Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of Stephenie Meyer. The author of this story is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

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Chapter 16

Eight days. Eight fucking days … that's how long it's been since I've had any sexual interaction with Bella. It's killing me. I'm so fucking hard all the time that I could probably cut glass.

I could call someone else to take care of me, but I don't want anyone but Bella.

Why is it so fucking hard to do the 'right' thing? Of course, I don't know what the hell the 'right' thing is. I'm definitely not going to act like Emmett and Jasper's little puppet. This is my show to run, not theirs. They certainly love to spiel out advice even if it's unwarranted and unwanted.

However, I do feel as though I've gotten to know Bella better over the past few days. She's also had a bit more freedom around the house. She seems to spend most of her time in the library.

Bella has also accompanied me to the music room, of her own volition I might add. She seems to like hearing me play the piano. It's always been very cathartic for me. She just sits on the settee, leans back and closes her eyes as she listens to the music. I usually don't like anyone to hear me play, but with Bella I don't seem to mind as much. In fact, I enjoy sharing it with her. She has even complimented me on a few pieces. I try not to let it go to my head … either one. Well, any kind of praise by Bella is a turn-on. Who am I kidding? Just about anything Bella does is a turn-on, and she has no idea she's doing it either.

I've even given her free reign of the house. Of course, she's contained to the inside only. When I'm not at home, my men are, so I know she's safe and protected plus there's no worry that she will try to leave on her own.

I have also talked with Bella. I mean really talked. I've learned that we have similar tastes in music. She loves to read, which I already knew. She's a big fan of the classics, mystery, science fiction, and paranormal.

When we venture out on the grounds, she loves to sit in the swing in the gazebo. Yesterday, she spent two hours just swinging and reading. I love to watch her while she reads. Her reactions are so innocent and cute. I've seen her eyes widen at certain parts, a tear roll down her cheek, a small laugh escape her mouth and her lip turn up in a half-smile. She's just so beautiful.

Now I sound like a pussy.

I've also let her accompany me outside of the house. We've been shopping, walking on the beach, and out to dinner. Right now, we are out to dinner for the second time.

She hasn't tried to escape me. Of course, with me constantly by her side and my men always nearby, it is near impossible to do so anyway.

I shouldn't have picked out her dress for tonight. She looks way too sexy, and I'm having a hard time controlling myself. She's wearing a silk midnight blue halter dress that stops mid thigh. I really don't know how much longer I can take without any sexual contact. I'm a very sexual and selfish person. I can't take much more.

We just finished dinner and the waiter took away our plates. Speaking of the waiter, I don't like the way he's been eyeing my girl. It makes me just want to grab her, pull her into my lap and wrap my arms around her so that everyone knows she's mine. But of course, I'm a good little boy and refrain.

"Would you like some dessert?" I ask Bella as she sips her tea.

"No thank you," she politely responds.

The waiter returns with our bill. I glance at it and throw the money down, leaving a substantially low tip because of the waiter's roving eyes.

"Shall we?" I stand up and extend my arm to her.

She gives me only a small smile as she stands up and loops her arm through mine. I begin escorting her out of the restaurant, but stop when I hear Bella suddenly gasp.

I turn to her to see what's wrong and notice she is staring straight ahead with a fearful look in her eyes. I follow Bella's eyes and see her staring straight at Aro, who is standing in front of the maitre d'.

I try to steer us to the left so we can avoid him, but I know I have failed as I hear him call my name.

"Edward?"

Shit.

"Aro," I say in acknowledgement as I turn around to face the bastard.

"Ah, I see you have our Isabella with you," he says as his eyes rake over her body.

Motherfucker.

I take my arm out of hers and pull her into me. She's shaking, so I begin to soothingly rub her arm.

"You know my offer still stands if you should decide to return or exchange," he says, once again eye fucking my girl.

"That won't be necessary. She's mine as I've told you before," I answer quite irritated.

"Just remember, you can always change your mind. I'd be happy to take her off your hands anytime."

Fucking bastard!

"No! She stays with me. Always," I say with finality.

"Tell me Edward, I'm curious. How is the sex? I bet she's so tight," he leans in to say. I can tell he's just trying to get a rise out of me. It's working.

Bella begins to tremble even more.

"That's it! We are never to speak of this again. Are we clear?" I am so fucking furious.

"Oh, Edward, you always were so sensitive." I hate the son of a bitch.

"We have to go." I grab Bella's hand and march us right out of there.

It's a silent ride all the way home. I am too fucking livid to speak. I'm absolutely fuming. How dare Aro speak to me that way! Not only that, but he has the nerve to call Bella 'our' girl. She's my girl! Mine!

I come to a screeching stop at the front of my house. I quickly get out, slam the door and make my way to Bella's side of the car. When I throw open the door I see her scared face and still trembling body.

"God damn it Bella! I'm not going to hurt you." I don't mean to be such a jerk, but Aro has put me in one hell of a mood.

I reach in and jerk her out of the car … maybe a little too roughly. Grabbing her hand, I take her and storm into the house and up to my bedroom.

When we get inside, Bella immediately sits on the sofa and curls into a ball. I pace around the room like a lunatic. Finally I stop and pinch the bridge of my nose trying my best to calm myself down. I really don't want to scare Bella.

She must have been scared enough seeing Aro tonight. I really should comfort her, but I have to get myself under control first.

I go into the bathroom and splash some water on my face. I take a few deep breaths, and I feel a little better. I need to go to her now. After the way I just acted, I need to let her know that she is safe with me. It's going to be hard for her to feel safe when I go around acting like a crazy person.

I notice that she is still on the sofa when I come out of the bathroom. I sit down beside her and take a deep breath.

"Bella, I'm sorry. I let Aro get the better of me. I shouldn't have reacted the way that I did, and I shouldn't have been so gruff with you when we got out of the car," I tell her, hoping that it sounds as sincere as it is.

"P…please," she stutters. I…I don't wa…want to go back to Aro. I'll do anything. Please don't send me back to him." She's begging now, and it's breaking my heart.

I inch closer to her and carefully, so as not to scare her, I bring her body close to mine to hold her.

"Shh, Bella. I will never take you back to Aro. Never. I promise you," I try to assure her.

"What happens when you don't want me anymore?" She asks with a sniff.

"That's not going to happen. I want you, and I want you here with me. This is where you belong. I will never send you back to that vile man or any other either. I want you here by my side."

She looks down, yet tears still roll down her cheeks.

I realize that being with me may not make her so happy either. I can't … I won't change that, but I don't want her to be unhappy.

"Do you think you could ever be happy here with me?" I ask her and then realize she may only answer as to what she thinks I want to hear. "Please, be honest with me. No matter your answer, nothing will change. Nothing you can do or say will make me send you back to Aro."

"I don't know," she answers honestly.

"What has you worried?" Maybe if I can get to the bottom of her fears, I could help rid her of them.

"I'm always afraid of how you're going to react, and it scares me. I don't want you to hurt me again." There she goes … stiffening … waiting for a reaction.

"Bella, look at me." I turn her head up to face me. "I will never hurt you physically again. That was wrong of me, and I am deeply sorry for that. Please believe me that that was a onetime occurrence."

She nods her head but doesn't say anything.

I guess actions speak louder than words. It will just take time to prove to her that I won't ever lash out at her in anger again.

However, I know there is more to it.

"What else are you worried about?" I'm not sure she'll tell me everything, but maybe there are some things I can do to help lessen her worry and hopefully make her a little happier.

"Sex," she whispers.

I don't know how the hell I'm going to explain this one to her.

"I'm not going to rape you Bella," I say softly.

"But you do expect me to have sex with you eventually?" She questions.

I might as well be honest with her. "Yes."

"Is that going to happen soon?" She asks rather timidly.

"I want it too, but like I said … I won't force you." I don't want to force her. I want her to have sex with me because she wants to. I just don't want to wait long. I don't know how I can explain this or if I should even try right now. Before I can ponder on it any longer, she speaks up.

"You do want me to continue to do other things with you?" She says questioningly.

"Yes," I answer. I'm a little ashamed of my selfishness, but as I said before … I'm a highly sexual being and … well, I just need her.

I realize the contradiction here. I'm not forcing her to have sex, but I expect her to do other things. I don't know what to say. I'm a bastard.

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Last night in bed we did not partake in any sexual relations. I did, however, end up with my hand on her tit in my sleep. When I woke up and realized it, I reluctantly moved it. Then I realized how hard I was so I went in the bathroom and rubbed one out. I would have never made through the rest of the night if I hadn't.

I got a call just after nine this morning that my father wants to meet with me. When he says 'jump' … you better jump, so there's no way to get out of it.

So, here I am walking in to my father's office. He sees me enter and quickly ends his telephone conversation.

"I'm glad you could get over here so quickly, Edward." He has his game face on. Obviously whatever he's going to tell me he wants to be careful not to show any emotion.

"What's going on?" I try not to hesitate and get my poker face on as well. I'm not getting a very good vibe here.

"Aro's been contacting me … a lot," he says looking me directly in the eyes.

Fucker.

"Yeah …," I say, trying to get him to continue.

"He wants to buy back Isabella. He's willing to pay more than what he bought her for." Once again, his face shows no emotion.

"Absolutely not," I reply firmly. I can't believe that fucking bastard contacted my father.

"Just listen to what I have to say," he demands.

"In return he's willing to sell us another girl for half the price I paid for Isabella. She would be a virgin as well, and you would have four to choose from."

I can tell he's been considering this. I won't have it. I didn't choose Isabella because she was a virgin, although I'm glad that she is. I chose her because I wanted her the second I saw her face. I knew she belonged with me. I feel a connection with her, and I won't give her up to anyone let alone a sadistic bastard like Aro.

"I don't want anyone else. I want Isabella." I am adamant.

"Just consider it. It's a great deal. You can do what you want with Isabella and then trade her in."

She's not a fucking car. I can't believe he has the audacity to suggest such a thing. I've never seen my father less compassionate then he is now.

"Do you have something against Isabella?" I can't help but remember how he acted towards her that night at dinner.

"No," he answers quickly … too quickly. I can tell he's lying, but I'll never get anything out of him, at least not now anyway.

It's my turn to look directly into his eyes. "I am very happy with Isabella, and I will never give her up. She is the one I want."

"Just think about it," he says with an edge of anger in it.

I can tell he doesn't want to discuss this any further at this time.

"Is that all?" I ask trying not to sound as furious as I am.

"For now," he dismisses.

I drive a little slower going home as I try to dissect the conversation with my father. How can he be so callous? What in the world does he have against Bella? Can't he tell that I am happy with her? Why in the hell would I want to get rid of her? Why the hell did he even indulge Aro?

I can't understand him. What the hell has happened to the man I once idolized?

I may need to talk to Uncle Carlisle. Maybe he can figure out what the hell is going on with my father.

When I enter the house, I notice that my usual man on post is not there. That is not good. I go into the kitchen and noticed my other man is missing as well.

As I run up the stairs, I hear a blood curdling scream that scares the hell out of me.

What the fuck is going on?

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At least Edward is starting to think more, although he still thinks with his dick a lot. It seems like his dad is a bigger dick than he is. Now Edward has something else to deal with. So … what did you think?