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I know this chapter is a little behind. I promise to be on time next week. Thanks for your patience.

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Chapter15

Bella: 16

Edward: 28


Bella-

I spent one Saturday a month with Esme after our initial meeting. Some days we went shopping, once in a while we met for coffee, and sometimes we just sat on Edward's patio and chatted. Those were some of my best memories, and the more we met, the more I missed my own mom.

Was I still pissed at her? Absolutely.

I would never forget how easily she bailed on me and my dad when shit became hard. But the truth was, she was still my mom, and even though she'd made selfish decisions, there had been years of cherished memories before that.

Could I forgive her irrational decisions to desert us when we needed her the most? I still wasn't sure.

I sat at Edward's staring at her number I'd programmed into my phone. Internally, I warred with a mixture of feelings. I was angry because she'd forced me to grow up faster than I'd ever imagined. Not only had I been forced to find a job to pay bills around my apartment, but I'd sacrificed so much of my adolescence.

It may not sound like a big deal, but it kind of was. I'd spent many afternoons working while my friends went out on dates, occasionally my grades had suffered, and she'd shredded the trust I had placed in her. Nibbling my nails as I studied my cell, I couldn't deny how incredibly selfish I sounded.

While her decision had forced me to mature faster than my peers, I had also been given an amazing opportunity I would never have had without it. Perhaps if she hadn't left I would've never met Edward. I would never have had a reason to be in that grocery store searching for a job. He would've never overheard me arguing with that obnoxious clerk. I wouldn't be sitting here on his couch. I would never have met Alice or Esme.

With these thoughts, some of my anger dissipated. The way she'd handled the whole situation was something to be desired, but it had inspired a chain of events I would never change.

Taking a deep breath, I ran my fingers through my hair, tucking the strands behind my ear as I gnawed on my bottom lip. My fingers trembled, and with rising anxiety, I reached for my cell.

Pressing the call button, I held the phone to my ear, my stomach churning when it began to ring. The phone rang twice before she picked up.

"Hello?"

The sound of her voice caused tears to well up, and a lump to form in my throat. Choking up made it difficult to speak, but finally, I managed, "H-hi, Mom, it's me."

"B-Bella? Oh my, I-I've missed you so much," she cried, and I could hear the emotion in her words. I could hear her struggling to keep from crying, and it wrecked me.

As strong as I thought I was, nothing prepared me for the sound of my mom crying. Tears flowed down my cheeks, dripping off my jaw to land on my shirt. Even as sadness gripped me, I felt the burn of anger begin to well up in my chest until I thought it would burst.

"H-how could you just leave like that? W-we needed you, and you just left." I scrubbed at the tears that refused to stop. "You just acted like you didn't care. H-how could you leave us, Mom?"

I heard her suck in a breath as she digested the hard questions I asked. "I know, baby, I know. I should have handled the whole situation differently. Your dad and I had been having problems for a while, and then, when the shooting happened, I just acted Bella. I have regretted it every single day for the way I handled things. All I can do now is apologize, and pray you forgive me."

I hiccupped with tears clogging my throat. "I don't know. I'm so mad at you. We didn't have any money to pay for bills. We didn't have anything. Do you know what it's like to lose hot water and have to boil water to wash? Or to clean the dishes. We didn't even have money for groceries half the time. How am I supposed to forgive that?"

"D-do you need money? I will send you whatever I can, baby. God, I'm so sorry, Bella."

"No. I don't need any money. I found a job a year and a half ago to pay for bills that you weren't there to help with." I knew I was sticking a knife in an open wound, and at that moment, I didn't care. "I worked. I bought groceries. I paid for the gas to be reconnected. I did everything you didn't. And what you did was crap by the way. Real crap."

"I'm sorry, Bella. I would do anything to change it."

"But you can't," I told her, wiping the last of my tears away. Sniffing, I cleared my throat. "It's okay though. For a while, it wasn't, but we managed to work it out."

For the next half an hour, I talked to my mom, and even though I was still mad at her, a tremendous weight lifted off my shoulders. I was so caught up in our conversation, I didn't notice Edward standing in the doorway until we hung up. Luckily, my eyes were dry and I wouldn't be caught sobbing like a fool in front of him.

He pointed at the phone. "Who was that?"

The sight of Edward was always comforting in a way I couldn't explain, he made me feel at ease like I could talk to him about anything. While he was sexy as hell, his ability to converse and understand made him so much more appealing than his handsome face. That didn't mean I didn't notice the stubble on his jaw or his lean shoulders, and etched chest.

I stood up and turned to him. "I took your advice and called my mom. You were right. It helped."

I was determined not to cry in front of him, but the pride in his eyes hit a nerve, and instantly emotion built up. A tear escaped, rolling down my cheek. He smiled softly and pushed away from the doorway. His arms wrapped around me as he stepped in front of me, and he drew me close. I returned his hug, breathing in his familiar scent, I melted into his chest when he kissed my temple. "Good, baby. I hope it gives you some peace."

I buried my face into his chest because he felt so good. Home. He felt like home. Then and there, I told him the truth. "You give me peace. I wouldn't have anything without you."


Present Day-

I was in complete awe when I stepped onto the tour bus. The interior took me by complete surprise. I was standing in the middle of a completely furnished living room. A snow-white couch and matching chair lined the far wall, and across from it sat a sixty-inch TV. To my right and closest to the driver was a fully equipped kitchen with a stove, fridge, and enough counter space to make a queen envious. Okay, maybe not a Queen, but the whole setup blew my damn mind.

A long hallway stretched out the length of the bus, and three doors were closed in the dark archway. I assumed bedrooms just as lavish were behind those doors.

Edward chuckled behind me holding Angel against his chest. "Are you okay, babe? You look shocked."

"I am shocked," I said, finally realizing I was blocking his path. I stepped to the side, looking at the art on the walls. "I used to feel bad when you spent months on tour. I thought you were on a cramped bus without any room to move. This is a damn palace." I glanced at the carpet at my feet. "There's white carpet," I pointed. His eyes danced with amusement when I managed to look at him. "There's white carpet on a tour bus. Who would've thought? Certainly not me."

His hand came up running along my side, and he brushed a kiss on my shoulder. "You should see your room."

His comment tickled my curiosity. Shifting my bags on my shoulders, I hurried into the hallway, stopping before three doors. "Which one is mine?"

"Technically the one on the left, but you can always bunk with me," he stated, heat filling his gaze. Edward lightly rubbed Angel's back, but his eyes simmered as he studied me. A thrill shot through my stomach and slid down my thighs. "If you don't bunk with me, I might be tempted to visit you."

Edward declaring that he was my boyfriend last night had left me in a dreamy state. By the time I'd gone to bed after watching movies with my dad, I could barely keep my eyes closed. For as long as I could remember, I had wanted Edward, and now, he was mine.

I wanted to harness the desire swirling in my gut, but that promise in his lingering gaze made it so difficult. I shivered and swallowed hard. It took all of my willpower to resist the urge to leap into his arms. Licking suddenly dry lips, I turned the knob on the door and stepped into what would be my room for the next year.

A full-size bed dressed in a black comforter, and black pillows greeted me when I entered the room. The floors were wood tile, and the walls were covered in white paint, the same sporadic art hung as decoration. A ceiling fan spun overhead and a dresser sat adjacent to the bed with a thirty-two-inch TV on top of the smooth surface with a Blu-ray player. "Geez. I could live here."

"It's good you feel that way because it's home for the next several months," Edward stated, coming to stand behind me. "The last thing I want is you going stir crazy in a cramped bus. There's a full bathroom with a jacuzzi in case you feel the need for a long soak."

"I definitely will be taking advantage of that," I assured him, dropping my bags near the bed. Reaching toward Edward, I gestured for him to hand me Angel. "I can unpack later. I'll take her for a while."

I settled the baby against my chest when he handed her to me, saying, "I put her crib in my room since it's bigger. It's just across the hall."

"Well, show me," I insisted, patting Angel's back, following close behind him as he led the way to his bedroom. Ever since I'd cleaned for Edward, I'd never been permitted into his room. The thought of seeing something so personal sent an unexpected thrill, and anxiousness through me. So far we'd kissed a few times, and things had almost progressed to the physical yet Angela's untimely arrival had brought that to a swift end. Eventually, however, there wouldn't be any interruptions and I had no idea what to expect.

His setup was similar to mine. All the furniture was slightly bigger and more accommodating for his size. A crib sat on the far side of the room at the foot of his bed, yet it was the spacious bed that drew my attention. I shivered as images played through my mind.

Twisted sheets, sweaty bodies, and heavy breathing were the first things to come to mind. I was so lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice Edward closing the distance between us until his warm fingers slid along my waist, sneaking under the hem of my shirt to graze my belly. His mouth dropped even with my ear, whispering, "I do not plan on sleeping in that bed alone, lyric. I fully intend to have you wrapped around every inch of me."

He lifted my hair off my neck, his lips gliding down the slope as he spoke, adding to the tingling heat whirling in my gut. "What happened to waiting?"

"Oh we can wait as long as you want, but it doesn't mean I don't want you sleeping with me, on me, around me." Edward nibbled the sensitive flesh connecting my neck to my shoulder. As excitement flashed through my veins turning my blood to molten lava, I hissed, seeking more of his attention. He chuckled when I pressed my neck close to his mouth, his teeth scraping the length. "You like that?"

I could've lied, but my body spoke the truth. My nipples budded, and goosebumps ran down my arms. Holding Angel tighter to keep from losing my grip on her, I nestled deeper into the cocoon of his chest. His scent was hypnotizing, and I breathed him in. "You know I do."

He bit my neck sending a thrill of anticipation straight to my core. "Give the baby to me, Bella."

My mind was so muddled, and comprehension was an effort. Once I processed his command, I moaned a protest when his hand left my skin. In a daze, I let Edward take Angel and deliver her to the crib, awareness skating down my spine when he turned to face me. Desire dilated his pupils, and he prowled toward me with purpose in his gaze.

Nerves getting the best of me, I held my hand out and backed away. "Calm down, tiger. You're looking at me like I'm lunch."

His eyebrow lifted. "Baby, you could be lunch. Come here, and give me a little taste." He stalked closer, biting the tip of my finger before licking the sting away. "While your fingers taste good, I want more. Can I have more, lyric?"

I knew Edward like the back of my hand. I knew his routine. I knew his deepest secrets. I could write a list of all things I knew about this man, but this was a whole new side. This was a lusty man eager to stake his claim. And he wanted to claim me.

He was beautiful. He was sexy. He was intense. He was captivating, and his scent was making it very difficult to resist the temptation to give in to the hunger in his eyes.

I understood that hunger. I had carried that ravenous need for months. His desire instigated my own craving. Huskily, I sucked in a breath, meeting his gaze boldly. "What do you want to taste, Mr. Cullen?"

"Everything," he stated, using his hold on my fingers to draw me closer. When I rested against his chest, his lips skimmed my cheek. "Will you let me?"

I knew what he was asking. An undeniable thrill shot through my body, making me achy and wet. We were an hour into this trip and I was already caving.

Why shouldn't I indulge in the man I had wanted for so long? With this thought in mind, I encircled his neck and ran my fingers through his hair. Instantly his fist wrapped in my hair, pulling my head back, and Edward lowered his lips to mine. His tongue delved deep, teasing and searching. I returned lick for lick, each making me weaker.

He nipped my bottom lip before diving back inside, sucking hard on my tongue. I was dizzy with want. Eagerly I explored his broad shoulders, wandering down his lean chest, shoving at his shirt with growing impatience. I broke our kiss to lick along his jaw, loving the way he groaned and tilted his head giving me better access to his neck. When I explored the toned flesh of his abs, and he whipped his shirt over his head, I felt boneless.

I watched his muscles ripple with the movement, his pecs bulging before relaxing, and the silver studs of his nipple piercing sparkling under the light. I was about to lick every square inch of his perfectly etched chest, but he stopped me with a tug on my hair.

He growled low in his throat, and his muscles bunched and rippled as his nostrils flared. "While I'd love to feel that tongue on every part of me, it's my turn, and I'm not just talking about kissing, Bella. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

I knew nothing about sex besides the tidbits Alice and other friends had departed. While I had never physically experienced any of it, I wasn't an idiot. The light in his eyes held enough wickedness to taint the most saintly of souls. Of course, he wasn't just referring to kissing. Even though I was electrically charged, no one had ever seen me below my bathing suit. Having Edward's face level with that part of me made my stomach flop.

Heat rushed across my cheeks, and I knew my face was bright red. The thought might have me mildly embarrassed but curiosity outweighed my apprehension. Nervously, I nodded, feeling the flame ignite and traveling to every cell until I was electrified. "Yeah, I understand." I eased closer, feeling his cock hard against my thigh. Edward's body reacted to mine. I would relive this moment for the rest of my life because surely it would be the sweetest. "I want you to."

He stared at me for a long time, a look of surprise etched on his face. Then slowly it was replaced, his eyes darkening and a predatory look descended, resembling a wolf with a rabbit in its sights.

He walked me backward until the backs of my knees pressed against his bed. "This is a whole different side of me, baby. I don't want to scare you."

I trusted Edward more than anyone. He had been there for some of the most important parts of my life and had never led me astray. He'd been encouraging when I wanted to bury myself away from the world. He was my best friend. It seemed only right that I experienced my first encounter with him, with Edward Cullen.

My heart squeezed the thump stuttering before beating wildly as I stared at him. I looped my arms around his neck, combing through the soft hair at his nape. My gaze locked with Edward's, and I couldn't look away. "Don't baby me, Edward. I want the real you, even if it's a little intense."


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