Chapter 64

Chapter 64
BPOV

“A booty call?” the words left my mouth in astonishment while Seth must have thought I needed a definition.

“Yeah a booty call, you know-snatch, poontang, pussy?”

My face was in a permanent state of shock as I stared at Seth, “I know damn well what it is.”

“Bells…”

Glaring at Jake I didn’t care what he had to say, I was pissed. “How could you do that without asking me?”

“You weren’t here and I didn’t think you would care.” The calmness in his voice fueled my anger to the point where I could feel the blood boiling in my face.

“Y…you…you…” I must have sounded ridiculous struggling for the words while my mouth kept moving with no sound coming out because Paul laughed, “you look like a fish out of water.”

My eyes widened and the word water brought back a memory. Glaring at Jake I yelled and pointed an accusatory finger at him, “This is worse than when you put squeakers in the pool!”

Jake rolled his eyes “How the hell was I supposed to know gerbils couldn’t swim?”

“That’s not the point,” I was still pointing my finger at him, “you had no right to touch him!”

“You’re the one who left him outside on the porch. I was trying to help by cooling him off.”

I could hear Sue at the door asking what all the yelling was for while Edward was trying to hand me back the hoodie. But I couldn’t answer because there was no way I was taking the blame for him killing my gerbil.

“Only because Billy wouldn’t let me take him in the house!” as usual when I get angry my hands become animated, shaking a pointed finger at my chest, “Besides Squeakers is my gerbil!”

“Was,” Jake said smugly. “Now he’s buried in the front yard under that rock you made me paint.”

“That was your…” I wanted to say penance, instead I gasped in shock from Edward pulling the sweatshirt over my head with a stern voice in my ear, “Isabella put on this fucking shirt.”

It was then as I was sliding my hands under the hoodie, bringing them quickly through the arms that I remembered how I was dressed. The sweat shirt I had been wearing was wet so I took it off when I got a new one for Edward. That was all forgotten when I couldn’t find Seth. Pulling the hoodie down over my body it was clear that in my anger I acted rather trashy. Then with all the hand movements the girls were probably bouncing all over the place and Edward sounded irate.

Paul didn’t make it any better, “Awww! Edward you ruined it, my boy parts were just starting to get bigger.”

The growl from Edward’s chest vibrated through my body.

“Oh fuck me,” I muttered looking up to heaven for support while Paul laughed, “Damn girl, you just came back from the motel.”

“Fuck you!” my yelling only made him laugh harder while Paul waved his hand at me, “No thank you, I’m not in the mood anymore.”

Sue reminded me about the language as my anger flared again. Pointing a finger at the annoying man leaning against the railing my voice came out in a seething tone, “If you say one more word…just one…go ahead I dare you.”

He seemed unfazed by the threat as he took a drink of beer while my attention went back to Jake. “Where is he?” From the corner of my eye I saw Paul lean towards me, “Boo.”

A frustrated scream left my throat and I leaped in his direction yelling “You are such a fucking asshole!”

I didn’t get anywhere near him because Edward’s arm reached out and grabbed me around my waist. Pulling me back he spun us to look away from the insufferable ass and into the heated glare of Sue standing in the doorway.

“Isabella, settle down,” Edwards’s words were stern and my body shook against him while I took in deep breaths still listening to Paul chuckling behind us. “You’re getting feisty Bella, I kind of like it. What other tricks…”

His words came to an abrupt end when Edward spoke in that tone of his that was both intimidating and exciting, “Jacob, I assume Seth is over at Sam’s?”

“Yeah”

Hearing that, I felt some of the tension leave my body.

Of course where else would he be?

I felt kind of stupid that I didn’t figure that out before, but then again with all the yelling I really wasn’t thinking straight at all.

Edward moved us to the end of the porch, “Come on.”

Jake moved along with us, “What are you going to do?”

“I’m taking Bella to go get him,” Edward spoke as if it should be obvious. Going down the two steps he grasped my thighs hoisting me onto his back so he could carry me. Wrapping my body around his I rested my cheek on his shoulder. “I can walk.”

It’s not that I didn’t like when Edward carried me or that I minded the way my body flooded with warmth at being so close to him. It was more of the fact that I didn’t want him to think that I was so upset that I was incapable of basic functions.

“I’m not going to let you walk through the wet grass and the woods with those things on your feet.”

Looking down at what he was talking about I understood his reasoning. I had kicked off my sneakers when I went into the bedroom to change, slipping on flip flops to walk through the house, never dreaming that I would be traipsing around outside. Then again, I never dreamed that Jake would send my baby off to be some kind of canine mack daddy.

As we walked across the yard Jake said something about getting flashlights and as we entered the woods I looked back to see both him and Seth following us. The other three stayed on the porch, which surprised me, especially Paul who enjoys being in the center of things. He always has something to say and usually it’s inappropriate. He means no harm nor would he purposely cause any and it’s not like he tries to be an ass, he just was.

My arms tightened around Edwards’s chest, I knew that he wasn’t happy about me being semi-exposed on the porch. In all honesty I couldn’t understand why. Edward was a sexually adventurous person who had no problems with public orgasms or nudity. Still I had to know how mad he was.

I kissed his neck rubbing my nose against his skin breathing in his scent. “Are you terribly upset?”

“Not so terribly,” he sighed. “Just a smidgen.”

“Why?”

“You know why.”

I did know why, at least the initial reason but I didn’t understand how he could seem to have a double standard of appropriateness.

“That was the reason I gave you the sweatshirt in the first place, so that you would keep yourself covered. I don’t want everyone staring at you with bulging eyes, making lewd comments about your assets. Those belong to me Isabella; no one has a right to see them unless I say so.”

I thought about everything that was said on the porch, “Paul didn’t really get a hard-on, he was just…”

Edward cut me off with a quick retort, “Does it really matter?”

Did it?

“No, but…” I stopped myself unsure if I should continue with what I was thinking.

“But what?”

I sighed uncertain of how to even phase it while Edward groaned in annoyance. I figure it would be better to just say it and clarify later if needed, than to have him even more upset with me. “You said that it would bring you pleasure to have others watching and wanting me knowing they could never have me.”

“I did say that and it does bring me pleasure. Isabella, I’m not averse to showing off your body, it’s fantastic and worthy of attention. However, it needs to be done in the correct atmosphere where conduct is expected to be restrained and you are treated with the respect you deserve.”

That was true I was disrespected but it was only the guys and I was used to them. After all they have known me since we were children; we’ve watched each other grow through the awkward adolescence stage to the fullness of adulthood. We’ve laughed, cried, and teased one another just like any other close group of friends who know each other so well. I wanted to explain all that to Edward but he continued talking.

“That’s why I wanted you covered, in part because I knew that there was no way I would be able to control their reactions. The other more important reason was because neither of us received any pleasure from the comments that were made. All they did was serve to make me angry and you frustrated to the point of losing your temper.”

I did lose my temper however my mind fixated on one word, “Are you angry with me?”

“Absolutely not, you did nothing wrong Isabella except to react without thinking. I can’t fault you for that especially when your concern was for Seth. I didn’t forbid you; my words were that I preferred that you keep yourself covered. Had you defied me with putting on the second sweatshirt that would have been a different story”

Looking over my shoulder I saw that Jake and Seth were far behind us. Still, I didn’t want them to hear me so I made sure to speak softly by Edward’s ear. “Master, your girl would never intentionally defy you.”

“Never say never Isabella.” Edward grinned deviously then added, “The only thing I’m going to ask of you is that in the future you please think before reacting.” His eyes shifted sideways to look at me, “Please?”

How could I say no to such a request?

Kissing his cheek I assured him that I would try hard to think about what I’m doing and I made a vow to myself to always consider his feelings. Edward had a need to stay in control of things especially where I was concerned. Not that he had to control every aspect of my life or keep me under lock and key. His control came forth when it was needed, taking command of a situation and seeing that no harm came to me either physically or emotionally.

He could be possessive but not in an abusive way that causes fear or anxiety by being overbearing. There are never any harsh belittling insults to get me to do what he wanted or to keep me in my place. Explanations always accompany his reasoning, giving me a clear sense of his feelings rather than filling me with guilt. It’s a gentle reminder that I belonged to him just as he belongs to me and he wants there to be no mistake about that fact in anyone’s mind.

Edward loved me beyond any way that I have ever been loved before, unconditionally. He loves me the same whether I’m perfect or flawed. That was something that I have never known. The whole time I was growing up Charlie never said the words. As an adult I can understand that he does indeed love me and that his lack of vocalizing it had nothing to do with me. As a child I always wondered what I was doing wrong. Why my daddy didn’t love me the way other daddy’s loved their children, with hugs, bedtime stories and kisses goodnight.

James never loved me at all he was only with me to get something. Looking back and knowing what I feel for Edward, I can see that I never loved him either. I was enamored with the idea of someone loving me. A bad reason to get married and I suppose it would be simple to chalk it up to my youth but it was more than that. It was my own self esteem telling me that what James was giving me was the only thing I was worthy of.

Now I know that’s bullshit. Edward has taught me the meaning of mutual respect. He respects me in all things, insists that I respect not only him but myself as well and expects me to demand it from others. I’m learning to do that because Edward has also shown me that I’m worth it.

Sam wasn’t in the yard, however the door to the shed was open and I told Edward to go in there. Just as we got to the door there was a howl that made me cringe. Inside my poor baby was on his hind legs mounting Bessie while Sam stood off to the side.

“Oh Seth, that’s your sister!” I cried out as Edward let go of my legs so I could stand. I was going to tell Sam to throw some water on them when Seth backed away, twisted his body and stood with his rear end butted up against Bessie’s.

Oh my god…what the heck is he doing?

I stood there with Edward staring in shock while Jake and Seth walked in and Sam was saying something but all I could do was watch my baby struggling to get away. I didn’t know what to do and all I could hear was Jake praising him, “Way to go buddy, you knew what to do,” and my brothers calm tone, “Cool.”

Cool?... Way to go?

My dog is starting to freak out because he can’t move and they think this is a good thing? My anger that had dissolved on the walk over was back in full force. I tried to keep my voice as calm as I could so that I didn’t upset Seth anymore than necessary, “Edward…give me your belt.”

“What?”

I didn’t even look at him as my hands went to his pants, “I want your belt.”

Edward’s hands clamped down on my wrist stopping me from opening the buckle, “NO!”

“Edward pleeasssse…look what he did,” he might have had my wrist but my fingers were still able to move the leather through the buckle.

He squeezed my wrist tighter pushing them away, “Baby I never thought I would say this but stop trying to take off my pants.”

I looked up into his eyes shaking my head and pleading, “Pleeeaaaseee…I don’t want your pants, Just your belt…please Edward? I want to hurt him!”

“Fuck you woman!” Jake yelled while I kept trying to plead with Edward as my dog was whining and yelping in pain.

“No…Isabella…No.” Edward pushed my hands away in a final answer.

“But he hurt my baby, listen to him crying he’s in pain.”

Edward smiled at me, “He’s not in any pain.”

As he said the words Sam laughed making me look at him, “I guarantee Seth is not in pain Bella.”

“Then why is he freaking out?”

“He’s stuck and a little scared…come here.”

I walked over kneeling next to Sam sucking in a small breath as my bottom rested against my heels while I listened to what Sam said. “Pet him and talk calmly to him. He’ll settle down.”

Once my hand rested on Seth’s head he did calm down. I shushed and petted his head while looking over as much of his body as I could see. A feeling of protection for him surged through me as he looked up at me with sad helpless eyes. He needed me to stay composed so that I could bring him comfort. Kneeling there taking care of my pet, I wondered if this was how Edward felt when he was caring for me. It didn’t matter that my own bottom was tingling heat near to the point of pain, or that the floor was cold damp concrete, Seth needs came first. My eyes shifted up to Edward for a second. He had his own look of concern and I realized I was right, that is exactly how he feels.

“Awe…my poor baby what did mean old Jake do to you?” I asked Seth while scratching behind his ears the way he likes it.

“I didn’t do anything,” Jake was still insisting making me glare at him while Sam was perplexed, “What is going on? I was assured that it was alright.”

“It was not alright. I didn’t give him permission to do this, and how come Bessie isn’t scared?” Bessie was standing there with her butt smashed up against Seth’s looking calm as could be; in fact I think she was panting.

“Bessie is seasoned. She’s been mated before so she knows what’s happening.”

My eyes went back to Jake, “You not only turned my dog into a gigolo you gave him to a slut?”

“Bessie isn’t a slut,” Sam interjected while Seth just had to make a comment, “I wouldn’t call him a gigolo since they get paid for their services. He’s more like a hump and jump.”

Glowering at my brother I didn’t find him amusing, unlike all the other people in the room who were snickering, “You’re not helping here…honest to god, you’re not helping at all.”

My attention went back to my dog while the four of them stood there talking about how this came about. I was half listening as Edward said that he mentioned to Jake that I was talking about getting Seth fixed. The two of them agreed that it would be sad that he would never get laid. Jake then took it upon himself and talked to Sam, who said that Bessie was in heat and since it had been a year she was ready for another litter. One thing led to another and that was how we found ourselves in the shed with my dog’s dick stuck inside his sister’s coochie.

“I don’t know how this happened,” I muttered while petting down Seth’s back staying far away from the butt end.

“Well you see Bells the male has a penis…” my piercing stare stop Seth in mid sentence.

“I know that…what I mean is he never showed any interest in sex. He’s not a crotch sniffer, or a furniture rubber, he never even licked his own balls. Why…”

“He is male Bella, just because he never did those things doesn’t mean the urge wasn’t there. He needed something to stimulate him and a bitch in heat did the trick.” Sam was quiet for a second then he asked, “You were thinking about getting Seth fixed?”

I shrugged, “I don’t know, maybe.”

He pursed his lips nodding slightly, “You might have to now…” he must have seen the question on my face because he went on, “dogs are like people Bella. They get a taste of sex, it feels good, they like it and they want more.”

Comprehension of what Sam was saying dawned on me making my fury with Jake come back once again only this time there was no yelling. I spoke with dead calm seriousness. “If my dog turns into a leg humping nympo, I’m going to get the biggest fucking whip I can and beat your ass…” My voice grew sinister, “…and I know where they are. So if I was you I would be afraid, I would be very afraid.”


EPOV

Bella continued to glare with an evil stare that was unnerving and I was kind of glad that it wasn’t directed at me. Bella weighs all of a hundred and fifteen pounds but something told me that in her current state of mind, she would be a force to be reckoned with. I wasn’t the only one who saw it, as Jacob took a small step behind me so I could be his shield.

“Does she really know where the whips are?” he spoke quietly while I nodded in affirmation.

“Does she know how to use them?”

Shaking my head I answered quietly, “I don’t think so.”

Jacob breathed a sigh of relief and I figured that it was too early to let him off the hook for what he did. “They hurt more in the hands of the inexperienced user.”

Jacob gasped, “Well damn dude, hide them or something. Order her not to touch them, come on you have to watch my back.”

It was hard not to roll with laugher at the ‘order her’ comment, for Bella’s sake I stifled the amusement to a chuckle. A few weeks ago Jacob sat in my kitchen telling me that he didn’t want to know or think about what we did in private, yet there he was making light of it in silent acceptance.

“What the heck is going on in here?” Charlie came into the shed followed by Leah, “Jake come on I’m...” her words faltering as she took in the scene, “…ohhhh”

“Dad…” Bella whined, “…look what Jake did.”

Leah jabbed an elbow at her husband’s ribs, “I told you not to do it, you know how she feels about that dog.”

Charlie sighed clapping the back of his neck, “Well Bells these things happen. Boys have urges and the girl shakes her tail to get his attention and the next thing you know,” he gestured with his hands at the dogs making it obvious what he was talking about.

Bella looked appalled, “Are you going to stand there explaining sex to me?”

“I didn’t think I had to, but if you need a refresher?” Charlie’s lips twitched as he tried to keep a serious expression.

The rest of us snickered while poor Bella rolled her eyes, “No thank you, once was enough.”

The thought of Charlie having a facts-of-life talk with Bella made me chuckle as he continued, “I don’t know what all the fuss is about,” Bella’s eyes widened at his words but he didn’t care. “If anyone should be upset it would be Sam. He’s the one who is going to get stuck with the care of puppies.”

“Puppies?” she questioned.

“Well what do you think Bessie is going to have, chickens?”

“Puppies,” Bella muttered like the thought hadn’t even occurred to her.

Jacob spoke up, “We’ll take a puppy.”

“Sam, how long?” Bella asked still sounding astonished

He shrugged, “two months.”

Seth moved a little finally coming away from Bessie, Leah pointed her finger, “oh…look his little wiener is sticking out.”

Bella first looked to Sam, who assured her that he will go back to normal and then went into protective mode, “Can we not talk about Seth’s dick please?”

“Yeah, stop talking about my dick, besides it’s not that little.”

Charlie being indignant at what was being said, “Hey now, there is no need for foul language.”

Bella moved to get up wincing slightly making me wonder if her discomfort was from her bottom or her knees, either way I stepped closer reaching out my hand for support. Bella smiled at me mouthing a ‘thank you’ before answering her father, “Dick is foul language? What about Dick Cheney?”

“Now he’s just a foul man, Republicans. Huh!” Bella looked at me biting her lip to keep from laughing while I chuckled silently.

It was good to finally see her laughing, the last half hour had been intense and while Charlie continued to huff about republicans I made a mental note to never discuss politics with him. Sam told us to take Seth home while Leah once again complained about being hungry. Charlie and Leah had brought two vehicles over and everyone else piled into one truck while Bella and I used Seth’s to go back to the house.

That was a good thing because Bella refused to let Seth walk and I wasn’t sure how I was going to carry her and the dog at the same time. Once we got into the house Seth went straight to his bed - poor little guy was exhausted. Bella changed into her black yoga pants and sneakers while I put on the last clean sweatshirt I had.

Before we left Bella took the bottle of wine out of the refrigerator, “I think I’m going to need this.”

I chuckled pulling her into a quick hug, “It has been quite a day and I could use a drink myself.”

Bella sat close to me in the truck leaning against my side while directing me through the dirt roads that led to the beach where the bonfire was being held. A few of the kids were playing volleyball in the sand with the lights shining down from the outside of the large pavilion. Off to the side was a large fire pit that was ready and waiting to be set ablaze.

Bella held my hand as we walked into the pavilion where it seemed that groups had segregated themselves according to ages. Bella set the bottle of wine on the wooden picnic table saying hello to everyone before heading over to the food tables along the back wall. Looking at everything that was being offered my stomach growled with hunger making Bella giggle. I didn’t care, we hadn’t eaten since early afternoon and there in front of me was every kind of food imaginable. As we walked along filling our plates Bella was pointing out various dishes telling me what they were and who made it. She had a plate full of a little bit of everything where I stayed with more of a few things.

Sitting down I grinned at Bella when she stiffened from her bottom hitting the wooden bench and was rather proud that she did it without drawing any attention to herself. I opened the wine with the travel cork screw that’s on my key chain, pouring us both a plastic cup. Not exactly the best way to drink wine, but it works. Bella started mixing her food together beginning in the middle and working her way around the plate until half of everything was all mixed into one pile. Taking a bite I watched her face morph into bliss, her eyes closed as she savored what she was eating, enjoying it so much that she moaned.

She fucking moaned

My dick became rock hard in a nanosecond and I sat there hoping and waiting for another sound, instead I was met with deep brown eyes. “What?”

She caught me watching and she must have known what I was thinking about as her eyes grew slightly darker and her tongue peeked out to moisten her lips. Her sudden quick intake of air made my dick throb with need. I was torn between wanting to kiss her furiously to build her desire, and wanting to take her into the woods to fuck it out of her.

The intensity of our gaze was broken off by Kim, “Bella did they ever catch that guy who was sending those messages to the center?”

What messages?

Bella blinked a few times coming back to reality she looked towards Kim, “Ummm…no. But whoever it was stopped sending them about a month ago.”

“Then you don’t know how he got the address?” Bella took a drink swallowing hard.

“It was probably one of the women who left. They go back to their men and tell them where they were. The women are supposed to keep it a secret but they are scared and when faced with a fist or telling, they tell. Or sometimes they tell of their own free will as a way of proving to be trustworthy. That’s why we have all the security and only a few people have codes to the entrances.”

Kim shook her head, “I don’t know how…” she sighed as her little boy tugged on her arm asking for another drink. She excused herself giving me a chance to ask Bella about the messages.

“They were nothing serious, basic threats against the volunteers. No one was exclusively named, so whoever it was didn’t have specifics.”

Bella spoke so calmly about it that it made me wonder how often something like that occurs. However I didn’t get to ask because Kim returned with sippy cup in hand. Sitting down she picked right back up with the conversation, “anyway, the reason I thought of that is because I have two big bags of clothing to donate. I was going to drop them off at your house this week.”

“Oh, I won’t be home; we’re going to the beach for a few days. Next week would work but…it might be better if I pick them up because I’m never at my house, I’ve been living with Edward.”

Kim seemed shocked and spoke slightly louder, “You’re living together?”

Everyone within the sound of her voice stopped talking to look at us waiting for the answer. “Ummm…” before Bella could completely answer Leah chimed in, “Yeah…Bella has her own room and everything.”

I wasn’t sure if that made the conversation easier or not but Leah went on, “It works out really well because remember when you first started living together and you argued over what you get to keep and what has to go,” Kim nodded showing she remembered. “They don’t argue. Bella can bring the ugliest piece of furniture she has and put it in her room and Edward won’t care. It’s like her chick haven and she can do whatever she wants to in there without him bothering her.”

Kim’s eyes went back to Bella, “So you can sit in there all day long reading and he won’t barge in to bother you?”

I figured it might be a good time to make it clear, “When Bella is in her room, I don’t go in without being invited.”

Kim gasped, “Ohhh…Em…” she looked to her husband with longing, “…I want one of those chick havens, where I can go and be all alone and you or the kids can’t come in.”

Emery didn’t seem as excited as his wife, “Thanks Edward.”

I chuckled looking down the table at Leah who gave me a smile. It wasn’t a glowing recommendation but it was a start at some kind of acceptance. The other person who caught my eye was the person sitting next to her. Jared’s gaze kept shifting back and forth between Jacob and Bella with an expression I didn’t understand.

Everyone else had gotten up and moved to the fire pit while Jacob and Leah sat with us until we finished eating. Bella still had not said anything to Jacob and I could tell that it was starting to bother him. “Bells are you going to talk to me?”

“No…I’m mad at you,” she sounded like a petulant child who needed to stand in the corner.

Leah laughed, “Jake why don’t you have Edward make her talk to you?”

What the hell?

That was the second time tonight that one of them made reference to our relationship. I didn’t get to think about it very long because Bella was still acting rather snappish, “He can’t make me talk to you!”

My eyes shot up in disbelief and she realized her mistake immediately, “Well…he could. But my heart wouldn’t be in it.”

Damn straight I could and she is wrong her heart would be in it

“Never mind I’ll wait. I don’t want your pity talk,” the fake pout was predominate and lost on Bella who rolled her eyes and giggled. She wasn’t that mad at him Bella just wanted him to sweat.

Someone called Jacob’s name making Leah groan, “I don’t want to get up yet.” Jacob laughed kissing her head, “stay here Nenemoo’sha and pick your feet up.” As Jacob got up Leah swung her body lifting her legs onto the bench with a sigh of relief.

“That bad?” Bella asked.

“You have no idea,” Leah didn’t mean to say anything hurtful however the sadness in Bella’s eyes couldn’t be hidden.

“I’m going to get fruit salad, do you want some?”

I nodded watching Bella walk away towards the food tables. She still had on my sweatshirt which was big over her small frame, yet no amount of material could disguise the way her hips swayed. I could picture the full roundness of her bottom all pink and warm from our earlier activities. The thought brought to mind the memory of her squealing and begging while unable to move from the grip I had on her. My own body reacted to the images with arousal that was making it uncomfortable to sit.

“So how would you do it…”

“What?” My brain had registered a voice yet I had no idea what was said. Looking at Leah she clarified her question, “Make her talk to Jake; I was wondering how you would do that?”

I debated if this was a conversation that we should be having. Leah had some preconceived ideas that I didn’t believe would be disbanded no matter what I said. However, avoiding the question wouldn’t do either her or Bella any good.

“I would make it known to Isabella that I wanted her to talk to Jacob.”

“That’s it? It would be that simple?” I simply nodded in agreement not wanting to get into the whole realm of building a relationship. This wasn’t the time to get into all that is required to form a bond of trust that allows the submissive to respond without any hesitation.

She thought about that for a moment then looked at me with an expressionless face, “and what if she didn’t do it?”

I knew from what Bella had told me of their argument where her question was coming from. The problem was that I didn’t know exactly how to answer her. I could whitewash the whole thing make it seem like it wouldn’t matter if Bella disobeyed me, but that would be a lie. Because whether it was something large or small, disobedience would warrant discipline. On the other hand telling Leah the truth might reinforce the ideas she already had. I chose the truth, deciding to let the chips fall where they may.

“Isabella would be reprimanded for disobeying.”

She nodded in understanding “That’s what I want to know about. What do you mean by reprimand? What exactly would happen to her?”

“For something like that a writing assignment would work best.”

“What about for something worse, what would happen then?”

“I can’t truthfully answer that, each offence warrants its own response.”

It was clear that she didn’t like that answer and honestly I didn’t like the vague question. It would have been simple to tell Leah some of the punishments Bella had already received; I didn’t think it was any of her business. If Bella chose to share that information with her sister that was one thing, I wasn’t going to betray her trust simply to ward off Leah’s curiosity.

I could tell that there was something that Leah wanted to know from me. She was the kind of person who was forthcoming with her thoughts so it made me curious why she was being so evasive. I figured it best to save us both the frustration and cut right to the chase.

“What do you really want to know Leah?”

“Bella says that you never hit her…”

“Not for discipline…no I don’t.”

She narrowed her eyes, “Isn’t that standard operating procedures? You beat the crap out of them because they didn’t pick up your socks?”

I couldn’t help the laugh that came out, however Leah didn’t find it funny so I thought it best to enlighten her on D/s 101. “There is no SOP in our world. Each relationship is different just like every marriage is different. What works for one couple doesn’t work for all. There might be some who whip their submissive for not picking up the socks, but that is something that they both agree upon.”

I gave her a moment to think about that before giving the real reason, “Because of Bella’s history of past abuse, it would be detrimental to her and our relationship to physically strike her in punishment. She would shut down, revert back to that scared insecure person. There would be no joy in our relationship, it would only be fear and I would be no better than James.”

Leah was quiet allowing me to comprehend the truth of what I had just said. I couldn’t imagine Bella being any other way then the warm, fun loving woman who shares my life. In a way I’m glad that we hadn’t met before we did. I’ve heard a few comments this weekend about the changes in her and I’m thankful I wasn’t around to see what they all saw. It must have been devastating and it would kill me to be the cause of her suffering. Leah’s voice broke through my thoughts.

“Bella said that one of the reasons she trusts you is because you understand her and make her understand herself. I’ve known Bella practically all my life and I feel like lately I don’t understand her at all.”

There was pain in her voice whether it was from past reflections or present regret I couldn’t tell. The one thing I did know was that Leah wasn’t seeing Bella for what she is. Leah was seeing her for what she thought Bella should be. I didn’t want to cause any more discord in their relationship, but Leah had to see what the problem was.

“I guess that’s because I accept her for what she is. I don’t try to change her or expect something from her that she can’t give. You asked her this morning why she allowed that woman at the diner to talk to her the way she did.” Leah nodded in remembrance, “It’s not in Bella’s nature to be rude or to start a confrontation. The same thing with what happened with James. You wanted her to celebrate, and she was so racked with guilt that she was very near panic.”

“Guilt? From hitting that piece of shit?”

I shook my head, “No, guilt because she was sending that piece of shit out into the world to possibly hurt someone else. Guilt that she felt others would disapprove of her decision and be angry with her. Guilt from knowing that her past actions have caused those she loves pain; and guilt from the fear she feels if all the details of her private hell are made public.”

“Bella told you all that?” surprise laced her tone.

“She did.” I assured her before she turned belligerent, “While you were fucking her I suppose.”

That’s the Leah I know

My voice became stern, “If you must know there was no sex of any kind.”

Her eyes narrowed while she continued to stare at me, “Then why go to a motel room at all, why not go back to the house?”

“Because we needed privacy,” that was as much as I was going to offer and it seemed to me that Leah could understand that.

“In that privacy she could tell you about all those things because she knows that you won’t pass judgment on her weakness.”

“Bella is not weak,” I wanted to make that fact clear. “In fact she is just the opposite. It takes a strong person to live through all that she has without bitterness or self-pity. Strength doesn’t mean loud and harsh. It’s not in her nature to be vindictively cruel and it takes someone very tough to forgive those who have wronged them. Bella’s has a quiet strength that lets everyone around her know that she cares about them and respects them as a person even if you or I don’t think they deserve it.”

Leah nodded, “That quiet strength…is that what makes her …submissive?”

The fact that it was the first time in our conversation that the word submissive was mentioned was not lost on me. I got the feeling that Leah was starting to see the real Bella.

“Yes…among other things.” There was a lot more to a submissive personality that I didn’t have the time to get into. For now it was a starting point.

Leah’s eyes looked passed my shoulder as my eyes followed her gaze I watched Bella hug an older woman in what appeared to be a parting gesture. “I still don’t understand the whole thing. I don’t know why she feels the need to …” she sighed then went on, “In these times when a woman can be anything at all it seems barbaric to me. I have to admit that Bella is happy…” she shook her head in disbelief, “happier than I think I have ever seen her and that’s all that matters. So I’m going to support her in any way I can.”

“That’s good Leah, she loves you and I know that she missed you.”

She nodded putting her hands on the table to push herself off the bench. With a sigh both her hands rested on the small of her back, stretching out her round belly. She stared blankly out onto the beach where the fire was just getting started. I didn’t know what to say and the silence was uncomfortable so I asked the first thing that came to my mind.

“How much longer?”

Her hand moved to rest on top of her belly, “eight weeks.” Leah turned her head giving me a pointed look.

“Edward, I’m trusting you with my sister. Don’t make me regret that decision”