Forty-Four

B

It takes me three days to start feeling human again, and I'm restless and more than a little hurt.

Edward is getting ready to head to Rebar to meet a few potential bar backs and just dropped a major bomb on me.

"What do you mean you already hired someone?"

Edward smiles like he's not breaking my fucking heart. "Ben is a hell of a bartender and could help bring in more business."

My blood starts to boil and angry tears burn my eyes. "So, you're replacing me with someone who can do a few parlor tricks. Nice, Edward."

I climb out of bed, ready to pack my shit and get the hell out of here. It's obvious Edward is done with me. Just the thought is like a dagger to the chest.

"Bella, stop," Edward demands.

"What? What could you possibly say to make this better? Are you firing me?"

His eyes widen. "No. Why would you even think that?" He doesn't wait for me to answer. "Let me explain. I hired Ben part-time. He will work Friday and Saturday nights and be on call for emergencies."

I raise a brow. "So, you're cutting my hours?"

"Jesus Christ, woman," he exclaims. "Will you stop assuming things and listen to me? Ben is only going to pick up the slack. You know how busy we get on the weekends. We need help, and I can finally afford to get some."

He walks over and wraps his arms around me, and I immediately relax.

"Why would you ever think I could replace you?" he asks softly.

"I dunno. I've been sick, and I left you stranded when you needed me. I'm unreliable and—"

"Shh. That couldn't be further from the truth. Shit happens, and this just goes to show that we need a back-up plan for emergencies."

I sigh and lean into him. "Sorry for going crazy on you. Have I thanked you for taking such good care of me?"

"No thanks needed. I'd do anything for you."

"I know."

"And that's why I've asked Ben to teach you a few tricks of the trade. So you won't feel left out of all the fun."

"Really?"

"Yeah, baby." Edward checks his phone. "I have to go. Will you hang out here? Be ready for me to take you on a date to celebrate you feeling better."

I nod, excited to spend quality time with him that doesn't involve nursing me back to health. Rose has assured me that everything at the apartment is taken care of. It won't matter if I stay away for a couple more days. Apparently, when she wasn't with me, she and Emmett have been playing house together.

I walk Edward to the door and kiss him goodbye. He promises to be back soon and tells me to try to rest.

The last thing I want to do is lay in bed, so I take a long, hot shower and shave for the first time in who knows how long. Because Edward is taking me out tonight, and I know what I want for dessert.

After I'm clean and unwanted hair free, I grab my iPad and a cold drink before parking myself on the couch to catch up on some light reading. My book keeps me entertained for a couple hours, and I'm in the kitchen making a cup of tea when Edward returns.

The front door closes with a soft click, and he calls out for me.

"In the kitchen, dear," I reply hoarsely and go back to my tea.

When he enters the room, a huge smile takes over his face, and he leans against the door jamb.

"What?" I ask after a few moments of silence.

"I like having you here, that's all." He approaches and wraps his arms around me from behind, squeezing me tightly. "The past few days have been nice. Even if you were sick, I ... enjoyed knowing you'd be here when I got home."

"I was out of it, but I enjoyed you coming home to me. Even if it was just to sleep."

Edward places an open-mouthed kiss on my neck, and I go lax. He asks me how I'm feeling, his hands trailing up my body underneath my shirt. He cups my bare breasts, playing with my nipples until they're stiff.

"I'm good." I groan. "Not a hundred percent but getting there."

I should be asking him how the interviews went, but instead, I turn around and throw my arms around his neck, pulling him down. "The best part is, I'm no longer contagious," I whisper in his ear.

"Hmm. Talk dirty to me." Edward chuckles and squeezes my ass. "Can I take you upstairs?"

"Please," I whisper against his lips.

I let him lead me up the stairs and into the bedroom. I'm trembling with anticipation. I want him so much, and I tell him so.

"You've got me, my love," he tells me as he helps me undress.

When I'm down to just my panties, I reach for his shirt with shaky hands and pull it over his head. My breathing is heavier than usual, a lingering effect from being sick, but that's not going to stop me from getting what I want. What I need.

"Slow down, baby. We'll get there."

"I want you. Now." I growl, practically tearing at his belt before moving on to the button fly of his jeans.

As soon as he steps out of his pants, I drop to my knees, mouth watering.

"You don't have to." Edward stops me. "We can—" His words are cut off by a guttural groan.

I smile and hum around him, exhilarated that I have this power over him. That I can affect him this way.

It doesn't take long for him to reach his breaking point. The next thing I know, he's pulling me to my feet and all but tosses me onto the bed. Edward wastes no time at all, shedding me of the last bit of fabric keeping him from the thing he wants most.

"I've been thinking about this all day," he tells me as he crawls between my wide-spread thighs.

I fall back against the pillows while he works me over, using his mouth and talented fingers. My first orgasm is hot and fast, and I'm calling his name. "Edward!"

With one last kiss to my tender flesh, he wipes his face on my thigh and crawls up my body, sucking and biting as he makes his way.

I pull him onto me, enjoying the almost suffocating weight of him, his throbbing erection sandwiched between us while I devour his mouth.

I'm not sure how long we lie there, making out, before he shifts and enters me. We share a moan as he thrusts slowly, driving me mad with lust.

"Edward, more," I tell him and wrap my legs around him as he picks up the pace.

At first, he has his face in the crook of my neck, teeth biting and lips sucking. But as I get closer and closer to coming, he pulls away, looking down so he can watch us. Watch his thrusts in and out of me, seeing just how wet I am for him.

I start to tighten around him, whining because I know it's not enough, but like always, he's a step ahead.

With one arm braced by my head he uses two fingers to rub fast circles on my needy clit as his thrusts grow more erratic.

"Bella." He grunts, kissing me roughly.

I come undone with a scream against his lips, and he stills his movements, thrusting into me so deep and filling me.

It takes me a moment to catch my breath, and he asks me if I'm okay. Unable to find my voice, I nod, but that's not good enough for him.

Edward cups my cheek, eyes imploring. "Talk to me, beautiful."

"I'm okay. More than okay," I assure him, squirming because of the mess we've made. "I'd be even more okay if you joined me in the shower. I need to clean up."

He smiles proudly and tells me he'll start the water, leaving me with a final, lingering kiss.

Something tells me he isn't done with me yet. A thought that has me smiling as I follow him to the bathroom.

I never do get that date. We end up spending the rest of the night in bed, me bent over the back of the couch and finally in the kitchen where he makes me a midnight grilled cheese. Not that I'm complaining.