Thanks to all my readers and reviewers! You guys are Da'bomb!
So I want to apologize for my epic failure in updating, Real life and I divorced and have been on the outs ever since. But now we are in couples therapy and happily working things out ;)
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Disclaimer: I sadly do not own Twilight or any of the lovely characters. They belong to the wonderfully talented Stephanie Meyer. I do own the original story line and any original characters. But I do own: All of the books, soundtracks to all three movies, Team Edward t-shirt, Twilight the movie, New Moon the movie and used ticket stubs to Twilight and New Moon.
Last Chapter:
The paper flitted from my fingers; Edward caught it before it hit the floor. I didn't need to be looking at him to guess his reaction.
"Mother fucker," He roared. "That ass was in my office today, I should have beaten him beyond recognition."
He wrapped his arms around me then, pulling me tightly against him. I didn't realize I was shaking until then.
"Go pack your bag," he said after a minute.
"Why?" I asked in confusion.
"You are coming to stay at my place. He doesn't know where I live."
He was right, but how long before James figured it out. There was only one thing that I could think to do.
I needed to call Riley.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*WYB*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Calling Riley is not going to solve anything," Edward seethed as he paced his living room.
I sighed heavily. I was sick of this argument already. I waited until we were in the safety of Edward's apartment before I mentioned that I was going to call Riley the next day. I mean it is his brother that is going all psycho on me. I figure he has to have some sort of insight on the situation.
"Edward, please sit down." His constant pacing was starting to make me dizzy.
"I think that Riley can help." I said as he finally sat rigidly next to me.
"Why, Bella? He isn't even close to James, if you don't remember they aren't exactly friends."
I narrowed my eyes at him then, of course I remember that! "No, they may not be close, but Riley has had to deal with James' underhanded attacks before."
"He sent me disgusting lingerie, Edward, with promises of seeing me soon. I'm scared and I think Riley could help."
His jaw tensed when I mentioned that Riley could help, of course he was going to take it as Riley was appeasing my fear and he couldn't.
"Edward," I sighed pressing my palm against his cheek, his eyes reluctantly meet mine. "He isn't going to make me feel safe, only you can do that, I just think that he could possibly offer some insight and if he can't maybe Megan can."
I pulled out the big guns there. He could point out the fact that Riley really doesn't know his brother, but there was no way he could argue that Megan doesn't. She was married to the bastard.
"Fine," he huffed. "But I want to be there if you meet him somewhere."
I rolled my eyes at him. "Of course."
"Don't roll your eyes at me, missy," he said pulling me into his lap. "I just like being close to you, plus I witnesses firsthand how that guy looks at you."
"Well it doesn't even compare to how he looks at Megan. He loves her. You have no reason to worry."
"I know," he said as he nuzzled the side of my neck. His lips pressed against my ear, causing my breath to catch in my throat. The subject of Riley must be on the way out, as his lips trailed suggestively down my neck; stopping to nip at the junction between my neck and my shoulder.
I felt his hand trace lightly up my side, dipping under the fabric of my shirt as he trailed his fingers up and around my bra covered chest. As I felt his thumb sweep across my straining nipple, I knew that we needed to move to his room.
"Take me to bed," I panted out. And that was all that I needed to say, his strong arms wrapped around my waist and he carried me into his room.
I didn't get a chance to look around his room before he had tossed me lightly onto his bed and pounced on top of me.
"You're wearing way too many clothes," he breathed out as he yanked my shirt up and away from my body.
"You too," I managed to get out as my hands gripped his shirt making sure that it joined mine on the floor.
"I want you," he said, staring at my lace covered chest. His eyes almost black with lust.
"Take me, I'm yours."
And he did. He wrestled us both out of our jeans, slowly stripped my body of my under garments. I felt his mouth and tongue slowly work their way down my throat, across my collar bones, and finally latch onto my nipple with such a force that I arched off of the bed, gripping his shoulders tightly with my hands.
"No more teasing," I moaned out a little louder the intended. "I need you."
That was all that I needed to say, I heard the sound of his boxers hitting the floor and then he was sheathed inside me causing us both to moan loudly.
"Baby, you're so tight," he moaned in between thrusts.
"Edward," was all that I managed to say. I couldn't form words, only nonsense and moans were leaving my mouth right now.
He picked up his pace as I felt his hand trail between us. "I love you, Bella." he said as his fingers starting stroking my already sensitive clit.
"I love you, too," I panted out as I felt my orgasm start to build. Edward must have felt my inner walls starting to flutter because he starting thrust harder and stroking me faster.
"Cum for me, Bella," he purred out just seconds before everything around me exploded and all I could see were tiny little stars dancing in front of my eyes.
I heard and felt Edward explode seconds behind me; he nuzzled my throat, placing kisses along my jaw line.
"I love you," He whispered before gathering me close to him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*WYB*~*~*~*~*~*~*
After a very intense lovemaking session, we lay spent in his king sized bed.
"I may never leave here," I said cuddling into his naked chest.
"I won't argue with that."
It was then that I realized that I had never been in his room before; we had spent all of our time together at my apartment.
His room was an extension of him. The walls were a soft gray, covered in black and white pictures from our childhood, just like his living room. I smiled as I took in pictures of us on the beach, laying in his parent's yard reading, and finally a candid picture of us from homecoming.
It was in laying here that I realized that he never lied to me. There was no way that another woman, mainly Tanya, could have ever been in his room in an intimate way. It would have been awkward and confusing to why there were so many pictures of me lining the walls.
My eyes moved on from the pictures and took in the dark brown wood of his dressers. A matching bookcase lined one wall, stuffed full of books of every shape and size. The opposite wall had the same kind of shelving system, but instead of books it was full of CD's and vinyl records.
"I like your room," I said as I placed soft kisses on his chest.
"You've never been in here before, I forgot about that. Crap, I'm sorry. I should have given you a tour, instead of dragging you in here like some mad man."
Great, here we go with the self hate again.
"Edward, as I recall, I begged you to take me to bed," I reminded him.
"Well when you put it that way," he chuckled.
We lay there in silence for a few more minutes. I knew that I needed to broach the subject of Riley again, but I really didn't want to fight with him.
"What is it, Bella?" he asked. "You have that look on your face, the one that says you are thinking too hard."
"I don't want to fight with you."
"So that is look about Riley then," he guessed correctly.
"Yes."
"Bella," he started but I cut him off.
"Edward, I need to talk to him about this. Not only is it his brother, but he is also a lawyer and could tell me legally what I can and cannot do," I tried to start with a logical argument.
"Bella," he sighed, pulling us up and arranging us until we were both seated with our backs against his wooden head board. "If it is legal advice that you are in need of, he is not the only lawyer you know. Jasper would be more than willing, I'm sure, and to answer any question you have."
"It's not just legally Edward, Riley is his brother. He can do more than just answer my legal question. But you're right I will talk to Jasper, he may be the better person to bring into this, legally wise that is. Riley would have to big of a conflict of interest if heaven forbid this goes any farther and I have to file a restraining order."
"But Riley may be able to shed some light on why James has transfixed his attention on me. Not only will Riley be able to help us out, I'm sure Megan could bestow some very valuable advice, given that she was married to James and lived with him for many years."
We sat there in a rigid silence for a few moments, both of us being too stubborn to back down. This was just one time that Edward was going to have to fall back and accept my decision.
"Fine," he finally said. "If you think that bringing Riley into this will help, then I will support that decision. But I would like to be there for your talk with him, no matter if it is person or over the phone."
I felt my blood boil for a minute. Seriously, he needs to be there for my talk with Riley! It's not like I demanded to be there when he had his talk with Tanya.
Calm down, Bella, that was totally different situation. It would have been unprofessional for you to attend their meeting. And it's not like he was with her alone, his lawyer and hers -James- where there, if anything it would have been a bigger mess had you been there, James would have most likely targeted you.
I felt much better after I talked myself down. "Fine," I managed to get out. Just because I could see logic, didn't mean that I had to like it. "I'll probably just call him tomorrow."
"Baby," he sighed. "If you want to talk to him alone, you can. God, I don't want to fight with you anymore. Just don't fall for anything; you know if he starts acting like he wants to meet alone or something."
I almost laughed out loud at his comment. Did he think that Riley was some sort of Sexual offender waiting in the shadows to steal my virtue?
"Edward, it's not like he is going to attack me or something."
"I'm not worried about that," he mumbled, his voice shadowed with a hint of trepidation.
"Then what is it, baby?" I looked at him closely then, his eyes were downcast and he had a forlorn look on his face. I gently ran my hand along his cheek, before cupping his chin with my hand and nudging his face up until he was looking at me.
"Edward?" I asked again.
"I guess I'm worried that seeing him will remind you that you could do so much better than me," He rushed out in one breath.
"What?"
"It's just that you seemed happy with Riley. And I guess I'm worried that you'll see that he is the better man for you," he said dropping his eyes back to his lap.
"How could you feel that way, Edward?" I asked seriously.
"Because I know that I'm not enough Bella. I left you, I hurt you and one day I am so fucking scared that you are going to wake up and realize that I'm not worth it."
I felt my breath catch in my throat at his confession, did he not understand that when I said that I forgave him that I did.
I pushed myself up off the bed and straddled his lap, not caring in the slightest that we were both very naked still. His head snapped up in surprise.
"Edward, I love you. Yes, you made a very big mistake, but I forgave you. I forgive you. Please don't ever think that I will be able to walk away from you, I would never be strong enough to do that. I love you with every part of me, sure Riley was nice and I liked him but I never felt that spark with him. You are the only man for me. Ever," I leaned in and pressed my lips against his, wanting him to feel my love and need for him in that kiss.
I pulled back after a minute a little breathless. "Please never doubt me."
"I promise to never do that again," he said sincerely before capturing my lips in another heated kiss.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*WYB*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next morning dawned before I was ready, after the talk Edward and I had about Riley we spent the next few hours of enjoying each other in a very primal way.
I stretched leisurely, my muscles sore in all the good ways. Edward was still sleeping peacefully next to me, his face peaceful and happy. Whatever he was dreaming, it was good. I sighed happily; I had forgotten what it was like to feel this happy and content. Having him here, in my arms again completed me in ways that I could never explain to someone else.
After watching him sleep for a few more minutes, I reluctantly crawled out of bed. I was in desperate need for a coffee of and a hot shower. I decided that coffee was going to be first, since I was finding it difficult to keep my eyes open.
Fifteen minutes later I was reclining comfortably in Edward's button down shirt on his balcony with a cup of delicious coffee in my hands. His view was beyond amazing, I could see all the way out to the sound. It made me want to stay here forever, laying here in the chair, in Edward's shirt, with this cup of coffee. Only one thing could make this better and he just happened to step out onto the balcony to join me.
"Good morning, Love," he said leaning down and nuzzling my neck for a minute.
"You too," I sighed contentedly. "I have told you lately that I may never leave here?"
"Only a few times," he laughed as he settled in the chair next to me, with a matching cup of coffee in his hands.
"This view is amazing."
"I think that this view is amazing," he said tracing his finger down the side of my face.
"You're so cheesy," I giggled, even though I loved every minute of it.
We sat there in companionable silence, well until my stomach decided to let us know that it was very hungry.
"Why don't you go take a shower while I go make breakfast," he offered as he stood from his seat.
"Okay."
The shower did wonders for my sore and tired muscles. And by shower I mean the seven different shower heads and the pulsating water mood did wonders for my muscles. Just another reason why I may never leave this place. After I dried off and dressed in a simple grey pant suit I joined Edward back in the kitchen.
"So your shower owns me," I laughed as I sat at the bar in his kitchen.
"Yeah, it kind of owns me also," he joked as he flipped pancakes on the stove.
"That smells good," I offered from my seat, feeling slightly guilty that he was doing all the work. "Do you need any help?"
"I've got it, Love. Just sit there and relax."
So that's what I did, just sat there while he served us both up some breakfast and another cup of coffee.
After breakfast, I chanced a quick look at the clock and realized that if I was going to catch Riley before he gets to work then I was going to have to call him now.
"I'm going to go ahead and call Riley," I said before sucking my bottom lip into my mouth and biting it softly.
"Okay, I'll just clean up the kitchen," he said quietly as he picked up the dishes and turned towards the sink.
"I thought you wanted to be there while I talked to him," I asked in confusion.
"I trust you, Bella," he said looking me in the eyes. I knew that he did, we wouldn't be here right now if we didn't trust each other.
Him saying that with so much sincerity caused me to make a decision that surprised me.
"I want you to be there, Edward."
"Really?" he asked in surprise.
"Yes. Really."
So that is how it happened that we were sitting next to each other on his couch as I quickly dialed Riley's number.
"Bella?"
"Hello Riley," I said holding back a chuckle at how he answered this call.
"Hi, wow I'm surprised to hear from you," he said after a moment. His voice was decidedly happy, which I took as a good sign.
"I know," I said sheepishly. "How are you doing?"
"Good and you?" he answered quickly.
"I'm good, for the most part."
"For the most part?" he asked, his tone becoming a little more serious.
"Yeah, that is why I'm calling you." I instantly felt bad for wording it that way; I didn't want him to think that I was just calling him out of desperation or something.
"Are you in trouble? Do you need a lawyer?"
"No! Nothing like that, this is about your brother," I stated quickly, no need to beat around the bush.
I felt Edward shift beside me before taking my free hand into his and squeezing in gently. I gave him a small smile before turning my attention back to my phone call.
"What about him?" His tone had turned hard; I knew that it wasn't towards me, but towards his brother.
"I think he may be stalking me?" I said more as a question then a fact, mostly because finally saying it out loud sounded kind of silly and juvenile.
"What do you mean "stalking you"?"
I was going to try to downplay some of the encounters but when I tried to start doing that Edward narrowed his eyes at me and nudged my side with his elbow. I got the feeling that if I didn't tell Riley everything that he had no qualms with taking the phone from me and telling him himself.
I rolled my eyes at him to let him know that his facial expressions were not being ignored, and then I proceeded to tell Riley everything. Being careful not to leave anything out.
After I finished the story, there was a moment of silence disbelief.
"What the hell, Bella?" he finally said.
"Excuse me?" I was kind of taken aback by his tone.
"Why did you wait until it got this out of hand to call me?"
"Umm…I didn't want to bother you, you asked for time to deal with everything," I said dropping my voice, I felt bad talking about that in front of Edward.
"I should have known that it was you that he was targeting."
"Huh?" I asked in confusion. How could have he known?
"When Megan went back to their house to pack her things he was there, at first he just followed her around begging her to stay. When that didn't work he proceeded to tell her that he didn't want her anyways that he had found someone new, someone that I would be jealous that he had. I just that thought that he was trying to goad me into reacting or that he was trying to make Megan jealous. I never thought that he meant you," he explained.
"Well it is totally one sided. In all reality it's kind of freaking me out," I admitted.
"Of course it is. Gosh Bella, I wish that I had never let him know that you existed."
"Should I be worried?" I asked my voice trembling.
"Tell me again about everything that he has sent you?" he asked instead of answering me.
So I told him again about the flowers and the note, then about the lingerie and promises that he made in his letter. I also empathized that he somehow knew where I worked and lived.
"Have you called the police?" he asked.
"No, not yet. I didn't think that they would take it seriously, it's not like he has made physical contact with me."
I felt Edward stiffen at that comment; I'm sure imagining James making physical contact.
"Not everything is black and white when it comes to harassment. Maybe if it just was the flowers I would agree with you, but the lingerie and the notes, well that is what I like to call harassment and it is against the law. Bella, you have more than enough evidence to file a restraining order against him," His tone had turned professional and I was starting to worry that he thought that I had called him for legal advice.
"Riley, I didn't call you for legal advice," I interrupted him. "I just called you for personal advice, I'm going to speak to Jasper about the legal stuff, I figures with him being your brother it might be too much of a conflict of interest to handle this."
"No, you're right. I shouldn't be involved in anything legal between you and James. But if it wasn't legal advice that you needed what can I do for you?"
"Well, um, I was hoping that you could help shed light on why James is targeting me,"
"It's my fault," he mumbled, I'm pretty sure that I saw Edward nod his head in agreement. I gave him a pointed look, causing him to give me a sheepish look before tightening his hand around mine.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked.
"It's because of me and Megan that he is doing this. Megan and I decided to see where this thing between us is going. When James found out, he was beyond livid, even though he is knowingly sleeping with a woman from his work. He doesn't like to lose and he is taking Megan choosing to be with me as him losing. If I had to guess what his motivation is, I would say that he is hoping that to shove a relationship with you in my face."
"Like an eye for an eye or something along those lines. He is such an asshole, does he not see that it's his own fault that he lost Megan, not something I did? I don't even know what to think."
"Okay, so do you think that he is completely harmless though?" I finally asked the question that was haunting my mind.
He was quiet for a moment; I'm sure trying to think of the best way to answer that. His silence didn't really help the battle that was waging in my brain, the one that was telling me to pack my shit and run home to Daddy.
"I don't know," he finally said. "I know that he can be volatile and violent. I would like to tell you no that you are completely safe but I think I would be lying."
I felt Edward stiffen next to me.
"He already tried to attack you, Bella. If you told me everything about what happened outside of my Grandfather's dinner, then I would have to say that he is not really worried about hurting you in the process to get to me."
I breathed in a deep breath at that. I wasn't really surprised by his answer; I think I had always known deep down that James was a threat.
"So, what do I do?" I asked.
"Well talk to Jasper and notify security at your work and apartment that you are being harassed. It wouldn't be stupid to carry around some mace in your purse and also maybe have someone stay with you or stay somewhere else for the time being. If you need a place to stay, my spare bedroom is always open."
I think Edward was coronary at hearing that, it was almost comical at how his body stiffened and his face became pinched. I would have chuckled out loud if I didn't think that he might grab the phone from me and tell Riley that he would take care of my sleeping arrangements.
"Thank you for the offer, but I think I have it covered," I said.
"I figured," he said with a chuckle. I'm taking it that he knew that Edward was sitting right here and was trying to take a final jab at him. I rolled my eyes at the absurdity of boys. "Also I am going to talk to James."
"What?" I screeched. I didn't want Riley getting hurt and James seemed to be unhinged enough to attack his own brother.
"This has gone on long Enough, Bella. I'm not going to stand for him trying to hurt you. I care about you and the thought of my sleazy brother touching you or causing you harm makes me burn with anger," he seethed, his voice full of emotion.
I didn't have to look at Edward to know that he was vibrating with a different kind of emotion.
"Okay," I huffed. If he wanted to confront him, there was no way that I could stop him. "But please be careful."
"Of course, I just want to have a little chat with him and hopefully that will stop him from contacting you any further."
"Will you please call me afterwards so that I know that you are okay?" I didn't think that was too much to ask.
"Of course, it's your life that he is messing with; you have every right to know what goes on."
"Thank you," I offered meekly. I felt bad for dragging him into this situation.
"You have nothing to thank me for, if anything I should be apologizing to you. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be in this situation," he said gravely. I'm sure that he was beating himself up for all of this.
"It's not your fault," I offered lamely. Edward huffed in disagreement. This caused me to elbow him lightly in the side.
"It doesn't sound like Edward agrees with you there," he chuckled weakly.
"You heard that?"
"Yeah. So I take it that things are good between the two of you then?" He asked tightly. I really didn't want to do this, he knew that Edward and I are together now, why did he want to torture himself?
"Yeah, things are good," I said softly. Edward leaned over and placed a soft and quiet kiss on the top of my head.
"That's good. I'm glad that you're happy. Just please tell him to keep you safe, I don't know what I would do if something happened to you," his voice was wistful, causing my heart to hurt a little. Riley was an amazing guy, a lot stronger than most emotionally. I don't think that I would be able to treat my ex the way he was treating me.
"He always keeps me safe," I said turning to really look at Edward, his eyes shined with love and I was once again reminded that I made the right choice. Riley was amazing but Edward was my heart, my home.
"Good, I'm counting on it," he said gruffly. "I'm going to go now, I'm at work. But I will let you know once I talk to James."
"Okay."
"Bye, Bella." and then he was gone. I blinked back tears. That conversation had gone a lot differently than I thought it would.
"Love?" Edward spoke pulling me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah?"
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his chest.
"You are always safe with me," he said placing kisses along my forehead.
"I know," I sighed sinking into his chest. I never doubted that Edward would keep me safe. Here in his arms I knew no fear.
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Symphiann