A/N: Thanks for all your reviews I really appreciate your opinions and it's nice to know people are reading my story :)Edward finally gets to have his say in this chapter, so I hope you enjoy it.

'I was thinking that..' Edward was silenced when Mike's obnoxious voice calling my name intruded on our private moment and Edward surrendered me and fled my side swiftly.

Chapter 4

Mike's disregard never ceased to irritate me, but this time I was furious. I demanded to know what Edward was going to confess, but Mike's timing was too impeccable for any hopes of that.

I sighed grumpily and slouched tensely against the tarnished wall, in quite an unrefined manner. My arms ridged automatically over my chest, followed by my pouted lips.

Mike revolved round the corner, to rear his ugly head, and an extremely uninviting smile encroached on his lips.

'There you are, I've been looking everywhere for you Isabella. I will have you know it's a wife's duty to remain by her husband's side and you for one are not fulfilling this duty.' He cautioned me in a bothersome tone, and his breath reeked of alcohol. 'Well anyway I came to tell you that cutting the cake is next on the agenda.' He winked at my vulgarly, and I deflected the gesture by whipping my head round in the other direction. He laughed in a repelling manner and impended the distance between us and before I could make a gesture of objection he scooped me up into his undesired arms.

I decided to oppose with action, and pummelled him with my balled fists until he flung me indelicately over his shoulder and spanked me with too much force to be implied as playful.

'Isabella we can do this the easy way or the hard way.' He began, seeming oblivious to my desperate attempts of pulverization. 'Isabella hit me again and I swear I will hit you.' He threatened in an acidic undertone.

But I was too engrossed in my form of attack, and struck one last blow to his back.

That was the breaking point for Mike's patience. He extracted me from beating distance of his back and imposed me upon my feet. Before I could adjust to the sudden alterations the back of Mike's hand marred my face. The impact behind the blow knocked me off my feet and I plummeted cruelly to the ground. The filthiness disgraced my white gown, rather ironically the same way I'd been violated by Mike.

Mike hauled me to my feet recklessly and lifted me back into his abusive, intoxicated arms. He didn't have to question my behaviour after his act of punishment, even if he was unsure that I would behave, I was fully conscious of the fact that I didn't want to be to victim of Mike's violence again. I was carried unwillingly bridal style toward the congregation of our well wishers, but the festivity on their faces suddenly fell, displaying appal as they focused on the state of the unkempt bride. The mud splatters my dress was caked in could have been the cause of their disgust, they could easily have been misinterpreting in an obscene manor. But it equally could have been my maimed red cheek.

I survived the humiliation limp and emotionlessly in Mike's grasp, until he located me by his side, my new rank, as he believed. Our three wedding cakes were featured decoratively on an ashen counter. Following with tradition our wedding cake was a dark, rich fruitcake with ornate white frostings of scrolls, orange blossoms and such delicacies. Mine and Mike's cakes were not as elaborate. Mine was a white cake; his was dark, appropriately to go with his black heart. They were cut into as many pieces as there were attendants and favours were baked inside for luck. Each of the charms had their own meaning.

Mike selected a generous slice of the cake and without warning attempted the cram it into my mouth, but not in the affectionate manor of a husband and wife, it was no doubt the alcohol was causing him to act on a whim. The cake was smeared clearly around my mouth in an inelegant fashion, Mike's vile laughter boomed over the crowds incoherent muttering, due to my current predicament. I could obscurely see Mike's parents, who were snickering along with Mike in the midst of the crowd. Then my eyes mechanically sought out Edward who was gaping at me with an expression that appeared to be transparent concern on my behalf. And If I wasn't mistaken severity was clouding his eyes. I obliterated the remnants of cake around my face which was the root of my humiliation. My cheeks became inflamed in my ashamed state, and I was living up to the phrase the blushing bride.

I deserted the crowd of people discretely with ease; Mike and a few others had preoccupied themselves with their apparent alcoholism.

I trudged out of sight back to the house; I didn't to be want scrutinized anymore because of my bedraggled appearance. For the first time the interior of the house was rather inviting, but no matter how much it currently appealed to me I could never refer to it as home. In my opinion a home was somewhere that possessed people who cared about you, where you felt secure and wanted, and a place where you knew you belonged. And this placed occupied none of those qualities for me; it was like a confinement put in place to hold me hostage against my will, camouflaged as a residence.

I set my sights on the bathroom, the most appropriate place to clean up. I indulged my face with the cool, refreshing water I'd poured into a ready bowl, revelling in the sensation. It instantly calmed me and helped to rationalise my anger, I had to keep my father in mind at times like these. I knew I would be a failure in his eyes if I didn't strive through the hardships of marriage. I brushed my fingers attentively across my still inflamed cheek, the icy water aided in numbing the burning sensation, but the raging swollen mark was still visible. At least on the upside it would excuse my blush for the meanwhile.

I transferred to my bedroom to discard my restrictive wedding gown in exchange for something untarnished and reasonably comfortable. I appointed a light grey floor length frock, with a black velvet trim, and an intricate white lace collar. It could still be deemed appropriate wedding attire; it was very dressed up, well in my opinion. I collected my notepad; I knew if I had to deal with Mike I would have the ultimate desire to express my feelings

I reassembled my hair to its former style; I started toward my door and swung it open only to be hypnotized inescapably by Edward's impeccable green eyes, as he allocated himself before my room. I clutched my pad, the nerves arising due to his presence and indescribable beauty becoming overbearing, and if I had the power of speech I would indefinitely be speechless right now.

'Bella, would it be acceptable for me to come in?' He questioned in a polite demeanour, and I nodded in response, trying not to seem as overly pleased as I was internally.

I permitted him entrance, and closed the door carefully, being sneaky was quite exhilarating.

'I just want you to know, the way Mike treated you was atrocious and I wanted you to know if you were my wife I would never dream of treating you that way. I wouldn't be able to do anything but cherish you.' He paused during his declaration.

'But Bella, that wasn't what I came here to talk to you about.' He delayed again; he appeared to be formulating what he was going to say to me next.

'Look Bella, I know you want your piano back.' His posture became awkward, and his eyes were unfocused as they shifted agitated from one point of fixation to another.

I nodded at him to form an air of reassurance; this was the opening I'd needed.

'Well there's a way you could earn it back.' He announced guarded.

I gawked at him baffled, earn it back? I had absolutely no concept of how I could do that, I had no money or anything worth trading for a piano; and Edward wasn't making it any clearer.

But suddenly as if answering my mental question something unanticipated occurred; Edward breached the space between us and ambushed my lips passionately with his, kidnapping my first kiss. And somewhere in the midst of all this freed sexually tension I hadn't even realised existed, my distorted thoughts fell into place and I was mindful of what Edward was asking of me.

I pulled away; rebuffing his unexpected advances. What he wanted of me was completely immoral to any decent woman.

'Do we have a deal?' He urged attempting to be seductive. I rolled my eyes vexed; it was downright demeaning that he would even have the nerve to ask that of me.

I bypassed Edward, in the hope of avoiding anymore derogatory behaviour from him. But to my agitation he seized my arm and drew me towards him. I thrust against his chest, I wasn't about to be made a victim of his pleasure, I was going to remain an honest woman. Although I was certain Edward had different ideas as he gently cupped the contour of my swelling cheek in his hand.

'Bella, I know how dependant you are on that piano. I know you want it back, and if you make this deal with me I guarantee you will earn it back.' He desperately attempted to convince me. I tried to divert my attention, by attempting to turn my head, but Edward firmly held me to still facing him.

'Look, what if you were to tell Mike you were tutoring me on the piano. And let's say for every key you play I am permitted one lesson.' I stared at him internally debating the pros and cons of this deal, musing over the destruction it could cause. But those bewitching emerald orbs triumphed over all rational thought; if making this deal resulted in meant fraternizing with Edward on a regular basis, how could I refuse. The truth of the matter was I would risk everything I had to be with this man and that more than anything terrified me to recognize.

I shook my head and his luscious lips pouted in chagrin, I lifted a finger, in a gesture to postpone whatever he was about to say. I had a few alterations for this arrangement in mind; every black key would be more than adequate, more than that would be excessive.

I maintained one finger in the air to represent a visit, and then indicated it toward the black band at the confines of my dress to imply a black key. I must admit these clues to what I was trying to explain were rather ambiguous and I was doubtful he would interpret what I was getting at.

'A lesson for every black key?' He speculated eagerly. Well he was Edward the man who'd managed to slip in chamber undetected.

I nodded cautiously; I didn't want him to know enthralled I truly was by this deal. I felt enough of a harlot as it was, I didn't need to give him reason to think so too. And I was beginning to really value Edward's opinion as much as I wanted to remain in denial of the fact; I knew I couldn't keep up the pretence for long. After all my face was like an open book, I would undoubtedly be the worse actress ever, if I'd been given the opportunity.

'Well that's a lot less.' He construed sounding quite disappointed. I strived to release my arm from his hold to prove I meant business.

'But more than agreeable.' He added swiftly.

He smiled a ridiculously alluring crooked smile and leaned toward me, whisking a piece of hair from my face behind my ear, his touch sent electrifying desire all throughout the whole of me.

'Well then until next time, Mrs Newton.' He purred lustfully and I shivered, and it pulsated down my spine on behalf of the fact that I wanted nothing more than him to ravish me here and now. But also when the haze of my desire began to wear off, the reality of me being a married woman brought me down from my momentary high.

A/N: Edward sure is good at getting what he wants. But can you blame Bella for giving in; he's a bit too irresistible. Please review I really appreciate knowing what you think :) thank you xoxox