Chapter XI
Bella could not believe all that she had absorbed through the 4 hour presentation. She wasn't sure how she could concentrate while being jealous over the glances that Agent Jackie and Edward were sharing. The sexual tension in the room was thick as fog, and she sometimes felt the heat around Edward's body rise a few degrees when they locked eyes.
She had to get out and away from Edward for a bit and sort through her feelings. Jealousy, she finally admitted it, she was jealous. Now where does she go with this new found knowledge? "Ms. Black, I found that to be a very informative lecture, how about you?" Bella didn't turn to face Edward and she tried to keep her voice monotone and devoid from emotion, "Yes, Dr. Cullen, it was. I am going to take the shuttle back to the hotel and rest for a while. I will see you tomorrow." Bella walked through the doors to the outside, and she could feel his body close by following her. It was as if some energy flowing from his body was being sensed by hers. He continued to follow her to the awaiting shuttle and walked quickly forward to open the door for her. Bella hopped in quickly and tried to close the door, but Edward held the handle. He leaned in and ran his face along the side of Bella's neck and she could hear him breathe deeply. His face was in front of hers, their lips less than an inch apart. Bella locked her eyes with him, and there was a deep, lustful fire in the space where eyeballs should have been, "Bella, you may hide in your room so you don't have to see me till tomorrow, but…" he leaned in closer so that she could feel the heat of his lips almost touch hers " you sure as hell will hear what you have missed. You will hear what you want, whether or not you have admitted it to yourself or not. You want me, and eventually you will be mine."
Edward stood and closed the door and mockingly smiled and waved goodbye. She hated him, but how long was she going to be able to stay away before his prediction came true. "You ok dear? Oh, I know it's none of my business, but you seem distressed. Was that an unwarranted advance from that young man?" Bella looked up at the woman driving the shuttle. She was looking back in her rearview mirror, and Bella could see the laugh-lines along her eyes. She seemed to be an older woman, maybe in her late 50's, but athletic. "Um, yes and no. I am not sure." Bella wondered why she would even say anything to a stranger, but this also might be the best time since she wouldn't see this woman ever again.
"Well, if it is an acceptable advance I would take it if I were you dear. That man wants you more than he even understands. And if you don't mine me saying so, I wish it was me that he was getting close to like that. I would have taken him right here in the van." She finished up with a loud chuckle, and Bella could see how the laugh-lines got on her face as her eyes showed the evidence of a large smile across her face.
"I guess I could introduce him to you, I think you two might hit it off" Bella laughed, but even at the joking thought made her think of that agent again, and anger and jealousy flowed through her like fire in her veins.
"Dear, you look upset. I am sorry if I have bothered you. Please relax and we should be there in a few minutes." She then began to hum some tune Bella didn't recognize. She wouldn't think about this anymore. She would order room service, take a hot shower, and relax.
The woman's voice broke Bella's reverie, "Dear, we are here. And I want to give you some old woman's advice. I see you have a ring on your finger, and I am going to assume that man wasn't your husband. I was married to my late husband, Charles, for 37 years. I once had an itch to scratch and I did. He never found out, but what I learned is that the heat and passion that man and I had was not worth the love and support I had with Charles. But, you won't figure that out till you do it yourself. If you don't you may end up like a few of my friends who had a man in mind to scratch their itch with. They didn't, they became obsessed, and it ended their marriage. Sometimes the Irish can be wrong, the low road is better than the high road."
Bella mumbled a "Thanks" and got out of the shuttle. The woman's words echoed in her head repeatedly. "If I don't give in, will this become an issue in my marriage? In some twisted way, do I owe it to Jacob to have an affair?"
"Ma'am, did you say something?" Bella looked up and there was the doorman holding open the door. Bella gave a half smile, "Um, no sir, just talking to myself, guess I am going crazy." As Bella walked in she heard him say, "No, Ma'am, they say you are only going crazy if you start arguing with yourself." Bella thought, "Arguing with myself, that's what I have been doing this whole time. My body wants Edward, and my mind and heart belong to Jacob." The only thing that worried Bella was if one got their way would it permanently sway the other's outlook on life.
Bella unlocked the door and walked into her room. The room consisted of a wooden four-post bed, a small bureau with a mirror, a vanity and chair, and a leather arm-chair sitting next to a small table that had a hurricane oil lamp upon it. She breathed in deep taking in the sweet smell of old wood and leather. "Now this is a place I can relax." Bella stepped in to see her two bags sitting to her right against the wall, and to her left was the door that connected to the adjoining room next to hers; Edward's room. She closed the door and walked to the only door left in the room. As she opened the door her breath caught in her throat; the bathroom was a simple room that had a sink, toilet, and tub. But it was a gorgeous wood Jacuzzi tub with a shower attachment. The tub looked like it could fit 3, "Well, I won't have any issue stretching out in that will I?"
Bella took a quick shower, fighting the urge to sink down in the Jacuzzi and relax. She pulled on the beautiful robe hanging on the hook behind the door, and strode out into the main room. She ordered room service and sat back to read one of the books she found below the table next to the arm-chair. As she settled back and started to feel her shoulders relax there was a knock at her door. She got up slowly, "In a minute." It only took her 3 strides to reach the door, and she opened it. There stood a young woman, maybe 16, with a tray. "Room service, Ma'am?" Bella took a deep breath and smelled the black and white sausage she ordered with a side of mash. "That smells wonderful, please come in." The young lady walked in carrying the tray and a small folding table, "Where will you be dining? If you don't mind the recommendation, I would say the arm-chair is the best." Bella nodded, "Then the arm-chair it is. Thank you so much." Bella tipped the girl and sat down to enjoy a wonderful dinner, but the bag Jacob packed caught her eye. "Well I am alone so I guess it's Christmas time for me!" Bella giggled a little and grabbed the bag. She put it down on the bed and opened it up. There was a note taped to a small digital recorder that said, "Play me after you get dressed". Bella pulled out the recorder and under it lay Jacob's favorite teddy (it was black and pink lace (which was really her favorite because of how he looked at her when she wore it), a small vibrator, and a small bottle of lube. "Well, dear, not sure what you had in mind, but I can slip this on for you." Bella dropped her robe to the floor and slipped on the teddy. She sat down and took a few bites before she pushed play. "Dear, I love you more than you will ever know. I respect and admire you for all your hard work and dealing with the problems we have had. I know I am not the easiest guy to be married to, but I try so hard for you. Tonight is your night. You are an ocean away from me, but my love is with you always. So sit back and relax. I sent some things with you in case you wanted them, and I promise you that you will be reaching for them before the night is out…" Bella pushed pause, she knew she would need to be finished dinner before she hit play again.