Chapter 22

A/N: Hello Everyone... No this story is not over. I still have 8 chapters after this one to complete. I am currently working fulltime so updating as often as I would like is sometimes a struggle. I do appreciate everyone's eagerness to read more. I love writing it for you all.

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Later that night, Edward sat at his desk, his fingers hovering over the laptop keyboard. Every single time he started typing, he would hear a splash coming from his bathroom, where Bella was even now, soaking in a hot bath. A wet, naked Bella in his tub. Despite his best efforts to concentrate on the story he was currently writing, Bella was foremost in his mind, making work an impossibility. Having her naked in his bathtub, only added to his growing complications, he noticed as his jeans grew tight.

Shifting in his chair to alleviate the pressure against his erection, he once again typed out a few words, when yet another plopping sound reached his ears. After the very emotional sharing they'd had on that cliff, he was trying to give her some space to absorb their changing relationship. As it turned out, theory was way better than the actual practice, because currently, there was nowhere he'd rather be than with her.

After spending so much time on his own in the last few years, having another person to connect with had taken him by storm, all thoughts turning to Bella. Holding her, touching her, hearing her voice, smelling the sweet scent of vanilla…

Gritting his teeth, his fingers ran over the keys before pausing, his head tilting to catch any sound coming from the bathroom. If he listened intently, he could hear her humming a tune, and while he couldn't make out the song, the sound teased his senses. He was about to grab the earbuds he kept in the drawer, when the sound of footsteps coming from the staircase caught his attention.

This time instead of being distracted by the girl in his tub, Emmett appeared with that all knowing smile of his, and Edward felt his annoyance climb. Having Bella here, starting to create a relationship with her was an overwhelming process, especially after going it alone so long. Knowing his meddling family was all about sticking their nose into the mix, no matter how well intended, grated on his nerves.

Edward pushed the laptop away, his lashes falling into a glare as Emmett came to stand next to his desk. "I suppose, work is out of the question."

"Hey, man. I didn't hear much typing going on." Emmett shrugged, his hip leaning on the desk. "I just came up to tell you, mom and dad will be by for dinner tomorrow, they're looking forward to meeting Bella. Officially, that is."

Edward noticed Emmett's gaze dart in the direction of his bedroom when another splash echoed from the bathroom. "Dude, eyes out here."

"Yeah, because I can totally see into you fucking bathroom," Emmett chuckled at the protective note in Edward's tone. Understanding Edward's meaning however, he redirected his attention to his brother, even though he was dying with curiosity. Rosalie had informed him of the scene she'd walked into this morning, and he'd been more than a little surprised. And, of course, as soon as he was done checking on the pretty brunette, he was totally going to bust Edward's balls about protection. With that thought in mind, he said, "How's she doing since everything happened the other night?"

"As good as can be expected." How was one supposed to act after being chased through town? Until it happened to someone, they would never fully understand the effects it had on a person, he decided. Even thinking about his own experience in that category caused a shiver to run through him.

"Have you told her?" If Edward was speculating these were the same people responsible for his scars and Jasper's death, Bella should be made aware of how real the danger could be. When Edward shook his head, Emmett's brow shot up to his hairline as he studied his brother. "Look, Edward, I understand your reluctance in relating your story, but you should really tell her."

"I don't really see the point, Emmett. The officer said they've moved on. Telling her about that now, would only scare her more than she needs to be." Edward's apprehension climbed in his chest. Informing her of the severity of the danger she could have faced didn't really seem rational to him. No one should be subjected to that type of horror. "I did show her some of the scars. I didn't really elaborate about them, but she kind of guessed about their making."

"I think, you are making a mistake, Edward…"

"You said, mom and dad are coming for dinner tomorrow?" The last thing Edward wanted was the magic of the day ruined by discussing the past…or hell, the possibility of the same shit happening to Bella. If she were ever in that type of jeopardy, he wouldn't rest until every last one of them bastards were dead…DEAD… He would find and kill every fucking last one of them.

Shaking the thought of the hunters from his mind, he focused on the prospect of dinner with his parents. "What time are they coming by? Bella needs to run to the restaurant and make a deposit. Considering everything, I don't want her going there alone."

Emmett nodded his understanding. "Mom and dad shouldn't get here until around five. Rose and I will take her up there sometime before that. There is one other thing I wanted to talk to you about."

When Emmett fell silent, Edward gestured with impatience for him to continue. As the silence stretched longer than necessary, he said, "And that would be?"

Emmett wasn't really sure how to start a sex talk with Edward. Hearing from Rose, Bella had been naked in Edward's bed this morning, prompted the discussion, however. Since Edward didn't go to the store for himself, getting protection may be challenging, and Emmett was willing to lend a hand…or rather a condom in this instance… Finding no other way to broach the topic, he decided being straight forward the best approach. "You guys are being safe right?"

"What the fuck are you talking about?" The longer Emmett lingered; the higher Edward's annoyance climbed. As Emmett's meaning became clear, Edward groaned, his hand running through his hair. He was on the fucking verge of yanking the shit right out of his head. Having a sex talk with his big brother was not on his list of to do things before he fucking died. "We're not even… Emmett for fuck sake."

"Exactly, what I'm talking about." This time a broad grin splayed across Emmett's face, his even white teeth on full display as he dug into his back pocket. Throwing a strand of condoms on Edward's desk, he said, "If it hasn't happened yet, it probably will, and you should be prepared."

"Get the hell out of my study," Edward growled, his gaze darting to the condoms on his desk. "You have no sense of fucking boundaries."

"I am your big brother," Emmett stated, shifting away from the desk. He started for the staircase, pausing on the first step, he looked over his shoulder. "Hey, it's cool, man…she's good for you."

Edward couldn't disagree with Emmett's statement. Bella was good for him. He couldn't imagine living another day without her. So, why exactly was he giving her this space? She hadn't asked for any distance between them.

The sound of water pouring drew his attention back to his doorway. Grabbing the strand of condoms from his desktop, he pushed away from his desk, and climbed to his feet. With purpose in his gait he went to his room and closed the door. Edward pressed the lock in before heading to his nightstand. Opening the drawer, he tossed the condoms inside, and shoved the drawer back in place. This time when Edward heard the splash of water, his feet turned in the direction of his bathroom and without hesitance, he crossed the threshold.

Bella sipped red wine from the fluke she held. As soon as they'd returned home from their ride, she'd followed Edward's prompting, and climbed into a hot bath to soak. Resting her head against the lip of the tub, she played through the bubbles billowing all around her, her eyes closing as her muscles relaxed in the hot, sudsy water.

Edward had said he was going to work in his study. Knowing he was so close, yet so far away, left this dissatisfied ache filling her. While she wouldn't ask him to come into the bathroom with her, she found herself making unnecessary noise, hoping to draw his attention. If he wasn't in here, obviously, he needed a breather from her. Willing to allow him the space he needed to come to terms with their progressing connection, didn't placate her desire to be in his company.

Humming, Nothing Else Matters by Metallica, she lifted a handful of bubbles and blew them across the tub. Watching the bubbles float through the air, a smile came to her lips as she remembered the way he'd bared himself to her this afternoon. While the scars still brought tears to her eyes, the fact he'd trusted her with their existence was earthshattering, and she would never forget the fear on his face.

Her eyes popped open when she heard the bedroom door close, and the lock click into place. She seen him cross in front of the doorway and disappear in the bedroom. The sound of a drawer opening and closing reached her ears. While her curiosity was peaked, she continued to hum the '90's metal tune even as her focus remained on the door to the bathroom.

When he appeared in the doorway a thrill skipped through her. Her senses went on high alert the second he came into view. There was this predatory gleam in his eye as he stepped into the bathroom, his fingers instantly curling into the hem of his shirt, he ripped it over his head. His chest bared to her, she scanned the expanse of his pecks, her hunger reawakened at the sight of his naked torso. He didn't even pause as his fingers worked the snap on his jeans and shoved them, and his boxers down his lean hips.

Bella fixated on his heavy arousal as it sprang free before darting a glance at his intense expression. Edward's jaw clenched as she watched him, his nostrils flaring, and his gaze filled with intent. He didn't break stride as he kicked his pants free of his legs, and without a word, Bella scooted forward, creating a space for him behind her.

Edward didn't need any further invitation. Stepping into the tub behind Bella, he lowered himself into the hot water, his arms wrapping around her waist. Feeling her sigh as she came to rest against him, his mouth found the shell of her ear, his breath tickling the rim. "Sorry…I just couldn't help myself."

"I don't know what took you so long." She could feel his length pressed against her back. Liking the affect she had on him, she wiggled closer, her eyes rolling as his breath skimmed her ear. Resisting the urge to look over her shoulder became more than she could bare, and so she tipped her head in his direction. Instantly, his mouth dropped onto hers as he kissed her, his fingers ran along her belly, enticing a moan from her.

Their kiss turned hungry, his tongue diving deeply into the recesses of her warm mouth, his hands sliding up to cup her breasts. Tweaking the hard buds of her nipples, Edward licked his way along her jaw, his nose nuzzling her ear. Biting the lobe, a growl rumbled from his chest when she whimpered with need, pressing her ear into his mouth. Wanting to taste more of her, he whispered against her skin, "Move your hair, Bella."

Lost in the moment, Bella found comprehension difficult, yet somehow, she managed to pull her hair away from her neck. Her pulse went erratic the second his lips settled against her skin. When his teeth scrapped down her neck before biting into the tender flesh, she cried out, the pleasure-pain mesmerizing. Wanting more of his current love-play, her hand circled his nape, holding him to her. "Edward, that feels…so good."

Becoming greedy, Edward sucked hard on her neck, his hands kneading her taunt flesh. Toying with the tip of her breasts, he let his hands slide down her abdomen to her warm folds. Without urging, Bella's legs parted as he slipped over her nub, his probing fingers finding her entrance. Her welcoming gasp shuddered along his cheek as he pressed a finger inside her hot channel, his palm rubbing pressure against her clitoris as he entered her. "You are so fucking tight…warm…"

Hypnotized by his administrations, Bella felt drugged, her eyelids growing heavy as desire rocketed to her core. Each time his fingers thrust into her, her hips lifted to meet his movements, urging him on with little mews of pleasure. Turning her face into his cheek, this need to claim him kind of took hold of her in the strangest of ways, her teeth baring, she nipped at his jaw. As the tempo of his fingers increased, aggression stole through her, her nails biting into his thighs as bliss built within her.

"Oh…God… Edward… don't stop." As his fingers pressed into her, his thumb played with her clitoris, the bud blossoming beneath his touch. Moaning and gasping uncontrollably, she met each thrust of his fingers with an eager lift of her hips.

"That's it, baby… Let it go… fuck…" Edward's own pleasure built with each cry that left her lips. His erection throbbed against the flesh of her back, his hips moving in time to his fingers buried deep within her. Even while it wasn't where he longed to be, just feeling her soft skin against his aching length sent a fervor through his blood. "Bella… you feel so… oh my."

Edward could feel her channel pulse around his fingers as her climax built. "I want to be so deep in you…fuck."

Bella's cry echoed in his ears as she flew over the edge. His words enhanced the pleasure of his fingers, her mouth instantly seeking his. Returning kiss for kiss, she kept the pressure against his length as he rubbed it against her back. Wanting to help him, she turned in his arms, and took him in her hand. Winding tight fingers around his shaft, she pulled up before dropping back to the base of him, tugging up once again. His breath filled her mouth as he growled, thrusting into her hand with wild abandon, water sloshing over the rim of the tub.

Nipping at his bottom lip, Bella slid her tongue over his chin, and down his throat. Relishing the masculine taste of him, she sucked at the base of his neck until his fingers curled in her hair, pulling her mouth back up to his. Locking his lips with hers, his tongue dove deep as the crown of his cock swelled. When her fingers tightened around him, squeezing, and moving faster and faster, air rushed from his lungs.

White lights burst beneath his eyelids as completion became his. His swollen member throbbed as his seed shot from his body. Upon his release, his muscles wilted under Bella, his head falling to the back of the tub. His arms tightened around her as she settled into his embrace, her nose nuzzling his neck, her lashes fluttering against his skin as her eyes fell closed.

They rested in one another's arms, letting the comfortable silence fill the space between them. Edward had never known such closeness with another person. For the first time in years, peace filled his chest, the patter of his heart matching the tempo of hers. Swallowing tightly, his hand left her waist, his fingers dripped water as his hand withdrew from the cloudy suds. The pads of his fingers skimmed the edge of the mask and his heart went still.

Taking a deep breath, Edward lifted the edge, and centimeter by centimeter, he pulled it from his face. Cool air caressed his fevered skin as he lifted it away, his gaze going to the crown of Bella's head, waiting for her to notice his disgrace. Ever-so-slowly, he sat the silver mask on the tiled bench next to the tub.

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