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CHAPTER 22

QUIETUDE

The rainstorm raged against the window, the downpour creating flowing patterns of bluish light on Bella's alabaster skin.

It was 4:15 am. She was asleep now, curled on her side, with Carlisle lying at her back. His head propped on his palm, he watched her in quietude, while his other hand ran up and down her arm, a light feathering touch as slow and peaceful as her quiet breaths.

From a simple day spent with a friend to an unexpected night of passion. Even now, he could scarce believe how it all turned out.

After centuries of being alone, Carlisle had slept with a woman for the first time. Perhaps he was old fashioned, but to him sex was much more than a physical act. Sleeping with someone just for the sake of pleasure had never crossed his mind in the past. In fact, Carlisle could recall each and every person who had tried to seduce him over the centuries. He had refused them all, desiring none of them.

But with Isabella, it was different. He loved her so much, it had taken no more than a look, a kiss, and heartfelt words for him to succumb.

Never in his long life, had he felt anything close to this.

His focus shifting to the exposed skin of her arm, shoulder, and neck, Carlisle was thankful for the absence of marks and bruises. Despite his best efforts not to, he could have easily hurt her last night. That he hadn't seemed like a small miracle, and he found himself thanking God for what seemed the hundredth time.

She stirred. For a moment, he thought she would awaken. In the end, Bella was only dreaming, though. As she turned onto her back, her head pivoting against the pillow, Bella mumbled something; he couldn't make out what.

As endearing as it was, Carlisle's focus shifted to the only regret he harbored about last night.

Let go. Those had been her words to him, delivered in the heat of things. Teetering on the edge, Carlisle had obliged without really thinking, coming inside of her without any barriers. Now that the rush had passed, he felt profound shame over that.

Even if vampires were sterile and were unable to catch or transmit infections, precautions should have been taken nonetheless.

What if Bella had reacted badly to his venom? What if, by causing tiny abrasions in her delicate flesh, she would have begun to turn?

For a mercy, none of those things had happened, but still. Carlisle had been highly irresponsible. He would do better next time.

Next time. His eyes had fallen closed. Feeling like the luckiest person on Earth, he smiled tenderly in the dimness.

And so the night gradually yielded to dawn.

Bella awoke shortly after 7:00 am. No sooner had her eyes fluttered open than they locked on to his. Any fears that she might regret their night together evaporated the moment she smiled.

"Good morning," she said, her voice adorably roughened by sleep.

"Morning. How did you sleep?"

Bella stretched in a whisper of cotton against skin. "Very well. You?"

Carlisle loosed a small chuckle. "I never told you, didn't I?"

"Told me what?"

"Vampires don't sleep."

Her brows creased in confusion, her smile lingering when she said, "Like… never?"

He shook his head.

"Wow." The information seemed to give her pause for thought. "The nights must be long for you."

"They can be," he admitted at length. But not last night.

"Carlisle?"

"Hmm?"

Her smile had faded. Bella seemed hesitant all of a sudden. "Are you sure I didn't rush you last night?"

"Oh, sweetheart." Wanting to reassure her, Carlisle gathered her into his arms, and kissed her forehead. "You didn't. I promise."

Bella seemed relieved to hear it. But then, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"We've talked a lot these past few weeks. I know you weren't married in your human life. And I know how lonely you were before Edward and Rosalie came into your life. I guess what I'm trying to say is… Carlisle, was this your first time?"

If he had been capable of blushing, he would have. With a bashful smile, Carlisle answered, "I suppose it was. Was it obvious?"

"No, not at all, but Carlisle..." Bella sat up, holding the blanket over her chest as she looked down at him with concern. "If I would have known, I would've…"

"You would have what?"

"I wouldn't have gone at full tilt like that. We weren't kissing for two minutes when I went for your clothes. It never occurred to me. I'm sorry."

"Hey." Carlisle sat up as well, his hand reaching to graze the side of her face. "You have nothing to be sorry for, you hear me? I wanted you just as much, if not more. No, definitely more. Last night was perfect, Bella." Now he dropped his gaze. "Well, except for one thing."

Sensing her confusion, he was quick to explain, "If anyone should apologize this morning, it should be me."

"Why? You didn't hurt me."

"A fact for which I am very thankful, but it's not that. I had sex with you without protection. I came in you without any barriers."

"Yeah, but we talked about that once. You said that vampires couldn't get sick, that they couldn't catch or spread infections." He remembered. Bella had been asking question after question one night, about vampire physiology. "And as far as pregnancy goes… if it's even a thing for vampires, I'm on the pill."

"As far as I know, vampires are sterile, yes. But it's no excuse. As a doctor, I should have been more careful. What if you had reacted badly to my venom? What if—"

Bella brought a finger to his lips, shushing him, gently. "I'm okay. We're okay." Now she lowered her hand. "I don't want you to beat yourself up over this. You're much too good for that. But… if it can ease your worries, we can be more careful next time."

His expression softening into a tiny smile, Carlisle agreed with a nod.

Then he kissed her.

At first, Bella melted into his kiss, but then she went rigid all of a sudden, her eyes widening in realization. "Wait…" She laughed in between kisses. "Gotta…" Another kiss. "Brush my teeth… Eek!" she exclaimed when he tickled her.

As their laughter filled the room, Bella extricated herself from his arms, and gained her feet.

The sight of her curves and bare skin was enough to make him fall back in grateful appreciation. God, I'm lucky. As Carlisle followed her with his eyes, Bella smirked and made her way to her closet, where she retrieved a white bathrobe. Slipping it on, she then exited the room, promising she wouldn't be long.

Lollipop was just beyond the threshold, Carlisle realized. At first, the cat was making for the room, but as soon as the furry creature saw him in the bed, she froze, her fur standing on end as she rounded her back. With an angry meow, the cat whirled away at once, and ran toward the kitchen.

Speaking of kitchens…

Bella hadn't eaten since yesterday evening. Mindful of her nutritional needs, Carlisle rose and grabbed his boxers. His pants, however, were still somewhat damp from the night before. So was the sweater they had discarded in the living-room. His t-shirt was fine, though. So, he slipped it on, then padded toward the refrigerator as Lollipop predictably ran the other way.

The refrigerator door opened with a clingy, rubbery sound. He peered inside. "Eggs. Milk. I can work with that." I think.

Given that he never cooked, Carlisle went to fetch his cell phone. With a few taps and swipes on the screen, he was on YouTube, searching for, "How to make an omelet," he muttered as he typed.

"Hey, Carlisle, do you mind if I take a shower real quick?" Bella said as she exited the bathroom and saw him. "What's this?" she asked, a smile broadening on her mouth.

Carlisle had already fetched a pan at that point, the pack of eggs waiting on the counter. "Breakfast," he answered, setting his phone down. "You need to eat, Miss Swan."

Apparently amused, she arched a brow. "I didn't know you cooked."

"I don't. This might be a disaster."

"Well, I look forward to sampling your cooking, Doctor Cullen." Now Bella pointed over her shoulder. "So, it's okay if I…"

"Of course. Breakfast should be ready by the time you get out."

"Or…" Bella walked over to him, her hands rising to map his shoulders. "You could join me."

Smiling, she kissed him then, soft and slow.

Swallowing the sigh she gave, Carlisle groaned and ran a hand over her hair. "That's very tempting. Too tempting," he said against her mouth. "If I get in the shower with you, I'll want to make love again." He already did, his body rousing in answer to hers.

Bella leaned into the kiss with a tiny moan. Pulling herself out of the erotic trance, she swallowed hard, and said, breathlessly. "Remind me, we need to go to the drug store later."

"Trust me, you won't need reminding. It's already on my to-do list."

"Good."

With a final kiss, Bella turned and made for the bathroom.

Alone in the kitchen, Carlisle could only smile.

Reader survey up ahead! Thanks for reading, everyone! Lately, I've been getting into more of a writing flow, and I was wondering if you prefer longer chapters, posted at longer intervals. Or if you prefer these shorter chapters, that I can post more quickly.

Anyway, I look forward to your input.

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