Twilight Fan Fiction! 15 Step + Bonus Original Twi smut

Author's notes - This is my first attempt at a writing fan fiction, so go on easy on me, okay? At least use a little verbal lube before you tear into me.

The first story, 15 Step, is going to be posted chapter by chapter. I don't intend on it being too long but... we'll see. This story is Bella's POV. Everyone is a human. I did attempt to keep a decent amount of the original stories in this tale. This post is the Prologue and the first two chapters.

The second story, Le Petit Mort, is just a short little smutty piece I figured I'd throw out there to satisfy all you twi-sluts who are bemoaning the fact that nobody gets busy in the beginning of 15 Steps. Hope you enjoy! Snarkier Than You heartily approves, for the record.

We'll also be labeling all our fan fiction/Twismut in so you folks can find it easier. :)

Oh, and as always - thanks STY. I would never have done this if you hadn't locked me in the basement and withheld vodka. Love you! :P

Disclaimers - The characters, naturally, are Stephenie Meyer's and I've just warped 'em a little to suit our, er, "needs." The titles of the chapters and anything in italics do not belong to me, either. The titles are actually song titles and the italicized bits are pieces of lyrics that I've pulled from songs.

And, this goes without saying, these stories are intended for mature, adult readers. Well, adult, at least. Eighteen and over only.

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PROLOGUE - Roads

"Bella, hurry!” my mother called to me from the bottom of the stairs. I scowled in her general direction as I stuffed some clothes into my duffel bag. “Your flight is going to leave without you.”

Good,” I huffed under my breath as I picked up my iPod and stared at it. I should have known this was coming four months ago when Renee surprised me with the iPod. She knew how much I loved music, knew how important, how necessary it was to me. I shoved the device into the pocket of my jeans, draping the ear plugs over my neck and sticking the right one in my ear. The soft sound of a drumbeat soothed me a little.

“There you are!” Renee grabbed a piece of luggage that was resting against the hallway. “Come on now, Phil’s outside waiting.”

“I can’t believe you’re doing this to me,” I mumbled to her, letting the duffel bag fall to the floor with a thud.

“It’s only for a few months,” she replied, her voice taking on a tone that was meant to be comforting, yet wasn't...

Yeah, right. She’s said that before. It was a scene we had played out more times than I would prefer to remember. I heaved my duffel bag over my shoulder and cranked up the music, watching her lips twist, the movement discordant with the pounding beats in my ears. I stared at her numbly until Renee finally frowned and plucked an ear plug from my ear.

"Must you always have those darn things in?” she groused, “I’m trying to talk to you.”

And I’m trying to ignore you. I sighed and gave her my bored ‘I’m listening’ look.

“You liked Forks,” she told me as she ushered me out of the door and into the dry sweltering heat.

“I don’t remember Forks,” I replied bluntly, “we left when I was four.”

“Well, you did.” Phil came over and relieved Renee of my suitcase, grinning at me as if I was about to embark on some exciting adventure. I wanted to punch him right in his face. It must have showed on my face because the grin slide off his. “And you liked Charlie, too.”

“Uh huh.”

Renee looked askance at my lack of enthusiasm. “It’ll only be until Phil and I get settled.” She turned her back to open the car door. “Just a few months.”

I slumped into the back seat of the car, the air conditioning blasting frigid around me and I shivered. A few months. The woman must think I'm stupid not to see the pattern emerging. Every time she got a new man, she got a new life - one that didn't include me. I flipped the iPod back on. I wanna live in a city with no friends or family/ I'm gonna look out the window of my color TV/ I wanna remember to remember to forget you forgot me...

Renee twisted in her seat to say something to me but I closed my eyes and let the music take over.

Chapter 1: Forty-Six & 2

Six weeks. I stared out through the rain spattered windshield of the old Chevy as it shuddered and heaved, idling roughly as I waited impatiently for the light to turn green. It’d been six long weeks since Renee dumped me off here in Forks, six weeks since I’d even heard from her. Six weeks since I’d been living with Charlie, who was a stranger at best. If Phoenix was heaven, Forks, Washington was definitely the epicenter of hell - a very moist hell, to say the least. Six weeks felt like an eternity - not a good sign when I needed another whole year to graduate high school.

The light turned green and I jerked the clutch, pumping my foot on the pedal as the truck lurched forward. What a hunk of junk – the only thing I could afford. A flash of silver in my side view mirror told me the person behind me didn’t think I was moving fast enough and, as the Volvo swerved expertly around me, I pressed my middle finger against the window, hoping the driver could see it through the fog before he zoomed in front of me and disappeared down the highway.

“Asshole,” I muttered to myself, heaving back against the torn fabric of the seat; I shoved one earbud in and flipped on my iPod, the heavy music doing nothing to lighten my dark and angry mood. …I don't care about your routine/I refuse to fall in with the disarmed machines/ I don't give a fuck how hard you are/ don't care about your incentives or your values…

Reluctant to head back to Charlie’s house, I instead stopped off at Waylin's,the local diner. The bell jingled overhead and the hinges squawked as I pushed open the door; everyone looked up, expecting to recognize the person walking in. A few did, but most just regarded me with unabashed curiosity.I was a stranger in a town small enough that there was no such thing. I planned on keeping it that way.

“Hi Bella,” the waitress greeted me warmly as I slid onto a stool at the counter, tugging an earbud loose, a feeble attempt to be polite.“How’s Charlie?”

“Fine,” I replied grimly, flipping open the menu she placed before me, absently looking at the list,“I’ll have the garden burger.”

Her lips tightened at my curtness but she gave me a short smile and told me my order would be coming right up. I imagined her grumbling about my rudeness to the cook in the back, probably wondering why on earth Charlie even agreed to take me in again. My presence would earn Charlie the title of Saint. It was the least I could do for him, I reasoned. Graciousness was not my strong suit.

Charlie. I sighed. It wasn’t that Charlie was a bad guy; it was just that I didn’t know him and I didn’t particularly want to know him. I was tired of being pushed off on relatives or, even worse, neighbors, whenever Renee got herself a new husband. I shook my head, trying to dislodge the unpleasant thoughts as something hot flashed down my spine and settled tightly in my stomach. I loathed being the burden no one wanted to deal with. Renee must have been really desperate to get rid of me this time if she pawned me off on an ex-husband. Charlie may have been naively dazzled by Renee’s charm years ago, but things were different now.

Renee and Charlie met when I was only an infant. According to Renee, my father was vehemently opposed to my being brought into existence and refused to take part in either of our lives. I don’t know how much truth there is to that but, since he never bothered to contact me, I returned the snub by not even thinking about him. Charlie filled that fatherly void, if only for a little while, and had even given me his name.He had to welcome me then, if he wanted my mother. We were, after all, a package deal at the time, and one he accepted with only a small amount of reluctance. Why he'd agreed to take me in again mystified me. His kindness rankled but I had no choice but to take it.

Thoughts of Renee and Charlie made me lose my appetite and I absently munched on the fries before giving up entirely and pushing the plate away.

Drizzle greeted me when I left the diner and headed back to the truck. Another heavy sigh and I tugged my hoodie over my hair, a futile gesture. The moisture seeped through everything, enveloping my body in a constant cool dampness that I never seemed able to get rid of. It was yet another reminder of how spoiled I had been in Arizona. I crossed my arms over my chest, shivering. I’ll be the winter coat/ buttoned and zipped straight to the throat, with the collar up so you won’t catch a cold…

The music was low enough that I was still able to detected a slight purr of a car approaching, and I side-stepped further into the shoulder to avoid being splashed by the numerous puddles littering the road. I turned to watch as it cruised by me and noted, with a start, that it looked like the same silver Volvo that had passed me earlier. My surprise turned smug as I glimpsed the driver glowering at me through the window. I guess he’d gotten my message. I met his angry glare and gave him a cheery little wave, enjoying the violence in his gaze. He was about my age, and looked vaguely familiar, though his silhouette was murky through the fogged window. He shot off like a rocket down the road.

“Whoa,” a voice behind me said. I jumped at the sound and whirled around, tensed. A towheaded teen was leaning against a car, grinning goofily at me, oblivious to my narrowed eyes.

“Shouldn’t mess with the Cullens,” he called out, his eyes running up and down my body. Ridiculous. I was completely shrouded in a thick sweatshirt, yet he still gazed at my figure with glazed eyes.

“Who the hell are the Cullens?” I replied tersely, even though the name rang a bell. “And who are you?”

“I’m Mike Newton.” He jovially shoved a meaty hand in my direction. His tone, his whole demeanor just screamed ‘dumb jock’, from his silly basketball sneakers that were squelching into the wet earth up to his gelled, stiff blond hair. I stared at his hand for a moment, and then remembered that civility called for me to shake it, which I did quickly.

“Well, actually, not all the Cullens,”Mike conceded thoughtfully.“just the youngest one. Nasty attitude, that one. Thinks he’s better than everyone else. Rumor has it he’s got a bit of a temper.”

I shrugged.“I’m not too worried about it."

Mike’s blue eyes sparkled mischievously. “Maybe you should be,” he told me mysteriously.

I rolled my eyes and headed toward my truck. “Why is that?” I called over my shoulder.

“Because, judging from that look he just gave you, you’re already on his bad side.”

I leveled a gaze at the boy.“I think I can take care of myself.” My tone was haughty and full of rebuke as I climbed into the cab of my truck, slamming the door before he could even think of continuing the conversation. So much for civility.

The next day dawned bright and sunny, surprising me. Quickly, I tugged on my jeans and tossed a black sweater over my head, yanking a comb through my wavy hair as I brushed my teeth. As usual, I slept poorly the night before and felt groggy, cranky. Or maybe Forks just made me that way.

Forty six more weeks to go, I reminded myself sternly as I frowned at my reflection in the mirror in the small cramped bathroom I shared with Charlie. Seemed like an eternity. As I coaxed the old truck toward Forks High School, I silently prayed the day would be short and sweet.

I’d managed to avoid all but some curious stares my first few weeks at school. One or two people had tried to approach me and I handled it coolly, politely, even though I was desperately wishing everyone would just leave me alone. I wasn’t exactly planning on staying in Forks long, after all. All those kids, eager to make friends with me, only wanted to because I was new. I was interesting. It would only be a matter of time before they realized that I was not someone they wanted to be friends with. I was good at the role of New Girl, thanks to Renee and constantly moving me from city to city, and I knew how this would ultimately end. They did not; I was really doing them all a favor by remaining aloof.

I had nothing in common with any of them, anyway. Especially here, where everyone knew each other from the cradle. Their families grew up together, shared holidays together, planned vacations together. 'Together' was a foreign concept to me and I couldn’t fit in even if I tried. And I had stopped trying a long time ago. It was inevitable that by the time I actually made a friend, Renee would be telling me to pack my bags.

The truck door swung shut with a groan that was grating enough to be heard over the music filtering into my ears. They’re waiting to hate you so give them an excuse/ they say it changed you I know that can’t be true… I snorted at the song – how utterly fitting.

“Hi Bella!” Jessica Stanley planted herself in front of me as I walked toward Biology class, Mike Newton trotting by her side. I should probably have realized that I went to school with him when I met him yesterday, but everyone looked the same to me. With an unsettling twinge I became aware that I had barely paid attention to my classmates these past few weeks. A careless mistake. I needed to categorize them, learn which ones were the bullies, or who carried weight with the student body, should I ever need to get on their good side. High school wasn’t about being sociable. It was business.

Jessica was perky and pert, a dirty blond with big breasts that I thought Mike should be ogling instead of mine. She was also totally useless to me, a brainless sheep intent on following her peers as they marched toward future mediocrity.

“Hi Jessica,” I mumbled, trying to skirt around her,“Mike.”

“It’s a beautiful day!” Jessica prattled on, “isn’t it? We should, like, totally do something after school today –“

“Um, thanks Jess, but I can’t,” I cut her off abruptly, “look, I’ve got to run to Biology.They messed up my schedule and this is my first time in that class, so I don’t want to be late.”

Jessica’s face crumpled at my lack of enthusiasm, but she threw me a 100-watt smile and flounced off, with Mike somewhat reluctantly following after her.

Conversations stuttered when I walked into the classroom and handed the teacher my pass, ignoring the stares and whispers as I made my way to the chair Mr. Banner gestured toward.I slid into it, thankful that the seat next to me was empty and hopeful it would remain that way. But as the classroom I filled, I realized the chances of that were slim to none.

The door swung open, my gaze automatically rising to see who was walking through.Recognition swept over me and I started to laugh.

It was the Volvo driver. Quickly, I ducked my head, smothering my laughter with a faux cough. He raked the chair across the linoleum next to me and flopped into it, without even bothering to glance in my direction.

I choked back another snicker, peeking through the lock of hair that separated us to surreptitiously study him. I wasn’t concerned with him recognizing me from yesterday – I had had my hood up in the rain and I was too ordinary to stand out, anyway.

His features were regal and beautiful; I wondered how long he spent in the morning trying to achieve his seemingly-effortless tousled bronze hair. He had that arrogant affectation of people who know they are good looking; easy and unconcerned, as if he could get anything he wanted with a snap of his fingers. It occurred to me that probably could. His clothes were expensive but not ostentatious, and I was well aware of the vehicle he drove. Edward Cullen.

I tried to dredge up what little information I had heard whispered about the Cullens. Ridiculously wealthy, living in an area where most were middle class. There were two brothers – Emmett and Edward. How cute, I thought to myself wryly, that their parents gave them names starting with the same letter. And how utterly, completely pretentious. Carlisle Cullen was a successful doctor, but I knew nothing about his wife. Probably one of those pampered housewives who sat home all day, watching soap operas and getting pedicures.

I leaned back softly in my chair and suddenly his greenish eyes slanted in my direction. There was no expression behind them at first as he took in my plain face and simple hair. Then something flickered and I inwardly groaned as his eyes narrowed and he smirked. Damn. He recognized me. I sniffed haughtily and turned my focus to my textbook.

He didn’t look at me again the entire class and the second the bell rang, I bolted, eager to be out of the classroom. I had a free period after Biology, which I utilized most efficiently by hiding in my truck, listening to music and doodling on my notebooks.

The sunny day had long since disappeared behind the cloud cover and a soft mist was falling. I fumbled with my iPod, my hand feeling around the depths of my book bag when I heard footsteps behind me, quiet but unmistakable. I turned quickly to find Edward Cullen bearing down on me.

“Nice ride.” He gestured rudely to my truck; I noticed his coat was casually unbuttoned, as if it were somehow a conscious move. Something dark lingered in his eyes; his tight smile seemed more like a grimace. There was nothing complimentary in his tone.

“Thanks,” I replied, turning slightly so I could start walking toward my vehicle.

“You’re Isabella Swan.” It was a statement, not a question.

“I’m Edward.” He was suddenly in front of me and I stopped short, hackles rising. I knew his type – thought he was the best thing since sliced bread. I was just the plain mousy girl who flipped him off from her decrepit truck. No way was he going to let this one go. He couldn’t. His ego rested on putting me in my place, which he clearly thought was beneath him.

“Yeah.” I didn’t know what else to say, since ‘fuck you’ didn’t seem like it would help my situation. “Nice to meet you.”

“Listen,” his voice turned conversational, with no threat hidden.“You’re new here so I’m going to give you a little pass.” His eyes hardened again. “But don’t ever fuck with me, again. Understood?”

His harsh words startled me even though I was waiting for them and my mouth opened slightly; no words came out. Then I remembered myself. It was a familiar scene, just like being New Girl. This was Taming of the Teenage Shrew. Each of Renee’s boyfriends tried to do it – tried to teach me ‘my place’. As if I didn’t already know their opinion of me. But they were men - Edward Cullen was just a boy.

“Oh, please,” I laughed at him, drinking in his shocked face. “Give me a break. I’ve dealt with worse than you.”

I turned my back on him and walked to my truck, smiling triumphantly. No one fucked with Bella Swan.

Chapter 2: Caution (is a word I can't understand)

The next day at school was more of the same and I feared I had entered into some kind of Groundhog Day twilight zone, without Bill Murray, which would have at least made it interesting. The constant stream of music pulsing through my headphones kept me calm enough that I could swallow a growl when Jessica greeted me in the hall, oblivious to my disinterest. I was even able to refrain from injuring Mike Newton as he tried to sear holes into my sweatshirt with eyes again.

Edward had reached Biology before me and I made no mention of our conversation. I didn’t even look at him, pointedly ignoring the daggers he was directing at me as I fiddled with the iPod.
Edward cleared his throat. “Bella-“

“Don’t talk to me,” I interrupted flatly. He hissed through his teeth, drawing in breath to say something else but the teacher walked into the classroom. I just shook my head and buried myself in the textbook, propping it up lazily against my arm and effectively blocking my sight from Edward.

As I hurried to my truck, I heard footsteps behind me in the parking lot and this time I stopped, waiting for Edward to catch up.

“Bella,” his voice was smooth honey,“I’m impressed, I have to say.” He chuckled in a self-depreciating way but I knew it was a ruse, an act.“Most people don’t-“

I held my hand up to stop him.“What part of ‘don’t talk to me’ do you not understand?” I asked bluntly. His jaw tightened.

“Look, maybe we got off on the wrong foot,” I continued as I walked,“let’s just agree to disagree and leave it at that, okay?”

“No.” Edward grabbed my arm, knocking my back pack off. I scowled, pulling my arm from his grasp. Enemy- show me what you wanna be/I can handle anything/even if I can't handle you/ Readily, either way it better be... I smiled softly, rolling out my shoulders to ease the tension I felt there. Then I straightened up as tall as I could go, catching Edward's eyes in a stony gaze.

“Fine,” I snapped,“have it your way. But I don’t play games like this, so if you want someone to spar with, you’re looking at the wrong person. I don't care who you are or how great you think you might be, so why don't you find someone who'll be suitably impressed and just leave me alone? Go play arrogant little rich boy with someone else.”

He face darkened with fury. I took an involuntary step back, surprised by the sudden anger that flared within him, for the first time questioning whether or not there was something about Edward Cullen I should be worried about, when suddenly someone called his name. We both looked up and a petite, elfin girl with choppy black hair was waving furiously, trying to get his attention.

“I think your girlfriend is calling you,” I grumbled, secretly thankful for the distraction.

“She isn’t my girlfriend,” he replied, studying me piercingly, his greenish eyes locking onto my brown ones, "and this isn't over."

He smiled one last unfriendly grin and turned on his heel, striding toward the pixie girl. I fled to the sanctity of my truck.

“Hey, Charlie,” I leaned against the wooden frame of the door, spooning pasta from a bowl. Charlie looked up, vaguely annoyed that I was interrupting his game. My presence made him uncomfortable. Not that I could blame him – he’d lived alone ever since Renee left him. “What do you know of the Cullens?”

“Not much.” His eyes were glued to the television. “Except that the youngest, Emmett, no… Edward is a bit of a trouble maker. Had to haul him in a few times.”

“Oh,” I chewed thoughtfully as I debated to press more information. I decided to silently file what Charlie just told me and feign disinterest instead. “Thanks.”

Charlie twisted to look at me, eyes narrowing to slits, moustache twitching almost comically as he chewed. “Just stay away from the Cullens. I don’t need you getting into trouble with them.”

“I plan on staying far away,” I promised him, “don’t worry about that.”

“Renee told me to keep an eye on you.” Charlie shoveled some pasta into his mouth. “But don’t forget – I’m only doing this because” he paused, searching for the words, a little chagrined, “there wasn’t anyone else that would.“

As if I could forget that. “Yup. Thanks, Charlie.”

Turning abruptly, I tossed my bowl into the sink and headed up to my room, taking the stairs two at a time. Though I knew that he didn’t mean to, Charlie’s words hurt more than I would ever let on. I knew I was an infant when Renee got her claws into him and I barely remember the time spent living with Charlie before Renee split, taking me with her. I suppose I should have felt more grateful. But I didn’t.

I kicked my sneakers off and crawled under the quilt on my little bed, spinning the iPod wheel absently, focusing on keeping my mind blank, so I wouldn't have to think about anything anymore. I filled it with music instead and slowly, finally drifted off to sleep. Got bitten fingernails and a head full of the past/And everybody's gone at last/Sweet, sweet smile that's fading fast'/Cos everybody's gone at last/Don't get upset about it/No not anymore...

I kept my word to Charlie and ignored Edward Cullen. It wasn’t too hard, except for Biology class. He no longer tried to talk to me but I could feel his eyes on me sometimes, scrutinizing. And I secretly watched him, too.

He ate lunch with the same people every day but otherwise kept to himself. If he noticed all the girls swooning after him he never acknowledged it, ignoring their pathetic pleading glances as he strode confidently through the halls. The boys, on the other hand, seemed to give both Edward and his brother a wide berth. I had hoped to find out why but the school was oddly mum.

As the weeks passed, I melted into the crowd – the quiet girl with the iPod permanently affixed to her person. I preferred it that way. I was just another girl in another school. Invisible. It was a comforting feeling - one I was intimate with.

One Saturday afternoon, the sky dark and muddy, I decided to take a trip to Port Angeles. A band that I considered a favorite was playing at a local legion hall in the area. For the first time in nearly two and half months since I’d been living with Charlie, I felt free, happy, and I immersed myself in the music, reveling in the loudness of it all. The music was hard, fast and angry and I jostled and shoved with the rest of the crowd, screaming along with the lyrics. It was such a relief, a release, as all the tension rolled from my body and dissipated into the writhing deluge of people . By the time the band was finished, I spilled onto the street with the rest of the mob, drinking in the cool crisp air. Most of my hair had fallen out of its rubber band and clung sticky to my forehead and neck. Sighing, I pulled the rest free, running my hands through the tangles, shaking my head as I plucked at my drenched t-shirt, trying to cool down.

“Hey!” a voice called. I turned to see a man walking towards me. He was handsome, older than I was; I recognized him from the show.

“Hey,” I returned the greeting warily.

“That was some fucking show, huh?” He smiled widely at me, his brown eyes polite but sparkling with left over adrenaline from the show.

“Yeah, it was great. They always play an amazing show,” I added lamely. Awkwardly, I twisted my hair back into a messy ponytail, and wiped my sweaty hands on my jeans.

“You’ve seen them a bunch of times?” he seemed impressed.

I shrugged nonchalantly. “They used to play around a lot when I lived in Phoenix.”

“Rock on.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Hey, some buddies and I are getting some drinks at the pub down the street. Want to come?”

“Er, I’m not twenty one,” I flushed, as if my age was something to be embarrassed of.

“No biggie. We’ll get you in.” He squinted at me, a little suspiciously. “You’re… eighteen, right?”

“Uh huh.” I was a terrible liar but I nodded enthusiastically, suddenly intrigued by the prospect of sneaking into a bar. This was a new opportunity and one I didn’t want to miss out on.

One drink wouldn’t kill me. I’d sip it slowly and hang out for awhile, maybe find out more about the music scene in Port Angeles. If I could get my fill of bands then maybe, just maybe, this place wouldn’t be so bad after all.

His three friends came up to us then and introductions were made. Obediently, I followed them down the street, making small talk as we walked. I was so involved in my conversation I didn’t hear someone calling my name until the guy, James, nudged me. I turned and sucked in my breath angrily.

“Bella Swan!” Edward walked purposefully toward me and I cringed, silently praying he wouldn’t make a scene in front of the older boys.

“Edward,” I said tightly.

“Where are you going?” he demanded, his arms folded imperiously across his broad chest. The older boys were watching, mildly curious. Edward looked ridiculously out of place among them. They wore plain white t-shirts and jeans, wet with sweat and exertion, some stained, others torn. All four of them had shaved heads and a slightly menacing demeanor. Edward was wearing some kind of expensive looking button-down shirt, his hair perfectly tousled as always, his jeans fitting in all the right places. He looked like he just stepped out of a J. Crew ad. If I hadn’t been so concerned about what he was up to, I would have laughed.

“None of your business.”

“Hey, is this your boyfriend?” James gestured toward Edward, eying him up with an inscrutible expression, a slow smile spreading on his face. Edward didn’t even look at him, just kept his eyes trained on me.

“No!” I vehemently protested.

His friend tugged on his arm. “C’mon, man. Ditch the girl and let’s go. I need to get my drink on! Petey’s Pub is waiting for us, dude!”

“A bar?” Edward turned his attention to the men, cocking his brow. “You were going to take a seventeen year old girl to a bar?”

I wanted to murder him right then and there. Rage crashed in my ears, drowning out the conversation around me. With one last dirty look in my direction, the men left me standing alone on the sidewalk with Edward, who was smiling at me triumphantly. Die, die, die my darling…

My mouth worked soundlessly as the fury consumed me and his smug grin grew. I was perilously close to punching him and I knew no good would come of it. Instead, I turned and stalked away. Edward laughed behind me.

“Bella, stop!” he commanded. I ignored him, cutting down an alleyway toward my car.

“Bella!” He grabbed my arm roughly. “I said stop.”

“I don’t care what you said!” I exploded, flinging him from me. “I can’t believe you just did that!”

His grin returned. “I was helping you out.”

“Help-helping me out?!” I stuttered over my anger, “what a load of bullshit!” I turned to go but he blocked my way. I pushed. Edward pushed back and the rage roared inside me, taking over. I shoved him as hard as I could, and then aimed a small fist into his gut. He gave a surprised ‘oomph’ and stumbled back. Before I could even cock my fist back again, I found myself up against the wall, my hands held painfully behind my back and Edward’s face a mere inch from mine.

"Knock it off,” he growled, “and listen to me. Stupid girl. What were you thinking? Did you think those boys were going to buy you a drink and let you go on your merry way?” His lips twisted in annoyance.
“You’re hurting me!” I hissed, struggling. He pressed his body closer to mine.

“Good!” he spat, “I’m not hurting you nearly as much as they could have.” He released me and I rubbed my wrists, glaring. When I started to leave, Edward blocked me again.

“Admit it,” he demanded. I stared at him, incredulous and confused. His eyes flashing, he crossed his arms over his chest, legs akimbo, clearly not ready to let me leave.

“Admit what?”

“That I helped you.”

I tried to push against him, cautiously. He wouldn’t budge. I bit back the frustrated noise growing in my throat.

“No. I didn't ask for your help and I certainly don't need it."

Edward sighed, “I won’t let you leave until you do.”

“You’re so annoying,” I told him. He only smiled.

“Admit it,” he insisted, “admit that I helped you.”

"I don’t get you,” I huffed peevishly, “but, fine. You helped me. Okay? Now will you leave me alone?” I gave him another tentative push and he let me aside. His footsteps fell into line with mine.

“Didn’t it occur to you that those men might have ulterior motives?” his voice was quieter now.

“They were just being friendly.” I rubbed my wrists and looked down. My knuckles were scraped from the brick of the building. "Do you always feel the need to manhandle girls?"

Edward snorted. “Only when she's about to do something really dangerous and stupid. I figured you were a little more astute than that. The only reason a guy would bring a young pretty girl into a bar is to take advantage of her.”

“Whatever.” I ducked my head to hide a small surprised smile at his words. “They just wanted to talk music.”

“Uh huh,” Edward put a soft hand on my forearm, lifting it up, frowning as he studied my scraped hand. “You’re going to bruise.”

“Yeah, well, that’s your fault.”

“What will Charlie say?”

I shrugged. “I doubt he’d notice. But if he does, I’ll tell him I got it the show.”

“Is that where you were?” Edward scrutinized me, surprised. “You didn’t strike me as the punk rock kind of girl.”

“You don’t know me.”

“No,” he murmured, more to himself. “I suppose I don’t.”


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And for your smutty pleasure...

Le Petit Mort

“Bella.” It is a single word, my name, spoken in a tone that is both authoritative and reverent.

I can’t speak. I can barely breathe. His voice sends prickles of electricity along my skin, coldly painful, as if each nerve was standing up, reaching for him, begging him.

He waits for me to find my voice. I imagine his amber eyes, hooded and searching, as he dips into the patience he has little of.

I find it. It is no more than a breath, barely a whisper but he hears it. He always hears it when I answer.

“Yes, Edward?”

It is dark in the room and I cannot see. A shiver trembles down my spine, my body taut as I sit at the edge of the bed.

A match strikes – a beacon of light that chases the darkness for just a moment, illuminating Edward’s face, all angles and planes, stoic and masculine. In that one moment, he’s wearing an expression I have never seen and my belly tightens. His eyes are dark, sharp. He is hunting.

The match flares again as Edward touches it to a candle. The smell of something heady, opiate, fills the air. He turns his bare back to me, muscles rippling as he bends slightly, placing the candle on top of the dresser drawers. When he faces me, there is still hunger in his eyes as he rakes a hand carelessly through the tousled bronze of his hair.

I watch him cross the room, an excited trepidation growing in my belly. The polarity of my emotions confuse me further; my mind spins endlessly, out of control.
“Bella.” He says my name again, languidly, his voice honey smooth, a sharp contrast to the rugged angles of his face so near to mine. “Do you know what I plan on doing to you?”

There is a hint of amusement in his voice now. Eyes wide, I can only stare, my heart pounding wildly in my chest, thumping against my ribs.

“No,” I whisper, frozen as he drops to his knees in front of me and gently pulls at a lock of my hair, idly wrapping it around his finger.

His grin is wicked.

He leans in so closely I am overwhelmed by his scent, the intoxicatingly delicious odor that eradicates all other thoughts and makes me want to curl desperately into him. He places a kiss on my cheek, his breath sweet against my flesh. Slowly, he moves forward and up, tracing my jaw line with soft lips, tickling my earlobes for a moment before he delicately bites down.

A shockwave of heat explodes beneath my skin and I gasp.

“Everything,” he whispers into my ear. “I’m going to do everything to you.”

I can barely hear him over the crashing of heat in my ears.

He grins again, suddenly wrapping his long elegant fingers around my wrist. The change is jarring as his grip tightens, pulling me to my feet. I stumble and feel the warmth blossoming across my cheeks as I blush. Edward says nothing, just leans down and tenderly kisses my neck, his tongue drawing sensuous lines along my collarbone. He lifts my arms up over my head and holds them there, regarding me with smoldering dark eyes.

“Don’t move,” he orders me, regarding me hungrily. Helplessly, I obey, awaiting his next move with a mix of wariness and desire. Edward takes a step back, his smile curving in that crooked grin I love so much. It’s warmth does not quite reach his feral eyes. Involuntarily, I feel myself shudder slightly.

Edward tugs roughly at my t-shirt, pulling it from my jeans, keeping his eyes on mine, watching; he misses nothing as my emotions flicker. I am completely naked before him, yet fully clothed; he sees everything and drinks it in.

His fingers move slowly along my torso as he pulls my shirt up, sending electric charges throughout my entire body. He takes the time to enjoy each centimeter of the flesh I willingly offer to him. My vision is temporarily obscured by my shirt as he draws it over my breasts before finally tossing it aside freeing me.

I sigh… Edward smiles.

Fingers trace my hips, the small of my back, the curve of my waist. Those long, lean fingers caress my breasts through my bra and my nipples harden as I lean my head back so Edward can kiss the hollow of my neck. A low moan escapes my lips.

“Good,” he whispers, wrapping a fistful of hair in his hand, gently. “Good, Bella.”

He removes my bra with one quick flip of his wrist, watches as I shimmy out of it and it flutters to the floor; I stand before him, my breasts bare. Those silken fingers trace my nipples carelessly, and I gasp as a thousand shivers wrack my body.

Edward chuckles. “Do you like that?”

“Oh, yes,” the words rush out of my mouth almost too eagerly, betraying my desire, and Edward steps closer, wrapping one strong arm around my waist, his taut belly pressed against mine. I can feel his excitement as he uses his free hand to brush over my nipples. I moan again. And again, as he rolls them between his thumb and index firmly.

The sharpness of a sudden pinch startles me and I cry out. The pain recedes immediately, overtaken by an excited warmth that has traveled between my legs. I smile, somewhat shyly yet with a touch of brazenness that is new to me.

Edward grins devilishly and licks his lips before lowering his mouth to my swollen nipple. Pleasure floods me, my body is no longer mine to control. I shudder as desire courses through me, burying my hands in Edward’s hair, gripping it tightly.

With a growl he lifts me from my feet and we hit the bed with such force the frame grumbles in protest. He reaches for my jeans, kneeling over me, the muscles on his arms taut; I see that he’s straining, trying not to give in to his desire to rip the remaining clothes from my body. His eyes meet mine as he pushes me back on the bed and yanks my jeans from me, pulling hard at my panties until a seam rips in defeat.

His breath is coming nearly as hard as mine, his movements urgent now, needy. His tongue is insistent against my nipples. Almost without realizing, I try to push him away; the sensation is almost more than I can take… Not to be thwarted, he gathers my wrists together easily in one hand, leaving his other free to explore my body. Which he does.

“Edward!” I whimper. “Please. I can’t take it,”

“I’ve only just begun,” Edward leans up to me, kisses me lips gently, lovingly. I can see my near-frenzied desire, naked and flushed, in his golden eyes. I am nearly panting, inhaling and exhaling in quick, shallow rasps. My eyes widen as his fingers trace over my belly, and come to rest on my thigh, nudging softly but insistently for access. A soft mew escapes my lips as his fingers press against my clit, still teasing me, moving in small circles. The mew turns to growl and I raise my hips to meet his fingers.

Edward gives me a look: You asked for it.

His fingers plunge inside me, quick and hard, shocking and pleasing all at once and I nearly scream as he grabs me, rocks me back and forth against his hand, his thumb rubbing my clit demandingly.

“Is that what you want?” he whispers hotly in my ear. Incapable of speech, I can only groan, bucking against him.

“Say it and I’ll give you more,” Edward offers, his voice a soft purr.

“More!”

He chuckles softy, keeping his eyes on mine as he begins his descent, kissing my stomach lovingly, his hands moving to firmly grip my hips.

“Open wider,” he whispers against my pubic bone, his breath hot and moist.

I obey and he grins as he slowly licks my clit. Gently at first, slight circles, around, until I am arching my back, breath hissing helplessly between my teeth. Another chuckles reverberates against my cunt, sending a wave a pleasure washing over me.

Edward takes his time, nipping at me, caressing me, holding my trembling body firmly to him until I can no longer speak, overcome as wave after wave of orgasm washes over me.

His eyes are livid with passion when he emerges, slowly drawing his face to mine, his gaze unwavering as he pulls himself up while remaining between my legs, hovering so closely I can feel heat emanating from him.

“Are you ready?” he whispers. I moan and nod.

“You are my life now, Bella,” he leans in, kisses my neck. I nod again, closing my eyes languidly, expectantly.

“I will always be love you,” Edward continues, stroking my face. “Forever.”

“Yes,” I whisper, as the fire stirs once again in me.

There is a pain, sharp and sudden, as Edward takes me completely, lowering himself into me, amber eyes blazing with love, passion, and desire. I gasp, overcome by sensation, by emotion, as his teeth break the flesh of my neck. He moves lovingly as he spreads his venom inside me and I can feel the orgasm build, even as my life ebbs. Le petit mort…

I come, exploding, as Edward cries out above me with his own pleasure.

Little death. Big death. Life and death, inexorably intertwined, unable to exist without the other. Death is merely a transition from one life, one existence, to another. As Edward lays next to me, brushing a strand of hair from my reddened cheek, I know I am dying. He leans in, kissing me lovingly, and I am reborn. I know I will be reborn.