Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight. Enjoy.
The events of the weekend lingered in the back of my mind, the physical reminders in my grazed back and sore elbows, Edward's haunted gaze when we'd hold each other in bed at night. However, the chaotic final week at Forks High kept me from being totally consumed by them. Amongst the flurry of organizing graduation, I had to talk to Angela in order to start the chain of events that would see Edward and I spending Saturday night together.
On Wednesday afternoon I breathed a sigh of relief, spotting Angela's shiny brown pony tail bobbing amongst a group of students in the hall between periods. As I walked past her, I tugged on her elbow, whispering in her ear. "So, I have a few things I need to tell you about." Angela waggled her eyebrows at me, pulling me into the staff lounge by my arm.
Plonking herself on the couch, her gaze followed me as I poured her a cup of coffee. "So, I'm off to Alaska for the summer." I paused a beat. "I didn't tell you, but I entered this competition for new teachers passionate about British lit, and I actually won." I kept my tone upbeat and silently prayed she would believe this.
A giant grin spread across Angela's face. "Oh my god, Bella! That's amazing. You never hear of real people actually winning those things. Shame about the weather, though. You'll be bundled up, and I'll be in a bikini with Ben!" She winked at me.
Thank god. It's working. I internally sighed as I strolled to the couch and sat down. "Bikini and Ben? Tell me more."
"Ben and I are going to California, and would you believe...without his family!" Angela took a sip of her coffee and pushed her glasses up her nose. "Ugh, I can't wait to just be with him, like the two of us, you know? I really feel like stuff is progressing for us, like this is a real adult relationship."
"I'm really happy for you, Ange. I'm sure California will be a blast." We sat quietly, sipping our coffees. "On to my next thing...I'm wondering if I can ask a favor?"
Angela turned her face towards me, her eyes narrowing.
"I need an alibi for graduation night. My friend from Arizona will be in Port Angeles, and I'm wanting to see him that night at a hotel. He's only here for one night, and I don't really want to bring him home to Charlie." I playfully leaned into her side a little.
"And what is your friend doing in Port Angeles?" She twirled her ponytail and smirked.
"Oh, he's here for some project with work. Basically the only time we can see each other is graduation night. He's flying in and flying out." God, I hoped she was buying all of this. Alice assured me she would if I stuck to the script.
My eyes were pleading. "I'm basically telling Charlie you and I are going to PA on graduation night and then staying there. I know this is super embarrassing, and I am a twenty-four-year-old adult woman, but I really don't know how else to tell my dad I'm attending the equivalent of a booty call."
Angela laughed, scrunching up her face. "I get it. Don't worry about it. I'm actually going to Ben's that night, so we won't be in town anyway. I got you covered!"
I unhooked my arm and grabbed Angela by her shoulders. "I really appreciate this. Thank you so much."
Later that night, Edward ran his hand up and down my side as we cuddled on top of my comforter. The night air was strangely warm, meaning we didn't need Nanna Swan's blanket between us to keep me warm. My skin prickled at Edward's touch, the soft baby hairs on my arms standing on edge.
"Everything went okay with Angela?" Edward spoke into the crook of my neck.
I squirmed, tickled by his hand and cool lips. "All sorted. Alice's plan worked, both with Angela and Charlie." Rolling my body to face him, I pressed my fingertips against his lips. "Has she seen what happens when we go to Alaska? Will I be safe there? Will we be safe?"
Edward kissed my finger tips. "You will always be safe, as long as you are with me."
I clapped my hands for the graduating class as they made their way in alphabetical order across the stage. My eyes lit up when Edward's name was called. He looked ridiculously handsome in his blue cap and yellow gown. On receiving his diploma, he turned to the audience, his eyes immediately locking with mine and flashed me a knowing smile before making his way to stand next to his sister Alice.
I turned around as I clapped for the students that followed, looking for Esme and Carlisle. My eyes quickly found them, and I watched in awe as they continued to clap for the graduating class. Like Edward and his siblings, they stood out significantly compared to the parent population of Forks High. Mothers and fathers alike struggled to tear their eyes away from them. They were so ridiculously beautiful. Turning my attention back to the ceremony, I laughed as Alice's small frame bobbed up and down in her seat as Jasper and Rosalie crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, quickly filing back into their seats with their peers. An enormous wolf whistle rang through the stadium as Emmett strode across the stage, the last of the family to graduate.
How many graduations had they participated in during their very long lives? Surely this was boring by now?
Thankfully, the graduating class of 2008 did not have many last names past T, and the presentations were soon over. With the last name called, the students stood, throwing their caps into the air, cheers and laughter ringing through the air. Soon the crowd that filled the gym began making its way out to the football field for photos and congratulations. I took my cell out of my handbag, checking the time. Not too much longer before I would be heading to the Cullen household for my night with Edward. My overnight bag called to me from the front seat of my truck. Tonight was the night. Tonight I'd be taking Edward's virginity. I was going to finally have sex with the man (vampire) I loved.
The logistics of the evening were pretty straightforward. In preparation, Edward had spent the last two nights hunting with Emmett and Jasper. Carlisle and Esme would leave to go hunting shortly after the ceremony and stay in the cabin we had visited a few weeks prior. Emmett and Rosalie were off to a hotel in Seattle for the night. Alice and Jasper would remain somewhere nearby in case of an accident. Although I'd been assured that Alice had not seen any accidents, they were staying close by just in case.
Carlisle's voice cut through my thoughts, playing the part of a proud father. "Miss Swan, we're wondering if we can trouble you for a photo with Edward? You are the teacher that has had the most impact on him in his time in Forks."
Esme stood beside him, smiling broadly. She whispered close to my ear. "He's going to be very embarrassed, but we realized the other day we don't have a photo of you two yet!"
Carlisle's voice called out to Edward, who turned swiftly and walked towards us amongst the throng of people. His face turned up in a pretend scowl, his soft musical voice sang to me as he stood next to me, placing his hand on my side. "My parents are so embarrassing."
I turned to look up at him as Carlisle's camera flashed once, twice. I then turned to face them. It flashed one final time, our photo moment now over.
"Well, we better get a move on, Edward. Your mother and I are off to the cabin for the evening." Carlisle winked and looked around for the others.
Rosalie and Emmett were soon in front of us. "We're gonna head out, too. We want to get some use out of the hotel room in Seattle." Emmett's voice boomed through the space, and Rosalie rolled her eyes.
"I just want to say goodbye to Angela." I looked up at Edward, whose eyes locked with mine adoringly.
"Take your time. I'll see you soon." He patted my shoulder like a student saying thank you and disappeared with his parents and siblings into the crowd.
Making my way through the crowd, I easily spotted Angela. "Hey! I'm gonna head off now. Thank you for tonight. I mean it."
Angela laughed. "Don't worry about it. Enjoy yourself!"
The drive to the Cullen household felt long. My eyes darted constantly, looking for a familiar car or someone on the street that I knew. As predicted by Alice, the heavy rain meant it was challenging to see the road, let alone anyone else. Relief washed over me as I pulled into the driveway. I fumbled with my seatbelt, leaning over to grab my overnight bag only to turn around and see Edward opening the driver's side door.
"Hello, my love. Dinner's almost ready. You have good timing."
I laughed, taking Edward's hand and stepping out of the truck. "What's for dinner?"
"You'll see!" Edward lifted me in his arms, throwing my bag over his shoulder and walked us into the house.
"Esme really likes to cook. Sometimes, depending on where we're living and what 'role' we're playing, she volunteers at local shelters and does a lot of the cooking for members of the community who require food relief. She helped me this morning and I followed her instructions when I got home. I hope it's okay."
"Edward, it's more than okay. It's absolutely delicious," I said between bites of homemade pizza.
"Oh, and there's also wine." Edward swiftly poured a glass of red. "Carlisle has quite the collection, as he tends to receive it as gifts."
I sipped on the wine, enjoying the way it further warmed my body along with the food. "I feel a little bad, you're sitting here not eating or drinking and I'm stuffing my face with not only delicious pizza but very good wine."
Edward laughed, topping my glass up. "It's nice to do something like this, isn't it? I've seen thoughts like this before. I guess it's romantic?"
"It's very romantic, Edward. I'm having a lovely time." I leaned over and kissed Edward tenderly on the lips. "So what else do you have planned tonight?" I asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Well, I figured we can sit on the couch by the fireplace and watch a movie?" Edward ran his hands through his hair.
"Sounds good. I feel like I've been on my feet all day." I finished up my last bite and swirled the remaining red liquid in the glass. "I think that's enough for the human." I laughed and made my way to the sink. "How about I wash these up and you can go and put my stuff in your bedroom? I'll meet you in the living room."
Edward nodded and disappeared from sight. I hummed a nondescript melody as I washed my plate and glass under the warm water in the sink.
My feet padded quietly into the living room. I could only see the back of Edward's head as he lounged on the couch, his feet pointing to the open fireplace. This was the place from the picture message he had sent me. I made my way around and sidled up next to him, laying my head down on his lap.
"Hi," I murmured, looking up at him.
"Hello," he replied, leaning down to place a soft, chaste kiss on my lips.
"So what are we watching?" I asked, stretching my hands over my head, a sliver of flesh exposed at the hem of my blouse.
Edward's hand went to my stomach, tracing a circle around my belly button. I squirmed and then sighed in delight at the sensation of his cool fingertips against my warm skin.
"Right now I'm watching you. You look perfectly content. Like a cat who got the cream." He smiled and his eyes crinkled.
"Well, I've been well fed and had two glasses of wine, so I'm feeling pretty good."
My eyes followed Edward's hands as they traced the lines of my collar bone. "Your skin has the most beautiful blush at the moment. It's different from your usual blush."
His words made me blush more. "It's the wine."
Edward's hands, although still very innocent at this point, were causing that all-too familiar throb between my thighs. I shifted my legs, creating friction to dull the ache. My skin flushed, the heat creeping up my abdomen and spreading across my chest.
I moved my hand to roam against Edward's lower abdomen. I had to tilt my head back to make eye contact with him and smirked as his head sank backwards against the head of the couch. His mouth opened and closed ever so slightly.
"Edward. I think I'd like to try something."
His head snapped forward, eyes opening and bearing down into my own.
I rolled myself over, eventually making my way to sitting on my knees next to him. I leaned into the crevice of his neck. "I want to make you feel good," I whispered, placing three kisses along the veins that no longer pulsed. Edward let out a muffled groan. My hand snaked further down his abdomen to the waistband of his jeans. He was already hard. I traced the outline of his cock over the denim, a hiss escaping his lips as I applied the slightest pressure along the zip of his fly. Working my mouth along his neck and up to his jaw, my hands found the button of his jeans but too quickly for me, Edward's hands took over, furiously unzipping his fly. I sat still, watching as he lifted his hips to push the denim down to his thighs. His hand moved to the inside of his boxers and a soft "fuck" escaped his lips. I blinked and his boxers were now also down mid-thigh, his strong hand wrapped around his cock.
"If it gets to be too much, I'll need to ask you to stop." Edward's voice was strained, his hands moved to his sides, fingers pressing into the leather fabric of the sofa.
"You're gonna be fine, Edward. I trust you, and if we need to stop, we stop. I'm not going to push you further than you can go. You can trust me, too." Leaning forward, I settled onto my knees, moving side to side to get comfortable. I wrapped one hand around his erection and the other low on his thigh, my thumb moving back and forth across the denim soothingly.
Edward let out a gasp as my hand travelled up and down his length. He exposed his long throat as his head tilted back against the couch.
Lowering my head, I swept my hair over to one side, the brown waves cascading down. I opened my mouth at the tip of his cock, blowing hot air against him. A loud gulp rang through the room, and I looked up. Edward's eyes were closed, his brow furrowed and teeth exposed.
Looking up at him through my eyelashes, his expression softened as my tongue snaked out and licked the leaking slit. Salty.
We had plenty of time, I didn't have to rush this. And to be fair, I was a tad out of practice-not that Edward would know the difference between a good or bad blow job anyway.
I toyed with his cock, stroking him gently, following every second stroke with hot, wet kisses around the head.
"P-please, Bella," Edward begged.
I licked my lips and finally took him into my mouth. I hummed around him, sucking softer, then harder, listening for his cues. I sucked hard enough to hollow my cheeks, feeling my own arousal rise as pleading sounds rang from his mouth. I stopped sucking for a moment, shifting back and forth to get comfortable in preparation to take him a little deeper. I moved to the head and sucked firmly, my lips making a 'pop' as I pulled him from my mouth.
'W-what's wrong? Are you okay?" Edward's voice frantically rang through my ears.
Ignoring him, I grabbed the base firmly and opened my mouth wide, curious to see how deep I could take him.
"Oh my god," Edward moaned as I stretched my mouth around him and took him as far as I could go. I hummed around him, sucking hard and soft, working him over with my hand at the same time. I smirked internally at the sounds we made, soft suckling sounds that rang out across the room, combined with a purr erupting from Edward's chest. The noises definitely turned me on further. I squeezed my thighs together, my knees knocking.
My jaw began to ache. Needing a little break, I pulled him from my mouth, giggling at the popping sound left behind from my wet lips. I played with the head, stroking him up and down before wrapping my tongue around the red swollen tip. Deciding I wanted to try something a little different, I moved off the couch, dragging a nearby cushion with me.
"Wh-what, wh-where are you going?" Edward's eyes frantically searched mine.
"I want to try something." Positioning myself between Edward's legs, I grasped him firmly in my right hand, moving my other hand to his balls. Edward groaned. Having only read about this in erotic fiction, I had no idea if I was doing it right, but judging by Edward's sounds it must have felt good. I took my time, caressing and stroking his balls and licking up and down his length, paying particular attention to the way he groaned each time I lay my tongue flat against the underside of the shaft and tugged gently with my left hand.
Edward's head lolled to the side on the couch, his hand gripping onto a nearby cushion. "Oh, love, that feels so … ohhhhh!" He was panting now. "I think I'm gonna come soon," he keened.
He thrust up into my hand, and I took him in my mouth again. I set a slow rhythm, with the slightest hint of teeth when I made my way back up to the head. I could feel him pulsing in my mouth. I swirled my tongue slowly, hollowing my cheeks fiercely and then he was coming, swollen and throbbing into my mouth. His eyes locked with mine as I swallowed him. His mouth opened as if to speak, but nothing came out as his hand came up to cradle my face.
After a couple of beats, his coherency returned. "You're so beautiful. I love you."
Edward reclined lazily on the couch. His jeans were still undone, his torso exposed, hands running through his hair.
"Now, surely that was more satisfying than iced tea on the porch?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow.
Edward's arms reached out towards me and I fell into them, smiling widely as he peppered my face with kisses, his hand moving to rub circles on my behind. "Come on, I think I should take you upstairs."
Edward and I held hands as we made our way up the stairs to his room. On opening the door, I was surprised to see an item of furniture that was not there during my last visit.
A large king-sized bed now sat squarely in the middle of Edward's room. Covered in a rust-colored duvet, four large pillows in assorted autumnal colors lay against the headboard. I looked fondly at the dark emerald heavy blanket that lay on the foot of the bed.
Noticing what had caught my attention, Edward softly spoke. "I thought the blanket would be good if you ever got cold. We can always bring it to the couch or to other areas of the house."
"So when did this arrive?" I asked, gesturing to the bed and sitting down.
Edward walked towards me, standing between my feet. "I've had it for a few weeks now. I wanted it here for the first time you stayed over. I couldn't have you sleep on the chaise." Edward looked at his feet as he spoke, almost embarrassed. "It's not really my bed, I'd like to think of it as ours..." he trailed off.
"Our bed." I smiled and pulled him down towards me. "I really like the sound of that."
"I'm really nervous about this, Bella." Edward sat next to me, his hands toying with the tassel on the blanket.
"I'm nervous too, sweetheart. But it's going to be okay." I believed we could do this. That Edward could do this. There was no turning back now. This moment would solidify us.
"I don't think I can be on top. I think it'll be too much." Edward's words tumbled out of his mouth. He threw himself backwards onto the bed, covering his face with his hands. "I wasn't supposed to say that out loud."
I crawled towards him, climbing on top of him and laying my head on his chest. His hands came up to run through my hair. "I never had any plans for you to be on top," I murmured into his shirt. The breaths Edward had been taking, causing his chest to rise and fall, came to a sudden halt, his chest now completely still. His hands moved to my sides, eventually making their way to my ass. I sat up and looked down at him, his hands still caressing my behind. Deciding to be a little brave, I began unbuttoning my blouse, watching as Edward's eyes followed my hands as I undid each button one by one.
His hands reached out to mine as I got to the last few buttons. Edward sat up. "Can I do the rest?" I nodded, watching as his fingers gently brushed mine away.
Once the last button was undone, Edward pulled out the fabric of my blouse that had been tucked into my skirt. I shrugged my shoulders back and shivered as the cool air hit my skin.
"You're so beautiful, Bella. So beautiful." His fingertips grazed across my breasts.
My chest heaved at his touch. I looked down at the flesh below my neck: blood pooled to the surface, an intricate pattern emerging across the creamy white skin. Leaning toward him, my breasts spilled forward into Edward's finger tips. I moved my hands from my sides to join his, guiding them to the front clasp of my bra. The snap of the clasp rang through the room, as he helped me remove my bra, all while still ogling my breasts, wide eyed, his mouth slightly agape.
"I want you to put your mouth on them, please." I rocked my hips, pushing my chest into his face. My clit throbbed, the seam of my pantyhose rubbed against it, creating a deliciously painful friction.
Edward nodded, reaching his hand out to cup my right breast, his thumb caressing my nipple. A sigh escaped his mouth as he leaned forward and took the rosy pink nub between his lips, kissing softly at first, and then firmer, his mouth smacking against me.
I watched Edward's expression as both hands worked over my breasts, his mouth still focused on my right nipple. Heat surged through me. I shifted my torso, gesturing that I wanted attention on the other side and he groaned, his eyes rolling into the back of his head before removing his mouth and placing it onto the creamy skin begging to be touched.
"I didn't think it could be like this. It's just so consuming." Edward's mouth made a popping sound as he removed it from my breast, his hands coming up to palm them both gently. He slowly placed his head between them, breathing in, kissing my sternum and then rolling my nipples between his thumbs. "You feel so good in my hands. You were made for me," he crooned.
I rocked against him harder, my skin flushed and my head fuzzy. I sucked in loud breaths in an effort to remember to breathe. I wanted to come; I couldn't wait until he was inside me.
"I need to lay down, I need your fingers inside me. I need to come," I babbled.
Edward flipped me over onto the bed instantly, his hands shot up my skirt and before I could warn him about my hose, he'd ripped a hole in the crotch. "Oops." Embarrassment flooded his face, his eyes scrunched up and lips pursed. All I could do was laugh.
"I'm so sorry. I'll buy you a new pair." His long fingers stroked the front of my underwear, silencing me. The pads of his fingertips pressed, in search of my clit.
"You're close. Right there. Left." I ground out, frustrated.
Finally he found the swollen nub, rubbing tiny circles as I raised my hips to create more friction. I reached out and grabbed the back of his head, pulling on the bronze locks. Edward let out a little groan and then moved his face back to my breasts, his mouth locking on to my right nipple as his free hand worked my left.
"Is that good?" Edward asked as his fingers began to pump inside me. I rocked against him trying to match the rhythm of his hand.
"Yes, keep going," I said, blowing the stray pieces of hair out of my face and looking down at him as his mouth lavished attention on my breasts. His mouth was so cold, yet my insides felt like they were on fire.
"Keep doing that," I demanded. My whole body pulsed. I sucked in short breaths, my heart thudded against my rib cage. I felt as if I would burst: so tightly wound, so wet. The juncture between my thighs throbbed to the point of almost being painful. I had to come soon, had to feel some kind of release.
"Harder, please," I begged, bucking my hips against his hand. "Please, more, Edward." I pulled on his hair, wanting his mouth on my own, "C'mere."
Edward lifted his head and moved further up my body, his hand still working between my thighs. He slipped a third finger inside me and I mewled; it was exactly what I needed.
Our mouths hovered over each other. "Kiss me, please," I begged again. I crashed my mouth into his and continued feverishly rocking against his hand.
"Ungh. I'm coming. I'm coming." My face scrunched up and my vision turned to static. The lines of my forehead creased and then relaxed, my ears ringing as heat surged through me.
Edward's hand slowed, he stroked me gently, his cold hand dulling the heat of my slick folds. "God, you smell so good. I can't even describe it," he murmured against my mouth.
I pressed my mouth against his sweetly in a kiss. "I can't wait to feel you inside me, Edward." He sighed against my mouth. "I think the rest of my clothes need to come off, and yours do too...What do you think?"
Edward nodded, and moved to sit upright against the pillows of the bed. He took my hand and pulled me up with him, his other slowly working through the buttons of his shirt. Sitting upright I snaked my hand behind my back and unzipped my skirt. Moving to the edge of the bed, I sat with my back facing Edward and stood up shimmying out of the black fabric, watching the garment fall past my calves into a pool around my feet. Sitting back on the bed, I rolled my hose down, laughing at the gaping hole in the crotch, tossing them where my skirt lay. Finally, I slinked off my underwear, looking over my shoulder to see Edward doing the same thing on the opposite side of the bed. I turned around and lifted the duvet up, crawling quickly inside the sheets. I sank back into the pillows, the linen of the cover soft against my cheek, the smell of expensive laundry detergent lingered.
"Hi." Edward's hand ran through my hair.
I took his hand and used his fingers to caress my lips. "Hi," I murmured through them. Removing his hand, I leaned forward and kissed him chastely.
Running my hand down Edward's chest, I smirked at the hiss that escaped his mouth when my hand found his cock, hard and flush against his abdomen. Not wrapping my hand around it straight away, my fingers dawdled in his soft pubic hair before moving lower to stroke the smooth flesh of his balls.
"If you keep doing that, I won't last a moment inside you," Edward said through gritted teeth.
I rolled my eyes. "Edward, you have zero faith in yourself. You're going to be fine."
His hands came to my shoulders and his thumbs caressed the flesh. A shiver ran down my spine at his touch.
"Kiss me, Edward."
Edward moved his mouth to mine, and I sighed into him. My hands moving between us, my body shifting even closer to his under the warmth of the heavy blanket. Taking his length into my hand, I pressed it against the throbbing wet flesh between my thighs, spreading my wetness around. I couldn't stall this much longer, as truth be told, I didn't know how long either of us would last. Letting go of him briefly I hitched my leg over his waist and moved to straddle him. His hands came up to run up and down my chest, stopping to squeeze my breasts with each pass. I rubbed myself against him.
Edward hissed as I took him in my hand, pressing him against my heated core. His hips bucked, and I slid down on him, his hands snapping to the cotton sheets beside him, nails digging into the mattress. We were doing this. I was taking Edward's virginity.
Edward's face scrunched up and then relaxed as I moved over him. With him completely inside me, I rocked back and forth, adjusting to the fullness. Leaning forward, I placed my hands over his, urging him to relax and let our fingers intertwine. "Is it too much?" I asked.
Edward responded by placing both our hands on my hips and lifting me, the head of his cock playing at my entrance. He lowered me then, inch by inch and my mouth fell open as I took him in, relishing every ridge and curve.
Edward gasped as he filled me to the hilt. "I don't think I'll last long."
"We have all night, Edward," I murmured, rolling my hips forward. Trying to keep my movements gentle, I rocked back and forth, rubbing my thumbs along the top of Edward's hands resting on my hips. Wanting to experiment a little, I added a little more weight behind the rhythmic motion of my hips, sighing into the purrs escaping Edward's lips, the pads of his fingertips pressing harder into my skin.
"More, you can do more." Edward's voice was quiet, barely above a whisper.
Taking his hand from my hip and placing it where our bodies met, Edward let out a guttural sound as I shifted his thumb to caress my throbbing clit. Whimpering at the feeling of his cool flesh against the swollen skin, I rocked harder, clenching myself around him.
"P-press there, r-right there." I begged, my movements now becoming more frantic. Edward's thumb created the most delicious pressure, coupled with the way he pulsed inside me. He was getting close, he wouldn't last much longer. I was almost there as well, right on the edge.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck," Edward hissed as he convulsed under me, his face scrunched and his head moving back and forth against the sheet as he rode out his orgasm.
I took his hand and squeezed my breast. "I'm not done yet," I squeaked. "Keep touching me here."
Edward's eyes snapped open as I placed my hand over his and showed him just how hard I wanted him to press against my clit.
"'I'm so close." I laughed as I bounced on him, my thighs aching, the familiar feeling building inside, so close, so very close. Sweat trickled between my breasts, and Edward's hand reached to spread the moisture over my skin. The nail of his thumb scraped against my nipple and I was done for, my hips bucked into his hand and I was coming. I squinted my eyes, noises escaping my mouth and my skull feeling like it would split in half. Edward's arms reached out to cushion me as I collapsed onto his chest.
"Jesus Christ, you're beautiful," he murmured, his lips feathering my sweaty forehead.
I laughed into his neck. "I'm pretty sure I just looked like a woman possessed, Edward."
"You're mine, and that's all that matters." He kissed my forehead again.
"Forever?" I asked, turning to face him.
"For as long as you'll have me, Bella, whether you're human or not." He murmured, stroking my face.
Human or not. I lifted my hands above my head and stretched. A decision I still hadn't come to yet.
"I'm not ready to decide yet...I hope that's okay, that I'm still thinking about it?"
Edward's hand stopped to cup my chin. "Bella, I don't want you to rush into this. I want this decision to be yours. No one else's, only yours."
As always, a massive thank you to my beta team who worked through this chapter with me very early on. Any mistakes in this published version are my own!