Chapter 20

A/N: Hello Everyone... Again sorry for the late update, it has been a long week.

***I was hoping to get your opinion on whether or not you would like to see a sequel to this story?***

I do have the chapters arranged to produce another part of this story, but I would like to know if you are interested in this continuing. As of now, I have 10 more chapters planned for this particular story.

If you don't want a sequel then I will have to reconsider the content for those chapters. Please your opinion means a lot. I love this story, and I have no interest in ruining it by dragging out something you would prefer not to read.

Thanks so much for reading, commenting, following and favoriting this story. Love you all.

Please Review...

Sequel? Or No Sequel?

As soon as the morning light spilled into the window, Edward slipped from the sheets, and quickly donned his t-shirt. Casting a glance in Bella's direction, ensuring she was fast asleep, he headed to the bathroom and shut the door. Stripping bare, he stopped in front of the mirror, his gaze skipping down his chest. Lifting a hand, he smoothed his fingers over the scars that dotted his torso, scanning his ribcage. With each line he traced, his lashes flinched, remembering the making of each one. Slowly, his hands lifted to the mask he wore and slipped the string free from his hair.

Grabbing the hand towel, he wiped the perspiration from his face, his attention returning to his reflection. No matter how much he examined the scar tissue covering the right side of his face, it never looked any better, curdling his stomach as much now as ever. The thought of presenting himself to Bella as he was threatened to steal the magic, he'd experienced last night. When she'd requested him remove his shirt, a part of him had wilted on the spot, knowing in the darkness he wouldn't see the pleasure on her face.

He was at a complete loss right now. He lived with this constant fear of horror and rejection. If he bared his soul to this amazing woman, would the light in her eyes dim when she looked at him? How would she feel knowing he'd left his best friend to those animals? Just the memory encouraged a wealth of shame he couldn't even begin to describe. Emmett and Rosalie, even Alice, didn't blame him, yet he didn't need their judgement when he had so much of his own. He'd been a coward. Even now, however, he couldn't fathom another choice.

So, it wasn't just as simple as showing her what lie beneath the mask, or his t-shirt. It was presenting all the worst things about his character. The shame, self-loathing, and cowardice he'd shown in those final moments. Then there were the endless questions that would doubtlessly ensue.

Did he trust Bella to understand? Honestly, how could he even ask her to understand when he didn't.

He just wanted to forget. He didn't want to relive those disgusting, twisted moments of his life. There'd been so much pain and misery woven into the last several years to last him a lifetime. Didn't he deserve a moment to forget? Forget the horror; forget the scared helpless look in Jasper's eyes; forget the sadness that courted him on a daily basis; forget his face and body were less than perfect.

For one stinking moment of his day, he wanted to think of something else. As he decided this simple fact, Bella came to mind. He just wanted to enjoy the woman lying his bed… without the thought of his scars, and her reaction when he did show her them. He wanted to relish her lily soft skin, the pleasure he'd heard in her moan, and the taste of her creamy flesh.

That was what he was going to focus on. He was going to take a shower, go down and make some breakfast, and go back to that bed and enjoy the woman under the covers. Determination dictated his moves as he headed to the shower and turned the dial to the hottest water he could stand.

As quickly as he could manage it, he showered, and towel dried before turning to the clothes he'd discarded. In that moment, he really wished he'd thought to grab a change of underwear before taking a shower. With no hope for it, he pulled on his t-shirt and replaced the mask. Wrapping the towel around his trim waist, he tucked the corner in tight as he turned to the door.

Bella came awake as the weight on the bed shifted. Lying still and keeping her breathing steady proved to be a challenge as she watched him through the veil of her lashes. From this vantage point all she really saw was the curve of his backside as he stooped to retrieve his shirt, which he pulled over his torso, effectively concealing him from her.

Bella felt her brow grow tight as she considered his hasty withdrawal. Then, of course, there was the way he'd turned the light out before he'd removed his clothes last night. Contemplating this simple fact, she forced herself to relax until he disappeared into the bathroom, her keen senses noted the door closing and the click of the lock. Slowly, she pushed herself into a sitting position, holding the sheet up to cover her naked breasts.

Things were happening so fast. So many different things. Being chased through town by people she didn't know, nearly kidnapped, saved within seconds of capture. Edward's nightmares… the way he'd flinched from her touch while still deep in the throes of said terrors. Her very first ever sexual experience, which had surpassed her fantasies, by leaps and bounds. Yet he seemed to be still hiding from her.

Was it possible the scars extended further than his face? How had he obtained the scars? At first, she'd thought they'd come from a car accident. Then, maybe a terrible fall, possibly a fire… Yet if any of those were a possibility, why would he keep it such a secret from her?

Normally, she would let his secrets be his secrets, but there was just one small, little problem. The more she talked to him, the more time she spent with him, every single time he saved her, she felt herself losing just a little more of herself. She was right there on the edge. Just a tiny push and she'd go right over the top.

What happened when she fell in love with him? Hell, she was halfway there already.

Staring at the rose on his bookshelf, she gnawed her bottom lip as she considered her options. She should protect herself from the dangers of loving a man with so many secrets, yet the thought of giving up so soon, just didn't seem right. The thought of walking away from him left a hollow ache where her heart laid. Everything was so new… She just needed to give him the space to learn to trust her… love her back…

What if he never did?

As the thought tickled her mind, there was a knock on the door, and Rosalie stepped into the room holding her phone. Instantly alert to Bella's disheveled state, her blond brow shot up with question, even as a naughty light entered her gaze. She didn't say a word however, holding the phone out to her, she said, "It's the officer from last night. He's had some news."

Bella could tell by the wicked light in Rosalie's eyes there would be questions aplenty to answer later. Doing her best to ignore her flickering, suggestive brows, she held to sheet tight to her chest as she reached for the phone. "Ah, hello…"

"Bella, this is Sam Uley with the Clallam County Sheriff's Office. I spoke with you last night about your near abduction."

Nervously, Bella licked her lips as she listened to his concerned tone, barely noticing when the bathroom door opened, and Edward stepped into the room. "Yes, I remember."

"I put out an APB about the description of the vehicle and the assailants last night as soon as I came back to the office. While there have not been any arrests as of yet, there has been a promising lead near Seattle this morning."

"Okay, so what does that mean?" Bella felt the bed beside her shift under Edward's weight as he sat next to her. Comforted by the feel of his hand on her back, she tilted her chin toward him, noticing the intensity of his gaze.

"Well, from what we can tell, the preps have moved out of the area. That also means the incident wasn't isolated, and we have no reason to believe they will be back. Now, of course, when they are obtained, you will have to make an official report and decide if you would like to pursue the matter further. Which means you would have to participate in a line up, and possibly a trial."

"Okay," she replied with a shiver. The thought of facing the people who'd nearly kidnapped her was not remotely appealing.

"I will be in touch with any type of news, Miss Swan."

Bella didn't even bother saying goodbye, hitting the end button, she handed the phone back to Rosalie. "Apparently, there was a spotting of the vehicle close to Seattle. While they haven't made any arrest as of yet, they believe them to be out of the area at least."

She noticed the long, lingering look passing between Rosalie and Edward, but neither elaborated. When his fingertips tapped her hip, she lifted her gaze to his, the corner of his mouth lifting. "Why don't you go and take a shower and meet me downstairs in a half an hour?"

Rose shot them a quick look before leaving the room, pulling the door shut behind her, leaving them in silence. Bella couldn't help but notice Edward wore his t-shirt with a towel tightly wound around his waist. With a laugh, she tugged at the terrycloth, thrilled when the material loosened around his hips. "Outfit of the century."

"Keep playing and we may not leave this room," he warned, shifting back on his heels. Going to his dresser drawer, he dug inside for fresh boxers, as he threw a glance over his shoulder. "Go on… take a shower… I have a surprise for you."

Bella climbed from the bed, wrapping the sheet around her, she crossed the room, stopping inches behind him. Her ams wound around him, liking the way he leaned into her body, she kissed his shoulder. "I like surprises."

She felt a husky sigh leave his chest, his body going still in her arms before he slowly turned to face her, his mouth hovering above hers. "Baby, if you don't go get in that shower… you are about to get one hell of a surprise."

A giggle left her throat when she felt him grow hard against her. Wrinkling her nose, her voice dropped seductively, "Hmmm… Is it long? Big? Hard?"

"Oh, it's all of that," he promised, flexing his hips, pushing his length into her. Somehow, he pressed a kiss to her lips, his tongue sneaking a taste of her before, he pulled back with a growl curling his lip. "Go, Bella."

She let her hand drop between them, her fingers caressing his shaft through the towel, then with a tip of her chin, she released him. "Fine."

"Witch." Intently, he watched her drop the sheet covering her form from his view. Perky, rose colored nipples hardened under his gaze, causing his mouth to water. His groan filled the room when she bent over in front of him to retrieve her clothes from the night before. With an iron will he turned away and headed to his closet. Pulling a pair of neatly folded pants from the hanger, he said, "Where are you going?"

Bella finished dressing and turned to the door. "I need to run down and get a fresh outfit. I'd hate putting on dirty clothes after taking a shower."

"Hurry up, woman." For the first in too long, he wanted to spend the day with someone and share part of his world with her. The part that wasn't so dreary. Excitement filled his chest at the thought of this new lease on life.

Bella stuck her tongue out at him before heading for the door. Her nerves were still a little fried considering her recent encounter, but she was trying her best to shake off the last remnants of nearly being kidnapped. Blowing a deep breath, she jogged down the stairs, and turned to the basement. Flicking on the light to the staircase, she descended into the lower part of the house, and instantly, her sensibilities were on high alert.

Nervously, her gaze shot to the line of windows leading to the outside. The hairs on her arms and nape stood on end. She had this insane feeling of being watched. Ignoring the jitters screaming at her with an extraordinary intensity, she forced herself to the bedroom she rented from the Cullens.

Her attention went straight to the window hidden by the heavy drapes. Bella felt her sixth sense awaken as she stared at the drapes. She had this premonition if she just pulled the drape to the side, she'd find someone on the other side. Shaking off this crazy feeling, she briskly walked to the dresser and collected a set of clothes.

Sorting through her t-shirts and jeans, she suddenly wished she had a better selection of clothes, as she settled for plain jeans and a Nirvana t-shirt. Gathering her shampoo and conditioner, she turned to leave her room, casting a final glance toward the window. "You're going crazy, Bella… Officially, fucking crazy."

She pulled the door closed behind her and forced a calm she really, really didn't feel as she crossed the living space. She'd just about made it to the staircase when a movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention. Her entire body quivered when she chanced a look in that direction. When a rabbit hopped into view, she could have just collapsed into a heap, a whoosh of breath leaving her lungs.

"Damn it, Bella. Get it together." Giving herself a pep talk, she squished to insane need to run up the stairs and hide somewhere. Instead, she forced herself to walk slowly as she climbed the stairs. Reaching the top step, she turned the light off, her nerves still on edge the entire way. Hearing a noise in the kitchen, she looked around the corner, spotting Rose. "Hey… um… I just wanted to thank you for everything you guys did last night. If you hadn't been there…"

Bella didn't even want to speculate about what would've happened if they hadn't been there. Coming to stand in the kitchen, she leaned her hip against the counter, Rosalie stopped preparing the sandwiches she was putting together, her blue eyes meeting Bella's. "You're with Edward now… which is kind of a miracle, at least, I think you are together. Right?"

"There's been no actual discussion," Bella shrugged, not really knowing how to answer her question. If she were considering the night they'd shared, she would agree with Rose, but until the words came from Edward, she found herself hesitant to say.

"Well, from what I can tell you guys are together. That kind of makes you family," Rose smiled, her attention going to the food before her. "You do like egg salad, right?"

Bella couldn't deny the pleasure Rose's words gave her. Nodding, she glanced at the sandwich on the counter. "Yeah… Are you making me food? You don't have to do that."

"Actually, Edward asked me to put together a picnic… but I think, that was supposed to be a surprise," Rosalie grimaced as she went back to the task at hand. "You guys are super cute, by the way."

"A picnic? It's okay… I won't tell him." Bella bit her lip at the idea. She virtually glowed as she left the kitchen and returned upstairs. She was disappointed when she found the bedroom and bathroom empty. Briefly, she wondered where he'd went, but she headed to the shower instead.

An hour later, Bella was freshly showered and dressed. Edward still hadn't returned to the bedroom, and after brushing her hair, she left the room intent on finding him. She'd just stepped into the foyer when a revving engine caught her attention. Glancing out the side window next to the front door, she saw Edward sitting on the Kawasaki from the night before.

"I believe, he's waiting for you."

Bella looked over her shoulder to find Emmett and Rosalie smiling back at her. Suddenly, she felt like a teenager again, going on her first date. Giddiness filled her as her fingers closed around the knob of the front door and stepped outside.

Squinting at the glare of the sun brightly shining overhead, Bella started down the walk, watching as Edward fiddled with something. Finally, his head came up, and he turned toward her. A sweet smile pulled at his lips as he spotted her, his hand lifting, wiggling his fingers, he encouraged her to take it. "Let's go for a ride, Bella."

Bella took his hand, yelping in surprise when he pulled her to him, and dropped a kiss to her lips. Returning his kiss, her fingers to her free hand lifted, her fingers sifting through his hair. A tortured groan left her when he pulled back, grinning as his molten gaze left her shivering.

"Put this on." Edward offered Bella the silver helmet she'd seen Rose wear the night before. "Don't worry, we will get you, your own."

He laughed when she looked at the helmet as if it were going to bite her. Easily, he lifted it and placed it over her head, adjusting the covering down to her chin. Smiling, he flipped the visor up. "Comfortable?"

The helmet wasn't as bad as Bella would've guessed. The covering was surprisingly weightless. And when he suggested them getting her own, another crack split her heart, and she could feel it bleeding within her. She was going to fall head over heels for this man. Biting her lip, she nodded, "Yes."

"Good." Holding out a backpack to her, she instantly threw it over her shoulders, as he pulled his helmet on. Once he had it in place, he gestured to the back of the bike. "Get on, Bella… And hold on tight."

Sequel or No?

Please Review....