Chapter 4

When I arrived at Bella's house later that evening, I was met with an open door, the sounds of laughter and music pouring out. I pushed through a few bodies that were standing in the way, my gaze searching the room for her.

While I looked around, I took in the state of everyone surrounding me. A lot of them looked like they could really use a bath. Once again—or I suppose still—reeked of pot, except now it was mixed with the stench of cheap beer. If I'd been anyone else, I may have felt intimidated, or at the very least overdressed.

This wasn't my scene and it had never really been. I'd partied a bit in college, away from the confines of my parents and their overbearing rules. From the moment I was born, I was sculpted to be the best at everything; the best grades, the best college, attract the best girl. I didn't have the luxury of slacking off or to go traipsing around different countries to 'find myself.'Not like some people I knew.

My father was a good friend of Carlisle's, which helped me land my position straight out of school. I'd started at the bottom like anybody else, but for the last few years I'd been working my way to the top. I'd finally proved myself worthy, and now I was being groomed to take the lead one day soon. I'd have a good, steady, nine-to-five job. I'd be done traveling except for rare circumstances like these.

—

I wandered a little further into the house, finally spotting Bella in the kitchen. She sat on the countertop, her arms wrapped around the neck of the guy who'd left this morning. It all seemed very intimate, as if they were the only ones in the room despite the throngs of people surrounding them. The blood in my veins heated while I watched him take a long drag from a joint, holding the smoke in his lungs. He leaned down, pressing his lips to hers. A moment later they broke apart, exhaling the smoke.

Her bloodshot eyes roamed the room lazily, a small frown forming on her face as she noticed me. Still, she beckoned me over with a wiggle of her finger. "What are you doing here?"

"You invited me. I told you I'd be back."

She trapped her lip between her teeth for a moment, contemplating something. "That was more for James than you." She pressed a kiss to the guy's cheek before pushing lightly on his chest so he'd back up. "I'll be right back, Jake."

She hopped down from the counter, grabbing my hand and pulling me outside through the back door. "You don't belong here, Edward."

"Excuse me?"

She let out a heavy sigh, pushing her bangs out of her eyes. "What I mean is, this really isn't your scene. Look, I won't turn you away; I won't turn anyone away who wants to be here. But you don't seem like the party type—this type of party, at least. You're not gonna find any caviar or small talk in there, not the type you're used to. This isn't some high society party." She gestured back toward the house.

"I'm not here to party with everyone else. I'm here to party with you."I took a step closer to her.

She scoffed as she rolled her eyes. "And your fiancée? What about her? I have sex with who I want to if it feels right, but never with a taken man. Not on purpose, at least."

I wasn't about to beg someone to have sex with me. I didn't need to; women were usually more than willing to spread their legs for me. However, there was something about her that called to me and irritated me at the same time. "You don't need to worry about her. It's not what you think. There's no love between us."

"So you speak for her now? You know everything she feels? I'm not sleeping with you, Edward."

"I'm not leaving, Bella."

"I never said you had to leave. Just that I wasn't sleeping with you. Like I said, if you want to be here, you can stay." As she turned to head back inside I reached out, grabbing her by the wrist.

"Admit that you're attracted to me. You flirted with me all afternoon."

She stared straight into my eyes, seeming to be searching for something. "You're an extremely handsome man, so of course I'm attracted to you. Physically, that is. Your personality..." She wretched her arm from my grasp. "Well, that leaves a little to be desired."

"Is there a problem out here?" The guy from earlier stood in the doorway.

"Everything's cool, Jake. I'll be inside in a second."

He nodded and went back inside, but I could see him keeping an eye on the door from a distance. "Is he your boyfriend?"

"No."

I raised an eyebrow. "You seemed pretty cozy earlier."

"Jake's a good friend. I don't think I owe you more of an explanation than that. I hardly know you. I'm heading back in. You can either come inside, or I'm sure you can find your way home."

I watched as she retreated into the house, feeling as though I had been given a challenge. Like I said earlier, I didn't need to chase anyone down to have sex with me, but I wasn't used to being turned down, either. Especially not by someone who seemed as free and easy as Bella.

I had four weeks left in New York. I was more determined than before to win her over and have her climb into bed with me before I had to return home. So instead of following her back inside, I headed toward the gate, letting myself out. I had plans to make.

I'd consider this my one last hurrah before being tied down in a loveless marriage.

—

So, I've been reading a few older stories recently, and I noticed something that they did and I thought I would give it a try! That being said, any of you lovelies that review will get an extra, different teaser for the next chapter than the one that will appear in my group! If you want both teasers, review and head on over to my Facebook group Stories by MissLiss15!

Also, if you haven't given it a read yet, you need to check out The Ember Sword by MeteorOnAMoonlessNight