AN: Now don't go off judging Bella in this chapter…
I walked across the street to a bar that I've been to a few times and ordered a rum and Coke.
Tonight didn't go how I thought it would at all. It didn't really surprise me that Emmett and Jasper were there, but the girls shouldn't have been. This had nothing to do with them, and I could bet money that none of them had ever brought dates to this kind of meeting. I didn't know what they were playing at, but I'm sure whatever it was backfired.
I didn't intend on it getting as violent as it did, but when I saw Jasper reach for his gun, I drew mine on instinct. I would like to say that I wouldn't have shot him, but I wasn't sure. At that point, I was frustrated at the girls' presence, pissed that I was taken off guard, and truthfully, hurt that Alice was treating me the way she was. I understood her anger, I did, but I was trying to fix it. Didn't that count for something?
I opened my purse and stared at the two pill bottles, trying to decide if my knee or head hurt more. Making a decision, a swallowed two Percocet with the Coke. It burned the whole way down.
"Didn't anyone tell you that you shouldn't mix alcohol and medication?" a man said as he sat down next to me. He was quite handsome. Blond hair tied back at the nape of his neck, smooth, flawless skin, and very easy on the eyes. Mesmerizing blue eyes that shouldn't exist. "Garrett," he introduced himself.
"That kind of day, Garrett." I shrugged. "Isabella, or Bella. Whichever."
"It's nice to meet you, Bella. Another drink?"
"Trying to get me drunk," I joked.
He brazenly leaned in close. "Would I need to?" he whispered.
Looking into his amazing eyes, I answered. "Probably not." He licked his bottom lip, and I couldn't help but do the same. My mind went there–wondering what he was packing between his legs. It had been a long time since I had any sexual release that I didn't give myself. It wasn't for Jacob's lack of trying. I couldn't stand the thought of his hands on me. Besides, he thought I didn't know about his piece on the side; Leah. That's why he wasn't pestering me about sex much anymore.
"Wanna get out of here?" he offered.
"What about that drink?" I replied coyly. I think we both knew that we were going to be leaving together.
"I have a wet bar at my place. Anything you want." He leaned in close, brushing his lips lightly to mine. My eyes fluttered closed as I allowed this stranger to take my bottom lip between his teeth. I grabbed the lapels of his jacket to bring him closer.
A throat clearing broke us apart. If we were in a private setting, my gun would have been shoved down the asshole's throat for interrupting something that was just getting good. I turned my head to tell whoever it was to fuck off. However, my words got stuck in my throat when I saw Edward standing beside us with an angry, feral look.
"Mr. Cullen. What are you doing here? There's no way you finished dinner." It had only been fifteen minutes, tops, since I left them.
He ignored me and kept his glare locked on Garrett. "This is Garrett. Garrett, this is Mr. Edward Cullen," I introduced them, trying to breaking the heavy tension.
"I know who he is," Edward seethed. "I told you to watch her, not try to fuck her."
My eyes widen at the realization of his words. "Watch me? For what?"
"Forgive me, Mr. Cullen," Garrett began confidently, if not a bit arrogantly. It was something that you just didn't do. "You weren't specific in your instructions, so as long as she was with me, I didn't think it would be a problem." His final, and ultimately fatal mistake, was adding a little smirk at the end. Garrett was cute, but obviously fucking dumb. It was nice knowing him, I guess.
I watched as Edward began sucking his teeth in anger. I studied his chest as he took in deep, soothing breaths and practically drooled as he swiped his tongue across his bottom lip. If I wasn't terrified of this man, I wouldn't have hesitated to ask him back to my place.
Christ. I was turning into a whore.
"Garrett," he began before stepping close. He whispered in his ear, but it was still loud enough for me to hear. "I think you forgot who you're talking to, but I suggest you begin to remember. Quickly. Now, get the fuck out of my face before I make you swallow your tongue and put one between your eyes."
Garrett visibly paled, nodded quickly, and left without so much as a goodbye. I watched him walk away and exit the bar. I was hesitant to turn my attention to Edward, though I could feel his eyes on me the whole time. He was angry, which was always dangerous, and I was nervous to have his anger taken out on me.
"Were you going to take him home, Isabella?" he asked. I could hear the irritation in his voice. It was partly his fault, anyway, for having someone watch me.
"Probably." I shrugged. "I've been pretty lonely." I finally looked back at him. The fire of anger still danced in his eyes, but I was too entranced to look away. "I'm sorry about pointing the gun at your brother," I apologized. "But in my defense, he reacted too harshly to something that was between Alice and me."
He nodded once. "I wish I could apologize for drawing my gun on you, but I was protecting my brother."
"Of course." I was about to bid him a good night, but he spoke before I could do just that.
"Alec will no longer be a problem." I caught the drink that dribbled down my chin from fighting not to spit it out.
"Come again?" Alec continued to be a pain in my ass, though I hadn't seen him since the day I sent him off to deliver the money. It was like he literally dropped off the face of the planet.
"I found him." He didn't have to say anything else.
"How did you do it?"
"I chopped off his hands and watched him bleed to death. It wasn't as much fun as it sounds."
"Thank you, I guess." It was one problem that I didn't have to worry about.
"I didn't do it for you. Someone had to pay and it seemed fitting that he was it. Want another drink?"
"No," I answered, shaking my head. "I shouldn't be drinking this shit, anyway. Everything hurts going down," I blurted out.
Without warning, he moved the collar of my coat that I had not taken off and began tracing his finger marks. I was stunned into stillness but could admit that his fingers on me felt heavenly. I slightly flinched when his finger began inching toward my chin. The burn was still sensitive and only recently began healing.
Edward flashed his eyes to mine while continuing to come close to the underside of my chin. Very slowly, he brought his face closer, and all I could do was lock my eyes to his. My breaths were shallower as I tried not to move; not wanting him to stop.
Finally, after what felt like forever, I could feel his breath on my neck as he placed featherlight kisses along his finger marks. He started at my left ear and made his way to my right. He made one detour, placing a kiss next to the burn but not actually touching it. I was extremely grateful for that.
I tried to keep myself from hyperventilating, but his lips, his breaths, and his fingers were driving me insane. Despite my fear of this man, I wanted him. I wanted him years ago, and I still wanted him today.
"What are you doing?" I managed to breathe out, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Apologizing," he answered between light kisses and sweet caresses.
I closed my eyes and just let myself feel. I wanted to tell him that there was no need to apologize; that I completely understood his actions a few days ago in my office. It was the way our world worked-his especially. You dealt harshly with rats, traitors, and those that reneged. Misunderstandings can happen, but you never let your insecurity with a situation show. I'm sure many innocent people died over a misunderstanding, but that's an occupational hazard when you decide to play with the big boys.
When it came right down to it, though, I just didn't want him to stop.
"I should respect your engaged status," he continued. I wanted to fervently shake my head, but I didn't want to do anything that would make him stop touching me. "But I can't respect a loveless relationship."
I sighed in relief. I felt more affection toward Edward, a stranger for all intents and purposes, than I did toward Jacob.
"Can I take you home, Bella?" he asked before placing a kiss on the corner of my mouth.