She sighed in relief and she was suddenly no longer wrapped around me. I heard a pulpous noise that was followed by, "Oh!"
I turned around swiftly worried she had hurt herself. I did the smallest of double takes before I saw her expression and the tension finally broke between us. Her face was screwed up in embarrassment. I was trying my hardest to hold in laughter but I was unable to. I barked out a laugh. Her expression had twisted into indignation and chagrin. She pushed herself off the ground while brushing dirt and bracken off of her backside. She turned, muttering silently, and marched off in the wrong direction.
A smile was still on my face as I wrapped my arm around her waist. "Where are you going, Bella?"
"To watch a baseball game. You don't seem to be interested in playing anymore, but I'm sure the others will have fun without you," she said bitterly.
"You're going the wrong way," I said coolly.
She turned on her heal with a firm and purposeful tread in the opposite direction. I shook my head back and forth at her and grabbed her around the waist a second time.
"Don't be mad, I couldn't help myself. You should have seen your face," I tried to explain but a chuckle broke through my composure.
She looked at me haughtily. "Oh, you're the only one who's allowed to get mad?" she asked while raising her eyebrows.
I paused for a moment and studied her face. "I wasn't mad at you."
"'Bella, you'll be the death of me'?" she quoted crisply.
"That was simply a statement of fact," I said while still trying to hold in my amusement.
She gave me a look of pure abhorrence and turned to stride away again. In a quick motion I pulled her to my chest. I couldn't take it if she left me now.
"You were mad," she persisted, her face stricken.
"Yes."
"But you just said -" she began.
"That I wasn't mad at you. Can't you see that, Bella?" I asked patiently. "Don't you understand?"
I felt completely exasperated. She was so sweet, loving...fragile; there was nothing she could do to make me upset at her.
She pursed her lips. "See what?" she insisted with a confused expression.
"I'm never angry with you - how could I be? Brave, trusting...warm as you are," I explained.
"Then why?" she asked softly.
I analyzed her face, trying to read her mind once again. I reached the barrier I always did while trying to probe her mind, the silence persisted. She looked just as confused as ever. I sighed and pulled her delicate face in my cold palms. Her cheeks instantly warmed my whole body. I looked her straight in the eyes. "I infuriate myself," I said quietly. "The way I can't seem to keep from putting you in danger. My very existence puts you at risk. Sometimes I truly hate myself. I should be stronger; I should be able to -"
She placed her warm palm over my mouth touching my lips softly. "Don't."
She stared into my eyes, the depth of her eyes were communicating with mine. I put my hand over hers and moved it to my cheek. The warmth radiated off of her skin and deep into my body. I felt the sudden urge to bring our lips together and tell her how much I loved her. The words were exiting my mouth before I made the decision to do so. "I love you," I stated. "It's a poor excuse for what I'm doing, but it's still true."
Her face softened at my words. "Now, please try to behave yourself," I pleaded as I slowly bent down and brushed my lips lightly across hers.
She didn't move but her heart raced and she parted her lips with a sigh. I inhaled copious amounts of her breath into my lungs letting it send flames down my throat.
"You promised Chief Swan that you would have me home early, remember," she whispered against my lips. "We'd better get going."
My insides were twisting in pleasure at our touch but I finally got my act together.
"Yes ma'am," I replied while continuing to smile.
I released all of her but her hand. I showed her the way through the forest. It was only a few feet until we reached the clearing. I was feeling radiant with glee. Esme, Rosalie and Emmett were sitting on a large rock. When they caught sight of us they all three rose. Alice and Jasper were in the distance throwing the ball back and forth and Carlisle was marking bases.
Right on time! Alice thought.
I'll just hold my breath if she gets too close, Jasper contemplated.
I thought I heard them, Esme thought while walking in our direction.
Rosalie strode off in the other direction without a single glance behind her. Oh great...the human's here, Rosalie sneered, alight with malice.
Come on! Jeez, not this again... Emmett stared at the back of Rosalie as she marched away from us. Whatever, I'm not missing this. Emmett followed behind Esme.
"Was that you we heard, Edward?" Esme asked as she approached us.
Yeah, that weird gurgling noise. "It sounded like a bear choking." Emmett chortled.
A small timid smile was on Bella's face. "That was him."
Oh, I see how it is, I thought internally. "Bella was being unintentionally funny," I explained with a wide grin.
Alice came running towards us. Five seconds, she thought as she stopped in front of us.