Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: This story is rated M for "Mickey Mouse would not approve of people under 18 reading this story."
Playlist song:
http://www[dot]youtube[dot]com/watch?v=BB42I5PO5_4
Visit our blog for story background, teasers, and other information:
http://fragilefoxes[dot]blogspot[dot]com/
Chapter 7: Believe What You Want to Believe
Their declarations of love the night before should have been the fulfillment of Bella's deepest desires. Instead, she was confused. Sitting next to Emmett in the dark, her thoughts of him were mixed with her memories of Edward. When Emmett was awake, Bella attention was solely centered on her lover. As he slept, she imagined Edward's mouth on hers, his hands in her hair, his body weighing down on her. She'd spent almost a century trying to forget the beautiful boy, yet suddenly, in the darkness, he seemed to be all she could think about.
Emmett stirred next to her, pulling her down and reclaiming her, mind and body. Their bodies tangled, they exploded together, and Bella looked deep into his eyes. There was love there, definitely, but it was not the bottomless gaze the beautiful boy had when he looked at her. She wanted someone to look at her like that again.
The cloudy sky would allow Bella and Emmett their first day outside together, and Emmett dashed to take a shower. Bella, promising to join him shortly, sat on the bed and dialed her cell phone. As she waited for the new receptionist to connect her, she wondered what she would say. Before a firm plan formed, a familiar, loving voice sang in her ear.
"Hello, dear Bella!" Aro cried happily. "How is Chicago? Do you like the loft?"
Hearing the voice of her old friend, Bella smiled. "Aro, the loft is lovely. Chicago? Well, it's very different. I'm good, however."
"Dear, you should know better than to lie to me. What is wrong?"
"I've met a man," she said, sheepishly.
"Haven't you always?" Aro laughed loudly, causing Bella to briefly pull the phone away from her ear. "Does he have the elusive spark?"
"Yes, but it's different somehow. I don't love him as a mate," she admitted, "but I do love him. I see in his eyes that he feels exactly the same way I do. Yet, he is compelled to be with me, to take care of me. I think he'd do anything I asked."
He hummed in understanding. "I believe, dear Bella, that you may have found a Protector."
"A Protector?"
"Yes, someone who is destined to be by your side, to protect you from harm, even it if means giving up their own life," he explained. "Much like the guard here. These loyal creatures were destined to protect our family and our very existence as vampires. They will do whatever is necessary: lie, steal, kill, die. Their connection to us is so deep it cannot be broken."
Examining the last few days in a new light, Bella realized Aro was right. "He hasn't left me since the day we met. He seems to suspect that something is different about me, but he isn't scared. If anything, he's even more determined to be with me."
"He must take care of you, protect you. His soul will not let him do anything else. He loves you beyond all reason but not as a lover. And to say he is like a brother doesn't begin to explain the bond you have. He will never willingly leave you."
"What do I do?" Bella asked warily.
Aro's reply was quick and firm. "You change him and fulfill his destiny."
Bella sighed. "This is not what I had planned."
"You cannot control everything, dear. Also, Bella, surely by now you've realized that, in your case, this devotion is not one way. You must already know that you will do anything for him. You would even..."
"Die for him." Her voice was clear and unwavering.
She knew, from the moment she first saw the faint spark in Emmett's eyes grow brighter, she would never let him go. Yet, she also knew he would never be what the beautiful boy had been. She loved him, but it was not the all-consuming love Emmett deserved. Still, she couldn't see an eternity without him in it. Discovering they were each other's Protector filled her with understanding and joy. At the same time, her heart ached for a mate that would love her the way she wanted someone to love Emmett.
"Aro? What will happen if I find a mate?"
"He will love your mate as he loves you. Just as you will love his mate, should he find one."
"Thank you, Aro."
"Of course, dear. And Bella? No more sex with the poor boy. You don't want to muddy the waters, so to speak, and confuse him about his feelings." As he spoke, Aro could not hide his increasing happiness, and Bella imagined him clapping his hands like an excited child. "It will be so wonderful to meet him the next time you come to visit."
"Bell-la!" Emmett called from the shower.
"Aro, I think that's my cue," Bella said, giggling.
"Yes, well I have someone waiting to speak with me, so it is perfect timing. Until we speak again, dear Bella." With those words, the call ended.
Walking to the bathroom, Bella stood in the doorway and watched Emmett through the steamy glass of the shower door. He was the second most beautiful creature she'd ever seen, and she knew she miss the feeling of his hands on her body. She decided to explain everything to him as soon as she gave him his day in Chicago. Opening the shower door, she climbed into his wet arms, sure Aro wouldn't begrudge her this one last time.
~*~
Despite the clouds and rain, Bella had thoroughly enjoyed Emmett's sightseeing tour. He knew as much about Chicago history as she did, and she loved that he wanted to share his city with her. It had made him happy, and all she wanted today was to make Emmett happy. However, she could not understand why, at the end of a perfect day, they were standing in the middle of Nordstrom. Emmett had not returned to work since the night he'd delivered her purchases, and mouths of salespeople throughout the store gaped as they walked past.
Slightly irritated, Bella questioned Emmett. "Why are we here again?"
"To pick up my last paycheck. It includes quite a commission from a huge sale to this really sexy woman that came in last week." Emmett winked at her.
"Oh, really?" Bella smiled in spite of herself. "How nice of her."
He squeezed her hand and continued to hold it. "You wouldn't believe how nice."
"But, really, Emmett, I told you there was no need to worry about money."
He stopped, leaning down to kiss her on the cheek. "But I'll need a nest egg when you tire of me."
Bella stroked his cheek gently. "Emmett, dear, I'm afraid you're stuck with me."
Poor little boy, you just don't know what you've gotten yourself into, do you?
In the middle of the main aisle, Emmett swept her up into his arms, lifting her until her mouth was even with his. He kissed her gently, moving his lips slowly against hers. Bella grabbed the hair at the back of his head and pressed him closer, telling herself that Aro had not said they couldn't kiss. Emmett pressed his tongue against her lips, and she opened them for him. His taste always made her head spin, and she savored it, committing it to memory. As their tongues continued their intimate dance, Emmett's arms held her tighter and tighter.
After a few moments, gasps and throat clearings sounded around them. He kissed her softly once more, setting her down as he laughed. "Seems we've attracted a bit of an audience," he said, looking around.
"I think they're just surprised to see you're still alive." Bella winked, smiling wickedly.
They parted ways, Emmett heading for the office and Bella for menswear. Even though Emmett had insisted it wasn't necessary, Bella wanted to replace the shirt she'd ruined on her last hunt; he only had his tight white undershirt to wear. Also, if he accepted her offer tonight, he would need extra clothes to replace what he would ruin during his first few kills. She selected the most expensive crisp, white dress shirt she could find, as well as several other shirts, polos, and sweaters. She picked up several pairs of button-fly jeans, closing her eyes briefly to imagine what he'd look like in them. She quickly settled up with the nearest salesperson and dashed to meet Emmett at their agreed upon meeting place in the bed and bath department.
She froze when she saw the orange-skinned woman touching Emmett with great familiarity. He cringed away, creating some distance between them, but the woman only moved toward him again. Her too tight clothes were intended to put her body on display, but he didn't seem interested in anything but being polite. Bella, on the other hand, had no such qualms about putting the woman in her place.
Having worn the leather over-the-knee boots Emmett loved so much, Bella marched over to the woman, her heels clicking loudly against the floor. "Emmett?" Bella hooked her arm through his and appraised him possessively.
Emmett sighed in relief and kissed her. "Hey, baby." He turned to address the woman, who was now glaring at Bella. "Mrs. Dwyer, this is my girlfriend, Bella."
The woman smirked. "Emmett, how many times have I told you to call me Renee?" She eyed Bella critically. "My, aren't you young?"
Bella ignored her. "Emmett, baby, I'm finished here. Let's go home."
Renee's smirk grew into a full-fledged smile. "Well, I guess if your girlfriend wants you to go, you must." She pulled out a business card and slipped it into Emmett's pants pocket. "If you decide to take me up on my offer, just give me a call."
Bella tensed, ready to rip Renee's orange arm off and beat her with it, but she relaxed as soon as Emmett wrapped his strong arm around her waist and pulled her toward him. He turned them around, taking the shopping bags from Bella's hands and leading her out of the store. Pausing outside on the sidewalk, people bustling around them, he encircled her with his other arm, gathering her snugly against his chest.
"I'm really sorry about that. She does that every time she comes into the store. I'm so glad I don't have to deal with her anymore."
Finally calm, Bella nuzzled into him. "It's okay. I completely understand why women want you."
"Oh, really?" A playful tone returned to his voice. "And why do they?"
"Hmm. Your eyes, your hair, your huge cock."
He gasped, grabbing her chin and tilting her face up toward his. "Is that why you want me?"
She knew she shouldn't play this game, but she couldn't stop herself. "Among other things," she said, licking her lips.
Emmett leaned down, sucking her earlobe into his mouth and biting down hard. She moaned loudly, causing people passing them on the sidewalk to stop and stare. She briefly considered dragging him back into the store and letting him fuck her in a dressing room before she remembered her plans for the evening. Even though she'd hunted the previous night, she needed to hunt again. If Emmett accepted her offer, she would be housebound with him for three days. She wasn't going to take a chance and leave him alone during the change; hunting then would be out of the question.
She reluctantly wiggled out of his arms. "Emmett, I have an errand I need to run. Why don't you head back to the loft? I can meet you there in a little while." She pulled her keys out of her pocket and handed them to him.
Emmett grabbed her hand. "Let me come with you."
"No, really, I need to do run this errand alone." She tenderly kissed his pouting lips. "I'll be there soon. There's something wonderful I want to tell you."
He nodded, frowning, and she kissed him once more before turning to walk away. As her boots clicked their way down the crowded sidewalk, Bella thought about the evening and how she would explain everything to Emmett. She thought about the speech she'd planned to give Edward so many years ago, but circumstances had made explaining anything to him impossible. Not much about her existence had changed in the last 91 years, and she was sure, with a little revision, she could finally use the words she'd so carefully crafted for the beautiful boy.
She wasn't sure how Emmett would react, but Aro seemed to think it was all predestined. She prayed he was right. Once she told Emmett the truth, she would be unable to allow him to live if he rejected her. He'd know too much. And she wouldn't change him against his will, not when he had the opportunity to decide for himself. She'd never been given a choice, and she'd sworn to herself the day she awoke from her blazing nightmare she'd never change anyone who didn't want it. She'd slipped once, and she would never do that again.
Lost in her thoughts and choosing a hunting ground, she almost hadn't noticed the strong aroma. As the autumn wind whipped her hair away from her face, she was flooded with the familiar scent. She was surrounded by humans three people deep in every direction, but the competing smells did nothing to mask the realization.
Emmett was following her.
Judging from the strength of his scent, Bella knew he was a block behind her, weaving between people to keep a steady pace. She ground her teeth in irritation. To be prepared, she needed to hunt, but she hadn't counting on having an audience. Then she remembered Aro's words.
He will never willingly leave you.
When she hunted before, she'd left in the middle of the night as he slept. He didn't know where she was or how to find her. When she arrived home, he was on guard, waiting for her. Otherwise, he would have followed her that night as well. She felt stupid for not realizing sooner he wouldn't just return to the loft without her.
She wanted to explain everything to him in a calm, reasonable way, but maybe what he needed was to truly see what he'd become, what he'd have to do to survive as a vampire. It would be terrifying to see, but, if he were truly her Protector as Aro claimed, she would make him understand. He'd be under no misconceptions after watching her tonight, and her words would ring more true.
Crossing the street, she walked into a coffee shop. Emmett waited across the street, watching her through the shop's large front window. She could feel his eyes on her as she moved towards the barista. The shop was empty except for the two of them, and Bella could feel a new set of eyes perusing her approvingly.
The barista was a pretty girl, whose curly, black hair fell around her face and down her back. Her full, pouty lips were stained a dark, blood red, and her eyes eased up and down Bella's body, falling for a few tense seconds on Bella's round breasts. She could feel lust rolling off the pretty girl in huge waves.
"Hello, there," the pretty girl cooed. "What can I get for you?"
Bella's head fell back in a lusty laugh. "How about your phone number?"
"And what would you do if you if I gave you my number?" The pretty girl was definitely flirting.
Ah, little girl, you're making it so easy for me.
She didn't have time for niceties, so Bella decided to employ the voice. "I'd call and ask when I could make you come," she whispered seductively, looking deep into the pretty girl's brown eyes.
After a few seconds of dazed silence, the pretty girl leaned over the counter. "I've got a better idea," she whispered. "How 'bout I lock up for a few minutes and you make me come now?"
Bella's eyes widened in mock horror. "Are you always this forward, um...."
"Jessica. Yes...no...I'm not sure."
Bella leaned toward Jessica and, running her fingers down Jessica's cheek, kissed her. "It's okay. I tend to have that affect on people. I'll lock the door."
Moving to the door, Bella looked up and made eye contact with Emmett, who was standing in shock across the street. Smiling her wicked smile, she motioned him over with a crooked finger then turned to follow Jessica into the kitchen in the back of the shop.
Walking into the kitchen, Bella was able to truly appreciate pretty Jessica. She was wearing a tight blue t-shirt, and her erect nipples were plainly visible. Around her curvy hips, she wore a short, plaid mini-skirt, and her outfit was completed by a pair of black leather over-the-knee boots identical to the pair Bella was wearing. Seeing Jessica in them, Bella could understand their appeal.
Bella pinned Jessica to the counter behind her, pulling her shirt over her head in one, smooth motion. Jessica reached behind her back, unclasping her white, cotton bra and letting it fall slowly to the floor. Her nipples and pebbled areolae were the color of mocha, and Bella licked slowly around a nipple before taking it into her mouth. As she began to slowly suckle, she heard the faint sound of the front door closing and locking. Emmett's scent wafted over her, and she knew he was watching them from the kitchen doorway.
Jessica seemed oblivious to everything except Bella's mouth on her breasts. She arched back over the counter, moaning and cursing. Bella couldn't help but think that, if the girl was this loud now, she'd definitely need to cover her mouth later.
Bella fell to her knees at Jessica's feet and reached up under Jessica's skirt to pull down her lacy, black g-string panties. As she threw them next to the white bra, she laughed at the mismatched pair they made.
"I know they don't match, but my ex-girlfriend really liked me in g-strings. I have a million pairs, and they don't match anything. But the lace feels so good against me, I just like to wear them all the time." Jessica finally stopped and took a breath.
Irritated, Bella looked up at her. "If you want me to go down on you, you need to shut the fuck up."
Jessica bit her lip and nodded apologetically. She spread her legs wide and lifted her skirt, revealing her perfectly smooth and glistening lips. As Bella reached up and slipped two fingers inside, she heard Emmett's feet shuffling in the doorway. Bella knew the sight of her with this silly girl was doing evil things to Emmett's body, whether he wanted it to or not. She tried to concentrate on the delicious-smelling girl in front of her instead of the panting, aroused man behind her. This evening would not end with Emmett inside her, and she needed to clear her mind and complete the kill.
Slowly thrusting and twisting her fingers, Bella used her free hand to spread Jessica wide. Bella's tongue made slow, firm laps along Jessica's lips before finally settling into a pattern of determined circles around her clit. She could feel the heat and wetness grow under her tongue and around her fingers, and she took Jessica clit into her mouth, sucking it hard. Screaming and bucking her hips, Jessica grabbed the back of Bella's head, pressed Bella's mouth into her, and came, one explosive wave of pleasure after another. Continuing her torturous attention to Jessica, Bella licked until she felt no more contractions around her fingers. Removing her fingers, Bella stood. Jessica grabbed Bella's hand and, with a giggle, sucked her wet fingers clean.
"Now it's my turn," Bella said darkly.
Bella grabbed Jessica's arm and spun her around. From behind, Bella wrapped her arm around Jessica's chest, pining her arms to her sides. Bella then spun them both around again, facing Emmett's hulking figure in the doorway. Jessica gasped as she finally realized they were being watched. Before Jessica could say anything, Bella pulled her head to the side, revealing her bare neck and covering her mouth. Staring intently into Emmett's eyes, Bella never broke her gaze as she sunk her teeth deep into Jessica's neck.
Bella felt her body ignite, and she wasn't sure if it was from the warmth of Jessica's blood as it traveled down her throat or the fire and shock in Emmett's eyes as he finally saw Bella for what she really was. He stood there transfixed, watching as Bella drained the life from the pretty girl. At first Jessica struggled, but, as the bloodletting continued, her body simply convulsed until her heartbeat stopped. Once Jessica was empty, cold, and limp, Bella let her body fall to the floor.
"What have you done?" Emmett whispered from the darkness. When Bella didn't answer, he stomped over to her and grabbed her wrist roughly. "What have you done?" he screamed.
"Take me home, Emmett," she commanded.
Anger flashing in his eyes, Emmett ran to the front door, and, pulling one of the new shirts from the Nordstrom bags he still clutched in his hand, he wiped the lock on the front door clean. "It's my fingerprints they'd find. Or is that what you intended all along?"
He ran back to Bella, still standing over the pretty girl's body. He grabbed her arm around her bicep, digging his fingers into her flesh. They left through the back door, and he pulled her until they caught a cab five blocks away. He did not let her go the entire drive through Chicago or elevator ride up to the loft. As soon as they entered the loft, he slammed the door, throwing the bags down and shoving Bella hard against the wall.
"I know what you are!" His eyes were swimming with fear and betrayal.
"Yes," Bella sighed sadly. "You do."
He grabbed her shoulders and shook her violently. "You're not even going to deny it? You're not going to tell me I'm crazy?"
Bella drew her hand back, shoving it into the middle of his chest. He flew across the room and landed in crumpled heap on top of the dining room table, which collapsed under the force. She slowly walked to stand over him, her boots suspensefully thumping on the wood floor.
"Emmett, I've allowed you to believe you had the upper hand because that's what you needed to be happy here." She paused, pushing his shoulder with her boot until he was laying face up, staring at her with wide, glazed eyes. "But make no mistake." She knelt down beside him, lowering her face until their noses almost met. "You don't."