Soooo. First of all I have to say sorry to those that follow this story. It has taken me far too long to update. I had been away for work, which was quickly followed by a holiday for my anniversary. When I returned home, I just could not get back into the story, and it has taken multiple attempts to get this chapter to you. I am still not completely happy but I just need to get it out there and get the ball rolling again. So, I hope you stick with it and that you enjoy it.
Also, on a happy note, I entered a competition and won the judges choice Royale award, for best overall entry, so I was totally surprised and excited about that. It is called Kiss the Bride if anyone is interested in checking it out.
This story is rated M for sexual content and bad language.
I do not own Twilight or any of it's characters.
Chapter 29
EPOV
When Bella told me to shut up and kiss her, I was struck dumb and useless. She could have told me she was becoming a nun and I would have been less surprised.
I was just as surprised she bought up Kate, especially after the kiss that we just shared. Not knowing what to say, I just stated the truth.
"She just turned up at my door and invited herself in. I told her that I was expecting you, she offered to join us, and I politely refused her offer. That was when I opened the door and, well, I guess you saw the rest." I knew she saw Kate kiss me on the cheek, but I did not want to remind her about it.
"Anything else?" She looked at me, eyebrows raised.
"Nope, that's pretty much it. Honestly Bella, I didn't know that she would turn up here, uninvited. I got her out as soon as I possibly could. There is no way that there is anything between us, you've got to believe that." Please believe it. I don't think I could take any more backward steps with Bella, everything rested on her next response. I knew that if she didn't believe me, this was it for us. There would be no more chances and no more hope.
"Hmm." Bella looked like she was thinking hard, but I could see a gleam in her eye and her mouth started to turn up in a small smile.
"Relax, Edward. When I arrived here, I could hear your conversation, and I know that you didn't ask her. I'm not upset with you. Kate on the other hand, needs a swift kick up the ass. Her and Tanya are both shameless, I'm actually embarrassed for them." She turned to me and smiled, the most beautiful sight that I have seen for a long time. In fact, probably forever.
"So, are you just going to stare at me all night, or shall we crack open this bottle of wine and have some dinner. I recall you mentioning that you are a great cook, I'm ready to see if you were telling the truth." She walked past me into the kitchen, opening cupboard doors and looking for glasses.
Following her into the kitchen, I reached across her to open the cupboard which held the wine glasses. In doing so, I was leaning into her body, trapping her against the bench. She let out a small gasp, before leaning back ever so slightly. What I wouldn't give to rip those clothes off her, and take her right there on the kitchen bench. However much I wanted to though, it just wasn't going to happen like that. Eventually maybe, but not right now. Bella needed to know that I was interested in far more than just her body, and that I wouldn't accept anything less than the whole package. Another first for me.
I located the glasses and held them out to her, taking the wine so that I could open it. While I was pouring the wine, Bella never took her eyes off me, to the point where I was starting to worry that I had something on my face or between my teeth.
"Is there something wrong?" The paranoia had now kicked in, I was absently wiping my face.
"No, just taking it all in." She sighed softly and then walked past me and out of the kitchen.
Vague much, Bella. What the hell was that all supposed to mean?
"So, are you hungry? The dinner is a little overcooked, but it should still be okay." I called out to her, but then it jogged my memory of what time it was.
"Bella, it's almost eight thirty, why were you running so late? I had started to think that you stood me up, you know, the ultimate revenge." That is exactly what I thought, that Bella was still harboring a grudge from the past, and that this was the final payback.
Bella started to relay the whole story to me, from the lunch plans with the Clearwaters, to the flat tire. By the time she had finished, I had dinner out on the table and more wine in our glasses.
"So, it truly has been a long day for you. No wonder you look exhausted."
"Thanks a lot, Edward. You really know how to flatter a girl." She looked up at me with the most adorable pout.
"Bella, you look beautiful as always, but you have obviously had a long day. Now, get ready to try some of my famous lasagna." I smirked at her as I watched her pick up her fork. Not to blow my own trumpet or anything, by I make a fucking mean lasagna.
When she let out a small chuckle, I raised my eyebrows, not knowing what had caused it.
"Sorry, I'm not laughing at you. It's just, I made my famous lasagna last night for Charlie and the Blacks. And nobody can out do me when it comes to pasta." She lifted a bite to her mouth, wrapping her plump lips around the fork and closing her eyes. What I wouldn't give to have those lips wrapped around parts of my anatomy and not the fork, but I had already decided that tonight should not involve sex. Not that I didn't want it of course, I'd fucking kill for it with Bella, but I wanted once and for all to prove my good intentions to her.
"So, do I pass?" I was hoping for an answer on more than just the lasagna.
"Not bad." She shrugged her shoulders.
"Not bad! Are you kidding me? I've had people beg for it I tell you. Beg!" At her arched eyebrow, I thought over my words. Shit.
"My lasagna, I mean. I've had people beg for my lasagna." Once again, no brain to mouth filter.
"Well, I wouldn't beg, but then, I don't think I'd have to." She looked me in the eye, a grin starting to form. "For your lasagna, I mean."
And just like that, we both relaxed. The air had changed around us and the night was full of promise.
With dinner done, I led Bella into the living area, bottle of wine in hand. I kept thinking back to dessert, watching her enjoy and savor the crème brulee that I had made, thinking that it was both my best and worst decision to serve it in the first place. The best because I got to sit there and watch, no drool, over Bella licking it off the spoon, all the while moaning. The worst because, well, I had to just sit there and watch her lick it off the spoon and moan. So good, but oh so bad.
"Soooo, Edward. What now?" Bella was leaning back on the couch, twirling the wine glass in her hand absently and running her index finger up and down the stem. I know something else I wouldn't mind her running her fingers up and down. Fuck, stop thinking that shit.
"Maybe some music?" I questioned her, my voice an octave higher than it should have been.
"Sure, music is good." Now her fingers were tracing the collar of her shirt, pulling at the hem. I caught a glimpse of her bra strap, in all of its dark blue, satiny goodness. God, if you're listening, I could really use your help about now.
Settling on the other end of the sofa, I raised my glass up in cheers, to which Bella raised her glass to mine with a quiet clink.
"What are we toasting to, Edward?" Bella purred. She fucking purred and every single syllable went straight to my cock. Christ it's getting hot in here.
"W-well, I think we should t-toast to…us," I stammered, frustrated because Edward Cullen does not fucking stutter.
"Is there an us? What do you want Edward?" Bella had bridged some of the gap between us, now there were only a few centimeters between us, our legs almost touching. I could feel the heat coming off of her body, and fuck me if I didn't want to just reach out and touch her. So that's just what I did, running my fingers up and down her arm, just like she had earlier with her wine glass.
"I'd like to think there could be an us. I'm sure you have figured it out by now that I want you Bella, every little piece of you. Eventually I want your mind, your body, and then your heart. I think you want it too. Am I wrong? Tell me I'm wrong and I will back off right now." Please don't tell me I'm wrong.
"You're wrong Edward." What.
"Oh, okay."
"You're wrong because there is no eventually. You already have it." She looked up at me through her lashes, her beautiful bottom lip caught between her teeth.
Leaning over I gently tugged on her lip, releasing it from her teeth and exhaling the breath that I was holding. It was all I could do to keep from jumping up on the couch and pulling a Tom Cruise.
Closing the small gap between our lips, I pressed mine to hers gently, giving her the opportunity to back away it she wanted to. I had my answer when she licked my bottom lip, and I returned the favor, running my tongue over hers lightly. I was rewarded with a small moan from Bella, as she shivered from our contact.
Any resistance that I had taking her to my bed tonight was slowly fading. This beautiful woman before me, Bella, my Bella, was looking at me with lust in her eyes and a fire in her body. This was going to be a lot harder than I thought, denying her when we both clearly wanted it.
Bella leaned further into me, kissing up and down my jaw, finding that spot behind my ear that leaves me breathless. For two whole seconds I considered stopping her, it was now or never, I don't think that I could stop if we went any further.
"Fuck it," I growled, leaning my weight into Bella and pushing her further into the sofa. I reclaimed her lips with renewed vigor, thrusting my tongue into her mouth and delighting in the sounds that she was making.
I removed my right hand from her hair, and inched it toward the bottom of her shirt, rubbing circles over the smooth, taut skin of her stomach and dipping my finger in her belly button. Her breath hitched in her throat as I moved my hand upwards, my destination her gorgeous breasts. I stopped what I was doing, knowing that I needed to see them, not just touch, so I slowly lifted her shirt up over her head.
Keeping eye contact with Bella, I unclasped her bra and waited for her permission before I lowered my eyes. At her slight nod, I glanced down and sucked in a breath, not quite prepared for the beauty that is Bella. Whilst cupping her breasts, I started to kiss my way down, paying special attention to her collarbone as it has always tempted me beyond belief.
"Perfect," I whispered before I took her round, full breast into my mouth. Her resulting gasps and moans were music to my ears. I could stay here all fucking night and never get tired of hearing those sounds.
"Edward, stop," Bella groaned, and I started to wonder if I had misread the signals.
"What is it Bella," I asked, reluctantly pulling back from my heavenly position.
"There's someone at the door. Didn't you hear it?" She was looking a little defeated, but hell would freeze over before I moved from this spot.
"Ignore it, they'll go away." Now, where was I? That's right, nestled between fun bag number one and fun bag number two.
Not one second was I back in heaven and I heard the pounding on the door.
"Fuck," I all but screamed, looking to Bella for an answer to this problem.
"I'm not going anywhere, just answer it and send them on their way. Quickly," she winked at me. This better be fucking important, and if it was another prank of Rosalie's or Emmett's, someone was going to pay.
Running a hand through my hair, I left a panting Bella on the couch and headed for the door. Sighing, I pulled open the door, not even thinking about looking through the peephole. Big fucking mistake…huge.
"Eddie, you are home," Tanya squeeled, throwing her arms around me and making me wince and shrivel all at the same time.
"What the hell Tanya." No fucking way is this happening to me right now.
"I just wanted to stop by and show you something," Tanya purred, but this purr did nothing but make my balls retreat. Her hands were reaching for the belt of her trench coat and it didn't take a genius to figure out that there was very little, or nothing, underneath it.
Before I could do or say anything, I felt Bella come up behind me and take in the scene. A look at her face told me that she was amused and irritated more than anything. Thank Christ for small wonders.
BPOV
"I just wanted to stop by and show you something," I clearly heard, and I finally placed that nasal whine. Tanya, and I could just imagine what she wanted to show Edward.
I walked up to Edward and placed one hand on his waist while the other was holding my wine.
"Bella, what are you doing here?" She asked surprised, like she didn't already know that we had a date here tonight.
"Edward and I have a date, but I'm sure you already knew that." I was sick and tired of playing her games.
"But you shouldn't have been back by now, there is now way you could have…" she trailed off, all of a sudden looking a little flustered.
"What are you talking about? Back from where?" I was stumped. I had no idea what she was saying.
"Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking about something else." She was looking back and forth between Edward and I, like a deer caught in headlights.
Something didn't add up. Where did she think I was that I wouldn't make it back for my date? Did she know that I was going to Forks yesterday? Even if she did, why would she think that I wouldn't make it in time for my date?
"No, you couldn't have." I was thinking out loud. I remembered the cause of why I was late tonight. The flat tire. Could she possibly be that deranged, that deluded? One look at her face told me that yes, yes she could.
"How did you manage it exactly, without me seeing you? You would have had to do it in Forks to ensure that it would happen precisely when you wanted it to." If I had any doubts about her involvement with my mishap, they were promptly discarded as her face changed from nervous to downright scared.
"What are you talking about Bella." Edward was confused, and rightly so. I was confused and I now knew what exactly had happened.
"You see Edward, Tanya here was in Forks today, the same day that I had my date with you. Funny that, don't you think." I was fuming, not only for trying to ruin my date, but for placing my life at risk. She could have fucking killed me.
"Tanya, is this true?" Edward asked her, a look of disbelief on his face.
Tanya was madly shaking her head back and forth. "How could you possibly think that, Edward. I was nowhere near her truck."
"Truck? I never mentioned anything about my truck Tanya. Why would you bring it up?" I questioned her.
Tanya did not respond, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.
"Do you realize that you could have killed Bella pulling a stunt like that? She could have run off the road when her tire blew. Some lunatic could have pulled over to help her. God, don't you get it? You should be locked up for fucking with her tire like that, and how many times to do I have to tell you that I am not fucking interested." Edward's veins were popping out on his forehead, his hands were clenching at his sides. I placed a comforting hand on his arm to hold him back, I wanted to take care of this myself.
Pulling my hand back, I slapped her hard across the face. I have never hit anyone before, I hate physical violence, but she had truly taken things too far.
"You are one sick individual Tanya. You claim to call me a friend, yet you sabotage my car in hopes of getting your claws into Edward. I can't even begin to tell you all the things that are wrong with your behavior. And for the record, Edward is off the market. Don't look at him, don't touch him, hell, don't even think his bloody name if you know what is good for you. He can't stand the sight of you and neither can I. Just leave us the fuck alone." After my rant, I tossed the contents of my glass in her face, and slammed the door on her spluttering ass.
"Fuck Bella, is she fucking serious? You could have been killed or molested for god's sake. I'm so sorry, I should have never had anything to do with her." Edward was visibly shaking and I really needed him to calm down.
"Edward, it had nothing to do with you. Well, it does because she wants you, but it is most definitely not your fault. She is all sorts of fucked up and needs some serious help. Please, can we just get on with our evening and deal with her later. I don't want yet another date going down the toilet." I looked up at him with a pout, anything to get this back on track.
"We'll talk about it tomorrow morning then, I will not let this go Bella."
"Tomorrow morning Edward? Is that your way of asking me to stay the night?" I could hear the hope in my voice, no matter how hard I tried to hide it.
"Well, Miss Swan, if I did ask, would you say yes?" Those eyes were boring into mine, and I could almost imagine him trying to use the power of persuasion to make me say yes. Little did he know that he did not need to use any sort of power to get me to agree. I knew that I would stay the night the moment that I walked through his door.
"Yes Edward, the answer is yes." Closing my eyes, I willed my heart to stop racing. I could hear his heavy breathing, and the touch of his hand on mine sent tingles down my spine to the tips of my toes.
"Oh and Bella," he whispered in my ear, his voice husky and his breath in my ear stirring my lust.
"Mmm," I managed to get out.
"Fuck that was hot. Tanya didn't know what hit her," he murmured, taking my hand and leading me through his apartment.
I gladly followed, knowing that tonight I was going to give in to my attraction for Edward. As he lit a candle by his bed, I laid down and kicked my shoes off. Taking a deep breath I took in his lithe form, until I found myself looking into those bedroom eyes and that sexy, crooked, panty dropping grin. All I could think was, how quickly could I drop mine?
A/N: So, Tanya's totally crazy and I think things are about to get steamy for our happy couple.
As always, let me know your thoughts...
