Rating: M

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight.

A/N…Each chapter my betas show their awesomeness. Lovinrob and amandac3, you two truly impress the hell out of me.

Twister….thanks for the teacups.

CHAPTER 36

Bella

I feel my eyes flutter open then shut again. I am only half awake and I feel his body wrapped protectively around mine and I smile. Even in his sleep he doesn't want to let me go; as if I could ever leave him again. I roll over onto my back, or at least attempt to roll over. It's next to impossible with the way he has me anchored to him.

I gently attempt to pry his arm off my waist but it only moves him to hold me tighter as he mumbles in his sleep. I try again and this time I am successful as he rolls over onto his back. I slide out of bed and because it's closer, I run to his bathroom rather than mine.

I curse because I need a tooth brush and have to run across the bedroom to see if there is one there. I scurry across the room on my tip toes trying valiantly to be as quiet as possible so that I don't wake Edward.

When I enter my bathroom I nearly shout for joy when I see five unopened toothbrushes in the drawer and a fresh tube of paste. I make haste at brushing my teeth, sighing at the pleasure of it. I return to the bedroom and find my bathrobe on the floor and slip my arms into the sleeves before heading downstairs to start a pot of coffee. Recalling Edward's phone call with Esme, I go outside and find the promised clothing folded neatly on a chair and am pleased to see everything I need along with a beautiful white rose.

I stand there with tears threatening to fall when I read a note she left me.

Dearest Bella,

I am so happy to see you back where you belong.

Love, Esme

I clutch the note and the rose to my chest feeling a sense of belonging as I pick up the clothing. When I turn to go back inside the house, I bump right into Edward's hard chest and a lone tear breaks free and slowly makes it way down my cheek.

"Hey now…what's this?" He says, gently wiping the tear from my cheek with his thumb. I show him the rose and give him the note to read. Once he reads it, he pulls me to him and walks me into the house where it is warm and fresh coffee is waiting.

"She loves you Bella. They all do. You make me happy and they love you for that." He explains.

"I know." I say quietly. "It is just such a sweet and kind thing to do and say. It touched me." I say, snuggling into his warmth.

"How about I make us breakfast?" I suggest. "Omelette? Pancakes? French toast? What does your heart desire?" I ask, holding him to me tighter.

"I desire you, Bella. I desire you." He says seductively lowering his mouth to mine for a sweet and tender kiss.

I drop my arms from around his waist and walk seductively toward the stairs, dropping my robe to the floor, swaying my bare bottom as I take the steps strategically one at a time. I watch him watch me as I sashay my hips with each step I take. When my foot rests on the top step of the landing, I look over my shoulder, silently inviting him to follow, and see that he hasn't moved from where I left him. I give my ass an extra wiggle as I take the last step and it is only a matter of seconds before he is up the stairs, scooping me into his arms, practically sprinting to his bed where we stay until we are exhausted and starving.

~BD~

Leaving Edward's arms to walk toward my car is very difficult. All I want is to be with him. I see him out my rearview mirror as I slowly drive away and see him wave one last time before I drive out of view.

As soon as a turn onto the main road, I put my earpiece in my ear and call Alice.

"Alice?" I say eagerly.

"Bella? Oh thank God." She replies.

"Conference? Is Rosalie around?"

"Yes, she's here with Emmett somewhere, I will wait." Alice says and I put her on hold while I call Rosalie.

I get all three of us on the line and they clearly are excited to hear from me.

"Where are you?" Rosalie asks.

"I'm on my way to the city to meet Matt for my first tutoring session this afternoon."

"So? Are you guys okay?" Alice pipes in.

"Yes. We worked it all out and I'm so glad to be home you guys. I missed him so much and we're going to be just fine. It was a misunderstanding, as you all know, but I was just too hard headed to see it."

"When are you guys coming home?" I ask them changing the subject.

"We both have to be back by tomorrow." Rosalie says. "Alice, do you want to leave today and spend some time with Bella tonight?"

"Let's. We can pick up Chinese and have a carpet picnic." Alice suggests. "Since my car is already there, I'll just stay with you guys tonight."

"Okay, this sounds like fun. Matt is coming at 1:00 for two hours so I will be done by 3:00." I inform them. "I have so much to tell you guys and I really can't wait to see you both. I've missed you so much. I am so sorry I put you through this. I just needed to deal with it and if I hadn't seen Edward standing in the middle of the road, God knows where we would be today."

"Oh, I have a feeling Edward was not going to allow you to stay away from him much longer, Bella." Rosalie says, laughing. "I have it on good authority that it was his intention to pay you a visit this week and that's why he came home from Tahoe. He was going to settle it once and for all."

"Well, we are back where we belong." I say. "I will see you both later on, okay? Can't wait."

"Okay, bye, Bella." Alice says.

"Bye, sweetie. See you this evening." Rosalie says before hanging up.

After I hang up my phone, I pull over to send a text to Edward.

B: I miss you already and want to turn around

E: I can't stand not being with you, Bella

B: I love you so much

E: I'm so glad that you do. Call me when you can.

B: I will. xoxo

I drive the remaining distance in silence my mind filled with thoughts of Edward and what the future holds for us. I am tired of these insecurities about my relationship with Edward. I curse outloud for allowing myself to think the worst of him and what we have together. My relationship with Jacob has nothing to do with Edward. Edward is nothing like Jacob. I find myself smiling and feel an overwhelming calmness in me and finally feel free from the past. I can let it go now.

I spend some time mentally organizing my class schedule, my sessions with Matt and what tools I am going to need for class. I decide to invest in a new computer as my laptop is dated and by the time I upgrade it the cost will be about the same price of a new computer anyway. I decide to call the expert.

"Hello, Angie? This is Bella."

"Welcome home, Bella. You were sorely missed around here if you know what I mean." She giggles.

"Yes, I do know what you mean and thank you." I reply. "Hey, I am planning on getting a new computer and since your Ben is the expert, I was wondering if you could find out from him what I need. I don't care about the cost, I want the best. Could you do that for me?"

"Absolutely, Bella… Yes, it's Bella… No you can't talk to her, she called me." I hear her talking to someone. "Sorry, Bella, Edward just walked in and is jealous you called me and not him." She giggles.

"Thanks, Angie. Tell him I will call him later." I say, chuckling. "You have my number so give me a call when you find out, okay? I appreciate your help and tell Ben thanks for me." I say before hanging up.

I call Charlie to let him know I made it home alright. It's a call I'm not happy about making because he saw me at my worst and he blames Edward for it and there will be no changing his mind now. But I don't want him to be surprised when he learns that Edward and I have worked things out.

Pleased with the progress I've made with my tasks, I pull into the garage, parking next to Alice's car, and make my way into the house. It's kind of eerie being in this big house all alone and I wonder how Rosalie does it. I wouldn't want a house of this size for just me, but it suits her.

I head down the hall to the east wing toward my rooms to take a shower and to change out of Esme's clothes. I toss them into the laundry basket so that I can launder them and return them to her on Wednesday. I smile knowing I will see Edward on Wednesday for four days.

Once I am dressed, I take everything I am going to need for my meeting with Matt out to the dining room table. When I hear the gate buzzer, I recall how punctual he claimed he was.

I buzz him through and prepare two glasses of iced tea while I wait. Once I hear the front door bell, I let him in and not wasting any time, we get right to work. He is very nice and thorough and as punctual as ever, ending our session at exactly the two hour mark.

"Thank you, Matt. I really appreciate all your help. Your knowledge of the courses I've already taken is impressive and you have brought back a lot that I had completely forgotten about. This is exactly what I needed, so thank you again."

"Not a problem Bella. That's what I am here for." Matt replies as he starts gathering his things to put away.

"Matt, I wanted to ask a favor."

"Sure, what is it?" Matt asks, looking at me curiously.

"Would you be opposed to Skyping our Friday sessions? I would like to be in Napa on Fridays but don't want to miss our meetings and I thought this would be a good way to do that." I say, looking at him, waiting for his reaction.

"I don't have any problem with that. That would help me a great deal not having to travel out here and then I wouldn't have to deal with the Friday traffic in town. So sure, we can do that, no problem." He replies.

I smile at his willingness to cooperate and I know Edward will be pleased to have me with him for the weekend.

"Thanks so much, Matt. That makes it a lot easier for everyone involved then."

"You are most welcome, Bella." He says. "Hey, I wanted to ask you, is your full name Isabella?" He asks.

"Yes, why do you ask?" I look at him warily because I swore I put that on my information to him. Apparently not.

"Do you know Jacob Black?"

My body freezes in motion at the mention of that name.

"Yes. Again, why do you ask?" I feel my eyes narrow as I look at him.

"Well, he is being recruited to work at my firm and when he overheard that I was tutoring you, he said that you two used to be a couple and that you were working on getting back together."

The same bullshit line he used on Eric Hale.

"You have been misinformed Matt. Yes, we used to be a couple nearly four years ago and currently I have a protection order against him. He is to stay away from me and if your firm was smart, they would check his references thoroughly."

"Bella, I sit on the Executive Committee that approves new recruits. Is there something I should know?" Matt asks, looking concerned.

I look at him warily. I think about the repercussions of what I am considering. But I like Matt. He is doing me a great service by tutoring me and I would hate to have him affected later if I could have provided valuable information.

"He assaulted me in Lake Tahoe in January. I had reason to obtain the order and filed a complaint against him. That's all I can say other than you would be wise to check those references and be skeptical of them as being legitimate. I will give you one… contact Eric Hale. Tell him I sent you for a reference on Jacob."

"Bella, I am sorry to hear that and thank you for the reference. I will contact Mr. Hale. I have deep respect for him. He is a formidable opposition, having tried several cases together. Thank you." He says before packing his bag.

I walk him out the door and lock it behind him, making sure that all the exit doors are locked. I'm happy that the girls will be home tonight more than ever. After discussing Jacob, it's like I can feel his cooties surround me, and I shudder at the thought. I go into the kitchen and watch the security monitor as Matt leaves through the gate when I swear I spied movement in the trees outside of the gate, I look again but there is nothing and am certain it's my paranoid imagination and head back into the dining room to clean up my papers when my cell pings a text.

R: we are on our way and will stop at charlie chan's. kung pao for you?

B: perfect and fried rice, egg rolls and crab rangoon.

R: geez bella. hungry much?

B: tee hee. hurry.

As promised, I called Edward after Matt left and before the girls got home.

"Hey beautiful." He answers.

"Hey yourself handsome. What'cha doin'?" I say in a flirty voice.

"I thought I'd better put in some time at the office since I've been gone most of the first quarter this year. I can't let my brothers run the ship too long or I'll be out of a job." He says laughing.

"I doubt they would want it, Edward. You do such a fantastic job of keeping it at the forefront of the industry. Jasper is perfect at what he does on the financial end and Emmett is such an excellent people person, he keeps everyone happy."

"How do you know all that, Bella?"

"I'm observant, Edward. I can see what goes on and I listen. It's not rocket science." I giggle.

"How did your first session go?" Edward asks. "Did he come on to you at all? If he did, I'll kick his ass for you. Just tell me." He says jokingly.

"No, Edward. He was the perfect gentleman. I made an excellent choice for a tutor. He's very good." I decide not to tell him about what Matt told me about Jacob until I arrive in Napa later this week; I don't want to worry him unnecessarily.

"I miss you, Edward." Feeling like a high school girl.

"I miss you back, Bella." He returns and we sit in a comfortable silence.

"The girls are picking up Chinese for dinner. It's a girl-fest tonight. I'd invite you but I would have to braid your hair and paint your toes hot pink and lime green." I say giggling into the phone.

"Bella, if it means I would be with you, you can do anything you want with me." He says, sounding serious about that.

"I would love to see that. I could take pictures and send it in for the next Volturi wine label. I could enter it in the competition and it would probably win for originality and creativity." I hear him chuckle over the phone.

"It probably would and that's not a half bad idea, Bella." I can hear the smile in his voice.

"Oh, hey, the girls are here with dinner. Can I call you later? Like when I go to bed?"

"Oh, yeah." He says in his velvety smooth voice. "You better not fall asleep before you call me, woman."

"I promise. I will talk to you in a bit, Edward." I say. "I love you."

"I love you more." He replies before we hang up.

I hear the garage door open and the girls come running in with enough Chinese food to feed an army. I wait until they put down their bags and I hug them both. I haven't seen them since I got back home and I have missed them both terribly.

"Emmett saw your car on the lane and wondered if you had broken down so we all came running out and when we saw you lying on the ground we thought you had fainted again. We didn't even see Edward until we were right there." Rosalie says, explaining how they came to be there at the car the other night.

"That had to be the sweetest thing we've ever seen, Bella. Edward was crying and couldn't let you go. Then when you started crying, we all started crying too. We knew what we were witnessing and I am so happy you and Edward are okay." Alice says, hugging me again.

"You and me both, Alice. Let's eat. I'm starving. I haven't eaten all day." I say, digging into the plastic bags filled with those little white cartons. I love eating my Chinese food out of them for some reason. It just seems to taste better.

"Rose, will you set up the floor with a sheet or a blanket? Alice you get the plates and I'll pour the wine." I choose Edward's Sauvignon Blanc to pour into chilled glasses.

We all set out to complete our tasks and then we carry the take out containers to the blanket in the living room where we sit in a circle on the floor, grab some chop sticks and dig in. We haven't had a real chance to talk since they have been with Emmett and Jasper most of the time that I've been back.

"So how bad was he when I was gone?" I ask, looking back and forth at their troubled eyes.

"It was bad at first. Real bad." Rosalie said. "I was worried about him but after he talked to you, he seemed better than before. He decided to leave Napa and headed to Squaw."

"Yeah, he said he couldn't go to the Stateline house because of something about the piano. He kept saying 'Can't go near the piano'. Will you finally tell us what he meant by that?" Alice asks.

I feel my skin burn when Alice asks for an explanation but I feel I owe them since I left them behind to clean up my mess.

"Just before we came home from vacation, we spent a few nights at his house. He sat down to the play the piano for me while I took a bath. It was the sweetest most romantic thing he's done." I explain and the girls look at one another and let out a collective sigh.

"We had the most wonderful, most memorable sex on that piano." I say quietly, remembering that night vividly.

"It was the first time he had played since Leah, and he was playing for me. It was special. It was monumental actually." I say sadly. "I feel horrible that he has a breakthrough by playing for the first time… for me… and I leave him. It must have crushed him terribly." I say, stabbing my Kung Pao with my chop sticks.

"How about you, Bella? How did you do while you were gone?" Alice asks, running her hand across my thigh, comforting me.

"Not much better than Edward, I'm afraid. I tell him not to go catatonic on me and I turn around and spend about three weeks huddled in my bed, not coming out of my room unless I had to pee or shower." I say, looking at them. "They even brought my food to me, I never left my room." I recall the memory.

We sit quietly, pushing our food around more than eating it.

"But hey, I'm here now. It's going to be just fine. Edward and I have talked about it. I told him what I saw at that moment and he explained how it is with him and Leah. We have put it behind us, learning from the experience and opting to move on from it." I say, perking up a bit. "But the one think I have learned the most; communication. I vow to myself to talk to him before hastily retreating" I say, reflecting.

"Pass me the Lemon Chicken would you please?" I ask Rosalie, lightening the sullen mood.

We drop the subject of Edward and I ask them about themselves. How they are doing with Emmett and Jasper and learn that they are more in love than ever. The houses are in the early stages of development and they are having a blast picking out tile and carpet and color schemes. All the things that make it fun when you build your own home. Even more fun when money isn't an issue.

"I'm putting this house on the market." Rose says, shocking me. I swear my eyes nearly fell out of my head.

"What?" I say incredulously. "Rosalie, are you sure? What if…"

"Stop it, Bella." Rose says, interrupting me. "You don't get 'what if's'. You and Edward have to work your shit out. Emmett and I, we don't have shit. We are solid. We have decided this together. So keep your opinions to yourself." She says fiercely.

I sit back and stare at her, shocked.

"You are so right, Rosalie. I have no place to voice an opinion. I'm sorry, Rose." I say, bowing my head, feeling rightfully spanked.

"It's alright, Bella. I just want your support, is all. If I fuck up, then I fuck up and then you can be there to help me pick up my pieces, alright?" She says, lifting my chin to look at her.

"Alright, Rose. I'm certain that will never happen though. That man adores you and will pave your sidewalk with gold bricks if it makes you happy." I say and we all giggle at the visual.

"And I don't even need to say anything to you Mary Alice. The sun rises and sets around you. That man is beyond nuts over you. I knew he would be. As soon as I met him I would have found a way to get you two together, come hell or high water. I knew you were placed on this earth for each other." I say looking directly at her, watching her nod her head. She knew it too.

"Okay, let's eat dammit." I say, digging into my Kung Pao.

I share the story that Matt told me about Jacob and answered all their questions. I told Rose that I referred him to her father in case he questions her about my motive. I just need Eric to be honest, that's all I ask.

Tomorrow is a free day for me so I ask them if they want to do anything but they have work scheduled so I decide to make it an errand day for myself. I make a mental note to call Angie to see what Ben said so I can shop for my new computer.

After we pig out, hurling ourselves into gluttony, we clean up our dishes and head to our respective rooms. Rose and Alice want to call Emmet and Jasper and I need to unpack my bags. After I put all my bathroom items away, I head for the closet and see the beautiful dress Edward bought me for the dinner. I love this dress, running my fingertips over the intricate beadwork. I smile at the memory of his face when he learned I had no panties on underneath it. I feel the tingling begin and decide to call him.

"Hi, you." I say, wishing he were here with me.

"Hey, baby. I wish you were here with me." He says and I giggle.

"What?" He asks.

"I was just thinking that very same thing, wishing you were here with me."

"I missed you so much today, Bella. I need you near me. I can't explain it." He says. "I was jealous when you called Angie even. I felt ridiculous." I hear him chuckle at that.

"As soon as Matt left, I wanted to hop in my car and drive to Napa." I admit to him.

"You should have."

"I could have but Alice and Rosalie wanted a girl's night and they drove home just to hang with me so we spent the night pigging out on Chinese and talking about goober boys."

"What did you talk about? That we rock your worlds?"

"No, that you have worms." I say laughing.

"I'd like to think what I have is more a snake than a worm, Bella. A python. No, make that an anaconda. Someone once told me anaconda's have more girth." And we burst out laughing.

"No, what you have is the most perfect-for-Bella-cock in the world."

"Damn." I hear him say under his breath.

"I would love to taste that cock right about now." I say to him, closing my eyes, envisioning his dick in my mouth, down my throat and I moan.

"I'd love to taste you too, Bella." He responds. "Wait, did you just moan, baby?

"I believe I did, Edward."

"What were you thinking about to make you moan like that?" He asks in his velvet voice.

"Your cock down the back of my throat." I say quietly. "Running my tongue from the bottom to the very tasty tip."

"Holy shit, Bella." I hear him say under his breath.

"Touch yourself for me, Edward." I hope he's in the mood.

"Are you touching yourself?"

"Fuck yeah, I am." He admitted. "Are you touching yourself with me, baby?"

"MmHmm." I moan, slipping my hand into my panties and feeling how wet I am just knowing that he is stroking his cock. "What are you visualizing, Edward? Do you feel your cock in my mouth, my lips wrapped around you?" I begin, slowly.

"Or do you feel your head hitting the back of my throat just before I open it for you and slide you all the way down? Can you feel my throat open around your dick? What does it feel like? Is it tight?" I close my eyes at my own visual and enjoy the feel of my touch.

"Holy shit Bella, what the fuck?" I hear his ragged breath and I know what he's doing.

"How many fingers do you have inside of you, Bella?"

"One." I reply as I hear our breathing in unison with the movement his body is making while he strokes himself.

"I want to put my fingers in you, Bella. I want to pull your juices out of you and glaze your clit with it. Can you feel it, Bella?"

"Oh, yes, baby. I can feel it." I say, barely audible over my breathing.

"You sound so sexy like this, Bella." He says, his heavy labored breathing matching my own.

"Are you ready baby? I hope you are because I am. I'm ready…right... Oh..." I pant into the phone as I cum, listening to Edward breathe and moan into my ear.

"Bella…" I hear him growl my name as he cums.

"Hearing you cum is sexy as hell, Edward." I admit as my heart returns to normal, continuing to touch myself, wondering if I can get another one.

"Bella." He exhales again. "Where in the hell did that come from?" He asks through a chuckle.

"It comes from my dirty soul, baby. It comes from me wanting you always. It comes from my desire to please you. And it comes from my memories of how I feel when I do those things to you. And because I love you."

"I love you too, Bella." He says lovingly. "I love you so much."

A/N: Phone Sex. Nuff said. Now some of you think Bella owes you an explanation. Some say Edward does. Some think that Edward should kick her to the curb. Some love it, some hate it and one is going to save her judgment for a later date. But I say I am not going to dwell on it and drag this out any longer. They have moved on from the angst and separation and are looking forward to a positive future. Yes, Bella is insecure… she saw her man (Jacob) fucking her bestfriend (Jessica). So she might have a trust issue there. She will grow with Edward. He will guide her to leaving all that behind her. Jealousy is insecurity. If you are free from that emotion, kudos for you. If not, then welcome to the vast majority.