Disclaimer: I don't own it.
Let him who would enjoy a good future waste none of his present. ~Roger Babson
Chapter Twenty Four
November 2011
"Bella!" I grabbed her hand and held it in place for a second before moving it over her thigh and pressing down, hopefully conveying that her leg was the appropriate place for her hand right now.
She widened her eyes, looking anything but innocent. "What?"
She was going to kill me. I wouldn't have to worry about working for the FBI, getting robbed, being hit by a random car― no my death would come at the hands of a beautiful petite brunette.
And when I say hands― I mean that literally.
She reached for me again and I jerked back, managing to avoid her grabby hands. I had no interest in sitting through Thanksgiving dinner with an erection, especially with Charlie next to me and Alice shooting me daggers across the table every couple of minutes.
"What's gotten into you?" I hissed through clenched teeth, my body rigid as I tried to keep from throwing her on the table and having a completely different kind of dinner.
"Certainly not you." She somehow managed to scowl, raise her brow and smirk all at the same time. It honestly looked more painful than anything else.
Pain― that I understood. I shifted uncomfortably, tugging at the bottom of my shirt to make sure no one could see what she was doing to me.
After graduation, I'd taken her back to my room and managed to get us both out of our shirts before Garrett burst through the door. Needless to say I was less than amused, but after begrudgingly covering ourselves again, I decided maybe this wasn't the best place for what I had planned.
We went out with Garrett and the rest of my family, I even introduced Bella to Jessica and Lauren. Pretty sure the eye fuck Lauren gave Bella bothered me more than it did her.
We were so exhausted by the time we made it to my room that we were asleep within ten minutes of falling into bed.
Once we landed back in Seattle it seemed the entire world was conspiring against us. Bella was working more hours at the aquarium, my parents cashed in on my promise to come visit them for a few days, and before I knew it a week had passed and I still hadn't managed to get any alone time with Bella.
That shit ended today, I had about all I could stand, and it seemed I wasn't the only one who felt that way.
I leaned into her, letting my lips brush against her ear as I spoke. "Bella, if you don't stop trying to grab my dick with your dad right next to me, I can't be held responsible for the things I'll be forced to do to you...in front of him."
She sucked in a sharp breath, her shoulders jerking as she shivered. I wasn't done yet though, she'd rubbed my thigh for the past half hour and palmed my junk at least four times, I was due a little payback.
"I'd rather not be interrupted when I push inside of you slowly― inch," I nipped her ear. "by, inch."
Bella pushed away from the table quickly, her chair almost toppling over from the force as she jumped to her feet.
I leaned away from her, a smirk plastered across my face as Alice and Jasper stared at her with matching shocked expressions.
"I'm going to get the rest of the food. You know, the dessert. For dessert. So we can eat. And leave. And...yeah."
She turned and hurried into the kitchen and I couldn't hold back the chuckle that slipped out.
Charlie cleared his throat, causing my eyes to snap to his, he was staring at me, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. I shifted my weight, wondering if maybe I wasn't as quiet as I thought I'd been.
"Have you heard any word from the bureau about where they are going to send you?" He asked, taking a sip from his beer.
"Not yet, they said it could be up to thirty days before I received my assignment."
He hummed to himself, and rubbed his chin. "I'm sure gonna miss her when she's gone."
His eyes had a faraway look, his tone so low I wasn't sure if I was meant to hear his comment.
"We don't know that she's going anywhere, Uncle Charlie." Alice cut in, her eyes boring into the side of my face.
I didn't look at her, my attention still focused on Charlie. To be honest, I was a little scared of Alice. She had this wild look in her eye from time to time that hinted she might be a little unstable. I had no intention of setting her off and waking up with a horse head in the bed beside me.
"Alice." I turned my head to Jasper as he called her name, his voice almost pleading as he squeezed her hand. "C'mon, don't start."
"Don't 'Alice' me. You weren't with her after everything happened. You didn't see how devastated she was." she spat.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw her shift and redirect her attention back to me, but I couldn't bring myself to look at her for an entirely different reason this time―shame.
"How do we know that you won't hurt her again, Edward? Can you tell me that?"
I lifted my head slowly, and met her stare, seeing the protectiveness in her eyes. I wanted to tell her to mind her own damn business, but the fact of the matter was― Bella was her business, and she had just as much right as anyone to be worried about her.
"He doesn't have to tell you anything, Alice." Bella said, leaning over the table and placing a pie and stack of plates in the center. "I trust him. That's all that matters."
Her tone was calm, even, almost nonchalant, but the look in her eyes was anything but.
Alice opened her mouth to speak but Bella raised her hand to cut her off. "Life is full of what if's, Alice. What if I go left when I should have went right? What if that car doesn't stop at the traffic light? I can't go through my life wondering what if. I don't want to live like that. I won't live like that."
Alice dropped her eyes to the table and I couldn't help but feel a little bad for her. "Alice," I said softly, "I love Bella. She's given me a second chance, I won't do anything to need another."
Bella looked down at me, her smile soft and sweet― no trace of the she devil who ran out of here earlier like her ass was on fire.
"Well, now that we have all that cleared up, who wants dessert?" Charlie grunted as he leaned forward and cut a huge chunk out of the pie and plopped it onto his plate.
"I'll get in on that action." Jasper laughed reaching for the slice Charlie cut, smiling widely at Charlie's glare.
Things seemed to mellow again after that, I caught Alice's eye once everyone was distracted and mouthed 'I promise' to her. She gave me a half smile and nodded her head before pointing two fingers at her eyes then back at me, the universal sign for I'll be watching you.
I couldn't help but grin― she was as full of piss and vinegar as Rose. Hell, they all were for that matter. I wasn't sure how Emmett, Jasper, and I ended up with such pistols, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Charlie had just cracked open his fifth, maybe sixth beer― I wasn't sure which―and was gearing up to tell us another camping story when Bella's hand started to creep over the top of my thigh again.
I slid my eyes over to her, but she kept her attention on Alice as she sipped from her glass of wine, appearing to be completely engrossed in her conversation. I knew better.
"...been there, Edward?"
I jumped in surprise and looked over at Charlie who stared at me expectantly. I had no idea what he'd said so I asked him to repeat the question.
"Goat Rocks, have you ever been up there?"
I opened my mouth to answer at the same time as Bella's hand crept across the top of my thigh and palmed my junk―again.
I jerked my leg and clamped her hand down, which really didn't help at all since I was now holding her against me.
"Bella, will you behave yourself so poor Edward can attempt to have a civilized conversation?"
My eyes widened as I watched Charlie raise a brow at Bella in challenge.
She opened and closed her mouth several times as Jasper and Alice laughed their asses off.
"Fine," she grumbled cutting her eyes to me as she slowly moved her hand back to her own lap.
I looked between the two of them, trying to figure out what in the fuck was going on, when Charlie asked me again about camping― like what just happened was no big deal.
They were all insane.
Charlie, Jasper, and I eventually moved into the living room while Bella and Alice finished cleaning up. I felt bad about having them do all the work, but wasn't willing to offer my help knowing Alice would be in there as well, with all the knives.
We were just getting ready to watch whatever game was playing when Bella strolled into the living room.
"Have a seat, Bells, we were just getting ready to watch the game." Charlie called, popping the top off another beer.
"Like hell we are," Bella laughed grabbing my hand and yanking me to my feet.
Well then, I guess we were leaving.
"What's the rush?" He tried to sound innocent, but the constant twitch of his lips made it pretty obvious he was messing with her.
"Some things, Charlie," she smirked, looping her finger through my belt loop and walking backwards, pulling me with her, "you're better off not knowing."
He laughed and shook his head before yelling to me, "We still on two weeks from Sunday?"
"Sure thing, Charlie, I wouldn't miss it."
Alice and Jasper yelled their goodbyes from the couch as we turned and ran for the car.
"What was that all about?" She asked as we climbed into Emmett's car.
"Man stuff." I lowered my voice and puffed out my chest while I spoke causing her to laugh.
"Fine, have your secrets."
I knew she was joking, teasing me, but that didn't stop the sharp sting of guilt that still burned under the surface.
"No secrets." I whispered, pulling her face to mine and kissing her gentle.
"I know, I was only kidding."
"I know you were, I just― I really need to be alone with you. I miss us." I kissed her again, smoothing my hand down her side, letting my thumb graze over her nipple.
"Unless we plan on trying our hand at indecent exposure, you really need to drive now."
I laughed and kissed the tip of her nose before straightening back up in my seat and starting the car. The ride back to Seattle was painful to say the least. Every brush of her fingers against my leg, each secret smile I caught in my peripheral all caused the electric current that buzzed around us to pop and crackle.
I pulled in front of her building and shut off the engine, we sat in silence for a few seconds before she looked over at me and smiled. "You know you're coming up right?"
I nodded, wondering if she'd lost her mind thinking of any situation that didn't end with us naked. I hopped out of the car and jogged around to her side, catching her body against it as she shut her door.
I pressed myself flush with her as she tilted her head back, giving me the perfect angle to kiss her stupid.
"Well someone's eager." she laughed, pushing against my chest and causing me to stumble backwards. She threw her head back and laughed before threading her fingers with mine and taking off in a run toward her apartment.
I followed behind her, jogging easily and enjoying the light, easy feel between us. It felt right, like it was supposed to be, like we were meant to be. We staggered through her front door, laughing when I tripped over her feet and fell into her.
I pulled us up-right, before she spun around to face me, her expression serious― not a hint of playfulness. I swallowed thickly, not entirely sure what her change in demeanor meant.
She stepped forward, her hands coming in contact with my chest and pushing until my back hit the door with a thud.
"You know exactly what the cops look for when investigating a crime scene, right?" Her voice had a hard edge to it, her words low and serious.
"Yes," I answered hesitantly, wondering where in the hell she was going with this.
"Good, because if someone interrupts us, I will have to end them, and I will need for you to cover up my crime. I couldn't handle prison, the only kind of crabs I want to study are in the ocean."
Somehow she managed to get through her entire spiel completely stone faced, I couldn't say the same for me as I doubled over with laughter. Without giving it a second thought I wrapped my arms around the back of her thighs and lifted her over my shoulder in one quick move.
"Shit," she gasped, her hands clutching the back of my shirt as I moved down the hall toward her bedroom.
I reached up and smacked her ass. "You have just conspired to commit a crime. As an officer it is my responsibility to see that you are punished to the full extent of the law."
"Oh Mr. Officer," she moaned dramatically, her hands sliding inside my jeans and grabbing my ass. "I have been a bad, bad girl, and I am ready for my punishment."
I groaned, because even though she was joking, she used this breathy 'I want to fuck your brains out' voice that threatened to cause my knees to buckle.
I kicked the door to her room open and walked to her bed, throwing her over my shoulder and bouncing her on the mattress.
"Should I read you your rights now?" I smirked, bending over her and placing a hand on either side of her head.
"I'd rather forgo all my rights and go straight to the punishment part."
"Baby," I whispered, the mood shifting―becoming serious― as I brought my face to hers, "you're killing me here."
Her voice was low and soft when she responded. "Never. That would ruin everything."
I kissed her then, my tongue tangling with hers as her arms wrapped around my neck and pulled me down on top of her.
She slid her arms to my shoulders and pushed back slightly so she could look me in the eye.
"Give me just a minute?"
I nodded and rose to my feet so she could stand up and move to the bathroom. I reached for the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head before snapping the buttons of my jeans and pulling them off as I kicked my shoes across the room.
I fell back onto her bed and inhaled the scent of her lotion, blackberry and lilacs― it grounded me, made me realize where I was, and how fucking lucky I was to be here.
I listened as she banged around the bathroom, the sound of the water running in the sink, clothes falling to the floor followed by soft curses before I heard her clear her throat, much closer this time.
I snapped my head up, my eyes zeroing in on her, and all of the breath leaving my body as I realized what she was wearing.
"You know, I thought I was going to have the upper hand― walk in all sexy like," she started, moving toward me, her hips swaying exaggeratedly, a smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth, "but then I come out here and find you in nothing but your boxers..."
She moved until she stood directly in front of me, her knee pressing against mine so she could wedge herself in between my legs.
I still hadn't managed to close my mouth as I lifted my hands and wrapped them around her thighs, tugging her forward. I swallowed thickly as I skimmed my hands up her legs, underneath the FBI shirt I'd given her, and over the swell of her very pantiless ass.
"You sure you're not trying to kill me?" I croaked, the words lodged in my throat.
"I could ask you the same thing." She lifted her arms and wrapped them around my neck, pushing her fingers into my hair before dragging her nails against my scalp.
"Ah, fuck," I groaned, my eyes rolling back in my head, my fingers flexing and squeezing her ass.
"That is the plan."
I chuckled and raised my arms higher, gathering the material of the shirt and pushing it over her head. I dropped it to the floor as our eyes locked and we stared at one another― her eyes soft, her smile gentle, relaxed.
"Baby." I whispered, letting my eyes slide down her perfect fucking body as I slipped my arms around her waist. I leaned forward and pressed my head into her stomach, so completely overwhelmed that this stupidly perfect girl had not only forgiven me, but taken me back into her life.
Her hands brushed the sides of my face before she nudged my head up to look at her.
"I know" was all she said before leaning down and pressing her lips to mine. I stood slowly, turning us so her knees hit the back of the bed.
"I've missed you. I've missed this. Let me show you." I could barely keep my breathing even or my tone calm. I was balancing on a knife's edge, so many different emotions and urges fighting within me.
She nodded as I guided her onto the bed, positioning her so her head was on the pillow and her entire body was stretched out. I moved to the end and dropped to my knees, ignoring the confused expression on her face.
"Thank you." I lifted her foot and leaned forward, my eyes locked with hers as I placed a kiss on the inside of her ankle. "I love you." I whispered against her skin.
I moved forward again, sliding my hand up her leg to her knee thanking her again before pulling it to my mouth and kissing her skin once more.
"I love you."
"Ed-"
I shook my head, she didn't need to say anything, I knew exactly what she was feeling. I watched as a tear slipped from the corner of her eye and her chin quivered slightly.
I kissed her hip bone, her belly button, the inside of her wrist, the bend of her elbow, her shoulder, her collarbone, her neck, chin, nose, forehead, and finally her lips.
Each time before I pressed my lips against her skin I thanked her― for so many fucking things― and told her I loved her over and over again. By the time my mouth connected with hers our lips were wet and salty.
"I love you, too."
"I know you do, baby." Because I did know. There was no other explanation for her forgiving me and giving me another chance to love her.
"I need you." She leaned up a little, her fingers grasping the waistband of my boxers and pushing down. I raised up on my knees so I could kick them the rest of the way off, staying that way for a second so I could look at her again.
I couldn't stop looking at her. I wanted to look at her this way every day of forever.
I slowly lowered back down until I hovered just above her, sliding my hands under her arms and curling my fingers around her shoulders.
I dropped my head, my lips ghosting over my freckle, my nose brushing against hers.
"I missed you, too." I whispered, kissing it once more before letting my lips slide across her skin to her mouth.
"Edward, please."
I reached between us, my hand moving down her stomach before cupping her, my fingers easily slipping between the soft, slick skin. I pushed one finger, then another inside, causing her to moan softly and arch her back.
I dropped my mouth to her nipple, loving the way it tightened as my breath washed over her skin. I wet my lips then slowly dragged my tongue over her hardened peak in long, soft strokes before sucking it into my mouth and biting down gently.
I continued to pump my fingers inside of her, twisting and curling them the way she liked until her back stiffened, her eyes fell shut, and her hands fisted the sheets at her sides.
I waited for her breathing to slow as I moved my hand from between us and slid it back under her arm and around her shoulder again. I rocked forward, freezing as the head of my dick pushed inside.
My entire fucking world seemed to still, everything zeroing in and focusing on this one moment and the feel of her body wrapping around mine as I pushed into her fully.
"Fuck," I gasped, bringing my mouth to hers.
She wrapped her arms around my neck before lifting her legs and locking her ankles behind me. I rocked against her, slow at first until her legs gripped me tighter and her hips lifted to meet mine― demanding more.
I squeezed her shoulders and opened my mouth over hers again, my tongue pushing inside as I dropped my hips, my pace increasing as I drove into her harder, deeper.
Her body slid up the bed from the force of my thrusts, but I gripped her harder, locking her into place as I moved inside of her again and again. She shifted her legs higher, her heels digging into my lower back, the new angle sucking me deeper until I was lost.
"Are you close? Can you come again? Please tell me you're close." I begged, my feet flexing and my legs locking as heat coiled in my stomach before dropping and causing all of my muscles to constrict.
"Yeah― just...oh God." She moaned, her legs clamping around me like a fucking vice as stars exploded over my hazy vision, each shuddering pulse of my orgasm causing my entire body to jerk uncontrollably.
I fell onto her heavily, my entire body weak. "That was..." I couldn't think of anything else to add, apparently I'd been fucked speechless.
"Yeah."
And it seemed I wasn't the only one.
I rolled off her and pulled her body against mine, feeling complete―truly content― for the first time in my life. Nothing was missing, there were no lies hanging over my head, no hidden agendas or ulterior motives, just me and my girl and it was fucking perfect.
I kissed her temple and inhaled deeply. "Night, baby."
"Night, Stalker."
I couldn't stop the huge smile that spread across my face at her words. I wasn't worried about jobs, or douchebags, or tiny cousins with deathly glares― because me and Bella, we could handle anything together.
Of course this theory was tested the very next morning when 'The Douchebag' called and asked if she could come into work.
I might have made entirely more noise than necessary when she was on the phone with him, the massive eye roll Bella gave me let me know she knew exactly what I was doing. But she smiled, so I didn't figure she minded too much.
It wasn't that I didn't trust Bella, but I am a man, and when another guy tries to move in on my girl, well I couldn't help going a little caveman.
"You're ridiculous." She laughed, throwing a shirt at me when she ended her call.
I shrugged my shoulders. I knew that, didn't change shit though.
"What are your plans today since I have to work for a few hours?"
"You don't have to go in."
"I don't have to go in, but they need some help, and I really want to make Dr. Masen happy since he offered me that three month extension."
Ah, yes. The extension. "So you'll be working at the aquarium until the end of February, right?"
It was February, I knew that, I'd glared at the calendar for a half hour when she'd told me earlier this week.
"Yes, but you know that doesn't change anything don't you?" She walked over to the bed and sat beside me, her hand finding mine. "I go where you go."
"I know it doesn't change anything. It just means, where I go you go...two months later."
"It's all part of the plan to make you do all of the unpacking." she laughed.
We'd talked a lot on the phone while I was visiting my parents, it was almost like when I was with them last Christmas, except so much fucking better.
She told me about the extension they'd offered her, and while at first I wanted to be selfish about it, there was no way I'd expect her to give up an opportunity that would help her find a job later.
It also didn't hurt that we'd just discussed living arrangements, and while to some it might seem fast, we knew what we wanted and didn't see the sense in moving to a strange place together and having two separate apartments.
I expected to get my job placement notification in about a week or so, and then I'd only have a few more weeks to get everything finalized before I had to move.
If I was right about the timing, I'd be here through New Year's and that was it. Which meant I was to be without Bella for two months―again. Awesome.
But she was right, two months was nothing when you have your whole life together. I just had to figure out how I was going to solidify that little detail.
"Where'd you go?" She laughed, squeezing my hand.
"Just thinking."
"So, today? What are your plans."
"I'll take Em his car, maybe go for a run, then head to the gym and lift for a while."
Her eyes drifted slowly down my chest to my stomach, her fingers tightening around mine.
"Where'd you go?" I smirked.
"Oh my God, you suck." She groaned, pulling her hand away from mine and stomping off to the bathroom without another word.
I started picking up my clothes and straightening up a bit, realizing our house was going to be really fucking messy when we moved in together.
She cleared her throat causing me to jump. "I thought you-"
I didn't finish that sentence when my eyes landed on her standing completely naked in the doorway.
She raised her brow and turned back to the bathroom without saying a word.
I yanked my boxers down, dropping the clothes I was holding onto the floor and following behind her. There was no way in hell I was turning down shower sex.
We fell into a routine after that, when she was at work I hung out with Em and Rose, but whenever she wasn't working― we were together.
I hadn't fallen asleep without her since Thanksgiving and the more time that passed the harder I knew it was going to be when our time came.
But I reminded myself it would only be temporary, I repeated her words like a mantra "Where you go I go."
I checked the mail, grabbing the handful of envelopes inside the box as I made my way over to Emmett's car to meet Charlie. I flung everything into the passenger seat and started the car when I noticed one of the envelopes had the familiar seal of the FBI.
I pulled it out of the stack and took a deep breath before ripping it open―all of my breath leaving me in a whoosh as I scanned the letter.
"Where I go she goes. Where I go she goes." I repeated again and again to no one, hoping she realized exactly what that meant.
A/N
GERRR-SPLOOSH!
Hi. I'm still here. Woohoo!
Before anyone asks, they were safe, Edward just has ninja like reflexes, I mean...it has been a while for the poor boy. Plus, talking about prophylactics kinda would have ruined the flow, know what I mean brobean? Yeahhh.
You guys blew me away with the last chapter, I'm so glad you liked it!
Big thanks to cejsmom for betaing this chapter not once, but twice when google docs decided to be a whore and not show me ANY of her comments in the doc. -_- Not cool google.
Thanks to my fab 5 who preread and laugh with me when I send them one word review replies like Nippleporn. I love y'all.
And thank you guys for reading! I'm thinking 2 more chapters and a short epi to go! I already have all the sads! GAH