Hello everyone,
I am not going to bore you with a long author's note. I want to thank CoppertopJ and Sassynoles for helping me with corrections and talking me through some of the following chapters.
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Edward watched the light disappear from Isabella's face, and he felt like an asshole. Clearing his throat, he passed out the next hand. "Okay. This is for all the glory. Will it be horseback riding or my kiss? And I want tongue too … no little pecks."
His statement did the trick taking Bella's mind off of her mother. She smiled softly at the thought. "Wouldn't that be cheating?"
"Oh, yeah. I don't do cheating," he stated, passing out the next hand. "I expect a lot of tongue."
"Just get ready to pick me out a horse," Bella told him as she sorted the hand. Spying the deuces in her hand, her excitement grew. "I think I got this one in the bag."
True enough, when they revealed their hands, Bella won the round. She did another funny little jig on the bed, once again showing him her tongue. "When will I get to ride?"
"Tomorrow morning," Edward grumbled, his gaze dropping to her breasts as she continued to dance. Not quite ready to let go of the idea of getting his kiss, he held the cards back up. "I demand a rematch."
"Well, that's not fair. If I win again, what will I get?" Bella's brow wrinkled as she studied him. She wasn't opposed to giving him another chance, but she wasn't going to be short-changed either.
"Name it," Edward stated as he dealt. "Within reason."
"Ummm. I want your shirt." Bella stated boldly, with a flash of a smile. "This next game, if I win, I want your shirt. The clothing instead of questions."
"You are playing with fire, woman," he stated, tracing her features before sliding down to her breasts. "If you wanna see me naked again, we don't need a card game for it."
"Just deal." Bella laughed at the wicked glint in his eyes. Her skin prickled everywhere his eyes touched.
Obediently, Edward dealt the hand. Mumbling beneath his breath when he lost the next hand. Dropping the cards on the bed, he played with the buttons on his shirt as she instructed him to remove it. With an arrogant tilt to his head, his hands fell away. "If you want it off, come take it off."
The air around them turned thick, snapping and popping as Edward pinned her with a dare. Obviously, Bella couldn't back down from the challenge, and she slowly moved forward. Their eyes locked as she landed on her feet and came to stand before him.
Electricity popped from Edward's gaze to hers as Bella hesitantly reached for the buttons on his shirt. He felt this burning start in his gut and then unfurl throughout his body, his jaw clenching, nostrils flaring as her scent wrapped around him. He focused on the pulse beating steadily in her neck, and the desire to bite the tender chords became overpowering.
With every button she pushed through the holes, his blood thickened, and a low snarl started to build. To keep from reaching for her, his fingers curled against his thighs, his gaze exploring her enticing curves.
Bella ate up every sliver of skin that became visible. She had this persistent urge to lean forward and sample the hard muscle. Mesmerized by his form, she let a fingertip slide along his shoulder as she pushed the cotton aside.
"Woman," Edward warned, his thighs parting to admit her trim hips into the center. "You are treading in dangerous territory."
"Am I?" Bella knew she was dangling the mouse in front of the cat, yet the look on his face compelled her. Staring at the tiny specks of silver glowing in his eyes, she whispered, "Everything about you is dangerous."
"If you don't step away right now, I won't be responsible for my actions." Edward teetered right on the edge of sanity, and as his shirt fell from his arms, he'd started to tip right over the fucking edge. He was just about to reach for her when she did the wisest thing she could've and inched backward.
Breaking away from the temptation of Edward Cullen was the hardest thing Bella ever had to do. With a dry mouth and throat, she resumed her place in the center of the bed. With her hands on her knees, she mapped the lines of his chest. A tremor edged her voice as she motioned to the cards. "Deal."
When Edward won the hand they played, his irises twinged with fire as they lowered to her breasts. "Shirt. Take the fucking shirt off."
Bella played with the hem of her shirt, grinning when Edward glowered at her. Ever so slowly, she lifted the material, revealing the smooth, creamy skin of her belly. "More?"
"Take it off," Edward sat back in his chair, his legs sprawled before him, rocking a hard-on that left him breathless. "Show me your tits."
Bella did a sexy dance as she lifted the shirt over her head. She was tempted to have him remove it as he'd done to her, yet that would be poking the bear. Tossing the shirt away, she whispered, "these?"
"Oh yes," Edward groaned, unable to look away from her puckered tips. "Yes, those."
After three more rounds of five-card stud, they both sat naked with the exception of her panties and boxers. Edward's greedy stare never wavered from the cherries on full display and decided to end this recklessness that was spiraling out of control; he grabbed the cards and stacked them neatly to the side.
"We had enough fun for the night." Leaning down, he grabbed his shirt and pants and flung them over his shoulder. "Go to sleep. Your thighs are going to be killing you tomorrow."
"Huh?" Bella was caught off guard as Edward gathered his things to leave. She let her gaze skate over his naked flesh, wanting to touch him so fucking bad. Knowing she was flirting with danger, she whispered, "What about your kiss?"
Immediately, Edward's attention went to her perfectly bowed lips, and the saliva on his tongue went dry. Temptation had him leaning over the bed, his mouth centimeters away from reaching their goal when he stopped. Feeling intoxicated by the prospect of sampling the soft petals, Edward stared hard into her eyes.
He wanted to take the bounty she offered, discover the warm silken flesh of her tongue, yet with his breath sifting over her bottom lip; he went still. Feeling drugged and as if he were watching himself, Edward pulled back. "No."
Bella was in complete shock when Edward pulled back. Intently they watched one another, and Bella's mouth fell open in disbelief. After nearly three hours of harassing her about a kiss, he was refusing her. Had he been toying with her this entire time? Perhaps he'd never wanted actually to kiss her, just tease her into wanting him. "You are such a dick."
This time Edward didn't hide his smile as he chuckled. He ducked when Bella picked up the book on her nightstand and threw it at him. Even further amused by her tantrum, he let loose a throaty laugh. When she picked up the second book, his stern expression returned. "Throw that one, and I will paddle your ass."
Choosing to take his comment as a dare, Bella glared at him as she let the object fly. She flinched when it bounced off his chest. When he whipped his head up to face her, Bella moved away but not before he caught her ankle.
With one easy tug, Edward pulled Bella across the bed, his arm wrapping around her waist. Ever mindful of the soft skin of her belly, his fingers caressed the smooth flesh as he tugged her back against him. His firm grip slid around to cup her buttocks, his fingers biting into the globe. "What the hell is your problem? Or do you fancy an ass whipping, Isabella?"
Bella sputtered and spit as his hold on her tightened, preventing her from wiggling free, his hard body bracketing hers. "You shouldn't toy with people …"
His lips settled over her ear, his breath turning shallow and his eyes falling closed as he absorbed the pleasure she created. "Isabella, I'm not toying with you. The day I kiss you, and I will … it won't be because I won a poker game."
Bella went still in his arms as his chest brushed the naked flesh of her back. Pleasure rippled in thick waves as his breath swirled in her ear, and her spine arched, seeking his presence. When he hissed as her hips bumped into his hard cock, the fight in Bella deflated.
One firm hand held her hip to keep her from moving, while the other rested just below her breasts. A need hammered through Bella so strong, she felt as if she were drowning. He completely covered her from behind, his harsh breath rasping in her ear, and she'd never felt so desirable as a woman.
Edward was fighting for control. He just wanted to rock his hips into her ass until she found her rapture. His hand left her hip when she melted, her stance turning soft, and a low moan erupted from her throat. Brushing the hair from her face, he whispered next to her ear, "Is this beautiful hair natural? Give me something to think about."
"Doesn't seem fair," she murmured back, hypnotized by his essence. "Why should I?"
Unable to help himself, he kissed the spot behind her ear, his breath coming in short, shallow puffs. "Is she bare? God, tell me she's bare."
"Fuck," Bella cursed as his hand slipped around her throat, his fingers squeezing lightly with no real threat. "I-I … she is."
"Holy shit," Edward gulped, groaning at the thought. "I have to go … I have to go before I do something fucking stupid." Pressing a kiss to her temple, he groaned as his eyes closed briefly. "Meet me in the stables in the morning."
That's the last thing Bella heard, and suddenly Edward was gone, her door banging shut as he hurried from the room. Bella fell face-first onto the bed.
What the fuck had just happened? She lay there forever, trying to sort out Edward's reaction. Slowly, a soft smile pulled at her lips, and she turned, pillowing her head on her folded arms.
Yes—if Edward had given in and kissed her, his desire would have been evident. The fact that he hadn't, however, spoke louder. He'd practically promised her a kiss, and not because of their card game. Had she penetrated the king of the Midwest's rough exterior?
As the thought circled her mind, she rolled over to stare at the ceiling. Even while her body was on fire from head to toe and seriously unsatisfied, she'd never felt as satisfied as she did now.
Edward fucking Cullen. Who would've thought?
Edward stomped into his room like a raging bull. His hands shoved hard in his hair as he battled his baser urges. With every cell roaring to life, he just barely reined in the demon, screaming to be heard.
He wanted her. He fucking wanted her more than … as the thought tickled his mind, his gaze landed on the photo next to his bed. Chewing his cheek, Edward slowly wandered to the nightstand. Sorrow welled in his chest, and he picked up the picture. And the truth hit him like a ton of bricks. He wanted Isabella Swam more than he ever had wanted Irene.
"Shit."
As this knowledge became more apparent, sadness crept in. He'd never felt so free and trapped at the same time in his life. As much as he wanted to move past his relationship with Irene, he felt utterly helpless to. Slowly, he placed the photo on the stand, yet instead of it facing the bed, he turned it upside down.
He didn't know what the hell to do, but one thing was for sure … Charlie and the mayor could go fuck themselves because they weren't getting Isabella back … and he didn't give a shit how much money they had.
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