Author's Note: I'll have you know that I wrote two separate segments for this chapter. I couldn't make a solid decision in direction. I ultimately decided on the romantic route. I hope I made the right decision. I'd love to hear your opinions! And thank you for taking time to stop by! To my reviewers, double thank you! Well, enjoy!
Death on Two Legs
"You Take My Breath Away"
Chapter Three
Immortality simplified life. Daily, trivial matters all but disappeared. The need to please society or work for meaningless advances held no worth. As a freshman student, Bella squandered time to fit among peers. Attending college gave her the opportunity to start anew. The Cullens' dismissal butchered what little self-worth she had. It took Jacob several months to break the shell encasing her. He forced her to open herself to the living world. They conversed, built motorcycles, attended parties, and even kissed. Come fall, Isabella Swan became somewhat functional. Imagine her surprise when the Forks' police department interrupted Rush Week. The officer explained that her father had been attacked and had severe blood loss. Bella vacated the dorms and drove the pickup straight to Forks General. Out of all the scenarios she'd conjured, a vampire bite wasn't one of them.
Things happened so fast. She rescued Charlie from medical attention fearing the worst. During his transformation, Bella revealed every secret she'd stowed. A part of her hoped he'd forget. Most vampires did. However, memory loss never came. He dizzied himself in initial hunger and bit her, but Charlie remembered. Pure regret poured from his crimson depths. The emotion still lingered in his eyes. She abhorred it. None was truly his fault. Victoria and she were to blame. Had she steered clear of the vegetarian coven, the Swans would've lived long, human lives. What need would the redhead have to obsess then? Bella accepted full responsibility. Of course, she'd never voice it. Father and daughter shared one annoying quality, selflessness.
Upon arriving in Vancouver, Bella set out to right her wrongs. She knew James's mate wouldn't yield. It'd only be a matter of time before the vengeful bitch resurfaced. Knowing her tactics, the nomad wouldn't travel alone. The odds stood against her. Two talented newborns and a seasoned soldier awaited her. Bella took quiet action behind the men's backs. She created sensible paths away from the cabin. Instead of hunting wildlife, the teenager scoured for her father's maker. Charlie's uncanny GPS created difficulties. On several occasions, he'd asked why she ran into populated areas. Bella feigned ignorance. "I just got lost in the scenery." It was an absolute lie. One she continuously fed. The truth was that she had complete control of her senses. Garrett's undivided attention wasn't needed. In fact, it irritated her.
Their house guest threw wrenches into the general plan. Where her father installed personal space, Garrett hovered. At first, Bella resented him. He strolled into their lives like a stray dog. She had no desire to become involved with another vampire. Yes, she'd told Charlie finding a teacher would be a positive course of action. Never in a million years did she expect one to fall into their laps. Not only did the revolutionary hero invade, he became a permanent fixture. Chief Swan adored the male like a son. They hunted, sparred, and joked similar to old buddies. It took one day for Garrett to fall into her creator's good graces. The only course of action to take was welcoming the stranger. Bella wanted Charlie's happiness above all else. The blonde haired immortal guaranteed positive results. So, she held her tongue.
What she hadn't expected was to grow fond of Garrett. His exuberance crawled beneath one's skin. In a way, he reminded her of Emmett Cullen. Bella found herself curious of his history. It should've been a red flag. Her inner conscious screamed for preservation. Becoming close to another beautiful vampire would only end badly, but when had she ever listened to her instincts? Instead of ignoring the go-lucky man, she reveled in his advances. They read novels together and built ungodly furniture. Gradually, Garrett slipped through the cracks. It was becoming harder and harder to resist his friendship. Bella hated him for it.
Even now, the man sat beside her carving patterns into a chair. His fingernail chiseled into the wood with artful ease. His pumpkin irises analyzed the project keenly. Bella watched him unabashedly. Garrett, like most vampires, was absolutely gorgeous. He sported the body of a young warrior. His stature muscled and yet, lean. A mop of golden locks fell past his shoulders, but he always kept it pulled back. The style revealed a symmetrical face and square jaw. Bella assumed prior to his change, Garrett had a darker complexion. The creamy pallor, though attractive, seemed slightly off. He looked like the kind of man that would wander the earth topless. Freckles should've decorated his shoulders instead of venomous scars. She envisioned him more as an athlete than a fighter. His personality dissuaded anything dangerous. However, Bella knew better. As Garrett said, "We're predators first and foremost. Don't ever forget that." She hadn't lost all rational regarding unknowns.
"See something you like?"
"Maybe," Bella responded nonchalantly. "The chair isn't quite finished yet."
"That's not what I mean," he smirked.
"Uh, sorry. I was lost in thought. I think a break's in order." Bella rose and caught Charlie's scent in the distance. "Dad, I'm going to hunt. I'll be back later." A muffled okay sided with the wind. Garrett put away the nearly finished piece and stood as well. "I'd like to hunt alone."
"Why?"
"Sometimes a girl needs personal time. Is that a problem," she huffed raising her right brow. The nomad searched her eyes and shook his head. "Alright. I'll be back before you know it." She jetted north into the thick forests. Garrett's eyes still boring into her back. Bella always felt his stare even yards away. It unnerved her to no end. Obviously, the feelings weren't one sided. He picked up on her gaze too. Strange, she thought. They were slightly tuned into each other's presence. Most likely, it was a consequence of his constant lingering.
As promised, Bella drained two resilient bucks. She couldn't return home with blackened spheres. Blood spattered her dirtied blouse and holey Converse. With a disgusted sigh, Bella trotted towards the closest water source. She stripped her ruined attire and scrubbed the stains. Pink ribbons bled into the icy stream. Unfortunately, the baseball quarter-sleeve was beyond salvation. Faded crimson dotted along the cream hem. She should've undressed before feeding. Too many outfits lay in spoil outside their home. With a harsh sigh, Bella removed the articles from the water's depths. She strung her shoes' laces and wrapped the pair around her shoulders. The sopping shirt found itself tied around her waist. Prepared, the teenage beauty encircled her previous tracks to lure Victoria.
The hunt proved fruitless like most days. Bella had even stretched her venture over the mountains into Alberta. Only the stench of wild animals invaded her nostrils. She looped back home traveling south of the Canadian border. Montana greeted her with open arms. It felt wonderful stepping on American soil. Bella slowed her place enjoying the feel beneath her bare feet. For a brief moment, she closed her eyes to enjoy the sensation. A subtle breeze lifted her mahogany hair. She could've spent days rooted in her exact position. However, a familiar scent drifted towards breaking the daze. Bella felt his eyes locking onto her location.
"You're not hunting," he stated with a hard tone. "You've been gone for hours. Your father sent me to collect you. It's too dangerous to explore. You know that."
"What part of alone time didn't you understand?"
"I, of all people, understand the need for solitude. What I don't understand is how you could outwardly lie about your endeavors. Did you think I wouldn't catch onto your suicidal hunt? You're too inexperienced to take on this sort of task. Why not confide in your father or I? We'd be more than happy to oblige."
Bella crossed her arms tightly against her chest. Her frustrated glare met one of absolute worry. "This isn't Charlie's battle. Our predicament is solely my fault. It is my responsibility to eradicate Victoria. I will not sit by while she's undoubtedly planning our demise. I won't have you or my father interfere. I'm not some idiotic child charging into war. I know the risk and danger involved. If it costs my life to end that vindictive bitch, then so be it."
An indiscernible expression crossed Garrett's face. He stood silent for several seconds before closing the distance between them. His sudden spurt of speed took Bella by surprise. Her confusion deepened. "Isabella," he breathed. A cool palm cupped her cheek. She gazed up into his eyes with defiance. Typically, the nomad smiled at her defensive attitude. This time, he growled. Before Bella could comprehend its significance, Garrett captured her lips. His force completely derived from hunger. Afraid of resistance, he wrapped his impossibly strong arms around her bra clad torso. Electricity shot between them making Bella's knees weak.
The nomad savagely pushed forward. His talented tongue pried into her mouth. Garrett tasted as he smelled, like honey. Its effects were intoxicating. Bella returned his embrace moving her hands beneath his shirt. She explored the ridges of his body with uncontrollable need. It opened a sexual gateway. Garrett plowed her stone body against a tree. His slick appendage broke away and slithered down to her neck. He sucked graciously causing Bella to moan. Her legs spread open reflexively. He took the opportunity to place his knee between the juncture. A wonderful sensation coiled in unfamiliar depths. God, she wanted him! Primal urges overshadowed her sensible boundaries. The pleasure Garrett elicited unparalleled any vindication.
"Isabella, what are you doing to me," he choked. "I can't stop thinking about you. I can't be away from you. You've bewitched me!"
"No," she panted.
"Yes, you have!" Garrett ceased his ministrations but kept contact. "I've lived three centuries without these carnal desires. I've had no need for companionship. Now, I cannot fathom leaving you! I've withheld myself for months knowing you detest me. The abhorrence in your beautiful eyes killing me slowly. Why do you hate me so? Have I done something to gain your ill opinion?"
This wasn't the jokester Bella had become accustomed too. No, this was someone entirely different. She regulated her unneeded breath and searched his soulful orbs. The orangey hue glistened with obvious confliction. Bella recalled Garrett's original disposition: poised, talkative, and blood thirsty. Now, he stood before her tormented, exposed, and stricken. Had a newborn truly brought upon this cataclysm? For the first time in months, Bella was at a loss. Her directed path halted at an unsuspecting fork. Entrust Garrett or destroy him, those were her options. Damn it! She couldn't sabotage Charlie's happiness.
"I don't trust vampires. They've only hurt me. How can I put my faith in a man I don't know? Charlie has only witnessed Victoria's wrath. I've been emotionally and physically tortured by ten. Experience has taught me that all immortals are the same. Even you admitted that we're predators first."
"You hate me for what I am? Can I not prove my loyalty?"
"Why would you want too?"
He sighed gripping the flare of her waist. "I thought I'd made my intentions clear. Can you not feel the current between us? Everything about you calls to me. I want nothing more than to claim you as mine. I cannot imagine eternity without you by my side. I'd give anything to be in your good graces, to court you."
"You think I'm your mate," Bella asked bluntly.
"No, I know you are. I've known the moment I laid eyes on you. We move together in synchronicity. You feel our connection even within distances. Does your body not ache when we're apart?" She shook her head not entirely sure. "It will. You'll never feel complete without me. I can assure you."
"I've heard this all before."
"You speak of the mind reader. I can honestly say that he wasn't your intended. If he were, the undeserving prick couldn't have left. He probably craved the silence of your mind. You even labeled yourself as a science project. Did he see you more than that?"
"Shut up."
"He didn't, Isabella. He left you for dead. You must realize this!"
Anger and pure pain clawed her insides. She shoved Garrett several feet away. Her slipup completely placed aside. Bella snarled like a rapid animal. For the first time, the teenager wished to dismember something simply for sheer enjoyment. She pounced on the nomad ready to rip him limb-for-limb. He refused to fight back. His body lay limp on moist shrubberies. She landed a single punch to jaw. A small cluster of cracks marred his milky cheek. Immediate guilt drowned away her ire. Bella had never felt more wretched than at that moment. "Garrett, I'm so sorry." Poisonous tears collected in her golden eyes. "I didn't mean to."
"Isabella, I forgive you."
"How can you? I'm a monster. I should've never hurt you! You're only stating the truth. I can't believe…." Garrett flipped their positions. He now towered over her. His lips pressed a sweet kiss to her lips. Bella lifted a trembling hand to his wound. Her fingertips outlined the mark. It was already healing. Thank god, she lamented. "I really am sorry."
"You're forgiven, Angel. If you'd felt justified tearing me into pieces, I'd allow it. Please, Isabella," he whispered. "Allow me to love you? Give me a chance. I'll do anything, be anything for you."
"Garrett, I don't know if I can."
"All I ask is for a chance."
"Okay," she exhaled. "I'll try."
"Really?" Bella nodded earning a heated kiss. Their activity never escalated to its previous point. They battled tongues and touched like high school students, but their nether regions remained uncharted. Garrett wished to take their relationship slow. She couldn't argue. Less than twenty minutes ago, she'd planned living eternity as an old spinster. Her life played out like a terrible sitcom. How oblivious had she been to the telling signs of the nomad's affection? He'd stayed despite decades of isolation. The man had even changed his diet to impress her. They spent hours together doing hobbies she'd chosen. Bella reevaluated every moment leading to his admittance and felt utterly foolish.
No other words were spoken as they separated. Garrett suggested returning home to relieve her father's concern. She concurred with a curt nod and tore through the forest. The blonde haired solider growled behind her. Bella paused only to have his fingers intertwine with hers. Intense and yet, invisible sparks ignited between them. She eyed their hands darkly. "It's the mating pull. When we touch, our souls collide. We've become two halves to one being." In love, Garrett was quite the poet. Bella couldn't deny its appeal.
"What should we tell Charlie?"
"I'll speak with him. I should ask his permission to court you anyway."
"Permission? You've got to be kidding."
"I'm not," he smirked. "Regardless of what you might think, I do have morals. I highly doubt your father would appreciate me canoodling with you under his roof or on that dirt mat."
"Don't hate the rug! Gees," Bella sulked. "I'll have you know that's the hide of an endangered species. People would probably pay good money for it."
"Just imagine what people would pay to make love on it."
"How can you be overly romantic one moment and then obnoxious?" The question was meant to be rhetorical. However, Garrett took it as a green light for teasing. The thirty minute jog home turned into a game of innuendos. Only Charlie's pissed stature ended the nightmare. The old man stomped in circles spouting precautions. Bella played innocent which worked like a charm. Her father's anger faltered until Garrett asked the million dollar question. If the chief could've shot him, he would've. She missed how his neck enflamed during severe frustration. Edward always had the uncanny ability to ignite his rage.
"You what," he seethed. "I don't think I heard you."
"Charlie, I'd like your blessing to court Isabella."
Bella scooted back and awaited the no. She picked at the dirt beneath her nails. This was the nomad's battle. He might be right about their status, but she wasn't going to make it easy. Charlie surprised her though. The former officer agree under specified terms. "There is to be no hanky panky under my nose. I expect you to make an honest woman out of her, Son. You got me? I don't know how they treated women in the 1700s, but you can god damn guarantee that if you hurt her, I'll throw you into a pyre and piss on the ashes." No one mentioned that vampires couldn't urinate. Chief Swan's hard tone made joking an impossibility. Garrett, instead, agreed to the conditions and shook Charlie's hand. Both men shifted their gazes to her afterward. Bella shrugged.
"Is this what you want Bells?"
"Honestly, I don't know," she sighed locking eyes with the solider. "But, I've promised Garrett a shot. We'll just see what happens." Her admittance appeased Charlie somewhat. His contented demeanor returned. He clapped a smooth hand on the nomad's shoulder and began rambling. Bella tuned out the nonsense. She left the men to their devices and sauntered into the cabin. A copy of Pride and Prejudice rested on the dining room table. She plucked the novel from its residence and began reading. At the moment, Bella wanted nothing more than to rest. Her mind was a whirlwind of complications. She'd mark tomorrow as the day for finding solutions. After all, the only thing a vampire truly had was limitless time.