Something Better Than Forever
by Skydancinghobbit
Chapter 14: Gifted Hands
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About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Aro was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him – and I didn't know how potent that part might be-that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
Twilight, slightly edited -grins-
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In answer Aro only smiled gently. His expression softening as if he sensed her shift in mood, for at least the moment she was letting him in, however reluctantly and it was a gift to be acknowledged and treasured. He waited in perfect stillness until she'd relaxed completely against him, rather like a kitten who had decided at last that the person holding it was not planning anything objectionable. However it was even in this lighting, slanting down from one of the high windows he took stock of muscles long over worked, hauling books, research materials, or whatever else it was her classes demanded of her. Bella for her part perked up almost immediately when she heard his answer.
"A massage I think"
Sweet African violets in the morning! Was he serious?! The thought chased joy across her features in rapid succession, seeming to amuse him greatly as a soft rumble sounded in his chest, almost tender in its lowered pitch as she turned shining eyes on him.
"Yes Mia Petite, I am quite serious. I don't think you have any grasp of what true relaxation is and I for one plan to remedy that, immediately"
Slowly Bella found herself back on her own two feet as he rose slowly from the floor, feigning old age for a moment with such blatant theatrics Bella couldn't help but laugh. Despite the fact her mind had already wandered into the realm of speculation about what those hands could do. A soft ringing sound dragged her from these thoughts; and she looked up to see Jane standing in the doorway summoned it seemed with a small hand bell which her Master now held.
"Jane be so good as to set up my table with the oils in the sun room"
"At once Master"
His will seemingly carried out he turned back to her with something like a smile tugging on his pale lips as he steepled his fingers almost in a considering fashion as he gazed on her.
"Now I think if it is to be done correctly, this should be quite a wonderful experience for you, are you willing to comply with a few requests?"
Amused and intrigued Bella nodded, happy in the knowledge she remember a few hints from Alice who had also trained as a massage therapist at one time. She was at least prepared for at least part of the preceding.
"Very well Aro, what do you require of me"
Almost with a professional air he offered a standard disclaimer form with something of a flourish, it stated in the usual fashion of such paperwork, the basic information any known health concerns that may be relevant for the massage or any medications the client may be taking. Rather amused she took the offered pen and with only a few moments work had completed the sheet and returned it to him with very little to do.
"I must go get ready, Mia Cara. Jane shall return to you in a few moments when everything is ready for you"
Thus bid adieu; he lingered over her hand that had handed him the form, brushing his lips over her knuckles in a courtly gesture before, in the blink of an eye, he was gone, leaving only his familiar scent and a tingling feeling across her left hand. A thrill went through her as Bella considered what awaited her. She had no doubt of his professional conduct, however it might have been mixed with affection. He would guard her modesty probably with more jealousy than even her father. Thus relieved of that apprehension she was free to bask in the feeling of contentment the event gave her. She doubted that anyone beyond those of the Coven had ever received such a gift and for all her best efforts could not help feeling just the slightest bit smug.
Happily she was not left in solitude for long, soon enough Jane appeared and in silence led the way down a narrow passage, into a part of the Castle, Bella had never ventured. The change in architecture was subtle yet she had a sense of history, of mortal men who had eaten, slept, and lived in these walls that did not carry to other parts of the coven’s home. It was evident in the amount of sunlight that poured into the hallways bathing the stone in a rich warm glow that soothed her nerves. A few doors more and Jane stopped.
"The Master awaits you"
Her duty completed, Jane flashed off to some amusement of her own. Leaving Bella to gather her courage, and tame her wild imagining and step over the threshold. Her jaw hit the floor. Soft music filtered into the room from a sound system sent from heaven itself. The gentle splash of a fountain lending itself to the air of tranquility and peace. The color scheme was pleasing, mellow browns, earth tones and vibrant green, with a few trees all greeted her eyes. There in the center of the room sat his table, with fresh sheets and a bathrobe for her sitting beside an oriental screen.
Slipping behind she had slid out of her clothing, perfectly aware no one would dare enter this room without permission and slid underneath the white sheet that draped over her figure, preserving modesty and settling off her pale skin in a fashion that pleased her. Settled on her stomach she happily reached out for a bell, ringing it once to give him notice that she was ready her eyes sliding closed in eager anticipation as the sound of footsteps heralded his arrival.
"Good afternoon Miss Swan, have you ever received a massage previous to today?"
His greeting was warm as if he recognized her as an old cherished friend but with the professional edge that beheld no teasing or games so accordingly she answered in kind.
"No only a little shoulder work from a friend who is also trained, I have a tendency to get tension headaches"
"Excellent, well I think we'll begin there, do you have any allergies to oils I need to be aware of?"
"No, though I have a fondness for grape seed"
Beyond that moment Bella remembered very little existing; only in a world of touch and smell for the next hour and a half. Cool hands needling into badly neglected muscles, pausing over tender points and finding places Bella didn't know held tension at all. Most wonderful for her was at some point she was able to let go of the last lingering vestiges of sadness the still lingered within her, safe in the knowledge he was unafraid of her silent tears. When completed the massage left her floating in a sea of weightless joy, completely relaxed and devoid of any true desire to do anything beyond sleep for the rest of the day.
She was quite literally putty in his hands. When the timer dinged the end of her session Bella exhaled deeply only finding one way to express her thanks as he bowed and retreated from the room after giving her gentle instructions to drink plenty of water, probably lingering still within hearing range.
"Je t'adore, Aro"
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Aro was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him – and I didn't know how potent that part might be-that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
Twilight, slightly edited -grins-
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In answer Aro only smiled gently. His expression softening as if he sensed her shift in mood, for at least the moment she was letting him in, however reluctantly and it was a gift to be acknowledged and treasured. He waited in perfect stillness until she'd relaxed completely against him, rather like a kitten who had decided at last that the person holding it was not planning anything objectionable. However it was even in this lighting, slanting down from one of the high windows he took stock of muscles long over worked, hauling books, research materials, or whatever else it was her classes demanded of her. Bella for her part perked up almost immediately when she heard his answer.
"A massage I think"
Sweet African violets in the morning! Was he serious?! The thought chased joy across her features in rapid succession, seeming to amuse him greatly as a soft rumble sounded in his chest, almost tender in its lowered pitch as she turned shining eyes on him.
"Yes Mia Petite, I am quite serious. I don't think you have any grasp of what true relaxation is and I for one plan to remedy that, immediately"
Slowly Bella found herself back on her own two feet as he rose slowly from the floor, feigning old age for a moment with such blatant theatrics Bella couldn't help but laugh. Despite the fact her mind had already wandered into the realm of speculation about what those hands could do. A soft ringing sound dragged her from these thoughts; and she looked up to see Jane standing in the doorway summoned it seemed with a small hand bell which her Master now held.
"Jane be so good as to set up my table with the oils in the sun room"
"At once Master"
His will seemingly carried out he turned back to her with something like a smile tugging on his pale lips as he steepled his fingers almost in a considering fashion as he gazed on her.
"Now I think if it is to be done correctly, this should be quite a wonderful experience for you, are you willing to comply with a few requests?"
Amused and intrigued Bella nodded, happy in the knowledge she remember a few hints from Alice who had also trained as a massage therapist at one time. She was at least prepared for at least part of the preceding.
"Very well Aro, what do you require of me"
Almost with a professional air he offered a standard disclaimer form with something of a flourish, it stated in the usual fashion of such paperwork, the basic information any known health concerns that may be relevant for the massage or any medications the client may be taking. Rather amused she took the offered pen and with only a few moments work had completed the sheet and returned it to him with very little to do.
"I must go get ready, Mia Cara. Jane shall return to you in a few moments when everything is ready for you"
Thus bid adieu; he lingered over her hand that had handed him the form, brushing his lips over her knuckles in a courtly gesture before, in the blink of an eye, he was gone, leaving only his familiar scent and a tingling feeling across her left hand. A thrill went through her as Bella considered what awaited her. She had no doubt of his professional conduct, however it might have been mixed with affection. He would guard her modesty probably with more jealousy than even her father. Thus relieved of that apprehension she was free to bask in the feeling of contentment the event gave her. She doubted that anyone beyond those of the Coven had ever received such a gift and for all her best efforts could not help feeling just the slightest bit smug.
Happily she was not left in solitude for long, soon enough Jane appeared and in silence led the way down a narrow passage, into a part of the Castle, Bella had never ventured. The change in architecture was subtle yet she had a sense of history, of mortal men who had eaten, slept, and lived in these walls that did not carry to other parts of the coven’s home. It was evident in the amount of sunlight that poured into the hallways bathing the stone in a rich warm glow that soothed her nerves. A few doors more and Jane stopped.
"The Master awaits you"
Her duty completed, Jane flashed off to some amusement of her own. Leaving Bella to gather her courage, and tame her wild imagining and step over the threshold. Her jaw hit the floor. Soft music filtered into the room from a sound system sent from heaven itself. The gentle splash of a fountain lending itself to the air of tranquility and peace. The color scheme was pleasing, mellow browns, earth tones and vibrant green, with a few trees all greeted her eyes. There in the center of the room sat his table, with fresh sheets and a bathrobe for her sitting beside an oriental screen.
Slipping behind she had slid out of her clothing, perfectly aware no one would dare enter this room without permission and slid underneath the white sheet that draped over her figure, preserving modesty and settling off her pale skin in a fashion that pleased her. Settled on her stomach she happily reached out for a bell, ringing it once to give him notice that she was ready her eyes sliding closed in eager anticipation as the sound of footsteps heralded his arrival.
"Good afternoon Miss Swan, have you ever received a massage previous to today?"
His greeting was warm as if he recognized her as an old cherished friend but with the professional edge that beheld no teasing or games so accordingly she answered in kind.
"No only a little shoulder work from a friend who is also trained, I have a tendency to get tension headaches"
"Excellent, well I think we'll begin there, do you have any allergies to oils I need to be aware of?"
"No, though I have a fondness for grape seed"
Beyond that moment Bella remembered very little existing; only in a world of touch and smell for the next hour and a half. Cool hands needling into badly neglected muscles, pausing over tender points and finding places Bella didn't know held tension at all. Most wonderful for her was at some point she was able to let go of the last lingering vestiges of sadness the still lingered within her, safe in the knowledge he was unafraid of her silent tears. When completed the massage left her floating in a sea of weightless joy, completely relaxed and devoid of any true desire to do anything beyond sleep for the rest of the day.
She was quite literally putty in his hands. When the timer dinged the end of her session Bella exhaled deeply only finding one way to express her thanks as he bowed and retreated from the room after giving her gentle instructions to drink plenty of water, probably lingering still within hearing range.
"Je t'adore, Aro"