ConSeQuences Chapter 17 Part 2, a twilight fanfic

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It's too personal to share but RL has been kicking my a$$.

All mistakes are mine.

Chapter 17 Part 2: Perfectly Hated

Piper

I'd always remember that day-the first day I met Edward Cullen, in the fall of my junior year of high school. It was a Friday night and our basketball team, Oak Park and River Forest, played against our archenemies, Fenwick High.

Of course, I was cute as hell in my blue and orange varsity cheerleading uniform. My hair and makeup were on point, as always. I was flawless. Nobody could tell me anything. Hell, I even cheered better that night.

Our team was up by thirteen, but the defense was fierce on both teams. It was almost halftime and the team captain, Bianca, went over last-minute routine instructions. I was completely bored so I had tuned her out. I knew my part and never stumbled.

Just as I sighed and turned away from her my eyes landed on some messy, odd colored hair in the crowd. The peculiar tint intrigued me. I had never seen such a beautiful shade before. Not even on a woman that had just walked out of a salon on Michigan Avenue.

I knew I needed to turn back around and engage in the conversation behind me, but I couldn't. I had to see what the rest of him looked like. He didn't disappoint at all. He had pale skin, with a strong jawline that I wanted to lick, and the poutiest, most alluring lips.

I thought I'd drop dead when I saw his eyes. They were green. No, scratch that. They were a lustrous, evergreen color. He was angelic. Breathtaking. I stood there and tried to figure out what I liked more, his hair or his eyes.

I hadn't realized I'd been staring that long until I noticed he was looking at me and smiling. Naturally, making a fool of myself wasn't an option, so I smiled back. He licked his lips, and suddenly I wanted to run across the gym and kiss him.

When Bianca called my name with an aggravated tone, that pulled me out of my trance.

For the rest of the night, I wasn't sure who watched whom more. Every time I looked at him, he was looking at me.

After we'd finished our halftime routine, the squad talked about this mysterious guy with what they called, penny-colored hair, for the rest of the game. They went on and on about what they'd like to do to him and plotted how to get his attention, but what they'd failed to realize was, I had already set my sights on the demi-god and he was mine.

Once the game was over and we'd won, I went into the locker room and change clothes. As I took my time and refreshed my hair and makeup, I heard the other girls talking about what they would do to get Green Eyes' attention, if he stayed for the dance.

I lingered and let my teammates leave out before me. I smirked at myself in the full-length mirror as I adjusted my black and white mini skirt. It was one of my favorites because it hugged my curves perfectly. I knew once he saw me, there was no way in hell he could resist me.

When I entered the gym, after being stopped a few times, I immediately spotted him surrounded by some of the other cheerleaders and some guys I had classes with.

During the game, he couldn't seem to take his eyes off me, but I wanted him to make the first move. I'd never made myself out to look desperate. Guys always came to me and that wasn't about to change, no matter how damn fine he was.

I had decided to get his attention by simply walking past him to the table where the soft drinks were. I swayed my hips more than usual and walked slower, so he could enjoy the view. It worked because the next thing I knew, his velvety voice filled my ear.

"Excuse me beautiful." He smiled. Damn, he smelled good, and his smile was blinding. "My name is Edward." He stuck his hand out to me.

"Hi Edward." I had to touch him, so I extended my hand to him. "I'm Piper."

"It's nice to meet you, Piper." He slightly squeezed my hand as he shook it.

No other words passed between us, but our hands were still connected.

He cleared his throat. "Would you like to dance?"

"Yes." I smiled.

Edward continued to hold my hand as he led me to the dance floor. This gave me the opportunity to check out the full package from behind. He had a nice ass. It was the kind you want to palm as he fucked you. I also loved the way his jeans hung from his hips.

A slow song had just started but I was too focused on him to even remember the name of it. He smiled down at me, as his hands went around the small of my back and pulled me close to him. I put my hands around his neck and felt his soft silky hair at the nape of his neck.

From a distance I knew his eyes were stunning, but they were much more mesmerizing up close.

It just so happened, I glanced over and noticed my teammates scowled at me. It was funny as hell to me, so I smirked at them and gripped his neck a little tighter.

I knew it was a bitch move, but I didn't give two fucks. None of those fake tramps were friends of mine, so it didn't matter to me.

We stayed on the dance floor for a few more songs before he pulled back and looked down at me. "Do you want to get out of here?"

"Yeah." I nodded. "But I need to get something from the locker room first, okay?"

"Cool." He followed behind me.

The halls weren't crowded anymore. Everyone was either they were in the gym or they had left and went to a local spot called Sammy's. They had some of the best food, so it was a popular hangout.

The locker room was dark, with the exception of the dim light in the ceiling, that always seemed to be left on. I weaved around the aisles quickly, leaving Edward behind, and headed to my locker that was on the darker side of the room.

"Um, Piper, where did you go?" Edward called out.

"Stay where you are." I chuckled, as I slammed the locker door shut, with my duffel bag in hand. "I'll come back to you."

He stood under the faint lighting with his hands in his jeans pockets. I'd seen a lot of cute boys at the games, but Edward was by far the cutest one I'd ever seen.

I couldn't help myself. I walked up to him and pulled him down by his collar and ravished the lips I'd focused on for most of the night.

At first, I'd caught him by surprise, but it only took him a few seconds to catch on. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer to him, as he brushed is tongue across my lips. I ran my fingers through his satiny mane and slightly opened my mouth giving him the entrance he wanted.

His lips were warm and soft with a sweet and tangy taste that made my mouth water in even more anticipation. He moaned into my mouth, as our tongues continued to tangle. I pulled on his hair and he moaned again.

Oh, so he likes it rough.

Duly noted.

As if I wasn't close enough, he pulled me even closer to him, like he wanted me to become a part of his skin. He slid both of his hands down my back and palmed my ass as he licked and kissed down my neck "Baby, you smell so fucking good," he whispered. Then our lips crashed again.

I'd had my fair share of guys but none of them kissed me like he had. He was a natural. Like it was his professional calling or something.

The next thing I knew, he had picked me up and my legs instantly wrapped around his waist. He slipped his hands under my skirt as he walked towards the wall. "Fuck," he whispered, as he felt my bare ass. Thongs were always my go-to most times.

His eyes changed to a darker shade of green. There was a primal look on his face. We stared at each other briefly, and a wordless understanding passed between us. He wanted me just as much as I wanted him. Chills shot up and down my body. I began to rub my center against him looking for some type of friction.

He smirked and dove in for my lips again, as he pulled at the hem of my sweater. I raised my arms and he pulled it over my head. Edward licked his lips as he gaped at my hardened nipples through my black lacy bralette. He pulled it down and slowly began to massage one of my breasts. A loud moan came out of my mouth before I could stop it. I wanted more. I had to have him. All of him. There was no way in hell we would've left that locker room without me getting fucked against the wall.

As if on cue, he smoothly slipped his hand under my skirt and pushed my underwear to the side. He inserted two fingers in me, while he circled my clit with his thumb.

"Oh, fuck," I gasped. His fingers felt like pure magic. Dipping his head down, he swirled his tongue around both of my pebbled areolas. "Oh my god," I cried out.

I was baffled. He knew exactly what he was doing, unlike a lot of the boys I knew. I always had to tell them what to do. I felt like I was a damn instructor in class.

He stopped, pulled his fingers out and looked at me, smugly. "No, baby, it's Edward. You'll be yelling my name soon enough." I almost wanted to smack the hell out of his egotistical ass but getting my release came first.

"Are you ready for the ride of your life?" he asked as one of his hands reached in his front pocket and pulled out a gold packet from his wallet.

"Yes." I bit my bottom lip. He was so damn sexy. I wanted to see what his cock looked like. It had to be just as beautiful as he was.

He tore the foil open with his teeth. "Hold on while I put this on." I heard his zipper and then the belt buckle on his pants hit the floor.

I tightened my grip around his neck. I tried to peek to see how big he was, but I couldn't see very well from the position I was in and the bad lighting.

After he rolled the condom on, his gaze turned serious. "Are you on the pill or something?"

Fine time to ask that.

"Yeah, I get the shot."

"Great." He smiled. "And you're clean, right?"

Did I look like I wasn't clean?

"Of course, I'm clean." I rolled my eyes. "Are you fucking clean?"

"Yeah, I'm clean." He chuckled. "Just got a clean bill of health last week."

"Bravo." I smirked. If he wasn't so pretty, I would've left him hard and hanging but I wanted this as much as he did. But I had to make sure he wouldn't get all clingy like a few of the other did in the past. Whiny, needy guys were headaches.

He leaned in to kiss me, but I held him back. "I just want to get one thing clear first." He waited for me to continue. "No strings attached. This is just fun, okay?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way." He leaned in and lightly kissed me on the lips. "I'm glad we're on the same page, sweetheart."

His lips were so addictive, so I wrapped my legs around him tighter, deepening the kiss. Our hands were everywhere, exploring each other bodies. Finally, he held on to my thighs, entered me quickly, and banged me against the cement wall.

"Ah shit," I yelled out. There was no more wondering. He was huge as hell. It hurt for a few seconds until I'd adjusted to him.

"You're so fucking wet for me," he grunted out.

I pushed back against him as he pounded into me over and over again. "Yeah, baby, just like that. You feel so damn good," Edward whispered in my ear.

His legs shook a little, so he readjusted, while still inside of me, and pressed me against the wall even more. "Shit, shit, shit…" I chanted like a prayer. He hit spots I didn't even knew I had.

I felt pressure beginning to build up inside of me. Like a balloon right before it popped when you blew it up too big. I knew I was going to burst any minute. My sex throbbed in a good way, as he thrusted into me.

Green Eyes had some serious stamina. He held me up all while he fucked my brains out.

My muscles clenched. "Edward… I—I'm…" I trailed off. I was a blubbering mess. My body shook with pleasure, as if electricity flowed through me. It was so intense I zoned out momentarily.

His lips moved but I'd only caught some of what he said. "Fuck… good shit, baby." He hammered into me faster, until his strokes lost their rhythm. "Goddammit, Piper…"

His head fell back, and he pulsed in me. I had never seen anyone look so sexy while they came. But an even bigger surprise was I wanted him again already.

Ever since our first sexual encounter I'd been hooked. I had never experienced a love- hate relationship until I'd met Edward Cullen. My norm was to get in, scratch my itch and get out.

The few friends I had thought my thinking was warped. They told me I was emotionally detached, and I'd probably meet my match one day. They put some type of voodoo on me because dammit to hell I did.

I hadn't always been this way, but sometimes situations shaped us into something we least expected. You see, my mother, Danielle, better known as, Dani, raised me by herself. I'd never met my father or should I say sperm donor, and Mom never brought him up. She worked two jobs and a side hustle, when she needed to, delivering medical supplies. She did all of that just to maintain our two-bedroom apartment in Oak Park.

Our relationship wasn't the worst, but it wasn't the best either. She was there but not there. Between her always working and going out with different guys, when she could, there wasn't much time for Mommy-daughter chats.

When I was younger, I didn't think much of the many uncles I had then. But as I got older, I'd recognized the numerous men that came and went like there was a revolving door on her bedroom.

Sometimes Mom wasn't bothered when one of her men had stopped coming around but other times, I'd find her in her bedroom crying or she'd tried to hide her red-rimmed eyes.

Peter was the last straw for me. It was near the end of my eighth-grade year. I was a few weeks away from graduating. Mom and Peter had been dating for six months. He'd hung around the longest from the previous men and I thought maybe this relationship would stick.

The day before my graduation, I'd come home and found Mom with a tear-stained face and a bottle of vodka on the coffee table. Immediately alarmed I'd asked her what happened. She waved me off dismissively and told me never to trust a man. They will always do you dirty.

She got sloppy drunk for the rest of the day. I was so angry with her because our mother- daughter day was ruined. We were supposed to go and get manicures and pedicures and then have lunch. But that never happened. Instead, I cleaned up vomit and had to hear her drunken counsel on how horrible all men were.

That was the night I'd decided I would never be my mother. I wouldn't allow guys to use me just so they could toss aside like yesterday's garbage when they'd had their fill. They'd all be small blips on my radar until I moved on to the next one.

Some of my conquests wanted more than I was willing to give. After a couple of dates, I'd cut them loose because they wanted a relationship. Not. That was rule number one for me. Never get attached. I'd mastered my own code until I met Edward.

He made me feel. Feel things I'd never felt, especially for a boy. It bugged the hell out of me for almost a whole month. Everything just felt off. Emotionally things had begun to spiral out of control. And I hated it and what I'd let myself turn into. I fought it. Hard.

He'd do this hot and cold shit. There were times he made me believe there was more to us than great sex. But then he would bring me back to reality and send a text saying, "I'll meet you at your spot." That was it. I thought I deserved better than that, but that's all I got. And like a fool, I'd met him every fucking time. But I couldn't help myself. From the first orgasm in the locker room, I was obsessed. I was like a drug addict chasing a high. And honestly, he took me there every time, without fail.

After a while, I sought him out. I'd started showing up at his regular hang outs. Whatever attention he gave me, I ate it up. I found reasons to be around him. Then one day while I was in Jimmy's tat shop, I heard him mention he needed a part-time receptionist. I pounced on the opportunity.

Although, I'd already had a job at Foot Locker Corporate Services Inc., as a junior executive assistant. That was one of the pros to not being the typical love-struck high school girl. I concentrated on my classes, made all A's and was a part of the National Honor Society, along with Distributive Education Clubs of America. DECA was a program that prepared high school and some college students for leadership roles in business, marketing and finance, which was how I'd landed my job with Foot Locker.

Upper management was well aware that I took classes online because they'd paid for some of them. So, it hadn't come off as odd when I'd asked them to make a slight adjustment to my schedule for a second job to help me pay for my tuition. Michael Newton, the HR Manager, had been quick to accommodate my request from the moment I started at the company, right after my eighteenth birthday.

I couldn't stand his creepy ass. He'd find reasons to touch me in an inconspicuous way. Like when he would hand me paperwork, his hand accidently touched mine and then lingered. Or it seemed like he found reasons to be on my floor, three floors below where his office was, in the marketing department, where I worked.

I'd never given Michael's sleazy ass a second thought. I smiled and batted my eyelashes long enough to get what I needed and left his office.

The first four months working at the tat shop were epic. I'd wait around for Edward to finish his last client and then he'd come back to my house when Mom worked late, or he paid for a room. I'd found it bizarre when he never and I mean never invited me back to his place.

Things started too cool down between Edward and me in the middle of that fifth month. All of a sudden, he had other appointments after work. At first it didn't bother me. I knew he strayed with other desperate hussies, but we didn't have any type of commitment, at least not yet, and plus he'd always came back to me in the end.

It was a cool Saturday afternoon, in late May, around three o'clock. A short girl with wavy mahogany hair breezed into the shop without acknowledging me, as I stood at the receptionist desk. She smiled and waved at Jimmy as she walked in the direction of Edward's workspace.

I couldn't get out of the chair fast enough. I damn near tripped over my own feet trying to get from behind the desk. I'd made it around the desk and in the hallway just in time as she closed Edward's door.

I stood there stunned for a moment. Then I'd rationalized that she could've been a new client that I didn't know about yet.

Moments later, Lee, the client Edward had been working on, walked to the front. "Take care, Piper." He smiled as he left out the front door.

I huffed and glanced down at the appointment book in a frenzy. He didn't have any more appointments that day. Lee was his last one. So, who the hell was she and why the hell had she been back there so long?

I huffed, impatiently while I stood there trying to figure out any excuse I could come up with to go back there. But there was none. I couldn't just barge in… could I?

Laughter brought me out of my inner monologue. Jimmy had been joking around and shooting the breeze with the other tat artists and the clients they'd been working on. "All right guys, I'm outta here," Jimmy said.

"Don't forget to send me that text," Billy blurted out.

"I got you. I won't forget."

"Cool," Billy replied.

Jimmy started to walk past the desk but stopped in his tracks. "Piper, are you okay?"

"Um, yeah, yes." I ran my fingers through my hair.

He hesitated and looked unconvinced. "You look like you have something important on your mind. It is something I can help you with?" His brows furrowed.

Now how was I supposed to explain to my supervisor, the owner, that I wanted to know who that bitch was that walked in and had been back there with Edward longer than I wanted her to.

"No, it's nothing like that." I plastered a fake smile across my face. "I've been trying to figure out how I'd missed Edward had another appointment after Lee. I don't want to mess up." I piled it on thick.

"Oh." His face relaxed. "That's not a client. That's Bella."

Like that really answered anything.

"Who the hell—" Jimmy cocked his head to the side, with an arched brow. I cleared my throat. "Sorry about that. Is she a new client or something?"

"No." He folded his arms defensively across his chest. "Why is she a concern to you?"

"It—she's not a concern." I fumbled with the appointment book on the desk.

"She appears to be." That was the only thing I didn't like about him. He was too observant. It seemed like he didn't miss anything.

Jimmy was a nice-looking guy. He was tall like Edward, with a nice build and the softest looking dirty blonde hair. His eyes were usually a beautiful ocean blue, but at the moment, with how intently he was looking at me, they were a piercing blue.

He was a pretty laid back go with the flow type of guy, but everyone had their limits.

And I guess I had been a little too nosey about his best friend.

"I'm sorry." I glanced at the picture on the wall behind him. His stare was so powerful it started to hurt. "I didn't mean to offend you."

"I'm not offended, Piper." He smirked. "I'm just wondering why—"

His sentence was cut off when we heard a door slam back into a wall and laughter. It sounded like it came from Edward's room.

"Bella, that's not funny." Edward chuckled.

"I think it's damn funny," she replied back with a hardy laugh.

"E, what the hell are y'all doing?" Jimmy asked as he walked toward the hallway where they were. "What happened to you?" He tried to hold back from laughing but it slipped out anyway.

Bella ran down the hallway and hid behind Jimmy. "Save me, J. Don't let him get me."

"What did you do?" Jimmy looked over his shoulder at Bella.

"I gave him a Coke…" she bit her lip. "…with a Mentos in it."

Jimmy threw his head back and laughed. "So, now he's wearing it."

"Come here, Bee." Edward almost looked sinister as he shook a bottle of strawberry Fanta, with a very wet white t-shirt and dripping hair. "It's your turn, baby."

Baby?

"Oh, hell no!" Jimmy stopped laughing. "You are not doing that in here. That shit will stain." He pointed to the door. "Take that outside."

Bella continued to hide behind Jimmy. As he moved, she moved.

Edward walked over to the door, holding it open. "Come on Bella. Let's go out and play," he sang.

She shook her head and laughed. "Nope. I'm staying in here."

He licked his lip. I was immediately jealous of his tongue because I'd wanted his tongue on me. "Okay." He laughed, letting the door swing close. "But you know we're going to have to leave eventually, right?"

Bella walked over, threw her arms around his neck, and looked up at him, as he put his hands around her waist. "Is there anything I can do to make you forget?" She purred.

I squinted my eyes at her but quickly fixed my face.

"Hey, E, is this your new girlfriend you were talking about the other day?" Alex, one of the clients asked.

Edward's smile was the brightest I'd ever seen it. "Yeah." He pulled her in a tight hug. "This is her." She giggled, as he kissed the top of her head.

I glared at Edward, as Jimmy studied me.

I hated the homely looking bitch from day one. I'd tried to figure out what the hell he saw in her. On her best day, she didn't look better than me on my worst day.

But yet she continued to be a plague in my life. No matter how many rumors I put out there, including with the other whores Edward slept with from time to time, she stuck to him like glue.

But then I found out that Bella was only home during the summer and holidays. She went to school in downstate Illinois. Which meant I had plenty of time to pounce and wear him down.

It used to piss me off when I'd come on to him, but he'd turn me down. I'd damn near give him a BJ in public, trying to get him to come home with me but he wouldn't relent. As sexually active as Edward was if he wasn't getting it from me, he had to be getting it from her or someone else. But it bothered me more that he may have been getting it from her ordinary ass than some of the others.

Usually, chicks didn't get to me the way Bella did. Which irked me even more. I never saw other girls as competition. I'd always looked better. I had fiery long red hair, full lips that others had surgery to get and a body that turned heads.

But not matter what I did or said, I couldn't keep Edward's interest. The only guy that really mattered to me.

I'd pranced other guys in front of Edward, visiting places I knew he hung out at. I even asked a few of them to pick me up at the tat shop. But nothing… absolutely nothing. It was like he didn't give me a second thought.

Just when I was at my wits' end about to throw in the towel with this thing with Edward, I came on to him out of habit, not sure he'd bite. But to my surprise he did. He seemed like his old self again. The Edward I knew from high school. He couldn't get me to a bed fast enough.

Although he seemed even more distant and cold than usual but who was I to complain. At least he was giving me some type of attention and I'd fucked Bella's boyfriend's brains out.

After that it was hit or miss. Edward seemed more broody than normal. He was moody as hell. Sometimes I just needed to be near him and other times he treated me like dirt or worse, like I wasn't even there.

But what I hated the most was when that little bitch was home. Everywhere I went, he was there with her. Like he was throwing her in my face every chance he got. Even though sometimes, the night before, he had been with me.

The secret sexcapades could only go so far… because they were behind closed doors. After he started dating Bella, everything we did was hidden. At first, I liked the sneaking around. It gave me a rush. But then I realized I was the damn fool. He dated her openly and hid me like I was the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

I was furious and decided it was time his precious Bella knew what he did while she was away at school. It didn't matter than I'd told him what we did would stay between the two of us. I wanted him to hurt like he'd hurt me.

So, I made sure to tell the catty females that would add, subtract and multiply the story. And to top matters off, I made sure I shared every sordid detail with some of my frenemies while Tanya sat nearby at a party.

It couldn't have been better unless Bella heard it herself. I knew Tanya couldn't wait to report back to her BFF. I couldn't stand her either but my hatred for Bella ran much deeper. She came along and took the attention of the only guy I'd ever loved.

Bella Swan didn't deserve him. I was the one that had been there for him. We had a history. If he was going to finally settle down, it should've been with me, not her.

A week or so had gone by, but I hadn't seen Bella. But as nosey and messy as these female vipers could be, I knew she knew. She had probably stayed hidden to lick her wounds. Who the fuck did she think she was, some Mother Teresa, that would come along and save Edward from himself or me? Rightfully so, flaws and all, he was mine.

I was in seventh heaven when I found out Bella knew and had broken up with Edward. It spread like wildfire in the regular hang out spots. And from what I was told, he looked like hot garbage. He was so torn up, he hadn't even screwed around with some of those air-headed regulars he was so torn up. They never held a candlestick to me anyway. My pussy had always had a way of cheering him up.

I'd given him some time to cope with the breakup. To get over himself and his huge ass ego and beg my forgiveness. But it never happened. My plan actually backfired on me. He'd stopped talking to me altogether. He wouldn't say one word to me. Well, with the exception of the last time I gave him a BJ in his work area and Jimmy went off on the both of us.

But before Jimmy busted in the room, I threatened Edward. In the past, I would talk shit, trying to get a rise out of him, saying I would tell Bella everything. But this time I meant it. I was tired of being his dirty little secret. I was more his girlfriend than she was, and it was time she knew it.

What I wasn't prepared for was when he brought up those godforsaken videos. If there was any day I wished I could've taken back, it was that day. My lust for Edward drove me to doing something I'd never thought I'd do, much less had my name attached to.

I'd been sexting him most of the day. I had woken up horny and nobody could satisfy that craving except Edward. He replied back to me, but I didn't get the response I was hoping for. My mother wasn't going to be home until early the next morning. Which meant I had the place all to myself. I had to have him that very minute. Edward kept telling me to wait. He was busy and would be free in a few hours, but the throb between my legs wouldn't listen to reason.

I knew exactly where Edward was because his client, Richard had been at the shop to get another tat and I overheard Edward saying he'd go over to Richard's spot the next day. Since it was a part of my job to file the clients' demographics, I knew Richard's address. So, I hopped on a bus and rode over there.

Yeah, it sucked that I didn't have my own car yet, but when my mother was home, at least she'd let me drive hers. Saving up for college was more important to me than buying a car. It was not like getting around was hard with all of the public transportation.

Twenty-five minutes later, I rang the doorbell. I heard someone laughing as they opened the door. "Um… hello?" Richard said, but it sounded more like a question.

"Hey Rich." I smiled. "How are you?"

"Good," he answered but still hadn't invited me in.

I needed to move this along quicker. "Edward texted me your address and asked me to meet him here," I lied. "I hope that was okay?"

"Oh." He finally stepped aside to let me in. "Sorry about that. I didn't know."

I stopped and gently laid my hand on his chest. "No worries at all." Richard smiled and nodded in agreement before my hand fell away as he led me to the room where everyone else was.

"Hey guys," I said as I scanned the room and Edward's head flinched back slightly.

"Piper what—" Edward started but was cut off.

"Hey yourself." Malcolm grinned, looking at me like he was starving, and I was his next meal.

"Nice seeing you again, Piper," Tate said.

I'd seen them a handful of time when they'd come to the shop to get work done.

"Piper, let me talk to you for a minute," Edward said as he stood up from the couch.

I followed him up some stairs and then down a hallway. He spun around on me. "What are you doing here, and how did you know where I was?"

I wasn't sure if he was upset or not, but I decided to tread lightly.

"I heard your and Rich's conversation yesterday."

"Mmmm." He hummed. "And why are you here?"

I smiled and stepped into his personal space. "I needed you. I thought our sexting made that apparent." I stood on my tiptoes so I could run my tongue across his lips, as I thread my fingers through his hair. We loved it every time.

He lightly chuckled, wrapping his arms around my waist. "I told you I'd meet you at your spot in a few hours."

"You did but I couldn't wait. I'm wet now." I licked my lips, blinking flirtatiously. I knew exactly what to do to get Edward to respond the way I wanted. The next thing I knew, Edward pulled me into another room, bent me over the arm of a couch, tore my panties off me, and pounded into me with no abandon.

I heard some faint laughter sounding like it came from inside of the walls, but I was too caught up in what we were doing to care.

After I was thoroughly fucked, with an afterglow on my face, there was a knock on the door. Edward and I scrambled to fix our clothes.

"Yeah, what's up?" Edward asked as he pulled his shirt over his head.

"Are you all decent now?" Malcolm snorted a laugh.

"What?" Edward frowned and looked confused.

"What Malcolm meant to ask is are you all done fucking?" Tate blurted out and the other giggled in the background like schoolgirls.

My eyes bulged and I quickly turned to Edward.

Shit! I thought we were quiet.

Were we too loud and they heard us through the door?

I even bit down on his shoulder to muzzle my usual scream when he took me over the edge every time.

"Come in, jackasses." Edward smirked.

The door swung open and Richard, Tate, and Malcolm all looked like the cat that ate the canary.

My stomach dropped. Something was off.

"Why are you all looking like that?" Edward asked, as his eyes examined the three of them back and forth.

Malcolm rubbed the back of his neck as Richard stuck his hands in his front pockets. "Well," Tate started. "Edward, man, you know the business Richard and I run, so hopefully, you won't be too pissed." He held his hands up in surrender. "We couldn't resist when we heard Piper moaning the way she was."

A flush creeped across my cheeks, and Edward covered his face with one hand.

"What did you do?" Edward narrowed his eyes.

"We recorded it." Tate winked at me. "Love the birthmark on your ass by the way. I'd lick it." The bastard had the nerve to stick his tongue out.

I felt nauseated.

Visible tremors coursed through my body.

I was conflicted. Part of me wanted to hightail it out of there, but a bigger part of me wanted to tear the whole fucking house up to shreds.

I turned and looked at Edward, hoping he'd tell them to get rid of it, but he just sat there with a lopsided grin on his face, unbothered.

It looked like I was in this shit by myself.

"Delete it, now, Tate," I seethed.

He looked at me like I'd grown three heads. "Nope. No can do, sweetheart. I'm a fun-loving guy but this is business, and I don't play with my coin."

"Business?" I leaped up from the couch. "This wasn't a business transaction. I didn't consent to any of this bullshit." I waved my arms wildly.

"You're right." Richard nodded. "Tell you what… we'll only use the shots that don't show your face." He smiled like that was a solution.

"Have you pervy fucks lost your minds?" I paused, looking at all of them. "And you…" I twirled around to Edward. "…haven't even tried to defend me." I scowled at him. "Obviously you're okay with this."

"Look, Piper." His tone was sharp. "I was totally unaware of this just like you were. I had nothing to do with it."

"That may be true but you're not exactly against it either."

"What do you expect me to do?" He tugged on his ear.

I couldn't believe he was being such a nonchalant bastard.

"Make them give it to you or me. I can't have something like that out there for dirty old men or sickos like them…" I waved my hands at the three stooges. "…to see. I have a reputation to keep intact."

Richard snorted out a laugh. "A reputation to keep intact. Girl, please."

Edward's phone buzzed, so he pulled it from his pocket and smiled. "This has been fun, but I have to go."

"Go?" I jerked my head back. "You're not going anywhere until we get that video."

"Not happening, honey." Richard grinned.

"I've already told you, Piper, there's nothing I can do." Edward rolled his eyes. "I'll catch up with you guys later." He waved as he walked out of the door.

I clutched myself, rubbing my arms and feeling utterly defeated.

"You know…" Tate started "…I may have a fair compromise that all of us can live with." He wiggled his eyebrows. "Wanna hear it?"

Yeah, I'd made the foolish mistake of listening to his suggestion. Turned out it wasn't fair for everyone. I got the short end of the stick.

Tate pulled out his phone and showed me the video of Edward and I having sex. Then he and the other two assholes insinuated that they'd keep the recording off porn sites if I had sex with them.

I felt like I had no way out. I stood there for several minutes trying to think of something else I could offer but I came up with nothing. Not that I believed they would've budged anyway.

So, the next thing I knew, we were all completely naked and Richard was behind me, holding my hips and hammering into me. Tate stood in front of me fucking my mouth, while I gave Malcolm a hand job.

The fuckers took turns with me for two goddamn hours. And the only reason it didn't last longer was because I broke down and cried. Tears always seemed to get me out of jams when it was warranted.

I grabbed my clothes and ran to the nearest bathroom. I washed those disgusting fuckers off me as best I could. When I looked in the mirror at myself, it was the first time I'd ever felt humiliated, repulsed.

Once I'd finally finished in the restroom, I stepped out and found all of them dressed and leaning over in a circle, looking down at a tablet. My eyes grew wide, and my chest hitched when I saw what it was. I tried to snatch it out of Tate's hand, but he was too fast.

They all shook their heads and laughed at me. There was no remorse or shame. They enjoyed watching their handiwork.

A squeezing sensation wrapped around my ribs as my bottom lip trembled. A tear slid down my face. For real this time. But I hid it as my hair curtained the front of my face.

I backed up against the wall and slid down. "Why?" I asked just above a whisper.

Richard's eyebrows squished together. "What do you mean why?"

He looked at me like that was the dumbest question in the world.

"Why would you all videotape something else if I had sex with you so you wouldn't put the one with Edward and me on the internet?" I'd gained the brass to look each one of them in the face.

"Insurance." Tate rocked back on his heels.

"Insurance?" I crossed my arm across my chest and forced out a laugh.

I barely knew them. Why did they need to do something like this to me?

"Yeah, this is just in case your uppity ass steps out of line with once of us." Richard took the tablet from Tate and held it out. "This will bring you down a peg or fifty." He smirked.

My whole body felt numb.

"I hate you," I said with an emotion-choked voice.

"No love lost here, baby." Tate laughed. "But I will admit your little pussy was tighter than I'd thought it would be, especially since you're known for getting around." Malcolm and Richard snickered before they broke out into guffaws.

There was nothing left for me to do but tuck my tail between my legs and quietly leave.

I'd never told a soul about that degrading experience. When I walked out of that door, I promised myself two things. I'd never give them a reason to post that smut and that I'd forget it ever happened.

Be that as it may, life being life held something totally different in the cards for me. I'd heard karma was a bitch too many times in my life to count. And when she finally came to my door, she didn't knock, she busted it down.

"Hey." An unknown voice called out to me, as I walked out of the cafeteria. I turned around and was met with steel-blue eyes from a bulky guy that wasn't that much taller than me.

"Yes, may I help you?" I wrinkled my nose but not too much because I wasn't sure if he was in upper management or not. He didn't look familiar to me.

He walked closer, closing the gap between us. "Aren't you that girl from the foursome porn flick?"

My lips curled in revulsion. "Excuse me?" It had been months since that horrific day happened and I wasn't going to let some irrelevant asshole make me relive it again.

He scanned my body from head to toe. "Yeah, you're her. I'd never forget a body like yours." He stepped closer invading my personal bubble. "I would love the opportunity to lick that pretty little pussy of yours."

I back stepped back, slowly yet forcibly and took an audible intake of breath, as I tried to process what he'd just said. They promised me they wouldn't show my face but why was I dumb enough to believe them.

I must've taken too long to respond because the asswipe took it as his chance to continue.

"I promise…" He held two fingers up like Scouts honor. "I won't be as rough as they were. Or that other guy you were with that had you bent over the couch."

A flush of heat spread across my face and neck and my surprise that transformed into anger.

"Get the hell away from me." I gritted my teeth together, attempting not to make a scene.

"All right, all right." He held his hands up in surrender. "My name is Jason Allen in the finance department if you change your mind." He winked before we walked away.

I stood there at a loss of words, openly staring at everything and nothing.

This had Edward's name written all over it. He told me he would get me back, but I didn't believe he'd go this far. And obviously he was able to talk the three fucktards into giving him all the videos.

I was royally fucked. Was there any way I'd be able to come back from this?

More importantly, had anyone in upper management seen me in such a compromising position?

Maybe not. Half of the workday was over, and no one had mentioned anything to me. Perhaps Jason Allen was a one-off and it ended with him. All males don't watch that filth.

I had a quick pep talk with myself. "Breathe Piper." I inhaled and exhaled. I felt a smidge better after I repeated that five times before I headed to the bank of elevators.

I strode through the hallway trying to get a neutral expression on my face. I told myself over and over I only had another four hours to get through.

As I sat down at my desk, I pulled out my cell phone and noticed I had five minutes left of my lunch break. I darted to an empty conference room and immediately tapped Edward's name.

The shitface had been ignoring my calls for the longest, so I would've been surprised if he actually picked up. The phone rang about six times and then went to voicemail. I wasn't deterred by his avoidance. I left a nasty message and went back to my desk.

I'd decided to distract myself by working on a presentation that needed to be submitted to my supervisor next week. Thirty minutes into the project, Michael Newton's assistant called me. "Good afternoon, Piper." Susan's tone had always been a little too perky for me.

"Good afternoon Susan," I fake smiled.

"I'm sorry to disturb you but Mr. Newton would like for you to come to his office, now." She sounded sweeter than sugar.

"Now?" I swallowed nervously.

Shit, shit, shit. Did he know?

"Yes. Now," She said with finality.

"Okay. I'll be up shortly."

She had the gall not to respond. The only thing I heard was dead air. The bitch hung up on me without saying goodbye.

I sipped on the bottle of cold water that sat on my desk. Suddenly my mouth was dry.

I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself down. I even counted to ten twice, but it didn't work. I locked my computer and pushed my chair out. I walked slower than normal in an attempt to give myself more time before I had to be in the same office, alone, with Michael Newton.

Then the thought occurred to me. If upper management knew, why didn't my direct supervisor, Cason Williams, call me into his office? My eyes lit up with relief, but it was short-lived as I remembered he'd been at the New York headquarters all week.

I twisted and pulled on my clothes during the elevator ride trying to figure out why I'd been called to the HR Manager's office. The bell rang informing me that I'd arrived at my destination.

Damn that was fast.

I stepped out, held my head high and squared my shoulders back. I'd decided I wouldn't allow his greasy ass to see me squirm no matter what.

Susan's desk was a short distance from the elevator. The moment she saw me her body stiffened. I ignored it. "Susan," I said with a tight smile.

"Mmmm." She looked me up and down. We'd always been cordial to each other, but she'd never been this blatant with her dislike toward me. "Mr. Newton is waiting on you." She pinched her lips shut.

Without another word, I lightly knocked on his door. "Come in, Piper," he called out.

I exhaled one last time before I entered his office. "You wanted to see me Mr. Newton?" I tried to smile but I knew it came across as a grimace.

"Yes." He paused, too engulfed with something on his laptop.

I cleared my throat louder than usual to gain his attention. "Mr. Newton."

He looked sheepish as his eyes met mine, and he gestured for me to sit down in one of the chairs in front of his desk. "I apologize. Now, where were we?"

"I'm not exactly sure. You asked me to come to your office," I retorted.

"You're correct. I did and I was rather distracted when you came in. For that, I'll apologize, again." Michael folded his hands on the top of his desk and leaned in closer. "I'll just get straight to the point. Piper as you know we have a strict policy in place regarding misconduct outside of the office that can affect the image of the company." My hand shook as I placed it on my stomach. He paused and watched my movement. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," I replied in a quiet voice.

He continued. "I'm sure you're aware that what you do in your free time can easily be traced because of digital technology and other electronic surveillance. That being said, misdeeds outside of work are subject to more public scrutiny than they were decades ago, and the bottom line is, it hurts us." He looked down at a manila folder that sat under his hands and slid it in my direction. I didn't move. I wasn't ready to see it. "Piper your behavior was disrespectful and lacked moral values." He scooted the folder closer to me. "Please open it."

I briefly closed my eyes and prepared myself for the memories I'd tried so hard to forget. The first picture I saw was my mouth around Tate's cock while Malcolm took me from behind. My eyes grew hot and started to tear up, but I forced myself not to lose it in front of him. I knew the bastard enjoyed every minute of it.

I closed the folder and put it back on his desk unwilling to look at anymore pictures.

"Are you done looking?" He smirked.

I put my big girl panties on and met his gaze. "Yes."

"I thought you should know, your immediate supervisor, Mr. Williams is aware of this, as well as upper management. Piper, you're terminated, effective immediately." Michael's tone was unsympathetic.

"What!" I bolted up from the chair.

"You heard me. We won't tolerate embarrassment like that for the company." He pointed to the folder.

This was ridiculous. How could they fire me for what I did outside of work? What I did in my personal life was not their business.

"That's unfair bullshit," I pointed at him. "How can you dismiss me for something that has nothing to do with my position here and happened before I started working here?"

He rolled his eyes. "Did I not make myself clear when I said your conduct was mortifying and a total humiliation to this organization? What would other businesses or brands we're contracted with think or say if they saw that? We're not willing to put our reputation on the line for trash like this. Did you forget you don't work for Playboy? This is Foot. Locker." He sneered.

"How would they know I work for Foot Locker by watching a damn porn video? Which I might add you seemed to be thoroughly enjoying when I walked in." I pointed toward the laptop on his desk.

He had to make it make sense.

"It's of no consequence, Piper. We feel that your talents…" he paused and cocked his head to the side. "…would be better suited elsewhere." He stood up from his chair, walked around his desk, and stopped in front of me. "Susan has already called to have your desk cleared out. Security already has your purse and any other personal belongings. If they've missed anything, I'll make sure it's mailed to the address we have for you on file for you, along with your final check."

I stood there in total disbelief. My life felt like a Jerry Springer or Wendy Williams show. I wasn't going to take this lying down. I'd always had to fight for what I wanted, and this wouldn't be any different.

"This is some unethical, illegal shit!" I moved closer to him. "I will go on every talk show, podcast, radio show and anyone else that will listen to expose this company for what it really is."

He crossed his arm across his chest and chuckled. "Go ahead. There's this little obscure law Illinois has in place that says you can be terminated, legally, without unemployment benefits." The prick grinned. "Had you been forthcoming and told us about your little hump session, that might've saved your position. But since we found out about it ourselves, you don't have any legal ground to stand on. Between the ruthless attorneys Foot Locker has and their deep pockets, we'd bury you alive. But if you think you have a real case shoot your best shot, sweetheart." He looked down his nose at me.

The irritating sonofabitch was right. They had the upper hand. Even if I settled out of court, by the time I'd pay my legal fees, I probably wouldn't have anything left.

But since I was going out, I may as well go out with a bang.

"What the hell was I supposed to do?" I yelled. "List it on my resume as Webcam Slut under Assistant Manager at Burger King?"

He bit his lip trying not to laugh. But there wasn't a damn thing funny to me. It was me that was without a job. How the hell would I pay for school now? How would I explain this to my mother? I'd already made up one lie about why I no longer worked at the tat shop and now this.

Michael leaned in a little too close, putting his hand on my arm and whispered. "See, I could've protected you had you done what I wanted. I would've made it all disappear."

I pushed his hand away. "Make it disappear now then."

"It's too late." He shook his head.

"How is it too late? Tell management you were mistaken. It was somebody that looked like me, but it wasn't me. I don't give a fuck what you say- just make it go away. I cannot lose my job. I have too much at stake for this." I grabbed a fistful of my hair pulling on it.

"Then perhaps you should've thought about that before you decided to upload videos on UPorn."

Then Edward's face flashed before me. I'd lost my job because of him on two accounts. First with Jimmy and now Foot Locker. I knew this was my payback from the social media fiasco, but this was too much. He'd reached a new low, even for him.

This was not over. He couldn't fuck me over like this and think he'd get away with it. He thought I'd been a bitch before… he ain't seen nothing yet.

"I didn't post the goddamn thing." I ground my teeth so hard my jawline hurt.

"It doesn't matter who did it." He waved his hand dismissively, walked around his desk and sat back down. "I knew it was you, Mr. Williams knew it was you and so does the VP of the marketing department. It's a done deal. Don't further embarrass yourself, Piper. At least act like you can be a lady and leave with dignity." He looked down at his watch. "Are we done because I have another meeting in fifteen minutes."

There was no need to continue to go back and forth with Michael. It was a moot issue. They had already crucified me before I'd walked into his office. Payback for Dirtbag Newton would definitely come from me in the near future outside of Foot Locker.

I started toward the door, but he called before I turned the knob. "You handled yourself quite well with that foursome. Those talents will take you far in that industry. You could make a lot of money. Perhaps you should seriously look into it." The motherfucker grinned with his tongue in cheek.

I'd tolerated him undressing me with his eyes and finding lame reasons to touch me for months, but I didn't have to put up with his shit anymore.

I purposefully swayed back in front of his desk. "You might be right, but it'd be a cold day in hell before I ever let your repulsive ass touch me." I curled my lips up in disgust. "Go ahead and continue to watch that shit over and over wishing it was your dick in my mouth or it was you fucking me." I smirked, as he loosened his collar. "I'm sure your next meeting is watching that video and masturbating to someone you'll never, ever have." He visibly blushed and licked his bottom lip. "That's what I thought." I sucked my teeth and stared at him briefly watching him squirm in his chair before I walked out.

A/N:So… all of that happened. How do you feel about Piper now? Do you understand her a little more or do you feel she got the Karma she deserved?

What are your thoughts on the porn triplets (Tate, Richard, and Malcolm) or the HR deviant? Please share your thoughts…

Next chapter we will see what Bella and Grayson are up to.

RECS: Common Ground, by drotuno, common ground or mutual understanding—the ability to find a shared event, feeling, or mind-set. Detective Edward Masen rarely cared about finding common ground with anyone, but he may find he has no choice when it comes to solving his current homicide case. AH/ExB/Rated M. I love this E & B. I can't wait to see how the story continues to unfold.

The Way I Wanted by iambeagle, it was a fantasy that never should've been a reality. Chapter 25 threw me for a loop, but I am so vested into this story. Chapter 26 had my emotions all over the place… but I'm addicted. I check on a daily for updates.