A Stained Seduction
Chapter 8
Masen House
What's the matter?" Edward asked me as the waitress left with our drink orders.
"Nothing," I lied, and I thought that I was getting better at it, I mean Edward hadn't caught on to my plans yet so surely I was getting better at the whole being deceitful thing, right?
"Liar," he said leaning back in the booth and folding his arms over his chest, distracting me as I watched the muscles in his arms ripple with the movement.
"What?" I asked innocently as the waitress, once again paying no mind to me at all, set our drinks down on the table before walking away.
"You know what, Isabella," he said seriously, looking at me as I wasted time taking a sip from the coke Edward had ordered.
"Bella…" he warned.
"What? What do you want?" I asked slightly louder than my normal 'inside voice'.
He raised his eyebrows as he studied me unflinching. He shifted then, bringing himself closer to me. He placed his index finger under my chin and raised it until I was looking him in the eyes.
"What is the matter, love? And do not tell me it is nothing. I've never seen you act like this, something is wrong."
His eyes were boring into mine with such force that I had no choice but to look away, but he wasn't having that.
"Isabella. Look at me," he demanded shaking me lightly, forcing my gaze back to his.
"I don't know," I said honestly, and I didn't. I was just feeling so…. plain. So unworthy of him at this moment that I was doing everything in my power to keep the tears I was holding back so desperately from falling and ruining everything. I knew that if I cried, I would not be able to hold anything back and he could not know, not yet. So instead I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my head in his shoulders. Yet again, the waitress came back to our table to take our orders, thought it had to be beyond obvious that we didn't want to be bothered.
"Have you decided yet?" she asked perkily. I hadn't even really looked at the menu.
"Yes," Edward said, and I could feel the vibrations in his throat as he spoke.
"Okay then, what would you like?" her sickly sweet voice responded. I wanted to hit her.
"A new waitress at another restaurant," he said snidely as he stood, picking me up with him as he threw three ones on the table - I was shocked that he didn't even leave a tip. Edward always tips - and walked out of the restaurant.
He was mumbling to himself as we walked down the street. I had tried to remove myself from his arms, but he just held me tighter every time so I just pressed myself tighter to him, breathing in his scent with every breath I took. Before long I found myself in line at… burger king? Edward ordered for me, still not allowing me to extract myself from him despite the stares we were getting. We sat in one of the booths as he unwrapped my sandwich and put the straw in my soda, even going as far as to open the ketchup and place it near the French fries.
Without a word he lifted me away from him and set me down on the seat beside him. I picked up a French fry and twirled it around in the ketchup. I was stalling and I knew it.
"What was she thinking?" I asked finally after I ran out of French fries.
"Hmm?" He murmured distractedly.
"The waitress… Back at the diner. What was she thinking?" I tried my best to make it sound like it wasn't important but I had never seen Edward act like that before.
He was always so respectful. I could actually hear his teeth smash together, a sharp thud in my right ear, as his jaw clenched.
"It doesn't matter. She was making you uncomfortable and it was rude." He stated between clenched teeth.
I said nothing as I sipped my soda, waiting for him to continue, the look he was giving making it clear that there was more to the story. Before long he turned until he was completely facing me, taking my hands in his as he looked into my eyes.
"You have to know Bella, that I love you with every piece of my heart- as still as it is- nothing will ever change that. You are mine in every sense of the word. Wholly and completely for the rest of forever. From that first day my heart has been yours as is my soul. Not that it's worth much but it, too, is yours. I will allow nothing to come between us. Do you understand me, Bella?"
The conviction in his eyes, in the words he spoke, was too much for my human body to contain. The tears I had been holding back spilled from my eyelids in a torrent of salt water, and he kissed every tear away.
I knew people were looking at us, at me, and it didn't matter. I saw nothing else,
knew nothing else but him in that instant as he held my hands in his. If this was a dream I never wanted to wake. Instead of leaning back he leaned forward and traced a line from the base of my neck to the back of my earlobe before burying his head in my hair.
"Understand?" he whispered.
I didn't trust my voice yet so I nodded. I could feel him smile against my skin before he pulled away.
"Eat Bella," he ordered releasing my hands to gesture towards my untouched sandwich.
I complied readily, eating as fast as my mouth would allow. I wanted to get back to the hotel as soon as possible. I needed to be alone with him. My resolve was firmly in place now, and I was beyond ready to jumpstart the plan. Edward chuckled softly at my rapid pace but said nothing and before long I was done and we were, once again, walking the streets of Chicago.
He looked pensive, as we strode hand in hand down the block. I would have given anything to know what he was thinking. I smirked when I realized that this is what it would be always like with him, never knowing what I was thinking. If only he knew how much of a blessing that was in his case. He would not want to know what I was thinking, it would not end well.
My hair blew in the strong wind and I shivered at the chill. Edward, having noticed removed his hand from mine as he frowned. I looked at him as I placed my right hand in my pocket before reaching for his with my left. He pulled away as our hands touched.
"Bella…" He warned, but I didn't care, I needed to hold him. I glared at him as I took his hand again. He sighed and then turned down a small side street. This is odd…the hotel was straight, we shouldn't have made a turn.
"Where are we going?" I asked as I looked up at him only to find him staring at me.
He was searching my eyes for something that he apparently found within them and he paused before speaking.
"I want to show you something that I haven't shown anyone else before. A part of my past that only you will know."
He looked away then but I kept my gaze on him. I knew that whatever he said next would be important and I didn't want to miss a word of it.
"I know that I've told you of my childhood here but I never mentioned my house, I've had it maintained over the years but haven't seen it since I left it for the last time in 1918. I want you to see it, to see something of my life before I became what I am now."
With that he turned again and stopped in front of a large white Victorian house.
He turned to me then, and I couldn't speak, couldn't move. It was like I was being placed in the past and the present at the same time. This was Edward's house, the house he grew up in over a century ago yet he was standing by my side, forever cemented seventeen. There was nothing to compare this too, he was giving me a part of himself that no one ever knew and I had nothing to say. There were no words for the sheer love behind this gesture. No way to thank him.
He must have mistaken my silence as something else and he looked away from me quickly looking to the ground. "We don't have to go in if you don't-"
"It's beautiful," I interrupted, this moment was too important to be tainted by his misgivings, too perfect.
He smiled, looking back up to me and there was no way I could resist returning it, I didn't want to, the light shining in his eyes was pure unadulterated joy. I stepped forward, tugging at his arm as I moved.
We walked up the steps and onto the circular porch before heading towards the door. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an old skeleton key, no doubt the exact key from his youth. When the door opened to the darkness of the house it was like a door to the past, or more importantly, Edward's past. I was almost afraid to cross the threshold, I felt like I was tainting it somehow. Edward gestured me forward with his hand and I bit my lip as I took the steps that led me into the darkness. I heard him step softly behind me and suddenly the lights came on, casting an ethereal glow on everything.
I was stunned, everything was antique from the floor to the ceiling. It was like walking into a museum.
"Come on," Edward said tugging on my hand. "I'll give you the tour."
We walked out of the foyer and turned right, into a small living room. There was a large brown leather couch surrounding a wooden coffee table. I couldn't tell if the couch was original though, it didn't appear old. I turned my head to ask but my gaze was caught elsewhere as I stared, transfixed at what was clearly meant to be the focal point of the room. Which, I realized, was much larger than it seemed. When you looked to the right you saw a small step, jutting from the hardwood floors. There was a large stained glass window depicting the image of the angel Gabriel on it. I didn't look at it much, for I was too distracted by what stood in front of it before I really got a chance to look.
There, standing proudly in front of the window, was a large grand piano. The keys shining softly in the glow of the lights overhead.
I smiled to myself, of course Edward would have a piano in his home, no matter where he lived. This was the one he probably learned to play on.
"This is the living room," he he propelled us through a set of double doors into what seemed like a kitchen. It was probably the most modern part of the house, it had a steel sink and a old-fashioned 'ice box' refrigerator. Did they have those in 1918? I would have to look it up when I got home. I doubt he would have a computer in the house.
"The kitchen, we should probably go out and buy you some food tomorrow. I'll probably rent a car while we're out, too."
I nodded my head numbly as I took it all in, in general the house was obviously well taken car of, on a regular basis, too. Maybe Edward missed his human years more than I had ever thought to comprehend.
After that we exited the kitchen and into a dining room with a large oak table in the centre of the room. Even though the table was large, there were only four chairs. One, I'm guessing, was for guests. And then, standing off to the side of the room, in the corner was a china cabinet. All the plates inside were shining proudly at us. I wouldn't hesitate to guess that a single one of them cost more than all of the 'china' I had back in forks.
"Dining room," he said simply. I couldn't help asking the question that had been on the tip of my tongue.
"Edward, how do you keep the house so clean?"
I kept my voice calm, neutral.
"I've had caretakers, and a cleaning crew come here once a month and take care of it for me."
"Oh," I said lamely.
Edward hadn't really seemed himself since we arrived, he was so quiet, unemotional. But before I could figure it out we were heading to an elaborate staircase. Once on the landing, we turned left into a small bedroom where a bed, dresser, and side table made up the furniture in the room. But as plain as it was I knew it had to be Edward's.
"And this is my room," He stated, his tone dull, like the house wasn't effecting him at all. It just wasn't normal, it wasn't even normal for him. His tone had only been this emotionless once- and I wouldn't dare to think of that time in detail when I could already feel the sizzling in my chest at the very thought.
My eyes scanned the room and settled on the bed, his bed. The last place he'd slept peacefully. It was perfect, this place was perfect…now only to convince him…
"Edward?" I asked turning to him. I tried my best to look tired as I looked at him.
"Yes?" He voice lower than it's normal bass, he sounded more tired than I was.
"I'm getting tired."
He didn't seem to realize what I was implying yet so I continued.
"Do you think that we could stay here? I really don't think I can stand another minute, and I don't think we'd be received well if you carried me into the hotel passed out. Besides, why waste money staying in a hotel when we don't have to pay anything here? There's more room and everything," I stated.
His expression still hadn't changed and I was rambling now, unable to stop. "Plus, we can go shopping and I can get food to cook here, I'd hate to have take out every night and we don't have to worry about noisy neighbors or anything. You can stop worrying about acting human and move as fast as you wa-"
"Okay," he replied cutting me off.
"Okay?"
I needed confirmation, I needed to hear him say it again, for me.
"I said 'Okay'. I told you, you would have whatever you asked of me. I can't seem to say 'no' to you so why bother trying? Besides," he said grinning, "I like watching you cook."
His voice sounded better now, more like him and there was some light back in his eyes. I wondered where his mind had strayed, but was to busy to dwell on it for long. After all, I did just get what I wanted. The perfect place to seduce Edward.
"Now, why don't you look through the rest of the house and get settled while I go back and get our things from the hotel."
"That's fine," I said distractedly, eyeing the bed again. I was entranced by it, it was pulling at me like it had a force of it's own.
When I finally pulled myself away Edward was already gone. Deciding to scan the rest of the upstairs I continued on my own, unguided tour.
I reached the next door and turned the knob. The room was simple. It held just a bed, dresser, and nightstand. It was set up almost identically to Edward's, the only difference being a small sitting area in front of a large window. I was looking around the room taking it all in when something caught my eye on the dresser. There, shining like a beacon, was a small silver frame sitting on an angle in the corner of the dresser.
Upon closer inspection, I realized that it was a family portrait. Edwards's mom, Elizabeth, sat proudly in a chair, her auburn hair cascading lightly down her shoulders. Her sapphire eyes sending out a warm maternal look out of the painting. Standing tall and proud to her left was Edwards father. His black hair disheveled across his brow messily, much like his son's. His eyes held such a vibrancy that it made my heart lurch. You could tell he loved his family. You could practically see the love and happiness swimming in his dark green eyes. But the thing that captivated me the most was standing beside Elizabeth, directly across from his father stood my Edward, human and happy, smiling at the camera. He was younger in this picture, no older than thirteen, I guessed, has a smattering of freckles adorning his face. He seemed so young and exuberant.
His hair was nearly the same then, if not a little redder now, and still hung in an unruly mop across his head. He was grinning broadly as if it was Christmas and he had received his favorite toy. The only thing that had changed dramatically between then and now were his eyes. They were not the ebony black that I loved so much, but a stunning, radiant green. I had seen them like this only once before. In my bedroom the night before last.
In that moment in his parent's room I realized there was nothing I wanted more then to be in a portrait like the one my hands held now. I wanted the whole picture, with myself sitting in a chair beside Edward and our child. If it took me longer than the allotted time to achieve it, I would give it. How could I not give everything to what I desired most?
I left the room then, touching nothing as I left. The next room was a bathroom with tile floors and a white vessel sink on a cherry wood table. The only things that looked new were the faucet above the sink, the shower curtain, and shower head within the claw foot tub.
I decided, since we were staying here now, that I might as well take a shower. I was glad to find that the water was still turned on, and undressed and jumped in immediately. The water felt heavenly as it pounded lightly on my back and I tilted my head back, relaxed for the first time in what seemed like days.
A knock on the door interrupted the quiet and I jumped startled as I tried to keep standing.
"Bella?" I voice called from behind the door. He's never come to the door at home and my interest was instantly peeked.
"Yeah?" I answered, waiting for a response.
"You don't have your shampoo or anything, I'll leave it outside the door, alright?" His voice was muffled but was growing fainter as he spoke and I could tell he was backing away from the door.
"Mhmm," I murmured, knowing he would hear me even over the roar of the shower.
I grabbed a towel from the rack and stepped out, instantly assaulted by the cool air I walked unsteadily to the door and yanked it open. My bag was not on the floor as I had expected it to be, but was at chest level, in Edwards's hands. My eyes widened as his did, as he saw me in nothing but a towel. I could feel my skin flushing, and fought off the embarrassment of the moment. Instead of pointing out the situation, I grabbed the bag and mumbled a thank you as I went to close the door.
His hand came out to push it open before I had even gotten it closed an inch.
"Wait a second," he breathed as he closed the difference between us. His nose skimmed the base of my neck. He sighed, the cold air fanning across my collarbone making me shudder. Then he leaned back, the oddest expression on his face.
"You smell different."
It wasn't a question, it was a statement and I knew that he wasn't talking about my skin.
"You're blood…it's different."
"Different how?" I asked, breathlessly.
"I don't know. It's subtle. I probably would have know sooner but we were outside, the steam from the shower magnified it."
"What does it smell like?" I asked.
Please don't make me smell bad, please don't make me smell bad, I repeated in my mind.
"It still smells like you, only... more, it's the same smell only intensified."
I brought my wrist to my nose and inhaled, trying to joke about it, he looked far too serious for my liking.
"I don't smell anything," I said, earning a chuckle from him.
"You can't smell it Bella. Its not your skin. It's deeper. It's blood." Blood? Okay, now I was confused. Had I cut myself? I definitely would have felt it...right? I gave myself a quick once over, causing Edward to sigh.
"No, It's not like that. It's deeper. I don't know. I can't explain it. Its you but more potent." Well, that wasn't good. That would be counterproductive for what I intended.
"Is it okay? For you I mean. Can you handle it?"
I knew how hard it was for him to be near me as it was. I didn't want this to be any harder on him then it had to be. He just looked at me and smiled my favorite crooked smile, then sighed again, something he was doing far too much of lately.
"Bella," he breathed leaning towards me again.
Time slowed almost to a stop as he inched agonizingly closer. He touched his nose against my neck lightly, inhaling deeply.
"I think your underestimating my self control," he breathed, his breath fanning out across my neck, making the hairs on my arms stand up. He noticed immediately and stood back.
"Go on," he said leaning back. "Finish your shower. I'll be downstairs when you're done."
Then I was alone.
A/N Anyone else haveing uploading issues? It doeuble spaced it and made the margins all itchy, I had to go line-by-line to fix it. Anywhoo. Thanks again oh wonderfull beta, tu es mon ame, for doing her darndest to help me get this one out. Also, to seekxdestroy for helping me get over my writers block, you rock Sam.
Reviews are rewarded with thanks, first reviews with a sneak peek.
Disclaimer: Yeah, I did it, I put it at the bottom, what now??? Huh???? That's what I thought. Alas! I do not own Twilight!!! Just 3 ticket stubbs and the possible trip to Twicon. Hehe.
