Chapter 15:

EPOV

I didn't feel shame or embarrassment when I learned that a good number of the people residing in the Olympic Peninsula watched me fuck my girlfriend. I'm not ashamed of my body in the least. And as it turns out I've actually increased my fan base considerably in the aftermath of scandal. That aspect of this debacle is almost comical. It's flattering and a little arousing if I'm being completely honest.

What crushed my spirits was knowing the effect that video would have on the people I cared about. What made Kinky Catie's actions reprehensible was the damage that being dragged out of the play room could have done, and might still do, to my career long term, and the pain she caused my family. Add to it the problems she caused for Bella by having her sexual preferences exposed to the world, and you might begin to understand why I'm still filled with anger.

Needless to say, our first night out in public post-scandal hadn't gone so well. I'd been recognized by a number of people, which is not really out of the ordinary, except that they all let us know in one way or another that they'd seen Catie's video. It made for a very awkward evening. Bella's always handled my moderate fame maturely; not letting the attention I get from the opposite sex upset her. Those circumstances are harder to digest now that her name and face have been thrown into the mix. People don't just recognize Edward, the Channel 6 news anchor; now it has become Edward and Bella, the infamous D/s couple of Port Angeles. I thought for sure Bella was going to lunge across my lap and strangle that young woman at dinner when she asked for Bella's autograph.

It's ironic how two people who live for the thrill accompanied by exhibitionism could feel so uncomfortable when that same preference is recognized publically. There was a time not too long ago when Bella would get off on walking around Coming Attractions topless. She loved knowing heads turned to watch her follow me through the club. And I loved asking her to flaunt her assets for me. Have the hurtful comments from reporters and opinionated citizens made her look at herself and what we do together in a different light? I don't think I could stand it if Bella was now ashamed of our lifestyle choice. People are cruel and judgmental, and Bella and I have certainly been scrutinized under a microscope thanks to my not-so-secret admirer.

When Jasper asked this evening how long it would be before Bella and I resumed our Friday night schedule in the theater I was thinking as soon as possible in my head. But one look at Bella and I realized we were not on the same page. I tried to play it cool and replied that Bella and I would have to discuss our future theater presence before anything was announced at the club. Bella's face relaxed at my response and my fears were immediately confirmed. As a result of everything we've been through, Bella's now suffering from performance anxiety.

I've decided we need to discuss this issue sooner than later but I have a bad feeling about how the discussion will go. Here in the safety and privacy of our home what I need most of all is to take my submissive downstairs and ravage her properly. Then we'll talk. Call it procrastination, but just maybe reminding Bella of how good we are together will give her the strength and desire to fight for what I know she still wants and needs.

I had to cut off Bella's alcohol tonight after that second margarita disappeared before my eyes. She demanded the waitress bring her another but luckily for me, Kimberly took my side and decided not to serve her. By the time we said good night to Alice and Jasper and drove home Bella was just about sober again. And she wasn't happy about it.

"Come on, Bella, cheer up," I coax as we walk into the house together. The tags on Beanie's collar clink as he runs into the foyer to greet us. I bend down to give his tummy a little pat.

"You treated me like a child. All I needed was one more drink," she says pouting.

"Oh, I know what you need more than a margarita," I murmur in a low voice. "I want you downstairs in ten minutes, Isabella. Go get your collar. Master wants to play."

She glances up at me in surprise. "Really? It's not Saturday."

"I understand that, but we've missed our last two Saturday's haven't we? I know what my pet is worried about and I need to clear her head. Now go get your collar before I start our session with a punishment fuck."

Bella smirks and hurries up the stairs to get her submissive collar. While she's out of the room I take a few deep cleansing breaths to prepare myself. It feels much longer than two weeks since Isabella and I have engaged in a power exchange. I'm going to take my time and really rock her to the core tonight. I need this as much as she does, there's no denying it.

Wearing a silk robe and her collar, Bella rushes past me and throws open the door to the basement. She turns briefly to smile over her shoulder before heading down to our playroom. I give her a few minutes to get settled down there. I want her to be eagerly awaiting my arrival. When I think it's been long enough for her to get excited merely by the sound of my footsteps on the stairs I pat Beanie on the head and close the door to the basement behind me.

My sweet Isabella is kneeling in her waiting position sans the silk robe when I open the playroom door. She is so beautiful. Her back is straight, the long brown locks of hair neatly braided behind her head. I want to make this special for her. She's been through so much because of me, the least I can do it attempt to make all the pain and anguish worthwhile.

Approaching her from behind, my fingertips graze Isabella's neck and shoulders causing a shiver to run through her body. I massage her shoulders until the tension dissipates and I hear her moan softly. My hands slide forward and cover her perky breasts. I know she can feel my semi hard erection press against her back.

"I want you to stay relaxed, pet. Keep your gaze down and undress me," I instruct in a thick soothing voice.

I walk around in front of her and she rises up from sitting on her heels to a full kneeling position. I watch as her hands reach up to grasp the hem of my t-shirt and I bow forward so she can pull it off. She makes quick work of the button and zipper on my jeans, sliding them down to my ankles. I step out of the pants as her hands cup and caress the hardness between my thighs. All that separates us now are black boxer briefs and I want them gone. Reading my mind, Isabella pushes the soft fabric down my legs and I kick them away.

Isabella keeps her eyes level with my cock but lets her hands fall down to her sides. The urge to nudge her lips apart with the tip of my cock is hard to resist but I have other plans. Forcing myself to endure the slow burn along with her will yield a greater reward when we finally come.

"Urgh, don't lick those luscious lips, Isabella. You want me in your mouth, don't you? Mmm, such a naughty slut you are."

She stifles a groan as I reach out for her hand to help her stand. She follows me to the padded bench across the room. Every time we're in this room together I feel as if the rest of the world stands still. I've never felt such joy as when I'm with this woman. I watch her face for a moment, silently willing her to look up and meet my gaze. Isabella obediently keeps her eyes cast down following my previous instructions. Her submission is so pure and true. She's amazing to me.

"Get up on the table, pet. I want you to kneel facing me, and the lean back to brace yourself on your hands," I direct her softly.

The bench height is lined up with my hips and it brings Isabella's pussy front and center. She leans back as instructed, throwing her head back and arching her body. She looks magnificent; the epitome of sexuality. I stroke my cock a few times as it's begging for a little relief.

"So beautiful," I mumble as my hands reach forward to touch her creamy skin.

Isabella holds perfectly still as my hands move across her taut stomach, up the swells of her breasts, over her shoulders, and then down her arms. I move around her, the only sound in the room is our combined breathing and my bare feet shuffling across the floor. I take my time enjoying the sight and feel of her.

"I'm going to handcuff you, pet," I announce. "Tell me what color."

"Green, Master," she replies moaning as my right hand grazes the apex of her thighs on my way to the prop table.

I knew what her answer would be but it's just a habit to ask. I never want to assume I know what Isabella is thinking no matter how well I get to know her body. The metal of the handcuff rings clink together as I return to the table and stand at her head. One cuff secures the left wrist and the other secures the right. My fingertips slip between the metal and her wrists to check the tightness. Isabella mewls as I tug on the handcuffs and she feels the strength of the steel. The sound of her pleasure makes my cock ache. The poor bastard's going to have to wait a while. I plan to make this good for my girl.

My greedy hands take another scenic route from her hands all along the length of her stretched and poised body until they come to rest on her knees. She's leaning back, practically sitting on the heels of her feet. I tap her inner thighs until her legs are spread far enough apart for me to see everything. She's wet already and I can see how moist even her outer lips are from this angle. My fingers circle her clit a few times and then pinch it, making her hips buck forward.

Everything I need is prepped and ready on the side table and I keep my selections out of Isabella's line of sight. First the blindfold. She looks at me wantonly as I reveal the green silk scarf and fold it into the right shape.

"See you later," I tease before placing the blindfold over her eyes and tie a tight knot behind her head. I check to make sure her eyes are completely covered before moving on to my second prop.

A bottle of lube is needed for this and I take my time quietly applying the cool gel to a strand of purple bubbled anal beads. Isabella has responded very positively to these in the past. She's silent and unmoving as I prep the toy, and I know she must be wondering what I'm doing. The anticipation she's feeling is evident in the way she's chewing away at her bottom lip.

The next time I touch her is to tease her puckered entrance with the lubed up beads. Isabella involuntarily jolts upward from the lack of warning. "Hold still, pet," I gently coax, as my other hand covers her bare mound; my thumb running over her sensitive nub in slow torturous circles.

The first three beads slip inside her easily. I know the pressure of her body to resist the intrusion comes with the fourth bead so I slow down and let her adjust. "Easy, pet. I want you to focus on each bubble and let me know when you've taken enough, understand?"

"Yes, Master," she responds. I hide a smirk. My girl fucking loves the fullness the beads provide. She can't hide her excitement from me. I can see the flushing in her cheeks and the delicate bumps appearing over the surface of her skin. Another plastic bubble enters, and then another and she takes it silently. I twist the strand with a flick of my wrist while the other hand continues teasing her pussy. Bubble six enters her back entrance and the pleasure warrants a moan from her lips. She's fucking amazing. I want one more though. Pushing gently, I want to see if she protests.

She doesn't and once it's inside I whisper, "that's seven. You want more?"

"One more, Master. Please," Isabella whispers.

Mmm, she wants to break her record, does she? I comply, pressing the next bubble inside her which is larger than all the others. She groans quietly and I can tell she can feel the difference in its size. My hand falls away from the strand of beads and swats her ass cheek playfully.

"Good job, Isabella. I'm going to fuck you with my fingers now. I can't wait to feel those beads from inside your sweet pussy. I'm going to make it so good. Don't hold back on me. I want to hear you, and you can come when you're ready. All I ask is you scream out for me when you do."

Two fingers circle her vagina and I can feel her wetness seeping out. She's tighter than usual, the beads applying pressure from the other side of her vaginal wall. It's so fucking hot feeling them rub against the pads of my fingers as I insert them over and over in a slow rhythm. I know I'm fucking her too slowly to get her off, purposely making her crazy with need. I love that she can't see me. I'm so in awe of her, staring at Isabella's writhing body in fascination as her breathing picks up and sweat begins to appear across her brow and chest. Soon she's whimpering and moaning like a whore.

My own body is starting to ache with an overwhelming need to come. The desire of my cock to fuck her senseless sends the message to my fingers to pump faster. Isabella gasps when the rhythm picks up to something she can work with and pretty soon her orgasm is on the brink of exploding.

"Yes, oh yes," she moans. My free hand slides up her sweat damp body and brushes lightly over her nipples. It's the push she needs to fall over the edge and suddenly her hips buck wildly and I hear her chanting, "Oh, Master. Yes! Yes! Oh, Maaaaster!"

I slow my ministrations as Isabella comes down from her climax, panting and whimpering as her breathing evens out. I'm so desperate for her body now that my hands fumble over the handcuffs until her wrists are freed. I pull her body off the bench, her limbs still lax like Jell-o as I wrap them around my naked body. I slam her back against the playroom wall and hoist her up higher on my hips until our intimate parts are aligned. Isabella's hands twist into my hair clenching two fistfuls that make my scalp tingle.

Entering her is a tight fit with the anal beads still securely inserted in her ass. It takes three thrusts to fill her completely, but once I'm in my cock begins to throb. We both moan and grunt as I slam Isabella into the wall over and over. She's still blindfolded and I'm ready for those deep soulful eyes to meet mine. With one arm under her bottom to support the weight I raise my other hand up to her face and cup her cheek.

"So close," she murmurs as I caress her face. I kiss her sweet lips and then tug the blindfold off her eyes.

She blinks from the lights and then focuses on my eyes. I respond with a quick smirk before the intensity of my thrusting overtakes my thoughts. Suddenly all I can concentrate on is her inner muscles beginning to clench me and my own orgasm stirring in my balls. My right hand drops the silk scarf and reaches under Isabella's bottom searching for the anal beads.

"Tell me when you're coming, pet," I say. I hardly have the breath to get the words out. Holding her slender frame against the wall, fucking her so hard I'm about to explode, and concentrating on making her own orgasm come before mine has me physically exhausted. But it will be totally worth it.

Mere seconds later Isabella screams out that she's coming, and I can feel that it's true. Her inner walls clench my cock tightly and I use my right hand to pull out the beads. Her scream intensifies as each bubble is extracted from her body and I worry it'll wake the neighbors. I drop the beads and move my hand to cup the back of her head as my mouth leans forward to swallow the last of her screams. I feel my balls tighten and suddenly I'm coming too, several long spurts of cum racing through my groin and filling this amazing woman. Mine, all mine, I think in my head as I ride out the most intense orgasm I've ever had in this playroom.

We are still breathing hard and holding each other close as I smother her face and neck in soft kisses. I'm physically spent and suckling her neck when she pulls away from me the slightest bit. Isabella turns her face into my neck to whisper in my ear.

"I can't perform in the theater anymore, Master. At least not right now," she says so softly I can barely hear it.

I'm not surprised at all that she's come to this decision, but it saddens me. Why is she choosing now to tell me this? The air is suddenly thick with tension as we both wait for the other to speak. I set her down on her feet and Isabella's eyes are cast down to the floor again. My fingers reach around her slender neck and remove the collar.

"We need to talk about this, Bella," I begin, peeling her arms from around my shoulders and lifting her chin so I can see her eyes. "Get dressed and meet me upstairs, okay?"

She nods and walks into the play room closet. I pick up my own clothes and throw them on quickly before heading upstairs ahead of her. I'm pacing by the living room fireplace a few minutes later when I see her emerge from the basement stairwell. I offer her a small smile as she approaches but she doesn't return it.

"You might as well let Victoria have our time slot. You know she's been dying to get on the weekly schedule," she grumbles.

"I'm not conceding our time slot to her," I reply forcefully.

The idea that Bella would give it up so easily wounds me. She's always made it clear her needs are met more by private playroom sessions than by theater performances, but I also know how much she enjoys subbing for me on stage. "We're supposed to be working towards resuming our former lives, not giving up on something so important to us."

"Our life in the theater is gone, Edward. I can see that now and it's time you wake up too. Catie swooped in and stole something from us that we can't ever get back. The theater, the club, it's all tainted now."

"The club used to be so important to you. How can you say you don't want to go back there?"

"You can't expect me to go and take my clothes off, constantly wondering if the people watching us are trustworthy; if they're recording us!"

"Bella, don't be absurd. Coming Attractions is a safe place. Emmett's been on top of upping the security in both the club and the theater. No one's getting away with filming us there even if Em has to confiscate everyone's cell phones at the door. The only reason we were exposed is because I let us do a scene outside those safe walls. And you know I would never put you in that position ever again."

I see tears flooding her eyes and threatening to spill over. "You know how much I cherish our scenes together, Edward. But we seriously can't risk anyone leaking video or personal information about us again. Now that everyone knows who we are there's motive for people to try to get new footage of us. My father couldn't survive another public scandal. And your career is in jeopardy! Not to mention I've lost so many clients I don't know how I'll pay my half of the mortgage."

"Honey, don't get yourself so worked up over this. I know you cherish our scenes; that's why I don't understand how you can just give them up. Don't you know it's my responsibility to protect you? I never asked you to pay a dime towards my mortgage. I actually insisted that you not, but you never listen. And let's not worry about my career until Gary gives me a reason to worry."

"I tried to be strong, so strong for you when we were in Forks. I thought once we got past the media frenzy then we could go back to the way things were. But I was wrong."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you the way I should have been at Charlie's. I was angry and confused about what being outted meant for us," I explain.

"This will always follow us, won't it?" she replies quietly.

The first tear run down her cheek and I kiss it away. Then another falls, and another. Soon there are too many for me to stop them all. I don't know how to respond to her question in a way that will be reassuring. Because I think she might be right. I don't know any better than Bella does how we move forward.

About two weeks later our problems only get worse when Gary comes to talk to me after the Tuesday night broadcast. All the way home I think about it, and I'm still turning his words over in my head as I push open the front door and shuffle into the foyer. Beanie runs to greet me as usual and I can smell something delicious being cooked in the kitchen. The mixed sounds of oil sizzling on the stovetop and Bella softly humming along to the radio fill my ears. A man could get used to coming home to this every night. Unfortunately for me, I won't have a job to come home from for too much longer.

"Hi, baby!" Bella sings as she spots me at the entrance to the kitchen. Fuck she's beautiful, wearing a slinky black tank top and little blue jean shorts with fraying hems.

"Hi, love." I'm holding the dog in my arms, petting him gently, as I approach the stove to take a peek at dinner. Beanie wiggles furiously trying to escape from my arms. He hurls himself to the floor just as Bella bends down to offer him a sliver of cooked chicken. Mmm, paella.

"You're in a good mood this evening," I add accusingly. She just smiles wider and lifts up on her tiptoes to kiss the edge of my jaw.

"I really enjoyed your broadcast tonight, that's all," Bella replies flippantly, dancing back over to the frying pan.

I loosen the knot in my tie, unable to hide the smug grin on my face. I'm really going to miss her watching me on television. My sour mood from earlier creeps back over me as I make my way upstairs to change into jeans and a t-shirt.

"Don't look at me like that," I scold Beanie, who has followed me up the stairs. "I'll tell her I got canned after dinner. You saw that paella. I'm not ruining our dinner." He wags his tail agreeing with my logic.

Life hasn't come close to normal since returning to Port Angeles but I had hopes that it was slowly improving. Bella still claims she isn't ready to return to Coming Attractions and I can't really blame her. She's still trying to separate her feeling about being outted from her feelings about the club and theater. I understand it might take her some time to trust the members of the club again, but missing out on that aspect of our lives has kept us from feeling a hundred percent complete.

We had lunch with my parents last week and at least that went well. Jasper was right that neither Esme nor Carlisle were angry with me. My mother cried and threw her arms around me, making me feel like the prodigal son returned. Then she changed the subject the second I tried to actually talk about what had happened. Denial is still her best friend.

Seeing Bella happy and dancing around the kitchen makes me think we're on the right path again. I hate knowing my news is going to thwart all that progress. After eating two platefuls of food and patting my belly the way my grandfather used to do I know it's time to come clean.

"So I need to tell you something, Bella," I say as she's getting ready to stand and clear away our plates. Beanie senses the bad news coming before Bella, the ways dogs can always hear thunder rumbling before humans. He scampers under the kitchen table to hide.

"What's up? Have you thought of another shocking part of your past to tell me about?" she asks teasingly.

"I wish. No, actually Gary had a talk with me today. He was frank and honest, which I appreciated. Basically, the first wave of post sweeps ratings have come in and my numbers are still way down."

Bella reclaims her seat and crosses her arms protectively over her chest. "I don't understand. You said the eighteen to thirty five year olds were rallying support for your return."

"Yes, and they still are, but the other demographics don't feel the same. Gary gave me a heads up that the network has started searching for a permanent replacement since my contract runs out next month. They're not going to be renewing it."

"That's bullshit! Isn't that, like, sexual discrimination or something?"

I smile weakly. "No, baby. It doesn't work like that. Gary was nice enough to let me know ahead of time. He could have strung me along for another month."

"How bad are your numbers that they would do this to you? I just can't believe there are that many people who care about what you do in the bedroom," she insists.

"Well, while young women found me much more entertaining to watch, the scandal had the opposite effect on men, senior citizens, mothers, and most religious groups."

Bella huffs loudly and slumps in her chair. "I'm so sorry, Edward. What are you going to do?"

I can see the panic wash over her face as Bella considers what this will mean for us. She's lost a few big clients recently, and now I've lost my source of income too. It makes me feel like something less than a man, to not be able to provide for my woman. At least I have one bit of good news to share.

"Well, I haven't told you the whole story yet. This wasn't Gary's decision at all, and he said he wanted to help me the best he could, so he talked to one of his friends at the local cable network. It's called Olympic TV or something."

"I've heard of it. It covers local sporting events, the weather, and I think a cooking show. I never watch it," she admits.

"This cable network is trying to reorganize their programming. They want to have a daily morning talk show, like Good Morning America for the Olympic Peninsula, and Gary recommended me."

Bella stares dumbfounded. I continue. "Gary says this producer guy, Stan, is prepared to offer me the job as co-host. They'll be some female counterpart; I don't think they've chosen one yet."

"A talk show host?" she asks confused.

"Yeah, I'd still get to cover local news stories, but would have to discuss a variety of other things. Stan seems to want the woman to handle fashion, cooking, and entertainment related topics, and I'd do sports, economics, and um... sex advice. What do you think?"

I bite the inside of my cheek waiting for her to respond. Instead of smiling or looking relieved, Bella's face becomes even more forlorn.

"Will I sound like a real bitch if I say I don't want you to do it?" she asks in a small voice.

Wow, that's unexpected. I run my hand through my hair, thinking of how to respond. I really thought Bella would see this as a good opportunity for me, with damn lucky timing. "You don't want me to take it? If I don't take this co-host job I have no idea what I'll do, Bella. I have four weeks left at Channel 6 and then I'm out."

"Have you asked yourself why this guy wants to hire you considering you're being let go from Channel 6 for being unpopular among most of the viewers? I feel like you'd be pushed even further into the public eye, in front of the camera every day because of your lifestyle," she explains. "This can't be what you want."

"No, it isn't what I want at all. But it's a job, honey. My life plan was not to host some local drabble TV show, but what else can I do here with my job experience? There's only two news stations in this town."

"I don't know. There has to be something that doesn't expose you to more scrutiny."

"I don't know how else to make a living here, Bella. I should be damn grateful Stan's throwing me this bone!"

"Don't be so naive, Edward. 'Stan the man' probably only wants you because of the scandal! You'd be dishing out sex advice to the viewers? Are you kidding me? He wants to parade you around like a kinky circus chimp, capitalizing on the gossip that will undoubtedly surround you."

"In addition to covering sports, the stock market, and local issues," I remind her defensively. "Bella, I need to make a lateral move in my career. I'm not going to take a job at Starbucks for crying out loud."

"But it sounds like they want to exploit your unconventional sexual preferences, Edward. We'll never get out of the public spotlight," she argues.

"I realize that will be part of it, but there aren't many opportunities in Communications here and I need something that pays well so I can afford this house. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make to provide for you and the family we'll someday have."

"Our family? Are we back to that, Edward, really? Does every decision we make have to revolve around these damn hypothetical children we might never even have?"

"Jesus, Bella. I've tried not to pressure you about kids lately, but I have to know we're on the same page here. I'm sorry that I'm already planning for our future, but that's what responsible people do."

"Edward, responsible people don't typically hang their girlfriends from Mr. Jenk's ceiling apparatus, in front of complete strangers who are hiding a fucking video camera in their pocket!" she shouts.

I take a step back; feeling like the wind was just knocked out of me. "I can't believe you said that. So the truth finally comes out. You do blame me for all of this, don't you?" I accuse angrily.

"No, I don't actually. I blame this Kinky Fucking Catie bitch for ruining our lives. And where the hell is she? What has she even accomplished by doing this to us? She's just vanished after her video posted! Poof! Gone!"

"You're the one who said we had to accept what has happened and move forward out of the shadows. By not returning to the club you're letting Catie continue to punish us. If you are so opposed to starting a family, and so opposed to rejoining the club, then where does that leave us?"

"I don't know. All I'm asking for is time," she insists throwing her hands up in the air as if I'm the one being exasperating here.

"Time? All you ever want is more time. Do me a favor, will you? Sit down and really think about what you want. If time is what you want, here you go. It's yours!" I yell and start stalking towards the front door.

I promised myself I'd never leave angry again, not after the way I felt in the hours and days after doing it to her the last time. But Bella has made me see red and I need to clear my head. If I stay here things are going to get ugly. She doesn't want to go back to Coming Attractions. She doesn't want me to take this new job. She doesn't want to get married. She doesn't want to move to the suburbs and start a family. We can't move forward until she tells me one fucking thing that she does want.

I grab my keys and walk out the front door, closing it gently behind me, though I really feel like slamming it hard.

A/N: Don't forget to review please!