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Up and Down - CLOVES

Chapter Seven

Peter

Running my fingers through Bella's long hair, I look down at her sleeping face as her head rests on the pillow. Her long lashes were still wet from the tears she had shed until exhaustion took over. Her lips were slightly parted, little sighs escaping as she breathed in and out.

After I managed to convince Bella to come back to the bed to rest, she slowly climbed on, but what I hadn't expected was for her to keep holding onto me. She didn't want to be alone, and it made something stir in my chest. I crawled onto the bed to sit next to her, making sure to cover her up to keep from getting cold. I was still trying to wrap my head around everything she told us. All the shit she had to put up with growing up and how she still manages to keep going.

The fucked up part is that she's had to do it all alone.

On the other hand, I had my fair share of bad blood too. Who was I to say anything? I might be more fucked up than anyone.

I continued running my hand through Bella's hair mindlessly, enjoying the way her silk strands felt against my fingers. Before I could lose myself in my own memories, I heard a noise coming from the hallway. Jasper had left Bella's room as soon as she fell asleep, and I wouldn't be surprised if he already sent our guys after James.

When Bella began stirring, she mumbled in her sleep, "I'm...sorry."

Hoping to soothe her nightmares away, I gently caressed her cheek with the back of my hand. While I loved having her this close to me, I couldn't bring myself to be happy with the current situation Bella was in. My eyes stayed focused on the bruise that marred her face, and a sinking feeling in my stomach gradually made me uncomfortable.

Deep wounds I hid away a long time ago made me ache and the more Bella relived her own pain, mine were only just splitting back open again. The only difference was the I got away when I was a child, I was saved by Carlisle when I didn't even know there was a possibility for another life outside of the one I had.

As if feeling my sinking emotions, Jasper entered the room, shaking me away from my thoughts. He was barely getting off the phone as he tucked it back into his suit jacket as soon as he walked through the door.

"I sent Emmett and Garett to look for him. They should bring him in tonight if he's not dead in some ditch already." He says, almost whispering as he leaned against the dresser with his arms crossed.

"Good," I said, my gaze fixed on Bella's peaceful sleeping face, "I want to be there when they take him to the warehouse."

Grinning, my closest friend pushes off the chest drawer and starts making his way out of Bella's room, "You sure seem rather eager but then again so am I. Hell, I'll even let you do the honors."

In all the years I've worked in such a dangerous profession filled with crime and unpredictability, I never once felt grateful for it, until now.

For once, I felt like thanking Carlisle for bringing me into his twisted world now that I won't have to feel guilty for killing a disgusting animal like James.

As much as I hated having to leave Bella, I still needed to work. And I could tell she wasn't waking up any time soon either as she slept like she's never done so before.

Slipping out of bed I make my way downstairs. Not wanting to leave Bella all alone in the house today, I decided to stay home while Jasper went to deal with some unfinished business in town. Sitting down at the table in the kitchen, I sorted through paperwork and went over some plans I was working on with Rosalie to open up another location.

I eventually look at the time and notice it's eleven o'clock. I went over to the coffee machine and started brewing a fresh pot before I heard light, slow footsteps in the hallway. I could almost smell the delicious scent of lavender and vanilla enter the room and mix in with the freshly ground coffee.

"Morning, darlin'. Want some coffee?" I asked, not turning around just yet as I can practically sense her hesitation, standing at the entrance of the kitchen.

"...good morning. Sure, thanks." Bella's voice sounds slightly deeper, having just woken up from her sleep, no doubt. Looking over my shoulder, I couldn't help but admire just how beautiful she was.

She wore a burgundy turtleneck sweater with some black jeans that showed her curves in all the right places. Her long brown hair was cascading down her back and stopped just at her waist while her brown orbs stared shyly at me.

I knew I had to be careful with her, especially after she told us what James did to her. No woman or anyone should have had such a horrendous first experience like that. If she let me, I would gladly show her how good she can feel.

Okay, that's enough of that.

I pour Bella a cup of coffee and slide it over to her on the island, where she took a seat on the stool.

"Thank you."

"How did you sleep?"

"...good. You have a really nice home."

"I'm glad you like it. My mother is the mastermind behind it, so we have her to thank for the decor. It's not nearly as nice as my mother's home of course, but it's something." I attempted to get her to relax with my lame lighthearted talk but it didn't work.

"Hmm." Was all she said, granting me a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Silence.

She didn't speak again, hell she wouldn't look at me either.

I poured myself a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter. Her eyes were focused on the black liquid that swirled in the mug while her hands held it tight. Having enough of the awkward silence, I decided to speak, but she beat me to it.

"Peter," noticing I started speaking at the same time she blushes and insists I talk first.

"Yes?" I urge her to speak her mind.

"About what I said this morning. I-I shouldn't have...it really wasn't-"

I held my hand when I realized what she was trying to do.

"Bella, if you're going to say that you shouldn't have told me what you've been going through or that it isn't as bad as it seems, I'm going to stop you right now. What happened with your father and what that...man did to you wasn't nothing." I said, crossing my arms and leaning against the counter. My tone probably came off a little too stern but I wanted to be clear about what I was trying to say.

She looks to the window by the table and for a moment I can see she's practically back in that apartment, remembering every messed up image she's witnessed. Her eyes were riddled with pain and ghosts of her father and James.

"You don't see me differently? Now that you know?" She barely whispers.

I walk around the island, bending down so that I was face to face with her, ignoring the way her eyes fluttered nervously to look at me.

"Why would I see you differently?"

"Because now that you know about me...about what he did, maybe you'll see me as this damaged, broken thing."

Something inside of me aches to hear Bella's words. For all the hardships she's had to endure. I wanted to take her pain away, to reassure her.

Curling my fingers under her chin, I make her look up at me. Tears were gathering in her big brown eyes again.

"I could never see you that way, Bella. You're in a situation that was out of your control, but you still did your best to protect your brother. You endured more than you should have at your age."

"You don't think I'm messed up?" She asks me as if she couldn't wrap her head around the fact that I accepted her no matter how shit her life has been.

"No, I don't. If anything, I think you're stronger than you let on, which is rare, especially since you still managed to remain this calm, centered and innocent person that you are. Besides, everyone has their own set of burdens. Everyone is damaged in a way. There's no way around it. That's life."

"Thank you, Peter." She says quietly after she listened to me intently, as if a part of her didn't understand what I was saying or a part that wanted to believe me but couldn't just yet. Her hand was grabbing onto mine in a way that told me she needed to feel comfortable and reassured.

"Thank you for opening up to me," I said as I realize we've gradually gotten closer when she turned in the stool to face me. I was so close I could practically feel her breath fanning my face while her chest rises up and down. Not being able to resist the urge any longer, I dipped my head down and lightly brushed my lips over hers. A sensation rang through me at how slow and gentle I kissed her.

My body felt like it was set on fire, and it was over way too soon.

Not wanting to pressure her into anything, I leaned back to see her reaction. Her face fell slightly, looking down around her before she looked back up at me. Her eyes were filled with hesitation, but I knew she felt the same thing as me when her hand slowly slipped up my arm and held onto my shirt, giving it a slight tug.

I almost grinned at how innocent she was, but I stifled it as I took her face in my hands and pulled her to me. Only this time, I didn't kiss her as slowly.

Our second kiss was deep and urgent, it felt as if I needed her like I needed air to breathe. My lips melted into hers, and when she sighed into my mouth, I knew this was right. Bella was feeling the same thing I did without a doubt as her hands traveled up and circled around my shoulders, gripping onto my shirt and pulling me even closer to her. When her fingers ran through my hair, I let out a low moan into her mouth, loving the way she touches me even in the simplest way. I felt the tip of her tongue lick my upper lip slightly and it wasn't long before my tongue dipped into her mouth. Our tongues fought for dominance, caressing each other until I could hear our heavy breaths in the air around us.

When we finally separated to breathe, we were both panting, but our arms were still around each other. My forehead rested against hers as her eyes traveled all over my face. I grinned when she blushed again. God she was beautiful.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this." I admitted, my fingers running through her hair.

She was still breathing in and out as she leaned closer to me, "me too."

We both laughed at our mutual understanding of each other and part of me couldn't believe how ridiculously good it felt to have her in my arms.

We were about to go in for another kiss when the ringing from my phone erupted, the vibrations echoed against the table behind me.

"It's probably work." I said with annoyance that was surprising even to me.

"You should probably get it then. Could be important." The way she said it made her voice sound slightly disappointed but I smirked knowing she didn't want our intimate moment to end.

Placing a short kiss on her lips I walk back towards the table I swiftly grab my cellphone and answer.

"Cullen."

"We have a problem. How soon can you get to the office?" Jasper's voice sounded pissed.

I looked to Bella where she was finally taking a sip of her coffee. Sighing I knew it would be a while before I could have a chance to feel her lips against mine again. It was time to go back to reality.

My fucking reality.

A/N:

Hello everyone! Sorry for the delayed update but it's finally here after a lot of struggling with the chapter just erasing again followed by some writers block lol.

And I hope the little intimate scene between Peter and Bella was a nice hint of how the relationship between them is going to be like.

Bella's not the only one with a complicated past though. Looks like all three of them have something in common. We love angst and drama haha!

Thanks for reading and please don't forget to leave a review!