I have quite a few thank yous to send out this time. There were so many people who sent words of encouragement and requests for postings – and I thank you. You mean the world to me. Once again, Mr. Bigg was my incomparable beta, my best critic and biggest fan, and I couldn't have finished this without you and your insightful input. And I have to give props to three who helped me when I was down: Vicki, Margaret, and Heather. Thank you for your love and support ; you'll never know just how much you helped me.
To everyone who sent encouragement and cries for more, you'll find this chapter a bit longer than usual to sate that need. I gave you lemons to mollify your required wait. Now that we're almost through the holidays, I hope to be back on schedule and post more often.
All characters are the property of Stephenie Meyer. No disrespect or copyright infringement is intended.
Cabin
"What? You two get lost along the way, or just couldn't wait to get here? A little experimenting on your own?" Emmett's grin matched his thoughts: playful, prankish – and completely irritating. Bella frowned and pulled closer to my chest.
"Em, seriously?" I lowered my arms, allowing Bella to drop lightly to her feet. I held her until she was stable. She brushed at her hair with her fingers, as I flashed to Emmett, "Isn't this difficult enough?" I whispered lowly.
"Don't you mean hard enough, little bro?" He jabbed me with his elbow, pushing against my ribs as hard as he could. I felt the pressure, and grimaced, then flashed back to Bella's side. He toppled minutely, regaining his composure before Bella noticed. "Sheesh! So sensitive!"
I turned my face towards Bella. "Want to go inside?"
"Inside… where?"
"Inside the cabin, Bella," I said, motioning to the entry way. "I know it may be tough to see, but the main house is right here." I cupped her elbow in my hand, guiding her to the entrance. The strands of leaves moved without resistance under my hand, revealing the opening. "We call it a cabin, but in actuality, it is a cave." The light from within was warm and welcoming.
"You have electricity here?" She glanced to the sky, apparently looking for wires and cables – conveyances that would never make it here.
Emmett was at my side. "We generate our own electricity. I've already set us up for the first few days."
"How did you…"
"Treadmill generator. Taking a run fuels the generator. Not strictly necessary for us, but it's great for videos and Xbox… so I can kick this one's butt!" He jabbed me in the ribs and winked at Bella. "Besides, you're going to need it to keep warm, and stuff. We packed in some food and blankets for you."
"Uh, thanks, Emmett," Bella said, biting her lip. "I don't suppose you have, um, a bathroom?" Her cheeks flamed red as she looked up at me through her lashes.
I stepped forward, circling my arms around her and pulling her to my chest. "We have everything, love. Let's go inside, night's going to fall soon." She shivered a bit, and I cursed myself mentally for letting my focus drift from her human needs. I pushed aside the vines again, guiding her in. Once she was over the threshold, Alice squealed her name, pulling her into the main room.
"Uh, Edward," Emmett grabbed my arm. Bro, when's the last time you ate?
"The last time you did, before we made plans to come here."
No, Edward, I ate twice after that. You need to eat, bro. Especially if you're going to…His thoughts trailed off into sexual fantasy, with no specific players envisioned.
"I see. You're probably right. I tend to let simple things slip when I'm with her."
"Right. Take Jasper with you, get some grub and come back. We'll take care of Bella, show her the house and stuff."
"I'm not…" I was none too sure about leaving Bella with Emmett, giving his excessive prankishness. And Rosalie still had an only mild regard for Bella's feelings. "Maybe that's not such a great idea."
"Dude, I'm on my best behavior. Rose, too. And Carlisle and Esme'll be here, with Alice. It'll be cool, I promise." He smiled and crossed his heart, as if in an oath sworn with blood. "Scouts honor. Besides, Jasper needs to hunt. Told me on the way up."
Maybe he was right. My thirst could not become a factor in the experiment we would put her through; if my focus was interrupted with thoughts of Bella's blood… Venom rose and swelled into my mouth at the thought. I swallowed with a grimace. "All right, then. We'll go in a few minutes. Let me tell Bella."
He punched me in the arm and muttered "Pussy-whipped." But his thoughts were warm and tender, taking pride in my care for Bella. I smiled weakly, rubbing my arm in mock pain.
Bella was sitting on the couch, listening to Alice's animated soliloquy. Her eyes flashed to mine, looking for some pull strong enough to save her from the onslaught that was Mary Alice Brandon.
"And I think an outdoors wedding will be beautiful, don't you? White ribbons, oh! And lavender flowers!" Alice trilled on, refusing to notice Bella's distraction.
"Alice, let me speak with Bella for a moment."
She pouted. Fine, but bring her right back. We have so much to plan!
Bella stood, leaving Alice with an apologetic smile. She took a few unsteady steps in my direction. "What's wrong?" She frowned a little, pulling her brows into her distinctive v.
"Nothing, love. But as you said at the airport, I should eat. Emmett and Alice will keep you company and show you around." I pulled her into my embrace, rubbing her arms. "I won't be long, I swear."
"You'd better not be; I don't know if I can survive Hurricane Alice," she whispered into my chest.
"I heard that!" Alice chimed laughingly.
I kissed the top of her head as Jasper appeared at my side. She lifted her face towards mine, and I bent to her lips, inhaling her scent as I pressed my mouth against hers. "I'll be back as quickly as possible."
"Okay," she said, and turned away. "Okay, Alice, I'm yours, but I'm not wearing stilettos, even if they are white."
~ooO0Ooo~
Jasper ran silently beside me, our senses pointed down the hillside in search of food. Rocky crags marked our trek like soundless sentinels overseeing the mayhem we caused in the animal world. Jasper had taken a bear, I, a mountain lion. tracking a herd of deer, our thirst grew with each forward stride.
I glanced to my side and Jasper nodded to me. I'll take the lead. You box them in from the flank. I nodded back, cutting to the left to bring up the rear. The kill would be easy, our thirst slaked, and my run back to the arms of my beloved entirely too long.
We drank in silence. Jasper finished his kill first, and stood, brushing the dirt and leaves from his pants. He sang an old military march in his head, which was unlike him.
"Jasper?" I pushed the carcass away and stood. "What's bothering you?"
He turned to me, his face tense. I know you have to be concerned about tonight. He held his gift at bay, emoting nothing, but the images that accompanied his simple statement spoke volumes of the danger as he saw it. Do you want to talk before we go back? "Just to walk through it. I know you analyze everything."
"I do," I said, staring at the dead animal at my feet. I had considered all I would be asking of Bella. Certainly, she'd been in jeopardy before because of me; my very presence put her in jeopardy. This, however, was quite different. She would be the center of my attention, but my sensory perception would be agitated, excited by Jasper's gift. Instead of dancing with her fate, she would be tempting it, asking for fate to end her life. At my hands, for my sake. Considering it all, the request seemed ridiculously out of balance. Wrong.
My warring thoughts exuded distress and worry through my pores. I closed my eyes, slowly shaking my head. I must restrain myself. Jasper cringed visibly; I realized the unease with my internal flagellations surrounded me where I stood and impacted him.
He glanced up at me, his eyes tightening. You should know how it feels coming back to you. A ball of shame and angst hit my gut, causing my own thoughts to prickle and burn beneath my skin. It will be like that as I reflect your lust back to you.
I shook my head as the torment dissipated. "It's so strong. Is there a way to temper the strength?"
I'm concerned about it myself. Without an outlet, I can modulate the intensity a bit, but I'm playing your emotions back to you, which heightens their intensity.
"What if you had an… outlet?"
The only way I could would be to have… Images filled his head, things I'd prefer never to see.
"Yes, basically, you have the gist of it."
He nodded and thought an apology. Jasper and I stood face to face in the woods, separated only by the carcasses of the animals we'd consumed, only one speaking, but communicating in a wholly unnatural way.
~ooO0Ooo~
"Bella," I said, rushing to her side. "I missed you." She was feather-light in my arms, a wisp, a soul, a weightless breeze that held my heart.
She stretched up on her toes to kiss me. "Alice has been talking my ears off about the wedding," she said. "I'm not even sure what I've agreed to."
"No need to worry, Bella," Alice chimed. "I have it all right here." She tapped the side of her head with her finger, and the images of the wedding came together in strong focus, save one small detail.
"What about the dress?" I hadn't truly meant to ask, but the absence of that image was so conspicuous, it became compelling.
She leveled her gaze at me. "You don't get to see it before the wedding, that's what." It's bad luck, silly.
"We're already married, Alice," I replied. She shot me a murderous glance, and I knew I was fighting a losing battle. I turned back to Bella. "We should go to our room."
Bella leaned in and whispered, "Now? With everybody, well, just here? Knowing?"
"They know why we came here, Bella," I whispered softly. My family all turned away, hearing the bloom of embarrassment in her voice. "Come. You need a minute to freshen up." I pressed my palm to the small of her back, reveling in the heat. "Good night, everyone. We'll see you in the morning."
The family murmured passive goodnights. Their minds told a different story: Warnings of caution, hoots of encouragement, and expressions of confidence cut across the false air of tranquility. As Bella and I moved down the hall, I wondered again about the possibility of a successful outcome. My fears for Bella began to swell as we approached our room, and I reached for something, anything, to steady my nerves and steel myself to the requirement of the experiment.
The polished wood walls exuded a faint scent, mixing with Bella excited aroma nicely. I let the scent pull deeply into my lungs, focusing on the nearness of the woman next to me. Suddenly, she tripped lightly, righting herself and glancing up at me. "Sorry."
"Bella. Never apologize to me for being who you are." Blush painted her cheeks, and her scent increased, feeding my heightened attention on her. "This is our room."
I pushed the door open, allowing her to enter first. Alice and Esme had been here before; the bed already made in white sheets and duvet, and pulled back, ready for us. A white slip of lace lay across the foot of the bed, and the room was warm and comfortable.
Bella assessed the room with wide eyes. "No windows?"
"No, remember, it's built into the side of a mountain. The air comes in through…," I pointed to the vent. "There. We added it when we could, around 1970 or so."
"How long – ," she started, but I could wait no longer. I allowed my kiss to consume her words, ready to be beside her, with her flesh heating mine. She pushed the hot tip of her tongue into my mouth, and a low moan escaped from my throat.
"I don't want to talk about the décor," I said, lifting her hips. She wrapped her legs around my waist in response, her hands already twining in my hair. "In fact, I don't want to talk at all." My cold, hard lips pressed against her heated, pliable mouth. I set us both down on the bed gently, never breaking the kiss or our hold.
Though I'd been born nearly a century before her, I could not escape the feeling that I'd been made to kiss Bella. Our tongues danced in a frenzy of desire and passion, her taste mingling with mine. Her corybantic cardiac pounding against my still chest called to me, pulsing for both of us in a wild, abandoned rhythm. Too fast.The thought entered my head and wouldn't leave. I pulled back, looking into her eyes.
"Do you want to freshen up first? There's a wash basin and towels behind the screen, there," I pointed with my gaze. We stayed entangled in each other's embrace, neither willing to break the closeness we felt.
"Do I smell bad to you?" She leaned in and bit my lip, then pressed her mouth against mine.
"Quite the opposite," I whispered, my lips against hers. "I'd prefer not to move right now, if the truth be told." I kissed her again softly.
She laughed a little girl's trill, the titter she released only when deeply happy. "Okay. I'll be right back." She leaned around me, grabbing the lacy slip and sliding to her feet. "I'll be right back. Don't go away." She pecked me on the lips and disappeared behind the screen.
Water spilled into the bowl, and Bella gasped as she splashed it across her skin. "Gah! This water's so cold!"
"Sorry, sweetheart," I said, moving through the room. I turned the lights to low, and shrugged out of my clothes. The sheets were warm, the heated mattress pad adding to the comfort. "The bed is warm, Bella, so you won't be cold tonight."
I slipped beneath the sheet, quietly chuckling to myself at the little tent I inadvertently erected. "Well," Bella breathed lowly. "What do you think?"
She stepped around the corner of the screen, and my mouth dropped open. I had no words to describe the beauty before me. Her skin peeked luminously beneath the slip, pink and in perfect complement to the delicacy of the lace itself. The petal blush of her nipples bloomed in pastel contrast to the white lace that strained across them. She stood shyly before the screen, watching me as I took her in. "Do you like it?" She glanced down, brushing at the drape on her hips.
"Come here. Let me show you."
She bounded to the bed, stumbling slightly only once, and slipped beneath the sheet I held aloft for her. My nakedness was clear, and a sharp inhalation signaled her view of my erection. Her warm hands clasped around my shaft, and I followed with a sharp inhalation of my own.
"Bella," I moaned. Her name was angel song, ringing in my chest and skin. She smiled up at me, as she stroked my length, pushing her gentle fingers around the head. "This could be dangerous, love. No, this will be dangerous. You must say immediately if anything causes you pain. We should have a safe word."
"Mmm," she breathed as her tongue flicked out across my nipple.
A husky growl escaped my throat, thick with desire. "Bella, please. Just tell me what you'll say if you're hurt. Please. I want you," I croaked, lifting her face to mine, kissing her mouth.
"Persimmon," she whispered against my lips. The word was the signal to release my tether to here and now, losing myself in the sweet fragrance and burning touch of my lover, my wife. I pressed my mouth to hers, pushing my tongue into her parted lips.
I wanted to lose myself in her, find salvation, redemption, belonging, all in my lover's embrace. I poured myself into her yearning kiss, telling her with my hands, my body, that I would never leave her, never have enough. I wanted no thought other than the luxury of her skin next to mine, her hair tangled around my fingers like cords of restraint'; how could I leave? I could never leave. My need pulled her closer, so carefully, tenderly. Her skin glided beneath my tongue and the elegance of her neck, pulsing and smooth beneath my lips.
I was lost in her touch when a sudden otherness plagued my reverie. Jasper slipped in, dragging Alice with him to hide behind the screen. I had known this was how it would work, had known they would come here, but a low growl rumbled in my chest at the awareness of their presence.
"What is it, Edward?" Bella's voice was soft, nearly unspoken. She searched my eyes, looking for the source of my disturbance.
"Nothing," I murmured, my lips engaging hers once again. I breathed into her mouth, "I want you. I want to feel you, all over."
Bella needed no other encouragement. She dragged her tongue and teeth down my neck, across my collarbone as her hands slid down my sides. Her soft tongue swirled around my right nipple as her hand pinched and pulled the other. I leaned in, kissing her hair, running my hands down her exquisite back and over her perfect ass. Her tongue painted wicked designs down my belly, curling the hair that led ever downward. When her mouth met my cock, I moaned her name aloud.
I didn't know how Bella was so innately proficient in giving head, but I thanked God in Heaven for this extra blessing. The warmth of her wet mouth thrilled me, and as she trailed her tongue around the underside of the head, I felt my balls pull tight in anticipation. "Bella, love, that feels so good. Go slower, please love, I don't want to come yet." She immediately slowed her actions, but increased the pressure and intensity, allowing her soft teeth to drag up and down the shaft of my cock.
Again, I became aware Jasper's mind as my passion reached him behind the screen. Alice's mouth had found similar purchase, and her ministrations amplified Jasper's already lust-filled thoughts. Bella cupped my balls, warming them in her hands. Alice's tongue slid down, taking one of Jasper's balls into her mouth. Bella kissed and sucked up the shaft of my cock, her mahogany hair spilling deliciously onto my abdomen; Jasper gripped Alice's hair more tightly. Two heads bobbed down the shaft; two tongues swirled around the tip before swallowing the length. My body was consumed in the fire of want, of need. I needed her now. Now.
"Bella," I breathed pulling her from my cock. I pulled her to my face and watched surprise and lust sweep across her features before pushing her lips to mine. Her mouth was pure sex: Her own intoxicating flavor rinsed through with the taste of cock on her tongue. Jasper kissed Alice deeply, lifting her; I pulled Bella beneath me and rolled above.
"I need to be inside you." The words held a strange echo, and I realized Jasper said the same to Alice. Bella nodded briefly, biting her lip and closing her eyes. The head of my member lay at her wet and warm entrance. As I pushed gently forward; Jasper's cock slid into Alice. The wave of desire struck me, taking me by surprise, unbalancing me. I felt my nostrils flare, the scent of Bella/Alice flooding our thoughts, our needs, our pure desire and want… My hands grasped Bella's shoulders as I drove my cock forward into her waiting sex.
My God. No one had ever felt this much need, this much longing. I reluctantly pulled back so I could plunge again, shaking with passion and desire. Bella moaned softly, drawing my eyes to her face. Her eyes were closed, her lips parted, ecstasy painted across her delicate features. I tried holding back, savoring the moment, delighting in the absolute warmth and pleasure that was my wife, when another wave of lust broke across my chest.
My hands tightened on Bella's shoulders, causing a wince to crease her brow. I recognized her expression of pain, dimly realizing that we were both under the influence of Jasper's unholy gift. I lifted my thumbs from her skin, to see the blood rush beneath the indentation, the birth of a bruise coloring her skin. Though I knew I should hate myself, knew I should stop, venom flooded my mouth and I heard myself growl, "More."
Jasper was no longer consciously pushing lust to me; his thoughts were only of his mate, bouncing on his shaft, wet and warm and willing. Alice's head appeared above the screen, popping up and down in rhythm to their fucking. Bella moaned below me, and the white world of sheets and lace bled into blood red. I realized I was ready, ready to bite her soft flesh, drink her hot, sweet blood, come into her warm sex…
"Oh Jasper, Jasper!" Alice's shouts were loud and frantic. "Emmett! Emmett, I need you, Emmett!" Emmett? I knew something was wrong, but I didn't care. The world blazed in crimson, my mind lost the haze, the color of my desire. I plunged into Bella's center again, leaning my head in to sate my burning throat as my cock began to shoot.
The door flung open. Emmett bounded into the room. His entrance was filled with purpose and will until the wall of lust hit him. For a flash of an instant, his hand moved to his cock and he began to masturbate. Alice shrieked Jasper's name one more time, this time, the tone one of urgency and fear. Emmett's hand stopped in midstroke, his arms now pulling at mine, ripping me from the snugness of Bella's warm pussy. She opened her eyes in shock as Emmett and I struggled. I did not want Emmett there. I wanted Bella. I would have Bella. I would have her.
"Dammit, Emmett," I shouted as he pulled me off the bed. I struggled in scarlet, my cock flying free, jism shooting haphazardly in my exertion to free myself. "I want her. Let me go! Let me go now!" My body shook and struggle against Emmett's iron hold, my mind alit with the fiery need for Bella's body and blood. "Let me go!"
Jasper's hand shot into my open mouth while the words still rang in the room. A glass tube tapped against my teeth as he gathered the sample.
"All right, Em," was all he said, and suddenly, the burning ruby flames evaporated into embarrassment and shame. I stopped struggling. The steady stream of come that had shot from my body just moments before trailed off uselessly. I felt repulsed and sick, and I slumped in Emmett's arms.
Bella had crawled on all fours to the edge of the bed, shouting. "Let him go! Get off him!" She still wore the white lace slip, but her features were now glowing with rage instead of passion. "Get off him, Emmett! Let him go!"
Emmett dropped his grip, letting my body fall into a heap on the floor. Bella stumbled over to me, pulling me into her arms.
Jasper slapped Emmett on the back. "Thanks, bro. You did the right thing." At the door, Alice joined Jasper, shooting a glance to me. Her thoughts matched the words she mouthed. Sorry.
I hope this was worth the wait. Please comment, let me know your thoughts.
