There's a link to the Twilighted forum thread for Chances, it's in my profile. I'd like to see you there sometime. I post teasers, if that's any incentive for you.
Mom- Thank you for your unwavering support, and for taking care of me when I was in a dark place.
Lady Tater- Thank you for always believing that I always had it in me.
Amelia- Thank you for looking over my craptastic chapters that are filled with more errors than I could count, sweets!
XOXOXOXO
Chapter 15: About Time
XOXOXOXO
Waiting for three o'clock to roll around was almost as fun as having my kidneys removed while I was still awake and under no anesthesia.
It wasn't that I didn't enjoy myself, no, far from it. It was the actual waiting that was killing me.
My mind went back to Em's offer. It was one hell of a proposition, to be truthful. I could easily see myself working in the shop, interacting with the customers would be a piece of cake since I was already used to it. I would be in charge of my own space; I wouldn't have to take Galen's shit any longer.
Oh Jesus, what a relief that would be!
It didn't take a genius to see that the benefits of taking the offer outweighed the notion of staying where I was.
I continued to watch Emmett and Rosalie interact with their customers, their workers, and even with each other in the rare moments they could steal away. It made me crave the affection that they so obviously shared.
I allowed myself to day dream for a moment, imagining myself with Edward as I saw Emmett and Rosalie behave.
Envisioning a life where Edward was with me every night, where he'd caress my cheek with the back of his fingers just because he could, made butterflies appear in the pit of my stomach and my lady bits twitch.
Don't get ahead of yourself.
Emmett came into the room then, breathing quickly as if he'd just gone for an invigorating jog. "Hey Bellsy, something came up with the caterer and we've got to go now," he said while grabbing a jacket hanging on the coat-rack next to the door.
I jumped up from my seat and quickly gathered up my belongings. "Sure, okay," I breathed out.
My heart rate picked up and I started to freak out a little bit. Edward hadn't said what time he would be at the hospital, and I didn't know exactly what to do without him there.
I knew to check in with the head volunteer representative, but if they assigned me to some different part of the hospital that I wasn't familiar with, I was up Shit Creek without a paddle.
Well, everyone's got to start somewhere, right?
I'd fumble through whatever task they assigned to me and smile pleasantly while I was doing it. What other choice did I have?
Following Emmett out to his Jeep, I saw that Rosalie was talking to one of the other mechanics, a tall, blonde man in coveralls. She gestured with her hands, ticking things off with her fingers as he nodded.
Emmett held the door open for me to climb into the back seat as Rose made her way over to us. Once situated, Emmett pushed his seat back, put on his jacket, and hopped in, shutting the door quickly behind him. He forced the keys into the ignition, turning on the car just as Rose jumped into the passenger's seat.
We raced out of the parking lot and were on the highway in a flash of rubber and squealing tires.
The top covering of the Jeep had been taken off, and the wind rushed around our faces as we sped down the road towards the hospital. I would've attempted to talk, but didn't feel the need to get a taste of my own hair once I opened my mouth.
Besides, I don't think they could've heard me even if I tried to say anything.
This caterer must be the shit, otherwise if a cop resembling anything like Charlie had seen us hauling ass down the road he would've thrown a shit-fit bigger than the great wrath of Zeus and caught our asses.
Getting extremely cold from sitting in the backseat, though the sun was shining down fully now on my skin, I rubbed my arms to try and keep myself warm.
In what felt like no time at all, Emmett's Jeep pulled into the parking lot of the hospital.
I don't even remember getting out of the car, things were happening so fast. But there I was, a minute later, wishing them luck with the caterer as they sped off and waved from a distance.
When you really want something, you drop everything just to go get it.
My thundering heart started to slow down now that I wasn't in a hurry. I turned slowly around and started walking towards the front doors of the hospital.
Well, at least I'll have a little time to make myself look presentable before Edward gets here.
Looking around me, I realized that the hospital was beautiful. For only having to come here once or twice in the past, the façade of the place was outstanding and modern in decoration. The creamy exterior of the building contrasted elegantly against the dark greens of the vegetation that surrounded it.
I walked slowly towards the front door, biding my time in the last of the September sunshine. As I drew closer, I watched people milling around the doors, some entering the establishment, and some leaving. Some people waited for rides, while others paced in front of the doors for…
Was that Edward?
Should he be here this early?
My stomach dropped uncomfortably, knots instantly forming as I took in his posture.
Uh oh, I don't feel so good all of a sudden.
Why is he pacing?
With trepidation, I continued walking toward the front doors, toward Edward.
My left hand cradled my abdomen, trying to soothe the growing ache in my body as my mind raced with possibilities for his behavior.
Is he okay?
Did something happen?
Did he change his mind about me?
Did he regret the kiss?
Oh my God, that must be it.
He's pacing because he wants to tell me that it was all a mistake; that he's sorry it ever happened.
Jesus, Bella, you should know better than to get your hopes up. Of course he doesn't want to be with you; not when he could be with tall, blonde Molly Sims.
My feet shuffled across the dark pavement. Subconsciously, I was walking towards my own execution and I didn't want to go through with it.
Far from it, I wanted to turn tail and run away as fast as my stumbling feet could carry me.
I'd made a commitment to the people at the hospital, and I wasn't about to give up on those ill individuals.
Yeah, right.
About ten feet away from him, he finally noticed me approaching. His eyes lit up momentarily before snapping back down to look at his wrist watch.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and cracked a small, timid smile towards him the next time he looked up at me.
He didn't return it.
My smile turned into a grimace as I dropped my gaze to my feet and continued moving forward.
The usual crackle of energy that flowed between us typically made me feel extraordinary, but now all I felt was dread.
With my heart thudding erratically inside my chest and my thoughts running a mile a minute, I stood before Edward and bared my defeated existence to him, ready for the proverbial axe to fall.
Just make it quick, that's all I ask.
"Bella, we need to talk," he said seriously.
Oh, Hell.
This does not look good. No wonderful conversation ever starts with, 'we need to talk'.
'We need to find a secluded closet and hump like bunnies', now that's a fantastic conversation I'd like to have.
A cold rush ran through my body as I prepared myself for the worst.
God, we're not even dating and he's already breaking up with me.
Fan-fucking-tastic.
Way to be aces, Bella.
Stall!
"But, um, don't we have to be on duty, or something?" I mumbled.
"We've still got some time before we're due to start. Really, this is important and it can't wait," he said as he grabbed my wrist in his strong hand.
I nodded numbly at him, unable to bring my face to meet his and willing the thrum of energy that passed through our skin to go away.
If I wasn't going to be feeling it any more in the future, I didn't want to be tortured by it any longer.
I felt like I was a puppy about to be scolded, or a lamb being led to slaughter.
Mommy, this boy I really like did a 180 on me and now my heart's all broken. Fly over here and take care of me because I feel like poopy, please.
He turned from me and started walking through the entryway of the hospital, nodding at people as they each sent greetings to him.
Waves of anguish washed over me as I imagined the words he would use to dismiss me from his life.
"Bella, you're not right for me, it's all been a big error in judgment. I've decided to take Tanya up on her offer; she's not as pathetic as you are anyways."
"You're just not good enough for me. I don't want you."
"You're crazier than a person tripping on mushrooms and I can't have that in my life."
He kept leading me down a series of hallways; my mind was beginning to get topsy-turvy with all of the turns we were making. If he left me here, I didn't know if I'd ever find my way back to civilization.
Finally, he stopped in front of a door and turned the handle, ushering me in before coming in after me and closing the door softly behind him.
I walked forward slowly, taking in the small room surrounding me. If I reached out my arms fully, I could barely touch the opposite sides of the room, that's how compact it was. The walls were white, but had so many small things posted on them that one would think the walls were multi-colored in shades of Post-It pastel.
A small counter lined one wall, where a laptop stood open to a photo-collage screensaver. The photo showed a young boy with a missing tooth waving wildly at the camera while at the beach. It switched to a glowing Esme, pleasantly plump with a round belly being showcased by her arms wrapping tenderly along her abdomen. The next was a family portrait of Carlisle, Esme, and Edward taken for Christmas, it was recent; Edward looked much like he did now.
We were in Carlisle's office, of course. Why was it so tiny, though? Maybe he had a bigger office upstairs or something, and this one was used in lieu of that whenever he needed something quick.
Edward wouldn't just barge into someone's office unannounced unless he knew the person into whose domain he was barging into.
"Bella, please look at me," he pleaded sadly from behind me.
Heaving a deep breath, I turned slowly toward him, my eyes sad and starting to water.
He gazed at me, eyes cheerless and mouth pursed uncomfortably. He was absently chewing on his bottom lip. When I chewed on my lip, he thought it sexy. When he did it, I thought it worrisome, like he had too much on his mind and I wanted to make it better; I wanted to make him better. I had to resist the urge to run my finger over it and make him stop because my heart would break if I performed that one last act of affection when I knew it was never meant to be.
"We kissed," he stated plainly.
Uh, yeah. Twice to be more exact.
I knew that that was what this was about.
I nodded at him. Really, what else could I do? Let the word vomit from my mouth loose?
In addition to having my heart broken, I'd look like a complete idiot once again?
No, thanks.
"It was an amazing kiss," he said softly.
No shit, Sherlock. Why would I have done it again if it wasn't worth doing the first time? Get the heart fail over with all ready, I'm getting antsy.
Again I nodded at him, chewing on my top lip to keep from saying something stupid.
"I really like you, Bella."
But…?
"I've never felt this way about anyone before."
Get it the fuck over already; do you like playing with my heartstrings?
He took a step closer to me and I took a small step away from him. In the enclosed space, I was pressed against the counter quickly.
"There's something between us and… Jesus, Bella, I like it."
He… what?
Hope flashed through my body.
"So do I," I admitted sheepishly.
"I want to get to know you, though. Maybe we can go out or something, you know, when you're not working and I don't have to study."
"That sounds really nice, I'd like that." Damn blush always making an appearance at the wrong times.
He let out a sigh of relief and flashed me that crooked smile that had come to make me giggle.
Not being able to hold in my laughter, I let it all out.
"What's so funny?" he asked, grinning at me, confusion in his eyes.
"I thought, God, I thought you were going to tell me to fuck off," I blurted out through my giggles.
"Why?" he asked, perplexed.
"I feel so stupid for even thinking it, but I thought that you and Tanya were, you know…" I trailed off. Finally, I could talk to Edward about the whole reason I wasn't so… receptive… to his earlier advances.
"Tanya? Are you on something? What made you think that?" he asked, flabbergasted.
"Remember the night that we met?" I started off hesitantly.
"Vividly, but go on," he nodded.
I blushed at his choice of words and felt my face heat up, but the words continued to flow out of my mouth without any restraint.
"Well, the first time I ever saw you, Jessica said that you and Tanya were engaged."
He was silent for a moment. I counted my breaths. Different emotions flitted along his strong features; confusion, anger, and lastly, understanding. When I got to two-hundred thirty two inhales, he spoke again.
"Is that why you were always skittish around me?"
"Well, yeah. I wasn't about to hit on some other person's fiancé and I wasn't about to start shit between Tanya and myself."
"You could've come out and asked me," he stated plainly, like it was the easiest thing in the world to do.
Oh, yeah, I could see that happening perfectly. Gee Edward, you're a fuckhot piece of man meat and I was just wondering if I could have your babies? Oh, and how's the wedding planning with Tanya going, by the way?
"Yeah, but I thought it wasn't my place. Then she was all handsy with you at Alice's party and that kind of sealed the deal, at least in my head," I explained.
He was quiet for a moment.
"So every time I was actively singling you out, your running off was an attempt to be virtuous?" he questioned finally.
"Oh honey, I'm on such a completely opposite spectrum of virtue that I'm practically the devil," I scoffed, rolling my eyes and shaking my head.
"Is that so?" he asked as he arched an eyebrow at me, a scandalous smirk on his face.
"Uh-huh, just call me Miss Horny." Miss Horny? For reals? Where was this shit coming from?
He stalked closer to me; two more steps and he'd be on top of me.
Hmm, not a bad idea.
"Well, Miss Horny, if you don't mind indulging me for a moment, I'd like an apology from you." Only if you call me Miss Horny from now on.
"Oh yeah? What for?" I asked, gulping and becoming incredibly aware of the counter digging into my back.
"For not trusting me enough, even as a friend, to ask a simple question," he said, placing his hands on the surface behind me, trapping me inside his strong arms.
"For that, I'm sorry. If I would've found the guts sooner, we could be on our third date by now," I smirked.
"I'll settle for a kiss," he reasoned, shrugging casually.
"But Mister Cullen, I don't kiss before the first date," I replied, bringing my hand up to my chest in mock surprise and putting fake shock into my tone.
"Smart-ass," he retorted, his face moving slowly closer to mine.
"You betcha. Now pucker up because I'm a hooker," I giggled. When could I ever deny this man, especially when I wanted it with all of my being? Oh right, fifty times before this one.
He leaned forward and his lips captured my own. I would never tire of kissing his soft, warm lips. His mouth was my new addiction, and I wasn't in the mood to quit any time soon. Sparks flew; tingling zaps of electricity flew through every particle of my body, warmth spread around me.
Perfection.
I had to remind myself that we were in Carlisle's office at the hospital, otherwise my lips would've meandered down their own path and all of my virtuosity would've been thrown out the window in a heartbeat.
"I can't ever stop kissing you, it'd be a crime against humanity," Edward mumbled around my lips as his hands wrapped around my waist.
"Well, Mr. Cullen, you're going to have to because we're supposed to be on shift in about five minutes," I said while giggling softly and bringing my arms up to hold onto his neck.
I wasn't about to let him make me late for volunteer duties; I did have a little shred of dignity left inside of me to keep my commitment to the hospital. Granted, my dignity and the rest of my being wanted to get inside his pants like no other, but I wouldn't break down that easily.
Except that I really didn't want to let go of him, either.
A soft knock on the door made us jump apart.
"Dr. Cullen, the patient in room- oh, you're not Dr. Cullen." A slightly plump, older nurse I'd never seen before came into the office when no one had answered her knock. "I thought he said… but what are you two doing in here, Edward?"
Edward cleared his throat before responding, "Hello, Mrs. Cope. My father said we could use his office to talk in private. We were just about to go start our volunteer rounds. I'm sure he's around here somewhere." He nodded curtly at her before grabbing my hand and pulling me along behind him, out the door and into the well lit hallway.
"Carlisle really gave you permission to corner me inside his office like that?" I asked breathlessly. I wasn't sure who Mrs. Cope was, but I didn't want her to automatically hate me for making-out with Edward inside Carlisle's private area.
"Not to corner you, but to give us a private moment to talk. Believe me, I didn't want to risk any kind of rejection in front of other people, love."
I blushed. "Did you just call me 'love'?"
"Of all the things to pick out of that sentence, you pick the word love. Yes, it's a term of endearment. Get used to it, you'll be hearing it pretty often," he said matter-of-factly.
"And what am I supposed to call you? Honey? Sweetcakes? Stud Muffin?" I asked, chortling.
"You don't have to call me anything but my name. I like hearing you say it," he said innocently from in front of me, still leading us down the hallway.
I bet you do…
Dozens of inappropriate images flashed through my mind, all of them including us in various shades of undress. He growled at me to say his name as he-
"You should get changed."
Totally not the direction my brain was headed in, but if you insist…
He led us farther along the hallway, coming to stop in front of a locker room door. Disengaging my hand from his, I ditched inside and quickly changed clothes.
Reemerging a few minutes later, he turned to me and said, "That must've been the fastest I've ever seen a girl change outfits."
"Well, not all of us need to look model perfect," I replied, taking down my hair from its bun and running my fingers through the locks.
"You're just a natural beauty,"
Way to be smooth, Casanova.
I felt my face heat up as I subconsciously chewed on my bottom lip. I was never comfortable with getting compliments.
Edward's hand reached up and came to cradle my cheek, his thumb running over my lip, subtly pulling it from my teeth as his digit grazed my skin.
"You need to stop doing that, or we'll never make it to duty," he said huskily.
Ooh, I likey husky talking Edward.
I grinned and kissed the pad of his finger quickly before moving away from him.
Laughing lightly, I sprinted down the hall towards the meeting area for volunteers. I could hear footfalls echo against the linoleum behind me, signaling his quick approach. I felt like a little kid, giddily enjoying life.
I skidded to a stop right outside the doorway, not wanting to burst in breathing heavily and looking like I wasn't taking this job seriously. I heard low, angry voices coming from the room, and my brow furrowed in confusion.
Edward, upon seeing me stopped in the hallway, walked up to me casually, breathing a little harder than normal from running after me, but in better condition than I was. I reached out a hand to stop him and gestured for him to be quiet and wait a second.
"…you understand, Jessica?" It was Tanya, she was snarling at Jessica.
"Bu-but I-I-I didn't realize that-" Jessica stammered.
"Of course you didn't realize, you silly little girl. How could you when you've got your own agenda with Mike?" Tanya spit.
"I love Mike, okay?" Jessica said strongly.
I didn't know what the fuck was going on, but it didn't sound too good for Jessica. Edward leaned in closer so that he could hear as well. I was acutely aware of his face right next to mine, the warmth radiating off of his face sent miniscule shivers down my back.
"Sure you do. And I love Edward, but that's all been blown to pieces because you couldn't keep your stupid mouth shut!" Tanya sneered.
My breath caught in my throat. That's what this was about? Oh Hell to the no.
"So? I didn't know it wasn't supposed to slip! I thought that you two were engaged, Tanya! You can't blame me for thinking so when you kept spouting off things you were going to do for the wedding!"
Before I had time to think, I'd marched purposefully into the room, ready to throw my two cents into their conversation. They were in the corner closest to the window; Tanya was towering above Jessica, invading her personal space as she threw insults at her. They didn't notice me come in.
"You need to stop this," I called out. They both turned to me, startled.
"This is none of your business," Tanya snapped at me. Then, turning back to Jessica, she added, "I'll be talking to Daddy tonight and you'd be extremely lucky to keep your job."
"What are you going to tell him?" Jessica whimpered.
"Anything it takes to get you out of here," Tanya said, venom dripping from her sugary-sweet voice.
"Excuse me, but you're throwing insults at one of my friends and she doesn't deserve it," I replied.
Sure, Jessica wasn't my best friend, but she was still a person and people had feelings.
Tanya rounded on me, ready to rip into me as well.
Bring.
It.
On.
"You, little miss pathetic, only wish you had the relationship that Edward and I do. Why, if you actually worked at this hospital, I'd have you thro-"
"That's enough," Edward said sternly as he walked in.
I turned around to see him striding forward smoothly, his hands clenched at his sides. His face was set in hard lines, jaw clenched, brow furrowed and nostrils flared. I'd never seen him angry before. Besides the quick glimpse at his face earlier when I brought up the faux engagement, I didn't know what to expect from him. He stood slightly in front of me, blocking Tanya's assault.
"Edward! What are you doing here? It's not your usual day to volunteer!" Tanya back-pedaled, her demeanor changing drastically from über bitch to perfect princess in two seconds flat.
That's right, honey, you'd better try and save your ass. Cause you just got caught!
"You have no right, Tanya, none whatsoever, to treat people the way that you do. It's disrespectful, not to mention just downright mean and cruel," he said strongly, his voice hard as steel.
Tanya stood gaping at us.
What do you have to say now, huh?
"I've known you for far too long. I know how you act and I haven't done one single thing about it. That was my fault. Maybe if I had talked to you sooner, you may not be the prissy diva you think you are," he continued.
"Edward- what I mean- this is-" Tanya sputtered indignantly from in front of us.
"No, Tanya. I won't listen to you anymore. Whatever spell you think you hold over me doesn't exist. Whatever relationship you think that we have doesn't exist. The fact of the matter is that you think you're privileged and I'm sick of you of treating people that I care for without dignity and respect."
Tanya stood shocked. Probably no one in her life had ever talked to her like this before.
"Jessica is one of the friendliest people I know; I count her as one of my friends. She doesn't deserve to have her career threatened just because she 'spilled your little secret'," Edward mocked with air quotes as I motioned for Jessica to come towards us. She slid out of her trance, moving quickly before Tanya could reach out with her stiletto high heel and puncture her with it.
It was like watching a car wreck on the side of the road. You couldn't help but look at the carnage that had unfolded.
"Alice is my cousin and the best designer at her school. She put a lot of effort into her party the other night and you dumped all over her just because it wasn't what you would have done. She deserves your respect because she's another human being, someone with feelings and emotions," Edward said stone-faced. He then turned towards Jessica, who had been standing next to me while Edward had told her off. "Jessica, you can go back to work now," he said softly.
Jessica scrambled out of the room so fast I thought she'd done a magic trick. One second she was there, the next she was gone. Look at that folks, its amazing!
He motioned me forward with his hand, and I stepped up quickly. I hated confrontation, but I loved it when bad people got their just desserts. Karmic justice ruled in my book.
"Bella's, well… she's something more to me than just a friend. You don't even know her. Hell, I barely even know her, but she's got more kindness and loyalty in her little finger than I know you do in your entire body, Tanya." He reached out his hand and grasped mine confidently, entwining out fingers together smoothly as if we'd been doing it all our lives.
"She deserves nothing from you because you don't have anything good left to give. You've already tainted Jessica and Alice, I won't let you get anywhere near Bella," he said, his voice low with anger.
He tugged on my hand. "Come on, we're getting out of here."
Spinning on his heel, he did an about face and marched us out of the room without so much as another word to Tanya, who was still standing near the window in stunned silence.
We headed back down the hallway. I kept in time with Edward and his rush of adrenaline. Anger does that to a person; revs them up and then rides along on the coat-tails of your blood rushing through your veins faster than a Lamborghini at a speed trail race.
I didn't know what to say to him. The standard, 'hey, are you okay?' didn't sound like it was enough to cover what had just happened.
With his free hand, Edward reached inside his polo shirt pocket and produced his cell phone. Flipping it open expertly, he pressed some buttons and was talking to Carlisle in a matter of seconds. It seems he caught him on a break of some sorts, lucky us.
"No, Dad, I hate to bug you with this, but Tanya needs to be removed from her position here at the hospital. She's abusing her privileges. I have some proof, but I can't get it to you now. I'll e-mail it to you once I get to a computer," he said into the phone.
I wondered what kind of evidence he had. Surely it couldn't be just his and my say so; it had to be something else. If it went to court it'd be a battle of he said, she said.
We passed through a whole bunch of different hallways, and once I finally realized where we were, we were headed out the door. Great, it was my second day of volunteering and a) I didn't know my way around the hospital yet and 2) I wasn't staying.
"Yeah, Dad, don't worry. I'll be fine. I'll call you once I've gotten things straightened out, okay? Thanks, bye." He flipped it closed and placed it in his pants pocket before turning to me.
We were in the parking garage when he finally spoke to me. "You don't mind if we skip out on today, right? I wouldn't be able to focus on anything around me and I'm pretty sure that wouldn't be much help in there," he asked apologetically.
I shook my head. I was pretty sure I wouldn't be much help either, considering the fact that when Edward got angry, it got me turned on.
A lot.
I wanted to yell at Edward to slow down, that my legs were starting to burn with the pace that he had set, but it wouldn't have mattered because in mere seconds we had arrived at his car. Being the perfect gentleman that he was, he opened the door for me first. After making sure I was inside, he closed the door and walked around to his side. Being the gentlewoman I was, I had already reached over and unlocked his side.
He muttered a quick thanks before slamming the key into the ignition and driving out of the hospital parking lot like a bat out of Hell.
Music blared to life from the car stereo as Edward pushed one of the buttons on the steering wheel. I didn't think he'd listen to any rock, but Finger Eleven sang out some verse about being paralyzed. Huh, well you learn something new every day.
In no time at all, we'd reached my apartment complex. Already knowing the code to get in, we drove smoothly through the gates and down the long lane towards my humble home.
I wasn't ready to be separated from him yet; so once we parked, I asked the only question that seemed prudent, "What proof do you have about Tanya?"
Oh yeah, I'm that smooth.
"Well, if you'll let me use your computer, I can show you."
Why, Mr. Angrypants, please do come in. Is there anything I could get for you? Water? Sandwich? Me, naked on my bed covered in chocolate sauce and begging you to ravage me completely?
"Sure, you're always welcome," I said before climbing out of the car.
We walked up the three flights of stairs, me leading the way, in silence. I couldn't help but sway my hips on purpose, just a little. Hell, I didn't know if he was watching, but if he was, I hoped it would pay off sometime later.
Once at the top, I unlocked my door and disarmed the alarm while Edward walked in behind me and closed the door softly, turning the deadbolt into place.
"Um, my computer's in the corner there, it's a little slow, but should still work for you," I said while gesturing towards the living room.
He nodded at me before heading off in the direction I pointed, grabbing a cord out of the messenger bag he'd brought up from the car.
"Did you want anything to eat, or something to drink maybe?" I asked as I headed into the kitchen.
I was at the sink when I heard the monitor and hard-drive kick into life. A second later and Edward was in the kitchen with me. "Sure, a drink sounds good," he replied, leaning against my counter casually.
"Anything special, or is it bartender's choice?" I quipped.
He chuckled lightly and stepped closer to me. "It depends. What's on the menu?"
Me!
Oh! Oh! Say me! Say me!
Say me for the love of all that's holy!
A little whipped cream bikini and we could have a case Varsity Blues on our hands.
Smiling coyly at him, I leaned up to whisper in his ear, "Water or apple juice?"
I couldn't keep a straight face, my mouth split into a smile and laughter filled my voice.
I tried to step away from him, but before I could get out of his grasp, he wrapped his arms around my waist and held me to him. Leaning down to whisper into my ear he said, "You are such a tease."
Hell mother-fucking yeah, I'm a tease. I haven't had sex in a while, but that still doesn't mean I'd give it up that fucking easy.
Okay, so maybe for Edward, I would. Be he's the only exception! He's like… sex on a stick!
I turned my head towards him and whispered back, "Why yes, yes I am," and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before twisting out of his arms quickly.
The computer dinged on the desk before Edward had a chance to respond. I giggled at the look on his face. The 'I-don't-want-to-leave-but-I-have-to-leave' expression was always a classic.
"Go forth and uncover the demise of Miss Denali, young detective. I shall join you momentarily," I said in an Olde English accent while waving him off.
Edward chuckled and shook his head before going back to the living room.
You. Are. A. Loon.
Yes, but I'm a happy loon.
Despite what had happened earlier, I was thrilled to have Edward alone with me in my apartment. I just had to keep my hands to myself. I already knew it was a lose-lose situation.
Grabbing two waters from the fridge, I made my way out to Edward, who was already sitting at my desk with his phone plugged into my computer's hard drive. I handed him the water bottle before sitting down in the couch next to the desk.
"So you don't have to have any special programs to run your phone on my computer?" I asked before taking a sip of water.
"Nope, you've already got the software I need to get our proof." I loved how he said 'our'.
"Okay, so I'll bite. What's the evidence?" I asked, leaning forward.
He leaned forward and turned on the speakers. "Listen."
"… your business. I'll be talking to daddy tonight and you'd be extremely lucky to keep your job." Tanya's voice filtered through the machine.
"What are you going to tell him?" Jessica whimpered.
I gasped, "You recorded…?"
He turned to me and nodded as Tanya's voice, still sugary-sweet with that hint of venom, passed through the speakers. "Anything it takes to get you out of here."
"Excuse me, but you're throwing insults at one of my friends and she doesn't deserve it." My voice came on the speakers then, and I turned to Edward as he lowered the volume back down. "How much did you get?"
"Enough to prove the misconduct that she's been involved in," he said smugly.
"And you thought of this on the fly?" I asked in disbelief. I wouldn't have thought about anything like that.
"Well, it was tough having to wait so long. I couldn't let you just go in there and pounce on her, but I didn't want her to make trouble for you either," he said while shrugging nonchalantly.
Aw, how sweet.
"What you did back there, standing up for Jessica and Alice and… for me… it was great," I spoke up, clearing my throat a little bit.
"You did it first," he replied, turning his attention back toward the computer.
"Yes, but I didn't have anything to lose. What if she manipulates her father into getting you permanently kicked out of the hospital, or Carlisle fired for some God-awful reason? I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything like that happened," I fretted, wringing my hands in my lap.
"Hey, with this, there's nothing but proof. No 'if's, 'and's, or 'but's about it. If, for some reason, Tanya does go to her dad and tries to do anything, we have this on our side. It's irrefutable evidence. And as soon as I can get into my e-mail, I'll be sending it to my father as well as Alice just to be on the safe side. But do you want to know what's even better?" he comforted me, shifting his gaze from the monitor to my anxious face.
"What?" I asked, scrunching my brow.
"I've got video of it, too. My phone's about an inch bigger than my shirt pocket, so the lens caught everything," he gloated.
"No way," I gasped, my eyes turning to the size of saucers.
"I'll show you. Look at the screen," he replied, pointing to the screen.
I got up from my place on the couch and looked over his shoulder at the computer. Sure enough, as Edward replayed the file from the beginning, my back came onto the screen and so did Tanya and Jessica's faces.
"God, I wish I could get Galen on something like this. That way everyone would know he's such a prick," I said enviously.
"I thought everyone already did; it's so obvious. Why don't you have a cell phone, Bella?" he asked from out of the blue, turning to face me.
"Uh, cause I can't afford it," I said while climbing back onto the couch and looking at the floor. I didn't like talking about my money issues. It made me feel weak and like I was a failure. But since I was going to take up Emmett's offer to work at the shop, I could afford some luxury items in my life.
I caught sight of Edward's expression, thoughtful and hesitant at the same time. It was like he wanted to say something, but didn't quite know what to actually say.
I don't think he knows how hard it can actually be for someone as unprivileged as I am.
"I didn't tell you my good news," I said, brightening up.
"What's that?" he asked eagerly, grateful for the subject change.
"Emmett offered me a job at the shop, being a secretary-kind of greeter thing," I said proudly, nodding my head in affirmation at the end.
Edward's eyes popped open in surprise. "That's fantastic, Bella!"
"Yep, he's going to be paying me more than I'm currently getting paid plus holidays off and vacation time and benefits…" I trailed off dreamily.
"Plus he's not a jerk! Well, most of the time he's not. Just don't cross him on Mondays until he's had his coffee," he joked.
"I'll keep that in mind. But first things, first is that I've got to put my two weeks notice in at Fuego. I'll be sad to go, but this is a much better option for me in the long run."
Edward nodded in agreement, his eyes back to the computer screen. "How do you get online?"
I fixed it up for him, opening windows and such on the desktop so that he could get his task out of the way.
"Thanks. Everyone's got different operating systems for the web and I didn't know what yours was. Though I could've poked and prodded around on your desktop for a while, I didn't really want to have to buy you a new computer if I broke this one," he said, grimacing slightly.
I laughed and excused myself to go and change into more comfortable clothing while Edward worked. By the time I came back into the living room, wearing a pair of beige shorts and a white wife beater, my hair down, Edward had turned off my computer and was sitting on my couch watching TV.
Plopping down next to him, I tried my best to keep my distance by sitting on the opposite side of the couch. My inner pervert was silently pushing me closer and closer until our legs were touching.
What the fuck is this shit? I could shimmy my way along the couch without really realizing it until I was actually touching him?
I was so screwed.
Edward noticed as soon as I'd gotten close to him. He slung an arm across my shoulder and I cuddled up to him, wrapping my legs underneath me and off to the side.
His fingers made small circular strokes across my bare skin. I had no idea what he was watching on TV, but it sure as hell wasn't capturing my attention.
"Did you want to go in and give your two weeks notice today? I'll go with you," he asked suddenly.
"No, I'm all right. That's something I need to do myself, like a rite of passage or something. I'm fine sitting here with you. Unless you want to go to the mall…?"
He swallowed noisily before clearing his throat, "No I'm, ah, fine just sitting here with you, too."
Without really thinking about it, one of my hands reached up and rested on his chest. Before I knew it, my fingers were swirling around in small circles on his shirt.
"Edward, are you all right? You're kind of fidgeting."
It was true. While his hand was still making circles on my shoulder, his knee was bouncing up and down and his other hand kept going from his hair back to his lap, and then back to his hair again.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just going to go and use your bathroom real quick, okay?"
"Sure," I said as he got up from the couch and headed towards the back of my apartment.
He's nervous. He doesn't know what to do and he's nervous as all fuck.
So am I, that doesn't mean that I'm fidgeting all the time, though.
I scooted over to where Edward had been sitting, the fabric warm under my touch, and leaned against the armrest.
He's watching Dora the Explorer? What the hell?
I was flipping through the channels while he came back, intent on finding something that didn't use an animated monkey as a sidekick.
A few minutes later, just when I thought I'd have to call search and rescue to go find his ass, Edward rejoined me on the couch. He took my position as I'd taken his. His hands lifted my feet so that he could sit as close to me as possible, and have my legs in his lap at the same time.
I settled the TV on some music channel, I didn't care which one as Edward had started rubbing my feet.
It was a nice sentiment, truly it was. But after working three years in a job where I only sat down for fifty minutes a day made my toes incredibly tender. Any kind of touch pretty much felt like tickling.
I couldn't help the snort of laughter that escaped my lips and the way I pulled my feet away from him two seconds after touching them.
"What, are you ticklish?" he asked, an evil glint in his eyes and the corners of his mouth turning up.
"Nooooo," I said, trying to keep the grin off my face.
He grabbed one of my feet and ran a long finger down the middle of it.
"AH! Edward, stop it!" I squirmed.
He held on to my foot and continued his tickling spree.
"Oh, I think I found a tickle spot. Hm, where else are you ticklish, I wonder?" he said playfully.
My laughter bounced off the walls, punctuated by shrieks every once in a while.
His hands traveled slowly up my calves, lightly touching my skin. Part of me found it ticklish; while the other part found it erotic, giving me the shivers.
Soon, he reached the sides of my thighs. While that part wasn't ticklish, the way he reached under me and got the skin on the back of my legs was highly arousing. Acting like I'd been burned with a red hot poker, my hips thrust into the air accompanied by a very unladylike 'ACK!'
"What the hell was that?" he asked, laughing loudly.
My face, already flushed from gasping and laughing, avoided his gaze as I answered, "I can't tell you."
"Oh, you can't tell me, huh? Why is that?"
"Because it's embarrassing." The man didn't have to know that barely touching the back of my thighs was a turn on, now did he?
He gave me that panty-melting grin and asked, very seriously, "Is it horrible?"
Fuck yeah, it's horrible! But I can't really be like, 'Uh, no. it's actually very wonderful and I wouldn't mind if your hands traveled 'round to my front side and paid it some attention too'.
I did my best to look serious, failing miserably in the attempt, as I nodded.
"Do you want me to stop?" he asked with that same grin in place.
Biting the inside of my lip, I nodded back meekly.
He leaned down towards me and whispered in my ear, "Too bad."
I shrieked again as his hands continued their light assault of my body, bee-lining from my thighs to my waist as he sat back up on the couch.
Without realizing it, my shirt had ridden up to right below my bra. His fingers stilled on my waist, each one holding onto my side firmly as his thumbs smoothed across my skin.
Gone was the playful atmosphere, and in its place, tension filled the air.
What's he going to do now? Why is he just looking at me?
The light color that had filled his eyes earlier had been replaced by a dark, smoldering green color. Gone was the playful atmosphere. In its place was a charge of electricity from the energy that always seemed to flow between us. My already fast heartbeat thudded more forcefully in my ears.
I licked my lips.
And with that, I was done for.
His lips crashed down to mine in a fevered kiss that truly spoke of need and passion.
A wanton moan came out of nowhere from me as his chest crushed down to my own. His weight was comforting, surrounding me with his scent.
I nipped at his lower lip, and then gently sucked on it and soothed it with my tongue. His answering groan told me that I was doing something right.
My hands reached up to grab a hold of his hair, soft and silky in my palms, and lightly pulled.
His mouth opened to mine, and our tongues, hesitant but determined, entangled. He tasted like mint and coffee and… Edward.
I could literally eat him up all day long, he tasted that good.
I whimpered, my panties becoming much too wet for my comfort.
One of his hands stayed on my waist, still rubbing absentminded swipes against my skin with his thumb, as the other traveled up to caress the side of my face and tangle into my hair. In time with our tongues slipping into the other's mouth, his hand massaged my scalp, sending me into a trance-like state.
There's only so much kissing a person can take before they have to come up for air. I broke away from his lips, gasping as they traveled along my cheek and blazed a trail to my ear. He nibbled on the lobe gently, and I swear to all that was holy, my eyes rolled back into my head.
Needing to perpetrate some kind of torture back to him, one of my hands scrambled down from his hair to travel down his side. I managed to get it under his shirt and run my hand slowly up his back, and then lightly dug my nails in as I brought it down.
His answering hiss in my ear sent me on overdrive, my hips bucking up at the sound he made alone.
I needed some sort of friction against my lower half. The part of me that was singing, 'We might be getting la-a-id. We might be getting la-a-id' desperately wanted to, in fact, get la-a-id.
Just as Edward moved from my ear lobe down to my neck, first breathing lightly onto it, my back arched from intense shivers.
"Oh, Jesus!" I whimpered, breathing heavily.
I couldn't stand it any longer. Being the semi-clumsy girl I was, I somehow managed to get one of my legs onto his other side, only kneeing him in the ribs once in my attempt.
With this new position, his hips settled onto mine and I could fully feel his erection.
Holy Hell, he's huge!
And hard, so very, very, deliciously hard.
Remember the basics, Bella. Tab E fits into Slot B.
Repeatedly.
Until you both explode.
Were we really going to…?
Oh no, this is way, way too early.
Edward's lips choose that moment to latch onto the sensitive skin of my neck, sucking and licking, and biting there until I thought I'd pass out from the sensations coursing through my body. As he bit at the particularly sensitive area of the crook of my neck, my muscles had no control as my hips flew upward once again. This time they came into contact with the large bulge in his pants and neither of us could help the moans that were let loose.
God, I want to do that again. That sound he makes goes straight to my lady bits and the feel of his hard on against my throbbing clit is the sweetest sin I've ever known.
The hand that had been massaging my scalp came down to my shoulder, then slowly slid down my front until it rested on the area of skin above my breast, where my heart was beating furiously fast.
He broke away from my neck to look into my eyes, silently asking for permission to touch me there.
DO IT!, part of me screamed.
IT'S TOO SOON!, my little Miss-Inner-Good-Girl, countered.
I took a deep breath, and burped. Honestly, it was the most humiliating thing in the world, but all I could do was laugh my oxygen deprived head off as I brought my face forward in a vain attempt to hide. Edward thought it was pretty hilarious too; he started laughing before I had, the jerk!
Bringing my hand up to my mouth, I apologized, "I'm sorry, I-"
There was a knock on the door.
Three, short little raps against my door had my heart racing faster than it had been while Edward and I were making out.
It was the, 'Oh my God, I'm going to get caught masturbating' feeling.
He backed up on the couch to give me some space to get up. I wasn't sure if my legs would actually function or not; my muscles felt like jelly.
I slowly swung my leg around and sat up, putting my head in my hands and rubbing it slowly to try and make the evidence of what Edward and I had been doing go away. What had just happened was personal; I didn't want any witnesses. I figured if my entire face looked flushed and red, then my lips wouldn't stand out too much. As it was, they throbbed with warmth in time with my heartbeat.
He sat on the cushion of the couch on his haunches, leaned forward and gave me a quick peck on the lips before standing up and adjusting the bulge in his jeans.
After helping me to stand without wobbling, I walked to the front door and braced myself. Edward stood behind me, one hand on the small of my back as I unlocked the door and swung it open.
Alice, dressed in a white and pink polka dotted tank top with black Capri's and silver flip-flops, stood before us with one hand on her hip, and the other poised at her chin in thought. "So I was thinking about Halloween…"
XOXOXOXO
Okay, so I know the recording thing may not be possible in RL legally, but just chalk it up to artistic license in this instance.
"Chances" is being featured on a blog, under the "What's In Our Inbox" page, www(dot)twi-ficpromotions(dot)blogspot(dot)com(backslash)p(backslash)whats-in-our-inbox(dot)html. Everyone who reads and loves "Chances" will be able to tell others how much and why. Just send an e-mail to kellytfp(at)gmail(dot)com with your reasons. Your praise will be added to the page as well. If any of you do, THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I'll be up for auction during The Fandom Gives Back, Eclipse edition starting June 26th at 10 AM EST. Bid on me if you'd like me to write something for you, $5.00 gets you 5k words about anything your deepest heart desires ;). Want an out-take of Chances? Sure! Want a completely new, NC-17 story just for yourself? Absolutely! Or if you just want to donate, feel free. Auction ends July 2nd at 11:59 PM EST (8:59 PM PST). It's all for a very good cause! www(dot)TheFandomGivesBack(dot)com
Please, please, please leave a review! They make me truly happy and want to write more!