Edward's breaths were shallow, as he tried to catch his breath. His body felt spent. He couldn't remember coming this hard from something other than full-on sex. He'd certainly never allowed the lap dances he'd gotten to ever progress far enough to push him over the edge. If there was anything Edward prized, it was his self-control.
But like with all things, Bella seemed to get the better of him.
"Try not to look too pleased. You look like a cat that's eaten a canary." Edward's tone was dry even as he gratefully accepted the handful of tissues that she had gotten up to find and passed over to him; he did his best to clean himself up.
His green eyes sobered as his eyes passed over Bella's naked body to make sure he hadn't gotten any on her.
Bella's smug smile grew into sheepish one as she tossed her hair over her shoulder. She felt like the cat that had eaten a canary. That was for certain.
"So…" Bella led. "Seeing as we ended the session a little early, that'll be one-twenty." Bella felt dirty as she waited for Edward to hand over the money he'd promised her. She hated that this is what it all came down to. Trading money for pleasure. But she needed it. Every minute counted in this job. Especially if she was working for it.
The corners of his mouth quirked up in a wry smile at the way she'd hinted at how early they'd finish. "Don't let this one-off fool you." He teased her. "The women I take to bed are usually exhausted by the time I'm through with them."
"Is that so?" She murmured, most guys tended to try and make up for how quickly they came when Bella was with them. They always seemed to think it was a deficiency with them, never considering that maybe it was because she was actually good at her job. But she still smiled and allowed herself to fantasize what it'd be like to be with Edward, rolling between his sheets as he fucked her. But she quickly dismissed the thoughts. She was never going to sleep with Edward; there was no point in thinking about it.
He stood and dug his hand into the pocket of his jeans to pull his wallet out. He pressed the bills into Bella's hand. She had said only one hundred and twenty, but he had slipped in a few more bills figuring it was the least he could do considering her… unexpected finale.
Her eyes flickered downward as she accepted the money; she couldn't quite look Edward in the eye. His eyebrows rose when she refused to meet his eyes. Had he said something wrong? He gently nudged her chin up with his hand as he mused, "I daresay this is the first time I've actually seen you looking shy, Bella. It becomes you." Edward paused. "But you're unlike anyone I've ever met." The back of his hand brushed the flushed apple of Bella's cheek in a surprisingly tender (and perhaps even a touch wistful) gesture.
In a sudden change of topic he asked, "How are you getting home tonight?"
"I'll catch a cab." Bella replied. "My car… It's out of commission at the moment."
If by out of commission she meant that she'd sold it for half of the price it was worth as a way of coming up with some money, then yes. It was definitely out of commission.
He frowned. So he was right. That was how Bella usually got home from the club on the weekends even when he hadn't been there to see her. She took a cab. It was an idea that didn't settle well with Edward who knew better than anyone how dangerous it could be travelling through this part of town in broad daylight or early evening… let alone the early hours of the morning.
"Let me take you home." He offered. Before Bella could object, he added, "We live in the same place, Bella. You know… love thy neighbour?"
When that attempt at humour didn't seem to work, Edward sobered. "Look… I promise I'm not trying to pull anything funny." His green eyes were serious. "I'm just concerned. And it's the least I can do while your car is er… out of commission."
Bella had opened her mouth to tell him no, that she was alright. But he actually seemed to genuinely want to make sure that she got home okay and he was right… He did live right next door to her. "I won't be finishing for another couple of hours…" she said, expecting him to balk at the idea of another late night. But he shrugged his shoulders as though this news meant nothing. She got dressed as they spoke; she found it somewhat awkward just standing there naked, even after everything they'd just done. There were some parts of her job she would never get used to.
"Well… As long as you're sure. Then okay. I'll come find you when I'm done?"
"Sounds good." Edward said. He stepped forward, his hands on her arms, and gave her a kiss on the forehead, much like he had the previous week but this time, instead of making her feel like a child, his kiss made her feel almost cared for. Like he actually liked her. An uneasy sensation settled in her stomach as he stepped back and slipped out the door, leaving Bella to finish getting changed.
The rest of the night blurred by, much like it had the previous week. Bella made a little under a thousand dollars. She knocked on the door of Riley's office with her little bundle in her hand and gave him a tight, polite smile.
"Shut the door behind you," Riley requested of her.
"I can't stay," Bella said, her mind flickered to Edward who was waiting for her in the main club section for her. "Someone's waiting for me."
Riley's eyes narrowed. "Who? A boyfriend?" Riley laughed cruelly as he looked Bella up and down. She could read his expression; he was wondering who the hell would ever want to date her.
"No. A friend."
"Well then, I'm sure they wouldn't mind waiting just a couple of minutes."
Bella's back stiffened at the cold tone in his voice as he crossed the room at a leisurely pace.
"While I'm sure that's all it would take… It's late, and I don't want to keep him waiting…" She arched an eyebrow defiantly and handed over the bills she'd earned that night. She'd added another few from her own wallet to make the stash an even one thousand. Her debt was fifty thousand dollars, she'd worked out in the beginning that if she paid an even one thousand dollars every night she worked than she would only have to work fifty shifts.
So far, she'd worked thirty-two. She well and truly had passed the half way mark. She was nearly there. With the money she'd gotten back from selling her car, she now only had thirteen more shifts to go.
In less than two months she'd be free again. She could put this all behind her.
Riley's anger flashed in his eyes and Bella took a step back. She should have known better than to antagonize him. A hand struck out and smacked her hard across the face.
"That's for your smart ass comment. You're lucky I don't do worse to you. Now, get the fuck out of here you little slut!" Riley pushed her away and she stumbled backward clutching at her face. "And you should know…" He snarled as Bella found the door. "Tomorrow night, I want double or you'll be paying me what you owe with that snarky little mouth of yours."
Bella tripped as she hastily backed out into the hallway, the wooden door slamming harshly in her face but she breathed a sigh of relief to see it. She realized, Riley could have done much worse.
She didn't even know what she was doing until she walked back into the main club area and spotted Edward waiting patiently at a table, the lights were on, and he was chatting politely to one of the topless waitresses who was currently clothed.
Bella had kept her eye on Edward for most of the night; she hadn't wanted to stray too far from him. She'd had to leave occasionally when someone paid her for a lap dance, but she'd always return and look around to find out where he was.
His eyes hadn't wondered too far from her either and she'd also noted with some satisfaction that he barely paid any attention to any of the other girls who came and chatted with him, trying to get him to buy dances from them. They'd give up after not too long, seeing that he was a hopeless cause.
She didn't know the name of the waitress that was chatting with him now, only that she was new. Bella walked over, a feeling of uneasiness… And something also felt remarkably like jealously (except that it wasn't, it couldn't be) settle over her. "Hey, I'm ready to go now…" She bit nervously at her lip. Edward glanced up at her, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. Her cheek still stung somewhat and she realized hastily that maybe it was red. You should have waited, Bella admonished herself silently. She ducked her head, her hair falling forward to cover her face up.
Yeah. Riley is a right old prick.