The Painter

By: Everleigh Allen

Chapter 37

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible" - Walt Disney

~O~

It had been months since Jessica disappeared.

Only Bella and the Cullen's knew the truth, so when the vehicle was finally found, burned, and over the side of the mountain, the people of Forks finally stopped their search. It was collectively believed that she died in the crash, especially after the testimony of other drivers about her frantic driving.

They attended the funeral in respect to her and watched the pain filled faces with hard lines from worry. They were hard for Bella to look at since she knew this would someday be her in Jessica's place. It was the easiest way.

But looking at the family, Bella couldn't paint them in a happy light, nor would she want to because there was no way to say that they wouldn't be seeing their daughter ever again, not even in the afterlife.

Bella could only wonder how they'd eventually fake her death, and she tried not to think about how it'd affect her family.

She wondered if they'd be much like Jessica's, but she knew that they would be.

"You're thinking entirely too hard." Edward whispered in her ear.

"Tell me," Bella sighed, letting go of the thoughts.

She looked at the small stream behind the Cullen house, wishing she had her paint and easel. It was one of her favorite places to sit and paint when she had the time.

"Tell you what?" Edward grinned as he twisted and set the picnic basket down on the ground. He silently pulled out the thick blanket that had one side which was waterproof and the other was fleece. It could keep her dry and warm on the misty day.

Bella watched with amusement as Edward quickly pulled out a thick sandwich and cookies, followed with a bottle of water.

"Free-radical free, full of antioxidants," He chuckled and she smirked, shaking her head. She couldn't really remember thinking about things like that in Forks after everything else that has happened. Actually, a lot of the things she had grown up being afraid of in Phoenix didn't even cross her mind here.

"Thank you," she grabbed the bottle of water and took a small sip of it. "What's up with the whole seduction scene, though?"

Edward froze all movement except his head which turned toward Bella.

"What?" She laughed.

"I can't believe you said that."

Bella shrugged, looking away.

It had been months that they had being together and Edward hadn't tried anything more than kiss her. Now that Graduation was upon them in a matter of a week, she was feeling antsy on where they were going as a couple.

"Talk to me." He urged, moving into her line of vision.

"I'm an adult, Edward. With adult feelings…" She raised her eyebrows at him.

"I know that."

"So… What if I wanted this moment to be a seduction scene?"

"Do you?"

"Of course I do."

"I had no idea." Edward gulped.

"I guess I just can't believe you don't know that I think of us- you know, in that way, Edward."

Edward recoiled at the harsh truth of her statement. He knew she wanted intimacy- as did he- but he didn't trust himself enough not to hurt her or worse.

"I know your dreams." He whispered. "I know I'm in them."

Bella's face reddened, but she wasn't to be deflected.

So many times they almost had this same conversation before Edward shut it down. She knew he watched her sleep and she could remember the amazing dreams.

Felt him.

"So…"

"So, I want that, with you… but when the time is right."

"Which would be when? When you decide it is right?" She could feel her face flush with anger, but it was short lived as his mouth instantly found hers and kissed her hard.

Bella gasped as his mouthed moved to her cheek, kissing her there before moving down to her neck. He scraped his sharp teeth over her soft skin and she couldn't help the moan and instant goose bumps that covered her skin.

"You get to decide, Bella." He breathed, the soft feeling gave her a rush and she couldn't help the moan that escaped her. "Are you ready, now? You want me now?"

Bella nodded, and he growled, pinning her to the blanket as ground himself over her. He could feel how warm, pliable, and inviting she was- but knew that there was no way she was going to give him herself in the misty woods with his family close by.

Nor did he want to take her with an audience.

But the way she clung to him with her soft pants made him wonder if he was wrong.

"I want you," she gasped, eyes wide and pleading. He couldn't help but groan.

"You want me," he whispered. "What part of me do you want, Bella? Do you want this?"

He pushed himself over her thin pants, letting her feel what she does to him.

"Yes," Her eyes fell to watch the movement between them, how he ground into her each time and somehow hit just right.

"What if I bite?" He chuckled darkly. The whimper that escaped her at his words made him grin like the Cheshire cat.

"I may like it," she gushed, fumbling with the buttons on his shirt. He allowed it, loving the way her hands shook as she popped each little round button. She pulled the fabric off of his shoulders and down his arms before her hands drifted over his chest.

"You really shouldn't have said that," He scoffed, eyes narrowing. His rigid body was barely able to handle all the fluttering touches. All the sudden, before she could even blink, he was tearing at her shirt and coat. The thin layers of fabric ripped easily but her eyes burned with fire.

Her clothes lay open, framing the delicate skin. Edward took a moment to look at each breast as he tried to decide which one he wanted to go for first. She giggled, but shivered as her nipples tightened. He then moved down and gripped one with one hand and sucked in the other.

The high pitch gasp made him chuckle as his sharp teeth scratched at the hard nipple.

Suddenly, he pulled her to him and quickly wrapped her in the blanket. He ran, dodging the trees and bushes as he expertly maneuvered through the forest.

"Edward, where are you taking me?"

"Home."

Bella couldn't help the grin, knowing there was no way he was running them in the direction of his or her dad's house, which could only mean he meant their house.

She gripped him tighter, kissing the flesh of his shoulder as he ran.

"Yes, take me home."

~O~

A fire crackled in the fireplace and they both looked at each other with a knowing smile.

"Alice."

They both gave a small laugh before Bella's eyes moved around the room but stopped when she noticed one of her paintings hanging above the fireplace.

Edward set Bella down on her feet. Even though she was topless, she moved forward, looking at it closer, trying to remember when he could have taken it.

"Where did you get that?" She mused, stepping forward to look at it again. She could see the small smile over her face, smiling into the light. Tree limbs surrounded her, but she remained rooted within the tree.

Grounded.

"It's my favorite," He shrugged, unapologetic.

"It's been so long since I've seen it."

Edward shrugged and wrapped his arms around her, laying his head on her bare shoulder.

"Well, I felt oddly protective of it."

"Really?" She turned toward him, curious.

"Yeah, you wanted to get rid of it," he accused. "I couldn't let that happen. It's the whole reason we ultimately met." He remembered it like it was yesterday. It had been a difficult day at school and she was trying to sooth herself. It lay on the floor as she started to take her paints to paint over it.

He had held her that day, arms wrapped tightly around her torso, unwilling to let go. She sobbed a long, cleansing cry. Her body rocked back and forth, silent and waiting.

Finally, when she calmed down he moved her to the bed and he managed to hide it without her noticing.

Calming her down, soothing her, was something he was really good at.

"Edward, you can't just take all my things." She laughed, noticing many of her items were all though the house.

Her grandmother's jewelry box lay on the mantle.

A pair of stone swans kissing sat on the coffee table.

Pictures of her growing up lined one of the walls.

She also noticed pictures of him and his family, mixed in.

She bet that much of her wardrobe and new clothes lined the closets.

Bella couldn't help but smile.

"I didn't,"

"Alice?" Bella laughed, knowing that the girl was always great at getting her way. How she got all of her things and pictures around Charlie was beyond her.

Edward cupped Bella's breast and they both laughed as the atmosphere instantly changed in the room. Her eyes easily found his as he pulled her closer.

"You can be here with me forever- if you want."

"I want."

"Yeah?"

With a nod and grin, her eyes trailed down his chest and lower.

He picked her up, pushing his mouth to hers and kissed her. She could barely care that he started to walk towards one of the rooms, and the door opening and shutting only made her skin prickle.

"Tell me if I go to fast," he groaned into her mouth, cupping his hand around her head, holding her to him. His tongue moved quickly in her mouth when opened herself to him.

She opened her eyes to watch the ache and need in his face.

Bella wanted to be in that moment forever.

Green eyes crinkling with humor as they danced over her pale, warm skin.

Brown hair swayed over hard muscle as a sharp intake of breath turned into small gasps and hard grunts.

The push and pull, ebb and flow of two souls joining.

Salty tears of a moment shared, changing forever.

"Edward-" Bella's back arched and he held her there, moving faster.

Then slower.

Then faster, grabbing and gripping soft, heated flesh.

Slow, with soft kisses and small giggles with exploring hands.

Bella's eyes move over his chest and down to where they're joined. Both sets of eyes watch the movement for a moment.

They bound themselves together in love, body and soul to each other.

Knowing.

He smiled, watching her skittish movements turn much more confident as she scraped her nails over his chest.

"You going to bite me?"

Edward cocked his head back and laughed as she felt him harden and pulse inside. A sharp intake of her breath made him do it again.

"Answer me," she whined playfully.

"You want me to change you?" He countered, growing serious. He stilled his movements to watch her.

"What if I say yes?"

"Bella," he huffed, not amused. "I will do anything for you."

"Yes."

"Yes." He mimicked.

"Yes." Her voice serious, unwavering.

His eyes widened with surprise and then darkened. He could practically see the blood rushing through her veins, seducing him.

Bella looked away from his intense stare. "I mean, someday. Not today, obviously, but someday…"

"Someday," he repeated, clenching his teeth, needing to calm down. The venom pooled in his mouth as her vein pulsated and called to him.

"Yes. Someday, SOON. Once I live here for good."

Edward nodded, but closed his eyes as she started moving again and easily diverted is attention.

When he felt her clutching him from the inside, her body turned rigid. In that moment the thoughts of changing her was soon forgotten as quickly as it started.

He touched her, knowing just where, and watched as she soon came undone.

Edward soon followed.

Their fate sealed.

…

A/N: Thank you for reading.