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a Change in Direction


Rated m for mature. Intended for Adult audiences only. 18+

Prologue
Epilogue

In the middle of the recession, Bella is desperate. Broke and jobless, she’s running out of options. She did everything right, but sometimes that doesn’t matter. Sometimes life takes you any way that it wants with no consideration of your plans.

And then someone comes along with a proposition that is just too tempting to turn down, even if it is morally and legally questionable. A salary, benefits, hot showers, and a handsome boss to boot. What more could a girl want? It wasn’t the job that she came to Edward Masen for, but it’s the one that he offers her.

But there is more to the gentleman and his risqué offer than meets the eye.

Maybe they just both need a change in direction.



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6/25/2020

A Change in Direction: Chapter Twenty-nine

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Chapter Twenty-nine


I put my hand over my heart, willing it to slow down as I caught my breath. “My god,” I muttered to myself, closing my eyes for a split second. 

“My apologies, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Mr. Cullen mumbled, frowning a little as he looked away. His cheeks were light pink, much like Edward’s would be in the same situation.

“I- What... what are you? I?” I stuttered, not sure what to ask. I had questions, like... Why the hell are you here? Didn’t Edward tell you to get out of his house? Don’t you know it’s not nice to sneak up on people? Are you trying to give me a heart attack? But none of them seemed right. Finally, I sputtered out. “Does your son know you’re here?”

“No, he doesn’t,” he answered in the same quiet tone as before, his voice even and calm. Far calmer than my own. There was no anger in it like there had been the night before. “He wouldn’t see me this morning, so I took the time to meet with some others I had business with, but since that’s all done with...” He drew out. “I wanted to come to speak to you. I figured you’d be here.”

“Why?” I asked in complete confusion. “I mean, why did you want to talk to me?”

“To apologize.”

“Pardon me?” I mumbled, not entirely sure I had heard him correctly. “Apologize? To me? Why?”

“For my behavior last night. The way I behaved was rude, obnoxious, and... simply inexcusable and unacceptable. Normally I wouldn’t treat anyone that way, and it wasn’t right.”

I stared at him for a long time, confused by this whole new person standing before me. He looked repentant, but I couldn’t be sure. I didn’t know him well enough to tell. Finally, I spoke. “You should tell this to Edward, not me.”

“Funny,” he scoffed, his eyes falling to his hands before looking back up at me with a sad smile. “That’s the same thing he said to me this morning, regarding you, before turning me away. He hadn’t even really let me say this much.”

Sighing, I glanced away from him as I leaned against the counter. I didn’t know what to say to the man. He had made me so angry before, and he had treated his son so badly. Honestly, he was just a bit rude to me, but I didn’t know him well enough to say if it was normal. The way Edward was acting, it was kind of obvious that it wasn’t, but I had no way to compare. 

Eventually, I looked up, only wanting to know one thing. “Why? What did I do to you?”

“It’s nothing you did, really,” Carlisle began, but he added nothing else. 

I groaned quietly, bending over to pick up the tin still on the floor. “Never mind. Forget I asked. I shouldn’t have expected an answer in the first place,” I told him as I placed it into the countertop for later. Or maybe to hit him with it if I needed to. The latter was far more tempting.

“You frightened me,” he blurted out when I had turned my back to him to switch on the oven to preheat it for the cornbread. I twisted around slowly, and he repeated himself, knowing I didn’t believe him. How could I? “You scared me, Ms. Swan, and when I am, I act badly.”

“How on earth did I? Edward has had girlfriends before, and besides, he’s not a child. I can’t be that much of a surprise. I know you weren’t expecting me last night, but that’s what you get for just showing up unannounced.”

“Yes, of course. He has had girls, though not many, and even fewer he’s been willing to introduce to his family since college. No, that’s not it. It’s something else.”

“Then what the hell is it?” I demanded, tiring of dancing around the issue. I suppose I knew where his son had gotten that from. It was an annoying habit. I wouldn’t take that from him anymore, and I certainly wouldn’t take it from his father either. 

“It’s your appearance.”

I blinked. “I realize I’m younger than Edward, but I can clean up quite well, thank you very-” I began angrily, but he was shaking his head, holding up his hand to ask me to stop. 

“No. It’s not as simple as that. I know as well as any, the clothes don’t make the man but, no. No... it’s your appearance. Your body. Your face. I know Edward must see it at least some, but I doubt he knows the full extent of it. I mean, he probably doesn’t remember when she was your age. He was only a baby. But I do. And photographs only give you glimpses of a person, a suggestion. Not the real thing.”

“What?” I demanded again. He was rambling. “What on earth are you talking about?”

“You are the spitting image of his mother.”

It took me a few seconds to absorb what he said completely. I just shook my head in confusion. “I don’t understand.”

“You are the same height, size, shape. Your face, your nose, your round cheeks. Your lips especially. All you need is Edward’s eyes and hair, and you’d be Liz. It was like seeing a ghost standing beside my son. And that scared me because I knew instantly,” he stopped, his voice lowered as he shook his head. “That he would do anything for you. You could take everything from him if you wanted, but he’d give it to you happily. He was such a momma’s boy. Not that it’s a bad thing. But he was hit hard, even harder than me, when she passed. As I said, I doubt he even realizes the extent of it.”

One minute I was standing and the next I was sitting, though I wasn’t entirely sure how I got here. “Huh,” I mumbled as I took in what he said. “I don’t want him for his money. I tried to quit once we started dating, he wouldn’t have any part of it.”

“He told me as much,” Carlisle answered. “I know what I’m telling you isn’t a reason for the way I acted. It’s a poor excuse, but I hope you accept my apology so I can get to know you before I make any real judgments. I don’t want to lose my son over this because I know no matter what, he will take your side.”

“I don’t want that to happen either,” I whispered. “So what happens if you get to know me, and you still don’t like me?”

“Then I shall have to deal with that quietly so as not to lose my little boy. I won’t let you hurt him, and I will do anything in my power to stop that-”

“Even pay me to go away?” I inquired sarcastically. 

“Yes, even that.”

“I don’t want to hurt Edward. That’s the last thing I want. And I’d never take your money.”

He nodded before clearing his throat. “As long as that’s true, even if I don’t like you personally, I will never stop my son from being happy. And you seem to make him that way. Ms. Swan, may I have your forgiveness?” He questioned in such a proper tone. Like he was taught in a whole other world than mine. 

Chewing it over, I sighed. “You were such a jackass last night.”

“I was. That is a fault of mine. I am very protective of my family, and if I feel at all threatened, I become angry. We all handle our emotions in different ways. Edward hides and waits for the problems, in his personal life anyway, to go away. My eldest son sleeps with any female that will let him. My youngest just keeps moving forward and-” but he stopped, scoffing quietly to himself. But it wasn’t an unhappy sound. 

“What?” 

He grinned for a moment. “Your personality reminds me of my late wife, too. Your temper and tone. The way you reacted last night. Perhaps tamer, though. She was Irish and had a fiery disposition. She would have ripped me to shreds if she saw how I acted yesterday. If you are anything like her, the poor boy is in for a wild ride.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I pushed as my cheeks flushed with the raw nature of his words. I felt tiny as I listened to them. Like a little girl in church, listening to a pastor lecture about the qualities of heaven. 

“Because it’s the truth, and you need to hear it. And I require your forgiveness if I’m ever to make things good with Edward. I’ve never treated him like that before, not even when he was a child and made some stupid mistakes. I don’t wish for this to ruin Thanksgiving at the very least. I know he was so looking forward to it, as was the rest of the family. I don’t want to make it uncomfortable for everyone. Oh, and please don’t judge my family for my behavior. They would never react that way towards you unless-”

“Unless I hurt him. I won’t judge them until I know them. If I say I accept but won’t forget, will that be enough for you?” I asked quietly as I toyed with the gray muffin tin. 

“I wouldn’t expect anything less. It would be stupid of you, to be truthful. I’d be suspicious of me in the future if I were you,” he informed me lightly. “Do you think he’ll ever talk to me again?”

I considered it for a moment, still looking at the counter. “He loves his family too much not to, but you need to tell him this too. He needs to know your reasons. Poor Edward was so confused by how you were acting. I think that’s what hurt his feelings most of all. He felt like he didn’t know you.”

“That doesn’t surprise me,” he muttered. “Yes, I will tell him. Oh, and I have another thing to apologize for.”

I peeked at him. “What’s that?”

“How rude I was about your food. It was quite good, but it would have been better if I hadn’t been such a jackass as you put it. You’ve got some talent in the kitchen, something else you have in common with Edward’s mother. He was such a chunky baby because of it,” he chuckled before starting again. “I wish we could have dined together under different circumstances. Your meal now smells delicious. Soup?”

“Beef and vegetable stew. We’re going to have cornbread with it,” I clarified, looking at all the stuff laid out before me. “Very southern.”

“What... in the...” Edward drew out as he came into the kitchen. It was just after four, and he was home earlier than usual. It didn’t surprise me honestly, but I felt like I had gotten caught doing something bad. I knew that wasn’t the case, but still. “Bella, are you alright?” 

“Of course,” I told him with a small smile, trying to reassure him. 

His father took a step back, his head down in contrition. 

“What’s going on?” He asked as he came over to me, not looking at his dad as he did. He was doing the whole ‘pretend that person doesn’t exist in this universe thing.’ And he was doing it pretty well at it. 

“Mr. Cullen-” I began, but he interrupted me with a quiet cough. I looked up at him to see what he wanted.

“You may call me Carlisle.”

“Carlisle,” I started again with a little nod, “was just apologizing to me for how he was acting last night.”

“Oh,” he drew out, looking over at the man in question. “Are you sure you’re okay?” He asked in a low tone so his father couldn’t hear him. He pressed a worried hand to my cheek. Leaning into it, I placed my palm on top of his as I gave him a smile. He acted like I couldn’t take care of myself. I think Edward forgot how tough I could be when I needed to be.  

“I’m fine. I accepted, and I was just going to invite him to dinner... if you’re willing after you two talk, of course. It is your house, so whatever you want to do,” I swiftly explained. I wanted his family to like me at the very least, and I figured this was an easy way to move in that direction. 

“Really?” He raised an eyebrow before glancing at his father. Then he turned back towards me again.

“Yes, but as I said, you two need to talk first. Besides, I have some work to do here. Dinner isn’t done yet.”

Edward sighed heavily and nodded his head. He knew well enough they needed to, but as his dad had so plainly stated, he liked to hide from his problems until they went away. He brought both hands to my face and kissed me soundly, letting his lips linger on mine. I lifted on my tiptoes, returning the slow sweetness. I touched his fingers and smiled as we pulled away from each other. With that, I knew no matter what, we would be okay. 

He sighed again before glancing over at his father. “Yes, I suppose we have some things to discuss.”

“Take your time,” I told them. “It’ll be awhile before this is ready.” I waved my hand over the messy, ingredient-covered counter. Both men simply nodded their heads solemnly before walking out. It was like they were both marching towards their doom. 

Men. They could be so dramatic. 

After about thirty minutes, some kind of agreement must have been met between them because they came back into the kitchen discussing something with more animation. Carlisle’s arms went wide as he explained information to his son. Edward bobbed his head the entire time. Neither of them looked mad or remotely upset. It was amazing how easily boys could forget and not hold grudges when they wanted to. 

The whole thing just made me roll my eyes. 

“Yeah, I can see that, but are those companies worth the risk? Greece is in serious trouble right now. Not only that company but the entire damn country. Japan, I can see. Another office in Tokyo would do us some good, and I can see your reasoning for doing it. It just... troubles me. That’s a huge investment. It’ll take years before it reestablishes itself. Greece, I mean.”

“Yes, but it’ll take years to set up. By the time things are going well again, we will be in there as the economy is growing. That’s good for us. Also, it could be helpful to them. It could create several hundred jobs around the country,” he argued his point of view. 

“That’s hardly anything in a region in so much trouble. They need at least tens of thousands just to get started.”

He pursed his lips for a moment. “We could set up charities there too, other businesses perhaps. Also, think of the jobs that would be created to support the workers. That several hundred is only a base number. And anything helps.”

Edward nodded his head again as he sat down at the counter. His jacket and tie were gone with his top button undone. “I suppose you’re right.”

“I don’t think the price will get lower,” he added. “I think it’s a risk worth taking. We’ll be able to recover at least some if it’s a failure, so it won’t be a total loss.”

I didn’t really catch on to what they were talking about, but I had a feeling I didn’t hear the important details. And all I truly knew about Greece was the ancient Gods, statues, and salad, which didn’t sound half bad. We would have to have Greek food soon. 

“It’s something to think about. Have you discussed it with Emmett?” He replied, looking over at him with a very serious business-like expression. I had only caught glimpses of him like that in the past, and I thought it was cute. 

“You know your brother. He goes headfirst into everything.”

He nodded before turning his attention to me. “Is there anything I can do to assist?” 

I giggled. “Certainly not. I haven’t let you help yet, and I’m not going to now. I want to impress your father, not kill him with your cooking.” I teased as I pulled my corn muffins out of the oven. They were perfectly golden brown and delicious, steam rolling off of them in waves. 

“Hey! I’m not that bad!” He laughed. 

Tapping my chin, I stared at him for a moment. “Do I need to remind you of last week and the explosive pasta?” I said as I pointed my finger at him.

His father snorted. “How do you make pasta explode?” He asked in confusion. 

“I’m not sure, but there’s a reason he has a new microwave,” I remarked, glancing over at the silver and black contraption on the other side of the room. 

My boyfriend threw his hands up. I had made so much fun of him about it already. “It was a simple mistake! I didn’t realize I left the fork on the plate.” Covering his face in embarrassment, he shook his head the entire time. 

“Mmhmm.” I continued before walking to the fridge. “Edward, would you like a hard cider? It’ll go really well with dinner. I bought some the other day.”

“Are you having one?” He asked instead of answering.

“Yes.” I shrugged.

“Sure.” He did too, tilting his chin to the side just slightly to look at me. He smiled crookedly, the right corner of his mouth lifted high into his soft round cheek. His eyes sparkled, and I could tell he was happy once again. 

We gazed at each other for a long minute, and I felt as if I were in a trance. I shook my head, feeling exposed and embarrassed for some reason. Clearing my throat, I turned my attention to the other man sitting at the island. “Mr... I mean, Carlisle, would you like one, too? We have apple and pear,” I offered politely. 

“Yes, please. Pear. Thank you,” he said courteously, maybe even overly so. I wasn’t certain what was normal for him, but he seemed to be trying to be extra nice. I guess that was better than the alternative. I wouldn’t complain about it, that was for sure. 

“Dinner will be on the table in about ten minutes. You two have time to wash up and get ready. I’ll finish setting up,” I stated, suddenly feeling like a mother. 

Without a word, both of them got up and headed out. I shook my head at the strange interaction. Perhaps it was knowing I looked like Elizabeth Masen. That was something Edward and I would have to talk about later, and I couldn’t help but wonder if that would be an odd conversation. But it wasn’t something I would linger on for a long time. 

After the day before, I hadn’t expected my dinner to be going like it was. But I was glad. I had to remember things could always be stranger, if not worse. And I would much prefer him happy and getting along with his family any day. 

I set up the table again for three, but this time I put a glass of water and Carlisle’s hard pear cider to Edward’s left side. The stew was waiting for us in a bowl, and the cornbread was wrapped in foil, still fragrant and warm. My stomach growled, extremely hungry suddenly. I had skipped lunch, so it was no wonder. Sometimes I was ravenous that time of the month, and at other times I couldn’t eat a bite, especially lately. 

His father was the first to come down, his tie removed along with his jacket. The only thing changed about him was his sleeves were rolled up from washing his hands. I suppose he had taken all his stuff to a hotel. Edward came down a few minutes later in a comic book shirt and jeans, his feet bare. Carlisle rolled his eyes as he sat down at the head of the table after placing a kiss on my cheeks. 

“What?” He asked, smirking at his father. 

“You are still a child at times.”

“At times?” He laughed. “I think the only time I’m not is when I’m at work. I’d rather be into comic books, movies, and games than be an adult. You have your golf to keep you young, I have this. It could be worse.”

“I suppose,” his dad chuckled as he pulled out a muffin from the foil paper. He passed it to me before handing another to Edward. He served himself last, passing the log of honey butter over to me first. “And what do you think of all this, Ms. Swan?”

“We enjoy the same things. Maybe not so much with comic books, but with video games and movies. We haven’t really gotten to play together yet,” I explained. “So, we’ll see how that goes.”

“I’ve been in a movie phase.” Edward glanced over at his father. “Next week, why don’t we have a weekend of games? Just laze around the house in pajamas all day?” He asked when he turned back to me.

“Sounds great,” I grinned, his hand brushing mine. I quickly pulled away and blushed when I remembered that his dad was in the room with us. It didn’t matter that we were adults. Any time there is a parent in a room with a new couple, it was awkward. 

I cleared my throat, ladling soup into the guy’s bowls first before getting myself two scoopfuls. Edward opened his drink, the twist top easier said than done, before doing mine without asking. He knew what was going to happen. I would try on my own for about five minutes, making my hand sore in the process, before asking him to. It just saved us both time. 

The beginning of dinner was quiet and only slightly weird. It would have been worse if I hadn’t been so hungry and into my food. But as my munching slowed, it was obvious there needed to be some conversation. 

“So, did Maria have the day off?” I asked, stirring my spoon around the bowl to look for another piece of potato.

“Who’s that?” Carlisle inquired. 

“My maid. Yes, she had to take her children to the doctor for shots this morning. One of them had a bad reaction last time, so I told her to take the full day so she could watch over them. I didn’t want her to worry about him. Sorry, I forgot to tell you.”

“Oh, no! It’s fine! I was just concerned about her,” I explained. 

Once again, we fell into an awkward silence. This time it was Carlisle’s turn to start up the conversation. “So, Bella,” he began after taking a sip of his cider. “How did you get into cooking? Is it something you’ve always been interested in?”

“Ah, well,” I drew out, not exactly sure how to answer. “I enjoy doing it for myself, but I never considered it for a career until Edward. He found out I had a talent for it, and I just accidentally fell into it. Actually, I have a bachelor’s in Computer Integrated Science from Louisiana Tech.”

“It’s a good school, about an hour east of here,” he explained to his father. “Mostly computer and engineering degrees. Science and the like. They’re known for their football team too. Bella graduated in the top five percent of her class, with several honors I might add.”

“I see. Why didn’t you go into technology then?” He didn’t mean it in a prying, rude sort of way. He was just asking a curious question. 

Stirring my stew around for a moment, I sighed. “I tried. For a long time. Sadly, this area has little need for people who work with computers. I tried all over the state. You have to have the experience to get a job, and you can’t get any until you have one. It’s a crappy catch twenty-two. If I had the money, I would have moved elsewhere. Dallas or Houston. Austin, perhaps.”

“I’m glad you didn’t move,” Edward said as he slid his hand over mine. I turned it palm up, and our fingers wove together. 

“Me too,” I told him with a slight smile. Glancing up at his dad, I began talking again. “I’m hoping to find something soon. I’ve been looking, but I guess I just picked the wrong time to be a young person searching for a career. I’ve considered going to cooking school, but I’m not sure. It depends on a lot of things.”

“Well, I’m not sure how much you’d learn there. This was a fantastic meal. Thank you for sharing it with me,” he said politely. My boyfriend practically beamed with pride, squeezing my hand tightly. 

Blushing, I muttered a soft thank you. 

I was grateful when their conversation turned away from me and back towards Greece. They talked about it for a couple of hours before Carlisle went back to his hotel. Edward asked if I would stay the night with him since he wouldn’t be able to see much of me alone in the next week. I agreed because I knew I couldn’t the following day on Thanksgiving eve. If that was such a thing. 

The holiday was looking a lot less threatening than it had been before and a lot more enjoyable. At least on the Masen/Cullen side of things. Who knew how it would go with my father and his new girlfriend. 


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6/18/2020

A Change in Direction: Chapter Twenty-eight

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Chapter Twenty-Eight


As soon as I got home, I threw myself onto the couch with a big bag of slightly stale donuts and a giant glass of chocolate milk. I was too angry to focus on anything, but I turned on the television anyway, only for background noise. It was unbelievable how quickly sweets can disappear when you aren’t thinking about it. I was just seething. I wanted to cry, and I felt like I was on the edge, but the tears didn’t come. It felt as if I would feel so much better if I could. 

When the nasty little pastries were spent, and the drink gone, I laid down on my couch and stared past the screen as I tried to clear my head. I knew it wasn’t very nice to leave Edward’s without saying goodbye, but he disappeared on me too. He couldn’t blame me for leaving somewhere I didn’t feel comfortable. 

All I wanted to know was why. Why the hell did he dislike me so fast? And I needed to know about Jane and Heidi, whoever they are. It explained part of the reason he was so gun shy with relationships, especially if his father didn’t let him live whatever happened down. I wasn’t angry, and I didn’t expect to know everything about my boyfriend right away, but I had a feeling I needed to know, just in case. I had to prepare myself. 

Sometime along the way, it had started raining heavier. Cracks of lightning brightened the entire night sky and thunder rattled the windows, the wind making everything creak loudly. When the lights flickered, I turned off the television and rolled onto my back to glare at the ceiling. My right side ached again, and I sighed, pleased as frickin punch I was starting the sugar pills of my birth control. 

Just what I needed, my period.

When there was a loud knock on the door, I jumped nearly a mile because my sleepiness had taken over. At first, I thought it was something slamming against it, but when the raps came again, I knew better. I hurried to it, peeking outside before opening it wide. 

“Edward,” I breathed, quickly pulling his soaking wet body inside before he could catch a cold. He came in without a word. Instead, he wrapped his arms around my waist and drew me in tight for a hug. “Oh, sweetheart. What happened?”

“We got into an even bigger fight after you left. I went to look for you in the kitchen, and he informed me you had left and that you had, and I quote, quite a mouth on you. I said if he got told off, he deserved it. And it only went downhill from there. I don’t understand why he’s acting like this. I’ve never seen him like that. Jesus… I am so incredibly sorry.” He held me close, his face in my hair. “I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to leave.”

“I’m sorry I’ve caused so much trouble,” I mumbled against his chest. 

“You didn’t do a thing. He did. I don’t even know if I’ll be able to work with him now,” he breathed. “I’ve never been so mad in my life. I’ve never yelled at him before. Literally, I haven’t raised my voice since I was a toddler. I’ve always respected him so much. And then he does this.” His eyes were unseeing and full of confusing emotions.

Silently, we held each other for a long time, neither exactly sure what to say. It wasn’t until I shivered from being cold and wet because of his clothing that I pulled away. “Come on, let’s get these clothes off of you and into the wash. I’ve got your sleep pants from the other day you can wear.”

“Do you mind if I stay here tonight? I don’t think I can go back home,” he softly whispered, his face pale except for his blushing cheeks.

“You are always welcome here.”

“Are we okay?” He asked in an even quieter voice. 

I stopped walking towards my room so I could turn to look at him. “That’s more up to you than me.”

“But what about my father-”

“Exactly,” I interrupted. “Your father. Your family. They’ve been in your life a lot longer than I have. He must have seen something in me that made him feel like I don’t belong. That’s not up to him, though. That’s up to you. I don’t want to be without you, but I don’t wish to cause trouble. If it would be easier to end things now before it starts a full out war then-”

“No. Fuck no. I’m sorry, that person... he’s not acting like a member of my family. They taught us to care about our fellow man and not judge a person without knowing them first. That it’s what is on the inside that counts. No, I want you- no, no... That’s not right. I need you. I need you in my life. You are my life now,” he said as he took my face in his hands and kissed me lightly on the lips. I relaxed into his touch, some unvoiced fear melting away. 

He wanted me around. He still cared about me. 

I stuck Edward’s clothes into the washing machine and gave him the freshly cleaned sleep pants. I changed into a pair of pajamas too before I tugged him over to my bed. We laid in silence until we both fell asleep, lulled by the now quiet thumping of rain against the roof. 

It was early when I woke, maybe five, but he wasn’t with me. I looked around, and his shoes were still there, so I knew he was still in the trailer. 

The bathroom door was open, so I figured he wasn’t there. I went into the kitchen to find him sitting at my tiny dining room table, the low hum of the dryer in the background with the scent of green tea wafting through the air. I touched his shoulder before going over to the cabinet and pulling out a mug for myself. A steaming pot was resting on a hot pad in the middle of the tabletop and there was a cup in his hands. 

My tiny kitchen was a mess. Normally, I would have been cleaning it like a mad man to get it to an acceptable level around guests, but neither Edward nor I cared. 

I sat down, and he took my mug without a word to pour me some. I smiled in thanks, letting it warm my hands. 

He sighed. “I want to just tell him to fuck off, take my shares, and leave the company. It would be enough to support me, my grandchildren, and my great-grandchildren without me working another day in my life. But I need to stop running away from my issues,” he began abruptly.

“Please don’t quit something you’re good at just because of me,” I breathed. 

“It wouldn’t be because of you.”

“Yes, it would. This started because of me.”

“Isabella, you did nothing wrong,” he told me firmly, sighing again heavily. “I do love what I do. I enjoy traveling and the people. And I get so much pride from the fact that this is a family business.”

“You’ll have to get past it. Last night, I mean.”

He glanced up at me. “But what if I can’t? What if he continues to act that way?” He asked, almost like a child begging for answers. 

I had none for him. 

“You really have no idea why he reacted to me the way he did? Is it only because I’m your girlfriend? Has he ever acted like this before to anyone else?”

“No, never.”

Running my finger around the rim of the mug, I couldn’t meet his eyes. “What about Jane and Heidi?”

Edward frowned and snorted, rubbing his hand across the back of his neck. “I suppose you heard him then.”

Shrugging, I peeked at him. “Yeah. I don’t care that you haven’t talked about them before. That’s fine. Just... what did they do that left such an impact?”

He scoffed, then looked at the ceiling as he crossed his arms over his bare chest. “Honestly, it was my own stupid fault. I was wild in college, especially in my freshman year, before I figured certain things out. I partied a lot. And I fucked a lot of girls. That’s the right word, I think. I used them. I didn’t care about them because I only wanted to have a good time. It was the first chance I got to be crazy, and it went too far. Anyway, uh... I was dating, and I use that term loosely, two women at the same time-”

“Jane and Heidi.”

“Exactly. They knew about each other. We had... um, played together before. I thought I was the one toying with them, but they were the ones doing the playing all along. They got some not very nice pictures of me doing stupid shit. Then they ran to my father and told him to either give them money, or they’d go to the papers with the photographs. Scandal is the last thing he wanted, so he paid them off.”

“What did they get photos of you doing?” I inquired, curiosity eating away at me. I probably shouldn’t have wanted to know, but I did. 

“Besides having sex with two girls at the same time? Drinking, smoking weed, taking other drugs. There were videos too. Let’s just say after everything went down, I changed a lot. I haven’t trusted a woman beside you and perhaps Angela in a very long time. I don’t think my dad ever told anyone else in my family, but it’s always been kind of… there, hanging over my head. Even after paying him back.”

Sitting there silently for a long time, I carefully considered my answer. “Edward, many people do that in college. That’s kind of what it’s for. Lord knows I smoked pot in school, took X, and once acid. But that was a bad trip. And I drank and had sex.”

“Yeah, but in my position, with my family, we have to act a specific way and do certain things,” he replied quietly. 

“Tell that to Paris Hilton,” I mumbled, making him chuckle. 

“Hm, yes, but back when this happened, it would have been big news that would have caused stocks to fall, and not a celebrity joke.”

“So, what now?” I asked, tilting my head to the side slightly as I eyed him. “What are you going to do?”

He took a sip of his drink as he considered it. “I wish I could tell you the answer to that,” he smiled a little sadly. “I suppose, for now, wait for my clothes to dry, go home, get dressed, then go to work and see where it goes from there.”

I sighed as I glanced away. “I wish I knew how to help you.”

“Being with me right now does.” He reached across the tabletop and took my hand. “Will I see you tonight?”

“If you want to.”

“I always do,” he stated sweetly. Edward brought my knuckles up to kiss lightly. The almost full beard he was sporting from not shaving tickled my skin. I came around the table so I could sit in his lap, my arms going around his neck as his went around my waist. My head rested on top of his, my eyes closed as I took in his warm scent. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, my love.”

The phrase ‘my love’ made my cheeks flush. I turned my face into his hair, humming quietly in pleasure. I knew exactly how he felt. 

It was mid-afternoon and raining when I arrived at Edward’s place. He went home after his clothes were dry to get ready for his day at work. I hadn’t heard from him since then, so I had no idea how things went. I fought the urge to call, not wanting to bother him while he was probably in the middle of something important. But I figured I would know all the details later, anyway. I knew he wouldn’t keep his feelings hidden. He hadn’t so far.

Our dinner from the previous night was still laid out on the table, looking dry and rather gross with a few flies buzzing around. The odor wasn’t pleasant, either. Tomatoes, in general, never smell good if they are allowed to rot. I sighed to myself and picked it up, feeling it wasn’t fair to Maria to make her clean it up. 

In fact, I wondered why she hadn’t before. Maybe she took a day off, but that was rare for her. She was amazing with that kind of stuff. I hoped everything was okay. 

After I threw out the food and scrubbed all the plates, I started messing with all the red sauce stains on the white tablecloth. I rubbed at them the best I could before soaking the whole thing in bleach in the washing machine. Hopefully, they would come out. I doubt it would bother him, but it seemed wasteful to throw out something so lovely. 

When all that was said and done, I pulled out a big pot for the stew I was going to be making for dinner. It would be best if it sat a while, and I was glad I had prepped everything the night before. It was simple to get it all going, but it took time. When it was to where I was happy with it, and it could simmer on its own for a few hours, I hauled out all I needed for the sweet cornbread to go with it. I was even going to make honey butter to go on top.
As I hummed to myself, I prepped the butter first in the food processor with some good local honey Edward had gotten at the Maker’s Fair three weeks before. I smiled to myself as I thought about that incredible night.

Wrapping it in wax paper, I stuck it in the fridge so it would harden again. I had almost everything I needed for the cornbread, except a cooking vessel. Frowning, I wondered if he even had a muffin tin. I had baked nothing like that, and I knew he had no idea where or what they were. It wasn’t like he had purchased any of his kitchen stuff himself. All I could do was crawl around, looking through the cabinets until I found one or something else that would do. 

“Ah-ha!” I yelled in success after what seemed like forever. It was pretty much in the very last place, buried in the very back. That always seemed to be the way when it came to stuff you were searching for. When I stood up, I nearly screamed before dropping the muffin tin to the floor with a loud clatter. 

Silent as the grave and stiff as a board, Carlisle was standing on the other side of the island.


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6/11/2020

A Change in Direction: Chapter Twenty-seven

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Chapter Twenty-Seven


Carlisle cleared his throat and straightened his back slightly as he settled his eyes on his son. “You didn’t tell me you had a girlfriend.”

“Well, it’s kind of a new thing,” Edward explained, his expression confused by his dad’s. It was evident that he didn’t know what was going on, and he wasn’t getting the reaction he was expecting from him. “I was going to introduce her on Thanksgiving to the entire family.”

The man sucked in a deep breath through his nose, his eyes flicking towards me. “I see.”

“Why don’t I head out so I can give you two some time together?” I offered. “Dinner is almost ready, and... oh!” I squeaked. “The noodles. Excuse me, please,” I said, finally remembering my boiling pot. As soon as I came back into the kitchen, the timer dinged loudly. I was both relieved I hadn’t overcooked them and that I was out of that tiny space. 

Mr. Cullen didn’t look pleased in the least to see me. That didn’t make me feel too great about the holiday. He obviously already didn’t like me, though I didn’t know why. What would the rest of his family think? Would they automatically see what he did? That I was lower caste than them? I couldn’t imagine there were many people in the same class as them. 

For the first time, it bothered me. I felt like I had trailer trash written across my forehead. 

“Are you okay?” I heard Edward softly in my ear after I poured the noodles into a bowl to take to the table. I turned slowly, frowning. It was like he could see my fight-or-flight instincts kicking in. “Don’t go. I want you to stay. Please?”

“Don’t you want time alone with your father?” I offered, really wanting to run but not wishing to vocalize that either. I couldn’t say no when he talked like that, anyway. Especially with his big sad eyes. 

“I want you to get to know him. He’s very nice. You just have to get to know him.”

“I don’t really think he wants to know me,” I mumbled quietly. 

“You just caught him off guard. If he didn’t want surprises, he should have let me know he was coming down a week early and not shown up at my front door.” He smirked as he ran his hands repeatedly up and down my arm. 

“Why is he down here so early?” I asked, thinking to myself. I tried to figure out a way to leave, but nothing came to mind. 

“He wanted to get more work done. There’s a lot to establish down here. This is one of the biggest projects we’ve ever undertaken as a company,” Edward explained with a slight frown. “I wish he would have called first. I’m sorry to just drop this on you. I thought I’d have time to prepare everyone.”

“It’s fine,” I sighed, rubbing my forehead gently with the heel of my palm. 

“Please stay,” he begged again, touching my cheek lightly before leaning in to peck my mouth. I frowned but nodded, resting my face against his chest after his soft, pleading, kiss. 

“Go change, and I’ll set up another spot at the table,” I breathed, knowing I had lost completely to his sad eyes and sweet lips. I had a feeling those two things would get me into trouble in the future.  

“Thank you.” He kissed my temple before going up to his room with a small smile. I was about halfway through arranging the plates for another person when Mr. Cullen came in, wearing a pair of khakis and a button-down shirt. If this was him relaxed, I couldn’t imagine him at work. 

“Would you like a glass of red wine as well? Or may I get you something else?” I politely offered. 

“That will be just fine,” he answered, pulling out the seat at the head of the table I had already set up for Edward. For some reason, it annoyed me, but I couldn’t express why. I wanted to ask him if he knew he was a guest, and it was courteous to ask where to sit in someone’s home, but I didn’t. I bit my tongue hard. “So, how did you and my son meet?”

Well, that was a very loaded question. One I didn’t want to answer but knew I couldn’t get out of either. It was a fairly simple one that almost any parent would ask. 

“He hired me as his personal chef,” I replied. I had no idea if he had mentioned me to his family at all, but I figured that was the safest bet. It was what I was doing at the moment, anyway.

His lips pursed in displeasure. “And how long ago was this?” He questioned next, his back stiff and straight. It was like someone had shoved a big metal pole up his spine. Or perhaps his ass.

“A couple of months ago. Nearly three now,” I answered as I poured wine into another glass. I fought the urge to gulp it down hastily. It wouldn’t have been a good thing to do in front of my boyfriend’s father. 

Even if I needed it. Really badly.

“How long have you been dating exactly?” Carlisle pressed with his eyebrow raised in my general direction.

I cleared my throat. “Almost three weeks. Not long,” I mumble, wondering what the hell was taking Edward so long. I had never felt more uncomfortable in my life. “Please feel free to help yourself. Can I get you anything from the kitchen?”

“No, thank you,” he said, not looking at me. It was obvious I was being dismissed. I sighed and walked back towards the kitchen, leaning against one of the counters. My head hurt, as did my side, and suddenly I wasn’t hungry at all. All I wanted to do was take a nap and perhaps have a good cry.

“Hey, are you okay?” Edward questioned as he came to search for me. “You look kind of pale.”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just have a bit of a headache. Um, where do you keep the aspirin?” I asked, pulling out a little cup for water. I filled it from the tap and slurped it down quickly before filling it up again. It did nothing to help, but I guess I shouldn’t have expected it to. 

“Why don’t you go sit down and get started while I get you something for your head?” He offered sweetly, rubbing his hands over my shoulders gently again. “A meal would do you good.”

“Yeah, probably,” I lied. A bottle of liquor would have doubtlessly done me better. He led me into the dining room, pulling out my normal chair for me. I thanked him politely, setting my cup down beside my full glass of red wine. 

“I’ll be right back,” he informed his father as I looked down at the table. I really, really, didn’t feel hungry. But, I knew I had to eat something if anything else to make Edward feel better. So, I put a small pile of spaghetti onto my plate with a meatball and a little sauce, along with a handful of salad. 

If someone could cut noodles in annoyance, I think Mr. Cullen was doing just that. Like my very presence was bothering him. I felt my skin heat in shame. 

When he came back, Edward placed the pills in my palm before pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Here you go, love. Oh my, your cheeks are flushed. Are you not feeling well? Do you have a fever?” Lovingly, he brushed his knuckles over my jaw.

“I’m fine,” I murmured before popping the tablets into my mouth and swallowing hard. If I had any intelligence, I would have feigned illness and left, but he had asked me to stay. 

We spent the first five minutes at the table eating in silence. I could tell it was bothering Edward, who kept stealing glances over at his father from underneath his thick eyelashes. Finally, he smiled at me reassuringly, deciding to start a conversation himself. “This is amazing. Do you like it? Bella is an excellent cook.”

“I’ve had better. I’ve had worse.” He shrugged. His son’s eyes went wide in surprise at his response. My cheeks turned redder, and I stole a big sip of wine. It wasn’t exactly a compliment or an insult. It was the way he said it that was more bothersome. 

“Dad,” my boyfriend muttered under his breath. “What has gotten into you?”

His nose lifted in the air slightly, not looking at either of us. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Carlisle responded, a frown deeply etched onto his face. He would have been so handsome otherwise. I could see so much of Edward in him, but not like this. Not with how he was acting. “I’d like more wine, Ms. Swan.”

“Okay.” I stood up and went to get another bottle from the kitchen. 

“What are you doing? No, sit down, please. You’re not our waitress. And that was extremely rude. If he wants to ask for another drink, he should do so politely.” He looked directly at his father, who showed no emotion. I froze in my position, not sure what to do. “Please, Bella. Sit.”

I did what he asked, feeling like my head would crack open as the blood buzzed in my ears. The two men stared at each other for a long time, no words coming from either. Finally, I just swallowed and stood up with my barely half-empty plate. “I’m done. I’m going to go do the dishes.”

Neither of them broke the staring contest to acknowledge my remarks. It was a little creepy, to be honest. Like they were having some sort of silent conversation. When I got to the kitchen, I ran to the fridge to pull out a half-drank opened bottle of white wine and took a swig directly from it before quickly putting it away. Laying my head against the cold stainless steel, I wondered where the pleasant evening I had planned had gone.

I went to the sink and worked on the dishes, trying to keep my mind off the fact Edward’s father hated me, and I knew him all of... what? An hour? I think it was a shock to my boyfriend too. Apparently, he didn’t normally act like that. So, it must have been something personally against me.

When every dish was in the washer, I realized I had to go out there and get the food. But before I could enter the dining room, I heard Edward talking in a low and rather frightening growl. “No. I won’t calm down. This is unacceptable. You can’t show up at my door without a single warning like I’m just one of your managers you have to scare into line. You are being so rude to not only me but to Bella on so many levels. What the hell has gotten into you?” He demanded, slamming his fist down on the table so that the silverware rattled.

“I have no idea what you’re referring to.”

He scoffed. “Bullshit. Why are you being so unpleasant to my girlfriend?” He pushed, his voice a harsh whisper still. “You’ve just met her. Do you honestly think this is the impression of our family I wanted to give her? I realize you’ve been on a plane for a few hours, but that doesn’t give you the right to be a pompous ass to her or to me.”

“Watch your language,” Carlisle snapped. “My mood has nothing to do with my flight.”

I peeked into the room so they couldn’t see me. I didn’t want to get in the middle of what was happening.

“Ah, so you realize you have a bad attitude.” Edward rolled his eyes as he pushed his half-eaten plate away from him. 

His father leaned in as he crossed his arms. “The help? You’re dating the cook? Are you insane? She’s a gold digger. And how old is she, anyway? She’s a child!” Carlisle threw right back, his coolness all gone.

My boyfriend’s face was horrified, his mouth hanging open. “Seriously? The help? Bella isn’t ‘the help,’ and so what if she was? It makes no difference. And she’s not a gold digger. How can you assume that?! You’ve just met her! By the way, she’s twenty-seven. Hardly a child.”

“She doesn’t dress like an adult,” he scoffed. “And I can already tell she came to you for money-”

He threw his hands up. “Ah, no! It’s not like that! I offered her the job. This wasn’t- Jesus, I’m an adult. I can determine when someone is using me. I’m the one who-” He grunted in frustration. “Bella gets flustered and tries to buy dessert when I take her to dinner! She tried to quit when we… when we started dating. You’re acting insane! This is so unlike you,” he hissed the last word. “What the hell is the matter with you?”

“What about Jane? Heidi?” The man said instead of answering. It was a classic deflection.

“I was in college! That was over ten years ago, dammit! When are you going to let that go? Yes, I realize I was thinking with my penis, and they just wanted cash, but I was a teenager. It’s hardly like I’ve made the same mistake since then.” He sat back and glared at him. “You’ve never given Emmett shit for the thousands of girls he fucks! Honestly, I was really excited for you to meet her. She’s an amazing person! And then you go act like an ass.”

He didn’t normally curse excessively, so when he did, I knew he was furious. It made me shrink away at his infuriated words. 

Carlisle stood up quickly, nearly knocking the chair over. Silently, I watched from my hidden spot along the wall as he defended me. I felt the tears roll down my cheeks as sadness and frustration coursed through me. 

“Don’t you think if I could control the women he goes around with, I would? Honestly, Edward. I thought you were smarter than to date a girl that-”

“Shut up. First, she’s not a girl. She is a brilliant woman, and you will not speak badly about her. You don’t know her. You didn’t even give her a chance. Second, control him? So, what? You can manipulate me? Is that it? Am I your puppet? Is that why you showed up at my doorstep unannounced? To see me dance?”

“That’s not what I meant at all!” Carlisle bristled, and I could practically feel the roll of his eyes.

I could have slapped the sass right off his face. 

“You need to find a hotel. You’re not welcome in my home if you’re going to act like this. We will keep this trip strictly business,” he stated, his voice colder than I had ever heard it before.

“Edward Cullen, get back here! We are not done!” He shouted at his back as he walked away. 

He stopped, his spine straight. Slowly, he turned. “Masen. My name is Masen, and don’t you forget it!” He growled, his fist clenched tightly. With that, he swept out of the room. 

I fled to the kitchen, hoping to get my tears to stop before I found Edward. I didn’t want him to know I had heard that whole exchange. It was sweet that he defended me as he had, but I didn’t want to rip him and his family apart. That was the last thing I wanted. I wanted, no, needed, them to like me. I realized that. 

When my eyes were almost dry, I went to the dining room to pick up the plates and food. Mr. Cullen was still sitting there, drinking out of Edward’s glass. 

I hoped I could turn around and go back into the kitchen again, but he spoke in a voice so dead, it was chilling. “I’m done with my plate. You can take it away.”

I don’t know what snapped inside of me. I wasn’t sure what bothered me so much about what he said or how he said it, but it did. Suddenly, the approval of a person I had just met didn’t matter to me in the least. Especially when he had been so disrespectful to his son.

“You can take your own damn plate into the kitchen. As Edward said, I’m not your waitress, and if I were, I would have dumped your spaghetti into your lap. You have no right to talk to me that way, and you have no right to speak to him the way you are, either. You cannot just show up at someone’s home and act like a giant dick. Seriously, what the hell did I do to you to make you hate me automatically, huh? I’m sorry I’m not dressed in Armani or whatever to make dinner. I don’t get dressed in the morning for you. And I don’t want your son’s money. I don’t want his cars or his house. I want him because he’s a good man. Also, he is no puppet. You know, he talked about you like you were something amazing. This great guy with a kind spirit. But from what I can tell, you are nothing more than a passive-aggressive, heartless, bitter, old bastard.”

His spine remained bone stiff throughout my entire rant and as silent as the grave. It only pissed me off further that he didn’t react at all. When all the emotion whooshed out of me, I flipped off the back of his head as he looked away, not giving a damn about the food. I had to get out of there, or I would explode. Without a single glance back, I went to get my purse and jacket from the foyer before sending a quick text to Seth. I waited the five minutes it took for him to get there outside in the pouring rain.


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6/5/2020

A Change in Direction: Chapter Twenty-six

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Chapter Twenty-six


In the night when all the fun was done, Edward and I picked up all our things scattered around the house. It was crazy where some of our clothes landed. We took a lovely shower after a little snack where we had round two, or maybe it was three. I wasn’t sure, but we crawled into bed at around one in the morning. It was a perfect ending to a practically flawless evening. The only bad thing was that it didn’t last long enough. There was never enough time with him. I could never get enough.

Far too early, before the sun was even up, my phone rang. I slapped at the table until I found the offending object, bringing it to my ear as I sat up against the headboard. My eyes didn’t want to open, so I didn’t bother to look at the caller ID. 

“You should just use the iPhone instead of carrying around two phones all the time. We can switch the numbers,” Edward mumbled, half asleep as he rolled over away from the bright light of the screen. It wasn’t a bad idea, but I didn’t want him to pay for my service. It was something we would discuss later. 

But I couldn’t articulate that at dawn. “Mm,” I hummed in response before answering the phone clumsily. “Hello?”

“Morning, sweetie!” My mother gushed, far too happy for the time. 

Nothing was wrong by her far too perky tone, which only made me angry. As if I wasn’t annoyed enough at just being awake in the first place. If there had been something amiss, it would have been a whole different story. “Mom, do you have any idea what time it is?” I nearly growled through clenched teeth. Rubbing a rough hand over my eyes, I tried to mash some sleep out of them. I blinked repeatedly, but they still didn’t want to open. 

“Nope, why? Were you asleep?” She genuinely inquired. 

She was lucky I couldn’t slap her through the phone. Seriously? Why else would you ask a question like that? Did she have any common sense at all? “Yes, I was. Normal people are at 5:28 am. Especially on a Sunday. What on earth do you want?” I replied sarcastically. 

Edward scoffed into his pillow. 

“Boy, you’re not friendly in the mornings, are you? You used to get up so early. I thought you’d be awake,” she laughed like she didn’t have a single care in the entire world. I wasn’t amused. 

She was right. Usually, I was an early riser as my boyfriend liked to call it, but never at this ungodly time unless I had something planned. Besides, even if I was, it was still in bad taste on her part to bother someone before daylight. 

“You know it’s rude to call before the sun rises, right?” I pushed. She used to teach Kindergarten, and I knew she taught manners. I sincerely doubted she had forgotten them already. I shuddered to think if she bothered other people like this.

“It’s up here,” she answered. 

I felt like facepalming myself, hard. “That’s because you live in Florida. There’s a time difference. Mom, seriously, what do you want? Please tell me you didn’t call me to chit-chat?” I pinched the bridge of my nose, willing my oncoming headache away. This was not how I wanted to start my day. I knew I was short with her, but she was getting on my nerves.

“Everything okay?” Edward asked as he rolled over again, this time resting his head on my stomach over the comforter. 

Petting his hair, I sighed quietly to myself. At first, I shrugged, but then I remembered that A: it was dark and B: he probably had his eyes closed. He wasn’t a mind reader, after all. “Yeah, fine,” I replied. 

Instantly, I wish I hadn’t, though. I could practically see my mom’s ears perk up. Mentally I smacked myself, hoping someone would knock me out at that point. It would be preferable to having the conversation we were about to have. 

“Are you with someone?” Renee jabbered in an excited rush. “Oh, Bella! Who is it? I knew you were with a boy that one time,” she gushed again. 

Groaning, I covered my eyes with my hand. How old did she think I was? Did she really expect I would answer that? She instantly turned into an over-eager teenager that wanted all the deets. 

Gag. 

“I’m talking to myself. See, Mom? You’ve driven me crazy. Congrats. Mission accomplished. I’m going to hang up now if that’s all you wanted.”

“I heard a voice,” she said in disbelief, ignoring my sarcasm. She did, but I wasn’t going to give in. Especially this early. I would have rather lied than deal with it. 

“In your mind, maybe,” I dryly responded. He snorted again quietly, shaking his head into the blanket. 

“Isabella!” She snapped at my rudeness. 

I quickly returned her ire. “Renee!” I wasn’t about to let her treat me like a kid. Besides, she brought it on herself. “Alright. Bye-bye then.”

“What are you doing for Thanksgiving? Do you want to come down? Spend the weekend on the beach?” She asked in a rush. She knew I would hang up if she didn’t hurry. I sat there, just stunned, then baffled by her craziness. “We could get you a tan to go along with your turkey!”

“First, Thanksgiving is next week. Second... are you out of your mind? I have a job now. I can’t drop everything to travel across three states. Real-life doesn’t work like that!” I scolded, always feeling like the parent in the relationship. “Besides, I already have plans. I’m going to lunch at Charlie’s girlfriend’s house.” 

“I didn’t know he had a girlfriend. Why didn’t you tell me that your dad had one?” She demanded, almost as if she was offended by the very idea. Like she still owned him or something. I didn’t appreciate that at all. She was doing everything right to rub me the wrong way.

“Because it’s none of your business.”

“Yes, it is. He’s the father of my child. I need to know these things,” she retorted, sounding downright annoyed. 

“I’m an adult, not a baby, and it stopped being yours when you decided you were too good for him,” I told her in his defense. I would never mention this conversation to him, but I couldn’t bear the thought of her giving him crap because he had a life after her. She thought she was a princess and expected everyone to pine over her. That was hardly the case. “You better not say a word to him either. I mean it! This is none of your damn business.”

“That’s a little harsh,” she replied quietly. 

“I’m not awake enough to candy coat bullshit. Those are the punches. You can either roll with them or think before you call someone this early in the morning.”

“Fine! Grumpypants! Whatever. Go back to sleep. We can discuss Christmas later,” she scoffed, practically sounding like a preteen. She seemed younger by the minute. I just rolled my eyes in the darkness. 

Yeah, so not going down there with that attitude, I thought to myself.

“Love you, sweetie!” My mother blurted out as if she had completely forgotten the discussion we just had. I shouldn’t have been surprised. That was her way. 

“Yeah, you too,” I mumbled before I hung up. I wasn’t about to give her more time to start up the conversation again. When I was sure the call had ended, I turned off my phone and tossed it back onto the table beside me. 

Edward wiggled his face into my blanket-covered stomach, one of his hands resting on my waist. “People crazy?” He inquired into the comforter, his voice a barely audible mumble. 

“Generally, yes. My mother, especially.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Me, too.” I glanced over at the clock. It was nearly six in the morning, and the sun was coming up outside. The light was slowly starting to spread across the floor from his window. I groaned to myself and rubbed my eyes again. All the sleep was gone from them. “Want to go back to bed?”

“Hm,” he hummed in reply, not answering. I smirked slightly to myself. 

I slid down a little, Edward adjusting so that his head was resting comfortably on my shoulder. Turning my face to the side, I brushed my nose against his and placed a tiny kiss on his mouth, which he returned with a gentle smack of his lips. 

Though I was comfortable, I wasn’t able to relax, and he could tell. I hated that I bothered him, and I did try to stay still and quiet, but he could feel the tension in my body. 

Gently he squeezed my side, giving a soft sigh. “No more sleep, then?” He asked as his hand gingerly dragged over my bare stomach. 

“You can go back to sleep,” I offered. “I don’t mind.”

“I can’t if you don’t,” he answered softly. “So, what do you want to do today?” 

Awkwardly, I shrugged the other shoulder. “I don’t care.” Then I sighed in annoyance as I remembered something. 

“What?”

“I need to walk-of-shame my ass back to my place for some clothes and stuff.”

Sitting up, he rubbed his hand over his face as he yawned quietly. “Well, I know what we’ll do today then.”

“What?” 

“We are going to get you some things to keep here. This is the third time you’ve stayed over and had to go back to your house to get stuff. And it’s silly. There is plenty of space in my closet and a couple of free drawers in the bathroom,” he firmly declared.

“But, Edward...” I drew out, not entirely sure how to end my sentence. 

“But what?” He pushed, laying back with his arms above his head as he stretched. One of his elbows popped, as did his spine.

“You don’t think that’s getting too serious too fast?” I finally asked as I sat up against the headboard completely. The question deserved my full attention. It was too important to talk about laying down. 

He frowned to himself as he sat up too. Edward took a long time to answer, thinking over his reply carefully. “Honestly, I don’t know if it is or not. Do you think it is?” 

“I don’t know,” I slowly replied, playing with the edge of the blanket. “What will people think?”

“Seriously?” He snorted in disbelief. “Is that what you’re worried about? What others think? I don’t give a damn. I only care about what you think and feel. If you think it’s too fast, that’s one thing... but... no. I don’t care.”

“Yeah, but what about your family?” I blurted out, my worry coloring my tone. “Thanksgiving is next week. What will they think if they find out I’ve been staying over?”

“They’ll just be thrilled that I’m happy. Besides, it’s none of their business. Bella, are you worried about what they’ll think of you? Sweetheart, I’m an adult, and I’m practically a saint compared to my brother. Don’t worry about that.”

“Of course I am,” I sighed. “How could I not be?”

“They’ll love you,” he tried to assure me, but I shook my head. “Yes, they will. They’ll find you as wonderful as I do. Love, I want you to keep some things here. I want to know that I have a piece of you here all the time. And I want to know that there aren’t ever any excuses for you not to stay with me when you wish to. Plus, I don’t want you to have to ‘walk-of-shame-it.’”

I laughed at him using that term. Chuckling too, he knew he was winning. How could I say no to an argument like that? “Fine. We’ll go to the store and get some cosmetic stuff. I’ve got clothing at home.”

“Yeah, but if we go clothes shopping together, I can help you pick out lingerie.” 

I could practically see his wicked grin and wiggling eyebrow in the darkness. Snorting and covering my face with the blanket, I leaned against his shoulder. “You’re ridiculous.”

“No, I’m a horny man who wants to see his hot girlfriend in pretty things. Come on, please?” He pleaded with me in a cheesy kid’s voice. “Please, please?”

“If you get to pick out my panties, does that mean I get to choose a pair of silky drawers for you?” I teased in a thick southern accent. 

He laughed loudly, burying his face in my hair. “Silk feels odd. I got a pair once. I felt like my pants were going to just slide right off. And they stick to your skin. They’re weird.”

“Ah.” I shrugged as I snuggled in closer. “That’s okay. Suits are to women what lingerie is to men. Especially what you were wearing last night. Oh, God. You looked so good.”

“Stop it, you’re going to make me blush,” he complained softly against my scalp. 

“I like it when you do, though,” I told him honestly. “It’s so sweet.”

Kissing my mouth lightly, his hand rested on my jaw. I could feel the warmth in his cheeks as my fingers drifted from his temple to his chin as our lips moved together. 

We didn’t get out of bed until the sun was completely up, and both of our stomachs were growling loudly in demand for some nourishment. 

Instead of wearing my dress from the night before, I stole Edward’s gray shirt again and a pair of sleep pants that dragged the floor by about a mile. He seemed to like it because he kept grabbing my ass on our way to the garage, making me squeal and laugh the entire way. 

Instantly, it stopped. I wasn’t expecting to see Jacob there, especially on a Saturday. 

“Oh! Good morning, Mr. Masen,” he said as he stood up from the desk quickly. “Bella,” he smiled at me. I took a step closer to Edward, sliding my hand into his. 

“Jake! Good morning. What are you doing here on the weekend?” His tone wasn’t accusing, just surprised. 

“I got the parts in for the sixty-seven on Friday. So hopefully I can get it running. I wanted to get a head start on it. If this works, I want to move on to the exterior restoration sometime this week,” he explained, pointing to a blanket on the far side of the room with tools on it. “If that’s alright with you, sir.”

“You don’t have to work on the weekends,” my boyfriend insisted. 

“It’s not really. I’m excited about this.”

“Well, if you want to… Go ahead. Just don’t work too hard.” He smiled, squeezing my hand before looking over to me. “Jake is the best mechanic in Shreveport. He’s already partially restored a classic Harley for me.”

“How many vehicles do you have?” I asked in a murmur. 

“Here? Six, four of them drivable, and one bike. I kind of collect them. I have several more in storage in Chicago. So, what would you like to drive today, my love? It’s up to you.”

“Oh,” I hummed, my face turning red suddenly with the attention on me. Both Edward and Jake were staring at me, though the mechanic’s expression didn’t really look amused in the least. In fact, he was frowning to himself. I balled my dress up a little more in my hands, my house shoe covered feet sliding against the floor. “I like the Camaro.” 

“Excellent choice.” He beamed, unaware of the weird tension in the room. He walked over to the desk and plucked up the keys for me. “Have a good day. Ready, sweetheart?” He asked as he opened the driver’s side door for me. 

“Yeah,” I shuffled promptly over to him past Jake, who didn’t say a word. I got in quickly, starting up the car before Edward even sat down on the passenger side. I gunned it out of there. 

“Is something the matter?” He inquired when he finally realized my expression. My fingers were dug deep into the leather-covered steering wheel.

“I don’t like him,” I answered in a soft tone. “Jacob, I mean.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. He just gives me the creeps for some reason. He hasn’t done anything per se,” I sighed. “I don’t know. As I said, he kind of freaks me out.”

“I can let him go if it’s that bad,” Edward stated bluntly. 

“No!” I blurted out. “I don’t want someone to lose their job because I’m uncomfortable. I mean, if he does something wrong, that’s one thing.” We were quiet for a long time. When we were at a red light, I turned to look at my boyfriend. “You really would fire him, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes, of course,” he replied as if it were nothing. 

“Even though you said he was the best?”

“Yes. If you feel there is something off with him, there probably is. I trust your instincts, and I don’t want you to be uneasy,” he explained, taking my hand and bringing it up to his mouth for a gentle kiss. “Is there anything I can do?”

“No, it’s okay,” I assured him. 

“Please let me know if he does anything... inappropriate, alright?”

“I will,” I breathed as I pulled up in front of my place. “Just let me get changed real quick, and we can go out.”

Which we did. We spent most of the morning and afternoon shopping, which Edward insisted on paying for. I didn’t like it really, but he said since he was the one that wanted to do it, then he should cover the expenses. He used his Jedi business mind tricks on me and somehow got me to agree. 

When we were all done, I felt like those Stormtroopers in the first Star Wars. Yes, those were, in fact, the shoes I was looking for, and no, I suppose if you put it that way you can pay for them... 

Damn him and his crafty mouth.

Monday was a rather gloomy day. It was the first time in a while it had rained, and the temperature was close to what it was supposed to be for the time of year. It was chilly, especially with the wind. I didn’t let that stop me from doing the grocery shopping I needed to do, though it sucked to bring it all inside. Luckily I dressed comfortably for the day, sporting an old pair of shredded jeans and a nerdy Hello Kitty shirt I loved. I was such a little kid at heart sometimes. 

After I got everything put away, I worked on prepping veggies and such for a couple of the meals we would have in the next week. Of course, Thursday was covered since it was Thanksgiving. I hadn’t asked him about Friday yet. I had no idea how many people would be there, what they liked to eat or if they had restrictions, or if Edward even wanted me to cook in the first place. 

It was something we would have to talk about. 

I prepared the vegetation for the beef stew we would have the next day, along with cubing the meat that would go into it. Plus, I was going to make cornbread with it. I figured it would go over really well since it was supposed to rain the following days too. It would be a comforting meal for a drizzly afternoon.

After getting it all ready to go, I washed up and began work on our dinner for that night. It would be a lovely baked tomato sauce over thin spaghetti with meatballs. And to go along with that, the most delicious smelling garlic bread you have ever come across. I had to admit that I was kind of excited about it. It was something simple that so few people seemed to do right, even at restaurants. I was admittedly picky, though.

Slicing the tomatoes in half, I covered them in garlic, onions, olive oil, herbs, and salt before tossing them into the oven. They would cook for a while, so I had time to make up the tiny meatballs that would bake too. 

The house smelled amazing by the time 5:15 rolled around. I had the table set for two with a couple of glasses of red wine, salad, and bread, which I wrapped in foil to stay warm. The sauce was still simmering on the stove with the meatballs flavoring it. I saved the pasta for the very last minute so it wouldn’t get gummy. 

I danced around the kitchen, humming to myself as I cleaned and waited for my incredible man. It was a dreary day, and all I wanted to do in the evening was cuddle. Okay, maybe more than that. But it was a good start. I had some other ideas that were more innocent too. 

When I heard the front door shut, I brought the bowl of sauce out to the table along with some cheese to sprinkle over it. “Hey!” I called. “Dinner will be ready in a couple of minutes. You have just enough time to get changed if you want. I’d suggest it. It’s spaghetti, and I’ve seen you eat,” I giggled to myself. 

There was no response, but I knew well enough that he could hear me. 

I walked through the dining room towards the foyer. “I got some gelato,” I added. “I figured we could do a theme night. Make it all Italian. Maybe after dinner, we could play a game or something. I was thinking that you’ve never shown off your Mario skills-” I stopped mid ramble when I came to find a tall blond fellow standing beside Edward. My boyfriend’s expression was one that was hard to interpret. I couldn’t tell if he was happy, mad, or annoyed. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had company,” I mumbled as I took a step back, embarrassed yet relieved I had said nothing dirty.

The man, an older gentleman with dark blue eyes, turned towards me after removing his coat. He immediately frowned as his face flushed red. It was so direct that it made my stomach clench in nervous shock. 

Edward cleared his throat and walked to me. “Honestly, neither did I.” He smiled almost anxiously. He ran his hands over my shoulders gently, leaning over to give me a quick but sweet kiss on the cheek. Standing beside me, he rested his palm on my back. “Bella, this is my father, Carlisle Cullen.”

Warning bells went off in my head, especially since the man’s eyes went wide with shock before narrowing angrily. 

“Hi,” I breathed. 

“And Dad, I would like to introduce you to my incredible girlfriend, Ms. Isabella Swan,” he continued with a grin. It was a charming and pleasant smile, but I could barely notice it. My eyes were locked on his furious father. 

Finally, he broke eye contact with me. They snapped over to his son. “Girlfriend?”


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6/4/2020

A Change in Direction: Chapter Twenty-five

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Chapter Twenty-five


So, on Monday, I came in at the time Edward and I had discussed. I did the grocery shopping since I hadn’t been able to on Sunday like I had been planning to before things went down. Everything was the same and completely different at the same time. The only thing I knew for certain was that this whole situation was a good thing. 

A great thing. 

Admittedly, I was more serious about my cooking. I made sure that there was nothing more than a peck on the lips when he arrived home until the last dishes were put away. Edward didn’t like it, but he respected me for it and understood why I did it. 

I cooked some fried chicken again. He loved it as much as he did the first time. More prepared, I made twice as much to save for later. Once again, he took it to lunch with him the next day. It made me feel so... special, so important, to know he enjoyed it enough to take it. I wasn’t sure why, but it did. 

The following Saturday, I made plans with Alice and Jasper. She wanted details, and he wanted to know what the hell was going on. Bless him, he was so confused. She had kept her word and said nothing. He didn’t even know she had met him before. I could have kissed her for that. 

“So,” Jasper began as he played with the label of his beer while we sat in his backyard. He was grilling steaks and corn for lunch. It smelled great. I loved the aroma of smoke on a cool fall afternoon. It was homey somehow, relaxing even. “So yeah, what’s the deal? With you and my boss? Your boss? How did it start?”

I laughed and sighed, biting my bottom lip for a moment. “Apparently, Edward was interested in me from the beginning, and I have to admit I liked him too. He’s just such a sweet person. So sensitive,” I told him without giving away too much. There were things no one ever needed to know. We knew how it started, and I wasn’t really lying. I was… omitting. There was a difference.

“He always seems so cool and collected at work. Almost cold.” Jasper shook his head like he didn’t understand how something like that could happen. 

“He’s just shy,” I explained, pulling my legs underneath me as I got more comfortable. “Anyhow, after the Maker’s Fair, everything clicked into place. I went over afterward to thank him. I tried to quit when we... um, got together, but he wouldn’t let me. Well, that’s not the right way to phrase it. He didn’t want me to quit. Anyway, we’re dating now.”

“How does that work?” He asked, standing up from the bright yellow plastic chair. It whimpered at the pressure from his massive size. He wasn’t fat, but he was so tall he was probably close to two hundred and thirty pounds, if not more. He had to be, or he would appear sickly. 

“It’s working pretty well so far,” I replied with a slight smile as I thought about our past week together. “Boundaries. It is good to have those and open dialogue and stuff.”

“And stuff,” Jasper snorted to himself. I just rolled my eyes. Yeah, I wasn’t the best at explaining myself or my feelings. He knew that too well about me. 

“Okay, I’ve got the salad and the dessert ready,” Alice called as she came outside. She walked over to her husband, who was flipping the steaks on the huge green grill and kissed his cheek lightly. 

Then she stole his seat, scooting it closer to me. She smiled at me wickedly. “What?” I laughed. She just kept flapping her thick eyelashes at me, grinning like an idiot. Placing her chin on her hand, she rested her elbow on the chair arm closest to me. 

When I said nothing, she took matters into her own hands. “So, what have you two done? How’s the sex? Is it good? Is he a freak? The quiet ones always are.”

“Ah, God! Do I have to hear this? I have to look at him on Monday!” Jasper cried, turning around to glare at us in utter horror. He frowned when he saw what happened to his seat, just sighing after his outburst. Alice raised her eyebrow in a challenge, and he sighed again, giving in to her silent argument with a slight shake of his head. 

“We’ve had dinner-” I began only to annoy her. I knew that wasn’t exactly what she wished to hear. She could be so dirty when she wanted to be.

“Isabella! Come on!” She whined.

“I’m not telling you,” I laughed again, smacking her shoulder lightly. “Nice try, though. You should know me better than that.”

“At least tell me he’s good at it! I mean, he’s hot. And have you seen his ass? He must work out!” She gushed. Her husband groaned loudly as he plated the corn, taking it back into the house to eat before it got burned. Jasper probably just didn’t want to listen to her anymore. I couldn’t blame him. I wanted to leave too, but Alice would follow. Once he was out of earshot, she leaned in closer. “Have you gone there yet? Was he good?”

“He does run a lot,” I told her in answer to her first somewhat question. I thought she would punch me when she realized that was all I was going to give her. Her big brown eyes went wide. “Give it up. I won’t kiss and tell.”

“I’ve been a married woman for nearly a decade! COME ON! GIVE ME SOMETHING GOOD HERE! At least tell me if he’s decent in bed,” she begged. “Give me a little something-something to work with!”

I tapped my chin as I pretended to think, biting my tongue as I glanced up to the sky. Humming to myself, I made my poor friend nearly vibrate in anticipation. Sometimes, she was too funny. 

“I’m surprised I can walk afterward,” I finally remarked. Squealing, she clapped her hands together like a small child that just got a new toy. Only rolling my eyes, I leaned back in my seat and gazed up at the bright blue sky.

“That good?” She whispered.
 
“That good,” I spoke to the heavens. Oh yeah, he was. We were like two puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly. I couldn’t imagine it getting much better. 

“Oh, oh, oh, is he... generous, if you know what I mean?” My best friend inquired in her overly giddy tone. Alice bit her bottom lip, smiling widely despite herself. 

“He’s generous in everything he does. Let’s leave it at that. Jasper doesn’t want to listen to this!” I scolded. I could hear him moving around in the house. 

“Listen to the woman. She’s smart,” he insisted as he came back with a plate for the almost done steaks. 

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Fine!” Alice whined, pursing her lips as she tried to think of other questions that wouldn’t get her into too much trouble. I could practically see the lightbulb above her head when she thought of one. “Will we ever get to meet him? Outside of work, I mean. Maybe go out on a double date?”

“Oh,” I drew out, not expecting that one. We spoke about my dad and mom, but we hadn’t talked about friends. “I don’t know. I’ll talk to Edward, and we’ll see. As I said, he’s shy. I’m not sure how comfortable he’d be.”

Eagerly, she grinned. “You can tell him we don’t bite!”

“Don’t nobody believe that bullshit,” Jasper snickered from the grill. 

I snorted as I stood and stretched my arms above my head. “Yeah, babe. Sorry. Anyone who looks at you can tell you bite. You look like a little vampire. All pale with those sharp ass teeth of yours,” I teased. She flipped me off, throwing her head back as she marched into the house. 

Chuckling, he wrapped his arm around one of my shoulders. “Well, if he wants to ‘meet’ us, we’ll be here. If not, we understand. Alice might not like it, but she understands. It’s been a while since she’s been in a new relationship. And I think she forgets how careful you have to be in the beginning. It’s like trying to avoid getting hurt with bare feet in a room full of broken glass. It ain’t easy.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” I muttered but smiled at him. “Thanks.”

“Anytime, sweets. Now, let’s go chow down! I’m starving.”

After my afternoon with my friends, I went home and took a long shower and carefully did my hair in a messy up-do for my date with Edward. I had to admit I was kind of excited. He said he was taking me somewhere fancy, but that’s all he gave me. He also told me to dress nice. 

That I could handle. 

I had gotten a stunning off-white cocktail dress with a jeweled bodice. Diamond-like crystals and pearls covered the top. It was an empire waist that flared from underneath my breast with the most beautiful sheer fabric. I felt like a princess when I wore it. I put on a pair of awesome nineteen forty style satin shoes with just a little heel. It was like playing dress-up. 

Doing my makeup dramatically to contrast the clothing, I made my eyes dark and my lips fantastically red. I had to admit I felt beautiful, but I did whenever I was with Edward. Smiling to myself, I was excited to spend the evening with him. 

My doorbell rang around five. I wrapped myself in a thin lace white shawl since it wasn’t that cold outside, especially for November. It had been a very warm and pleasant fall. 

When I answered the door, I found Seth standing on the other side. “Hi, Bella. I was told to take you somewhere and not tell you where,” he explained awkwardly as his cheeks flushed. 

“That’s fine,” I chuckled as I turned off the lights and shut the door behind me. I was kind of expecting this since Edward hadn’t explained where we were going. “How are you doing this evening?”

“I’m great. How are you? You look pretty, by the way,” he grinned, taking my hand as he helped me down my stairs in my heels. Not in the romantic lovers’ sort of way, but in the ‘please don’t fall and die’ sort. He knew me well. He had seen me trip down these steps more than once. 

“Thank you,” I smiled. “You don’t think it’s too much?”

“Nah, you look like a million bucks,” he declared, opening the door so I could slide it. “Mr. Masen is lucky to be spending time with you.”

“You think so?” I asked as I played with my fingernails. He was making me shy suddenly. His compliments didn’t really make me uncomfortable like they normally did with others, maybe because I knew he meant them in the most innocent of ways. 

“Totally. You’re awesome. I wish I could have a girl like you for my sister. Mine is kind of a harpy,” he laughed. “She thinks I’m a dork because I play video games. Unlike you.”

“You’re not!” I assured him. “If you are, so am I! Seriously, we need to go game shopping sometime soon. I’ve got the money, but I don’t know what to buy.”

“That would be awesome!” Seth said as we drove along the Red River. “You don’t think that would bother Mr. Masen? Us doing that together?”

“I don’t imagine it would.” I shrugged. “Just because I’m his girlfriend doesn’t mean he owns me. He knows that. Besides, he knows you’re a good guy and that we’re friends.”

“So, girlfriend? I didn’t realize that you two had made it official. I was worried about you guys. Especially after that ball thing you went to. What happened? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“A stupid misunderstanding. We figured it out and fixed everything, though.” I shrugged again. We pulled into a casino valet. “So, is this my stop? Some surprise,” I remarked teasingly. 

Seth laughed. “Yeah. Someone is supposed to be waiting for you. Look, Bella, I’m glad you two worked it out. I was afraid for a while I would lose you as a friend.”

His sweet words surprised me. He was so sincere. I touched his shoulder. “No, sweetheart. You wouldn’t. Hey, you know where I live! You can always come to find me so we can hang out.”

“Cool.” He smiled. “Have a good night. I’ll see you later.”

“Yeah. We’ll try not to make out too much in the backseat,” I joked... sort of. 

He just waved his hand at me, telling me to go on. “I’ve seen much worse. You guys are tame. There is a reason I carry wet wipes and paper towels with me in the automobile at all times.”

I stopped mid exit. “Ew. I feel both relieved and pity for you,” I giggled. “That must suck. I can’t imagine doing anything with someone in the car driving.”

“You have no idea. They need to invent brain bleach,” he chuckled before waving me on again. “Have a good time!”

“I will,” I assured him as I slipped out of the vehicle.

Almost instantly, I was greeted by a pretty blond woman in a blue suit with a tag that said ‘host.’ “Ms. Swan?” She asked politely, but I could tell she already knew it was me for sure. 

“Yes?”

“Hi, Mr. Masen is waiting for you this way, if you’d just follow me, please,” she pleasantly explained. She was no-nonsense, though. We rode up an elevator together in silence, the trip a long one. We went all the way to the top. “Have a pleasant evening, ma’am,” she said after I stepped out. The doors closed before I could respond. 

Soft jazz was playing as I walked onto a private veranda surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers. Twinkling lights set the whole place aglow. Edward was standing by a table, his back turned to me with a glass of champagne in his hands. He looked out over the downtown lights, slowly sipping his drink. He was wearing black trousers with a deep gray button-down shirt, and a black vest, too. 

Alice was right. He had a nice ass.

“What a view,” I commented as I walked towards him, setting my purse down on the table. He didn’t turn, but I could see the corners of his mouth move up in a smile. 

“The scenery is lovely,” he agreed.

“I wasn’t talking about that,” I informed him as I ran my fingers over his back. 

Edward smirked as he took my hand and brought it up to his lips, kissing the top of it lightly. “You look like an angel.”

“It’s not too much?” I inquired as I did a turn. I knew what Seth said, but I wanted Edward’s reassurance. 

And maybe I was fishing a bit for a compliment. 

He set down his glass on the table, walking back to me with the most sensual expression. “No. It’s absolutely enough. It’ll look perfect on my floor later,” he promised, a little cockiness coming out as he wrapped an arm around my waist and began to dance to the music. He dipped me slowly, kissing my bare neck before pulling me up against his chest. 

“How much have you had to drink tonight?” I teased as his palm slid down to my ass, squeezing it tightly. It made me weak in the knees, a tingling spreading from where his hand gripped to the rest of my body. 

“A glass or two,” he chuckled. 

“And I thought you didn’t like to consume alcohol,” I mused as we swayed to the music. 

“I do enjoy it. I’m just not very good at controlling myself when I do. I’m hoping that won’t be an issue anymore between us. Besides, I was a bit nervous. I needed a little something to calm me down.”

“Why is that?” I asked. “What do you have to be nervous about? It’s just me.”

“I was because I have a gift for you,” he stated before pulling away from me. He removed a rectangular red felt box from his pocket. Any girl worth their weight knew what those held. It was jewelry. 

“Oh, my,” I breathed as I took it from his grip. As I opened it, the lid clicked loudly. Inside was an exquisite large teardrop necklace, the color a deep dark, clear forest green. The stone was wrapped in what appeared to be brass or copper, I wasn’t sure. The link chain, an extremely long one, seemed to be made from the same material. At the top of the box, there was a pair of matching earrings, though much smaller. “Oh! How beautiful!” I exclaimed as I pulled out my cheap baubles to put in the new ones. They dangled about an inch from my lobe, just brushing my neck whenever I turned my head. 

“Allow me.” He took it from my hands and put the necklace around my throat. I touched it as it rested comfortably between my breasts. “Just as I thought. Lovely.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him firmly on the mouth. He returned it happily, a smile on his lips. “Thank you!”

“You act as if no one has ever given you jewelry before.”

“No one has,” I answered truthfully, wishing I could check myself out in a mirror to see how they looked on me. I couldn’t help but keep touching them, fiddling with the gems. 

“Well, that’s something that will change,” Edward smiled a little to himself. “I actually got this before... but I wasn’t sure if it would have been right to give it to you. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable. I was still worried about making you feel like that, honestly. Hence the drinking.”

“I think it would have,” I admitted, “but I love it. They’re gorgeous. You didn’t have to.”

“I have to admit, I only wanted to see it on you. Especially while nude.” He ran his knuckles down the chain to where the stone sat. Suddenly his cheeks flushed. “Perhaps I should slow down on the champagne. It makes me a little too bold.”

“I think you should have another glass.” I bit my bottom lip, smiling at him wickedly. “And pour me one too.”

“It’s going to be a wild night.”

I walked to the table and picked up his drink, handing it to him. “I certainly hope so.”

Edward grinned, looking me over again. “Ms. Swan, you are such a tease.”

“When are you going to realize that I’m not teasing?” I asked as I picked up my flute and took a long drag of the slightly sweet bubbly liquid. “You could have me on this table right now if you wanted to.”

“I always want to,” he said as he brought a pocket watch out of his vest. “But, they should be bringing our first course up at any moment.”

“Then we shouldn’t waste the time we have,” I told him as I finished mine and returned it to the table before I wiggled my finger at him. He came right over, and I shoved him into a chair. Sitting down on his lap, I crossed my legs as ladylike as possible as my arms wrapped around his neck. 

“I adore how you think,” he moaned softly as his hand slid from my knee to my ass under my dress. My fingers went to his bright red silk tie, pulling his mouth to mine in a fiery kiss. 

It didn’t stop until a poor waiter cleared his throat loudly. On a cart was a silver-domed dish. “Pardon me. Are you ready to eat?” He asked. “Or should I take it back down?”

Edward was too busy panting and trying to catch his breath with his cheek resting against my neck to answer. I giggled as it tickled my skin. I still had a hold of his tie, twisting it carefully in my fist so as not to tug at his throat. “Yes, we are. Thank you.”

“I’ll be bringing your meals up in fifteen minutes,” he replied, the young man’s face a shade of scarlet. He brought the dish to the table, uncovering it quickly before backing away. 

Once he was gone again, I cackled. “Poor thing,” I snickered. “Good thing you didn’t take me on the table, I suppose. I think he would have had a heart attack.”

He just laughed quietly to himself, his face still pressed against my skin. He patted my thigh, wanting me to get up. I did, straightening my dress as I did so. Pulling my chair out for me, I sat across from him. 

We ate our meals with my barefoot brushing up and down his calf the entire time. Edward’s face flushed as I brought it to his lap when our desserts came. He was hard against the ball of my foot.

I had never seen a man eat ice cream that quickly without getting a brain freeze. It was almost something to be admired. He sent a text to Seth when he was done, allowing me to finish in my own time as he sipped from his flute of champagne. 

His hand rested on my ass for the entire elevator ride down. The look in his eyes was pure desire, and I knew exactly what he wanted. I would do my best to make sure that didn’t happen in the car, though. For poor Seth’s sake. 

That didn’t keep him from running his fingers up and down my thigh repeatedly, just brushing the bottom of my dress with each pass. 

As soon as the front door closed behind us, I dropped my shawl to the ground. My purse found its way down there too. Edward wrapped his arms around me, kissing my lips hard. My legs curled around his waist as he pressed me against the foyer wall, one of my shoes falling off. My fingernails dragged across the back of his neck. He growled loudly, his mouth going to my throat. 

“Hell yes,” I moaned as my head leaned back against the wall. Something tugged at my hair, making it fall haphazardly around my shoulders as one strap of my dress fell. “Fuck me,” I gasped as he nipped at the top of my breasts. 

“I planned on it,” he whispered in my ear. “I’ve been so fucking horny all night.”

Something about him cursing turned me on even more. So often he was overly proper, so when he let go... it was hot. 

“How are you going to?” I pushed as his hips began to grind into me, making me slide up and down the wall. The other sleeve of my dress fell, exposing more of my breasts. 

“Hard and in every position I can think of. I need to feel you cum,” he grunted against my bra, biting hard before tugging the fabric down just a little. I grabbed his head and forced his mouth back to mine. With that, my other shoe fell. 

It was like my clothes were trying to fall off for him. It wasn’t fair. He was still fully dressed. 

“Put me down,” I said against his lips. He instantly dropped me, and I loosened his tie before wrapping it around my fist. “Come with me,” I ordered. He followed eagerly, but I didn’t give him much of a choice.

When we got to the stairs, I shoved him down so that he was sitting on the third or fourth one. I kissed him once while still standing at the bottom of the steps as I undid the fly of his pants. He was straining against his boxers, and all I wanted to do was free him. But first, I pecked the cloth-covered tip, making him jerk. 

“Fuck,” he breathed, pushing my messy curls away from my face as I pulled him out. Once again, I kissed the tip, this time skin against skin. He was slightly moist, the salty flavor on my tongue. I went for more, but Edward grabbed me by the hair and forced me up to his lips. When I did, I straddled his lap, so he was brushing against my soaked panties. “What are you trying to do to me?”

Instead of answering him, I pushed my hand between my legs so I could shove my underwear to the side. Then I slid down on him, the moisture spilling over both of us. “Do you want me to stop?”

“God,” he hissed as I rode him, using the step behind his head to balance me. I was just above him so that my breasts were brushing against his face. His hands went to my ass once again, squeezing it firmly. “Don’t. God, please don’t. It’s perfect.”

Increasing the pace, I only wanted to feel him twitch inside of me. Edward shifted one of the cups of my bra down, exposing my chest completely. I whimpered as he brought my nipple into his mouth, the sharp tug of suction incredible with each bounce. But what was even better was the loud vibrating moan as he came. 

He pulled away, panting as he rested his head against my breast for a moment. I didn’t give him long before I got up and walked up the stairs. 

“Where are you going?” He whimpered, still breathless. “I haven’t made you cum yet.”

“Hm, well.” I stepped out of my dress at the top of the steps, dangling the fabric off of one of my fingers. “Didn’t you say this would look good on your floor?”

Edward grinned impishly, and I could see his cock twitch. Popping up quickly, he slid himself back into his pants before running up the steps after me. I giggled and made a mad dash to his room. He caught up, of course, but I wanted him to. When he did, he pushed me against the bedroom door. His cloth-covered chest was pressed against my back. The dress dropped from my fingers, but I hardly noticed it. All I could feel was his hands on my ass and his lips against my ear. 

“I think I see a couple of other things that would look better on the floor,” he cooed, working my silky panties down to around my calves. Next, he flicked the hooks of my bra-free. Then, oh, God. He dropped to his knees behind me as he licked and kissed my spine. He even bit my right ass cheek as he forced my lingerie all the way down. 

When he came back up, he let the fingers of his left-hand drag from my ankle all the way to my hair. He pushed it away from my ear so he could kiss it lightly. “Mm,” he hummed as his right hand slid between my legs, stroking gently. “Much better.” 

The tables had been turned. I had the control earlier, but he took it back brilliantly. And he knew how to use it. I moaned as he slid his finger against my clit. His palm came to my breast, slipping between the door and it. I was putty in his hands. 

“My love, do you know what time it is?” He whispered. 

I could barely understand the question. I was too into what he was doing. Shaking my head, I rested my forehead against the smooth wooden door. “No,” I finally whimpered, my voice an unrecognizable pant. 

“Well, Ms. Swan, it’s time to fuck you in my bed.”


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6/3/2020

A Change in Direction: Chapter Twenty-four

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Chapter Twenty-Four


I woke up alone in Edward’s room, not a minute after seven in the morning. My clothes were neatly folded at the end of the bed where he had slept the night before. I ran to the bathroom and washed up before getting dressed. I went downstairs, careful to hold my skirt away from my bare feet while I took each step. Half asleep and clumsy, I thought it was better safe than sorry. 

At first, I headed towards the geek room, but I heard the soft strains of classical music coming from the gym. I changed directions, heading back there instead. 

He was sweating away as he ran on the treadmill. I had never seen him do it before. His legs pumped as his arms flexed, the muscles in his stomach twisting and turning with each step. It was hypnotic. I could sit and watch him do it all damn day.

“I’m sorry.” Edward stopped when he noticed me, panting quietly. “Did I wake you? I’m an early riser.”

“So am I. No, I woke up on my own. How long have you been down here?” I asked, walking over to the machine. He stepped down, pressing a careful kiss to my cheek. He smelled wonderful. Like sex, sweat, sunshine, cookies, and books. His scent was improving with every day, it seemed. 

“About an hour.” He looked at the clock on the wall. “A little longer.”

“I thought you did your punching bag on the weekend?”

“I knew that would wake you.” He shrugged and smiled shyly. “You look so peaceful when you sleep, and I didn’t want to bother you.”

“It’s your home,” I smirked at his over-politeness. “I wouldn’t have minded. Are you hungry? Want me to make us some breakfast?”

He flushed a little. “Bella, you don’t have to cook for me anymore if you don’t want to.”

“But, I enjoy it.” I kissed his chest, tasting a bead of salty-sweet sweat on my lips. It was so good. I resisted the urge to lick him. I would save that for later. “What would you like?”

His smirk was so cute. “You know what I’d like,” he simpered, that teenage boy coming out in his eyes as he wrapped an arm around my waist. Yes, I knew exactly what he wanted, and I could feel it against my belly. But I felt like teasing him, so I pulled away while batting my eyelashes innocently. 

“So, eggs and sausage, maybe? Hash browns, too? I can make some fresh-squeezed orange juice, too.” I tapped my finger on my chin. “Oh! Spinach and mushroom omelets with cheddar!”

Edward’s stomach growled loudly, making me laugh. His body was working against him. I backed away towards the door, smiling at my boyfriend’s frown. “That sounds great. Not what I wanted. But food-wise, awesome.”

“Go get a shower,” I called as I turned away. 

“Bella?” He stopped me, a nervous quiver in his voice. 

“Yeah?”

“Stay with me today?” He asked with those big eyes, his long strawberry blond eyelashes framing them beautifully. 
“Of course,” I assured him. “There is nowhere else I want to be.”

When I came into the kitchen, I switched on the iPod he had in the dock, dancing to music as I chopped mushrooms and spinach for our breakfast. I had eggs sitting in tepid water to bring them to room temperature, my cheese already shredded and ready to go. In a cast-iron skillet, I started up some sausage. The hiss of fat on metal filled the space. I sautéed the vegetables with a little butter and salt until they were perfect for our omelets. Everything looked so good, and my stomach started talking to me, too. 

I had just plated the food and arranged it on the table when Edward returned from the shower. Each of us had a small glass of orange juice along with a cup of milk. He came to me and lightly kissed my forehead. “Smells amazing, darling.”

“Thank you,” I grinned, feeling my cheeks heat. His smile grew into that beautiful full-face, innocent boy, one that he had. It reached his sparkling eyes, and in them, I could tell he was truly happy for the first time in weeks. It was wonderful to see the clouds roll away to expose the shining sun after a season of rain. 

“So, what would you like to do today?” He asked as he sat down on the stool. 

“Don’t know,” I mumbled through a bite of meat. “Whatever we do, I need to go to my house and get a fresh outfit. This one had it kind of rough yesterday with the Maker’s Fair and all. And I don’t want to smell bad.”

“Why don’t you bring some stuff over to keep here?” He offered, not looking at me as he did so but instead focusing on his omelet. He was trying to be cool and collected, but I knew him well enough to know better. I could see the gears turning in his head.

“Like what?” I asked slowly.

“Clothes, cosmetics, shower stuff. I don’t know. Whatever you need in a day.” He shrugged. I nodded my head thoughtfully, considering his idea. It had some merit. It could make things easier in the future. But Edward wasn’t done talking. “Or, you could just bring everything over.”

He continued to not look at me when he made the suggestion, but this time, he gazed into his cup of milk before taking a long sip. 

“Are you asking me to move in with you?” I asked, amused by his shyness. 

“Maybe.”

Laughing, I rubbed my hand across my forehead. “Edward, we’ve been a couple for less than twenty-four hours. Don’t you think it’s a bit soon for that?”

“I suppose you’re right,” he sighed but smiled his most charming smile. “I’ll ask again tomorrow.”

I giggled at his suddenly bold playfulness. It was sweet, and it made me happy. He could be so cute when he wanted to be. “Hm, maybe not tomorrow. Try a week from now.”

“Hm, I suppose if you want to be reasonable,” he teased. “Well, since you want to go back to your place, do you want to go out today?”

“You know what? I don’t care what we do as long as we’re together,” I explained as I reached across the island and touched the top of his hand. He twisted his palm up, winding his fingers with mine. We ate the rest of our meal while holding hands. 

After we cleared away the dishes, I drove over to my place in a cute little sports car that he had. It was a convertible, and the day was beautiful, so we rode with the top down. Edward turned on the radio, random music blasting from the speakers. 

“So, I’m going to grab a quick shower and get changed,” I stated once we arrived. 

“I’ll wait in here, I suppose,” he said, looking around the living room. He always seemed too big for the room, but I minded it less and less. 

I took his hand and tugged him along with me. “Why don’t you wait for me in here?” I offered once we got into my bedroom. I pulled out the Mac from the bag he had gotten me. “Why don’t you try to figure out something we can do today?”

“Hm, good idea,” he answered as he sat down on the bed with the computer. 

So, I started my pre-shower ritual while my boyfriend typed away on my full-sized mattress. I picked out a new outfit, laying it down on the comforter. Then I got a pair of matching panties and bra, along with the scent I wanted to wear for the day. 

Brushing my thick hair carefully so it would be easier to wash, I got all the tangles out. I stripped out of my clothes, and the typing and clicking stopped. I looked over my shoulder as I put them in the hamper. Edward was staring at me, blushing lightly. 

“I’m going to have to get used to this. It’s a little different in the daylight,” he remarked.

“Still good?”

“Stunning.” His nose turned pink, and he tried very hard to look back at the screen, but I could tell he was still looking at me. “You have the cutest freckle on your ass, by the way,” he commented as I walked to the bathroom with a fresh towel. Laughing loudly, I felt my entire body flush with embarrassment. What a thing to tell someone.

My shower, though it had hot water, sucked freckled ass compared to the one at Edward’s home. Now I was spoiled too. But it got me clean. I was quick about it and even blow-dried my hair so it wouldn’t be too wild. Braiding it at the base of my neck, I let it run down my back. I wanted it out of the way when we drove in the car so it wouldn’t fly everywhere.

When I came into my bedroom, Edward was still looking at something on the computer. His lips were pursed, twitching slightly as he thought about something. I didn’t want to bother him, so I put on my bra and panties. 

I caught my image in the long mirror I had hanging off my closet door and frowned at the reflection that peered back at me. Turning to the side, I patted my stomach. I was getting chunky around the middle. More so than I was before, anyway. 

“Something wrong?”

“I think I need to run on that treadmill with you in the morning. I’ve been eating too well lately. I bet I’ve gained ten pounds since I started cooking for you,” I explained, going over to get my blue jeans. 

He folded up the computer and put it to the side before getting off the bed. He stopped me from getting dressed, tugging the pants out of my grip. “You look gorgeous, Bella. Don’t worry about your size. You are beautiful the way you are,” he said as he rubbed his hands over my shoulders. 

“Doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try to lose a few pounds,” I replied. “It’s probably not good. I mean, I’m not all that healthy. Especially compared to you.”

“Have you seen the way I eat? I have to work out as much as I do to not be a fat slob! You are perfect, but if you want to be healthier, I understand that. Just... don’t worry about losing too much, okay? You’re so soft and warm and God, yum,” he whispered the last word in a way that made my knees a little wobbly. He sounded almost hungry. Like I was a slice of cake, and he was going to devour me. 

I leaned my flushed face against his cloth-covered chest to hide my slight embarrassment as I wrapped my arms around his waist. “Have you found anything to do today?”

“Nothing that sounds better than you and me in bed all day,” he quietly responded. 

“That does sound nice,” I breathed, peering up at him. “We can go back to your place and-” I stopped talking when I saw Edward shake his head. 

“We can stay here if you want. We spend so much time at mine. I don’t want you to think I don’t want to be here with you too. It doesn’t matter where we are, as long as I’m with you.”

“Honey, we should stay at your house because it’s frickin awesome. Seriously? This place is so boring. No cable. No millions of movies and video games. All I’ve got is a bed and a computer.”

“Well, all I really need for today is the mattress.” He nodded his head towards it. “Shall we?”

Smirking somewhat, I put the clothes I pulled out on top of my dresser. I took Edward’s hand, and he quickly removed his shoes before climbing on top of the blanket with me. Lying against his side, I rested my head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around me. Though I thought I would have been uncomfortable in nothing but my red bra and panties, I wasn’t. I slid my leg in between his, closing my eyes in a pleasure-filled sigh. 

We were quiet for a long time, so long that I thought maybe he had fallen asleep. I was close. But finally, he spoke. “Bella, can I talk to you about something?”

“Sure, anything.” I played with the hem of his light blue Henley shirt. 

“I don’t want you to quit.”

I wasn’t certain I had heard him correctly. Pushing up on my elbows, I gazed at him in confusion. “What?”

“I don’t want you to quit,” he repeated as his cheeks flushed once again. “I want things to change, but yeah, I don’t want you to.”

I sputtered for a long minute. “What are you talking about? You felt horrible about it last night. I thought-”

“I don’t want you to stop cooking for me. I love your food and-” he interrupted, but it was my turn to stop him with a laugh. 

“Oh, honey! I’ll still cook for you anytime you want. Don’t worry about that,” I assured him. “Lord knows I’ll have the time while I look for another job if it’s anything like the last time.”

“That’s the thing. In this economy, you have no idea when you’ll get another one. And I won’t have you go back on unemployment and live like that. I’m sorry. I know you have your pride, but no. And I want you to cook for me, and I want to pay you for the effort until you find another. I want you to look for a job, and of course, I’ll help you all I can, but I can’t live with how you were before,” Edward asserted. 

His words were so heartfelt and emotional. I was taken slightly aback.

“It wasn’t that bad,” I tried to comfort him. “And it’ll be different this time.”

“But it wasn’t good either. And you’re right, it will be different. Please. Let me do this for you, okay?” He breathed, the rims of his eyes turning red as he touched my cheek. 

Looking down, I frowned to myself in thought. “Then we’re going to have to define the work and the hours better. Write up a new contract, I suppose. And the pay will have to change.”

“Money is no object,” he eagerly stated. 

“No more than four hundred a week,” I declared, thinking it over. It was more than what I was making before on benefits, though not much more. But, I would eat with Edward almost every day, and working had saved on bills. It would still be enough to save a little every week, just in case. 

“Fuck no,” he replied instantly. “I think not.”

I laughed at his abrupt reaction. “Why?”

“Private chefs get paid a minimum of two hundred a day. Bella, as much as you cook for me? No. I say we stay with what we have now.” He shook his head. 

But I had an argument for his logic. “I’m not a chef,” I pointed out with weird pride that I had something against him. “I have no formal training.”

“Some of the best in the world have no training. It doesn’t mean you don’t have a refined palate and a great talent. And if that’s an issue, I can pay for you to go to cooking school.”

I pursed my lips, and Edward raised an eyebrow in my direction. “No more than five hundred,” I countered. 

“The idea of cooking school appeals to you, doesn’t it?” He cooed, seeing the little spark in my eye when he mentioned it. “Fifteen hundred.”

“Yes, but there aren’t any around here, and I’m not going to let you pay for it. The closest is in Dallas or New Orleans. Six hundred.”

“Do you think I won’t just pick up and go with you anywhere?” He asked and then countered me with, “and don’t you think we should define your work hours before we even discuss pay?”

“I suppose.” I sat back on my knees opposite him as he laid against my headboard. “And I know it’s not that easy for you. You have work to do here.”

“Work that can be done by many others. If I wanted to, I could work at any of the sixty different offices we have around the planet. Want to train in Paris? Rome? Tokyo? Bella, tell me where, and we can go tomorrow,” he offered, practically laying the world down at my feet on a golden platter, and I knew he meant every word. 

“It doesn’t work like that in real life,” I softly responded. “One day, maybe. But not yet. And how about this? Work from oh, one in the afternoon until six on weekdays. Ten to six on the weekends?”

“No, I want to spend the weekends with my girlfriend. Not my personal chef. One to six, Monday through Friday.”

“So, what is that? Twenty-five hours a week? Hardly worth that much. That’s part-time. Honestly, five hundred would be too much for that.”

“Just because you’re arguing with me in your unmentionables doesn’t mean you’re going to get your way,” he muttered. 

“Just because you’re a business badass doesn’t mean you’ll get yours,” I replied with a smirk. “If you want this, then we’re going to have to do it my way. Six hundred, Edward. That’s more than enough for me.” 

“One thousand a week, along with continued health benefits. That’s my final offer, Ms. Swan. I can hire someone else if you so wish, though their food won’t be as good as yours...” He trailed off, looking at me with the gravest expression he had ever aimed at me before. “You pay for quality in this world, darling.” 

He stuck his hand out for me to shake. He was dead serious. I couldn’t believe it. He would have hired someone else if I had said no.

“Damn you,” I muttered, taking his palm. We shook once, and he tugged me on top of him afterward. “No funny business at work,” I mumbled.

“That’s why you’ll be working weekdays. I can’t make promises like that on the weekend,” he informed me, nuzzling my hair. “Don’t act so sour. I’d give you the entire universe if you asked for it.”

“Yes, I know. But it makes me feel guilty that I can’t give you something more in return.” I whispered, peering up at him. 

“I have you. That’s incredible. And,” he laughed quietly, “your food. Oh, my. I’ve dreamed about your chicken. I think it could have been considered a wet dream. Like I said earlier, you’ve seen how I eat. You know how into food I am.”

“Want me to make you some on Tuesday?” I offered. Beaming, Edward nodded his head happily. I giggled and laid my cheek on his stomach, which gurgled and popped. He played with my hair until I fell asleep. 

It was mid-afternoon when I woke up, close to dinner. He had worked off his blue jeans at some point, and we had gotten under the covers. I wasn’t sure how. I think both of us needed the extra rest, though. Yawning, I rubbed the back of my neck as I sat up. He was still asleep, his mouth slightly open and snoring quietly. I giggled, unable to hold it in. 

“What? What?” He sat up rather dramatically, his eyes going wide. Laughing loudly at his extreme expression, I covered my mouth. His eyes narrowed at me as he fell back against my pillows, covering his eyes. “I haven’t napped in years.”

“It’s nice,” I commented, sitting back and stretching. “Especially with such a sexy partner. By the way, you snore.”

“So do you,” he teased, and I just shrugged. It didn’t surprise me. We were in the south, the land of pollen. Everyone did. He yawned, his jaw opening wide as his eyes squeezed shut. “Wow, this isn’t how I expected to spend today.”

“The day isn’t over yet.”

“True,” he smiled, touching my cheek. “It was nice, though.”

Finally getting dressed, I took my hair down since my sleep ruined my braid. The result was a kinky mess haloed around my head. There wasn’t anything I could really do about it without a bath, so I decided to just leave it. I pulled it into a fluffy ponytail.

We grabbed some dinner and walked along the river again, like our first night together. This time was different, though. There was no nervousness. There were only comfortable conversations and sensual kisses. We sat on a bench and watched the sun go down while holding hands. 

“So, do you think your nieces will like the clothes?” I asked, leaning my head against his shoulder. 

“Of course. They’re little girls. They love any kind of clothing you give them,” he chuckled. “I miss them. I haven’t seen them in a couple of months.”

“You said something about them coming for Thanksgiving?” 

“Yeah. Me and my brother and father have some business to work on down here, so they’re going to come here for the holiday this year and stay the week after. It kind of kills two birds with one stone. Carmen will come down with the girls, but her husband can only stay a couple of days,” he explained. “Carmen is my sister. I’m not sure if I ever mentioned her name before.”

“No. You really haven’t talked too much about your family,” I said, playing with the hem of his shirt again. 

He shrugged. “I’ve always kind of felt like an outsider. They all seem so loud and bigger than life, well except for Dad. He can be when he wants to, but not like my older brother, Emmett.”

“What about your sister?”

“Her too. Actually, she’s my half-sister and quite a bit younger. She’s my father’s and Esme’s daughter together.” He chuckled to himself quietly at a thought. “But she wouldn’t be around if it weren’t for me, though.”

I glanced at him. “How’s that?”

“After Mum died... mine and Em’s mother, her name was Elizabeth, I got sick. I suppose the stress of it got to me. I went in and out of the hospital a lot. Esme was my doctor. I guess my Dad needed the comfort... It was less than a year after Mum died that they got married. Carmen came about three months after that. It all worked out. I wasn’t thrilled with the whole thing until she came, though. But I just fell in love with her instantly. I was maybe twelve. Emmett really didn’t get it, but he was older. Almost in college. I mean, he loves her, don’t get me wrong. But she’s everything I’m not. And now,” he laughed, “she’s spawned these beautiful, feisty little creatures that are just like her.”

“You really adore your family, don’t you?” I asked, enjoying listening to his musings. 

Edward grinned. “I do. I really do. Honestly, I’d rather be on the outside than not have them at all,” he breathed as he touched my hair gently. “I have to admit I’m more open with you than I ever have been with them.”

“You’re sweet.” I kissed his chin lightly, and he sighed as he leaned his forehead against my temple. Then I suddenly thought of something. “What’s going to happen on Thanksgiving?”

“What do you mean?” 

“Do you need me to cook?”

His eyes got wide. “Of course not! It’s a holiday. I’m not going to have you work all day. We’ll have it catered. I guess I haven’t even really thought about that. What are you doing?” He inquired, his eyes hopeful. 

“My Dad wants me to meet his girlfriend. They’re having lunch,” I explained, biting my bottom lip when he looked disappointed. “But, I told him I was going to spend at least part of the day with you, most likely. I wanted to cover my bases. I wasn’t sure, and,” I laughed, “I wanted an excuse to leave if I needed it.”

“My family will arrive in the morning so we’ll have dinner, I’m sure. Everyone likes to take the time to freshen up and rest a little,” he clarified, a soft blush covering his cheeks. “Do you think you’d like to join us that night? I would really like you to meet them.”

“Are you sure?” I asked. “Are you certain it’s not too early?”

“Well,” he smirked slightly. “That’s about two weeks away. I don’t think that’s too soon. Unless,” his expression changed, and he frowned, “you don’t want to.”

“Did I say that?” I pressed. He shrugged, that shy little boy coming out. “I’d love to meet your family, but... is it okay if we save meeting mine for Christmas or something? I don’t want to have to meet the girlfriend and try to explain who you are in the same afternoon. It’s too many new people in one day.”

He chuckled. “Yeah. That seems fair to me.”

“I have to prepare you for Charlie, anyway. You do realize he’s a former cop that still likes to play with guns, right? And you do know that I am his only little girl?” I inquired in a teasingly serious tone. Edward’s eyes went wide, making me giggle. 

“I’m fucked, aren’t I?” He asked in a strained voice. 

“Nah,” I snickered as I wrapped my arms comfortingly around his middle. “Don’t worry too much. I’ll protect you.”

“Promise?” He smiled crookedly, one side rising higher than the other in the most pleasant expression of contented happiness. 

“I swear.”


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6/2/2020

A Change in Direction: Chapter Twenty-three

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Chapter Twenty-three


It was dark when I arrived at Edward’s home after the Maker’s Fair. I helped Alice break down for the day, but my mind was elsewhere. All I could think about was him and how I had to see him that night. I didn’t call, but I knew he would be there. He was such a homebody. 

He was in the first place I checked, sitting alone in the geek room. It was so quiet. He was sipping on a bottle of cream soda with the television off. I walked to the back of the couch, running my fingers across his shoulders. I saw the corners of his mouth curl up into a shy smile. 

“I was rather hoping I’d get to see you again today,” he breathed. “I’ve missed you terribly.”

“I’ve missed you too,” I said as I came to the front of the sofa. Sitting beside him, I took his free hand in mine. “You did a wonderful thing for my friend. Thank you.”

“You don’t have to.” Shrugging, he leaned his head back. “It’s not like I got nothing out of it. It’s not a big deal.”

“Yes, it is.” I tugged on his hair gently as I turned towards him. “And yes, I do.”

Kissing him on the mouth, I let my hands wander through his messy locks. He sat the bottle on a side table without breaking our kiss before bringing his hand to my ribs. He was such a good kisser, and it made me tingle, especially behind the knees. I adjusted myself carefully, so I was straddling his legs, my skirt pushed up around my ass. He held me close to his chest, his fingers splayed across my spine. 

“Oh, Edward,” I whispered as his lips traveled across my jaw and to my ear. “I want you. Please. I want you so badly.”

He pulled back, then sighed as he frowned. I hated his expression. It was heartbreaking. I tugged on the back of his hair again, trying to get him to look into my eyes. “I can’t.”

“Why?” I asked quietly. “What’s the matter?”

“I thought I could. I thought I could do this, but I can’t.” He shook his head, still not meeting my eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Getting up off his lap quickly, I felt my heart instantly ache. “Can’t do what? Why are you sorry?”

He laughed without humor, looking up at the ceiling. “I can’t do this to you. I care too much about you to do this. Bella, I’m such a bastard.”

“What on earth are you talking about? How could you say that about yourself? You’re not! You’re one of the most sensitive and caring men I have ever met. To me, you’re wonderful.”

“I’ve done nothing but use you. How could you say that?” He asked in a pained voice as he covered his face with his hands. “I’ve been lying to you all this time. Maybe to myself too.”

“Lying? About what?”

“Bella, this wasn’t something I had been thinking about doing. I would have never considered it. But when I met you... God, I wanted you. I’ve wanted you since the first moment I saw you. And I could have found you a place at Eagle, but it wouldn’t have been in the position you wanted or deserved, and it would have meant that I couldn’t... That I couldn’t have you. And that night before that joke of an interview, I tried to find you a computer job here with some connections I had. I needed to help you out, I had to get you a job. You seemed so desperate, and that killed me. I found a couple, but they hardly paid anything, or they weren’t even in the state. And I was too selfish for that. I was only thinking at first that I’d hire you as a personal assistant until I could find you a better tech position, but then it just fucking slipped out. Lover. Ha, what an idiot I am. It’s all I could think about. Kissing you. Taking you. Fucking you. God, all I wanted to do when you came into my office was bend you over my desk and-”

“Edward,” I breathed softly, feeling overwhelmed by his emotional outburst. He put his hand up, stopping me. 

“What’s worse is that I’ve let it go on this long, let you think that... And for a little while, I thought I could do it. Just have sex with you. Have you and be happy with that. But then I got to know you and saw how wonderful you are. I should have told you then, but I was too fucking afraid you’d leave. And I couldn’t stand the thought of it. I’m such a coward.” He began to cry softly as he tugged at the hair at his temples. “And I let it go deeper and deeper. And every time you tell me you want me... it fucking kills me to think of what I’ve done to you. I used you at your most desperate. I am a fiend. To think anyone could use your beautiful body just for their pleasure, to pay you for it. It makes me sick. You should be worshiped. You are a goddess, Bella. Oh god,” he wept. 

“Edward,” I mumbled, stepping towards him. Kneeling down in front of him, I pulled his hands away from his face so I could look at him. “Edward,” I pleaded when he didn’t move. 

“I can’t do this to you. No matter how much I want to. The other night, after the ball, when we... when I almost.” He shook his head. “I’ve never hated myself more. And I took part of that out on you.”

“Don’t. You said you believed me when I told you I cared about you. Don’t you?” He only nodded his head again. “Then, you should know that I want this.”

“That makes it worse.”

“How?” I pushed.

“It just does.” He looked away. 

I stood up and backed away from him. “Look at me.” When he didn’t, I spoke louder and more forcefully. “Edward, I said, ‘look at me!’ Right now!”

“What?” He asked when he finally raised his head, his hand brushing across his cheek as he tried to wipe away his tears. They were so heartbreaking. 

“I quit,” I told him as I tugged my peasant blouse over my head and threw it to the floor. I wasn’t wearing my best bra and panties, but I couldn’t have cared less at the moment. Then I kicked my ballet flats off. 

“What are you doing?” He questioned as his eyes grew wide, and he sat back a little on the couch. 

“You didn’t hear? I’m quitting.” I pushed my skirt to the ground and stepped out of it. His face turned a bright purple, and his lips moving, but no words were coming out. “I’m sorry, but this job just isn’t going to work for me anymore if it’s making you feel like that. You are far too precious to me. And I want you too much. I’m yours, free of charge. If you want me too, I mean.”

He looked so confused. “Didn’t you just hear what I told you? I could have given you a real job-”

“Yes, it’s very sweet, but I don’t think you were lying to me. Not really. Maybe you were more honest than most. I’m not sure, and I don’t care either way, honestly. I can’t stand it if this is eating you up inside. No. I can see it in your eyes, and I hate it. You won’t do this to yourself anymore. I won’t allow it. Edward, this is all that I am. I’m no goddess. I’m no beauty queen. We’re not even in the same league. But I care about you, and I want to be with you in every way possible. And I want you to want me. Say that you do, please.”

“I do,” he whispered as I took a step towards him. “You are an angel, and you are more beautiful than words can describe, though. I have never met a woman more glorious than you are.”

Straddling his lap again, Edward’s blue jeans were pleasantly rough against my thighs. I hovered above him, my mouth hungrily taking his. For the first time, I felt his bare hands against my back, sliding up to my bra. I reached behind me and unhooked it for him. His fingers explored the newly exposed skin, dragging them down my spine to my ass, which he grabbed gently. 

He removed the clip from my hair, running his hands through the strands as we continued our passionate embrace while his other hand slid into the back of my panties. I ground myself against him, needing as much contact as possible. I hated the clothes between us, so I tugged on his shirt gently. Sitting up, he allowed me to remove it and throw it across the room recklessly. My bra met the same fate, landing on the pool table. He wrapped his arms around me tightly, smashing my chest against his. 

His hand balled up in a fist at the back of my neck, grabbing my hair as he tilted my face toward the ceiling. Eagerly, his mouth explored my throat. My spine arched as I leaned back further, making my breast jut out in invitation. He took it without hesitation, his lips wrapping around one of my exposed nipples. 

As I called out his name breathlessly, he clutched me tightly as both of his hands went down the back of my panties. I fell forward against him, my arms wrapping around his neck as he sucked forcefully. He moved to the other, letting his tongue roll around it twice before bringing it into his mouth for the same fantastic treatment. 

I felt myself on the edge of cumming as I kept my hips swirling against his hard blue jean covered erection, but I wasn’t ready for that release yet. I knew when I came, it would be explosive. Pulling away from Edward, I pushed my hair behind my ear and tugged off my panties before dropping on my knees in front of him. Together we worked off his jeans, him popping the button as I unzipped. He lifted his ass up to allow me to pull them and his underwear to the floor. 

He was gorgeous in the nude. His body was perfect, and his cock was long but not freakishly so. He was maybe an inch longer than average, but what made me wetter, which I thought was impossible, was the fact that he was thick. So much so I had trouble wrapping my fingers entirely around him. 

Our eyes were locked as my mouth descended upon him for the first time, tasting the little drop of liquid at the very tip. There was no questioning that he was enjoying this, too. Edward held my hair away from my face as he watched me take as much as him in as possible. He hissed and groaned, his grip tightening with each passing second. I could only go down about halfway before it was too much, but I think that was enough for him. Bobbing my head several times slowly, my hand matched the action as I hallowed my cheeks. I loved the way his head lolled to the side, his teeth grit as he tried to hold back. That was the last thing I wanted, though. 

I pulled away and massaged him for a long moment, licking some moisture away from my lips. Bringing my tongue flat against him, I ran it from the base to the tip. As I did, it jumped violently, and Edward groaned loudly. Before I could do it again, he grabbed me by the arms and tugged me back onto his lap. 

He brushed against my thighs, then between my legs, and the moisture dripped down them. “Oh,” he gasped as I kissed his ear. I twisted my body so it brushed against my clit. I moaned at the sensation, never wanting it to end. But he had a better idea. 

Picking me up, he had one hand on my back and the other arm under my ass as he gently moved us onto the floor so that my head was on one of the many pillows. My legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him towards me. He slid himself against my center several times as we made out, and I could feel his beautiful ass flex as he did. 

“I won’t last. It’s been too long,” he said against my mouth, our foreheads pressed together. 

“I don’t care.”

“I do.” He kissed me again before pushing himself away. Slowly he pecked down my stomach, his soft fingertips dancing along my tingling flesh. He lapped at my belly button, nipping at the little soft bit of skin right underneath it. For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel fat but beautiful. I felt sensual and sexy, and it was all because of him. 

When he finally made it between my legs, he stared for a long time with his hands dragging along my thighs as he spread me wide. “I can’t believe this is for me,” he whispered before he pecked my clit lightly. Moaning softly, my back arched. My fingers found purchase in his hair as he buried his mouth in me. My legs bent at the knee, and I lifted off the floor with the ball of my feet. My toes curled into the super plush carpet as he lapped and kissed my lips, one of his arms wrapped around my thigh while the other kept me spread. 

“Oh, God. Edward, oh, God!” My back arched again as his fingers found their way inside of me. It was all too much, and the tightening began, but he didn’t slow down as he rode out my orgasm and then my second in quick succession. I was right when I said my first would be explosive. Stars popped in front of my eyes, everything going a little dim as I tugged at his hair and screamed out his name. I could hear it, but I couldn’t believe the noise was coming from me. My entire body rocked with his mouth, my voice going up two octaves as I begged. For what, I wasn’t sure. “Oh! OH! EDWARD, PLEASE! EDWARD, EDWARD! OH, GOD!”
 
He didn’t stop until I yanked on his hair so sharply that he hissed in pain. Chuckling, he rested his face against my lower stomach. Though his lips were gone, his fingers were still inside of me. Shuddering, my arms went over my head. I grabbed at a pillow, just trying to hold on. 

“Fucking perfect.”

“I’m not sure I can handle anymore,” I whimpered as he sat back on his knees between my legs. 

“You can,” he said so firmly I believed him. Edward pressed a hand against my stomach with his fingers spread wide as his digits curled inside of me. He started out slowly at first, going in and out at just the right speed to let me get used to it. By the time I was close again, I was pressing down on him with equal force, riding his hand as hard as I could. The pressure on my stomach was perfect, and I could feel him in ways I didn’t know you could. “That’s it. Yes, that’s it. Just like that, my love. Let me feel you again.”

There was no sound with this orgasm. It was so blindingly powerful that I felt it down from my toes to the top of my skull, electric shocks spreading out from his hand to the rest of my body. He didn’t let the moment fade before he slid his cock in me. I gasped as I gushed around him, liquid pouring from somewhere deep inside. He cursed loudly, but I couldn’t focus on anything but the feeling. Clutching his back, my nails dug into his skin as I floated away. 

True to his word, he didn’t last long, but it didn’t matter. I had been wound too tight and sprang free too many times to even care. He hovered over me, panting while still inside of me. He rested his forehead against my chest, and I wrapped my arms around his neck to hold him as close to me as possible. 

“Wow,” I giggled. 

“Yeah,” he chuckled along with me. 

“That was... earth-shattering,” I earnestly declared. “I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on me.”

Snickering, he collapsed beside me when he finally pulled out. I put my hand on my forehead, still trying to catch my breath. “I’m sorry it didn’t last longer.”

“You’re out of your mind,” I replied, halfheartedly slapping his torso. He grabbed my palm, bringing it to his mouth and kissed my knuckles lightly. I sighed and rolled against him, resting my head on his chest. “What now?”

“Hm,” he hummed quietly, looking down at me. “I thought we could grab a shower and something to eat. Then I’d like to show you how grateful I am that you came over tonight again, in my bed this time.”

“I meant for our relationship,” I giggled at his baser urges.

“Ah.” He flushed in embarrassment but smiled down at me. “Well, if you’ll have me... God, it feels so strange saying this. It’s something I’ve thought about many times, but I feel like I’m in high school again. You keep doing that to me. Bella, I want you to be my girlfriend. Be mine, please?”

“I’m already yours,” I told him, kissing his bare chest as I rested my chin against him. “You should know that.”

“I need to hear it, though,” he admitted as he played with my hair, his big beautiful green eyes gazing into mine. 

“I have such a sweet and sensitive boyfriend,” I stated as I ran my finger along his jaw. Edward smiled slightly, his eyes closing for just a second as he rested his head back against the pillow. The moment was ruined though by his stomach growling loudly. I laughed and leaned down to kiss it. “Who is always hungry. Want me to make you something?”

“No, of course not. Why don’t I get us something after that shower I was talking about?”

“Sounds good to me,” I answered. All I grabbed before Edward dragged me up to his room was my bra and panties, which I quickly threw onto his bed. He was so eager to have me in his bathroom, but when I saw it, I couldn’t blame him. 

It was a huge granite space with three large sprayers on each wall. The door was clear glass, exposing the fact that one of the walls, the one opposite of the door, had a broad ledge for sitting. Edward put two big fluffy towels on a golden bar and flipped a switch. “Towel warmer,” he informed me when he noticed me gazing at it in curiosity.

“It’s good to be rich,” I mumbled, touching the already warm fabric. 

“It has its advantages,” he chuckled when he went to the wall and pressed a few buttons. All the sprayers came on at once. “How do you like your water?”

“Hot,” I answered, watching as he adjusted the temperature. Steam almost instantly filled the room. “Nice.”

“Yeah, I’m kind of spoiled now. It’s amazing. I’m not sure who lived here before or had this built, but they’re my hero. They have great taste in showers.”

Edward stepped inside and took my hand, guiding me under the water. I gasped as it pelted my spine and side, my head tipping back to get my hair all wet. His palms slid up and down my ribs. When I opened my eyes after rubbing the liquid out of them, I realized I was being gazed at with the most intense expression. He had yet to rinse his, so I took a step towards him and gently tilted his head back with my fingers. Running them through his curls, I made sure they were soaked completely. The droplets flowed down his chest and onto mine as I pressed myself against him. 

He took my face in his big hands and kissed me ever so lightly. “I am so glad you came here tonight.”

“Me, too,” I smiled before pecking his lips tenderly. 

We washed each other, taking turns scrubbing the puff of soap across each other’s body after washing the other’s hair. I could have stayed in there forever, especially with how Edward was touching me, but we both pruned, and his stomach was getting louder and more demanding. 

Instead of allowing me to get dressed in my own clothes, he threw me one of his well-loved t-shirts, a gray thing that was super soft and comfortable. He laid me down in the middle of his bed and kissed me solidly with the promise of food when he returned, telling me not to move because he wanted to come home to me just like I was. I only scoffed at him, but I did what he asked. 

I was too exhausted to get up, anyway. 

“Mm... Such a nice view,” Edward smirked slightly when he came back with a big bag from one of the fast-food restaurants that were about four houses down. He could have easily walked to it. It was from a local chain that served nothing but chicken. The smell wafted into the air, and my stomach growled. I had only eaten about half of my lunch and had yet to have dinner. 

“Cane’s okay?” He asked, holding up the bag. “I got you a box combo with sweet tea.”

“Sounds great. Should we eat in the dining room?” I asked, sitting up. 

He shook his head. “Let’s eat in bed. I’ve already got the ketchup.” He pulled the plastic bottle from his back pocket, making me laugh. Smiling in return, he retrieved the smaller box and passed it to me with a plastic fork. “I ate this probably every other day before you came along. It’s been about a month since I had it, and I was in the mood.”

Of course, he got the biggest meal they had. I rolled my eyes as I adjusted myself against the headboard. Edward sat beside me, his big drink between his legs. We ate quietly, my head resting against his shoulder. Every once in awhile, he would turn and kiss the top of my scalp. It was so comfortable. 

“You’re such a slob,” I teased Edward as I looked at his shirt after he finished eating. He had dropped ketchup and their special dipping sauce on himself, twice. And there were crumbs all over the place, and a blob of slaw on across his stomach. I wasn’t sure how he managed that. Or managed to eat all six chicken fingers. 

“Well, excuse me,” he faked insult, taking off his shirt and throwing it to the floor. “Better?”

“Much,” I hummed in pleasure. 

“If I’m going to go without my shirt, so should you.”

“I’m not wearing pants,” I pointed out. “That makes us even.”

To respond to that, he removed his too. All while giving quite the show as he did. It was rather funny. “Shirt, my dear.”

“Fine,” I playfully huffed, pulling it off and handing it to him. But, for some reason, he frowned. “What?”

“You’re wearing a bra and panties. I’m only in my boxers. I think, for the sake of fairness, you should take off your bra,” he replied, looking at me with his big green pathetic eyes. He was so full of shit, and I told him as much. 

“Underwear is underwear. You’re in underwear. I’m in underwear. It seems fair to me.”

Cocking his head to the side, he gazed at me. “Nope, it’s not. The bra comes off.”

Edward tried to wrestle it off of me, but I wouldn’t let him without a fight. I giggled and squealed, the fabric snapping against my back as he attempted to work the hooks. To get him back, I popped his boxers several times. He laughed and wailed in pretend pain as the band hit across his ass. Together, we practically wiggled the cloth down to his knees. When he finally got mine off, he held it up in the air like it was a trophy. 

“You are such a child,” I snorted, covering my breast with my arms. 

“I’m pretty sure I’m all man.” He looked down at his exposed cock, which was already hard and resting against his thigh. 

“On the outside, maybe,” I said as I pushed him onto his back and straddled his waist. I trapped him between my thighs, but he wasn’t complaining. “But I think you are nothing more than a teenage boy on the inside.”

“Perhaps you’re right, but I don’t have the energy of a teen. If I did, we would have had sex at least two more times already.”

“Oh, is that so?” I laughed, wiggling my bottom.

“Yup. When I came in with the food and in the shower. Or maybe a couple of times in the shower. I’m not sure,” he teased, resting his hands on my ass. 

“Well, it certainly looks like you’re ready now,” I commented, looking down. 

“Huh, I think you’re right.” He smiled at me wickedly as he flipped me over onto my back. My laughter turned into a moan as he tasted my collarbone. 

If he did have more energy, I was glad I didn’t meet him back then. Honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to walk for days. I fell asleep in his arms after round three. I wasn’t certain how many orgasms he gave me, but he was very determined in that area, making sure I got at least three to his one. It was spectacular.


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