Ok, I had to come defend my Eddie. He's not a slut...not at all, this chapter will help you all understand him a bit more, hopefully.

Chapter Thirty

EdPOV

I couldn't believe it.

Here I was seriously crushing on him and he was there thinking I'm a man-whore.

He's not exactly far off, my idiot inner voice chimed in.

"Fuck off," I growled as I walked down the road.

I was too pissed to get a cab, I needed to let the steam off.

Hopefully my dumb ass didn't get lost.

I took a deep breath, trying to settle my thoughts.

It's not that I was upset at what James had said, God knows I've heard it a million times.

Because I don't have extremely long relationships, people believed that I was some sort of gigolo, or heartless or something like that.

Far from it.

Bella believed I had issues with committing.

That wasn't the case either.

I was just afraid.

Of falling in love again and being hurt the way I had been before.

My heart couldn't take it, not a second time.

I didn't want to think about him.

I felt my heart constrict in my chest, as his face flashed through my mind.

I didn't want to remember him at all, but I'd never forget him.

How does one forget their first love?

Their first lover?

Their first heartbreak?

I'll tell you how, they never do.

The say first impressions are the lasting ones, there's so much truth in that saying.

It's what's etched in your brain forever.

And this was no exception.

I had met Aro Volturi when I was sixteen years old.

I had just come to grips with the fact that I was gay.

He was my every dream come true.

Older, successful, handsome and very attentive.

I fell head over heels in love with him.

We dated for two years secretly because of my age, and when I turned eighteen he took me to my first gay party.

I was overwhelmed by it all.

There were so many prominent figures that I would never have believed were gay there, and I was like a shiny new penny to them.

Aro showed me off proudly and I basked in the attention I was getting, happy to make Aro proud.

My happiness didn't last long because before I knew it, jealousy reared its ugly head.

One of Aro's friends began showering me with gifts, seemingly harmless to me, but obviously striking a bad note with Aro.

The night he punched me in the face, I didn't understand why.

I hadn't done anything.

I left, completely terrified.

He had found me, showered me with kisses and promises. Vowing to never do it again. I fell for it of course, I loved him.

I stopped accepting things from his friend, that didn't stop the man from pursuing me.

Aro became sullen, always calling to query my whereabouts, having me followed and that sort of mess.

It was terrible.

This went on for almost a year, the jealous calls, the occasional slap across the face.

I made myself believe that it was somehow my fault.

It was my fault he was doing these things.

I stopped going out in public places because of the bruises I would have.

And he stopped making love to me, instead it became something nasty and vile.

He would drive himself to completion, not caring about me.

I became a fuck toy.

My work in college started to flounder, which then became something else for Aro to be angry about.

I became a shell, never constantly trying to redeem myself in his eyes.

The last straw came on the eve of my twentieth birthday.

I had gotten excellent grades on my final thesis and I rushed home to tell Aro the news, what I saw then still churned my stomach.

Aro was in his office, with his cock buried deep in some young twink's ass.

I must've made a sound because he looked up at me, an evil grin on his face as he doubled his movements. The young man's cried burned my ears as I turned and ran down the hall to the bathroom.

I barely made it to the bathroom before I brought up my stomach.

The cries and sounds coming from the room didn't stop.

He didn't care that I saw.

My heart broke into a million pieces.

I packed what I could manage and left.

I kept to myself and tried very hard to avoid any of the haunts that Aro frequented.

Finally I started living again, and I vowed that I would never get serious with anyone again.

No one would ever again get the opportunity to rip out what was left of my heart.

I wasn't heartless with these men I got involved with, on the contrary I was brutally honest.

From the get go, I let them know the deal.

This was not something to get serious about, I was not looking for a long-term relationship.

Most of them couldn't handle that.

Especially Alec McDermott.

He got clingy, put me in mind of a younger version of Aro.

It wasn't that he wasn't nice, but I couldn't give him what he wanted.

I was damaged beyond repair. And I couldn't bring him in to my world to suffer because of me.

And then Bella introduced me to James, and I have no idea what happened.

My heart did this flip floppy thing in my chest, skipped a few beats and then started beating normally again.

The man hadn't said a word and I was gone, hook line and sinker.

And he gave me the cold shoulder.

Now I know why.

And it hurt.

It shouldn't, because I didn't even know him but it did. It hurt that he thought that way about me.

I didn't even realize I was crying until my vision blurred and I had to stop to wipe my face.

"Edward?" a voice over the purr of a car's engine called.

It was him.

James.

I didn't want him to see me crying like a little bitch.

Please just go away, I pleaded silently.

The car stopped and I could hear him getting out, I resumed walking.

"Edward please, this is insane," he called behind me. "The rain is coming down for Christ's sake."

"I'm fine," I told him.

I felt his arm grab mine and he spun me around a very determined look on his face.

He let out a gush of air when he took in my tear blotched face.

"Jesus, are you crying?" he asked.

"I have allergies," I lied.

His gaze narrowed but thankfully, he let it go.

"I'm sorry about back there," he said quietly. "That was...wrong of me.

You're right, I shouldn't let other people's opinion influence mine. Can we start over?"

I looked at him, staring straight in his eyes, we were the same height. Something I found quite intriguing. I usually towered over most men at my 6'4.

"Please," he said again breaking the silence.

I nodded slowly, I guess it wouldn't hurt right?

His smile warmed me all the way to my toes, "I'm James Witherdale, it's a pleasure to meet you," he said sticking his hand out.

I looked down at the offered hand and then sniffed, "I'm Edward Masen, nice to meet you too."

"Good, now let's get you back home before you catch your death and Bella boils my nads in a stew," he said with a chuckle.

I laughed then, knowing he was right.

I got back in the car and we drove back to McCarty Manor and he promised to meet me for lunch sometime later in the week.

Friends, he said before he drove off.

I don't think I was ever just friends with anyone of the same sex before.

This should make interesting conversation.

-TA-

EmPOV

There was something warm and moving against my groin.

Where the hell was I?

I inhaled deeply and smelt a familiar scent.

Bella.

I was in Bella's bed.

And the warmth against my fast growing erection, was her backside.

I bit back a groan as she wriggled again, obviously trying to get comfortable.

I wanted her to stop moving but it felt so good.

I opened my eyes and took in our current positioning. She was so flush against me, we could've been joined at the hip.

My arm was hanging loosely over her stomach, the stomach where my child was growing everyday.

I let my fingers move over said stomach, feeling the small rise there, that was becoming more visible with each day.

It had taken a while for me to get used to the idea of her having my child, but it came quickly. Quicker than I had even expected.

I was excited about it now. I couldn't wait for our son or daughter to be born.

I was dragged back to the present by a moan from Bella.

She was not wriggling anymore but she was grinding her ass softly against mine.

Sweet baby Jesus, what was she doing?

I was torn between waking her or just enjoying the moment.

Either way I was screwed. If I woke her, she'd be terribly embarrassed and if she continued this, I'd have a very bad case of blue balls.

I didn't have time to worry because she turned in her sleep and buried her face into my neck.

"Em..." she murmured.

Was she dreaming about me?

Wow.

My arm tightened around her, drawing her closer.

God, when was the last time I held a woman in my arms?

Not since Jane.

Don't think about her now, she was a total mood killer.

Wait, there was a mood to kill?

Emmett you're an idiot, I thought to myself, the woman is unconscious.

Well, unconscious or not she was definitely having a dream.

Her fingers had now come up and were delving into my hair, I couldn't stop the moan from escaping this time.

Her face turned again and our lips were inches apart.

Don't do it Emmett, she's sleeping. Don't take advantage of her...

My conscience was interrupted by Bella's sweet lips attaching themselves to mine.

All coherent thought flew out the window as she kissed me softly.

I struggled with my conscience for a few seconds before closing my eyes and letting the feelings take over.

I wanted to kiss her.

I wanted this.

Keep it safe, the voice in my head said.

Bella must've flipped him the finger, because her tongue snaked out and ran over my lips.

Oh to hell with being a gentleman.

I crashed my lips against hers, deepening the kiss.

Tasting the sweetness of her mouth on my tongue, her tongue brushing over mine.

Oh God.

She was really getting into it now, must be a hell of a dream.

Her breaths were coming in little pants now as I moved my mouth down to her neck, sucking lightly on the sensitive skin.

I couldn't believe she was still asleep through this assault.

"Emmett," she breathed and it went straight to my cock.

I could cut steel with my bad boy if I wanted to.

I kissed my way back up to her sweet mouth, the mouth that had been taunting me for weeks now, be in curled in a smile or turned down with a frown.

When I took her lips again, her eyes flew open.

Shit.

This was gonna be bad, wasn't it?

She broke the kiss, breathing heavy, her breasts heaving with each breath she took.

Her eyes wide and shocked.

"Bella..." I began.

I never got to finish as her lips crashed back against mine.

Now who was I to complain?

A/N: Now you see? Don't judge my Eddie too hard, I have a soft spot for him. And FINALLY some action with our star couple...woot!

I'm spoiling ya'll aren't I? Not that there will be any complaints huh?

Well this is the last chapter for a few hours, I'm going out with the bff. Last wk of vacation hurrah.

Now JessJess76, who made me literally cackle, I take pride in being the ultimate clock blocker, I make it worth the wait. As for you being committed, I have a room right next to mine decorated for ya ;) Yes, Bella wants to hold Emmett's balls and other parts of his anatomy. I love you lack of filter, no filters needed here at all. XD

A JASPER 4 ME: Yes, James does have the right to be on his toes. :)

scigeekgirl: He will, trust me :)

danimcket: *whispers* Me too.

Madmaxi: Yep they are :D

KimberlyAnnT: James is gonna fix it as best as he knows how, he's a sweetie, as for Alec...HMMMMMM. ;)

teamhotmen: Just a bit...a teensy bit :D

To the rest of you, I LOVE YOU...my bff is glaring at me, cuz we're late, but I refused to leave home without giving you this chapter. MWAH

Riney xx