YD Chapter 15 - Teaser

“I can’t let you do that,” she’s saying. “No, I’m serious. She was really upset. I’ve never seen anyone completely break down like that—it was scary.” I feel awkward for eavesdropping, but not too bad, considering the conversation seems to be about me.

“Now? She’s asleep. Do you have any idea of the kind of day she’s had? Oh no, you wouldn’t, because you just let her go!” She sounds seriously pissed off—I’m so glad she’s on my side.

“Did you even tell her?…Why the hell not? We’re talking about a big part of your life here, Edward…Mhmm…”

At the sound of his name, my insides turn to stone. I gingerly make my way to the kitchen and pause in the doorway.

Rose turns in my direction. “I have to go, Bella’s awake…I’ll ask her…okay. Bye.” She places her phone on the counter and walks toward me, drawing me into a hug. “How are you feeling?”

“Wiped.” My throat feels like sandpaper when I speak.

“Here, let me get you something to eat and drink. Go sit on the couch. I’ll be there in a minute.”

I return to the couch, wrap myself in my blanket, and finish off my water bottle. Rose appears a few moments later with some apple juice and a bowl of reheated noodles. I take them from her, only realizing now how hungry I am—my sandwich from lunch is sitting on a bench in a park. I nibble gingerly at the noodles as Rose takes a deep breath.

“Bella, while you were sleeping you were talking. Now feel free to tell me if I’m overstepping the mark…but…do you want to tell me about Tyler?”

Yosemite Decimal: Chapter 14 teaser

I blush a little and reach forward to take the offered piece of cake. It’s absolutely heavenly, and I close my eyes briefly and hum.

“Bella…” Edward’s low, husky voice gains my attention, and I open my eyes. His returning stare is dark and sends shivers through my body. “I wouldn’t do that.”

I self-consciously lick my lips—there must be chocolate on my face. “What?”

In one quick motion, Edward shifts his seat over one place so that he’s sitting next to me. He sweeps my hair back over my shoulder and whispers in my ear. “Don’t tempt me. Not when you look as sexy as you do.” He presses a kiss to the hollow just below my ear. “Not here.”

I swallow, and it makes an audible gulp. Edward lets out a soft growl as he brushes his nose along my ear. “You smell good enough to eat.”

YD - Chapter 13 teaser

“Chalky!” The familiar, thunderous voice echoes off every wall of the gym, as Emmett’s hulking form lumbers toward me. He hoists me in the air, giving me a spin that makes me squeal. “Glad to have you back!”

“You make it sound like I’ve been away for months!” I laugh in response. “But thanks, Em.”

He nods to my harness, which I’ve looped over one shoulder. “Climbing?”

“Yeah, Alice said she’d belay for me,” I respond with a shrug. And I’m secretly hoping someone else might, too.

“Well, have fun! I’ll catch up with you later.” Emmett’s dimples seem especially prominent as he waves me off. I 

give him a small salute in return before making my way up the stairs toward the mezzanine level and the bouldering cave.

When I reach the cave, music is blaring, and I’m a little disappointed I won’t have it to myself…until the sight of the physique that is sinuously moving its way across the wall stops me dead in my tracks.

I’ve never seen Edward climb before, and I can safely say—I’ve never seen anyone climb like him.

YD - Chapter 12 teaser

I wrap my arms tighter around myself and walk toward him. “I’ll take one of the rooms upstairs.” I reach for my bags, but he places a hand on my arm, stopping me.

“The storm is really bad, and I don’t feel good about letting you sleep upstairs. I don’t think it’s safe.” He tosses the towel in the hamper in the corner. “I’ll go.”

My jaw drops. “You just said it wasn’t safe, and you’re going?”

He shrugs. “Yeah, well…”

I scoff. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll take the couch out there.” I indicate vaguely toward the direction of the great room.

“Bella,” he says, rolling his eyes. “It’s freezing out there, even with the fire going.”

“I’ll take a blanket,” I tell him, reaching again for the bags. My duffel is completely sodden, and it weighs a ton. “I’ll be okay.”

“Wait,” he says, his voice serious. “You could stay here. I mean, if you like.” He runs a hand through his semi-dried hair. “It’s a big bed, and I promise I won’t try anything…”

YD Teaser: Chapter 11

“Don’t you get it? You’re the biggest risk of all.”

I hold my breath for a beat at his declaration. I’ve never thought of myself as any kind of danger. I’m not—I’m just Bella.

“How am I a risk?”

“You make me question.”

“Question what?”

“Everything.”

“Please tell me?”

He takes a deep breath. “Okay. But in advance, I’m sorry.”

“What for now?”

“Like I said, when I tell you, you’ll find out the kind of person I really am.”

I can’t imagine what might have happened for Edward to think himself so…liable. I shuffle in my spot to get comfortable, getting the suspicion this isn’t going to be a short story. Before I can move too far, Edward reaches out to grab my hand. I glance at where our hands are joined before turning my gaze to his face.  

“Do you mind?” he asks tentatively. “I just…I feel calmer when I’m touching you.”

I can only nod in reply. Stroking his fingers gently, I try to reassure him. “Take your time.”

He takes a deep breath and begins to speak.

YD - chapter 10...teaser

In the darkness, I feel the bed shift. I’m not sure how long I’ve been asleep, but the cool breeze that comes with the covers being lifted gives me goose bumps. Well, maybe it’s not the covers.

Maybe it’s him.

I smile as his scent surrounds me. His voice is low when he whispers in my ear. “I couldn’t stay away.”

Unable to say anything else, I arch my back as his lips work their magic on my neck, teasing me just below my ear. “You smell fucking amazing,” he murmurs into my neck, and I roll my body toward him as I wrap my arms around his neck. His hair tickles my hands where fingers meet palms, and I steer his head to find my lips. “Had to be near you…couldn’t…”

One kiss blurs into the next, which blurs into the next, until we’re not coming up for air. I can taste him, smell him, hear the sound of our lips moving and the air being drawn through his nose. I’m drowning in him—and I never want to surface. 

Yosemite Decimal Chapter 8 Teaser

"Hey," I say gently. "Are you okay?"

His breathing quickens. I see his knees buckle, and he drops to the ground, his eyes closed.

Without thinking, I rush over and drop before him. "Hey," I say urgently. "Hey, open your eyes."

His nostrils are flared—if his breathing doesn't regulate, he's going to pass out.

"Look at me," I plead. "You have to calm down."

He brings his hands up, pressing his fists into his chest.

I place my left hand on his cheek. "Edward."

His eyelids fly open, and his jade-green eyes glisten at me. He stares at me with an intensity I've never known—it almost takes my own breath away. Ever so gently, he leans his face into my hand.

His breathing slows and deepens as he maintains eye contact. I find myself breathing in time with him—his inhales match mine, his exhales collide with my breath in the air between us. We're breathing the same air.

"That's the first time you've said my name."

I blink. "It is?"

"Yes."

I ponder that for a moment. I suppose it is. "Edward," I say again. His name feels nice as it escapes my lips. "Are you okay?"

"I am now."

"Good."