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.

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."

Yosemite Decimal Chapter 7: Teaser

The Chevy makes a sad noise but refuses to start.

This can’t be happening. I have a three-hour trip ahead of me on my own. I need the three-hour trip on my own. The truck keeps making its pathetic ruh-ruh-ruh sound.  I slap the steering wheel.

“Dammit!”

A tap on the window next to me causes me to almost jump out of my skin. The Bulldozer’s face is separated from mine by a pane of glass.

Needing both hands to do it, I wrench the winder. The window opens an inch.

“Problem?” he asks.

Duh. Obviously.

“My truck won’t start,” I reply redundantly. Any fool could see that my truck isn’t going anywhere right now.

“Come on.” He opens the door. “You can ride with me.”

My eyes widen as I consider the implications. Alone with the Bulldozer? For three hours?

Before I can respond, he retrieves my duffel bag from the bed of my double-crossing vehicle and heads over to his shiny silver SUV.

I sigh and know that I’m defeated. After locking my truck, I glare at the traitor. “You and I are going to have words when I get back.”

The Bulldozer stops. “Did you just talk to your truck?”

My head whips in his direction. “Of course not.”

“Uh huh,” he says, sounding unconvinced. He opens the trunk to his car and puts my bag in beside his.

I hoist my backpack over my shoulder as I walk toward his SUV. Shutting the trunk, he hurries to the passenger side, opening the door for me.

“Your chariot,” he says with a sweep of his hand. I roll my eyes and get into the car. He shuts the door with a smirk.

I take a deep breath as he walks around the front of the car. I have a quick sense of déjà vu, remembering the night he drove me to the hospital. Taking another deep breath, I inhale the scent of new car, leather, and the aroma I’ve come to associate with Edward.

He sinks easily into the car, slides on a pair of Ray Bans, and gives me a sidelong grin.

“Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

How am I going to last three hours?