Sleeping Arrangements

[bikinikill]

Too sad Louise, brilliant, but too sad. Please let it be Aden that is out in the car beeping the horn.

[Lise]

That was good but sad. They need to talk to each other and she needs to get out of that taxi. I hope she turns down New York and even though that should be a hard decision if I had to choose between Aden and New York, It'd be Aden all the way.

Also, loved the bit on the phone to Matilda

Hopefully they sort themselves out in the next chapter.

[Jody]

Great chapter. It really did live up to expectations.

Poor confused Belle Poor Aden too. How hurt and confused he must be as well with not knowing why she's acting this way.

I love the way the tension was building up in that scene with them at the beginning although that Geoff/Nic part brought it crashing down. Did he just compare the situation they are in to that? Geoff and Nic being together, with everyone aware of that fact and Geoff agreeing to take Mel with him because he was niave enough to let her play him and felt sorry for her, and did so without consulting Nic first. It wasn't even meant as a date date but rather for the three of them to go together. Nicole was hardly hurt but rather extremely annoyed that he fell for her Mel's act. Yeah, the seriousness of it and the feelings involved are exactly the same, Aden I actually thought Belle wouldn't be able to take it and let out a small smile at the ridiculousness of that comparison Aden came up with rather actually be even more hurt by it. I know they were comparing their relationship to Geoff/Nic and seeing that as a bad thing, and I should agree with it (which I do BTW) so I of all people should like that, but seriously it coming up like that I didn't hate it or anything, it's just that the fight was getting more and more intense and then Aden comes out with that and all I could think was "Eh?" followed by a laugh and the whole mood of that scene was changed. I guess you'd have to find Geoff/Nic ridiculous as I do in order to get why I find bringing that up is so ridiculous. Although I have to give you points, if Geoff and Nic have to be brought up then I'd rather be left amused like this then frustrated like they usually leave me.

But it got back on track very quickly after that. You are writing Belle's thoughts brilliantly. I love that you manage you portray what she's feeling but you describe it in a somewhat simple way. And with the way it is written I just can't help but feel sorry for her even though she's making a mess of things. You are doing a great job with her character so far.

With Aden and this situation they are in it could easily come out, depending on the writing, like he brought this on himself by telling Nick to go ahead and ask her out. But with the way you wrote him here, it doesn't. I love how he is being written here as well. It was so sad that he is doubting her feelings for him. Can't blame him though with way she's been acting. The scene between him and Joey was definitely my favourite.

Matilda is always great for a good laugh in this fic. I wonder if wherever Belle's going, it's not to see Aden or Nick but rather something to do with the job in New York. Whichever it is I can't wait to find out.

[amz89]

aww just read the last two chapters great alot going on, cant wait to see what happens nxt please let it be Aden, and they have both been offered jobs, what will they do? Cant wait for an update.

[matticus01]

cant believe Belle... how could she do this...

and to Aden

plz update soon, cant wait for more

[Louise_2983]

Chapter 14

“Are you sure?” she whispered seductively as she draped herself over his arm.

“Oh I’m sure” he told the busty blonde as he drained the last of his drink and slammed the glass down next to the one she had abandoned with her lipstick marks all over the frosted glass.

“You don’t know what you’re missing” she purred, her long nail extensions pressing into his arm as she ran them over the soft material of his shirt.

“I’ve got an idea” he told her matter of factly.

“And like I said, I’m not interested”

“Suit yourself” she shrugged scanning the bar for another conquest. Zooming in on the team’s newest player she began to walk away from him.

“Jacket!” he called holding his hand out for the garment she had swiped off the back of his chair earlier.

Put out she pulled it off and placed it in his hand.

“As if you couldn’t afford another one!” she moaned before stomping away. It wasn’t the cost of the jacket that bothered him, it was the thought of waking up one morning to a false kiss and tell story

splashed over the tabloids complete with photos of her in nothing but a tiny g-string and the jacket he had supposedly left behind after their night of passion.

“Mate!” Dan Brady exclaimed as he came up behind him, slapping him forcefully on the back, as his eyes watched the pert rear of the departing blonde as she sashayed across the bar.

“Tell me you didn’t just turn that down?!”

“Some of us know when to keep it in our pants Brady” he mocked his teammate who was going through a messy divorce after his wife had discovered what he got up to at away games.

“Some things are worth a hefty financial settlement if you know what I mean mate?” Dan chuckled to himself as Aden shook his head softly.

He wondered if any of these guys had ever actually loved a woman in their life. He doubted it. But he had. He still did and right then all he could think about was the possibility of some other guy loving

her, making love to her. He’d come to the bar to forget but all it had done was make him feel worse.

Sliding off the bar stool he bid a quick goodbye to his teammates and headed for the exit, he head them laughing and joking as he did so and just before the door swing shut behind him he heard Dan

call out loudly.

“See?! I told you he was gay!”

***

He couldn’t decipher which emotion was more prevalent, anger or defeat, as he attempted to turn his key in the lock and found the door already open. He hadn’t expected to find her there, curled up on the soda with her legs tucked underneath her but there she was.

She was dressed in a plain red t-shirt and light denim jeans and her feet were bare but her silky hair fell in soft waves around her face and, as she looked up at him, expectantly he saw that her simple

make-up had been applied perfectly, her cheeks a rosy pink hue and her full lips slick with a layer of nude gloss.

She looked beautiful but he couldn’t appreciate it knowing that the effort she had gone to had all been for another man.

Anger and hurt rushing through him in equal measure he stomped past her heading for the kitchen. It was only the soft, pained sniffle escaping from her that stopped him in his tracks. He twisted his body

to face her, his expression still cold and unfeeling in contrast to the concern for her he was concealing deep inside.

“I thought you had a date?” he asked bitterly, his strong arms crossed over his chest defensively.

“I did” she mumbled almost incoherently.

“I do” she told him, this time more confident as she picked up the plastic case next to her and held it up for him to see.

“DVD” she announced as if he didn’t know what it was.

“Wine” she nodded to the expensive bottle on the table with two empty glasses resting next to it.

“You” she finished as her deep brown eyes looked up at him hopefully.

His heart leapt into his mouth but his expression remained empty as he refused to let her see that she could get to him. He wouldn’t let her reel him in just so she could crush him once more.

“What happened to Nick?” he asked almost spitefully.

“Blow you off did he? Maybe he heard that you don’t put out huh?!”

“Aden!” she gasped in horror, the hurt in his big, wounded eyes piercing her like the sharpest of arrows. She hated that she had done that to him.

“I know I’ve hurt you” she whispered regretfully.

“But that doesn’t mean that I deserve to be spoken to like that!”

“I know” he sighed softly.

He had wanted to hurt her, for her to feel even a fraction of the pain she had caused him but now that he had, he regretted it.

“I’m sorry” he apologised sincerely, resisting the urge to wrap his arms around her and erase the pain shining from her striking eyes.

He loved her but he hadn’t forgiven her.

“No” she shook her head regretfully.

“I’m sorry...I didn’t go out with Nick...well I did but I left after five minutes. I told him I was seeing someone else”

When he didn’t respond and simply stared back at her to she hurried to amend her last sentence.

“I told him I was seeing you”

“Well that’s a start I guess” he huffed, still trying to appear unaffected but the tremble of his voice gave him away slightly.

“Any chance you want to tell me what’s going on with you now?”

“Yes” she nodded breathing a sigh of relief. At least he was willing to listen to her even if he was cold and slightly angry.

“Yes please” she whispered looking up at him, hoping he would come and sit next to her but instead he perched on the arm of the leather chair across the room and continued to simply stare at her,

waiting for an explanation.

“I was offered a promotion today” she began hesitantly as she looked directly into his bright, blue eyes. Confusion flashed across them as he wondered exactly what that had to do with anything.

“In New York”

“Oh I get it” he snapped angrily, pain surging through him.

“That’s what this is all about!” he gestured to the DVD and the unopened bottle of wine.

“Cosy night in to cushion the blow?! Last time was much better Belle!” he ranted in reference to the romantic meal she had prepared for him the night she had broken the news that she was moving to

London.

“But then what more could I expect? You don’t give a s**t about us so why would you bother to put in any effort to break my heart a little less? Enjoy your life Belle!” he sniped, enraged, before turning

to leave.

“Aden!” she yelled desperately but he refused to look back.

“I turned it down!” she bellowed, her words instantly bringing him to a standstill.

“I turned it down!” she repeated in a whisper as he turned to look at her, his blue eyes damp with tears.

“For me?” he dared to ask, no longer seeing any point in trying to hide his feelings. She knew she got to him, she’d always known.

“No” she shook her head softly and his heart plummeted to the depths of his stomach.

“For us” she told him with a small, hopeful smile.

“I turned it down for us”

A tiny smile of elation at her words began to form on his plump lips as she smiled softly back at him.

“So you do want there to be an us then?”

“Yes” she sighed deeply.

“I’m sorry if I ever made you think otherwise”

“Agreeing to date another guy will do that Belle” he let out a small chuckle that instantly comforted her. She hated it when he was harsh and unfeeling. That wasn’t him. He wasn’t her Aden then.

“I know but I do have a reason for that...a reason I didn’t even know myself until I was sat across the table looking into Nick’s eyes instead of yours tonight” she whispered.

“They’re green” she told him knowing guys didn’t notice things like that about each other.

“They’re green, it’s not the same”

“I really don’t need a lesson in primary and secondary colours Belle” he told her, still unsure that he could trust her, that he could believe that she wanted to be with him.

“I was scared” she told him simply, avoiding his intense gaze.

“Of me?” he spluttered in disbelief. He would never knowingly hurt her, he thought she knew that.

“Not of you exactly” she replied calmly.

“But of our relationship and of what I feel for you”

“What do you feel for me Belle?” he questioned, needing to hear her say the words, needing her to confirm that she felt just as much for him as he did for her.

“I love you” she told him confidently.

“You know that Aden. I know I’ve done and said things that probably made it look like I didn’t but I do love you...so much”

“And that scared you?”

She nodded, feeling stupid, before lifting her head to finally release everything she had kept bottled up inside her for weeks now.

“All my life I’ve been independent and determined and ambitious” she began quietly.

“I was the girl who was going to see the world, the girl who wanted to go to London even though it meant leaving her boyfriend behind, the girl who went from one relationship to another without a

second thought” she told him honestly, twisting a strand of silky hair around her fingertips.

“I never really thought about commitment enough to be scared of it. As far as I was concerned I was young and commitment and everything that went with it was a long way off...if it was even for me.

But somewhere along the line I changed Aden and that was because of you. I enjoyed London, I did. But there was always something missing and when I came home I realised exactly what that

was...it was you”

“Me?” he asked with a coy smile.

“Yes you” she laughed softly.

“When we got back together I was happy and content and I felt like it could be forever. And instead of being freaked out and feeling trapped, I loved the idea Aden. I know it sounds really, really

stupid but I wasn’t frightened of commitment anymore and not being frightened, scared me senseless!” she laughed louder this time , feeling foolish.

“ So I kept you at a distance because for some deluded reason I thought that if I didn’t sleep with you and if no one else knew about us and if we saw other people then I wouldn’t be tied to you and if I

was offered another job on the other side of the world I would be free to take it and it would be easier and I wouldn’t hurt as much and I wouldn’t hurt you as much...”

“Belle” he whispered tenderly as he crossed the room and sat down next to her.

He took her hand in his, turning it so her palm rubbed gently against his.

“We don’t have to sleep together or have other people know about us for me to love you and want to be with you. It would kill me if you left” he told her honestly, his eyes gazing into hers.

“I know and it would kill me to leave” she smiled nervously.

“When they offered me the job I was so happy and excited but the second they mentioned New York I just didn’t care anymore Aden. Leaving you was not an option, not even for a second”

“You should go if you want to” he told her, even though it almost killed him to speak the words.

“I won’t hold you back Belle. We’ll work it out. I’ll visit you this time and you can come home when you can. We managed before...”

“That was before I realised that a job is just a job Aden” she squeezed his hand softly.

“You still have to come home at the end of the day and when I come home I want you to be there, to laugh with me and listen to me moaning” she giggled.

“I’ll probably have lots more jobs in the future but they’ll only ever be one you”

“Well I am pretty special” he teased with a huge grin, finally trusted what she was saying to him. She loved him and this time she was staying for him. His only worry was that he may explode with

happiness.

“Yes you are” she grinned back at him.

“And I’m not giving you up for anything or anyone”

“Poor guy” he suddenly cringed.

“What?”

“Nick” he clarified and she winced.

“Ah, yeah. He did kind of get caught in the middle of all this. But he seemed ok when I left”

“I’ll apologise to him tomorrow” he sighed deeply.

“Yes you should” she nodded, her eyebrows arching accusingly.

“After all you were the one who told him to go for it with me apparently!”

“He told you that?”

“Yeah” she laughed.

“But don’t worry. I should be mad at you but you have every right to be ten times madder at me so I’ll let it go”

“I’m not mad at you” he told her honestly.

“Anymore” she laughed.

“You were pretty mad earlier Jefferies!”

“I wasn’t mad” he whispered sincerely, his fingertips gently rubbing tiny circles over her wrist.

“I was hurt and jealous. Just the thought of you with someone else Belle, even if it’s just eating dinner together, I can’t stand it. I love you and I’d started to doubt whether you felt the same and that

really hurt. I guess I just should have asked you straight out instead of my other tactics”

“Yeah you should have but I probably wouldn’t have known the answer. It was only when I properly considered dating someone other than you that I realised that I could never do it. I love you too” she

told him, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss against his lips.

“So you’re not scared of not being scared of commitment anymore then?” he asked not sure how she could have done a complete u-turn in a few hours. He was worried some of her doubts were still

lingering.

“Well, maybe a little” she confessed.

“But you’re going to be there holding my hand all the way aren’t you?”

“All the way babe” he smiled, lifting their entwined hands and pressing a kiss over her knuckles.

“Especially in the scary bits?”

“Oh then I’ll hold both hands”

“Sorry for freaking out” she mumbled still feeling stupid despite the fact that no major damage appeared to have been done.

“It’s ok” he smiled softly.

“Not that I particularly enjoyed it but it’s better that you freak out now than when we’re married with three kids”

“See!” she exclaimed with a beaming smile.

“Even lines like that don’t freak me out anymore”

“Aren’t guys the ones who are meant to be scared of commitment?” he laughed.

“I don’t know, are they?” she arched her eyebrows at him.

“Not this one” he told her simply with a smile.

“I want it all with you Belle”

“Good!” she grinned pressing a kiss against his soft lips.

"But you should go to New York if you want to, I will wait"

"I don't want to wait Aden" she smiled.

"I want to be with you now and there will be other jobs. If I'm good enough to get this one then I'll be good enough for other jobs. Jobs which don't require me to leave the country"

"You said you wanted to see the world" he reminded her.

"I do" she nodded.

"But with you, not alone with no one to share things with"

"I'd go with you, you know?"

"I know but I'm happy Aden I really don't need to go and live in New York, I'm enjoying being back home"

"If you're sure?"

"I'm sure" she smiled, touched by his genuine concern for her.

She suddenly let out a loud chuckle and he looked at her confused.

“What?” he asked perplexed.

“Nicole and Geoff?” she laughed once more.

“Seriously? Of all people, Nicole and Geoff?”

“Ok so I might have been angry then” he laughed.

“I knew you were mad at me” she smiled knowingly.

“I wasn’t thinking straight!” he cried in his own defence before pouting in mock offence.

“I thought you didn’t love me anymore”

“Aww” she whispered resting her head against his shoulder.

“I’ll always love you...but that was still a crap comparis on!”

“Yeah I know” he laughed as she sat up and looked back at him suspiciously.

“Your jacket smells of perfume” she told him accusingly.

“Cheap perfume”

“Belle, don’t freak out!” he ordered as he shrugged off the offending garment.

“Freak out? I was sat here waiting for you, feeling guilty and all the time you were with another woman?!” she bit back the tears threatening to escape as she voice squeaked.

“Just let me explain” he told her calmly, trying to hold her hands in his but she snatched them away.

“I don’t think I want to know”

“Yes you do” he demanded.

“And I’ve listened to you haven’t I?”

“Yeah” she nodded with a sniffle as she struggled not to cry. She couldn’t believe he would do this to her.

“Then please just listen to what I have to say”

“It better be good” she told him signalling that she would listen.

“I went to a bar after practice” he admitted with a sigh.

“It’s one the other guys go to regularly; it’s renowned for being full of groupies. It’s where they go if they want some action off the pitch if you get me”

“Aden, this isn’t making me feel better”

“Just let me finish huh?” he asked hopefully.

She nodded silently.

“I went there because I wanted to forget, I wanted to get the images of things Nick might do to you out of my head. And there was a girl and she was all over me and she ended up wearing my jacket.

I’d put it on the back of my chair and she made some excuse about being cold and put it on before I could stop her”

“Aden this isn’t sounding very plausible”

“Nothing happened Belle” he almost pleaded with her to believe him.

“She wanted me to leave with her, to go to a hotel but I said no”

“And why should I believe you?” she asked. She wanted to believe him. She needed to believe him. But she didn’t know if she could.

“Because I love you” he sighed softly.

“And I know you know how much I mean that when I say it. And because I waited for you. Babe, as big headed as this is going to sound I could have had tens of different women this past year. There

are groupies everywhere I look and I’d only have to say the word and they’d be in my bed if I wanted it. But I don’t. I’ve only ever slept with two women and one of them was a mistake” he let out a low

chuckle and took her hands in his, this time she let him.

“I’m not going to make any more mistakes Belle. It’s not about sex. It’s about being as close as I can possibly be to the woman I love more than anything in the world. I would never do that to you

because you’re the only person I ever want to be that intimate with”

He watched her as she gently slid her fingers between his, praying that she believed his honest words because he didn’t know what he’d do if she didn’t.

"That was good" she smiled.

His heart leapt as her chocolate brown eyes lifted to meet his and she kissed him tenderly.

“Make love to me Aden” she spoke softly, her eyes never once leaving his.

“Are you sure?”

She took his face between her hands and kissed him, slow and sensual until he was dizzy.

“Does that answer your question?” she smiled coyly as she broke away and rose to her feet, pulling him up with her.

Slowly she led him upstairs to the bedroom, to show him just how sure she was.

[bradyell]

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek and Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek again!!!!

Brilliant absolutely, positively, Brilliant!!

110% Dairy milk

Grinning so much i can barely see to type!!

So happy that Belle came clean and her reasons, thank god, were nowhere near as dramatic as i feared!!

Needless to say i LOVED it and can't wait for more but till then i'll just keep reading this chap

almost forgot to add a little that my name is in your fic!!

[MrsL]

THIS IS AMAZING!!!! Loved it Alll and thank goodness she saw the light, how could she not

This is wwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than any chocolate I've ever eaten!

Thank you

[~Zoe~]

Great chapter Louise, absloutly brilliant

[Louise_2983]

almost forgot to add a little that my name is in your fic!!

Lol I'm slow I was sat there thinking "When did I mention someone called Ellen?"