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She bounded up the stairs, skipping two at a time. I waited for her at the foot of the stairs. When she was out of sight, my imagination got the better of me. The thought of her exposed body while she tried on clothes sent new desires rippling through me. I immediately reprimanded myself. I had to remember that she was fragile and innocent. I couldn't fathom how I would feel if I were to harm a single hair on her body, or worse, if I were to become so physical with her that my need and my desire became thirst and hunger. I shuddered and pushed the thoughts away.
My husband's not going to be home for a while; maybe I should call him...
She is so sexy; I wonder what it would feel like to...
The pink top or the white top
Several thoughts from the surrounding neighborhood intruded on my mind. Human's minds were always unoriginal and sometimes completely disgusting. How they thought of each other as interchangeable made me sick.
I heard Bella's door open, "Okay," she called while running down the stairs, "I'm decent."
I watched her as if she were in slow motion. She over stepped and in a fluid movement she ran right into me. I held her to steady her. And to feel her warmth, I added. I have to admit, I could have stopped her before she fell into me, but I didn't want to.
She was wearing a skirt and the dark blue blouse she wore when I rescued her in Port Angeles. The way her blouse hugged her body caused a hollow yearning in my stomach and the excess of venom flowed freely in my mouth at her delicious aroma. I brought my lips to her neck, and I resisted.
"Wrong again," I whispered in her ear, "You are utterly indecent ?C no one should look so tempting, it's not fair."
She trembled under my breath.
"Tempting how? I can change..." Bella asked, worried. Or was it fear in her voice now? Was she finally coming to her senses? Of course not, that would never happen.
"You as so absurd," I told her.
I brought my lips to her forehead, letting the dry ache have its way with me.
"Shall I explain how you are tempting me?"
I brought myself ever closer to her, taking her into my embrace. Gentle, I reminded myself. I slowly stroked my fingertips down her spine. She trembled and her pulse speed up. My wanting; longing was taking a grasp on my senses. I felt the new creature, desire, rejoice as I brought my lips closer to hers. My craving was over powering. I could feel her cheeks warming from the rise of emotions. Passion flowed freely in my veins. I was taking in the air around us. Every particle of air in the room was saturated with Bella's fragrance. The temptation to bring her neck to my teeth was strong. Her hands were on my chest, warming my dead heart. I brought my face closer to hers, bringing our lips inches apart. I took in another generous gulp of her fragrance and brought my lips to hers. I parted her slips slightly as euphoria fell over me and my body was screaming in exultation.
I was holding Bella tightly against my chest when suddenly she went limp in my arms. I was alarmed. Did I squeeze her too tight? Had I hurt her? I was panicking. I checked my hold on her, making sure my arms were gentle. I wasn't exerting any more pressure then I had all night when I was holding her.
"Bella?" I whispered in fear.
Her eyes fluttered and met mine. She was breathless, "You...made...me...faint," she said.
I rejoiced at her voice. I couldn't read her eyes, they were unfocused.
"What am I going to do with you?" I groaned in exasperation. "Yesterday I kiss you, and you attack me! Today you pass out on me!"
She was still limp in my arms, but a small laugh came out of her lips, "That's the problem. You're too good. Far, far too good."
She was still unmoving in my arms. I was holding her up. She looked dizzy, "Do you feel sick?"
"No ?C that wasn't the same kind of fainting at all. I don't know what happened." She shook her head, "I think I forgot to breath."
She hadn't taken a breath, I remembered. What would Esme and Alice think if I brought her over there like this?
"I can't take you anywhere like this."
"I'm fine," she insisted, "Your family is going to think I'm insane anyway, what's the difference?"
I suppressed a sigh, deciding another distraction was needed. I looked down at her clothes.
"I'm very partial to that color with your skin," I told her.
The flood of blood to her cheeks made her glow. She was glorious.
"Look, I'm trying really hard not to think about what I'm about to do, so can we go already?" she said impatiently.
"And you're worried, not because you're headed to meet a houseful of vampires, but because you think those vampires won't approve of you, correct?"
"That's right," she answered quickly...and maybe a hint of surprise in her voice.
I moved my head back and forth, "You're incredible."
As my house became visible Bella's eyes widened in surprise. I watched her eyes dart from the trees, the lawn, and finally to the house.
"Wow." She exclaimed.
I smiled, "You like it?"
"It...has a certain charm." She replied.
Bella's here! Alice bellowed from her mind. I ignored her.
I reached out and pulled the end of her ponytail lightly. What a human gesture, I mused to myself. I chuckled lightly. I parked her truck and was out of the driver's side door and outside her door opening it before she realized I was gone. She didn't even blink at the fast movement, she expected it.
"Ready?" I asked her.
"Not even a little bit ?C let's go" she attempted a laugh. It sounded more like choking. She was patting her hair, a nervous gesture.
"You look lovely," I reassured her.
I took her hand in mine, leading her up the porch. She was tense. I began caressing her hand with my thumb, trying to soothe her.
"Carlisle, they are on the porch," Esme called.
I opened the door to the house for Bella; she stepped in, still tense. I found it odd that Alice wasn't waiting at the door. I watched as Bella's eyes searched the house, looking for something suspect, I assumed. Her eyes darted from the far wall, which was made of only glass, to the piano and then to the staircase where Esme and Carlisle were waiting for us. They were grinning at her, but didn't approach.
She is lovely! Esme thought.
Then the scent hit her, I can see her initial appeal, she does smell wonderful...don't worry Edward, I'd never hurt her. Esme's thoughts continued.
Welcome home, Edward. Carlisle thought.
"Carlisle, Esme, this is Bella." I introduced them.
"You're very welcome, Bella," Carlisle stepped closer.
She isn't...scared is she? Carlisle wondered.
I shook my head in a motion that Bella wouldn't have noticed. Each step Carlisle took was slow, careful, and cautious. He raised his hand to shake Bella's. She stepped forward without hesitating and shook his hand, "It's nice to see you again, Dr. Cullen."
"Please, call me Carlisle."
"Carlisle," Bella grinned.
I was relieved that this initial meeting was over with, and I was sure Bella could read my body language.
Is she even nervous? Esme wondered, looking in my direction. I shook my head behind Bella.
Oh...I knew she was meant for you, and so maybe she is meant for our life too, Edward. Esme thought.
I banished the idea from my head immediately. I couldn't let myself...hope...to take her life.
Esme stepped forward, feeling elated about this meeting, and reached her hand to shake Bella's also. Bella took her hand like she was meeting a normal human.
"It's very nice to know you," Esme said sincerely.
"Thank you. I'm glad to meet you, too." Bella truly looked happy.
During these first meetings with my vampire parents Bella's pulse didn't speed up once. She was brave. Alice was still a no show. I searched for her thoughts and found them.
No, that color doesn't look right...yes, blue, Edward loves it when Bella wears blue. That's it, this dress will look spectacular on her!
"Where is Alice and Jasper?" I called out to them.
They both appeared at the top of the stairs in that second.
"Hey, Edward!" Alice called enthusiastically.
This is what I've been waiting for. Alice dived down the stairs and was abruptly in front of Bella.
I wanted to shout at her for doing this, but I decided that saying something in front of Bella was not a wise idea. She was taking everything so well, no need to scare her now. I knew Alice wouldn't hurt Bella, she loved her, too. Esme and Carlisle were giving her a reproving look.
"Hi, Bella!" Alice literally bounced forward and kissed her cheek.
I saw Esme grab Carlisle by the arm, like she was holding herself back.
Oh my! Esme thought.
I felt the temptation of Bella's seductive scent through Alice's thoughts. I was immediately tense.
Pipe down! She hissed in her head at me.
"You do smell nice, I never noticed before," Alice mused.
Blood began flooding up Bella's face as she blushed a light pink. I was anxious again when I realized the scent had finally reached Jasper.
Jasper quickly stopped the flow of air going into his lungs, refusing to take in anymore of her scent. The twin thirsts I felt whenever I was around Jasper were quieted. I felt relieved. He could still taste the curiosity and flavor of Bella from everyone's emotions.
I still don't see why you have such a fixation. Jasper thought.
He automatically emitted a flood of peace and calm. It swirled around her and she mirrored his emotions back. My eyebrow raised on its own. What was he doing?
"Hello Bella," Jasper said, using part of his air supply left in his lungs.
He kept his distance, heeding my previous warnings. Or, maybe, just maybe, he really was trying to not have the overwhelming need to feed. He was too busy concentrating for there to be any coherent thoughts.
"Hello, Jasper." Bella smiled at him, a light pink tinge still present on her cheeks. "It's nice to meet you all ?C you have a very beautiful home." Bella's eyes searched the room again.
She's sweet, too! Esme thought.
"Thank you, we're so glad that you came." Esme replied.
Me too! Alice thought.
She is so brave... Esme's thoughts continued.
She was quickly becoming absorbed with Bella, too. She was trying desperately to hide her other thoughts from me. I'd heard the thoughts before, but she was probably oblivious about thinking it. She had always thought there was something defective with me. Now, she was jubilant, joyous, that I had finally found someone.
Edward, Carlisle called out to me in his mind.
His eyes met mine; Alice has seen a coven, three of them, that will be very close to Forks. I didn't want to say anything in front of Bella. I wasn't sure how she would take the news. They know we are here, which means that they might make an appearance. Alice said they were curious.
Alice knew we were having a conversation. She was well practiced with our silent ones. She knew what we were communicating about and wanted to tack on any information she felt might be left out, or to just bug me, knowing her it could be either one.
