12/31/2011 NEW YEAR'S
~BPOV~
/-9:00 AM-/
"Sorry to get you all up so early, but we want to get to the Annual Santa Monica Antiques Show before everything gets picked over."
"No worries, Dr. C," answers Alice.
"Let's hear the rules, boys," Carlisle says.
Emmett: "Only the alcohol set aside for tonight is to be consumed."
Edward: "No other friends are allowed over."
Emmett: "If anyone else shows up, we're to call you immediately."
Edward: "If the police come, you know nothing about this."
Jasper: "Everything has to be back in its place in the morning, and we all have to be packed and ready to go by 9:30 AM."
"All right, dear. They seem to know the rules. Shall we?" Carlisle says, lifting their overnight bag to his shoulder and holding out his hand to Esme.
"Happy New Year, kids. Please be safe." Esme says on her way out.
The second the door closes, Emmett grabs a pad of paper and pen from the side table. "Okay, let's make a list of supplies…"
/-11:00 AM-/
"You sure you don't want this?"
"No, Edward, we're not making zucchini tonight."
"Oh," he says disappointedly, placing the vegetable back into its bin on the wall. "How about bananas?"
I shake my head 'no' and smile at his playful behavior. He picks up a bunch of celery and raises an eyebrow. I shake my head 'no' again.
"Hmmm," he says, traveling down the produce aisle in front of my cart. "I wonder what will satisfy you tonight…for dinner."
"We do need a couple of cucumbers, Edward."
"A couple?" he shoots back. "One's not enough now?"
/-2:30 PM-/
Hearing Edward's footsteps approaching down the hall, I quickly tuck the Victoria's Secret box inside my suitcase.
"Whatcha doing?" he asks from the doorframe.
"Packing, so I can sleep a little later tomorrow."
"Good thinking," he says, turning to do the same.
/-4:30 PM-/
"Are you gonna look at me like that all day?" I ask him.
"Yeah, probably," he answers. "It's your own fault. You shouldn't have given me so much time to think about it."
I raise an eyebrow, "You weren't thinking about it before I mentioned it last night?"
"Well, hell yeah, I think about it all the time, Bella. I just didn't know it was imminent."
I tip my wrist to read my watch. "Seven hours and counting."
He checks the time. "So you're only giving me half an hour? Sorry, no, that doesn't work for me. We need to start no later than eleven. I'd say 10:30, but I think that would be way too obvious to the others."
"They don't already know?"
"What? Are you asking me if I said something?"
"Well, I might've mentioned…"
"OH! I was wondering when I would learn what you and Rose were talking about while we were on that Simpsons ride!"
"You're not mad?"
"Of course not. She's your best friend and she's like your life coach."
"But you aren't saying anything to Jas or Emmett?"
"Contrary to popular belief, guys do not brag to each other about sex. Not when it really matters, anyway."
/-7:00 PM-/
The two of us are on Giant Salad duty, so we're standing at the counter chopping piles of vegetables when Edward leans into my ear. "Four more hours," he says, planting soft kisses up the column of my neck.
"Mmmm, you can't do that to me when I have a sharp knife in my hand."
"Bella, I have a dangerous weapon to deal with too, ya know," he warns, eyes dropping to the front of his pants.
"Nice," I chuckle. "Very romantic."
"Just sayin'," he shrugs adorably.
/-8:00 PM-/
Rose pops open the champagne and Alice plays deejay with her iPod, which the boys have rigged to run through the Cullen sound system. The boys prepare a makeshift dance floor by removing the large coffee table from the patch of carpet in the center of the room. Edward delivers me a glass of champagne with a kiss and a message, "Three more hours, baby."
From that point forward, his eyes never leave my body. I feel him all night. Each time he passes me, he kisses me somewhere unexpected—a shoulder, a wrist. His hungry eyes follow me into the kitchen, toward the bathroom, on the dance floor with the girls. I remember how much Edward enjoyed watching me dance with Rose at Emmett's party, and I lay it on thick. I grind and bump and let the champagne do its magic.
It's not teasing if you're going to deliver.
^EPOV^
/-8:59 PM-/
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve is on TV, but it's on mute. Our music is way better; we're just watching for the celebration in Times Square. But our countdown is all screwed up anyway. First of all, we're on the west coast and the ball is only dropping on 9 pm here. Secondly, I couldn't care less about midnight this year. Because Bella and I are counting down to 11:00.
/-10:00 PM-/
"Sixty minutes, Bella," I growl into her ear. Her entire front side is pressed against mine and I guess what we're doing could technically be called dancing, but honestly, it's just vertical making out.
Bella's eyes widen at the sixty minute notification. I reach in again so only she can hear, "This is your very last hour as a virgin. Anything you want to do?"
"Hmmm, you mean like my last meal?"
"Sure," I chuckle. "Dead woman walking."
"Nice. I want more to drink," she answers.
I chuckle, "You want to play Bizz-Buzz?"
"No way. I can't concentrate right now. I'd just get hammered and pass out."
"Well, that would be poetic. Just like Christmas." Should I? I should. "And our first date."
"What? I so did not pass out."
"Come on, Bella, isn't it about time to fess up?"
"Well, maybe just for a second," she finally admits.
I grin at her long overdue admission. "How about if the two of us have a private toast?"
"Perfect," she answers, smile broadening.
I pull her from the dance floor over to the makeshift bar area. In addition to the beer and champagne, my parents have allowed us one bottle of Patron Silver. I pour out two shots and hand one to Bella.
"To ending 2011 in style," I toast.
"The end of an era," she answers, clinking my glass with hers.
"And the start of something new," I add, before drinking down my tequila. Her eyes never leave mine as she empties her glass.
/-10:40 PM-/
My lips pause at her ear. "Twenty more minutes, Virgin," I whisper breathily.
She stands shakily and announces, "We should probably start cleaning up now."
"What? Why?" Emmett asks.
"I'm pretty tired," she attempts to cover.
"Me, too," I quickly come to her aid, clearing an armful of bottles and disposing of them in the recycling bin.
"What's with you two? It's not even mid-," Emmett accuses, but Rose cuts him off with a firm elbow jab, bless her heart.
"Don't be one of those New Year's Eve bullies, Emmett. It's already 2012 back at school," she says, and I catch Rose and Bella exchanging knowing looks.
Jasper, oblivious, but still a little jetlagged, stands and yawns mightily. "I could certainly hit the hay. How about you, Alice?"
"Sounds good."
Emmett stands, bewildered, in the center of the room, watching as everyone around him starts cleaning up and ending the party. Realizing he's outnumbered, he shakes his head and says with a great deal of disdain, "Freshmen."
"Hey!" Rose protests, with a smack to his gut. Poor Emmett's getting all kinds of physically abused.
"Not you, Baby," he tries, but Rose is still scowling. "Oh fine, let's pack it in."
/-10:50 PM-/
"Give me ten minutes and then meet me in your bedroom?"
"Rrrrrrrrr!" I roll my tongue at her a la Roy Orbison.
~BPOV~
I glide up the staircase as elegantly as I can. My heart is pounding when I reach my room and push open the door. Rose is waiting for me with an encouraging smile.
"You ready?" she asks.
"So ready."
"Mind if I ask what you're wearing for the occasion?" she asks. Good ol' Nosy Rosy.
I unzip my suitcase and pull out the pink striped box. "Sue bought me this…thing at Victoria's Secret. It's a navy blue slip with a silk wrap robe that matches."
"Classy, B," she smiles, standing to give me a hug. "Remember, just relax and let Edward lead."
A shiver shoots down my spine. "I've gotta go. He's coming up soon."
"Enjoy. Happy New Year, Bella."
"You too, Rose."
I grab a few essentials from the bathroom, give Rose a hug, and tuck the signature pink box under my arm. Making sure Edward's not upstairs yet, I slink down the hall and into his room. I head straight to his bathroom and lock myself in. I pull off my clothes quickly and run a soapy washcloth all along my body, pleased that my skin is still soft and smooth from this morning's shave. My soft hairbrush produces a silky shine on my hair. I brush my teeth, use some of Edward's mouthwash, and finally, pull on my silk lingerie. The slip feels so luxurious against my bare skin. There's a matching thong, but I decide to leave it in the pile with my clothes. At the last minute, I pull the robe around my shoulders and tie it in a bow at my waist.
I hear the outer door open and close and I know Edward's waiting for me in his bedroom. I give him a few minutes to get ready, whatever that means to him. I visualize him pulling off his shirt and throwing it in his laundry hamper. Maybe he'll take off his pants, maybe he'll decide to leave them on? Shit, what if he needs the bathroom? This is awkward, suddenly. I don't want to just open the door on him, even though I know he isn't modest in the least.
I knock softly on the inside of the bathroom door. "Edward?"
"Yeah," he laughs. "Were you hoping for someone else?"
"Do you need to get in the bathroom…first?" Gah, I'm glad he can't see me blushing madly right now.
"I'm good, Bella. I used Emmett's bathroom."
"Are you ready for me?"
"Bella, I've been ready for you since October! Come on out."
Here goes nothing!
I push open the door cautiously, and I'm relieved to find that the lights are off. The room is dimly lit by moonlight shining through the blinds. I hear Edward gasp, and I realize he's standing right in front of the bathroom door, undressed except for a pair of loose boxers like the ones he's been sleeping in all week. His gorgeous muscular chest is glimmering in the muted light, and his hair almost appears to be glowing. His expressive emerald eyes glint back at me like a cat's eyes in the dark. He's so beautiful right now, it actually makes my heart hurt.
I want this. I want him.
I notice music playing, some sexy acoustic guitar piece with an entire orchestra as background. I realize this is Edward getting us warmed up. So sweet.
He steps toward me. It's not aggressive, the way it was in the dressing room at the mall, but my body responds the way it always does when Edward is near. Even more so tonight, with expectations so high. My breathing speeds up; my heart beats rapidly; I'm on edge awaiting his first touch. He lifts his hand to my temple and draws his fingers through my hair and behind my ear, cupping the back of my neck. My whole body leans into his hand.
"Bésame, bésame mucho," Edward sings along with the wildly romantic voice. I know just enough Spanish to understand that he's about to kiss me again and again.
He brings the back of his other hand to my face and gently brushes his knuckles along my cheek. "Como si fuera esta noche la última vez." When his lips cover mine for the first time, my only regret is that he's stopped serenading me. Maybe another time, I muse, falling into his whispery kisses.
I loop my arms lazily around the back of his neck. He's rocking us to the sexy Latin beat of the bongo drums and humming while he kisses me, driving me nuts. While I so appreciate he's taking his time and not rushing things, I'm suddenly wishing I'd just come out naked so right now we'd be skin against bare skin in this juicy embrace.
^EPOV^
Gotta love Andrea Bocelli for recording this song. It wasn't easy sneaking away from Bella for even half an hour earlier today to pull together this play list, but I knew right away that this song from our high school Spanish class would lead things off. I'm pretty sure Senora DaCosta had a thing for Andrea, and blech, I am so not thinking about her right now!
Bella completely blows me away with this sexy outfit for our special night; it doesn't seem like she'd have the nerve to buy something like this for herself. Then again, if she shopped with Rosalie and Alice, anything could happen. Well, almost anything, I chuckle to myself, recalling my prudish girlfriend's response to our trip to Good Vibrations.
Her silky robe slips coolly along my bare chest as we pulsate together to the beat. The thin layer between us doesn't mask her excitement any better than it does mine, and I'm confident moving on.
Andrea gives way to Enrique Iglesias. I break apart our lips and sing the first couple of verses while we continue to sway. My hands move to her hips.
"Would you dance if I asked you to dance?
Would you run and never look back?"
Her eyes are locked on mine, innocent and trusting. I pull at the sash holding her robe together, and the bow easily comes undone. Bella's breath hitches as the silky fabric of her robe falls open.
"Would you cry if you saw me crying?
Would you save my soul tonight?"
Sliding my hands under the material at her shoulders, I draw my fingertips across her shoulders, dragging the robe down both arms and leaving it to puddle behind her on the floor.
"Would you tremble if I touched your lips?
Would you laugh? Oh please, tell me this.
Now, would you die for the one you love?
Hold me in your arms tonight."
"You're so beautiful, Bella," I tell her, my fingers meandering along the bare skin at her neck and arms. The dark blue slip shimmers in the soft lighting and even in the dark, I can see the contrast with her creamy skin. It's as if I'm seeing her through the blue filter of a movie camera, an ethereal quality permeates our scene. Not that Enrique needs my help, but I've always loved this line, so I sing with him:
"You…take…my breath away."
I draw her close to my body again, and I let her feel what she's doing to me. My hands slide down her back and over the curve of her ass, and it's clear that she's got nothing on under this thin slip. This realization clouds my mind momentarily, and I fist a handful of the fabric while I try to get hold of myself again.
"Ahhhh," Bella groans, feeling the material scrunching up and exposing her. My other hand smoothes down over her bare bottom.
"God, Bella, your skin is so soft."
Bella responds by pushing her hips forward and grinding against me. Fuck, I'm trying so hard to be a good boy tonight. I considered the benefits of taking the edge off earlier, but I figured if Bella waited 18 years, the least I could do is hold out another few hours myself.
I disengage my body from hers with great difficulty, recognizing this as the granddaddy of foreplay sessions. My fingers reach for her neck, leaving feathery soft caresses on their way down to the bare skin of her chest and the luxurious silk that covers the curve of her breasts. Her nipples reach for my hands as I pass over them, and my fingers linger and play. I will deny her nothing tonight.
"Nnn….nnnggggh….ahhhhhh…..mmm," her little sounds of need punctuate each touch.
One hand dances down her stomach and finds the end of the nightie at the top of her thighs. My fingertips slip under the hem and stroke her lightly. I find her slippery and wanting: my very favorite way to find my girlfriend. She swoons and brings one hand to my lowered shoulder for balance.
"You are so wet," I observe hungrily.
"Mmmmm," she moans, earning herself another sleight of hand. Bella rocks a little on her feet, and it occurs to me that this is why some very wise person invented the bed. Suddenly, I lift her off her feet with one hand under her knees and one behind her back. I deliver her gingerly on top of the comforter, setting her head lovingly on the pile of pillows and crawling right on top of her.
~BPOV~
He nuzzles his nose in close to mine and closes his eyes for a few seconds, pausing to gather himself. When he reopens his eyes and shines their green intensity into my own, I read pure desire. It sends a chill down my spine that ends just at the edge of my slip.
I can be your hero, Baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
I will stand by you forever
You…take…my breath away.
Edward pushes himself up to his knees and settles between my legs, flattening his palms against my thighs. His thumbs work toward my opening, but he's only teasing. He grasps both sides of the hem of my slip and slides it slowly upwards. He marvels at each new inch that's revealed. My own eyes are riveted to his; I don't ever want to forget the way he's looking at me right now—so loving, so intent, so desirous. I squirm under his scrutiny and experience a new wave of need for this perfect man.
The silk slips over my nipples and my breasts, and I can't tell if the shiver is because I'm exposed or in response to the way his tongue swipes out across his lower lip. He gently places one finger atop each mound and slides them slowly, torturously, down, circling the nipples, continuing down, down, down, toward the dark triangle. I buck when his hands near my slit, but he stays outside, teasing me. He reverses his motion, using the back of those same two fingers, all the way back up and over the peaks. I lie perfectly still, except for the heaving of my chest, every molecule focused on where those fingers will go next. He does this several times, up and down, watching me keenly. He must see the moisture accumulating at my opening, my body literally weeping for his attention.
Mercifully, or maybe not so much, on his next pass, he draws his fingers closer together and they pass tantalizingly down my lower lips, to which I respond, "Nnnnnnnnnnn," with a breathy, needy moan and a squirm. On the next pass upwards, he draws his fingers straight through the slick epicenter of my lust. "Ahhhhhhhh!" I exclaim, but the pleasure is over almost before it began. He takes his time at my nipples, adding a slight pinch, before wandering back down again. I'm mentally mapping his travels along with him, his eager, horny copilot. Just to make me a little crazier, he stops this last time just at the edge of my pubic mound, making me beg for him.
"Edward, please. I neeeeed you." Gah, the sound of my own beseeching pushes me further down the rabbit hole.
As if he forgot I was even here, he draws his eyes up from my body to regard my face.
"I need you, too, Baby," he answers in a husky voice, just before setting his mouth down on my body, exactly where I ache for him.
"Ohhhhhhhhh," I moan, taking in the new sensation of his flattened tongue against my opening. Looking down, all I can see is the top of his head moving over me, and all I can feel is the fluttering of his soft, wet tongue inside my body. With one hand on either side, Edward opens me and continues to lap at me, ever so gently, ever so maddeningly. My attention is focused 100% on that single spot and what Edward's mouth is doing to me. His soft grunts expose his desire and refuel mine, not to mention the effect the reverberations have on my body.
Birds flyin' high
You know how I feel
Sun in the sky
You know I feel
Reeds driftin' on by
You know I feel
It's a new dawn,
It's a new day,
It's a new life for me,
And I'm feeling good!
Yes, Muse, I'm feeling good, too! I cannot get over the intimacy of this act, cannot get past the fact that Edward's face is buried deep in my pussy. Until, that is, he lifts that face right up and smiles gloriously at me, his lips shiny with my juices.
I have to admit, I'm thrilled when he replaces his attentions to my girl parts with his amazing fingers. Somehow he knows exactly how to tease me, and soon, I'm right back to where I was moments ago, twisting under his ministrations, silently willing him not to stop until the job is done. He hops up and sits back on his haunches, pushing my thighs further open with his knees. Two fingers touch down together and draw tiny, slow circles around and around my most sensitive spot.
Around and around and around and around…Oh God, OH GOD, OH GOD, OH GOD…
"Don't stop! Don't stop! Mmmmmmm…."
^EPOV^
Her breathing turns to panting and she balls up the bed sheets in her hands. Her cute little noises match up with my motion, speeding up but getting no firmer.
"Ahhh…Ahhhh...Ahhhh…Ahhh…"
Fuck, if I didn't need this boner, I'd be shamelessly rubbing against her leg right now.
I see the beginnings of her orgasm. I cover her gently with the heel of my hand and let her rock into me only as hard as she needs. Her voice is airy and sweet and so extremely out of control.
"Come for me, beautiful girl."
She shows me her pleasure without censoring herself for modesty or shame.
After, she places her hand on top of mine, where it still rests against her body, and caresses me lovingly. I clamber up her body and drop my face near hers.
"Mind if I kiss you?" I ask, unsure whether she'd be squicked out by her own taste.
"I don't know. What do I taste like?"
"Sex," I answer immediately.
"Could you be more specific please?"
"You want colorful language, Professor?"
"Mmm hmm."
"Let's see…the heady scent of musk combined with the sweet taste of fruity nectar. How's that?"
"A+, Mr. Cullen."
I smile, "So, you want some?"
"Yeah," she answers, wrapping her hands behind my neck and pulling me down. I touch down gently on her lips, letting her drink in as much as she wants of her own flavor.
"What do you think?"
"More musk than fruit, but not bad…if you're in the mood."
"Oh, Bella, I am definitely in the mood."
Bella shimmies to a sitting position, pulling her slip over her head and tossing it to the floor in the process. She crooks her finger, beckoning my lower body closer, which is not something she needs to ask me twice. Not ever, but most certainly, not right this moment.
I promptly walk myself to her left side on my knees. Bella shoves one hand aggressively under the elastic waist of my boxers. "Your turn," she announces, surprising me with a few quick jerks.
"Be my guest," I answer with a wide grin, which she answers with one of her own. One hand on each of my hips, she carefully slides my boxers down my thighs to my knees, and I pull them the rest of the way off and toss them onto her abandoned slip.
"Mmmm, is that all for me?" she asks.
Perfect timing for Seal to click on, with his version of Here I Am, Baby.
I can't believe that it's real
The way that you make me feel
"Only you, Bella."
I'm burning deep down inside
A love that I cannot hide…
My tip is already wet by the time her hands reach me again, touching me playfully, rolling and sliding her fingers over me, fondling my balls. I'm slick and slippery and every point of contact is pure joy.
Here I am, baby, come and take me
Here I am baby, come on and take me
Take me by the hand
"Take me by the hand," I sing along, as Bella heeds my request. She grips me tighter, pumping me as if she means business.
I know it don't take that much from me
'Fore my cup runs over
It's this love inside me
I can't help it, there's gonna be an explosion, HEY!
Speaking of explosions, I have to stop her right now. I need to save myself and my stamina for the Main Event. Placing my hand over hers, I warn, "You better stop that."
Even in the dark, at this close range, I can see her eyes widen as the reality sets in. It's time.
"Still have a little buzz on?" I ask her.
"Mmm hmm," the edges of her lips curl up slightly.
"You know how much I love you, right?" I ask, suddenly desperate to know that she knows the depth of my emotions.
"Yes," she answers confidently. Good.
"Are you nervous?"
"Yes…but probably not half as much as you," she responds with a gentle smile.
Truth be told, I am anxious about hurting her. She's always given me her trust so freely and without limits. I don't ever want to do anything to cause her to regret that.
"I'll get over it," I feign boldness, masking my anxiety.
~BPOV~
It occurs to me I might be his first…virgin.
"You're not gonna hurt me, you know."
"How are you so sure?" he asks, cocking his head slightly with the question.
"Edward, you are the most considerate, gentle person I've ever known. You were protecting me even before we were a couple." I'm sure he remembers his strange conclusion that I was afraid of his touch, and the extra effort he always made to ensure I wasn't uncomfortable around him. "I've never been treated with such care by anyone before."
"Well, you deserve it, Bella. You should always be treated like a queen."
"Edward?" I whisper.
"Yeah?"
"I'm ready."
She can kill with her smile and she can wound with her eyes
She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
And she hides like a child but she's always a woman to me…
"Okay."
She'll bring out the best and the worst you can be
Blame it all on yourself 'cause she's always a woman to me
He bends over and kisses me again and lifts up just so our noses are touching. "This changes everything, you know."
"What do you mean? We won't still be us?" Now he's scaring me a little.
"We'll still be us, only more. I can't explain it better than that because I've never felt like this about anyone before you. I love you so much, Bella."
"I love you, too, Edward," I say automatically, because it's so true it's not even funny.
"One more," he mutters before leaning in and pressing his lips and tongue against mine. It's as if he soaks up energy from kisses. Like my lips are his sun and he's a solar panel.
He reaches under the pillow before sitting up on his knees, and I realize he's retrieved a foil packet from where he must have stashed it earlier. I watch with fascination as he rolls the condom over his erection. Just think, once my pills kick in, he won't have to do that anymore.
"Slide back down," he demands huskily, eyeing my naked body just beyond his hard-on. He passes one hand from my left shoulder down to my hip. "Tilt up for me?" he requests, propping me up on my right side, facing away from him. I feel his hard body settle in close behind me, as he slides his right arm under me and loops his left over my waist.
And the most she will do is throw shadows at you
But she's always a woman to me.
His lips trail kisses along the column of my neck, and I feel the puff of air near my ear when he talks to me in a low, soothing voice.
"I know this doesn't seem very romantic, but it'll be more comfortable for you. And I'm right here, Bella."
"Okay," I answer, trying to hide my disappointment. I suppose I had the missionary position or a variant thereof playing through my head, something where we'd be face to face.
Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you.
Shall I stay? Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you. ?
Edward pulls me back against his chest. His hard length rests against my soft bottom, and his knee parts my legs. I take a deep breath, scared for the first time tonight. This is real. This is it!
Edward's hand lifts my top knee from behind and gently drapes my entire left leg back over his hip. He widens my opening with one hand and now I feel the insistent prodding of his tip between my legs. The image of a confused bird banging repeatedly against the window pops into my head and I can't seem to erase it.
Edward's hand is there to guide him inside me, but every time I feel the head press against me, I have the urge to pull away. Forget about length; it doesn't seem possible I can handle his girth.
"Relax, Sweetheart. Trust me. 'Take my hand; take my whole life, too. For I can't help falling in love with you.'"He joins Elvis and croons right into my ear. I focus on his voice.
One finger slips inside me. "Mmmmm," I relax for him, not fighting the sensation.
"That's my girl," he soothes, sliding in a second finger along with the first. "Does that feel good, Baby?"
"Mmmm," I repeat. It actually feels great, especially when his hand hits against my body at the base of his fingers.
^EPOV^
God, she's so fucking tight. I never really paid attention before, because it was only ever a finger, but now? Shit.
I slide a third finger in, praying I'm not hurting her, praying even harder it will be enough. Not bragging, but I'm larger than average, Emmett's teasing aside. I try distracting her with my right hand at her nipple, pinching and kneading her, while I line myself up at her entrance. Using my left hand to open her lips, I press my tip against her body and adjust myself until I find the perfect angle. She's wet and the condom is well lubricated, but she's still tense and resisting. I know she wants it, but her body is telling her to reject me.
"Can you feel me right here?" I speak into her ear, pressing as I do. "Do you still want this, Bella?"
"Yes," she says shakily. "It just…kind of feels…"
"What, Bella? Tell me…please."
"It feels like you're stabbing me."
Shit! I lift her leg off me and tip it forward, so it rests against the bed on the other side of her. I shift so I can reach her from this angle and try pressing forward again. Tap…tap…pushhhhhhhhh. The tip slides in past the outer lips, finally, and I hold.
"Breathe, Bella."
She blows out a breath, and I feel her whole body relax. "That better, Baby?"
"Yes," she says. "It's good…I think."
This is it. I'm only one serious thrust away from what we both want. I grasp her left hand in mine and pull our clasped hands around her waist, holding her tightly. I drop my lips to the crook of her neck and warn, "Here we go! Deep breath…"
Her chest expands, and I plunge inside in one swift motion.
"AAAYYYYYEEEEEEEE!" she squeals, scaring the daylights out of me and halting me in my tracks.
"Fuck, Bella, you okay?"
"Yeah," she answers, still holding her breath.
"Should I stop?"
As much as I want this, I'd never enjoy myself if I thought I was hurting her.
"No," she answers quietly. "Keep going." Christ, she sounds like she's gritting her teeth. Not exactly what I was hoping for…
"Bella, I-"
"Edward," she says evenly. "I want this. Make love to me."
I am a weak man. Those words just knock me right over dead. And I can't possibly deny her.
Unclasping our hands, I hook mine under Bella's knee and really concentrate on visualizing the path of her inner walls. My next two thrusts still cause her to flinch, and when I'm just about ready to lose heart, we finally connect in just the right way. I slide all the way inside her and my balls slap against her body where we're joined.
Bella lets out a surprised, "Ahhh!" and rocks back into my next motion. "Mmmm," she moans, relaxing her muscles and getting comfortable around me. She angles herself and pushes back into me with each thrust so that I penetrate even deeper inside.
"Does that feel good?" Say yes, I pray.
"Yesss," she hisses. "Mmmmm."
Knowing she's enjoying this now, I finally concentrate on my own pleasure. I enter her again and again, more enthusiastically each time. Our bodies, damp with sweat and shared effort, are molded together. She picks up on my rhythm and increases the force every time we collide.
"Ahh…I feel you…inside me!"
Holy shit! "God, Bella, you're so hot and tight!"
"Mmmmmmm!"
"Nnnnnnnggggg!"
"Ahhhhhhhh"
Desperate for Bella to share my climax, I slide my hand to her clit and strum it gently. She grinds against my hand in front and pounds onto my cock behind.
And that's when Rufus Wainwright takes over:
I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelu-jah…
~BPOV~
Hallelujah—the perfect expression of this moment. I allow the miracle of our love to wash over me and I fully surrender to the beauty of the music, the moment, and the incredible boy joined with me in this perfect intimacy.
There was a time you'd let me know
What's real and going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you…
Lord, how he moves in me! I cover his hand with mine and feel his fingers caressing me. His grunts are coming closer together and his thrusts are more urgent.
"Coming…ungh….OH GOD...Come! With! Me!" he rasps.
"Mmmmm," I answer unintelligibly.
The holy dark was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelu-jah…
Amidst the plaintive Hallelujahs, Edward lifts to his peak, losing himself completely in the sensation. He holds his breath and strangles me in his desperate grip for three whole seconds while he stills and explodes inside me.
It's a silent scream that's felt but not heard. I feel a part of it more than ever before, this act that gives him so much pleasure happened inside the depths of my body. Not like when I took him in my mouth; no, that was superficial compared to the way he's buried inside me right now.
His breath is heavy at my neck and his fingers resume their purposeful stroking as he comes down from his high. He wants to draw me out again, but I don't need it or want it. His warm body wrapped around and inside mine is everything I desire. Placing my hand over his, I loop our fingers together. That's not the point, I tell him wordlessly. I draw his arm up my body and bring his hand to my lips.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelu-jah
"Happy New Year, Edward," I whisper, filled to the brim with satisfaction and love.
"The happiest," he agrees.
The moving strains of Hallelujah give way to an orchestral introduction, and Aerosmith's I Don't Want To Miss a Thing. Edward sings softly behind me, almost a purr:
"I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away and dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure…"
Edward taps me gently my shoulder and I twist my neck around. "Hmm?" I ask, still dreamy from his sexy singing.
His grin is huge. "I haven't told you yet this year how much I love you."
I reach my hand to his cheek, wrenching my lips to his in this awkward position to kiss him, because it is always so very worth it. Steven Tyler handles the next verse while our lips and tongues connect.
I don't want to close my eyes. I don't want to fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream of you would never do
I'd still miss you babe and I don't want to miss a thing.
"Well, go ahead then," I respond, when my neck can't handle the contortion a moment longer.
"I love you so much, Bella."
Lying close to you feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming wondering if it's me you're seeing
Then I'd kiss your eyes and thank God we're together
And I just wanna stay with you in this moment forever
I don't wanna miss one smile
I don't wanna miss one kiss
I just wanna be with you right here with you just like this
I just want to hold you close I feel your heart so close to mine
And you'll stay here in this moment for the rest of time.
^EPOV^
Trailing a few kisses on her shoulder, I reluctantly pull out. Bella whines at my absence, causing me to chuckle while I tie off the condom. "Be right back," I promise, running my hand down her back before rolling off the bed.
True to my word, I return right away to find her lying on her back. I press the warm washcloth against her tender body. "Mmmm, that feels nice," she hums.
"Do you feel sore?"
"Not really."
"Ready to go again?" I tease.
"Not so much," she chuckles. "But thanks for the offer."
"Any time," I answer. "No, really, Bella. I mean it. Any time. Any place. Any position. I'm your man."
"Good to know, Edward. Thanks," she smiles.
"You were holding out on me," I accuse, causing her to click her eyes over at me. I'm propped on one elbow on my side, and I dangle her navy blue matching thong over her belly button.
"Hmm," she considers. "I thought less would be more."
"There's certainly something to be said for that…but next time? I think this could be awfully fun."
She giggles. "With or without the rest of the outfit?"
"If you won't go round two right now, you really can't say stuff like that to me," I growl. "Where did you get that outfit anyway? It was perfect."
"Sue bought it for me for Christmas."
"Ahhh." That makes more sense. "I knew I liked Sue."
"So…the music?"
"Yeah? Did you like it?"
"It was as if you scored the whole thing to match the choreography. How did you know?"
"You only gave me till midnight. I had to stay on topic."
"Well, it was perfect."
"Hard to go wrong with Elvis, Andrea, and Enrique."
"I wasn't just talking about the music, Edward."
She brings her hand to my temple and rakes her fingers through my hair.
I don't know what to say.
Thanks?
YOU'RE perfect?
You feel like heaven around me?
Next time I'm definitely looking into your eyes?
It doesn't matter that I have no words, because they'd never get out over the huge lump in my throat. Sometimes, there just isn't anything to say.
"Play the first song again for me?" she asks sweetly.
As the iPod is on "her" side of the bed, I smirk before diving across her naked body with mine to push 'play'.
"Mmmmff!" she exclaims, trapping me with her hand on my back.
I turn up the volume and flood the room with the acoustic guitar. Scooting myself back, I line up my body with Bella's, tossing the wet washcloth out of our way. My toes extend a few inches past hers, but we're knee to knee, thigh to thigh, hip to hip, and chest to chest. Soft skin against soft skin.
I love that we can just be together like this, no tension left in the air, no barriers between us, no more big things that I've done that she hasn't experienced. I'm resting on my elbows just smiling like a happy fool at my girlfriend.
"Sing," she whispers, as the orchestra fills in.
I sing:
"Bésame, bésame mucho
Como si fuera esta noche
La última vez
Bésame, bésame mucho
Que tengo miedo a perderte,
Perderte después."
My song is a whisper at close range. I guess she doesn't like my singing very much, because I get no further than the second verse when she wraps her hands behind my neck and pulls my lips down to hers.
~BPOV~
I love Edward's singing, but I love his kisses more.
/-THE NEXT DAY-/
^EPOV^
"Dad, please, can't you make Mom stop crying?"
"She'll be fine as soon as you all go inside the airport. It's just the saying goodbye that makes her so sad," he explains.
"Still, she's making me feel awful," I tell him, watching Mom hug Bella, full waterworks display coming from both sets of eyes. "Ugh, now Bella's crying," I lament further.
"Give me a hug, Edward, and stop worrying about your mother. We'll be just fine."
I step into his grasp and he gives me a warm, strong hug. "Thanks for everything, Dad. This was the best Christmas ever," I say, my eyes wandering to my present as Mom finally releases her.
"It was great to have you home. Any time you want to bring Bella, she's welcome."
Truth is, I'd already started secretly plotting how to get Bella to agree to spend the summer with us. The program I work for is always looking for great reading coaches to work with the kids, and Bella would be a fabulous addition to the staff. But I haven't had the courage to broach the topic with her quite yet.
Dad releases me, with a final bit of advice, "Stay on top of your work now. You know you can do it, but don't get careless."
"I won't, Dad. I promise."
"Good," he says, with a final clap on my back. "Safe trip, Edward."
Stay well.
Take care of Mom.
Be careful driving home.
I step aside for Bella, and Dad pulls her in for a gentle embrace. They mumble softly to each other, and I admire how naturally Bella fits with my family. Jasper and Alice have already said their thank-yous and they're already in line for security.
Mom finishes with Rosalie and allows herself to be swept up by Emmett in an exuberant bear hug. He always brings a smile to her face, and I'm a bit jealous of that, because I just know when it's my turn, I'm going to get the tears. I step closer to the two of them, and I hear Emmett's last minute words of advice.
"Now, Ma, do not let Dad make you cook for him more than three times a week. And make sure he only works late every other Saturday. Don't let those old guys at the shelter boss you around. And stay away from HBO; you know it's too violent for you. And…"
"Emmett," she giggles, "I've got it, Sweetie. Thanks."
He sets her down and points his finger at her. In his most serious voice, he says, "I will be getting reports on you."
"Don't point, dear. It's not polite. You know this, Emmett."
"Yes, Ma," he says good-naturedly, giving her one last peck on the cheek.
"You take care of that beautiful girl of yours, okay?"
"You bet I will, Ma."
She turns to me and reaches her hands out for mine. "Edward."
I'm mush. "Mom." Could you please not make me cry?
She lets go of my hands once I get close enough for her to wrap her hands around my back. "I'm so proud of you. I do miss you when you're gone."
"I know, Mom."
"It was so wonderful having you home."
"Thanks for everything," I speak near her ear. "It was a great vacation."
"I'm glad you boys enjoyed yourselves. I'm so happy for you, Edward. Bella's a lovely girl. And she's so good for you."
"I know, Mom."
She pulls back to give me one of her looks. "And she's the luckiest girl on earth to get you, Edward."
I chuckle. "I'll be sure to tell her that if she forgets."
"You do that," she smiles. I see the tears welling in her eyes, but she doesn't spill them this time. Thank you.
~BPOV~
Poor Edward. The goodbyes are hard on him, and who could blame him? He has a wonderful life here, and he's going so far from home. Plus, between the whispers and the playful cuddling, we hardly got any sleep last night. As much as I can't wait to get back to school, it was really hard to tear ourselves away from the intimate little bubble we'd built for ourselves in Edward's bed when the alarm went off this morning.
Wise parents that they are, Carlisle and Esme waited for all of us downstairs this morning when they arrived home. Even though they didn't see me come out of Edward's bedroom, I feel like what we did last night is written all over my face for everyone to see. I can't possibly look the same when I feel like an entirely different person this morning. This year.
But if Carlisle and Esme have detected anything unusual, they're far too polite to comment on it, thank the lord. Rose is another story entirely. She cornered me in the car and pumped me for details, very few of which I provided.
"Was he amazing?"…"Did it hurt?"…"How'd you do it?"…"Did you have an orgasm?"
"Rose, I'm sorry. I just don't feel like sharing this," I told her. She got the message and stopped asking.
O)(O
We've raised the arm between us so I'm nestled in, my back to Edward's front as he leans against the window. Beneath the meager square of fleece provided by the airline, both his arms are around me, and all four of our hands are clasped in my lap. Because of the seatbelt regulation, we're not as close as I'd like to be, but my cheek rests against his heart and I can feel every beat. The word 'content' floats around happily in my head as we both doze on and off all the way back to Manchester. Jasper's slumped in his chair next to me, with Alice across the aisle, and Emmett and Rose are cuddled similarly to the two of us. Emmett's loud snores can be heard throughout the cabin, I'm sure. Every once in a while, Rose gives him an elbow jab to quiet him down.
Weary from our trip and hung over in varying degrees from our celebration, the six of us make our way back to the dorms from where the bus delivers us on campus. It's dinnertime at school, though it feels like earlier to us, and we're happy to fill our stomachs in the cafeteria and pair off for bed.
"I'm going to have to learn your new schedule," I tell him, studying our two grids side by side on my desk.
"Well, at least we still have Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at 9 together for History of Rock."
"It looks like you have Entrepreneurial Management at the same time I have Transcendentalism, and they're pretty close together-"
"Trans-a-what-now?"
"Never mind. Okay, Econ and Marketing are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from one to four in the afternoon. That's good…you can sleep in on those days."
"Yeah, and you don't have Shakespearean Tragedies until 10:30, so we're all good."
"Looks like our only bad night will be Wednesdays when I have Academic Writing from seven to ten."
"That sounds brutal," he says, a look of real anguish crossing his face and making me giggle.
"It shouldn't be that bad. Besides, I've got Banner," I smile.
"Teacher's pet," he grins, rolling his eyes.
"You're just jealous," I retort.
"Oh yeah, because I'd really like to be writing academic shit and reading transatlantic intergalactic literature," he smirks.
"Oh my God. You are totally asking for it," I stalk toward him.
Luckily, he's standing right in front of my bed when he smiles and says, "Bring it, Bella." I think it's the little hand motion beckoning me towards him that really seals the deal.
I launch myself through the air and tackle him to the bed. He looks delightfully surprised at my attack and thrilled to be knocked flat on his back with me atop his midsection. I grab his hands and lift them above his head, holding them against the mattress. He gives me another giant smirk and challenges, "Now, what are you gonna do, Bella?"
"I am gonna love the living shit out of you, Edward Cullen."
"Have at it, Baby," he answers.
A/N 1: Epilogue posts next Friday...time for these two to ride off into the sunset together!
EDWARD'S PLAYLIST FOR BELLA'S FIRST TIME:
Andrea Bocelli, Bésame Mucho
Enrique Iglesias, Hero
Muse, Feeling Good
Seal, Here I am, Baby
Billy Joel, She's Always a Woman
Elvis Presley, Fools Rush In
Rufus Wainwright, Hallelujah
Aerosmith, I Don't Want To Miss a Thing
A/N 2: Would you like to participate in the Twi-Girls Next Door author-of-the-month interview? Feel free to email your burning question about me (LOL) to http:/ /bit . ly/pjx2Ty before October 15th and they'll include it! Be gentle, girls! ~BOH