Chapter 7

I waited. I waited on bated breath for her to tell me what I longed to hear. What in all reality I should not be hearing. She was a married woman and I did not deserve to be receiving words that were only allowed to be uttered by her husband. But still, I waited.

"Yes," Bella said with her eyes cast down, so quietly that even I almost didn't hear her.

"Yes?" I asked louder.

Bella leveled her deep soulful chocolate brown eyes with what I was sure was inky black ones. Tears trickled from her eyes and I wiped them away immediately. "I said 'yes', Edward. Yes, I still love you. Even though it makes no sense, even though I really shouldn't, and not just because you left but the fact that I am married. But to answer your question, it is yes, I still very much love you."

I pulled her face to mine and smothered her lips with a passion filled kiss. At this moment I could care less who her husband was and that he hated me and he more than likely would smell me on her when she went home. If I ever let her leave me again. I really didn't want to. I pulled her entire body closer to mine, if that was even possible. There was not not a hair's width between us and I could not be happier. It would have please me immensely to shed our clothes and make love right here on this couch. I wanted to claim my mate in the most physical of ways. And I wanted to do so again and again and again. Bella moved her lips from my panting but breaking the haze of coursing passion I was feeling. She backed up slightly. I am not sure which of us was breathing harder. I thought I might never calm down again. Just that one kiss and the meshing of our bodies felt so right that I never did want it to end. To hell with everyone.

"Uh, I think we should talk more. Please," Bella pleaded.

I immediately dropped back onto the couch and continued to try and reign myself in. It was nearly a losing battle if I had not noted the look of confusion, relief and mortification that crossed Bella's face rather quickly.

"Maybe you should sit too. Your emotions are giving me whiplash. I am sure they are playing hell with you too," I explained.

She nodded and sat down. "Do you think I could get some water, please?"

"Of course. Just a moment. Would you prefer it in a glass or bottle?"

"Surprise me."

I nodded and flashed to the kitchen. Luckily the refrigerator was still running and there were bottles of water in there. As a matter of fact, the whole thing was stocked full of food. After quickly inspecting the pantry, everything was stocked. One of my family had been here. How long had Alice seen this particular event happening? My phone made a noise and I looked at the screen as I finished pouring Bella's water in a glass.

"A while! Now get your ass in there and fix this mess," Alice text.

I snickered as I put my phone away and grabbed Bella's glass of water along with a bright shiny apple. Of course it was the type Bella loved. I walked back into the living room to find Bella still on the couch with her fingers on her lips. I smiled.

"I still feel it too. The electricity that flows through us. Part of what connects you and I so closely. I have you some cold water and a fresh apple. I assume you still like these," I asked as I handed her my offering.

She readily accepted them. Bella took a long drink and then bit into the apple. "They are still my favorite. How's you still have them? How long have you been here?"

"I just got here. Right about the same time as you did actually. I believe Alice or someone else in the family brought them. In fact, the kitchen is fully stocked if you are hungry or do you need to be getting back home?" I hoped and prayed that answer would be no.

"I don't have to be in any hurry. Although I am on my bike. I'd hate to go across those winding roads in the dark."

"You know, you really don't have to go back tonight. You could stay here. With me."

Bella stopped mid bite and stared at me. Where did my boldness come from? But I most certainly meant it.

"Excuse me? Did you, Edward Cullen, just ask me to stay the night with you?"

"Yes, I did. And I meant it too."

"But what about . . . ," but I cut her off.

I took her food and drink and sat them on the table. I pulled her until she was straddling my lap. I placed my forehead to hers and breathed in deeply. Her breath washed over my face and I was home.

"Isabella, I do not care about anything other than you. I know you are married and I know what I want us wrong but I cannot help it. I want you to be mine, in every sense of the word. I want you mind, soul and body. Most assuredly body. My very skin is on sensory overload from your touch and I so badly want to make you all mine. I know you are another's but, damn it, I don't care."

Bella gasped. "I just don't know. I'm married and pregnant with another man's child."

"Do you love him? Do you want to be with him? Do you want to be with me? Do you want to be mine? Say you'll be mine again, Isabella. I vow, no I swear on my very existence that I will never leave you again. I will be with you for all eternity, if you will have me."

"But Jake said I was his imprint. He said he imprinted on me."

"Is it not a two sided feeling? Have you felt a strong urge to be with him? Is he whom you want to be with?"

"Jake said you have some hold on me, some mind control. Vampire hoodoo, they say."

I ran my hand up her back and into her thick hair. I placed my other hand on her hip and pulled her closer to me. I could feel her heated desire for me through two pairs of denim and it was heavenly.

"Have you ever known me to use any power on you?"

"Well, you have been known to dazzle me."

"As you have me. Anything else?"

"No. I know it's not true. And I know I do not feel for him what he feels for me. But does that mean I should do what I think you are proposing?"

"The real question is, Bella, is how do you feel about all of this? Try not to think about what he wants or what I want and for this moment, actually every moment, think about what Isabella Marie Swan Black wants."

I sat back and let the chips fall where they lie.

AUTHOR NOTE: WOOH! Edward was pushing that along pretty quick. Down boy, down! (Sits back and laughs evilly!)