MeteorOnAMoonlessNight: Malicious Compliance Chapter Five

It was physically painful to walk away. Teasing her was exciting enough to make him hard again just thinking about it, but she was toxic, and he knew it. Until Bella broke up with Austin, it wasn’t likely Edward could enjoy any serious time in her bed. The idea of fuck buddies was probably the best they could hope for even if she did break up with him, since all they did when they dated was argue.

Correction; all she did was argue. And berate and degrade. It was understandable at first, given her background, but she refused to work on herself. As well as Edward treated her, it wasn't worth it to stay with someone who couldn't accept that he was young and moving up in life at a reasonable pace. It was hardly his fault he hadn't been born with an elusive silver spoon, but neither had she. Instead of accepting his hard work and devotion to her as positive attributes, she panicked every time they were stretched thin for money.

In his mind, everyone struggled a little in their early twenties. He picked up extra shifts where he could and looked for a better job once in a while, but he knew he needed experience. By the time a fantastic job offer came his way, Bella was already long gone.

Occasionally, Edward wondered how hard it had been for her growing up. Nothing was perfect for him either, considering his mother raised him on her own and only remarried once Edward was an adult. But it was nothing compared to Bella’s story, which was most likely why he’d given her chance after chance. He hadn't walked in her shoes; spending nights with an empty stomach wishing she had a different life, being left alone for days at six years old and unsure if her mother was coming back. It made Bella insecure and terrified of falling into the same situation. He'd given her emotional security, but not financial security. In the end, they couldn't work through their issues if she wasn't willing.

What she hadn't given him credit for was working his ass off to advance himself at a reasonable pace. It seemed she always wanted him to go after jobs he wasn't qualified for, and if he didn't, she would punish him by flirting with what she called her future sugar daddy. Any man who wore a suit, appeared the tiniest bit well-off, and looked her way received a wink or a pat on the arm. She would say she was just hedging her bets, and eventually, it was too much for Edward to handle.

After letting himself into his loft, he stood in front of the windows overlooking the garage he used to work at. He’d put his blood, sweat, and tears into his place until it was more than an abandoned warehouse. It didn't matter that it was a longer drive to work and wasn't in a fancy neighborhood. He loved it there and never planned on leaving.

oOo

Bella had survived an entire week without contacting Edward. It was killing her, though. She didn't really give a rat’s ass what Austin was up to, but it left her with little to occupy her time when he was gone. So she gathered all the pretty dresses she’d accumulated from him and took them to the designer resale shop a few blocks over. After depositing the money into her savings account, she took a stroll around the neighborhood. Like an invisible magnet, the building she wished was hers called to her every time she was in the vicinity. She’d seen it once when it was up for sale, had walked around the interior, and knew it would be the perfect location for the dessert shop she longed to open. There would be other storefronts when she was ready, but that one was beyond perfect. It sat in the middle of a busy walkable shopping district, sporting a brick facade topped with a quaint striped awning in pastel stripes, and gorgeous built-in flower boxes beneath massive windows. Currently, it was occupied by a florist she was acquainted with, and she decided to step inside and buy herself something.

“Hey, Seth.”

"Hey, Bella. Here for something pretty?"

"I need the pick-me-up."

Walking around the counter, he opened the refrigerated displays. "Let's see . . . lilies?"

He held out a bouquet arranged in sunny oranges and yellows. "They're sure to brighten my day. It's almost as though you have a knack for these things."

Seth winked and carried the flowers to the counter. As he wrapped them in paper, he began to speak. "Jake and I ran into Austin at The Rainbow Lounge."

With her wallet halfway out of her purse, Bella froze. "Oh, yeah?"

Nodding, Seth stuck a piece of tape on the seam. "It's farther out than we normally venture, but we wanted something different."

So many thoughts tumbled through her head. "Did you, uh, did you have a nice time?"

His responding grin was boyish. "Yep."

"I, um, what did Austin say?"

"Oh, he was leaving as we were arriving. Didn't get the chance to chat."

"That's too bad," she mumbled as she held out her payment.

"Thanks for stopping by, sweetie. Tell Austin we said hi."

"Sure will." The only smile she could manage was weak.

It wasn't until she stood outside the repair shop that she realized she was looking for Edward.

oOo

It had been a long day at the end of an even longer week. Taking a seat at his favorite bar, he motioned to his friend Jasper as he walked in.

"How's it going?" Edward asked him.

Jasper flagged down a waitress wearing a low-cut top. "Been an interesting couple of days."

"Yeah it has," Edward muttered.

The name tag on the server's left tit read Emily. It covered more of her nipples than her shirt did. "Shots?"

Edward barely glanced up. "Whiskey neat."

On the other hand, Jasper grinned at her. "How dirty can you make a martini, miss kitty?"

Her red lips curved up, and Edward rolled his eyes.

"Licking the gin off my body dirty enough for ya?"

"Just bring him a scotch on the rocks," Edward said. "Jesus, man."

Jasper chuckled as the waitress left. "What?"

"If you're looking for a date, why are you here with me?"

"No date, just flirting. Maybe you need someone to pull that stick out of your ass."

Lifting his brows, Edward replied, "I'm too grown for those games."

Jasper sat back in his seat, smirking. "Your ex came by today."

"Which one?" he asked casually, though his gut told him he knew the answer.

"What do you mean, which one? The one. Bella."

"Her car break down?"

Slapping the table, Jasper guffawed until other patrons stared at them. "No, fucker, she was looking for you."

Edward wasn't ready to tell Bella about his current job. The last thing he needed was to become tangled up with her again once she discovered his increased net worth. He had zero plans to fund lavish vacations and parties.

"For what?"

Jasper shrugged. "Dunno, but I told her we'd be here tonight."

With an exasperated growl, Edward snapped, "Why the fuck would you do that?"

"She's hot as fuck, and you need to tap that ass."

"I already have tapped that ass, and what good has it done me?"

"Um, I don't know, satisfying sex?"

"Yeah, and an albatross around my neck."

Emily returned with their drinks, dipping extra low to set the scotch in front of Jasper. He ignored her to lean closer to Edward.

"You ever just fuck a girl and not make it into marriage and kids? Just get it out of your system?"

"I've tried a few times, yeah." But he always ended up alone at the end of the day, didn't he?

And when the door opened and the hairs on the back of his neck raised in recognition, he knew he was screwed in more ways than one.

oOo

Though she knew it was stupid, Bella couldn't help taking Jasper's advice. When she discovered Edward no longer worked at Jasper's automotive shop, she nearly crossed the street and climbed the steps to his loft. Knowing he was likely at whatever job he currently kept was the only thing stopping her. Instead, she went home and put her flowers in a vase, contemplating what she'd heard from Seth.

It wasn't surprising that they'd seen him at the nightclub; it was just contrary to what Austin had told her. She needed someone to talk to, and her heart kept going back to Edward. There was no possible way she could pretend she wasn't still in love with her ex, but it was incredibly clear the feeling wasn't mutual.

The only thing she had to offer him was her body. Though she was ashamed of her previous actions, he hadn't forgiven her. Time had not healed his wounds. Edward would rather tease her, use her to get himself off, and walk away as the alpha male than let her back into his heart. She couldn't blame him, but that didn't make it any less painful.

A little too dressed up for the bar Jasper told her they'd be at, Bella sucked in a deep breath and walked over to their table. Both men rose at her approach, one with amused blue eyes and one with heated green.

"Bella, glad you came," Jasper said with a smirk. Picking up his scotch, he headed over to talk to the waitress.

Without expecting an invitation, Bella sank into his vacated seat.

Edward hovered for a second before glancing around and sitting back down. "What possessed you to come here?"

Swallowing heavily, she met and held his pissed off gaze. "Jasper invited me."

"Bullshit," he hissed.

She felt her cheeks warm. "It's the truth, but it's not the reason."

He didn't respond.

"If I told you the truth about my relationship with Austin, would it make a difference?"

"No."

That was what she was afraid he'd say. "I need to talk to someone about it, and you're the only one I trust to keep quiet."

He threw his hands up. "Why do I need to hear any of it? What difference would it make?"

"Maybe none." Folding her hands on her lap, she looked down at them. "Maybe it would change everything."