Rating: M
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyers of Twilight fame, owns it all, I don't,
I just wish I did.
A/N….Many thanks go to the best betas in the FF world, LovinRob who puts up with a lot of my stupid shit and Amandac3 who is just a cool chick. Thank you both so very much
CHAPTER 6
Bella
"Edward?"
"Yes, Bella?"
"About what you said to me in the car."
"Yes, Bella"
"Why would you say something like that to me? You've known me less than 24 hours and I don't know anything about you except that you have two brothers." I ask him out of pure curiosity.
"I'm not the kind of woman that jumps into bed with someone that I don't know." I look down, feeling compelled to tell him more, "It's been…it's been a long time for me, Edward." I confess to him shyly.
"How long has it been?" He asks while slowly walking toward me.
"A long time. Too long, really." I bow my head almost embarrassed to confess it.
"How long, Bella?" He asks again now standing directly in front of me. His hands are softly running up and down my arms and I can feel the energy from his touch, like what I felt the first day I met him.
"Five years." I whisper, barely audible enough even for me to hear.
A single tear falls from my eye and I quickly turn my head to catch it with the back of my hand before he can see it. But he does see it and he gently takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger forcing my face to meet his. He tenderly kisses the place where the tear fell.
"That is a long time. What happened?" He asks me frowning. "When a beautiful woman like you hasn't been touched in five years, something has happened to her to where she doesn't want to be touched." He quietly says taking my wine glass from me, setting it down on the table with his, then turns to me wrapping me up in his arms as if he knew that is exactly what I needed.
"I loved him. I gave myself to him completely until I found him in bed with my best friend." I tell him as he walks me to the couch to sit in front of the fire.
"Then he is a fool, Bella." He says laying his head back looking up at the ceiling.
"He said he was a fool to have gotten caught." I say watching him.
My heart still aches from that day. It's the primary reason I don't like to talk about it. I still feel the pain and the visual of seeing them in that position continues to disgust me.
Tucking a leg under himself, Edward turns toward me holding my hand in his, twisting my rings around my fingers, "Are you still in love with him? Does he still prevent you from giving yourself to someone else?"
"No, I don't love him. I haven't wanted to get involved with anyone since then though. It hurt for such for a long time. I loved them both a great deal and I felt very much betrayed. I still feel betrayed. Will I trust again? I don't know. I hope I still have it in me to trust someone. I haven't allowed myself to love anyone again though. It took me a long time to let Alice and Rosalie in. But I love them both very much. They are my family."
"Why haven't you allowed yourself to get close to anyone physically? Surely there have been opportunities for you in five years, Bella. There's not been a man that you have wanted, physically?"
Yes. You.
"I work. I poured myself into my work and I haven't stopped. Until now at least. That's why I am here. I needed to get away for a bit otherwise…I'm afraid I will forget how to live." I look down for a moment, feeling the weight of what I just said. I glance back at his determined face, "Skiing allows me to feel that there is still beauty in the world. I feel free and alive when I ski." I say feeling the blush rise to my face.
He nods his understanding, then asks, "What do you do for a living, Bella?" He begins to play with a strand of my hair.
"I am senior paralegal at Hale, Whitlock and Evanson in San Francisco." I tell him turning toward him and curling my legs under me, happy to change the subject away from Jacob.
His fingers stop moving, "I know that firm very well. They are my company's legal counsel. My attorney there is Eric Hale." He sounds happy to have changed the subject as well.
"Yes, he is Managing Partner at the firm and also Rosalie's father. I'm sure that's why your name sounded familiar to her," I say. "I don't work on all of Mr. Hale's cases; he has another paralegal he uses as well. I have never run across your name though."
"That's probably because it would be listed under my corporate name, Volturi Wineries." He sits back and watches for my reaction.
My eyes open wide and I almost jump out of my seat, "Wait, you are Volturi Wineries?" I know I have that deer in the headlight look on my face. Volturi is my favorite wine and I always make it a point to visit their winery when Rosalie, Alice and I visit Napa for wine tastings. "What a coincidence." I say looking down into my glass of wine.
"This is fate...again." I say raising my eyes to meet his.
"Why do you say that?" He smiles at me as he runs his fingers through my hair allowing his fingers to graze my neck. It feels really nice and I close my eyes enjoying his touch. It's been a long time since a man has touched me like that. A small whimper escapes and I feel myself flush.
"This whole thing between you and I. The way we met and the circumstances surrounding our meeting. And now this, sitting here with the man who runs Volturi Wineries, the only wine I drink, I might add. It's just one more thing to add to the already growing list." I shake my head at the coincidence of how this whole thing started and curious where it will lead.
"Do you ever make it down to Napa to visit us?" He asks and I smile in return.
"The girls and I go several times during the summer. We take a limousine and tour our favorite wineries, but we usually save Volturi for last. We end up spending most of our time there." I giggle at some of the memories I have of our wine tasting tours.
"I have been to your winery many times. We enjoy having lunch at the café; it's very peaceful there. Is Embry still at the tasting center?" I ask, hoping that he is. "He always makes our experience at Volturi so much fun." I look at Edward with a watchful eye curious whether I had ever seen him on the property but determine that I haven't because I would have remembered; he is too handsome to forget.
"Yes, he sure is," He grins, "He will be there until the end of his days. He is a very valued employee."
"He treats us very well when we are there. I think he has a crush." I say glancing at him from the corner of my eye.
"On whom? If he has a crush on you, I will fire him as soon as I get home!" He says with a playful spark in his eyes.
"All of us." I say laughing.
"Embry crushes on all the ladies, Bella." He smirks at me.
"Hey now, we are special and he knows it." I remind him. "I am a very valued customer of Volturi." I say giggling, nervously playing with the stem of my wine glass.
"Yes, Bella, you are special. Either that or you have a serious drinking problem." He teases gently squeezing my shoulder.
"I admit I like wine, but only Volturi wine. It's my favorite." I say, flirting with him and take another sip of the Chardonnay. I look at him and he holds my eyes and takes his lower lip between his teeth.
Oh my.
"Okay," He says slapping his hands on his thighs, "I have to look around to see if everything is okay and if any critters have gotten in anywhere. I worry about frozen pipes this time of year." I stand up with him and offer to help.
"Sit and enjoy the fire," He says running the back of his fingers across my jaw, holding my chin, and staring directly into my eyes. He lowers his face slightly as if to kiss me but stops himself, "I'll be just a few minutes."
When he leaves to check the outside of the house, I decide to look around. I open a door that leads to a back yard deck and was awed by the beautiful mountain view. It is breathtaking and I am mesmerized by it. I am startled though when a totally nude woman jumps up from the balcony of a neighboring house. I can only assume she is sunbathing…in the middle of winter no less.
"What are you doing there? Where is Edward?" She shouts at me.
I gave her my best Robert DiNero 'you talking to me' look and said "Excuse Me?"
She stands there in all her naked glory with her hands on her hips. Trust me, there is nothing sexy about a pissed off naked woman with her hands on her hips!
"Are you curious and asking me what I'm actually doing here, as in me standing here looking at the beautiful view, well, it was until you interrupted it, or are you are asking what I'm doing in Edward's home?"
She stands there with her plastic breasts glaring at me, which gives a new meaning to the term "headlights". Now that I think about it, I believe her state of nudity was intended for Edward and not so much for me.
"If you're asking what I'm doing in Edward's home, I am here by invitation and if you want to know where Edward is, I would have to say that it is none of your business."
Not wanting to waste any more time speaking with her, I turn to go back into the house, but abruptly stop and look over my shoulder. "Put your clothes on, you look disgusting. Additionally, Lewd and Lascivious is a felony… look it up" I then turn and enter the house.
Holding my glass of wine, I curl up into the corner the couch and stare into the fire. My mind drifts to thoughts of Edward and the intense kisses he has given me over the past several days and the "threat" he whispered in my ear. He surprises me at every turn. I have no idea what I am going to get with Edward Cullen. But I kind of like that about him.
I lay my head back contemplating this whole situation and glance across the room and see another piano. How many of those does he have for crying out loud? I get up and walk over to it running my hand along the key cover. "He must be very good to have a piano here and one at the condo," I think to myself. Maybe one day I will hear him play.
I return to the couch and close my eyes enjoying the warmth and the sounds of the crackling fire. Suddenly, I feel him near me and my eyes slowly open to find him standing over me. He gently takes me by my arms and raises me from the couch and warns me in his velvet voice, "Bella, I'm going to kiss you now."
Oh, God!
And with that, he lowers his head and places a kiss on my lips parting my mouth with his warm tongue and I can't help but deepen the kiss. He releases my arms and wraps his around me, tightening his hold. I weave my fingers through his hair pulling him to me even closer. I sense that he enjoys the feel of my hands in his hair because I get this carnal moan from him every time. After he ends our kiss, I feel his face next to mine. His ragged breathing matches my own and I can feel his erection as he gently presses it against me. I respond to him by pressing myself against him in return. He gasps and he suddenly lifts his face and his look goes from shock and amazed to slow and sexy. That look that says, 'I want to fuck you and all you are going to say is 'okay'. Yeah, that look.
After our moment of mental copulation, he says, "I saw Sue on her balcony. She does that to me all the time and it gets annoying having to avoid that side of the house." His eyelids are heavy and he says quietly, "I heard what you said to her. That was the hottest fucking thing I've heard you say…so far." He lowers his hand to the small of my back and slowly pressed me against him again.
"And you know what the other hottest thing I want you to say is." He reminds me with a trail of kisses across my jaw down the side of my neck. I can feel the goosebumps down the back of my thighs.
I really want this man. I want to feel my body next to his. I want him to know that I am as affected by him as he is by me. I raise myself to him by standing on my toes and kiss him just as he has kissed me. He allows me to be the aggressor and after I slow the kiss, I release his lips and into his ear I say in a breathless whisper, "I want you to be the first to touch me, Edward."
I hear him inhale sharply and secretly hope he will take me right now, but he just looks at me and nods his head once confirming his understanding and quietly holds me for a short while, kisses my forehead, and then says we need to prepare to leave.
Oh, God, please protect me, I pray. Please protect my heart. I'm afraid he is taking it from me.
On our way to the car, Edward asks me if I am getting hungry and I tell him I am indeed… starving. He tells me of a good burger joint called Burgers A Go-Go that makes a special burger just for him. He opens the door for me and gives me a sweet kiss. He hurries to the driver's side sliding in behind the wheel and sees me looking up through the window. He follows my gaze to see Sue watching us through her living room window with her hands on her hips.
I look at Edward and all he can say is, "Ain't gonna happen," and we busted out laughing and are on the road again. It gives me a bit of sweet pleasure knowing that as hard as Sue tries, she would not be fucking Edward. Yeah, that pleased me… a lot.
After a short drive and many flirty and sweet glances at each other, we arrive at the restaurant. Edward opens my door and takes my hand, not releasing it until we are seated. The waitress brings water to the table and I watch her eyefuck Edward in every possible position. I look at her and clear my throat to gain her attention and say "Ain't gonna happen."
He looks directly at me, smiling, and says to the waitress, "Two Volturi Specials please."
"S..sir, we don't have…." She says and is interrupted when he quickly looks at her and says again, "Two Volturi Specials please." She nods her head and I watch her as she speaks with the cook. He looks at Edward and a huge smile crosses his face.
The cook turns out to be the owner and he brings our plates to us personally and says hello to Edward. After a few minutes of conversation, we eat our lunch and fall into easy conversation. I've learn a lot about Edward these past few days.
After we start our way back to Tahoe City, we talk about our childhood, where we grew up, the winery, my job and his job. He asks me about what roll I play in the firm and how I assist on cases. I tell him that I conduct client interviews, prepare the attorneys for trials or hearings, assist and attend trials, conduct case research, and oversee case management, among other things. I don't want to talk about my job so I chang the subject.
"Edward?"
"Yes, Bella." He says in that silky smooth voice that goes straight to my girl candy.
"Do you have a woman in your life?" I ask, not sure why, but something tells me to ask. I know that he said there wasn't any Mrs. Cullen's or future Mrs. Cullen's but my gut is operating in overdrive. It may possibly be my trust issues coming to the surface but I need to know for sure.
Say no!
"What do you mean?" He asks suspiciously.
"Edward, you know exactly what I mean. Do you have a woman in your life that is not your mother?" I ask again grinning.
He sits quietly for a moment. Too long of a moment. I raise my head from the back of the seat and look pointedly at him.
Oh no! Dear God, here it comes…..
"Yes. There is a woman, but not like you mean. Do I love her? No. But we do have a 'friends with benefits' sort of relationship." He answers very directly and truthfully. That makes me sit up straight and I turn my head away from him, shocked, hurt and disappointed.
Thud
Why should I be upset? What he does has nothing to do with me. But it upsets me nonetheless. It upsets me that he is sleeping with someone. Dammit. He is taking your heart from you and he is fucking someone else. Bella… you stupid girl! You almost did it again didn't you! Stop it…stop it…stop it!
"Bella, what are you thinking?" He asks me.
"I asked you yesterday if there was a woman and you said no." I can feel my anger boiling to the surface, this is not good.
"No, Bella, you asked me if there was a Mrs. Cullen or a future Mrs. Cullen and I answered you truthfully." He threw my question back at me. "But I am curious why you are asking me again."
Yeah, that makes me feel better. Not.
"You knew the exact information I was after, Edward. I didn't want to be in this car with you if you had a girlfriend or a significant other or really anyone in your life. You are a smart man. You knew what I wanted to know." Now I am angry at him. "And it's a good thing I DID ask again isn't it?"
He glances at me and I am unsure what he is thinking.
"Oh God, I've been kissing you!" I cry out.
Silent tears begin streaming down my face. I've been lied to AGAIN! I am so angry at myself I take my fist and hit my thigh, hard. So hard that it actually hurts.
"Bella, what's going on?" He asks in a soft voice.
"What's going on! I just need to know if there is one fucking person out there that I can trust." I say talking to the window.
"God!" I cry into my hands "I was considering sleeping with you. You made me want to trust you, Edward. FUCK!" I scream.
A/N… Can't wait to hear from you. I love my Edward and Bella. Can't wait for you to see what happens with them. Also, I will be posting on Thursdays and Sundays...stay tuned...it's gettin' good.