This was one of my favorite chapters to write. I hope you enjoy.
SarcasticBimbo is awesome. My punctuation would be weird without her.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN—BELLA
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"I love waking up with you." I sigh and stretch, enjoying the cloud of warmth surrounding me—the one inside that never drops below a simmer when I'm with Edward, and the physical heat from his lean body wrapped around me.
"I haven't slept that well in … damn, I don't even know how long." Edward nuzzles my neck, his warm breath sending chills running down my back.
I giggle. "You must've slept great, considering how well you sleep usually."
His laugh is a warm puff of breath on my neck. "Just because I fall asleep fast doesn't mean I sleep well. I sleep the best when I'm with you."
I tuck away that tiny little discovery and add it to all the new, intimate things I've learned about him in the last few months. I want to soak up every detail and keep them close to my heart.
"I sleep better with you, too," I admit, settling back into his body, moaning a little at the feel of all that naked skin. It's so clichéd, but we really do fit together like puzzle pieces. And naked puzzle pieces are the absolute best. I don't ever want to wear clothes again. We can stay here, in Edward's hotel room, and hide under the covers when room service brings us our food.
His arm pulls up tight under my breasts and he shifts behind me, his cock sliding against my ass. Well, hello there.
"Someone's awake," I say, trying to sound sultry.
Edward buries a laugh in my hair. "You did not just make that joke."
"Well, now I wish I hadn't." My cheeks are flaming hot.
He pushes a lock of hair out of the way and sets his lips to my jaw. "Don't. It's cute." Small, sweet kisses land behind my ear. "You're cute."
Stubble lightly scrapes the tender skin of my neck as he kisses a path down to my shoulder. I hum in lazy bliss and push back against him, smiling when he moans quietly and thrusts his hips.
"God, I want you," he says, fingers clutching me tighter. "I didn't know I could want anyone this much."
He's just knocked the breath right out of me, but somehow I find the words he needs. "I'm not going anywhere."
He raises his head and I look back at him over my shoulder. They're heavy-lidded and sleepy, but clear. The green of his irises burns right into my heart, and if his name wasn't already written all over it, it's tattooed there now. There's no going back for me.
Eyes locked with mine, he skims a hand down my side, lifts my thigh back over his, and wedges his hips between mine. The length of him rests thick and hot between my legs, but he doesn't move. My heart pounds and I can feel it everywhere—I wonder if he can feel it too. He takes my hand, threads his fingers through mine, and pushes them down my body.
"Put me inside you," he whispers, his cock riding back and forth, coating himself in my wetness. Then he lets go of my hand and cups my pussy, stroking me open, fingers exploring possessively. He knows exactly where to touch, how to make me lose my mind.
My mouth goes dry and my heart pounds, anticipation unfurling throughout my body in a slow, heated wave. Edward looks down at me, eyes dark and wanting, and I don't want to disappoint. I line him up and he slides through my fist, stopping when he can't go any farther. A quiet moan slips from his chest when I squeeze him and then let go, gripping his wrist to ground myself. He goes deep, eyes falling shut as he stills. I let my head drop back to the pillow, savoring the contrast of cool sheets and heated breath on my cheeks, my heartbeat pounding in my ears and chest and especially lower, where he fills me.
He rubs his lips over the shell of my ear, gently bites the lobe. "Feels so good … you feel so good."
Words escape me as he drags slick fingers to my inner thigh and opens me wider, making more room for his hips. One strong arm comes up from beneath me and grasps my shoulder. I gasp as he slides deeper, hits that spot inside, and fucks me like he owns my body.
And he does—he owns my body, my heart, and everything else I have to give. I just don't know how I'll be able to keep it inside much longer.
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We finally make it out of bed around nine-thirty. Brunch isn't until eleven, so I have just enough time to shower and get back to my room to dress. I'm not looking forward to navigating the halls in my wrinkled bridesmaid's dress, but last night (and this morning) was totally worth it.
"C'mon, Bella. You know you want me in there with you." Edward pleads through the locked bathroom door.
"We'll never get out of here in time if I let you in." Because I can't resist his naked body. He looks like a freaking underwear model. Okay, maybe he doesn't have an eight pack, but there's definitely a respectable six-pack hiding under his scrubs. It's sure as hell enough to make me drool. All of him makes me drool.
"We should conserve water."
I snort. That had been his argument before I locked him out of the bathroom. "You tried that one already," I call out of the shower, trying to scrub up quickly. I keep getting distracted by pleasantly sore places and a few tiny, purple marks scattered over my breasts and thighs.
"Hey, water conservation is important," he laughs, which makes me giggle at his persistence.
I shake my head and finish up, rinsing the suds down the drain. The luxury hotel towel is soft and fluffy, and so big it might wrap around me twice. After making use of the provided amenities on the counter, I don a towel toga and open the door. Edward sweeps in, gathers me up and sets me on the vanity, and takes my mouth in a kiss that makes me wish I'd allowed him some naked shower time. He tastes of coffee, and for a moment I'm miffed, because he better have saved some for me. The thought is fleeting—not even I can keep thinking about coffee when I'm wrapped up tight in Edward's arms.
After a few moments, or a few days, he pulls away and licks his lips. "There's mouthwash in here?"
I burst out laughing, pushing at his shoulders. He doesn't budge. "Yeah, you should use some."
Pouting, he says, "You're mean."
"I'm kidding. That kiss made me forget who I was. I'd spend all day kissing you if I could." I'm not exaggerating. I really would.
He smirks, tugging me closer. I'm almost falling off the edge of the counter.
"That's more like it." He leans in to kiss me again.
Just to be contrarian, I reach over and hand him the tiny bottle of mouthwash. He bats it out of my hand and captures my mouth roughly, growling at the contact. One hand tugs on the hotel pen I'd used to secure my hair, sending it cascading down my back. He curls his fingers into it and moves my head where he wants it, deepening the kiss until it's hard to breathe—but at this point I'd rather keep kissing him than breathe anyway.
Edward pulls at my towel and it falls to my waist. He cups my breasts in both hands, bending his knees to scrape his stubble over the tops. "Hello there," he rumbles, casting a quick, cheeky smile up at me.
I giggle, but then he rolls my nipples between his thumbs and forefingers; my head drops back, eyes closing. Tender and sensitive from last night and this morning, I can feel every lick, suck, and nibble like he's going to make me come by playing with my tits alone. He drags his mouth back up, planting wet kisses along the way. I struggle to catch my breath and rub my nipples against the hint of hair on his chest, desperate for just a bit more friction.
"I can't get enough of you," he pants against my lips. "Tell me I can have you again."
"Yes," I breathe, nipping at his bottom lip. "You can have me anytime you want." My hands are already at the open tab of his tux pants, drawing the zipper down. I slip my hand in and wrap my fingers around him, thick and hot.
"Fuck," Edward grunts, hips thrusting into my grip.
A loud knock sounds from the main room and we freeze, eyes wide.
"Did you order room service?" I whisper, not sure why I'm whispering. It's not like whoever it is can hear us in here.
Edward shakes his head. "It might be my parents. You stay here while I check it out."
I nod and wrap myself up in the towel while he wrangles his zipper, with no small amount of difficulty. If he doesn't calm that thing down, he's going to have to hide his bottom half behind the door.
Another knock sounds, this time louder. And what comes next has my blood running cold.
"Edward, man, wake up! I'm looking for Bella, and she's not answering her door."
Edward goes white and freezes, staring out into the room like the clown from IT is waiting for him on the other side of that door.
While I don't mind if Emmett knows how I feel about Edward, I know Edward has reservations. Part of him feels our relationship is a betrayal of their friendship, which I don't think is the case. I'm confident Emmett will come around when he realizes what Edward and I feel for each other.
Yet … I have a sinking feeling none of us are going to get what we want today.
Trying to remain calm in the face of Edward's growing panic, I take charge. "I'll stay in here. You go get the door. Of course you have no idea where I am. Maybe I went home to sleep in my own bed. Make up something. Just get him out of here."
"Okay. Okay. " He nods and flies out of the bathroom, while I close the door behind him, leaving just enough space for me to watch.
There's a good line of sight from the bathroom, and I have a clear view of Edward's back as he reaches the door. He opens it enough to conceal what's in the room, but not make it look like he's hiding something. I spot my brother out in the hall, peering past Edward into the room. Nosy jerk. Always was and always will be.
"What's up, Emmett? Sorry, I wasn't up yet."
I grin. Oh, yes he was. Twice.
Also, Edward is a terrible liar. He sounds as if he's reading lines off a cue card. This might not be as easy as I thought.
However, Emmett doesn't seem to notice Edward's bad acting. "Late night?"
"Something like that." Edward attempts a horrible fake yawn and I have to stifle a laugh.
"Should have known. The ladies always love a groomsman." I can literally hear my brother's obnoxious grin.
"You bet," Edward affirms with an emphatic nod. Jeez, he really is terrible at lying.
"So, about Bella," Emmett begins, then sighs heavily. "She's not in her room, and there's no trace of her. Rose and I need a little help setting things up for the brunch, and I thought she'd be around. Let me in, and we can hash out a plan."
"I can't let you in. She's in the shower." Edward's eyes go wide and he backpedals. "Not Bella. Bella's definitely not in my shower. The woman I spent the night with. She's in there," he babbles while I silently plead for him to shut up.
He's going down in flames out there, and I have no way to help him.
But it turns out he doesn't need my help; Emmett does it for him.
He cackles with glee. "That's hilarious. You and Bella? Like that would happen. Remember how she used to write you love notes back when she was in sixth grade?"
Oh, God. Those notes were supposed to be from a 'secret admirer,' dammit. They knew? Bastards. I'd make them pay, but then we'd all have to acknowledge the full spectrum of awkwardness that was pre-teen Bella Swan. It's best if all of us never speak of it again.
"They were sweet." Edward defends me, and I melt a little.
Emmett mocks him in a high-pitched voice. "Aww, how sweet."
"Shut up, asshole," Edward barks, crossing his arms across his chest. One shoulder props the door open, the bright light of the hallway illuminating his silhouette.
Damn, he's pretty. I let myself stare a little, marveling that this male specimen is mine. My gaze rakes him from head to toe … and that's when I notice my bridesmaid dress splayed out on the floor behind him like a freaking snow angel. It might as well be a neon sign saying, "Bella and Edward had wild, rip-each-other's-clothes-off sex!" My blood runs cold.
"Anyway, dude, you have any idea where she is? You've gotta help me out here. Your lady friend will keep for fifteen minutes, won't she?"
"Maybe Bella went home," Edward suggests.
"Why would she do that, man? She has to be here for the brunch in—" he pulls out his phone and checks "—half an hour. Shit. Rosie's gonna kill me if I don't get back soon."
"I don't know … maybe she wanted to sleep in her own bed?"
"C'mon, Edward. It's not like she's got a Tempurpedic at home. I'm pretty sure I gave her the mattress she has now, and it's been through the wringer, if you know what I mean." I can practically hear him waggling his eyebrows.
Also, gross. I need a new mattress, stat. And how could he give that thing to me without full disclosure?
"Have you checked downstairs? Maybe she's already at the restaurant. If she ran into Alice, you know she's already been dragged into indentured servitude. Alice is always spazzing out about last minute centerpieces and signature cocktails or whatever."
"Already checked. And you're right, Alice the Wedding Dictator is down there already," Emmett grumbles.
Edward chuckles. "Are you okay? You just said 'dictator' without making a dick joke."
"That's what she said."
"That doesn't even make any sense!"
"I'm too worried about my sister. We've got to find Bella." Emmett grabs Edward's shoulders and shakes him dramatically.
Edward wobbles under the force of Emmett's Cro-Magnon strength, and they both stumble into the room.
All I can do is watch in horror as Edward's feet get tangled in the landmine that is my dress.
"What. Is. That?" Emmett's voice goes cold.
"A dress?" Guilt veritably drips from each word.
Indecision grips me. I want to come to Edward's rescue, but appearing in nothing but a towel would only provoke the raging bull.
"Tell me that isn't what I think it is." Emmett's voice is deadly calm. It's his cop voice, the one he makes himself use when he's pissed off beyond measure but doesn't want you to know it. Only everyone knows it. His eyes scan the room, landing on my bra on one side of the room, my panties on the other, and one of my shoes on each side. His face gets darker with each find, and there might be steam coming from his ears.
Kicking his bare feet free of the dress, Edward stands taller in the face of Emmett's intimidation. "If you think it's a dress, then yes, it's a dress."
Right now probably isn't the best time for sarcasm, but I love his smart mouth so much.
My brother pushes Edward out of the way and yanks my dress off the floor. "This," he holds it up in his fist, "is a bridesmaid's dress. There are only two bridesmaids: Alice, who is downstairs … and my fucking sister!" He roars the last part, getting in Edward's face.
Edward doesn't back down; he leans in until they're face to face. "Yes, okay! Bella's here. But it's none of your—"
"You son of a bitch!"
I can't leave him out there alone any longer. Clutching the knotted towel to my chest, I open the door just in time to see Emmett throw a wicked punch that Edward does nothing to avoid. Helplessness makes me feel like I'm wearing concrete shoes as my brother shoves Edward hard, gearing up for another hit.
Edward stumbles backward with a growl of pain, but he doesn't fight back. There's a trickle of blood down the side of his face, from a small cut in his eyebrow.
I find my feet and fly out of the bathroom, jumping in between them. "Emmett, stop!" I cry, tears pricking at my eyes.
Edward tries to put me behind him. "I can handle this. I deserve it."
The disbelief on my face is probably worth a meme or two. "He hit you, Edward!" Around Edward's body, I shoot Emmett the dirtiest look of all dirty looks, though a couple tears well over and spill down my cheeks. It's a mad cry, and if my brother is thinking correctly, he'll know what that means—he's about to get murdered. "I'll deal with you later!"
"Stay out of this, Bella," Emmett growls, grabbing for Edward's shoulder, no doubt so he can punch him again.
I dart in front of him, hoping he won't punch me in the throat instead. He's threatened before, but he never follows through. Then again, I've never made him this mad before.
Holding onto my towel for dear life with one hand, I point a shaking finger at Emmett. "Get. Out."
"Bella—"
"Shut up, Emmett. I'm a big girl and I can make my own decisions. Right now, I'm about to make the decision to kick you in the junk. Get. OUT!"
He doesn't budge, turning furious eyes to Edward. "How could you do this? She's my baby sister, for fuck's sake!"
"She's not a little girl any more!" Edward roars.
"I am not a baby!" I yell at the same time, resorting to stomping my foot for emphasis. I realize my actions directly contradict my words, but anything more drastic would likely result in losing my towel toga.
Edward wraps an arm around my waist and I lean back against him, grateful for both his tactile and verbal support. Emmett just stares at us, chest heaving and fists clenched. I've never seen his face this red. Finally, he settles on me.
"He's going to hurt you, Bella. You know what he's like. He's never serious, never keeps anyone around."
"I do know what he's like," I respond softly, and Edward squeezes my waist. He's kind, funny, and a little nerdy. And he treats me better than any guy I've known, aside from my father and brother. But Emmett is rapidly falling in the ranks.
"Then you know he fucks around—"
"It's not like that with her, Emmett."
"Don't give me that bullshit. Of course it's like that. It's always like that with you, Edward. If you wanted some young piece of ass to fuck, go find one in a bar, like you usually do."
Rage and pain war inside me at Emmett's accusations. How dare he insinuate that I'm just like some easy fuck from the bar scene?
"Get. Out!" I'm ready to do some punching of my own. Too bad I'd break my fist on Emmett's blockhead face.
"I'm not leaving without you, Bella—"
"Oh, you bet you are, dickhead. You're lucky if I ever speak to you again."
Emmett's face crumples with sadness. "Bells, you don't mean that."
"Try me." I don't even care that he's hurt. His implication that I'm just another notch in Edward's bedpost cuts me to the quick, and I don't even want to see his face.
Emmett points to Edward. "You did this, you fucking bastard. Moving in on my sister, sneaking around like a coward."
Edward cuts in, his voice loud and confident. "I love her, Emmett."
The world drops out from under me.
"You don't know what love is." Emmett holds his hands out, then drops them in defeat.
Ignoring my brother, I whirl around, heart racing. "What did you say?" The words are barely a whisper. I've dreamed of hearing those three words from him, but I wish it wasn't here, right now. I don't want my asshole brother in on this moment.
A smile softens his mouth as he looks down at me. There's a bluish bruise blooming high on his cheekbone and his eye is getting puffy. "I love you, Bella."
To my embarrassment, tears well in my eyes. "Really?"
Nodding, he admits, "I have for a while now. Just didn't know how to say it, or if I even should. Now's not the best time."
"You should say it! You definitely should."
A full grin brightens his face, and it's contagious.
"I've loved you since I was in sixth grade," I admit, laying my whole heart out for him to take.
The sound of the door clicking shut knocks us out of our bubble. Emmett is gone. I'm not sure why, or if he's even gone for good, but I start to relax a bit.
"I know," he says dryly. "The love notes kind of gave it away."
"Ugh, don't remind me." I hide my face in his chest for a few moments.
"Like I told Emmett, the letters were sweet." He cups my face in his hands. "I've always felt protective of you. When you got older, I tried so hard to tell myself it was only protectiveness. I just couldn't step over the line. But then you completely obliterated that line, and I couldn't help myself. I couldn't stay away from you anymore.
I link my arms behind his neck and shake my head. "And now we're here. We're together. I'd say things turned out okay. Aside from the Emmett situation."
With a heavy sigh, he wraps his arms around my waist, hugging me hard enough to lift me up on tiptoe. I wrap my legs around him and squeeze him tight.
"I've made such a mess of things. I should have told Emmett I had feelings for you a long time ago." Smirking, he says, "Might've saved me a punch." He walks us over to the bed, where he deposits me on the mattress and drops down next to me.
"That's true. But you look so manly with that shiner. It's kinda hot."
"I'm glad you find my pain attractive." He pouts, milking it.
"Aww, poor baby." I reach up and tenderly probe at the puffy skin around his eye, and he hisses in pain. "I really am sorry about Emmett. I'm going to sic Rose on him as soon as I get the chance." I pull him down so I can drop a few light kisses on the swollen crest of his cheek. "I'll get dressed and go get some ice for your face."
"Let me get it while you get dressed, and then I'll let you fuss over me. If Emmett went to Charlie over this, my chances of survival improve significantly if we're both clothed when he comes pounding on the door."
"If Dad knows what's good for him, he'll leave us alone, which I think he will. In any case, I'd protect you." I nod emphatically. After last night's conversation, I get the idea that Dad might not be averse to the idea of Edward and me together, anyway.
"You, who hid in the bathroom while I got punched?" he counters.
"I ran out of the bathroom as you were getting punched. And I'm sorry."
We both knew spending the night together here wasn't the smartest idea. But when have naughty parts ever been smart?
"Bella, I'm kidding." Threading his fingers through mine, he brings them to his lips. "I'd take more than a punch for you. Don't worry about Emmett or Charlie. We'll figure it out."
I sigh, wracking my brain for a solution. The only thing I can come up with is how thankful I am that we're here in the Fairmont.
Here, Emmett can't get to his gun cabinet.
Dad always said Edward looked at me like he'd jump in front of a bullet for me. I don't wanna test that theory.
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So, there you have it. It's out in the open - they love each other, aww!
And Emmett was clueless. Give the guy a break; he's had a lot going on, with the wedding and his busy workload. I know he's a cop, and should be more observant, but he trusts both Edward and Bella so much that he never suspected anything could change between the two of them.