A/N - Okay, so this is my first fanfic and I'm pretty nervous about it. I hope you all like it. Please send me reviews and tell me what you think. I plan to update every week. We'll see how well that goes. Enjoy! Chapter two
"Nice place," she said as she took in the rustic furniture and huge fireplace.
The cabin was…quaint, for lack of a better term. It was not big, only one large room and a bathroom. There was no kitchen, of course. The wall to the left of the front door held the fireplace, which looked as though it had never been used. There was a couch and chair set in front of the fireplace. The wall opposite held a flat screen tv and entertainment center, and two large bookcases filled with books from floor to ceiling. There was another couch and two chairs facing the TV. The back door opened to a small porch and a view of the surrounding forest.
Bella sank softly into the couch in front of the fireplace. She curled up into a tight ball, blinked at me a few times, then fell into a deep sleep. She must have been exhausted to fall asleep so quickly. I idly wondered when the last time was that she had been able to sleep comfortably at all.
I made myself busy building a fire and finding a blanket in the closet. She looked so peaceful there, curled up in her little ball with her hair spilling over the arm of the couch.
"What the hell am I doing?" I muttered to myself. Yes, I actually said it out loud. I mean c'mon! I have a girl sleeping on my couch! What am I thinking? Okay, yes, I just fed, so I'm not thirsty right now. But how long will that last? She is trusting me with her life, but how long can I trust myself? Why the hell did I even bring her here? I am actually pacing the floor trying to figure out my own actions here.
Bella shifted on the couch, straightening her legs and rolling so she faced the back cushion. She mumbled something in her sleep that sounded something like "safe now…never again…"
Then it hit me. She's dreaming! She's dreaming and I have no idea what she's dreaming about! I can't hear anything and I don't see any images from her mind. It's so…refreshing to be in the company of someone without knowing their every inner monologue. On the other hand, though, it's also so very frustrating! What is she dreaming about? And what was she keeping from me? She was lying to me earlier. I could tell by the way her heartrate had accelerated and her brown eyes had shifted uncomfortably. She was definitely hiding something. But what? And why?
I want to find out. I want to know everything about her. That's why I brought her here, isn't it? Because she fascinates me.
I watched her sleep all night. Occasionally she would shift positions and mumble in her sleep. Towards dawn she actually said my name. Amazing. My whole body tingled just from hearing it. Huh.
Morning brought yet another wet and dreary day. The rain fell in a light but steady stream and thick cloud cover kept any direct sunlight at bay. Bella finally woke up around nine o'clock. She sat up slowly, hugging the blanket close around her as her eyes swept the cabin. When her eyes met mine I saw…relief? Yes. She was relieved to see me. Her lips curled up into a small smile and her hand reached up to brush her hair back behind her ear.
"Hey," she said tentatively.
"Good morning," I replied. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did," she said as she stood up and stretched. "Thank you for letting me stay here. It was very kind of you."
"I've never been accused of being kind before," I chuckled. "But you are welcome. Anytime, actually." I kept my distance even though every fiber of my being wanted to go to her and hold her.
She picked up her bag and looked at me through her incredibly long lashes. "Would you mind if I used your shower?" she asked.
"Of course not! Please. Take your time."
She did. Take her time, that is. She must have been in there for two hours. I was ready to ask her if she was okay in there when the door finally opened. She stepped out of the bathroom in a deep blue sweater that was frayed around the wrists and waist, and a pair of well worn blue jeans.
"Feel better?" I asked.
"You have no idea," she said with a sigh. "Thanks again."
She sat in the recliner with her legs curled up under her and pulled a cereal bar out of her bag.
"So Edward, do you bring girls home often?"
I had to laugh. "Uh, no Bella. I don't. This is a new experience for me."
She nodded and ate her breakfast slowly like she was savoring every bite. It didn't look the least bit appetizing to me.
"I don't usually go home with strangers, either. I just wanted you to know that."
"So why did you come home with me, then?"
"It's kinda stupid. Especially since you are…you know, what you are. But I feel safe with you."
I looked at her incredulously. I'm a vampire. A monster! How can she still feel safe with me?
"I told you it was stupid. But really, there's more to it than just that." She got up and walked to the window, staring at the rain and the forest surrounding the cabin. She did not continue, though, she just stood there, staring, lost in thoughts that eluded me.
Before I could think about what I was doing, I found myself crossing the room and standing behind her at the window. I took in her scent. It was still that beautiful floral smell that was somehow just a little off, but it did not make me thirsty. I felt no compulsion to taste her. My only compulsion was to comfort and care for her. I allowed my arms to circle around her waist and pulled her back into my chest. She sank into me.
"What else, Bella?" I whispered in her ear. "Why did you follow me last night?"
"Because it doesn't matter," she whispered back. "If you were to kill me right now, it wouldn't matter. To anyone." I could smell the salt of the tears that were running down her face. My arms tightened around her waist.
"We are a lot alike, you and I. We both walk this world completely alone." She nodded in agreement. "You are safe with me, Bella. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise. And if you were to die today, it would matter a great deal. To me."
