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BAG BOY

CHAPTER 5

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It was that last question he'd asked—Will you touch me?—that did me in. Never had I given any of my previous cubs permission or even the opportunity to get off so soon after our initial encounter.

Four days I waited it out before allowing myself a visit to Nature's Bounty. Me? I had a drawer full of battery-operated boyfriends that had sustained me through much longer dry spells than that. Problem was, between the vigorous vibrator sessions, my mind tended to wander. And where it came to rest, without exception, was on a certain young man who wasn't supposed to occupy my mind when we weren't together. Edward hadn't gotten the memo, apparently, the one that explained his role in my life: providing a pleasant landing place for my eyes and a hard landing place for my body.

He was the slab of beef to be trimmed and divided into manageable portions, carefully seasoned to taste, and set aside to marinate until the grill reached the ideal temperature, at which time he would be thrown into the fire, prepared to order, and devoured. Didn't he know I was supposed to be the chef? How dare he leave me to stew in my own juices?

Pilates and yoga weren't cutting it. Even my chatterbox friend, Alice, and our three-martini dinner at Le Papillon couldn't keep my mind off my young stud. The more I pickled my brain with vodka, the more it closed in around the solitary train of thought: Edward Cullen. More specifically, the three cars of that train: need Edward, want Edward, must have Edward.

I'd given Edward too much, too soon, and now I was going to have to put the genie back in the bottle.

Bagboybagboybagboybagboybagboybagboybagboybagboy

Balanced on the top step of the ladder with my arms stretched high over my head, I was one flick of the wrist from successfully installing a fluorescent bulb over the oatmeal containers when Bella's voice nearly knocked me flat on my back.

"How many baggers does it take to screw in a light bulb?"

The bulb slipped out of the groove just as the end was about to click into place.

"Apparently, more than one," I answered grimly.

"Dim bulb duty," as Tanya called it, was a shit job. My shoulders felt like I'd swum a hundred laps of butterfly through a molasses-filled pool. Whatever nasty bugs happened to have died inside the glass covers had fallen onto my head each time I'd pulled one down; my hair was a tangle of dust and filth and insect carcasses. Fortunately, my manager had supplied me with a pair of safety goggles, so at least my eyeballs were unscathed.

I should've been pissed with Bella; I had nearly finished with this damn bulb before she messed me up, and now I'd have to start the grueling process all over again. But how could I be anything but deliriously happy? Bella was here, galloping in on her white horse—okay, strolling along, pushing her metal shopping cart—to save me from the drudgery of my day or at least lift my spirits for a minute—maybe longer if I played my cards right.

Her tight little exercise top was just the article of clothing to do the trick, too, and her hair, pulled off her neck in a ponytail, gave me ideas. I wanted to taste the skin behind her ear, lick my way down the length of her neck, and dive into her cleavage. From the smirk on her face while she watched my eyeballs skate down her body, I guessed she had a pretty good idea what I was thinking.

"You're fogging up your goggles, Slick."

"Oh, crap." Not my most macho look. I whipped the damn things off my head and set them down on the top step. Carefully wielding the bulb, I climbed down a couple of rungs and leaned against the ladder. The view was nice from up here. She had to crane her neck up a bit to look at me. I wasn't chopping down trees or anything, but technically, I was performing manual labor. She had to be a little impressed.

"Are you bagging today?" she asked. Hmm, someone was awfully curious.

"I guess after I finish this, they'll put me out front—unless we're suddenly invaded by Stormtroopers, that is." I swished the long tube like a light saber and added geeky sound effects that I instantly regretted.

Her ponytail bounced when she giggled. "You're such a guy."

"Is that a bad thing?"

I'm very pleased by what I see. I'd only repeated that line in my head a few times every hour since Tuesday, at least while I was at work. I'd gotten a bit more mileage out of the memory at home, especially in the shower.

"Nope, not a bad thing. Hey, wanna toss me a box of Special K Vanilla Almond while you're there?"

"Sure." I reached around the ladder, pulled the box she wanted off the shelf, and chucked it down to her. "Here ya go!"

Her boobs bounced when she stretched for the box. "You weren't really supposed to toss it. That was just an expression!"

"Oops." Not sorry.

"Well, I better let you get back to work."

I knew I wouldn't see her again today if I stayed stuck here, with my head in this godforsaken ceiling, so after watching her swishing backside disappear around the endcap, I climbed back up and screwed that motherfucking bulb into the socket like a prize stud earning his paycheck. I put on the hustle for the remaining three, returned the supplies to the stockroom, tucked in my shirt, and shook the bugs out of my hair before hauling ass up front.

The only bagger spot was at Tanya's register, and she turned to give me a smug smirk as I skidded into place at the end of her belt. "Wow, did you forget they pay us by the hour?"

My snappy comeback was on the tip of my tongue, but Bella took care of it first. "I've heard some people actually take pride in their work."

I could plainly see the "her again" realization dawn as Tanya turned toward Bella. Tanya's whole face seemed to shrivel in on itself like a jack-o'-lantern left out on the stoop too long.

Bella offered her a sweet, innocent smile, but we all knew better. I bit the inside of my cheeks.

The groceries rolled down the belt into my capable hands. Red grapes, peaches, more blueberries, triple-washed spinach, whole grain crackers, nonfat Greek yogurt. No great mystery where that killer body came from. Bella swiped her credit card while I artfully arranged her rabbit food into the bag.

Tanya rolled her eyes as I swept the single bag into my arms. Bella certainly didn't need my help, but I wasn't passing up the opportunity to service my customer, and Tanya could suck it.

"Shall we?" I flashed a customer-service-plus-plus smile back at my secret sort-of lover. She smiled back.

"I believe you know the way."

"Yes, ma'am." Not only did I know where her car was, each of my many trips to the parking lot since her very first visit had included a hopeful glance toward her spot.

The late afternoon sun beat down on my back, but it was a welcome change from the heat of the fifty bulbs I'd changed today. The view was much improved as well with the kadonkadonk of Bella's ass leading the way, hugged tight by her black leggings. It didn't require all that much imagination on my part to peel back those pants and picture the flesh underneath.

Damn, what I wouldn't give to feel those lush melons in the palm of my hands. When would she let me see her naked? Put my hands on her?

"So, you're good at fixing things?"

"Hmm?" I'd slowed a bit and fallen behind. She threw a smile over her shoulder and waited for me to hustle to her side. "Oh. Yeah, I guess." I couldn't install a toilet or anything, but I knew how to handle a screwdriver.

She skimmed a fingertip along her cheek, tucking the edge of her hair around the soft, pink shell of her ear. The corner of her lower lip disappeared behind her teeth. Was that shyness, or was I just blinded by the late afternoon sun twinkling off her blingy hoop earring?

"If you're game, my house could use a little TLC."

Oh, I am game for anything you're playing, Bella. I hoped she'd undress me again, pictured myself hammering and drilling things into her walls, buck naked except for a tool belt. Or maybe she liked the one-shoulder overalls look with nothing underneath. This chick was kink-city. Who the hell knew what thoughts were running through her head?

"Sure," I answered. "Happy to help."

As she smiled, the lip slid out from between her teeth. "That'd be great. I'm all thumbs when it comes to tools." In my head, her thumbs glided up and down my tool.

"I clock out at four today. Want me to come over after work?"

We had arrived at her car. Bella kept me waiting for her answer while she opened the driver's side door, took the bag from my arms, and bent to settle the groceries on the passenger seat.

I shuffled forward just enough to trap her inside the door frame—hopefully without being too obvious about it. Her tits brushed against my chest when she stood and spun around. Her face registered surprise, but thankfully, not disgust. One more step forward and I would've had her flat on her back on that leather seat where she'd shamelessly fingered herself during our weird X-rated picnic.

Some kind of wizard at reading my mind, Bella cocked her eyebrows and gave my chest a gentle shove. I noticed she didn't remove her hand from my shirt. My dick chubbed up against my thigh.

"Today's not going to work," she said. "I'll check my book and get back to you."

"Sounds good," I said, willing but not over-eager, I hoped.

I must not've screwed up too badly because she smiled and fiddled with my tie. Her fingernails scritch-scratched along my chest. I liked it when she touched me, and I wanted her to do it more often, for more than just a few seconds and with far less clothing between us. I stood taller and tightened my pecs, grateful for every fucking lap I'd ever swum in the mildew-stained high school pool.

"I'd be very grateful for the help," she said.

I cleared my throat and prepared to be gallant. "Don't worry about it. I like working with my hands."

Bella huffed, sliding her hands down my sleeves and fingering the cuffs. She flipped my hands over and drew little thumb circles in my palms. Catching my eye, she gave me a wink. "I remember."

I remembered too—standing in her living room jerking off into my underwear while she stood right in front of me and watched. My face heated with a not-unpleasant flush. I wouldn't mind a repeat performance though I certainly had loftier goals.

Goals. My folks would've been proud of me. On second thought, maybe not so much.

The rubber band snapped against my wrist. The sting drew my attention to her smile. There it was—the cruel glee that both thrilled and terrified me.

"I don't want you to do that again until I give you permission."

Do what? Snap the rubber band? My brain was scrambled. "Sorry?"

"How long can you go without jerking off?"

I felt the fire on my cheeks. At this rate, I would have said about five minutes. In fact, that was my exact plan for the next hour of my life: clock out, drive home, strip out of my uniform, and beat my meat. But that's not exactly what Bella was asking.

And somehow, it seemed like the most natural thing for her to be asking me about my masturbatory habits in the parking lot while I was working.

"I guess I could go a couple days." That was a stretch. The last time I'd gone more than twenty-four hours was when I had mono freshman year.

"How long could you wait if I told you I would take care of you next time?"

Gulp. I nearly came on the spot.

She had me snared in one of her impossible riddles. I had the sense if I offered a number that was too small, it might not be worthy, but too big could be a disaster. I couldn't figure out how to answer without disappointing her one way or another. Bella taking care of me, whatever that might mean, was worth the wait.

Another sharp sting on my wrist. It might as well have had "Property of Isabella Marie Swan" stamped into it. "I think you must have me confused with a patient woman," she said.

I didn't.

"Um, maybe four days?" I panicked even as the words were leaving my mouth. It was madness! Four days without relief? With all the fantasies she'd planted in my brain? And what if I could? Would four days be enough to impress her? My heart hammered against my chest while Bella weighed my answer.

She worked her finger between my skin and the rubber band, pondering, I supposed, whether she wanted to snap it at me again. After much thought, she slipped her finger out from beneath the rubber band and flipped her wrist over to check her watch.

Her mouth curled into a satisfied grin.

I stood there, stunned, as Bella withdrew into the car, curling into an elegant S to mold into the driver's seat. What the hell just happened?

"I'll be in touch," Bella said as she pulled her door closed.

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God help me, he was pretty. That angular face. The hair, even after a shower of Nature's Bounty ceiling crust, was a damn work of art. And those arms—yum. But I'd be selling us both short to blame it all on his ridiculous good looks. There was more to him than that.

As the Z4 roared through the streets of Beverly Hills, I smiled, shaking my head at the memory of Edward's total geek-out moment, waving that fluorescent-light-saber around, the Jedi knight of the cereal aisle. So tragically young and innocent. At least his polyester tie wasn't a clip-on, a very happy discovery I'd made while undressing him in my living room—the first of many happy discoveries that afternoon.

How good-natured he'd been, my little cubby, playing along with my kinky hangman quiz show. I had to admire the way he put it all right out there. Zero pretense. Even when it cost him every shred of clothing, he straight-up asked for what he wanted—and what he wanted was me. Credit to the boy, he was a sport about it even before he knew how the game would end. How could he have known? Even I hadn't anticipated that happy ending.

The first week! Scandalous!

I transferred the groceries to my refrigerator and pantry, then took my phone outside. Settling onto my favorite poolside lounge chair, I closed my eyes and plotted all the wicked ways I would make him suffer for me.

I was certain Edward would do everything I asked of him. The real payoff would be making him grateful for the opportunity.

The next four days stretched out in front of me like the most decadent vacation. I was back on track now . . . but it wasn't easy keeping this one at bay.

With a smile on my face and a delicious ache between my legs, I texted him.


Author's Note: Oh, cub, what have you done? How will she tease him? Will he manage to wait? What if he doesn't? WHAT IF HE DOES?

Hugs and kisses to chayasara and to all you sweet readers who share your thoughts with me!

XOXO
~BOH