Sorry for the delay

33

The Hermit

Bella sits down heavily on the toilet seat. The fabric is itchy but not entirely uncomfortable. She even tells herself that she looks beautiful and that Edward won't know what hit him when he joins her. He finds her attractive without any clothes on, so she's sure that the burgundy lace nighty he bought her will be a big hit. It's the smaller part of the gift that's thrown her off.

She twists the end and jumps when it starts vibrating powerfully. She isn't stupid; she knows what it is. It's the why that's got her stumped. Does Edward not think that he's enough to please her? Because that couldn't be further from the truth. She turns the vibrator off and sets it in her lap. She's puzzled.

Edward knocks on the open door softly, causing her to jump and the toy to slowly roll down her thighs.

"Um," she mumbles, catching it before it can fall to the floor.

"Everything okay in here?" he asks, taking in her dress. "Looks good on you. Why don't you stand up and do a spin for me."

Bella never wears thongs, so she's uncomfortable with the fabric stuck between her cheeks. She fights the urge to pull at it, stands, and does a slow twirl. The fabric of the nighty swings around with her movements.

"Damn, Sugar. You look even better than I pictured."

Her cheeks flame. She still isn't used to the constant compliments. With Edward, that's all she gets.

Bella holds up the small sex toy and presses the pedal on the trashcan to make the lid open. "We don't need this. You're more than enough for me, Honey."

He springs into action and snatches it out of her hand before it can land in the garbage. "I think you'll like what I have planned for you." He holds out his hand and leads her to the bedroom. "I know I will."

He tosses the toy on the bed and reaches for her. Edward's hands wander over the lace fabric and then underneath, pulling the thong down her legs.

Bella tries to sit down, but Edward holds her steady and shakes his head; one hand reaches out and grabs the vibrator. "We're spectacular in the bedroom but this"—he holds it up—"is going to be mind blowing. Trust me?"

Bella bites her bottom lip and nods silently.

Edward twists the end all the way, and she jumps at the loud hum.

"Shh. Calm down. I'd never do anything that would hurt you unless you asked me to." He runs the toy across her sensitive nipples, leaving a trail down her sensitive skin and stopping right before her clit.

"I love you, Sugar." He smiles.

"I love you too."

Edward presses the vibrator against Bella's clit at the same time he shoves three fingers deep inside her, curling them expertly.

Bella's legs give out on the spot, and she gives a surprised squeak when her knees hit the floor.

"EDWARD!" she screams, falling apart before her mind can catch up with what is happening.

He is relentless, bringing her over the edge three more times before he lets her go.

Bella's knees are sporting some serious rug burn, and her clit is throbbing.

When Edward stands up and tries to help her onto the bed, Bella swats his hands away and reaches for the tie on his pants, yanking them down to his knees and swallowing him in one go.

Edward gives a choked groan, his head thrown back as he bucks into her mouth. She plays with his balls and hums in all the right places, hoping to give him at least an ounce of the pleasure he's just given her.

Her insides are still quivering. That toy is definitely a keeper.

"Bella," Edward warns.

She hums in reply and swallows everything he has to give her before releasing him with a pop.

Edward must see her struggling to find her legs because he helps her onto the bed, both of them collapsing and staring at the ceiling.

"That was amazing," she says breathily.

Edward wraps his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "I told you."

"Yeah, you did." She sighs.

They chat back and forth. Edward tells her the story of how he took the lingerie into the dressing room at the sex shop to be able to hear her better, and that when he exited, no cashier or customer would look him in the eye.

"That must have been embarrassing."

"Nah, it's the twenty-first century. People need to get over their shit. So what if I like wearing ladies undergarments."

Bella leans up and gives him a questioning smirk.

"I do not enjoy wearing lingerie, Sugar. Lay back down, you freak."

She giggles against his chest. "Just making sure."

Eventually, their breathing evens out, and they fall into an easy sleep.

Bella and Edward have shared a handful of holidays together, and while they've all been special in their own way, Valentine's Day is definitely in her top three.

o.O. .o.O.o

It's Bella's fourth shift at The Bakery, and things are going great.

She's currently working on an order for a birthday party where dinosaurs are the theme, and she finds herself having fun with the bright, almost neon icing colors she's using. The song playing in the background makes her smile as she lines and floods cookies. Giving each one a unique flaw.

No kid at this party will have the same cookie as another.

Edward makes his way over to her prep table, resting his chin on her shoulder as she works. "You have to teach me how to do this." He waves his hand toward the cookies.

"Nah. If I teach you how, then you won't have any use for me." Her nose crinkles when she smiles.

Edward's hand snakes down her side, and he gives her backside a hearty squeeze. "I could always keep you chained to the bed as my sex slave." He kisses her neck, and Bella destroys the triceratops.

"Honey, we talked about this. No horny talk in the kitchen, or I'll have no choice but to drag you out back to your car and have my wicked way with you in broad daylight."

"Promise?"

Bella ignores him and goes back to her job.

Rose and the part-time cashier, Irina, decide to do the cleanup after hours.

Edward pulls Bella onto his lap, and the two make out while the car warms up.

"Gah. I miss those lips when we're working." Bella gasps, resting her forehead against his.

"All you have to do is lean over and kiss me. It's really simple." He chuckles, squeezing her ass. "I have to go get some groceries and essentials before Alice and Jasper come over tonight, so I'll drop you off at home and head out. I forgot the list."

"Well"—Bella reaches into her coat pocket and produces a bottle of pills and the shopping list—"I was thinking. It's still early, so the store shouldn't be too crowded. What if I took a pill and tried going in with you?"

"Really?"

Bella bites her lip and nods. "I want to try."

"Okay."

She climbs off his lap and puts her seat belt on.

It isn't until Edward pulls into a relatively crowded parking lot that Bella loses all bravado. She doesn't want to disappoint Edward, but she reaches for the handle and slams her hand down on the lock instead of opening the door. "I can't. It's too busy. I'll just stay here. With the doors locked. Where it's safe."

Edward nods and caresses her cheek. "It's okay, Sugar. Maybe we'll come back at night when it's deserted."

He offers to take her home and come back, but she assures him that it will be okay.

Bella watches him disappear inside the store and turns her attention to the people walking past the car. Not one person gives her so much as a second glance. A mom is holding onto her son's hand tightly while he tries pulling away. A teenager rushes through the lot, tearing into a CD package, leaving cellophane in his wake. An elderly couple walks slowly to their tiny compact car and the man opens holds the door open for his wife, kissing her before she sits down. None of these people stop and stare at the girl in the SUV, openly watching them as they pass. Maybe Alice was right, people are so busy with their own lives they don't have the time to judge her. She's about to reach for the lock on the door when a winded Edward practically crashes into it.

He loads the groceries and pulls her door open, checking her over. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Honey. I just sat here people watching. Calm down."

He frowns and squeezes her hands. "You're shaking, Sugar."

"Xanax isn't a magic cure. It just takes the edge off. I'm okay. Let's go home. I'm making Alice's favorite for dinner."

Edward nods.

Alice and Bella hug for a good five minutes straight when she and Jasper show up. Bella has missed her sister. She loves Rose but Alice is irreplaceable.

"I missed you," Bella cries. "So much. We have so much to catch up on. I can't wait to introduce you to Rose. You're going to love her."

Alice smiles sadly and pulls Bella down beside her on the couch. "We need to talk, Bells."

Nerves take over, and Bella knows that nothing good can come from those words.

She's right.