Hello to everybody out there in the world. I am finally back and I really hope you like this story because it is one of my favorites. Please read, review, and enjoy. I own nothing.

Chapter 3

Emily's POV…

"I'm not going back," I thought for the millionth time as I walked home making sure to avoid that street where his apartment would be. I had made that decision after he had just left me there like his personal little whore and I told myself I would not let him make me that. Even if I did feel something for him I would just have to get over it. And now three days had passed since I had seen him, felt him, and something told me maybe it was truly over. Now all I had to do was forget him and doing that was proving harder than I had ever thought it would be. I didn't know if he was looking for me or if he had found himself another girl. I told myself I didn't care. I didn't care if he picked the first girl he saw and had his way with her. I didn't care if somewhere he was kissing, if he was touching another woman. I had made this choice and I had to forget about him so I could move on. But despite it all I did care and I hated that because it only made the truth of everything hurt more. He didn't care about me; if he did he would have said goodbye to me like a real man instead of leaving me there as if I was a common whore. And so for three days I had avoided going past that apartment. Both to avoid my own temptation, but also to avoid being seen and found by him. I couldn't go back to him; I had to forget that Edward Hyde had ever existed.

I had thought on that fourth day that it truly was over.

"I'm never seeing him again. It's all for the best," I thought as I moved down the hall to my apartment. I was convinced I would never see him again, but I didn't know it wasn't meant to be like that. My fate was sealed with his once again as I walked into my darkened apartment that night. Entering my apartment I silently closed the door with a click before turning on the lambs so they dimly lit the room. I wasn't aware that I was being watched, I thought I was the only one in the room, but then someone grabbed me. Someone grabbed me clamping a hand over my mouth so I couldn't scream and holding me close against his body. My attacker moved me easily despite my attempted struggle and then I realized where he was taking me. He was approaching my bed and knowing that I fought harder. Approaching the bed I was scared to death. I knew what was going to happen; I was going to be raped, and most likely murdered. And tears gathered in my eyes as I continued to fight until my attacker made me look at him. It was then despite it all when I looked into the face of Edward Hyde that I felt relief at seeing him of all people there. But that relief soon faded as he released me standing there in front of me without a word.

The minute I looked into the eyes of Edward Hyde I relaxed, but only a little. As he let me go his eyes looking at me, running over every inch of me I couldn't help, but notice the look in his eyes. He didn't say a word, he looked at me knowing I wouldn't scream, and the look in his eyes almost made me believe he was happy to see me. I almost believed that he had missed me; that he cared when I knew deep down he didn't.

"What are you doing here? How did you find me?" I exclaimed moving away from him until my knees hit the bed making me fall onto it. He didn't say anything at first, he only looked at me, and when I looked into his eyes I saw something.

There was something in his eyes that almost looked like relief and something else. I wanted to believe maybe that something else was love, but I shook that thought away. He didn't give a damn about me, he didn't love me, and then I wondered why he had come after me.

"Why haven't you been coming to see me?" asked Hyde ignoring my question altogether.

"Because I don't want to see you anymore so please leave my apartment. Leave me alone and go find yourself another girl. Go find yourself another girl who doesn't mind being your whore there are plenty of them walking the streets. Go find one of them," I snapped standing up from the bed to show him the door, but when I tried to pass him he grabbed me. I looked up into his eyes as he held me to him his grip so tight I knew I'd have bruises later. But despite that I wasn't afraid of him.

"Please just leave me alone. I can't be with you anymore. I can't be with a man who doesn't give a damn about me. I can't be with a man who sees me as nothing, but his whore," I whispered looking into his eyes as tears finally left my own. He released me then, but he didn't leave. We stood there together in silence and still looking into his eyes I thought I saw something that looked like love again. Slowly he shook his head before his hands were cupping my face using his thumbs to wipe away my tears. Hyde took a half step towards me and then it happened. He swooped down to my level and he kissed me his arms wrapping around me pulling me so my body was flush with his. It started very much like our first kiss had with me desperately trying to get away from him, but it was like my heart yearned for him because suddenly I couldn't fight him anymore. Gripping the front of his shirt I finally returned his kiss beginning to cry more in that moment; why did I have to be so weak? Why couldn't I put up the good fight when it came to him? In the same moment as my arms were moving around his neck his were moving back to my face holding it in his hands again as if it was the most precious thing in the world to him. Hyde pulled me closer as close as I could possibly be to him and it was then I realized how much I had missed him. It had only been three days, but I had missed him so much. And as he kissed me still I let myself believe that maybe he had missed me too.

Finally his hands left my face moving around my waist and deepening the kiss I couldn't help, but notice how he seemed to hold me, to clutch at me as if he was afraid I'd disappear again. It was like he was afraid to lose me. And then he broke the kiss both of us breathing heavy as he brought his hand to stroke my cheek. He stared down at me as if deciding what to say.

"I don't want to find another girl. I was lucky enough to find you and I don't think I could ever be that lucky again. You're my girl; I want you. Only you," exclaimed Hyde running his fingers over my face as if memorizing it just in case he never saw me again. Tears gathered in my eyes again spilling over onto my cheeks and I was speechless. I never expected him to say such a thing to me. No one had ever said anything like that to me and looking at him as I cried more feeling as he wiped them away as quickly as they came. And reaching up on my toes I pecked him sweetly on the lips before moving away feeling his eyes on me. Sitting on the bed I looked up at him trying to decide what to say. In that moment I considered everything. I considered everything he had just said. I considered him, me, and us. I considered the way he looked at me and the way I felt for him. And most of all I considered if I continued this relationship would I come to regret it for the rest of my life. Something told me I would, but something also told me it would be a risk worth taking.

I didn't notice him move until I finally looked up to find him on his knees in front of me waiting to see what I would say. I looked at him. He looked at me. And slowly he took both my hands in his bringing them to his lips before bringing them so I was cradling his face in my hands.

"I want to stay with you I do, but I need to know you care. I need to know you give a damn. Do you care for me," I whispered feeling as his hands moved up my legs from ankle to knee over and over again.

"Yes I care for you very much. I told you you're my girl. I care for you, I want to protect you, and take care of you. I care for you in a way I've never cared for anyone before. In fact I don't give a damn about anyone, but you," exclaimed Hyde kissing my palm as he spoke our foreheads colliding as I cried more because of everything he had just said.

Finally I looked at him with a smile as I pulled him closer so he was kneeling between my legs. It was then that his hands stopped moving over my legs settling on my knees as my own moved over his shoulders. I snatched his hat from the top of his head throwing it to nowhere in particular before I gripped his lapels bringing his lips to mine. I kissed him with a passion I had never known until I'd met him feeling as his hands slid up over my legs stopping to grip my waist. It was him who deepened the kiss his tongue moving so soft so tender over my own making me moan. And then my back hit the bed and his body was covering mine. It all felt so right, to be like this with him again. I knew he wanted to take then and there, but I couldn't let him even as much as I wanted him. I couldn't let him now; I couldn't make it that easy for him. I had to show him that he didn't have all the control. That I wasn't going to let him treat me like he had before. But as we kissed I didn't push him away still because I needed to feel his lips on mine. I needed him. So I kissed him back with an intensity I didn't know I had my fingers diving into his hair making him groan as I tugged at it in my fervor to have him closer. His hands moved to my breasts cupping them in his hands fondling them through the fabric of my dress. I moaned then arching into his touch, but then I stopped when his hands moved again. Gripping the front of my dress I knew what he was going to do. I had never spent a night with Edward Hyde without him ripping something off of me.

But I wasn't going to let him do it. Not this time; if I had my way this wouldn't go beyond a few passionate kisses though I knew he would try to convince me otherwise. He would try to sway me just like he did the first time, but this time I would be stronger. Breaking the kiss, I took his hands in mine removing them from the front of my dress. I moved out from under him moving to sit at the edge of the bed my heart pounding as he sat up too. Looking at me a moment he scooted closer to me his arm snaking around my waist and when I felt his lips against the skin of my neck I couldn't help it I moaned wantonly. And when he heard it I felt that wolfish grin of his against my neck as he continued. I knew what he was doing, he thought he could sway me, but I wouldn't I couldn't let him. Turning in his direction I placed my hand against his cheek looking into his eyes and as he leaned in close to kiss me once more I shook my head saying a silent no. His hand came to grip my wrist then as he looked at me in return a look of anger then confusion in his eyes. I placed my other hand against his cheek holding his face in my hands now.

"No, not tonight," I whispered gently still sitting closely by his side.

"We need to talk," I continued looking away from him.

Hyde tightened his grip around my waist holding me closer as he moved his lips up my shoulder to my neck again.

"Stop," I whispered closing my eyes feeling as he ignored my request his lips still at my neck making me moan as he marked me. I was trying hard to concentrate, to decide what I wanted, and needed to say to him. But he was only making it harder when he did that; I couldn't concentrate on anything, but the thought of letting him have his way with me.

"Please, Edward I said stop," I exclaimed my voice more serious now as I looked at him. Again he ignored me burying his face in my neck and continuing his breath hot on my skin as he breathed me in.

"Why…you like it," purred Hyde continuing to kiss my neck, but then I stood up walking away from him to stand against the wall.

"I told you we need to talk and I can't concentrate with you doing that. I need you to listen to me; I need you to take me seriously," I snapped my face angry as I refused to look at him then my arms crossed over my chest.

"I'm listening," signed Hyde finally and when I finally looked at him he was watching me.

"Why did you leave me like that last time? You said you wouldn't and you lied. I woke up all alone feeling like some whore you didn't give a damn about. If I come back and keep seeing you is that the kind of thing I need to get used to?" I snapped my voice raised as I looked at him searching for lies before they came. But he said nothing. He wouldn't look at me now instead he stared at the floor. And then finally he looked up. My questions still weren't answered as he looked at me or well behind me remaining silent. His silence only served to make me madder. He owed me an explanation and he was going to give it to me.

"Edward answer me! Why did you leave me lying in your bed like some whore you'd found on the streets?" I screamed, but as soon as I did he was up off the bed coming towards me.

My eyes widened, a gasp leaving my lips as he backed me up until my back hit the wall.

"Don't ever talk about yourself in such a way. I never want to hear you think of yourself that way. I don't think of you that way, I promise I don't think of you that way. You're better than a whore; you're a queen in my eyes," exclaimed Hyde his hand around my neck. His thumb gently stoked my pulse point as he squeezed my throat enough to scare me, but not enough to hurt me. As he loomed over me I stared up at him my heart pounding. He had really scared me for a second there when he came over to me the way he did. Looking into his eyes seeing no anger I brought my hand to the one he had around my neck feeling as his grip loosened. I watched as he softened signing as he stared at me the look in his eyes so torn and it was then I realized he was a man with secrets. A man with secrets searching for understanding.

"Please just tell me; you can trust me," I whispered my eyes pleading with him as he stared down at me finally removing his hand from my neck. Gently he pulled me into his arms, he didn't kiss me; he just held me in his arms.

It felt really good to feel him hold me like that.

"I didn't want to leave you. I didn't have a choice I had to leave…I can't tell you why, but I had to leave. But Emily I promise you that will never be something you have to get used to. I really didn't want to leave you I wanted to be there when you woke up. I planned to make love to you the second your eyes opened, but I had an emergency that couldn't wait," explained Hyde his breath hot against my ear as he held me close as if afraid I would leave him again.

"Are you alright…why can't you tell me what this emergency was. You can trust me," I whispered looking at him then bringing my hand to stroke his cheek. I knew he could see the concern in my eyes when he smiled that smile I had come to love so much on his face.

"My dear I wish I could tell you my secrets, but I can't. I can't because they are not mine to tell by myself. But rest assured I do trust you. I trust you more than I do anyone in my life. Everything is fine, someday I will tell you my secrets, but it can't be today. But I did say goodbye to you. I couldn't leave without saying goodbye to you," smiled Hyde moving a stray piece of hair out of my face watching as tears appeared once more. He kissed my forehead then before cupping my face in his hands kissing my lips ever so briefly before wiping a stray tear from my cheek.

"No matter what happens between us when we are together I will always say goodbye to you before I leave you. I promise you that and I promise you that I say the truth now. I did say goodbye to you," whispered Hyde watching as more tears rolled down my cheeks.

"You did," I breathed letting my hands cover his as he held my face still.

"Of course I did I told you you're my girl. I would never leave my girl without saying goodbye. Just before I left I kissed you goodbye, but you were asleep so you didn't know. You didn't remember, but now you know so I hope that helps you forgive me for hurting you the way I did," whispered Hyde ghosting his lips over mine as he peered down at me searching for my forgiveness. He brought his lips to mine to kiss then, but I couldn't let him. Placing a finger over his lips I watched him before wrapping an arm around his neck. I stood on my toes then so our lips were barely touching.

"I forgive you Edward. Tomorrow I will be there waiting for you, but I need you to do one thing for me. I need you to make me one more promise," I breathed his grip tightening on me as we breathed each other's air our hearts beating in tandem.

"Anything, I will promise you anything," breathed Hyde kissing my palm as my hand touched his cheek. The look in his eyes told me just how hungry he was to kiss me. He had been starved of me for three days; he was being more patient then I ever expected him to be.

"Next time, if ever, you find you have to run off, and leave me like that please leave a note," I whispered finally curling both my arms around his neck.

"I can do that. I will do that from now on I promise," whispered Hyde running his hands over my body making me shiver. His hands were like magic always making me keen and feel things I'd never known until I met him. And smiling up at him in that moment I was so glad I had bumped into him that night. I expected him to kiss me as soon as he stopped speaking, but he didn't. Instead he stared down at me as if waiting for my say so. I didn't know he had this type of patience. And staring back at him I couldn't help, but wonder what went on in that head of his. What was he thinking right at that moment? What were these mysterious secrets he hid away so well? And why couldn't he tell me now? I knew I would find the answers someday, but at that moment I really didn't care. All I wanted was for him to hurry up and kiss me.

"Edward," I breathed bringing my hands to cradle his face as I stood on tiptoe so our lips barely touched.

"Emily," breathed Hyde and god the way he said my name just made me hot all over.

"You can kiss me now," I smiled.

"Finally," breathed Hyde a smile forming on his face as he closed the distance between us. And god if his kiss wasn't the most exquisite wonderful thing I had ever experienced. I had missed it. I had missed him. And though I knew I couldn't tell him yet I loved him. Part of me wondered if he loved me back, he cared I knew that now, but could he love me? Could he really truly love me? As he deepened the kiss pulling me further into his arms I couldn't help thinking that that might be the only question I never got an answer to.