WRITTEN FOR — JM Shaw (AKA WitchyVampireGirl)

PROMPT USED — Don't You Wanna Stay by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson

CHAPTER 3: TENACITY

He felt the bed move under him and shifted his attention onto his wife, watching as she relaxed her posture. She raised her head slowly, and his breath hitched. Tears still brimmed in her eyes, but there was a strange sort of tenacity in them now. She shifted closer, angling her body to face his.

He opened his mouth, but could only voice her name before she'd wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his lips down to hers. He grunted as she scrambled on to his lap. His arms automatically encircled her waist, holding her steady while her lips continued to glide — firm and demanding — between his. He gave in, letting her lead, but kissing her back with equal fervor as his hands dipped underneath the hem of her shirt.

Smooth, warm skin met his fingertips, and her back arched at his touch. Her hips pressed down on his, grinding and rocking until he felt himself harden under her ministration. She pressed wet kisses along his jaw and nibbled at his stubbly skin, spurring him on.

"Bella." Her name left his lips in a whisper, a hint of caution mingling with the desire she evoked within his soul.

"Shhh," she replied, bringing her mouth back to his. "Don't say anything." He didn't miss the tremble in her voice, and it made his fingers dig deeper into the softness of her flesh. "Just . . . just stay with me, Edward. Stay with me." She lowered her lips to his, a tremor running down her spine. They both knew it was fear that made her shiver, but determined to hold him captive tonight, she rocked her pelvis over his.

A guttural groan escaped his lips, all his thoughts vanishing like mist in the brightness of the rising sun. All he felt, all he saw was his beautiful wife in his arms. This was exactly what she wanted, and he knew it. He knew her better than anyone, better than he knew himself.

And that was exactly why he couldn't stay.

She thought she could handle it — a life on the run. Always looking over their shoulders, always searching for enemies in strangers, always thinking any moment could be their last.

But he knew she couldn't. She'd try, of course . . . but eventually, the shadows would encroach upon her light, engulfing it, swallowing it whole until what remained would be nothing but the shell of the woman he'd always loved . . . her essence lost in the dark sea of crime she had rescued him from.

Because she had.

Without her, he would've never had the courage or the desire to put that life behind him.

Now, it was time to repay that debt. Now was the time to make sure that he would do whatever it took to ensure that she got to live out the life he'd promised her.

His hands loosened from her hips, his fingers curling away from her skin as his resolve strengthened.

But he had forgotten that she knew him just as well, too.

She felt it, the shift in his body, the tensing of his muscles as soon as he'd decided to pull away. Her skin prickled, aching at the loss of his touch. A sob caught in her throat as defeat loomed closer on her horizon.

Edward's heart clenched at the sound of her distress.

"Bella," he tried again, only to be silenced by her hand on his lips.

Tears swam in the chocolate depths of her eyes, and they slayed him, just as they always did.

"Love me, Edward," she whispered brokenly, the desperation in the soft sound sending a fissure down his resolve. "Just . . . love me. Hold me. Stay with me."

A choked breath escaped his mouth, tears threatening to spill over from his eyes as she pleaded with him.

This could be the last time, some corner of his mind whispered, catching him off-guard for a moment.

His fingers traced the planes of her face as he considered that thought, only to realize that it was, indeed true.

Edward wasn't delusional enough to be one hundred percent sure everything would go according to plan at his meeting with Aro. In fact, despite his assurances to Bella, the odds were stacked against him. A dozen things could go wrong, and every single one of them would lead him to lose Bella forever.

If anything went awry, this would be the last time he'd touch the velvet of her skin, the last time he'd kiss the soft suppleness of her lips, the last time he'd feel her love for him surround him in its embrace until he drowned in the feeling he'd never wanted to surface from.

Fear clawed at his skin as he considered the idea of losing her. That was exactly why he needed to go. If he didn't, the likelihood would become a certainty.

But he couldn't bear the thought of walking away from her, knowing he might never return, without being with her this one time.

Just one more time . . . to show her how much he loved her, to tell her why he was doing this.

Just one more time . . . to memorize every inch of her skin, every whisper of her breath, and carry them with him forever if this was his last night with her.

Just one more time . . . to make sure she never doubted his devotion . . . even if he couldn't be there to express it.

A/N: Pics for each chapter can be found in my FB group – Fanfiction by ForeverRobsessed