Rating: M
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. I want to go to Ireland.
A/N…First and foremost, thanks to betas, Lovinrob and amandac3, you both care about my story and I love you for that.
Thanks to all of you that review this story. I enjoy your suggestions and I especially your insight and your anticipation as to what will happen next. Ya'll are creative. I enjoy your chapter reviews as much as you enjoy getting the updates.
Creepy #1… YKILYR?
CHAPTER 28
Bella
I wake up sweating from having Edward's arms and legs wrapped tightly around me. I try to ease out from under him but he's not having it.
"Where you going? I can stay like this forever and ever and ever." He says, burrowing his face into my hair.
"You're schmooshing me, Eddieeeeeee." I whine. He loosens his hold but not completely.
"Is that better?" He asks and I turn in his arms facing his chest.
"This is better." I say, sniffing him like a puppy dog. "I love the way you smell. It's a mix of you and me."
"Mmmm. I wants my baby." He says as he rolls me onto my back and settles between my legs. He's just about to slide into me when a light knock comes at the door.
"Shit!" He curses, dropping his head to my shoulder.
"Mr. Cullen, sir? Mr. Cullen, you are needed downstairs. Mr. Denali is here and he won't take no for an answer, sir." Rebecca says timidly.
"Alright, Rebecca. I'll be right down." Edward tells her.
"Bella, you are the ONLY one that gets to call me Eddie." He grins and pecks my nose with a kiss.
Edward jumps out of bed and calls Jasper and Emmett telling them to get to the house right away. He then takes a quick shower and shaves. Clearly he is making Mr. Denali wait until Jasper and Emmett arrive.
"Bella, get dressed. I want you to stand by my side in this." He says and I jump up and take a quick shower as well.
I pull my wet hair into a high ponytail, add a little blush and lip gloss, and voila. I pull on a pair of black jeans, a gray cashmere cardigan and slip my feet in to some red ballet flats and I am ready to go.
"Mr. Cullen, sir, your brothers have arrived." Billy says over the intercom.
"Ready?" He asks.
"Yep." I reply and we head down the stairs hand-in-hand.
"Mr. Denali." Edward says.
"Edward." He says, looking at me.
"Bella, this is Jackson Denali. Tanya's father." Edward says, lowering his head toward me.
"What can we do for you Jackson?" Edward asks, getting straight to the point.
"I want to know why you have disinvited Tanya to the Vintner's dinner. You know you can't do that." He says angrily. I can see years of stress on his face. I get the impression that he's an angry man by nature.
"Oh, but I can. Besides, I didn't disinvite her to the dinner. I informed her she is no longer permitted on Cullen property. The fact that the dinner is being held on our property is a technicality. If that means that she misses the dinner, then she misses the dinner." Edward states emphatically.
"What's going on here Edward?" Jasper asks, his brow furrowed, looking between Jackson and myself.
"Last night after Bella and I returned home we found Tanya upstairs, naked and ridiculously posed, in our bed." Edward says. I am inwardly pleased at his reference to 'our bed'.
"Well Edward, you and Tanya have a history and have been together for years. She was under the impression you two had a more solid relationship." Mr. Denali says.
"No, Jackson. You have been misinformed. Tanya and I are not and were not ever 'together'. We had a business with benefits relationship and she knows that. I was unaware it was more for her until I told her that the benefits portion of our relationship ended the moment I met Bella." Edward says, taking me by the waist and pulling me closer to him.
"Tanya knew very well that it was over nearly two weeks ago but that isn't the real issue. The real issue is that she took my keys, had duplicates made for the Volturi offices, my home, and most importantly, the computer server room." When Emmett and Jasper hear this they both get angry and look at Jackson. Jackson recognizes that his welcome on Cullen property is now on thin ice as well.
"What the hell?" Emmett says to Mr. Denali. "Now why in the hell would she need a key to our computer room, Jackson?" Emmett stands at his full height, crossing his arms across his chest and scowls at Mr. Denali.
Mr. Denali stands there looking dumbstruck and flushed and I get a sneaky suspicion he knows something more about this.
"Tanya is no longer welcome on Cullen property because she abused my trust. The fact is, she has been seen sitting at my desk using my computer for god only knows what. And now this ridiculous stunt she pulled last night with sneaking into my bed which I know was clearly designed to upset Bella with the hope of breaking us up or at least causing a rift between us. So I stand by what I said earlier. Tanya is no longer welcome on Cullen property." Edward states adamantly.
"Damn straight!" Emmett says, stepping to Edward's side.
"I'm sorry to have to say this Mr. Denali, but since Tanya is part of your management team, we are going to have to extend this to you as well as it has been our contention that you and Tanya work hand-in-hand. You will no longer be permitted on Cullen property until it is determined the extent of the damage her snooping has caused our organization." Jasper states emphatically.
"The security on our computers has been breached and we have reason to believe Tanya is the culprit." Edward accuses.
"This is bullshit, Edward, and you know it. Tanya has been a valued member…er… friend of this family for years and now this… this person walks in here and cuts her out?" He points at me directly and Edward slips me behind him and faces Mr. Denali head on.
"Get the fuck out of my house!" Edward yells pointing at the front door. He startles me causing me to jump. "You disrespect her, you disrespect me. You are not welcome here and therefore we will not be seeing you tonight either. Now get out!" Edward shouts.
"We will see about this Edward. We will see. I will be making a call to the association about this and I WILL see you tonight." He says, scowling at me over his shoulder.
Just as the front door slams shut, Alice, Rosalie and Esme come in through the back door.
"Hey guys." Alice chirps as she skips over to Jasper's side.
"Come on, Bella, we have a date at the spa. Hair, makeup, mani-pedi's, the works." Esme says excitedly. "Let's go!"
"The last time you did spa day with the girls you came back bare, Bella." Edward whispers in my ear. "I want that again." His message sends tingles to all the right places.
"Anything you want, Edward." I say, flirting with him.
He looks down at me with pure lust in his eyes.
"Anything?" He teases.
"Anything." I say staring into his eyes.
"Damn, Bella." He lowers his mouth to mine and wraps his arms around me tight. I pull out of the kiss, giving him generous little pecks down his jaw, moaning with each one.
"See you later baby and then we will play show and tell." I giggle and head out the door with the other ladies.
~BD~
"What was going on at the house, Bella?" Rosalie asks curiously while we each receive our pedicures. "Emmett threw his clothes on and left like a bat-out-of-hell when Edward called."
"Well, I don't know how much I should say, but last night when Edward and I got home, Tanya was curled up in Edward's bed all naked and stuff." I say, chuckling.
"What?" All three of them said at once.
"You weren't even mad Bella?" Alice asks.
"Naw. I knew Edward told her that their relationship was over when he met me." I informed them. "She said she wanted more, but I'm not so sure it was Edward she wanted as much as something having to do with the winery."
"I never did like that tramp." Esme volunteered. "I felt like taking a shower every time she came around me." We all laughed at that.
"Edward said that he found three keys of his on her key ring that he didn't authorize her to have. She had to have taken his keys at some point and had them duplicated. She has been giving herself access to the winery offices and also Edward's house without his knowledge for some time from what I understand." I tell them and they look at me in shock.
"It was last night that did it though. He told her she wasn't allowed on Cullen property any longer and neither is Mr. Denali as of today. It looks like neither of them will be at the dinner tonight." I say looking down at my toes, wiggling them and admiring my new French pedicure.
"Well, Edward calls the shots when it comes to the winery so if he says no, then it's no and I won't argue with him on this one. If she has been snooping into our records, well that is a very serious offense." Esme says, inspecting her manicure as well.
"Apparently she had access to the computer room and Edward said that the system had been breached and he's pretty sure it was her." I went on.
Esme sat up straight and looked over at me. "Did he say anything about the recipe?" She asks me.
"I believe so, yes, but you will have to check with him to get the exact details." I answer.
We all get up to head into the spa to get our body scrubs, facials and waxes but the one thing I am looking forward to is the massage. I need a deep tissue massage badly.
By time we are finished with our spa day it is 4:00 and we head back to the winery. Esme is antsy about getting started and making sure everything is perfect, so I call Edward to come to the house to pick me up. Jasper and Emmett greet Rosalie and Alice at the door and they wave as they walk into the house. I look down the road and can see Edward headed my way in his car.
"Be here at 6:00 ladies, Carlisle wants to have cocktails before everyone starts to arrive." Esme says, waving as she rushes into the house.
"Hey beautiful." Edward says, walking around to open the door for me.
"Where's the cart?" I ask.
"I didn't think you would want your hair getting messed up so I brought a car." He says.
How thoughtful I think to myself. How in the world did I get so lucky to meet this man I wonder.
"Thank you, Edward. That was very considerate of you." I say as I run my finger around the back of his neck. "Your mother wants us at her house at 6:00 for drinks before the guests arrive." I inform him.
Once we arrive back at his house, Rebecca has two glasses of Cabernet sitting on the table for us. We take them into the formal living room and sit on the sectional, relaxing before the festivities begin.
"Big day today, eh?" I ask.
"Yeah. This thing with Tanya sucks. What this is, is another winery rivalry. It happens all the time. One winery does well and the other wants to take it down to make it easier for them to succeed." Edward explains. "But we have one thing that no one else has and that's our family recipe and that's what she is after. Fortunately, Jasper and Ben, that's Angela's husband, inserted binary codes to scramble the program in the event the system was ever breached. That's how we knew it had been accessed because the report showed it as scrambled. She didn't get anything I don't think. That's why we have Ben looking into it for us."
"Wow, Edward. This is serious isn't it? What she did?" I ask, looking into his concerned eyes.
"This goes beyond a breach, Bella. It's about trust. Trust is everything and although we had our suspicions about her and her father, you still want to believe them. To have faith in them, you know?" He says sadly.
I take his hand and examine it for the first time and notice how well manicured his fingers are. Clean and squared nails, buffed to a shine. When I look at his face I examine it piece by piece, which I have never done before. His skin is soft and supple. His hair is groomed and healthy. His teeth are straight and white. His brows are trimmed. He takes very good care of himself in his outward appearance. I guess he would have to with being the CEO of one of the largest and most successful wine producers in the country and then there's their winery in Italy as well. I guess he does have an image to keep. I suppose his wife or partner would need to present herself in the same light if she were to make public appearances with him. And then it dawns on me…that's me. He wants me to attend these functions with him. The first of which is tonight. Lord I hope Alice did me proud with my dress. I should run upstairs to take a look at it.
"Mr. Cullen, sir, you have a call in your office. It's Mr. Meyer with the Association." Rebecca says quietly then turns to leave the room.
"And so it begins. I guess I better take this real quick." He gets up but not before bestowing me with a nice tongue-filled kiss which leaves me breathless.
I decide to go upstairs to start getting ready while Edward takes his call. I go into my dressing room and find my bag hanging on the back of the door. In it I find the most stunning dress I have ever seen and I cannot wait to put it on. I rummage the bottom of the bag and find a pair of Louboutin Jolie Noeud Dorcet peep toes. I put them on and I swear I've sunk my toes into a vat of butter. I do feel like Cinderbella!
Once I pull everything out, looking for my bra and panties I don't find anything but a note.
Bella,
I saw this dress and I knew you had to own it. It is classic just like you. Edward said that you needed to be dressed inside out and top to bottom. This dress doesn't leave any room for panty lines and it does not require a bra so my suggestion for you, dear friend, is to go without. With the attention you gave your little girl you should feel doubly sexy in this dress. Look inside the clutch. Your man left you something in there.
I hope you like everything and have fun at the ball.
I love you,
Alice
The dress is midnight blue with a beaded corset and a sweetheart top with the waist ending in a V at the bottom. What makes the corset so beautiful are the silver glass beads sewn in an intricate filigree design. The skirt of the dress is an A line matching midnight blue chiffon that is fitted at the hips and goes straight to the floor. The black patent leather Louboutins are the perfect finish. The bag is black with silver beading and I open it to find blue sapphire drop earrings and a matching bracelet. In the bag is another note.
Bella,
Every girl should have sapphire and diamonds, especially you. Wear the earrings and bracelet tonight, Isabella.
Because your skin is pure alabaster and so beautiful, your neck does not need adornment.
Thank you for loving me, Bella, and for coming into my life. I was an empty shell until I met you. You have breathed life into me and because of you, I have finally found happiness again.
I love you.
Edward
I read his note probably ten times and I cry each time. Now I have messed up my makeup and need to hurry to get it fixed. Once I have my face back to normal and do a minor touch up of my hair, I look at myself in the mirror. I look good and I feel good. Now to go and get that handsome man of mine.
I walk out of my dressing room to find Edward waiting for me and I nearly drop to my knees. I literally stumble at the sight of him. He is wearing a black tuxedo with a bowtie. What makes this tux look so sexy is that the jacket is longer than customary and you can tell it was tailored for him. And that hair! And I'm not wearing panties. I'm going to dribble everywhere with him looking like this.
I think our mutual admiration for one another is apparent when we finally make eye contact.
"Geez, Bella. You look really pretty. I mean reeeally pretty." He says walking toward me.
"I mean like fucking beautiful pretty." He says now standing directly in front of me.
"I mean I want to fuck you before we go downstairs pretty." He finally says as he circles around me stopping behind me, leaving a trail of kisses on my neck and across my bare shoulders. I expose my neck for him even more and love the effect he has on me.
When his mouth touches mine, I feel his warm tongue wanting in. I part my lips and our tongues mate passionately. Our mouths open wider and our kiss deepens and intensifies. God I need him.
He stoops down and gathers my dress in his hands pulling it up to my hips instructing me to hold it there. My knees nearly buckle as his fingers pet me to feel how smooth I am.
"Bella Swan, where are your panties!" He asks, his eyelids heavy.
"Oh, those silly things?" I tease.
I hear his sexy growl in my ear and his fingers attack my pussy sending me over the edge as I hold up my beautiful Gucci gown while I balance on my four inch Louboutins. Alice would be proud. It doesn't take me long to cum all over his fingers then he slips them into his mouth dramatically slurping every drop.
"Mmmmm… Edward. I so needed that. Seeing you dressed like this has me seriously turned on just by looking at you." I say, pulling at his lapels. "You look so beautiful. I am so proud to be with you. I am so in love with you." I say reaching up to kiss him and taste myself on his lips.
"Edward, thank you for the lovely jewels. I have never received anything so beautiful. I love them." I say, running my finger over his sexy jaw and then kissing it.
"They look beautiful on you, Bella." He says smiling down at me.
"I need to go get cleaned up a little bit." I say over my shoulder. "Wait for me. Don't leave without me." I giggle as I run to my bathroom to remove the evidence of my recent arousal.
"Okay, baby, let's get this thing started." I say, grabbing his hand as we head downstairs.
Billy, the ever efficient man that he is, has the Mercedes sedan for us with the door already open for me.
"My, Ms. Bella. You look the sight tonight. Edward, you better keep an eye on this one. I can tell you that all eyes will be on her tonight for sure." Billy says, beaming his bright blue eyes at me.
"Yeah, and you're the first in line, eh Billy?" Edward says frowning.
"Damn skippy." He laughs out loud.
I look over at Edward and he scowls and says, "I guess I better get used to it."
"And I better get used to seeing women ogling my man too. I am very proud to have my hand on your arm, Edward. Very proud. And I love you very much." I say to him as I reach over to kiss his cheek.
Once we arrive at Carlisle and Esme's, everyone is already downstairs waiting for us. When we enter, all eyes are on us and the accolades begin.
"Oh my word, Bella, you are stunning." Esme says, looking at my gown.
"Hell yeah, Bella. You better keep an eye on her Edward. That old Mr. Clark will be trying to claw at her all night." Emmett warns. "I'm serious, Bells, be careful of him and tell Edward or myself if he lays one finger on you." And with that my head snaps toward Edward and my blush rears its ugly head. He looks down at me and smiles, lowering his forehead to mine.
"You ladies look ravishing." Edward says to his mother, Rosalie and Alice.
"I agree with Edward. You look just beautiful you guys." I say, looking at them from head to toe.
"Show Rose your shoes, Bella." Alice says, jumping over to me to lift my hem. I give Rosalie my best ruby slipper imitation and show off the red sole of my shoe.
"Did you take my advice?" Alice asks, taking my hand to examine my bracelet.
"Yes and he already noticed." I reply and we both giggle looking at Edward. I have a suspicion he knows what we are talking about because he has a sexy smirk on his face.
"Wow, Bella, Emmett is right. You look beautiful. And don't tell that man of yours, but he looks amazing in that tux. Shit, Bella. How do you do it? Keeping your hands off him?" Rosalie whispers.
"It isn't without difficulty. He's not only beautiful outside, he's equally as beautiful inside and let's not talk about how fantastic he is in bed." I say to her but look in Edward's direction.
He knows I'm talking about him and he says to us, "Like what you see ladies?"
I blush and nod my head slowly and he gets that sex look he has when he's about to do something naughty.
"How about a toast?" Carlisle interrupts.
"I have three strapping sons that have been the joy of my life and nothing pleases this old soul more as seeing them today, happier than I ever seen them before. Thank you ladies for bringing such joy into my sons' lives."
"Here, here, Carlisle. I agree with you one hundred percent. I've gotten to know you ladies over the last few days and I love each one of you and feel as if I have known you all your lives. I couldn't have found better mates for my boys than you. Thank you, all three of you for loving my sons."
We three look at each other and smile and realize that Esme is right. We do love her sons and we are lucky to have them.
"Your guests are arriving Miss Esme." The caterer informs us.
"Let's get this show on the road kids." Esme says, linking her arm with Carlisle and I take Edward's and we follow them out to the pavilion.
Once we walk inside, everyone notices us and rushes our way. Edward introduces me to so many people there is no way I can remember them all.
"Hello, Edward." A sexy, sultry woman says to Edward, standing a little too close to him for social standard.
"Melissa. How are you this evening?" He asks politely, taking a step back.
"Better now that you are here." She says leaning her face into his. Shit, do I have to put up with this every single day?
"Melissa, I want to introduce you to Bella. Bella, this is Melissa. She owns the Butter Winery down the way." He says, trying hard not to roll his eyes.
"Nice to meet you Melissa. Butter Wines, I've never heard of it." I say sarcastically, pretending to be in deep thought.
"Are you even associated with the wine industry?" She spits out.
"Not per se' but you don't have to make wine to know quality when you taste it." I spit back.
"Edward darling, let's go outside and discuss a business issue I have. Privately." She says, leaning in to him again practically running her nose across his face.
"Are you serious, Melissa? Do you think that is going to work with him? Do you honestly think he's going to go outside with you?" I stand up to her.
"Who the hell are you anyway? I've never seen you around here before." She says, looking down on me since she's taller than Edward.
"This is my girlfriend, that's who she is and I would appreciate it if you didn't insult her by your display of poor manners." Edward says as he wraps his arm around my waist and leads me away from the skank.
"Shit, Edward. They breed Brazen here in Napa Valley don't they?" I laugh.
"No kidding. First Sue, then Tanya and now Melissa. It sucks being handsome." He says, looking at me out the corner of his eye.
"Doesn't suck for me. I get to have you all to myself." I smile, leaning up to kiss his cheek.
"I belong to you, Bella." He promises.
"I like the sound of that." I say in return.
I look around the room and it is full of people. I spot Alice who is clinging to Jasper's arm like a proud dutiful girlfriend. Rosalie is chatting away; I'm sure networking for Hale Transportation.
I look over and see a stunning blonde walking our way and tug on Edward's sleeve to get his attention. His head rises in the direction I am looking.
"Fuck." He says out loud.
"Tanya, what the hell?" I hear him say to her.
"Hello everyone." Tanya says to the group that surrounds us. "So good to see you all again. Are we ready for the new season?" She asks, sounding like a cheer leader and I can't help but notice she is not rallying the troops either. They clearly don't like her, can't she see that? She throws her head back in a fake laugh and decides now is the time for storytelling.
"Oh, did Edward relay the terribly embarrassing story about what happened last night?"
Oh, no she's not, is she?
"As you all know, Eddie and I have been together for years and every year the night before the dinner, I spend the night with him." She bows her head in fake embarrassment, giggling to herself.
Oh, yes she is.
"Anyway, I was in his bed, naked" She feigns a blush, "When in walks this little girl right here and catches me waiting for him." She giggles, which elicits chuckles from the men and scowls from the women.
"Oh, dear, I hope you weren't too embarrassed, it's just that Eddie and I are so close you know." She says with her hand resting on my shoulder. "How pitiful you looked. I'm sorry to have put you in that position, Della."
"Clearly you have difficulty remembering names as well. It's Edward and Bella."
I dramatically use my finger and thumb and lift her hand off me and drop it to her side.
"Tanya, dear, you didn't embarrass me. When Edward and I found you in our bed in that absurd pose, well you know the reaction you received from us." I say, looking at her while tilting my head to the side.
"What was it, Edward, 15 minutes that we laughed so hard and couldn't really stop?" I say to him smiling.
"Yes, love, about that. Possibly more." He says, returning my smile.
"But what made your stunt even more pointless, was the fact that Edward had already told you weeks ago that your 'friends with benefits' relationship was over yet you still broke into his home unannounced, unwelcome and uninvited." I say, looking directly into her eyes. "Now THAT was pitiful."
I suddenly remember where I am and look around at everyone intently listening to us. At this point I don't care that an audience has formed around us. I'm not done.
"It truly was the sorriest thing I have ever seen. She had to be physically removed by Edward's security team while still naked because she wouldn't leave. I almost pitied her." I say to everyone looking directly at Tanya.
"So, yes, maybe I was embarrassed. I was embarrassed for you since clearly you have no shame. It's a good thing that Edward took the key back that you stole from him. I would hate to suffer further humiliation walking in on that again." I say, grinning at her.
"Well I never!" Tanya manages to say. "Edward, are you going to let her talk to me like that?" Her tear-filled eyes search for Edward.
"Edward emphatically instructed you not to return to the Cullen property yet here you are, again, unwelcomed, unwanted and uninvited. I know because I heard him. You might want to reconsider and leave before he calls security to have you removed again."
Tanya's eyes are huge and she is near speechless but slinks back into her old skank self and shouts as if she has taken this as a personal affront and tries a different tact.
"Edward, I told you we weren't done and you can't keep me from this function. I am a valued member and deserve to be here." Placing her hands on her hips, she shouts at Edward.
"Tanya, this goes beyond the association. This is a matter of you trespassing on Cullen personal and private property. Now, do I need to call security to have you removed?" Edward states clearly and concisely, stepping closer to her.
"If you so much as touch me, I will call my lawyer and have a suit slapped on you by morning." She threatens.
"Try me, Tanya. Now get off of my property." Carlisle says coming up behind her.
This time, Jasper and Alice, Emmett and Rosalie, Carlisle and Esme and I are standing around in force to support Edward. Edward gets on his cell phone to call security at the same time Tanya gets on her phone to call her attorney.
"Jacob Black, please."
A/N: Oh, smack! Tanya has an attorney. What a little tramp *slash* skank *slash* hoe *slash* bitch *slash* well you get the picture. Okay, leave me a review down there. They've made it too easy not to. I want to hear what you think of our little turn of events.
