Blockbuster Teaser

 I felt safe. I felt protected. Sighing, I snuggled deeper into the covers. Then I realized that my pillow had a heartbeat. Opening my eyes, I was confused. Where am I?

“It’s okay, Bella. You’re safe,” said a male voice.

Jacob?

No, not Jacob. He would never hold me. He also doesn’t smell like sandalwood and beach grass.

I shifted, looking up. Edward was holding me. His eyes were gentle, kind and swirling with concern. “Hey, gorgeous,” he breathed.

“Hi,” I croaked. “How did I get here?”

“I carried you inside. As soon as Rose and Emmett left, you crashed. Seth was adamant that I stay because he said he’d never seen you so relaxed,” Edward murmured, trailing his fingers down my cheek. “I can go.”

“No,” I gasped, tightening my hold on his t-shirt. “Stay. Please, stay.” I felt tears well in my eyes. God, I’m such an emotional mess. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize, love,” he said, wiping his thumbs on my cheeks.

“What time is it?” I asked.

“A little after eleven in the morning,” Edward explained.

“I need to get Seth breakfast,” I blurted, trying to get up.

“Relax, Bella. I got up and we got some McDonald’s. I borrowed your car, by the way,” he snickered. “He’s currently organizing his new room and working on a book report. He also asked me about callbacks.”

“He got called back?” I asked. “He didn’t tell me.”

“He was really worried about his mom,” Edward smiled, brushing my hair back. “But, he got called back for the Baker in Into the Woods, Jr. I gave him some tips and listened to him. Seth is really good, to be honest. He’s got a natural way when he reads his lines and a nice singing voice.”

I snickered. “He didn’t get that from me. I’m completely tone deaf.”

“Singing is not a talent of yours,” Edward replied diplomatically. “But, I won’t hold that against you, love.”

“I should get up,” I said. “I feel gross. I also need to finish organizing the house.”

“I think you’re entitled a lazy day, Bella,” he murmured. “When was the last time you just vegged?”

“Um, never?” I answered.

“Well, let me and Seth handle things,” he smiled, brushing his lips with mine. “You just plop down on the couch and look up some ideas for paint, décor, and tchotchkes. You’re also going to soak in that tub and let me spoil you.” Tears welled in my eyes. “Don’t cry, Bella. You’re not alone.”

“I’m just so emotional and I don’t know …” I whispered.

“You have every right to be emotional. You’ve been through hell for years. You’re entitled to cry, sob, rage, and scream. Seth’s biological father is asshole, and he doesn’t get to know that wonderful, beautiful boy that you raised. A boy who is kind and smart and funny, despite the fact that he’d been through hell with you. He adores you, Bella. He thinks you’re the strongest person in the world. He would walk through fire for you, Bella,” Edward whispered.

His words made me cry more. I was so proud of my child and the person he’d become. However, my child should not have to walk through fire for me. That was my job. Not his.

Edward gathered me in his arms, not saying anything as I cried.

“Bella, I know that you are dealing with things. I understand that you think you’re damaged. You’re not,” he said once I calmed down. “You’re bruised and you have some scars, but you are strong and resilient and beautiful.”

“But, like everyone else, you’ll leave,” I muttered, voicing my greatest fear. “Everyone who cares about me leaves.”

Blockbuster Teaser

 "This is the main floor. It’s open concept. The only doors on this floor are this entrance, the front door and one of the bathrooms. Here’s the kitchen …”

“Holy crap. Your kitchen is as big as my entire apartment,” I gasped.

“It may be big, but your apartment has something that my house doesn’t,” Edward murmured, tucking an errant curl behind my ear. I gave him a wry look. He just snickered kissing me. “Your apartment is warm and filled with love.”

“My apartment can be too warm since we only have a window unit as an air conditioner, and it’s filled with second-hand furniture,” I deadpanned. “Your house is gorgeous!”

“My house is a place for me to stay when I’m not working. It was decorated by the best interior designer. I love this place, but I didn’t care what went on the walls or what furniture was put inside,” he shrugged. “However, with you in here, this place feels less like a house and more like a home.”

I blushed, frowning deeply. What did that mean?

“Come on, gorgeous. Let me show you the pool deck. Did you bring a bathing suit?” he asked.

“Um, no,” I spluttered. “I … I … no.”

“No big deal. I’m certain we can find something if you want to go into the pool. Or clothing could be optional,” he quipped, waggling his brows.

“Edward,” I chided, giving him a glower.

“I’m kidding, Bella,” he said, giving me a contrite smile.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, closing my eyes. Edward pulled me into his arms, and I stiffly allowed it. In my head, I catalogued all the scars that were littered on my body. My C-section scar, various wounds from Jacob and his temper, and so many others. I was ugly … my body was ugly.

“Do not apologize, Bella,” he whispered back. “Sometimes, I get ahead of myself. I’ll say this again. You’re in charge.”

I nodded, sliding my arms around his waist. I hated my insecurities. I put up a strong façade, but on the inside, I was a mess. “I have scars,” I said against his chest. “Ugly scars …”

“Even with the scars, you’re gorgeous,” Edward whispered. “It’s not what’s on the outside that drew me in. Your inherent goodness and kindness is so beautiful.”

I sighed. “Thank you, but where’s the bathroom?”

He led me back inside and pointed out one of the doors on the main floor. I gave him a shaky smile before ducking inside. Once the door clicked shut, I slid down to the floor and let the tears flow. I hated this. I hated my fears and my past. I wanted to be happy. For the most part, I was, but I knew I had a lot of issues.

It took me a few moments to gather myself. I patted my cheeks to try to remove evidence that I’d cried. With a slow breath, I exited the bathroom.

Edward was in the kitchen, puttering anxiously. “Do you want some tea? Lemonade?” He gave me a crooked smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable. I don’t want to do that. I …”

“It’s okay, Edward. I’m the one with issues. Not you,” I said, sitting at the island in the kitchen. “I don’t know if I’m worth it.”

“You are worth it,” he breathed.

 

Blockbuster Teaser

 I was working on the screenplay. I’d created the list of characters, along with actors I’d love to play those roles. I knew it was a pipe dream, but a girl could wish. I’d love for Chris Hemsworth to be the love interest of my main character, but he was probably out of our price-range for the movie.

Though, my mind was thinking that Edward would be a great fit … perhaps for my love interest.  

Don’t wish for that … you don’t deserve it. You don’t deserve anything.

I hated my inner-voice and how it sounded so much like Jacob. He’d taken so much from me. Too much, to be honest.

When would he stop?

Never.

I shook my head, trying to not think about my awful ex-boyfriend. I needed to focus on the screenplay. So, that’s what I did. Along with the list of actors and actresses, I also began working on paring down the scenes, picking and choosing which ones needed to be in the movie and which ones could be omitted because they didn’t drive the story along.

I wanted to keep all the scenes, as the author. But, as a movie-goer, some scenes would end up on the cutting-room floor.

It was a very tedious process.

As I was working, I was struggling with rereading the novel. It was a fictionalized version of what I’d endured from the moment my father was diagnosed with cancer my junior year of high school until I arrived in San Francisco at the age of twenty-six. Granted, the fictitious me, Charlotte, got a happily ever after with a man who fell in love with her and her son.

My main character wasn’t as emotionally stunted and mentally scarred in the novel. Besides, most readers won’t read a story if it doesn’t have a happily ever after. Long and Winding Road, it meandered and twisted, but Charlotte got her happily ever after.

Me? Not so much …

I was too terrified of opening my heart up to someone, only to have it thrown in my face again like with Jacob.

 

Out of the Darkness Teaser

“I’ve sent off resumes to over twenty districts all over the state of Washington,” I said, rolling my wrists. “Let’s hope that one of them gets a nibble.” Edward was staring off into space, his lips moving. “Edward? Did you hear me?”

He blinked back, looking at me. “Twenty districts, yes. I heard you,” he said, giving me a stiff smile.

“Okay, you’ve been weird since Alice disappeared,” I muttered. “What’s going on?”

“Alice didn’t disappear,” Edward argued.

“I have Seth working as my aide,” I replied. “Please, tell me. I’m freaking out. A lot.”

Edward sighed, scrubbing his face and walked over to me, sitting down on his couch. He moved my computer to the cocktail table and took my hands in his. He ran his thumbs over my knuckles and stared at our hands. “Your old boss, Rosalie? She disappeared,” he said.

“I thought she was committed,” I frowned.

“She was, but she was released to her boyfriend’s care. I worked for him prior to becoming a long-term sub. He was a good guy, but Rose’s hatred must have spilled into him. He disappeared, too,” Edward explained.

“Disappeared? I don’t understand.”

“Angels, Dominion Lordships, Arch Angels and God himself can sense humans, all humans,” Edward said. “With the exception of those who were corrupted by darkness. It would appear that Rosalie and Emmett were taken over. We believe that they’re becoming minions of Satan, preparing for whatever it is they want to do. Unfortunately, it’s all revolving around you.”

“I don’t get why I’m so important,” I said. “I’m nothing important.”

“I beg to differ,” Edward said, his eyes flashing. “You’re the most important person to me. You’re my mate, my other half. I’ve lived for a long fucking time, along and in empty, useless relationship. What I feel for you is more than love. It’s everything. I can’t lose you. I won’t lose you. Don’t ever say that you’re not important, because you are.” He shot up and stomped to the window, his body stiff and angry.

Fucking low self-esteem. Why couldn’t I keep my mouth shut?

“It’s comments like that, Bella,” he said. “Satan feeds off them. I know that you’re dealing with your own issues, thanks to the assholes who broke your spirit, but he never managed to taint you. I need you to stay strong, Bella. Believe that you are worth so much. That you’re worthy of being loved, of loving in return.”

“Why can’t I use Seth and his memory wipe to erase my insecurities?” I grumbled.

“It doesn’t work that way,” Edward replied, turning around. “He can erase the short-term memory of humans, but things in the long-term memory can’t be trifled with. It would cause brain damage.”

“Then, heal me,” I said, shrugging.

“You’d lose your upper brain functions, Bella,” he said, sitting down and pulling me into his lap.

The Magic Within Teaser

I stared at the letter from my father. My eyes were welling with tears. I felt his love and his pride, but his absence was made so abundantly clear with the yellowed letter I held in my hands. I was angry with him for not being here. He should be leading our people. Not. Me.

But, exhaustion was making me overly emotional. As I put the letter into the thick volume of the history of the fae, Bella padded back into the bedroom. Her hair was braided and her eyes were at half-mast. She crawled into the large, too-large for humans, bed. She pushed me back onto the pillows. “Sleep, m’aarenne,” she said, snuggling close to me. “I love you.”

“Love doesn’t even come close,” I said, my voice raspy. I felt her smile against my neck. I sighed, closing my eyes and holding her to my chest. Within seconds, I was asleep and dreaming of a world where the darkness did not exist and we got our happily ever after.

The next morning, I woke up and felt completely rested, despite the early hour. Bella was already gone, but I could hear her in the bathroom. I looked at the clock, seeing it was a little after nine. I went to bed just before three. I should be exhausted and sore. But, I wasn’t. I got up and picked up the book of our history, but shook my head. I went to my laptop, opening a new document. I began typing and drafting a speech for this livestream. On the intranet.

I can’t believe we have an intranet. How in the hell does that even work?

Bella came out, freshly washed and smelling divine. She arms draping around my shoulders and was reading, humming with approval. “That’s really good, Edward.” She kissed my temple. “I can feel the power behind it and when you say the words …”

“I’m afraid I’ll come off as being a pompous asshole,” I snorted.

“Stop it,” she said, moving the computer back and sitting on the desk. I pulled her into my lap and she giggled. “Not close enough?”

“Never close enough,” I snickered, kissing her nose. “I’m hopeful that my power as an orator, an attorney, will get me through this livestream. It’ll be weird, addressing people I’ve never met before. People who believe me to be their ruler. That shit is fucking beyond my scope of comprehension, Bella.”

“Edward, you’re brilliant, powerful, funny and loyal. Just be you,” she murmured.

“I’m afraid that being me won’t be enough,” I said, my insecurities coming out. “It wasn’t enough for my adoptive parents. For my old firm … I was a failure in their eyes.”

“I love you for you. Not because of this weird mating bond thing we have or for the fact that you got me out of my fucked-up marriage,” she snorted derisively. “You carry this aura of calm, but potent power. Even as a human, everyone pays attention to you. And it’s not because you’re hot.”

I shivered, making it snow around us. “Quite the opposite, sih’rena,” I chuckled. She rolled her eyes. “I’m ice cold.”

The One That Got Away Teaser

Edward left that night since he had early rounds at the hospital prior to his day at the office. Bella went to bed early since she was exhausted, still reeling from the emotional roller coaster that she’d experienced the past week and understanding Edward’s apology. She did feel confident they would get past this drama, having a stronger relationship in the end. It also put her mind at ease when he suggested they go to couple’s counseling. She also wanted to speak to a counselor on her own. Being back in Tampa was bringing back some of her insecurities from when she was in high school.

The next morning, Bella called Aimee and made an appointment for the following weekend for the two of them while the twins were going to a pool party with some friends from school. She also went shopping for ingredients for red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese filling and buttercream frosting. Making the cupcakes, she put them into container and got dressed to spend the evening with Edward and the twin terrors.

Bella drove to Edward’s house, picking up a bottle of wine on her way. Parking her car on the driveway, she was attacked by two excited seven-year-old twins. “BELLA!” they squealed, tugging her into their arms and hugging her fiercely. “We missed you!”

“I missed you, too,” she breathed, kneeling down and holding them tightly. “Did you guys grow? You seem taller.”

“Nope, but I lost a tooth,” Liam said, displaying his bottom set of teeth. There was a gaping hole where his left canine tooth had been located. “I got five bucks from the tooth fairy.”

“And I’ve got a loose tooth. It may come out soon,” Lucy squealed, showing her very loose tooth. “I hope I get five dollars, too.”

“I don’t know if the tooth fairy can get into your room, Lucy,” Edward quipped, padding out onto the driveway, dressed casually in a pair of shorts and a polo shirt. “Every one of your Barbies, stuffed animials and toys are on the floor. If the tooth fairy can’t get to your bed, he can’t leave your money.”

“What?” Lucy squeaked. “Bella … I have to …” She kissed Bella’s cheek, darting back inside.

“Lucy is a slob,” Liam snickered.

“Your room wasn’t that much better, bub,” Edward deadpanned. “I think the tooth fairy stepped on a few Legos, kiddo.” Liam scowled. “Go clean up the pig sty.”

“Okay, okay,” he sighed, wrapping his arms around Bella’s waist. “I’m glad you’re here, Bella. Thank you for coming back.” Before she could respond, Liam ran into the house.