Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Stephenie Meyer created it all; I just like to play around in her world.
As always, a shout out to the Fab Five for their support and help - and beachcomberlc and Ocassye for all their beta and pre-reading power! In addition, Purradox for her expertise and keeping me in line. These women have supported me in ways I can't even explain – specifically - encouraging me to continue when I've doubted my writing skills and ability to tell a story!
I tweaked this a little after the betas had their hands on it, so any grammatical errors are all mine!
~Honor~
"What did you get?" Bella asked Jamie as soon as the men slammed the cover shut over them.
"A knife."
A knife. Bella's hope rose, but reality came quickly crashing down. Even if they were able to overpower the men who came into the hole, they didn't know how many more were outside. And she and Jamie were so weak. Their captors had reduced their food, and no matter how much she and Jamie tried to ration it, they still didn't eat for days at a time. And what they were getting was little better than rancid.
But it was a knife.
Fear filled her. "James, you can't do anything. We have to wait it out. The gunfire. We've both heard it. It's getting closer."
"Major. They aren't going to let us live long enough for any rescuers. Particularly you. He's becoming more vicious, the beatings you're enduring harsher. They've violated every code of conduct for prisoners, and while that might not really mean much, they'll be vilified. We'll be dead before the troops get here, our bodies dumped somewhere they'll never be found. Personally, I'd rather my family have the peace of knowing rather than the torture of wondering."
She pulled his shirt around her.
"Bella, if I don't make it out of here, I want you to take my hat home to my mother. She always made such a big deal about how handsome I was in it." He shrugged. "Why she needs the hat to recognize my awesomeness, I don't know, but hey, whatever it takes. I want you to take it to her personally. It will mean more to her if you do it."
He was trying to be funny, but she started crying instead. "Stop. We're both getting out of here. I don't want to talk about it."
"Just promise me." He glared at her, demanding her assurance she would comply with his request.
Dashing the tears away from her eyes, she took a deep breath. "Fine! I promise."
"Any message you want me to get to your dad?"
They'd stripped her of everything. All she had was the hope of a message getting back to him. Bella froze as Charlie's warm face raced through her mind. Oh God, this would kill him. Bella rubbed her chest; her heart feeling like it was going to break.
"Tell him I love him." Her voice broke. "That I wanted him to know no one could've had a better father than me."
Jamie moved, scooting closer to her side, but maintaining some distance now. She couldn't handle touch any longer. "I swear I'll personally deliver the message."
She glanced up to his battered face. "Thank you. Would you . . ." She stopped speaking unable to make her voice work.
"What?" he whispered.
Swallowing, she said, "Could you . . .um . . . check on him once and awhile? He'll be so alone except for Jake and Leah."
"Of course. I'll make him come do game days with us." He paused. "But all of this isn't going to matter, because we're getting out of here, right?"
She sniffed, hearing the tears in his voice, as well. "Right."
~Honor~
Bella startled awake. She was toasty warm, which should have calmed her. The source of the heat was easy to identify; she'd turned during the night, burrowing her back against Edward's broad chest. She could feel his arm crooked under the pillow she was sharing with him. But it was his other hand, lightly placed on her hip with his fingertips brushing her belly button that became the focus of her every breath she pulled into her lungs and eased back out through her lips. It almost became too much, until she felt the links of chain dangling across her leg.
She'd chained him to the chair, and then made him sleep with her.
A giggle started deep within her belly, and as much as she tried to keep it from getting out of control, it was hopeless. She snorted, attempting to do so. Slapping her hands across her mouth, she tried. She really did, but before she could stop, her whole body shook with the force of her mirth.
"I have to admit, this is the first time a woman woke up in my bed laughing. Should I be insulted?" Edward eased his hand away from Bella's hip.
"You know, I was actually okay with that. I just had to get through the initial shock," she said softly.
"Yeah, but I made a promise. However, you can't hold me accountable for what I do when I'm asleep. Awake or not, it seems I want you."
She snickered feeling the evidence of said want against her back. Before her nerves failed her, Bella rolled over to face him.
It was so unfair. Sleep had only made his hair more chaotic and him more beautiful. She was sure she, on the other hand, looked like death warmed over. "Why is it men wake up looking basically fine, but we look like something the cat dragged in after a long night?"
He chuckled and pulled his hand out from under the pillow. When he rubbed his eyes, the sound of the links banging against each other as he did sounding absolutely awful. "You're beautiful," he murmured, covering up the jingle of the metal.
His declaration warmed her, even though she wanted to call him out for being too nice. He was too fucking perfect for her, and she wanted to know his secrets. She needed something to take away the image that he was a god visiting among mere mortals.
"Tell me something wrong with you," she begged.
"Wrong?"
"You're too perfect. I need to have something on you."
He grinned. "I'm going to scoot a little closer so I can move to my back. Is that okay?"
She nodded, but didn't move while he turned, placing his arms across his stomach and linking his hands.
"I'm not sure I want to divulge my secrets just yet, because I'm still trying to woo you."
Bella leaned up on her elbow, so she could look at him better.
"Hmm . . . I think we both know I've been effectively wooed. So spill."
He smirked at her insistence. "I'm stubborn, for sure, which can be both a positive and a negative. It helped me get through medical school, but you may have to jerk my chain . . ." he arched an eyebrow and held his hands up for a second " . . .at times." She poked his ribs with her finger at his joking. "When I get angry, I need time to process, so I might walk away from a fight with you. I don't mean it to be disrespectful, but some of my previous girlfriends thought it was. I've learned to cool off before saying something in the moment that might be detrimental to the conversation or relationship. It'll probably aggravate you."
Bella nodded, encouraging him to continue.
"I like to go out and have a good time, but I'm probably more of a homebody than anything. With all the stress of medical school, I really had to make an effort to think about dates in the past. Even though the women I dated knew the score before we began our relationships, the novelty of a boyfriend who had to study, or work, or was too tired to party wore off. I'm sure it will be better now that I'm settled into a position, but I might fall into a rut, so you'll need to call me on it."
Bella drooled when he stretched. Chained hands above his head, he pushed his toes long, making his already tall body longer. Eyeing his abs, she had the immediate craving to lick them. She tugged on the chain running down between them.
"I'm fairly OCD about keeping my place clean, but I have my places of absolute chaos - a drawer in the kitchen, one in my bedroom, and several boxes in my closet. I have to have some space where I can throw the things I don't know what else to do with. It drives my mother crazy, even though I go through them every so often and clean them out."
Slanting a look over at her, he admitted, "I don't snore, unless I'm sick with a cold, then my brothers tell me I'm insufferable."
Bella laughed at the shy boy look on his face at the admission.
"I think one of my biggest flaws, at least in some opinions, is that I'm a mama's boy, as your dad already figured out. It drove a couple of my girlfriends crazy, because my mom, really my mom and dad . . . and all my family members . . . are important." He shrugged. "It's a litmus test for me, actually. That a woman can get along with my family. If they were jerks or clingy or chaotic, I wouldn't feel that way, but we're tight and always have been. I just see the woman I want to spend my life with fitting in. I'm sure there will have to be boundaries established, because that would be normal, but I don't think I could be with someone who cut me off from the individuals who have shaped me. Do you know what I mean?"
Bella nodded. "Yeah. I brought a guy home from college and knew immediately when he and Charlie didn't hit it off."
"I've never asked about your career. So you went to college first before joining the Air Force?"
Bella smiled. "Yeah. I went through four years at U-Dub and got my degree in civil engineering, but I was in ROTC there, so I entered as a second lieutenant. Hearing Jamie's stories about the Air Force Academy made me wish I'd gone there."
"Civil engineering. Hmm . . . math geek?" he asked.
"I did okay in math, but it was really the idea of building things I liked. I was one of those girls who played with Legos instead of Barbies." She laughed softly. "Not that there is anything wrong with Barbies, Jake and I just built Leah's Barbie houses instead."
"So you've known the two of them since you were kids?"
"Yup," she said, popping the "p." "But back to you and your process of self-examination."
Edward smirked at her humor and redirection. "I'm a man, Bella. I'm going to mess up and make you mad. I'll have to grovel, and beg, and plead. Speaking of which, I need to know your weaknesses soon, so I can have go-to ideas for when I need to apologize. Flowers, candy, books, music, whatever will win me favor when I'm a jerk."
She shook her head at him. Before her experience, she would've said back rubs and foot rubs, but she wasn't sure how far that could go . . . well except the foot rubs. But for now, she wanted to make progress on touching him.
"Let me go brush my teeth, and I'll fix some breakfast," she offered even though the idea of getting out from under the warm blankets didn't intrigue her.
"I have a better idea. I want to take you out to eat, and then to the Pacific Science Center. I thought we could stroll through the exhibits and the butterfly house and see what is playing at IMAX." He grinned, holding up his hands. "But first."
She eyed his hands, but didn't immediately move to release him. "I thought you said you weren't good at the date stuff." Putting her hands on the cuffs, she held his wrists, running her fingertips across the leather. "I want to kiss you," she admitted, marveling at how quickly his pupils dilated and a flush spread across his sharp cheekbones.
"Um, I don't mean to be a downer or anything, but it is morning," he said softly.
Morning? Bella wondered about what he meant until her attention wandered down the long length of him. Oh yeah, morning.
Desire surged through her, making her skin tingle. It was a heady thing, the mixture of warmth across her skin, the feeling of breathlessness, the rush of blood, and the moisture between her legs. She savored the feeling as she slowly returned her eyes to his. She wondered if he could hear how her heart pounded. "You make me feel again."
He swallowed hard at her words, reaching up with his hands slowly to run one of his fingertips down her jaw. "You make me feel things I've never felt before."
She wished she could close her eyes and enjoy the feel of his fingers against her skin, but it took all she had to remain still while he caressed her. Her grip on his wrists didn't give her much peace, because it was too apparent how much stronger he was than her. "Can we try one kiss before we get dressed for this outing you propose?"
He looked away for a moment. "Bella, I'm not sure I trust myself. You drive me insane. That kiss about broke me, and having you beside me with very little clothing between us . . . let's just say I don't want to screw up my promise."
"Then how about a compromise? I get dressed while you fix us the bagels and fruit I have in the refrigerator. We can do a late lunch instead at the exhibit."
Smiling, he nodded in agreement.
~Honor~
When Bella returned to the kitchen, fresh from her shower and dressed for the day, Edward had breakfast on the table. He hadn't stopped at bagels and fruit though, having scrambled eggs to go with their light meal. They shared stories from their childhoods as they ate. Edward laughed at Bella's account of how she and Jacob had made mud pies, earth worms included, for Leah. He was getting the clear picture that Leah was the princess of the group, whereas, Bella, it would seem, had always been a tom-boy. Not to be discredited, Edward shared the story of when he'd turned Emmett's hair green with a concoction he'd created with a Mad Scientist kit he'd gotten for Christmas.
Clean up was quick and easy, but the moment Edward turned to Bella, the atmosphere in the room went from light-hearted teasing to lust within a second.
"Now, about that kiss," he said softly.
Bella pointed to the chair he'd occupied during breakfast, and without delay he complied. She quickly secured his hands behind the chair, like she'd done before. But she hesitated afterwards.
"Now, my legs," he encouraged, nodding to the longer bindings she held.
"This seems silly," she said softly.
"Please," he pled. His eyes turned darker, the skin pulling taut across his cheekbones. He was aroused, painfully so. "Bella, I need your hands on me." His chest heaved with emotion.
She fidgeted as she contemplated what he'd said and the chains jingled in the silence.
"Fuck," Edward muttered, shifting in the seat. He closed his eyes and tried to control the lust racing along his nerves, threatening to make him act a fool. "Bella, I need you to wrap my legs and shackle my ankles to this chair. It'll help me, because I won't have to focus on not touching you." His voice was hoarse, and it made goosebumps prickle across her skin.
"You really need this, too?"
The stark answer on his face fueled her actions.
Kneeling was hard, but to bind him required it. She placed the chain across his legs and allowed the ends to drop down before connecting the cuffs to one another under the chair. She sensed his shiver as the links pressed against him. For his ankles, she wove the long binding between the cuffs around the chair legs before securing the leather around him.
Edward exhaled loudly, gaining her attention. She'd thought him a pretty package before, but she shuddered seeing him strapped down. His eyes were dark with desire, and his muscles strained against the bonds. For a moment, she watched as he twisted against them, then as his eyes closed. His nipples had tightened to hard nubs, and she saw a telltale dark spot on the front of his sleep pants. His chest rose and fell in short gasps as his tongue came out to moisten his lips.
"Thank you," he said softly. His voice was thick and rich, flavored with hunger and swirling with dark promise.
Her fingers itched to touch him and she did so, placing her hands against his muscular calves. Heat blazed from his skin through the material of his pjs, and she watched his stomach clench at the contact.
Unwilling to break the intense gaze between them, Bella rubbed her thumbs along the fabric, slowly following the curve of his muscles. A strange mix of fear and desire fueled her. He was so much bigger than her, his large muscles jumping and tightening under her exploration, and the knowledge she was in control, that he was bound and unable to do anything but submit, was intoxicating. She felt as if she had drunk a tumbler of the finest brandy as warmth settled in her stomach, burning fiery trails north to her nipples and south to her . . . what? Privates? Definitely not vagina. Several other names tried to crowd in and remove her lust and joy, but she ruthlessly pushed the taunting voices away. Her control over and the speed at which she'd banished them made her sex pulse.
More importantly, she had Edward literally under her fingertips, while inches away, his erection tented his pajamas . . .and she wasn't scared. In fact, she wanted to touch him. Bella wanted to kneel between his legs and run her hands up and down his inner thighs, but she knew she wasn't strong enough yet for that position. Soon she'd be able to and the idea of giving Edward a blowjob excited her.
Using his knees for support, she stood slowly giving her legs time to find balance.
"You know I want more than a kiss now, right?"
Nodding, Edward remained silent. He felt as if the power of speech had been stolen from him. Freed from the worry of what would or would not scare her, he only had to enjoy wherever Bella took them, to abide by her wishes.
Stepping between his legs, Bella threaded her fingers through Edward's hair. It was silky and cool to the touch, but the nerves in her sensitive fingertips felt like they were on fire as she pulled softly at it over and over. Flush with desire, Bella swiftly tugged at a handful of the strands, and Edward gasped as he leaned his head back, following her direction. Bella took advantage of his position, lowering her mouth to his and sealing their lips, swallowing his moan and savoring the taste of his submission.
She nibbled at his bottom lip, sucking on it before she traced the seam of his mouth, encouraging him to open. His flavor burst in her mouth - cream cheese, coffee, strawberries, and decadent sin. Unhurried, she swirled her tongue around his, shivering at the feel. Pushing the fingers of her other hand through his hair on the other side she held him captive, tasting before pulling back to nibble again at his lips. The second time she joined their tongues, lust exploded, and they were both panting when she drew back.
Driven by some unseen demon, she turned her head, pulling him forward and connecting his lips to her skin, just below where her jaw connected to her ear. She moaned when he kissed her there, brushing his lips softly across her flesh. Unguided, he teased halfway down her jaw before returning to suck gently below her ear. She froze when he nibbled the lobe of her ear, tightening her hands in his hair harshly. In response, Edward released the flesh he'd bitten slightly, his breath blowing across her sensitized skin as he waited for her. The stir of air made Bella groan and her nipples tighten even harder. She turned, placing her cheek against his. Faint traces of the cologne he'd used the night before teased her, as did his warmth.
"I'm very sensitive behind my ears," she panted, her breaths rushing over him.
She felt him nudge softly against her. "Good to know," he said. "Because I want to bite you there and then soothe you with my tongue."
Closing her eyes, she focused on her body, feeling the mix of desire and need. It bubbled in her stomach, urging her on, even as the ghosts tried to tell her she was incapable. Sucking a harsh breath in through her lips, Bella pulled back, gazing down into Edward's face. While it was clear he was overwhelmed with the need to fuck, she saw patience in the green glow of his eyes. Soothing her thumb over his cheekbone, she shivered at the heat that flared between them. It raced from her fingers up her arm and exploded in her chest, banishing the ghosts.
Bella savored the way the power rushed into the darkest recesses, filling her. There would be no more fear between her and Edward; she refused to allow it.
The chair was awkward, but she straddled him like before. "Am I too heavy?"
"No." He chuckled, but it wasn't with humor. She felt the vibration of it deep in her core and the throbbing in her sex was almost painful. She wanted him to be inside her.
Placing her hands around his neck, she felt the wild beat of his pulse against the palm of her hand and felt his muscles move as he swallowed. She could feel the heat of his gaze as she slid her hand down his neck and across his shoulders, only to use her fingertips to trace back along his collar bones.
"I am going to touch you," she warned. "Close your eyes."
She wanted to feel that nothing, including his regard, could or would stop her.
The rise of his chest was labored, "Bella, you don't . . ."
"Hush!" she demanded. "Don't argue unless you feel uncomfortable. I'll stop before it's too much for me. I promise."
The tenseness of his muscles slowly released, and she snuck a quick glance to see he'd obeyed her. Having closed his eyes, Edward laid his head back against the chair, creating a strong line in the muscles of his throat.
Goosebumps broke out across her skin, as trailing her fingertips down across his pecs, she felt the play of skin, muscle, and hair. He hissed when she brushed over his nipples, teasing the hard nubs, but he didn't move or open his eyes. She turned her hands sideways to run along the strong line of his stomach, her fingertips trailing along his ribs. She stopped their torture when she reached his hipbones. He was breathing as hard as she was.
Bella flushed at his moan when she began to slowly edge downward. But the moment was ruined, when, from the table, a series of notes called sharply. She felt Edward tense below her.
"Damn. My phone," he muttered. "It's the hospital."
He was on call, and it seemed fate was intervening on her moment. She didn't know if the feeling coursing through her was relief or anger at the interruption. Grabbing it, she punched the answer button, holding it to his ear.
"Cullen," he answered.
Bella could hear bits and pieces. "School bus." "Multiple injured." "Calling in all surgeons."
Edward's apologetic eyes met hers as he asked several questions. "I'll be there as soon as I can," he replied.
She'd known he could get called in at any point, so there was little else to say when she returned the phone to the table and rose as quickly as she could. She released his hands first, then made quick work on his legs and ankles.
"Hands behind back," she barked when he stood, and he complied without hesitation. "Now, give me a kiss."
"But . . ."
"Now." She pursed her lips, which caused him to chuckle.
Edward didn't hesitate again, leaning over to quickly touch their lips together.
It wasn't a passionate kiss, but to Bella, it was almost more magical than their first, because she didn't at any point feel panic at his unbound hands.
"Now go. We'll do our date another day," she said, shooing him away with her hands.
She could no more control the broad smile that broke across her face than stop breathing as he winked at her and ran for the door.
~Honor~
AN: Yes, I know. Intentional cock-block. There is a purpose, as I am sure you know.