Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

A/N: We're gonna jump back into Edward's POV for this chapter. There's a bit of a citrus flavor to this one, and a little bit of a surprise toward the end. Happy reading =)

Chapter 9

EPOV

"Seriously! I was dying!" Rose laughed exuberantly, joined by the rest of the table. "There she was, going on and on to Tyler about 'class', and the whole time she's got a handful of spitballs building up in her hair. It was so childish, and yet so ingenious," she giggled. "I swear, I didn't know Jake had it in him."

Bella was shaking with silent laughter by my side, and I grinned while I watched her wipe tears from the corners of her eyes. I loved Bella's laugh. It was my goal to see that smile at least once a day.

"You just made my day, Rose," Bella giggled, her cheeks red with exertion. I reached a hand under the table to grasp hers, smiling as she immediately twined her fingers with my own.

These last few weeks have been the best and worst of my life. On one hand, Bella was mine. I could hold her, touch her, kiss her. Unfortunately, I couldn't do those things freely. After she'd admitted to Lauren's actions that night, I knew that this would be complicated.

As badly as I wanted to shout from the rooftops that Bella Swan was my girlfriend, I knew it would have to be kept quiet. She was hesitant at first, but finally agreed that it was safer to keep it under wraps at school. We only had a couple of months before graduation, but until then only our friends could know the truth.

The bell to signal the end of lunch came too quickly, and I reluctantly stood and grabbed my bag, dropping Bella's hand. She tossed me a small wink, bringing a smile back to my lips, and led the way to biology. Thankfully we sat behind Lauren, so we exchanged small looks and touches throughout the period, hands nearly soldered together.

When class finally ended we walked side by side into the hall, and I felt a grin slipping onto my lips. With a small glance to make sure the coast was clear, I grabbed Bella's hand and pulled her into a darkened classroom, pushing the door shut behind us.

My lips were on hers in the next instant, cutting off her curious questions. She responded instantly to my touch, reaching her little hands up to twine in my hair as she pushed her soft curves into my body. I groaned into her mouth, wrapping my arms around her waist to hold her against me.

I finally broke the kiss when my lungs began to burn with lack of oxygen, but opted to trail my lips down the column of her throat rather than pulling away altogether. She tipped her head back in invitation, a small whimper of enjoyment slipping from her parted lips. I felt the low vibrations from my answering growl build in my chest, and I sucked hungrily at the flesh of her collarbone.

My kisses began to slow after several long minutes, knowing that I needed to get her back to class before I got her in trouble. She pouted at the loss of contact, and I chuckled breathily as I struggled to slow my heart. I put a little space between us, shifting uncomfortably as I waited for my 'problem' to disappear. Bella giggled at my pained expression and took a step forward, pressing her little body against mine once more and placing a soft kiss on my jaw.

"Not helping," I groaned, earning another giggle in return. She stepped away obediently, giving me some space to recover.

"So, what was that all about?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow at me in question. I smiled softly at her, reaching out to run the back of my hand along her porcelain skin from her temple to her jaw.

"I've missed you," I responded simply, rubbing her full bottom lip with my thumb. She kissed the pad gently, returning the smile.

"I've missed you, too," she admitted. "I wish we had more time together." Her eyes dropped along with her smile, and I quickly pulled her into the circle of my arms.

"I know, love. I do too," I murmured, kissing the top of her head and taking a deep breath of her scent to calm myself. The warning bell for class rang, interrupting our moment, and I reluctantly stepped back and led her out of the room.

Seventh period was achingly long, but the bell finally rang for my release and I rushed to the gym to meet Bella. She stepped through the doors with downcast eyes, but a wide smile broke across her face when she found me waiting.

We walked quietly to her truck, waiting patiently for the rest of our friends to arrive. After quick 'hellos' and 'goodbyes' to everyone, Bella and I were alone once more, now in a rapidly emptying lot. With a quick glance around to make sure Lauren and Jessica were already gone, I backed Bella into the door of her truck and placed my hands around her hips, leaning my body into hers as I bent down for a kiss. She rose on her toes to push back, deepening our kiss for a moment before dropping back onto her heels.

"I'd better get home," she muttered sadly. I cupped her small face in my hand, tilting her lips up for another kiss, then nodded my reluctant agreement.

"Call me when you're finished," I requested, rubbing her cheek softly with my thumb. She nodded and placed one last kiss on my lips before she climbed into her truck, pulling out of the lot and leaving me behind. I sighed sadly and slipped into my Volvo, dreading the long afternoon ahead.

This was always the worst time of day. Nights were a close second, but at least then I always had a chance for either a phone call or a few texts. Some contact was better than none at all. The whole gang was at my house when I arrived, and they all smiled sadly at me as I threw myself down on the loveseat.

"I miss Bella," Alice said quietly. I snorted softly, slowly pulling myself into an upright position.

"Me too," I admitted. It was quiet for a few long moments before I looked up and met Alice's mischievous grin.

"What are you up to, pixie?" I asked warily, narrowing my eyes at her. Her grin widened, and she started vibrating with excitement.

"I happen to remember Bella mentioning that they were having some work done on their roof this week," she sing-songed. The rest of us looked at her like she'd lost her mind, and she merely giggled louder.

"Yes, that is exciting," I drawled, rolling my eyes at her. She laughed louder, shaking her head at me in disappointment.

"Silly Edward," she chastised. "What do you think they do with all of those big ladders when they leave?" she prodded. I frowned at her before comprehension dawned, and my own smile began to stretch my lips.

Bella had been complaining just this morning about all of the stupid ladders lying around. She was creeped out by one in particular, placed strategically next to the dormer window in her room. I jumped up from my seat and wrapped Alice in a hug, spinning her around in a circle before dropping her back onto the couch.

"You're brilliant, Ali," I grinned, earning a nonchalant shrug in return.

I hauled myself up the stairs without another word to my friends, eager to finish my homework before nightfall. I waited anxiously in my room, pacing a hole in the carpet as I listened for Bella's call. My phone finally chirped after what seemed like an eternity, and I grinned as I read the text.

I miss you =( - B

I wasted no more time, slipping silently down the stairs and out the front door. I was in my Volvo and steering it toward Bella's house at a ridiculous speed, parking a little ways down the street and running the rest of the way. The ladder she had complained about was still in place, leaning against the side of the house barely a foot away from the dormer window that led to Bella's room. I grinned widely and began my climb, taking a deep breath as I rapped on the window panes.

Bella's confused face appeared seconds later, but her expression soon turned to one of surprise and elation. She hurriedly unlocked the window and slid it open, holding the curtains aside for me to slip inside.

I pulled her into my arms as soon as I was back on my feet, capturing her lips in a searing. She giggled in my embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck and lifting on her toes to return my enthusiasm. When I finally released her she was grinning up at me, her chocolate orbs shining brightly.

"I missed you too," I shrugged, earning another hushed giggle.

She tugged on my hand to pull me over to her bed, sitting me down on the edge and planting herself in my lap. I circled her waist with my arms, sighing in contentment as she rested her head against my shoulder and placed a soft kiss on my neck. We were quiet for a few long minutes, just enjoying being with one another.

"It's fucking cold in here, love," I finally muttered, noticing that a chill had set into the room.

I glanced around at the space, smiling at her attempts to warm it up and make it more inviting. I could almost imagine that I wasn't in an attic, if it wasn't for the subzero temperatures. I realized belatedly that Bella was dressed in flannel pajama bottoms, a long-sleeved shirt, and thick socks, her hands still cold as ice.

"Well, you'll just have to keep me warm then, won't you?" she grinned.

She rose from my lap to slide onto the bed, pulling me down beside her and bringing my arms around so that she was resting lightly on my chest, snuggled into my embrace. I chuckled quietly at her and kissed the top of her head, kicking off my shoes and pulling the blankets over both of us.

"I'm glad you came," she murmured, placing a kiss on my chest. I squeezed her tighter, enjoying the opportunity to hold her without fear of being watched.

"Always," I promised.

She lifted her head up from my chest, flashing me a breathtaking smile before sliding up my body to capture my lips in a kiss. I returned it gratefully, and the sweet moment quickly became heated. Bella's little hands fisted themselves in my hair, and slid her body over to lay directly on top of me. I groaned at the feel of her curves pressed against me, bringing one of my own hands up to tangle in her hair while the other held her close to me.

We broke apart for much needed air, but the fire in Bella's eyes caused an answering flame to build in the pit of my stomach. The length in my jeans hardened as she tugged at the hem of my t-shirt, forcing me to sit up so she could slip it over my head. Her lips attached themselves to my bare chest once the offending garment was gone. The feel of her satin kisses against my heated flesh was almost too much to handle, and I groaned in quiet pleasure. Before I knew what was happening she had released the button of my jeans, and slowly started guiding the zipper down.

"Bella, what are you-?" I started to sit up in alarm, but she placed one tiny hand on my chest to push me back, smiling devilishly. I slowly reclined once more, my eyes locked on hers as she reached into my boxers and wrapped her fist around me dick. I threw a fist into my mouth as I moaned, overcome with pleasure. She pumped me slowly several times, each stroke eliciting another strangled sound of ecstasy from my lips.

In the next instant I felt the warm wetness of her lips wrapped around my throbbing appendage, and my eyes rolled back in my head. She moved her mouth steadily over my shaft, pausing to flick her tongue along the slit in the head on every up-stroke. My fist was permanently fused to my mouth as I tried to stifle any noise, and my hips bucked involuntarily toward her hot little mouth. She giggled against me, the action sending vibrations down my shaft, and I quickly put a hand to her hair.

"Bella, I'm gonna-" I tried to move her out of the way, but she swatted at my hand and clamped her lips around me, hollowing out her cheeks as she brought me to my release. I emptied myself into her mouth, groaning loudly once more as her throat contracted with each swallow. She finally released her hold when I'd stopped twitching, and licked her lips as she slowly crawled back up my body.

I wrapped my hands around her arms and hauled her up my body, crashing my lips to hers forcefully. She returned my kiss just as passionately, and I moaned at the taste of myself on her tongue. I didn't hesitate as I gripped the hem of her shirt, yanking it over her head and discarding on the floor beside my own. She gasped as our mouths separated, and I used the opportunity to slip my tongue between her lips.

She squirmed beneath me as my hands traveled the length of her body, finally coming up to grip the clasp of her bra. I struggled with it for a minute before she giggled and reached behind herself, unhooking it easily and allowing me to pull the scrap of fabric away from her body. My eyes greedily absorbed the exposed flesh, and I quickly dropped my head to suck a pert nipple into my mouth. She whimpered at the contact, and I brought a hand up to gently caress her other breast while I continued lavishing this one with nips and kisses.

I finally trailed my lips down her torso, pausing to dip my tongue into the cavity of her belly button before working my way down to the hem of her pants. I glanced up at her questioningly, encouraged by her enthusiastic nod. My fingers hooked in the band of her pants and panties, sliding them both down her legs in one sweeping motion. I practically drooled at the sight of her, bare and spread out before me like an angel of temptation.

With one more glance to ensure that this was alright, I placed a hand on each of her knees and gently spread her legs apart, allowing them to fall open onto the sheets. I inched down further and gripped her left ankle in my hand, my fingers easily encircling the small limb, and began to trail feather-light kisses along her skin. When I reached her heated center I stopped my ministrations, setting her left leg down and starting over on the right. By the time I made my way back up to her core she was writhing beneath me, whimpering softly in plea. I smiled softly, leaning forward to place a tender kiss on her lips before turning my attention to where she wanted me most.

I licked my lips reflexively as I lowered myself between her legs, slipping my tongue out to run the tip gently through her folds. She moaned instantly at the contact, her hips bucking toward my face. I placed a restraining arm over her hips to hold her in place, and lowered my head once more to slide my tongue more forcefully along her center. My dick hardened once more as her juices settled onto my tongue, her sweet taste overpowering my senses.

After several more strokes I turned my focus to the bundle of nerves at the top of her slit, peeking up at her through my lashes as I wrapped my lips around the small nub and sucked gently. She through her head back in pleasure, dark hair fanned out on the pillow beneath her as her cheeks filled with a beautiful flush. I continued to circle the small nerve center, alternating between nipping in sucking as her moans steadily increased. As her legs began to tremble beside me, I dropped down further and plunged my tongue deep into her core.

Her hand shot up to cover her mouth as cries of ecstasy tore from her throat, her body shaking violently with the force of her orgasm. I lapped up her juices as she continued to ride out the pleasure, her body finally beginning to still beneath me. With one final sweep of my tongue, I crawled up her body and smiled softly at the bright gleam in her chocolate orbs. She grabbed my forcefully by the neck and pulled me down for a heated kiss, sweeping her tongue through my mouth to taste herself on me. I moaned at the thought, bringing my body flush with hers.

We finally pulled apart after several long moments, and I dropped down by her side, pulling her back into my chest as we both fought to control our breathing. My heart rate finally began to even out after a few minutes of silence, and Bella squirmed in my arms so that she was facing me, our legs twined together. She placed a gentle kiss to my lips, then leaned back and smiled softly at me, the warm glow in her eyes brighter than I'd ever seen before.

"I love you, Edward Cullen," she murmured quietly, tracing the line of my jaw with her fingers. I smiled brilliantly at her words, leaning forward to crush my lips to hers.

"I love you, Isabella Swan," I said against her lips, never breaking our kiss. She brought her hands up to tangle in my hair, kissing me just as forcefully. We pulled away, both breathing heavily, and I grinned at the excited smile playing on her lips. I pressed one last tender kiss to her forehead, then reached down to grab her clothes from the floor and help her dress. When she was bundled up once more I slid the covers back over our bodies, wrapping my arms around her to hold her into my chest.

"Sleep, love," I whispered softly, resting my cheek against her hair and humming the opening notes to her lullaby. She sighed quietly, snuggling deeper into my embrace, and I listened carefully as her breathing slowly evened out.