Hi Everybody,

Just in case your confused, I pulled the last five chapters of this story. The reason why...well, I will just come out and say it. I accidentally wrote myself into a hole. Instead of following the outline I had in my head, I followed a character hunch and sort of messed myself up. This change started with Chapter 8, and while I've tried all kinds of things to fix it, I decided it can't be done. Consequently, I was considering scrapping this whole story and pulling it. However, I had such hopes and plans for this story that I really don't want to give it up. Therefore, I've decided to just yank the offending chapters and start over. I hope my readers will forgive me. I apologize for leading them down a hole. Here is my new chapter 8.

Rene Mai

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Chapter 8

Submission

Aro showed up that night while Bella was still taking a shower.

At first, she didn't know who it was walking around in her suite, their soft footsteps barely making the floorboards creak. She was just about to turn off the water, grab her robe and take a look, but then she heard his voice.

"Do not trouble yourself, Signora Cullen. It is only I, Aro."

Instantly, Bella peeked her head out from behind the shower curtain and looked at the clock. It was only a quarter to six. What the hell was he doing here so early?

Aggravated, she finished her shower quickly, and then slipped into the bedroom, putting on her bathrobe, towel drying her hair, and then peeked her head out the door.

Dressed in an elegant black silk suit with a dark red tie, Aro smiled at her. He had made himself at home sitting on her sofa and was casually reading one of her trashy romance books, Ensnared by a Viking.

"Ah, Signora Cullen, there you are. How are you this fine evening," he asked pleasantly.

"You know, you could knock."

"But you were in the shower. I did not want to disturb you."

"So you just let yourself in?"

"Look at you…always so irritable. You should smile more. Embrace the unexpected."

Bella lifted the corners of her mouth and gave him a demented grin.

"Oh, now you're just being silly. I give up. You know I've been reading this book of yours," he said, holding up the paperback. "I hate to tell you this, but Norseman back in the eighth century were much more unsavory then what is portrayed here."

"I'm sure they were."

"Are saying you don't read these kinds of books for their historical accuracy?"

"No, I don't."

Aro lifted his eyebrows. "I see… so it's that kind of book. There does seem to be a great deal of carnal activity between the two protagonists. However, their lovemaking is somewhat rude and nonconsensual. I'm curious, is this what you yearn for?" Intently, he stared at her, his eyes like dark red cavernous pools; his mouth turned up as if he couldn't wait for her answer. "I must admit, while I much prefer true submission, I can roughhouse with the best of them if that is what you desire."

Was he kidding? She had to admit though, his intense scrutiny was actually kind of turning her on. However, she had no intention of answering his ridiculous question.

"Aro, get serious. Why are you here? Do you always just invite yourself in like this… whenever?"

Aro cocked his head. "Not often…at least not anymore. I will admit, I used to be very romantic when I was younger, climbing up trellises, hiding in closets, all with the purpose of surprising my lovers."

"Younger?" she quipped.

"Are you implying that I'm decrepit?"

Bella laughed. "You said it, not me."

"Such impertinence. I'll have you know, I was once a young fledgling just like you."

"What, during the bronze age?"

"Ah, you think you're clever, but you should be more careful, my dear. I'm not always so accommodating. I might just decide to teach you some manners."

"You can try," Bella said flippantly. "That still doesn't answer why you're here."

"Well, as I was saying, I like to surprise my lovers. However, climbing trellis and such has become quite tedious for me, so now I much prefer to go through the front door and use my own key." Smoothly, he pulled out a duplicate key to her suite.

Bella rolled her eyes. Of course, he had a key. Why wouldn't he? "I'm not ready. I wasn't expecting you until seven."

"Of course, I don't expect you to change your schedule. I just came early because I wanted to see you. So please, don't rush on my account. Go get ready." Carelessly he waved her away. "I'll just sit here and read your historically inaccurate smut book."

Again he smiled.

It finally dawned on Bella who he reminded her of. The Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland -always smiling - always saying absurd things to goad a reaction. She really should throw him out.

"Fine, let me go get ready. And don't be getting any ideas from that book. Just because I like to read smut doesn't mean I want to live it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"All right then, I shall be waiting here with bated breath." Magnanimously, he blew her a kiss.

"Whatever," she muttered.

A part of her wanted to take her time, make him wait. However, she was so anxious to be with him, she was ready in minutes, blow drying her hair, pulling her dark strands up with the fancy Spanish comb he gave her, grabbing her purse.

When she stepped back into the living room, Aro was still sitting on the sofa. He had finished her book. "Ah, Signora Cullen, you look absolutely stunning. A veritable feast for the eyes. Come here and let me have a closer look."

Bella did as she was told, standing in front of him, while he fussed over her skirts, making sure they hung correctly.

"Does this meet your approval?" she said sarcastically.

"Ah yes, it is perfect," he said enthusiastically, looking her up and down.

Standing up he pulled her into his arms, his hands caressing her. "Truly, you are an exquisite creature." Gracefully, he leaned over and gave her a kiss.

It was just peck really, but for Bella it made her whole body tingle.

Taking her hand, he placed it in the crook of his arm and led her to the front door. "I shall take you to meet some friends of mine."

"Friends? Don't you mean, minions?" Bella quipped.

Aro stopped, somewhat taken aback and turned to her, shaking his head. He then ran the pad of this thumb gently over her bottom lip. "Ah, lovely Signora, you have quite the mouth on you. You're making sport of me. Not only that, you're maligning my friends which I cannot allow. I have a feeling in the very near future I shall have to correct this, but not tonight." He eyed her tenderly. "Tonight, all I want to do is bring you pleasure."

"Really," Bella said incredulously.

"Yes," he said. "Really." Almost seamlessly, he pulled her into his arms, his grip gentle, but immovable. "I think we may have gotten off on the wrong foot. You think I'm toying with you, but I am not the one who broke your heart. So you shouldn't treat me as such. Tonight I want the charming and amiable Signora Cullen before her cad of a husband threw her love away on a worthless woman and made her bitter."

"I'm not bitter," Bella protested, but was she?

"Of course you are." Picking her up, Aro cupped her bottom and then leaned her against the wall, still holding her, wrapping her legs around him. "You were ready to die for him, were you not? I saw it. Your love was so pure, it humbled me. No woman has ever loved me like that." For a moment he stopped, his expression sad. "At least not since I've been a vampire. Yet that foolish husband of yours threw it all away. He doesn't deserve you—"

"Well, it wasn't just him, I can sometimes be—"

"Hush, I have not finished speaking. Wait your turn."

Bella laughed. "Okay."

"As I was saying, tonight I don't want you to even think about anything unpleasant. I want to adore you, dote on you, make love to you, and shower you with kisses." Playfully, he kissed her mouth, her cheek, her throat. "I want to bring a smile to those lovely lips of yours. Make you laugh. Make you scream." Teasingly he bit her shoulder, which made her squeal.

"Ah, there you see, I make you smile already. Let me take care of you, my darling."

Now Bella felt a little lost, bewildered, her body so taut and ready for sex, she could barely stand it. She felt like he was taking over, which he was. But she was letting him. That's what amazed her.

"So the question is, are you going to behave, or do I have to take you in the back bedroom and spank your bottom."

Bella's eyes widened. She was speechless. That's because both suggestions sounded strangely titillating, but then her outrage clicked in. How dare he! "Wait a second, if you think for one minute that your—"

"Hush, that's not what I asked," he admonished, his eyes narrowing. "Are you going to behave?"

"You know, you're very domineering and condescending."

'"No, not condescending. I'm not talking down to you. I'm telling you how it is. There is no room in my life for carelessness. There are too many people who want to destroy me. Therefore, for us to have to have a relationship, I must be the master. But if you serve me, I will shower you with warmth and praise, and reward you like no other."

Bella felt like she reeling. This was it, she thought. He was taking over, and he was being very direct about it. Was she going to let him win? A part of her said no way.

But then another part of her wondered, would it really be so bad? She was so tired of always having to take care of things. Even when she was young, she had to take care of her mom. Now Aro gave the impression he was going to take of her. She never had that before. Yet what was the price? He said earlier that he preferred true submission. Was she submissive?

"What if I say no?" she asked. "What if I say get out?"

"Then I will take my coat, and I shall leave," Aro said solemnly. "And we shall not see each other again. I think this would be a shame though. I like you very much, Signora Cullen."

Bella agreed. She didn't want him to leave. So to her embarrassment, she gave in. "Okay," she grumbled, rolling her eyes. "I guess I will behave."

"A simple yes will do."

"Yes."

"Ah, very good. You please me very much. I shall endeavor to do the same." Gently he let her down.

"Can you at least stop calling me Signora Cullen?"

"Oh, but I have to do that. I must remind myself that you are not truly mine. Otherwise, I might get it into my head to abduct you and take you home with me. But if you like that idea, I shall be happy to call you, Isabella."

Bella shook her head. "I don't know about this. You're scaring me, Aro."

Teasingly he kissed her. "Ah, have no worries. I shall take very good care of you. You have much to learn, my dear. But I have lots of patience, and I will teach you. You'll see." Warmly he clasped her hand and walked her to the door.

Bella wasn't quite sure exactly what she just submitted to. A part of her was terrified. Yet it was strangely liberating too. She didn't have to worry about where they were going, what they were going to do, or how much it'd cost. He did. All she had to do was follow along and smile. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

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