Ready for Bella to meet Alice?

For the next several days, Bella tried not to think about Edward. She failed miserably, but it was worth a shot.

Their passionate night together had been everything she'd wanted in her life and then some. It scared her, what kind of control he already had over her body.

She tried to imagine the feeling of giving up all control and shuddered. It ought to be fantastic, but she doubted she could trust him that blindly.

Edward had emailed her twice more. His first email had come a few hours after he'd dropped her at home, asking if she'd like another fantasy and possibly to reenact it. Then, the previous day, he offered to introduce Bella to his nest friend's girlfriend and Sub.

The mere word "Sub" made her skin crawl.

That was how Bella found herself answering that email late on Friday night, while she was at work.

From: Bella Swan
To: Edward Cullen
Date: 17 Jun 2020, 11:45 PM

Hi,

Sorry for the lack of replies. I got sucked into work.

I'd like to meet your friend's girlfriend.

Then, maybe you could tell me another fantasy. Or I could tell you one of my fantasies?

Bella

She sent the email before she could chicken out.

She half expected to find him barging into the bar and stealing her again, but that didn't happen.

When she got home, she slept fitfully. All her dreams were twisted fantasies about trying to stay in control and failing, allowing Edward to torment her body until she woke up sweaty, gasping for breath, and turned on beyond rational thought.

Saturday was spent cleaning the apartment while thinking, which was always dangerous. Bella decided it didn't matter what Edward wanted. If he was willing to try it her way, she'd accept it, because for once, she felt attracted to someone else. She had never felt that way toward anyone before.

Sunday morning was spent on the beach with Harley, and then they paid Jacob a visit at his garage. He gave up pretty soon when he realized Bella wasn't going to tell him anything about the man she'd brought over the previous week.

When they returned to the studio, Bella had a new email. It was from someone she didn't know, but she presumed it to be from Edward's friend's girlfriend. Sub, she corrected herself.

From: Alice Brandon
To: Bella Swan
Date: 19 Jun 2020, 13:55 PM

Hello Bella!

My name is Alice, and I'd like to be your friend.

I'm sure it's overwhelming to be introduced to this world without much warning. As much as it pains me to say it, Mr. Cullen is not the most subtle man in the world. He's pretty much straight forward, especially when he wants something.

At the moment, you are what he wants the most.

Yesterday, I accompanied Jasper to a fundraiser for the hospital. (Jasper is my Master, my husband, my confidant – everything I need) Imagine our surprise to find Edward in quite the mood. He almost threatened me to talk sense into you because he was losing his mind. Well, he didn't exactly say that, but you get the gist.

So, here I am…writing to you…and offering you my friendship. If you decide to embark on this relationship with him, I'm here to help you. And if you have questions, because I don't need anyone telling me this – I know you are afraid – please, don't hesitate to contact me.

Hoping to hear from you soon,

Your friend,

Alice

Bella read the email twice, and then she typed a short reply containing her phone number and address.

What Bella didn't expect was for the doorbell to ring in the early evening, after which it had taken no less than twenty minutes to calm Harley, who'd gotten the zoomies – otherwise known as dog madness.

"Fabulous," she muttered, when he rushed to the door, pawing at it.

Keeping a hand on his collar, she opened the door to find a child on the other side. After a second look, Bella noticed it was actually a young woman, but a really short one.

"Hello? Can I help you?" she asked, yanking at Harley's collar when he made to launch himself at their uninvited guest. He loved everybody, which was always a problem when the other person took it the wrong way.

The girl smiled shyly. "Hi! It's okay. I love dogs." She crouched, which was a mistake. Harley escaped from Bella's grip, tackling the girl to the floor.

"Fucking shit. Get back in the house!" she snapped. "I'm so sorry. We're working on his manners."

"You must be Bella?" The girl worded it as a question. Harley was still sniffing her.

"Yes…"

"I'm Alice. I guess you didn't get my reply that I was going to visit soon."

"Oh, sorry. I got…distracted," Bella admitted, cringing inwardly at the memory of Harley running around the furniture. "Come in." She stepped aside.

Harley followed Alice inside. Bella took the opportunity to drag him to his blanket. "Stay!"

He whined, staring at Alice eagerly, but he didn't move.

There was hope for him, Bella decided.

She noticed Alice was looking around at the war zone Harley had left behind his zoomies. The cushions were on the floor, the bottle of water was rolled under the desk, the blanket from the couch was bundled up halfway under the bookcase, and the book Bella had been reading was on the back of the couch looking ruffled.

Bella felt her face flushing in embarrassment. "Yeah…please, ignore the mess."

"We have two German Shepherds. This is absolutely nothing compared to what they do to the garden when they become possessed." She giggled in her palm.

"It's hard to keep him in this tiny space, but I try to walk him as much as possible." Bella went to the couch, dusting it off of dog hair. "Come, sit. Want anything to drink?"

"Water is fine," Alice said quietly, taking a seat.

Bella filled two glasses with cool water, bringing them to the couch.

Alice was looking around curiously. Her short, dark hair was caught into two very small ponytails at each side of her neck. Her features were pixie-like, which made her really beautiful. She was wearing a flower patterned yellow summer dress and a pair of delicate sandals with many straps.

"Here you go." Bella handed her one glass. She tried not to think of her too-short denim pants and the holey, sleeveless shirt she was wearing. Her hair was definitely a mess after chasing Harley around the small studio.

Alice met her eyes, smiling. She had such pretty eyes. Their color was midnight blue, but Bella didn't know much about blue eyes aside from the fact that they changed shade depending upon the person's mood.

"Thank you for offering to talk to me," Bella said as an opening.

"I'd have offered, but last time I gave Mr. Edward any advice regarding you, he completely ignored it."

Mr. Edward. Bella kept her eyes on Alice's.

"How about I talk and you listen? If you have questions, feel free to interrupt me," Alice suggested.

Bella nodded, relieved she wasn't subjected to asking ridiculous questions.

Alice walked her through every aspect of her lifestyle. It was imperious for the Sub to be polite and respectful at all times with the Dom and his friends. She wasn't to argue his choices, which sounded like she had no choice, but Alice explained that the Dom always knew what was best for her. Honesty was the key for their relationship.

Alice also told Bella that it wasn't always about his pleasure, which resulted in her pleasure as well. If both of them were willing, the relationship could be as normal and natural as any other relationship, but Bella shouldn't forget her place. Alice explained how having it both ways balanced their needs and desires.

At Bella's curious inquiries about what exactly they did as Sub and Dom, Alice delved into mind-blowing examples. She reiterated in great detail some of her favorite sessions with Jasper. She'd been teased and held on the brink of orgasm for hours, but when she was allowed to come, it had been so intense. She had been strapped to the bed and flogged, while allowed to come…which she had done a lot. Her body had been bent in ways she had no idea was possible, but it all intensified the way he felt inside her. She'd once been hog-tied from the ceiling and fainted from the pleasure.

Bella was trying to absorb it all. By the end of Alice's long speech, Bella was surprised she was wet with desire. She wanted all that with Edward.

"So, you see, giving up control doesn't automatically mean you lose control of your life. On the contrary, it shapes up in new, beautiful ways," Alice said softly.

Bella pressed her thighs together. "I'm starting to see that." She watched as Alice typed on her phone, which had vibrated several moments earlier. "So, this means if I say yes, Edward will do all these things to me?"

Alice peeked at her from under her long lashes. "It all depends on what you commonly decide you like. You won't jump in head first. He won't sleep with you until he knows exactly what you like and definitely what you don't like."

Bella snorted. "A little late for that."

Alice's eyes widened, momentarily forgetting about her phone. "No way!" Shock was evident on her face.

"Yeah…" Bella shrugged. "He said it didn't matter."

"Wow. Jasper was right," she whispered to herself. "Excuse me," she added, answering her ringing phone. "Hello, Jasper… Almost done…" She glanced at Bella, smiling. "Yes, I think my work here is done… You can come pick me up. Did you find what you wanted?… I'll see you soon."

"You have to go," Bella said, sitting up straighter on the couch.

"Yes. Men and shopping…" She shook her head. "I told him what to buy, but he couldn't find the store."

"I'm just as bad as any man, then," Bella laughed. "I hate shopping."

Alice stared at her, horrified. "We have to rectify that. You could accompany us, if you'd like. I'll bet you didn't even know it's Edward's birthday tomorrow."

Bella noticed how Alice had dropped the "mister" from before Edward's name, but she focused on the new matter. "His birthday?"

"I thought so."

"Well, it's not common to tell someone you just met that you're getting older." Bella shrugged. "Besides, I have to get ready for work," she said. "Thank you again for stopping by and explaining this to me. It doesn't sound as scary as I thought."

Alice rolled her eyes. "If you searched it in porn, you definitely got the wrong impression."

Bella blushed furiously.

She walked Alice to the door, exchanging phone numbers, and then she was alone again. As she got ready for work, Bella thought over the conversation she'd had with Alice. She really wanted it all with Edward, even though she was still scared of giving up control like that.

After taking Harley on the shortest walk he'd had in weeks, Bella went to Eclipse.

As the night wore on, she decided to surprise Edward with a visit, and hopefully she wouldn't chicken out and tell him she was willing to try it his way.

It took a few exchanged text messages with Alice to find out how to get to Edward's office.

When Bella let herself into her studio the following early morning, Harley was sprawled on the couch. She pushed him over enough so she could snuggle behind him. She slept well, despite all the thoughts swirling around in her head.

Around nine o'clock, she woke up, took Harley on their usual walk on the beach, and when they returned, Bella started getting ready. After a shower, where she washed her hair and shaved her legs, she took her time to blow-dry her hair, and then she selected a dress she had rarely worn, pairing it with her only nice heels. Bella took her time applying mascara and painting her lips, before she deemed herself ready.

"Be a good boy," she told Harley before leaving. She hoped to return to him by the usual time, but for once, she had no idea what to expect.

She drove to Cullen Industries with her heart in her mouth and butterflies in her stomach.

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