THIRTEEN
Halloween came around quickly. Before I knew it I had just two weeks left of my semester at college. I started to spend every hour I had spare studying for my finals. My flight home had been booked, my pre planned travel around America now cancelled. I couldn't afford it. My father also had closed in on who he thinks may have led to his downfall. He refused to tell me who he suspected until he had the evidence to back his claim.
I had plans to finish the rest of my degree in Sydney before returning to New York. Edward took up all of my thoughts. Every plan I made included him to some degree. I'd told my brother about him who sounded happy for me. My father had spoken to him over the phone thanking him for keeping me sane.
I tap my text book with my pencil trying to cram some more information into my head while I wait for Edward. Sitting at the kitchen bench on a stool in Edward's apartment was a nice break from Alice's pregnancy. She had developed a bitchy attitude along with the habit of sending me out to fix her late-night cravings of pickles when Jasper couldn't be at our house. She planned to move in with him once I left so they could properly prepare for the baby. Jasper who had come around like a yo-yo, excited to become a father. Desperately in love with Alice.
Tonight I would be working and I couldn't wait to spend Halloween with my friends.
"Angel," Edward stands at the door, dressed in an adorable crocodile hunter costume.
He holds a stuffed crocodile to his khaki covered chest. I can't help but giggle.
"You look more Australian than me, Babe," I laugh.
"You look incredibly sexy. I don't know if I can actually allow you to enter my club tonight looking like that," he stands behind me wrapping his arms around my waist, "I think it's against the law for anyone but your boyfriend to see you looking this fucking beautiful. I'm going to have to insist you head to the bedroom and let me strip it off slowly."
I had pulled out a wonder woman costume, putting fairly little effort into it all. Edward had suggested a couple costume, but I wasn't up for dressing like Steve Irwin's wife to dance on a bar top. He was committed to the Irwin thing wanting to prove his Australian to me. The strapless red leotard bodysuit was fairly revealing, both my legs and breasts were on display, but I felt sexy. I felt like I was Wonderwoman tonight. It came with a cape and headband just like the superhero's did. Alice had found me some thigh high red boots to match.
"You're going to have to take it up with my boss," I shrug.
"I am your boss," his hands trail down my front, to squeeze my thighs until they shift apart.
"Well then this is highly inappropriate. Do I need to get HR," I smirk.
"Fuck HR," He leans down to kiss my kneck, "You're mine. I can do what I like. I should bend you over this counter right now."
"Emmett will be here any minute to pick us up," I smack his hand as it moves to cup my eager sex.
"He can wait," he mutters against my neck, "My days with you are numbered. He'll understand."
"I have your Halloween treat planned for later tonight I swear," I moan as his hand begins to rub a pressured circle.
I do the only thing I can, pulling his hand away tugging on him so his chest presses against my back. Turning my face I lean up to kiss him.
"I'm watching you like a hawk. Any excuse to pull you away from the bar I'll take it, baby. Drop a glass, mix up an order, drop a fucking straw," he growls into my ear, "Wonder woman will feel super when I'm done fucking her I promise."
His words alone are enough to make me moan. I couldn't get enough of this man's dirty talk.
Before I can say fuck it and let him have his way, the door flings open Emmett walking in. He's dressed as a zombie football player. Surprisingly enough Rosalie follows him. I try to hide my shock. Rosalie looks incredible dressed like Cinderella if Cinderella didn't leave after midnight and the prince had taken her back to his room… basically lingerie Cinderella. But hidden beneath a trench coat.
"You look incredible, Rose," I smile.
"Says you, Wonder Woman," She smirks at me, "and… what are you, Edward?"
"Yeah. What the fuck have you put on?" Emmett wraps his arm around Rosalie, shocking me even more.
Okay. The elephant in the room is really making itself at home.
"Steve Irwin. Sorry are you two… what is happening?" Edward points between them.
"We're going tonight together," Rosalie smiles up at Emmett.
"She's giving me a chance to prove myself and I'm going to smash it out of the park. Because Rosie is my person," he says looking at Rosalie's face as he speaks.
Like he's sharing with her, not us.
"That's great," I beam, "I'm happy for you both."
"Let's get out of here," Emmett says, "Alice will freak if we're not there in time."
Alice couldn't refuse the fun. She had decided to tend the bar alongside me tonight. She had only just started showing so she felt comfortable there. Jasper would also make an appearance to hang out with Emmett and Edward.
It would be perfect. Anything beside Edward's side was rarely less than that.
"Rosalie get up on that stage," Alice demands pointing to the stage, "right now."
Rosalie was flirting with Emmett across the bar, fixing his costume, pressing her cleavage toward him. He leaned forward to give her a sweet, short kiss before flipping his sister a rude gesture.
"I'm her boss too," Emmett says.
"Yes but she's mine right now. Rose. Stage," Alice snaps.
Rosalie raises her hands in defeat.
"Alice," one of the girls grab Alice's arm, Tanya, "It's Jessica. She's sick. She can't perform."
"Fuck. Edward has those Vegas investors here tonight," she groans.
Rosalie looks at me, an idea clearly forming.
"Bella," Alice gasps following alone with Rosalie's facial expression.
"Absolutely not," I shake my head, "I will make a fool of myself."
"Don't be silly. Edward is sitting right near the front. Just get up there, shake your ass and stare at him. You've perfected the moves I taught you," she says.
Over the past few weeks Alice had taught me a dance for fun. In our lounge room, in our pyjamas, with wine. None of which I had right now.
"I want a fucking pay rise," I give in knowing full and well I wouldn't win this fight.
They were desperate.
"Rosalie, take her and get her ready," Alice shoves me gently toward Rose, "You can do this Bells. Just imagine the surprise Edward will get. Dance just for him, Baby."
Rosalie holds my hand the entire walk there. I grip it like a safety net. How on earth can I get through this? What if I fall flat on my ass?
"Just focus, babe. I'll go out get them started and then I'll introduce you. The lights will dim, take position on stage and show them what you're made of. Do what Alice has showed you. Shake your hips, slut drop, kick your legs nice and high and keep your arms delicate," she says, "Okay. I'll be back."
The room has gone dark, the club energetic. I watch Rose leave me and let this sink in. I feel sick to my stomach. In my head I go over all of the burlesque moves Alice had taught me. Their sequence, their technique, how to make them sexy. I try to dig deep for confidence while I watch Rosalie dance, drawing in the crowd.
One she's finished she grabs her microphone revving the crowd up. When she says my name everything becomes clearer. From the wing I can see Edward right at the edge of the stage at a table. Jasper, Emmett and two other men in fancy suits. I huff and shake out my hands.
"We have a special treat for you. Or perhaps a trick. Our beautiful, sexy performer is a first timer tonight so please show her all of the love you've got," Rosalie says, "please make noise for my girl Wonder Woman."
The lights turn off and Rosalie rushes over to me quickly, pulling me into position.
"You have this babe. Show them what the land down under is made of," she whispers, "I'll be right over there. Also it never helps to picture them naked. Don't try that."
I glare at her as she gives me a light pat on the ass in encouragement before dashing off the stage to watch from the wing.
The music starts before the spotlight hits me. When it does I'm in a pose I consider somewhat sexy. Hands on my hips, a leg propped up so my hip is hitched slightly higher on one side. I take steps forward to the slow beat of the music, locking eyes with a very shocked Edward. Grinning innocently I shrug at him.
"Fuck," he mouths.
As I dance I give it my all. Each movement is given 100%. My joints electrified by the music. I can hear the crowd cheering me on but I block them out. Smiling at Edward I get down on my knees toward the edge of the stage and begin to crawl toward him. He shakes his head, hopefully from shock.
Emmett and Jasper clap me on from beside him. A little extra support in the crowd.
As the song comes to a finish I bring back my old dance flexibility kicking my leg up and over my body so I can split on the stage before him, sitting down into it after a slight twerk. Once the music stops the crowd erupts. Many on their feet screaming.
My eyes leave Edwards to scan the crowd. When my eyes lock with a familiar set of brown my blood runs cold.
Zane looks at me from the bar.
He looks furious.
Shit.
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