We're getting down to the last few chapters. I'm not sure how many are left - I have the story in my head but it depends how many words it takes to get it out.
***Stephenie Meyer is my muse.***
Bella was unprepared for the sight that greeted her when she arrived home. The kitchen was a disaster, the bedroom had obviously been hit by a tornado, and there was mud trailing all over the main floor. She stormed into the dining room where she found Edward asleep, curled over a massive pile of papers and textbooks jumbled all over their antique dining table.
"Edward Cullen! What the hell happened here?" Bella yelled as she surveyed the room with her eyes.
Edward's head popped up with a small sticky note attached to the side of his face. "What the…" he exclaimed. He rubbed his eyes and looked around sheepishly, his gaze finally settling on a pissed off Bella standing in the doorway with her hands firmly placed on her lips. "Hi, love. How was the trip?" He asked, trying to make peace.
Bella's fury could not be contained. "What in the world happened while I was gone? Did the circus make a pit stop at our house?"
Edward's shoulders slumped under Bella's anger. "I'm sorry. I have a huge report due tomorrow that I can't seem to get through. I'll clean all this up tomorrow, I promise," he gestured around the room.
Bella's heart melted a little though she was still upset. "And the kitchen. AND bedroom," she added.
Edward nodded. "I promise," he hesitated before adding, "So how was your trip? You look like you could use a hot bath."
Bella walked around their massive table to stand next to Edward. She hugged him to her body then removed the sticky note on his face. "It was interesting, but I'm glad to be home. I missed you," she said softly as she played with his hair.
Edward leaned in to her touch, his eyes closing. "I missed you more."
They remained in that position for a few minutes, each one becoming reacquainted with the other's touch. It felt unnatural to be separated, though their parting also meant a warm reunion would soon be on the horizon.
Edward scrunched up his nose. "Love, you really should have that bath. Go get started and I'll join you in a few minutes. I was nearly finished this assignment before I fell asleep," he said, rubbing his stiff neck.
Bella nodded and went upstairs to their master en suite with the massive two person bath tub. She ran the water and poured in some jasmine scented bubble bath as she peeled the clothes from her body. She noted that the bathroom was full of dirty clothes and used towels, so she threw her own clothes into one corner with the rest of the mess.
There's nothing that adequately describes the bliss of allowing tired, aching muscles to relax in the perfection of hot water. It feels like a giant hand wrapped around your body as it massages the soreness away. That's precisely why Bella let out a loud sigh of relief once she was fully submerged in the hot, bubbly water of her bathtub. And when Edward finally joined her a few moments later, positioning himself behind her back as she leaned against his hard body, Bella felt like everything was right in the world. She might have fallen asleep right there if Edward hadn't started massaging her breasts.
"Mr. Cullen, what do you think you're doing?" She asked playfully.
"Why, I do believe I'm seducing my wife, unless she has any complaints," Edward returned as he continued to tease her sensitive nipples.
Bella giggled and said nothing as moans escaped her mouth. Edward kept up his ministrations on her body until she was begging to feel him inside her. In one careful swoop, he gathered Bella in his arms and carried her out to their soft king size bed where he filled her completely.
There was nothing as sensual as watching Bella writhe beneath him as he plunged into her liquid depths again and again. He reveled in the sensation of her soft, tight core squeezing his large member, and the look of ecstasy on her face as they shared the electrical surges passing between their bodies. Edward lived for these moments; he would be perfectly happy never finding release so long as he could pleasure Bella. Her satisfaction was his top priority.
Bella loved the way Edward's face clouded with desire as he made love to her. Feeling his hands squeeze her breasts, or his skilled fingers tease her clitoris felt really fucking good too, but it was the way his eyes never left her face which always pushed Bella over the edge. She loved him completely, and when he stared at her she could see the reflection of that love in his gaze. Making love with Edward was a spiritual connection expressed through physical pleasure. She craved… no, she needed that closeness.
As they both neared their release, Bella pushed hard on Edward's chest so that he lay on his back as she straddled him. Watching Bella's beautiful breasts bounce as she plunged herself on his thick rod was more than Edward could bear. He came with loud grunts and erratic hip thrusts, which forced Bella's own orgasm to the surface. She ground into his pelvis with all her might, calling his name over and over.
They fell asleep tangled in each other's arms.
~{0-o-0}~
Two months later, in early December, it was time for another field trip for Bella. This trip would last longer – four nights and five days – and meant Bella would have to miss her Sunday with Edward.
"At least this time I should be able to call you," she said soothingly.
Edward frowned as he helped carry her camping gear to the SUV. "But what am I supposed to do without you for five days?" He whined like a little boy.
Bella smiled. "Well, for one thing, I've hired a cleaning lady to come by the morning before I get home. If we like her, I think we could make it a regular thing."
Edward stuck his tongue out at her, which inspired Bella to pounce on him and pull him into the back of the car, where they made love feverishly before continuing to pack the car.
The next morning Bella had to set out even earlier as her digging location was extremely remote. She had to take the ferry from Seattle to Vancouver Island and drive 6.5 hours to a small town called Tahsis. There she would leave the car and load her gear onto a boat with her peers to make it to Nuchatlitz National Park on the west side of Nootka Island. It was so isolated they had their own doctor and cook on the team.
Bella was horrified to discover that, of all people, Mike Newton would be on this trip.
"Bella Swan! It's great to see you!" Mike exclaimed when he saw her.
Bella's nose wrinkled with distaste before she turned around to return the greeting. "Hi Mike. What are you doing here?" She asked in her most polite-but-disinterested tone.
He didn't seem to notice. "I'm part of the marine biology research team from UBC. We don't get out this way very often and kinda piggy backed onto the archaeology boat. What brings you out this way?"
Bella had to restrain herself from rolling her eyes. "I'm on the archaeology team with Udub. And it's Bella Cullen now," she added.
"You married Emmett?" Mike asked, looking genuinely perplexed.
Bella snorted. "Edward changed his last name before we got married."
Mike's shoulders slumped a little. "Oh, well congrats."
Bella smiled widely. "Thanks. It's the best decision I ever made." Okay so she was rubbing it in a little.
As usual, Mike didn't seem to get the hint. "Well it looks like we might be neighbours for a few days. You better keep your tent zipped up," Mike said, giving her a wink.
"Mike, if you go anywhere near my tent, I'll have no trouble giving you another shiner," Bella replied before walking away from him to a different part of the boat.
As soon as the boat arrived at their destination, two smaller power boats were lowered into the water to take everyone and their gear to shore. It was a long and painstaking process, but necessary due to the lack of proper dock for the larger vessel. Once on dry land, Bella dragged her gear to the designated camping area and set up her tent. She noted with satisfaction that men and women's tents were designated on opposite sides of the bonfire pit. She would be a bit more protected from Mike Newton.
As with the previous dig, the archaeology students were split into teams. Bella was again assigned to work with Siobhan and Maggie, although they had a different supervisor by the name of Karon McNeil. She was an older lady, possibly her father's age, and not nearly as jovial as Liam had been. In fact, Bella got the distinct impression that Karon had it out for her right from the beginning.
As the day progress, thankfully free of Mike Newton's tentacles, Bella noticed Karon became increasingly surly. She wasn't the only one to notice; Siobhan made the same observation when Karon was out of ear shot.
"What do you think is her problem?" Siobhan asked.
Maggie grumbled, "I don't know, but I'd bet money there's a pole up her backside."
Bella giggled, which earned her a terse "Get back to work!" from Karon.
They were worked hard throughout the morning and only given fifteen minutes for lunch. Most of their efforts were spent on hard labour while Karon refused them any latitude for sifting the dirt or cleaning the finds, which she did herself. Their team worked well past the dinner bell and by the time they were relieved their food was cold.
"This is bullshit," Siobhan cursed angrily as they ate their tepid vegetable chowder. "Why is she allowed to do this? She wouldn't even give us bathroom breaks."
Bella shook her head. "I don't know, maybe we should say something to Dr. Marcus," she replied.
"You know that old coot won't care. Remember what he said last time about only reporting to our direct supervisor," Siobhan retorted angrily.
Maggie nodded in agreement. "I think Bella has a point, but let's see how tomorrow goes before we do anything rash."
The three of them turned in early, being exhausted from such a long day, and were awoken before dawn by Karon who insisted on getting an early start to the day.
