Hey guys. Haven't written anything in a while. I know. Shame on me. What can I say? RL is extra busy, so I decided that I will finally take some time and post it. Iknow some of you have been looking forward to the next chapter (hopefully? lol) so here it is.

Hope you'll like it.

More answers in the next chapter (at least I hope so :D).

Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight.

All mistakes are mine.

Chapter 14

BPOV

During breakfast I don't say much and neither does she. Miriam must suspect something happened yesterday or still thinks I'm in mourning; whatever it is she stays silent, and for a change, I prefer it-embrace it even.

My mind is occupied with thousand things, and as much as I try to convince myself I'm fine...I'm not. Not really. A constant emotion of exhaustion and sorrow battles inside me. It feels like a big weight that hangs over my head, just waiting to for me to let go, stop pretending I have everything under control, and crush me until I'm nothing. A ghost of a person I used to be.

I try to push it away, lift it off me, but it doesn't work.

It drains and weakens me, from my toes to my head.

From knowing I'll never see my father or hear him call my name with that recognizable rough voice of his, or his loud laugh. I wipe away a falling tear away from my face and try to think of other things. Avoiding the questions about the costs of his funeral, I think about yesterday and just how embarrased I feel for throwing myself at Edward, and him rejecting him.

I groan quietly and cover my face from embarrasment. Why did I do that?

"Is everything okay?" Miriam asks politely, quietly sitting across from me while looking concerned.

I guess I wan't as quiet as I thought.

"Truth or the lie?"

She smiles as only she can, gentle and motherly.

"Truth would be nice. Then again, that's not probably what you would choose, is it?"

I sigh. Am I really that transparent?

Instead of answering all I say is, "You're either a very observable person, or I'm just that obvious."

She says nothing for a moment, but gives me one of those soundless answers, sending a smile my way that says, 'yes, you're just that easy to read'.

I look at her, really look at her, leaning my chin on my palm before saying, "My father always used to say that life will never bring you joy without some misery on the side."

"What brought this on?" she asked with pure curiousity in her eyes.

"I don't know, to be honest. Just thinking, about a lot of things. You, Renee," I added with a sigh, eyes covered from her view.

"Who's that?"

"Renee? None in particular. Just someone who left both my father and I. I was only a baby when she decided that she couldn't take care of me and left without a second thought. Never once did she call back or wanted to contact either of us."

Miriam looked at me with pure pity, covering her warm hand over mine and trying to smile at me in a way that would try to convey sympathy, kindness and even maybe a tinge of anger?

"What a bitch."

"Miriam!" I yelled, adding a gasp, but the look of pure amusement on her face made me smile. Just a bit.

"What?"She asked, getting up suddenly and putting her hands on her hips. "I'm right, and you know it! I could never understand how someone can do that. Just abandon their child. Their own flesh and blood."

I just shrug, trying not to show any of it. I always kept saying to myself over the years that I didn't need her; not when I got my first period, or when I got my first kiss or even when I lost my virginity. It never did work though. Never did I convince myself in that lie. Not when I knew what I was missing; even more so after Charlie passing away.

"I guess some people will always put themselves first."

She takes a few steps, leaning to hug me tight and strong. It makes me feel a little better, a little safer, even if for a second.

"I'm sorry you had such a selfish mother hon, but you can always count on me, you know that, right?"

I nod, looking right into her kind chocoloate eyes as she lets go of me. "Promise?"

"You bet your tiny fanny I do."

"Hey," I yell, feeling the weight lifting up slightly before saying, "I do not have a small ass and you know it!"

She laughs along with me, or at my outburst, I don't exactly know. Either way - it doesn't matter.

Nothing does but this moment, right here, right now.

EPOV

On my way to work I recieve a call from Alec. His voice sounds rough and controlled, yet under all that pretense, I can detest a tinge of impatience. With a short clipped tone, he tells me to get my ass to his office in ten minutes and hangs up.

However, due to the current traffic, I'm late.

As a person growing up, maturing, many used to say time and time again just how much I look like him. Yet, still, years later, I never did see the similarites. Except our behaviour and hair color, including the same colors of our eyes, (blue) there isn't anything else I noticed to be the same.

Then again, excluding Miriam, he was the first male I was related to that showed me curtesy and respect, and as a growing boy, grew to desire it more and more from him, even looked up to him. Then again, years later, nothing is that simple in life, is it?

An elevator door opens just as I see my uncle Alec standing firmly and strongly a few steps in front of me, disapproval coloring his entire face.

"You're late," is all he says before turning his back on me, walking back to my or well, his office.

"My appologies, the traffic..."

"Not interested," he cuts me out strongly, sitting on his black leather chair and looks me directly in the eyes.

That cold penetrating look used to frighten me when I was a child. Even used to have nightmares. No more. My stance is confident and fearless, just like he thought me.

"I called you here because I need you to do something for me. A little...favor."

I nod. The tone of his voice is not hesitant but calculating.

"Where to?" I ask, but the the small movement of his eyebrows shows a portion of surprise, confusion even.

"Did I give you the permission to speak?"

I do a little shake with my head, opening my mouth, only to close them once more.

His eyes tighten just a bit before he asks, "Questions?"

I nod calmly, waiting for his further permission, my hands behind my back.

"You may speak."

"Thank you. Where to Sir?" Is all I ask even though my head is filled with thousand more questions.

"Chicago. Tonight at the latest. All the instructions will be forwarded to you."

I nod firmly before I'm ready to turn my back from him but he stops me.

"Edward?"

"Yes Sir?"

"Everything okay?"

"Business is fine Sir. No worries."

"I'm not talking about that. I'm more interested towards your...other private part of life."

Since when?

"Everything is fine."

"Miriam and the others?"

"Yes. Why wouldn't they be Sir?"

"You tell me."

"Everybody's fine Sir."

"Good. Keep it that way. You may leave," he says, dismissing me completely.

I frown as I walk out. What was that all about?

It looked as if he had some suspicion about...

I freeze. No, Alec's not the one to beat around the bush. That's just not his style. If he knew about Isabella, he wouldn't be asking, but rather, he'd take things in his own hands. Yes, the fact that he did nothing and knows nothing instantly calms me.

They were just questions, polite ones.

Then again, he never did believe in politeness or kindness.

I quickly take a few piece of clothing, not even really looking what I'm putting in my travel bag. I still don't know for how long I'm staying, but what I do know is that in this business, you have to be prepared for everything and anything.

And that's why, I always have a small space I've taken upon to remake and build anew for emergencies such as these in my office.

I try to avoid any thoughts of Isabella or yesterday.

Thankfully, I don't have time to see her, but have the time to call Miriam. She always worries when I go for a longer periods of time away, but never asks anything. She knows better not to.

I won't bore you with the details, or better yet - spare you the details of the future nightmares that you would have certainly had, had you known about the business 'emergency' I had to take care of.

When I finally get back home, I feel the instant uneasiness in the room. I try to fight it off but I don't quite succeed.

But since it's still too early or too late- depending on your opinion- I don't give much thought to it, instead take a very quick shower, letting all the dirt wash away from my body, hands, face and change into something comfortable, ready to just dive in my bed and rest.

Next few days are busy, so I don't have much time to do anything but work. It's mostly just work, home, home and work.

Yes, I'm avoiding Isabella, no, I don't want to talk about it with anyone, including Miriam as well.

So, yes, the days are productive, but also, if I'm brave enough to admit to myself - which I don't want to, not really - lonely.

My body is craving for some company, and not just anyone's company. Hers, and only hers. I know this...feel it, still, I don't let it.

I have more important things to do. And yet, knowing I don't have to resist it, that I can let it go, knowing only steps divide me from her room, her closeness...

I don't know how to describe the feeling that overwhelms me when I do realize I don't have to fight it. If what all she wants from me is pleasure,then that's definitely what I can give her.

Just recalling how she felt in my arms, the sounds she made, the way my whole body shook with long abandoned pleasure as she tasted my skin with her lips...The thought instantly makes my blood boil.

The same thought stews in my brain, little voices whisper for me to take her in any way possible, wanting, needing her touch.

Then again, there is a whole another part of my brain that lusts not just for her body, but her every word.

Every moan.

Every tear.

Every laugh.

Christ. If anyone were to hear my thoughts they would think I've gone soft. And that's the furthest thing from the truth. In her presence it seems, I can't be anything other than hard.

Before even realizing, my feet are in front of her room, my hand lifting up to knock on her door.

Impatience wears thin as she doesn't answer. I don't know if I'm relieved or just pissed that she doesn't answer.

Walking downstairs, I sigh with half content and half disappointment at my daring yet ungarding and stupid decision. I decide it was a good thing nothing happened. God knows it would turn out a disaster if only she had opened that door. I would have walked in, pushed her to that wall and...

The dirty thought gets cut out by none other than Isabella bumping against me, a cup in her hand that is by now empty, all the liquid thrown against my clothes.

Fuck it's hot!

"Fuck!That burns," I yell, quickly taking of my shirt.

"Oh God. I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there..."

"What the..." I start to yell but quickly realize the position we're in. Me shirtless, her watching my naked chest with such a sensuous and lustful look it makes me hard to think. But mostly, just hard.

Pun intended.

Just as I open my mouth to respond, her face transforms into a surprised one, even shocked as she sees something I never wanted her to.

"Is that...are those...scars?"she asks quietly, without knowing, realizing, she walks closer, lifting her hand as to touch it. I turn by back on her, but only seems to get worse. She quickly gasps, and I quickly walk away to the hallway to cover my upper body with a shirt from the hanger.

I walk to the stairs, in attempt to run, hide from her eyes full of pity. I hate that look. Despise it.

I wanted her to look at me just as she did a few moments ago.

"What happened to you? Did...someone do that to you?"

"It's none of your business," I add rudely as I walk up the stairs.

She follows me. Now, she follows me.

Figures.

"Why won't you tell me?"

"Because it's in the past, irrelavant, and I'd like to keep it that way. End of story."

"But..."

I said end of the fucking story..." I yell, my breath big and loud, my chest heaving with anger.

Her confidence wanes before my eyes, eyes fill with fear, but she doesn't look back.

"You don't have to do that."

"Do what?!"

"Yell. Run away. Hide your scars. Frighten me. Pick one or all. Do what you must, but I'm not running away," she says, taking a step closer to me after every sentence.

Ironically enough, we're in front of her closed bedroom doors. I'm looking at her, trying to intimidate her with my cold distant stance, but she's not giving up. Not frightened, only more determined. It makes me admire her that much more.

"Fine. What will I have to do to make you go?"

"Talk to me."

Not really something I want to do, so I try a different approach, one I know will make her stumble in her tracks.

I walk towards slowly, stalk her like a prey with an agenda. She takes a few steps back until her back is nowhere to go but to lean against the said door.

"I don't think that's what you really want. I saw the way you watched me just a few moments ago. Admit it, you want me,"I add, my mouth getting dangerously close to hers.

She looks away, before shyly looking back moments later. "You're doing it again."

"What?" I whisper. If I only leaned my head just the tiniest bit, my lips would touch her soft, plump ones.

God, I want to. How much do I want to.

My hands go up, touching her soft, pale neck, waiting for her answer.

It takes her a moment to answer.

"You know exactly what."

I look at her, lifting my left eyebrow in question, a dare. "Do I?"

"Yes," she adds, but gets sidetracked by my lips on her delectable neck.

"I...you...oh God. You're trying to distact me by...ummm, oh god that's good, by my desire, but um...focusing on me instead of you because that's... right there...don't stop. But it...it won't work."

I smirk and whisper into her ear, making her shiver. "It already is."

"Wait," she says breathlessly, putting her hands on my chest.

I'm quickly alarmed, but not by her touch, but her sudden determination. Has she had enough already? Understood what her mind was trying to tell her all along? Just how right she really was? Realized finally I was not worth of her time nor her attention. That after all those months I was finally fed with resisting and giving up, wanting to just take her...use her body for my pleasure?

"Not here. Room. Now."

The tone of her voice surprised me. Who was this person? This determined, sexy woman who is making me harder by just saying the right things?

My deviant smile breaks out, eyes only focused on her, the taste of her skin still on my tongue.

Delicious.

"You seem to forget it's me who gives orders in this house. It is I who should make you obey, not the other way around."

My fingertips move ever so close to her body, hovering just on the curves of her breast, lowering down to her hips. Close enough to touch, but never really doing so.

Her breath hitches, waiting, hoping, wanting, but the moment never comes.

There is a second of disappointment that passes between us before she opens her eyes only to look me with firm certainty.

Thousand more emotions are swirling inside, but the the only one I choose to see right now is need. Want. For me. I don't care what happens tomorrow or even an hour from now. I just know I'm gonna take her. Now.

"Then do it." She says, urging me on. Turning the tables on me, showing me her flirty, greedy side full of authority.

"Take me. Use me. Fuck me," she whispers in my ear with a heavy tone of animalism and longing in her voice and I'm done.

I have to have her. Right. Now.

"Get inside." I growl.

Thanks for reading!