AN: My biggest thanks to my team, Ashley, Mandy, Marie, Monica, and Sally! For their time and support! And thanks to you readers! I may not be getting alert emails, but it's so exciting checking the app to see my alerts there! Thank you!
Bella
When I leave Edward's office I head to the dealership to talk to Emmett and my boss. I'd rather clear this up sooner than later. If they created a position for me because Em is my friend, then they shouldn't be upset if I don't want to stay there. I can be gracious and polite about it, but they're paying me to do next to nothing.
Emmett isn't that surprised to see me, and I assume that Rose gave him a heads up. We sit in one of the loan offices to talk, and he admits that he did pull some strings to get me the job, but in all fairness, they'd been considering hiring a receptionist for some time. His admission makes me feel better but only minimally.
"Em, I really appreciate it, you know I do." I swallow. "But it's so boring here. I'm sorry, but it is. I don't know how you work here."
"You want to sell cars? That's the fun part. I really like it. I get paid a base salary plus commission," he explains, and my stomach rolls at the idea of selling.
"God, no. I want to quit." I take in his expression and it's totally unreadable. He's been one of my best friends for almost ten years, and I have no idea what this look is.
"Is this about Edward Cullen?"
"Yes and no. Emmett, I need to figure things out for myself, and let's face it, as much as I need a job, I'm miserable here. I'd just quit a few months down the line." I reach out to grab his hands that are clasped together on top of the desk. "I love you, and I'm grateful, even if it doesn't sound like it."
"Do you know what you're getting into?" he asks seriously as he grasps my hands.
"What are you talking about?" I ask quietly.
"Rose told me that he sounds like he's trying to be your sugar daddy. Bella, I don't want to see you get hurt; neither of us do." Emmett's face is soft, and I see my friend once again.
"I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing, but I'm looking at it as a challenge, and I'm ready to have some fun. Can you guys get on board with that?" Smiling, I squeeze his hands. "I'm trying to work it out so you all can meet."
"Okay, I trust you; we trust you." Emmett squeezes my hand once, firmly. "Get out of here. I'll go tell the boss."
When I leave, I don't say goodbye to anyone since I hadn't gotten close with anyone over the last couple of weeks, and I don't stop by the receptionist desk. I hadn't bothered to bring anything personal in. I just walk out and check my phone to see when my STI appointment is set for later this week.
By the time I climb into my car, I remember the black, metal credit card in my wallet. I text Edward quickly to ask him if I need permission to use his card, and he calls me, laughing. "Check the name on the card, baby."
I pull it out and scan the front of the card and see in clear, etched letters: Isabella Swan.
"How in the world did you manage to pull that off?" I ask in disbelief. My hand is shaking, and I almost drop the card.
"You'd be surprised what you can do with the right amount of money and clout. Did you figure out your job?" Edward's voice is hushed.
"Are you in the middle of a meeting?"
"Yes, but I figured calling you was the fastest option. Your job, Bella. What did you do?" he asks me again, and I can hear the domineering daddy voice come out.
"I quit. I have an appointment later this week for my test, and I was thinking about going shopping." I spit it all out, waiting for some instruction or warning.
"Have fun. Send me your email address and we can merge our calendars. We didn't look to see if and when I can meet Rose and Emmett. I've got to go, baby. I'll talk to you later."
"Bye." I'm pretty sure he hangs up before I say goodbye, but that's okay. I'm still in awe at what I'm holding in my hand, but instead of freaking out, I decide to do just as Edward said: Have fun.
A few hours later I'm wrestling a new set of luggage and a dozen or so shopping bags into my room when I hear the front door open. I quickly shut my door, walking out into the living room to see Rose, home from work, looking shell-shocked from talking about sex and relationships all day.
"How was your day, honey?" I ask sarcastically, and she rolls her eyes.
She flops onto the couch. "I think I need to drop some clients. I have this one couple who just need to divorce."
Sighing, I sit down next to her. "Oh, that's too bad. Is there no other option for them?""
"I don't think so. They just continue to cheat on each other in the vein of having an 'open marriage', but clearly, nothing is working. Sorry." She closes her eyes, breathing deeply. "How was lunch with Edward?"
"Oh, good. I'm going to Milan. I quit my job," I say quietly.
Rose opens her eyes and pops her head up to look at me. "What are you going to do?"
I explain my plan, just not in great detail like I did with Edward. "I'm not going to take advantage of him, but if he wants to help me, I'll let him. For a short period of time."
She opens her mouth to respond but clearly thinks better and closes it. She looks away, and then back to me. "Are we going to be able to meet him?"
Shit. "He asked me for my email so we could merge our calendars. He wants to find a date that works." I reach for my phone in my back pocket and text him my email.
"You could invite him here. We could cook dinner," she offers, and I laugh.
"You don't cook, Rosalie." I nudge her, and she smiles.
"I make a mean salad and you know it. But I'm serious, if he's busy, but he's trying to make this work for our account, invite him over." I look into her eyes and see how serious she is.
"Thank you. I will." I lean my head on her shoulder. "He said the house was lovely last night."
"He does sound nice."
"I think he is. And he's hot; oh my god, is he hot." I giggle, and Rose laughs with me. I want to tell her everything and come clean, but I don't know how to. Until she gives me the perfect opening.
"Do you need to go shopping before you leave?" she asks, and I hesitate for just a moment.
"Why don't you go change, pour us each a glass of wine, and then come to my room. I want to show you something." I tell her, and she looks at me curiously.
"Oh, Lord, did you get a Brazilian wax again? I love you, but I'm not checking for stray hairs again." She pushes off from the couch, and I roll my eyes.
"No, not that." But I make a mental note to get waxed before we leave. "Just do as you're told. I'll see you in a couple minutes."
Ten minutes later, Rose taps on my closed door, and I take a deep breath before opening the door. She steps inside, handing me my glass before really taking in the scene before her. Bags are scattered on top of my bed, and the luggage set is sitting in front of the closet. She pauses, taking it all in.
Names like Velvet, Sézane, Everlane, Bloomingdales, Gucci, and Victoria's Secret are staring up at her like beacons in the night. Rose turns to look at me in complete shock. "I don't want to be rude, Bella, but how did you afford all of this?"
I break down and tell her everything from drunkenly signing up for a sugar daddy app to meeting Edward and deciding to try out this type of relationship. I don't know how she'll respond, but Rose sits quietly, listening to me explain everything. I tell her about how ridiculously attracted I am to Edward and how he plans to "romance the shit" out of me. Then I show her the card.
She's quiet for a few more minutes before she responds. "I have absolutely zero response."
"Bullshit. You always have a response." Crossing my arms over my chest, I prepare for the worst from my best friend.
"Bella, I don't get it, but you've clearly already made up your mind. Nothing I say is going to change it for you. I just want you to be safe—with your body and your heart." Rose reaches for my hand, and I give it to her. "You're a good person, and you're capable of love and compassion. Please don't sell yourself short because this seems like an easy option for you."
"I'm not; I promise." I squeeze her hand, and she smiles. "Can we not tell Emmett right away?"
She laughs. "Oh, we're never telling Emmett at all. Now, let me see what you got."
We go through my haul until Emmett comes home a couple hours later with pizza for dinner. While we're eating and Rose and Emmett are debriefing each other on their days, I text Edward, inviting him for dinner with us sometime this week or next.
Edward: I'm pretty busy leading up to the trip. I think the only night I might have free is this Saturday. Did you get my calendar invite?
Bella: I did. I'll check it. If it's free, should I just add it in for you?
Edward: Please do. Put the address in as well. Did you have fun today?
Bella: I did. I hope I didn't go overboard.
Edward: I haven't bothered to look, but I doubt it. What's your favorite thing you bought today?
I laugh a little at his question. It's random, but so genuine. When I tell him it's the luggage set, he sends me a thumbs up and tells me new luggage is always nice.
Edward: You'll need an evening dress and a couple of cocktail dresses, but I'd love to take you shopping when we get there. We'll have a couple days before everything starts.
I agree and tell him I'll talk to him later. He tells me to come by his office any time I want, and I tell him I will. By the time I set my phone down, I find Rose and Em looking at me. "So, you decided to go to Italy after all?" Emmett looks serious, but I can see his smirk.
"I sure did. What do you think?" I reach for another piece of pizza as he huffs.
"It doesn't really matter what I think. Just be safe, Bella." He winks at me, "When are you telling your dad?"
The call with my dad goes much like I expect it to. He talks about fishing and work and Sue Clearwater. I'm not mad, I've always liked Sue, and it's clear they're very happy together. He just barely lets me get a word in edgewise. When I finally do get a chance to talk, I tell him that Jacob and I broke up, and he praises me for finally letting him go. I don't have the heart to tell him that it wasn't really my decision, but I do tell him that I'm going on a trip to "clear my head".
"Well, that's great, Bells. Where are you going?"
"Italy. I know it might seem extreme, but I've always wanted to go, and it's a nice time of year over there right now," I explain.
"Isn't that expensive? Do you need some money?"
I cringe at the idea of my dad sending me money. I haven't let him at all this past year, and I don't need him to now. "I'm going with a tour group. It's really reasonable. I promise I'm fine."
Charlie never pries, and he trusts me implicitly. "If you're sure. I hope you have a wonderful time, sweetie. When do you leave?"
"The 16th. I'll be back on the 30th. I'm really looking forward to it." I am really excited. I have always wanted to go to Italy, and the more I think about spending time with Edward, I get more and more excited.
"Please check in with me while you're there, okay? But have fun!" We chat a little bit longer before I let him go. He gets up early for work, and while it's only pushing nine at night, I know he's ready for bed.
Sitting in the middle of my bed, still surrounded by bags and clothes, I finally pull up Edward's calendar and start snooping. The man literally has meetings back to back every day for the next two weeks leading up to our trip. Not to mention all the events he has while we're in Milan. He is indeed free this Saturday evening, so I block out some time starting at six and add our address in.
I also notice that the few days right before we leave Milan, he's wide open, and I wonder what that means. Does he have something planned for us? Or has his calendar just not been filled in yet? Whatever it is, it's not really any of my business. I close his calendar and grab my laptop to look up what I'm going to do in Milan while Edward is working. That's when I see it.
We'll be there during Italy's Fall Fashion Week. My stomach drops a little. I'm not a fashion forward person; I don't stay super on top of trends or designers. I don't even know if what I've bought today is even chic or appropriate for me. One of the major cornerstones of Edward's magazine is fashion, and he has impeccable taste.
Worrying my lip, I wonder if I should ask him about it. But he makes up my mind for me when I get a text from him confirming dinner on Saturday. He says he can't wait and asks if he can bring anything. I tell him to just bring himself and his honest opinion.
Bella: I just saw it was fashion week. I want you to look at all the clothes I bought and make sure they're appropriate.
Edward: Do you like them?
Bella: … yes?
Edward: Then they're perfect. Will I see you before Saturday?
I teasingly tell him that I'll consider it and that I'm going to bed. I get a goodnight kiss emoji, and I clear off my bed so I can get some sleep.
By the time Saturday rolls around, I've seen Edward almost every day at his office. Rose and I went back to Crowley's, and I made another post that got a lot of traffic, and I'm only feeling marginally nervous about Edward coming over in a couple hours.
I asked Edward what he would like for a home-cooked meal, and he told me to surprise him. It's been starting to cool down here, so I'm making chicken and dumplings. It's so easy I literally can't screw it up even if I tried.
I told Edward to dress casually because we'll be at home and because I want to see him in something other than a suit. He's seen me in a few of the outfits I put together from my spree, and he's been very complimentary.
Rose knows the truth about everything, and I told Edward that, but I warned him that we decided not to tell Emmett yet. He respects my decision, and he's happy to play along as a new boyfriend to appease Em. He constantly tells me that he understands that this type of relationship is unconventional, and he'll do whatever he needs to so that I'm comfortable.
When Edward shows up, in designer dark jeans and a black cashmere sweater, bottle of chardonnay in his hand, he charms the pants off Rose and Emmett in turn. As we sit down to eat, Edward is genuinely interested in my friends and who they are. He listens to Rose talk about how she became a therapist and Emmett selling cars. He listens to the story about how Rose and I were roommates in college but hated each other when we first met.
He devours my food, asks for seconds, and rolls up his sleeves to do dishes when we're finished. Rose and Em try to talk us into playing a game, but I convince them that we've had enough of them for one night and drag Edward to my room.
"I like them," he says when I shut the bedroom door behind us.
I nod. "They like you. I can tell."
He looks around the room, frowning slightly. "This doesn't really scream 'Bella'."
"Well, it's their guest room, so that makes sense." I shrug and perch on the edge of the bed as he looks at some pictures I set up on the dresser.
"Are these your parents?" he asks, gesturing to two separate frames.
"Yeah, my dad, Charlie, and my mom, Renee. Charlie still lives in my hometown, and Mom moved to Florida," I tell him, and he turns back around to look at me.
"How are you doing with the divorce?" Edward comes to sit next to me, taking my hand in his.
"I'll be fine. I mean, they're clearly happier apart than they were together. I love my parents, but I think they stayed together all this time for me, and that makes me sad." I look up to see his soft, thoughtful expression. "Are your parents still together?"
"They are but I understand very clearly how divorce feels." He brings my wrist to his lips once again, pressing his lips to my pulse point.
Looking into his eyes as his lips meet my skin, I can't help but feel entranced. "I might be getting ahead of myself here, but I can't imagine someone not wanting to be with you."
He chuckles against my skin. "Don't forget what I told you; I work all the time. Did you look at my calendar?" I nod, and he continues. "Then you saw for yourself just how packed my schedule is. A lot of women can't deal with being number two in my life."
"But, it's your career, I understand that—"
Edward cuts me off with a soft kiss to my lips. "Let me know how you feel in six months. Let me know when I cancel for the fifth time in one week."
"Do you really do that to your … babies?" I swallow deeply, searching his eyes.
"I try not to, I really do. But sometimes, it's unavoidable." He sighs, dropping my hand to wrap his arm around me. "My company, the magazine, is the most important thing to me. If you become my partner, then you also become important to me. I'll take care of you, take you on trips, to parties and events, and we'll have our personal time, but sometimes …" He trails off, and I get it.
"You need to prioritize things to stay on top. I can get with that program." I lean into his embrace. "What if I really start to miss you?"
He laughs, pressing a kiss to my hair. "You know where my office is. And don't ever be afraid to call me out if I'm neglecting you. I need a kick in the pants every once in a while."
"I'll be sure to get you square in the center." I giggle, and he laughs.
"Good. Are you excited about Italy?" He draws us down, so we're lying on the mattress, his arms around me, my head resting on his chest.
"Yeah, I am. I saw that you had a few open days. What's going on there?" I ask, propping myself to see his face.
"I thought you might want to visit a few other cities to do some sightseeing. Why don't you make us a small itinerary?" He suggests, and I feel like this is the best time to see how much he'll let me get away with.
"Could we go to Sicily? I've always wanted to go to the Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo." I smile, waiting for his answer. He looks confused for a moment, and then smiles.
"If that's really what you want. We could start there and work our way back up north." He pulls me down, rolling me onto my back, hovering over me. "I didn't realize you were so morbid."
"Just fascinated," I tell him, wrapping my hands around his neck, dragging him down for a kiss.
Just like the night we went out for dinner, that spark is still there; it's just more intense now. I feel like my entire body is on fire as Edward devours my mouth, his tongue skimming my own. His knee draws between my thighs, and before I realize what I'm doing, I lightly grind my center onto him. He groans into my mouth, dragging his lips away to pepper my neck and collarbone with kisses and nips with his teeth.
He pulls back suddenly, his eyes hooded with desire, and I feel naked without his touch, even though we're both fully clothed. "I want nothing more than to touch you, Bella; to taste you. But I don't want our first time to be in your friend's guest room."
Sighing, I pull him back to me. "I can be really quiet."
He nuzzles against my neck. "I don't want you to be." When he pulls away again, I can see just how hard this is for him, literally. His erection is so obvious in his jeans that I lick my lips.
"Maybe I could just …" I gesture toward his crotch, and he groans.
"I thought you wanted time to see if we were compatible?" Edward asks, his resolve clearly slipping.
Pushing myself up on my elbows, I grin at him. "I think we're compatible, Edward. Don't you want me to give you something to think about until Italy?"
He groans again, slipping off the bed, but he doesn't try to leave the room, he just stands at the edge of the bed. I take that as a good sign and crawl over to him, reaching for his fly and unbuttoning it, then dragging down the zipper. When his breathing gets shallow but he doesn't stop me, I pull his dick from his shorts and panic for a moment.
Look, it's not the biggest penis I've ever seen; I've watched porn. It is the biggest one I've seen in real life. It's long and thick, and there's already a bead of precum leaking from the tip. I glance up at him as I take him into my mouth. His hands immediately thread into my hair, and he begins praising me softly, cooing at me.
Personally, I really like giving blowjobs. I've been told I'm good at them, and while I don't pride myself on it, it's nice to feel Edward's reaction so quickly. His grip on my hair tightens as he thrusts into my mouth, filling my throat. I'm clenching my core, feeling the wetness gathering there, imagining what his dick will feel like inside of me.
After only a few minutes, I feel him stiffen, and his balls tighten before he warns me that he's about to come. Edward tries to pull away, but I latch on like he's oxygen and I'm under water. He comes down my throat with a violent shake and low, quiet groan. When he stills, I pull him out of my mouth, swallowing him down and licking him clean.
He glances down at me in awe as I tuck him back inside. "You're going to be the death of me, aren't you?"
I laugh. "I think you can handle me, old man."
He flips me onto my back on the bed, pouncing on me. "How wet are you for me?" His right hand starts to drift down my stomach, and I wriggle under his touch as he lingers at the waistband of my leggings.
I want him to touch me, to make me come on his fingers, his tongue, but more than that, I want him to want me. I grab his hand gently, pushing it away. "You'll have to wait a week to find out." I press a kiss to his lips, and he drops his forehead to mine.
"Yeah, pretty sure I'm dead now." He starts laughing, and before I know it, we're both in a heap, laughing together.