Author's Note: Things are about to get a little lemony, but nothing explicit as this is rated T. You can think this is hot or pathetic…but it's a pivotal point in the plot. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Roses are red, violets are blue. Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight. I wish I did, too.
Chapter Seven: "Communication" Edward's POV
"So you and Jacob are friends again?" I called, sitting on the bed to take my shoes off.
"Yeah, apparently so," Bella replied from behind the bathroom door. "He wants to come up to Seattle to have lunch with us."
To have lunch with you, I mentally corrected her. He knows just as well as you do that I don't eat.
But instead I said, "That would be good." I tossed my shoes into the closet and shrugged my shirt off. I always felt that this was taking it a step too far, but Bella had won that battle. Besides, I didn't really mind the feeling of her warm skin and hair against my body. It was actually one of the greatest physical sensations I had ever experienced.
"You really think so?" Bella asked. I could hear the scratch of toothbrush bristles against her teeth.
"Yeah," I said, turning on the electric blankets. "Why not?"
She didn't reply. I sighed quietly, already stressing over this situation. Jacob's intentions never indicated only friendship. But if Bella wanted to be friends with him, who was I to stand in her way?
I stared at my feet until I heard her fingertips touch the knob. She opened the door, and instantly my thoughts were no longer on Jacob Black. Everything was forgotten. Bella--and her body--filled every thought of mine.
She stood in the doorway of the bathroom, wearing a skimpy pajama set--a blue cotton tank top that showed just enough cleavage, and a matching pair of boy-shorts that I imagined could easily be classified as underwear. The blue was absolutely striking against her skin that was exposed--which was most of it.
She let out a small giggle despite her deep blush. "What are you staring at?"
I realized my mouth was hanging open. "Uh…Bella," I stammered. "I really don't think that outfit is practical for sleeping with a vampire."
She adorably raised her eyebrows. "Why not?" She walked over to me and sat in my lap. I could see the goose-bumps rising on her skin.
My arms still wrapped around her. "You're going to get cold. You already are cold." My fingers lightly traced her arm.
Her face fell. "I guess you don't like it."
"No, love," I said, kissing the tip of her nose. "I do like it. That's the problem. I like it far too much."
Her face lit up, and I knew I was once again the victim of a guilt trip. Not that I minded.
"Edward?" she said softly.
"Yes?"
"I love you."
I smiled at her. "I love you, too."
She smiled back at me and gently took my face in her hands. I didn't resist as she pressed her lips to mine, and I didn't protest as she gently pushed me down onto the bed. I only kissed her back lovingly and rolled her over under the electric blanket. Once we were in the swathe of warmth, our half-naked bodies intertwined, limbs around limbs and mouth upon mouth.
I was so into the kissing that my hands automatically wandered to her hips. Carefully, I moved her leg so it was hitched around my hip and rolled over so she was on top of me.
But Bella misread my actions. Her heartbeat picked up speed as her fingers twisted in my hair. Enchanting me, her mouth opened and I felt her warm tongue running along my lips.
Bewitched and berating at the same time, I pulled away. "Love, I know it's hard in that sexy outfit, but please be a good girl."
She sighed. "What if I stay away from your mouth?"
Though my absolute favorite thing to do was to kiss Bella, obviously a ripple of sexual satisfaction echoed through my body and thoughts, followed by a wave of guilt. More? I obviously can't allow that. But I want to.
She took advantage of my silence and started to kiss my face--my forehead, my eyelids, my nose, my cheeks, my jaw. As promised, she stayed away from my mouth. So I told myself I couldn't protest. Kisses on my face were harmless.
But I should have known Bella would take it further. She soon finished with her soft, teasing kisses and moved to my neck. Her lips became rougher, and I even felt her teeth. "Bella," I murmured. "Sweetheart, be careful. The last thing I need is for you to break a tooth."
"Shh," she replied, kissing my neck innocently again. "Please relax, shut up, and enjoy the moment. I love your voice, but you talk so much."
"Yes ma'am," I whispered.
She giggled. "That's a good boy." She kissed the hollow of my throat, her lips moving around my neck. Softly, she kissed my ear. "I love you," she whispered again.
"I love you, too." I drew in a breath as she licked at my ear.
Silently, she sat up between my hips, dragging her soft hands down my chest and stomach. I could tell by the gleam in her eye that she knew she was driving me crazy. Quickly, I took her hands and pulled her back to me, rolling over so I could lay her flat. My nose skimmed her neck, breathing in her delicious scent, and my lips traced her collarbones. She smelled and tasted so absolutely delicious, I did something I rarely did: I let my tongue slide along her clavicles. She let out a whimper.
I froze. "Bella?"
"I'm fine," she breathed. "More than fine. Keep going."
I chuckled before kissing along her neck and going to her lips. Slowly, my tongue tasted her lips.
"Mmm." She slowly grabbed my hair, holding my head there. She kissed me deliciously, her lips nibbling hungrily at mine. Yeah, Edward. You've got this. You can handle this. I prayed that I wasn't so easily convinced of this because I was so fueled with desire.
I felt her tongue slowly sneaking past my lips, and I pulled away, gasping for air. She managed to roll over again so she was on top again, and immediately started to kiss wetly down my chest and stomach.
I had never felt anything so…sensual. "Ohh," I murmured, shocking myself. "Ohh, baby…" I immediately felt like blushing; I had purposely avoided this degrading, stereotypical term of endearment. But it seemed to fit. I felt like blushing even more as I thought of Emmett's bedroom nicknames for Rosalie.
I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised when, after kissing past my navel, her fingers went to my belt. Carefully, she tried to nonchalantly play with the buckle.
"Fuck," I whispered. "Baby…stop."
"Why?"
"You know why," I sighed.
"Please?" she asked in a small voice. "I'll be careful."
It was so hard to resist her. I closed my eyes to block out the power of her lovely, pleading brown eyes. "Sweetheart, come here."
I unsuccessfully tried to ignore the feeling of her half-naked body sliding along mine as she crawled toward me. Realizing she was freezing, I pulled the hot electric blanket around her. "We need to talk."
"What?" she mumbled her face red.
"Bella, you know how hard it is for me to resist you."
"No, I don't." Her eyes stared at the mattress.
"Love…" I sighed. "Imagine this. Imagine that the most beautiful person you've ever seen comes to you wearing something this revealing…" My hand softly traced her covered stomach. "And they make these kinds of advances toward you. That is what I'm experiencing right now."
"It doesn't sound so bad," she said thoughtfully.
"Yes, but I have to resist. That takes a huge effort."
"You don't have to resist," she sighed.
"Yes, I do. I could kill you," I said, completely miserable. "Do you know how…aroused I am right now? But I'm not indulging because I have to keep you safe. Oh, love, please don't cry."
My fingers wiped the teardrop off her cheek. She blushed. "Edward…you know that this isn't fair to me."
Her words stabbed my heart. "My love…" I whispered. "I know that this relationship isn't fair to you. I've always known that. You're about to marry a killer. A killer who could kill you just by stroking your face. You deserve more."
"No," she said, shaking her head quickly. "You're being ridiculous. I just meant that I'm going to be a virgin for the rest of my life."
My first reaction to this truth was that it was, well, true. I couldn't argue with her. She was right.
And then I felt guilty. She was already missing out on human experiences just by refusing to be with a human. Now I was denying her yet another important part of being human.
"What am I supposed to do?" she muttered. "I could certainly survive it, if I had your strength and power. But you refuse to give me that strength and power."
"Changing you into a vampire is not even an option," I said flatly. "Move on to your next point."
Something flickered in her eyes--anger maybe, or apprehension. "You're treating this as if it's a courtroom case," she sighed.
"I want to hear your argument," I said gently. "I've heard good communication is the secret to a successful marriage."
The corners of her lips slightly pulled up. "I just…I would think that if you insist on giving me a short life, that you would want to make it as happy as possible." Two beautiful brown eyes pleaded with me, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"And," she continued, "your time with me is very short. In the highly unlikely chance that you'll never find anyone after me…wouldn't you want to experience sex?"
I swallowed before speaking. "First, the idea that I could love anyone else isn't highly unlikely--it's impossible." I put my hand to the side of her face, cradling it. "Second…" My voice trailed off into a sigh. "You're right."
Nothing could hide the shock on her face. "I am?" she blundered. Not wanting to show any signs of doubt, she quickly composed herself. "Of course I am. But which point am I right about this time?"
I laughed, and I just couldn't resist giving her a quick peck. "You're adorable. Er…you're right about the second point."
She rolled her eyes. "Of, the sex part. Not the life-and-death situation. Typical man."
I chuckled. "If I remember correctly, you have always been the one who pressures me for sex."
She shrugged. "So I'm a whore who tries to seduce vampires. I don't really care at this point."
"No," I contradicted her. "You are not a whore. You're better than that. Do not degrade yourself by calling yourself that. And how many vampires have you tried to seduce?"
She actually laughed. "That's my secret. Are you going to elaborate on how I am right, or should I turn off the light and go to sleep?"
"No, I'll talk," I sighed. "You're right about the fact that it isn't fair for you to live life as a virgin."
"Thank you!" she exclaimed, kissing my cheek.
"Hold it," I cautioned. "What if I do some research, talk to Carlisle, and find out how to make this possible?"
Her cheeks reddened. "Talk to Carlisle?"
"He's a doctor, love. He won't be embarrassed at all."
"No, but I will."
"You won't be there. I promise he won't say anything."
"I'm not worried about Carlisle saying anything," she cringed. "I'm worried about Emmett."
I laughed. "Emmett will not find out." I softly stroked her face. "Anyways, are you saying 'no deal'?"
"No, I'm not," she said. "I want you to do this."
I sighed. "Okay. That doesn't mean we can…do it tonight. I'm going to have to work at it."
She raised an eyebrow.
"My self-control, I mean," I told her.
She laughed and then sighed. "Okay. Check into it."
"I'll start tomorrow, while you're hanging out with Jacob. But you have to do me a favor."
"Yeah?"
"Don't try to seduce me until I give you permission." I ruffled her hair. "Please."
She rolled her eyes. "You are extraordinarily moral for a vampire."
"I'm actually extraordinarily immoral for a gentleman out of the 1900s," I pointed out. "Lying in a bed with a half-naked woman I'm not married to? It's quite scandalous. I wonder if my mother, wherever she may be, approves."
She laughed. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Masen," she said to the ceiling. "I've corrupted your little boy."
"Nah," I said. "Your attempts to undermine my self-control are child's play compared to the sins I've committed. She's probably grateful you're in my life."
She laughed. "All of this talking is making me tired."
"Then sleep," I suggested. "I guess I'll allow you to continue to wear that sultry outfit."
"You love it," she teased me.
"I do," I sighed admittedly. "I do. And I love you."
"I love you, too. Since we've made our deal, I think I will sleep."
"Yes, you should."
"Will you sing to me?" she asked, yawning.
I smiled, kissed her, and started to hum her lullaby I composed for her years before.
