Chapter Seventeen
Edward somehow kept himself under some control while Bella worked, barely containing the desire to taste her while completing his fitting. They were both ready and willing to explore a little, but a call soon put a stop to it all.
His mother was calling, and with his grandfather ill, it wasn't something he could ignore.
He spoke quietly to his mother as Bella worked on the costumes that needed only the slightest of adjustments, since most were a perfect fit. Through desire-heavy eyes, he watched her, wondering how he managed not to tear their clothes off during the last two hours. Not an easy feat, by any means.
While he listened to his mother, Bella flashed a worried glance every time he would run his hand through his hair. It was his tell when he was nervous or scared, and something she already recognized.
After deciding it was best to go home to his family, Edward ended the call and reached for her, and without a word, she came into his arms willingly.
"I need to go back home for a few days."
She hummed against his chest, looking up at him, concern warming her eyes more than ever. "I figured as much, they need you."
"I'll send over the key and address for my buddy's place in San Diego with Jake. I'll meet you there, then we'll get dressed up for our trip to the hotel to drop off our things."
"Let me know if something changes."
He nodded, brushing his lips against hers. "If it wasn't an emergency, you know I'd drive down there with you. Right?"
"Of course, though now I'm worried about how you'll get down to San Diego without someone seeing you." She tugged gently on the back of his hair, brushing her lips gently over his mouth. "And if you'll be okay."
"My grandfather is stubborn and a fighter. If he ain't ready to leave, he'll come back to us, to Nana." He explained that a bad cold quickly turned to bronchitis, and how the hard coughing caused a malfunction with his pace maker. He was breathing on his own; a good sign.
She walked him through her house to the front door, where his buddy, Garrett was waiting for him in the driveway. A quick introduction was all they could afford, since a private plane was already waiting for Edward at the airport, thanks to his family.
Edward felt her gaze follow him down the driveway, and though he hated the look of concern in her eyes, it also felt oddly comforting. He shook his head, glancing over her shoulder to find her still watching him. She gave him a small wave and a smile. He knew right then, she would miss him. Another strange, but comforting fact he'd have to get used to.
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Omg! He's so cute, tell him I said hello please – Bella
Edward couldn't help but laugh, showing his gramps Bella's reaction to the selfie he sent her. The old man squinted at the screen of his phone, even though Edward had increased the font size. He wasn't a stickler for using his glasses, usually avoiding it as much as possible.
Edward and Bella had been exchanging messages all morning, almost a week after he arrived in Seattle. It wasn't long before fans and the paparazzi found out he was in Washington, annoying his parents' neighbors and dogs by showing up their house in the hopes to catch a story or picture for the last few days.
"Cute," his gramps grunted, his wispy white hair perfectly styled for the video call Edward had set up with Bella. "Let me have another look at her."
Edward shook his head, pulling up the picture Bella sent him of her, all smiles and a deceptively innocent look her eyes. There was just a hint of cleavage, but to be fair, she had no idea he would share the picture with his grandfather.
His gramps made a sound, grabbing his chest with his left hand. "If only I was thirty years younger."
Edward playfully growled, grumbling, "You'd still be old enough to be her grandfather." He typed out a message to Bella, unaware his grandfather was watching him closely.
Edward laughed at her response seconds later, his grandfather joining him. "Well, I'll be. About time someone touched your heart."
Edward's eyes snapped up, the organ in his chest beating a bit too hard and fast. It was a good thing he was in a hospital. His brain was still trying to make sense of the words his grandfather said aloud. It was something he often argued with himself about, if he could spare a moment of clarity.
"Calm down, boy." The old man rolled his eyes, but couldn't keep the smile off his face. "When you figure it out, it'll hit you so damn hard, it'll knock you off your feet."
"I—I…Figure out what?"
The old man lifted his withered hand up, slowly patting his only grandson's arm. "A beautiful woman like her wouldn't waste her morning with the likes of us unless she cared about you. Don't you worry, she'll be there to catch you."
Edward spaced out for a while, long enough for his parents to return with his nana in tow, having gone to lunch and to get some much-needed rest.
"Who's catching him?" Nana and Edward's mother, Esme, exchanged a look, each them grinning ear-to-ear. They noticed the subtle changes in Edward over the last week, but hadn't grilled him for information.
Kate, his baby sister at only twenty years old, looked up from her cell phone and giggled. "Isabella Swan, that's who."
How the fuck does she know?
Edward stood up abruptly. "There's too many of us in the room, they're going to kick us out."
He felt like caged animal, desperately looking for a way out. Acknowledging his feelings for Bella was one thing; sharing her with his family when he barely had a chance to enjoy more than a couple of handful of hours with her, was something else.
"Come on, Eddie," Kate teased, thumbs flying over her phone's screen. "Did you think Garrett wouldn't share that kind of information with me?" She batted her lashes at him, winking.
Not wanting to talk about his new relationship, he focused on Kate. He knew his friends were asking about his baby sister too much. "What are you doing talking to them anyway?"
She grinned. "You probably don't want to know the answer to that."
Carlisle, Edward's father, rolled his eyes, much like his grandfather. "Let him be, everyone. When he's ready for us to meet her, we will." Turning to his daughter, he leveled her a glare. "Now, onto this Garrett business."
Edward blew out a breath, thankful for the change of subject, but it wasn't enough. "I need some air." He walked out of the large, private hospital room he insisted on his grandfather having, and into the not so private hallway. The extra security he hired to keep the paps away were posted on each end. They each gave him a wave, one of them pointing to the stairway leading up to the roof. He used the escape route a few times to get some privacy, something he needed now more than ever.
It was hotter than usual, sun beating down on his forehead and the back of his neck. He had to call Bella, but with everything his family said downstairs, he was worried. Was he too attached already? The physical part always came easy; it was the emotional aspect that was never something he really wanted with anyone, until Bella.
It just wasn't so easy to admit to his family and maybe himself.
He was scared, fearing the future, and for good reasons. Hollywood was hardly known for long lasting, loving relationships. Losing Bella now would undoubtedly hurt, but if it happened later, months, years down the road, could he handle the crushing pain?
The cynical part of him said the pain could be channeled into his performances, maybe even win him a few awards. It was what most did in his world. The other side told him he'd never truly survive it. He'd drown in alcohol and drugs, work himself to the point that he'd burn out or end up in rehab.
His phone vibrated in his hand, a message from Bella. Jake dropped off the key to the house. I feel like such a selfish bitch, but I really hope I'll see you there tomorrow.
He wasn't quite ready to promise her anything, though his fingers itched to do just that. Instead, he said he'd video call her soon; he had promised his grandfather, after all.
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Bella stretched her arms overhead, sighing as her muscles protested after being cooped up in the car. Between working on last minute touches to not only her and Edward's costumes, but several projects that also needed her attention. She had stayed up all night to work on them, barely managing to get a few hours of sleep before she packed everything she needed for the trip.
The sun was slightly hidden by a bank of clouds, but wouldn't disappear for long. There was so much to do before she had to set out for the hotel. Edward had yet to confirm his flight information, only stating that he was doing what he could to get there on time.
Dylan Redding, a fellow actor who also worked on The Dark Files with Edward, sent Jake over with the key to the house, and a care package the day before. Inside the box was a six pack of Edward's favorite lager, some chocolate covered strawberries, a huge box of condoms, and a set of instructions for the house, and some tips to get under Edward's skin.
Dylan also left his phone number. Apparently, he'd looked her up online and liked what he saw. She pulled it up on her cell phone, smiling when he immediately answered. "I'm here and I see you decorated."
On the front door was sign that said WELCOME in big bold letters, and just under that was another sign. If the house is a rockin', don't come a knockin'.
The southern accent Dylan worked hard to cover in the show was deeper than she'd ever heard it. "I thought you'd appreciate a warm welcome and the other one works as a 'do not disturb' sign. Just stating facts, sweetheart."
Bella laughed, silently thankful that Edward had such good friends. "We're in town for a convention."
"That's a damn shame, Miss Swan."
Bella held the phone up with her shoulder, trying her best to unlock the door. It wasn't a huge house, looking more like a cozy cottage from the outside. "I'm sure Edward already asked you to—"
"I will keep my mouth shut about him attending the convention, but I'm curious as hell on who he plans to dress up as. That ugly mug of his is so damn recognizable, don't really understand why."
"I'm aware he's highly recognizable, and we worked around that issue," she murmured, nearly dropping her phone when she stepped inside. She loved her house, thought it was beautiful, but the unassuming beach cottage on the outside was a real beauty on the inside. "This place is amazing."
"Aw, glad you like it, sugar." He had to get back on the set and said he'd check in later, leaving Bella alone with her thoughts and sudden state of anxiety.
People like Dylan and Edward had more money than they knew what to do with it. What the hell was Edward doing with her? How long would it last? The thought of not seeing this project through, failing at it, hurt her at the mere thought of it. To endure the pain of a typical Hollywood breakup, having to see him everywhere, in everything, would be so hard on her.
Yet, she believed if anyone could make a relationship work, it was them. Right?
A shadow caught her eye, large and in the shape of a man. She had forgotten to close the damn door during her state of awe. Her heart kicked up a few beats faster, her feet automatically taking a fighter's stance, her hands curling into fists. Black sheep or not, her Daddy had taught her how to throw a right hook. She swirled around, her arm flying upward, ready to strike.
Edward caught her wrist and prevented her knee from getting acquainted with his balls. Once the threat was gone, his hand slid up her thigh to her hip, tugging until there was no space between them.
"I see you're happy to see me." His lips stretched into a smirk, taking in the fact that she was breathing hard, fear mingled with a whole lot of desire. "Your nipples are saying hello."
She huffed, tugging her hand free and curling her fingers in his hair. Her knees brushed up along his thigh, noticing his hardened length, the way his nostrils flared at the minimal touch, and the darkening of his eyes. "Your cock is saying…" she whispered in his ear, "…free me." Her voice going up a few octaves toward the end.
His laughter was part groan, his forehead dropping onto her bare shoulder. During his flight and drive in from Burbank, he thought long and hard about what the weekend would mean to him. Doubts weren't foreign to him, he dealt with them in the past, but this was different. He wasn't doubting his feelings anymore, or even hers. They were easy to decipher when they were there reflecting at him in her whiskey eyes.
No, it was outside elements that worried him. A part of him wanted to step back, to make sure she could handle a relationship with him, but the moment he caught sight of her in the house, he realized how much he missed her. He knew he'd do everything, or anything to keep her with him.
"As happy as he is to see you, I'm fucking ecstatic." He pulled her arms up to his shoulders, his own wrapping around her waist as he kissed her. There was nothing tentative about the meeting of their lips, it felt more like a "welcome home" or "I've missed you" kind of kiss. Maybe a little both, with a heavy dose of lust and something else thrown in.
"That's putting it mildly," she murmured, her head lolling to one side so his lips could explore the length of her neck.
He tapped her ass twice, pulling back and winking. "We have a lot to do before we can head back to the hotel. And I'm dying for a shower."
She cocked an eyebrow. "Hmm, I was just thinking the same thing."
Did she mean she was willing to share one? "Yeah?"
She gave him the keys to her SUV. "I need to turn on the water heater and get a few things up and running. Can you get our bags? Everything in the trunk stays, that's going to the hotel." She laughed at his grumbling, but she caught his smile as there was no missing his whistling as he started to walk outside. "Come join me when you get the bags inside."
Her words, basically asking his unspoken question, stopped him for a second, then he was off in a flash.
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He watched the house, wondering if he should stop and say hello, but he had a feeling the occupants within wouldn't be too keen on his sudden appearance. The front door of the house suddenly opened, Edward dashing to the silver SUV and grabbing two bags from the backseat and stopping at his pickup to grab his own duffel bag. He stopped just outside of the door, looking around quickly, pulling the bill of his cap down further of his head, as if he had sensed someone was watching.
The rest of the week should be interesting, he realized as he drove off, needing to get ready for whatever happened next.