Ch 12: Second Helpings

~ Edward's POV~

I was making a late lunch when a knock sounded at the door. Frowning, I turned the heat on the stove down to go see who it was.

Somehow, I was still surprised when Bella greeted me on the other side.

"Hey stranger," she smiled, eyes bright with a hint of mischief.

I leaned against the door jamb feeling more confused than ever.

I had woken up to an empty bed, no note, no text. Just a cold space and her retreating scent on my pillow. Part of me almost wondered if it had all been a dream. A very intense, elaborate dream.

But the hickies on my abdomen didn't lie. Nor did the panties I found tangled in my bed sheets.

I couldn't say how disappointed I had been she wasn't there. I wanted to wake with her in my arms. And, admittedly, I hoped last night was a turning point for us. Bella wasn't a one-time fuck kind of girl. The fact she trusted me enough to take her like I had, made me hope she felt more for me than she was letting on.

Waking up without her had been a cold bucket of water to the face though.

I would have confronted her about it too, only her truck was gone, and I had no clue where she was off to.

Yet here she was now.

"Hey." It wasn't the friendliest, but it wasn't particularly rude either. I saw the lightness in her face waver.

"Did I catch you at a bad time?" Her brows were drawing in and I knew she was about to start backing away if I didn't make a move.

"No. Just making some lunch. Want to come in?" She was more hesitant than I would have liked, but she entered as I stepped aside. "I've got some stuff on the stove."

She followed me quietly to the kitchen. I took note of how she looked around. As if she was assessing. Comparing to what she once knew.

Without a word, she took a seat at the bar that overlooked the stove. I felt her eyes on me while I cooked.

"Hope you like grilled cheese and tomato soup." I announced flipping the bread in the pan.

"Oh, I'm okay." Her tone was clearly uncomfortable. I looked up.

"You already eat?"

She shook her head.

"No, but I don't expect you to feed me."

Clearly.

I paused giving her a long look. She stared back, holding my gaze.

"I would have fed you this morning too if you hadn't disappeared." Her brows shot up. "Why don't you eat and tell me why you took off in return."

No pussyfooting around. I was going to figure this girl out one way or another.

I could tell I had taken her off guard, but the smile and laugh that broke out surprised me.

"You're not a morning person, are you?" There was an undeniable joke in that statement that apparently, I wasn't in on.

I lifted a brow as I plated the food, setting it out for us to eat.

She grinned ear to ear taking a big bite out of the sandwich. Her eyes closed suddenly, and she hummed in happiness.

"Ohh, I love grilled cheese." You'd think I'd made her a three-course dinner the way she carried on. I could only shake my head. "I didn't disappear this morning. I told you I was going."

The hell she did!

She must have seen the objection on my face, because her tinkling laugher rang out, warming me in all the right places.

"I had to leave really early for work. I told you that I'd be back later, but I guess you weren't all the way awake." She chucked before spooning up some more soup.

And just like that, all the pent-up annoyance deflated out of me.

"When did you leave?" It must have been really early if I had been that out of it.

"Just after six."

Which was starting to make a whole lot of sense. But that also meant she probably hadn't slept at all.

Taking a closer look at her face, I saw the heavy hand of makeup was at play. I frowned wanting to wipe it away and see her face just as it was.

"You must be exhausted."

She nodded and shrugged.

"I can't complain. I got off early. And last night was fun."

My chest ached at how casually she said it.

"No regrets?" I felt compelled to ask.

Bella looked up and found the worry in my eyes. She stretched out her hand and took mine.

"No. It was exactly what I needed. Do you regret it?"

Her voice was genuine and free of judgement.

I abandoned my food to move her into my lap. She gave a small squeak of surprise but melted into my arms as my mouth came down over her.

It was a slow kiss this time. My lips were gentle, but firm against hers. I cupped her face, drawing her in deeply, inhaling her scent as I tasted her. She moaned against my mouth and twisted her hands into my hair.

I loved how she did that. Like she couldn't keep her hands off me and needed to have me wrapped around her fingers. As if I wasn't already.

"The only thing I regret is not keeping you in bed this morning." I whispered in her ear, loving how she shivered. I drew back seeing her eyes had darkened with desire.

"Hmm, how about you keep me in bed for lunch?"

I needed no further encouragement.

Food forgotten; I carried her back upstairs with the intent of making torturously slow love to her.

I laid her on my bed gently, allowing myself to follow, pressing snugly to her side. And I kissed her slowly, sealing her senses against anything but me. Her sigh as she relaxed into me was sweet on my lips. I relished the way she let go, letting me guide our movements.

My hands explored the contour of her curves while we kissed. I took note of her responses when I found a particularly sensitive area. After a while, I pulled away, thoroughly satisfied at the dazed look on her face.

Ever so slowly I removed her clothes, watching the tension build in her eyes. My fingers lingered here and there, eliciting shivers with their gentle touch.

"Edwarrrd." She moaned, as I worked perilously closer to her breast. She was arching against me, seeking further contact. I chuckled, dancing around the area she so clearly wanted me to touch.

I held out just a little longer, knowing the build of tension was driving her crazy. When I finally cupped the swell of her breast she cried out. Unable to resist her hardened peak, I lapped my tongue gently across it. My ears were rewarded with her gasp.

"Do you like that Bella?" I teased, pulling the nub deeper in my mouth. Her breath caught in her throat as I worked against her.

I loved the feel of her nipple in my mouth. I was easily getting caught up in the action, her cries of pleasure urging me on.

"Oh, yes! Fuck!" She moaned as I switched breasts. Her heavy panting was making my sweats feel tight. And suddenly she was pulling at my clothes, demanding contact I had been denying her.

"Not yet. I'm not done with you." She groaned, but her hands stilled. She made fists in my shirt as I kissed her thoroughly again. "I want you on your hands and knees."

Her eyes widened but she obeyed instantly. I positioned her to face away from me, her ass near the edge of the bed. The hungry look she tossed over her shoulder was almost my undoing.

But no. I wasn't ready to fuck her yet. I had plans. Plans that included making her scream my name, repeatedly.

She shivered as I trailed my fingers up the back of her thighs over the swell of her ass. It was a nice ass too. I eyed it hungrily wondering if she'd let me have her that way someday. But for now, I had another mission.

I kneeled on the floor, bringing her back against my face and licked the inside of her thigh. When her legs quivered, I wrapped my hands around her for stability.

My tongue teased her thighs, whispering across her core making her moan. I watched as she grew wetter from my taunting and her cries of frustration grew louder.

"You're getting soaked. Is there something you want Bella?"

Her head bobbed up and down emphatically.

"Yes! Taste me Edward. Please." I would never get tired of hearing her say that.

My mouth was on her, and I delighted in her shrieks as I coated my tongue in her wetness. Fuck she tasted good; I couldn't get enough. I wanted more of her scent and flavor, driving me deeper through her center.

"Fuck! Oh, Edward. Don't stop!"

Though I knew she was close, I drew back reveling in her noises of protest.

"Not yet. I want to see how long you can hold out for me Bella." She whimpered at my words. Then ever so slowly I started over. Gently teasing the outside of her folds, parting them with the barest tip of my tongue. I licked circles around her clit, before pulling on it lightly. I backed away when she tensed and began lapping at her core again. Her moans were wild from my sweet torture.

I lost myself in her taste, stroking deeper for more. She moved back against me, effectively riding my tongue with abandon. It was one of the sexiest things I had ever witnessed.

"Please, Edward. I want…" she trailed off her legs shaking with restraint. Seeing how weak she was with need; I gave in to her pleas. I gripped her hips, plunging my tongue deep, sucking hard against her. Almost instantly she screamed, coming hard. I rode out her climax, taking all she had to give.

When at last she collapsed to the bed, I moved away.

"Oh God. That was sooo good. Fuck!" She moaned into the mattress, before turning her head to the side to look at me. "Please tell me you're not done."

I felt my smirk.

"Want another already?" I leaned over, stroking her back down to her ass, giving it a light smack. Her dilated eyes told me everything I needed to know.

"Yes. But mostly I want you naked and inside of me." Fuck if it didn't love the way she talked.

"Your wish is my command."

I stripped slowly, letting her watch as she sat up. Her eyes raked over me hungrily. And when I was fully disrobed, she licked her lips as she eyed my cock.

I laughed and shook my head at her.

"Not today." Her frown was small, but immediately replaced when I moved to the bed and kissed her passionately again. The touch of her bare skin to mine sent burns of pleasure through me. I reveled in every sensation. Before I knew it, we were back against the pillows, her body half under me.

I ached to bury myself in her sweet heat. Instead I took my time, kissed every curve, explored every expanse of skin with my mouth and fingers. In turn she did the same to me.

I found I was particularly fond of the way she nipped at the side of my neck. If I didn't stop her, she was going to wind up leaving a mark. She groaned when I moved her lips away from me.

"But you like it," she pouted, tracing her fingers on the spot where her mouth had just been. Her desire to pleasure me was overwhelming. I had never been with someone who cared to give as much as they received. But Bella did.

"No, I love it. But if you don't stop, I'll be sporting a very noticeable hicky." She must have liked that thought, because the look in her eyes intensified. I kissed her slowly, diverting her attention away from my neck. She responded eagerly, using her hands to touch me all the places she wanted to put her mouth.

It wasn't long before we were both pulling at each other, needing more.

"I want you Edward." Bella told me pulling back to look me in the eyes. I couldn't help but wonder if the words had a much deeper meaning. Or maybe I just wanted them to. Either way I knew what she wanted right now. Me.

I pulled a condom out of the nightstand, tearing it open quickly. Bella surprised me by snatching it from my hand. I watched in fascination as she took me in her hands, slowly rolling the condom down my shaft.

As soon as she was done, I nudged her down into the bed, letting my body slide over her. I watched her eyes as I gradually pushed inside her. Saw the utter bliss she felt as we connected.

With deliberate movements, I worked her body, keeping my pace unhurried. It was heaven and torture all at once. Each stroke brought me intense pleasure and a desire to pound into her to completion. But I curbed the urge finding a deeper satisfaction at how much she was enjoying the slowness of our coupling.

The pressure of an impending orgasm was rising up. She was just too hot, too wet, too sweet. I ground my hips into her, effectively rubbing against her clit. The way she gasped and clenched told me it had exactly the effect I wanted. I repeated the motion, barely holding onto sanity while trying to get her there.

"Come for me Bella. I want to feel you come around my cock."

She cried out, her hips thrusting against mine, and shuttered. I exploded almost instantly, unable to stop myself from how tightly she was clenching me.

I almost couldn't believe how hard I came. Being with Bella brought out a whole new level of intensity that I'd never experienced before. I'd had plenty of good fucks, but this was something else. Something that caused me to feel it in every fiber of my being.

I wondered if it was the same for her.

We laid in silence for a while, her back against my chest as we let our hearts calm their rapid beating. After I while, I lifted myself up on one arm to look over her.

Her eyes were closed, mouth slightly open, breathing lightly.

"Bella?"

Her brows drew in, and she snuggled more deeply against me.

"Hmm?"

It was more of a hum than a response.

I had worn her out. Damn if that didn't give me a sense of pride and satisfaction.

Feeling more than a little tired myself, I pulled off the condom, throwing it in the trash beside my bed. Then I wrapped my arms around her tightly, knowing we both could use a little rest.

…

"Edward."

I heard the voice, but I wasn't quite awake, or ready to respond to it. Involuntarily, I held on tighter.

"E. You gotta let me go."

I felt my face turning to a frown, and without opening my eyes I shook my head.

"No."

Her giggle had me cracking one eye open.

Bella was grinning at me, her eyes alight with mirth.

"Please? I need to pee."

I only debated for a second, before releasing my hold. I came more awake as a very naked Bella crawled over me.

I watched as she walked into my adjoining bathroom, not bothering to put on any clothes. Her lack of modesty made me grin. I might have thought she'd be more shy, but that wasn't the case.

She came back just a few minutes later and slid in bed next to me again. I was pleasantly surprised when she laid her head on my shoulder.

Looking down, I noticed much of her makeup had worn away, and a very dark bruise was showing through.

I traced it gently.

Her eyes tilted up to lock with mine.

"So, we gonna talk about it?" I finally asked. Her brows drew in.

"Talk about what?"

I continued to caress her cheek as I thought about what I wanted to say.

"You, me, sex."

Her confusion was evident, and she regarded me curiously.

"What exactly do you think we should talk about?"

I considered my next words carefully.

"Bella, I don't doubt you're capable of many things, but casual sex doesn't seem like one of them."

Her nose scrunched adorably.

"Why not?" Her voice told me she was clearly offended. I had to laugh.

"Only you would get upset because someone is calling you the opposite of easy."

Her frown deepened.

"No, you're just calling me a prude." She told me dryly.

I shook my head.

"I am most certainly not calling you a prude. I'm just saying, I don't think you take sex lightly. And I wanted to open the door to a discussion if you were feeling concerned about it."

She regarded me with a thoughtful look.

"I might not take it lightly, but I don't think it has to be so serious either. I mean I'm not gonna hook up with a total stranger, but I know and trust you. And I know you're not the type of person who would take advantage of that. So, I'm not concerned. I'm just enjoying."

It warmed me to know she trusted me, but I was a little saddened that she didn't want something more. I supposed, given my reputation she probably wouldn't be comfortable telling me she wanted more even if that were the case.

In all fairness, I had retained some of my aloofness when it came to her, even since we started 'dating'. If I wanted her to feel like it was real, I needed to show her what that would look like.

It was time to start acting like a real boyfriend.

Man, was I looking forward to that.

AN: Hopefully, that was a little more satisfying than the previous chapter, which I knew was a little short and not so meaty. I'm excited to see where this goes, Bella is in big trouble if Edward kicks up the boyfriend notch ;)

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