A/N Edward's back… this chapter might get steamy, take this as a warning
I had finally found a beautiful café in which to work. It had a nice view of the park and very little foot traffic for distractions. I felt comfortable and at ease here. I slid my laptop from its case and pushed the power button. It had been two days since my meeting with Aro but I have yet to receive a text message invitation to my first big party. I kept my phone fully charged and within grabbing distance the entire time just waiting for it to vibrate.
Not going to the office was a very strange feeling for me. I still got up early in the morning and worked out but once I returned to my apartment I felt empty. I knew immediately I couldn't stay in to work but I wanted to explore this new freedom. I had been searching for the perfect place to write, somewhere quiet and remote but not barren. The first day was fruitless but Alice got hold of me around lunch time. We had started the plans for the various parties and showers for Rosalie. But finally today my oasis was found.
Staring at my phone did not make it ring faster so I set to work on my next article. I would have to go back to the stadium soon. I had yet to interview Edward or half the team for that matter in the material I needed. Edward… I snapped myself from my day dream of his perfect chest and checked my mouth for drool. I needed to stay focused.
My mind drifted into a half dream as I wrote. I relived and watched the stories I had been told through my words trying to catch the essence of the player himself. His name was Trent Cogs and I could barely remember his face, but I would reiterate his story so he was remembered for years. I got so into my work that when my phone vibrated in my pocket I left out a shriek. It was extremely embarrassing.
A businessman a few tables over looked at me with interest but I averted my eyes quickly. The vibrate effect usually had that effect on me, but it was necessary. I tuned out music so easily I rarely heard my phone ring so I had to feel it always with the awkward gasp of surprise and pleasure in result. I flicked it open to read the message. It was from Aro.
Tonight at 11 come to a fiesta before siesta. The code word is coconut. I'll be waiting. C.c.
The C.c at the end of his message meant that it was sent out in mass. This made me feel less awkward. I didn't want a personalized message every time there was a party, but I wasn't sure what to expect. With Aro, this made sense. Personal and professional at the same time. It suited him. I bit my lower lip and glanced at the time. It was just after three o'clock.
I sighed deeply and saved my work. I needed Alice to create a sophisticated Bella that would not stick out like a sore thumb at this thing. I ate the last bite of my almond biscotti and stuffed my belongings into my bag. I pushed send over Alice's number and she answered on the second ring.
"Hello?"
"I need you to dress me."
"Really Bella, it is about time you realized this. Where are you?"
"I'm at a café downtown. I'll be home in ten. Meet me at my place?"
"Sure, I'll be there."
--
It's scary to think, that it only took Alice a matter of hours to change my entire wardrobe and transform me into Glamour Barbie. I bet if she ever put her mind to it, she could take over the world. I twirled in front of the mirror again not getting enough of the effect it had on my dress. It was very Marilyn Monroe. It was white flowing fabric that hugged my upper body and floated around my hips and legs. I felt like a princess. She had even styled my hair. It hung in perfect ringlets around my face to a few inches below my shoulders.
I had been expecting to feel strange in this new Bella costume but I was very wrong. Instead I felt light, feminine, and beautiful. I glanced at the clock and decided it was best to be on my way as it struck 10:30, it would take about a half hour to reach Aro's house from the city. My Audi TT sat patiently in my parking place, just where it had been for the last two weeks. I whispered an apology as I trailed my fingers over its silver paint job.
I missed driving; I decided as I pulled away from the curb and relaxed in my leather seat. The rumble of a perfectly tuned engine is intoxicating at the best of times. My car and I were well acquainted but I felt the need to reintroduce myself as I drove. The wheels hugged the curves as I turned. The car and I were one.
The drive to the mansion went by to quickly but I was excited that I would drive home eventually. I pulled up to the gate and opened my window to the security guard. His uniform stated that his name was Demitri. I smiled at him working on my inept flirting.
"Hey there." He smiled in return. Score one for Bella.
"Hello Miss, do you know the code word?" He leaned his muscled arms on his clipboard. He flexed his biceps and they bulged in his sleeves. I tried to stifle my laugh at his show.
"Coconut, thanks love." I winked at him as he let me enter. I handed my beloved keys to a valet once I pulled up to the front door and he helped me from my seat. Alice was right; this was almost exactly what I imagined the Playboy mansion to look like.
The house was whitewashed and massive. Climbing ivy softened its bulk and gave it a classic look from the front. I could hear music pulsing through the open doors so I quickly climbed the stairs to look inside.
There seemed to be priceless artwork on every available surface along with countless chandeliers. The polished marble floor gleamed in the light as people socialized. I pursed my lips trying to think of a good place to park myself. I crossed the foyer and entered the living room area. There were
big cream colored sofas with embraceable leather seats. A mammoth plasma mounted on the wall and shelf after shelf of movies. They were mostly old classics to my surprise. I ferreted away that thought and decided to come back later for further investigation.
Beyond the living room was a wall of glass which I'm sure during the day would host a panoramic view of the ocean. At night the waves were barely visible. There was a large patio area with chairs, a fire pit, a Jacuzzi, a gazebo, a pool, and a large expanse of grass. An open bar stood at the edge of the patio and next to the pool. I made my way over to get a drink.
"Madouri Sour please," I asked the bartender and he nodded. I leaned my back against the bar and surveyed the people around me. There were countless boobalicious blondes throwing themselves at the men present. The men varied in age, shape, and size. They went from the young and handsome to middle aged and slightly flabby to older and distinguished. I recognized a few faces from the big screen but I didn't go to the movies often enough to know names.
"Here you are ma'am, have a nice evening." I turned and retrieved my drink. It was the perfect mix of sweet and sour. I smiled at the barkeep.
"My my I think you just stole my heart."
"I should hope not," I turned and saw Aro coming towards me. I smiled at him and kissed both of his cheeks. "Hello Bella, how beautiful you look! You put the moon to shame." He took my hand and kissed my knuckles while staring at me with his peculiar eyes.
"Thank you very much. Alice Cullen helped me get ready for tonight." He smiled at her name.
"How wonderful. Her brother is here tonight you know. I saw him just a minute ago I believe."
"Which brother?" I knew the answer but I needed him to confirm it.
"Edward of course! Emmett is much too jealous to let the young actors hit on his Rosalie."
"That does sound like him, but he snapped the trap shut. They are getting married in a month so hopefully he will back off the macho show a bit."
"It is about time. They have been in love for too many years to count. I pride myself on judging relationships and I knew they would last, despite Rose's tenacity." I took another sip of my drink and surveyed the crowd. I noticed a woman I hadn't seen before. She had strawberry blonde hair and legs for miles. I took another gulp of Madouri to calm myself as my ego lost a few points.
She was standing with her arms around a man with a spectacular ass. Her lips were at his ear and a hand on the side of his neck. It was a possessive stance to warn off all women in the area that he was hers.
"What about them?" I looked back at Aro. He turned and looked at the couple for a few seconds.
"It won't last. Tanya is too possessive for Edward's taste. I think it is just a lust-based joining, nothing more." I almost choked on my drink.
"Edward? Edward Cullen?"
"Yes, I just told you he was here not five minutes ago, were you not listening Bella?" He smiled a knowing smile at my reaction.
"Yes, I knew he was here but I didn't realize he was with someone." I heard the disgust in my own voice. This was not good.
"Why does it matter?" Aro asked even though he seemed to already know the answer.
"It doesn't." I replied too quickly. He just lifted a brow in response. I sighed. "Ok, maybe I have a… crush." I couldn't think of a better word. It would get awkward quickly if I had responded 'I want to pay homage to his body with my tongue and that slut is in my way'.
"I see." Aro continued to smile. "I'm going to introduce you." He strode away too quickly for me to react.
"Wait! Don't do that!" I made a grab for Aro's shirt and missed. I felt myself topple slowly towards the pool as Aro touched Tanya's shoulder.
I heard him say "There's someone I want you to meet," before I broke the surface of the pool. I was not alone. There were scantily clad girls sitting on inner tubes and flirting with the men near them and they were not happy about being splashed as I came up gasping for air. "Good lord Bella, are you alright?" Aro was standing at the side of the pool looking at me with concern.
"I'm just peachy," I practically spat at him trying to wipe the water from my eyes when I noticed who was standing to his left. Edward with a laughing Tanya latched to his side. I felt my cheeks burn. I pulled myself through the water to the stairs so I could climb out. I stumbled over but Aro caught me before I could escape.
"Tanya, I would like you to meet my friend, and apparently poorly coordinated, Isabella Swan, she is a journalist for the Seattle Sun Times. Bella, this is Tanya, she is a singer."
"I know you from somewhere. You look very familiar. Wait I know! You are Mikhail Strauss's plaything!" She giggled at me. I felt my face grow hot again, but this time in anger. I felt eyes on me so I glanced up and met Edward's gaze. I suddenly felt very subconscious, and did I just see jealousy in his eyes when she mentioned Mikhail? No way. I looked down at myself and finally noticed my predicament. My hair was hanging limply around my head and my dress clung to every inch of my skin it touched, leaving very little to the imagination. My white lace panties and bra were just visible though the wet fabric.
"Ah, excuse me; I need to go throw myself from a cliff." I muttered and walked briskly to the house. That was to close for comfort. I couldn't find a bathroom downstairs so I went upstairs. I finally
found the master bath and I reveled in its glory for a moment as I stood in the doorway. It was pink marble with a large whirlpool with jets along with a big glassed in shower. It would suit my needs perfectly I decided as I grabbed a fluffy white towel from the counter.
I bent down and flipped my hair in front of me so I could wrap the wet mess up and out of my face. When I stood I was no longer alone. I turned slowly when I heard the door click shut. Edward stood with his hand still on the handle staring at me with a strange look in his eye. My eyes roamed over his body and they were not disappointed.
He was wearing a white linen shirt open at the neck allowing brief glimpses of his perfect pectoral muscles. He wore white linen pants as well. It accentuated his green eyes as unique hair. I wanted to reach out and touch those soft strands but his words cut off my fantasy.
"What are you doing here?" He sounded mad and it fueled my anger.
"Why shouldn't I be here? I was invited." He looked into my eyes and I saw pain. It reminded me of leaving him on that street corner. You made this choice now stick with it. My head insisted, but I felt my resolve crack slightly. He doesn't really care. He can't.
"That's not what I meant Bella," He looked exhausted.
"Why are you here?" I was insinuating his exhaustion and poor life choices but he took it a different way.
"I'm here because I'm expected to be here." I snorted not really believing him. When I looked at him again his eyes were roaming over me this time. I felt myself blush and pulled a towel in front of myself. I turned away and walked to the window.
"I think you should go Edward. Tanya is waiting for you." I waited for the door to open and close again. Instead I felt lips at the sensitive spot behind my ear.
"Do you want me to leave?" He whispered before biting my earlobe softly. As it did before, it caused me to moan slightly. It took me a second to realize he asked me a question.
"It isn't about what I want Edward." I tried to turn towards him but he had me caught in the towel I had wrapped around myself. Dammit.
"Well what do you want? Because I most certainly don't want Tanya the way I want you." his nose slid down the side of my neck. I arched my head back giving him better access. He turned me towards him without releasing my arms from their prison.
"Hmm?" The sensations he was creating were making it very hard to think.
"I asked what you wanted." He repeated patiently as he slid his tongue along the outer regions of my lips. I felt myself pout involuntarily.
"I want you to kiss me Dammit." I tried to capture his lips but he still had me confined. He chuckled and his eyes darkened. I felt my stomach quiver. This is either very good or very bad.
"Ask me." Was he serious? He was the one who followed me here and he expected me to beg him to kiss me? He flicked his tongue along the ridge of my ear and I gasped again. Was begging really that bad…
"Please." I closed my eyes.
"Open your eyes Bella." They slid open reluctantly. "Say my name so there is no confusion of who you want."
"Kiss my Edward." His lips crushed mine and I left myself pushed against a wall. His hands unraveled the towel around my hair and dove in while his body pinned me. Finally I was able to free my arms and they snaked around his neck trying to pull him closer. Our tongues dueled for dominance and I molded myself to him perfectly. My hands roamed over his sculpted chest and ended up grabbing fistfuls of his shirt. We broke apart gasping for breath. He was sustaining most of my weight since my knees were putty.
"Does Mikhail kiss you like that?" Edward growled pinning me to the wall again.
"No," I stated simply. It was true. Mikhail had kissed me passionately, but this kiss left me branded for life. Edward's knee slid between my legs and lifted me up so he could kiss me deeper than last time. My head was shouting at me. I had promised myself I wouldn't do this and yet here it was happening. I felt my hands flatten against his chest with every intention of pushing him away. I knew that with the slightest push I would be released from his hold, but his earlier question popped into my head.
What do you want? Edward. It wasn't as simple as that. I knew it was dangerous to become emotionally involved with Edward so I decided on the spot. I will not fall in love with you. Edward Cullen was the perfect specimen of a man, and I could enjoy that while it lasted. Just no emotional attachment allowed.
I caught his bottom lip in my teeth and he growled. His hands danced down my back and rested right in the small of my back. We kissed for another minute before we both needed to come up for air. I tried to stay nonchalant but it was difficult with him looking at me like that.
"Well this was fun. Same time next week?" I was kidding but Edward's eyes lit up.
"Edward?" Tanya's voice carried from somewhere outside the bathroom. We both froze.
"Should people know about us?" His eyes probing mine. There was an 'us'? I felt panic which he took as my answer. He kissed me once more and then pushed me towards the tub to hide. He nodded at me and walked over to open the door.
"Oh Edward, I wondered where you had gotten off too." I heard a sound that was very similar to a kiss. I felt myself blush and cringe with jealousy.
"I was just in the restroom Tanya. I told you I would be right back. It irritates me to no end when you feel the need to check up on me. It's like you don't trust me." Edward's delivery was perfect and I had to fight my giggle. Their voices got softer as they walked away and eventually I climbed from the tub.
My dress had dried quickly but my hair was ruined. I searched through the cabinets I found a clip and swung the damp mass out of my face. A few minutes later I climbed down the stairs and decided I wanted to investigate Aro's movie collection. A guy of average height and build with chestnut brown hair was already looking at them when I reached my destination. He seemed weary when I stopped next to him.
"Hi, I'm Isabella Swan." I didn't want to be rude.
"Wes Chapin, it's nice to meet you." I wasn't planning on having a conversation but Wes seemed intrigued by my interest in the classics after a minute of silence. "Are you a fan like me? These movies are gold, back when Hollywood had class." I smiled.
"Exactly! Nothing screams elegance more than Grace Kelly strutting up to Humphrey Bogart and taking the dance floor by storm." He grinned back.
"So what do you do?"
"I'm a journalist at the Seattle Sun Times, I'm supposed to find new talent to interview, but I am failing miserably right now. How about you?"
"I'm an actor actually. It's sad considering how little respect I have for my own profession." He shrugged.
"Well at least you have standards." Our conversation continued and we became fast friends. "Would you hate me if I asked to interview you?"
"I thought that you where." Wes chuckled.