Subject: Edward Cullen aka the Womanizer
Chapter Fifteen – Serious Sunday
Betaed by Caroline Z. Masen
I made love to Bella a couple more times that Saturday night. I finally tucked her into bed when she succumbed to exhaustion. I decided to take a shower before going to sleep while the beautiful seductress waited for me in bed. As the warm water flowed down my body, relaxing my muscles, I thought of what I had done to deserve someone like Bella.
How was I lucky enough to have her become my personal assistant? Was it really just a stroke of luck? I felt that just maybe it was fate. What are the chances that someone over qualified like Bella would even consider working for me?
Sure, she had the project, but she used to work with Black. I was sure they would have helped make her project become a reality. I'm just one lucky asshole, I guess. She was with me, and I had to make sure I did everything I could so she wouldn't leave me.
I can't fuck this up.
She met my family and she genuinely seemed to love to spend time with them. It almost seemed as if she completed our group, she fit with us. As I toweled off, I thought about how I could make up for my total fuck up the previous night.
She was right. If I would've just stopped and thought about it, I would've recognized David. It was just so fucking hard to see her in the arms of another man. It ate away at my sanity. How many times was I going to have to beat the assholes off with a fucking stick?
Fuck the stick, a fucking bat.
I'd never had to worry about being jealous. The only time was with Jacob. When we met, we were both in college, he had a girlfriend back home, one that he was totally in love with, and I wanted it for myself. Now that I think about it, it was probably Bella. She did say they had a relationship before. Fuck. Shit like that fucked with my mind. He was probably her first.
Mental images filled my head and I wanted to hit something. It was uncalled for, and I knew it. It was just fucking hard to imagine her with anyone else. I let my anger subside by mentally going over the sensory overload of being with Bella for the past week.
Much better. I groaned because with those incredible thoughts in my mind I was painfully sporting a hard-on due to my trip down memory fucking lane. I tried to calm myself but it wasn't working, so I made my way to the bed occupied by my girlfriend.
Whoa, girlfriend.
I climbed into bed with my girlfriend, who generously turned onto her back, so I could take my usual place on her bare chest. She mumbled something that sounded like good night.
"Goodnight, love," I whispered. My breath ghosting over the skin of her breasts, forming goose bumps, which made me feel a bit smug. I loved the way I affected her.
"Behave, wait 'til morning," she mumbled.
I chuckled. "It is morning, love."
"You know what I mean," she grumbled, her fingers raking through my hair. I hummed, enjoying the sensation.
"Sleep then, sweet dreams," I whispered before placing a chaste kiss on her lips.
"Only when I'm sleeping with you," she answered but barely audible. It was as if she hadn't intended for me to hear.
I hadn't said anything. I was lost in thought, wondering if she had nightmares. I remembered she had seen her brother get shot in the back and then saw her friend shoot herself. She had to have still relived those memories while she slept. It brought me a sense of comfort, knowing that I was keeping her nightmares at bay.
I was about to settle down when Bella's cell phone started ringing. I grabbed it and looked at the screen – Jordan.
"Bella, love," I said as I gently shook her shoulder. "It's your brother." Bella groaned, draping her arm over her face dramatically.
"Every fucking year," she grumbled as she extended her hand for her phone. I placed it in her hand and settled my head back on her chest.
"Jordan," Bella mumbled, looking at the clock on the nightstand. It was well after one in the morning. It was officially their birthday.
"You're drunk again, aren't you?" Bella asked barely above a whisper. It was obviously a private conversation so I moved away from her long enough to lie beside her. She gave me a look, one that clearly said for me to stay. I wrapped one arm around her waist as she sat up and rested her head back onto the headboard.
Bella sighed and laughed a little. "Happy Birthday to you too," Bella said a little more loudly. "No, I'm still here at the falls." She paused to listen, her eyes rolling as she shook her head. "Yes, I'm with someone. Yes, it's still PBC." Bella giggled softly, watching me. I rolled my eyes, remembering what Jordan called me on the answering machine. Playboy Cullen.
Bella snorted at something her brother said. "I know. But miracles do sometimes happen." Her voice had softened as she said this, her eyes wide as she met my gaze. I smiled, because she was exactly what I was never looking for, at least not consciously. She was a miracle in my book.
"Shit, I don't know. Why? Tonight?" Bella shook her head, averting her eyes. "But Jordan, it's too soon…he's never…please…don't…shit…fine!"
Bella covered the phone and looked at me. "Sorry, but mybrotherwantstomeetyou and insistsondinnertonight. What do you say?" she mumbled, biting her lip.
"What was that, love?" I looked at her confused by her mumbles.
Bella sighed and her shoulders slumped. "My brother wants to meet you and insists on dinner tonight."
"Dinner sounds great. See if he minds Jasper and Alice joining us."
Bella let out a breath that she was apparently holding. "Thank you." She gave me a chaste kiss. She spoke with her brother for a few more minutes, confirming their plans for later. After finishing with her call, I wrapped my arms around her body. "Are you sure you're ready to meet my brother?" Bella whispered.
I shrugged my shoulders. "I have to be. What's he like?" I admit that I was slightly nervous at the thought of meeting my girlfriend's brother. It was a first for me. However, I had to make sure Jordan would accept my relationship with Bella. At the very least, we had to tolerate each other, and I was willing to do anything for Bella.
"Well, he's a little like Emmett with a mix of my dad. Who was a cop, so a little overbearing and over protective." Bella laughed then she sighed.
"What is it, love?" I whispered kissing her cheek.
"Our usual birthday dinner had always consisted of me, my brother, Julie, his nurse slash girlfriend, Jacob and Nessie." Bella scrunched her eye closed, averting her gaze from mine.
"Black is going to be there," I said, my body instantly tensed and my fists both clenched.
"Yes, that was the original plan." Bella looked at me and her eyes were wide with a little fear. Fuck, my jealous acts made her question her own judgment. I took a few deep breaths, allowing myself to relax, running my fingers through her hair.
"Were you planning on telling me if I hadn't been invited?" I grumbled. Bella nodded. "Well, if he behaves then I see no reason for concern."
"Oh, he'll behave, Nessie is going to be there and she'll keep him in line." Bella chuckled, then suddenly stopped. "Just to give you a heads up, my cousin looks a lot like me."
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes, almost the same face and eyes. Just the hair and our heights are different. She's a little shorter and she has more red in her hair than I do." Bella shrugged her shoulders.
I pulled away and looked at Bella. "That's fucking weird, you know that, right?" Bella gave me a small smile. "So are you telling me that Jacob is in love with someone that looks just like you?"
"You should've seen my brother's reaction to it. He was fucking pissed." Bella laughed. "He tried to run over Jacob with his chair and chased him around the apartment with a bat."
"Did he get in a few swings?" I smiled, tightening my hold on her body.
"Yes, it took some time for all of us to get used to the idea."
"And I thought my family was a little on the strange side." I winked as Bella giggled. She shifted on the bed to lay down and then looked back up at me. Unleashing those big brown eyes fringed with thick long lashes. I shivered; one look and I was hers.
I pressed my lips on hers hard, earning a moan for my eagerness. I pulled away after a few moments, mainly because I knew she needed to rest. "Sleep," I reminded her and myself.
Bella smirked then licked her lips. She had to know that the gesture gets me every fucking time. "You know how I said 'wait 'til morning?'"
"Yes," I said, itching to touch her more.
Bella shifted lower on the bed and threw the sheets off her body. "It's morning." My eyes rolled and just as quickly, I was hovering over her fucking delectable body. What a morning. Fuck morning, what a perfect weekend.
Count them, eighteen times. That's right eighteen times did I make her come.
We managed to make it back to Bella's place a little before noon. She was exhausted but said that she had to go to the grocery store since she was cooking dinner. I offered to help but she shook her head. She said I would only distract her.
I was disappointed. I had to admit I wanted to watch her cook again. The way she was dressed the last time I saw her cook would be even better. Bella turned around and cleared her throat. She had caught me staring.
"That little thing you were just fantasizing about is going to have to wait until tomorrow. For now, you need to go so I can get some things done." She laughed as I pouted playfully. I wasn't ready to leave her. Bella noticed my hesitation to leave. "How about we meet at the gym in an hour and I'll just have my groceries delivered?"
I grinned. It had been a while since we went to the gym together, and it had become a favorite past time with her. Bella laughed as if she sensed my thoughts. She wrapped her arms around my neck and started her form of torture. She pressed her soft lips against my chin, and then run them along my jawline until they finally met my lips. Then she took my bottom lip in between her teeth, nibbling gently. I groaned, wrapping my arms around her small waist. I deepened the kiss, my hands sliding along her waist then to her ass. Bella pulled away and laughed.
"I'll see you in an hour. Go." Bella laughed when I refused to let her go. I shook my head. "Please. I have a few phone calls to make and stuff to do." Then she fucking pouted, her eyes got all big and glassy looking. I was gone, because she won with that performance. Give her a fucking Oscar. With that look, she'd get anything she wanted. I also wanted to be the only dumbass to give her everything.
I left about ten minutes later, after more kissing and groping. By then my hard-on would not go away with thoughts of my brother in a thong, and I still had to walk to my damn apartment. It had caught the attention of two very willing women, and I just smiled and sent them away. I hadn't even considered their offer for a second. Wow, that's fucking profound.
I got home, called Esme and actually gushed about Bella. Maybe not gush, more like I offered information willingly. I had never done that before, but it felt good and Esme was very excited. After taking care of a few other things and answering a few calls, I left to meet Bella.
I spotted her immediately, in red shorts and a black tank top. Her hair was up in a ponytail again, bouncing along her back while she ran on a treadmill. My first thought was fucking hell, I had just gotten rid of the arousal I had earlier. The second was a pang of jealously and possessiveness, when I saw the same fucking giant asshole from last time on the treadmill next to my girl. He was leaning over talking to her – again.
It had become apparent that I needed to make sure he understood that she was fucking taken. I walked up to her treadmill, stood behind her, dropped my bag beside me, and crossed my arms. I gave the fucking prick the fuck off look. I had adopted the same look whenever Bella was around other fucking assholes. Bella looked up and our eyes met in the mirror in front of us. She placed her hands on the bars and she turned on the treadmill and started to jog backward.
The view looked fucking glorious. Her tiny tank top was leaving nothing to the imagination as her amazing chest bounced, inviting me to bury my face in between her breasts. I shook the thought and grinned, giving my best-crooked smile.
She just scowled. "Maybe you should just whip it out and piss on me."
"If you think that would help." I wiggled my brows suggestively, tugging on the waistband of my shorts. Bella shook her head and laughed. Then she launched herself at me. She jumped off the treadmill and wrapped her arms around my neck. I took the full force of her body hitting me without difficulty. She was small and just the right height to fuck while standing up. I laughed internally, mentally noting that I would have to put that to the test.
"Hmm, I admit I like your method better," I said before I pressed my mouth to hers. She moaned softly and deepened the kiss. I picked her up so she was more my level, aligning our bodies, perfectly. Bella gasped, pulling away and kissing me a few more times before asking to put her down.
She climbed back on her treadmill and I stood my ground behind her, still staring down the asshole that seemed to have ignored our display. He wasn't looking at her directly. However, when I let my eyes wander to the mirror, I noticed his eyes kept darting to Bella's chest. I bit back a growl, choosing to watch Bella instead. That view was much better. Her tiny shorts showing me her firm muscles in her thighs and her ass. My eyes quickly scanned toward the fucking dickhead and he adjusted himself!
"That's it," I growled. I grabbed Bella around the waist and threw her over my shoulder. Her protests filled my ears, but I ignored them as I grabbed our bags and growled in the direction of the asshole.
His eyes widened for a moment, and then he fell off the machine. I laughed, glad that I was able to intimidate him. Despite Bella cursing a string of profanities under her breath, there were hardly any protests from her.
I walked over to the room that we usually used and set her down on her feet. I placed the bags on the floor, expecting her to start yelling or hitting me. However, as always, she did the unexpected. She locked the fucking door. I hoped this meant that she was up to no good. My dick responded in the same way it always had when Bella was within my sight.
Her walk toward me was almost predatory as was her glare. Oh shit, she was pissed. She brushed past me and moved out a mat silently, yet I was positive she was seething.
"Get the fuck over here," she growled before taking a stance. She demonstrated a fucking beautiful axe kick with some good power behind it. The resounding swish of her kick was loud and forceful.
Fuck, she's really pissed.
I walked over and pulled out another mat before I turned to look at her. She took position in front of me in a standard stance.
"You can't keep doing that kind of shit, Edward," she said, throwing three consecutive punches in quick succession. She landed each one and they had some bite behind them. All right, she had a right to be angry.
"I know," I said softly, blocking a fourth hit. I didn't bother throwing a punch at her. I would take the hits or block them until she got it out of her system.
"Since I got here, I said three words to the guy," Bella said before doing a roundhouse kick hitting my right shoulder. I growled at the thought of her acknowledging the asshole.
"I said 'no thank you.'" She threw a punch square to my chest and I blocked it.
"Sorry," I said firmly. I meant it, too. "I just get angry when I see someone like him, looking at you like that." I blocked a low kick to my left thigh.
"You mean the way you look at me?" She cocked a brow, distracting me enough for her to land two punches.
"Yes," I admitted, taking another blow to my left bicep. "But I'm allowed because we're together."
Bella stopped and relaxed her position. "Those kind of men, can't always be avoided, Edward. I know how you feel, I didn't like that bitch at the hotel looking at you like that either."
"You did go all possessive, too, if I'm not mistaken." I smirked, remembering her lethal glare toward the hotel staff.
"I did but my approach was much better." She grinned.
I shook my head. "I don't think so."
Bella huffed. "Fine it wasn't much better. But I didn't go all caveman and throw you over my shoulder."
"If I remember correctly, you just had a different way of marking your territory. And that's just because you can't throw me over your shoulder, love." I grinned, but she glared at me. Damn, she was hot when she was angry.
Bella stiffened slightly as if she took my comment as a challenge, but she took her stance again. "Let's just agree to try not to lose it every time someone is within ten feet of one another."
"Fine. I'll count to ten next time." Like it would fucking help.
"Good. Now try to take me down again," she challenged.
We spent the next thirty minutes testing each other's strengths. Her strength seemed to be her speed. She moved around the mat on her toes and her punches were always one right after the other. Then she showed me she could do the same with her kicks.
I landed two quick slaps to each of her arms. She looked a little flushed and tired but she wanted to continue. I was hoping she'd let me have my way with her, but it didn't seem like she was interested in that. Then it happened. Suddenly I was on my fucking back. She actually successfully threw me over her shoulder and I hit the mat with a thud. She stood over me with her feet on each side of my head.
"Don't under estimate me, Edward," she said smugly from above. Then she sat on me, her cute little ass was on my chest. I fought my urge to bite into her thighs since they were practically inches from my mouth.
She looked straight into my eyes and then she smirked. She was challenging me again. I grabbed around her thighs with my arms, locking them in place and I bit her inner thigh. She hissed, biting her lip to avoid screaming. She tried to move off of me, but I held her in place and sucked on the area I bit into, soothing the darkened skin. Then she started to moan. The sound went straight to my cock. I had to have her.
In a swift movement, I rolled us over and I was above her, with my head in between her legs. Bella's hands tugged on my hair, but I ignored the slight sting, too entranced by what was in front of me. Her delectable pussy. I kissed her inner thighs until I got to where her arousal was potent. I groaned, my hands quickly removing her shorts from her body. Somewhere in the background, I heard her say my name. Bella mumbled several times before I licked her softest pink skin. I groaned and was desperate for more.
Then she tugged my hair harder. "Edward, get the fuck off of me!" Oh, shit. "They fucking have video running in this room twenty-four hours a day!" she screamed, her knee connecting with my shoulder.
I jumped off of her and did a quick sweep of the room. There it was. I grabbed a towel from my gym bag and flung it over the camera. I turned back to Bella who was still on the mat, shimming into her shorts.
"Thanks for letting the whole fucking gym staff see me and all my fucking glory," she growled. "Seriously, if I wasn't your girlfriend, I would consider you a damn patient." Her tone was husky, telling me she was aroused, but the edge told me I had gone too far.
"Look, I understand getting caught up in the moment, but fuck, I said your name several times, I fucking pulled your hair trying to get you to stop." Bella shivered. turning away from me.
Fucking hell, I scared her. "Bella," I whispered, taking a tentative step toward her.
She spun on her heels to look at me and she put her hand up to stop me from advancing. "I need to know, Edward. Is this relationship just based on sex?"
"Bella, how can you even ask me that?" I asked, truly mortified. Bella folded her arms across her chest and shrugged her shoulders. The look on her face held little anger, only fear. I sighed and closed the distance, wrapping my arms around her. "I admit I have a hard time keeping my hands off of you love, but it's not just about that."
"Tell me then," Bella whispered. I sighed. Where did even I start?
"I love the way you smell. I love to see the wind blow through your hair. I love to see that even though you exude confidence, you still blush and get a little shy. I love that you do the crossword puzzle in pen. I love that you love action movies. I love when your brows furrow a little, right here," I touched the spot in between her eyebrows, "when you concentrate on something. I love that you can spot a tattered sign on a register and want to help people you don't even know. I love that you get along with my family so well. I love that you talk in your sleep. I love that you are selfless. I love that you want to help save the world. I love so many things about you, Bella."
Bella nodded, her eyes filled once again with an unspoken emotion. I needed to lighten the tension or else I'd start professing my love to her. I wasn't sure she was ready for that. "Do you still believe that this relationship is based on the amazing-can't-get-enough sex?" I grinned.
Bella laughed. "You had to go and ruin the moment, didn't you?"
"It's in my nature, I guess," I said, trying to cover the sadness in my voice. It was true because before her, I found fault in everyone that I tried to date. I found something or some reason to no longer to pursue the woman further. Usually it had been only after I fucked them. After a while, I gave up dating and just went to getting a woman in bed, with no false promises.
Bella finally gave me a beautiful smile, giving me a chaste kiss. "We should get going. I have to get back to my place and get started on dinner and get ready."
I grabbed the towel from the camera while Bella moved the mats aside. With our gym bags in my hand, I noticed Bella looking at the mirror. She looked as if she was thinking about something.
"Something wrong, love?"
Bella shook her head. "No, it just would've been hot to watch." I looked in the mirror and then her words sunk in. Fuck. Watch as in watch ourselves making love in front of the mirrors. I shivered at the thought the vibrations went straight south. Bella laughed. "Too easy. We'll have to leave it for another time." Bella winked giving me a small kiss and then sprinting to the door.
Bella stopped short at the door and froze. "Hi, Megan. So I take it we'll make the highlight of the week again." Just outside the doorframe stood a tall woman with dark brown hair cut in a short bob. Her piercing blue eyes were wild with excitement as she looked from Bella to me.
"Fuck the week, Swan. You got the whole fucking month. Don't worry, you didn't show too much, just the curve of your ass." Bella shrugged and looked at me.
"Edward, this is Megan Reese, she's the owner of this fine establishment." Bella smiled as Megan extended her hand. I shook it.
"Damn Bella, did you have to stop him?"
Bella laughed and shook her head. "Megan, what would Jim say?"
"He'd say 'have them come over every Friday night.' That's what Jim would say," Megan said, returning her attention to Bella.
"Megan, I already told you I don't swing that way," Bella said casually. What the fuck? "So are you two still coming in Tuesday? I know Jim is at the expo in Vegas."
"He'll be back in time. We wouldn't miss another sex lesson with you, Swan." Megan stepped back out and waved at me. "I hope I get to see more of you later, Edward." I barely waved back since I was a little shocked by their conversation. Swinging? Sex lessons?
"Bye Megan." Bella smiled and extended her hand to take mine. "Come on, champ. Let's go."
"I, um, she's a patient?" I asked.
"Yes, couples therapy." Bella smiled as she led me out of the gym. "But I can't disclose anything else."
I walked Bella back to her apartment and kissed her good-bye in the hallway since she wouldn't let me in to help her. She said I would be a distraction. She was probably right. I made it to my apartment and it was just a little after four o'clock. I really didn't know how to occupy my time. I decided to surf the net and Google Bella.
Under Isabella Swan, not much came up except a newscast on the death of her friend Brianna. There was even a video. I clicked on it.
There on the screen was Bella nearly carried between two people I didn't recognize. An older man, tall with dark hair and matching eyes was on one side. On Bella's other side was a woman with long, light brown hair with some of the same facial features as Bella. They were her parents. However, I couldn't take my eyes of the broken look on Bella's face. It was cold -almost lifeless- the entire front of her body covered in blood. A reporter went straight toward her, shining the light from the camera into her face. She covered her face, putting her hands up covered in blood while her entire body trembled. A second later, the older man beside Bella had shoved the camera away and covered her face with his jacket.
Shit, how does someone come back from something like that?
I wanted to know more about Bella but this wasn't the way. I was sure she wouldn't have liked that I had seen the broadcast. I turned off my computer and shook my head, trying to dispel the broken look on her face. She'd been so young and hauntingly familiar.
I found a few other things to occupy my time before I got ready. I had thought for about a minute to put on a tie and jacket in the hopes to impress Bella's brother. Then I realized it was too formal for a casual get together. It was just a quarter after six when I finished getting ready. I picked up the phone, wanting to hear her voice and ask if she wanted me to pick up anything. I dialed her apartment number. On the second ring, a man's voice greeted me.
"Hello, the Hot Dr. Swan house of Love. How may I help you?"
What the fuck? "Damn it Jacob, I told you not to answer it!" Bella screamed in the background. "Give me the damn phone."
"Hello?" Bella said she sounded out of breath. I tried not to imagine why she would be out of the breath but I failed miserably.
"Bella," I said trying hard not to put my anger in my voice.
"Oh, hey, babe. What's up?"
"I called to hear your voice and to see if you needed me to pick up anything for you."
"That's nice of you, but I got everything I need here for dinner except you."
"Why is Jacob there so early?"
"Oh, Nessie was running late and sent Jacob to help with dinner," Bella said slowly.
"How long has he been there?"
"About forty minutes. It's fine, Edward."
"Bella," I growled.
"If you're so concerned, just come over already," Bella snapped and hung up.
"Shit!" Why did that fucking dog always have to be there every time I turn around? Fuck! I grabbed my wallet and keys, slamming my door closed behind me. All this felt like a test, but I wasn't willing to fail. I needed to pass for her – for my Bella.
I made it to her door in ten minutes after I found a florist with a bouquet of orchids around the corner. I knocked on the door. A few moments later, the door swung open with the butt sniffer behind it. I remained composed, trying not to glare. Through gritted teeth, I greeted him. "Black."
"Cullen," Jacob returned with the same disdain in his voice. He didn't step aside or make a move to allow me inside. Just then, Bella came up from behind Jacob and smiled at me. She jumped into my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck.
"Missed you," Bella whispered in my ear. I was very happy for her greeting and the look of obvious distaste in Jacob's face. Neh ne heh ne heh heh. I internally gloated and danced circles around Jacob.
"Missed you too, love," I whispered before placing a searing kiss on her soft lips. Bella pulled away and rolled her eyes at me. I gave her the flowers and offered to put them in a vase for her. She took my hand and led me into the kitchen. We left Jacob at the doorway. Take that fucker.
After Bella placed her flowers in a vase, she went to check something on the stove. She gave me a smile as I walked toward her. "Mmm," I whispered. "Something smells good." I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her neck. "Besides you." She laughed as I had hoped, turning to look up at me.
Chastely I kissed her and picked her up to place her on the counter. "Sorry, he just decided to show up," she whispered, wrapping her arms around my neck.
She wasn't lying; it was obvious she was worried about my rivalry with Jacob. "Is your cousin still coming?"
"Yes, later, probably after dinner." Bella shrugged. "She had to cover someone's shift for a few hours."
I nodded and placed another kiss on her lips. It was then that I'd become aware of what she was wearing. My hands found skin right above her knees; a fitted black skirt rode high on her thighs as I stood in between her legs. My hands instinctively slid up her legs, wanting some contact with her smooth skin. Her dark blue top was making her skin glow under the bright lights of her kitchen.
I beat back the onslaught of desire that started to course through my veins, but there was something I wanted to make clear. "You should've called. He hasn't been a problem has he?"
Bella shook her head. "Not more than usual."
"What does that mean?"
"Jacob is well Jacob. He's a very hands-on kind of guy." Bella smiled a bit warily.
"I bet he is."
"Don't worry about him." She kissed my cheek, nibbled along my jaw. "I already told him that you're much better equipped for my needs." I pulled back to find her with a sexy little smirk, her eyes filled with the same desire I felt.
"I love it when you talk like that." I kissed her soft lips, the tip my tongue tracing her bottom lip. She parted her lips. I slowly slipped in her mouth, enjoying the sweet essence that was Bella. Until Air Bud decided to clear his throat somewhere behind us. I didn't plan on stopping but Bella had other ideas. She pulled away and she winked. She looked over my shoulder where I presumed Jacob was standing.
From the corner of my eye, I could see her smile. Choosing it was better to ignore the beast behind me, I continued teasing Bella, licking and biting gently along her neck. "Yes," Bella asked with her smile never faltering.
"I set up the table like you said. Is there anything else I can help you with?" Jacob asked with his tone barely containing his distaste.
"Nope, why don't you just watch a little TV? Edward can help me with anything else I might need. Right?" Bella smiled looking back at me.
I took a moment to answer and another to savor the taste of her skin below her ear. "Yes, love, I can help with all your needs."
"Ugh, whatever you say, champ," Jacob said through gritted teeth stomping to the fridge. He swung it open, grabbed a beer and stalked back to the living area.
Bella chuckled. "This should be interesting."
"Why do you say that?" I asked as I pulled away to look at her.
"Trust me, it will be." She placed another kiss on my lips and let it deepen. I'm not sure how long we were tongue wrestling, but it must've been a while. A knock on Bella's door brought us out of the bubble we had created.
Bella pulled away with a sexy pout on her face. "That's your family. Get me down please." I reluctantly lifted her off the counter, held her tightly for another moment and went with her to greet my family. I opened the door and sure enough, Jasper, Alice, Emmett and Rosalie were standing out in the hallway. Alice had a white square box with a thin red ribbon. A cake from Lisa's Bakery.
"Hi, everybody. Come on in." Bella smiled, kissing Alice on the cheek before taking the cake. "What's this, Alice?"
"It's Heaven Help Us Chocolate Divinity Cake," Alice answered while I took her coat.
"Mmm, sounds sinful," she said, before gesturing for the rest of my family to enter. "Everybody, there's beer and wine in the fridge. Help yourself. Jacob is watching television in the living room. Ladies, do you mind giving me a hand plating dinner?"
"Of course we'll help," Rosalie answered, heading to the kitchen that was visible from the entryway. Alice followed her, taking the box from Bella.
"What's on the menu B?" Jasper asked placing a kiss on her cheek.
"Jordan's favorites of course," she said with a smile. "Grilled chicken salad, filet mignon and asparagus."
"Ahh, it's been a long time since I had your cooking," Jasper said as he squeezed her for a second. "And I'm looking forward to it." Jasper laughed and walked into the kitchen, followed by Emmett.
Bella turned to me and smiled. "Let's get their coats in the hall closet." I nodded and followed her. She and I walked through the living area where Jacob followed us with his eyes. What is the fucker's problem? After hanging the coats in the closet, we walked back into the living area where Jasper and Emmett were both greeting Jacob. I rolled my eyes, because the asshole didn't deserve any of their forgiveness. I decided to follow Bella into the kitchen.
However, the doorbell rang again, so Bella asked me to open a bottle of wine. Inside the kitchen I was somewhat startled to find Alice tossing a salad. The woman cooked very little, and what she had had been inedible. She gave me a lethal glare as if she knew what I was thinking. I gave her a little wink, so she stuck her tongue out.
I picked at some grilled chicken that Rosalie was dicing for the salad, earning a slap on my hand. Feeling ravenous, I poked around in Bella's fridge, finding some fruit to eat while I waited for dinner.
"Daniel?" I heard Bella say loudly from the entry. Instinct had me running to Bella's side immediately. Thankfully, she hadn't opened the door fully. What the fuck is that man doing here?
"Damn it, Daniel." Bella cursed under her breath as she stepped into the hallway. I grabbed her arm to stop her.
"I don't think so, Bella," I whispered through gritted teeth. "Not alone." She nodded and pulled me along with her. After I closed the door behind me, I stood beside Bella in a protective stance. I was almost shielding her body from his gaze.
"What are you doing here, Daniel?" Bella asked with her voice soft and gentle, as if a mother greets a child.
"I was in the area and I wanted to see if you made a decision concerning me still being your patient," Daniel mumbled, shifting from one foot to the other.
"No. I've spoken with a colleague of mine, and I have first to get permission from your insurance for the supervised sessions because they'd cost more. I'm sorry, Daniel, but I won't have an answer until next week."
"But—I—" Daniel's breath hitched as he took a step toward Bella and laid his hands on her arms. In less than a second, I yanked his arms from Bella and pushed him against the wall. The thought of his hands on her, without her consent, had me curling my fingers around his throat.
"Don't you fucking touch her," I snapped. My face inches from his, his breath almost pathetically hot against my face and putrid of stale alcohol. Bella placed her hands on my back, sliding them across my shoulders and down my arms.
"It's all right, Edward," she whispered. "You need to let him go."
I loosened my grip on Daniel's neck but kept him against the wall with my arm pressed hard against his chest. He gasped several times trying to catch his breath, coughing in response to the momentary lost of air.
I had been unaware that we had an audience, as the door to Bella's apartment opened fully. Emmett, Jasper, and Jacob stood at the door, watching us intently. Jacob's attention moved down the hallway.
"Well, it's nice to know that PBC can take care of my little sister," a deep voice said from somewhere down the hall.
I turned to look and there in a motorized wheelchair was a man roughly the size of Emmett. His eyes weren't as dark as Bella's, lighter than her brown. Almost hazel from where I stood. His hair was the color of his sister's, almost a little too long since it curled around his ears and neck. There was a five o'clock shadow along his jaw. Standing beside him was a beautiful petite woman with light brown, curly hair with hazel eyes.
"Jordan!" Bella cried out. She ran in a full sprint to her brother and jumped on his lap, giving him a hug and kiss. Her display caused his cheeks to redden and his eyebrows to lift in surprise.
"Way to make me look all manly in front of the new boyfriend, Bells," he said. shaking his head.
Bella smiled, batting her lashes playfully. "I do what I can to deflate that huge ego of yours." She jumped up on her feet and kissed the woman beside her brother. "It's good to see you again, Julie. Why don't you two head on in. Edward and I have to take care of a little problem first."
Jordan nodded with his eyes narrowed as he glared at Daniel. At least I hope he was glaring at Daniel and not at me. He acknowledged me as he rolled inside with just a nod and my name.
Bella grabbed something from the table beside the door, and pressed a button on the intercom system to alert security. In her hand, she had a cordless phone, dialing and she returned to my side.
"Officer Davis. Hello, it's Dr. Swan. Yes, I'm fine. Remember when I told you that you might hear from me? Well I need a little help. Yes, the situation happened. I have security here hold him until you get here. I won't be able to make it to the station until tomorrow morning." Bella walked over to Daniel and me. I laid my entire arm against him so he wouldn't move as she approached us.
"Hold him. I need to see into his eyes." Bella held up a penlight up and shined it into Daniel's eyes. He wasn't even fighting me anymore and seemed to be staring off into space. "Open your mouth, Daniel." Daniel complied and his breath had the smell of cheap alcohol.
Bella dropped the light from his eyes. "He's under the influence. Most likely on the meds Dr. Fletcher prescribed and alcohol. You should be able to keep him overnight in the Tank," Bella said. "Okay. That's fine." Bella pressed a button and dropped the pen light back on the table inside the apartment.
Cautiously, she approached us again, her eyes fixed on Daniel. I noticed his hands clenched and unclenched on his thighs. He was desperately fighting for control. Bella remained out of his reach as she spoke to him.
"Daniel, some friends of mine are going to take you downstairs to the lobby. In a little while, Officer Davis is going to take you somewhere to get some rest." When Daniel's breaths started to come out in heavy pants and gasps, Bella's face fell. "I'll see you in the morning."
With the promise to see her again, Daniel's head fell against the wall, as he exhaled loudly. Slowly, he took in several breaths before grinning at Bella. Fucker. I pressed my arm harder against his chest. "I'll be there, too, Daniel."
With that said, Daniel's head fell down to his chest again and his shoulders slumped in defeat. A few moments later, the elevator down the hall opened up to some rather large security officers that came to take Daniel off my hands.
"We're sorry, Ms. Swan," one of them said. "I know you warned us, we don't know how he got in. We'll look into it. Bella nodded and told Daniel good-bye which he returned half-heartily. We watched them disappear behind the closing elevator doors.
Bella turned around to look at me. "You handled yourself well, Edward. I'm impressed. I thought I was going to have to bail you out of jail for a moment there." Bella wrapped her arms around my waist.
"You have no idea how hard it was to control myself." I rubbed her arms. "Are you okay? He didn't hurt you did he?" Bella shook her head.
I sighed. "That's wasn't the best way to meet your brother, was it?"
"Actually, I think it was." Bella shrugged and giggled. "He's always worrying about me. But now that I have my own bodyguard, he won't be so worried."
I took a deep breath. "Ready?" I asked turning the knob to her apartment.
"Are you sure we can't run to your place and just go fuck like crazy?" Bella said looking completely serious at me. I groaned in response.
"Sounds like a plan, but I don't think my family or your brother would appreciate it." I pushed the door open and walked into the apartment, with her hand in mine. There, waiting for us in the living area, were Jordan and Julie. Everyone trickled in from various rooms as we returned inside.
"Sorry about that everyone. Everything is fine now." Bella smiled with her eyes on her brother.
"You're putting a restraining order on him, right?" her brother asked, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her.
Bella's lip stuck out a little, her eyes widened, her nostrils flaring just a little. I thought she was about to deny him, but her face softened and she nodded. I don't think I've ever seen her look so vulnerable.
"Damn it, Bella. What's that, like, number six? How do you fucking pick your patients?" Bella looked down at her right foot toeing the ground. She shrugged.
Then I understood the total shift in Bella's attitude. Her brother was the dragon watching the princess. She was like a child, something made of glass that the dragon would not let out to play because she may get hurt. This wasn't something I had expected to see in her. Around her brother, she was still his baby sister, and Jordan treated her as such.
"You need to get an office," he said sternly. "No more of these appointments in your place. It's too dangerous, Bells." She nodded. "Now introductions are in order."
Bella took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She looked as if she was gathering herself. Once she opened her eyes, the smile on her face was radiant. "Edward, this is my brother Jordan and his girlfriend, Julie." I extended my hand and with a firm grip, greeted him with just his name. I did the same with Julie. What the fuck else was I supposed to do? I was still in freaking shock from seeing her act so unlike her.
"So did you meet everybody else, Jordan?" Bella asked taking Julie's coat.
"Yes. Jasper doesn't look like he changed much has he?" Jordan said, punching Jasper's arm that stood beside him.
"No, not really." Bella smiled and winked. "Some people are blessed with good genetics."
"Hey, we were too, little sis," Jordan said, pulling Bella back on his lap and rolled off toward the kitchen.
I stared at them, clearly not understanding their relationship. They went from a father and daughter mentality to a playful banter of a sister and brother.
"They've been through a lot, Edward. He still really doesn't know how to be around her. He took on the role of her father, but sometimes he forgets that she's his sister first," Julie answered my unspoken question. "Then there's that incident between them, it'll always be there." I nodded, unable to find a proper response to what she said.
I followed Julie to the kitchen where Bella was placing browning some filet mignon. Alice was plating the salad as Rose started to gather a few other things. Jordan took out some bottles of dressing out of the fridge, handing them to Julie as we approached.
"Edward, beer?" Jordan asked, his eyes still looking into the fridge.
"Sure," I said. He turned and tossed me a bottle. I popped off the cap and walked over to Bella, wrapping an arm around her waist as she sprinkled some ingredients into the pan.
"So Edward, what kind of car do you drive?" Jordan asked, moments later the rest of the guys in the living area started to laugh. Don't hate the Volvo.
"I have and Aston Martin." I replied, hoping I didn't sound like I was bragging Fucking hell, who knew meeting your girl's family, would be this hard. "And a –"
"He has a Volvo," Emmett said, chuckling. Rosalie rolled her eyes and handed him a couple of plates, ordering him to take them to the dining room.
"There's nothing wrong with Edward's car, Emmett," Bella said. "It has one of the highest safety ratings in the industry."
"She's right Emmett, nothing's wrong with a Volvo." Jordan smiled. "I love mine." I sighed and Bella chuckled beside me.
"Stupid shiny Volvo owners," Emmett cursed under his breath. He was unhappy that he didn't succeed in embarrassing me.
Bella turned away to finish off the rest of the food, having me help her for several minutes. I wanted to grab a hold of her every time I felt her sublime ass brush my thigh or hip as we cooked. However, her brother remained in the kitchen, discussing the latest football game to Emmett, and I didn't think he would appreciate me groping his sister.
Once dinner was done, every gathered in the dining room where Jordan sat at the head of the long table. Bella sat at his left, Julie at Jordan's right side. I sat beside Bella, and thankfully, the pup sat the other end of the table, well away from Bella. It was strange the way he kept watching us. Is he still in love with her?
"Where's Nessie, Bells?" Jordan asked as he got his salad ready. The rest of the group was talking amongst themselves, only Julie and I listening to Bella and Jordan.
"Jacob said that she was running late," she said, pointing some dressing for me to pass her. "She's working a double at the hospital. Again."
I was curious about their relationship with their cousin. She had to be a few years younger, maybe more than a few. "With the way you talk about your cousin, it sounds like you've taken care of her," I said, looking at Bella.
Jordan sighed deeply and Bella gave me a timid smile. "Her mother and our mother were sisters. Twins in fact. My aunt died giving birth to her, and her father raised her until she was about thirteen when he was killed, he was a solider. She had living grandparents on her father's side so they raised her, but they died when she was about sixteen. Jordan took her in since we were the only living family left. So we pretty much helped her out since then," Bella said. "She's only twenty-one now, Edward."
I leaned into Bella. "How long have your cousin and Black been together?"
"Three years," Bella whispered. Jordan snorted and she rolled her eyes. "At least that's what they tell us."
I shuddered. "Tell me about it," Jordan said through clenched teeth with his eyes on Jacob.
"So Bella," Emmett said from my side. I groaned, his tone indicated he had something up his sleeve. Here we go. "I was thinking since you've kissed four out of the five men at this table that you owe me a kiss." Rosalie smacked the back of his head. Jasper dropped his fork and Alice started to laugh.
Jordan's eyes left mine, moved to Emmett, then Jacob, and stopped at Jasper. "You kissed my little sister. When?"
"Jordan, it was a long time ago," Bella said softly. She placed her small hand over one of his on the table. "He just didn't want my first kiss to be forced by someone."
"Never going to live that down, am I?" Jacob said bitterly from the end of the table.
"Nope," Jasper, Jordan and Bella said in unison. Bella laughed and shook her head. She gave Jacob a little wink that should've pissed me off, but she was making fun of him. In that case, it didn't bother me too much.
"So you kissed my sister, J? When?" Jordan pressed for answers.
"After she broke her hand after punching Jacob," Jasper said calmly. He looked calmed, but his hand shook as he brought a fork to his mouth. I wanted to laugh out loud, but I didn't. I didn't blame him one bit. Jordan has some massive fucking shoulders and biceps. He had to work his upper body a lot.
"And?" Jordan asked, looking back at Bella.
"Felt like I was kissing my brother or cousin," Bella mumbled, shrugging.
Jordan let out a breath of relief. "Good, if that story was anything like your first time, I would have to kill him."
"First time?" Emmett asked completely enthralled with the topic of conversation.
"Her first time having s-sex," Jordan said, stuttering out the last word.
"Who was your first, Bella?" Emmett asked like if the question was no big deal. Damn, this was not something I wanted to hear at all. Yet, there I was about to find out that Jacob was her first.
"I am," Jacob said. He gave me a wicked, smug grin. Asshole.
Jordan snorted and Jasper snickered. "Technically," Jordan said firmly. "You are not her first, ass. And you know it." Jacob's face paled and shook his head.
"Don't fucking tell them," he groaned.
"Oh, this I gotta hear," Emmett said loudly. "How the hell is he technically her first but not her first?"
"Yeah," I said. "As much as I would not like to hear about Bella's first time with Scooby over there, what do you mean technically?"
Bella laughed and shook her head. "Do I really need to explain this now?" Bella looked at me then her brother. Her brother looked deeply amused. Thank fuck. I'd be squeamish if I had to hear about Jasper telling me about Alice fucking. I shuddered at the thought.
"Come on Bella, it's a fucking funny story," Jordan said. "Besides, Edward wants to know."
Bella rolled her eyes, looked at Jacob, and cocked an eyebrow. "Should I explain it or do you want to?" Jacob just shook his head.
"I completely blocked that day from my memory," he grumbled. The fucker was blushing.
This should be good.
"Well Jacob and I had already been secretly seeing each other behind Jordan's back and we were going at it in my room. My mom was at work, Jordan and Jasper were at practice and my dad was fishing so we had the place to ourselves."
"Or she thought," Jordan indicated.
"We were going at it and medically speaking, he took my virginity because he tore my hymen," Bella explained. "The moment he had though, we heard my dad's shot gun being armed in the hallway." Bella laughed at the memory. "Jacob was off of me in less than a second, out the window and half-way down a tree in like four seconds. I'd never seen him move so fast."
"Butt-naked," Jasper added.
"Who was standing outside the door with the gun?" I asked.
"I was," Jordan said, smiling wistfully as if reliving the memory. "Jasper kept Jacob in the tree until my father got home."
"The whole time, still butt naked, against the rough bark of tree," Jasper added.
"Damn, that was one painful experience," Jacob said, shuddering.
"I didn't see Jacob for months after that." Bella chuckled. "He was healing." The whole table was quiet then busted up laughing.
Emmett large fist pounded the table after a minute. "Fuck, I'm so glad we came."
"I don't know if I'd count that as my first, either. He'd have to at least pump or something," Alice said after the laughter started to die down. I groaned, not wanting to listen to that shit. "Who was your first then?"
Bella shook her head. "Come on, quit picking on me."
"No Bells, she asked a good question. Who was your first?" Jordan asked.
"Senior year, I was a score keeper for the baseball team and photographer. It was an away game against a prep school in Seattle. We went to some party there, and he was this guy that I met there."
"Do you mean that one party where we had to spend the night because I couldn't find your ass anywhere?" Jordan asked. Bella nodded.
"I thought you never had a one night stand," I said.
"It wasn't, technically, because I fell asleep and we went at it again in the morning." Bella smiled softly. "I'd like to believe that under different circumstances, it wouldn't have been. Plus I gave him a fake name."
"Why?" Alice asked.
"Because of Jordan and Jasper, just in case he would go tell all his friends about me. It was the only way I could guarantee they wouldn't find out," Bella said looking at her brother. "I didn't want him to get his ass kicked."
"You bet your ass he would've gotten a beat down," Jordan mumbled, stabbing a stalk of asparagus harshly.
"What school was it?" Jasper asked with a knowing smile.
"Umm, Trinity something." Bella shrugged.
Alice also had a knowing look on her face. "Do you have a picture of him by any chance?"
"Yeah, I was in charge of taking some pictures of the players and the crowds for the school paper. So when we were talking, we took a picture together."
"Edward, now that we know about Bella's first time, why don't you tell us about yours?" Jasper asked. "It's only fair."
"You know that you're all fucking sharing now," I said with a roll of my eyes. "Except for you Alice. I don't want to hear that shit." Bella turned her attention back to me and smiled. I sighed. "Let's see. It was at a party after a game. I was fucking bored, so I went up to my room. I found this cute girl sitting in the corner of my room in the dark trying to block out the noise. She was cute, too. Short brown hair, big dark eyes, she had these gorgeous fucking tits." Some of the guys laughed, pounding the table with their fists. "She didn't seem to fit in with the rowdy crowd. So I kept her company and then one thing led to another."
"What was her name, Edward?" Bella asked. Her eyes were wide and glazed over; her labored breathing told me she was upset.
"Her name was Susan Blake."
Bella started to giggle. After a minute, her whole body shook while tears started falling from her eyes. "Bella?" I tried to grab a hold of her, but she jumped up from her chair and ran to her bedroom.
"Bella?" I was about to get up from my chair but Jordan stopped me.
"Wait," Jordan said. "I know what this is about, so just give her a moment." The rest of my family remained quite, waiting anxiously. A few moments passed and Bella ran back into the dining room.
She sat in her chair with a huge grin on her face as she passed a picture to me. "Was this her?"
There in picture was me in a black polo shirt with light stone washed jeans, and sitting beside me was the girl that I always thought about when I was feeling down and I needed a pick me up. Holy fuck.
"You gave me a fake name too," Bella accused me.
"You're Susan Blake?" I asked in utter shock.
Bella nodded. "You're umm, Emmett McCarty."
"You gave her my name!" Emmett bellowed then started to laugh.
"I tried looking for you," Bella and I said at the same time. We both had these stupid ass grins, so fucking happy that our paths had crossed before. Fuck, I couldn't believe it.
"I found Emmett McCarty in some of our school papers, but the picture I found didn't match you. So I stopped looking."
"I gave you a fake name for the same reason you did. Emmett would never let me live it down. After you left that morning, I had called but the number you gave me wasn't working. I checked around for you, no one knew a Susan Blake."
"We had to change our phone number that same afternoon," Bella said. "The number I gave you was real, but Jordan's girlfriends wouldn't stop calling, so Dad changed it and made it unlisted." She seemed lost in thought as everyone returned to speaking amongst themselves, all of them trading stories.
I leaned in and whispered in Bella's ear, "What are you thinking, love?"
Suddenly, Bella threw her arms up and stood up. "I can still count all my partners with two hands!" She danced a little in place, wiggling her hips.
"That's great, Bells," Jordan snapped. "Too bad Cullen can't say the same thing."
Fuck.
"Damn it Jordan, you're killing my moment." Bella rolled her eyes and took her seat again. "It's not like your track record is any better than his. In fact yours is worse from what I remember." This started to sound like it was much more about them than about me.
"Yeah, look where it got me, Bella!" Jordan spat, pushing away from the table to emphasize the point that he was sitting in a chair.
"He's different now, Jordan," Bella whispered, taking my hand. I squeezed her, showing her how much I appreciated her defending me. Believing in me, I had no idea how much I needed that from her. However, I would not come between her and her brother.
"Do you think that fucking matters, sis? Anyone from his past can come back and hurt you."
Bella shook her head. "That won't happen."
"Neither of you know that. Did you think Brianna was capable of doing what she did?"
Bella's face flushed, her breathing was coming out in gasps. She jumped out of her chair and poked a finger in Jordan's chest. "Don't you even fucking say her name. Don't even think it, Jordan," she screamed at him. She turned on her heel and stomped into the living room. Jordan followed her to the living area, calling out for her.
I was in fucking shock, and I had no idea what to do. I looked at Julie who was looking at Jacob. "She's going to do it, isn't she?" Jacob asked Julie. Julie nodded and tears started to fall from her eyes.
"Do what?" I asked Julie.
She sighed and wiped at her tears. "This dinner was originally planned to be an intervention, and I think Jordan figured out what we were up to. To avoid it, he insisted on dinner with you all. Bella had called it off, but that argument just triggered her. She's still going to do it."
"Should we leave?" Alice asked.
Julie shook her head. "Afterwards, Bella will be pretty shaken up so she'll need you all." She told us to follow but to keep our distance unless we needed to interfere. My body was tense; part of me wanted to gather her in my arms to protect her.
As we walked into the living room, we found them near Bella's bookcase and Jordan was right behind her. "I have every right to say her name, Bella. I knew her, too."
"No, you didn't know her," she hissed at him angrily. Her back was too him, but she turned to glare at him. "You just fucked her and tossed her aside."
"Yes, I did that. Just like Cullen has done to hundreds of women." I winced, wishing I'd been a little more fucking choosey and discreet with my promiscuous past.
"He hasn't done that with me," she said, shaking her head. "And he won't. Mind your fucking business."
"I will not. I am your brother and I will not let you waste your time with another fucking player, Bella."
"Who I see is my business, Jordan."
"Bella, in the last nine years you've dated nothing but guys that are players, womanizers. That shit isn't healthy." This is news to me.
"You have no idea why I date guys like that."
"Let me guess; it has something to do with me."
"The fucking world doesn't revolve around you," she spat.
"Then tell me why you do it?"
"This isn't about me, Jordan. This is about you." Bella straightened her stance and held her head up high. Jordan shook his head and turned toward us, but stopped when Bella's hand grabbed the back of his chair.
"No matter what happens now, don't approach them. Let her handle it," Julie whispered barely audible to us. What the fuck is going to happen?
"I talked to your doctors again. Do you have something to say for yourself?" Bella asked cold and composed. She grabbed the back of her brother's chair with both hands and spun it around to face her.
"No, there's nothing to say. Those quacks don't know shit." Jordan tried to push away from Bella, but she bent down and started moving a few things so that Jordan's feet touched the ground.
"What are you doing?" Jordan asked, once again trying to pull away from her, but she locked it or something. He was unable to roll away from her.
"I don't think they're quacks, Jordan. After all, I paid the last bill, if they're quacks then they owe me a lot of money," Bella said her voice mocking as she looked him in the eye. She calmly walked around to the back of her brother's chair. "You see, Dr. Cano says that you seem to have regained some feeling in your toes, but that you keep denying it."
"Like I said, a quack," Jordan said, his voice trembling. He was scared of this Bella, not that I fucking blamed him. Her voice was a bit deeper, firmer, dominating. Fucking scary.
"I don't fucking think so," Bella sneered and did the unthinkable. She lifted the back of Jordan's chair, causing him to tumble onto the ground. Bella quickly ran the chair across the room. Jasper, Jacob and I tried to step forward toward Jordan who was sprawled on the floor, gasping from the shock.
"Don't touch him," she growled out to us, glaring. We stepped back and watched. It was like a fucking train wreck, and you can't help but want to know what was going on, the outcome.
"Bella, give me back my chair," Jordan pleaded, refusing to look at her.
"No," Bella said firmly, standing just a few feet from her brother.
"Give me back my chair!" he screamed, spit splattering the floor before him. He propped himself on a shoulder and held up a hand.
"Not until I see you admit you can feel something. Not until you promise me that you'll return to therapy."
"No!" Jordan roared, reaching out for Bella's legs, but she stepped away just out of reach.
"Why not?"
"I can't walk, Bella. I'll never walk again."
"The doctors think you can."
"I can't move my fucking legs, Bella!" his words came out in choked sobs. "I can't."
Bella kneeled down in front of her brother. "Liar," she hissed. "When I took your foot off the rest, it shifted just slightly."
"You're fucking seeing things, Bella!"
"Why won't you fucking try?"
"I don't deserve to," Jordan whimpered. "I don't deserve too, Bells."
"Do you think this is what she would've wanted? Do you think that mom and dad would've wanted you to wallow in self-pity?"
"Bella, you can't forgive me."
"I may never forgive you for what you did," Bella spat. "But don't you use me as an excuse."
"How can I forgive myself if you won't forgive me?"
"I may not be ready to forgive you Jordan, but it doesn't mean I love you any less."
Jordan shook his head. "Try." Bella said. Jordan shook his head again. "Try. Promise me!" Bella screamed, standing back up. Jordan let his head and shoulders drop, and sobbed on the ground.
Then Bella drew back her right foot. "No," I whispered. This was so fucking wrong, but before her foot had a chance to connect to his left calf, it moved. She stopped it short and knelt back down. Jordan looked at his leg with a look of shock across his face.
"Try," Bella whispered. His left foot moved slightly to the right. "Again." This time he managed to wiggle his foot side to side.
Jordan nodded, choking on sob again, "I promise."
Bella whimpered and nodded, wiping at her tear-streaked cheeks. "Julie," she said softly. Julie grabbed Jordan's chair from across the room. "Edward, Jasper." We walked over slowly and each took one of Jordan's arms to help him into his chair. As soon as Jordan settled in the chair, Bella launched herself into his lap and kissed her brother's face repeatedly.
Her words were almost incoherent in soft little whispers. "Sorry…sorry…it was the only way. Sorry…sorry…I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Shh, Bells. It's okay," Jordan whispered, rubbing soothing circles down her back.
"Love you," she whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck, curling on his lap.
"Love you too, sis."
Watching them, I felt it. I felt the overwhelming love that envelopes someone when they entered a room. The same feeling when my parents were alive, I felt it every time I'd return home. Not only did it radiate from Bella and her brother, but I also felt it run through me.
I was in love with a woman that would do anything for her family. Even hurt them to help them. The feeling overwhelmed me as I watched Bella curl up in her brother's lap, her head resting in the crook of his neck. My hand wiped over my face, not surprised to find tears there. There wasn't a dry eye in the place.
Jordan looked at me and smiled. He looked back down at Bella. "He's a keeper," Jordan said loud enough for me to hear.
Bella looked up at her brother and turned to look at me. "That he is."