Chapter 12
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"Hello, Bella," he says.
Fuuuckkkk. I think I say it out loud. It doesn't matter because I've said much worse in the previous phone calls.
Did he listen to those messages before he answered the phone? I guess I'll find out if he hangs up on me after calling me "crazy." Maybe he already got a restraining order and is going tell me how many feet I have to remain away from him. That will make it hard to touch his abs.
"Are you there?" he says.
"Ummph," I answer. Good job, Bella. Way to recover from the horrific word vomit messages.
He laughs and says, "Did you run out of things to say during the messages you left me? I was hoping for a verse of 'Call Me Maybe.' You know, because it's not on the radio or YouTube enough. And I'm glad that you weren't shagging Emmett."
Oh my god. I knew I should have helped Jasper with the Time Turner project he was working on. Then I could go back and never make these calls. Where is the bottle of schnapps? I'm going to chug it all or throw it across the room...I'm not sure which.
"Bella?" he asks. I think I'm instantly sober because of mortification. "You know I'm just teasing you, right? I thought your messages were cute. You don't know how excited I was to listen to them and know you called me."
"You listened to the messages already? And you still answered my call?" I ask in disbelief. "You must be a little desperate."
I clap my hand over my mouth as I realize what I just blurted out. I hear Edward laugh, and I relax a bit.
"Yeah. Where you're concerned, I am." His voice is low and rough and sounds even sexier. I don't even know how that's possible. Shit, I should be recording this call so I can listen to it in my car. No, I might crash when I try to touch myself.
"God, you're just so...mmm, and hot..."
He chuckles and I realize that I said that out loud. At least I didn't say the part about touching myself in the car. Because that would be embarrassing. Okay. More embarrassing. "I think you're hot too...like the surface of the sun hot," he says.
"5778 Kelvin," we both say at the same time. Holy shit. This man might kill me. I need him near me. Or on me. Something.
I need to touch. Explore what's under those track pants. His brain being bigger than what I think he's packing in there makes him even more amazing.
I think I moan a little because Edward asks, "Oh my god, Bella, are you touching yourself?"
Yeah, Bella. Pretty sure you just porn moaned.
I gasp and almost drop my phone. "No, Edward...I only do that before I go to sleep. My finger vibe is in the nightstand hidden inside my Hello Kitty socks."
"Jesus," he breathes. "We really need to go on a date. Saturday night. Seth is going to sleep over with Riley at my parents' house. You're mine for the whole night."
I make a really strange sound at this point. It's a "fuck" smothered by my fist in my mouth.
"Was that a 'yes'?" he asks. "Because if you turn me down again, I don't think I'll react well."
"Um, yes, Edward."
"I like hearing 'yes, Edward.' "
Oh. My. God.
"Just bring me some schnapps. Apparently, I say or do anything when I drink some," I joke.
He laughs and says, "I'll see you Saturday. I'll be calling and texting you before then. And Bella, I won't need schnapps."
"Fuck. Um, bye, Edward."
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"Damn, Bella, he said that?" Alice says, wide-eyed. I've just told her the whole sordid story of my first phone conversation with Edward. She drops her chili fry on her plate.
"Yep."
"Were you touching yourself?"
I roll my eyes. "No. Of course not. Geez, Alice. I'm not nasty. I waited until after we hung up to touch myself."
"I'm surprised you made it that long."
"I know. He's just so...smart and sexy."
"Yeah," Alice sighs. "Speaking of unf-fy geeky guys, was that actually Jasper in the picture you texted me?"
"I know, right? He looks really good, Al. You need to talk to him. I think he's ready."
She pulls out her phone and scrolls her pics. "Yeah...he's looking...ripe." She bites her lip. "But Is he still brewing those stupid potions? And what about the cape?"
"No more Harry Potter potions," I reply. "And he hasn't worn the cloak in months. He's really trying to be more mature. He even told me that he was changing for you." I leave out the part about his experiments. That info is on a need-to-know basis. And she doesn't.
"I think you're right. Maybe I'll work on the contract tonight."
"Um, okay?" I signed one, but I'm sure I have wa-ay different clauses than his will have.
I shudder and shake my head as I eat a huge forkful of chili fries.
"Bella. Swallow the fries, now. There's a guy heading this way and he's staring right at you. Holy shit, he's gorgeous and wearing tight track pants. And his hair is a bronze color...ack - it must be Edward."
I wave my hand frantically in front of my mouth like that will help me choke down my too big bite of food.
"Swallow!" Alice whisper yells. I have tears in my eyes as she hands me some water.
"Hi, Bella," he says, "Are you okay?"
I'm still choking. I wonder if Edward will still like me if he has to give me the Heimlich maneuver and I spew chili chunks? I also wonder if I'll feel his bulge in my back if he does it.
Decisions. It might be worth the trip to the infirmary.
"She's fine," Alice responds. "She just can't handle that much in her mouth. Yet. She's still working on swallowing."
I cough again. I. Must. Stop. Her.
"Hi, I'm Alice. Are you Edward?"
Alice introduces herself to Edward as I gulp down the water and wipe my face. I'm sure I look very attractive right now.
"Hey Edward," I manage to wheeze out. "What are you doing here?"
"Just came by to say hi. I know that you usually have lunch around this time and I wanted to see you."
"Really?" I say as he steps closer to the table.
"Yeah," he says softly.
"Oh, you two are super cute. But you're making me want to go jump on Jasper and he hasn't signed the contract yet. Later, Bella. Edward, you can have my seat." Alice grabs her trash and makes a hasty exit. It's for the best. I can't handle any more talk about Edward and swallowing.
He sits and then asks, "Jasper needs to sign what? Sex contract?" He snorts.
I shrug, and his eyes widen. "She's in law school. Don't ask."
He laughs. The sound is even better in person because I can see that his eyes get crinkly in the corners.
Gah. Eye porn.
"Jasper will sign. I don't know him very well but I know he likes her. Are you going to make me sign one?" he teases. "You wouldn't need one, though. I think an oral agreement would suffice."
I gasp and turn the color of burning lithium chloride.
He grabs my hand and says, "I'm just flirting with you, Bella. I won't do anything you don't want me to."
"And if I want you to?" I blurt out.
He grins. "I'll figure it out. Do some Bella research."
"I like hands-on learning," I say. My mouth is probably hanging open. "And experiments."
"I know," he whispers in my ear as he gets up to leave. "Me too."
I shiver. Edward causes some extreme physical reactions in me.
And in my pants.
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A/N: Much love to Nolebucgrl. Thank you for all the new readers from Sideline Collision.
My prereaders are the best: Twilover76, les16 (les_sh_16 on Twitter), and rtgirl (mblsac on twitter). I love that they service me immediately. Even at dinner time.
My beta is Cosmogirl7481. But you all know that. Did you know that I love her more than Jasper loves potions and Bella loves schnapps? Freals.