"Hello, Edward," a heavenly voice said behind me.
I swallowed hard, almost choking. My beer was within reach. I chugged the rest of it and turned around. Fuck, have mercy. Bella stood before me, smiling like she was amused. I wanted to see that smile change to one of pure pleasure, and now I only have the weekend to get there. Come Monday morning she was off limits.
"Bella," I coughed. "You look amazing."
"Well, Possessive, I have to say that you wear cookie crumbs well," she snickered.
I wiped my hand across my face. "What would you like to drink?"
"Gold Schlaugger." her smiled warmed the space in between us.
"You take shots?"
"When they have gold in them. Will you join me?"
Who could resist that? Of course I would join her. I would drink her under the table. Fuck that, I would drink her into my bed. Now that was a plan. Let the drinking commence.
I handed her a shot and held up mine to toast. "To jury duty, I will never look at it the same way again." We both tilted out heads back and let the smooth liquid glide down our throats.
"What could you guys have possibly found to do at jury duty?" Rose scoffed.
I was used to Rose and her antics by now. "Well, Rose, it certainly wasn't a day at a fashion show, but Bella thought of ways to entertain us."
Rose did not take to new people easily. As matter of fact, she liked to keep our little group exclusive and I had brought in an intruder. Having a fun Rose was probably not going to happen tonight.
"Did it involve the removal of clothes?" Emmett wrapped his arm around Rose's waist and pulled her into his lap.
Bella looked mortified, her face turning a nice shade of blush. I had to save the situation and fast. "I have never played a game of strip tic-tac-toe. Damn, wish I would have thought of that. I would have been naked if we would have stripped for the second game you had me play Bella." I smiled at her and smacked Emmett on the back of the head.
"Want a rematch?" Bella said and downed her next shot. Fuck me. She could talk a good game, but now I wanted to take it there.
"You want to play strip box game?" I raised my eyebrow.
"Yeah, get me a paper. I already have a pen." She started digging through her purse.
The bartender must have been listening to our conversation. Before we could ask him, there was a piece of paper in front of Bella. The prospect of getting her naked must have had him excited too. I closed my eyes for a second, remembering the sight of her shirtless. Okay, I had to win this game now.
When she had the game set up, she let me go first. We progressed until she drew in a box. Once again she filled it in with 'T'. I really liked the fact that she was keeping the nickname I gave her.
"Alright Edward, pay up. What do you have to give me?" Bella laughed.
She already had one of my shirts. But, I still had hers, I supposed we were even. I removed my jacket and handed it to her. At this point, I had no concern for anyone else at the bar.
We continued the game back and forth, line after line, box after box. She had both of my shoes, socks, my belt and watch. And I still had nothing of hers. The next box meant I had to remove a real article of clothing and I only had three left. Shirt, pants and boxers. She knew that, and she set me up for my first win. I closed in the box, putting a big 'P' overlapping the sides.
"Okay, Bella, hand it over." I felt smug with my one box.
She looked perplexed, as if she were deep in thought. She tapped her index finger on her lips. Shit, I wanted to be that finger. As she brought her hands up to her hair, I held my breath. This was intense. What was she doing? Then she placed something in my hand. What the fuck? It was a barrette. Does a barrette count?
"Shit, Bella, you are tough" Emmett was still here. Damn, I had forgotten. I didn't want her removing any of her clothes here, in front of all these people.
"Strip poker is usually not my game, I have to wear a lot of accessories to keep my shirt on." She was being coy. Strip boxes, however, suited her just fine.
"Right," Rosalie spoke up this time. "You never know when you'll need to tease the boys. Always be prepared."
Alice gasped. "Huh, Rose! With the way you dress, I am shocked you would recognize teasing."
Bella didn't even look at Rose. She finished completing her next box. I just lost my shirt. Rose scoffed again.
"I guess I need to learn how to tease too." I took off my shirt and handed it to Bella. Now she has two of my shirts. I was standing in a bar, quite tipsy, in my pants, no shirt, no shoes. I snorted softly. I guess I wasn't getting service.
"Well, I think your cab is here, Edward," Jasper wrapped his arm around my shoulder and started toward the door.
"Wait, I am not leaving , I'm playing with Bella." I looked at her and she started to follow us.
"I'll get him home safely." Bella reassured Jasper and Alice as we stepped outside.
"Sure, but will he have any clothes on?" Emmett once again.
"Not if I am going to get lucky tonight." Bella tapped Emmett on the shoulder as she crawled into the taxi beside me. Jasper closed the door.
Bella handed me my shirt, "Cover up, it's cold in here."
I was feeling more than buzzed. If I didn't hold still I got dizzy. Shit. I knew better than to mix my alcohol. There I was, half dressed with a woman I wanted more than anything, and I was so drunk I doubted I could do anything about it.
"I have been waiting to get you alone all evening," she whispered. I looked at her as she closed the distance between us. I felt her lips press to mine.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Oh, what the hell. My head fucking ached. I opened my eyes and light blared in, burning. I quickly closed them. I was feeling really nauseous so I took in a deep breath. Freesia. Bella was here. I opened my eyes to look for her, despite the pain. I was in my own bed. How had I gotten home? Last I remembered, we were getting into a taxi. And her lips. I could still taste her lips on mine. Was she still here? I stood to try to find her. Big mistake. I fell back onto my mattress. Slower this time, I eased into sitting position, then got to my feet, knocking over my clothes. They had been folded neatly at the foot of my bed, and now I stood in just my boxers. Now, I was a neat guy, but seriously, I would have chucked my clothes in the hamper. She was here and she had seen me in my boxers. Lucky girl. I had never had any complaints. I made my way to the front of the house, but she was nowhere to be seen. What was today anyway? Saturday morning? I hadn't even known she existed 24 hours ago. My reaction to her had taken me by surprise. I continued to search the house, but she wasn't there. When I was certain she was gone, I went into the bathroom to shower. Attached to the mirror was a note:
Possessive,
If you want to get MY clothes off, you will have to come up with something better than strip games.
It's a good thing I am giving you another chance at Denny's. Don't be late! I am looking forward to it.
See you Monday,
Thief