit the jackpot. The machine went noisily wild and a light started flashing on top of it.
"You won! You won!" I repeated, happy for him. I left my seat and patted him on the shoulder congratulating him.
"So I did," he said, and smiled at me.
James had won ten thousand coins —which translate into two thousand five hundred dollars. It's probably not much by rich people standards but the principle is what counts. He won the jackpot.
"There you are!" Edward said, as he approached James and me.
"Look," I told Edward pointing at James' slot machine. "James won the jack pot."
"How are you doing?" Edward asked me without commenting about James winnings.
I pointed at my forgotten slot machine. "I won fifteen dollars," I told him proudly. Like I said the principle is what counts.
Edward smiled and sat in front of my machine, patting his lap for me to sit on it.
I sat on his lap and together we pulled the handle to let the machine roll, getting more cherries in the process.
James stopped playing, printed the ticket with his winnings and stood up. "I wish you good luck, Bella," he said.
"Good luck to you too, James. Although you don't seem to need encouragement," I told him.
"I disagree," he said. "I am not lucky. But some of us are. I just hope that those who are undeserving fortunate realize the treasure they've been given by fate." James smiled at me. "I'll see you later."
"Bye," I told him as he turned around and left.
"He is right, you know," Edward said, and placed a strand of loose hair behind my ear. "People could win millions of dollars this night and they wouldn't be as lucky as I am, because I have you."
I was about to disagree, but he placed a tender kiss on my lips and the words I was about to say were forgotten.
After that, we played for a while longer and I left for my room forty dollars richer and holding the hand of the most wonderful, tender, loving man in the world by my side.
I was the luckiest person in the world.
Thursday night, we went to see a show — Mystere by Cirque du Soleil, along with Alice and Jasper.
It was simply spectacular.
Friday night we toured the city by air. Edward booked us a helicopter tour and we flew over The Strip looking at all the beautiful lights and got a Bird's-eye view of Fremont Street Experience downtown, and all the outdoor shows like an erupting volcano, a pirate attack, and all the different activities going on that night. It was a different perspective to see it all happening from above.
Saturday was the conference's last day. At noon we attended a luncheon where they gave out awards, recognizing the talent of great writers —new and more established ones. It was also my last day with Edward in Sin City and nothing close to sinful had happened since that little lapse of control on the day we arrived. I was determined to change that. I wanted to leave Sin City, a sinner.
Late in the afternoon we were by the pool, soaking up the blistering sun. "This is our last night here," Edward said, while rubbing some more sun block on me. "What do you want to do?"
Make love to you? "How about if we go to one of those authentic Western Bars? I've never been to one."
"Sure. I'll find out where the best one is, and we'll go there after dinner."
"Sounds perfect!" I little alcohol might help the odds of me becoming a seductress.
We went back to our room, and while I took a quick shower, Edward went downstairs to find out about the best country-western bar Las Vegas had to offer.
He was still gone when I came out, wrapped in a towel. I opened my suitcase to find something to wear.
I chose my new black sexy underwear —classy, the black denim miniskirt I had bought on impulse; but once I put it on it was not as short as it seemed. Or maybe my legs were not as long as I wished they were. I also wore the sexy tank top that showed more cleavage than I was used to. But again, it was more modest than I expected.
At the end I was glad I didn't feel uncomfortable in my chosen attire. It felt just right; appropriate for the place we were going to. It was a bar after all.
When Edward entered the room, he did a double take on my appearance. "You look…beautiful," he said.
I was fishing for sexy, but hey, beggars can't be choosers. "Thank you."
He held his hand toward me, "Let's go."
"Yes, let's."
A few minutes later we arrived to the place. I loved it! It was a real country-western bar, just like in the movies. The lights were dim, the tables were old looking made of real pine wood, and a jukebox glowed neon as it played country music. The snick of pool balls and the noise of pinball machines gave it an authentic ambiance.
I sat on the bar stool in front of the old oak counter. Edward stood with his back to the bar surveying the room.
"What would you like, beautiful," the good-looking bartender asked me. Edward claimed the seat next to me and glared at the attentive man.
"An appletini, please," I said. Vodka concealed in sweetness juice was just what I needed.
"I'll have a draft, domestic," Edward said, not waiting for the bartender to ask him.
"Coming right up," the man said.
I turned around in my stool and took in the sight, once more. "Isn't this great?"
"Humph," was Edward response. He didn't seem to agree with me.
"Here you go," the deep voice said behind me. I turned around a saw a giant cocktail glass with my green drink in front of me.
"Thank you," I said.
"You are very welcome."
"Don't you have regular size glasses?" Edward asked the bartender.
"This is perfect Edward," I assured him.
"You're not used to alcohol," he reminded me. "It might be too much."
I took a big sip of my drink. "Delicious!"
Edward took a drink from his beer and looked warily at me.
I finished my drink faster than I normally would. I asked for another one.
"Are you sure?" Edward asked. He had drunk three beers and was now drinking club soda with lemon juice. He was our designated driver after all.
"Hey, it's my last day in Las Vegas. I want to have fun." My words slurred a little.
Edward smiled. "You're right. I'll take care of you."
You sure will
Half way through my third giant drink I had a brilliant idea. "Teach me how to play pool!" I told Edward.
"Sure," he said, and helped me off my stool. The ground moved a little—okay, a lot— as we walked toward the pool tables. I was glad Edward held me close to him so I wouldn't topple over. Walking was a challenge for me when I was sober. Tipsy, I wasn't exactly the picture of grace.
One table was available. Good for me! I held to it while Edward gathered the...things —I had no idea what they were called.
"This is the cue ball," Edward said, picking up the only white ball on the table. Do not hit the cue ball into the pocket."
"No hitting the white ball," I repeated.
"No. You hit the white ball but not into the pocket," Edward explained.
"Got it."
Edward placed all the different colored balls into a triangular frame. "This is a rack. You rack the balls before you begin."
"Got it."
"Come here," he told me.
I moved —carefully— closer to him and he put a cue in my hand. "Make a bridge," he said, and showed me how. Edward had beautiful hands, with really long fingers. It feels so good when those marvelous fingers caress my body making me burn with desire and…"the cue should slide over the bridge when you shoot," he continued explaining interrupting my thoughts. He moved back letting me take his place.
"Got it." I followed his instructions and bent over the table, feeling my short skirt ride up my thighs. "Now what?" I asked. When he didn't answer I looked at him and found him looking at my legs and butt. Excellent!
"Edward?"
Edward cleared his throat. "Yeah. Hit the cue ball and scatter the colored balls on the table."
I bent over the table once again, sticking my butt out more than necessary, and tried to hit the white ball. I hit the table instead. "Oops!"
Edward came up behind me. "Let's try again," he said, putting his hands on top of mine. He wrapped his body around mine, fitting in perfectly, like two pieces of a puzzle.
Having the long length of his warm body curled over mine was too much temptation. I had to press my butt against his pelvis, and innocently wiggled it a little. Edward inhaled a sharp gust of air. "Hit the ball," he said, in a low whisper.
I did. And all the colored balls scattered on the table. "Yay!" I said jumping up and down.
Edward moved to the other side of the table —away from me. Not good. "Very good," he said, smiling at me.
"Now what do I do?" I asked.
"Just hit the colored balls with the white one, and try to pocket them. All except the cue ball."
I bent over the table and noticed that where he was now standing, he could get a view down my tank top every time I took a shot. He seemed… flustered. Excellent!
Forty minutes later we quit playing. "I love playing pool," I said, taking a drink of my appletini, that Joe the bartender had kindly kept bringing for me. Edward took the cocktail glass from my hands. "It's time to go, love," he said.
"Okay," I slurred.
We headed out for a night of sin —I hoped. But as soon as the warm dry air hit my face, the whole world started spinning in front of me. "Whoa!" Edward said, and grabbed me, as I was about to kiss the ground.
He swung me up in his arms and carried me to the car. Once he secured my seat belt he got to the driver seat and started the car.
"I think I drank a biiiit too much," I informed him.
Edward chuckled. "Yeah. A bit too much." Was that sarcasm I heard?
I looked out the window and the lights, passing fast in front of me made me even dizzier. So I closed my eyes instead.
I must've fallen asleep, because the next thing I noticed, Edward was placing me on a soft surface. A bed? Suddenly, I remembered my plan.
Edward placed a kiss on my forehead, and as he was standing up I grabbed him from the neck and kissed him on the mouth with ferocity. He responded to my kiss bringing my hopes up.
"Are you going to make love to me?" I asked him boldly. Alcohol did help.
"I sure hope so," he said, huskily.
"All right! Please help me get naked. My arms seem a little stiff. Must be all the pool playing," I said.
Edward chuckled. "Must be the pool playing, all right," he said. Was that sarcasm again?
"Okay. I'm ready. Let's make love. You get naked first," I said. And I wanted to see his glorious body in the nude, but my eyes were not cooperating. I couldn't get them to open. Damn eyes!
"Not tonight, honey," he said.
"Why?" I whined.
"Maybe because you're drunk?"
I got offended. "I. Am. Drunk. Not. "
Edward chuckled again.
"You know what, Edward? You are a big meany," I told him, still unable to open my eyes to glare at him.
"Believe me, love. My cock agrees 100 percent with you," Edward murmured.
Did Edward say cock? Or did he say folks? I was about to ask him but oblivion took me away.
But not for long, I started dreaming.
In the dream, I was back in the bar, wearing a dress just like Jessica Rabbit's. I even had Jessica Rabbit's killer body. I was drinking a delicious appletini sitting on a stool; talking with this gentleman whose face I couldn't see. He was wearing a trench coat and a very expensive looking hat.
"I'm telling you, Bella. Edward is an asshole," the man whose face I couldn't see said.
"Don't say that Mr. Cock," I told him. "He is just a noble, sweet gentleman."
"Noble? He is making you and him suffer. And he sure is killing me," Mr. Cock said, with a painful voice.
"Don't be over dramatic, Mr. Cock," I chastised him.
"Dramatic? Bella, my partners, Demolition Ball and Raging Ball, are so blue they're about to change their name to Lazy Smurf and Clumsy Smurf. I personally think they should share the name Frozen Smurf, since that's their permanent state now, with all those cold showers that are good for nothing."
"Cold showers don't help?"
"Hell no! Bella, my guys and I are always in pain, with the constant state of arousal we live in since you came into our lives. Freezing showers don't help. Take my word for it."
"Poor Demolition and Raging," I said, feeling sorry for the guys. "What about you? Are you about to become Papa Smurf?" I asked him.
I felt him glaring at me, since I couldn't see his eyes…eh, eye. "Bella, if I changed my name, it won't be to Papa Smurf. It has to be something more suitable."
"What would it be?"
"Mastodon."
I almost choked on my appletini as a burst of laughter erupted from me while I was taking a drink. It took me a moment to recover. "Aren't we being a bit… presumptuous?" I asked —I was going to say bigheaded but didn't want to feed his ego.
"Not at all. Just wait for the asshole to make up his mind and I'll show you. I can't wait to slide inside that slick, warm, beautiful puss…"
"Bella? Bella, honey," Edward's voice interrupted my dream just as it was becoming a wet one. "Sit up, please, so I can take off your clothes and help you get into your Pajamas."
I felt his hands on my torso as he grabbed the hem of the tank top and pulled it over my head. My skirt went next. There was a long silence and then a sigh. "You are so beautiful. And innocent," he murmured and proceeded to dress me in something comfortable.
"I'm not innocent," I informed him and ran my leg against his pelvis to prove it. He groaned and moved away.
He kissed my forehead. "Only you, Bella, can have a G-rated dream while intoxicated."
"What are you talking about," I murmured, and hardly understood my own words.
"Keep dreaming about Smurfs, love," he said. "I'll be back, because after seeing you in that sexy underwear, I'm going to need a cold shower."
"It doesn't work, Edward," I informed him.
"What doesn't work?"
"They don't want to be blue. They don't want to be Smurfs."
Edward chuckled and the last thing I heard was the sound of the shower while in the Smurf theme song played inside my head. Sending me back into oblivion.
a/n: Thanks to Marijee