A/N: A shout out to Midnight Cougar for her assistance with every chapter, but especially in suggesting the karaoke songs for this one way back in early April when I was writing this chapter. They’re perfect. xx
Song inspiration for this chapter: There are two, but you’ll soon find them below.
(Playlist for this story can be found on my YouTube channel, if you search for “ghostreader24”)
Disclaimer: Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond own the adorable little mouse whose needs inspired this very adult version of their story. Song lyrics belong to their owners. Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight. I’m here having fun.
-OOO-
Chapter 14
We listen to a wide range of songs with karaoke singers of varying talents while my fingers toy with the fraying holes in Bella’s jeans and we share kisses whenever the feeling hits either of us—which is often. There are crowd favorites like Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” and Bon Jovi’s “Living On A Prayer” that have everyone singing the lyrics by heart.
When Gianna announces Bella’s name as our next singer, I send her off with a lingering kiss, not wanting her to go, but eager to hear her selection. As she makes her way to the stage, I notice Brady has returned, hanging out at the back of the crowd near the bar and waiting to hear her sing. This should be interesting.
She takes the mic from Gianna and points in my direction before the song begins. “This one is for Edward.”
As the first recognizable notes play, Bella bounces in time with them and nails the opening, not missing a beat or word.
“‘I love myself, I want you to love me, When I’m feeling down, I want you above me, I search myself, I want you to find me, I forget myself, I want you to remind me.'”
Holy shit. I can’t believe this is the song she’s doing—”I Touch Myself” by Divinyls. Everyone is dancing in their seats when she finishes the verse and moves on to the chorus with help from the audience singing along.
“‘I don’t want anybody else, When I think about you, I touch myself, Oh-oh I don’t want anybody else, Oh no, oh no, oh no.'”
I’m mesmerized as she sings and sways to the beat.
“‘You’re the one who makes me come running, You’re the sun who makes me shine, When you’re around I’m always laughing, I want to make you mine.'”
I can’t keep the grin off my face. Oh, I’m yours, Bella.
“‘I close my eyes, And see you before me, Think I would die, If you were to ignore me, A fool could see, Just how much I adore you, I get down on my knees, I’d do anything for you.'”
Same.
“‘I don’t want anybody else, When I think about you, I touch myself, Oh-oh I don’t want anybody else, Oh no, oh no, oh no.'”
Bella raises her arms in the air, swaying her hips in time with the music during the bridge, and when it ends, returns to the lyrics.
“‘I love myself, I want you to love me, When I’m feeling down, I want you above me, I search myself, I want you to find me, I forget myself, I want you to remind me.'”
I don’t think I could love her more than I do right now.
“‘I don’t want anybody else, When I think about you, I touch myself, Oh-oh I don’t want anybody else, Oh no, oh no, oh no.'”
She speaks the next words looking in my direction.
“Edward, ‘I want you, I don’t want anybody else, And when I think about you, I touch myself.'”
I don’t want anyone else either, sweetheart. Her free hand passes along her body as her eyes close.
“‘Ooh, oooh, oooooh, aaaaah,'” she sings passionately.
Not exactly how she sounds, but close.
“‘I don’t want anybody else, When I think about you, I touch myself, Oh-oh I don’t want anybody else, When I think about you, I touch myself, I touch myself, I touch myself, I touch myself, I touch myself, I touch myself, I touch myself, I touch myself, I honestly do, I touch myself, I touch myself, I touch myself, I honestly do.'”
Holy shit. The song fades, and the audience is on their feet with a thunderous round of applause mixed with a few whistles. She killed it, and I’m without a doubt the luckiest man in the building.
I look toward the spot where Brady was standing, and he’s nowhere to be found. I don’t think she can be any clearer and squashed whatever hope he may have been harboring before that song. My eyes find Bella as she high-fives the women at the tables closest to the stage, then everyone along the path back to our table.
When she arrives, she leaps into my arms, and my lips are on hers instantly.
“You liked it?” she asks when she pulls away breathless.
“Bella, I loved it, and I know what we’re doing later.”
“Need a demonstration, huh?”
“Absolutely.”
Gianna takes the stage, getting everyone’s attention and fanning herself. “We’re going to take a short five minute break, then we’ll be back with Edward Cullen, one of Clallam County’s hottest firefighters. Will he be able to top Bella’s show-stopping song? Refresh your drinks and find out when he takes the stage next.”
The lights brighten at the same time Rachel drops off two glasses of water at our table. “Great choice, Bella. Dare I say it’s Edward-approved.”
“Oh, you’re the best. Thanks.” Bella downs nearly half of her glass in one gulp.
“Damn right, I approve.” I guide her to stand between my legs while my hands stay at her waist.
Rachel chuckles and moves on to the other tables around us.
“You were incredible.”
She never ceases to amaze me, and I’m willing to admit being in awe of her many talents.
“Thanks, but you can’t blame me for staking my claim. I suspect you’re going to have an ever-growing fan club when you’re finished tonight.”
“More non-emergency calls at the station?” I smile, more than happy at her need to stake a claim.
“Yes.” She holds her hand as if she’s talking on the phone, but the sex operator voice is back. “I think something’s wrong with my smoke detector. Can you send Edward?“
“I love you.” I leave a kiss on the tip of her nose.
“I love you too,” she says, pressing her lips against mine once more, and slides onto her stool again.
When the lights dim, everyone scrambles to their seats, and Bella squeezes my leg in encouragement.
“Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” I stand and sway a bit, reaching out to steady myself. “Let’s hope I don’t trip over my own feet walking up there.”
“You’ve got this.” She pats my ass once I squeeze past her. “Make me proud.”
“I’ll do my best.” I wink and kiss her lips for luck before making my way to the stage.
I give Gianna my song selection, “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC, and take the mic, walking onto the stage to a round of light applause and a couple of “go Edwards” from the front table of women. Looking out into the audience, I’m relieved when I can’t see much past the spotlights and only the closest tables.
With my nerves essentially neutralized from the alcohol, any remaining anxiety dissolves when I hear the first recognizable beats ring out and bob my head to the beat. I say a little prayer that all those times of singing this song in the car by myself are enough to impress Bella. The crowd is already clapping with the beat, and I can’t resist adding her name to the first verse.
“‘She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean, Bella was the best damn woman that I’d ever seen, She had the sightless eyes, telling me no lies, Knocking me out with those American thighs.’
“‘Taking more than her share, had me fighting for air, She told me to come but I was already there, ‘Cause the walls start shaking, the earth was quaking, My mind was aching, and we were making it, And you—'”
I point toward our table, hoping Bella is dancing in her seat when everyone joins me with the chorus.
“‘Shook me all night long, Yeah you—shook me all night long.’
“‘Working double-time on the seduction line, She’s one of a kind, she’s just mine, all mine, Wanted no applause, it’s just another course, Made a meal outta me and come back for more.’
“‘Had to cool me down to take another round, Now I’m back in the ring to take another swing, And the walls were shaking, the earth was quaking, My mind was aching, and we were making it, And you,’ Bella—”
I dance with limited moves as something lands on the floor at my feet and the crowd goes wild, singing with me.
“‘Shook me all night long, yeah you—shook me all night long, You knocked me out and then you—shook me all night long, You had me shaking and you—shook me all night long, Yeah you shook me, when you took me.'”
I play my best air guitar through the solo then return to the lyrics, taking a brief glimpse of the screen facing me while swaying back and forth to the beat.
“‘You really took me and you—shook me all night long, Ah-ah-ah, you—shook me all night long, Yeah yeah you—shook me all night long, You really got me and you—shook me all night long, Yeah you shook me, yeah you shook me, all night long.'”
When the song ends with the final definitive note, I look down to find several bras at my feet and everyone I can see standing on their feet clapping. The applause is overwhelming and mixed with women yelling my name.
I drop off the mic with Gianna, who seems dazed, but I’m the one relieved for this experience to be over. I’m surprised when I return to the table, finding Emmett and Garrett have joined a beaming Bella. She hurls herself into my arms, crushing her lips against mine in a heated kiss. I’m stunned when she pulls away and talks excitedly.
“Holy shit! What a way to pop your karaoke cherry! You are a virgin no longer.”
I can’t keep the grin off my face at pleasing her. “You liked the song?”
“It was fucking amazing. I stand by my earlier concerns. We may need to leave through a back door,” she teases.
With an arm still wrapped around Bella, I reach for one of the glasses of water, downing it.
“Well, look who’s in the building tonight, Brian fucking Johnson himself. I think Angus Young is on the damn phone.” Emmett refers to the members of AC/DC and smacks me on the back. “Man, I had no idea. What the hell are you doing fighting fires with a voice like that?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Dude, you could sing for a living. I shit thee not.”
I laugh at his ridiculous idea. “Not a chance. I’m officially retiring from karaoke. This was my first and last appearance.”
Emmett notices someone moving toward the stage. “Is that the nurse from the hospital?”
Bella follows his line of sight. “You know, Rose?”
“We’ve met.” He grins. “Edward, why didn’t you tell me she was here? I have to stay and at least hear her sing.”
“Okay, I’ll go settle our tab. Meet us out front when you’re ready to go.”
With his and Garrett’s nods, they stay at our table, and I grab our jackets.
I take Bella’s hand in mine, ready for more than only a moment alone with her. I lean closer to her ear while pulling her away from the crowd watching karaoke. “Let’s go find Rachel and get out of here.”
“You don’t want to stay and listen to the rest?” she asks.
“After your song? No. I wanted to leave when you were finished. The sooner I can go Boyz II Men on your ass the better.”
“Boyz II Men on my ass?” She giggles as I help her with her jacket.
“Yeah, that’s karaoke speak for I’m about to rock your world. Promise.”
We pay our tab at the bar, bidding everyone a good night, and step outside. My lips are on hers without delay and I can think of only a few things better than making out with Bella while we wait for the guys to join us. It’s easy to get lost in her kisses and we don’t stop until we’re interrupted by the opening of the main door near where we’re standing. I pull away from Bella at the sound of Garrett’s laughter.
“You’re driving them.” He pats Emmett on the shoulder.
“Hey, man.” I nod toward Garrett, pushing off the building and walking toward where they’re waiting. “Thanks for coming to get us.”
He tilts his head, eyeing me. “You look pretty steady on your feet.”
I snort. “Hardly. Bella’s been plying me with liquor all night so she can have her wicked way with me.”
“Edward!”
“You know it’s true.”
Her smile widens, and she laces her fingers with mine.
“Don’t worry. Not much longer and we’ll be home,” I promise, whispering in her ear.
We aren’t drunk, but I’m more than tipsy at the alcohol I’ve consumed. I search for my keys in my pockets, ready to get Bella alone.
“Need some help?” she offers, but the last thing I need is her hands in my pants, because there’s no hiding the uncomfortable semi I’ve been sporting almost this entire evening at being near her.
“No, I’ve got them.” I turn toward the guys. “How are we doing this?”
“Emmett’s going to drive your car and I’ll follow, then take him back to the station to get his car,” Garrett says.
I drop my keys into Emmett’s waiting hand and he trails behind us on the way to my car. Bella and I pile into the back seat, and I barely have a chance for any funny business while Emmett slides into the driver’s seat.
“All right kids, two rules: no live porn or puking. We don’t have far to go. You can wait and nobody ever wants to clean that shit up.”
“You heard him, Bella,” I tease as my hand slides around her leg, pulling it until it’s draped over one of mine.
Thank goodness this backseat is small.
“Me? He was talking about you. You can’t keep your hands to yourself.”
“Or lips.” I attempt to move closer to resume our kisses, but the strap of my seat belt chokes me until I slip my arm over the chest strap.
“And keep your seat belts buckled,” Emmett adds, as if he can read my mind.
-OOO-
If you give a postal worker a love note, she’ll wonder about the identity of the author when it’s delivered by an unintended mail carrier.
After a visit from a sexy firefighter, the mystery surrounding the note will add to her curiosity, but it won’t be solved any time soon, when she has no choice and accepts another job far from home.
Her secret admirer will hold on to hope for their paths to cross again, and when they do, he will find that being near her again is better than he ever anticipated.
Visiting her during his breaks and getting to know each other will be the best parts of their days, until one day she unknowingly makes his favorite childhood cookies, giving him the sign he needs to move forward.
She’ll hold back nothing as she tempts and teases him when they’re alone, testing his resolve, until a few adorable photos of him with a friend’s new baby causes an unexpected shift in her world.
As they grow closer, they’ll understand that the intimacy between lovers isn’t only about a physical connection, but the everyday interactions through the simplest moments and sharing of new experiences.
Through private conversations, their relationship deepens with the reveal of a variety of secrets, and with a new confidence, the truth of their adoration for one another is undeniable.