Match Chapter 2
Chapter Two
"I'm sorry," Alice huffed for the third time; each time was getting less and less meaningful.
"It's fine. But I need a ride to get my car."
"Of course."
Bella nodded, before pulling on her shoes. She opted for sneakers since she spent most of the night at the club in her heels. Better than on her knees like she suspected Alice had been, she snickered to herself.
"Tell me you met a match at least?"
"I didn't meet a match. I wasn't dressed up, remember? I came straight from work after you called me to come get you."
"Well, I'm sorry about that for the hundredth time, but there was a guy messing with me- then I found this other guy and he was like, 'Match' all seductive like. I had no idea what came over me- one minute I am running from some guy who looked like leather face and then right into the Greek God Dionysus himself. He's the party one."
"I know who he is,"
"I was a nymph." She supplied proudly, "So we did technically match."
"Lovely."
"Shame you didn't match to anyone. It's been so long since-"
"Don't."
"I'm just saying that you aren't doing him any favors by not moving on- he clearly has moved on a few times since you two-"
"I said don't. I don't want to hash it out with you this morning. I just want to get my car and forget this all ever happened."
"You're not the one at fault, Bella." Alice said solemnly. "I'm your best friend so I have to say the sucky things that don't need or want to be said- but it's festering inside you like a gaping wound. You lash out at everyone- you're so angry and won't let anyone in. Let the guy go like the stray bullet you dodged, not linger and wait for the kill shot."
"Are you done?" Bella bristled, pulling her dark hair back into a ponytail. She moved through the colorful apartment gathering her spare set of keys and two bottles of sweet tea she made earlier in the day, trying to avoid Alice's glare.
"Almost." Alice spat. "Tell me you at least let a guy talk you up last night?" Alice moved around their apartment slowly, still clearly hung over. Her hair fell in long wet strands down her back wetting her shirt. She pulled her shoes out of the basket by the front door and pushed each foot in.
"I did let a guy talk me up, happy?"
"Was he hot?" Alice grinned.
"He was so hot I thought he was a devil."
"Oh, how lovely would that be?" Alice sighed. "I so want to be a little devil next time. Maybe find a match with someone a little naughty… or nice."
"Next time?"
"They do this on the regular, Bella. The next one in in a couple weeks and you are going with me this time- no getting out of it."
"What about Greek God of wine and partying."
"What about him?"
"You matched."
"Oh, we so did. Several times last night, in fact." Alice grinned. "He called me his nympho nymph- which was fun for like a minute but after a while I felt like I had been riding a horse on the Oregon Trail. I'm surprised I'm not bowlegged."
"More information than needed."
Alice shrugged with a smirk. "I burned like a thousand calories, though, riding him and get ridden all night."
"Good for you. Let's go." Bella moved out of the apartment followed by Alice and locked the door quickly. She was anxious to get the car and get home without being noticed by Edward.
"So how was the guy dressed? Maybe I saw him."
Bella bit her lip, not wanting to tell her friend. She was partially afraid of what she may say and partially wanting to keep him to herself, like a secret.
"Well?"
"It was dark, but he was dressed as a greaser."
"Which kind?" Alice pulled out a lollypop from her purse offering one to Bella, who refused. She popped a blue one in her mouth as she put the car in drive and made their way back to the club.
"How many kinds are there?"
"Well, there are the Thunderbirds, the Jets, the Sharks, and so on… All have the logos on the jackets."
"I didn't notice the logo on the back. He never had his back to me."
"Oh, interesting!"
"So what is their deal in a club like that? The greasers, I mean."
"So, there are tiers,"
"This I have heard." Bella nodded, pulling her hair away from her face.
"Well, first there are the bugs, then there are the angels and demons and whatever else quirky/kinky people dress themselves. Then there are the gods and goddesses. They are also off limits and the painted ones are usually the staff, but they are the ones that are more interested in having relationships. But the bikers and such- there is an unspoken rule that they are off limits- way, way off limits. They do the picking. Some girls dress up as Pink ladies and in poodle skirts and such trying to lure them in and match with them- sometimes it works, but most often, they just stand around and watch."
"Like voyeurs?"
"Why is everything so porn scene with you?"
"I can't help it. I read too much fiction. I feel like it's like there's some suspended fog over everyone's head- just waiting to consume us all."
They laughed lightly as Alice pulled into the clubs parking lot. It was empty except for the glossy red convertible.
"You sure you left your car here?"
"Yes!" Bella hissed. "He probably had it towed."
"How could he do that?"
"He co-owns the club."
"Oh, nice! So is red convertible guy your match? Because that would explain why his car is the only one here."
"Yes." Bella bit out, seething with anger.
"Well, he obviously wanted to make sure that you came to him! How fun!"
"This isn't some movie playing. This is some asshole messing with me and now my car."
"Hey, now, he didn't do anything he isn't allowed to do. Having a vehicle remaining on the lot could warrant a tow." Alice shrugged.
"You're defending him agian," She growled in frustration.
"I think I like how he makes you all sparkling and spitting fire! There's an obvious spark in this little meet-cute scene you all have going. I may go get me some kettle corn and see how this all plays out."
"You're a horrible friend."
"I am not. I'm team red sports car. All this is- is foreplay in the grand chess game you two have found yourselves in! Go get your car and your man."
"You're not coming in?"
"I would love to… Oh, to be a fly on the wall while those sparks fly," she sighed. "But I know you need to do this on your own. He's waiting for you."
"No he isn't."
"No, really. Look." Alice waved at the man who just walked out of the front door of the club and stood there like delicious statue, all rippled in his form fitting office shirt and dark jeans.
"Oh. Hell." Bella gasped.
"I know it." Alice grinned. "You hit the jackpot with that one. If he wants to fuck you, bit the bullet him. Now get out."
Like a newborn fawn with wobbly legs Bella got out of Alice's car under the watchful stare of Edward at the door of his club.
"Fancy seeing you here," he grinned, opening the door to his club, which she followed silently.
She didn't know whether to be biting mad or grab him and take him right there on the floor- which was not her at all- but Alice's words from earlier were circling in her head like a vulture waiting to pick her apart.
The truth was that she was angry at Jake for leaving her right before their wedding day. She had to cancel the day, the flowers, the venue, caterers- all of it. But the worst was the looks of the guests on both sides who happened to sympathy stare at her every chance they got. Every plan she had of their future was ripped apart and tossed away with a swift change of his mind and there was nothing she could do about it.
But Alice's words, though she had heard them many times before stung more with Edward in the back of her mind. She remembered how he made her feel with just a slight touch here and there. He barely touched her, yet she felt that was all he did all night and she was longing for more.
"Can I get you a drink?" His eyes locked on hers which felt much the same as it did last night, but more intense in the morning light.
She could imagine what those eyes would look like while intimate.
"I brought my own tea, thank you." She whispered, not really wanting to talk too loud with the lump in her throat.
He gave a knowing grin and pulled a water bottle from the cooler behind the bar.
"Where's my car?"
His grin widened. "It's around."
"Like around the building?"
"It's safe and sound, I promise. I had a locksmith get your keys out and had it moved to the house."
"What house."
"My house," He laughed gesturing around, as if it was obvious. "It's not safe at a nightclub overnight. You may have come here with no tires or had it stolen seeing that the keys were in it."
"Thank you," She said more confidently. It did seem like a kind thing to do, come to think of it. Intrusive and unnecessary but his intentions seemed pure. Except that she was again stranded with him until he showed her where the car was. Instead they were moving from the club and through another door.
"I figured we'd do breakfast and then I can drop you off at your car."
"That would be really nice, thank you."
He nodded almost shyly. "Breakfast is right this way."
"Really?"
"We have a full kitchen or did you forget?"
"I didn't realize. Last night was my first time here."
He nodded and led her to the same stairs she climbed the night before. She followed him again, noticing the stairs were thick, dark wood which looked pretty old and didn't seem to fit with the whole nightclub vibe.
"This building dates back over a hundred years," Edward said, as if reading her mind. "It's quite larger than it looks with lots of passageways that are off limits to the others. The lower is the club, with the loft upstairs but that is also off limits to most people."
"I heard there is a lot 'off limits' on themed nights, especially people."
"Usually," Edward scoffed. "It makes them easier to control behavior wise but there are obvious exceptions to the rule."
"Hmm."
"The lower back half of the building is the kitchen and restaurant. We've been renovating it for about six months and have plans to open in August."
"Sounds wonderful."
"We hope so," Edward ran his hands through his hair. He wasn't used to giving tours like this to anyone; especially not doe eyed brunettes that give chase.
"Who is we?"
"Jasper and I are partners in the club. You haven't met him, I don't think. I will mostly run the restaurant while he takes on the club."
They moved from the upstairs loft area they were in the night before that overlooks the floor of the club and circled towards a small table with a white table cloth. Two plates sat with a dome covering the meal underneath.
"You had this all planned out." She grinned, but quirked her brow in question.
"I figured you'd be back first thing in the morning and would try to sneak away without notice."
"So you hid my car and waited for me to show up."
"Yes," He laughed. "Sounds horrible the way you say it." He pulled out her chair and she sat down easily with him following close behind. He pulled up the domed covers and she was pleasantly surprised to see some fruit and a croissant on the plate with a bit of whipped yogurt to dip the fruit in.
"Did you make this?"
"I made the plates up, yes."
"So you're not a chef."
"Plating food does not make me a chef," He laughed. "I can cook, yes. If that's what you're wondering. I also can garden, though it's been a long time since I've had one."
"So what do you do other than own the place? What do you do for fun?" Bella dipped a strawberry in the yogurt and took a bite of the juicy fruit.
Edward watched avidly before catching himself. "I am a bit of a work-a-holic fixing up this place, so I have not been much fun these days."
"I'd be guilty of that myself."
"Well, I know how amazing you look in that pinstripe pencil skirt. What do you do for work?"
Bella flushed. He really knew how to lay on the charm with his words but it was the way his eyes roamed over her like he hadn't seen a woman in months that really got to her.
Just like he was looking at her in that moment.
Clearing her throat, she put down the fruit she was holding and looked right at him. "I have a corporate job, nothing horrible to write home about. I take the proposed contracts and analyze them to see whether or not they would be a good fit for the company. I do like it, most of the time."
"Liking your job is key to a happy life."
"I wouldn't call my life happy, but I do agree the financial stability makes it easier."
"What would make your life happier, then?"
"I don't know," She was instantly flushed and uncomfortable.
Edward picked up on it instantly, wanting nothing more than to change it for her. But he knew he couldn't. He got up from his chair and picked up both of their plates and put them into a bin that was hiding off to the side. He moved around the room to a small area she didn't notice before and grabbed two more plates.
Putting the plate before her, Edward lifted to dome lid and a rush of aromas filled her. It was some kind of intricate egg dish with a gooey sauce and a couple slices of bacon.
"Mmm," Bella moaned, taking in the savory aroma.
"I did make this," He smirked, loving her reaction. "I used to make this for my Grandmother when I lived in the South. It's like Eggs Benedict, but with my own little changes."
"It smells divine, Edward." She smiled, itching to taste it.
"Thanks. I hope you enjoy the dish."
Edward watched as Bella cut into the eggs and dipped it into the sauce. It was sweeter than expected, but savory with the buttery way it warmed her mouth. She couldn't help the moan escape her as she covered her mouth with her napkin.
"That was amazing," He grunted with a smile. "Totally worth it."
"What?"
"You're reaction. It's everything."
"Including embarrassing," Bella whispered, taking a long pull of the water she had in the glass.
"Nothing embarrassing about it; more people should savor the things put in their mouth."
Bella spit out a bit of the water she had in her mouth before she covered her mouth again. "Sorry?"
"I'd like to say I'm sorry," He added, "But I love to see you react and I can't seem to help myself. I think I could tell what you're thinking about. And I would add that I'm thinking about it, too."
"What's that?" She asked because she couldn't help herself.
"Sex." Edward shrugged, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed across his chest, eyebrow raised as if daring to refute him.
"Well, if that's where your interests lie then I'm wasting your time." She placed her napkin on the table, feeling horrified yet her skin was pricking with what her mind was thinking and mouth was saying. "I'm not really a fling kind of girl."
"You're the marrying type?" He asked quietly.
She bristled. "Obviously I'm not that either, but I'm not the type who just comes for a man at the first lick of attention."
Edward was curious on what she meant by her comment but he didn't show it or push, instead he jumped for his safety net which was to get her flustered.
It was so easy.
"So you come at the second or third lick?" He grinned.
"I-" She shook her head and clamped her mouth shut.
"Or does it usually take more friction to make you come undone?"
Bella rose from her chair and stood almost defiantly. "Thank you for the lovely breakfast, Edward, but I think it's time for me to go."
Edward rose from his seat as she rose from hers. "I enjoyed it myself. Thank you for indulging me."
"My car?"
"It's in the garage."
She jutted her jaw in frustration before he pointed down to show he meant downstairs. Her thin lip turned into a slight smile.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." Edward grinned, knowing full well what it did to her and she didn't disappoint.
He led her down the stairs and into the garage which looked like another part of the wall until it rolled open. There were several cars in there, including hers, but she didn't stop long enough to ask about them, even if she wanted.
She was skittish, he could tell, and obviously someone hurt her pretty well to make her scurry away faster than a mouse freed from its trap.
He waved as he watched Bella leave, thinking that if he ever found the rat that hurt her- he'd crush him.