Because Monday's generally suck ;)

Chapter 9:

Love

Everyone in the world hates Monday's. My hatred for the first day of the week was with a burning passion. Monday meant work, and work meant leaving Edward. Although, I was pretty sore from all of the love making that took place. I smiled to myself. At least the day was half way over, and I had plenty to do to keep me busy. The amphitheater would be finished any day now, so we were able to move on to a new project. Jacob had a lot of great things in mind.

Mostly, I wondered about what Edward was doing. I offered the house for him to stay at for the day, but he opted not to, explaining that he had a few things to take care of. That is what preoccupied my mind. He made no move to mention what those few things might be, and my stupid insecurities had returned full force in his absence. What if he went to see Tanya? I had not heard from him all day. I desperately wanted to text him, but I didn't want to scare him off. He needed space to be home for the first time in over half a year, and a clingy girl was the last thing he would want. I frowned upon my stupid myself. All of a sudden, my best friend popped into my mind. I grabbed my cell and dialed her number. School let out at three, and I was at the office until five. I cursed looking at the clock. It was only 2:45. I tossed my phone down in frustration. Suddenly, it vibrated, scaring me half to death. I grabbed the device with my other hand clutching my chest.

"Penelope!" I addressed thankfully.

"Bella?" My eyes went wide. I smacked my forehead.

"Edward, I'm sorry. I didn't even bother to look at the caller ID.

"It's okay," He replied laughing. "How is your day?"

"Long," I droned. "You?"

"Great! I just signed the papers to open my new practice."

"Oh, that is wonderful!" I cheered.

"Yeah, it feels good. I open the doors January fifth. I was actually calling for a favor?"

"Oh?" I asked piqued.

"The office needs some renovating... I wasn't sure if you'd be interested." I smiled warmly. He was nervous asking me, and it was cute.

"I would love to. Bring the blueprints home tonight. I mean," I coughed awkwardly. "If you decide to come to my house tonight, or I mean-"

"Bella baby, calm down," He said chuckling. "I would love to come home to you. I just didn't want to over stay my welcome." It was my turn to chuckle.

"No, I want you there.

"Good, because I would have been on the streets if you had opposed. And it is cold as fuck outside." I laughed again.

"Forecast is calling for more snow... Maybe we'll get snowed in!" I said excitedly.

"Here's to hoping, baby. I'll see you after work, okay?"

"Okay," I replied dreamily. We got off of the phone, and I was ready to return to work. This time, with a smile.

By the time the day was over, it found me in the lunch room at the office refilling my thermo with hot chocolate. It would keep me warm and I had been drinking it all day. I pulled the hot milk out of the microwave carefully.

"You got a sec?" Jacob's voice boomed, startling me. Milk sloshed onto my hand burning it.

"Shit!" I hissed.

"Aw, fuck. I'm sorry, Bella." Jacob grabbed a towel and handed it to me dutifully.

"It's alright. It wouldn't have been a complete day without me getting hurt in some way," I teased.

"At least it wasn't your nose," He replied laughing. I never would forget the black and broken nose that Jacob gave me my first week with the firm. Of course, technically it was my fault for running down the hall. If only I had been walking, maybe Jacob's sudden door opening wouldn't have blackened my face. My colleagues called me raccoon eyes for a year.

"Ha, ha. So, what's up?" I asked, retuning to my task.

"My wife and I are planning a Christmas party opening for the amphitheater this Friday. What do you say?" I thought about it for a moment.

"Sure, sounds fun. Can I bring date?"

"You?" He faked disbelief.

"You just think you're so fucking funny, don't you?" I was always glad to have this silly banter with Jacob since he was my boss. He flirted with me a lot in the beginning, but finally took the hint that I thought of him as an older brother. I was so glad to hear that he got married. Unfortunately, I was on a trip to D.C. with Penelope on his wedding day, so I missed it. I had always wanted to meet Mrs. Black.

"Are you trying to make me jealous?" His tone was serious. Looking down to my thermo closing the lid, my eyebrows crossed in confusion. I slowly turned to look at him.

"What?"

"You heard me," He said smirking in a very unattractive way. I was completely stumped.

"Um..." Was all I was able to force out of my mouth. Jacob moved in closer. Then, even closer until his mouth was mere inches away from me.

"Just kidding!" He yelled. He punched my arm and backed away. I gave an awkward laugh and rubbed my now sore arm.

"Here's your invite, by the way," He said nonchalantly. I took the red envelope from him silently. So much for brotherly, I thought disgusted. He left when his cell phone rang and I was able to get out to my car quickly.

"Welcome home," Edward addressed sweetly, kissing my forehead. I closed the front door and removed my coat.

"Hi," I replied happily. The house smelt of fresh steak and potatoes. Edward handed me a glass of wine, which I took quickly.

"It smells amazing," I said sniffing the air again.

"I'm glad you think so." Before I could walk to the kitchen, Edward took hold of my waist and pulled me towards him. He hugged me tightly. I lifted my head to look at him smiling. He kissed me softly, and released me. He walked into the kitchen, leaving me in adaze.

"What was that for?" I asked, coming up to the counter.

"I missed you today."

"You're just the sweetest fucking guy ever, you know that?" He raised his eyebrows playfully.

"Oh, am I?"

"You give amazing head, you cook, and you tell me that you miss me." He smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

"I wanted to call you all day," I admitted shyly.

"Why didn't you?"

"Clingy isn't a very attractive trait." He huffed.

"Call me always. Text me, too. I love words." He somehow looked more attractive than he did yesterday, which I thought was impossible. His jeans hung low and his dark sweater hugged him in all the right places. He was barefoot, and that turned me on for some unknown reason.

"Yes, I know," I said, inching closer to him. He turned the burners off and sighed happily. I heard the TV in the background all of a sudden. My eyebrows raised in surprise as I set my wine glass down.

"Have you been watching my show?" I asked laughing. I leaned to the right to see my flat screen, and sure enough, Mariska Hargitay's face could be seen. He laughed embarrassed. I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his chest. With my chin propped on his torso, I looked into his beautiful golden eyes.

"What do you say we christen the couch..." I hedged.

"Mmm, I thought you would never ask," He growled. Before I could turn to lead him, he picked me up in his arms. I cried out in laughter.

Thoughts of Edward and I having sex filled my mind. I must have dozed off after our sex on the couch. I decided to think about it more, not wanting to open my eyes just yet. We did at least five different positions. My favorite, and I think his, too was when he bent me over. I had never done it any other way than missionary style. I heard movement on the wood floor and opened my eyes to see Edward looking at my things that lined the fire place mantle.

"You started a fire?" I asked sleepily. I sat up on the couch and stretched. Edward had out his boxers back on, but was bare everywhere else.

"Yeah, it's pretty, huh?"

"Very," I replied trough a yawn. "What time is it?"

"Only ten at night. What is this award for?" He picked up a large crystal ball that had my name engraved on it.

"Architect of the year."

"Impressive. What about all these other awards?"

"Various awards from school or work. I'm beginning to run out of room," I chuckled. "By the way, that reminds me," I began nervously, "Would you come to my firm's Christmas party on Friday?"

"I'd love to," He replied honestly.

"Thanks."

"Bella, what are we doing?" His question threw me off. My thumb instantly went to my mouth to chew on and the blanket overtop of me became too warm.

"I care about you a lot," I whispered. "And I don't do flings."

"So, that makes this important to you then?" He still had not turned to look at me.

"Yes. What do you think?"

"I care more than a lot for you," He admitted quietly, almost as if it were to himself. My heart lifted.

"I can't imagine being without you, Edward." He finally turned to look at me with a wide smile across his face.

"You don't ever have to be." He walked over to me and sat on the edge of the couch. Slowly, he pulled the blanket down to reveal my bare chest. My body shivered slightly. Edward looked into my eyes for a moment before bending down to kiss the bare spot between my breasts.

"I'm afraid," He croaked.

"Of?"

"Of caring so much. The last woman I loved left me." He grew silent, pondering. "Although, I wouldn't of care for you so quickly if I had loved her at all."

"All I can do to reassure you, Edward is to stay true. All I can do is be me. And I'm not the type to chest or lie." His crooked smile appeared, easing my aching heart.

"I can be selfish," He whispered against my chest, "And my selfish side wants your forever."

"That's not selfish," I explained sweetly, "That is love." He looked up to me now with his eyes twinkling.

"Love," He repeated wondrously. We sealed our agreement with a passionate kiss that I felt could never end. Although, deep down, something was stirring between us. We would have to face a few demons, I knew.

Loving all these story favorites and alerts. Thank you guys!