18+

XXXV

Edward stares at me for a second, pure shock etched in his features.

It mirrors mine.

Why am I here?

He doesn't ask and I don't offer.

Edward steps aside and I walk into his room.

The soft click of the door shutting makes me jump, his footsteps loud in the quiet room.

He comes to a stop behind me and my body trembles, my skin tingling.

I breathe in.

Out.

The air between us feels too thin, too hot.

I feel his warm breath against the back of my neck, and I want…

Everything.

I want to kiss him, to feel his mouth against mine. I want the weight of him on top of me. I want to hear his heartbeat and run my fingers through his hair. I want to feel his hand in mine.

My eyes sting and I shut them quickly.

Edward steps closer, his forehead dropping to the back of my shoulder.

The contact makes me shiver, ecstasy flooding through me at the warmth of his skin.

His voice is husky, 'You heard.'

It's not a question.

I take a shaky breath, 'I needed to…' I falter. 'Are you…okay?'

Edward sighs, nudging my neck with his nose. His skin is so warm. A flash of heat jolts down my spine and gathers between my legs. 'I am now.'

My breath catches.

It's so silent in his room, the sound of our breathing too loud.

'I miss you.' His voice cracks. 'I can't sleep. I can't eat. My life is falling apart and I just...I-'

I step forwards, separating our bodies, swallowing hard.

'Bella.'

It's the way he says my name, so brokenly, that makes me turn around to face him.

His green eyes are shimmering.

Mine have already brimmed over. I can feel the wet slide of my tears against my cheeks.

Edward walks over to his bed and sits down, hunching over, his hands in his hair.

'He's on house arrest for a year.'

I don't move.

Don't speak.

'He cut a deal. Sold out a few of his partners.' Edward's voice is bitter and scathing. 'And now he's here. Stuck here.'

Neither of us says anything, the only sound our measured breaths

Edward's words cut through the silence suddenly, sharp as a honed blade. 'I wish he'd gone to prison.'

I swallow and come to stand in front of him.

He inhales sharply and then lifts his head, his vibrant green eyes meeting mine.

I tentatively reach my hand out to run through his hair. It's soft and thick, just like I remember.

Edward's eyes flutter closed, his mouth parting.

There's a painful lurch in my chest.

Edward's hands gently lift, cautious and slow, like I'm a wild animal, liable to flee.

He's not wrong.

Those emerald eyes flicker open as he gently rests them on my lower back.

Heat flares through me, and I know he can see it in my face.

The desire.

Before he would have smirked at me, those green eyes would have been smug, his fingertips would have trailed lower.

But it's after now, and he doesn't smirk, or say anything, just gently moves me closer, dropping his head to my chest and sighing.

I echo the sound and step closer to him.

Edward lifts his head to look up at me and then gently pulls me onto his lap, his strong arms circling me as I rest my legs either side of his body.

I can feel the heat of him under me, the warmth of his muscular body.

I want him, but I want this more, whatever this is.

My fingers still move through his hair and Edward sighs again, finally pressing his head into the space between my neck and shoulder.

My breath catches and I feel a sudden warmth and wetness against my skin.

I freeze for a second, then move myself closer to him, wrapping my arms around his neck.

His body shakes and I feel something in my chest shatter.

I drop my cheek to rest on his head and his arms tighten around me as a quiet sob wrenches from his throat, his body shaking again.

He falls apart in my arms and I clutch him, my heart sinking so deep it feels like it's dragging on the floor.

His pain physically hurts me, every sob that comes from his mouth another stab between my ribs.

I can't help but cry too.

Seeing him like this is breaking me in half.

I don't know how long we stay like that.

Even after our tears have stopped, neither one of us moves a muscle.

Then there's a knock at the door and my heart flies up into my throat.