Chapter 21 Step Up

Bella's POV

"How are you feeling? Better?" Edward asked me when he'd made sure I was settled comfortably on the living room couch.

I smiled warmly and reached out for him to come and sit next to me, "Thanks to you. Now come here." After a night like tonight, I wanted nothing other than to just be close to him- it felt like our relationship had stepped up a notch after I'd had my way with him back stage. It hadn't even been about showing off to Lauren in the end, I'd just got so lost in Edward and being near him that I'd surprised myself in how far I'd taken it.

Edward wasted no time in sitting next to me and putting his arm around my shoulders, letting me snuggle into his side.

"Do you want to watch TV for awhile?" he asked me. I could feel the way his voice vibrated against my ear.

I nodded, "Although I don't know how long I'll last." I laughed softly, "I'm pretty tired."

"Well you did have a pretty tiring night." He said, switching the TV on and then immediately groaning at the advert that came on.

I grinned and grabbed the remote from him and turned the volume up slightly.

"I hate listening to my music in the ads. It makes me self conscious." He scowled at me, his eyes pleading with me to turn off the children's ad that had just started airing- I immediately recognised the light, playful music in the background.

"I'm so proud of you." I said softly when it was finished. I was, the man had such an amazing talent and had turned it into something where everyone could benefit from it.

His eyes softened as he gazed down at me, "Thank you."

I sighed happily and closed the small distance between us to touch my lips to his. I didn't think I would ever get over the thrill of kissing Edward- it felt like nothing I'd ever felt before.

The kiss deepened considerably and Edward threaded his hand through my loose hair, gently massaging my scalp as his lips wrecked havoc on my senses through my lips. I found myself wanting more, wanting to feel his skin against mine, and it was these new desires that made me gasp and pull away.

Edward felt the tension in me and softly stroked my cheek, "What's wrong?" He asked breathlessly.

"I've never felt like this before." I whispered, my whole body humming, "It was never this powerful or good with Jacob. I think it's because I love you." I realised.

"You're not ready for anything more just yet." He stated, nothing but understanding on his face.

"I will be soon if that's how good you make me feel." I tried to joke, feeling slightly guilty for denying him just because I was still trying to wrap my head around everything, "But no." I said, "It's just that this is still so new and even though we are marrie–" Edward cut me off with his lips.

"I know Bella, I happened to agree actually." He said, much to my surprise, "Although we definitely have the emotional connection thanks to all our years of friendship, I want us both to be one hundred percent sure before we take things further."

"I think I married the perfect man." I teased in relief.

Edward chuckled, "I love you Bella."

I sighed, "I love you too." I paused a moment before I remembered there was something that I wanted to ask him, "Is there anything special you want to do for your birthday?"

He looked at me incredulously, "You're actually giving me a choice this year?" he asked with a grin.

"Shut it before I change my mind." I retorted. Edward's birthday was just over a week away and I decided that this year, I wanted to know what he wanted to do instead of trying to plan something to try and surprise him.

"Well then, nothing." He said hopefully.

I shook my head, "That's a no go Cullen, like you'd ever let me get away with that answer."

He sighed and looked thoughtful for a moment, "Actually," he said, a smile lighting his face, "There is something I want to do."

"Well?" I asked, impatient- he looked like he was mentally calculating something.

"I would like," he said, "To take you out on our first official date."

I snorted, "How is that fair? I should be spoiling you- it's your birthday." I protested.

"Please Bella? It would make me so happy if I could take you on our first date on my birthday." He pulled out the dazzling eyes that he knew I couldn't resist and I sighed, smiling wryly.

"Fine."

Edward kissed me enthusiastically, "Thank you."

I chuckled, "Sure. So no surprise parties involving Alice doing the planning?"

Edward shook his head, his lips brushing across my lips as he did, "No. Just you and I. Alone together on a date."

I sighed, "I'm looking forward to it." I admitted.

He chuckled, "I'm glad. So am I. You tired?"

I hesitantly nodded, not wanting to move from his arms just then, but then realising I didn't actually have to. Not anymore. I didn't want to go to my own room, I wanted to curl up against Edward every night and wake up to his gorgeous face every morning. He was my husband after all.

"Edward?" I started shyly.

"Yes, love?" he replied.

"Do you think I could move into your room with you?"

A huge smile spread across his face, "Do you want to?"

I nodded and Edward immediately leaned in to kiss me passionately.

"I'll clear out some space for you." He said happily, "Immediately." He added, before scooping me up off the couch and carrying me off to his…our room.

*****

The next day Edward had a baseball game and I found myself digging in his closet for his baseball jacket- I'd grown quite fond of it last game.

I'd woken up this morning to find Edward clearing out space for me in his room as quietly as he could as not to wake me. I was touched that he was as eager to move me into his room as I was to move in. I'd secretly watched him move around the room, his masculine grace making me sigh- the sigh must have tipped Edward off that I was awake because I was broken out of my day dreams by a tender good morning kiss on my lips.

"I'll start moving my things when we get home." I told Edward now as he came into the room. I'd found the jacket and was now standing in front of the mirror brushing my hair into a ponytail.

When he didn't answer or acknowledge my comment, I glanced back at him through the mirror, noticing that his gaze was on me, his green eyes smouldering.

I blushed, I couldn't help it.

"Do you have any idea what my name on you, does to me?" he asked me huskily as he came towards me, wrapping his arms around me from behind and kissing my neck.

I was confused for a moment before I realised that his jacket had 'Cullen' written in bold caps across the back of it.

"Technically it's both our name." I quipped, not sure how to respond to his intensity.

His only answer was to spin me around and crush his lips to mine in a lengthy kiss, only to have him pull away too soon after, in my opinion, with a groan and a wry smile.

"We'd better get going if I'm going to play ball today."

Don't worry guys! Will not forget about this story just because of 'My True Home'! Both of them will receive my full effort, I promise! Besides, there is so much more to come in this story…It's no where near over… :-)