Chapter 10: Chest pains
Warm... soft and firm in all the right places... sweet baby Jesus, she smells like orange trees and flowers...
Edward turned his head toward her forehead to inhale her intoxicating fragrance and feel the texture of her skin against his lips. He eagerly pulled her even closer into his side when she sighed and hummed in contentment snuggling deeper in his arms. That's when Edward felt the burning sensation rise inside his chest, and goosebumps cascading down his skin from head to toe.
What are you doing, Edward?
Edward realized shortly after he invited Bella to spend the night in his bed that it was a horrible idea... terrible... absolutely a big mistake.
She felt too good. Smelled too incredible for words and tasted even better. He recalled how adorable she looked snuggling into his California king size bed, and the conversation they had the night before...
"My God, it's like sleeping on clouds. You just sink right in!" Bella sighed as her body sunk deeper into the mattress causing Edward to laugh at her expression and playfulness.
Bella turned onto her side to face Edward, who looked happier now than Bella had ever seen him before. His warm smile and green eyes burned into her as though they were trying to read her mind and see if she was as happy as he felt right now. The thought gave her goosebumps and butterflies in her stomach, and she felt that 'feeling' inside she never thought she would feel for someone else other than Emmett Cullen.
And she wasn't sure at the moment if that was a good or bad thing...
"I was wondering... what do you plan to do now that you've got your degree?" Edward whispered as he moved a piece of Bella's cascading hair behind her ear so he could see her face better. He saw her expression turn darker, and he figured it was something about the uncertainty of where their new relationship was heading, which he didn't have the answers to either.
But all Edward wanted at the moment, was to bring back the blissful happiness between them and make her smile again. He deduced getting to know more about her would be a good place to start.
"Well, I plan to travel... mostly for inspiration, but also to see the world. I love all kinds of music from different cultures and I basically intend to incorporate various cultural music and combine them into something new and modern.
"After the concerto concert in Vienna, I got asked to work for a film company in Europe or teach a school in Germany which both sounded amazing. I do love teaching and kids... but I'm not ready to settle down in one place when there is so much more to learn and experience first hand by seeing and living the different music for myself, rather listening and experiencing it vicariously through a bunch of CDs, you know?"
Bella finished by looking up to see Edward's smiling captivated face lying just inches from her own. Realizing that she had been blabbing for a full two minutes straight, he was most likely smiling indulgently at her foolishness. Plopping her head back against the pillow, she blushed furiously while laughing out loud from embarrassment before rolling on her back and lifting her hands to hide her red face.
"I'm sorry. I'm rambling, aren't I?"
"No. You're not. You're just sound really excited and passionate about what you do. I think it's great. Everything you're planning for your future can happen only if you make it happen. So don't just talk about it... really do it. I know you're going to be successful no matter what you do simply based on the improvisation you showed me downstairs. You impressed me so much, Bella... and that's saying something, because I'm not easily impressed."
Bella smiled happily then opened her mouth and covered her cheek with her hand looking utterly shocked, "No! Really? You?"
Edward chuckled heartily and tickled her sides, "Shut up, you!" Bella laughed out loud trying to block his attacks by rolling side to side, only to be pulled into Edward's arms which skillfully trapped like a mountain lion catching his prey, and held her hostage laughing victoriously into her neck.
Only Bella was a more than willing captive. She stopped fighting him and instantly relaxed, melting slowly into Edward's arms and sensually inhaled his musky sandalwood scent. His arms felt safe and comforting... she had no intention on moving away, just as Edward had no intention on letting her go.
Edward tilted his head down to kiss the side of her head before whispering "goodnight," then Bella hummed her reply and snuggled closer into his side. They both sighed comfortably while listening to the music of the storm playing outside.
Both of them thought they had cleverly fooled the other that they had fallen asleep, all while their minds were alert and wide awake pondering the same thing... how was it that so much had changed between them in just the course of 24 hours?
The rain had stopped about ten minutes ago and it was becoming steadily warmer as Edward lay awake watching the temporary sunlight beam inside his bedroom revealing the natural red highlights sparkling in Bella's rich chocolate hair.
He took the time to analyze how perfectly Bella fit wrapped around his body; her precious head resting on his shoulder and her toned thigh draped across both of his legs. Her cool breath brushing across his chest, pleasantly tickled his skin, causing shivers to spread throughout his body.
Edward couldn't help noticing how her lips were just an agonizing inch away from his chest, and how much he desired to kiss and taste her lips again and again... but he was afraid to wake her from her deep sleep knowing he didn't want this moment to end.
In fact, he never wanted to move from this spot, fearing he'd never feel this close to her again. So he planned to soak up all he could get, even though he prayed there would be more moments like this when he felt completely and utterly happy, all because of this angel sleeping next to him.
Images kept popping into his mind from yesterday and the night of his mother's birthday.
After spending all of yesterday with Bella, he finally understood the amount of attraction Emmett had felt toward her after such as short period of time. She was enchanting, endearing, and very desirable.
What was now on the forefront of his mind was trying to figure out how he felt about this woman who stood in his way between making the deal of a life time and failing miserably for the first time in his entire life.
No, he couldn't lose. Failure was never an option.
This deal would secure CCC's future and give him the recognition he so desired to make his family proud and distinguish him in the world of business which he worked his whole life to achieve.
And after the deal was made, Edward would go back to being a workaholic preparing for the next order of business for CCC, and Bella would become a famous composure and musician. She would travel the world and meet new people... people who would help her career take off and possibly, with the right amount of connections, become famous.
Maybe she'll even meet someone on the way and forget all about me. Someone who could support her and keep her safe while she traveled during her research and give her the life she deserved. She would fall in love and start a family... grow old with him... and of course kiss and— make lov— OW!
Edward shot up off the bed from the sudden sharp pain that struck directly through his heart like a dagger. He startled Bella from her deep sleep from him jerking underneath her to sit up and rub anxiously at his chest to numb the pain.
"Edward?" she whispered drowsily, "you okay?" she slurred her words together while Edward winced and held his hand to his chest to ease the burning and slow down his breathing.
"Yeah, honey. I just had that dream where it felt like I was falling... I'm—it's okay. Go back to sleep," Edward kissed her forehead and got out from under the sheets and draped the sheets back over Bella.
He made a quick escape to bathroom to splash his face with some cool water. Edward's lungs were on fire! His heart was beating so fast it was making his arm hurt. Shit, was he having a heart attack?
I'm too fucking young to have a heart condition! What the Hell is wrong with me?
He had never had this problem before and in all honesty, it was scaring the shit out of him. Was all of this because he was picturing his Bella with someone else?
Fuck! There it is again! God almighty, make it stop!
That was it... it must be. Bella couldn't be with anyone else. It would surly, at this rate, literally kill him.
This wasn't the fucking plan. Now everything had changed... after spending only one day with her, his heart started aching for her. It was one amazing day with the small girl he'd seen grow up into an incredibly talented and sexy woman... who he currently had the biggest raging hard on for.
I swear that woman could make the Pope hard.
This called for an immediate cold shower to remedy his situation if he intended to be back in her presence again and not make her uncomfortable. He couldn't scare her away now, after all the progress he's made in getting to know her in just a short while. Edward quickly got undressed and started the shower then hopped inside when it reached the proper temperature.
Bella Swan was so much more than he ever anticipated. In other words, she was more than just the pretty face Emmett saw the day she returned from her year long trip. Bella was smart, funny, witty, sassy, quick tempered, passionate, quirky, athletic, spontaneous, optimistic, kind, generous, tomboyish, unintentionally beautiful, and possessed no knowledge of the amount of sex appeal she possessed that drew attention to anyone she passed by.
The fact that Bella possessed all natural beauty and not artificial like some of the women Edward had dated in the past was refreshing and inspiring. She was comfortable in her own skin and was unafraid to be herself around him. Eating her food like a person should eat, rather than picking or nibbling. The woman was a bottomless pit... and yet still maintained an amazing hourglass figure. Not flat, or stick straight... not even voluptuous. Feminine, soft, and curvy in all the right places.
She was, in Edward's mind, perfection. And why she didn't already have a man to hold her and lock her away in a tower so no other man could ever touch her or become aroused by her was completely mind boggling to him.
He wouldn't be surprised if she got dozens of offers per day to go out on dates. He could almost not blame his brother for wanting her all to himself... almost.
Brother or not, Emmett will get his hands chopped off if he even thinks about touching what's mine..
The brothers never shared women... well, not intentionally. It was sort of an unspoken pact between them so they would never end up fighting over the same woman.
It was going splendidly up until last year when Victoria played them both at the same time without their knowledge of it. Of course, by the time they found out over drinks what happened at the Cullen party six months ago, Victoria had already moved on to their business associate James McKinley, who six months later is now her fiancé... the poor devil.
Then again, he's no saint either so they actually do deserve each other.
As far as Victoria was concerned, they both just had a laugh over two bottles of wine, then shrugged it off and forgot all about it. Victoria was not worth fighting for... not even worth remembering in Edward's opinion.
Bella, on the other hand, she was worth more than a hundred Victoria's.
Bella is too good for someone like Emmett. Heck, she is too good for someone like me. A piece of shit who agreed to take on this stupid task in the first place.
The last thing he wanted was to hurt her... but he was even more afraid now of Bella ruining him at this point. And they hadn't even slept together yet! Not in the Biblical sense, that is. Even so, last night was still the best night of sleep he ever had and all he could think about while he turned the shower on was tonight when he hoped for it to happen again.
The shower was as cold as could tolerably be, at yet his little or big problem at this point, was not going down. So he had to take matters into his own hands... literally.
It helped imagining her body, her eyes, her lips, her hair, her sultry voice, her laugh, her moans... God, he was trying so hard not to moan from the pleasure he was feeling at the moment. The last thing he wanted was to scare her away because he was a creeper jacking off with her in the next room.
Edward finally found his release remembering that hot ass kiss they shared downstairs after she had played the piano for him. He remembered vividly how she felt beneath him; warm, grinding, needy. How she reciprocated his urgency and desire to possess her entirely... he prayed she would still be remembering that kiss for days, and years to come.
That should have been their first kiss.
He felt sated momentarily because he knew his little problem was bound to return the moment he saw her again sleeping in just a man's button down shirt in his bed. Man he was a lucky son-of-a-bitch!
Edward dried off and wrapped a towel around his waist so he could open the door to the bedroom and retrieve fresh clothing from his drawers. Only when he looked in the bed, Bella was no where to be seen.
Frowning slightly from thinking she woke up while he was showering, he got dressed and went in search for her. But he didn't have to look for long. Once he made his way to the hallway his nose was filled with the smell of fresh coffee and bacon... and eggs of some kind. He couldn't wait to go downstairs to see what surprise Bella had prepared for him for breakfast.
When he turned the corner, he was certainly not disappointed. Bella was still in the shirt she wore last night and a pair of mini booty shorts that where only seen through the transparency of the long shirt. Edward's eyes roams up the back of Bella's long bare legs and couldn't help noticing the curve of her body through the thin material which showed the lacy nude bra underneath.
She's trying to kill me.
Yup... his brain was now three feet away from his cranium and was fighting for full control of his actions henceforth.
Slowly and silently Edward walked barefoot toward the angel slaving over a hot stove before wrapping his arms firmly around her waist and pulled her flush against his chest as she yelped in surprise. He brought his lips down to the nape of her neck and whispered huskily,
"Do you have any idea what it does to me seeing you cook in practically nothing, Isabella. Have mercy on me, woman."
He could hear Bella release a nervous breath before chuckling at his words. Slowly she pulled out of his embrace looked up at him lifting a single eyebrow to him in amusement.
"Well, forgive me for trying to feed you since someone let me sleep in this morning and now I'm as hungry as a Hungry Hungry Hippo, which was of course my favorite game as a child..."
"Always thinking with your stomach... I like that in a woman. My favorite game was Operation. I always found it fascinating what was hidden inside that man's body... butterflies, bread, pencils, horses, um..."
"Funny bone," Bella turned around to turn the stove off as Edward snapped excitedly and leaned against the counter facing her while Bella moved the potatoes into a serving dish.
"Right! And there was a wish bone too... and... Oh, spare ribs! Love spare ribs, they are so delicious!" Edward moved closer to Bella and leaned his face in to kiss her on the lips he'd been dreaming about all morning only Bella turned her cheek to him at the last minute,
"And a broken heart..." Bella said casually but Edward frowned knowing it was anything but. He turned her face to him and tried to get her to look him in the eye,
"Hey... what's wrong?"
He saw the sadness in her eyes and it made his stomach drop to the floor. She was so warm and receptive last night... what possibly could have changed since then that they were now back to ground zero?
"We need to talk. But let me finish breakfast first, okay? Would you mind setting the table, please? I'm almost done," she said sweetly before turning around to finish preparing their plates while Edward turned and scowled while opening the silverware drawer and got out the utensils they needed and napkins.
She wants to talk... that doesn't sound good.
What the hell? I thought I was making progress... We cuddled and slept in the same bed for Christ sake. She must find me somewhat attractive after that amazing kiss we shared last night. I know I don't repulse her... unless I did something in my sleep that made her uncomfortable.
FUCK! I'm freaking like she's about to fucking break up with me when we're not even together...yet.
Edward begrudgingly sat down moping in his chair while he waited for Bella to sit down and bring their food. His good buoyant mood since he came downstairs almost entirely gone.
Bella spent a little extra time preparing the food to give herself a moment to collect her thoughts. The truth was, she really didn't know what to say to him... or more accurately how to say it to him without hurting him or his feelings. She hoped the words would just come to her when she sat down in front of him... just seeing his dejected and guarded face as she turned around completely melted her resolve and caused her mind to go blank again.
She set the his plate down first in front of him and waited for his reaction toward the breakfast she prepared just for him.
"Egg Benedict? You—how? Did you know this was my favorite?" Edward asked her completely bewildered at the professional artistic way she presented the food on the plate, as though she had studied with a Cordon bleu chef... he remembered she probably had through Charlotte.
Was there nothing this woman couldn't do?
"Sue taught me the basics of cooking since I was seven so Charlie and me wouldn't starve after mom died. Then Charlotte, of course, refined my skills when I turned fifteen for her own amusement. She said the best way to catch a man is with his stomach, but you draw attention with presentation," Edward actually chuckled when she flared her hand over her plate as though presenting a master piece... which it was.
"With that being said and to answer your question... yes, I did know it was your favorite. And if you're wondering how I got this secret information, it was the same chef who taught me how to make it. So bon appetit!" Bella raised her orange juice glass and clicked Edward's stunned stationary coffee mug, just like he had done to her the night of the party, before she took a sip.
Edward shook his head to clear the lustful thoughts that clouded his mind about this almost perfect woman eating in front of him. Bella went out of her way to please him and make him smile... yet there was still something different about the way she was acting toward him and he didn't want to stall the conversation any longer.
"Eat. I promise it's not poisoned. Though I can't promise it's not burnt since your toaster was acting a little wonky. Actually, I think I gave myself the burnt one, so yeah, you're all clear," Bella smiled happily before putting another bite in her mouth, causing Edward to chuckle, and he indulged her by taking a bite of his eggs Benedict. It was almost impossible to stay in a bad mood around her; sometimes she was just too darn cute for words and her smile was contagious.
After the first bite, his eyes instantly rolled to the back of his head in ecstasy. This breakfast entirely hit the spot and he was torn between devouring it or savoring it so he could appreciate every flavor.
"It's delicious, Bella. My. God! So good..." he took another bite and groaned in satisfaction. It was cooked perfectly and the Hollandaise sauce was utter perfection. Her country potatoes weren't greasy or over cooked and just the right size, cut into even triangles. And to top it off, she put fruit and orange slices to decorate the side of the plate as a garnish.
"You did all this in twenty minutes? I'm impressed. I'm glad I didn't bet against your cooking 'cause I would certainly hire you to cook for me everyday. In fact, maybe you'd be interested in replacing the chef we currently have working in the kitchen. This is the best breakfast I've had all month. I should have fired him two weeks ago, when he first burnt my toast."
"Are you talking about Alistair? Charlotte told me all about him when Mrs. Cullen hired him. Apparently he's been cooking for forty years and is excellent with tastes and flavors, and he's a sommelier, too. I hear he's a genius."
"A genius doesn't burn toast," Edward said defiantly taking a bite out of Bella's flawlessly golden brown toast that she put on the side plate in front of him, and he once again moaned and rolled this eyes up and leaned back in his seat, savoring every bite.
"Well I'm sure he wouldn't burn anything if he could read the timers properly. He probably doesn't know how to work that fancy toaster with all those complicated dials and nobs," Bella argued and took a bite of her own toast in protestation.
"Well, perhaps I'll just have to make the toast for myself from now on. You know what they say—"
"If you want something done right, yes, I know... I still don't think occasional burnt toast labels him as a bad chef," Bella grumbled bowing her head picking at her food, hoping Edward wasn't serious about firing that nice old man she spoke to yesterday on her way to see Mrs. Cullen in Edward's office.
"He seems old enough for retirement, anyway. I could send him off with a large sum to live comfortably for the rest of the year, or his lifetime if he spends it wisely," Edward said watching Bella's expression turn from hard to soft as he displayed his generosity toward the old man, but she still didn't seem very satisfied. He wondered what more could he do to make her happy... and his stomach happy with a better chef.
"I've only spoken to him once... he offered me a blueberry muffin and asked about my trip. Then I asked about him, wondering the same thing you were about why he wasn't retired yet, and he told me he had lost his wife three months ago to lung cancer. He had met her when they were children and married her at eighteen. They were married for fifty-nine years," Bella eyes started to water and her throat constricted remembering Alistair speak about his beloved wife, "and she made him promise to keep living his life... and not follow her until... until God told him to. So he decided to return to work to keep himself busy so he wouldn't have to stay at home missing her all the time." Bella sniffled and brought her napkin up to dab her eye losing the battle at not crying.
Edward watched entranced at how lovely she looked with sparkles in her eyes and her face red as a cheery. He stopped eating and listened to Bella's tender voiced recall Alistair's misfortune and it touched his heart.
Bella's sympathy and compassion greatly reminded him of his mother... and the second he saw a tear fall from her cheek he knew he was being entirely unreasonable and too harsh toward the old man. So what if he couldn't make a decent piece of toast... there are other things much more important.
God I'm an asshole. This man had worked for me for months and Bella found out more about chef Alistair in one conversation than he had in three months.
"Bella?" Edward's soft and gentle voice caused Bella to lift her chin and look at him through watery eyes. He reached over and put his hand on top of hers, "I promise chef Alistair will have a position for as long as he wants one. You have my word. Even after Charlotte returns if she could stand to share the kitchen, that is. "
And with that remark came a radiant smile that lit up Bella's entire face, causing a warm glowing feeling to arise inside of him... just for making her happy again.
"That smile alone is worth any price. But I can't take the wait any longer. Will you tell me now what's troubling you? Is it something I did or said last night?" Edward asked raising his eyebrows sincerely in concern while Bella bashfully lowered her chin to the table once more.
"No," Bella sniffed and wiped another lone tear away from her cheek in frustration for her silly emotions getting the best of her.
"Have I made you uncomfortable?" he continued but Bella lifted her head suddenly and earnestly replied,
"No, Edward," Bella said quickly looking more and more flustered and she tried to remove her hand from Edward's grasp but Edward clung on harder, afraid she would run away.
"Then what?" he asked and waited impatiently for her explanation. He was about to speak again until Bella lifted her eyes to him and asked earnestly,
"I don't know what you want from me."
Edward furrowed his brow in confusion not knowing what she meant. Bella sighed and put her hands to her face to hide her blush, then she whispered looking down at the table, "Why did you ask me to photograph for you instead of hiring a professional photographer? Why do you all of a sudden, after years of ignoring me, care about what I think or feel? What am I to you? First we agree to be friends yesterday, then last night you kiss me and though you... if we..." once she started the questions kept rolling off her tongue like vomit.
She was so confused about what they were... or where they were heading, and the last thing she wanted to do was misunderstand how Edward thought of her.
"Are you finished?" Edward said dryly with a smirk on his face which incensed Bella even more and she huffed in frustration. How was it he was remaining so calm after everything she just said to him?
"That's a lot of questions to answer so it might take me some time. Will you allow me to explain without interruption?" Edward answered softly watching Bella's expression look helpless and vulnerable. She was crumbling in front of him and he didn't wish to reveal to her what truly caused him to pursue her... he wasn't even sure himself if that was the real reason anymore. He had to think of something fast.
"First of all, I don't want anything from you that you're not willing to give. I don't expect anything and honestly I don't even know myself what's happening between us. I told you yesterday that I would have rather hired a friend to take the pictures because I like your work and I trust you to give me honest opinions and not swindle me. And finally about ignoring you for most of our acquaintance... I'm ashamed to admit that I'm sometimes oblivious to people around me who are not in my line of focus or of interest to me. I grew up focused and one track minded and everything outside of my plans for my future was considered just a wait of my precious time... as you called me out on the night before.
"I'm not a perfect man, Bella, and I never claimed to be. I grew up a spoiled rich boy who worked hard and didn't know how to play with the other kids. I was alone for most of my childhood and I'm not blessed with the same people skills that my brother has. So don't take it personally that I didn't acknowledge you because everyone else got the exact same treatment. But I'm trying to change that..."
"Why?" Bella asked automatically, then winced at her question and continued when Edward raised his eyebrows in amusement, "I mean... what inspired you to change?"
"You," Edward answered simply causing Bella to balk and shake her head trying to overcome the spell Edward's emerald eyes were casting on her.
"But why me? You never cared what I thought before..."
"That was before we spoke at the party, when I got a glimpse of how you perceived me... and I didn't like what I saw. So that night I thought to myself, who better than to show me how to be different than a person who is the exact opposite of me... and everything I hope to become," Edward explained flawlessly without missing a beat.
He would have patted himself on the back for the best bullshitter in the country... if he didn't wish there was a grain of truth to all the lies he was spewing at her.
"Why would you want to become like me?" Bella said blatantly shaking her head in disbelief, "You're Edward Cullen. Successful billionaire, a genius, handsome, sexy, chick magnet, and world-famous. What could I offer you?"
Edward listened to every thing Bella listed off with apt attention, but only two words rang inside his ears like a bell. His smile grew wider and more cocky by the second as he gave her his famous crooked grin, "You think I'm handsome and sexy?"
Bella grunted in frustration and threw her hands up, "Is that all you heard?"
"No... but it's nice to know how you see me. I was beginning to worry the attraction was only one-sided," Edward crossed his arms behind his head to stretch and Bella noticed a sliver of his abs show and her eyes couldn't help themselves from staring. The look didn't go unnoticed by Edward, and he smirked knowing his little move to 'flaunt the goods' was successful.
It really did help to know she was attracted to him too, because he was worried for a while there that he was losing his touch with women. Even though he wasn't a playboy like his brother, he had still never been turned down by someone he was interested in... and he was quite arrogant about it.
"Yes, I think you're attractive. There, is your ego cocked and loaded now?" Bella said defiantly crossing her arms stubbornly, annoyed that Edward caught her checking him out.
"Perhaps. Am I as good or better looking than Emmett?" Edward asked, but instantly regretted it suddenly realizing who he was speaking to.
"No one is as handsome as Emmett. All those rippling muscles and deep blue eyes, hmm!" Bella sighed and leaned her head back onto her chair, swooning exaggeratedly, missing the daggers coming from Edwards eyes.
"Okay, that's enough," Edward grumbled throwing a piece of potato down her shirt to snap her out of her insufferable Emmett induced orgasm. Bella squeaked and went to fish out the potato from her shirt.
Jesus, Bella Swan was good at keeping him humble, that's for sure.
But nevertheless, the last thing Edward wanted to hear was that Bella still preferred his brother over him. That was certainly not going to fly with him. He would keep her stranded with him on this non-remote island for as long as it took to change her mind.
Oh, yes... he would.
Once Bella found the potato, she threw it back at him, causing Edward to tease her by wiggling his orange slice in front of her. Bella put her hands up in defense, "You better not start a food fight with me Edward Anthony, or I swear to God you're going to be the one cleaning up the mess!"
Edward shrugged casually then put his orange slice down, but once Bella put her hands down he tossed it accurately in her face and she gasped in indignation.
"That's it!" Bella grabbed a hand full of her left over potatoes and threw them all across the table at Edward who ducked laughing and grabbed more food off his plate to throw back at her, but Bella already had part of the Egg Benedict in her hand which Edward thought as an absolute crime.
"NO, NO, NO! NOT THE-" too late.
The egg was all over his shirt and face. Bella buckled over laughing her tail off missing the fire behind Edward's expression, like a tiger ready to pounce on his prey. "I'll give you three seconds, Swan... one,"
Bella gasped at this and instantly got up off her chair and made a mad dash out of the kitchen door onto the patio.
"Two... three!" Edward sprang up and bolted after her into the semi-rainy semi-sunny day, He could hear her nervous squeal of excitement at being chased in the garden, and and followed close behind catching up quickly.
If there was one thing Edward could boast about, it was his speed. He was lean, quick, and still an excellent sprinter having run track during his short high school career. He had the gold metals to prove it. So catching up to this spirited little vixen would be no feet whatsoever, but he was indulging her while she continued to run as fast as her feet could carry her onto the sandy beach.
Bella screamed again in excitement when she turned her head and saw him closing in on her. Edward waited just for the right moment to grab her by the waist and hoist her wiggling body into his arms, then headed straight for the ocean.
"EDWARD, NOOO!" she laughed and cried out trying to helplessly escape from Edward's strong hold on her.
"What was that? You're all dirty? Then we should go for a swim!" Edward jogged right into the waves with Bella still protesting in his arms, and dunk them both under the water. The cold water hit them like tiny needles prickling their skin as they came back up and Edward released Bella who turned around and started splashing and hitting him.
"I. CAN'T. BELIEVE. YOU. EDWARD. CULLEN! IT''S FREAKING FREEZING!" Bella jumped on his back and Edward easily caught her to stabilize her and held on to her so he could carry them both out of the water while Bella kept hitting his shoulder while shivering.
Edward set Bella down on the sand and grabbed her hands to prevent her from playfully whacking him some more. Quickly, he pulled her down with him to the sand and held her wrists above her head while looking at her pale wet face and blazing deep brown eyes.
"That's what you get for getting me dirty," Edward smiled down at her while she struggled to break free from his body holding her down.
"You deserrrved it!" she grunted and wiggled but Edward pulled in closer to her cheek and whispered in her ear seductively.
"Maybe I did... but I just couldn't help myself. I wanted to see how you looked all dirty and wet, and you're still fucking gorgeous."
Bella's breath hitched and her heart jolted inside her chest as she heard Edward's words and his hot breath breathing down her neck. She felt him give her a kiss with his cold lips on her throat, and he slowly started to kiss his way back up to her mouth as he still held her wrists captive as he began grinding his cold wet body into hers.
She was close to panting as her mind was working a mile a minute. What the Hell was happening between them? She knew two things for certain: First off, Edward wanted to keep her away from his brother which is why he had taken her here to his island in the first place. Their conversation this morning proved that to her if nothing else. And secondly, Bella was discovering she was completely fine with that plan.
But what she wasn't fine with was not knowing what she was to him. Was she just a momentary distraction? Was he genuinely interested in her? Or was he actually falling for her... like she was slowly falling for him.
Edward was slowly and surely wrapping himself around her heart, but she was scared. She had already given her heart to a Cullen once and it was completely unrequited for over ten years. It wasn't until now that anyone, including the Cullen boys, paid any attention to her. Which meant she had no idea if Edward truly liked her for who she was or because she looked good in a wet button down shirt. She guessed since she'd only started getting to know him yesterday that it was the latter, and that didn't sit well with her at all.
Edward was completely lost. He was no longer in control of his own actions because he was being taken over by the ultra sexy intoxicating woman currently trapped and writhing beneath his body. His lips desired to taste every ounce of revealed skin on her tight wet body. When Bella stood up from the water, Edward saw the white work shirt she was wearing cling to her like a second skin. Despite the freezing water, he became instantly hard, and his only remaining thought was to feel her body against his. Which is where he was right now.
He couldn't control himself around her. He was like a raging hormonal teenager again, dying for the girl he was kissing to let him cop a feel or pray she would be bold enough to grope him or do something to relieve the pain in his aching cock.
Goddamn, he wished she would touch him. He was becoming desperate for her, especially after her words in the kitchen when she told him how she found him attractive and sexy.
Thank the fucking baby Jesus for that because I find her sexier than my Aston Martin. Now that's saying something. God, she would look even sexier lying naked on top of my Aston Martin. Premature ejaculation coming right up!
"Edward," Bella's breathy voice completely spurred him on and he looked up at her for a second to see the want in her eyes matched the need in her voice... and he just about fell to his knees and kissed the ground in relief that she wanted him too.
Well, he was already on the ground, so he would just have to settle kissing her instead. Oh, shucks.
The second Edward's lips crashed to Bella's, he grabbed her face with both of his hands, and he felt her wrap her arms around his neck pulling him even closer. He wasn't going to complain about that, but he also knew from yesterday that she wasn't they type of girl to just hop into the sack either. No matter how much he wished to just take her right now on his private beach... he knew she would stop him.
Which both discouraged and turned him on even more. He flipped them over so that Bella was now on top of him as he continued to kiss her, and let her take the lead so she would be comfortable to stop or continue... he just prayed for more time right now.
God, what if she was still a virgin? That would be fucking spectacular. He thought to himself that he wanted to be her first... but he knew it would be hoping against hope. She was much too fine to have not had someone take her by now. Girls didn't stay pure before their weddings these days anymore... but goddamn, he wanted to be her first. Her only... her...
What. The...
Edward became startled by his own train of thought and stopped kiss Bella back for a moment to allow this thought to sink inside his cranium. While he felt Bella pull away and move off his body and lay flat on her back next to him.
The air was not cold anymore and they were getting warmer laying down in the sand. Clouds were moving over head and, in the distance, Bella could make out a faint rainbow. After a long period of silence, Bella whispered into the breeze,
"You never answered my question..."
Hearing her voice over the crashing waves, Edward turned his head to the side to see Bella still staring up at the sky when she asked, "What do you want from me?"
He let her question ring inside his head while he tried to figure out for himself what exactly it was he wanted from her... aside from staying away from his brother for obvious reasons... and not so obvious reasons, he thought.
Silence between them started to eat away at Bella's insecurities whether Edward was only looking for a fling or something serious with her. Something real.
Shaking her head clear, she looked away from him. Why would he want me anyway? In fact, he'll probably forget all about me the minute we leave this extravagant island and go back to leading our separate lives.
The thought of him ignoring her made her cringe and she wanted no more of this pretense of a relationship. Agitatedly, Bella attempted to get up but was quickly stopped by Edward's hand on her wrist.
"Do you remember what you told me yesterday?" He said turning her chin to face him, "How I had been a mystery to you, and that you had no idea how you felt about me? Well, you took the words right out of my mouth, because I feel the exact same way about you."
That got her attention, and slowly she raised her eyes to meet his in earnest.
"I don't understand why I feel drawn to you, Isabella. Or why you fascinate me so much. Or why, when I hold you, I seem to never want to let go."
Edward studied Bella's eyes as made the most honest confession he'd ever said to her this entire trip. Unfortunately, the truth frightened the hell out of him.
It was true that he'd never felt this way before about anyone. Not even Tanya.
Nevertheless, he still had a job to do... only now he didn't know who was calling the shots anymore; his brain or his heart. He needed more time to figure that one out, but in the mean time... he had Bella right where he wanted her.
"I feel like we're just starting to learn and understand one another. But I want to know more because I know I've only scratched the surface of who the real Isabella Marie Swan really is."
And now... kiss, Edward thought to himself.
Only there was something holding them back. Bella looked more thoughtful than wooed but luckily, she smiled shyly and blushed.
"I do wish to get to know you, and I'm willing for you to know more about me... but honestly the physical part all seems to be happening so fast. I mean we slept together last night... and it was amazing and entirely innocent... but I still feel like I slept with a stranger instead of a friend," she bowed her head in frustration, not knowing what else to say about how she felt about last night.
"Friend..." Edward whispered turning his face away from her so she couldn't see the disappointment spreading across this features. "Is that all you want?"
None of these confused emotions would be worth his time if she completely rejected him. He would simply shut down his heart to her and continue to simply distract her from Emmett until it was time for the deal to be signed... then he would let her go free and live her life without him.
The sharp pain to his chest hit him like a dagger and he winced in pain, sitting straight up and holding his hand over his heart to stop the burning from spreading.
"What is it? Are you alright?" Bella asked him... ever the thoughtful one, caring about others and not herself.
"I'm fine. Just a little heart burn. You didn't answer my question," he grunted out while crouching forward as if to ward against more words or thoughts that might give him a heart attack.
Bella was trying to protect herself as well when she heard Edward pressing for an answer. He couldn't be serious about starting something with her.
Edward couldn't possibly want her in that way. He had so many options of beautiful woman to choose from who would make perfect trophy wives or baby machines to produce those heirs he was talking about yesterday in the plane. Bella wasn't any of those things.
Sure, she wanted kids, but not right now. She had so much she wanted to do first before devoting herself to motherhood. And Edward was sexy beyond all measure, and irresistible to any woman who he passed by on the street. She noticed his sex appeal especially yesterday; how women practically all but threw themselves at his feet. The flight attendant, the waitress, Victoria...
Why would Edward want her?
Sure, last night he had kissed her, but didn't he say yesterday morning 'it was an error in judgment?'
Nevertheless, no matter how attracted or drawn she felt towards him, she figured it would be far less complicated if they just remained friends... she had already lost her chance with Emmett and it felt wrong to move from one brother to the other in a matter of a day anyhow... no matter what her heart was telling her to say, her brain simply would not allow it.
"It think we should learn to be friends, for now."
"Strictly friends?"
The desperate and hopeful look in Edward's eyes threw Bella completely off course. He looked practically crushed by her comment that they were only staying friends. To be honest, Bella didn't have the heart to say 'yes or no' to his question, because she refused to make promises that she wasn't sure she could keep herself.
He was irresistible just by the way he looked at her, weakening her resolve. All she wanted was to reach for him and kiss the heck out of him... but then where would they be after they left the island?
So instead, she kept silent, not knowing what to say.
Unfortunately, Edward translated her silence and as an instant rejection. That didn't sit well with him at all. He hissed a breath through his teeth and tried hiding the hurt and disappointment in his voice, but it came across as anger.
"I see. Tell me, Bella, would say yes to me if I were, Emmett, or would it help if I were engaged?"
The venomous words slipped from his aching chest directly through his lips so fast, his brain didn't have the chance to stop them. He was so angry that he wanted her to hurt like she had hurt him.
And it worked.
Once he saw the devastated look on Bella's face, Edward immediately regretted what he said. Just because no other girl had refused him before now, didn't mean Bella didn't have the right to. Bella was different than all the other girls he'd been with simply by the way she responded to his cruel statement to her just now.
Instead of stooping to his level and fighting back, like Tanya would have done by making a dramatic scene, Bella nodded her head to herself as though she deserved what he had said to her, and silently got up without a single tear or curse, and left him sitting alone on the sand.
"Shit," he hissed to himself with the guilt filling his chest.
That didn't help one fucking bit! Oh, and by the way, I'm the biggest douche that ever walked the face of the earth! I fucking promised myself I wouldn't hurt her and there I fucking go... asshole!
Edward knew he had to go find her, but first he needed to get a handle on his temper or else he knew he would say something else to make Bella run away from him. Luckily, they were still on an island, so she couldn't get too far without a boat or plane.
He got up and brushed himself off, then left to go find Bella but he didn't have to look far. He found her sitting on the porch steps watching the rain drizzle onto the green grass while she played with a flower in her hand.
Edward slowly approached her as if she were a wild untamed animal, likely to bolt at the first sign of danger, then took a seat. He sat down and looked out mimicking her same pose while she remained looking out into space, deep in thought as the lightning cracked and the thunder roared in the distance signaling it was about to start pouring any minute.
Edward shifted in his seat to watch Bella's pained expression with traitorous silent tears streaming down her face as she refused to look or acknowledge his presence even as he sat right next to her.
Finally he sighed and looked down at her clenched hand and knew he needed to get back into her good graces somehow. So he figured he would have to start with the apologies.
He never intended to make her cry... again!
He sighed deeply and moved to touch her hand, "Shit, Bella, I'm—"
She jerked her hand quickly away from his and put it into her lap groaning in self loathing, "Don't you dare apologize to me, Edward Cullen."
He was taken back by her remark Andy the fierce amount of sadness within her voice. It made him wince with disapproval that he was the cause of her guilt and self loathing. He wanted the playful, fun, and carefree atmosphere between them back. He hated seeing her like this. it made him feel worse that he caused it.
"God, what you must think of me," she groaned as she leaned forward and curled her head into her lap while she held her face with her palms. "I'm such an awful person."
"Stop it. Don't ever call yourself that again. I'm the one who deserves to be slapped for what I said to you. I didn't mean it, Bella. I didn't mean to make you cry again," he told her tenderly consoling her by putting his arm around her shoulders and allowing her to lean into his chest.
"Again?" Bella sniffled and looked up at him in confusion.
"I saw you crying in your room the other night, because of my stupidity from kissing you without permission. I feel terrible about it. I'm an asshole," Edward admitted to her without making eye contact and Bella shook her head wiping her face and rested her chin on top of her crossed arms resting on her knees.
"I wasn't crying because of you," Bella admitted quietly while Edward watched her carefully, "I was angry at myself."
"Why?" It was like pulling teeth trying to get detailed answers out of her... he wished she was easier to read so he wouldn't have to ask.
"I told Emmett I would meet him in the solarium against my better judgment, because like you already know, 'I'm a silly foolish girl part of the Emmett Cullen fan club'," she said using her fingers as quotation marks. Edward shook his head at his words to her from a year ago, but Bella continued,
"Even though I told him we could only be friends, obviously because of his fiancé, I could see the wheels turning inside his mind while he tried to find ways to get past my defenses and agree to meet him. See, I've known every move he's made with other women since high school... down to the very second. I knew what to expect: the champagne, the flukes in the back pockets, the predictable pick-up lines, dancing to 'I remember you,'... the seduction. And the saddest part is he would have probably succeeded using all of those tactics on me, too. Pathetic," Bella hissed to herself and slapped the stair she was sitting on while Edward continued to understand.
"If you knew it was wrong, then why did you agree to go?" Edward asked a little too harshly and he instantly rescinded, "I'm sorry, that didn't come out right."
"NO! I deserved that," Bella wiped her face with both of her hands, then turned to face Edward for the first time, "I went because just once I wanted my dreams for the past eleven years to come true. I wanted Emmett to finally notice me and treat me special... make me feel beautiful. I would have settled for just one night with him so I could keep it imprinted in my mind for the rest of my life, even though I knew it was wrong and I hated myself for it. That dream is my Kryptonite. Oh God, Edward—"
He could see the tears start falling freely in streams down her precious cheeks, "You h-have no idea how relieved I was to see you standing there in the solarium that night in-instead of h-him," she broke down and covered her face with her hands to hide her shame. "I h-hate this! I hate being like this!"
Edward couldn't help but try to comfort her pain and inner turmoil by pulling her into his aching arms and letting her cry on his shoulder. He rocked her slightly trying to sooth her and stroked the soft waves of her orange tree scented mahogany hair. While she sniffled and tried to slow her breathing down, Edward's pulse was beating a mile a minute. Despite the crocodile tears, Bella felt so good inside his arms, he was reluctant to let her go.
Of course she was still in love with his pig-headed younger brother, Emmett. The lucky fuck.
Emmett has no idea how much monopoly he possess inside her heart, and he's taken up residency for so long that the rest of us can't even hope to compete. Damn him...
It figured the one women Edward wanted and she was still in love with his brother who was engaged to someone else. And what was even more fucking frustrating as Hell, was despite everything, Edward still wanted her.
But he was also upset with her. She needed to understand that she was too good to be just another notch on Emmett's belt... She deserved so much more, and her lack of self-respect was bugging him more than her lack of ethics or confidence.
He would have to save her from herself, or else the guilt of wanting Emmett would eat her up alive. Yet, the mere thought of Bella even being touched by Emmett or anyone else brought a bitter taste inside Edward's mouth.
So that settles it. He wasn't giving up that easily. Edward never lost. This just meant that he would have to try harder.
"Bella, I want you to listen to me, and listen good. You're not a bad person, and I don't blame you for feeling confused because I'm just acting on what feels right myself and it's confusing the Hell out of me too. I understand if you just want to be friends for right now, and I understand that you're still in love with my brother.
"So I'm telling you this first before you make up your mind and shut the door on me; I've always relied on my keen instincts to help me get by, and I know what feels right and wrong... and Bella, being around you feels right. I think you can feel it, too. I also know that yesterday was one of the best days I've ever had and that's entirely because of you.
"So what I suggest before we go putting labels on anything, is we just do what feels natural and we can go at whatever pace you're comfortable with. I'll be your friend... but know this... I'm not giving up without a fight," Edward said smiling smugly before giving Bella's wet cheek a long kiss then stood up off the porch and went back inside the house.
"What. Was that?" Bella asked herself completely taken back by Edward's admission. But what was even more shocking was how much she wanted to kiss him back at that very moment and run her figures through his messy copper hair.
My God, he was never more gorgeous than when he was fighting for something he wants, and by golly, if that something or someone... was me. Holy Gebus! Edward Cullen just said he was going to fight me for me... Whaa?!
She'd believe it when she saw it.
Bella stood up and went straight into the house and up the stairs to take a hot shower to warm up and get the sand and ocean smell off her body.
Fifteen minutes later she walked down stairs and heard Edward playing the piano and recognized it as one of her favorites, "Clair de lune," by Debussy.
She sat on the sofa and just listened to him play it perfectly without a single flaw and he finished the last note letting the sound drift around the room like a haunting melody fading off the distance.
"You always play that song on a rainy day," Bella blurted out causing Edward to look up startled by her presence since he was so focused on the music he didn't hear her come in.
"It comforts me and I think the rain drops always sounded like an extra symphony in the background," he says as he plunks out the theme again while listening to the rain.
"You're right, it does go well together," Bella sighed while leaning back against the sofa. "Have you heard from your pilot guy? Have they fixed the plane?"
Bella knew Edward was keeping her here longer than necessary but she wasn't about to call him out on it. The Cullens had the means to get what they wanted when they wanted it, but she was enjoying Edward's company and wasn't ready to leave him yet.
"Got a text from Alec. He says they're fixing the leak with some mechanic flown in from Boston. We should be ready to go by tomorrow morning," Edward kept plunking notes on the piano while he spoke and Bella listened to him composing his own piece while speaking to her.
"What do you want to do today?" He asked fixing the melody he just made up and liked it the second time around better.
"How about we sit around like couch potatoes and watch movies? We seem to do that a lot during thunderstorms, and we shouldn't break tradition after all," Bella said playfully then got up to move to the family room with the big flat screen TV and Edward followed behind her.
"Alright."
They picked out six movies from the Cullen's extensive collection and sat down on the sofa. They sat on opposite ends of the sectional sofa for the Comedy. During the drama, the lay down eating lunch and played footsy half the time.
For the western, they were both sitting side by side and making fun of the corny lines and how bad guys always spoke too much. They should just take their gun and shoot like in Indiana Jones. Which happened to be the next film the watched which they picked for their adventure flick...
Then they watched a horror film during dinner while they made it together using the left over food in the fridge. They closed the night with a romantic comedy and when Bella came back from the bathroom she saw Edward had taken up her side of the couch and was lying on his side watching the film.
"Hey! That's my side!" she said crossing her arms.
"Tough. You got up and lost your spot. Finders keepers," Edward said nonchalantly trying to hold his laughter inside at Bella's shocked expression.
"What are you, nine?"
"Close enough... now move. You're blocking the screen!" Edward said tossing a popcorn kernel at her. Bella humphed scornfully at him, then decided to take matters into her own hands.
"Fine, then," she walked over to Edward who was still watching the screen until he barked out laugh as Bella climbed onto the sofa and sat directly on top of him.
"OOMPH! You know, ugh, there's a whole other side of the couch ooover theeere," Edward wheezed out dramatically but Bella looked like she could care less than two cents.
"This is my spot and since you won't move you'll just have to share," she said stretching out feigning getting comfortable sitting on top of him. Edward growled as he quickly grabbed her around the waist with one arm and moved toward the inside of the couch while pulling Bella to the outside so that he was spooning her as they faced the TV screen.
"There... now we're sharing," Edward said snuggling closer to her and rested his leg on top of her hip and cuddled her like a teddy bear. When she was this close it was like his chest pains had instantly disappeared as though they were never there to begin with.
"You planned this," Bella said disapprovingly but had zero intention of doing anything about it. He was so warm and his body was too comfortable. Her own body just melted right into his like a warm blanket.
"Well, I am a genius, after all..." he said with a straight face before they both broke out laughing and holding each other closer and snuggling while they watched the rest of the movie, only to fall asleep ten minutes later... both of them happy.