Hello everyone,
I don't have a lot of notes today, so I will just post this chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.
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"Is that what you want?" Edward asked, his chest seizing at the thought of Isabella walking out the front door.
That was a strange reaction to have for someone who'd started as his prisoner. Once this whole ordeal with the Mayor was settled, he would have no reason to keep her here. Even if he married her to thwart the asshole, she would essentially be a free woman. He wouldn't force her to stay if she chose to leave, yet the idea left him riddled. "Do you want to leave?"
Bella felt Edward's body tense against hers as he awaited her answer. Did Edward find the prospect of her leaving troubling? His arm tightened around her waist, and elation coursed through her. She couldn't deny the pleasure that knowledge gave her. The thought of Edward being upset about her leaving sent distinctive excitement down her spine. Resting her head against his pec, she released a sigh. "No one wants to be held against their will, Edward."
His breath fanned her hair. He chuckled lightly, her response conjuring some interesting ideas. His fingers caressed her side, the tip running along the bottom of her ribs. "Being a captive doesn't have to be all bad."
Bella's belly fluttered as he hit a ticklish spot. She was fighting the urge to turn her head and capture the lips she knew were close. Before she could stop herself, her fingers feathered over the arm that held her. Just because Edward removed the picture from his desk didn't mean he was over Irene.
Then it registered what he'd said. Edward made a joke of her predicament, and nothing about being sold to the Mayor as if she were a bargaining chip was remotely funny. She absolutely didn't want to be some sort of toy while he awaited his funds. Clearing the husk from her voice, she cocked her head in a stubborn angle.
"Edward, I don't wanna be a prisoner and I certainly don't want to be sold to the highest bidder …"
"Do you trust me?" Edward wanted to know, turning her so he could meet her gaze. There were so many reasons for her not to. He'd taken her and locked in a room, yelled at her, demanded she stay away from his family. The list grew as he contemplated his own question. "Scratch that," he murmured before she could reply. "Can you trust me? I know I've been a bastard since you got here but … can you trust me?"
To date, Edward hadn't done anything for her not to trust. Yeah—he'd locked her in a room and yelled the shingles from the roof, but truly had done her no physical harm. In the last couple of weeks, their friendship had grown by leaps and bounds.
She'd never been able to count on anyone in her life. Why should Edward be any different? Because technically he was keeping her away from Winthrop. Searching his eyes, she nodded, "What choice do I have?"
"Fair enough," Edward acknowledged, his hands falling to his sides. He wanted to touch this woman and the desire was bone-deep. His fingers curled to smother the urge. Backing up a few steps to give her a chance to catch her breath, he leaned against his desk. "I've been thinking about a way to make sure Winthrop, and even your father, can't touch you."
Bella's brow furrowed. Her arms folded over her breasts, noticing Edward's attention drop several inches. Her body immediately flushed, all her blood rushing to her loins. "I thought you didn't help people."
Edward brushed his hair back as he regarded her. Leave it to the feisty woman to throw his words back in his face. His head bobbed in agreement. "Typically I don't. And I'm not suggesting helping people. I'm suggesting helping you."
Bella shook her head not following what he meant. "Why would you want to help me? And how?"
Unable to keep his fingers to himself, he brushed the hair from her face. "Because you have helped me in ways you could never imagine. I'm feeling as if I would like to return the favor."
This was part of his plan that was tricky. Hell, he broke out in a cold sweat just thinking about it. Edward swallowed the knot in his throat. He'd never thought to ask another person this question or make the suggestion. Then again, they didn't know each other very well. Holy shit.
There was only one way to do this. "You could marry me."
That was not what she had anticipated him saying. Marry a man that just said goodbye to his dead wife. Marry a man that had taken her prisoner and would probably never love her. The probability wouldn't have been so bad, yet there were these tingles that refused to be ignored in his presence. Whose kisses had kept her awake all last night wishing she'd permitted him to visit her room.
Just yesterday she'd wondered what a life would be like with Edward Cullen and here he was offering it to her, or was he? Nervously, she fidgeted, even as he said the words Bella detected his hesitation. "What exactly are you saying? Like what kind of marriage would this be?"
Edward wanted to drag her right upstairs and consummate the prospect of their marriage. If this was a loving declaration of his tender feelings, he would. That wasn't what this was. Clearing his throat, he said, "If you were to marry me, you would have that freedom you were talking about. After I deal with that sicko in office, you'll be as free as a blue jay."
"And I could walk out the front door without worrying about being snatched up?" That prospect should've had her singing a chorus of yeses. Essentially, Edward was offering her everything she'd wanted.
Edward stared at Bella intently as his head dipped forward in confirmation. Acid bubbled up in his gut as he envisioned Bella stepping out of this house. His nostrils flared, and he swallowed tightly. "If that's what you decide."
Even as Edward spoke, he looked like he was on edge; of what, Bella wasn't sure. Moments before he'd put this proposition on the table, his arms had been around her and now his fists were clenched at his side. Yesterday he'd kissed her and indicated he wanted a physical relationship with her. Did the idea of marrying her change how he saw her?
Boldly she met his gaze as the question lingered on her tongue. "W-would … what kind of marriage would we have?"
Edward chewed on his tongue as he studied her. Her meaning was clear, but he felt compelled to ask anyway. "What do you mean?"
"W-would we," Bella nervously licked her lips as she stared at his mouth. "Would we be— would it be a true marriage or just in name? Would we…?"
The predatory gleam was back in his dark eyes. He visibly looked as if he were going to snap with the tension as the muscle in his jaw ticked. "I'll leave that up to you. I won't make you do anything you aren't comfortable with. I haven't made any secret of what I want."
The desire in his eyes made her shiver. She felt as if a fever was consuming her. Could she withstand a marriage to this man without love? She wasn't foolish. Edward Cullen didn't love her, but could he? Was there a chance of him growing to love her? A flash of worry ran through Bella as she wondered if she could keep her growing feelings for Edward in check and withstand a marriage to him in name only.
What if she fell in love with him and he never returned her love? She could do this. She could marry him and gain the freedom he offered.
Bella slowly nodded to herself. "How long do you think we'd need to stay married? Will it only be until you have dealt with Winthrop?"
"Probably a month or so, and then," Edward stated slowly, "you are free. You can do whatever you want.
"Even leave?" Bella wished he weren't being so distant. It made understanding him a lot more difficult. Minutes ago she'd been in his arms, yet now, she was uncertain. "Does that mean no more kissing?"
The question slipped out before she could stop it. She felt her cheeks flame, and this itch to be closer developed. She shifted closer without realizing she was even moving. "Or touching?"
Edward clenched his teeth. The thought of not kissing or touching this woman caused his frustration to mount. The only thing that kept his mood in check was the disappointment he spied as she voiced her inquiries. Alert, his eyelids dropped as the haze of desire captivated him all over again. Pushing away from his desk, Edward approached her with intent in his eyes. "Do you want kissing and touching?"
Awareness prickled Bella's skin as he approached her. He looked like a wolf about to pounce, and an exciting thrill jolted through her core, her panties going wet. She wasn't sure what it was about Edward Cullen, but he inspired the most interesting sensations and responses from her.
Her hair rose on her nape as he drew closer. Bella's belly quivered as he circled her. Deciding to play it coy, she whispered, "Maybe a little."
Edward lifted the hair from her nape, his nose skimming her smooth skin as his hand came to rest on her hip. "How much is a little?"
Bella trembled as Edward exhaled, his breath coasting over a sensitive spot. She didn't want to be resistant. She wanted to kiss this man.
Fuck it, she determined, this relationship would go wherever it was supposed to, and it didn't matter how much she tried to deny these insistent urges.
With this thought in mind, she tipped her head in his direction until her lips were a breath away. Her hand came up to capture his rough cheek, and with little effort, she pulled his head down to hers and until her mouth was a breath away. "Just shut up and kiss me, Edward."
That's all the permission he needed. Eagerly he caught her mouth, his lips dancing over hers coaxing her to follow his lead. She was an excellent student, he decided, as she nipped hungrily at his lips. Groaning, Edward's tongue dove deep winding around hers as his arms encircled her waist, pulling her back against him. Immediately, his hand floated over her flat belly and cupped her breast as her nails dug into his nape before winding in his hair, holding him to her.
Nibbling her lip, he murmured, "This much touching?" Plucking her nipple, his balls felt heavy as she gasped into his mouth. Licking her bottom lip, he sucked her tongue hard before relinquishing the appendage. "Does this mean you will be my wife?"
Bella felt as if she were in some sort of dream state. She'd never envisioned getting married. Ever. The last thing she wanted was to hand over control of her life to a man. Of course, Charlie had taken her choice away when he'd sold her to the mayor. Yet the prospect of marrying someone of Edward's stature hit her like a freight train.
Right now, Edward, the man, captivated her on so many levels. How would it be to marry the mob king? Her belly fluttered as his broad hand massaged her breast as his chest came to rest against her back. Dazed, she cupped his jaw, her thumb brushing his bottom lip. Staring into his eyes, she was sure he saw directly into her soul, and her entire being seized. "Yes, I will be your wife."
Jane nearly dropped the tray she was carrying as she stood outside Edward's study. Glancing in the direction of Edward's study, she was surprised to find the door cracked open. The couple standing inches away caught her attention. Their whispered conversation filtered through the crack, stopping Jane in her tracks.
The only thing she heard was "I will be your wife" and the growing hate for Edward's houseguest intensified to staggering degrees. The sight that greeted her as she peeked inside, rocked her to the core, and she stumbled backward, going completely numb.
What had she missed? When had they gotten so close that Edward was embracing this woman as if he cared for her?
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