A/N: Thanks to L, L, R & M. I'm nervous as hell about this one, so I'm just going to let you have it. AN at the end.
Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight. I own a MacBook that I'm sure is on its last legs.
Chapter 13
Project - A potential new route or bouldering problem that is being attempted, but has not seen a first ascent yet.
It's like something in me has snapped. The steel cable that has been holding me back is rapidly unraveling with each new press of Edward's lips against mine. His hands cover my sides with mild enough force to make me feel wanted and treasured. The rising panic that usually comes with him being so close is barely a dull buzz in the back of my mind, and I feel it dissolve into darkness.
Feeling bold, I move away from his lips to press mine against the hard line of his jaw before edging back to the soft skin below his ear. I inhale the scent that is inherently Edward as I run my nose along the shell of his ear, delighting in the goose bumps that appear.
His breath quickens as I continue my path, resting up on one elbow to slide my fingers into his hair. He turns his head to capture my lips again, rolling me over until he hovers over my body. I relish the weight of his strong angled body against my softer curves and return his kisses with vigor.
"Bella…" he whispers into my neck, and my eyes roll back until they close. "What have you done to me?" He doesn't let me answer—kisses me fiercely again. Suddenly, he's lying between my legs, and I can feel his hip bones pressing against the inside of my thighs. He pauses when I speak in a whisper.
"Edward? I don't think I'm ready…"
"Shh…" he says gently, shaking his head so that our noses brush. "Me neither…" he gives me a soft kiss "…but I want to make you feel good. Let me make you feel good."
He resumes pressing soft kisses against my neck, the fervor gone and replaced with a tenderness that whispers across my skin. My body responds—my defenses drop, and my arms reach to return his embrace.
He shifts his body to lie alongside mine and moves his hand up my body, brushing over my ribs. I wriggle in response, and he stops, his thumb teasing the underside of my breast.
"Can I touch you?" He speaks into my neck, giving me a gentle nip with his teeth before adding a soft kiss. "Please…let me touch you."
I nod, close my eyes, and just let myself…feel.
His hands mold to my body, and the only barrier between us is cool satin. His thumb brushes gently across my breast, causing a shiver to ripple through my body. He silently slips his hand underneath the bottom of the flimsy nightie, sliding his palm up my body before flipping it to brush my breast with the back of his fingers. He gently grasps the satin from the inside of my nightie, pulling it down to expose my skin to the cool night air before he presses an open-mouthed kiss on my nipple.
Like the cool, calm, and collected girl I am, I let my head fall back as a soft moan escapes my lips. Edward gives a muted, satisfied grunt before smothering attention on the neglected breast with the fingers of his free hand.
I guess he believes in equal opportunity.
His tongue circles and flicks while his teeth gently graze. I squeeze my thighs together, dying to ease some of the tension that's coursing throughout my body in waves. After blowing across it tenderly, he switches to the other nipple, and if I wasn't moaning like a wanton hussy before, I am now.
It's been a long, long time, okay?
I've been concentrating so hard on the sensation of Edward's lips against my skin that I barely notice my hands are moving rhythmically through his hair. I move them down and along the line of his shoulders before grasping at the back of his shirt. He sits up briefly, long enough for me to peel his t-shirt over his head, before returning his attention to my exposed breasts. I let my hands explore his body, taking a moment to appreciate the way his muscles work beneath his skin.
If I'd had doubts before about Edward being a climber, those are long gone now.
His strong fingers draw lines up my body, up my sides, along my arms to my elbows, where he draws my arms upward, capturing my wrists in one strong hand.
He draws back for a moment to look me in the eyes. I feel vulnerable…and incredibly turned on.
Edward must sense something in my expression, because he presses his lips to mine, encouraging them to move, and traces a line along my lips with my tongue. I willingly open my mouth, letting his tongue slide along mine. I tilt my head to the side, and he uses this to both of our advantage.
Ever so gently, as if I'm breakable, he traces my face with his fingers—memorizing the contours of my skin with his fingertips—before trailing down, down, down…
"May I?" he whispers.
"Please," I whimper. "Edward, please."
Satin shifts and he traces gentle circles around my hip bone once…twice…before sweeping across the soft skin above my panties. I shudder when his fingers graze cotton. He lightly strokes the fabric between my thighs, his groan an indication that he's as affected by this as I am.
He plants a tender kiss below my ear as he slides the fabric to the side, slipping a finger along smooth skin. I bite down on my lip to stifle the noise that threatens to escape as he circles, slides, and gently rubs the point that sends electricity coursing through every muscle, nerve ending, and blood vessel in my rapidly heating body.
At this point, I'm not above begging, but it's not necessary—he seems to read my reactions, slipping his finger downward to where I'm warmest before stopping teasingly. I open my mouth in a silent plea then gasp as he dips deeper.
"Is this okay?" he asks, hot air wafting across my neck.
"God yes," I rasp. "Please, more."
He obliges, moving slowly in, out, in, before adding another finger. I open my eyes when he moves his head, tilting to watch how his hand is pleasuring me, a look of unbridled lust clouding his features as he brings his eyes back to mine.
"I want to watch you fall apart," he says in a low voice, bringing his forehead to touch mine and his fingers still working me. "I want to see you lose control."
He pauses for a moment, and I whimper at the loss. Gripping the cotton between my thighs, he pulls, and I lift my hips to allow the garment to slide down my legs. His hand returns, making a path up the inside of my leg. I wriggle slightly as he passes the inside of my knee, but any ticklish sensation is lost as he cups me, placing a gentle pressure, before easily sliding his fingers back in. This time, I can't hold in the soft moan that has been bubbling in my throat.
He gradually builds the pace, and I gasp as heat swirls through my body. He moves faster, curling on the outward motion, and I feel the tremors beginning in the pit of my stomach.
"You're so beautiful."
I arch my back at his words, and he presses a kiss to one nipple before circling it with his tongue. Thoughts of his tongue there send my imagination to places—I envisage him moving his tongue to where his fingers are touching me so intimately. The sensations invade my mind, blocking out everything else in the room except for Edward and the way he's making me feel.
I'm so close, teetering on an edge like the first part of an abseil. I know if I let myself go, the rush will surpass the anticipation that keeps me holding on. I writhe, seeking more, and Edward gives me that push—pressing his thumb to the sensitive place outside while curling and hitting that point inside me that makes everything better.
"Let go, baby. Just let go."
My voice is a rasped whisper. "Oh, God…Edward…"
I crash—rainbow ribbons swirl behind my closed eyelids, and sparks burst into explosions throughout my mind and body. My chest heaves as I try to pull as much oxygen as possible into my lungs, and Edward's lips press to mine, capturing my gasps.
"Fuck." He draws in a sharp, ragged breath. "That was the most incredible thing I've seen in a long, long time."
He removes his fingers, and I roll toward him, burying into his bare chest, and try to catch my breath. My hands reach forward to explore him, and I slide my top thigh between his pajama-clad legs. He bucks in response, and I feel his hard length push against me.
"Mmm…thank you," I mumble into his skin, my nose hairs tickled by the fine hairs of his chest. "That was…God…wow."
"My pleasure." He chuckles. "Anytime…and I mean that." I can hear the smirk in his voice, and my lips curve into a smile as I press a kiss to his chest.
"I could…" I trail off as my hand slides down his chest, stopping to tease the trail of hair below his navel.
"You don't have to…fuck." His argument is interrupted as I grip him on the outside of his pajama pants, wrapping my fingers around and pressing the heel of my palm as I stroke. "But…okay…if you want…"
I tease his nipple with my tongue. "I want."
"Mmm…" He gulps. "Okay…"
I caress the skin below the waistband of his pants for a moment, before slipping my hand in farther to wrap around him and pump once. He shudders and thrusts slightly into my hand. In order to get better access, I release my grip, grasp the waistband, and pull. He lifts his hips to help, and I push the barrier out of the way as far as I can. When the cotton reaches his knees, I lift my leg to push the rest of the way with my foot.
In the dim light, he stands proud against his stomach, and my mind goes to all sorts of places wondering just what he's capable of with…that.
I resume my actions, wrapping my hand around his firm skin and bringing my hand to the tip, moving the moisture around the tip with my thumb, before sliding back down. Edward groans, moving his hips upward in gentle thrusts in time with my motion. I shift my body up, not breaking my rhythm, to kiss his lips, and he opens his mouth. I do the same, our tongues finding each other and moving together.
He winces slightly, and I rear back to look him in the eyes. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, it feels good, but…" He looks down to where my hand is. "It's just a little…"
My eyes widen a little in recognition, and I pause with the thought that it's hurting him. I release him as he continues speaking.
"There's some lotion—"
He pauses when, feeling brave, I reach down to where some of my own wetness remains. Once I've re-gripped and begun again, he throws his head back into the pillow.
"Fuck, Bella, that is the hottest…" His words trail off with a groan as he pulls my face toward his to kiss me deeply. My hand moves faster, and my grip becomes stronger. "Your hands…"
I twist and shuffle to kneel beside him, my hand breaking rhythm for only a moment. I kiss him back with all the fervor I have and continue stroking the hard, long, length of him until his thrusts become choppy.
"I'm…fuck…I'm…"
"Go."
His perfect abs clench and his mouth opens into a silent gasp as he releases into my hand and across his stomach. He falls back onto the pillow, his eyes hooded, with a lazy grin on his face.
"Damn."He grasps my face to kiss me passionately. "Hottest fucking hand job ever."
I giggle at his…compliment and plant another quick kiss on his lips before skipping to the bathroom and returning with a couple of wet washcloths. He accepts with a quiet "thanks," and we clean up before he hops up to deposit the cloths back in the bathroom.
So, I checked out his naked ass as he headed to the bathroom…reflexive response?
While he's gone, I grab a pair of fresh panties, and when he returns, he pulls on a clean pair of boxers before hopping back into bed with me. He pulls my back to his front and wraps his arms around me, planting a soft kiss on my temple.
"You really are amazing. You know that, right?"
I smile into the darkness, although unable to agree with him. I feel like a fraud for not correcting him but snuggle into his embrace regardless.
"Goodnight, Edward."
"Night, Bella."
-~[YD]~-
For the second time this trip, the car is packed and we're ready to go. We've bid yet another goodbye to the cabin and eaten a final breakfast at the island bench amongst kisses and tender caresses. I stand by the open passenger door of Edward's SUV, looking back up at the cabin with a hint of nostalgia. It has seen a number of events over the course of the weekend—a houseful of people sharing a happy dinner, laughter, and silly games by the fire; my irrational, angry meltdown on that first night; and the beginning of something new with the green-eyed, smirking man who's currently walking toward me after locking the front door.
The rain stopped in earnest last night during the time Edward and I shared pleasure, and this morning I was able to properly inspect the damage of the branch that went hurtling through my bedroom window two nights ago.
I made a quick phone call to Charlie after breakfast, apologizing for being unable to stay with him, and make promises to get back to Forks as soon as I can. I think if we'd been stuck here another night, he would have definitely arranged for Search and Rescue to bust me out of here. I'm sure that if he'd been completely aware of the connection Edward and I have developed, he'd have made sure Edward was left behind—quite possibly handcuffed to a post.
Edward's grin widens as he gets closer to me. "Ready?" he asks, bending to wrap his arms around me and slide his nose up my neck and across to my nose.
"Yep," I reply with a smile of my own. He plants a swift kiss on my lips before holding my hand to help me into the car. I make a mental note—if I ever meet his mother, I should thank her for his manners. Our first meeting notwithstanding, of course.
We drive away from the cabin and along the winding driveway. The water has receded, leaving the bridge undamaged and safe to drive on. Edward is still careful, slowing down to avoid skidding on the still slippery gravel. I see him visibly relax when we turn out onto the 101, heading for Port Angeles.
After dropping the keys off and explaining to Mrs. Young about the broken window, she is more grateful that we're okay. She apologizes for the state of the creek and promises to have the blockages downstream cleared away. I assure her that my article will not be affected by the disruption—she's been more than accommodating—and thank her when she offers to waive the cost of the additional two nights.
It turns out my bedroom door wasn't broken after all—Edward's argument was that he knocked each time. I'm not sure whether I should be creeped out by him walking into my room or flattered that he was concerned enough to want to check on me. Maybe a little of both.
The trip back to Seattle is relaxed, and the air between us is easy—a stark contrast to the tension-filled trip only a few days earlier. I call Alice on the way back—avoiding her pressing questions about what we've been doing while we were cabin-bound and if I wore what was in the bag she packed—and she informs me Emmett had one of his mechanic buddies tow my truck to his shop. Turns out I'm up for new parts, but the truck will soon be running and I'll get it back in a few days.
A quick chat with Tanya tells me I didn't miss much during yesterday's regular team meeting. I promise to get her a draft of my story by Thursday, ready to publish in a web feature on Saturday. She tells me that's fine and suggests I work from home to get a good start on some articles. She'll call if she needs anything.
We stop for gas at a truck stop, and I get out to stretch my legs. While Edward goes in to pay for the gas, I try to work out the stiffness my body as best I can. I haven't climbed or been on a run in days, and my body is itching to move.
"Miss Swan, you are entirely too tempting," a smooth voice murmurs from behind me. I giggle as strong arms wrap around my middle, pulling me back toward a solid chest. "What were you thinking about? You looked to be a million miles away."
"Just thinking I need some exercise is all," I reply, closing my eyes as his lips touch just below my ear. "I've barely moved in days."
Edward's deep chuckle sends vibrations through my skin, and I slap his arm in response. "Not that kind of exercise." I chastise him. "I was thinking of going for a climb at Emmett's gym on Thursday night." I pause, twisting to look into his jade green eyes and feel a little shy. "Come?"
He looks pensive for a moment, and I try to encourage him. "You don't have to climb. You could belay for me."
The beginnings of a grin touches his lips before breaking into one of his full-out smirks. "That would offer me a pretty good view…"
I give him a teasing elbow in his ribs as I turn. He rubs the spot with a mock-wounded look on his face. "Ow! What is it with you girls beating up on guys? I'm surprised Emmett has any brain cells left with the amount of times Rose smacks him."
"And yet, Emmett continues to say stupid shit," I respond with a grin, opening the door to the car. "Come on, you can think about it. No pressure."
From what I can deduce, Edward seems comfortable in the gym, although he prefers bouldering. The cave at Em's is very well padded, and there's never far to fall. I suppose it's why Edward's bouldering problems seem to be getting increasingly harder—he's trying to find ways to extend himself without actually climbing upward.
When Edward drops me off at my apartment, I get the impression I'll be bouldering by myself on Thursday. I send a text to Alice to see if she and Jasper can make it, knowing that Rose and Emmett will already be in the building.
Before I fall asleep that night, I roll over, a little disappointed that the other side of my bed is cold and very surprised at myself for feeling that way.
-~[YD]~-
Leaning back in my chair, I fold my hands behind my head, proud of my progress over the last few days. While the article is by no means finished, I've definitely made a solid start. I've also sketched out a few more ideas that I can't wait to share with my team on Monday, including some opportunities for collaboration with Alec and maybe even—shudder—James.
I check the time on my laptop, grinning when I see it's not too early to go to the gym. In addition to getting my work done, I've also come up with a plethora of time-wasting techniques. Maybe I really want to go climbing…or maybe I hope that Edward will be there.
We didn't exchange numbers the other day, but I figured I'd bump into him at some point. I'm trying to play it cool—and it's working pretty well so far. I've hardly thought about his breath on my skin. I have pretty much forgotten about how his lips feel on mine. I definitely have paid no mind to the memory of his tongue on my nipples. And there's no way I've given any thought to the feeling of his long, long fingers…
Dammit. I'm screwed. And for the record, I haven't thought of the prospect of that, either. Oh, and yesterday a pig flew up to my apartment window, tapped on it, and screamed "YOU ARE A LIAR!" in my face.
My dear friend, The Rabbit, just isn't cutting it anymore.
I wriggle in my seat before rising and walking to my bedroom. I dress in my standard climbing attire—making sure I'm not wearing the leggings with the hole, and I put on the blue tank that makes the most of my barely-there boobs—layer up in warmer clothes and pull on my Chucks. On my way to the door, I grab my phone and keys and head out of my apartment to my newly, expensively repaired truck.
My truck comes to a pleasantly rumbling stop outside RockFace, and I give it a gentle pat on the hood for behaving so well on my way into the building. Laurent is at the counter and cheerfully stamps my pass. I purchase a bottle of water from him before swinging through the turnstile.
"Chalky!" The familiar, thunderous voice echoes off every wall of the gym, as Emmett's hulking form lumbers toward me. He hoists me in the air, giving me a spin that makes me squeal. "Glad to have you back!"
"You make it sound like I've been away for months!" I laugh in response. "But thanks, Em."
He nods to my harness, which I've looped over one shoulder. "Climbing?"
"Yeah, Alice said she'd belay for me," I respond with a shrug. And I'm secretly hoping someone else might, too.
"Well, have fun! I'll catch up with you later." Emmett's dimples seem especially prominent as he waves me off. I give him a small salute in return before making my way up the stairs toward the mezzanine level and the bouldering cave.
When I reach the cave, music is blaring, and I'm a little disappointed I won't have it to myself…until the sight of the physique that is sinuously moving its way across the wall stops me dead in my tracks.
I've never seen Edward climb before, and I can safely say—I've never seen anyone climb like him.
He moves with Alice's grace and Emmett's strength. Each move is calculated and flows into the next. He pauses occasionally to flick his sweat-dampened hair out of his eyes or reach one hand behind him to dip into his chalk bag. I hold in the noises that threaten to escape my lips as the bulk of his shoulder ripples beneath his singlet, the hint of a tattoo that I'd failed to notice before peeking out on the back of one shoulder. It looks to be a carabiner with a loop of rope, lock-gate closed.
His feet twist and turn, depending on the angle and size of the foothold, his shoes making him seemingly gripped to the wall. Fingers that I know only too well reach, grip, and flex in a way that makes me think he could hold on by those alone.
If he's beautiful when he stands, he's an absolute vision when he moves like this.
A low chuckle breaks my concentration. "Enjoying the view, Swan?" He taps the final hold, signifying the end of the problem, and drops lightly to his feet. "Hey."
"Hey," I reply, trying to muster some of the confidence I usually have in this place. "I didn't think you were coming."
"Eh," he answers nonchalantly, a mischievous grin in place. "Nothing better to do."
I watch as he walks toward me, the ease of moving on the vertical surface mirrored in the way he moves across the crash mats to me until he's standing right in front of me. With a glint in his eye, he reaches around me, palming my ass and drawing me closer. He presses his hard body into mine as our lips meet.
"So, what are you doing?" I ask as I pull back, stepping away to gain some distance and reaching down to yank on my climbing shoes.
"Just proving to myself that 'a lick of the wrist' isn't that difficult," he replies, giving me a sly wink.
I give him a confident grin as I tie my laces. "What, are you still pissed that I finished it first?"
"Oh, Bella," he says as he stalks toward me, his eyes darkening. "On the contrary—I'm thrilled that you finished first."
I can't hide my blush as my breath catches and my heart starts to pound with his closer proximity. He snickers into my neck as I stop myself from tackling him to a crash mat right here in the cave.
I wander over to the wall and grasp two handholds, not caring that they don't match, and start moving along in an attempt to warm up. A glimpse over my shoulder shows Edward lowering himself to sit on a crash mat, reclining casually on one hand as he sips from his water bottle with the other. I ignore him—or try to—as I move around one way then back. I feel his eyes on me the entire time, and I refrain from doing anything flashy that might put me on my ass.
I finish up and lithely drop from the wall, stretching out my neck and hands. "Belay for me?" I ask, voicing it as a request so he has the opportunity to say no.
He doesn't move for a moment, and I see apprehension flicker across his features. That expression is gone when he unfolds his long frame from its seated position and squares his shoulders—he now looks determined. "Sure."
I turn away from him so he doesn't see the grin that's about to break across my face, and I get myself under control as I step into my harness. He reaches into his bag and grabs his own, and I bite back another grin that he came prepared.
Doing my best not to ogle the way the harness hugs the front of his body, I pick up my stuff and wander into the main gym, looking over the row of top-ropes set up along the mezzanine floor. Spotting one in the far corner, away from the staircase, I point.
"That one?"
Edward nods, his eyes not betraying any hint of apprehension. The boy's got a good game face.
I walk toward the rope and start clipping in, holding out the carabiner for Edward to do the same. He wordlessly sets himself up and takes a comfortable, stable stance with his feet before looking me in the eye. When he speaks, his voice is steady and smooth. "Belay on. Climb when ready."
Popping up onto my tiptoes, I give him a quick kiss before turning to the wall. "Red one, okay? Nothing too reachy."
"I got you." His words hold more, and I believe him.
I take the first few moves easily and settle into a rhythm. As I move on, I check in with Edward. "All good?"
He looks up at me, his face the picture of concentration as his hands carefully grasp the rope. "Yeah."
I smile back down reassuringly.
As I approach three quarters of the way up, I pause to stretch my hands and take in the rest of the gym. Glancing across the floor, I see Alice, Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie gathered near the top of the stairs. I pay them no mind—I don't want Edward to lose his focus.
"I was right about one thing." Edward's voice drifts up to me. I glance down below my feet to his upward facing smirk. "It is a good view from here."
I scoff at him and roll my eyes, resuming my climb. As I move, he offers me hints, spotting holds that I can't see from my vantage point. When I hit the top, I let myself rest into the rope and Edward lowers me to the ground. As my feet touch, I turn to him excitedly.
"I knew you could do it," I whisper, unlocking and removing the carabiner.
"Thank you," he replies, the hint of a proud grin touching his lips. "Thanks for trusting me."
I grin back.
A different voice interrupts. "Nice climb, Bella!" Alice grins at me as our audience walks up to us. "Can I just check something?"
"Um…"
"Turn around, B."
I oblige, throwing Edward a confused look. He returns an equally questioning glance with a shrug of his shoulder.
Looking at Alice over my shoulder, she reaches and grabs his wrist. He furrows his brow at her, and she brings his hand closer to my ass. Recognition hits me, as she matches the size and shape of Edward's hand to two perfect, white, chalky handprints on each of my ass cheeks.
Emmett guffaws, Alice squeals, and Jasper chuckles as Rosalie's smooth alto rises above them all. "Someone has some explaining to do!"
A/N: So, there you have it—my first attempt at citrus. While writing Edward's back-story was difficult to write, this chapter was a challenge unto itself. Another big thanks to my pre-readers and betas for your support. Best team ever.
Thanks so much to twilover76 for nominating YD for Fic of the Week at The Lemonade Stand, and a big "hi there!" to my new readers. More thanks to everyone who has ever recc'd this story in facebook groups, retweeted on twitter, and left me the best kind of love-notes in reviews.
If you haven't seen how a harness hugs a man's physique, I suggest you get to googlin'. It might help with the visual (teeheehee).
Some Recs:
Give them a read and review, and tell 'em I said hi!
I was in the mood for something complete and I need to chip through my TBR list, so I'm reading There is a Light by belladonnacullen. If you haven't read it, go start it. If you have—read it again.
The Missing Ingredient by Edward's Eternal: A Chefward one-shot. Yummy.
Here's two that have just started. Both hold promise of being a hell of a ride.
Somewhere In Between by Write and Left: The prologue made me go "what the what what?!"
Not what She Seems by Savage7289: As with anything written by Savage—you never know what you're going to get, but you can be sure that it'll get you thinking.