Mine

Mine
A riding crop and a blindfold doesn't make it BDSM. There is a big difference between being kinky and being in the scene. It's not a sexual thing to me, it's a very spiritual thing. ~ DominaBlue

1/2/12

Chapter 80


BPOV

Thirteen minutes

That was how much longer I had to wait until I could go to Edward’s room. The last forty-seven minutes had felt like an eternity. The whole day had gone by so quickly, then again it seemed like there had been one activity after another to occupy the time. Between Charlie’s surprise visit, Mr. Weiss’s revelations and our shopping expedition I hadn’t had one minute to stop and think. Which I suppose that was why at exactly five o’clock Edward told me to take my new dress to his room and then retreat to mine.

Normally with only a few minutes left I would be spending time placing the bands on my nipples but Edward told me not to bother with them, he had other plans. I was also told not to meet him in the kitchen; I was instead to present myself in his room at six. My hair was to be in the style he seemed to fancy, something he calls half up-half down. Basically it is a loose French twist that I don’t tuck in so the ends hang freely. 

Eleven minutes

Taking a deep breath I looked once more over my writing assignments, I had picked out three personal goals that had both meaning to me along with someone else. I also decided that the second assignment of coming up with reasons why I submit was going to be an open-ended personal study that I would constantly add to. Along with that I placed a new goal to the back of my journal under the heading of organization

‘To keep my journal in order’

After less than two months it was starting to look like a mish-mash of pages thrown together. Extra pieces of paper were taped in places where I needed more space. Poems, quotes and little notes to myself were spewed all over the place in what would look like total chaos - yet it all made perfect sense to me.

So I wouldn’t have been concerned except that Edward was also deciphering what I wrote and if there was one thing he thrived on it was order.

One of my goals I had listed was to make every effort to remember Master’s point of view in all situations. Out of the three, that one was going to be my own personal struggle and the hardest to fulfill. It would also be the one that went the furthest in my submission and ultimately my surrender to him. That was something I had already promised-my total surrender - and it was the only reason I had gotten out of the car at the mall.

I didn’t want him to buy me a new dress and I certainly wasn’t in the mood for shopping or preforming in a fashion show. From the time we left the house I had one thing on my mind and that was how I was going to get a box of Fruity Pebbles. It seemed like forever since I had the taste of the sweet crunchy fruity goodness mixed with cold yummy milk in my mouth and I missed it.  It might sound stupid or childish but that cereal was a main staple of my Saturday morning diet. Ok sometimes they were Tuesday night’s dinner and a Thursday afternoon snack but that wasn’t the point.

When Edward went North on the five I thought for sure he was going to Whole Foods. That’s his favorite place to shop, everything’s organic, low fat, all natural, which is fine if you’re buying cheese but who the hell needs organic dish detergent? The other problem with Whole Foods besides not carrying any good cereals is I can’t use my coupons correctly, so I prefer shopping like normal people at the Safeway. Thus when we drove past the exit I wondered where the heck we were going, never dreaming my surprise was a trip to Northgate Mall.

I know I gave him a hard time and once Edward told me I had a choice in the way I got a new dress I figured I would just consent and do what he asked. The problem was I only consented, when what I really should have been doing was assenting. Putting my whole heart into something that he asked me to do, without needing a reason other than it was requested of me. It took me a while to see that my attitude needed to be adjusted. Once my viewpoint became more in tune with Edward’s the whole experience became more enjoyable and I had to admit – I loved that dress.

It was a simple black dress that from afar was nothing special, putting in on is where the joy came from. The soft silky fabric felt amazing against my skin and it flowed so perfectly over the contours of my body that every breath I took was like a soft caress. There was a small little bit of glee inside that made me surprised an article of clothing could make me so happy. Yet that was exactly what it did and the last thing I wanted to do was take it off.

Edward seemed pleased by my excitement and that was when I realized how uncooperative I was being by giving him such a hard time. Remorse came over me at my behavior and Edward was right I really do need to learn how to be gracious and accepting. I have learned over the past six and half weeks to accept Master’s reproach and chastisement with dignity. Taking what I can from the experience, growing in knowledge and moving forward stronger in who I am. What I needed to do was look at his bestowing gifts and surprises on me with the same composure. Knowing that it shouldn’t matter if Master is presenting his girl with wisdom, correction or a new dress, her attitude should always be the same – grateful.

Six minutes

The excitement inside me was beginning to build along with the desire in my stomach and the heat between my thighs. After using the bathroom and bushing my teeth, I took a last look in the mirror. Edward hadn’t specified what I was to wear which meant I had to improvise. Retying the sash of my pink satin robe I patted Seth telling him to be a good boy, picked up my journal off the bed and walked down the hall towards Edward’s room.

The door was slightly ajar but not enough for me to see inside at what he was doing. I also wasn’t sure if I should just enter or knock and wait to be invited in. Deciding that it was Edward’s room and he has repeatedly told me that he would not enter my room without an invitation, I knocked.

“Enter Isabella” 

Pushing open the door to step inside I was met with his stare. He was fully dressed sitting on the bed leaning his back against the pillows while he looked over some papers. He seemed very relaxed resting against the headboard with his sock covered feet crossed at the ankles. Yet there was something in his gaze, he was looking at me with …expectation?

Taking  a step in his direction I was stopped by the sound of his voice “Isabella go back out in the hall and do not knock again until you are prepared to show me the proper appreciation for allowing you entrance”

Appreciation? 

Unsure what he meant I closed the door behind me then stood there in the hall trying to decipher the meaning. After a few moments I remembered what Edward had said to me the day before as we drove home from Oregon. The subjects of our discussions ranged from Rose wanting to name the baby Roscoe, to the upcoming school year and everything in between. One such talk was centered on the night before and how he had made me cum with his mouth. It was a rather good orgasm and I once again came without permission. Edward was getting rather tired of that occurring with such regularity, especially when he knew that I was able to hold it. 

He wondered why that was, how I could force myself to control it under harsher circumstances – like the trip home from the cabin – only to  lose it so easily at other times. As I thought about the answer it became clear to me and I told him. “It feels so good; I don’t want to hold it in”

Edward was rather unsympathetic “Too bad what you want.”

Not liking him to think I was just being a spoiled brat I went on to explain “Do you remember when I told you the first orgasm I had from someone was that night after we had gone to Alice’s. You had me lay on the couch while you played with my breast, and then later Leah and Jake burst in the house…” at his smile and nod I continued “Don’t you see Edward, it’s all so new and you make me feel so good, the way you touch me with your hands, your mouth, your dick. The release from a toy is easier to hold off, but because it’s you, there is an added pleasure that feels so good I want to enjoy it – all of it and my body just lets go”

“I suppose that should be flattering…” green eyes shot to mine for a brief moment before going back to the road “…but it’s not. I understand it feels good and you would want to enjoy the release as much as possible. However I told you before – several times – your pleasure belongs to me, all of your pleasure, and I decide when it is dispensed, not you. I can also tell you that delaying an orgasm significantly increases the pleasure of the release. So one way or another you are going to have to learn not to be such a greedy little slut. You will wait for permission and then with all things, you are to thank me appreciatively.” 
 
Feeling rather feisty I had to ask with just a bit of cockiness “And if I don’t?”

Edward’s head abruptly turned in my direction “As I said nâhtötse, one way or another you will learn”

I wasn’t too worried about the warning because I could – for the most part – control my orgasms, it wasn’t easy and I’d prefer not to but I could do it. Standing outside his bedroom door my focus was instead on what Edward had said about ‘thanking him’ appreciatively. Fairly certain that’s what he was expecting I once again knocked on the door and received the same response “Enter Isabella”

This time as I walked into Master’s room my steps faltered and with lowered eyes I showed my proper gratitude “Thank you Master”

“For what Isabella?” He wasn’t asking to be smartass, the tone in his voice along with the way he said the word ‘what’ meant he wanted me to elaborate.

Deciding it best, I restated the whole sentence “Thank you Master for allowing your girl entrance into your room”

Smiling to myself at his curt nod and words of approval “You’re very welcome”

I was in the room however I still wasn’t sure what to do. I moved to the side of the bed preparing to kneel in presentation when Edward put his hand out to stop me.

“Because I gave you permission to enter there is no reason to formally present yourself.  However…” Edward glanced at the clock as he spun his body to place his feet on the floor and took the journal out of my hands; setting it on the bed he said causally “You’re late Isabella”

My eyes shifted towards the clock and I was met with a harsh retort “Do you doubt my honesty?”

“No Sir”  

I didn’t think he was lying yet I wondered how in the world I could have been late after all I left my room in plenty of time. So I was here before six, it wasn’t my fault he sent me out of the room “Master your girl…”

“Is not on time! he interjected  sternly. “I  said you were to present yourself at six, not six-o-three”

I must have been in the hall longer then I thought

“And I don’t remember asking you for an explanation. I made a simple observation on your tardiness to which you doubted and then followed with more defiant behavior.  Now I know we have not had a real session in quite some time so I will remind you once. You are to answer only my yes no questions other than that you will remain quiet unless directed to talk. Do I make myself clear?”

I sighed “Yes Sir”

I had barely gotten out the word ‘sir’ when Edward stood, grasped my chin and stared into my eyes with a frightening glare “What does that mean?”

Blinking rapidly I was at a total loss of what he was talking about but I stayed quiet hoping he would clarify, then being just as confused when he did. “That sigh you just made, is that out of frustration, irritation, annoyance or does it mean something else. Are you bored, tired, angry, determined? When you make those sounds I don’t have a clue what it means to you and I find that very infuriating”

The intimidating stare I was getting kept me quiet while Edward continued “I can tell you exactly what it means to me…” pausing to allow his words to sink in Edward added rather harshly “ …a total lack of respect.”

Lack of respect? 

That was not at all what I wanted Edward to think, especially from something I wasn’t even aware was happening. I knew that there were times I griped or pouted that Edward reprimanded me and there have been moments when he looks rather cross at me - perhaps those were times I sighed?

It was a question I would have to bring up at a later time, because Edward wasn’t done talking. “I have allowed those rude disgruntled noises of yours to go on long enough and I’m telling you now, they will no longer be tolerated.” Dropping my chin he grasped my arm “Come with me”

Leading me over to the corner of the room he positioned me so that I was angled in it and then dropped my arm “Thighs tight together, arms at your side, eyes and chin straight” as he spoke I got into the position that I seemed to know so well and I wondered how long he was going to make me stand there.

“Repeat after me…”

Ok, this was new

“Making irritating noises such as sighing or grumbling is rude and juvenile.” Once I said the words he finished “If Master’s submissive is going to behave like a moody child then he will treat her like one.”
Once I recited the second part Edward took a step away from me “Say the whole thing”

“Making irritating noises such as sighing and…”

“sighing or” after being swiftly corrected I repeated “sighing or grumbling is rude and juvenile. If Master’s submissive is going to behave like a moody child then he will treat her like one.”

“Again” He ordered and the next time I said it through without any mistakes.

“Isabella every time you sigh, groan, grumble, roll your eyes or in some other way show discontent you will find yourself in this position. I don’t care where we are or who we are with, you will immediately be sent to the nearest corner where you will recite that phase ten times, out loud. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes Master” There was really nothing else I could say on the matter besides Edward had something else for me to do “Ten times, begin”

He was serious

I don’t know why in the world it hadn’t clicked in my brain before, Edward never jokes around about these things and as I recited the words that called me juvenile, that was exactly how I felt.  It was like a vocal writing assignment that anyone who was in proximity could witness. That only slightly bothered me at that moment because it was just Edward there but what happened if someone else was around?

Surely he would send me to a more intimate spot where I could fulfill his wishes with some dignity. Just as that thought entered my mind, Edward’s words came back to me ‘you will immediately be sent to the nearest corner’ – Oh Crap

Uttering the phrase for the tenth and final time, realization dawned on me; I was going to have to be very conscious of my responses.

Unsure if I was to move or wait to be dismissed from the corner I continued to stand there until Edward called my name “Isabella”

Turning to find Edward sitting on the bed, he motioned for me to go to him and then sat there with an expectant look. “Thank you Master for teaching your girl”

“You’re welcome Isabella and I would ask that you work hard on not forcing me to provide too many lessons.”

I would try, especially when we were in public. I could just imagine being sent to the corner in the middle of the Safeway – Holy Hell!

I didn’t think Edward would really do that but still the threat was there and so I would have to be on guard. That seemed like a hard task, to be conscious of a reaction I wasn’t even aware I was doing.

“Come here, join me” Edward said patting the bed.

Remembering  the rule for being on Master’s bed I shed the robe and settled my naked self into the spot between his legs. Edward wrapped his arms around my waist holding me close to him and placed a single kiss on my bare shoulder. “This is much better, don’t you agree?”

“Yes Master” There was no contest; sitting in Edward’s lap would always beat standing in the corner. 

Sitting back Edward picked up a small black velvet pouch off the bedside table and then handed me my journal. “I’m afraid I wasn’t expecting to administer corner time so quickly…”

Corner time? Is that what it’s called?

Something about the name made me giggle as a pictured Edward standing there with one hand on his hip and the other pointing to the corner while his foot tapped on the floor. At my merriment Edward stopped talking to cock his head back so he could get a better look at my face “Are you going to share the joke?”

Biting my lip I tried to stifle the humor and failed miserably, at my outright giggle Edward smiled “Are you laughing at me Isabella?”

“No Sir” but as I thought about it, he was the majority of the reason so I added “Yes Sir…ummm…sort of…”

It all happened so fast, one minute I was sitting and in the blink of an eye I was laying sideways across the bed with Edward tickling my ribs “Tell me Isabella…tell me what you find so funny about me”

“Please Master…please…” I cried out while squirming as he laughed over top of me.

“Come on nâhtötse… I’m waiting say uncle and tell me what I want to know” his voice was gentle while his fingers continued to tickled my sides and I relented “Ok…ok…Uncle!...uncle…uncle”

He gave me a devilish smile “I knew you’d see it my way. Now talk”

After all that it barely seemed funny anymore but I told him anyway and laughed at my vision of the stern headmaster sending the wayward student to the corner. Then for some reason the words just erupted from my mouth “Master the only thing missing in your girls imagination was a cane”

“Hmmm…well…” Edward pulled my hands so I was once again sitting “…the imagine you portrayed is rather accurate except it will be more like this” He snapped his fingers once before moving his whole arm to point to the corner as he said severely “Now”

After the demonstration Edward held my chin “That will be the only warning you get Isabella and I would suggest you move quickly because I will not be tapping my foot. You move swiftly to where I send you and obediently do as I have instructed. When you have finished reciting you are to present yourself to me just as if you had reentered the room. Do you understand those instructions?”

“Yes Sir”

“Good” releasing my chin he held my gaze “Because that will be an ongoing discipline, tonight, next week, next month, ten years from now. Whenever your attitude gets a little…snarky, you will have corner time”

Ten years?

That wasn’t the first time Edward had talked long term in regards to our relationship, yet it still gave me a happy little feeling inside, however there was something else that took my attention - Snarky?

Edward must have been able to tell I was unsure what he meant because he asked “Do you have a question?”

“Snarky?” I asked with innocence and was quickly corrected “Phrase your question properly”

“Master could you please tell your submissive what snarky is?”

“Snarky means anytime you are rude, snide, sarcastic, petulant or as my granny Cullen would say …cheeky” he added with a smile

Oh, that one I knew

“And as for the cane, well, that will come later tonight when we get home”

I could feel my face freeze in shock or was it fear as I swallowed hard, and once again Edward saw my unease. Stoking the tension away in my jaw he said calmly “Trust me nâhtötse I’ll go very slow”

I did trust him and I knew in the depths of my soul I would be mentally, emotionally and physically safe.
Edward glanced over at the clock and let out a deep sigh “I’m afraid that our time is getting short, so let’s get you dressed and we can discuss your journal writing over dinner”

That was fine with me anything to get my mind off whatever he had planned to do later - with the cane.

Edward had me stand on the floor between his opened legs with my hands clasped together behind my back. The position thrusting my breast in front of him, which he took full advantage of by cupping them firmly while his thumbs circled my already pert nipples. 

“Close your eyes Isabella”

As I complied my breathing picked up at the feel of his hands on me, the tingle from his touch radiating through my body like a slow burn. The feeling grew stronger as he used his finger nails to rake slowly over my skin. Edward moved his hands in a synchronized motion over my ribs, down my hips and legs. Reaching my knees his route changed upwards as he scratched the flesh of my inner thighs.

The sensations of his nails scraping over my skin was exquisite as it teetered somewhere between mundane and tantalizing. As his fingers reached the junction between my thighs my hips involuntarily pushed out the meet them. The small whimper of protest left my throat as he completely by-passed where I wanted him to go. Instead circling around my hips and digging his fingers into the fullness of my butt cheeks.

The action caused me to monetarily lose my balance and I stumbled forward one step until I felt his warm face against my breast. It was so hard to stand still with my hands behind my back as what I really wanted to do was grasp the back of his head and clutch him to me. Instead I bit my bottom lip and settled for a small moan while Edward slowly ran the tip of his nose from one nipple to the other.

“Isabella” his lips placing small kisses along the line his nose had just traveled while he spoke against my skin “tell me…how many… reasons you… came up with”

Reason?

Searching my lust soaked brain I had no idea what he was talking about. My hesitation caused him to clarify as he circled my right nipple with the tip of his nose “You had already written three reasons why you submit, what was your final total?”

Oh…damn why didn’t I number them?

I couldn’t honestly say because I hadn’t kept count however with what Edward was doing to my body, I knew damn well that I would be adding another one. Yet at that moment all I could do was be truthful.

“Master…” god my panting made me sound needy “…your girl…didn’t number them”

“Hmmmm…” the vibration of his lips sending chills through me as he placed soft kisses along my skin while he spoke “Were there four…five…six?”

“Six Master…for sure there are at least six and more…”

At the word more Edward’s motions ceased as he question “There is more than six?”

“Yes Sir, your girl believes so”

“Very good Isabella, you have no idea how much that pleases me.” His tongue flicked my very firm nipple once before he let go of my bottom and told me to open my eyes.

“I believe I told you the higher the number the greater the reward would be. In my mind…” as he spoke Edward picked up the black velvet pouch opening the top of it and pulled out a smaller deep red organza pouch with some kind of metal chain in it. Once that was in his hands he looked up into my eyes “…I would have been happy had you only added two, so for you to have more than doubled your number, I would say you have earned your reward. Don’t you agree?”

This was always a tricky answer. On the one hand I didn’t want to appear to be selfish and on the other I didn’t want to sound like I was contradicting him either.

“Errr…yes Sir?”

“You are not sure? Because if you would rather forfeit …”

Again a tricky answer as I was torn between sounding greedy or unappreciative.

I went with the greedy “No Master, your girl will accept whatever you deem fit to give her”

Something dark crossed his eyes as they narrowed ever so slightly “You should be careful what you wish for Isabella”

Edward opened the red organza pouch, stuck his fingers inside and pulled out what looked like a small necklace made up of three silver chains. Laying it across his leg his hands reached back to grasped mine and pulled them apart as he brought them to the front of my body. “Play with your nipples, make them hard”

They already were hard but I didn’t hesitate to grip the nubs between my thumbs and forefingers, rolling them. Edward watched my hands for a few seconds before meeting my gaze as he once again ran his nails down my outer thighs. “I promised you a reward and I always keep my promises” As his nails started moving upwards he got to the point “For the rest of the evening, until I tell you otherwise, you may cum at will.”

Between my hands and his, my breathing had picked up and I was feeling extremely needy, especially when his fingers reached the spot I wanted them at. Holding my gaze his left hand moved to grasp my hip while his right one scratched lightly over my outer lips sending shocks of desire cursing through me. I wanted to push against his hand to get the contact my body was beginning to crave. Instead I stood as still as possible pulling a little harder on my nipples and feeling the muscles in my belly start to tighten. The wetness between my thighs was practically dripping out of me and I was getting ready to start begging him to please do something.

To make matters worse Edward was a calm as could be “That means there are no restrictions on where, when or how many times you orgasm. The only rule is that I be properly thanked for each one, weather the release occurs from my hand or yours”

I heard him say ‘my hand or yours’ but the words or rather their meaning didn’t exactly register at that moment because most of my attention was focused on the longing I felt. With each tug of my nipples the pressure built as did the tingle in my clit.

“Ohhhh…” the moan escaped without my permission taking a bit of the pressure away but it was right back and as always Edward noticed.

With a sly grin his fingers slipped into my wetness “I will make you another promise nâhtötse, the last orgasm will be by my hand and so will the first”

With that he plunged his fingers deep inside me while his thumb clamped over my clit making me suck in a deep breath. His hand on my hip squeezed slightly tighter as did my fingers on my nipples while Edward’s other hand proceeded to move in and out of me in a milking motion. I had never in my life felt anything like what he was doing to me. Keeping his thumb in constant contact with my clit he slid his fingers up inside me, gripped my inner wall and hit my happy spot with each downward pull.

It was fucking awesome

He added a third finger inside me, twisted his wrist so they were in a line, pressed firmer against my inner wall and proceeded to stoke me into oblivion.  Edward applied more force on his fingers as he moved them faster along my wall making the pressure in my belly grow almost unbearable. Gripping my nipples I twisted and squeezed as hard as I could while Edward’s hand moved impossibly faster until I just couldn’t take it anymore and I came in a gush of wetness.

“Fuck! Mother..Fuck!”

The more I yelled the more Edward’s hand kept moving, drawing out my orgasm until I could barely stand and I had to grab his shoulders to keep from falling over. My body was shaking while I gasped for breath as I felt the wetness of my own cum dripping down my thighs.

Edward’s hand slowed but not my breathing as I leaned on his shoulders gasping for breath. My body was so relaxed that had it not been for his other hand - which was now around my back – holding me up, I would have fell to the floor.

Pulling his hand out of me, Edward wiped his wet fingers on the back of my thighs. I felt his weight shift under me as he stretched to reach for something on the bedside table. Keeping my hands on his shoulders for support I stood up straight on still shaky legs to meet his very smug expression.

Cocky Bastard

Edward raised one eyebrow at me as if he was waiting for something. Taking a deep breath so I wouldn’t sound to embarrassingly winded I spoke the words he wanted to hear “Thank you for the orgasm Master”

“You’re welcome my little cum slut”

Cum slut?

That was a new term

I didn’t get a chance to dwell on the new name for very long because Edward picked up the chain he had laid over his lap with one hand and pinched my already tender nipple with the other. The end of the chain wasn’t a normal necklace closure. Instead it reminded me of a little hangman’s noose with a silver band around it. Edward placed the hoop around my nipple and slid the band into place, effectively capturing it in the little slip knot.  After repeating the process on the other side the three ascending lengths of chain hung freely between my breasts. The sensation in my nipples was the same as when I wore the bands, not at all painful yet I knew something was on them and they stood fully erect.

“Unlike the bands, the beauty of the chains…” Edward placed the back of his hand between my skin and the dangling silver “allows for this” as he said the word ‘this’ his index finger curled around the top chain tugging it and the nooses tightened around my nipples making me gasp out in a low shuttering voice.  “Ooooh”

“Yes, it’s an added bonus”

Oh Shit!

Even once he had let go the tension on my nipples remained and I wondered what was going to happen if or when Edward pulled the other two chains. As I was contemplating my fate he picked up what appeared to be a double egg, a larger one attached to a smaller by a little wire. Popping open the bottle of lube he made the new hand single I had just learned earlier at Nordstrom’s, a half circle motion with an added roll.

Turning around I bent over to grasp my ankles and felt Edward’s hand pushing between my thighs, silently telling me to separate them. Having an idea of what he was going to do, I spread my legs wide and was not surprised at the feeling of the smaller egg invading my butt nor the larger one being slid into my vagina. However I was not completely expecting him to turn them on, so when the toys came to life the jolt of vibration caused me to gasp.

“Hmmm…” Edward mused and through my opened legs I watched as his hand reached down to tug on the chains. The tension on my nipples intensified and I couldn’t help the shudder that went through my body nor the whimper that left my mouth.

“I must say Isabella you have me torn between two desires. On one hand my training tells me to make you remain quiet on the other I am enjoying the sounds you’re making. That leaves me with the question of what to do…”

His deliberating wasn’t directed at me yet I continued to watch him with wide eyes and was glad when he gave me the signal to stand up.  As I did he picked up the last small bottle on the table and told me to turn back around.  Facing him I saw that he had removed from the black velvet pouch something that resembled a thong. It consisted of black straps only instead of a small piece of ‘V’ shaped material it had a silver ring with a long bead dangling through it.  Edward had me step into the openings for my legs and he slid them upwards, stopping just short of placing the straps over my hips.

“Hold yourself open Isabella”

Not sure what he meant I hesitantly pulled both sides of my labia open while Edward used one hand to pull back the hood of my clit. In his other he held his finger over the opening of the bottle, shaking it a several times before dripping a few drops onto my very exposed clit and rubbing it in.

It took a second before the coolness hit and when it did the muscles in my stomach tightened making me all the more conscious of the vibration that was taking place deep inside me. Edward blew cool air across my exposed clit making the coldness of the gel tingle and I think I purred.

His eyes shot to mine as he blew on me again and just as before I responded noisily “You know, I think the pleasure I’m getting from all your noises is worth it so…” more cool air came and that time I not only whimpered but shook from the sensation “…unless I tell you otherwise, consider the right to be vocal part of your reward”

As Edward finished talking he closed the distance and flicked the tip of his tongue quickly across the top of my clit. The muscles in my stomach clinched as did the ones in my sex and between the throb in my nipples, the vibrations inside me and Edward’s mouth I came in a quick rush of pleasure. My body was in a state of suspended ecstasy as every muscle seemed to spasm  from the release. As I came down from the high I realized that Edward was holding my hips to keep me in place while I rode out the pleasure.

I didn’t even get a chance to open my eyes before the words came pouring from my mouth “Thank you Master…thank you”

“You’re welcome” Edward said shaking the bottle to add more gel to me before pulling the strips of elastic to just below my hips. Telling me to remove my hands he used one of his to hold me open while he positioned the ring so that it encircled my over sensitive clit. After adjusting it slightly he seemed satisfied with its placement and had me adjust the strap between my cheeks and over my hips to a comfortable position.

“There…” he said with a swat to my bottom “...now you can finish dressing yourself”

Edward glanced at the clock “Five minutes Isabella and nothing else accept the dress and shoes”

I had already figured that was how it would be so I wasn’t very shocked however I did have a request “Master, would it be alright…” he didn’t seem happy at my inquiry so I got right to the point “…could your girl wear her bells?”

He seemed to deliberate for a moment before speaking “I am going to have to instruct you on the proper way to form a question but for now, yes you may”

I didn’t know there was a proper way to ask for something and I didn’t have to think about it because as Edward reached the door he turned and gave me one more bit of direction that I was not at all comfortable with. “Isabella do not wash the moisture from your thighs. Cum sluts wear the evidence of their behavior with pride.”

While I dressed I thought about what Edward had said, that was the second time he had referred to me as ‘cum slut’. It’s not that I found the title to be offensive I just didn’t understand why all of a sudden he had made the change. I also didn’t really like not being able to wash, it made me feel kind of dirty like my legs were sticking together. I was also sure that judging from the fifteen minutes it took to get me ready I was going to be a soaking mess by the end of the night.

Then again maybe that was Edward’s intention, after all my bare throbbing nipples were being lulled into happiness by the feel of the soft silk against then. My internal muscles were constantly contracting around the vibrating toys inside me and… my clit? I couldn’t even begin to explain the sensations I was having from that area of my anatomy.

Walking or moving was one thing, I had expected the bead to do its magic then. What I hadn’t considered was even motionless it was still in constant contact with the most sensitive nerves on my body. There was absolutely no way I was going to be able to ignore it. Edward’s whole set up was meant not only for stimulation but for actual release. It was as if my body had been prepared to cum hard and often.

“Cum slut” I mutter the word while clasping the anklet of bells on.

Oh shit – he wanted me to cum.

As that realization crossed my mind Edward’s words from a few moments earlier came back to me
‘That means there are no restrictions on where, when or how many times you orgasm’

And then his words that I had heard but didn’t fully comprehend began to make sense ‘from my hand or yours’

This was my reward? Orgasm after Orgasm after Orgasm…Well thank you very much Master.

Edward was on the phone when I got downstairs and he mouthed to me ‘go let Seth in’ while pointing towards the kitchen. While I was out there I filled his food dish and rinsed out the water bowl, dropping it in the sink at the sudden ceasing of vibration. The action startling Seth and making him bark.

“Sorry boy…” I told him petting his head while setting the fresh water bowl on the floor “…blame daddy for that one”

“I thought ‘daddy’ was out of the question?”  At the sound of his voice I immediately presented myself. He was correct, after everything I had learned about Alice and Esme there was not a chance in hell I would ever call him ‘daddy’ – that was just too weird.

“You look lovely Isabella ” he said taking in my appearance  

“Thank you Master”

“And you were right the bells work perfectly” A strange expression crossed his face and for a moment I could of sworn I saw a trace of regret but then it was gone “Come. Let’s go”

My steps faltered twice between the kitchen and the car as something akin to an electric shock ran through my body.  The only difference was electricity has a biting sting to it; these shocks were pure pleasure that caused my muscles to tighten and more fluid to drip out of me.

Edward had suggested that since it was our last night of vacation before life came crashing back on us we should go out for dinner. That was fine with me, after all he didn’t need my permission to make such decisions. The restaurant he picked was the small Italian one opposite the parking area from New Moon. I had never been there but Edward assured me the atmosphere was very friendly, the food was great and the wine list impressive.

The ride itself was also impressive, at least to me it was. Every time I thought my body was growing accustomed to the …jewelry Edward adorned me with, he would hit a bump, serve or turn a corner and a new wave of pleasure would run through me.

We were only halfway there and Edward kept talking, I heard him say something about Jessica and Officer Hawk. He was telling me about the phone conversation and how he turned Jessica in and I was listening because I wanted to be kept in the know. But only a small fraction of my mind was concentrating on his words, the majority of my attention was on the ever present ache in my clit. I tried not to rub against the ring that encircled it or to use the bead as a source of friction and I failed miserably.

I couldn’t help it and even though I knew my breathing was growing deeper I squeezed my thighs together and rocked my hips. The pressure built, the fire burned and all I wanted was to…“Master…” I called out while my hips moved and rocked in any direction that would give me the most satisfaction. I could feel my legs shaking as the throbbing grew along with my panting. Had I been in my right mind it would have been embarrassing as it was I didn’t give a fuck.

I heard the words “Let it go Isabella” and then the vibration returned. My thighs squeezed together so tightly they actually shook.  My head flew backwards against the carseat , moaning loudly as I let the orgasm take over. Edward reached over, slipped his hand into the opening between my breast and played with my already tormented nipple. The added sensation from the pain – and it was pain – caused me to cry out as my body was once again wracked with an intense release.

I was spent

I didn’t even feel his hand move away or when Edward turned off the toy I was too caught up in the euphoria and the visions of lights flashing against my eyelids to care. When I finally did come to my senses I realized all the panting I was doing had given me an overwhelming thirst yet I still didn’t have the strength to lift my head. I did have enough composure to say the one thing that was an absolute necessity “Thank…you Mas…ter”

Due to the huffs of air I was forced to take, the words came out broken yet they were said. Once my eyes opened I was aware that we had arrived. Edward had already parked the car, turned it off and was holding out an open bottle of water for me. Taking it with another thank you of true gratitude I drew in a long swallow as my breathing finally came under control. 

“You know Isabella, there’s no reason to hold in your orgasm. I would have thought without the restriction my little cum slut would be more than eager to release. After all I highly doubt this chance will happen again, at least not anytime soon. So hold it in if you like, after all for the time being they do belong to you and it is your reward…”  Edward trailed off as if in thought, then he shrugged “well, like I said do as you will”

I watched as he got out of the car to open my door, taking his hand I stepped out and felt a slight chill as the cool evening air hit the soppy wetness flooding my thighs. Using my hands to straighten my skirt I felt the back of it to make sure that the wetness hadn’t soaked through and was very glad that my happy dress was black.

I had read once where an actress was asked why she always wore the color black. Her response was that in order to stay in shape she drank an exorbitant amount of water and sometimes urine leaked from her. Disgusting as it was she wore the dark color to hide any possible wet spot. I was hoping that if it worked for pee it would hide coochie juice too; the stickiness on my legs was a different story. I really felt rather …nasty, from all the wetness and wanted to wash it off in the worse way.  

Edward was right the restaurant was great; it was basically a pizza parlor that had been turned into a small sit-down eatery. There were only a dozen tables in the dimly lit room that relied more on candle light to illuminate the space then actual bulbs. Rather than sit across the table Edward slide into the booth next to me, giving a small nod to the group at the next table. He didn’t offer any introduction but I assumed the four of them were members of the club.

As was our usual Edward ordered for both of us then asked for my journal. I did what I always do when he is reading my inner most thoughts – stared straight ahead and worried over his reaction. I wouldn’t get in trouble – although last time, I almost did – still he was getting an insider’s look into the workings of my mind. Every fear, expectation and regret was laid out in nice neat rows for him to decode. It’s like someone eavesdropping in on a therapy session and I still wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

“Isabella with all the drama that surrounded the task of choosing three goals and the close bond you have developed with my Aunt, I have to ask, all these motives you wrote, are they your ideas or did she help guide you?”

I bit lip as I thought about what Edward was asking me. He must have taken my quiet confusion for something else as he spoke brusquely “Look at me”

As our eyes met he questioned “Did you at any time speak with Jane about this particular writing?”

Still unsure what he was getting at I answered honestly “No Sir”

His eyes narrowed but not in anger or disbelief it was more like …awe. “You are an amazing creature Isabella”

I couldn’t help the broad smile that took up residence on my face, that was the honestly the best compliment Edward could have ever given me. “You like the writing?”

“More important than that Isabella…” he leaned over to kiss my lips in an almost reverent way “…I love the one who wrote it.”

The waiter appeared with our soup but didn’t seem to care about our public display of affection as he placed the bowls of Pasta Fagioli on the table. Edward straightened, thanked the waiter and picked my journal back up “This is my favorite part.”

Eating my soup I listened while he read.

“There is an emotional connection between the two of us that transcends anything that I
have ever felt or dreamed to be a part of. Perhaps it comes from the commitment, or possibly it is the completion that my soul receives from him. I would like to think that the feeling is mutual and that Master receives the same satisfaction as I do from the bond we share. In fact I am very sure he must because it is only through his complete gratification in my service that I find the strength to submit. And it is in that power that only I possess –which comes from him - that Master gains the strength he needs to continue leading me. That emotional connection is what allows the two of us to be exactly what the other needs and also something that Master’s girl feast on with a furious hunger for more.”

Edward gave me a mischievous smile “furious hunger huh?”

“Like a roaring lion”

“Then perhaps you should eat” inclining his head towards my bowl of soup.


“Yes Sir”

There was no need to tell me twice because I was starving. We had eaten a late lunch however it was close to eight and the soup smelled as great as it tasted. Edward and I spoke a little more about my writing and he was more than willing to allow the composition to be an ongoing project.  Half way through the main meal - a fantastic vegetable lasagna - he brought up the goals I had picked.

“I think you will make Charlie a very happy man with your first one”

I was sure that Edward was right. The whole time I had been at Dartmouth Charlie called me like clockwork every Wednesday and Sunday. Our talks were normally kept on the short side yet they always occurred. Since moving back to Seattle, it seems like I barely ever talk with him so I made it a goal to include my father in my life by calling him every Sunday evening.

I had realized over the past week just how much I had been pushing my father away which was why i had decided on that particular goal. Then after his impromptu visit to hear what Mr. Weiss had to say along with the silent acceptance or maybe it’s more of a don’t ask, don’t tell attitude towards our alter egos I was even more convinced I had chosen well.

The relationship with my father had moved on in a natural progression, I was still his daughter and always would be. I was also an adult who he could recognize as a responsible person, someone capable of making her own decisions and mature enough to live with them.

“Reflexology?”  Edward questioned my second goal.

He taught Anatomy so I was fairly sure Edward knew what it was so all I could do was wonder. “You don’t consider that to be a good skill to learn?”

“No…” he grinned “…on the contrary I think it’s a very good thing and I have to admit I’m rather looking forward to it. I just wasn’t aware you had an inclination towards natural healing”

It’s not so much the healing properties of reflexology I wanted to utilize because Edward was right, I don’t believe that rubbing a certain spot on a person’s foot would cure their constipation or improve their Liver function. However I did know that a good foot massage was very relaxing and it could be sexually stimulating and who the hell could turn that down?

“The last one?” He questioned before stipulating “Explain” 

I swallowed the last bite of food, giving me a few seconds to get my thoughts together before attempting to rationalize my choice. Pushing the plate away I continued looking down at the table “Well…”

Edward wasn’t having that, using his finger he lifted my chin to meet his eyes where he nodded his head once “Now speak freely and explain.”

Taking a deep breath I watched as his eyes narrowed but instead of leaving the air out in a deep sigh I swallowed hard, cleared my throat and spoke “Sir your girl…” stopping because I wasn’t exactly sure how to say what I had on my mind. Edward continued to eye me with an intense curiosity that made me hurry to clarify.

“Master after thinking of reasons why this one submits, she began to wonder how deep her submission went and she came to a few decisions. First she wants to make it very clear that there is not an ounce of space in her that would consider or even desires to attempt a twenty-four-seven relationship. But in knowing about herself she did come to understand that the submissions she originally gave to you was not sufficient. Your girl finds a deep joy in living within the parameters of your rules. She finds it oddly freeing to know that the dos and don’ts keep her within the confines of your good graces.”

“Isabella there are no conditions attached to …my good graces. Any freedom my rules give you is purely coincidental, because short of unfaithfulness there is not one thing that would change my trust in you and that is what our relationship boils down to…mutual trust”

“Yes Master this one agrees about the trust and just so you know she would never be unfaithful nor does she think that your affection for her is conditional on her behavior. However she does like, no that is not a strong enough word, she finds a deep joy in pleasing you, so much so that she is drawn to a deeper commitment. She is not exactly sure what that would be called or how it occurs but she offered her total surrender to you knowing it would be received with gratitude. This one decided that the only way to achieve the desired outcome was for her focus to be on her Master’s perspective rather than her own. That mutual trust you were speaking of becoming very important to the both of us.”

“So what exactly are you saying Isabella?”     

“This one is saying that she trust you so much that there is nothing she would deny you. But she knows herself enough that in order to accomplish that without too much animosity she is going to have to keep your perspective in the forefront of her mind. This girl’s Master does things she doesn’t always understand at the time, only to learn later that there was a reason for his madness. She would learn much quicker or at least be more receptive to his plans if she would just assent – not consent - to his instruction, knowing full well there is a reason for it.“ I thought about something he had said to me way back before we even talked about contracts or limits and used that as an analogy.

“Do you remember the night you came to the pub, finding this one having dinner with Carol?”

“Yes…”

“When we walked back to the Center you said something about climbing a ladder, that it was a slow process which required a lot of tears and letting things go before making it to the top. This girl is saying that she has a need to let go and take the next step upwards”

‘And you believe that attempting to understand my reasoning will help you achieve that?”

That was not the conclusion I wanted Edward to reach but I could understand how he would “No Sir, this one would not even begin to try and decipher your rational because she would probably get it wrong. All she is saying is that she trust you and will try her hardest to remember that everything her Master does is either for her own good or his pleasure and that is what she means by remembering your point of view.”

Edward didn’t get to answer as the waiter returned to see if we needed anything else. With a shake of his head he responded “Just the check” Once we were alone again Edward remained quiet and I wondered if my choices were not what he had expected. He had told me to speak freely and I wasn’t sure if it was still an open discussion but I took a chance anyway “Master are you disappointed with the goals…”

I didn’t get to finish “No Isabella, I told you they could have been anything. You could have chosen to clean out a kitchen cabinet and that would have been sufficient. It’s just that…” he paused to give me a wry smile “…as I said before you are an amazing creature nâhtötse”

And just as before, the compliment was accompanied with a kiss.

While we waited for the waiter to return with Edward’s card the group that had been at the table next to us got up to leave.  The two older men nodded at Edward and left without saying a word the third one stepped closer to our table. Through lowered eyes I appraised the middle aged olive skin man with minimal curiosity. He greeted Edward warmly while his male submissive stood dutifully behind him.

“Riley, when did you get back in town?”

“Oh…” he groaned “…we only returned last week. I absolutely adore Manhattan but I was very glad to be home and hopefully we won’t have to go again until the fall. I’m trying to talk your sister into making the trip with us but she’s perfectly content with the small pond here in Seattle.”

“Well she has the kids and don’t forget Jasper. I highly doubt he would appreciate her traipsing off to new York”

Riley made a grunting noise “ yes well she might as well be there, her and Douglas have been driving me insane with this vintage fashion show next month. I swear I’m dumping him off of her tonight and letting get all the details down so I don’t have to bothered any longer. Of course I don’t have to tell you how tenacious Alice can be; I don’t know how Jasper puts up with her. If I had to live with that woman I would need a daily dose of Prozac”

I couldn’t help the giggle drawing the attention of both men and Edward held out his hand for me to take. As I stood he placed me in front of him with one arm around my waist and the other tipping my chin so I would look at the man in front of me. “Riley I would like to introduce my Isabella”

“A pleasure to meet you my dear, although I must admit to knowing nearly all there is to know about you, right down to your bra size”

Alice!

I was totally speechless and as I stood there probably looking like an idiot with my mouth gaping open, Riley who up close was older then I had originally thought gestured over his shoulder to his much younger companion. “Ever since we got back last week, Douglas has been dying to meet you. And I must say Alice was right, you are simply stunning”

“Thank you” it was all I could say as the young man – Douglas seemed to grow even more impatient.

“Yes, yes, yes…” Riley chanted and then sighed as he stepped aside letting Douglas swarm in on me. Before I could register what was happening I was wrapped up in a tight hug “ Oh Isabella you are even more perfect then Alice said.” Stepping back Douglas – who if there had been any question as to his sexual orientation his demeanor and speech would have cleared it up – continued to eye me “You and I are going to get along fabulously…” accentuating each syllable while motioning his hand for emphasis “…and don’t you worry your pretty little head about those jealous bitches Dougie got your back. Daddy and I had already spoken about this…”

He continued talking faster than I could keep up and I wondered how much Prozac Riley needed to deal with Dougie and then the word daddy stuck in my mind and I wondered if he meant Riley or Jasper.  The first question was answered with a quick snap of fingers that made both of us look at our Master’s. Dougie immediately stepped behind Riley, mouthing to me over his shoulder ‘later’.

As if in answer to his submissive’s parting word Riley looked to me “You will have to forgive him Isabella, he gets a little excited …”

A little? Holy Crap!

Riley then looked to Edward “I’ll see you over there and maybe Douglas will have calmed down enough that poor Isabella won’t be mauled”

I didn’t really mind in fact I found it to be a relief, Dougie was the first person from the club – other than family - to show me any sort of hospitality. I was still slightly hesitant at the prospect of spending time at New Moon especially with what must be a buzz of rumors surrounding Mike’s suspension and Jessica’s banishment. Plus there was all the personal material Mr. Weiss had given us about Caius. Frankly I didn’t care about his failed marriages,  who his illegitimate daughter was or how many twenty year olds he was currently fucking. I just wanted him to leave me alone.

In order to get to the club we needed to walk through the parking lot and Edward stopped at the car to lock my purse in the trunk. Once it was secured he moved me to stand in between the cars so he could  adjusted the way the deep plunge of material laid between my breasts. The new position showing the off the three chains that connected my nipples. Using his nail Edward skimmed over the exposed skin, wrapped his finger around the silver links and gave a quick tug.

The pain from the bands tightening around my nipples was so intense that I sucked in a deep breath as my eyes widened. With a groan of discomfort my back arched, pushing my breast out while I tried to remain still.  

“That’s better” he said with satisfaction as my internal muscles tightened around the now vibrating intrusions. “You were a bit too complacent for my purposes. Besides I would expect that my little cum slut would want the full experience, yes?”

Unsure what Edward’s purpose was or why he kept calling me a cum slut, all I could do was stick to my conviction of accenting to his will “As you please Master”

The smile crept slowly across his face “Yes Isabella, as I please”

Tipping my chin up Edward leaned down to kiss me as his other hand snaked around my back to secure me forcefully to his body. It wasn’t just a small peck on the lips; this was a deep passionate kiss that had me moaning into his mouth as his hand dropped to firmly squeeze my bottom. The feel of his mouth on mine with his tongue moving sensuously against my own, the warmth of his chest rubbing against my aching nipples, the vibrations cursing through me making my clit pulse with need and the pain of him pinching my flesh was all too much. The onslaught of sensations was more than I could take. My hands fisted in his shirt as I moaned louder and shook with an orgasm that snuck up on me before I could stop it.   

Edward’s hand let go of my chin to slip inside the opening of my top, cupping my right breast while his thumb teased the nipple. His mouth abandoned mine to leave soft wet kisses down my jaw as his other hand moved up my thigh snaking its way through the wetness to stroke my outer lips.

His warm breath sending shivers through me as he growled lowly in my ear “Open your legs Isabella”

Open my legs…open my legs

It took me a moment to comprehend what he had said and as my thighs parted his hand had better access but to my dismay he wasn’t taking advantage of it. My breathing had returned to a more normal pace yet I was still panting embarrassingly as I pushed against his hand and pleaded in a hushed voice “Master please”

“Please what?”

“Please, please touch your slut…”

“Mmmmm….” He hummed against my neck “Not yet little one…I’m afraid my cum slut has a whole lot more begging to do”

Moving away from me he took the hand between my thighs with him, wiping the moisture off it on my legs as he started intently into my eyes “The question is, what are you going to be begging for?”

It was a rhetorical question that was not to be answered yet once again left me wondering what he had in store for me. In the meantime the vibrations stopped and he used both hands to once again adjust my top while he continued to stare at me…waiting.

My brain had finally caught up with the situation and I realized we were tucked away yet still in a very public place and not only had I just orgasmed I begged him to make me cum again.

Oh my god! Edward was right - I was a cum slut

 That was something I was going to have to think about later at the moment my Master was patiently waiting for my gratefulness. “Thank you Master for the orgasm”

He cocked one eyebrow at me “My greedy little slut took her sweet time in expressing gratitude perhaps she needs a more in-depth lesson on manners.”

Lowering my eyes at the chastisement he added “Next time your thankfulness had better be quicker, I think we shall talk about that later.” Lifting my chin he continued to give me instructions “Other than your continued etiquette the rest of our protocols are going to be very relaxed. Tonight we are not going to New Moon for any reason except for the clubs intended purpose.”

At my blank expression he smiled “Tonight nâhtötse we are going to enjoy ourselves. Our only goal is to laugh, relax and maybe let you met some new friends. So do you need me to remind you of the basic rules of contact with others or do you remember them?”

I ran the instructions through my head. Do not speak with other Dominants without Edward’s permission. Never look another Dominant in the eye. Submissive’s were fair game and I should always keep eye contact. If I had any problems at all I was to alert Master at once and let him handle the situation.

Sure that I had it down I answered “Your girl remembers”

“Good, the only other thing you need to know is, it’s Market Night, which is like a BDSM flea market of sorts. Some of the items are made and sold by club members others are from local adult stores or kink shops. It’s a fun night and like I said relaxed so even if the person behind the table is a Dom, for this evening you speak to them as if they were any other merchant that you pay for their services. If you have a question for them or you are purchasing an item you are to be respectful while holding full eye contact. If any of them give you a hard time about that, you drop their product, walk away and let me know so I can handle it. Do you understand?”

I did but a bit of apprehension ran through me as I wondered

…wasn’t he going to be with me?

12/5/11

Chapter 79

EPOV

Bella was awfully quiet sitting in the passenger side of my car. She had been rather vocal when we started on our little journey prattling on about some of the information we had gained from Weiss. There were still some questions that needed to be answered so while walking him to the door, I asked that he continue to look a little further into the life and times of Karen Kohn. I didn’t know what her game was or what she wanted with Bella and the last thing I was going to let happen was a ‘proactive’ attack.

I almost had a fucking heart attack with that suggestion. Although I will admit it brought me out of the stupor I was in. Up until the point where it registered that Bella was suggesting that she go talk to Karen face to face, I had been rather over taken by what were told.


Who the hell wouldn’t have been?

Never in my wildest imagination would have even considered the possibility of what Weiss discovered. The connection between James and Karen at least made sense, after all they came from the same small town and he was very close with Karen’s family. I just hadn’t realized that closeness extended to more family members then Victoria.

Karen being molested – and that’s what it was, molested, victimized, raped – at fourteen was sick enough. Impregnating her and then basically shipping her off to have the child on her own was deplorable. Paying her for the silence was another matter altogether, but at least the mystery of the six hundred dollar monthly payment was solved. Personally I think Karen underbid herself, that poor girl had been through enough suffering to warrant a much larger settlement.

Especially when it is quite possible he was the cause of her having to deal with a mental illness that will require lifelong treatment. Bella had eloquently explained the disease process to Charlie, telling him the causes ranged from heredity to trauma with no definitive answer. That was very true, however I would lay bets that she was correct in stating the ordeal James put Karen through was more than likely the majority of the catalyst. The rest of the description of the illness was also accurate and that alone would have been enough to seclude Bella from the outside world. The fucking kicker was the missing link, the one thing that kept eluding me but was the stronghold in tying everything together.

When Weiss pulled the three pictures out of that manila folder and laid them on the table in front of us, I could not believe my eyes. Everything that had been happening, the rumors, the invasion of privacy, the missing alcohol, and probably – although it couldn’t be proved -the break-in, was all fucking Newton.

Weiss pieced most of the puzzle together while I sat there staring at the pictures of, Newton, Jess and some guy I’ve never seen before. I was at a total loss and all I kept thinking was ‘What were the chances of everything occurring as they had?’ Far worse than that ‘what sort of fucked up force in the universe had Bella pissed off to warrant such retribution?’

I mean come on, hadn’t the poor girl dealt with enough bullshit in her life? Hadn’t there been enough years of pain, tragedy and uncertainty that she deserved some kind of normalcy? A boring mundane life of days filled with going to work, doing the housecleaning and Saturday morning yard work. Not the turmoil that seems to be surrounding her from the psycho ex-husband and his baby’s momma. Then of all things to have happened, she walks right in under Newton’s nose and one question was on the top of my mind. ‘Was Karen looking for Bella before Newton met her or did Bella’s emergence at the club stimulate the activity?’

Not knowing that answer was the reason why I decided to continue paying Weiss. The answer would sort of tell me how delusional or deranged Karen is. Had she been planning and scheming for months or possibly years to get to Bella and now just seemed like a good time because of her proximity? Or was it simply Bella’s arrival on the scene that caused Karen to fixate on her? Either way I wasn’t happy yet it seemed to me that one scenario was far more dangerous than the other.

And then Bella wanted to be proactive.

Was she fucking crazy?

I probably shouldn’t have shown my hand so openly in front of Charlie by telling Bella she was basically forbidden from seeking out Karen. It was just the thought of what could happen to her that scared the shit out of me. I made it very clear Bella was to go nowhere near any of them even going so far as to say she was not to walk the streets alone. Expecting Charlie to call me out for the highhandedness I displayed, his response was shocking. Without missing a beat his eyes narrowed with disgruntlement as he questioned his daughter “Isabella Marie, Are You Clear On That?”

Had I been in a better frame of mind the shock on Bella’s face would have been almost comical. As it was all I wanted to hear was her acquiescence. Once that was given I glanced over to see Charlie with the same expression of relief I felt. And I got the feeling he wouldn’t care if I chained Bella to the wall, just so she remained unscathed.

The response from my maybe soon to be father-in-law was rather surprising, then again throughout the morning, he had been full of surprises. His showing up at the house was the first one as he was the last person I expected to see coming home from my run. Yet there he was standing on the other side of the street looking at the house. His appearance surprising me so much that I had to look twice to make sure it was really him before calling his name. Then I wondered why Bella hadn’t informed me of his visit especially after our very recent understandings. So it was actually a good feeling to know that his arrival was just as shocking to her as it was to me.

Charlie surprising us with a visit wasn’t the only bomb he had to drop on us.

After he had left Bella was finishing up the dishes and I came into the kitchen with the framed stained glass piece of art she had bought at the festival in Victoria. I knew she wanted hung in the window over the sink and since we were going out to do some shopping I wanted to see if there was anything I needed to properly install it.

Laying the package flat on the table I started to remove the brown paper it was wrapped in, revealing the rather pretty piece of art. I hadn’t really gotten to appreciate it before but the transparent light blue background was a perfect sky for the yellow roses and dark blue butterflies.

The merchant had placed a small bag of hooks and wire inside the package so it didn’t look like I was going to need anything extra. Taking the framed art over to the window Bella stepped out of my way while I held it up against the glass letting the natural sunlight illuminate the colors.

Bella gasped “That’s beautiful”

“It is” I agreed “I really like it”

“Me too” She said with a joy in her voice and then out of nowhere added “Charlie knows”

I couldn’t stop the laugh because it was obvious he did “Gee do you think?”

For a man who guarded his emotions he practically shouted it in our faces that he was very aware of our lifestyle and it’s not that he approved but he would accept. That was more than I could have asked for, I wanted to spend my life with his daughter and it would be nice to not have to hide what we are. Not that he has to know all the dirty little details; there was no need for that. Yet there might be times – such as earlier - when my imperious nature comes out around Charlie. For the most part I can control that side of me, keeping the monster at bay until an appropriate time. But there are incidences when the natural tendency takes over and I wouldn’t want Charlie to be shocked, offended or attempt to intervene.

The Chief’s parting words to me were a testament to his acceptance “You keep our girl safe, I don’t care how, just do it”

I think I could have told him I was going to put Bella over my knee and spank the ‘proactive’ out of her and Charlie would have gladly given me his blessing. I was basically granted Carte Blanche from one of the few men in Bella’s life whose opinion truly counted.

“I wonder who told him?”

“Does it matter?” I wondered handing her the art work so I could get the step stool out of the closet.

“Only if it was Jake” eyeing Bella while setting the stool down she shrugged “it was probably Leah or Sue”

“Sue knows?” I questioned while climbing up the three steps to remove the small curtain.

“She was in the kitchen while Leah and I had our fight, she wasn’t shocked and she definitely heard everything “

I hadn’t considered the fact that Sue was present but I didn’t think she would tell Charlie. To me it seemed like she kept her husband on a ‘need to know’ basis “I don’t know Bella, did you ever consider the fact that your dad is a cop and he might be more observant then you give him credit for”

“Charlie only see’s what he wants to” she said handing me the art work and added “no, somebody told him, or at least made the suggestion that peaked his interest.”

While the stain glass art work went up we continued to talk and came to the conclusion that it just didn’t matter. Charlie could have heard it from someone, dreamt the answer or had aliens send him subliminal messages from outer space. The only thing that mattered was his acceptance of the fact that Bella and I were together and his desire for her happiness, which ranked fairly high on my priorities too.

Finished with that task we stood there with our arms wrapped around each other admiring the subtle beauty of the colored glass. The sunlight shining through the back, cast prisms of color out into the room and although it was not something I would have picked, I had to admit it added something special to the rather barren kitchen. It was like a touch of Bella had come to the spot and she had brighten it the same way she had with my life.

Placing a kiss on her head I asked if she was ready to go shopping. While she got her coupons and purse I left Seth out to do his business and ten minutes later we were in the car. That was when Bella had brought up my curiosity of Jess’s relationship with Mike. I had seen the reaction Bella gave at my inquiry and I wanted to explain my reasoning to her.

I knew from the altered sign-in book at the club that Mike had more than an acquaintance with Jess, I was just curious as to how long it had been going on. If Jess was indeed the person who broke into the house then I wondered how much persuasion it took to get her to comply. Had they only been together for a few weeks and he used her simply to do his dirty work or had it been longer and she acted out of loyalty?

Not that either one of those circumstances warranted being involved in a crime but Jess had never been the smartest one in the bunch. She was naive, gullible and I suppose lonely so she would have been an easy target for Newton to use. As I told all of that to Bella she sat there listening with a strange expression on her face and didn’t speak until after I made my last statement “It appears that’s exactly what Mike did, he took advantage of their relationship and her gullibility. Then when he either didn’t get what he wanted from her or just didn’t need her anymore he broke off all ties.”

“I feel sorry for Jessica”

My head shot in Bella’s direction “What?”

There was a sadness on Bella’s face; she truly meant what she said and in an attempt to understand the workings of her mind I had to know. “After everything she’s done, how the hell can you feel sorry for Jessica Stanley?”

Bella irritated me by leaving out a frustrated sigh “She’s just looking for what everyone else is looking for Edward. To forge bonds of friendships and find a place of acceptance, it’s kind of sad that she was taken advantage of…”

“Bella you’re the one that said she broke into our house” I could sort of see where she was coming from; Jess didn’t deserve to be treated so callously but she should have known better than to be talked into doing something like that.

“I’m not condoning her actions; she was totally in the wrong. All I’m saying is…Jessica must have been really desperate for Mike’s approval and acceptance to go along with doing such a thing. Especially since she already knew that Mike was with Karen and she was never going to be anything special to him. It kind of makes me wonder what or how they talked Jessica into breaking into the house.”

“Yeah I was kind of wondering that myself”

Was it as easy as just asking her to or did it require more finesse on Newton’s part by making promises of undying affection or did her threaten her? That was a question I didn’t think would ever be answered.

“I guess it doesn’t matter because in the end what did it get her?” after a moments’ hesitation Bella answered her own question “Mike doesn’t want her anymore; in fact he probably never did want her and believe me that’s a hard fact to acknowledge. Someone pretending to care, only to find out they were using you, making all kinds of promises to your face while laughing at you behind your back.”

That was something Bella had firsthand experience with and as she continued talking I saw more of her point.

“And then add in Aro banning Jessica from the club, which was the one place she could find like-minded people to bond with. It was from her own lack of good judgment or maybe spiteful revenge either way in a few short days she lost everything. She is probably feeling very empty and distraught right about now so how could you not feel sorry for her?”

“I guess, but she did bring it…”

I didn’t get to finish my statement as Bella looked out her window at the exit ramp we passed and asked “Where the heck are we going?”

The question making me smirk “I was wondering when you were going to ask”

“When we got on the five, I thought we were going to Whole Foods…”

That surprised me because Bella hated that store “You want to go to Whole Foods?”

“No…” she was adamant “…they don’t have Fruity Pebbles”

I laughed “Then it doesn’t matter because you’re not getting Fruity Pebbles anyway”

“Oh yes I am”

Ah…there’s my petulant girl making an appearance

Putting on the right turn signal I told her with assurance “No you are not”

“We’ll see” she mumbled under her breath making me smile at the determination. If it was going to be a test of wills, I was up for the challenge.

“Why are we going to Northgate, do you need something?” Bella asked as I turned into the Mall entrance.

“No, I don’t need anything, but you do”

“Me?”

Pulling into the parking space and turning off the car I gave Bella my full attention “Yes you, this is one of those surprises I was talking about.”

Moving quickly before she had a chance to reply I could feel her eyes on me as I walked around to open her door. Bella was practically staring daggers at me while I held my hand out for her, which she wasn’t taking or moving for that matter.

It appeared to me that the test of wills was beginning.

Moving my hand slightly closer to her I tried for a cordial conclusion by appealing to her rational side “Bella…”

Rational wasn’t going to work, she cut me off “I don’t need anything Edward, especially from…” her eyes went to the store in front of us “…Nordstrom’s”

Resting my other arm on top of the car I leaned in closer to her “I beg to differ, we are going out tonight and you need a new dress”

“Edward I have enough dresses”

Ok, this was going to be harder than I thought but one way or another Bella was getting out of that car and we were going into that store and she was getting a new dress.

Squatting down so we were eye level I squared my shoulders and fixed my gaze on her. She once told me it was my dominant look and it belonged to only her so that what she got – her look. “Bella, you are getting a new dress today and that can be done one of two ways. We can go in there now while we have the time and our evening will not be interrupted or…” glancing at my watch “…we can come back here in four and a half hours at exactly six o’clock and take time that I already have allotted for other things. Either way you will end up with a pretty new dress, it’s just a matter of deciding if the experience is going to be a pleasant one or not”

“That’s not fair…”

It was my turn to interrupt “I don’t see it that way, I think it is very fair. I want you to have something and one way or another, you will have it. Now which is it going to be?”

The mechanisms in her brain were working overtime as I watched her for a long moment as she warred with her inner self until she seemed to come to a conclusion.

“One dress” she acceded while holding up her index finger.

I nodded “and shoes”

“I…”

Glancing quickly at my watch I informed her “Four hours and twenty-five minutes”

The exasperated huff wasn’t as irritating as I would have thought in fact I found it rather endearing as she clutched my hand to finally get out of the car. It took Bella a trip around the women’s department before she became pleasant. Her main objective was to fine one dress to try on and preferably one that had a small price tag. That was not the experience I was going for.

After she couldn’t find one thing that appealed to her I took it upon myself to explain the way a shopping trip worked. “You have ten minutes to pick out three dresses that you find appropriate and I will pick out three. Then I will meet you at the dressing room where you will go in, change, and come out to show me how each one looks on you, so I can pick the one I like best.”

When she didn’t move I sighed “Fine, we’ll come back later…”

“No…”her eyes imploring me to be patient “…ok, ten minutes, three dresses”

Ten minutes later Bella had the dresses and I was sitting in the chair outside of the ladies changing room waiting for the first one. Bella emerged in a silver shimmery one shoulder dress that came mid-thigh. It was nice but not what I had in mind. The next was one I had picked out, a sleeveless blue dress that came to the top of her knees and hugged her shape. It was really nice and we been going to a wedding it would have been perfect. The next one was black sleeveless lace; Bella came out with an amused smirk on her face “This one looks like I’m going to a funeral”

I chuckled in agreement “Next”

That one was a shiny bronze colored monstrosity that as soon as Bella emerged from the doorway I shook my head in disgust. The next one was red almost burgundy colored, sleeveless with clingy material that seemed to wrap around her body hugging it sensuously. The style was slightly more conservative then I had in mind but Bella looked spectacular in it.

“I like that one” I told her

“Should I try on the last one?”

“Yes, you should”

While I waited to see the last dress, my eyes roamed to my left where I saw a mannequin wearing a little black party dress. It was cute and sexy with a plunging neck line that was softened to an almost a peek-a-boo effect by the way the material was gathered. Getting up to have a closer look, I was even more excited at the openness of the back. The whole thing was cut out with just two tiny strings tied together to keep the straps over the shoulders from falling down. I didn’t see any on the racks so as the salesgirl walked by I asked if there were more in the back.

While she went to check Bella came out in another little black dress that had its own deep neckline and the back was cut out with a Criss-Cross design. It was in two pieces and the top came down over her hips. Using my finger I made a circling motion, having her turn for me.

“Hmmm…do you like this one?”

“Yeah…I…” her fingers fumbled with the bottom of the shirt “…it kind of makes me feel like I’m…square”

I chuckled, she was right the dress was flattering but the way it fell it did make her look square.

“So…the red…” Bella was cut off by the salesgirl’s return “Sir we only have one left, it’s a small”

Perfect

“One more nâhtötse” I said taking the soft garment from the girl who was eyeing Bella.

I thought she was going to say something derogatory instead she moved to Bella’s side and adjusted the waistband so it turned up on itself and draped over one hip. “This garment can be worn several ways”

She then adjusted the waist again drawing it higher up Bella’s stomach so that it hung slightly above the waistband of the skirt. “This look is great if you’re going dancing at a club. But you can drape it several different ways. Even tuck the top inside of the skirt and wear a gold belt, which is very stunning.”

As the salesgirl spoke she gave a demonstration of each idea and the dress always took on a whole new appearance.

“This garment is very popular, especially with the college crowd, because it cuts down on cost by giving several different looks from the same dress. It’s also one hundred percent Rayon which is an easy care fabric that doesn’t wrinkle and is machine washable. Now this garment…” the woman fingered the soft black material of the dress on the hanger “… is seventy percent Pashmina, which is a blend of cashmere and thirty percent silk. It requires dry-cleaning and proper care but the material flows very naturally and feels luxuriously soft against the skin. It is a bit more expensive but you will defiantly be able to feel the difference and know why it’s worth the extra money.” Those words were said for my benefit as the salesgirl spoke to me before turning to Bella with a smile “Would you like me to help you try it on?”

Bella’s eyes shot to mine as she hesitated before answering “Ah…sure?”

She didn’t sound very sure but the two women went back into the dressing room and a few minutes later both returned with smiles on their faces. The salesgirl carrying the rejected dresses walked away with them while Bella stood like a vision in front of me. The black dress was absolutely perfect on her, lying softly against her curves and accentuating every asset she had.

Twirling my finger, Bella slowly spun around, stopping on the half turn to give me a sly smile over her shoulder before continuing. Wanting to see that smile again I rotated my finger half a turn then rolled it, telling her to turn around and bend over. Bella stood there looking questionably at me so I repeated the combined signal. With a slight hesitation she turned her back to me and glanced over her shoulder to watch my hand but she still was unsure of what I wanted. I could have saved us some time by just telling her but we had come to a place in our relationship where Bella needed to speak up when she was unsure of my commands.

And I was very happy that there was no further hesitation on her part “What does that mean ásgaya?”

The added ásgaya –sir- told me what frame of mind she was in as I repeated the signal I told her “Bend over, grab your ankles”

Complying caused the back of the dress to ride up Bella’s thighs and coming just below the full roundness of her bottom. I didn’t think that there would be cause for her to bend over like that this evening, but I wanted to make sure. There would be nothing underneath the dress except for a few adornments and I wouldn’t want her to be uncomfortable or inhibited.

Snapping my fingers got Bella’s attention and after making the signal she stood, tuning to face me just as sales girl returned. “What do you think?”

Giving Bella the signal to come to me, my hand slid down the soft silky material from her hip to where it ended at mid-thigh. It was the luxurious, soft and surprising silkier to the touch then it appeared to be. If it felt that good against my hand I could only imagine how it felt to against Bella’s more sensitive skin.

Having her slowly turn around one more time and seeing how the material clung to Bella’s body in all the right places I told the saleslady “We’ll take it”

The little squeal of delight from my girl was humorous as she was not at all happy when we began our quest but it appeared she had changed her mind. That was the shopping experience I was hoping for.

After Bella told the girl she didn’t need any help in the dressing room the salesperson left us alone saying she would be at the register when we were ready. Once we were alone Bella turned to look at herself in the three-way mirror, obviously happy with what she was seeing.

Getting to my feet I stepped in behind her letting my hand run down the length of her arm and she turned to face me. Taking her chin in my hand I had to know “Was that so bad?”

“No, actually it was rather fun”

“Good, that means next time you won’t be so uncooperative to my surprises”

Her hands came up to rest flat against my chest as she continued to gaze up at me “Your girl should have been more gracious”

Titling her head back a little future I placed a chaste kiss on her lips before agreeing “Yes, she should have.”

“Thank you Master” there was no hesitation or hush of the word, Bella spoke my title as plainly as any other word.

“You’re welcome nâhtötse”

Angling her head to the side she eyed me inquisitively “Was this really the surprise you were talking about?”

“Well there are the shoes”

Finding the shoes went a whole lot easier than the dress. It’s not like a shopping trip was going to be a weekly thing or even a regular part of our schedule. However there would be times when the desire for me to buy her something new would come upon me. It was all part of the control and Bella needed to know that if it brought me pleasure to bestow her with a gift, then it was her responsibility to act graciously and appreciatively.

After leaving Northgate Mall we made our way to Queen Anne area to get the meats and seafood from A&J’s. My mother had always bought her meats from there and swore they had the freshest fish so that was where I always went. Our last stop was our own neighbor Safeway, Bella scoured the aisles with the weekly sales ad in one hand and her coupon box in the other. I was more mechanical in reading the list that she started and I had added to, check off items as we went.

We made a simple shopping trip a rather lengthy expedition I would read off the item. Bella would stand there looking for what was on sale along with a corresponding coupon, because heaven forbid we pay full price for something. There was a few things I refused to gamble with, like toilet paper. Bella could laugh at my spoiled sensitive ass all she wants, because with or without a coupon we were getting Charmin Ultra.

Halfway through the store Bella sent me on a wild goose chase to get body wash. She gave me three different coupons and told me to get the one that was the best buy. I should have known she had something up her sleeve yet I went along with the distraction. When I came back Bella was two aisles over getting laundry detergent. As I put the body wash in the cart I noticed that the boxes of rice and noodles were on their sides. Picking them up I saw why.

“What is this?” I asked holding the bright red box of sugary cereal.

“Now how did that get in there” I’ll say this for her, she tried to fringe innocence – tried and failed.

“Put it back” I told her shoving the box in her direction.

“But I have a coupon for it”

“I don’t care if it was free, this is pure garbage. You might as well eat a Hershey bar for breakfast” pushing the box at her again I demanded “Put it back”

“Look it’s not that bad” picking up the box a Cheerio’s she scanned the nutritional label then pointed to the Fruity Pebbles in my hand “See this one only has eight more calories…eight, that’s not so many.”

Eight? How could that be?

At first glance she was right but I wasn’t born yesterday “Bella the Fruity Pebbles is a smaller serving size and it also has twelve grams of sugar and absolutely no fiber. It’s crap...put it back”

“But…” she actually began to pout as her eyes turned pleading “…couldn’t it be like a treat?” Her head tilted while she attempted to implore to my sense of generosity “After all I didn’t get to any of the chocolate you bought me at the beach. Couldn’t we just get it and then every now and then I get to have some…” her eyes narrowed as her voice became beseeching while she practically begged me “…just a little bit”

Oh she was good

“You’re right…” she didn’t let me finish before her face turned hopeful “I can get it?”

“No…” the smile was gone “…not now, on the next shopping trip”

“Why not now?” she whined and I needed to bring the conversation to an end “Because as you so plainly pointed out we just came home from vacation where our diet was not exactly healthy. So extra treats at this moment would not be the best thing.”

“Next time? Because my coupon expires at the end of the month” the dejection along with her logic made me chuckle as I did concede “Next time…”however she had to know the condition “…just as long as your diet stays satisfactory”

With her nod I exchanged the Cheerio’s for the Fruity Pebbles “Now put this back”

She wasn’t exactly happy, pacified would have been a better description but Bella did take the box back where it belonged. Just as she rounded the corner I heard my name spoken softly from behind me, turning to see who it was I felt my whole body tense as I said her name “Jess”

We stood there staring at each other for a long moment until I decided to just get to the point “Did you want something?”

“I…” she sighed “…I was just wondering if you would be able to help me be unbanned from the club. The letter said I assaulted someone but, I swear I didn’t do anything”

“I have no say over what Aro does…”

“But if you told him that I’m innocent he would believe you and I could come back.”

I saw what Bella said about her being distraught but she had brought this on herself and there really was nothing I could do about it. “I’m sorry Jess, Aro’s decisions are final…”

“But I didn’t assault anyone…”

“You grabbed Isabella’s arm, left a scratch…”

“That’s why?” she laughed in disbelief “Because of that girl…Bella?”

“Isabella” I corrected but she wasn’t paying me any attention as she went off on a tirade “What is so special about her? I don’t see what is wonderful about her, she’s not even that pretty but ever since she came around everyone has changed and she’s all they talk about, Bella this and Bella that, it’s like they are obsessed with her, like she cast some kind of spell on them or something”

The more she talked the angrier I was getting at the disparaging remarks she was making but then I started to realize that I had some questions that Jess would be able to answer for me, so I let her finish.

“Even you…” pointing her finger “…changed, and started acting like the ground she walked on was covered with gold or something. What does she have that I don’t have? I mean come on Edward you even got a dog now”

And there is was

“I have a dog?” I asked doubtfully and Jess fell right into the trap.

“Come on Edward I seen him, he scared the crap out of me”

“When did you see our dog?” Just as Jess figured out that she said something she shouldn’t of, Bella came around the end of the aisle and didn’t hesitate in the least to stand at my side. “Hey”

“Hey babe” I said wrapping my arm around her and kissing the top of her head “Jess was just about to tell me when our dog scared the crap out of her”

“Oh yeah, when was that Jessica?” Bella wondered as fear seemed to come over Jess’s face at the realization that she inadvertently confessed to breaking in our house.

“I um..umm…it was…ummm…” she was trying to come up with an excuse but then just gave up “…I don’t really remember.”

“Oh, I guess it must have been dark or something” Bella stated to Jess before looking up at me “maybe next time we should leave a light on, that way people can see better after all we wouldn’t anyone to trip”

I nodded “I hate wasting electricity but I think you’re right”

“Yeah…well…” Jess started talking again “…I’m going to go, don’t worry, you don’t need to talk to Aro for me”

“I told you Jess, I have no control over what Aro does, and who is allowed on the property is solely at his digression. I will however put in a good word for you to someone else I know, there is a police officer I’m sure will be very interested in talking to you.”

“Police?” Tears filled her eyes “Please Edward don’t call the police. I didn’t do anything…no was hurt and nothing was damaged”

I figured if I was ever going to get any answers from her it was then so I just came right out and asked “What did Mike want from my house?”

Tears were streaming down her face as she first looked at Bella before wiping the her face off and fixing her eyes on me. She looked…lost and I did feel sorry for her “All he wanted me to do was hide a dog collar somewhere in your dining room.”

“A dog collar? Did he mess with my dog?” Bella became the protective mother while Jess gave her a look of total distain that resonated in her voice “No he wouldn’t hurt your dog, he didn’t even know you had one”

“Then why would he send you with a dog collar?” Bella asked the same thing I wanted to and Jess’s face took on a look of total confusion.

She really was obtuse

Bella continue to drive home the point “If we didn’t have a dog, then the collar would have stuck out like a sore thumb. And someone had already messed with my baby and I’ll tell you what Jessica Stanley…” Bella’s voice became menacing as she took a step closer to Jess, staring her down“…if anyone ever hurts my dog they are going to answer to me”

Jess cringed as she took a step backwards while I put my hands on Bella shoulders trying to calm her down. “It’s ok nâhtötse, they didn’t hurt him” as I said the words she turned in my arms and I could see why Jess backed away, she was fuming mad. “They fucked with my baby Edward and they can’t get away with that”

My hands rubbed the top of her arms in a soothing motion while I attempted to calm her down “Ok …Ok…I promise, they won’t get away with it”

I had seen her protectiveness of Seth come out once before when Jacob had taken him to mate with Bessie. Bella was beyond reason, threatening to get a whip and beat him with it and all he did was take Seth for some tail. I could only imagine the devastation she had planned for Jess and Newton for actually bringing harm to the dog.

While I continued to calm Bella down Jess thought it was a good time to explain “I told you we didn’t hurt the dog…I love dogs…” at that Bella abruptly turned around and the expression on her face must have been murderous because Jess was quick to continue “…really I do…besides all Mike wanted me to do was plant the collar somewhere inconspicuous so that he could hear what was being said at the meeting you were having…”

Meeting? What meeting?

“…but when I got the door opened the code Mike gave me didn’t work and when I put it in the second time the alarm went off and that’s when the dog came. He was barking and growling at me, so I ran out of there”

Jess was looking at me like I was supposed to feel sorry for her but I couldn’t muster any other emotion except contempt “Why would you agree to break into our house”

Stressing the word our caused a reaction of anger to come over her “It’s your house Edward, not hers and that’s why I did it, to prove that everyone was wrong when they said you were living together.”

“Who said that?” We were living together but I was wondering where she was getting her information from.

“Mike and…” At her hesitance I added “Karen.”

“You know about Karen?” Jess asked suspiciously.

At my nod she went on “Yeah Mike and Karen, they were talking about it and how it was going to be harder to talk to Bella…”

“Isabella…” I corrected and she huffed “Isabella…they call her…” she pointed her finger “…Bella”

“And what do they want with her?”

“It’s not they Edward, it’s only Karen. Mike could care less about Bel…Isabella, except Karen is really fixated on her. She keeps saying Bel…Isabella has something that belongs to her and that she has something for her that will even the score.”

“Even what score?” I hadn’t meant to say that out loud but even at the question Jess just shook her head “I don’t know, Karen is crazy lately. One minute she’s laughing and then she’s crying. She keeps blubbering about how it hurts to be touched and being afraid of the cage.”

I heard the quick intake of air from Bella and my arms instinctually wrapped tightly around her, placing her in a cocoon of security while I asked “What else does Karen say?”

“Nothing and it doesn’t matter anymore because Mike told me to get lost. He said that Karen needed him now and that I shouldn’t come around for a few weeks until she felt better.”

At least it sounded like Mike was taking care of Karen; maybe he really did have feeling s for her. But I still had one more question. “You said something about a meeting at my house, when was that?”

Jess shrugged “I don’t know, Mike said you were having Aro and Emmett over to talk about the club and he wanted to hear what you were saying”

Bella glanced up at me “That must have been the night before we left, when everyone came for dinner”

“And what was Mike hoping to hear?” I figured it had something to do with his illegal activities but I was curious to know if Jess was aware of Mike’s extra income.

“He said that there were a lot of changes happening at New Moon and he wanted to hear if Aro was going to promote him to head of security. Because if not he was going to start looking for a new job”

I stared at her in disbelief, if Jess was telling me the truth and she truly believed that was the only reason Mike wanted to know what was said in my home, then she was dumber than I thought. “So you committed a felony crime by breaking into the house so Newton could hear about a promotion?”

At her nod I asked “So why you? Why didn’t he do it himself?”

“He tried to. Mike went to your house but he said that you made him stay by the door and you only left him alone for a minute while you talked to her. So he couldn’t put it anywhere and then Mike said he saw you put the code into the security box….” Something seemed to dawn on her “…When did you get a security system anyway? I’ve been to your house lots of times…”Jess’s eyes shifted to Bella who stiffened in my arms “…you never had one before”

Jess gave me a coy smile and I knew the observation was made for the sole purpose of hurting Bella. A little dig to remind her that she had been in my bed. Well not literally because Jess never slept in my bed but the meaning was clear.

There was no need for a reply because whatever I said would only serve to prove that Jess knew more about me personally than she had a right too and also it was none of her business. What occurred at the house only concerned two people- Bella and me.

When Jess saw I wasn’t going to respond she sighed “Anyway, Mike must not have seen you do it right because he gave me the wrong number and then…well you know the rest. And now I don’t know what I’m supposed to do”

“I would suggest you hire a good attorney”

Jess was visibly shocked at my suggestion “An attorney?”

“Yes, you knowingly committed a felony by breaking into our home…”

“But I wasn’t going to hurt anything…it was like a joke...nothing got…” Holding up my hand to stop her I said “You can explain all of that to the police along with Mike’s involvement and see what they say”

“You’re really going to turn me in? After all those times….and our friendship you would do that?”

“Our friendship couldn’t have meant very much if you so easily agreed to betray it”

“I was just so…mad Edward. Why did everything have to change? Why did she have to come along…”

We weren’t going to rehash old times or run down memory lane just for the sake of hurting Bella “That’s the point Jess, things change, people change and Isabella did come along and she has filled a spot in my life that I didn’t even now was empty. You were mad for petty reasons, I seek justice for legitimate wrongs committed against us. So in answer to your question, Yes, I will be calling the officer in charge of the case as soon as I get home. I say that gives you about an hour to get an attorney, which I might add is more time than you gave me to prepare for what you did.”

The color drained from Jess’s face and for a moment she looked like she was going to be sick but then she smiled broadly “You’re only teasing, trying to scare me”

I tried to keep that expression –Bella’s look – off my face but I also wanted to convey that I was not kidding and I had every intention of calling officer Hawk when I got home. Jess must have seen the determination in my eyes as she looked between Bella and I and without saying another word turned to leave us standing there watching as she disappeared.

Bella’s hands grasped my arm that was still securely wrapped across her chest and after Jess was completely gone her hand patted my arm. “I take it back Edward, I don’t feel sorry for her anymore”

“Neither do I Bella”

And I didn’t, Jess made a decision that she was going to have to stand accountable for and our previous relationship had no bearing on what I had to do.

Bella turned in my arms to gaze in my eyes “Are you really going to turn her in?”

“Yes…I really am”

“Oh…” was the only comment Bella made as she moved away from me and started pushing the cart down the aisle stopping to get dish detergent. As she picked up the Dawn from the shelf she didn’t look at me while he asked “Aren’t you afraid what Jessica might tell the police about your…relationship with her”

“I have nothing to be ashamed of Bella. The bottom line is Jess committed a crime and she has to answer for that. What kind of a citizen would I be to let a known criminal get away with being unpunished?”

“Do you think I’m a bad citizen?”

The question was spoken so low I could hardly hear what she said and even once I understood the words it took me a moment to put my statement together with her question and figure out what Bella meant.

“No, I don’t think that at all. I think each one of us does what we can, when we can”

That answer seemed to placate Bella, as the subject was dropped and we continued on with our shopping. I could only hope that eventually she would be able to summon up enough of the courage that I knew laid within her and do the right thing. I didn’t know how long it was going to take or what was going to happen before she could move past her own embarrassment and do what only she could do. In the meantime something Jess had said was weighing heavy on my heart and it made me even more determined to keep Bella safe.

Jess said something about Karen thinking Bella has something of hers and she wants to give Bella something to even the score. Whatever the hell that meant to Karen I had no clue. What it meant to me was starting immediately Bella is going on lockdown. She is not going to like it one bit and I was sure there was going to be a tantrum or two. However Bella was going to have to see reason, after all Jess described a rather unstable Karen who was laughing one moment and crying the next. So I wasn’t going to take any chances and I would much rather deal with a disgruntled safe Bella then a liberated injured one.

Looks like the test of wills was in for a workout, I might have compromised on Fruity Pebbles but this was one mêlée that couldn’t afford a retreat. And come hell or high water - I would win.