79

"Take the day off." Bella breathes.

I try to get out of bed, but she hitches her bare leg over my hip, holding me down. I know if I really tried she would let me go, but I don't have it in me to fight her.

We've been at this for hours. Maybe days. I don't know anymore. I'm glad the girls are old enough to be self-sufficient because I'll admit I've been slacking as a parent since our big talk.

"I can't."

She gives me her best pout.

"Sweetheart, I took the last two days off. I don't want to get fired."

Bella straddles my lap and places my hands on her perfect tits. Remind me again why I'm fighting this so hard?

"Quit your job. I have enough money to last us a lifetime. A vampire lifetime. I'll be your immortal sugar mama. Problem solved."

"Bella."

She giggles. "I know, I know. You're too proud. What would people say and all that jazz."

In a split second, the roles are reversed, and I'm on top of her. "I suppose I can go in a little late."

I'll never understand Bella's ability to remain in control when we're together. I've heard horror stories about vampires getting caught up in the moment. Crushed pelvis. Broken ribs. Getting drained in the throes of passion.

My vampire has impeccable restraint. She's also insatiable.

"Edward." Bella moans.

I suck on her neck, knowing that I'll never be able to mark her, and my hand makes a slow trail from her neck down to her belly button. Bruises are one thing, those I have gained plenty of as we experiment and find our restrictions. I know she'd never forgive herself if I was seriously injured.

"I love you," I whisper in her ear. "Hold on to the headboard."

"I love you. I love you. I love you," she chants.

Her hands leave my shoulders to grip the headboard, gasping as I work her over. When she falls apart, she's quick to reciprocate, and I collapse on top of her because she can bear my weight and doesn't require oxygen. Perks of having sex with a vampire.

I'm not going to lie and say that it's comfortable. She's rock hard and cold even though we're under and above the electric blankets. But there's something about covering her body with mine that appeals to me.

She's planting kisses all over my face and trying to convince me that staying home just one more day won't hurt anyone when I notice that her hair is littered with splinters of wood.

"Bella …" I look up. "You broke the headboard."

"Just a mere casualty of our passion," She pushes me off and stands up. "I guess I know what I'll do to entertain myself while you're at work. Unless ..."

I cross my arms behind my head and smile lazily. "Unless what?"

"Unless you want to come with me to shop for a perfect replacement instead."

I try to argue that I'm already behind on all of my cases, but love wins out. I make the call into work and plug my nose so that I'll sound like I'm still sick with the flu. James sounds sympathetic and tells me he'll email me if he needs anything done.

Bella cackles and jokingly tells me to keep my day job. I drag her to the bathroom for a shower that's entirely filthy before we leave to go bed shopping. We also have to run by the hardware store to replace the tile she destroyed.