Author's Note: Those of you who reviewed, alerted and favorite….you are the best! Thanks a million!
Chapter 17: Lessons Learned and Repercussions
~~Edward~~
As Bella scampers off to answer the door, I am trying to feel my goddamn legs. My breath shudders in gasping pants as I sink in shock and awe into the mattress. The chuckles leave my mouth and I fear that she's sucked my brain completely out of my skull and I've been rendered completely mad.
I don't want to make it seem like that was my first blow-job, hell I couldn't tell you how many I've had. Some of them damn good ones too, but the common denominator in all of them was that usually I attracted those fake, phony women that I could do anything I wanted to as long as it didn't mess up their hair or break a nail. Just mentioning the thought of me busting a nut in their mouths always was responded with the annoying and high-pitched "ewwww".
So to set the record straight, I raise my hand. I, Edward Masen, connoisseur of pussy, tamer of the hoo-ha, bastard numero Uno has never had a girl that swallowed. Hell, the one time I did without warning, the girl puked on my dick. That is something that scars you for a long fucking time. Yup, I said it and now that I've experienced it I have to say with the upmost respect…..that shit was fucking awesome!
I continue to chuckle insanely as I slide into jeans and a t-shirt. I stumble like a kid that's discovered a joint for the first time and I'm down right giddy. Try as I may, I can't wipe the stupid goofy grin off my face…well, until I waltz into the kitchen and hear an unmistakable voice.
"Eddie, having fun playing hide the sausage?"
Fuck. My. Life.
I wipe my hand over my face, hoping that he'll disappear but he's still there, big and annoying as the clap standing with a coffee cup in my kitchen.
"Emmett, what the fuck?" I mutter grabbing my own cup of coffee.
"I've come to meet with my new bosses, and discuss yard art and shit. So, is Bella fucking you up the poop chute yet?" He waggles his eyebrows over the rim of the mug.
Bella, obviously, thinks this is hysterical and dissolves across the countertop in giggles. I glare at the big oaf, who although being the best friend I have in the world, is also the biggest pain in my ass.
"What the hell are you doing here, Em? Did Carlisle send you?" I slide onto a barstool beside Bella and she passes me a muffin. I smirk and a knowing look passes between us of secrets and promises.
"Well, I am you're landscape artist person thingy. Carlisle wanted me to let you know that another woman was found in an alley near the Volturi's club. Execution style murder no prints of course, but surveillance places her in that club two hours before she was found." Emmett replies with a heavy solemn voice.
"Jesus Christ!" Bella curses and I do the same. How many people are going to die before we bring these fuckers down? Makes me feel a bit guilty that we aren't already out there, doing something but Emmett reads my train of thought instantly.
"Ed, man, we can't rush into this. I know you want to be in there, but we have to play it by the book, dude. These freaks are dangerous. If we go in half-cocked, how many good agents are we going to lose….namely you and this hot-ass little piece right here." He is serious in tone, but the last part of his statement has him grinning like a fool to dissipate the tension.
"I am hot aren't I?" Bella chuckles.
"Fucking smoking babe! If I wasn't….." Emmett begins.
"Married to a supermodel that you adore and father to two brilliant little girls, not to mention Rosie would carve your balls up and serve them on a platter if you even thought of…." I trailed off as Em smiled brilliantly.
"Ah, you're right. God, I'm a lucky bastard." We all chuckle, around Emmett its hard not to. Our little pow-wow interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell.
"That should be Jasper and Alice." Bella says as she slides off the barstool and sprints to the door.
Emmett leans forward as she leaves and speaks low. "Hey, Ed, are you tappin' that yet?"
"Christ, Em!" And I'm rewarded with the What?!' look he's damn near famous for.
Bella escorts Alice and Jasper in and introductions are made. We make casual conversation for a few moments and fall to a somewhat awkward silence. Of course, my partner will have none of that.
"Well, I'm off to take care of some things outside. Gotta keep up the pretenses, ya know? In case somebody's watching." Em says his goodbyes to our guests and makes for the kitchen door leading to the backyard.
"Oh and Emmett, make sure you sweep the sidewalks after you're done cutting the grass. You know how that's one of the little ladies pet peeves." I smirk, really enjoying this.
"My crank, Eddie. Bite my fucking crank, you douche!" and he laughs like a maniac as he sweeps through the door.
After a cordial cup of coffee and discussion in limited detail our completion of the oral assignment, we move on to present endeavors.
"Today Bella, you are going to work with Alice. She's going to teach you the finer details of living a submissive's life. Edward, you and I are going to go into the playroom and I'm going to explain some of the equipment and a detailed lesson on aftercare. After a couple of hours, we'll meet back up and I'll give you tonight's assignment." Jasper says, kissing Alice tenderly on the cheek and starts making his way downstairs. Bella and I stumble around each other as I grip her waist and give her a squeeze and follow.
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
I can honestly say Jasper knows his shit. Over the last two hours I've been schooled on everything from canes to nipple clamps. I've tested more vibrators than should be comfortable for a man and have an extensive knowledge of all things anal. I've tied knots in ropes and played with the Sibian remote like I was driving a remote-controlled race car.
Jasper turns serious as we sit across from each other on two comfortable chairs in the corner. "Now, Edward, I'm going to teach you about one of the most important parts of this lifestyle. Listen close, because this step is imperative. I'm going to teach you about aftercare."
"Okay." Is all I can say, sensing the importance of this lesson. His whole demeanor changes and I think he's going to give me Iraqi bomb Intel or the secret recipe at KFC.
"I can't stress to you how important aftercare is after every scene. It may be simply holding her in your lap and reassuring her until she's recovered. Drying her tears and giving comforting words." Jasper says solemnly.
"Shit, Jasper! I don't want to make her cry for fuck's sake." I spit out, and the thought of hurting Bella or seeing her cry disgusts me.
"Edward, you're misunderstanding me. If you guys aren't into pain, that's fine…, it's your prerogative. But, scenes are intense. The emotional weight of them is sometimes expressed in tears, and honestly, they may not know why they are crying in the first place. But, it's our responsibilities as Doms to comfort them, reassure them and calm them. Do you understand?" Jasper searches my face for my agreement.
"Yes, I understand." I say seriously. Who knew this lifestyle had so many intricacies and emotional weights….I didn't.
"Now, other activities require a bit more physical aftercare. For example, when a sub is bound, it's a Dom's responsibility to make sure it isn't for too long. Binding cuts off circulation and you want to make sure that positions aren't held too long as to incur muscle damage. After binding, you want to make sure to rub the parts that were bound to redistribute blood flow. If there are marks on the skin, you want to apply this crème and reapply if needed. Her well-being is solely in your hands, Edward. Mind….body and soul. Is that clear?" Jasper says determined.
I picture Bella, laughing as we talk and I smile. I picture the sounds she makes in pleasure and I sigh. I picture her tear stained face after I spanked her and it hurts me. I search Jasper's eyes and his lips break into a knowing smile. "By George, I think he's got it." He chuckles.
I feel better after this lesson, knowing what I have to do. Knowing how I need to treat Bella and what I can expect from her treatment of me. It's strange that before this all started I thought of BDSM relationships as all black leather, whips, chains and pain. With this knowledge that I've gotten from Jasper….and Alice, I see that I had it all wrong. These relationships are beautiful in the simplest form. It's about vulnerability, honesty, faith and trust. I shake Jasper's hand and thank him for teaching me this as we head toward the door of the playroom.
"Oh, Edward, there's one more thing I'd like to cover before we join the girls." Jasper says as I turn toward him. The blinding pain of fist meeting unsuspecting skin startles me and I fall onto my ass on the floor.
I taste the metallic copper of blood in my mouth as my fingers gingerly touch my lip and come away crimson. "Jasper, what the fuck?!"
Jasper smiles down menacingly to me and rolls up his shirt sleeves. "Number one rule, NEVER strike a submissive in anger. Get the fuck up!" He growls and I rise slowly.
"The other day, you struck Bella in anger and I need to teach you that is a big no-no. Number one rule of this lifestyle." Jasper stands, knees bent slightly facing me squarely as I pick myself up off the floor. Damn, this fucker packs a wallop.
"I understand, Jasper, I was wrong to do that….." My words are cut off as his fist connects with my left eye and the pain radiates throughout my skull, knocking me down to the floor again.
I lay back on the floor, aching and my head exploding. "Damnit, Jasper, I know I made a mistake. Christ, would you stop?"
"You strike out in anger and people get hurt. You never….NEVER hit in anger, do I make myself clear?" Jasper smiles down at me and honestly, it rattles the fuck out of me.
He holds out a hand to help me up and I grab it tentatively, backing away a few steps as I find my feet. "Oh yeah, what the hell do you call this?" I'm pissed and my face is throbbing.
"Lessons learned, my friend. Lucky for you I had a few days to cool off." He smiles the most genuine smile.
