Sooo, three chapters in less than 24 hours! I am pretty chuffed with that, considering how tired I am. Lol!
Alright, this will be the last chapter for a few days. I will be working like crazy the coming week, and so I will not be having too much time on my hands, unfortunately.
Thank you your reviews! I appreciate them all!
Someone gave me this idea! Thank you Kouga's Older Woman for the suggestion!
During the afternoon Bella was on the phone with her father. They didn't talk for long, and there were a lot of awkward silences too. Aro gathered that Charlie wouldn't be home for a couple of more days. That suited him fine. He rather enjoyed staying with her, without having to sneak around. When she finished, she hung up and turned to him.
"He won't be home for a couple of days," she said, confirming what he already knew.
"Yes, I heard," Aro said, smirking.
Bella paused for a second, then shook her head.
"Of course you did, you creep," she muttered sardonically, smirking and turning away.
"I heard that too," he added darkly.
She turned back towards him and gave him an impish look.
"I know," she sniffed.
Aro smirked at her again, flashing his teeth at her.
"Soo, what am I going to do with you, all alone here?" He mused darkly, prowling closer to her.
She couldn't suppress a nervous laughter, as she watched him come closer.
He easily caught her in his arms, holding her close. He growled contentedly and leaning down, he kissed her passionately, his fingers coming into her hair.
He felt arousal rise up like an overflowing lake. She was lost in the kiss, but soon she placed a hand on his chest.
"I just realised," she said breathlessly.
"I haven't dreamed of you since…" she trailed off, blushing.
"Since we first made love?" He asked her gently.
She bit her lip, and nodded.
"Well, I am glad that we have solved that problem. I will miss hearing you moan my name in your sleep though," he said, smirking.
Bella gasped softly, and glowering at him in a mock sort of way, she raised her hand to slap him in the chest. He easily caught her arm, halting her movement.
"I would not do that if I were you," he said, a slight growl to his words.
She scowled.
"You are horrible!" She said.
"Yes, I know, but you love it," he said, kissing her wrist, reeling her in again for another deep kiss.
She complied, moaning softly, insinuating her fingers in his hair. He began to kiss her jaw and throat, making her moan deeply at the sensations.
He was nearly leaning her backwards in his passion, and she sighed, her hands on his shoulders.
"I should be doing my homework. And I need to call Mike to cancel my visit," she suddenly said, sighing discontentedly.
Aro froze.
"What a terrible way to kill the mood," he said, smirking.
She laughed.
"Sorry!"
He considered her for a long moment.
He would like to see this Mike. Well, there was most likely only one way to do that. A plan was forming in his mind.
"Alright," he said. "Then you should call Mike," he said, smiling innocently, allowing her to step back from their intertwined bodies.
The next day, Aro did not wait for Bella to come home. He had of course heard the entire conversation between her and the young man named Mike. He had been most reluctant to accept her cancelling on him. Aro had ground his teeth together as he listened. The frustration had welled up in him, and he had been most tempted to grab the phone from her and insinuate himself in the conversation. The boy needed to learn to respect a no. Aro intended to help him in that matter.
When he came to America and realised he would be staying here for some time, he had acquired a few items, including a place to stay and a black car, the newest model of Rolls Royce Ghost. He was thankful that he had no trouble acquiring money, their coven being exceptionally wealthy. Of course he could probably have stayed with the Cullens, but he didn't feel like having to defend his actions to a certain blond vixen. Having his own place was much more convenient. He had checked in at the Four Seasons hotel in Seattle, getting their penthouse apartment. Not that he spent much time there, it did take a couple of hours for him to get to and from the place to where Bella was, but still, it was great accommodation.
Aro had parked his car a few streets from Bella's house so as to not draw attention to his presence at her place. Now he went to get it. He had packed a few choice items. Fresh clothes among others. He had changed into a fine Italian suit, the dark, silken material settling smoothly onto his frame. Now he was ready to go pick up his young mate and he intended to make an impression.
Bella came out from class, squinting slightly, the overcast sky bright compared to the dank classroom. She had only just stepped out when she heard it.
"Bella! Hey, Bella! Wait up!" She gritted her teeth and turned around slowly. There he was; Mike, trying to get to her through the throng of students. She gave a resigned sigh.
"Sooo, any plans for today?" He asked vigorously.
"I really should be getting home," she began, frantically trying to find an excuse to get away from him.
"Let me walk you to your car, we wouldn't want you to risk another accident," he said, grinning at her, poking her on the arm. She nearly scowled. She wasn't that clumsy.
She kept silent as they went to her car. Mike prattled on, not even noticing her stony demeanour.
As they neared her truck, she glanced up, grateful to see the old piece of junk.
Then she halted in her tracks. Right beside her car, Aro stood leaning elegantly against a car that looked like it was built by NASA. He was dressed in a fine silken suit, his eyes intently on her. She noted they had turned black.
"Isabella," he said softly, smoothly stepping forward and hugging her gently, placing a single kiss upon her lips.
Beside her Mike gaped in unchallenged astonishment, his blue eyes flicking from Aro's expensive shoes to his car, a definite frown creasing his eyebrows. Bella was too shocked to react to anything, allowing Aro to press his icy lips to hers. As he withdrew from her, she stared up into his face blankly, before her visage slowly turned to a frown. Aro gave her a gentle smile, putting his arm around her shoulders.
"Who is your friend?" Aro asked her, peering at the blond young man in front of them.
"Aro, this is Mike, my classmate," she said perplexedly, her frown turning suspicious all of a sudden.
"What a pleasure to finally meet a friend of Isabella's," Aro said, extending his hand towards the boy.
Mike gulped slightly, cautiously extending a hand towards the intense dark stranger. He felt goosebumps as he looked into the black eyes. While not exactly unfriendly, there was a definite challenge in his gaze. His hand was deathly cold. Aro, smirked softly as he obtained what he needed in a single touch. He was too engrossed in coasting through the mind of this human, that he hadn't noticed when Bella stiffened.
She was casting nervous glances around, trying to see if others saw them. She suddenly felt grateful that she had parked almost as far away as possible.
She waited silently until Aro let go of Mike's hand.
"Well, my dear, we should be going. We have that table reserved," he said pleasantly to her.
Bella merely nodded, and glancing at Mike, she said;
"I'll see you tomorrow, Mike," and then she turned around, allowing Aro to graciously open the door for her.
Mike merely nodded dumbfounded. As she got in, she nearly got sidetracked by the car's interior design. It was ridiculously luxurious. It even had a starry ceiling. She scowled. Aro got in behind the wheel, and was soon driving expertly out from the parking lot. But not before she saw Jessica's astounded face as she noticed Bella in the front seat of the clearly expensive ride. Bella gave a sigh. Perfect.
She remained silent as she sat in her seat, not even watching where they were going.
"Is something the matter, my dear," Aro asked quietly.
Bella glanced at him. He looked so handsome she could just burst. She couldn't believe he was hers, and yet, she felt uneasy and she couldn't exactly explain why. Yet.
"I'm thinking," she finally managed.
Aro glanced at her. His eyes were crimson again.
"Would you like to share?" He asked softly.
Bella bit her lip, considering.
"What was that?" She finally asked, turning to him.
"What was what?" He seemed to be genuinely confused.
"That! Back there!" She exclaimed pointing to the back of the car, feeling annoyance rise up in her.
He glanced at her again. She sensed his momentary disquiet.
"I wanted to pick up my mate from school. Is that a crime?" He asked her, frowning.
"Don't give me that bullshit, Aro! You overstepped a boundary!" She snapped, glaring at his profile.
He drove on for a few moments.
"I was only trying to help you," he said softly.
"Help me? Why would you think I needed your help?" She asked forcefully.
He sighed deeply.
"That young man was not respecting you," he finally said darkly.
"So? I could have handled him, Aro! It is not your job to save me!" She was getting angrier by the moment.
"But it is!" he exclaimed softly.
"I have to keep you safe," he said, glancing at her.
"You are a magnet for danger," he added, smirking slightly.
"It isn't funny!" She exploded, making his smirk deflate.
She glared at him for a long moment.
"It wasn't about protecting me, was it?" She asked him finally.
Aro didn't answer. He stared out into the road, the dark green trees speeding past the car in what he imagined would be a blur to her human eyes.
"You were marking your territory," she noted, her scowl only deepening.
He gave another sigh.
"You were jealous of Mike, weren't you?" She pressed.
"I was not jealous," he said quietly.
"Sorry?" She asked, disbelief in her voice.
"I was genuinely trying to protect you. I thought that if he saw that you were… How shall I put it...? Taken, then he would leave you be," Aro explained.
Bella scowled at him.
"If I wanted you to do that, I would have said something. I could handle him, Aro! You can't just decide to intervene, because you get a little insecure," She said.
"I was not insecure," he protested darkly.
"Well, it certainly came off as that. You were marking your territory!" She repeated.
Aro gritted his teeth.
"Isabella, the boy is completely smitten with you. I saw it in his mind. He's obsessed. He has these fantasies of you. If someone didn't put him off, things could very well have turned more uncomfortable. Even dangerous," he added.
She considered him.
"Even so, you overstepped a boundary. I would have gotten through to him eventually."
"No, you would not, my dear," Aro glanced at her for the first time.
"He would have ended up hurting you. Boys like him, they do not do well with rejection," he explained gently.
"His encounter with me, shocked him enough to rethink his goals. The get-together last night," Aro added before she could interrupt him.
"It was not a get-together. He has been trying to get you on his own for a while. He planned on lying and say that you were the only one that came. He wanted to seduce you. Rather forcefully, I might add. He was growing desperate for your affection. At least he has been rendered harmless. For now." Aro finished talking.
Bella was silent. She stared out the window, thinking. Then she sighed.
"Fine. But I still maintain that you should have discussed the matter with me before just acting!" She said angrily.
Aro nodded.
"I understand," he said softly, glancing at her again.
"However, there will not always be time to consult you. If I sense a danger, I will act," he added.
Bella huffed softly, blowing out her cheeks. No matter his protests, she still thought he had acted jealously. She would get him to admit it eventually.
"What about my truck?" She finally asked.
"I'll ask Alice to pick it up. I would like to drive you to school tomorrow," he said.
"No! I will drive myself, thank you!" She said, anger flaring again.
"Alright," he submitted.
It wouldn't be long before she was finished with school. Then she would be his.
"Where did you get this car?" She asked after another long silence.
"I bought it," he answered placidly.
"I guess I should have guessed," she huffed.
"Well, I needed transport. I have a suite at the Four Seasons hotel. A car is much more convenient," he explained.
"I get the idea," she said glumly.
"Are you still angry with me?" He asked her, frowning.
"Yes."
He sighed.
"Listen, I am sorry, mia cara, but I was truly only trying to protect you," he said.
"You were jealous too. You just don't want to admit it," she countered.
Aro glanced at her again. He suddenly sensed more than saw it. He hit the brakes hard, the car lost speed fast and Bella was flung forward in her seat, the seatbelt catching her painfully, forcing the air from her lungs.
Aro turned the wheel hard, expertly managing to avoid the tree that had fallen across the road. The car flew out onto the shoulder, bumping and scraping as it crunched across the tip of the tree's branches. He maneuvered the car back onto the road, having it almost complete a circle, suddenly facing the trunk on the other side. The car came to an abrupt halt and Bella gave a pained gasp, barely registering what had happened.
Without a word, Aro was out the door, hastily assessing the surroundings. He had been certain he had seen it, but there was nothing. The air was silent. He took a deep breath, trying to get any whiff of what he had seen.
But there was nothing. The trees were green without the slightest hint of orangy-red hair.
Sorry for the cliffie. I know! It just hit me as a sudden inspiration, and suddenly it could be no other way. I hope you can forgive me!
Let me know what you think!
-Pancakes