A/N: Hello to my lovely readers. Thanks for your support and love.

My mother tongue is French. I do not completely master English but it is my ultimate goal. I try to write a text with no mistakes. If there are mistakes in this chapter, please excuse-me. Writing in English is a real challenge for me and it keeps my grey cells working really hard.

The characters belong to S.M. In HOPE, they belong to me.

o*o*o*o*

HOPE

Chapter 16

We'll do it all

Everything

On our own

If I lay here

If I just lay here

Would you lie here with me?

And just forget the world…

Snow patrol…Chasing cars...

JEALOUSY

EDWARD

Saturday night at' La Boîte à Marcus'

The place was really crowded tonight. There were almost no tables available on the main floor. Bella was sitting at a table near the bar, with some of her classmates and two girls she was living with. When I saw her, my heart started to beat faster that usual. She was so fucking beautiful in that tight fit black mini skirt and blue blouse. She wore those fucking sexy stilettos that made her legs looked longer. Her hair was waving down in cascade to her waist. She wore light make-up; her lips glossy and brilliant, her eyes shining with that light. She was indeed the most gorgeous girl in the place tonight.

She introduced me to her classmates and to the girls who were living with her. Harry, Alex and Corin were students in her class. Victoria and Nessie were the girls living with her at Angela's house. They were nice and friendly people, though I didn't like that Harry at all. I didn't know him well but he was sitting next to Bella, too close to her, touching her arm, whispering in her ear and once I saw him grazing Isabella's cheek. That guy was handsome as hell; tall, strongly built, broad shouldered, short blond hair and deep blue eyes. This guy meant danger and I was fucking jealous. I tried to hide my emotions though I was sure Isabella knew that I was getting more and more furious.

Was Harry playing a game? He knew that Bella was my girlfriend. She had introduced me as her boyfriend. There was no smile on Harry's face when she told him that I was her boyfriend. In fact, he seemed pretty upset. I was fucking damn sure he was attracted to my girl and only thinking of it made me angrier.

Why did she invite him tonight? Was he behaving like that when he was at school? She told me that he was a nice guy and that they were going out once in a while. She also told me that he was only a friend but I was fucking sure that this Harry wanted more than a friendship with my girl; the fucking bastard… I would remain on my guard and talk to him whenever I would have a chance to do it during the evening. Bella was my girl and he would know it.

The noise inside the bar was phenomenal. Many people were on the dance floor, dancers shaking their hips, moving their arms, stepping to the loud music.

Bella and her friends went on the dance floor. Harry was so close to her, grasping her around the waist and lifting her up in the air. I didn't like it at all. They danced touching, they danced apart. At a time, Bella looked at me. There was something in her eyes; she felt embarrassed. That was enough. I walked in the middle of the crowd and gently grabbed her by the arm.

I leant over and yelled in her ear. "Do you want something to drink?"

"A mojito, please."

"Okay baby, follow me."

I went off to the bar, Bella beside me.

"What is going on Bella? I don't like the way Harry looks at you. I don't like the way he touches you."

"I don't know what is going on with him Edward. He never behaved that way. I told him to stop but he doesn't seem to understand at all. I shouldn't have invited him. I am sorry. I think I will leave if he doesn't stop. He is a bit inebriated. This is embarrassing."

"I don't want you to leave Bella. Harry is not going to ruin your night. Let me talk to him."

"I am a big girl Edward. I'll talk to him."

"Okay but I am watching him. If he keeps behaving like he does, I'll make him understand."

"Okay- I love you Edward."

"I love you too Bella."

Bella returned to the dance floor. I was tense and pretty angry. I walked to the tables and asked my clients if they wanted a refill of their drinks.

I walked to the bar and prepared the drinks. I stared out over the crowd and took the opportunity to look at my girl. Harry was nowhere near her and I began to feel relieved.

I watched Bella for a few minutes. She was so beautiful, moving and shaking her hips to the sound of the music. Like music was running through her, her body moving in unison with the song. She waved at me and blew a kiss. I winked at her and walked to the tables to give the drinks to my clients.

o*o*o*o*

BELLA

What the fuck was going on with Harry? He kept touching me, rubbing my knee, touching my arm, grazing my cheek and whispering in my ear.

"You are so beautiful Bella. I am so happy to be here with you tonight."

"Thanks Harry. I am happy that you are here tonight. You are a good buddy. I like that you are my friend."

"Friends…yes…I am your friend…for now."

"What do you mean Harry? What do you mean by…for now?"

"I like you a lot Bella. You fascinate me. You are so beautiful. You are one of the nicest girls I ever met. You are very attractive Isabella."

"Thanks Harry. We are friends though. Edward is my boyfriend. Don't ruin our friendship please. I want you in my life but as a friend, nothing more. And stop touching me, please. I don't like it. I don't like it at all. And you are embarrassing me. Edward is looking at us and you are embarrassing him as well. So stop and keep your hands away from me. It's not funny and improper."

"Are you sure you want this Edward in your life Bella? I don't like him at all. He looks at you like you are something to eat. And look at the way the girls are looking at him. They are craving for him. This guy is too sexy for his own good. You will get hurt Bella. I am pretty sure he will hurt you."

"You don't know Edward at all, Harry. He is a good man. Maybe you saw girls looking at him but did you see him staring at any girls here tonight?"

"No…I must admit it. He only has eyes for you. I still don't like him. Maybe you should…"

I cut him in the mid-sentence.

"What is going on between Edward and me is none of your business. He is in my life. And he will stay in my life. I love him. Now, do you want to dance? Everybody is on the dance floor."

"Okay, let's go."

We stood up and forced our way through the dense pack of people who were dancing on the dance floor; Victoria, Nessie and Alex were dancing, almost slamming against each other at the sound of the music.

We danced. The music ran through me. I moved, following the rhythm, letting the song grabbing my body, moving my hips, my shoulders and my feet. My eyes were closed and I could feel that Harry was near me…again…and too close.

I raised my arms and he suddenly grasped me around the waist and I leapt up. My head was above the crowd and I saw Edward staring at me. He looked furious and I felt very annoyed and embarrassed.

"Harry, put me on the damn floor…like right now." I said. "If you don't stop, I am going."

Edward was near me the second after Harry put me on the floor. He grabbed my arm and asked me if I wanted something to drink.

I knew he was furious though he tried to hide his anger from me. And I was sorry for him; sorry that I had invited Harry to 'La Boîte à Marcus'—and very disappointed that Harry behaved like that. Maybe I should leave and go home. Edward was here to work. He was not here to watch me and to worry.

I liked Harry. I didn't understand his attitudes at all. He never behaved like that… ever. Tonight he behaved like a man who wanted more than a friendship. And I didn't want this. He was ruining my evening.

I followed Edward to the bar. He was so beautiful; his copper-bronze hair, in complete disarray, and his emerald-green eyes staring at me. He was a feline-like; all masculinity and physicality. He didn't notice how the girls were staring at him and looking at me, green with envy. But I did notice and I was sort of happy. I was happy because that gorgeous man was mine.

"What is going on Bella? I don't like the way Harry looks at you. I don't like the way he touches you?" Edward asked in a husky voice.

I told him that I didn't know what was going on with Harry. I didn't tell him that Harry was attracted to me. That he found me fascinating. I didn't want Edward to be more furious and to be upset. I was pretty damn sure Edward could have a very bad temper. I didn't want him to throw a fit and to lose his job. Edward wanted to talk to Harry but I stopped him. I could deal with Harry. I had to.

I told Edward that I loved him and walked back to the dance floor.

Harry was nowhere in sight. Good…I wanted to have fun and I intended to have a pleasant night.

Victoria was dancing. Sweat was running down her face.

"It's a nice place darling, isn't it? You enjoy your night?" I asked her.

"Yes, she yelled. I love the band."

"Where is Alex?"

"He is outside with Harry and Corin. I think Harry drank too much. He wanted to follow you at the bar. Alex stopped him. What is going on with him? He seems jealous and angry."

"Harry told me that he found me attractive and he didn't think Edward was good for me. I shouldn't have invited him. Maybe someone should drive him home. I don't want Harry to make a scene. Edward works here and I don't want him to lose his job."

"Did Harry tell you that he loved you?"

"Not with these words. He told me that he found me attractive, that I fascinated him and that we were just friends…for now…And he kept touching me…I didn't appreciate it at all."

"Bella…I think that there will be problems if we don't drive him home. I'll ask Alex."

Victoria walked outside to fetch Alex and Corin. They came back but Harry was not with them.

"Where is Harry?" I asked Alex in an anxious voice.

"He needed to go to the restroom. He is not feeling well."

I looked at the bar. I didn't see Edward. I looked through the crowd. I didn't see him.

"Alex, follow me. I don't see Edward. He wanted to talk to Harry. He was pretty upset."

Alex followed me. Edward was near the restroom and Harry was with him. Edward's face was livid with rage. Harry was pressed against the wall; Edward's forearm was braced tightly under Harry's neck.

"Fucking asshole" I heard Harry yell at Edward.

"Don't you dare touch my girl? Do you hear me? She is mine."

"We'll see that. I like her. I like her a lot." Harry added.

"Edward…Stop…Alex will drive him home. He is drunk. Don't hurt him…Please baby…"

"Stop Edward," Alex said, grabbing him by the shoulder.

"Get him out of my sight right now or I am going to stomp the living shit of this guy. He called me a womanizer and tried to punch me to prove his point. He thinks he is a better man than me. He wants Bella. He likes her…Get the bastard out of here."

"Okay baby. Calm down. Alex will drive him home." I said, grazing his back with the tips of my fingers.

"C'mon Harry… Time to go home buddy", Alex said.

Alex walked outside, holding a very inebriated Harry. I was almost sure he wasn't going to remember anything the next day.

"Baby, are you okay?" I asked Edward.

"I am furious Bella; furious and sorry. I don't want to be called a womanizer ever. It reminds me of my past. I am not that anymore. You know there is only one woman in my life. You are the only one Bella. I am so fucking sorry. Maybe you don't approve of my attitudes. I am fucking jealous. I know enough of guys like this one. The way he looked at you—his eyes always on you.—I hated it."

"Don't worry Edward. He is just a friend, nothing more."

"Maybe, for you…he is Bella, but I think he wants much more than a friendship."

"It's okay baby. He is gone now. Go back to work."

"Will you stay Bella?" Don't go please."

"I am not going anywhere love. Don't worry, I'll wait for you."

"Can I kiss you?"

He didn't have to wait for my answer. I grabbed him by the shirt and pressed my chest against his torso.

His lips were so soft on mine. I forced my tongue into his mouth; our tongues dancing around each other. My first real kiss to the man I loved.

"I love you Bella. You don't know how much I love you."

"I love you too Edward. Now go back to work. I want to enjoy the rest of my evening."

We walked to the bar. I took another drink and walked to the table.

I sat with Victoria and Nessie. We talked and laughed a lot. We enjoyed the music too and danced. I forgot about Harry and his behaviour. I was here, with my friends having a nice time.

And I was here with Edward. There was nothing more important to me than Edward. I was in love with him and he was in love with me. Nothing else mattered.

At the wee hours of the morning, we left the bar. Edward drove me home, Victoria and Nessie sitting on the back seat of the Volvo. All the way along, Edward held my hand and kissed my knuckles.

We were in front of the house. Nessie and Victoria thanked Edward for the lift and slipped out of the Volvo.

"I am sorry Bella. I am not a bit sorry for Harry though. Just thinking you're going to see him at school. He better keeps his hands off you."

"You'll have to trust me Edward. Harry is just a friend and a classmate"

"I trust you. It's him, I don't trust. "

"You must believe in me Edward. You are the only one for me. I'll deal with Harry. Please forget about him."

"I'll try baby. But he fucking goes to school with you. I tell you…if ever he annoys you I want to know. I want to ask you something. Please say yes."

"What?"

"I would like to spend the rest of the night with you. I want to wake with you by my side. I won't touch you. I promise. I just want to hold you. Please Bella"

"I…I am not sure Edward. I can't…"

"Please Bella. You know I want you…more than anything in the world. I know you are not ready. I will behave like a gentleman. I just want to hold you in my arms."

"Okay then. Just give me a few minutes. I'll take a shower and grab a few things."

"Okay baby and thank you"

I slipped out of the Volvo and walked in the house. Angie was in the living-room, watching TV.

"Hey Bella" Did you have a nice evening?" Angela asked me.

"Yes. The atmosphere was good. I danced a lot. I had a nice time". I said to Angie, smiling, though my smile didn't reach my eyes."

"Are you sure? You look anxious."

"Well, there was an incident between Edward and Harry. They almost fought."

"Your boyfriend and Harry? Why?"

"Harry behaved like an idiot. He drank too much. He said that he found me attractive and he kept touching me. Edward saw it and he was furious. Then they exchanged harsh words—Harry telling Edward that he was not good for me and that he was a womanizer. Edward was very annoyed and very angry and he still is."

"I thought Harry was a nice guy. Some people can't bear alcohol…Well; maybe it is not just the alcohol. You'd better have a conversation with Harry, Bella. Make yourself clear. Edward seems to be a really nice man, Bella. You love him, don't you?"

"I do Angie. I love him so much, though I am so fucking anxious about our relationship."

"You went through a lot of shit darling. Edward will have to be patient and wait till you are ready."

"He is already so patient Angie. He is so nice. He cares so much for me."

"Good. If your love is strong…and I am pretty sure it is, you'll go through this shit together. Just take it day by day. Your bond will get stronger…I am sure about it Bella."

"Thanks Angie. I am not sleeping here tonight. I am going to sleep at Edward's house."

"Are you sure hun? Don't you think it is a bit premature?"

"I won't make love to him. I am not ready. Edward just wants me to spend the night with me. He looks so anxious. I want to be with him. I must reinsure him. I must comfort him."

"Okay Bella. But remember; don't put yourself in any awkward situation. Go with your feelings."

"I will Angie. Don't worry. Now, if you'll excuse-me, Edward is waiting in his car. I'll go and take a shower and grab some clothes."

"Okay darling. See you tomorrow."

"Okay Angela."

I climbed the stairs, undressed and took a shower. I was a nervous wreck. I knew I was in love with Edward. There were no doubts in my mind. I knew I was physically attracted to him too-But what if he wanted more—I was not ready at all-and when would I be ready? Would he be patient enough to wait for me? I was thoroughly damaged. When I thought about it, I was so mad. I hated the shadow so much. He had destroyed me. He had taken everything from me; my dignity, my self-esteem and my self-confidence. I even wondered why Edward chose me. I was nothing…I felt like nothing. He was so beautiful…inside out. Not the Edward he was in the past. Not the pimp and the protector. Not the bad guy. But what he was now. He was always so caring and loving. I was so lost.

I tried to push those negative thoughts away. I went out of the shower, towel-dry, dressed, took my toiletry stuff, my toothbrush and grabbed my undergarment, my pyjama, a shirt, my winter coat and my purse.

I went downstairs and slipped on my boots. I walked out the house.

I opened the passenger's door and slipped in the Volvo.

"Thank you Bella. Thank you my love to spend the night with me." Edward said, his voice all smoothness and velvet.

"I am nervous Edward. Promise me you will not force me to do anything I am not ready for. I don't even know if I could say no to you."

"You have to trust me Bella. You are the most important person in my life. I won't ever impose anything on you. Please baby, trust me."

"Sometimes I wonder why you want me in your life Edward. I feel like I am nothing. I am nothing."

"Don't say that my love. You don't see yourself clearly. You are everything for me Bella…everything. We'll go through the shit you are dealing with together. I told you. I am here and I won't fail you."

"Thank you Edward. Thank you so much to be in my life. I know I couldn't live without you."

"I couldn't live without you either. You are my life baby. Don't forget that."

We arrived at his place. Edward parked the car, turned off the ignition, slipped out of the Volvo and opened the passenger's door for me.

We climbed the stairs and went to his bedroom.

"I will take a shower baby. You can go to sleep if you want. You look exhausted."

Edward went in the bathroom; I took off my clothes, put on my pyjama and went to bed.

He walked out of the bathroom and lay down beside me.

"Can I kiss you my love?" He asked.

"Yes, Edward. I want you to kiss me."

He snaked his arms around my waist. I pulled him closer to my chest and pressed my lips against his. He gently moved his tongue into my mouth; our tongues sweetly dancing in a slow rhythm.

"I love you Bella. I love you so much."

"I love you too Edward."

"Sleep well my Bella. My sun…My love…"

"Good night my love."

Edward rubbed my back and kissed my forehead. I soon drifted in a deep sound sleep; Edward holding me in a tight embrace.

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End of chapter 16

A/N: I hope you liked this chapter.

Leave me love and review…I love reading your comments.

Love France xxx