A/N First of all, I want to apologize to those of you who read Her Enigma. I haven't been able to write the futuretake, so I went back to writing this chapter of TPB. Unfortunately, I realized that at the moment I'm too immersed in this story to be able to get in the mind of my other characters. I really am sorry, but I do promise that as soon as I get the inspiration I'm going to write the overdue futuretake. I only hope that you can find it in your hearts to forgive me, because I hate to disappoint.
Chapter 16
Isabella Pov
~ April 4th, 2012 ~
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I stared at the picture in my hand, unable to keep a smile from forming on my lips. My arms circled Edward's torso while his were draped around my shoulders securely as we both smiled widely at the camera. Behind us, Prague Castle's thick walls were serving as background, along with a few other tourists unknowingly intruding into our memento in the making. It was one of the many photos taken by Aldred and his wife, the elderly couple we'd spent our first three days with, until they were due to return to UK.
Leaning back into the comfortable couch, I placed the picture back into the album I'd bought a week ago, and picked up another one of me lying in our hotel bed. I was dressed in the sexy PJ's I had bought especially for that trip and was savoring a piece of chocolate from a box we'd purchased on one of our aimless walks through the city's narrow streets. Edward had just stepped out of the shower, and when he had seen me with the half-empty box in my lap, he'd laughed, deciding to immortalize the moment. His amusement had transferred over to me, and the camera had captured an embarrassing image of me with my mouth parted, offering glimpses of chocolate stained teeth. In contrast with the provocative pajamas I had on, I had to admit I looked hilarious. Edward had teased me about it, threatening to duplicate the photo and put a smaller one in his wallet, and I had threatened back to scratch the paint of his precious BMW 8 Series if he ever dared doing so. That had shut him up, and I realized I had found one of his weak spots. Men and their toys.
Turning the page, my eyes settled on Edward's bare ass, and I chuckled at the memory. Feeling playful one morning, I had followed him into the bathroom and snapped a picture of his toned posterior while he took care of his physiological needs. He'd chased me around the suite and we had ended up having sex on the fluffy rug in the living area. Afterwards, examining my work of art, he himself admitted that he had a 'very nice ass' indeed.
Turning page after page, I reached the end of the album and sighed wistfully. I didn't think I could ever thank Edward enough for the gift he had offered me by paying for that trip to Prague. It was one of the places I had wanted to visit ever since I was a child, and he had made my dream come true with a few phone calls. To me, it had been the most amazing experience, something I wished I could live again as soon as possible.
Edward had promised we were going to France in the summer, and I could barely reign in my excitement and impatience, knowing I had to wait another three or four months until we were both able to take time off again.
I got up and walked over to the drawer underneath the TV where Edward kept all his photo albums, placing our first one inside. Straightening my back and stretching my arms over my head, I headed over to the large windows and glanced outside, seeing it was already dark. I sighed and checked my watch. It was past eight, and Edward hadn't arrived from work yet.
The day we had returned from Europe, he had decided to give me a key to his condo so I could come and go whenever I pleased. Ever since, I had spent almost every night at his place. A few of my clothes and toiletries were now mingled with his, and it amazed me how fast our relationship was growing. Never before had I been so eager to give myself to a man in both body and soul, and while in the past I had been reluctant to take this sort of steps, with Edward it all came naturally. He was different; I could feel it with every cell of my body. He was the man who had the ability to break me beyond repair, and it scared me how vulnerable I felt when it came to him.
Spinning on my heels, I headed over towards the kitchen to check on dinner. The lasagna was done, but the tomato soup needed a bit more stirring. I turned off the oven and as I began stirring the soup, my mind involuntarily flew to the first time Edward and I had sex only weeks prior.
I smiled to myself remembering his expression when I started taking control in bed. As shy as I could sometimes be when it came to the opposite sex, between the sheets all of my inhibitions and small complexes disappeared completely. The fact that I hadn't been intimate with anyone in quite some time had helped me loosen up, but so had the laid-back relationship Edward and I shared. He made me feel so comfortable in my own skin, something no other man had managed before.
I had expected him to be good at sex, but he had actually exceeded my expectations, and I could only come up with two plausible options. Either he was that great, or we simply matched in that department really well. Either way, I felt like I had finally found a man who was able to satisfy my needs by carefully balancing his wild side with his more tender side. He was a perfect combination of romantic and fierce, and I loved it.
Actually, I loved him but that was something I preferred not to dwell on. My feelings for him had grown exponentially over the weeks, and I couldn't deny them anymore. I loved him and that was that. I was resigned with the fact that I had to wait until he was ready to correspond, even though it was eating at me not being able to scream it from the top of my lungs. He had already proven that given time and patience, he was able to open up and let himself feel again. I only had to let him do things at his own pace.
Sometime later, keys twisting in the lock let me know that Edward had arrived home, and my heart started beating faster in anticipation. I hadn't seen him since that morning when he had dropped me off at school, but it felt like I hadn't laid eyes on him in forever. The sound of discarded shoes echoed through the silence, and soon after he showed up in the doorway. He was wearing his thick-rimmed glasses, a navy blue suit and matching button down, paired with a skinny black tie, and I had to bit my lip at the sight of him. His hair was its usual styled self, and I couldn't wait to run my hands through it and make it disheveled.
"Hey." He smiled, taking off his glasses and placing them on the countertop.
"Hi," I greeted with a smile of my own. "You look tired."
He had been working late ever since we had come back from our trip, and it bothered me to see him so exhausted every single night.
He sighed, walking over to me and placing his hands on my hips. "I am," he murmured, leaning down to kiss me softly a couple of times. Then he buried his nose in my neck and inhaled deeply, his arms wrapping around my waist tightly. "Can we go back to Europe?"
"I wish," I said, stroking the hair at the nape of his neck gently.
"Yeah, me too." He straightened up, sniffing the air curiously. "What are you making? It smells good."
"Soup," I answered, gesturing towards the pot on the stove.
"Soup?" He frowned, making a face. "Why?"
I rolled my eyes at him, freeing myself from his embrace to turn off the stove and cover the pot with a lid. "That's what I feel like having."
"I need something more consistent," he grumbled in return, heading over to the fridge and peering inside.
"There's lasagna in the oven," I replied, already reaching down to get it.
He chuckled, closing the refrigerator's door. "I knew there was a reason I loved you."
I froze with my hand on the oven door, my eyes taking saucer proportions as I stared blankly at the tile wall in front of me. I was sure I was starting to hear things, because he hadn't just said that to me.
"I didn't mean…" Edward started, his voice tentative, and I spun around to look at him. His right hand was tightly clutching his reddish locks while the expression he was wearing resembled one of pure horrification.
"You didn't?" I whispered, my stomach sinking in disappointment.
"I mean, I did," he stammered, swallowing audibly. "I just…" His grip on his hair tightened, nervousness oozing from every pore of his skin. "That was a horrible way of telling you."
"Yeah, it kind of was," I admitted, nodding numbly, still pretty much in shock. "Do you really love me?"
His green abysses, usually so hard to read, suddenly softened, revealing the weakness he was trying to keep hidden.
"I do," he murmured, watching me apprehensively. "I never thought I would fall in love again so soon after Tanya's death. I just…" he sighed, closing his eyes and rubbing a hand over his face. "I can't help it. I love you, Isabella. And I'm sorry for bringing it up like tha-"
I shut him up by launching myself at him and gluing my lips to his. His eyes snapped open at the unexpected contact, and I pressed my body to his hard one, causing him react and bring me flush to his chest.
"I love you, too," I confessed in between kisses, a wave of euphoria washing over me. I had never thought I would be hearing those words from him so soon, and I briefly wondered if I was dreaming. Maybe I had fallen asleep while looking at pictures and this whole scene was the result of my own unfulfilled desire.
"You do?" he breathed, his palms cupping my butt and squeezing firmly, something I had noticed he did when he was getting aroused. If I had to place Edward in a category, I could definitely say he was an ass man.
"Yeah," I replied sincerely, glad that I could finally express my feelings for him. "I've loved you for quite some time."
Edward groaned, assaulting me with passionate kisses. "I think this requires celebrating," he said, lifting me up on the counter and settling between my thighs.
"I agree." I smiled, wrapping my legs around his and pulling him closer.
His deft fingers slipped underneath my t-shirt, wasting no time in unclasping my bra. He kissed me deeply, his hands kneading my breasts as his growing erection pressed against the spot where he was mostly needed. His thumbs started rubbing firm circles around my nipples, and I let out a low moan, enjoying his ministrations.
In the short time since we had started being intimate, Edward had learned more about my body than my two other boyfriends had in years. He knew how to make me so aroused that I lost my head, he knew almost all of my sensitive spots, and more importantly, he was able to bring me to orgasm without having to put too much effort into it. He was more than willing to please, and everything I asked of him he did, making sure I was never left unsatisfied.
Another thing I liked about Edward was his creativity. When it came to sexual positions he was usually the first one to suggest we try a new position. Some of them I knew and had tried before, while others were worthy of an advanced gymnastics session. I had to say I was quite impressed with his love-making skills so far. With him, not only was I learning new things about sex in general, but also about my own body and its reaction to different stimuli.
Edward pulled my t-shirt over my head then removed the bra, his hot mouth descending towards my breasts. Keeping his gaze locked with mine, he flickered his tongue over my left nipple, causing goose bumps to spread all over my skin.
The fact that he liked to keep eye contact in the throes of passion, was an incredible turn on. The act of staring into your lover's eyes while he pushed into you was the most erotic thing I had ever experienced. It made me feel naked on the inside, like I was baring my soul to him, but it also made me feel incredibly beautiful. He always stared at me with such intensity and adoration, like no other man had ever done before. I had no idea if that was just the way he was in bed, or if his feelings for me ran more deeply than I had initially thought.
Still gazing into his dark green eyes, I took hold of his hair and tugged on it, making him grunt in appreciation. He then smirked mischievously, his lips making their way down to my stomach and settling at the top of my jeans. Slowly, he ran his palms up my thighs until he reached his destination. He popped open the button then slid the zipper down, teasing me by hooking his forefinger into the hem of my panties and peering inside playfully.
All of a sudden, he straightened up, taking a step back, and I scowled, instinctively reaching for him.
"Where are you going?" I whined in protest.
Instead of answering, he walked away, grabbed a kitchen chair and came back with it.
"What are you doing?" I asked when he began pulling my jeans down my legs and then my panties.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" he replied, taking a seat in the chair, right between my parted legs.
I chuckled. "Are you seriously going down on me while I'm on the kitchen counter?"
"Yes," he said simply, pulling me towards the edge and placing my legs on his shoulders. "Lie on your back."
Amused, I did as he requested, resting my hands on my stomach as I looked up at the cabinets above me. He began placing soft kisses on the inside of my thighs as he ascended, and I let out a contented sigh. He was sporting a five o'clock shadow, making my skin tingle every time his face came in contact with it. Soon enough, his mouth reached my opening, and he parted my folds with his fingers. He began kissing my clit softly, and I moaned, the gesture clouding my mind with lust.
"Edward," I breathed, amusement leaving me as desire took its place. I grabbed his hair again, my thighs clamping down on his head as I shut my eyes and let myself feel what he was doing.
He grunted in response, opening me wider and sliding two fingers inside. He began pumping them in and out of me at a slow pace, all the while his tongue rubbing circles around my clitoris, and I arched my back, already more than ready to come. He kept the same rhythm for a little while longer, and it didn't take me long to have my first orgasm. I cried out quietly as my toes curled and my body spasmed violently.
Through my haze I heard a moan coming from Edward, and I looked down to see him fixing me with a predatory look on his face. Rising to his feet, he kicked the chair back and started undressing with such vigor, I thought he was going to rip the clothes in the process. He took his button down and undershirt off in mere seconds, and I couldn't help but ogle his chiseled chest and prominent six pack. He had gained a few pounds in the last few weeks, but I suspected those were actually the pounds he had lost a year back with the stress of Tanya's death, because they fitted him perfectly.
My eyes trailed over his strong arms as they made quick work of his belt buckle, and I had to keep myself from panting for his touch. He discarded his pants and boxers, tossing them carelessly in the same heap as our other clothing items.
"Are you still wearing your socks?" I asked amused as he stepped back between my legs and leaned down on top of me.
"Yes." He grinned, hooking his arms under my knees and placing my feet on the edge of the counter.
"Mmm. Kinky," I joked.
"I know," he breathed, his tongue running across my bottom lip. "You make my kinky side surface when you're spread out like this, waiting for me to take you."
At his words, I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him in for a deep kiss. The weight of his torso pressed down on me in the most delicious way, and I relished in the gentle touch of his hands as they ran up my sides until they reached my breasts. We made out vigorously, his erection waiting idly against my folds. He was hard and throbbing and I couldn't wait to have him inside of me. It had only been hours since our last coupling, but I was already desperate for him.
"I want you," I mumbled, my hand wiggling its way between us to stroke him a few times and to get him ready.
Placing one last peck against my lips, he smiled and pushed himself off me. Parting my legs as wide as they would go, he glanced down and started probing me once more to make sure I was prepared to receive him.
"You're so wet," he whispered in a husky voice, retreating his fingers and taking one to his mouth.
I groaned, the sight of him tasting me like that, making my temperature rise. His smile morphed into a knowing smirk, and without wasting anymore time, he aligned himself with my entrance, pushing all the way in easily. We both moaned in unison at the sensation, and soon a slow rhythm began.
"Isabella," he murmured, looking at me like he wanted to devour me. Taking my hands into his large ones, he brought one to his lips and started placing wet reverent kisses against my palm.
Shivers ran down my spine as sentiments of love and adoration for the man above me rocked my entire being. I had never thought I would become so immersed in someone that I forgot all about myself. It was like all I had ever known about my persona prior to meeting Edward was now irrelevant. He had changed to way I saw myself and the world, and I was certain he was the best thing that had ever happened to me. He was quickly becoming not only my number one priority but also the most important person in my life. I was dedicating myself to him completely both physically and emotionally, and when we were together everything around us stopped existing.
It was scary.
It was confusing.
It was liberating.
It was love.
~~ 0 ~~
Later that night we were lying in bed, pretending to watch TV. Edward had fallen asleep the moment his head had hit the pillow and was now snoring lightly beneath me while I stared blankly at the flat screen, fantasizing about our future together.
My mind was running wild, making up explicit scenarios involving me and Edward getting married and living the life I had always dreamed about. I even imagined his proposal, coming out as spontaneous as those three important words had earlier. My thoughts were as premature as those of a teenage girl with a crush, the only thing lacking for my sudden burst of puerilism to be complete consisting of the cliché "Isabella Cullen" scribbled on each notebook I owned.
I chuckled to myself quietly, because I really couldn't help it. Edward managed to bring out strong family instincts in me that I was unaware I had. I mean, I had always known I wanted a family of my own, but I'd always thought that would happen long after I finished my studies. Now, I wasn't so sure about that. If our relationship continued to develop as harmoniously as it had, who knew what could happen next. The future was extremely unpredictable.
Sometime later, a deep craving for something sweet arose in me, and I got out of bed, padding barefoot towards the kitchen.
"Where are you going?" Edward's sleepy voice stopped me in my tracks just as I was exiting the room. I turned around to face him and saw that he was peering at me through barely open slits.
"I'm craving ice cream," I said, resting my palm against the doorway.
He sighed, turning onto his side and hugging my vacant pillow. "And where are you going to find ice cream at this hour?" he grumbled, clearly displeased that I had left the bed.
"In your fridge," I stated, and he looked up with a confused frown. "What? Susan bought it."
"Mmhmm," he murmured, burying his nose in my pillow. "Bring me some as well."
"You're not allowed," I teased. "You're on a diet."
"Since when?" he asked lazily, keeping his eyes closed.
"Since now. I want it all to myself."
He chuckled huskily, throwing me a quick leer. "I like it when you're greedy."
I rolled my eyes at him. "Perv."
When I came back with the ice cream about fifteen minutes later after a relatively short phone call with Kate, he was sitting up, staring at the TV. I slid in next to him, pulling the comforter to my waist and handing him a spoon.
"What are we watching?" I inquired, seeing he had changed the channel.
"A movie," he said, pushing the spoon into the large tube and taking it to his mouth.
"I can see that. I meant what movie."
He shrugged nonchalantly. "I have no idea. But it stars Richard Gere, and I thought you'd like to watch it."
I stared at his profile in amazement. He had remembered such a trivial thing about me. If that didn't say something about his personality, I don't know what did.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, glancing at me when he realized I had grown silent.
I smiled, shaking my head. "I love you."
He returned the smile, leaning in to peck my lips softly. "I love you, too."
"Thank you," I breathed, nuzzling my nose with his.
"What for?"
"For being mine."
He nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Thank you for waiting for me."
~~ 0 ~~
"Okay, this is getting ridiculous," Angela snapped the next morning as I made it through the front door of the apartment we shared. She still had on her pajamas and was holding a mug with what smelled like coffee in it. If her frown was of any indication, I could say she was mad at me.
"What?" I said defensively, tossing my bag on the floor and taking off my shoes. "What did I do?"
"I barely see you anymore," she accused, planting one hand on her hip firmly. "You spend so much time at Edward's, you could just move in with him already."
I hung the jacket I was wearing on the hallstand before making my way to my room. She followed, standing in front of me as I plopped down on the bed.
"We're getting to know each other better. You know how relationships are in the beginning."
"Yeah, I know," she said sarcastically. "It's all about fucking like jackrabbits."
I rolled my eyes at her petulantly.
"You know it's true. You've been praising his magical dick every single day since you came back from Europe."
"I have not," I argued, starting to remove my clothes in order to take a shower.
"Yes, you have. 'Oh, Edward is so great in bed. Oh, he's so inventive. Oh, he's so attentive. Oh, his dick is so big,'" she burlesqued, making faces. "I get it, he's hung like a stallion and he has mad skills. Now can I please have sexually frustrated Bella back?"
"I just…" I sighed in frustration, yanking the socks from my feet. "I'm in love with him, okay?"
"Say what?" She gaped, blinking rapidly.
It was my turn to snap at her irritably. "You heard me. I love him."
Angela was silent for a moment. "Oh, Bella," she said, seeming at a loss of how to react at the new piece of information. "Does he at least love you back?"
"He told me last night," I mumbled, getting up clad only in my underwear. Picking up my discarded clothes, I headed over to the bathroom, tossing them into the hamper. When I spun around to leave, I bumped into Angela who had abandoned her mug somewhere in my room.
"When is he coming over?" she inquired with narrowed eyes, having regained her attitude quickly. "I need to have a serious conversation with him."
"No, you don't," I contradicted, giving her a pointed look. She was a great friend and everything, but I didn't need her terrorizing my boyfriend or scaring him away. Not that he was easily scared, but I preferred that she didn't interfere. Our feelings were between Edward and me and so were their eventual consequences.
"Yes, I do," she argued stubbornly. "He has to know that if he ever hurts you I'm going to castrate him and throw his balls in Lake Michigan for the fish to feed."
"Oh, he probably knows, don't worry," I tried to placate her.
"Seriously now." She placed her hands on my shoulders, giving them a little squeeze. "If he's ever being a dick to you, you come to me."
"Okay, mobster," I joked. "I come to you. Now can we drop it? He's a good man and you're very much aware of that."
"Yeah, yeah." She leaned against the washing machine as I turned on the shower.
"How's Ben doing?" I changed the subject, taking off my underwear and stepping under the warm spray of water.
Their relationship was going smoother than any of us had expected, and I could see a change in both of them. Ben was making efforts to keep his jealousy and possessiveness in check, which was a big deal for him. I had known him ever since we were kids and he had always been a bit controlling, but now he really seemed to have changed for his girlfriend's sake. Angela on the other hand, was happier than she had been in a long while, her love for Ben written all over her face.
"He's working his ass off. The CEO is planning on cutting off about fifty employees."
"Ouch."
"Yeah." She sighed sadly. "Anyway, what are you doing today after work?"
"I don't know," I answered, grabbing the shower gel and squirting some in my palm.
"How about we go see a movie or something?" She suggested. "We haven't gone out together in forever."
"Yeah, sure." I peered around the curtain at her. "Do you have the day off?"
She smiled. "Sure do."
"Okay. Come pick me up at seven then."
~~ 0 ~~
Work was uneventful. Kate was in and out running errands the entire time I was at the bookstore, while I occupied myself stocking the shelves with the new books we had received that morning and reading for my American Literature class when there weren't any customers.
As I was emptying the boxes, I stumbled upon a fantasy book with an interesting cover. Thinking it would be perfect for Jessica, I put it aside to take home. While Edward had spent time with her at Christmas and at Tanya's memorial, I hadn't laid eyes on her in quite some time. Even though I knew the relationship between Edward and Emmett was strained, I wanted to hand Jessica the book myself. So I made a mental note to ask Edward to bring her over to his condo one of the following days, and prayed that neither his older brother or his sister-in-law had anything against it.
Angela picked me up at seven as set and drove us over to the closest mall. While she purchased the tickets to the anticipated sequel of a blockbuster, I called Edward who was still at the office. We didn't get to talk much because he was busy and hung up after only about a couple of minutes of hurried conversation with the promise of calling me back as soon as he got home. With a resigned sigh, I took the ticket Angela was offering me and walked towards movie hall number 3, trying not let Edward's tight schedule put a damper on my evening.
Two hours later we were heading towards Burger King to indulge ourselves in an unhealthy late dinner. As we were passing a Chinese food restaurant, a familiar figure standing outside the entrance caught my eye. As her aimless gaze inevitably slid my way, her face lit up in recognition.
"Bella, hi!" Alice exclaimed, seeming ecstatic to see me.
"Oh, hey Alice," I said, stopping in my tracks in front of her and taking her in. She looked as fashionable as ever in metallic silver pumps and a blue leather jacket, but her dark hair had grown exponentially, reaching past her shoulders.
She enveloped me in a hug. "I haven't seen you in a while."
"I know." I smiled, returning the hug, still a bit surprised that I had ran into her. "Wow, your hair has grown so much."
"You like it?" she asked, flipping it over her shoulder.
"Yeah, I do. I love it." Beside me Angela shifted her weight from one foot to the other, and I gestured towards her. "This is Angela, my roommate."
"Hello." Alice extended her hand politely in greeting. "I'm Alice. Edward's future sister-in-law."
Angela nodded, shaking the outstretched hand. "Hey."
"I heard you and Edward were on vacation a couple of weeks ago," Alice said, redirecting her attention to me.
"Mmhmm," I hummed affirmatively.
"Esme had a fit when she found out." She chuckled, moving the shopping bags she was holding into her left hand.
"I bet she has a fit at the mere mention of my name."
"Something like that."
"I really hope I won't get to meet her too soon," I said jokingly, but Alice suddenly became serious.
"Maybe you should meet her," she said, glancing over her shoulder with an air of anxiety. Curiously, I followed her fugitive gaze, but all I could see behind the glass windows was people enjoying their food. "That way she'll realize you're not the opportunist slut she thinks you are. Pardon the appellative."
"I don't know, Alice…" I trailed off, still staring past her. An imposant blonde was making her way through the tables, her intense eyes boring into mine, and I had a feeling she was heading towards us.
"I sincerely think that by avoiding her you're digging yourself an even bigger hole. You're only giving her more reasons to doubt you. Why don't you come to the family dinner next Saturday? She'll at least appreciate that she gets to see Edward. Besides, I don't think she's going to be rude to you openly."
"Uh… I'll have to discuss it with Edward first," I said absently, watching as the blonde exited the restaurant and stood beside Alice. There was something about her defiant posture and the way she was fixing me with her cerulean irises that made me uneasy.
"I got it." The woman announced, holding up a bag with the restaurant's logo and still looking at me. "Hello."
Alice startled, a small crease forming between her eyebrows as he introduced us. "Bella, this is Rosalie, Emmett's wife and Jessica's mom," she said softly, looking at me warily. "Rose, this is Isabella, Edward's girlfriend, and her friend Angela."
"Interesting," Rosalie stated flatly, giving me the once over.
I gaped at her in shock, looking like a deer caught in headlights. My heart started beating faster in my chest, thinking that she was going to get home that evening and tell her husband and his mother that she had met me.
Not daring to tear my gaze away from hers, I tried to remember what I was wearing, and cursed myself internally for opting for such a casual outfit. Next to her immaculate Stepford wife image, I pretty much looked like a hobo in my jeans and Keds pink sneakers. Not to mention that aside from a bit of mascara, I wasn't even wearing make-up.
Great, I thought to myself angrily, hating how fast and unexpected my intention of making a good impression on Edward's family was going to hell. Now she's going to brag to everyone how unkept and unworthy of Edward I am.
Swallowing my embarrassment and humiliation at having met her at such an inopportune moment, I tried to smile, but it only came out as a bitter grimace. "Hello."
Rosalie seemed to have picked up on my self-consciousness, the corner of her mouth lifting upwards in a malevolent smirk.
"How do you two know each other?" she addressed Alice.
"We've…" she searched her mind for an appropriate answer, "…met in November, I think."
"You really don't say." Rosalie looked delighted in a vindictive way. "Esme isn't going to be very happy to hear you've kept this from her, Alice."
Alice turned to her with menacing eyes. "You're not going to tell her."
She kept smirking provocatively in return. "Maybe I will, maybe I won't."
"We need to go," Alice said brusquely, turning to me. "Please consider what I've told you, Bella."
"I will," I mumbled, dumbfounded by Rosalie's hostile demeanor. "It was nice seeing you."
"You too." She smiled apologetically before grabbing Rosalie's forearm and pulling her away.
As I stood watching their slim forms depart, a feeling of repressed revolt rocked through me. Maybe Alice's suggestion really was something worth considering. If those people were capable of being the epitome of defiance towards those whom they considered beneath them, I was going to prove that I could very well just return the favor by finally confronting them.
"Who the fuck was that stuck-up bitch?" Angela asked, intense animosity oozing from her voice.
"Edward's sister-in-law." I sighed, shaking my head. "I have a feeling I won't be gaining her on my side anytime soon."
"Man, if that's the family you're going to associate yourself with, I pity you."
"Alice is nice," I said weakly, my previous appetite long perished.
"One person being nice to you isn't enough to be accepted."
I nodded in agreement and we started walking towards the parking garage in silence. Angela seemed to have forgotten about food as well as we walked side by side like two people having a billion things on their minds.
"Do you think I should go to dinner on Saturday?" I eventually confessed my dilemma, putting on my seat belt.
"Yeah. You need to confront those fuckers once and for all. You're strong, you can handle them. Edward is going to be there for you, and so will that Alice chick."
"And Jasper," I added. "At least I hope so."
"Who's Jasper?" she asked, putting the car in reverse.
"He's Alice's boyfriend. Edward's younger brother."
"Well, that's good news, right? You already have people on your side."
"I guess. Anyway…" I shook my head, attempting to shake all thoughts from my mind. "I'll talk to Edward tomorrow."
"Good." She reinforced.
"Better yet," I added quickly, too eager to wait until the next day, "how about you drop me off at his condo?"
"It's late," she argued irritably. "He could be asleep by now."
I glanced at my watch. "It's not even ten. And even if he's asleep, I have a key, remember?"
"How about you take a cab?" she snapped, glaring at me.
"Don't be mean."
"Or how about you ask him to buy you a car? I'm sure a nice Audi wouldn't make a dent in his bank account."
I laughed dryly at her crazy idea. "You're delirious."
"Am I?"
"Yes, you are. Shut up and start driving already."
~~ 0 ~~
"I couldn't get rid of her," I said apologetically, pointing to Angela as Edward opened the front door to his spacious condo.
He looked half-asleep and a bit confused as he took both of us in. His flannel pants hung low on his hips while his reddish mane was completely plastered to his forehead, a sign of sleeping on his stomach. Glancing at his wrist, he looked for the time but only encountered bare skin instead.
"It's ten fifteen," I clarified, feeling bad that I had woken him up. "Sorry for not announcing that I was coming over."
He waved me off sluggishly, clearing his throat and finding his voice. "Come on in."
"I thought it was time I saw where you lived," Angela commented nonchalantly as we began removing our shoes and jackets. "Plus, your girlfriend made me drop her off here instead of going home with me."
"Sorry," I apologized again, scowling at her.
"Don't worry. I'm used to her by now," Edward teased, reaching for my waist and pulling me to his chest. His head dipped down and he placed a kiss against my lips. "Hi."
"Hi." I smiled, melting into his embrace. A whiff of aftershave caught my nose, and I nuzzled his smooth cheek affectionately. "You smell nice."
"I took a shower earlier," he said with a grin, kissing me again.
"Mmmm," I hummed into his mouth appreciatively.
"Ugh. This is sickening," Angela complained from somewhere behind me. "I should've just gone home."
"Yeah, you should've," I retorted with a mumble, keeping my mouth glued to Edward's as my arms wrapped around his broad back.
She sighed exaggeratedly, displeased with the fact that we were practically ignoring her. "You got anything to drink, Edward? I'm thirsty."
"Kitchen," he said in between kisses, "first door on the right."
"Gee, thanks for the overwhelming hospitality."
He chuckled, finally pulling away to look at her over my head. "I'm busy as you can see. You're a big girl, and I'm sure you can find the kitchen on your own."
"Whatever." She turned on her heels. "I'll help myself. You two go back to sucking faces."
"I missed you," I said, gazing up at him, my palms running up and down his sides.
"You too." He pressed his lips against mine a few more times, and I grinned widely at his display of affection. "Why did Angela come up?"
"To piss me off I guess."
"I like her, but I want you all to myself right now," he said, pulling me even closer if that was possible. "I was dreaming about you."
"You were?" I asked, surprised and delighted at the same time.
"Yes," he whispered, his nose running across my cheek and down my jaw until it reached my neck.
"What was I doing in your dream?" I breathed, knowing his answer was going to set me on fire.
He dragged his lusty eyes to mine. "Do you really want to know?"
"Yeah."
His lips parted, letting loose words that had a visible effect on me. "You were riding me in my bed."
"Edward," I moaned quietly, my hands sliding down to squeeze his firm posterior as my mouth found his yet again.
"My beautiful girl," he moaned back, running his fingers through my hair. "I love you. I'm sorry I forgot to call you as soon as I got home. I lay down after my shower and fell asleep."
"It's okay," I assured, wishing we were alone so I could molest him. Unfortunately, Angela didn't plan on leaving too soon, so I had to settle for just a few gropes and indecent touches. "I love you."
Just then, the major pain in my ass passed by us holding a glass of what looked to be orange juice and a homemade cookie. She rolled her eyes at having found us in the same spot she had left us and continued walking, heading towards the living room.
Sometime later, just as we were preparing to leave, Angela went to the bathroom, and I took the opportunity to speak to Edward.
"I wanted to talk to you about something," I said, turning to face him on the couch.
"Tell me."
"How would you feel if I said I wanted to join the family dinner on Saturday?"
His brow furrowed as he regarded me analytically. "Are you serious about this?"
I nodded, wringing my hands nervously in my lap.
"If that's what you want…" he trailed off, sounding uncertain.
Not wanting to omit anything, I went on. "I ran into Alice today at the mall. She was with Rosalie. I don't want to risk running into your mother in the same incidental way. The chances of that happening are pretty slim since we obviously don't frequent the same places, but still…"
Edward was silent for a long moment. I could swear I was able to hear the wheels turning in his head as he considered what I'd just said.
"What do you think about it?" I asked softly when I couldn't take his silence anymore.
He shrugged one shoulder, grabbing a fistful of his hair and tugging on it. "I think it's up to you. If you're ready…"
"I'm ready," I said, trying to sound as confident as I could. "I want to meet your mother."
Although on the outside I was putting up a brave front, on the inside I was scared shitless. The fear of that terrible woman had irrevocably squeezed its way into my heart and an obsessive prayer was repeating into my mind incessantly.
God help me.
A/N Loved it? Hated it? Let me know.
Everyone who reviews this chapter is going to get a special teaser by the end of next week (at the latest) that won't be posted on FB or anywhere else.
~ Andreea ~