Set early in Eclipse
Emmett’s POV
Bella stood at our kitchen counter, pouring herself a drink of juice, her back to the door. I slowly crept closer to the kitchen doorway and carefully peeked around at her.
Her heartbeat was relaxed and normal. Hmmm. She hadn’t heard me.
Carefully I pressed my foot harder on the hardwood floor, forcing a creak from the floorboards.
She stiffened slightly and her heartbeat picked up. Excellent. She heard me now. Pouncing Bella was definitely one of my new favorite games – her blush, her startled scream, her hammering heart was all very funny! And it was more fun if she knew it was coming. I swear, half the fun was her angry reaction. I’d never been yelled at by a human before; people were usually intimidated by my size and muscle. Not Bella. Edward called her his ‘tiger kitten.’ He wasn’t wrong; it was a very apt description of her. Watching Bella tell me off was hysterical.I crouched, already savoring my impending ‘attack.’ This was going to be good!
From his position on the couch, Edward turned slightly towards me, obviously ‘listening’ to be sure I was in control. “Emmett, if you hurt her, I will happily rip both your arms off and shove them down your throat,” he growled quietly in a voice too low for Bella to hear.
He knew I was just joking around, but I also knew that if I slipped up and even bruised her, he would gladly follow through on his threat. Don’t worry, bro, I won’t hurt her. I just want to have a little fun, I reassured him silently.
Smiling slightly and shaking his head, he turned back to the video game he and Jasper were playing. “Someday she’ll get you back, Emmett. You’re making a real pest of yourself,” he warned me quietly.
I snorted silently. As if.Turning my attention back to Bella, I crept around the doorframe. I started to cross the kitchen’s tiled floor, closing the distance between us, this time taking care to move silently. My muscles tensed as I prepared to pounce.
Suddenly, without turning, Bella called up to the third floor. “Esss-meeee,” she dragged the name out into a prolonged whine.
“Yes, Bella?” Esme called back down, clearly confused.
“Emmett’s stalking me again,” she whined, managing to sound a lot like a six-year-old.
Behind me, my brothers burst into laughter.
“EMMETT McCARTY CULLEN! Stop teasing your little sister this instant!”
Bella whirled around to face me. Her eyes shone with triumph for having blocked my attack this time.
“Yes Mom.” I made my voice sound contrite while shooting Bella a look of mock outrage. “I’ll get you back for squealing,” I told her silently with my eyes.
Bella stuck her tongue out at me and, grabbing her drink, ran back towards the living room. As she passed me, I growled and pretended to grab for her and miss. She ran giggling back to the couch and snuggled next to Edward for safety.
“Phew,” she breathed, speaking to Edward. “Getting a drink around here is as dangerous as the watering hole is for antelope on the Serengeti.”
Edward chuckled and pulled her close. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe from the lion.”
“That’s ok, Bella.” I told her as I sauntered back into the living room. “Drink up. You’ll need the washroom eventually. And Edward can’t follow you there.” And I flashed her my evilest grin.
