A/N: Getting down to the wire…

Betad by Michelle Renker Rhodes.

Most characters belong to S. Meyer.

Chapter 38 – How You Handle A Gala Affair

BPOV

Whoever said that giving your boyfriend a blowjob while he's driving is sexy and hot was a big, fat liar.

There is nothing sexy about having to twist your body around inside a cramped truck with your long-ass, dress coat on and with your seatbelt on. And there sure as hell is nothing hot about the way his dick rams against the back of your throat every time the truck bounces, inducing your gag reflex. Everyone fails to mention how you've got to wrap your lips around your teeth like a little, old lady just to make sure you don't accidentally bite off his buddy with every bump and jolt on the road.

But Edward is sure enjoying it. He grunts and groans, fists the top of my head and massages my scalp; his cock grows harder and harder by the second.

So I bob my head up and down at an even rhythm, carefully swirling my tongue around his thick head while being mindful not to scrape him with my teeth every time the truck hits a pothole. When I take him deeper, he hisses through his teeth, and I close my eyes because I know the face he makes when he makes that sound: forehead furrowed, nostrils slightly flared. And yeah, that is hot and sexy. Just thinking about it gets me suddenly wet and makes me whimper.

Apparently, my noises turn him on even more.

"Bella…God…Baby," he hums. "Uhhh…"

Edward has been worked up since we left the loft. He took care of me before we stepped out of our bedroom, but as soon as we got in the truck, his left hand went to ten o'clock while his right hand went way past two to my bare thigh, caressing my skin smoothly, telling me over and over how gorgeous I looked and how he couldn't wait to get me home tonight. So my hand started wandering too, and an innocent hand job has turned into this.

When we hit another pothole, I almost choke to death.

"Shit, Baby, I'm sorry," he chuckles when I come up for air.

I look up at his handsome face, flushed red from the head he's getting and sporting an impish grin, and I raise a brow.

"You, Mr. Cullen, need to come right now."

And I lower my head and go to town, bobbing up and down quickly, darting my tongue and licking him base to tip and back down before swallowing him up again.

"Fuck, shit, yeah…oh fuck."

He fists my hair again, maneuvering the truck with one hand while I watch his long legs stretch and stiffen.

"Here it comes, here it comes," he warns, tightening his grip on my hair though I don't need any warning because in the past few months, I've come to recognize the way his cock thickens into steel right before he releases. I hear his low grunt at the same time he shoots into the back of my throat.

Once I've let him completely reach his high, I sit up and look at him. He stares straight ahead, chest heaving, breathing in and out deeply through narrowed lips.

"Oh, Baby," he says.

"Feel better?" I grin, washing down the substance in my mouth with a bottle of water.

"Hell yeah," he grins in return, flashing me a quick wink. He takes my hand over the console and threads his fingers through mine, kissing my knuckles. "You're a great fiancée."

We both laugh.

OOOOOOOOOO

The Peter Jay Sharp wing of the Brooklyn Academy of Music glows with luminescent lights from within the grey granite and marble structure. Outside, women in fancy dresses and guys in suits and tuxes hang around laughing and obviously trying to be seen. This is where the game starts.

"Where do I park?" Edward asks, slowly approaching the structure.

"Just pull up next to those guys with the white jackets. They'll park for us."

He stops behind a couple of waiting cars in front of us, and turns his head my way, raising a brow.

"Valet?"

"Yeah," I shrug.

He purses his lips and turns back to the windshield. "I could've found parking," he mutters lowly.

Once our keys have been taken, hand in hand we head inside to the Lepercq Event Room, where tonight's pre-opening gala is being held.

There's loud music playing when we walk in, and the room is packed. I spot a few people I know from the production, fellow dancers and production personnel, but my eyes scan the room for Ben, who texted to tell me that he was already here.

Meanwhile, any relaxation Edward may have gotten from that blow-job has clearly evaporated. He stands stiffly next to me, his grip tight again but not out of pleasure. When a tuxed-up waiter approaches us holding a tray of champagne flutes, Edward soberly shakes his head.

"No, thank you," I say as well.

"You could've had one," Edward says in my ear once the waiter leaves.

"Maybe I don't want one."

He purses his lips dubiously and wraps his hands around my hips. "Why not? It's your night. You should celebrate."

"It's not my night," I correct him with a smile, holding on to his forearms. "It's Renata's night, and she's made that pretty clear to all of us."

He smirks. I've already filled him in on the wonder that is Renata.

"Besides," my grins widens as I bring my mouth close to his, "I am going to celebrate tonight…in our bed…with you over me…under me…behind me…over and over again."

"Why don't you tell me what you really want?" he says, half his mouth lifted in a semi-smirk.

I giggle.

Someone taps me on the shoulder.

"Hey, Bella!"

"Hey!"

It's Gianna, one of my fellow second-tiers, as we call ourselves. We hug and squeal like silly girls, but I've got to admit: this is exciting.

"You look hot in that dress!" she says. I return the compliment. "Hey, can you believe this?" she exclaims. "They've got that Beluga Caviar up in the front, little strips of Kobe beef, and have you had that champagne they're serving yet? It's fucking delicious!"

I just laugh.

"This is my boyfriend, Jack," she says, introducing me to the guy next to her. We shake hands.

"This is my fiancée, Edward," I announce proudly.

Her eyes practically pop out of her head, but I can tell she tries to keep it on the DL because her man is next to her.

"Hi," she chuckles, shaking Edward's hand. Then she leans into me.

"Fuck! No wonder you never gave Alec a second glance!"

I smile as she backs away.

We walk around saying hi to a few of the others. Eyes rake Edward over as we pass, women and men alike. True to his word, Edward is stuck to me like glue, and I'm exhilarated and relieved - not because I don't trust him. We're way past concerns about unfaithfulness. As for that other concern, in the past couple of months, I've acknowledged that constant worry, and the family AA meetings have helped because they've taught me that Edward will be as strong as he can be, no more and no less. There will be days like this, days when the champagne and beer and wine are overflowing, and it'll be difficult, but I can't keep him away from it. I can't fight the fight for him, or always bow out of these parties, or even leave him home just to keep him away from the temptation. He'll deal with it because he has to. And I'll deal with it with him. I can't do any more than that, and neither can he.

I spot our producer and introduce Edward to him, and he's another one that's eating Edward up with his eyes, but Edward is a good sport about it, though he's squeezing the hell out of my hand.

Then I hear a loud and familiar laugh behind me.

"Nena, where you been?"

"Angie?"

She looks gorgeous in a bright red, skin tight sequin, one-shoulder top that ends right above her waist. A couple of inches below starts a matching, skin-tight skirt that ends mid-thigh. She's got on black, open-toe heels, and her hair is done up in a huge yet perfect bun that looks like an ebony halo over a dark angel's body.

Before I can ask anything else, Ben appears behind her. He slinks an arm around that sinfully bare waist.

"Ben?"

"I've been calling you," he says.

Startled, I look down at my phone and realize I've got three missed calls.

"I…we were talking to people. Angie?" I ask again because I'm seriously confounded here.

"Bellita, you gotta try the Kobe beef! It's not as good as the bistec my Abuela makes, you know the one she marinates with the mojo? But it'll do," she chuckles. "Right, my Jedi Papito?"

"Right," Ben responds, gazing at Angie as if she's just discovered who was behind the assassination attempt on Senator Amidala's life.

See, I'm learning. Edward and I spent an entire Sunday watching all six episodes. I figured it was important to my career at this point.

But right now, I'm lost again, so I look at Edward to see if maybe he sees something I'm missing here, but he just shrugs and shakes his head.

"Angie, what are you doing here?"

She giggles. "I came with my Ben Kenobi," she says, turning her eyes to Ben. They gaze at each other.

"Ben Kenobi? You mean the Jedi Master?"

She looks at me and smiles. "Of course the Jedi Master. That's what my Papito here is," she says, sliding her arm around his waist. "You gotta see the way he works that lightsaber of his." She fans herself. "Ay Bendito! Left and right and up and down, over and over non-stop with no break! And then he thrusts, and it hums and vibrates and-"

I yank her arm and pull her away a couple of feet.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"What?" she asks, only the way she says it, it sounds like a baby crying.

"First of all, Ben is my agent! Now I messed up once, but I've learned that I need to keep some professionalism between my agent and myself, and I do not need to hear about your sexual exploits with him!" I whine.

"What?" she repeats again in that same way, jerking her head back. "Bellita, tu 'stas loca? I aint giving you any sexual exploits. Ben's been teaching me how to wield a lightsaber!"

"An actual…lightsaber?" I ask hesitantly.

"Coño, Chica, yes, an actual lightsaber! What'd you think I was referring to? His is blue, cuz he's got the force, and mine's red cuz…well, cuz I got the dark side." She chuckles impishly.

I stare at her.

"Hey, it's fun…and a lot harder than it sounds. Those things are thick and heavy - just like I like'em!"

'Course she had to throw that in.

OOOOOOOOOO

We mingle and dance a bit. Ben and Angie go off on their own after a while, but not before he's introduced me to one of his few clients. He invited her tonight so that she could get some exposure. It's something agents tend to do, and if her talent is half as impressive as her looks, this pretty girl will be hard to ignore. Her name is Asha, and she's young and tiny with a wild, black fro that frames her dark features beautifully, and deep eyes that stand out under long, curly eyelashes.

She seems awed by me - which I find equal parts scary and humorous - asking me for pointers, like I have any real ones to give, but I'm trying my best, and when I look away from her for a second to take a sip from my water bottle, my eyes land on Renata.

She's looking at me too and makes no effort to conceal the scowl on her undeniably beautiful face, rolling her eyes as she turns away.

But then she does an immediate double-take as if her brain just caught up to her eyes, and her scowl turns into a grin.

Sauntering over, her unbelievably long and lean legs are showcased to perfection in the leather mini-skirt she wears, the rest of that perfect dancer's body flimsily concealed by a mere black, sequined bra top that glitters when it catches the overhead lights. Her long, blond hair cascades in front of her over tiny, perky breasts.

Her body sways a bit when she comes to a stop right in front of me.

"Bella," she grins, kissing one cheek and then the other. "I was hoping to see you tonight. I wanted to make sure I met the lucky guy who gave you that pretty ring."

Her slurred words and dilated eyes are a couple of more indicators that she's had more than a few already, but drunk or not, I'm not playing this game with her. We do not like each other, sober or drunk, and everyone knows it.

So I won't introduce her to my man.

Apparently she's not too plastered to take the intro into her own hands. She puts a dainty hand out for Edward.

And yeah, he takes it.

"I'm Renata, the star of the production," she drawls, the smell of liquor all over her breath, and I really want to punch her in her face right now.

"Edward Cullen," Edward says coolly, backing his head away.

She openly ogles him – Bitch - and when she addresses me again, her eyes remain on Edward.

"Bella, I can't understand why you'd bother with Alec or anyone else when you've got this perfect specimen of a man waiting for you at home."

"Renata, I don't know what you're talking about," I say tiredly, "and this is getting really old. We've got a show opening up in a little over a week. Get a clue."

"She wasn't even on the list to try out as my understudy," she tells Edward, swaying forward a bit and completely ignoring what I've just said. "Yet the producer and director and Alec and her agent, they were all gung-ho to give her a go. Why do you think that is, Edward Cullen? Do you know what the rumors are about your fiancée here?" She giggles.

"Look, I'm not interested in anything you have to say. Excuse us," Edward says in a rough, low voice. With that said, he takes my hand and turns us around, leaving Renata standing there. Before I can collect myself after that, Alec appears.

"Bella!"

Alec looks as handsome as always, and all I can think of is that he's probably the last person we need to bump into right now.

"Alec, can you give us a minute-"

"I noticed Renata was enlightening you with her eloquent conversational skills," he says with a bemused smile. "Do me a favor? Come and dance with me."

At what must be quite a scowl from Edward, Alec quickly goes on.

"Hold on, my man." He splays a smooth, dancer's hand lightly on Edward's chest. Edward looks down at where Alec is touching him and quirks a brow.

"Before you kick my ass, let me just say that I tried to kick it to Bella when rehearsals first started, but she wouldn't give me the time of day. I respect that," he nods. "Doesn't happen very often. She's good - really good. Should've had the lead, but I don't know what happened behind the scenes." The smirk on his face makes me think he may know a bit more than he's letting on. "Bella, do the opening dance with me."

"Are you insane? Renata will have a heart attack!"

"So what?" he shrugs, a wicked smile playing on his face. "Look, just trust me, okay? Or don't," he adds at the dubious expression I must be sporting.

I'm torn because I would love to perform that dance in public, even just once, even if it is just at the pre-opening gala. But I wasn't kidding; Renata may actually have a coronary.

I look at Edward, and I'm more than a bit surprised at the mischievous grin on his face.

"Do it."

"Are you serious?" I snort.

He nods, and repeats, "Do it."

My eyes jump between his, but there's nothing wavers behind them.

"I'll be right back," I smile, and then kiss him quickly.

Alec takes my hand and leads me to the middle of the ballroom. He claps his hands loudly to get everyone's attention.

"Alright!" he yells. "How 'bout a taste of what these understudies can do? Someone get the music!"

Everyone cheers loudly. Alec holds me in position, and when the music starts, we spin and sway across that dance floor until the music is in my blood, and every beat flows through my veins.

When the song ends and we stop, there's silence for about five seconds before the roar of applause fills my ears.

Alec looks at me, his chest heaving. "And that is how you get Renata to shut the fuck up."

As I rush back to Edward, he's clapping wildly, whistling loudly through his teeth. When I reach him, he lifts me up and against him.

"God, Bella."

That's all he says, but it says it all. He presses his mouth to mine and molds our lips together, and I melt into him. We kiss and laugh on the edge of that dance floor, and when he pulls back, he gazes at me through eyes full of pride and wonder. When Ben and Angie try to hug and congratulate me, it's awkward because I'm still in Edward's arms, and neither of us have any desire to let go.

And now I've got this rush of adrenaline pumping through my system, and I want nothing more than to get home right now and have Edward inside me. But I'm being congratulated by most of the members of the production. I don't see Renata, but at this point, I couldn't care less.

Finally, Edward and I are left alone, and he wraps me up in his arms again. There's a slow song playing in the background now, and we sway back and forth, eyes locked on one another, my chest still heaving from this burst of energy.

I slide my arms around his neck tightly. "Edward…"

He grins because he knows me now. He knows me too well.

"Let me take you home, Bella," he says, his voice thick with the same longing I'm feeling.

I nod vehemently, and then we both grin.

"Let me just go to the bathroom quickly," I tell him.

"Alright. I'll find Ben and Angie and let 'em know we're leaving."

I make my way out of the ballroom because there's no bathroom in here. It's all the way down the empty hall, and as I rush down the marble floors, I remove my heels so that I can move quicker, anxious to get back to Edward and to our-

"Bella."

It's as if I've hit a wall. The shock from hearing that voice stills my feet though my mind instructs them to keep moving. It's that same sense of bewilderment that makes me turn around.

"What are you…?" I start but I don't finish the question because he's an agent, and he's got clients that need exposure. Of course it makes sense he'd be here. I mentally chastise myself for not realizing it sooner. Perhaps I thought he'd see himself as too high-class for this production.

Perhaps I subconsciously hoped he would.

"Clients," he answers my unfinished question. "And also…to see you."

I swallow hard, wanting to make my feet move, but they suddenly feel like they weigh a ton each.

"You and I have nothing to speak of, Felix. Our partnership was dissolved a long time ago, and I've moved on."

"Yes, I see you've moved on, and very well it seems."

He smiles, yet unlike Eli, there's nothing sarcastic in either his smile or his words. In fact, anyone watching or listening to him would think he was being perfectly honest – and that's what makes him such a great agent.

"I have to go," I say and turn around.

"I saw your dance."

I close my eyes and exhale heavily.

"You were…great, Bella - better than ever. I'm not sure what you've been doing, but your talent has increased by leaps and bounds in the time we've been apart."

"That should tell you something," I say tightly.

He's quiet.

"I suppose I deserve that. I didn't give your talent the respect it deserved when you were in my…group."

I whip around angrily. "And you've been blackening my name all over the place since, telling people not to hire me!"

"I was angry," he says calmly. He slips his hands inside the pockets of his well-tailored suit pants. He's always well-tailored. "It was wrong, and I'm sorry."

"You're sorry," I sneer. "It's a little too late for that. The rumors are already out there!" I whisper shakily.

"And you'll rise above them because you've got real talent, as you just proved in that ballroom and as you'll continue to prove."

I stare at him, his entire presence a reminder of a time in my life I don't even want to think of. A reminder that makes my skin crawl.

"Goodbye, Felix." I turn around once more.

"There will be an opening for the Rockettes later this year. It won't be announced so your agent will never be able to get you a try-out. I've already secured it for Carmen, but…it's yours, Bella, if you want it."

I'm not sure how long I stand there. I'm not even sure what's going through my mind.

"I'll pay your agent to get you out of your contract. We can go back to the way things used to be – minus the…parts you no longer want. That's fine. I realize you have a boyfriend who isn't…thrilled about the things we used to do together. I've been told that he's a very…jealous man to say the least. You can guarantee him that this will be a purely business relationship. I will manage you while your career advances at the level your talent deserves rather than squander your talent at these meaningless, small-town productions. Everyone will be happy. I think it's a win-win situation for all."

My heart races in my chest.

The Rockettes.

My dream.

Ever since the first time Sue took me to Radio City Music Hall, I've seen myself up on that stage, that major stage where history has been made in the middle of the greatest city on earth. It's my destiny. It's where I've always wanted to be, to have thousands of little girls watch me kick my legs up in perfect sync with my fellow dancers.

I see them now.

I see more young dancers like Asha watching me, admiring me, looking up to me. Wanting to be me.

And then…

Then I see Mel, gazing up at me on that stage. I see the pride on her beautiful, innocent face.

And I turn around.

"A win-win situation," I echo quietly.

"Yes," Felix grins.

I nod my head up and down slowly; thoughtfully.

"Edward is my fiancée, not my boyfriend. We're going to get married, and…we're raising a young girl together. A young girl who loves dance; who expresses herself through it. A young girl who's just learning what it means to dance until it cleanses your soul, and…I can't exactly help her with that if I sell my soul."

"Sell your soul?" he snorts. "You're being a bit melodramatic, Isabella. Don't you think? Are you taking up acting now too?" He raises a brow, shooting me a bemused smile. "Come on, are you really going to burden yourself with an agent whose major career accomplishment so far has been landing you this part? I manage major stars, Bella. You know that. People dancing West Side Story and Rent on Broadway, not meaningless productions in Brooklyn. As for your fiancée, are you going to allow his closed-mindedness to limit your career opportunities because he can't handle the fact that sometimes creative, talented people like us have different wants and needs than the everyday person, and we like to share those needs with each other?"

"I told you once that I wasn't comfortable with it," I say shakily.

"But you went along with it, Bella, and things went great for you career-wise, and I heard no more complaints until that last day you walked into my office."

"Because I…I didn't know…" I close my eyes and draw in a deep breath. "Felix, you can take your Rockette offer and stick it up your dirty ass. As for my agent, he's a better manager, a better encourager, and a more honest human being than you'll ever be. And Edward, my fiancée, he doesn't limit me in any way. That dancing you just saw, showing how my talent has increased by leaps and bounds, as you said, it's cuz of him and because of what he makes me feel, because of how he makes me soar. How's that for melodramatic?" I smile. "I meant it when I walked out of your office that day. No more. Never again. Now you'd better get the hell out of here before Edward comes looking for you because if he sees you, I make no guarantee for your safety."

Just then, I hear footsteps behind Felix, more than one set. Quietly, Edward and Ben emerge from the shadows.

Ben stops a few feet away, but Edward walks straight up to Felix.

He sighs heavily, and I know what I hear in that sigh. The old Edward would be swinging right about now, but this Edward…

"You must be the fiancée," Felix says, stretching out a hand to shake Edward's.

Edward looks down at Felix's hand and then back at him, and digs his hands inside his pockets. To most people, it may seem like a casual move, but I saw the tight fists his hands were in and how his knuckles jutted out, white with strain.

"You and I are overdue for some words."

"Are we?" Felix questions.

"I'm not going to put you through that wall right there" – Edward jerks his squared jaw towards the wall to Felix's left to let him know exactly to which one he's referring – "for what you did to Bella in the past. I won't even choke the shit out of you for messing with her career."

"You say you're not going to do these things, but those sound a hell of a lot like threats to me," Felix sneers.

"They are," Edward responds through clenched teeth. "But here's why I'm not going to do either of those: because I have enough belief in Bella's talent to know she'll get where she's meant to be, regardless of the shit you try to pull. And what's more, I trust her current agent to do his damnedest to help her get there."

Edward takes a step closer to Felix, glaring down at him menacingly, and though Felix attempts to appear unaffected, I can see the beads of sweat breaking out along his forehead as well as the way his Adam's apple bobs up and down.

"So if Bella ever tries out for a part that she happens not to get, we'll deal with it…unless something about it appears…shady. That, my man," – Edward claps Felix's shoulder hard, making Felix stagger back – "is when I'm coming after you."

"You know I can have you arrested for these threats," Felix scowls, straightening himself up again.

"You try that," Ben warns Felix, taking a few steps forward now so that he's standing next to Edward, "and I'll contact every single one of your clients and let 'em know what I heard here tonight: you offering Bella a part that you've apparently already offered another one of your clients. What kind of agent does that? And then you talk smack not only about productions that you're trying to get your own clients into, but I wonder how many of your clients are being manipulated into creative and talented relationships they have no interest in being a part of?" he asks disgustedly. "I think it's time someone let them know that your definition of creative and talented is garbage!"

"You think they'll listen to you?" Felix laughs. "You run your business from a fucking basement!"

"They may or may not listen, but it'll make 'em think; it'll plant seeds of doubt." He leans forward, close to Felix's face. "And as any student of the dark side should know, a seed of doubt is all you need."

"What the fuck are you talking about? You're a fucking nobody!" Felix spits at Ben.

"Maybe," Ben shrugs, "but I'm a nobody who knows how to get things done, who's got the force on his side, and with the talent I'm assembling, with Bella's innate force and my knowledge of the Jedi Code, we can accomplish anything!"

Felix frowns in obvious confusion because it's clear that he's not enlightened enough to get it.

"Losers," he snarls. "Bella, don't call me when you can't even land a gig in a children's musical."

"Don't worry, I won't," I smile.

And with a furious glare directed at the three of us, Felix stalks away.

A/N: Thoughts?

A couple of chapters left. Still got a couple of surprises in there. And then an epi or two. Not sure yet.

Have a great weekend.

Twitter: PattyRosa817

Link to 'Stories by PattyRose' is on my profile page.