** Once again, I don't own anything Twilight-related. That privilege belongs solely to Stephanie Meyers.

Thanks to everyone who has favorited, alerted, and most of all reviewed my story. I get warm fuzzies every time I get one of those notices in my email inbox. =)

Thanks to herinfiniteeyes for yet another fantastic beta job.

Thanks again to ZephyrSky for letting me vent about archaic Internet conditions and for letting me bounce ideas off her. =)

Now to the good stuff. **

Chapter 8

Every muscle in Edward's body ached. He threw himself down on the front step of Jasper's new home and wiped away the sweat that dripped down his face. He felt like shit. His head pounded, even though he had tried to stay hydrated in the oppressive heat that often accompanied August. His sweaty shirt stuck to his back and the alcohol he had consumed the night before seeped through his pores, making him nauseous from the smell. He wished he was still at Bella's, curled around her softness between the cool sheets on her bed.

From where he sat on the front steps, he could hear the clear trill of Alice's voice inside, answered quickly by Rose's honeyed melodic voice. He knew that they had designated themselves in charge of decorating the small trailer that Jasper now rented. He thought briefly of going inside to the air conditioning and collapsing on the couch, but knew that if either Rose or Alice saw him, he would be put straight to work. He opted instead to sit where he was, sunburned, sweaty, and all.

Emmett interrupted Edward's thoughts by flopping down next to him on the step and handing him an open beer. "Dude, how the fuck did we get suckered into this again?" Emmett took a long swallow of his own beer and swiped a hand over his sweaty face. Edward shook his head, letting the cool amber liquid slide down his throat. Emmett continued, "So, Jasper told me that you stayed at Bella's last night?"

Edward nodded once, digging into the front pocket of his jeans for his pack of cigarettes.

"Um, please tell me that your epic celibacy streak has finally reached its end?" Emmett clapped a giant hand down on Edward's shoulder. "You did get some of that right?"

Edward tried to refrain from snarling. This was typical Emmett and any other time it wouldn't have bothered him. He didn't really want to admit that it was bothering him now. "Em, I know we've known each other since we were ten, but, man, there are just some things that I don't want to share with you." Edward took a long drag of smoke, enjoying the small burn.

"Aw, come on, man, where's the love? I'm a married man! And now with Jasper all but shacked up with Alice, I need to live vicariously through you." Emmett laughed and punched Edward's shoulder lightly.

"Look, I'm trying really hard not to fuck this up. Bella's different. She's…important."

Emmett snorted, "Whatever dude. Can I just point out that you've only known her a couple of weeks and have, in fact, only been out on one date with her?" He elbowed Edward and grabbed his lit cigarette, checking the front windows to make sure Rosalie was otherwise occupied while he took a quick puff.

"Actually, we've had two dates. Look, Em, you can't say anything. You married Rosalie after only knowing her six months." Edward grabbed his cigarette back.

"True, I had to snap her up before she realized what a loser she was getting," Emmett joked as the screen door opened and then slammed shut behind them.

"Guess what, brother mine?" Alice sang, kneeling down behind Edward and resting her chin on his shoulder. Emmett grabbed Rosalie's hand and pulled her down on his lap. "I just got off the phone with a certain lovely lady and she and I are going to lunch on Tuesday. Just us girls."

Edward leaned his head against hers. "Should I be worried that you're trying to steal my girl, baby sister?" He laughed with her, winking at Rose and Emmett. Alice shoved off him and danced out to the driveway as Jasper's truck pulled in to it.

"Nice. Dinner is served," Emmett crowed. He stood up, threw Rosalie over his shoulder, and trotted out to the truck. Jasper had pulled Alice to him and was kissing her soundly.

Edward only shook his head again and crushed his smoke out under his foot. He went to help carry pizza boxes, suddenly wishing that he had thought to invite Bella along.

o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o

Two weeks passed in a blissful haze for Bella. She had met Alice for lunch several times, started her next term of classes, gone to the clinic on campus for the STD testing that she had previously discussed with Edward, and every night she talked to him on the phone. Their conversations ranged anywhere from ten minutes to two hours and every time they hung up, she found herself falling a bit more in love with him. It was startling to realize that her solitary existence was no longer so solitary.

Thursday afternoon found Bella standing in line at the bookstore, trying to purchase the last book that she needed for the semester. Her cell phone began ringing just as she finished paying. She didn't recognize the number, but answered as she was walking out the door. To her surprise, it was the nurse from the clinic, who was happy to inform her that her tests had come back clean.

Bella had truly not been worried about her results, but she felt like skipping down the hall after she disconnected the call. A tiny flame of need flared in the pit of her stomach as the implications sunk in. She and Edward could finish what they'd started two weeks ago. They had been so careful about keeping their hormones in check, mainly seeing each other in group settings.

Checking her watch, Bella realized it was already 4:00. She knew that Edward would more than likely be leaving work soon, so she decided to text him.

Need to see you. Can I come over?

-B

His reply came seconds later.

Absolutely. Off work in 30. Directions to follow.

-E

Bella raced back to her apartment. She brushed her teeth and sprayed on a short spray of perfume, which she hardly ever wore. Within twenty minutes she was following Edward's texted directions to his barracks building. She pulled in to the gravel parking lot across the street from his building and took a deep breath, hoping it would calm her. It didn't.

She got out, slamming the car door behind her and shoving her car keys into her jeans pocket. She raced across the street and up the two flights of stairs. Pausing a moment to catch her breath, she ran a hand through her hair before knocking on the door.

Edward swung open the door and the air whooshed out of Bella's chest at the sight of him. He had obviously not been home long. He was still clothed in his beige t-shirt and uniform pants, but he was barefoot and the top two buttons of his pants were undone. She smiled and then launched herself at him, kissing him hard.

Surprised, but grinning, Edward caught her as she curled her legs around his waist. He kicked the door closed behind her and stumbled back towards his room. Bella broke their kiss to say a breathless hello. Edward grinned at her and tossed her lightly on his bed.

"I don't know what brought this on, but I like it," he whispered, tracing his tongue along her collarbone. Need for her raged through him, but he tamped it down for the moment.

"The clinic called: everything's good," Bella managed to gasp, thrusting her hips against him, moaning at the feel of him, hard against her. She fumbled with his shirt, finally managing to pull it off him. His silver dog tags swung free and Edward tossed them behind his back impatiently. Bella pulled her own shirt over her head and slid out of her jeans.

Edward groaned at the sight of her, braless and naked on his bed. He let himself rest against her and licked his tongue over her nipple, causing Bella to writhe against him. Her hands fumbled at his waist until he lifted up enough to slide his pants and boxer briefs down to his ankles. Before he could say anything, Bella had wrapped her legs around his waist again and his cock was rubbing against her slick wetness. They both moaned at the contact. He stilled for a moment, needing to control his reaction, needing to know that she would be okay with this when it was over.

Bella opened her eyes when she realized he wasn't moving, only to find him watching her. His eyes asked for permission to continue and her heart fairly flew over the metaphorical cliff. "Please," she whispered, and moved her hips against him, seeking what she needed. Something unnamed flared in his eyes and he pressed his lips against hers before sliding exquisitely slow inside of her.

It was better than he had dared to dream. She was hot, wet, and so tight around him. Need and lust raged through him and he tried desperately to rein them both in, to keep control of his body and the situation. Bella moaned under him; her head was thrown back and her back arched up against him.

She twisted against him, thrusting her hips up into his, drawing him in and squeezing his waist with her thighs. He was lost in her and his control snapped. He pulled out, only to thrust forcefully back inside. Edward groaned, beads of sweat popping out on his forehead and the tendons in his arms flexing forcefully.

He thrust again and again, each time sheathing himself fully inside her. Bella moved underneath him, her hips meeting him thrust for thrust. She opened her eyes and watched him. His face was a study in concentration, his bottom lip caught in his teeth and his eyes screwed shut. She cupped his face in her hands until his eyes opened. He smiled when they met hers and she raised herself up to kiss him. His forehead rested against hers and their hips began to speed up.

Bella could feel the familiar tightening in her stomach that signaled her impending orgasm. She pulled Edward impossibly closer to her and licked her way along his jaw and down to his neck. She bit lightly into the crook of his neck and felt his rhythm stutter slightly. She came hard, moaning into his ear, her inner muscles squeezing him tightly.

"Christ, Bella," he groaned, slamming into her once and then twice more before he exploded inside her. They both collapsed back on the bed, Edward still over her. He rested his head against Bella's chest, listening to her heartbeat still pounding. He laughed suddenly. "That wasn't exactly the way I pictured our first time together. My pants are still around my ankles."

Bella giggled under him, floating on a wave of contentment. She ran her hands over his scalp and down his back, scraping her fingernails lightly against him. "We can do sweet and romantic another time." She laughed again and then groaned softly as she felt Edward withdraw. He rolled onto his back, but drew her with him so that she was curled up against his side. He kicked off his pants and underwear that were still tangled around his feet and pulled the sheet up to cover them both.

He yawned, his eyes heavy. Her hair tickled his chin and he took the opportunity to bury his nose in its silkiness. Bella's breath was soft and even against his chest and he realized she had fallen asleep. His heart swelled with an undefined emotion, as he ran his hand down her side, stroking her softly until he fell asleep.

o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o

They were woken an hour later when the outside door of Edward's suite slammed shut. Edward jerked away from Bella and threw himself off the bed toward his interior door, slamming it shut and clicking the lock in place just as the handle turned.

"What the fuck, Cullen?" His roommate, Tyler, yelled from the small living area they shared. Bella smothered her laugh in the pillow. Edward grinned at her from the door and put a finger to his lips. Tyler continued. "Dude, I know you're in there! Hey, I just got the new Call of Duty. Get your ass out here and play!"

Edward pulled on some shorts and a t-shirt before crossing the room to kiss Bella softly. "I'll be right back," he whispered. He slipped out of the door, closing it firmly behind him.

Bella could hear their muffled conversation, but couldn't make out any words. She got up from the bed, pleasantly sore between her legs. Flashes of what had just happened with Edward scrolled through her mind and she could feel herself blush. She found her shorts, shirt, and underwear and dressed quickly, running her hand through her hair in an attempt to detangle it.

She turned as she heard Edward come back into the room. The living space behind him was quiet and she looked at him questioningly.

"Um, Tyler suddenly remembered something at the PX that he had forgotten." He grinned at Bella. "Sorry, I didn't know how comfortable you would be with him here." She crossed the room and wrapped her arms around his waist, lifting up on her toes to kiss him.

"It's okay. I need to get going anyway. I'm working the late shift tonight at the diner."

Edward smoothed her hair back before cupping her face in his hands. He kissed her eyelids and the tip of her nose before letting his mouth meet hers. He kissed her slowly, languidly, with no intentions other than enjoying the contact. His thumbs caressed her cheeks and Bella thought her heart would burst from the sweetness of the moment.

He rested his forehead against hers, reveling in the silence of his room and the feel of her breath against him. Finally, he pulled back to look at her.

"Bella, I know we didn't make plans for this weekend, but I do want to see you, if that's okay." Bella smiled and nodded, slipping her hands under the hem of his shirt to rest on the small of his back. "I have something Saturday morning, but then I'm free Saturday evening. Will you go to dinner with me?"

"Of course, Edward. I'd love to." She sighed and started to pull away, but he stopped her, his hands on her shoulders.

"I have an idea. I know Alice is going to come out to see us jump Saturday morning. Why don't you come with her?" Bella's eyes narrowed.

"Wait. The 'something' you have on Saturday morning is a jump? Like from a perfectly good airplane? You're asking me to watch you plummet towards the ground while I stand by helplessly?" Edward barked out a laugh.

"It really is safe, sweetheart. It would mean a lot to me if you were there. I'm told it's kind of cool to watch." He kissed her again, attempting to soothe her.

"Okay, fine," she responded. "I'll call Alice tomorrow and make plans. Do me a favor and double-check your 'chute before you get on the plane," Bella grinned up at Edward and he laughed again.

"Agreed."

He threaded his fingers through Bella's and followed her to the outer door. When she turned to face him again, he pushed her back until she was against it. He leaned in and ran his nose along the curve of her neck.

"At the risk of sounding cheesy, or scaring you," he began, his voice soft. "I'm going to miss you. Will you call me tonight when you get home from work?"

Bella's heart skipped a beat at his words. She squeezed him to her momentarily before nodding. "Of course. And….yeah, I'll miss you too." They grinned at each other before kissing once more. Bella slipped out of the door and walked slowly down the hall. She turned at the stairwell and looked back, unsurprised to find him in his doorway watching her leave. He smiled and raised his hand in a wave. She waved back and then skipped down the stairs.

A/N Ummm, I think dog tags and Call of Duty are fairly obvious, yes? If you have questions, please feel free to PM me or leave it in the review. You know, the one you're all going to leave? ;)