A/N: Thanks for being so patient, guys, and thanks for all the encouraging messages. I really wish I could write this faster for you.

Thanks to TwilightMundi for the beta and for still picking these chapters up even when it's been months since she last saw one.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight. I'm simply playing with her world.

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The Game

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I woke up on Sunday to a chill in the air and sat up, blearily checking that I'd closed my window last night. It was firmly shut, so I fell back against the mattress and pulled my blankets up around my chin and grinned when I remembered what had happened the day before.

I'd kissed Edward - theEdward. The same guy I'd been harboring a crush on for the better part of three months. I drew in a shaky breath as I thought about how surreal it was that we were sort of a thing now. I'd never had a real partner before - girl or boy - and this was all new and I was kind of terrified of screwing it up.

It's not that I used to lie to people about that girl that I'd kissed. There really was a girl. Michelle. She was the year below us and for whatever reason, her friend asked my friends and before I really knew what was happening, we were all going out to the movies.

She kissed me during the first ten minutes. Even back then, I knew it wasn't right. In my mind, she even tasted funny, and I kept wondering why all these other people were so happy to stick their tongues in other people's mouths if that's what it was like. But I kissed her back and made a show of holding her hand for the rest of the film. I always assumed she didn't enjoy the kiss much either, because we never did anything else together. About a year later, I realized I'd be willing to put up with the taste if I had a chance to kiss the senior with the thighs I couldn't stop thinking about. Or any other number of guys I'd started to notice. In hindsight, I couldn't believe I'd still thought there was a chance I might be straight.

Edward tasted amazing. He smelled amazing. His body was amazing. And I was allowed to touch him now, and there was nothing else I'd rather do. No one else I'd rather being doing it with.

It was almost too much. Thank God the guy was a vampire or he'd be way out of my league. The virgin bit helped, too. Actually, that's probably what was keeping me from freaking out the most - Edward hadn't done this before either. He was new at this too, and after a century, well, I was guessing he was more eager than me.

It was nice weather today, the sun was peeking through the clouds, and I didn't have a lot to do in terms of school work. I wondered if maybe I should call Edward or if it was too soon?

Then I heard a faint knock from downstairs.

I sat up in bed, wondering who it was and kinda knowing it had to be Edward. A moment later another knock sounded and after glancing around to make sure my room was in order, I climbed out of bed to go answer it. I was still in my sweats and hadn't even had a chance to pee - why was he here so early?

I opened the front door and sure enough, Edward was standing there waiting. The cruiser was missing so at least Charlie wasn't home for this.

"Hey," I said.

"Good morning," he replied, his eyes raking over me looking almost relieved.

"Um, come in." I stepped aside, belatedly hoping I didn't look too awful, and gestured to the couch. "I'll just be a minute."

As fast as I could, I went back up to my room and changed, then went to the bathroom, wincing when I realized he'd be able to hear the stream of piss. It seemed ridiculously loud in the silent house, and I wondered if it was the sort of thing that would gross Edward out.

When I was finished, I washed my hands and brushed my teeth, then went back down the stairs, running my hands through my hair in an effort to tame it. Edward was sitting perfectly still, waiting for me.

"Didn't expect to see you today," I said, taking a seat on the other couch. "It's . . . early."

He smiled and leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "I wanted to invite you over."

"Oh, that's cool. Sure."

Edward smiled and looked a little expectant.

"You mean now?" I asked.

"Yes. Unless you have other plans."

"No, just, um. I'll just eat something."

Edward's jaw tensed. "I'm sorry - I forget. I'm a little out of practice when it comes to human necessities. Should I wait for you?"

"Yeah, I won't be long." I stood up and smoothed out my jeans before heading to the kitchen to get some cereal. He gracefully rose from the couch and followed me. "Did you want anything?" I offered.

Edward's lips quirked up into that smile that made me feel like a giant girl. "You?" he said, obviously joking, and I stopped and stared for a moment because he was attempting humor and maybe that meant he was finally lightening up about all this.

"You've already got me," I said, trying to keep it playful. "I meant food."

Edward's mouth turned down in disgust. "No. We don't eat that."

"But I've seen the others," I said, trying to remember correctly. "They were eating at lunch."

"It was probably just for show. We can't digest your food."

"You mean . . ."

"Anything they swallowed would have come back up later."

"Gross."

"Yes," he agreed.

"So you really only survive on blood?" I asked grabbing the milk from the fridge.

"Yes."

And then because it had been on my mind earlier, I couldn't help asking. "So do you piss blood?"

Edward looked a little shocked but then laughed. "No. No, we have no waste products."

"None?"

"Not even sweat."

"Is that why you smell so good?"

"Well, I guess that depends. To me, you smell better when you haven't bathed. Like now." Edward walked closer then leaned down and buried his face in my hair and inhaled deeply. "It's intoxicating."

I was mid-chew on a spoonful of cereal and I had to force it down my throat. I'd only eaten half the bowl but I suddenly had no interest in finishing the rest.

"Let's go," I said, dumping my bowl in the sink. If we didn't leave now, I was just going to piss him off with my inability to keep my hands to myself.

We took my truck as apparently Edward had runto my house this morning, which he said like it was a completely normal occurrence.

As we were getting in he leaned in and smelled me again. "You know that's a little weird," I commented.

"Maybe for you," he said, doing it again, only this time he leaned closer and nudged in behind my ear and it felt really, really good.

I coughed and put my key in the ignition, trying to hide the how he'd affected me. "So you seem all right with my scent now. No more murderous urges?"

I could feel Edward's smirk against my skin. "Does it seem that way to you?" Thankfully, he sat back in his seat.

"Well, yes. Obviously." I started the truck and he waited for the roar to die down before speaking.

"I've been desensitizing myself with your scent," he said, looking almost guilty.

"Right," I said, feeling his words coil tight inside me. "So when you say desensitizing . . . ?"

He glanced out the window. "I spent the night in your room."

"Really?"

"Are you upset?"

I thought back over my night and wondered if I'd done anything embarrassing. I was notorious for being a sleep-talker when I was younger, but I hadn't slept over at anyone's house in years. "Did I talk?" I asked.

"A little."

"And?"

"Most of it was just words here and there, nothing that made any sense. You did say my name, though," he said, leaning close again.

"Like that's a surprise."

"You said it several times," Edward teased.

"Whatever," I said, pushing him away, embarrassed despite not wanting to be. I couldn't control what I said in my sleep.

"I'm sorry," he said, suddenly serious. "I just want to be able to be close to you."

As if I could be annoyed with him about that. "I don't mind." At Edward's relieved expression, I added, "Maybe you could wake me up next time though."

I hadn't meant it to be suggestive, but Edward took it that way. He smirked and that look on his face just did something for me.

"God," I groaned, thumping my head back against the car seat. The semi I'd been sporting since he'd smelled me this morning was completely hard now, and I had no idea if we were going to be doing anything at his house. Then I remembered all the super hearing and mentally tried to will it down. They'd probably all be able to tell if I was aroused.

"I'm sorry," Edward said again, although this time he was grinning and looking anything but.

"You can tell, can't you?"

"Yes."

"That's just unfair."

"What's unfair is what it does to me. You have no idea the impact it has on your scent."

"Well, we need to stop talking about this or I will pull over." And then a horrible thought occurred to me. "Can you imagine if Charlie had to book us?"

Edward smiled. "It would never come to that." At my confused look he added, "I'd hear him coming first."

"Right."

I breathed out loudly and forced myself to relax. We were through town now, following one of the roads that went on forever.

"Did you want to tell your father?" Edward asked.

"What - about us?" I asked, my voice about an octave higher than normal.

"He would understand. I think he'd even be supportive."

"And I think you're nuts."

Edward didn't respond, just waited for me. I couldn't imagine Charlie being okay with this. He was a great dad but he was old school - loved fishing and sports. It was bad enough we didn't have those in common; I didn't want to make the gap any wider. Plus, what if Edward was wrong. What if Charlie didn't understand . . .

"I don't want to tell him. Not yet."

Edward nodded and looked out the windscreen. "He's going to think it anyway, when I'm around so much."

He had an almost earnest look on his face as he said it, like he was asking permission or something.

"I guess that will give him time to get used to the idea then," I said, shrugging and looking as nonplussed by his words as I could.

I would have missed the turn if Edward hadn't pointed it out. We drove slowly up their long driveway and pulled up just outside the front porch. As we were climbing out, I had a brief glimpse of this being normal for us, of some time in the future when we'd done this a million times, and it made me smile at Edward. He returned it, shyly ducking his head as though he'd been having the exact same thoughts.

With that I followed him inside.

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It was an easier visit than the day before. We spent time with the others and I learned more about their lives. Carlisle told me his story, and how he'd come to change Edward, then Esme, Rosalie and Emmett. Jasper told me a bit about his past but I could tell he was holding back some things. When it came out that he was the newest to the lifestyle they followed, I figured I probably didn't want to know.

Alice's past was the most intriguing for me. She literally woke up this way, without any memory of her former life. So many times I'd wished to have a different life, one where I didn't have to worry about not being normal, but seeing that through Alice's eyes, I realized how awful that would be.

After about an hour, some of the others (led by Alice, of course) began making excuses to leave and go and do other things, which left Edward and me to ourselves.

"Bedroom?" he asked, to which I just rolled my eyes and stood up.

He led me up two flights of stairs and down a long hall. "My room," he informed me, before opening the door and inviting me in.

Edward's room was sparse and it took me a moment to realize it was because he didn't have a bed. There was a whole wall covered in shelves of CDs and the others were hung with some sort of thick material.

"They like you," he said, closing the door behind him.

"They're all really nice." Edward scoffed and I had to add, "Well, as far as vampires go."

I went and stood in front of the wall of CDs and began looking through the titles, most of which I'd never heard of. Edward came up behind me; I could feel his breath on my neck.

"Most people are wary of us," he said. "Subconsciously, they know they should be scared."

"You're not that scary," I commented, turning around to face him.

"You really shouldn't have said that," he said, eyes crinkled mischievously. There was a soft rumble and it took me a moment to realize it was coming from Edward, somewhere deep in his chest. His eyes narrowed and his lips pulled back, showing me his straight white teeth. I was momentarily distracted by how perfect they were, which is the only reason why when he pounced, I didn't see it coming.

We crashed into the sofa and it banged into the wall loudly, but I didn't feel a thing except Edward's arms and body surrounding me, keeping me safe. I couldn't move at all. His body had me pinned in on all sides and it was terrifying and arousing to finally get a taste of his strength.

"You were saying?" he asked with a growl in his voice, grinning in triumph.

That voice . . . it did things to me. "God you're hot," I said without really meaning to. Edward laughed but he looked pleased, and then the grip on my wrists loosened and he leaned down to kiss me.

I arched up so we could get there faster, and although I wasn't meant to use my tongue, I figured tasting the outside of his lips would be okay, so I did, licked along his bottom lip, and he groaned and pushed his hips forward and I finally felt him.

Then there was a knock on the door and Edward pulled away looking even more disappointed than me.

"Can we come in?" Alice asked from out in the hall.

"Can't she see this isn't a good time?" I whispered to Edward, forgetting she'd be able to hear me anyway.

He chuckled before saying, "Go ahead."

I was surprised Edward hadn't moved away completely. He was still lying almost on top of me, clearly in the middle of something, but he had said they didn't have any secrets from each other, so this was probably mild compared to what some of the others got up to.

Alice didn't seem surprised at all - so she did know- but Jasper's eyes widened and he looked a bit shocked.

"It sounded like you were having Liam for lunch," Alice said, "and we came to see if you would share."

Edward pulled me in closer than he ever had before. "Sorry, I don't believe I have enough to spare," he replied playfully, and it was so nice to hear him joking about it, to not have a trace of shame or remorse in his voice.

"Actually, Alice says there's going to be a real storm tonight," Jasper said, grinning. "Emmett wants to play ball. Are you willing?"

I could have groaned. Of all the things I was bad at, sports was the worst. And of course the Cullens would be awesomeat it, what with their super strength and super speed.

"Of course you should bring Liam," Alice said, glancing at me quickly, and I knew she was just saying it to be polite. She knew I wouldn't be there.

"Do you want to go?" Edward asked. His face expression was neutral but his eyes were lit up in anticipation. He looked so damn cute, I almost wanted to say yes.

"Maybe next time," I said, feeling awful when Edward's delight faded.

He eyed me for a moment and for once, I wished he could hear my thoughts. Then something changed and his frown eased up into a warm smile.

"There'll definitely be a next time," Alice said, a giant smug grin on her face that could only be the result of a vision. "Come on, let's go ask Carlisle if he'll play," she said, grabbing Jasper's arm and leading him out.

"Like you don't know," Jasper teased as he followed her out and closed the door.

Edward was still smiling.

"So what was it this time?" I asked.

"You'll like playing with us," he said, moving to lie beside me. His hand came up and rested on my chest, just over my heart. "After you've changed."

And there was that warm feeling again, the one that came about anytime I thought about a future with Edward, like this was something that could go on forever. "But I hate sports," I said.

"You'll like them in your new body." He kissed me first that time, and we made out like that, calm and tender, because who needs to rush when you have an eternity to look forward to. His hands cradled my face, gently holding me still while he mouthed along my collarbones. His tongue lapped at me occasionally, making me shiver from the wet chill.

"This will be harder to do later," he said in between kisses.

"Why?"

"I've grown accustomed to your scent today. I'll have to start all over again this evening."

I smothered my excited grin by pressing my face into his hair. He'd be coming over again tonight, then. But we wouldn't be able to be close like this, not without testing Edward's restraint. I chased after Edward's mouth then with an urgency I hadn't been feeling before.

It was messy but he didn't seem to mind. I licked against his mouth and kissed his lips and my hand inched lower until I could feel his cock through his pants. He gently thrust against me a few times, and then pulled away with a groan, rolled onto his back and lay there with a tent pitched.

"You don't want to?" I asked. "You said you were desensitized, so I figured . . ."

"I'd never forgive myself if I hurt you," he said, though it sounded like he was reminding himself.

How the hell he could stop like that, I didn't know. My dick was painfully hard and it really didn't appreciate being cut off when we were so close.

"You don't even have to touch me," I said, an edge of desperation to my voice. "We could just . . . you know." I gestured wanking and Edward's eyes stared straight at my crotch.

"Okay," he said after years.

"Thank God," I said, practically diving for his mouth again.

I went straight back to where I'd been, but this time, I unzipped and slipped my hand inside, felt how hard and cold he was compared to me. When it became too much, he moved my hand away and replaced it with his own, and I opened and pushed down my jeans, barely sparing a thought for being shy.

I hovered over him, still kissing when I could but we were kinda frenzied now, jerking and touching. Then Edward pushed me away a bit just before he let out a strangled cry and came, little pearly white strands that messed his perfect abs.

I stroked myself as I watched him come down, was driven by how much I wanted him, how I couldn't wait to be a vampire so we could fuck without worrying about it killing me, and that thought was the one that put me over, had me pumping out come that landed over his.

I eased myself into the small space next to him, absently wondering if I could get him to just bite me now. And then I noticed Edward, staring intently at the mess I'd made.

"It smells like you," he said, his voice strained, and I noticed how dark his eyes were. He reached down and dragged his finger through my come, brought it up to examine it.

"How's it taste?" I asked jokingly, then spluttered when Edward actually stuck his tongue out and licked it.

"The texture is wrong," he said, seriously, "I don't know if I can digest it, but the taste is-"

I swallowed as Edward stuck his whole finger in his mouth and sucked, held back every crass comment I wanted to make. There was no way Edward was going to suck my dick, not with what he'd said about his teeth, but fuckdid I want him too.

"-pleasant."

"You're obscene," I said and he smirked at me, knew exactly the effect he'd had. I sat up and put my cock away, spared a glance for Edward's that had shrunk back but was still impressive. He did the same, tucking himself back into his boxers and zipped up. I looked around for some Kleenex but couldn't see any, then realized vampires probably didn't even need them.

"Do you wanna have a shower?" I asked him.

He sat up and unbuttoned his shirt, took it off and used it to wipe at his stomach. "No." And then he smiled. "I like smelling like you."

I tried my hardest not to stare at his chest, and failed completely. He laughed and leaned in to kiss me.

"It will make it easier for me later, too, if I have your scent with me."

"Well, in that case . . ."

Edward stood up and pulled me with him. "I have a headful of smug vampires. Let's go back to your house."

"Okay. Sure." My cheeks must have been on fire and I was ridiculously relieved the others had made themselves scarce for our escape. "That's considerate," I said and Edward laughed.

"Trust me, they won't let us off this easy next time."

"We'll just have to keep it to my house then."

"I like that idea a lot."

Edward drove my truck back to Charlie's and we spent the afternoon lounging around, watching TV and avoiding homework. Then eventually it was time for him to go and play ball.

"So I'll see you later tonight then?" I asked, unable to keep the hopeful edge out of my voice.

He smiled. "Of course."

He didn't even pretend to leave normally, just vanished, the slight chill on my forehead the only evidence he was ever there.

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A/N: YAY FOR WANKING!

I'll try really hard to get another chapter completed by May, okay? Thanks for reading. x