AN: Finishing the house painting and getting closer, Edward and Bella take another step closer to their future.

Thank yous go to MeteorOnAMoonlessNight, Midnight Cougar and ghostreader24 for the infinite help on this story.

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Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer created Twilight and our beloved characters.


Deceit and Destiny Chapter 61

Bella

When Edward first suggested that Connor and I stay with him while we painted the house and waited for the fumes to dissipate, I was reluctant. While it was true I didn't want to infringe on his space, most of that came from the fear he might change his mind about us after living with a messy, noisy, rambunctious five-year-old.

Connor was a good child, though not perfect, and Edward had never seen him have a temper tantrum—not that he'd ever had many of those.

There was a part of me that jumped at the chance to spend as much time as possible with him; I never tired of his company or his kisses, and now that we'd renewed our physical relationship, I wanted to be able to explore that with him all the time.

Eventually, I saw the practical side of his argument, and I allowed myself to be persuaded.

Waking in his arms on Sunday morning, the events of the previous evening filled my mind. It had been a long time since I'd given a blow job, and I was inordinately pleased with myself at having blown Edward's mind.

I snickered at the thought.

"What's so funny, sweetheart?" Edward's graveled voice rumbled through my chest where he was pressed up against my back.

"Nothing, just something about blowing your mind." I giggled

His laugh was deep and sleep-rough. "That you did, Bella, and you're welcome to do that any time, as long as I can reciprocate."

His arms tightened around me and his hand cupped my breast. As always, the heat of desire flashed through me, and I squirmed against his already hard cock.

"Unfortunately, we don't have time this morning." I leaned over to look at my phone. "Connor will be awake very soon, and more painting awaits." I turned over to face him, kissing him. "Good morning, my love."

"Good." Kiss. "Morning." Kiss. "Sweetheart." Kiss.

A knock on the door interrupted, and Connor poked his head into the room. "Is it time to get up yet, Momma?"

I held my arms out to him, and he ran to jump on the bed, settling himself between Edward and me.

"Yep, it's almost time. Edward has to go back to the house and paint."

"Aw, Momma. Can we go to Nana and Pops house instead? Painting is boring."

I looked at Edward. "How much work is there still to do?" I asked.

"The bedroom is ready for cutting in and painting, as is the living room. Jess said she'll be at the house at nine and is free to help all day, so we should be finished, maybe, mid-afternoon?"

"Okay, I'll take you to Nana's house after breakfast. How's that?" I said to Connor.

"Yay! Fishing! I'll go change in my room."

He kissed me on the cheek, hugged Edward, and leaped off the bed, running to his room to get ready. I was worried to hear that he was already referring to a specific room as his, but shook the thought out of my mind for now.

"If you think it's safe, would it be okay for me to see what you've done so far? I need to pick up a few more clothes for me and Connor, then I'm going to the market, and maybe I'll do some baking in that wonderful kitchen."

"If there's cookies involved, then I'm all for baking," Edward said enthusiastically. "It'll be okay as long as you avoid Connor's room."

While Edward went to the house to start setting up for the day, I dropped off Connor at Mom and Dad's, and by the time I got there, Edward was halfway through cutting in around the bedroom ceiling.

There was no bakeware and only a few pans at his apartment, so I went into the kitchen, pulling some things from my cupboards.

Just before nine, the front door opened.

"Hey, Bella, Edward." Jess's voice echoed through the hall. "I brought company."

I poked my head around the kitchen door frame to find Jess, Mike, Emmett, and Rose coming in the door, and Edward coming downstairs.

"What are you all doing here?" I asked delightedly, hugging each in turn as they trooped into the kitchen.

"Well, we heard someone needed a little help painting, so here we are," Rose said.

"Wow, that's great," I said. "Thank you for coming, although Connor won't be happy to have missed all of you."

Rose and Jess spent an hour or so with me, sitting outside on the porch after Jess had made tea and coffee for us. I would have loved to stay and help, but Edward was adamant that being inside the house wouldn't be safe for the baby.

I rolled my eyes at his overprotectiveness, although I was secretly thrilled and felt loved and cherished.

Reluctantly, I said goodbye to everyone, not happy leaving them painting my house, feeling like it was something I should've been doing myself. I drove to the market for a few groceries, then spent the afternoon baking cupcakes and cookies for my boys.

Edward called late afternoon to let me know that, with the help of our friends, the painting of both the bedroom and the living room were complete.

When he arrived back at the apartment, the others were right behind him, following in their own cars. He hung his jacket in the closet and toed off his sneakers before kissing me soundly to the accompaniment of loud noises from Emmett. There was a light thud as Rose smacked the back of his head, telling him to shush, and everyone laughed, even Emmett.

Edward released me, and they all trooped into the apartment, taking off shoes, using the guest bathroom to wash their hands.

Both Edward and I Facetimed Connor, watching him tell the story of the huge fish he'd caught, laughing with glee when he told us that Pops had caught nothing.

It was past six by the time everyone had taken a turn to talk to him and say goodnight. We decided that it was better for Connor to stay with Mom and Dad, who also offered to take him to school tomorrow, too.

After we ended the call, the buzzer rang announcing the food delivery, and the six of us settled down around the coffee table eating Chinese and laughing and joking. Afterward, with hugs all round and plans to go out together one evening, everyone left for their homes.

"What still needs to be done at the house?" I asked, cuddling up on the sofa with Edward. "I was thinking of going over there after work tomorrow to get some bedsheets and towels. You don't have enough for all three of us."

"Well, the furniture needs to be put back, of course, but I don't want you even thinking of doing that, please. You could hurt yourself, so I'll get someone to come and help. I'm sure one of the guys can spare an hour or two tomorrow." He shook his head. "You really shouldn't spend time in the house for a while until the fumes have completely dissipated."

"I know, and I wasn't intending to, but I want to be with you. You know I'd love to get some things done right now, but I'll wait if you think it's best."

"That isn't a problem, but please leave any serious packing until next week, and I'll help you."

I nodded and yawned for the umpteenth time, snuggling into Edward's side.

"Shower together, then bed?" Edward suggested.

"Sounds great." I stood, and we headed for the bedroom. While he turned the water on, I stripped out of my clothes, dumping them in the hamper, then he did the same as I stepped under the warm water.

We washed each other, and I couldn't resist soaping up his cock and making him hard. He made sure my breasts and nipples were squeaky clean, too, but shower sex wouldn't be comfortable with my rapidly expanding belly.

I avoided getting my hair wet, knowing it would need to be dry before I climbed into bed if I didn't want a bad case of frizzy hair in the morning. Edward's always dried much quicker than mine, so I got out of the shower, brushed my teeth, then dressed for bed, leaving him to finish up.

Ten minutes later, with damp hair, he climbed in behind me, sliding one arm under my neck and the other over my waist, cupping my breast, kneading the flesh, my nipple puckering under his touch.

"Are you tired?" he questioned, his hot breath on the back of my neck.

"Depends on what you're suggesting," I murmured.

"I want you," he whispered against my ear, pushing his cock into my lower back.

Goosebumps rose over the skin on my neck and down my arm. "Hmm, that sounds good, but I'm too tired to ride you."

"Shit, you can't say that. Now I have this picture in my head of you sitting on my cock, taking what you want," he groaned, pressing harder against me. "What if I do all the work?"

I reached behind me, finding him naked and hard, and gripped his cock, answering his question with actions. His fingers slid under the waistband of my panties and found my wet center, rubbing my clit and dipping inside me.

Helping me remove them, he lined his body up behind mine then, lifting my leg over his thigh, he pushed inside me.

Gasping as his cock filled me, I moaned. "Ahh, that feels good, Edward."

"Yeah?"

He pulled out and emitted a sexy grunt as he thrust in again, his hand gripping my hip.

"You like that?" he hissed, his other arm under my neck and over my shoulder, holding me in place as he stroked into me, short and shallow, then longer and deeper.

"Yes . . . yes," I panted.

My fingers found my clit, swirling and rubbing, then reached to slip my fingers around his cock where he disappeared inside me.

"I love it when you touch yourself," he moaned. "Ah, and the feel of your fingers around my cock."

His movements sped up, his cock brushing rhythmically against my G-spot. The tingle started in my fingers and toes, and my body shivered as heat flashed along my nerves.

"Fuck." I panted as the muscles in my stomach tightened and my clit throbbed under my fingertips.

Pleasure raced through me, bursting over my skin as I came, calling his name. His thrusts became erratic until he pressed himself deep inside me and followed me over the edge.

I could feel his heart beating against my back, and his hot breath on my shoulder as he panted. As our breathing slowed and he slipped from within me, I slid out of bed to clean up.

After he'd done the same and slid back under the comforter, he gathered me into his arms, his lips meeting mine sensuously, nipping until I opened my mouth to admit his tongue.

He surrounded my senses until I had no idea where I ended and he began. Eventually, he slowed his kisses, allowing me to breathe.

"Wow!" I took a deep breath, blowing it out.

He peppered my face and neck with light kisses until I giggled and cupped his face in my hands, kissing him.

"I love you, Edward. I love you so much."

"I love you, too, sweetheart."

He reached out and picked up his phone, setting an alarm. "I have to be at work by seven, so I've set this for six. Is that okay for you?"

"That's fine for me, too."

He switched off the lamp on the nightstand, and I turned in his arms so my back was to his chest, and clicked off mine, too, then snuggled down under the comforter.

After whispering goodnight to each other, I slipped into sleep.

~ oOo ~

Emmett arrived at the house at the same time I did on Monday, still dressed in his police uniform.

"Ed asked me to come and help move some furniture," he called as he climbed out of his cruiser.

"Yep, my overprotective boyfriend refuses to let me do anything strenuous, and won't let me even touch a paintbrush." I rolled my eyes.

"Rightly so. Gotta keep that little one safe."

Edward pulled up into the driveway as Emmett and I stood on the porch talking, climbing out of his car and making his way up the steps.

"Hey, sweetheart," he said, pulling me into his arms and kissing me hello.

"Hi, love." I kissed him back.

"Have you been here long, Em?"

"Five minutes, that's all." He rubbed his hands together. "Let's get this stuff moved then, I've got a hot date tonight." He waggled his eyebrows.

"I hope that's with my sister," Edward said.

"Who else?" Emmett laughed. "I love her, and there's no one else for me. I'd ask her to marry me tomorrow if I thought she'd say yes."

I gasped and turned to him. "Really, Emmett. Isn't it a bit soon?"

"Not when you know she's the one for you, but I'll wait for her to catch up," he said earnestly. "She's worth the wait."

When they moved into the living room, the front door was left open and I stood in the hall, watching the two of them shifting the sofa back into position.

My mind speculated about Edward's feelings. I loved him with my whole heart, and I knew he loved me; his actions and words told me that every day, but was he ready for the kind of commitment Emmett was clearly thinking about? Was I?

"What are you thinking about so hard over there, Bella?" Emmett called out, bringing me out of my introspection.

"Nothing, I just like watching two strapping, handsome men working up a sweat," I said, laughing.

The two of them worked for an hour or so, righting furniture and re-hanging curtains, while I grabbed clean sheets and towels from the linen cupboard. There were also a few things I needed from the kitchen since Edward didn't have enough at the apartment. By seven-thirty, Edward and Emmett had done all the heavy lifting, and Emmett was on his way home, with our thanks for his help, to get ready for his date with Rose.

I hoped the coming weekend would see me packing away some of my things to store in the garage until we moved into a new place. When I mentioned it to Edward, he just nodded his head in agreement as we left the house.

Connor wanted to stay with my parents to see the effect of the lights Dad had been busy adding to the treehouse.

We celebrated finishing the painting by showering—separately—at the apartment and going out to dinner at Bella Italia. I'd washed my hair and dressed in a new pair of black yoga pants and an ivory colored top, I slipped into a pair of low-heeled boots, tucking my pants inside them. Edward was dressed in black jeans, and a green button-up and drew every female eye as we walked into the restaurant.

An hour later, stuffed to the hilt with good food, followed by ice cream, I sat back. "I can't eat another bite." I huffed out a breath.

"The fumes are still strong in the air since we've not been able to leave the windows open," Edward began. "Would you consider staying with me until at least the weekend?"

I hesitated, not sure where to start, but I could admit the idea had already crossed my mind and I liked it.

"I . . . I've loved . . ."

Before I could say anything, he continued. "Bella, you have to know, I've really enjoyed having you and Connor share my space, having you sleeping in my arms every night, and waking with you every morning. I'm going to miss that more than I can say."

His leg was bobbing, and he kept running his hand through his hair—something I'd come to know as his tell-tale sign of nervousness. I laid a hand on his arm.

"Edward, I was about to say that I've loved being with you, too, in the same way, and if you really want us at your apartment until the weekend, I think I can speak for Connor here . . . yes, of course we'll stay."

There was a small part of me that was a little disappointed that his offer wasn't more, but I pushed that to one side, happy to spend as much time as I could in the company of this man, the man I loved.

I leaned in to whisper in his ear. "As we have an empty apartment, how do you feel about heading home and making out on the sofa while a movie plays to itself?"

He turned his head, his pupils dilating, and goosebumps forming down the side of his neck.

"I'd say, let's get the check." He grinned. "Come on, we need to get out of here. We have a movie to miss."

Back at the apartment, I turned on the living room lights, leaving the kitchen in darkness after fetching two bottles of water. Leaving the curtains open, I sat in the chair facing the deck, watching the lights of the boats moving past the port on their way to the Pacific Ocean.

Edward returned from the bedroom, barefoot, having changed into sweats. He held out his hand, drawing me up, then took a seat, pulling me down onto his lap.

"This isn't the sofa." He smirked.

I grinned at him, moving until I was straddling his lap, leaning in to kiss him.

He deepened the kiss, his hands sliding around my neck, angling my head so he could delve into my mouth with his tongue.

Pulling away when I needed to take a breath, Edward continued to rain hot kisses along my jaw and down my neck. His hands roamed up my back, unhooking my bra. I tugged at the bottom of his, then pulled off my own over my head, throwing it and my bra to the floor.

The cool air in the room made my nipples harden, and Edward leaned forward, taking one in his hot mouth, gently sucking and flicking his tongue across the sensitive bud.

"Hmph!" I groaned as pleasure shot through me. "Ahh!"

He switched to the other side and my hands gripped each side of his head, holding him in place. My nipples were so sensitive that I could feel the muscles in my core already tightening. Feeling him harden underneath me, I ground down on him at the same time as he pushed his hard length against me, the tip bumping repeatedly against my clit.

I pulled away and stood, Edward looking up at me quizzically. "You want to take this to the bedroom?"

Shaking my head, I slowly slid off my leggings and panties, kicking them to one side. I was no longer worried about standing in front of him, naked. His love and admiration gave me confidence.

"You're beautiful," he said quietly, his hand caressing my stomach before holding it out for me to take. "Come here."

I took his offered hand and straddled his lap, the material of his sweat pants rubbing against the naked flesh between my legs. I tugged at the waistband, and he lifted enough for me to pull them down, freeing his cock.

"Commando, Cullen?" I grinned, slipping backward a little so I could grip and stroke his cock.

Balancing on my knees, I positioned him underneath me and sank down on him.

"Oh, God." I closed my eyes as he stretched me deliciously.

He groaned. "Fuck, Bella. You feel so good."

His mouth found my nipple again as he pulled my hips toward him, then pushed them away. My breath caught in my throat as his cock hit that spot inside that always sent spikes of pleasure through me as I undulated against him, seeking more of the same.

In no time at all, between the twin pleasures of Edward's mouth on my nipples and his cock hitting my G-spot, my orgasm rushed through me. He pulled my body toward him as close as he could, increasing the speed of his thrusts until he came with my name on his lips.

Much as I wanted to snuggle up against his chest while our heartbeats slowed, his release was beginning to seep out of me, and my legs were beginning to cramp from being in the same position for too long.

"I need a hand to get up, please. Um . . . we're a little . . . messy." I giggled.

He grimaced, wrinkling his nose as his soft cock slipped from me, our combined juices making a wet mess between us. I shifted backward, and he held out his hand to balance me as I stood, then pulled up his sweatpants.

We made our way to the bathroom to get cleaned up and brush our teeth before climbing into bed. I loved having Edward to myself and being able to make love when and where the fancy took us, but I missed Connor. We were both working on Wednesday and Thursday, but while Edward still had work on Friday, I had the day off and was looking forward to spending more quality time together.

~ oOo ~