***Friday, 12/21/12***
~evening~
Somehow, Edward engineers for the two of us to be seated side by side, which means he can reach under the table and tangle our ankles together. Everyone around us is acting normal, though I have no idea how I'm not broadcasting my feelings like a five-story billboard. I feel so transparent. Perhaps it's the wine and the holiday music fluttering through the speakers and the general merriment and joy of our two reunited families that throws everyone off our trail. Whatever it is, I am most grateful.
"Well, seeing as the world hasn't ended, I guess I'll be hitting the hay now. G'night, everyone."
"Night, Esme. Thanks again for the delicious meal."
"You're welcome, Alice. Listen, tomorrow, I want you to go through my closet with me."
"Um…Esme, are you sure you want to let Hurricane Alice near your wardrobe? You know she's famous for leaving a trail of broken hearts in her wake."
"Oh, pee-shaw, Jasper. She has a discerning eye and an honest tongue, two fine traits in a friend…or any woman for that matter."
"I'm hitting the hay myself," I announce, forcing myself out of the comfy couch before it lulls me to sleep. "Night, everyone."
"Night, Mom."
"Night, Biz."
"Good night, Bella. Tomorrow, we're gonna get you pale-faces some sunshine."
"Good deal."
I drag myself down the hall and escape into the guest room, closing the door behind me. My heart is pounding wildly as I move to the bathroom, undress quickly, and pull the red silk slip over my head. Remembering how he insisted on keeping the lights on last time, I spend an extra minute at the sink—brushing, flossing, smoothing my hair, and dabbing just a hint of cologne into my cleavage.
My teeth are chattering; I'm in full-on goosebumps mode, and I know the air conditioning has nothing to do with it. My body is on overload; the tension has been mounting for hours, if not weeks. Our bodies and our gazes have been pulling toward each other throughout the evening, and frankly, it's more than my system can handle.
Snug between the luxurious sheets, I close my eyes and take some deep breaths. He doesn't keep me waiting long.
There's the faintest knock on the door before he opens it, and the hallway lights him from behind just for a brief moment, illuminating his hair like it's on fire and backlighting the beautiful bare expanse of his chest. He knows I can't possibly resist that chest. He slides inside quickly and closes the door behind him.
He's here, at last. Our wait is over. It's wildly exhilarating. It's utterly terrifying. My teeth clatter together and I fidget under the covers, willing my body to slow down, relax, but I can't master this.
"Biz?" he whispers, moving unsurely toward the bed.
"Yesssss," I shiver.
"Y'okay?"
Closer now, I can see his angular chin in the glow of the alarm clock.
"Yeah."
But he knows I'm not even close to okay. He lifts a knee onto the mattress and climbs up beside me. "Jesus, you're shivering." He rubs his hands up and down my arms. His face is close; his eyes look frightened. Does he think for a minute I don't want him?
"I'm…nervous or something, I guess."
He places his hand tenderly along my cheek. "I'm right here, Biz."
A fresh ripple takes me once again. "S-s-s-sorry," I clatter.
"Let me warm you up."
The second I nod, he clambers under the sheets, the soft flannel along his legs brushing my skin. He wraps his arms around me and rubs his large, warm hands along my back, holding our bodies close together. I sink into his chest and inhale everything I remembered and more.
All the while he murmurs soothingly, his voice soft and intimate. "Shhh, just breathe…I've got you." My body gives off one last tremendous shudder as Edward's body and words calm my nerves.
When he continues, his gentle voice is muffled by my hair. "I can't actually believe I'm saying this…but, we don't have to do…anything. I can just hold you like this. Or…I can go, if you want."
I burrow deeper into his protective embrace and nuzzle my cheek into his sculpted chest. "Stay." His body doesn't relax fully until I add, "I just need a minute to soak this in."
"We have all night." His hands rub wide circles on my back.
I let out a long, bumpy breath, allowing the tension to release.
"Better?" he asks cautiously.
"Better than better."
When he pulls away to check my expression, I see the deep well of understanding in his eyes. Though my experience of Edward has vacillated wildly from boy to man over the last four weeks, right now, here in this bed with me, I am undoubtedly with the man.
All glorious six-foot-one of him splendidly pressed against me right now.
Edward runs his thumb along my lower lip. "Would it be okay if I kiss you?" he asks quietly.
I nod, steeling myself for my next taste of him. Edward's lips curl upward into a relieved smile just before he closes his mouth over mine and gently kisses me. I feel the hot intensity of his watchful gaze as he measures my response. My lips go slack and I fully give over the kiss…and with it, the rest of my body.
The foreplay for this love making session started the moment we separated on Thanksgiving Sunday; every text, email, and phone conversation fueling the fire of our mutual need. Despite the pent-up passion, Edward is tender and unhurried with his every touch. His hands tunnel under the hem of my slip and he finds me wanting.
Whispers float through the night.
"I've missed you."
"Oh God, I need you."
"You're so much softer than I remembered."
"Your skin tastes like heaven."
Lips and tongues and hands claim favorite places on each other's bodies.
Feet tangle in the sheets as clothing is shrugged off and discarded.
Skin slides against skin, bodies mesh with one another, followed by swallowed sighs, affectionate caressing and intimate joining. Afterward, I fall asleep in the security of his arms.
.
.
.
Sometime later, I find myself half-roused and realize I've shifted in my sleep. His burly chest cups my back and his awakened need presses against my bottom. He drops soft kisses along my neck, bringing me to full consciousness in the most delicious way possible. Reaching an arm over my side, he teases at my breast.
"Did I wake you?" he asks, going for innocence but falling way short of the mark.
"Yes, and thank you."
He chuckles into my hair and pulls me hard into his body. "I couldn't bear wasting our brief time together by sleeping."
"I'm up for an all-nighter if you are." I burrow my bottom deeper into his lap and he groans. "Oh, I guess you are!" I giggle as he tears open the condom packaging.
Edward raises my thigh and slips into place. "Fuck, Biz," he moans, just before dropping his lips into that valley at the base of my neck. His warm, breathy grunts ignite my desire anew. His cheek slides against mine as he rocks us together, and I bring my arm up and around the back of his head to lock him tightly in that very spot. His thighs and hips slap my skin with every thrust as the pounding need builds inside us. I feel every muscle of his chest flexing with the effort, and I can sense the exact moment he loses control of his careful rhythm and clicks over to pure animal instinct. His tip pushes at that spot deep inside me, an impatient visitor pressing the doorbell button again and again, not satisfied until he hears the response from the other side…"Commm-ming!"
A/N: So...we're all still here, right? XXX ~BOH
