Disclaimer: None of this is mine, nor will it ever be (sigh). I like to play with the characters that Stephenie Meyers created and make them do pervy things or become angels with a bad attitude.
Chapter Two
BPOV
"Who are you?" I asked, staring at the most beautiful man I'd ever seen. He was bathed in light from behind and he looked like an angel.
Unfortunately, my brain couldn't comprehend what was happening and I fell back onto the bed. When I came to, there was a weight on my leg and I saw a very large chocolate dog on the bed, looking at me with concern. He whimpered, snuggling closer to me. I tentatively reached for the dog, scratching behind his ears. He panted, giving me a doggy grin before hopping off the bed and shuffling out of the bedroom. A few moments later, the gorgeous man came back into the bedroom, carrying a tray of food. My hackles went back, despite his beauty. I didn't trust anyone. I put on a brave front, but it was exhausting. "What am I doing here?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.
"You're not going to faint again, are you?" he asked, his voice smooth like velvet with a crooked little smirk. His eyes, though, were swimming with concern. He had a slight accent, almost English, but not quite.
"I don't think so," I whispered, pulling up the bedding under my chin. It wasn't going to protect me any, but I felt more comfortable with it over me. "Who are you?"
"My name's Edward," he said, putting the tray on the chest at the foot of the bed. His hair was the color of a penny with pale, almost translucent skin. Behind long eyelashes, he had the greenest eyes I'd ever seen. "You're in my house."
"You're not one of those … monsters who tried to …" I spat, looking down at my clothes. I was dressed in a loose t-shirt and a pair of warm flannel pajamas.
"No! I got you away from them," he said, his eyes darkening. "They won't bother you anymore." His voice deepened to a low growl and his hands clenched into tight fists.
"You didn't …" I trailed off, my heart stammering in my chest. "… kill them, did you?"
"I wanted to, but let's just say that they are now in custody of the Port Angeles Police Department," he said, handing me a copy of the Peninsula Daily News. On the front page was a story of a group of serial rapists being dumped in the foyer of the police department with a note, describing their crimes. After rushing their DNA through the system, they were linked with over twelve open investigations in Port Angeles, Forks, and several nearby towns. "They're going to prison for a long, long time."
"Twelve?" I squeaked, blinking up at him.
"So far," Edward said. "I promise you that I was nothing but a gentleman. I couldn't find your purse, so I brought you back here." He shifted, a warm blush covering his pale skin.
"My purse? My bags! All of those costumes," I wailed. "I have to find them!" I got up and was very dizzy. Edward was by my side in a flash, his arms gently guiding me back to the king-sized bed.
"Relax," he said gently. "You need to focus on you right now. The bags and whatever was inside of them is inconsequential to your life and your healing."
"Maybe for you, but for my kids, my students, it's needed," I said. I blew out a breath. "I'm a teacher and I was getting costumes for a couple of my students who are in the system, the foster care system, because they don't have the money. Not that I have a lot of money either. I mean, I'm a teacher. My paycheck barely covers my rent and student loans. I just wanted to help them."
"That's understandable, Bella," he said.
I narrowed my eyes again, glaring at him. "How do you know my name? Are you sure you're not one of those monsters?"
"I eat lunch near your school, by the marina," he explained, holding his hands up and his eyes wide. "I overheard your coworkers swoon over some teacher's assistant one day and they called you by name. I wasn't eavesdropping, but they were quite loud."
"Oh," I replied. "Well, okay, I guess." I bit my lip, staring into his jade-colored orbs. "Well, I guess formal introductions are not really needed."
"Nonsense," Edward chuckled. "I'm Edward Cullen and I swear I'm not some sort of creeper, just a bystander who helped you out." He held out his hand. I giggled, shaking his large hand and feeling a shot of electricity travel through my arm.
What was that?
"I'm Bella Swan and my coworkers are sluts," I snickered, trying to deflect the warm, fuzzy feeling I was experiencing as I kept my hand in his. "Any straight male in our building, they jump on them like white on rice."
"Interesting," he said, arching a brow and releasing my hand. He shuddered slightly as he turned and picked up the tray. "You should eat something. I wasn't sure what you liked, so I made you a bit of everything."
"A man who can cook? Are you gay?" I quipped.
"Nope. I'm straight," he smirked, laughing quietly. "I'll leave you to eat your food. I'll be back in a little bit. The bathroom is through that door. There is a spare toothbrush and some clean clothes if you want to shower."
"Thank you," I murmured. He blushed again, leaving me in the bedroom. I picked up the plate from the tray, seeing a delicious looking omelet with fresh fruit and a side of bacon. My mouth watered as I tucked into my food. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something, a bird and the dog barking in the backyard. I shook my head, eating my meal and moaning at how scrumptious it was. I ate it all, carrying the tray down to the kitchen. I did the dishes and left them in the sink before I went up to the bedroom to shower.
Wait a minute, I thought. I looked at my body and I expected to be littered with bruises, cuts, scrapes and other things. I felt fine. There was not a mark on me. I darted into the bathroom and stripped out of the clothes that I was in. I was perfectly fine, save for the scars from my childhood, but even those were faded. "What the hell is going on?" I asked. I saw another bird and the dog barked again. Shaking my head, I decided to take a shower because I felt gross.
Once I was clean and dressed in another pair of loose pajamas, I went back into the bedroom. Edward was back, holding my purse and the bags from the resale shop. "You found them?" I asked, shooting up and taking them from him.
"They were hidden behind a dumpster," Edward said. "Nothing was taken, thankfully."
I rummaged through my purse, finding my car keys, wallet with my ID, credit cards, and a ton of cash. That wasn't there before. "Are you sure that they weren't touched? I have some money in here that wasn't in here when I left the resale shop," I said.
"The only person, as far as I know, that touched them was me," Edward shrugged, sitting down on the edge of the bed. His ears were turning pink. I arched a brow. "I swear! I can't tell a lie."
"Well, thank you for finding them," I said. "I have two students, twins, who are struggling. They're in the foster care system and I know all too well how hellacious that can be."
"You were in the system?" Edward asked, his brows furrowed.
"Yeah, but I got out and I'm proud of where I am," I shrugged. I didn't want to dwell on the negatives in my life. I had far too many of them. Besides, this handsome man was a perfect stranger. He didn't need to hear my sordid tale. I shook it off. "I should probably get home. I have a lot of grading to do and preparations for the coming week."
"Of course," Edward nodded. "Let me drive you to your …?"
"Apartment," I said. "It's a tiny loft above a bookshop that I work at on the weekends." I looked at the clock, my eyes widening. "I should be there now! Shit!" I hopped up and stumbled over the dog, almost crashing onto the floor, but two strong arms stopped me from falling and pulled me flush to a rock-hard body. Damn, he's built!
"Are you okay?" Edward asked, his breath fanning on my neck.
"Yes," I squeaked out. "I'm a perpetual klutz."
"I can see that," he chuckled, releasing me and turning me to face him. He looked at me intently, his green eyes penetrating through mine. I put some weight on my foot and I grimaced. I must have twisted it when I stumbled. I felt a warmth in my belly and the pain in my foot dissipated. "I'm certain that your boss will understand that you had an emergency. You were attacked, Bella."
"I was," I frowned. "And I know that I should be littered with bruises and scrapes. How is it that I'm fine?"
"I'm a whiz at first aid," he quipped, bending down to pick up my purse and bags.
"Edward," I growled.
He sighed, looking at me. "You bumped your head and you had some bruising. That's all. I iced down the bruises and gave you some Tylenol for the headache. Trust me?" He flashed a crooked grin, but I could tell that he wasn't telling the whole truth.
"I thought you couldn't lie," I said. I looked into his eyes and there was something more about him that was drawing me in. He had this inherent goodness, tenderness despite his gruff exterior. I noticed he was covered with tattoos and he tried to act all tough, but there was more inside of him. "What's your story, Edward?"
"No story," he shrugged.
"I don't believe you, but I do trust you," I sighed. "I don't know why, but I do."
He blew out a breath, giving me a warm smile that was so delightfully crooked and adorable. "Thank you," he said. "Now, do you want me to take you back to your apartment?"
"Yeah. I also have to talk to my boss," I muttered. "She's so going to fire me. I didn't even call her."
"Bella, like I said, you were attacked. Unless your boss is a heartless, soul-sucking bitch, then you've got nothing to worry about," Edward said, putting his hand on my shoulder.
"You don't know Rosalie," I grumbled. He gave me a sympathetic look, helping me out of his bedroom. We went into the garage and got into a gleaming, sleek Volvo. He helped me into the car and jogged to the driver's side. He backed out of his garage and asked for directions. I guided him back to Port Angeles to the bookstore where I worked, The Cerebral Deli.
"Do you want to talk to Rosalie?" Edward asked. "Or go straight to your apartment?"
"Rosalie. But, can you come with me? I need backup," I cringed. Edward nodded and walked into the bookstore/deli with me.
Rosalie was behind the counter, yelling at one of the high school employees about the proper way to throw out the garbage. She barked at him to leave and she turned to me. "Nice of you to show up, Swan," she sneered. "I should fire you on the spot! But, since you're here now, get behind the cash register."
"I can't," I said. "Last night, I was attacked by a group of men. I was being treated for my injuries and making a police statement."
Rosalie's eyes nearly bugged out her head. "Wait a minute," she said, darting to the front of the store and swiping a newspaper. "These guys?"
"Yeah," I said, shifting on my feet. "Edward saved me and has been with me all night."
"We just finished," Edward said. "I wanted to make sure she got home safely."
"Were you …?" Rosalie asked, her face blanching.
"No," I responded curtly. "Edward got to me in time, but there were obviously twelve other women who were not so lucky. Now, I'm exhausted and I would really like to go up to my apartment and crash. I've been up for almost thirty-six hours."
"Okay," Rosalie said. "I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't know."
"You're right. You didn't and I don't really appreciate how you acted toward me," I snapped. "Yes, you give me money off my rent if I help at the shop, but last night sucked."
"I'm so sorry," Rosalie muttered. "Take all the time you need. No worries, okay?"
I nodded and turned on my heel, walking to the rear of the store and up the steps to my loft apartment. Edward was on my heels. Once inside, I walked to my second-hand couch and collapsed on it. "Thanks for backing me up, Edward," I said as I draped my arm over my face.
"It was the truth, mostly," he said, sitting down on an ottoman. "Granted, you won't have to go to trial, but it was a harrowing ordeal, Bella."
"Well, appreciate your help and for saving me," I said. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't …" I closed my eyes and tried not to remember my past. Taking a few calming breaths, I sat back up. "Would you like something to drink? To eat? I don't have much."
"I'm fine, but are you okay?" Edward asked.
"I will be," I said, trying to sound confident. I looked at him, wanting him to stay but I needed to decompress and try to make heads or tails of the conundrum that was Edward Cullen.
He got up, running his hands on his jeans. "I'm going to go. Here's my phone number, if you ever want to talk," he said, handing me a piece of paper. "It's my house phone. I don't have a cell phone, but I do have email."
"Can I have that, too?" I asked.
He nodded, taking the paper and quickly jotting it down. "If you ever need me, please call or email. I'm not that far away," he said.
"Thank you, Edward," I said, getting up from my seat and wrapping my arms around his slender waist. He seemed shocked, but returned my hug. After a few moments, I pulled back and tried to settle my heart. I was still wary of men. Edward looked at me and his eyes were filled with concern. "I'll be okay."
He rubbed his chest and nodded. "If you can't call or email, just think about me and I'll be here," he said cryptically. He ran his fingers down my cheek before leaving me in my apartment. I was confused by his statement, but my body was on fire from the soft caress of his hand.
What does that mean?
I couldn't wrap my head around it, but I was too exhausted to even begin to understand it. All I wanted was my bed. Maybe if I attacked this with a clear head, it would make sense.
Would it?
A/N: Rose is Bella's boss and landlady. She's a bitch, too. However, all that subtle flirting with Edward made up for it. He's so adorable and sexy, all at once. Pictures of Bella's apartment are on my blog. Leave me some!
