August 14, 2010

“Jessica?” I called, hopping out of the truck with surprise as Edward swore under his breath that he was going to take a hammer to her head and try to knock some sense into her for parking where she did.

“Bella!” she cried back in excitement, waving one hand over her head, and almost using the other as well until her little dog growled at her, while running toward me. “I’m so happy to see you again.”

We met in the middle, and she wrapped the free arm around me while her little dog growled upon picking up my scent. That evil beast and I had never gotten along, mostly because we both thought we were the boss. As I tried to maneuver so that my arm was out of its biting range Jessica started rambling. “I was at work and this song came on the radio, you remember the one we used to sing to? Anyway, I realized that I hadn’t seen you in years and totally missed your wedding, thanks for the invitation by the way, and so went hunting in a box because I had nothing to do this week since my job is on shutdown and found the envelope with your address on it and put it into google maps which gave me the directions so I’ve been on the road for a few days with Mipsy here so excited to see you again and now I’m here, and holy crap, is that your husband?”

Upon spotting Edward she had finally gone silent. I still remember how amazed he was that I hadn’t had any trouble with Alice, now he was about to see why. “Yes, Jessica, this is my husband Edward,” I introduced her and turned to him, begging him with my eyes to be patient and understanding, even though I knew he’s had a horrible day. “Um, Edward, this is my old college roommate, Jessica, who has apparently come to visit.”

“Oh, yes, sorry, I guess I should have called but I knew you wouldn’t mind since you just write from home and so don’t actually have to go to work anywhere and we could spend time and reminisce while Edward was playing with the dogs and cats. He is a vet right? And then we could maybe go horseback-riding since I haven’t done that since I was a little girl, and then you could take a picture of me on the horse so I can tweet it and prove that I actually did it. Do you think the horse would mind having Mipsy on it?”

As Jessica continued to talk a mile a minutes I just kept a questioning eyebrow raised at Edward. He just shrugged, as if to ask what we could possible do about it. The only really good thing I had heard in her chatter was that it was only a few days, since she did have to be back to work. Thank you and sorry I mouthed, prompting him to come over and kiss me on the top of my head.

Reaching a hand out he greeted Jessica, “It’s very nice to meet you. Bella has told me all about you.” He said the last part with a smirk. “Apparently she was very honest with me.”

“Oh, you too, Edward,” she responded with a blushing smile, swooning a little at his voice. How well I remember how hearing that voice affected me the first time. “I’m a little surprised Bella married a veterinarian since she never got along with Mipsy that well, but I suppose after seeing you I can see what the attraction is.”

She actually didn’t speak again, and seemed to be in a bit of a daze as she took in my handsome husband. Looking up at his face I could see the smirk that had done me in as well. No wonder she was momentarily incoherent. I turned back to the girl who had never understood me and smiled. “It’s getting late and I’m sure you’re tired from your drive. Why don’t we get you settled?”

“That sounds so nice, I am very tired. And hungry, do you have anything quick to eat? I mean, it seems like it would take a long time to get a pizza out here or something, but I guess I could order one because I really don’t want to put you out or anything, but I swear I’m starving. I’m sure Mipsy is too, do you have any dog food?” She stopped talking long enough to laugh once. “What am I talking about? He’s a vet, of course you have dog food around.”

She continued to talk as I ushered her into the house, looking desperately at Edward. He sighed. “I’ll go and pick some up at the clinic, dry or canned?”

In spite of her constant jabbering Jessica had heard our exchange. “Mipsy only eats the best canned food, but since you’re a vet you probably have that on hand, just be sure it has real meat in it and no byproducts because those give her gas and we wouldn’t want little Mipsy to be sick now would we?” She continued to talk, but this time it was to the dog se we didn’t feel we need to pay much attention.

“Will you be all right? How is your leg feeling?” I asked, knowing just how bruised it was even if he didn’t.

Cupping my face in his hands he turned it to his and kissed me lightly. “I’ll be fine, love. Get her settled and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

He was going to touch her.

My words came out of me, slamming like a hammer. If he took one more step towards her, by God, I’d break his arm. “I think the lady said not to touch her.”

I watched with smug satisfaction as his back froze and he turned slowly around.

Emmett had insisted on accompanying me from the pub. As it was his parents’ house Bella was leasing from, I had no problems with this. Plus, Emmett was a hulking, tree of a guy. I had seen Tyler Crowley at various social functions before and while I felt utterly confident in my physical abilities, I didn’t really want a brawl. That would not be the best thing for Bella…or the McCarty’s furniture.

Emmett followed me in the doorway and Tyler’s eyes rounded as he took in the figure behind me. Despite his actions and occasional bad decisions I knew him to be somewhat intelligent, but goading me didn’t seem so smart.

“Had to bring backup?” Tyler snorted.

“Just…insurance,” I answered. “I suggest you leave and get back to the states and whatever it is you do there.”

I really wasn’t interested in a pissing contest with Tyler, I seriously just wanted to be alone with Bella, we would be going back to Alice’s tomorrow and there wouldn’t be any alone time once we got back to Lucy.

“Bella, I flew all this way…we were good together baby,” he turned back to her.

Bella was stooping, taking something out of the oven and damn if he wasn’t checking out her ass. I could almost hear his brain working; I thought I might hit him, my fist started to clench but Emmett grabbed my arm.

“Dude, give her a chance…mum says she’s got spunk let’s see what she does,” Emmett said. “Don’t worry, we won’t let it won’t go far.”

Tyler’s hand reached out to palm her…right in front of me! Emmett pulled me back at the same time and we watched in disbelief as Bella swung around. The resounding smack as Bella’s hand hit Tyler’s face was the sweetest song I’d ever heard.

“I thought I’d made it clear, asshole…Do. Not. Touch. Me.” Bella was beautifully angry. The look on Tyler’s face was worth not hitting him, and I had never been more in love with anyone than I was at that moment.

She was magnificent.

“Get. Out.” Bella’s teeth were clenched and her eyes were blazing.

o * o * o

Emmett’s pub was beautiful and typically English: dark woods, low ceilings, gleaming brass, the smell of good things to eat. He had managed to create an amazing atmosphere and Bella and I were in a booth in the back, intimate and focused. We had finished our dinner and the server had cleared out the plates. Mrs. McCarty’s blackberry fool was on its way out to us and I used the opportunity to play with her hands, touching our fingertips.

When Tyler had left, a red, welty mark on the side of his face – she’d really hit him perfectly – we’d gone to bed. Seeing the tigress come out in Bella was a huge turn on, and I lost myself in her for the afternoon. Now as our fingertips charged with the electricity that had been there from the beginning, I wanted her again.

Emmett showed up at that minute with our dessert, and our hands broke apart to make room. I immediately felt the loss of her touch and wanted it back.

“Emmett, how can we possibly eat all of this?” Bella laughed as she took in the huge pile of cream and dripping, gooey fruit.

“Don’t worry,” he said, wiping his hands on his apron, “we’ll just wrap it up for you. You know how much mum likes to feed you.” Emmett was grinning.

“Well…maybe one little bite,” she said with a mischevious grin. She picked up her fork and speared a mound of the oozy concoction. “My mother always said to eat ‘Princess bites’ but I think this deserves a real taste, don’t you?”

I watched her; she lifted the fork to her mouth licking just a taste off first. Her tongue had done that earlier in the day, to me, and my eyes darkened with the memory. She put the whole bite in her mouth, eyes on me the entire time until they closed in pleasure. Her tongue snaked out, licking her lips, and my mouth went dry.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you are doing,” I said.

“What are you talking about?” she challenged, her gaze focused entirely on me as she took another agonizing bite of the whipped cream and blackberry concoction, sucking her finger tip after wiping the corner of her mouth.

“Err…Em?” I called to him behind the bar to get his attention.

“Yeah, gov?” he answered.

“We’re gonna need this wrapped up…now.”