some rough patches, but he's still your friend, and I'm obliging you to ask him. Rose and Emmett willbe joining us, and Alice will be coming, too, so if he doesn't want to because of that, I understand, butI would still love to have him with us. I know his family lives several states away and I don't wanthim to spend today somewhere alone. And Edward? Don't steal all the cranberries, you know howmuch everyone loves Bella's relish."She hangs up then and the answering machine shuts off with a beep, just as Jazz starts to laugh. Bellajoins in a moment later, as do I, after a shouted "That wasn't me!" in the general direction of the livingroom.Our sweaty sandwich disassembles then as we move away from each other to shower and dressagain, although Bella only joins us after finishing her cooking alone first. I don't feel like it'snecessary to extend the invitation to Jazz as he has heard it himself, but he doesn't comment on it untila few hours later when Bella disappe
ignore my own risinganxiety.I'm somewhat tempted to suggest we just keep on driving and avoid the whole possibility for disaster,when at the last traffic light before we reach my parents' house a familiar vehicle comes to a stop inthe lane next to us.Emmett grins at me from the driver's side, an unfamiliar place for him since Rose never gave updriving until she had the little bundle of joy currently sleeping in her mother's arms next to him. At herhusband's antics Rose looks up, too, pursing her lips at what I guess is a frown on my face.The light switches to green and Emmett, for once behaving as childish as Rose so often claims that heis, hits the gas to slip into my lane before us.That way we arrive just after them, conveniently spilling all of us together onto the well-tended frontsteps.There's the usual greeting, hugging and back slapping, before Rose and Bella both snark at us guys toget the heavy stuff from the cars instead of gossiping. When I pass by h
"Obviously I know about him, no big deal. But maybe now you can better understand why Jazz'srambled confession made me want to tear his head off, then drag you both into bed with me? She's soobviously over him, has discarded him like a dishrag, and I couldn't just ignore that all of a suddenthere was no reason left why we shouldn't re-start what we had, if we wanted that. And before youask, I didn't tell either of you asshats because I knew you'd just get your heads shoved even further upyour asses if you knew. Don't even try to deny it!"I let her stew for a while before I straighten, giving her a little more space."I'm not. But if I recall, you've had ample opportunity to tell me afterwards."She huffs, but then sighs."Yes, I had, and I'm sorry I neglected to do so, but I was kind of hoping that she wouldn't bring himhere. I know, I can get quite delusional when I get fucked thoroughly enough."I reward that with a grin – not a nice one, but it is obvious that it
Rose still looks less than ecstatic, but then again she seems tired and strung out since she got here."Okay, how about this. I'm thankful for my husband remembering that he pledged he would be ondiaper duty whenever he's home, even at 4am in the morning. And I'm thankful for my wonderfuldarling daughter letting me sleep for up to three hours in one go before she loudly demands me todemonstrate again why we're mammals. Anything else? Oh, right, I'm thankful for endless reruns ofTV shows at night because otherwise I'd never get to catch up on them all in just under a month!"Everyone except Alice and my father seems to find her answer hilarious, the same as with Emmett'swhen he keeps it short with a loud, "I'm thankful for not having to smell gherkins on Rose's breath24/7 anymore!" Then they kiss, probably with a little too much tongue than most people would findappropriate, but I don't think either of them really cares.Once Rose and Emmett are behaving like proper pa
if things have been awkward before, now they are painful, and I'm not the only one who spares aquick glance in Jasper's direction. He's about the only one not avidly following Nate's words, the wayhe keeps looking at the half empty beer glass in his hand with his face absolutely devoid of emotion. Idon't know how to react, stunned as I am by the implications, and feeling Bella go oddly still at myother side doesn't help my indecision.My mother tries to jump into the gap then, offering a slightly strained, "Well, that does sound likefate," but her words do nothing to dissolve the tension.But they seem to tear Jazz out of his stupor, for he drains his glass with a long gulp, then stands up, thesound of the chair scraping across the floor grating up my spine."If you will excuse me for a moment," he offers in a near soundless voice, then he is out of the room.Still torn with indecision I'm looking after him when Bella jumps to her feet, running after him as shecalls
"It's not your fault, man, and no reason to apologize. Can't really be a great moment for you when youfind yourself poking an anthill like that without even knowing that it's been there all along."Nate has the grace not to answer, and after a moment Jazz nods, then walks by him to rejoin theothers. I wait for him to say something else but when he doesn't, I shrug."If you haven't figured it out already, he's Alice's ex. And if you were wondering, they didn't break upfour weeks ago."With that I leave him there alone in the kitchen, wondering if this will be the last I've seen of him, ornot. The mood inside the dining room hasn't changed much, Rose and Alice are still missing, and notquite surprising my mother has managed to procure a glass of Scotch for herself that she's sippingdaintily. Sagging back onto my seat between Bella and Jazz I'm surprised to see Nate return so soon,but before the awkwardness can get any worse by itself, the girls enter the room. I'm not s
Jazz doesn't say anything to Alice's claim but I can see how much the words hurt him, and theimplication that I'm no better than her when she doesn't seem to give a shit about the damage she'scausing is what finally makes me snap. Coming to my feet I lean across the table, using every inch ofmy height to be physically imposing, as I try to stare Alice down."You know what, I'm done with hearing your excuses! Go on living in your dream world where youare perfect and everyone else is out to either get you or make your life miserable! But have you everasked yourself why you can't keep anyone close to you for an extended amount of time? Or am Iwrong that the longest you've ever had a relationship with anyone besides Jazz was numbered inweeks? That none of your friends from high school or college or your previous job even send you abirthday message on facebook? Have you ever considered that maybe, just maybe, it's not everyoneelse but you who's so fucked up that people d
I feel my whole body tense with apprehension, but force my voice to remain civil as I answer with aquestion on my own."Why are you here, mom?"She opens her mouth as if to offer one of her cutting, ironic answers, but then closes it again as shethinks better of that."I came here to talk to you, that's all. I also bring this meager offering of food, if that helps make meappear less threatening."I feel like smiling despite the feeling of unease still gripping me, then nod."Sure, do you want to come in?""If you want me to, but why don't we take a walk in the park, like we used to when you were inkindergarten? I even brought some stale bread for the ducks," she adds with a gentle smile.It's obvious that she's trying to pacify me – whether I need to be pacified or not – and before I cananswer Bella slips in beside me, one arm slung across my lower back to keep herself anchored therebeside me. She greets my mother with a sad but nevertheless nice smile, the gesture
Their almost identical grins make me laugh, and I let my head fall against the back of the couch just soI don't have to look at either of them."I really don't give a fuck. As far as I'm concerned, the only room I'm in charge of decorating is theattic upstairs. The rest is up to you.""You can't do that! Don't be such a pussy just because you're afraid Jazz will keep bitching like a littlegirl when you make the right choice.""And what, dear Bella, is better about Edward's former room than mine? My room has the betterfixtures for lights and electronic equipment, and there's even a specially built nook in the back for asmall freezer!""Which is the reason why I think it's better equipped to be the office, not the bedroom! I so need adoor between where I sleep and where you keep your porn collection. Your computer isn't cominginto the bedroom, either.""It's not porn, it's my World of Warcraft collectibles collection!"Thankfully the sound of the doorbell saves me fr
My remark makes her draw her forehead into a frown."You really think he'd be self-conscious just because I was around? He should know that I wouldn'tdo anything to him or talk him into doing anything that he doesn't want to do.""I don't think it's that. It's hard to explain, but he seems happy where he is right now. With us, includedas an equal, loved and cherished, but without any responsibilities or anyone having any expectationsof him. He obviously likes to top in a scene, but he doesn't want to be a Dom, and I don't think thatwill change much. You know that not all of us get off on having to care for someone else like that.""Don't even dare to speak another word. Last time I checked, I was the one telling you it was okay tobe into power play but that it wasn't necessarily a prerequisite, just like everything else. Differentfolks, different strokes, right?""Yes, Mistress."I get an eye roll for that, and I'm disappointed when she doesn't even try to slap me pla
if that still bothers me, and will likely only get worse if we have kids – I know that our family, as itis, will be a warm and nurturing environment for anyone to grow up and live in.The last part of her remark turns my smile into a grin again, and I snort."I already pity the unlucky bitch or bastard who calls Bella's righteous wrath down upon them. Whenshe was out with Rose and her baby last week and someone looked at them in what she thought was acondescending way, she got right in their face. I don't want to think about how much worse it will bewhen it's her own brood that's under scrutiny. She really doesn't suffer fools gladly anymore.""Did she ever? I still remember a time when you didn't have the balls to confess your undying love toher because you thought she'd laugh at such a mushy sentiment, particularly when admitted after themutual destruction of a bottle of tequila."Although it has only been a year, thinking back to a time when I couldn't just walk up
"Can I get you anything else, or will that be all?"Handing Raven back my signed receipt, I smile at her and shake my head."No, thanks. Assembling all of this and putting the new equipment through a series of stress testsshould keep us busy for a while."It's still somewhat weird, but without a doubt more relaxing, to just get a nod and my credit card backfrom her."If you change your mind, we have the scented lubes on sale until after the weekend.""I'll remember that. Thanks," I reply, then grab the last package and carry it to my car, barelymanaging to close the rear hatch after I add my purchases. When I go back into the shop I see that Bethis finally done talking to the woman she has been holed up with in a corner of the café area for the lasthalf hour. I wait until she has left the shop before I saunter over to my former mentor, hugging herbefore I take the seat opposite her."I take it everything is okay - you spent an extra twenty minutes hanging around here
I set a slow and relaxed pace – for one I just love watching Bella writhe under Jazz's mouth, foranother I am aching all over from yesterday's exertions. As much as I don't mind pain in general,feeling my thigh muscles lock up because of that strain is not something that gets me all hot andbothered.Taking Bella's invitation for what it is, Jazz seems to increase the intensity of his ministrationsbecause soon she is moaning constantly as she comes, one hand still gripping his hair, the otherdigging into the mattress. When she goes slack again it is with a glow on her face and a decisive"Ouch!" as she shifts her weight off one hip, wincing briefly.When she pushes his head away he rests it briefly on her thigh, but Bella is not done with him yet byfar. Instead of just lying back now, she starts inching down the bed until she's lying underneath Jazz,their faces almost flush with each other."Let me take care of that," she coos, reaching for his cock and starting to st
I moan into her mouth when she wraps her fingers around my cock, instinctively moving closer to her.Jazz's arm is around my hip while he strokes my stomach, his lips and tongue alternating between myneck and shoulder. None of us is really in a hurry to actually get it on for real, so we stay that way,relaxing and touching each other.Things change when Bella eventually lets me nudge her thighs apart so that I can run my hand up herinner thigh to her pussy, the contact making her moan. Jazz stills for a moment, then pushes his cock alittle more decisively against my lower back, but I ignore him for now. Looking deep into Bella'shalf-lidded eyes, I cup her entire sex with my hand, then push just the tip of two of my fingers into herpussy, feeling her swollen labia wet and warm against my hand. She utters another moan, smilinglanguidly, then stretches and moves her hips into my hand, clearly wanting more.I feel Jazz push himself up at my other side, probably so he can
then I wouldn't have run even if he had told me to suck off a couple of strangers."Jazz shakes his head, still bewildered, while Bella settles back against me and resumes her tale. Hetakes the rest of it better than I've expected, besides a few cut-off moans when she speeds up jerkinghim off. Despite that I'm still curious when he makes a face at both of us at the end."I get why you didn't want me around for roughing her up," he gripes at me, then narrows his eyes."But why did you think you had to keep me from the rest? Beth, Charlotte, Peter and Gerard havewatched me fuck people before. I don't think any of us has a problem with seeing each other's nakedasses anymore."Bella's hand drops from his cock and she rearranges herself so that she is lying on her back, able togaze at the both of us. The look on her face is still somewhat quizzical when she turns to Jazz."I think I'm kind of speaking for Edward and myself when I say we assumed you'd have issues withsomeon
"You know that just like you guys get to fuck each other when I'm not around sometimes, Edward andI end up screwing without you. So what?It's usually a thing of impulsive horniness and opportunity, not a statement of possessiveness. We allknow it happens, and I don't think any one of us is resentful when it does?"She keeps staring at him until he shakes his head."I won't deny that I had a hell of a great time yesterday. We fucked a lot and it was great, we did acouple of things that I've started to miss a little, and a few more I didn't even realize I wanted to dothat badly. But, quite frankly, I think the only reason I felt remotely glad you weren't around the wholetime was because I didn't want to worry about you feeling weird about any of it, because I needed tolet go and have not a care in the world in order for it all to feel as good as it did in the end. I wouldhave loved to share all of it with you if I'd thought you would have appreciated it all as much as
tries to roll them both over. That finally gets her to move for real, but when she tries to push awayfrom him he holds her down, his whole body more or less perched on her back."Let me up, you stupid oaf!""Stupid oaf, eh? What kind of crappy romance novel have you been reading? Is that the worst you cancome up with?" he taunts, then starts tickling her. Bella shrieks, now fighting to throw him off for real,but worn out as she is Jazz has no problem keeping her underneath him.She finally gives up and looks pleadingly over at me; I'm hard pressed not to laugh at them both."Help me!""Now that's unfair," Jazz grumbles, then eases up and rolls off her, coming to lay side by side withher. Bella sneers at him, then grins and settles back into her pillow. She groggily rubs her eyes andyawns loudly, without covering her mouth."You're early."Jazz nods as I repeat my observation, briefly looking from me to her as I join them on the bed atBella's other side."There wasn