I have two things to say, then I'll shut up and let you read.

One - S. Meyer owns it. I turned them into homosexuals, you get the picture.

Two - I fucking love you guys. That is all. Enjoy.

so that's how you found me

rain falling around me

lookin down at a worm

with a long way to go

and the traffic was hissing by

and i was homesick

and i was high

i was surrounded by a language

in which i could say only hello

and thank you very much

but you spoke so i could understand

and i drew a treasure map on your hand

Hypnotized, Ani DiFranco

One ring. Two rings. Three rings. Shit. I'm not leaving a message. I suck at leaving messages. Four rings. "Hello?" a sweet voice answers.

"Hello?" I repeat, and roll my eyes at myself. "Um, Bella?

"Alice, hi." She sounds happy to hear from me.

"Is this a good time? I didn't know if you'd be out or…"

"No, this is a great time. I've been home for a few hours, just vegging out, watching TV."

"Oh, okay. Well, um, how was your day?" I'm really struggling…already. Get your shit together.

"How was my day?" She chuckles. "It was, uh, pretty ordinary, I guess. I worked most of the day, but other than that, nothing else seems worthy of pointing out."

"Oh, uh right, yeah, uh Edward told me that you're a personal trainer. That's so funny." Ah, fuck.

"Funny?"

"No, not funny 'ha ha', but funny, like, I wouldn't have ever thought that would be your job." Oh yeah, that's better. Dumbass.

"Okay," she says slowly, "I think I can see what you're trying to say here, and as entertaining as I think it might be to listen to you flounder for a few more minutes, I'll let you off the hook." Luckily, I can hear the smile in her voice.

I take a deep breath. "Alright, thank you. I'll start over, how about that?"

"Sounds like a good plan." She is such a smartass, and it's one of my favorite things about her.

I try to regain my footing. "I bet you're an amazing personal trainer."

She laughs whole-heartedly. "Much better. I like how you think."

"Why, thank you. Just a disclaimer, before we go any further - I don't do exercise."

She laughs again. "Oh, I see, you're one of those lucky bitches who gets to eat whatever she wants, never works out, and never gains a pound?"

"Yes, I would be one of those lucky bitches. Don't be a hater," I say.

"That's an impossible request."

"I guess you'll just have to learn to love me, despite my impeccable metabolism."

Holy shit. I just told her she has to love me.

"Hmm…I'll give it my best effort. I don't do anything half-assed, you know." She's smirking, I know she is. God, that's sexy.

"I bet you don't," I say, and chuckle under my breath. I switch my phone to the other ear and hold it with my shoulder. "And you don't have to, you know, love me. What I said before, I was just joking."

I get up from the bar stool and walk to the sink, dumping my cereal bowl in the basin.

"It's okay. I know what you meant," Bella says gently and continues, "Um, Alice, would you mind terribly if go ahead and just be blunt about what I'm thinking right now?"

Uh. Gulp.

"I'm a little scared now, but no, I wouldn't mind. Go right ahead," I say confidently, even though I'm anything but. I grip the edge of the sink and bow my head, waiting for the worst.

"There's nothing to be scared of, I promise. I can't help but think that you're a little nervous or something. I'm not sure why. You seemed so much more at ease with me when I last saw you. Are you calling to tell me you're…not interested anymore?"

Is she kidding? I push off from the counter and start pacing the room.

"My God, no! No no no. I'm definitely not calling to tell you that. You told me to call you. Remember?"

"I know, but I just thought maybe…"

"No, maybe nothing. I like you - a lot. I want to see you again. Soon, really soon." I can't help but laugh at my own ridiculousness.

She lets out a long breath. "Okay, good. I was worried there for a minute. I like you a lot too, Alice. I also want to see you again too, really soon," she says and laughs.

"Are you making fun of me?"

"Yes."

"That's what I thought."

She doesn't let me off the hook, though, and continues her previous line of questioning. "Why are you so nervous, then? That is, since you're not calling to get rid of me."

"Um, I guess this is all kind of new for me, calling people."

"What do you mean? You don't ever call anyone just to chat?"

"No, not really."

"Oh. You don't have a best friend or anything like that?"

"Nope. Not unless you count Edward. He's my best girlfriend."

She laughs. "I'm sure he'd appreciate you calling him your girlfriend."

"I've called him worse; he's used to it."

"Somehow, I believe you."

"Don't get me wrong, I love him. I suppose it's easier to confide in him than try to make friends with new people." I cringe at my explanation. I sound like an anti-social freak.

"I suppose it is. But doesn't that get a little lonely?"

"Sometimes."

"We can talk about something else, if you want."

"No, it's okay. I'm trying to be more open. This is going to sound way too cheesy, but I feel like I want to tell you whatever you want to know. Just so you know, that's not normal for me."

"Is that so?" She obviously smells a prime opportunity to exploit me - another trait I adore.

"Yes, that is so," I mimic her phrasing.

"Hush. It's a fancy way to say 'oh really.'"

"I know. That's why I'm making fun of you."

"Ha ha ha," she says sarcastically. "Fine, if you're willing to tell me anything, then I propose a game of twenty questions."

"Seriously?

"Yes. Seriously," she says sarcastically. "I think you're full of it, so I'm calling your bluff."

"I'm very competitive," I warn.

"So am I," she retorts.

"Alright, shoot." I'm extremely nervous, but I can't let it show. She could ask me anything, and I can't let her win by not answering. That would just be…wrong.

"First question: did you have a security blanket or a stuffed animal when you were a child?"

Or maybe I can let her win.

"Pass."

She laughs loudly. "You can't pass! There's no passing in twenty questions! Unless you're caving on the first question," she says slyly.

"No way," I say, pausing to think about the repercussions of my admission. Crap. "Fine! Yes, I did."

"Elaborate please."

I roll my eyes, because I knew my answer wouldn't suffice. Quickly and quietly, I mumble, "It was a doll named 'Jelly Belly' that smelled like grape jelly."

I think I hear her stumble and drop the phone, and there's hysterical laughter in the background. "Hello?" I ask, pretending to be annoyed.

"I'm sorry." She sounds as if she's out of breath, and I hear the receiver grazing against something. "Oh, that was good. I did not expect that at all."

"Yeah, yeah. Next question," I grumble, feigning impatience.

She clears her throat, obviously composing herself. "No, now it's your turn. Ask me anything, anything at all."

I take a deep breath. This could be good. "Um, tell me this: what were you thinking when you first saw me, you know, in the bar?"

"Well, you're just diving right in, aren't you? Hmm, that is a very good question. I don't know if I should answer it, though. It might give you the upper hand here."

I respond immediately, "Oh, now you have to tell me."

She laughs. "Alright, alright. Honestly, my first thought was that I'm a flipping idiot, and I should be more careful. I need to watch where I'm going and stop running into people."

I love that she can make fun of herself. "Right, right. Because you almost knocked the wind out of me. I remember."

"How could you possibly forget? I thought for sure you were going to yell at me; the look on your face was not one of understanding," she points out.

"You noticed that, huh? Yeah, I was a little pissed at first. That was only because it's usually some muscle-head who can't even see me standing there due to his large obtrusive neck."

I love trying to making her laugh. I'm loving just about everything, aren't I?

"You are pretty tiny," she agrees. "I can see that happening to you in a bar full of dudes."

"Dudes?"

"What? Yes, I say dudes. Move on," she demands, giggling.

What a dork.

"Alright, now tell me the second thing you thought. Unless you're giving up already," I say, hoping to goad her into answering the question honestly.

"Fine, fine. You got me," she says, and then quietly continues. "I don't remember thinking anything. I just knew that there was absolutely no way in hell I was letting you out of my sight without first finding out what it felt like to kiss you."

I didn't realize I was holding my breath, and at the end her confession, I let it out in a rush. My heart is in my throat and my entire body is on fire at the mention of her kissing me. In a whisper, bravely, I ask, "What did that kiss feel like?" At this moment, my whole world depends on her answer. It's shallow and pathetic, but it's true.

"Tsk tsk tsk, it's my turn now," she answers huskily.

"You're killing me, Bella. Absolutely killing me."

"I know," she says with a smirk in her voice.

"Please stop torturing me and ask your damn question," I say with a desperate laugh.

"What did the kiss feel like for you?" She sounds shy and unsure, I just don't understand why.

"It felt like I'd been longing for that kiss my whole life, and I'd finally gotten it. It felt like I couldn't get close enough to you, even if I stepped inside your body. I couldn't ever be close enough."

After my long hesitation, Bella continues. "Alice…"

"I'm sorry." Quickly, I try to recover. "Was that too much?"

She takes a deep breath. "Definitely not. What you said was beautiful. I don't know what to say."

Great. Well, let's just get it over with then.

"It's okay," I say. "I understand. I didn't think it was right to feel like this so quickly. You probably think I'm a crazy stalker now. I'm really sorry…"

"Shut up, Alice," she interrupts my tangent.

"What?"

"I said, shut up. Close your mouth and listen to me."

"Okay, shutting up."

"Listen, flirting with you is a lot of fun, and messing with your head is even more fun, but I can tell that you're really nervous about this…um, situation. I understand that. So I'm going to cut to the chase. I like you. A fucking lot. Like, I can't stop thinking about you. I can still feel your kiss on my lips and your hands on my body. To be completely honest, I want to feel all those things again, many times over. So, in a nutshell, that's how I feel about you. I don't think you're a crazy stalker. Stalk me, if you want. I won't protest."

Picking my mouth up off the floor and trying to steady my heartbeat must have taken up most of my brain function, because I cannot form any words.

"Hello?" she asks timidly.

"Shit, yes. I'm here. I'm sorry. I'm in shock, I think."

"You're in shock because I was honest with you?"

"No, I can recognize that you're an honest person. It's the fact that you feel the same way I do. That's what's shocking me."

"Why?"

"Because, I don't deserve you."

"Oh? And why not?"

"I just don't."

"You're not going to tell me why?"

"Not tonight," I say firmly.

"Okay, not tonight," she concedes. "Another time?"

"Yes, another time."

"What are you doing right now?" she asks.

"Um, talking to you on the phone?"

"Duh. I know that." She's definitely rolling her eyes at me. "What I mean is, what were you doing before I called?"

"Uh, I'm hanging out in my dark kitchen, pacing the length of it like a caged animal."

"Alright, that's odd. Um, would it be too forward of me to ask you to come over?"

Uh, hell no, that's not forward, and yes please!

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Yes."

We are ridiculous.

"Do you want my address...or have you already started the stalking?"

"Sorry to disappoint, but no, I haven't had time for stalking. I've been busy lately," I say suggestively.

"Uh, huh. I bet. Well, come on over. I can keep you busy here, too."

Her tone and the implication of her words have my insides twitching with desire. I really hope she lets me fuck her.

I should have been born a man.

"You don't need to ask me twice. You want to text me your address?"

"Will do, as soon as we hang up. Are you…coming over right now?" she asks shyly.

"Is that what you want?"

Please say yes.

"That's what I want."

That's the same as yes. Score!

"Then I'll be right over."

"Okay, then I guess this is goodbye for now, but can we finish our game when you get here?"

"Yes, of course. I can't let you win." My smile is ridiculously wide; I must look like a lunatic.

"Good. I'll see you soon. Bye," she says quietly.

"Bye, Bella."

I hang up. Oh. My. God. I shake my head and look at the floor, expecting it to open up and swallow me whole. That would make more sense than the utter happiness and elation that I'm feeling. I snap myself out of the post-phone call haze. A few seconds later, my phone beeps. It's Bella's text.

420 W Ontario, Unit 7. Use the call box.

And hurry up. -B

I smile at her bossiness and respond in kind.

Got it. Keep your pants on, I'll be there as fast as I can.

On second thought, lose the pants. -A

I'm not so worried about scaring her away anymore, not after her confession. My phone beeps again.

Naughty girl. If you stop texting me, you WOULD be here faster.

And then you can see for yourself about the pants. -B

Ungh. Yes. I mean, no. No pants. I will pray for no pants the entire way there.

One last text, and then I'll stop.

Taking a cab. ;-) -A

Seconds later, another response.

Make sure u ask for a fast one. -B

Okay. This is definitely the last one.

Done. See you in a few minutes. -A

I wait, tapping my fingers incessantly on the counter top. No more messages.

I race down the hallway into my room, stripping out of my pajamas. I glance at the clock, see that it's almost midnight, and wonder where the hell Edward is. The library closed two hours ago. I'll call him from the cab. Oh! The cab, right. I grab my phone, and get the cab company on the line in seconds. It's always a pain in the ass getting them to come out here, especially this late at night.

The cab is ordered, and I've got twenty minutes to get ready.

I throw on gray cargo pants, a white t-shirt, and a black hoodie. After brushing my teeth, washing my face, and running a hand through my hair, I'm ready to go with eleven minutes to spare. Okay, maybe I'm a little too fast. Or too eager. I decide to try calling Edward while I wait.

He picks up on the first ring. "Hello?" he yells into the phone. Wherever he is, it's fucking loud. I can hear the bang and clatter of drums, heavy bass and a saxophone overshadowing the chatter of several different people. Is he in a bar?

"Where the hell are you?" I yell back.

"Uh, I'm out."

"You're out? What the hell does that mean?" We continue to yell back and forth.

"I'm out, ya know, with a friend."

"Okay, why are you being weird? Where the fuck are you, Edward?"

"I'm at Kingston Mines. With Jasper, err, well, I mean, I'm watching him. He's performing tonight."

"You liar! You said you were going to study. Why did you lie to me? I would have come with you!" What a dick.

"No, listen. I did study. Then I came here. He'll be here for a few hours. Hours, Alice. Are you catching my drift here?"

Right. He'll be gone. Bella will be home alone.

"How did you know I was planning to go over there?" I ask suspiciously.

"Jasper. Bella called him," he explains.

"Okay, well, this worked out quite conveniently." I shake my head to try to make sense of the turn of events.

"Alice, don't question why, just go over there and see her. I'll keep Jasper busy for awhile. Alright?"

"Why are you so good to me?"

He laughs. "Because you're my midget. Now go. Have fun with Bella."

"Alright. I love you, freak."

"Love you too. Don't wait up," he says in a sing song voice.

"Yeah, you either," I say, and laugh.

We say our final goodbyes, and I hang up.

Approximately twenty minutes later, I'm being dropped off in front of Bella's building. My hands are sweaty and my mouth is dry. I need to get a grip. This isn't a blind date. We've seen each other naked, for god's sake. I try to shake off my nervousness and walk up to the gate surrounding a large red brick townhouse. It's swanky. I can see why Jasper thought we lived in a warehouse fit for mobsters. I dial the number for Bella's unit on the call box, the buzzer sounds and the gate clicks open. I find my way to her door; the hallway is quiet, and I can hear the muffled sounds of a television from one of the other units. It's dimly lit, which bothers me. Someone needs to put in brighter bulbs; she shouldn't be walking around in dark hallways in the middle of the night. What if someone were to attack her? I make a mental note to bring this to her attention.

Then, I realize how insane I sound and decide against it.

I take a deep breath and knock. As my fist hits the door the second time, it swings open and she's there. She looks beautiful. Instantly my nervousness subsides and is replaced with butterflies, the good kind. I don't know how long we stand at the door staring at each other, but she's biting her lip and looking at me from under her lashes, a coy smile playing on her face.

"You just gonna stand there and ogle me all night? Or are you going to come inside?" she asks.

Shaking my head at her smartass comment, I cross the threshold, passing by her. On the sly, at least I hope it is, I inhale her scent. Jesus, I love her smell. I stand there awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck while she closes and locks the door behind her.

"Hi there," she says sweetly, walking towards me and grabbing my hand.

"Hi. You look really nice. And you smell good." I groan internally. Do I have no filter at all around her? Or does her proximity just turn my brain to mush? Probably both.

She smiles widely. "Well, thank you for all the compliments. They're not really necessary, though," she says, and moves closer to me, squeezing my hands with her own. I squeeze them back in return, reassuring her - for what I don't know. We stare at each other, neither knowing what the other expects, not wanting to overstep our boundaries. I put a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, and she leans into my touch. I can't help but grin like an idiot. I break eye contact first, looking over her shoulder to survey the rest of the place, at least what I can see from where I'm standing. She laughs quietly at my nosiness. There are warm colors everywhere - burnt oranges, light browns and greens, and lots and lots of candles. In this small space, there's a little brown table with a picture of Bella and Jasper wearing caps and gowns at what looks to be their high school graduation. The rest of the house is quiet, but not eerily so. It smells like Bella in here. There are shoes strewn about the foyer, purses on hooks, hats, and scarves hanging from the door knob of a closet. I did not expect her to be so messy. I have a sudden urge to pick all these things up and put them in their rightful places, but I can put a lid on my obsessiveness. It's easy to be distracted when she's wrapping her arms around my neck and kissing under my jaw.

I can't help but whimper when she kisses the spot right below my ear. I whisper, "Is it insane for me to say I missed you?"

"Not at all. I missed you too," she whispers back. I let go of her hands and use them to bring her face closer to mine, and I kiss her, long, hard and desperately. She moans into my mouth, and my body ignites at the sound. We both fumble with the zipper of my hoodie, trying to get the fucking thing unzipped. Maybe two pairs of hands aren't necessary. I laugh into our kiss and the moment is, at least I hope, temporarily broken.

"Let me try," I say, and easily slide the zipper down. I shrug it off, and she takes it from me, hanging it on the coat rack. I can't help myself. "You're messy," I tease. Seriously, though.

I get a full force bitch brow out of her. "Oh, really? Well, welcome to my house, where I'm allowed to be as messy as I want to be. Smartass. You know they have pills for those kind of mental issues," she says as she points to my forehead.

There's no way to hide my smile. I grab her hand as she tries to walk away, and I pull her back to me, wrapping my arms securely around her waist so that there's no way for her to get away. I dive right in, running my nose along the path of her collarbone. "Sorry, I'll keep my mouth shut now," I mumble into her chest.

"Good, because I have better plans for your mouth, which are more productive than talking shit," she says, and leaves an open mouthed kiss on my neck. Oh, holy hell.

"Bella, if you keep doing that, we're never going to make it out of this foyer," I say breathily, my eyes closed.

"Right," she says, and looks up at me. "Come on. Let's move into the living room." She nods her head in the direction of the living area, and I follow, still holding her hand. She leads me to the couch, asks me to sit down, and offers me a drink. I ask for a glass of water and she leaves to get it.

The couch is salmon-colored with a white flower pattern and comfortable as hell. I take it all in - the muted lighting, the knick knacks and picture frames on almost every surface. There are several different kinds of flowers in mismatched vases placed randomly around the room. It's warm and inviting. All I can think is that this place is lived in, and she and Jasper have only been here a short time. The atmosphere is so comforting, a lot like she is. I could stay here forever. The thought that Bella probably took over the decorating duties, leaving Jasper to live in a "girlie" house, makes me laugh to myself.

"Something funny?"

I startle and look up at her. "Oh, no. Uh, not really. I was just thinking that Jasper probably had no say in the color scheme or the decor choices."

Her smile fades and her voice quiets, "Um, well, no, he didn't actually. It was all me. So, yeah." She screws her mouth up, and I jump from my seat, immediately trying to rectify the situation.

"No! No! I didn't mean that I didn't like it. I swear." I try to convince her. "I love it. Everything about it reminds me of a home, a nice comfortable home, with lots of…comfort…and things…" I trail off and shake my head at my idiocy. I open my mouth, trying to untangle the mess I've made, and I see that she's covered her mouth with her hand. "Bella, I'm really sorry, I didn't mean…"

"Gotcha!" she yells with a wide eyes and an ecstatic smile. That little shit.

"Gotcha?" I ask snidely. I raise an eyebrow as I stalk towards her. She moves one step back for every step I take toward her. "So you think that's funny, to make me believe that I've hurt your feelings and made you cry? Huh?" I ask, not expecting an answer.

"Um, actually, yes." She straightens her back and lifts her head up proudly. "It was quite funny to see you flounder. You're cute when you don't know what to say." Her facial expression is so clear. She was only trying to rile me up, and I'm going to let her. Her teasing, even at my expense, turns me on so much, and boy, do I love teasing her back.

"I'm glad I amuse you." I've backed her up against the wall that leads into a hallway, where I assume the bedrooms must be. "I must tell you, I'm a little disappointed. You only think I'm cute?" I say with a pout.

She tilts her head to the side, reaching out and tracing my jaw with her index finger. "No way. You are cute, but you are also very, very sexy. Your skin is beautiful, your eyes are vivid and mesmerizing, and the feel of your body next to mine lights me on fire. So no, I don't think you're only cute."

Our breaths are becoming ragged, and her eyes are smoldering. I take the each of her wrists into my hands and hold her arms up above her head. I secure them both with my left hand, so that my right can…roam. She's writhing beneath me and half-heartedly tries to break free of my grip. I haven't kissed her. I haven't touched any part of her body except for her bound wrists. I press my body into hers just to feel the heat.

She whispers into my ear, "Please. Please fuck me."

Her warm breath and her dirty words send bolts of electricity down my spine and directly between my legs. I feel as if I'll explode from a single touch. I let her know that I've heard her and that I have absolutely no problem with her request by kissing her soft, plump lips. Our tongues mingle and caress, and my free hand finds its way between her legs; I can feel the wetness and the heat seeping through her pants. She moans at the contact, and I break the kiss. Whispering against her forehead, I say, "Since you said please…"

She nods her head in agreement and leans forward, trying to make contact with my lips. I don't deny her and press myself further into her, my fingers drawing imaginary circles around her clit. She's whimpering and jutting her hips into my own, looking for more friction. I could tease her all night, but I don't want to wait that long to feel her either. "Do you want me to fuck you against this wall? Or do you want to show me where your bedroom is?"

"Right here. Fuck me right here. Please," she begs.

I let go of her wrists and immediately her hands are in my hair, tugging at the strands. Her mouth is on my neck, leaving a trail of wet kisses that make me shiver. I press my fingers against her, harder this time.

"Uhhh," she moans, and her hands make quick work of the snap on her pants. She quickly pushes them off her hips, leaving them pooled around her bare feet. We kiss and nip and lick and suck. My hands are all over her. I slide one hand beneath her panties and grab her bare ass, pulling her towards me, as close as I can get her.

"All of it, take it all off," I say against her mouth. Easily, she complies, bending slightly, but never breaking contact, to push her panties down her legs and kick everything off completely. I stand back, taking in the sight before me. Beautiful. This fucking sexy woman, standing only in a tight gray t-shirt, her hair disheveled, chest heaving, with a bare pussy and legs spread wide, is the prettiest thing I've ever seen.

"I want to feel you," she says. She takes my shirt off and throws it to the floor. I caress her nipples through her shirt, and she moans loudly, throwing her head back and hitting it gently against the wall. She wraps her arms around me, and the feeling of her hands on my bare back is divine. I can't hold off any longer, my hand quickly makes its way back between her legs, and I simply feel her. She's wet and hot.

"Oh, god, that feels so good. I love feeling your hands on me," she says.

I slide my hand further along and find her center, teasing her with the tip of one finger. "What about this? Do you love how this feels?"

"Ungh, yes!" she cries out.

I slide one finger in, just a little further. "And this? Do you still love it?"

"Uh huh. Alice, please…"

I slowly pump one finger in and out of her, gradually adding another until there are three of my fingers inside her. Her hands are flat against the wall, trying to steady her.

"Is this what you want, baby?"

"Yes, I want it. Oh, oh, please, harder. Fuck me harder," she begs again.

I obey and pound into her repeatedly. She yells out when I curl my fingers upward and massage her g-spot each time I move back and forth inside her. Her breaths are loud and raspy. Her body is rigid and her muscles are tightening around my fingers. She's so close, and now I'll send her over the edge. A few more quick thrusts, and I drop to my knees, pulling her leg over my shoulder, and bury my face in her pussy.

"Oh shit!" she cries, and slaps her hand against the wall.

I flick the engorged flesh of her clit with my tongue over and over. She pushes her hips in my direction and puts her hands in my hair, guiding my tongue back and forth over the sensitive skin.

"I'm gonna come. So hard," she murmurs the words between breaths. I feel her leg tighten around my back and her hands pull even harder on my hair. Her whole body tenses, and then she screams, "Mother fuck!" Her orgasm peaks and shakes her entire form. She leans back against the wall and goes limp above me. Removing her leg from around my shoulder, I stand up. I wrap my arm around her waist to help support her. She has the most serene smile on her face; it takes everything I have not to laugh at how silly and blissed out she looks.

"Come on," I tell her. "Let's go lie down. You look like you're going to pass out," I say, and laugh quietly.

"No, no, I'm not ready to pass out yet. I'm just really, really happy." She sounds drunk.

"Okay, I understand sweetheart, but you're walking around on jelly-legs here, and I want to get you to bed, so you can lie down. Alright?"

"You're coming with me, right?" she asks, leaning on me as we walk down the hall to her room.

"Unless you kick me out."

"Never," she says, and wraps an arm around my waist.

Once I've got her lying in bed, under the softest blankets I've ever encountered, I shed the rest of my clothing and crawl in beside her. She watches my every move, and when I'm finally next to her, she wraps her arms around me and holds me tight. We're both completely naked now and pressed up against each other, face-to-face. The room is quiet, dark, and still. The only sounds are the rustling of sheets as we move in time with one another, her hands exploring me, my hands exploring her. I pull her closer to me, and it's still not enough. Our breasts are firm against one another; our lips and tongues refuse to be separated. I run my hand along her torso, down to her ass, and pull her hips toward mine. I cup the back of her knee and hitch it over my thigh. She gasps at the movement. My heart is fluttering in my chest like a hummingbird, and it's not lost on me that I feel this way each time I'm with her like this.

Her hand slips between our bodies until she's reached the apex of my thighs. I finally break the kiss to catch my breath and see that she's silently asking me to open myself up for her. I lick my swollen, chaffed lips and nod slightly. She moves her knee between my legs to create a barrier, and before another moment passes, her fingers are inside me. My back arches, and I cannot contain the groan that bubbles up in my chest.

"Oh god," I whisper with my eyes closed, reveling in the feeling of her warm fingers inside me.

"Baby, I love how you feel. I love watching you, knowing I'm doing this to you," she says.

The idea that she's watching me, writhing next to her, moaning in pleasure, turns me on even more.

"I'm so close. Please don't stop."

"You know I won't. I just want it to be my fingers and my lips that make you moan," she says.

Oh, Jesus fuck.

I realize in that moment that I need to touch her, that I want the same for her. As she pumps her fingers inside me at a slow and steady pace, I snake my arm between us and mimic her position. She nuzzles my neck and leaves a trail of wet kisses down to my collarbone. As I slide my hand towards her center, she whimpers and pushes herself towards me. Without a word, I slip two fingers inside her. She moans loudly, deep from her belly. She's soaked, hot, slick, and ready. It won't be long until she's coming again around my fingers.

Our bodies are joined in the only way that we can be. We writhe together, pant, moan and beg for more. Together. My heart clenches when I realize I'm not fucking her. This is love. We are making love. The idea is staggering. I've had my head bowed and buried in the crook of her neck, but now I need to kiss her - to feel her lips on mine. I want to taste her on my tongue as we come together. I bring my mouth to hers, and she devours me. We cannot get enough of one another.

Bella's fingers take on a more rapid pace as I feel her walls tighten around my own fingers. She's on the verge, and I'm following her. I speed up my ministrations and we're both cursing and moaning, pushing our bodies so far that we've reached the top of the bed and can't move any farther. I flick her clit with my thumb and she cries out. She bends her head down to my shoulder, and kisses me, but her orgasm begins to crest and she bites down. The mixture of pleasure and pain causes my own climax, and we reach the pinnacle simultaneously, crying out in ecstasy.

With a heaving chest, I remove my fingers from inside of her and she does the same. I don't care that I have her cum all over my hand; I just want to hold her, so, I do. I squeeze her body as close to mine as possible, and she takes a deep breath.

"God, Alice. That was…just…amazing," she says as she lays her head on my chest.

"I agree," I respond. "Amazing." I want to tell her that I've never made love before, but something keeps me from saying so. Instead, I run my fingers through her hair and enjoy the blissful moment.

"Can we still finish our game?" I can't believe she remembered that.

"I suppose, but are you sure you're up for answering questions? You kind of sound like a zombie."

She playfully smacks my chest and says, "I do not. I'm just sleepy. You should not tell girls that they sound like scary science fiction creatures that eat brains unless you plan on never getting laid again."

"Wow. Alright. Maybe you're also delirious."

"Maybe. It's hard to say right now, and stop stalling. Whose turn was it? Mine or yours?"

"Um, I don't remember, honestly. How about I ask you a question?"

"Okay," she says, and yawns. "Let's hear it."

I yawn as well. "Don't do that. Now I'm yawning."

She snuggles further into me and laughs. "Sorry. It's contagious."

"Let's go for one question each. You're going to pass out on me soon." I take advantage of her proximity and rub my hand along her bare back. "What's your favorite movie?"

"Oh, that's so easy. Definitely Paris, Je T'aime."

"Shut up!"

"What? Why?" she says, bewildered.

"You do not love Paris, Je T'aime."

"Yes, I do!" she says defiantly, and sits up, propping herself on her elbows. "It's one of my all time favorite movies. If you classify it as a movie and not a compilation of short films." She's very serious right now. How adorable.

"I'm completely blown away. You love craft beers, you're sexy as hell, you give me amazing orgasms, and you love my favorite movie. You're not real."

She laughs and kisses my lips. "I assure you, I'm very real. You'll find over time that I'm extremely awesome. It's a little overwhelming at first, but you'll get used to it."

"It'll be tough, but I think I can manage," I say, pulling her back down to lie on my chest. "Your turn."

"I can't think…"

"At all?"

"Pretty much."

"Not even one little thing?"

"Um, I guess I do have one question. You want to stay, right?"

"I'm sorry, can you repeat that? And not into my boobs."

"Ha ha. Very funny. I said, you're going to stay the night, right? You're not going to fuck me, then leave me?" I can sense that she's covering up her vulnerability with humor, but I really don't want her to think I only fucked her.

I pull her chin up with my finger, so that I can look into her eyes, even though I can't see shit in here. "Listen to me. I'm not leaving. I didn't fuck you. What we just did was more than that, and you know it. Of course I'll stay. Okay?"

She says, simply, "Okay."

I place a soft kiss on the top of her head. "Sleep now?" I ask.

"God, yes," she says with exasperation

I laugh at her dramatics. "Alright, then. Sweet dreams."

"Sweet dreams."

It takes only a few moments before her breathing evens out and she's drifted off. I, on the other hand, am not so lucky. My mind races with the possibilities of falling in love for the first time. I knew I was never in love with Tanya, even though I wanted it to be that way. She wasn't the one. But Bella, she could definitely be the one.

I lie there for over an hour at least, until I can no longer take the dark silence of the room and the swimming thoughts in my brain. Gently, I push Bella off of me and onto her back. I search around the room, grabbing my boxers and t-shirt. I slowly open up her bedroom door and creep down the hallway, trying my best not to wake Jasper, who might be home now. I find my way into the kitchen and step into the completely pitch black unfamiliar room. Great, I'm definitely going to break something. I tiptoe across the hardwood floors, because that seems stealthier, and over to the sliver of light coming from the refrigerator. I'll just peek in, grab a drink, and head back to the bedroom. I open the refrigerator door, and as if I'd tripped a silent alarm, the kitchen lights flicker on. I gasp and turn around to find Jasper leaning in the entryway with a smug smile on his face.

"Well, hello there, Miss Alice," he says, and nods his head.

"Oh my God! You fucking scared the shit out of me!" I yell back at him.

He chuckles and puts his hands up in defense. "I'm sorry, darlin'. I didn't mean to scare you. Just figured it'd be easier for you to find what you were looking for with the lights on."

"Well, yes. You're probably right, but I almost had a heart attack," I say as I clutch my chest, feeling my racing heart beneath.

"Did you find it? What you were searching for?"

"Oh. No, I was, uh, just looking for something to drink. Water or whatever."

"Let me get it for you," he says as he crosses the room. I suddenly realize I'm not wearing pants. I'm not at all embarrassed, so I just ignore it. I'm sure he's seen a girl's legs before.

He grabs a bottle of water from the refrigerator and motions for me to sit down at a little bistro-style table, pulling out a chair. "Please, sit."

I smile and sit down. He turns his chair around and straddles it.

"This is a really beautiful kitchen," I say lamely. Great, Alice. I'm sure he wants to discuss countertops and cabinetry.

"Thanks, though I can't take any credit. That was all Bella. She's really good at all that stuff," he says with a genuine smile.

"Yeah, she said that she decorated most of the place. I love it, honestly. It's so homey."

"Well, I think that was the idea, so she'll be happy to hear that."

"Yep," I say, and nod my head. I've got nothing. It's late, I just had sex with his sister, and I'm at a loss for conversation topics.

"So, Alice, can I ask you a personal question?"

My heart pounds in my chest and the anxiety bubbles in my stomach. "Yes, okay," I say nervously. I swallow, and it's difficult.

"Are you and Edward the same Cullens whose parents died in that school shooting in Lake Geneva a few years ago?"

Fuck.

A/N:

Uh oh! Jasper's been Googling, hasn't he? We'll seeeeee. Duh Duh Duh!

Why do I feel like I'm accepting an Oscar at the end of each chapter? Good thing I have a speech prepared. Let me just pull it out of my suit pocket here...

Ahem... ENORMO-HUGE-GIGANTIC HUGS (and thanks) to:

vixnixx, messybar, kaylathecullen, boniver115 and jointgifts

I lurve you long time.

XOXO forever

See you guys next time! Maybe I'll bring cookies if you press that button down there. ;-)

P.S.

Go to agirlreckoning(dot)blogspot(dot)com for fun times (and smexy pics)!