Chapter 7: In Which We Meet the Devil (She Has Sparkly Shoes)
XOXOXOXO
Great googily moogily, did he have to look so fuck-tastic?
My jaw may have dropped open and incidentally I might have been drooling on myself but at that moment I didn't give a flying fart in space.
He was dressed to the nines in a black suit with a dark green shirt underneath. The jacket of his suit was open, giving off a casual, yet respectable, feel to him. The evergreen color of the shirt made his eyes shine brightly. I was getting lost in them and it took me a moment to gather all of my thoughts.
I snapped my jaw closed, and blushed fiercely while he stepped to the side to let me into Alice's apartment.
"You look wonderful, Bella. Happy birthday," he murmured as I passed him.
I giggled like a deranged psychopath and shyly gave him my thanks in return.
I really should be sent to the nearest mental institution, perhaps they take deposits on the nicer rooms.
I was correct in my musings earlier. Alice had her stereo system turned up pretty loud and I could feel the pounding beat of the bass through my feet as I made my way into her apartment. I couldn't place the singer, but the melody and tone was smooth and relaxed with emphasized drum beats.
Edward closed the door behind us and silently followed after me, a calm hand on my lower back much like it had been the day Alice had moved in. Warmth radiated from his touch and instantly I felt soothed, my nerves taking the backseat position in my mind as thoughts of Edward took their place. I crossed my hands in front of my abdomen, unsure of what to do with them. I couldn't very well just swing them back and forth blindly, for all I knew I could've hit Edward in his package. That would also be known as a taboo thing to do with someone you've just met and have had dirty, naughty dreams about.
Big no-no.
There were quite a few people in the apartment already. I recognized Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie, as well as Angela from the hospital. As we passed each of them I smiled and said polite hellos, eager to find Alice and follow her lead for the night. In all actuality, I'd never been to a real grown-up party. Aside from playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey, I didn't know what the hell to do. Somehow I don't think Spin the Bottle would have worked either.
I allowed Edward to guide me into the kitchen where Alice was whirling about, setting up trays of food.
She'd transformed herself into Mrs. Homemaker in the short time that she'd left my apartment. Her hair was smoothed down with little jewel clips sprinkled on top of her head. She was wearing a white shirt-dress with a hot pink belt. For kicks, she'd popped the collar up. It was a modern look for an outdated piece of fabric. She'd tied it all together with a pair of hot pink pumps. I didn't know how she'd last the entire party in those deathtraps.
"Great Edward, can you and Bella help me get this stuff out onto the table? I want to be able to mingle as soon as possible," she said while placing a container of napkins and cutlery into my hands.
"Sure Alice, we'll help you out. You go ahead and meet up with Jasper, Bella and I've got this." He nodded to her as he walked out from behind me and further into the kitchen.
Alice gave me a grateful smile and dashed out of the room.
I turned around, went into the dining room and set the container down. Moments later I joined Edward back inside the kitchen where he had resumed plating Alice's party trays.
"Are you good with dicing things or should I not even ask?" Edward asked me with my favorite crooked grin in place.
If I hadn't known that he was teasing me, I would've taken offense to the question. I shoved him in the shoulder as I made my way past him to the other side of the counter. The sink separated us as we worked in comfortable silence.
Since I'd helped unpack Alice's kitchen I knew exactly where everything was, finding a clean knife was no problem. I set to work slicing up a block of sharp cheddar cheese into cubes.
"So how've you been? I feel like it's been forever since we last saw each other," he asked from his station of arranging cold cuts.
I snorted. Really, what had I been up to? Uh, let's see; I lived across the hall from an eccentric shopaholic midget, who has just recently decided that I need to make over my entire life. Said midget, along with the fuckhot piece of man meat that is yourself, has also signed me up to become a volunteer at the hospital where your fine ass father works. Not to mention that I'm still trying to pay my rent and not screw up my entire life by bitching out my completely narcissistic, overly feminine male assistant manager. Sum my life up for the past week and a half? Yeah, mission accomplished. Now, how do I say that politely?
I giggled at my internal ramblings. "Uh, yeah, I've been fine. Work's alright, I mean, that's pretty much all I do so…"
Wow, great conversation, Bella. You'll be sure to win over everyone here tonight.
I cleared my throat and asked, "How have you been, Edward?"
Yes! You can ask a simple question and not muck it up, score one for me!
I chanced a quick look at him and blushed when I caught him looking back at me.
"Ouch!" I exclaimed. Apparently, I wasn't to be trusted with knives. In the mere second that I'd glanced at Edward, I'd brought the knife down and sliced my finger.
The knife clattered to the counter from my grasp as I clutched at the cut. I squeezed my eyes closed and grimaced.
"Are you okay Bella? Here, let me take a look," Edward said as his hands took mine. I felt his fingers pry open mine to take a better look at the cut.
I would've loved to see him tending to me, but I was afraid that if I saw any blood I'd pass out and end up on the floor, which would've embarrassed me far too much. I clenched my eyes tightly and took breaths through my mouth.
"It doesn't look too deep, though you'll want to put a band-aid on it to make sure it doesn't get infected or anything. Once my dad gets here, he can take a look at it." I felt his cool breath on my face.
"Bella, are you sure that you're okay? You haven't opened your eyes once," Edward said, sounding concerned.
I felt the back of his hand on my forehead, my skin ignited with heat from the contact. Unconsciously I leaned into his touch.
He flipped his hand around so that instead of the back being on my skin, his palm was touching my face. Cupping my cheek gently, his thumb caressed the apple of it sensually. His other hand still held my finger that had the cut on it.
"I'm fine. I just can't look at blood, or smell it, without getting light headed and fainty."
"Well, let me find that band-aid for you and we'll get you sorted out. Don't open your eyes, I don't want to come back and find you sprawled out on the floor."
I heard the smirk in his voice and I nodded minutely.
Feeling him disappear from in front of me, I suddenly felt completely naked. All the warmth had disappeared from my body and it took all I had to not start shivering. That would be one hell of a thing to explain. No, I'm not cold. I just wanted to start a new personal hobby. Yeah, it's a sport called spontaneous vibration. It's really fun, you should try it.
With my sense of sight gone for the moment, all of my other senses went into overdrive. I felt the cool air swirl around me from the air conditioner. I smelled the food that was still placed in front of me. I heard the people out in the living room, talking and jabbering over the thud of the music. I tasted copper. It was as if I'd stuck my cut finger in my mouth and had tried to suck the blood out of the wound. Great, I was becoming a vampire.
I snorted and shook my head, trying to clear all thoughts of blood out of it. Dwelling on something that would leave me incapacitated wouldn't do me any good.
It had only been a minute, but by the time Edward got back to me, I felt as though an hour had passed. I felt him in front of me before he had even said anything, my body going back to the electric charge again as it always did when we were around each other. My mind was in chaos, a simple human being should not be able to make my body react like this. But my heart craved more contact.
"Here, Bella. Give me your hand and I'll get you cleaned up," he said as I felt his gentle fingertips on my injured hand.
I relinquished control of the appendage, knowing outright that I'd be stupid to take an interest in my self pride at the moment.
Taking a small chance, I opened my eyes. I gazed straight ahead and onto the face of an angel. His head was bent down, eyes focused and lips pursed in concentration as he put antiseptic ointment onto my cut. The florescent lights gave his copper colored hair gold highlights and in that moment he looked like he had a halo.
He tenderly took my finger and wrapped a band-aid around it, caressing the sticky flaps down into position.
I wonder if his fingers are more talented than I thought...
Wrong train of thought, Bella! Snap out of it before he realizes that you're molesting him with your eyes!
Quickly, I took in a deep breath and was filled with the scent of his cologne. What the fuck is that? Is my mouth watering? Holy fuck! Sandalwood, what is that… chocolate? And there was something else, something completely just…Edward.
Not. Cool.
He looked up at my deep breath, taking it for a sign of distress and gazed worriedly into my eyes.
Green eyes met brown ones and a forest of impossibility grew. His pupils were dilated and I watched with open fascination as his breathing sped up the longer we stayed locked into each other. I was pretty sure that I would end up breathing into a paper bag from all of the hyperventilating I was doing.
"Ya'll ain't done in here yet?" Jasper asked as he walked into the kitchen. He looked dashing in a pair of black slacks and a light blue button up shirt.
That broke the invisible spell that Edward and I were both under and each of us took a step back. He dropped my hand and I attempted to smooth out my dress for God knows what reason.
"I cut myself. Edward was just bandaging me up." I turned back towards Edward and gave him a quick smile.
"You two go on out and I'll finish up in here. There's not much left to do," I continued as I picked up the knife again and put it gently into the sink.
Truth was that I needed a moment to collect myself before I went into the crowd. At most I greet everyone with flushed cheeks and rapid, shallow breathing. Aroused was generally not the first impression you make to anyone.
Jasper clapped Edward on the back and faced him away from me. "Okay, little darlin'. Just you make sure to not hurt yourself anymore, ya hear?"
I chuckled at Jasper's accent, still not used to hearing it, and grabbed a fresh knife out of the drawer. I vaguely registered them leaving the area while I tried to calm my raging hormones.
Setting myself back to work, I focused solely on the knife and its destination: not Bella's fingers.
After a few moments of silence, I was finally done cutting up the block of cheese. I arranged it all neatly onto an empty platter and washed my hands.
I smoothed my hair down and took a few deep breaths, trying to slow my rapid heart rate down. Picking up the platter, I made my way into the dinning room and placed it on the table. Might as well get a drink while I'm here, that way if I don't have anything to say I can just take sips from my cup.
Alice had thoughtfully set up a punch station with the food. I grabbed a cup and filled it with the closest red liquid, then set out into the living room to find where the meddling pixie had run off to.
I passed slowly through the party, trying my hardest to look like I fit in there. I ran in to Emmett and Rosalie first. She was sitting on the arm of the loveseat in a red halter dress that came down to her knees. Emmett was standing next to her with his hand on her upper back. They were talking with Angela and another man I didn't know.
"Hey guys." I knew it was lame, but what else could I come up with?
"Pella Bella!" Emmett boomed.
Rosalie and I looked at him in mock annoyance, each of us with an eyebrow arched.
"What?! I'm working on it, okay?" he replied to our looks. He bent over my small frame and gave me a one-armed hug, his hand never leaving Rosalie.
After I returned his embrace, I turned to Angela on the couch.
Her eyes twinkled as she assessed me. "You look wonderful, Bella!" She stood up and gave me a quick squeeze, then gestured to the man sitting next to her. "This is Ben, my boyfriend. Ben, this is Bella. She's volunteering at the hospital with Edward."
I shook Ben's hand and calculated their pairing. Evenly matched in skin-tone, they were dressed similarly. Angela had on a light purple tank-top and a black, flowy skirt that came up to her mid calf. Ben was dressed in a pair of black trousers with a white shirt and purple vest on. He looked very sophisticated with his black glasses on, almost like a scholar.
"It's really nice to meet you, Ben."
"You too, Bella," he replied as our hands dropped.
"As far as I know, Jessica and Mike are on their way," Angela said while placing a hand on Ben's shoulder. She turned to me and continued, "Mike is Jessica's boyfriend. They have been together for a few months now."
I nodded in understanding, not really caring, but okay with the information. "So how long have you two been together?"
Angela bit her lip shyly and looked over at Ben, who was about six inches shorter than she was.
"One year, three months, and eighteen days," he replied swiftly. Angela's face lit up into a wide grin and the two of them looked at each other in a way that made me feel uncomfortable for being there.
"Nice one, cheese-master!" Emmett announced from behind Angela.
"Hey, just because you're not romantic doesn't mean that girls don't like being treated as such every so often, you big lunk head." Rosalie spoke up from her perch on the couch arm. She then proceeded to smack him upside the head and we all couldn't help the laughter that spilled from our mouths.
"Enough with the romanticisms, I'm stealing Bella away before you all make her feel more self-conscious than she already is," Alice said as she came up behind me. She slipped her arm into one of mine, dragging me away quickly before anyone else could object.
"Now, I want to give you fair warning, Bella. There will be some people here that you won't get along with. That's completely fine, I don't get along with them too well either."
"Then why'd you invite them?" It doesn't make sense to invite people to a party that you don't want them at.
"Well, to get everyone I did want to come here, I had to open the invite to their friends, or significant others, as well."
"So, you're a people pleaser." I looked over at her just in time to see a small grimace on her face.
"To an extent; I do want everyone to be happy. You're not a good hostess if one of your guests isn't having a good time. But if someone pisses me off, you'd better believe it'll be on like Donkey Kong."
I giggled at Alice's words, surprised at her vocabulary choice. I didn't think anyone used that phrase anymore.
By this point, Alice's dragging had put us in the region of the party where the music was louder. People were either swaying lightly on the spot with their partners or off to the side standing still and trying to have conversations. I spotted Jasper and Edward near a crowd of people by the door, talking to each other avidly.
As Alice and I got closer, I noticed that Jessica and, who I assumed was her boyfriend, Mike had finally arrived. Beside them, holding on to Edward's arm like she might die if she didn't, was the statuesque, strawberry blonde, homecoming queen, Tanya. Now that I was actually close enough to see what she really looked like, I was stunned. She radiated gorgeousness in a silk, caramel colored dress that hugged her perfectly shaped curves. Her legs seemed to go on for forever, as the hemline of the dress ended mid-thigh and her gold heels seemed to be at least six-inches tall.
Kill. Me. Now.
How many hours would I have to look at them being lovey-dovey and coupley with each other the entire night?
My footsteps faltered for a second and my breaking heart shattered into millions of pieces. For the first time in a very long time, I prayed to God, begging them not to kiss in front of me. If they did I might run from the room crying.
"Tanya! I didn't even see you come in, what a surprise," Alice said dryly from beside me.
Obviously, this was one of the people she'd been talking about earlier. Though, it confused me. Tanya was Edward's fiancé; surely Alice would be alright with her presence at her house warming party?
Tanya turned towards us and smiled widely at Alice, completely ignoring me. Hmm, my own damn party and I feel like chopped liver. Fantastic. Oh, no. I just referred to this as my party. Shit! Well, at any rate, I'm standing next to the hostess so I should at least get a hello, right?
She cantered over to us. How a person can actually canter like a horse in the span of two feet beats me, but she did it. "Alice, darling! So great to see you! Your apartment looks okay. You really shouldn't have paid for an interior decorator though. They didn't do to well. You obviously didn't have too much space for them to work with," she said loftily.
Oh. Hell. No. She did not just insult Alice's decorating job AND the same place that I live at! Honestly, what kind of person seriously talks like a prep-school PTA mom? I mean, really!
Alice pursed her lips and closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again slowly and responding, "I'd like to introduce you to my newest friend and neighbor, Bella Swan. Bella, this is Tanya Denali."
I held out my hand to shake hers but was instead met with a cold, disdainful look. I held fast and after a moment she reluctantly took my hand. Her grip was the lightest thing I'd ever had the misfortune to touch. I got some really bad vibes off of her.
"It's nice to meet you, Tanya," I said sweetly. She was not going to have me cowering away from her. No way, no how.
She released my hand and nodded at me, "Stella."
I started, "Actually, it's-"
"Now Alice, I hope you remembered that I can't eat any carbs and all the drinks should be sodium reduced. You're looking a little puffy honey, laying off the salt will do wonders. Be a dear and turn down that awful music, if you will. I'm getting a terrible migraine and you know how I can be when I'm not feeling well." Tanya mock pouted while bringing a hand up to her head.
Without another word, Tanya turned from us and cantered back to Edward, casually slipping her arm back through his.
The cup in my hand was shaking, my rage about to boil over. If I didn't do something fast to relieve my own tension, Tanya would end up in a ruined dress that smelled like my punch.
"Why, that woman! The nerve of- if she wasn't- if she didn't… Argh!" Alice growled under her breath.
I quickly dashed forward and grabbed Jasper by the elbow. Startling him, I whispered, "Jazz, Alice needs you STAT!"
He looked from me to Alice and reacted immediately. Edward's brow furrowed as Jasper left the conversation stating, "Sorry partner, m'lady is a'callin'."
Edward turned to me and all I could give him was a look that said, 'Well if your fiancé wasn't such a princess, then, ya know, this wouldn't be happening.'
I don't know if he understood it, but I'm pretty sure the look of alarm on his face said he did.
I walked calmly after Jasper and Alice's retreating figures. I knew Jasper could fix the situation, but honestly I didn't want to be stuck standing awkwardly near Tanya. For all I knew she'd attempt to make me give her a pedicure while she was talking with everyone.
I felt a hand reach out to grab my own, stopping me in my tracks. The magical zap that passed through me alerted me to Edward's presence.
"Bella, what happened? Is Alice okay?" He sounded particularly worried and I was afraid to turn around and see that panicked expression on his face once again.
I looked down into my cup and willed myself to breathe. I felt angry at him for picking such a shrew of a woman to marry, but I wasn't in the position to criticize him for it. No. He'd chosen someone who was, for lack of a better term, high maintenance. He'd have to figure out eventually that her demeanor would hurt people and that he'd have to find ways of fixing it. I settled for telling him the truth as I turned around and faced him.
"Tanya wasn't the friendliest person to Alice a moment ago. She was insulting, demeaning, and bossy. She can treat me like that because I don't give a rat's ass if she thinks squat of me; I know what I am. But for someone to ruin all of Alice's hard work in the span of two seconds just isn't cool. If she continues to be a problem for my friend, for someone I care for and who I would do anything for, I will gladly put a stop to it in the most direct way I know how. She will be thrown out of this party forcefully. Do you understand me?" I was breathing heavily, my emotions getting the better of me and I needed a moment to cool off.
I chanced a look at Edward, wondering if I'd scared him away in my attempt at being threatening. He was channeling some kind of emotion, though I couldn't tell which kind it was. His pupils were dilated; eyebrows arched, and mouth kind of popped open. It was a fifty-fifty choice between sick and astonished. I was hoping for the latter.
"Right now, I don't know if Alice is okay. I grabbed Jasper knowing that he'd help, but I need to go check on her myself. You have a decision to make here. You can either come with me to check up on your cousin, or you can go back to her. I won't wait."
My body was trembling, I needed to get out of his presence before I collapsed and he would end up feeling sorry for me.
Turning away from him in the moment was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. But things needed to be done, so I walked into the hallway, the last direction I saw Jasper and Alice heading. Furtively glancing around the hallway, I decided to just walk into the bedroom with my eyes covered and knock on the closest wall. For all I knew, Jasper's calming influence came from giving Alice some oral pleasure. Fuck, I do not want to think of my friends having sex…that's… not… kosher.
Closing my eyes tightly, I hesitantly felt my way through the hallway to the bedroom with my right arm outstretched. Once I felt the wall change, I smacked my available hand against the wall in the new room. It was soft and emitted an "oof". Okay, not a good sign when the walls made noises. I opened my eyes hesitantly, afraid of what I'd see, and grimaced. I'd just hit Jasper in the stomach.
"Oops! Jasper, I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" He was doubled over, a hand in the spot that I'd hit him, breathing deeply.
"Oh, nothin' to worry about, darlin'," he rasped out.
"Oh goodness, Bella! I'm sorry you had to witness my mini meltdown a few moments ago. You shouldn't have to see me when I get flustered like that," Alice said as she came out of the adjoining bathroom.
"Sweetheart, you're fine. Believe me, I'll bet that I'm completely worse when I get ran ragged. She was a total asshat. If she does anything else tonight, I am personally kicking her out. This party is for you, you don't deserve to have someone here who undermines all of your hard work."
Alice stared at me for a few seconds, not a single emotion on her face. I noticed that her face was a bit puffy and that her nose was red on the end. She'd been crying. My heart ached for her and I was going out to that party in a matter of moments to set Bitchface Tanya in her rightful place, under my heel.
Then, as if someone had flipped on a light switch, her mouth turned into a huge grin and she flung herself at me. Before I knew it, she'd wrapped her tiny arms around my neck and was hugging the stuffing out of me. I laughed at her antics and reciprocated by wrapping my arms around her waist, careful of the drink I still held onto.
"Er, sorry to intrude on this hug fest. I just wanted to come and check up on you, Alice," Edward said shyly from the doorframe.
I felt Alice's smile on my shoulder. Good boy, Edward.
Alice and I released each other after a quick squeeze. She took a step back and then ran into Edward's arms, again wrapping her arms around his neck. He hugged her back briefly then let go and looked down at her. "I've just had a few words with Tanya. She won't be a problem at all for the rest of the night."
"Oh, thank you Edward. But you didn't have to. It's just that she gets so… so…urg! And then I get all polite because that's the way mom raised us and, well… you know, what I'm trying to say," Alice responded sadly.
"Well I was more afraid of Bella getting hurt. She's never seen Tanya when she's angry, and I honestly want to spare her that kind of thing." Edward shivered involuntarily at a memory.
"If y'all are done chit-chattin', you've still got guests out there, sweetums," Jasper spoke up from the wall.
I grabbed Alice's hand and walked past the two boys out into the party area. As far as everyone else was concerned, Alice had to go powder her nose. The event had been relatively minor and no one had their faces busted in.
"Ooh! There's Jessica and everyone else. Let's go introduce you, Bella," Alice squealed as she pulled me forward. Tanya had left the group and was nowhere to be seen at the moment. I felt freer than a bird.
"Jessica, I'm so happy to see you! Let me get the introductions out of the way real quick." Alice started pointing people out in the large circle we were standing in. "You already know Jessica, but this is her boyfriend, Mike. Next to him are Tyler, Eric, and Lauren. Everyone, this is Bella."
I waved at everyone. They seemed like a nice group of people, all of whom were around my age by the look of things. Jessica and Mike were also matching in their clothing choices. She had on a light yellow sundress while he was wearing a pair of dark-wash jeans and a yellow polo. They looked like happy, sunshiny people with their blonde hair and blue eyes.
Tyler had somehow coordinated with Ben, but was wearing a black vest instead of a purple one. His shoes stood out, they were so shiny. I thought that I might have to run home to fetch my sunglasses to ease the glare coming off of them. His hair was pulled back into short, tight cornrows.
Eric was the epitome of the chess dork. You could tell just by the way he wore his oxford sweater-vest. He was cute, adorable in a sad kind of puppy dog way. I just wanted to squeeze him until he found the right kind of clothing to wear. I was glad that he didn't have a pocket protector though, that would've blown me out of the water and I wouldn't have been able to talk to him at all for the rest of the night.
Lauren. She was basically Jessica but brunette and with an attitude problem towards me. That and the fact that her perfume smelled like it was from Hookerland. She'd somehow decided to go with the sluttier version of the dress-code for Alice's party. Her dress was neon blue and made out of some kind of plastic looking fabric. It had a plunging neckline that ended at her bellybutton, and the bottom of it ended high at her thighs. If she bent over, we'd see London, France and Tokyo. I personally thought she was going for the 80's version of a prostitute.
Okay, rule one to staying alive at one of Alice's party's: Stay away from the hooker-smelling girl. A) She might be trying to lure you in with her god-awful smell and charge you more than you ever thought you'd pay for a lay, or 2) You'll get a headache and die, thus letting her have all of the available men in the room.
I stood silent for a few moments, letting them fill me in on how they all knew each other.
Jessica knew Alice from many hospital events that Dr. Cullen had been the center of. The Cullens were very family centered people, and it showed in every aspect of their lives.
Mike had been Jessica's date to one of the functions where Alice had attended and thus only knew her as an acquaintance.
Tyler had been at some function that Alice had thrown during her dorm days at the University. He had been commissioned to be the DJ and had done such a fabulous job that she always kept his number in her speed dial for any other occasions that should need proper DJ-ing.
Eric was Alice's science partner back in high school. She'd always thought of him as a friend and had treated him as such. He was an awkward, but funny person once you got past his shy, geeky demeanor.
Lauren was one of Jessica's friends, who so happened to be in one of Alice's fashion classes. Some of Alice's party notes had been sticking out of her binder and Lauren had given her some tips. I noticed later that not a single one of Lauren's pieces of advice had been used by Alice.
I quickly excused myself from the group, Eau de Slut was beginning to make me nauseous and I didn't feel like kicking the bucket tonight. Making my way over to the snack table, I decided to toss my drink out and start fresh. The cup had gotten room temperature and warm punch was just as bad as swallowing a cup full of cough syrup.
"So how are you fittin' in, darlin'?" Jasper snuck up behind me.
I was so startled that I almost dropped the cup I was refilling into the punch bowl.
"Jesus, Jasper! Don't just run up on someone without announcing yourself! You nearly made me fall onto the snack table!" I clutched at my rapidly beating heart for extra effect.
"Well, sorry Bella. I didn't mean to intrude on your silent moment."
I looked into his blue eyes and instantly felt guilty for making him feel bad.
"Oh, don't apologize, Jazz. It's been one hell of an evening so far; a lot to take in if you know what I mean."
He gazed into me and I felt like he was staring into my soul.
"I sure do. But I believe that you're doing very well under the circumstances if that helps you at all." His eyes were piercing mine and I bit back a grin. I felt the farthest away from doing well, but if he said I was then I was going to believe him.
"What d'you think of everyone?" he continued.
"Well, er, they're all pretty nice people. I don't like Tanya one bit though, she just has this…" I gestured wildly with my hands trying to find the right word.
"Ability to make everything about her and her precious rich-girl tendencies?" Jasper offered.
"Yes! That sounds about right," I nodded as I pointed a finger at him in dawning comprehension.
"Ah, talking about Tanya again, are we? What'd the banshee with fake tits do now?" Rosalie had come over to the table to talk with us.
"Oh, same ol' same ol'. You know how she can be. At least she didn't call her daddy this time to come and 'fix up' everything." He shook his head and leaned in to whisper, "Bottom line is she doesn't like Alice's decorating."
I gave Rose a quick look to let her know that there were other things behind what Tanya had said, looking at her and then drifting my eyes off to the side and pursing my lips.
"Hey, Jasper, could you do me a favor and grab my coat for me? It's black leather with a design of a dragon on the back. My arms are a little cold and I don't know where Emmett ran off to," Rosalie asked innocently.
It didn't matter that it was early September, nights in Washington often became very cold and if you didn't have a jacket you were fucked. Even if the day held fast at a hundred degrees, the night could very well chill you to the bone.
He gave a quick nod and disappeared. Something inside me said he wouldn't ever turn down a lady and a request. His southern gentlemanly ways could end up biting him in the ass one of these days.
"Bella, spill. What else happened?" Rose said quickly.
I took a deep breath and quickly told her of what had happened. When I finished, I wished that I hadn't breathed a word of it to Rosalie. I had pictured that she'd become indignant at her best friend being treated like trash and use a colorful string of vocabulary to let her issues out. Oops… my bad. She looked like she was ready to go off and slap a ho.
Her eyes narrowed, her painted red lips curled back into a sneer and I registered a nostril flare.
Oh yeah, big oops on my part.
Luckily, Emmett showed up at that moment.
"'Sup, ladies? Enjoying yourself, Bella?" he asked in a joking voice.
He registered the scowl on Rose's face and asked hurriedly, "What the hell happened?"
"Tanya," was all that she could say in reply.
How in the hell did I fuck up these situations? Now not one, but two people were ready to lay a smack down on the rich bitch who thought she owned the universe. One person was enough, the other could stop them from committing a murder, but with both people equally involved, there were no guarantees.
Emmett placed a hand on Rosalie's shoulder, "Babe, its okay. Edward's walking her out to her car right now. I saw him when I was getting the stuff."
Wow, good way to diffuse the situation and be cryptic at the same time. Major props there, Emmy Bear.
"Good, I might've decided to throw our gift for Alice right at her face. I can't stand the harpy," Rose said through clenched teeth.
"Oh, you're talking about Tanya?" Angela said as she came up from behind me.
"You know her too?" I asked incredulously. What, did everyone know the Wicked Witch of the West but me?
"Of course. Her father is on the board of trustees, he gave her some lack-luster job where she just checks in on all of the staff. She makes sure to drop by every few days or so. You'll get to know her pretty well too; she pays extra special attention to the volunteers if you know what I mean." Angela gave me a knowing smile and grabbed a plate.
"Damn, I was hoping to never see her again," I said disappointedly.
"Well, at least you'll have Edward with you. She seems to be a lot tamer whenever he's around."
If that was tame earlier, I don't want to be near her when she's not pulling punches. I guess I'll have to wait and see. He wasn't exactly paying attention while the "exchange" between Tanya and Alice was happening.
"Do you know the next day you're coming back?" Angela asked hopefully.
"I-I don't know, actually. I haven't talked to Edward yet. I guess he's sort of my mentor for the first couple of visits. You know, until I can get my own feel for the place," I replied questioningly. Shit, when was the next time I'd be going back?
"Rose, darlin', I can't find your jacket anywhere." Jasper had come back looking sheepish.
"You know what, Jasper? Funny, I just remembered that I left it in Em's jeep. Besides, I've warmed up a bit now; I don't really need it anymore," Rose said with a smile on her face.
He looked relieved as he ran a hand through his golden locks. "We'll be giving Alice her presents in a few minutes, so get your food while ya still can."
Oh, that reminded me.
"I'll be back in a few minutes," I said hurriedly.
I filled up my cup quickly with fresh punch and made my way towards the front door. I had found the perfect house warming gift for Alice while at work the other day, skull and cross bone shaped ice cube makers. Just fill up the little holes with some water and after they froze you had perfect Jolly Roger ice cubes. I wasn't sure if anyone else would be giving Alice a present, so I'd decided to leave it at my place until I felt comfortable enough giving it to her. It really depended on if others were giving her things as well.
I exited the apartment without anyone stopping me to ask where I was going. Reaching under the placemat, I grabbed the key and unlocked the door.
"You're not leaving already, are you?" Liquid velvet asked worriedly. Edward, his name isn't liquid velvet, its Edward. Now get a grip!
I turned quickly, my drink almost spilled over. He rushed forward to grab the cup and caught my hand.
Zap.
Sparks.
Electricity.
Warmth.
I gasped involuntarily. Only seconds before he'd been a safe, respectable distance away from me and now… Now he was right in front of me, smelling delectable and wearing that green shirt that made his eyes light up. Our chests were almost pressed together and I felt the overwhelming urge to pull him closer to me, to make my entire body hum. I felt my nether regions clench and I had to resist the need to rub my thighs together to create some sort of heavenly friction.
Tempting fate, I looked up into his face from under my lashes and was stunned at how close we were yet again. This beautiful, gorgeous man was standing thisclose to me, holding my hand around the cup and licking his lips.
Licking his lips? Oh bad, bad juju.
The soft, pink, wet appendage darted out from between his parted lips. It took it's torturously sweet time making the circuit from point A of one side of his bottom lip to point B of the other side.
I gulped loudly, my thoughts becoming a distant buzz in the background of my brain. My eyes wandered up towards his, wondering if I'd find the same kind of fire there that I'd seen previously on these very steps.
I wouldn't be disappointed. His eyes blazed a shade of green that I could only describe as emerald granite. Colors of black, steel and different versions of green ran rampant through my vision, clouding my judgment and making me pant with desire. I clenched my free hand around the key to my door, the metal grooves biting into my flesh but not damaging my skin.
"Bella…" he breathed. Moaned? Whined? Moaningly whined? How to describe the breathy way his voice spoke my name. It sent shivers down my spine and a fresh round of arousal to form between my legs. What was this man doing to me?
"Edward?" I replied back softly. He looked hesitant, searching my eyes for something. I felt his other hand wrap around my waist and a sigh escaped my lips at the contact. My hand with the key inside of it moved of its own accord and wrapped around his bicep.
He moved closer to me, our chests connected and for the love of all that was Holy, I felt complete. I could feel the flat planes of his chest against my cushy bosom, his strong, muscular legs against my scarcely covered ones, his long, straining erection against my hot mound. By now I was gripping his arm in a death hold that I didn't know if I'd ever be able to break. Our breathing turned ragged and I was sure that I'd probably faint in a few moments from lack of proper breathing. My leg tingled. Then stopped. Tingled. Stopped.
Edward closed his eyes and reluctantly let me go, taking a step back.
I cleared my throat and attempted to speak coherently, "You're vibrating."
His hand fisted into his pocket quickly, pulling out his cell phone and flipping it open in a matter of seconds.
I turned from him, opening my door and closing it softly behind me. The alarm buzzed in my ear, bringing in a harsh reality to the beautiful fantasy I had been living a moment ago.
Switching it off, I set the key down on the side table and took a minute to regulate my breathing. I took a swig of the punch, deciding that a swig really wasn't all that I needed and downed the thing in a matter of seconds.
Walking from the front door into my room, I decided that two things needed to be done: grab Alice's present, and change my underwear.
This was going to be a long night.
XOXOXOXO
A/N: Thanks to Ellie and Amelia for being fantastic betas. Also, thanks to my mom for all of her support.
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