Chapter 16: The Family Dinner and Explanations
Edward's insides were on fire; an inferno scorching him from the inside out. But on the outside he remained calm, cool, and passive. The businesslike CEO persona took command of him as the warrior lover within him honed in on his prey, preparing to strike at the tan skinned giant that was swinging his girlfriend around like a rag doll.
He heard the sound of her giggles echoing in the driveway and empty space between them as she greeted this stranger like an old friend. But how close were they, was the real question?
Who is this... Gigantor... feeling up my woman. How dare he presume that is behavior is acceptable.
Now his Bella was smiling up at this asshole as if the sun shined out of his ass. Edward had enough of their little reunion... though she only left his side for less than thirty seconds, it was thirty seconds too long. And spending them in the arms of another man!
Edward subtly cleared his throat to catch the happy couple's attention which thankfully worked. Fortunately, for her friend, Bella released him immediately and blanched when she saw the look of thunder on Edward's face. She became momentarily speechless, totally affronted by Edward's less than affable reaction to Jacob.
Unfortunately, Jacob noticed Edward's expression was a reaction their friendly show of affection, and thought it would be wise to explain and smooth things over with Bella's new man.
"Sorry about that, Mr. Cullen, didn't mean to be rude. We haven't seen or spoken to each other for over a month... so there ya go. I'm Jacob Black, a close friend of Bella's," Jacob said sportively holding his hand out for Edward to shake which Edward took reluctantly, unable to forget his manners. "And you must be the infamous Emmett Cullen, right? Bella's told me so much about when we were in—"
"Actually," Bella rushed to stop Jacob, completely panic-stricken for him accidentally offending Edward. Before they got off on the wrong foot, she put her hand on Jacob's arm meaningfully to give him the hint, so all hell wouldn't brake loose. She was aware that the topic of Emmett was still a sore one. "Jacob, I'd like to introduce you to Edward Cullen. Emmett's older brother—" he watched as the men continued to shake hands firmly. Jacob with his confused expression and Edward with his wry half-smile.
"A close, personal friend of Bella's..." Edward insinuated with a slight arrogance. He then released Jacob's hand and held out his left hand for Bella to join him by his side. Edward's jealousy ebbed away as Bella smiled admiringly up at him as though he had hung the stars and the moon. Suddenly, all felt right again as he pulled her closer under his arm and smelled her hair to ease his nerves.
Bella noticed Edward holding her possessively against his hard body, and promptly her heart fluttered when he tenderly kissed her temple. She had fallen completely under Edward's spell, but the disapproving expression she saw on Jacob's face, sobered her up immediately.
"Edward Cullen... but I thought you said —" Jacob muttered before Bella's voice interrupted, over powering Jacob's question.
"Perhaps I could fill you in as I show you around the estate before supper while Edward finishes his work? You're staying with us aren't you? I'd love for you to meet everyone."
"That's why I'm here. You've told me so much about everyone, I feel as though I know them already," Jacob smiled crossing his arms across his broad chest, then looked back to Edward finishing in his head, "...except for this guy."
Edward could read Jacob's expression like a book and he could tell he felt skeptical about their relationship. Well in turn, he didn't like the way Jacob emphasized how close he and Bella were in Austria.
Edward wasn't particularly a fan of Bella spending time alone with Mr. Black, but of course there was no way to stop her without sounding overbearing. He couldn't keep her locked away in a tall tower, the CCC tower for instance, and keep her all to himself.
Just one hour ago, they were so happy joking and playing around, totally wrapped up in one another without outside forces to pull them apart. Now she had a close friend trying to take her away from him... in the shape of a skinny totem pole!
Perhaps he was being a little melodramatic and possessive. After all, she'd never given him any reason to doubt her before; Bella deserved his trust and wasn't the sort of girl who relished being kept on a tight leash. She was certainly a free spirit.
Therefore, Edward found no other alternative than to let her go alone with her friend while he worked... then he devised a suitable plan to set his mind at ease.
"Darling, why don't you show your friend the gardens since you won't have time to show him the house before dinner. Besides, you know every tree and flower species on the grounds better than anyone. That will give me plenty of time get my work finished before I join your family for dinner. How does that sound?"
Bella smiled up at Edward's suggestion and relaxed considerably when he graced her with an affectionate smile and his trust. Even though his jealousy was superfluous towards Jacob, her heart melted and fluttered at the sound of his term of endearment.
"That's a wonderful idea. I should go start dinner in about an hour so come around the house by then."
Yes, Bella was certainly a fool in love with Edward Cullen... now she had the task of updating and confessing everything that had happened since she left Austria to her best friend and ex-boyfriend. It was very nerve wrecking not knowing what Jacob's reaction will be of her change of heart from Emmett to Edward since the reason she broke up with him a little over a month ago was still a tender topic. The next hour will be slightly awkward for sure, that she had no doubt. But afterward she hoped everyone who get along, or at least be civil to one another.
Edward interrupted her thoughts with his soothing voice, "Wonderful. Pleasure to meet you Mr. Black. I'm sure we'll talk more over dinner," Edward stated enigmatically before turning to Bella under his arm.
"Sweetheart, would you mind following me inside for just a moment?" Edward tilted his head toward the front door ignoring Bella's quizzical glance, then jogged gracefully up the stairs, disappearing through the large French style doors.
Bella shrugged her shoulders to Jake, then stumbled up the stairs after Edward. She twisted at the top and held up her right index finger signaling to Jake she'd be just a moment and to stay put.
Entering the through the front door, Bella looked around for Edward but he wasn't waiting for her in the foyer. Calling Edward's name, she hesitantly looked inside the parlor but was quickly thrown to the left unexpectedly and attacked with an eager mouth which silenced her alarmed squeak of excitement.
Instantly, her body responded to his hungry kiss, gripping his hair through her fingers pulling slightly feeling his deep groan in her mouth. Their lips and ardent tongues fought for dominance inside each others mouths as Edward's talented hips fluidly gyrated against Bella's core, gently grinding her against the closed door.
All too soon, Edward pulled away from Bella's mouth with one last feral bite to her bottom lip then stepped away from Bella who felt paralyzed against the parlor door.
"What... was that for?" Bella panted breathlessly, placing her hand over her chest, trying to slow down her rapid heartbeat thanks to the impromptu kiss.
Edward smirked arrogantly at Bella's spellbound reaction before leaning into her face with his hand propped on the door beside her head. "Just wanted a goodbye kiss," he said tracing his thumb along her swollen pink lips.
His eyes traveled down to her heaving chest, wishing he could tear her shirt from her body, if only to suck on those perfect round tits once again for a few stolen moments.
"That's—why you—attacked me? In that case, you should leave me more often," Bella chuckled as her fingers traced the five o'clock shadow on Edwards chiseled jaw.
"Stop talking crazy," Edward retorted gruffly then place a single peck on her lips before pulling away again, "I need to make a few calls, then I'll come find you when I'm through. Don't get into any trouble while I'm gone. Understand?" Edward tilted his chin down pointedly looking her in the eye.
"I'm sure I haven't the slightest idea to what you're referring to," Bella drawled haughtily with a mocking southern accent, then stopped smiling when Edward's stone serious expression stared her down without a hint of humor. Bella's voice dropped and her hands moved to cup his face, "You're serious? Edward, I thought you understood. You have to trust me..." she whispered feeling a little hurt that he would doubt her.
Edward grimaced, not really wanting to have this conversation right now about him feeling insecure and uncomfortable leaving her alone with another man. It's not that he didn't trust her...
Then as if she were reading the thoughts right from his head, Bella continued in a soothing voice, "Please believe me when I say you have nothing to worry about with Jake. I realize I haven't told you everything about Austria yet, but I promise to fill you in tonight when we're alone again," Bella lowered her eyelids to his chest as her hands followed and brushed his pectoral upward and wrapped her arms around Edward's neck pulling him even closer. She brought his mouth within inches of her own before whispering, "I'm yours."
"Damn right," Edward growled before pressing his lips firmly against hers, but pulled away all too soon before they could tear the roof off the house with all sexual tension exploding between them.
Before she walked into the room he all for taking her right there in the parlor, but it would have simply to prove a point, that she was his. Now that they understood one another and the point was moot... yeah, he still wanted her.
His face was about to dip back down to hers only she stopped him with her hand on his lips.
"The sooner you leave, the sooner you get back. Don't get distracted baby, and Jake's probably outside right now wondering what's taking us so long—"
"Good. Let him," Edward snarled gripping onto the back of Bella's jeans and giving her bum a firm squeeze. The lustful look she gave him practically screamed that she was about to rip his clothes off. His job was done.
Suddenly Edward's face switched from primal back to professional in a second, then pulled away from Bella once more and straightened his wrinkled shirt, "Right then. Now that we understand one another, I'll leave you to your garden tour."
He nodded his head once before walking through the open door and into the foyer to go up to his office on the third floor.
Bella, who was still frozen to the back of the parlor door, huffed out a sharp breath and rubbed her forehead to gain her bearings after Edward's left her in the wake of his surprise seduction. That man was certainly an enigma; switching from hot to cold in the blink of an eye. She could hardly keep up.
When she finally followed Edward into the foyer she saw him on the first floor landing and called out to him, "You better not stalk me from your window again, Mr. Cullen. Your mother won't appreciate you breaking another family heirloom due another misunderstanding... now would she?" Bella saw Edward pause, then flicked her long hair over her shoulder and sauntered back out the front door, accentuating her swaying hips.
It wouldn't be an heirloom that will be broken this time if he even thinks about touching her, Edward smiled satisfyingly to himself then continued up the stairs. Wasting no time now that he knew Bella had company with her, he whipped his blackberry out and speed dialed Jasper on the second floor landing. By the time he entered through his office, the line picked up and he heard his best friend's jovial voice greet him on the phone, but Edward didn't have time for pleasantries.
"Did he sign?" Edward's no-non-sense voice ringing clear as he opened his office and made a beeline for the window.
"Hello, Ed. Nice to see you too. It's a lovely 74 degrees in—" Jasper's cheeky banter was cut off.
"Cut the crap Jazz, and tell me. Did Stephens sign?" There was a long pregnant pause. Edward was about to commit telepathic murder, if Jasper kept him in suspense any longer. Just get it bloody over with! He was about to shout.
"We got it. JC Electric is ours, but for a hell of a price. Except now we have something to one up Denali. And cue thunderous applause," Jasper's confident victorious tone was music to Edward's ears.
"I knew you were the right man for the job, Jazz."
"That's 'cause I'm darn likeable and smart! Oh and attractive, athletic—"
"And modest. Jazz, get your ass home to your wife. She's already pissed at me for sending you away right after her fundraiser dinner..."
"Yeah, about that. Way to go with the publicity stunt, man. Now Hale will have no doubts about Bella and Emmett not being together. Not with you parading her all over town as your girlfriend."
"Shit, I haven't seen the pages yet, Jazz. But that wasn't my intention... it just... happened. I fucking hope the paparazzi doesn't chew her up and spit her out for—you know—" Edward weaved his fingers through his hair as he watched Bella walking around the fountain with Jacob.
"For being your chauffeurs daughter?"
"I don't want to hurt her."
"Then don't. She's a tough girl, Ed. But I am concerned about you."
"Me? What the Hell for?"
"I'm looking at your face right now, and as your best friend I can tell. You've fallen for her, and don't even try to deny it. Your goo-goo eyes are all over page 11."
"Excuse me? I do not make goo-goo eyes!" Edward almost shouted indignation. At least Jasper could give him some dignity for Christ's sake!
"HA! Jesus, you're practically humping each other all over Coney Island! You could have at last gotten a room!"
"We did." Edward mumbled mulishly, listening to Jasper laugh resemble a hyena on other side. Edward rolled his eyes pulling the phone away from his ear waiting for him to stop.
"Are you quite finished?" Edward droned sardonically listening to Jasper come down from his hysterical laughter.
"S—sorry man. You're... it's just you're finally starting to act like a normal guy and act your age for the first time since I've known you ten years ago. I'm happy for you, man."
"Well it's so gratifying to hear that I have your approval, Whitlock," Edward replied snidely, not appreciating the condescending tone of this conversation.
"You didn't answer my question..." Jasper scolded lightly knowing this was probably irking his friend to no end.
"Jazz, you've been hanging around Alice for too long. You're not only sounding like her, you nag like her, too."
"That's what happens when you're married, Edward. Now stop avoiding the—"
"Yes. Yes. Are you happy now? Fucking, YES! I love her. So much that it's driving me fucking crazy! I can't tell her Jasper. I can't just tell her I lied so that she would go out with me, but these fucking lies are suffocating me! I can't breathe when she's near... shit, I can't breathe when she's gone either. What am I supposed to do?" Edward did an entire lap around his office and felt like he wanted to put a fist through a wall by the end of the second lap.
"Come to think of it... it doesn't make a difference if I love her or not." Edward stopped dead in his tracks at the horrifying though that just popped in his head. Jasper tried to get a word in, but Edward was on a roll. He's have no choice whether they were together or not, because in the end, it wasn't up to him. "You know why, Jazz? Because she's leaving for fucking Europe by the end of the summer to start her career."
"Europe? Where in—"
"—That's what she basically told me last week. She'll be gone. And I'm still going to be here... living my fucking boring life and make my company shit loads of money to make it into the papers, then my father will say he's proud of me and I can finally redeem myself to Esme for that damn mistake I made with Tanya seven years ago! So. It. Doesn't. Make. A. Difference. If. I. Love her. Or. Not!"
There was another pregnant pause on the phone while Edward breathed heavily into the receiver and leaned against the glass window this his hand on top of Bella's figure in the distance. Standing next to one of the many statues in his mother's garden. His finger caressing her shape along the glass.
"You just don't get it, man. I makes a huge difference. I thought you were smarter than that."
"Don't give me any of that shit, Jazz... there's no—" Edward whined into the phone closing his eyes and leaning against his forearm, which was now pressed against the glass.
"—No, you listen to me. I'm looking at your fucking faces right now and she's looking at you like you invented the Godiva chocolate bar! I'm telling you she loves you too, so don't fuck this up! Tell her the truth when the time is right, but also tell her the reason the plans changed. I have a feeling she'll understand."
"What if she never speaks to me again?"
"Listen Ed, you're a smart guy—sometimes you have to take risks and pray to not fail."
"A Cullen never fails..." Edward retorted back just to be petulant.
"Then you have nothing to worry about, don't you?" Jasper snapped back. Edward's childish retorts were becoming tedious and they were going about in circles. "I'm boarding the plane with Quill, and I'll be in the air for the next six hours. Listen to me, don't fret about this. The only ones who know about our diversion plan are you, me, and Ali; and we're not going to rat you out. So chill, and figure out how you can have your cake and eat it too." Jasper said suggestively which made Edward smile, trying to sound offended.
"You're a sick man, Jazz."
"Yeah, I need to get laid..."
"Woh, man. Too much info. Just get home. Later."
"Later!"
Edward hung up feeling more or less better after speaking to his best friend. But his nerves were still on edge about his future with Bella. They were heading down different paths. He would never hold her back from her dreams, but what if their dreams didn't coincide? Edward shook his head and figured they would have to cross that bridge when the time comes.
Edward dialed the next number on his phone and waited for it to pick up, which it did on the third ring.
"Hale speaking."
"El, Edward Cullen. We still on for our meeting on Wednesday?"
"Edward, good to hear from you son. I saw the paper this morning. Is it true about you and Ms. Swan?"
"Yes, sir," Edward nodded knowing Eleazar wouldn't be able to see him, but a warmth spread through his chest at the thought of Isabella and him as a couple.
"We'll, she's certainly quite the catch. Very talented and well-mannered."
She seems to get compliments a lot from my friends, family, and acquaintances. Yes, yes... she is wonderful, and she's mine. For now...
"That she is El, thank you."
"Not at all my boy. I hope my wife's contacts she introduced her to were beneficial for her to start her career. I look forward to hearing her play again at our family dinner this Thursday night. She will be coming too, I suspect?"
Family dinner? I know nothing about a family dinner. Edward thought but decided to play along. He'd find the details out via Esme.
"I hope so, sir. I'll ask her tonight," Edward said, showing his respect and made it way to the window so he could find Bella in the garden.
"Good. And to answer your question, yes. We're all booked for Wednesday at CCC. I look forward to hearing your proposition."
"Thank you, El. I'll see you Wednesday, then. Have a pleasant evening."
"Same to you, son."
He hung up the phone and spotted his girl in the distance on the other side of the garden. She was so captivating to watch wandering among the tress and flowers. The nature surrounding her made her look like she belonged to be apart of it with her natural beauty. Edward stood staring at only her, not even aware of the time passing by or the boy walking with her. He watched them move closer to the house and pass the hedge to toward the garage.
They disappeared from sight for a moment, and that's when he was tempted to go outside and joining them when he saw the top of her head again. Suddenly, his heart leaped into his throat.
She was climbing the sycamore tree closest to the garage. What did she think she was doing?!
He tapped violently on the window to get their attention to no avail.
What the Hell?! She knew how he felt about her climbing trees even when he wasn't around! She truly was trying to give him a heart attack!
Edward unashamedly found himself sprinting down all three flights of steps, and taking the short cut through the kitchen to bolted out the side door toward the garage.
"Bella!" Edward shouted from the kitchen door, running faster than before.
What if she fell and he wasn't there to catch her? She could break her neck? Why didn't she answer?!
"Edward!" Thank God, she's alright!
Edward passed the hedge and saw Bella hop down from the lowest branch sycamore the tree and met him the rest of the way only to be swept into his anxious embrace. The panic in his voice startled her, as did intensity of his hug. Like she was in danger from being attacked by wolves or something.
"Bella, sweet Jesus!" Edward moaned into her hair and breathed in deeply, holding her head against his chest. So relieved and so angry. "Damn it, Bella!"
"Shh, I'm sorry. I was just showing Jake my favorite childhood hiding spot. Everything is perfectly fine. I'm okay. I'm sorry, baby. I didn't mean to make you worry."
Edward gripped her face with both his hands and inspected her with a stormy face, "You could have been hurt. What if you fell and you—" he couldn't even finish the horrifying thought. He couldn't lose her, not when he had just gotten her.
"And I told you climbing this tree is second nature to me. I've never fallen once."
"I only takes one time! What—how could—you know how I feel about that! Fuck, if anything had happened to you..." A childhood memory from long ago kept playing on repeat in his mind... that couldn't happen to Bella. Never.
"Edward, look at me," Edward reluctantly pulled away but squeezed his eyes shut tight to control the anger and fear that practically shook his body, "You're overreacting, honey. Please, look at me. I'm alright. You can't always be there to protect me, and you'll give yourself a heart attack trying before you're forty if you do. I have more trouble walking on smooth surfaces than I do climbing trees, so your concern is unnecessary."
"It's not unnecessary! You think climbing trees and deliberately putting yourself at risk is necessary? Why can't your feet just stay on the ground? At least then you'll have a less chance breaking your neck."
"Hey man, it's cool. I was spotting her the whole time. I'd never let her fall." Jacob walked up to them thinking it was a good time to interrupt their private moment and support Bella. She was never in any danger. His next thought was on this new guy Bella chose to be with instead of him was a little on the crazy slash overprotective slash eccentric side.
Edward frostily glanced up at Jacob, narrowing his eyes as he made his way closer to them then eventually stopping behind Bella who he pulled even tighter against his chest. Whether it was to comfort her or himself, he wasn't sure... but his chest felt better the closer she was, so he held on to the only person who would calm him down.
Perhaps he was overprotective, but it's not like he had control over it after what he'd been through.
"I'm sure you wouldn't..." Edward could tell just by the way the boy looked at his girl that he loved her, and he couldn't hate this boy enough at this very moment.
Only, it was true to say that he was mollified she had someone there to catch her if she fell. Yet Edward couldn't help wondering just how close these two were, or had been exactly.
Bella noticed Edward's less than warm response to her best friend and thought it would be best to put Jake out of the line of fire and speak to Edward alone first.
"Jake, could you give us a minute please? We'll meet you inside and then I'll start dinner." Bella tilted her head toward the apartment over the garage, and Jake nodded his head and slowly made his way up the round staircase and entered the front door.
"Where is he staying?" Edward narrowed his eyes watching Jacob walking to Bella's apartment with his travel bag over his shoulder. He'd be damned if they thought Jacob, Jake, whatever his name was, was sleeping so close to his girl.
"I assume on the pullout sofa, since we only have two bedrooms," Bella shrugged.
"No," Edward said bluntly.
"No? What do you mean, no?" Bella furrowed her eyebrows at him and stared pointedly, daring him to forbid her or try to tell her what to do with her guests.
"I mean there's no need for him to sleep on the couch when he can have the guest house."
"What?"
The guest house?! Edward was willing to give Jake the entire four bedroom, three and half bath, guest house on the other side of the property?
"Why? That place is huge for just one person to share. Jake is here to see me and meet my friends and family. Not stay on the opposite end of the estate where we would have to walk three acres to get to."
"You could take the go-kart," Edward retorted, but took it back when he saw the sardonic look on Bella's face. "Fine. Then he'll stay in one of the guest bedrooms inside the house. I'm sure Esme wouldn't mind."
He remembered that his mother had put Jacob's picture in the guest bathroom. Now that will be amusing to hear about!
"That's very generous of you."
"Yes, and I know just the room to put him in," Edward wagged his eyebrows suggestively, sliding his hands down to the small of her back above her ample bottom.
"How altruistic of you," Bella deadpanned sarcastically, then narrowed her eyes at him tilting her head to the side, "I thought you were working," Bella opened with as she raised her eyebrows teasingly at Edward.
"We're just friends, baby. Best friends. We met in Austria and he's finishing his degree in Musical Theater. Jake's only in New York a few days to see if he can get a summer gig. Then he's going back to Vienna. Alright?"
"He stands too close to you," Edward grumbled looking back to where Jacob entered the apartment.
"He's a friend. There's no need to try to incinerate him with the green-eyed-monster," Bella laughed teasingly and pulled his chin back and tenderly kissed his lips. The kiss was gentle and languid, with small nips and tastes, but just what Edward needed to feel sated, and yet not. He wished he could just kidnap her again and not share her with the rest of the world.
Slowly Bella pulled away resting her forehead on his chin and simply breathed in Edward's familiar intoxicating scent. He was so irresistible, she wanted him again. But it would have to wait until after this evening was through. If he even wanted to stay with her after the chaos that was her family and trial that was bound to occur between Edward and supreme court consisting of Charlie, Sue, Peter, and Charlotte.
"What is it?" Edward saw the pained expression on her face and wondered if it was him that put it there.
"I already apologized in advance for my family, but let me just say that I won't blame you if you decided to duck out now and feign illness. I have no idea what they're planning, but I've never brought a boyfriend home for dinner so even I don't know what they're planning to do or say..." As Bella rambled she slowly saw the brilliant amused smile that spread across Edward's face when she expected a terrified expression instead. "Why are you smiling like that?" Bella crooked her head to the side curiously wondering if his senses had left him or if he was just putting on a strong front.
"You've never brought a boyfriend home to meet your parents before?" Bella shook her head and Edward leaned in to kiss her forehead, "I'm glad. Now stop trying to intimidate me, it won't work. I've faced tougher crowds than this. Lead the way, love," Edward held his arm out for her to lead the way into what was sure to be a memorable night.
"I'm serious! Three men asked her out the very same day, consecutively, within fifteen minutes or less or each other, and she turned them all down. See I found out through Mike, since he asked her first, about the other guys 'cause he wanted to see if she gave the same excuse to everyone else!" Jacob laughed shaking his head as he took another bite into his Tri-Tip sandwich
Peter rustle the top of Bella's hair, "That's my little heart breaker," Peter said with pride and gave a short look to Edward who was sitting on the other side of Bella who was too busy chewing the amazing sandwich to notice. He had missed Charlotte's cooking, but Bella's food was definitely a good substitute which proved Charlotte to be a good teacher.
"I hope you let them down easy, dear," Sue said smiling at Bella's rosy face which she couldn't hide since her hair was pulled up in a pony tail from cooking ten minutes ago.
"I told them I already had a boyfriend," Bella shrugged and took a bite of her western salad with Ranch and BBQ sauce.
"Yeah, they were so surprised when they found out three months later that it was me!" Jacob joked right at that moment, Edward choked on his sandwich and tried to swallow it down with some wine.
He waved his hand in front of him and everyone to let them know that he was alright, while Bella rubbed his back in concern.
The stories continued of Bella's childhood and Jacob filled their time together in Austria and shared all of Bella's achievements that she failed to mention before.
"Sweet pea, you never told us you got three job offers after the Concerto Competition," Charlotte admonished while feeding Bree more homemade sweet potato mush from her high chair.
"Nothing's decided yet. I gave them all the same answer, that I was going home for the summer and I would contact them by next month to let them know."
That got Edward's attention. She'd already been offered jobs directly out of college? Where? Very softly he nudged Bella's shoulder for her look at him, "Which places offered you jobs?"
"One was at a school for music in Dresden, German. The other two were in Paris, France and Rome, Italy working as an intern for the film composition department. I'm not sure which direction I'd like to take, of if even want to work in Europe right now. I just got back," Bella shrugged before offering a timid glance at Edward, who didn't miss the subtext in her words. She wasn't fooling anyone.
"Whatever you decide pumpkin. We'll support you."
"Well, according to the New York Times, Bells was biggest asset for Mrs. Whitlock's charity ball, thanks to Mr. Cullen here, who paid a whooping one million dollars for her," Peter boasted as though he was Bella's proud parent.
"One million dollars," Jake blanched and looked between a confident Mr. Cullen, and an embarrassed Ms. Swan pointedly, wondering what it really was she saw in this guy other than his wallet. "That's... quite a lot."
"There were many aristocrat scum present that night who mainly go to these events to wave their cash around at charities trying to get a rep for being philanthropic when truly it's all about connections." James Hunter being a prime example, Edward finished in his head. "I would have paid anything to be sure that Bella didn't end up with the wrong man." Edward stated to everyone at the table.
"Me too." Charlie said loudly looking at Edward, then to his daughter and the rest of the table, "All of us would have in order to protect Bella. I hate to imagine what would have happened if she ended up with someone else. Auctioning off a lady, even for charity, is not safe. I'm very grateful you did that for my little girl, Mr. Cullen. I owe you," Charlie nodding his head to Edward, who shook his head in turn.
"No thanks needed Charlie. I only want her safe." He pulled Bella under his arm and kissed her temple affectionately. This melted all the women sitting at the table, and begrudgingly made the rest of the men silently concur that Edward Cullen had indeed feelings for Bella. They could also tell Edward's feelings were reciprocated by the adoring look Bella gave him in return.
It was only Jacob who interpreted Edward's gesture as a possessive move rather than protective, with a neon sign on his forehead that Bella belonged to him. His assumption was confirmed when Edward's next pointed look was directed at Jacob, which read, "Back the fuck off. She's mine."
Jacob looked broke eye contact with Edward and continued to move the food around on his plate with his fork. Message received, but he would still ask Bella if Mr. Moody/Possessive/Overreact-er was really the kind of guy she wanted to be with, or if he was manipulating her some way. Nevertheless, he needed to hear it from her own mouth, that Edward was who she truly wanted. Jacob concluded that he would ask her tonight when they were alone after everyone left.
"I guess that means you're alright in our book then Mr. Cullen. So long as you protect our Bella here and treat her right you won't get a weed hacker up your—"
"Peter!" Charlotte and Bella gasped simultaneously hitting him on both shoulders causing the rest of the table to laugh, including Edward.
"I'm-a sure he meant to-a say the garden." Aro flayed his hand, giving a stern pointed look to Peter as if to say, 'you-a touch-a my hedges and you die!'
"Exactly, I was going to say up your garden! I really like Mrs. Cullen, and I would hate to be the cause of destroying the shrubbery for her parties. But I'm serious, if you hurt our girl, they will be hacked to bits. No mercy."
"And if we ever see her crying or upset, you might just find your dinner one night to have an extra, shall we say, flavor than all the rest," Marcus threw out there nonchalantly with a slight hawking up a fir ball sound in the back of his throat, then swallowing it back down.
This caused everyone's face to cringe and laugh it off.
"Or he might find his best suits—with uh..." Maria started lost her train of thought.
"Oh! With a dirty diaper!" Charlotte volunteered which did not help the image at all and made everyone at the table lose their appetite rather suddenly. Lots more ideas were shouted out but Bella had enough and interrupted her family from adding more threats to the list before Edward was scared for life and left out the front door.
"Okay, okay! I think he gets the point, guys," Bella rolled her eyes and covered face before turning back to look up at Edward. "I warned you about this. I'm so sorry."
"I would do the same to anyone else if they hurt you, love. So I can't blame them for wanting to the do that same to me," Edward whispered to her before kissing the back of her hand to which Bella repaid him with a large smile.
"I believe it's time to switch topics... so we don't traumatize the kids any further." Charlotte said just as Bree clapped her hands in her high chair to get her mother's attention again with some baby gibberish and a few spit bubbles.
"Yes, I'd like to know how the rest of your vacation in New Hampshire went when we all left. Sue? Dad?" Bella looked at each of them across the table expectantly with an intuitive smile and batting her eyelashes expectantly.
"It seems that we can't get anything past my daughter's intuition, Sue."
"You never could," Sue smiled at Bella then took Charlie's outstretched hand.
"Well, I supposed now's a good a time as any. We wanted you all to be the first to know that after five years of waiting patiently... By some miracle... I don't know. Sue has consented to be my wife."
Everything happened at once. Loud cheers of 'finally,' and 'about time' were called out with clapping on the shoulders, hand shakes, and hugs were spread all around the room.
Finally, when Bella made it to her father and gave him the biggest hug, she whispered into his ear, "Not by some miracle Dad. You were always a good catch, but you were the only one who didn't believe it. I'm so happy for you."
Charlie could tell his little girl had tears in her eyes from all the excitement and happiness, but it still warmed his heart that he had her blessing to get remarried. When he lost his dear wife, Renee, fourteen years ago he thought his heart would never open to another person again. The thought of loosing some else so dear to his heart had been the most terrifying thought of his life, until he allowed his daughter to travel half way around the world to go to school for a whole year. But Sue had been there for him every single day to help him get through it, and he realized then it was time to make their relationship official before he lost her too.
Sue was surrounded by all the women as Bella made her way over to hug her official new mother, which left Charlie to be crowded by the men.
"I guess this means you'll be needing more time off then," Edward joked offering his hand out to Charlie who looked at his boss slash boyfriend of his only daughter.
"It appears that way Mr. Cullen. I'll be putting in that notice once we settle when the wedding will be," Charlie answered back half professionally and half teasing which Edward picked up on.
"I'm sure we can manage without for a while. Congratulations," Edward said then went in search for Bella who looked like she was beaming with happiness.
Then he saw Jacob make his way over to her first and tap on her shoulder for a hug, congratulating her on the engagement. It was a modest and innocent hug, but the sight of it all made Edward's teeth grind and suppressed a snarl from escaping his chest as though he were trying to tame a while animal inside him.
When Bella pulled away first from the hug, the rage inside him subsided, and it was time intervene before there would be confrontations in front of Bella's family about personal boundaries and who belong to who in this room.
Edward knew in the back of his mind that he'd been acting like a ridiculously insecure, jealous idiot all evening and had a serious problem with staying in control whenever Jacob even brushed a finger or smiled at his Bella. He had never had feelings this strong before for another woman, and the emotions that he spent years trying to suppress were suddenly being brought to the forefront of his personality.
Before being with Bella, his mannerisms were always taciturn and indifferent when it came to other women who even attempted to make him possessive when really all it did was turn him off from their foolishness and advertence for wanting to draw his attention by making him jealous.
In this case, Bella never endeavored to make him jealous... in fact she was the exact opposite of everyone he'd ever been with. She was naïve and innocent, and completely unaware of just how attractive and appealing she was to heterosexual men. The three things that prevented him from decking her ex-lover slash best friend at this very moment, was the first presence of her family, second was the knowledge that it would make her extremely angry with him and possibly deny him sex, and finally she'd never given him any reason not to trust her before. With those ideas in mind, he decided to switch to a different tactic.
"Bella, does your family have a copy of the Times handy? I'd like to go over it with you before dessert if that's alright with everyone else."
"There's a copy on Charlie's desk. I'll go grab it. I've been dying to read it myself, so they put it in the other room so I wouldn't be tempted," Bella twirled around and practically sprinted to the next room to retrieve the paper.
"So you guys made the headlines, why is that?" Jacob put his hands in his pockets not knowing exactly what to do with them.
"We made quite the spectacle in front of five hundred or so people at the fundraiser Friday night—"
"You mean, you made a spectacle, I just stood there on stage like a prize veal thanking God that whole ordeal was over, and then he decides it's a good idea to kiss me in front of everyone!" Bella admonished slapping the back of her hand on Edward's shoulder, taking a seat next to him on the sofa, followed by Jake on her other side.
"I didn't hear you complaining afterward," Edward poked Bella's side making her jump and laugh out loud. The family gathered closely around the table to hear the couple read the new article together for the first time.
When they each read it silently the first time their expressions remained impassive. It was unnecessary for them to offer to read it out loud knowing that everyone in the room, aside from Jacob, had already read it.
Actually, it wasn't so bad, Bella thought to herself finishing the article on the front page waiting for Edward to finish so they could turn to page 11, to continue reading.
They didn't bad mouth her once at all, Edward thought. In fact, they complimented her immensely for giving such a riveting performance and mentioning her charity by donating her pay to the cause, and also volunteering herself, reluctantly they could tell by her humble modesty, to participate at the auction (to which she raised the greatest sum in auctioning-dates-history.)
The reporter mentioned the winner of Ms. Isabella Marie Swan, was Edward Anthony Mason Cullen, CEO of the multi-billion corporation CCC, who donated the greatest amount for the evening at one million dollars. The crowd was indeed curious of the nature of Ms. Swan and Mr. Cullen's relationship after the impromptu kiss that occurred on stage directly after Mr. Cullen was announced the winner of a date with Ms. Swan. Then they saw the picture of them kissing on stage at the fundraiser and flipped the paper to page 11, where the story continued with four more pictures of Edward and Bella from Saturday.
Sources say that Cullen and Swan had already known each other prior to the auction and rumors have spread that the couple have been dating. They were seen together on Martha's Vineyard, at the Cullen vacation home, the previous week. Then following the LBCF, the couple was seen leaving together in a taxi.
On Saturday, the couple was spotted once again in Coney Island sharing affectionate and amorous kisses an the beach during lunch, and that evening at the Carnival. (See photos above)
Both Edward and Bella looked at the photos shown above; of them having lunch under the canopy on the beach. One of them kissing rather deeply in the ocean with Bella's arms around Edward's neck and the rest of their bodies hidden by the water. The next picture, showed the them holding hands walking along the boardwalk with Bella pointing to something excitedly in the distance (possibly the Ferris wheel since Edward's expression did not reciprocate Bella's excitement.) And finally, one of them sharing a sweet kiss with Bella seated on the back of Edward's motorcycle before putting on their helmets and taking to go back home, or rather to CCC where they spent last night together.
Thank God there were no hidden camera's inside the bedroom, Bella thought to herself, but then she has no idea there was someone following all day Saturday. The concept was a little unnerving.
Edward lifted Bella's chin to look at her expression to see what she thought of the article revealing their relationship prematurely to the whole world.
"What are you thinking?" Edward asked unable to read her expression.
"I dunno. I just need time to process this."
"We'll talk later," Edward said kissing the tip of her nose then closing the newspaper and placing it on the wooden coffee table.
"Funny isn't it how the paparazzi just follow you everywhere huh? No regard for people's privacy and it all end up in the next mornings tabloids and gossip columns. How do you live it with, man?" Jacob asked Edward leaning back into the couch watching Bella fall back under Edward's outstretched on the back of the sofa.
"It all comes with the territory. You get used to it after a while, and just ignore them. Eventually, if you're no longer exciting, they forget about you and move on to somebody else," Edward shrugged carelessly trying to blow it off as no bid deal.
"But they don't stop, because they always come back. Like pests, constantly feeding and surviving vicariously through other people's lives, mistakes, and misfortunes. They never care about the good stuff because that doesn't sell. They'll always accentuate the bad..."
"What is your point exactly, Jacob?" Bella said using his full name for the first time since she first met him in Austria. She had a clue what Jacob was trying to do; he was trying to point out that a life with Edward was always going to be on display because that's just who the Cullen's were. They were public figures and household names in the business world, and we like celebrities. Especially, Edward and Emmett because they were known to be the most rich and eligible bachelors in New York City, until recently.
Was this the sort of life she was prepared to live? Everything she did on display, and every little thing she said broken down with a fine tooth comb. Bella hated being the center of attention when the spot light wasn't meant to be on her. When she was on stage, she possessed an alter-ego and stepped into an alter-reality where nothing but the music mattered. But off the stage, she was as casual and clumsy as the come. That last thing she wanted was to be "on" all the time, like her life was one big performance.
No... it wasn't her preferred living arrangement. But Edward was right... to love him, meant to love all of him... the lack of privacy in his life.
They would have to discuss this later when they were alone.
"How about a little dessert before we all turn in for the evening. Marcus has made us his specialty, didn't you Marc?" Bella beamed with pride.
"Yes, little cantate... but I think it's time for you to pay up before you can eat. I recall last year, you loosing a bet?"
"Oh please... no. Not here, not now!" Bella blushed and shook her head vigorously praying to God he wouldn't make her do this embarrassing display in front of everyone, especially Edward.
"What is this? What bet did you lose?" Edward looked down at Bella who was now hiding her blush wish covered her entire body as she shook with laughter.
"We bet that she wouldn't have to become fluent in German, because everyone in Europe under the age of thirty knows English. But she still fought me on it, event though I am from Germany!" Marcus waved his hand in the air as though Bella was the most foolish girl in the world to have doubted him.
"Germany, not Austria! You've never been anywhere but here and Germany, so how would you know if Austrians spoke English as a second language or not?"
"Oh no, Bells, you didn't bet against that did you?" Jake cracked up next to her then heard Edward snort before squeezing her side, "Sweetheart anyone could have told you that!" They both laughed harder at the feisty look on Bella's face, but secretly she was pleased that Edward and Jacob had stopped the testosterone pissing match and had something to laugh and ease up about. Even if it was at her own expense.
"Alright, alright! It was dumb, I know that now. But please, don't make me do this here Marcus. I will do it in private but not in public!"
"Now I'm really curious what it is you have to pay up with... come on baby, the man says it's time to pay up..." Edward prodded her which made Bella pout more.
"That's right, Bella. A Swan always pays a debt. That's how I raised you, so do whatever it is and get it over with so we can have dessert," Charlie scolded with a twinkle in his eye. He had an inkling what the debt might be and he was looking forward to seeing everyone reaction.
"UGH, fine!" Bella grunted before getting up and walking over to the L-shaped kitchen inside the small apartment and disappeared behind the counter when she ducked to look inside the fridge.
"What is she doing?" Charlotte chuckled with Bree sitting in her lap.
"Dunno, but I think it's gonna be good," Peter crossed his arms in front of his chest while Maria and Aro whispered questions to Marcus, to which he shushed and gleamed in anticipation.
"Come along, cantante, we're waiting."
"Hold on! It takes a minute to set up!" Bella called from behind the counter, before reappearing with her phone on the counter and a package of strawberries on the counter. Bella leaned over the counter typing into her phone to get the music cued up then explained to everyone what she was about to do.
"Okay, I'm sure most everyone as seen the viral video of the 'Dramatic Chipmunk.' So about three years ago, I'm hanging out with Marc in the kitchen and he told me he'd never seen the video but he thought the idea was funny. I couldn't get my phone to play it so I decided to give him a demonstration, and he never let me live it down. He bet me do this again, but it's completely embarrassing and undignified. Mind you, this is a one time thing because I lost so that's it. Okay, here goes. Marc, press play when I point."
Bella gave Marcus her cued up phone with the music on speaker, then turned around with the strawberries and started to stuffed all into her cheeks. There must have been ten or so large strawberries in that basket, and by the time she dropped it with her back turned, it was completely empty.
The anticipation was stiffing with everyone on the edge of their seats. Suddenly, Bella pointed to Marcus to press play and the music blared from the iPhone speakers a dramatic, "DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUUN," and on the last note Bella twisted her body dramatically in character with her eyes bugged out, and her cheeks puffed up and entirely stretched wide like a Chipmunk's. From that moment on, everyone was just done.
The living room boomed with thunderous laughter echoing throughout the small living room. Peter keeled over practically rolling on the floor. The rest of them continued to laugh hysterically for several more minutes, but it rose up again when Bella laughed with them and the strawberries uncontrollably flew out of her mouth like an automatic machine gun.
Everyone cooled down eventually, and had Marcus's dessert of crème burlee, individually made with raspberries on top. It was the perfect end to celebrate Charlie and Sue's engagement.
Everyone said their goodbyes to head home, all except for Sue, who was spending the night and going home in the morning, and Jacob and Edward. Charlie wished everyone an awkward goodnight before closing the master bedroom door behind him and Sue, leaving Bella with Jacob and Edward in the living room.
"Well I guess I should start making the couch," Jacob yawned and stretched his tall frame touching the ceiling with his finger tips.
"Actually Jake, Edward said he'd offer one of the guest bedrooms inside the mansion for you to sleep. It will be much more comfortable and you'll have your own bathroom. That way you won't have to fight one of us to use the one bathroom we have here in the morning."
"Gee, that's—really great of you, Edward. Thanks," Jacob said awkwardly, sounding a little disappointed but still grateful... however he managed to do that.
"It's no trouble. Just follow me and I'll show you where," Edward held the door open for him so he good give his goodbye to Bella in private and not in front of Jacob hovering over them.
Only Jacob walked over to Bella first, surprisingly picking her up a foot off the ground in a big hug while saying goodnight before setting her back down on her feet. He kissed her cheek lightly in front of Edward, who used every ounce of self-control he ever possessed to stop himself from cutting this giant boy down to size.
Jacob didn't make eye contact with Edward as he passed him through the front door and started briskly walking down the stairs to wait for him on the driveway.
Bella saw Edward's flared nostrils and rapid breathing, his body completely tense even after Jake had left the room. She titled her head to the side in concern then rushed to his embrace, which he welcomed despite the state he was in. Having her in his arms was like instant Prozac to his nerves.
"I'm sorry..." Bella whispered into Edward's strong chest, breathing the fragrance of him off his clothing, revealing in his warm skin underneath the thin shirt he wore which showed his toned muscles.
"What for?" Edward breathed out into her hair, relishing her warmth and the subtle way her body melted into his. This is the way he liked her, safe in his arms.
"For not telling you about Jake sooner. We have a history. It's short, but important for you to hear. It will explain why—" Edward silenced her with a kiss before she could finish.
"Shh, not now, love. He's waiting, and even though I'm dying to be rude and inhospitable to him for kissing you, that just wouldn't do since he's your friend," Edward kissed her forehead once more before pulling away and cupped her cheek.
"I'll see you soon, baby." Then he left.
To Bella's dismay, Edward briskly walked out the door before she had the chance to wish him a good night. Feeling suddenly bereft and anxious, she watched Edward lead Jacob into the house without another word, then closed the door behind her.
Since Bella had become more acquainted with Edward Cullen, her life had been anything but boring. Sure, she'd only been back from Austria a little over two weeks, but it had felt like much, much longer.
Only after a short amount of time, Bella felt as though she had known Edward her entire life. In the literal sense she had, but never personally. She never knew who or what kind of man he was except by reputation; surprisingly enough, the rumors had all been wrong.
Edward was not heartless, insensitive, or a monster. He had shown her more caring and compassion than anyone she'd ever been with before. Tonight Edward proved he was not pompous, conceited, or spoiled. Instead he looked entirely at ease while having a simple dinner with her family, who all happened to work for him and his family.
Edward showed restraint when he was close to losing his temper as Jacob asked inappropriate questions, and told stories about their intimate relationship this past year in Austria.
Of course, she knew exactly what Jake had been doing. He was testing Edward to see if he was a gentleman who treated Bella with respect even if he was on his last rope. Jacob had nothing to work with, especially when Edward displayed generosity even after an entire night of loathing Jacob. Possibly wishing bad and awful things to happen or fall on him from the sky.
Bella cleaned up after everyone left, thinking it would be best to get it done now rather than in the morning. She put the table and chairs back, the kitchen utensils away, and took the New York Times off the coffee table intending to save it. Finally, she made it to her bedroom to get ready for bed after brushing her teeth and washing her face in the bathroom.
Bella took off her top and went to crack the window open by her bed when she turned and saw that it was already ajar.
"You really shouldn't leave it unlocked, you know."
Bella gasped quickly in horror when she heard a voice coming from the corner of her room and spun around.
"It's not safe. Don't you know any crazy person off the street could just let themselves in?"
Bella's heart kick started again, regaining her wits when she recognized the silky voice and made out the sexy dark silhouetted intruder. His hands were steepled in front of his mouth, resting on the arms of her mother's rocking chair.
Haughtily, Bella crossed her arms over her chest, unconsciously puffing her cleavage out through her black lace bra, taunting the intruding man sitting across from her in the shadows.
"Unfortunately, that's already happened. The question is, what does this crazy person want with me after midnight?"
She noticed Edward's silent laughter shaking his shoulders, and heard his short breaths through his nose. He was captivating, alluring, and nearly impossible to resist as she took a few steps closer to him only to be stopped by his outstretched hand.
"No," Edward breathed out, "Not yet. First, we need to talk."
"Whatever it is, can't it wait until morning?"
"No. There are important things we need to discuss in private before I let you sleep, and unfortunately they can't wait."
Bella could see there was no swaying or cajoling him, so instead of going to him, she continued to get dressed for bed. Knowingly, she avoided making eye contact with him, intending to drive him as crazy and he was making her this very moment by not letting her touch him.
Two could play at this game.
"Fine. You ask the questions, I'm getting ready for bed. What is it you want to know?" She said while unbuttoning her jeans, then slowly peeled them off her soft skin before tossing them into the hamper by the rocking chair with perfect aim. Just missing Edward's head and amused expression.
Edward knew what she was doing, but decided to play along instead of stopping her. "First question: what is your history with Jacob Black?"
It had been driving him mad all evening. The stolen glances, the sexual innuendos, the chemistry and ease of their friendship, which could only happen with familiarity. He knew in the back of his mind what she would say, he just needed to hear her confirm it.
First, to prove his intuition was correct, and second, to see if he should feel threatened or not. Because for the time being, he saw Jacob Black as a bigger adversary than his brother, who he was certain had never known his girl intimately.
Bella turned her back to take off her bra, then gracefully put on the black satin negligee over her head that Alice had brought for her to wear on their weekend together. She hadn't worn it up to now since the previous nights she either wore one of his shirts or nothing all to bed.
But tonight, Bella knew she needed to bring out the big guns for this conversation. Once the material slid down her body she could feel her inner goddess come alive. Bella knew it was working when the breathing coming from the far corner of the room grew heavier and shorter with every caress of her curves.
The only thing that made her pause from her seduction routine, was the knowing tone in Edward's voice her he asked his question, then the shy, uncertain Bella began to show her face.
He knew.
Does he still want me? Is he mad?
"Edward—"
"No! Don't Edward me," Edward whisper shouted at her, aggressively rubbing his face. He exhaled then dropped his hands back on the armrests of the rocking chair, gripping it tightly, as if he was restraining himself in the chair. He squeezed the wooden arms so tightly, it wouldn't surprise Bella if he left finger markings in the wood.
Finally, after what seemed like longer than a minute, Edward calmed down enough and spoke each word to Bella staccato, "Just. Tell. Me. I promise you I can handle the truth. So don't sugarcoat or leave anything out. I just... need to hear you say it."
Edward was composed by the time he finished talking and leaned back against the chair once more.
Bella slowly turned around and saw Edwards face clearly for the first time since her eyes adjusted to the darkness. Cautiously, she sat down on her bed, looking at Edward as though he were a cornered cobra preparing to strike.
"Alright. Jacob and I met in Austria through friends at a club we both didn't really fancy. We became fast friends. We both supported and stood up for each other whenever we got asked out or were pursued by people we weren't interested it, until Halloween. Before then we had always gone everywhere as friends because I was still hung up on Emmett, but Ch—my family... convinced me I should give it a shot so I could try to move on and forget the fantasy. We became an official couple after the Christmas party when he kissed me outside of my dorm room," she stopped to see if Edward would react to them kissing. When he didn't and remained silent, she went on.
"We dated for four and half months, but I couldn't find it in me to sleep with him. I thought something was wrong with me, because Jacob loved me and put everything into our relationship and I just couldn't reciprocate. But the feelings never came, and I just couldn't go all the way..." Edward leaned released a breath of relief and fell back into the chair, only Bella wasn't finished, "until the night I found out Emmett was engaged."
Edward's heart stopped.
"That was the night I knew I didn't love Jacob, because my heart was broken over Emmett. I walked aimlessly in the rain for hours not knowing what to do. I concluded that staying with Jake wasn't the right thing to do, but I still loved him as a friend and trusted him with my life.
"I hated myself for being so naïve, believing Emmett would wait for me, or even knew I existed. I concluded the problem was my innocence... my virginity. But I didn't have the courage to just go a bar and have some mindless fuck; I could never have sex with just anyone. It had to be with someone I trusted and cared deeply about. Someone who I knew wouldn't hurt me... so I went to him. And asked if he would be the one to do it, no strings attached. He knew what he was getting into, that I was breaking up with him, but also asking him to do... One. Last. Favor... as a friend before I left Austria."
Edward leaned forward into the chair unable to hear anymore and prayed to God that she wouldn't go into detail. He squeezed his hair on top of his head so hard, but he didn't feel the pain.
Why did it matter so much to him? Why did his chest hurt so much? Was it her admitting to him that she rushed into giving herself because of a broken heart over his brother... or the fact that it wasn't him she gave herself to and not Jacob Black in order to get over a childhood crush?
No... he was glad it wasn't him. Then he might have been the one in Jacob Blacks shoes with a broken heart, instead of sitting in front of her now with the ability to take her whenever he wanted... be she wanted him, too. Did she still want him?
"Was he gentle? Did he treat you with respect?" he asked in a strained voice needing to hear her confirmation. If Jacob Black made her cry or hurt her in any way, he was going to be walking funny the rest of his life!
"Edward."
When Edward looked up, startled by how close Bella voice was, he saw her kneeling in front of him with her hands resting on both her knees in a submissive position.
She looked fucking gorgeous.
"Baby, he was. Jake would never hurt me."
Edward pained expression eased a little with that knowledge, but the hurt was still there behind his eyes.
"I know what I did was spontaneous and impulsive," Bella continued, "I can't even begin to describe to you to conflict I feel inside: wishing I had waited just a little longer so it could have been you.
"But then again, I don't regret what I did because then I wouldn't have known what to do, or how to please you. Or—" Edward stopped her by pulling her up and lifting her to sit in his lap and wrapped her in a tight embrace.
"Shh. You do please me. Every moment we're together," he kissed her hair, "I'm glad you told me even though I already knew it was him just by the way he looked at you. You're very... comfortable with him."
He kissed her hair again but held her close so she couldn't see his face, "I won't lie and tell you it doesn't hurt or make me what to tear his limbs off. But I know I can't do that, because it would hurt you, and I never wish to hurt you." Edward's next deep breath stuttered and he took a moment to compose himself before speaking again.
"I'm aware that it's unfair and chauvinistic of me to want you only for myself when you know my past has been anything but colorful. I can't even give you a number due to the fact I never kept track until a few years after I broke up with Tanya. I became no better than Emmett for a while.
"A couple years ago, I moved past that phase and started treating women with more respect, even though my relationships with them only lasted a few weeks to a month before I got bored with them. They were all the same..."
Bella cringed and stiffened in his arms at his admission, but he couldn't let her pull away from him. Not now when he was trying to tell her how much she meant to him.
"What if—" Bella started in a small meek voice but was afraid to voice her fears since the night of the fundraiser when Esme told her of Edward's short attention span with women.
"What, sweet girl?" Edward cooed and stroked her face with his palm; feeling dampness by her long eyelashes with his thumb.
"What if you get bored with me and—" Bella couldn't finish her sentence because Edward attacked her lips with an urgency she'd never felt before, but it ended all too soon.
He shook his head brushing his lips against hers whispering, "Never. Don't ever think that. You are nothing like those women. Do you have any idea... any concept of how much you mean to me? Goddamn it, Bella. I can feel you, so much... in here. It takes my breath away. It hurts," Edward took her hand and placed it over his pounding chest. "I—I feel..." he squeezed his eyes shut tight as his throat constricted his air passage so he couldn't even squeak a word out.
"I feel it, too. I love you so much," Bella whispered quickly wrapping her arms around Edward's neck, kissing him all over his face, then on his tight lips which Edward eagerly reciprocated the second he felt her tongue stroke his bottom lip.
They kissed and rocked in the chair, feeling and gripping at whatever they could to pull closer together, until the need to breathe became too great.
Finally feeling his air passages open up, Edward cradled Bella comfortably in his arms as he rocked them slowly and smoothly back and forth. His heart grew too big to fit inside his chest as he panted and felt his warm girl nuzzle his neck and cuddle deeply against his body.
After what felt like hours of silence, Bella softly asked drowsily, "What's the second question?" Edward slowed down their rocking and breathed out a sigh.
"I need to know that everything was alright between us after Jacob made a point to elaborate what living with the paparazzi can be like. You need to understand, my life has never been a secret, nor my family's.
"They stopped photographing who I was dating after Tanya because they couldn't keep up with the numbers. I'd stopped seeing people every weekend on a regular basis. I'd stopped entirely for several months before you came home because I'd gotten tired of constantly dating the same shallow, ignorant, plastic people over and over again. They used me for my name and publicity, or hoped I'd buy them expensive things just to get into their pants... which I have to admit was my modus operandi for some time so I can't entirely blame them for thinking that.
"But now that they've seen us together after my long dry spell, they may follow you even when I'm not around to see what interest you could possibly hold for me. They will dig into your past and uncover any details they think is relevant or even irrelevant to tell the world more about you and our relationship."
Edward paused and looked her directly in the eye without any humor, "They may slander you or try to pin you as a gold digger if you are even seen with other men because your family would have something to gain by being with me. Even a hug or a kiss on the cheek could be misconstrued as an act of cheating with the right angles and captured moments."
Bella cringed in disgust at the lowness that journalists would stoop in order to write a good story. The lies that may be told about her in order of people to bring Edward down. That's what she truly cared about...
"What about your reputation?" Bella asked feeling the short rough stubble on his chiseled jaw.
"What about it?" Edward frowned.
"I don't care about all the lies that people may write about us, because so long as we know what's true and trust each other to always tell the truth there won't be any secrets or need to hide. But what most concerns me is your reputation by being with your chauffeurs daughter, instead of someone like the Denalis or Hales who have their own empire to run so it would seem as though they are using you to get ahead in this world."
"That's where you're wrong. They are trying to use me and my empire to get ahead in this world. And I would rather fall off the Empire State Building than try to marry into either of those families. Their daughters are bitches," Edward smiled as Bella barked out a laugh, the covered her mouth because it came out loud and hoped it wouldn't wake Charlie or Sue.
"What's more important is that I know you don't want me for my money, or care how steep my bank account is. You won't even let me pay for you without causing a fuss..." Edward admonished shaking his head.
"Um, that's because you already paid a million dollars for me. That's quite enough I think for a life time."
"Nuh uh, sixty-six point six six six six seven dates. Which we are now down to number sixty-three more. You can't go back on your word, Ms. Swan. I won't let you," Edward mockingly scolded and tapped her nose with his own.
"You impossible stubborn man," Bella cooed like it was a term of endearment.
"And you're an impossibly stubborn woman," Edward quipped back then switched to looking happy in a split second as if an idea just popped in his head. "Hey, you know what that means?" Bella shook her head trying to hide her smirk. "It means we're meant for each other," Edward's voice turned seductive and squeezed Bella's thigh suggestively causing Bella to throw her head back and quietly laugh hysterically. Then Edward scooped up Bella off the rocking chair and placed her gently onto the full size mattress.
Edward looked up and around him to see what they had to work with, "What is this thing? Doll furniture?" he teased as Bella tried to hold in her laughter.
"Quiet you! I've never had another person sleep in my bed before. Let alone a 6'2 tall man!" Bella whisper shouted and pushed against his chest to try to sit up only Edward thwarted efforts of attack, and laughed. Her anger was like a kitten, trying to be fierce, but only managed to look adorable, which irked the kitten even more making it fight harder.
"Shh shh shh, baby. Are you trying to get me shot? I know your father has two hunting rifles which he conveniently mentioned were stowed under his bed at dinner, and I don't wish to become his next target!" Edward whisper shouted before kissing Bella into submission. "That's better," he smiled and continued to kiss her senseless.
"And what— is—the—third question?" Bella giggled in between kisses as Edward hooked her leg over his hip, marveling the soft skin up and down her the upper part of her thigh.
"Mm, my last and final question for this evening is... Did you really think I could possible sleep alone after what you've done to me, Ms. Swan?"
Edward covered Bella's silently laughter with his mouth and moved his hand up her back to pull her even closer to his body. "Mmm, you've ruined me woman," he kissed down her neck and behind her ear, "I need to feel you, smell you, hold you, know that you're safe... but most of all—" he kissed back to her mouth, "I want you so bad... I can't even breathe without you."
Bella let out a single breathy a breathy groan and rolled on top of Edward so that she was straddling his hips and feeling his harness bulging inside his jeans.
"Hmm, I think I've spoiled you," Bella said kissing down Edward's neck down to the open V of his shirt and began unbuttoning and kissing lower and lower as more delicious skin was revealed.
"Spoiled rotten. I'll never sleep without you again."
Edward panted with his stomach contracting with each touch of her lips and almost spilled in his jeans when he felt her lick down his treasure trail to his hip revealing hip bone, "Fuck, Isabella. Don't tease," he growled running his fingers through her soft hair and pulling when he heard the zipper of his pants being slowly opened and pulled down.
He begged and pleaded for her to take him in her mouth as she stroked and felt the weight of him in her small hands. She finally gave in with on long lick along the strong vein along his cock then encompassed him in her mouth and sucked hard. Edward muffled his moans with his arm across his face while his girl worked at pleasing him to the point of spilling in her mouth. But he couldn't allow her to do that.
"Stop," he grunted and sat up quickly forcing himself to pop out of her mouth and pulling her body up to sit on top of him. He violently tore the lace panties from her body while she lined herself up with his length and slowly sank down until their bodies met completely.
Edward gently cupped Bella's face with is large hands and kissed her like his life depended on it. When he pulled away he reverently stroked her face and whispered to her lips, "My Bella."
Slowly and sinuously they moved like lovers who had been together as old as time. They watch each other come as quietly as church mice, with no words but gasps, heaving chest, and a single look that said everything they both wanted to hear, but instead they simply sealed their silent confession with a kiss and fell asleep in a tight embrace.
Thanks again for reading! Ciao my pretties!