First, I want to say thank you to everyone who reviewed/alerted/favored my story. :) The more reviews or alerts I get, the more motivated I am to write. So, please, don't hold back. :) Well with that said here's the next chapter. Hope you all like it!

oh and btw, i dont own the characters ... aww shucks

Last time:

I let out a long breath to steady myself to get a hold of my anger. I may not have told him all the shit I would like to, but damn that motherfucker does know how to piss me off. I walk into the front room where I'm prepared to explain and/or apologize for what I said when I notice that she is not there and the front door is open.

Fuck! She ran away!

BELLA'S POV

I didn't stay to hear the rest of their conversation. How could I? I don't know whether hearing his voice made me want to scream or cry. I think it's a little of both. I just needed to get out of there, out of our safe haven, that no longer felt safe. Once outside, I ran. It's cold but I could barely feel it as I kept running. I don't know how long I ran; just that it landed me here. There's a lake that's being cleansed by the nonstop rain. It's surrounded by trees and patches of green grass. It's beautiful. When I got here I was fueling with anger and sadness, but the moment my eyes landed on the lake, it all vanished. I can't say for sure what possessed me to do it, but I took off Emmett's shirt and laid my naked body down among the grass and let the rain drops play on my bare skin.

I'm sure that sooner or later Emmett will find me. He always does. He's my knight in shining armor. And that's where the problem is. Ever since that day at a very different lake three months ago, he and I have become closer. We've never talked about that day. Not once. But the silent tension is always there. And today, that tension came out. We ran away together. We kissed. And I liked it. No, I loved it. I loved the feeling of his lips on mine, his tongue dancing with mine. But it was a mistake. Wasn't it? I'm with Edward and he's married to Rosalie. It could never be more than a stolen kiss. But had Edward not called, I'm sure we would have taken things further. Much further.

Sigh. Everything is so screwed up. This is not how things were supposed to be. Edward and I were supposed to be happy and in love. Forever. And now I'm at some remote place with his brother no less. How did things spiral this far down?

EMMETT'S POV

Okay, where could she have gone? She's just a human, how far could she have gotten? Don't lie to yourself – it's Bella. She probably fell down a hole and pissed of the Mad Hatter himself.

After a couple of minutes of running, I smell her. Only Bella. She is lying naked on the grass , eyes closed, with water droplets everywhere and a smile playing across her lips. I should do something to let her know I'm here. In a flash I'm lying next to her, my mouth at her ear. "Aren't you cold?" I whisper. I expected her to jump or scream. But Bella never does what I expect.

She smiles. "Yes." She opens her eyes to stare at me. She's hiding something from me. There is something that is troubling her. She closes her eyes again. I want her. My achingly hard member is proof of that. But my desire comes last to Bella's needs. She begins talking again, keeping her eyes closed. "Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a bird? To have that freedom; to be able to fly; to let your soul wander until it finds its home?"

"Bella…" I honestly don't know what to say. I've never thought about that. But then again, there's a lot I haven't thought about. Like how my family is reacting to my sudden take off with Bella.

"I've thought about it a lot, Emmett. My soul, my home, isn't with Edward." She whispers this last part.

"Bella, you've only been away from him for a couple of hours, you don't know that." As much as I hate the bastard, to decide that you aren't mates anymore is a decision that takes longer than a day. Hell, I've been trying to decide that about me and Rose for years now.

"But I DO know that." She sits up, brings her knees close to her chest, and looks out at the lake. "I love him, I will always love him. My heart will always ache for a time when things between him and I were better, for a time when I wanted nothing more than to be touched by him. But that time doesn't exist anymore. When he touches me, I wince and my body stiffens. When he tells me he loves me, I'm hesitant to say it back. I know you've noticed these things. Everybody has. But he has everyone wrapped around his finger so tightly that they don't say anything. I'm leading a loveless life." A tear works its way down her cheek. My index finger is beneath her chin forcing her to look at me. "I don't want to live this way anymore. There's a whole world out there. I need to be a part of it."

BELLA'S POV

Staring into his eyes while telling him all of this, has twisted my gut and stabbed my heart. There's so much emotion in his eyes, so much that I can't put a name on any of them.

"Bella, I don't…understand. What are you saying?" I could tell now by his eyes that he's afraid I'm going to say that I need to leave the family. But that's not it. Not completely anyways.

I let out a sigh. "Emmy-bear," I give him a sad smile, "I'm saying that I need to be away from Edward, from the family, for more than a few hours." He's about to interrupt, but I put my hand up to stop him. "No, let me finish." Another sigh. "I would like a month away from Forks, from the control everyone has over me. And I would like you to come with me." Well that certainly shocked the hell out of him.

"You want to run away? And you want me to come with you?" His voice is confused but his eyes are excited.

"That's one way of putting it, but yes." A breeze passes through and until this moment I have completely forgotten about how cold I am. Emmett feels me shiver. And for now our conversation is on hold.

"Let's go back inside." That is all he says before he picks me up, still naked, and runs. I swear I'll have pneumonia before the night is through.

EMMETT'S POV

She wants to run away. Bella wants to run away. And she wants to run away with me. Well, I guess this changes things. But it's impossible. She has to know that. Even if I did agree to run away with her, there is no way our family would be okay with that. Everyone would try to stop us, especially Edward. But what if we didn't tell anyone? No, no that wouldn't work either, because the damned Pixie would see and stop us before we could do anything about it.

The only thing that could ever pull me out of my musings is Bella. She is naked in my arms, shivering, and wet. Her teeth are chattering, her hair is clinging to her face, her nose is red from the cold; she's looks beautiful and sexy. I run even faster to get her out of the rain, though that just makes her even colder.

"Ca-can you sl-slow do-down pl-please. I'm fr-freezing." She stutters. Oh God, how I would love to make her stutter beneath me, shuddering beneath me, screaming my name and begging for more.

I slow down only when I see that our cottage is a hundred yards away. Once inside, I walk to my room, still holding onto her, and plop her down in the middle of my bed.

"Emmett?" Her voice is quiet and I know that she is scared. She wants me, I can smell her arousal. But unlike our kiss, this is something she is not ready for. And though my cock is straining against the fabric of my shorts, I will not force anything on her. Especially not this.

"Shh. You're freezing Belly-bean. You're almost as cold as me, and I'm dead. Let me warm you up. I promise I will not do anything sexual unless you ask me to." She blushes but nods her head. In movements too fast for her to see, I run to the closet, grab a shitload of blankets, and run back to the bed.

"Why do you have so many blankets?" She smiles looking at the ninja turtles blanket I have on top. "And why is one of them a ninja turtles blanket?"

" Because sometimes when I come here, I like to cover myself with blankets, to warm up a little bit so I can feel at least somewhat human." I could tell that this saddened her, and the last thing I wanted was for her to feel sad right now. "And as for the ninja turtles well they kickass. Michelangelo is freaking awesome!" This makes her giggle. Another thing I love about her.

"Well, then Emmy-bear, by all means, warm me up." I swear this woman is going to be the death of me.

"First get under the sheets." She does what I say, but she does it extremely sexy. She turns around to where her ass is facing me and her head is facing the headboard. She stays in that position for a few moments and damn if I didn't want to take her right then. I let a low growl escape and her arousal grows. She pulls back the sheets and so fucking slowly she gets beneath them. Then she turns around and pulls the sheet up over her breasts.

"Now what Emmy-bear?" She's trying to act innocent but her eyes hold a very wicked glint. Damn.

"Now, I'm going to place this pile of blankets around you." I begin unfolding the blankets when her hand on mine stops me. Her sheet has fallen to her waist and her amazingly pert breasts are staring at me. Her nipples harden under my stare and all I want to do is taste them.

"Why don't you just put a blanket around yourself and use your body to warm me up?" I look back up into her eyes. They're clouded with lust mirroring my own.

"Are you sure you want that?" I won't take advantage of her, no matter how badly I want her.

"Yes." She whispers tracing a finger along my jaw. Too fast for her eyes to see, I wrap one of the thickest blankets I have around me and push her back down onto the bed with me atop her. I slowly bend my head down to hers and press my lips softly to hers. Lightly I nibble her bottom lip begging for entrance. She opens her mouth and I slide my tongue in. She moans against my mouth. My hand comes to rest on the side of her neck, anchoring her to me. She moans again, making me cock twitch even harder. I start grinding myself into her, and her into me. I let out a growl and her arousal spikes.

"You like when I growl huh?" I whisper huskily against her lips.

"God yes." She moans back. I let out another growl and she grinds herself into me more. I slip my hand beneath the sheets to trace her folds. After gathering enough of her juices, I slowly slide my finger into her, causing her to buck into my hand, taking my finger deeper. She is tight, unbelievably tight, and hot, and wet. I can only imagine how incredibly she would feel wrapped around my cock. I pull out and she whimpers. I push back in harder and faster. I keep going faster. "Emmett, please."

"Please what?"

"Please, for once…give me…make me…"

"Come for me." I growl pushing harder and faster, almost going vampire speed. Almost.

"Em…Oh God…EMMETT!" She moans and throws her head back, exposing her delicious neck to me, as her walls clutch my finger. I continue pumping my finger into her, intensifying her orgasm. When she finally comes down from her high, I take my finger from her, and as she watches me, I put it in my mouth, tasting her. I growl.

"God, Bella. You taste incredible." Now she blushes. But I can see just how exhausted she is. Today has been one long day. I lean my head down and kiss her gently. "I'm going to take a quick shower. Why don't you get some rest?"

"I…I don't want to sleep alone." She looks down. But I am having none of that. I reach beneath her chin, pulling her eyes upward.

"You won't. I'm just going to take a quick shower, and then I will be back. I will wrap you in my arms and you will be safe."

"Promise?" Her eyes are pleading with me.

" I promise." I promise to always keep you safe, no matter the cost. With that she nods her head, and I get off her walking to the bathroom. She turns to her right side, and I can smell a tear slide down her cheek. Oh God, what have I done?

BELLA'S POV

I can't believe I just did that. I had my first orgasm and by Emmett's hand. I… I betrayed Edward. But he betrayed me first. Controlling every aspect of my life. But I'm not him. I don't do this out of vengeance. Did I do this out of vengeance? Yes…no…damn it, I don't know. I wanted Emmett. I want Emmett. But did I want to forget about Edward and all the pain I feel more?

The shower is turned off and out walks Emmett with a towel around his waist. He looks sexy. "I'm sorry Belly-bean." He apologizes, looking me straight in the eye.

"Why are you sorry?"

"I… I shouldn't have done that to you." He takes a step forward, still holding my eyes.

"I wanted you too." I tell him, needing to take away the sadness in his eyes.

"Then why were you crying?" He is now by the bed and takes a seat near where I am laying. He stares down at me, and if he could cry I know that he would be.

"Because I used you." My voice becomes quiet and the tears are back. "I wanted to forget about all the pain. I wanted to forget about Edward." The tears spill over once again.

"Well, did it work?" He says with a small smile on his face.

"Emmett, how can you be joking? I used you. I hurt you." I say all this in between sobs.

"Bella, listen to me." I look up at him. "You did not hurt me. I have been dying to touch you for months now. To bring you pleasure is my only desire. If what I did, helps you fight your pain, then Bella I would do it all over again. Back at the house, when you and Edward were talking, you asked me if I would take you. I said yes. Do you know why I said yes?"

"Because you felt bad for me." I tell him again looking down, knowing that I don't want to hear him agree.

"No." I look back up. No? What does he mean no? "I said yes, because I would go anywhere with you. I would take you anywhere you wanted to go."

"Why?" I am so confused.

"Because Bella, you are worth it and so much more. You're beautiful, and smart, funny, and clumsy, you're you. I would do anything for you."

"But why? Why risk everything for me? I'm sure you've thought about it. Rose is pissed; Alice has seen everything we've done; Edward is flying off the handle. You're risking losing your family." Something flashes in his eyes at the last part.

"Did you mean what you told me today out at the lake?" That caught me off guard.

"Yes."

"Then how the hell can you tell me all of that, when you asked me to run away with you?" He is getting angry.

"Because…Because…" Why am I saying all of this?

"Bella," he sighs, "I will gladly run away with you, if it makes you happy. As far as losing my family…When we run away together, you will be the only family I need."

"But what about Rosalie?" This is seriously making no sense to me. I mean I know why Edward is not my mate, but Emmett and Rose have been together for over sixty years.

"Bella," another sigh, "Rose and I have been having problems in our marriage way before you came along. We've tried so hard to make it work, but after a while, we just stopped trying."

EMMETT'S POV

I know what's coming next.

"How long ago did you stop trying?" She is so confused, and what I'm about to tell her will only confuse her more.

"When Edward made the decision to break up with you." I look back into her eyes. I haven't even realized I'd been looking at my hands. "Rose was all for it, but that has more to do with Edward, then it has to do with you. She's always wanted him, even though she's had me, he was her everything. She figured with you out of the picture, she could have us both. Well that didn't sit well with me." More like I was ready to kill the fucking bitch. "Edward knew what Rose wanted, but you're his singer, he wouldn't dare give that up. At that point, our marriage was gone. Her and I both knew it, but she didn't, doesn't, want to give me up. In a way, I'm all that she has. For over sixty years, we shared a life, a love; we shared our bodies and our souls." I could see the questions in her eyes as all of this starts to sink in. There's no going back now, I have to tell her everything. "But I can't put all the blame on her. When I saw you at the lake, you have no idea how badly I wanted to make you mine. I wanted your body so much more than your blood. I needed to feel you riding me, giving yourself to me. Throughout everything Rose and I had always had sex. But ever since that day, I couldn't get it up for her. And when I did, it was only because I was imagining it was you I was making love to. And she noticed the changes. Which pissed her off even more. Sometimes for the sake of my sanity, I wish I didn't want you so much; I wish I could be happy with Rose. Just as you will always love Edward, I will always love Rose. Which is why I told you that you couldn't know whether Edward was your mate or not, because I'm still trying to figure that out for myself.

Her eyes are full of tears and confusion. She doesn't understand. I look over at the clock: it's 12:35 am. "You must be tired. We can always finish this conversation in the morning. For now, scoot over, so I can lay with you, and please, try to get some rest." I say all of this keeping my voice calm, when my heart is being stabbed and my stomach churned. I feel like screaming, or hitting something. Or better yet, I feel like making love to Bella, to make her forget everything, to where it's me and her, and me and her only. No Edward, no Rose, no Alice, no one but me and her. But she needs protection right now. And i'm going to give her that. She nods her head. But I can still smell the tears spilling over. I lay next her, and wrap my arm around her, pulling the blankets over us, so she won't be cold. Ten minutes pass, when I feel her hand on mine, giving it a little squeeze.

"Emmett?" She whispers and I can tell that her eyes are closed.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you. For everything." With that her breathing becomes labored and she is asleep.

So what da ya think?