Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
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~~Edward~~
Bella and I continued our nightly meetings in the bar. I even managed to get her to the bar for lunch again on Sunday. We talked about everything, except the copyright paperwork. She would conveniently change the subject as soon as it was mentioned. I had given up trying to figure out why. Maybe she just doesn't realize the words she wrote were fucking amazing?
On Monday night I walked into the bar to see Bella sitting with her laptop out, and no bottle on the table tonight, which seemed a bit odd.
"Hey, you got away early," she smiled at me.
"Hi, yeah, it was a good day, as far as filming goes. We got a major scene out of the way. I'm really happy with it. What about you? Get much writing done?" I was trying to be supportive without pushing too much.
"No. I was too busy with other thoughts…I can always try again tomorrow."
"I know you can work through it Bella, just keep trying."
James the bar guy placed an icy beer in front of me. I guzzled it down. God I needed that. It had been a mentally exhausting day. Rosalie had been in my ear all day, hounding me. God, I don't even want to think about her unreasonable demands. I'm here in the bar with Bella, finally. And then as I let myself relax into the seat I thought of Bella's cryptic words.
"What other thoughts?" I looked at her and couldn't help but notice she was pretty much buzzing, and I thought maybe she had already had too much wine.
She looked at her Mac with a giddy smile on her face. "I was scheming. It's still early. Do you want to go somewhere with me?"
"Scheming? Go somewhere? Somewhere not in the hotel?" What is she thinking?
"I want to take you out. I have the perfect place in mind. We just need to do it without getting caught by the paps."
Bella wants to take me out? It felt fucking amazing to hear those words, but reality kicked in immediately. "Impossible." I sounded harsh without meaning to. "They're everywhere, and so are the fans. It's just not possible." She had no idea; I just couldn't share myself around with any more people today.
"Well, I wasn't planning on taking you out of the front door Edward."
"How were you planning on getting me out then, you don't have the power of teleportation do you?" I couldn't help but sound sarcastic.
"No, I don't possess that particular super-power, nor am I friends with Scotty. To make it out of the hotel without being seen or followed I have to basically hide you in my car." She was grinning.
I was incredulous. She was still so naive when it came to the fuckery in my life. I had a better chance of being cast in a remake of Star Trek than I had getting out of this hotel unseen.
"You have a car?"
"I hired one, it's downstairs in the basement car park," she was glowing with excitement.
"And if I go, where would you take me?"
"Do you trust me?"
"Well, in theory." Of course I trust you; it's everyone else that wants a piece of me that I don't trust.
"I promise that I will return you to the hotel in one piece and hopefully without your face plastered over every trashy magazine on the planet."
Her eyes were pleading, and as I looked at her I realized she had no fucking idea how hard it was for me to resist her. She wanted to do this, she wanted to try. I suppose that she really wouldn't understand how over the top my life was, until she experienced it with me, screaming fans and all.
"Okay, I'm up for it. I trust you."
"Excellent. Let's go now. I'll just pack up my stuff and drop my bag in my room."
I watched her as she excitedly packed away her things. I drained my beer as the nerves started kicking in. This could turn out to be the biggest mistake of my life. If this went down the way I assumed it would, she'll run from me screaming. Bella Swan would not want to be my friend once she realized how utterly restrictive my public life was.
"I'm going to the restroom first." I pushed myself up from booth. I should tell her no. I want to protect her, but she isn't mine to protect. I'm supposed to be thinking about her as if she was my sister and I'd go anywhere with Alice. I just hoped that Bella was strong enough to handle the pressure she'd be under when we were seen together.
I took a deep breath. Part of me was excited about leaving this up to her to control. I would have never had the balls to ask her to leave the hotel with me, knowing what was going to happen. I returned from the restroom, resigned to the fact that I was about to leave the hotel with my friend.
We stood waiting for the elevator and she was still buzzing. It was infectious. I sensed she had been thinking about doing this for a while. Well, at least I hoped she had.
As we stepped into the lift Bella swiped her room card over the reader to allow us access to the basement car park and she also pressed level eight. I wonder if she'll invite me into her room. I want to be able to envision the room that she sleeps in every night.
"Just hold the lift for me while I throw my bag in my room," She hurried down the empty hall.
Of course there would be no invitation to her room! I held the button; the slight clicking sound from the doors wanting to close was hypnotic.
Bella returned in a flash all flustered from running and unable to conceal her excitement. I couldn't help but smirk at her. We stood facing each other. I wanted to give her an out, a chance to change her mind, but as I looked into her eyes, I knew she wouldn't. There was a quiet confidence there. I was feeding off it.
Thank God the lift didn't stop at the lobby, it went straight down. She cautiously stepped out and took a quick glance around.
Then she grabbed my hand.
We hadn't touched each other since we were at Ben's house. Ben had kicked the back of my knee and Bella had grabbed my arms to stop me from toppling into her.
That was nine days ago.
Bella was now striding forward pulling me towards a car. I could feel that same buzzing static, that warm pulsing sensation where our skin connected. Friends should not feel this turned on from holding hands.
She stopped beside a generic looking white hybrid sedan, and turned to face me, not letting go of my hand.
"Umm, you know how we were talking about trust? You'll need to lay on the backseat until we get away from the hotel, just in case the paps are waiting by the exit and decide to follow us."
Her voice sounded confident, but I could sense a little trepidation. I couldn't help but tease her, "Ahhh! This is really a kidnapping. Admit it; you're taking me away to some sex den to have your way with me?"
I hadn't deliberately said anything flirty to her since trying to think of her like a sister, but the ability to stay friendly disintegrated in a proverbial cloud of dust as soon as she had touched me. I could feel myself getting hard, and I fucking didn't care.
Bella stood closer to me than she had ever been, she was blushing and I had to laugh. It was fucking hilarious that after being friendly and platonic, her warm hand in mine was all that it took to make me want to forget all about my mantra. I would give anything to have her, and I couldn't believe that I had not touched her in over a week. What the fuck was I thinking? I couldn't go back.
I instinctively reached up to run the back of my fingers over her burning cheek.
"Sorry, I'll behave. I just love it so much when you blush like that." Did she feel it too?
Her skin was smooth, warm and soft. I could feel the heat from her blush emanating into my fingers. It felt amazing to touch her so intimately. I wanted to trail my fingers down to her jaw, to her neck. I want to…
"Stop it!" she laughed. I reluctantly removed my hand.
"Are you going along with this or not? We can always go back up to the bar." She sounded like a petulant child, and I was coming undone, because I felt harder than I had ever been and I didn't want her to look down and fucking see.
Or did I?
"No, I'm just messing with you; it's so easy to do." I opened the car door as I dropped her hand turning away from her so I could covertly adjust myself. I sat down and looked up to her.
"Lay down," she was smirking at me now, and that was not helping calm my state of arousal. I lay down and thank God she covered me up with a travel rug she had gotten off the floor. I looked across to her. She looked gorgeous, her eyes wide. I tried to read her, she was looking over my form as she spread the rug over me and it was driving me insane because all I wanted to do was grab her and pull her into the car and on top of me. I wanted to taste her lips; feel them on me.
"When we get to the exit you'll have to cover your face, okay?"
"Okay." I closed my eyes. I can't believe I'm actually doing this.
Bella started the car and we were suddenly moving. My heart was pounding. I casually readjusted my throbbing cock to a more comfortable position.
"It's not far, only about a ten minute drive. Do you want me to pull over and you can ride up front with me?" Her words were giving me the most erotic sexual images.
"Actually, if it's only ten minutes, I'll just stay back here; it's quite comfortable." There was no way I'd be able to sit up right now without revealing the bulge in my jeans.
She laughed. God she hadn't seen it, had she?
I tried not to sound nervous. "If you're taking me as a sacrifice to a bunch of rabid fans, I'll have to hunt you down and inflict unnatural torture, Bella." Fuck, why can't I stop the flirty talk?
She laughed. "You only wish that's where I'm taking you. I could pretty much ensure you wouldn't make it out alive. Your fans would devour you whole."
The way her words left her lips was so fucking arousing. I did want one of my fans. Her name is Bella Swan. I would let you devour me whole.
Fuck, I have to stop thinking about her that way or I won't be able to get out of the car.
"Are you going to tell me where we're going?" I needed to talk about something else to will myself down.
"No."
"Can I get a drink there?"
"Yes"
"Will there be other people there?"
"Yes."
"Okay, now I'm scared," my nerves were working at diminishing my aching hard-on.
"Trust me. I am 99% sure you will not be accosted, you will not be asked for an autograph and you will not be photographed." She still sounded confident, but I couldn't see her face.
"Bella, you understand how famous I am, don't you? You've seen the girls that stalk the front of the hotel every day, yes?"
"Yes. You need to trust me, please."
"Okay. I'm still very curious."
"Yes, I know you are. It will be worth it. I assure you."
Before I knew it, she parked and turned off the ignition. "We're here. Just stay under the blanket for a minute."
I closed my eyes and willed myself down. I had no fucking idea where we were and then I panicked. Fuck, if something happens, Emmett is going to kill me. I can't believe I didn't call him. I trust Bella implicitly, but if we got into a mob, there was no way I could protect her and myself. I'm such a fucking idiot!
"Let's go!" Bella got out of the car and walked to open my door. I sat up and threw the rug to the floor. Fuck, as soon as I know where I am, I'll have to call Emmett. I got out of the car and looked up and down the street. It was quiet, no people around.
We were standing on the sidewalk on a less than welcoming street. The sign above the stairs was faded and old, and the electric blue neon that hung from the awning buzzed eerily, Laurent's. Now why did that sound familiar? Then Bella's warm hand slid into mine, sending that blissful jolt of static up my arm. I squeezed her hand. I'm not fucking letting go until I absolutely have to.
"Welcome to my sex den, Edward," she said it in the most seductive and sensual voice and for a split second, I thought, hoped, it may be true. Then I saw her cheeky grin as she pulled me towards the stairs.
The stench from cigarettes and stale beer wafted to my nose, just as the comforting music reached my ears. The sights and smells reminded me of the dingy bars back in LA and as we descended the stairs, the small stage in the dark low-ceilinged venue caught my eye instantly.
On the stage was a man in his late sixties complete with grey hair and a protruding beer-belly that was barely concealed by an acoustic Gibson guitar. He was sitting on an adjustable stool playing Proud Mary, the old Credence Clearwater Revival song. The microphone stand was set up in front of him. Behind him was an old Baldwin upright piano also with a microphone.
A tall dark haired bar guy was staring at Bella in recognition and with a rather unsettling look of desire on his face. He didn't even look at me; he walked from behind the bar and came right up to Bella cradled her jaw in his huge hands and kissed her cheeks four times.
I haven't even fucking kissed her cheeks!
"Bella, beautiful Bella. Welcome back. This must be your friend." He stressed the word friend as if the word held a distinct distaste. Bella squeezed my hand.
"Laurent this is Edward." Laurent held his hand to shake mine abruptly.
"Hello. Bella tells me you are quite talented. Harry will be playing for another fifteen minutes or so." He looked back to Bella. "Now my Bella the first drinks are on me, what can I get you?"
"Thank you Laurent, I'll have a glass of house white and Edward...?"
I didn't like the way he was looking at Bella; he was ogling her. "I'll have a whiskey, straight up." My voice sounded curt, almost aggressive. He ignored it.
"Excellent. I saved you the best table, come with me."
Bella walked forward, following Laurent. I kept a firm grip on her hand and I walked behind her. I scanned the room, consciously looking for any fans that could accost me. There seemed to be only one exit apart from the stairs up to the street. How can I get Bella out if something goes down? For Christ's sake, everyone is smoking. This place is a death-trap. I knew that smoking was pretty much banned in every public place in Canada. I held Bella's hand tightly. I was freaking the fuck out.
Laurent lead us to a small circular table right in front of the stage. He removed the 'table reserved' plaque. There were at least six other tables occupied around us. Two elderly couples and four tables with two to three men on each. They were all in their late sixties to mid-seventies and they were all drinking and smoking. There was a scattering of old guys sitting on stools at the bar. I reluctantly let go of Bella's hand so I could pull out her chair. We were positioned in front of an amplifier, making if difficult to talk in conversational volume.
Laurent made sure we were seated and then returned to the bar. Bella scooted her black vinyl covered chair as close as she could to mine. Our thighs were touching. She cupped her left hand up against my sideburn, her right hand on the back of my chair as she leaned in so I could hear her. I closed my eyes; I could smell her floral perfume. Don't get aroused, don't get aroused.
"You are up next. You have thirty minutes to play whatever you want, either on the guitar or the piano. These guys are all ex-session musicians. They won't go all fan-girl on you. They just come here to relive their hey-day and listen to good music."
Of course, Laurent's. I've heard of this place. So many legends in the music industry had played here in the seventies. It was widely touted as the club that had supported new talent. Laurent would have to be in his late seventies or early eighties. The Laurent that greeted Bella must be Laurent Jr.
"Laurent says if you want them to like you, you just need to play them some old easy listening classics, jazz or soul songs. If they do like you, they will ask Laurent to extend your set time, or invite you back on a particular night. You totally don't need to do this if you don't want, but I thought you would appreciate playing live without the screaming or the fear of being mauled."
Bella moved her left hand and mouth away from me. I instantly wanted her back; I wanted her breath in my ear. I wanted that static buzz of energy she caused to flow through my entire body.
I turned towards her, my knee pushing into hers. I cupped her ear. I have to touch her. My left hand gently curled around her waist. Touching Bella was sending goose-bumps all over me even though the club was uncomfortably warm and smoky.
"When did you arrange this?" I spoke slowly, savoring the way she smelled, lightly caressing the curve of her waist. It took all my self-restraint not to nuzzle her ear. I fucking want to nuzzle. I couldn't believe she had arranged for me to play a live gig, without anyone finding out. She didn't even live in Vancouver. She didn't have any connections in the music industry. She never ceased to amaze me.
I leaned back to look at her; her eyes were closed, she was smiling. Then she must have sensed I was staring at her. Bella opened her eyes and stared into mine. She knows me, she knows the real me. We are connected. Everything Alice has said is true. I can't deny it any longer. Our faces were only inches away from one another. Her breath was sweet, fresh, flowing in and out of her like she had just climbed some stairs. Her creamy pale skin instantly started to flush. She dug her teeth into her plump bottom lip. Her eyes left my gaze to look at my lips. I licked them instinctively.
I want to kiss her.
She took a deep breath and leaned to cup my ear again.
"I found this place on Wednesday." Her voice sounded a little shaky. Am I making her uncomfortable? "Mike the Concierge suggested this venue and a couple of others. This is the only one that doesn't have your obsessive fan demographic. You know this must be the only live music venue in Vancouver that generally has no female patrons under the age of sixty-five!"
I squeezed her waist and laughed. She had arranged this in less that a week? We looked at each other. I leaned towards her. Just one kiss. Just a little brush across her full lips. Maybe I could kiss her cheek. I hesitated, trying to read her expression. Does she want me to?
Then the song ended and a scattering of clapping broke our intense connection. We both righted ourselves, my hand reluctantly left her waist, her hand left the back of my chair and we joined in the applause.
A new song, It's Over by Boz Scaggs. I watched Bella as she slowly peeled off her jacket. I smiled and did the same, hanging my jacket loosely on the back of the chair; the heat from our closeness had made me uncomfortably hot.
In that instant, Laurent arrived in front of us and presented my whiskey and Bella's glass of wine, before leaning down to tell us to call him over if we needed anything else.
I couldn't help but notice that he looked Bella up and down, his eyes lingering over her chest in an obviously blatant way. I was fucking livid. I draped my arm protectively over the back of her chair and thanked him dismissively for the drink. SHE'S MINE, FUCKER. I twirled my fingers lightly in her hair. I had the overwhelming desire to punch him in the face.
Laurent smiled at her sweetly and returned to the bar. I leaned my mouth down to her ear.
"You didn't come here by yourself did you? I mean that guy practically just undressed you. He's a fucking pervert."
"I did come here by myself, and Laurent was nothing but a perfect gentleman. You don't need to worry about me; I'm a big girl."
God, I'm being a possessive freak. I should give her some credit; she would never be interested in that guy. She's her own person, and I had no claim on her. Bella was free to be with anyone she wanted. I looked over to the stage. Her thigh and knee was still touching mine. I needed the physical connection with her like I needed to breathe. It was an intimacy best fitted for lovers, not friends. My fingers were still toying with her hair. I couldn't deal with all these emotions. I gulped down my whiskey. I need another.
"I'll be right back," I stood abruptly and strode with a distinct purpose to the bar. I need to refocus. I was going on the stage in less than ten minutes. Thoughts of Bella need to wait. I need to call Emmett.
I ordered another whiskey and a mineral water for Bella.
Emmett's phone went directly to voicemail. "Emmett, I'm not in the hotel. I'm out with Bella. I know, I know, it was a fucking idiotic thing to do, but we're safe and I think everything will be cool. I'll call you if I need help. I'm only a ten minute drive from the hotel. Don't freak out if I don't answer my phone." I paid for the drinks and returned to Bella.
"Thank you," she said as I placed the glass in front of her. I was sweating from the stuffiness of the smoky haze that surrounded us. My body was tense. I deliberately angled myself away from her so our thighs or knees were no longer touching. I knew I needed to try and get back to the friendly casual behavior that had existed up until she touched me. I had to hold on to the pretense that she was just a friend, even though it was killing me.
Then my phone started to vibrate. I didn't look. I knew it was either Emmett calling me back and about to have a coronary on the phone, or it was Alice, because I just knew she would be getting a confusion of emotions from me right now.
Harry's set finished and the applause returned as he got up, placed the guitar on its stand beside the stool and stepped down off the stage. Laurent handed him a beer and patted his back. They were talking and two other old dudes walked up to him to shake his hand.
Laurent then grinned at Bella and walked onto the stage.
"Give it up for Harry, great set man, as always." Everyone clapped again and Harry nodded and lifted his beer in a silent toast.
"Tonight, we have a new performer. I've slotted him thirty minutes, but you can all come and tell me if you want me to boot him off earlier." he glanced over to me with a wry smile, indicating that I'd better be good.
"Edward, everyone."
People clapped nonchalantly and Bella touched my arm in encouragement as I stood up. I picked up my whiskey, looked down at Bella and smiled. The warmth of her hand on my arm made me want to stand there forever. She slowly pulled her hand away and I walked to step up onto the stage. I placed my whiskey on the floor and lifted the guitar, adjusted the stool height and the microphone, "Thank you, I hope I don't disappoint."
I twisted the plectrum in my fingers. I looked at Bella. She had the biggest smile on her face and she was buzzing again, she was excited. She looked radiantly beautiful.
Sitting on a stage felt so natural to me. I strummed a few times and settled into the seat, cleared my throat and began.
~~Bella~~
I didn't recognize the music but after a few bars in, the men sitting at the bar hollered a bit of a catcall in appreciation and the smile that lit up Edward's face was something I will never forget. That one sound of acceptance completely changed his demeanor and he belted out this amazing song. His voice was steady yet sultry. The guitar seemed to be connected to him, an extension of himself, his fingers and body looking so natural and relaxed.
I sat it utter awe of him. I saw Laurent from the corner of my eye, as he watched Edward his body swayed to the rhythm of the song and he glanced around the venue with a huge smile. I quickly turned to see that the entire room was captivated.
The whole set was the same. Edward's energy level never wavered. He'd pause between each song to sip his whiskey, and he'd engage the audience by introducing the song, telling little stories about why he wanted to play it, referencing his favorite musicians. The audience agreed with him with hollers and shouts. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I could see him glowing, his eyes alight with happiness.
This is exactly what I wanted to see.
Laurent would casually set a fresh drink on the floor near the microphone stand as soon as Edward had finished his previous glass. The atmosphere in the room was electric, and as Edward played I noticed more and more haggard close to seventy year olds arrived at the bar.
After about five songs, I casually glanced behind me to find the entire bar was now packed. I panicked, scanning faces for female fans, but no, they were all older men. They weren't here because it was Edward Cullen playing; they were here because the young man on the stage was an excellent performer and a naturally talented musician.
It was extraordinary how he managed to appear as if he was just playing to an intimate group of friends, rather than to complete and utter strangers. His set list was making his audience like putty in his hands. Some of the songs I recognised as 70's classics. Others were more obscure, but a raging success with this appreciative audience.
Edward had been playing for over fifty minutes, when he unhooked the guitar strap from around his shoulder, the shouts of protest to keep playing was deafening. Edward simply laughed and said he'd do one more song, "You guys are a great audience, but I really need to go to the restroom."
Laughter filled the room, as Edward set down the guitar and walked over to the piano. He turned on the microphone. "This song is for the beautiful girl sitting at the table down the front." He thinks I'm beautiful? I laughed as more than a few older gentlemen wolf-whistled, and Edward grinned at me. He's just being entertaining.
"This song is called Episode, it's an original composition. I hope you will give me your feedback," he looked straight at me, "For you, Bella."
Then Edward started playing our song. The audience's hushed and respectful listening astounded and unnerved me. What if they hate it?
Edward didn't seem worried. He played and his voice sounded so much more powerful than when he sang it to me in the relative formality of the 'purple' bar.
The realization flashed to me in that instant. Edward was more comfortable playing to fellow musicians in a seedy and dark basement venue on an old and battered upright piano, than he was surrounded by opulence in a high-rise hotel VIP bar on an expensive grand piano.
The difference was like night and day.
At the last keystroke the room burst into applause and Edwards smile was only for me. I was frozen. I was in shock. Episode sounded magical when he sang it with uninhibited fervor.
His eyes were locked to mine. He knew there was no way I could deny it now. The song really was exceptional. Perfect.
He smiled and stepped down to approach me. He leaned at the waist, his lips almost brushing my earlobe and he breathed. "Thank you for bringing me here. You'll never understand how much it means to me." He sighed, the warmth of his breath sending shivers over my entire body. Then his moist lips touched my cheek, lingering in a soft kiss. It sent a wave of pleasure through my skin and into the pit of my stomach. He stepped back to look into my eyes. "I'll be right back."
He slowly stood straight, his eyes never leaving mine, and then he headed towards the side of the bar for the men's room.
I lost it.
My heart was pounding and I was gasping for breath. I grabbed my jacket and hurriedly barreled through the bodies of jovial beer chugging men to get to the base of the stairs. I need some fresh air.
I sprinted up the stairs two at a time. The cool, fresh air enveloped me as sobs heaved from deep within my chest.
I'm in love with Edward Cullen.
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A/N: OK, now please bombard me with your feedback! I'm dying to know what your thoughts are... Luv BBxx
