Author Note: I think you guys mostly liked the roleplaying in the last chapter...?
Congrats to 0 BASIA 0, TheGreenPanther, MIRosebud, and the real teacher for guessing Kool & The Gang's biggest hit from 1980-81. I eventually edited my hint when I realized it wasn't clear that I meant 80s for the "decade." I was in a hurry Tuesday morning!
Thanks to moosals and edwardisaputz for pre-reading! Stephenie Meyer owns all characters.
Chapter 36 – Celebration
With Edward's birthday coming up, I wrack my brain trying to figure out what to plan for it. I obviously can't top last year's birthday, when he got to live out his fantasy with two women. We need to do something completely different.
His actual birthday, June 20, is on a Monday this year. I plan to take that day off work, and I convince him to schedule his appointments on the preceding Saturday as early as possible, so that we can go away together for a long weekend. I've booked us two nights at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort in Olympic National Park to spend a little time just for us.
I've left where we're going as a surprise to Edward, which means I'm driving — he'll just have to deal. I pick him up at his condo downtown and we head for the Bainbridge Island ferry.
"So are we going to Forks again?" he asks as we stand on the deck, watching the Seattle skyline get farther and farther away.
"Nope. You'll find out when we get there."
"I don't like surprises," he grumbles.
"Tough," I reply, giggling at his grumpiness.
Once we're on the 101, we continue past Port Angeles and Lake Crescent to our turn-off on the left. A few minutes later, we've reached the resort and I leave Edward to stretch his legs while I check us in. We're staying in a cute, one-room cabin with a king-sized bed — total privacy since we're not connected to anyone else.
"Looks just like a regular hotel room," Edward chuckles as he carries our bags inside.
"What did you expect?"
"From the outside, I thought it'd be more rustic. Especially given the fact that you're apparently an expert on camping." He sets the bags down then checks out the bathroom.
When he comes back out, he winds his arms around me, leaning down for a kiss. "So what's the plan?"
"The plan is to get dinner and then soak in one of the mineral hot springs pools. They're open until nine."
"Let's get to it then," he smiles.
Hand in hand, we walk up to the Springs Restaurant, where we enjoy a delicious dinner of Northwest cuisine. I convince Edward to get the Marionberry cobbler for dessert, so I can try it along with the salted caramel cheesecake that I order.
After dinner, we change into our swimsuits and make our way back to the main lodge, with a large freshwater pool and the three mineral hot springs pools. All three are varying temperatures and I feel a bit like Goldilocks as I decide which I prefer. Edward just rolls his eyes, settling in beside me once I've finally chosen the three-foot-deep medium pool, which happens to be the hottest.
"Feels like a hot tub, except without bubbles," he grins salaciously.
"Also not alone out here," I remind him.
"Mmm… see that guy over there in the smaller pool? He keeps looking over at you, like he wouldn't mind seeing you naked."
"I thought you got jealous now?" I ask, side-eyeing him.
"Oh, believe me, I'd probably punch him if he tried to touch you, but I have to admit that I like the idea of making him jealous that I've got you and he doesn't."
"Men!" I shake my head, splashing water on him.
"Oh, come on! You weren't making a statement in front of Ms. French Maid last Halloween?"
I feel my face burning, because of course he's absolutely correct.
Edward laughs at me, then sobers, pulling my legs over his lap. "I like that you're jealous," he says quietly, caressing my cheek. "I'm not sure I've ever been with someone who's cared enough to be jealous."
"I'd bet that you have," I disagree. "You just didn't know it."
Giving me a small smile, he leans in for a soft kiss before hugging me to his bare chest. We stay like that until we're about to turn into prunes, then get out of the water and towel off.
"My skin feels so soft," I comment as we walk back to our cabin; the mineral water is good for the skin. "It kinda smells though, so I'm gonna take a quick shower."
"I'll join you," he declares, and I roll my eyes. It's only a standard tub/shower combination, so not really enough room for anything fun.
In the end, I let Edward rinse off first, then take my own shower. When I come out of the bathroom in the slip he picked out at Victoria's Secret, I find him sprawled on top of the bed.
"Is there seriously no TV in this room?" he asks, his eyes looking me up and down.
"No," I chuckle. "Also no radio, telephone or internet. We're supposed to be relaxing away from modern-day distractions."
"Whatever will we do with our time then?" he asks seductively, tugging on my arm until I practically fall on top of him.
"I'm… sure you'll think of something," I mumble as he begins sucking on my neck.
After breakfast, we set off to hike the six-mile Lover's Lane Loop trail, which crosses by the famous Sol Duc Falls. We then stop by the resort's restaurant to pick up a couple of wraps to take with us as a picnic lunch to Lake Crescent, where we rent a kayak and I learn that Edward knows next to nothing about the outdoors. I have to try really hard not to laugh at him several times. I suppose I should've realized that he's a city boy, and that he didn't have a normal childhood.
After returning to our resort, I suggest to Edward that we relax in the mineral pools again, but in reality, I booked us both poolside massages. He's initially super excited when I tell him the truth, until he learns that I booked him with a male masseuse. Sue me, I'm not giving him any reason to be tempted.
After our 60-minute massages, we again relax in the mineral pools. This time I choose the largest pool, with a fountain in the middle, which is only three degrees cooler than the one we were in last night.
"Are you enjoying your birthday?" I ask timidly. I got a little worried after the kayak thing.
"It's not my birthday yet," he grins.
"This whole weekend is to celebrate you," I argue. "I know I've chosen what we've done up to this point, but from now until we get back to Seattle, it's your choice."
He raises an eyebrow. "Does that include choosing my own dessert tonight?"
"It does," I agree with a smile.
Eventually we have to leave the warm mineral water. We both shower quickly then get dressed for dinner at the Springs Restaurant. Since Edward didn't know where we were going for the weekend, he packed some nicer outfits. As I brought one nice dress, I talk him into wearing a green striped tie with his button-down shirt, and then spend dinner drooling over how good he looks.
I keep my promise about the dessert, but still make sure to try his.
When we get back to our cabin, I seriously want to jump Edward, but I promised he could be in charge tonight, so I need to let him make the first move.
"So I can have anything I want?" he asks. I remember our conversation from a few weeks ago, covering all of the things he's done sexually, and I start to get a bit worried about giving him carte blanche. But he wouldn't ask for anything too outrageous, would he? I mean, he doesn't have any lube.
"Bella," he says, likely noticing the way my heart is pounding madly. "My therapist likes to remind me that I'm half of a couple now, and obviously your needs matter as much as my own. I wouldn't suggest anything I don't think you're ready for. I personally think you shouldn't knock anything without trying it first, but don't ever agree just for me — OK?"
"OK," I promise, stepping closer and winding my arms around his neck.
He places two soft kisses on my lips, then gives me his most seductive smile. "Undress me."
I remove my arms from around his neck, then slowly loosen his tie. I slide it off of his neck, tossing it toward the couch, then begin deliberately unbuttoning his shirt. I tug his shirt out of his pants, but before I can push it off his shoulders, he places his hands on my wrists, shaking his head.
"Now take your own clothes off." He takes a seat on the couch, leaning back and crossing his arms behind his head.
My dress is a wrap style, with a tie on the side, so I untie it, letting it fall open, then stare into Edward's eyes as I take it off. I toss it onto the couch next to him, smiling at the hungry look on his face. I'm wearing the bright pink lace push-up bra that I bought on my first visit to Victoria's Secret with Edward, along with a pair of lacy panties that he picked out. They coordinate, if not match exactly.
I reach behind my back to unhook my bra, then slowly pull the straps down my arms. Tossing my bra at Edward, I cup my breasts in my hands.
"Very nice," he comments in a raspy voice.
Taking hold of both sides of my panties, I shimmy my hips as I pull them down, again tossing them at Edward, who grins at me as he catches them. I stand there biting my lip as I wait for my next instructions.
"Come give me a lap dance," he suggests, and I take a few steps forward, swaying my hips as I straddle his lap, being careful not to touch him. He brings his hands up to my breasts, holding their weight in his hands, then leans forward and places a soft kiss on each nipple. I place my hands on his shoulders, eagerly opening for him when he claims my lips in a hungry kiss.
We kiss and kiss and kiss until I feel like I'm going to lose my mind. If I had to do one thing for the rest of eternity, I think it would be kissing Edward. Well, that and having sex with Edward.
"Get on the bed," he mumbles against my lips. I'm not even sure I can stand!
I slowly get to my feet, my brow furrowing at his smirk. "I've made a mess of your hair," he explains. "You already look freshly fucked and I still have my pants on."
"Proud of yourself, aren't you?" I tease, grasping the sheets and pulling them down. I lie down in the center of the mattress, staring at the bulge in his pants as he stands at the foot of the bed.
"Bella," he says in a sensual voice, "Can I tie you up?"
My eyes widen at that request. "With what?" He pulls one hand out from behind his back, showing me his tie. "I-I guess," I answer tentatively. I don't know what I'm nervous about; I know he won't hurt me.
Smiling, Edward crawls over my prone body, pulling both of my arms up above my head. I can feel him wrapping his tie around both of my wrists, but I can't see what else he's doing.
"Now try to pull your wrists," he says as he sits back. I give a good tug, but the bindings are tight. The headboard has wooden slats, so he must've tied it around them.
"Perfect," he smiles, climbing off the bed and heading toward the door.
"Where are you going?" I ask in alarm.
"I'll be right back."
I huff as he closes the door behind him. Seriously, the bastard is leaving me tied up naked on the bed? I think he grabbed something just before he walked out, but I couldn't see what it was. He can't possibly be going far; I mean, his shirt is open and his dick is hard.
It is just a minute or two until Edward returns. As he walks toward the bed, he's holding something in his right hand behind his back. He kneels on the bed, moving forward until he's straddling my legs, then sets our room's ice bucket beside him.
"Wh-what are you going to do with that?"
Instead of answering me, he takes out one ice cube, and my eyes widen as he brings it closer and closer to my chest.
"Oh!" I yelp as he begins circling my left nipple with the ice.
"Shhh… Just feel, Bella."
The ice quickly starts to melt, dripping down the side of my breast. My nipple is almost painfully hard, and I start breathing heavily. Just when I think I can't take much more, he switches to my right nipple.
Once the ice is nearly melted, he begins tracing patterns along the skin of my torso. Finally he gives it up for a fresh piece, causing goosebumps all over my body as he circles my navel.
Looking up, he gives me an especially evil grin, scooting back and then spreading my legs.
"Oh no!" I yell pre-emptively, trying to close my legs. He quickly moves to kneel between them, so I'm stuck.
"Oh yes, Bella," he says, touching the ice cube to my clit. I nearly buck off the bed. Edward lays his left forearm over my pelvis to hold me still as he begins circling with the ice.
"Fuck, that's cold!"
"Should I warm it up?" he grins. Before I can ask what he means by that, he slides the ice cube down, the slowly pushes it inside me. Once it's all the way in, he fucking leaves it there, then grabs another piece, bringing it straight back to my clit.
"Oh God!" I yelp when he bends forward and licks along the length of my slit. The contrast between the cold ice and his warm tongue has me pulling at my restraints. I can feel the melting water dripping out of me and I know we're going to have such a wet spot on the bed from this.
His mouth covers me with kisses, sucking gently and licking… almost the same as the way he kisses my lips. I whimper loudly when he slides the remains of the ice cube inside me, sucking hard until I'm a shaking, panting mess.
"Did you like that, Bella?" he asks, sitting back. I hope that was a rhetorical question. "Answer me," he says sharply, slapping the side of my ass.
"Yes! It was kinda evil, but…"
Edward grins widely, then finally strips off his shirt, tossing it to the side. Standing, he does a bit of a striptease for me as he opens his pants, then slides them down. I lick my lips at the outline of his hard cock visible through his boxer briefs.
"You can taste it later," he winks, pulling his underwear down. Lying on the bed beside me, he gently turns me onto my right side, then lifts my left leg.
I moan loudly as he pushes inside from behind. "Fuck, that is cold," he chuckles. He turns my face toward his then begins kissing me as his hand slides down to my breasts. His thrusts are slow and deep, matched by the actions of his tongue, while he squeezes my breast.
He's in no hurry, and I lose track of how many times he makes me come before he freezes inside me, crying my name in a strangled voice.
I'm like a pile of jelly lying on the bed as he gently unties me from the headboard, rolling me to face him. It's Edward's birthday and I'm the one who's benefited — how is that fair?
As he massages my wrists, I look up into his beautiful green eyes, and I see what looks like love gazing back at me. Reflecting back at me. Reflecting my own feelings. And I can't hold it in anymore.
"I love you, Edward."
A/N: Bella finally said the L-word! Now how will Edward react?
The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is a real place, though I've never been there, or even to Olympic National Park. Poor city boy Edward trying to keep up with the girl who grew up on the edge of the forest. And having to deal with a man giving him his birthday massage, haha!
Moosals thought the image of Edward leaning back on the couch with his arms crossed behind his head was from Cosmopolis, but it's actually from the Details magazine photoshoot. Either way, it's a hot image.
Next chapter's title: A Top 5 power ballad from 1988, by a band on the second of their three lead singers.
Since I'll be in training for much of next week, the next update will be Monday.