Disclaimer: Shroud is a Twilight fan fiction, intended solely for the enjoyment of the readers. No copyright infringements are intended. Any original story directions and plot lines herein are the property of the author.
A/N Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out. That stupid writing block got in my way, along with a Sam Bradley concert and bronchitis. But I am in the groove and am going to work on the next chapter tomorrow. It is getting good - more passion from Edward and now you get to hear what goes on in Jake's head where Mr. Cullen is concerned.
And if you missed it, I posted a O/S called Love Waits that came in second place in the voter's choice for the Love, Actually contest. It is the canon story of how Jasper and Alice met. I want you to know, this is the first of many. I plan to tell the story of each of the couples and how they met as well as each of their individual stories. Please leave me some love for it and for this chapter of Shroud.
As always, I want to thank my fantastic Beta, ForksPixie, without whom I would never write. She keeps me going and keeps me on track. On top of that, she is a great friend.
And I want to share a little love for UNF4Rob who was the pinch hitter as beta for Love Waits because I was under the gun and my Pix was sick. She also made the beautiful banner for the story which you can see on my blog.
10. TERRITORY
"Edward, you don't have to leave," Bella said, taking my hand in hers, her eyes pleading with me. "You two are acting like five year olds. We can all co-exist."
I smirked. Of course Bella would have that type of optimistic outlook. We could co-exist. We had for decades, but existing in the same area and spending quality time together in the same room were two totally different things.
"It's not that I feel any personal antagonism toward him, Bella, it's just easier for both of us," I told her as I moved to the front door, towing her along because she refused to let go. "I won't be far away. You'll be safe."
"I'm not worried about that," she responded with a hint of sarcasm. Of course she wasn't worried about that. Bella still had very little sense of self-preservation.
She would be safe because I would make sure Jacob Black knew Bella was my girl. And just in case he was likely to forget that, I was going to leave behind something he could not ignore or avoid – my scent.
I smiled a knowing smile. Aware that while Bella thought I was just be saying goodbye, I was marking my territory, too. The bonus was I did get to be close to her. It was still very difficult at times. I still had urges to kill her but my mind kicked in and negated instinct.
I pulled her close and buried my face in her hair, nuzzling her neck. I let out a cool breath that sent a shiver through her body. For that I was sorry, but it was an extra effort to leave my scent so Jacob knew exactly where I stood and where his place was when he came into the house.
"I'll be right back," I assured her, placing a kiss on her forehead, disentangling my fingers from hers. I couldn't help but to laugh just a little, knowing what I had just done. I only wished I could be there to see Jacob Black's expression.
"What's so funny?" Bella asked, scrunching her forehead.
"Inside joke," I smiled. "Be back soon," I re-assured her as I made my way to the tree-line.
It took you long enough.
I could hear Jacob's thoughts. He was close. He was waiting.
I stayed far enough away that I couldn't hear his precise thoughts but close enough that I would know if something went wrong.
His pulse sped up and words became frantic. I moved closer to the house so I could hear what was happening. I certainly didn't want Bella to think I didn't trust her judgment, but I would not take chances when it came to her. If I believed, for one moment, that Jake was putting her in danger I would be in that house quicker than she could ever imagine.
It's cute how Bella worries about me. I am human enough that she worries about me being hurt. It must be nice for her to get to be maternal. Edward never gets hurt. Edward doesn't need her. I need her.
I needed her more than he could ever know. And while I was practically bullet-proof on the outside, I hurt on the inside. He had no idea the pain I suffered worrying about what affect my life had on hers or if I was keeping her from enjoying a fully satisfying life. He was a child. He could not possibly understand matters of unselfish love…who was I kidding? My love was far from unselfish. I tried to convince myself it was, that I was giving up things for Bella, to make her happy, to give her what she wanted, but my love was very selfish. Unselfish would have kept me away when I left her last year. But selfish brought me back to her, unable to walk away. She pulled me in. Her scent, her love, everything about her was intoxicating to me and I could not live without it. It was just that simple. Then it occurred to me, maybe Jake felt he couldn't live without her either.
I moved closer to the house. I stopped at the mailbox, knowing there should be acceptance letters pouring in soon. I ensured that Bella would have plenty of options to consider when it came right down to it. Sure enough, when I reached into the mailbox there was an envelope from Dartmouth.
Although I was outside the house I was close enough to feel the burning sensation in my nostrils and my throat from the bleach. It was a familiar scent at Bella's house, especially since the incident with Jasper at her birthday party. Bella said she did it for me. She said what I had to go through was difficult enough without having to resist blood spilled. But whose blood was spilled? I rushed to the front porch and had my hand on the door knob when I heard Jacob offer to help clean up.
"Let me clean up," I could hear Jacob say.
It's the least I could do since it is my blood.
Of course he would offer to help her clean up. Again, that was something I could not do easily.
Bella gave him instructions for throwing the towel in the wash while she continued cleaning with the bleach.
"Do you have obsessive-compulsive disorder?" he teased her.
"We're a bit sensitive to blood around here. I'm sure you can understand," she scolded him.
Her words agitated him. I could sense the adrenaline pulsing through him, but not so much I felt I needed to rush in to save her.
Of course it's about him. It's always about him.
"What's it like having a werewolf for a best friend?"
"When the werewolf is being nice, it's not so bad," she laughed.
I wished I could hear what she was thinking, what she wouldn't say to him. That was still one of the most frustrating things about my relationship with Bella. I wanted to know what she thought and felt, about me, about many things, but mostly about Jacob. Did she love him the way she loved me? What about him made her love him?
I didn't get to ponder those questions for long. My tactic had worked and his reaction brought a wide smile to my face.
What a horrible stench. How can she stand to be near them? I can't even hug her.
I moved from the porch and sat on the steps, waiting impatiently for Jacob to leave. He was there to catch the scent, not hang out with Bella.
"See you around, Bells," he said.
Bella asked him if he really had to leave, much as she told me I didn't have to leave for him to come over. It was a fine line the werewolves and vampires walked.
"He's waiting for me to go. I can hear him outside," Jake responded.
Good. Leaving my scent and staying close reminded him that I was always near
"Hold up a sec," I heard Jacob say from the back door. I could hear his hand turning the knob. "Hey, do you think you can come to La Push tonight? We're having a bonfire party. Emily will be…"
Nice. A werewolf soiree. I wonder if Jacob would mind me attending with Bella?
"Yeah, Jake, I don't know about that. See, it's a little tense right now…"
I knew the inflections of her voice well enough to know that she really did want to go, but was worried.
"Do you really think anyone will get past all six of us?" he laughed.
He had a good point. As a coven we would have no problem with his pack, but whoever was looking for Bella was only one person and I had faith they could keep her safe. As much as I wanted to hate Jacob, and believe me, I tried; I knew he would always keep Bella safe.
"I'll ask," Bella said.
"Is he your warden now, too? You know, I saw this story on the news last week about controlling, abusive teenage relationships and –."
My hand was back on the knob of the front door. Knowing it would hurt Bella immensely if I killed Jacob was the only thing keeping me from putting him in his place right then and there. How dare he even allude to the idea that I would ever harm Bella in any way?
"Bye, Bells," I could hear his smirk through his voice. He knew I could hear him. He was saying it more to get under my skin than to make Bella contemplate the idea. "Be sure you ask permission."
He shut the back door and I opened the front at the same time, shaking the rain droplets off my head.
"Did you two get into a fight?" I asked, noting the knife sitting on the kitchen counter. He left peacefully so the likelihood was they did not, but a guy could hope.
"Edward!" she exclaimed, running and jumping in my arms as though I was returning from a weekend hunt as opposed to a trip to the mailbox.
"Hi, there," I laughed, wrapping my arms around her waist, pulling her to me. I could hear her heart rate increase. "Are you trying to distract me? It's working."
She snuggled in to my chest and I stroked her hair for a moment, breathing her scent in deeply, trying to get rid of the horrid dog stench.
She asked why I thought they were fighting and I noted the knife sitting on the counter. That caused her to rush to the sink and soak it in bleach, apologizing for the smell of blood, explaining what I already knew, that she had stabbed the dog.
"Bella, it's okay, really," I reassured her.
I tried to distract her by pulling the envelope from Dartmouth out of my jacket for her to see.
"Dartmouth? Is this a joke?" she asked, taking the envelope in her hands, her fingers gliding over the return address. I saw a glint of joy in her eyes, before she realized it. She then turned on her defensive nature again.
"I'm sure it's an acceptance, it looks exactly like mine," I smiled.
I knew it was an acceptance. I had made a significant donation to their building fund to ensure she was accepted, despite the late submittance. I had to give her options. I had to give her every option.
"Good grief, Edward – what did you do?" she asked, tapping me against the chest with the envelope.
"I sent in your application, that's all," I lied. It was for her benefit. She already suspected I did more. If I told her I made a donation she would never consider Dartmouth and I really wanted her to consider it.
We went on to argue about how she would pay for Dartmouth. I, of course, was more than willing to invest in her education if she were willing to embark upon it. Bella, on the other hand, was as stubborn as Bella was. She insisted no one would pay for her education other than her and she was mailing the contents of her bank account to Alaska tomorrow. I didn't care where she went to college. If she was willing to experience one more human thing, I would go anywhere – even to Alaska and penguins.
She continued to convince me that making everyone think she was going to Alaska was the solution. She believed it would keep anyone from asking questions or expecting a visit until she hoped to get her newborn tendencies under control. The deceit weighed heavily on her mind.
"It gets easier. After a few decades, everyone you know is dead. Problem solved." Perhaps I was too crass when I said it, but sugar coating things got Bella nowhere.
She flinched at my words.
"Sorry, that was harsh."
She diverted her eyes from me to the envelope. "But still true."
"If I get this resolved, whatever it is we're dealing with, will you please consider waiting?"
"Nope," she answered quickly, with a bite to her tone
"Always so stubborn."
"Yep," she answered defiantly.
Suddenly she was distracted by the washing machine, thumping to a halt. It was antiquated. I would have bought her a new washing machine too, but she would never accept it and I am sure Charlie would not appreciate Bella's boyfriend swooping in to save the day.
"That reminds me," she said, balancing the load in the washer out again and re-starting it. "Could you ask Alice what she did with my stuff when she cleaned my room? I can't find it anywhere."
Alice cleaned her room? When? Alice would do things like that at home, but I could not imagine her stepping in to Bella's house and taking it upon herself to clean her room. Alice did know boundaries.
"Alice cleaned your room?" I asked her in confusion.
"Yeah, I guess that's what she was doing when she came to get my pajamas and pillow and stuff to hold me hostage."
Hostage? Really? So dramatic. It was just a sleepover.
"She picked up everything that was lying around, my shirts, my socks, and I don't even know where she put them."
Why would Alice do that? I was running it through my mind. Then it hit me. She wouldn't do it. Alice would never do that. I stiffened in realization.
"When did you notice your things were missing?" I asked.
"When I got back from the fake slumber party. Why?"
"I don't think Alice took anything. Not your clothes or your pillow. The things that were taken, these were things you'd worn…and touched…and slept on?" I had my suspicions and I needed her answers to confirm those suspicions.
"Yes. What is it, Edward?"
It was her visitor. He wasn't just coming to the house to pick up her scent. He was taking her scent back to someone else. He was proving to someone he had found her.
"I don't know why, but he was getting your scent and taking it to someone. But I swear I will find out why. I will."
"I know you will," she said, laying her head against me chest.
Suddenly the weight of the world was on me. Yet again, Bella was in danger because of her association with me and I had to save her. I had failed her in the past. I didn't save her. Jacob did. Bella was my responsibility, my commitment, my existence. I could not fail her again.
Suddenly my phone began to vibrate. I looked at the display and saw that it was my father.
"Just the person I need to talk to," I murmured before hitting the answer button. "Carlisle, I –,"
"Edward, things are escalating in Seattle. I think there are several newborns. We need to investigate. We need to find out what is going on before we have unwelcome visitors in Forks. You should look at today's paper," Carlisle said.
"I'll check it out. Listen…Bella just discovered several of her personal items have disappeared. We cannot find them anywhere in the house. My only explanation is her visitor took the items. But why?"
"I don't know Edward. None of this makes any sense. There are so many things going on right now and with Alice seeing clearly, I just don't know. We need to talk. Her visitor meant her no harm. That is clear so right now we need to focus on Seattle."
Then I could hear Emmett interject in the background.
"I'll go to Seattle. Let's go get some newborns now," he boomed. I could practically see him jumping up and down, punching his fists in the air.
"Maybe I'll go…," I said, hoping Bella didn't hear me. When I realized she did, I knew I needed to change my tone. "Maybe not. Don't let Emmett go alone, you know how he gets. At least ask Alice to keep an eye on things. We'll figure this out later."
I snapped the phone shut and scanned the room for the newspaper.
"Where's the paper?" I asked Bella, reaching out to take her by the arm.
"Um, I'm not sure. Why?" she asked with a puzzled look on her face. She had to be confused, with everything that was happening and only hearing my end of the conversation with my father.
"I need to see something," I said, searching frantically, pulling Bella along. I didn't want her out of arm's reach of me. "Did Charlie already throw it out?"
"Maybe…" she said quietly.
I let go of her arm, realizing that the more questions I asked, the further I confused Bella and the more it slowed up the process of determining what was going on. I quickly darted out the back door to the Marks' house. They were gone and their newspaper was still in its box and slightly damp from the rain. I took it out quickly and made my way back into Bella's house, spreading the paper out on the dining room table.
It didn't take long for me to find the headline I was looking for:
"Murder Epidemic Continues – Police Have No New Leads."
Fortunately, it was page three. Only in the Seattle Times would a story about a murder epidemic be relegated to page three. After all this was the home of Ted Bundy and Gary Ridegeway, but what Seattle didn't know, was that this was a different kind of serial killer, a far more dangerous one. These murders were the work of a vampire, or vampires and there was no rhyme or reason to their feeding frenzy.
"It's getting worse," Bella murmured. I could hear the concern in her voice, tinged with fear, but she was typical Bella – trying to be defiant and strong and act as though she could take it on herself.
I frowned. She was right. It was not only getting worse, but bordering on out of control and we had to do something quick, something before the Volturi got involved.
This was utterly frustrating to me. I was unable to figure out the reasoning behind any of this and it was driving me insane.
"Altogether out of control. This can't be the work of just one newborn vampire. It's as if they have never heard of the Volturi before and that is possible. But who is creating them, and why?"
"The Volturi," Bella said hesitantly.
"This is exactly the kind of thing they routinely wipe out – immortals who threaten to expose us. You remember how important it is to keep our secret. They just cleaned up a mess like this a few years ago in Atlanta, and it hadn't gotten nearly this bad. They will intervene soon, very soon, unless we can find some way to calm the situation. I'd really rather they didn't come to Seattle just now. As long as they're this close…they might decide to check on you."
I remembered Caius's words as we were allowed to leave Volterra, intact. "We do not give second chances."
I knew he meant it. I had counted on Alice's visions alerting us to their impending visit so we would prepare and deflect. If the Volturi were coming, we had no time to prepare along with dealing with the newborn situation and trying to figure out who visited Bella's room and why. Most importantly, in it all was Bella. I had to protect her. I knew I could, but I had never considered having to worry about her on so many fronts. This would take the entire Coven clan to work on these issues and protect her.
The last thing I wanted was for the fear of their visit to encourage Bella to further push her agenda of getting changed soon. I still was hopeful I could bargain with her and get more time.
"What can we do?" Bella asked.
"We need to know more before we can decide that. Perhaps if we can talk to these young ones, explain the rules, it can be resolved peacefully." It was a long shot, but right now it was the only chance I thought we had. "We'll wait until Alice has an idea of what's going on…we don't want to step in until it's absolutely necessary. After all, it's not our responsibility. But it's good we have Jasper," I added, hinting to my newest brother's history. "If we are dealing with newborns, he'll be helpful."
"Jasper? Why?" she asked, confused and intrigued.
"Jasper is sort of an expert on young vampires," I smiled darkly.
"What do you mean an expert?" she asked.
These were questions that were not my place to answer. "You'll have to ask him – the story is involved."
"What a mess," she mumbled.
"It does feel that way, doesn't it? Like it's coming at us from all sides these days," I sighed, gently squeezing her shoulder in reassurance. "Do you ever think that your life might be easier if you weren't in love with me?"
It was a question I asked myself thousands of times a day. I just knew Bella's life would be easier and more carefree without me in it, but I needed her more than I had needed anything ever in my life and as long as she lived, I would as well. I would always look out for Bella, even if she wasn't mine to look out for. But I promised her when we came back from Italy that I would never leave her again until she specifically told me to and I was a man of my word. That being said, I also never stopped offering her outs, opportunities to live a normal human life. I didn't want her believing she owed me her life. That was the last thing in the world I wanted. I wanted her love. That was a fact, but I did not want her to give up her soul for me to have that love. Loving Bella was one of the most painful, yet pleasurable things in my century of life. I constantly worried about the price she had to pay for me and I certainly never felt worthy of it. However, I was grateful – grateful that Bella Swan walked into that classroom and stirred something within me - grateful that she loved me.
"Maybe," she said quietly before raising her eyes to meet mine, taking my hand in hers. "But it wouldn't be much of a life though."
"For me," I added. "And now, I suppose you have something you want to ask me?" I said with a wry smile, figuring I had to prod her to ask me about going to Jacob's event.
"I do?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
I teased her for a bit about the fact that she had promised Jacob to ask my permission to go to the werewolf soiree and she chided me for eavesdropping. It was impossible not to eavesdrop. There were times I certainly did my best to distract myself from hearing other people's thoughts, to give them privacy, but sometimes, especially when it came to Bella, I couldn't help myself. That was the case when it came to Jacob. I couldn't read her mind, but reading his gave me some insight into what she thought and felt.
"You don't have to ask my permission, Bella. I'm not your father – thank heaven for that. Perhaps you should ask Charlie, though."
"But you know Charlie will say yes," she said.
"I do have a bit more insight into his probable answer than most people would, it's true," I grinned.
Bella stood there, staring at me for several moments, and then looking to the ground and around the room. She was searching for something inside her, but I had no idea what it was. Knowing Bella, she probably wanted to go to La Push and felt guilty for wanting that. I never wanted that. I just wanted her happy. She had enough on her mind with graduation, the visitor, the newborns and now the threat of a visit by the Volturi. I could not deny her the opportunity to go and do something that would take her mind off of all of those things and the truth was, as long as she was with me that would be all that would be on her mind.
"Bella, I told you that I was going to be reasonable and trust your judgment. I meant that. If you trust werewolves, then I'm not going to worry about them."
Her eyes lit up and a smile formed after she closed her gaping mouth. "Wow," was all she said.
"And Jacob's right – about one thing, anyway – a pack of werewolves ought to be enough to protect even you for one evening."
"Are you sure?" she asked, not believing I would be so willing to send her to the wolves.
"Of course. Only…"
And this was the kicker. I was being more reasonable and giving her more freedom, but I was still extremely protective of Bella and had rules that had to be followed, to insure her safety and to offer me peace of mind.
She planted her feet firmly and looked at me out of the corner of her eyes. She was dreading what was coming, which was good. My demands were small so she should take it as a relief to whatever was going through her mind.
"I hope you don't mind taking a few precautions? Allowing me to drive you to the boundary line, for one. And then taking a cell phone, so that I'll know when to pick you up?"
She took it just the way I had hoped.
"That sounds…very reasonable."
"Excellent," I smiled, pleased that I had figured out a way to negotiate my needs with Bella's desires.
"Hey Dad," Bella said into the phone, calling her father at work. "Jacob invited me to a bonfire at the reservation tonight. Is it okay if I go? I might be late."
"Sure, Bells," I could hear Charlie smiling through the phone, happy Bella was doing something with Jake. "Is Edward busy?"
"Um…no. Why?" Bella asked.
"I just figured if he were around, you would rather spend your evening with him."
"I have friends, Dad. Edward and I don't do everything together."
"Alright then," he said, wrapping the conversation up. "Be safe and have a good time."
Bella hung up the phone and turned to me. "Sorry Charlie is that way. He just can't let the whole Italy thing go."
"I get it Bella," I shrugged. "Charlie will come around. What matters to me is that you are happy and you want me around."
"Of course I want you around, always," She said, wrapping her arms around me.
I leaned down and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"Don't you have another phone call to make?" I asked, handing her the receiver.
"I could wait until you weren't around if you want," she said, taking the receiver.
"Don't be ridiculous Bella. I have nothing to hide from you and I would hope you have nothing to hide from me."
With that she dialed Jacob's number.
"This is Jake."
"Hey Jake, it's Bella."
"I know that Bella. I could see that on the caller ID," he laughed.
"Is the invitation still open for me to come to the bonfire tonight?"
"Hell yeah it is!" Jacob yelled. Even if I didn't have super sensitive hearing I would have heard him through the phone. He didn't bother trying to contain his excitement. "Edward agreed to let you go?"
Bella looked at me to gauge my reaction. She knew I could hear him. I never indicated anything other than my happiness that she was getting to do something she wanted.
"Of course, Jake," Bella said. "He isn't my dad."
Jacob chuckled. "Well, he acts like it sometimes and goodness knows he is old enough."
"Very funny Jake," Bella smirked. "But he wants me to take a few precautions."
"Like?" Jake asked with trepidation.
"He wants me to take a cell phone and call him when I am ready for him to pick me up-."
"He can't pick you up. He isn't allowed on the reservation," Jake reminded her.
"If you would let me finish," Bella scolded. "He will drop me off at the treaty line and you can pick me up, then you can take me back for him to pick me up when we are done."
There was a short pause.
"Sounds reasonable," Jacob said.
"I thought so too," she smiled. "So what time do I need to meet you at the treaty line?"
"Is six okay?" he asked.
"Yep, see you then."
"So, we have a little while before I have to get you to the treaty line," I said. "I need to give you the cell phone. It's back at my house. Do you mind going over there? I am sure Esme would love to see you."
"Sure," she agreed. "But I am going to drive separate. Then you can drive me to the treaty line in the truck."
"Why?" I asked, confused.
"I decided that I want to take my motorcycle back to Jacob. He did a lot of work on it and I want him to enjoy it or sell it and make some money for all that work."
"Oh," I said, trying to hide my disappointment. She had no idea I had purchased the Ducati.
"It's just, Charlie isn't going to let me ride and certainly, you wouldn't let me ride. I do have a propensity and right now I don't need to be taking any chances until I am bulletproof like you. And when that happens I am sure a ravenous newborn vampire tearing the town up on a motorcycle would not be the best idea."
"No problem, Bella," I said. "But I don't mind."
She just looked at me with questioning eyes and picked up her keys as we walked out the door. I hopped in the Volvo and headed towards the Cullen house, hoping to get there well before Bella and hide the Ducati, so she didn't feel any guilt. But traffic slowed me down and Bella drove faster than usual and she pulled into the driveway as I lifted the garage door.
I stood in front of the Ducati and Bella's bike, like a deer caught in headlights.
"What is that?" she asked as she climbed from the Chevy truck, slamming the door behind her.
"Nothing," I murmured, hoping she would just think it was a new toy for one of my brothers.
"It doesn't look like nothing," she scolded, trying to move around me to get a better look.
"Well, I didn't know if you were going to forgive your friend, or he you, and I wondered if you would still want to ride your bike anyway. It sounded like it was something you enjoyed. I thought I could go with you, if you wished," I shrugged. I hoped if I acted like it was no big deal, she wouldn't make a big deal of it.
The truth was I really had hoped to go riding with her. Running through the forest with the wind in my hair was one thing, but I longed to do human things, to share human experiences with Bella. She wouldn't have to ride on my back. We could ride, side by side through the mountain roads of the Olympic Mountain Range and find new meadows to explore. Bella wouldn't be my passenger. She would be my partner.
She walked over to the Ducati and ran her hand along the leather seat. It was sexy seeing her touch the machine with such tenderness; this perfect, sleek machine next to my tiny, fragile, beautiful Bella. Perhaps she would reconsider. Even if she didn't want to ride her motorcycle again, perhaps she would ride with me, slinging her leg over the Ducati, sliding up behind me, her chest pressed against my back, her arms wrapped tightly around me, tendrils of her hair blowing out from under her helmet, stirring her scent as I pushed the machine to its max. The vision of it was intoxicating. One thing was for sure, resisting Bella and trying to do the right thing was getting harder all the time. The desire to feel her naked body beneath mine, to move in and out of her as she climaxed from my soft touch was something I wanted to know desperately.
"I wouldn't be able to keep up with you," she whispered.
I stepped closer to her and lifted her chin so she was looking me in the eyes. With the other hand, I took a finger and tried to push her mouth into a smile.
"I'd keep pace with you, Bella," I admitted. To her, I was discussing motorcycles, but to me, it was so much more. I would give anything to be able to give Bella the things she needed and wanted – things I desired as well, but it wasn't safe or prudent.
"That wouldn't be much fun for you," she said.
"Of course it would, if we were together."
She paused for a moment and bit her bottom lip, which I knew meant she was hesitating before saying something.
"Edward, if you thought I was going too fast or losing control of the bike or something, what would you do?"
She knew what I would do. She knew I would find some way to save her before she could crash. She knew that I would worry that she would get hurt.
"This is something you do with Jacob. I see that now."
She reached for my hand and squeezed it, rubbing her thumb on the back of my hand.
"It's just that, well, I don't slow him down so much, you know, I could try, I guess…"
No. She didn't need to try. I had to accept that this was one of the long-lasting effects of the time I left her. She sought solace with Jacob and the motorcycles were something that brought them joy and her peace and I couldn't take that from them. There were many things Jacob had with her or could have with her, that I never would or could, but I had to remind myself the same could be said for me. He might have the motorcycles. But I had the meadow and I wouldn't trade that for any piece of machinery.
She looked at the Ducati again and I saw in her eyes that she was willing to try, for me, but there wasn't a spark, an excitement about it.
"Don't worry about it," I said, laughing it off. "Jasper was with me when I bought it and he really liked it. Perhaps it's time he discovered a new way to travel. After all, Alice has her Porsche now."
"Edward, I-,"
I quickly leaned down and pressed my lips to hers. I wanted her to know that she was what was important, not the motorcycle. "I said not to worry. But would you do something for me?"
"Whatever you need," she promised quickly.
I released her chin and leaned over the motorcycle to retrieve the two gifts I picked up for her at the dealership.
When she saw the red helmet and the jacket draped over my arm she looked at me and shook her head slightly.
"Please?" I asked, lowering my eyes to get the most out of my plea.
She took the helmet into her hands and tossed it around. "I'll look stupid."
"No, you'll look smart," I said. "Smart enough not to get yourself hurt." I reached forward and took her face in my hands and pressed my forehead to hers. "There are things between my hands right now that I can't live without. You could take care of them."
"Okay, fine. What's that other thing?" she asked, reaching for the jacket hanging on my arm.
I laughed and shook it out for her to see it. "It's a riding jacket. I hear road rash is quite uncomfortable, not that I would know myself."
I held it out for her to try on. I was not going to let this one go.
She tossed her head back and pulled the helmet on to her head, then slid her arms into the jacket as I held it for her. I reached for her shoulders and gently turned her to me before zipping her up.
I had to smile. She was hot. Very hot. Wow. I could feel the venom pooling in my mouth – her scent combined with the smell of the leather was erotic. I could feel my body react to the sight of her, in tight blue jeans and a snug leather jacket. I had to get a grip. She couldn't see the effect she was having on me or she would take total advantage of it, and me.
I stepped back, took a deep breath and eyed her from head to toe. She tugged on the jacket and wiggled her head from side to side, in discomfort.
"Be honest, how hideous do I look?" she asked in a voice muffled by the face shield.
I still couldn't find the words to describe my beautiful Bella, transformed into a sexy woman with one piece of clothing.
"That bad, huh?" she asked. I could even see her pouting lips through the visor.
"No, no, Bella. Actually," I was stammering over my words. She had me struggling to find the right words. I didn't want to be rude or condescending. I was at a loss. "You look…sexy." Yes. Sexy. That was the right word. I wish there was a more proper word, but she was damn sexy and sexy was the word that described her.
She laughed out loud and grabbed her stomach. She didn't believe me and I couldn't blame her. That word, and words like it, was not part of my vernacular outside of the discussions I had with my brothers.
"Very sexy, really." I was on a roll. Why stop? I needed her to believe I thought of her that way and I wanted her to see herself that way.
"You are just saying that so that I'll wear it," she negated. "But that's okay. You're right, it's smarter."
I reached out and wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her against me. I had gotten a grip on the physical affectations at the sight of her so she wouldn't feel me pressing against her. "You're silly. I suppose that's part of your charm. Though, I'll admit it, this helmet does have its drawbacks."
I slide fingertips up her side, to her shoulders and slide the helmet off, laying it on the seat of the Ducati. I took her back in my arms and kissed her with as much passion as I felt I could do safely. Slowly, my limits were increasing.
I slid the collar of her shirt to the side and placed soft kisses on her collarbone, then up her neck and gently sucked on her neck with my lips, causing her to moan and go weak in my arms. I moved my lips to her ear and sucked on her earlobe before leaving a trail of kisses to her mouth. I pressed my lips as hard as I dared to hers and pressed her body just as hard against mine. She reached up and wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me back with as much excitement.
We kissed like that for minutes until I knew I was about to cross a line I could never uncross. I pulled myself away from her and she let out an exasperated sigh. I couldn't wait for the day when there would be not stopping once we passed go.
"Okay, let's get you to your party," I said, opening the hatch of the Volvo so I could load her motorcycle in it.
"Wow," Bella said as I easily slid the motorcycle in and closed the hatch.
"What?" I asked.
"That's why I drove the truck. I didn't think it would fit."
"Give me some credit, Bella. Where there is a will, there is a way," I chuckled, moving to open her door for her.
She was mostly silent as I drove her towards La Push, looking out the window at the clouds.
"You know what this reminds me of?" she asked.
"No. What?"
"It's like when I was a kid and Renee would pass me off to Charlie for the summer. I feel like I am seven years old," she said, resigning herself to the fact that this is the way things would be for some time.
"Well, you don't look seven," I laughed.
I knew we were close to the treaty line. I could smell all the wet dogs, but I could smell Jake stronger than any other. That meant he was around the curve, waiting for me to deliver his package.
As soon as I came around the curve I could see Jacob, standing against his piece of shit car. The moment Bella waved and a smile came to his face – the smile of a child that just got what they wanted on Christmas morning.
I stopped the car thirty yards away from Jacob, so when I did a U-turn to head back to Forks there was no chance of me crossing the treaty line.
"Call me whenever you're ready to come home," I said, handing her the cell phone. "And I'll be here." Home. I liked saying that. I wanted Bella to know that wherever I was, was her home and she was mine.
"I won't be out late," she promised as we both climbed out of the car. I went around to the back to take the motorcycle and gear out.
I'll take good care of her, bloodsucker. As a matter of fact, she is probably safer here than anywhere else.
He was trying to get in my head and I wasn't going to let it happen. I wasn't going to break my promise to trust Bella and her judgment. Jacob wouldn't make me break that deal.
I handed her the helmet and she tucked it under her arm and tossed the jacket across the seat of her motorcycle.
"Do you have it all?" I asked.
"No problem," she assured me.
I sighed, not wanting her to go but knowing I had to. I wanted to make sure she remembered what was waiting at home for her and I wanted to remind Jacob where her home was.
I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her as hard as I had back at the house. I made sure to pepper her forehead with departing kisses and run my fingers in her hair, knowing that Jacob would have my scent with him all night.
Yeah, I get the point, Edward. One day she will kiss me too and I can do better than that.
I just laughed and released her to take the bike to his side of the treaty line. I got in his head and that was what was important. And that was just one of the advantages I had over Jacob Black – years of experience.
"Goodbye," I said to her. "I really do like the jacket." That was my insurance policy. It didn't matter how he entertained her tonight, she would smell me, remember I called her sexy and taste my kiss on her lips.
I climbed in to the Volvo and watched as she crossed the treaty line. The moment she stepped foot onto his territory he took the bike and propped it on its kickstand, grabbing her tightly in her arms, shooting me a smirk from over her shoulder as he moved his hand a little closer to her back side than I liked. But I had to be a bigger man and trust Bella.
I grabbed tightly on to the steering wheel, put it in to gear and did a sharp U-turn, heading back to Forks. The less I saw the better.