19

The Hermit

True to his word, Edward strives to make every date night special despite Bella insisting that he doesn't have to put in such an effort. Date night or not, Edward always makes her feel loved and cherished. For her, just being around him is more than enough.

They've been on four dates and are having a chill night because Edward is off tomorrow and also because Bella's been so happy time has managed to slip away.

Christmas is quickly approaching, and she hasn't done much to prepare.

The night finds them sitting side by side on the couch with their laptops as they attempt to find the perfect gifts for their friends and loved ones.

Her list isn't very long, considering how small her social circle is, but she donates toys to the local hospitals and orphanages every year.

"I wish ..." Bella sighs.

"Wish what, Sugar?"

"I wish I could go see the lights. When I got my driver's license, Alice and I used to get hot chocolate and just drive around neighborhoods, looking at decorated houses." She sighs.

Edward wraps an arm around her.

"I bet you that by next Christmas, you'll be dragging me up and down the streets to see the lights. You just wait."

Sometimes, Bella doesn't understand how Edward can be so optimistic about their future. As o right now her progress is at a standstill.

He kisses her on the cheek and goes back to scrolling for the perfect gift for Alice.

Edward's parents are coming down for the holiday, so he's spending the Saturday before with Bella and her family.

Bella knows that Edward's mom is chomping at the bit to meet her. He has mentioned it once or twice ... maybe a thousand times since his declaration.

She wants to say it back. The words are on the tip of her tongue, just begging to be let out into the world, but something holds her back. Bella is still getting used to the fact that Edward, a very sweet, successful and very attractive man, wants to be with someone like her. He chose her of all the people in the world. Her, a recluse who can't make eye contact or socialize properly.

Bella has been thinking about their situation and has decided to make a bold step.

"Hey, Honey."

"Yep?"

"I was thinking ... maybe instead of our date on Wednesday, we could double ... here obviously ... but with Rosalie and Emmett?"

When Edward doesn't answer, Bella thinks maybe he didn't hear her clearly. She's about to repeat herself when he snaps his laptop shut, then hers, and tosses them both on the table before turning and pulling her hands into his.

"You're sure?"

"Yes. Just warn them that if it gets to be too much, they'll have to leave. I can only push myself so far. But I think I need to do this or at least try. If it goes well, maybe I'll be able to meet your parents when they come down for Christmas."

Edward kisses her hard.

"Only if you're absolutely sure, Sugar. Things have been going so well. I would hate for this to set you back."

Bella nods, but that isn't enough for him.

"No. You have to say it ... out loud."

"I'm sure. If I don't try, I'll never know, and like you said, things have been good. But maybe they could be better, you know?"

"Okay, I'll call her right now."

"Why don't you just text her?"

"Rosalie is dyslexic. She can make out most things, but I try not to make it difficult for her."

"That's sweet."

"No, it's me not wanting to get beat with a spatula."

"Make the call, Honey."

Bella burrows into his side and listens intently to his conversation with his sister.

"I'm sorry, Ed. I love you, but there's no way Emmett's fat ass and mine could fit on that little stoop."

Bella snorts.

"Is that her? Wait ... it has to be her. You have no other friends. Tell Bella that I'll bring the wine and some appetizers."

"She can hear you. You can bring wine, but we both don't drink. We prefer Coke."

"Okay. So apps and Coke. Anything else? Ask her if she wants me to take care of dessert as well."

Bella doesn't even think about it when she grabs Edward's phone and presses it to her ear.

"I'm sure whatever Edward makes for the Wednesday special will cover dessert. But thank you anyway."

Edward's hands make a trail up to her chest, but she swats him away and glares.

She loves when he touches her, but right now is not the time.

Since she won't let him feel her up, he decides to go with another approach, his mouth finding purchase on her neck.

Edward loves giving her hickeys. It's his way of marking her. There's no one who's going to see them, and she finds it very sensual, so she lets him have his fun.

"You're welcome. I've been waiting to meet you for ages. Edward talks about you constantly. It's rather annoying, but it feels like I already know you a little."

"He talks about you too. Tell me, how many times have you come at him with various kitchen utensils?"

Rosalie laughs.

Edward runs his tongue over the bruise he's left on her shoulder, and she has to hold back a moan.

"Too many times to count. Emmett's cooking on the grill, so I should make sure our fire extinguisher is up to date. This man will be the death of me, let me tell you."

"I look forward to meeting you both on Wednesday, Rosalie." Bella laughs before hanging up and tossing the phone on the table.

She climbs onto Edward's lap.

"You drive me absolutely batty."

"In the best possible way, right?" He chuckles, moving to the other side of her neck.

"Edward, I really don't want to have to wear a turtleneck when I meet your sister for the first time."

"I can't help myself," he whines and continues his assault.

He cups her breasts, lightly brushing his thumbs over her sensitive nipples.

"I guess turtlenecks aren't so bad." She groans.

Edward hums in agreement, his lips never leaving her skin.

Bella wants to yank her shirt off and experience what his hands feel like on her bare skin, but she's afraid to let him see her naked, well, partially naked.

She pictures Edward's past girlfriends being the complete opposite of her. Bella is soft, and her curves are definitely curvier than the norm. He tells her that he loves her just the way she is, but that nagging voice in the back of her head is still a little louder than Edward's.

He makes her body feel like it's a live wire—when he touches her, she feels sparks. She worries that one day he'll touch her in just the right way, and they'll burn the house down.

When Bella can't take any more bruising torture, she pulls his mouth to hers and silently tells him what she isn't able to say out loud yet.

I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

She hopes he can feel it. The way her heart races when they're together. Sometimes the beat is so loud it echoes in her ears.

He pulls away and gives her a panty-dropping smile.

Bella wonders if he's ever noticed that she has stopped wearing dresses around him. It's too much temptation.

"I love you too, Sugar," he whispers, pressing his forehead to hers.

"I can't believe you've covered me in hickeys. Your sister is going to think all we do is have sex," she says as her face turns a brilliant shade of red.

Edward bounces her on his knees. "Let her think what she wants. And by all means, feel free to give me a few of my own." He pulls the collar of his shirt to the side. "Let's go, little vampire. We're on a time crunch, and you have a lot of catching up to do."

Bella laughs and latches onto his skin.

It is only fair.

She's never given someone a hickey before but it looks like it's hard to screw up. By the time Bella's covered the right side of Edward's neck, she can feel something poking her. Right. There. She tries her best to ignore it and kisses her way over to the other side and gets to work. When she deems Edward successfully marked, the roof of her mouth is sore but it was definitely worth it. Her lips are swollen and she's breathless.

Edward has his eyes closed and his head tilted back.

"Sugar, don't take this the wrong way, but can you please get off my lap?"

In a panic, Bella scrambles to the other end of the couch, apologizing over and over again for something. To be honest, she doesn't understand what she did wrong.

Her hickeys don't hurt, so she knows Edward isn't in pain. At least she hopes he isn't. Did she do it wrong?

"Stop apologizing, Sugar," Edward says.

"Are you okay?" she asks softly.

"I'm fine. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable with my reaction."

"Huh?"

"I know you felt me, Bella. You drive me crazy. I 'react' whenever you touch me. It's just easier to hide when you aren't sitting on my lap."

Bella thinks about it for a moment before her eyes widen.

"Oh. OH! Edward, that's nothing to be embarrassed about. You're a man. I'm a woman. We do things." Her face must resemble a tomato right now.

At least, she didn't do it wrong.

"I would never want to pressure you or make you uncomfortable," he tells her, and it's genuine.

"I didn't feel pressured or pushed. I mean, I felt pressure for sure." She wiggles her eyebrows. "Not that I'm complaining."

"Sugar ..." Edward says in a warning tone.

"What? We're both adults, Honey. I thought we agreed that you would stop treating me so delicately."

"We did. I'm trying not to, but I love you. It's hard."

"Damn right it was," Bella blurts out.

Where did this side of her come from? Bella has never been so bold. Edward must bring it out of her. Yeah, he definitely does.

"I'm sorry. I know I'm making things ha-difficult," she says, scooting until she's lying on the couch and pats the spot beside her. "Come over here and cuddle with me. We'll make out and be lazy for the rest of the night, and if you 'react', it will be fine because I'm your girlfriend, and it's to be expected."

"You're sure?"

"Edward, you're not the only one 'reacting'. At least, mine is less noticeable. Come on."

It's a tight squeeze, but they finally find a way to make it work. Sure, they're pressed together like a pack of sardines, but no one is complaining.

Bella has one leg thrown over Edward, and one of his is resting between her thighs.

His arms are wrapped around her middle, and Bella's arms are wrapped around his neck.

"You need a bigger couch," he mumbles against her lips.

"Or we could take it upstairs. My bed is more than big enough."

"Sugar ..."

"I feel like I'm trying to corrupt you." She giggles. "I'm sorry. I'll look for a bigger couch tomorrow ... maybe one with a chaise lounge."

"That'll work. But I do like being this close to you," Edward admits.

Bella hums in agreement.

"Kiss me, Honey."

Bella knows he'd give her the world if he could.

She can't help but smile against his mouth.

Before they separate for the night, Edward manages to find room for a couple more hickeys, and Bella just knows that she's going to have her hands full trying to cover them up.