Chapter 4
Shocked at her drunken confession, Edward can only stare at her full lips. The desire to taste them is overwhelming.
Just once, he says to himself, only this once. His eyes still focused on her slightly parted lips, he slowly lowers his mouth to hers. He moves so slow he can feel her warm breath on his face.
At the sound of a small gasp, he's brought back to his senses, and stops.
"I'm … sorry," he says in his deep voice.
Bella touches her lips where his lips should have landed, but didn't. Her eyes focus on the dirty floor in front of her.
Looking around them, Edward sees the line to the ladies' room has shortened. "Okay, Doc, your turn," he says, gently nudging her to the door.
Bella enters the small room, locks the door behind her and leans against it. Her gaze meets her reflection in the mirror and tears begin to burn her eyes.
"Face it, you're not his type. You're jus' a … a … plain, boring nobody. That's why you haven't had sex before!" She scolds the image looking back at her. She even expounds on her rant by pointing her finger at herself. "And why is that Doctor Swan? Even a biker man doesn't want you!"
Edward makes his way back to the group, and it's Emmett that sees the look on his friend's face. He can tell something's up.
"Hey, E, what's up? You look a little pissed."
If only Emmett knew how pissed he really was. At himself. There's no way in hell Bella would even think about someone like him. She's a doctor, for Christ sake.
As Bella returns to the table, she tries to act like nothing happened. Disappointed that Edward felt the need to apologize, she orders another round for the table.
"Come on, Rosie, let me twirl you around that dance floor," Emmett shouts over the loud music.
He takes her in his arms, folding her into his body in a comfortable hug as they sway to the love song playing on the juke box. Jasper asks Alice to do the same.
Bella and Edward sit alone at the table, silent, until Edward speaks first.
"So, you had a dream about me, huh?" he asks suddenly, shocking himself with that question. He raises his beer to his lips, keeping his eyes on her.
Her blush returns in full force as she toys with the label on her beer bottle. Not wanting to give him another reason to humiliate her, she shrugs, avoiding answering.
He stares directly into her eyes, allowing his gaze to linger on her full lips. He knows she's offended by him pulling out of the kiss, especially when his lips were nearly on hers. If she only knew how much he wanted to taste her, to hold her. He also knows he has nothing to offer her.
It only takes a split second for their spell to be broken when Royce and his coconspirators bursts through the door.
"Fuck," Edward whispers. Sitting back in his chair, he takes a long draw on his beer and sets it down. Bella looks over her shoulder at what has caused him to have this change.
Royce's eyes don't leave her for the rest of the night.
"I think I'm going home," Bella says, putting a twenty in the middle of the table. "He's creeping me out."
"Wait for us," Emmett says, taking Rosalie's hand.
Jasper and Alice move to gather their belongings as well.
As a group, they head for the front door, and it doesn't escape Royce that Edward's hand is resting at the small of her back.
"See you tomorrow, Dr. Swan," he shouts with a huge fake smile, waving elaborately.
"What's his deal?" Alice asks as she watches his display.
"I'm not sure, but he's getting creepier every day. I may have to report him if he keeps this up, but what would I say, 'he smiled and waved at me?' Not much to report, is there?"
"Bella," Edward speaks up angrily. "He was grinding his dick on you. I think that's worth reporting."
Everyone looks at him because that's the most they heard him say all night.
"What?" he asks, looking at everyone. He can hear them laughing as they head for their cars.
"Come on, I'm taking you home," Edward says, pulling Bella toward his car.
"No, I'm good. I can drive," she replies, digging in her purse for her keys.
"No, you're not. You've been drinking, and the last thing you need is a DUI on your record, Doctor," he says.
She contemplates what he's saying and hears the emphasis on her title. The last thing she needs is her name sullied with a drunk driving charge and a night in jail.
"Okay. You're right. I think my father would have a field day with giving me a DUI and throwing me in his little prison," she says giggling.
Just as Edward opens the passenger door for her, the door to The Shack opens as well, and Royce steps out, watching their every move. His look is cold and calculated.
Edward makes eye contact as if to challenge him as he makes his way around the car.
Keeping his eyes glued to the rearview mirror, he prays Royce doesn't decide to follow them home. He really doesn't want that asshole to know where she lives, and his eyes constantly scan their surroundings just in case.
After pulling into Bella's driveway, he glances over at her only to find her sound asleep. Taking the keys out of the ignition, he runs up the steps to unlock the front door, then hurries back to the car. Opening Bella's door, he slips a hand beneath her thighs, and another behind her back, gently lifting her out of the car.
He can't help but smile when she cuddles him, molding herself into his body. Taking this opportunity, he buries his nose in her hair, inhaling her unique scent.
Carefully taking each step leading to her bedroom, he stands at the foot of her bed, secretly scanning her intimate domain. It even smells like her. After gently laying her on her bed, he removes her shoes, deciding that's the extent of the clothing he's going to take off of her.
Looking down at her sleeping form, he traces her cheek with the back of his finger, reveling in the softness. He then runs the tip of his finger over her parted lips, wishing it was his tongue instead.
"If you only knew," he whispers.
Turning to leave her room, he spies a blue T-shirt that she's tossed carelessly onto a chair. Picking it up, he raises it to his nose, inhaling her perfume, closing his eyes to the memory of that scent. It's the same fragrance she wore when she removed his stitches. Looking back over his shoulder, making sure she's still out, he rolls the shirt up and tucks it in his back pocket.
"Jesus, Cullen," he curses himself, tucking the shirt deeper into the pocket.
Quickly heading down the stairs, he goes through the house turning out all the lights except for the one above the kitchen sink. After making sure all the doors and windows are locked, he heads out the front door, locking it behind him.
Before he gets in his car, he pulls the shirt out of his pocket and, like some sick pervert, inhales her scent all the way home.
The following morning he wakes up with her shirt wrapped around his neck, nearly choking him. He laughs at how sick this would appear to anyone else if they knew what he'd done. Admonishing himself, he tucks the shirt under his pillow for safe keeping.
Just as he's about to head to the kitchen to make coffee, his cell rings. Picking it up, he sees her name in blue LED light.
"Hello," he answers.
"Um … Edward? It's me, Bella," she says quietly.
"Good morning," he replies.
"I wanted to thank you for bringing me home last night," she says shyly. "You probably saved me from a night in a ditch."
"You're welcome." He paces the length of his kitchen, wishing he could find an excuse to see her again.
"Um … could I impose on you one more time? I need a ride back to my car. I could call Rosalie, but I think she's at Emmett's."
"I'll be there in fifteen minutes," Edward says, before hanging up. Tossing his phone on the counter, he races upstairs to take a three-minute shower. After dressing in a pair of loose fit jeans that barely hang onto his hips, a tight black T-shirt and his brown leather jacket, he grabs a set of keys and heads for the garage. Throwing his leg over the seat of his bike, he backs it out before starting it.
Bella feels a surge of excitement rush into the pit of her stomach upon hearing the now familiar sound of his motorcycle as it pulls into her driveway.
Slipping into a lightweight jacket, she hurries out the front door, meeting him in the driveway.
"Hey," Edward says, looking into her eyes.
"Hi," she whispers.
Ironically, they both wonder if each other can feel the sexual tension that's becoming more and more palpable.
"How are you feeling this morning?" he asks, sitting on the bike seat, folding his arms and stretching out his legs, crossing them at the ankles.
"Pretty good, actually," she answers. "I, um, must have been pretty out of it with you carrying me to bed and all."
"A little bit," he says, lifting the corner of his sculpted mouth.
Bella feels a little tingle work down the back of her legs, centralizing itself on the center of her body. She shakes off the feeling he gives her virtually every time they are in the same air space.
"You ready?" he asks, throwing his leg over the seat. He leans forward to give her space to sit. He watches as her long leg swings gracefully over the seat and how her legs straddle it.
"Hold on," he says before the bike roars to life. As he settles himself between her thighs, she fists the sides of his leather jacket. Taking her hands, he wraps them around his waist, and slowly pulls out of the drive.
It doesn't take them long to reach her car, and she reluctantly releases her arms from around him. As soon as she walks up to her pretty blue BMW, she sees the word WHORE scratched on the hood in very large letters. When Edward sees the shock on her face, he quickly swings his leg over the seat, rushing to her side.
"What?" he asks when he reaches her. He can see tears are ready to spill from her eyes. As soon as he sees the damage, he pounds his fist onto the white scratches on her car, nearly denting the hood. He controls his anger and before his mind could think who could possibly do this, only one name comes to mind.
Royce.
"Come on. Drive your car to my house. You'll leave it there, and I'll take it to the garage tomorrow. You can use my mother's car until it gets fixed."
"It was him, wasn't it? That piece of shit won't leave me alone, will he?" she barks out loudly.
Edward looks around the parking lot for cameras but doesn't see any and knows that Royce is about to get away with it again.
"Bella?" Edward says, gaining her attention. She looks up at him, tears drying on her cheeks. "I'm sorry, but I think it's time you sit down with your father. I'll go with you if you want."
"Yeah, I think you're right. I'll talk to him tomorrow. Thanks for your offer to use your car. I appreciate it, but I think my insurance will cover this, and I can get a rental," she says.
"Come on. I have a Mercedes just waiting to be driven."
"But what if he damages your car too? I don't want anything happening to your mom's car. I couldn't handle that," Bella says, shaking her head in disbelief that he would even offer.
"It'll be okay. Come on," Edward says, taking her by her elbow, guiding her to the driver's side.
Bella follows him to his house and continues to wonder why Royce would carve such a hateful word into the hood of her car. She's humiliated when people drive past her and sees the writing, looking at her as if it's true.
By the time they reach Edwards, her face is in her hands, tears leaking from between her fingers.
Edward pulls out his cell phone to call Emmett for Rosalie's phone number. It's not long before both of them are pulling into the driveway.
"That didn't take long," Edward says, opening Rosalie's door for her.
"We were at my house, which is just around the corner. Where is she?" Rose asks, looking around for Bella.
"In her car. She won't get out," Edward replies. Both Rosalie and Emmett see the damage done to Bella's car.
"What the fuck?" Emmett bellows upon seeing it. "When did that happen?"
"Last night after I took Bella home."
"Bella? Bella, come on sweetie," Rosalie says softly, helping her friend from the car.
"Let's go inside," Edward suggests. "We can sit out back until she feels better. Beer? Wine? Iced tea?" he asks as he holds the door open for them.
"Beer," the group replies in unison.
"Beer it is."
Rosalie assists Bella to the beautifully landscaped back yard while Emmett stays inside under the guise of helping Edward.
"It was Royce, wasn't it?" he asks. Edward simply nods his head as he pulls out four Sam Adams.
"Let's pay him a visit," Emmett says angrily.
"She doesn't want me to," Edward says, handing two bottles to his friend.
"What are you going to do then?"
"Not sure," Edward says, taking a long draw of his beer, watching Rosalie softly talk to her.
"Then let's get him where it hurts, shall we?" Emmett says through a devious grin.
"What are you thinking?" Edward asks, apprehensively.
"Leave it to me," Emmett says, walking out to the back yard. "I have a plan."
The next day, the restrooms on the first floor flooded, leaving a monumental task for the custodial department to clean up. After that, the restrooms on the fourth floor maternity ward, and then after that, the sixth floor cardiac unit. Needless to say, it was a very busy day for the janitorial staff.
~.~
"How's Bella today?" Emmett asks Rosalie as they peruse the lunch menus.
"She's in a funk. I don't blame her. She's such a sweet and kind person and to have her car vandalized like that hurt."
"Yeah, Edward took it hard too," Emmett says, his eyes never leaving the menu.
"What's his deal?" Rosalie asks, putting hers down to look at him. "He barely says more than five words in a sentence, and he's emotional over Bella's car?"
"There's a story behind all that, Rosie." She waits in silence for him to continue.
"Are you going to share it?" she asks when he seems more focused on the menu.
"I don't talk about it, or him, behind his back."
"It sure would help me understand him and the head job he's doing on my friend if you did," she purrs. She knows that gets her anything when it comes to Emmett.
"It all started when he was just a kid. He was a nerd."
"A wh … what?" she asks, skeptical. "No way! He's fuck-hot! There's no way he was a nerd."
"Truth. Horned rimmed glasses and everything." Rosalie couldn't help but laugh at the mental picture she conjured up of sexy Edward in thick glasses.
"He had it rough. He was a lot more quiet than he is today too. He barely said anything to anyone, so when he got bullied, it made it even worse."
"He got picked on?" she asks with a pitiful look on her face. Emmett nods just as the waitress approaches to take their orders. After they're done, he continues.
"He was picked on all through school, well into the twelfth grade. One day in his junior year was particularly bad. They beat him up enough to put him in the hospital," he begins. "He had a good friend … Sue was her name. He didn't tell anyone, but I'm pretty certain he had a major crush on her. Anyway, they were walking home from the movies and took a shortcut through the school yard when Aro, Sam, Paul and Alex were there. Edward tried to get Sue to run in the opposite direction, but the four boys surrounded them. Aro was coming on to Sue, and Edward tried to protect her. He has a highly protective nature. Anyway, they all jumped him and started kicking him, and it was Sam's boot to his face that broke his nose and busted his jaw bone. His mouth was wired shut, and he had to drink from a straw to eat. After several weeks out of school, he returned to see Aro's arm around Sue. He felt betrayed by her, and even though they weren't going out, they were friends, and he was trying to protect her. When her loyalties shifted over to Aro, he retreated even more. I don't think I've ever seen him interested in anyone until Bella, and even that is speculative. He guards himself pretty closely."
"How sad," Rosalie whispers. "What made him move to Los Angeles?"
"He had no friends here … well, except for me, and I was off to college after graduation. After Edward applied to the same school as me, he was accepted. It didn't last long though. He was his same introverted self, and he was miserable. He dropped out and roomed with a guy he met from L.A. He's good at working on small motors because of his dad's boat business, so he got a job in a garage, working on motorcycles. He's built a name for himself there. Plus, he worked alone and didn't have to talk to anyone and that made him happy. Until his parents' accident, of course."
"You would never guess by looking at him that he was so introverted and a nerd to boot," she says.
"And he's smart. Very smart," Emmett adds.
"Bella is too," Rosalie volunteers.
"What's her story?" Emmett asks, quizzically.
"She had a rough childhood too. Her mother was cruel."
"Really?" he asks, wanting her to go on.
"One time they were visiting her grandmother, and Bella was afraid of that house. The bathroom in particular. Behind the shower curtain, the bathtub was filled with stuff. Like weird, old stuff. Like the shower was never used … at all. Plus the room had a weird smell. Not musty or moldy, but a strange odor. I smelled it once. Anyway, the door knob was broken, and everyone knew that when you went in there, you didn't shut the door all the way because you would be locked in. Bella was in there, going to the bathroom, and her mother intentionally shut the door, locking Bella inside. Her mother took off and went home … without her. She left her in that spooky bathroom and then when Renee called to find out where Bella was, the grandmother went looking for her. When she found Bella, Renee got mad at her for locking herself in there. Even though Renee drove the hour home without her daughter in the car, she still got mad at her. Bella was traumatized."
"Then another time, Renee made Bella wear a sash across her chest that read Better Late Than Never. Renee always made fun of Bella's flat chest. She was a late bloomer."
"She's beautiful," Emmett says, sadly.
"I know, right?" Rosalie adds. "Anyway, Renee constantly berated and humiliated her. So when Bella started her period, she had to go to her mother for supplies. Renee ran through the house singing, Bella got her period … Bella got her period! Bella was mortified because her dad had some fellow police officers there visiting. It took her months before she would even show her face at the police station to visit her father.
"She pored herself into her studies too. When she applied to medical school and was accepted on a scholarship, she couldn't wait to get away from her mother. She graduated top of her class, and even though she was offered a job in San Francisco, she wanted to practice here. She felt it was safe to come back since mother wasn't here any longer. She wanted to give back to the community. Plus, she adores her father."
"Where did her mother go?" Emmett asks.
"She ran off with some guy with missing teeth. He did some work around the Swan house, and when that guy tried to put the moves on Bella, Renee got jealous and talked him into taking her with him. I think that's why Bella is still a virgin. That man creeped her out. Charlie divorced Renee and got remarried a few years later. That marriage wasn't any better."
"She's still a virgin? Isn't she our age?" he asks, surprised at this bit of news.
"Yes, and don't you dare make fun of her for it. She's always said she was going to give it to the man she falls in love with, and that hasn't happened yet. Plus, she's terribly shy around men. They don't tend to be attracted to shy women like Bella," Rosalie says, scowling her answer.
"I think she's sweet. You know, the kind you want to protect?" Emmett volunteers.
"So, what do we do about Royce?" Emmett asks, changing the subject before taking a bite of his burger.
"I think he needs a bit of his own medicine, don't you?" she replies.
My Dearest Posie: Thank you for your review. I'm sorry my posting schedule isn't to your liking and an inconvenience for you, but I just needed a minute in my RL to clean a few things off my plate before my stress levels end with me in the hospital. If you were a reader of mine, you will know that in the four stories I have previously written, (nearly 4 years of writing) I never missed a Saturday posting and I always hit the "complete" button. For you to admonish me because I dropped from weekly to every two weeks, where I indicated that it would be temporary, is disheartening. So the verbal spanking I received from you was unwarranted. Thank you for your concern, however. You signed in as a guest so we couldn't discuss this privately, but your message to me left me cold.