I don't own anything.
A/N: First weekend of December… I'm proud to say that I'm here to deliver the next chapter as promised. : )
Warning: Lemon at the end.
11
I sighed and went back into the bathroom. I took my toothbrush and toothpaste and began brushing my teeth. What will he say? If he punched out a guy for even suggesting I was cheating at least I know that he still cares but what if he believes the rumors? Please God don't let him believe the rumors. Stupid frat boys. And what does that mean for Alice? If Jasper doesn't care if she grabs some guys junk and invites him to play hide the salami, what does that mean for their relationship?
I spit and rinsed out my mouth before shutting off the light and headed out to the living room. I looked around the dimly lit room and noticed that all the blinds were closed. Was that actually luck or had Edward thought ahead for me?
My throat was dry and I decided to get some water when the front doorknob started to jiggle. Oh Crap! Was he home now? I have no idea what to say. How to approach it even. I froze where I stood trying to figure out what he'd say and what my response would be.
The door clicked and swung open. Edward entered the foyer dropping his keys to the side table and his bag to the floor. He removed his shoes and shut the door behind him locking the deadbolt. He sighed, turned and went straight for the kitchen.
I just stood there wondering if this was normal or if there was something underlying that I couldn't see. I heard the fridge door open, some movement of objects and then the door closed. A pop and a fizz from an aluminum can and the unmistakable sound of chugging. I heard his feet shuffle across the floor and… Definitely not normal behavior.
Edward was taking another drink of his beer as he walked out of the kitchen and headed toward the living room where I stood. When he dropped his arm his finally saw me. He looked fine, his bronze hair was messed in his normal sexy way and his green eyes were bright but his mouth and jaw were set tight. He walked right up to me, "Good afternoon," he greeted, "You feeling better?"
I nodded and he murmured a "Good" before taking another slug of beer and turned to sit on the couch. He stretched out his limbs and laid his head back as if trying to relax. He closed his eyes and for a moment I thought that was going to be it. What should I say? How should I explain to him about the rumors? "So tell me Bella," he began after a minute went by, "Are you happy with me?"
Oh Shit. Emmett had definitely gotten to him and told him what he heard. I walked over to him trying to tame my headache as I gathered my thoughts. I figured I'd go with a more direct approach and got up on the couch so that I was straddling his waist. He sighed and seemed to try not to touch me and put his hands off to his sides away from me. The fact that he wanted to keep his distance was not a good sign.
"Edward," I said softly and he looked up at me. His eyes looked as if he were trying to read my mind.
"I'm hearing a lot of rumors Bella," he said looking me straight in the eye but then his eyes flickered away for the rest, "and last night…"
"Edward," I said placing my hand on his cheek and lifted his face up to look at me, "What you've heard is nonsense."
His brow furrowed momentarily before looking up at me, "What have I heard exactly?" he asked.
"Rosalie said that some of the frat boys have been talking and that I've grown tired of you," I said.
"That wasn't what I was talking about," he said, "but while we're on the subject. Are you tired of me?"
"No," I gasped shaking my head.
"Am I overbearing?" he asked, "Do I meddle in everything you do?"
"No" I said with more conviction.
"Then I suppose the question is 'Should I be?'" he asked his voice never rising but yet I could hear the tension behind every word he spoke, "Is that what you want from me?"
I shook my head.
"Then what do you want?" he asked he placed his hands on my hips and held me to him.
"I want you," I said.
"You want me in what way?" he pressed. "Friend, lover, acquaintance, what?"
"I want you in everyway" I said completely confused as to where he was going with any of this. My head started to throb as I tried to wrap my head around what he was getting at. People are not meant to deal with heavy thinking when recovering from a hangover.
He nodded and took another drink of his beer before speaking, "Then why would the guys in the frat house say that you and Jacob have been hooking up nearly everyday for some reason or another?" My stomach knotted at his words. "I have to admit it seems to contradict things if you couldn't even mention to me that you were seeing him at all." His voice began to rise and my stomach began to twist. "Emmett tells me that according to them it's been going on since the pledge night while I was a out of town."
"It's true," I sighed and his hands fell off to his sides once again turning his head away and I instantly missed his touch, "but Edward it isn't what you think. Jake has been having relationship trouble and I've been just trying to help him out."
He grimaced and swallowed hard, "Bella, I…" he began but seemed to stop. I wasn't sure if he didn't know what to say or if it was him trying to hold his tongue so he wouldn't say something he'd regret. "I saw you two last night," he said, "You kissed him and his face…" his face turned grim and his jaw clenched around the words, "it was like a freaking kid on Christmas."
"Edward I doubt that," I said.
"It was," he said running his beer free hand through his hair and pulled it in frustration. "He hugged you then and kissed your hair and he fucking professed his love for you right there."
"Oh Edward," I sighed and ran my fingers through his hair. I leaned in and kissed him on his hard lips. They never moved to receive me. I pulled back to look at him. His eyes were anguished as he looked back at me. "I love you Edward," I said making sure that our eyes were locked. I moved in to kiss him again and this time he met me halfway. It was a soft slow kiss that sent that familiar charge through my body but he pulled back.
He swallowed, "Why haven't you told me that you were meeting him?"
My stomach twisted again at his question, "I don't know," I finally said, "I guess because I didn't think I'd need to." Edward's eyes grew hard and I quickly added, "because he's just a friend meeting me for coffee. I go do things with Alice and Rosalie and you don't know about it."
Edward pursed his lips and pinched the bridge of his nose sighing in frustration, "So let me get this straight," he said, "You never told me that you were going out with this guy because you go out with your girlfriends all the time without me knowing?" I nodded slowly after running it back through my mind to be sure that's what I said. "So then it stands to reason that I should be able to go out with one of my female friends without your knowledge."
It was like a vice had my stomach and it was tightening at every word he spoke. Did he want to do this? Go have coffee with other girls? I don't know what was on my face but he finally said, "You see my point then?"
"Edward I didn't mean for you to think that I was dating him," I defended, "I was just trying to help him out with Leah and as for last night I…" A flashback of last nights hug flickered in my mind but then morphed into a third person looking to see Edward hugging some girl. I flashed hot and then cold I could definitely see his point. If I had witnessed what he had I would be jealous too. "Oh God I'm so sorry. I was…"
"Trashed," he finished for me, "I know. I spent most of the night with you in the bathroom."
"And the other part punching some guy," I said taking his right hand up in mine so I could see the damage, if any. He sighed and tried to pull it back but gave up. His top two knuckles were bruised slightly and he winced briefly when I ran my hand over it. I looked up at him and he seemed to have taken a strong interest in the label of his beer. I grimaced, "Is he still able to breathe out of his nose? Or see, at least?"
He snorted, "He'll live. Rosalie told ya, huh?"
I nodded.
He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "What else did she tell you?"
"Why?" I asked, "Is there more? What did you do?" I tried to wrap my head around Edward doing much more in the situation than what Rosalie had told me.
He shook his head and grabbed me by the hips and moved me so I was lying on my back on the couch and he was on top of me. My legs wrapped around his waist and he rubbed up against my core. I gasped at the sensation and he smiled at my reaction.
"So," he breathed, "You sure you're not tired of me?"
"No," I confirmed breathlessly, "Never."
He nodded and leaned in to kiss the hollow beneath my ear and a bolt of electricity ran though my body warming me all over. My hands suddenly had a mind of their own and found the soft locks of his hair. "I miss you, Edward," I breathed and nibbled at the lobe of his ear.
He groaned and pulled back to look me in the eye. His eyes shifted back and forth as he looked at me. "Is that why you are seeing Jacob? Because I am not around for you?" he asked.
My stomach twisted at his question. What should I say to that? Do I tell him that I miss the old days? I miss going to watch him play football. I miss going for a run around campus with him in the morning light. I miss going out to eat with him in something that resembled a date. I miss doing stuff with him that didn't involve studying. I miss the sex. "You're around," I sighed and looked away, "You're just not here."
His brow creased in confusion at my statement. "Bella I have school and so do you," he finally said.
I nodded frowning, "I know. It's just…"
"I'm studying too much," he said.
"I know that you have lots to study and you want to make Fitzsimmon's internship but I'm… worried, I guess," I said ashamed.
He took a few stray strands hair and tucked them behind my ear. "What has you worried?" he asked.
I sighed. Should I tell him? Should I tell him that I'm afraid of waking up one morning to find that we had nothing in common other than the same address? Wow that sounds harsh… but it's the best way to describe how I feel. We hardly ever talk any more unless it involves school or…sex but that is becoming less frequent and more so than I'd like to admit and to be frank that one doesn't even actually involve talking.
"Bella?" he prompted looking concerned now. I must have been in my revelry longer than I thought.
"I know you are driven and I support you… of course, but I…," I couldn't do it. I didn't want him to stop his studies because I'm being selfish.
His head lowered and his lips pressed against mine with the gentlest of pressure. My eyes closed and I willed myself to not ruin it with my stupid thoughts. He began to lightly suck on by lower lip and I was lost. My mind was completely and utterly blank. I returned the kiss and it seemed to ignite the fire between both of us. His tongue escaped his mouth and began to mingle with mine.
I heard something drop to the floor and soon after I felt his cool hand touch my breast over my tank top. I moaned as his hand began to massage the soft tissue. I shifted my hips under him and it caused the opposite reaction than I wanted.
His hand stopped his menstruation and he pulled my hands gently from his hair then held them above my head. He then pulled out of our kiss and we both looked at each other gasping to catch our breath.
I opened my mouth to speak but he placed one finger gently over my lips with his other hand. "I don't want you to worry about anything Bella," he breathed, "I also don't want to be thought of as neglectful." I opened my mouth in protest but he kissed me to silence. Once he was satisfied he continued, "I don't like not knowing that you are going to coffee with Jacob or any other guy for that matter. If it's because you don't feel like you can talk to me…"
"No," I declared quickly, "It's not that. It's… I miss you." He looked at me trying to understand. "I miss doing things with you," I clarified, "I miss running with you, watching movies, doing anything that has nothing to do with studying."
"I think I can fix that," he said and then kissed me.
"I don't want you to give up your studies for me Edward," I frowned.
He smiled, "Who said anything about giving them up?" I looked at him in confusion and he kissed me chastely in the lips. "I'm only saying I'm going to remedy the situation." His head lowered and I felt his nose graze softly along my jaw and down my neck. I felt his breath dance across my skin making me shiver in excitement. I wanted to pull him closer but my hands were still being held above my head. Open mouth kisses began working their way up my neck to the hollow beneath my ear and I found myself moaning loudly.
He pulled back smiling, "Hmmm," he hummed and his eyes seemed to dance, "So you miss running with me," he mused. "What would you say if I told you I miss that stuff too?"
"You do?" I asked.
He chuckled and kissed the end of my nose, "Of course, I do. Although, I'm having problems with the logistics. We have to study, we have class at opposite hours and you have your job at the library." He grimaced slightly at the word 'job' and I narrowed my eyes at him. He still thinks that my job at the library is unnecessary. It may not be necessary financially but it's necessary for my peace of mind.
"And don't forget sleeping," I added.
"Amongst other things," he smiled as his free hand ran down the curves of my body and grabbed my butt.
I smiled at his implication and I lifted my head as far as I could to kiss him. He met me half way and our kiss went from innocent to passionate to down-right primal. He let go of my hands and I instantly found a home for them woven through his bronze hair. My hips ground against him and he groaned in pleasure.
He suddenly moved us so that we were sitting up once again. The bulge in his pants hitting my core. I ground my hips atop of him and his hands made quick work of removing my shirt.
I moved in, kissing him fiercely which conjured a moan from him. His hands were instantly at my breasts rolling my nipples around in his palms and massaging them in his amazing way. I grabbed his shirt from behind his head and we separated our kiss so I could pull it over his head.
His magnificent chest was bare and I ran my fingers down it feeling every rock hard muscle till it reached the top of his pants. He kissed me as I fondled with his belt and button to his jeans.
Knock, Knock, Knock
I pulled back and looked over his shoulder to the front door. Please tell me it isn't so?
Edward moved in kissing my collarbone not caring that someone was at the door and soon after neither was I as he trailed kisses down to my left breast. A shiver of pleasure washed over me as his tongue wrapped around my taut nipple. I grabbed his shoulders and my nails dug into them as his amazing tongue swirled and flicked my nipple.
My hips moved against him for the friction I so desperately needed. His hips started to grind against mine and I moaned his name pleading for him to please 'take me'.
Knock, Knock, Knock, Knock !
The knocks were more of a pounding now. Someone had a lot of muscle on the other side of that door.
"Bella?" a muffled male voice called through the door and they pounded louder 3 more times.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!
Shit! What is Jacob doing here?
Edward pulled back and growled in irritation and frustration. He grabbed my shirt from off the couch and slipped it over my head. He then grumbled a "Stay here," as he moved me off him and got up to answer the door.
He refastened his belt buckle just before arriving at the front door without his shirt on. He roughly unlocked the door and yanked it open, "What do you need Jacob?" he asked in a not too polite tone, "And how did you pass the doorman without our knowledge?"
"He's dealing with some truck delivery of furniture I don't think was supposed to be there," he sneered as he swayed back and forth looking over Edward's shoulders into our apartment. "Where's Bella?"
"Occupied," Edward said flatly, "Is there something you needed?"
"I wanted to be sure she was alright after last night," he said, "She hasn't been answering my texts." Jacob text me?
"She's been nursing a hangover," Edward grumbled, "You should know that."
"I figured," Jacob condescendingly, "That's why I was worried when she didn't answer."
"I'll be sure to let her know," Edward said in a clipped tone and began to shut the door on him.
Jacob's hand went up to brace against the door, "Can I see her? Or are you actually feeling threatened by me?" Jacob asked smugly.
At those words I started to feel the remnants of my headache return and the throbbing was coming back. Damn it Jacob! I was doing so well without that stressor. I hope he didn't bring our recent argument back to square one. Edward and I were just coming to an understanding.
"Watch yourself Jacob," Edward warned, "Don't think I won't fight for…"
"Yeah I know," Jacob said, "The brothers told me about what you did to Kal's face and that other guys hand."
"He broke that on his own after hitting the wall," Edward ground out, "It's not my fault he isn't quick."
"Yeah, whatever, so can I see her or are you going to go all caveman on me?" Jacob asked.
Edward stepped forward about to retaliate with a look of malice on his face.
"Edward," I said softly from behind him. I grabbed his hand squeezing it and he squeezed my hand in return. He looked at me with almost black eyes. He seemed to take in every my entire form as well as my pleading look begging for them not to fight and he sighed exasperated. He let go of my hand and walked past the dining table to the kitchen.
I stood there for a moment praying that he didn't go straight for the beer cause then I knew that we were going to right back to square one and Damn you Jacob! You ruined what was probably going to be the best sex we have had in a long while. I heard the fridge open and that damning pop and fizz. Fuck.
I grimaced grabbing my head and began to rub it as I looked up at Jacob, "Hey," I greeted.
"Hey," he smiled, "So you survived the night huh?"
I snorted, "Yeah," I frowned, "I'm alive and thanks again for driving us home."
"It wasn't a big thing," he smiled, "I was glad to do it."
I heard an audible clench of teeth and out of the corner of my eye I saw Edward leaning in the doorway of the kitchen swirling his beer can. The muscles in his arms were flexing with each movement.
I smiled kindly at Jacob's remark. Then the conversation seemed to fall short and we just seemed to be just looking at each other. It was awkward and I admit I actually was not in a mood for a visitor. I'm sure Edward wasn't either, with Jacob in particular.
"How's Alice doing?" Jacob asked try to fill the awkwardness with conversation that had some purpose.
"Umm," I said rubbing my head some more, "I haven't talked to her yet. I just got out of bed not to long ago."
"I see," he said, "So will I see you tomorrow for coffee?"
Ugh Jacob. Why are you here now? This is still a touchy subject right now. "Umm," I hesitated and I was spoken for by Edward.
"Sure," he said walking over toward us in the foyer. He wrapped his arm around my waist and kissed my hair. "I hope her advice helps you with Leah."
Jacob's muscle in his jaw jumped a little as he looked at Edward. "Thanks," he said, "It has been so far."
Edward nodded stiffly. I turned to give Edward a half hug placing one hand on his chest and the other around his waist. His warm skin touched mine and my heart rate took off in a sprint. My head rested on his shoulder and his arm squeezed my waist tighter to his side. Perhaps he hasn't totally voted Jacob off the island…yet.
"Well," Jacob said clearing his throat, "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then Bella."
"Yeah, umm, I don't think I can tomorrow Jake," I said, "I didn't work on my project for economics today and I have to meet with my English professor."
"Oh," he said disappointed, "What about the next day?"
I looked up at Edward and he looked down at me. His eyes told me that he wasn't happy about it but then he leaned in kissing my hair and whispered, "Go ahead."
I smiled weakly and nodded to Jacob. He grinned, "Great, I'll see you then."
"See you," I said.
Jacob looked up at Edward and nodded stiffly at him turned and walked away.
Edward's jaw was set tight as he closed the door and let me go. I instantly felt the loss of his presence and I ached for it to come back. Edward walked over to the couch and hissed. I frowned as he hurried to the bathroom and returned with a couple towels and a carpet cleaner. He bent down and began working on the blotting up something near the couch.
I watched him clean up what must have been his beer from earlier. He finished then got up and put the towels in the laundry basket in the bathroom. He came back out to the living room where I stood. "You hungry?" he asked.
I shook my head. He sighed and started for the kitchen.
My hand shot out and grabbed his arm, "Edward," I said and brought my other hand up to touch his face cupping his cheek. "If you don't want me to have coffee with him I won't."
He closed his eyes, "Bella, if you want to have coffee with your friend that's fine with me. Just… don't lie to me about it," he said. He opened his eyes and looked at me. His eyes were searching like he was trying to see what was going on in my mind.
"I won't," I promised, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you before."
"The buzz around the frat house is that you are dating him behind my back Bella," he said, "I don't trust him. I want you to know that. You can call me jealous if you like, I will not deny it. But I'd like to think that if I went out with a friend of the opposite sex that you would be jealous too."
My stomach twisted at the idea and a wave of cold washed over me. "I would," I grimaced.
"I don't want other guys thinking that you're fair game, Bella," he said in a hard tone. "And I don't want these rumors about us to continue."
"Edward I won't see him anymore," I said, "I…"
"That isn't the point Bella," he sighed running a hand through his hair in frustration. "You can have your friend. I don't want you to lose a friend because I don't trust him. I just don't want the sneaking around."
"I wasn't sneaking," I protested.
"But you weren't exactly forthcoming with the knowledge that you were, in fact, having coffee dates with another guy," he countered.
"I admit that was true but I really didn't mean for it to be like that," I said trying to fight the tears that began to well in my eyes. "I love you Edward. I don't want you to think that I would step out on you."
"I don't want to believe that either Bella," he said one hand cupping my cheek. "But Emmett said that Jacob has been dating other girls so your story of helping him with Leah doesn't hold up."
I sighed, "Jacob and Leah have an odd relationship."
"Bella from what I'm told they have no relationship," he said.
"No, they do," I said worked quickly to explain, "Leah and Jacob have some weird arrangement to their relationship that is more of a 'shopping without buying' mentality. The deal is so they don't get in too deep so they can date others but the buck stops before the physical stuff."
"What?" he asked.
"I know, weird right?" I said, "I know they are still together because I saw them just yesterday making-out outside of her class. From what I can tell he's falling for her and she is putting on the breaks too, even though I think she is starting to fall for him."
"If any of that is true then why doesn't Jacob just tell her he loves her?" Edward asked skeptically.
"He doesn't want her to flip out and leave him," I said, "She got hurt pretty bad by this one guy, Sam and she kind of swore off love in a way."
His face contorted in concentration as he thought through all the information I had given him. "O-kay," he said slowly, "So can you explain to me why he is telling the guys at the frat house that he is dating you?"
No. No I won't believe that. There has to be an explanation. Those guys at the frat house are making that up. I can't believe that Jacob would say that…. But what if he is?
"By the look on your face I'm guessing this is news to you," he said.
I uncurled my brow and grimaced, "I can't believe it. Jacob is my friend. I can't believe that he would say that!" I exclaimed in disbelief.
Edward put his arms around my waist and hugged me to his torso. I closed my eyes as he kissed my forehead. "Ask him about it," he said, "I'm dying to hear what his explanation will be."
I pursed my lips and rolled my eyes, "I will," and he can expect a bitch-slap if he is the one who started the rumors.
He nodded in acceptance. "Are you sure you don't want to eat something?" he asked.
"I might have some cereal later," I said, "Food is not really all that high on my priority list right now."
"Hmm," he frowned, "What is exactly?"
I went for the bold approach. This would be critical. If he didn't respond to this then I knew that I have really messed things up. I stood on my tiptoes and licked him lightly on the lips making them part slightly. I looked up at him meaningfully, "You," I whispered and walked down the hall to our bedroom.
When I got there I removed my top and shimmied out of my pants leaving only my underwear on. I started for the bed but was grabbed around the waist and turned quickly. His lips met mine urgently as he picked me up off the floor. He moved us over to the bed and we both flopped onto the mattress.
His hands moved up pushing back my hair off my face as he kissed me with so much love, so much passion. My eyes began to well with tears. I love this man so much. I kissed him with everything I had as my hands grasped at him trying to pull his body even closer.
He pulled back and looked at me with concern. "Bella are you alright?" he asked. He wiped at one of my fallen tears and I cursed myself. "Are you sure you're up to this?" I nodded. "Your hangover isn't…?"
"No," I breathed, "I just… I just love you so much."
He smiled crookedly down at me and my heart began to flutter. He kissed me then and a charge ran through my body making me feel so alive. My hands moved to his back and I pulled him closer to me.
I moaned as his hand found my right breast and my taut nipple was brushed by his thumb.
As our lips stayed connected he shifted away and I started to pull him back but then I heard a tinkling of metal from his belt. I moved my hands down and helped him undo his jeans and wasted no time pushing down his pants and underwear.
He chuckled at my hastiness and pulled back. "I thought you would like it slow," he said.
"We can do slow later tonight. I want you now though," I smiled and pulled him back down on top of me. I gasped as I felt his tip graze up against my core. I grabbed him then stroking him as he throbbed in my hand.
He moaned as his eyes rolled back in his head, "Bella!"
I smiled as I lifted my head to kiss his Adam's apple and I felt it vibrate with another moan when my stroking became faster.
"Bella," he gasped out through his heavy breathing, "You have to stop or I'll…" His eyes shut tight and his muscles began to flex. I quickly let him go effectively stopping his rush to climax and his eyes opened still breathing heavily. "Oh, you are going to pay for that," he teased and I giggled as he went for one of the condoms in his nightstand.
He moved away and kicked off the rest of his pants before returning to the bed. He looked at me as I lay there on the pillows and a grinned formed on his face. I blushed feeling so exposed and vulnerable to him even though we have made love so many times before. He always seems to make me feel like it's our first time.
He crawled on top of me and he kissed my cheeks, "I love that I can still make you blush," he grinned and I felt my cheeks go even redder. He trailed kisses down my neck to my collarbone. I gasped as I felt two fingers push aside my underwear and enter me moving in and out slowly as his mouth continued lower to find my nipple on my left breast. My body trembled as the sensations radiated through me.
I moved my hips grinding down onto his fingers praying for more but he pulled them out making me growl in frustration.
He chuckled as he quickly pulled my underwear down my legs and put on the condom. My arms went up to grab him to pull him back to me so that I might finally have him inside of me but he surprised me again and his mouth met my core.
I cried out in pleasure as his tongue dance with my sensitive nub. I grabbed the pillows trying to find something that would keep me down to earth as my body radiated with pleasure. My breaths had become labored and my muscles began to tense, "Edward! Oh God Please!"
He moved away and within seconds he was inside of me moving in a fast steady pace. The world closed in till it was only me and him as our bodies were one. I could feel myself start to go then he kissed me and I exploded. Edward kept me going as he continued to thrust sending me wave after wave of pleasure till I began to come down and then he came too.
We both laid there trying to catch our breath as the world began to settle back around us.
I looked up at him to see that his eyes were closed. I kissed him and he opened his eyes.
"I'm hungry now," I whispered and he let out a bark of laughter.
A/N: Well I hope you guys liked it. Review and let me know your thoughts. They are great motivators ;) I'm currently working on the next chapter but it's not going so smoothly. I might scrap it and start again. I hope to update again no later than New Year's so I'd like to say Happy Holidays!
PS- I just got my copy of Eclipse! It was so good to see it again : ) What did you guys think of the deleted scenes?
