AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Sorry, Bella, we have to go on foot from here," I explained.
"You know what? I'll just wait here," she answered sarcastically.
"What happened to all your courage?" I asked with a smile, "You were extraordinary this morning."
Her face started draining of all color, "I haven't forgotten last time yet."
I wrenched the door open and hopped out of the Jeep and in less than a second I was on her side of the Jeep unbuckling her seat belt. She stared at me indignantly.
"I'll get those, you go on ahead," she protested.
I finally unbuckled all of the straps and decided teasing was the best way to go, "Hmmm...," I mused, "It seems I'm going to have to tamper with your memory."
I pulled her into my arms and sat her gently on the ground.
"Tamper with my memory?" she asked anxiously.
"Something like that," I teased.
It was no longer raining and the mist was falling into her hair sending the sweet seductive scent evaporating into every particle of air around us. I took in a generous amount of the air in between us. I decided a distraction was needed so I could get her into the clearing.
She was leaning against the Jeep and I took two hasty steps until I trapped her there by placing both of my hands on either side of her. I brought my body ever closer to hers. She backed away slightly but didn't seem to mind my closeness. Her warm body enveloped me as I brought my face ever closer to hers. I wanted to place my lips to hers. I was nervous to see what her reaction would be this time.
"Now," I breathed, "what exactly are you worrying about?"
"Well, um, hitting a tree -" she gulped, "?C and dying. And then getting sick."
I remembered both times when she got sick; at school and after running with me. I couldn't help but smile at the memories but quickly smoothed my face. I moved the few extra inches until her warm breath was now in my mouth. I brought my lips to the hollow at the base of her throat. I kissed lightly moving my nose under her jaw lightly.
"Are you still worried now?" I breathed on her skin making her tremble in pleasure.
"Yes." her voice quivered in bliss, "About hitting trees and getting sick."
Apparently I wasn't distracting her enough though I was thoroughly distracted. I was euphoric. I trailed the tip of my nose up her throat and down her jaw line to the tip of her chin.
"And now?" I whispered while breathing in her every breath.
"Trees," she inhaled, "Motion sickness."
I brought my lips to her eyes and kissed her eye lids, "Bella, you don't really think I would hit a tree, do you?"
"No, but I might," her confidence failing extravagantly.
I began my journey to her mouth. I kissed slowly down her cheek letting her skin warm them. I brought my lips to the corner of her mouth. Gently, I let my bottom lip softly brush against hers.
"Would I let a tree hurt you?"
My lips were barely touching her. A curious sensation crawled up my throat. With every touch of our lips electricity shot through my body sending a joyous feeling through my veins. Her bottom lip was trembling in absolute pleasure. I took in several generous gulps of her breath.
"No," she breathed against my lips.
"You see," I said my lips touching hers as I spoke, "There's nothing to be afraid of, is there?"
"No," she sighed and she became limp against the Jeep, giving up.
I pulled her face into my hands a little rougher than usual and brought my lips to hers fiercely. Our lips were moving together and we were both panting heavily at the sensations shooting through our bodies. She brought her arms around my neck bringing me closer to her. We embraced frantically while our bodies were welded together. My hands moved eagerly to her back bringing her closer to my chest while bowing her body against mine. She was quivering with delight as her lips parted slightly and she sighed heavily bringing her breath deep in my lungs. Excitement exploded in the pit of my stomach.
I let go and staggered back several steps, flustered, realizing this was the only sensible course of action. I couldn't believe I let myself get so out of control.
"Damn it, Bella!" I was gasping, "You'll be the death of me, I swear you will."
I watched as she leaned forward placing her hands on her knees and panting.
"You're indestructible," she mumbled while continuing to breathe heavily.
I was so angry at myself for letting it get that far. I monster inside me wanted me to lose control and I couldn't let that happen.
"I might have believed that before I met you. Now let's get out of here before I do something really stupid," I growled.
I pulled Bella onto my back while trying to be as gentle as possible. She secured herself to me by wrapping her legs around my waist and pulling her arms around my neck. The warmth rippled down my body.
"Don't forget to close your eyes," I reminded her.
She lodged her face into my shoulder and it sent a jolt of electricity through me. I could feel her warm breath. I broke into a run and her pulse picked up, her heart beating out large palpitations.
It only took a matter of minutes before we arrived just outside the clearing where my family was already preparing to play ball. Bella did not move as I stood there waiting for her to let go. I was terrified that she had opened her eyes and fallen sick like before. I reached behind me and ran my fingers through her silky hair gently.
"It's over, Bella," I said softly.
She sighed in relief and she was suddenly no longer wrapped around me. I heard a pulpous noise that was followed by, "Oh!"
I turned around swiftly worried she had hurt herself. I did the smallest of double takes before I saw her expression and the tension finally broke between us. Her face was screwed up in embarrassment. I was trying my hardest to hold in laughter but I was unable to. I barked out a laugh. Her expression had twisted into indignation and chagrin. She pushed herself off the ground while brushing dirt and bracken off of her backside. She turned, muttering silently, and marched off in the wrong direction.
A smile was still on my face as I wrapped my arm around her waist. "Where are you going, Bella?"
"To watch a baseball game. You don't seem to be interested in playing anymore, but I'm sure the others will have fun without you," she said bitterly.
"You're going the wrong way," I said coolly.
She turned on her heal with a firm and purposeful tread in the opposite direction. I shook my head back and forth at her and grabbed her around the waist a second time.
"Don't be mad, I couldn't help myself. You should have seen your face," I tried to explain but a chuckle broke through my composure.
She looked at me haughtily. "Oh, you're the only one who's allowed to get mad?" she asked while raising her eyebrows.
I paused for a moment and studied her face. "I wasn't mad at you."
"'Bella, you'll be the death of me'?" she quoted crisply.
"That was simply a statement of fact," I said while still trying to hold in my amusement.
She gave me a look of pure abhorrence and turned to stride away again. In a quick motion I pulled her to my chest. I couldn't take it if she left me now.
"You were mad," she persisted, her face stricken.
"Yes."
"But you just said ?C" she began.
"That I wasn't mad at you. Can't you see that, Bella?" I asked patiently. "Don't you understand?"
I felt completely exasperated. She was so sweet, loving...fragile; there was nothing she could do to make me upset at her.
She pursed her lips. "See what?" she insisted with a confused expression.
"I'm never angry with you ?C how could I be? Brave, trusting...warm as you are," I explained.
"Then why?" she asked softly.
I analyzed her face, trying to read her mind once again. I reached the barrier I always did while trying to probe her mind, the silence persisted. She looked just as confused as ever. I sighed and pulled her delicate face in my cold palms. Her cheeks instantly warmed my whole body. I looked her straight in the eyes. "I infuriate myself," I said quietly. "The way I can't seem to keep from putting you in danger. My very existence puts you at risk. Sometimes I truly hate myself. I should be stronger; I should be able to ?C"
She placed her warm palm over my mouth touching my lips softly. "Don't."
She stared into my eyes, the depth of her eyes were communicating with mine. I put my hand over hers and moved it to my cheek. The warmth radiated off of her skin and deep into my body. I felt the sudden urge to bring our lips together and tell her how much I loved her. The words were exiting my mouth before I made the decision to do so. "I love you," I stated. "It's a poor excuse for what I'm doing, but it's still true."
Her face softened at my words. "Now, please try to behave yourself," I pleaded as I slowly bent down and brushed my lips lightly across hers.
She didn't move but her heart raced and she parted her lips with a sigh. I inhaled copious amounts of her breath into my lungs letting it send flames down my throat.
"You promised Chief Swan that you would have me home early, remember," she whispered against my lips. "We'd better get going."
My insides were twisting in pleasure at our touch but I finally got my act together.
"Yes ma'am," I replied while continuing to smile.
I released all of her but her hand. I showed her the way through the forest. It was only a few feet until we reached the clearing. I was feeling radiant with glee. Esme, Rosalie and Emmett were sitting on a large rock. When they caught sight of us they all three rose. Alice and Jasper were in the distance throwing the ball back and forth and Carlisle was marking bases.
Right on time! Alice thought.
I'll just hold my breath if she gets too close, Jasper contemplated.
I thought I heard them, Esme thought while walking in our direction.
Rosalie strode off in the other direction without a single glance behind her. Oh great...the human's here, Rosalie sneered, alight with malice.
Come on! Jeez, not this again... Emmett stared at the back of Rosalie as she marched away from us. Whatever, I'm not missing this. Emmett followed behind Esme.
"Was that you we heard, Edward?" Esme asked as she approached us.
Yeah, that weird gurgling noise. "It sounded like a bear choking." Emmett chortled.
A small timid smile was on Bella's face. "That was him."
Oh, I see how it is, I thought internally. "Bella was being unintentionally funny," I explained with a wide grin.
Alice came running towards us. Five seconds, she thought as she stopped in front of us.
"It's time," she announced.
Lightning flashed through the dark cloudy sky while thunder rippled overhead shaking the ground around us. Bella's eyes grew wide in wonder.
Her face is hilarious, Emmett thought. "Eerie, isn't it?" he winked at Bella hoping for her to make another 'human' face.
"Let's go." Alice grabbed Emmett's hand and they speed swiftly away toward the field.
I'll take care of her. Go play now, Esme vested.
Excitement was flowing in my veins. It had been a long time since I had felt so light and buoyant. "Are you ready for some ball?" I asked eagerly.
