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A/N: The chapter got too long, so I broke it up. More is already written and will post very soon!
Edward buried his hands in Bella's hair and traced open-mouthed kisses across her face, groaning at the taste of her skin. "Bella mea."
He drew back and gazed into her eyes, his face transparent with wonder. "Mirabile dictu. Me amas."
She smiled up at him, her eyes soft as she stroked his hair.
Edward pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her slender form, resting his head against hers and closing his eyes as he rocked her gently. "Deliciae meum," he whispered, "in aeternum te amabo."
The world around them could have disappeared, and Bella would have been conscious only of Edward's body enfolding hers, his long arms holding her close, muscled thighs shifting beneath her as she moved closer still. She breathed in his intoxicating scent and hummed against his chest, nuzzling her face against the cool cotton of his shirt.
Her love for Edward was like a living thing, demanding expression; she yearned to show him what was in her heart, make him understand how precious he was, if only he would let her. She felt her heart begin to beat more heavily and knew Edward could hear and would wonder at the cause. Slowly, she worked her way up his shirt until she reached the collar and released the top buttons. Heartened by his acceptance, she stroked her nose along his neck, then pressed her lips against the sensitive skin just under Edward's chin. He inhaled, and a small sound came from the back of his throat, sending a shiver down Bella's spine.
She shifted again on his lap. In an instant Edward's hands were at her hips, holding her in place.
His voice was rough. "Take care, love."
"I'm sorry," she whispered against his throat, though she wasn't at all repentant.
"Bella," he said, his voice tight, "I promised I wouldn't take advantage again. But you're making it very difficult."
She drew back to look into his eyes, now a smokey amber beneath his dark lashes. "I thought we'd settled the question of you taking advantage," she murmured, "but since you're still worried…I'd like to make a proposal." He lifted a brow, inviting her to continue.
She took a deep breath for courage. "Will it be better if I set the pace of…whatever we do?" she asked, her heart stuttering.
Edward's brows furrowed as he looked at her upturned face. "Do you promise to tell me if anything is too much…if I hurt you?"
She nodded. "I promise."
Bella climbed off Edward's lap and lay back against the cushion, raising an arm to him invitingly. He was still for a moment, but then slowly joined her, lying on his side and bracing himself upon one elbow.
"I love you," she murmured, and Edward's eyes flared with emotion. "I love you," he said, and leaned toward her, but then Bella rose up on her elbow and he froze, watching her expectantly.
She reached out and traced her fingers along his cheek. "May I…may I just touch you?" She asked, her stomach fluttering with nervous excitement.
Edward swallowed thickly as he searched her eyes. "Of course," he murmured. He lay back against the cushion, watching her intently.
"Are you certain?" she asked, her brow knitting with concern. "I don't mean to…" She stopped and bit her lip. "I know there were times when…when people wanted to touch you, and you couldn't…"
Edward pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm, then placed it back against his cheek. His eyes glowed with warmth as he assured her, "This is nothing like those times, Bella. I love you."
"I love you," she whispered, filled with wonder at the happiness she felt simply at saying the words aloud. Bella traced her fingers up to Edward's forehead and ran them slowly through his soft, tousled hair, and he closed his eyes, turning his head toward her touch.
The tree trunk creaked as it swayed slowly side to side in the warm breezes, rocking them gently in their airy bower. Edward almost seemed to sleep beneath her gentle caresses, though she knew he couldn't be. She thought of the bed in his room, and then of the works of art she'd found on his desk.
"I saw a drawing in your bedroom," Bella said softly, "…a girl on a horse. Her face is very like yours. Is she your sister?"
One corner of Edward's mouth lifted just a bit. "Yes," he said.
Bella's eyes followed her fingers as they gently curled and twisted a lock of his hair. "I was thinking," she said, "that you couldn't have drawn your sister in such detail without a clear memory of your life then."
He opened his eyes to watch her. "But that night in my room," she whispered, "you said you barely remembered."
Edward's brow furrowed. "I…sought to spare you from worrying about what I experienced then."
"You remember it all?" she asked, keeping her face carefully composed.
He nodded minutely. Edward reached up a hand and stroked her cheek. "I apologize for lying to you," he murmured, his face tight with remorse. "You've suffered much this past year, and I couldn't bear to add to your concerns." His eyes were sad as he searched hers. "Please forgive me."
"Of course," she whispered, smiling softly in reassurance.
Bella's stomach twisted painfully as she thought once more of what he had endured as a young man…but she didn't want Edward to worry over upsetting her again, so she turned her mind away from the disturbing images.
She tenderly stroked her fingers along his brow and down his cheek, repeating the gesture until Edward's eyes drifted closed, dark lashes fanning against his cheeks. She traced her fingers feather-light across his eyelids and down his hollow cheeks, then brushed them across his mouth, slowly tracing the curve of his upper lip and then the across the fullness of his lower. Edward's brows furrowed and his mouth fell open a crack, and Bella took her own bottom lip in her teeth, resisting the urge to kiss him.
Instead, her fingers traveled down his corded neck, lightly brushing over the bump of his Adam's apple and then spreading out to smooth across the broad expanse of Edward's chest, the crisp cotton of his shirt hiding nothing of the contours beneath. A familiar warmth blossomed inside of her and spread, the hard feel of him beneath her exploring hands fanning the flame and making her bold.
Edward's breaths grew deeper as she caressed the lean muscles of his shoulders and arms, then returned to his chest. Her exploring fingers brushed slowly across the hardened nubs there and he gasped sharply, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, but he didn't protest. His breaths were coming faster now, and she watched his face, mesmerized by the way his jaw worked as her fingers trailed ever so slowly down, over the subtle ridges of his stomach. One finger dipped lightly into the depression of his navel, and the muscles clenched, his mouth falling open on a gasp.
"Bella." His voice was strained and his eyes flew open, dark and hungry. He sat up and they stared at one another, breaths shallow, the air between them fairly crackling with tension. Bella inched closer, and immediately Edward closed the distance between them and kissed her, his mouth against hers consuming, overwhelming her senses, leaving her breathless and desperate to be closer. He twisted their bodies until he was above her and Bella lay back slowly, pulling him down with eager hands.
Suddenly, Edward froze. A deep growl rumbled from his chest and he sprang to his feet, his face hard and fierce as he searched the forest far below.
Bella sat up straight, the hair standing up on the back of her neck and her stomach filled with dread at the change in him. "Edward," she asked, her voice trembling, "what's happening?"
"Wait here!" His voice was harsh with urgency. "I promise I'll return for you."
In an instant he was over the rail and gone. Bella scrambled to her feet and looked down in time to see him fall out of sight through the branches below.
A/N:
Incendens = burning with passion
ummmm...thoughts? next chapter up very soon, promise.