To everyone that reviewed on Chapter 18 (or not) – THANK YOU SO VERY, VERY MUCH!
You guys have been incredibly supportive and just absolutely amazing!
Thanks to my wonderful pre-reader, Saguenay – you are the absolute best!
And so many thanks to my beta, Adt216 – words cannot describe!
Also, go check out the new and improved Chapter One (Chapter Two will follow shortly).
Just a reminder: I don't own Twilight or any of the characters. I simply like to play with them.
Chapter Eighteen
-The Peepshow-
Honey and cinnamon are the first things I recognize when I finally stir. Honey and cinnamon and fuck awesome sheets. I dig my nose deeper into the pillows and take a deep breath. Bella's smell is like kryptonite to my firm resolve. My hand twitches beside me as I'm lying on my stomach, and without a second thought, I stretch my arm in search of Bella's warm body. The bed is cold and empty beside me. At first I'm slightly frustrated with the fact that Bella has once again run away, but on the other hand, I realize that it's probably just as well.
Last night was not what I expected. Sure, my intentions were less than honorable, but I certainly did not intend for that to happen. Once the high from my orgasm faded as I pulled on my drawstring pajama pants, I realized one very crucial element as the whole scene unfolded in hindsight. I admitted that I wanted Bella. And Bella? Well, she only admitted that she liked sex, and not even directly. I showed Bella my hand, and like the master poker player she is, she showed me absolutely fuck all, apart from the fact that she's a horny motherfucker just like me.
With my post coital glow slightly fading at the edges due to the reality of the situation, I stepped into Bella's room only to find her with her back once again turned to me, fast asleep. I warily climbed beneath the covers and turned to look at the back of her head in the dark. Somewhere between contemplating my lack of restraint with this woman and considering the possibility of smothering her with my pillow in her sleep, she turned to face me. She was still fast asleep, but it was obvious from her creeping hands and writhing body that she was searching me out. Sleep Bella made it clear that she wanted me. She finally found my hip with her warm, little hand and pulled herself completely flush with my body, burrowing her face in my neck. I should have pushed her away, just like I should have ignored her at the club and locked the bathroom door when I took my shower. Instead, I turned to lie on my back, taking Bella with me, and just reveled in the feel of her soft curves molding against my hard planes as she snuggled up against me with a contented sigh.
And now she's gone.
I lift my head lazily from the pillow and scan Bella's side of the bed. Yep, not there. I turn onto my back with a groan and rub my eyes with the heel of my hands. This is going to be one hell of a day. As I raise up onto my elbows, I check the bathroom door and find it standing open. She's definitely not in her room. I fall back into the pillows with a loud sigh and close my eyes for a moment, still fighting the nagging pull of sleep.
Having given myself a strongly worded pep talk, I finally stumble out of bed and make my way towards Bella's closet. I showered last night - if you could call it that - so no need for a repeat. I grab the first pair of jeans I see, a blue sweater and a pair of underwear and walk towards the bathroom.
After various flashes of last night's events replay in my mind, I finally reemerge from the bathroom, face washed, teeth brushed, and fully clothed. I pull on a pair of socks and shoes and confidently walk towards the bedroom door.
I have no idea what's waiting for me on the other side of this door, but there's no way I can hide in Bella's room for the rest of my life, so I might as well face it head on.
The hallway is silent apart from muffled voices coming from the guest bedroom. I slowly make my way towards the sound and stop outside the door when I see it's open. I'm just about to walk away and look for Charlie, or even better, coffee, when I hear my name being spoken by Bella. I freeze and strain to hear the conversation like the fucking stalker I am. If she's talking about me, I want to know what the fuck is being said.
"He's a nice boy." Renee.
"I know, Mom." Bella.
I smirk. Bet it just kills her to have to admit it.
"So? Are you guys serious?" Renee asks softly and I can hear the smile in her voice.
"I don't know, mom. It's complicated." Bella sighs and I roll my eyes. That's the understatement of the fucking year.
"Well, what could possibly be complicated? He's a nice man and he's really soft on the eyes. Hell, Bella, if I was twenty years younger that boy would be in a whole lot of trouble." I fight the snicker threatening to escape. Renee's a little hell raiser. Good for her.
"That's just gross, Mother," Bella scoffs. What a party pooper.
"I'm just saying." Renee giggles. "You have to move with this one."
"Can we talk about something else?" Bella interrupts and I'm slightly relieved. That is not the kind of conversation I would want to be privy to. "Or not talk at all?"
"Fine." Renee sighs heavily. "Let's talk about Jacob's wedding then?" Oh shit.
"What is up with you this morning?" Bella sounds annoyed.
I don't know which of the two I'm rooting for, but this is definitely getting interesting. All thoughts of making a silent exit are lost. This I need to hear.
"You are completely going against the rules of this little tradition. You're supposed to be silent remember?" Bella's right. She said they never talk, only hug. One point for Team Bella.
"But we never get to talk," Renee mumbles. That's true. From what I could gather, Bella doesn't speak to her parents regularly at all. Much the same as me, I muse. I should probably call my mother. It's not her fault…
"That's because the conversation always comes back to Jacob," Bella interrupts my trail of thought.
"I just want to make sure you're doing all right," Renee explains. It's a perfectly reasonable argument. She is her mother after all. All mothers want to be reassured, right? Team Renee scores one.
"Isn't Edward enough of an indication that I'm doing perfectly fine." She's such an accomplished liar that I can't help but be impressed with how she deflects Renee's question. It definitely seems like Bella is in a commanding lead.
"You just said that it's complicated." Nice one, Renee. As I'm tallying the points I realize that I seem to have a tendency to turn all things Bella related into a game. Gmpf?
"That doesn't mean that everything isn't fine," Bella retorts.
"I just wish you could talk to Jacob. You know, try and bury the hatchet." I don't like where Renee is going with this. I certainly wouldn't want to talk to anyone that treated me the way Jacob treated Bella. Then again, there are three sides to every story – his, hers and the truth. I decide to forgive Renee for her suggestion…for now.
"Why should I try to bury the hatchet?" Bella practically spits and I feel a cold shiver run down my spine as it always does when her voice turns defensive and cold. "If Jacob hadn't buried a certain part of his anatomy in a certain part of Leah's anatomy, there would be no hatchets at all." I snicker and quickly cover my mouth with my hand. It's silent for a moment and I pray that they don't discover me behind the door frame.
"I know he cheated on you, Bella." Phew. I feel my shoulders relax as I slowly remove my hand from my mouth. "I just find it really sad that you two aren't friends anymore." Silence. "You used to be such good friends," Renee whispers sadly. I'm not sure what Renee is going for here, but at that's none of my concern. What I am sure of is that Bella is still in the lead here; I had to give her extra marks for her clever wordplay earlier.
"I would rather have no friends at all, than to be friends with Jacob Black again." Be careful what you wish for, baby.
"That's a very foolish thing to say, honey," Renee scolds softly, causing me to frown.
"Are you kidding me right now?" Bella pleads, and for the first time since I decided to stay and pry, I hear Bella's voice break. "You were so obsessed with having me move on from Jacob, and when I finally do, you decide to take a new route and try to force me to be friends with him again."
"We're just trying to – "
"There are no we, Mother! This is all you! Daddy couldn't give a shit. He understands why I'm doing this." Bella's voice sounds almost hysterical. I know that this is probably the moment I should step away from the fucking door, but my legs won't move. "He understands how much Jacob hurt me. He understands why I can't stand to face the one person I truly loved and trusted." Bella sniffs, and now I know she's crying. My mind immediately turns blank. I know I've said this before, but I'm really not good with crying girls. It freaks me the fuck out.
"He was my first everything, mom. I thought he was going to be my last, too." She's quiet for a moment before she continues in an almost whisper. "Did you know we talked about getting engaged the very night before I found him with Leah?"
Oh fuck. I need to get away now. It's too much fucking information and in no way will I be able to keep score if this is the direction the conversation is taking. My mind scrambles for a moment as I contemplate my escape, and then, like this isn't awkward enough, I hear my name again. And it's not spoken by Renee or Bella.
"Edward?" I freeze mid step as Charlie calls my name, rather fucking loudly from the living room, I must add. Everything is silent. Bella is silent. Renee is silent. Even my heart stops fucking beating, just to add to the dramatic effect. I squeeze my eyes closed and take a calming breath. Fucking caught red handed.
"Charlie," my voice croaks as I take a step forward, placing me directly in front of the guest bedroom door, and directly in Bella's and Renee's line of sight. For some stupid fucking reason I turn my head and chance a glance into the bedroom. Renee is sitting on the corner of the bed, her body turned towards Bella, who is sitting perched and fully dressed against the headboard. I want to look back at Renee, hoping to find her usual soft smile, but my eyes are frozen on Bella's tear stricken face. She's giving me a look that can only be described as the same look Meryl Streep gave Anne Hathaway in that chick flick, The Devil Wears Prada.
Now, before you start wondering why exactly I've even seen that movie, there is a perfectly reasonable explanation. You see, Rosalie and Emmett are constantly setting me up with Rose's friends and dragging me along on double dates. This one time – I'm tempted to say, at band camp, but I digress – we went to the movies with a girl from Rosalie's work that she'd been trying to pawn off on me for months. Bree, I think her name was. Anyway, as luck, or I should rather say Rosalie, would have it, we ended up watching The Devil Wears Prada. Now, I would like to say that I don't remember much of the movie, but that would be a lie, seeing as I remember every scene vividly. The reason for that would be because Bree had an intense fascination with my neck and spent most of the movie sucking on it, while I desperately attempted to focus on the film instead of her really bad breath. That girl could give a vampire a hickey with her unhindered dedication.
Back to the present. That scene where Anne walked in on Meryl having an argument with her husband? You know the one? Where Meryl turned on a frightened Anne and gave her the most steely, deadly look ever. Well, Bella is Meryl, and I appear to be Anne. Unlucky fucking me.
I swallow thickly as seconds that feel like hours pass without Bella so much as blinking.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm leaving." Bella interrupts my attempt to apologize by jumping from her seat on the bed and storming in my direction. I instinctively step out of the way to allow her to pass, dropping my eyes to the floor.
"What?" Renee calls after Bella just as she's about to walk out of the room. "Bella, there's no need,"
"I need air," is all Bella says as she marches past me towards the front door.
I look up to see Charlie staring at Bella's retreating form, his mouth agape in confusion. I turn my head towards Renee, finding her looking crestfallen and sad. She returns my gaze and smiles softly at me.
"I should probably…" I trail off and jerk my head in Bella's direction. I really don't want to follow her, but it's the customary thing for a boyfriend to do in such a situation, so I guess I have to.
Renee nods brusquely and attempts an encouraging smile. It's watery and unconvincing, but I smile back anyway and turn to follow Bella.
"What the hell is going on?" Charlie calls after me, but I'm not sure whether he's asking me or Renee, so I decide to leave Renee to explain.
The elevator door is just about to close as I step into the corridor outside Bella's apartment. I make a run for it in an attempt to squeeze through the tiny space, knowing that there's no way I'll fit through the small gap.
"Why are you following me?" Bella demands, but I'm so fucking shocked to find that I'm actually standing inside the elevator with her, that I hardly hear what she's saying. I can't believe I fit through that small gap. I need to eat a fucking sandwich.
"Do you think I'm too thin?" I ask Bella in confusion, my eyes squinting at the door, still trying to do the math.
"What?" she chokes in frustration.
"Am I too thin?" I ask again, turning my eyes to hers. She's standing with her arms crossed over her chest, her skin still flushed from the scene that unfolded moments ago.
"What? No," she huffs and stares at me as if I'm an animal that escaped from the zoo.
"Mhh," I mumble and look back at the door. I shrug and decide that the doors must have given some when I forced my way in.
"Do you mind answering my question now?"
"Mhh?" I turn my attention back to Bella and stare at her blankly for a moment. "Oh, sorry," I shake my head a little. "I'm not following you." I shrug and turn to stare at the descending numbers of the elevator as we slowly descend to the ground floor. My reply is meant to inform her that I'm not following her out of the building, although it's a lie, but she misunderstands.
"Why are you here, Edward? Are you following me?" She says the words slowly and clipped as if I'm some kind of mental case.
"I understood you the first time, Bella," I answer her in the same way. "I said I'm not following you. I'm going home."
"Oh," she replies dejectedly, and I smirk at her, because I fucking can, and because I love seeing her a little flustered and unsure of herself.
There is a moment of silence before I finally muster the courage to speak.
"What happened back there?"
"Oh, I don't know?" Bella remarks sarcastically. "What don't you tell me? Seems like you heard everything just fine."
I can feel the tops of my ears starting to burn in embarrassment, but I simply shrug and keep my eyes focused on the numbers.
"I mean, why did you leave?"
"Why do you care?" she shoots back.
"I don't." I shrug again and jam my hands into my pants pockets.
"Then don't ask." She's got me there. I have no problem with it though. I really don't need to be part of this drama.
We're silent again, and I find myself softly humming along with "Oh Danny Boy. I've always wondered where the hell they get elevator music from, and now I'm wondering why the hell I'm familiar with the tune playing now.
"Seems like Renee just wants to talk to you." I know I probably shouldn't be offering any advice, but how bad can it really get after what just happened.
"Everyone talks too much," she mumbles and I find myself smiling a little.
"You didn't seem to have a problem with it last night," I point out, remembering exactly how vocal Bella was with her demands.
"I'm referring to my parents," she snaps and I chuckle.
"I know." I shrug.
"Do you always have to be so crass?" she asks through tight lips.
"We should talk about it." I'm almost being serious…almost. I agree with her. I'd rather not talk about it at all. What I really want is to show her exactly how hot I think what we did was. How much I enjoyed it, and damn it, I want her to admit that she wants me too.
"This is hardly the time or place," she says in a softer voice, but her annoyance is still obvious in the way she holds herself.
"Shall we move this conversation to my shower then?" I ask with a cocky grin, still keeping my eyes focused on the descending numbers.
"You can go ahead without me. Apparently you've done that before." Well, touché little grasshopper.
I should feel embarrassed, but I'm not. I'm a man after all, and besides, there's no shame in masturbating. It's perfectly healthy, so I won't allow her to make me feel ashamed about it.
"I found your presence titillating the last time. I really won't mind if you oblige me again."
"I need air, so no thanks." Her response is stiff, but I'm almost sure I detect a hint of a smile in her voice.
"I could come with you?" I say as the elevator finally approaches the ground floor.
"I'd rather you didn't," she informs me just as the doors slide open.
I follow her as she takes a right in the foyer, heading towards a door I can only assume leads to the basement parking level.
"I thought you said you weren't following me," she calls over her shoulder without slowing her pace. My eyes steadily focus on her perky ass covered in tight jeans, and this time I'm not worried about being caught staring at all. She's seen my penis for god sake, a little ass ogling is hardly inappropriate at this stage.
"I'm not," I reply distractedly.
"The front door is the other way," she comments and pushes the door open.
"It's good to talk about your problems!" I call after her as the door almost closes on me. I push it open and lean against it with my shoulder, watching her stride purposefully to her car.
Bella doesn't stop to regard my comment for a moment. She does something that is completely unexpected and thoroughly amusing. She lifts her right hand just above her shoulder, her back still facing away from me, and then deftly raises her middle finger. In short, my girl is giving me the bird.
I burst out laughing because of all the responses I expect from her, that one hardly even crosses my mind. I laugh so hard, I actually forget that my shoulder is keeping the door from closing, and have to fumble a bit to stop it from pushing me over.
"You are one classy broad, Miss Swan!" I call after her through chuckles.
Bella reaches for her car door handle, slowly turns halfway in my direction only giving me a view of her profile, shrugs and turns to get into her cute little Mini. I swear I see the start of a smile on her lips, but then she closes the car door behind her and fires up the engine.
I watch the red Mini as it squeals out of the parking lot, leaving the distinct smell of burning rubber in its wake.
I chuckle and shake my head slowly. The fucking woman never ceases to surprise me. That's a good thing…I think.
xoxo
I'm heading towards a café near Bella's building.
Emmett called moments after I reentered Bella's apartment. I heard voices coming from the guest room again, but this time I didn't stop to listen. I could only assume that Charlie and Renee were talking about what transpired with Bella earlier.
Emmett called just as I reached Bella's room and we agreed to meet for breakfast, seeing as Rosalie went shopping with her best friend, Emily.
"So," Emmett speaks after swallowing a mouth full of eggs. How did last night play out after Bella and you left?"
I shrug in response and take a bite from my breakfast burrito.
"Did you guys-" Emmett stops and stares at me pointedly. "You know?"
"No," I practically shout and frown at his brazenness. "What the fuck, Emmett?"
"Sorry." He shrugs but doesn't seem sorry at all. "You guys just really seemed into each other last night."
"Well we're not," I mumble and focus on the food in front of me.
"Well, the looks you two were giving each other says differently." He's smirking and honestly, I can't blame him. It is rather ridiculous that I'm trying to get into the pants of my nemesis.
I shrug again. My breakfast is almost finished and I prolong the last couple of bites in order to have something other than the smirking, gloating fool sitting across from me to focus on.
"Something did happen." Emmett laughs and slaps his thigh obnoxiously." It's written all over your face."
"No it's not," I grumble and sigh, knowing that Emmett won't let this go until I give him some details. So I do. Don't think I make a habit of kissing and telling. It's just that I really need Emmett's spin on things, given that I'm so confused and all.
I tell him everything but leave most of the more…graphic details out.
"Holy shit," Emmett breathes after I finish my story.
"Yea," I say with a laugh and push my plate away. I couldn't eat the last of my breakfast, even if I wanted to. The whole situation has me nervous as fuck. It's really hard to enter into a physical relationship with someone you don't even like. Add all the scheming and games into the mix and you have yourself one really confusing situation.
"So, do you like her and shit?" It's a fair question. I mean, after what I just told him, it's not unreasonable of him to make that assumption.
"No, man." I shake my head vehemently. "She's still the same person she was before. Sure, there are glimpses of a real person beneath all the shit, but they are few and far between."
Emmett nods thoughtfully.
"I can tell you that she is a whole lot more fun than I originally thought." I chuckle, remembering the way she flipped me off earlier this morning. "Hell, I don't think even she knows how fun she can be. But all in all, I haven't seen much other than what I've already known." It's a half-truth. I know I've seen glimpses of Bella that are just, well, just great. Like her sense of humor, her shyness, and the fact that she just seems to get me. But I'm not going to admit too much of that to Emmett. It's a useless conversation seeing as I'm not willing to explore those feelings with Bella in the least.
"You lust after her though." It's a statement more than a question.
I nod, because it's true.
"Just be careful, Edward." Emmett finally sighs and looks at me imploringly.
"I am." I laugh at his suddenly serious expression." I don't plan on getting hurt or any shit like that, Emmett. I'm just having fun."
"I know you'll be fine, Edward. I'm talking about Bella."
"You've lost me," I gape at him in confusion.
"Don't hurt her man." Emmett sighs dramatically." She seems like she's been through a lot."
"Are you kidding me right now?" To say I'm fucking shocked at Emmett's concern is putting it mildly. On whose side is he exactly? "Can you hear what you're saying?"
"I know, I know." He smiles sheepishly. "It just seems like there's more to that girl than meets the eye."
"Yea, I know," I mumble as I stare out the window of the café. I contemplate Emmett's words and realize my whole scheme is based on hurting Bella. He has no idea what Jessica told me, and I'm not planning on telling him either. I'm sure when I tell him all the sordid details at the end of this charade he'll understand that hurting Bella was simply collateral damage, right? I'm not even sure that my plan will hurt Bella at all. It will certainly bring her down a notch or two, but it won't actually hurt her, will it? Fuck, now I'm even more confused.
xoxo
It's past nine o'clock in the evening when I hear a knock at my door.
I left the café not long after my discussion with Emmett about Bella and her feelings. I spent most of the day doing my washing, cleaning up my practically abandoned apartment and catching up on some work.
I kicked my shoes and socks off almost immediately after walking through the doors this morning. I hate wearing shoes when I'm at home. I've always been a barefoot bandit. I still have my jeans of this morning on, but replaced my sweater with a white beater when I decided to do some spring cleaning.
I lift myself from behind my desk and make my way towards the front door. I swing the door open with a flourish and nearly choke when I find Bella standing in the hallway outside my apartment.
"Bella?" I ask, as if saying her name would make the fact that she's standing outside my door a reality.
"Hey," she says confidently. "I have news."
I watch her skeptically for a moment, and then step aside, waving an arm as invitation for her to enter.
I'm still watching her when she struts past me, still wearing those delicious jeans from this morning with some kind of frilly top, and once again, the stilettos make an appearance. I fucking love a woman in heels. So hot.
"So," I say as I close the door behind us and watch her surveying my apartment.
"Nice place," she finally says and turns to meet my gaze.
"Thanks." I shrug. Rosalie helped with most of it, seeing as I have little to no sense when it comes to decorating a home. It's decorated in tones of black and brown, suede and leather. It'll have to do.
"You said you have news?" I try to coax her into talking, because all she seems to be doing right now is starring at my bear arms. I flex my biceps to catch her attention and snicker when she quickly diverts her gaze and blushes. The girl has seen me completely naked, and now she blushes at a pair of exposed arms.
"I didn't notice your tattoo last…night…" she trails off uncomfortably and seems to be looking everywhere but at me.
"I think you may have been a little preoccupied," I say with a roguish smile and then chuckle softly when she clears her throat and blushes an even deeper shade of pink.
"What does it symbolize?" she asks, once again focusing on the arm with the tattoo.
"That's a conversation for another time," I reply gruffly. "So, the news?"
"Oh yes, of course." Bella pulls her shoulders back confidently and gives me a smile, which is not necessarily genuine, but certainly seems victorious. "Aro called. He read the first two chapters of your book and so far, he likes it."
"Is that right?" I ask casually. I know he likes the fucking book. Jessica said so herself. So I leave Bella to continue with more of her lies as I step past her towards the kitchen. "You want something to drink?"
"Just some water will be fine." Bella sounds disappointed by my response. She probably expected I would be skipping and jumping at the news, but then again, she doesn't know any better.
"Here you go," I say as I pass Bella a bottle of water and then take a swing from my beer, watching her studiously from over the top of the bottle.
"So, that's great, isn't it?" She tries to encourage some response from me, but it falls flat.
"Yeah." I smile tightly. "It's really great." I turn away from her and attempt to collect myself. I'm fucking appalled by the fact that she would come all the way over here just too fucking lie to my face. Emmett's earlier concerns resurface, and this time, I have no fucking problem shrugging them off. The plan is still one hundred percent in motion, and I'm even more determined than ever.
"Why did you come all the way over here to tell me this, Bella?" I ask as I turn back towards her.
"I thought you would like to know." She frowns at me in incredulity.
"You could have called. You could have told me tomorrow at work. Why did you come all this way to tell me?"
"I don't know, I just thought seeing as you and I…" she trails off and bites her lip nervously. "Obviously I was wrong," she finally mumbles and starts making her way towards the front door.
"Are you afraid to go back to your place?" I call after her. I'm almost fucking sure that's the reason for her visit when I see her shoulders stiffen and her feet stop moving.
"Where did you spend your day, Bella?" I ask as I walk towards her.
"Were you at the office?" She nods but doesn't turn around as I come to stand closely behind her.
"Do you need a place to stay?" I ask softly, my eyes roaming the expanse of her soft hair.
"No, I could go to Alice or Jasper's"
"But you came here instead?" She nods again. "Why?"
"Because I don't want to have to relive the whole story." Bella sighs heavily. "Alice is into details, and I just don't have the energy."
I remain silent, just breathing in her scent and considering her words.
"Okay then." I nod decisively even though she can't see me. "Thanks for being honest." And I actually mean it. In this web of lies and deceit, some fucking honesty is really refreshing.
"I don't want to impose," Bella says softly once I've turned away from her.
"My bed is big enough for the both of us," I say with a laugh, because shit, we've been sleeping in the same bed for almost a week. The fact that this conversation is as awkward as it is just seems foolish and fucking unnecessary.
"No, I can sleep on the couch, really," Bella quickly responds as I walk towards the kitchen to throw my now empty beer bottle away. "There are no parents around to fool, you know?" she says with a bright smile as I reenter the living room.
"Suit yourself." I shrug and smile back at her. It seems like the tension is finally broken, and I can breathe again. I look at her for a moment. The woman is a lying, deceitful bitch, but fuck, she's beautiful. I wish I could tell you that her lies are enough to repulse me, but I can't. She obviously twisted herself so thoroughly into this game of hers that there is no escape from it without hanging herself.
And who am I to judge, right? I know the fucking truth, and I decided not to come clean. Oh no, I decided to keep it up and watch her twist herself into a vice grip. The one is just as bad as the other. Finally, finally I see something that Bella and I have in common. Tenacity - and fucking shit loads of it. That, and of course this constant pull to rip each other's clothes off.
"Let me get you some bedding and something to sleep in," I murmur after a moment and allow my eyes to travel the length of Bella's body. She squirms under my scrutiny and bites her lower lip. "You can't very well sleep in that." I look at her jeans pointedly and then offer her a smile.
"Thank you." She nods and twists her fingers together in front of her.
I walk away from her in search of extra pillows, blankets and clothes and return moments later with everything she may need.
"The couch is comfortable," I say as I spot Bella standing in the same spot I left her, looking out of place and fidgety. "Or so I've been told." I smile and deposit the blankets and pillow on the couch. "The bathroom is right there." I point towards it, but keep my eyes firmly on hers. "Just call if you need anything," I say as I walk towards her and hand her the sweats and shirt I found.
Bella takes them from me and our fingers brush.
"Okay, I'm heading off to bed. Big day tomorrow with Aro's news and all." Why is this so fucking awkward?
I turn to make my way to bed.
"Thank you, Edward," Bella says behind me.
"No problem, Miss Swan," I respond without turning around, and then close my bedroom door behind me, expelling a loud sigh.
Well, that could have gone better.
xoxo
"Edward." I hear Bella softly call my name and moan at how intense and real this dream feels. I know I'm still asleep. I know I'm dreaming about Bella and her middle finger and her perky ass, standing completely naked in my bathroom, biting her bottom lip.
"Edward," she murmurs again and a breath leaves my mouth. She sounds closer this time, and I'm practically reaching to pull her closer to me.
"Edward." Okay, that was not dream Bella. Dream Bella speaks softly and enticingly, not urgently and gruffly. I open my eyes in the darkness of my bedroom and find Bella standing beside my bed.
"What are you doing?" Yeah, I'm not very friendly when I'm woken in the middle of the night from a perfectly good dream.
"I can't sleep," she whispers and fidgets with the hem of the shirt I lent her. It's way too big for her, and she looks rather ridiculous in it, in a really fucking cute way.
I stare at her blankly. What exactly does she expect me to do with that information?
"What do you want me to do about that, Bella?" I voice my thoughts.
"I don't know?" she whispers in exasperation. "Maybe you can sleep on the couch?" She shrugs nonchalantly.
"And give you my bed?" I ask in astonishment.
"Sure, you claimed the couch was comfortable, and I disagree, so…" she trails of, biting her lip.
"I'm not sleeping on the couch," I state firmly, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hands. "Just get in the bed, Bella," I demand when I find her still standing at the side of my bed, once again fidgeting with the hem of my shirt.
I chuckle in spite of myself as she literally hops onto the bed beside me and quickly gets under the covers. She looks like a small girl on Christmas morning. So fucking cute.
She lies stiffly on her back, her arms clamping the covers at her sides. I know she can't be comfortable and sigh exasperatedly.
"Come here," I grumble, and without waiting for her response, pull her body against mine to mirror the same position we slept in last night.
Her body is as rigid as a board against me, and I roll my eyes in the darkness.
"Relax," I groan and gently start rubbing her back through the t-shirt.
She does infinitesimally and carefully drapes her arm over my waist.
"Do you know you fell asleep in the exact same position last night?" I ask against her hair, digging my nose deeper into it.
"I did?" she asks softly.
"Yes. It seems that even though you refuse to be near me when you're awake, you have absolutely no problem with touching me when you're asleep."
We remain silent for long moments as I stroke her back and sniff her hair.
"Thank you for not forcing me to talk about what happened this morning," Bella whispers into the night.
"No problem." I shrug, causing Bella's head to bob slightly.
We fall silent again, and then Bella completely surprises me by snuggling in closer to me, her nose touching my collarbone through my t-shirt. I feel her ribs expand as she takes a deep breath.
"Did you just smell me, Miss Swan?" I call her out with a soft chuckle.
"Oh, like you haven't been sniffing my hair all this time, Mr. Cullen," she reprimands with a soft laugh of her own.
I don't reply, only pull her impossibly closer to my chest, tangling her legs with mine.
"I told you I like to snuggle," I say against her hair as I feel her smile against my chest.
"Indeed you did," she agrees and tightens her arm around my waist.
"Good night, sugar," I whisper against her head.
Bella's body stiffens, and then I feel her deliberately forcing herself to relax again.
"Good night, baby," she whispers back, causing me to smile into her hair and her to smile into my chest.
Tomorrow morning I won't be such a gentleman, I think to myself before I drift off to sleep. Tomorrow morning, I'm getting Bella Swan to admit she wants me, even if I have to give her enough orgasms to last her a lifetime.
Please let me know what you think!
With love…
Your Mistress
xoxo