Chapter Fourteen
EPOV
To say that I was worried for Bella safety was an understatement. Jacob Black was bad news and I had a horrible feeling that no matter what I had said last night would not make an ounce of difference to his choices. He would not leave Bella alone, I knew that, but how do I make Bella understand that? How could I ensure her safety? I had more questions than I did answers and it was driving me insane!
Flashback
"Hello? Who is this?" I knew who it was from the look of pure terror in Bella's eyes, but I asked anyway
"This is Bella's fiancée, who the hell is this? Oh wait, this is Edward right? How dare you take my fiancée out to dinner, you bastard?" he sneered
"Who the hell do you think you are? Leave my girlfriend alone, Jacob!"
"What? Did you just say girlfriend? What the fuck!" he bellowed down the phone at me. I glanced sideways at Bella to ensure that she was ok and saw that she was watching me wide eyed
"Yes, I said girlfriend!" I snapped back, I was quickly losing my cool and I didn't want to do that in front of Bella
"Listen, you son of a bitch! Bella is MY fiancé, she is Mine! You hear me, pussy! I don't need your advice on when to leave her alone and when not to! She is mine to do with as I please, understand, fucker?"
I felt the fury boiling up inside me. How dare he! I almost lost my cool, until I felt Bella's small warm hand on my own, I looked up at her and saw her shake her head as if to say 'let it go, Tiger'. I did, for now. But I had to make one thing clear before I did
"Listen, Ass, she is no longer your fiancé, she is my girlfriend, nor is she a possession you claim to own, but I will say this and I will only say it once, so listen carefully. She is mine. She has always been mine. She may have loved you once, but no longer. You are scaring her and if you ever, EVER, lay one finger in harm on her, I will hunt you down and end you. Understand, mutt?"
The bastard had better heed my warning
End Flashback
I sighed as I pushed through the glass door of my office building. Lauren was at her usual post, smiling brightly at me. I didn't have it in me to deal with her this morning so I simply nodded and went to pass her. I should have known she wouldn't make it easy on me
"Good Morning, Edward!" I sighed again and ran my hand through my hair as I turned to face her
"Good Morning, Lauren and it's Mr Cullen to you, please" she giggled in what I presume was a flirtious manner. She didn't pull it off
"Sure thing Mr Cullen. Though why you keep denying your attraction is beyond me, but whatever" my eyes widened in surprise. Did she seriously just say that? I opened my mouth to respond but just like last time, I was interrupted
"Lauren, when will you learn that when a man says no the first time, it usually means no every time?" I turned and saw Bella standing just inside the doorway, with the door open and one hand on the handle, her briefcase in the other. I couldn't help but stare at her. She looked positively sinful in her knee length black pinstripe flared skirt, white fitted blouse and a matching pinstripe jacket which came to her waist. That wasn't the best part. Oh no, the best part were her peep toe shiny black 'fuck me' pumps. I felt all the blood in my body rush downwards as my eyes gazed at her from head to toe. I must have let out the groan that was building in my chest because as I looked further up I found Bella watching me with amusement in her eyes. I smiled sheepishly at her
"See something you like, Tiger?" now, the giggle that escaped her full, pouty lips was sexy and it turned me on to no end. I crossed the foyer in three long strides and pulled her into my arms
"No, I see something I love, Kitten" I bent lower and brushed my lips across hers, once, twice, three times. I was just moving in for a deeper kiss when the most annoying voice interrupted me from behind
"Hey! This is a place of business, you know! Be professional" I let out a small growl of annoyance and turned to face Lauren
"Lauren, in case you have forgotten; this is my place of business. I own the company and as such, if I wish to kiss my girlfriend anywhere in this building, I have every right to!" I snapped. I felt Bella tighten her arms around my mid section in reassurance
"I understand that Mr Cullen, but maybe she doesn't, I mean, why else would she be here at 7.30am, looking like that? Booty Call?" Bella stiffened in my arms, as did I. She did not just speak about my Bella like that, did she? This time the growl that left my lips was not low and nor was it small. It was a full out 'I'm warning you to back the fuck off' growl. I watched as Lauren's eyes widened and fear flashed across them
"Lauren, I am going to say this once and once only. What I do in this building, which, by the way, I own, is no one's business but mine and Bella's. She is my girlfriend and has every right to be here at any time she wishes to do so. Whether that is at 7.30am or at 9pm. Whether it is for a 'booty call' or simply for meeting me for lunch. It. Is. Her. Right. Neither she, nor I have to answer to you. You are forgetting your place in the ranks of this company and I suggest you take the rest of the day off, unpaid, to reflect and understand. Am I clear?" my voice was low and calm, but the only thing that belied the rage flowing through me was the clench in my jaw, which resulted in me speaking through my teeth. I kept a steady gaze on Lauren and my arm around Bella's waist.
Lauren nodded, her eyes still wide and fear still residing in them
"Good, I will send Jane down to relieve you, and then you are free to go. Please do not return until tomorrow morning and I really hope for your sake that you keep in mind in future that I will not tolerate anyone speaking to Bella in the manner that you did just now. You need to understand that you are expendable, replaceable, she, however, is not" with that said, I grabbed Bella's hand, released her waist and led her to the elevators. Bella had not said a word since Lauren's outburst and I was getting upset that she was hurt by it. However when I stepped into the elevator and turned Bella to face me I saw a wide smile on her beautiful face. I smiled back at her and pulled her into my arms again, resting my forehead on hers as I looked into her molten chocolate pools
"I love you, Tiger. Thank you" she whispered
"I love you too; Kitten and you have no need to thank me. I meant every word" she closed the gap between us and pressed her soft lips to mine. Like every other time we kissed, I saw stars and fireworks flash behind my closed lids. I sighed into her mouth and she took the opportunity to slip her tongue into my mouth. She caressed my tongue slowly, languidly. I, in turn, licked her bottom lip and nibbled on it with my teeth causing her to let out a soft moan in to my mouth. I couldn't help but groan back. The feelings she ignited in me were both pleasurable and torturous.
We were so lost in each other that we didn't hear the elevator ding and the doors open. It wasn't until we heard a throat clear and a loud 'Ahem' did we break apart. I turned to see Jasper standing just outside the open elevator, grinning like a Cheshire cat
"Well, Good morning to you both" he said cheerily
"Morning Jazz" Bella said, blushing
"Morning, Jazz. What's up? Heading out somewhere?" I replied. Jasper shook his head
"Nah, I was just heading down to the reception to see where our lawyer was. He's meant to be dropping off some papers for us to sign regarding the Fuller's Building"
"Oh! Sorry, Jazz, I got held up by your wonderful receptionist downstairs" Bella suddenly released me and pulled her briefcase up to show Jasper. I looked at her confused
"Lauren causing problems?"
"Wait. You're the lawyer?" Jasper and I both spoke at the same time, causing Bella to let out a small chuckle
"Jazz, yes, in answer to your question and Tiger, no, I offered to drop off the papers for David as I have a meeting nearby. It saved him a trip"
"Oh, and here I thought you were simply here to see me" I pouted and gave her the puppy dog look that I knew she couldn't resist. She rolled her eyes and stepped out of the elevator, I followed behind her as she made her way to Jasper's office. Jasper was in front of her leading the way
"And why do you think I offered in the first place? It was a good excuse to see you!" I pulled her back towards me and whispered in her ear, my lips brushing her earlobe
"You never need an excuse to see, you should know that Kitten" I felt her shiver against me and smiled triumphantly. I loved that I could get these reactions out of her without even trying. Not that she didn't have the same control over me, but still. I nuzzled my nose into her neck and I felt her melt into my embrace. Jasper cleared his throat again
"Um…I'm still here, guys and still waiting for those papers, Miss Swan" he said with a smile. Bella of course, blushed again
"Tiger, I'm in my meeting until 12pm and it's only two buildings over, so do you want to meet for lunch?" I nodded. Hell, yes, I did. I would never turn down some Bella time
"Yeah, Jazz and I have a conference call in half an hour, but we should be done by then. Right, Jazz?" I looked up at Jasper, who nodded
"Uh…you know, you actually have to let me go for me to leave, right?" Bella asked teasingly. I tightened my arms around her and sighed
"And what if I never want to let you go?" I asked seriously. She looked up and met my eyes and all I saw was love and understanding. She cupped my cheek and I leaned into her touch
"Then don't" she said simply, smiling. I nodded and released her, stepping back. I understood what she was saying without her having to say the actual words
"Go on, get to your meeting. I'll see you back here at 12pm, ok?" she nodded and leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed my jaw line. This time I shivered. She had a smug smile on her lips when she pulled back. I raised one eyebrow at her as if to say 'smug much?' and she shrugged back at me to say 'If you can, then I can!". She had a point. Again it was Jasper that broke our silent exchange
"You know, we never could understand how you guys did that?" he said in an amused tone. Both Bella and I turned to him, confused. He waved a hand in the air between us
"That silent convo thingy you guys do. It's like you have full blown conversations with each other, but never utter a sound. It's kind of freaky to watch" Bella and I looked at each other in a way of saying 'Yeah, and?' and then back at Jazz, who simply shook his head and chuckled
"See what I mean!" Bella and I shrugged. I leaned forward and gave her a chaste kiss
"I've got to go set up this call, Baby. Have a good meeting" she nodded
"See you at 12, honey" she waved and walked into Jasper's office, shutting the door behind her. I sighed and walked on to my office, which was next to Jasper's. It was going to be hard to concentrate on work with her in the next room, but we both had careers that were very important to us. This thought lead me to wonder what would happen if we had kids.
That brought me up short. Kids? I was already thinking of kids with Bella?
Fuck Yeah! I want it all with her!
Even marriage?
Um…yeah, how else would we have kids?
Ever heard of common law partner?
I don't buy into that crap!
Yeah but-
My inner musings were cut of by Jasper walking into my office. I sighed and ran my hands through my hair and shook my head to clear it. Jasper noticed this and cocked an eyebrow at me. Fucker always was too perceptive
"What's up, man? You look kinda freaked"
"Nothing, just an errant thought that kind of scared the shit out of me"
"Hmm…care to share?" I shook my head again to clear it and sighed again, wondering how to phrase my thoughts without sounding to high schoolish
"Bella?" Jasper asked softly. I nodded
"In a way, yeah"
"What's that mean, dude?" Jasper asked, confused now. I took a moment to gather my thoughts. Jasper waited patiently, he knew me well enough to know that I would talk when I was ready
"I was just thinking about our future"
"Whoa, seriously?" I nodded again
"Don't get me wrong. We are in no way ready for that, but lately I've been thinking a lot about it and it's kind of scaring the shit out of me" I tried to explain. Jasper nodded knowingly
"And…?" He knew that wasn't all of it. Shit, he really did know me
"And, I guess I'm worried about it too" Jasper tilted his head to the side, but did not break his gaze from me. I shifted in my seat, knowing he knew that I wasn't done. I ran my fingers through my hair again
"Look, it's like this. We both have very fast paced careers that we both love. We just about have enough time for one another, how would we work if we had kids? I guess what freaked me out the most was that fact that I even thought about that in the first place! I mean, we've only been dating for a little over three months and I know it's too soon for me to even be thinking of marriage and kids with her, but…shit man, she's it for me. She's the one and there won't ever be anyone else for me!" Jasper held up his hand to stop my rambling and chuckled
"Ed, Man, chill. Take a breath" I did as he said
"Now, first off, yes, you guys have only been dating for three months, but you have known each other for a hell of a lot longer than that. You know everything there is to know about each other. You don't have to go through the awkward get to know each other phase like most couples do and I think that works in your favour" I started to speak, but he held up his hand again to stop me
"Granted, your past has been rocky, but both of you have come out of that amazingly well now. You've both talked about your time apart, I assume" I nodded again
"Good. Communication is very important in any relationship" Jasper paused and gazed at me steadily for a moment
"Secondly, it's a good thing that you have acknowledged to yourself that she's it for you, but have you asked her how she feels?" I shook my head. He was right, I hadn't. This time Jasper sighed
"You need to talk to her, Edward. Share your feelings and your fears with her. I am also assuming that you are worried that if things get a bit rough again, you are afraid that she will do as she did the last time?" my eyes widened. How the fuck had he read me so clearly?
"I take it from your expression that I am right?"
"Yes" I whispered. I looked down at the table under my fingers. I felt guilty for feeling like this, but it had taken me a lot to become somewhat human again after she had left and though I was not angry at her anymore, the hurt was still there.
I had to talk to her. I had to know what she was thinking and feeling, because for me, there was no going back. I couldn't live without her in my life now. She was my life.
BPOV
I walked into the foyer of Edward's building at bang on 12pm, but Edward was still not there. I spotted a petit girl with honey blond hair and blue eyes sitting at the reception desk and assumed that she was Jane, Lauren's replacement for the day. She looked up as I came through the door and crossed the floor towards her
"Good afternoon, welcome to Cullen & Hale Designs. How can I help?" she smiled brightly at me
"Hi, can you let Mr Cullen know that Bella Swan is here, please?" I watched as her smile faded slightly and a guarded look entered her eyes. I sighed internally. Not again!
"Do you have an appointment?" I shook my head
"Not as such, but he is expecting me" Jane shook her head and sighed
"I'm sorry, Ma'am, but Mr Cullen is a busy man and does not see anyone without prior appointment" was it just me, or had her voice taken on a slight icy quality
"I am fully aware of how busy he is, Jane" her eyes widened in surprise when I spoke her name "But, should you value your job, I suggest picking up that phone and calling up and announcing my arrival" I smiled sweetly at her. She stared at me for a moment, then huffed and did as I asked. I could only hear her side of the conversation, but I could guess Edward's reply from the look on her face
"Mr Cullen, there is a Bella Swan here in reception, however she doesn't have an appoint-" there was a beat of silence as Edward cut her off. Her eyes widened once again and flickered to me
"Yes, Mr Cullen, I'm sorry. I'll let her know" I smirked at her and waited until she put the phone down
"Mr Cullen will be right down" she informed me sullenly. I nodded at her and moved to sit on one of the black leather chairs to the left of the desk. I didn't have to wait long. Not five minutes later, the elevator doors opened and out strode Edward, looking all kinds of sexy in his navy blue suit with white shirt and a tie matching his suit
"Hey, Kitten!" he called as he walked over to me. I stood to meet him
"Hey, Tiger" he reached me and pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. I sighed contentedly. He let out his own little sigh and then released me. He turned to Jane
"Jane, this is my girlfriend, Bella. As I stated on the phone, she will never need an appointment to see me. Bella, this is Jane, Lauren's replacement for the day and Jazz's PA" I nodded at her and she narrowed her eyes at me at being introduced as Edward's girlfriend. I heard Edward suck in a deep breath
"Is there a problem, Jane?" his voice was steely all of a sudden and I knew that he had caught the look Jane had given me
"No Mr Cullen. I was just surprised. I've worked here since day one and this is the first time you have had one of your girls here" I raised one eyebrow at her insinuation. I knew what she was trying to say and I did not appreciate it one bit. I was about to say something when Edward tightened his arm around me
"Jane, would you mind clarifying that statement for me please? What girls are we talking about exactly?" Jane now looked flustered. It seemed that she wasn't expected to be called out for that comment by the boss. She must have assumed that I would play the part of jealous girlfriend and call Edward out on it instead. Too bad her ploy backfired
"I…Uh…I…Um I just meant…Uh" she sighed and I saw her shoulders slump "I'm sorry Mr Cullen. I never meant for it to sound the way it must have" I chuckled and stepped out of Edwards's arms towards Jane
"Jane, I have known Edward for 12 years. We have been friends for a long time. I know him better than any girl could ever hope to, so I am not offended by your comment and nor am I jealous. I am simply amused as you happen to be the second person today to question our relationship only to be shot down" I held out my hand to Edward without turning and I felt his warm hand embrace mine and squeeze gently. I gazed at Jane for a moment then continued
"What you need to understand is that Edward and I have a bond that goes beyond any understanding. I get that he is a hot piece of ass and good to ogle over, but he is my hot piece of ass and I would appreciate it of you would remember that, ok?" Jane looked at me in surprise and awe. Edward was beside me shaking with silent laughter. Jane nodded sheepishly then turned to Edward
"She's a keeper, Mr Cullen. I like her" I smiled at that
"I completely agree, Jane and I intend to keep her for as long as she will allow me to" a warmth spread through my body at Edward's words and I swear I heard him mutter something along the lines of 'Forever if I have my way' under his breath. The tingly feeling I always got when he was near intensified and spread out to the tips of my fingers and toes
"Shall we go, Kitten?" I smiled up at Edward and nodded my acquiesce.
We sat in the café around the corner with our coffees, our hand intertwined on top of the table. We had chatted about our day and caught up on things in our lives. Throughout the entire conversation, I got the feeling that Edward was struggling with something. I watched as the walls went up in his eyes and he rolled his shoulders as if to prepare himself. I felt a chill creep up my spine as I waited for Edward to voice his thoughts. He cleared his throat and tightened his hold on my hand
"Bella, can we discuss something, please?" his voice was quiet, guarded. I nodded
"Sure, what would you like to discuss?" my voice was slightly shaky and Edward noticed
"Us" my eyebrows shot up in surprise and the chill started to creep further up
"What about 'us'?" I asked. Edward sighed and ran his hand through his hair
"Bella, I know we haven't been together for long, but this is something I need to talk about. I need to know where you are in terms of your feelings about me and your…our future" I sat back in shock. Ok, this was not what I was expecting. I had been thinking about our future a lot and I knew what I wanted, but I hadn't brought it up as we had technically only been dating for three months and I thought it might be too soon for Edward
"What do you want me to say, Edward?" his head snapped up to look me in the eye and I saw fear and hurt there. Oh God, he thinks I don't see this as long term
"What do you want to say, Bella?" I watched as the walls built higher in his beautiful green eyes, blocking out the light that had been shining there for the last three months. I sighed and reached out and took his other hand in my own
"Edward, I love you, you know that, right?" he nodded "I have always loved you and I always will" I paused. Edward stiffened in his seat, his shoulders hunching in as if to ward off pain. I sighed again. My poor Edward, I had hurt him so much that he didn't trust this enough. This was my doing; I would have to fix it
"Edward, what is it? What is it that you fear the most?" I asked my voice quiet, gentle
"My biggest fear is losing you. You leaving" I heard the pain in his whispered words and they stabbed at my heart, making it ache. Part of me was hurt that he would think that I would do that again, but the biggest part of me understood where he was coming from. I took a deep breath and told him the one thing I could think of to calm his fears. The truth
"Edward, I get where you are coming from. I understand that you are scared that if something goes wrong, I will up and leave again, but that is not going to happen now. It won't, because I can't" Edward looked up and stared into my eyes. Searching
"You can't?" his voice was barely above a whisper. I shook my head
"No, Honey, I can't. I can't be without you again. What the first time didn't do, the next surely would. It would definitely kill me. Edward, you are my past, my present and, I hope ferverently, my future" I watched as the light returned to his eyes and filled his entire face, making him look even more like an angel. My angel. I smiled in response
"You are my future too, Bella. I wasn't sure that you felt the same, I had hoped. God, I had hoped! I love you Kitten, more than you will ever know" if possible, my wide smile got even wider at his words. He really loved me and this was real
"I love you too, Tiger, so much" I squeezed his hand. He leaned forward and brushed his soft, warm lips on mine and I couldn't help the sigh of contentment that escaped my lips, everything was finally falling into place and I was beyond happy.
Unfortunately, life always has a way to test us and today was no exception. After we left the café and Edward and I went our separate ways. I headed back to my office to work on the deposition for Kate's case; I was due to meet with her tomorrow. I walked into my office building, still on a high from my lunch date, but the high didn't last too long.
There sitting on my desk, was a vase full of red roses. I knew they weren't from Edward, as he knew not to give me red roses. I wasn't a big fan of them. I preferred white roses and even better, I preferred calla lilies. My chest tightened painfully as I gazed at them. Only one person had ever given me red roses. Jacob.
I picked up the card with shaking fingers and turned it around to read
Beautiful roses, for my beautiful fiancé.
You are MINE!
You will always be MINE!
Don't forget that…ever
I will come back for you. I promise.
I exhaled sharply, my knees giving way. I sat heavily in my chair and simply stared at the card for several long moments. He really had lost it this time. He would never let me go. What had happened to my sweet caring friend from so long ago? Who was this Jacob?
All these thoughts raced through my mind as I tried to figure out what to do. Shakily I picked up my phone and dialled the number of one person who I knew would make me feel safer
"Edward Cullen"
"Tiger?" I whispered, my voice shaking like the rest of me
"Kitten? What's wrong, Baby?" his anxious voice soothed my nerves some
"Jacob" it was all I could say. It was all I needed to say
"I'll be there in 10 minutes" with that he hung up the phone. I replaced the receiver and leaned back into my seat. I sat there, simply staring at the roses. I couldn't move and I couldn't bring myself to break my gaze from the flowers.
I was still sat in the same position when Edward rushed through my office door with my assistant trailing after him
"I'm sorry, Izzy, but this gentleman didn't stop. He simply rushed past me" Tami looked flustered and scared
"It's ok, Tami. This is Edward, my boyfriend and he is welcome to rush past you at any time, ok" I spoke softly, my voice still slightly shaky. I rose from my chair as Edward rushed into the room and gathered me into his arms
"Sure thing, Izzy. It's a pleasure to meet you, Edward" Edward simply nodded at her then turned back to look down at me. His eyes were wild with worry. I waited until Tami had left my office, shutting the door behind her then I held up the card for Edward to read and I nodded towards the flowers
"I came back from lunch and found these on my desk" I watched as Edward's face went from pale to red to bright purple with rage as he read the card and took in the flowers on my desk
"You don't like red roses" was all he managed to get out through his teeth. I chuckled darkly. Eight years apart and this man still knows me better than anyone!
"No, I don't. I never have"
"You would think he would know that, right?" Edward was breathing deeply, trying to calm his rage. I reached up and cupped his cheek
"Calm, Honey. Please, calm down. I need you" I whispered. Edward dropped his eyes to meet mine and I saw them soften, though the underlining rage was still there. He exhaled deeply and wrapped his arms around me again
"I'm sorry, baby. I'm just so worried about you and I really, really hate him for doing this to you. I feel so helpless because there is nothing I can do right now to make it right" I pulled back in surprise. Did he not understand that it was only him that was making me feel safe right now?
"Oh honey, don't you know that you make everything right just by holding me? I feel safe in your arms alone, how can you not know that?" I stroked his cheek with my fingertips, pleading him with my eyes to understand me. He searched my eyes, for what I don't know, for several long minutes. I waited and watched him warily. Finally his shoulders slumped and he tightened his hold around me, pulling me closer still
"Thank you, baby. I'll do whatever I can to ensure your safety" he whispered into my hair, dropping a kiss on top of my head before loosening his arms and sighing and running his hand through his hair, a clear sign of his distress
"First things first, we need to find out how he sent these from jail, unless he is out on bail. Have you heard anything on that?" he looked from me to the flowers, his brows knitted together
"I haven't heard anything yet. Let me give Officer Twain a quick call now" he nodded and gestured for me to go ahead. I stepped back to my desk and pulled out the card from my purse. The phone rang four times before it was answered
"Officer Twain"
"Good afternoon, officer. This is Bella Swan"
"Miss Swan, how are you?"
"I am well, thank you. I…um…well, I had a couple of questions, officer"
"Of course. How can I help?"
"Officer, has Jacob Black been released from prison?" I held my breath as I waited for his answer. I could see Edward fidgeting from foot to foot. I decided to put the call on speaker so that he could hear too
"I'm sorry, Miss Swan, I thought you had been informed. He was released last night on bail" I heard Edward mutter expletives beside me. I released my breath in a whoosh and sank down on my chair. My legs were unable to hold me up any longer. I felt the tingles on my skin as Edward rubbed his hand up and down my back in soothing circles
"Are you ok, miss?"
"Not really. I received some flowers from him today, with a slightly threatening note" I replied, trying to keep the shaking out of my voice. As a lawyer, I knew there was not much I could do right now. He had not directly posed a threat. The most I could do was file for a retraining order on grounds of harassment. I sighed and lowered my head to my arms
"Officer Twain, this is Edward Cullen, Bella's boyfriend"
"Good afternoon, Mr Cullen. You are the one I met that day at Miss Swan's apartment, yes?"
"Yes, officer. I have a question and forgive me for sounding like an ass, but why were we not informed of his bail hearing?" I glanced up to see Edward's jaw clenched tight in effort to hold in his rage. I heard Officer Twain sigh and a rustle of papers
"I have a note here in the file that a message was left with your receptionist last week, Mr Cullen and one on Miss Swan's office line" Edward's hand stilled on my back and I watched as his eyes flashed, the green now completely black with rage
"Are you sure?" I could hear the effort it took for him to speak each word
"Yes, Mr Cullen"
"Thank you officer. We will be in touch if there is any further contact"
"Thank you Mr Cullen. I would advise that you keep the note you have received today and keep a note of any other contact you may have received" I looked up at Edward and remembered the phone call the other day
"The only other contact has been a phone call last night" I whispered, realising that he must have called soon after he was released. Edward was positively shaking now. I laid my hand at his waist in effort to calm him and it seemed to work as I saw him relax ever so slightly
"Phone call? When was this?" Officer Twain sounded like he had sat up straighter in his chair
"Um…Edward and I were out for dinner and he called my cell. I think it was around 9pm?" I glanced up at Edward to confirm this. He nodded then bent and placed a gentle kiss on my temple
"I spoke with him soon after Bella answered the call. We had a few words and then I hung up" Edward explained, his one hand resting on my shoulder and the other running through his hair over and over again
"I see. And what words were exchanged exactly, Mr Cullen?" Edward sighed and then launched into the tale of his conversation with Jacob. I couldn't help but stare at the roses that were still sat at the edge of my desk.
What did he want?
Why is he doing this to me?
What happened to my friend?
All these thoughts ran on a continuous loop through my mind. This Jacob was not someone I knew. My friend from years ago was gone. This was not him.
I was startled out of my thoughts by Edward's hand pulling my face towards him by my chin
"Baby, stop. Stop thinking. I won't let him hurt you again" he gazed intensely into my eyes, his love shining bright. I shook my head
"That's not what I am worried about. I know you will do all you can to keep me safe" I stroked his cheek lovingly. His brows furrowed in confusion
"Then what were you thinking so hard about?" I sighed and stood up, walking toward the flowers and ran my finger over the petals
"I was think about how this is not Jacob. At least, not the Jacob I knew. I was wondering what happened to that Jacob and if this Jacob is the real one, how did I miss such and important personality flaw?"
"I don't know, baby. Maybe it was always there and he was just good at hiding it?" he shook his head and walked over to me, pulling my towards him and away from the flowers
"So was it something I did to bring it out? Is this my fault?" I felt the tears running down my face silently. Edward spun me round to face him, his face pained
"No, baby, no. This is all him. Not your fault. I don't think it was anything you did, I think he was always like this, but love? Love makes us all a little crazy. I should know better than anyone that losing someone I love can mess with your head and your emotions, but even then, it was all me. There nothing anyone could have done to prevent that" I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my head in his chest
"I'm so sorry, Tiger. You will never know how sorry-" I was cut off by Edward's lips crashing to mine. He licked my bottom lip and then my top lip, silently asking for entrance, which I gladly granted. His tongue slowly massaged mine eliciting a soft moan from me. He continued to kiss me until I was dizzy and breathless. He pulled away, panting
"Let's get one thing straight, Kitten. You are no longer allowed to apologise for mistakes made in the past during your adolescent days, when you didn't know any better. You try to apologise and you will be thwarted in a similar fashion, capiche?" he raised one eyebrow in a silent challenge to his words, a smile playing at his lips. I smiled back and nodded. I reached up and cupped his cheek in my hand
"I love you, so much"
"And I love you, baby, with everything I am" no other words were needed for the moment so Edward simply pulled me back into his chest and cradled me there.