Thank you for waiting! Between this story and my other one AND work it's taking me a little longer to post. I'm almost done my other on though so then this will be my numero uno writing priority. Anyways, enjoy!
Chapter 11
EM POV
"Well boys, you're on your own now. Try to keep my little brother in line, and if you need anything just give Garrett or myself a call. I'll see you at our board meeting next Wednesday, keep me posted and be good to my girl Charlotte, she's a hell of a helping hand if you get on her good side."
I saw her eyes rolling from across the conference table where she'd been taking notes during the meeting, but I could tell she appreciated the praise.
Marcus smiled, shaking my hand, "don't worry we'll hold down the fort out here. Thanks so much again for this opportunity Emmett, we'll be sure to keep things running to your and Garett's standards over here."
Felix nodded his agreement, stepping forward to also shake hands, "we got you boss, have a safe flight back and rest up for once." He winked, both guys had noticed how I'd been running myself ragged trying to get things sorted so I could surprise Bella and fly out today instead of tomorrow like she thought.
"Alright then, I'm off" I waved, slinging my suit coat over one arm and heading out of the building down to my rental where I'd already packed all my things in anticipation for an easy getaway. Shifting the car into gear, I pulled out into the busy New York City traffic, eyes intent as I maneuvered the car onto the express onramp heading towards LaGuardia airport.
"See you soon princess" I grinned as I pressed down a little harder on the acceleration.
B POV
"Ready boss lady? Or does lady boss sound more kickass?" Rose pursed her lips in my doorway, genuinely trying to decide on which option was truly more fitting.
I snorted, sending off my last report of the day before shutting everything down and grabbing my coat and bag. "Ugh neither, come on let's go get our body hair ripped out" I grumbled, my shorter legs trying to keep pace with Rose's longer limbs.
"Meet you there?" she tossed over her shoulder, unlocking her car, pausing for my answer before getting in.
"Definitely. Picking up Kate on the way there so I might be a couple minutes behind, but I'm sure she's already standing outside her building waiting for me to pull up" I rolled my eyes, feigning annoyance.
Rose laughed, sliding into her car and giving me a thumbs up through the windshield before I turned and walk over to my own car. As my fingers wrapped around my door handle, I paused, feeling someone's eyes on me. My back straightened and I peered around the garage as I slid inside my car, shutting and locking it immediately just like the other day. I felt a little on edge between stress at work, Edward's flowers, and Emmett's approaching return. I couldn't wait to get my hands on my man tomorrow, I licked my lips pulling out of the parking garage, remembering how his taut muscles tensed and bunched beneath my questing fingers on his weekend visit.
A car behind me honked; the light had been green a while judging by the dwindling countdown for the pedestrian crosswalk. I blushed lightly, driving through the intersection and towards Kate's place.
She was, as I suspected, standing outside her building when I pulled up. Big grin stretched across her face, making me frown. While I enjoyed the way my skin felt after getting a wax, I didn't share Kate's enthusiasm about getting it done. She claimed she found it very satisfying to watch the hair get stripped away, but I really just couldn't get past the stinging and the anxiety of whether the girl doing the waxing was experienced enough to deal with my shifty ass.
I reached over and popped open the passenger door, leaning over to holler, "let's go crazy bitch!"
She laughed, scampering over and climbing into my car, "let's go get these cooters cleaned up bestie" she cheered, buckling in and cranking the music in my car, "it's Friday and tomorrow your man's back and then soon we can start having date nights and invite Ally and Jas, oh! And we can invite Rose and Jake, man this is going to be so fun what a group!" She chattered away about all the fun double date and group date ideas as I drove us to the salon, pulling into a spot beside Rose's Beamer and getting out.
Four hours later we strolled towards our cars, arms linked, wearing loose fitting clothes. Rose and Kate were giggling about hearing a few curses coming from my room during the wax despite the Tylenol I'd taken in preparation. I heard Kate's tell tale cackle when the girl waxing me sighed when I asked yet again for a couple extra seconds in between strips below my bikini line. Shit hurt.
We'd caved and also gone to the nail salon beside where we got our waxes done, I decided to go with the colour I knew Em loved on me and had my nails done in a vibrant, deep shade of red. After our nails we headed over to the lingerie store in the mall across the street and picked out some outfits. Rose went on about how she wanted something crotchless so she could jump Jake in his gym. I couldn't tell if Kate looked more impressed or alarmed. She grabbed a few things as well, claiming her anniversary was coming up with Gar. I stuck with my red theme and got a black babydoll with red threading throughout the material that matched my nails. I bought a few pairs of sexier underwear for other occasions and a tighter bustier top that was a deep purple.
We all hugged and then left, Kate and I chattered away about things I could do to surprise Emmett tomorrow. I knew he was getting in sometime between lunch and dinner so we joked about greeting him at the door in nothing but an apron cooking dinner. Honestly, I wasn't against the idea…we'd have to see. I pulled up to her building and she clambered out, turning back and ordering, "don't forget Sunday girls conference! Love you!" she sang the last part, and I called it back as she shut the door and disappeared into the lobby.
I parked the car in the underground lot of my building, grabbing my work and shopping bags, kicking the car door closed as I turned to walk to the elevator. I took my phone out as I waited for the doors to open, debating between sending Emmett a text or giving him a call. It was eight o'clock now, I'd be having a late dinner but maybe I could make a game out of it or something and get him to pick out something new for me to try from a local takeout spot. The elevator doors dinged as they opened and I stepped inside, responding to Alice's messages and commentary on the pictures we'd sent of our nails and outfits. She was visiting Jasper's family in Tennessee this weekend and was extra pouty about missing a girls outing, so we promised to plan another one soon. I just hopped the actual shopping would be kept to a minimum.
The doors opened and I stepped out, pulling up Em's name on my phone and deciding to just give him a call. I fumbled my keys as the line started ringing. I jammed my keys in the lock and then tried to shift my phone to my shoulder but dropped it instead.
"Shit." I muttered, dropping my bags so I could stoop down to grab it. But as I dropped my bags, suddenly a body pushed up behind mine. For a fleeting moment my breath caught in my throat until I remembered Emmett's sudden appearance last time, instantly calming.
"Miss Swan" his voice muttered lowly at my ear, making my hair stand along my arms and the back of my neck. Not my boyfriend. One hand clamped down over my mouth when I opened it to call for help.
"Not so fast, bitch. You ruined my life, I had everything riding on that job and you just had to go and run your stupid little mouth to Aro. Well, he's not here to save your pathetic, whiny ass now." His laugh made me shiver, eerie and dark. He spun me around to face him, beady eyes piercing into mine, grin stretched across his thin lips as he took in my startled expression. Should've kept the pepper spray on hand I though absently.
"Now I'm going to make your life hell, Isabella." He sneered, hand on my mouth moving up to cover my nose as well, other hand ripping my hands that had been wedged against the door up, pinning them above my head with a steel hold.
I tried to bring up a knee but he just tsked at me, pinning my legs with one of his. I was running out of air, lungs started to strain as I hadn't been prepared to hold my breath. He leaned in close, make me shut my eyes tightly.
"Just you wait, Isabella, the second things start to get better, I'll be there. Oh, and my name's James by the way. Not that you ever bothered to ask, you were always so fucking caught up in—" he looked like he had more to say but the elevator doors dinged as they open.
He cut himself off, and the last thing I felt was a blinding pain as he slammed my head back into my front door.
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I was floating, dreaming, Emmett was there, holding me, whispering words of comfort and making me feel safe and even loved. But then all of a sudden, he morphed into Stevens—James. He sneered down at me like in front of my apartment, this time his hand was closed around my throat instead of smothering my face. I was trying to yell for help, struggling as hard as I could but I just couldn't get away, couldn't escape. Then I started to feel a tugging as I lost the fight to pull oxygen into my burning lungs. I heard a voice over the roaring in my ears, my head starting to pound as it broke through, becoming more clear.
"Come on Bells, baby you gotta wake up. Please, for me, open those big beautiful eyes." He sounded so sad, and I wanted to reach out to him and wrap myself in his words and arms. Pushing through the fog I could hear a distinct beeping and a tugging on my limbs.
I whimpered, coming to, trying to peek through my eye lids but wincing at the lights above me.
"Bella, hey. Shhh it's okay, hey now. I'm here, he's gone. I'm right here." He kept repeating himself, blue eyes finding my wild brown ones as I tried to figure out what was going on. My mouth felt dry and cottony and he seemed to understand, turning and grabbing a cup of water with a straw and putting it to my lips.
"Em?" I whimpered, tears filling my eyes. I realised the tugging was from soft cuffs around my wrists and ankles. He noticed me eyeing them and bit his lip, obviously trying to keep himself together.
"Bella, honey they had to restrain you, you had nightmares throughout the night, thrashing so much they just didn't want you to hurt yourself or fall out of bed with your head injury." He seemed to rasp out the word restrained, clearly distraught and looking worse for wear in the too small chair in my private room that was dwarfed by his giant frame.
"They couldn't get you a bigger chair?" I blurted out, clearly having had the filter smacked right out of me.
He paused, then his shoulders shook before he full out belly laughed, leaning over my bed to press a tender kiss to my forehead and then my lips as he laughter died down to low chuckles. "At least I know your brain still works, my little weirdo" he said, relief clear on his face as a doctor entered the room.
"Well, I'm glad to see you're awake Miss Swan, you had quite the night. I'm going to take the restraints off right away. Typically we don't use them on patients such as yourself, but you nearly fell out of bed twice if it hadn't been for your spouse's quick reflexes" she said, glancing at Em who blushed. Spouse? I stored that information away for later. I reached one hand out and felt his fingers thread through mine, pressing a kiss to the back of my hand.
"Alright, let's check you out" she said, leaning in with a light, doing various neurological tests to see if there was any extensive damage done. After some more poking and a little bit of prodding.
"Okay, it seems health wise you are a very lucky woman. You somehow did not get a concussion, but you did, however, get a nasty goose egg and superficial gash on your head that we had to close with a couple stitches. We believe you passed out from a combination of oxygen deprivation, fear, and the blow you took. I've prescribed you some pain killers that should help as your bump might still swell a little more before beginning to heal. I would recommend putting on a soft hat when you sleep to keep from aggravating the stitches for the first few nights, but otherwise no washing your scalp, for a week, shower caps and dry shampoo will be your new best friends. Based on the work schedule I've been told you keep, I would suggest taking a couple days off just to recover fully. You may not have brain trauma, but oxygen depravation is serious, and your body needs rest after the trauma. Give us a call if you have any other questions or concerns." She smiled kindly at me, handing Emmett the prescription, and then walking out with the restraints dangling over one arm.
I looked over at the man hunched over my bed, "what? You're here? What happened?"
He sighed, breath puffing out, "I took a flight out yesterday to surprise you and thank god I did, I don't even want to think about if I'd waited until tomorrow—" he shook he head, "anyways, I landed just after dinner and Gar told me you girls were out shopping, so I went home to shower before heading over. I stepped onto your floor and turned in time to see that fucking bastard slam your head back and sprint away. I caught you as you crumpled down, unconscious. I called for an ambulance when you weren't coming to and I saw blood on my hand that cradled your head. I rode with you in the ambulance and called Kate. She called your parents, they're waiting for an update with tickets on standby," he sucked in a breath before continuing, "Bella, my god I just got you I can't—" his voice broke off a little, breathing harsh as he recounted what happened.
He wasn't finished though, "The doctors weren't sure how bad the internal damage was despite your scans coming back clear. I stayed in your room all night and around eleven your nightmares started. You'd thrash, moan, and whimper. I tried to gently wake you, but you were just lost. After you nearly rolled out of bed twice, I allowed them to immobilize you. I'm so sorry baby but I just didn't want anything to—"
I pressed my fingers to his lips, cutting him off, "Em, no, it's okay. I'm not upset…at least not about that. I'm just so fucking glad you were there, he—he's the guy I got fired, he said he's going to ruin my life like I ruined his, oh Emmett! He knows where I live! Oh god" I froze in fear.
Emmett's expression hardened thinking about James, "Bells I know you love your place but until this lunatic is taken care of, I'd really rather have you stay with me. Please?" He begged, stormy blue eyes imploring.
I nodded, "Okay Em, I'll stay with you. But you have to let me cook to pay my penance for staying over." I bartered.
He grinned widely, "oh baby you can cook in my kitchen whenever you want. Except this weekend. No pouting, doc said rest and that's what you're going to do."
I couldn't help the word vomit, "but I just got a wax and my nails done and I was going to surprise you" I whined.
His head tipped back, and I could hear him muttering lowly to himself before he blew out a breath and looked at me, a hunger burning in his eyes. "No. Trust me, Bells, the only thing I want more than to explore your bare body, is for you to be healthy." He eyed me speculatively, "we can take a rain check after the weekend, but you'd have to wear a hat." He surmised, pulling my phone out of his pocket, quickly changing the topic.
"Ready for your parents?" he asked, holding out my phone. I nodded and dialed their number, putting it on speaker.
"Isabella!?" Mom's voice came through frantically.
"Hey mom, I'm okay. Tell dad to take deep breaths, I'm sure he's turned purple by now."
"Isabella Marie, this is not the time for jokes. My baby! Oh I'm so grateful you're okay Bella. Now tell me, what exactly did the doctor say?" she pushed, slipping into nurse Swan mode.
I groaned, reciting the doctor's spiel and mom hummed and mumbled along as I told her everything. I heard a grunt in the background and some shuffling as I finished reassuring, I would be okay.
"BELLS!?" Dad roared down the line, making me cringe.
"Jesus dad! It's a head injury. Volume!" I scolded, wincing at his bellowed greeting. Emmett smirked a little at my response, giving my leg a soft squeeze from his tiny chair.
"Bells, did you use the pepper spray? What's the bastard's name? You know what, I'm—we're coming" he barked out, making my eyes widen.
"No! No, dad, seriously. I'll be back to work in a few days, please don't fly all the way out here I'll be fine, I promise." I practically begged, not wanting the complication of planning accommodations with my parents and then spending even more time away from Emmett an being less focused at work than I already knew I was going to be.
"Bells, you can't go back in that apartment. Not when they haven't caught the little shit who did this to you" he demanded.
"I'm not staying at my apartment!" I blurted out.
Silence.
"Dad?" I asked tentatively, glancing at Em who was pressing his lips together to keep from laughing.
"Who're you staying with? Kate?" he asked hesitantly.
I heard more shuffling and then mom's voice joined in, "OH, Bella honey are you staying with that new man you told us about!? He's there with you now isn't he? Kate told us someone went to the hospital with you and saved you from a worse outcome. Is he there sweetie?" I groaned. "Bella Marie, if you want us to stay here you better let us thank and speak with the man who will be looking after our baby girl." She threatened back.
I glanced sheepishly at Em who shrugged, flashed me a dimple and then spoke up, "Chief Swan, Mrs. Swan, this is Emmett Cullen. I promise to make sure Bella is safe from everything and everyone…including herself." I heard mom chuckle. Traitor. Then my eyes widened when I realised he'd said his last name.
Dad's gruff voice answered "Cullen? You related to her ex, boy?" he accused.
Emmett straightened, "he's my kid brother, sir. If I may, Bella is far too good for my brother. We may be related but I'm not blind. I've been in love with your daughter for years, and now that I have the chance to be with her, I swear to you to that I will treat her they way she deserves and then some." He looked up, intense blue eyes holding my brown ones captive. I saw it then, the love, the protectiveness, and lingering concern. I bit my lip to stave off my emotions for now. Emmett Cullen loves me. I held back a girly squee.
I heard dad clear his throat, but mom beat him to it, "Well hello older brother. I can tell our daughter is going to be in very…capable hands.
"Rene!"
"MOM!"
"What? I'm just trying to be on your side honey, he sounds like a sturdy young man. We'll have to do a video chat once your head is feeling better."
I sighed, and Em leaned over to kiss my cheek, making me blush all over again at my mom's antics.
"Okay, thanks mom. Seriously, Dad, stay. Don't come here. You'll cramp my style anyways." He scoffed at that.
I looked at the time, "okay parents, I want to get out of this hospital bed and grab something to eat, haven't had anything since lunch yesterday and it's already after noon. Seeing as I just woke up, I'd rather not start my day on hospital food."
"Okay, Bells, but one thing goes wrong, we're there" Dad threatened.
"Yes father, going now. Love you!" I rushed out before they could say anything else embarrassing, slumping back onto the bed with an exaggerated sigh.
"Can we leave now?" I pouted.
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EM POV
We got her discharged, filled and picked up her prescriptions before heading over to her place to collect the things she'd need to stay over at mine.
I was torn; part of me was still livid and freaking out about the attack, and the other part couldn't wait to have her in my home taking up space and just being there. I couldn't wait to come home to Bella. I had to keep reminding myself that this was definitely not the way I wanted to go about living together and was way sooner than I'd imagined things would go for us, but I wasn't gonna complain. We had a lot of missed time to make up for.
I called Kate and Gar while Bella packed, carrying her suitcases down to my car while she took over the conversation, making plans to meet up with the girls for dinner during the week. Our plans for now were to grab a shit ton of takeout food, pig out on the couch, and then spend today and Sunday vegging out around my place.
I had to admit, Bella's new place was really nice and I felt bad that she had to leave it so soon after moving in, I knew how much having her own space meant to her. Maybe one day we'd live there, it was a better location and a little bigger than my place. I'd been living here for years, never caring to upgrade because it was just me in the two-bedroom condo. I'd converted one to an office with a pullout couch in case I had any visitors or friends from college stay over.
I didn't think twice when we arrived, carting Bella's things down the hall and into my—our room. I didn't want my girl second guessing her welcome and was sure as shit not going to be sleeping in separate beds after spending months apart.
I let her carry in the hefty takeout bag and lots of bickering. I relented but still carried in the drinks to lessen the load of what she was carrying up. The food smelled so good both our stomachs were growling in the car, making us laugh. Everything was so easy with Bella, I couldn't help but feel like the man looking over at my girl curled up on my couch in my apartment eating the food I got for her. She looked like she belonged here, with me. I cleared my throat stop being a mushy bitch, shaking my head I walked over to join her with my own massive portion of food.
We chatted back and forth as we ate, catching each other up on our week and any news. Bella told me about how Jake and Rose were still hitting it off and most likely were going to be in it for the long haul. It was nice to know I wouldn't have to drop Black as a client or pound his ass if he pined after Bella. Only I was allowed to pine after my woman.
I was glad she put her pajamas on when we got in, wanting to change out of her icky hospital smelling clothes that Kate had dropped off this morning while she was still asleep. They were fuzzy and loose fitting, I was already having a hard time as is keeping my hands to myself especially after she let slip about her little surprise earlier today. I'd sent up a little prayer to whoever asking for enough strength for the both us to not do anything to jeopardize her recovery.
Despite her protests I cleaned up as we finished the food, packing up the leftovers and clearing our dishes. "Mmm" she groaned from the couch, being completely unhelpful with the whole controlling myself things. "Thanks Em, that really hit the spot. I feel like I've slept for days but I'm still exhausted" she sighed, curling into my side as I sat back down. Careful of her head I reached around and wrapped a hand around her shoulders, squeezing her in closer and lifting one of her hands in my other one, dropping kisses on her fingers tips making her make an appreciative noise.
I noticed she was starting to fall asleep on me and snatched the soft beanie she'd picked up at her place, securing it over her head to protect her stitches. I gathered her small form into my arms, carrying her over to my bed and pulling back the sheets with one hand while I cradled her to my chest with the other then settled her in on one side. I covered her up and walked back out to my office, deciding since it was only four I would do some work now so that I could putter around on Monday, maybe even spend the day home with Bella.
I'd been at my computer for a few hours when I paused, hearing her voice from the bedroom. Getting up I went to investigate, speeding up when I heard her volume raising. "N—No. NO! James, leave us alone. NO!" she cried as I pulled her off the mattress and into my arms, running my hands along her body, crooning softly to her, all the while being careful of her stitches.
"Shh, shh it's okay, Bella. James can't get you here. You're safe, sweet girl, I promise." I murmured, rocking her a little as she quieted into sniffles, squirming around until she could burrow her face into my neck, arms wrapped over my shoulders, trying to mold her small body to mine.
"Emmett" she whimpered, pressing her wet face against my skin.
"I'm here, I'm not going anywhere Bells. Never." I promised, hands now ghosting up and down her back in a soothing motion as her tears slowed and her breathing evened out. I decided to do some work on my phone, it was dark out now so I wouldn't be up much later anyways having barely slept last night.
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I woke to delicious smells, groaning and rolling over to find the bed empty, no injured girlfriend in sight. Frowning, I got up and brushed my teeth, going about my business before following the scent to the kitchen and watched my girl humming along to music playing from her phone as she moved around my kitchen like she owned it. She already owned me so why not my kitchen too? Not like I was an avid user of it myself.
Gone were her fuzzy pyjamas, replaced by some yoga pants and an off the shoulder sweater. Her hat was off, letting the wound breathe like the doctor had mentioned on our way out yesterday. I tried to ignore the heat crackling along my muscles when I thought back to the scene I'd walked in on yesterday. I shook the feelings off, instead walking up and wrapping my arms around her toned shoulders, bending down to place a kiss on her exposed shoulder.
"Morning" I murmured, despite the fact that it was almost lunch time, "didn't scare you?" I asked, smirking down when she looked up at me with one brow quirked up.
"Nuh huh, heard you moving around this time," she leaned up on her toes and pressed a kiss under my jaw.
"Bella," I started giving her a look of disapproval, "you're supposed to be resting, babe, not cooking. Remember when you agreed that you wouldn't be trying to feed me until a couple more days had passed?"
She pouted again, "but I wanted to, and I feel fine my head was a little achy so I took some meds when I got up. Besides I ordered some groceries so that we don't have to order food for the next couple days." She argued back.
"But Bell—ah" when I opened my mouth she stuffed a piece of food in my mouth. My eyes closed at the flavours and I groaned, hands skating down to grasp her hips.
"Soooo you don't want any caramel bacon French toast…?" she teased, knowing she had me.
"Fuck, babe. Fine. Take advantage of one of my two weaknesses, I'll exploit yours too, just you wait." I threatened, grinning when she bit her lip.
"Weaknesses, huh? Food and…?"
I folded myself down so I could pull her earlobe between my teeth and then press my lip just behind her eat. "You" I all but growled, then backed away, hands in the air. "And now both of those things are looking mighty edible in my kitchen right now so I'm going to go sit over here and let you do your thing."
I winked at her bright blush, watching as she turned, portioning out the French toast, bacon, and fresh fruit, pilling my plate nice and high.
"Good thing there's a treadmill in the office, because I don't wanna leave you here just yet and the only other form of cardio available in this place is currently…under construction even though it's definitely my preferable choice…" I kept trailing off as I let my eyes drift over her killer body in those tighter clothes. Running and cold showers until hopefully tomorrow depending on how her head looks and feels. Please god let her be healed tomorrow, I thought as she licked her lips, letting her own eyes drift over my arms as I cut into my toast.
After breakfast I washed up while Bella picked out a movie for us to watch, she chose something more to my liking, knowing she would probably just pass out while it was on. I had to admit she looked pretty damn adorable in her little beanie. Just as the doctor warned, the goose egg had swelled a little more but her titches looked better today, less angry. I carried her back to bed and tucked her in, taking the opportunity to actually go for a run on the treadmill. I ran ten miles then got off, sweat running down my face and making my shirt cling to my torso. I peeled it off and used it to wipe the sweat from my face as I walked into the bedroom tossing it in the laundry bin and grabbing a towel to shower.
I heard a little gasp and locked eyes with Bells, now fully awake, eyes trailing down from mine and over my abs, drifting along my exposed skin, making me feel hot for a whole new reason. I lifted one finger, pointing at her lustful gaze, "No. Bad Bella. I'm trying to be good but you're making this really hard." I stressed, slinging a towel over my shoulder and heading for the bathroom.
I heard her giggling as I closed the door, shaking my head and smiling to myself one more day. When I got out of the shower and padded to the bedroom with my towel slung low on my hips. I paused right outside the door, looking down. No. No way. I grabbed the edges of the towel, dragging it up my body to just below my pecks, feeling like an idiot trying to not show too much skin in front of my hot as fuck girlfriend. But I was a weak, weak man when it came to her, and it'd also been a long time since I'd been with a woman. After meeting Bella, I had one relationship but no one else really measured up so I'd always lose interest before sleeping with them.
I strutted back into the room, intent on not making eye contact until I was clothed, no matter what sexy little noises she may or may not—I heard a little groan when I tugged on my shorts under my towel, letting it slip as I pulled them up, giving her a peek of my ass by accident.
"Hey, woman! I'm more than a piece of meat." I tossed over my shoulder, hearing her scoff.
"But you're such a delicious, juicy, piece of meat…" she joked back. I knew it was a joke, but I still felt myself get hard hearing her speak.
"Heal up and tomorrow I'll give it you well done" I offered, hearing her burst out laughing. Boner almost gone, sexual tension gone. Score one for Cullen.
"I'm going to go get started on dinner, I like to take my time with meat" she said lowly, walking out of the bedroom. My head hung back, I tried to come up with things we could do tonight to keep both our minds out of the gutter.
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Three hours later I was groaning yet again as I ate the meatloaf and roasted vegetables she'd cooked for dinner. "Mom would be so jealous if she tried this. I'm surprised she hasn't made you write your own cookbook at this point." I said, plowing another heaping bite into my mouth, closing my eyes as the flavours melted on my tongue.
She got quiet for a second, "I didn't get to see her much, umm Edward never really cared for us doing family activities, so besides big occasions we kind of just kept to ourselves. That's part of the reason why Kate and I got so close so fast; I didn't have anyone around to really spend time with. My parents are on the West coast, Ally hadn't moved to Chicago yet, and I didn't really know anyone else in the city." She shrugged making me annoyed at my brother yet again for never prioritizing things or improving on his time management skills.
I reached over and grasped her hand in mine, "well I'd like to go over there more often, especially once we're out in the open with my family and things settle down. Mom loves you and I know she won't think any differently of you for going for her favourite son" I finished with a grin, making her laugh and swat at me from across the table. I caught one of her soft little hands in mine, placing a soft kiss on the palm before releasing her and digging back into my meal.
After dinner Kate dropped by, giving Bella a hug and tearing up until my girl smacked our friend saying, "suck it up I'm fine." I guffawed at that, taking in Kate's disgruntled expression. She dropped off a soft cooling pad that Bella could press against her goose egg to help make the swelling go down quicker without irritating the wound.
She stayed up later this evening, napping during the day was definitely helping with her recovery, and after watching a couple reruns together, she tucked her hair up into a shower cap, indulging in a hot shower before bed. I stubbornly waited in the living room, switching to sit in the office and send a couple emails, waiting for her to dress in the bedroom before joining her in bed. I knew that if she cam into the room in only a towel I'd slide it down her delectable body, lean her back onto the pillows and dive right—no don't go there. I chastised myself, trying to will my boner away as I heard her light footsteps cross the hall and head into the bedroom, trying like hell not to picture her in just a towel.
Ever the observant girlfriend, she called out "okay, you can come in now I'm freaking clothed, you big oaf."
I sauntered into the room, moving my hands to my shirt before stopping and locking my eyes with her seemingly innocent brown ones. "Behave" I said sternly before stripping it off, turning off the lamp, and crawling into bed with her. I placed a kiss on her beanie clad head, pulling her soft body onto mine with a deep sigh, sleep pulling me under instantly.
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Okay we've got our first classic encounter with Stevens, aka James who also spoiled some fun plans. Puhleeeease keep those reviews coming, they're a big help and really encouraging to see! xx (: