*cue dramatic soap opera music* Last time on Cold Case File... Edward showed up at the Policeman's Ball and, after ramping up the sexual tension between them, finally gave in to his desires and went home with Bella.
EPov
I was just as fascinated with Bella when she slept as I was when she was awake.
She'd fallen asleep almost immediately after we made love, and I'd settled her in the bed and covered her up. I'd stood at the bedside for some time trying to decide if I should stay or leave when she mumbled aloud.
"No, please don't leave me."
I wasn't sure if she'd meant me or if she was having a nightmare, but then she'd said my name.
"Edward."
I was never so glad to hear those two syllables. Against my better judgment, I slipped under the comforter but kept the sheets and a blanket between us for her warmth and comfort. I was glad for the opportunity to crank the heat in the apartment while Bella had been taking off my jacket earlier in the evening.
Even as she slept, she sought out my body. A whine would catch in her throat, and she'd arch her body toward mine. Each time she'd try and wrap an arm around me or slip her leg between mine, the blanket would prevent her from getting closer. Taking pity on her, I stretched an arm across the bed and helped her settle next to my body and rest her head on my chest. I told myself it was for her comfort, but that was a lie. It was for my satisfaction too. A word rattled around in the back of my mind, a word I'd never used before.
Mate.
My first instinct was to deny it. To protect her—to protect myself—from what I was, but I admired her all night. I watched her eyes flutter under her eyelids, listened to her shallow breaths, and felt every beat of her heart against my own chest. Sometimes she'd whimper my name, and I knew I could not deny her.
I had kept the monster at bay, but I didn't know how. Carlisle had suggested hunting to the extreme, positively gorging myself to satiate the beast within. Perhaps it had worked—or maybe it was just extreme conscious effort and a realization that our eternities were inextricably linked. I tried to be careful, so careful, with Bella but I longed to kiss her deeper and taste her everywhere. I had precarious control and didn't want to get my teeth anywhere near her. I was playing with fire, and I knew it. I was lying to this woman about who—and what—I was. I wasn't sure what kind of future we could have—if any—but I could not keep my identity a secret if we were going to pursue any kind of relationship. I chuckled silently to myself. She asked if I was a superhero with an alter-ego. If she only knew who my second self really was she'd run screaming. Clark Kent didn't have it this hard when he told Lois Lane he was Superman.
The sun crested over the horizon, and I wasn't sure if I should leave or not. Would today seem different to her out from under the haze of alcohol and lust? Would she regret last night? Would the urge be satisfied? What did she want? What did I want?
If I was honest with myself, I wanted to stay. I wanted her to want me, to want this. Alice saw a future for me and Bella, and I wanted to trust that. The few experiences I'd had in the 1970s had convinced me it was more than the sex; it was the intimacy I craved. I truly wanted to know the depth and breadth of another soul—even if I didn't have one. I had never been so attracted to anyone—human or vampire—and I realized that there was nothing I wouldn't do for her. The silence of her mind drove me crazy and I never wanted to know anyone more completely. The not knowing made me want to try all the harder and be all the better for her as I unraveled little pieces in the mystery of Bella. I never cared to keep up the silly human charade my family had going, but I would gladly keep it up until I could tell Bella the truth about us.
The truth.
It seemed so oppressive and liberating all at the same time.
Just because Alice saw a future for us didn't mean it would come to pass. What would Bella do with the truth? Accept it? Pursue us criminally? I had never wanted to tell anyone before, but I had no idea what the right way to go about it would be.
Bella's heart rate started to increase, and she rolled away from me and over on her stomach. Her hip grazed my erection, and I fought back the urge to moan. She twitched and moved under the covers as her body tried to alert itself to the new day. Even though her back was to me, I knew the moment her eyes opened by the sharp intake of breath that alerted me to her consciousness. She took a deep breath and stretched her arms above her head and arched her back, brushing up against my groin. She froze, mid-stretch, her conscious brain suddenly remembering she was not alone. She rolled over to face me and folded her hands under her head. Her eyelids were still heavy, and she suppressed a yawn.
She was still lovely.
"Hi," she whispered, her morning voice groggy. She licked her lips and smiled while a blush colored her cheeks.
"Hi," I replied with a smile, reaching out to curl a lock of her hair around my finger. She blushed even redder at the simple contact, and my heart broke for this lost girl.
She shifted a little closer, still bundled in the warm bedding, her eyes darting between mine and the expanse of mattress between us nervously. "I didn't know if you'd be here," she admitted, her voice as soft as a whisper.
"Is that okay?" I asked, twirling my finger around the lock of hair again and again. I was showing my hand, and it was a big reveal on my part. I wasn't sure how she felt yet, but I wanted to extend myself, and I wanted her to know that what I felt for her went beyond last night.
She shifted a little closer, and I did too. "Yeah, I'm glad you did. I just—" She began to stammer, clearly nervous as she fidgeted and squirmed.
I cupped the side of her face, causing her to sigh. "It's okay. Please tell me. I want to know what you're thinking."
She laughed humorlessly, another anxious gesture, and continued to redden. "It's just that, I'm not used to it. Guys wanting to stay, that is."
As my heart sank a little at her confession, she pulled the blankets over her head and wailed, "Oh God, that probably makes me sound awful!"
I didn't know what to think. I didn't figure Bella was a virgin. No, last night definitely put that notion out of my mind, and I wasn't angry that she had a past, but I felt… jealous… possessive. Right or wrong, I thought of her as mine, and I wanted to protect what was mine. She had been hurt by these men who had treated her so callously. I didn't know whether to want to kill these heartless idiots for hurting my girl or thank them for leaving the door open for me.
I ducked my head under the covers to join her. Her hands were pressed over her face, but I could smell the rush of blood to her capillaries, staining her cheeks. I wrapped my hands around her wrists and gave them a gentle tug. I wanted to see her face, and I wanted her to see mine. "The past doesn't matter to me. If you want to tell me about it, I'll listen, but I want you to know it's not my intention to hurt you. I'm not into playing games, and I'm not looking for a roll in the hay. If you're not ready for a relationship or pursuing things further, that's okay too, but don't be afraid to be honest with me. I don't want to insert myself in your life if you're not—"
She leaned in quick to surprise me with a peck on the lips, and it's not easy to surprise a vampire. I wanted it to be much more than a quick kiss, but I appreciated the sentiment behind it. Even in the brief exchange, I could feel the smile grace her lips and see the posture of her body relax.
"Thank you," she whispered, settling back down next to me. "I just, I don't know how to do this, how to be in a relationship. I haven't had much luck with that."
Frankly, I couldn't imagine it. I could see why my "relationships" had been few and far between. It took the enjoyment out of the evening when you inadvertently snapped a girl's neck when you leaned in for a first kiss. One or two events like that was enough to put you off dating co-eds for a while. Or worse, you heard the vapid, selfish, or shallow thoughts rattling inside her head. No one, vampire or human, held any interest for me the way Bella did. But why didn't anyone stay with Bella?
"I can't imagine that," I said, poking the tip of her nose.
A sad smile appeared on her face. "I'm…weird?"
I wanted to chuckle at her remark until I realized that she did not intend to be funny.
"That's the only thing I can conclude, anyway. I've never been very girly, and my parents didn't raise me to be rescued by anyone. I was always independent, and when I lived in Washington I was always the tomboy playing on the beach or in the woods. After I lost my mom and dad, I just became kinda removed and serious."
She sighed heavily, and I knew she wasn't done talking. I watched her as her eyes began to glisten and she worried at her lip.
"My, uh, my dad was murdered, and I saw the whole thing. I never got over that, ya know? It was never solved, and I haven't been able to let that go." She sniffled once and tried to smile again. "That's part of the reason I became a cop. I never wanted anyone to feel the way I did. I didn't want anyone else's family to be left without answers. Those choices have guided me through my life. I think it freaks some people out that I won't let it go and that I bring my work home with me. My job doesn't end at 5:00. I bring home files filled with gory photos, I think about my cases when other people go to the movies or go out to dinner. I think that guys are uncomfortable with all of it."
I wasn't sure what I had been expecting her to say, but this wasn't it. Suddenly her loneliness, the deep wound within her, was explained. If she never said another word on the matter, I would understand why she was so emotionally removed and so hesitant to make connections. She'd lost the people closest to her. If you didn't let yourself love people, you wouldn't be hurt if and when they inevitably left. I waited several moments to make sure she was done sharing before I spoke. "You don't see yourself very clearly, you know. I don't think you're strange at all. I see dedication, compassion, independence, and strength. If anyone has trouble with that, perhaps it's their problem."
I remembered the conversation I had with Tanya a couple months ago. She'd been right all along. She'd told me to get to know Bella, and the rest would fall into place, the emotion would come. I didn't know what love was, but I cared deeply for Bella, I wanted to be around her all the time, and I didn't want to share her with anyone.
I was angry on her behalf that these men would punish and reject her for having passion.
"No one has ever said anything like that to me before." She attempted to move closer but realized we were separated by the layers of bedding. "What did you do?" she laughed, pulling at the blankets.
If I could have blushed, I might have. "I didn't want you to be cold, and I wasn't sure if it was too personal."
She smiled a real smile. "No, silly, climb under."
I sat up on the edge of the bed and peeled the covers back before slipping back under as discreetly as I could. I was fully aroused, and I didn't want her to think that was all I was interested in. To be honest, I think I'd been hard since I met her. I caught Bella peeking as I rejoined her under the space for sharing that we'd created.
She smiled shyly and pressed her lips together as her eyes darted quickly downward and then back up. "Wait right here. Don't move," she instructed, sliding out of our little tent.
I heard her run next door to the bathroom, tripping over the pile of clothes at the end of the bed with a curse. As the water splashed in the sink, and I smelled the distinct smell of toothpaste in the air, I rolled over and groaned into her pillow. The little canopy was cooler without Bella's body heat, but her bouquet clung to every surface. I reached down and adjusted myself, giving my cock a little stroke. I groaned again as my hips pumped toward my hand.
I heard the tap shut off, and Bella yanked the door open, hurrying back to the bed. I removed my hand and resumed my earlier position. She peeled the blankets back and flopped back on the mattress.
"Sorry, I just… needed a minute," she explained.
Humans were odd little creatures. They prefaced so many actions by announcing it or apologizing for it. It was evident that I wasn't playing human very well this morning either. I probably should have excused myself to the bathroom too, but now that she returned to the bed, leaving was the last thing I wanted to do.
"No apologies necessary," I answered, grabbing her bare hip and pulling her closer. Her fingers reached out for me too, settling on my waist and climbing up over my ribcage in a staccato rhythm as she got closer.
She pushed her haystack hair behind her ear and the nervousness reappeared. "Um, I probably should have shared this last night but, well, heat of the moment, you know. I'm, uh, on the pill, so there's no need to worry or anything."
I hadn't even considered the notion of pregnancy. Would human men have considered that? I often heard them worrying about fatherhood and pregnancy, but even when they were caught up in the lust of the moment? Christ, no wonder I hadn't survived humanity for long, I must have been a failure at it.
"Okay," I answered stupidly. "I should have taken more responsibility, been more careful. I'm sorry too."
She looked away. "It's okay. I just didn't want you to think I was stupid or trying to trap you or anything. I just—"
Her inane mumbling was so human and deliciously awkward, I couldn't help it; I had to kiss her. She squeaked with surprise when I took her top lip between mine and tugged gently. Her hand smoothed over my chest to my hip where she pulled purposefully, hinting that I should roll toward her. I was careful not to put too much weight on her pelvis as I settled halfway over her body and slipped my left leg between hers. Immediately, she hiked her right leg up over my hip, opening herself up to me.
I moved away from her lips, kissing a path down the column of her neck. Her breathing began to get more ragged the further down my lips traveled. I had been too afraid to let my mouth anywhere near her breasts last night. Each and every time I'd slowed things down last night, it was for her own safety. Bella's human impulses were her worst enemy. The frenzied pace was gone today, and I felt more in control, so I let my mouth descend on one of the places it most wanted to go.
She hissed sharply when my lips closed around the perfect pink peak, and she dug her fingers deep into my hair, holding my head in place. I swiped my thumb over the underside of her breast while my tongue darted out to stroke her nipple, and she bucked her hips against mine.
I was positive that no experience in my existence had been this profound and passionate. I didn't know what her mind considered in these lustful moments, but every sigh, touch, and beat of her heart told me I was doing something right. The temptation to let my mouth wander even lower was growing, and I had to see how far I could go before needing to turn back. I didn't think I could be desensitized to Bella's feminine scent, but if I could begin to build up a tolerance, perhaps it could benefit us both greatly.
My hungry lips cascaded over the crescent of Bella's breast, lingering over each fragile rib before continuing on a meandering path to the soft part of her stomach near her navel. Her respiration and pulse increased exponentially the lower I went, and she writhed beneath me, making my decision to stop at her hipbone painfully difficult. I knew she wanted it, and I wanted to give it to her badly, but not enough to risk her life. It would happen eventually, but not yet.
I breathed heavily against the crest of her hip, letting my tongue dart out to taste her skin one last time. Not only was the scent of her arousal stronger here, but so was the blood rushing through her femoral artery. Perhaps I could have overcome one temptation, but not both.
I trailed the tip of my nose back up over the path my lips had taken only moments before. If she was terribly disappointed in my decision not to taste her, her expression didn't betray her, though her mind may have been screaming obscenities at me. She took my face between her hands and pressed a kiss to my lips.
My hand smoothed the length of her side and down between her legs. We both moaned against each others' lips when I found her wet and ready for me.
I wasted no time, hitching her leg further over my hip and sliding into her heat. Our hips rocked slowly, but the pace allowed me to settle more deeply inside her until she closed her eyes and shuddered in my arms with my name on her lips. It pushed me over the edge and I came along with her.
Breathless, Bella relaxed back against the mattress and pulled me with her. I rested my head on her chest and gently traced the tattoo over her left breast with my little finger.
"It tickles" she said with a smile, squirming under my touch.
I took it as a compliment; it was the gentlest touch I could manage.
"Sorry. Can I ask what number 328 stands for?" I didn't know if she would open up, but I desperately wanted her to.
She didn't answer for a minute, but threaded her fingers through my hair. I attempted to lift my head, but she gave me physical resistance. "It was my dad's badge number," she admitted. "I wanted it over my heart so I would never forget."
I felt like such a heel for pushing her. I couldn't seem to resist forcing her to spill her innermost secrets. "Bella, I'm so sorry."
With a deep breath, she shrugged and continued to stroke my hair. "It's okay. You didn't know."
I lifted my head and pressed my lips to the raised skin. "I think it's a touching tribute. I'm sure your dad would be impressed. Is the other one—" I couldn't lie, the thought of the handcuffs on her hipbone was insanely hot.
She interrupted me with a snort. "No. That was a drunken spring break in Florida."
"And what about this?" I asked, smoothing my index finger over the cross on a chain wrapped around her wrist. I hadn't seen it before last night, and it surprised me.
Bella's gaze darted from my fingers to my face. It was strange. I didn't understand the expression. It was something between curiosity and fear perhaps. Maybe she was apprehensive about broaching the topic? Her faith would not turn me off from her in any way.
"I, um…"
I was making her uncomfortable, and it wasn't my intent. I simply wanted to keep her talking, to know more about her. Tanya's advice was working; I was just making a mess of it. I tried to put her at ease by stroking the inside of her wrist. The skin was so smooth and warm beneath my touch. "It's okay, Bella. You don't have to share anything you don't want to. I'm being nosey, and it's unfair of me."
"It's not that. It's just…"
She continued to stare at me with intensity before sharing her head and almost laughing at herself. "It's nothing, I'm just being dumb. I got this in Forks at a tourist shop. I guess I just wanted a piece of home. It's petrified wood from Washington." She turned her wrist over, watching the charm dangle from the chain. "It's a necklace, but it didn't match my dress last night, so I wore it there. I like having it with me—for protection or something."
I took her wrist in my hand and pressed a kiss to the pulse point there. I hoped it would keep her safe if and when I couldn't. "It's lovely."
The odd expression melted away and she smiled. So trusting. I wished I knew what she was thinking.
Just as I resettled my head against her chest and she resumed finger-combing my hair, I heard footsteps in the hall and loud pounding at the door.
Sitting up quick, I went into vampire mode, smelling the air around us for any hint of who her visitor might be and searching out the thoughts of those on Bella's floor.
"Fucking turned her fucking phone off. She ought to be written up for this."
The loudest voice in the vicinity belonged to her detective partner, Mike Newton. His thoughts were grating and usually crass.
"Shit," Bella grumbled, struggling to untangle herself from the blankets. She stumbled to the end of the bed where the pile of clothing sat from the night before. Newton pounded on the door again, and I felt myself growing angrier at his rude thoughts and interference.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck," Bella hissed, stepping into her underwear, tripping and barely catching herself before falling flat on the floor. She rifled through the pile, picking up my white shirt. She smiled over at me before slipping it on, the sleeves far too long on her petite arms. She didn't initially button the shirt, opting to grab my boxers and step into them first.
Newton pounded one more time and hollered, "Bella!"
"I'm coming!" Bella yelled back angrily.
"She needs a fucking leash."
She hurried over to the bedside and leaned over me, pressing a kiss to my lips. "Stay here, okay?"
The shirt was open, affording me a lovely view of her breasts. Those are mine, I thought, fastening the three buttons in the center of the shirt faster than I should have in her presence. She didn't notice, darting out of the room, shutting the door halfway.
Immediately, I got up and sat on the edge of the bed. I would stay here if Detective Newton could mind his manners.
I heard the lock turn and the door fling open, hitting the door stop.
"Jesus, Bella, I've been calling you since—what are you wearing? Who's here?"
I could hear every word, even if he wasn't nearly yelling. I didn't appreciate his tone. I knew Bella didn't want someone to rescue her at every turn, but it went against my instinct to leave a mate unprotected. I eyed my pants on the floor near the dresser. I knew I could dart there and back without being seen, but I didn't want to underestimate Bella.
"I wonder if she went home with that guy she was hanging all over last night."
"None of your business, Mike. What do you want?"
I smiled, glad that she stood up to him. I hoped a part of her wanted to claim me and tell Detective Newton she was in a relationship, but it was new, and I didn't want to tarnish her reputation in any way. I knew she wasn't ashamed.
"I've been calling you since 5a.m., Swan. Third shift found a body this morning. The Tech Unit just finished up."
"What?" Bella asked. "Shit. I turned my phone off last night. Where? When?"
"Didn't want to be disturbed, eh? The Chief is pissed. He's gonna have your ass."
"Speaking of which, I'd like to have your ass too."
I growled, unable to hold it in. Standing up, I wanted to be ready if I had to go out there.
Bella groaned. "Great. Damn it. I can't do anything about it now. So, the body?"
Newton sighed. "It was found in the parking garage of the convention center. The vic was the DJ from the Policeman's Ball."
The words sunk in for Bella and for me. Not only had the killer made a cold calculation and killed another person right under the department's nose, but he had been killed while Bella and I were together last night.
She remained quiet for several minutes. "So, the time of death was after the party let out and before dawn? The setting is totally different—not rural—did Tech find anything?"
There was no way there was a vampire inside the hall last night. Even though there were many different scents all mingling, my family would have caught the smell of another one of us. I was betting he either came in after we left or waited in the garage. Regardless, he knew what he was doing.
"Not a thing." Newton confirmed.
I could hear Bella pacing the carpet, her bare feet scuffing across the floor. "Damn it. Is there anything I can do?"
There was a snort of derision. "It's been taken care of. File will be on your desk tomorrow morning. You'd better turn your phone back on. I'll text the chief and let him know you're not the latest victim."
The door opened, quieter than before, and Mike left. I sat back down on the bed. Bella didn't return for several minutes. Just when I debated going out to her, I heard her walking purposefully down the hall.
She pushed the door open and saw me sitting at the side of the bed. She came to stand in front of me, tossed her phone on the mattress, and took my face in her hands, tilting it toward hers. She lowered her lips to mine and kissed me with as much passion as I would let her while still keeping my teeth away from her.
"I'm so sorry," she breathed against my mouth.
I almost chuckled. "For what?" And then it hit me. The DJ's time of death was my alibi. I gave her a tight smile. "So I really was a suspect?"
She sat down in my lap, wrapping her legs around my waist, still clutching my face. "No, not really, but I'm sorry I even considered it. It's just that you behaved so strangely the day I first saw you at the café. It just gave me an odd feeling, I had to try and trust my instinct. Please don't be angry. If I had any feeling that you were guilty, last night wouldn't have happened. I trusted you."
She put an amazing amount of faith in me last night—her very life. I had to put my confidence in her too. Her eyes were sincere, and if there was ever a chance for us to have some kind of relationship, I had to start being honest with her in increments.
"That day…" I paused, eventually finding resolve and nodding, "Ask me about it sometime later. But know that I was captivated by you even then."
She rested her forehead against mine. "Okay, just as long as you believe me."
I gave her an inclination of the head. "I do, just as long as you believe me."
She nodded too, more eagerly than me. "I do, and I really am sorry."
I patted her thighs. "I know. You were doing your job, and I admire you. Maybe I'm weird too," I added with a smirk. "I'm sorry I raised your suspicion."
"How can I make it up to you?" she asked, nuzzling her nose against mine.
I let my hands creep up to her thighs to my boxers. "Give me my shorts back so I can make you breakfast?"
She laughed a little, clearly uncomfortable. "One thing you should know about me is that I don't cook—at all. I'm lucky if there's food here. You're welcome to scavenge my kitchen though."
Climbing into the bed, she shimmied out of my shorts, handing them to me. "Thanks for letting me borrow them."
"Anytime," I answered, putting them on. "You make them look sexy." I stopped at the foot of the bed and retrieved my phone from the pocket of my pants.
Wandering down the hall and into the kitchen, I looked in the refrigerator and the cupboards. From the night I brought her back home after drinking at The Dive I knew she didn't have much. I found a loaf of bread in the freezer next to a stack of frozen dinners and a stick of butter. Toast it is. As I defrosted the bread, I rifled through a narrow cupboard above the microwave with limited cooking and baking staples. Among them were Earl Grey tea bags, sugar, and cinnamon.
I made a quick breakfast of cinnamon toast and a cup of hot tea. Before I plated it up, I sent Alice a quick text asking her to bring my car if she could. I stopped quickly to turn the heat back down and carried a stack of toast and the tea back to Bella's room where she lounged against the headboard, playing with her phone. The sight of her in only my shirt and her underwear and her thoroughly tousled hair did wicked things to my body.
She placed the phone on the nightstand and patted the mattress. "Cinnamon toast? I loved that growing up, I don't think I've had it in years."
I set the plate down and handed her the mug. "I wasn't sure how you took your tea." I had no idea if I was doing this right, but it sounded like conversations I'd heard in the café.
She smiled and held the cup under her nose, breathing in the steam. "This is perfect, thank you." She took a slice of the toast and took a bite. "Have a piece."
I settled next to her and put up a hand in denial. "No thanks. I don't usually eat in the morning. Sensitive stomach," I said, patting my abdomen for added emphasis.
She frowned. "Well, it was nice of you to think of me."
She crunched on toast and the first awkward silence developed between us. Maybe I should have offered to leave, but I really couldn't tear myself away.
Glancing sideways at me, she finally broke the silence. "What are you doing this week?" Her voice was heavy with implication, betraying more than simple curiosity.
I shrugged. "Nothing really." Perhaps to her it made me sound incredibly spoiled. "I promised to write an article for a forensics journal, and I should probably get started on that." She didn't need to know it would only take me a short while. "My new piano is being delivered on Friday."
"Really?" her eyebrows were raised. "You play? I'd like to hear you sometime."
"Any time." And I meant it. I shouldn't want to show off in front of her, but a part of me wanted her praise too.
"And what about your article? Is it…okay if I call you this week? Or shouldn't I?"
I knew exactly what she was doing, she was giving me an out again. I didn't want an out at all.
I tucked her hair behind her ear so I could see her face more clearly. "You can call me any time, Bella, and I'd like to be able to call you too. Is that okay? I don't want to smother you, but I'd like to see you a lot."
She drew her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. She rested her head on her knees and looked my way, smiling slightly. "You do? I mean, I wanna see you too. I just don't want you to think I'm being too clingy. I told you, this is unfamiliar territory for me. I don't know how to proceed or what's normal and what is too much."
I didn't need to see her pink cheeks to know she was blushing. I could smell the rush of blood. "Let's not worry about what's normal. I don't care about normal dating behavior or the men who mistreated you in the past, I'm not them. I want to see you."
She leaned over and pressed her lips to my bare arm. "I should go into work and see if I still have a job, but what if I said I wanted to see you tonight for a D.C. Comics movie night?"
I was elated. She was inviting me back. I'd be here watching out for her regardless, but it felt less perverse to be invited. I let her settle against my side and wrapped my arm around her.
"I would say, 'I'll see you tonight, Miss Lane.'"
She smiled. "If I'm Lois, does that make you Superman?"
I shook my head. "No, I think I'm more of a Dark Knight." I could never have the pure intentions of Superman. I wasn't born into this life; it was forced upon me.
She said nothing but appeared to be mulling it over. What I wouldn't give to know.
"How about I bring some takeout over when I come back?" I asked, wanting to give her something better to eat than what was in her freezer. "Italian? Chinese?"
She doodled aimlessly over my skin, and the sensation felt amazing. "Mm, we always used to have Chinese on hangover days when I was in college. That sounds great, actually."
With reluctance, I got up from the bed and picked up my pants, socks, shoes, and jacket from the floor. I stepped into my pants and sat on the end of the bed.
"Want a ride home? I won't be ready for about an hour, but I'd be happy to take you home."
I looked over my shoulder as I pulled one sock on. She was biting the edge of her nail, and I could see her pink panties from beneath her splayed legs. I pulled the other sock on and tried to will down my erection. "It's alright, I asked Alice to bring my car. Thanks though."
I flopped back on the bed and grabbed her ankle with one hand and crooked my finger at her with the other. The skin was just as smooth and soft as I imagined it would be. "Come here," I whispered.
Bella crawled toward me, and I helped her straddle my thighs. I reached up slowly and began to unfasten the buttons on the shirt I'd closed only a short time ago.
With the slip of each button her heart rate increased marginally. She licked her lips and watched my fingers slip between the fabric and slowly separate it. They trailed all the way to the collar before sliding it off her shoulders, letting my little finger graze over her collarbone in the process. She shivered.
I let the shirt fall all the way down into my lap before I held onto her hips and sat up. I leaned forward and buried my face in the curve of her neck, inhaling deeply, and reaching blindly for my shirt. Letting my lips trail along her shoulder, I slipped my arms into the shirtsleeves. Bella's hands were on the collar, slowly tugging it upward. When it was in place, she leaned in and pressed her lips to the hollow beneath my ear as her fingers clasped the row of buttons.
The desire to take her one more time was almost overwhelming, but I didn't want to hurt her. Perhaps there would be occasion tonight.
I sighed deeply. "You're making it awfully hard to leave you," I admitted, brushing her hair away from her face.
"Me? What about you? You started it this time," she insisted with a trace of humor in her voice.
I traced down the center of her chest with one finger, excited by her reaction—the racing of her heart and the hardening of her nipples. I let my lips trail over the tattoo above her heart one more time. "Oh no, Detective," I breathed against her skin, "it's always been you."
My phone chimed once, and I knew it must be Alice. "Mm, I'm afraid that's my sister. I should go."
As I stepped into my shoes and pulled on my jacket, Bella grabbed a T-shirt from her dresser and pulled it on. It bore the silhouette of a woman and said What Would Detective Beckett Do? The humor was lost on me.
Bella walked me to the front door, leaning against it as she had last night. She grabbed the lapels of my jacket and pulled me close. "Come back around seven?"
I brushed my nose up against hers. "Yes, what would you like for dinner?"
"Surprise me," she answered nuzzling me back.
I smiled. "Deal. I'll see you later. Be safe."
She moved away from the door, and I turned the knob and stepped out into the hall. Bella peeked out around the door frame and waved. I winked back before turning and striding toward the steps at the end of the breezeway. I heard her door shut and lock behind me.
The fresh air in the hall soothed the subtle burning in my throat. It was a sensation I'd have to get used to. I would simmer and burn every day for Bella.
I hurried down the stairs spying Alice in the passenger seat of my car parked near Bella's in the lot. She was smiling. Knowing full well I'd be teased mercilessly, I sighed as I approached my car and steeled myself for the ribbing.
"Thanks for coming," I said, climbing into the car and staring out through the windshield at the apartment I'd just vacated. I could feel the pull to be close to her, and I was tempted to exit the car and return to the little world where only Bella and I existed.
Alice laughed. "Wow. You smell like—"
"Alice," I interrupted in a warning tone, unsure of what she would say.
"Don't worry. I wasn't going to say sex. I'm too much of a lady for that—even if you do. I was going to say human."
I took a deep breath. I could still smell Bella on my skin and on my clothes, and I fought the urge to groan in response. Her scent was pure poison. "I know," I sighed.
Alice was quiet for a moment, her face frozen in a glossy stare. I knew the future was about to change—or she was about to change it. "Go park at the north end of the lot. Bella won't see you when she leaves."
I started the engine and moved to another space in the parking lot. There was no way I would leave Bella unprotected. She may be safe at the precinct, but here she was a sitting duck.
We were quiet for several moments, Alice scanning our immediate outlook and me listening for any signs of distress or concern. "Can you see her any better?" I asked my sister.
She shook her head. "Not really. I just haven't tuned into her very well yet. I think it will come though. When you're with her, or when your future is affected, I see things much clearer."
As we sat in the car, watching for Bella to leave, I told Alice what I felt comfortable sharing—mainly the sad details about Bella's miserable journey to orphanhood, and why her behavior and mood suddenly made sense. I also told her about the DJ's murder last night after the Policeman's Ball.
"It's really unfortunate, but I agree, it makes sense. Poor Bella. She's spent her whole life trying to save other people because she couldn't save her dad, and if you don't form human connections, you can't feel that loss."
Bella emerged forty-six minutes later dressed for work and departed for the police station. She would be safe there. I thought if I was going to potentially spend another night with Bella, I'd better hunt again. The strategy worked the first time. Alice offered to accompany me, but I really wanted to be alone.
We drove home in silence, but I could see the smile twitching on Alice's lips. When we pulled up the long drive, she leaned over and put her head on my shoulder. "I'm really happy for you, Edward."
"Get out of here. I don't need a congratulatory hug either," I said, ducking my shoulder away from her.
She giggled and got out of the car. For a brief moment I thought about going in to change, but the thoughts coming from inside the house quickly nipped that idea in the bud.
"Dude! Score! I can't believe you bagged that hot human chick without killing her! Way to go!"
"I had faith in you, Edward."
"When are you bringing your girlfriend home to meet us?"
Never, at this rate.
I quickly abandoned the plan to go inside. I didn't need or want pats on the back for a successful sexual encounter with a human.
I drove about an hour before I saw the exit for one of the State Parks of New York. It was easy prey but also a dangerous location in fall if hunters were about. I decided to risk it because I couldn't count on Bella staying put for any too long, and I wanted to get back to her.
I parked my car on an access road about a mile from the park and took my jacket off before leaving the car. I tucked my phone into the pocket of my pants and set off in a sprint through the trees at the east side of the park.
..::::::..
I found more enjoyment than I thought I would find in taking down the larger animals in the small herd. As I finished drinking from the third deer and picked up the body to dispose of it, I felt my phone vibrate against my leg. I ignored the call for a moment so I could hide the evidence of my kill. I felt the phone buzz again, and I dropped the carcass, digging through my pocket for the phone. The display showed Alice was calling.
"Hey, Al-"
"Get to Irondequoit Bay Park West right now. Bella is jogging, and she's about to be in trouble."
Author's Note: Thank you, thank you to Duskwatcher2153 for the beta and circa1918 for the writing advice. Both were appreciated.
Thank you for all the warm reviews on the last chapter. They all made my day.
Someone asked about Edward's sexual history. I've chosen to be intentionally vague regarding his past. I really want YOU ALL to be able to decide for yourselves what Edward's experience is. I don't intend for it to be a cop out, rather that some readers still like to see him as unblemished in this one respect. I know what *I* think, but what about you? Do you see him as more experienced or less?
Don't forget the link to my PhotoBucket album on my profile page. It includes pics from the Policeman's Ball and Bella's What Would Detective Beckett Do? T-shirt. For reference, Beckett is from ABC's Castle! She is Bella's favorite TV detective.
The next chapter is written, and I'm going to try to get it out ASAP. I know I've left you with a bit of a cliffie there. I like staying two or three chapters ahead of you and keeping that buffer. You all read much faster than I write. ^_^ Things are getting tricky too, so I like to make sure I've not missed something big or painted myself into a corner too quickly!
Happy Independence Day to all my fellow Americans! Happy July 4th to everyone else ^_^