Is everyone ready? The reaction to the last chapter was great, thanks for all your reviews and personal messages, you all amaze me with your passion. Good or bad, I love it all.
Thanks to my fab team: TexasBella, Nic, Theonlykyla, and Cutestkidsmom. MWAH!
Hey to my peeps on LTAE, JNF, and JNF.
SM owns all.
We are still at the club. Let's see what Bella is up to.
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Chapter Twenty-Nine
Bella
It took all my willpower not to slap him at the bar. How dare he act like an arrogant bastard and think nothing of it? I deserve an apology just like everyone else, and what do I get? Sorry? Yeah, sorry just doesn't cut it. I walk away so I won't be held responsible for my actions when I kill him. Who does he think he is? I need to calm down and talk to Rose. I sit back down next to her, and I can tell by the look on her face that she already knows what I'm thinking. We need to talk.
"Emm, why don't you and the guys go play darts or something?"
I can tell by the frozen look of fear in Emmett's eyes that he knows something is up and I need my friend."Sure, Rosie. Who's up for darts?"
"I'm in Emm, I can take your ass," Jasper teases as he gives Emmett a high five. "Do you mind, Isabella?"
"Of course not, have fun kicking Emm's ass," I say as he gets up and rubs my shoulders lightly before leaving with Emm.
"What about you Collin? You in?"
"Nah, Alice and I are going to dance, but thanks," Collin replies as he leads Ali to the dance floor.
"So, everyone is gone, Bella ... Spill it."
I take a long sip of my martini. A little liquid courage.
"Who does he think he is, Rose? He gets us here under the pretense of making amends and then ..."
"He apologized, Bella. Well, in his own way at least. I think he really is trying."
I slap my hand angrily on the table making the glasses shake. "Well damn, I guess I'm sorry I was late for that apology then. But, its going to take more than a one word lame ass apology with me, Rose. That is all I got ... One lousy word."
"So what are you going to do, Bella? Press him for more?"
"Damn right, I will get an explanation once and for all. His behavior towards me has been asinine."
"Bella," her voice takes a warning note. "I really dont think its a good idea to back Edward into a corner right now, he's not exactly stable."
"Exactly, Rose, he's not. And what the hell went on with him and that blond at Mon Venin? How many more people will get hurt if we do nothing? Something has to be said."
Rose takes a breath and places a hand on top of mine in a calming gesture. "Bella, you're jealous."
"No, just ... Curious." Uh huh ... Not to mention furious.
"All I am going to say here is good luck, Bella. Edward is a walking time bomb. So yeah ... um ... You and Jazz huh?"
Changing the subject.
I pull my hand away from her. "No, Rose, I haven't slept with Jasper if that's what you are getting at."
"Well he's being awfully affectionate tonight, Bella."
As if I hadn't noticed. It did feel off though. Not that we aren't affectionate, we cuddle and kiss like a normal couple I suppose, but we are not big on PDA - well, I'm not at least.
"Yeah, I guess he has been been acting different. It's almost like he has something to prove." Be honest with yourself, Bella. You knew what he was doing and you may have even encouraged him, hoping Edward would notice.
"Bella, what exactly are you hoping to accomplish by confronting Edward? And, you are with Jasper, so maybe if you are questioning your feelings that's something you need to tell him. But even before you do that, you need to admit to yourself that you have feelings for Edward.
"Look, Rose. I know that I'm with Jasper, but if you are telling me that I need to be honest then yes, I have feelings for Edward, and as wrong as it may be for me to question him, I want answers. I need to know what's going on here. I'm a big girl, and I'll face the consequences of my actions."
With that I get up and leave Rose with a dumbstruck look on her face. I also turn and notice Edward is no longer at the bar. I decide to stop and get a beer before I go find him. I have a feeling he may have left.
As I push open the door and feel the cool night air. I suddenly lose my new found confidence. What am I doing? I feel like confronting Edward will be like playing with fire, and I'll be the one who will get burned.
Edward
To hell with my good intentions tonight - I really need a cigarette. Lucky for me the concierge is all too willing to give me the rest of his pack when I slip him a twenty. The first drag I take burns and makes me feel light-headed and a bit queasy. But when the nicotine rush hit me, it feels almost euphoric. The tension is still there, I can feel it in my jaw and my neck, but I am no longer seeing red.
I have been out here for the past half hour and I'm already on my third cigarette. I can't believe how Bella was acting in the club. I have been debating with myself whether to wait out here for her or to go in and drag her out. She may not be done with me, but I'm not done with her yet either. I have a few choice words for Miss Swan. I'm sure I will regret it tomorrow, but at the moment I could care less.
I hear the door open behind me and the sound of heels clicking on the pavement. I slowly turn around, and there she is. Great, stay calm. She still looks mad and her eyes are fixed on mine. She looks anxious, and is angrily biting on her bottom lip. I feel a sudden need to reach over and release her lip, yet I feel grounded to the spot I am standing in. I clench my fists at my side, trying to rein in the urgency I feel as I go on the defense.
"I brought you a beer," she says in a clipped tone. "I didn't know you smoked?" Surprise is clearly in her voice.
"I don't, usually that is. I mean, not since my early college days. But lately, well ..." I shrug.
She hands me the bottle of Heineken, and I take a long pull. It doesn't escape my attention that she knows what kind of beer I drink.
"Thanks for this," I say as I hold up the beer. "But you should probably go back inside, people are probably missing you." Although, feel free to stay so we can continue our little chat. Push and pull, Edward.
"I'll go back in if and when I'm damn good and ready," she repeats my words from earlier back at me.
Touche, Bella.
"Alright, Bella. Enough with the bullshit - just say what you want to say."
"What did you say to Jasper in french at Mon Venin?"
Shit, next question ...
When I don't answer her she gets a bit indignant."Okay, so apparently you aren't going to answer me."
Smart girl.
"What happened when you left with the skank ... I mean with Ivana or whatever her name is?"
I have to smirk at that one. "Why? Are you jealous, Bella?"
"No, just curious, Edward. Now answer the damn question."
She is standing so close to me now that all I can do is smell her hair and feel the anger radiating off her. Mmm, strawberries with just a hint of citrus.
Bullshit. She is jealous alright.
"Well if you must know, Irina wanted to discuss a charity event with me that pertains to the hospital."
"Oh."
"Now I have question for you." Two can play the question game.
"So ask it." She looks away, clearly nervous.
"For whose benefit was your little performance back in the club?"
A flash of panic flickers across her face. "I don't know what you are talking about. What performance?"
I quirk my eyebrow at her. "Oh, so making out with Jasper at a table full of people is common for you, huh?"
"I wasn't making out with him, I kissed him. He is my boyfriend, remember?"
I realize that we are standing too close and that this has turned from a conversation into an argument instead. We are entering dangerous territory here.
"Oh trust me, Bella. I remember. He is one of my best friends."
"Jealous, Edward?" she sneers at me.
Question time is officially over.
"Go back inside, Bella. We're done here." This was a bad idea.
"No."
Damn it.
"Yes."
"Not until I ask one last question?"
I have a feeling I won't like it.
I sigh heavily. "Ask away, Bella." This ought to be good.
She takes a deep breath and looks right into my eyes. "Why did you almost kiss me in Portland."
Anything but that. Back off, Bella.
"I didn't," I say lamely.
"You did. Right before Jasper walked up you practically kissed my neck. I felt your breath, and your lips nearly grazing my skin." Her cheeks blush as she recalls the almost kiss, and I feel my own skin heat at the memory.
I give her the only reason I can: "I was drunk."
"That's not a reason, Edward. I want to know why you almost kissed me?"
"Leave. It. Alone. Bella."
"No. Tell me. Why?"
She's backed me into a corner and I can't escape. My anger flares into passion in two point two seconds.
"Why? Do you want me to kiss you right now, Bella?"
I don't give her time to answer me, I act on instinct and crash my lips to hers, and she roughly pushes me back.
"Edward, what the ..."
Nope, I'm done talking.
I crash my lips to hers again, except this time it's different, she responds. Her arms wrap around my neck, and I grasp her hips molding her body to mine. I know this is so wrong, but it feels so right.
She moans into my my mouth and I push my tongue inside tasting the citrus tang of her martini and the sweetness that is uniquely her. She pulls on my hair and I groan at the sensation, I need more of her. I take her bottom lip in between my teeth and nibble gently, fighting the urge to bite harder.
Suddenly, as quickly as it started the moment is over, and we are both standing there breathing heavily. My heart is pounding, her face is flushed and her lips are swollen. I open my mouth to say something, anything, and without warning I feel her hand connect with the side of my face.
She slaps me hard, and I'm taken aback.
"Stay the hell away from me, Edward!" she screams and turns and walks away, leaving me to crumble to pieces.
Jasper
I am standing at the bar shooting the breeze with the boys. Emmett and I have already given Collin the 'big brother' speech. He is a good guy and will treat Alice with respect. I will have to fill Edward in on the newest member to our circle. Speaking of which... where the hell is he? I look at the table and notice Isabella is missing as well. That son of a bitch, I swear to God...
It's at that very moment I see her, damn she is beautiful. She is walking towards the table with a look of determination on her face. She scans the room and when her eyes find mine I realize something is wrong. I get up and leave Emm and Collin without saying a word. As soon as I get close to the table she starts walking towards me.
"I'm ready to go...now."
"Sure thing darlin', everything okay?" The look on her face tells me that I already know the answer to that. "Where were you just now?"
"I wasn't feeling well, I needed some air. It didn't help. Please Jasper, I just want to go home."
Something is definitely wrong but I don't want to push her, not here at least. "Let's say goodbye to everyone and I will take you straight home and tuck you in, you do look flushed."
We walk over to the table and Isabella grabs her martini and finishes it off in one gulp, then picks up her purse and turns to Rose. "We're outta here, I'll call you tomorrow. Say goodbye to Ali and Collin for me."
"Sure Bella...goodnight Jasper." She knows not to bother questioning me.
As we are about to walk out the door Edward walks in, his face is white, as if he's in shock. "Jasper, Bella? Leaving so soon?" His voice is harsh.
I simply shake my head yes, and hear Bella mumble, "...don't feel good."
Edward stares at her, and I notice that she won't look back at him. I know at this very moment that whatever is wrong with Isabella has everything to do with Edward. Not wanting to upset her, I decide not to confront Edward at the moment, but he needs to know I'm on to him.
He won't get away with whatever game he's attempting to play. My mama may have raised a gentleman, but my daddy didn't raise a fool. No one one pushes me or my girl around and gets away with it. Best friend or not, it's time for me and Edward Masen to have a little chat.
Edward looks away from Isabella and meets my gaze, the look I give him is clear.
Leave. Her. Alone.
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Still with me? We are getting there!
Recs this week. Adiago by Sparrownotes24. This Edward/Musicaward/Pianoward owns me.
Salacious by Cutestkidsmom. This is a MUST read peeps! This Edward is all MINE...but I'll share.
A Whisper of Chaos by Theonlykyla. If you are looking for something totally different, this fic is for you! Totally out of character and amazing!
Last, but not least, The Gentlemen by MasterAskim. This is a suspenseful drama and completely addicting. Go read it now!
Links for all these stories can be found on the LTAE page. More recs next week.
Tuesday?
Judy
XO
