18+

XL

The room is frozen.

I literally could drop a fucking pin and you'd hear it.

Even Rose looks shocked, her normally perfect mask marred with her open mouth and wide eyes.

I feel Edward's body stop directly behind mine, his large hand coming to rest on my hip.

I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding, even as my body shivers.

'You.' Rosalie suddenly hisses, breaking the silence.

I turn around to face Edward, frowning. 'What are you doing?' I ask him, confused.

He shrugs, his jaw tight. 'I didn't like what she was saying about you.'

'Cullen, get the fuck out, now.' Emmett says, his voice rumbling with anger.

'If Bella wants me to leave, I will.' Edward replies, his voice surprisingly steady as he meets Emmett's gaze unflinchingly.

I sigh.

Brave, stupid boy.

Emmett's sent bigger people to hospital.

'Em, please don't hurt him.' I plead, turning back to face my friends.

Emmett crosses his arms, tilting his chin up as he glares at Edward. 'I told you what would happen. I'm just looking out for you.'

I swallow. 'If you hurt him, you hurt me.'

I hear Edward's sharp intake of breath behind me.

Emmett closes his eyes with a frustrated sigh. 'Bella…'

'Please.' I beg. 'You saw how I was without him, I need…' I trail off, too aware of Edward behind me, too aware of the fact he's listening to my every word. 'Swear you won't touch him Em.'

'Fine.' Emmett growls.

Jasper rolls off the sofa and strolls up to me, meeting Edward's gaze.

He stares at him for a while before arching an eyebrow. 'If you want Bella, then you need to sort your shit out. She's not a fucking side piece.'

My heart clenches.

Edward's hand tightens on my hip, 'she knows how I feel about her.'

Jasper chuckles. 'Does she? Because all we see, is you having your cake and eating it too.'

Emmett and Rose turn to look at Jasper in surprise. Of all of my friends, Jasper is the least likely to enter a confrontation, the least likely to call someone out.

But all bets are off when it comes to me.

His blue eyes dart to mine and say, I have your back.

The room pulses with tension and my stomach churns.

This is too much. It's all too much. I can't talk about this, can't have this conversation.

I try to pull out of Edward's grip on my hip but his other arm wraps around my waist, pulling me back into him.

His body is so warm and feels so good behind me.

I fight the urge to let my eyes roll back in my head.

His breath is hot against my ear, his strong arm burning into my stomach where it's pressing into me.

My pulse pounds between my legs and I start to slip under, sinking into the deep abyss of desire.

Then my head breaks the surface, my heart pounding in my chest.

I don't want to talk about this, I don't want to talk about her.

'It's Jasper, right?' Edward is saying, holding me still as I try to squirm away from him.

Jasper's eyes narrow but he nods.

'Look Jasper, the situation w-'

'Cullen let her go. She wants to go.' Rose interrupts coldly.

My eyes flash to crystal blue, my body sagging with relief.

Edward tenses behind me and then let's go.

I slip out of his arms and run up the stairs, avoiding meeting his gaze, avoiding meeting anyone's gaze.

'She always runs from me.' I hear Edward sigh.

'From everything.' Rose says in a soft voice that I seldom hear her use.

I slam the bathroom door, lock it and then turn on the shower, wanting to drown out their voices.

Wanting to drown out this feeling.


A/N If only it were that easy...more tomorrow! Thank you for the love xxx