20
I'm lying on my kitchen floor, reveling in the sensations of the cool tile against my overheated skin.
You're pretty much seeing me at my lowest. Exhausted, covered in sweat, in nothing but a pair of briefs and a wifebeater. The scraps of the blasted costume surround me, and I don't even care.
You wet a dish towel and clean me up and whisper softly while I come down.
"I'm sorry, Bella," I mutter.
"You're sorry?" You scoff. "Jesus, Edward. If I knew how bad you were suffering, I wouldn't have dragged you around the dance floor. Why didn't you say something?"
I sigh. "I wanted you to have a good time."
Your hair tickles the back of my neck when you lean over to look me in the eye. "Your safety and well-being are a lot more important than having a nice night, Edward Masen."
Your voice is stern, and despite the bone-deep exhaustion, I harden. "I'm sorry."
You pinch the skin of my shoulder. "Stop it." You stand up and offer me your hand. "Get up and go take a shower while I find you something with loads of electrolytes."
I stand on wobbly legs. I might whine just a bit. "I don't want to shower."
You raise a brow, but I shake my head.
"Fine. Go jump in your pool then."
I poke my bottom lip out as far as I can. "Come with me."
You laugh and shake your head. "I'm covered in makeup and glitter."
I look you up and down. "I have a great filtration system, and I'm sure I have one of Kate's suits somewhere around here."
A mischievous smile takes over your face. "I noticed that you have a pretty impressive privacy fence out front. Is your back yard just as secure?"
I'm confused, but I nod. "Eight feet all around."
"Hmm. Good to know." You reach for the buttons holding your top together. "Let's go skinny dipping."
You drop your top and turn to the sliding doors leading to the back deck while I pick my jaw up off the floor.
I'll ask one more time. What in the hell are you doing to me, Bella?