Author Note: Thanks for embracing this story!
Many of you are unhappy that Edward continues to dance, despite the fact that Bella doesn't like it. I think he'd quit if she expressly asked him to, but she doesn't want to be his mom.
Lots of correct guesses to today's chapter title! You all must remember the popular music videos from 1986. Congrats to meepison, emmjaebee, war123, EdwardsFirstKiss, twifan7731, sherylb, astonmartin823, Bugsmamawolf, That'sMzPeachesTYVM, Chartwilightmom, EAMCSquared, wambam45, and miranda04.
Thanks again to moosals and NKubie for pre-reading. Stephenie Meyer owns all characters.
Chapter 37: Addicted to Love
Edward is breathing heavily, his forehead resting on my shoulder. It's as if we're under some sort of spell, afraid that one word spoken will ruin it. But we're not in my house, we're at the strip club, and Victoria could return to her office at any moment.
"Edward?" I whisper. He lifts his head, staring into my eyes. Finally, he kisses me softly then steps back, reaching down for his tiny underwear.
"I-I need to clean up." I twist around, looking to see if Victoria has a box of Kleenex or something, but I see nothing. My panties are still caught around my left foot, and I watch in shock as Edward pulls them off and uses them to wipe off the mess.
I scowl at him and he chuckles, helping me to my feet and tugging my skirt down. He kisses me again then stuffs my dirty panties into the pocket of my skirt. Taking my hand, he walks over to the door, unlocking it then opening it just a crack to peek out.
"Coast is clear," he announces, leading me out of the room. "I need to get dressed. Are you coming with me?"
"I'll just… go to the ladies room and meet you out here." Nodding, he kisses me once more, and I shamelessly watch his nearly naked ass as he heads down the hallway.
Really hoping that I'm not walking funny after our quickie, I go to find the bathrooms. Three women are waiting ahead of me in line for the two stalls. No one gives me a second glance, and I'm glad that I don't look out of place to their eyes. I try to comb my fingers through my hair, feeling like I must look as thoroughly fucked as I feel.
After I've finally made it to a stall, I overhear two women chatting amongst themselves. My ears perk up when one of them says, "Batman," and I realize they're talking about Edward. One of the women plans to go look for him, hoping she can take him home for the night. It's all I can do not to glare at her as I wash my hands.
By the time I've made it back to the office, Edward is already waiting for me. "What took you so long?" he asks with a grin.
"There was a line. You sure got ready fast."
He smiles at me, throwing his arm around my shoulders. "I figured I'd wait to shower at home since you like the way I smell."
Walking through the club together, I'm not oblivious to the stares from the patrons. I actually kinda hope the woman from the ladies room sees us together. Heading outside toward my car, I hit the unlock button on the keyfob then hand my keys to Edward to drive us home. I'm feeling a little shaky, but I think it's more from the hot sex than my two Cosmos.
As we wait at a stoplight, Edward looks over at me, smirks, then places his hand on my bare thigh.
"What are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?" His hand starts creeping up under my skirt, and I'm acutely aware of the fact that I'm no longer wearing underwear.
"Drive! The light just went green. The faster you get us home…" I trail off at the look on his face. Earlier I'd wanted a quiet Friday night at home, but right now I just want Edward again.
The moment we're inside the house, he's on me — kissing me, groping me… all of that fun stuff we didn't have time for before our quickie at the club. But when he steers me toward the granite island and tries to bend me over it, I have to put the brakes on.
"Wait," I pant. "I cook and eat at that island!"
Edward laughs, gathering me into his arms. "You're cute when you're being a prude."
I want to be angry with him for teasing me, but my nose is inches away from his chest and he still smells absolutely amazing. "Is that body oil edible?"
"Oh hell," he groans. "Upstairs. Now!"
"I don't like this, Edward." I pace across my living room, trying to remain calm. Our first real fight, and of course it's over his dancing. Not at the club — no, he waits until an hour before he needs to leave to tell me that he's doing a private bachelorette party.
"Bella!" he shouts, stopping me in my tracks with his hands on my forearms. "Nothing is going to happen. Despite what you may have seen in the movies or whatever, dancers at bachelorette parties do not have sex with the entire bridal party." He closes his eyes for a moment, sighing. "Don't you trust me?"
"I trust you — I just don't trust a bunch of drunk women with grabby hands when you have hardly any clothes on. And I still don't like that you only just now decided to tell me about this."
"I told you, I booked it weeks ago and thought it was next weekend until I checked the calendar on my phone."
"I wish you wouldn't do this," I complain. I know I'm not his mother; I can't make him stay home, no matter how much I want to.
"It's good money, Bella. I don't want to feel like I'm sponging off of you. Come on, baby," he says, puling me into his arms. "I'll be back in just a few hours and you can have your way with me."
"You said you've done parties like this before?"
He nods. "In California. It's really not as bad as you're picturing."
I sigh heavily. "I don't like it, but… you're a big boy. And I do trust that you won't cheat on me."
"I won't," he promises. "You're the only woman I see." Bringing his hands up, he cups my cheeks and kisses me softly. "I love you. I'll text you when I head home, ok?"
Once Edward has left, I flop onto the couch, reaching for the remote to turn on the TV. I guess I've got the quiet night at home that I wanted last night. I try not to think about what he's doing right now, dancing mostly naked and surrounded by a dozen drunk women.
Ugh… if I'm going to be with a guy as hot as Edward — a guy who once again makes a living taking his clothes off — I need to get my jealousy under control. It's just… I love him, more than I thought possible. And I don't want to lose him — not again.
When my phone beeps, I pick it up, grinning at the text from Edward.
Home in 10 min. Be naked. Xoxo – E
How is a girl supposed to resist that? Heading upstairs, I turn down the bed, then decide to help move things along faster by getting a condom out of the box. Looking inside, I realize there are only two left; I need to remember to pick up another box when I go grocery shopping tomorrow.
Or… now that I'm having sex regularly, I should make an appointment with my doctor to discuss other birth control options. I'm sure Edward would appreciate not having to use condoms — and given his spontaneity, it's probably safer.
I set the two remaining condoms on the nightstand, then toss the empty box into the trash can in the bathroom before running a brush through my hair. Stripping out of my clothes, I leave them in the hamper, then lie down in the center of the bed and try to relax. I'm having trouble shutting my brain down though. This is all just… crazy. I've never had sex this much in a relationship. I've never wanted to. Maybe it really is true what they say about women reaching their sexual peak in their 30s.
The moment I hear Edward downstairs, my body starts to tingle in anticipation. Never mind the fact that we had sex three times last night — I seem to want him all the time.
"Fuck… you actually listened to me."
At the muttered curse, I look up at the vision standing in my bedroom doorway. He's fully clothed, with sweaty hair and a predatory look in his eyes.
"How did it go?" I ask curiously.
"I was only propositioned once," he replies with a grin, yanking his t-shirt over his head as he stalks across the room. "Told her thanks but no thanks and that was that." He toes his shoes off, then strips out of his sweatpants and g-string, crawling onto the bed and over my prone body. "I made five hundred dollars, Bella — in one night. Pretty tough to do that legally."
"I still don't like it," I protest, spreading my thighs to welcome him closer. God, he smells amazing. He leans down to kiss me and I eagerly open for him, threading my fingers through his hair. Eventually he breaks away from my lips, pressing wet, open-mouthed kisses down my neck.
I cry out when his lips close over my left nipple; my period is due soon, making my breasts extra sensitive right now.
"I intend to spend the rest of the night causing you to make that sound over and over," Edward whispers. Yes, please.
A/N: Someone had suggested Walk Like an Egyptian for this one, in honor of how Bella would be walking after that. You all crack me up sometimes! I changed this one more than once, so I hope I finally found one that fit!
Those who got the teaser weren't very happy with Edward for stripping at a private party, though it's something he booked when they were separated. He always comes home to Bella though. Do you think she should make him quit?
And as several of you have been suggesting, Bella is thinking about getting a more reliable form of birth control so that Edward can continue to get her naked whenever he wants.
Thursday's chapter title is another one for the hair metal fans, one of the few hairband songs to reach #1.