Thanks so much to Thalia_csiny and the amazing HollettLA for pointing out that six year old boys and alligators don't belong here. Don't ask.
Disclaimer: The characters and original text of the Twilight series are owned by Stephenie Meyer. All other characters, settings, lyrics, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author of this entry is in no way associated with said owners and no copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 4
I'm trying to keep a level head. You have to be careful out in the world. It's so easy to get turned.
~Elvis Presley
I was at a river. It was eerily quiet; even the fast flowing water was silent. I felt a desperate sense of urgency—I was looking for someone. I ran into the trees.
I was at the cabin where I first met Edward. There was smoke coming out the window, just like that day, and I ran inside. He was not there. The fire consumed the documents on the table and began to spread. Smoke burned my nostrils as I ran back outside. I felt helpless as I watched the cabin burn.
Where is Edward?
I ran and ran, but got nowhere. I collapsed onto the wet ground in frustration. When I looked up, I was on the front steps of Edward's house. It was still so quiet. I struggled with the front door. It was not locked, only jammed. When it finally opened I ran inside, calling Edward's name.
The house appeared empty. I made my way upstairs to his bedroom, but my legs were so heavy. I could no longer move. Suddenly, I felt a presence. I looked up to find Edward staring down at me impassively. I tried to call his name, but my voice would not work. He turned and walked away from me. I tried crying out for him to stop, but all that came out was a breathy whisper. I watched, my heart breaking, as he walked away from me.
I jolted awake. Warm arms enveloped me and I buried my face into Edward's chest, clinging to him desperately.
"Shh, it's okay. It was only a dream. I've got you." Edward crooned as he rocked me back and forth. He peppered my hair and face with kisses, and the horrible feeling of abandonment started to fade.
As he held me tightly to him, I let my hands wander over his body, checking to make sure he really was here with me. I sucked on the spot where his shoulder and neck met as I ran my fingers through his hair and tugged on his...
Fuzzy Santa hat?
I looked up into Edward's face. He was looking at me cautiously. When I smiled at him, he exhaled and relaxed.
"Merry Christmas, love," he said softly as he caressed my cheek.
"Merry Christmas, indeed." My hands and lips continued with their perusal of his body.
Edward rolled me over onto my back as his hands mimicked mine. "Mmm, I can't think of a better way to spend Christmas morning."
"Best...Christmas...ever..." I said between nibbles of his stubbled chin. He answered by pushing his rock-hard erection into my hips. I smiled. "That's better than the Toblerone bar I usually get in my stocking." Edward giggled. Yes, giggled.
Somebody's been into the Christmas cheer...
He had his head on my shoulder, and I could feel his body shaking with his laughter. It really wasn't that funny. Rolling my eyes, I pushed him off of me and reached for my overnight bag. He whimpered a little, mid-giggle.
Even if it was probably brought on by alcohol, it was nice to see Edward relaxed and happy. He seemed genuinely excited about it being Christmas. I had long ago begun to view the over-commercialized holiday as just another day of the year.
"Did Santa bring you an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Air Rifle?" I asked as I pulled a shirt over my head. We were expected at Charlie's today, and as much as I'd love to spend the day in bed with Edward, I needed to look presentable.
"I could say that he brought you one, but I like the Toblerone bar analogy better." He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me back onto the bed. "Waking up next to the most beautiful girl in the world is the reason for my good mood. Also, Jasper's been mixing mimosas for about an hour now. Some of my relatives slept over last night. I thought I'd let you sleep in as your Christmas present. Hope you like it!"
I grinned and kissed him. "Thank you. I always enjoy the gift of sleep."
He ran his fingers through my hair and kissed my forehead. "You'll get the rest of your present once you get dressed and eat some breakfast."
"Can I give you your present now?" I blushed, thinking about what I'd gotten him. It was a stretch for me, but I was fighting to break out of my shell, and this would help me in my quest to be a more fun and playful Bella.
"Mmm, this is all I need," he said as he pulled me to him. "But I am curious about what's made your face suddenly turn red."
I looked away from him and tried to be brave. "Well, what if I got you this," I gestured to my body, trying to hide my deepening blush, "plus some...accoutrements?"
He grinned wickedly. "Accoutrements?"
I got up off the bed, reached into my bag and pulled out his gift. He tore into the wrapping, opened the box and held up the sexy nurse outfit I had bought.
He said nothing. His eyes darkened, his stare became more intense, and his lips parted as he looked at the outfit, then at me.
"Put it on," he whispered. My body burned from his lustful gaze, and my feet automatically brought me to him. He was sitting on the bed while I stood at the edge. He put his hands on my hips and began nuzzling my belly with his nose. My legs quivered. This wasn't my plan; the anticipation was supposed to be half the fun, according to my research.
Taking a step back, I placed one hand on my hip and wagged a finger at him. "Now, Dr. Cullen, this is neither the time nor the place to play this game." My voice was low and breathy. I tried to compose myself. "You have guests to attend to, and I need a mimosa." I smiled and tried to take another step back. Instead, I found myself squealing as I was pulled onto the bed and pinned under Edward's solid form.
"Not so fast, Nurse Swan. We have an administrative problem that needs to be taken care of before I can see anybody else." He leered at me.
I frowned. "Administrative problem?"
"Mm-hmm. I need to administer some lovin' right away." He dug his fingers into my hair and held my head still while he planted kisses all over my face. Now it was my turn to giggle.
"Really? Did you really just say that?"
"Stop laughing. I'm trying to get busy here."
"I suppose you're going to tell me you've got just the tool for the job?"
"Are you saying that my tool isn't right for this job?"
"Oh, no, your tool is just perfect." I turned my head and squeaked when he tried to kiss my lips. "I haven't brushed my teeth! And I have icky champagne hangover breath!" I hadn't had that much to drink, but with champagne, it only took a little bit. I was feeling slightly...blech, to use a technical term.
He groaned and let me go reluctantly. I scurried off to the bathroom to get cleaned up. While I was brushing my teeth, he entered, wearing a robe.
The giggly boy was gone. "You know, we haven't talked about it." He leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed.
I looked at him, trying not to drool toothpaste. "Hmm?"
"What happens after the holidays." He looked down at his feet. It still surprised me just how insecure he could be—he had such a strong, composed exterior, but inside, there were still traces of an abandoned young man.
"Even though you never said it, I got the distinct impression that you don't want to marry me." His voice was soft, his eyes still trained on the floor.
I rinsed my mouth out and turned to him, placing my hands on his chest. I rubbed my hands up and down and waited for him to look at me. He didn't.
"Maybe not right now, but we can talk about it again in the future." I tried to get him to look at me, but he refused. "I love you." Still nothing. I tried to look at his face. His bottom lip was sticking out a little more than usual.
Oh my God! Is he...pouting?
He looked so adorable, but I suppressed my laughter. Laughing at him right now would not be a good thing.
"I had some time to think about things after you left last night," I said, and he cringed at the memory. "The reason I came to spend Christmas with Charlie is because my mother drives me insane. I wanted some time away from my life—to escape." He finally looked at me. "My mother has spent her entire life trying to control mine." I sighed and looked away. "I'm not sure who I really am. I write books about other people, and I try to be the person my mother thinks I should be." I straightened up and looked into his eyes, willing myself to be brave. "I need to spend some time just being me. Or at least figuring out who that is. So, I'm moving to Forks." I exhaled loudly and waited for his reply.
The boyish smile was back on Edward's face, and he crushed me to him. "Oh, thank God. I really didn't want to move to Phoenix."
I looked up at him, shocked. "You would have moved to Phoenix to be with me?" He nodded.
"But what about your family? Your patients? You're Dr. Cullen, and Forks has always had a Dr. Cullen from what I've heard."
He sighed and rubbed his face. "I know. And I feel awful for thinking this way, but I'm just so sick of doing what's expected of me. I guess I know how you feel with your mother to an extent, because even though no one has pressured me to make the choices I have, I still felt pressure. Maybe it was from myself, but still, I'm tired of it."
"Is this because of Jared?" I whispered. Pain crossed his face, but he shook his head.
"No. Well, maybe partially. Jared's death is the final nail. I don't belong here. I don't want to be a small town doctor—jack of all trades, master of none." We snuggled quietly for a few moments, contemplating the direction our lives were about to take.
"So, you're a plastic surgeon?" I asked. When I'd heard him mention his specialty last night, I hadn't registered what it meant. I had been trying to process too many other things. But now it was beginning to hit home that I was dating a drop-dead gorgeous man who used to make a living out of making people look perfect.
He might as well have super-human eyesight and be able to see every flaw on my body.
He rested his chin on my head and sighed. "I was like a sculptor. I molded people into who they wanted to be. Helped them start over, or just feel better about themselves." I pulled away and looked at him, my insecurities flaring anew. He continued, oblivious to my inner turmoil. "It was nice not to have to deal with death. Just people trying to enjoy their time here." He rested his forehead on mine. "It just seemed unnatural, the way I grew up. My parents talked about the dead like they were still present. I guess they were, but it was weird. None of the kids I went to school with could talk to their dead relatives – they thought I was making things up. My first grade teacher thought I was traumatized somehow, because I was claiming to see my dead ancestors. She wanted me to see a counselor, but my parents told her I already was so she'd leave it alone."
"Wow," I whispered. I hadn't even thought about how this would have been for him as a child. No wonder he'd been so serious all the time.
"Once I realized that no one else could see ghosts, I pretended I couldn't either. I didn't want to be different. But it didn't matter – I was. I didn't fit in anywhere. I was so angry growing up – I just wanted someone who understood me. So I shut my family out, alive and dead. And I know this sounds awful, but when I die, I don't want to go to where my family goes."
I gasped, and he rushed to continue. "It's not that I don't want to be with them—God, I'm not that horrible a son—I just don't want to be in their 'veil', or whatever they call it."
He pulled me back to him. "I'm worried that it'll be boring," he whispered.
I frowned. "What will be boring?"
"You know, where my family is. It can't be all that exciting. They can only go to places they've visited in life, and even then it takes lots of energy to go, or to do anything when they get there. They just mostly hang out within the veil."
I felt a pang of disappointment at learning what lay in store. I had clung to my childhood vision of clouds and heaven for so long that it had become a part of me. Probably the only part of the child in me that had carried on into adulthood, and now it was gone.
The mood had become much too somber for Christmas morning. I took his face in my hands and rubbed my nose against his. "Well, if we're together, it won't be boring. Maybe they'll let us bring this!" I reached over and grabbed the naughty nurse outfit, waving it around. I had no idea who "they" were, but I wanted to lighten the mood. It was Christmas, after all.
He laughed. "Yes! That's why you've got to marry me!"
I didn't know if he meant so that I could be with him when we died, or because I was willing to engage in sexual role playing, but I didn't want to go there right now. I smiled and stroked his hair. I swear he almost purred.
There was a knock at the door. Edward opened it—Jasper stood on the other side with his hand covering his eyes.
Edward chuckled. "It's okay. We're dressed."
Jasper uncovered his eyes, then immediately covered them again. "Bella's not wearing pants."
Edward looked at the long t-shirt I was wearing and rolled his eyes. "So you can see her legs. When did you become such a prude?"
"Since her father, who also happens to be the Chief of Police, entered our home about five minutes ago." Jasper turned and walked away, hands still covering his eyes.
I wondered what Charlie was doing here on Christmas morning. I quickly put on some pants. Edward took my hand as we walked down the stairs to where my father sat in his uniform, laughing and drinking a mimosa. I felt awkward at his finding me here, but at least he seemed to be having a good time.
"Bella! Jesus, are you alright?" He stood up and in two long strides, was in front of me, patting my arms and legs, checking me for injuries like he had when I was a child.
I stepped away from him, my face flaming with embarrassment. "What are you doing?"
Charlie stepped back, like he couldn't believe what he had just done either. "I stopped by the hospital this morning to say Merry Christmas to everyone there, and Irina was just starting her shift. She told me that someone tried to poison your drink last night." He glared at Edward. "Just what kind of party were you having here, Cullen?"
I put my hand on Charlie's chest. "Dad, it's not his fault. We don't know what happened."
Edward stepped forward. "I saved the rag that was used to clean it up. We were going to bring it to you today."
Charlie seemed to calm a little. "I'll send it to the lab in Seattle." He looked around the room. "I'll need a list of everyone who was here last night," he stated. I had never seen Charlie in full-on "Chief" mode before. Whenever I had visited him at the station, he was usually goofing around with his deputy or watching baseball on the flat screen he'd installed in the breakroom.
"Certainly, I'll do that right away," Edward said as he reached into a drawer, pulling out a pad of paper and a pen.
"Thank you. Bella, tell me everything you can remember about last night." He looked at me expectantly. I felt the blood leave my face. How would I explain what had happened last night without Charlie thinking that I had been poisoned and brain damaged as a result?
Edward pulled out a chair and rubbed my back and, as I sat down, Jasper handed me a mimosa. I was hoping that Charlie would chalk my reaction up to my being upset about almost being poisoned last night.
I took a deep breath. My mind was working overtime, trying to filter my story so I didn't accidentally mention someone who was dead. "Let's see...I got ready for the party in Edward's room. When I came downstairs, there were already a lot of people here. I think they were all relatives of Edward and Jasper." Charlie looked at Edward for confirmation. He nodded, and I continued slowly, weighing each word. "I talked to quite a few people."
Charlie interrupted me. "Who gave you the drink?"
"Edward did." Charlie's eyebrows shot up and he glared at Edward again. "No, dad – it was his drink." I frowned. Was someone trying to poison Edward? Bile rose in my throat at the thought of someone wanting to harm him. I felt my muscles tense in anticipation of the violence I would let loose on whoever it was. It had been a few months since I'd had a workout, but karate was the one thing Renee had forced me to do that I had actually enjoyed. And excelled at. My body could be registered as a lethal weapon—I would end whoever had tried to hurt Edward.
"Bella?" I hadn't realized that Charlie had been talking to me. "Edward says he didn't drink any of it. Did you?" I thought back to the dark room with the strange tombstone, where he had given me the glass. My face flushed from the memory of his hot breath on my cheek. I recalled drinking from the glass.
"Yes, I did." I looked at Edward. "After Jasper came to get you."
"Hmm. Someone must have tampered with it later. Did you set the glass down anywhere?" Charlie asked.
I thought some more. "After Edward gave me the drink, I don't think I set it down until I dropped it." I looked up at Charlie. "You heard about what happened last night, right?" I whispered.
Charlie nodded. "Poor kid. I just can't believe that something like that would happen to one of those Quileute hunters. They're extremely skilled." Everyone was silent for a moment. "Bella, are you sure that you didn't put the drink down at all? There's no way that the substance was in the champagne when you drank from it. From the looks of that mark on the floor, whatever was in your drink was extremely caustic."
"Sorry, Dad, but I really don't remember. Things got a little crazy last night, you know." I sniffed suspiciously at my mimosa before taking a sip. Edward raised his eyebrows, and I sent him a challenging look. Even if the drink last night had been intended for Edward, I wasn't taking any chances.
"Edward, can you think of anyone who would want to harm you?" Charlie asked. Edward and Jasper exchanged looks before Edward shook his head. That was when it hit me. It had been there all along, hidden in the back of my mind, but I had refused to see it. Every person at the party last night was Edward's family.
Everyone but James.
Would he have been able to poison the drink after he had left? Had he actually left? I realized that I had very little idea of what the ghosts were capable of and, according to James, they were capable of a lot more than most of the Cullens realized.
I was going to have to do some research. At that thought, my body relaxed and I felt my anxiety ease. Research was something I was comfortable with. It gave me a sense that I had some control over the situation.
Charlie set his glass down and started to make his way to the door. "I can't imagine anyone wanting to harm you, Bella, especially since you don't know many people here." He turned to me. "But I think you should be careful." He ran his hands through his hair. "In fact, you should stay with me until you go home. I'd hate to see you leave early because of this mess—I can keep you safe."
I wasn't going to leave Edward alone when someone was trying to kill him. "I can keep myself safe, Dad. Besides, I've decided that I'm not going back to Phoenix."
Charlie's eyes grew wide. He looked back and forth between Edward and me. "Are you moving in with Edward?"
I looked at Edward apologetically. "Not right now. I'm going to get my own place," I replied. Edward looked crestfallen.
Charlie frowned. "Well, you can stay with me until you find a place. But I don't think you should be living on your own until we find out what's going on."
I huffed, and was about to argue, when Edward took my hand. "Bella, he's right. You would be safer at your dad's house." I looked at him incredulously. My face turned red again, this time from anger.
Charlie cleared his throat. "Well, why don't we talk about it when you come over later? Edward, I assume you'll be joining us?" I turned and glared at Edward.
"Um, yes, of course." He squirmed uncomfortably. I had the sudden urge to leave the two of them on their own for Christmas and go off by myself, where there was no one trying to tell me what to do. I realized that I was being childish, and that they were only concerned for my safety. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself.
"Okay then, I'll see you two later." Charlie walked out the door.
Edward turned to me. "It's a good idea, Bella. James has never been to your house before. He can't harm you there."
I shook my head and sighed. "You have to stay with me, then. It was your drink that was poisoned."
"But it wasn't poisoned until after I gave it to you." He had a point, but I wasn't taking any chances. Besides, I didn't want to go back to sleeping alone.
"I want to stay with you." I looked up at him through my eyelashes and stuck my bottom lip out a tiny bit.
He laughed. "Are you...pouting?"
"You should know—I learned from the master."
He raised his eyebrows, but let it slide. "Your bed at Charlie's is tiny—it would be uncomfortable." I crossed my arms defiantly, and he sighed. "Let's at least eat breakfast while we talk about it."
I picked up my mimosa and went to the table. Jasper handed me a plate of huevos rancheros. There was a sausage on top, arranged in the shape of a candy cane. I grinned at him and he winked.
My, he's in a good mood today…
I thought of Jasper and Alice and wondered what it was like to be intimate with a ghost. From the jolt of electricity I had felt just shaking hands with a few of them last night, physical intimacy had the possibility of being overwhelming. Or mind-blowing.
Apparently, I had been staring at Jasper while musing about his supernatural sex life, because he was looking at me with a raised eyebrow.
"What?" he asked.
"Nothing." I speared my sausage candy cane with my fork. I felt my face heat up.
Jasper looked at me for a few moments, and turned to Edward. "He's probably never been in the cabin."
Edward frowned, as he remembered the fire that had drawn me to the cabin. "I thought James had never been here, but obviously I was wrong." I rubbed Edward's thigh. He squeezed my hand.
"Why don't you just try staying there and see if anything happens?"
Edward's eyes flashed with anger. "I don't know what that bastard is capable of. Do you think I'm going to take a chance with Bella's safety and have her anywhere near him?" He rose from the table. "Bella, finish quickly. I'm getting you out of here. I'll stay with you at your father's. I have a good chiropractor." He stormed upstairs.
I gave Jasper a questioning look. He looked smug. "Edward's a smart guy, but sometimes he's a little slow to act." I stared at him, waiting for him to elaborate. "If I hadn't flirted with you at the bar that night, you would probably still be waiting to consummate your relationship. Sometimes he needs a little push in the right direction."
"So, you don't think I'm safe here?"
His face became serious. "I know you're not." Shivers travelled down my spine, and I quickly finished eating and put my plate in the dishwasher. I hurried upstairs. Edward already had all my things packed.
He looked at me and ran his hands through his hair. "It's probably a good idea that you get your own place for now, as much as I want you living here with me."
"I had hoped to discuss that with you first. I figured you'd be upset. But I'm twenty-eight years old, and I've never had my own place."
He looked uncomfortable. "Don't get mad at me for asking this, but...are you a good writer?" I raised my eyebrows. "I mean, do you have enough money to get your own place?"
I chuckled. "I'm currently writing the third book in a series. The first two were quite successful. I'll be okay."
"I'd like to read them sometime."
I felt myself blush again. Damn, that was annoying. "I don't know. I write under a pseudonym. I'm uncomfortable with people I know reading my work."
He stared at me silently for a moment. The intensity of his gaze made me fidget, until I felt the familiar pull in my chest, tugging me toward him. For some inexplicable reason, my desire was tinged with a small amount of fear. Perhaps it was the events of the last twelve hours, or the way his gaze had darkened as his eyes roamed over my body. Either way, it certainly added to my excitement. He dropped the bag he had been holding and stepped toward me. "I love it when you blush," he growled, grasping my wrists. I gasped when he pulled me into him and pinned my hands behind my back. He nibbled his way up my neck and along my jaw, sending shivers down my spine.
"I thought you were in a hurry to get me out of here," I barely managed to speak, before his lips attacked mine feverishly. I moaned and relaxed into him, my arms pinned behind me almost painfully.
He released me so suddenly that I almost toppled over. "There's something I need to do first." He walked to his closet and opened a few drawers, as if he was looking for something but he couldn't quite remember where it was. He grabbed a few items, and on his way back to me, he passed the Naughty Nurse's outfit. He picked it up and turned it over in his hands. "Mmm. This is nice." He eyed me lasciviously as he stalked toward me. When he reached me, he spun me around roughly and grabbed my wrists, tying them behind my back. He pushed me onto the bed so I landed on my stomach.
"What..." I started, but before I could say anything, he was straddling my back and covering my mouth with his hand. His breath tickled my ear.
"Don't speak, or I will have to gag you." he said, his voice low and seductive.
I struggled to roll over. "Edward, what the hell..." Again, I was silenced by his hand. He stuffed something cottony in my mouth as I wriggled underneath him. He wrapped a tie around my mouth and secured it at the back of my head, then flipped me over. His face was inches from mine.
"Do you trust me, Bella?" he whispered. If he would have asked me that a minute ago there would have been no doubt, but this behavior was unlike him. He was always passionate and urgent, often rough and desperate, but he had never been forceful. I had to remember that this was Edward. I knew that if I shook my head right now, he would stop. I had to decide if I was willing to submit to him in this way.
He palmed my breast roughly through my shirt and kissed my neck, and I involuntarily moaned and arched my back.
"That's my girl. Now, do you trust me?" I nodded hesitantly. My mind was still unsure, but my body was screaming at me to give in. This was different than anything I'd ever done before, but I couldn't deny that I was excited by it.
He smirked, yanking my shirt up to my chin and tearing the cups of my bra away. I writhed under him as he flicked his tongue over my nipple, while he rolled the other between his thumb and forefinger. He flattened his tongue and licked, then bit down and pulled with his teeth. I cried out, and he gently kissed and licked until the sting subsided. He switched sides and did the same thing to my other nipple, while his fingers rolled and tugged on the one his mouth had been on. He continued this until pain and pleasure were one, and I was moaning and panting and whimpering his name, almost incoherent with desire.
Suddenly, he pulled away. I felt the air tickling my nipples, which had been left ultra-sensitive after his ministrations. I looked up to see him gazing down at me. His eyes were pitch black. Unnaturally so.
"Do. You. Trust. Me?" he growled, hovering over me, ready to pounce. I nodded frantically. In a few harsh moves, he had my pants off and my panties lay shredded on the floor. He was intimidating, feral and dominating, and I had never been so turned on in my entire life. He stared hungrily at me, his eyes fixated on my exposed center. Reflexively, I tried to close my legs against his scrutiny, but he growled and yanked them as far apart as they could go. I cried out as he attacked my center with his mouth, ravaging me with his tongue and fucking me with his fingers.
His tongue sent jolts of buzzing electricity through me. He was not gentle, and before long, I was teetering on the edge, my release barreling toward me like a runaway boxcar. I felt his teeth graze me, and when he sucked and bit down on my most sensitive spot, my back arched off the bed and I screamed, my orgasm rocketing through my body, sending shockwaves through my limbs and my mind into another galaxy.
Before I'd had time to come down from my orgasmic high, he was inside me, thrusting furiously while he held my shoulders so I wouldn't slide up the bed. I wondered why he didn't just untie me, so I could hold onto him.
He pulled my legs up and held onto the backs of my knees, raising himself up. The new angle caused him to go deliciously deep within me, hitting spots I'd never known I had. I felt another orgasm building. He was resting on my legs, pressing them over my head. I was glad for all the flexibility I'd gained in karate. He thrust harder and harder, and his face contorted with pleasure as he neared his climax. He lowered himself so that my leg was over his shoulder. He grabbed my hair and pulled my head back, forcing me to arch my neck for him. My arms were starting to hurt from being bound behind my back, and I was having trouble breathing since I was folded in half with his weight on me while he pummeled into me. I was completely immobilized—helpless, as he ruthlessly fucked me. I was shocked to realize that I loved every brutal second of it.
His thrusts became erratic, and he started to grunt and curse. With a final roar, he pushed into me and bit down on my exposed neck, which sent me spiraling into my own release, as his body crushed me into the bed.
He quickly untied me and pulled the gag out. I snuggled into his side, and before too long, his breathing became deep and even. I stretched languidly, rubbing my wrists and shoulders. I was going to be feeling the effects of this tomorrow. My lips and girly bits were tingling. I let out a naughty giggle.
Edward groaned and rubbed his face. "What's so funny?" he asked, his voice husky from sleep, even though he'd only been out briefly. Or maybe it was from the crazy sex we'd just had.
I smiled and stretched again. "Oh, I was just thinking how every time I move for the next day or so, I'm going to have a reminder of what we just did."
"I don't feel very well." He stood up slowly, but once he was on his feet, he bolted for the bathroom, where he began heaving.
I quickly followed him. "Edward! Are you alright?" I found him leaning over the toilet, emptying the contents of his stomach. When he was done, he sank to the floor. I poured him a glass of water and held it out.
"I really wish you hadn't seen that." His voice was rough.
"It's okay, you're a doctor."
"What's that supposed to mean?" He took the glass.
"I don't know. I couldn't think of anything else to say. Feel better now?"
He nodded and took a sip of water. When he looked up at me, he jumped up, holding onto the counter to steady himself.
"Bella, what the hell happened to your neck?" He sounded angry. The only thing I could think of that had happened to my neck was him.
I frowned and brought my hand up to where he'd bitten me. "Um, you bit me?"
"What?" He stormed out of the bathroom toward the bed, where he took in the twisted bed covers, ties, and a balled up sock. Face pale, he dropped onto the bed. "Bella? What did I do to you?"
I laughed nervously. "What do you mean? Are you trying to tell me that you don't remember tying me up, gagging me, and fucking me senseless?" When he shook his head, I joined him on the bed.
"Do you think something was in your drink?" I whispered.
"I don't know. Why would the poison last night be lethal and today only incapacitating?"
"You weren't incapacitated." I shuddered at the memory of what he'd done to me, which only moments ago would have made me shiver with desire. Now I wasn't sure how I felt about it. "How much did you have to drink this morning?"
"I don't know—maybe two or three mimosas? Jasper kept refilling my glass." He put his hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes. "Are you alright? Did I...hurt you?"
I shook my head. "No. I had two amazing orgasms." I cringed. "You really don't remember anything?"
He thought for a moment. "Well, I do have vague recollections. Oh my God, I can't believe I did that to you." He checked me over again to make sure I was okay. "It was like I wasn't really there. Like I was seeing through someone else's eyes..." He suddenly stiffened, as if he'd thought of something terrible. His eyes looked pained. "Bella..." he whispered.
"What?" I didn't know what conclusion he had just come to, but from the look on his face, it wasn't good. He stood and grabbed our clothes. When I followed, it dawned on me that my lady parts were still tingling, as were my mouth and tongue. It wasn't the same tingling feeling you have after a good romp, but something akin to an electric buzz. I realized that the feeling had been there for awhile now, and it wasn't fading. I recalled the previous evening, when I had felt a similar sensation after I shook hands with his ghostly relatives. I felt nauseous.
"Edward, we need to leave this house. Now."