Fourteen
For Bella, the night was a long one, knowing Edward was so close and wanting him just as much as he wanted her, she'd had a hard time getting to sleep. Bella had known that she would not have an easy time with Edward from the moment they had slept together, but she was not going to let him break her, at least not without a fight. Her dreams, when they finally did come, were vivid and very sensual. Her memories of their time together were interwoven with darker, more sinister images of Edward as a vampire, sucking her life from her as she offered herself willingly to him. But all her dreams, whether sensual of sinister, made her want him more.
When she woke up, Bella tiptoed to Edward's bedroom and saw that he was still asleep. It was only six o'clock, early for her but not for him, and she took a quick shower and put on jeans and a t-shirt and walked to the deli for coffees and toasted corn muffins slathered in butter. She snuck back into his bedroom, he was sleeping so peacefully she was reluctant to wake him, so she sat on the foot of the sleigh bed and drank her coffee as she read the guidebook and waited for him to wake up.
It didn't take long before she heard his breathing change and looked up from her guidebook to see him waking up. "I brought some coffee and muffins." She said, indicating the tray on the table next to the bed, "How did you sleep?"
He yawned, "Pretty good, considering."
"Considering what?"
Edward looked into her eyes with a hint of censure in his. "Considering, I didn't get my, what did you call it? 'Nightly screw'."
"Well you slept in, so maybe it was a good thing. " She tried to keep the conversation light.
"Not really. I slept late because it took me a long time to get to sleep." His voice was low.
"You tossed and turned, then turned and tossed?" she teased.
"Yes, but not in the way I like to. I missed you." He patted the spot beside him.
She crept across the bed and snuggled into his open arms. "Well, I slept very well. I had sweet dreams."
"Anything you care to share?" he hugged her, his lips tantalizingly close to hers.
"Not really." She didn't want to tell him anything anymore. He slipped a hand between her thighs and she pushed it away. He looked at her and tightened his lips. "Edward, I said no sex. Anyway, shouldn't you be getting dressed for your day? It's about six-thirty."
He ran his hand through his wild hair, "Yes, I should. I have meetings until early afternoon, what are you going to do?"
"I think I'll go to the museums and then Central Park." she said quickly.
"Be careful in the park, Bella, it's not Golden Gate Park, you know. As a matter of fact I don't think you should go there alone. Why don't you come and meet for lunch? I have a meeting at Solstice at noon with some producers and that young actor all the girls are going crazy over. They're looking to make him an offer for the movie based on Within Parameters." He wheedled. "I'll send a car for you."
She patted him on his cheek and gave him a quick smile. "That's nice of you to ask, but I'd rather not go to a business lunch. Thanks anyway."
"Are you sure you don't want to..."
She shook her head and got up off the bed. "I'm not interested."
He looked disappointed and opened his mouth as though he wanted to say something else, but he closed it again.
"You better get going." She said as she walked to the door.
"Okay," he called after her. "I'll see you about two-thirty."
"Sure." Bella called back.
#
Edward left at seven-thirty and Bella immediately called for a cab. She still had all the money he had given her and she decided to splurge and have a great time today, on his dime. After all she was young and this was New York. She hadn't really planned on going to the museums as she had told him, instead she decided that she would go and see an old friend from Berkeley.
Jacob Black and his family lived down the street from her, and she had known him since she was five years old and he was twelve. When he and Alice were teenagers they had dated and he became the annoying big brother who teased her mercilessly. They broke up when he came to New York after high school to be an actor. Bella loved him dearly and kept in touch over the years, she was proud of him for following his dreams and lived vicariously through him and his exploits. She would even send him the occasional care package and some money; she wanted to help him in any way that she could. When she knew that she'd be in New York, she had e-mailed him and told him that she'd try to find some time to come and see him. Since she had plenty of time on her hands today she decided to surprise him.
Jake lived on the upper west side and the cab took forever to get up there. Paying the driver what she thought was an exorbitant rate, she climbed out of the cab and climbed the five flights up to his place. Almost beside herself with excitement, she giggled as she knocked on the door. There was no bell and no answer, so she knocked even harder just in case he was asleep. She started to curse herself for not calling before she came, but before making the disappointing trek back down the stairs, she tried again. This time she called his name and banged on the door, she was peering into the keyhole, when she saw an eye on the other side. "Jake? Open up, it's me Bella"
The door opened wide and Bella yelled "surprise" and almost leapt into the arms of a stranger. Having just taken a joyful step forward, she recoiled backward in fear, for there in Jake's doorway stood a naked stranger. A strange stranger. A strange , naked, hairy stranger. She got a blurry vision of a handle bar mustache and lots of skin and lots and lots of body hair before she let out a blood curdling scream and the door of apartment 5B slammed in her face. Then the three other doors on this floor opened almost simultaneously and Bella was terrified. Were there other naked strangers behind these doors? Suddenly she realized the precariousness of her situation and bolted for the stairs.
Someone's arms grabbed her and she slumped, her eyes rolled back and she almost fainted, until she heard, "Oh my God, Bella! Is that you?" and Jake's strong arms engulfed her.
Bella stuttered, looking over his shoulder at the closed door of apartment 5B, "JJJake, Jake. There's a hairy naked guy behind that door." And she pointed.
He grabbed her and pulled her into his apartment. "That's just Mr. Grossman."
Three seconds after he said it, Bella started to laugh hysterically. She sat down on the couch and laughed until she almost peed her pants.
Her laughter was infectious and Jake started guffawing too. Minutes later they tried to fetch their breaths as they wiped the tears from their eyes.
Eventually, they were able to talk, however the laugher kept bubbling up as they remembered. "Bella, I thought that you would call me."
"I should've I know, but spur of the moment is so much more exciting."
"That's for sure." He responded, and she started giggling again.
"My God, you look amazing. Even better than the last time I saw you. And you looked great then." Jake said. "Stand, so I can get a good look at you."
Bella stood and pirouetted in her slim-fitting coral sheath dress and white t-strap sandals.
"You like?"
"Gorgeous. With your body type, you're rockin' that close fit skirt. Very sexy, very." He growled and gave her a bear hug. "I could just eat you up."
She pushed him away. "I brought you a care package." Bella told him, indicating the large bag she was carrying. "We're leaving New York the day after tomorrow. And I made pasta and tiramisu on Monday and we barely ate anything. I also have some great leftover Indian food, and some paella from last night. Do you want it?"
"Bella you're asking a starving actor if he wants food? Are you crazy, of course I do."
"Great, I would hate to see it go to waste. Eat the Indian first because we got it on Sunday night."
As they put the food away into containers for the freezer, Jake asked Bella, "Who did you come to New York with?"
"A friend." She was evasive and avoided giving too much info.
"Girlfriend or boyfriend?" He wasn't going to be put off.
"Neither." Bella really didn't want to explain it to him, she cared what Jake thought and felt that he might judge her a little harshly.
"That's intriguing. Neither. Yet you make tiramisu for this person. Hmm." He rubbed his chin, like a detective trying to solve a crime. Bella almost laughed. "I need more clues."
"Fine. Okay. He's my 'lover', no strings attached."
"Aaah, sounds like a sugar daddy. A lucky sugar daddy to get my Bella." He teased.
"I guess, but I don't want to talk about it." She changed the subject. "Tell me you're not working today, please?"
"Well fortunately for you, no." He draped his arm around her shoulders as they walked back to the couch. "If it were tomorrow you would have been out of luck. I have a call back for a musical based on Godzilla."
Bella started to laugh, "You're kidding me."
"No, I'm serious. It's like Wicked. It tells the story from Godzilla's point of view. Bella bent over and started to laugh and laugh. "It's called The Songs of Lizard King, Bella why are you laughing like that?" Bella was sitting on the couch doubled over in laughter, tears streaming down her face.
When she finally stopped laughing long enough, she choked out an apology. "I'm sorry, Jake. I hope you get the part. What part is it?"
He looked at her with a wicked gleam in his eye and said, "The tail." and she started screaming with laughter again.
"What? I think it'll be a big hit." She jumped up and ran to the bathroom.
When she came out she gave him a big hug. "Oh, Jake. I love you. You cheer me up everytime."
"You need cheering up? Why? Tell me more about sugar daddy, Bella."
"Not now, Jake. Maybe later. Let's have fun today. I have money to burn; his money. So I'll treat you to breakfast, then shopping, then lunch, then shopping. What do you say?"
"Bella, you know I can't say no to free stuff or free food."
Jake showered and dressed in record time. He came out of the bedroom looking sharp in classic white slacks, loafers, and short sleeved navy button down shirt, rolled up even shorter to show his fantastic biceps
Bella squeezed his muscular arms. "Working out, I see."
He went to the long mirror, and put on his black pork-pie hat. "We look like Gene Kelly and Sophia Loren." He said.
Bella gasped and he turned to look at her. "You sound just like...him, he said that I look like her. I tell you it's bizarre that you would think the same thing."
"I'm surprised it's only the second time you've heard it. The body, the luscious lips, the cat eyes, you've got that same look."
"I don't see the resemblance." She said. "I don't look that sexy, do I?"
"Bella, you and your sister, the Swan girls, are just about the two sexiest women I've ever seen. Sexier than any actress I've ever met."
"No way."
"Yep. I always thought it was a waste for you to be with that geek, Chris. Didn't he ever tell you how freaking sexy you are?"
"No. Not really. But he knew me since I was a kid. And I didn't feel sexy, when I was with him."
"Well, I hope this new guy appreciates you."
"Let's say he appreciates my assets. But I don't want to talk about him, okay?"
He squeezed her arm. "Okay. No sugar daddy talk. Yet. " As he locked the apartment, Bella stayed close, eyeing 5B warily. They jogged downstairs and had breakfast at Athenos, his favorite neighborhood coffee shop, where the waitresses greeted him by name and where he cheerfully introduced her as 'my Bella'.
They hit Bergdorf's and saw the prices and ran out. Bendel's was pricey too. Then they hit Bloomies. Jake had a great eye and she got some good stuff for her closet. She even bought him a cool pair of shades, a snazzy retro shirt and his favorite cologne.
Bella was exhausted by the time they decided to stop for lunch.
"Since you have money to burn you must treat me to a sit-down lunch, something fancy."
Bella had an idea. "Jake, have you ever heard of a restaurant called Solstice?" she queried.
"Are you kidding? Who hasn't? A friend of mine waits tables there. He's seen all the big name actors."
"Can we just go there? Or do we like need a reservation?"
"Certain people do not need a reservation, peons like us do."
"Oh," she was disappointed, she'd wanted to spy on Edward, see him in action, in his own milieu.
"I'm joking sweetie. I've got an 'in' at almost every restaurant in this city. I'll call my friend and see what he can do, okay?"
"It's okay, Jake. Don't go through any tr..."
"No trouble." Jake insisted.
Solstice was really nice. Very smart. Huge flower arrangements, high ceilings, soft music, it just screamed, BIG BUCKS. "I don't think this is our kind of place." Bella murmured as she sat down. Jake piled all the packages on the seat next to her.
He stood behind her and pushed in her chair; then he leaned down and whispered in her ear, "It's not, it's the place where money goes. The place to see and be seen, rub elbows with the rich and famous. I don't mind rubbing up against those kinds of people, give them some cooties."
Bella laughed. He was the most lighthearted person she knew. He sat down across from her and she reached over and clasped his hands tightly. "You know what? I'm so glad I came to surprise you, even though I had that unfortunate run in with Mr. Grossman." She started to giggle uncontrollably again. She was about to burst into a laugh, when someone stopped at their table.
Bella was surprised when she looked up and saw Edward. He had one hand on the back of her chair as he leaned down to kiss her. She saw a blazing look in his grey eyes, and she automatically closed hers and gave him her lips. He pressed his lips to hers then his tongue darted out and gave her lips the tiniest little lick. Bella's lips opened automatically and her tongue met his for a few seconds, long enough for her knees to go weak. When they pulled apart her voice was hoarse and shaky when she said, "Edward, this is my best friend in the whole world Jacob Black. Jake this is Edward Cullen, my…uh..my friend."
Jake stood up and shook Edward's hand. He made his voice extra deep as he said, "It's a pleasure to meet any friend of my Bella."
Edward's jaw tightened, he said nothing to Jake, instead he pulled his hand away. He turned to Bella and said, "I thought you said that you were going to the museum and Central Park today, sudden change of plans?"
"Ummm." She searched for something to say. "Yeah, well..."
Jake chimed in and answered, "Well, actually that's my fault. I took her shopping, I needed a few things and I insisted. But we'll see the park later, I promised her a cozy carriage ride." Jake was being a devil.
"Bella, may I speak with you? In private?" Edward's face was hard.
Jake chimed in again, for some reason that Bella couldn't fathom, he was hell bent on upsetting Edward. "Please, there is no reason to speak in private. You can say whatever you have to say here." He crossed his two fingers, "Bella and I are tight. Like that." She saw the gleam of laughter in Jake's eyes and the blaze of fury in Edward's. He was clenching his fists.
Bella jumped up, "Excuse me Jake, be right back." She grabbed Edward's hand. She had butterflies in her stomach. Was it fear or excitement? She wasn't sure.
Edward took her to the foyer.
"Bella, who is that stupid ass you're with?" he spat out.
She giggled, she couldn't help it, she was very nervous. Edward was prowling, back and forth, running his hand through his hair. "He's an old friend, from Berkeley. Jake's family lives right down the street from us. That little yellow house on the corner, you must have seen it. Anyway, I've known him since I was in kindergarten. He is a wonderful actor, and he'll probably get a part in an off, off Broadway production about Godzilla. Isn't that great?" She knew she was babbling.
"So he's your 'best friend in the whole wide world' and I'm just your 'friend'?
"Well I only meant that….well Jake is my best friend. But I didn't know what to call you." Bella was rambling as he stared at her with narrowed eyes. "How should I have introduced you? Should I have said that you're my 'boyfriend'? That doesn't sound right to me. You're far from a boy. And I couldn't very well say 'lover' could I? I just didn't know what to say." She finished lamely. Her words only seemed to make Edward angrier, and he grasped her chin between his thumb and finger.
"Has he ever been your lover?" Edward was angry as he looked into her amber eyes, his jaw was clenched.
She pulled out of his grasp. "No! I told you, I've only been with Chris and you. Jake's not an ex-lover, he's my friend." Bella was surprised by his anger.
"Then why is he hanging onto your hand and whispering into your ear?" Edward could barely control his temper.
"He's just that kind of person, I guess. He's very demonstrative." She giggled nervously again as her eyes darted back into the dining area. She was looking at Jake who was making faces at her. "Edward, I've known him forever. He's just like a big brother to me."
Edward grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the lobby and onto the sidewalk. "You're acting giddy and silly. Have you been drinking?"
"No. I've just been having fun, that's all. With an old friend. Edward, this is very rude. The people at your table must be wondering where you are." She moved to walk back inside and he delayed her with a hand on her elbow.
His voice was hoarse. "Bella, you lied to me. You planned to see this guy, you never planned to go to a museum and you know it." He accused.
She pulled out of his grasp and swung around to face him. "I wasn't sure that I would get to see him. Anyway, I don't have to tell you every step I'm going to make before I make it, do I?" She stared up at him defiantly.
"No, but you have to tell him to back off. You're mine." He instructed.
"I will not! Edward, you keep thinking that men are interested in me and they're not. And you…"
"They are Bella. He is." Edward interrupted her.
Bella ignored him and continued, "…And you told me jealousy was a waste of your time, remember?"
He became quiet, and they stared at each other for what felt like a long time. She could see that got him. Bella was elated, she knew he cared for her, more than he was willing to admit.
"Either you tell him to back off, or I will. And I won't be nice." His voice was angry as he threatened.
"I won't tell him any such thing. You can do whatever you like." Bella stalked back into the restaurant, followed by a seething Edward.
Jake got up and nodded to Edward as he stopped at the table.
Edward held her chair for her to sit down. Then he looked at Jake and snarled, "She is not your Bella, she's mine. All mine. I'll kick your ass if you were ever to forget that." Edward left and returned to his table.
"Sorry about that." She apologized.
Jake bent in to whisper to Bella, "Sugar Daddy kind of sour today?"
She giggled and stopped abruptly when she caught a glimpse of Edward's thunderous face.
"Jake, you are a very bad influence, and now I'm in big trouble." She stifled a nervous giggle.
Jake started to sing under his breath, "Bella's gonna get a spanking, a spanking. Which she'll probably like." And they started to laugh quietly.
Jake drank quite a few cosmos for lunch. Bella ate the best steak tartare she had ever had. She raved over it and Jake reached over to try it. Bella reached over and tried his plate. She was acutely aware of Edward, and whenever she looked at him he was scowling at her. So, she stopped looking, she was going to enjoy herself no matter how upset he was. Jake and Bella left before Edward and his group and they made quite an exit, Jake was tipsy and there were plenty of 'excuse me's' and 'oh my gosh's and 'I'm sorry's' because Jake kept bumping people with the bags.
When they finally got outside they both almost collapsed in peals of laughter. They hailed a cab and rode down to the the Village to drop off the bags. "Wow!" Jake let our a low whistle when he saw Edward's flat. "He really is a sugar daddy isn't he? Dish the dirt. What's going on? Is it all about sex? Don't answer. I know it is. One look at that guy and I can tell." Jake flopped onto her bed and grabbed a pillow.
"That was a one-sided conversation." She lay down on her belly, next to him.
"My Bella, watch yourself. You're a baby, he's a grown up man." Jake was worried.
"Where were you four weeks ago, when I needed your advice?" she asked.
"You've only known him for four weeks?" He was very surprised.
Bella nodded. "Four emotional weeks that seem like years. Here it is in a nutshell." Bella ticked the incidents off on her fingers. "The first time we met he felt me up, I ran away. He tracked me down. I slept with him. He told me he wants me to be his sex toy, his paid mistress. I got scared and broke it off. I went back to him. He brought me to New York for sex. He implied that I want to trap him by getting pregnant. We had another big fight. He told me he "really, really liked" me. Last night I told him I needed a break from sex with him. And today he is playing the part of the jealous lover. That just about covers it."
Jake shook his head in bewilderment. "Wow. How did you get involved with him? You shouldn't be playing outside of your sand box, Bella. Where is Alice? Why isn't she giving you big sisterly advice?"
"She did. She told me to go for it." Bella wrinkled her nose.
"What? Did she meet this guy? He's no lightweight, Bella. He is seriously possessive and scary."
"She likes him, and I do too. He is smart and funny," her voice lowered to a whisper, "and he is sooo sexy." Bella rolled onto her side and looked Jake directly in the eyes. "I've never felt so …delicious." She whispered. "His lovemaking makes me feel so good, I think I'm addicted to it. I know I'm headed for trouble, but I'm deep in it now and I can't get out."
"Are you sure you're not falling in love with him?" Jake asked looking at her earnestly. " 'Cause, I'm gonna tell you, straight up, he's not the kind of guy you should fall for."
"I'm not in love. I would never fall for him. He doesn't want any love or any complication, just lots of naughty sex."
Jake hugged her tightly. "Bella, you're either lying to me or to yourself. You are falling for him and you have a huge problem. You have the body of a sex goddess but the heart of an angel. He wants you to be his sex kitten but he doesn't want anything to do with you or your heart. Bella, he just wants to own your body."
Bella knew what Jake was saying was true. "You're not saying anything that I don't already know. But he is so good, and I want him so bad." She said simply. Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears, she told herself that she was emotional because of Jake's concern. "I won't fall in love with him, I promise, Jake."
Jake reached for her and held her for a long time. Then he let her go. "Bella let's cheer you up and do something different! Adventurous."
"What?" she was curious.
"I want to take you to cut your hair and get a makeover and then we'll go out and salsa all night long!"
"No! Cut my hair? I can't!" she was appalled.
"Why not? It'll grow back. And you can give it to charity. There are many cancer patients who would love to have that hair. Think of the little girl who would feel so much better if she had a wig of your wonderful hair. And you don't have to cut it too short, just to your shoulder."
"Well." Bella was very hesitant, but Jake had a way of making her get excited about anything.
"I know a hairdresser and a make-up artist. We can do it now. Then you can put on that sexy new dress." He wiggled his eyebrows.
"Which one?" They had bought so many.
"The black lace mini that you bought today really shows your fantastic cleavage and hips. And I'll take you to this new place that just opened, "La Mariposa", we are going to salsa the night away. We'll have fun and you can dance that man right out of your hair."
Bella agreed and Jake called his friends. It was almost three o'clock and Bella did not want to see Edward. She wanted to let him stew in his own juices for now. And she liked Jake's plan for the evening better than arguing with Edward, so she left a quick note and rushed out of the flat. They sang all the way down the stairs, "I'm gonna wash that man right outta my hair, and send him on his waaaay…"