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CHAPTER 17

EPOV ~

Saturday, March 17th, 2007 ~

"Were you not listening when I said she wasn't welcome in my house anymore?" Alice hissed as she cut the shit out of some wrapping paper.

"No," I groaned. "I heard you, but what was I supposed to do? Miss my best friend's birthday?"

Alice was pretty pissed at me for bringing Tanya to Las Vegas for the weekend, and since I knew she was going to react like this I tried to talk Tanya out of coming, but she wouldn't budge. So I had no choice but to bring her. I knew although Alice would throw a fit, she would in the end either allow or refuse Tanya's admittance to the party. I knew it was wrong of me, but I knew Tanya would never make me choose between her and my family, at least not while my mother was anywhere in the near proximity.

She tossed the scissors onto the bed, before she met my gaze with a glare. "No, not miss his birthday," she spat. "Just not bring the skank. I'm not playing games here, Edward. I don't care if she's your wife, she's a bitch!"

"Fuck, Alice!" I hissed, pulling at my hair. "I tried to get her to stay home. I really did."

I did everything in my power to get her to stay home, trust me. I tried bribing her with a weeklong cruise, not that I really wanted to spend a week aboard a cruise ship with her, but I figured I could work that part out later. However, she wasn't having any of it, and pulled the wife card; saying this was a family function, and just because one member of my family didn't want her there didn't mean the rest didn't.

She shrugged. "I'm sorry, Edward, but she's not coming."

I glanced at my watch. "I've gotta go," I sighed. "I've got a meeting to get to."

Alice watched as I stood to leave, but she didn't say anything—probably because she thought I was mad, which was better than the truth—that I didn't really care whether Tanya came to Jasper's party or not, I just needed to get to Bella.

I decided to deal with the whole situation later.

After, I saw my girl.

I knew the last time I was in town that I was going to be back this week for Jasper's birthday party, but I didn't mention it to Bella. I didn't want to get her hopes up, and then have something come up making it impossible to see her. Luckily, I got a lead on some property in Vegas that was going to be coming up for sale, and I just couldn't resist the opportunity it presented.

I had just purchased an old rundown hotel and casino on the edge of the strip back in September; I had been finalizing the details when I met Bella. That was also the reason Jasper and Alice relocated to Vegas. Alice had been looking to expand C&W Designs, and I needed someone I could trust managing my—fingers crossed—newest moneymaker, so after several days of negotiations, Jasper accepted the position.

The property butting up to the hotel converted resort had gone up for sale. The owner contacted me first, and of course, I was all for purchasing the property. I'd wanted it since I found the first one. We were able to work out all the details via email, phone and fax, but I told my wife and family I had a final meeting the day of Jas' party to finalize the sale.

I knew the family would be staying at the Palms during the weekend, so there was no way I could take Bella there, which would be why I switched the weekend before. I preferred the Palms to the Bellagio, but I wasn't going to risk being caught. I knew there was a chance someone would recognize me, but I was hoping I tipped well enough that they'd remain silent if they did. So, there I was, checking into a room at the Bellagio at one o'clock in the afternoon, just so I could spend a little time with my girlfriend. All while, my wife shopped with my mother and older sister.

Scumbag? Yeah, that was me.

I knew we only had a few hours, and I hated that I wasn't able to spend the night with her, but I was a selfish bastard that had no problem taking whatever it was I could get.

A knock at the door alerted me to Bella's arrival, and I nearly ran to the door, not wanting to waste a single second of our time together. She looked absolutely stunning when I pulled the door open. She wasn't wearing anything special, a pair of black short pant thingy's and a grey shirt with some sort of yellow design thing on it; honestly, it looked like someone spilled some paint on it and then tried to clean it up, but, she looked fucking hot nonetheless.

"God, I missed you," I murmured, pulling her into the room, and then to me, by her shirt. I didn't give her a chance to respond, before I attached my lips to hers in a heated kiss and slammed the door closed behind us. It didn't take long for her to start trying to shed me of my clothes, and I gladly obliged. Still walking through the suite, our lips remained securely attached, as I began shedding her of her clothes. We only broke our kiss long enough to collect a breath, or pull a shirt over a head. I was oh-so-pleased with what I saw underneath her cute little outfit. I fucking loved it when my girl wore plain Jane white cotton panties and bras, because she looked sexy as fuck.

"How long do you have?" Bella panted, breaking the kiss. She pushed me down on the bed so I was sitting, and then moved to straddle me while I unclasped the back of her bra.

"I have a four o'clock flight," I lied, as I moved my lips down her neck, and tossed her bra to the floor.

Bella moaned, when I brought my hand up and lightly squeezed her breast. "God, your tits are perfect," I mumbled.

I had just brushed my thumb over her fully erect nipple when she jumped off my lap. The action took me by surprise, so I watched as she puckered her lips and kissed the air. I, of course, couldn't help the chuckle that fell from my lips, because she honestly was too damn cute and sexy for her own good, especially when she was pulling her white panties down her legs.

"Whatever will we do?" she asked, her voice all-innocent like, while she bit the shit out her bottom lip.

"Hmm," I hummed, grabbing a hold of her and tossing her on the bed. "I'm sure we can figure something out." I wasted no time attaching my lips to her neck, again, lightly nipping and sucking as my hand came back up to fondle her breast.

Bella moaned, and then hiked her leg up around my hip, effectively bringing the head of my cock to her entrance. "Edward …" she cried, as she lifted her hips and attempted to pull me into her.

I, however, had other ideas. I'd been craving her delectable taste all week, and there was no way I was leaving without my fix. Slowly, I moved my lips down her body, gently nipping and sucking at the durable flesh along the way.

She arched her back and moaned when I swirled my tongue around the tip of her hardened nipple. "God, I love it when you do that."

I moaned when she shoved her hands into my hair, and tugged roughly. "I know," I retorted smugly, before repeating my actions a few more times and then pulling the swollen bud into my mouth.

She whimpered, as she continued pulling at my hair and squirmed beneath me, eliciting a moan from me. I fucking loved it when she pulled my hair, it took some getting used to at first, because she really yanks, but fuck, it felt good!

After paying equal attention to both nubs, I began trailing my lips down her torso, gently nipping, sucking and licking the delectable skin in my path. Bella was a writhing mess of need by the time my mouth met her swollen bundle of nerves. I, however, was enjoying the writhing mess below me, and moved my mouth to her inner thigh.

Bella moaned, as she urged me closer to where she wanted me with her hands. I chuckled, but obliged by her request and ran my tongue between her slick folds.

"Oh, shit!" she bellowed, bucking her hips. "Edward …."

I hummed, as I traced my tongue over her clit a few more times, before moving back between her folds, and dipping it in slightly.

The hold she had on my hair tightened immensely. "Oh, pleeease?" she cried. And as if I could ever deny her anything, I gave her what she wanted and thrusted my tongue in, while using my nose to probe at her sensitive bundle.

Bella's legs locked down around my head, and she started rocking her hips in tune with my tongue, it was seriously driving me nuts and I was on the verge of blowing my own load. I needed her to come, and fast, so I brought my fingers into the mix, and moved my mouth to concentrate on her clit.

I sucked, licked, and nipped at her clit, as I worked my fingers back and forth inside of her, curling them up to hit her sweet spot every time. It wasn't long before I felt her starting to tighten around my fingers, and I knew she was close.

Thank fucking God!

I applied just a little bit more pressure, and she lost it. "Ohhh … Edward!" she screamed, thrusting her hips forward while holding my head against her. I, of course, greedily lapped up what she was giving me.

Once her grip loosened up on my head, and her legs fell limp, I made my way up her body. She was a sweaty mess, but she was my sweaty mess, and I couldn't get enough of her taste. I kissed and nipped at every inch of skin in my path, swirling my tongue around both nipples, before descending on her mouth.

Bella mewled in my mouth, as she wrapped both her arms and legs around me, pulling the head of my throbbing monster right to the edge of her entrance. I moaned when she lifted her hips, silently urging me forward, and because I would have been a fool not to, I quickly buried myself deep inside her.

She gasped, breaking the kiss, but I was the one to speak. "Jesus … you … you're always so fucking tight!"

My girl moaned, as she lifted her hips to meet my thrusts, but she didn't say anything. She just pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, and stared up at me as I worked us to a steady pace.

"Fuuuuck!" I growled slamming into her. "You feel so fucking good wrapped around my cock, baby girl. I don't think I'm gonna make it." I brought my lips to her neck, and started sucking, marking her, I'm sure. She was always so damn tight, and I'd been thinking about being balls deep in her all fucking week.

It's a damn good thing my recovery time is so good.

She arched her back and moaned, as I continued to piston in and out of her, bringing her closer and closer to her second release. "Ohhh, Edward!" she bellowed, just as I felt her clamp down on my throbbing cock. I pounded into her a few more times, before I lost the battle and collapsed on top of her, both of us panting and gasping for air.

Leaving Bella, especially knowing it would be another two or three weeks before I'd be able to see her again, was agonizing. It was definitely getting harder and harder to leave her, and I quickly found myself second guessing my decision to stay with Tanya. I wanted out of my marriage so fucking bad, and I didn't know if I could wait it out. Did I want to pay her nearly 20 million dollars? Fuck no, but if that was all I lost during the divorce, I'd gladly do it, but I knew my wife, and I knew there was no way she would stop there, especially when she found out why I was leaving her.

"It's about time!" Tanya hissed when I walked into our suite at the Palms.

I groaned, pulling my hand through my hair. "I told you it was going to take most of the day!"

"Most of the day?" she snapped. "You left here at 9 o'clock this morning!"

I narrowed my eyes in annoyance, and spit through clenched teeth, "Yeah, well, someone had to try and convince my sister to let you come to the party tonight. Which wasn't successful by the way."

She glared at me. "I don't frankly care if it was successful or not. I'm going, and Alice will just have to accept it. Jasper would want me there."

I coughed, trying desperately to hide my laughter, because Jasper couldn't care less if she came or not, and he most definitely wouldn't go against his wife.

"If you say so," I breathed, though I didn't say it loud enough for her to hear. "I'm going to change." I didn't wait for a response; I just turned and walked into the bedroom to get ready.

Alice was pissed when we walked in, but she didn't say anything. I thought for sure she'd be on me like flies on shit, but she avoided me like the damn plague.

"She's really going to ignore me all night?" I asked, walking up behind Jasper on the back terrace.

He turned around, and nodded. "Pretty much. Your mom and sister jumped her when they first walked in for telling Tanya she couldn't come. She doesn't want to ruin my party, so she's pledged to keep her thoughts to herself … well, she's gonna try."

"I tried—"

"I get it, man, I really do," Jasper interjected. "She's your wife. Though why, I still don't know."

I nodded, chuckling softly. "Yeah, you and—"

"There you are," Tanya cackled, as she threaded her arm through mine. I cringed internally, wishing she would have just stayed home. "Don't think you're going to ignore me all night!"

I pulled my arm away, and turned to look at her. "Wouldn't dream of it," I retorted sarcastically, before turning to walk away. Tanya huffed and stalked after me. I didn't stop, however; I made my way to the open bar and ordered another scotch on the rocks. I needed the alcohol to keep coming if I was going to make it through this evening, and luckily, Tanya got sidetracked with my mom, and headed off to talk with her.

Once the bartender brought me my drink, I slowly made my way through the party, mingling and drinking with the same group of people I had mingled and drank with my entire life. I quickly found myself wishing I could sneak away and somehow spend the rest of the night with Bella. I knew it wasn't possible, but it didn't stop me from dreaming. After a few drinks, I had finally started to relax when I spotted my sister in the crowd. She was standing with Jasper and some friend I could only see the back of, when I decided enough was enough; she had ignored me for long enough.

I made my way across the room, but before I could say anything, she hissed, rather loudly, "Oh, look, it's the stupid fuck that married her." I looked up; meeting Alice's eyes briefly, before I noticed Tanya was approaching them.

I shot a look at Tanya, silently telling her to leave Alice the hell alone, before I returned my attention to my sister and smirked. "Oh, don't be like that."

She rolled her eyes, before she turned to look at her friend. "Bella—" Alice said, but she was quickly cut off by a gasp, or two—one from me, and one from Jasper.

It can't be! I thought as she slowly turned around. Oh, Fuck!

"Baby …" Tanya cooed, wrapping her arm around me. I'm not sure if she said anything else after that, because my attention was on the retreating back of my … mistress.

How the fuck did Alice know her?

Alice wiped around, and I met her eyes briefly before she ran after Bella. I took a step forward, only to be stopped by Jasper.

"How 'bout another drink," he said, grabbing my attention. I looked up, and noticed my wife still standing next to me, only now she was looking at me curiously.

"Good idea," I retorted and walked off toward the bar. I wanted to go after Bella, but I could feel Tanya's eyes burning a hole into my back, so there was no way that was going to happen anytime soon.

"Please tell me that's the first time you've seen her since that night," Jasper said, coming to a stop next to me at the bar. I turned to look at him, but before I could say anything, the bartender walked up.

"What'll it be guys? Another scotch?" he asked, looking to me.

I nodded. "Make it a double." He nodded, and then turned to Jasper.

"Another Bud Light," he supplied. Jasper waited for the bartender to walk away before he turned his attention back to me. "It's not, is it?"

I shook my head, but I didn't say anything. Neither did Jasper. In fact, once the bartender came back with our drinks I took mine and headed outside; I needed to figure out a way of getting out of there. I needed to get to Bella, to make sure she was okay. I mean, it is one thing to know of my marriage, but to actually see it up close and personal …. I needed to get to my girl.

"So," Jasper said, coming up behind me. "I just—I don't really know what to say to you, man."

I shook my head as I turned to face him. "Nothing would be good. I already know how fucked up it is."

Jasper nodded. "It's definitely fucked up. I honestly didn't think you had it in ya. I mean, I was shocked you cheated in the first place, but this …."

Again, I nodded. "I know," I supplied seconds before hearing the door close behind us.

Jasper and I turned around quickly, coming face to face with my very angry sister. She was literally fuming when she walked past us and headed up the stairs. Jasper and I looked at each other, before we followed her up the stairs.

"What the fuck are you doing?" she hissed, whipping around to glare at me.

"I know," I sighed. "I know! I just—how is she Ali?" I had to ask.

She stared at me incredulously for a moment, before hissing, "Really? She's fucking crushed, Edward! She just found out the guy she's been sleeping with—dating for the past what, six months is married. How the fuck do you think she is?"

I stared at her, silently debating on whether I should tell her Bella already knew I was married, or not. I had just decided it probably wasn't the best idea, that Bella should be the one to tell her when she turned on her husband. "And you … you knew about this?"

Jasper shook his head adamantly. "No! I mean, I knew about the first time, yes, but no, I didn't know they were still …."

"He didn't," I confirmed. "No one did." Alice just stood there staring at me, not saying anything. I could tell she was pissed, and I'd even go as far as saying hurt. Hurt that I'd do such a thing, and probably hurt that I hadn't confided in her, but definitely hurt because it was a friend of hers that I'd hurt.

I hated myself for hurting her. I mean, yes, she knew about Tanya, but I never intended for them to actually meet, and sure as hell not like this if it ever did happen. I could only imagine how upset she was, which only made me want to go after her even more. I needed to get out of there; I needed to see if I could make this right. If there was anything I could do to fix it … if there was even anything to fix anymore.

"I've gotta go find her," I exclaimed, heading towards the door. "Talk to her."

"THE HELL YOU DO!" Alice screamed, grabbing a hold of my arm. "You're not going anywhere near her, Edward. You're going to let her—" A knock at the door interrupted her.

Jasper looked between the two of us, and then went to answer the door.

"Is Edward up here?" Tanya hissed, pushing her way into the room. "I've been looking all over for you. What are you doing up here?" I groaned, but before I could say anything, Alice finally snapped.

"Tanya, get the fuck out of my house. NOW!" she screamed, walking towards her bedroom door.

Tanya huffed incredulously, and then looked at me. I knew I needed to get out of there and get to Bella, I also knew making up with my sister after we've made it back to the suite would be an excellent alibi. So I did the dick move and sided with my wife. I could fix the problem with Alice later; after I'd fixed things with Bella, as well as figured out what in the hell I was going to do next.

"Yeah, go be with your wife," she hissed. "Glad you can take someone's feelings into consideration!" I winced, her comment definitely hit home, and I'm not sure whether Tanya caught the double meaning behind her statement.

I chanced a glance at Jasper, hopefully relaying I'd make this all right later, and then exited the bedroom with my wife.

"What in the world is going on up here?" my mother fumed, coming up the stairs.

"She just threw me out!" Tanya shrieked, pulling me down the stairs. "She's seriously fucking lost it."

"What?" Rosalie asked with sheer horror, walking into the bedroom with my mother. Tanya and I didn't stick around, seeing as she literally dragged me out of the apartment, but I wasn't complaining. The quicker we got out of there, the quicker I could get to Bella.

"I'm gonna go back and talk to Alice," I told Tanya, when we pulled up in front of the Palms.

"What?" she growled, turning to look at me.

"I'm going to go talk to Alice," I said again. "I can't leave things like that, Tanya. She's my sister."

She huffed. "Why do you always choose—"

"I'm not doing this with you," I interrupted. "I'll be back later."

She huffed, again, and then got out of the car. "Whatever," she hissed, slamming the door of the rental.

I pulled my phone out the minute my foot hit the gas pedal. I got her voicemail. I called again, and once again got her voicemail. There was no answer at her apartment, and there was no way of knowing whether she was home or not, so I decided to check the club.

"We're at capacity," the bouncer announced when I walked up to the door.

"I just need to talk to one of your dancers," I explained.

"We're at capacity," he repeated.

"Look," I said, my voice definitely showing my aggravation. "I need to talk to Bella … Izzy?"

He glared at me, and said, again, "We're at capacity." I was just about to say something back when the door flung open, and out walked Victoria.

"She doesn't want to see you, Edward," she sneered. "So you're not getting through these doors."

I blinked, as my heart broke a bit. "I just … I need—"

"You need to leave," she interjected. "If she wants to hear your explanation, she'll call you. Now please, leave."

I sighed, relenting, because as much as I wanted to see her, I knew it wasn't going to happen. "Fine, but will you please just tell her, I'm … I'm sorry." She didn't respond, she just turned around and went back into the building.

I called Jasper when I left the club; we decided it would probably be best if I gave Alice a little time, so I headed back to the Palms. I was rather shocked when Tanya didn't mention any of the events of the evening, and actually let me go to bed without discussing it. I was even more surprised we made it the entire next day, as well as the flight home without discussing it.

She never, not once, brought it up ….

**Author's Note**

Show me some love … review, review, review J