Hey, everyone! I'm finally back with an update! This is the chapter you all have been waiting for… El Paso is finally here.
Thanks to Paige for editing this!
"And we danced
Out there on that empty hardwood floor
The chairs up and the lights turned way down low
The music played, we held each other close
And we danced."
-Brad Paisley-
BPOV:
The soothing sound of rain awakens me. My eyelids flutter open and I turn my head and rest it in the crook of Edward's neck. His naked body feels sublime against mine. I wonder if I'll ever be able to feel him against me like this without getting incredibly worked up. The things this man does to me. I have such a hankering for him… I flush, feeling positively giddy as I kiss his shoulder and nuzzle his neck.
"The rain should stop soon," he muses as he runs his hands along the curves of my naked frame. "Well, at least I hope it'll stop soon. You hungry?"
My lips widen in a coy grin as I gaze up at him. "Not for food."
He's on top of me in an instant, practically knocking me off of the air-mattress. He feels so incredible, and when he enters me I see stars. I can't help but laugh at the sounds the air-mattress makes as he thrusts into me. Edward's alarmed by my laughter at first-because who would want to be laughed at while they're plowing into someone?-but once he hears the noise, he smiles, too.
As soon as we come together, the rain slows down, and by the time we're dressed and ready to make some breakfast, the rain has stopped completely.
"Ready to hike back today? Or, do you want to do some exploring and spend another night out here in the great outdoors?" Edward asks as he exits the tent and extends a hand to help me do the same.
He's seen the blisters on my toes, so I know why he's asking. He's worried about me. He worries about me a lot. I don't know why, though. I can keep up with him. I can take care of myself. Still, Edward's a man and men always like to "take care" of women even when they know fully well t they don't need it. I know I don't need to be taken care of and I don't want to be taken care of,which is probably why I had ice cold feet on my wedding day. While I am independent, it is nice to have a hot cowboy fuss over me. I mean, what woman wouldn't appreciate that? Independent or not.
"I'm fine, Edward. Truly. Besides, I don't want to go back yet. There's still so much to see."
Edward smiles at this as he helps me off of the ground.
After breakfast, we hike for a few hours, stopping for snacks, and sex when no one is around. We're so far out, and there's not a lot of people hanging around the area where we area. It's like we have the entire park to ourselves, and we definitely use it to our advantage. There's nothing like making love out in the open as the fresh air caresses your skin. Combine that with the thrill of possibly getting caught and I'm in heaven. I admit I was a bit put off at first, when Edward helped me out of my backpack and bent me over a tall rock before pulling my pants down below my petunia. However, as soon as he was inside me, all of my embarrassment evaporated.
By the time we return to our campsite in the evening, we're both flushed and giggling like teenagers. Edward makes me feel like a teenager again. I feel like we're sneaking around like kids do in high school. For dinner, we have Edward's "famous" Chili Campfire Bake, and afterward I make my cinnamon bun roll ups,which I learned to make as a kid while camping with my dad. Afterwards, we lay under the stars and tell each other stories from our upbringing. This trip has made me feel even closer to Edward, and I'm almost scared to go to El Paso, anxious about how that might affect what we have now.
What if things change once we get there? I've been worried about this for the past few days, but now it's really hitting me full-force. Today has been so perfect, and I can easily envision spending my life with this man. He makes me feel so smart, sexy, and independent. He makes me feel like a goddess when he makes love to me. He doesn't take me for granted. If I lost him… Heavens, I don't even want to think about it. Think positive, Bella. Think positive. Negativity isn't going to get you anywhere.
Staying positive, I make love to him all night. I show him exactly how much he already means to me, how much I cherish him. I can tell he can feel it; I can see it in the depths of his emerald eyes as he looks at me. There's something else in those depths, another emotion I don't recognize. Or maybe, I just don't want to recognize it. He's worried about something. But what?
~Rodeo Nights~
We're back on the road early the next morning. El Paso is only about two hours away, so I know we'll make it in no time. I research hotels while Edward drives. I don't want to force myself on him, and I know a bit of space can be a good thing, so I want a room to myself until I can arrange something with Alice. Alice. Lord, I haven't seen her in ages.
I've been chatting with her through text messages all morning, and she's thrilled I'm coming to town, but I know we have a lot of catching up to do. Once she moved, we sort of lost contact. We both got busy, and life got in the way, and now, years later, we're finally reconnecting. I hope she's still as fun-loving and outgoing as she was when she was younger. I hope we'll be fast friends. God knows I'll need some friends in this town.
"So, I think I'm going to stay at the La Quinta Inn for a bit while I look for an apartment close to Alice," I say casually as I look at hotel rates on my phone.
"La Quinta? You sure you don't want to stay with me?" Edward says, apparently thoughtlessly since his face cringes as soon as the suggestion leaves his mouth.
I wonder what's wrong with his place? "Well, we don't know each other that well, Edward. We can't just live together," I tease, wanting to keep the mood light.
Edward rolls his eyes at me and shoots me a smile. "Well, the La Quinta is close to my house-only twenty minutes away, so I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other."
We'll be seeing a lot of each other. Those words calm all of my nerves. I hadn't realized how truly anxious I've been about our arrival. But now I know he's planning on seeing me after his return home, I feel weightless. Even if he doesn't want a full-blown relationship with me, I'll be happy being his friend. Well, friends with benefits.
"I'd like that, Edward," I answer quietly before looking out my passenger window.
My eyes widen as I see a sign indicating the exits for El Paso are only a mile away. I gulp, feeling nervous despite the reassurance Edward has just given me. I'm starting a whole new life here, full of endless possibilities. Good or bad, it's going to be quite the adventure. I'm more than ready for it. Since I graduated high school my life has been so monotonous, that is, until I ran away from my wedding and ran into Edward. And now everything is about to change.
"You want to get some food, Bells. I'm starved and hankering for some ribs," Edward says with a grin as he pulls off on our exit.
My stomach grumbles in response and he laughs.
We end up at a popular Bar-B-Q spot and the parking lot is filled to the brim. Edward jumps out of the truck and jogs around to the passenger side. He swings open my door and pulls me from the car. As soon as my feet are on the pavement, he kisses me like he's seeing me for the first time after a long separation. I smile against his mouth before allowing him to slip his tongue inside. I hear a snide comment from one of the restaurant's patrons as she walks by with her family to their car, and I giggle as I pull away from him.
"Come on, Edward. I don't want to offend any of El Paso's residents on my first day here."
With that, he grabs ahold of my hand and leads me inside the restaurant. Forty-five minutes later, my stomach is so full that my shorts are becoming uncomfortable. I smile at Edward, who looks just as sated, and reach across the table to hold his hand in mine. This is so wonderful. It's like we're a real couple. Heavens, Bella, stop that talk right now. Don't want to get your hopes up.
"So, what's the plan, Bells? You talked to your cousin?"
What is my plan. Goodness, I'm not used to having so many possibilites on my horizon.
"Well, I thought I'd go searching for an apartment close to my cousin and look for a job. I have a good amount of money saved from waiting tables and the inheritance I got from my grandfather, but I don't think I can stretch that money much longer. Hopefully finding a job in this town won't be too hard."
"Please, a girl like you? You'll get a job right away."
"A girl like me?"
"You know what I mean. You're so beautiful and charismatic."
I feel myself sit up a little taller in my seat as I beam at him. Well, it seems like I can always rely on Edward for giving my confidence a boost.
"You'd be surprised. I don't always have the best luck when it comes to getting jobs."
"Well, I bet your luck is about to change."
As soon as the words leave his mouth, our waitress returns with our checks. While Edward planned on paying for us both, our waitress obviously didn't think we were together. She's a cute little twat I suppose… if you like a tan and fake tits. Wow, Bella. Bitch much? Why are you being so hostile? The girl isn't that bad!
"Can I get you two anything else?" the ornery waitress asks as she bends down-which is completely unnecessary considering how short this girl is-to hand Edward the checks.
Goodness, this girl could piss off the pope.
"Bells, do you want another glass of iced tea to go?" Edward asks with his eyes on me as the waitress practically thrusts her cleavage into his face.
She better give her heart to Jesus, 'cause her butt is mine.
"Bells?"
"An iced tea would be nice," I say as I give the waitress a pissy smile.
"What was that all about, Bells?" Edward asks with a knowing grin.
"I didn't like the way she was looking at you," I say as I adjust my breasts in my top. I can't help myself, I want our waitress to see who has the better rack.
When I look back up at Edward he's grinning at me.
"Did I tell you how beautiful you look today, Bells?"
"Only about ten times," I tease him.
"Well, I guess I never tire of saying it."
Edward puts both of our checks together in one book and slips his credit card in the book's holder just before the waitress returns. Before I can even look at her, I feel her bump into me, sending the styrofoam cup filled with iced tea flying all over me.
"Mother trucker!" I scream as I jump from my seat, covered in sticky iced tea.
I shove past the waitress and make a beeline for the restrooms, wanting to get this sugary tea off my tits before it dries sticky. Dadgummit, my first day in El Paso and this is what I get! I dampen a few paper towels and clean off my breasts before trying my best to clean up my gingham shirt. I sigh as the restroom door swings open, not wanting to deal with anyone else today.
I turn around to find a kind, apologetic face. With dark caramel skin, curly hair that hits her at her waist, and a tall, lithe figure, this woman is beautiful. She also looks incredibly stressed as she rushes into the restroom. She looks at my shirt and grimaces.
"I am so, so sorry about that. Lauren is new and I had no idea what type of woman she was when I hired her." She looks at my drenched shirt again and stiffens. "Your meal is on the house today and we're sending you home with a few gift cards."
Finally, I find my voice and smile at her. "It's really no trouble. I'm used to having drinks spilled all over me."
She cocks a dark brow and smirks at this. "This has happened to you before?"
"No. Well, I haven't faced many jealous harpies. I waited tables back in my hometown and I was surrounded by plenty of clumsy servers. It made working in the bar miserable," I say as I laugh at the memory.
"Back in your hometown? Are you new to El Paso?" she asks as she leans against the doorframe.
"Yep, this is my first day here, actually," I respond with a grimace.
She chuckles, a light, pretty sound, before responding, "Well, I'm glad we could give you such a great welcome." She looks at me for a moment as if she were sizing me up before continuing, "We let Lauren go. I don't know if you have a job here, but since you said you used to wait tables-"
"I'd love one," I say, quickly cutting her off as I seize the opportunity she's giving me.
I don't know if I'll stay at this Bar-B-Q joint forever, but I'm going to need some form of income now that I'm here.
Her smile grows at my response. "Well, welcome aboard…"
"Bella," I supply as I take her extended hand and give it a shake.
"Welcome aboard, Bella. I'm Zafrina, the manager here. My sister is the owner, and while I didn't ask for her approval,I know Senna will like you, too. Do you know when you can start?"
When can I start? I hadn't expected to get a job so quickly. "Well, I was going to get a hotel room to stay in while I search for an apartment, and then I-"
"Bella," Zafrina interrupts me with a friendly smile, "Why don't you come in on Monday? That'll give you the rest of the week to settle in and get to know the town a bit."
Heavens, she's nice. I wish my last manager was like this woman! Unfortunately he was too busy brushing against my petunia to really be nice to me.
"Why don't you go back to your boy and I'll grab some paperwork for you?" Zafrina suggests as she leans back and opens the restroom door with her weight.
I grin as I walk past her, heading to my table. I pause for a moment, before I can get too far, and say, "Thanks for the opportunity. I promise I'll do a good job for you."
"Well, you'll certainly be better than Lauren, that's for sure," she teases before she walks into the kitchen.
I return to Edward with a huge grin on my face.
Edward gives me a curious look, obviously confused as to why my mood has changed so drastically. "Bells?"
"I just got a job," I gush as I reach across the table to squeeze his hands.
"Really?!" Edward says, throwing his head back laughing. "What'd I just say a few minutes ago?" He asks, with a look of awe on face. "Bells, that's so amazing! I'm so proud of you, baby!"
Baby? Did Edward just call me baby? Holy sugar honey iced tea! Edward stands up and bends over the table to press his lips against mine. Well, maybe El Paso isn't half bad after all.
A/N: I've had a few questions, so I just wanted to clear this up. When Bella says "petunia" she means her butt. It's a reference to one of my favorite books series ever: the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. That series is absolutely amazing and if you haven't read it, you totally should. In the book, the main character Mac (one of my favorite fictional characters ever) calls her ass a petunia to keep from cursing. I thought that was so funny I had to use it here. :). If you haven't read this series, you should read it, add me on facebook, and fangirl about it with me ;).
Also, my fic "Scream Queen" is up for the top 10 fics for January and three of my fics (Glimmer of Hope, The Blessing, and Chicago) are up for the Top 10 Fics for 2017! So if you have the time, please, please vote! 2017 was my first year writing on fanfiction, so this is really special :).
Song- "We Dance" by Brad Paisley. Thanks Kristi Smith for the song rec!
I'll be posting a teaser for the next chapter in my facebook group tomorrow!