Disclaimer: All Twilight related characters belong to S. Meyer.
Description: After being dragged to a baseball game by her best friend, Bella Swan meets handsome first baseman Edward Cullen with the help of a foul ball. There's something about him that she can't put out of her head, and apparently neither can he.
A/N: Hi! Thank you again so very very (or should I say ver' ver' ;) ) much for all of your kind reviews, comments and messages last weekend. I'm so pleased you enjoyed that last chapter. It was fun to write B/E on the phone. Here's chapter 11, and yes, BBward returns! Finally, jeez. Thanks to my beta, Kerazy60 and pal, Dom who keep me inspired and give me the best feedback. I'd like to dedicate this chapter to my friend Aussiegirl. In this chapter, BBward is all for you, girl. :)
Music for this chapter? Kings of Leon, Come Around Sundown. Songs aren't available for my playlist, so I've linked some on my profile. Playlist updated as well. Enjoy and please r/r!
Foul Territory
Chapter 11
At 8:17 on Saturday night, I was standing outside Edward's door with my fingers pressed nervously to my lips. I tapped them anxiously as I stared at the glossy white door of unit number 1625.
I was at Edward's chic condo in downtown San Francisco.
I was at Edward's fucking apartment!
I still couldn't believe I'd made it all the way to Saturday without going completely insane. Angela had been so busy this week, she hadn't had to deal with much of my moping. The library suffered the most but I'd made it through all my shifts successfully. Granted, work today hadn't necessarily been "productive" but I had survived nonetheless. Edward's glove had taken quite a beating as well. Perhaps beating wasn't the right word, as it was cradled in my arms each night. Its pride was probably hurt more than anything, since it was being used as a stuffed animal instead of a piece of sporting equipment.
As promised, a driver had picked me up outside my apartment at 7:30pm on the dot and we drove in relative silence over the crowded Bay Bridge. I watched in awe once more as the buildings passed. They were illuminated from the inside as the sun began to set behind them. The driver had dropped me off at the tenant entrance to Edward's massive, newly built apartment building and I'd slipped inside to the elevator.
The building was tall and covered with glass. Engraved signs in the lobby read, "The Infinity." Such an official name. Everything inside was shiny and new. The floor were smooth and glossy and there were brushed metal accents on the walls. I'd started gnawing on my lip the moment I stepped inside the slim elevator. This building was so much more than I'd expected. The contrast to my ratty, outdated apartment in Berkely was staggering.
Sixteen floors of lip-biting later, I was standing outside Edward's door in the brightly lit hall like an excited, nervous wreck and I still wasn't in Edward's arms. I didn't have to guess what was going to happen as soon as I went inside. In fact, I hoped more than anything that it would happen. I'd been torturing myself with daydreams and dirty thoughts all week. Was it wrong that I wanted him so badly? Did it make me shallow?
No, it makes you exactly the same as every other female on the planet.
I looked down at the outfit I had chosen for tonight. My "wow outfit," as I'd started to call it. My pale, silk tunic hung loose down to my thighs, underneath my cardigan. It had a low, scooping neckline and subtle, beaded details. I'd opted for leggings instead of jeans, eager to show off every asset that I could. I had no intention of being a prude tonight. I was fairly certain that Edward would find this outfit satisfactory. Then again, I could probably show up in my pajamas and he wouldn't know the difference.
I didn't even want to think about what he would look like the moment he opened the door. I had seen his flushed cheeks and my favorite three-day's stubble on his jaw during the game highlights last night. Hopefully he hadn't shaved just yet…
I heard music from inside. A soft guitar melody and gentle baseline filtered through the cracks in the door and into the hallway. It soothed my nervous limbs and I let my fingers drop to my side. I missed him.
So much.
There had been so many moments this week that I'd ached to dissolve into his arms and breathe in the mere scent of him. I wanted to be held. I wanted to feel desired and loved.
Ack. Love?
Think about it later.
Regardless, I missed Edward. It was Saturday at last, I was here and he was on the other side of the door.
Time to do this. I lifted a hand and knocked twice.
The door opened before my knuckles left the cool surface of the paint. He had been watching me through he peephole. I knew it! Asshole!
He gave me no time to consider my embarrassment. He hastily grabbed me around the middle and pulled me inside. His strong arms enveloped me in the intense hug I'd been longing for and I let myself get lost in it. He pressed his blissfully stubbled cheek tightly to the crown of my head and ran his hands up and down my back. I rested my head on his chest, inhaling the delicious scent of him. Skin, detergent and soap. His frantic, excited heartbeats drummed in my ear and I could feel his strong muscles under my cheek as he flexed his arms around me.
This was heaven.
Eventually he pulled back and pressed scorching kiss after kiss on my lips, cheeks, eyes, ears and neck. He waved his hand behind me for the door and pushed it closed with a loud, careless slam. The music was still playing inside and I could finally recognize the voices.
Kings of Leon.
Ahh yes. Who doesn't want to have sex to Kings of Leon?
My blood was thundering through my veins now and as the song grew in intensity, so did our kisses. His lips were insistent upon my own, tongue pushing into my mouth to claim it. The desire poured out my fingertips as I grasped at his collar, his hair, anything to pull him closer.
His hands moved over my back as he pressed me tight to his body. I could feel the tips of his fingers dig into my skin.
"Fuck, I missed you," he breathed over my lips.
"Me too," I mumbled. "No more road trips. Home games for the rest of the season."
Edward laughed. "I'll see what I can do."
"I mean it," I said, as he nibbled my earlobe. A wave of goosebumps rippled over my body.
"So do I," he growled into my skin before taking my lips once more.
Our useless banter was halted as we lost ourselves in another mind-blowing kiss. I threw my arms around him in response and pulled myself closer. He groaned in approval and slid his hands down my backside to lift me roughly into his arms. I wrapped my legging-clad legs around his waist and held on tight as he maneuvered us through his apartment. My shoes dropped off my feet as we moved, two loud clunks on the concrete floors. I hadn't even looked around yet. All I knew was that the apartment was filled with light, had white furniture and was playing sexy music. At the moment, that's all I needed to know.
We entered a dimly lit room and I could see the shape of a wide platform bed over his shoulder. Bedroom. Excellent. Edward tumbled us backwards onto the mattress, disrupting the smooth duvet so it nested around us. He rolled me on top of him, cradling my face in his large strong hands. All the while we were kissing, sucking, nipping, anything.
A week was fucking long. I wanted everything about him.
"Will you stay?" he asked from under me. His voice was husky and sent chills down my spine.
"What?" I sat back a little to meet his green, heavy lidded eyes. More goosebumps.
"Tonight. Will you stay?"
The song was still paying in the background, a crooning voice repeating, "Want your love, can you feel it?"
Yes.
Fuck.
I could feel it.
The realization sent pleasant warmth through my veins. My heart was soaring and I knew that my answer would be yes to both the song and Edward. The thought scared me and thrilled me at the same time.
"Yes."
My answer seemed to be all he needed. He lifted my hands from his chest and tugged at the sleeves of my cardigan, pulling them over my hands and arms until I was left only in my sea-green tunic.
He smiled as his eyes roamed over my body. "I like this." He tugged at the hem.
I looked down at my shirt. "I had it picked out three days ago."
"Already planning to impress me?"
I smiled wryly. "Is that what I'm doing?"
He shot me a dazzling smile. "All the time."
His smile was empowering. I felt the familiar tug of audacity deep in my gut. He was good at pulling it out of me, and I liked it.
Bold Bella gets all the points for the team.
I crossed my arms over my chest and lifted the hem of my shirt up and over my head. Keeping my eyes locked to his wide, lustful stare, I flung it casually over my shoulder. He was chewing on his lip, trying to hide his smile.
"Still impressed?" I asked, sitting up straight and pushing my shoulders back.
Edward nodded. "Very."
I twisted my arms behind my back and unhitched my bra. It fell down my arms and onto Edward's chest. His gaze and smile faltered as my half-bare body loomed over him.
"Bella," he breathed, dragging his eyes up and down my torso. His hands moved tortuously slow from my hips, over my rib cage and behind my back. His thumbs brushed the sides of my breasts and I leaned into his touch. My breathing was shallow and my heart was already pounding. He slid his hands back down, fingertips ghosting over more of my breasts, to my stomach and around to my ass.
Our eyes met in an intense, lust-filled gaze. He tugged his lower lip between his teeth and pulled me hard against him.
I gasped and leaned over, bracing myself with my hands on his chest. Our eyes were still locked, as we lay unmoving on his large, white bed. His hands gripped me tight, fingers squeezing the flesh on my backside.
The silence was too much. Too intense. I was lost in his blazing, emerald eyes and my heart was racing wildly. "Am I impressing you now, Mr. Cullen?" I asked, leaning over him and dragging my lips along his jaw line.
"Fuck, Bella," he hissed as I darted my tongue out to kiss the hollow space under his ear. "Yes."
He ground me down on him once more and I moaned at the feeling of his hardness against me. I was instantly thankful that I'd decided to wear leggings.
Brilliant.
We lay on the bed for an indeterminable moment grinding, kissing and touching. It was delicate torture and by the time his fingers closed around the elastic of my waistband we were both aching. He ripped my leggings roughly over my hips and pulled them down as far as he could in our current position.
His hands lifted to my ass and he squeezed gently.
"I want you naked," he mumbled into my hair as he tugged on the waistband of my panties. "I want to feel you."
Fuck.
He rolled us over so he was positioned between my legs. He resumed his pulling on my leggings, peeling them down each leg until they were bare. He tossed the wad of black fabric over his shoulder and stared hungrily at my lacy panties.
"Dare I say you're impressed?" I asked, staring down the length of my body to meet his fiery, green eyes.
Edward licked his lips slowly and my breath hitched in my chest.
Whoa.
"Yes," he said, eyes flicking up to meet mine. "You could say that." He slid one of his hands up my leg, caressing the smooth skin from my knee to my thigh. When he reached my hip he moved his hand back down and towards the inside of my leg. I gasped and froze in anticipation. The tickling sensation from his fingers was building a steady ache in my groin and I wanted to ease it. I wanted so badly for him to touch me again.
As though he could hear my thoughts, his teasing fingers moved closer to the apex of my thighs, ghosting over the thin lace of my panties. I lifted my hips off the bed, demanding some sort of friction. Something.
I heard Edward laugh though his nose. He placed his other hand over my pelvis, gently holding me to the bed. "Patience," he said, placing a kiss on my leg. "I've been thinking about this all week."
Like I haven't? Jerk.
I groaned in frustration and he chuckled again, his breath beating over my skin. He slipped his fingers under the edge of my panties along my leg, pressing gently into the crease at the top of my thigh. My breath caught in my throat and I pushed up against his hand. I felt the warm, soft pressure of his lips on my thigh, my hip and my belly. He trailed a hot stream of kisses along the waistline of my panties, all the while running his finger underneath. I was lost in a sea of sensations and utterly useless.
Eventually, I felt his fingers hook around the edge of my underwear and pull them slowly down my legs. Edward crawled back onto the bed to lay beside me, planting kisses sporadically over my bare skin. He nestled his nose in my hair when we were level as his hands wandered below. His long, skilled fingers teased the sensitive skin between my legs. They slid over the wetness and back over my folds, pulling me back and forth from ecstasy. It was making me frustrated.
Stop teasing.
"Edward," I panted, clutching at his shirt. Christ, was he still clothed? "Edward, please."
He gnawed on his lip before sliding his finger down all the way and slipping it inside me in one swift motion. I cried out as relief overwhelmed my body. His finger curled and stroked me on the inside, flaring my nerves in the most delicious fashion. I arched my back and pressed my head back into the duvet. He groaned and moved closer, pressing his lips to my neck. "Fuck, Bella," he said into my skin. "You're so hot like this."
"More," I begged, as his finger continued its slow torture.
He slipped another finger inside and I bucked against him. His thumb circled my clit, consuming me in pleasurable sensations. I was close. His mere presence at times like these, made me close.
"Edward," I panted.
Our faces were inches apart and his eyes were boring into mine. "Yes, Bella."
My mouth bobbed helplessly as I gasped for breath. All the while his fingers were moving, pumping, circling and driving me closer and closer.
"Come, Bella. I want you to come."
I cried out at his words and let the overwhelming sensation consume my body as I came. I could feel my muscles clenching around his fingers. He held me tightly in his arms and trailed kisses from my ear to my collarbone, easing my rigid body.
"Mmmm, Bella," he hummed into my skin as I floated back down from my extraordinary high. "You're so beautiful." He lifted his head and smiled warmly at me. "You have no idea how much I've missed you."
I smiled back, still panting. "I have a fair idea now, I think."
He chuckled and gave me a deep, tender kiss. The pressure of his smooth, warm lips was enough to ignite a new, raging fire over my body. I was done feeling abashed for wanting more. With Edward, I always wanted more.
Our kiss was growing in intensity as he shifted his body to hover over me, hips grinding teasingly into mine. One of his hands ghosted up my side, covered my breast with his palm. He squeezed and teased my nipple, eliciting tiny moans from my lips at each flick of his finger.
I was still grasping madly at his t-shirt, pulling him as close as I could. "I need you," I said at last, pulling away to catch my breath. "Edward, please. I need you."
He growled and rolled us over so I was on top of him again. I could feel the hard bulge in his jeans as I straddled him. The hungry look in his eyes was driving me crazy. I lowered my hands between us to unbutton his pants. He lifted his hips as I slid them down his legs with his boxers, freeing him from the confines.
I took him gently in my hand, marveled by the warm, soft skin. His eyes fluttered closed at my touch and he gripped my hips tightly between his fingers. I squeezed him and stroked his length once, awaiting a reaction.
"Bella," he moaned, hips lifting off the bed slightly to meet my hand.
Well, well, well. Now who's powerless?
He reached for the nightstand, stretching his arm over the duvet cover. I realized what he was doing and I placed my free hand over his forearm. "You don't have to," I said softly.
Edward paused and glanced up at me skeptically. "I don't have to?"
I shook my head and felt my skin flush. Why was this embarrassing? I was naked and straddling him right now.
A look of understanding crossed his face and he suddenly grasped my hips with both hands. "Bella, are you on birth control?" He sounded excited.
This time I nodded, sticking with the silent approach.
Edward grinned hungrily and pulled me against him roughly. "Always thinking ahead," he teased.
The slick feeling of our bodies pressed together was driving me wild. I was barely paying attention to him.
"You're sure?" he asked again, eyeing me cautiously.
"Yes," I said, spreading my fingers over the muscular shape of his chest. "I'm sure." I wanted this, wanted him.
He was watching me, eyes wide as I positioned him against my entrance. I paused, mystified by his expression. His eyes flicked up to met mine and he shook his head. "Don't you dare even ask," he scolded. "I am very impressed by you Bella, but right now I want to be inside you."
He gripped my ass tightly and slid inside me in one thrust. We both cried out.
I'd forgotten.
In eight days I'd forgotten the consuming and overpowering sensation of having Edward inside me. He seemed to feel the same thing as he wrapped his arm around me, pulling me tightly to his chest. I kissed each side of his crooked smile before giving him a soft kiss on the lips.
I lifted my hips and couldn't help but moan as our bodies began to move together, forming a steady, slow rhythm. He kept his hands on my backside, guiding my movements and caressing my skin. I hid my face in the crook of his neck and pressed my forehead to the rough stubble on his jaw.
Our breaths rasped out at uneven intervals, loud staccato notes to the music in the background. The freedom to make noise was oddly liberating in comparison to our quiet lovemaking last week. I let a quiet moan slip through my lips and into the skin on Edward's neck.
He groaned in response and pulled me against him roughly, breaking our steady pace with a passionate thrust. I cried out again.
"Bella," he whimpered, sliding his fingers over the skin of my lower back.
In one swift move, Edward rolled us over I was pinned underneath his strong body.
Mmmm. Pinned.
He brushed my mussed hair from my face and met my eyes with his wild, blazing green ones. Our unhurried rhythm had given way to uninhibited, frantic thrusts as we each grew closer and closer to release. The pleasurable tug in my belly was growing quickly and I clutched tightly to Edward, willing him not to let go.
He lowered himself to my body, pressing his cheek to mine. I could hear his breaths and grunts in my ear. The reality of our eight days apart had finally surfaced and we held on to each other desperately.
"Bella," he said softly into my ear, "I can't. I'm going to-"
He slid forcefully into me once more, making me cry out as we came undone together. I curled my body around his, holding him tightly as wave after wave of pleasure washed over every inch of my body. Edward's breaths were hard and slow against my neck as he floated back down to Earth with me in his arms. Our chests were heaving and our sweaty limbs were tangled over his now-rumpled duvet, yet I had never been more comfortable. The weight of Edward on top of me was heavenly and I held him tighter.
We lay in silence for a while, content with the simple presence of each other and the slowing rhythm of our heartbeats. Edward shifted so his head was reasting on my chest, between my breasts. I sifted my fingers idly through his messy, copper hair, still unable to believe that eight days had led us here.
Two lovers tangled in each other's arms.
Lovers?
Lovers.
When we recovered most of our brain fuction, Edward pulled me into his massive bathroom to rinse off. His large, stone shower echoed with the sound of water beating off the tiles and our muted voices. I leaned against the back wall, watching as Edward rinsed his hair under the faucet. I traced each drop of water down his tall, muscled, perfect frame.
Oh swoon. My boyfriend was hot.
"I've been thinking about what you said the other night," he said, brushing his wet hair from his forehead with a slap.
I pulled my eyes from shamelessly ogling his body and racked my brain for what I could have said. The last time we were together was at my place, and I couldn't be held responsible for remembering anything that had fallen out of my mouth at that particular moment.
Edward noted my confusion. "About putting you in my contract?"
What? I was instantly mortified. He didn't think I was the kind of girl that really demanded that, did he? "Edward, I was joking."
He laughed. "I know that, but I think you may have a good idea." He reached for my hands and tugged me under the showerhead with him.
"I don't understand," I mumbled as I batted the water from my eyes.
His moved a hand over my face, brushing away the wet pieces of hair plastered to my skin. "Jasper and Emmett get out of practices and early flights all the time and I know it's because they're with Rose and Alice. Last time Emmett missed a practice in LA he said he had food poisoning, but I know for a fact he was pushing his kid around in a stroller at Disneyland."
The image of Emmett at Disneyland made me smile.
"I've never been tempted to do anything like that before. I've never wanted to." He smiled at me and kissed me under the water. "Until now."
I was beaming. "So you're adding me to your contract?"
"Not officially, but yes."
"Amendment 2B, or something?"
Edward smiled and shook his head. "The Bella Clause," he said, pulling me close.
The Bella Clause.
I was radiating happiness. "That has a nice ring."
The most amazing ring.
"Usable once a month when deemed necessary. I can't guarantee instant compliance, but I'll do my best."
"Once a month meaning, I can beg you to stay with me once a month?"
"Yes. We'll start a once a month, but I may be tempted to say more." He kissed me again, this time a little more suggestively. For a moment I forgot what we were talking about.
When he pulled away he ran his thumb over my bottom lip. "I think I can live with that," I said, embracing the flush on my cheeks.
He was willing to breach his contract for me?
"I have something else I want to ask you."
"Mmmhmmm," I murmured absently as he pressed his lips to my forehead.
"What are your thoughts on long weekends?"
Long weekends? So far so good. "Hate them."
Edward laughed into my hair. "Okay, well what are your thoughts on long weekends in Chicago?"
Chicago?
I pulled back to look up at him. His eyes were bright under the spray of the shower. Water was running from his hair down to his chin. I wanted to kiss him again. "Chicago?"
"We have a three game series next weekend against the Cubs. Will you come with me?"
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
I was smiling. "You want me to come with you on a road trip?"
"I'm about to beg you to."
He wanted me to come with him on a road trip!
"Of course I'll go!" I said, clapping my hands excitedly between us. "I've always wanted to go to Chicago."
His smile grew even larger, if that were possible. "I don't think I can do another eight days without you for a while. You might have to accept being toted around with me."
"I think I can handle that."
Edward placed his hand over the faucet. "Are you done?"
I nodded and he turned the shower off. He reached outside the glass door and grabbed two fluffy towels in his hand. He draped one over his shoulder and swung the other around me. He gave me a gentle kiss before stepping out and patting himself dry.
I tried not to watch.
Tried.
I followed suit and stepped into the steamy master bathroom to dry myself. When I was finished I clutched the towel tightly around my shoulders. "I didn't bring a change of clothes," I said, suddenly, realizing how stupid I was for not anticipating an overnight stay.
Edward had wrapped his towel loosely around his waist. There were still droplets of water on his chest. My eyes followed a drop as it ran down his torso. His wet, copper hair was tousled and sticking in all directions. He was utterly delicious.
He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I think I can remedy that problem," he said, cocking his head to look at me as I hugged the towel tight around my body. "Stay there."
I turned to face the foggy mirror as Edward sauntered out of the room. I used the corner of my towel to wipe away the condensation and took in my wide, brown eyes, matted, damp hair and flushed, peachy skin. I was kind of glowing.
Ugh, cliché.
There was a small smile on my round face and I looked happy. Happy in its truest form. My heart swelled in my chest. I was happy.
Desperately happy.
I saw Edward return to the room through the reflection and he moved behind me. He bent low to whisper in my ear, our eyes locked in the mirror. "Lift your arms," he said as his lips brushed over my skin. I shivered.
His eyes were dark green and smoldering. I felt tingly.
Yes, THAT kind of tingly. I was insatiable tonight.
Feeling bold, I lifted my arms above my head and let the damp towel fall from my body and pool at my feet on the floor. Edward smiled and hummed into my skin. He brushed the curtain of dark, wet hair from my back and placed a kiss to the nape of my neck. "You are ravishing, Bella."
I let my eyes fall closed as his fingers ghosted up my bare arm. He pulled away and slipped something over my arms and head. I felt the weight as it dropped around me and I opened my eyes.
I let out a snort of laughter as I took in the large, black and orange Giants jersey that enveloped me like a tent. "Nice," I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
Edward was grinning from behind me and I turned to face him with an arched brow. "What's this?" I asked, as he bent to kiss me.
"My new favorite warm-up jersey." He paused for a moment, and then kissed me once more. "Actually, you've already seen this jersey once."
"I have?"
He wrapped his arms tightly around me and nodded. "Long ago, before I was lucky enough to have you wear it around my apartment."
Of course!
How could I forget? I remembered the first time I saw him stretching on the field and how his smile had nearly knocked me over.
"So this jersey has already touched me then," I teased, enjoying the feel of his hands as they started roaming over my back. The memory of his grip on my arms as I tumbled over the wall was at the forefront of my mind. Even then, he had been so gentle. I could still hear his voice in my ear. "Are you alright?"
"I guess it has." Edward leaned close and dragged his nose from my cheek to my ear, the memory merging dreamily with reality. "I hope it won't be the last time." He lifted me abruptly and sat me down on the marble vanity. I shrieked as the cold stone hit my backside.
"Oh Bella," he sighed thoughtfully, tangling his fingers in my hair. "What you do to me."
I bit my lip and breathed in sharply though my nose as he nudged my legs apart. Edward settled himself between my thighs and trailed kisses along my jaw.
"You're going to tarnish your favorite jersey," I mumbled as his tongue flicked my pulse point.
"No," he said gently, lifting his head to meet my eyes, "I'm christening it." Then he pulled my face to his and kissed me deeply.
Oh, hello.
The jersey stayed on, but his towel didn't. I did stay on the counter though.
Oh yes. I was still winning.
We were facing each other in bed a little while later, fingers entwined and twisting absently. The lights were off and we'd been in the dark long enough so that our eyes were adjusted. I was still wearing his jersey but Edward was pressed comfortably against me in only his boxers. My feet were tangled between his bare legs under the sheets.
Our eyes were roaming over the planes of each other's faces, memorizing every freckle and every inch of skin. It had been silent for some time as we watched each other, but it was a comfortable silence.
"When did you first see me?" Edward asked at last, tracing the top of my hand with his fingertips.
I felt the blush coming. Would it hurt his feelings to know I'd never heard of him before the day we met?
"You know when," I said quietly, staring intently at our joined hands.
"The game was the first time?"
I cringed and looked up to meet his eyes. "Yes?"
My reaction made him laugh. "Don't be like that. I can't tell you how pleased I am that I turned you on to baseball."
That's not all you turned me on to.
"Tell me about it," he asked gently, rubbing one of my fingernails with his thumb.
"You really want to know?"
He waggled his eyebrows. "Desperately."
I sighed. Here goes. Let the shallowness ensue. "Angela and I were standing by the bullpen watching the pitcher warm up when you walked over with Emmett and Jasper to stretch."
"Stretch, eh?"
I scowled at him. "You were sitting. I didn't see your ass until you guys got up to run."
Edward laughed and drew our hands to his lips, kissing my fingers one by one. "So after that, it was when I was signing autographs?"
I nodded my head, the memory once again overtaking me. If I had only known I'd be snuggled in bed with him a few weeks later…
"And?" he prodded, grinning wickedly.
"And you almost knocked me over with your smile."
"Well, I'm sure it wasn't intentional," he teased, kissing my knuckles.
"You know it was."
He chuckled.
"That's me. You tell me your side now."
He lowered our hands so they were between us again. "I'd love to say that I saw you the moment I got onto the field, but I didn't." He made a sad face and I rolled my eyes.
"You mean you didn't pick me out in a sea of thousands of fans? I'm shocked and disappointed."
He poked my ribs with his finger and I giggled at his touch.
"So not until you were signing autographs then?" I asked, thinking back to the cold afternoon on the ball field. I was trying to see my Edward underneath the Edward that I had seen over the wall signing ticket stubs, mitts and baseballs. Cap over his hair, shadow blocking his eyes and reserved grin lighting up his face. I certainly hadn't seen the man lying across from me now. My Edward was looking back at me with a relaxed smile and eyes full of bright, green happiness. I felt insanely lucky to know this Edward.
Mmmm. My Edward.
"As soon as I finished signing Angela's baseball, I saw you." His eyes were unfocused as he too lost himself in the memory.
"And?" I mimicked him petulantly.
He rolled his eyes back at me. "And you made me stumble backwards too."
"Shut up. I did not."
"Yes you did." The tone of his response caught me off guard. I looked up to meet his eyes. He was smiling but his eyes were serious. "You took my breath away, silly girl."
My cheeks burned.
"I still like seeing you in that fluffy vest and sweatshirt." He bit his lip. "You can blame the locker room reaction on that."
Ah, the locker room. Such a fond memory.
Another point for Bella. Cha ching!
"So you asked for my name and no one else's?" I asked, swerving the conversation back on track before we got distracted again.
"I had to know your name," he said, untangling one of his hands from between us to place it over my cheek. "I had to have something to remember you by."
I had no words. Oh, Edward.
"I almost wrote my number then, but I figured you wouldn't call it."
Oh yes I would have!
"So you stalked me to the bar instead? Smooth, Cullen," I teased, grinning.
His eyes darkened. "I like it when you call me Cullen," he purred, sliding his fingers into my hair.
Uh oh.
I shook my head and caught his hand before his fingertips rendered me useless. "Wait just a second. You're not done telling your story."
Edward sighed in defeat. "What else do you want to know?"
"How did you know I'd be at MoMo's?"
He smiled fondly. "I didn't."
"But you brought your glove?"
"It's called an educated guess, Bella."
I pulled a face. "Ha. Ha."
"Well, I hoped you'd be there, but I didn't know."
Angela's words last week echoed in my head. "Don't you feel like you and Edward met for a reason? It was so random." Maybe we had been destined to meet after all.
His fingers were working through my hair again. "Lucky me." He leaned close and placed a soft, slow kiss on my lips. The kind of kiss that erased my brain and rendered me useless. The kind of kiss where my whole universe altered itself to orbit around the pair of us.
When he pulled back he was beaming. He had his hands cupped around my face, thumbs ghosting back and forth over my cheeks. "I honestly didn't think I'd see you again. I definitely didn't think I'd get to kiss you."
Oh, the kiss.
"You asked," I whispered, smiling at the memory. Our faces were close and I could feel his breaths on my lips.
Edward nodded, running his thumb over the shape of my upper lip. "I didn't trust my luck."
"I love that you asked," I said, kissing him again. "I love that you ask, always."
He slipped his arms around me and pulled me to his chest. I splayed my hands over his skin, noting the gentle thump of his heart on my palm. Our foreheads were pressed together and our breaths were synchronized. Even though we had made love twice this evening, I'd never felt closer to Edward than I did at this moment.
"I can't explain it," Edward said. "The first moment I saw you I just wanted you. Not that way," he let out a dry laugh. "Well, maybe a little that way, but there was just something about you." He rubbed my back slowly.
"You're very precious to me Bella," he explained, voice deep with emotion. "The most important thing to me now. I don't want to do anything that will push you away."
"You won't," I implored, the guilt from our last night together compressing in my chest painfully. My selfish doubt had very nearly broken everything.
Edward took a deep, cleansing breath, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'm so glad you're here," he said softly, kissing my cheek.
"In your bed?" I teased, running my nose along the length of his.
Edward's mouth pulled up in a crooked smile.
My crooked smile.
"With me. Right now. In this moment. You make me happy, Bella."
I snuggled closer in his arms and let him kiss me. His warm lips were gentle on mine and his hands were pressed firmly to my back. I let my head fall back on the pillow as he deepened the kiss, slowly sliding his tongue against mine and claiming my mouth. It lasted a perfect, indeterminable moment, marked only by the soft ticking of his clock on the nightstand. When he pulled back, his eyes were blazing in the dark. We both took in a deep breath, absorbing the air around us and the scent of each other.
He was right. This was a good moment.
"Sleep now?" he asked, kissing the tip of my nose.
I nodded and rolled with him as he turned on his back. I nestled my head under his chin, my ear pressed snugly to his chest. I could hear his heart beat steadily in my ear, a slow, relaxed rhythm. My arm draped over his torso as he held me tight against him.
I felt his warm breath on the crown of my head. "Goodnight, Bella," he said into my hair.
"It was worth eight days for this," I said back, giving his body a squeeze.
"It was."
"Goodnight."
He kissed me again. "Goodnight."
I fell into a warm, dreamless sleep, lulled by the gentle beat of his heart.
A/N: :) Next chapter is the benefit. RL is ver ver busy at the moment so it'll be another 2 week update period. As always, I appreciate your patience and support! Would love to hear form you! Leave a review, plzzzz! 33