Chapter Fourteen
The first thing I register when I wake up is my leg tucked firmly between Edward's. I'm smiling before my eyes even open all the way as I nudge against him and he grunts a little in response.
Hello there, morning wood. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
"Are you trying to take advantage of me?" Edward asks with his voice still gravelly from sleep.
"Mm. Only if you let me."
"I can taste how bad my breath smells."
"That's the sexiest thing anyone has ever said to me," I say as I snake my hand under his shirt. He has soft fuzz growing in a line from his belly button down and it excites me to see what else has changed about his body over the years.
"You're fucking weird."
I ignore him as my hand keeps going until I reach where I know his tattoo is. "I'll let you have my extra toothbrush in the cabinet if you take your shirt off."
"Damn. You drive a hard bargain, Swan."
"Pretty please with sugar on top?"
In a show of his ninja like reflexes, Edward twists so I'm on top of him and he stills just long enough to smirk at me before he keeps going and leaves me on the couch. I pout my bottom lip as he takes his t-shirt off and lassos it over his head before he throws it at me. I scramble to get it off my face, but he's already running up the stairs to the bathroom, cackling the whole way. I chase after him, but he shuts the door as soon as I reach the top of the stairs.
"Wait, come back," I say as I scratch at the door.
He's laughing as he says, "I have to pee."
"Well pee then."
"Go away. I have stage fright."
"Don't you ever use public bathrooms?"
"This is different."
"Just let it go, Edward." I hear him sigh and turn the faucet on. "You're weak, Masen!"
"Go away!"
I'm chuckling to myself as I go into my master bathroom and do my own business, brushing my teeth while I'm at it. The mascara I put on last night is flaking off around my eyes, so I put my rat's nest of hair up in a bun and wash my face. Walking out of my bathroom, I stop when I see Edward sitting on the edge of my bed looking beautiful as ever shirtless and smiling at me.
"I take it you found the spare toothbrush?"
"I did."
"Are you going to let me kiss you now?"
His brows lift up. "I wasn't aware you were wanting to."
"Oh, I want very much," I say as I push him back and straddle his hips.
"You talk in your sleep," he says as I look down at him.
"What was I saying?"
"I'll tell you someday."
"You don't play fair," I say.
"Not always."
"I like this."
"What part?"
"You in my bed with sleep still in your eyes. Be careful. I could get used to this."
"I think I can too," he says and our eyes lock and our breathing deepens. Neither one of us are inexperienced teenagers anymore and my mind quickly flits through all the ways I want him. On top of me, underneath me, on my tongue, behind me... Fuck. There's so much I want to do, and I know just where to start. I dip down for his lips, but I quickly move down and press my lips over his tattoo that's boldly embedded in his skin just like mine.
"At least we didn't get our names tattooed on each other," I say as I move back up to nudge my nose against his
"I heard that's a curse."
"I don't believe in curses."
"Neither do I."
Edward's hands cup my face and he pulls my lips to his. Warm and soft, our mouths move together. His tongue slides against mine and I grind my hips over his lap feeling how hard he is. He grabs my ass and guides me along, the friction so sweet through the thin material of my yoga pants. I don't know that I've ever been so wet so fast.
I lean up and take my shirt off, feeling like the most desirable woman in the world with the way Edward's dark, hungry eyes take me in. I shiver when his fingers lightly trace over the quill and inkwell on my side before he reaches my breast. With his thumb making tight circles against my nipple, his other hand curls into my hair and pulls my head back just enough to expose my throat. He starts at my collarbone and alternates between kisses and light nips with his teeth before he reaches my mouth.
"Damn, you're good," I say in a breathy voice against his lips.
His smirk is devilish as he moves to scrape his teeth against my earlobe before he says, "If we don't stop now, I'm going to fuck you."
I'm cool with that. "Are you now?"
"Yeah, and I don't know if I can be gentle once I'm inside you."
I'm surprised I'm not drooling from the lust that explodes through my whole middle. "I wouldn't ask you to be."
"Hello?"
Edward and I both go completely still as Rose calls out again, this time my name. I jump off of Edward and slam my bedroom door shut before grabbing my tank top from where it landed on the floor. "I'm in my room," I say loud enough for her to hear.
"There's a mysterious car parked out front and a man's shirt on the couch."
That bitch knows Edward's here, but she just can't help herself. "Hm, imagine that."
"What are you doing, Bella? You guys being horny in there?" She says in a high pitched voice.
"I hate you right now," I say as I fight to keep the smile off my face.
"Do you need me to go get you more condoms? Some lube? Maybe some Gatorade to replenish those bodily fluids you've been swapping?"
Edward starts laughing before I do as I open my bedroom door. Rose is standing there with Edward's t-shirt in her hand and she tosses it at him. "You're a horrible friend," I say.
"Not horrible, just curious. What the fuck? The bed's not even rumpled."
"Because we didn't do anything, you freak."
"Why's your shirt on inside out then?"
I look down and notice the stitching is on the outside. "Because it is. Why are you here?"
"I live here half the time."
"Right."
"I forgot my check book. My car payment is due today. I couldn't help myself when I saw the t-shirt downstairs."
"Yeah. Rose, Edward, you two know each other."
Edward waves from where he sits on the bed and Rose smiles at him sweetly. "How's it going, Mr. Masen?"
"You know, you're as bad as Emmett."
"We're soul mates. What can I say?"
"How about nothing at all," I grumble.
"Where's the fun in that? You guys have a nice afternoon now."
"I'm sure we will," I say as I close my door again. "Sorry about that."
"No, it's nice to see this side of her. She's always been on the quiet side when I've been around her before. I think I understand their relationship better. Emmett doesn't have a mature bone in his body."
"If she's been quiet, it's probably his cousin's fault. I think Rose felt like she'd be disloyal to me in some way if she allowed herself to like her."
"Yeah, well, I don't think that's going to be an issue any longer. Emmett was pretty ticked off when he called me before I came over here and told me she was going back to Tennessee with her friend."
"She's leaving? I thought she was going to college."
Edward gives me the side eye. "How do you know about that?"
"Well, uh, you know Rose talks. She has the biggest mouth of anyone I know."
"I heard that. Love you," Rose yells as she clomps down the stairs to leave.
Edward puts his shirt back on and I sigh. The mood was effectively killed as soon as Rose showed up. "We should go get some lunch. It's already after twelve," Edward says as he looks at the clock on my bedside table.
"That's a great idea. Just let me tame my hair and we'll go."
"I'll meet you downstairs."
I never thought I'd be into avocado on a bagel until Edward insisted I try it. "I need to learn how to make this avocado spread, whatever is in it." All I know is it's vegan and maybe even more delicious than cream cheese.
"They'd probably tell you if you asked. Unless it's a secret recipe."
"I hate that. Share the love."
"Everyone needs a secret or two."
"Maybe so. Thanks for lunch," I say. He insisted he pay for everything which is fine by me. I'm not too proud to take a free meal.
"Anytime."
"I need to go wash my hands."
"Okay. I'm going to pay the bill, so just meet me up front."
I navigate my way through the crowded restaurant. I've never been here before, but it's definitely going on my list of favorite places. I'm sure my dad will appreciate that it also has carnivorous offerings on the menu next time they're in town and we go out for dinner.
"He's just a guy and you're leaving anyway," I hear a woman say as soon as I walk into the bathroom. It's not a small bathroom, two stalls and a handicap one on the end, but it feels microscopic once I notice who the woman is talking to. I hesitate and think about leaving for the smallest second, but fuck all that. I don't feel like I have anything to be ashamed of or sorry for.
Besides, I'm kind of an asshole, but I'm an asshole with manners, so I smile at Marcy and who I'm assuming is her friend as I turn on the faucet and pump some soap into my hands.
"You just couldn't help yourself could you?" Marcy asks.
I blow out a breath and continue doing my business. "I'm not sure I know what you're talking about," I say, but of course I know exactly what she's referring to. I'm just too old for bathroom confrontations.
"I knew you were a snake as soon as he saw you at Eclipse. You're just like your friend. Using everybody and not caring about anyone's feelings while you do it."
Wow, now that's some shit I just can't let slide. "Why don't you stop right there before you keep spouting off on things you obviously know nothing about."
"Oh, I know plenty. I know I was in a great relationship until you came along. Did you feel like you had a claim on him because you went to high school together? High school was an awfully long time ago for you, wasn't it?" She asks spitefully, making an obvious dig at my age.
"You're right. It was a long time ago, so I'd prefer not to argue in a public bathroom like I would have back then. I guess I've grown up." I know her feelings are hurt, so I don't want to be a total bitch, but I'm not going to let her walk over me.
"Just wait until he leaves you too. I should have known he was too good to be true. I was stupid enough to think he wouldn't play games being a little older. Silly me."
"Look, I know your feelings are hurt, but you really don't know what you're talking about. You're young, so stop acting like your life is over."
"You have a lot of nerve saying that to me. It made me sick to see you two together. I tried to get away but you just had to come in here too," she says with a flourish of her hand like she owns this bathroom or something.
I smile and shake my head. What the fuck is this? "Do you want me to apologize for needing to wash my hands? Will that make you feel better?"
"What would make me feel better is you knowing that no matter what you two do together, I fucked him first," she says slowly and deliberately as if she's going in for the kill.
I try really hard to hold it in, but I just can't do it as laughter bubbles out of me. "Really? I don't care who he's fucked. I've fucked other people too. But as far as you being first, that's just not the case. I was the first out of anyone. He was my first too. I'm sure you recognize this," I say as I flash my tattoo at her. "You can curse me all the way to hell and back, but some things just won't change. Like I said, I know your feelings are hurt and I really don't want to be a bitch, but this whole conversation has been a ridiculous waste of our time. Besides, I'm not the one who gleefully admitted to planning a getaway while my fiancé thought I was planning our wedding. At least Edward broke up with you to your face. That's what adults do. Have a nice life," I say as I leave the two of them standing in the bathroom.
Edward's standing near the front entrance to the restaurant and I grab his hand before pulling him out the door. "Are you okay?" he asks as soon as we get into his car.
"Yep. Your ex was in the bathroom with her friend. She saw us and had a few choice words for me."
He sighs and rubs his hand over his face. "I'm sorry, Bella. Was it bad?"
"Don't be sorry. I'm not. I had a few choice words for her too."
"What did she say?"
I chuckle a little and lean over the center console to get directly in his face. "No matter what you and I do together, she wants me to know that she fucked you first."
Edward's eyes widen and his mouth opens and closes. "I... I don't know how to respond to that."
"You don't have to say anything. Her feelings are hurt and she's lashing out because I'm the horrible other female in her mind. It's a classic case of don't blame the guy, blame the other girl for being available because men are simple creatures who don't know how to say no. I'm honestly not bothered by what she had to say. She's probably more bothered knowing her trump card was voided out after I told her I was the first out of all of them."
"You told her that?"
"Of course I did. I know there isn't any traffic on the high road, but meh. I didn't feel like taking it today."
As soon as we stop at a red light, Edward lifts my hand and kisses my palm. "You're my favorite."
"Then I guess it's a good thing you're my favorite too."