I hastily pulled myself together, drying off my wet, swollen cheeks, cleaning myself up and pulling on my clothes as best I could with my sore, abused body as uncooperative as it was. What I wanted to do was to sleep. I wanted to cocoon myself in a warm, safe bed and stay there with no worries about the next time I would get beaten, abused, or sold. But of course, I had long ago learned that what I wanted never mattered in my life.
I heard the water shut off in the bathroom and not knowing what to do, having been given no rules, I decided to make myself presentable and stand unobtrusively besides the bed. Moments later the bathroom door opened to reveal Edward wearing nothing but a towel tied dangerously low on his hips. His body was still wet from the shower, water beaded on his skin and I had to force my eyes away from their riveted perusal of a single droplet that made its way down his chest, over his impressive abs before continuing its descent down to where the towel was tied. I hated myself for my bodies reaction to him. He hurt me, physically and emotionally, but I still... wanted him. I think I did anyway. My mind felt so confused, I was struggling to make sense of anything at the moment.
My eyes met Edwards as he strutted confidently into the room, a cocky smirk plastered on his too-handsome face.
"I was hoping you may have wanted to join me beautiful..." he murmured as he slinked up to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and burying his head in my neck. My body automatically melted into his as he gently licked and nipped at the sensitive skin.
"I didnt know you wanted me to.. Im sorry..."
I felt his hot breath behind my ear as he huffed out a small laugh.
"No need to be sorry baby, this is all so new, I know... But, I always want you, at all times, never doubt that..."
He punctuated his final word with a slow thrust of his hips and I could feel his erection pressing through the thick fabric of the towel. The thought made me shudder, I couldnt do that again. I really didnt want to. My body was sore and I was exhausted. Could he really be ready again so soon? I decided to test my boundaries, and hopefully change his thoughts in the process.
"Umm... I was wondering if there were any... rules... I should know about Sir? Edward." I corrected quickly. He liked me to use his name.
He pulled away from me slightly and met my eyes. His face was breath-taking, a wide, genuine smile just lit him up. He seemed so young and happy. I couldnt understand how this could be the same man who had purchased me as he would any other item of property, and then fucked me within minutes of bringing me home. As I looked at him now, he wouldnt have looked at all out of place at some obnoxious partly, a fresh-faced college guy turning on the charm as he undoubtedly could so well.
"Sir Edward is it now Isabella? I will have to remember that one... there might be a time when I want you showing your devotion to your Sir Edward..." He trailed off seductively.
I forced a small smile. I hope it didnt look as fake as it felt.
Suddenly he pulled away and took my hand in his.
"Come on, lets sit and talk".
He led me into the main living area and deposited me on the couch before heading to the kitchen and rooting around in the refrigerator for a moment. When he returned he had two bottles of beer in his hands and a sheepish expression on his face.
"Im sorry... I guess i need to go shopping. This is all I have, is that ok?"
"Yes, fine, thank you". I smiled demurely, taking the bottle from his outstretched hand. Mr Cullen had never allowed me to drink so I had never tasted alcohol, I was keen to try it. I tipped the bottle back taking a large gulp of the bitter drink. It was strange, but cold and surprisingly refreshing. I looked up to see Edward staring at me intently. I gave him a genuinely happy smile and he seemed to visibly relax. He sat down next to me, the towel riding up dangerously so that he was now barely covered.
"So... rules you say...?" he started off hesitantly.
"Umm... Well, Mr Cullen had a lot of rules. I didnt mind them, I kind of liked knowing what was expected of me. I was just... wondering... what rules you had for me?"
He sat back, taking a large drink of his beer before answering.
"Christ... I hadnt really thought about it Isabella. I mean, shit... I haven't done anything like this before. I read the stuff Carlisle gave me and no fucking way am I having rules to say you cant eat or that you have to sleep on the floor. You're a person, not a fucking animal, I intend to treat you like one. You deserve better".
I smiled slightly, his rant made me feel better. It was reassuring to know that I would have some more freedoms here in my new home.
"Thank you Edward. I appreciate that..." I took a chance, seeing that he had previously been very demonstrative in his physical affection towards me, and took a hold of his left hand that was resting on his knee. I gave it a gentle squeeze. I saw him smile before he flipped his hand over in a move so quick it startled me, and he threaded our fingers together. He looked up at me and he once again looked like a shy little boy.
"So... some rules are good?" he looked at me expectantly so i nodded, I needed some idea what he wanted from me!
"Well... I guess.. like... in the bedroom... I um..." he ran his free hand through his messy, damp hair before letting out a frustrated sigh, "look... I like to be in control when im fucking, ok? Im not into any of that fucked up kinky shit from the other night" he nodded vaguely towards my burned thigh and my confusion was immediately cleared up, "I just... Ok, well, obviously im very fucking attracted to you Isabella, that much has to be obvious. I sold everything of value that i owned to be able to buy you, even my fucking TV so yeah, you know I want to fuck you. So, rule one I guess is that when I want to fuck, we fuck..." he suddenly shifted uncomfortably and his eyes flashed away from mine, "I mean... unless you have any... um... women's problems..." he practically whispered the world, i bit my lip to hold in the smile about to crack on my face, "in which case... uh, you need to tell me. So that I know. In advance. And, um... how long, roughly... there wont be any sex".
"Will you get it elsewhere during those times?" the question was out before I even realised I was thinking it and my eyes widened in horror at what i'd just asked. Edward's eyes met mine and his glare was immediately cold and hard.
"If I want to... If I need to... then yes, I will get a good fuck elsewhere Isabella. Is that a problem?"
"No.. of course not... Im sorry Edward", I said quietly.
I lowered my eyes to the ground, feeling rightly chastised. Edward pulled his hand out of mine and swiftly stood up and commended pacing infront of the sofa distractedly.
"Rules... Ok... I work. I work fucking hard Isabella, do you hear me? I dont have much, Im no Mr Cullen with his millions in the bank and his staff of fucking bodyguards but I go out to work and I earn an honest living. While im doing that, you do not leave this apartment, do you hear me?" his words were harsh now, almost angry. I couldnt understand where these mood swings were coming from. "I leave before 7:30am and im not home until 6:30pm. I will want you in the morning before I get out of bed and I will take you in any way I wish. I expect you to have dinner on the table for me when I get home, you can cook, right?" I nodded silently, "good then.. dinner and, I expect you to be at my beck and call when I am home. I paid a shit-load of money for you Isabella, everything I had, and you better be fucking worth it. Your cunt is mine and I will have access to it whenever the fuck I want, and you're to be the perfect little housewife at all other times. If I have company over, you do what you are told with no arguments and you treat my friends with the same respect as you would me, do you hear?" I nodded again. "Good. Now, go make some food, im fucking hungry".
I scurried out of the living area, not needing to be told twice and hurried into the kitchen, busying myself looking for ingredients to throw something - anything - together for dinner. All of the cupboards were practically bare but I managed to pull enough things together to make a fairly basic but acceptable pasta dish. It would have to do. Edward mostly left me alone, only venturing into the kitchen to grab himself another beer from the fridge before going back to the couch. He had turned the TV on but every now and then I could hear him muttering to himself.
The dinner didnt take long to prepare and I hesitantly made my way over to where Edward was seated, staring at the TV but distractedly yanking at his hair. He looked stressed and I didnt know what to do to help him, if he even wanted me to help anyway... He didnt appear to have even noticed me.
"Umm.. I've made dinner... just some pasta... did you want it in here?"
"Yeah... sorry... no table..." he didnt look at me, just the slightest inclination of his head in my direction.
I collected his tray of pasta with a simple homemade cheese sauce with bacon and mushroom and some garlic bread I had managed to dig out of the freezer. I handed him the tray and he finally seemed to snap back to the present. He looked at the food then up at me, a small smile playing on his lips.
"It looks good Isabella, thank you."
"You're welcome Edward".
I smiled, taking a seat on the smaller couch. I expected Edward to start in with his food but he just stared at me for a few moments, a strange expression on his face.
"Are you not hungry Isabella?"
The question took me off guard, forcing me to stutter like an idiot.
"I..Um...i guess... im... a little... but im ok..."
Edward gave an angry huff, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"Isabella, is there any of this left?"
"Yes Edward".
"Then go and make yourself a plate and sit and eat it for fucks sake".
That apparently ended the conversation as he turned back to the TV before stabbing angrily at the spaghetti on his plate.
XxCHxXxCHxXx
It was nearly 11pm and the evening had been... easy. Edward had mostly just relaxed on the couch watching TV. He went out for a run at about 8pm for an hour or so, but mostly he didn't seem to do much. It was a definite change for me from Mr Cullen's house which was constantly busy and there was a never-ending list of jobs for me to do.
I gave Edwards kitchen a thorough clean. The oven didnt appear to have ever been cleaned so whilst he was out I scrubbed it as best I could with the cleaning supplies in the apartment. Edward didnt say a word, but had looked appreciatively around the apartment and the small things i'd done and seemed happy enough. I couldnt help the burst of pride at his expression.
But, I was exhausted now. The last few days had been terrifying, stressful and tiring and I just wanted to sleep. I was sat on the separate couch from Edward, and I was desperately trying to force my eyes to stay open but I knew it was only a matter of time before I coudlnt stop myself from falling asleep. The punishment for such things in Mr Cullen's house were severe. I had no reason to believe Edward would be any different, although he had yet to strike me.
Suddenly, the TV switched off and I snapped out of a doze I hadn't been aware I was in. Edward was standing, stretching.
"Bedtime I think baby... I have work tomorrow".
"Ok Edward." I rose immediately and followed Edward into the bedroom. He went straight into the bathroom and left the door slightly ajar. I could hear him in there and found myself slightly uncomfortable at that level of familiarity. He was only in there a few minutes before he returned to the bedroom and motioned for me to use the bathroom. I practically ran in, making sure to close the bathroom. I didn't lock it as I was unsure if this would anger Edward. I quickly went through my nightly routine, but not having any personal items, even a toothbrush, made it difficult. I had to settle just for the mouthwash I found in the bathroom cabinet. I was hoping Edward might address these things soon. I had no clothes other than what I was wearing, surely I would need more than one outfit...?
I opened the door into the bedroom and was surprised to see that it was lit only by the lamp on Edward's nightstand. He was already in the bed, sat up, leaning against the headboard. His bare chest was on display, the duvet just covering his lower half. I walked into the room and hesitated.
"Where would you like me to sleep Edward?"
He smiled, and answered by nodding his head toward the other side of the bed, a smirk on his face. I moved around to the other side of the bed, and peeled off the tight shorts I was wearing carefully so as not to rub it on the burn on my leg. The balm Edward had supplied, the one the doctor had prescribed, had certainly made the pain much more manageable and it seemed to have finally started to heal and not look quite so red and angry. But I was still being very careful not to flare it up again.
I pulled the skimpy shirt over my head and neatly folded both items of clothing and placed them ontop of the dresser against the wall behind me. I approached the bed, about to get in when Edward spoke up.
"No."
I froze. Was he playing some sick game and now going to make me sleep on the floor? He smirked at me.
"Everything Isabella..."
I looked at him questioningly and his eyes zeroed in on my panties, and then my bra, and it finally clicked. I quickly removed the offending items, placing them on top of the small pile i'd made before returning to the bed, where Edward was already holding up the duvet for me to get under.
As soon as I was in the bed I wanted to moan out in pleasure. It was almost as though i was sinking into the soft mattress beneath me, and the sheets, even as cheap as they were, felt wonderful against my skin. I led on my back, eyes closed just enjoying the sensation.
I felt Edward shifting next to me a moment before the length of his body pressed against my side and his hand made its way over my stomach, reaching around my hip and pulling me firmly into him. The heat of him felt so luxurious and for a moment I was able to forget my situation and how I came to be here and just enjoyed the safety I felt being in Edwards bed, in his arms, at this moment. He nuzzled affectionately into my neck.
"Im so glad you're here Isabella", he gave my hip a gentle squeeze.
"Me too Edward", I murmured back.
Im fairly sure I was asleep seconds later.
Not the most exciting chapter, sorry!