Bella's POV:
Why do I feel so exhausted? I've been sleeping for a while now, yet my body feels as if I've been up for days.
Suddenly a sharp memory juggles my mind, and my mind begins to hurt as I try to reject the memory but it slips through and displays before me.
"Please, show Edward where the tribe is, it'll help us," My uncle practically begged.
So, here I was on the way back to the last place I wanted to be… where exactly was here though?
My eyes snap open as I feel a jolt on the surface that I was curled in.
I looked around me in surprise, this isn't the back seat of Edward Cullen's friend, Gideon, 's truck! Where the hell am I now?
"Isabella?"
I jump a foot in the air as Gideon suddenly appears. "Er, yes?" I replied, searching for Edward, and coming up empty handed. Where was he?
"He's in the bathroom. He'll be back soon. In the meantime, would you like anything to drink? Some chips, or peanuts perhaps?" He asked.
"Some water or juice would be fine, thank you." I responded, looking out towards the darkened night sky.
How much time had passed?
"I'll be right back with that, sit tight." He said, disappearing to the back.
Once alone, my mind goes back to the last time I had ever been on any type of aircraft.
A few hours after my parents were murdered. My uncle had reached my destination, and hopelessly been unable to console me out of my catatonic state.
I snapped out of it when I saw my Aunt Linda, and her tear-stained eyes.
I pushed back the memories that threatened to choke me, but no matter what I tried, the images from my mind refused to leave me alone.
Even as the memories clouded my mind, I was painfully aware that someone was approaching me.
"Isabella? What's wrong?"
The last thing that pops into my mind is my aunt Linda's pained expression, once more, before I get pulled back into the present.
Edward is kneeling in front of me, with a worried expression on his face. "Are you alright?" He asked, as I ran my hands through my hair.
I stared at him, confused. "Why *cough* why wouldn't I be?" I asked, thickly.
"Well, for one, you're pale…" He pointed out.
"My mother was part albino." I deadpanned.
He looked at me amused as I stared back at him with an expressionless face, causing him to look down and clear his throat. "Sorry, that was not funny." He said, embarrassed.
"It's alright. No one can keep a straight face when I say that." I shrug, patting his shoulder.
"Why were you shaking so badly?" He asked.
"I sometimes relive old memories when I fall asleep…it happens every now and then, I'll be alright soon, don't worry about it." I say, as I grab a napkin and dab the last few traces of sweat and tears from my face.
"Isabella—"
"It's Bella. I prefer to be called Bella." I cut him off, nervously.
"Bella. Alright. I guess if that makes you more comfortable, I can call you that. Only if you call me Edward." He says, licking his lips.
The way he said my name, made my skin ripple in goosebumps. So, low and smooth, velvety. Briefly reminding me of the texture of a piece of luscious chocolate.
"What no, Ed, Eddy, or Ed man?" I teased.
"Only if you want to." He smirked back in response.
We smiled at each other before Gideon's voice interrupted us. "The pilot has informed me that there will be a bit of turbulence up ahead. Strap in." He instructed, as he handed me a grapefruit soda and saltines. "Sorry, it was all I managed to get my hands on before the pilot spoke to me." He said apologetically before he went to sit down and strap himself in just before the cabin began to shake violently.
I gasped, clutching onto the sides of my seat. Shutting my eyes tightly. I could feel as my chest began to tighten and my skin break out in cool perspiration when suddenly a warm hand engulfed my hand.
"It's ok. It's almost over." He whispered, grabbing me hand into his.
"Thank you." I whispered, clutching his hand tightly into mine.
His responding smile made my stomach tighten, as the jet finally began to tilt and head down to land.
Twenty Minutes Later:
As soon as we landed, Edward retrieved our bags and led me out of the jet. I quickly grabbed my bag and jacket and followed him out, to where he led me to a Jeep Wrangler.
He and Gideon exchanged brief words before Gideon went back onto the Jet.
Edward silently climbed into the Jeep and began driving into the night.
I turned to see the Jet still in the port, as we got farther and farther away.
When we finally do stop it's at a motel.
It seems to be the only empty place on the edge of town.
"Stay here, I'll go check-in and come back for the things." He said handing me a Beretta. "Use it if you need to." He instructed, as he got out, locking the door behind himself.
Ten Minutes Later:
I stiffly walk into the room, muscles rigid and aching. Head throbbing.
There's a small hallway by the doorway before the room opens up. I slowly take in the room, dropping my bags on the chair placed in the corner. I note happily that there are two beds in the room.
"Did you want to take a shower before bed?" He asks, quietly.
"That sounds like heaven." I reply, nodding.
"The bathroom is through there." He says pointing at the door set next to the television.
I nod before sitting down and slipping off my jacket, sneakers and socks.
"There are a few things I need to do before bed, so go on and take a shower and I'll take one when you're done." He replied, slipping off his jacket, folding it, before he places it on the back of one of the chairs.
I take a quick shower, dry myself, and pull on a t-shirt and some shorts to sleep in.
The night is warm, there is no need for my flannel pajama bottoms, despite that, I still pull on my cotton socks and head out of the bathroom.
When I walk out, I freeze momentarily, as I notice he has taken off his t-shirt and is wearing a muscle shirt and a pair of silver and black basketball shorts.
He has a well defined, muscular body, he's fit. Impressively so. Broad shoulders, and a tattoo that's half-hidden under the thin material of his muscle shirt, and goes down to his left wrist.
I can't seem to peel my eyes from the gradient Celtic design, interweaving into the next design, a rose and vines, then ending with a wolf, looking like it's growling. All the muscles and veins on his arms and hands protruding out.
I could almost feel the drool forming in the corner of my mouth.
In my twenty-eight year's living, I had never seen a man with such a physique...and I had seen plenty of physiques, especially when I worked in the community clinic back in Horus Ville.
I clear my throat twice before gaining the ability to speak. "The bathroom is ready," I mutter, keeping my head down, hoping to hide my blush as I throw myself onto the first bed and crawl all the way to the end, before pulling blankets over me.