Romanus Cullenus

by Caught.you.looking

AU AH. Edward Cullen is a doctor in ancient Rome. He comes from a wealthy, powerful family and has a devoted wife. His life is well ordered and calm and there is no reason it shouldn't stay that way. But two new acquaintances are going to change things.

2. Chapter 2

A/N Thanks so much to x123 and weekitty who took the time to review the first chapter of this story. It makes it worth updating :) All opinions are welcome.

XXX

Chapter Two

Michael's eyes were firmly on the ground when he came out to relieve me of my horse. He hadn't met my gaze in almost two weeks, ever since the night when I had threatened him. On the other hand, I had had no indication that he had broken my rules either. If this was the case then I considered it well worth the trouble. I nodded to him curtly and strode past him into the house.

As soon as I entered the courtyard I could hear sounds from the kitchen. When I went in I found Lauren preparing dinner for this evening. Emmett and Rosalie were joining us and Tanya always liked to ensure that we had a good meal prepared for their visits. She and Rosalie harboured a lot of mutual hostility under a thin mask of civility. It tended to make these dinners tense.

Alice was washing clothes in a metal tub, and she was humming to herself cheerfully. She didn't seem to have moved since I left the morning, "Is this what you do while I am out earning a living? Sit and relax in the kitchen?" I had taken on patients while I decided whether or not to go abroad with the army again. I was in a good position, as any legion was happy to allow a doctor to travel with them.

"Exactly the opposite Dominus," said Alice with a newly acquired twinkle in her eye. She held up a hand and pointed across the courtyard. On the other side, near the servants quarters I could see sheets and robes strung up to dry, at least four lines worth of fabric was airing in the sun. Every piece of cloth hanging there was brilliant white with not a mark on them.

I knew for a fact that there had been no washing drying when I had left this morning, "You did all of these in one day?" I asked, surprised. Though I shouldn't have been, since the morning after she had arrived Alice had been surpassing my expectations. She wasn't afraid of getting her hands dirty and attacked every new job with enthusiasm. Even Tanya had been forced to grudgingly admit that she was a good worker.

Alice nodded proudly, "I also helped Lauren to peel the vegetables. Then I moved away from the food slowly."

I laughed aloud, it was the only thing the little imp was no good at. She was willing according to Lauren but not very able. It did not really matter though as she did everything else so well. "Is my wife inside?" I asked turning to go.

"No Dominus," Lauren spoke for the first time since I had entered. "She went out with mistress Didyme. She left word that she would be back quickly."

"Well, in that case would you ask Michael to fill the tub so I can take a bath? I'm just going to check on my last patient." I left the kitchen and strode across the courtyard.

It was a mark of trust that Alice didn't follow me and I took it as such. The first time she had allowed me to be alone with her friend was only a few days ago but I had known it was a big step for her. She was starting to trust me and I didn't want to ruin it.

It would have been even happier about it if I felt that I deserved that trust. But as hard as I tried to hide it, I had to accept that I liked visiting Bella. It was a stupid thing to enjoy. Alice assured me that she was still taking food and water in a semi-conscious state, I had never seen her like that. Whenever I saw her, Bella was deep in slumber.

The truth was that she lived up to her name. I had thought that she was beautiful when I had seen her in a cage at the slave market. Now that Alice had cleaned her up, she was simply radiant. I had never reacted in such a way to a woman before, let alone one that I had yet to speak to. There was just something about her that drew me. I didn't believe that it was just her appearance. She was beautiful it was true but I had known many beautiful women in my life and their effect couldn't compare. There was just something intoxicating about Bella. Even silent, I craved her company.

I made my way to the room that the girls still shared and pushed open the door. Bella had rolled onto her side, her hair was splayed over the sheets and one of her feet was stuck out. I smiled involuntarily at the picture she presented. I touched her forehead and was pleased to note that her temperature was down a little today. I had thought that it was improving yesterday, but now I was sure. I checked her heart and found that the beats were becoming more even which was another good sign.

I was placing the covers back round Bella's arm when she shifted in her sleep. I was startled and pulled my hand back as though she had burned me. Bella twisted for a moment, then she called out quietly for Alice.

I was about to summon her friend when I noticed that her eyes were moving although they were closed. She was dreaming. I took her hand in mine again and pressed it gently, "It's allright Bella. Alice is close and you are both safe."

I whispered the words close to her ear and took a deep breath in. Despite the fact that she had been lying in this bed for two weeks, Alice had clearly been taking excellent care of her. She smelled clean and delicious and before I moved away I inhaled again.

"You can sleep Bella. You are safe now." To my astonishment, Bella smiled in her sleep and squeezed my hand for a second. Then she rolled onto her side again and let me go.

I sat down on the one chair in the room. For the first time I let myself be sure that she would recover. I had never thought that she would not, but the length of her recovery time had been worrying me. Now I was convinced that she would be awake in a matter of days and I was suddenly more cheerful than I had been for some time. I got to my feet and made sure Bella was covered. Then I walked back through the courtyard to the kitchen.

Alice still hadn't moved from her spot, "Bella just startled me to death." The imp was half out of her seat before I realised my mistake, "No Alice, I'm sorry she hasn't woken up yet. She just started talking in her sleep and it surprised me."

Alice sank back into her chair with a small smile, "It's even worse when you're trying to sleep next to her believe me."

I returned her smile and headed back into the house. I decided to go upstairs and take my bath and definitely not imagine what it would be like to sleep beside Bella.

XXX
Tanya returned home just as I was getting out of the bath, "I'm sorry, I thought I would be home by the time you got back." She immediately started stripping off her clothes, Rosalie and Emmett were due to arrive in less than an hour. Tanya had been known to spend three hours choosing her clothes. I hoped that she had decided that this morning.

Michael handed me a towel which I wrapped around my waist, "You can go now. Make sure everything's ready for my brother's arrival."

"Yes sir," Michael gave a deeper than necessary bow. Whenever I felt sorry for him I pictured him leering over Bella and Alice. It helped.

Once he had left the room I smiled at Tanya, "How was my favourite aunt?" Not that Didyme was actually my aunt. She was in fact my great aunt by marriage. Although my name was Cullen, my family was really the Volturi. The whole of our existing family descended from three wealthy brothers, Aro, Marcus and Cauis Volturi. Aro was the eldest, he and his wife Sulpicia were my maternal grandfather and mother. The youngest of the three by several years, Marcus was married to Didyme. They had two sons Liam and Peter, the latter of the two had been Tanya's husband of course.

"She's well. But wondering why she's not a great great aunt yet." Tanya's voice was deliberately light but I could hear the feeling behind it. Tanya's desire for a baby had been growing for some time now. She had wanted children before we were married; when they would have had Peter for a father. I didn't think it mattered much to her who the father was. She just wanted to be a mother. After five years of marriage I couldn't really blame her.

There was only one problem, I didn't want to be a father, not yet. I knew that it was selfish, I was away for such long periods and Tanya must get lonely. Also, I was aware that most women would have managed to get themselves with child by now regardless of what their husbands wanted. Unfortunately for Tanya, I was a doctor and I knew at which times of the month it would be unwise to touch her.

She had tried various methods to get around this problem but I had resisted all of them. It was a constant aggravation to her. I didn't want to fight with her and so I tried to keep the focus on my aunt, "She's a grandmother, surely that's enough to keep her busy."

"I just think she misses having babies around. Maggie is growing up quickly, almost four. She joined us this afternoon. She's getting to be so grown up. She still calls me aunt." Tanya's voice was quiet but clear and she seemed unwilling to look at me.

"If she likes it and you don't mind then it's harmless."

Tanya nodded but I could tell that there was more coming, "Edward, I'm afraid sometimes that I will never be able to make Didyme a great great aunt; never make Esme a grandmother."

I sighed. "Tanya, these things take time."

"They take more than simple time. They take your husband wanting to touch you." I could hear her voice was about to break and I felt a strangling guilt. She knew that I deliberately held off when there was a likelihood of a child, and I had thought that I was being so subtle.

"Tanya, I'm sorry, I just don't feel ready to..."

"It's not..." she looked at me with tears in her eyes, "Why is what you want always so much more important than what I want?"

I took a deep breath and walked over to my wife, because that is what she was, my wife. I needed to start respecting that fact. I turned her face to mine and kissed her purposefully. Tanya moaned softly into my kiss.

I held her close tangling my fingers in her blond curls. Ordinairily, her hair was my favourite feature. I liked the way it curled around her neck and face, but today it just felt itchy. It irritated my skin and made it hard for me to concentrate on what I was doing.

Tanya seemed to notice nothing. She clung to me fiercely, her hot mouth trailing down my neck. I took a moment to be glad that I hadn't bothered getting dressed. It would save time. Tanya began to pull off what was left of her clothing and I quickly moved to help her.

I was not usually this unfocused. I didn't take my priviledges with Tanya perhaps as often as some husbands, but when I did I had no complaints. She was at least as good as any other woman that I had been with and yet today I couldn't relax.

Her fingers felt sticky on my clean skin, she smelled of Rome and Tanya, no different than usual but the scent was not pleasing. She tasted the same as usual but it wasn't pleasant.

Tanya still seemed oblivious. She was clutching my body, trying to bring it closer to her and I fought to clear my mind. I thought of other things, the whore I had visited last month in one of the nice houses. She had been a pretty thing. Though not as pretty as the one I had seen two months before that. Her features hadn't been that memorable, but for some reason I remembered her now.

Tanya was still kissing my neck and her hand slid down my stomach. When her fingers closed around me I gave a quiet moan. She began stroking me and I pushed her towards the bed.

For some reason the whore had seemed beautiful, why? Then I remembered, she had had long brown hair that shone. It had hung past her shoudlers and...

I almost grit my teeth in frustration. My body was not bahaving as it should. Tanya's hands on me didn't feel bad, but I needed something else; something more or this would take all day. Then I realised the link, the long brown hair and the girl asleep in my servants quarters. I imagined her awake and laughing...then I imagined her fingers touching me. I gave a groan on Tanya's next stroke. I knew that I shouldn't be thinking about her and I wasn't sure why I was, but the image was what I needed right now.

XXX

Roslie entered the courtyard like a ship in full sail. She threw her arms around my neck with a cry of "Edward, darling." I knew that she did it in part because she loved me like a brother and partly to annoy Tanya. She embraced me for a few seconds longer than was necessary then let me go. She gave me a fond smile, "Are you losing weight Edward?" I shrugged my shoulders waiting for her next statement. "Are you not being fed properly? Something should be done, we can't have my favourite brother in law wasting away to nothing."

Tanya materialised by my side, "Well, you know men can run to fat in old age if they eat too much. Their muscle just turns soft."

I sighed, they were starting early this evening. The brittle smiles on their faces spoke to me of how long a night it was going to be. Emmett's expression mirrored mine when I caught his eye. "They only do that if they don't get encouragement. A man with a loving wife wouldn't have that problem."

"Good evening Rosalie," I said with a good natured grin, cutting her off before Tanya could retort. She was incorrigible. Even Emmett couldn't hide the grin on his face. When I saw Rosalie like this; as the mistress of all she surveyed it seemed strange to think that she had ever been desperate, that she had ever needed my help. I shook myself to clear the thoughts.

"Good evening brother," Emmett said to me, as he gave Tanya a brief kiss on the cheek. He didn't dislike my wife as much as Rosalie did. In fact sometimes I got the feeling that he felt very sorry for her; and somewhat responsible.

Tanya accepted Emmett's greeting but her eyes were fixed on Rosalie who was unwrapping her shawl to reveal a beautiful gown. It was more extravagant than was necessary for a family gathering, but it was her way. Besides, Rosalie never looked over-dressed, her own looks balanced any excesses in her clothes.

My wife was very beautiful, and she had always liked being so. But when she compared herself to Rosalie she knew that she paled. Rosalie was more beautiful than her and it was another reason that they would never be friends. However she was still a lady of dignity and when she led Emmett and Rosalie to our table she did it with grace.

As we sat down I enquired about how the boy, Jacob, was coming along. Rosalie laughed, "That's my Emmett, totally unpredictable. He told me he was just going along for the walk and then he comes back with a new slave and a promise of a new horse." Rosalie reached out and squeezed Emmett's hand. The praise was over done and deliberate, but it was obvious that she meant it. Even if she was flaunting it somewhat. "Don't ever stop being wonderful."

"I promise I wont. If you stop embarassing me about it in front of my family." Emmett's raised eyebrows spoke volumes, though the expression was softened by his smile.

Rosalie flushed and nodded, "I promise to try."

The tension in the room broke when Lauren entered followed by Alice. They were both carrying platters of food, Michael came in behind them carrying a huge tureen of soup. Alice caught Rosalie's eye, "Ah, this must be one of the girls you bought?" Clearly Emmett had been keeping his wife updated.

I nodded, "This is Alice. The other girl is still unwell."

Rosalie nodded politely to Alice and gave her a smile. She had taken to our family's way with slaves very well, more easily in fact that Tanya had. My wife still had the tendency to look down her nose at them.

"Still? I thought you were hopeful?" Emmett took a goblet of wine from Alice and gave her a smile of his own. She returned it briefly.

"I still am. Her fever has broken, it's just a matter of time. She will be well soon."

"You're a good man Edward. You always do the right thing, when you can." Tanya tensed at Rosalie's words. Though this time I could tell from Rosalie's expression that she wasn't trying to irritate my wife. She was almost thinking out loud.

"Well, in that case I should offer to serve you ladies first." I spooned up some stew, "Lauren has been hard at work in the kitchen all day." Tanya sometimes complained that although the food Lauren made was edible and even pleasant, she was not as good as the slaves some other families had.

Alice made sure that the glasses stayed full all night. She was almost obsessive about it and I realised that she had picked up on the tension between the two women. It was a gamble. Sometimes wine could lead to an escalation of bad feelings; fortunately combined with large quantities of food it just seemed to be making everyone sleepy.

There was an uncomfortable moment when Rosalie suggested that she should host Esme's birthday. Tanya was not going to allow that to happen at any cost and I was worried it might break through the veneer of civility. However Alice chose that moment to drop a plate on the floor. When I looked over I could have sworn I saw her wink at me.

Michael rushed to help her clear up the debris and the conversation shifted to who had the least competant slaves. Emmett and I spent the rest of the evening changing the subject when anything too delicate came up. It was what we did when only the four of us were in the room. Both Tanya and Rosalie behaved better when there were other witnesses.

XXX

Rosalie and Emmett were departing when Alice made a friend for life. As Tanya and I were seeing them to the door Alice rushed forward to free Rosalie's beautiful dress. It had become snagged on the door and would have torn if not for her. Rosalie thanked her profusely and, to Tanya's astonishment, even planted a kiss on her cheek. I couldn't help my smile. Rosalie had changed a lot over the years, and many times. We saw them off with embraces and promises to meet again soon.

After Emmett and Rosalie had left I decided to sit outside for a while. I liked listening to the sounds of the city and there were a few glasses of wine to be finished off. I took out a candle and my glass and took my seat at the head of the table out of habit. After I had been sitting alone for some time, Tanya came out to join me. For a moment I wondered if perhaps she would start a conversation, but that was not Tanya's style.

Evidently my earlier ardour had whetted her appetite and now she stood before me in a white nightgown. She was trying to look enticing but I couldn't muster the energy. This afternoon had been difficult anyway. "Not now Tanya, I will come to bed later."

Her smile faded for a moment but she hitched it back, "Are you sure Edward, you seemed to enjoy this afternoon."

I had, but not for the reasons she assumed, "I'm sure. I'm not ready to retire yet, and I want to be alone for a while."

Tanya didn't bother to try and change my mind. She gave me a kiss on the cheek. She was trying so hard, "Good night then."

"Good night." She turned and retreated into the house. I leant back in my chair and let my mind drift. It immediately went back to this afternoon. The images of Bella I had conjured would not leave easily. I had not meant to do it, but I couldn't stop myself.

I had imagined her cheeks flushed, her head thrown back as I made love to her. I imagined her clutching my shoudlers and begging me to continue. I imagined her warm and wet around me.

I gave a groan and got to my feet. I knew where I was going and before I could stop myself I was at the door to Alice and Bella's room. The room next to them, which had previously been Michael's stood empty. I wondered if they would continue to share a room even after Bella had recovered, it would not surprise me.

I took a deep breath to calm myself and knocked. I heard the sounds of movement within and then the door opened a crack. Alice's face relaxed into a smile and she said, "Dominus," in a polite voice.

"I thought I would check on Bella before I retired." I moved towards the bed and my heart thudded almost painfully. Her cheeks were stained with pink, just as I had imagined them being. It did not help my self-control. I took the opportunity to lean forward and touch my fingers to her face. Her skin felt hotter than ever under my skin, but I knew it was because my own hands were cold.

Bella felt the chill too, she whimpered quietly and pressed her face against my hand. While I was still fighting to control my reaction to her movement I was surprised all over again. Bella opened her eyes slowly and they met mine. Her eyes were dark brown and seemed incredibly deep. I found that I couldn't do anything, I couldn't speak or move my hand away. I was lost in Bella's stare.

I saw her face breaking into a smile and I gave her one of my own. But her smile faltered before it became complete. She seemed to realise where she was in that instant, or rather where she wasn't, and her body tensed, "Alice," I said quietly.

The imp was by my side in a second, her delight at her friend's awakening was palpable, "Oh Bella, how are you feeling?" Bella looked incredibly relieved to see her friend. I was watching every nuance of her expression, I couldn't tear my eyes away.

Bella opened her mouth to speak but her voice just rasped, "Do you have any water in here Alice?"

"Oh, yes." Alice rushed to the little table in the corner of the room and poured Bella some water. She was back at my side in an instant, helping her friend to take a sip.

Bella struggled to sit up and I put a hand on her shoudler. As I did I felt an odd frisson that shot up my whole arm. Her eyes fixed me, "You should stay still Bella. You've been unwell, but you are improving now I think."

"Where...How long...Who are you?" I didn't blame her for her confusion. She had been too tightly in the grip of the fever to notice her relocation. Now she was probably confused as to why there was a strange man staring at her.

Alice knelt by her bed and took her hand, "A lot has been happening."

I knew that my behaviour would soon become too noticeable to be dismissed and I took the opportunity to get out of the room. I didn't want to embarrass myself. "I will leave it to Alice to explain everything."

I gave a bow and left the room shutting the door behind me. I managed to get a few feet before I had to pause to gather my wits. I had a feeling that my thoughts of Bella were not going to get easier to control now.

XXX

A week after Bella left her sick bed found Emmett at my home with two of my friends from the army, Jasper and Tyler. We were adding a door to connect two of the servants' rooms. I had commented on the fact that Bella and Alice continued to share a room and invited them to make use of the other. Alice explained that she and Bella had not been separated at night for a long time and did not relish the prospect.

I considered purchasing a new, larger bed for them to share, but this idea seemed better. They could each have their own room, but keep the door open while they slept if they wished. When I had put my suggestion to them Alice had been delighted. Bella had begged me not to go to any trouble or expense but I waved her concerns away. She had reacted similarly when I had returned from the market with new dresses for them all...both times. Lauren and Alice had simply been excited and grateful.

Bella did not speak directly to me often and when she did she seemed almost painfully shy. But I looked forward to hearing the sound of her voice whenever she did. The difference between the two girls could not have been more extreme, but it only seemed to add to their closeness. They were a perfect balance.

"Are you asleep over there Edward?" I felt something jab my ribs as my friend Jasper spoke. Emmett and I had known Jasper since we were children. He and I had served in the same legion for many years, though now he and Tyler had just returned from a journey I had not been a part of. They seemed set to be in the legion for life.

"No, just lost in thought. Emmett, could you pass me that board?" My brother looked up and did as I asked. He was deep in concentration, as he always was when he was working. Anyone who had known Emmett when he was with the legion would not have believed he could be so devoted to any other profession. He had been like Jasper and Tyler and I. His marriage to Rosalie had changed him irrevocably. It felt strange to think that it had happened almost five years ago and he had never looked back.

I had never understood it before. I tended to find that when I spent long periods of time at home I grew restless. I was accustomed to activity and being home limited the possibilities. It was these fits of listlessness that prompted me to return to the army. I was always busy then. The soldiers were always being injured of course, but even when we weren't in direct conflict things still seemed to happen. The men grew bored and there was a lot of rough housing.

Now though I wasn't feeling the usual boredom, and I no longer fought to deny the reason. I was quenching my thirst for excitement in other ways. Imaginary but no less vivid ways.

Bella had insisted on getting out of bed for the first time two days after she had awakened. I had suggested that she take more time to recover but she insisted gently that she was fine. I got the impression that she felt idle and wanted to begin earning her keep. It was with some difficulty that I persuded her to rest as long as I had.

Now though I wished that I had been firmer. Her constant presence was thrilling but unsettling. Her eyes startled me whenever I saw her whether she was looking directly at me or not. Even when I saw her from behind I discovered it was easy for me to become distracted by her. Her slender figure as she moved always caught my eye, and her hair glinting in the sunlight was enough to throw my concentration.

Alice had become even chirpier since her friend was obviously so nearly recovered and their laughter echoed through the house regularly. It was a simple kind of joy that lifed my spirits whenever I heard it.

Bella seemed to be in a position to take over the kitchen as soon as Lauren would relinquish it. She clearly had a flare for cooking and when she had offered to prepare dinner for the first time Lauren had been happy to allow her to do so. I suspected that Lauren had not anticipated Bella being as proficient as she was and it had irked her.

As I was wondering whether I should strategically give Lauren another 'important' job, I saw Bella through the window. She walked across the courtyard toward the house. She was carrying hot water up to Tanya. I was so distracted that I lost concentration and dropped the board on my foot. The pain shot up to my knee and I gave a yell of agony. The board crashed to the ground as I began hopping on my good foot, laughter errupting around me.

It was a stupid pain but it was blinding none the less. I was about to tell all the men to go hell when I felt a pair of hands steady me. They felt small but were surprisingly strong. I looked down and saw dark brown eyes staring into mine. Bella was holding me tightly, "I can see to that Dominus."

The pain receded to an ache as I felt Bella's hands on my arms and I automatically allowed her to lead me out of the servant's quarters to the kitchen. I limped only a little and I didn't care about the pain. Bella pointed to a bench and I sat down. She disappeared outside for a moment and returned carrying a pail of water. I suddenly managed to find my voice, my inability to speak around her was becoming tiresome, "Thank you Bella, that was embarassing."

"You're welcome Dominus," her voice was quiet and humble and it irritated me. I knew it was completely irrational, and I wasn't exactly irritated with her. I wanted her to look me in the eye, I wanted her to feel comfortable enough to speak to me. She collected some small pieces of cloth from the shelf and then came to stand in front of me. My breath hitched in my throat. Her scent wafted towards me and I could see the slope of her breasts, they were level with my face.

Bella knelt down in front of me and dropped the rags in the water. She took off my shoe gently her fingers brushing my ankle. As I watched her work quickly, I began to feel concerned. This was the first time I had been alone with her when we could have a conversation. If she kept being so efficient it would be over soon. I jumped when she pressed the cold rags to the painful part of my foot and she instantly apologised.

"You're new dress is very pretty," I said. I knew women liked attention to things like that and she did look beautiful in blue. Tanya had not been especially pleased with our slaves new apparrel. Then I had argued that well-dressed slaves showed our wealth and she raised no more objections.

"Thank you Dominus. Alice picked it out for me this morning." I tried to think of another dress-related question to ask her but I couldn't think of any. Intead I switched topic.

"Are you having fun planning the party?" I asked her. It was a stupid question and I felt like a fool but it was the first thing that came to mind. Apparently my mind was not going to be of any help, my body was firmly in control at the moment. Bella's breasts had distracted it. The very breasts that I could now see even more of. I had a bird's eye view down her dress and I was finding it impossible not to stare. Bella didn't seem to notice.

She was nodding as she squeezed the water from the rags, "We hope everyone will enjoy it." Her answer was all politeness. I had to do something to help her relax. I knew her reserve could be a good thing, it would keep a distance between us but I couldn't stand it.

"Is Tanya being unbearable?" I asked her lightly, trying to force a joke.

Bella looked up for a second in surprise but dropped her eyes again quickly, "N...no Dominus. We are all busy and Domina is working very hard." I knew that wasn't true, Tanya liked delegating and to be fair she was good at it. She probably hadn't lifted a finger during the whole process.

"Bella, it's allright to tell the truth you know. I won't be angry with you." I leant towards her, I wanted to see her eyes, damn it.

"I..."

"Bella, look at me." She raised her eyes slowly and I had to fight to concentrate, "I know you're trying to be polite and I appreciate it. But I would prefer it if you were more relaxed, more...yourself."

Bella looked confused, she frowned slightly and a small crease appeared between her eyebrows. I had an almost overwhelming urge to reach out and smooth it away. I was just congratulating myself on ignoring it when I realised my hand was moving towards her face. Bella's confusion grew as she watched it and I decided that it would look as foolish to pull my hand back as it would to continue. Besides, she was stil frowning.

When my fingers touched her forehead, her cheeks flushed instantly. Her eyes locked with mine and I stroked a finger over the crease. Her breathing changed and I could tell that Bella's heart was beating faster. Her breasts were heaving against her dress as she stared at me. The crease disappeared but I didn't take my hand away, instead it seemed to drift to her cheek without my telling it to.

I was trying to think of something to say but again I was struck dumb. Bella seemed to be having the same trouble although she couldn't tear her eyes away anymore than I could. I stroked my thumb over her cheek bone and her lips parted as her breath hitched.

Knelt at my feet, she was only a few inches away from me. I could lean down and press my lips to hers and I had a feeling she wouldn't try to stop me. More than that, I thought she might even want me to. "Bella..." Her name slipped out, I didn't know what I was going to say. Perhaps I would have asked her permission, but I was saved the trouble. I heard another crash and guffawing laughter from the servants quarters.

Bella jumped as though she had been scalded and scambled to her feet, "Will there be anything else Dominus?" She asked, her eyes down again, her voice subservient.

I was furious. Why hadn't I thrown caution to the wind and just kissed her? Then I remembered, my closest friend and my brother were only a room away. As was my wife. "No, thank you Bella."

She nodded, picked up the water and scurried from the room.

XXX

Once the door was hung and the light was failing, the men settled around our outdoor table. Michael lit the torches to combat the darkness, still not meeting my eyes. Bella and Alice appeared as if from nowhere to serve us all a delicious dinner of stew and potatoes. It was simple but truly excellent and we all ate enthusiastically. Tanya never got involved on these occaisions.

There was a lot of talking and laughing as there always was when we got together. Jasper held court telling stories about our time with the army. Emmett and I had known him before we had enlisted, we had played together with Rosalie as children. His family, the Hales, had been decimated by a fever when he was only young. We had been told later that Jasper had caught the disease too but for some reason he had survived it. His resulting wealth and property had prompted my Uncle Caius to take him in. The Volturi family liked to be close to the right people and were more forward thinking than most. They correctly surmised that Jasper wouldn't be a boy forever and once he was able to run his own finances they wanted to ensure they were on his good side.

Jasper hadn't really lived up to their expectations. Althought proficient at business, his only desire had been to join the army with Emmett and I. Though not all of the patriarch's efforts had been for nought. He remained close to our family and when it became clear that he would not want to manage his own affairs he had placed them with perfect trust into the hands of my father. Carlisle had made wise investments for Jasper and kept his farms outside the city running well. He appointed overseers and kept the slaves and workers happy. Jasper repaid my father by giving him a percentage of his profits. He had offered an equal share but of course Carlisle had refused. So it was always a feeling of family when Jasper was with us and I usually enjoyed listening to him when he reminisced but I had other things on my mind.

After I had returned to the servants' quarters to help I had not been of much use. A couple of times I had noticed Emmett watching me. I sincerely hoped he was not going to be even more observant than usual. I didn't want to talk about whatever was happening to me. I didn't even want to think about it too much.

Fortunately he didn't say anything to me, either in private or in front of the others. Normally he would call me out and they would all laugh, but this time he didn't and I was grateful.

Now he was concentrating on Jasper and laughing with the others. I took the opportunity to chance a look at Bella. She was stood near the kitchens waiting to see if anyone would need anything. But she was looking straight at me. As our eyes met her cheeks coloured and she dropped her eyes to the ground.

My breathing was shallow as I counted to ten in my head. On seven she looked up again and when she found that I was still watching her she reached up to fiddle with her hair. I was just realising how content I would be to stare at her forever when Jasper interrupted me, "Edward?"

I blinked and tried to focus on the conversation, "Sorry, I drifted off. What were you saying?"

"I was saying that the god's smiled on you at the market. Two beautiful girls who cook. Lucky man." He looked over to where Alice stood. I hadn't actually noticed her, she was stood behind me keeping watch on my half of the table. I turned and gave her a smile which she returned but I couldn't help but notice that it seemed tense.

I was wondering what was bothering her when I noticed Jasper's expression. The way he was looking at her was almost indecent. "Indeed," I said sharply. Jasper broke off his staring, "They are both good hard workers."

"Hmmm..." he said and went back to looking at Alice.

"Jasper!"

"What?" I suddenly became aware that Jasper had drunk a little too much and I softened my tone. He was my best friend after all and he hardly ever got drunk. "It's time to break up this gathering." I turned to my brother, "Can you make sure he gets home?" I asked Emmett quiety.

Emmett nodded and grinned, "Shall I set him straight?"

"Gently, if you would." I had heard him say much worse things during our time together surrounded by nothing other than men. As a group, our sex grew more and more coarse the longer we were out of female company. He wasn't to know how irrationally protective I was over these girls.

Tyler was holding Jasper up with one arm. He was built similarly to Emmett and had no trouble supporting my friend. I wished them all good night and sent them on their way. As fond as I was of them, I longed for quiet. My day had been more stressful than I would have guessed. I closed the door behind my guests and turned to see Bella bent over the table.

I let out a silent gasp and froze. I could see her stretched out on that table. I could lift her skirts and touch her skin. I could kiss her and tell her how much I had been thinking of her. I was wondering how far I might take this fantasy, when Alice came into my line of sight and the spell was broken.

She and Bella were simply clearing the table of the debris from our meal. The torches threw odd shadows around and I pictured Bella and Alice dancing around a fire. Then suddenly Bella was alone and dancing naked. Almost as though she had heard my thoughts, Bella glanced briefly over her shoulder at me. She had timed it carefully. Alice had just dissappeard into the kitchen with an armful of things to wash.

I took the glance as an invitation and walked towards her. It would be best if I were to ignore the moment we had shared in the kitchen. It would be best if I could pretend we hadn't been looking for each other all evening, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Just seeing her set my heart racing. This little dance we had been doing all day was even more thrilling and it was a thrill I had never felt before.

I was not used to denying myself things I wanted, and I had never wanted anything like I wanted her. When I reached the table Bella had just straightened up, she had plates in her hand but she was frozen. She knew I was there and she didn't seem uncomfortable.

She didn't move. She stood holding the plates and waited. I wished I could read her mind. I wanted to reach out and touch her. If I could just touch her hand for a second, perhaps this craving would ease. But I didn't know if she wanted me to.

Suddenly I didn't care. I reached around her and guided her hand back to the table. She put the plates gently back down. I knew that I only had a few seconds before Alice interrupted us. I tugged her hand gently and she turned around. Her lips were parted and she was breathing heavily.

I thought about asking her permission, but she might say no. If she did it might kill me. Instead I reached up to touch her cheek. Bella shivered and her eyes drifted shut when my fingers brushed her cheekbone as they had this afternoon.

Seeing her response was enough. Whether she would admit it or not, Bella wanted me to kiss her. My other arm snaked around her waist quickly and her eyes flew open. I hesitated for a second and promised myself that if she pulled away I wouldn't stop her. She didn't. So I tipped her face to mine and gently pressed my lips to hers.

Bella let out a quiet moan as my arms clutched her tighter. She felt so warm against my body. She felt so good. I could feel my body responding to her. I wanted her more than I had ever wanted a woman before. Even when I was younger and less in control of my body I had never craved intimacy like this before. I didn't just want to bed a woman. I wanted her, Bella. Warm and wet and willing beneath me. My tongue brushed against her lip...

"Edward!"

Tanya's voice cut through my thoughts like a knife. Bella jerked away from me horrified and we both looked around. My wife was no where to be seen. Bella reached for the abandoned plates and began to clear the table again just as Tanya appeared on the balcony above us.

"There you are. Are you coming in soon?"

"Yes," I said and even I could hear how strangled my voice sounded. I cleared my throat and tried again. "I'll be in, in a moment."

Tanya nodded and retreated back into our bedroom. I wanted to say something to Bella. I wasn't sure what, I just felt that I should tell her that I didn't normally do this. But Alice had come out of the kitchen. Time had seemed to stand still for me but in reality it had only been a few moments.

Bella was not meeting my eye, she was concentrating too hard on her task. I would not get the chance to speak to her tonight. "Good night girls," I said as I made my way into the house.

"Good night Dominus," they chanted back at me.

Michael was waiting to turn down the lights when I came into the room. I had never minded changing in front of my slaves before, I had done it for years. Though recently I had taken to ordering him out of my room whenever I found him there. I might be distracted but I didn't want Michael near Tanya. However I felt about our relationship, I didn't want him leering over her any more than I wanted him leering over Bella and Alice.

I dismissed him and got into bed. Tanya instantly rolled over and stroked a hand over my chest. I felt my whole body tense under her touch and I felt horribly guilty all over again. I should be able to stand her touch at least. Tanya seemed to take my reaction as excitement however and her hand moved down.

Her fingers encircled me and she gasped, "Well, I guess you're ready enough husband."

I had almost forgotten about that. I still hadn't managed to calm down after my encounter with Bella. Tanya was stroking me and although it wasn't the touch I wanted I couldn't deny that any relief was welcome.

I couldn't hardly pretend that I wasn't in the mood anyway. She had proof of how in the mood I was. I reached for her, but she just smiled and moved down my body. I thanked the gods when I felt her mouth close over me. As terrible as it made me feel, I was grateful that I didn't need to look at her. It meant that I could think of Bella.

XXX

Tanya lay on my chest dosing quietly. I had made sure it was good for her too of course. Even when I visited the brothels I never left a woman unsatisfied. It was the epitome of rudeness. I had hoped for sleep afterwards but so far it eluded me. I couldn't even relax. I couldn't stop thinking about Bella.

I had only wanted to talk her her; to try and ease the tension between us so she could feel more comfortable around me. Instead I knew I had just done something bad. Now I had a different kind of tension to deal with. I was sure now that Bella did in fact like me. It was easy to keep my distance when I thought she would see me as one of all the other men that had taken advantage of her and Alice. I didn't want to be one of them.

But if she wanted me...I felt as though it changed everything. I wouldn't force myself on an unwilling woman ever. But a woman who wanted me too was a different thing entirely. Only the possibility that Alice and Bella might have left their new adjoining door open stopped me from going down there. I rolled Tanya off me gently and settled down for a restless night's sleep.

XXX