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Taking a Shot

Chapter Ten

The following Tuesday night, Bella and I were both off, so we decided that we'd try our luck at making another meal together and over dinner we'd discuss our living arrangements. Since Bella agreed to move in with me, the prospect of buying a house was sounding better and better.

I understood why she liked her apartment. It was cozy and not far for her to drive to work or to Franklin's place. However, it was small. With only one bedroom and a small bathroom, we'd never survive in such a small place. My apartment on the other hand was closer to the arena and in a newer high rise building. I had two bedrooms and two baths, and if you liked living in the city – it was an absolute dream.

When I broached the subject of purchasing a house with Bella … it didn't go over too well.

"You want to buy a house?"

"Yeah. I mean, we can't live in the apartment forever. What happens when we decide to get married and have kids? There won't be any room for them here."

Bella looked at me with wide eyes.

"Are we having a baby next week? Next month? Next year?" Bella asked.

"No, but it's something to think about, Bella. Wouldn't you rather have something to start fresh together? Not something that was just mine or just yours, but ours? We could pick this new house out together and make it ours together."

"Edward, that would be great but, I can't afford to buy a house on my salary. Don't get me wrong, I've been saving but I don't want to use it all on a down payment."

"Bella, don't worry about the cost. I have more than enough to cover a mortgage and a down payment. I've been saving too – since I was in high school. My parents taught me the value of a dollar and how important it was to save. Since I started, I haven't touched a dime and there is plenty of money available for a house."

"That's not fair. You don't expect me to live with you rent or mortgage free do you?"

"No, that's not what I was saying, Bella. We need to share the responsibilities. All I'm saying is that I can take care of the cost of the mortgage or rent. That will leave you to sort out the costs of the utilities and what not. Sound fair?"

"Not really. That stuff won't even total half of a mortgage, Edward."

"That doesn't matter, Bella. All I care about is that you're happy."

Bella sighed.

"What happens if you get traded to another team?"

"We'll deal with that if it happens, but for now I have a three year contract with the Flyers. I'm happy here, Bella."

"Are you sure you won't want to go back to Washington if you were given the opportunity?"

"Bella, home for me is wherever you are. If you're in Philly then that's where I want to be."

The most beautiful smile crossed her face as she reached out to me and leaned up to kiss me.

"I love you, Edward. If you want a house, then we'll look for a house but I don't want to go crazy."

"We won't go crazy," I promised, kissing her again.

Wednesday, I was off again but Bella was working. Her shift started at seven a.m. and she was working until seven that evening. I spent the day catching up on a few things at home after practice, and that included looking for some home listings.

Rosalie's dad, William Hale, had given me his card over the weekend and I was eager to call him and have him find a few things for us to look at. Bella and I needed to make a list of things we wanted in a home and see a few options to see if there were items that we'd missed.

"When do you think you and Bella will be available to take a look at some homes?" he asked.

"Bella and I won't have a day off together until Monday. Well, that's the next day she's scheduled to be off anyway – with her job you never know if she's going to get called in early or have to work a double shift."

"What does Bella do?"

"She's a NICU nurse at CHOP."

"Ahh, I understand the difficulty in scheduling then," Mr. Hale chuckled. "Well, I can definitely put some things together and have a few homes for you to look at on Monday. Do you have a price point and an idea what you're looking for?"

I spent quite a bit of time explaining that money really wasn't an object – I had plenty of money holed away for a down payment and the rest I'd finance. I had a friend who specialized in home loans and I knew he'd take good care of me. I went into a little bit of what I thought Bella and I would be looking for, but without really discussing it with Bella first, I was giving him my list of must haves.

"We need a large kitchen – enough for two people to work in comfortably. We'd prefer to have three bedrooms and at least two bathrooms. Bella would love a fireplace and a place that has lots of light."

"What areas should I be looking in?"

Most of my teammates lived either in an apartment in the city or in a house just over the bridge in New Jersey, near our practice arena. There was only a handful that had a house in the suburbs of Philly. Some of the neighborhoods were not so good in Philadelphia and living in a row home was out of the question if you even remotely wanted a private life.

I gave Mr. Hale a few suggestions and chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up. I was leaving for a one game road trip in the morning and needed to relax. I plopped on the couch, channel surfing as I tried to pass the time till Bella got done at work.

I must have been more tired than I thought because I was roused awake by warm kisses on my cheek and feather like touches down my neck and arms.

"Bella?"

"Of course, big boy. You weren't expecting one of those puck bunnies were you?"

I chuckled, trying to rub the sleep from my eyes. "Only, you love. What time is it anyway?"

"A little after eleven. There was an accident and the ER needed all the hands they could get so I stayed to help out. Sorry, baby."

"C'mere," I kissed her lips sweetly. "Never be sorry, Bella. I know how passionate you are about your job. I never want you to feel guilty for caring and wanting to help others. It's what I love most about you."

"'Kay."

"Are you hungry? Did you eat anything?"

"I'm not really hungry. I just want you to hold me in your arms."

"I think that can be arranged."

I grabbed Bella's hand and pulled her to the bedroom. After the whole move-in talk, Bella started staying at my apartment more and more so I emptied a drawer in my dresser and made room in the bathroom for her things. It was just another step to having our lives intertwined.

Bella did her nighttime routine while I undressed down to my boxer briefs and climbed into bed. I pulled back the covers and once Bella was done she snuggled under the covers and rested her head against my chest. I pulled her in close and let sleep over take me.

I was having the most amazing dream of a beautiful brunette with her soft lips wrapped around my cock. She was licking and sucking and it felt so damn good. She fondled my balls in her hands as she took my cock to the back of her throat. I couldn't help my moan of pleasure. My hips moved of their own accord thrusting forward.

Soft, warm hands caressed my stomach, up my chest till I felt those fingers pinch a nipple. My eyes flew at the realization that this wasn't a dream. I looked down to see Bella on her knees between my thighs, my boxers long gone.

"Jesus, baby …"

Bella looked up at me as her moan vibrated around my cock, shooting sensations up my spine. My balls tightened and I felt the fluttering in my belly as my orgasm hit hard. It seemed to go on and on forever. She licked up every last drop as I finally came down from an earth-shattering orgasm. She let go of my cock with a pop and looked up at me with lust filled eyes.

"C'mere."

I pulled her up my body till she was resting on my chest. "Not that I'm complaining, but what was that?"

"Mmm … I just had to taste you."

"Damn, woman … that was one hell of a way to wake up."

"I'm glad you liked. Now I have to shower and get ready for work."

Bella tried to get up but I pulled back against me, holding her in place.

"But … What if I want a taste?"

Bella giggled. "There's no time, baby. Besides you can make it up to me when you get back on Friday."

"Oh, I intend to."

After we both showered – separately unfortunately, we dressed and made our way to our cars. I kissed Bella goodbye before she went to work and I went to the airport. I was flying to Toronto for a game tonight and then I would be flying back in the morning. Even if it was a short trip my heart still ached to be with her.

"Good luck tonight."

"Thanks, baby. I'll text you when I land."

That night we were on fire as we smoked the Maple Leafs seven to one. It seemed to be a night of scores from our rookie players— Brayden Schenn scored the first two goals of the game, and Matt Read and Eric Wellwood had one goal each. Jazz was able to put the puck in the net on a beautiful breakaway and Briere scored twice as well. The cards just fell right into our hands as we skated to another victory.

Early the next morning, I boarded a plane back to Philly. I was excited to get home and even more so to see my Bella. It had only been twenty-four hours since I'd seen her last, but I sorely missed her. Bella had the day off but she had to go in that evening for the night shift. She'd be working nights until Monday.

I texted Bella as soon as I stepped off the plane to let her know that I was on my way home. She texted me back letting me know that she had gone over to her apartment to get a few of her things and she'd meet me back at my place when she was done.

Bella stepped through my door just after noon, with a bag of sandwiches in her hand.

"I was craving a cheesesteak," she grinned sheepishly.

"That's okay, baby. Cheesesteaks sound good actually."

We sat and enjoyed our lunch while lounging on the couch. Bella mentioned that she wanted to lie down for a little bit after lunch and I was all for taking a nap with my girl. I'd missed her but I knew that she had a long, overnight shift ahead of her.

I lay down with Bella, but I couldn't settle down enough to sleep. Instead of staying in bed and bothering her, I decided to get up and finish some of my homework I'd been neglecting. I kept an eye on the clock, knowing that Bella wanted us to spend a little time together before we ate dinner and she left for work.

Bella had been asleep for a couple hours and it was nearing the time we'd set the alarm for. She was splayed out on her back in the middle of our bed. With one arm above her head, and the other resting on her stomach, Bella's legs were tangled in the sheets and she looked absolutely breathtaking. I couldn't help but think back to a few days before when Bella gave me a hell of a wake up and I wanted nothing more than to return the favor.

I crossed the room quietly, pulling my shirt and basketball shorts off as I went. I gently pulled the sheet from around Bella's form and carefully crawled onto the bed. I began by kissing her collarbones and working my way down her chest, leaving wet, nipping kisses. I watched her face carefully to make sure that she wasn't fully awake even though she was beginning to squirm beneath me. I swirled my tongue around her navel before hooking my fingers in the waistband of her panties and gingerly pulled them down her hips and soft, shapely legs.

Bella was gloriously bare before me as I returned to placing soft kisses on her skin, working my way up to her apex. I spread her feminine lips to find her wet and waiting for me as I licked at her clit with my tongue. Her hand that had been resting on her stomach moved up to cup her breast and her chest began to rise and fall with the rhythm of my tongue as I plunged it into her core, tasting her sweet nectar.

"Mmm, Edward … Jesus you have a magical tongue," Bella breathed.

I grinned against her sex, feeling proud as a peacock that I could make her feel so good. I continued my ministrations with my tongue as I worked her clit with my fingers, swirling and pinching it. I kept my eyes on her face and the movements of her hands that were now both fondling her breasts, tugging at her nipples. Bella was writhing and moaning as I increased the intensity of my movements.

"Oh God, baby … I'm gonna come, I'm gonna … come."

The last word was nothing but a breath across her lips as her muscles convulsed as I continued to circle her clit with my finger as I lapped up everything she gave me. When her body fell limply back to the mattress, I placed one last kiss at her apex before crawling up the bed beside her.

"That was … amazing," Bella breathed as she snuggled into my embrace. "What a way to wake up."

Her smile against my skin was all the thanks I needed and I knew that I had clearly repaid the favor she'd given me.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, beautiful girl." I chuckled.

"Enjoyed it is an understatement, I'd say."

We spent the rest of the afternoon curled up on the couch together. We ordered a pizza and put in a movie to watch until it was time for Bella to get ready for work.

"Can I take you to work and pick you up in the morning?" I asked selfishly.

I had a game early the next afternoon, but I wanted to spend as much time as I possibly could with Bella.

"Edward … are you sure that's a good idea? What happens if I have to work over-time? You can't be late to your game and I don't want to be stuck without a ride."

"Bella," I sighed. "Just this once, can't you tell them that you can't take an extra shift? You always tell them yes so it's easy for them to depend on you. They know you'll say yes so it's you that they'll always ask."

I hoped that my request didn't fall on deaf ears. I knew that Bella loved her job, but what I said was the truth. Her superiors depended on her too much.

"Baby," Bella crooned, "I know you want to spend time with me, I want to spend time with you too, but do you honestly think it's a good idea? Even if they ask me to take an extra shift and I tell them I can't, there is always the possibility that a trauma can come in and I'll get stuck in the ER. My job has too many unknowns."

I sighed in frustration.

"Okay, how about this – I'll take you to work and I'll come back in the morning with your car. If you get off on time, I'll take you to breakfast before I have to be at the arena. If not, I'll leave the car for you and I can take a cab to the arena."

As I gazed at my Bella, her eyes met mine and I could see her resolve dissipating. Surely, she realized how much I wanted to do this.

"All right, handsome. You can take me to work if that's what makes you happy." She smiled.

"It does. I only want to spend time with you, baby. And I hope that tonight, we'll have some time to go over our lists of things we want to look for in a house because we're going out Monday to see a few."

Bella seemed to be excited about going house hunting, and she promised to make a list of things she couldn't live without while she was on her break.

A couple hours later, we pulled up in front of the hospital and I opened the door for her and helped her out of the car.

"Bye, baby. I love you."

"Love you too, Edward. I'll call you in a while if it's not too late," Bella whispered, kissing me sweetly.

She pulled her bag over her shoulder and hugged me tightly before giving me another kiss and making her way toward the salt mines.

Isn't Edward just so adorable? As always we want to hear what you think?

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Till next time ... Jill & Karen