We walked down the stairs into the living room. Almost everyone was already there; the only ones missing were Rosalie, Tanya and Esme. Everyone else was separated into their own groups. Alice, Jasper and Emmett were in one; Kate, Irina and Carlisle were in another. Carmen and Eleazar simply sat together. Edward and I sat together on one of the couches, opposite of Alice and Jasper. Alice leaned around Jasper to speak to me.
"Bella, we are going to have to come up with some convincing stories for you to tell Charlie when you get back."
"I know Alice. And we will have to make sure that we include Jasper in them too. Charlie thinks we were all together. And I assume that you have documents made up to prove that I was there? He'll want to see those too you know."
Alice grinned. "Of course. I already have them. You were distributing supplies to areas that were very much in need of them. I would have had us administering vaccinations but I know how much you hate needles. And blood." She laughed.
Kate and Irina stopped talking and looked over at me curiously.
"You hate blood, Bella?" Kate asked, amazement in her voice. I flushed to the roots of my hair but Emmett jumped in before I could speak.
"Oh yes, our Bella here gets nauseous just at the sight of it. Faints dead away." He pantomimed a swoon then busted out laughing.
"Thanks Emmett." I said disgustedly. Kate and Irina were laughing too.
"It's just ironic." Irina said. "Your boyfriend drinks blood and the sight of it makes you faint." She laughed a little.
"Actually it is the smell, not the sight." Why didn't I keep my mouth shut?
Even Carlisle looked at me curiously then.
"Most humans can't smell blood Bella. It is unusual that you can. You might have better than average olfactory development."
"I don't know about that Carlisle. I mean I know I don't have vampire senses but I don't think I smell better than anyone else."
"You do to me," Edward quipped. Everyone laughed and turned back to their conversations. Kate and Irina kept stealing glances at me and I felt the need to get out of the room for a while.
I leaned over and spoke to Edward quietly.
"I think I would like to go for a walk for a while." He nodded and started to get up.
"No, you sit here and visit with your family. I'm not going to go far."
He looked at me uneasily. "Are you sure?" He asked.
"Yes, I just need some fresh air. It's good for my olfactory development." I laughed a little.
He still looked at me apprehensively but nodded. I excused myself and walked outside and down the steps.
I walked out into the yard and towards the trees lining the yard on the right. I did not have a particular destination; I just kept to the tree line.
I did want some fresh air like I told Edward but I also wanted a little time to think. In a few weeks I would be seeing Charlie again and I needed to get my thoughts straight in my mind. Being around Edward made it hard to concentrate on anything but him and I wanted to make sure that I had my story right.
Charlie would want to know exactly what I had been doing. I would have to do some research on Brazil to make sure that I got names and places right. I would also have to see whatever papers Alice had forged so that I could have those correct too.
The biggest part of my thoughts were about Charlie and Edward. I knew for a fact that Charlie would not welcome him back with open arms. Charlie had seen me as a zombie everyday for months and would most definitely blame Edward. I would not allow Charlie to bar Edward from my life. It was something I was sure he would do. Well, I was a legal adult now and if I had to I would move out. Or at least tell him I would. I didn't want to hurt Charlie but there was no way in hell I was going to give up Edward either.
While I had been thinking I had not noticed how far from the house I had come. I looked and realized that the house was almost out of sight. I turned back before Edward could come outside and see how far I had come. He would have a fit to see me so far from the house.
I had just started on my way back when I saw a movement in the tree to my right. I looked and suddenly Tanya was standing there. I gasped and pressed my hand over my heart. It was beating madly.
"Didn't mean to scare you Bella," She said, though her tone of voice said otherwise.
Her strawberry blonde hair looked almost pink in the light from the setting sun and her skin threw off faint sparkles. There must not be any close neighbors nearby, I thought.
"It's okay," I said. I turned to continue my trek back to the house. Tanya put her hand on my arm and stopped me.
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you. I'm glad to get a chance to do it alone." I could hear a faint trace of menace in her tone. It made me uneasy.
"What did you want to talk to me about?" I was careful to keep my tone casual. I was sure this was not going to be pleasant.
"Edward."
"What about him?" I was suspicious now.
"I want you to back off." There was real menace in her voice now.
I was stunned. "Back off?" I asked incredulously.
"Yes, back off, leave him alone. He's mine!" She said vehemently.
"What in the hell are you talking about?" I was furious. Who did she think she was?
"There is no way in hell I am going to back off. Do you think I went all the way to South America to find him just to deliver him to you? You have seriously lost your mind."
"He will be mine. Do you honestly think you can hold on to him? A simple human? Your kind are so naïve and unsophisticated. You might have his attention now but I could give him so much more. And he knows it. I've seen the way he looks at me." She looked smug.
I was seriously beyond pissed off now. This woman was completely deranged. I had seen the way Edward had looked at her too-with complete indifference. He never looked at her the way he did me-with love glowing in his eyes. I knew that Edward loved me, even when he was breaking my heart he loved me. There was no way I was going to let the petty jealousy of this woman get to me. And I was not going to let this woman think she could walk over me.
"If that is what you think then I feel sorry for you. Edward loves me. Me! And if you think that your pathetic attempts to come between us will work then you really are a sad, sad creature." I turned to walk back to the house but Tanya grabbed my arm with bruising strength this time.
"You stupid insignificant human! Don't you know that I could crush you right now?" She squeezed my arm a little tighter. I did not give her the satisfaction of crying out but I could not prevent the gasp of pain that crossed my lips.
"You see? I could-." She did not get to finish her sentence before being ripped away from me.
A pair of arms came around her and she was thrown to the ground forcibly. I looked up in shock to see Rosalie standing there.
"Damn you, Tanya! Leave my sister alone!" Rosalie spat.
I was stunned that she had defended me but grateful for her presence. Tanya would probably not have killed me but she had definitely hurt me. My arm started to throb where she had grabbed me.
Tanya got up swiftly, looking back and forth between me and Rosalie before hissing and running back into the trees. I turned back to Rosalie.
"Thank you, Rosalie. I really appreciate you doing that. I thought she was going to break my arm."
"I think she probably would have. The nerve of that woman. She must be completely deranged to think she stood a chance with Edward. Even before you came along he had turned her down. And everyone can see the way he looks at you. What in the world made her think that she had a snowball's chance in hell now?" She shook her head.
"Um, Rosalie?" I asked nervously.
"Yes?"
"Thanks for calling me your sister. I know I am not your favorite person but I appreciate it nonetheless." I was blushing.
"Well, you are my sister now. And I do want you to know that I don't hate you." She looked a little uncomfortable.
"Really?" I couldn't believe that.
"Really. I hate to say it but I was jealous of you too." She was chagrined.
"Jealous of me?" I squeaked.
"Yes, because Edward found you more beautiful than he did me." She seemed embarrassed.
I was shocked. How could Rosalie, beautiful perfect gorgeous Rosalie be jealous of me?
"But we all know you are the most beautiful woman in the entire world." It was true.
She laughed. "Thanks. I guess I am just vain but I have always been admired. And I liked it. But Edward never admired me like I thought he should. Not that I wanted him as anything other than a brother, but I was used to people doing it. And he never did. So I figured if I didn't affect him no one would. Then you came along and got all the admiring glances I wanted. So I was angry. But now that I see how happy you make him it doesn't bother me anymore. I am sorry if I have been a bitch to you. I will try to do better."
I couldn't speak for a moment. I was stunned.
"It's good to know now that you had a reason to be that way. I mean, I thought that you just didn't like me at all. But I can sort of understand how you feel. Well, maybe not. I am not beautiful like you. But I am glad you don't hate me. I would much rather have you as my sister than my enemy." I looked off into the woods where Tanya had run off.
Rosalie saw where I was looking.
"Don't let that bitchy little vampire bother you. This is yours and Edward's time. Just focus on that and forget the rest." She shrugged.
"Thanks Rosalie. I think I should get back to the house before Edward sends out a search party." I laughed but he would probably come looking for me soon. We turned and started walking back towards the house.
"Yes, poor Edward. He loves you very much you know. He hurt you and that was terrible but he did it because loves you. When one of us falls in love it is so all-consuming; it just takes over everything about us. And it never goes away, ever. Real change is so unusual in our kind that when it does happen, it is permanent. He will never, ever stop loving you. I hope you understand that."
I felt tears in my eyes and blinked them away. It was the same way I felt about Edward. I would never ever stop loving him, until the day I died. Probably even after that too.
Rosalie put her arm around my shoulder as we walked. I was grateful to her for her intervention and for everything she told me. I knew that we were not exactly friends yet but we might be one day.
As we approached the house, Edward came down the stairs. He looked curiously at the two of us as he walked up to us.
"Everything okay?" he asked warily.
Rosalie answered before I could speak.
"Sure, I saw Bella walking and joined her. I knew you would want her to be safe. So we have just been having a sisterly walk and talk." She smiled.
Edward looked at her strangely but didn't say anything.
We all walked up the stairs and into the house.
We walked inside and sat down on the couch. Edward leaned over towards me.
"Did you have a good walk?" His expression was inscrutable.
"Yes, thanks. I just had some stuff to think about, ya' know?" I tried to sound casual and hoped that he would not ask me what. I had not gotten things sorted out yet and my confrontation with Tanya was still uppermost in my mind.
Edward had opened his mouth to speak when Esme came in the front door. She was carrying two large bags with Italian writing on them. She saw me sitting on the couch and walked over to me.
"Bella, I got you something to eat for dinner. I hope you like Italian."
"Sure, thanks Esme. That was really thoughtful." It was. I had resigned myself to eating a sandwich or something. But the smells coming from those bags were delicious.
"Let's take it into the kitchen." She said.
I got up and followed her. I motioned for Edward to stay where he was. It always made me self conscious to eat in front of him while he stared at me, seeming mesmerized by the whole process. Besides he should be with his family. We would have plenty of time together. That thought had me smiling as I went into the kitchen.
Esme pulled a plate out of one of the cabinets and started taking containers out of the bags. Container after container after container.
"Esme," I laughed. "There is no way in the world that I will ever be able to eat all that. That is more food that I eat in a week I think."
Esme laughed too.
"I didn't know what you would like so I got all kinds of different things. And it has been a long time since I have been around someone who eats real food so I wasn't sure how much to get." She smiled self-consciously.
"It's ok. I will try a little of everything. It all smells so delicious. And I can always eat the rest for leftovers later." I grinned at her and she looked more at ease.
Esme dished me out a little of each entrée. It looked like lasagna, veal piccata, eggplant parmesan and manicotti. There was also garlic bread and salad. It was fabulous. I washed it down with some ice cold milk and sat back in my chair.
"Thanks Esme. I guess it is a good thing you got so much after all. I didn't realize I was so hungry."
I expected her to laugh but she was looking at me strangely. Before I could ask she walked over and took my right arm in her hand.
"Bella, what in the world happened to your arm?" She exclaimed in alarm. I looked down and saw the damage that Tanya had done. There was a large bruise that encircled my forearm. I could clearly see the imprints from each of her fingers. It was steadily turning black and blue. Before I could even speak though, Edward came storming into the kitchen. His face was anxious as he crossed over to me.
He looked down at the arm that Esme still grasped and sucked in a harsh breath.
"Bella! What happened? Who did this?" His voice was agitated.
I opened my mouth to speak but he reached down and placed his fingers over the bruise. They did not match his long graceful ones and I could see him relax for a second before stiffening again.
"Did Rose do this to you?" He sounded furious.
"Of course not!" I said reprovingly. "You know Rose would never do that!" I knew that she wouldn't either. Even when I thought she hated me I didn't believe she would ever have hurt me.
"You're right, I'm sorry. Then who?" He demanded. His eyes burned down into mine and I knew he would not let me go until I told him. I sighed resignedly.
"Tanya."
Edward growled menacingly. It sent a shiver down my spine. Then he turned and left the room.
"Emmett! Stop him!" I yelled, though I know he would have heard me if I whispered.
I ran out into the living room to see Emmett with his arms around Edward's chest and Edward growling and struggling against his hold.
Carlisle, Jasper and Alice were staring in disbelief and the rest of the Denalis watched in wide eyed wonder.
I knew that Emmett was stronger than the rest of the others and I didn't want Edward to be hurt. I walked up to him and spoke calmly.
"Edward, you have to calm down." I said. He was still infuriated. I reached up and put my hand on his chest, above where Emmett still had him held.
"Edward! Stop it! Now!" I said, exasperated. He was only going to injure himself.
He stopped struggling against Emmett's hold but I could still hear low growls coming from him. I reached up and put both of my hands on the sides of his face and forced him to look at me.
"You have to calm down Edward. It's over. It's done. I'm fine. So calm down."
He looked at me disbelievingly but the growls stopped and I could feel him relax under my hands.
"Emmett, you can let him go." Emmett looked at me skeptically then shot a glance at Jasper, who nodded. Jasper must have felt him calm down as well. Or made him calm down. Either way as long as he wasn't about to go tearing off after Tanya.
Emmett released him and Edward came to stand by my side.
Alice spoke first.
"Now will someone please tell us what the hell just happened?"
I spoke first. "When I was out for a walk Tanya caught up with me. She grabbed my arm and left a bruise." I held out my arm to the group. I heard several gasps. Edward flinched.
"Why did she grab you?" Esme wanted to know.
Remembering Tanya's reasons had me seething again.
"She told me to back off, that Edward was hers." I said angrily. I felt everyone's eyes whip over to me in shock.
I did not see Kate approach until she was at my side.
"I cannot believe that my sister would do such a thing!" I simply shrugged at her. I was not going to try to defend myself to this woman. I would have turned away but she grabbed my left arm, hard. Too hard.
This was too much. I was tired of being manhandled. The pain in my arm caused my fragile temper to snap. I whirled on Kate.
"Damn it! Let go of me!" I yelled. She looked shocked and let go. "Why can't you people keep your damn hands to yourselves? I am so sick of being manhandled! You know, I might be some simple human but I am not a toy and I am not a pet. You got that? I have thoughts and feelings just like everyone else. If your sister doesn't like that Edward and I are together that is just too damn bad! He loves me and I love him, bottom line, end of discussion. And you tell her for me that if she tries to come between us or if she ever touches me again, I will personally start the bonfire that burns her to ash! Got it?"
I did not wait for a response. I whirled and left the house, slamming the front door behind me so hard it rattled the windows.
I did not know where I was going from there. I just needed to get out of the house. I stood on the top step looking out into the yard, trying to calm down my breathing. I could not believe that I had just done that. That I had actually threatened Tanya to Kate. That I had completely lost my temper in front of Edward's family, in front of the Denali clan. They must think I am a complete idiot now.
But I wasn't going to take it back. Tanya needed to get it through her thick head that Edward and I were together. There was no way in hell I was going to let her destroy the happiness that we had found together again. Damn it! Edward was mine! I had risked my heart and my sanity to go find him when I thought he didn't want me. And now that I knew he did, I was not going to let someone come between us, especially a beautiful strawberry blonde vampire.
I heard soft voices coming from inside then a large round of laughter. Great, they do think I am an idiot. I had to get away for a moment. I ran down the steps and into the yard. I did not go far, only about twenty feet to the nearest tree. I wrapped my arms around it and pressed my face against the bark, feeling the scratchy texture on my arms and cheek. It was comforting somehow. I felt the hot tears roll down my face. I was mortified. There was no way I was going to be able to face them now.
"Bella?" I heard Edward's soft voice call my name but I did not move.
"Bella, are you okay?" He put a hand on my shoulder. I could hear the anxiety in his voice but I could not make myself speak. I just shook my head no. I knew he would be able to see it, even now in the dark under the shade of the tree.
"Bella, look at me. Please?" He pleaded. I could not deny him when he used that tone of voice. I slowly removed my arms from around the tree and turned to face him. I kept my head down; I could not bear to look at his face just this minute.
"Bella, what's wrong? Please say something." He lifted my chin with his finger but I could not look into his eyes. He noticed the tears on my cheeks and brushed them away with his thumbs.
"My love, why are you crying?" I looked up into his eyes and he gasped at the anguish in mine. I could not help it anymore. I threw my arms around him and pressed my face into his chest.
"Oh, Edward! I'm so sorry! I can't believe I did that! Yelling at Kate and threatening Tanya and storming out of the house. I am so embarrassed. Your family must think I am the biggest idiot on the whole planet and-." He cut me off before I could continue.
"Bella! Bella! You have it all wrong! They are so proud of you! Standing up for yourself like that-it makes them all very happy. Honestly they didn't know you had it in you. Emmett laughed so hard at the expression on Kate's face I think they still may be having trouble getting him off the floor."
I looked up at him disbelievingly. They didn't think I was the biggest fool in the world? They were…proud?
"Really? They don't think it was ridiculous for a mere human to threaten a vampire with bodily harm?" Saying it like that made me realize it really was kind of funny and I giggled. Then I really started to laugh until tears were streaming from my eyes. Edward was laughing too and he had to hold me up until I was finished.
"I'm sorry." I told him when I had calmed down. "I really am acting like an idiot now." I sniffed and smiled up at him.
"No, not an idiot." He said, smiling his crooked smile at me. "Just a very possessive girlfriend." He grinned when I stuck my tongue out at him. Then his eyes grew smoldering.
"I think I like the possessive Bella. You know," he said in a silky voice, "you were very sexy in there." His cool fingers traced the contours of my bottom lip and I shivered.
"R-Really?" I stuttered. My heart was beating madly. He bent his face closer to mine and ran the tip of his nose back and forth from my ear to my chin.
"Really." His cool breath caressed my throat. "You looked like the powerful, beautiful woman I always knew you were." His hands came up to my neck and he ran his thumbs up and down from my ears to my collarbone. One thumb stopped at my chin to lift my mouth to his and he pressed his lips to mine.
My lips moved against his and I could feel my breath becoming shorter. I wrapped my arms up around his neck and ran my fingers through his hair. I stretched up on tiptoe to press myself closer to him and Edward's arm came around my back. I could not get close enough to him. He ran his tongue along my bottom lip and I could not help the soft moan that escaped me. His kiss became more urgent then, pressing deeper into mine. I was shocked and delighted when his other arm reached down beneath my bottom and pulled me off the ground and into his body. I responded by wrapping my legs around his waist and he took a step forward, pressing me into the tree. Feeling our bodies locked together was the single most arousing thing I had ever experienced. The arm that was not holding me up came from behind my back and tunneled into my hair, pulling it back so he could press cold, open mouthed kisses to my neck.
"Edward," I breathed. I was almost dizzy from passion.
I felt him go still beneath me for a fraction of a second and then he continued to kiss me, though with less urgency now. I knew then that we had reached the limit of his self control again. He pulled his hand from my hair and disentangled my legs from his waist. He slowly lowered me to the ground, still kissing me softly. Finally he pulled away from my lips. My arms were still around his neck and his hands were resting on my hips. I looked up at his face and even in the dark I could see his eyes were closed and that his breathing was harsh. I pulled one hand out of his hair and softly caressed his cheek. He opened his eyes then and I could see that they were sparkling with passion.
I smiled up at him.
"Good thing for you that I have so much self-control, Edward Cullen." I grinned.
He looked shocked for a moment then burst out laughing.
"I thought I knew the meaning of self-control until I met you, Bella Swan. You could tempt the Devil himself and make him thank God for it." He kissed me softly once more then pulled me back towards the house.
God I love this man! I thought.
We walked back up the steps and towards the house. Edward bent and kissed me swiftly before opening the door. Everyone turned and looked at us as we walked inside. Great. I felt like a monkey in a cage. I was still embarrassed about my outburst. Though I still didn't regret it.
Edward sat down in a large armchair. I didn't think twice before climbing up into his lap; we used to sit this way all the time. Then I realized that everyone was staring at me. Would I never stop making an ass of myself with these people? I felt my face burn intensely. I started to get up but Edwards's strong hands stopped me. I looked up at him questioningly and he shook his head. He wanted me to stay. Well, if it didn't bother him then I guess it shouldn't bother me. I relaxed a little. I was content to sit in his arms.
"Hey Bella!" Alice said. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, thank you. I'm really sorry that I lost my temper before." Sorry that I made a fool of myself.
"You should do it more often, little sister. Funniest thing I have seen in a while" Emmett said, grinning.
"Yes, I kind of liked seeing the Evil Bella come out." Alice said. She sounded a little impressed and I laughed along with everyone else.
Kate spoke up after the laughter had died away.
"I'm sorry Bella. I should not have grabbed you like that. I didn't hurt you did I?"
I held my arm out so that I could inspect the damage. There was a large bruise forming on this arm too. I felt Edward's gasp. I hoped he would not lose his temper. He was so overprotective.
"Well, at least I match now." I tried to sound nonchalant to keep Edward calm. I poked at the bruise, watching it turn lighter then back to deep purple.
"Oh Bella, I am so sorry! I truly did not mean to hurt you!" Kate exclaimed. She looked at Edward apologetically I saw Edward nod slightly and he seemed calm enough.
"Its okay, Kate. I am used to bruises by now." I laughed softly. I should be; I've had enough in my life.
I saw Kate look at me questioningly but before I could answer Emmett jumped in.
"Our Bella here is the world's biggest klutz, Kate. I don't think I have ever seen anyone fall down as much as her. It makes it worth having her around, just for comic relief." He laughed his big booming laugh. I could only sigh and shake my head. There was no way you could be mad at Emmett, you just couldn't. He was just…Emmett.
Everyone sat around talking. It was mostly trivial things, nothing really important. I didn't feel the need to input anything and let my mind wander. I could feel my eyelids start to droop. I closed them, just for a moment.
I was sitting in my kitchen, eating dinner. Charlie was there with me. I finished and got up to wash my plate off in the sink. Charlie stood up and held his plate out to me. I turned and looked at him. "Do your own dishes." Then I turned and walked out of the kitchen. I thought I heard him laugh but it was too soft for me to be sure.
I walked up the stairs and into my room. When I opened the door Edward was there, lying across my bed. I shut the door quickly behind me; I didn't want Charlie to come up and see him.
"Hey beautiful," he said in his honey and silk voice.
I walked up to the bed and climbed up onto it. I sat back on my legs next to him and ran my finger down his chest.
"Hey there yourself," I said coyly.
He grabbed my hand and pulled it up to his lips, kissing the inside of my wrist. I felt my stomach muscles clench when he ran his cool tongue across my skin before sucking gently.
"The taste of your skin is amazing." He said, his eyes closed and a soft smile on his lips.
I pulled his hand, the one that was still holding my wrist, up to my mouth and gave his wrist the same treatment, softly swirling my tongue instead of sucking.
He inhaled sharply before reaching over and capturing both my wrists in his wintry hands. He sat up slowly, his eyes burning into mine and moved until we were seated opposite each other, his posture mirroring mine.
I sat there, staring into the molten gold of his eyes. He bent his head towards me and claimed my lips. His kiss sent a jolt through me and I tilted my face upwards into his kiss. His lips were so gentle on mine and I wanted to touch him, but he still held my wrists.
He slowly turned our bodies and I found myself pressed into the bed, my arms above my head. He took both my wrists in one of his hands and used the other to pull my legs straight. He hovered over me, half on his side, half laying over me and pressed soft kisses into my neck. His breath was so cool against my skin.
"You smell amazing too." He said, sending a shiver down my spine.
I felt his cold tongue dip into the hollow at the base of my neck before sending an icy trail up to my ear. I was shocked when I felt him nip gently at my ear with his lips. A sparkle of desire shot through me and I curled my toes in my shoes.
He released my hands and I reached out to pull his head up to mine, pressing a hot kiss onto his cold lips. I felt his graceful fingers trace down both sides of my neck. He lingered for a moment, tracing my collarbone before slipping down my shoulders. His hands left a tingling trail as he traced my sides before stopping with his hands on my hips. I felt his smooth thumbs moving back and forth, slowly slipping underneath the hem of the button-up shirt I wore.
He turned his lips from my ear and left soft kisses along the edge of my jaw before kissing me again. I felt the hem of my shirt rise higher and he had his hands around the bare skin at my waist. It felt wonderful.
"I love touching your skin." He whispered. "You are so soft and warm."
Suddenly his nimble fingers were unbuttoning my shirt, slipping each button out of its hole slowly, deliberately, staring down into my eyes intensely. My breath was coming faster now, my desire swirling through me.
He finished with the last button and slowly opened my shirt. The look on his face took my breath away completely. So much love and lust and hunger churning in the topaz depths of his eyes. He slipped the shirt from my shoulders and I rose up slightly so he could pull it down off my arms. He tossed it over his shoulder and off the bed before pressing me down into the bed again. He buried his face in the hollow of my neck and inhaled deeply before running his nose down between my breasts. His hands which were on my waist, moved slowly upwards until they were cupping my breasts.
I ran my hands down his back and up underneath his shirt. He leaned back off of me, sitting up right. He was straddling my hips and I watched his muscles flex as he reached down and pulled his shirt up over his head in one fluid movement. It was sent sailing to join mine on the floor. He was magnificent. His muscles looked like they were carved from the purest marble. It was like being made love to by Adonis himself. He lay back down against me and slowly slithered down my body, pressing kisses into my ribs, my stomach, my navel. He moved all the way down and off of me and I sat up on my elbows, wondering what he was doing.
He stood at the foot of the bed with a soft smirk on his face before reaching for my foot and untying my shoe. He pulled it off and tossed it lightly into the corner with a soft thud. My sock joined it. Then he pulled off my other shoe and sock and they too were added to the pile.
His eyes became hooded and lusty as he crawled up the bed and stopped, his knees straddling mine. He reached for the button on my pants and I held my breath. With agonizing slowness he undid the fastener on my jeans and slowly slid the zipper down, inch by inch. I thought I would implode from the heat burning in me. He slipped his elegant fingers into the waistband of my jeans and slowly slid them down my legs, his eyes never leaving mine. He pulled my feet out of the legs of my pants and tossed them onto the floor. He slid back up my body until our chests were touching, his cold skin the perfect antidote to the inferno he had created in me.
He bent down to kiss me, and then suddenly stiffened. I looked up at him quizzically but he shook his head and whispered "Charlie."
Then he was gone. All I heard was the soft click of the window as he closed it…
I sat up in bed, disoriented. Where was I? Oh right, the Denali's. I looked around and the first thing I noticed was that Edward was gone. The second thing I noticed was I really had to go to the bathroom. I got up and ran into the bathroom. When I was finished I came out and stood looking around the room. Where was Edward? He usually did not leave while I was sleeping, as far as I knew anyway. He was so fascinated with watching me sleep and listening to my sleep talking. I crossed my arms over my chest. Wait, who had changed my clothes? I was wearing a t-shirt that I recognized as one of Edward's. It smelled like him. But who had put me into it? Edward? That thought made me shiver. All I had on underneath was a bra and boy shorts. Had he seen me in my underwear? What had he thought? Did he find me…desirable?
I was contemplating these things when I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye.
I looked out the window and saw Edward and Tanya in the yard, facing each other. The window was open about halfway and I could barely make out what they were saying.
Edward had his arms crossed over his chest and the look on his face was furious.
"-sure your human told you everything-."Tanya's voice was malicious.
-didn't say anything- noticed that you had hurt her-."Edwards's voice was a growl.
"-mean to hurt her or anything. -how fragile they are." Tanya was saying. I snorted to myself. Of course she had meant to hurt me.
-never-hands on her in the first place, Tanya. -you thinking?" His voice was angry but controlled.
"-wasn't listening to me Edward!" Her voice got louder and slightly whiny. "I told her that she should step aside and she was ignoring me! I was just trying to get her attention." She crossed her arms over her chest, obviously fuming.
"Of course she ignored you!" Edward's voice got louder. "What did you really think would happen? That she would just say 'oh, well ok Tanya. I'll just go home and you can have him'?" Sarcasm dripped from every word.
"She's no good for you Edward. You know we could be great together. At least you would not have to worry about breaking me!" She sounded so confident. I was furious at they way she threw Edward's words in the forest back into his face. He stood there looking at her for a long moment. I could tell he was fuming, but obviously Tanya could not.
She must have taken his silence as a sign of acquiescence because she stepped forward and put her arms around his neck. I put my hand to my mouth to stifle a gasp as he pushed her away hard. Edward was always so courteous, especially with woman, that it came as a shock to see him handle one with such force.
Tanya stumbled and looked up at Edward, shocked.
I watched Edward take a deep breath, then speak.
"Tanya, I have tried to be as gentlemanly as possible with this because I have not wanted to hurt your feelings. But in hurting Bella you have gone too far. So I will tell you in no uncertain terms that there will never, ever be anything between us. My heart, and the rest of me for that matter, have already been claimed. Do us both a favor and stop pursuing. Nothing will come of it and you will only be angering me and hurting yourself."
He turned to walk away but Tanya stopped him with her voice.
"Just one more thing, Edward."
"What now, Tanya?" He sounded weary.
"This."
She suddenly grabbed him and pulled him up against her, kissing him passionately. I did not have even a second to be shocked before Edward grabbed her and shoved her away. The look on his face was one of complete disgust. I watched as he took the back of his hand and wiped it across his mouth, looking as though he had eaten something unpleasant.
I could not help it; I giggled at his expression.
Edward must have heard me because I saw his head whip towards our window. I tried to back away as quickly as possible but I knew that he had seen me.
Damn! He knew I was spying on him. Well, I might have to use this to my advantage. Let him sweat a bit. I pressed my hand over my lips to stifle another giggle then I heard a knock at the door.
I stepped back over to the window and crossed my arms over my chest, pretending to stare out into the yard.
"Bella?" I heard him say cautiously. Oh this was going to be fun.
I turned slowly to face him but kept my head down, looking at the floor. I knew if I looked at his face I would burst into laughter.
"Bella, I-." I held my hand up to stop him from speaking. I walked over towards him, each step deliberate. I still kept my head down.
I stopped in front of him and couldn't help it anymore. I started to shake with silent laughter. I felt tears slip down my cheeks as I struggled to keep it contained.
"Please look at me." He sounded so scared. I looked up at him, grinning, and almost burst into hysterics at the shocked look on his face.
Suddenly he picked me up and pulled me up against his chest. He swung me around in a circle, laughing.
"Don't ever do that to me again, woman. You almost gave me a heart attack!" he set me down and looked at me in wonder. I smiled up at him.
"A heart attack? Now that would really be something!" I couldn't help but giggle at that.
He took my face in his hands and kissed me. He spoke, using each word to kiss me.
"You *kiss* scared *kiss* me *kiss* to *kiss* death *kiss*!" He sounded so relieved I had to laugh again.
"I wish you could have seen your face when she kissed you, Edward. It was like someone made you eat human food or something. You looked so disgusted it was hilarious. I hope that witch finally understands once and for all that you are all mine." She better too; I don't see how either of us could make it any clearer.
"All yours, now and forever." He said softly, kissing me. I sighed. Then yawned.
He laughed at me. "Come on Sleeping Beauty. Time to go back to bed."
"I would still be sleeping if someone hadn't been trying to steal the love of my life out from under my nose." I grinned at him.
He took my hand and pulled me over to the bed. I got back underneath the blanket and he lay down next to me. I put my arm over him and could feel him tracing my spine up and down through the t-shirt I wore.
That reminded me.
"Edward?" I said.
"Yes, my Bella?" His voice was velvet soft.
"Who changed my clothes?" I knew it had to have been him but I wanted to be sure.
I felt him stiffen beneath me and I knew I was right.
"Um, well…you wouldn't have been comfortable in that dress but you couldn't just sleep in your…well…without any pajamas. But the ones in your bag were too…I mean…they didn't seem that comfortable either…so I figured the shirt would be better." He sounded so embarrassed I could not be angry. It was so endearing to hear him struggle for words.
"So you changed my clothes."
"Um, yes." He sounded nervous and I decided to let him off the hook.
I laughed. "Well your shirt is a whole lot more comfortable than any of those lace and silk things that Alice bought me." It definitely was softer. I inhaled deeply. "Smells better too. It smells like you. I like it." It did smell amazing. His scent surrounded me, enveloped me. I would have to find a way to bottle his scent so I could bathe in it everyday.
I lay there for a moment. But another question was burning in me
"Edward?"
"Hmmm?"
"That means you saw me in my…underwear. Were you, you know, tempted at all?" I could not believe I was actually asking him this.
"Very much," he said in his honey/silk voice.
"Really?" I looked up to see the expression on his face. His eyes were burning with desire as he kissed me. Then he whispered softly in my ear.
"Very, very, very much," his cool breath brushed my neck and I shuddered.
"Oh." I was surprised by his honesty. Usually Edward would not admit that he wanted me so blatantly.
He laughed his musical laugh.
"Now sleep, my love. You have had one hell of a long day and you need your rest."
He was right. It had been a long day, full of ups and downs and I was exhausted. I tilted my head up and kissed his perfect jaw. Then I yawned and laid my head back down on his chest.
"Good night Edward."
"Good night Bella."