Some of you don't agree with Bella's way to cope with the situation. Here's Edward's insight and what he thinks of her decision.

As always, I'm grateful for Gabby's help.

Seeing Bella so vulnerable brought out the most protective side of Edward. When she had first suggested needing him – the part of him, Edward had kept locked away for the past couple of months, it had terrified him. She wanted to be dominated for all the wrong reasons, but Edward agreed to do it after getting Jasper's approval.

Edward knew exactly what they were going to do. He had to let Bella lead, and she didn't disappoint by choosing the crop. Her body knew exactly what she needed, even if she wasn't fully aware of it.

"Place your hands on the edge of the mattress, bend over," he commanded.

Bella complied, though, Edward noticed the confused look on her face. It was likely she'd never be like his other subs, like a trained sub, but it would be part of her charm. Edward found himself enjoying reading her reactions on her face, that way he'd always know if she was comfortable with what they were doing. And Bella had to always be comfortable with what they did. She might not always tell him how she felt, which meant he had to anticipate her reaction by reading her body language.

"Don't move," he said softly, tracing the tongue of the crop over her spine.

Bella tensed up, her head jerking to the side. Edward paused, staring at her amused. When she didn't turn her head to see what was going on, he continued down to her ass. She was wound up so tight, Edward chose to work on relaxing her before he continued. He trailed the crop over her inner thighs, up and down, several times, before he pressed the flat end over her sex.

Bella's breath came out in a whoosh, her whole body shaking.

Edward tapped her wetness, enjoying the way she quivered. Then he dragged the crop's tongue up over her ass. He noticed Bella's hands curling into fists around the bedspread.

He stepped to her side, tapping one of her hands with the crop. "Palms flat on the bed." She uncurled her fingers immediately, amazing him with how malleable she could be.

The fear of fully submitting was all in her head.

Edward tapped the end of the crop over her pebbled nipples, making Bella whimper and squeeze her thighs together.

"I think I told you not to move," he muttered, bringing the crop up then allowing it to stroke above her buttocks.

Bella inhaled sharply, her head thrown back. Edward could see the gentle curve of her throat, her mouth parted, and her eyes closed.

Ah, so she enjoyed it.

He repeated the motion, watching closely for any bad reaction from Bella. Her fingers made to curl around the bedspread, but she splayed her fingers wide, breathing shallowly.

Relieved that Bella wasn't afraid of what the crop made her feel, he continued teasing her until her ass was a light pink color and warm to the touch. Edward soothed some of the pain she had to be feeling by stroking his palm over the heated skin.

"Don't come."

"Yes, Sir," she answered breathlessly.

Edward doubted she'd be able to keep her promise. He brought the crop over her soaking wet sex, tapping it there. The sounds it made, alone, were enough to make him want to stop the teasing and sink into her warmth.

"Oh, my God!" Bella's spine arched and her legs started shaking.

"If you come now, you won't be allowed to come again for a week." Edward bent over her body to kiss the spot behind her ear. "And trust me, Isabella, I wouldn't make it easy on you."

"Oh, Jesus…"

Edward wound his hand around her ponytail, bringing her head up. Her wide brown eyes were full of desire. He brought his lips down for a bruising kiss. She kissed him back with ardor, almost begging him for mercy.

He pulled away, resuming his previous teasing over her sensitive sex. When her body tensed in a familiar way, Edward flipped the crop between his fingers, so its tongue could rub between her folds. Bella mewled, opening her legs wider.

"Did I say you could move?" Edward brought the crop down over her ass in a firm smack.

"Shiiiit! I'm sorry, Sir." Bella shuffled back in position.

"Remember your colors, Isabella. You don't want to come," Edward reminded her sternly. Then, he went back to altering between rubbing the crop between her folds and smacking her wetness until the leather was slick with her juices.

Edward was impressed with Bella's restraint, though, he could tell she was close to losing the battle over holding her release. He could see her muscles quivering, her legs and arms straining and shaking, her harsh breathing accelerating.

He anticipated her to say Yellow any moment.

"Stop, Sir." Edward pulled the crop away from her swollen and wet sex. He hadn't expected to hear those words.

Stop left no room for arguing, yet it was entirely up to Bella when she was ready again to resume. Of course, Edward understood why she'd said that word, instead of Yellow. She only needed a breather to gather her wits.

Bella kept taking deep breaths. Edward waited until she'd be ready to continue, though, he wanted nothing more than to ask if she was alright.

"Color?"

"Green, Sir. I'm okay now."

"Good girl. I see you don't want to disappoint me," he praised her, petting her hair.

What Bella had just done, it proved to him she knew her limits better than he expected. Stopping him like that wasn't the ideal way to regain control over her body, but Edward accepted it, since it was the only way she knew how to do it. For now. In time, Bella had to learn to challenge herself, to keep holding her release when she was sure she couldn't do it.

Edward didn't pick up the teasing. He let the crop fall at their feet, as he stepped out of his underwear. As he walked to the nightstand to get a condom, he decided it was time to talk to Bella about thinking about other methods of protection.

"Sir?"

Edward turned to stare at her in surprise. Her eyes were round and wary, which proved she knew that she was breaking rules.

"Yes," he said curtly, seriously rethinking the need of the condom in his hand.

If she had some silly question, Edward was all for making Bella blow him, leaving her hanging. She had to learn how to behave, and the hard way was the best way sometimes.

"I know this is over the line, but hear me out."

Edward's jaw clenched. "Get to the point."

"You won't need that. I got on the pill last month. I wanted to tell you tonight…I wanted enough time to pass to be sure it would be effective," she rambled, her eyes watering.

Edward realized his stern face was scaring her, but he couldn't believe that she'd been a step ahead of him, anticipating his needs. That was usually his job – to anticipate her needs.

Her head dropped. "I figured, it was something you'd want, Sir," she mumbled.

Edward chucked the condom foil toward the nightstand, walking to the foot of the bed. Bella tensed up, and Edward hoped she didn't expect any corporal punishment. He had to show her how he appreciated her initiative.

"Stand up. Come here." Bella kept her head down as she walked to him, stopping right in front of him. "I'm not mad," he promised, tilting her head up. Her wet, brown eyes were proof of how vulnerable she felt. Edward stroked his thumb under her eyes, brushing away the tears. "Thank you."

She met his eyes, confusion clear in hers.

"I've wanted to talk to you about this. Being able to feel you like that…" Edward cupped a hand over her wetness. Bella moaned, clenching her thighs, trapping his hand. He played it to his advantage, pushing a finger deep inside her. Bella made to brace herself on his arm, but dropped her hand at the last second. "Good girl," he whispered, winding his arm around her waist to keep her upright.

Edward focused on fingering her slowly, until Bella sagged into his chest, whimpering.

"Remember your promise."

She squirmed, but her actions brought her more pleasure. Edward pressed his thumb to her bundle of nerves, adding another finger inside her wetness.

"Oh, God. Oh, sweet Jesus."

"Are you close?" Edward scissored his fingers inside her.

"Yessss! So close, Sir." She threw her head back, her blown pupils met his. "Please."

Edward smirked, taking his fingers out. Bella whimpered as he trailed his now slick fingers over her tummy and up between her breasts, before touching them over her lips. Bella surprised him by darting her tongue out to lick his fingers clean. Before she could suck them into her mouth, and make him forget his head, Edward grabbed her arms tightly, then he lifted her up, throwing her back on the bed. Bella landed in the middle of it, with a loud squeak.

He took a minute to admire her beauty. His eyes lingered on the scar covering her ribs, before he focused on her spread legs and her glistening sex.

He crawled up to her, settling between her legs. "Are you sure?"

Bella's brows met in the middle of her forehead, nodding slowly. She understood, he was asking that as her boyfriend, her partner. "I'm sure." She reached to cup his cheek, smiling.

Edward chose to bring her back in the correct mindset by interlacing their fingers and pushing her arms up, above her hand. He trapped them there with one hand over her wrists.

"I trust you not to move them," he said seriously.

Bella gulped, nodding. "Yes, Sir."

"And remember, you're still not allowed to come." He lifted her ass on his lap, holding her gaze as he guided his erection into her warmth. His fingers clenched on her hips at feeling her bare velvet walls around him for the first time.

Bella moaned loudly, her hands twitching, but she didn't lower them. Edward wrapped her legs around his waist, before leaning over her body. This was the moment the lines were blurring. Jasper had told him to do what felt natural and not fight it, even though, rationally, he'd do differently.

Edward kissed her, trailing his fingers up her arms, until they linked with hers. She gripped his hands, as he started moving slowly.

Edward focused on kissing down her neck, nipping at the lobe of her ear, all the while listening to Bella's escalating cries of pleasure.

Then, without warning, her legs created a vice grip around him, holding him still. Her inner muscles quivered around his dick until she became lax in his arms. It was a sheer miracle she had managed to stop herself, though, he could tell how close she was.

Edward untangled one of her legs, keeping it bent at his side, as he resumed moving slowly inside her. He kept his free hand over her wrists, holding them still, but Bella still managed to free one hand. It went into his hair, as she arched her back, crying out his name loudly.

"Touch yourself," Edward said, guiding her other hand to where they were joined.

Bella hesitated for a fraction of second, before complying. Her fingers brushed his dick, which brought him closer to his own release. When Bella's legs started shaking and her stomach muscles contracted under his exploring fingers, Edward bent over her breasts. They had been neglected so far, which was unfair. Bella's shallow breathing told him that she was losing the battle against holding her release.

He flicked at her left pebbled nipple, licking and sucking it for a moment, before rising his head and looking her in the eyes. She met his eyes, lost in her pleasure. "Come," he ordered, bending over her right nipple.

The hand still holding her leg up, gripped the skin of her thigh when her inner muscles squeezed him tightly. Edward covered her body with his, kissing her slowly, snapping his hips in short movements, contrary to how fast her fingers were working over her bundle of nerves.

"Holy shiiiit!" Bella shouted. Both her palms were on his back, before going into his hair, and her hips thrust up, almost rubbing against him.

Edward kept moving, prolonging her orgasm until Bella thrashed in his arms. Her second wave tipped him over the edge, making him groan into her throat, his hips stilling.

"Fuck," he grunted, slowly rolling onto his side, aware his weight could crush her.

Bella shivered, then curled into his side. She tangled one of her legs between his, tracing a finger over his forearm, smiling shyly at him.

Edward pulled her hair free, pushing it away from her eyes, kissing her lips slowly.

"Better?"

Bella tucked her head into his chest. "Thank you," she mumbled.

"Bella, you have to talk to me," he murmured into her hair. "I know why you wanted this, but it doesn't mean you're escaping an explanation."

"I don't wanna talk about it," she said petulantly. "Don't make me…not now."

"Not now," he agreed, stroking the back of his fingers over her back. "How about a shower now?"

"I don't think I can move just yet." A short giggle escaped her lips.

Edward laughed, pulling her closer, before slowly getting out of the bed with her in his arms.

"Did I mention I hate being carried around like a child?"

"You have to get used to it. I love having you in my arms." Edward deposited her in the bathtub.

"This is not the shower," she muttered.

"Aren't you observant today?" Edward crouched by the faucet making sure the water filling the tub wouldn't be too cold, then he added scented salts, before joining her. He sat behind her, slowly rubbing her shoulders. "How's your ass?"

"It's fine."

"Is it?"

"It doesn't hurt," she said softly.

"You'll tell me if it does," he said against the skin of her shoulder. "I don't want to mark your flawless skin."

"Flawless," Bella snorting, turning her head to meet his eyes. "Have you gone blind somehow?"

Edward traced the scar on her side. "This means you're alive…and it's beautiful, just like the rest of you."

"Please," she scoffed. She made to turn away, but Edward grabbed her chin, keeping eye-contact.

"You're beautiful, Bella." A smile spread on her lips, before she lowered in the tub, resting her back against his chest. Edward wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "This is later."

Bella sighed loudly. "I need a smoke for this conversation."

"You smoke, too?" Edward asked, amused.

"What do you mean 'too'? I didn't take you for the type to poison yourself with nicotine. I thought your poison was alcohol," she joked.

"It was meant as in…you're clearly opposite to anyone else I've ever been with." He kissed her temple. "This side of you attracted me to you in the first place – the dark eyeliner, the purple streaks in your hair, the tattoos…"

"You hadn't seen my tats on the first night," she argued, amused.

"I could tell there were tattoos." Edward tilted her head backwards to kiss her. "And now I find out that you smoke."

"Yeah, I'm full of surprises like that." Bella wrapped her fingers in his hair, returning the kiss. "After we wash, I promise we'll talk."

All good?

Without giving too much away, James won't play a big role, so don't worry too much about him.