Chapter 33

~Something in the Way~

Sam stares at us across his desk. His hands are clenched together, and he's obviously uncomfortable. "Look, I understand your concerns, but I can't authorize round-the-clock protection."

Bella releases a sigh of resignation and slumps against me, whispering, "I told you."

I put my arm around her, hugging her close. "He made threats against Bella and me but also against my sister."

Sam huffs. "You have vague threats from an unknown guy who calls himself 'Phoenix' who Bella met on a secret island. How does that come across to you?"

I rub my forehead in an attempt to relieve the tension headache that's forming. "You're right, okay? It sounds like something out of a Liam Neeson movie. There's a real threat though, Sam. Is there anything you can do?"

"We've already stepped up patrols around the shop and your new place. If you see something suspicious—even if you just have a feeling—call, and we'll send an officer right over. That's the best I can do at the moment." Sam's chair squeaks as he rises, indicating the meeting is over. He has the decency to look apologetic as he comes around the desk and shakes my hand.

"Thanks, man. We appreciate anything you can do." I keep my arm around Bella as we prepare to go.

She lowers her head, body sagging with defeat. "Thank you, Chief Uley."

"Call me Sam." He puts a hand on her arm and waits for her to look up at him. "I really wish I could do more, Bella. I'm sorry."

"I know you do. Thank you."

We walk up the block from the police station and buy coffee and bagels for everyone at Inkspiration. Bella doesn't talk much on the drive to work, but she smiles whenever our eyes meet.

Our days have fallen into a rhythm. Bella comes to the shop with me and works the front counter. She and Seth make sure I don't have any late clients unless Emmett and Jasper do too. After work, we hang out at Denali's or have dinner with Ali and Jasper. Twice a week, I bring Bella to the therapist and sit in the waiting room or on the low stone wall outside the building until she's finished. Our schedule is predictable, which could open us up for stalking but also makes it easier for us to notice anything or anyone out of place.

We haven't heard from Jimmy or Phoenix in days, but their words keep whizzing around in my head. Phoenix wants me to "return what belongs to him, return what's his." I don't care so much about his warning to me, but he threatened to come after Ali. Maybe he just meant to scare me, but I worry it would be a mistake to underestimate him.

Jimmy knows I have feelings for Bella. It seems he planned it that way when he left her in my care. I have less guilt, but I'm concerned for Bella—she's had very little control over her life. When she looks at me, there's a mix of invitation and insecurity in her eyes. Is she latching onto me because I'm here, or would she develop feelings for me regardless of the situation?

I'm learning who the real Bella is. She loves arranging flowers and yearns to have her own shop. She prefers to read books about strong, independent women and sometimes imagines how these women would handle some of the situations she's been through. She keeps a journal, and her confidence is growing at a slow but steady pace. Signs of a wicked sense of humor are starting to show. The more I get to know her, the more she opens up to me, the more attracted I am to her.

We park behind the shop and enter through the back door, arms laden with coffee and bagels. Bella hurries around the break room setting everything up. I snatch a pumpernickel bagel from the bag and take a huge bite.

Bella side-eyes me. "Aren't you going to toast it or put something on it?"

"Nah. I love the flavor of still-warm pumpernickel."

She tilts her head as if trying to figure me out and shrugs. "Whatever floats your boat."

I take another bite, savoring the crusty outside and soft inside. "Some things are better without a lot of fuss."

Our eyes meet and hold for a long moment, and I'm pretty sure she knows I'm no longer talking about the perfect bagel. Bella has a natural beauty that shines. She doesn't need a lot of makeup or fancy clothing to look gorgeous. She seems embarrassed and looks away.

The moment ends when Emmett bounds into the room and does a fist pump. "Bagels and coffee! Yes!" He fills a coffee cup and grabs an everything bagel, splitting it and slathering a thick layer of cream cheese on it. "Mm, this is great. Thanks, guys!" He's so enthusiastic, I don't have the heart to point out that he's talking with his mouth full.

His boisterous shout draws the rest of the crew into the break room, signaling the end of our moment. Everyone jokes and laughs. Bella seems really happy and at ease. She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and glances at me shyly. I wonder what she's thinking and selfishly hope it has everything to do with me.

The day is extremely busy, and I barely come up for air long enough to sneak a few bites of my lunch. I smirk at the row of partially eaten sandwiches lined up on the counter in the break room. I'm happy to see Inkspiration as a whole has become busier, not just me personally. Word is spreading about the quality ink we sling. I silently thank the person who set up the fake Insta account.

We crowd into Denali's after work. Rose is up on the bar in leather pants and a crop top, stalking across the polished top in mile-high heels. The crowd is five deep at the bar. Emmett whoops and catcalls, riling everyone up even more.

My arm is around Bella's shoulders, and I feel the sudden difference in her posture from relaxed to stiff. I gaze at her and notice she's watching Rose dancing on the bar.

"Are you okay, Bella?"

"Do you mind if we find a table in the back? All of this"—she waves a hand at the chaos—"is a bit much for me tonight. Maybe we could get something to eat and play some tunes on the jukebox?"

"Of course." I take her hand and lead the way through the crowd, which thins the farther back we go. Several empty tables surround the dance floor where a few couples sway to the music. I choose a table against the wall where we can see anyone coming our way, and we order burgers and beer.

Bella seems content and relaxed. She smiles across the table at me. "This is just what I needed."

"I'm glad. Is it the noise . . . or are you disturbed by Rose's performance?"

She looks down at her clasped hands and sighs. "Mostly it's the way men look at Rose when she's up there. I . . . know what they want, what they're really thinking." Tears fill her eyes. "In another life, I learned to read the room. I had to perform, to be . . . what the men wanted."

I rest a hand over hers and squeeze gently. "I'm so sorry you went through that. Rose is up there because she enjoys performing. It makes her feel powerful, and it's her choice. If any of those men get out of hand, the bouncers are happy to kick them out, not to mention Emmett."

"That's true. Rose has protection here, support. If I made a mistake, there was only"—her voice is a strangled whisper—"shame and pain."

My eyes sting with unshed tears, which I quickly blink away. "Hey." I reach out and touch her face gently, tipping her chin up until our eyes meet. "You will never have to suffer through that again. I promised Jimmy, and I promise you that I'll protect you."

A rosy glow washes over Bella's porcelain skin, but she doesn't drop her gaze from mine. Gratefulness and something I can't name radiate from the depths of her warm, cinnamon eyes. "I know." Her voice is so low, I almost miss it.

We continue to stare at each other, and a deeper blush rises to her cheeks. I barely notice when the waitress places our drinks on the table.

"Dance with me?" Bella asks.

I rise, offering my hand, and lead her to the dance floor. She nestles her body against mine, resting her head on my chest. I hold one of her hands and wind my other arm around her waist as we sway to the music.

"Something" by The Beatles starts playing, and I feel a strong tug in my chest. I tangle my fingers in her silken hair and rest my chin on top of her head. She's so close, it feels as if we're one being. Our breaths are in sync, and I wonder if her heart is beating as hard as mine.

"Halo" plays next, and my entire body vibrates. She relaxes into me with a sigh, and the world seems to disappear, the sounds of Denali's fading until it's just the two of us and Beyoncé's soulful voice.

Bella tips her head back and looks into my eyes, her breath catching. "Edward . . ."

I can't speak. My heart gallops in my chest. I'm mesmerized by the undisguised yearning that emanates from her. Every excuse to stay away from her, every reason I shouldn't act on my feelings, falls away.

I cup the back of Bella's head and move in slowly, giving her every chance to pull away. Instead, she reaches for me, gripping my shirt in her fist and rises on her toes, bringing our mouths closer.

My control is at an all-time low. I can barely remember why this is a bad idea. "Tell me not to."

"I can't." Bella shakes her head, her nails digging harder into my chest through the cotton of my shirt. "I won't."

There's a minuscule part of me hanging by a thread, screaming for me to retreat. My lips hover a hair's breadth from hers, and I can't stop. I need her to push me away. "Please."

Determination floods Bella's gaze. "Kiss me."

The warmth of her breath brands my lips, and I'm lost. Our mouths brush softly, tentatively. She winds her arms around my neck, and presses against me. I hold her closer, both arms surrounding her curves. Her fingers burrow into the hair at my nape as our lips move together, generating a rush of heat.

"Edward . . ."

My name whispered on a soft moan goes straight to my groin, and my jeans tighten deliciously. The feelings I've been holding back and denying all these months burst forth in a tidal wave of want. I cup her face between my palms and gaze into her beautiful eyes. The only sentiment I'm met with is an equal surge of desire. No doubt. No hesitation.

Slanting my mouth over hers, I kiss her—really kiss her. Bella parts her pouty lips for me, and I sweep my tongue past them to tangle with hers. She slides her arms around my waist and digs her nails into my back, pouring raw emotion into our kiss.

Elation floods through me. I'm not alone in this. Bella wants me just as much as I want her. We explore, enjoying our first real kiss, our first real moment of honesty about how we feel.

"Yo! Get a room, you two!" Emmett's booming voice is a bucket of cold water on our intimate moment.

I break away from Bella's lips to glare at Emmett. It's not just him. I'm faced with Ali's incredulous expression, Jasper's raised eyebrows, and Rose's crossed arms, a disapproving look creasing her pretty face.

"Shit," I mutter, staring at them over Bella's head.

She tightens her hold slightly and presses her forehead against my chest. "Everyone is standing back there watching us, aren't they?"

"Pretty much." I squeeze her shoulder gently before pulling away. When I see the concern in her eyes, I tip her chin up. "Hey . . . look at me. Nobody is going to judge you."

Bella nods and flushes scarlet. She turns to face our friends with her back pressed against my chest, and I rest my hands on her shoulders for moral support.

"Hey, guys."

To everyone's credit, they all have neutral expressions now. Instead of making things more awkward than they already are, Ali suggests we sit together. Emmett and Jasper pull a few tables over next to ours. We sit and chat as if nothing unusual just happened. Bella sips her beer, and I take a long pull from mine, drinking nearly half in one go. Our burgers arrive a few minutes later, and the rest of the group decides to share an appetizer sampler.

As the conversation flows around us, Bella meets my gaze, and her eyes sparkle with mischief. She's not even a little sorry about our public display on the dance floor. I smirk behind my burger and wink at her, causing another blush to color her cheeks. I'm sure the guilt will set in later, but for now, I'm going to enjoy this moment.

~oOo~

These two are finally making some progress, but they still have a ways to go. Jimmy is pushing them together, but there's still Phoenix waiting to destroy them. Tell me what you're thinking.

To those of you who wait patiently for updates and send me messages of encouragement, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Fanfic still isn't sending out email alerts. Maybe they never will again. The fanfic app seems to post updates. I post teasers and links to updates on Facebook in the No Rules Twilight Fan Fiction, The Twilight Fanfiction Finders, and It All Started With Twilight groups.

Thanks and gratefulness as always to my awesome betas, SassySue (chayasara) and Wendy (wmr1601) and prereader extraordinaire Aleea (Aleeab4u). These ladies make my stuff much more presentable! (Translation: save me from sounding like a blathering fool)

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