Best Laid Plans Heather Burkett
Chapter 26: Sweet Release
Thursday night, Jeanine Biers was kind enough to come over to discuss what had happened between Sarah and Riley.
"Thank you so much for coming over." I greeted, welcoming her into the apartment.
"Thanks for inviting me over. Is Sarah here?" She asked, looking around.
"She's having dinner with her father right now." I advised. "I thought it would be best if it was just the two of us."
"How's she doing?" Jeanine asked sincerely.
"She's gained a lot more independence in working with the cast on, she doesn't need as much help as she needed last weekend. Writing and typing is a bit of a struggle, as she's right-handed, so she's finding that homework assignments take her much longer than usual. But luckily, the throbbing has finally eased up. Now, she's just dealing with the insane itching of the cast. And Riley?"
I gestured for her to take a seat on the couch as I walked towards the kitchen. "He's got one hell of a shiner. Your girl knows how to throw a punch." She frowned.
"By the way, would you like something to drink?" I asked.
"Sure, I'll take some ice water?"
I nodded. "I'm sorry to hear about Riley's injury." I stated, unsure how else to respond.
She sighed. "Don't be."
"Oh, why do you say that?"
I came back to the couch, handing her a glass of water before taking a seat across from her.
"Riley's been acting up lately. We've caught him in a few lies, not the least of which is what happened with Sarah. We've warned him the lying would catch up with him, though this isn't quite the way we expected it to happen."
"Oh, so he told you about the kiss?"
"No, the principal is the one who explained that there was some kind of kiss involved. Riley didn't fully come clean till I told him I was coming here to speak to you. I'm sorry for the way he's treated Sarah. I promise you, we raised him to know better than that."
"Well, I must say, I'm glad to hear your side of things. I was worried this might be an uncomfortable conversation."
"Well, I won't lie. We were a bit angry at first and this would have been a very different conversation if he hadn't stood up for Sarah. But the only thing that seemed to concern him more than getting in trouble himself was the idea of getting Sarah in trouble. He's quite fond of her."
"Well, to be honest, she was originally quite smitten with him as well."
"What changed?" Jeanine asked, sipping her water.
"We had a talk with her about growing up and relationships, and she seemed to reconsider how ready she was for a boyfriend."
"I wish we could talk some sense into Riley, but he's just a bundle of raging hormones right now."
I silently thanked God that Sarah had turned that "bundle of raging hormones" down.
All in all, the talk with Jeanine went well and she assured me that Riley had promised to leave Sarah alone.
Edward patiently kept his distance during the week, understanding that I was not yet ready to introduce him to Sarah, but we texted throughout the days and talked every night. He was remarkably easy to talk to and the conversations always flowed effortlessly.
It was during lunch on Friday that Sarah caught my attention. "So, who are you talking to?" She asked as I shot a quick text off to Edward.
"Oh, just sending a message to my assistant." I answered nonchalantly.
"You like him, don't you?" She asked.
I swallowed. "Yes, he's been a great help."
"No, mom. I mean you like-him, like him." She took a bite of her PB&J, chewing thoughtfully as she stared into my soul.
"What?! What makes you say that?" My voice sounded strained.
Really, Bella? Is that the best you've got?
"You've been different since you hired him. You seem...more carefree. And your face turns red every time he texts." She answered casually. "Plus, I hear you talking to someone every night when I go to bed."
"It's just business." I hedged.
"Every single night after ten or eleven? Puh-lease." She retorted, rolling her eyes at me. "What happened to no secrets, no lies? You pinky promised." Shit. She had me there. "Look, I'm not as blind as you and Dad think I am. He and Leah still try to act like they're not dating in front of me, but it's so obvious." She took a drink of her Sprite.
I was completely out of my element here.
"Have you told them you think they're dating?" I asked, worried about saying too much but grateful to have the spotlight off of me.
"No. I'm waiting for the dinner and cake that comes with big surprise conversations." She gave me a Cheshire cat grin, amused with her own wit. "So, about your assistant..."
I sighed, not really knowing how to avoid this conversation without breaking my promise to her.
"It's just a little complicated, Sarah."
"What's his name?"
I figured I could at least give her that much. "His name is Edward."
"Do I get to meet him?" She asked.
"Are you sure you'd want to?" I pushed my plate away, suddenly too anxious to eat.
She mulled it over. "You know what? I think I would. I mean, I know it might be weird seeing you with someone else, but if I can get used to it with Dad and Lee-Lee, then I can get used to it with you and Edward. It's like – you're my mom. I don't want you to have to hide parts of your life just cuz you're worried it will be weird for me. If we all lived like one happy family, there wouldn't be big secrets like this. I don't want us to hide things from each other just cuz you and Daddy are divorced. I want to know you. I want to know about everything."
I patted her cast. "You're very wise for your age." I answered.
"I know." She smiled broadly at the compliment.
"I'll tell you what. Give me some time to see what happens next, okay? I don't know if this is going to go anywhere and – if it does – I'll need a chance to tell your father first. But, if it gets to that point, I'll answer your questions and let you meet him. Sound like a deal?"
"Deal. As long as you don't break your promise."
"No secrets. No lies." I promised once again. "And, don't say anything to your father. He should hear it from me when the time is right."
She nodded as she took another bite of her sandwich.
I was pleased to see that she seemed to accept the situation in stride, but how would she react when she learned about his age?
Would she freak out?
Jacob stopped by just after six to pick her up for her weekend at his place. We both gave her the option of staying with me a little longer, but she assured us that she could manage with the cast now, seeming confident that she could get by without too much help.
I could tell she thought we were babying her too much, so I backed off, watching nervously as she sat down in Jacob's car and closed the door.
"Jake." I pulled him aside. "It's time to tell her that you and Leah are together."
"What makes you say that?" He asked, looking worriedly over at Sarah.
"Well, first of all, she knows already. And secondly, she's expecting there to be cake."
Jacob laughed nervously. "She's okay with it?"
I nodded. "Yep, she's okay with it."
Jacob hugged me quickly before swaggering over to the driver's side of the car and taking off.
I texted Edward before I was even back inside the apartment. "Sarah just left."
His reply came swiftly. "I'm on my way."
I giggled giddily at how anxious we were to see each other.
I rushed into the bathroom, quickly showering and shampooing before he arrived. I blow dried my hair and added some mascara and some lipstick before getting dressed.
I wanted to look casual, but not slummy, so I pulled on an off white crop top that had a knot just above the navel and dainty little flowers on the long sleeves. I coupled it with a pair of high-waisted jeans, trying not to reveal too much skin.
Consumed by nerves and with another ten minutes or so before he arrived, I made my way into the kitchen and poured myself a glass of wine, sipping it slowly and letting it work it's warmth into my belly and limbs, easing the tension it found there.
I was just finishing the first glass and about to pour a second when headlights illuminated my living room window.
He's here.
I raced to the door, pausing long enough to calm myself as the headlights turned off. Not wanting to appear as anxious as I was feeling, I waited for him to knock.
A moment later, the knock came and I took a deep breath to steady myself before opening the door.
Edward stood on my front steps in a plain pine green tee that brought out his eyes and hugged his biceps, accenting the musculature that hid beneath the thin layer of fabric. His tee stopped right where his blue jeans began, riding low on his hips.
"Hey." I said shyly as I finished my appraisal.
"Hey." He stepped into the apartment like a jungle cat, lunging for me and pinning me against the wall with the full length of his body as his lips claimed mine. His arms wound around my waist as he feasted on my tongue, moaning into my mouth.
I became intoxicated by his kiss, greedily running my hands through his hair as I pulled him closer still, wanting more.
Before I knew it was coming, he broke the kiss, leaning his forehead against mine as our breathing grew ragged. "I've been waiting all week to do that." He smiled.
"Wow. I should keep you waiting more often." I teased. "What else have you been waiting to do?" I looked up into his green eyes wantonly as my hands traced over his abs and chest teasingly.
He laughed, and the sound warmed my heart. "Dinner first. You're going to need your energy." He gave me my favorite crooked grin and my heart pitter-pattered in response.
We ordered Chinese and fixed two glasses of wine before he led me over to the sofa, pulling me down onto his lap.
"So, Sarah asked me about you today." I advised, running my fingers over the soft hairs at the nape of his neck.
He smiled warmly. "Oh yeah? She asked about your assistant?"
I shook my head no. "She asked about you. She read me like an open book this week."
"Oh. What did you tell her?" He leaned his face in, skimming his nose along my collarbone and planting several chaste kisses there.
I swallowed, finding it hard to form coherent thought when he touched me that way. "Well, she knows your name is Edward, and that the situation is complicated. Other than that, I asked her to give me some time to figure some things out." His left hand eased up under the flimsy fabric of my blouse, rubbing and tickling the skin of my lower back as he skimmed his nose higher up my neck, sucking gently on my throat.
I tilted my head further back, granting him better access as I swallowed deeply.
"And what...exactly...are you trying to figure out?" He asked, punctuated by little nibbles and kisses on my throat and jaw.
My breathing was labored. "Where...exactly...this is going...between us." I answered.
"And where...do you see...this going?" He asked, pausing occasionally for more kisses.
"Bedroom." I answered, fisting his shirt as he bit down on my earlobe.
"But dinner's not here yet." He teased, his tongue tracing the outer shell of my ear, his breath hot and moist against my cheek.
"Screw dinner." I replied, growing anxious.
"Screw dinner, eat you?" He asked. I could feel him smiling against my jaw and I shivered in anticipation.
"Edward, you're driving me insane." I moaned, not caring in the least how desperate I sounded.
"Should I stop?" He asked, his right hand ghosting over my hip to draw lazy circles over my belly.
"Uh...yes...no..." I mumbled, becoming lost in the sensations.
There was a knock on the door, followed by a ring of the doorbell.
Edward straightened up immediately, releasing me from the voodoo his mouth and fingers had over me.
"Ah, saved by the bell." He mumbled with a laugh.
I shoved against his chest playfully, standing up to answer the door with Edward rising on my heels. He stepped forward with his credit card as I carried the box of food to the dining room table.
I set about pulling out forks and spoons and dinner plates and preparing our drinks when it occurred to me that Edward was just standing by the table, watching me with an obscure look on his face.
I recognized that look.
Edward had the word "love" on his mind.
Please don't say it. Please don't say it. Please don't say it.
My stomach knotted up and my chest constricted as I realized I was not anywhere near being ready for this. Not logically and definitely not emotionally.
His head dropped suddenly, as if he'd seen the recognition and panic in my eyes. "Need any help?" He asked his shoes.
"No, I think I can manage." My voice came out sounding choked, but he didn't say anything else. Instead, he just took a seat at the table and began pulling everything out of the take-out box, setting up the food as I brought the plates, silverware and glasses to the table.
Just as I was about to eat, Edward reached over, taking my hand in his. "Look, Bella, I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for as long as you'll have me." He lifted my hand up to his lips, kissing the knuckles gently as he looked into my eyes. "The only thing left for you to figure out is how you feel."
Sadly, that was the hardest part.
We chatted idly about our weekend events over dinner, reviewing the set-up for the wedding at Kalaloch Lodge on Saturday and the anniversary party we had on Sunday in a beautiful home in Beaver.
With dinner out of the way and our weekend plans discussed, we settled onto the couch to watch a movie.
Edward lay along the couch, scooting over towards the back of the sofa making enough room for me to lay down alongside him. I did so, perching on the edge of the couch cushions as Edward wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close against him.
I closed my eyes, bathing in his warm embrace as he nuzzled his face into my hair and neck, breathing deeply.
Despite the extracurricular activities I had planned for the night, the Chinese food quickly claimed me, dragging me under as I drifted off to sleep in his arms.
When I woke up some time after midnight, I found myself alone in my bed, confused. I lazily padded out of the bedroom, looking out into the hallway for Edward when I happened to hear the shower running in the bathroom.
I found myself immediately struck by an idea.
I tested the bathroom door gently to find that it was unlocked. I took a moment to steal my resolve before stepping into the room, which was filled with steam and body wash and Edward. I peeled off my clothes nervously, folding them up and leaving them on the bathroom counter. I edged my way to the shower, pulling back the curtain and stepping over the side of the tub.
"Bella?" Edward asked, turning away from the pulsing water to find me standing behind him.
I was suddenly overwhelmingly shy and regretting my bold decision. "Hi." I said bashfully.
His face lit up. "Hi."
We just stood there for a minute under the spray, looking each other up and down.
"Is this another first?" I asked timidly.
He swallowed before nodding, his eyes wide.
"Should I leave?" I asked, surprisingly self-conscious.
He shook his head no before stepping towards me, wrapping his right hand around my waist and pulling me closer, his eyes going dark.
"I missed you when I woke up." I said as an awkward explanation for my actions.
"I'm right here." He responded, his eyes drifting from mine, down to my lips and over my wet breasts.
He released me momentarily, reaching for the bottle of body wash and squeezing a little into his hand. He rubbed his hands together, working up a lather before looking to me, seeking permission.
I nodded infinitesimally as he placed his hands on my collarbone. He massaged the lather over my throat and shoulders, moving down to cup and squeeze my breasts as my breathing hitched. His hands moved fluidly over my sides and stomach and hips, before he knelt down before me. I stared at him, unable to take my eyes off the way he was worshipping my body reverently.
He moved his hands down my left leg before working them back up my right leg, his breathing labored. He looked up at me with eyes as black as midnight as he placed his hands on my hips, urging me to turn around. I did as he beckoned, and he leaned in to kiss and bite my ass as I yelped, shocked.
He lathered the back of my calves and thighs, working his way up to knead my ass with his strong hands. I could feel when he stood up, rising his full six feet behind me, working more of the shower gel into my lower and upper back as I put my hands against the wall, bracing myself. He worked his way back over my shoulders and down both arms, his chest pressed deliciously against my back and his erection nestled tantalizingly between my cheeks.
He pulled me back against his body, walking me backwards so that we were both under the spray, wandering his hands over my body to wash off the soap. He lowered his head to kiss my neck as his hands fondled my breasts, his fingers tweaking my nipples till they elongated and hardened for him.
He moved us forward carefully, raising my arms to brace my hands back against the wall. With his wet, naked body still pressed deliciously against mine, he reached around my belly, moving lower until he was cupping my sex. His fingers slid against me as I bucked against his hand, moaning.
"Move for me, Bella." He husked as I began gyrating my hips against his ministrations, feeling his hardened length sliding back and forth between my ass cheeks. He moaned with me, bringing his head down to kiss and bite gently on my shoulder.
"Can I take you?" He husked in my ear.
"Yes." I moaned, reaching back to run my hands up his thighs and hips.
His right hand ghosted back down my side and hip, until his hand was down near my knee. He raised my leg, placing my foot on the edge of the tub as he bent me forward slightly, opening me to him.
He positioned himself before sliding in, the shower spray and the wetness between my thighs allowing him to slip in effortlessly. I gasped as our positioning angled him directly into my g-spot, sending electricity from my groin straight into my breasts and limbs.
His hands continued to explore my body as he pushed into me over and over again, the pressure building in my stomach with his thrusts. All I could hear was the shower spray and our labored breathing; the occasional moan mixing into the rising heat.
His left hand reached around my waist, dipping once again between my thighs as he began working me from both sides. I threw my head back as Edward dipped his face down, his breath hot and moist against my neck as he thrusts quickened.
"Bella..." he husked, "I'm not going to last much longer. You have to...oh god...you have to cum for me."
As if my body was waiting for his cue, I arched my back, my orgasm claiming me mere seconds before he found his own sweet release.