Disclaimer: Twilight and characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.

He was too rough. She couldn't help but think of the certain someone else as he pressed his lips to hers. He was always aggressive, and she knew he was taking advantage of their time alone. Tangled together in the back seat of his SUV, she struggled to gain some distance. It was no use. His left hand held both of her hands in place; his body covered hers while his legs locked hers down. His right hand snaked up her shirt, skimming over her bra until he found her delicate flesh. He grabbed her tightly and used his tongue to pry open her lips. She knew not to complain or he would get rougher with her. She had learned her lesson. She just hoped that his friends would come back soon before he took things too far. She had been careful up until now. She didn't want her first time to be in the back of a dirty car…with him. He twisted her head to the side with her hair and kissed down her neck. His free hand struggled with the button of her jeans. She closed her eyes tight when she felt the button break free and the zipper come down. He knew better than to release her hands, so even though he needed both his hands to pull down her jeans, he couldn't take the chance.

Pounding on the side of the vehicle startled Bella, but she couldn't hide her relief. It was written all over her face. He groaned into her neck and released her arms. The car doors burst open allowing his friends to catch Bella buttoning up her pants.

"Well, well, well…what do we have here? We leave for five seconds. Can't you control yourself, Bella?" Tyler teased.

Her face flushed red from embarrassment. She gave him a small smile to hide her pain and slid into the front passenger seat. She wanted to go home…now.

Mike knew she didn't care about him. He knew the only way to get her was to force her. He was ready to beat Tyler's brains out. He told Tyler to give them privacy, but he still hadn't given him enough time. He would have to drop Bella off first since she lived the closest. He'd still have to wait. He'd have to hope she wouldn't break up with him before he got his chance. He cursed Tyler. Tyler, who messed this up for him. As he climbed in to the driver's seat, he looked over at Bella. Her perfect hair hid her perfect face. Her hard nipples taunted him from under her shirt. He knew they weren't from lust, only from being forced that way by his eager hands. He wanted to hit her so bad for everything she was.

Edward noticed the bruises on her wrists the following night. They were all goofing off at the same shitty diner. Jane was stationed on Edward's lap chatting away in whatever conversation was going on around them, but Edward's eyes were only on Bella. Bella who was awfully quiet and was staring out the window. Her delicate wrists only peaked out from the long sleeved t-shirt, but he noticed. He watched Alice elbow Bella in her side and ask her what was wrong. He watched Bella just shake her head. He watched as Bella took out her phone to read a text. He watched when she frowned and then pasted on a fake smile when she told everyone she had to go. She had to meet up with Mike.

"Aw, Bella. You just got here!" whined Alice.

"Sorry, I know...I know…" Bella groaned. She wasn't really sorry. She didn't know what was worse - Mike's company or having to be subjected to Edward's girlfriend. Bella made her way out of the diner against the protests of her friends.

"Come on, Bella… it's cold outside. You can't walk home alone!" yelled Jasper.

"Bella, at least have him pick you up!" added Rosalie.

Edward was done watching. He picked Jane up off his lap and told everyone he'd see them later. No one protested his departure, except Jane. She screamed after him, "Where are you going?"

He didn't answer. He just jogged until he caught up with Bella.

"I'll drive you home," Edward said when he caught up with her.

"No, that's…"

Edward cut her off, "It wasn't a question. You are not walking home in the dark by yourself."

Bella stopped in her tracks. "Alright."

Edward opened the passenger door and waited until she was in before saying, "watch your limbs" and closed the door for her.

It was a short drive, so Edward took his time. He wanted as much time with her as possible, even if it was killing him to drive so slow.

"Bella, how did you get those bruises?" Immediately, she stretched out her sleeves so far they covered her hands, causing the shirt to stretch tight on her shoulders.

She didn't answer. She wasn't sure what to say. She didn't want to lie, but there was no way she'd tell him the truth.

"Bella… Mike did that, didn't he?"

She didn't answer.

"I have seen him with you. Even the first time I met him when we all went out dancing that night, the way he acted with you was…shit. Who is this fucker?"

"It's nothing, Edward, ok. No big deal. He's just a guy I met in class, and we are just hanging out."

"So, it was him."

Bella wanted to slap herself. She said nothing.

"Are you seeing him tonight?"

"Edward, please don't make this a big deal. I'm going to call…whatever it is we have…off…tonight anyway. I went out with him a few times. I gave him a chance. I can take care of my own mess."

Edward pulled the car into an empty space and shot out like a bullet. Before Bella knew what was happening, he had her door open, pulling her gently out of the car. He grabbed her arm and ripped the sleeve up exposing her wrist and then the other one. Without thinking, he lifted her shirt, exposing her left side. There were slight indications of bruising there, as well. Bella was horrified.

"How dare you! What do you think you're doing?" Bella yelled.

"When is he planning on meeting you here?" Edward asked without acknowledging her outburst.

Again, Bella didn't answer. She wrapped her arms around herself. She couldn't believe he wouldn't think she would be offended by his actions.

"Bella, you answer me RIGHT NOW!" he seethed close to her face. He wasn't yelling, but he was fuming and made sure to pronounce the last words harshly.

"He won't be here for at least an hour. He's coming over after the game ends. He's at Duffy's with his friends. I planned on relaxing a bit before he got here. You know, gather my thoughts and prepare myself for what I wanted to say. I really am going to end it. You can relax. Please, Edward…relax." Bella placed her hand on Edward's arm. She could feel that he was super tense, his muscles tight. Edward looked into Bella's brown eyes and calmed down a bit, but then made the mistake of looking back at her wrists.

He didn't say a word. He just got in his car and drove off, leaving Bella in the parking lot. She let out a sigh and made her way to her apartment.

She couldn't believe her bad luck. She had hoped this thing with Mike would be over before anyone noticed her marks. He had been pushy since the beginning, but he never left marks before. The only reason she had kept him around was so she didn't look like a loser…and maybe possibly to rub it in Edward's face. Yeah, it was stupid. And now everything was worse. It was like high school all over again. Instead of Edward being jealous, he was acting like a brother…or a father figure. She was showing weakness, again. She cursed Mike. She cursed herself. She knew from the beginning he was a complete douchebag…but noooo, she had to go and make a fool out of herself.

An hour later, she still hadn't heard from Mike. She was getting restless. She wanted this night to be over already. If he canceled, she would be so pissed. She didn't want to delay this any longer, and it was the anticipation that was the worst.

Finally, there was a knock on the door. She sprinted for it but gasped when she opened it.

There was blood on his hands, or so she hoped. Not that she wanted there to be blood, she just prayed that her mind was still intact and that she wasn't having a Macbeth moment.

"Where were you?" she asked. Her eyes were frantic, and she couldn't keep them from darting back and forth between his hands and his eyes.

He didn't answer. He grabbed the portion of her hair that flowed down the front of her shirt and pulled it gently to get her close to him. It didn't hurt because she went willingly. His lips trailed up the side of her face and into her hair. She could smell him. He was still in there, mixed in with that horrible metallic acidic smell. It was blood that was clinging to his fingers, and it left streaks in her hair like cheap Kool-Aid dye.

She hugged him back. Her fingers dug into his back. "What did you do?"

"I did what I had to. I'd do anything for you."

Bella realized then what he was saying. She didn't know if she should slap him or kiss him. She hated that he resorted to violence, but he did do it to protect her. It was slightly charming.

She pushed away from him and crossed her arms across her chest. "Edward…" She couldn't help but take in the state of him and decided against shouting at him, for now. "Come in and let me clean you up."

Everyone needs to just take a minute and go watch the video for Chromeo – Night By Night. All I can see is Edward Cullen busting a move. So hawt.

After I got home from watching the new Alice movie the other night, I decided I was going to read a little bit before bed. Next thing I know it is 3-something in the morning and I have to be up for work in a few hours. I was reading Type O Negative by quothme.

My beta is abandoning me for a week. She's going to Italy. I hate her. I guess I should thank her for helping me with this chapter and the next… I guess.

Megacon is this weekend! Going to get my nerd on.