Thankfully, Bella had been entirely too busy to worry about Tanya's antics. Edward was proud of her for not letting that horrible skank ruin her day. They’d enjoyed a fun dinner with their friends; Eric was perfect for Austin, as they were all learning the more time they spent together. He could perfectly temper the too-serious nature Austin tended to fall into without even realizing it. They were obviously in love, making it so much easier for Edward to let go of any feelings of jealousy or resentment he’d once felt toward him. He might have been Bella’s sugar daddy at one time, but that was so far in the rear-view mirror, it nearly didn't exist.
It was finally time for the grand opening of Luscious Bites, and nervous energy flowed through him. Between all of them, they’d spent the past few weeks getting the shop ready for customers. It was clean, it was fully stocked, and it was beautifully decorated for their get-together. Bella had an eye for the creativity he felt was necessary to help her succeed. Her dreams were coming true, and he was so fucking proud of her.
Pressing his lips to the top of her head, he whispered, “I’m so fucking proud of you.”
Looking up at him, Bella beamed. “You’ve only told me a thousand times. I might forget if you don't tell me again.”
One side of his mouth turned up. “Just wanted to say it because I was feeling it.”
“I appreciate it, baby. I really do.”
Customers had been streaming in and out of the shop all evening. Austin had put out the word to everyone he knew, which turned out to be more useful than any advertising Bella did herself. Some had come for the free food, some had come to buy cupcakes, and some came to place orders for future celebrations. Bella had even accepted an order for a wedding cake several months down the road, despite previously swearing they were too much work.
They’d mingled, they’d laughed, they’d barely had a lull in the three hours Bella had stood in stilettos and a slinky black dress. Edward couldn't keep his hands off her bare back, constantly resting it on her spine or rubbing her shoulder.
The bell above the door jangled, and Bella froze. Following her gaze, Edward saw Vicky standing under the welcoming banner. Hesitating only briefly, she spotted the crowd and headed over.
Stiffly, Bella smiled. “Vicky.”
“Hey, Isabella.” Nodding, she added, “Edward.”
“What brings you here?” Edward asked politely. He wasn't sure he wanted another confrontation with a prissy socialite.
“I guess I'll buy . . .” she trailed off, glancing around.
“Sorry, we’re out.”
Edward glanced sharply at Bella. He’d watched her exhaust herself making fresh cupcakes for the entire past week to ensure she was ready. They hadn’t run out of anything yet. There was a table full of champagne, canapés, business cards, and a plethora of three-tiered dessert stands full of bite-sized cupcakes. At one point, he'd tried to help her make those, but that batch went in the trash after he smeared icing all over her tits. When he lifted her onto the counter to finish what they'd started, the cooling cupcakes ended up smashed beneath Bella’s ass.
“Out? Out of what?” Vicky asked with a wrinkle to her nose.
“Everything. Cupcakes. Time. Fucks to give.” Bella shrugged.
“What?” Vicky looked perplexed, as though Bella’s words had gone over her head.
Apparently seeing the exchange, Austin moved closer to the trio. “Why are you here, Victoria?”
Slapping her hands on her tiny waist, she huffed. “I thought I was here to support a friend, but she refuses to serve me!”
Holding back a groan, Edward decided to see what Austin would do.
“Bella is not your friend, and she sure as hell isn’t your servant. Clearly, the owner of this establishment has declined your patronage. Move along.”
“But—”
“Have you not watched the fall of your closest friend? Have you not seen the videos, which I recorded and shared, of the way she acted when she was here?”
“Yes, but—”
“And haven't you remained her steadfast friend, at least on the surface where you like to play pretend?”
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Yes.”
“Then I strongly suggest you leave here, find new friends, and move along from your unhealthy obsession with Bella Swan.”
Choking—hopefully on her fury—Vicky fled, and Edward chuckled. “Amazing.”
Austin turned to Edward. “Sadly, the only language they understand is the destruction of their precious social standing.”
“Thanks, Austin.” Bella slipped her arm through his. “I don't want her money.”
“Understandable.”
Eric bounded up. “Seth says we’re out of champagne.”
“Someone’s been getting their drink on,” Bella muttered with a sigh. “I guess I’ll go down to the liquor store on Belmont and get more.”
“No.” Edward shook his head. “This is your night. I’ll go.”
“And carry it how?”
“I have saddlebags. It’ll be fine.”
“At least let me walk you out. Austin, I’m leaving my shop in your capable hands.”
Bella and Edward headed out into the dark, finding the alley behind her shop deserted. Edward pulled her close, running his hands up under her short dress to cup her ass. . . and finding nothing but smooth skin. “No panties? Are you trying to kill me?”
“To be fair, you weren't supposed to find out until after all this was over.”
“But, I did find out.” Dipping his head, he kissed her throat. She fisted his hair in her hands, and he backed up to his bike. “Now, I don't want to leave.”
“Just a few more hours and we can go home.” Framing his face between her palms, she kissed him soundly.
He straddled the bike, but instead of leaving, he grabbed her waist and hauled her up in front of him. When he took her mouth, it was with a hunger he could never sate, a need never waning. Tongues slid against each other, his palms on her ass cheeks, cool in the night air. She slid forward as far as possible, their bodies colliding and nearly tipping over the motorcycle. Breaking away from the kiss, Edward braced one hand on the brick wall.
“I don't want to let you go. I just want to fuck you senseless.”
She bit her lip. “Baby.”
Just her breath over his face caused him to grow harder, but the way she spoke the endearment had his cock leaking in his jeans. Trying to adjust himself, he realized it was futile.
“You better go back inside. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
With one last kiss, she lifted her long leg over the seat, flashing him in the process. Her pussy glistened in the low light coming from the street. He groaned, dropping his head into his hands.
“Later, I promise.”
“Go on, get back inside.”
“Love you,” she sang.
“Love you too, vixen.”
Laughing, she disappeared from his sight.
***
It was a bit difficult to head back, to gather with strangers and friends alike, when she knew Edward was so turned on for her. Though it was tempting to fuck him in the alley until neither of them could walk, she didn't want to miss what was happening inside. Her dream was alive and well, and Edward was there to share it with her. Nothing could have made her happier.
Although, Vicky had some nerve showing up. After the way Tanya had been humiliated, Bella was surprised either of them would even want to come. Jasper and Alice were expected soon; they'd finally gotten together, and Bella couldn't wait to watch the dynamic between them. Edward had also mentioned his friend from work and his wife were coming. Something warm seemed to blossom in her chest and the idea of meeting Edward’s people.
Before she reached the refreshment table, a loud bang met her ears from outside; the booming crash and grating screech of metal on metal. With a gasp, Bella ran for the front windows with her friends on her heels.
“Oh my God,” someone said, but Bella was already running.
Out the door and onto the street directly in front of her store, her shoes falling off somewhere in the process, Bella made a stumbling beeline for the mangled bike laying on its side. A car rested nearby, the front panel crushed and smoke rising from beneath the hood.
“Call 911!”
“It was an accident!”
“Is he alive?”
"I swear, it was an accident!"
Bella tried her best to drown out the voices, and soon all she heard was the pounding in her ears. Wet asphalt clung to her knees as she dropped to his side, the little pieces digging into her flesh as she searched for his face. Shoving his helmet off and the hair out of his eyes, she searched for his pulse point. It needed to be there, strong and sure, at the side of his neck. How many times had she found it with her mouth, caressing it with her tongue or nipping it with her teeth? She knew the feel of it, the steadiness of the man it belonged to as surely as she knew the sound of her own heartbeat. Normally, she could tap out the cadence without a second thought. Now, it was thready and elusive.
“Edward?” she whispered around the tears flooding her vision. “Edward!”
“Here now.” Austin was there first, then Jake and Seth. Sirens came closer, and still her heart thundered in her ears. They pulled her away as the emergency vehicles arrived, smoothing down her dress and Eric handing her shoes to her as he walked up.
"He has to be okay."
"I'm sure he is, honey." Eric rubbed her upper arms, and Austin draped his suit jacket over her shoulders.
She swallowed, staring at the fire engine that had pulled up, emitting men in rapid fashion. They began with Edward, but soon a police officer was interrogating Victoria. Claiming not to have seen him as she pulled out of the parking lot, she cried hysterically the longer she stood in the light mist of rain. Bella couldn't drum up an ounce of give a damn for her and her dramatics.
Edward remained motionless and unresponsive on the pavement as they worked on him. The scene before her was blurred by the rain and her tears until she had to look away. Revolving red lights nearly blinded her as she focused solely on them. Someone brushed past her, but she ignored them, waiting for someone to tell her Edward would be okay.
That was the only outcome she could live with.
Love the pics.
ReplyDeleteThank you