Chapter Thirty Eight.
Bella
We drove back holding hands and by the time we drew up outside the house he was calmed enough to be decent. "You coming in?" He shook his head. "I'll see you to the door then I must hunt". "Oh" I was disappointed. "Will you come back? I'll leave my window open". He smiled, "Try keeping me away". At the door he kissed me and said goodnight to Charlie who was impressed by Jasper's manners. I spent a few minutes telling Charlie about the film we hadn't gone to see, then escaped to bed. I showered, found some decent night-clothes rather than my tatty tee-shirt, and pushing the window open got into bed to read. I started to doze off but I was sure Jasper would be there when I woke up.
When I did wake it was still dark. I heard a creak from the rocking chair in the corner and looking at my clock saw it was only One Thirty, his hunt had been fast! "Catch your dinner quickly Cowboy?" I whispered with a smile. There was a chuckle from the chair and I switched my bedside light on. Sitting in the chair was Edward Cullen.
"So, you didn't take any notice of my warnings. Did you ask him about the village?" he asked. "What are you doing here? Get out of my bedroom before I scream". He smiled, showing his teeth, "Oh Bella, I don't think you want to do that. If Charlie came in I might have to kill him. Do you really want that on your conscience? That would be a shame. Now get dressed fast." he spat. "Why?" I asked pulling the covers up. "Your choice, you can go in what you're wearing but it might be cold. You have two minutes". He looked at his watch ostentatiously. I climbed out of bed quickly and threw some clothes over my tee-shirt. "Good girl. Now climb on my back". I shrank away. "OK I'll call Charlie" he warned. I climbed reluctantly on his back and he jumped from my bedroom window, hardly making a sound as he hit the ground running.
"Where are we going?" I asked breathlessly. "Somewhere quiet where we can be alone. Isn't that what you told Jasper you wanted". I was furious, "You were spying on us? You peeping Tom" I hissed in his ear. He chuckled again, "I just wanted to see how far your relationship had reached. I was hoping it hadn't been consummated and I was glad to see you were still at the groping stage, quite sweet really especially from a man who's raped and murdered his way across Mexico". I looked at him with disdain. "It really bugs you that you've been the good boy but the bad one gets the girls. Pity Edward". His eyes glowed as he looked at me. "Well Bella, this good boy is going to try being bad and see where it gets him". I tensed at that.
"What's the matter? You were quite willing to give Jasper what he wanted. Why not me?" "That's easy Edward. I find you detestable" His eyes flashed and he slapped my face with the back of his hand. Not as hard as he could obviously, because my jaw wasn't shattered, but I'd have a heck of a bruise. "Well" I mumbled, "That's how the good boy gets the girls. Great foreplay Edward". He scowled "That smart mouth will get you in trouble Bella" he pointed out. "Oh, I thought it already had" I said, rubbing my cheek. He looked at me. "You asked for that. I laughed painfully, "Right, of course. How silly of me. Edward, take me home before you do something you'll regret". He laughed, "I'll regret?" I wanted him to think through his actions "Well yeah. I'll be dead so the remorse will be all yours".
His face went cold and hard. "No one said anything about killing you". "Well if you have sex on the agenda I'll fight you all the way, so I'll be dead by the time you get it up". His fist clenched and he punched me in the jaw this time. I felt a crunch but I didn't think my jaw was broken. It was however, very painful. "Now perhaps you'll keep your smart mouth shut" he snarled. "Never" I managed as blood trickled down my chin. "Oh look, now you have what you wanted, my blood". He looked at the trickle with longing. "Here" I said dipping my finger in it and wiping it on his lips. "Go on Edward, be the monster you really are". He licked his lips and I saw his eyes go black. "Don't tempt me Bella. Do you really want to die that badly?" I tried to laugh through swollen lips, "Why do you care what I want? You're going to kill me anyway?" His fists clenched and I noticed he'd stopped breathing. "Like that did you? Enjoyed my blood? Well go ahead, finish the job" I taunted him. "Oh no Bella. I have something much more enjoyable planned for you".
There was no way he was getting that, "Yeah? Well I just hope you like fucking a corpse 'cos that's all you're going to get". His black eyes stared bitterly into mine. "I don't think it'll come to that, you'll do what I tell you or I'll go back and kill your friends, Angela, Jessica, Mike. If that doesn't persuade you I'll kill Charlie, and if that doesn't work I'll trace your mother Renee. I have all the time in the world Bella whereas you have a finite number of relationships. I think we're going to get along very well don't you?" I looked at him in horror, "You'd kill people just to get me to sleep with you? I knew you were sick but you're more than that Edward Cullen, you're pathetic".
He picked up my hand and squeezed it gently, just enough to hurt. "Bella I think we need to set a few ground rules before you really get hurt. 1. No name calling. He squeezed a little harder. 2. You will do exactly as I ask you. He squeezed again and this time I gasped. 3. You are mine. He let go and I nursed my aching hand. "Edward, I may have no choice about 1 and 2 but I will never be yours. That place in my heart is already filled". He laughed harshly, "Don't tell me little Bella Swan has fallen in love with the evil Major Whitlock. Bella, Bella, when will you learn that he's an animal, that...but you obviously didn't ask him about the village did you? Never mind I'll show you when we get home". "Home?" I asked. "Mines back that way". I pointed over my shoulder.
"No, our home" he said emphasising the our. "Edward we don't have a home. You and I have nothing in common, not friendship, not love, and most certainly not a home. Now have I made myself perfectly clear?" He growled low in his chest. "Very impressive, but I've heard better". I said pulling my hand from his. "Yes Bella you've made yourself very clear. Now let me. You will be my friend, my lover and live in our home or I will carry out my threats". I looked at him coldly. "Edward, you may force me to live with you but you can't force me to love you or even like you. If you're happy with a living a lie then be my guest, but I will never do more than despise you. And one day, when you least expect it, I will find a way to kill you. So watch your fucking back vampire". I didn't see the blow that knocked me cold, but I felt it.