To Be as One
"Edward, you're cheating," I complained.
He smiled against the skin of my neck. "I didn't know there were rules."
I rolled my eyes under their lids and then opened them. "I'm supposed to be trying this while you're near me, not on top of me." I reminded him.
I had been making all kinds of progress with my power. I could come and go at will, though Edward and I both still preferred it when he brought me back The latest goal was for me to be able to leave without any one noticing. That would involve Edward having to hold me and hide my face from anyone watching. It sounded a lot easier than it was. I was still trying to get out of my body while he was near it, much less touching it.
"No one will believe we're acting normal if I'm simply holding your inert body," he whispered into my ear, "I'm just trying to make it believable." I closed my eyes and pursed my lips. We weren't anywhere close to trying that with success yet. We were lying on the bed, and Edward was supposed to be lying next to me behaving himself. He was next to me, but he was definitely not behaving.
"You're trying something," I muttered. He just chuckled and continued his exquisitely distracting kisses on my neck, his hand running through my hair. My stubborn streaked snapped, "I'm going to do this, Edward, with your help or without it. Do your worst, Mr. I'm-so-sexy."
Edward paused for a moment and I thought he was going to leave me be. Maybe I had actually gotten my point across. My lips twitched into a smile for a split second, but it was long enough for Edward to see. "I'll take that as a challenge," he purred into my ear.
Crap. Now I was going to have to make good on my word. I was pretty sure I couldn't do this without his help. Much less with him nibbling my ear like that, and his hands...
"Having trouble concentrating, Mrs. I'm-so-sexy?" Edward whispered against my tingling skin. Okay, now I was pissed. Who did he think he was? If I said I could do this, I could. I took a deep breath, and concentrated very hard. Edward rolled on top of me and began kissing me in earnest, probably thinking I had given up by now. I would show him. With a burst of mental effort I flew out of my body, straight at Edward.
"What happened?" I asked. My hand flew to my mouth. I sounded just like Edward.
I'm not sure. I heard his thoughts, in my head. I looked down and saw myself beneath me, then I looked at my hands, which were Edward's.
Holy Shit. We thought in unison. "Edward, I'm you!" I cried, again using Edward's voice.
So I see, he mused. Perhaps you should keep my voice down, or better yet, let's keep our thoughts to ourselves for now.
Oh, right, I thought, probably a good idea. Edward, it was totally an accident. I didn't know this would happen. I didn't even know it could! I'm so sorry, are you okay?
Edward chuckled, I'm fine, Bella. I must admit, though, this was unexpected. Perhaps we should get off you?
Right! I thought. I rolled over, lying next to me. This is so weird!
You're telling me, Edward chuckled again. I was surprised he was taking this so well.
You're not mad? I asked.
Why would I be mad?
Edward, I've pretty much commandeered your body. Even for us, that's a little intrusive, don't you think?
Bella, I've had to get used to the idea of making out with you while you're essentially unconscious in order to bring you back. I would think you using my body while I'm actually aware of what you're doing is no worse. He chuckled again, what's mine is yours.
I shook Edward's head in disbelieve. He was really too much. How do you feel?
A little crowded, but other than that, I'm fine, really, he assured me.
So, now what?
Apparently that's up to you, Edward joked. I thought about it for a minute. While I was thinking, Edward had a disturbing idea. Bella, if you can get in, do you think that means I can get out?
What? What do you mean, 'out'? I did not like where this was going.
Do you think you could take me with you, when you leave. He thought, Bring me out of my body?
No! I cried, Absolutely not! What if you couldn't get back? We have no idea what that would do to you! It might not work the same!
Alright, Bella, calm down, Edward soothed. It was just a thought. It would prove you right, though.
About what?
About me having a soul like you do. I just wanted to know how it felt when you dream.
I was silent for a moment. Proving to Edward that he had a soul would be a huge step. But it wasn't worth the risk of losing said soul if something went wrong.
No. I won't try it. I would never recover if something happened to you, Edward. It's just too big a risk.
It's all right, Bella, really. But now you know how I feel every time you want to try something new. We don't know all there is to know about this power of yours.
Obviously, I thought waving Edward's hands up and down to indicate our present situation. Edward laughed again.
So, what would you like to try? he asked, While you're visiting.
Very funny, Edward. Actually, what you said did give me one idea. I hesitated, unsure if he would go for this. I want to see what it feels like.
What what feels like? he asked. I could tell he was wary.
What it feels like when you touch me. I mean, what it feels like for you. I waited, sure he was going to object.
It's your body, Bella, and at present you're controlling mine, so I suppose that's really up to you. He answered. I wished I could see his face so I knew how he really felt about it.
I decided to take him at his word and reached out to touch my hair. It was soft and silky, like it was when I touched it myself. But there was something different. I cocked Edward's head and moved his hand from my hair to my face, gently caressing my check as he so often did. I realized what was different, then. I could feel not only the softness of my skin, but Edward's reaction to it.
Edward, I said, I can feel more than me. I can feel you. I grazed my still lips with Edward's fingertips, feeling an intake of breath and a pleasant warmth spread through me, well Edward. Is this how you always feel? I asked. I knew he loved me. I knew he wanted me. But I had still thought I was the only one so very overwhelmed by those feelings.
Yes. Since that first day in the meadow, actually. Edward answered. Edward's lips turned up in my favorite crooked grin, only this time I was on the other side of it.
How did you ever resist me for so long? I teased, running Edward's hand down my arm and taking my hand. The contact was giving me tingles, well it was giving Edward tingles.
Edward chuckled, I'd had a lot of practice with self denial. And in truth, I had no idea what I was missing. If I had, I probably wouldn't have made it to the wedding.
I smiled with Edward's lips. This was very educational. I had known Edward responded to my touch, but this was a much deeper response than something physical. I could actually feel Edward's love for me, and was awed by how it mirrored mine for him. Then I had an errant thought. I reached out for the buttons on my blouse.
Bella, Edward chastised, You using my body is one thing. You using my body to molest yours while you're unconscious is crossing a line that shouldn't even have to be drawn.
I laughed, using Edward's throat. Just teasing, Love, I didn't mean it. But would you mind if you gave me a kiss?
Never, he responded with mirth in his thoughts.
I leaned forward, feeling the anticipation build through out Edward's body. Holy Crow, I thought.
You have no idea, he chuckled.
Then our lips were together and the sky caught fire. But I wasn't responding. Oh right! This is more fun when we're both involved. And as quick as that, I was back in my own body and kissing Edward with everything I had. He responded in kind. But then I noticed something was terribly wrong. My head fell back and my breathing became ragged.
This reaction itself wasn't all that unusual so Edward began to kiss my throat, when I didn't respond to that, however, he immediately saw something was wrong with me.
"Bella!" he cried, holding up my head to look in my eyes. I couldn't focus. I couldn't speak. "Bella!" He shook me and I still couldn't respond.
You know you were expecting a cliffy from me. No worries, I'll post the rest of this little episode tomorrow! 8P