Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Stephenie Meyer created it all; I just like to play around in her world.
As always, a shout out to the Fab Five (sherriola, Katmom, TwiloverSue, Sammi & NKubie) for their support and help - and beachcomberlc and Ocassye for all their beta and pre-reading power! In addition, Purradox for her expertise and keeping me in line. And to NanStew who has helped me immensely. These women have supported me in ways I can't even explain – specifically - encouraging me to continue when I've doubted my writing skills and ability to tell a story!
I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
~Honor~
"So what do you two have planned for tonight?" Jude asked Bella as they boxed the last of the delicate petit fours she'd designed for a small wedding.
"A night at home." She smiled at Jude's raised eyebrow and leering expression. "Edward exchanged a shift with one of the other trauma surgeons in order to get a three day weekend for next week, so he's worked seven days straight. He's going to be exhausted, and I'm right there with him after the grueling schedule Taskmaster Henri arranged this week."
Jude chuckled at her disparaging comments about his lover. "I warned you."
Shaking her head at his teasing tone, Bella put a fist to the small of her back and stretched. It popped in reaction. She was down to only one physical therapy appointment a week, but with the added rigor of working, her leg and hip had made significant progress. They still ached like a son-of-a-bitch most mornings, but Bella's strength was returning in leaps and bounds. Most days, she was fine to use only her cane; her wheelchair remaining stored in the corner of her dining area for those few times it was needed.
"You two have something special planned for next weekend?" he asked as he placed the last box on the table for the delivery guy to transport.
Bella turned to the sink, and the dirty dishes there, to hide her expression. Using the few moments to get her voice under control, she lied. "Just some time away."
Edward had wanted to board a plane the morning after Valentine's Day and fly to Las Vegas to get married. After Bella had recovered from the hysterical laughing, she'd realized he hadn't been kidding. His reason— Alice. It was only a name, but it should have come with a warning sign. The minute the petite woman had spied the ring on Bella's finger, she'd shrieked so loudly everyone in Carlisle and Esme's home had come running.
By the time congratulations had been handed out, Alice already had a year-long engagement plan outlined. She was going to be so upset, because Bella and Edward weren't waiting. He'd already made arrangements with the Little White Wedding Chapel in Vegas. In less than two weeks, Bella would be Mrs. Edward Cullen, unbeknownst to—almost everyone.
Alice was going to hate them. And Bella was afraid Rose was going to be mad, as well, but Edward and she were going to let everyone know a few days before. With Charlie's help, Jacob's boss had already been put on notice to give him the days off. Carlisle had handled Emmett's supervisor. Thankfully, Jasper, as a professor, had the weekends off anyway. It was going to be a surprise family affair.
Unsettled about their friends, she and Edward had decided they would throw a big celebration party upon their return.
"Well, I hope you're going somewhere romantic," Jude said in response to her "time away" statement.
Trying not to laugh at the memory of Edward suggesting they rent one of the Elvis chapels, Bella smirked. "Yeah, lots of romance and sparkle." To marry Edward she would've done Elvis if that was all they could get, but she'd found the White Chapel to be classy enough. For kicks, she'd arranged, without Edward knowing, an Elvis impersonator to sing in order to give their ceremony a true Vegas feel.
"Well, get out of here then. I'll take care of those dishes," he said of the items she'd focused on.
"I've got it," she argued.
"Bella, go. There's nothing in your contract that said you also had to clean up. Besides, it'll give you some time to go home and take a nap before Edward wakes up. If I had that man under my fingertips, I'd want to have every second of time to spend exploring."
Snapping Jude with a towel, Bella exited to his laughter.
Her beat-up red Chevy pickup truck sat in the corner of the lot. Edward had flipped out when he saw the vehicle in Forks. It was only when Jake had explained the upgrades to the engine, suspension, and brake system that Edward had calmed some, but he was still after Bella for them to look for her a new car.
"Something more reliable," he'd said.
She'd argued for the sake of arguing; even she knew her baby needed to be reserved for special occasions. The crankiness of the clutch was enough to make her leg miserable on some days. It was another thing to consider after the wedding, but until she could finish the lease with Mike, she didn't want to stretch her budget any further with a car payment. Her stubborn fiancé had simply shaken his head at her points, so she knew the conversation was far from over. In fact, it was only beginning, because a stunned Marcus had given them a financial sheet to complete before their surprise wedding. He wanted to discuss their proposed budget at their next visit.
Bella had been surprised, since Marcus was their sex therapist, that he'd want to talk about such issues.
His response had been simple. "Nothing kills a marriage quicker than arguments over sex and money. We're dealing with one, so the other needs consideration as well."
Thankfully, the truck started easily and behaved the entire trip to the loft. As much as she wanted to let herself into Edward's apartment and crawl into bed with him, she needed a shower more. Minutes later, a clean, warm Bella drifted to sleep beneath her covers.
~Honor~
She sat the piece of paper down on the table, her wide eyes expressing her disbelief. "I thought you said you spent most of your inheritance buying the condo and paying for medical school."
Edward slid a cup of coffee across the table to her before sitting with his. "A large portion of it."
"And you still have this much left?" She pointed to the number under his assets list.
Considering the ring gracing her finger and the Cullen family's home, Bella told herself she should've known Edward's modest lifestyle wasn't entirely a true representation of his worth. Her one-carat, oval-cut diamond was flawless. While elegant in size and perfect for her, she guessed it was worth a lot more money than she wanted to consider. Edward had gone on about adding other stones and getting a fancier setting to suit her tastes when she'd opened the box, but the simple ring had stolen her heart. His arguments, alone, told her how long he'd pondered the choice, making the solitaire even more special.
"Since I didn't need the money immediately to buy a home like Jasper and Emmett, I worked with an investor. I've made and lost money over the years, but for the most part, it's been a good decision." He shrugged, but a dark expression covered his features. "Jamie's will divided his assets between Emmett, Jasper, and me, which is the other savings account noted there," he pointed to a second column. "I'm considering donating it to the Boys and Girls Club."
"Boys and Girls?" she asked wondering about the association.
"Jamie volunteered there during high school."
Tears threatened Bella's eyes, imagining her friend doing just that.
"I remember him being so excited about the work they do. There was one kid who he nicknamed 'The Thug' that Jamie kinda adopted. He and the kid played basketball for hours, and I remember the kid's mom telling Jamie later that it probably saved her son's life. She said it kept him out of a local street gang. Ebron's his name, and he's a missionary in Mexico now."
"Was he at the funeral?"
"No. He tried, but couldn't leave his congregation." Edward looked down, but Bella saw the suspicious sheen in his eyes. "Mom told him not to worry, that he should have his own ceremony for Jamie."
"Have you thought about sending him some of the money?" Bella asked.
"Yeah." He smiled. "I spoke with my accountant, but I wanted to see what you thought about it."
She jerked back. "Edward, it's your money. You need to do with it what you want."
"No." He smirked. "It's our money, now." At her uncomfortable look, he added, "Bella, we aren't rich or anything."
"There's enough there to buy a house!" she accused.
"Maybe, but I would like to purchase you a car first."
She growled at him, which resulted in him chuckling. "I should be paying for that."
"You're insisting on paying for the wedding, including everyone's plane tickets and hotels. That's going to wipe out your savings."
"No. Dad's adamant about footing the bill. Little did I know, he's been saving for my wedding for years." Tears filled her eyes again.
"Bella?" Edward cupped her cheek at the sight.
She grinned even as a tear rolled down her face. "I just didn't know. You've seen our house in Forks. He could've used the money to upgrade things, and I can't imagine how he saved anything considering how he took care of Mom during her illness."
"Bella, he's your dad. I imagine it was important to him to plan for the possibility. Let him pay for the wedding and walk you down the very short aisle."
They both laughed.
"Speaking of parents . . . Dad and Mom insist on paying for the party when we get back. They're going to tell Henri and Jude that it's to celebrate the engagement so they don't have to spill the beans." His thumb traced Bella's lips. "Baby, are you sure you're okay with Vegas? I mean, to hear Alice and Rose talk about it, girls dream of their ideal wedding for years. I want to make sure you wouldn't prefer to do this all differently."
"Nah. I just want to be your wife. If I wanted the big wedding, we could always come back and have one. As long as Charlie, Jake, Leah and the kids are there, it'll be everything I ever dreamed of."
Edward leaned down and captured Bella's lips, searing her with lust almost immediately. They broke apart several minutes later.
"Money," Bella struggled to say, punching her finger to the paper on the table for focus. "It's important to me I pay my part of all this."
"As for liabilities, my only bills are the utilities, taxes on this place, and personal expenses. I pay my credit card off every month. In looking at your paper, the only expenses you have are with the loft. We can talk to Mike and see about advertising it for rent and breaking the lease, but until then we'll need to continue the payments. In the positive column, we have my salary, your Air Force retirement, and the money you make at the bakery, if you want to continue working there."
Bella nodded. "Until I find out whether or not I can get my pilot's license. Then, I'd like to look at getting a position in the field."
"Understood." He slid her paper closer and began doing some calculations. "So let's do this. Let me pay for our groceries, which is the only shared expense for now. When we eliminate the costs of Mike's loft, you can take over that, and I'll cover the utilities. That should split our bills equally then. We can look at setting up an entertainment budget between us for eating out and stuff, but if it's okay with you, I'm going to continue sinking the rest of my salary into our savings because I'll want to look for a house soon. I bought this place to have somewhere to crash, but I want a home with you."
Bella's eyes rounded as she imagined a house with a white picket fence and two kids running around the yard. She giggled at the cliché. "Um . . . okay." She furrowed her brow. "I've been putting the rest of my money in savings too, so do you think your person would look at other options? Right now, it's in a regular account through USAA. Come to think of it, we might want to talk to USAA about home loans. It might make better sense to have a mortgage with the rates I can get and leave the money in savings if the interest rates are higher."
A burst of laughter tore out of her. "Wow, look at us being so responsible."
"Not very romantic, is it?" Edward chuckled.
"Actually, I can see what Marcus meant when he said it was important to clear the air. Just knowing we have a financial plan feels like a major hurdle overcome. I have to tell you, when we sit down to develop a budget after we get rid of Mike's place, I would rather you just give me an allowance on my debit card and let you handle the budget. I hate dealing with money," Bella admitted.
"How about this— we agree to keep so much a month in separate accounts for us to spend in whatever way we want, with the rest going into the joint one. We'll outline expenses for the household and anything above a hundred dollars that isn't outlined has to be discussed between us. That way you won't go postal on me when I want a new big screen television."
Bella snickered and rolled her eyes at him. "It would be more likely I'd want a new television."
Pursing his lips at her, Edward nodded. "Money discussion over?" he asked.
"Yup."
"Good." He gave her no warning, lunging toward her and pulling her up into his arms. "Now it's me and you time."
Giggling, she bit his lower lip before sucking it into her mouth. "Do you have nefarious plans for me?"
"Not nefarious, but something I've wanted to do for a long time."
"What?"
"Do what Marcus suggested - get my hands on you."
Bella's gasp filled the air around them.
"Shoes off. I want you to give me five minutes by the clock on the stove."
Bella's head swam at his tone. It was demanding and directive. "O . . . kay."
Before he set her free, Edward kissed her again. She was gasping for breath by the time he released his hold on her. He tasted of fine wine and lust, the brush of his tongue against hers setting Bella's nerves on fire. She itched to feel his hands brush over her skin.
He gently sat her back down on the chair, pointing to the clock. "Five minutes."
It was the longest five minutes of her life. It was as if Bella could hear the tick of each second, each beat making her blood surge a little harder. When the green numbers indicated her time had lapsed, Bella rose unsteadily, grabbing her cane to make her way from Edward's tidy kitchen toward his bedroom door. She paused at the unusual sight she found, attempting to get her brain to cooperate in providing an explanation.
"It's a winch and pulley," he explained of the chain that hung from a mechanical device mounted to his ceiling.
If that wasn't enough to distract her, Edward, clad only in black boxer briefs, wore the leather cuffs she'd bought him; cuffs he hadn't worn the last time she'd touched him. More importantly, he'd linked his wrists by a chain. It almost appeared as if he were a prisoner manacled for transport. At one point in their past, she would've been disturbed by the rush she felt seeing the black leather against his skin. Whether it was an inherent need in her to have him at her mercy, or conditional training as a result of her first stirrings of post-abuse desire being associated with the sight, she'd learned to embrace it.
The harsh look of his cuffs and chains was offset by what he'd done in the room. Surrounding them were a dozen flickering candles. They weren't needed for light, as the afternoon was uncommonly bright and Edward had partially opened his shades to let the warmth filter in. What they did add was a sweet scent of vanilla and spice that made the air sultry. On the bedside table were three bottles of what appeared to be oils, and rose petals had been strewn across the sheet covered bed. Soft classical music played in the background to complete the effect.
But her eyes were again drawn to the black leather.
"The chain attaches to my cuffs, and you'll hold the remote control. If at any time you grow uncomfortable, you'll only have to press the button, and I'll be restrained almost instantaneously. Come closer and try."
She moved slowly, fascinated as Edward hit something on the controller to loosen the chain, pulling it toward him and snapping the links together. Eyes wide, Bella scraped her fingernails along his wrists, her arousal skyrocketing as he shivered beneath the caress. She ran her fingertips up his strong forearms before glancing at his face. The depth of his warm, green eyes ensnared her.
"I love you," she whispered.
"As I love you." He placed the small controller in her hand. "You can either use our safe word or this. You know I'll stop immediately if you tell me, but I wanted you to know that no matter what, you can contain me."
"I trust you."
He grinned before winking at her. "I know. But this is big. Other than a few caresses on your arms, neck, and kissing, I've yet to touch you. This could be a big trigger, Bella, and I want you to feel assured you're in control." He leaned toward her, slowly feathering his lips over hers. "As soon as I get on the bed, I want you to press the button with the green arrow," he said before straightening.
She ogled his ass as he climbed onto the smooth sheet. Sitting back on his bent legs so that his bottom rested on his feet, Edward nodded.
The whirl of the machine startled her when she pressed the button, but she watched as the chain quickly retracted, Edward having to move up on his knees as the chain stretched his arms high toward the ceiling. The pose emphasized the lean muscles in his arms and chest, making her stomach clench. It was a very pretty sight. Unable to resist the temptation, Bella propped her cane on his bedside table and joined Edward on the mattress, immediately taking advantage of his containment to run her palms across his chest and up his arm before moving down to his stomach and around to his back. There, she dug her fingernails into his skin a little while she nuzzled against a nipple.
"Bella!" Edward gasped and she felt his cock grow hard between them. "My time, not yours," he ordered, causing her to grin against his skin.
"But you are so tempting," she said, rubbing her lips against his tight nipple before biting it gently.
"Bella!"
This time his voice was harsh.
"Okay, okay," she conceded, moving back to look down at the control.
"The yellow button."
She pressed it and heard the small motor again. The links reversed, and she watched in fascination as his muscles relaxed. He was poetry in motion.
Before he could say anything, she hit the green button again, restraining him immediately. His shocked eyes transformed as laughter burst out of him. "I've created a monster."
"Yup," she giggled, brushing a single fingertip down his happy trail and across his cock. She grinned evilly as it jumped.
Cocking an eyebrow at Edward imperiously, Bella attempted to contain her laughter, but couldn't. Luckily, she thought to press the yellow button again, because she fell to the bed as her laughter took hold so hard her stomach hurt before she was through. "Do I even want to know who helped you set this up and what story you told them?"
"Nope." He chuckled as he lay down beside her. "Getting the settings right for the chains to stop was awkward." He emphasized awkward, drawing out the word.
Bella hoped it was Jasper. The man had enough secrets he wanted kept, and since Bella knew his and Alice's love life must have had moments of kinkiness with their sometimes partner, she felt Jasper would be the last one to tease.
Tenderly, Edward pushed strands of her hair away from her face and behind her ear. "I need you naked and on your stomach. Are you okay with that?"
Bella knew her eyes dilated with lust at the idea. "I'm getting my massage, aren't I?"
He nodded, a broad grin ruining any attempt at seriousness. "Full body."
She sucked in a deep breath before pushing up to sit. A brief moment of thought entered her mind to make the undressing a strip tease, but she was nervous enough. Whether she meant it to be sexy or not, the effect was still the same. Edward's eyes followed her movements hungrily as she removed her bra, then slid her jeans down her legs. He moved to the end of the bed and helped tug the denim over her sock-covered feet.
He twirled his finger in the air, letting her know to lie face-down on the mattress. The clink of the chain holding him as he did so was both seductive and comforting. She felt the cold of it slide up her legs and twisted in desire.
"Underwear off, Bella," he murmured before placing a quick kiss to the small of her back.
Bella cried out in pleasure at the caress. It was the first moment of Edward touching her, other than the kisses along her mouth and neck. The caress sent fire racing up her spine and down to her sex. Her nipples pebbled against the bed, and she wanted to grind against it like a cat in heat. Awash in the feelings, she barely registered him pulling the scrap of lace she'd worn down her legs. Her socks also disappeared.
His next attack was as sneaky. He brushed his chest along her back, reaching over to grab one of the bottles from the bedside table. It was over so quickly, her body didn't have time to react negatively. Instead, the tease of his chest hair across her back fueled the already raging fires.
"Shh . . ." he said softly against her neck when he heard her moan.
She wanted to laugh. Shh . . . her ass!
The groan that tore out of her chest was embarrassing when he embraced her left foot, spreading warm oil across her arch and kneading the tension points. Pressure hit all the right spots, approaching pain just before he released them, and the heat radiated across her skin, chasing away any stress. He gently pulled each toe, taking time to stretch it gently before releasing. Using his fist, he twisted against the muscles in her arch, sending goosebumps up her leg.
"You should go with Rose and Alice to get a pedicure," he said softly. "They tell me the spa soaks their feet in hot wax."
Bella imagined how it would feel. After having her hair cut, she felt it was something she could possibly do.
Unhurried, Edward continued to work the stress out of her foot, before laying it gently down onto the bed.
A sharp nip at her big toe had Bella squeaking with astonishment. "Did you just bite me?" she accused, the sound of her question muffled by the sheet she rested against.
"Just a nip." His voice was a soft rumble, melting into the soft ambiance of the room.
Her giggle was so soft she was certain he didn't hear.
Edward treated her other foot to the same unhurried treatment, squeezing it in entirety when finished.
"I'm moving on to the bottom of your legs," he warned.
It was a thoughtful idea, but Bella was already slumped in a puddle of goo against the bed. There was no fear, only anticipation.
Starting at her ankle, he smoothed oil to her knee. On the downward stroke, his thumbs pressed in against her calf. Bella thought she would come out of her skin. The muscles were sore from therapy and work, and the pleasure bordered on pain. He switched only when the bottom of her leg felt like a noodle.
Over and over, he used his fingers to release knots she didn't even know she had. So when he moved to her upper thigh with a soft warning, she had little interest in being concerned.
Lust took over as his fingertips trailed up the inside of her thigh. It should have overwhelmed her, but he didn't put pressure on her skin at any time. Ghosts of hurtful pinches, bruising fingers, and fists were replaced by fire, and want, and need. The cool of the metal as the chain dragged across her did something to Bella she couldn't even describe.
"Edward," she moaned, and the sound of it raced across his skin.
He drew back, clenching his fists where she couldn't see. It was the best kind of torture, being able to touch her. Taking a deep silent breath, he eased his hands back on her, taking the opportunity to bump against the delicate curve of her ass. Her gasp told him everything he needed to know. Encouraged by the heat he felt coming from her, Edward slid his fingers gently down the inside of her thigh, bumping against the swollen lips of her sex quickly before traveling back down to her knee.
Bella cried out, raising her ass toward him slightly. Edward could smell her arousal and felt the wetness against his fingers, but he didn't venture back again. He didn't trust himself just yet. What little control he did have was almost broken when she arched her back slightly, pushing her bottom out as he ran his thumbs up the back of her leg.
Unable to fully ignore the invitation, Edward placed his hands over the plump cheeks, letting them rest softly. If the chain connecting his hands so happened to drape down between her legs, resting against her sex . . . well that was something he couldn't control.
"I'm going to touch your ass now. Do you still have the remote?" His voice was dangerous. Too much of what he was feeling was infused into the deep gravelly sound of it.
She nodded. Trembling under him, Bella sucked in a deep breath. The scent of his cologne was faint in the air, making her want more. "Edward, would you get me my balm?"
"Sure," he responded.
A shift of the bed, and he was back, leaving the pot in easy reach for her.
Edward traced the small of her back while Bella swiped some of the gel on. When she rested her head against the bed, he continued. Moments of pressure faded into deep swipes of his thumbs across her butt cheeks. And while the massage was meant to be relaxing, it was anything but. Bella groaned as the pressure sent fire racing to her sex, and she felt wetness begin to run down the inside of her leg.
Visions of taking her from behind bombarded Edward. He had to work hard not to grab and hold onto the plump flesh he stroked.
One day, he promised himself. One day.
Didn't mean he couldn't tell her. "You have a perfect ass." Scratching his fingernails lightly across her skin, he felt her shiver. "I want to take you from behind," he said against the skin between her shoulder blades, kissing her quickly. "Not now, though." He used his thumbs to massage the dimples above her curves as he kept his lips against her skin.
Bella gripped the sheets, her hands fisting tightly.
Edward noticed her reaction immediately. "Are you okay?"
Unable to speak, she nodded sharply.
"Let me know if you need to stop."
"I will," she whispered, jauntily wiggling the remote at him.
Even though she couldn't see him, or maybe because she couldn't, Edward rolled his eyes at her.
Unwilling to leave her ass so quickly, Edward tapped his fingertips across the tense muscles like he was playing a piano. The pressure was relentless, and after long moments of the torment, she couldn't control the way her hips lifted toward him.
She wanted him, really wanted him.
Damning the morals that had led him to convince her to wait for their wedding, she growled.
Smoothing his palms over her, Edward grinned. This was his plan, to show her the pleasure she could find at his touch.
Following her spine, he worked his thumbs to each side. Bella groaned as he passed over tight knots of muscles. The lust that'd built during his attention to her ass dissipated, melting into the ecstatic pain of his hands working the tight knots.
"Fuck," she whispered as a particularly sore space beside her left shoulder blade sent pain racing through every nerve in her back. The pressure of Edward's thumbs released, and she shuddered at the relief.
His gentle assault continued across her shoulders and down her arms before he took her neck in his hands and applied enough pressure to ease the strain there. While his attention to her butt had made her crave his touch, the gentle tug of her hair was electrifying.
"Bella, is this okay?" Edward worried about what she'd said about her hair . . . how the men had held her by it. It was a major trigger, yet she stretched toward him, seemingly encouraging him to continue.
Boneless, Bella sank into the bed as Edward continued to tug her hair in short gentle pulls. Her scalp tingled with the pressure. She wished it didn't make her breath stutter in remembrance, but it did. Luckily, he kept his actions gentle, insistent but gentle. Bella could feel him against her; his cock hard against the side of her thigh.
The small kernel of fear angered her. She thought she'd left it behind, but the landmines hidden across her body threw open the gates again. Thankfully the healing she'd found with Carol, Marcus, Jane … and Edward kept the chink in the armor small. Allowing the sensual pleasure his fingers imparted strengthen her, and she mentally slammed the door shut.
"You okay?" The timbre of his voice wrapped around her, licking along her skin like fire.
"Green."
He chuckled at her cheeky reply. "If that's so, are you brave enough to turn over?"
Turn over? Bella pondered, the curve of her lips against the fabric turning feral. Hell, yes.
Without hesitation, she turned, her hand brushing against his erection in doing so. She smirked as he closed his eyes at the touch. Just as satisfying was the way his eyes roamed over her hungrily when he opened them. Slowly, he reached forward to pluck a rose petal from her hair using it to trace her cheek gently.
"I've told you a thousand times, but I'll say it again. You are fucking perfect." The words were all but growled.
She shivered in pleasure, and his eyes darkened as she undulated against the sheets. That his eyes grew hooded made her feel infinitely powerful. Certain her gaze was just as hungry as his, she unabashedly stared as he moved to the bottom of the bed. He picked up her foot to rest it on his upper thigh, allowing her high arch to rest against the base of his cock, his tight balls smooth but hard against her heel. He tilted a bottle of oil into his hand, rubbing the liquid around his palms before picking up her foot again. He started by running his fingers through her toes, pulling each one slightly before releasing them.
Bella was too relaxed to react when he used his thumb to smooth along her high arch. However, the farther up her leg he moved, lust replaced complacency again.
The music didn't change, the lighting didn't lessen, the smell of the candles was the same, and the sheets remained cool under her, but something dramatically shifted in the room. Her skin ached for his touch, and she felt she would die if he didn't touch her sexually. "Edward…" she moaned as he lightly touched the back of her knee.
"Yes." He startled her by stealing a kiss, the chain clinking above her head as he framed her face between his arms.
She huffed, and he chuckled.
It took her a moment to realize he'd caged her fully, his legs to the side of hers, her breasts crushed against the firm muscles of his chest, his erection snug against her clit. It was the first time he'd put his weight on her, the first time he'd held her in the way the rapists had. Then, she'd been weak. Now, she was strong, and she knew Edward would move immediately if needed. This wasn't being controlled; it was about the need to feel each other skin to skin.
"I want to touch you," he murmured as he kissed her gently.
Bella teetered on a cliff. Edward's touch both excited and consoled her, but the feel of him pressed to her had fighting the momentum for a second before she realized what was happening was far too exciting to resist, and she ceased struggling, arching up into him. Guttural sounds broke between them at the way their bodies aligned.
He shifted to the side, propping on his elbow. With his free hand, he linked their fingers. It was awkward, the back of his hand cupped by hers, the chain trailing behind.
"Touch yourself."
Her sex clenched at his directive. She was desperate enough to do so, and attempted to pull her hand from his, but he clenched their fingers together, refusing to let go.
"Touch yourself," he ordered again.
His words made her desperate, and she growled in frustration, trying to move her hand from his. This time, he moved with her and the light bulb went on.
Gasping, Bella's eyes widened as she stared into Edward's deep green stare. He didn't look away, maintaining their contact as she moved his hand over her clavicle. Goosebumps followed their path, spreading quickly across her skin as the chain caressed her as well. Back and forth, she moved his fingertips across the fine bones, heat pooling deep in her stomach.
Following her sternum, she moaned when his broad hand covered a great part of both of her breasts, barely missing her nipples. But the chain didn't, gliding over her left nipple in a cold, smooth stroke. Both nipples stiffened painfully, the liquid heat exploding exponentially and making her press her thighs together in need of relief. The throbbing between her legs was almost unbearable.
Edward's focus never wavered from her face, and it was difficult for Bella to maintain the intimate contact. It was too honest, too powerful, too raw. But she couldn't look away; it was the love and respect she saw in his face.
Yes, he wanted to fuck her. The evidence was clear in his dilated eyes, the flush of his skin, and the leaking cock pressed to her side, but he was as still as a statue, allowing her to control his touch.
Bella stopped, their hands resting on her stomach. The heat of his palm and the rough texture of his skin seared her, but his touch was gentle, his hand never moving from where she'd brought them to rest.
"Thank you." Edward's voice was soft.
"Not through," she replied, realizing he thought she wanted to stop. "Just give me a moment."
"Bella—"
"No! Edward, I'm fine. This . . ." she squeezed his hand slightly " . . . feels better than you can ever imagine." Reaching up, she captured his lips in a kiss. It was a tender one, but she poured her every emotion into it. He met her with gentle ferocity, jumping when she moved their hands upwards to cup her breast.
Unable to control it, Bella broke from their kiss, shouting out at this touch.
Edward froze, the tight nub firm against his palm. He longed to brush his thumb over the firm peak, but he needed to assess Bella, waiting to see her reaction. When she pressed his hand firmer against her body, he had his answer. Shifting, he brushed their thumbs across the engorged tip, watching in delight as she trembled and her breaths came in short pants. It took everything he had not to grind his weeping cock against her, but this was not the night for that, so he focused on how beautiful she was.
A rosy flush colored her skin and the color of her pink nipples darkened as he stroked. They were almost the color of the rose petals dotting her skin. He wondered if they were just as soft. Risking a negative reaction, he pinched the turgid peak he'd been stroking gently and heard Bella's cry of passion. Wanting to own it, he lowered his lips back to her, drinking in her moans as their tongues caressed and he tugged gently at her breast. Slowly, he stretched to touch her other nipple, giving it the same attention as the first.
Bella writhed against Edward as he moved back slightly over her, letting her grow accustomed to his weight. It was his turn to moan when she threaded her fingers through his hair, guiding his lips down her neck and across the upper curve of her breast. Edward needed no further encouragement.
Her hand tightened painfully in his hair when he rubbed his lips softly across her nipple, but it was the way she pressed against him, offering her breast to him, that told him she was okay. Anxious to taste her for the first time, he lapped gently against her.
The simple caress fanned the flame of desire between them, causing it to explode like throwing gasoline on a fire. Bella shouted out his name, and Edward's hips flexed involuntarily against her in need. He sucked her nipple into his mouth, savoring it and dragged another moan out of her that stiffened his cock painfully. He smiled against her skin when she fisted his hair again.
Raising his head to kiss her, he groaned into it. It was wild, wet and deep, as her tongue twined against his. When she bit his lip, his body bucked against his shaky control. She was naked, hot, and willing in his arms, and he wanted to bury himself balls deep into her. The realization doused his lust slightly.
Not yet . . . he told himself.
It was too soon. She needed a little more time. He needed a little more time . . . in which to make her crave him uncontrollably. He had to be careful, to go slowly, so that he would never hurt her physically or mentally. But it was difficult. He could smell her arousal. It saturated the air around them, stoking his desire to taste her.
Instead, he kissed her again, mimicking what he wanted to do with his cock. Gasping when they finally broke apart, Bella guided him back to her breast, where he sucked her nipple back into his mouth greedily. It was a fine line between gentle and rough, but if her cries of passion were his barometer, Bella was enjoying his torture.
It was only natural Bella link their hands again, leading him across the soft skin of her stomach and down. Growling, Edward sucked her nipple hard when she used their fingers to bump over her clit and down through her wet lips. Lust filled his brain causing him to shake against her as he felt the wetness coat them. Needing no instruction here, he pushed her a little, taking control of their direction.
Bella clawed at his shoulder with her free hand when he circled her clit slowly, bumping the swollen nub slightly at each opportunity. She surrendered to his skill, barely aware of what he was doing as the pressure in her lower abdomen grew unbearable. Unaware, she parted her legs as her hips undulated against him. Entranced by the fire consuming her, she moaned when his fingers circled her opening, teasing with just a fingertip before moving back to her throbbing clit. Over and over Edward taunted her, entering a little deeper, pressing a little harder, leaving her wanting just as an orgasm threatened.
Nothing remained but the need to feel and have him touch her. Thrashing her head back and forth, she begged, growling at him as he continued to tease her. His fingers touched her g-spot briefly, causing her to shout and raise her hips toward him greedily. But like before, he retreated, never giving her time to panic. Through it all, the clink of the chain as it moved added a dark timbre to the ambiance while guaranteeing she was fully in control.
"Please!" she screamed when she began seeing spots.
Chuckling harshly, Edward scraped his teeth across her nipple and he pressed hard against her clit. It was all she needed, and he watched as she froze in a look of total abandon.
Bella's body felt ripped into a million pieces by the overwhelming power of her orgasm. It rolled from deep within where her walls clenched hungrily, seeking his cock to milk. Legs clenched in utter bliss, she let the heat roll across her, leaving a wake of goosebumps and fire. She had to gasp for breath when it was finally over, her lungs having seized in the effort.
Unwilling to leave her, Edward brushed gently again against her clit, and Bella experience a round of aftershocks, the soft throbbing of the second orgasm much gentler. Tears fell from her eyes at how good it had felt to have Edward touch her.
He still did, his fingers draped over her tender parts gently, his breath washing over her sensitive nipple. His trembling told her how much it has cost him to give her this, and she felt guilty.
Enough so that she tugged at his hair, leading him back to kiss her. It was a bit animalistic, the way he bit at her lips and surged into her mouth with his tongue. She basked in his need, maneuvering to capture his cock in her hand.
His grunt was deep at the contact. "Bella, it's fine. This was about you," he said in a pained voice.
"I know," she grinned against his lips. "And I like feeling you come on me." She jerked hard, nipping at his lips as he shouted.
It didn't take long for her hard strokes and kisses to make him come. Hot streams of semen coated her stomach and breasts as he ground harshly against her and muttered her name, how much he wanted her, how he wanted to fuck her. Finally, he sagged in relief, his arm draping across her wet stomach, the chain contouring to the curve of her waist.
"Fuck," he murmured. "I don't think I can move."
She giggled, squirming closer to his chest as he moved to her side. Reeking of sex and sticky from it all, there were still a lot worse things to do than fall asleep in a post-orgasm induced coma with the man she loved.
~Honor~
I'm almost too embarrassed to admit this, but I had to go to my husband for technical advice on the winch. He has one . . . and no, it isn't mounted over our bed, but he helped me figure out if my little scene would actually work. IMAGINE that conversation – almost as good as the one between Edward and Jasper. HA!
Just a little more to go!
