Twilight character names belong to Stephenie Meyer. I own Dodge and Burn.
Much love and thanks to Editor Azucena , Pre-readers BtwntheStacks and Lemonmartinis and Beta-MsKathy. I can't emphasize enough how much I appreciate these women and the care and attention they give me and this story.
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I've been incredibly moved by the stories and struggles you shared with me over the last week in your reviews. I wish I could lift your burdens and the sad memories you carry of your loved ones devastated by this disease. We are all in this together. xoxo abbie
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Dodge and Burn / Chapter Thirteen / The Treasure Chest
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Bella hears Edward bustling around in the kitchen after coming in from the grill. A couple of minutes later, he calls her into the dining room. He's managed to figure out where the placemats and silverware's kept. He pulls out her chair and gestures for her to sit.
She pauses for a moment to take everything in, to appreciate this man who's truly showing her how much he cares about her. Her heart swells at the thought of it, and how much he's changed and opened up since they met. In an effort to get close to her, he's gradually shed his protective layers one by one.
In their beginning, she sensed that somewhere buried under his sadness and loss was a man worth fighting for. Pushing him to accept her into his life was a low risk gamble compared to the potential payoff. Now as he gently pushes in her chair, she knows that with him, life dealt her a winning hand…a royal flush, and he's her king of hearts.
"Ready for your dinner?"
She nods, looking over to his plate to admire his dinner. It looks good, but she's hopeful he got her what she really wanted.
He steps back out to the kitchen and when he returns he's carrying a huge piece of chocolate cake with long, thin candles stuck in it. Instead of burning, they're emitting little sparks. He looks pleased as he gallantly sets it in front of her.
She looks up at him, grinning. "Where did you get these candles?"
"At the bakery where I got the cake," he answers with a smile.
"How did you know I loved sparkly candles?"
"I kinda had a feeling," he replies.
"And what are we celebrating?"
He shrugs. "I don't know, everything…the fact that it's Tuesday, the Lakers winning…you."
She rises up out of her chair and winds her arms around him. Tonight, he's her giving tree, a sturdy trunk to lean against as his branches stretch over her protectively.
"I want to celebrate you, too," she says softly.
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That night in bed, Bella has an intensity he's never seen. Inspired by his tenderness, she's all hands and kisses, touching him everywhere. Every time he tries to reciprocate, she pushes him back onto the mattress.
"This is about me, and what I want," she teases as she licks and kisses her way up his inner thighs.
Propped up on his elbows, he watches her with hooded eyes. "Really? This seems to be more about what I want, baby."
She smiles seductively. "Well, I suppose you can say that we're both going to get what we want."
When her fingers wrap around him and she slides him against her lips, he moans.
"Oh, God."
She nods again. "See, I love this."
His heart pounding, he watches her as she slowly pulls him in. He sinks back on the bed, throwing his forearm over his eyes. He's afraid if he watches another second of her he won't be able to hold on.
"Isabella…"
How does she manage to be so passionate about everything she does? The pleasure soaks through him until he's near delirium. She's humming something as her tongue curls around him and pushes him to his edge.
Good God.
He's been with different kinds of women in his life, but none like Isabella, who expresses every emotion through her body before a single word has been spoken.
Tonight she's a wildcat fawning over him. She purrs as she stretches over his heated skin, preparing him for mating. He imagines her on all fours on the wet earth, as he nips her neck and takes her from behind.
Her eyes spark and he wonders if she sees what he does, the two of them panting as he moves over her with sharp thrusts, his head falling back as he bays under the shadows of the moon.
"I can't take much more, Isabella." He gasps, grabbing onto her shoulders. "I need to be inside of you."
She grins as she crawls on top of him, sinking down over him like they were designed to fit together. She starts slowly rolling her hips as he watches, mesmerized.
"You're beautiful," he whispers.
She leans forward, gazing at him. "So are you."
Pressing into the soft part of her hips, his strong hands guide her through each slow thrust. Her skin has a pink cast, the blood just below her skin's surface surging with energy. His fingers edge towards her center and she quivers when his fingertip begins to circle just the way she likes it.
"I want to take care of you," he whispers, not even thinking about her earlier dismissal of that very idea.
She leans forward, her breasts grazing his chest as she licks his jaw, kisses him deep and slow, then rises back up. "You already do." She presses her hand over his. "You take care of me better than any man ever has."
In the haze of her delicious seduction, he's not sure if she means he's best taking care of her heart or her body, but he'll happily take it all. He watches her eyes widen as her moves get choppy and more intense.
"You like this?' he asks, his fingers seeking her pleasure. The spicy scent of their arousal flavors the air.
She nods frantically.
"Edward," she whispers, her voice a door closing as her body opens up.
"I'm there," she cries. Her eyes are wild. It's too much for him, the way she bites her lips red and the marvel of her tight wetness as she lets go.
He gasps and holds her firmly over him, filling her until their universe bends sideways, tearing open just enough for them both to fall inside.
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For a long time after they lie silently, spooning tightly, his arm holding her against him. He can't imagine ever letting her go.
She's spent, finding comfort in his arms, his warm breath against her neck.
"Isabella," he whispers.
"Yes?"
"Do you want to talk about it…you know, what happened earlier?"
She shakes her head and doesn't turn around. "No."
He sighs.
"Are you sure? I want to help you with what made you sad."
He thinks about his conversation with Jacob and wonders how Isabella gets through each day. If it were him, the fear would eat him alive. He's amazed that until today he hadn't seen a sign of that shadow chasing her.
"I'm okay," she whispers.
She doesn't sound okay. She can't be.
His fear and sadness starts to swallow him. What if this brilliant woman of light and fire already has darkness inside of her? What if her brain is already beginning to disintegrate until she can't remember what he means to her?
Is he committed enough to stay by her side? Would he even be strong enough to handle it? He thinks about how satisfying it felt tonight, to be able to comfort her. Will that be enough?
"I find peace in knowing that there's a solution to everything," Isabella says quietly.
"Really?" he asks, his heart thundering. There's an intonation to her thought that's disturbing.
She nods and pulls his arm tighter against her.
"Can I be part of your solution?" he asks.
She shakes her head. "Solution? You're so much more than that."
"Yeah?"
She slowly runs her fingertips back and forth along his arm. "Imagine I'm a kid in a pirate costume on the best ever treasure hunt of all. If I can put the clues together, I'll find my way to the 'X'. Once there, I'll dig feverishly until I unearth the locked chest."
"The treasure chest?"
She nods, grinning. "So I feel like I did that. I put the clues together and dug until I found the treasure chest, and that's where I found you."
He kisses her neck. "Was I locked up in the chest? Am I Houdini, or did you set me free?"
"No, you're not Houdini. You're my treasure. My most prized desire."
"I like that," he says as he shuts his eyes, his exhaustion closing in.
"I thought you would. Finding you makes me believe that I should never stop digging. There are wonderful treasures we can find."
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..~*~..
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I want to meet your friends," he announces at breakfast the next morning.
She looks up surprised. "All of them?"
"Sure, why not?"
"Well, you seemed apprehensive about my women's group for one," she says.
"Yeah, maybe we'll skip them for now, but how about the others…starting with the important ones. How about Leah?"
She's thoughtful as she stirs her coffee.
"Leah's a tough customer."
"So I've heard."
"At one point, she thought you were a cheating man whore."
He chokes and spits up his coffee. Luckily he has fast reflexes and his napkin's already in his hand. "What?"
"You know, how you hit on me when I thought you were still married."
"I see. So what does she think of me now? She must know I'm still technically married, even if we're in the process of the divorce."
"Yes, she knows. She's better about it now. I'm pretty sure she won't beat the shit out of you."
"That's encouraging." He smirks. "Yeah, why don't I meet her first? It'll all be easy downhill gliding from there, right?"
"Yes," she laughs.
..~*~..
Edward studies the menu to find something he would consider edible. They'd agreed to take Leah to this organic health-food restaurant she particularly likes. Isabella thought it would put her in a more agreeable mood.
He's relieved to find some food he recognizes and is willing to eat on the menu. Although he's been trying to eat healthier since being sick, he was dreading the idea of having to consume a plate of mashed tofu and mung beans or something equally unappetizing.
Leah studies him as she folds her napkin over her lap.
"So how's the divorce coming along, Edward?"
"Leah!" Bella hisses, giving her the evil eye.
"What?" Leah asks, her open hands poised mid-air like she has no idea what the great offense was. "Is it a big secret or something?"
"It's okay," Edward says to Isabella before turning back to Leah. "What do you want to know?"
"Are we still in the 'divorce as a concept' stage? Or is this thing actually moving along?"
As much as Edward would like to tell her to fuck off, he knows that whatever Leah wants to know is probably something Isabella would like to understand as well. He decides to try to put up with her unruly friend.
"Isabella probably told you that it took me a while to come to terms with the divorce, so it was stalled for a while. Now it's proceeding and, as usual lawyers, are creative about stretching things out. That's how they make their money, but I would say it's moving along."
"And what would you do if your ex suddenly changed her mind, and begged you to come back to her?"
He notices Isabella grimace, but she also leans into them, like she doesn't want to miss his response.
"First of all, that isn't going to happen. She's been living with another man for a while and she knows I'm involved with Isabella now."
"I'm just saying, what if it did? What would you do?" Leah pushes.
"Well, I guess I'd talk to her to hear why her mind changed. Everything that happened with us surprised me, and that would surprise me, too. The more I understand what's happened and why, the more I'll learn. How else can I be a good partner in my new relationship?" He smiles at Bella and squeezes her hand. "Isabella makes me so happy, and she deserves the best from me."
Leah gives Isabella a look. He knows he just somehow failed Leah's test, but he's not going to back down or lie, especially not with Isabella sitting next to him.
He lifts up Isabella's hand that's squeezed in his and gives it a kiss. "That doesn't mean I'd consider going back with Lauren."
"But that also doesn't mean you wouldn't," Leah snaps.
"Hey, you're twisting my words," he protests.
"Okay, enough," Bella insists. "I hear the hummus platter is great here. Should we order appetizers?"
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The conversation shifts to how the girls first met when Leah hired Bella to shoot her head shots years ago. Edward is surprised to hear she wanted to be an actress.
"Oh, I didn't want to be an actress," Leah explains. "I did look into being a stunt double, but the injuries pissed me off so that didn't seem like a good fit. No, I always have current head and body shots for promoting my business. In this town the top trainers are known personalities."
"She's a big deal, you know," Bella says proudly. "I'm just lucky I was one of her clients before she got big. She gives me a really good deal."
"What's it like having your friend be your trainer?"
"Well, the upside is that I always know she's looking out for my best interest. Leah really cares for me."
Leah nods and smiles at Bella.
"And the downside?" Edward asks.
"Hmm." Bella looks over at the next table. "I may want to order that organic hot fudge sundae for dinner and I can't unless I want to hear a lot of grief about it."
"Damn right," Leah agrees. "The sugar and fat contents of that mess are off the charts. Where are the nutrients that your body needs?"
"So I shouldn't tell her what you had for dinner last week?" Edward asks playfully.
Bella's eyes light up. "No, we don't need to share that. Besides, Leah and I have an agreement about stuff I eat when she's not around."
Leah folds her arms over her chest. "Yeah, we came upon that compromise the hard way."
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After the plates have been cleared, Bella excuses herself to use the restroom.
Edward clears his throat and looks over at Leah. "You've been a great friend to Isabella."
"And she to me," Leah replies.
Edward stirs his green iced tea with his straw. "So it seems like you're quite intent on keeping Isabella healthy." He tries to keep his voice casual, like he's not fishing, even though he's tense inside. It's obvious that Leah knows a lot about Isabella.
Leah nods. "That's the plan. I want her along for the whole ride."
"I want that too, Leah," Edward says, hoping he's conveying an understanding.
She studies him carefully. He's not sure what she's thinking, and he desperately wishes he knew.
"All right," she finally responds.
"Look, I know you're not convinced that I'm good for her, but I know I can make her happy."
"You already do. What I want to know is what happens when life gets hard? You guys are in an easy place right now."
He shakes his head then looks her squarely in the eye. "I don't know how things will be, but can't you see I want to try? She's given me so much…I just want to be what she needs."
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..~*~..
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Several nights later, Edward sits up in bed with a start, and in the quiet dim light of the loft, he glances at the bedside clock. The red glow flashes the number four-fifteen ominously against the black face. He rubs his hands over his face roughly. What is with these damn nightmares? Everything he tries to forget in his waking hours comes right back to haunt him in his sleep.
For the last four nights, his nightmares have been a variation of a deathbed scene with either his father, or Isabella. In the dream, he stoically sits bedside with them in a darkened room and waits. Every voice is hushed. Desperation is expressed in the constant smoothing of the bedding as the dank smell of death lingers in the room.
Tonight's nightmare featured Isabella in her final stage of life and was the most macabre he's had yet. She's slowly deteriorating before his eyes like a snowman in the sun, her features melting away, and her body sinking down into the mattress. When she starts crying out in agony, he jumps up, frantically trying to stop the melting, but he doesn't know what to do. Once again, he finds himself impotent to save the ones he loves.
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Part of him wishes he'd never called Jacob about Isabella's meltdown. The dreams are the nighttime shadows of his fear. Sometimes life is much easier if you don't know all the facts. The reality is that since that call to Jacob, he hasn't been able to look at her the same way again. The uncertainty of Isabella's future would be hard for anyone to grasp, especially the man who's falling in love with her.
And there's no doubt that he's falling further and deeper in love. He shakes his head as he realizes how far Lauren is drifting from his thoughts now. He finally faces the fact that with Isabella he isn't really falling…
He is in love.
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The next morning as he lingers over his mug of coffee, he comes to terms with the idea that he has to talk to someone about what's weighing on his mind. Until he can unburden his thoughts and express his fears, he imagines this haunting will only get worse.
He rules out various friends, many of whom he's been out of contact with, finally realizing that his sister is the perfect person to understand this ache pulsing through him. She agonized through their dad's slow demise as well as he, and was inconsolable at his passing. She'll understand the range of feelings he harbors over Isabella's situation.
He catches her on her cell phone after dropping the kids off at school. They agree to meet in a few days, have lunch in Manhattan Beach, and then take a walk along the shore for a heart to heart. He's hopeful that talking to Rose will give him a clearer perspective to move forward with.
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..~*~..
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Bella welcomes Edward in her home as often as possible these days. She craves him, and each Edward 'fix' she gets, instead of satiating her, just leaves her hungry for more.
Today he comes by to help her get the luggage out of the attic. It doesn't matter that they both know that she can get it herself. He has an old-fashioned side where he likes doing certain tasks and she goes along with it since it makes him happy.
After he makes his way back down the ladder with luggage in tow, she brushes the dust off him and sprinkles kisses along his neck to let him know how much she appreciates his help. They settle into the kitchen where she serves up tall glasses of lemonade. They start going over their trip to-do list and details for their upcoming photo shoot when a thought occurs to her.
"Is it true that they only sell Nutella in Europe?" Isabella asks.
"Didn't I see a commercial for that stuff recently?" Edward says. "Is it that chocolate paste stuff made out of nuts or something?"
She laughs. "Yeah, that's it. And now that I think of it, you're right. They were pitching it like Nutella on toast was a nutritious breakfast for your kids."
"Remind me why we're talking about Nutella again?" he asks, looking down at their list perplexed.
"Oh, yeah!" She laughs. "Angela asked me to bring her back a couple of jars. I guess one of her favorite memories on her trip to Florence was breakfast in her hotel with Nutella-filled croissants."
"Well, you might tell her to check out Gelson's or Pavillions market before you become a Nutella importer."
"Maybe I'll go with her," she replies, a devilish look in her eyes.
"So you like Nutella, too?" he asks.
"I do, and I'm thinking that it'd be especially yummy if it's spread on your naked body."
He suddenly stands up and fishes through his pockets for his car keys.
"Hey, where're you going?" she asks.
"Where do you think? Nutella shopping, of course. You don't think I'm fool enough to pass that opportunity up?"
"But I thought you weren't going shopping until later," she responds.
"Why wait? I'm highly motivated now," he says, grinning.
"Oh, you wonderfully naughty man," she says before kissing him and tugging on his belt loops. "Hurry, will you-my sweet tooth has a hankering with your name on it."
He doesn't have to be asked twice. As he's about to march out the door, she calls out to him.
"Get the extra large size, handsome."
"Yeah?" he asks.
"Extra large Nutella for my extra large guy," she says, grinning.
He saunters back over to her and presses her against the doorway.
"Extra large?" he asks with a sexy smile, teasingly pushing his pelvis into hers.
"Oh, yeah…most definitely." Her tongue runs along the edge of his ear while her hand slides down between them and strokes him.
"Isabella," he warns in a low voice. He gazes at her with dark eyes as her hand moves. He likes watching her cheeks blush as he swells under her hand. He feels like a teenager, immediately hard, while his girlfriend's full of wide-eyed wonder at how quickly he responds to her touch.
"Now see what you've done," he whispers in a ragged voice.
His breath on her neck sends an erotic shiver down her spine. "Ahhh, I have to tell you that if you don't leave now, I'm not letting you go at all," she warns. Her fingers tighten over him and he groans.
He lifts her until her legs wrap around him. Their kiss is slow and heated, all tongues and moans while he grinds his arousal against her.
"Shopping can wait. I need you now," he says in a determined voice as he lifts her shirt up and pulls her bra down.
"…the sweet softness of your skin, your beautiful breasts," he pants. "Besides, I love the way you taste. We'll do Nutella later." He pulls her nipple into his mouth and moans as he sucks, his knees almost buckling with his own pleasure.
She cradles his head against her as she watches this incredibly sexy man-the beautiful orchestrator of her undoing. Her heart is pounding, her thigh muscles tightening in delicious anticipation as he rocks against her.
"Much, much later," she agrees.
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..~*~..
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That evening her studio is dark but for the lights she's set up for the shoot. As excited as Bella is to photograph Edward's portrait for the new music school project, she's nervous, too.
Edward senses that Bella's almost ready to start. His concern sparks when he glances up at her. She looks upset as she stands and studies him under the bright white light.
"Are you okay," he asks gently.
She nods and wipes a tear away.
He reaches for her, and she slides her hand into his.
"What is it, baby?" he whispers.
"This," she waves to the equipment and lights in her studio. "It's so important to me."
He looks up at her confused. "Do you mean…?"
She takes a deep breath and lets out a somber sigh. "Photographing you."
"We don't have to do it now," he says gently. "Alice says she doesn't have to have the photos until next week. She isn't getting Marley's photos until then."
"No, no," Bella assures him. "I really want to do it now."
She steps back and adjusts the camera and works on regaining her focus.
He looks over to the huge glowing box of light. It's ethereal, making him think of stories people have told about walking towards the light after near-death experiences. It's that compelling.
She steps closer to the light stand and studies his face.
"Is the light bothering you? I can add more fill to balance it if it's too much."
"No," he assures her. "I actually kind of like it."
He watches her use a light meter to confirm the settings. She moves the white screen on the opposite side of the light box a little closer. He understands from her movements and gestures that she's an artist and he admires her all the more for it.
She takes another deep breath and steps up to him again.
"Are we ready?" he asks.
She slowly runs her fingers through his hair, then down the side of his cheek.
"I just want you to know…" she says softly, her eyes suddenly glazed with tears again.
"Yes?" he asks, resting his hands on her hips.
"I want you to know that photographing you is sacred to me."
"Oh, baby," he whispers, pulling her closer.
She places her hands on either side of his face. Her gaze is completely open to the point that he feels vulnerable for her. He can feel her heart beating through the tips of her fingers.
"It's sacred…" She pauses and takes a deep breath.
"Yes?" he asks softly, gently encouraging her.
Her eyes are wide and bright, almost childlike.
"It's sacred, Edward…because I'm in love with you."
He looks at her, really looks at her, hoping that she sees in his eyes that she's everything.
His brave, brave girl.
He nods, rises up, and pulls her into his arms.
"Oh, my Isabella," he says softly, with reverence. "I'm in love with you, too."
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Thanks so much for reading. I love hearing from you...
xoxo
abbie
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