Malicious Compliance Chapter Twenty

Emmett was funny, and not exactly what Bella had expected. The little she’d gathered about him from what Edward said and the brief time they’d interacted in the hospital belied the gentle nature of the beast. He was large and hairy, beefy arms and muscles banding around his arms as though he was set to lift a truck off a stranded kitten, but he was also tender. All anyone had to do was watch him interact with his wife to witness the difference. Bella liked to think the word dichotomy suited Emmett McCarty. 

Rose was tall and gorgeous, which Bella remembered from their first meeting, and she was muted in contrast to her appearance. Maybe it was her way of counteracting the boisterous voice of her mate, but she sat quietly while he talked. It seemed that touch was her love language, given how frequently she brushed Emmett’s hair off his face, twined her fingers with his, or even the way she hugged Bella and Edward when they arrived. It proved how looks could be deceiving. 

For instance, someone on the outside might look at tatted Edward in his ripped jeans and holey t-shirt and make a snap judgment. Not to be trusted. Tough guy who orders his woman around. Man-whore, maybe. Gruff and not known for showing his emotions.

That person would be severely mistaken.

As they sat together on the patio of a cafe, the street traffic blaring around them, the four friends chatted and laughed. Edward’s hand rarely strayed from Bella’s knee, and each time he caught her eye, he’d wink at her. His smile was brighter than the sun, which constantly struggled to show itself from behind the clouds. It wasn't just because she loved him that she noticed these things. He was obviously happy, outward and inward.

She couldn't help thinking she’d had something to do with that. They’d floundered a time or two since getting back together, sure. Edward had to learn a new normal, and he disliked it. Bella had to work to be kind to herself, to realize she was a different woman than the one Edward knew before. He saw her, truly saw her, and that was some kind of miracle.

“It’s been weird to have you on desk duty, man.” Emmett took a sip of juice, leaning back in his seat and smiling at Edward. “I’m used to you crawling into the tight spaces for me.”

“Your big ass wouldn't fit, much less those sausage fingers.”

Rosalie pealed in laughter. “It’s the shoulders, mostly, but the fingers . . . Yeah.”

Bella tried not to choke on her tea. There was no telling if the other woman meant that as an innuendo of sorts. “Long, slender fingers for the win.”

There went that wink again, and the tingling in her belly responded in spades. Edward was so fucking sexy when he smirked at her like that. He’d leaned back, his legs spread to accommodate the new calf-high boot. Bella had angled her chair so she was as close as possible while still facing their friends. 

His thumb circled over her bare knee. “The better to fit into tight spaces.”

She felt a flash of heat racing up her spine. The mini skirt provided a breeze on her legs, but she was wearing tall boots. She’d snagged Edward’s leather jacket to cover her tank top, and she was considering slipping it off.

Letting out his booming laugh, Emmett scooped up the last of his fries. “At least you’re there every day now.”

“I missed it while I was out, believe it or not.”

Swallowing, Emmett said, “I believe it.”

Rose leaned her shoulder against Emmett’s. “Bella, have you been able to get your business up and running?”

“It’s been pretty good.” A server came by to check on them, and Bella waited until they left before speaking up again. “I’ve had the chance to be there regularly, which was a challenge at first.”

“I went in when Austin was running it.” Blue eyes dancing, Rose flashed her beautiful smile. “He’s a born salesman.”

“That’s the truth,” Edward responded.

“Sometimes that’s a bad thing. For instance, when I wasn't able to bake every day but he sold out my cupcakes.” Bella glanced over at Edward again, but he was facing Emmett.

“Ro showed me pictures of the upgraded kitchen,” Emmett remarked. “It’s incredible.”

Bella smiled. “It’s breathtaking. I don't know how I got so lucky to have such a generous business partner.”

“You deserve all of it, baby.” Edward’s thumb stroked higher on her inner thigh, and there was the wink she’d missed a minute ago. “You deserve everything.”

“Damn, you two are great together.” Rose looked over at Emmett, and it was clear she held the same feelings for her husband. “Emmett was right about you, Edward. He said you’re the nicest guy he’s ever met.”

“Your sweetness is giving me a toothache, Ro,” Emmett said with a chuckle. But he leaned over to kiss her softly.

A car horn blared in the near distance, and Bella felt Edward tense. Reaching out, she clasped his hand tightly in hers, and he stared into her eyes for several long seconds. “Okay?” she asked.

“Okay,” he replied. Clearing his throat, he said, “Since the launch party was kind of interrupted, we didn't have the chance to spend time with Jasper and Alice.”

Rosalie replied, “Oh, we should have a get together, then.”

“We met them at the hospital, but it’s not the same,” Emmett agreed.

Bella sucked in a breath as Edward’s fingers circled the sensitive flesh of her upper thigh. “I know them both, but I haven’t had the chance to see them as a couple.”

“They’re having fun,” Edward said. “I think Jasper was surprised to learn how much he enjoyed her company outside the bedroom.”

Rose touched Emmett’s cheek. “You’ve gotta have both if you want to make it work.”

He kissed her, a quick meeting of lips, but Bella looked away. It was lovely to see that they weren’t afraid of showing affection in public. 

“I heard you were trying to hire more people,” Bella finally said to Emmett.

“Yes, but it’s been tough. The career opportunity misses most applicants because it's wearing overalls and looks like hard work. I guess they think the salary means they no longer have to get their hands dirty.”

Edward smirked. “Common sense isn't a flower that grows in everyone's garden.”

At his comment, Rosalie snickered. “At least you gentlemen know you have job security.”

They wrapped it up shortly after that, promising to get together soon. If nothing else, they wanted to host a small party to celebrate Edward’s healing. Bella realized how lucky he was to have found such great friends.

They’d had to take her car everywhere, which was perfectly fine with her. As soon as she closed her door behind her, Edward’s hand curled around the back of her neck.

“You have no fucking idea how much I wanted to finger fuck you in front of all those people,” he whispered into her ear.

She shivered at both the ghost of breath against her skin and the intent behind the words. “What stopped you?”

“Knowing it would embarrass you.”

He had a point there. “Thanks?”

His hands had begun to roam, disrupting the collar of the cool leather as he cupped one breast. “Was I wrong?”

Her head shook, but the words were stuck in her throat with her heartbeat.

“I need to make up for it, then.”

That time, she nodded. How the fuck had he rendered her speechless?

“Hurry home, love.”

Yeah, if she could see straight. “You’ll have to back off, or I won't be able to pay attention to the road.”

Edward settled into his seat, but she felt his gaze pinned to the side of her face. It heated her cheeks, bringing a flush of awareness to her entire body.

“Do you know what the doctor told me about this fucking boot?”

Concentrating hard on the road, Bella bit her lip. “You can take it off.”

“That’s right.”

Mother of God. No other words were needed. 

Though she was tempted to speed, she didn't. Though she was tempted to allow him the fun of riling her further, she resisted. Driving was now a sore spot for her, since she was more aware of how dangerous it could be. 

That didn't mean she dawdled, especially once they reached the loft. Edward had left an automatic opener in her car, so they were parked and climbing out before much longer. Bella no longer had to help him up the stairs, didn't have to unlock the door and shuffle him and all the extra equipment inside.

It wasn't back to normal, but it was close. Those thoughts thumped in her breast as he stared her down, as he ambled to the refrigerator for a bottle of water. Watching her as she set down her purse, as she waited for what she knew was coming. Maybe he wanted to heighten her anticipation. Or maybe he was enjoying drawing it out for his own pleasure. She couldn't tell, but it was working for her either way.

Tilting his head back, he drained most of the water. She swallowed reflexively as his throat tattoos drew her attention. Knowing what he did to her—surely he knew—he ran his hand down his throat, cupping it, meeting her gaze and setting the bottle on the counter with a lazy impertinence.

Well, two could play. Biting her lower lip, Bella shrugged out of the jacket. It fell with a soft noise to the concrete floor, and she propped one foot on the nearest chair to slowly unzip her knee-high boot. Flinging it, she moved to the next one, holding his gaze the entire time. A secretive smile had landed on his lips, and she knew they shared the same thoughts. With her boots removed, she leaned forward, keeping her head level, and ran her fingers up her bare legs. All the way up, she flipped her skirt and cupped her tits, pinching her nipples as he watched. One of them would crack, and probably soon. 

But who?

“You didn't wear panties?” he rasped.

“Ah, so you finally noticed?”

Stalking around the only piece of furniture separating them, he sat long enough to remove the boot and set it aside. Layers of crap underneath had to come with it, so she waited for him to finish. It was something he needed from her, she knew. To be independent, to take off the tubular support wrap, his socks, and his regular boot. It was a temporary new normal, one she could live with. When he stood straight again, he unfastened his jeans and pushed them until they rested low on his hips.

Showing her that he, too, had gone without underwear.

When she bit her lip then, it was to hold back a moan. Slowly, he raised one edge of his white t-shirt, and his tatted abs peeked at her. 

“Fuck.”

“What was that, baby?” he asked with a smirk.

“I said, why haven't you fucked me yet?”

His chuckle was deep, doing crazy things to her insides. “That’s not what you said.”

With a casual shrug, she mimicked him, pulling up the edge of her tank top until a sliver of belly showed. When his gaze had darkened on her to a lethal point, she slithered it over her head. Her nipples pressed hard against the thin sheer lace of her bra, which left nothing to the imagination. In retaliation, he hooked his fingers into his shirt hem and raised it inch by inch until he could drop it behind him.

Yeah, her pussy clenched at the sight of him. And her heart sighed at the knowledge he was all hers. But her brain told her he couldn't win this game.

So she went in for the kill. Shimmying her hips, she lowered her flowy skirt until it pooled at her feet, then unclasped her bra. Trailing one hand slowly down her belly, she paused just above her clit.

“Are you gonna do that all by yourself?” he asked.

“Yep,” she replied, dragging out the word.

“Jesus fuck.”

Slowly, very slowly, she dipped the pad of her forefinger into her gathering wetness and swirled it over her clit. His eyes had dilated, and a pin drop would have been loud in the silence. 

At her moan, he moved forward a bit, but caught himself. Standing stock still, Edward watched her move faster to play with herself. Her breath came harshly, her legs trembling. The way he focused on her was enough to spike her need, lust practically dripping off him. 

Seconds from the peak, she doubted she could follow through with her plan. But she wanted to, if for no other reason than because she knew the consequences. Needed them; craved them.

“Baby, you’re so close. I can see it.”

“I am.” She let out a little cry, forcing her eyes to stay open and on Edward as he cupped his cock through his jeans.

“Come, Bella. Fall apart on your own hand.”

Christ, why did he have to say that? With extreme effort, she dragged her hand up to her mouth, snaking out her tongue and licking her fingers. “I’m sorry, that’s all the time we have for today.”