Disclaimer – I had a dream (just like Stephenie Meyer!) but the dream was about Edward and Bella, so yeah – they belong to her – I'm just borrowing them! Please don't steal my story, cause that would just make me sad.
Big hugs and thanks to my girl rubiesymusica, my wonderful beta, whom I really put to work with comma removal this chapter. Love you, sis!
A/N: So I know a few people have PM'd me about the long wait in between chapters, and I'm sorry for making you all wait, but thank you so much for your patience. RL has been rough lately – my father unexpectedly passed away among other things. I have to give big hugs to all of my FB sisters who have really been wonderful and pulled me through all of this – I love you girls and I wouldn't be the same without all of you.
Pictures on my blog: http:/scottishrose1028(dot)blogspot(dot)com
Copyright 2010 by Scottish Rose 1028
Chapter Eleven
I heard Alice's unmistakable giggle and looked up, meeting Bella's warm brown eyes. I couldn't hold back my smile, especially when she looked so beautiful and so happy to see me. We had hardly had any time alone these past few weeks, with us each in twelve hour rehearsals in different venues, we'd barely had the energy to share a goodnight kiss – let alone make love – before falling into an exhausted sleep.
I watched her surreptitiously as Seth called everyone to order; she was jumpy with anticipation, her eyes shining while she whispered animatedly with Angela and Alice. The soft greens of her dance costume complimented her creamy skin perfectly and with her hair piled up, the long line of her neck was exposed, making me want to do nothing more than to kiss the delicate skin behind her ear, causing her to melt against me with need and want.
Unfortunately for me – and the painful hard-on I was now sporting – Peter was now ready for the band to do a quick sound check. Once he was satisfied that the sound levels were correct, Seth called the five minute warning, sending everyone running for last minute adjustments and their places for the start of the rehearsal. Bella had turned to follow Alice and Angela backstage; I hurried to catch up with her and touched her back softly. She turned around, gracing me with another one of her beautiful smiles, her cheeks taking on a soft pink glow.
"Hi," she smiled up at me.
"Hi," I answered, pulling her close and placing a soft kiss on her lips. "I've wanted to do that all morning."
Bella melted against me and threw her arms around my neck, pulling my face back to hers for another kiss. "Me too," she admitted, which made me want to pull her into her dressing room and show her what I'd really wanted to do to her all morning. Instead, I touched my forehead to hers, taking a deep breath to calm myself. I pulled her tightly against me and sighed at the feel of her body against mine before reluctantly letting her go.
"I'll see you out there, beautiful."
She touched my hand briefly and nodded, smiling as she turned and walked backstage.
~x~
For several hours, I lost myself in the joy of performing my music with a full band and felt the rush of being onstage again. We performed all of the pieces twice to allow both sets of dancers the chance to feel the full effect of the costumes and lighting. The set designer, Charlotte Raulie, also wanted to ensure that the stage layout allowed enough room for the dancers to enter and exit the stage easily.
I did manage to get a few glimpses of Bella dancing, and from what I was able to see, she looked lovelier than ever. She clearly felt the same euphoria dancing that I felt when I played and sang; she was glowing, her face brilliant with joy.
As I performed while watching Bella dance, I could hardly contain the passion I felt for her. I had always thought that she was beautiful, but I had been so quick to dismiss my feelings for her as nothing more than an unrequited crush. The day that she had shown up in Chicago and auditioned for me – the moment I saw her dance for me – I knew that it was not just a crush that I felt for her. I loved her and I was hers, heart and soul, for as long as she would have me.
Siobhan asked Seth for a few minutes to work with Angela and Felix on a few of their moves, so the band and I relaxed. I noticed Bella was sitting in the orchestra seats with Demetri and wondered how long she had been there. I felt a bit proud, thinking about her watching me perform – I had been fortunate enough to see her dance many times but she rarely had the opportunity to watch me.
I watched her as she laughed at something Demetri said and slapped him playfully on the arm. The green-eyed monster of jealousy reared its ugly head – when had they gotten so chummy?
Cullen, you have some serious issues, I scolded myself. I refused to be that type of boyfriend – the type who wouldn't allow his girlfriend to have guy friends. I knew what Bella and I had was strong and I trusted her unequivocally.
But the sad, insecure little part of me couldn't help the jealousy that I felt when I saw Bella laughing with another man, no matter how ridiculous the feeling might be. She must have felt my eyes on her for she looked up, a slight frown on her face – confused, no doubt, by the similar frown on my own face. I relaxed my features and smiled softly at her, causing her to grin widely and stick her tongue out at me. I laughed silently, my mood lightening instantly. I loved when Bella was playful with me, her laughter could pull me out of my darkest moods.
I was still watching Bella intently when Seth announced it was time for the dinner break. I briefly allowed myself to fantasize about getting Bella alone and all to myself, but sighed and shook my head as I realized that scenario was highly unlikely. I felt a hard tap on my shoulder and spun around to face Alice, who had a knowing grin on her face. I raised one eyebrow at her in question.
"Yes?"
"I know that look on your face, big brother." Alice said smugly. "We've got two hours for dinner – Jazz and I are going on ahead to the restaurant and we'll order for you guys, so that should give you and Bella about half an hour or so. Just be careful with the costume, okay?"
I stared at my sister, flabbergasted. "I wasn't … I don't … what are you talking about?"
Alice rolled her eyes. "You and Bella, who soon will be alone with a private, very cozy dressing room?" She motioned between me and where Bella was still sitting and then motioned toward backstage. "Honestly Edward, do I have to draw you a picture?"
I opened and closed my mouth several times, completely rendered speechless. Alice condescendingly patted me on the arm and laughed. "Don't hurt yourself, Edward. Just enjoy this golden opportunity … and you're welcome."
I watched my sister skip away toward Jasper, who threw his arm around her and looked back at me and winked. Had my thoughts about Bella really been that obvious? I shifted slightly on the piano bench, adjusting myself in my pants before I dared stand up. Yes, they really were that obvious. I stood up and shuddered, slightly disgusted that it was my little sister who'd suggested such a thing, but I was overwhelmingly in favor of her idea. I couldn't keep the huge grin off of my face as Bella made her way across the stage toward me, her cheeks flushed and her eyes alight.
"So …" Bella looked up at me, her eyes dark with desire. "Do you think you could help me with my dress?"
I let out a low growl as I grabbed her hips and pulled her against my growing hardness. "I think I'd love nothing more – lead the way."
I followed quickly behind Bella as she walked backstage. As soon as we were safely out of sight, I pulled her to me and kissed her soundly, both of us moaning with delight. I pulled her against me, kissing down her cheek and neck as I moved her back toward her dressing room. Bella reached behind her for the door knob and we stumbled inside. I shut the door and locked it before turning my full attention on my beautiful girl. Her skin was flushed and her eyes were smoldering with want as I took two large steps over to her, gently cradling her face between my hands and kissing her lips softly. "You have no idea how much I want you right now," I whispered, my thumbs caressing her cheekbones.
"Edward, please …" Bella begged, her breath coming in small gasps as her hands clenched at the front of my shirt.
"Please what, my love?" I kissed a trail down her neck and nuzzled her shoulder, pulling the strap of her dress down.
"I want you, so much …" she panted, deftly unbuttoning my shirt and pushing it off of my shoulders. I made quick work of her zipper, sliding the silky material down, exposing her beautiful breasts to me. I bent down and took one perfect peak into my mouth, laving it with my tongue and causing Bella to moan with pleasure. I placed my hands on her waist and lifted her slightly, set her down on the dressing table top and pulled her against my aching cock, grinding into her moist heat. She ground back against me, making me moan in response.
"God, Bella, I've been thinking about this all day," I groaned as she unbuttoned my pants and unzipped them, freeing my erection. I pulled down her tights and dance shorts in one motion, touched her wetness with my fingers and pulled back in surprise, groaning when I realized Bella was completely bare.
"I forgot to mention, I always completely wax for performances – do you like it?" Bella bit her lip nervously.
"I don't just like it – I fucking love it." I growled as I pulled her hips toward me and inserted two fingers into her pussy and pumped them in and out, causing her to buck her hips against my hand, crying out in ecstasy.
Bella took my cock in her hand and stroked me up and down. "Baby, please, I need you inside me," she begged as I removed my hand and let her guide my length into her, both of us crying out with relief as we joined together at last.
"So good … you … so fucking good," I panted, rocking my hips against her as my thumb pressed against her clit.
"Yes … yes … please, baby … feels so good," Bella moaned in my ear as I felt her walls begin to contract around my cock.
"Love, I'm so close …" I kissed her and looked into her eyes and she frantically nodded.
"Yes baby, please, come with me." I felt her shatter around me as I released, both of us crying out with the force of our orgasms. We held on to each other as we came down, panting as we both tried to catch our breath. Bella kissed my temple gently and I rested my head on her shoulder, gently pulling her against me into a hug.
"I love you, Edward."
I pulled back and looked up into her beautiful brown eyes, my heart swelling with my emotions. "Oh love, I love you so much Bella." We kissed softly before I slowly pulled out of her, grabbing a towel so we could clean ourselves up. I got redressed and she changed into jeans and a soft plaid shirt and slipped on a pair of sneakers. I opened the door and waited as she carefully hung up her costume.
"Wouldn't want to piss off Alice." Bella grinned up at me, taking my hand as we walked out toward the stage door.
~X~X~X~
Time for some rec's – what I'm reading right now!
"Million Dollar Baby" by clpsuperstar: When Renee is diagnosed with a terminal illness, Isabella makes the ultimate sacrifice. Selling herself to the highest bidder to do with her as they please may just prove to be more than she bargained for. OOC AH/AU http:/www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/5983247/1/bMillion_b_bDollar_b_bBaby_b
"Breaking Bella" by sixeightshuffle: Edward Cullen needs to pass Statistics. Bella Swan is his tutor. She thinks he's a flighty, arrogant albeit sexy asshole, and he thinks she's Bipolar, but tries to win her over, anyway. Can he change her mind, or do first impressions really last? http:/www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/4847653/2/Breaking_Bella
"Parachute" by KitsuShel: After finding an abandoned child on the streets of Seattle, Bella Swan raises him for five years as her own. What happens to their life when his biological family is found? AU/AH http:/www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/6036478/1/Parachute
Anything written by Tkegl http:/www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/u/2084033/TKegl– I absolutely love her work! "Just One of the Boys": Bella's dying to break into the music biz, but is thwarted at every turn. When boy band 5Point holds open auditions, it could be her big chance. Of course, first she has to convince them she's a boy… AND hide her huge crush on the dreamy lead singer. http:/www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/6180157/1/Just_One_of_the_Boys
"Beyond Time": After the Cullens leave Forks, a twist of fate lands Bella in Chicago in 1918. She thinks it's a second chance to build a life with Edward, but when she finds him, he's not quite what she expected. Can Bella create the future she's hoping for? http:/www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/5755522/1/Beyond_Time