Chapter 12: Pink Giraffe's Blues

Previously in Deep Ocean...

"Edward, what are you doing half dressed inside the hot tub?"

Shouldn't you be asking what the heck you are doing naked on his lap, baby?

Oh, crap! Sure enough, I was sitting stark naked on Edward's lap; he, at least, was wearing his jeans…inside the hot tub.

Just when I thought the day couldn't get any weirder…

He must have seen the shock in my face, because his gaze was focused at eye level, as if trying to convince me it was ok being naked, that he wasn’t even paying attention. I was thankful, and a little hurt at the same time.

What were you expecting? You think you’re the first woman he saw like that?

I didn’t have time to discuss with my inner bitch, not that she had been of great use while I was scared running in the dark either, I had more pressing matters at that moment.

“I was already wet when we got here, love, so I kicked my boots and took off my shirt while I prepared the tub. I was going to change later, it was more important to get you warm first. Then you started crying, and I wanted to hold you, so I jumped into the tub.”

I had the feeling he had lots of questions of his own, but he was answering my silly one first because he was afraid I’d bolt out of the tub screaming ‘rape’.

“Now, Bella, can you tell me why you were barefoot, wearing no coat, and far away from your house, at night, in the middle of a storm?”

I explained about the power going off, and the noises, and the fact that I didn’t even think in putting on my shoes, let alone grabbing my car keys when I started running.

“Shhh…It’s ok, love, you’re safe now,” he told me, kissing my forehead, and it was impossible not to believe in him. Earlier, when I started getting tired of running, and I didn’t even know where I was, the only person I thought of calling was Edward. Not the police or Mike. I needed Edward.

“Oh! I think I left my door open…I can’t remember!”

“Don’t worry, love. I’ll send the guys to check your house. They’ll take care of everything.”

“I’m sorry, Edward. I didn’t know what to do; I just panicked and ran, when I noticed I was in an unfamiliar street, drenched and cold, I called you…Do you think I can have my clothes dried? I could take a room and…I’ll pay for it, just don’t make me go there now…”

He tried to gently interrupt my rant a few times, but I was too caught up to let him, the thought of going back to the empty house in the storm terrorized me again.

“Bella, what makes you think I’ll let you leave this room tonight, love?”

And there it was again, that hint of wilderness in his eyes, the same thing that gave me the vibe of an untamed animal the first time I saw him.

I swallowed hard, and he smirked, and I couldn’t take me eyes away from his green hypnotizing ones.

He looked at my lips, the desire to kiss me clear in his face, and for the first time ever, I didn’t second guess myself, or even considered if I deserved him; I just closed the distance between us and pressed my mouth against his.

He cupped my chin, and tilted my head back, surrendering to the kiss. His tongue was soft, and wet, gently sucking my own. His hand was caressing my neck, and then trailing down to my collarbones on the way to my chest.

I moaned softly when he rubbed the side of my breast with the tips of his fingers. He made a few passes, and then his hand was covering my peak.

The kiss grew more urgent, passionate; his hands alternative massaging my breast and rubbing my nipple.

I was so turned on that I knew I was willing to give him anything he wanted.

Because I wanted it too. I wanted him.

“We should stop now, love,” he whispered against my mouth.

I shook my head no, grazing his upper lip with my teeth. I couldn’t stop then, or I’d never have that chance again.

“Please, Edward,” I begged, my breathing was ragged and my tone so needy I couldn’t even recognize myself.

“I can’t take advantage of you, Bella. We can’t do it. Not like this, not now. You’ll regret it tomorrow, and don’t want you to hate me, love.”

He sounded in pain, and I wondered if he was trying to convince me or himself.

“Please…I won’t regret it…I need to feel you.”

He sighed.

“Not in here, Bella. Let me take care of you, love. I’ll get you dry, and then we can go to bed.”

I guessed the logistics to do the deed in a hot tub must have been too complicated, not that I’d have known by experience, but I decided to follow his lead.

He pulled me up gently, and then he got out of the tub, taking my hand to help me.

I felt a little awkward standing in the middle of his huge bathroom naked while he wasn’t, but the look in his eyes was hungry, and it made me feel desired.

He grabbed a big, fluffy towel and started drying me off. His touch was tender, and purposeful at the same time.

“You’re so fucking sexy,” he murmured when he was done, and I melted at the intensity of his voice and his gaze.

“Go and get in bed, love. I’ll get rid of my wet clothes and be there in a minute.”

I reluctantly walked out of the bathroom and into his bedroom. For some silly reason, I wanted to watch him getting out of his wet jeans.

I pulled down the covers and got comfy to wait for him, basking in the sensation of being in his bed, under the sheets that smell like him.

He strolled into the bedroom wearing a towel wrapped low around his hips, and went the chest of drawers, opened one and took a pair of boxers. His back was turned to me when he let the towel hit the floor and started putting them on.

Oh. My. God! I’ve died and gone to an Abercrombie & Fitch Ad!

His back was broad and defined, his muscles tensing when he leaned forward. And his butt! I’ve never thought that a man’s butt could be beautiful before, but Edward’s was perfect. So toned and…

“Bella, were you checking out my ass?”

Busted! I was so absorbed in my fantasies that didn’t even notice he was standing at the foot of the bed. I blushed, sliding a little lower under the covers.

He shook his head, amused, and crawled over the bed smirking.

The wild cat was back…

How a man could move with such predatory grace was beyond me.

I want to pet that cat! Purrr!

Great! You know you’re in trouble when the voice of your conscience starts purring…

“I'll send the guys to check your house, love,” Edward said, grabbing his cell phone from his nightstand.

He remained over the covers; his back reclined against the headboard while he talked to his men. I didn’t pay attention to the directives he gave them because I was too busy ogling his naked chest. I didn’t really have a chance when we were in the bathroom, he moved too much and I was feeling self conscious. But I was covered, and he was still and in display while he was on the phone, so I couldn’t miss my opportunity.

He put his phone on the nightstand again once he finished talking, and leaned down to kiss my nose. When he got under the covers, he scooted closer to me, and pulled me to his body.

His arms wrapped around me felt divine, but when he kissed the top of my head, and started rubbing my back in a comforting manner, I knew something was very wrong. I wasn’t precisely experienced, but a man who planned on having sex with a woman shouldn’t have been treating her as if she was his sister.

A sob escaped my mouth before I could stop it. I felt cheated. Of course he wasn’t interested, even naked and in his bed, he wouldn’t make a move on me, I was still a stupid pink giraffe.

“What happens, love?”

“Nothing. Let go of me, Edward. I want to go home.”

“What? Bella, what’s wrong, baby? I can’t read your mind; you have to tell me so I can help you…”

“You can’t help me, Edward. Don’t worry, I get it. I just can’t keep doing…this,” I said gesturing between the two of us. “You were clear from the beginning; you said you wanted to be my friend…”

“Bella, love…”

I hushed him while I fought to disentangle his arms from my body. He wasn’t cooperating.

“You won’t go anywhere, Bella. I need you to explain me what I did wrong…”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. It was me; I shouldn’t have called you…”

“What the fuck are you talking about, Bella? Of course you should call me whenever you need me!”

He was frustrated, pinning me to the bed beneath his body, demanding answers I wasn’t about to give him.

What was I going to tell him? That I had misunderstood his friendship for something more? That I had allowed myself to dream for the first time in many years without noticing that the dream was too big for me? That his rejection hurt more than any other in the past?