A/N: Well kids let me start off by apologizing for this not being up sooner. My plan was to have it posted by Thursday but a little thing called Tropical Storm Fay rolled through and knocked out my power for a day and my internet access for three! Mother nature is a bitch.
So... in this chapter we'll find out who the guy who attacked Bella was and we'll find out her that she has a secret she's been keeping from everyone.
Enjoy! I hope you will.
BPOV
The night had started off so perfectly.
Alice, Rose, and I danced and drank and were having an awesome time. The band even dedicated a song to us, which was flattering but slightly creepy considering their song choice. And then, like he'd stepped out of my fantasies, Edward was there, holding me. I'd had a few drinks but I was by no means drunk. I was however numb to my nervousness. I'd already made up my mind what I wanted and I was ready to get it.
We danced; our bodies moving and fitting together like puzzle pieces, two halves of a whole. But there was some cosmic force that was determined to make my getting what I wanted as difficult as possible.
First, Alice dragged me away from him, saying that it was 'girl's night' and that I'd had enough face time with Edward. Let me just say, I will never get enough 'Face time' with that man. And then… James, the biggest mistake of my life, came out of nowhere acting like there had never been a falling out between us.
James had been my Physics lab partner last semester. For three and a half months I spent 2 hours, twice a week working side by side with him and he seemed like a nice guy. I knew he was flirting with me, and I made it as clear as I could that I had a boyfriend at the time but he didn't let up. Then one night Jake and I had a fight, the biggest fight of our relationship. I just got in my car and drove, I didn't know where I was going; all I knew was that I had to get away, I had to get out. Before I knew it I was at James's house. Why I didn't go to Alice or Rose or Jasper or Emmett I don't know. And James was there with open arms. After crying on his shoulder for a while and in a moment of incredible weakness I let him kiss me. It didn't feel good per se; my heart was aching and his kiss just made me feel numb, it took the pain away. I knew he wanted more from me, but I couldn't, I wouldn't give it to him. He tried to push things further between us that night, but I pushed him away. As soon as our lips parted all the pain of my and Jake's fight came back, coupled with the new pain of knowing what I'd just done. I told him it was a mistake. I had made a mistake by coming there, by coming to him, and I left.
I wound up sleeping at my parent's house that night only to find Jake there beside me in the morning. He apologized for everything he'd said and done and I cried. I cried for all of the horrible and mean things I'd said to him, I cried for walking out on him, and I cried for what I'd done. But I never told him. I knew I should have. I should have come clean but I just couldn't bring myself to admit my shame to him. I never even told Alice or Rose. I've never told anyone, ever.
The rest of the semester passed and things between James and I were never the same. I didn't want them to be. I hated having to be reminded twice a week of the secret that was eating away at me. James seemed to be trying to act like nothing had ever happened, but I couldn't look at him the same way. I didn't blame him at all; everything that had happened was entirely my fault. I opened the door and he just went through it.
Right before the end of the semester he asked me if we could talk.
"Bella, I want us to be cool," he said.
"I don't know if we can, James. I never should have done what I did," I said back.
"Listen, what he doesn't know won't hurt him, and it seems pretty clear to me that your boyfriend doesn't pay you as much attention as he should. There's no way he'll ever find out." His faced twisted into a slimy sneer I'd never seen before. The guy I'd thought was sweet and sincere, the guy I'd thought was my friend, was proposing something awful. I stood there, completely flabbergasted by what he was suggesting and then he was on me again. Kissing my neck, his hands roamed over my body but I pushed him away. He didn't resist, but I knew he was angry.
He called me a week later and apologized and said that he'd really like for us to try being friends, but I just couldn't. I knew that there would always been something weird between us and I had a feeling that he'd try to push his boundaries again. I told him to give it some time for everything to blow over. I'd call him when I was ready to give it a shot, when I really never had any intention of doing so at all.
It had been a month since I'd last spoken with him and then there he was, standing in front of me at the bar, touching me, doing the things I knew he'd try to do again. I knew he was drunk so I tried not to freak out on him. His fingers touched my skin and I, as politely as I could, brushed them away; trying to nicely remind him that that was forbidden territory. He said he'd heard that Jake and I had broken up and wanted to know if I wanted to go out. I could see Edward over James's shoulder; his face was hard and menacing. I saw him take a step towards me, towards James, before Emmett pulled him back. I was glad that he stopped him. I didn't want to have to explain who this guy was to Edward.
I'd admitted my mistake to myself and I was not about to let myself stoop any further into depravity, so I said, "It was really good to see you," and excused myself, as sweetly as I could, still making sure my tone had an air of finality. All I wanted was to be back in Edward's arms. I wanted to forget about what I'd done and put it behind me once and for all. He was angry, I knew it— I'd seen it before. He grabbed my wrist but I shook him off, my sights were already back on Edward, the one that I really wanted. I left James behind me, I left everything behind me. I let it all go.
I got back to Edward and threw my arms around his neck, pulling him to me. I was done pretending that his presence didn't have an effect on me. I was done denying my feelings, my desires, for him. I leaned my head back, waiting for him to show me that he wanted me too. His lips were a fraction of an inch away from mine when I felt my phone go off in my pocket.
"Jesus fucking Christ," I muttered, exasperatedly. Just one more interruption!
I looked at my caller ID, it was Jake. Every guy in my life decides to make an appearance on the same night, great! I couldn't ignore the call, no matter how badly I wanted to continue what Edward and I had started.
"Jake?" I shouted into the phone. "Jake, hello? Yeah, I'm here. What? I can't hear you." The band was playing too loud. "Hang on, let me go out to the parking lot so I can hear you better. I'll be right back, okay?" I said turning to Edward. He swatted me on the ass as I walked towards the door, masking his frustration with playfulness.
Once I was outside, I was alone and it was quiet.
"What's up, Jake?"
"Hey Bells, what are you up to?" he asked.
"I'm at Bull's with… someone," I hedged.
He laughed, "Someone, huh? I'll let you get back to your someone then. Sorry to interrupt. Have fun. Don't do anything I wouldn't do?"
"Which is what exactly?" I joked.
"Meth. Definitely not meth."
"Bye Jake," I laughed and snapped the phone shut.
I turned around to head back inside to Edward only to find James standing just a few feet away from me.
"James, you scared me!" I said, placing my hand over my thundering heart.
"What are you doing out here alone?" he asked with an edge to his voice. There was something… different about him. This wasn't the same James I'd been in class with, and it wasn't because he was drunk.
I held up my cell. "Had to take a phone call." I gave a half smile, trying to keep things light.
His faced twisted into a sickly sarcastic grin, "Boyfriend? Oh wait, you don't have one anymore. So, who was that guy you were dancing with?" he slurred, taking a few steps towards me. "Just another guy you're going to string along?"
"James, I –" I took a few steps backward towards the empty parking lot.
"Is that what you do, Bella? Just find a guy to fuck with?" he advanced toward me, and I retreated a few more steps.
"No James, it wasn't like that. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have –"
"Shut up!" he snapped, cutting me off.
"James, I'm sorry. Please, just let me go back inside. My friends are waiting for me." I stammered, fear pumping through my veins.
"No. I think you need to finish what you started with me," he growled, moving closer to me.
"Please, you're drunk. Let's just go inside…" Fearful tears sprung to my eyes, I gripped my phone in my hands preparing to use it as a weapon in any way I could if he came closer. We were alone, the band inside was still playing—no one would be able to hear me if I screamed for help.
He moved closer to me still, immediately my instincts took over and I tried to make a run for it. He caught me around the middle before I could make it two steps. I screamed and kicked as he pulled me around the corner and into the alley around the backside of the club. He spun me around forcefully, slammed my back against the brick wall and pressed his chest against mine, pinning my hand still holding my phone between us.
"Please, James," I sobbed.
He clamped his hand roughly over my mouth and pressed his lips against my ear. I could feel his sticky, disgusting breath against my skin, his body sagged against mine. I closed my eyes, bracing for whatever was to come next when I heard my name being called.
Edward!
I wanted to call out to him; his voice was so full of panic. James locked eyes with me giving me a silent warning to keep quiet. Edward called out for me again and James pressed himself harder against me. I flinched at the added pressure eliciting a growl from deep in James's chest. I sobbed against his hand. I heard footfalls on the gravel, two people running, and then Edward's voice.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?!" he roared.
My eyes snapped open in time to see James curling his lip in Edward's direction.
"Get your god damn hands off of her!" Emmett shouted.
I blinked and Edward had crossed the distance between us, his fist making contact with James's leering face. He staggered backwards, nearly falling as Edward continued to pummel him several times in the gut and face. I ran to Emmett as soon as I could move. I watched in horror as James's reared his fist back and connected with Edward's perfect mouth; the mouth that should be kissing me, not taking a beating for me. To my intense surprise he hardly even reacted to the contact. Instead he spit blood onto the pavement before grabbing James by the collar of his shirt and slamming him repeatedly into the wall.
"Don't. You. Ever. Fucking. Touch her. Again," he hissed through clenched teeth.
"Edward!" I cried. This had to end; I couldn't let him kill James. It looked like he might.
He moved his face closer to James and menacingly whispered something to him that I couldn't hear before pushing him off the wall towards the parking lot. He stumbled past Emmett and me.
"Good to see you too, Bella," he hissed, smearing blood across his chin.
When he was gone, I released my grip around Emmett's arm and turned to Edward who stood shaking in the alley.
"Edward?" I whispered. I was so worried about him; if he was alright, what he'd think about what he'd seen. He turned his piercing green eyes up at me causing my insides to melt; every emotion I had, I saw reflected in his eyes. My feet moved without me telling them to, launching myself at him and throwing my arms around his waist.
"Take me home, Edward," I sobbed. "Please just take me home."
He wrapped his arms tightly around me and steered me out of the shadows of the alley.
EPOV
"Go, we can get a ride with Alice and Rose," Emmett said. I grunted my recognition, not yet trusting my voice. Bella clung to me like her life depended on it, slight sobs causing her to shake against my side.
I got her to my car as quickly as I could, neither of us saying anything. Once we were seated in the relative security of my car, her breathing slowed and she relaxed her grip on my hand slightly. As we drove, I was just barely beginning to become aware of the dull ache in my jaw and knuckles.
When we arrived at her house, we still hadn't spoken to each other. We walked in silence through her front door and up the stairs to her room. Finally she turned to me, grasping both of my hands in hers, her eyes swimming with tears.
"Will you stay with me?" she asked her voice barely above a trembling whisper.
"Of course, I'll stay with you Bella," I said. How could she think that I'd leave her after what happened? I don't think I could, even if she wanted me to.
Her sparkling brown eyes locked with mine and held me there, staring down at her. Everything she wanted to say seemed to come across through her eyes; regret, pain, fear, relief, adoration, gratitude.
She managed a weak smile before rocking up onto her toes and wrapping her arms around my neck in a tight hug. Her body was so small, so petite, so fragile. I lifted her up so that her feet dangled slightly above the ground and held her firmly against my chest. I wanted to tell her everything I felt. I wanted to apologize if I'd scared her. I wanted to swear to her that I'd never let anything or anyone hurt her ever again. But I couldn't, the timing wasn't right. All I could do in that moment was hold her and pray that everything she needed to know could be expressed in our touch. I could feel every muscle in her body relax as I held her.
Finally, after a long while I set her feet back down on the floor. She flashed me another smile, this time more genuine but her eyes were suddenly tired. Without a word she unbuttoned her top and tossed it into a laundry basket across the room. Next she kicked off her boots and wiggled out of her jeans, tossing them aside as well. Once she was clad only in her bra and panties she reached up and squeezed my hand.
"Come to bed," she said softly. I couldn't help but admire the view before me. Now is not the time…
I smiled at her. There was no place else in the world I'd rather be than holding her in my arms in the safety of her bed. I unbuttoned my shirt and slid it off my shoulders as she pulled back the covers and slid between the sheets waiting for me. I unbuttoned my jeans and let them slide down my legs onto the floor. She sleepily patted the sheets next to her, inviting me to join her. I gladly took it and crawled under the blanket beside her. She pressed her nearly naked body against mine, her head resting on my chest and her legs wrapping around mine.
In a matter of seconds she was asleep against me and I was awake, alone with my thoughts.
Who the hell was that guy? Just a random jerk? No, it seemed like they knew each other. How in the world would Bella know someone like that? Had I frightened her? If I had, how could I live with myself knowing that she was afraid of me? If she was scared, why had she wanted me to take her home, instead of Emmett or Alice?
I never wanted to let her go. I wanted to keep her safe for the rest of her life. I never wanted to allow any harm to ever come to her.
I sighed at myself. This had certainly been a night of firsts. It was the first time I'd ever fought someone for a girl. It was the first time I'd admitted that I had genuine feelings for Bella. And now, for the first time, I was allowing myself to entertain the idea of being with her for the rest of her life, our lives.
I was brought out of my thoughts by Bella stirring beside me. She wiggled slightly and pressed herself more tightly against my side.
"Edward," she mumbled. I looked down, ready to answer her when she spoke again.
"Edward…hmmm…you." Is she talking in her sleep? She chuckled softly, her eyes remaining closed. "Love…you…hmm…" she breathed.
My heart skipped a beat. She loves me?
She laughed softly again, and nuzzled her face into my chest.
"I love you." Her voice was as clear as it was when she was conscious; so clear that I had to double check that she was still sleeping.
She loves me! I smiled at the thought, before drifting off to sleep in the only place I ever wanted to lay my head for as long as I lived.
When I opened my eyes the room was bathed in the warm grayish lavender light of early morning. The next thing I was aware of was the fact that I was alone in the bed. I heard the shower running and relaxed, realizing that Bella wasn't in any danger.
I lay back on the plush pillows and tried to relax. The water in the bathroom shut off and I could hear Bella softly humming as she dried off. The door swung open and there she stood, clad in only small blue towel, her still dry hair wrapped in a loose bun on top of her head. My breath caught in my throat at the sight of her, her legs and shoulders still glistening with a slight sheen of moisture in the pale morning light. I sat up to get a better look at the goddess standing before me.
"I'm sorry, Edward. I didn't mean to wake you up," she said, a gorgeous shade of rosy pink flooding her cheeks.
"S'okay," I replied running a hand nervously through my hair. I was trying not to stare blatantly as the undeniably tempting sight in front of me but she certainly wasn't making it easy. I watched as she released her hair and let it fall in soft wavy curls around her shoulders and took a few steps toward me. I let my head slump forward onto my chest to avoid her noticing how my gaze traced over her delicate curves and trained my eyes on my hands to keep them from wandering.
She placed her soft hands on either side of my face to tilt my head up to look at her. She was standing so close, her body situated between my spread legs; so close that I could smell the clean, sweet, floral fragrance of her soap radiating off of her skin.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked when my face was level with hers. I'm thinking about how badly I want to rip that towel off of you but also how doing that would make a complete and total asshole.
"Nothing," I lied. If she only knew the not so PG thoughts that were running through my mind, she might think twice before asking me to share her bed again. Then something nonsexual that I was curious about occurred to me.
"Bella?"
"Hmm?" she responded while lazily running her fingers through my unruly hair. I took in a shuddering breath, trying not to focus on the sensations she was sending through my body with such a simple action.
"Why did you want me to take you home last night? Why not Alice?" I asked.
She smiled at me like it was a silly question.
"Because I feel safe with you. The safest, actually. Can I ask you something now?"
"Shoot."
"Why did you do what you did? You know you didn't have to."
I stared up at her in disbelief. My mind was struggling to comprehend the words that had just left her mouth.
"First of all," I began, once I'd gotten my thoughts in order, "yes I did have to. Of course I did, he was going to hurt you. Second of all, I did what I did because I care about you."
"Why? You hardly know me." Her face was drawn, her eyes clouded over like she was trying to hide something from me.
"That's true, but I want to know you better. I want to know everything there is to know about you." I looked her dead in the eye as the words left my mouth. The clouded expression on her face shifted as a slow grin crept across her face. I opened my mouth to say something else but before I could make a sound, her lips were pressed firmly against mine and her fingers were twisted tightly in my hair.
I kept my hands firmly tucked against my legs to keep them from wandering where they shouldn't, but allowed myself to fully enjoy the feeling of her luscious lips pressed against mine and the way her body seemed to melt into me as she pulled herself closer. I let her have the upper hand in this situation, and was careful not to allow my growing desires to influence her to do anything that she wasn't comfortable with. Just let her lead, and see where it goes. When her tongue darted out to caress my lower I let out a slight groan, but I had to let her know that I didn't expect any of this from her. I needed to know that she was kissing me because she wanted to, not because she felt like she had to after last night.
"Bella?" I mumbled against her lips.
"Hmmm?" she moaned into my mouth.
"You…don't… have to… if you… don't want.. ," I said between kisses. "You…don't…owe…me… anything."
She pulled her lips away and rested her forehead against mine.
"Listen, because I'm only going to say this once. First of all, I do owe you. I owe you big, but this," she pointed her finger back and forth between us, "this is not payback. I can tell you with one hundred percent certainty that I want nothing more than I want you right now." And with that, she pressed her lips back against mine, this time stealthily easing her tongue past my slightly parted lips.
She wants me! Holy shit, she wants me! My insides cheered. At her admittance, I granted my hands a little wandering room and let them run gently up the back of her silky smooth legs until they reached the bottom of her towel.
I gasped when I felt her softly bite my swollen bottom lip and tug at it slightly with her teeth.
"Actually," she whispered, bringing her deep brown eyes up to meet my hazy stare, "I do have to pay you back for what you gave me the other night." Her seductive pout twisted into a mischievous grin and she began peppering my skin with slow warm kisses. Each kiss led her lower and lower down my torso, over my chest and abs until she was on her knees in front of me.
My breathing was coming in quick bursts in anticipation for what she was going to do next. Her hand closed around the growing bulge in my boxers and began to gently massage my hardness. She hooked her fingers around the elastic around the top and tugged them down allowing my extremely hard dick to spring out.
"Wow…" I heard her whisper as her eyes traced up and down my length and my ego took a flying leap into the stratosphere.
I looked down just in time to see her full pink lips press a warm wet kiss on the sensitive head of my dick, before taking nearly half it into her burning mouth.
"Oh shit, Bella," I gasped.
She began bobbing her head up and down taking more of me into her mouth with every pass. I gently took a handful of her silky hair and held it away from her face so that I could get a better view of her amazingly full lips sliding up and down my shaft. I couldn't help but notice the swelling of my heart coupled with the feeling of pleasure she was giving me. I could really fall in love with this girl…
The feeling of her mouth wrapped around me was incredible. I was nearly sent over the edge when I felt my head nudge the back of her throat and I knew she'd taken all of me in. The tension in the pit of my stomach was beginning to build and I was hyper sensitive to all of the swirling motions of her tongue and the gentle suction of her lips around me. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, she started to hum. Not loud enough for me to hear, but just enough to encase my cock in pulsing vibrations. That did it; I couldn't hold myself back any longer.
"Fuck, Bella I'm gonna…" I stammered, unable to finish my sentence. It was always courtesy to give the girl a heads up before you blow so that she at least has the option of choosing whether or not to continue. I could totally understand a girl's aversion to swallowing, but I, like every guy on the planet did with their girlfriends, secretly hoped that she'd take me. There was just something primal about a woman swallowing your cum that drove me crazy.
In a matter of seconds, I felt myself explode; rip into a million pieces with the feeling of ecstasy as I moaned.
I opened my eyes and watched her lick a few stray drops of my milky cream off of her lips and smile at me. My body collapsed back on the bed and I closed my eyes feeling completely drained and spent.
Immediately, I felt her crawl up on top me and whisper, "You're not tired, are you? Because I'm wide awake."
BPOV
His eyes popped open as soon as the words left my mouth.
"Not a chance," he growled as he easily tossed me back onto my pillows.
He hovered over me, his eyes dark with desire and his chest rising and falling with quick, ragged breathing. In one swift motion, he stripped me of the flimsy towel that was still wrapped around me and I lay completely exposed beneath him. His eyes roamed hungrily over my body, taking in every swell and curve in his lustful stare.
"God, you are so beautiful," he breathed before sliding his hand between my already spread legs. He pressed his palm against my mound and I bit my lip at the pressure.
He slid his index finger between my folds and said, "Mmm… already nice and wet. Did that turn you on, gorgeous?" His voice was low and husky and I nodded my head quickly in response. You have no idea how much of a turn on that was…
He positioned himself at my entrance and hesitated. I wiggled my hips toward him, trying to gain access to the sensation I wanted to badly.
"Anxious, are we?" he whispered, his lips suddenly at my ear.
"Yes, I want you more than anything," I breathed, surprised in the way my voice came out as more of a whine.
Thankfully he didn't make me beg because in the next instant he sank at least half of his impressive length into me. I gasped as he filled me like no other man before him had, and rolled my head back onto my pillow. He began a slow rolling motion with his hips, sliding just a bit more of his cock into me with each thrust until I'd taken him all.
"You're so fucking tight, Bella," he panted.
"Faster, Edward. Please faster…" I begged and he obliged me, immediately increasing his pace.
I wrapped my legs tightly around his waist and marveled at the feeling of him sinking even deeper into my wet center. I was moaning now, with each crash of our hips together and so was he. I dug my fingers into the tensed muscles of his back as the tension in my stomach began to build.
"Relax," he whispered in my ear as he slid one hand down to rest on my hip. I released my scissor hold on his waist slightly and he slid his hand between us to where we were joined at my core.
"I'm gonna make you cum, Bella," he whispered again before sucking hungrily on my neck. I whimpered and bit my lip as his expert fingers began furiously stroking my aching clit while he continued to pound his cock into me. I bit my lip to contain the screams of pleasure that was threatening to escape my mouth.
"Does that feel good?" he asked, nipping at my ear lobe.
"God, yes," I gasped as my hips bucked against him involuntarily.
"Cum for me then," he demanded, his voice husky and deep in my ear.
My body responded immediately, uncoiling the spring in my stomach, sending me flying over the edge of passion. I felt my muscles clamp down hard around him inside of me as my body shook and bucked against him.
"Edward, oh god, Edward. I'm cumming!" I cried.
"Fuck," he groaned as his muscles tensed and I felt him spill his warmth into me.
"I love you," he rasped before collapsing onto the bed next to me.
A/N: What?! What did he just say?! Oh snap...
Yeah so, while the power and internet were down I've pretty much got the next chapter already planned out it's just a matter of finding the time to actually sit down and type it considering tear I have class starting on tuesday.
Btw, the reviews for the last chapter were super overwhelming. Thank you so much to those who reviewed. I hope this chapter will get as many if not more.
So... musical inspiration for this chapter is the greatest stalker song ever written #1 Crush by Garbage. Again, the link to all music is on my profile.
