Fated

By Ginamr

Summary: Edward's rebellious years were behind him and he was at last beginning to feel a modicum of peace through his family's vegetarian lifestyle. His life is turned upside down when Bella, the Human woman that he'd saved from the clutches of a murderous vampire, is again in need of his protection. He's forced to face his growing affection for her. He has two choices—create a future with the woman who draws him like no other or abandon her and his family for a second time.

Rating: NC-17

Categories: AU

This chapter is in Bella's POV.

Two

We arrived at my front door far too soon for my liking and I was reluctant for the evening to end. Somehow, I knew that I wouldn't see Edward again; yet, my heart clung to fantasies of us together, growing in life and love. He fitted into each scene with perfection as though fate were trying to tell me something. Again, my fantasies turned to a myriad of ways and places we could steal kisses. I shivered as I imagined his lips moving ardently against mine, his hands sliding over my hips and to my backside, squeezing tightly as I arched into him and moaned softly. A muffled groan drew me from my thoughts and my eyes met his, which were dark with lust.

He laid a hand on my cheek and rested his forehead against mine, breathing heavily. "For an innocent, your carnal knowledge is very vivid," he whispered huskily.

"I read," I returned, my voice a couple octaves lower than usual.

He stared at me for several long moments before I saw his lips tighten and caught the decisive gleam in his eyes. I sucked in a soft breath. He was going to kiss me.

"You must remain still," he croaked.

Unable to speak, I nodded dumbly. My eyes dropped to his lips as he leaned closer and I fought the urge to jerk his head down to mine. I saw him hesitate and knew that my thoughts were testing his control. I swallowed roughly and let out a sigh to drive the thoughts away, closing my eyes to calm my racing heart.

I was so lost in the anticipation that I gasped when his cold, stone lips brushed innocently against mine. Instinctively, I twined my hands in his bronze locks to keep him from pulling away. I pressed my mouth to his in a fervent kiss and slid my tongue along the seam of his lips. He parted them with a hiss and I felt his tongue twine with mine. My legs turned to jelly beneath me as fire raced along my nerve endings and goose pimples pricked my skin.

"Edward," I whimpered softly.

He leapt back as though burned, his eyes still blazing from the storm of lust that I'd awakened in him. His grace seemingly misplaced, he stumbled backward until he found the solid stone of the pillar. I moved to sooth him and to apologize, but he held a hand up to stop me.

"No," he breathed. "Stay away or I'll lose control."

I did as he asked, worrying my lower lip. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to go that far."

He smiled humorlessly. "Neither did I. I thought perhaps just a taste would satiate my curiosity." He laughed dryly. "All it did was make me desire you more."

My lips tightened at his confession. "That doesn't exactly calm my excitement, you know," I said with a nervous laugh.

"No. I don't imagine it does," he replied matter-of-factly.

I hesitated before asking the question that had been nagging me the entire walk to my home. "Edward, what did Laurent mean when he said I was your singer?"

He froze, his gaze thoughtful. "You're certain you want an answer to that?" I nodded and his lips tightened. "It's difficult to explain. Each Human has a unique scent and depending on what attracts a particular vampire, one Human's blood may draw him or her more than any other."

"Like an alcoholic?" I prompted.

He shook his head. "No. It's much more ingrained than that—like an addiction that can't be resisted."

"Like opium?"

His eyes lit up and a sad smile slid across his lips. "Exactly. My own personal brand of opium."

I gazed at him wide eyed as it struck me how powerful his thirst must be if he was comparing my scent to opium. Withdraw from the drug could be maddening and some didn't survive the mind fucking that came along with it. A tingle of fear caused a lump to rise in my throat.

"Finally, you understand how truly dangerous I am," he whispered. "Even the strongest individuals can't resist their addictions forever. That's why I need to go before I do something that we'll both regret. I'd rather keep your memories of tonight's events pleasant."

I nodded. "I understand. But I'll miss you." At his furrowed brow, I continued. "You've stirred something in me that I won't ever forget. I won't be satisfied with anyone else—only you."

His eyes snapped closed and his lips tightened. "I'm no good for you, Bella. I'm dangerous," he explained for the third time since our meeting.

"Yes, I know," I replied with a grin. "The best things in life aren't always the easiest, though. You may not be good for my health, but you make the world make sense. I may not ever see you again, but I certainly won't forget you."

His eyes opened and he laid a shaking hand on my cheek, a soft smile crossing his lips. "One for the road?"

I laughed at the cheesy one-liner, but nodded. "As if you need to ask," I teased.

The unrestrained passion as he pressed his lips to mine surprised me and forced a gasp from my throat. By the time I regained enough of my wits to kiss him back, he was pulling away. We must have made enough noise to receive attention from the household staff as the porch light flickered to life and the door opened. The housekeeper, Shellie, appeared in the doorway and relief was clear in her face as she enveloped me in a hug.

"Lord have mercy, child," she exclaimed. "Your mama and daddy have been going out of their minds with worry. When you didn't come home, they called the local detective."

I turned to introduce Edward, but he was gone. My brow furrowed in disappointment. I hadn't even gotten the chance to say goodbye. Shellie must have sensed my hesitation because the worried look returned to her face.

"What is it, child?" Her eyes widened. "Did Mr. Farrell take advantage you? I told Miss Renee he wasn't all he appeared to be. Now look—"

I shook my head. "No, Shellie. James didn't take advantage of me. He was nothing but a gentleman all evening."

She was about to question me further when my mother practically shoved her to the ground to get to me. Before I could step away, my mother had me enveloped in a hug so tight that I could scarcely breathe.

"Oh, my baby!" she shouted. "What happened? When you didn't come home—"

"I'm fine, mama," I interrupted. "Really. I just got 's all."

Her brow furrowed. "Lost? I thought James' driver was escorting you home."

I swallowed the hysteria threatening to overwhelm me as my mind ran through the events of the evening. "He did. A heavy fog crept in and he got turned around." I fought back a grimace at the lie. "A nice gentleman set us right."

She snorted. "Gentleman, indeed. What kind of gentleman would be out walking the streets at this hour?"

Heat filled my cheeks as my mind came to a halt on the memories of kissing Edward. Fortunately, it was dark enough that even with the dim porch light my mother didn't notice.

"He was very kind," I murmured. "If he hadn't led us back, it's likely we'd still be lost."

She sighed. "Oh. So that's what that terrible rumble was. For a moment, I thought it was threatening to pour. That would just ruin this afternoon's picnic."

Naturally, the neighborhood picnic would be the first thing on her mind. She'd confided to me that rumors were running rampant around Chicago that James was going to propose to me at that picnic. Nausea crept in as I imagined the scene. I would pretend to be over the moon with his proposal, all the while sobbing in private over Edward's departure from my life.

It had been as sudden as his entrance. Everything I'd told him had been true. He'd ruined me for all other men and accepting James's proposal would merely mean settling and doing what was expected of me. I would dream of him and ache for him until I drew my last breath.