DISCLAIMER: The story doesn't belong to me; the characters are property of S. Meyer, and the plot belongs to Annalau Thank you so much for letting me share your story in English!
Gracias Laura, por darme esta oportunidad!
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Chapter 14
Isabella is biting her lip forcing me to look away from her appetizing mouth.
These days I had developed a slight attraction to her lips, discovering that I thought about them too much and my desire to kiss her grew without thinking of the consequences.
"Let's talk" I ask without letting go of her arm and leading her to the living room.
"Why did you talk to Aro Vulturi about me?" she claims, "By what right?"
I run my palms over my face, letting out a deep exhalation.
When I see her, her hands are on her hips and her face is twitching with anger.
"I don't know where you drew such a conclusion," I reply. "I haven't said anything, especially not with Vulturi. Who do you think I am?"
"Aro told me that you..." her gaze concentrates on her hands. "You expressed yourself about me as if I was your property and I don't know what else…" her voice trailed off, becoming thoughtful.
"Of course, you believed everything without first finding out!"
"I was upset with you because of your treatment of me, it's just..." she lifts her hands to my face with the intention of cradling it, "You're so moody. And you make me angry so easily."
"The same thing happens to me with you," I say honestly, keeping quiet inside that it makes me feel bad that I like her so much and even though I want to avoid her, I end up thinking about her.
"Talking to Aro made me upset," she reveals in a low voice.
I inhale. I continue my way to the kitchen, and she comes after me, I offer her something to drink, and she refuses to accept. I can tell that my muscles catch her attention because she keeps looking at them.
I raise my eyebrows and she catches my gesture.
She shakes her head and blinks her eyes several times until she closes her eyelids for a brief moment.
"When did you talk to Vulturi?" I ask. I need to warn her to stay away from him.
"It doesn't matter, I'll clear it up," she murmurs nibbling her lip again when her gaze is back on my biceps. "You work out a lot, don't you?"
I won't deny that it's flattering to get her attention like this.
"A bit," I say, "Do you want to see the gym?" I invite her.
"Of course," she smilingly agrees, following in my footsteps.
It's amazing that our moods vary so much when we're together. We can go from arguing about anything silly to smiling in complicity.
Suddenly she grabs my arm and walks with me, making me forget even my thoughts.
The gym is set up in the basement area and can be accessed in two ways. One is through the living room area there is a door, followed by stairs down that take you straight down or, you can also access it through the garage which is almost always my way of getting there. I need to be in that place every time I leave the office.
When we arrive, Isabella's mouth opens in such a way that it is funny to me. She looks with great impression at the place. I don't deny that for me it is a sanctuary where I have invested as much money as possible without skimping on costs to achieve what I want. It is a complete gym with the latest technology where you can easily relax as you enter the place.
Isabella walks around, and with her hands she touches the surface of some of the machines. She stands in front of the treadmill and turns to look at me.
"Even if I had a gym at home I wouldn't exercise, I'm pretty lazy," she reveals with a slight blush on her cheeks. "But I don't deny that I would be very happy to visit a place like that, even if it's just to listen to music and pretend I'm exercising."
She laughs.
Suddenly she covers her paralyzed mouth at the sight of the punching bag, runs over and with her small fists begins to hit it gently.
"Do you know how to box?" she asks interested.
"Yes, I also know martial arts."
She lets out a sigh and again her eyes are on my body.
"I imagine it's taken you a long time to get that body," she mentions with a somewhat shy smile.
"I've been working out since I was a teenager. It's a lifestyle for me to stay active."
"Oh... I have no idea what each machine is for," she confesses, sitting down on the leg press. "I'm hoping you can help me understand each piece of equipment."
She tries to lift the weight with her legs and when she can't, her face reddens. I hold her hand, making her wince - we laugh - and help her stand up.
"Never start or end your exercises without a proper warm-up for your body. You can hurt yourself if you don't."
"I promise I will," she says. "How long did it take you to get these biceps?" Her fingers lightly touch my skin and although her touch is just a touch, her skin on me causes a pleasant warmth that makes me feel good.
"I don't know," I blush, "Do you want to start a routine?"
She begins to remove her layers of clothing, piling everything on the treadmill. She remains dressed only in a simple black button-down blouse and her skinny jeans. She also takes off her boots, staying in warm Christmas cat prints.
"I'm ready," she says pulling her long hair into a high bun, "Do you think I can have a super body for this summer?" she jokes, laughing as she lifts up her blouse and shows off her flat stomach which she pats gently.
"I'll make you a deal. I can teach you some basic routines and let you use my sanctuary." I point all over the place. "In exchange, you go with me to the wedding. How about that?"
I'm being a fucking creep begging for a little bit of your time with me. I don't know myself. Since when do I need her presence to feel good?
"I think you're a cheater," she pushes my arm with such force that I stumble against the exercise bike. "But I like the idea. Although the first hint of a bipolar outburst against me cancels everything and I'm gone forever."
"I'm not bipolar."
"Yes you are," she snorts. "What do you say?" She holds out his hand to me. "Friends?"
Friends?
Don't you realize that I like you? Every day I don't see you I'm desperate to go out and look for you. I want to know what you do when I don't hear from you. There's a deep urge inside me to protect you and to take care of you from everyone that I don't even understand myself. And at the same time I'm fucking afraid of all that you make me feel, because our time is running out and you're going to go away with that show-off you have for a boyfriend while I'll be left to lick my wounds with your memories, your smiles and your tender gaze that one day will become my shadow.
"Fine," she murmurs, and her voice alone brings me back to the present. "If you're not interested in my friendship, we can call a truce and get along fine."
"No. It's okay..., we're friends now," I squeeze her tiny hand between mine. "I'm a lousy friend," I clarify.
"Me too," she squeezes my hand. "Then we're on the right track, my friend."
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Friday night my best friend has been arguing with me for more than half an hour because I refused to attend his party.
"Those are more than excuses, Edward," rebutes Jacob, still with his grumpy face, he settles into the chair in front of the desk with one foot on his knee. "You can't tell me you won't go to my bachelor party just because you don't have someone to take care of Pat."
"I've told you Carmen is busy, you also know I can't count on Esme. It's not up to me."
"Then ask for a babysitter for one night." He takes out his cell phone sliding his fingers across the screen and concentrates without blinking. "I'm sure there are such cost-effective services, aren't there?"
"Yes, they do. I just won't leave my son with a stranger."
He snorts. He puts away his cell phone and starts drumming his fingers on his leg.
"Oh, for God's sake! We're going to celebrate that tomorrow I'll be a married man. How can it be all the same to you?"
"I'm sorry, Black."
"Why don't you get Bella?" I suggested, "Ask her to look after Pat."
"I'm not going to bother at this hour."
"It's nine o'clock at night, dammit!"
I ponder for another moment. Having the perfect pretext I smile as I dial her number. I signal Jacob to be quiet and he rolls his eyes.
"Hello, Edward," she answers the first ring, her voice still very much awake.
"Good night, Isabella," I rub my beard, keeping my smile, "I'm calling because I need a favor."
"Yes...?"
"Carmen is busy and can't stay with Pat tonight." I clear my throat, "Can you take care of him? It'll just be a few hours."
"Mmm... yeah. Do you want me to come to your place?"
"No. I'll drop him off at the building."
"Okay, I'll wait for you here," there's a giggle followed by more sounds of things bumping into each other.
"Thank you. You saved my night."
"You're welcome, Edward. I'll let the doorman know so you can go upstairs safely."
At the end of the call I'm still smiling.
"Move along, Cullen. Then smile all you want," he stands up with a more relaxed look on his face, walks to the door and I follow him. "I'll see you there. Ah..." He looks thoughtful, "If I were you, I'd win Bella over."
"I told you she has a boyfriend."
"¿And..? The boyfriend isn't here, and you are. It's time to hold your bitterness, Edward. You must give yourself a chance to be happy and if you like her, then it's time to put away your cowardice and take the plunge."
"I remind you that I am twelve years older than she is."
"A number is the least of it, Edward."
"I shouldn't have said anything to you."
"It doesn't matter. I was going to find out anyway. I can tell you like her and you can't hide that."
"See you," I give him a resounding pat on the back, making him shake his head.
Two hours later we are outside the door of Isabella's apartment with all the things necessary for my son to spend a night away from home, including his pillow.
"Welcome, Pat," Isabella, dressed in pink plaid pajamas, greets us with a big smile, assessing me from head to toe until she sees my face. "Hello, Edward, do you want to come in?"
My son, without thinking, enters, forgetting me.
Sorrowful because it's late, I press my temples refusing to go in.
"I'm a little late. Today is Jacob's farewell and if I don't arrive I'm in danger of having my body found in Lake Michigan." I try to joke and it backfires because Isabella gets serious.
"Oh..., I…" she stammers. "I thought you had some pending at the office."
"No, not at all." I'm about to turn around and leave.
"I'll wait for you until you come for Pat," she mentions.
"No need for that. Tomorrow Eleazar, Carmen's husband, will pick him up. Thank you very much, Isabella."
"Won't you sleep at home?"
My cell phone rings and interrupts my conversation with Isabella. I look at Jacob's name on the screen. I grimace, knowing he won't stop until I get there.
"I'm sorry," I apologize.
"It's okay, I'm taking up your time. Have fun."
"I'll come for you tomorrow," I remind her."
She smiles broadly.
"See you tomorrow, Edward."
My cell phone keeps ringing as I get into the van. Why does Black have to be so impatient? My gaze goes straight to the apartment window, the light is still on. Pat and Bella are peeking out from behind the curtains, I wave my hand at them and they both answer my greeting.
"What if Jacob is right?" I mutter. "What if instead of keeping quiet, I show her everything she makes me feel?" I smile. "Isabella, what are you making of me? I'm capable of becoming your fucking slave."
Helloooo! Here I am with another chapter, I promise it won't be long until THAT moment arrives. Well, Edward is ready to conquer her. Do you think he will have a hard time? Something tells me it won't, especially now that they seem to be friends. Tell me, what did you think of today's chapter?
Thank you so much to those who left a comment: , Pattsy1994, Ale Stewart, cocoa blizzard, cbmorefie, , Rosemarie28, Cina's, tas62, acw1, biblepam, Dulce Carolina, EdibleArt
PS: Just published the first chapter of a new story called "Mocking the Bounds" go check it out if you feel like it :)
THANK YOU FOR READING!