Chapter 54: Transverse Rolls

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Have you missed these kids? I have.

Our music:

"Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis

"Stay," by Rihanna, and Mikky Ekko

"Demons," by Imagine Dragons

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Transverse Rolls : elongated low-level clouds, arranged in parallel bands and aligned parallel to the low-level winds but perpendicular to the mid-level flow. Transverse rolls are one type of transverse band, and often indicate an environment favorable for the subsequent development of supercells. Since they are aligned parallel to the low-level inflow, they may point toward the region most likely for later storm development.

o~o~0~o~o

Curtain's call
Is the last of all
When the lights fade out
All the sinners crawl

~Demons by Imagine Dragons

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Saturday, April 24th, 2004:

The Swan House …

Bella gnawed on her lip. "Are you sure about this?"

"She'll be outside, Love. The windows will be shut and my family will be in the room with us. She only wants to watch us warm up, and maybe say hello to you." I pulled Bella's lip from between her teeth. "Biting that is my job."

My mate looked at me as though she wanted me to do just that, then rolled her eyes at me. "I thought you didn't want Bree and Diego near your house."

I shifted on my feet. "Things change. Carlisle and I discussed it. He says my scent is all over their territory and if anyone really wants to find me, they will. Titch claims that trying to disguise my trail makes me appear weak and that if I continue to do it, the nomads would be more likely to try to catch me alone."

Looking in her mirror, Bella shuddered. "Is Diego coming?"

"Yes, but I've ordered him not to come anywhere near you. Bree will come just inside the front door to greet you. Please, if she offers you her hand, don't shake it."

Bella wrinkled her nose. "Isn't that rather rude? I don't want to offend her."

"I don't want to be pulling her teeth out of your neck, okay? Just … incline your head politely or something."

Bella shook her head at the ceiling. "Fine."

"You'd better get changed. Curtain goes up in two hours."

"I'm gonna get my costume on at your house."

"Titch will want to play Bella Barbie," I warned.

"I want to look good onstage, right?"

I felt my lip tip up. "You could wear a paper bag and look good onstage, M—"

Bella covered my lips with her fingertips. She arched a brow in challenge. "I don't think it would be my brightest moment to Lindy while wearing something that's so easily torn, do you?"

It was on the tip of my tongue to say, 'at least not in public,' but I ducked my head and pretended to be a gentleman instead. Bella stepped into my space and tried to get me to look into her eyes.

"What are you thinking?" she asked gleefully.

"I cannot possibly tell you that."

"You dawg!" she poked me in the stomach. "You're thinking about me dancing for you au naturel, aren't you?"

I rolled my eyes again. "I would never! It wouldn't be proper."

"You're so full of it your eyes are brown."

"Bella!"

"Okay, okay." She raised her hands in surrender. "I'll stop teasing."

I smoothed my hand down the front of my shirt. "Thank you." Somewhere above, on a small pink puffy cloud, my parents were scowling and waggling their fingers at me. I sighed and shook my head. "Got your shoes?"

"Yep, right here."

"May we go?"

"Just let me remind Charlie." She took out her phone and called him at the station. "Dad? You still coming tonight?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world. Steve's holding down the fort. Most of the boys are going to be there."

Bella winced. "Swell."

"Knock 'em dead, Kid. I'll see you tonight."

"Thanks, Dad."

"Tell Edward to break a leg."

"Hah. Dad says to break a leg."

"Thanks, Chief," I called. "See you later."

"Bye, kids."

Bella picked up her jazz oxfords and twirled them, peeking coyly at me over her shoulder as she headed for the stairs. "I'll strip for you when we're an old married couple."

I almost swallowed my tongue. I opened my mouth to tell her I'd hold her to that, but no sound came out. However, my usual problem was back. Gritting my teeth, I rearranged Mr. Ed. "Down, boy."

"Did you say something?" Bella fluttered her lashes.

"No, nothing." I helped her into the Astin Martin.

"Nice car." She stroked her hand over the leather.

"Thanks. It's my favourite."

All the way to my house, images of Bella rubbing herself all over me, with both of us naked and unashamed, snuck into my shocked but titillated brain. Surely Bella was too innocent to actually follow through with her saucy declaration. But if we were an old married couple, the entire game would change. Would she really do it? Alice, Rose and even Esme wouldn't hesitate, but they weren't shy and retiring like my mate. But if we were alone …

Not a Lindy, of course. Perhaps a Samba.

Gah.

At this rate, I was going to spontaneously combust and die a virgin.

Once we reached the house, I surrendered Bella to Titch and hid in my room, wondering how in the hell I was going to dispose of my hard on so I could get onstage without providing the children of Forks with the wrong kind of show.

Duct tape was not an option.

I clapped a hand to my person and attempted to subdue my dick. Unfortunately, the pressure made it practically impossible to keep my hands off myself. It had only been a couple of weeks since Carlisle warned me against self-pleasure. Would my hormones have returned to natural levels? When a human chose to go on a detox diet, it took a minimum of a week for their balance of hormones to change. The more toxic their bodies, the longer it would take to cleanse them. So if my body were all messed up with the vampire equivalent of cortisol, how long would it take to detox?

If it did heal, my first inclination was to muck it all up with more stress hormones.

I was most certainly addicted to Bella. And orgasms.

Sighing, I looked down at the bulge in my jeans. "Why can't you just be patient for a couple of years?"

Because you're seventeen! Congratulations! You're permanently stuck at your sexual peak.

(Please note that my dick did not actually answer me, I answered myself. I'm not that crazy, okay?)

After trying to talk myself down (literally) for several minutes, I decided there was nothing for it. I was going to end up on stage in front of everybody in Forks with a colossal boner if I didn't do something about it. Ergo, it was necessary to choke the beast into submission. I'd have to be sneaky about it, too, or else every vampire in the house would be teasing me about it forever.

Once will be enough, Titch mentally shouted at me. The other members of my household raised their heads questioningly as she turned on the white noise machine. It was a mark of my desperation that their curiosity didn't deter me at all. In fact, since Bella would be busy with Titch for an estimated thirty minutes, I determined to make a thorough job of choking Mr. Ed. Hey, why not go all out?

And if I were going to maximize the experience, considering it had become rare, I would actually be pretty stupid not to access my stash. After Listening to make sure nobody was paying attention, I crept to my desk to liberate my small collection of minxy photos of Bella. On top of my files was a tiny bottle of strawberry scented lube. I didn't know whether to be grateful or horrified. I suppose I should have been thankful that Titch hadn't hidden another sex toy in there.

I turned my black couch toward the window, then stripped bare. Tossing a towel on it, I made myself comfortable and set my photos within view. I held my cock steady and drizzled it with lube. It had been so long since I felt anything that good that as my eyes squeezed shut, I gasped out several curses and groaned aloud.

Jasper promptly dragged Emmett out of the house.

Carlisle's attention whipped toward me. He ran after my brothers so fast the air collapsed behind him.

"Hey! No creating thunder in the house, gentlemen! You'll break the crystal." Esme yelled. And I just didn't care. I was not going to allow anything to spoil my good time.

Bella's distracted, Titch thought. I think she knows what you're doing. Your bond …

How hawt was that? "Oh, God!" My thigh muscles rippled as I thrust up into my hands. The oil warmed. If I pretended hard enough, I could almost believe Bella had her mouth on me. I glanced at the topless photo of her with me in the hot tub. "Fuck!"

It was over pretty quickly after that, and although I squeezed out every last drop of ecstasy, it just wasn't enough. I flung myself off the couch, out the door into the hallway, into my shower. Standing, gasping under the hot stream, I couldn't get my hands on myself fast enough.

I felt fine. No dizziness, nothing odd.

"Fuck … fuck … so good." I could almost taste Bella's breast, and gasped as an even more powerful climax ripped through me. I kept jerking it, relishing the staccato spatter of semen on the glass enclosure and the floor of the tub. Panting, I bowed my head and gloried in the quivers rippling through my body. After such a long period of self-denial, I was primed for completion, and fell effortlessly under crashing waves of bliss.

I leaned my cheek against the shower door and breathed roughly, leaving behind a patch of condensation on the glass. A final ribbon of cum spurted onto my hand.

On the second floor, Esme cleared her throat and continued to tell Bella about Fifties dances she'd attended with Carlisle. She glanced toward Rose, who was quite plainly gaping at my actions, and mentally told her to quit it.

"Oh!" Rose said after an awkward pause. "The … dancing was fun but I prefer the fashion of the 1940's."

I adjusted the temperature of the water and tipped back my head so it would course down my front. For the first time since I'd left Forks to herd Lila, I felt thoroughly relaxed. Boneless.

After a leisurely wash, I wrapped a towel around my hips and wandered back to my room. My black warmup leggings and shirt were folded neatly on my couch, and there was no sign of the strawberry oil or my photos. A light knock sounded on my open door. Bella.

"Thanks, Titch," I called.

"You're welcome."

I arched a brow at my mate. She was already dressed in her black leotard and leggings, which left next to nothing to the imagination.

To be fair, she was ogling me right back.

"Out," I laughed, signalling her to shoo. "And put your tongue away!" Twin red circles bloomed on her cheeks, but she didn't move.

"Bella!" I sauntered over to her, keeping a firm grip on my towel. "I'll be down in two minutes. Go on, now."

She swallowed hard. Evidently, she couldn't raise her gaze to meet mine. "Can I touch?"

A thrill rippled through me. Had I been thinking with the right head, I would have shot her down immediately. "Touch what?" I took a step closer.

She gestured at me. "You. Anything. Any part of this magnificence."

"Mmm … Are you objectifying me, Miss Swan?"

"You bet."

I really laughed then. "If you're a good girl tonight and dance as though I'm the only male who exists, I might just let you."

"Seriously?"

My lips twitched. "Within reason."

"Dayum. Can I at least have a kiss to build a dream on?"

I rubbed noses with her. "Before we go onstage."

"You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Cullen."

I refrained from saying I could drive something else pretty hard. See? I can be gentlemanly when it matters.

Carefully, I took Bella by the shoulders, turned her, and gave her a light swat on the behind. "Careful, you minx, or you may just wake up in Alaska."

"Stupid, sexy jitterbugger."

I laughed again, locked myself in my room and dressed.

When I padded barefoot down to the family room, Bella was on the floor, stretching. Her glossy hair was pulled up into a high ponytail secured with a white scarf. Mirroring her pose, I sank into a center split and gently pulled her toward me. She still couldn't quite get all the way there. She moaned and wrapped her arms around me as I pulled her closer by eighths of inches.

"You okay?" I checked as I took her through several couple's stretches.

"Yeah." She curled her legs around my middle and I touched the soles of my feet together behind her backside.

"You seem a little tense." I massaged the back of her neck.

"Bit nervous." She fluttered her lashes at me.

"Just keep your attention on me. You're dancing for me. Only me. And I'm dancing for you. Nothing else matters."

"Nothing else matters," she repeated.

"Aw, aren't they cute?" Esme squealed. My entire family stood jumbled up in the entryway between the kitchen and the family room.

Bella mock-frowned at her. "We're not cute. We're terrifying apex predators."

Carlisle beamed at me, Jasper snorted and Em winked. Titch took lord knows how many pictures of us. Esme, however, clasped her hands under her chin and said, "Aww …"

A pair of pale shadows appeared outside the glass. I inclined my chin at them. "My charges are here."

"I guess we'd better get busy," Bella said, wiping her palms on her thighs. "It will be time to go, soon."

"Bella," Titch sang as she skipped over, "I have this old skirt for you to wear for dress rehearsal so you don't get your costume dirty."

"Thanks, Alice." Bella slipped on the long tweed poodle skirt and zipped it while I tried to figure out why watching her put on clothes was sexy.

Carlisle rubbed his hands together. "Are you ready?"

With a nod, I stepped into my Blocks and shrugged on my leather jacket as Bella tied her black and white saddle oxfords. Both of us shuffled our feet through the box of resin. I tested the glide on my Blocks, then assumed my opening position while Bella waited in the wings. When Jerry Lee Lewis pounded his intro, she skipped onstage and I tossed the jacket away, smoothed my hair back, rolled my hips, and pulled her to my chest. She answered by mussing my hair. We moved immediately into a fast Lindy. Our audience began to cheer and clap along. I was having a great time until Bella fell. She didn't hurt herself because I caught her, but she looked shaken.

"A little confidence, Jasper?" she called as we prepared for the second lift.

He shook his head. "Bad rehearsal, great performance, Baby Bee."

She missed her mark and I fumbled, barely keeping her aloft. And then she missed her dismount entirely. By the time the music ended, she was shaking like a leaf. Everybody clapped anyway.

"I don't know how to get through this," she told me. "How am I going to get up in front of all those people? I thought I could do it, but …"

I pressed my palm to her cheek. "You can do it, Love, and you will. This is just for us. There's nothing hanging on it. If we make mistakes, it doesn't matter. But a lot of people are coming to watch us, including your dad. If we don't go, we'll let them all down. Besides, I want to show you off. You're such a wonderful dancer."

She looked up at me trustingly. "Do you really think this is just jitters?"

"Of course. You've been nailing that landing for weeks. When we get up there, just remember that we're only dancing for each other. Nothing else matters."

"Okay."

"Okay?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

My cell buzzed. "Hello?"

"Can I talk to Bella now?"

I turned to wave at Bree through the window and she waved back, grinning from ear to ear. I handed the phone to Bella. "Bree wants to say hi."

Bella took my phone and faced the window. When she saw how excited Bree was, she smiled back. "Hi!"

"Oh, Bella! I'm so happy to meet you properly at last. I wish I could hug you."

"Um, yeah." Bella tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Maybe when you're more used to being around humans. That would be great."

"Diego and I brought you some wildflowers. I'll send them in with Jasper, okay?"

"Thanks. That's very sweet of you."

"I have to thank you, Bella. I know it's not easy letting Edward spend so much time with us, but I promise it's going to be worth it. We're going to make you all proud."

"Edward's already proud of you. He says you're both learning a lot."

"He's a good teacher. Anyway, I know you guys have to go, but can I call you sometimes? Can we be friends?"

"Yeah. I'd like that."

"Yay! Break a leg tonight. Break a leg, Edward."

"Thanks, Bree."

"We'll send you some video later," Jasper said.

"That would be awesome!"

Titch clapped and bounced forward. "Time to get dressed! We have to leave in fifteen minutes."

o~o~0~o~o

Forks High …

"You guys look adorbs," Ang cooed.

Jessica nodded. "Like you stepped out of Grease."

"Can I get your picture for the yearbook?" Eric asked, raising his camera.

I raised my hand to push back my hair and abruptly remembered it was slicked down like that of a greaser. I'd forgotten how unpleasant it made the texture. "Yeah, okay."

"Awesome! Stand over there by the wall."

Lunging to the side, I dipped Bella with one arm, resting her weight on my thigh and forearm. I gave her a look that would melt gold. Eric took about a hundred photographs. Restoring Bella to her feet, I brushed my lips over hers.

"Trying to dazzle me, Mr. Cullen?" she murmured.

"Of course."

"Bella," Jessica squealed, getting between us, "Is that a real poodle skirt? Vintage, I mean?"

Bella swayed her hips so the red skirt flared. "Um, no. Alice made it."

Jessica goggled at us. "Seriously?"

"Yes," I said, "Alice is a gifted seamstress. But Bella's letterman sweater is genuine. It was my father's."

"That is so cool," Ang giggled. "What about your jacket, Edward?"

"Yeah, that was my dad's, too."

"Are they both from the 1950s?" Jessica demanded. She always reminded me of a rabbit. When she was being intrusive, her nose practically twitched.

"No, dear. That would mean my father would be in his seventies today. These are from the '80s."

Ben scooted up to us with a clipboard. "Bella, Edward? You're up next."

Bella blew out her breath and turned six kinds of pale. I tucked her hand into the crook of my arm and led her backstage as Newton and his terrible boy band exited. "Rock and roll!" he hollered, banging his drumsticks together.

It was wonderfully dark. I took Bella's face in my hands. "Remember, Love, you're dancing for me."

"Can I have that kiss now?"

"Most definitely." I kissed her thoroughly, barely pausing when Ben tapped me on the shoulder.

"Um, Edward? You're up."

"Breathe, Bella," I whispered.

"Huh?"

"Ready to dance?"

"Dancing. For you." Silly girl.

"May I escort you to your mark?"

"Yeah. Sure."

I steered Bella to her mark and crossed my fingers that she wasn't too dazzled to take her cue. Assuming my own mark, I nodded to Ben, who signalled the sound guy to hit the music.

Jerry Lee blared out of the auditorium speakers. I tossed my jacket off to the side. Bella skipped out of the wings, mussed my hair so it flopped into my eyes, and gave me a smouldering look as I pulled her against my chest. And then we were off, matching rapid move for move. I was hyperaware of her scent and heat. Her skirts swished against my thighs. Her footwork was exquisite. I grinned at her and her eyes lit up. She was radiant. I popped her through my legs, up over my head, and over my back, then circled and threw myself over her back. The Lindy morphed into shim sham and back to kick the dog. Bella leapt into my arms and I swung her to each side, then, tossed her upside down. She latched her legs around my neck and did a walkover, nearly incapacitating me with her alluring scent. I followed, standing on my hands. And when I finished my walkover and stood, she hopped onto my back, her skirts flaring around us. I tipped her forward, flipped her over, caught her by the back of the neck, and raised her to her feet. We went right back into the Lindy. On the last phrase of the song, I bent forward, securing Bella in my arms, and flipped us horizontally 360 degrees. We landed precisely on the last beat of the music.

"Perfect," I told her, scarcely able to vocalize the sound.

"Beautiful," she said, her breath heaving. I couldn't take my eyes off her, but I did remember to pretend I was out of breath. In the audience, there was a moment of suspended silence, and then all hell broke loose.

I raised Bella upright and she clung to me with tears in her eyes. "We did it."

"We did it, Isabella Marie. Your dancing was flawless. Thank you for being my partner."

"I'm the one who should be thanking you." We rocked from foot to foot, all wrapped up in each other. Reality intruded as screaming teenagers assaulted us from backstage. In the front row of the audience, Charlie was on his feet, whistling sharply, and my parents were clapping so hard I was afraid they might deafen people. And then Emmett hopped up onstage and lifted me onto his shoulder. Jasper picked up Bella and the two of them carried us off. In the green room, it was pandemonium.

Rose darted past me at vampire speed. She threw a small cup of something over my head. Some kind of clear oil. I shuddered. Act as though you sweat, damn it!

Pretending to pant, I dragged up the front of my t-shirt to wipe my forehead. Lauren Mallory promptly took it as an invitation to run both hands over my abs. So revolting. An instant later, Emmett had neatly removed her from my person.

"Property of Bella Swan," he boomed. "Don't touch the merchandise!"

I continued to wipe the oil off my face. "Thanks, Em." Bella's torso heaved against me, causing a completely visceral response.

Lots of giggling, squealing girls continued to press toward me. It made me want to fight them off. But then, I found myself highly disconcerted.

"Edward! Bella!" The crowd parted to let the teacher through.

"Hi, Mr. Kerr."

His blue eyes swam with tears. "I've never seen anything like you two."

"Uh, thank you, sir."

He was trying to decide whose style I most emulated. "I understand why you said no to being in the musical."

"Oh?"

"You didn't want to upstage the amateurs, did you?"

I winced. "Well …" Yeah, that's not it.

He touched my arm and shook hands with me. "How would you feel about being an assistant director next year? It's coming down to a choice of Hello, Dolly or Camelot, depending on the projected budget." Continuing to hold my hand, he turned to Bella. "And you could both help with choreography, and Bella, you could be the stage manager. It all counts for volunteer hours." He looked back and forth between us hopefully.

"I'll consider that," I said. It was an attractive offer and I had to get my volunteer hours somehow. I was in the process of liberating my hand from his grip when a demanding male Voice cut through everyone's thoughts. Got to get to them! Out of my way! Out of my way! Fucking hicks …

"Move, please! Move!"

"Oh, no." I touched Bella's shoulder gently. After glancing at me, she turned her attention in the direction I was staring. "Carlisle is going to be pissed."

The man placed his hands between Eric and Angela's shoulders and pushed them aside so he might pass. He looked for all the world like a villain from a Film Noir. Think Jackie Gleason in a navy pinstriped suit. With a slight bow, he presented me with his business card.

"Andy Blumfeld, at your service. Congratulations, kids! You've been discovered."

A talent scout. A freaking Hollywood talent scout. God save us. I swallowed hard. "Uh, no thank you." I passed him back his card.

"Don't be stupid, kid. I can get you on TV. Movies." He spread his hands wide. "Magazine covers. Broadway. The big time! You name it, and I'll get it for ya. The pair of you can get anything you want. All you have to do is sign on the dotted line."

"No, thank you. We're not interested." I put my hand on Bella's shoulder to steer her away.

Blumfeld touched Bella's hair and leered at her. When he pictured her on the casting couch, it was all I could do not to rip off his arm. "Now, I don't recall hearing this young lady speak to me. Don't you think she can answer for herself?" Venom pooled in my mouth.

Bella gave him a cold look. "I'm sorry, mister. We're not interested."

"Don't be silly. Take my card. My phone number is on it. You think about it and get back to me. I can make you rich. You'll see the world. You'll be famous!"

I gave him the death glare but he didn't even flinch.

Charlie Swan edged his way through the crowd, with Carlisle close behind him. Our fathers blocked us away from everyone else. Charlie pumped my hand and patted my back.

"Now I understand why you two spend so much time together." He kissed Bella on the temple, moved to ruffle my hair, and considering its condition, thought better of it.

"Ah," Blumfeld said. "You must be this young lady's father. I have business we should—"

"No," I said.

"They have a bright future in the entertainment industry," Blumfeld coaxed. "Mountains of money. A lot more than an officer of the law can earn."

"I said no," I repeated. Carlisle slid around behind us and placed his hand on my shoulder. I glanced at him anxiously. Calm yourself, Edward. I'm not upset with you. I leaned into his side.

"My son said no," he said coldly.

Blumfeld goggled at us. They cannot deny me! This pair is the Discovery of my career. "But you—"

"My son and his girlfriend are minors. They cannot enter into any business contract without my permission," Carlisle inclined his head at Charlie, "and that of Chief Swan. I refuse to give my consent."

"You don't know what you're passing up!" Blumfeld eyed each of us desperately. "The camera will love these two. The sky's the limit. They can float college on a year's income if they sign with me."

"I don't like the way he looks at Bella," I growled.

Blumfeld put a hand to his chest. "I would never be involved in anything shady. She's beautiful, that's all. He's beautiful, too. And such talent! The world will love these two. I'll get them a terrific deal." And a nice cushy one for myself, to boot.

Charlie watched Bella warily. Fortunately for me, she was attempting to blend into my chest. Have I mentioned that she doesn't like attention?

"We don't want to be famous," Bella told Carlisle.

"That's the end of it, then." He turned to the scout. "Mr. Blumfeld, our children have no need of fame or fortune. Kindly do not disturb us any longer." He gave me a little nudge and we started to head toward the exit, but Blumfeld's hand clamped down on my wrist. I growled sub-audibly but there was no need for me to free myself. Charlie Swan captured Blumfeld's arm and exerted expert pressure, causing him to release his grip. I don't know which of us was most surprised.

"If you continue to harass these kids, I'm going to have to take you in," Charlie said.

Blumfeld stuck his nose in the air. "You don't need to insult me, sir. I'll go where I'm wanted. But mark my words: you're making a huge mistake."

"We'll take our chances." Carlisle put his arm around me and guided us away. "Coming, Charlie?"

"Yeah. How about we all go out to the Diner? My treat."

"There's a reception here, in the cafeteria," I told him.

"Oh. Yeah, of course."

Carlisle gave Charlie a light smack on the back. "Let's go downstairs and watch our wallflowers cringe from their adoring public, shall we?"

Charlie guffawed. "That'll be fun!"

"Stop rolling your eyes, Edward and Bella," Titch sang. "They might get stuck like that."

o~o~0~o~o

Orangeade has to be one of the slimiest, vilest human drinks imaginable. I grimaced into my paper cup while various people took their turns congratulating us. Bella whisked the cup out of my hand and replaced it with one of water.

"Thank you." I rinsed out my mouth and gulped down the water.

"Mark! Mark! Have you met Edward?" Charlie called.

"No. We've never crossed paths." He winked at me. "Not a troublemaker, obviously. No previous record."

I laughed a touch anxiously and hid behind my cup. "Hey," the deputy held out his hand. "You're some dancer."

"Thanks."

Bella chatted with a group of officers while I watched Newton and his ridiculous grunge band show off for his sheep-like females. After a while, Bella slipped her arm back around my waist.

"I've been a very good girl tonight."

"Of course. I would expect nothing less of you."

"So, did I dance as though you're the only male who exists?"

Her teasing tone caught my attention. Her eyes twinkled as she cocked a brow.

"What are you thinking?" I asked slowly.

"Don't you dare pretend I've forgotten your promise."

"Hm?"

"Do I get to touch you or not?"

I winked. "I might just let you."

"Seriously?"

Warmth seemed to expand inside me. My lips twitched. "Within reason."

"Dayum. Can I at least have another kiss to build a dream on?"

Titch stepped between us. "Will you two stop melting the linoleum, please? Carlisle promised Charlie we'd all go to the Diner."

I swear Bella growled right along with me.

"Hey, kids," Charlie said. "Are you ready to go to Cora's? Ice cream's on me."

Yuck. I started to run my hand through my hair and stopped. "Actually, Chief, I hope you'll excuse me, but this goop on my head's really starting to give me a headache. I need to get home to shower."

Bella nodded fervently. "Yeah. Dancing is really hard work. I think I'm ready to go to bed." The minx looked at me as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.

Charlie shrugged. "Oh, come on now! How am I supposed to brag about how great you are if neither of you are even there? Come for just a little bit."

Bella shook her head. "Dad, you know Edward and I don't like attention, and you have no idea how tight our muscles get after this. We need to do some cool down stretching and then go home and shower. You should go have some fun with the guys. It's not often you get a night off."

"Aw, no, Bells. I'll take you home."

"No, Edward will drive me. Right, Edward?"

I blinked. "Of course. I just need to get my jacket and keys from Jasper. You should go to the Diner, Chief. I'll ensure Bella gets home safely."

Charlie considered it for a moment and decided to trust me. "Yeah, all right. I want to brag about my daughter to my friends some more. I won't stay out too late, though. You should wait up for me, Bells."

"Okay, Dad."

"Night, Edward." We shook hands.

"Night, Sir."

o~o~0~o~o

Swan House, 11:00 PM…

A light knock came at the bathroom door and a chilly draft entered as Bella opened it a crack. I tensed. Surely she didn't think she was going to join me.

"You okay? You've been in there a while."

Aw … how sweet of her to fret about me. "Sorry I worried you. I'm fine. This grease won't come out of my hair, that's all. I forgot how awful it was. Do you have any vinegar?"

"Hah. Does Charlie eat fish?"

The door shut again and I listened to Bella go down to the kitchen. She soon returned, casting the door wide open. All the steam exited the room and I shuddered.

I reached over the top of the shower rod, but Bella shoved a small bottle of malt vinegar through the gap of the curtain.

"Thanks." I wrinkled my nose.

"It's cold, I'm sorry. It was in the fridge."

I tipped my head forward and upended the bottle. Freezing cold vinegar trickled onto my scalp and down the back of my neck. Yuck. "I'll live," I said more to myself than to my mate.

"So how long has it been since you went around with your hair slicked back?"

Water splashed against the tiles as I scrubbed my head. "About fifty years, give or take."

"So you were a greaser?"

"I thought the persona would scare the amorous away. Didn't work."

"Women like the bad boys, Mr. Cullen."

"Sorry, Min—Miss Swan. Not even you can induce me to put up with goop on my head again."

"I wouldn't dream of it. How would I survive without running my fingers through your hair?"

Twitch, twitch.

I bit my tongue to stop myself from flirting. And that's when a big sea sponge appeared around the edge of the curtain. She waggled it, mere inches from my person. "Wash your back?"

I backed up so fast I bumped into the wall, and a couple of tiles fell into the tub. Bella began to chuckle.

"Minx!"

"Don't worry, Ginchy. I'm only teasing."

"Bad girl," I gasped. She waggled the sponge at me, then tossed it at my head. It rolled down my abs before I was able to unfreeze and catch it.

"Sorry, not sorry," she sang gleefully.

"Jeez Louise. What would you do if I told you yes?"

She paused. "Is that a yes?"

"No!" I yelped.

"Because you have about three seconds to tell me not to join you."

"Gah!" I smacked my head against the wall and more tiles fell off. My dick flexed, pointing toward Bella as though she were true north on a compass.

"One …"

Fuck.

"Two …"

Fuck, fuck, fuck … my inner monster and Victorian wrestled. My hands bunched into fists. A couple more tiles fell off the wall.

"What's that noise?" Bella asked curiously.

I couldn't get anything out but a growl. My cell began to ring.

"Should I answer it?" Bella asked. "It's Alice."

Tell me something I don't know. I wrenched the faucet over to ice cold and stuck my head under it. I was on fire. The icy spray did nothing to abate the burn.

"What the hell are you doing, Bella?"

"Mind your own business, Alice."

"He's barely staying on his leash! If you're not careful, you're going to wake up in Alaska."

"He said I could touch him."

"He said within reason. You're not being reasonable! He's doing everything he can not to follow his instincts right now and you're teasing him. If you want him to kill you tonight, by all means keep seducing him!"

"If he can dance with me like that without hurting me, he can give me a little something-something." My body jolted as cum splattered to the floor of the tub.

"Bella, you have no idea how reckless you're being."

"I miss him," she said mournfully. And that … killed any trace of fire in my brain. My entire body drooped. Bella hurried from the room, shutting both the bathroom and bedroom doors behind her.

My mate was weeping. I loathed myself for it.

"He never touches me anymore."

"You're pushing him too hard, Bella. I know it's a trial for you to be chaste but it's agonizing for him. Nobody … No. Bo. Dy. has touched him in a hundred years. You cannot tease him. He's doing this for you."

She sniffled. "It was such a wonderful day. I've ruined it."

I shut off the water and reached for a towel. It wasn't Bella's fault. My internal mess was the fallout of long-term depravation. But surely I could man up and keep my promise. After all, my flirting was the cause of my current predicament.

"Not at all. If you wait for him to come to you, he's going to keep his promise. He's decided. What you've planned is okay."

"Really?"

"Wipe your eyes and get ready for bed before he comes in."

"Thanks, Alice!" I heard Bella blow her nose.

"Edward, stop with the shame already! Bella needs your affection!"

"Okay," I murmured. Titch was right. I needed to love my mate with my body. Absent-mindedly, I reached for my pyjamas. They were not where I'd placed them on the radiator. Instead, there was nothing but a pair of navy blue Calvin's that smelled faintly of Bella. Grimacing, I put them on.

Even though I knew Charlie wasn't home, I looked both ways across the landing before tiptoeing into Bella's room. She peeked at me from under the sheets.

"I'm sorry for teasing," I said.

"Me, too. I didn't mean to. I just … miss making out. I almost dragged you into the back seat of the car tonight."

My lip twitched. "The back seat of the Vanquish is way too small. And the gear shift's in the way."

"I would have managed it somehow."

"Naturally." I grinned like a sap. More like unnaturally.

"The hood's roomy enough."

Schwing!

"Gah! Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Don't say stuff like that!" I pinched the corners of my eyes.

"Sorry."

"I sincerely doubt that."

"Edward?"

"Yeah?"

Bella squirmed beneath the sheets. "Under terms of full disclosure … I'm not wearing a bra."

I lifted a shoulder. "You don't normally sleep in one."

"No, I mean … I'm not wearing a shirt."

Yowza!

My Bella is topless under there!

And Titch told her that was okay! Ohmygod.

Venom flooded my mouth. My cock was turgid, weighty in my shorts. I sauntered to my side of the narrow bed and stretched out.

Bella touched my cheek with the tips of her fingers. "Your eyes. They're full of silver lights. Like fireflies. So lovely."

"I miss you too, Bella." Allowing my weight to partially rest on her, I pressed my lips to her jugular and purred as her arms came up around me. I gathered her close and allowed her contact with my leg. She arched against me, combing her fingers through my damp hair, and edged beneath me. I moved her onto the middle of the bed. She laved my collarbone with her tongue. Every atom of my body tingled.

Her fingers scraped down my back and slipped beneath the waistband of my shorts. My vision turned red. Leaning on one forearm, I ran the palm of my hand over the warm sheet. Beneath it, I felt her body respond to my touch.

"You're so warm," she said. I shook my head. After a cold shower, it was impossible that I should be radiating any heat.

We panted, cheek to cheek as I palmed her breast through the sheet. She pressed her mouth to the top of my shoulder and began to suck. I dipped my thumb beneath the sheet and caressed her nipple. Arching up, Bella bit down on my neck, hard. With a groan, I nuzzled into her neck and her fingers dug into my ass. Something gushed into my mouth and I forgot to think.

Everything around us seemed to mute. Bella reached between our bodies, searching for my cock. She squeaked in annoyance as I grasped both her wrists and pinned them above her head.

"Edward."

Yeah, baby, say my name.

"Edward, are you biting me?"

I released her neck to inspect the perfect set of teeth marks in her neck. Dark, arterial blood welled and trickled onto her chest. Eagerly, I lapped it from her skin and placed my mouth back over the pulsing source. My cock throbbed in time with her heart's cadence.

"Oh my God," she whimpered as I took measured swallows. She struggled to free her legs from the sheets and at last crossed her feet behind my back. "Gah. Edward. It feels amazing. Don't kill me."

Rumbling, I licked up her chin and stared down into her eyes, which sparkled with tears. She brushed back my hair with a finger. "You are incredible."

Blood ran in a rivulet down her neck, between her breasts. I grasped the sheet and eagerly cleaned her flushed skin with my tongue. My mate began to keen. Blood continued to flow. It was making a mess of her pillow. Evidence. I couldn't leave evidence behind. Allowing a small amount of venom into my mouth, I swept my tongue over the marks on her skin.

Bella sucked air between her teeth.

Something crashed onto the floor. Both of us hissed.

I was ripped away from my mate. I fought and screamed, but couldn't free myself. Emmett.

"You're gonna regret this in the morning, sunshine," he told me.

Bella was sitting up in her bed, smears of blood painted over her naked chest. Her dilated eyes were luminous and her lips were swollen with kisses. She reached for me. I lunged for her with a roar. Her bedroom door crashed open and Jasper flew through it. He tackled me around the waist and he, Emmett and I somehow sailed out through the small window without breaking it. My brothers gripped me firmly while I cursed them, but they took no notice. They just landed on their feet like big cats and dragged me into the woods. Meanwhile, Titch ascended Bella's tree and began to talk to her through the window. Carlisle, Esme and Rose waited beneath the tree.

I growled and spat at my brothers. Emmett cuffed me upside the head hard enough to make my ears ring.

"Holy crap, dude. You bit Bella. There's blood all over you."

Jasper licked his lips, then shoved against my chest. An enormous wave of revulsion struck me. I sat down in the ferns. Hard.

I stopped breathing. I couldn't waste the best thing I'd ever swallowed by gagging it up. I put my hands around my knees and rested my head atop them.

"Okay, okay. I'm back. Don't make me vomit. Please."

With a nod, Jasper ran away like the devil was on his heels.

"Bella, you need to drink juice. He got a couple of pints," Titch said.

"Dizzy," Bella said weakly. I took a step toward her. Emmett smacked his forearm into my chest.

"Can't let you hurt her, Buddy."

"She needs help to get a drink."

Emmett tapped my chest gently. "You need help to get back on the wagon."

I licked ambrosia off my lip. "I'm not going to take any more from her."

"Sure you're not. Come on, we'll go bag a nice mountain lion."

"There are none around here!"

"Even better."

Behind us, Bella yelled at my sister. "I thought you said it was going to be safe!"

"I've told you. Things change. You made a decision and he made one. Then you made another and he made not one, but three."

"He had decided to stop. He used venom to seal the bite, see?"

"He only did that to prevent leaving evidence, Bella."

"What?"

"Edward's primitive brain took over. He was in predatory mode. When he cedes his control over his thirst, I'm not even sure he knows it's you."

"He stopped drinking from me when I told him no."

"Only because he decided he was going to get caught. He was going to change locations."

"No." She paused. "He would never hurt me."

"It's a constant struggle for him, Bella. He resists his nature every day. It is getting easier for him to be close to you, but there's always a chance he'll slip. You must always respect his potency."

"I do. But I trust him."

"And he trusts you, or else he'd never let you into such close proximity to his teeth. But you're spooning with a tiger, Bella. A teenaged, moody tiger. Sometimes, he's unpredictable.

"I know him," she said sullenly. "He would never hurt me."

"You're grounded," Carlisle told me as he approached me and Emmett. "You're not to leave the house for a week."

"But what about Bella?"

"Alice will look after Bella."

"And what about my Yearlings? They need training."

"Jasper will train them for a few days. Emmett, will you take him up to Canada for the rest of the weekend?"

"Yeah." Emmett put his arm around me. "I told him we'd go find him a lion."

I crossed my arms. "I don't need a babysitter."

Carlisle's lip twitched menacingly. "Are you going to court Bella while your eyes look like raw meat?"

I hung my head. "Fine. We'll go and hunt for a few days. But not a week. A week is too long."

Bella was still arguing with Titch. "He would never hurt me!"