Malicious Compliance Chapter Seven

Something told him to turn back around instead of leaving; some deep part of him long thought dead. Turn around, walk back to the table, and don't let her suffer alone. Edward knew part of the reason he left each time they interacted was to punish her for everything she'd done to him when they were together. He'd also suffered, to the point where his self esteem took a huge hit, but it wasn't the same as what she'd gone through to make her act that way. And he knew it. 

Spinning on his heel, Edward stalked to the chair he'd vacated and scraped it back obnoxiously. Tears smudged Bella’s eye makeup as he dropped heavily onto the seat and she looked up from her tumbler. 

"If you've turned a new leaf with your therapist, why did you spread rumors about me just a few weeks ago?"

Anxiety was evident in her actions; twisting her fingers together and nibbling on her lip until she met his gaze. "I know it was childish, and I don't have a great explanation. I missed you, especially while trying to deal with my conflicting emotions about Austin."

"So to prove how much you miss me, because I'm so fucking amazing and you need me back, you told everyone I suck in bed."

A delicate snort made its way out of her throat. "Like I said, I know it was childish. I didn't think you'd track me down at that party, but I hoped you'd darken my doorstep to tell me what a bitch I am."

The words love can make you do stupid things ran through his mind. "Bella . . ." Trailing off, he tried to think of something to say. Anything to explain how fucked up she'd left him, what it took to bring back his typical cocky attitude. It worried him that he'd slip back into that ghost of a man, and they would both repeat their past mistakes. "Bella, we'll just fuck it up again. We'll fuck each other up even more than we already have."

"Believe me, I've thought of that too." Looking down again, she spoke quietly. "I know what I need to do about Austin. As much as I hate the idea of hurting him, I can't go on pretending to be someone I'm not."

"For the record, I think it's nice of you to worry about him." The very idea that Bella had gotten sweaty with him, had rolled around in his bed, meant Edward had no choice but to feel some type of way against Austin. Simultaneously, it warmed Edward’s heart to think Bella had put aside her selfish ways to help the guy out. 

"He's probably the sweetest guy I know." Jerking her head up, she stared with wide eyes. "That's not to say you aren't sweet, not when you want to be. I mean, a lot of this isn't based on the past month—"

"Bella. I get it."

She sighed. "Sorry. At one point, I was stupid enough to think he might help me fix my broken heart. I never thought he and I would go the distance, really, because I know I'm fucked up and can't envision a future without you in it, but I thought I could finally be happy after three years of loneliness."

"So he broke your heart, in a way." While she continued to envision a future with Edward.

"Unintentionally, I guess he did." Picking up her glass, she said, "Pretty much when he broke the news is when I realized I needed a licensed professional." 

Edward watched as she swallowed the amber liquid. There were, of course, upsides to having her back, including the chance to shove his cock down her throat. They had debauchery and hedonism in spades. What they lacked was a rock-solid foundation. Her black dress was sexy, her cleavage on display every time she shifted, and he couldn't help thinking what he'd love to do to her. Fucking her heavy white globes as she lost her breath. Coming all over her face and hearing her beg for more. There was something about her blank ivory skin wrapped around his full canvas of ink that had always set him on fire. Marking her with his teeth, painting her with his cum, bruising her perfect flesh with his fevered touch was everything he used to live for. Even now, the way her mascara ran just a little brought the dirtiest images to mind.

It seemed as though he only missed fucking her, and that wouldn't get them very far. 

"Why are you staring at me?"

The softly asked question brought his focus from her tits to her face. "I don't know what to say. We were only good at one thing."

Dabbing at her smeared mascara, she said, "That's not true, Edward. We had fun together. We had deep conversations; you taught me about motorcycles, and I taught you to bake."

"Which I suck at to this day." Running his fingers through his hair, he said, "Maybe there's too much pain mixed into my memories, and I can't bring myself to remember the good times."

He could see how much that hurt her, though it hadn't been his intention. 

"I'm not saying there was never anything good between us. I'm saying it's tainted now."

Biting her lip again, she nodded. "We could build new memories to erase the old bad ones."

Edward wondered if she knew how much that lip drove him crazy. "Not while you're dating another man, regardless of whether you're sharing his bed."

"I agree. I want to wait until he comes home in two days to have a serious discussion face to face." She took a deep breath. "He'll have to decide how to work it out with his father, and what's most important to him."

"His family should be important, and the career he's worked toward, I'll give you that. But he doesn't need you if he's as close to stepping into the CEO role as you said."

"You're right. That's why we'll talk in person." She drained her whiskey. "I guess it's time for me to go."

"Can I walk you out?" he offered. 

Half turned, Bella paused with her hand on the back of her chair. "Okay."

Edward waited for her to stand, and then he followed her out the door. Yeah, the curve of her ass looked hot in the clingy dress. Since he wasn't about to drag her down the hallway like Jasper and the cocktail waitress, Edward decided he'd just stick with being a gentleman. 

"Well, here we are." Seeming unsure of herself, Bella clutched the car door handle.

"Right. Here we are." For once not overthinking it, Edward pressed his body into hers until she was trapped between him and the car. Dropping his head, he skimmed his nose behind her ear with the intention of a simple goodbye kiss. 

The sound she made as her breath caught was enough to push him relentlessly harder against her curves until there was no space left for air between them. Thoughts of being a gentleman flew out the window when she lifted her knee to his waist and tilted her pelvis. As he'd wanted to do all night, Edward ran his palms over her cleavage, down her sides, and slipped under the silky material to cup her bare ass.

Touching her lips caused an explosion of lights behind his eyes. The multicolored flash couldn't compare to the heated prickles flushing his skin. Her tongue speared into his mouth, and he sucked on it until she whimpered, feeling her tight nipples rub against his chest. The tender underside of her ass cheeks felt so smooth, so velvety soft in his hands. Kneading them, he listened to the guttural moan she let loose and felt the answering hard on straining against his pants.

"Get a room!" someone called. 

The disruption forced Edward to realize he was fondling her in a parking lot. "Jesus fuck." 

oOo

Probably without conscious thought, Edward had dipped his large hand inside her dress to tweak her nipple. She was seconds from dragging him into the back seat for a high school throwback when the asshole walking by interrupted them. 

"Sorry," he panted in her ear. 

"Don't be." Taking a second to straighten her dress, Bella grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "Is it all right if I call you when I'm single again?"

"Yes." He pulled away, leaving a disappointing rush of cold air where his warmth had been. "You can call me any time, but I'd like to wait to see each other again until you've talked with Austin."

"I understand." Quickly, before she broke down and begged him to come home with her, she got in the car and closed the door. 

The air in her apartment felt chilly when she let herself inside. Throwing her purse down, Bella stripped the dress over her head and pulled on sweatpants and a skull t-shirt she'd pilfered from Edward years ago. Taking stock of the small, one-room area, she decided to bake. It had always calmed her, bringing a sense of peace no other hobby could. 

Within minutes, she'd set out everything she needed. Though her oven was cantankerous, Bella had learned how to adapt over time. While she went through the motions by rote, she thought of Austin and the reason they'd stayed together. He was a few weeks from his promotion, once his father stepped down and the board of directors voted him in. Frowning, Bella wondered what sort of power the board would have over him going forward. If they believed as his father did, he might face a challenge for the rest of his career. 

It wasn't her responsibility, she knew. They were friends, and she would help him if she could. But she'd essentially put her life on hold because she was too scared to go out on her own. Playing the part with a friend was so much easier than putting herself out there for rejection with someone new. And it hadn't really crossed her mind that Edward would ever think to forgive her. She didn't deserve it, not especially. There were actions to atone for, emotional wounds beyond what she could comprehend without his explanation. Her naïveté had cost her everything; he was the first person to show her what love should look like, and she took it for granted. 

Licking batter from her thumb, Bella opened her oven to slide in a pan of cupcakes. Maybe she could just eat her feelings when they came out. 

The knock on her door sent her pulse racing, her hand up to smooth her hair, and a bit of wetness gathering between her legs. Even as she scolded herself for thinking it was Edward, she hurried to the door. 

Schooling the disappointment off her face, she greeted her current boyfriend. "Austin, what are you doing here?" 

He always looked impeccable, despite the time of night. No creases in a suit that no doubt cost more than her car payment. A subtle hint of cologne, and an easy smile. "You said you wanted me to come over."

Backing up to let him inside, she said, "I thought you were still out of town, or I would've been more specific in my text."

Glancing uneasily around the room, he said, "I was actually at Eric's."

With a sigh, Bella sat on a barstool. "Why don't you just tell me the truth?"

"It's easier to tell the same lie to everyone." Tucking his hands in his pockets, he sniffed. "Baking, huh?"

Since the answer was obvious, she merely nodded. "Look, sweetie, the reason I wanted to talk to you in person . . . is because this isn't working for me anymore."

The set of his jaw changed, and his brows went up. "Why not?"

Huffing a laugh, Bella tried to be gentle as her annoyance spiked. "You're not even capable of being honest with me about where you are, but you want me to keep pretending to be your girlfriend. It's not what I want for my life, Austin. I'm sorry if it's hard on you with your dad and all—"

"Don't apologize." He cut her off with a gentle tone. "I knew it was a lot to ask from the beginning. Things came to a natural end, that's all. I didn't expect you to hang on my arm forever."

Deflated, Bella rose to wrap her arms around his middle. "You're a great guy, and you know it. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

He hugged her back. "Like my flesh and blood?"

After a beat of silence, she asked, "What does Eric think?"

"He thinks I should come clean now, out myself to my father and the board. But he also said he understands it's only up to me when I come out." Stepping away, Austin wandered around her little place. "I think I'll wait until they've confirmed my position. You and I will part ways amicably, I'll get my promotion in about two weeks, and then I’ll drop the bomb. It'll be a lot harder to kick me out if I'm doing a great job."

"They'd be idiots to get rid of you."

He touched the bottom of one of her pictures before turning to face her. "You've done a lot for me."

"You're my friend." Shrugging, she set out ingredients to make frosting.

"I know, and I appreciate it. It feels like I need all the friends I can get. But I want to do more for you."

"No." The timer went off, and she strode to the oven and pulled out the pan. "We never agreed on that, and I don't want anything from you now."

"I want to invest in you."

"No." Setting the pan down with a clatter, she glared at him. "I don't want your money."

Closing the gap, he leaned over the counter between them. "Let me be a silent partner in your bakery. If nothing else, I might need something to fall back on."

"Don't talk like that." Her breath stuttered in and out of her lungs for one long moment. “They won’t fire you, and you won’t need me anymore.”

“I’ll always need my friends, Bella.” Austin touched her chin. “You’ve been a great one.”

“Then send me a thank you note.” Irrationally angry, she tossed the oven mitt on the counter. “You’re not buying me off!”

“No, but I am investing in my dear friend’s business. You can pay me back over time, if it’ll make you happy.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

Suddenly unsure which of them was more stubborn, she crossed her arms and felt hot tears scalding her cheeks. “Then you’ll make me either a gold digger or a whore.”

"Bella, we're practically family, since only you and Eric know the real me." Rounding the island, he dried her face with a paper towel. "Let me reciprocate your good deed. I'll take a tiny cut, or we'll agree to payback terms. Whatever you need to keep from feeling like either of those things. Because you're not."

The only family she'd ever had was Edward; she deeply understood what Austin meant, and intended to maintain their friendship. "I can hardly believe I'm agreeing to this, but . . . yes."

Bella's apartment

Austin