TUiB:9- Wicked Game

The characters and story of Twilight lived in Stephenie Meyer's head long before I came along and read it. They belong to her. This story however, has lived in my head long before you read it and it belongs to me. I don't intend any copyright infringement and you better not either.

Lots of drunken hugs and kisses to KatieTv and SugarTits as always, they know why. (BTW, are you reading F.I.T.F. yet?) A HUGE thank you to kstewfangirl who made me an awesome banner this week, a link can be found in my profile. She rocks my socks. And thank you to all y'all that read, review, rec, retweet, and so on. XOXO

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What a wicked game you play
To make me feel this way
What a wicked thing to do
To make me dream of you

~~Wicked Game, Chris Isaak

~~~~~~~

~~BPOV~~

I'd heard the expression 'playing with fire' at least a few hundred million times. It was a cliche, over used, but for good reason. There was no better way I could think to describe what I was doing. Edward was fire and if I wasn't careful I was going to get burned.

I didn't sleep at all after the hot tub. After he admitted he wanted to be friends, I was on a high that nothing could knock me out of. Not to mention it was obvious he was attracted to me and it might have made me selfish but I enjoyed that. I missed being attractive to someone. I missed being looked at like I was something to eat. And when I came out of the bathroom at the pool holding my wet suit and going commando in my yoga pants and top, he looked at me like I was covered in sugar and butter.

We came to somewhat of a mutual understanding. Now that I knew we both weren't available it made flirting with him and being with him seem safer. We had too much to lose to give into attraction. So that was that. We'd be 'friends.' Granted he was my only friend I wanted to strip naked and lick every inch of but I'd make it work. I'd rather have him as a friend than nothing at all. That was the mantra I repeated to myself. It staved off the fire.

It didn't stop me from being slightly bummed that I committed to Zafrina's "Ladies Loose on the Lodge" night. I'd spent the day without seeing him once since I was off site at the Monterey Bay Aquarium for most of it. Which was an amazing place. I needed to go back sometime when I could keep my focus on the exhibits and not wishing Edward was there with me.

I applied another coat of mascara and ran a brush through my hair before going out to the living room where some of the girls were gathering. Z had sent a couple into town for bottles of champagne and I could tell from the high pitched giggling that several had already been killed. I gave myself a mental pep talk in the mirror and joined the party.

"Bellllaaaaaaaaaaaaaa," screeched a woman I didn't think I'd ever seen before. "Oh my God, you have to do a song with me. Will you? It would be so epic."

I gave her a keep-away-you-look-crazy smile and looked helplessly to Zafrina. "Do a song?"

"At the bar Bella, there's karaoke tonight. That's why we're going," Zafrina said.

"I thought we were going because you said it'd be empty?"

"That's just what I told you."

"Geez, thanks. I think I'll be up for cheering you on, not singing."

"Oh come onnnnnnn," my new best friend whined while holding onto my arm, "Zaffy says you're a great singer. Please? I really want to sing with you."

Who the hell was this chick? She acted like we'd known each other for years.

"Yeah well, 'Zaffy' has only heard me sing cause the walls are thin. I sing to shower tiles and no one else."

The girl pouted but did not drop her clutch on my arm. I wondered how rude it would be to pry her fingers off me and run to the other side of the room.

"Guess who we saw in town when we were picking up the champy?" said a semi familiar face as she came across the room and handed me a glass.

"Who?" a gaggle of voices cried.

"E.A. Cullen!" she exclaimed. The noise level in the room raised as a high level of swooning began.

"What?" said the girl who was holding onto my arm. "Where was I?"

"Right next to me you nincompoop. Seriously, Lucy, did you not see him?"

"Noooo, oh my God Nettie, I didn't even notice."

"Why the hell did you think I was so pointedly mentioning we'd be having girls night at The Tavern? I was hoping we'd peak his interest and he'd decide to show up."

Wait, what? They saw Edward in town and told him we'd be at the bar? How the hell could I ask for more details without looking obvious? I drank from the glass of champagne and looked around the room. Zafrina was watching me. She tilted her head in that way she does and smiled.

"You naughty girls, here I'd planned a ladies night and you go inviting a man." She wagged her finger at Lucy and Nettie.

"Oh I didn't invite him. I didn't even talk to him directly, are you kidding me? I'd probably say something stupid like ask him to bite me. He was behind us buying a bottle of Jack and I just talked louder than normal." She giggled into her hand.

"He is the whole reason I signed up for this conference," said Lucy, "I came just to hear his talk on vampires today. It was amazing."

"Wasn't it?" cried a woman sitting on the couch. "All that stuff about Victorian society and repressed sexual tension? Hot!"

Oh really?

"I am so jealous that he taught that voice class. I almost signed up for that one before he was the speaker and didn't. I could kill myself," said another, "can you imagine spending all week with him?"

I looked to Zafrina silently begging her not to talk. Guess I was out of favors.

"Bella took that class," she said.

I was swarmed by over styled hair and manicured hands pushing me into the couch to crowd around me. Lucy still hadn't let go and if anything was digging her nails into me harder.

"You were?"

"Tell us everything!"

"Is he amazing?"

"What did he talk about?"

"How is he?"

"What's he like?"

"Did you get, like, one on one time with him?"

All of it was said rapid fast and at the same time and I felt my head spinning to keep

up. "It was a really good class. He's a great teacher. He's more knowledgeable than I think he gets credit for." I shrugged and took another sip from my glass.

That wasn't enough for them and I was forced to listen to another thirty minutes of Edward obsession which, to be frank, sounded more like Masen obsession. They seemed to be confused that they weren't one in the same.

"Okay I think that's enough. Shall we go?" Zafrina clapped her hands and Mother Hen-ed the group into quieting down.

"Yes! We're out of champy anyways. Time to paint The Tavern red!" said Nettie.

Purses were gathered, heels were slipped back on, and we all followed Z out the door like she was the Pied Piper of drunken housewives. They were a nice enough group of girls but I had trouble imagining any of them as writers. There wasn't an original thought between them. I let myself separate from the pack grateful that Lucy had finally dropped her death grip. As tipsy as I was, I needed a lot more alcohol to make it through the night.

The bar was not abandoned as Zafrina thought it would be but with only a few patrons there was enough room for the group to crowd around the bar ordering drinks and flirting with the bartender. He had long blond hair pulled into a ponytail and a devilish smile that hinted he was never up to any good. Nettie and Lucy took to him immediately, calling him "Pet," and ordering drinks with obscene names.

"And what can I get for you, sweetheart?" He leaned forward on his palms and looked up at me grinning.

"Heineken please."

"Popular choice tonight."

I furrowed my brow and looked to my barmates fruity brightly colored drinks. No beers there. As if he called my name, my eyes bypassed everyone else in the room and landed on him sitting at the very end of the bar, in the shadows, with a green bottle in front of him. The corner of his mouth twitched up in a small smile and I looked away before one of his devotees noticed.

"So Pet, what's up with the karaoke? We thought it would have started by now." Nettie dragged a fingertip along the bar and up his chest.

He chuckled and took her hand kissing it. "Sorry love, not tonight. Um, another place in town asked to switch nights with us. Our girl is over there."

There was a chorus of boos and whines.

"There is no way we are skipping karaoke, that was the whole point," said Lucy.

'"Settle down kittens," said Zafrina, "we'll finish our drinks here and head out. No need to stop the party, just relocate. Uh, bartender?"

"James," he said.

"James, do you think the Lodge shuttle would give us a lift to town? None of us are in any condition to drive."

"Of course. Let me get my boy Riley on the phone, he'll be here in a jiff."

Nettie crossed her arms and pouted. "Who can you get to cover for you? I want to take Pet with us."

He smiled that wicked grin again and leaned onto the bar inches from her face. "Sorry doll. I'm a one man show here. But I'm out at two, why don't you come find me after you're done butchering 'I Will Survive' and I'll make your night."

The gang meowed and cat called as Nettie fanned at her face. I rolled my eyes at my beer and heard a distinct snort from the corner. I gave him a grin before looking back to the girls.

It took an hour before James announced the shuttle arrived since it was coming in from a late airport run. Drinks were downed and stomach rolling suggestions were made between Nettie and James. I fingered the label of my beer wishing for a way to get out of leaving. It wasn't enough for me to just have an hour of silent conversation across the room.

"Coming Bella?" Zafrina stood in front of me with a playful smile on her face. Over her shoulder I saw Edward slowly shake his head.

"Ummmm, I'm actually pretty tired. Think maybe I'll head to bed."

Zafrina smiled again as the group groaned and Lucy reinstated her talon nails in my arm. "I thought you might say that," said Zafrina, "need us to walk you back to the room?" Her eyebrows raised.

"No, thank you. I can manage. You guys go, have fun!" I embraced each one in turn pretending that hugging people I barely knew goodbye wasn't strange at all.

When the door finally closed behind them and all the noise left the room I noticed they'd picked up the stragglers and taken them also and James had disappeared to the stock room behind the bar. Edward and I were alone.

I picked my beer back up and walked to the end of the bar.

"Hey," I said.

"Hey yourself." He smiled that lazy half cocked grin and I felt a buzz from more than the alcohol in my veins. "I thought they'd never leave."

"No shit. And you haven't even been with them all night."

"You owe me Cullen," said James approaching with two fresh beers, "I didn't realize your little bribe would cockblock my only chance at pootang tonight."

I looked at Edward confused as he glared at James. "Can it."

James looked to me and leered. "Why didn't you go with your friends, sweetheart? See something you like?"

"I don't like karaoke," I said, interrupting the eat-shit-and-die look Edward was shooting his way.

"Neither does he." James cocked a thumb at Edward and retreated taking our empty bottles. The bell above the door sang as an older couple entered to sit at the other end. Edward and I were alone in our bubble.

"What's this bribe?" I asked.

Edward shook his head and bit into his lip. "I might of heard you'd be here tonight so I may have arranged for the karaoke chick not to be, in an effort to get you alone again." He took a long swig from his beer and I watched his throat move the liquid down.

"Oh," was all I could muster.

Edward laughed. "Don't be scared Bella. I'm not here to seduce you. I just wanted to hang out. This being the last night and all."

"Right. Yeah well. I'm glad you did it. Saved me from a fate worse than death. That little blond, Lucy? She was damn near ready to arrange matching tattoos for us."

"She a friend of yours?"

I gave him a flat face. "I met her tonight."

He threw his head back in the way I loved and laughed with his whole body. Nothing thrilled me more than amusing him. It was the best compliment.

"Well, you have that effect on people." He winked and finished his beer.

I blushed and tried to think of a response. Better to just move on. "So I heard your talk today was a success."

He shrugged. "Yeah it went well I guess. I stayed up after the hot tub researching and adding more about the Victorian era. "

"I'm sorry I kept you up so late."

"You didn't. I don't sleep a lot at night. Prefer to do my work then. It's easier for me to hear my own thoughts when everybody else has shut up."

"So what'd you do after? Never saw you around."

He grimaced and sighed. "Went into town."

"Why the sigh? What's up?"

"I don't want to bother you with that shit." He waved his empty bottle at James.

"Girl trouble?" I asked and he nodded. "Then it's no bother. That's what friends are for, what's going on?"

He laced his fingers behind his head and leaned into them chewing on the inside of his cheek. "I don't fucking know. We had one of those fights that you have no idea how it started but you sure as hell aren't going to give up, you know?"

I shook my head, "no, not really."

"What? You and the husband don't fight? Like ever?"

I shook my head again.

"Must be nice. Some days it seems like that's all me and Rose do. We've got one of those relationships, hot or cold. There's no in between."

"So what was the fight about?"

"Uh, doesn't really matter. But she hung up on me telling me not to come home."

"Are you serious? What are you going to do?" I gently touched my fingertips to his shoulder.

"Ah, I'm not too worried. We've done this before. I might go hide out with Alice and Jasper. Let the dust settle."

"I thought your brother's name was Emmett?"

"It is. Jasper is Alice's husband and my agent. He's the brother I never had."

"You and Emmett aren't close?"

He shook his head with vigor and pounded the beer. "No, not at all."

"How come?"

"God you're nosy. I need something stronger for this conversation. James, my man. Crown and Coke please."

"Sorry, I don't mean to be nosy." I looked at my hands.

"No whatever, you're fine. I just don't like talking about Emmett." He drained the drink before James had a chance to walk away and clanked his ice for another.

"So don't. It's not my business."

"It's cool. He was just always a dick to me because I wasn't like him. Calling me and Alice 'the girls' or his 'little sisters."

"Why?"

"Because he was Captain Football, Mr. Wrestler, Rico Suave, and I was shy and into music and writing. I was 'sensitive' my mom said. He bummed me out when we were kids but I still had Alice. Then we went off to school and he made it all worse."

The second drink was gone and this time James came back with the bottle and set it in front of him.

"What'd he do?" I couldn't help it. I was nosy. I wanted to get in his head and see what he had going on in there.

Edward frowned again and played with his glass before going on. "He told everyone I was gay. He started that rumor on the first day of school and it was impossible to live it down. How could I? It came from my brother, it was better than fact. And I don't have anything against the gays, believe me, I'm just not one."

"What an asshole."

"Yeah it pretty much made my first year of high school a living hell. Didn't matter that I could kick the ass of guys twice my size and did. None of the girls would give me the time of day, the gays knew I wasn't gay and acted like I was insulting their gayness, and everyone else treated me like I was a walking petri dish of infestation. That was until..." he trailed off and I waited holding my breath.

"What? Until what?"

"I slept with his girlfriend to prove him wrong. And he's never gotten over it."

"Oh shit," I said, laughing. "Good for you!"

He looked at me like I sprouted a third eye. "I tell you that I slept with my brother's girlfriend for revenge and you approve?"

"What, is there something wrong with me?"

"No I just didn't expect that. I thought you'd be abhorred."

"Nah, I think he deserved it. I am shocked, though, that he hasn't forgiven you yet. That was, what, well over a decade ago? You'd think it wouldn't matter anymore."

Edward lifted his eyes and scrunched up his lips. There was something he wasn't telling me. "Well, yeah. But, his girlfriend was Rose."

Oh shit.

"Yeah," he said like I'd voiced that thought. "So you get it now? Why I don't spend my much time with my non-happy family? Emmett and I don't like to be in the same room as each other. Hell, we live on opposite ends of the country from each other. I won't even go to New York with Rose when she has work there and I hate doing press in the city."

"That is so sad. Here I spent my whole life wishing for a sibling but I'd rather be alone than have one I hated. So is all that what causes issues with you and Rose?"

"Fucked if I know. I think it's just us. We live to piss each other off. What I wouldn't give to have what you have. A quiet life, a couple kids, a husband you don't fight with. I envy you, Bella. Sounds like you have it all."

I snorted and looked away when he glanced my way confused. I turned back to him and reached for his drink asking with my eyes. He nodded and I downed the glass of Crown minus the Coke.

"It's not perfect. Don't get me wrong. Anything worth having is worth working for. And that's what marriage is, hard ass work."

"But it's worth it?" His eyes explored mine.

"Yeah, of course. Shit when did this get so heavy? I thought we were out for a good time tonight?" I popped a whiskey soaked ice cube in my mouth and sucked.

"You're right. I'm sorry I started it. Forgive me?" He laid his palms out suspended in the air in front of me.

"Why do you always have blue marks on your fingers?" I reached out to touch the circular calloused indent on the side of his index finger.

It was the first time we'd touched skin to skin without clothing or water as a barrier. I felt a tingle rise from my fingertips and shoot up my arm and down to my clit. It was like he'd touched it himself.

He shifted on the bar stool and cleared his throat. "Ink stains. I write everything out first pen to paper. I can't write on a computer."

"And always in blue?" I ran my finger on the pool of stain at the tips.

"Yeah. Always blue. I don't like black."

I knew that had nothing to do with me or my last name but hearing it still thrilled me.

"Shit, I'm gone. And you are entirely too sober. Shots?"

"What? I've had all these beers. And there was champagne, and your Crown." I slurred a little and frowned as he drew his hands back and motioned to James.

"Your best tequila, man. Lemons and salt, asap."

"Oh, no no. I don't do tequila shots. Tequila is ass, it's meant for margaritas only."

"You've never had good tequila. Seriously this is your best?" he asked as James produced a bottle of Don Julio Blanco. James just shrugged.

"See, it's not good. I'm not doing it."

"Yes you are. And it is good, it's just not the best. Next year I'll bring the best and we'll do round two."

Next year? I liked the sound of that. I'd been in a sad little funk all day thinking that tomorrow he'd be gone. He poured two shots and pulled the salt and plate of lemons closer.

"Um, what do I do? I've never done this before."

He cocked an eyebrow at me. "You mean to tell me I'm popping your tequila shot cherry? I'm honored." He wiggled his brows. "Allow me."

He slid his arm across the bar and touched my bare forearm. My touching him made my clit stand at attention but him touching me turned on Niagara Falls. He gently wrapped his fingers around my wrist with one hand and grabbed the salt shaker with the other. His eyes didn't leave mine as he brought my wrist towards his mouth. I held my breath and felt my blood pound in the arteries beneath his thumb. His lips hovered for a moment then he parted them, took my skin in his mouth, and sucked. I squeaked while his eyes twinkled.

He pulled my arm from his mouth and covered his saliva with salt before letting go. "Do me?" he purred.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph I was going to hell. I flipped his arm over on the bar and bent over to delicately flick my tongue across his flesh. He tasted salty and sweet. Black honey indeed. I heard the softest moan and smiled into his arm before sitting back up.

"Well we definitely aren't doing body shots. Shit Bella, are you trying to kill me?" He shifted on his stool again.

"You started it," I said batting my lashes at him with a smile.

He handed me a lemon and the shot. "Lick salt, down liquor, suck lemon. Got it?"

He lost me after lick salt. Lick salt meant taking his wetness into my mouth. I was going to taste him even more. I pressed my tongue on my arm tasting a vague hint of mint beneath the bitterness. I downed the smooth alcohol which was better than any tequila I'd ever had, and pressed the lemon between my teeth. I felt it immediately. My skin was hot, my head filled with cotton balls and I was overcome with the desire to dance.

"Good girl," Edward said, "next I'll have you taking the lemon from my mouth." He winked and grinned as I swatted at him and missed.

"Uh uh, no way Jose. Too dangerous. Hey do you have any change? I want to turn on the jukebox." I hopped off my stool and then grabbed the wall for support. Shit. It was more like one tequila floor for me.

He filled my hands with change and I made my way to the jukebox. I took my time choosing songs I thought we'd both like. For some reason most of the albums were country so I stuck to the classics and any rock I could find. When the first song came on I swung my hips and sang to myself as I made my selections. I turned to go back when I was done and saw him leaned against the wall watching me. I guess alcohol lowers my sensitivity to the eye touch. I blushed under his examination and begged the volcano between my legs to simmer down.

"What are you thinking?" I asked, deciding to stand at the bar rather than try to climb up on the stool.

"You really don't want to know." He chuckled, making me want to know all that more.

"Yes, I really do."

He took a drag from the cigarette, he must have paid off James to let him smoke inside, and grinned. "I was just sitting here wishing we could drop the friends status. Just for tonight."

"You don't want to be friends? Then we'd be like, what, enemies?" I asked scratching my forward.

He laughed low and sexy. "No Bella. I don't want to be your enemy. I want to be your lover."

I giggled too loud and high pitched. "Shut up! Oh my God you're making me blush. Don't say that."

"You asked. I told you, you didn't want to know."

I grinned up at him perched on the stool and put my hands on his knees. "I'm glad you told me. Now I know I'm not crazy."

He looked to his hands and back at me. "Why'd you think you were crazy?"

"I thought maybe I imagined the attraction. And now you're liquored up and telling secrets."

"Are you telling me that I'm not imagining it either?"

I pushed myself off his knees and just grinned. I made my way back to the jukebox to find air that he hadn't sucked out of me. God he was hot. The song switched again and The Man in Black laid down Folsom Prison Blues. I held my hair up off my damp neck and swayed to the music eyes closed. I couldn't help but belt out the lyrics. I loved this damn song.

"I have never seen anything so fucking sexy as you dancing to Johnny Cash," said a throaty whisper in my ear. "The things I could do to you. Girl, you have no idea."

The volcano blew it's top and lava pooled in my pants. "Edward," I exhaled, "you have to stop. You don't know what you're doing to me." I opened my eyes to him leaning against the jukebox.

He took a finger and crooked it under my chin. "Payback's a bitch."

I moved closer to him and whispered over the music. "We can't do this, you know that."

"I do. But that doesn't mean I can't want it. And what's wrong with me telling you that? I believe in total honesty in friendship."

"It's wrong and you know it. What's that rule of thumb? Cheating is anything you wouldn't do with your significant other watching?"

Edward laughed. "Well then I'm fucked because I couldn't be in the same room as you with Rose watching. So I've already crossed that line, might as well hit it out of the park."

"Stop that," I said, wagging a finger at him.

"What, I'm not right? Could you stand across the room from me with Jake watching? Could you handle the way I eye fuck you every chance I get with him there?"

Fuck I was breathless and so turned on. Which was so, so wrong. "No I couldn't. But I can't take this, knowing you want me. I could barely handle wanting you on my own."

"Alright, Bluebell. I'll give you that. But you better sit your ass down because I can't take watching you dance."

He led me by the hand back to our stools and poured another set of shots. We licked our own wrists and chastely sat and talked for hours but still found any excuse to innocently touch each other. Fingers trailed across forearms, hands lightly squeezed legs, knees slid between each other. We touched in any safe way we could to try and make it enough.

Knowing his less than noble intentions somehow made it easier for me to open up to him. I told him about growing up as a parentified child to the always flaky Renee and he talked more about his family and beef with Emmett. We circled around to Rose again and I offered advice when I could. It was strange, my lack of jealousy. I could objectively discuss them as a couple because even though I was attracted him I knew he didn't belong to me. And that was just fine because I sure as hell didn't belong to him. He asked more about Jake and I had a harder time sharing.

"When I said before that we didn't fight. It's not because we're happy all the time."

"What do you mean?"

"We don't fight because we don't have it in us to. There's no, I don't know, passion there. Like you and Rose, you fight hard, you love hard. Me and Jake just live."

"How could anyone not be passionate about you Bella?" he ignored my look and went on. "I mean it. You could light a fire in the tundra."

"Hmph. Well not his tundra. You know how people say all cutesy 'oh I married my best friend?' Well, it's not all it's cracked up to be. I literally married my best friend and most days that feels like all we are. Friends who live together and have kids. We just keep each other company."

"That is my worst nightmare, Bella. I'm so sorry. God, you gave great advice about Rose and I have no idea how to help you here because I just can't relate."

"Of course you can't. You're passionate about everything, that's what I like about you. Okay I'm done with the heavy shit again. You got a get out of jail free card and now I do too."

"Bluebell, last time you put the kibosh on the heart to heart stuff we were talking about you also."

"We were? Huh, I don't remember." I chewed my lip. "You've talked me sober. More shots?"

"You are so far from sober it ain't funny but I can't say no to you. Hey James, where's our bottle of tequila?"

"Last call was well over an hour ago, lovebirds. I'm letting you two stay out of the kindness of my heart."

"Bullshit," I called down the bar, "You're waiting for Nettie."

Edward leaned in an whispered loudly, "it was his girlfriend I paid off to ditch the karaoke."

"What? You are a bad man James Brown." I said shaking my finger and he looked to my ring and back to Edward. Point taken.

"He's not the Godfather of Soul, Bluebell."

"Okay, Leroy Brown then, baddest man in the whole damn town," I hollered over my shoulder at James, "and why do you keep calling me that?"

Edward grinned with mischief. "It suits you. So where to? We don't have to go home but we can't stay here."

"Ummm..." I trailed off.

"What! Are you calling it a night? Not two minutes ago you were begging for shots."

"No! I'm trying to figure out where we can get alcohol at this hour. You think if I flashed him my tits I could distract him long enough for you to grab a bottle?"

"NO! I mean, yeah it would but no way in hell are you doing that. If I can't see them, he can't see them. Besides, I've got you covered. I've got enough liquor in my room to float us into next week." He slid off the stool and held his hand out to me.

"There is no way in hell I'm going back to your room so you can have your way with me."

"I can get a bottle and bring it to yours."

"Nowhere with beds, duh. I don't trust our ability to stay vertical when drunk."

"Good point. Oh, I know where to go! Come with me." He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the door. "You've got my room name, James, charge it."

"You got it, Cullen. And if I can ever do you any more 'favors' you let me know."

He led me into the dark parking lot and around to the back of the building. "Where are you taking me? Just when I thought I could trust you not to murder and rape me in the woods."

"Settle down, you'll see. And I wouldn't murder you first I'm not into necrophilia."

"Well thanks for putting my mind at ease. Sheesh."

He laughed pushing open a gate. "The guys let me park my car in the employee parking lot. I don't like leaving her just anywhere."

"Are you insane? I'm not driving anywhere with you right now."

"Of course not. We're staying here. She's parked with an awesome view and I've got a bottle of Jack behind the seat."

We approached a gorgeous vintage convertible facing a low rock wall and the ocean. Edward opened the door for me and I slid into the seat and reached across to unlock his door. He bent down to the floor behind me producing a wool plaid blanket and the promised bottle before going around to the other side to get in. He turned the key a notch and the heat came on low with the stereo lighting up.

"You like Billie Holiday?"

"I love him," I said with a smile settling under the blanket. Edward scowled and I laughed. "Hello? Line from Clueless, that movie. I know Billie Holiday's a woman and yes I love her."

"Oh thank God. I was going to say, get the fuck out of my car. I don't care if you can shake your ass to Cash."

"Are you always such a flirt?"

"I don't know. Are you?"

"What? I'm not flirting with you. You're coming on to me."

"Yes you are. And I'm getting shot down every time so I must not be good at it."

"You know that's not the reason," I said taking the open bottle and having a swig. "If circumstances were different we would have spent this whole trip in your room."

I was teasing but he looked at me with the utmost seriousness. "You don't know how I've kicked myself this week for refusing to be enrolled in Forks High all those years ago. It would have changed everything. I would have met you before you were married. I would never have met Rose. It all would have been different. One choice undid all that."

This was so much more than a I-think-you're-hot-and-I-want-you-naked revelation.

"You don't know that. There's no way of knowing that. We could have hated each other in high school and never gotten the chance to know each other at all. Or gotten together and had the worst break-up of all times. I'm not going to have regrets, I'm just going to be grateful for knowing you now. Complications and all."

He reached out and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. "You are so much wiser than me."

I blushed and bit my lip.

"And when you do that," his thumb came out and tugged at my bottom lip, "I want to kiss you so bad." His voice was barely a whisper by the last word.

My heart dropped into my stomach and I felt the now familiar heat between my legs. "Edward, I can't kiss you."

"Why not?" he begged in a whisper leaning in closer.

I put my hand in his chest and pushed him back just a little. "Because I can't take you in my mouth. I can't have you inside me or I wouldn't be able to keep saying no."

"Fuck, Bella. Then stop. No more nos. I want you more than I've ever wanted anyone or anything. I could read between the lines in there. I know what's going on."

"What do you mean?" My hand was still pressed against his pounding heart.

"You didn't say it but it was like I heard you think it. Your marriage has no 'passion?' You just keep each other 'company?' It doesn't take a genius to figure out he's not fucking you like he should, God knows why."

I moved my hand to my lap and stared at the dark waters. "That's none of your business."

"I'm making you my business. I want you to know how gorgeous and desirable you are. Because you have no idea and it pisses me off that he took that from you. I might want you, Bella but I want to make love to you, for you."

"Edward-"

"I wasn't finished," he said, holding my gaze and licking his lips. "There are three things in this world I'm good at. Fighting, writing, and fucking. Please come back to my room."

I moaned into the air between us and closed my eyes. God it would be so easy to just give in. "I can't, Edward. I can't let you be a mistake. I don't want to taint you like that. You are better than a bad mistake.

He sighed in agreement and slid his hand around to the back of my neck. "Come here," he said, pulling my head towards him.

"Please. I can't kiss you."

"Just trust me, Bella."

I closed my eyes and gave into his pull. I felt his breath on my skin and gasped lightly. His lips pressed into my forehead and I relaxed into his chest.

"You could never be a mistake to me," he said with his mouth still against me. "You could be a lot of things but never a mistake."

~~~~~~~

~~I'd love reviews more than you'd love to do tequila shots with Edward~~