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3, 2, 1...and...

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

EPOV

I had just woken up from a very satisfying sleep. Although now I was sated, my muscles were still stiff from last night. I slowly removed my hand around Bella's waist, careful not to disturb her. However, she turned around to face me before I could even fully detach myself from her and hitched her leg around my waist, positioning my morning wood directly against her pussy.

I groaned, feeling my sore cock stir to life because of her proximity. It was even a miracle it could still harden and stand erect. We fucked and fucked and cuddled a little bit…and then fucked some more. That was all I could remember after we left the bar.

Bella had worn me out last night; her hand, mouth and pussy made sure I was more than satisfied. I wasn't complaining, because truthfully I would love a night of good fucking than anything else, but Bella had more stamina than she usually does for sex, and for the first time I couldn't keep up. Maybe it was because of the energy powder she had inhaled, or the fact that she wanted to forget all about Snake that made her so sex-starved.

I stayed still, making sure Bella was still asleep. She needed the rest. I knew her interaction with Snake had taken a toll on her. Truthfully, it had scared me so much I cried. I wasn't even ashamed to admit it. Losing Bella wasn't an option to me. That was why I had insisted for the tracking device, which was how I had found her in the first place. Yesterday was the first time I had used it to check on her location. She would be pissed if she found out, but I didn't care. She would rage, of that I was certain, but I wouldn't apologize for using it to make sure she was safe.

Bella snuggled closer, her warmth engulfing me. I was too comfortable in our little position, and I wanted nothing but to stay where I was. I knew I had to put some distance between us though, even for just a few hours. I was dangerously on the verge of slipping inside her again, and it wouldn't do either of us any good. She needed her rest after that marathon sex we had. It had been a tiring twenty-four hours, but I was certain we hadn't seen the last of what Snake did to my Bella.

The thought of the fucker made me angry. I could feel my jaw tighten, and I wanted so badly to torture him myself. However much the desire to do that, Bella was my priority. My wife became so needy of my attention after that incident; I couldn't leave her. Vicky was the one who was in-charge of getting information from him, and I knew she wouldn't disappoint. Well, she couldn't fail in making Snake talk. I didn't give her the option to do that. Bella did her job, so the least Victoria could do was make the fucker tell her what he knew. She should have all the information I wanted when she was through with him, or there was hell to pay.

I finally succeeded pulling away from Bella without rousing her, and took a much-needed shower. The hot water that touched my skin was a relief to my tired muscles, but I didn't linger long to enjoy it. I needed to make some calls before Bella woke up.

Two hours and a couple of phone calls made, I was irritated as usual. Jasper didn't have any new leads on who caused the destruction to the Swan's mansion, the police were snooping all over, and on top of it all Jacob was missing. Things weren't going my way, and I didn't like it. I didn't like it one fucking bit. Vicky was still working on Snake, but she assured me she would have some information for me at the end of the day. I am going to kill that son of a bitch myself if he doesn't talk soon.

Knowing there wasn't much I could do as of now, I decided to check on Bella. She was probably hungry by now, and I needed to nourish her.

Bella was awake, sitting plopped against a pillow. She looked irritated. Her beautiful eyebrows squished together in a frown.

"You're awake," I said, sitting beside her on the bed.

"And you're not here with me," she answered in a pout. The silk blanket was covering her tits, and her thighs were peaking from under the blanket. She looked so inviting with her messy hair and swollen lips. I was disappointed I couldn't see her naked. I know I couldn't fuck anymore after last night, but it didn't mean I didn't want to see her all sexy and bare for me.

I pulled the sheets down, revealing her wonderful tits to me. Her nipples quickly puckered in response to the cold air in the room. She smiled seductively, and I was certain I knew what ran through that little head of hers.

"Baby, we need to talk," I said, nipping her intention of continuing where we left off last night in the bud. She pouted and huffed.

I scooted towards her and whispered, "We need to do this, Bella."

She gave me an irritated look as I traced my knuckles over her cheek. She leaned closer, and then she closed her eyes.

"I don't want to," she protested like a little child.

"Bella, you really need to fucking tell me what happened," I said sharply. She needed to understand the gravity of what had happened yesterday, so she wouldn't allow herself to be in that situation ever again.

"Do I have to?" she questioned. She opened her eyes, and I could see all the panic and disgust reflecting in them. I pulled her to me, wanting to comfort and make her feel better. She moved and slowly straddled me. She arranged the blanket so we were both under it, her naked tits were jiggling, and my attention was suddenly focused on them. It was then I saw all of the marks on her body. I groaned, feeling guilty all of a sudden. The love bites and bruises on her skin just confirmed how rough I was with her last night, and I didn't even realize it. She should have told me something.

I traced a bruise under her left breast. "I'm sorry," I said, staring at her. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"It's okay, Mase," she answered. "These bruises are nothing, I promise. I loved everything that we did last night." She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and nuzzled my neck.

"Are you sure?" I felt her nod, and I knew it was all the confirmation she gave me. We remained sitting enveloped in each other for a few minutes before I decided I couldn't take avoiding the subject any longer.

"Babygirl, tell me," I urged, wanting all the details to her encounter with Snake.

Reluctantly, she told me the whole nightmare in that little room. Every detail she told me just spewed my anger, but I reined it in. She needed me, and I couldn't just rush off to go and take my anger out on Snake, my focus was solely on her well being. Though, I had to remind myself throughout the conversation that she was now safe here with me, and that was all that mattered.

"Look at me, Bella," I said, tilting her chin. "I can't tell you what to do, I know that. You're as stubborn as a mule…but please don't ever do that again. Do you understand me? You almost jeopardized all of our safety."

She blinked, looking confused all of a sudden. "What do you mean, Mase?"

"Well, do you think it would have been quiet if I got my hands on him?" I asked. She gasped, fully understanding what I meant. "If I went to get you, I would have probably killed him…and people would have noticed. It wouldn't have been quiet. I would've torn his body into pieces, and I would love for everyone to see me do that to him. The police would have definitely been involved, and that's something we didn't want. They would have something over me, and I couldn't have that. It was amazing I was able to control myself!"

"Oh my God!" she said, tightening her hands on me.

"We were lucky this time. But don't test my patience…okay, Baby? Because I only have very little control of myself when it comes to you and your safety."

She nodded, her eyes suddenly wet with tears. She started to sob and murmured, 'I'm sorry,' repeatedly.

"Shhh, it's over now. Just promise me you'll talk to me about shit like this," I said again, not wanting her to forget the gravity of what she did.

"Yes, I promise," she finally whispered, as her face nuzzled into my neck. Her deep breaths tickled my skin, and I sighed. I loved being this close to her. I rubbed my hand over her naked back, and softly said in her ear, "Let me take care of you, babygirl."

She raised her head and smiled. I leaned down to kiss her before slowly raising myself from the bed, carrying her with me. She giggled, and removed the blanket over our heads, allowing me to finally see where I was walking.

I led us to the ensuite bathroom and carefully placed her down. She dropped the blanket slowly and held my hand as she led me to the glass door of the shower. I had finished my shower earlier, but I wasn't about to deny her this. I helped her shampoo her hair, loving the feel of her long locks against my hands. She was trying to engage me in some make-out session, but I successfully ignored her. I needed to recuperate from last night, and gain some strength and stamina before fucking again. Besides, I loved just being with her like this. I lathered up the soap and quickly cleaned her from head to toe. When I reached her thighs, I couldn't help swipe my fingers along her folds. She was wet alright, and I chuckled.

"Mase, please," Bella pleaded.

"Not now, babe. You're sore, and I don't want to hurt you," I said, rubbing the soap on her back.

She pouted, and I stopped what I was doing. I touched her nose with my soapy finger before leaning forward to touch her forehead against mine. "I promise to make it up to you…tonight. Just no penetration, okay?"

She bit her lip, before nodding. She looked so fucking cute, and I leaned down to give her a peck on the lips. If I didn't feel raw myself I would take her up on her offer. My fucking dick had a different opinion than my brain, and was standing full and erect.

Bella leaned upwards and kissed me, clearly not satisfied with that small kiss. Then she pulled away and looked down at my shaft, smirking.

"Oh Baby, what is this?" she asked, her smile mischievous. She then took my turgid length in her small hands, and started pumping. I moaned, loving the feel of her hands around my erection.

When sanity returned, I pushed her hands away. I leaned down and whispered, "You know I always want you, Babygirl. It's just that, I'm so tired after the fucking we did last night."

She looked at me under her lashes, biting her lips. Fuck! She was killing me.

"Do you want me to blow you? I can do that," she said, her cheeks deepening into a smile. She started to move her hands toward my shaft again, but I quickly grabbed it. Holding it tightly between my hands. I kissed her wrist, and then reiterated, "Tonight, baby. I promise!"

She chuckled then gave me another kiss. "Okay."

She turned and I slapped her ass. She yelped, quickly leaving the stall. I was left behind to finish with my shower.

xxxxxxxxxxx

"Em, how is she?" Bella asked. We arrived at the hospital half an hour after Emmett had called Bella, informing her that Rose had woken up.

"I told her about the baby, Bella," Emmett said, his voice held all the anguish he was feeling. She moved forward and took his hands in hers. "Oh God, she's so fucking depressed about it." Emmett looked as if he was going to cry.

"Shit, I should have been here when you told her."

"No, I needed to do it myself," Emmett told her dejectedly. I could feel Emmett's pain. I had learned just a few hours ago about the pregnancy, and Bella was also depressed about the whole thing. I could empathize with Emmett and Rose. If it happened to Bella and me, I would search high and low for the fucker who was responsible for the blast. Yes, the same fucking blast I had totally forgotten until this morning because of that incident with Bella and Snake. Jasper was still on it, since Emmett wasn't capable of doing the investigation himself.

I saw Bella moving toward the hallway that led to the private rooms, but Emmett pulled her hand, stopping her in her tracks. "Bells, she's sleeping. Can you just…just go to her later? Wait an hour or so."

Bella seemed to ponder on what her brother had said. She looked as if she wanted to argue, but eventually she agreed. One look at Emmett's face and you would know how much he was hurting. It was clear he needed his sister as much as Bella needed to go to her best friend's side. Bella caught on quickly to Emmett's apparent need for her, and stood by his side. They needed to talk, and it was my cue to say goodbye.

"Babygirl, I'll come back for you, okay?" I said. She removed her hand from holding Emmett's and came forward, encircling her arms on my waist when she came close. "I need to talk to Jasper about something. He called and informed me he needed to meet with me in an hour."

"What for, Mase?" she asked, her brows furrowed.

"I'm not sure, babe. But I think he has some information on what really happened to your house," I told her truthfully. Jasper wasn't too clear on what information he had, just that he needed to talk to me as soon as possible.

"I want to go with you," she said.

"No, babe. Em needs you."

"I want to go," she persisted. "I want to know everything. Did you hear anything from Snake?" She looked so hopeful, and I almost gave in to her.

"I'll tell you about it when I do hear from Vicky. She hasn't called me yet, so most likely they don't have anything on him yet. But don't worry, babe, when I do you'll be the first to know."

"You promise?" she asked.

"Yes, I promise," I said. I had told her a few weeks ago I would tell her everything…that I would not keep any secrets from her, and I intend to keep that promise this time. I leaned forward to kiss her then gave a nod to Emmett before I exited the hospital.

I fished out my phone from my back pockets before I slid inside the waiting SUV. I grinned when I saw a text message. It was from Vicky. Snake was dead.

I slumped back on my seat, satisfied that things were starting to roll. Damn, this day is looking good.

Now to see Vicky and get what information she grilled from that asshole.

Yeah, it's short...I know. I already mentioned the length of my chapters and the reason behind it before, so please don't whine about it anymore.

Snake is dead...and the rollercoaster ride is just halfway through.

PM/tweet me if you have any questions. For those readers who reviewed on the previous chapters and had their PM disabled, please note I can't respond to any of your messages.

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