2brown-eyes reads (and she's up for fave screener—see below)
Mistakes are mine
The next few weeks fly by in a flurry of gun training, self-defense, picking out dresses, choosing a color scheme, flowers, and a bunch of other things I had no clue are needed for a wedding. I'm busy all the time, and though Alice and Angela are very helpful, I barely see Edward.
It's not how I envisioned this when he proposed.
So tonight, he's promised to sit down with me and go over how things are shaping up so far—while there's still time to adjust. For some reason, I'm nervous. His input has been minimal, and Edward's a very specific personality. I don't expect my vision as a sheltered introvert to match up to his demanding persona.
A rap on the door startles me into action, and I drop my mascara into the makeup drawer, rushing to pull open my bedroom door. Edward is leaning against the wall in a sharp black suit, and his eyes light up when they land on me.
"Isn't this a nice surprise." He doesn't hide the fact that he's checking me out, and I stand bold and proud even though I'm jittery on the inside. "You're gorgeous."
"Thank you." I put a lot of effort into my look tonight—a tight, midnight blue cocktail dress that Alice insisted would look amazing against my pale skin—and the appreciation in his gaze is worth every second.
"You're too pretty to hide away in this building." He holds out his hand, and I take it. "Would you be open to dinner out tonight?"
My breath catches and a ripple of fear creeps down my spine. "Maria is ready to serve us."
"I know, but she and Heidi can always eat it themselves," he replies, and his tone is easy-going, but I detect an edge that's warning me not to refuse him. "It's time you get used to leaving this building. I won't have my bride-to-be a nervous wreck on our wedding day because she's no longer hidden inside Cullen Corp."
He touches on a fear that's been keeping me up at night, so I tug my hand away and draw my arms around my stomach. "I'm not sure that's possible."
Edward stops dead in his tracks and turns to me. We're just at the end of the hallway, and I want to run back and lock myself in my room. He stays silent for so long that I chance a look at him after what seems like minutes of silence.
"There you are." His tone is soft and gentle, a lure meant to reel me in. "I understand your hesitation, Bella. Truly I do, but my wife will not be a captive to fear. We've been working hard to give you the skills necessary to fend off an attacker." He pauses then, smirking. "And you're doing quite well in physical combat, if I do say so myself."
My cheeks burn as I remember our last session.
Shirtless Edward taunts me as he relentlessly searches for an opening to land a blow. Sweat droplets dot his smooth, tan skin and defined muscles clench and ripple.
All it takes is a split-second distraction as one droplet drips from his bangs and rolls down his cheek. For one-tenth of a second, I wonder if it tastes salty, and that's my downfall. I'm on my back with him hovering above me before I can blink.
His eyes roam my face only a few seconds before his lips attack mine. I'm not sure what comes over me, but like a feral woman, I fist his sweaty locks and dive into a heady make-out session. It's like nothing I've ever experienced.
It's raw and animalistic, and I want more than just his chest to be bare. I want to plaster myself to him and never leave his presence again. I want him inside me, surrounding me, owning me. I feel things I never knew existed. By the time Edward breaks the kiss, I'm a panty, needy, desperate slip of a girl with burning cheeks and tingles everywhere.
I think Edward is just as shellshocked as me because he helps me to my feet, and we promptly return to the penthouse without so much as a conversation between us.
I've barely seen him in the four days since, so I thought tonight would give us a chance to clear the air. It isn't looking likely as tensions are already brewing. I simply don't know if I'm capable of giving him what he wants.
"I know you're accustomed to ordering people around," I say, my eyes on the floor. "But I can't simply just comply. That fear is inside me; it's lodged so deep I don't know if it can ever be removed." I slowly lift my eyes, expecting his death glare. "No matter how many times you command it."
His jaw is tight, and his eyes are piercing, but I'm not afraid. Edward promised he'd never hurt me, and I trust him. "We're going out," he says, tugging my stiff arms from around my midsection and holding my hands in his. "I'll be by your side every single second, and you'll always be safe with me." He drops one of my hands but keeps the other as he turns toward the great room. "Can you promise to try and enjoy the evening, though? For me?"
The steady pulse of nerves inside me never lessens, but I give him the best smile I can. "I'll try anything for you."
The look in his eye after that declaration is enough to shift those nerves for a few fleeting seconds. "I sure hope that's the truth." His smile is devilish, and I wonder what's going through his mind as he grabs a set of keys in a bowl near the entryway.
"Are you thinking of something specific?" I tug my bottom lip between my teeth as I await his response.
He opens the doors to the penthouse and guides me into the hallway, placing his hand on my lower back. Its warmth penetrates the thin material of my dress. The elevator is waiting so we step inside, and he presses P3 before turning his attention to me.
He's suddenly transformed from the ever-patient husband-to-be into something entirely different. His eyes are dark and there's a hint of danger glinting in them as he places first one palm and then the other on either side of my head.
His eyes are on my lips, where I'm trying my best not to hyperventilate. "There are so, so many things we'll try, Bella." The harsh, gravelly quality of his voice would be scary at any other moment, but I'm anything but afraid right now. "From the mundane to the depraved."
His lips ghost over mine and instinct takes over. I grab his lapels and cover his mouth with mine. I don't know where this part of me comes from, but I'm beginning to appreciate her bold style. Edward, it would seem, does as well as he cups my ass and pulls me tightly against his hard body.
Memories from our last encounter seep into my mind, and I gain a modicum of awareness. I don't want this to end the same way, so I find the strength to slow it down a bit. Deep thrusts and twirls become slow passes and soft pecks.
"I hope there's some of this in there," I murmur, trailing my lips along his tight jaw. "I'm eager to explore these newly awakened sensations."
"Jesus." His chuckle is low and husky and so sexy I almost attack him again. "You're going to be the death of me, Bella Swan."
I lay my head against his chest, his heart thundering rapidly beneath my ear. "I'd rather be the death of my father and Eleazar Denali."
"You will be." His arms close around me, and he sighs. "I swear on my life."
"Don't say that." The elevator slows to a stop. "I'd rather leave them alive than have you dead."
I pull back and he cups my face. "I didn't make this pact just to save you and die. I intend to marry you and live a long, happy life together."
The doors open, but neither of us moves. "I want that too."
"Then you'll have it." He takes my hand and tugs me into the parking garage. "And it starts tonight."
I don't know exactly what that means, but there's a noticeable difference in our interactions afterward. From the moment we walk away from that elevator, his demeanor shifts a few degrees.
I no longer feel like an obligation.
Call me a shameless hussy if you like, but I figured I'd give you this today so that I can push you to vote in the Twific Fandom Awards. Endless Summer Nights is up for the Empire Records award, and that's all about the music! I've been taking a walk down memory lane on Fyregirl Fics if you need a reminder of the awesomeness of the song list :D
APictureIsWorthAThousandWords is also up for contest, and I host that as well :)
Even if you aren't voting for me, please do take a few mins each day to vote for your absolute faves. The list has been whittled down so it's manageable. You can vote once daily, but it must be just past the time you voted the day before.
I'm going to do a write/reward system today. I hope to finish another chapter so I can keep the weekly updates coming!