A/N To the ladies of The Lemonade Stand: thank you so much for adding this story to the weekly reading list!

To everyone who reviewed: big thanks you!

And maniacalmuse has my heart, she makes my writing look so pretty!

Twilight is not mine, this plot is.

Chapter 12 : Advanced Adoration

My heart was hammering as I went over our time together in my head, searching for instances where I might have gone too far, finding none. All the things we'd done that could mean things were a little more than casual, he'd initiated. I wondered if maybe that was it: that I wasn't showing him how much I liked him, that I hadn't given him enough affection.

I sighed deeply and walked over to where he was sitting, still cradling his head in his hands, his eyes glued to the hardwood floor.

"I want you to know that this is more to me than just sex," he started, and a weight lifted off my chest; I was able to breathe again. "I know we kind of started things the unconventional way, but I like you, Isabella. I've wanted more from you since the second we first kissed." His voice was soft, uncertain even. He still hadn't looked me in the eye. "So," he went on as I waited silently, "I'm sorry if that wasn't what you were in for. If you just want us to be physical, I might have to let you down on that one. I can't do that with you, I like you too much." He shook his head as I went to sit down next to him, resting my head against his shoulder. "I feel like I already screwed that up anyway, by holding your hand like a lunatic and constantly thinking about you…" he trailed off.

I decided to chip in and relieve him of his misery. "Edward, to be honest I thought you were going to tell me to fuck off. You have no idea how glad I am that you feel the same way I do," I whispered to him, my heart doing a happy dance, cheering Edward on.

"Really?" His head shot up, his eyes hopeful, and I nodded.

"I've been afraid to tell you, since this was only our third date, but I enjoyed every minute of it and I really, really like you. So much."

Edward leaned his head against mine and we just sat there for several minutes, in silence and with our heads together. It felt wonderfully comfortable, and my mind was finally at ease.

He did like me. He did want more.

"Then we'll have to give this a real chance, see how it goes," Edward started, "we need to do more, get to know each other." I smirked at him and let my hand slip under his shirt, touching the bare skin of his back. "Out of the bedroom, baby." I pouted at his words.

Was he for real?

"Please, Edward?" I tried my best to look cute and undeniable, batting my lashes at him.

Edward laughed at my desperate attempt at seduction and took off his jacket, draping it over the back of the couch. He grabbed my face in his hands, kissing me hard before trailing kisses all over my neck.

Did I win?

"Since we go back to work tomorrow, I hope you won't be too busy to remember me, Enchantress," he murmured against my collarbone, shifting the V-neck of my shirt aside so he could reach my cleavage better. I squirmed against his mouth, tugging his hair so he'd kiss my lips again instead. How could I ever forget him? Edward responded quickly to my unspoken request and kissed me, a soft and gentle, yet sexy kiss. I was getting so into it I was about to straddle his hips on the couch, when instead he pulled away with a big grin on his face. I groaned, the man was a master of blocking his own cock.

He pushed me down onto the cushions, hovering over me and trailing his hands all over my body in slow and tortuous strokes.

"Edward, fuck this torture of yours. I want you," I panted. His eyes shot up to mine, a devilish smile on his face.

"Oh, come on," I whined and tugged at the button on his jeans, but it was ineffective.

"Tsk, Isabella," he sighed, "you're not making this any easier, you know."

I bit my lip, feeling insecure. I wasn't sure what to do now, since Edward had just admitted that he liked me. People who liked each other wanted to tear each other's clothes off, right?

"Don't you want me?" I asked, my voice almost shaky. The way he was looking at me made me feel guilty. Guilty for not being able to understand what this meant, what we meant, and for trying to make him see that I liked him by getting into his pants. It was the best way I could think of to show him, though.

Pathetic.

Edward's gaze went from tender to tormented, grasping my face between his hands and forcing me to look into his eyes.

"Baby, I want you, badly, but we have to put the brakes on this for a little bit. I have to do this right, I can't have you thinking I just want you around for a quick fuck. I want to give you everything: the awkward meeting of my family, sneaking kisses around them and then showing you just how much I've wanted you once I get you alone. You have to be angry with me sometimes—because trust me I'm far from perfect—just so we can make up again. Isabella, I want everything you'll give me, all of you. No shortcuts." He smiled at me in a way he hadn't before. I couldn't decipher it right away, but I figured mine mirrored his perfectly. Then it hit me: he really wanted this to be a relationship. All the things they entail, the good and bad. This man had me wrapped around his finger without any effort. I had to push through all my issues, not be scared anymore of developing real feelings. It would take me some time, but Edward was worth opening up my heart for.

Alice was right, there was no perfect time for your heart to succumb to that one person. When you know, you know.

"Meet my friends?" I asked, nuzzling his palm with my cheek. His grip softened as his smile widened.

"Really?" He looked so cute, surprised by my question.

"They are my family, I need to introduce you. They will lo— like you as much as I do."

He laughed and it echoed through my living room.

"I doubt you want them to like me as much as you do, baby. That could get really weird, really fast." He licked his bottom lip as his eyes zeroed in on mine.

I rolled my eyes at him. He was so serious before and now he was just playing around.

"Kiss me, please. And you'll meet them this Saturday. I'll let Alice know she has a little get-together to plan. She'll be thrilled." I claimed his lips before he even had time to answer me.

He kissed me back without hesitation, his lips moving so perfectly with mine I wondered what I was doing kissing other men and thinking it felt good at that time. This was as good as it ever would get, I was sure of it.

"Fuck," he groaned when he realized my attempt at seducing him was quite successful.

Edward pushed me down on the couch, my head hitting the armrest in doing so. I yelped, more out of surprise than out of pain, his legs straddling either side of my body as he leaned in on me. His lips were busy, setting my body on fire as his hands bunched up my shirt, exposing my cream-colored lace bra.

"Damn," Edward gritted trough his teeth, a finger brushing my hardened nipple underneath the delicate fabric. I writhed at his touch, wanting more. I had to let him lead, though, since clearly it meant a lot to him that he could show me exactly how slow this needed to go.

Because of what he told me, I was expecting him to pull away soon and press a goodbye-kiss to my lips. It would leave me frustrated as hell, in need of a cold shower, but I didn't really care if that was what he wanted.

Instead, his hands flew to the fly of my pants and he unbuttoned them while looking into my eyes.

"I thought—" he cut me of by yanking the fabric down my thighs with such force I was astonished it didn't rip. If this was his way of slowing down, I low-key loved it.

"Don't think, Isabella," Edward whispered and pressed a kiss above the lacy trim of my panties. I was suddenly glad I decided to match my undergarments today — call it wishful thinking. Not that I could think even if I wanted to, because right now Edward's head was between my legs, looking up at me with that fucking grin on his face. Like he knew what it took to make me swoon over him even more, cocky fucking bastard.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, was all my brain could come up with as the sex-kitten took over. Edward had successfully removed my panties without me even realizing it. He clutched one of my legs and threw it onto his shoulder before flicking my clit with his tongue. I let my head fall back, groaning out loud at his teasing.

"What's wrong, baby, do I have to stop?" He grinned, and I felt his hot breath all over my center.

"Don't you dare stop now," I said aggressively, arching my back to try and get his face closer again. His fingers curled around my thigh, pressing into the flesh when he moaned against my pussy, his tongue exploring. I thought his kisses were better than anything else before but took it back right then and there as he sucked, nibbled and licked me into a moaning, sweaty mess.

"Oh, fuck," I breathed heavily. My heart was pounding out of control, my teeth attacking my bottom lip, preventing me from screaming so loud my neighbors might call the cops. I gripped the throw-pillow behind me tightly, needing to hold on to something because he was just that good. The way Edward seemed to already know my body so well was astonishing to me. He must have paid so much attention during our first time, he got my cues and noises perfectly. My body responded to his skillful mouth, my thigh and abdominal muscles clenching as my entire form trembled with pleasure. Edward seemed to like the power he had over me. I looked down at him and I swear the man winked at me when his teeth nipped on my clit. It left me moaning so loud, I was almost embarrassed.

"I can't believe it took me this long to taste your pussy," he groaned, and my eyes rolled back when he pushed two fingers inside me. He curled them upwards to hit my sweet spot, causing me to grip his hair instead of the pillow.

I agreed with a few nods, urging him to keep going but unable to form coherent sentences. The tingles had turned into fire, the anticipation of my release making me impatient.

Edward slowed his pace as if he knew he almost had me over the edge, lazily circling his tongue around my clit. I arched my back once more, trying to get as much friction possible, grinding against him.

Edward Cullen, you fucking tease.

"Come on, I'm so close," I huffed, eyes closed as I tightened my legs around his shoulders.

"Ask nicely," he murmured, thrusting his fingers inside me again to vex me.

"Ugh, please, Edward. I need to come, you're driving me crazy." I squirmed and palmed my breast through my bra, though my touch did nothing compared to his.

"That's a good girl." I could hear the smile in his tone and then his mouth was on my pussy again, the fire in me building up rapidly, stronger than before.

My legs spasmed and my walls convulsed around his fingers as he bit me lightly. I let out an animalistic growl along with some 'fucks' when I came harder than our first time together. This man will kill me.

"Fuck," I breathed as he got out of the vice-grip my legs had around him and sat up, cracking his neck with a cocky smile on his face.

"I told you I didn't want you to forget about me, right?" He leaned over me, kissed my cheek and scooped up my panties to throw them my way. I sat up straight, a sheen of sweat covering my body, my hair all over the place.

"Yeah, I couldn't forget you even if I tried." I shook my head at Edward, letting my eyes wander to the front of his jeans. Clearly, he was one of those men who got hard just from going down. Great, I smirked. He caught me ogling and tilted my chin up, pressing a kiss onto my lips. I could taste myself on him, and I didn't care.

"I have to go now, baby," he whispered against my lips. I pouted but got up to wiggle into my undies, hoping he'd change his mind.

"Don't look at me like that. Have an early night, relax." He grabbed my hand, tugging me along to my front door. My legs were wobbly; I hadn't fully recovered from my climax, it seemed.

"Oh, I'm relaxed, trust me," I purred at Edward, handing him his jacket before he shrugged it on. "When can I see you again?" I asked him, playing with the silver buttons on his lapel and dreading that I had to go back to the real world. His hands trailed down my back to rest on my barely-covered ass.

"I'll see you Saturday. I can't wait to meet your family,although new people tend to scare me." He laughed and tugged his hair nervously. I pictured Alice assaulting him with lots of questions and Rose giving him the fifth degree, but he should be fine since his intentions were far better than anyone else's before. It would be a first, to let a guy I was seeing meet my friends so early on.

"It'll be fine, trust me. They'll love you," I said, looking up at his handsome face.

"I love hanging out with you. Today was amazing." He hesitated a little in his sentence, but I pretended not to have heard the almost heart-shattering 'I love you' in my head. It was definitely too soon for anything like that to be said out loud.

"You could say that…" I winked at him and kissed him again as he stood outside my door, ready to leave.

He lingered against my lips, kissing me sweetly before squeezing my hand and walking away toward the elevator.

"I'll miss you, baby," he said just before the doors closed.

I was happy to see no one in the hallway as I stood there in my crumpled T-shirt and lace underpants, a totally Edward-obsessed mess, staring at the closed elevator doors

After I watched Edward's car pull out of the parking lot from my bedroom window, I hopped into the shower and changed into a pair of soft, plaid pajama shorts and a tank top. I flopped down on my bed with the notes I'd made for Jane's book, trying to focus and type it all neatly in a Word document on my laptop. After about half an hour, I was done with that and put the file away in my work bag along with a new notebook and a few pens.

My phone chimed and I checked my messages like a ninja.

Warrior: Just got home, already miss you…

I know the feeling, my apartment smells like you. I kinda like it.

Warrior: Get used to it then. I plan to visit a lot.

I smiled at his sweet reply.

You better :-) I'm going to watch some TV and crash, you?

Warrior: I need to catch up on some comics and then go to bed as well. Need my sleep, or the gym and Emmett are going to kick my ass.

Your glorious ass doesn't need kicking. Go read, I'll be thinking of you, xo

I threw my phone onto the couch as I walked by, heading to the kitchen to make myself a ginger-lemon tea and finish the rest of the carrots I started eating earlier. Even after all the cake, I suddenly felt a little hungry. There wasn't anything really capturing my attention on TV, so I decided to stream a Netflix movie instead.

At about eleven, it was time to turn in, my new promotion leaving me a little anxious. Luckily, I had Edward around today to take my mind off it. I sent him a quick 'goodnight' text, which he answered with a cute 'I wish you were here' and a kiss emoji. Today was good, we were on the same page. Edward telling me he wanted everything I was willing to give him put a smile on my face before my head hit the pillow and I drifted off to sleep.

A/N To the ladies freaking out: that wasn't so bad, was it? ;)

Rec of the day: A Dirty Lion by Fyrebyrd. It is SO good.

Until next time, *big kiss*

You can find me on Facebook (PearlyFox Fanfic): I usually post teasers but I forgot this time *sorry*