Chapter 7:
When I awoke, the first fact I registered was that it was dawn. The next facts that emerged from the fog of my still half-asleep mind were that I was still in Edward's bed, wearing nothing but a pair of cotton panties and that he was beside me, propped up against the pillows. He was holding me close against him. I could feel the firm coolness of his chest against the bare skin of my back and a gentle smile curved my lips as I remembered all that had passed between us last night...Last night... Why was there something bothering me about the memory? Last night...
"Crap!" Realisation had set in. "Edward, what time is it?!?" I sat up, pushing the duvet away from me, and turned to face my fiancé. Edward was wearing only a bashful expression and a pair of boxer briefs – a sight that provoked all kinds of delightful feelings in me, yet I did not have the luxury of revelling in the sight at present.
"About five-thirty," Edward said ruefully. "I know, I should..."
"You should have woken me up, yes!" I snapped. Charlie would not be impressed that my afternoon with Alice had turned into an impromptu sleepover at Chez Cullen. I suspected that Charlie saw through the pretence of my frequent girly sleepovers with Alice, but he was happy to go along with the idea, and so was I. If I had called him to ask for permission, it would have been one thing, but now... Never before had I just not come home. Would he be worried, or just angry with me?
"Bella, love, I'm sorry," Edward said, reaching to pull me back into his arms. I thought about struggling for about a millisecond before I surrendered to the urge to sink into his waiting arms.
"Why didn't you wake me?" I grumbled, even as I nestled into the crook of Edward's arm.
Edward sighed. "You looked so peaceful, my love. And you slept so soundly."
"Of course I did. You were here beside me. I always sleep better when you're next to me," I replied, trying to keep some irritation evident in my voice. It was a struggle. How did this man have such power over me that it was near-impossible to remain annoyed with him?
Edward stroked the line of my cheekbone with the back of his fingers. "You needed the rest, Bella. Yesterday was... eventful."
"I'll say," I murmured. "I'm going to be in so much trouble, though..."
Edward shook his head. "No, Bella, you won't be. The fault was all mine, and I will of course explain that to your father. Charlie will understand."
I doubted that.
Edward could see the disbelief written clearly across my face. "Trust me, Bella," he said. "It will be fine. Besides, it's not like we have anything to be ashamed of. We are an engaged couple in love who were spending time together. Following a busy day, you merely fell asleep; that's hardly a hanging offence, my love."
I shook my head. "I doubt Charlie will see it that way, Edward. Besides, your account is just a bit too innocent. From what I remember, I only fell asleep from sheer exhaustion after you spent several hours pleasuring me more than I ever believed it was possible for one person to be pleasured! It's not like I fell asleep whilst watching a movie, Edward!"
Edward chuckled. "And what of it? Bella, if you really want to share all that with Charlie, then be my guest, but I don't think he's ready to hear about me pleasuring you."
His melodious voice never failed to attract me – and now, as he spoke in a low, sultry tone about pleasuring me, I wanted nothing more than to pounce on Edward and recommence from where events had left off the night before.
Focus, Bella! You're supposed to be annoyed, remember?
"Ugh! Shut up, Edward," I grumbled, turning to hide my face against his chest.
I didn't need to look at Edward to know that he was smirking. "You should get some more rest," he said after a few moments. "It is still very early."
"True," I murmured. I was still tired. But then again, if I was going to get into trouble with Charlie for staying out, I figured I may as well make the most of the opportunity to spend this time with Edward. After all, we were both nearly naked...
I began to kiss Edward's neck, my lips fervent as I moved closer to him.
"Bella..." Edward pleaded with a groan, even as his hands reached to caress my curves. "You need to sleep!"
"Who are you trying to convince, Edward? Me, or yourself?" I said, kissing along his collarbone.
"You, silly girl," he said gruffly. His posture was tense, but I was certain that he wanted to replicate the previous night's events just as much as I did.
"Please, Edward?" I murmured softly. My lips never left his skin as I spoke. "I can't go back to sleep when I feel like this."
"Why? How do you feel, Bella?" Edward asked suddenly, his interest obvious from his tone of voice.
I smirked. "I feel like I want to touch you again, Edward, and like I need you to do the same to me."
Edward groaned once more, before pushing me back onto the soft pillows and leaning over to press his lips to mine again...
*****
Some time later, I heard noises from downstairs. The other Cullens had returned from their impromptu hunting trip. I sighed, and reluctantly sat up. I would have been perfectly content to spend the rest of the day in Edward's bed, continuing our exploration of each other's bodies, but the sounds of Edward's family moving downstairs reminded me that I had a home of my own to go to – not to mention a father who would no doubt be loading and prepping his shotgun by this stage.
I twisted to face Edward. He was lying back against the pillows, his head resting on his arms which were crossed behind his head. He was smiling – obviously he was as pleased by our newfound intimacy as I was. I saw how his chest was rising and falling in time with his slow, steady breathing as I allowed my eyes to drift lower to where the 'v' of his hips dipped into his underwear. Having felt Edward, I was dying to see him laid completely bare before me, but I didn't think we were ready for that quite yet. Besides... if I was to see Edward totally naked, I don't think I could stop myself from taking things all the way, wedding or no wedding!
"Time to go?" he asked, reluctance written all over his face.
"Time to go," I agreed. I clambered out of bed and started looking around for my clothes. Edward didn't move from his position on the bed, seeming quite content to watch my undignified struggle to get into my jeans and fasten them one-handed. Finding my bra on the floor some meters away from the bed, I smiled. This would be a feat beyond my capabilities at present.
"Edward, I need your help," I said sweetly.
In the space of a heartbeat, Edward was standing at my side. He reached out and took my bra from my hands. He moved to stand behind me, and reached around me to hold the delicate item of clothing out in front of me. I felt myself growing aroused at the mere sensation of Edward standing so close to me, and I was tempted to lean back against his strong body, but knew that if I did so, my resolution to get home quickly would be forgotten. I extended my arms through the straps of the bra, and Edward deftly moved the bra up my arms to cover me. As he adjusted the cups of the bra, Edward's cool hands briefly cupped my breasts – causing me to shudder with desire. I never realised that being dressed by someone could be so erotic. Does he have any idea of the effect he has on me?
Edward brushed my hair to the side, then nimbly secured the fastening at the back of my bra and placed a light kiss at the base of my neck. I twisted around in his arms to smile up at him. I couldn't believe how far we had come.
"Time to get you home," Edward said, his voice heavy with regret, reaching down to grab my top from where it lay on the floor at his feet.
"I guess so..." I murmured. "Putting this off isn't going to make Charlie any happier to see me."
Edward nodded, and then helped me with the rest of my clothes.
*****
