I don't own. I just play : )
We didn't speak for the next week, except for the occassional greeting. It was almost like we didn't know how to process our almost-there bond from the night at the bar. I can't say I was happy about him throwing me over his shoulder like some crazy Tarzan, but I guess I understand why he did it. Even though I didn't want to admit it, Edward still seemed to know me pretty well even though I'm not the same person I used to be. The thought that he can see right through me scared the shit out of me. I didn't like him having that type of power.
"Hey," I mumbled as I walked in the door. I was feeling exhausted from a long day at work. I hated getting home after dark, but whenever we got a new shipment of books I usually had to stay late to stock.
"Hi," Edward said, keeping his eyes on the television.
I sighed and went back to my bedroom. This whole silence gig was driving me nuts. I didn't think I was ready to have a philosophical debate with him or anything, but I was starting to talk to my plants. That's an issue for me. A big one.
I pulled on a tank top and shorts before deciding to make the first move. I grabbed a blanket and shuffled out to the living room.
"What are you doing?" I asked, plopping on the couch beside him.
"I think I'm going to watch this new action movie on TV. It's called 'Fist Smash' or something like that?" He flipped through a couple of channels.
"What's it about?"
"I don't know." He shrugged. "Something about...fists...smashing."
"Okay." I leaned back. I could handle this. I wasn't a huge fan of action movies, but I could deal. Maybe he'd take it as my white flag of surrender that I was willing to sit through something as ridiculous as this movie sounded.
I knew I was not going to last before the credits even ended. I sighed in annoyance and hugged a pillow tight to my chest.
"Problem Princess?" He asked, cocking his eyebrow.
"Do we really have to watch this?"
"No, you don't have to watch this." He turned back to the screen as someone punched their fist through a wall.
"That's totally believable," I said, rolling my eyes.
"And what do you propose we watch?"
"I could go for a comedy right now. Although with how tacky this is, I would almost consider it one."
He laughed and shook his head, failing to acknowledge my suggestion. Maybe if I could just get a hold of the remote...
I shifted my eyes slightly to the space between us, looking for it. I noticed it right by his leg and noted that this could go a few ways. I could miss and grab him instead. I could grab the remote and he would attack. Or I could grab the remote and run away. I bit down on my lip as I contemplated. This would have to be a Chuck Norris move if there ever was one, but it had to be done. I don't even think Chuck himself would caught in a movie like this. It actually made me want to watch a Steven Segal movie.
I cleared my throat and kept watching the remote. I held my breath and in one swift move reached for the remote. I smiled to myself when I felt my fingers wrap around it. My smile faded when I felt Edward's fingers wrap around my wrist.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He asked.
"It's mine!" I tugged it towards me.
"I was here first!" He tugged back as I wrapped both hands around it and started pushing my legs against his chest for leverage. "Bella! No!" His face started turning red as he tugged against me. He pulled so hard that I flew towards his chest, pushing him back onto the couch. Somewhere in the scuffle the remote slipped through the couch cushions and I was left straddling him for no reason with my face inches from his.
I tried to say something, but no words came out. I couldn't move. Mostly because my thighs were at his hips right now and even though I hated admitting it, they liked it there. In fact they were thinking about purchasing a timeshare there to vacation every now and then. I squeezed them together and I swore he arched his hips up to mine. My breath hitched in my throat as I struggled for something to say.
"I didn't...I didn't mean to," I stammered.
"Me neither." His voice was completely calm even though we may or may not have just dry thrusted each other. He was breathing really hard and I couldn't help but notice how it moved me up and down over his body.
"Edward," I whispered. It was a warning to both of us. This was going somewhere fast and we needed to put the brakes on it right away or we were going to crash and burn. I didn't stop him as he inched up closer to me. He glanced down at my lips and licked his, but I didn't move. I could have done a million things. Pulled away. Slapped him. Start screaming my head off. I did nothing. I just sat there and waited for him to kiss me. Man I wanted him to kiss me.
"I've got a large package for you," a male voice said. Something didn't sound right. Something in his voice was...dirty.
"I've got the perfect slot for you baby," a woman whimpered. I wrinkled my nose and turned my head towards the television just in time to see a guy dressed in a UPS suit whip out his dick. Of course the remote switched it to porn. Why the hell couldn't it switch it to 'Everybody Loves Raymond' or 'Two and a Half Men'? I know Charlie Sheen is a whack job, but I'd rather watch him than see this blonde bimbo get her package delivered.
I shot up before Edward's lips reached mine and started flailing. I fell off the couch and landed with a thud on the floor. Before Edward could even think about helping me up, I scrambled to my feet and mumbled something about "explosive diarrhea" before rushing to the bathroom. I realized on the journey down the hallway that I could have thought of something better and less embarrassing, but it was too late to go back now. I had to get out of there.
I slammed the bathroom door shut and released the breath I was holding. "What the fuck just happened?" I whispered to myself. I started pacing back and forth in the bathroom, tugging at my hair and trying to piece everything together. The problem was the pieces didn't fit. It was like I had a million puzzle pieces from different puzzles. It just didn't work. The vag mutiny was in full force again. I'd have to get her in check because I could tell she was going to get me in trouble.
When my head stopped spinning, I quietly opened the door and slipped into the kitchen. I grabbed myself a glass of water and cautiously peeked into the living room. Edward was sitting up on the couch again, remote in hand.
"Everything come out okay?" He asked. I retreated back into the kitchen and finished my glass of water in silence.
I finally returned to the couch and cleared my throat. "I just want you to know that I did not have...explosive diarrhea."
"I know." He laughed quietly to himself.
"Now what are you watching?" I asked, trying to avoid any conversation about what had just happened on this couch. I felt like it was tainted now. Maybe I should give it a Viking funeral and set it on fire as it floats down the river.
"It's one of the new horror movies. It's supposed to be pretty good." He glanced my way. "I figured it was a compromise."
"How is this even remotely close to a comedy?"
"Well, I figured since I...did some shopping for you recently, it should lean in my favor a little. And besides, clowns are kind of funny."
"They're fucking creepy and you know that I hate them." I pointed my finger at him.
I grabbed a blanket and moved to the end of the couch, the farthest possible from him. I barely watched half of the movie because I was too busy hiding behind my blanket. I was never a big fan of scary movies. Alice and I usually ended up huddled in a corner together with a tennis racquet for the rest of the night. I figured since Edward was here, I'd be okay. Not that I wanted him to protect me or anything but I could at least sacrifice him to the serial clown killer who was going to break into our apartment later.
"Well that was fun," Edward said when the movie was over. He flipped off the television and said he was going to bed. I sighed and checked the locks on the door and windows before shuffling down the hallway to my bedroom.
I turned on my light beside my bed and settled into bed. Even with the light on, my eyes started shifting around the room and I could feel the goosebumps flush over my skin. Why did I watch that fucking movie?
I glanced at my closet and could have sworn I saw something move in the darkness. I knew my eyes were just playing tricks on me, but it didn't stop my heart from racing. I finally fell asleep somehow, but it didn't last long. I shot straight up from my sleep, panting and caked in sweat. I knew I'd been having a nightmare, but that wasn't what woke me. I could have sworn I just heard something out in the hallway.
"Edward?" I called softly. I took a deep breath and got out of bed, taking my blanket with me. I tiptoed across the floor and counted to three before opening the door. I peeked my head out into the darkness and listened. I was about to close it and tell myself to stop being such an idiot when I heard a loud creak somewhere. I yelped and hightailed it towards Edward's room. I crashed through his door and jumped on his bed, pulling the blanket all around me.
"What the fuck!" He yelled. I felt him sit up in his bed and turn on the light. "Bella?" He started pulling at the blanket that was engulfing me. "What are you doing?"
"I heard something."
"Don't be ridiculous. That movie just freaked you out. It's an apartment building, it's not going to be silent all the time."
"I heard creaking in the apartment, Edward." I was on the verge of tears even though I knew I was being stupid.
"Do you want me to go check for monsters in your closet?" I could almost see the smirk on his face as he spoke.
"Clowns. And the living room and bathroom please."
"God, woman," he said as he crawled out of bed. I was too scared to even be irritated by him. "Pain in the ass."
I popped my head out of my blanket and watched him walk into the darkness. I heard him walk around the apartment, flipping on lights and checking for killer clowns. I assumed when he returned unharmed that the apartment was clean.
"There's nothing out there, Bella," he said. Another creak echoed from somewhere and he jumped about ten feet in the air and lunged for the bed. I threw my blanket over the both of us and held my breath.
"See I told you," I whispered.
"And how is this blanket going to save us?"
"Because we are now invisible," I said, narrowing my eyes at him. A smile played on his lips as he nodded.
"Okay. Invisible."
I couldn't help but laugh at myself, but I didn't want to give him the satisfaction. "Don't laugh at me." I punched him in the shoulder. "You jumped."
He rolled over onto his back and rested his arms behind his head. "No more killer clowns for us I guess."
"Exactly," I sighed. I turned my face slightly towards him and took a deep breath. "Can I stay in here tonight?"
"Yeah." He pushed the blanket off of us. "You can stay." He reached up and pulled a pillow down for me before getting back in bed. I curled up at his feet with his pillow and my blanket and slept better than I thought I would. Maybe it was because I was closer to the window. Most people think that's a point of entry, but I see it as an escape route. As soon as killer clown bursts through the door, I'll be ready for him. I just hope the fire escape is ready for me.
Thanks again for your amazing responses and your support! And I hope you don't ever have explosive diarrhea.
A couple of announcements:
The Roommate was voted as a Fic of the Week over at TLS. You can find the review and the reviews for the other wonderful fics up on their website a little later this week so make sure to check those out.
I'm going to be involved in "Junkin for Joplin", an auction for the victims of the terrible tornado in Joplin. I'll be donating an outtake from Love Like Winter, The Roommate, Code of Conduct or Game, Set, Match. The winning bidder gets to choose ; ) I'll put the link for their Facebook on my profile page. Once you join the group, check out the photo album because that's going to tell you what's up for bid. Once bidding options just "comment" a bid on the photo of what you want. There are also further instructions on the group page. My best advice for auctions is to band together and bid in a group, whatever you're bidding for. You're more likely to win. There's some great things up for auction, so I hope you'll consider bidding. Thanks : )
