Here we are again. Happy Mothering Sunday to all those celebrating today. See you at the bottom.
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, it belongs to S. Meyer. But I am going to make Edward ride a horse. Muahaha.
This storyline is still mine, so please no stealing or fiddling with it without my permission
From Chapter 22
"I love the shoes," Edward answers huskily, leaning in to claim my lips once more.
Clothes are discarded, rapidly and we make love for the third time that day.
The shoes stay on.
Chapter 23 Do You Trust Me?
I'm really going to enjoy today. Why? Well, not just because the sun is shining, although that's always a bonus. No, today is hopefully going to bring some much needed light relief.
Following our return from Leeds, Edward and I have been much closer. In fact, we would have been inseparable if life hadn't thrown a spanner in the works by keeping us both insanely busy.
Since signing the deal with Collin Brady, work for Edward and Jasper has been frantic. Days of meetings upon meetings that run into evenings that run into dinners means Rose and I have seen very little of either one of them.
As for me, I have thrown myself into work. Once I managed to produce all the reports and financial data Jasper needs from me, I've put my time into working the horses. This has really paid off – we are finally yielding some very impressive results. Freddie and I have placed first in several novice hunter trials and Charlie is finally at the level of fitness we achieved before his injury.
Despite all this, not a day goes by when Edward and I don't manage to connect in some way. Sometimes just a late phone call from our separate beds, sometimes a few hours in each others arms before we fall asleep exhausted.
Today, however, Edward has a rare day off. The workload has eased somewhat and he has decided to spend the entire day here.
So what are we doing?
A romantic picnic? Drive to the coast? Country walk?
Nope. You see Edward is starting to drive me nuts when he frets about my riding. To begin with it was endearing, touching that he cared so much about my safety. Now it's just plain annoying.
So I have a plan. It could backfire horribly of course.
I'm going to get him on a horse.
When I first decided to broach the idea, I thought he would be horrified. But to my surprise he readily agreed. And if he's not keen, he's certainly hiding it well.
I just hope this ends okay. With his pride intact.
I check my watch. I left Edward almost an hour ago. He was lingering over his tea for some reason. I've had Charlie tacked up and ready to go for half an hour now. He's already fidgeting and looking at me, probably wondering in his tiny brain what's up. Normally, once I get him ready we're off— I don't leave him tied up waiting. Just when I'm about to go back to the house to see what's keeping him, Edward strolls down the path. Meandering, head down. Not his usual confident stride.
Yep, he's definitely nervous. Bless him. But he won't admit it.
Men are a strange breed.
I watch him as he warily eyeballs Charlie. Charlie snorts in derision. Edward steps closer and Charlie shifts, stamping his foot impatiently. Edward takes a hasty step back as if Charlie's going to come after him. I can't help but crack up laughing. Edward turns and glares at me, his hand on his hip.
Oh dear. Not funny apparently.
I compose myself and start talking him through the basics, but I sense he's not entirely listening.
Why are men so stubborn?
"So what's this called again?" he asks. I growl in frustration. I explained all of this to him in triplicate. I knew he wasn't entirely listening. I'm also pretty sure he was staring at my bum every time I bent over.
"It's a stirrup, Edward. You put your foot in it." I deadpan, quirking a brow.
I swear teaching a child would be easier.
"This foot?" I watch him, trying not to laugh again. He's staring at his foot and then the stirrup in confusion. It's a leg Edward, it bends, I think to myself. I try to be diplomatic.
"Yes, Edward, your left foot." I roll my eyes in impatience. Can't help it. He's so frustrating but kind of adorable too. I've never seen him out of his comfort zone so much.
I stand at Charlie's head, holding him still as I can. Edward eyes the saddle tentatively and steps up.
"Right, Edward. Place your left hand on the front of the saddle."
He does this, stiffly, awkwardly.
"Now you need to spring yourself up and slide your leg over the saddle and sit down."
Yeah, he doesn't grasp the spring. He lurches and awkwardly clambers on board. But he's up. I help him tuck his other foot into the stirrup and he's in place. Then Charlie sidesteps. Edward pitches forward and grabs at the saddle awkwardly.
I hold Charlie tightly while Edward struggles to find his balance. He's still clutching at the saddle as if his life depends upon it and is rigid with tension. He needs to relax or we aren't going to be able to leave the stable yard.
I wrap my hand over his and try to prise his fingers from the grip he has on the saddle. But it's almost impossible. He's holding on so tight his knuckles are white.
Jeez, I need him to relax!
"Breathe, Edward, breathe..." I croon, trying to soothe him.
Somehow it finally works. He lets out a huge breath and slowly unfurls from his tightly hunched position. He sits back in the saddle a little, not quite upright but not bent over either. Carefully, I position his limbs into something resembling the correct position.
I could never be an instructor! I simply don't have the patience. I learned to ride when I was a child. I guess it is easier for children who have less inhibitions when they're young. Plus, the Shetland pony I learned on was a lot smaller and therefore nearer the ground.
He still looks nervous but better. And slightly less of a shade of green than before, thank heavens.
I look him in the eye.
"Ready?"
He manages a tense nod. Only one way to find out.
Oh I hope he doesn't fall off!
So I relinquish the tight grip I have on Charlie's head and we slowly set off towards the paddock at a walk. Charlie looks quite indignant that we're going so slowly.
I glance up at Edward. He's not enjoying this at all. He's back in the limpet-clutching-the-rock position. I carefully urge him to sit back, else he's going to pitch forward over Charlie's shoulder.
We make it to the paddock, through the gate and start a slow amble around the track. Charlie is starting to sulk at being confined to this. Even dressage practice, when I spent hour after hour perfecting half passes, wasn't this boring.
The further we go, Edward finds his rhythm. Finally, he gets it. He lets go of his desperate death grip on the saddle and attempts to pick up the reins. I show him how to hold them. They're very long, hanging in festoons around Charlie's neck but I have hold of his head so it's okay. When we finish our second lap, I help Edward tighten his grip on the reins and let go completely, so he's not being led around the field like a child on a donkey. I walk at his side, just in case. He's actually relaxing, looking around at the view and almost in a proper riding position.
He has a smug look on his face. Typical man! But this is good. If he gets the hang of this, we can go out together, in time. Wow. I've never had someone to ride out with me before.
Well, never a boyfriend. My mind gets carried away conjuring images of us riding out over the countryside together, taking a picnic, maybe riding along the shoreline of a beach...
My happy daydream is rudely interrupted by a rustling noise as an angry bird suddenly takes off from the hedge alongside us. Charlie isn't easily spooked, but the sudden movement unnerves him and he instinctively sidesteps, almost treading on my toes in the process. Cursing, I reach for the reins, but not before Edward pitches forward over his shoulder, hitting the ground with a thud.
I hold Charlie's head tightly so he doesn't wander off. I don't chastise him because he did nothing wrong. I simply lay a reassuring hand on his neck while I watch Edward stir, holding my breath hoping he's not too badly hurt. He gets to his feet straight away and I breathe a deep sigh of relief.
Hurrah! He's alright. Time to smooth his bruised ego.
I watch him as he brushes the grass and dust off his backside. He does look rather funny, especially with that expression on his face. Oh, I want to kiss his grumpiness away. But he did fall on his ass.
Mustn't laugh. Mustn't laugh. Really mustn't laugh.
He meets my eye and spots the smirk I have failed miserably to keep off my face.
Busted.
He stalks towards me, eyebrow raised.
"Something funny, Bella?"
I try desperately to hold it in, but this proves just too difficult and I dissolve into giggles. Edward's expression as he tries to hold onto his pissed off look is too much. He grabs me, tickling ferociously. I let go of Charlie who gives me a bemused look, he's probably beyond bored. He shuffles off to explore the grass. Edward eventually relents from his tickling and pulls me close. I take the opportunity to run my hands over him. Yeah, he's not hurt.
Slightly bruised pride maybe.
"Did you want to try again?" I caress his cheek. "You know they say when you have a fall the first thing you should do is get straight back on the horse."
He really ought to. I wonder how hard I should try to persuade him. I'm about to pinch his ass or make some saucy promise to reward him later when he grabs my hand and gestures toward the stables, a wicked glint in his eye.
"I'm sure you're right, Bella but I think that's enough for today, all the same."
Oh, yeah. He's giving me that look. I can't blame him. We haven't been together for over a week, only managing a couple of quickies since our sexathon in the hotel. Yeah, we can try again later. I'd rather ride him right now.
I give him a quick kiss, and once I've caught Charlie, we walk back. He gives me an "is that it" look as I untack him and put him away. I kiss him on the nose and rub his neck, but he's still put out, turning and presenting me with his backside. Oh well.
I put everything back where it should be and turn to my man, leading him toward the storeroom with a grin.
Hmm, this was where I first kissed him. Really kissed him. Memories of that night flood back and I shiver all over.
"Now, Mr. Cullen, I think it's time for your reward," I purr in an attempt at a sex kitten voice. I'm not sure if I pulled it off, so I settle for groping him instead, my eager fingers sliding up under his shirt. Our lips meet in a fiery kiss. I probably should care that there are people around and we could be disturbed at any moment but I don't. I want him. We're so doing this.
When did I grow so bold?
I grab his shirt, yanking it off. Kissing all over his lean chest before reaching into his jeans. I know we need to be quick.
In seconds, I have his jeans undone and his cock in my hand. He's so warm. I toy with the idea of dropping to my knees and giving him a quick BJ. We can always continue later, right? He did say we had the whole day free.
Edward has other ideas, though. He removes my hand, turns us, and pins me against the wall, yanking off my clothes. He lifts me and thrusts inside, urgently.
Okay, he had the better idea. Much, much better idea.
He drives deep into me, movements frenzied. But it's so good, he's so deep, and hitting spots that drive me wild. The power of his movements scooting me up the wall. I'm close already, desperately trying to stifle my cries due to our public location and so is he; I know his tells now. His breathing is laboured and his thrusts are already becoming desperate
He reaches between us, his hand urging me on. No need, Edward, I'm already there and cry out loudly. He follows almost immediately, filling me.
Wow. Beats a BJ anytime.
He holds me close as our bodies calm, kissing me over and over, before slowly, carefully, setting me back on my feet. We redress and clean up as best we can. Edward makes a quip about this being his kind of riding lesson before pinching me on the ass as we step out into the sunshine. I blink up at him.
I love him.
Hand in hand, we walk back to the cottage. I plan on making us a special lunch before spending the rest of the afternoon in bed. Hell, maybe the rest of the day. But before we get to the door, we're ambushed by Rose. She's almost vibrating with excitement. I eye her curiously.
What's all this about?
"Have you checked the post? There should be a letter for you, Bella."
A letter? Why on earth would Rose be so excited about a letter. I'm not expecting anything.
Am I?
I blink at her, confused.
"I haven't checked yet. The postman hadn't been before we went out." I announce.
"Go look then!" She grows impatient with my dawdling and pushes me toward the door.
Opening up the door, I scoop up the pile of mail from the mat. Yes, there's an official looking brown envelope there. What's this? That's a British Eventing stamp. And how on earth did Rose know about it before me?
"I had a call from Jane," she announces. "She had an inkling there might be something arriving in the post for you today. She got hers earlier."
My mind is still blank. What is she on about?
Then it dawns on me.
No.
No way.
"B-badminton?" I stammer out loud.
"Well, why don't you open it and find out?" Rose gives me a dig in the ribs. Edward is looking on, confused. I can almost see the wheels turning in his mind.
Before he can question me further, I grab the envelope, tearing it open. Several sheets of paper fall out. I try to read them, but the words are jumping about in front of my eyes. My hands are shaking.
"Well?" Rose interrupts, impatiently. "Are you in?"
I can't get the words out. A ball of nerves and stunned disbelief are clogging my throat. Rose gives up trying to get any sense out of me and snatches the paper from my hands.
"Bloody hell you are!" she exclaims.
My head is swimming. I need to sit down. I feel myself start to sway. It's been awhile since breakfast and my empty stomach is churning.
"Bella?"
Edward is at my side. Edward. I'd forgotten he was there. He probably thinks I've lost my marbles. Struck dumb that's for sure.
My view starts to tilt and Edward grabs me, bodily carrying me inside. He sits me on a kitchen chair while Rose - having unlike me read the contents of my letter thoroughly and discarded them – makes tea for all of us.
After a short while, my panic calms and I feel much more myself again. I clutch my mug of tea and explain to Edward what caused my momentary dizzy spell.
"I've qualified for Badminton – at the last minute."
He still looks completely confused.
"Badminton? The game?"
I let loose a chuckle which becomes a belly laugh which escalates until I am doubled over clutching my sides. Hysteria. That's what this is.
I glance up. Even Rose is chuckling to herself a little. Edward is peering at both of us. He looks confused and a tiny bit hurt.
Explain yourself Bella. He doesn't understand this stuff!
"Sorry. No Edward, not the game. It's a huge competition – the biggest there is. I never thought I would qualify. We're talking world class contenders. It's televised. I thought I might stand a chance of getting into the Novice class, but I didn't do well enough in any of the qualifiers."
I break off, perplexed. Just how is this possible?
"Didn't you keep track, Bella?" Rose sits down next to me, squeezing my hand. "Charlie must have got enough qualifying points."
I shake my head in disbelief, but the letter doesn't lie. Rose and I go through it together. As well as the letter, there are details of how to declare my entry, and basic information on the competition itself. After awhile Rose leaves us to it and we get our picnic – which we have in bed. I spend the rest of the day wrapped up in Edward, kissing every last one of his bruises better. Not that he has any, of course.
Later that week we make a trip to the local pub where the locals are very excited by my news. Several glasses are raised. Edward is every bit the proud boyfriend, a beaming smile on his face as he joins in the celebrations. All I can do is sit quietly, sipping my drink as I try not to be overwhelmed by the situation. All these people will be watching, plus many many more.
I only hope I can live up to their expectations.
A/N
So – Edward survived. Of course those of you who have read the EPOV of this chapter already knew that. If you haven't – check it out its posted under FMLW Outtakes.
Trivia – the Badminton Horse Trials is a real event in the UK and takes place close to where I live. I've never been though. Maybe one day. I did take a few liberties with the qualifying process – this is fiction and I have no idea how it really works.
Thanks as always to super beta EMCxo for making sense of my strange metaphors and sorting out my commas despite her busy schedule. Thanks also to prereader Monamour for her ever present support.
If you are looking for something to read Jaxon22 (author of the incredible Pound of Flesh) has a new fic called Dancing in the Dark. It's my current run-to-read.
Next chapter will post later this week.