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A/N: I'm taking a detour from my schedule, a major detour. Not for any particular reason, except for the fact that it's VALENTINE'S DAY! And I'm celebrating my singledom :D
So anyway that's why I've posted early and keep you eyes peeled because the next chapter in my little marathon will be up soon,
Enjoy my amigos!
The next few days without Jess were pretty easy, I still had all the Cullen's to chat with and when it came to French I just let myself drift off into my past memories and contemplate things that had happened.
I often found myself thinking about my family and how my change had affected them. Whenever they visited they never let on that anything was wrong, or that they were having any problems, but I knew their life would never really be the same. People thought they had lost a daughter, which instantly meant they would be treated slightly differently to everyone else. There would always be that small amount of pity in people's eyes when they talked to them.
I hated what Jack had done to my family and to me. It wasn't that I had any regrets about the way I was now. It certainly had plenty of benefits, but part of me thought that maybe I would have liked to have decided myself when it would have happened, rather than had Jack's idiotic actions dictate my life.
It seemed that other people were always determining my next move rather than me. First Jack, now Bella. The situation with Bella irritated me, mainly because she had no idea how much I had given up or done for her. She would never have even had the chance to talk to Edward if it wasn't for me, and yet she continued to act as if I had stolen her whole life and left her out in the cold. I knew that right now it wasn't exactly a good thing that I had made Edward interact with her. After all if he hadn't then she probably would have stayed at crush level instead of thinking there was a way of having a relationship with him.
Still I wasn't as self-sacrificing as Bella from the book. I didn't enjoy denying myself something just to protect someone else's feelings, not unless they were close to me. If it was my family or friends I would do it in a second but for a girl who has hated me from the moment I smiled at her, I couldn't find it in me to get the same pleasure from it.
So, even though I didn't want to, I stopped talking to Jess and let Bella have her all to herself. If she felt like she couldn't share then I wouldn't force her, but I knew I wouldn't last much longer until all my frustration bubbled over the top and things with me and Bella got messy.
I huffed as we sat in the Volvo heading home, just a Friday left and then it would be the glorious 7 day count down to the end of term. I couldn't wait to have endless days free to indulge myself with as much Edward as possible. I might even slip in a few shopping trips with Alice or wrestling matches with Emmett.
The radio spoke quietly into the car after playing the chart.
"....Local News report. There has been another mysterious death in the area this time in the town of Hoquiam. Police have no leads and advise people to be careful and not to travel alone. In other news the Forks High School Spartans are set to play against the Hoquiam High School in the basketball league...."
Those of us in the Volvo listened intently to the report. I knew what caused the mysterious death and the idea that it was very close made me feel nervous. What if it hunted here? What if one of the Forks citizens got killed?
Images of the people I knew from here flitted through my head. Even the image of Bella sent a flash of guilt and hurt through me. No one should have to die like that.
"They're close. Have you seen anything Alice?" Edward spoke as we exited the car and made our way straight to the living room. We'd have to talk this through, we didn't know who they were, what they would do if they met us, what they would do if they met me.
"Not yet. So I can only assume their future isn't going to cross with any of ours. Although it's probably best if we talk properly with Carlisle later," Her tinkling voice said as she placed herself on Jasper's lap. Emmett and Rosalie were close behind us and sat next to me and Edward as we curled up on the loveseat.
"It would be unusual for them to willingly visit such a large coven, if they did it would probably just be out of curiosity rather than animosity," Jasper spoke whilst he stroked Alice's arm.
"I know it might be a bit strange but I'm kind of interested in meeting a vampire who survives on the normal diet. Just to see what they're like. You know red eyes and shizz." Edward gave me an inquisitive look.
"I'm just curious that's all. The ones in the book seemed so feral and predatory. You guys aren't really like that. Then again I haven't really been with you when you hunt. Actually...When do you guys even hunt? I've never really noticed you going."
When I really thought about it the last time I could remember them hunting was a week after my change but that was 3 weeks ago, and yet they showed no signs of being thirsty.
"Well we've been taking it turns to go at night but to be honest because you're around so much we don't seem to get thirsty as often. Your scent stops that part of our nature so it's not such an issue at school." Rosalie spoke from hers and Emmett's little bubble.
"You're more than a pretty face, Holls. You're like our own personal air freshener. It's like ZAP! and the thirst is gone" Emmett said in an idiotic advert voice before grinning. That is until Rosalie smacked him, demanding his attention.
"Cheers Em, I guess that makes sense. Do you not miss the hunt thing though? Because even putting my rodeo fun aside the thrill and taste was awesome last time." Just the memory of the sweet sticky liquid running down my throat made my stomach rumble.
Edward chuckled. "Come on."
He took my hand and pulled me up to the back window.
"Now?" I could feel the itch rising in my throat at the excitement of hunting, especially with Edward. I hadn't seen him yet and I suddenly wondered how I had managed to be with him for this long and not insist on seeing him hunt. The idea of him prowling towards his prey, his stance like that of a lion and his eyes pitch black, I felt myself finding that idea far too tempting to pass up.
"Of course" Edward's voice hinted that he was just as curious to see me hunt as I was to see him.
"Sounds good," my voice cracked a little and I heard the rest of them chuckle behind me.
We took off and I could feel that itch building in my throat pulling me forward deeper into the forest. I knew what I wanted and it was blood.
Warm, sweet, ambrosial blood.
An appetising scent ran up my nose and I growled in anticipation as I forced myself faster. Edward caught it a split moment after me and raced after my sprinting figure.
I felt a primal panic rise in me that he was going to get there first.
He was going to be the first to bite down into that pulsing jugular.
He was going to steal my prize and I didn't like the idea of coming second place.
I didn't want his left overs.
We were both racing through the forest and the hunger in me pushed my body to the limits. I swept over the ground in pure agility and grace though my mind was filled with nothing but a savage primal want.
I turned to watch my Edward, my competition. He vaulted over a fallen tree with ease and I matched him by flipping over a boulder in front of me landing softly on the ground before sprinting with complete fluidity.
I laughed freely at the feel of the forest rushing past me but I didn't once forget that this wasn't just running for fun. I was hunting and if I let my guard down Edward would steal that thrill of the kill from me. It would be him who got to make the first move and I didn't like that idea one little bit.
I was so close now and the scent was calling to me, like my very being depended upon what that scent held. I crouched low to the ground as I approached.
Just through the scrubs.
Just a few metres.
That's just one leap.
One leap and it's mine.
I registered every sound around me I could clearly hear every beautiful heartbeat that came from my prey and every snuffling breath it made.
I couldn't hear Edward.
I couldn't see Edward.
What if he was faster than me?
What if he made the decision to strike quicker than me?
The possibility of losing forced me to leap before necessary. I clung, snarling, to my prey which turned out to be a mountain lion. A sick part of me liked the fact I had stolen Edward's favourite prey from him. I had claimed it, not him. Its claws ripped at my coral top but I felt smug that my new favourite denim shorts were untouched. I might not have been as efficient or tidy as the rest of them but I was getting better.
I slipped into the fabulous haze that came from the blood, completely giving myself over to the delicious taste.
I heard movement come from my left and I looked up from my still struggling lion. My mouth still latched on its neck feeling the amazing sensation of blood pulsing into my mouth.
I saw Edward crouched in a perfect lion like stance. His eyes the colour of midnight and his mouth slightly open as he looked up at me through his eyelashes with such a fiery intensity.
I felt a growl build in my throat.
I clutched my kill closer to my chest. Frantically trying to drain it before he could take it from me, like a child trying to cram their hands with sweets before their mother took the box away.
"Mine" I hissed and Edward growled advancing on me. The lion took its last stuttered heartbeat as the last few gulps of blood left its lean body. I inhaled deeply as the feeling of the blood settled in my stomach. It was warm and made my veins fizz as its power seeped into my system.
I stood staring at Edward, he hadn't moved from his crouch and the instinctual side of me made my body tense up.
Edward's eyes locked on my lips and I could feel the blood that rested there and pooled. A drip slowly made its way down my chin and my tongue crept out to taste it.
"Mine"
This time it wasn't me who spoke but Edward's low rough voice.
I saw each of his muscles flex and ripple as he stalked his way towards me, his eyes still fixed on the track of the drip as it made its way down my throat. I didn't feel the instinct to protect myself anymore, instead I felt something very different. The instinct to give myself completely to the dominance that Edward's posture held.
"Yours." My voice was like a breath on the wind, the haze of the blood making me very aware of Edward's proximity to me.
He stood stone still until he slowly bent his head to my chest and caught the drip before it disappeared into my cleavage. His tongue followed the ruby trail the blood had left on my skin, collecting every sweet tasting molecule that lay in the vivid red trail.
I stood indulging in the mixed feelings the blood and his touch gave me.
His lips dragged up my throat till there was no trace of the blood drip left.
His eyes locked with mine and I could see them filled with black fire.
We came together in a crash of 2 bodies, open mouths, stroking tongues, and groping hands.
"Oh God," I gasped around the edge of our kisses.
Edward's tongue was everywhere, tangling and swirling with mine, tasting the remnants of the blood still coating my mouth. He groaned and licked the blood from my lips.
I felt myself burning at the idea of him, just the very thought what it would be like to have him and me shed of clothes and locked together. To just stay out in this hazed state of lust and blood till we were both satisfied beyond heaven.
I ran my hands down his chest, skimming my nose across his neck, inhaling deeply.
"I can smell your desire," I whispered, swiping my tongue across his flesh, "taste it, on your skin." it was intoxicating and I wondered how I had never noticed the potent scent before. Perhaps the blood in my system had temporarily heightened my senses. Not in a way similar to when anger makes my blood rush but in a way that made me skin more sensitive to his touch, my sense of smell letting me take in the erotic scent of him.
Edward grasped at my chin and tilted my head to the side, running his tongue the length of my neck, tasting me as I had him. A growl rumbled as he registered my flavour.
My fingers sank into his hair, curling and pulling and I loved the small hiss he gave me at the slight pain I inflicted. He retaliated by biting down slightly on my lower lip creating a pain that felt so deliciously good.
As we staggered back into a tree, and I felt my back slam against the bark, I felt a rush of heat flood within me settling right at my core.
I felt his hands sliding down my waist. He hoisted my body to his, letting me wrap my legs around his waist whilst he palmed my bottom.
I wanted him and in that moment I couldn't care less if we unceremoniously tossed aside our virginities in favour of a passionate rendez-vous in the forest.
I moaned in exquisite pleasure because I felt nothing but him as he shifted against me, and pinned me with his hips. My legs wrapped around his slim masculine waist.
My mind was just a blur of passion and heat as he worked me up into a mess of moans and lust.
I couldn't help my hands from following their own accord, and slipping under his top to trace the fantastically toned planes of his abs. The feel of his tensing muscles was a wonderful sensation below my fingertips, and I was eager to explore my new found territory.
I inched my touch a little lower to feel the elastic waist band of his boxers as they clung to his hips.
Just a few more inches and I would hit the jackpot.
The end of the rainbow.
Or, in this case, the end of the perfectly formed happy trail that disappeared below the boundary of the black boxers.
I felt my breathing quicken as I ran my fingers slowly along the edge heading to meet together at the centre just above his jeans button.
"Holly..." Edward murmured, his lips paused just above the spot on my neck that he knew was my favourite.
"Mmmhmm?" I questioned lightly as I nimbly undid the worn, silver, button on his jeans.
"What are you doing?" He whispered it in my ear and brought a finger to brush against my cheek. How could he be so ravenously passionate and yet still manage to be so darn romantic at the same time? I thought guys were supposed to lose themselves to the moment and go crazy with lust. Or perhaps I was just describing myself, instead, at this moment.
I dragged my eyes up his body, away from the sight of temptation that was created by my hands slowly working the zip down its tracks. I eventually looked to see his ebony eyes watching me with a mix of desire, curiosity and... worry?
I smirked when I heard the zip click to signal it had reached its end point. I could only imagine the view I would get if I looked down.
"I thought we could, to quote Bloodhound Gang's song Bad Touch, 'do it like they do on the discovery channel'." I grinned at my silly quotation and Edward chuckled, but much to my disappointment slid his hand to cover my own before they got up to anymore mischief.
"Holly, I think we should wait." His eyes searched mine as he spoke, and I stopped myself from showing the pout that threatened to appear. Instead I decided to go a different route.
"I completely agree with you," I said against his neck as I kissed behind his ear. His hand may have held my own, but that was only one of them. I had another one that I could easily use to carry out my mission.
"You do?" He was confused because my actions probably didn't seem like it.
"Completely." I smiled sweetly and gave him a deep kiss to distract him from his questioning.
Edward sighed. His hand brought the one of mine that he was holding to rest above my head. His other stroked loving patterns against the back of my thigh. I just needed to gently persuade him that we deserved a little bit of fun.
The shift in his position had caused his jeans to now sit wide open, and low on his hips. I hadn't looked down yet, but I could feel that the denim no longer restricted him; instead I could feel his arousal perfectly clear against me.
Just the covered up feel of him was enough for my lust filled brain to urge my hand below the black boxer's waistband.
I teased Edward's ear lobe getting a moan as a reward, whilst I inched my hand just a little lower.
Edward chuckled, and in one smooth movement he had both my hands pinned above my head.
Damn.
This time I let the pout coat my face and he grinned placing a light kiss on my jutting lower lip.
I watched his eyes slowly turn from black to gold. He stroked my cheek lovingly and smiled as his hands joined with mine, and he moved them down to rest entwined together at our sides.
"As tempting as you are, I was born in a different time. There were certain things that were saved till the wedding night. I know it's old fashioned, but I like the idea that we could have that one night when we both take each other as our own." I removed my pout and smiled at him. He looked a little embarrassed. This was the Edward I had known from the books and although he had effectively cock-blocked me, it was still nice to know he hadn't changed completely into a mini Emmett. It seemed it was me, instead, who had to be worried about Emmett's influence.
"I don't know what your situation is. But I've been a virgin for 118 years. So for me, that moment, when I finally give myself completely to you, is important. You're the love of my existence, and I want our wedding night to be everything I always thought it would be." His eyes were shining, and I couldn't feel the disappointment I thought I would feel at him denying me till after marriage.
"Umm well then, I think you should know my situation matches yours," I blushed, I couldn't say the word virgin it always made me feel all weird but it felt right for him to know that I hadn't lost it to anyone. That when the moment came I would truly be his in every way.
His smile widened and cupped my face placing a light kiss on my lips his thumbs stroking over my heated cheeks.
"Holly, I have no ring with me but that doesn't stop me from saying this." He held my hands firmly in his as his golden eyes swam in mine. I was amazed how fast the mood had changed from something primal to the feeling of love glowing around us.
"I love you, and so I make the eternal promise that I will stay with you forever. And when the time is right I will kneel before you, ring in hand, and ask you to be mine for the rest of eternity," I could feel the tears of joy welling in my eyes.
"I promise to accept," I said, and laughed weakly at how pathetic it sounded compared to the pure pride and love that saturated Edward's voice.
Deep down my libido hated the part of my brain that was going to overrule the desire and deny it what it wanted.
The part that told me that waiting was really the right thing to do.
That annoying part that told me I should at least tell my parents about us being in a serious relationship before we took it any further.
I groaned softly in painful disappointment that the glorious feel of him would be all that I would get today. Just the feeling of him against me as I stood fully clothed, but still so wonderfully aware of how obvious he was through his boxers.
It was just a glimpse of what I could have if I let my self control just cave in.
The idea of when that moment came heightened my anticipation and it was only because of that, that I had the strength to stop now. Even if I had been so looking forward to throwing caution to the wind along with all our clothes.
The idea that when I finally let myself go completely and surrendered everything I was to Edward, the anticipation that these moments helped build would make it so much sweeter than if I gave it up now.
I wrapped my arms around the wonderful man in front of me, and kissed him. Putting every emotion I felt into that moment with our lips joined. My libido would just have to wait a while to get some real satisfaction because Edward came first. So if waiting was what he wanted then I would wait. Even if a small devious part would always be wondering how to distort the rules and push the boundaries. After all there was a lot that could be done before you christened the marital bed.
A/N: teehee hee. You like?
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