Authors Note:
You guys are so amazing, I have the best readers in the world! I surpassed 100 reviews within a day of updating so as promised, here's the next chapter.
Let me just say right now, you guys are going to love it. I just know you are, best chapter yet. There's so much development and character building, ahh can't wait for the feedback on it.
Keep reviewing and letting me know what you think and I'll upload soon! A simple 'love it' comment, really makes my day guys.
To my non UK readers -
Asda: A superstore, the UK version of Walmart.
Tesco: Another big time UK based superstore like Asda.
Jaffa Cakes: A delicious type of biscuit/cake with an orange jelly ontop.
Let me know if you have any more questions, happy to answer.
Chapter Seven
I'm in a hospital room in just my underwear after having a check-up. Turns out I was lucky and it was just a few bruises and cuts.
There's a knock on the door and I assume it's Alice coming back with the coffee she promised me earlier, so I call to tell her to come right in as I bend to pick up my clothes off the floor.
"I really hope you have that coffee you promised me."
"I'm sorry, sadly I don't come bearing gifts."
I turn and drop my clothes in shock when I see Edward leaning against the wall, ofcourse it wasn't Alice at the door, she wouldn't knock, she'd walk right in.
I frantically grab at the hospital sheet once I realise I'm half naked.
"What are you doing here?"
"What happened?"
"I asked you first."
He laughs but turns serious once he takes in the bruises on my face and body.
"I found out that you were in the hospital and came to see if you were ok, which you clearly aren't, so I'm going to ask you one more time Bella. What happened?"
"You found out I was in the hospital? How did you find out I was here? Did Alice tell you? Fuck, did the reporters find out? Omg..."
"No, they don't know anything, and no Alice didn't tell me. I'll tell you how I found out you were here, once you tell me what the fuck happened?"
I stare into his eyes from across the room and I can feel the anger in them all the way over here.
"I uh, I had an accident, I fell down the stairs."
"You fell down the stairs?"
"Yeah." I nod at him and try to make it seem as if I'm telling the truth but I'm a bad liar when I'm under pressure.
"Why are you lying to me?"
"I'm not lying, I swear."
"You swear huh? That's funny because I spoke to Alice outside and she said you got into a fight at Asda, over the last pack of Jaffa Cakes."
I don't know whether I'm laughing at the fact that Alice knew to cover or that she made up such an elaborate story to do with Jaffa Cakes.
"Yeah well what can I say? I really wanted those Jaffa Cakes."
"Wait, so you didn't fall down the stairs?"
"No I didn't. I was lying to you ok! I had a fight in Tesco over the last pack of Jaffa Cakes, are you happy now?"
"Tesco? It was Asda a minute ago. Stop fucking around and tell me what happened."
"Hang on a second, I've met you what, twice now? You have no say over me or my life, I don't have to answer to you. You think just because you're some hot shot celebrity with billions in the bank and people running around after you that suddenly I have to just answer when you snap your fingers? 'Cus if you do, you're in need of a reality check Mr Masen. I don't answer to no-one. Not anymore."
I give him my back as I pull on my socks and jeans.
"Bella."
"What?!"
I turn, ready to give him another shouting but he's just inches from me now and I'm caught off balance.
He reaches for my face but I move so he can't see my bruises up close. It's embarrasing to admit that I'm ashamed of them, I don't want Edward to see me like this. I'm not perfect in anyway but seeing me like this makes me look vulnerable, which is not a side I want him to see.
"Just go away. You don't owe me anything."
"Please Isabella, just tell me who did this to you?"
I push at his chest but he doesn't move which angers me because it makes me realise just how weak I am. I push again, harder this time and his stance falters just a little bit, but not enough to satisfy me.
Next thing I know I'm pushing him repeatedly, he makes no move to stop me so I carry on until he grabs my wrists tight, pulling me towards him.
"Why? What are you going to do? I can take care of myself. Go find some other charity case because this one doesn't need or want your help." I pull my wrists from his grip and he lets me. "Just leave me alone, please."
I go to pick up my sweater but he grabs it before I get to it and holds it high above his head, which I have to point out is pretty high considering he looks to be around 6'2, 6'3.
"Give me my sweater Edward. I'm pretty sure I'm the child here, not you, so stop acting like one."
"You're not having it back until you tell me what's going on. I want to know everything, start from the beginning."
I dart my eyes towards the bed and the hospital sheet on it, I'm closer but he's faster, and a lot stronger.
We both run for it, I grab one side but he grabs the other and pulls. It's ripped out of my grasp and I'm left with air. I look around the room to see if there's anything else I can use to cover myself and realise there's no hope.
"Fine, I'll just go out like this, like I care."
"You wouldn't do it. You don't have the balls."
He's right, I don't have the balls to walk out of here in just my bra and jeans because people would be able to see my marked body. I almost wish I was as confident as Alice, she'd be able to walk out of here naked if she needed to.
I need to be clever about this, there's no way I'm telling Edward about my problems so I need to distract him and then grab my sweater and make a run for it.
But how am I supposed to distract him?
As if on queue, his eyes rake down my body and the anger I saw earlier seems to have been replaced with lust.
I'm baffled as to how he could be remotely attracted to me when I'm covered in bruises but frankly I don't care, I just need to get out of here, and I know I can use this to my advantage.
I can tell him a few things, a few of the minor things that I don't mind sharing and then I'll use my feminine wiles to distract him and get a hold of my sweater.
"I got kicked out of my house. My mom told me to pack my things and get out. Eighteen years I've stayed quiet, and the one day I decide enough is enough I get kicked out. Funny how things work right."
I inch closer to him and reach out to touch his cheek. I tell myself I'm doing it to distract him but I know deep down I'm doing this because I want to.
"Do you need a place to stay?"
"Why? You gonna invite me to stay at yours? You work pretty fast don't you?"
He looks down at me and I can see the invitation in his eyes and it scares me. I haven't known this man long and he's willing to offer me a place to stay, and not just any place by the looks of it, I can tell he means his own home.
"It's fine, I'm staying at Alices for a few months and then I head off to university."
"If you're gonna carry on touching me you need to stop reminding me how young you are."
"I'm old enough." To fuck you.
The words are unsaid but he understands what I mean.
"Barely. So why did your parents kick you out?"
I shrug my shoulders, I don't exactly want to tell him he's kind of the reason why, but then again, I wonder if he really is? It seems like my parents were using any excuse to get rid of me.
"I don't know and I don't care, I only had a few weeks left there anyway, it was a means to an end."
"But they're your family? Won't you miss them?"
"God, you really are clueless aren't you? Who do you think did this to me, because it sure wasn't over a pack of Jaffa Cakes!"
His face becomes rigid, his mouth tight as he looks down at me.
"Your family did this? You need to report what happened."
"I wouldn't really class him as family, he's more like the sperm that helped create me, and no, no fucking way am I reporting this, I already have enough attention on me as it is, I don't want any more."
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault I was cursed with a fucked up family."
"I'm sorry about that too but I meant the attention thing, reporters tend to go a little crazy about my love life."
"Oh, well I'd like it if you could set the record straight about you and I. I don't want people getting the wrong impression, my Mom already thinks I'm a slut."
"Why would she think that?"
"She thinks we've er, slept together."
"How would that make you a slut?"
"She comes from a very conservative family, sex before marriage is a big deal to her, in her eyes I'm like the devils spawn or something."
He laughs and I feel my chest tighten. He looks so carefree when he smiles, it makes him look so much younger than he is.
"We're a perfect fit then." He winks at me and I scream at myself to not be affected by it, but I can't help it, his charm is all part of the attraction.
I wish I could say I was different to all the other girls, I wish I could say he didn't affect me, I wish I could say I was immune to his charm, I wish I could say I don't find him to be the most attractive man on earth, but wishes never come true do they?
"I don't know, talented football star meets shy, boring teenage girl? I don't really see the connection."
"Ha, well I see it as more of talented, sexy football captain meets enticing, clever wallflower."
Enticing? I'd never think to associate myself with that word but hearing Edward say it, makes me want to believe him.
"You're good, I'll give you that."
"Hey, I'm being serious!"
"I'm sure you are. Look, honestly I don't get what it is you're trying to do here. I don't know if this is some sort of bet with your buddies, or project but you can stop right now."
He laughs that belly laugh of his and it affects me just like before. He really needs to stop otherwise I'll end up as putty in his hands.
"Now, you're the clueless one."
"A minute ago you said I was clever?"
"Clearly only when it comes to certain things."
"Wow, for once you're not complimenting me, dare I say I prefer it like this?"
"Doesn't matter what you prefer, I'll say what I like."
"Ah, there he is. Let's add arrogant to that list of yours too."
"Not arrogant, just confident."
"With a face like yours, I can see why."
"Seriously? You do know you just complimented me, are you feeling okay? Maybe you need to lie back down in that hospital bed and get checked out again."
"Har-har, very funny. I can be nice when I wanna' be."
"You obviously never want to be nice then."
"I think you'll find it's when I'm graced with your presence my bitchy side comes out."
"Ahh, she wounds me once more." He puts his hand on his heart as if to say it hurts.
The irony of this whole situation is that my own heart is probably beating at 200 mph. I'm just hoping he can't tell how much he affects me.
"Don't worry, it won't be happening again, once you give me my sweater I'll be out of your hands, and you can go back to your blondes with big boobs."
And word vomit strikes again! I can only hope he didn't get the underlying tone of jealousy to my voice.
"What if I tell you, I like the feeling of you in my hands."
His lips are at my ears, whispering quietly. I shiver and I know he seen it because as he pulls away, he has a huge grin on his face.
Time to turn the tables around Bella.
"Well then I'd tell you, I like the feelings of your hands on me."
I run my hands up his shirt and grab a hold of his collar. "Kiss me."
He sucks in a breath but doesn't make a move.
"I know what you're trying to do Isabella."
"Really? What is it I'm trying to do Mr Masen?"
"Distract me so that you can grab your sweater and then run."
Damn he's clever.
"Well is it working?"
"No."
I run my hand down his shirt instead and manouver towards his dick, I graze it lightly before squeezing it. He closes his eyes briefly and let's out a little moan.
I don't know what's come over me, he seems to bring out something sexual in me. It's almost like I'm a different person when I'm around him and it scares me knowing he has such a big effect on me.
I use all my strength and bring my knee up to connect with his balls. He bends down in agony and mutters the word fuck over and over again.
I pick up my dropped sweater and pull it on while running to the door, grabbing my shoes on the way.
"I'm sorry!"
I yank open the door to find two men in black suits stationed on either side of the door way. They look at Edward who's in the middle of making his way towards us and then back down at me.
I run inbetween them but I don't get far as Edward shouts for them to grab me. One man grips onto my waist tight and pain radiates throughout my whole body.
I cry out and watch as nurses and patients stare at the whole scene in shock.
"Let go of me! Somebody help me, these men are trying to kidnap me! Call 999, HELP!"
I see a few nurses walk towards us ready to help me, but Edward decides that's the moment to walk out of the room and use his star power to his advantage.
All the women around us flutter their eyelashes and focus their attention on him as they realise who he is and all the men stare at him in awe as if he's some sort of God.
"You're not running away from me for the third time Bella."
I turn towards him and send him a look I like to call the 'I'm going to kill you' look and struggle against the man who has a hold of me even though it causes me pain. His grip tightens and he turns and encloses me in his arms so that I can't see anything but his chest.
My heart starts beating fast as I get flashbacks of my Dad beating me, trapping me underneath him. My hands start to sweat, I need to be free. I feel myself starting to hyperventilate as I realise he isn't going to let go of me.
Breathe Bella, count to ten.
"Edward! Edward please, I can't-"
I thrash against the man and try to get some sort of footing but it's no use. I move against him frantically and he looks bewildered as he tries to keep a hold of me, I'm practically begging for him to let go of me now and I know I'm on the verge of bursting out into tears.
"Edward pleas-"
I'm pulled out of his arms and I feel my feet land on the floor, cool air surrounds me as everyone takes a step backwards. Except for Edward.
He's infront of me, his hands on my cheek as he takes all of me in.
"Isabella? Are you ok? I'm sorry, I didn't know."
I look around at all the unfamiliar faces around me, and throw myself into his arms. Out of everyone here he's the only one I know will take care of me, so for now, I just need him to hold me.
The reasoning sounds silly in my head but I hold onto it, I don't have the energy to figure out why I'm letting him comfort me right now.
"Take me to Alices, please."
He strokes my hair with one hand and circles my waist with the other. I don't feel trapped like I did with the other man, this time I feel relieved, I feel safe.
He walks me out towards his car and drives me to Alices in silence. I don't ask how he knows where she lives, I don't have it in me to speak right now.
Everything seems to have gone from 180 to 360 in the space of minutes.
We park up and he gets out of the car and walks round to open my door, he helps me out and then picks me up in his arms as he walks towards Alices front door. She opens the door a few seconds after he knocks and doesn't say anything as he walks inside her house and motions for her to show him where he can put me down.
She shows him to the guest room I'm familiar with and he lays me down on the edge of the bed. His hands go to my zipper on my jeans and I look up at him, questioning his moves.
"Just sleep, nothing more."
I let him undress me and watch as he unbuttons his shirt and then takes off his white t-shirt underneath and puts it on over my head. If this was any other situation I'd take this chance to admire his amazing body but I feel disconnected, this almost feels like an out of body experience, or a dream and the only thing keeping me from going crazy right now, is the man standing infront of me.
He stands up and pulls on his shirt and starts buttoning it back up. I grab his hand to stop him from going any further.
"Stay."
He doesn't say anything. Instead, he pulls back the covers and puts me to bed. He walks out of the room and I realise he's politely just told me to fuck off. I feel stupid, I feel rejected, I feel close to tears again.
I reach for my cheek as I feel something wet on it and realise it's a tear. I stare at my damp finger in shock. Could this day get any worse?
The door opens but I don't turn to see who it is. I'm not in the mood to speak to Alice, I can't face her right now, I'm too embarrased.
I hear clothes rustling, the covers are pulled back and suddenly a warm, hard body encircles me from behind.
He's come back.
Another tear falls but it isn't a sad tear. It's a tear of relief.
I turn so that I'm facing him. His eyes are closed but I know he's not sleeping.
I grab his arm and place it across my body and snuggle closer into him. A few seconds after he pulls me into him and throws his bare leg across mine, locking me into him.
His breathing levels out a few minutes later as he falls asleep.
I stare at the man who's managed to turn my life upside down within days of meeting him. The man who I've come to trust so easily. The man I get butterflies over whenever I see. The man I'm afraid I'll end up falling in love with.
What is it about him? Why am I falling so fast? Was this normal? So many questions yet so little answers.
I recall a certain quote I came across a few years back. I didn't understand it back then, but it makes perfect sense to me now.
"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart."
I whisper it to him knowing that he can't hear me. I close my eyes and fall asleep in his arms with a feeling of contentness.
Edwards POV:
I pull her closer as I feel her snuggle into me. I don't fall asleep just yet, I want to savour this moment with her in my arms.
I hear her whisper something to me and realise she's assumed I'm asleep already.
I open my eyes slowly and watch as her creased worry lines ease up.
Once I'm certain she's asleep I finish off the rest of the quote she'd whispered to me and realise just how fitting it is.
"It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.".
As I stare down at her I realise this girl will be my undoing.
Authors Note:
So guys, what did you think? Did you like the little snippet of Edwards POV? Let me know if you'd like to see more of his side, I might just consider doing a few chapters in his POV if you liked it.
Review, review, review and you'll get your next chapter soon, which may or may not introduce a fan favourite, ahem, ahem.
I guess if you review you'll see what I'm talking about. ;)
