Hi Ladies,

Thanks for reading. I don't have much to say today.

Chapter 18

Edward-

I sat on the edge of Bella's bed. It was twelve-thirty pm, and she was sound asleep. Over the last few days, I'd awakened her, enjoying her startled gasps, when I'd rapped on the window pane until she'd jerked awake. The following night, I had cried her name in a haunting howl until she'd gotten frustrated and threw a pillow in my direction. The day after that, I took distinct pleasure in turning all her electronics on, a series of buzzing, and clicks penetrating her rest until she sat up cursing.

I could stick with the theme of the week and harass the shit out of her. Tonight, however, I wasn't feeling the same satisfaction with the thoughts of bothering her. Several minutes passed in silence and just when I was about to hunker down for the night and leave her in peace, she stirred next to me.

I felt her shift, her feet an inch away from my ass, and a slight tremor shook her delicate form. My frigid presence must've been seeping through the thick layers of her blankets, and she pulled her feet away. The mattress dipped with her restless movements, and her sleepy voice cut through the silence.

"Edward, could you just give me a break tonight, please? I have class bright and early in the morning, and you're seriously fucking up my schedule." Her hand covered her mouth as she yawned. Thanks to the full moon shining through the window, I caught a glimpse of her lashes fluttering as she attempted to pry her eyes open. "I'm so freaking tired, it's insane."

I stared over at her with a wide toothy grin. "That's sort of the point, little fox. I intended to drive you right out of my house." Even as I stated my reasons for haunting her until she was on the verge of insanity, a wave of guilt accosted me. "I have to admit, you've surprised me beyond measure. Most people wouldn't have lasted a day, but you've hung on like a champ."

She blinked up at me, shuffling beneath the blankets, her bare shoulder peeking over the top. Curiosity edged her tone, she pushed her hair out of her eyes. "Why? Why would you want to scare me out of here when I'm the only one you have to help you?"

I considered her question. She had a point. If I succeeded in running her and her friends out of this house, I would be trapped here forever. Still, there was a part of me that got a thrill out of hearing her heart desperately attempting to flee her chest. "I've been here in this house for a hundred and twenty years with only Emmett for company." I shrugged, "It's kind of fun."

"You think it's funny to make me almost piss myself by randomly popping up and scaring the crap out of me?" Her words were laced with a hint of amusement. "I've fallen asleep twice in class, by the way. Thanks very much for that."

Instead of rolling over and going back to sleep as I expected, Bella shoved up into a sitting position. She brushed her hair away from her face, draping the heavy mass over one bare shoulder, her head tilting as she watched me. She licked her lips, swallowing nervously. "Can I ask you a question?"

The corner of my lips tipped. Bella was bolder than any woman I'd ever met. Days ago she'd nearly collapsed with fright, yet now she faced me without a trace of hesitation. "I thought you were going back to sleep. You just said, Edward, could you just give me a break tonight," I mimicked in the girliest voice I could imitate.

Her bright green eyes dimmed by the dark room danced, rolling them she huffed, "Well you've already woke me up. Fat chance I can just go back to sleep now."

"So, what? Are we going to bond like two girlfriends now?" I chuckled, shaking my head at the irony. "Wanna know my favorite color now or later?"

Her head tipped back and her laughter filled the room. The sound did something to me I wasn't expecting. An excitement I hadn't experienced in ages tore at my resistance, and I wanted to hear it again. Instead of saying so, I lounged back onto the bed, my side leaning against her legs and a feeling of pure comfort filled me. Playing with a string hanging from her blanket, I looked up at her. "What's your question, little fox?"

She chewed the inside of her cheek, her lashes dropping a fraction as her gaze connected with mine. "Of all the women in this house, why have you focused all your haunting on me? All the girls beside Rose act like I'm crazy if I mention weird things happening." She bit her lip, squinting back at me. "Have you ever tried to haunt them?"

"Honestly, you were the one who caught my attention when you all moved in. No matter how much I wanted to keep my distance from you," I inhaled a deep breath and slowly released it, "I just feel drawn to you in a way I can't explain."

"You want to know something," she murmured, laying back in her bed, she wiggled into a comfortable position. I lifted up so the weight of my chest wasn't holding her feet pinned to the bed. Once she was settled, I leaned back into her, liking the feel of her solid form nestled against me. When I nodded, she whispered, "The best part of releasing all that anger you're carrying, means you don't have to be angry anymore."

Her lashes fell to rest on her creamy white cheek as she mumbled, "Goodnight, Edward. Maybe I will see you tomorrow."

"Maybe," I agreed, reaching up, I combed my fingers through her hair. "Maybe you will, little fox."

I laid completely back on the mattress and listened to the sound of her breathing. For the first time in years, I felt a sliver of inner peace start to bloom. 'The best part of letting go of the anger is not having to be angry anymore.'

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