~oO~ RE-EDITED/REPOSTED ~Oo~
All songs can be found on my blog drotuno(dot)blogspot(dot)com and as always...SM owns everything.
CHAPTER 37
BELLA
"Okay, Jasper," I said, laughing, "I take it all back. That is the class you'll have to help me with."
He laughed, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Warfare isn't your thing, I know, but thanks for taking it," he said, squeezing me to him. We walked across campus to our next class, Modern Lit, and he whispered, "I think you have an admirer."
I groaned, rolling my eyes. "Really? Where?"
He snickered. "Well, I noticed him yesterday, but today, he seems to stand out. He's walking behind us."
I stopped, pulling my bag open, like I was getting something out. I looked up to see a young man, about eighteen, walking past us.
"That's him," Jasper snickered. "He was in a few classes yesterday and the one we were just in."
We walked behind him, and I looked him over. He was a tall, thin boy, with light brown, curly hair. When he sat down on a bench with his cell phone, I saw his face. He was handsome, or would be if he had clearer skin. Bright, clear blue eyes locked with mine.
I turned to Jasper. "You know, as soon as Edward hears his thoughts…"
I didn't have to finish; Jasper was already laughing. "Don't I know it. The boy's lust level is insane," he said, looking over my head at the boy as we walked by.
Modern Lit seemed to fly by. I could tell that it was going to be my favorite class. Jasper and I settled into our spot in the cafeteria and pulled out our books to work on a paper that was already due. Damn, if they didn't give out homework quick.
The chattering group of girls sat at their table. I could hear every word they were saying, even though we were across the room. One whispered to the other, "Keri, here he comes!"
Keri groaned. "Damn, he's so fucking hot."
I looked up and saw Edward walking towards us, and I snickered, "I'm not the only one with an admirer."
Jasper's head shot up, and he laughed, watching the girl shamelessly ogle my husband.
"Well, then, you're even," he said, laughing.
"True," I agreed, shaking my head.
"Hi, sweet girl," Edward said, kissing my head. "Who's even?"
"Hey, baby. We are," I said, motioning between us.
Jasper snickered, continuing to write his paper.
"Apparently, we both have, um…groupies," I said, snorting.
Jasper chuckled, and I elbowed him.
"Already?" Edward groaned, rolling his eyes.
I giggled, leaning into him.
"Yes. Yours is named Keri," I said, rolling my eyes towards the table across the room. "She's the one staring holes in my head right now. The blonde. Mine is, so far, nameless."
"Keep it that way," he growled, but smiled when I laughed.
Alice joined us, and soon after, Emmett and Rose. We were all chatting quietly, when my phone went off in my pocket. I looked down, and it was Jacob.
"Jake?" I answered.
"Hey, Bells," he said. "I need to talk to Edward."
Edward's head shot up to look at me.
"Okay, here, hang on," I said, handing my phone to him.
"Jacob," he said, his brow wrinkling. "No, you did the right thing." He paused. "No, I've never heard of her, but we've been traced before…" Another pause. "Yes, go ahead and keep a watch. We'll let you know if she makes it here." Another. "Yes, fine, I'll let her know. Thanks, Jake." Edward ended the call and handed it back to me.
We were all looking at him, waiting.
"Jake and Seth were doing patrols and came across an unfamiliar scent. It led them to the house. When they got there, a female was looking for Carlisle. He said that she was one of us…her eye color…" Edward was trying to keep this as brief as possible. "Jake let her know that we were gone, moved. He said he didn't know how she did it, but she was able to make him tell her where we were."
"Who was she?" Emmett asked, frowning.
"I don't know. Jake said her name was Catherine. Any of you know her?" he asked, his brow furrowed. Everyone shook their heads no. He pulled out his own phone and called Carlisle, relating the whole story at top, quiet speed. According to their conversation, Carlisle wasn't worried. Anyone was welcomed.
Lunch was over, and Edward, Jasper, and I made our way to US History. We sat at a table, the boys on either side of me, waiting for class to start. I felt Edward's hand take mine.
"Jake also said he hopes the move went well and thanks for the computer," he whispered in my ear, kissing it quickly.
I looked up at him, smiling. "Are you worried about this girl?" I asked.
Jasper piped up. "What could one girl do?" he asked, smiling. "Unless it's you, Bells," he continued, snorting.
I rolled my eyes, looking up at Edward.
"It's true, love," he chuckled, squeezing my hand.
Class went quickly, as I took notes from beginning to end. I'd had teachers like that before. They didn't teach; they just made you write everything down. Somehow, someway, you remembered it.
The one class I was dreading was next: Calculus. Math wasn't my strong suit, although not because I couldn't do it. I could do it better now than ever, but I just hated math. At least Edward was with us in this class, too.
We sat, again with me in the middle, towards the back. Jasper started snickering, and Edward growled low.
"Oh, don't tell me," I groaned, looking up. "Damn, he's in this class, too?"
His blue eyes met mine, but then he caught Edward's hand in mine and turned away quickly.
"You would think," I said, rolling my eyes, "that surrounded by you two all day, he wouldn't stare."
They both chuckled. "He can't help it, love," Edward said in my ear. "I, myself, find it hard not to stare at you."
I laughed. "Yes, but I encourage that."
"As well you should," he said, laughing.
The class was long, causing my mind to wander. I played with Edward's ring when I wasn't writing something down. My thoughts went awry, my emotions totally betraying me. I found myself chewing on my pen, staring at Edward's hands. They looked so innocent, just sitting on the table, one with his wedding band, the other with a pen in it. But I was well aware of what they were capable of.
"Bells!" Jasper whispered, "Cut it out!"
"Oops, my bad, Jazz, seriously," I whispered back. Edward was in silent hysterics, of course. "Shut it!"
I sat back, folding my arms across my chest, trying to pay attention. I thought of anything I could think of to get it back on track, eventually settling on this person, this vampire that Jake had come across. He had said her eyes were the same color as my family's. Edward didn't say which direction the scent had started, but I wonder if the Denali family knew her. Knowing Carlisle, he would have called them by now.
When class was over, I felt the stare of the young man again. Using my peripheral vision, I saw that he was putting his things in his bag, but sneaking glances at me.
"Joe, we're going to Starbucks. Wanna come?" a girl in a black t-shirt asked, and his head shot to hers.
"So, he does have a name," Jasper snorted.
"I don't like the staring, seriously," I mumbled. It wasn't so much the staring, but he could clearly see that I was holding hands with Edward at one point, walking with Jasper at an earlier point. It seemed blatantly disrespectful.
"I could make him stop," Edward said, smiling evilly.
"Yes, but you would hand him his own eyeballs, love," I snorted, Jasper laughing behind me.
"Maybe," he said, laughing and wrapping his arm around my shoulders. "Now, are you going to tell me what got you in trouble with Jasper?"
I groaned, feeling his laugh and kiss on my head. Let's just say, I found your hands fascinating for about a half an hour, I thought to him, snickering.
"Hmm," he said, smiling. "Anything in particular?"
"Just stop," I said, snickering, "Just…not now."
The drive home was quick. Alice chattered away in the back about her theatre class. Jasper was holding her and breathing her in. Emmett and Rose were in front of us when we pulled into the driveway.
Carlisle met us all in the living room, asking us to sit down. We all took seats around him. "I talked to Sam after your call today, son. He said that the trail came in from the North, snaking its way to the house. He said that she was looking for me, but I don't know any Catherine."
"Neither do we," Jasper said, frowning.
"I don't think that there's a threat, but I called Denali anyway. Kate said that she had run into this Catherine, and her diet is, indeed, like ours. She is a nomad, just so you know. She told me that the girl stayed with them for a few days, because she liked the weather." He paused. "The only thing that's bothering me about this is what Jake had said. He said that he didn't know how she got our information out of him, but she did. He couldn't even explain what he was feeling or anything."
"I don't like that, either," Esme said. "I don't want someone looking for us that can't control themselves."
"Sounds like she's got plenty of control," Emmett said, frowning. "Well, if she comes, we'll handle it."
"That's how I feel, Em," Carlisle said, nodding. "Just keep your eyes open, okay?"
Time flew forward, and we all got into a routine. School had been in session a few weeks, and we'd only missed a few days due to the weather. On sunny days, I liked to read and do homework on my window seat, while Edward played the guitar. We had slipped into a very happy schedule.
Hunting was a must with me. I found myself exhausted after shielding Jasper for a week. Keeping it up required a lot of energy. The prey of choice was moose, coyote, and black bear. Emmett was thrilled, but by the end of a week, I didn't care.
One day, on the way home from school, I said, "I need to hunt tonight."
"I'll take you, Bells," Jasper said with a smile. "It is me that tires you."
"Okay," I sighed, looking out the window. Edward squeezed my leg, knowing I was drained. "I just need to run upstairs, Jazz, and we can go."
"Okay, no problem."
I dropped my stuff off, changing out of my skirt and into jeans and sneakers. I turned around to see Edward there.
"I love you, baby," he said, wrapping his arms around me. "Come back to me quickly," he said, smiling down at me.
"Love you, too," I said, lifting my head so he could kiss me. Edward's back was to the window, but movement outside caught my eye. "There's someone outside, Edward."
He turned, looking out the window. "It has to be her," he growled, heading for the stairs and calling his brothers.
We all met outside, Esme coming out from her house, with Carlisle on the phone. There was a tense moment while she made it to the pool deck. Someone coming in through your back yard had to give you a funny feeling. As she came forward, I saw that she was beautiful.
Emmett took the lead on this one, letting Edward and Jasper back him up. She eyed them all, her gaze lingering over each one of them, landing on Edward. There was a twinge in my chest.
"Hi, I'm Catherine…I'm looking for Carlisle Cullen," she said, her voice like music. Her hair was a deep auburn, curly, and it was almost to her waist. Her frame was about the same as mine, but slightly taller. She had skin like the rest of us, but her lips were insanely red.
"He's on his way," Esme said, stepping forward. "I'm Esme. This is my family…Emmett, Edward, Jasper…the girls…Alice, Rosalie, and Bella."
Catherine waved to all of us, a smile on her face.
"I heard so much about you from Kate," Catherine said with a smile, "that I just had to meet you. They weren't kidding; there are a bunch of you."
They all snickered, but me. I didn't like her…didn't trust her. I wondered if it was because I needed to hunt, but I let it go.
"Well, come on over here. We'll sit out on the deck until Carlisle comes home," Esme told her, motioning her over.
Jasper walked up to me, asking, "Do we need to go?"
I looked up at him, realizing he was still under my shield. His eyes were tight…he didn't trust her, either.
"I think we should stay, don't you?" I asked, looking at him.
He nodded, frowning.
Jasper sat next to me at the deck table, with Edward on my other side, but I could see everyone's focus was on Catherine.
She started talking about Denali. "Kate and Irina are fantastic. Gianna, too. They treated me like family the whole time I was there, showing me the best places to hunt and how to find you. Carmen and Eleazar told me to tell you all hello…"
She went on and on. I was too aware of her to care. I watched as something changed in her eyes. The lightness faded in them, and they turned cold. I looked over at Jasper, and he raised an eyebrow at me. I shrugged, but no one else noticed.
What we both realized was everyone but us was leaning forward towards her, like they couldn't get close enough. When her eyes settled on Edward, my chest twisted. I inhaled sharply, and Jasper grabbed my arm, pulling me from the chair.
"What is it?" he asked, watching them over my shoulder.
They hadn't even noticed that we had gotten up, even Edward. In fact, I watched as he got up, sitting closer to her. My chest cracked.
"I need Carlisle," I breathed. "I'm not strong enough for this. I only have you under my shield. She's pulling him away from me," I groaned, sitting on a chair, my arms wrapped around my stomach.
Jasper pulled out his phone. "Carlisle. Where are you?" he asked, his voice urgent. "No, no…there's something about her, man, seriously. She messing up Bells, big time." He hung up, kneeling next to me. "Five minutes, baby girl. He's on his way."
I knew I had to be prepared for Carlisle. I needed to shield him as soon as he walked in. I didn't have it in me for the whole family. When Edward touched the arm of her chair, I fisted my hands in my hair, putting my elbows on my knees. The pain was excruciating; I could barely take a breath.
Carlisle stepped out on the deck, his eyes wary, but locked on us. It took everything in me to wrap my shield around him.
"What's going on?"
"I don't know, man. They all seem locked on her. She's pulling them in, but it looks like Edward is the target. Look," he said, pointing to the table.
I looked up with them, and saw Edward laughing, Catherine's body turned towards his.
A sob escaped me, and I started rocking back and forth.
"Bella..." Carlisle kneeled in front of me, trying to take my hands from my head. "You have to shield him."
"My chest, she's taking him, Carlisle," I groaned through gritted teeth and sobs. "I needed to hunt…"
"Look at me," he begged, and I did. "Bella, you are in full bloodlust. I need you to focus," he said, gripping my arms.
"Shit, her eyes," Jasper gasped, "they're red. Nothing I am sending her is working."
"Bella, focus!" Carlisle snapped. "Wrap your shield around them. You can do it."
I was rocking back and forth; I could barely think straight. All I wanted was for her to die, the pain to stop.
"Bella, please."
I looked up, shaking, forcing my shield, pushing with everything that I had. I reached my sisters and Esme first, and then Edward and Emmett. It was like watching them wake up from a dream. I was shaking, my fists clenched, venom pouring down my throat.
"Good girl." Carlisle smiled, kissed my head, and walked to the woman.
Jasper knelt down, wrapping his arm around me. "It's okay, Bells. Hang on, and I'll get you out of here."
"I'm not leaving them, Jasper," I growled.
"Bella?" Edward's voice hit me.
The pain ceased immediately, but my bloodlust was spiraling out of control.
"Did you not feel it, Ed?" Jasper asked, his voice sharp. "She was pulling you in, that Catherine chick," he said, pointing to where Carlisle was talking to her. "Bells had me shielded, but didn't have the strength for everyone, and then she kept saying, 'she's taking him,' over and over."
"Bella," Edward crooned, kneeling beside me. "Love, I'm right here." He looked up at Jasper. "I don't remember anything at all."
"Me, either," Alice said, walking over. "Bells, calm down…you're gonna lose it."
"I can't hold it. She has to go," I growled, still gripping my hair.
Carlisle called from the other side of the deck, "Bells, you can relax."
"No!" I snapped, my head shooting up. "Not until she's gone."
"Holy shit," Emmett said. "She's in bloodlust."
"Bella, I didn't mean anything by it, honest," Catherine said, "Tanya told me to try my gift out on Edward, to see what would happen. She didn't tell me…"
The growl that I let loose vibrated around me.
"Wrong name to mention," Emmett murmured.
With all that I had left, I pulled my shield away from everyone and slammed it around her. I stood, wrenching her into the nearest tree and pinning her there.
"Guys, stop her," Carlisle said. "She'll regret this when she's herself again."
I felt arms all around me, holding me back. "Let me go!" I didn't even sound like myself, or feel like myself, for that matter. "Get the fuck off of me!"
"Holy hell, she's strong," Emmett said, grunting.
"Bella, please," I heard Edward say from behind me.
"Don't let go, Em," Jasper grunted. "She'll destroy her."
I pulled and fought against them both. My goal was the tree this woman was pinned against. I couldn't even remember why she needed to die, but I knew that it must be done.
"Bella, look at me," Edward's velvet voice said next to me.
When I did, my world came crashing to a stop.
"Edward?" I gasped, my breathing still heavy.
~oOoOo~
EDWARD
"Yes, baby," I whispered, trying to soothe her. This was the Bella we'd expected when she was first changed. It was killing me to see her this way. It wasn't her. This was her on her final straw; there was nothing left of her.
Her body stopped fighting Emmett and Jasper, and Catherine fell forward from the tree. A sob ripped through my angel, and I caught her up in my arms.
"Come on, love." I closed my eyes, sighing with relief. She buried her face in my neck, her breathing coming in bursts.
"Edward, take her hunting, now," Carlisle said. Poor thing, she's running on empty, he thought to me.
"As weak as she is, bro, you might have to catch it for her." Jasper's voice was full of concern.
"Okay," I said, walking towards the back of the yard.
Once I got her into the trees, I took off running. I didn't care what I found first, but she lifted her head as we neared a large moose, drinking from a small creek.
"Can you do it, baby?" I asked, looking at her.
She nodded, and I set her on her feet. She stood still for a moment, but I realized she was letting the scent come to her. Her first two steps were tentative, but she hit him hard, taking him down swiftly. He was drained in seconds. She took off, finding another one. All told, she took three moose and a coyote.
I waited for her, sitting at the base of a tree. She appeared in front of me, her eyes brown again, her face softer. She dropped to her knees between my legs and fell into my arms.
"I'm sorry," she cried.
"Oh, baby," I moaned, burying my nose in her hair, "you don't need to be sorry." I pulled her back to look at her. "Do you remember any of it?" I asked, brushing her hair from her face.
"Yes, parts," she said through her tearless sobs. "Flashes. What is she?"
"A magnet," I said, tracing her bottom lip with my thumb. "She pulls people in, making them think they like her. I'm really sorry, love."
"Don't be," she whispered, tilting her head. "I would've been able to stop it, but the pain, baby, every time she looked at you..." Her brow furrowed. "I didn't have the strength. Jasper was already there. I guess I never lifted it from him. What did I do?"
I looked at her sweet face, happy to see her back. I tucked her hair behind her ear, saying, "From what I could see of Jasper's mind, Catherine pulled me to her, but it was hurting you…and because you were already drained, it sent you into bloodlust. You put your shield around her, pinning her to a tree."
She groaned, putting her face in her hands. "Why would I do that?" she asked, looking up at me.
"You couldn't help it, love," I explained. "It didn't help that she said Tanya told her to do it. It took Emmett and Jasper to hold you back." I couldn't help the snicker that came from me. Maybe it was because it was all over, and she was fine.
"Oh God," she groaned. "Edward, it can't be funny."
"No, it's not, but no one was hurt," I said, trying to fight my smile.
"I felt so out of control," she mused, shaking her head. "Only two things kept running through my head—for her to die, and the pain to stop. Did you feel it? Did you know what she was doing?"
"No, I don't remember anything past sitting down at the table, Bella," I said, shaking my head. "It was scary to 'wake up' and see you hurting, losing it."
"I should have shielded you," she sobbed. "I shouldn't have let it happen."
"Oh, baby, don't," I said, pulling her into my lap. "You were drained…I'm just glad you weren't alone, that you had Jasper and that Carlisle showed when he did. I'm supposed to save you, remember?"
Her breath hit my neck with her laugh. "Right, vampire angel…got it."
"Exactly!" I smiled, kissing her head and rubbing her back. "I've got a reputation to uphold. If you come in saving me all the time, then it will all go to hell."
My whole body shook with her laugh. She pulled back, putting her hand on my face. "I love you, baby," she said, smiling.
"And I love you." I smiled back at her, kissing her lips. "I'd love to ravish you out here, but Carlisle's going to want to see you, pronto."
"Later, then?" she asked, her perfect eyebrow raising.
"Obviously," I countered, raising my own. "I don't think I could stop myself."
"God, I hope not," she laughed, standing. "Come on, then," she said, holding her hand out for me, pulling me up. "The sooner this is over, the sooner I can tell you what I want you to do to me," she giggled as I growled at her.
We ran back, stopping once we were in the yard. Alice wrapped Bella up so fast that I heard the air rush out of her.
"Damn, Alice," I said, shaking my head.
"I'm okay, Ali," Bella sighed, kissing her head like always.
"Just wait until you hear this story," Alice growled. I caught glimpses of a few things, but Alice switched to her closet inventory. "You, too…" she said, pointing to me. "You need to hear it firsthand."
Esme rushed her next. "Oh, sweetheart," she gushed, her mind frantic with how bad off Bella had gotten.
We joined the rest of the family. Catherine was still there, and she looked totally remorseful. From her mind, I could see that Tanya had tricked her. I just shook my head. Tanya had discovered a loophole to still continue to bother us.
"Ah, there's my little sister that I know and love," Emmett said, laughing.
Bella just snorted, shaking her head.
I sat down, pulling her in my lap, hearing her thoughts hit me.
Not letting me go, are you? She giggled, turning to look at me.
I snickered, kissing her ring. "Not a chance, love," I whispered, pulling her closer.
Carlisle smiled at us. "Bella, it's good to see you back."
"Yeah, sorry," she said quietly.
"Don't be," Jasper growled. "You've been changed since Spring Break, and that's only the first…no, the second time that you've lost it? Please, no apologies." He waved it off, smiling at her.
"Yeah, and that was Tanya, too," Rose snorted. "Seeing a pattern, Bells?"
"Well, if you ever want to win a battle, then just set Tanya in front of Bella," Emmett said, snickering.
"Okay! Enough," she laughed.
I couldn't help, but join them.
"Tanya didn't explain that there was animosity, Bella," Catherine said softly. "She said to just try it…that Edward would think it was funny. There was never any mention of a mate or spouse or anything like that."
"Of course not," my love sighed.
"She mentioned you, but not as a mate," Catherine clarified. "She also said that she set you up with someone."
"What?" Bella and I yelped at the same time.
"Yeah, a human," she said, biting her lip at our reaction.
"So, let me get this straight," Bella started. "She told you that she's set me up on a blind date with…a human?"
Catherine nodded.
"And when and where is this supposed to happen?"
She said it already has, that he's at school with you," Catherine said.
I tried in vain to pull a name from her mind of this supposed human, but if she knew it, she wasn't thinking about it.
"Well, that's just fantastic," Bella groaned, rolling her eyes.
Emmett chuckled next to me.
"Good luck with that," she said dismissively.
I snickered, kissing her neck. "That's my girl," I whispered in her ear.
"Bells didn't like human boys when she was a human," Alice snorted.
Bella smiled at her, shaking her head. "She's a menace, honestly," my love said, looking at me.
"Yes, ma'am," I said, nodding.
"Always was," Esme growled. "I think there's something wrong with her." Coming from Esme, we were all just stunned into silence. "She needs to leave my family alone," she said, frowning and looking up at Carlisle. "Do something, or I will!" she snapped.
Everyone's minds froze. None of us had seen Esme like that. Ever.
Holy hell, I've never seen her pissed, Bella thought to me.
I just shook my head. I hadn't, either.
Carlisle's mind went frantic thinking of how to keep Esme happy. "Sweetheart, we've tried everything. Even Edward has told her not to come to us. She's scared to death of Bella," he said, pointing our way.
"As well she should be," Esme said proudly.
Emmett gave my angel a fist bump over that one. I kissed her neck again, leaving my lips there.
"I don't understand her motivation. I can't imagine separating these two," Catherine said, shaking her head, "now that I've seen them."
The conversation went on, but Bella's scent was drowning it all out. I wasn't lying when I said getting up from the table and seeing her in that bad of a state scared me. My sweet girl never needed to be that way. I needed to make sure she fed more often.
Edward! Her mind hit me. They're talking to you.
"What? Oh, my bad," I said, sheepishly.
The whole family snickered.
"Oh shit, Bells is rubbing off on him," Jasper said, laughing.
Not yet, she thought to me, laughing. I laughed into her shoulder, bringing myself back to reality. She kissed my head, snickering.
"Forgive them, Catherine," Carlisle snickered. "They are newlyweds, after all."
"What I was saying," Catherine repeated with a smile, "was that once you figure out who she sent, you could send him back to her. She's obviously looking for what you guys have. That's no easy feat."
"Are you saying we should set her up? Find her someone?" Rose growled.
"That's not a bad idea," Carlisle mused.
"But wouldn't she need to be here for that?" Alice asked, looking wary.
"Oh, you're all kidding, right?" Bella asked, looking around. "You want to play matchmaker with her? I would feel sorry for whoever we handed to her. Especially a human, which seems to be her preference."
"And you want to bring her here to do it?" I growled, thinking of the last time. "I don't think so! One more derogatory word towards Bella, and I may let her go next time."
"Thanks, baby," Bella said, laughing as I shrugged.
Emmett snorted and nodded in approval.
"Okay, so it's something we have to think about," Carlisle mused.
"I don't like it, Carlisle," Esme sighed, frowning and crossing her arms. "What's to say she doesn't snap and go to Italy or something? She's just that mean. She's wanted Edward for too long. It's caused damage or something."
It wasn't meant to be humorous, but the whole family lost it. I just shook my head, sighing.
~oOoOo~
BELLA
I sighed, shaking my head. This whole conversation was ridiculous, but at least it was funny.
Catherine stood and said, "Look, I'll be glad to help with paybacks. Carlisle, you have my cell number; just call me if you need anything," she said, walking away from the table. "I'll be in the area for a while."
"Well, stop by anytime," Carlisle said. "We're sorry you got wrapped up in this."
"No worries," she snickered. "I've never been pinned to a tree before." She winked at me, letting me know she understood.
"Yeah, Bells is bad ass," Emmett said, laughing.
Catherine nodded, smiling, and took off into the night.
Carlisle came over and knelt in front of me. "How are you feeling?"
"Okay. Embarrassed," I said truthfully. "I was going to hunt with Jasper, I swear."
Jasper was next to me, nodding. Edward's arms held me tighter.
"I know, sweetheart," Carlisle said smoothly, nodding. "It wasn't the shield that zapped you…was it the pain?"
I nodded, tucking my hair behind my ear.
"Well, considering what we talked about before, it's understandable." He patted my leg and stood up. "Without the pain, would you have been able to shield them?"
"I think so," I said, considering it, "but by the time the first twinge came through, Jasper had pulled me away. Edward was already moving closer, and I couldn't think."
"Sorry, baby," he whispered in my ear.
I just shook my head at him.
"What should we do about this human Tanya sent?" Jasper asked.
"He'll reveal himself eventually," Alice said, frowning.
Edward growled, and I turned to him. "I think I can handle it, love. I'm hardly alone at school anyway."
"Very true, love," he said, standing and picking me up with him. He set me on my feet, turning to Carlisle. "We need to talk about this more…"
"Yes, but not tonight," Carlisle said, looking at a still upset Esme.
I walked over to her, and she wrapped me in a hug, kissing my forehead. "We'll figure it out," I whispered so quietly, only she could hear.
She nodded to me and watched as her family started going their separate ways.
Emmett and Rose left to hunt. Jasper and Alice went in the house.
I looked at Edward and thought, Come on, baby. I need you to ravish me like you promised.
I snickered as a breathy laugh escaped him.
He patted Carlisle on the shoulder and kissed Esme on her head.
"A promise is a promise, love," he said, smirking.
We barely made it inside our room, before I found myself pressed against the door. Edward's mouth was consuming, his body pressing against mine. He reached down, lifting me up, and I wrapped my legs around him. His arousal pressed just where I needed it, and I squeezed closer, moaning.
Edward's tongue circled around my ear, causing my body to shiver. "You're supposed to tell me what you want me to do to you, love," he said, licking down my neck.
"Your mouth, baby," I breathed. "I want it all over me." I felt myself being pulled from the door, and then he pinned me down on the bed.
Some of our clothes were removed carefully, other items not. Edward fell back on me, skin on skin. "Oh, God, you feel good," he said, running his hands all over me. My eyes rolled back as his thumbs roughly grazed my nipples. They hardened, rising up to meet his mouth. He slowly kissed my scar with a reverence that I had come to adore from him, trailing his tongue and taking my breast in his mouth. Palming the other one, he pinched and squeezed, causing me to writhe under him.
He moved lower, swirling his tongue, nipping my skin.
"Edward," I groaned, half in ecstasy, the other half in frustration. I felt his smile on my skin.
"Patience, my love," he said, biting my hip bone. "You taste delicious…everywhere."
He moved, settling between my legs, pushing them as wide as he could with his hands, opening me for him. "That's the most perfect thing I've ever seen," he groaned, kissing each thigh.
He skimmed his nose from my opening, brushing against my sensitive bundle, and my hips shot off the bed. His tongue made the same trail, and I tried to grind against him.
"Do you want to come, my love?" he asked, his mouth kissing everywhere but where I wanted him.
"Yes, God, yes," I said, gripping the sheets and thinking it wouldn't take much to push me over the edge at this point.
"Now, baby?" he asked, his nose circling around my clit.
"Please, Edward," I begged.
He sucked me in, humming into me. I cried out at the relief, the sweetness of it all. His tongue flicked over me, entering me, twisting inside of me. I tried to pull my legs to him, but he held them firm. He bit me, sucked my flesh in his mouth, drank me in. I growled when I came, calling his name, grinding against his face.
His lips were wet as he dragged them up my body, hooking my legs in his arms. He brought them up between us, his arousal positioned at my entrance.
"What do you want now, my beautiful girl?" he asked, kissing a blazing spot on my leg that was right at his face.
"I need you inside, baby, please," I begged, watching him kiss the other knee.
Edward entered me, his head thrown back. I whimpered at being one again with him. I ran my hand up his neck and into his hair, gripping him. He buried himself to the hilt, only to draw back and do it again and again.
"I love being inside you, baby," he breathed, his mouth meeting mine. His tongue was hungry, passionate.
My heels dug into his shoulder, trying to find the leverage to rise up to meet him.
He pressed his forehead to mine. "I want to see you come again, love. Touch yourself," he said, swiveling his hips, smiling when I cried out.
My hand barely fit between us, we were so close. I gasped when my finger touched my swollen nub. With as deep as he was hitting me, I was close again. Edward kissed down my neck, driving into me. I shattered again, clenching around him. I left my hand there, feeling us connected, putting my fingers on either side of him.
"God, that feels insane," he said, his whole body shuddering. "Don't stop, love," he begged, his eyes closing. I watched as my angel came apart above me, crying out my name. He was beautiful, stunning…mine.
He kissed my knees before letting them down, but stayed above me. He didn't say anything—just brushed my hair from my face, placing kisses on my face.
"I scared you, didn't I?" I asked softly.
He nodded. "Yes, a little," he said, touching his nose to mine. "That's what we all expected to see when you were first changed."
"Oh, sorry, baby," I said, closing my eyes.
"I'm not. It made me realize that you are a gift for me," he said, smiling. "That you skipped all that so I could have you…the real you…immediately."
"Hmm," I said, smiling, "and this whole time I thought I was the one that got the gift."
~oOoOo~
It was raining as Jasper and I made our way to the cafeteria. "Oh, damn," he said, looking up at me. "I left my notebook in the classroom. Will you be okay?" he asked, looking at me.
"Will you?" I countered. "I can't shield you."
He nodded and turned back.
I went in, sitting down at our table and pulling out a book. Jasper was killing me with the Warfare class. It took all I had to keep up. It was the subject that gave me the most trouble.
Alice plopped down beside me. "Oh, shit, Bells," she said, smiling. "That kid is coming to talk to you."
I groaned, looking up at her. "Please say you're joking."
"Nope," she said, looking up.
I looked up, to see Joe heading towards us, his face pensive. "Damn, and you know that Edward will be here any second. Poor thing," I said, snickering.
Alice leaned into me giggling.
"Hi," he said shyly. "I'm Joe."
"Bella. Alice," I said, elbowing her to get her to stop laughing.
"I rarely see you alone. This is the closest you've been," he said, looking around.
"Yeah, I kind of like it that way," I mumbled, frowning. "Is there something I can do for you?"
"Aw, hell," Alice moaned, looking at the door.
In strolled Edward, his face growing dark at the sight before him.
"Well, I was wondering, I mean…there's such a big group of you, are you seeing anyone?" he asked, biting his nails.
Edward, stop right there, I thought to him. Don't move. He's just a kid.
Edward nodded, standing behind Joe. His eyes grew dark.
"Um, Joe?" I said, smiling. "Everyone you see me with is family. Alice is my sister in law…I'm married, Joe," I said, pointing to my ring.
Edward winked at me from behind him.
"Oh, which one…" Joe asked, confused.
"The one behind you," Alice giggled, not being able to resist.
Joe whipped around so fast, he almost fell down. "Oh, shit," he said, seeing Edward there.
Edward nodded, but didn't smile. He was trying to scare him, trying to run him off.
"Okay, sorry, for real. She's just…" He stopped, blushing crimson.
"Yes, she is," Edward said, looking at me and back to Joe. "She's also waiting for me to join her," he said, looking intently at the boy.
Alice couldn't help herself. She was buried in my shoulder, laughing. Jasper showed up, calculating the situation.
"Hey, Edward." He grinned, slapping him on the back. "How was class?" His snicker did not go unnoticed.
Joe flushed again, seeing Emmett come to the table with Rose. "Okay, well…yeah." With that, he took off.
Alice collapsed into Jasper.
"Did you enjoy scaring him?" I asked, watching Edward snicker as he sat next to me. "He's probably having a heart attack right now."
"Not quite, but close," he said, kissing my lips. "He's not the one, by the way…the one Tanya sent."
"Oh," I mumbled. "Forgot about that…"
"Poor Joe thinks you're the prettiest thing he's ever seen," he said, fighting his smile.
"Shut it," I said, rolling my eyes.
Emmett snorted, saying, "Get used to it, Eddie." Rose laughed next to him.
"Mine," he whispered in my ear, biting my earlobe. "All mine," he said, smiling as I giggled.