Chapter 16
Bella
Things were coming together. The Fox had received an official contract, confirming that he had been granted tenure at Harvard for as long as he wanted. All my paperwork for my place on the doctoral programme went through; I would be starting in early September, at the start of the forthcoming academic year. I had registered under my maiden name; Edward and I were planning a late wedding reception for our first anniversary and after that, I would change my surname to Masen.
It was important to me to have the same surname as my husband, and hopefully, one day, our children. It would cement the sense of family I so desperately craved. I was the only child of two only children. My parents, although married, used different surnames, and very few of their business colleagues knew they were in a relationship, let alone that they had a daughter. I had been a surprise, and if they were honest, a mistake.
My childhood was fractured and lonely as my parents worked constantly, and I never felt settled anywhere apart from school and then at Oxford. I was deeply envious of my friends' good relationships with their parents; for example, Emily's mother was like her best friend, and her father was her idol. Whenever I visited their family estate in Derbyshire, I was stunned by the love and affection the Young family held for each other, and I wanted it for myself.
Speaking of best friends, Edward dropped a bomb on me two Saturdays after we arrived.
"So, Tanya's just emailed me," he began as he toasted bagels for our breakfast. "She and Leah are planning a visit soon."
I looked up from my laptop screen; I was perusing property websites again. I had spoken to Tanya on the phone and Skype with Edward a couple of times but I was kind of terrified of meeting her in person. She was the closest Edward had to family and he adored her. She was this badass lawyer, a partner in a major firm, and looked like a frickin' supermodel in her photos. I wondered what she would think of me, a slip of a girl nearly twenty years their junior.
"It will be great to finally meet her," I replied, trying not to fret. "When?"
"This afternoon."
I spluttered on my coffee. I was expecting more time to psych myself up to the event.
"Oh, uh, right ..."
My mind started whirring into overdrive.
I'll need to change the sheets. We'll give them the bedroom and we'll make do on the sofa. Do I have time to deep- clean the apartment? What am I going to make them for dinner? At least I knew exactly what to make when Carlisle and Esme came over. What if she takes one look at me and hates me? Thinks that I'm some juvenile little tart who's got her hooks into her best friend and ...
"Bella, I see you worrying, Baby." Edward sat down, faced me and touched his forehead to mine. "Tanya's desperate to meet you. She's acerbic and witty, but she's very kind and easy-going. She'll love you because I love you."
"Yeah?"
"Definitely. I think you'll both really like each other, and I'm sure you'll get on well with Leah."
"What does Leah do?"
"She's a lawyer too, but Tanya works in corporate law, and Leah is a 'DA,' which I think is the same as a prosecutor."
"What time are they arriving?"
"Around three o'clock."
"So I've got time to go to clean up, change the sheets and go to Whole Foods to pick up something for dinner," I stated, feeling reassured that I had a little time. I started to get up but he gently tugged me back down. "We can make do on the sofa for one night, right?"
"Bella, they're staying at the Hyatt. Tanya has a corporate account. Believe me, you do not want to be sharing a bathroom with her! As for dinner, we can go out. I don't want you to get stressed. Tanya would kick the shit out of both of us if she thought we'd gone to any kind of trouble."
I opened my mouth to protest but he covered it with his and I lost myself in his kiss, which made me dizzy with want for him.
"Sorry, Foxy, I just want to make a good impression, that's all," I murmured when we broke apart.
"Baby, if Emily were coming to visit, how would you prepare?"
"I'd bake a batch of her favourite brownies and if we wanted to stay in, we'd shop and cook together, and if we wanted to go out, we'd find the best local restaurant and go out."
"No cleaning?"
"Only the basics. She's closer to me than anyone. She's family. Emily and I lived together for years at boarding school. She's seen me at my messiest and doesn't care."
"Tanya and I are exactly the same," he explained, "so we'll do exactly the same. Bake something and make reservations because God knows that woman can't and won't cook. Tanya and Leah are so easy-going, Baby, that they'll love whatever we do."
I finally relaxed.
"Well, in that case, we can get back to our easy morning."
I climbed across into his lap. He wrapped his muscular arms around me and I snuggled into his lean, firm, chest.
"Did you have something particular in mind, Mrs Masen?"
"What if I did? Would you indulge me?" I enquired, deliberately making my voice low, slow and teasing.
"You know the answer to that, my gorgeous vixen." He tilted my neck away from him and dragged his tongue up from my collarbone to my ear. "Anything you want, it's yours."
"This is nice," I whispered.
"My tongue?"
"Uh-huh."
He used one hand to undo the buttons of my pyjama top.
"Everywhere?"
"Please."
In the blink of an eye, my top was fully open, and my tits were exposed to him. He cupped one in both hands and squeezed it hard before enveloping my erect nipple with his mouth. He licked and slurped and bit, teasing me delectably. I encouraged him by running my hand up his neck and into his copper hair. Desire for my husband shot up my spine and I shuddered against him.
"Baby?" he mumbled around my breast.
"Love that ... don't stop ..." I gasped.
Edward lifted me off his lap and onto the kitchen table, and then turned his attentions to my other nipple. As he sucked on my tender flesh, he nudged me onto my back and slipped his hands between my legs. I opened up and he came to lie between them, pressing his chest to my tummy; the feel of his chest hairs against my smooth skin made me tingle all over.
God, I loved my husband. I still couldn't believe that I got to keep him.
"You taste so good, my lovely Bella," he murmured as he slid lower, kissing, sucking and licking his way across my abdomen and pulling off my undies. "I can't wait to suck your clit and eat out your sweet little pussy."
I felt my whole body flush and burn at his dirty words. They were even sexier because Edward was so controlled and measured in the other aspects of his life. But when he loved me, it was without restraint, and with immeasurable skill, especially considering he hadn't had a lover for a few years before me.
"Please, Edward ... I need your mouth there."
He reached my belly button, and while he dipped his tongue in and whirled it around, he gently probed my hot centre with his long fingers. When he made contact with my slippery wetness, he smiled against my navel.
"You really are turned on, aren't you?"
"Uh-huh," I managed to moan, for he was teasing around my clit with his thumb and gently nibbling along my hipbone. "Why do you sound surprised, Foxy?"
"Can't believe my fucking luck, is all."
He glanced up briefly, piercing me with his intense gaze and I started squirming with need. His mouth was close, so fucking close, to my aching centre.
Without warning, he closed his mouth over my clit and slid two fingers inside me. His tongue teased me mercilessly, around and around, then flick, flick, flick, then around again. Had he not anchored me to the table with his other hand, I'd have been levitating with the delight.
Still filling me with his magical digits, his mouth explored the rest of my slit. I lost myself in the bliss of his tongue against my hot centre, the tenderness he showed me and the pleasure he was drawing from the experience; he made little sighs of contentment in response to my moans of ecstasy.
"Professor ... Foxy ... Edward ... sir ..." All I could say was his name, in all the different ways I called him, as my body prepared to erupt.
He hummed as he thrust his tongue deep inside me and that as all it took. I pulled his hair as I tightened and screamed my release.
"Fucking beautiful," Edward whispered. He sat down on his chair, gathered me in his arms and cradled me against his chest. "You taste so delicious," he murmured before running his hands into my hair and grazing my temple with his teeth and tongue. He smelled his sexy self, but also of me as my essence lingered on his chin and upper lip.
I nipped at his lip before planting small kisses along his stubbly jaw.
"Thank you, Foxy."
"I'm not done with you yet."
"Oh?" I rolled my hips against his groin, my damp pussy soaking his pyjama bottoms. We were twee in that we often wore half a set each. He wore the bottoms, I wore the top. Two halves of a whole, just like us.
"As you can see, you're sitting on a problem."
"I don't think it's a problem."
I continued rutting against him. He threw his head back and his eyes rolled skyward.
"No?"
He slipped his hand under us, groaning as he felt how wet I still was, and pulled out his cock. I eyed it hungrily.
"Never, as long as I'm around."
"It's a good thing that I plan on keeping you then, isn't it?"
As I lifted up and lowered myself down on him so I was filled entirely and perfectly, he grabbed my chin and captured my mouth in a deep, passionate kiss.
"Forever, Foxy. Yours, yours, yours," I gasped when he let me up for air.
He thrust and I bounced; he pressed my clit and I pressed my nails into his back. He groaned into my neck and I panted his name. Almost simultaneously, we came, explosively, in each other's arms.
It was fucking phenomenal.
So was marriage, so far.
-cc-
Even though Edward had mostly fucked the nerves out of me, a few fluttered in my stomach as we waited for Tanya and Leah. At ten minutes past three, the apartment buzzer rang.
"Tan!" Edward cried when he opened the door.
"Edward!"
As a six foot tall Glamazon with a riot of strawberry blonde curls jumped up and down and then wrapped her lithe form around him, I couldn't help but feel possessiveness and jealousy snake its way around me. Tanya had a lifetime of history with Edward that I'd never have. She was jaw-dropping in her beauty and had effortless style, as showcased by her scarlet capris, black lace top and sky-high, black peep-toe Louboutins.
I half-consciously fingered my engagement and wedding rings, which gave me some reassurance. He was my husband. Tanya would never have that with him.
"Come in, come in!" Edward beckoned for me to come closer. "Tanya, this is my Bella."
Tanya loosened her grip on Edward and looked me over for the first time. Her grey-blue eyes trawled up and down, getting the measure of me. I shifted from foot to foot under her scrutiny.
"Hi, Tanya. It's great to finally meet you," I murmured. I semi-consciously opened and closed my hand by my side, needing to feel Edward's touch. He picked up on my need instantly; he was by my side in a flash and took hold of me at the waist.
Tanya paused momentarily before stepping forward so she was standing right in front of me.
"Damn it, Edward, you are one lucky fucker, you know that?" she said suddenly. "Bella, you are even sweeter than he described." She leaned forward and kissed me, practically on the mouth, and then hugged me so tight I almost couldn't breathe.
"T-thank you," I replied.
"And you'll be pleased to know she's not interested in me at all!" Tanya quipped, before finally letting me go.
"You didn't need to squeeze the air outta her to find that out, Teeny!" a low, husky voice called from the door of the apartment.
An attractive, quite muscular Native American woman in her early thirties walked in, black hair tied in a messy knot on top of her head. She was wearing skinny jeans, red high-tops, a red, striped Bardot top and a navy jacket.
"Bella, right?" I nodded. "I'm Leah." She leaned forward and pecked me on both cheeks.
"Who has the patience of a saint, to put up with Tan!" Edward chortled before wrapping his free hand around Leah. "Great to see you again, Lee."
"Likewise. Congratulations on the move and getting hitched," she replied, smiling. "It's good to have you closer."
"You realise, though, Edward, that you guys are still on our shit-list for not inviting us to the wedding."
"It was just the two of us," he replied.
"And very spur-of-the-moment," I added, mortified that we had upset her. "We didn't intend to offend anyone, but it was just how we needed to do it."
"Tan knows that, Baby. She's just kidding." I looked over at Tanya who was smiling, so I surmised that Edward was right. "Tea? We brought Yorkshire Gold from home."
Tanya's eyes lit up but then fell.
"Yes, but I'm guessing there's no teapot."
I pulled out Edward's favourite, stainless steel teapot from one of the cupboards.
"Edward insisted we bring this with us from England."
Tanya clapped her hands together in glee.
"Bella also made a cake," said Edward. "Lemon Drizzle."
"That's my fucking favourite cake!"
"So Edward said."
"Where is it? I must have it."
I directed them to the living area where the cake tin was ready on the coffee table. Tanya opened it excitedly. The scent of lemon syrup and buttery cake wafted out. She reached in and broke a bit off before popping it in her mouth.
"Oh holy fuck, that's good."
Leah threw her head back and laughed. Edward joined her.
"Here's the thing about Teeny, Bella," began Leah. "There ain't a thing she won't do for cake. And now that you've made her that one in particular, she's yours for life."
Tanya had already brought the cake out of the tin and hacked off a piece, which she was eating unapologetically whilst making orgasm noises.
"Yup!"
No word of a lie, Tanya ate most of the lemon drizzle cake by herself. I found her utterly fascinating. She spoke very animatedly. She laughed with a cackle and swore like a trooper. She was confident and proud of her achievements, but wasn't overly boastful. She clearly loved with her whole heart and was very affectionate towards all of us.
"So," she began, once she'd polished off the last slice of cake, "where are we going for dinner?"
"Tan, have you got worms or something? You just ate five slices of cake. You practically wrestled me to the ground for that last one," queried Edward. "I know it's your favourite, but seriously?"
"She's been a total food-monster since she stopped smoking three months ago," commented Leah. Tanya looked over and gave her a bitch-brow. "Teeny, don't look at me like that. You've been ravenous, babe."
"Fuck, it's true," Tanya conceded.
"You stopped smoking?" Edward sounded incredulous. "But you've been smoking since you were sixteen. You never told me you quit." Tanya merely shrugged by way of response. "I never thought I'd see the day. And how are you not the size of a house, eating like that?"
"I made Teeny come with me to my personal training sessions."
"Three times a week with the Washington Psycho, who makes me run around Central Park and do push-ups! The hard type!" retorted Tanya.
"'Washington Psycho?'"
"Oh, Bella, my trainer Embry is one of my friends from back home in Washington State, and let's just say he's kinda hardcore! He really puts us through our paces."
"Too bloody right! Anyway, nobody answered my question. What's for dinner?"
"We made reservations at two places, sushi or steak ..." I began.
"Ooh ... steak ..." Tanya licked her lips. "I love me some meat!"
"All evidence points to the contrary, Tan!" Edward glanced over at his best friend, whose hand was comfortably entwined with Leah's, and they both cracked up. "Nah, I'm pretty sure you prefer fish!"
"Moo-meat, yum. Man-meat, yuck!" they said in unison, before continuing to laugh raucously.
Leah and I looked at them, chortling away at what was clearly a longstanding joke, then at each other, before bursting into laughter too.
For our steak dinner, we had booked a Prohibition-style grill restaurant off Central Square. When we got there, the hostess tried to tell us it would be a half-hour to wait even though we had reserved a table, and pointed to the back section. Edward stepped forward, smiled and he barely had to open his mouth before the hostess was backtracking, so dazzled was she by my handsome husband. Even though it made me mad as hell that women eyed up my man most of the time, I couldn't help but feel a little smug that within three minutes, we were being trooped past other waiting diners to be seated at a large table with a great view of the open kitchen.
Dinner was delicious and relaxed. I still marvelled at the novelty of being out in public with my Fox, enjoying a night out with friends. When he wasn't using it to hold cutlery Edward's left hand was touching me somewhere, lightly grazing my nape, squeezing my thigh, tickling my knee, playing with my hair or caressing my shoulder. I wasn't sure if it was deliberate, but he was slowly driving me mad with desire, and I could feel heat rising within me.
"So, where's good for cocktails around here?" asked Leah as we were finishing our dessert. "I wouldn't mind a couple before heading back to the hotel."
"Let me just text my friend Riley. He's gone to New York for the weekend, otherwise he'd come meet us, but he'll have some suggestions. I only know a couple of places."
Next to me, Edward flinched very slightly. There was something about Riley that didn't sit well with him, but he kept insisting that it was nothing. A minute later, Riley replied.
Girl, u partying w-out me? Boo! Try Brick + Mortar 4 cocktails. Freddie on bar at Paradise 2nite. Will get u onto VIP. PeaceOut R x
Paradise was a gay club, Riley's favourite place, and his on/off boy-toy Freddie worked there, so we went a lot when I was in Cambridge last summer, with me cadging a fake ID off Riley's sister Katie in order to drink, thanks to America's over-twenty-one drinking law. However, this time wasn't drunk enough to even contemplate getting my dance on, and was fairly sure Edward would need to be paralytic before he would agree.
Thanks, Riles. No Paradise this time. B xxx
Will sugar hubby not let u? R x
I'm married, Riles, not locked up in a cage. B xxx
Yeah, rite. Not exactly loose + fly, is he? R x
I had thought Edward's discomfort around Riley was one-sided, but evidently, it was mutual. I just hoped that in time, they would both see each other's good sides.
-cc-
AN: The next chapter, which will be posted in a week, is the second part of their night out. I tried to condense it and every time I cut something, I found more to write.
Thank you all for your wonderful reviews and I'm so happy that most of you like Riley.