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Chapter 6

Emmett's POV

"I love you, Bells," I whispered against her amazingly soft, warm lips.

Damn you, Edward. I wasn't entirely sure that the family meeting happening right now was Edward's fault - but I had a pretty good idea. Even though I knew I'd be back relatively soon, I couldn't move. It felt like I was tethered here - my body couldn't even fathom being away from this beautiful woman. I had to physically force myself to turn around and start the run back to the house.

While I ran, I went through everything that had happened in my head. Replayed every word, every sigh, and every moan Bella had made on the forest floor. She loves me, I was still in shock, she loves me and actually wants to be with me.

When I got to the house, everyone was waiting for me in the dining room. I'd already put my mental guard of outward thoughts up, but I almost lost it when I saw the seating arrangements. Edward had sat at the far left of the long table. Alice was opposite him on the far right, with Jasper sitting on her left. He was pushing out a very strong sense of calm to everyone. Carlisle and Esme were at the center.

Great, it's going to be one of those family meetings.

I sighed audibly - which earned me a concerned glance from Esme. I wasn't ready to deal with whatever this was. I wanted to turn around and run straight back Bella. I wished she could be here with me. I couldn't wait until she was a vampire and could always be with me.

I took the seat to Alice's right.

I wasn't sure exactly what was going on here, but I did know that - no matter the issue - I would be against Edward.

"Thank you for finally gracing us with your presence," Edward said in a sickly sweet tone.

Give it a break, I let my thoughts leak through to him, can't you see how tired everyone is of you?

He growled at me from across the table.

"None of that, please," Esme was looking from me to Edward, "Emmett, share your thoughts out loud - that goes for everyone. Edward, do try to calm down. We're a family. We will remain a family no matter what is happening between you two."

"You're right, sorry Esme," Edward inhaled to continue speaking and abruptly froze.

After only a fraction of a second, he hissed at me and lunged forward.

I wasn't afraid. I knew that if it came to it, I was more than capable of taking my brother down. I'd become good enough at concealing my thoughts that his mind reading was no longer an advantage for him. I rose to my feet and braced myself for his impact.

"Enough." Carlisle jumped in front of me and caught Edward's arm. "I do not want to force you to be civil, son, but I will."

Edward held Carlisle's gaze for a long moment, then nodded. Carlisle loosened his grip and we all sat back down. Edward was glaring daggers at me.

Psycho much? I couldn't help pushing his buttons a little.

He growled again, but didn't move.

"Why do you smell so much like her?" He asked me through gritted teeth.

I shrugged, feigning innocence, "I had to go give her my gift."

"What was it?"

Baseball, baseball, baseball, I thought outwardly while images of Bella wearing my family Claddagh ring flashed through my head.

Was it time to finally come clean with him? After this, I really don't plan on ever being away from Bella. But - if these last few months had taught me anything - every conversation has a time and place. Was it really time for this one?

I looked to Alice. A little help here please? If only she was the mind reader

Thankfully, she could tell what I was trying to ask her, "Go ahead, Em. It's time."

I let out an unnecessary breath, now grateful for the first time that Bella wasn't here. I didn't want her anywhere near the crosshairs of this inevitable confrontation. Come to think of it, this is probably why Alice had me meet Bella in the woods instead of just talking to her here.

"Well then, now that you have permission," Edward's voice was full of threats, "what gift did you give to my Bella?"

I laughed so hard I actually snorted. He couldn't be serious.

"Your Bella? In case you didn't notice - she dumped you."

His eyes tightened, "We'll work it out. I was too impulsive tonight. I should have known Bella would never have accepted a ring at such a young age. She's too stubborn about things like that."

This wasn't the way to do this - I knew that. I shouldn't be petty. I should try to empathize with my brother. He had lost the most amazing girl ever, after all. I should try to break my news to him in a more compassionate way like Carlisle would want. I knew that I should try to be the bigger person, but I couldn't stop myself from letting my next words escape my mouth.

"She accepted my ring."

I let him see my memory of the moment I slid it onto Bella's ring finger. I hoped he could see how genuinely happy she was. Her eyes were still glistening with the tears that had been her initial response, but that didn't take away from her expression. If anything, it only made her look more beautiful.

I expected to be attacked, or at the very least yelled at, but Edward was quiet as he took in the memory.

Maybe this won't be so bad? Maybe all Edward really needed was to actually see how much I cared about Bella in order to accept it. I thought outwardly about how much I loved her, let him see her reaction to my confession earlier that night. It was impossible to deny how right we were together.

"She… She said…" Edward's eyes were glazed over as he absorbed my thoughts.

"She loves me, too. She has loved me for just as long as I've loved her. It was always supposed to be us."

The table cracked underneath the rigid hold Edward had on the corners.

Shit, I'll have to make Esme a new one.

"You and Bella?" Esme, not at all concerned with her table, was staring at me with a betrayed look, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to - I really did - but Carlisle and Al-"

"You knew?"

She cut me off to accuse Carlisle. He and Alice rushed to defend themselves.

I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I didn't have to lie anymore. I could be open and honest with my family about the girl who meant more to me than my whole life - hell, even more than their lives. I smiled as I let go of my mental guard. It would be such a relief to not have to keep two streams of thought going day in and day out.

I can't wait to see Bella.

I was already anxious to get back to her. To hold her crazy soft body against mine. To hear her heartbeat get faster with every kiss I was planning on smothering her memory of her moaning my name flashed through my head and I couldn't hold back the giant smile that took over my face.

"No!"

Edward lunged for me again.

Both Carlisle and Jasper moved to stop him, but they weren't quick enough. I instinctively jumped up to meet him in the air. My hand wrapped easily around his throat and I pinned him down to the table. It fully broke in half under the force of our impact.

"I don't want to fight you, brother."

We both know I would win, anyway.

He clawed at my chest and arms in an attempt to break free, but I had a solid hold on him. He wasn't strong enough to take me on. Plus, all I really had to do was tighten my grip and I could rip his head clean off.

"She… H-hurt… Y - you can't!"

"Can't what?" I was pretty sure I knew what this latest outburst was about. I let out a growl and pushed slightly harder on his throat, just enough so that he wouldn't be able to interrupt me, "Can't physically be with Bella just because you aren't capable of controlling yourself? Well guess what - I don't have that problem. I would never hurt her. When I smell her, I don't want to bite her. All I want is to kiss her. And when I kiss her… Well…"

I thought about how her incredibly soft hips felt when pushing against mine. How erratic her heartbeat became when I kissed her thighs. How mouthwatering she smelled when she was aroused. How incredibly delicious that arousal tasted.

Fuck, she's so sweet. I can still taste her.

Edward tried to throw me off, but I barely even noticed his efforts.

"I'm going to say this out loud so that everyone knows exactly where I stand: I am in love with Bella. We're exactly right for each other. I don't care that you can't read her mind or that she's your singer or any of that bullshit. She's my soulmate and she is going to be my mate. There is not a damn thing you can do about it."

I flexed my arm slightly - just enough to see some genuine fear in his eyes - then let go. I turned to the rest of my family and raised my hands apologetically. They were all looking at Edward with pity.

"I'm sorry about the table," I hung my head slightly when I looked into Esme's compassionate eyes.

"Don't worry about it," she winked at me, "you can make me a new one."

"I'm gonna head back to Bella's. I'll bring her by the house after school tomorrow."

"Wait!"

I was halfway out the back windows when Alice's high pitched squealing stopped me.

"What's wrong?"

"Look at yourself! You can't go out like that."

I looked down to see that my shirt had been torn to pieces. Fucking Edward.

He growled from his spot on the dining room floor. Carlisle was trying to coax him up, but he wouldn't budge. I thought you considered yourself the mature one. It's over. Move on.

I didn't stick around for him to answer. Instead, I ran upstairs, threw on some new clothes, then bolted out the door. The fresh air cleared my head and my body came alive with every inch closer I got to Bella.

Now that I was away from him, I did feel pretty bad for how I handled that with Edward. Maybe I should have tried to be calmer and more understanding of how hurt he probably was. But, on the other hand, it's hard to maintain empathy when you're being attacked.

"Mmm…"

Bella.

I was down the street from her house when I heard her moan. It was a tantalizingly beautiful sound. Why is she moaning? Is she thinking about me? This was one of the rare times I wished I had Edward's gift - if it would work on her, that is - because I would do anything to know what was going through Bella's mind right now.

A second later, I jumped up, swung on a tree branch to angle myself, and eased through her open second story window.

Oh my fucking fuck.

The sight before me was straight out of a fantasy. At least, it was something I'd fantasized about many times. I'd thought that my imagination was pretty good, but looking at the gorgeous creature before me I knew I hadn't even come close to creating this kind of perfection.

Bella was laying on her bed wearing a dark red nightgown that made her skin appear the most delicious shade of cream I've ever seen. Even though her eyes were closed, her face was full of lust as her hands slowly massaged down her body. She let out another moan when her fingers finally slid into her black panties. My body filled with an intense longing. If it weren't for my promise to let her get her bearings, I would have taken her that very moment.

"Oh my God, Bella. You're fucking mouthwatering."

"Emmett?!"

Her scream was so loud I'm sure she woke her neighbors. I tensed to hide, but I didn't hear her father in the house. I'm sure he already would have barreled through her door if he was home.

I worked to suppress a laugh as I raised my hands to apologize. She was so easy to startle.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you… I really liked where that was headed."

"How long were you there?!"

Why is she so upset? It's not like I'd been standing in the dark waiting to spy on her.

Oh. Shit that's right.

I'd probably reminded her of how big of a creep Edward had been when they first met. I couldn't believe it when Alice told me he'd basically turned into a stalker. A surge of anger ran throughout my body when I thought about him watching her from the shadows night after night when she thought she was alone. She must have felt so violated when she found out.

I'll make sure she never feels that way again.

"I'd literally just arrived - I swear."

Cautiously, I crossed her small room so I could look deep into her chocolate eyes. She was so beautiful in the moonlight. Her face was flushed from me frightening her. I couldn't stop myself from touching the spot where the blood was most prominent under her cheek.

I followed the blood flow with my fingers. It passed through her neck, shoulder, and arm before finally reaching her fingertips. I took her hand in mine and brought it up so I could kiss each of her knuckles.

"I'm sorry I scared you, Bells. Really."

"It's okay. I was just… Uh…" She blushed again and her breathing became shallow. The movement brought my attention back to how perfectly the outfit was framing her delicate body. God, I want her. "I really wish you hadn't seen that."

"Why not?" She couldn't actually be embarrassed, could she? I'd make sure she wasn't. "It was sexy. You are sexy, Bella."

To make sure she understood the maddening power her body had over me, I took my time to kiss a trail all the way up her arm to the back of her neck. She was so warm and smelled so good. Too good. Pacing myself with her was going to be difficult.

"And this," I pulled at the bottom of her nightgown, wishing I could tear it off and see everything it blocked from my view, "makes you look downright dangerous."

I'd thought I was being seductive - or charming at the very least - but she knocked that idea right out of my head with the fit of laughter she suddenly burst into.

That's what you get for being cocky. Idiot.

Well, I wasn't going to give up that easily. I pulled away from her neck so I could look into her eyes and put on my most fervent face. She finally stopped laughing.

"I'm serious. You're dangerous."

"Yeah yeah," she rolled her eyes at me. "How could you - an all powerful vampire - ever think I was dangerous?"

How is it that she doesn't know how easily she could destroy me?

"Because…" I wrapped my arms around her and playfully leapt onto her bed. Her body felt so good against mine. It was so warm. And the smell coming from between her legs... Fuck. "I love you. So much more than I have ever loved anything in my life. I would do absolutely anything you wanted me to. I'd fling myself off a cliff or into a burning building if it meant I got to see you smile. I am all yours, Bells. I seriously belong to you. You're the powerful one in my eyes."

I massaged the back of her thighs while I spoke, loving the way her heartbeat was steadily picking up it's pace. I loved that I could get that reaction from her. That her body responded to me that much.

I need her to be closer.

As if reading my mind, she locked her legs around my waist. I pushed my hips carefully into hers and shifted my weight to my knees. My hands gripped her thighs to pull her closer, but I reminded myself that I had to be patient.

Not yet. Wait until she's ready. Go as slow as she needs you to.

"You got it wrong, though," her strawberry and jasmine scent surrounded me as she spoke. She left a trail of fire on my skin with her fingertips. "I'm the one that belongs to you. I love you more than I ever thought was possible. For months, I've spent every single night dreaming about you. You have me completely. Emmett, I w-"

I wanted to hear what else she had to say, I really did, but the sound of my name on her lips was too much for me to maintain control. I had to kiss her. I had to taste her. I needed her to feel how agonizingly happy she made me. I needed us to become one - even if we wouldn't fully be able to experience that for a while. I poured every bit of myself that I could into our kiss.

She pulled away to breath, but I remembered to expect that this time. I moved my lips down to her chest in an attempt to devour every part of her I could. I wanted more. Needed more.

"Em, I - Oh!"

I'd risked pulling down the almost nonexistent materials that had been hiding her right breast. I couldn't entirely suppress the rolling rumble of desire that filled my chest. Gently, I swirled my tongue around her nipple then took it in my mouth to suck on it.

The gasp I earned for that spurred me on further. My hand found its way to her panties. I grinned when I felt how wet she was for me and began eagerly rubbing her clit, hoping to earn more of her delicious moans.

"Oh my… Emmett!"

Go slow, I reminded myself, don't overwhelm her.

With an internal groan, I released her heavenly nipple and slowed my fingers.

"I love the way you say my name," I gave her a quick peck in an effort to control myself, "I'm not exactly sure where the line is, so just stop me if it's too much. Okay?"

"No, I… I don't want you to stop. At all."

Fuck. Does she mean it?

Despite the overpowering wave of lust that crashed through my body, I became still. Even as a low growl came from my chest, I stopped touching her. She wanted me - or at least her body did - I could smell that. But was she really ready? It hadn't even been two hours since she'd stopped me from having sex with her in the woods. Could she have changed her mind that quickly? Or is she caught up in the moment and her body is convincing her she wants it when she really doesn't? Would she regret it if we didn't wait longer? Would she resent me? Or am I overthinking the whole situation and need to just go for it?

What's the right thing to do here? Fuck.

"Bells," I tried my best to hide my internal panic, "I don't have any expectations of you or anything like that. I told you we can take all the time we need and I meant it. I'd wait centuries for you if that's what you wanted. I don't want to pressure you at all."

"As much as I appreciate your chivalry, Em," she paused to kiss me, "it's really not necessary. I'm not feeling even a tiny bit pressured. I just want you - and I don't want to wait."

I kissed her with as much force as I dared. Barely able to contain the lust that was invading my entire body. My hands finally roamed free over her delicate flesh - memorizing each and every curve.

More. I need more.

I tore the nightgown from her, earning a sharp gasp from her perfect lips, and growled again at seeing her almost naked body. The thin black lace held barely anything from my view. She was breathtaking.

Bella pulled at my shirt. I sat up to take it off and was rewarded with the palpable lust that was emanating from her eyes. Her mouth parted slightly as she ran her too soft fingers down my stomach. The heat radiating off of them felt like fire.

She brought her lips to my chest and it was my turn to moan. With each kiss the maddening desire to take her threatened to overwhelm me. My body was screaming at me to do it. To encase myself in her and claim her as my lover. My soulmate.

When she started fumbling with my jeans, I grabbed her hands in mine. I needed to be absolutely sure she wanted this right now - that it wasn't just lust. I needed to know that she trusted me enough to take her virginity. If she did, then I'd be able to have that same trust in myself.

"You're sure?"

"Yes. Em… I want you to make love to me."

Before I could even react to the elation boiling within me, a sound like a tree being split in half came from outside.

"What was - Emmett?!"

I knew it was him from the overly sweet honey scent that filled my nostrils before I even felt the impact.

Edward?! What the hell?

My instincts took over as I grabbed his shoulders and threw him into the wall farthest from Bella. How could he risk attacking me so close to her? Didn't he realize how much more dangerous that was? Especially when his goal in stopping me was supposedly to keep her safe.

He lunged for me again, this time his teeth were bared. I ducked right as he went for my throat. In the same movement, I spun around to sweep his legs. I caught him by the neck before he could hit the floor and slammed his body against the wall.

The wild look in his eyes was animalistic - and almost rabid. At this moment I couldn't see my brother in him. All I saw was a threat to me and my mate. A threat that needed to be taken out.

I tightened my grip on his throat until I saw the cracks showing in his skin. I hadn't dared go this far in front of Esme, but clearly the message didn't sink in before. He looked shocked - maybe even frightened - that I was using this much strength against him.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

He tried to speak, but only a weird scratching sound came out. He clawed at my hand in an attempt to loosen my hold on him. I didn't budge. I was all too aware of Bella standing next to me. I didn't think he would hurt her, but I didn't want to let my guard down only for him to prove me wrong.

"What the fuck, Edward?" Bella was fuming. This was the first time I'd ever seen her truly angry. I don't think I'd ever even heard her swear before. "Why are you here? Are you really spying on me again?!Don't you realize how horrible that is? How creepy it is?"

"B - Be - B -"

Cat got your tongue?

"Should I let him speak?" I tried hard to keep my voice steady - purely for Bella's benefit.

"Yes, just hold on a second," she disappeared behind me for a short moment, then came back wearing a dark blue robe and holding her cell phone, "I'm texting Alice to ask for help. Do you think she saw this? I really hope not. Oh - she already responded saying it was too late to stop. Jasper and Carlisle are on their way."

She put her phone down and leaned against my free arm. I could feel the intensely fearful pace of her heart start to slow. I pulled her closer against my side to try and reassure her that I had this situation under control, but didn't take my eyes off of Edward long enough to see if it helped.

I let my fingers loosen just slightly so he could speak. One wrong move - or word - and I would still be able to take his head off. It wouldn't kill him, not without a fire, but it would be agonizingly painful.

Maybe I should do it for fun.

Part of me wanted to provoke him into attacking again. If he did, I wouldn't feel even the slightest bit guilty for ripping each and every limb from his body. He'd seemed to calm a bit though as he realized that there was no way to overpower me.

His eyes were focused solely on Bella.

"Bella, love, I… I know you're mad at me, but that is no reason to go and risk your life in such a disastrous way. No matter what you think you feel for him - no matter how strong he believes himself to be - it is not worth the risk. You would die - and for what? So that you could satisfy your hormones? Human lust is nothing worth dying over. The entire idea of what you were about to do is utterly absurd."

I couldn't contain the growl that had been building deep within my chest as he ranted. He knew I didn't have even the slightest bit of bloodlust for her. He knew. Did he think I couldn't control my strength? That I would forget myself and hold her too tight?

No, this was about his ego. Pure and simple. He couldn't stand the fact that Bella wanted me just as much as I wanted her. That she wanted to give herself to me. That I would know her in a way he never could.

"Give your jealous ex routine a fucking break already." I spat at him, "You know that I won't hurt her. Are you really so narcissistic that you can't see how totally we complete each other? Are you really so selfish that you would rather she was miserable with you than happy with me?"

You fucking psycho.

He ignored me, "Bella - please, let's go somewhere alone to talk. We can go to our meadow… I can make you see that you still love me. That you still want me. Please let me try, love. Please."

Bella's voice, though soft, was firm as she spoke, "Edward, no. Just… no. I am not in love with you. Why can't you understand that? I don't want to hurt you more, but I know for sure now that I was never really in love with you at all. What I felt for you was nothing, not even an infinitesimal fraction, compared to what I feel for Emmett. It's not my human hormones or lust or anything like that at all. He is my soulmate. I can feel that truth all around me - in my bones, even. He is the only person I want. The only person I will ever want. Please accept that. Please - just let me go."

He slumped against the wall, but I didn't release him. Not yet. Not until I saw the fight fully drain from his eyes.

"I - okay… Okay." He brought his gaze to meet mine. There wasn't any hint of a challenge left in it. "I'm sorry I doubted you. I… I suppose I didn't want to see it."

"I understand, I guess, but I don't forgive you."

Not when you attacked me so close to her. You might have killed her yourself tonight if I hadn't sensed you coming.

Carlisle and Jasper silently entered through the window and took hold of his arms. I let go of his neck and wrapped myself protectively around Bella. His head hung down in shame, bronze hair falling over his face.

"Please," he pulled at his arms, "it's not necessary. I'm leaving."

They both let him go, but Jasper remained tense - prepared for action. Always the soldier… And probably sensing Edward's inner turmoil and not trusting it.

"Where will you go?" Carlisle's voice was pained, but sympathetic.

Edward shrugged, "It's been a long while since I've gone North. Maybe I'll catch up with Rosalie."

"Please say goodbye to Esme first. She'll hate to see you go."

Edward nodded and followed Carlisle to the window - Jasper flanking close behind.

He paused just before leaving, "Take care of her, brother. Keep her happy. Safe."

I will, I promised. Forever.

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