Punch Me, Love Me, Save Me
Chapter Nine—The Start of Hell
Edward made his way to his room with his freshly laundered clothes and sheets several minutes later. He wasn't interested in sleeping, but he was exhausted, so he thought he might as well do as Bella said.
"A nap would be good," he told himself. Standing outside his door, the harpy watched him with her arms crossed over her chest. "You checking up on me?" he asked, already knowing he was right.
She shrugged. "Figured you could use the help," she said, shaking her head as she led him into his room. "Besides, there was no answer with the calls I needed to take care of." Something in her voice said she was pissed about something. It was nice to know that he wasn't the only one capable of making her angry. Maybe she has anger issues.
He nodded as he placed the basket on his bed. They worked together to put his sheets on and his clothes away.
"I remember another guy taking me from the house," Edward said, scowling. "Why haven't I met him?"
A look of anger crossed her features and something about the guy in question set her off. He didn't like that, and he had no idea why. Was the asshole with the southern drawl her boyfriend? He wasn't sure he'd like to meet him, and then reminded himself since he didn't care who the fuck she was with.
"Hey," she said, laying a hand on his shoulder. Her touch reminded him that he was pissed at her, though he didn't want to dwell on the reason. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he snapped, shrugging her hand off him. "I'm going to go for that nap you ordered me to take." He turned away from her, and he could feel her eyes on him as he toed out of his shoes. Without another word to her, he settled beneath the warmth of the newly washed sheets and covers. He heard her sigh softly before she closed the door behind her.
As much as Edward wanted to sleep, he knew it would be difficult. Between his already aching body, throbbing cock, and fucking headache, he knew getting to sleep would be next to impossible. He tried to beat back the shudder that moved though his body, but the shivers remained. It was easier to rein that shit in with Bella around, because he didn't want to look weak in front of her. Without her though, it felt impossible to hold it inside him.
It didn't help that his mind chose that moment to remind him of his blow up the day before. Those memories and the onset of withdrawal in his body made his stomach clench and shake harder. "Fuck," he hissed, keeping it to a whisper. He didn't know if she was watching, and if she was, he had to keep his verbal responses to a minimum or she'd probably come running.
It was the last thing he wanted now.
To help combat the impending doom of the haze that usually accompanied withdrawal, Edward tried to get his mind to concentrate on something specific. Something he wanted to remember and hoped he could retain once he was lucid after withdrawal again.
Bella.
Even though a part of him disagreed, he hoped that he wouldn't forget about her, and everything they'd already been through together. He also hoped he wouldn't forget that when she blushed, her pretty chest did, too.
Edward rolled his eyes at himself. He was one horny bastard. Who wouldn't be, with his good looks and enough money to burn everyday and still be rich?
Yet, there was something more about this woman. He had to face it, she could quite literally get him to do anything for her, and he had just met her days earlier. He had to wonder if any other woman had treated him as she did, would he crumble as easily? The affect she had on him, unnerved him. However, in a way, he found it refreshing.
Fuck, he thought, I am a masochistic.
The woman was smart, sexy, hot, feisty, and Edward realized that he liked the way she was with him. "What a mind fuck," he hissed as his tremors started to slow down. He turned to the side, looking for the camera and realized that they could see him sleeping from that angle.
For some reason, he hoped that Bella was watching him, because if she was, he knew that he was safe and that he would be okay. As he finally started to fall asleep, he saw a flash of her warm eyes. Maybe he'd dream about her, hopefully erotic, too.
He wasn't sure how long he'd been asleep before his dreams became reality. Edward groaned the exhaustion from earlier was long gone. He watched Bella walk backward from the bed, cocking a finger to get him to come to her. He didn't hesitate. She was gloriously naked, wanting and wet. He'd waited for just such a chance, even though it seemed to be happening, he still couldn't believe it. She had come in to check on him, and he purposely slept in the buff hoping to entice his little harpy to come to him. She had to have been watching him while jacked off with her name on his lips.
Now, she stood close by, hips swaying as she sought friction to alleviate the need between her thighs. At the side of the bed stood a chair and she sat back, watching him, licking those gorgeous lips that he already tasted and the same ones that she wrapped around his cock as he stood before her.
"Fuck," he groaned, throwing his head back. Her tongue was fucking magic, as he knew it would be. Unable to take much more than a few strokes of her mouth and hand, he pulled back, ran his fingers through her silky hair. It was hard to ignore the cute pout on her lips. "I'll let you have more some other time, baby. Right now, I need to fuck you."
She bit the corner of her mouth, moaning as she lay back, slipping her legs over the arms of the chair.
"Jesus," he hissed, trying hard not to thrust inside her right then. He wanted to enjoy the view, who knows if she'd let him touch her again. It was likely a one-time thing and if he had his way, he'd change her mind once she rode his cock. He usually had them wanting to come back for more.
"Please, Edward," she whispered, slipping a hand between her thighs. He groaned, wishing he had the strength to watch her get herself off, but he was desperate. He'd been blue balling for too long. His hand stroked his cock once and he couldn't help the groan that slipped from him again as he started to slide inside her.
"Fuck," he groaned, slipping in deeper. "So damn hot." He loved watching his cock sink into her. That moment was what he lusted after for days and it was so fucking worth it. "That's it, baby," he said, watching as she thrust her hips to meet his. "Ride me, just like that. Take what you need."
"Oh, Edward! Oh, Edward, yes! Oh Edward, fuck me!" she cried, and his mind sparked…where had he heard that before? Why did that sound so familiar?
He switched their positions, his bare ass on the chair as she rode him hard. Just the way he liked it. She moved over his length and clenched around his dick after a few minutes, and he groaned her name.
Closing his eyes, he quickened the pace of her hips. "Fuck, Bella!"
She gasped, her eyes meeting his. "Edward, take me from behind," He cursed and quickly flipped their positions again, her knees on the chair before he buried himself inside her, her pants turning to screams. Edward closed his eyes and gripped her hips, thrusting inside her hard and fast.
For some reason, he heard Miss-Cuff-Me-Then-Fuck-Me calling out to him, but her tone was different. Not like the breathless pants and nearly ear-splitting screams that turned him on and urged to go faster. Her voice sounded worried. His eyes opened and sure enough, his favorite harpy was leaning over him, her facial features full of concern instead of fucking ecstasy.
It was just a dream. Fuck!
He was so pissed and horny that he didn't think and reacted the only way that made sense to him. His hands made a grab for her, but she was farther away than he originally thought and fell off the bed.
Frustrated and angry, he growled as he stared at the ceiling above. He looked down, and realized that he was fucking pitching a tent in his boxers. His eyes sought the reason for his blue balls to find her look of concern gone. Instead, the hard ass bitch was back, which he liked better than the worried one.
Edward growled, "You know, you were gasping for breath in my dream, sweet tits."
Emmett, who Edward hadn't realized was watching them from the door, tried to hold back the laughter but didn't manage it. He snorted, walked over, and offered his hand to help Edward up. Having no other choice, he took his offer.
With Emmett in the room, Edward's dick deflated in seconds. "It's good to know I'm not your type," Emmett said as he steadied Edward on his feet. Behind Emmett, Bella smacked the brute's shoulder that made the man grunt.
Is she defending me?
"Are you sure you're all right?" Bella asked, her eyes roaming over him. It was obvious she could see the sheen of sweat that coated his skin, the way his pulse still thudded fast at his throat. Would she see it as weakness? The softness of her voice grated on his nerves.
"I'm so glad I amuse you," Edward grumbled at Emmett, ignoring Bella's question. He grabbed his shorts and pulled them on; he didn't even remember when he'd taken them off. He couldn't remember the last time he sleepwalked, either; that could cause a problem later. "What the fuck are you two doing in here, anyway?"
"Emmett thought you were going into convulsions and came to get me so that I could check on you."
Emmett wiggled his eyebrows. "There's no doubt what you were dreaming about or who." He laughed, but then started cursing and wincing as Bella pulled his ear.
"Seriously," she hissed. "Don't you have something better to do? Are you looking for me to send you packing?" To Edward, it was obvious now that Bella was fighting his battle and that shit got him so pissed that he ignored her and went to the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
Shaking, he stood in front of the sink, watching the swirls of steam fog up the mirror.
"You are an asshole," he heard the harpy from within the small restroom, though it seemed she wasn't trying to talk loud enough for his benefit. Maybe she didn't know the walls and door between them were paper-thin. "He doesn't need someone to embarrass or make fun of right now. You're lucky he didn't try to take a swing at you when he's so close to withdrawal."
"I can take him," Emmett grumbled.
"And I would've kicked your ass. After his withdrawal, we'll work on his horrid attitude. Right now, when withdrawal is around the corner, is not the time. Since when have you been able to control what you dream about?" There was a beat of silence, before she continued. "That's what I thought."
"Shit, I'm sorry, Bells." Edward couldn't hear his warden's reply, her voice lowering further. After another minute of silence, he took a quick shower to relieve him of the sticky sweat.
By the time he finished, he heard Emmett again from his bedroom. "I'm heading into town to pick up one of our shipments," he said. "You sure you'll be okay?"
Wanting to know what was going on, Edward exited the bathroom just as Bella shrugged. Emmett and the harpy shared a look before laying their eyes on him. He didn't spare them a look, grabbing clothes and not giving a shit that he was changing in front of them. It wasn't like they hadn't seen it all anyway.
Bella replied to Emmett, though from the sound her voice, Edward knew her attention was on him."Should be. Rosalie said she'd only be an hour at Maria's place. If anything happens, I could handle it until she gets here."
From the mirror affixed to the wall, Edward could make out Emmett who looked at his watch and told her he'd check in with her later, before exiting the room, leaving them alone, which he wasn't ready for yet.
Edward turned toward the harpy, trying to keep from his anger and embarrassment in check.
"Edward, I'm sorry that all that happened," her voice had a soft quality to it, but he didn't believe it for a second.
Edward glared at her. "No you're not," he hissed, interrupting her, wishing she hadn't mentioned his dream. With Emmett gone, he'd likely pitch another tent just thinking about it, and her.
Her hands perched her hips, she asked, "What the fuck did I do now?"
His hands fisted at his sides and his jaw was tense. Fuck it. He'd be honest. "First of all, don't fight my fucking battles. I'm not some fucking pussy that needs his woman to defend him." He ignored the wide-eyed look she gave him. "Second, you fucking woke me up before I could come."
Rant over, he watched as one of her eyebrows rose. She curled her finger, much as she had in his dream, asking him to come closer. He had no idea what she was going to say, but was too curious not to listen. "I didn't realize that's what I was doing. From now on, if you piss off Emmett, I'll let you take him." Before Edward could reply to that, she added, "So was I any good?" She seemed genuinely curious.
Edward groaned, picturing her lips around his cock again. "Fuck, yes."
"It's never going to happen between us. It can't happen and you know why," she said with a shrug, before taking his hand and pulling him toward the door. He did know why; she was technically his doctor and he was her patient, but considering that the facility probably was not in any record books, and all of it was probably illegal, they should be okay. The look she gave him, however, said that the subject was not up for debate.
His fingers tightened around her tiny hand and he couldn't help but remember how soft her skin was in his dream. Edward groaned and hung his head down low, watching her feet as they walked down the hall.
"Come on," she said, leading him to the gym as if he was on a fucking leash. He allowed it, only because what else was there to do but work out or watch the harpy's spectacular ass as she ran on the treadmill. "I have to keep an eye on you, so either sit back and relax or work out, but take it easy. You're about to hit withdrawal soon."
"I know the fucking routine," he snapped, dropping her hand.
She only rolled her eyes, nodding. "That's true. What is this, your fifth time?" He flipped her off, but she ignored him.
"Now, I'll start up with some stretching and warm ups before I hit the treads. You're welcome to follow my lead."
He shrugged and waited for her to start. "I'm not doing the splits."
She tried not to laugh, but a small snort escaped. "Yeah, I don't think your poor balls could handle it."
Edward rolled his eyes and took the same stance as she had. He watched her in the mirror in front of them, and after another pass through the routine, he was able to flow into the next set. A part of him knew she was taking it easy on him, not wanting to him to exert himself. He wanted to tell her off, but managed somehow to rein the need to lash out.
They continued for about twenty minutes before she went to work out on a stair master. He questioned if his body could handle the treadmill, since his left knee was bothering him a little. To that day, he still couldn't remember how he fucked it up. He had woken up hung over one morning with it swollen and painful.
Instead, he walked over to the mini fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. He watched her, as he always seemed to do when she was in the room. Who could blame him, considering her attire? He didn't like how aware he was of her. As he took in her small shorts, mile long legs, tiny waist and an ass worth dying for, he couldn't help but watch her. She cleared her throat and their eyes met in the mirror. The only response he received was a shake of her head, continuing her workout.
He tried to quench his sudden thirst with another drink and walked over to a punching bag with athletic tape and gloves sitting nearby. A memory of his father working out in the same fashion pushed passed through his defenses. It was something Carlisle had tried to get Edward to do after one of his rehab stints. Shaking the memory away, he put the gloves on loosely and worked on the bag for a bit, keeping his eyes on Bella's ass.
After a few minutes of that glorious torture, he turned and focused on the bag in front of him. He didn't dwell on any particular memory, just the need to punch something. He could feel his arms protest but he continued through the pain. Physical pain was easy enough to let go of; another kind haunted him daily.
They remained silent for a while. Edward wasn't sure if he was the only one that felt the tension in the room. Even though he hadn't looked at her again, it was still there. She had to have noticed it.
Suddenly, her hand was on his arm. "Do you want to listen to some music?"
Something in her eyes looked like concern, but he didn't focus on that. Instead, he dropped his gaze to her tempting mouth. He nodded and caught her smile as she walked over to the small entertainment center on the right wall.
A song with a strong beat began, and Bella started dancing in the middle of the room.
His brow beaded with sweat and he was exhausted, but not enough to ignore her. He dropped his gloves on the mat nearby. "What are you doing?"
She grinned as her body swayed."I think dancing is the name for it. It's a great way to cool down."
"That's not dancing, 3B. It looks like you're having a seizure."
She scowled and brought up both of her hands, asking him to bring it on. He cocked an eyebrow and walked over, joining Miss-Please-Grind-On-Me on her impromptu dance floor.
Edward wasn't stupid. He knew that she was only trying to get him to slow down again. Pounding a bag and practically dancing around it, was far from taking it easy. She was doing the one thing she knew he couldn't resist. She was too smart for her own good.
"Is this a part of your diabolical plan to do your bidding?" he asked as she grinned, pulling him closer. She let him put his hands on her waist, and he was thankful for the break. His stomach hurt like hell. At his wince, she wound one of her arms around his hip, bringing her gorgeous body against him. He couldn't help the fucking just-hit-puberty-schoolboy-like groan, which she ignored.
"Are you going to let me be your friend, Edward?" she asked, looking suddenly serious. She continued to sway her body, driving him crazy.
He shrugged and finally started to move with her. There were things he wanted to know, and for some reason, he hoped she'd be forthcoming as she expected him to be. "Are you friends with all the others before me?" Why did that shit piss him off?
"Yes, and I still am," she said, nodding. The song changed and she started to sing along. What surprised him was that she was fucking good at it. "A few them, even help out from time to time."
He nodded. "Emmett was the bull that broke your jaw, wasn't he?" She didn't answer, but the silence was enough to know he was right. He shook his head; that fucker was big enough to kill her. The idea that he laid a violent hand on her made him angry. "What do I get in return for letting you become my friend?" She cocked an eyebrow at his lowered tone and rolled her eyes when he smirked. "Is it too much to ask for some benefits?"
She pinched him. He laughed, and started to belt out the song, too. They continued to dance, though not as aggressively as he would've liked. She put a little more space between them, but the occasional brush of her hip or thigh against his, drove him up several notches.
For a few more numbers, they continued in the same manner. It wasn't until the fifth that Edward felt the vertigo hit.
"Edward," Bella gasped as his hands fell from her waist. He clutched his head and felt a wave of nausea hit him.
"Fuck, Edward. Shit!"
He heard her, but didn't see her. He felt her hands around his waist as she tried to lead him to sit down.
He shook his head. "Please take me to my room," he groaned, watching the room spin. The fucking mirrors only made matters worse. He fell onto one knee as Bella tried to help him back up.
"Damn it," she hissed. "Everybody went into town. Fuck, you're heavy." She panted, trying to heave him upright.
"Bella," he whispered, using the last of his strength to lurch to his feet.
"Help me here, Edward," she whispered, throwing his arm over her shoulder. "I'll get you to your room." He nodded and leaned heavily on her tiny frame as she led him down the hallway.
He looked down at her. "You're so fucking small." He saw her frown. "Sorry to ruin your fun, sweet tits," he said, looking at his Bella. She nodded, biting her lip. It was a habit he'd seen her do before. He raised his free hand, even though his arm felt like lead, and touched her lip. "Don't do that."
"Why?"
"I'm the only one who's allowed to do that to your lip." She smiled, though he thought it was fucking fake, since she wouldn't meet his eyes. "Don't worry, baby. I'll be okay."
She nodded again as she led him to his bathroom. As soon as the glaring white of the bathroom met his eyes, he lost his breakfast, barely making it to the toilet. He felt her hand in his hair and on his back.
"Bella, get the fuck out of here!" he screamed at her, spitting a few times into the bowl. He didn't dare look at her.
"I'm not going anywhere, Edward," she whispered, and then he made a mistake. He looked into her eyes. She was blinking back tears, and there was fear there, too. For him, and he didn't deserve any of it.
It was at that moment, she wasn't being a bully toward him because he was being a dick. It was what he needed to get his head out of his ass. He realized that she'd do everything in her power to save him, and he wanted her to, too.
His entire body shook and he turned away from her, dry heaving several times. Fuck, it hurt like hell. A cold, wet towel covered his head and it felt fucking amazing.
"Take off your shirt," she commanded.
Edward couldn't help the smile that emerged when her tone had turned again. The hard ass was back. He let her lift his shirt over his head. "Are you hot or cold?"
"Both," he groaned, dry heaving in the toilet again. He looked at her again, just as his body started to shake uncontrollably. It felt as if he was coming apart at the seams, that the only thing holding him together was his clammy skin. "Bella, please…" He wasn't able to finish before another round of heaving occurred.
His skin felt taut, stretched over sinew and useless muscles. It felt over sensitized, too. He felt every ridge of Bella's fingertips on him. "Edward, I can get you in a shower."
He shook his head no. Words failed him, stuck on his palette, felt thick on his tongue. Everything in him wanted to scream at her suddenly; he wasn't ready for her to see him that way. It hurt him that she even had to; anyone else would have used it against him.
"Don't be so fucking stubborn," she growled, reminding him that she was just doing her job.
He tried to rise to feet, but he felt boneless and weak. "I don't think I can stand."
Her words were near his ear, and he felt her breath on his cheek. "Okay, just sit back against the wall and put your head in between your knees."
She helped him into position, his stomach protesting along with his muscles. "Bella," he said, watching her.
"Yes," she whispered, raking her fingers through his hair, wiping her hand in a towel. Fuck, she was washing the vomit from his hair.
"I should've taken your offer to cut my hair," he said stupidly, giving her a lazy smile. She rolled her eyes and shrugged.
"Maybe I'll cut it all off while you're out for the count."
He nodded, watching her wash her hands, wet a cloth, and fill a glass with water for him. "Guess I deserved that." He let her wipe his face with the washcloth. "But you love the sex hair too much to do that." She laughed, but it was forced and not the real deal. His body decided then to tremble harder, enough to rattle his teeth. "Please don't leave me." His eyes closed, unable to take the look in her eyes a second longer. "Promise me that you won't."
He could've sworn he heard her sob softly, but he wasn't sure. "I won't."
She continued to clean him up for a few minutes, but it could have been hours, since time seemed to pass strangely. "Bella," he cried out, biting his tongue as acidic bile rose to his throat. Her hands were there, helping him to the toilet again.
"Edward," she whispered, wiping his hair and running a cool hand down his back.
Between two rounds of bone-melting shakes, he whispered hoarsely, looking straight into her eyes. "Save me, please."
AN: Thanks to kyla713 for your help and hand holding for this chapter. I wanted to let you know that its technically been four days since the incident with Alice at home. Generally, severe withdrawal symptoms start to show between 3-4 days from what I've read and seen. He has been trying to hide them for almost a day, too. If I'm wrong, I'm sorry. Thanks, see you next week.
