9. You could be the one I'll always love
Isabella Marie Cullen
He was hot. The tad of the vast fiery ball of the sun had miraculously peeped from beneath the heaving billows of clouds though the sky was pretty much its morbid self. The dim rays illuminated his skin, shimmering like pieces of intricate diamonds glued onto his skin. His abs was toned around his navel, hands muscular with the gnarled mass of greenish-blue veins trailing down his arms. His bare torso exposed to the warmth of the sun as he lounged on the lucid green grass, head propped with his elbows. A creased, maroon shirt was messily tossed to the side, along with what seemed like to be a fraction of the lace fabric of my dress. I turned off the engine and glided down the rubble-strewn entrance to the old mansion, walking slowly down the lawn.
Oh, and hadn't I mentioned, he was looking particularly hot with his tousled bronze hair glistening off the pouring sun and I could just imagine my fingers crawling up his tight stomach, fingers tracing the gnarled knots of his veins, skimming against the smooth, shining skin as we made our way into a passionate kiss, the vexing temptation pounding on my temples as my steps haltered at his back. He didn't seem to notice my mere presence. Wait, I did mention the hot part twice, didn't I?
I hadn't realized how much I loved him, the need was vehement, gnashing on my mind like an addiction to a dose of ecstacy. I just wanted a taste of his lips, the sweet tanginess to his scent, intoxicating and sinful, to hear the blood pumping through his chest as we delved deeper into the sea of emotions, the waves smoothly curling up against our skins. It felt good just being huddled into him, his arms over me protectively.
I squatted hesitantly beside him and waited for him to speak, though it seemed to take an eternity. "You know someday, we'll rot down here if you don't start talking to me, "I began, rolling my eyes from him. He never fluttered an eyelid yet said anything. He just remained statuesque, staring up at the achingly grim sky. I scooped up my fringe and pulled it back irritatingly, shuffling on my butt awkwardly. He wasn't responding a tinge.
"Hey, I'm sorry, okay. For leaving just like that in front of Esme and everything. Just forgive me please." I seemed to have reached the stage of begging though he still hadn't moved a tad from his lethargic composure. It seemed dumb of me, kneeling on the damp grass and getting my khakis dirt-grimed, begging to a grown, hot, man whose skin shimmers like a wall of mirrors."It's alright, Edward. Sorry for disturbing anyway." I slumped up, a heap of disappointment and remorse when suddenly; an impalpably cold hand pulled me backwards and grasp me into a tight embrace, lips smashed against each other's as the martyrdom died down in thunderous applause.
We kissed like we never kissed before, hands snaking on each other's skins, Edward's fingers trailing underneath my shirt and intertwining itself with the straps of my bra. I didn't care, my arms across his shoulders as our tongues slithered in our mouths. The sensation was strong, unbeatable as our impetuous need for each other seemed readily exposed. None from both parties were ashamed to reveal the burning desires. We just wanted to kiss.
Our lips were dreading to part as we licked each other's lips, hands clasped to the sides of our face. I was breathless to end of the kiss as we gazed into each other's eyes, his a deep velvety gold. He seemed amazed just looking at me, his gaze hovering on my eyes. I looked down at his lap and smoothed out his thighs, smacking my sore lips as I did so. I hadn't realized I had jumped up onto his lap all the way through the kiss.
"I miss you, "he muttered, stroking my cheeks that was leaning against his ice cold ones. I pursed my lips as I peered over him again, his hands on my nape. "I love you, Bella. I don't want to lose you. It's hard, "he continued in hushed tones which made him look even sexier.
"Ed...I just need you. Everything else just seem to be a blur of events. I don't want to be in anyone's slavery anymore." I leaned onto his vast, bare chest, a pool of tears threatening to flow down like a running faucet. Edward held my chin up with his porcelain-white hands, smiling meekly. "You're not anyone's slave, Bella. You just want people to be happy and that's alright no matter bad you might say it to be. You're a good person, that's what you are." I grinned, clicking my tongue.
"I'm sick of this good person theory, Edward. Just, just bring me somewhere. Somewhere far where we can be alone together." I entangled myself from his strangling arms and looked up at him pleadingly.
"Well, where do you want to go to?"Edward asked in his seductive tone, his eyelashes fluttering.
"Whatever place you have in store for me."
"I have the perfect place. Come with me." He stood and proffered a hand out to me and I took it graciously, sliding up from the hardened ground.
He took his shirt from the corner and I snatched it playfully, ripping it into pieces of ragged fabric. He snickered and we made our way down the driveway to the Porsche, hand in hand. "Where's Esme?"I asked out of a sudden. "Oh, she's in the den doing some laundry." I nodded, strange to hear a vampire doing laundry.
"What, never heard a vampire doing laundry before?" He seemed to have read my mind.
"No just, I can't imagine someone as beautiful as Esme would do chores."
"Well, she's the mother of the family. She doesn't have a choice. Though I promise, I wash my own underpants." I laughed as he offered a seat to me. "Although I would really appreciate it if you did it for me when we get married later."
"Get real, dude, "I hiccoughed as we peeled of the dusty, narrow roads in high speed.
Edward Anthony Mason Cullen
We were out, almost beyond the minuscule grounds of Forks, approaching the tranquil fountains meters away where lush vegetation covered most fractions of the ground and lucid turquoise water flowed out from the large cave-like streams, voluminous drops hitting the ground in great thuds. Bella seemed transfixed by the amazing views there were overwhelmed with. She shot a gleeful glance at me as she jumped slowly on her seat, excitement overcoming her as the tires slowly halted on the coarse, rubble ground. We stared out beyond the scenery, hands locked into each others. My nostrils flared at the flourishing air which coated the hills and the surrounding forests.
"Edward...this is beautiful," she uttered, slightly breathless."I should have brought me camera with me."
I squeezed her palm and led her out the car, pulling her towards the bedlam of the waters. "It's a little noisy down here, Bella. Are you alright with that?"
She nodded, seeming enthusiastic by the pandemonium of the running water. She ran up the avalanche of stones, begrimed with moss and algae, and held her hand aloft to feel the water seeping into her outstretched palm. I followed her up the distorted steps and slithered my arms to her slender waist, feeling the sprinkles of water inflicted upon us. I dug my face into her neck, wafting her scent up to my nostrils. It smelt delicate, a basket of fresh-plucked strawberries and a bouquet of violets.
"It's great here, Ed. Come, let's get up there on the stones. Come on, Edward!"she enthused, pulling me up the stone steps rapidly. The sky was clear here, a shade of light bluish with white clouds frayed at the edges. The air smelt vaguely of fresh water and what seemed like lemons. At last, we reached the foot of the rather steep hill and we gazed at the thousand miles of spacious fields dense with trees of sorts. She stood, stark breathless, leaning on me.
"Do you like it here, Bella?"I asked, chin on her head. She nodded, speechless. "Those two days without you were a living hell." I confessed in a throaty voice, twisting a lock of her mahogany hair into my finger.
"I know. I kept wandering what you were doing, I thought you had forgotten me. I feel lost and now that you're here, I can't be happier." She glanced at me from the corner of her eye.
"Well, you're here now. It doesn't matter anymore. Let's not disrupt a good day with bucket full of tears, shall we?" I wiped off her tears and we lied on the ground, my head on her stomach as we anticipated our lives together in the future. How we would always be on each other's side no matter what happens, how we would defeat what comes between us despite the harsh conditions that would result in our actions...perhaps we could even contemplate marriage.
"I love it here. It's so quiet yet it's a complete pandemonium, the din the water's making...,"Bella whispered into my ear as we snuggled up closely together, her hands clasped on my bare chest firmly. Her skin shimmered like shards of glass, reflecting the thick, dense foliage towering above us.
"So did you really miss me? I wasn't that convinced you know...you weren't that enthusiastic just now." I teased, cocking a brow demandingly at her.
"God, you're a beast, Edward." She slapped my thigh playfully, roleplaying the bimbo scene. I laughed, stroking the slightly tangled locks of her hair with my fingers as she dug her toes into the ends of my tattered jeans. We remained like that, without a flinch, gazing out at the flock of crows skimming through the air in unison, and mulling over nothing in particular. She traced the mass of knotted veins sticking out from underneath my skin with her slender, paper-white fingers, trailing up and down my arms.
"I love you, Bella..."
"I love you too, "she muttered for the umpteenth time.
"You want to take a shower or anything after this?"I asked, nudging her softly in the ribs.
"What for? Do I smell bad?"she asked, sniffing her shirt. "No, you smell perfect. We're just heading up North so I thought you might want to, you know, get into shape like other girls do, "I asked, mockingly shrugging my shoulders at the absolute, predictable girl behavior. "Up North? Where are we going?"
"Oh, just a simple quite get-together that's all." Bella peered at me wonderingly, her forehead creased with deep frowns of mixed confusion and adrenaline. I tugged her arm and we stood on our heels, pulling her down the steep, stone steps to the landing.
Yeah, a simple get-together my arse.
Isabella Marie Cullen
"Oh My God, Edward."
The sky had darkened in the past few hours, a murky shade of grim, inky black with a tinge of magenta at the edges of the fraying clouds. I stared out the misty windows, gobsmacked. There were a crowd of people huddled around various branches crackling with scarlet fire, drinking and bullshitting. The field was vast and mostly occupied large fractions of sand and tufts of dry grass. It seemed like there had never been rain here for the past six years considering the lack of trees and any forms of greenery. Edward parked the Porsche just across from a group of guys, slapping each other's backs roughly. The Porsche, appalingly, wasn't the only decent car around; around the corner was a gleaming Hummer, inches from it with a couple of girls smacked on top of the windscreen was a Lamborghini and there seemed to be at least twelve Volvos and twenty Mercedes.
"We're here. Surprised?"Edward asked, grinning as his fingers locked around the leather steering wheel.
"Um, should I say I'm impressed? I feel like I'm driving in a beat-up, scraped Nissan, Ed." I shook my head, scanning the series of stupendously expensive cars. Edward snickered and unstrapped the seatbelts for me and led me out of the car.
There was a certain, unfamiliar hum to the surrounding ambience; it seemed to be flooded with equally hot guys like Edward, in their large Burberry coats draped across the logs which served as seats and a buzz of Armani scent. Edward led me through hordes of chatting people, whom all looked like they had just stepped out of the flashy pages of Vogue. Edward greeted them like old friends, shaking hands with them though never bothering to introduce me to anyone of the girls who shot me filthy looks of scathed envy. Though there had been guys who eyed me as if I was alien of some sort.
"Now, now, Edward Cullen, who's this babe?"an amazingly, cut Italian asked, hanging his elbow on Edward's shoulder.
"Isabella Swan, Sethos Blake, Sethos Blake, Isabelle Swan, "Edward briefly said, indicating both clueless parties with his thumb. I shook Sethos's proffered arm like a gracious lady I wasn't. "Hands off, Blake, she's mine, "Edward added playfully, grinning.
"Well let's see who she chooses then. Come on, Bella, the Italian fucks the best like everyone knows, "Sethos claimed, hand on his chest in mock hauteur.
"Yeah, but they are also known to have a particularly hairy arse so I'll choose the true American, "I said, shoving my hands into the pockets of my khakis as the three of us roared in laughter, Sethos snorting unappealingly though he still looked perfect with the smooth, tanned olive skin and prominent nose. He had a crimson wooly scarf tied around his neck firmly, clad in a black coat which defined his slim torso and waist.
"Good choice, Edward. Hot and humorous, fine combination. I gotta go then, guys. The marmalade awaits me."He spun on the heels of his sneakers and sped to the direction of what seemed like a fast-going beer contest. Edward steered me deeper into the bustling throng, his hands warm on mine. There were an immediate clique of giggling girls who approached him without an ounce of warning, jostling to get a good view of Edward. They looked incredibly beautiful, with their Banana Republic head-to-toe uniform and chignons. I was intimated to say the least.
"Oh, Edward, you cheeky guy. Where've you been all summer? We're craving for your presence before every imminent party we go to!"they oozed out, flinging their loose fringes at him. I wanted to puke.
"Just been at home you know, spending time with my girlfriend. Oh, wait, I'm afraid you don't know her yet, do you?"Edward asked shrewdly, peering over me.
"No..I'm afraid we haven't..."they muttered, scanning me furtively, with a disgruntled expression plastered across their awfully pretty faces.
"Bella, Bella Swan, "I introduced myself, hand outstretched awaiting greeting. They took my proffered hand in a lazy grasp and retreated abruptly, disappointment inflicted upon their faces. Edward watched me with a wide, facetious grin creeping across his face. "And you guys are?"I continued in an enthused tone, squinting up at their screwed expressions. They seemed to shuffle on the heels of their Jimmy Choos uneasily, mulling over an equally decisive response. Though Edward came to their rescue before they could barely open their mouths. "They're friends of mine from the young legislative committee; you know all the crap about teenage politics and rebellion." I nodded.
"Yes, and we better get going now. It's getting too warm here, don't you think girls?"one of the bimbos hiccoughed and the other chipped in agreement and went off, clanking their three-inch heels.
"You seem popular, Sir Edward Cullen, "I said as we strolled further, the space was beginning to clear up from the fog of socializing.
"Yeah, it's hard being good-looking and all, "Edward teased, shrugging his shoulders as he waved at a couple of guys around the bank of the dark lake. "You're lucky you know, Isabella Swan."
"Ah,"I gasped, looking him up in bewilderment. "Well, you're fortunate enough to earn yourself a hot girlfriend too."
He let out a hollow hoot of laughter, then taking my hand and sat around a fire, crackling solely. The log was hard against my butt though the warmth of the fire seem comforting enough, the awkwardness dissipating gradually as I leaned on his chest, inhaling the excruciatingly intoxicating scent with my flaring nostrils. He caressed my hair soothingly back, eyes closed as we let ourselves bath in the orangey was slowly flowing through from the distance, wafting into our ears; The Cranberries...
"Come on, let's dance, 'I murmured, pulling him up.
"No way...I can't dance. You go ahead." Edward shook his head defiantly, his hands flapping in rejection."Oh come on, no vampire can't dance. Be a good sport, Ed. Please...for me?"I pleaded, lips pouty. He rolled his eyes and stood, his hands positioned around my waist and nape and we began to sway in the music, soft and coaxing. Edward's steps were easy to follow, back and forth and otherwise. He looked perfect against the glow of the scarlet flames playing against his skin, his lips were sexy, his face handsome and utterly seductive. His eyes were a burnished gold and so was his hair. I pressed my lips softly against his fat ones and let it linger there for long. Our tongues locked for a few nanoseconds as we danced.
"How much do you love me, Edward?"I asked in his ears.
He seemed to shudder a tad at the question though it resolved as he responded earnestly,"I love you more than anything, Bella...I love you more than I love myself. I would risk everything for you."
I nodded, and leaned my head back on his shoulder. And then suddenly, I had this uneasy feeling pounding in my insides. That somehow...something bad would happen soon, the impending devastation as its possibility.
Edward Anthony Mason Cullen
A couple of guys had come to join us, offering us decanters filled to the brim with vodka which Bella gratefully took and swigged. Four others perched around the logs including Jasper and Emmet, both seemed amazed with the company I had especially the dumfounded Hale. The other guys all eyed up Bella flirtatiously with their macho act which personally looked revolting.
"So you been here ever?"Sethos asked, who was cozily sitting beside Bella with a can of lager firmly in his hand.
"Nah. First time. Never heard of this place even. Edward told me to come here so I just tailed along. Seems like you guys here are quite the rich chaps, The Lamborghinis and all, "Bella said, draining the decanter and tossing it lazily aside.
"Oh, well, most of us are from the Upper East, those are where the old, expensive mansions existed. Your darling Edward here used to live there before shipping to Forks, eh?"He glanced directly at me who was busily unscrewing the cap of a glass gin. "Oh yeah. That was a long time ago. That's where most of the covens live. The well to do ones who like to keep to themselves though there are a few humans here and there, "I said, tipping the lucid contents of vodka through his lips.
"Yeah. Missed Edward when he isn't around anymore. He's a good chap though he can be a bit of a git at times, "Sethos teased, patting my back.
"Well, you're a horny idiot yourself, Seth, remember? That time with Lily, I personally remember till this day, "I said, sniggering.
"Oh god and you had to bring that one up." Seth clamped a hand up his forehead in mock agony.
"What, what happened?"enthused Bella curiously.
"Should I tell her, buddy? Oh crap, I'm just gonna say it; he called this Lily girl a sexy-assed bitch because she looks like her Chihuahua."Bella mouthed a certain swear word and spilled into thunderous laughter with Seth crying by her side. "And those were the damnation days of Sethos Adrian Blake, "he muttered in between mock sobs.
I grinned, letting the scalding heat caress my face as Bella continued chatting with Seth in a rush of excitement. Then Jasper looked me up and his head spun to the direction of the lake and I took the hint and strode out to the dingy bank, heels squelching on the damp sand. Jasper walked alongside me, looking out at the vast empty lake as we approached nearer to the bank.
"She's hot. Isabella Swan isn't she?"Jasper asked, squinting up at me through the narrow, slit of his eyes. I nodded, kicking a shard of glass with my boots."Alice kinda told me about her. You know about being a Swan and all that B.S."
"So are you gonna give a long lecture about the consequences of my actions and wrong doings and leave her so that everyone will be happy and play merry-ground? I think you're messed, dude, "I muttered, turning around to walk back to the fire.
"Hey, wait. It's not about that. It's just Alice really wants to help you and I want you to understand her intensions. She meant good, Ed. But she's just confused about things now. Give her time." Jasper tugged at my arm, his eyes a solid black. I shove my hand off from his grip and spun around to face him in the eye. "Listen, I don't have time to spare for her and tell it's alright if she's confused. I can resolve matters at my own hands."
Jasper stood, watching me as I strode back to the crowd, seething.
"Hey, love, where've you been? I was just talking to Seth about you when you were gone in nanoseconds." Bella held my face with her porcelain hands worriedly. I put down her hands and smiled meekly. "Just been chatting with a couple of old mates. So, you ready to go?"
"I guess so." She smiled back and turned to Seth. "Are you going then?"
"Thought you guys might wanna follow a few of us up to the pub, hang out a little?"Seth offered, his brows cocked in question.
"Nah, I guess I'll pass. It's getting late." Bella seemed to be reading my mind, my words rolling off her tongue. "Well then, nice to meet you, Bella. See you later?"Seth asked, smacking both of Bella's cheeks. "Yeah, later." Bella pulled me up by the arm and we bade them goodbye, walking up to the car.
"Are you okay? You look beat, "Bella asked, holding my hand in a firm grasp. I shook my head lightly as we wedged through the sweaty crowd. She nodded back, sensing my inability to form words into decent sentences. We piled into the car and ignited the engine, peeling down the road in mediocre speed. I place my hand on her lap, palm facing upward and she took it, locking our fingers together. I rubbed her palm with my fingers, tracing figures on to it randomly. She was quiet all the way till we reached her mansion in two hours' time.
"Get a good rest, alright Edward. Call me later, yeah?" she said, unbuckling her seatbelt and gazing at me straight in the eye.
"Okay, love. Goodnight."I said, kissing her on the forehead.
"Goodnight."
And as I watched her ascend the cobbled steps, I had the strange, longing feeling of making love to her...
