DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction for which we will receive no compensation, especially since all characters belong to a different Stephenie. But this story helped save the babies, which we are all for.

Heaven bless you, maplestyle.

Important change in the closing A/N, so don't skip it.

Looks like E and B are finally starting to get along. Let's see if they can keep it going, eh?

Chapter 24

After the second movie ended, Edward offered to clean up so Bella could shower and change for bed. She tried to insist that he go first, but he waved her off.

"I'm probably going for another run in the morning," he said, "so I'll shower when I get back."

She rose from the couch at the same time he did, him folding up the blanket she'd discarded. The same blanket he would wrap around his body while he slept.

Not that she was thinking about that.

"You okay?" he asked, and she realized she'd been staring at him.

"Yes." She shook herself out of it and smiled. "Just a little tired."

"Well, the bedroom door is fixed, so you can shut yourself in there and sleep 'til noon if you want." He set the folded blanket on the coffee table. "Tomorrow's first activity is lunch at 12:30."

"Good to know. What will you do before then?"

"Don't know yet, but it's nice to have time for possibilities."

Possibilities.

Bella thought about that word while she brushed her teeth, muddled it over while she showered, and was still chewing on it as she dressed for bed.

When she'd first met Edward, the possibility of him being anything but a ginormous pain in the ass didn't exist.

When she'd awoken after fainting in his OR, the possibility of him hating her for it made her stomach churn.

When she agreed to be his fake girlfriend, the possibility of things going horribly awry seemed certain.

But as she slipped into a rosy chemise, new possibilities filled her mind.

The possibility of having a great time with the crazy Cullen clan.

The possibility of leaving here with her sanity intact.

The possibility of things with Edward being more than an act.

Bella sat on the bed to digest that truth. She would have bet money that the shitshow with Tanya and her confession about Peter would have ruined the entire trip. Vulnerability was not Edward's strong suit, and Bella wasn't so great with it either. Had they avoided each other until their mutual embarrassment wore off, Bella would have been fine with that.

But Edward didn't shut her out. He seemed to invite her closer, even apologized for his past behavior. He listened to her confession about Esme and Peter without judgment and hadn't treated her any differently.

In fact, he'd treated her better.

She thought back on the entire evening, on their trip so far. And the more she thought about it, the more she realized how different Edward had been from what she expected. How kind and thoughtful, how patient and relaxed. How funny and open.

And how downright sexy.

She shut her eyes to squash that though, knowing no good could come of it. Sleeping with Edward was not in her plans and not just because she was a stone's throw from his entire family. Edward was her boss, someone who held her medical future in his hands, and messing that up for the sake of sex would be suicidal.

(And it's a good thing she'd be dead because Rose would kill her.)

Besides that, Bella hadn't had sex in a very long time, and she wanted the next time to be with someone special. Someone who wanted her body but appreciated her heart and liked her for who she was.

Someone she trusted.

With a sigh, she slipped under the sheets and cut out the lamp, determined to sleep off whatever insanity made her even consider sleeping with Edward. Yes, things between them were okay, good even. But trying to turn that into something else, something bigger, was just asking for trouble. And the last thing Bella needed was more trouble.

"It's nice to have time for possibilities..."

Bella groaned into her pillow, wishing he hadn't said that. Try as she might, she couldn't stop thinking about the possibility of sleeping with Edward. From his kisses alone, she knew it would be the best sex she'd ever had. And after waiting so long, she deserved the best.

They both did.

But more than that, Bella was starting to see Edward differently. He hadn't made a single jab at her tonight, and they'd had a good time, proving he actually liked her. The whole Tanya situation showed Bella that Edward had vulnerabilities and pains of his own, which only made him sexier. And the way he'd kissed her last night...

"Last night," she murmured, her lips tingling with the memory. That kiss proved Edward wanted her as much as she wanted him. And in case she wasn't sure, his words confirmed it.

"Someday... some night, I won't leave."

Bella squeezed her thighs together, the promise in those words unmistakable. She'd gotten nervous when she felt him hard and ready beneath her, but she hadn't told him to stop. He was the one who pulled back, apologizing and making sure she knew he hadn't been trying to take advantage of her vulnerability.

She appreciated his sincerity and concern, but had he kissed her again, Bella would have slept with him. Not because he was hot or just happened to be there, but because she trusted him. Against all odds, Bella trusted Edward.

More than that, Bella trusted herself enough to know what she needed. And it was that thought that made her get out of bed and open her bedroom door.

The cottage was silent as she padded across the floor. She paused at the large rug framing the living room, her heart racing in her chest as she reached the edge of the couch.

Standing beside his feet, she took a moment to watch him. He lay on his back, one arm above his head and the other somewhere beneath the covers. The room was dark, but the light through the open curtain gave a clear view of his face. He looked more peaceful than she'd ever seen him, and the sight stole her breath and emboldened her steps.

Without conscious thought, Bella crept forward and knelt beside him. He stirred, wrinkling his nose, and she leaned forward to kiss the tip of it.

He sighed contentedly, and she cupped his face, stroking with a gentle thumb. The urge to kiss him was overwhelming, but she wanted to make sure he was fully aware of what was happening. She continued to caress his cheek, watching with awed amusement as he slowly blinked his eyes open.

He mumbled something unintelligible, his gaze eventually landing on her face. "Bella?"

"Yes?"

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

He moved to sit up then realized she was touching his cheek, her thumb gliding back and forth. He looked up again and noted the look in her eyes. There was affection, vulnerability, and something he'd only ever seen glimpses of.

Desire.

Now he was fully awake. "Bella?"

"Yes, Edward?"

He swallowed, the look in her eyes exciting and humbling him all at once. "What are you doing?"

The hand on his cheek slid up into his hair. "What does it feel like?"

"It feels..." He suppressed a groan as she lightly scratched his scalp before bringing her hand back to his cheek. "It feels fucking amazing."

"At least we agree it would feel amazing."

Edward sat up, dislodging her hand as he took a deep breath. "Bella?"

She came to her feet to give him the full view. "Yes?"

He took in the mid-thigh hemline and whisper-thin straps of her lingerie, saw the longing and certainty in her eyes, and returned to her face. "Bella?

She held his gaze, leaning over him so they were eye to eye. "Yes?"

He came forward until they were a breath apart. "Bella."

She smiled into his eyes before closing the gap between them, her lips meeting his in a silent "Yes."

Where their kisses had been passionate and intense before, this kiss was gentle and searching as if they couldn't believe what was happening. Bella sighed against his lips, parting her own to grant him full access. He lazily lapped his tongue against hers, sliding his hand into her hair to feel more of her. But with him sitting on the couch and her standing above him, they were way too far apart.

As if she'd read his mind, Bella bent down and pushed him back against the couch, breaking their kiss just long enough to straddle him. Edward crushed her to him, weeks of pent-up lust fueling him as he searched and savored every part of her mouth. Bella lowered herself to grind against him, her hips swirling in rhythm with their long, languid kisses.

Wanting to taste his skin, she broke away from his lips to kiss a trail across his jaw down to his neck, suckling the warm skin there. Edward hissed as she lapped against a sensitive spot below his ear, gripping the pillows on either side of her to stop himself from throwing her to the floor and just pounding her into oblivion.

He could save that for round two.

She brought their lips together again, her hips rolling against him with focused intent. She rose and fell, rocked forward and back, Edward running his hands along her legs and thighs on his way to her shoulders, holding her in place as she swiveled against him.

"You're gonna make me come," he groaned against her mouth.

"That's the idea."

"Not like that. And not here."

Before she could respond, Edward lifted Bella up as he came to his feet. Bella locked her ankles around his waist, holding on tight as they kissed their way to the bedroom. Edward gently set her on the bed, resting on his knees as he looked down at her. He ran his hands along her bare legs, staying below the scalloped edge of her chemise.

"I want to see you," he murmured, his voice as soft as his caress.

Bella looked pointedly at his t-shirt. "You first."

Edward smiled, his green eyes hazy as he yanked the shirt over his head, tossing it behind him. Bella's eyes widened, her gaze flitting over his bare chest and abdomen. He watched her take him in, her expressions like an open book written just for him. The sight of her desire only aroused him more, and he fisted the hem of her nightie impatiently.

"Off," he urged.

"Yes, sir," she said, though her confidence wavered as she sat up. No one had seen her naked in years, and though she knew Edward was attracted to her, she couldn't completely quell her nerves.

"Bella?" His gentle tone made her look up. "May I do the honors?"

Bella nodded, awed by his understanding, and raised her arms. She was tempted to close her eyes, but something told her to watch his face as the silky material came up and over her head.

And she was not disappointed.

Edward stared at her in a breathless kind of wonder, his gaze darting across her bare chest down to the soft swells of her breasts. He'd imagined her like this more times than he'd ever admit, but being this close to her seemed like a dream. And he never wanted to wake up.

"God, Bella..." he sighed, his fingers and lips craving contact. "You're... you're fucking exquisite."

Bella blushed. "Thank you."

"No." He leaned in and kissed her once, both hands gliding over her waiting mounds. "Thank you."

Bella groaned as he closed his large hands over her breasts, squeezing and caressing with reverent purpose. He kissed his way down her throat and across her collarbone, her heart thundering in her chest as he laved her heated skin. He licked a lazy circle around her breast, drawing closer and closer to its dusky center.

"Edward, please..." she moaned.

"Please what?"

"Please..." she whispered again.

Edward smiled against her breast before finally taking a hardened nipple in his mouth, swirling his tongue around it. Her natural fragrance invaded his senses, and he gave gentle suck, making her gasp. She held his head in place as he idled at her breast, releasing him only to make his way to the other one. She ran her hands up and down his back as he laved her breast, sighing his name like a fervent prayer.

Hearing his name in her lusty voice made him impossibly harder, and he licked a hot trail down her abdomen, palming her breast as his other hand yanked her underwear down her legs and out of the way.

Bella rose up on her elbows, and he looked up, a wicked gleam in his eyes. She watched him bend to her, holding her breath as he ran his nose along the inside of her thigh. He kissed the curve of her upper thigh once, then twice, then buried his face between her legs, groaning against her slick lips.

Bella threw her head back, biting her bottom as Edward kissed her, his tongue gently lapping against her. Her taste was intoxicating, like his own brand of heroin, and he wanted to be high for the rest of his life. He licked her soft then firm, fast then slow, holding her hips in place so she couldn't escape. Bella fisted his hair and gripped his shoulders, begging for release. Edward wanted to oblige, but he wanted something more.

Needed something more.

"Nooo," she moaned in frustration as he sat up. She opened her eyes to find him sliding off the bed to remove the rest of his clothes, and all her protests ceased. She couldn't believe how beautiful he was, how perfect his naked body was, and she extended a trembling hand to him.

"Come here," she murmured, meeting his eyes.

Edward took her hand and climbed back on the bed, settling between her open legs. She reached between their bodies, and his eyes pinched shut as she closed her warm hand around his length. She stroked him a few times, and he hissed through his teeth, reveling in her tender ministrations.

"Bella, please..." he groaned as she tightened her grip. "I won't last..."

"You'd better," she said as she released him. "I've waited so long for this. For you."

He looked down at her then, searching her eyes for doubts and saw none. Just an aching want, a need, and a trust he wasn't sure he deserved. Holding her gaze, he rose up and slid slowly inside her, and they sighed at the sensation of it. Together they began to move, taking their time at first, savoring the feeling of finally being together. Gradually Bella relaxed, and Edward lengthened his strokes, groaning with every push and pull of their bodies.

"Bella..." He buried himself even deeper as her knees fell further apart. "So good..."

"Yes, Edward..." she moaned, running her hands up and down his back. "Don't stop..."

They fit perfectly together, finding a slow and steady rhythm that made him wish it would last forever. As she sighed his name and gave as good as she got, Edward once again wondered if maybe this was it... if maybe she could be it for him.

The thought made his heart speed up, and he hooked her leg, changing the angle. Bella gasped with the shift, wrapping her other leg around his back as he increased his pace. She never took her eyes off him, making each moment so much more intimate than any encounter she had ever had. He felt her eyes on him and looked up, feeling their connection down to his bones. It was so much, too much to handle, so he bent down to kiss her, his lips telling her everything he couldn't bring himself to say. He released her leg to caress her breasts, increasing his pace as his hands slid up to her shoulders.

"Edward…" she panted as he pounded into her. "Oh, god... yes... more..."

He moved faster and harder, hitting her spot with every stroke. The pulse between her legs raced toward that elusive peak, and she gripped him tighter, pleading for it.

"Right there... fuck... yes..."

"There?"

"God, yes... please... Edward, I'm... I'm..."

Bella's words turned to nonsense as an orgasm rippled through her body, tears pricking her eyes as she pulsed and tightened around him. The sight and sensation of her release sent Edward over the edge, and he came inside her a few moments later, moaning her name as he buried his face in her neck.

Panting and gasping for air, he rolled off her and onto his back, immediately pulling her to his side. He could feel her heart racing against his chest, and his own heart swelled with the awareness of what they'd just done. There was so much he wanted to say, so much he wanted to know. But his limbs were so heavy, his soul so sated, that words were slow in coming.

"Holy shit," she sighed, shuddering beside him.

"My thoughts exactly," he said, moving away from her.

"Don't go," she murmured groggily.

"Wasn't planning on it," he said, leaning over to grab the comforter that had fallen to the floor. He pulled the blankets over them, gathering her in his arms. Bella was wrapped in instant warmth from head to toe, and she sighed contentedly.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Mm-hmm."

"Good."

Edward pressed his lips to Bella's forehead, and her heart soared. She knew the significance of the forehead kiss, remembered seeing in that movie how endearing and erotic a gesture it was. And she was sure Cosmo had written an article on it. Or was that Glamour?

Wherever she'd seen it, Bella heard everything he was using that kiss to say. And as she snuggled closer to him and drifted off to sleep, her heart whispered the same thing.

So... that happened. *grins* How we doing out there?

We wanted to tell you that SCARS will begin updating every two weeks going forward. Pic teases will still be posted in the BitterHarpy/BitterLady group, but the next chapter will post on 7/29.

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