Feeling numb for the remainder of the dinner rush, Bella tried her best to block out the sound of their grating voices. Tanya and Vicky's reputations for being ruthless gossips had made them a large circle of fake friends, and Bella was more than happy to be excluded. No one needed friends who were prepared to stab them in the back at the slightest provocation just because it meant getting ahead by a tiny inch. Bella had a job to do, and she was damn good at it. Still, by the time the dinner crowd left, she had to sit in the break room and lower her head between her knees.
Without overthinking it, she sent a text to Edward. Almost immediately, her phone rang in her hand. “Hi.”
“What’s wrong?” His voice was full of concern, increasing her nausea.
“I just wanted to know if I can come over after my shift. I really need to talk to you.” Pressing a hand to her belly, she willed the churning to stop.
“Yes, that’s what you said in your text. Now what’s wrong?” he demanded.
Swallowing thickly, she tried to think of the best way to answer his question without opening the floodgates. “I don't know if I can talk about it while I’m still at work.”
“Do I need to come down there?”
“Oh.” She hadn't thought about that. “Actually, that would be awesome.”
“I’ll be there in ten.”
And now she had to bite back tears. He would always drop everything for her, wouldn't he? “Fuck, you have no idea how much I love you.”
“Yes, I do. See you soon.”
Since most of the time was still left on her break, she washed her face and tightened her bun. It was second nature to remove her chef’s coat when she wasn't cooking, so she glanced down at her serviceable all-black ensemble and tried not to cringe. No, she could never compete with the glamor twins out there, but Edward had never given a shit about that.
By the time he arrived, she was pacing the floor and wringing her hands. Wordlessly, he crossed the room and enveloped her in his arms. Breathing in his scent was so fucking comforting; knowing he was there was half the battle. His leather jacket was cool from riding his bike in the wind, his hair tousled more than usual.
Bella took a deep breath. “I saw Tanya and Vicky out front.”
While she tried to gather her thoughts, he remained quiet. His hands moved up and down her back, easing her into a state of contentment. There was no outburst about how he had or hadn't seen the bitch twins recently, further relaxing her. If he wasn’t defensive, then nothing had transpired between them.
“Unfortunately, I overheard a few nasty things they had to say about me.”
“They’re not true—”
“They are true.”
“Bella—”
“No, Edward.” Stepping out of his embrace, she hugged her arms to her chest at the lack of warm contact. “They said you deserve better than me and that they can’t believe you’re taking in Austin’s sloppy seconds. They called me a stray cat.”
“If you’d stop interrupting me, I’d tell you I ran into Tanya last week. She was all kinds of pleasant to me while simultaneously trying to dig for information on us. I shut her down, but she already knew we’re back together from whatever rumors she’s heard.”
“That doesn't negate what they said.” Of course, tears stung her eyelids. God, she hated to cry. “The entire reason you left is because I’m not worthy of you.”
“Baby, I can’t spend our entire lives propping up your ego. I know it took a hit, and you know you deserved it then. But it’s been years, and you’ve improved by a mile.”
A spluttering laugh slipped out of her mouth. “Gee, thanks.”
“All I’m saying”—he took her back into his arms—“is that you and I are clearly meant to be together. Not everyone gets a second chance.”
Burrowing deep into his chest, she inhaled and exhaled. Calm reigned once more, clearing her mind. “I’m so afraid of fucking it up. I’m terrified you’ll come to your senses and remember what a horrible bitch I was.”
“Believe me, I haven't forgotten.” His tone was wry, but it didn't hurt to hear. She’d had time to accept his truth.
“So why aren't you running out that door, screaming for someone more like Tanya?”
“Tanya?” he said in disbelief. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“What?” Bella snickered. “She’s pretty, she’s rich.”
“She’s a nasty ho, lacking the sense God gave a billy goat.”
Bella laughed, a good laugh that went a long way toward healing her damaged heart.
“I don't want anyone but you. Don't make me keep repeating myself.”
Shrugging, she said, “Maybe sometimes you could.”
“Okay.” He held her at arm's length. “I, Edward Cullen, love the daylights out of you, Bella Swan.”
“That works.”
The smirk on his face was enough to steal her breath and her senses. “Good.”
Reluctantly, Bella checked the clock over the door. “It’s probably time for me to get back to work.”
“All right. Baby?”
At the hesitation in his voice, she trembled. Searching his face, she couldn't tell what he was thinking by his expression. “Yes?”
“Come to my place when you get off work.”
A massive weight lifted from her shoulders. “Okay.”
After a peck to her cheek, he was gone again, leaving serenity in his wake. They would be okay. Hell, they would be better than okay.
Bella hurried to get back to work. It had been years since she felt the need to watch the clock, not since she was a waitress dreading every shift. Loving her job meant time flew by, shocking her when dinner service was over and they were ready to close. But tonight was different. Tonight, Edward waited for her at home.
Finally, the lights of L’Orangerie glowed behind her as she made her way to her car. Her sous chef walked beside her; he always made sure she made it safely to her vehicle before he left. It would be sad to leave the place which had taught her so much, but she was ready for the next phase of her life. Dreams could come true, she thought to herself as she drove to Edward’s. Thankfully for her nerves, he lived nearby.
He had to buzz her into the stairwell, so he stood in the doorway by the time she climbed the stairs. He’d removed all his jewelry, something he only did when he was home for the night. It was a privilege to see him looking so stripped down. Love overwhelmed her, overflowing the cracks and shards leftover from her past. She’d needed to learn to love herself before she could be a better person, someone Edward could be proud to say was his girl. It wasn't easy, and her near breakdown had proven as much. But when he waited for her, framed by the threshold to his domain, lights burning low behind him . . .
“The way I feel about you is almost too much to bear.”
Silently, he reached out and pulled her inside, closing the door with a kick of his socked foot. Butterflies raged in her gut, but they were the good kind. Bending his head, Edward touched her mouth gently, caressing her lips with his tongue. Shifting in his arms, she dropped her bag and rose on her toes. Threading her hands into the hair at his nape, she shut out the rest of the world and let herself feel. Feel loved, cherished, held. He held her in his arms, but also in his heart, and he wouldn't let her go this time. All she had to do was respect him, be kind to him, and love him back. Somehow, knowing he wanted her as she was, scars and all, made it bittersweet.
Breaking off the kiss, he asked softly, “Have you eaten?”
Shaking her head, Bella could only gaze up into his face. He smiled a bit self-consciously.
“I’ll make you something.”
“If it’s okay with you, I need to get a shower.” She not only felt gross after working all night in the hot kitchen, she smelled like it too.
“It’s okay with me.”
Suddenly, she was the one to feel self-conscious. Though she knew where everything was, it hadn't been her place in a long time. She didn't bother to close the door behind her, merely turning on the water and stripping where she stood. Once the water heated, she stepped under the spray, sighing in grateful relief. It was a small thing, but it felt glorious. Using his body wash was another thrill, a cloak of intimacy she hadn't worn in forever. Rummaging in the linen closet for a towel, Bella leaned over to wrap it around her hair, fishing out a second one to dab at her body.
By the time she walked to his dresser to grab a shirt, she smelled food cooking. Maybe eggs, maybe not, but it didn't matter. The thought of him taking care of her was what mattered. Her hair hung damp down her back, the towel she’d wrapped herself in tied in the front. Feeling hands on her waist, Bella allowed Edward to turn her to face him. The hunger in his eyes was unmistakable enough to steal her breath.
“Take whatever you want.” Dipping his head, he nibbled on her throat. “I know you currently own at least two of my old shirts.”
Grasping his shoulders for balance, Bella tried to think past the sound of her pulse in her ears. “Yeah.”
His husky chuckle caused her to flush. Teeth scraped over her collarbones, and she wondered if he was going to feed her or fuck her. She’d be good with either, though she had a preference for the latter.
The towel hit the floor when he flicked open the spot she’d tucked into a knot. Her breathing became more ragged as she tilted her chin up to meet his heated gaze. One finger dragged down the valley between her breasts, and she bit her bottom lip. There was a bulge behind his zipper he wouldn't be able to hide if he tried, and her fingers twitched with the need to touch. But it was his show; his choice.
Over her belly and down to the curve of her hip, his fingertip left a fiery trail. Silently begging him to touch her all over, she merely watched his face as the moonlight streaming in through the wall of windows illuminated his features. Both hands cupped her ass, lifting her without warning. Immediately, she hitched her legs around his waist, feeling the roughness of his jeans scraping against her sensitive skin. Only a few paces later, he deposited her on the edge of his bed, hovering over her body with a contemplative expression.
Back arching, she welcomed the feel of his stubble between her legs as he kneeled, reveling in the harshness that tingled and bit. One swipe of his tongue later, and she tugged his hair to bring him closer to her pussy. The ink on his fingers disappeared into her wet warmth, and her eyes rolled back in her head. Flicking the tip of his tongue over her clit, Edward worked her higher and higher. Gasps flew from her mouth, followed by a long moan when he pressed his fingertip into her ass. Splaying one hand over her lower back, he held her where he could devour her properly.
“Fuck, Edward!” she shouted. Involuntarily, her hips rose and fell with the rhythm of his tongue fucking her. Crying out, she felt the heat burst in her core, spreading along her limbs in a cataclysmic explosion. Her trembling didn't subside with her orgasm, because Edward kept going until she fell apart again. She was positive she had nothing left inside her, but he coaxed it out of her until she was left breathless on the rumpled sheets.
Rising, Edward swiped the side of his thumb over his mouth. Panic set in when he walked away, and she sat up quick enough to make her head spin. He returned with one of his t-shirts, which he tossed her way as he stood at the foot of the bed.
She couldn't even find her voice, but she tried. “Edward, please come here.”
Instead of looking at her, he stared out the window. “I didn't plan on . . .”
“Believe me, it's okay.”
“I’m just as scared as you are, Bella.” Finally, he dropped his gaze to her, still sitting naked on his bed. “I worry that once we have sex, our judgment will be so clouded we’ll forget to work on what went wrong the last time.”
Slipping the shirt over her head, she stood in front of him. “Then we’ll wait.”
But her pussy throbbed with the need to be filled by him. His cock strained against his pants, obviously unsatisfied.
“You think putting that shirt on makes you less tempting, but you’re wrong.”
“I’d put my work clothes back on, but they smell awful.”
“Throw them in the washer and come eat.”
It wasn't exactly how she wanted to spend the night, but she was willing to accept anything he offered. Plus, there was plenty of time to entice him to change his mind.
Great pics.
ReplyDeleteThank you