I dont know how much time had passed before I felt myself being gently shaken into consciousness. My sleep had been dreamless and uninterrupted and I woke feeling rested and luxuriously sore.
I sat up and found Edward perched on the edge of the bed, fully dressed. He was smiling at me and holding out a steaming cup of coffee. The awkwardness hit me immediately in my naked state and I grabbed at the duvet, pulling it up as best I could with him sat on it. I managed to just about cover my breasts, clamping my arm over the duvet to hold it in place as I awkwardly reached out for the coffee. Edward chuckled and I felt my face turn beetroot.
"Drink this and then have a shower Isabella. We're going out".
"Where?" I asked, alarmed. I hadnt enjoyed being "out" on the way to Edwards apartment.
"You have no clothes" he replied, frowning, "at the very least, you need those. Much as I would actually enjoy having you naked at all times, in reality, I do have friends around fairly often and you sat naked on the couch might open up a whole line of questioning I dont want to answer..."
Of course he wouldnt.
"Ok." I smiled meekly and took a gulp of the coffee. Edward just looked at me, a curious expression on his face, before turning and leaving the bedroom, closing the door behind him.
Last night everything had felt so perfect. It was like Edward and I had a connection that I couldnt have denied even if I wanted to. My mind checked out last night and my body acted on instinct alone. It wasn't surprising really. The one thing I knew, my one familiar comfort - if you could call it that - is sex. I knew that Edward wanted me so he could have sex with me. I had long since come to terms with the fact that I would feel dirty each and every time I had to have sex with a man. I felt plenty embarrassed at my wanton, whorish behaviour - I practically threw myself at Edward! But, it wasn't the same with him. I couldnt put my finger on it exactly... Maybe it was the fact that he didnt exactly force me into having sex with him. I wanted it. I even initiated certain parts of last night. I had never, ever done that before.
I decided that torturing myself with my fucked up emotions, if thats what they even were, was not productive. I gulped down the rest of the coffee. I always preferred it with sugar but had learned to just take what I was given and be grateful. Coffee in bed brought to me by my "owner" was certainly unexpected. Then a wave of panic washed through me as I realised that I had already fucked up on my very first day. I should have been up and awake before Edward, making HIM breakfast and bringing it to him in bed, not him waiting on me. Probably the coffee was a reminder of my mistake. I could almost certainly expect a firm punishment later.
Chastising myself the entire way to the bathroom, I had the quickest shower possible. I would have loved to enjoy the wonderful feeling of the hot water on my aching muscles but I was trying to get sorted as soon as I could. Plus, the wound on my leg that was just a dull ache last night, was full on screaming at me this morning. I did my best not to get it wet, im sure that wouldnt help!
I towel dried my hair roughly and trotted into the bedroom, pulling on the shorts, shoes and shirt that were discarded last night. I looked like a cheap hooker and, I had no hairdryer. I would end up looking like Tina fucking Turner dressed as a cheap hooker. Perfect.
With a sigh I made my way into the living area to find Edward tapping away on his laptop, sat on the couch. He looked up as I entered and I noticed his eyes take in every part of my body as he did so. Instead of making me feel repulsed, I found his attentions... flattering.. What the fuck was happening to me? My mind was all over the place.
Edward shut the laptop and laid it down on the couch beside him before standing up and walking over to me.
"That was quick baby..." he said seductively as he came right up close, his hands sliding around my body to rest on my ass. He gave it a firm squeeze with both hands, pulling me flush against him.
"come here", he said as he lowered his head. Obedient as ever, I closed the gap between us and he took my mouth in a hungry, dominant kiss, raising one of his hands to hold the back of my head firmly to his.
Eventually, when I was breathless against him, he pulled away just a few inches, capturing my eyes with his.
"We are going out now Isabella", his voice had changed, it was harder, more commanding, "I expect you to behave yourself when we are out in public, do you understand me?"
I nodded immediately. This was more like what I was used to. I could follow orders. They were familiar. Comforting. Although the thought of going back into the outside world didnt appeal to me, I knew my place well enough to do as I was told.
Edward placed the tip of his index finger under my chin and gently tilted my head up, waiting for eye contact before continuing.
"You will stay with me at all times Isabella, I dont want to find you more than 2 feet from my side ok baby?" I nodded again, "I dont have much money but... Well, you need some clothes... so, we'll just get a couple of outfits. Essentials you know?"
His voice had become small, almost embarrassed, by the end of the sentence. I nodded again, then a thought occured to me and I almost spoke out. I knew better than to do that, I quickly shut my mouth, biting my lip. Edward looked down at me, a curious expression on his face.
"What is it Isabella?"
"No-nothing.. Im sorry".
"Isabella, tell me", I could hear the impatience in his voice.
"I... I.. was just wondering... aren't you supposed to be... um.. working today?" my voice had trailed off to barely a whisper by the end of the sentence, I could feel Edwards eyes burning into me even though mine were fixed firmly on his chest.
"Thats not your concern Isabella" he said shortly, "come",
He whirled around and made for the door and I trotted behind quickly, following him out into the hallway.
XxCHxXxCHxXx
An hour later found me nervously perusing the discount rails in the department store near Edwards apartment. This was the third store we had been into, Edward growing more and more angry with each passing minute as he deemed women's clothing to be "daylight robbery". He was frustrated he couldnt find any clothes cheap enough, but when I had timidly asked him how much he was planning to spend on clothes for me - so that I could perhaps suggest a more appropriate store - he had snapped at me, telling me that I was a greedy little whore and that his finances were none of my business. That had been 15 minutes ago. Since then he had made his way through half of the womens clothing section of the store, angrily flinging hangers aside on the rail and muttering and swearing under his breath. I made sure to keep close to him, lest he suddenly remember I exist and find me more than 2 feet from his side. I could just imagine the punishment I would suffer with him in this mood.
Suddenly Edward was beside me, more huffing and muttering, and he pulled a simple black t-shirt off the rail infront of us before grabbing a pair of jeans from the display table beside him. He thrust them at me.
"Are these your size?" he grunted, scowling.
I took them from him hesitantly and looked at the sizes. The shirt was ok, but the jeans were much too big.
"The jeans aren't..." I said quietly.
He huffed again angrily.
"Well, choose a pair in your size, im fucking sick of shopping now, these will have to do."
I quickly scuttled past him and dug through the piles of jeans, grabbing out the first pair I came to in my size - skinny jeans that would no doubt be really skin tight. I would have to make do.
He took the clothes from me and marched towards the tills, me trotting along behind him. The sales lady smiled happily and attempted to make small talk as she was ringing up the total. I didnt miss her obvious flirting with Edward but clearly he did. He barely responded to her flirtatious questions about where he was going next and who he was buying the clothes for - his response to this being a brief jab of his thumb over his shoulder to where I stood behind him. The lady looked over at me, scowling before bagging up the clothes. Edward paid with a credit card, grumbling over the total before signing the receipt. He took the bag and marched towards the exit.
We were making our way through the crowded streets when I felt someone push into me, knocking me sideways. I would have fallen on my ass, my precarious heels no help in such situations, were I not quickly caught by the very person I nearly took out with me! I felt strong hands on my waist, quickly grabbing me then setting me back on my feet. The hands lingered a little too long, the heat of his skin scorching my own where they gripped just under the too-short shirt I wore.
I opened my mouth to thank him for his help, mindful of the fact that Edward didnt seem to be around me and feeling the panic rise within when suddenly I heard his voice, raised and furious.
"What the fuck is going on here?" he yelled.
I looked up to see him roughly elbowing his way through the people walking around the slight congestion we had caused on the sidewalk, ignoring the angry looks from those around him. He eyed the man still holding my waist - who was apparently frozen in place - with furious, blazing eyes.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing, take your hands off her", he roared. He reached out and took my elbow in a vice grip before jerking me towards him. As predictable as ever, I toppled on my heels, falling into him. He didnt take his eyes off the other man as he shoved me back to upright, his hand not releasing its painful grip on my elbow.
"Im sorry Edward", i began quietly, "I tripped and fell right into this-"
"Shut up", he voice was sharp as a whip as it cut through me and I immediately quieted. He turned his angry gaze on me and I had to make a physical effort not to shrink away from him. He was furious. "I will deal with you when we get home, you disobedient little slut" he hissed at me.
"What the fuck dude, you cant talk to her like that? What is your problem?" my heart sank as the kind man who'd rescued me from falling on my ass stood forward in my defence. This would not end well.
"Excuse me?" Edward almost laughed, but there was no real humour in his voice, "how I speak to her is absolutely none of your fucking business, and I swear to fuck if you even speak one word to her, never mind put a hand on her again, I will fucking kill you".
I heard a low gasp come from a couple of people who had stopped to eavesdrop on what was causing a commotion in the middle of the sidewalk. Edward had stepped forward as he spoke, closing the distance between himself and the other man to maybe a foot, his hands were balled into fists at his side. I hesitantly stepped towards Edward, lightly placing a hand on his arm, hoping to calm him.
"Edward, lets go home.. Im sorry, it was just a misunderstanding, I fell... he did nothing wrong-"
Edward yanked his arm sharply away from me, turning his glare away from the man opposite and towards me, I shrank back this time, feeling sure he was about to strike me.
"Dont you fucking touch me", his words were low and deadly. I flinched, prepared for the blow.
"Thats enough man, she's fucking terrified of you, leave her alone, she tripped is all..."
"Oh yeah, and you took the opportunity to feel her up didnt you", Edward sounded near hysterical, "Yeah, a little pencil dick fag like you couldnt hope to get a girl like her so you had to molest her on the fucking street didnt you? What were you hoping, that she'd suck you off right here on the sidewalk like the slut she is, right?"
I could feel tears prickling behind my eyes as the other guy stood there, open mouthed and speechless after Edwards insane rant. Suddenly, he turned his eyes to me.
"Honey, my wife works at a shelter for abused women... We can help you. If you come with me now... I promise we can help you".
I didnt even have a chance to think of a response before Edward surged forward, the bag containing my newly purchased clothes fell to the floor forgotten as he leapt at the man, landing a swift punch in the guys face, I heard the unmistakable snap and crunch of bones breaking. His nose I expect. It all seemed to happen both in slow motion, and in a split second, it was hard to explain. The man fell to the floor with a cry, Edward fell with him, straddling the man's torso as he continued to rain blows down on him. I was vaguely aware of the fact that I was crying and moaning incoherent noises at Edward, having no idea how to make him stop. I felt an arm go around my shoulder in a comforting gesture and looked to see an older woman, about my mothers age, with a horrified expression on her face as she tried to comfort me. One bystander tried to pull Edward off the battered and bloody man on the ground, but I dont know if it was adrenalin or something, but Edward seemed to just swat the guy away like a fly, forcing him to fall back on his ass. I felt a hysterical laugh nearly bubble its way out as I realised that it was exactly that motion - me nearly falling on my ass - that started this fucked up situation.
Suddenly, there was a man yelling Edwards name. He was pushing his way through the now considerable crowd around us watching the show. He was blonde and stocky. Young I guess, about Edwards age - mid or late twenties. He was attractive, with still a hint of the youthful round baby face he would have had as a teenager.
He grabbed Edwards shoulders, speaking into his ear as he tried to pull him back from the man on the floor. Finally, miraculously, Edward allowed himself to be pulled backwards, slowly rising to his feet. The young blonde man quickly stepped infront of Edward, placing one hand on his shoulder, the other on his chest as he pushed him further backwards. Several people flocked around the bleeding man. Edward was panting hard, still staring furiously at the poor man he'd beaten, probably to death. I could see his knuckles were swollen and bloody, and there were splatters of blood on his blue button-down shirt.
"Jesus Edward, what the fuck happened?" the blonde man questioned. Edwards eyes remained staring at the crowd of people on the floor, a strange glazed look to them as if he wasnt entirely present.
"He touched her..."
"Her? Who's her? What do you mean he touched her?" the blonde man asked, slightly hysterical.
"Isabella". Suddenly his eyes snapped into focus as he whipped his head to look through the crowds of people, "Where is Isabella?"
The blonde man looked at him questioningly, shaking his head but not speaking, clearly confused. I could see the panic and anger rising in Edward again and my survival instinct must have kicked in as I stepped forward out of the comforting womans hold, and grabbed Edwards wrist tightly.
"Im right here Edward, are you ok?"
Edward looked down at me, his expression unreadable.
"Did he hurt you?"
I had no idea who the hell he was talking about. Had his brain completely checked out for the last five minutes?
"No Edward, no one hurt me. Are you ok?" I repeated.
He frowned at me but didnt answer. The sound of sirens in the distance carried over the bustle of voices around us and the blonde man pushed Edwards shoulders slightly, as if trying to wake him up.
"You've got to get out of here Edward, if they find you they'll arrest you".
Edward looked down at the crowd of people on the ground before nodding. He took my hand in his, lacing our fingers together before dragging me at a hurried pace in the direction of his apartment. The blonde man at his side, evidently planning to accompany us.
"Thanks Mike... I was so fucking angry... He touched Isabella, he could have hurt her..."
His voice was both angry and pained. I knew better than to correct his crazy assumptions. Mike looked over at me and smiled slightly. I tried to force a smile back but im sure it looked more like a grimace. I quickly returned my eyes to the ground.
"Nice to meet you Isabella..." I could hear the smirk in Mike's voice and looked back up to see him very clearly eye fucking me as we walked and a sense of unexplainable dread washed over me.
XxCHxXxCHxXxCHxXx
Yeah, so, Edward is clearly a bit unhinged. Im intentionally doing these chapters from Isabella's POV so do bear that in mind. She is a traumatised, abused, terrified girl. But Edward definitely isn't helping in this chapter! And what about Mike? Things could get interesting...