A/N: Ohh you guys make me smile! Thank you for all the reviews and faves! *smooches*
I want to thank my ladies: Nikki, Mandi, Dawn & Sandy who give me lots of suport. To Pixiekat who waved her red pen and made this chapter pretty!
Disclaimer: I dont own Twilight...just lack the common sense to live where its freezing.. I need to head to the beach! ENJOY!
Ch 12
BPOV
Parasailing changed things between Edward and me. It was in the air that surrounded us. The looks between us turned heated, there were numerous small, accidental touches, and we couldn't stop looking at each other. It was a heady feeling, one that I was unprepared for. I felt consumed by it. The energy that arced between us crackled with intensity and desire. My body reacted to Edward in unfamiliar ways. He made me feel alive, brave, sexy, and happy. He made the darkness disappear and let only the sun through. I reveled in the feelings he caused when I was near him.
Four days after parasailing, Edward finally brought me over to meet Marcus. It seemed Marcus had threatened to kick him out if he didn't bring me around. According to Mike, Edward supposedly talked non-stop about me and it was killing Marcus to be the only one who hadn't met me.
So plans were made for a cook-out over at their house. Alice was invited as well and I was happy to have her with me. I'd expressed on several occasions just how overwhelmed I felt by everything with Edward. I knew it would be so easy to get carried away. But things between us had an expiration date and I just wasn't sure I wanted to treat Edward like something that was expendable. He was too kind for that.
In typical fashion, she rolled her eyes and told me that I was over thinking it all. "For once in your life Bella, just have fun, and let the chips fall where they may. No one is saying you have to fall in love with him. As long as you don't make promises of forever, then you both are on the same page of knowing it's only for the summer. This isn't rocket science, Bella." She rolled her eyes once more and went to her room.
Once I took a figurative step back, I realized she was right. As long as I didn't promise him more than this summer, when it was time to go, things would end and we would be left with wonderful memories. The worry and tension left me and I decided to go with the flow. I could enjoy Edward, have a kick ass summer, and finally find a way to set Quil free. Then with the start of school in September, it would be as if it was a fresh beginning.
So when Edward mentioned meeting Marcus, I agreed with a sense of ease and rightness. I could do this; enjoy my summer with Edward, with no expectations or labels. It was a freeing feeling. So I skipped around my room, hair in curlers, and standing in front of the mirror debating between two sundresses the afternoon of the cookout.
With a little intervention from Alice in the form of threatening to drive me over there in my ratty t-shirt and yoga shorts, I emerged with my hair in soft waves and a deep blue sundress that swirled around my knees. A quick stop at the liquor store for wine and I found myself on the steps of Marcus' house with butterflies in my stomach.
They erupted into a full riot when Edward answered the door in black khaki shorts and green polo shirt that made his eyes seem like they sparkled. I was momentarily stunned speechless, until Alice nudged me with her elbow.
"Hello, Edward." I swallowed, trying to get some wetness into my parched mouth. My eyes couldn't help but roam over is body, the sight of which caused my body to erupt in chills.
"Afternoon ladies. You both look beautiful," he stated, but his eyes never left mine. His stare left me feeling more than a little naked and I had a fleeting thought of us naked together. "Come in." His words broke through my lust induced thoughts as he beckoned us in with a sweep of his hand. I felt Edward brush his hand against mine; that small touch sent shivers racing up my spine.
Before I could even process the room we were in, a rather distinguished older man came bounding in from another room with Mike and Jake hot on his heels. Their smiles should have warned me, but I was still feeling dazzled by Edward.
"You must be Bella. I'm Marcus, this numb-nuts uncle and you're far prettier than Edward told me." In a flash he had my hand in his and he was laying a soft kiss on the back of it. "Would you like a drink?" He glanced at the wine in my hand and smiled at me while he pulled me along. "You brought wine. You must be a girl after my own heart. Let's get it open and have a toast."
Bewildered, I followed Marcus to the kitchen. He dropped my hand, took the wine from me, and then went to rummage for a corkscrew and wine glasses. I felt the air shift around me and felt the warm presence of Edward. He hip-checked me and when I looked up at him, he winked and then rolled his eyes at Marcus. I flushed at the fact that his body was so close, I felt the warmth as it washed over me.
"Cut the dramatics, ass. You're old enough to be her dad and that's a frightening thought," snarked Edward. A booming laugh from the other side of the room had me smiling.
"Hey, May to December romances happen all the time." Marcus set a glass with the fragrant wine in front of me and gave me a silent toast with his own. "Here's to hoping she learns who the better man is." I couldn't help but laugh as I tipped my glass to him and then took a sip.
The whole night was a blast. Marcus was an amazing cook, I had never had grilled pork chops and his were so tender. He kept us all entertained with stories growing up with Edward's mom and even threw in a few about Edward. I had never laughed so much, my stomach and cheeks were hurting.
"You mean he actually went out into the snow buck naked?" asked Alice through a fit of hysterics. Marcus was telling us a story about Edward when he was about six.
Marcus nodded and smirked. "According to his mom he had heard that people in Norway did it and when he learned he was part Norwegian, he decided he should as well. He almost got frost bite on his nether regions. His mother was beside herself when she found him."
The whole table erupted into laughter while Edward glared at his uncle. The small twitch of his lips let me know that he wasn't really mad, just embarrassed.
"Okay, enough of the picking on Edward show or I start bringing out the heavy duty stories I know." He pinned the boys with a dark stare with tempered with mirthful eyes.
Marcus raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine, I know when you can't take a joke." He got a wicked glint in his eyes when he suggested, "Let's play some cards."
We stayed until well after midnight. It was one of the best days I had ever had and I was pleased I went. I was tired, happy, and a bit tipsy when Edward walked me out to our car. Alice had gone ahead to give us some privacy. I was leaning on him, his hand rested on the small of my back as we stopped on the porch.
"Thanks for today, Edward, I had a blast. Marcus is a hoot." I gave him a soft smile. I paused on the step, waiting for something as I wasn't ready for the night to end.
"It was great you could come over tonight. I hope you can forgive Marcus. He's an old perv." We both smiled and then stared at each other.
I knew what was going to happen. I had been anticipating it all night. Edward was barely two feet from me all day and he touched me whenever he could. I licked my lips and Edward's eyes focused on that small movement. His hands rested on my hips and I felt his fingers flex minutely. Neither of us was breathing, the air was thick with desire. In slow motion, Edward closed the distance between us until I could feel his ragged breath on my face.
His eyes remained open and his gaze pinned me with its intensity. I knew he wanted to make sure I was okay with this, but I was beyond okay. I wanted it. I closed my eyes and bridged the small gap. Our lips touched chastely at first, just a gentle pressure of lip on lip. But then his hands pulled me flush with his body and I could feel every hard ridge and muscle. One hand cupped the back of my neck and the feel of it made me gasp.
That was all the invitation he needed. His tongue slipped into my mouth and the kiss deepened. Instinctively I wrapped my arms around his neck and met him action for action. I explored and tasted him as he teased and nipped. There was give and take, a push and pull that engaged all our senses. I was acutely aware that I had never experienced a first kiss like this and it made me hunger for more.
I felt Edward growl low in his chest, the vibrations rumbled against my nipples and I couldn't help but whimper against his lips. The sound of a passing car penetrated the bubble we created and finally caused us to pull away. I felt that my lips were swollen, and I rejoiced in the sight of Edward's labored breathing. I stumbled back a step and when Edward didn't follow me, I knew the moment was over.
"Good night, Edward."
"Good night, Bella."
I felt his eyes on me as I slid into the waiting car. Without a word, Alice pulled away with a knowing smirk.
A/N: Hmm... I love me some first kisses.. they are the best! *swoony sigh*
Remember on Saturday in my Facebook group I post teasers for next weeks chapters... link to join is on my FF profile page.
Ok ladies... we've heard from Bella.. she seems a bit conflicted.. as well as resolute that things will last for the summer only... What do YOU think about it all? Please leave me your thoughts... I love to hear them! See ya on Saturday for the teasers and a new chapter on Monday!
