I don't own these characters. They are the sole property of Stephenie Meyer. I only borrow them. No humans are permanently harmed through my actions, though I do confess to harassing, annoying, torturing, and exasperating them – just because it's fun. I make no money from my little stories, sad day. I only play in the sandbox, I didn't build it.
Author's Note: Their journey will begin in the next chapter and things will start "moving along" for them quite nicely after that.
IX
Isabella's POV
I had been quite surprised at my own daring in allowing Edward to hold my hand. I was even more surprised at how much that seemingly innocent touch sent my heart to racing and my mind turned toward thoughts that ill-became me as a lady. Still, I would not wish them away. I had seen my own happiness at the sudden turn of events in Mr. Masen's green eyes. His patience and care for my sons had been my undoing. Even more than the masculine scent of him, or the appealing lines of his jaw or the masculine strength of his hands, it had been his actions toward Alex and Aaron that had caused the walls to come crumbling down.
We would not act on our feelings. Not yet. It was not the right time. But I felt confident that we would, when the time and circumstances were right. The day would come when he would loosen my hair because it would be his right and privilege to do so. He would unlace my chemise and reveal flesh that was only for his eyes. We would share an intimacy that might, one day, lead to children. He would sleep beside me in bed, his arms wrapped around me, holding me close.
I knew this with all certainty, though the knowledge was newly found. There was something about Edward that excited and drew me in ways that no lady would ever admit. He was a gentleman, but beneath that polished, polite surface something else lingered. Something that lured me closer with every breath.
As I pondered Edward and the mystery surrounding him, I remembered my mother pointing out a man at a party one night when I just a girl of fifteen. She had given a discreet nod of her head toward the man and then whispered in my ear, "That is a dangerous man, my girl. That is a man that a woman should not allow herself to be alone with."
I had studied him carefully, wondering if I would be able to see what made him dangerous. He had appeared to be much like every other man at the party. There had been nothing about him to mark him as extraordinary. Then I had seen him lean in close to a young lady and whisper something in her ear. When she had given him an outraged gasp and stalked away, he had looked up and seen me watching him. He had given me an audacious wink and I understood my mother's words then. It was something in his eyes – something dark and wild and untamable. In truth, it was not unappealing. And perhaps it was in that fact that the danger lurked. I had not fully understood it then; I was too young and naïve. But now, having been married, and having been wracked by my unmentionable desires, I could understand more fully.
Edward was just such a man. His beauty was so appealing, his charm so overwhelming, that a lady would be sorely tempted to forget she was a lady if he asked it of her.
I kept my thoughts to myself, but I did allow my leg to brush up against his as we rode along. Even with the barrier of my voluminous skirts and his trousers, I felt the warmth of his flesh burning a brand into mine.
I was playing with fire and I wanted to burn.
Edward's POV
We arrived in Denver just before darkness fell. We had eaten some apples but all of us were starving as we rolled into the bustling city. Compared to cities back East, of course, Denver was a rough and uncouth town. But for out here, it was a city. The boys' eyes went wide with wonder as I led the horses to a nearby stable. Isabella and I had talked about it on the way and had decided that the best option would be to sell the horses and wagon and put aside the money to repurchase those items when we made the return trip. She had no idea how long it would take to settle her parents' affairs.
While I haggled with a giant of a man over a fair price, Isabella kept the boys occupied by showing them the different horses and then walking them outside and pointing out various sites of interest. Finally, having reached an agreement with the man, I went outside to join them, placing the funds in her hands with a flourish.
"You did very well, Mr. Masen," she murmured approvingly.
"It is my most fervent wish to attend diligently to any task you might assign me, Mrs. Black," I replied politely. On the surface, I was the gentleman that any lady like Isabella deserved, but inside, my emotions and baser instincts were roiling and churning, threatening to escape my control.
She smiled at me secretively, as if she sensed my inner turmoil and, instead of being disgusted, was shyly appreciative. I could only hope that would be the case when the time came to reveal my innermost desires to her.
To my surprise, she looped her arm through my elbow as we walked to the hotel. It was the first time she had ever touched me in public, even in so innocent a way. The boys did not notice, running ahead of us as far as their mother would allow. Having been somewhat confined all day, their energy levels were at full and they showed no signs of slowing. It would be a battle to get them into their beds later.
When we inquired about rooms at the hotel, Mrs. Black was shocked at the rate quote to her. As I watched her face pale, I could almost see her mentally calculating the funds she had brought with her and the funds from the horses, which had to be put aside for the return trip home. I tugged at her elbow. "Mrs. Black," I whispered in her ear and was rewarded with a shiver. "If I might suggest a more economical alternative?"
She stepped away from the desk and nodded.
"Before I proceed, I want to say that I make my suggestion with all respect," I murmured and my eyes flickered to the boys. "Denver is a rough city, ma'am. You need to be protected. Your sons need to be looked after as well, and happily, my desire to protect the three of you will fall in line quite nicely with preserving the funds we have available." There, Isabella, see how I want to protect you? Do you realize that I already think of us as a family? Let me do what I am supposed to do.
She looked at me, confused but willing to listen.
I smiled gently and lightly squeezed her hand, feeling a thrill when she returned the gesture. "If I might be so bold... The four of us could share a room. I will happily use our bedrolls to make a pallet on the floor, while you and the boys share the bed. I swear to you that I shall make no inappropriate overtures." Once more I glanced at the boys, who would surely prove to be the best chaperones in the world.
She paused and then nodded, pressing some money into my hands. "Make the arrangements...Edward."
I knew that I was grinning as I approached the clerk once more. I leaned on the counter and gave him a more reserved smile. "My wife and sons and I would like a room, please."
"But I thought the lady wanted-"
I waved my hand at him dismissively, calling upon a former life. "I have convinced my wife that the boys are too young to be alone in a room, especially in a town like Denver."
The poor man did not know whether to congratulate me or blush with shame, so instead, he merely pushed the register at me and bade me write our names. Mr. and Mrs. Edward...Masen – sons, Alex and Aaron.
It was not quite what I wanted, but for now it would do. I turned to her with a smile and held up the key. "It seems that our room is ready and I suspect our bags will arrive quite soon." I had even talked the stable master into delivering our few belongings for a nominal charge.
We all walked up the stairs to our room, the boys making far too much noise and drawing a scolding from their mother. Hardly abashed, they made their way down the hall and ran into the room, ready to explore their new surroundings. I could tell that Isabella was tired but I could guess what would make her feel even better than sleep.
"Why don't I take the boys to get something to eat?" I suggested. "The hotel has a restaurant and I'm sure we can find something there. I'll have the front desk clerk send up a tub and some hot water for a bath for you." The look of extreme pleasure on her face told me that I had guessed correctly.
An hour later, the boys and I returned to the room after my knock drew Isabella's invitation to enter. As I opened the door, the sight that greeted my eyes made my breath catch in my throat. The tub had been cleared away and she was sitting in front of the fire in a night gown and a robe. In truth, I was seeing no more flesh than her dresses revealed. Except...
Her dainty feet were curled under her as she sat on the rug before the fire and she was patiently brushing her hair, taming the curls into some semblance of order. She turned as we entered and smiled at me, her shyness showing in the pink of her cheeks. But an unexpected boldness shone through as well, in the proud carriage of her head, the lines of her shoulders. She was not ashamed of being seen in such a state. On the contrary, she was offering up the tantalizing sight to me as a gift of sorts.
This is me, she was saying. This is what I have to offer. Her offering was not in any mere physical sense. She was showing me the woman she was, secure in her feminine knowledge that she was enough – far more than I deserved, in fact.
My approval must have gleamed in my eyes, though it had to remain unspoken for the moment, because she gave me a nod of her hand in acknowledgement. I had seen the prize I wanted to gain, and had not found it lacking in any way. It was far beyond her physical person; I desired the bravery and determination I was witness to every day.
I handed her the small tray of food we had brought up with us and the boys chattered to her of their adventures in the restaurant, but her eyes kept returning to me. I sensed her inspection and wordlessly, I offered myself up to her as she had done to me. I loosened my tie and undid the top button of my shirt. Then I loosened my cuffs and rolled up my sleeves. It was as much as I could do in our present circumstances, but it was enough.
I had been weighed and measured in her eyes...and not found wanting.
Our eyes met above the boys' dark heads.
