Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all.
Rated M for several reasons.
Chapter 12 Suction
BPOV
When I first started attending myriad business dinners with The Old Man, I was, as Edward put it, allergic to exercise. And though I was much less interested in my appearance even I couldn't ignore the fact that I was starting to get a bit doughy round the middle. So I joined a diet class. It was a bit of a scam to cash in on people with low self esteem to be honest because it's not rocket science, eat a broad range of foods in moderation and get plenty of exercise, though I guess that doesn't sell weight loss programs. What they give you, that you don't get on your own, is motivation and support, and the occasional nugget of wisdom. The less than svelte lady that ran my class used to say that when you fall off the wagon the important thing to do is accept it and climb straight back on again. Not think, fuck it, I wonder if I've got time to deep fry a Snickers?
Edward's not a chocolate bar, but you get the idea.
So when I woke up in the morning my brain ordered me straight out of bed.
And it would have worked like a charm if he hadn't been waiting for me when I came out of the bathroom, all mussed up hair, crinkly eyes and sheet riding dangerously low on his hips.
After orgasm three, in the shower, against the wall, he has very strong thighs, I decided to write Sunday off and start the diet again on Monday.
...
If there was anything in the press about my weekend with Edward it wasn't bad enough that someone felt compelled to make me look at it, so I'll treat that as a good thing.
The weekend, which was from start to finish, the best I've had in a long time has been playing on mind, and body, all week, not least because its Carlisle's birthday on Saturday and we're all gathering at Casa Cullen to celebrate.
It hasn't helped that this is going to be a slow week at work. It's the monthly Board Meeting on Wednesday which means that everyone spends Monday and Tuesday getting ready for it and Thursday and Friday getting over it. Lauren in particular is on her last nerve since it falls to her to arrange everyone's flights and accommodation, the itinerary, the content and all the catering. She's good at it, if it were up to me they'd have to arrange their own travel and fetch their own lunch. However they're an expensive bunch to have in a room together so I suppose it's better to get the maximum value out of them.
God it's only Tuesday and not even lunchtime, there are a thousand productive things I could be doing instead of staring out the window waiting for Rose to text me back.
Finally.
'All sorted, I've shipped Em off to help Esme get ready so Friday night is on, I'll pick you up from the airport, which flight are you on?'
'Excited! Five thirty.'
'Mexican?'
'Hell yes'
'Tequila?'
'You read my mind'
There's a long pause.
'You boinked Edward didn't you?'
'Yeah'
'Was it good?'
'Yeah'
'I'll see you Friday xx'
'xx'
...
"Spill." She orders as we tuck into our fajitas at her kitchen counter.
"There's nothing to spill." I shrug. "You know the drill, we had a great weekend, he flirted with me all Saturday and I gave in to temptation on Saturday night."
"And Sunday?"
My cheeks heat.
"That good huh?"
"I just can't resist him." I sigh, taking a slug of my tequila.
"Do you need to?"
"I'm too old to be a fuck buddy Rose." My cheeks heat again but she kindly ignores it.
"You're thirty, healthy and hot, why not?"
Another shrug.
"Look." She begins. "Don't wig out on me, just listen okay?"
I raise an eyebrow which she counters with her own.
"Okay." I concede.
"You don't seem all that inclined to settle down, I mean, Jake asked you to marry him loads of times, right?"
"Right."
"And if you're not going to settle down what's the harm in taking advantage of Suaveward when you get the chance? I mean, it's not like you're a constipated virgin, you enjoy yourself with all sorts of drool worthy men when the fancy takes you."
"They're not my friends though are they?"
Her eyes light up and I can feel the 'wig out' coming on.
"I'm a simple soul Bella Swan." She says, swigging her own drink. "If he's your friend, and he considers himself yours, and you can't keep your hands off each other isn't there a rather obvious solution?"
"Rose." I groan, knowing where she's going with this and that it's a complete waste of time.
"Nuh-huh. Just hear me out and then I'll drop it.
I don't care what you say now or what you said back in the day. If you think that you and he are now, or were ever, just friends then you're deluding yourself. I get why Edward can do it, he has a pea size man brain, but you've got no excuse.
If boinking him makes you uncomfortable then don't do it. Or better yet tell him he's not getting all up in your vjayjay again until he can man up and admit that you're more than just a fuck buddy."
We glare at each for a moment and then burst out laughing.
"I'll take that under advisement Ms Cullen." I snicker.
"You do that Ms Swan." She giggles, toasting me.
...
Em arrives home later that night to find us sprawled out in the den, completely wasted.
"Two drunk ladies, it's my lucky night!"
Rose flips him the finger, which makes us both howl with laughter, not that we've needed a reason for the last hour or so.
Em shakes his head at us and sighs.
"Okay, which one of you is going first?"
"Me! Me!" I shout and he scoops me up easily, carrying me out bridal style.
"I'm drunk." I inform him as he lugs me upstairs.
"Color me surprised." He chuckles.
"I am not a sentimental drunk." I continue as he turns right into the bedroom. "So I'm not going to tell you that I love you."
"Good cos I get enough of that shit from Rose."
"She loves you." I remind him, poking him in the chest.
"That she does." He says, plonking me down on the bed. "Night Cyggers."
"Night Em."
I pull the comforter over me and roll to face the door.
About two minutes later he passes by with Rose in his arms and she blows me a kiss as they disappear to their room.
I bet if he had a dollar for every time he's put us to bed over the years he'd be like a billionaire now or something . . . .
...
"Why are we getting dressed up again?" Em complains as Rose fixes his tie.
"Because your Mom said so, that's why. There, now you're presentable. Have you put your stuff in the overnight bag?"
"Shit, no!" He says, rushing out and thundering upstairs.
"Sometimes." Rose groans. "I wonder how I'll cope with two kids in the house."
"You're ready then?" I ask her, already smiling at the thought.
"Yep. Not getting another shot when its due and we're going to let nature take its course."
I want to squeal and give her a hug but that's probably a bit premature so I settle for grinning like an idiot instead.
"Which means." She says, grinning back. "That I have to indulge all my really bad habits to the hilt for a couple of months."
"Want some help with that?"
"Always. I was thinking we could take a girl's vacation to Isle Esme for my birthday, you up for that?"
"Sounds like a plan!"
...
The party is already in full swing when we arrive, the beautifully decorated house crammed with Ma and Pa Cullen's friends and colleagues from the hospital where Carlisle works.
Esme greets us all with hugs and kisses and then sends us deeper into the house to search out the birthday boy.
We find him in the kitchen surrounded by an adoring crowd of mostly women. Like father like son.
"Birthday kiss!" Carlisle demands, pulling Rose in and landing a borderline appropriate smacker straight on her lips.
"Jesus Dad." Em groans, yanking his wife back out of harm's way.
There's no one to protect me though and I'm pretty sure he felt up my butt, however briefly.
"You're a very bad man." I tell him when he releases me but he just winks and turns to the matronly woman who's trying to get his attention back.
...
I'm talking to a couple of naturists and trying very hard to politely dodge their invitation to join their group sometime when a pair of familiar arms slip round my waist.
"Mind if I steal her away?" He asks, already dragging me backward through the crowd.
"Rude." I huff when he lets me go.
"Hey." He smirks. "If you wanna get naked with the Richelys go right on back."
"No thanks. I'm good."
"I thought you would be."
We fall silent, acutely aware of how close we're standing and the fact that his fingers are curled lightly around my wrist.
He swallows.
I swallow.
And then he drags me into the cloakroom, pushing the door shut behind us.
"Hi." He says, unsmiling, eyes dark.
"Um, hi."
"I'm going to kiss you."
"You are?" I ask raising my eyebrow. "And in such a romantic setting too, lucky me."
"Sarcasm." He murmurs as he leans down, licking his lips and threading his hands in my hair. "Really." They brush mine. "Really." Then press more firmly. "Doesn't suit you."
My mouth pops open, and I may or may not have moaned, but before he can deepen the kiss the door sweeps open admitting Carlisle.
My mouth snaps shut and I try to pull away but Edward's hands won't let me.
"You're slipping son." Carlisle chuckles, backing up. "You forgot to lock it."
And he withdraws, closing the door behind him.
I open my mouth again, to speak this time, but Edward's doesn't give me the chance.
And before I know it I'm kissing him back and fisting my hands on the lapels of his jacket to pull him closer.
God he's such a good kisser, it's like having sex with your clothes on . . . .
"That's better." He sighs an indeterminate amount of time later, wrapping his arms around me and resting his chin on the top of my head. "I can think straight now."
And then he releases me and opens the door, grabbing my hand and dragging me out with him.
"Come on, let's go get some champagne before the old fogies drink it all."
At least one of us can think straight, I don't think I can think at all, which doesn't make sense, I think . . . .
...
The party roars on, old people, who should know better, are doing shots in the kitchen. Carlisle and his cronies are playing pool. Rose is feeding Em nibbles from the buffet while he rests his head in her lap and Alice and Jasper have cleared the floor in the family room and are trying to get the dancing started.
I back up but Alice's sixth sense hasn't deserted her and she sends Jasper to catch me before I can make good my escape.
And before I know it a very drunk eye surgeon is twirling me around the floor telling me things about eyeballs I would rather not know . . . .
...
Its three am by the time the last guest has left the house. The last guests standing I should say, there are two random Doctors passed out in the family room and a post coital couple passed out on my bed. At least I'm assuming the post coital part, since they're both naked from the waist down, which is going to lead to an interesting conversation over breakfast.
Rose and I are pottering about helping Esme collect all the glasses and plates while the boys are putting furniture back where it belongs and bagging the trash.
"Where are you going to sleep?" Rose asks as Esme starts the dishwasher and puts the kettle on.
"She can sleep in Edward's room." Esme says absently.
"And where is he going to sleep?" I ask in surprise.
"With you I expect." She says with a negligent shrug yet knowing smile. "Tea?"
...
I yawn for the umpteenth time, nearly dislocating my jaw, which Edward seems to find extremely amusing.
I feel weird around him tonight but nevertheless the suck of the quicksand is as strong as it ever was.
"I'm going to bed." I announce, getting up and going over to give Carlisle a hug. "Happy Birthday big guy."
"Thanks for coming." He says, hugging me back and I turn to kiss Esme's cheek.
"Goodnight dear." She murmurs. "Sleep well."
"Night!" I call to everyone in general, sighing in relief as I turn the corner and start up the stairs.
Someone's rescued my bag from coitus couple so I brush my teeth and change into my pyjamas before curling up on the far side of Edward's bed.
I've never slept in Edward's bed here before. Ever.
And I'm just on the cusp of falling asleep in its surprising comfort when I hear him come in. He moves around for a while, probably getting changed and then the bed dips as he slides in beside me.
"You still awake?" He whispers.
"Mmm."
He snuggles up to me, warm and solid, draping an arm over my waist.
"Night Bella." He murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to my shoulder.
"Night Edward."