A/N: So I just want to let you know that it may take a little while until the next update.
I'm attending the TwiTour Convention this upcoming weekend in Phx, so I won't have time to finish the next chapter. I do appologize.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
Chapter 18
BPOV
Thursday came and I had my last Master's course for the week. The professor was my least favorite of the bunch. He was a pudgy man and a bald head, but what made him my least favorite was the monotone voice he spoke with. Thankfully most of the class had been to review the syllabus and then we were told to take the rest of the time to read over the first two chapters and begin an outline for a summary on the chapters. When we were let out, I worked a few hours at the front desk. It wasn't too exciting. Just a few students needing to check out some sporting equipment and locked out residents. I went back to my room to relax afterwards and then made a call to Sue to thank her for the card and her brownies that the research team loved. She told how much everyone back home missed me and when I told her how Alice had wrangled me into going out, she let out a loud laugh and said that I should enjoy myself and to expect another batch of brownies when I came home for Christmas.
The other cards I had received were from Charlie and Jacob, so I had to call them up and rip them a new one since they both sent me gift cards to a book store. Although I appreciated the gifts, I told them it was completely unnecessary. Charlie told me I was his only girl and to allow him to spoil me every once in a while, especially since I was so far away and Jake just told me to stop whining, that he loved me and to buy a big book to which I rolled my eyes at. I spent the rest of my free time reading Esme's book until late in the afternoon.
I didn't know how long my meeting with Edward would be today, so I decided to get ready for my date with Jasper ahead of time. I opted to wear my black dress pants and a sleeveless satin green top. I figured it would be a bit cold later in the evening, so I finished the ensemble with a black bolero jacket. I slipped on some black flats to be on the safe side and pulled my hair up into a French twist. My make-up was simple and finished with a coat of pink lip gloss.
At 6:30 on the nose I knocked on Edward's door which was already slightly ajar.
"Right on time Ms. Swan." He sounded a lot better than the last time I heard his velvet voice.
When I opened the door my eyes briefly widened when I saw his hunched over his desk, wearing those fuck-me reading glasses and his neck tie slightly loosened. I wanted to pull him by the damn thing and breath him in. He stood up as I entered and I went straight to one of the chairs in front of his desk and sat down doing my best to push back my office fantasies of him.
"Evening Dr. Cullen." I pulled out a notebook and a pen to take notes I might need for our meeting. When I sat back in the chair, I saw his eyes appraising what I wore. He opened his mouth to speak, but then shut it a second later.
I looked down at my outfit and felt a bit formal. "Sorry for being a bit dressed up this evening professor. I'm going out to dinner a little later."
"Oh, yes, well, I thought for a moment there that there was a special dress code for our meetings I was unaware of." He let out a small laugh that sounded forced and looked down at his desk for a moment and then looked back up. I saw the slightest trace of a frown on his face and I felt a pang of guilt for a second.
It felt wrong to mention my dinner plans to him, but then why should it matter anyways. It's not like Edward would be interested in his TA. He was a brilliant professor, published in journals from all over the world, and I was plain Jane from Small Town, USA, totally ordinary.
After a moment of uncomfortable silence and my toe tapping nervously on the floor, he spoke.
"How are your classes this week?" I could tell he was trying to be polite.
"They're fine, I already have quite a few assignments due, so this weekend is going to consist of me holed up in my room." He just nodded and it was quiet once again.
When the silence was broken again he told me that Carlisle had stopped by earlier in the week to tell him about my potential in the field and that he thought I was a great addition to the hypnosis research. I blushed. I was curious as to why he didn't bring up my thesis I had shared with his father. Surely it must have been brought up when they spoke, but he never even touched on it. I guess we would bring up later on then.
We talked about the developmental course, and I shared with him how no students had signed up for tutoring just yet, but I was actively checking my emails in case. I groaned to myself when he mentioned that Tanya Denali might be seeking some tutoring since she brought it up with him after class on Monday. I wanted to say that hell would freeze over before I would help her, but I was obligated to help with my position. Something about that girl just rubbed me the wrong way.
As time wore on I felt that this meeting was different than our previous conversations. It was very formal and I had a sneaking suspicion he wanted nothing more than to leave. Maybe he was still a bit under the weather.
I tried my best to pay attention as best I could but I was once again distracted by even the slightest movements he made. When he played with his tie, I had the image of him blindfolding me with it in my mind. When his hand ran through his hair, I was wanting to touch it again, run my fingers through it for hours. Upon closer inspection I noticed that the dark circles from yesterday were gone, and his clothing actually fit him a bit better today. There was still a hint of sadness in his eyes, but he was defiantly better. Maybe his doctor gave him something to make him feel better, and for that I was relieved.
It was around 7:15 when he looked at his watch and he seemed to be having an internal argument with himself.
"Well, Ms. Swan. I really don't want to keep you from your plans tonight, so let's just call it a night, shall we?" He stood up and walked around his desk to help me with my bag.
I had the slightest feeling he was trying to kick me out and get away from me as soon as possible and inside I was screaming I wanted to stay, but somewhere deep down I knew it would be rude to blow off Jasper and bother my mentor with my presence.
As I walked to the door, he picked up his briefcase and his jacket from the coat rack and followed me out the door.
"It was nice catching up with you Dr. Cullen, and I'm glad you are feeling better." I mentally slapped my head. I wasn't supposed to say anything and he probably wasn't the type to want it be known if he was sick.
His back was to me as he locked up his door and he bent his head as he turned to face the exit. "Yes, well you have a lovely evening Ms. Swan. I will see you in class tomorrow." His tone was flat and he took off down the hall and pushed the door to the exit open. I flinched when they slammed shut behind him and I was fighting the urge to cry.
My cell phone started to ring which pulled me out of the hurt I was currently feeling. I recognized the ring tone, which Alice had insisted on setting for me Monday night.
"Brought down angels from the promised land. Gave 'em a place where they could dance. If you wanna see heaven brother here's your chance. Well I've been sent to spread the message. God blessed Texas"
I rolled my eyes and answered.
"Hey Jazz." I started walking out of the building in the direction of my hall.
"Hey Bella, I'm a bit early, are you ready to go right now?"
I let out a deep sigh, "Yeah, I just got out of my meeting with Edward, I will be there in a minute."
"Is everything ok? You sound a bit down?"
"No, just a long day, I'm almost there."
"I can't wait. See you soon beautiful." I blushed and hung up the phone. When I reached the street I saw his car out front waiting. He turned his head in my direction and immediately got out and waited for me to get closer.
"Hey you." He whispered and he brought me in for a hug.
"Hi." Was my brilliant reply.
He walked me over to the passenger side and opened the door for me as I slid in.
When he returned to the driver's side I noticed that his radio was already tuned to the classic rock station from earlier. I turned and looked at him as he drove off campus.
He saw my gaze. "What? I figured I save you the trouble. I even saved it as my second station for the future." He pointed to his radio and showed me the button it was saved under.
"Second? I'm hurt, I thought I would have earned the number one spot." I teased.
"Nope, sorry Bells, you can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy."
Any worry I had that tonight would be awkward quickly disappeared during the remaining car ride. I had been sure that things would have been weird between us in this situation, but nothing really changed. In fact I was already enjoying myself as we sat and listened to the music until we reached the restaurant.
The bistro Jasper had picked out for tonight was a little bit outside of the city called Pleinement. He explained the name meant "To the fullest", the way life was supposed to be led he added. When we arrived, Jasper gave his name to the hostess and she led us to a table that had been reserved. The room was dimly lit with white linen table cloths that coved small tables and beautiful floral centerpieces decorated each one. We were taken to a table that was next to a large glass wall that overlooked a small lake, our view was perfect to watch the sun setting in the distance. If I had any real artistic ability, I would paint this scene and hang it on my wall to look at every day.
Jasper pulled out my chair for me, I would have refused had this not been a date, but to be polite, I allowed it. Everything on the menu was in French and although he knew what the name of the restaurant was called, that was the full extent of Jasper's knowledge of the language. When our server came by to take our order, I asked him for his suggestions and we both ended up deciding on a chicken dish. Our food arrived, and it smelled heavenly. I nearly licked the plate when I finished eating it and thought of ordering seconds just so I could take some home with me. It seemed that every place in Chicago had delicious food, and that I had been thoroughly deprived of this when I lived in Forks. Heck, gourmet in town there was the garden burger at the local diner.
Conversation with Jasper was very easy and comfortable. We talked about my classes so far, how I liked Chicago, we talked about his sister driving him crazy with her wedding talk, how excited he was for his next project at work and if I was having any luck finding a car for sale.
"I think there is a guy at work selling an old BMW, I could check if you like, get you a price at least." He sipped his glass of merlot.
"Thanks, my dad hasn't sold my truck yet, but I hope he does soon. The bus system is kind of confusing for me."
"If you ever need to go anywhere, I'll be more than happy to help, Bella." He smiled warmly at me.
After finishing our chocolate soufflé that we shared, Jasper paid the bill and helped me out of the chair. I felt his hand on my back, it was nice, but there was no electricity like there had been with Edward's, which I quickly beat myself up for thinking. Here I was on a date and thinking of someone else. Jasper guided me back to the car, and being the gentleman he was, he opened the car door for me again.
We only drove a few minutes when we pulled into a park down the road for a Shakespeare play that was being performed that evening. Tonight was Twelfth Night which had always been a one of my favorites from the Bard. We found a seat near the players and Jasper wrapped his arm around me. It wasn't that cold to need his warmth, but I didn't want to be rude and shrug him off. The performance was rather good. We laughed when Olivia fell for Viola dressed as her brother and I cried when the Duke and Viola married. Jasper snickered when he saw me wipe my tears and I shoved his arm and told him to shut up.
The evening had been enjoyable. The wonderful food and the performance afterwards, it seemed to have been truly perfect. The only thing that that bothered me the entire night was the feeling in the back of my mind that Jasper was a good friend, but that there would never be anything more to our relationship.
After we arrived back at my hall, I went to open my door but Jasper insisted on getting it for me again. That was getting a little tiring. He held out his hand for me to take but didn't let go when he shut the door. It was nice, his hand was warm, and wasn't sweaty at all, but that was it. There was no spark, no jolt, nothing, just friends holding hands. I couldn't help imagining what it would be like to hold Edward's hand, sure I held it before whenever I shook it, but I wanted to know what it would be like to hold his hand in the same way Jasper was holding mine at that moment.
Why was I still thinking about him?
We walked slowly up the stairs to the front door of my hall and stood there for a moment. It was quiet with just the sound of a few cars driving on campus. I had a feeling of what was coming next, what was to be expected at the end of a date. It was always the same in every romantic movie I had ever seen.
"I had a really good time tonight." Jasper squeezed my hand.
"Yeah, me too. I don't think I've seen a better production of Twelfth Night. And the food was excellent." I was gnawing on my lip waiting for him to let go of my hand. I was becoming a bit uncomfortable.
"Bella, I was wondering if maybe, I don't know." I knew what he wanted to ask, it was obvious in his tone, but he still fought to find the words. "If …. Would it be alright to kiss you?" He turned to look at me, and his eyes met mine.
I knew this was coming, but I didn't know what to do. I had only ever kissed one other person in my life and I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to kiss Jasper. Of course he was a good looking man, movie star quality even. I imagined kissing men like him in movies I watched in back in high school. Like in Sixteen Candles, I was Molly Ringwald and I would kiss Jake Ryan over a birthday cake and after our first kiss, we would fall madly in love and it would be happily ever after.
Well, that didn't happen with my first kiss, so what's to say it would happen this time. I was so nervous that I was never really any good at it, Jacob never said anything, but what if Jasper did. If I did kiss him and I was that bad, would Jasper even talk to me again after tonight?
I was quiet as I debated it for a moment. I had my own reservations about so many things but eventually I told myself that maybe I should just try. Alice said that if things don't work out, then who gives a fuck. Right? Besides it was all part of me living my own life. If this was a mistake I would learn from it, but if Jasper was who I was supposed to be with, I would never know if I didn't kiss him.
"Yes." I couldn't say anything else. My palms started to sweat and I felt him step closer to me. His free hand reached up and held my face as he paused to look me in the eyes. He took a breath and whispered.
"You really are beautiful Bella."
I closed my eyes and waited for him to close the distance. It felt like forever and I was about ready to just say to heck with it and walk into my hall when I felt his lips gently press against mine. It was soft, almost testing to see if I was truly willing to kiss him back. I was still unsure of how I felt about this but then I felt his lip press again with a little more pressure and soon mine returned his movements. He ran his tongue slightly over my lower lip and my mouth parted slightly. He took the opportunity and caressed my tongue with his. It was nice, and I had to admit, even though I felt a bit guilty for kissing him back for some reason, I sort of enjoyed it. When we broke apart, he gave a small chaste kiss before he stepped back.
"Thank you for tonight Bella." He smiled at me and his eyes twinkled in the moonlight. "I'll call you tomorrow alright." I nodded my head and he let go of my hand.
"Sleep well darlin'." I heard his footsteps retreat to his car and I entered my hall.
When I reached my room, my cell phone buzzed and I went to check it. There were three text messages from Alice asking about my date. It was pretty late as it was, and figured that I would have more time tomorrow since she would probably want details on everything, but I had class in the morning and I was already pretty tired from the day.
I scrubbed my face clean and brushed my teeth before changing into my pajamas for bed. When I slipped under the covers, I was restless. I still felt Jasper's kiss lingering on my lips as I laid down in the darkness of my room. He didn't say I was bad. That was good. Right? But I was still confused. I tossed and turned the entire night. Why did I felt guilty about kissing him? Was it because it was too soon to date again? Was I not over Jake? Was this date a mistake? I had no clue. The only thing for sure was that when I did fall asleep eventually I didn't dream about my kiss with Jasper, I dreamt of only Edward.
It was Friday. Which meant my "birthday party" was tonight. I should have been happy about it like any other normal person, but more than anything I wanted to press fast forward and get it over with.
Once again Edward ignored me in his class. I told myself to not make it such a big deal, that I shouldn't even care about it but I was still very hurt that he didn't even say "Good Morning". When he finished his lecture he practically ran out of the lecture hall, a blur of bronze, beating everyone else out the door. I had a few students come up to me and ask if they had to attend the recitation. I told them that they would need to show up and I would go over what is expected for it. A number of students had dropped the course this week, which would mean there wouldn't be so many to address which was a good thing.
I went to lunch on my own that day. I called Alice to ask her to join me, but said she needed to get some things ready for tonight and when I came over to get ready she wanted me to spill the details of my date with my "boy toy".
Jasper had already called me earlier to say he was busy for lunch, but he was looking forward to seeing me later tonight at the club. So I sat in the student union by myself against the back wall and people watched as I nibbled on my grilled cheese sandwich.
At one o'clock I returned to the lecture hall and saw that most of the students were already there. There was a sigh of relief when the students found out that they were only obligated to show up to at least four sessions. I would be taking attendance, but only so to make sure they did show up for their required four times during the semester. It was a pass/fail course after all.
Alice told me to shower before I came over and to leave my hair wet, she was going to be doing my hair and make-up tonight. She also told me that she had picked up something for me to wear tonight, which I groaned at, but she insisted in her usual way, so I gave in.
I quickly washed my hair so I could take my time to shave my legs so I wouldn't end up nicking myself. Being accident prone was bad enough, throw in a sharp razor and disaster would eventually be expected. When I toweled off, I applied lotion to my legs and arms of my favorite body lotion of sweet smelling berries. I threw on a pair of jeans and an old band t-shirt before sliding into flip flops and left for Alice's.
When I arrived at her dorm room, Alice had her desk set up as a mini salon station. I rolled my eyes at the torture that was sure to ensue.
"Oh come on Bella, you have to look hot for your birthday. I'm sure Jasper wouldn't mind if you left him drooling." She giggled and danced her way to the desk motioning me to sit down.
"I really don't care whose drooling Alice." I mumbled.
"Why? did your date not go too well? What happened?!?" Her eyes were bulging out of her sockets.
"It was nice, dinner was good and I liked the play." I didn't want to talk anymore about it.
"Well something happened. Did he do something you didn't want?" I looked at my hands in my lap as my fingers fidgeted. "Or did he not do something you wanted him to do?" She nudged me with her elbow.
"Ugh, nothing happened. We had a good time, we had a good dinner, we kissed, and then he said he would see me later tonight. That's it." I nervously swept a piece of my damp hair behind my ear.
"Oh my god, YOU KISSED! How was it? Was it sweet, was it rough and dirty? Come on spill, details. Was there tongue?" I wanted to die.
"Alice, please, we had a nice kiss, but to be honest, I just don't feel anything more than friendship for him. I just don't want to lead him on if there's really nothing more than that." I bit my lip and looked at my friend.
"Are you going to tell him soon?"
"I have to, I still want him to be my friend, if I don't I'm sure I would just make things worse. Maybe when I see him tonight I can tell him privately." She nodded and I took that as her agreeing it was the best thing to do.
"Ok then. Time to get started on your beautification." She had a wicked smile which made my stomach bottom out.
"Let's get this over with." I grumbled.
Several hours and many beauty products later I was completely unrecognizable. Alice had managed to tame my unruly hair. It was shiny and soft as silk to the touch and framed my face with pin straight tresses. The effects of Alice's flat iron had left my hair a darker shade and made my pale complexion more noticeable with just the slightest hue of shimmery blush on my cheeks. My eyelids were covered in black eye shadow, as Alice would say, smoldering with sex appeal. The black eyeliner had left an almost cat like affect and my lashes appeared longer with the thick black mascara. It was the most makeup I had ever worn, but as I looked back at my reflection, I wasn't uncomfortable. I felt a sense of power and strength in me like I could do anything, and have anyone. Including the one that was out of my reach.
Alice dressed me in skin tight black jeans that accentuated my curves, especially my rear, and a small red corseted top that created almost less than comfortable amount of cleavage for my liking. Knowing my apprehension to bearing skin, Alice handed me a cropped black blazer, telling me I looked hot with or without it. To finish my "sex kitten" outfit, as I had come to call it, I slipped on a pair of black leather slouchy motorcycle boots that I tucked my jeans into. Smacking my ass playfully, Alice gave her seal of approval and soon deemed us ready to go once she had changed.
Alice and I took a taxi to the restaurant to see that everyone else in our party were already waiting for us. Mike was there with his boyfriend Andrew. I had only seen Andrew once before when he stopped by Carlisle's class on Tuesday to meet up Mike when class had ended. Angela and Ben were also there, but there was look of apprehension on their faces which I immediately forgot once Alice gave her name for our reservations to the hostess. Once we were seated I noticed there were two other empty chairs at table.
"Um Alice? Who else is coming tonight?" I pointed to the vacant spots.
She looked at the chairs and whispered to me, "Well one is in case Jasper gets out of his dinner early and the other is for a friend of the Cheney's. That's all I know." She gave her drink order to our waiter then. I tried to think why they would invite someone I didn't know to my birthday, but shrugged as I put in my order too.
Two Saketinis and a Sake Bomber (Upon Mike's insisting) later, I was feeling pretty good. I had decided to stay away from raw fish tonight to be on the safe side. So while everyone else enjoyed their sushi rolls, I happily ate my beef and noodle dish.
Jasper texted me that his dinner would probably run late, but he would meet up at the club later and to save him a dance. I texted back I would, if he really wanted me to break his foot, to which he replied it would be worth it. The Cheney's friend also didn't show up during the dinner, but they didn't seem disappointed about it.
For desert, the wait staff brought out a birthday cake in the shape of a large koi fish with sparkling candles. I felt my cheeks blush a brilliant red while the entire restaurant watched our table while everyone belted happy birthday to me. What I wouldn't have given to be curled up in bed with a book at that moment.
After my moment of humiliation, and the cake was cut, Alice told me it was time for presents.
"Alice, no. You guys don't need to get me anything. Really. Dinner tonight was more than enough." I grumbled and downed my third saketini.
"Too late for that, we already got them, so suck it up party pooper." There was stifled laughs from the rest of our party as she set down small wrapped box in front of me.
Mike passed her an envelope to give me and Angela set one in front of me as well. Now I was feeling like a childish asshole for being so rude and opened Mike's card first.
It was a funny card with a Chippendale's type man on the front, but once open revealed the same man in slightly less clothing. Again my face flushed redder than before and Alice quickly pulled the card away to laugh loudly once she saw the inside. Before she had taken it away from me I had removed the gift card inside. It was a hundred dollar gift card to a lingerie boutique, and again my embarrassment was evident on my face.
"Someone kill me please." I mumbled as I tried to slip the gift card into my clutch.
Andrew let out a silly laugh while Mike was wiping away tears of laughter at my reaction.
"Aww, come on Bella Babe. You need a little something dirty in your life." Mike winked while I rolled my eyes and opened the other envelope.
Thankfully Ben and Angela had a little more class with their card and gift. Their gift to me was a dinner for two gift certificate for a wine bar in the area. I raised my eyebrow to Angela at the choice of gift.
"Well, it's in case you decide to go out with someone, you know." She sounded a bit uncomfortable as she spoke and I saw Ben reach for her hand on the table.
"Thanks Ang, maybe I'll take Alice for a girl's night out. That's really nice of the both of you." They nodded as I cautiously picked up Alice's gift.
"You know, Alice, you already are paying for dinner and you got me my outfit tonight, I think a present is just a bit over the top, and I don't like you wasting your money on me." I played with the ribbon bow on the box.
"Bella, you are probably one of my best friends in the entire world. I don't make a lot of girlfriends easily and I haven't for as long as I can remember. I like getting you gifts, I really do enjoy it. Besides Mamma and Daddy Brandon aren't hurting on the financial front, so it really is no biggie."
I let out a sigh and began opening the wrapping paper which revealed a very recognizable robin's egg blue color. I dropped the box on the table and my head snapped to Alice, whatever was inside was defiantly not from the dollar store.
"I had to wrap it or I knew you would make an even bigger deal of it. No give-backs." She picked up the box and forcefully put it back in my hands.
I slowly took off the lid of the Tiffany's box and that contained another velvet jewelry box. When I opened that I let out a small gasp.
On a delicate silver necklace chain hung a small silver pendant. It was in the shape of a clover like flower made of small hearts and in the center was a small diamond.
"It's beautiful Ali." I ran my hand over it with a feather like touch.
"Do you like it?"
I looked over at my first real girlfriend with tears in my eyes. "No, I love it." I flung my arms around the pixie while still clutching the necklace. She was giggling and hugging me back just as tightly.
"Can you put it on me Alice, I want to wear it tonight."
"Of course." Her smile was beaming from ear to ear as she took my necklace and clasped it on me. I touched it again when it made contact with my skin on my neck.
Mike's voice broke the silence that had fallen on our table. "I think it's time to move this party for some drunken debauchery and such."
Everyone paid for their meals and soon we were all paired up as we walked two blocks to Versailles. The line outside was already pretty long and I started to walk to the end of the line when Alice pulled me in the other direction while everyone else followed her lead.
"The line starts back here guys." I motioned over with my hand.
Alice was quick to reply. "We are so not waiting in line."
She skipped over to the large bouncer and a bleach blonde woman holding a clipboard at the door as was stayed back on the outside of the roped off area.
"Alice Brandon, I'm on the list." The woman took only a second to find the name and checked it off.
"Come on in, Giana will take you to the VIP area."
I rose my eyebrows as I followed Alice into the dark club. Once inside another man checked our IDs and gave us wrist bands so that we could all drink. A tall leggy woman wearing a black feathered hat over pin curls in her hair took us around to the VIP section where we immediately placed our drink orders.
"Wow." I took in the atmosphere of the place. There were recreations of 18th century artwork coving the walls along with cherubs that were painted on the ceiling. Shear purple curtains were draped around our section to provide some privacy from the other areas of the club.
I tore my eyes away from the décor to look at my birthday guests. Andrew was leaning over whispering something in Mike's ear as he giggled at something he said. Ben and Angela were holding hands on the sofa of our section watching the people on the dance floor grind on each other trying to be sexy, and I saw Ben wiggle his eye brows at her after watching a girl on the floor quickly drop to the floor and then slowly stand while rubbing her rear against her partner's crotch. Alice was busy on her phone texting someone and then quickly put it away to ask how I was doing.
"I'm having a great time, really. This place is amazing. I'm sorry I was being difficult about going out before. You always do too much for me."
"I'm just glad you are having a good time. When's Jasper coming?"
"He said his dinner is running late, so I'm not sure, but I know he'll text me when he gets here." I pulled out my cell to check if I had a text from him yet. Nothing.
"His name is on the list too, so send him a message that he just needs to tell Amelia at the door." I did as she instructed and put my cell in the back pocket of my jeans.
Andrew ordered us several rounds of shots, and I tried my best to take them, after four I had to refuse anymore for a while and sipped on a gin and tonic instead. I could tell that the boys were feeling the effects of the alcohol when they started to get a little touchy feely and then excused themselves to go out to the dance floor.
Several guys approached Alice and me asking to dance, we both refused for a little bit, but after a while I encouraged Alice to take one up on an offer, she really needed to go out and have some fun and I didn't need her to stay with me the whole night. She agreed to the next good looking guy that approached and I watched her bounce down the stairs to the dance floor. I watched her shake her booty with the guy for a bit until Angela touched my hand to get my attention.
"You having a good time Bella?"
"Yeah Ang, this is probably one of my more memorable birthdays." I smiled genuinely at her and Ben.
"So, am I right on hearing you went out with Jasper Hale last night?" I slightly chocked on my drink, surprised she would know. When I recovered I nodded as my answer.
Ben asked the next question, "How did that go? Did you have a good time?" I was curious as to why they would be so interested, but maybe it was just conversation to pass the time.
"It was nice. I had a good time. He kissed me, but there were no sparks, you know what I mean? I think I just want to be his friend. Hope he's ok with that, but nothing serious is going to happen between us." Both of them smiled at me before looking at each other and then Angela leaned into him.
The club started to get warm as more bodies filled up the place. Soon I was too warm for me with my blazer on and shrugged out of it, and accepted how much skin I was now showing. The music was pretty loud as it played for the next few songs, which is why I let out a yelp when Alice came back up and scared me.
"Bella, Bella, Bella! Come dance with me. Come on it will be fun." I could tell the shots were working their magic on her.
If sober Alice was hard to say no to, I knew intoxicated Alice was probably more difficult. "Fine, but I apologize in advance for stepping on you." She pulled me out of my chair and led me out of our section to the center of the dance floor.
Bodies were dancing all around us, and often there were people bumping into me. I was awkwardly dancing at first but soon I let the alcohol and rhythm take over and I loosened up. I heard the bass of the music pound and matched my sways of my hips to it. Once I did that, I stopped stepping on other people's feet and actually enjoyed myself. Alice playfully grinded with me, which made me and almost double over with laughter, especially once I noticed the looks we were attracting.
When the next song started, Alice waved over Mike and Andrew to breakup their tongue tango and join us. Mike wrapped his arms around my waist and leaned me back in a dip, attempting to play Fred Astaire to my Ginger Rodgers. When he brought me back up erect I playfully lapped his arm and turned to see Andrew spinning Alice in circles and she swayed slightly when she came to a stop against his chest. Each time the songs changed we decided to switch dance partners and I alternated between Mike, Andrew and Alice.
When the DJ decided to slow things down we all decided to take a break and get a drink from the bar before returning to the dance floor. Again, Andrew bought us around which we all downed rather quickly once the bartender had poured out the shots. I got myself another gin and tonic when Alice pulled out her cell, looking at it with a scrunched face.
"What is it Ali?" I sipped my drink and tried to look at the screen of her phone.
"Crap balls. It's Marcus. I guess there was a flood in the restroom on my floor and the water is soaking into the rooms. Ugh. I think I need to get back." She frowned as she started to type a response back.
"Are you sure?" I was having such a good time tonight with her, but I knew that she probably needed to go check on the damage.
"Yeah, I think so, I want to make sure nothing gets ruined or any of my electronics get wet, that would be bad. Are you going to be ok if I go?" She looked like she wanted to stay at the same time I saw her concern.
"Yes, I'll be fine, go, save your room. I have these two strapping lads to entertain me. I'll call you tomorrow, we'll get a hangover breakfast and I can let you know how things go with Jazz." I leaned in to give her a hug.
"Sounds good. Tell Jasper sorry I missed him, but you have a good night, ok Bella?"
Andrew walked Alice back to the VIP section to get her coat and walked her outside to see her to a taxi. Mike and I stayed at the bar to finish our drinks. When I was done with mine, my bladder was starting to feel rather full so I excused myself from Mike telling him I had to go to the ladies room. Thankfully it was rather easy to find the hallway to the restrooms and there wasn't a line so I was able to relieve myself quickly. I washed my hand and gave a quick check in the mirror to see if my sweating mussed my make-up.
When I walked out of the restroom I felt my cell vibrate in my pants. When I checked it, there was a text from Jasper saying he would be here in a few minutes which made me smile. I was a bit nervous to talk to him about us just being friends, but I still wanted to see my friend.
That smile soon disappeared when someone behind me covered my mouth with their hand and pulled me roughly down the hallway.
"You fucking cunt." The voice was menacing, but I recognized it instantly. "You think you can slap me and not get away with it, you are sorely mistaken."
My heart accelerated in fear as James forced me down the hallway and out the exit at the end. As the door closed, I tried my best to scream but his hand forcefully pressed hard on my mouth, silencing me. My legs kicked out trying to hurt him to release me as he tried to carry me through the alley behind the building.
"No one hits me, not even a little slut like you. I may not have had my fun with your little friend, but no one is here to stop me from having my way with you is there?" I heard the venom in his voice and my stomach began to churn. Tears started to streak down my face because he was right, no one was there, everyone that I knew was inside having a good time or in a taxi on their way home.
Suddenly he stopped walking and he threw me up against a wall near a dumpster. I could hear the dripping of a drainage pipe and cars on the street zoom by mix with his heavy panting.
"I'm going to teach you a lesson you won't forget, and I will enjoy every minute of it." I tried to run away from him but he pinned my hard back causing my head to hid the wall.
"Please, don't. I'm sorry, please don't do anything to me I beg you. I'm sorry. Please." I sobbed. I knew what he was going to do to me. It was evident in his dark eyes that were illuminated by a street light.
"Beg all you want. Scream if you dare, no one is going to save you. You're mine for the taking." He crashed his lips against mine as I painfully struggled tried to get my wrists out of his grasp.
I closed my eyes as he continued to assault my mouth with his. It was rough, it was animalistic and relentless. I wanted to close off my mind to what was happening but I wasn't able to as he took my wrists and held them together in one of his. My eyes flashed open at the sound of him undoing the zipper to his pants. More tears fell from my eyes, surely ruining whatever makeup I had left.
"You are a filthy little whore and you deserve to be fucked for what you did. You are going get on your knees and I'm gonna fuck that mouth of yours before I fuck your pussy so hard you will never forget me. Because no one can take away anything from me." And he then moved his mouth to my exposed shoulder and bit down hard. The pain from this caused a new stream of tears to fall.
I knew it would probably be no use, he even said so, but I had no other defense. He was too strong for me to fight off and I was scared.
"HELP ME! PLEASE! ANYONE HELP ME!" I screamed and my body shook with the sobs because I knew my attempt fell on deaf ears. The echo of my scream died out in the alley.
He laughed at me and I could still see the rage in his eyes, "I told you. No one will be able to save you now."
"No, no, please. God, help me. Please, don't do this James." I closed my eyes again willing for him to release me. This was just a nightmare. None of this was real.
I could feel his hot breath on me and my loud cries quieted in defeat. I couldn't stop him
"I don't listen to whores, no you are going to get on your knees in this filthy alley where you belong and you will take my cock."
I still kept my eyes close, quietly saying this wasn't happening to myself. I felt him try to force me to the ground when I heard a loud smack and James' hands released my wrists.
"Jesus fuck!" I heard cry out from James as another crack pierced the night.
I fell to the ground landing in a small puddle and wet garbage. I kept my eyes shut as I heard the sound of someone's body fall to the ground near me. Another sound of a person's shoes moving around.
"Oh Fuck, you bastard. I'm going to fucking kill you. Fu-" Then James stopped talking and all I heard were the sounds of moans. Someone had come and I realized they were hitting James with such force it was clearly audible.
I never opened my eyes and brought my knees to my face and wrapped my arms around them, still crying. I was saved, but was still scared. What's to say this person didn't have the same intension for me and was just getting James out of the way.
Soon the moans from James stopped all together, and the other person was breathing heavily. There was a sound of something being dragged on the ground and thud of it hitting the side of the dumpster.
I held myself together tighter at the sound of the other person approaching me. Their steps were quick and I heard the splash of them stepping into one of the puddles in the alley. The footsteps stopped and I could feel them crouch down in front of me and one of their hands touched my arms. I flinched at first, but the coursing electricity that shot from those hands soon eased me.
This person gently pulled me up into a standing position and I instinctively stepped back only to run into the wall. My crying was still frantic and my eyes still shut tight, fearing this person could be another James.
"Bella, open your eyes." The velvet voice called to me, but I shook my head. I was in shock and imagining things. "Bella, angel, please open your eyes. It's over, he's not going to touch you." I felt the person's hand gently sweep the hair that had fallen in my face out of the way and back behind my ear. The tingling sensation remained where he touched my cheek. It was too familiar to the time Edward had done the same action in the hallway before the first research meeting.
"Please open your eyes Bella, it's Edward. I need to know if you are alright. I need to know if you are hurt. Please." I could hear the fear in his voice and my eyes opened immediately.
When my eyes adjusted, I was looking into the green orbs I had lost myself in for the last three weeks. I wasn't imagining his voice because he was here. He had saved me from James and he was standing in front of me in a dark dirty alley, concerned for how I was. My crying ceased, but my breathing continued to be labored as I continued to stare back into the eyes that were searching mine.
His hand ran through my hair gently trying to comfort me. It was tender and warm. He stepped closer and my head instinctively looked up at him. My eyes were still locked on his as I felt his other hard sweep across my face to rid me of my tears.
"Bella, are you ok? Are you hurt?"
I didn't answer. I was too lost in his voice and eyes. I wanted to know why was he here but more importantly where was James? Would he come back for me?
"Bella, say something." He bent down to look me level in the eyes, placing both of his hands on the side of my face. His was scared, worried about me, there was something else there, but I couldn't place it. Something that I knew affected him to the core.
"Where's James?" my voice was barely a whisper, fearing he was still nearby.
I saw his eyes quickly look to the side for a millisecond but then back to me. His right thumb drying another one of my tears that fell.
"That's not important. Are you alright? You need to tell me." He was pleading. I wasn't sure of the extent of the damage, but I could feel my wrists burn a little and still felt James' bite on my shoulder.
"I'm f-fine. My wrists hurt, and he bit me, but that's it." My voice shook but my breathing was calming the longer he held onto me. His eyes closed for a moment, as if he had tasted something foul and say pain cross his face. I took that moment and turned my head a little to the side Edward's eyes had shifted to and could see James' unconscious body laying next to the dumpster. My breathing hitched and I looked back to my savior who didn't release me and opened his eyes again.
"You are safe now, I'm here and I won't let anything happen to you. I promise. Nobody will hurt you."
He was here, he would never let anything happen to me. He saved me from James and was holding me as if I were the most fragile being in the world. I could feel the heat and electricity pulsing from him and sensation was replacing the fear and panic before. Another feeling was building as my eyes searched his for it to be there too.
I unconsciously lifted a hand to his face and touched his face ever so softly. It was coarse from some stubble, but also warm and soft at the same time. When my skin made contact, the sensation I could feel left me burning inside. His eyes never looking away from mine closed slightly at my caress and he slightly leaned into my hand. I thought I saw him inhale deeply as if to relish in my scent.
I mimicked his action, leaning my face into one of his palms that was still holding me and inhaled as well. My eyes closed as his scent overwhelmed me. He smelled of honey and lilacs with a hit of his own masculine musk. Intoxicating, I nuzzled further into his hand and without my control I placed a small kiss into the palm of his hand.
I heard a sharp intake of air from him, and I opened my eyes to turn and look back him. The concern in his eyes still lingered, but I saw want I had been looking for just a few moments ago. Want.
My hand was still holding his Face as I leaned forward off the wall and pulled him closer to me. My breathing heavy as I ran my tongue over my lips before I closed the distance between us and pressed my lips to his.
I felt his body stiffen for just a moment before he finally relaxed and one of his hands dropped from my cheek and he wrapped his arm around my waist. My other hand rose to reach for the bronze hair I had dreamed of touching. With the first run through it, he let out a low moan which cause his mouth to opened slightly, allowing me entrance. My tongue slid in and I tasted his essence.
My body melded with his as his hold on me grew tighter, pushing me closer to him until there was no space between. My chest pressed against him issued another moan of pleasure, this time it came from me.
Our lips moved together as if they were performing an intricate dance, as if they had been practiced for many years and were together in sync. The fire within me rose more with each pass of our tongues and massage of our lips. My legs were growing weak and my body was beginning to feel like mush in his embrace.
I was losing myself completely with every touch Edward gave me. When he moved his hand to caress me elsewhere, it left a trail of desire burn brighter. I tugged his hair ever so slightly, and was rewarded with another moan, and soon I found myself pressed up against the alley wall his body flushed with mine.
A few moments ago, I was in the same position with James, it was one of the most frightening moments of my life. But now with Edward pressing his noticeable arousal to me, I was experiencing the one kiss I would compare all others to for the rest of my life.
Sure, I had dreamed of kissing him almost every night since I moved here, but nothing I had dreamed compared to kissing this man in the real world. It was beyond anything I could ever want.
I was becoming dizzy with pleasure and Edward was starting to gasp for air. I wanted more of this, more of him. More of everything with this man. I never wanted to stop kissing him because if I did, the world would cease to exist.
Our lips started to slow, I don't know how long we had been there, 10 minutes, and hour, a day. Time had no meaning. But our moment had to come to an end, James would eventually stir, and Mike, Jasper and the Cheney's would probably notice my absence soon. This dream had to come to an end.
Eventually, and reluctantly, I pulled my lips away from his. Both of us still breathing heavily. Again, my eyes were drawn to his like a moth to the flame. And I was ready to be consumed entirely by that blazing flame.
Again, my hand rested on his cheek on its own accord and stared deeply into the green pools. I felt I had finally found my reason, my true north. In the light of the evening everything had finally become clear. Although I was lightly damp in garbage water, and pressed up against an ally wall near a dumpster late at night behind some night club, I was happier than I had been in all my life because I was looking into the eyes of the man I knew I now loved.
Reader's Questions:
Q. When will there be an Edward POV again?
A. Chapter 19, yea! Lots to cover....
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Next Chapter: Edward's POV.