Incognito

Chapter Twenty-Three

The walk through the hallway outside the main area for Comic-Con was as chaotic and halfway packed to capacity as the booth-filled room. Edward had as much of a hard time focusing on one thing as he had inside. Heroes and villains from every genre seemed to be everywhere. Some Marvel characters gravitated toward others from their universe, while staying away from DC—the old rivalry making itself known on the floor.

The moment Edward and Bella stood aside near a wall for a mini photoshoot for Simon's mother, a line started to form to take photos with them, too. Simon and his parents had long since left them, apologizing profusely for taking up their time.

Edward and Bella didn't mind, though, enjoying their time together.

"This is so strange," Edward murmured in Bella's ear. She shivered delightfully in his hold, his arm around her waist. "If they only knew who I was."

"Not sure if they'd be disappointed or delighted," Bella teased him, making him smile.

Edward was well aware he had a legion of haters; it didn't bother him in the least in the past. Now, he wasn't so sure. Would they take their hate out on Bella once their relationship became public? He thought she was more than strong enough, but hated that she would have to deal with it, just to be with him.

Going public would have to wait a while; he wanted to enjoy their time together before media and stans went apeshit about them.

The picture line started to dwindle an hour after setting up. Edward and Bella started to gather their things, realizing they bought too much stuff. Bella started to laugh, teasing him about all the new action figures he just had to buy. Until he reminded her of the sheer number of Pops she bought.

Seth jogged over and smiled up at Edward, holding out his hand, while Jake was still inside finishing up with a purchase. "Nice to meet you, the mysterious boyfriend I'm not allowed to know about. Let me give you two a hand."

Bella groaned. "Seth, please. I said you'd know when or if we're ever ready."

Seth rolled his eyes, leaning toward them to whisper. "Please, you think I'm not aware that it's someone famous under all the makeup." He stood back, tiptoeing to look at the work on Edward's face. "If I didn't know Paul Bettany was across the country, I'd say I was talking to him. Boss, you need to get off the blacklist because of that dick producer, because your work is too damn good not to share."

Amused, Edward shook Seth's hand. "I simply asked her to keep my identity a secret so I could enjoy my weekend here. Can I trust you as I trust her?"

Seth pursed his lips and shook his head, forming a heart with his hands. "Trust, is that what you're calling it?"

Bella hid her face against Edward's arm. "Seth, be serious. Just answer him."

Meanwhile, Edward wondered if Bella realized how much he felt for her if it was obvious to her friend. That was something they'd have to discuss soon. He wasn't the type to wait around or risk some kind of misunderstanding. He was too old for that shit.

Seth sighed dramatically, his Rocket costume exaggerating the expression even more. He swung his gun to rest on his shoulder, patted his tactical vest with a fist, and swore he wouldn't tell a soul.

If Bella trusted Seth, he was sure he could as well. "I'll give you a hint." Edward leaned closer to Seth. "Jake works for me." There was a handful of stars and politicians Jake worked for; it shouldn't take Seth too long to figure it out.

It didn't.

Seth's mouth dropped open, whispering, "Oh my fucking…" Seth froze just as Jake joined them, also laden with merchandise and a rolling cart.

"Here are your keys for the house and car, get your asses back to the beach house. We'll take your stuff upstairs." Jake dropped the keys in Edward's hand and a hotel keycard in his pocket.

"Are you sure?" Bella asked, looking at the cart with over a dozen bags as they headed to the lobby. More stuff was on the way up to the room, too. "Were you able to get a hotel room?"

Jake shook his head. "Are you kidding, at these rates? And with only three weeks' notice during Comic-Con?"

Bella laughed, flicking the keycard that either Seth or Jake had slipped from her pocket. "Since obviously, you can already get into our suite, you two can stay there. We'll be here first thing in the morning to get dressed."

"How are we sneaking me back inside the hotel tomorrow?" Edward looked around. There were too many eyes and he knew that the chances of sneaking in with just a ballcap and a jacket up around to his ears would not be enough.

"Your Winter Soldier and Loki costumes are inside the trunk of the car, along with the makeup you need for them." Seth rubbed his hands together. "Tomorrow is going to be epic. Can't wait to see the reactions you two are going to get."

"You two thought of everything," Bella said, hugging both of them, making them blush with her attention.

"Seriously, guys, thanks. We owe you one." Edward shook their hands and grabbed Bella's, ready to leave.

"One? Blasphemy, try about ten." Jake rolled his eyes before loading up the cart.

"Hey, I left condoms in the glove compartment!" Seth called out, laughing as Edward made a beeline for the front exit.

Bella had to run or else Edward would've been dragging her. He slipped the valet a hundred-dollar bill, whispering something she couldn't catch.

"Someone's in a hurry." She playfully bumped into his shoulder "I wonder why?"

Edward cleared his throat, not an ounce of shame about how desperate he was to get Bella alone. He looked down at her, pulling her close. "For hours, as we walked around the booths, I saw and experienced it all in a way I'd never been able to do. You're the reason I'm here, this freedom, that's something I don't think I can ever repay. I'm so damn thankful I met you, Bella."

Overwhelmed by his words, she settled her head on his chest, wrapping her arms around him.

"I want to show you how thankful I am." Edward's whispered words were delivered a mere centimeter from her ear, she felt the breath of them against her skin.

She nodded, unable to find any words.

Someone cleared his throat, catching their attention. The valet, a young man in his early twenties handed Edward the keys.

Edward slipped him another hundred, taking the keys and helping Bella inside the car. Once behind the wheel, he took off, determined to make the drive to the house in record time.

"What did you mean you by 'showing me'?" Bella had to ask because her mind was still stuck on what he said about meeting her.

Edwards smirked and laughed. "What am I about to say is going to earn me a permanent geek card."

"Oh, this is going to be good. Tell me."

Open and honest was the only way their relationship had a chance of surviving in Hollywood. "For the last few hours or so, I swear I heard about a hundred voices in my head."

Bella looked shocked for a moment, then started laughing hard. "Oh my God, same here! I felt like we were in some fanfiction or TV episode, and that people were yelling at their screens."

"That's exactly like it feels." Edward shook his head, smiling that they were on the same page. "One voice said, 'just do it already'."

Bella's smile was huge, warming Edward up as he merged onto the freeway. "Someone screamed in my head, 'just swing her onto your shoulder and finish her'!"

"Nice," Edward snorted, glad she wasn't making fun of him. For a few minutes, neither said a word, each of them wondering what the other was thinking.

"What do you think?" Bella asked, facing him and sliding a fingertip down his arm.

Edward swallowed hard when he saw the look in her eyes. "Think about what?"

She rolled her eyes. "About throwing me over your shoulder and finishing me?"

Edward stepping on the gas hard, was answer enough.

.

.

.

"I swear my friends are assholes," Edward grumbled as he stepped in the house. A care package awaited them, consisting of condoms, a book on Kama Sutra and body oils, courtesy of Jasper, Alec, and Dylan.

"Oh, I don't know," Bella hummed, plucking out a bottle of body oil. "I'm pretty damn good with my hands."

Edward locked the door behind them, tugging her to his chest and humming in appreciation. "I'm aware of your very good hands. Right now, though, I want something else."

She looked up at him, rubbing his still red lips. "A shower?"

He playfully protested that they had to wait to get the makeup off, but she was right. Movie makeup didn't taste very good and the skin cap he wore was itchy. "A shower then." His lips started to form into a mischievous grin as he stepped back, grabbing one of her hands and tucking his head against her side as he hoisted her on his shoulder.

Bella slapped his ass, dropping the body oil and laughing at his enthusiasm. They already had the birth control talk on the drive over, and he trusted her to forgo condoms. His people would have a heart attack for it if they knew, but he didn't give a fuck. It wasn't like he shared that kind of information with them anyway, it was between him and Bella. He wanted nothing between them, he trusted her, end of fucking story.

It didn't take long for the bathroom suite to fill with steam as they helped each other out of their costumes. Edward's hair was dark with sweat from the skin cap he wore. Bella stated they had to be careful with the costumes since they had to use them again. He headed to the bedroom to put everything away as she stepped into the shower.

When he returned, he watched as water swept over Bella's curves, her head tilted back, her hands running through her hair. He was one lucky bastard because he somehow earned the right to be with her.

Seth was right; he didn't just trust her. He was falling hard for her.

He opened the shower stall and joined her, settling his still red hands on her hips. The contrast against her lightly sun-kissed skin was vast and a part of him found it erotic. He traced shapes along her sides, watching his fingertips mark her as the makeup started to rub away onto her skin.

Bella moaned his name softly, her lashes fluttering as she finally looked into his eyes. They were a dark hunter green, the slight redness from the contact lenses he removed did nothing to diminish the desire in them.

The desire for her.

Bella's hands slid up his arms, making him groan, welcoming her touch. She shifted until he was the one under most of the shower sprays. He watched her with those incredible eyes as she worked up a lather between her hands, forgoing a washcloth. She wanted to explore him as she had dreamed about for weeks since meeting him.

A few make-out sessions and a shower together weren't enough—she wanted more.

She couldn't believe they were finally there in that moment together. No more delays; there was no reason to walk away.

No pressure, she thought.

A little voice in her head said it was a hundred times meaningful than their first kiss. They'd come a long way, deeper emotions were involved, at least for her. No, she shook her head, she knew he felt something other than lust for her. She needed to focus on the moment and not the "whys".

Bella took one of his hands in hers, slowly working to remove the makeup with some wipes she brought and then some soap and solution. She stroked each of his fingers, the makeup washing away under her touch and the water.

She felt him watching her, his shoulders tense with the restraint. He wanted to touch her, that much she could tell. She pointed to the tiled bench as she directed some of the shower sprays toward him. He sat down, holding onto her hips the moment she stepped between his thighs.

He looked up at her with desire-filled eyes and she gently washed his face. Her thumbs brushed along his jawline, his forehead and cheeks, leaving his lips for last. She traced around his mouth, memorizing the shape to the best of her ability. As if she could ever forget them.

She moaned as his hands drifted from her hips to her ass, silently telling her to give him more of her touch. Instead, she took a step back and brought him to his feet. She directed him under the largest showerhead.

Edward's control was slipping as he lifted his hands to his face to give it one last rub down, free of makeup. The moment he stopped, he looked down her. "Any chance your hand and face washing skills are good for the rest of me?"

She seemed unsure, but Edward caught the glint her eyes and the naughty tilt of her sweet mouth. "I guess there's one way to find out." She stepped closer, raising her hands and put them work.

Soft groans and grunts fell from Edward's lips, and though he felt sort of embarrassed by the sounds, he couldn't help himself. She avoided his cock but paid special attention to his chest, nipples, and thighs. Her hands were soft and gentle, pressing a little harder at certain points to drive him crazy.

"Turn around." She didn't put her hands back on him until he complied, and when she did, her touch was harder, stroking his skin along his spine, exploring the dimples she said she loved so much.

"Bella," Edward whispered, his hands using the tiled wall for support. He wanted to take his time with her, but she was making it increasingly difficult to think with anything other than his dick. He watched as her fingers rubbed down his chest, suds washing away under her palms. The image would forever be imprinted behind his eyes every time he took a shower. "Fuck me."

"Soon," she murmured, pressing her chest closer to his back. Her hands stroked him, forcing his eyes to roll back. "Let me take care of you."

Edward shook his head, trying to dispel some of the desire-riddled fog she put him in. His hand joined her and he made the mistake of looking at their fingers wrapped around his length. Curses spat from his lips, each of them working together to make him fucking crazy.

It took monumental strength to pull her hand off him, and before she could protest, he had her pushed up against the tiles. She moaned, her nails biting into his shoulders.

"My turn." He could barely manage the words, watching her as he shakily grabbed a bottle of body wash. It was only fair to turn the tables on her, to tease her as she had done to him. He hadn't missed the way she would lean up against him all day, or how she'd brush her fingers or her hips along his when she reached for some merchandise. The whole fucking day was foreplay—or hell, since they met.

The problem was Bella's patience was running out and he knew it.

His soapy, slippery hands worked her shoulders and she was glaring at him and working hard to keep it up.

"Edward, if you don't take me in the next ten seconds, I'm going to sink on my knees and…"

He covered her mouth with his, grunting and cursing her name. "This wasn't supposed to be a quick fuck."

She rolled her eyes and draped her arms over his shoulders, meeting his eyes. "Quick and hard sounds pretty fucking amazing to me. And who says it will only a quick fuck? We have all night, right?"

His hands slid down her back, cupping her ass and bringing her that much closer to his chest. He hummed and nodded and found her logic fucking sound. This wasn't a one-time thing; he had all the time in the world.

Or for however long she would have him.

"Shower off," he said loud enough for the fancy shower system to hear. It stopped in less than a second, leaving Bella shivering and him in the need to keep her warm. "Come on." He pulled her up and nearly buckled when long legs wrapped around his waist. "Fucking hell, you're so wet."

She grinned cheekily. "It's not only because of the shower." He set her on the counter, making her yelp in surprise by the cold granite.

Edward grabbed a fluffy towel and wrapped her in it, rubbing her dry. "Are you sure, Bella?" He wasn't positive where the insecurity came from, but it was there. Because she meant something more to him than anyone else. "I come with so much bullshit and baggage."

"I'm well aware of that and I don't care." She shrugged, but her brow furrowed. "I know we'll have to keep it between us for as long as possible. I can live with that."

The problem was, Edward couldn't. He knew how much that shit put pressure on a couple in Hollywood, about as much as if everyone knew. It was a bullshit situation.

"I just killed the mood, didn't I?" Edward rested his forehead on her shoulder as she worked the towel over his chest and stomach.

"Not for me," she whispered in his ear, eliciting a sweet shiver to move through him. "Showing me this side of you means you trust me."

"I do, Bella."

She smiled, a soft little one that made his heart thump hard in his chest. Like she figured something out. "It means you care a lot about me to worry about what being with you may mean for me."

"So much, Bella." He looked at up at her, swallowing hard when he caught something in her eyes. "You have no idea."

She cocked her head to one side. "I think I do." She pressed her soft lips against his, sucking on his bottom one until he stroked her tongue with his.

He was the first to pull away, only to look at her. "I'm falling so hard for you."

She muttered something he couldn't catch, but her eyes did all the talking for her.

He cupped her face and kissed her cheek, his nose sliding along hers and whispered against her lips, "I know, baby."

She whimpered, nodding. At a loss for words, she kissed him with the same softness as before, but it quickly built up into something hotter.

The intensity threatened to send Edward to his knees, his body humming with anticipation. He wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her off the counter and against his chest. She moaned, her skin erupting with tiny goosebumps.

Edward wasn't sure how, but he somehow managed to get them to fall into bed. She was beneath him and his mind seemed to check out for a bit. They rolled around in the massive bed for several minutes, each of them touching the other, whatever was within reach. Kissing, licking, and whispering promises for so much more.

She gasped as he sucked on the hollow of her throat, her thighs parted for him, his hand holding one of her knees high up his hip. A slight thrust of his cock against between her thighs had her moaning his name. He fucking loved the sound of it on her lips.

He went back for more of her mouth, loving the way she cupped his face when he kissed her. Her thumbs brushing his jaw, so intimate and seriously hot. Her body moved under his, her gorgeous legs wrapped around his calves in an attempt to pull him closer to where he wanted to be.

Deep inside her. Body and soul.

"Fuck it," he murmured against her mouth, gasping to breathe. Their eyes met and he said the one thing that blared in his head all week. "I'm going to love you for a long time, Bella."

There was something unspoken in his words, and of course, she completely understood what he wasn't saying. He barely understood it.

"I'm not going to break your heart, Edward, because I'm going to love you for just as long, too."

This time, he didn't know what to say. Maybe there was nothing else, at least at the moment. He kissed her again, loving the way she fit so damn perfectly against him. Her arms pulled him closer, her hands exploring his back in a way that made him groan for more.

He watched her as he slowly slid inside her, loving the way her breath caught, and her sigh of relief the moment his hip met hers. He cursed softly against her neck, pulling back and thrusting a little harder. Her name slipped from his lips, allowing himself a moment. It had been too long, the foreplay too damn good, and now he was on the brink.

He rested his forehead against hers and lifted his upper body and nearly fucking came at the sight of her flushed skin and her amazing breasts. Her nipples were tight, pink little things he wanted to taste with his tongue. "I'm about to embarrass myself if you keep doing that, baby," he moaned, as she tried to move under him. "Fuck, too good."

She laughed, not helping. "Keep going, Edward. Let me feel you. And trust me, there's plenty more after this."

"Yeah," he whispered and thrust harder than before, beating down the need to come. He tested his control with a swivel of his hips, grinding and making her hiss in pleasure. It was beautiful to watch and he needed to get her to do it more. With that in mind, he thrust and thrust, until her words were nothing more than incoherent mumbles, punctuated with an occasional "fuck" coming from her gorgeous mouth.

He couldn't get enough, and with that in mind, he rolled their bodies until she sat astride him, her eyes rolling closed in pleasure. His hands had the freedom he needed to touch her everywhere. They skimmed slowly up her thighs, circling her hips as she rolled them over his cock. Unable to resist, he brushed his thumb where they connected, watching her take him inside her.

"Fuck, Bella." He closed his eyes, trying not to let it end too soon. Her soft laugh made him choke out one of his own, her hips grinding down harder. His eyes snapped open to watch her hands run up his stomach and find purchase on his chest. She smiled down at him, her eyes soft and damn beautiful. "Come here, please." He wasn't above begging, because he needed her closer.

She kissed him, merely a tease of her reddened lips. She pressed deeper when he whispered her name, eliciting a harder roll of her hips. His hands rose to take hold of her beautiful face, finally getting his fingers in that satin-soft hair. She moaned as he took control of their kiss, one of his hands helping her move faster over him. She hissed as he sat up, moving her legs around her waist.

His hands roamed her body with extraordinary skill, needing to explore her. She rose slightly on her knees, deepening her strokes of his cock. His fingers tightened on her hips as he whispered between gasps all the things he wanted to do with her. "You're going to wake up in the morning with my mouth between your thighs."

She moaned.

"Would you like that, Bella?"

She nodded, unable to say anything other than his name.

He quickly laid her out before him, thrusting repeatedly until she cried out his name. His whole body thrummed with energy as he finally let go inside her. Her arms wrapped around him tightly, her fingers raking through his damp hair, whispering to him through his release.

Wrapped up in each other, they lay back on the bed, sated for the moment. Minutes passed, each of them still trying to catch their breath. They looked at each other and laughed.

"Did the voices stop for you, too?" Edward asked, brushing some of her hair from her face.

"Yes, thank God." She continued to laugh, soon humming as he brushed his lips against hers. "Now about this promise tomorrow morning, any chance I can wake up with your co—"

She didn't get a chance to finish, his lips crashing onto hers as he rolled her beneath him.