I don't own these characters. They are the sole property of Stephenie Meyer. I only borrow them. No humans are permanently harmed through my actions, though I do confess to harassing, annoying, torturing, and exasperating them – just because it's fun. I make no money from my little stories, sad day. I only play in the sandbox, I didn't build it.
Author's Note: Bella's birthday is up next. This ended up being just a bit longer than I anticipated and I didn't want to rush through Bella's birthday.
Chapter 51: Cullen Called Out
When I woke up the rain had ended, but the light coming in from the window was still dim. I looked at the clock. It was only one in the afternoon. Beside me, Bella stirred. We had had ourselves a nice little nap. I savored the feeling of waking up with her beside me, her hair attacking me and curling around my nose, making me want to sneeze. I reveled in her sweet, cinnamon-vanilla scent, the sound of her breathing.
Suddenly, big brown eyes opened and she gave me a smug little grin. Then she stretched and I was reminded of a cat, lazily rousing to wakefulness after a satisfying doze in the sun. "Hey, handsome," she whispered. Her hand came out and caressed my face and I turned into her touch.
"Hey, beautiful," I replied. I kissed the palm of her hand and her fingers curled around my jaw.
"Just so you know," Bella murmured. "That was…" She giggled and buried her face in my chest.
"That bad, huh?" I teased.
She looked up and rolled her eyes at me. "Fishing for compliments?"
"Only if you're biting," I answered. I kissed her and it was lingering and sweet with none of the urgency of earlier. I felt a quick nip on my lips.
"I always bite," she warned. Then she sucked my lip into her mouth, soothing the tiny hurt. "But I'll kiss it better."
I laughed at her and pulled her close. "You're a genius, you know," I murmured into her hair.
"Well obviously," Bella teased. "But what, specifically, brought that on?"
I kissed the top of her head. "The whole spontaneous, sexy lingerie under a coat thing," I said. "Sheer and utter fucking genius."
"Fucking genius, huh?" Bella smirked. "Literally."
I groaned at hearing the "F" word come from her mouth. Yet another favorite letter of the alphabet.
"You were right," I said. "I think I might have had a heart attack just from nerves if we'd gone with the original plan. As it was, I worried about passing out when I got undressed. I think the performance anxiety would have done me in."
"Uh, I've seen the equipment, Cullen," she mocked. "No worries there. To quote Sookie Stackhouse, you've got a gracious plenty."
"Sookie who?" I had never met this Sookie person.
"Never mind," Bella laughed. "She's a character…in a book."
"Oh." I kissed her. That never got old. "No, I mean, yeah, every guy worries that he won't have what it takes to please his woman, but that wasn't what had me terrified."
"Your skills?" Bella asked. "Because I've got to tell you, you've got some mad skills in between the sheets, baby." Then her fingers curled around my dick. Surprise, surprise, he woke up from his nap too. He was nothing if not predictable.
"Stop," I said in an entirely unconvincing voice. "No, I…" I took a deep breath. "I started worrying that we'd actually get to the nitty gritty and-"
"Nitty gritty?" she asked, obviously amused at my word choice. "Wow, you really know how to romance a girl, Mr. Smooth."
"Will you let me get this out?" I said sternly, narrowing my eyes. She just kissed me, obviously humoring me. Then she assumed a solemn expression.
"Go on, I'm listening."
"Okay…" I traced my fingers down her temple, her cheekbone, her jaw. "I had this fear that maybe we'd finally do it and it wouldn't…it wouldn't be the fireworks, this huge spectacular…thing…we'd built it up to be. That, somehow, our chemistry would fizzle instead of pop."
"And now?" Bella asked quietly.
"And now…" I kissed her. I couldn't stop. "Now I know that what I imagined was nothing compared to what we really have." I shrugged. "Yeah, we'll get to know each other's bodies better. We'll figure out the little tells and quirks we both have, but the raw chemistry? That's there and it's…well it's sizzling." I laughed. "There…does sizzling make up for saying nitty gritty?"
She pursed her lips. "I don't know. I'll have to give this some serious consideration." Bella slid on top of me and my dick let her know he was ready to party. She shifted her hips and we both groaned at the new friction. "Maybe you should make it up to me."
"Maybe I should," I agreed and pulled her down for a kiss.
My ninja temptress showed me just how to make it up to her.
And I did.
~TBTA~
After we made love again, and this time it was slow and languid and very, very satisfying, we fell asleep again. When we woke up it was close to dinner time and I heard her stomach growling. "Time to feed the ninja," I murmured.
"What did you call me?" Bella asked, sitting up and blinking sleepily.
"Nothing," I said. "Come on, sleepyhead, let's get you some sustenance." I grinned at her. "And I think I need some Gatorade."
I gave her ass a friendly little whack when she walked past me to go to the bathroom. Her hands flew to her butt and she gave me a surprised look. "Just remember, payback's a bitch, Edward," she said sweetly, batting her eyes.
I was counting on it.
She came out of the bathroom, still nude and walked right in front of me without appearing self-conscious at all. Her confidence and ease was sexy as hell. Walking over to my dresser, she rummaged through a few drawers until she found a tee-shirt and then she slipped it over her head and opened my bedroom door.
To my surprise, my dick got hard at the thought of her walking around my house with no panties. I would have thought he'd still be snoozing. But no, he liked to think of her in my shirt and no panties. I liked the idea too. I followed her, like she had my dick on a leash.
She probably did. I wasn't going to fight it.
We searched through my pantry and refrigerator and freezer. We really did need sustenance. Finally, Bella just decided that we could make some omelets. That sounded perfect. I chopped some vegetables and the last of the ham I had in the fridge. She found my pan and began preparing the eggs and got the cheese. I watched her deft, quick movements in my kitchen with a sense of wonder.
As I watched her work, moving quickly and silently, her hips swaying slightly to the beat of some music only she could hear, I knew that I wanted to see her doing this every day. And I didn't want to wait forever to make that happen.
Yes, on some level things had moved quickly. But neither of us were kids who had no idea about how the world worked, or the obstacles we still faced. It wouldn't be easy, making myself a permanent part of her family. I could never be their father, even if I was the father figure. They had a father. Jake, and perhaps Sam, might see me in the role of father more than the older boys.
I was okay with that. Mac was their father, their dad, the man who had loved them every moment of their existence until he was cruelly taken away from them. He was a huge part of their past. But what Bella and I shared…well, that was the future. I wanted to start creating that future with all of them. Sooner rather than later.
The road would not always be smooth. Nothing in life was. I didn't care. It was what I wanted, what I hoped we both wanted.
"You look really good in my kitchen," I murmured, my voice doing that raspy thing again. Maybe I should get it checked out. Then again, maybe it was just Bella. She just smiled at me, and that smile pierced me through to my core.
Bella seemed to strip away the façade; she had the ability to get straight through to the heart of the matter – to the heart of me. No games, no power plays, no lies. It was strange how comfortable the honesty felt.
She would drive me crazy. She would dig in her heels and stubbornly refuse to give in. She would probably make me swear and tear my hair out and throw things while I sulked out in the garage. But she would never, ever lie to me. It might take her a while to tell me something, but that core of honesty and strength in her called to me. Bella was exactly the kind of woman to cherish as a partner, a lover, a friend.
For some reason, I remembered a sermon from my childhood, from the days when my mother had insisted that we go to church. Masen and I had obediently done so until we were old enough to rebel and get away with it. I remembered the preacher saying something about a woman being a helpmate for a man, his partner. A mate, an equal. He had emphasized that a marriage was a partnership in which one person supported the other, giving strength when one felt weak, giving compassion and forgiveness with an open heart, giving of yourself so completely that love endured, no matter what trials you face. I wanted that kind of marriage. I wanted to help Bella. I knew that she would help me as much as I would help her. I wanted to feel her arms around me, comforting me when troubles came. I wanted to soothe her fears and let her soothe mine. Whatever came, we would face it together.
Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore and I moved toward her. I wrapped my fingers around hers and we stood at my stove. I moved my lips up and down her neck. "I don't want to let you go," I whispered. "I want you here…every night. I want to hear you moving around in the kitchen, knowing I can kiss you, smell your hair. I want to hear the boys arguing upstairs. I want to tell them to keep it down and ask them not to run so hard on the stairs. I want to hear them splashing around in the pool. Bella, I want you all…here…in my life…in my house…or your house. I don't care where. I just want us all to be together. Please, tell me we won't have to wait too long." I was begging and I didn't care who knew it. All that mattered was that she knew how much I wanted her – wanted them. I was putting my heart on the line and I knew it.
She turned off the burner and then twirled around in my arms. "Not too long," she promised. "We'll work it out." Bella stood on her toes and kissed me, softly, tenderly. With the same sense of awe that I knew was in my eyes. "I want that too, more than you know."
I closed my eyes and hugged her close. It was enough, for now, to know that she wanted it too.
~TBTA~
We spent the rest of our time just sort of sprawled in my bed. I knew that when I crawled into it that night, alone, it would smell like Bella…and sex. I wondered if I could talk her into coming over once every few days at least to let that combination of scents permeate my sheets. Better yet, I wondered how long it would be before I could have her in my bed on a permanent basis.
I sighed as I held her, knowing that I would have to be patient for a while longer. I could do it. Look how long we had waited to have sex – and that had certainly been worth the wait. I leaned in and kissed her. "If I had known how good it was going to feel to be inside of you, I'm not sure I would have let you put me off so long."
She laughed and rubbed her nose on my chest. "Right back at you, sweet cheeks." I groaned at the nickname and then my groan turned into a moan when she reached around and grabbed my ass. "Very sweet cheeks." I decided then and there that she could call me sweet cheeks anytime she wanted, as long as she accompanied the name with a little grab ass.
Compromise was what it was all about, after all. Besides, I already knew she was handsy. It was one of her best qualities as far as I was concerned.
We made love again. A third time in one day. That had to be some sort of record for a man of my age, I thought, at least any normal guy and not a Hugh Hefner kind of guy. Anyway, it was nothing to be ashamed of, that was for sure. It was just getting better. We were barely hitting our stride as yet. I looked forward to learning all of her little cues and likes and dislikes. I wanted to know what got her revved up right away and what brought her to a slow burn. I wanted to tease and be teased.
Finally, around eight she looked at the clock and sighed and I knew our little interlude was at an end. "You have to go, huh?" I asked. The thought of her leaving was a physical pain inside my chest. I wanted her with me, always. I didn't want to share her, not even with the boys at this moment. I felt selfish, but that didn't change what I was thinking.
She kissed me and I could sense her own regret. "This is going to be complicated, isn't it?"
"What?" She was changing her mind about us? My mouth went dry and my palms were sweaty, but not in a good way.
"Having time alone," she whispered.
"Oh," I breathed in relief. This was a logistics problem, not a feeling problem. Those I could deal with. "Well…" I said, tracing my fingers up her back. "We're two fairly intelligent people, so I suppose we'll figure something out. Between us, I'm sure we've got at least one good brain."
Bella giggled but even my dick was too tired to appreciate the sound. He had decided to take a well deserved little snooze. I gave him my thanks for living up to all his boasting and bid him a good night.
"Uh how would you feel about me spending the night at your house?" I asked. It would have to be her house, obviously.
She was silent for a long moment and then looked up at me with wide eyes. "I don't think the boys are quite ready for that," she finally said. And though I wanted to sleep beside her all night more than almost anything, I knew she was right. It was too soon. There was too much left unsaid between us and the boys and we were going to have to ease them it. Jake, bless his little Star Wars loving heart, had done a lot to start the process, but it was up to us in the end.
I kissed her softly, my tongue caressing hers, just to let her know that I understood. "Yeah, you're right," I said quietly. "Can't blame a guy for trying, though." She smiled widely and pulled me tight.
"Thank you," she murmured. "For understanding." She let her fingers play with the bit of hair on my chest and then down to my happy trail. "But the time will come. I want to wake up with you more than you know."
"It's good to know that we're on the same page here," I said.
"Oh we are, Mr. Cullen, we most definitely are."
~TBTA~
Bella had insisted on driving herself home, saying it only made sense otherwise one of us would be left without a car. I understood her logic, I just didn't like it. She kissed me, making the little hurt a bit better.
I went to bed that night in Bella scented sheets. I had no dirty dreams or fantasies, maybe because the reality had been so much better. Apparently, my imagination was not as vivid or creative as I had thought. I was okay with that.
Wednesday was another late day which meant I wouldn't be seeing Bella or the boys. That felt wrong, considering the gift she had given me yesterday. But Bella, being Bella, understood and whispered that I shouldn't feel bad. I did, but it was nice to know I hadn't pissed her off. Sometimes it was easy to forget that Bella "got" the life. She knew that being in the Army wasn't like an office job where I could just decide to leave early for the hell of it. Though I had less than a year left it was nice to know she understood.
On Thursday, I was shocked to hear Emmett's voice when I picked up my cell phone. "Hey," he said quietly.
"Is something wrong?" Always my first thought.
"No, I just wanted to make sure that everything was still on for Mom's birthday," he said. He was whispering.
"Emmett where are you?"
"Oh, I borrowed a friend's cell phone to call so Mom won't hear me."
"So why are you whispering?" I asked with a smile.
"Oh," he whispered. Then he laughed. "Yeah, I guess that's kind of stupid, huh?" His voice was back to normal – booming.
"And to answer your question, yes, everything's ready for your mom's birthday," I told him.
"Good, good," Emmett answered. "About the cake…are you baking it?" He sounded skeptical. I couldn't blame him.
"Uh, that would be a no," I admitted. "If I baked it, it would taste all right but it would look like crap. So I'll be doing us all a favor and buying a cake from a little bakery near the base."
Emmett gave a relieved sigh. I was a little insulted. "Okay, good." Then he paused. "What flavor?" Like I didn't know what her favorite kind of cake was.
"White cake with dark chocolate buttercream frosting."
"Huh…okay then." Charlie Swan was alive and well in his grandson.
"Anything else?" I asked.
"Uh no, that was it," Emmett said. "I just wanted to make sure that everything was cool."
"Everything's cool," I assured him.
"Okay…bye." Emmett James was a man/boy of few words.
~TBTA~
The rest of the week flew by, though I only made it Bella's house on Thursday. Jake let me know that I needed to step up my game. "You and me have to see each other more," he said.
I smiled and accepted his kiss on the cheek. Then I surprised us both by returning the kiss – putting one right on the apple of his left cheek. He blinked at me and then grinned. "I will, and soon," I promised. "But work is going to be crazy for the next few weeks. I wish I could be here more, but…" I shrugged.
Jake thought it over and then shrugged. "Okay, as long as you promise that you'll come over when you can."
"You've got it," I said. I stood back and took a look at his shirt. It was always a trip to see what he came up with from the Star Wars universe. This time he sported a grey tee with Vader (of course) and it read "Vader Was Framed."
"I like it," I said, indicating his shirt.
"Yeah, it's cool," Jake agreed. Then he tugged me toward the kitchen, his favorite room in the house.
We passed by Seth, who was plucking out some chords on his guitar. "Sounding good, Seth!" I called as Jake pulled me along in his wake.
"Thanks!" Seth replied.
Bella was putting the finishing touches on a meatloaf and later on I discovered that hers was actually much better than mine. I was surprised she had eaten my creation at all. The boys and I cleaned up while Bella graded some papers. Then I helped Emmett with some math homework after he had refused Sam's help.
"I don't want my little brother helping me with homework," he muttered under his breath as we started. I could relate.
"Tell me about it," I replied just as quietly. He looked at me and grinned and then we got down to work. I leaned in close. "And if I get it wrong, please don't tell Sam."
Emmett grinned and nodded his agreement.
Sam drifted in after we were done and explained what they were doing in science. I almost understood it. Okay, I had a fairly good grasp but I was pretty shocked that kids his age actually understood that stuff. Well, Sam did at any rate, and he was enthusiastic.
Then it was time for the boys to go to bed and there was the usual whining and complaining, especially since Jake had to take his shower first. "I hate being the littlest," he grumbled as he stomped up the stairs. Then he stopped abruptly and turned to look down the stairs at his Mom and me. I had a bad feeling about it all. His expression turned speculative. "Will I always be the littlest?"
And there it was. That little brother/baby sister talk I had been dreading somewhere in the back of my mind had reared its ugly head. Just like that.
Bella shot me an amused glance. The looks from the other boys weren't quite as pleased but there wasn't any overt hostility either. I swallowed hard, waiting for her to take this one. She was the expert after all. She just looked at me.
Well shit.
Nothing like being called out.
"I dunno, buddy," I finally said with as much honesty as I could. I knew my voice was gruff and raspy but that was fear not lust. Well, not all lust. Because thoughts of babies brought to mind thoughts of making babies, and that was pretty much all that my dick needed to get him going. He was easily led astray.
Finally Bella took mercy on me. "Get on upstairs and take your shower Jake. Enough stalling."
I took a deep breath and turned to Bella. The boys went back to their own activities. "That wasn't nice," I muttered.
Bella giggled and nodded. "I know," she admitted. "But honestly, there's just something hot about seeing a grown man squirm that appeals to my inner bitch." She sighed. "I'm bad, so very, very bad."
And my dick liked the thought of Bad Bella – very much. I glanced at the boys and I could see there was no chance I was going to get a private good-bye and my dick would have to behave, there was just no other option.
"I'd better go," I grumbled. I was sulking. My dick was sulking. We were a pouty pair.
She walked me to the door. "I love you, even when you squirm," Bella whispered.
"And I love you, even when you make me squirm," I replied. Then I leaned in close. "Maybe especially then."
"Pervert," she murmured.
"And you love it," I retorted.
Her eyes were heated. "Yes," she whispered. "Yes I do. Now go before I carry you up to my room and have my perverted way with you."
"You can't carry me, baby," I said. "I'm too big."
Her eyes narrowed and she clucked her tongue. "Don't be too sure about that, Mr. Cullen. I'm stronger than I look."
"Yes you are, baby," I said. "Yes you are." I kissed her. "Goodnight."
