Malicious Compliance Chapter Eight

Setting her mug down on the countertop with a snap, Bella sighed and ran her hands through her hair. She'd spent the morning crunching numbers, and no matter which way she added everything up, it was obvious she would need about half the start-up costs from Austin to supplement her savings. The night before, he'd left her with the promise of drawing up contracts to ensure his generous investment in her dessert shop was fair. He would take a small percentage of her earnings until the loan was paid off, unless she somehow came up with enough to pay him back outright. 

Somewhere between her third cup of coffee and perusing the online commercial real estate pages, she'd sent a text to Edward inviting him over. He was due any moment, and the butterflies in her stomach had waged a war in the empty space. Though she'd intended to make breakfast for them both, the jitters left her feeling nauseous and unable to eat.

Shooting to her feet at the knock on her door, Bella hurried over to open it. 

Sometimes, the deep ache of losing Edward hit her like a brick in the chest. With him standing right in front of her looking like leather-bound sin, the pain stung her eyes with unshed tears. Tentatively, she stepped forward and pressed her face into his t-shirt. When his arms came around her without hesitation, she swallowed back a lump and inhaled his woodsy scent. 

"You okay?" he asked.

"Actually, I am." Reluctantly, Bella moved back to allow him in the door and closed it behind him. 

"What's going on?" He took his jacket off and hung it on the peg by the door. It was reminiscent of so many days and nights spent at her place that she found herself catching her breath before she could speak.

"I've secured a loan for the rest of the money I need to open my business." Saying it out loud made it so much more real. Heading into her miniscule kitchen, she made Edward a cup of coffee to hide the trembling in her hands. 

"That's fantastic news." He sat on a barstool, leaning his elbows on the counter. "Have you picked a location?"

"No." Handing over the cobalt mug, she sighed once more. "That's what I was working on when you got here."

"You would need something close to here to lessen your commute, but also maybe a high traffic shopping area. Big enough to have several displays, but not so big that the payments would cut into your bottom line."

His voice held a musing quality, and he ticked off the same points she’d been thinking. "Sounds perfect. Do you know of such a place?"

"I might be able to ask around. Jasper knows a realtor." 

“Hmm.” Edward’s mouth on the rim of the mug distracted her for a second. “How is he, by the way?"

"Same womanizer, different day."

Bella snickered, hiding it behind her coffee cup. "Well, I'm sure he misses you working with him."

"Maybe." Shrugging, Edward gazed out her tiny window. "He hasn't said so."

"Um." Since he didn't seem to feel comfortable talking about where he worked, Bella decided to change the subject. "I broke it off with Austin last night. Turns out he was with Eric instead of out of town."

His brows rose. "Single again, huh?"

"Yep." Like him, she wanted to shrug. They’d each said their part about dating, and she was unsure where else they could go from there without beating a dead horse. Since she’d been the one to injure him in the past, Edward would have to take the lead.

"How does it feel?"

"Oh, um. Good." Retrieving her mug, Bella topped off her drink. "He's going to announce we've parted ways, accept the promotion, and then drop the bomb."

"I wish him luck."

His words melted away some of the tension in her body. "That's because you have a big heart."

Green eyes gleamed at her over the rim of his cup. "Do I?"

Understanding the innuendo, she nonetheless ignored it. "Most guys would do a good riddance dance."

"What would that look like, exactly?"

Grinning, she pumped her fist and wiggled her hips until he laughed. 

"Excellent reenactment."

"I thought so."

oOo

Rising, Edward circled the small peninsular counter separating them. Sputtering, Bella backed up until she bumped into the sink, a flush rising from her chest to cover her cheeks. Close enough to feel her body heat but far enough to not be touching, Edward stared at her mouth and the way she worked her teeth over her bottom lip as she gazed up at him. Everything inside him screamed to touch her, to sink into her, to press his mouth to hers and bite her lip for her. His cock stood at attention, eager to be allowed free rein. 

“Baby girl . . .” He trailed off, unable to articulate his jumbled thoughts. They shouldn't jump into bed simply because she broke it off with Austin less than 24 hours ago. But, Jesus fuck, did he want to. With a groan, he touched his lips to her forehead, lingering until he couldn't help but gather her in his arms.

“It’s awkward, isn’t it? I made it awkward.”

Shaking his head, he pulled back enough to look down at her face. “No.”

“It’s okay, I get it. I know I fucked up, and you have no reason to trust me.”

“That’s true, Bella. I don't think I can trust you not to hurt me the same way again. I haven't exactly seen proof that you’ve changed; I would have to rely on your word.” Running his hands over his face, he backed up a step. “On one hand, I want it all to go back to how it used to be. On the other hand, the one that was burned, I want to see how you’ve changed before jumping in head first.”

“I understand,” she whispered. 

The amount of pain she felt was clear in her expression. “I’m not trying to punish you—well, maybe that’s a lie and I just don't know it—I’m only trying to be honest.”

“You don't have to explain yourself.” Turning to the sink, she grabbed the nearest thing and began washing it. “I was there. I was the one who made you so miserable you had no choice but to leave.”

“For a really long time, I hated you.” Though she flinched, he continued. “But I worked on myself, too, Bella. Back then, I was young and stupid, and took it all to heart. I didn't need to be perfect at everything to make another person happy, but it took me leaving to figure that out. I won’t change for you now, either. You accept me for who I am, or we don't take this any further.”

“We were only going to be fuck buddies anyway, remember?”

Yes, her voice was bitter. Yes, she’d scrubbed the same spot on the mug with the steel wool until she was about to remove the paint. It was still the truth, and she’d have to deal with it.

Watching her furious movements, he asked, “Is that what you want?”

“What the fuck does it matter what I want?”

“Don't cry, for God’s sake.”

“I’m not.” And when she turned, he saw how dry her eyes were. No, she’d never been the type to cry over much of anything.

“Okay, sorry. You sound . . .”

“Upset? It’s to be expected, isn’t it?”

“Should I go?”

“No.” Deflating, she dropped the mug in the sink with a thud. “I’m sorry. There’s been a lot going on lately, and it’s hard to keep up.”

“Let’s get breakfast,” he said on a whim. “We can talk about your plans and leave our relationship on the back burner for now.”

She hesitated. "I have one more thing to say before we do that."

Silence ticked by while he waited patiently. Bella’s mouth opened, but nothing came out. Right as he was about to say something snarky, she spoke. 

"Navigating all this emotional baggage wouldn't be worth it . . . and admitting how badly I treated you wouldn't be so difficult . . . if it weren't for the fact that I never stopped loving you. I wouldn't berate myself every day for being such a fucking idiot—"

Her words were cut off when his mouth descended on hers, lost in a moan jolting straight to his toes. Bella’s hands found purchase in the folds of his shirt as he bent her backwards, as he parted her lips and plunged his tongue into her mouth. The rich taste of coffee flooded his senses, her breath exchanging with his own. Her fists clenched tighter, bringing his body closer as she opened for him. Vulnerability wasn't her strong suit, but she gave him her all as though she had something to prove. It was true, none of it would have bothered him if he didn't love her to that day. None of the childish insults meant to make him take notice would have hit home so hard, none of the times she tracked him down for a quickie would have mattered if it weren't for the desperate way he missed what they had together when it was good.

Tunneling his hands through her hair and devouring her mouth, it became crystal clear what he wanted. He had to have her; had to be with her. It was a terrible idea, and he was smarter than that, but nothing else mattered except the woman in his arms and the way he could make her feel. 

With that in mind, Edward spun Bella and bit the nape of her neck. Sliding his hand past the waistband of her sweats, he discovered she wasn't wearing panties and groaned into her ear at the loud sound of his fingers meeting her wetness.

"Naughty girl is all wet for me, huh?"

"Ohh, god yes."

Bracing her palms on the edge of the counter, Bella rocked her hips back until she forced his cock against her ass. Tempting as it was to release the beast, Edward pushed two fingers inside her instead, stroking while she trembled. 

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Her head dropped and her knees buckled until Edward prevented her from hitting the floor. 

"That's it, baby." Continuing his movements, he wrapped his arm around her waist to hold her up. "You know you want to come for me."

Primal need washed over him, the need to make her fall apart because of what he did to her. To prove her wrong when she’d told everyone who would listen that he couldn't get her off. Regardless if she meant it or not, he needed to make her scream his name. Adding his thumb to her clit, he curled his fingers and bit her shoulder. He would leave a mark, but he didn't care. It was high time he claimed her for his own, making sure the world knew who she really belonged to.

"Yes, Edward!" 

Her mouth opened in a silent scream, and as she settled down, he pulled his hand out of her pants. Grabbing it, she turned and sucked his fingers far enough into her mouth to make her gag. Thinking his cock couldn't get any harder, he discovered how wrong he was as he watched her eyes water.

"Such a good girl."

Rising on her toes, Bella kissed him. Without hesitation, he swept his tongue along hers and gripped her hips to hold her tightly against his.

Breaking off, she inhaled deeply. "I thought we were going to get breakfast."

"I figured I owed you."

Her laughter was muffled in his shoulder as she hugged him. Truly, he knew better than to jump into bed with her right away. His cock, on the other hand, was pissed.

“Just give me a minute, baby, and we can go.”

oOo

Bella waited in the kitchen while Edward disappeared into her bathroom. Her ears were bright red, her chest still flushed. The place on her shoulder throbbed just enough to remind her what he’d done. Nothing would satisfy her more than spending the rest of the day in her bed, but he was right; they needed to trust each other again first. 

She rinsed out the mugs and set them in the dishwasher, wiped down clean countertops, and couldn't calm the heat in her cheeks. If she was careful, she could have everything she’d dreamed of since she was a child. On the worst nights, when she was cold, hungry, and alone, she would imagine a prince coming to rescue her. He would take her to his castle in the clouds, where she would find a long table full of food. Bella would spend time with the palace chef, and he would teach her all about creating the tasty treats he fed to the people. If she was extremely lucky, she could make it her living to bake, to see the joy on other people’s faces as they bit into a confection she’d created with her own two hands. It was a little girl’s dream to make others happy with food, but it wasn't too far-fetched to think she could pass out joy the same as she could pass out sprinkle-covered cupcakes. Maybe she’d fucked up along the way, and maybe her dream had fallen out of reach more often than not, but it only made her work harder for it. 

With Edward back in her life, she knew she couldn't screw up again. She had to prove she was worth his trust and love. Opening up was something she was terrible at, but he’d already seen her at her worst—her adult worst. No one had seen her at her childhood worst other than her useless mother, but that was beside the point. In the present, Bella had the chance to be who she wanted without Renee’s shortcomings looming over her head. All it took was hard work, and she was accustomed to that. Working her way through pastry school simultaneously with culinary classes so she could have a decent job was strenuous, but she’d made it. Even if her current job wasn't amazing, it was better than where she’d started. Dedication, putting in her dues, had netted the results she’d been looking for. And now she was about to embark upon the dream to end all dreams; opening Luscious Bites with the love of her life by her side once again.

As Edward returned, he held his hand out for her to take and led her to the door. After another kiss to the forehead, he gave her the sweater hanging by the door as he shrugged into his leather jacket. Things were looking up, and all she had to do was not ruin it. She hoped it wasn't easier said than done.