First off - Oh. My. God. I am so unbelievably floored that I have been nominated for the Indies! Whoever did that, you are the shizzz. As for the rest of you, please go vote!
Three Forks and The Cullens of Hazzard (co-written with Shalu) are both nominated.
I made a play list for the next few chapters, if this linky doesn't work, let me know!
www(dot)playlist(dot)com / playlist / 16740362251 / standalone
I have more to say but I'll do it at the end…Read, my pretties, Read!
Ch 10
BPOV
Standing in Edward's arms I almost forgot why I was here. Riding. Yeah. That was it. Riding.
"So, I fell off. Aren't I supposed to get back on?" I smirked up at his intense, mossy eyes.
"Yep. But with a few minor changes, I think." He squeezed me quickly and then released me - though if I was correct, it was reluctantly.
I was reluctant for him to let me go, too. I was beginning to feel more than a mere attachment to him. He was just so damn good looking. I knew I promised myself that I would take this slow, but my hormones were getting the best of me. When he touched me, it was like a lightning in my veins; my heart thundered in my chest. I wanted him to hold me, kiss me, just be near me. I wasn't a virgin, but my limited experience still had a heavy pull on my heart. I refused to think about him anymore. Especially that way. When Edward told me he was a virgin, I fervently wished I could have told him the same thing.
Sadly, I couldn't. I hoped it wouldn't make a difference to him.
Edward turned to his horse, whistled quietly and I watched, mesmerized, as the horse came to his side. He picked up the lead line and walked him towards the main area of the barn again.
Yep. He looked good walking away, too. Many thanks go out to the makers of Wranglers. They had to be women.
When he reached the gate, he stopped and dropped the line again. He quickly removed Steel's saddle and bridle, leaving him with only his halter on. He took the tack and disappeared into the hall. When he returned, he was carrying something that resembled a saddle blanket. He efficiently placed it on the horse, and secured it with an easy grace.
I noticed a slight feeling of apprehension start to rise in my chest. I knew I had no reason to be afraid, but it was there nonetheless.
His well-toned form turned back toward me, then he smiled. I felt my face return the sentiment as he walked to me, Steel following obediently behind.
"Have you ever ridden bareback, Bella?" Oh. My. God. Get your mind out of the gutter Isabella Marie!
"Um, No?" That was supposed to be a statement, not a question. Idiot.
"So this will be your first time, then." Do not reply to that. Do not reply to that.
"Yeah." Christ, my intelligence knows no bounds today.
"You told me you'd been taking yoga for balance, so we're going to put it to the test. When I told you to relax your hands, did you notice what happened?" He was gently patting Steel's neck as he spoke to me, I was slightly off-kilter watching his hand. I wonder what he could do with those…stopstopstop.
"That's when I fell off. Duh." Again, with the intelligence, Bella.
"Well, that's when I realized your, er, problem. It's not horrible, lots of people do it. You ride with all of your balance in your hands. You rely on them to dictate your movements with the horse. You just need to learn to ride with your body instead."
I will not comment.
"You say that like it's a simple fix."
"Well, truly it is. It's just a bit of thinking, and changing your seat. Come here and I'll help you up." He gestured for me to put my foot in his hand so he could boost me up. I was almost dreading him touching me again at that moment. Almost.
He tossed me up on the horse like I weighed no more than a feather. It was very strange to have so little between my body and the horse. I felt every twitch of his skin.
"Alright?" He asked lightly. I nodded, still getting used to the different feel of this. It made me feel vulnerable.
"Now, I want you to sit almost like you would sit on a chair. Roll back on your bottom, and bend your knees a bit. Good. Shift your upper body a little, your shoulders need to be back but relaxed." I tried to comply with his directions, my comfort was returning with each moment, though the apprehension was still in the background.
"What should I do with my hands, Edward?" I wiggled my fingers at him, evoking that crooked little smirk that I was beginning to relish. It was rather elusive.
"Just relax them at your sides for the time being. They'll find their own way as you get the hang of this." He was checking the girth on the pad and I was ogling his hands again.
Ugh. Concentrate!
"Are you ready, Bella? We'll just let him walk around until you feel like you're comfortable." I nodded at him, and he winked back.
Steel was walking in a lazy circle around Edward as I concentrated on staying on. The adjustments he had me make were weird to me, but I could feel how my center of balance was different. My hands had naturally gravitated to the tops of my thighs. After a few minutes of Edward calling out minor adjustments, and more lazy circles, I thought I was
confident enough to pick up the pace.
"Edward? Can we try going a little faster now? I think I'm ready." I shot a quick grin in his direction.
"Bella, I'm just standing here. You are in control. Tell Steel what you want him to do. Remember, you'll need to roll back a bit more when he trots or you'll bounce yourself off." He was watching me intently, and I found that I liked his gaze on me more and more.
I quietly clicked to Steel and rolled my hips back as I felt his pace pick up. It was a very slow trot, as though he knew I was apprehensive. I concentrated harder on centering my body, staring down at his shoulders.
"Bella, look up. Focus your eyes between his ears. You're doing great, just look up."
I lifted my chin so it was level; my eyes naturally peered directly between the horse's ears. I was trying not to bounce like I was on a pogo stick, but that was easier said than done. I could tell I was leaning to the side and reached out for a handful of mane for something to grab on to. As soon as I changed my body's position, I felt my balance go to directly to hell. No hand-basket. No shortbus. Straight to Hell. And the upcoming ground.
"Shit!" I yelled as I hit the ground again. Edward was at my side instantly, squatting down next to me, one hand on my back. Steel had stopped a few feet away, and was giving me a "stupid human" look again.
"Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?" His tone was so concerned, it was almost enough to stomp out the aggravation at my lack of skills.
"Yep. I'm fine. My ego is bruised more than my ass. Dammit! I was doing so well. I was, wasn't I?" I had assumed that I was doing well anyway. It felt more natural than any other time I had ridden before.
"Yes, sweetheart. You were doing really well. I'm impressed, it's much more difficult to trot than to canter when riding bareback." His eyes were glittering as he spoke to me. They were so green, and the laughter he was holding in was visible in their depths.
"Well, why didn't you tell me that, sweetheart?" I squinted up at him, and his lips twitched at my use of his endearment.
"You need to figure these things out for yourself. Um, is that okay? I mean, that I called you that? If it's not, I won't do it again." He seemed bashful all of a sudden, and it was completely effing adorable.
"Yes, Edward. It's fine. I actually kind of liked it. Now, will you help me up?" I held my hand out to him and waited for him to pull me up, hoping to wind up in his arms again.
Instead he sat down facing me, holding my hand, our hips touching.
"Bella, I know I said so many things yesterday, and I probably shouldn't have said it all at once like that. I'm sure it was overwhelming for you. I just wanted to…"
I put my fingers on his lips, stopping his spewage.
"Edward, really, I told you already. You're willing to take me for who I am, with all my craziness and quirks that you haven't even seen yet. That means much more to me than you could ever know. Don't over-think this thing between us. Just let it happen."
His lips kissed my fingertips, then he sighed pulling them away. "Would you like to stay for dinner, sweetheart?"
"Why yes, sugarlips, I'd love to." His head flew back and he let out a laugh so loud it startled Steel.
"Sugarlips? Couldn't you come up with anything more masculine?"
I lifted my eyebrow at him as his twinkling eyes met mine. "It was the first thing that came to mind. How about dearest? No. Umm, Asshat?" His face grew dark. "Okay, no to the Asshat. What about Cowboy?" I said it with just a hint of lust, because his eyes were taking on that leer that I saw the other night, and it made him look so hot.
It had the right effect. His eyes crinkled a bit at the corners and the crooked grin emerged.
"Perfect, sweetheart."
That crooked grin leaned over and kissed me.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
We spent the rest of the day wandering around the barn, Edward introduced me to Rosalie's crazy bitch of a horse, Leah. She was beautiful, but the moment we approached her stall, she threw her head back and bared her teeth. I commented on how much she looked like Rosalie at that moment. Edward damn near passed out from laughing so hard.
The rest of his horses were much more amiable, the young colt that was sick last week even nuzzled me as I scratched his ears. Edward was so relaxed around the barn, he really looked like he belonged there. I knew that in my mind's eye I would always see him in this barn. His posture open, hands gently touching soft noses, offering a pat, or scratch. Knowing eyes taking in fluid lines, manes, tails, hooves. Tight wranglers pooling over his scuffed boots, gracefully walking down the hall, pausing in front of each stall. Lightly tanned hands, lifting hay, cleaning tack. This barn was just an extension of him. All of these pieces were in his make-up, part and parcel of him. I knew that in this place he was whole.
Did I truly fit into this with him? I had no real idea. I hoped that I did. I liked this barn, I liked Edward, probably more than I should already. I wouldn't change to fit in, but I would damn well try to find my place, my place with him.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dinner was a grand affair. Not.
I helped Edward prepare a "meat and potatoes" meal, fit for a king. Okay, well fit for Emmett. Which meant large. With very little green. Unless you counted the table cloth. I had made redskin garlic potatoes, and whipped up a salad, (Edward and I would eat it) and that's when I noticed the number of steaks he was prepping to put on the grill.
"Edward, how much do you think I'm going to eat?" I gestured to the six steaks.
We were standing on the small patio behind the house. Which was absolutely gorgeous. Like a giant log cabin. The kitchen was amazing, outfitted with all the latest stainless steel appliances. I wondered who had done the decorating. It had an almost feminine feel, but I supposed that Elizabeth Cullen had made a good impression on her boys and husband. I knew that she had spent time here, and perhaps she had done some of the decorating then. It was a clean place for a bachelor's home. Cleaner than Charlie's would be, if it wasn't for Sue. I was rather impressed that they could all cook. Though it seemed to revolve around grilling. Not that I was a culinary expert. Far from it, unfortunately.
"Oh, Jasper will be over soon. He always gets excited for Steak Saturdays." He placed the steaks on the grill and then turned back to me. "Before he gets here, I should tell you the news. He texted me about a half hour ago. He broke up with Jessica. He didn't go into detail, he just said to bring on the steak. So, I guess that's one hurdle we no longer have to cross." He shrugged, but the smile on his face was full of mischief.
"Well, I guess it's good news then. Since we're not Jessica." I said with a giggle.
"Yep. I'm kinda surprised that Alice hasn't texted you that Jessica called her crying. Jessica thinks that Alice is her best buddy."
I knew that Alice hung out with Jessica quite a bit, shopping and such. They got along well, even though Jessica wasn't much smarter than a single-cell organism.
"You sure know a lot about things for a guy who mostly keeps to himself." His eyebrows shot up, making his face comical.
"Just because I don't date doesn't mean I don't observe things around me. Plus, Alice complains about how Jessica describes things in detail. Things, I very kindly told her, I never wanted to hear about."
"Eww. TMI. Remind me to tell Alice I don't want to hear about them either. There's not enough brain bleach in the world to rid my mind of those visuals." I wrinkled my nose in disgust and tried to think of cute things like puppies.
"Gentlemen, let the consuming of char-grilled meat, and cold beer commence!" Jasper's voice preceded him onto the patio. When he saw me he stopped abruptly. "Well, let me amend that proclamation to include a lady! How are you, Bella? Tetris score higher than mine, yet?" He looked mighty damn chipper for a guy who just dumped his girl.
"I'm good, Jasper! But my Tetris score is sorely lacking, I must confess. I have had other things to do lately." Like scheming how to get you and a hyper little pixie together.
"Yeah, like ogling wet men in your yard." His boyish grin appeared like magic.
"Well, you have to admit Tetris doesn't hold a candle to a wet t-shirt contest. Sans t-shirts." I glanced over at Edward and noticed he was blushing slightly while tending the steaks.
After Emmett ate everything but his dinner plate, he and Jasper cleared away the dishes while Edward and I grabbed poker chips and cards. We spent the next two hours gathered around the table talking and playing cards. Texas Hold 'Em was the game of choice for the evening. I won quite a few hands before Emmett cleaned my clock.
The rodeo was a popular topic of conversation and I found out that Jasper and The Ice Queen were heading over on Thursday evening to prepare for the festivities.
"So, are you guys going to stay for the weekend, or just the day?" Jasper asked while dealing this hand. Edward lent me some chips so I could ante up.
"Bella, do you think Charlie would let you go for the whole weekend? There's so much to do if we stayed. We could take the camper, and you and Alice can have the bedroom. I know dad wouldn't mind." Edward was practically humming with excitement as he spoke.
A whole weekend away, with Edward? Well that's a no-brainer. I was in even if Charlie disagreed, though I didn't figure he would.
"I don't think it would be a problem. Especially if Alice goes, too. He's pretty cool that way." I was watching Jasper's face as I said Alice's name. His eyes widened momentarily, but his expression gave nothing else away.
I lost that hand. Then another. So I decided that it was time for me to leave the boys to their own devices. They were planning to stay up, play cards, and drink beer all night.
Edward walked me to my truck, where he opened the door for me. When I climbed in I turned my body sideways in the seat, bringing my face level with his.
"Bella." His face was dark and predatory again. His breath blew across my cheeks, smelling faintly of beer. I leaned in, meeting his lips with mine.
I felt his hands grip my knees as he moved his body in closer to mine. I noticed the rush of tingliness shoot through my body. His proximity was doing wild things to my heart rate. He was standing between my knees and I could feel the heat rolling off of him.
Our lips moved gently over each other, slipping, nipping, caressing, pushing, pulling. When I opened my mouth, his tongue slowly reached in to touch mine, and I reached up and put my hands in his glorious hair.
We continued our sweet exploration until a foghorn jolted us apart.
"Fucking Emmett." Edward muttered.
"You'll pay for that, Lug Nut!" I shouted toward the laughter on the porch.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
When I got home there was an unfamiliar car in the driveway. I'd bet my last set of guitar strings that it belonged to Jessica.
Joy.
Maybe I could sneak in without being noticed. I crept in the front door, not quite ala Scooby Doo-style, but treading lightly. I had just put my foot on the first stair when I heard Alice's voice coming from the direction of the kitchen.
"Beezer? Is that you?" Damn. I could just pretend I didn't hear her, right?
"Bellaaaaa. Come in here and join us for ice cream." Could the girl not talk like a normal person? Her voice whined like a mosquito in my ear.
Turning towards the kitchen I prepared myself for an onslaught of girliness.
UGH. Yep. Pink PJs, hair curlers, facial masks, and a half gallon of chocolate ice cream greeted me when I walked into the room. Both of them were eating from the carton with spoons. Jessica's face was slightly puffy, and her eyes were rimmed in red. Alice's face looked relieved to see me.
"Impromptu slumber party?" I asked, pretending I didn't already know the reasoning behind this little scene.
"Jasper he - he broke up…" Ruh-Roh, Raggy. She was going to start the waterworks.I was never a fan of the waterworks. Not that I never cried, I'd surely done my fair share, but I never did where others could see. Not even Renee. Angela had seen me cry, but since she was too, it was comforting one another, not just her listening to me.
"Oh. Well. That's too bad." What was I supposed to say? I was secretly happy that he did it.
After a few intense, snot and tear filled moments, she was back to eating ice cream with abandon. Alice looked torn. I could see the hurt for her friend. But I could also see the underlying current of her own emotions. Happiness, anger, reluctance. She still thought she was out of his league. Oh, little pixie, don't worry. Matchmaker Bella is here. It will be fixed soon.
Of course, Jessica would hate me, and probably Alice. A minor price to pay, if you asked me. Jasper and Alice needed to be a couple. I could just feel it.
I excused myself as soon as I could, which was an agonizing hour later. I went to my room and took a quick shower before climbing into bed. I wasn't tired yet, so I grabbed a book and turned on my iPod, hoping reading would relax my mind.
So many things had changed for me in such a short time. I was reeling with all of the newness of it. Friends, family, new experiences. Things I hadn't had in quite a while.
Yes, I had lived with my maternal unit, but it wasn't like she was motherly. I had quite a few friends before Jake, but I grew distant with most of them because of him.
I was drifting in thought and my brain was barely recognizing the words on the pages in front of me when I heard my phone beep. A text message. I grabbed it out of my jeans pocket on the floor, where I had left them to get into the shower.
Bella, R U still up? ~ E
It was Edward.
Yep. What's up? ;P B$
Not much. Just taking a break. U? ~E
In bed. Reading. B$
Oh. Am I interrupting? ~E
No. I was really just hiding from Jess & Al. B$
UGH. I would 2 ~E
U guys having fun? B$
Oh yeah. Em is kicking our asses. ~E
Ha! Now u know how it feels. B$
What R U doing 2morrow? ~E
Laundry. Why? B$
Wanna come over again? ~E
What time? B$
Breakfast will be at 10 ~E
See U then. B$
G'nite Sweetheart. ~E
G'nite Cowboy. B$
I barely remembered turning off the lamp.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I slept better than I had in ages. I didn't know the reason, but I hoped that whatever relaxed me, it would happen again.
The perky pixie didn't pounce on my bed at the butt-crack of dawn so I actually slept until eight o'clock. I briefly wondered if Jessica was still here as I stepped into the shower. After I dried my hair, I threw it in a messy bun and picked out my favorite t-shirt, which had a giant heart and two slices of bacon on it, and beat up jeans. My perfectly worn Doc Martens completed my ensemble. I was all about the casual.
Alice's exuberant knock boomed through my room, just before her tiny body shot through the door and onto my bed.
"Oh, thank the sweet baby Jesus she's gone! I don't think I could take another minute of the crying and Jasper-hating. Why are you up and dressed this early?" Her fashion critical eyes ran over my attire.
"I'm going over to Edward's for breakfast." She looked drained, but chipper as ever. I grabbed my cell off the nightstand and turned to her. "Would you like me to see if there's enough for one more?"
"I wouldn't want to impose."
"It's not private, Emmett and Jasper are there, too." Her smile glowed brighter than the sun. I pressed send and waited for Edward to pick up.
"Good morning, Sweetheart." He answered in a gravelly voice. They must have been up late.
"Good morning, Edward. Is there room for one more at the breakfast table?" I heard ruffling and muted noises in the background.
"Shit. Sorry. I didn't plan on sleeping this late. Yeah, there's plenty of room. See you shortly then?" He must have just gotten up.
"Is there anything we can bring?"
"No, just your beautiful self, and the pixie." I heard a bump and a mumbled, though rather obnoxious, expletive.
"Edward, don't rush, Alice isn't even ready yet. We'll see you in a bit."
He said goodbye and hung up the phone. Alice was already flying down the hall to her room.
Thirty minutes later we'll pulled up in front of the house. Alice had gone with a t-shirt, jeans, and boots, too. Her t-shirt was emblazoned with the logo without ME it's just AWESO. Never were truer words written.
We entered the house knocking and opening the door simultaneously. Alice, of course, accompanied her entrance with an ear-splitting "Get the hell out of bed, Emmett, you lazyass!" To which the giant answered, "Come drag me out of it prissy-britches!"
Alice was up the stairs in a flash, and much girlish screaming ensued. Somehow I didn't think it was Alice doing the screaming.
Edward was in the kitchen, mixing, frying and cursing.
"What can I do to help?" I approached him cautiously as I had never seen him this agitated.
He turned to me and placed a sweet kiss on my lips. "Mmm. That's what I needed. Maybe you could give me a few more of those?" I was only happy to oblige.
"Okay, now, seriously what can I do to help?" He gestured to the toaster, as he stirred the eggs on the stove.
"Toast, please. I have to finish these. Everything else is ready to go." I made my way to the toaster and worked my way through half the loaf before Jasper entered the kitchen.
"Need me to set the table, man?" He was rumpled, and his bed-head hair stuck up like a hedgehog.
"Yes, please, Jas. Alice is dragging Emmett out of bed as we speak." Jasper's face exploded into a riot of emotions, his hand going straight to his hair.
"Okay. Be right back." He flew out of the kitchen and I could hear water running in the half bath down the hall.
"I think you should've left him looking like a hedgehog."
Edward gave a chuckle. "Nah. He holds grudges. I wouldn't want him to remember that at an inopportune time."
I carried the toast and bacon into the dining room, where Jasper was quickly setting the table and looking less like a finger-in-a-light-socket victim.
Edward walked in with a giant bowl of scrambled eggs, another of fried potatoes, and a basket filled with biscuits. We both returned to the kitchen, he grabbed another plate of sausage, and a bowl of gravy while I grabbed orange juice, coffee, and milk.
As we set down our load, thundering footsteps tumbled down to our ears. Suddenly, Emmett bounded through the doorway with a laughing Alice perched on his back. He unceremoniously dumped his monkey into a chair and swept me up into a one armed hug.
"Morning, Banshee! Yum. This looks delish, I'm famished." I laughed at his exuberance.
After that the room filled with the sounds of forks scraping plates, contented sighs, and mumbled requests for more.
Edward and I kept a constant silent conversation going throughout the meal; watching Alice and Jasper, and occasionally touching hands and knees under the table.
When most of the food was demolished, chatter started back up again.
"So, Pixie, did Banshee tell you about going to the rodeo this weekend?" Emmett was sopping up the last of the gravy from his plate with a biscuit.
"No, she hasn't really had time to talk to me about it. What's up?" Alice shot a sidelong glance in Jasper's direction, who was staring at his coffee mug.
"Well, we think it would be fun to stay the whole weekend, we can take our camper, pack the fridge, and have a blast. Do you think Sue would be cool with that?" I could see that Jasper was holding his breath. Was he going to make this matchmaking plan easy on us?
Edward nudged my knee and I caught his eye, barely nodding at Jasper. He winked back at me, knowing what I was thinking.
"Yeah, I think mom would be cool with that. You two are like sons to her, she'll agree."
Jasper's breath slowly leaked out of his chest. Yep. This was going to be a piece of cake.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The week flew by at an almost eye-popping pace. Charlie and Sue both agreed to us staying the weekend. Charlie looked as though he was going to give me a birds and bees talk for a moment, but I cut him off with a glare. He just nodded and told me to "be responsible," to which I rolled my eyes and smiled.
Friday morning dawned beautiful and sunny. Alice and I hastily grabbed breakfast, and piled our bags on the front porch waiting for the guys to show up.
We were comparing checklists when they pulled up the drive. Emmett was driving a huge, black Dodge 3500 dually, pulling a fifth-wheel camper. It was way bigger than I had expected.
He made a wide u-turn in the drive and they hopped out to help us grab our bags.
Edward wrapped me in a hug before stooping down to grab one of my bags. Emmett took all three of Alice's bags and chided her for packing so much for a weekend.
"How are you this morning?" Edward's voice was light, he was bright eyed, and I could feel the excitement radiating off him. I quickly picked up my guitar case and bathroom bag.
"I'm good. I'm excited too. This should be a shit-ton of fun!" He chuckled at me and led the way to the camper. It was amazing, it had every amenity known to man, including a little gas log fireplace. "Damn, Edward. This thing is just crazy cool. Do you Cullens over-do everything?" He just rolled his eyes at me and smirked. He placed my things on the bed while Alice and I threw a few more things in the fridge, including a lunch that Sue had packed for us.
Since Emmett was driving, Alice took the front seat, leaving Edward and I in the back. That arrangement suited me just fine. I took the middle of the seat and leaned into Edward's shoulder, his arm draped across my shoulders. I felt comfortable and safe.
"Okay, I took the liberty of putting together a Drivin' to the Rodeo play list! You are all required to sing along!" A chorus of groans met Alice's proclamation. "Shut it! You guys know you'll do it, so stop complaining, or else!" Her little fist shook at all of us in a threatening manner as she plugged her iPod into the stereo. Soon we joined Willie singing, "On The Road Again" and took off down the driveway.
So, as always, my thanks go out to Naelany (who needs more coffee before reading my emails - LOL) and Shalu (who keeps me thinkin' of Southernisms all day).
Much love and maplesyrupsparklejizz to the CCUC and The UU.
Pimpin' a fic is something I haven't done much of, but I have to say go read Contrast by Megitwat. Especially if you love Emmett.
Thanks for all the reviews and nominations! I feel super-duper-accomplished!
Updates may be a bit slow going for a while, but I promise not to make y'all wait too long!