AN: So due to the length of this story I had to break it in to three parts instead of two and so the next chapter will be the last one.

"Leah, I want you to stay with me tonight?" I had been in bed with Jacob until I glanced over at the clock and realized I needed to get up if I wanted to on time. I really didn't want to be late, well maybe I did since it would mean more fun for me, but since I would need the ability to walk tomorrow I knew I couldn't risk it. "You haven't even completely healed from the last time. The thought of you in pain, it breaks my heart Leah. I am never going to understand why you let him hurt you."

I sighed and slid my shirt over my head before answering him. "I already explained this to you Jake. I enjoy the things he does to me. Yes, it hurts, sometimes I even scream, but it hurts in a way that makes me feel alive. I need him, like I need you just in a different way. I thought you understood Jake? When we got together you said you understood and that you would leave it alone."

"I lied, so sue me." He replied before sitting, grabbing me round the waist and pulling me back in bed next to him. "I thought I would be able to handle it as long as I had you at my side at least some of time, but now I'm not sure if I can. I love you Leah Clearwater and whenever I see the new scars he puts on your body, when you call me to come over because you don't have the strength to move, all I want to do is rescue, but the problem is you won't let me!"

"I don't need to be rescued!" I snapped at him because I hated the fact he wanted to see me as a victim when I most certainly was not.

"Yes you do!" He countered grabbing my arms and holding me steady so he could lock his gaze with mine. "Leah, I love you more than I have ever loved anyone or anything, but I'm not sure how much longer I can do this. I really don't think you see the depth of my feelings for you, well maybe you do and just refuse to accept it because you're scared. I know you haven't had the best life and I can understand why you would shy away from love and security, but you don't have to be scared with me. I can take care of you and give you the life you deserve if only you'll let me."

I sighed deeply knowing that whatever I said or did someone would end up hurt and not in the bring pleasure kind of way either. "Jake, I-"

His lips meeting mine cut off what I'd been about to say. "I wanted to do this is in a more romantic setting, but I think I have to do it right now."

He paused to get up and take something out of the bottom drawer where he kept his stash of condoms. For a second I thought he was going to suggest we try something kinky, but I dismissed that thought almost as soon as it had popped in to my head because this was Jacob and I knew him well enough to know that wasn't something he would do. As soon as he found whatever it was he had been looking for, he walked over to my side of the bed before getting down on one knee and pulling out a ring box from behind his back. For a moment I was stunned in to silence. I couldn't believe this was happening.

"Leah, you know I am crazy about you. I would do anything you asked of me without blinking. when I think about the different variations my future could hold, one thing always remains the same and that's you." Jake reached out with his left hand to grab my right one. "There is no version of my life that doesn't have you in it and I take that as a sign meaning we belong together and that is why I am about to ask you the most important question I've ever asked anyone. Leah Clearwater, will you marry me?"

What was I supposed to say to that? I mean if I wasn't also with Edward I would marry Jacob in a heartbeat, but the fact of the matter is I am with Edward and I couldn't give Jake an answer until I spoke with my bronze haired lover first. It wouldn't be fair to either of them if I made a decision without having all the factors and I couldn't get all the factors until I talked to Edward. It wasn't a conversation I was looking forward to, but I knew it needed to happen. First I had to explain this to Jake in such a way he wouldn't see it as some form of rejection because that was not what it was at all.

"Jake, please don't take this because I am not saying no, but I am going to ask you to give me a little time before I give you my answer. There are a few things I need to do before I can make a decision. I do love you Jacob and that's the reason I am asking for a little time." Standing up I quickly finished putting on my clothes before kissing his cheek softly. "I've got to go, but I'll call you okay?"

He nodded and i could tell he wasn't happy, but he knew this was something I needed to think about. "You know I'll be here waiting Lee; I'll always be here waiting."

"I know that Jake and I swear to you no matter what the outcome, I won't keep you waiting very long." Kissing him one last time I wrapped my arms around his neck and let my lips linger against his for a few minutes longer than usual. "You should know that you just made my heart explode with joy. You have no idea how happy it makes me knowing that you see me in your future and want to make an honest woman out of me."

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By the time I made it to Edwards place, I was already fifteen minutes late and my stomach tightened in anticipation. I knew I would have to tell him about what happened with Jacob, but I still couldn't it when I got excited at the thought of what Edward would do to me. he was my master and as such I must take whatever punishment he saw fit, not that i minded. As I have said before, I craved the power he had over me and despite what Jacob may think, I held power over Edward as well. He needed me because he needed to have someone depend on him, he needed to have that power over someone, needed to know he could control at least something in his life.

When I used my key to our place, Edward was not in the living room to great me as he would normally do if in a good mood. Listening carefully, I could hear a noise come from the basement or our 'playroom' as we affectionately called it. Right away I knew what he would expect of me and so I set down my overnight bag and pulled off all of my clothing except for my green lace panty and bra set. Opening my overnight bag, I pulled my black stiletto heals, something that was mandatory during these sessions between my masochistic lover and myself. After I had put them on and secured the straps, I headed down the stairs to the basement. It was a little chilly because Edward had the AC on, which meant wax, lighters, and other burning instruments would be used, but I was used to it and even if I wasn't, complaining was not an option.

"You're late." The voice came from somewhere in the shadows and since it was so dark I did not even bother trying to locate him. "Do I have to give you another lesson about what happens if you are not on time? Perhaps I shouldn't punish you at all since I think you like it a little to much. Well? What do you think my little pet? Should I punish you or would you rather try to plead your case?"

Lowering my head, spreading my feet about a foot apart, and placing both of my hands behind my back, I answered his question with one of my own. "Which would you prefer I do my master?"

I heard movement behind me, but had no time to react when I felt a harsh slap to my ass. I hissed in pain because I hadn't been prepared for it. "That is for not listening to me when I ask you question. If I had wanted to know one or the other than I would have asked instead of allowing you to choose and yet you had to be smart about it. You know what happens when you're smart with me my little Leah. Get on your knees, I think you need a spanking and while I am doing that I want you to tell me why you were not on time so I can decide what punishment would be suitable for the crime."

I shivered slightly before getting down on my knees and as soon as I was in position I felt a sharp yet cool sting on my backside caused by a leather belt. It burned and just as the sting started to fade, I felt another sharp sting right below the first. "Would you like me to tell the reason as to why I was late master?"

There were two more stings before he replied. "You may tell me now and if you stop or stumble over one word then your punishment is going to be twice as bad. Do you understand what I am telling you?"

"Yes my master." I replied and closed my eyes when another wave of ecstasy flowed through me from stinging sensations followed by burning on my backside. "As you already know, I was with Jacob all day yesterday and this morning. We ended up having a discussion that lasted longer than I thought it would and that is the reason I was late today master."

There was a pause in the whipping and I could hear Edward move to his table of toys and pick up something else. I wanted to look, but I knew that was a bit no-no unless he gave me permission to do so first. A second later i heard walking towards and then a pain so bad I had to bite my bottom lip to stop myself from screaming. Hot wax was one my bronze haired lovers favorite toys and whenever I got punished, if I had open wounds on my body, he would make sure to pour the wax in to the wound for two reasons. The first reason being the intense pain it would give me and the second reason being the heat from the hot wax would automatically cauterize the wound.

"What was this conversation about exactly?" He asked while continuing to poor the hot liquid in to my fresh wounds. "I could tell you were keeping something from me and you will pay for that, but right now I want the truth."

"Jake asked me a question and I told him that I couldn't give him an answer right now." I told him honestly while at the same time trying to prolong telling him about Jacob proposing to me, yet knowing I had to tell him since he asked. "He wanted to ask me something about the relationship I have with him and taking it to a higher level."

"What exactly was this question he asked?" Edward asked again and I could detect some tense anger in his tone. "Stop trying to give me the vaguest answer you can and simply tell me the truth or I will chain you to the rack and leave you there until I see fit to let you down and that could very well hours or even days."

Feeling my bottom lip tremble again I sighed knowing it would be easier on the both of us if I just spit it out. Plus the threat of the rack wasn't all that appealing; it was my least favorite toy of his. "He wanted to know if I would marry him."

All of a sudden I was yanked to my feet and slammed again the nearest concrete wall. "He asked you to marry him? What did you give him for an answer?"

"I couldn't give him an answer. Not when you asked me to do a gothic soul binding." A gothic soul bonding was kind of like marriage, but without all the paperwork. "I didn't think it was fair to either of you for me to answer without talking to you first. You know I don't want to lose either of you, but then again I do not see another option. I knew eventually one of you would want to settle down, I had just hoped that maybe I would have more time."

Edward was quite for a moment before dragging me across the room to another wall and cuffing my ankles so I wouldn't be able to break free. "Do you wish to marry him? I do not want you to be afraid to be honest with me Leah. Right now I am giving you permission to speak freely without fear of punishment."

"I love Jake, but you already knew that and I do want to marry him, but not if it means losing you." I averted my eyes and looked down at the floor. "I just wish there was a way to give everybody what they want without having to lose anything, but I know that is selfish of me and life doesn't work like that."

I looked up when I heard Edward moving away from me and I was surprised to see him heading for the stairs. "Maybe it can. I will be back as soon as I can. You are to stay here and if you get hungry there is some food in the mini fridge, you should be able to reach and I suggest you drink one of the orange juices in there because I am going to feed from you when I come back."

TBC...

Please R&R like always!