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AN: Reader Beware, Explicit Lemons Ahead!

Chapter Fourteen: Virgins

CPOV

After Masen's initial appetizer of crow, I would have become bored with the remainder of the obligatory meal had it not been for Bella. She was beaming with happiness, having been restored to Edward's side and his parents' good graces. She was a vision of beauty and often graced me with knowing looks full of gratitude and contented smiles throughout dinner. They do say money can't buy everything, but it sure makes easy prey out of lawyers.

As the conversation continued, I began to understand that Mrs. Masen loved her only son most dearly and had already come to accept Bella as his choice. Had I been able to withstand Bella's unhappiness for a longer period of time, Elizabeth Masen would most definitely have managed to bring her husband around to a favorable view of the young couple's relationship. She was a woman to be reckoned with. I had no doubt that despite his willfulness, Edward Sr. was most definitely positioned firmly beneath her thumb. My way just happened to be a little faster and a whole lot more fun. I didn't like to flash my wealth around often, it sometimes made obvious fodder for too many inquiring minds. But in this case, I already knew my time, as well as Bella's, in Chicago was most likely very limited. Not to mention that the opportunity to give back something to the delightful creature, who had brought to me the most wonderful gift I could ever have thought of - the gift of hope - was impossible for me to pass up.

Monroe insisted on driving us back home that evening, even though I would have preferred to share a taxi alone with my sparkled Bella. Still, once we finally found ourselves alone she turned to me. "Carlisle, I think this must be the most wonderful and unselfish thing anyone has ever done for me in my entire life," she approached me slowly and placing her hand on my cheek, lightly kissed my lips, "Thank you."

"You're most welcome, kid." I smiled down at her doing my best to hide the fact that the skin on my face was on fire beneath her touch and every dead cell in my body was screaming to scoop her up and cling to her with everything that I was.

"Betsy's Christmas party is this coming weekend, will you help me decide on a suitable gift for Edward?"

I would normally have gone to Ohio tomorrow, but there was no reason not to indulge her with a shopping trip. "Of course, my dear."

"Thank you, again Carlisle. Goodnight." With that she climbed the stairs to her room.

I headed for my study, to listen to her movements, as I was now used to doing, while she prepared herself for the night's slumber. Later, I found myself feeling anxious as I stood watching her chest rise and fall with her rhythmic breathing and steady heartbeat, for the chance to spend some time with her alone tomorrow. No laboratory, no chores just her and me on a fun filled day of shopping for...Edward...ugh.

We headed out on the trolley early the next morning. The weather was cooperating so far, but I'd masked myself with makeup, just in case. Bella was a vision, just being with her made this immortal feel new again. I did my best not to think too hard about our shopping mission. It was all so much more pleasant to pretend we were just spending time together for the sheer pleasure of it. When I suggested we go to the Loop and browse Jeweler's Row, her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.

The trolley ride was invigorating and I was reminded of how long it had been since I'd interrupted my work routine to enjoy what measure of life I was still granted. Watching Bella enjoy everything from the chill on her face to the bustle of the city, reminded me that there were indeed some advantages I took shamelessly for granted. It was still mercifully cloudy while we did some window shopping until we came upon a handsome pocket watch display at Tiffany's. "Oh, Carlisle... it would be wonderful to get something like that for him and have it engraved. What do you think?"

She didn't want to know what I thought so I told her what she wanted to hear, "He'll be enchanted, without a doubt. What would you put on it?"

"Just one word and my initial."

It was easy, even pleasant taking care of the details inside the store with Bella at my side. Especially so when the salesman intimated that we were a couple and tried to interest me in the wedding ring sets much to Bella's embarrassment and my delight. It was going to take a little while for the engraver to do his work so I suggested we, meaning she, get a soda just across the street.

"That sounds wonderful, thank you Carlisle." Bella took my arm as we crossed the busy street. A brief ray of sunshine peeked out from behind the clouds and I dashed into the ice cream parlour with her, almost pulling her off her feet. She was very gracious about my instinctual overreaction and recovered quickly. I apologized sheepishly.

"No worries," she smiled up at me.

We took a seat on the stools at the counter and she ordered a hot fudge sundae. A popular dairy concoction that must have tasted delicious to her, but seemed nothing short of repulsive to my unnatural sensibilities. When we returned to pick the pocket watch up later, she proudly showed me the engraving. Which read in a scripted flourish:

Forever

B.

"How appropriate of you." I smiled at her as she beamed back at me.

"I thought you might appreciate the sentiment!"

I crouched there in the shadows, watching Esme cry, my dead heart was breaking for her. I wanted nothing more than to kill the monster that had hurt her, but Bella's words echoed in my head, haunting.. dangerous knowledge. I couldn't touch him, I couldn't take the chance that she would never come to me. I had to accept that Bella was happy with Edward and wanted nothing to do with me. Esme was my future, and she was going through hell.

I vowed to myself to never let anyone know the extent of Esme's human trials with that grotesque excuse for a human being she called her husband. She was an extraordinary woman and an enchanting creature, to watch her suffer was nearly unbearable for me. I left her in anguish, unable to trust myself any longer. I came damn near to punishing the brute, but quickly realized even that was impossible, too easy to backfire on Esme. I headed back to Chicago and Bella.

Betsy's Christmas party was tomorrow, the happy couple would be announcing their betrothal. If vampires could cry...at least I wouldn't need to be there for the festivities. I'd had as much fawning over as I could handle so I'd begged off early. I planned to spend my day in the laboratory, I had several cultures that were due to mature.

As I approached the house, I realized that Edward and Bella were in the library. Of course. Despite my fears of keeping yet another human in such close proximity, perhaps I should have hired a house keeper, as Masen had suggested. They really did need a live-in chaperone those two. Well, Bella seemed certain of her purpose so who was I to interfere? I headed for the basement and spent the remainder of the evening doing my best to shut out their conversation and concentrate on my research.

I noticed one of the flu cultures from the medical facility in Haskell County was developing in a distinctly unique fashion. I double checked its origin. There was no doubt, this was the first culture in which I'd been experimenting with a small sample of Bella's blood. I checked on two others I'd begun in a similar fashion, in each case the results were the same and in each case it was only Isabella's blood that produced that result. I had to remind myself that I may not be certain to have the correct flu virus, as Bella had told me the first cases would not be recorded for a few weeks yet, but it seemed a very real possibility that she could actually be immune to the coming pandemic she'd described. As other normal specimens were infected, they seemed to passively absorb the pestilence, but her blood had actively fought to destroy the invading cells.

My excitement was tangible. With her blood it was a very real possibility that I might be able to concoct an immunization! I could conceivably prevent the pandemic! Moving faster than I cared to think about, I began the process of isolating the elements I would need to produce the cure. It all seemed so clear to me now. Once I had isolated the warrior cells from Bella's blood, I set up several control cultures. The nourishment in each was only slightly different to show which would reproduce the cells most effectively. I felt giddy on the brink of a major accomplishment thinking of all the lives that could be spared by a simple shot similar to a penicillin vaccination.. until my damned vampire brain focused in on the pebble in my shoe.

My entire being froze. I realized that even if I could conceal the source of those immune blood cells, following this path to its logical successful conclusion would destroy the future of which Isabella spoke. I sat in the dark looking at the cultures on my lab shelf weighing personal happiness against the future of the population of Chicago. The scale was sadly tipping in the distinctly wrong direction for Isabella's future to have any possibility of coming to fruition.

This dark knowledge she'd shared with me was the heaviest burden I'd ever known in more than three centuries as an immortal. How could I go on existing, knowing that my future was destroyed? On the other hand, how could I or anyone else for that matter, live with the monster who had allowed millions of lives to end for the sake of his own happiness? There was no acceptable solution to this dilemma.

So I sat there in the dark basement, immobilized, listening to the joyous children upstairs, no longer trying to tune them out, I sought to indulge myself in their delight... there was suddenly so little left for me to enjoy in this world anymore...

BPOV

I must be in heaven, Edward was here, he was human and he'd promised to be all mine. In front of what felt like the entire world at the Christmas Party he'd announced our intentions to everyone and his father had even proposed a toast. Elizabeth was quick to turn the entire affair into an engagement party. Suddenly, it was all about us and I couldn't wait to escape. Edward was quick to pick up on my mood and we soon took our leave, telling everyone I was tired.

I felt like I was floating as we entered Carlisle's library. As soon as the door was closed behind him, Edward grabbed me by my waist and pulled me flush against him. He grinned down at me while I put my hands on his shoulders.

"Hey," I smiled up at him. That was all he needed, his lips descended on mine and his tongue demanded entry, ravaging my mouth and upon finding my tongue, relentlessly pursued it until he was massaging it with his own in a pumping fashion. My balance was never the best, but Edward's soft, rough tongue pushing against mine demanded all of my attention just to absorb the sensations racing through me. My head was all the way back and the marvelous things his hands were doing had me spinning so violently there was no choice but to clutch onto his neck and shoulders, pressing my body against his for dear life.

When he finally pulled back he said, "Wow. Mmm."

I nuzzled my nose against his neck and since my body was already pressed so tightly flush to his, I swiveled my hips against his suggestively. I was quickly rewarded when his body began to respond to my movements.

"Bella." His eyes frowned down at me but his mouth was still smiling.

I managed to straighten up, "Yes, well why don't you play something for me?"

"What would you like to hear?" he took my hands in his and began to pull me towards the grand piano.

"Whatever you would like to play. What are you practicing at the moment?"

He frowned at me with his whole face this time, "I'd rather play something for you that I'm certain of," he sat down on the bench and said, "I know, here's a new one called 'After You're Gone'. I pushed him a little with my hips to sit down on the bench beside him. He just grinned at me as he started to play, and then, much to my surprise he cleared his throat and began to sing,

Now won't you listen honey, while I say,
How could you tell me that you're goin' away?
Don't say that we must part,
Don't break your baby's heart

You know I've loved you for these many years,
Loved you night and day...
Oh! honey baby, can't you see my tears
Listen while I say:
After you've gone and left me cryin'
After you've gone there's no denyin'
You'll feel blue, I'll feel sad
You'll miss the dearest pal you've ever had

There'll come a time, now don't forget it
There'll come a time when you'll regret it
Someday, when you grow lonely
Your heart will break like mine and you'll want me only
After you've gone,
after you've gone away

After you've gone and left me cryin'
After you've gone there's no denyin'
I m gonna feel blue, and you're gonna feel sad
You're gonna feel bad
And you'll miss, and you'll miss,
And you'll miss the bestest pal you ever had

There'll come a time, now don't forget it
There'll come a time when you'll regret it
But baby, think what you're doin'
Its gonna haunt you so, it's gonna taunt me so
It's gonna drive me to ruin
After you've gone, after you've gone away*

I was giggling and clapping, I'd never heard it before but I was certain Edward's rendition was the best. Even as a human, his voice was fraught with velvet undertones that Elvis himself would have been jealous of. I began to wonder what state-of-the-art recording devices were available and how we could get him to a sound studio to use them! "That was truly wonderful, I loved it!"

"You're easy to please!" he laughed with me.

"You really should devote yourself to music, Edward. The world will miss your talent if you don't."

"That's easy to say now, but think of what you'll probably have to give up if I don't go into law school as my father wishes. It's you who will pay the price for my fancy, you know."

I put both hands on either side of his face and pulled him to look directly at me, "I don't need anything but you, Edward. Let's get this straight right now, whatever makes you happy, makes me happy." I leaned over to kiss him lightly on the tip of his nose, "Besides, I'm an heiress now, you know..." I giggled leaning my forehead against his.

His grin widened at this last and his hands attacked my rib cage on either side of my body. I sprang into action to avoid his tickles. But Edward was fast and caught me just as I'd reached the loveseat in the reader's circle. We both collapsed on it, me writhing and laughing beneath him, Edward admonishing me and digging into my ribcage with his fingers laughing loudly. I managed to squirm out from beneath him, landing on the floor with a solid thump on my rear end. I was surprised by the loud noise and then started giggling uncontrollably, while Edward stood up, laughing along with me. He reached for the hand I extended and pulled me up with more force than I had anticipated, crashing me solidly against his chest.

I heard him sigh loudly as he clutched me to himself once more and then he pulled my chin up with his finger so my eyes met his. "I'm so happy everybody knows that you are going to be my wife." His beautiful emerald eyes wandered around my face and then settled on my mouth. His lips fell gently on mine and teased them open while his tongue filled me and thrilled me. I pressed into him enthusiastically and felt his erection hard against my abdomen.

He groaned into my mouth as I moved rhythmically against him. I yearned for him, once he pulled away I breathed, "I think Carlisle is out of town..."

He attacked my mouth with his own once more, the way he pumped my tongue made me lose all sense of time and balance. This was no careful vampire's caress, he was hard and purposeful, rubbing and pushing, massaging me senseless. I clutched at him for dear life and left my eyes closed when he pulled away and stood me up straight. I felt his fingertips at my chin and realized he wanted me to open my eyes, when I did, I gasped at what I saw in his. Deep into the throes of lust, his eyes were hooded and the deepest, darkest shade of green I can remember. He moved his cheek against mine and breathed so closely into my ear that his breath threatened my delicate balance, "I want you, Bella. So badly."

Silently, I took his hand and led him out of the library and up the stairs to my room. I opened the door and turned back to him, "I need you too, Edward." I reached up to kiss him and felt his warm, supple lips on mine, then his hands ran down my back and my spine tingled with the sensation, as his tongue swirled in my mouth. Without breaking the kiss, he bent us down slightly and I felt him gather me up behind my knees, suddenly I was floating in his arms. He laid me down gently on the bed and then moved to close the door. His tie and shirt hit the floor before he was back at my side on the bed.

"We should wait," he said while he was undoing the tiny buttons on my blouse.

"I suppose we should do a lot of things in our lives. I don't want to wait," I breathed into his mouth while I reached for his belt buckle.

"Good," Edward had my blouse open and his hand pulled my chemise out from the waist band of my skirt, "because I don't think I can stop. I want to see you." With that, I helped him pull the blouse and chemise off of me in one go. I think it might have landed near his shirt, but I couldn't see it because Edward had me pinned to the bed by my shoulders, staring at my breasts, "You are perfect, Bella. I can't believe you agreed to be my wife." With that, Edward bent to suckle me and my hands buried themselves into his soft, thick, unruly hair.

When he came up for air, he had a wide smirk on his face. "Roll over, love," he said, his voice deep and thick with need. He pushed me away, rolling me onto my side so my back was to him. He swiftly undid the buttons fastening my skirt and then lifted it past my hips and over my head until I was left bare except for a pair of white cotton underwear.

As I rolled back, he gasped, "Oh my God, Bella you are so beautiful." His mouth landed back on my nipple, sucking and nipping what felt like an imaginary silver cord attached directly to my core, while his hands moved over my skin, taunting and teasing me. My hands desperately sought his belt buckle once again and finally succeeded in undoing it. My hand dove under his boxers seeking out his naked erection. Edward squirmed under my touch a little, but once I found him, he bucked up into my hand involuntarily. I immediately began happily stroking, rubbing his hard, silky flesh. I noticed him suddenly tense under my touch, but I didn't let it phase me.

"Oh, OH Bella!" Edward cried while his body began to quiver uncontrollably, then I felt his hot semen spilling over my hand as he came in his boxers. I hadn't known what I expected but, I was overly pleased with myself that I could have this effect on him. Once spent, his erection became flaccid, but I was still having fun toying with him when I noticed he'd lost interest in my breasts.

"Edward?" I tried to find his face, but he seemed to be hiding from me. "Edward? Is something wrong?"

His head moved up and down.

"What's wrong sweetheart?" I moved my other hand to his face which was hot and when I moved his chin so I could see him, he was beet red. I frowned down at him, worried.

"In case you didn't notice, I just had a premature ejaculation in my pants. I'm a mess."

"Tch, tch." I bustled into action, "We're both virgins, Edward. What did you expect? Come on now, get those things off." I helped him with his pants and examined the damage. His boxers were too messy to wear, but his trousers were none the worse. I held them up for his inspection, "Look, see? No problems!" I smiled.

His expression was miserable, "But my boxers?"

"Go Commando." I shrugged as if it were obvious.

He looked back at me clueless, "Commando?"

My twenty first century mouth was going to get me into trouble yet, "Just don't wear them, who is gonna know?" I leaned closer with a gleam in my eyes, "Except, me of course." Then I winked at him and he smiled.

"But what are we going to do with my underwear?"

I held them up and twirled them in the air with my finger, "My first souvenir!" I laughed and he joined me. The light lit up his eyes once more as he sat on the edge of my bed watching me.

"I'm so sorry that happened," he pulled me to him and frowned. "I wanted our first time to be special."

I let the boxers fly into the corner, past the community clothing heap on the floor. "It will be." I kissed him lightly, standing between his knees, our foreheads pressed against each other. Then, I pushed my shoulders back, bringing my breasts about level with Edward's mouth and hugged him tightly to me. "I love you." I whispered as I felt his tongue almost involuntarily reach out for my nipple. I hissed as his teeth scraped my aureole and then clamped down on my hardened nub. My back arched, pressing me even harder up against his chest. "Oh, Edward. Please?" I felt his hands slide down my torso while his mouth entertained my other breast and relieved me of my underwear. I stepped out of them and pulled away, climbing over Edward to get back onto the bed. I reached out to draw lazy circles on his back, "Edward?"

He didn't move.

"Edward, is everything alright?"

He cleared his throat, "I don't know if I can..."

"Shh," I sat up and pulled him around to face me. I put my palm against his cheek, "Don't think about that. I just want you to lay down naked with me, OK?"

He gave me a reluctant smile and then laid down on his side, facing me.

"Are you tired of touching me already?"

The corner of his mouth slid up so far on his face, it caused the corner of his eye to wrinkle, "Of course not, I could never tire of you, Bella."

"Put your hands on me then," I smiled as he ran his hand over my collar bone, down my chest, over my breast, along my flat stomach and stopped at my bush. He hesitated there quite unsure of himself. I gave him an encouraging look and his hand slid between my thighs. His fingers teased my lower lips and then pushed gently between them to delve into the wetness that had gathered there.

Edward hissed, "Oh, Bella you re so...wet!"

I nodded, "All for you."

He leaned over to kiss my stomach and looked up at me through his eyelashes. I'd never seen anything sexier, "May I?"

I nodded enthusiastically as he made his way down my torso, kissing me lightly as he went and then got up on his knees, bending my leg, pinning it tightly up against my stomach. He situated himself between my legs. "You smell intoxicating." He bent his head down still holding my thigh firmly against my body with one hand while the other spread my labia out for his inspection. He held us there for what seemed to me a long time, while I felt cool air brushing against my opening.

"Edward?"

He looked up at me once more, smiling. Then looked down once more before his face disappeared from my sight. I gasped at the feeling of Edward's huge, hot tongue against my pussy. He licked me from bottom to top with his entire tongue out flat. I felt him release my leg so that my foot rested flat on the mattress, but with my heel pushed up flush against my ass cheek. His tongue was circling my entrance now and his fingers were dancing around my clit. "Oh my God, Edward! Where did you learn to do this? Oh. My..." I realized he had me panting already.

Suddenly, his tongue was gone and his head was up smiling at me from the curious view I had between my breasts, "Some things just come naturally I guess," he smirked.

I was immediately sorry I'd asked the question, "DON'T STOP!" I fairly begged. He dove back down with a vengeance. I could feel his tongue dart down my entrance and his hand moved along my inner thigh, while his fingers continued to circle my excited nub. "Oh, Edward that's so, that's.. so.. Oh!" I felt something tighten within me and suddenly my body no longer felt like my own. My hips were gyrating against Edward's face, which by now had moved to suck my little nub up inside his mouth while his fingers began pumping me. "I'm gonna...EDWARD!"

That's when I came apart, my body spasmed out of control and everything seemed to grow dark until it seemed as though a fireworks display had begun behind my eyeballs. I was totally blissed out. Heavy sigh. I giggled stupidly when I realized that Edward was still lapping at my pussy. He looked up at me, "Hey gorgeous!"

"That was amazing!" I grabbed his shoulders and encouraged him to come up and kiss me. He instantly planted his lips on mine and I tasted myself on him. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it didn't bother me, so I enthusiastically deepened our kiss. He took up my mood and rolled us on our sides, so we could indulge in a little quality face sucking time. As I moved to hook my leg over his hip, I noticed that something had come up between us. "I think junior is ready to go again," I said, moving my lips against his.

Without retreating he spoke, breathing into my parted lips, "Haven't you had enough of me?"

"Never," I smiled.

He pushed himself against me. "There will never be another first time Bella. Maybe we should wait."

I sighed heavily and pulled away from him gently, "I'll wait if I must, but just so you know.. I'm yours whenever and wherever you decide to take me. Do you understand, Edward? I'm leaving this decision up to you, but..." I hesitated, how was I going to put this?

"But?" he raised his eyebrow at me.

"But, I want the wedding to be as soon as possible. Maybe even just at the courthouse or something, nothing big."

He stared at me as if I'd just grown a duplicate head.

"What?" I made the question sound more like a statement of challenge.

"Nothing, it's just.. most girls want a big church wedding and you're, well.. you're an heiress so I would think you wouldn't have as much choice in that matter as most girls so I'd just assumed you'd want..." he frowned at me in disbelief.

"See? There's the problem, Edward. Right there! You just assume! You don't ask, you just assume!" He looked back at me, momentarily stunned into silence. I sighed heavily, "I am not most girls, Edward. I don't like being the center of attention for anyone's entertainment. I want a small wedding as soon as possible so I can have you all to myself. Understand?" I nudged him with my hips for emphasis.

He grinned back at me. "Really?"

"You bet." I saw Edward's expression morph into a frown of concern, my unusual request must have sounded desperate to him. I tried to remember that after enduring days of whatever his father may have been saying about me, his doubts should be expected. "No, Edward I am definitely NOT pregnant," which is the big problem here. "I know this because I am still a virgin and because I've just had my very first orgasm with the man I love in this very bed."

"I'm glad. But, it wouldn't have mattered, I mean I'll love you and take care of you and your baby..."

"Edward I am NOT pregnant!" frowning, I got up in his face, "But I'd very much like you to make me that way..." I smiled and gave him a quick, chaste kiss on his lips.

His grin spread from ear to ear, "Me too!" then he grabbed me and attacked my mouth once more.

*"After You've Gone" is a 1918 popular song composed by Turner Layton, with lyrics written by Henry Creamer. The recording wasn't actually released until that summer, but I'm going to pretend Edward had already heard it live at least once by the 1917 Christmas Party.

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