Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Copyright 2010 Gokdeneyes123.
Chapter Four
Lost and Then Was Found
BELLA ARRIVED BACK in Forks Wednesday evening the panic that had driven her to flee from Anthony's Penthouse and back to Phoenix Arizona to her grandmother's had finally faded by Monday morning, leaving her feeling foolish and disgusted with herself.
She sighed in relief as she got out of her car to see that her father Charlie had not returned home from work, and that her mother had already left for her Tuesday night bingo game held at one of her friend's houses. Bella slowly made her way up the stairs leading to the front door, keys in hand she unlocked the door and pushed it open walking into the living room area of the house, sighing she put her shoulder bag down on the floor. It was so good to be home, she always felt so welcomed and safe in this house that she lived in with her mother and father, and was thankful that she didn't have to explain right then why she'd just up and left without an explanation. All she wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep away her shame and humiliation for the way she'd acted five nights ago with Anthony Masen. God if her father and mother found out they'd kill her. She thought, and then laughed out loud, wasn't she pathetic? Here she was a grown 26 year old woman, standing in her parent's house worried about what they'd say to her knowing that for the first time in her life she'd let her hair down and did something she would have never done in a million years. Especially with a man she'd only known at the time for two days, there was just something about Anthony that caused her not to think rationally, and to throw caution out the window. She thought, as she made her way up the stairs that led to her bedroom.
An hour later, she emerged from a long, hot shower, still feeling worn out from the flight as well as the tidal wave of emotions she'd underwent while at her grandmother's house. Dressed in her pajamas she made her way back down stairs and into the kitchen wanting a small midnight snack before going off to bed. When she turned the corner it was to come face to face with her parents.
"Ugh!" Bella cried out startled to see both her parents standing in the small kitchen, leaning back against the sink counter with there arms crossed over there chests.
"Where have you been Isabella?" her mother asked relief sounded in her voice.
"I-I-"
"Do you realize you had your mother and I worried sick that something bad had happened to you?" her father Charlie asked in a worried but relieved tone.
"Mom, Dad…just let me explain-" Bella tried to get out, but was cut off once again by her father.
"God, Bella if it wasn't for your grandmother calling us three nights ago asking why you came for a visit, and why were you acting all upset we would not have known what happened to you. Why didn't you tell us?" He thundered, as his relief at seeing her quickly turned to anger.
"Seriously…it's not as bad as you think," Bella tried again.
"Bad as we think? What in tar nation was so bad that you had to up and leave like that?" Her father asked.
"I had something come up," she paused and hurried when she saw the looks cross over her parents faces, "Look I have been trying to get a book published for the last three months…at a-a publishing company in Phoenix. When they called me…I-I guess I was so excited I just took off. I-I didn't mean to upset you…I just wasn't thinking beyond that moment." Bella explained. Hoping that they fell for it, because there was no way in hell that she was going to tell them, like yeah I left because your darling angel…and goody two shoes daughter just had a one night stand with a man without knowing anything about him. Now that would go over nicely. She thought, with wry amusement.
"Why are you smiling? Do you think this is funny?" her mother asked taken aback for a moment. "Do you even realize how worried we were about you?"
Bella quit smiling, and walked completely into the small kitchen and over to her mother, giving her quick reassuring hugs before moving to her father. "Look I'm sorry…okay? I didn't mean to make you guys upset, please forgive me?" Bella pleaded with them giving them the old puppy dog look, knowing full well they'd both melt. There were times in her life that she wished her parents would loosen up a little bit, and quit treating her as if she were still a child, and this was one of them, She thought.
Both of her parents immediately relaxed. With a sigh her father said, "Next time before you pull a stunt like this…please tell us before you take off…okay?"
"Okay," Bella said giving them a beatific smile, "So are you guys hungry because I know I am?" She asked turning toward the refrigerator. Pulling out some leftover chicken, she quickly started heating it up in the microwave as she began to tell them about the unexpected visit to Phoenix, naturally leaving out the truth about what really happened.
By midnight, Bella found that she could no longer keep her eyes open the chicken had done its job making her extra sleepy. With a yawn she finally excused herself from her parents and slowly made her way up to her room where she crawled into bed with the covers pulled up to her chin and just laid there. As tired as she was her eyes remained wide open as she started to reflect on the happenings five nights ago.
"A one night stand," she muttered, squeezing her eyes shut in mortification. Why did she let herself become so intimately involved with a complete stranger? Why did she act so wantonly, and foolish? And last but not least what happened to her common sense, when it came to not wanting to get involved with someone she barely knew? It was as if she'd just let everything fly right out the window the minute she'd met Anthony Masen. She thought.
She had deceived herself in thinking that it was Anthony's fault for doing everything possible to seduce her that night the naive virgin that she was, but then again as she thought about it she knew that wasn't true. She'd been just as guilty as he; after all she hadn't let him do anything that she herself hadn't wanted him to do. Anthony even told her that he would have understood if she'd wanted to leave. But Lord Help her, that was one thing that she had not wanted to do…no she had wanted to be wild with him, had wanted to lose herself completely in the sexual, masculine, mysterious man that he was.
At the time it had seemed so right, letting her guard down the very night that she'd met him. They had hit it off immediately, two lonely souls that had recognized within each other kindred sprits. Both were unable to fight the attraction that had zinged between them. But even feeling that connection didn't change the fact that it had been a terrible mistake, she had simply allowed what transpired between them to go to far, and now was no longer a virgin. Something she'd up until then had held with respect, and a little naive girls fantasy that one day she'd give that gift to the man she loved…the man she'd one day marry…
"God how stupid you are Isabella Swan," she said out loud. "What have you done?"
With a sigh of disgust she ran her hand over her tired eyes. Oh, she knew what she had gone and done, and feared that if she'd stayed with Anthony she would have admitted to him that he could have her…all of her heart and soul. As her mind fell gradually closer to unconsciousness a few certainties had become clear.
First, Edward was a very mysterious, powerful man. Second, there was a part of him- and she didn't know what that part might be- that called to her. And third, well…she was unconditionally and irrevocably falling in love with him. That was what she feared most taking this risk of letting herself be in love with him and not having her feelings returned; that is why she had left him, fearing that he'd reject her, and knowing she could not live with that outcome.
She turned over onto her side and reached her arm out to turn off the bedside lamp. Lying in the darkness, she couldn't help wonder what Anthony might be feeling. Then she snorted thinking that most likely she'd been just that a brief one night stand, a fling and nothing more to him. He'd probably woken up that morning and thanked his lucky stars that she was gone so he didn't have to deal with her. Bella sighed, before she finally succumbed to sleep, not knowing how truly wrong her thoughts were.
By Thursday morning Bella forced herself to get out of bed, get dressed, and hurry downstairs to eat breakfast. She needed to let her boss Aro know she was back and able to work again, and also she needed to make a quick stop at her best friend's Rosalie Hale's bookstore to meet up with her, then go out to lunch.
The first thing Rosalie Hale, her best friend said to her when she arrived at the store was, "Oh my God! Bella, where the hell have you been? I was so worried about you."
Bella laughed, knowing that she had just had this same conversation with her parents the night before, "I went to Phoenix for a few days…I guess I was homesick," she answered sullenly from where she was now standing close to the checkout counter.
"Come on Bella I'm your best friend, the one that loaned you clothes, gave you a shoulder to cry on, told your deepest secrets to. You owe me an explanation as to why you just took off like that," Rosalie said as she dumped the pile of books in her arms on top of the checkout counter in front of her, and smiled at her aunt Lillian who stood behind the counter.
Bella sighed, "Really Rose I was homesick," Bella answered as she handed her a box that was sitting on top of the counter, "I thought you said you were going to cut back on all of your reading?" Bella said with a nod toward the books Rosalie was now placing inside the box.
"That's the most pathetic excuse I have ever heard." Rose said grabbing for another book. "And by the way I did, I have gone down to reading three a week, instead of three a day," Rose answered her with a sheepish grin, "Having a boyfriend keeps me very busy now a days."
Bella shook her head a disbelieving look crossed her face, "I don't believe you."
Rose stopped in her movements to give Bella an incredulous look, "What are you saying?"
"Oh come on…letting a man come between you and your reading? I don't think so," Bella scoffed. "Ever since two years ago…well you know, err…you have never let a man get that close to you," Bella said almost regretting her words immediately when she saw the look flash across Rosalie's face. "Rose…I-I'm sorry…I didn't mean-"
"Its okay, Bella," Rosalie said cutting her off mid-sentence, "What you don't understand is…I can when that man is someone I am in love with…Emmett is a good guy, I can't wait for you to meet him." She stared at her for a few moments then asked, "So why did you run back to Phoenix? Did something happen? Did you find someone special?"
"Ah…no," Bella said quickly trying to think of something to change the subject. She had decided that she was not going to tell anyone about what had transpired between her and Anthony Masen a few nights ago, even if Rosalie was her best friend.
"Bella!" Rosalie's blue eyes filled with concern, as she placed the last book inside the box then turned and reached for Bella's hands, "That's it isn't it, you found a man, and something happened between the two of you?" She questioned.
Bella felt a little guilty. But still, she didn't want to tell even her best friend what a fool she'd been, letting herself get seduced by a man. With a smile she squeezed Rosalie's hands, "No Rose it was nothing like that. I was getting burned out and just needed a break…you know how I am when I get tired? Going back to visit gram for a few days was just what I needed."
Rosalie gave her a dubious look, "Are you sure you're alright?"
Bella gave her friend a curious look and wondered why she was being so pushy, it was completely unlike her to not drop the subject if she didn't want to talk about it, "Why do you want to know so bad?" Bella asked.
Rosalie frowned than lowered her eyes for a moment. There was no way that she could tell Bella that her boyfriend Emmett had been trying to obtain information on Bella, because, Edward Cullen, his boss and good friend had suddenly taken a major interest in her. When she'd asked Emmett what possible reason could, Edward Cullen have concerning her best friend he just danced around her question, and answered with a quick reply saying that Edward asked him to find out and to let him know immediately if Bella called or got in touch with her? "No reason," Rosalie answered her, as she raised her eyes back up to stare at her, "I guess I was just concerned…you are my best friend after all." She was relieved when it looked like Bella was going to take that as an answer, as she watched the suspicious look leave her eyes.
"Like I said nothing happened," Bella tried to reassure her best friend, with a smile. Rosalie was always a little over protective of her, and had the tendency to be a mother hen when it came to her, especially after what happened to them two years ago.
"So why are you pussyfooting around the question for? Just answer it." Lillian Hale Rosalie's aunt asked Bella, finally making her presence known.
Rosalie turned her head to give her aunt of seventy-two years a warning glare, "Aunt Lillian she said she was homesick."
"So that don't mean a thing," Aunt Lillian said giving Bella a beguiling look, "You were one to never talk about your problems…you keep them feelings of yours all pent up…I tell you its not good doing that dear."
"Happy morning to you to…Aunt Lillian," Bella said with a light chuckle.
"Ah…don't try to get on my good side, Bella Swan. That departed me a long time ago, its called old age," Lillian said giving her a raised eyebrow look, "So did that no good for nothing ex- boyfriend of yours, Jacob Black give you any more grief, to cause you to get a hair up your but and go running off to…where did you say it was? Phoenix?" she asked.
Before Bella could form a reply to Aunt Lillian's question, Rosalie jumped to her defense. "Seriously, Aunt Lillian why do you have to be so insensitive all the time? You know that Jacob Black really hurt Bella terribly when he broke it off with her over a year ago."
"Why, Rosalie Hale was I asking you?"
Rosalie caught her aunt's hard stare and glared back just as hard, "Why can't you see that Bella does not want to talk about that, or for that matter be reminded of him?" Rosalie snapped at her aunt…for one she was glad that Bella and Jacob Black; whom Emmett told her was none other these days the leader for the La Push gang, had indeed broken up. The jerk was not good enough for Bella, though she could never understand why Bella hadn't seen that about him sooner. She thought to herself.
"Well girlie?" Lillian asked Bella, completely ignoring her niece.
Bella stood there and looked back and forth between them and wondered why she was beginning to fill a little bit annoyed. Was it because Lillian had brought up the painful issue of her ex- boyfriend and ex-best friend? Was it because of the rude way Lillian was asking her questions?
Then she knew it was because Rosalie, as usual was not letting her get a word in edge wise. Being that she'd always been the shy, quiet, girl, always sitting in a corner away from the crowd, always afraid of confrontation. Rosalie had taken it upon herself to talk for her, and she suddenly felt the need for a change. Bella decided in that moment that she needed to grow a backbone and stop letting others fight her battles for her, to finally stick up for herself. Where this newfound courage and positive thinking was coming from she wasn't sure…all she knew was ever since the night Anthony Masen stepped into her life, she'd been completely acting out of character.
Gathering all the courage she could muster, she took a deep breath and pushed ahead with her newfound determination, "Will you both just stop! I already told you where I was and what happened."
The two women fell silent both wearing comical looks of surprise on there beautiful faces, shocked because that was the very first time Bella had ever stood up to them. If Bella hadn't been so agitated she would have laughed, at the looks on their faces, but as it was she couldn't just then. "I'm sorry Rosalie… but I can speak for myself," She said quickly then turned her glare on Lillian.
"For your information I am no longer hung up on Jacob Black. He was the one that chose to dump me, because I wasn't ready to have sex with him at that time in my life. Being with him was a stupid mistake I should have just stayed friends with him. But I thought he loved me…cared about me. I didn't like being dumped, but my heart isn't broken anymore." Though her newfound courage was slipping, she forced herself to add, "And that's all I am going to say on this subject, so just-just drop it."
"Well, well, well, I'm impressed…it seems our little, shy, introverted, Bella has grown some balls for the first time in her life," Lillian said with a hint of a smile gracing her lips, "I'm glad to see that your not letting yourself be hooked up on that man, or for that matter any man…sometimes they can be such pigs. It's nice to see that you have more common sense than I gave you credit for."
Bella squirmed uncomfortably. Oh no she didn't, common sense was the last thing that she had going for her after her wanton actions from five nights ago. She still could not believe that she'd actually gone through with it and slept with him. Getting involved with Jacob over a year ago had been a huge mistake as well…her common sense hadn't been with her than either.
They were all snapped out of their private conversation when a customer approached the counter and cleared her throat. Immediately Rosalie and Bella moved out of her way so she could check out and pay for her purchase. Bella touched Rosalie on her shoulder to get her attention, when she turned to look at her, Bella asked, "When does your shift end today? I wanted to maybe catch a late lunch with you."
Rosalie raised her arm up to glance at her watch, "Looks like it's already eleven in the morning…if you don't mind hanging out for another hour…I can join you on my lunch break," Rosalie said.
Bella gave her a quick smile and nodded her head, "That's fine I'll just go and browse the shelves for a new book…to pass the time."
"Well if you'll excuse me then Bella, I need to go and take care of some things before I can go to lunch with you," she paused for a moment giving Bella a strange look, "I'll come and find you when I'm ready." With that she turned quickly away from Bella leaving her standing by the checkout counter as she made her way toward the back of the store and into the stockroom and her office.
Bella stood there a moment and watched Rosalie walk away from her and wondered again what was up with her. It seemed from the moment that she'd walked into her store she'd been acting out of character…it was almost as if she were nervous, and for Rosalie that was strange because she was a very confident woman. With a sigh Bella started to move toward the section of classic novels in the store, and decided to shrug Rosalie's strange behavior off putting it down to having a ruff day at work.
While browsing the classic section her cell phone rang. Pulling it out of her purse she saw that it was her father Charlie calling her, and she quickly answered the phone. "Hello Char-dad."
"Bells! I wanted to know if you're going to be headed home anytime soon." Charlie asked.
"I planed to later, but right now I am at Rosalie's store waiting for her so we can go out to lunch," Bella answered.
"Oh!"
"Why, did you need something?"
"No-no I was just hoping you would stop by the station before you went home, wanted to talk to you is all…but if you're busy…I can wait till later."
Bella quickly assured him, "No! I mean that's fine…I'll come now and call Rosalie on my way over there to let her know I had to meet up with you…she'll understand."
His deep chuckle sounded, "Alright…I'll see you then," Charlie said before hanging up.
With a sigh Bella shut her phone and placed it back into her purse. If this day didn't get any weirder, she thought shaking her head. First Rosalie acting all odd, and now her father calling her up out of the blue wanting to spend some time with her…she thought as she made her way toward the front of the store.
"Aunt Lillian, could you please tell Rosalie that I had to go? My father called and wanted me to come down to the station…and that I'll call her and explain why I had to leave?"
"Sure dear," Lillian answered her, as she walked out the front door.
ONCE INSIDE OF her office Rosalie quickly grabbed her cell phone off her desk and dialed Emmett's number. She felt a pang of guilt for what she was doing, but at the same time Emmett had warned her how Edward was, and you just didn't want to get on his bad side. If he found out that Bella was back in town, and she'd with held that information, there was no telling what Edward might do, so that was why she was calling Emmett.
The phone picked up on the second ring, "Hey babe…you lonely?"
Emmett's teasing voice said through the receiver, causing Rosalie's heart to jump in reaction to hearing his voice.
"Hey Emmett, you know I'm always lonely without you," she purred.
He chuckled, "Well I could fix that you know?"
"Hmmm…" was all Rosalie could say at that moment, as thoughts of them naked and on her bed came vividly into her mind.
The sound of someone making noise outside her office snapped Rose out of her lustful thoughts. Fearing that it might be Bella in search of her she took a quick peak around the office door and breathed a sigh of relief to see that it was only one of her stockers.
At her sigh Emmett became deathly quiet, and then in a serious voice asked her, "Rosie baby what's wrong? Are you in danger?"
Rosalie had to laugh, ever since she'd confided in Emmett about what happened to her two years ago he'd been very protective of her ever since.
"Rosie…what's wrong?" Emmett's concerned voice asked.
"No-no I'm okay…its just that, I mean that is…well Bella just got back into town," She tried to explain, wanting to kick herself for being such a wimp for going behind her best friends back when it came to Edward Cullen.
"Bella's back in town?" Emmett asked, "Are you sure?" There came a sound of muffled voices in the background.
"Yes…she came to visit me at the store…she's here now" Rosalie answered him, closing her eyes and hoping that Bella never found out that she'd known about her and Edward. Knowing he was the reason for Bella taking off like she had…because she only did things like that when she was scared or upset. Unlike her Bella had always had a hard time talking about her feelings or giving away any of her emotions.
"She's there now? At your store?"
"Yes."
"Thanks Rosie baby…I'll let Edward know," he said his voice sounded off a little.
"Emmett!" she called trying to get him before he hung up, "Look I don't know exactly what's going on between them…but, Bella is upset. I don't want her getting hurt, and if Edward is planning to do something…I-"
"No-no, Rosie baby…that's not it at all, I'll explain it to you when Edward allows me too…until then I'm forced to keep you in the dark. Just what ever you do, don't say anything to her, Okay?" He hurried to appease her, knowing that Rose was very protective of her best friend.
"Okay." Rosalie answered, remembering Emmett had warned her to also not bring up the subject of Edward Cullen to Bella…unless she did first. That if Bella made mention of Anthony Masen then to go with it, because Edward did not want Bella to know his true identity. She still didn't know how she felt about the most powerful crime lord in Washington taking an interest in her best friend, and lord forbid should Bella's father find out about this. She thought.
"Look, I got to go…something's come up. I'll call you later, babe," he said before quickly hanging up. Leaving Rosalie standing in her office with a bewildered look on her face as she stared at her cell phone in her hand.
"Oh God! What have I just done?" she wondered, out loud. With a sigh she flung her phone back down on her desk and exited her office to go in search of Bella but could not find her anywhere.
"Aunt Lillian, have you seen Bella?" Rosalie asked her aunt, who was still behind the checkout counter.
"Oh, Bella told me she had to leave…got a phone call from her father, wanted me to apologize to you because she was going to have to cancel lunch with you, and that she'd give you a call later."
Rosalie closed her eyes in a moment of dread. Oh no! What was she going to do? Edward was most likely on his way to the store right now…and when he got here only to find that Bella was no longer here there was no telling what he might do. She just had to hope he would stay calm enough not to cause a scene.
…...
EDWARD CULLEN SAT in his office chair behind his desk and tried to wait patiently for Emmett to end his call with Rosalie, but his patience was slowly wearing thin once he learned that the conversation was about his, Bella. He had to grip the edge of his desk with both hands to stop him from leaping over it and wrestle Emmett's phone from out of his hand and demand to speak to Bella. Even at the thought of her name his heart started franticly beating in his chest, it still amazed him how completely enthralled he was by Bella. Soon he told himself…soon you will see her again and she will be back in your arms where she belonged. He thought, as he tried to control his racing heart.
"Well what the hell did she say?" he barked at Emmett, as soon as he hung up with her.
Emmett gave him a slow smile, "It seems that your girl was out of town and just made an appearance at Rosie's store," Emmett answered him.
"She's at Rosalie's store?" Edward asked as excitement pumped through his body, he stood up and came around his desk to stand in front of it, as excitement started to pump through his body. Damn it! Edward get a grip. He scolded. Last thing we want is to let your men see how much of an effect this girl has on you…no weaknesses…remember?
"Yeah, boss," Emmett, answered him, eyeing his boss and long time friend with a knowing look.
Without a second thought Edward made his way quickly toward his office door, only to be stopped by Emmett's next words.
"Hey boss, Rosie said she was upset…she's afraid that you and she had a spat or something. Don't be too surprised if she tries to protect Bella from you."
"Rosalie is not my concern right now…. She will just have to understand." Edward said darkly.
Jasper stood up from the chair he'd been sitting in, you want us to come with you?" he asked.
"No, this is something I need to take care of by myself," Edward answered harshly, before he opened the door and made his way down the hallway pulling his cell phone out of his pocket to order his car be brought around to the front of the office building. For the first time in over seven days he was feeling hope, elation and some other emotion he couldn't decipher, but didn't care just as long as he could find Bella and keep her in his life permanently. Damn it! She's mine, and the sooner she knows that the better off both their lives would be. He thought as he exited out of his office building and got into his Volvo.
It was ten minutes past twelve in the afternoon when Edward's Volvo pulled up in front of Rosalie's Books and More bookstore. He was impressed by the home that was turned into a small business with its stained glass windows, and an old-fashioned eighteenth century renaissance look to the front of it. He took a deep breath and studied the scene before him, and tried to pull himself together he needed to be calm, to center himself so that his dark mood and nerves would not get the best of him. That was the last thing he needed for Bella to get a glimpse of the crazy, unfeeling, sadistic bastard he'd been for the past few days, he thought bitterly.
He couldn't explain the sudden overwhelming emotions that had gripped him, when Emmett had given him the information that Bella had gone missing, had gone without giving them any explanation as to why she'd left. He'd been angry, upset, sad, disappointed, hurt. It was so strange; this combination of emotions coursing throughout his body that he'd not known how to handle them. So he'd taken it out on his men and anyone else that crossed his path or got on the wrong side of him. It was only with Bella that he found himself grounded, almost wanting to completely shy away from that dark side of his nature. That feeling was euphoric and addicting as if she were his own personal brand of heroin… he couldn't get enough of her…enough of the peace he'd felt with her and knew that he be willing to sell his soul to be with her again.
With another sigh he decided now was the time and slowly opened his door and got out, quickly slamming the door behind him and made his way to the entrance of the bookstore. Once inside he quickly scanned the many rows of bookshelves and aisle ways between them for any sign of Bella, but was confused and a little irritated when he came up short. Where the hell was she? He thought agitated. Where was Rosalie? He needed to find her, and find out what the hell was going on.
He noticed an older woman standing to the left of the bookstore behind the checkout counter and slowly approached her. He immediately caught the older woman's attention and would have laughed at her wide-eyed expression that crossed her face if he'd not been so upset.
"May I help you…sir?" She asked him a flirtatious smile on her face.
Edward came to a halt in front of the counter and gave the older woman a hard glare, "Yes…I need to speak to Rosalie Hale. Is she here?"
The older woman gave him a curious look, before turning her head to the right. Edward followed her with his eyes and saw Rosalie standing toward the back of the store. Without another word spoken to the woman he made his way toward Rosalie. As he approached her back was toward him so she had not noticed him approaching, "Where is she?" He demanded.
Rosalie jumped with a small squeak, as she spun around with a wide-eyed stare to look upon him, one hand covered her breast. "Oh…Mr. Cullen!" she cried when she recognized who he was.
"Well answer me, where is she?' he asked her again impatient. So help him if she had said something…had given Bella a warning that he was seeking her out…
"She left Mr. Cullen," Rosalie squeaked out.
"She did what?" Edward snarled, and watched with satisfaction as Rosalie's face paled. "Did you tell her I was coming here?" he hissed at her, anger laced his voice.
"No-no, she was…gone when I came back to the sales floor after calling Emmett. Bella told my aunt Lillian that her father called and she had to go," Rosalie hurried to explain, not liking the thunderous expression on his handsome face.
Edward closed his eyes and took a deep breath to control the burst of anger that was filling his body literally making him shake from the force of it. "Is that where she is now…with her father?" He asked in a very slow controlled voice. Please say no?
With a nod, Rosalie answered, "Yes, I assume she's with him at the police station. He usually works until two in the morning on Thursdays."
Just fucking great! How was he supposed to get to her now when that pig of a father of hers was all over her? He thought with frustration, as he stood there glaring at Rosalie. Then another thought struck him; why he could just take a drive by their scope her out and as soon as she was alone he could make his move. For he wasn't sure how much longer he could go on with out seeing Bella. It was killing him to be away from her, and he knew the longer he stayed away from her his already dark mood would just get darker. Yes he had to find her…as soon as was possible. With a quick nod to Rosalie he turned on his heals and made a quick exit out of the bookstore. Leaving a flustered Rosalie staring after him, gaping in opened mouth astonishment.
BY LATE EVENING word had gotten out that Bella was back in town, and Bella secretly cringed hoping that the news didn't get back to a certain someone that she was indeed back.
So here she was in her old Ford truck making her way slowly back home, after spending most of her day with her father Charlie and being plagued by unwanted thoughts of Anthony Masen. Though the last seven days had been depressingly the same, missing him terribly, wondering if he felt the same way about her as she did him. She decided that her life officially sucked, because no matter what she did she seemed more interested in thinking of him than making sound decisions.
Still confused as to why she could possibly miss a man she barely knew was beyond her. It was the very question that had been keeping her awake late into the night as she lay there in her bed and looked up at the ceiling. She tried to convince herself that he was a mistake and she needed to forget about him. But her heart had other ideas, beating loudly in her chest and not letting her forget that she'd left a piece of it with Anthony in his Penthouse suite seven days ago. She shook her head thinking how upset her father and mother would be with her knowing that there strait-laced daughter wasn't so straight laced after all.
She was so wrapped up in her own thoughts she hadn't spied in her rear view mirror the silver Volvo that was slowly tailing her a few car lengths away. And was still oblivious that someone was watching her as she parked her truck in her driveway, got out and made her way to the front porch.
…...
EDWARD HAD PARKED his Volvo a few houses down from where Bella lived and now sat watching her as she parked her decrypted Ford truck and made her way inside, oblivious to his presence. For a moment he couldn't believe that she even drove a truck that old around town, seriously what was wrong with her father for letting her even get into that thing? He thought as he stared at her truck, and then trained his eyes back on her house.
It wasn't the first time that he had done this since Emmett's report on Bella Swan had brought him to this address. She was now somewhere inside the house and he hoped that she was happy and content.
After sitting there for the last ten minutes contemplating whether he should make his move or not, he finally decided to open the door to his Volvo and head toward the front porch of her house. Once he was standing on the porch he peered through the window and saw a high ceiling room, and beyond that through an archway that led into the kitchen where he could see that someone was inside.
"You can run Bella, but you can't hide from me," he murmured darkly, smiling as he pictured Bella's beautiful brown eyes staring at him with renewed desire shining in them as they both made love, and a pang of arousal wracked his body with such overwhelming need, and excitement that his body began to shake from the force of it. With renewed determination to claim the woman that was his, Edward turned toward the door and knocked loudly on it.
He listened as the sounds of someone moving inside the house toward the door came closer and closer then suddenly the door was flung open and Bella now stood in front of him, with a huge grin on her beautiful face.
"Char-dad, I didn't think you would be home until late this evening-"
"Hello, Bella." Edward said, gruffly as his hungry eyes took in every ounce of her body, he could fill the sudden tightening of his lower region as he assessed her from head to toe. His heart was pounding furiously in his chest and he hoped she could not hear how much of an effect she had upon him. In one hand he was thrilled that he'd finally found her, but in the other he could fill the annoyance slowly creeping in trying to let his dark sinister mood take over and that was something he couldn't allow no matter how mad or upset he was at her for running from him. He thought as he continued to devour her with his eyes.
That was all it took for Bella's smile to drop from her face as the shockingly, sexy, velvety voice greeted her. Disbelief coursed through her, and down her spine as her hand slipped from the door and fell uselessly to her side. No! It couldn't be! She thought in shock as she slowly raised her eyes to clash with the dark green orbs of Anthony Masen's; whom now stood in front of her blocking the doorway of her home. He was dressed in a black three-piece Armani suit and appeared even more darkly powerful and devastatingly handsome, than the last time she'd seen him. Oh God!
She stood there in her doorway paralyzed, unable to move, and sucked in a breath of air as she struggled with the realization that Anthony had somehow found her, had tracked her down. His gaze swept over her body, and those emerald eyes of his finally sought and held her gaze. Why would he want to find her? What was she going to do now that he had? She thought frantically as she tried to make herself immune to those hypnotic eyes of his.
"Why did you run from me?" he asked looking at her with such penetrating directness, she felt as though he could see right into her soul. "Seriously what or who were you afraid of?" He gave her a dark smile, "Was it me…or was it yourself you were running from?" Edward gave a slight grimace, and tried with difficulty to control the anger in his voice, after searching for her for the past few days he could not believe that she was here standing in front of him in the flesh and all he had to do was extend his hand out to touch her. His sweet innocent, Bella.
Bella felt herself flinch at the harshness of his voice. She had plenty of reasons as to why she ran and it had to do with both of them. The emotions she'd been undergoing since the first night that she'd met Anthony had left her weak, afraid, and confused and she didn't want to think about them, much less talk about them, especially to him.
"What's wrong, Bella cat got your tongue?" he asked menacingly.
She realized that she was slowly opening and closing her mouth like a fish standing there trying to say something, and failed miserably when nothing come out of her mouth to speak.
"You look shocked to see me," he mused, taking a step closer to her. "Why would that be, hmmm?" He continued in his small interrogation of her, not giving her a chance to give him an answerer
Why did she feel suddenly as if everything was spinning? That she was becoming dizzy. Why was he here? Kept repeating in her mind, as everything around her began to swim in her vision.
"Bella?" the tone he used this time was laced with concern.
Vaguely she realized that he had cried out her name as her knees began to buckle and she began slowly sinking toward the floor. She tried to grab for the door to catch her, but was too late. The floor seemed to be rising up to meet her, she thought just before her mind succumbed to darkness.
…...
Edward with an alarmed cry had lunged forward and caught Bella before she hit the floor, and now sat on the floor cradling her in his sturdy, strong, muscular arms. After days of angry impatience, disappointment and worry while he waited for Emmett to return with the requested information on her and wondering what state of mind he would find Bella in…fainting was the last possible reaction that he'd anticipated he'd get from her when she saw him again.
He was suddenly feeling lightheaded as all those emotions he'd felt over the past seven days came flooding back into his body. His gaze traveled over her face, taking in its alarming paleness and dark circles under her eyes, and wondered if she'd been having trouble sleeping as much as he had over the last few nights. His heart began beating loudly in his chest, and when he raised his hand up toward her face he realized his fingers were shaking as he lovingly tried to stroke her hair back away from her lips and tuck it behind her ears. His eyes were riveted on her luxurious, full pouting mouth as desire rose suddenly and painfully in the pit of his stomach, and pooled in his groin, as his fingertips brushed lightly over her lips; strong enough that he was forced to close his eyes against the powerful onslaught. What was she doing to him? Why was she able to make him feel like this? He thought and had not realized that he'd moved his head closer to her. Stop! Edward you shouldn't be taking advantage of her like this.
Even as he told himself not to do so, he found himself pulling her even closer to his body. Scorching, aching need drove his fingers to bury in her long, beautiful hair. He had no control of himself in that moment as his mouth hovered just above hers, caressing her lips with the warmth of his breath, and with a groan he slowly brought his mouth to hers.
Mine! He thought as he became lost to the sensuality, lost to the new thrill of these strange emotions exploding inside of him. He never wanted to stop, he felt in that moment at peace as if he'd found his rightful place in life…he was home. Edward was so caught up in his lust filled thoughts that he didn't realize that someone had come up behind him until it was too late. His instincts that usually warned him when there was danger had felled him in his moment of need for this woman. It was at the very last second he registered that someone else was with them on the porch. With a sudden grunt, and quick reflexes he quickly lowered Bella to the floor and twisted his body to the left as a voice bellowed from behind him.
"Get away from her!" yelled an angry male's voice.
Edward slowly rolled and twisted around to come face to face with none other than Charlie Swan, Bella's father and his enemy; who now stood towering over him with a gun pointed at him. He thrust his hands out palms faced forward to ward off Charlie who was glaring at him with burning rage filled eyes thinking that he was harming his only daughter. Fuck this was all he needed fucking Charlie Swan.
"What did you do to my daughter?" Yelled Charlie, as he continued to aim his gun at him.
"Nothing," Edward bit out trying with difficulty to keep the hatred for this man out of his voice. He made a move to sit up all the while keeping an eye on Chief Swan as he tried to slowly rise up off of the floor, and back away from Bella, his hands still up and ready to defend himself if need be. He wasn't sure Swan knew who he was or not, though he'd kept his pictures out of the tabloids and papers there was no telling if the cops had that kind of information on him or any of his crime family. "She just fainted."
"Liar! I saw you trying to attack her," Charlie said as he took an angry step toward him, wild-eyed and furious.
Edward flinched, and tried to reason with her father knowing that the situation that he now found himself in could become quickly out of hand, for he didn't want to be forced to hurt Bella's father, but if he gave him no choice than so be it. He thought. "I-I didn't hurt her…she just-"
"She just what?" Charlie snarled at him as he lunged for Edward and set him off balance careening back words into the wood on the side of the house. His back hit hard and he let out a "whoosh" when he hit. It was that precise moment that Edward's tightly controlled temper slipped a little. That fucking did it! Now he was angry, though he didn't need or want the ramifications of having to hurt Bella's father; but enough was enough, and he folded his body in a stance ready to defend himself.
Charlie took that moment to rush him, and this time Edward was ready. He swung his arm catching him with an upper cut under his jaw sending Charlie reeling back a few steps in mild shock.
Bella decided in that moment to return back to the land of the living, and slowly blinked her eyes becoming aware of the sounds of a struggle happening close by. A guttural growl sounding more like an angry mountain lion brought her out of the fog she'd been under. Lazily, almost as if she were in a dream like state she raised her head up off the floor, only to been rendered speechless as she witnessed her father launch himself with murderous intent toward Anthony.
Anthony had moved so quickly that before her father knew what happened he'd upper cut him under the chin sending her father reeling backwards falling to his knees.
"God Dammed bastard!" he father spat, as he knelt on the porch holding onto the underside of his jaw
Edward stood in front of Charlie and eyed his assailant as if he were annoying the hell out of him, "Damn it! I don't want to hurt you…but you left me no choice but to defend myself."
"Don't want to hurt me?" Charlie sputtered, "Why you're the one trying to hurt my daughter by attacking her," he said as he tried to stand up.
Suddenly as if remembering her, Edward turned his head back in the direction of Bella and took notice that she had come to. He made a move to go to her, but stopped when her father growled out between clenched teeth.
"Don't touch her!"
"Damn it! I'm not who you think I am," Edward yelled in frustration, Oh he knew all to well who and what he was, and Charlie, was on the mark about his character. But being that he was trying to be someone he wasn't he had to play the game, and Charlie was starting to really get on his nerves. "I'm not going to hurt her."
"Really, who are you then?"
"Anthony Masen," Bella said in a loud but shaky voice, after witnessing the scene before her.
Both men turned there cold angry gazes upon her, and both froze for a moment, then Charlie slowly relaxed after realizing that his daughter was okay, and didn't appear to be hurt, though he kept his gun pointed at Anthony.
With a sigh Edward released a breath that he'd not known he was holding as his gaze bore into Bella's seeking answers to his unanswered questions from before.
Bella sighed wearily, as she sat up. Oh God what am I going to do? Please tell me this isn't happening? She shook her head as if to clear it staring up at both men. Well Bella as the old saying goes you make your bed you lie in it. She told herself as she squared her shoulders, and held her chin up high in defiance. She knew she probably looked ridiculous sitting there on the floor in front of the doorway, but she couldn't help it that's just how she felt. When was she ever going to learn?
"Char-dad, this is Anthony Masen. Anthony, this is my father the police Chief Charlie Swan," she tried to introduce them making her tone as polite as she could given the circumstances of the situation.
"And how do you know my daughter?" Charlie asked Anthony, eyeing him up and down.
"He dines at the restaurant I work at," Bella answered.
"So why are you at our home doing god knows what to my daughter? Shit if I'd not shown up when I did there's no telling what might have happened," Charlie said a hint of anger still laced his voice.
Edward just stood there still glaring at Bella, and didn't like how this turn of events was going. He was glad that Emmett and Jasper had not followed him or the chief of police would either be dead right now or nursing a few broken ribs, bloody nose and lip. Hell even he wanted to reach behind him and pull out his gun and use it on this pig, but knew he couldn't without giving away who he truly was…and that was something he could not do. So he was forced to stand there with his hands still held up in front of him acting like the pathetic idiot that he was not.
Edward let his gaze fall back on Bella's, and took in her defiant stare aimed at him and waited for her to answer her father. When she didn't he narrowed his eyes, giving her a warning look. So you want to play it like that do you? He thought, and before he could stop himself he answered. "We are dating."
Bella's eyes widened as she felt all the color leave her face, she had thought things couldn't get any worse, but boy was she wrong. There was one thing Charlie couldn't stand and that was any man moving in on his daughter, especially after what happened to her two years ago.
"What!" Charlie roared, aiming his gun at Edward's head. Edward stiffened and lowered his arm so his gun hand was within reach of his own gun.
"Dad! Please…put the gun down?" Bella cried, as her body began to tremble in terror for Anthony or for her father she was uncertain at that moment, but she did know that she wanted this craziness to end.
Charlie noticing that Anthony's hand looked to be reaching for something, behind him, took a small step forward and warned, "Keep your hands up where I can see them, and away from your body!"
"Oh my God!" Bella cried mortified.
Edward decided to move his hand away from his back, and extended both arms out and up, "I'm not armed," he said calmly trying to ease the tension he saw in the police chief, and hoped he didn't decide to search him.
While Bella on the other hand could only stare open mouthed at how calm Anthony was acting with her father standing in front of him pointing a gun in his face. "Char-dad, you're making a huge mistake."
"It's alright, love. Your father is just trying to protect you," he grinned at her, "I bet you're wishing now you never left…"
Her father gave Bella a what is he talking about look, and Bella bit back a groan, as she pressed her hand to her flaming cheeks as embarrassment filled her. God! Didn't he realize now was not the right time to say those things especially with her furious father standing there with a gun in his hand. She thought. If it would have been any other time Bella would have laughed at this situation…and realized that as soon as she thought it she began to feel her shoulders shaking as the overwhelming need to do just that shook her body and made tears form in her eyes.
Laughing, she was laughing? Charlie thought as he gave his daughter a baffled look, as all the pent up anger he'd felt at seeing this man bent down over his daughter slowly melted away. Once again he gave this Anthony character another hard glare…he wasn't sure but there was something that he didn't like about him…as if he knew him but couldn't place where he'd known him from, but if his daughter liked this man than he must be okay…or she wouldn't be spending anytime with him. He thought. Over the loud laughter coming from his daughter who still sat upon the floor he heard Anthony plead.
"May I put my hands down now?"
And with a deep long sigh, Charlie Swan gave the younger man a quick nod and lowered his gun and deposited it back in its holster at his hip, before moving toward Bella to help her off the ground.
A FEW MINUTES later after Charlie had picked her up off the floor and escorted her back into their house and placed her on their sofa. Bella couldn't believe that Anthony would come right out and say that they were dating, and then insinuate that something more intimate had happened between them, while her father had a gun trained on him. Was he insane? What had he been thinking?
So much for reputations…for the look her father was throwing at her told her that hers was probably ruined. She watched as her father's eyes traveled from her to glare upon the man who was the cause of her current problems, prowling around their living room. Even now his presence demanded attention, radiating authority, and power in their small living room.
Though it hadn't been easy to convince her father that Anthony was not here to hurt her, and that if he decided to leave her alone with him that she'd be safe.
Charlie kept repeating under his breath that he thought Anthony was "Bad Company to be around."
"Why do you think that?" she questioned him finally.
"Because," her father said then glanced over in Anthony's direction who stood close to their fireplace giving them some privacy, "There's just something about him…I'm telling you that man is trouble."
"Surely you realize that if Anthony had wanted to hurt me he'd have done so?" she asked. Not sure why she felt the need to stick up for him.
"That don't mean…I have to like him," Charlie grumbled. He stood up to stand in front of her, "Look I've got to get back to the station…I just came here to get something," he paused giving Anthony another hard glare, then turned his head back to look down upon her, "If he tries anything…any thing at all you call me, you hear?" He said as he leaned down to give her a quick peck on the forehead before straightening up. "You still have that pepper spray I gave you?" he asked.
"Dad!" Bella half whined half warned.
"Better to be safe than sorry," he replied. With one last death glare in Anthony's direction he turned and walked out of the room, leaving her alone with Anthony.
Bella left out a sigh, knowing that she couldn't put off a confrontation with him any longer. She turned her head to look in his direction, "How do you know where I live?"
"Are you feeling better?" he asked, as if she'd not asked him a question. He stood near the fireplace gazing at the picture on the wall in front of him, as if it fascinated him.
"I'm fine...Why are you here?"
He turned to face her and flashed a bone-melting smile, walking toward her. She resented the sudden flutter of her heart, as she watched him lower himself to sit close to her on the sofa. His eternally watchful gaze roved over her face, causing her to curl closer into the arm of the sofa and to stare thoughtfully at him. "Am I making you nervous?"
"Why are you here, Anthony?" She asked him again.
He laughed, causing small goose bumps to form on her flesh at the sexiness of that sound, "You know…that question is becoming old quick."
"Then answer the damned question," she bit out then slammed her hand over her mouth when she realized what she'd said. What was wrong with her? She was one to never talk or act like this towards someone.
"It should be pretty obvious…don't you think?" He asked with a mocking smile, as if he found her discomfort amusing.
Bella could feel herself grow weak at the sight of that damned sexy smile of his, and those smoldering emerald green eyes that she could get so lost in. She closed her eyes to try and bloke the sensual memory exploding in her mind of just how much she explored those tantalizing lips of his with her tongue. When the silence that had fallen between them became unbearable, she slowly opened her eyes to look upon him again, and tried with difficulty to read his thoughts. Only to find that she came up with noting, it just seemed to be his nature to keep himself distant, after all isn't that what he'd told her when they'd first met.
"I'm sorry, but what may be obvious to you, is not to me." She said huffily folding her arms across her chest in a small act of defiance.
"I'm here to take back what is mine," he said, as his dark eyes glittered dangerously, possessively.
"What?" she gasped out incredulous?
"You're mine, you belong to me. I thought I made that abundantly clear the night we made love?" he said in a possessive voice.
Is he serious? She screamed silently. Who the hell does he think he is? She couldn't believe the emotions running through her body, one minute she wanted to straddle him and kiss him and in the next…she wanted to hit him. No one had ever made her feel like this before.
"Anthony, you-you just can't say things like that," she whispered through a suddenly dry throat.
The tension in the room rose alarmingly between them, as they both tried to stare the other down.
"Surely you realize that what happened…between us that night was a mistake."
His expression upon his handsome face hardened, "What makes you think that?"
"I-I-"
"Don't put words in my mouth that are not true, Bella. Why did you run from me?"
"Because I-I couldn't face you," she cried passionately.
"Why, what was so terrible about facing me in the morning?" he thundered.
"I-I was scared okay? I couldn't believe what I had done…you-you were the first man I ever slept with," she answered fervently, as her face filled with the burning heat of embarrassment. Damn! Why was he making her tell him this? "It was only a one night stand," she whispered.
"Oh, I think that what happened between us was more than a one night stand," he said as he rose to his feet again, frustration was evident in every line of his lean, hard body, as he stared down at her, "Is that why you left? Because you thought I wanted you for a cheap one night stand?" he asked running his hands frustratingly through his bronzed locks.
"No!" she exclaimed.
With a sudden growl he reached down to pull her up until she was standing in front of him. "You're lying," he snarled giving her a little shake, "Look me in the eye and tell me you thought this wasn't a cheap one night stand." His fingers were now digging into her upper arms where he held her, "Damn it! Tell me the truth."
Bella could only stare up into his glowing emerald green eyes as she listened to his voice; even angry it wound its way into her heart pulling at her heartstrings. That's all it took for her will to crumble into a pile of ash at their feet, how could this be? How could he make her feel like this so easily? Why was he trying to rub it in her face that he didn't want her? Didn't he see that it was slowly killing her on the inside? Because of the fear and pain of his rejection she found herself lashing out at him.
"Okay! If that's what you want to hear…then yes! It was a one night stand," she said, trying to make her voice and words sound believable.
"That *amore mio, was the wrong answer." He said as he encircled her with his arms.
Bella had made a motion with her hands to try and stop him but found that she'd been pined in his arms, and that her hands were now flattened against his chest. She could feel the hard muscles of his chest and abdomen, and the steady rhythm of his heart; It seemed that it was all that it took to awaken the passionate, untamed…woman only he seemed able to bring to life inside of her. Oh, God…no, no, no not now! She screamed in her head upset at her traitorous body for succumbing to this virile man.
She gasped as one of his hands lightly caressed a burning trail down her back to the rounded curve of her buttocks, and then pulled her up so she was on her tiptoes having no choice but to lean into his hard muscular body.
"I would have been knocking on your doorstep that morning, if I'd had known where you lived."
She closed her eyes, as she felt that familiar stirring, ache of desire flare between her thighs, "How did you find me?" she whispered.
He left out a small chuckle, "I told you, I have a certain pull around town, and I just used my connections to hunt you down. But when they located you, it was to find out that you disappeared… where were you?"
"My-my grandmother's," she stuttered out.
"You were in Phoenix?" he said slowly, the anger in his voice, and body slowly easing, his eyes were staring intently at her mouth. So that's where she'd been all this time? He thought as his head bent toward her, unable to deny the need to kiss her any longer, "Bella," he groaned.
She tried to protest but it came too late, for his mouth searched and found her trembling lips, increasing the pressure until she was lost in the feel, the smell and power that was him. Her legs turned to jelly and if he'd not been holding her up she would have fallen from the ecstasy of his deep, relentless kiss.
Suddenly he broke the kiss and placed his forehead against hers so that they could stare lovingly into each other's eyes, both breathing heavily as they tried to regain control of their breathing, "Anthony, you don't understand. The way I acted that night isn't the real me. I told you I'm not like that."
"Not like what, love?" he asked, as he lowered his head to her neck and the tip of his tongue moved to explore the sensitive skin there.
Her mind went blank as her arms snaked of there own will up to his shoulders and held on to him tightly, "Umm…ah, like some reckless, wanton, floozy who'd sleep with the first man who came along," she answered breathlessly.
He stilled before raising his head up to stare into her eyes, not being able to stand the look in his eyes she averted her gaze away from his, only to feel his hand catch her chin and force her to turn back to look up at him. She gave a small gasp when she saw the soft smile he was bestowing on her.
"Hmm, Bella, I think deep down you are that woman that acted wantonly a
few nights ago, you just have always been afraid to let her out to play. You kept that part of you so securely hidden behind your shyness and plainness that all you needed was the right man to come along and set you free."
Bella stiffened, not knowing how to react to this man whom had only known her for a few short days to be able to see that deeply inside of her, to understand who she was, and what she was feeling. Because of this she found herself becoming defensive. "The right man, you say?"
"Yes, Bella, and I'm that man." he said with confidence, an arrogant smile spread across his handsome face.
"God! Anthony what do you want from me?" she snapped out. She closed her eyes as another deep flood of desire hit her and wished that she could block out the feelings that this man stirred up inside of her.
"I want it all…I want you, Bella." He probed her mouth, his tongue tangling with hers until she moaned and trembled. "If you didn't want me in your life than you should have told me last Friday night…now my love I'm here to stay until you tell me otherwise." He whispered against her kiss swollen lips.
Her eyes flew open, "Anthony are you saying…Do you mean," she swallowed as she tried to articulate what she had hoped, had wished to be true since the morning she'd woke up in his bed, "That you love me?"
He pressed his lips into the side of her neck, and gave a small bitter laugh, "Love…no, but I do care about you. I do want and need you, we would be good together…you and I."
Bella stiffened in his arms, being stunned was an understatement as she took in his cold detached words; she couldn't find her voice. My god, what did you let yourself get into Bella, this man just admitted that he doesn't love you…so why are you still standing here like a dummy, continuing to let him kiss and caress you, and fill your head with empty words of love?" she scolded herself. Though she knew why, a part of her heart already belonged to him whether he felt the same way or not.
His fingers began to trace erotic circles on her neck and down over her arms and hips. As his lips caressed her temple, she felt the possessive, almost dangerous desperation in him and understood that he meant to assert his claim on her.
Why is he doing this to her? He'd made it clear that he didn't love her. Wanting and needing were not going to be enough for her, she'd not held on to her virginity for so long so she could just throw it away for nothing. Oh she wanted him and needed him just as much but it didn't seem that a man like Anthony could be held onto. He seemed like a man who was too accustomed to living dangerously, and his attraction was an unpredictable thing. How long would it be before he got tired of her and grew restless? A week? A month, or even a year?
Bella knew that she needed to end this sexual tension heating up between them. She had to end it now before they ended up in bed together again. She wanted more than a sexual relationship with him…and if she allowed this to continue right then she'd be beyond caring about anything…about how easily she could have her heart broken by him. Because Anthony would leave her sooner or later, just like the others have done before him.
No! She couldn't do this, not again. She silently screamed. She would not let herself feel emotional anguish like that ever again. If the man she was with didn't want her fully and completely than she couldn't do it. Frantically she tried to push at his chest but it was like stone, hard and unmovable. "Anthony, please stop…I don't want this."
She realized she wasn't getting through to him, "Anthony!" He still didn't act as if he'd heard her. Bella drove her fingers deep into his hair and began to pull none to gently.
It took a moment for her struggles to penetrate the desire induce haze surrounding Edward. But with a groan he lifted his head and noticed the distress blended with her sweet innocence and vulnerability shining in her dark brown eyes. "What's wrong, love?" startled he let go of her.
"I can't believe that you have the nerve to track me down, turn my life upside down, destroy my reputation with my father, and then have the audacity to claim that I belong to you, that I am yours. How dare you."
"I dare much, as I told you my life and job evolves around such things," He answered her.
"Ugh!" she growled as she stomped past him, "How can you be like that…you just said that you are not in love with me, and if we got involved I would want a solid relationship with you," she paused to glare at him, "Not just something that can be based off of awesome sex," She turned pink at her bold words, and no nonsense attitude was back again.
"Really, you thought it was awesome sex?" he said humorously, a heart dropping smile spread across his handsome face, "Well at least we agree on something," he said as he moved toward her, "Awesome sex that is, though for you being it was your first time, I'm not sure whom you have to compare it to. Though I'm glad to hear I made it memorable for you." He teased in a smug voice and stopped when she began to back away from him.
"It's not enough, we have nothing in common," she cried.
"Bella, what are you talking about?" he asked annoyed, following her.
Bella snorted, and agitatedly waved her arm between them, "God, Anthony! Look at me; I'm just a plain, shy, small town girl. Then there's you…looking like a Greek God…rich and who knows what else, there's no way that you and I should even be together let alone in a relationship."
"Bella."
"I mean lets be serious here you and I are different, we come from different back grounds-"
"It doesn't matter," he tried to argue.
"Well it does to me. I think what ever this thing is between us would end up being brief. I'm sorry Anthony but I don't want a short-term lover." Bella said.
….
EDWARD"S HEART ACHED as understanding dawned. Bella didn't trust him; it was the same issue he'd had to deal with the night they'd made love. But he'd thought she understood that there was nothing to worry about, that he would not harm her in any way…but he could see now that he was wrong, and really could he blame her for not wanting to trust him?
Maybe Emmett had been right, that he was losing his touch when it came to the opposite sex. But then again how could he have known how she felt…how she feared the unknown? She was right they didn't know each other. They simply had not taken enough time, and that was something that needed to change as of right now. He thought.
"I understand that you are afraid to trust me," he tried to sooth her, "We pretty much fucked up the getting to know you part and went head long into a sexual fling," He said looking deeply into her eyes, "Bella, love, I'm sorry I didn't realize that we wouldn't get a chance…I thought we'd have plenty of time to do so, but you ran before that could even happen."
He stood there and patiently waited, watching her shift nervously from one foot to the other, "It was to soon, Anthony." She whispered.
"Maybe it was, but I do not regret that we made love. I have this gut feeling that we belong together, and I think you can sense that with in you to." He was unwilling to take no for an answer. He wasn't sure exactly what he was feeling for this woman at this stage in his life…all that he did know was that he didn't want to be away from her…that it would cause him physical pain to be apart from her, and that was something he wouldn't let happen again.
She shook her head in defiance, "No! It was a mistake, and it would be best if we both admit it was."
"No, Bella" he said shaking his head and wished that he could take her back into his arms and kiss her senseless. "It was no mistake, but you are right, we need a chance to get to know each other. Stop thinking of denying us both a chance to be together because of your belief it won't continue."
He moved forward to cup the side of her cheek in the palm of his hand, as he watched her eyes cloud over with mixed emotions. She didn't pull away from him and he took that as encouragement. "Bella, I don't think I can be without you right now. Please give me a chance. Be my girl?" he asked her thickly.
"Anthony, I don't know…I," Bella began, but realized that it was hopeless. She couldn't bear to think of sending him away and never being able to see him again. The pull between them was too strong to deny, and who was she to let herself deny it? Was she strong enough to risk falling even deeper in love with him than she already was? And if she did would she have enough courage to walk away when that time comes?
"Please, *piccola?" His fingers trembled as he buried his hands in her hair and tipped her head back.
Bella's mind swam as she met his gaze. It was one of those strange rare moments that he didn't try to hide his emotions from her glittering in his now dark emerald green eyes was a lonely, desperate, yearning burning as bright as her own reflected back into his. She hoped and prayed that those emotions and feelings shinning in his eyes meant that he felt more deeply for her than he realized. She knew then that she had to give him a chance, give him time to make that discovery all on his own. Before she could stop herself she conceded.
"Yes," she said.
That famous dimple appeared with his drop dead smile, "*Grazie, my love," He said as he released the breath he was holding, relief in his voice as he wrapped his arms back around her and pulled her close to his warm chest.
As she leaned into his embrace in defeat, slowly some commonsense wheedled its way back into her brain, "On one condition."
"Oh and what condition would that be *amore mio?"
"That there will be no sex between us until we get to know one another better. After all two days is not a lot of time."
What? No sex. Does she want to kill me? He thought incredulous. A small frown formed on his handsome face ready to argue the ridiculousness of her condition. This is crazy…does she think that she will be able to fight this deep seeded attraction between them…*Dio! They couldn't even make it past one day before they slept with each other. How in the world were they supposed to get through days, months or even a year without doing so?
"Will see." he said huskily.
"I'm not kidding around, Anthony. If you try to seduce me at all in the next days to come, then you can kiss what ever this is between us good bye."
Edward drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes, patience Edward...just be patient, she'll come around sooner or later. He told himself. "How long do you mean by in the next days to come?" he asked semi worried that he might not be able to give his word that he wouldn't try something. Because her being near him was enough to drive him insane…all he could think about was being closer to her, of needing her, of wanting to make love to her…
Bella placed her small hand on the side of his cheek, "Anthony," she whispered, and waited for him to open his eyes. "I'm serious about this…I want this to be on my terms this time…we moved to fast, and we need to slow it down, *capisci?"
"*Si, *capisco," he answered her.
"Yes, I understand" was the answer he whispered in her ear as his arms tightened around her. She knew when and if that time ever came that she probably would not be able to carry out the threat. Her traitorous body seemed to always turn to mush in his arms. But she hoped he believed that she would.
With a show of reluctance he released her and took a small step away from her, "Alright, I will try to keep my hands to myself, but I warn you now, if you are unable to do so yourself then I won't be held accountable for my actions. It won't take much for me to take what I want." Damn it Edward why are you agreeing to this…you have never let a female dictate to you before…man up. He scolded himself. But knew that Bella was just not any female and he wasn't willing to lose her just yet, by scaring her off.
She shook her head, and stubbornly crossed her arms over her breasts, "Anthony…aren't you forgetting whom was the virgin, I think that my will power will be a lot stronger than someone who seems used to getting what he wants all the time," she said sarcastically.
Edward grimaced but gave a light chuckle, ah the nerve of this woman it was so refreshing…she was the first person to ever stand up to him, and it was turning him on, he thought. "God woman you will be the death of me…just in the span of a few days of knowing you my life has be turned upside down." He took her hand in his and felt the immediate electric shock that zinged between them almost immediately, "But that's a good thing."
She took another step back from him, wrenching her hand from his, "Well, then you won't mind if we started off being friends then?" she asked.
Edward's smile fell from his face, "Friends?' What the fuck?
"Yes, friend's," Bella said with a nod. Her gaze fastened on his mouth, and he watched as she nervously licked her lower lip.
He suddenly was overcome with mixed emotions, and wasn't sure if he wanted to shake her or kiss her for making things more difficult between them, than was necessary. "Is that what you want?" he asked her not liking this idea at all, "You don't want to be my girl?"
"Yes…I mean no…I mean eventually yes. But I think it best we start off as friends first."
He drew in a deep breath to try and control the displeasure he felt from her words, the last thing he wanted was to be 'just friends' with this woman. But if it would make her happy, would help him win her trust, and get her quicker into his arms and his bed, then so be it. He plastered a fake smile on his handsome face, and shoved his hands into the pockets of his expensive black trousers, "Okay, then…friends it is."
With a sigh Bella gave him a slight smile, "Thank you…Anthony."
She said. Before her eyes glanced over his shoulder, "its getting late…I-I didn't realize. You probably need to go. I wouldn't want my father to come back home and still see you here…" she trailed off, as she stared into his smoldering eyes.
"No we wouldn't want that…now would we?" he murmured, fighting the aching need to pull her back into his arms and devour her mouth with his. Though having another go around with her father wasn't that bad of an idea, after all he had a bone to pick with the police chief putting his nose where it didn't belong a few days ago, he thought darkly.
She took another step back and turned for the door, "You need to go," she said as she stood there holding it open.
"Sure," he said as he dejectedly walked back out onto the porch, only to stop and turn back around, "Bella, I…we," he trailed off and nervously ran his hand through his hair. Shit, what the hell was wrong with him? Why was he suddenly tongue-tied? He Edward fucking Cullen did not get tongue tied ever.
"Yes…Anthony?"
"I'll see you around?" he said softly, and moved forward to give her a hug, but Bella steeped away from him.
"I'd like that," she said before closing the door.
Edward stood there for a few moments staring at the door and wondered how long it would take and what else he would need to do in order to gain her trust. Because this friend thing he'd only be able to put up with for so long before he was pulling his hair out with frustration. He chuckled darkly and shook his head as he headed down the steps and back to his Volvo, "You will be mine, Bella Swan if it is the last thing that I do. I don't give up easily on things that I want, and in the end I will always get my way, because I am the most powerful man in Washington."
…...
A/N: I apologize for taking so long to update, I was on vacation…but I'm back now. Anyway there was chapter # 4, I hope you all liked it, and I didn't babble on to much.
What I am trying to get across to everyone is how Edward is almost like a completely different person, all most like night and day difference. When he's not around Bella the dark side of his nature comes out, leaving no room in his heart for anything that comes close to selflessness, pity, love…caring. He's just this dark, sadistic, selfish, monster, and a commanding leader of the crime family. But its when he's around Bella that the nicer side of him comes out to play and I try to give you a glimpse of how he can be when love tries to melt that icy heart of his…Bella and his family are the only people in his life he gives two cents about they are the ones that keep him grounded.
So what I was shooting for, was to show you that his emotions where everywhere across the board in chapter's 3 and 4. One minute he's angry, dark, sadistic and upset, then the next lustful, possessive and caring but still somewhat dark and angry, and toward the end still moody but really needing and caring enough about Bella to try and work with her on there relationship. I hope I got that across sometimes I have trouble putting what I'm trying to say into words.
Thanks again for all your reviews for chapter's one and two and three. Looking forward to seeing your next reactions and thoughts for chapter #4, as long as they are positive. I am shooting for another 60 positive reviews to post the next chapter, please keep them coming? Also another list provided below of Italian words used in this chapter.
Thanks
Gokdeneyes123
* Meaning of Italian words
Amore mio = my Love
Piccolo = baby
Grazie = Thank you, thanks
Capisci = you understand?
Si = yes
Capisco = I understand, (interj. I see v. understand, realize, catch, perceive, make out, get, see)
Dio = God
