Thirty-Three

B

I find the men sitting around the den, smoking fat cigars and sipping scotch, and stand back, eavesdropping on their conversation.

"The crime rate around here is pretty low, what with it being such a small town," Dad says as he refills Edward's low ball and takes his seat. "Nothing like Seattle, I'm sure. Do you get a lot of trouble in your area?"

Edward takes a small sip, grimacing. "Not really. Rebar is off the beaten path. Although, we've been getting a lot more business recently. Hopefully, things will remain calm."

"Hopefully. I'd hate for Bella to get herself into trouble." Dad chuckles. "She was a danger magnet when she was a kid."

"Here, here." Billy laughs and raises his glass. "Girl spent more time in the ER than most doctors."

I'm about to step in and stand up for myself when Edward holds up his hand.

"I don't know if things have changed, but trust me, Bella can take care of herself," he defends. "And I promise to keep an eye on her regardless. She's important to me."

I smile and remain hidden while Dad and Billy grill him on his intentions. I'm glad Billy isn't supporting Jacob's delusions. He seems genuinely interested in getting to know Edward.

"I just want Bella to be happy, and l'll do everything in my power to keep her that way."

Gah.

I step into the room. "Hey, guys. Looks like you've been having fun in here."

The older men laugh and offer me a drink, but I shake my head.

"I actually came to borrow Edward, if you don't mind."

"I would love to get some air. I can't keep up with these two anyway." He stands on unsteady legs, and my dad laughs. "Gentlemen, go on without me."

Needing some fresh air and a little alone time, I lead Edward out back. The fire is still going, so I push him into a chair and climb on his lap. He knows I enjoy physical affection and wraps his arms tightly around me.

"You okay, baby?" he whispers into my hair.

"l am now," I mutter, burrowing into his chest.

"What's going on?"

I sigh and tell him about Jake and our very one-sided talk before my mom interrupted. Edward's hold on me tightens, and his face turns to stone.

"What?"

"Nothing." His jaw clenches.

"Tell me," I push.

"It's nothing really. Your dad and Billy had a lot of questions about the bar and our life in Seattle. I could tell Jacob wasn't interested in anything I had to say." Edward chuckles and bounces me on his knee. "He left the room and only returned to announce that he was leaving."

"Mom told him to stop talking smack about her family and to go." I kiss his warm lips. "I think it's safe to say both my parents love you."

"That's good, considering how madly in love with their daughter I am."

I give another sigh and trail kisses up his neck back to his mouth. I lick his bottom lip, and he grants me access to his tongue that languidly works with mine until we're sharing air. His breath tastes like scotch, and his hands snake their way up the back of my shirt, his short nails dragging across my skin, driving me wild with want.

I'm wet and throbbing for him, and I can feel that he's reacting as well.

"We should stop."

I groan in frustration, and he pecks my lips.

"I don't want to either, but if we kept it up, I would have made a mess in my pants."

I giggle and climb off him.

"Don't laugh." He growls. "At my age, it would be mortifying. Besides, I'd hate to walk past your mother with a wet spot."

"Okay, you win, but I will have you tonight," I warn him.

Edward's ears turn pink. "You're very vocal in the bedroom. Just how thick are the walls in your house?"

"Pretty thin. I guess that means you'll have to fill my mouth with something." I wink. "I'm sure you'll figure out what I'm talking about."

"Bella." He groans. "You're killing me, baby."

I walk toward the house and look over my shoulder with a smirk. "What a way to go."