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Chapter Four

APOV

I just pulled into the parking lot of the mall. I figured I had a little while before I needed to return to Bella's house. Bella and Edward apparently had needed some one on one time.

Edward had been acting strange ever since our talk in the hospital. I kept having flashes of him stooping to all time lows to taste her. I must admit that I had been afraid to leave her alone for too long with him. Once I even saw him going all Angelina on her. Tying her up and then carrying a vial of her blood around his neck with him so he could swig it whenever he felt the need. Obviously before he truly ever thought it, he had changed his mind. But it definitely showed how desperate he had become. I never would have imagined anyone, let alone Edward, having to deal with that addictive behavior. It was completely unheard of.

Before I left I tried to look and make sure nothing unfortunate would happen while I was away. I needed to pick Bella up some new clothes. I can only take oversized t-shirts and sweat pants that are two sizes too large for so long. Just because you are held up in the house did not excuse poor fashion.

It appeared a little fuzzy but it looked like he simply wanted his usual chaste-Oh I would never want to disrespect you Bella-alone time. Poor Bella. Even if mother nature was not calling I never saw Edward going farther than second base with her. She must have really loved him to have given up the option of some good sexing. Thank God Jasper has a strong desire for some womanly comfort.

Just as I was walking out of my first store I was hit with a vision. Bella falling…..Mister Knight catching her……Edward finally being honest…….Bella offering herself in exchange for intimacy…you go girl….Him licking her…..again……she cut her tongue…….he pretty much sucks her face off.

Well, it looked like I had some more time to shop after all. I had nothing to worry about. I did not see things getting any more out of control for the moment.

Oooohhhh, Kate Spade…… I would just pop in this store really quickly.

Actually it was fortunate he decided to practically dislodge her tongue through his suction. Even though the venom was very minute from his nicking her tongue, his sucking it out again assured there should not have been any major consequences. Only our Bella would have that kind of luck.

Hmm, I wondered how far they were willing to take this little bit of knowledge. Bella and I would need to have a little girl talk the next time Edward went to hunt. Maybe this would become very interesting.

EPOV

A few weeks had passed since our little arrangement had been made. Bella was so concerned for me. She was always more than willing to sacrifice herself for my benefit. Not that it took too much effort on her part. She truly was the most accident prone human I had ever encountered.

If she happened to nick herself shaving, she would call me. She stubbed her toe once and she called me. I always handsomely rewarded her with her new found hobby. Our kissing had become more of an exploration than I ever dreamed possible. Bella had tried a few times to push our boundaries further but I informed her that there are lines I just would not cross.

It seemed that my cravings were becoming very manageable. Just when it appeared that I could not function another minute without tasting my angel, she would call out my name and satisfy me all over again.

Anytime her blood was in my mouth, I felt that I had a little piece of heaven inside of me. Life, if that is what I could have called my existence, was at an all time high. It could not possibly have gotten better than this….

BPOV

I was moving around my room trying to decide what to wear today. I had plenty to choose from since Alice came home with a car full of bags of suitable lounge clothes. She eyed us funny when she got back to the house after the first time Edward and I bargained. I wondered then if she was aware of what took place, but since Edward was always around us, if she did have a clue she kept her opinions to herself.

Alice would be at my home momentarily to take us out for the day. She knew I was getting cabin fever and had to go somewhere, anywhere other than this house.

Charlie had been hovering over me. It was completely unlike him but I can see where he felt he had need for concern.

Edward had been around more than usual as well. He was even unwilling to hunt as much lately and I could tell it was taking a toll. Alice convinced him to go out with Jasper today since she and I would be otherwise engaged.

He seemed to be dealing much better lately with his issues. I noticed his shaking and stammering was becoming less frequent. Luckily for him I happened to be the least coordinated person on the face of the planet and it did not take much for me to help him out. He was always so entertaining after he had his fix. I saw a side to Edward I had never known to exist. I thoroughly enjoyed the first few moments after my wound was sealed over with his mouth. He would take me in his arms and caress me while our mouths locked on one another. I was hoping he would explore a little more but he always said no. I am hopeful that we can change that soon. Surely he must see that he has better control than he thought.

Just as I finished tying the string on my Juicy lounge pants Alice appeared at my door. "Not that I don't appreciate your help and all but was it really necessary to spend eighty some odd dollars on a pair of sweats?"

"Oh please Bella. Don't be ridiculous! I only wish there had been more options but when I left to go shopping I thought I was going to be on a smaller time frame. I could have done better than Juicy Couture given more time."

I just rolled my eyes. She was too much sometimes. "Okay, ready to head out?"

"I made us reservations to eat and we still have a little bit until we have to leave." She sat down next to me on the bed. "So, how have things been going between you and my dear brother? We haven't had time to talk lately and I could not wait to get rid of him. You have no idea how difficult it was to convince him to go with Jasper today. He was moping around the house until the moment Jazz had to drag him out the door."

"Things are going well. You know how Edward is. He is always so protective of me. He is just worried for my well being." If she didn't know about Edward's new habit, I wasn't going to be the one to tell her. I found it amazing that she had not approached me with visions of any sort.

"Going well! Really? See Bella, you may not realize this but being a vampire has it's advantages." She crossed her legs and gave me a knowing look. Oh no, here we go.

"Aside from having my abilities, we have very heightened senses. Like vision, for example. And oddly enough I have noticed lately that you are developing shimmery marks all over your body. To the naked eye, they would hardly be noticeable they are so small. But to me, you are shining like a vamp in the sunlight." She was grinning ear to ear. "Would you care to enlighten me as to what exactly you and Edward have been doing while I am away?"

"Alice, you obviously already know. I was wondering why you had not had visions lately."

"Oh, Bella! You know me so well." She sighed for dramatic effect. "I did have my fair share of visions of you and him. Some were a little disturbing, I must say. I am glad to see though that he has begun to remove some walls. How do you feel about what is happening? I know it is difficult for him, but I want to know how it is for you."

"Well, I am glad to help Edward out. I have never seen him vulnerable until this and it makes me happy that he was able to turn to me. I have to admit though that I was hoping our arrangement would have involved a little more….uumm... Action?" I noticed I was biting my lip now. This was embarrassing but it was Alice, my best friend. I needed someone to talk to.

"Did you see what happened the first day you left?" I almost hoped she did so I did not have to give her a play by play of events.

"Yes I did Bella. Why do you think I was gone so long? I saw that he was not going to hurt you so I decided to stay out a while longer to give you some time to receive your payment. People probably thought I was nuts because I was walking though the store laughing out loud to myself. That was some funny stuff!"

"Always happy to amuse my friends. Even if it is at my expense, Alice." I pushed my bottom lip out to muse pouting.

"Okay Bella. Tell me something. Has it occurred to you since the first day to maybe use this knowledge to benefit yourself? I am pretty sure that a little over the shirt action and open mouth kissing is not all you had in mind." She wiggled her eyebrows up and down.

"No, not exactly. I have tried to address this with him but he seems to be standing his ground. I am afraid that if I push too much he will go back to how it was before and I do not think I could handle that in the least. It's like he is two different people. I even gave person number two the name Eddie. Because that is most definitely not Edward!"

Seriously, I had always doubted he would go this far. Could I even dream to go a step, or two, further?

"Well Bella, my friend, I am here to help you out. I have been dying to talk to you about this. Keep in mind that I do not wish my saint of a brother any harm. I do love him but I have got to say…..maybe you could give him a little push to come out of his shell. Bring little Eddie out to the surface more often. You have been so willing to see to his needs that you are overlooking your own. What incentive does he have to loosen up if he does not have to think twice about satisfying himself? I have not seen him twitchy or shaky in weeks."

"Alice Cullen! Since when did you become a sadomasochist? I hate to see him in pain. I don't think I could do that intentionally." How could she have wanted to hurt him? I knew she loved him.

"I am not saying deny him for eternity. I am saying that if you held out a little bit longer, maybe were a little more careful when you shaved, or walked, he may be more willing to give in to your desires. He would do almost anything to make that go away. Trust me, I have had flashes to prove it." She looked a little disturbed at that last bit. "Just try holding out a couple of extra days and see where it takes you. Hell, maybe you would be pleasantly surprised and actually get to third base."

"You are a genius Alice!" I exclaimed and threw my arms around her neck giving her a bear hug even Emmett would have been proud of.

"Tell me something I don't know, dear sister. Now let's get going. We are going to miss our reservation."

She helped me down the stairs and into her car. As we were driving we started discussing the demise of Edward Cullen, even if only temporarily. Eddie was going to come out to play. I was certain of it.

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AN: Next chapter will be more Edward and Bella action. What do you think she should request with her newly discovered knowledge? Decisions…..decisions…..