AN: I'm sorry for the late update, I wasn't ready in time, *face-palm*

This chapter is all about the 'M' but they do have the talk

Anyway, this is the last full chapter with the epilogue to come, hopefully, tomorrow.

Thank you to MeteorOnAMoonlessNight and Midnight Cougar for their stellar help, as always, and of course to every reviewer, favoriter, and follower

Disclaimer: SM owns it all, but I'd fight her for Edward


Boyfriends of Christmas Past Chapter 12

Summary

A trip back home for the holidays shows Bella everything she didn't know had been missing from her life.


Chapter 12

Edward

I slowly came awake, aware of the warmth of the body pressed against my chest. My mind was blank for a second until Bella's scent invaded my space and all memories of last night returned. My hands on her, hers on me—it could only get better from there.

There was still a discussion to be had about the logistics, but I was certain we'd figure something out. Bella stretched and pushed herself back, her ass connecting with my cock. Involuntarily, I flexed my hips.

"Hmm, Edward?"

Pulling her hair away from her neck and over her shoulder, my lips found the sweet-tasting bare skin under her jaw and behind her ear. She squirmed, and goosebumps marched along her arm and across her back. The warm flesh over her stomach contracted under my touch, and she shivered. Searching, my hand dipped under the elastic waistband of the boxers she wore, which were possibly even sexier than the tiny pair of boy shorts she had on last night. Pushing them down and off, my fingers found the wet warmth between her legs, enticing me to search further. I pushed my finger inside her, then used her arousal to circle her clit.

A sigh and a sexy moan whispered into the cool air of the room told me she was enjoying my touch. I added a second finger, and she widened her legs, pushing her hips toward my hand. I pushed her body back toward me, grinding my aching cock against her.

Bella reached between our bodies, her hand finding and encircling my cock, squeezing and sliding her hand up and down.

"I want you," I whispered as I sucked lightly at the skin behind her ear.

Bella turned over in my arms, her mouth finding mine. Our kisses turned heated and sloppy. Her hands slid over my shoulders, tangling in the hair at the base of my neck, and I shivered at how right it felt.

I smoothed a hand over the warm skin of her back and pulled her closer until there wasn't an inch between us. Her erect nipples brushed against my chest, and my other hand engulfed her breast.

She pulled away from my mouth with a gasp, arching into my hand. "I'm yours, Edward."

Her bare throat was an invitation, and I didn't resist, kissing down to her collarbone. Sometime during the night, she'd discarded her sweatshirt, so I pushed the T-shirt—my T-shirt—up, baring her breasts for my mouth. Bella leaned away from the bed and pulled it over her head, leaving her hair in a cloud around her head. I drew back, admiring her smooth, porcelain skin, perky breasts and dusky-rose nipples. The cool air of the room drew them into hard peaks. I drew a line with my forefinger between her breasts, then leaned down to suck one nipple into my mouth. Bella arched her back, pushing the hard bud farther into my mouth.

"Ahh, oh God, Edward."

At Bella's reaction, I grinned around her nipple before swapping to the other side and repeating the action. I traced a line between her breasts and circled her navel, dipping into the warmth at the apex of her thighs. Her legs dropped open and her hips canted upward.

"Please, Edward."

"What, Bella? Tell me what you want."

"Please—put your mouth on me. Please."

I felt a rush of desire at her begging tone and moved to kneel between her legs, then followed the line my fingers had drawn with my tongue, pausing to dip into her navel. She giggled, the sound going straight to my heart—she sounded so happy.

Her giggle turned to a gasp when my mouth reached her clit. Lying on my stomach, I used my hands to open her up to me. I looked up to find her eyes fixed on me as I took my first taste of the girl I'd loved for almost a decade.

I used my tongue to explore each fold, dipping inside, not touching her clit until she was begging me, flexing her hips toward my face, the word "please" falling from her lips again. I took a long lick, covering her clit with the flat of my tongue before circling it with the tip. I sucked it into my mouth, flicking my tongue across and around it.

Inserting first one finger, then a second inside her hot, wet pussy, I curled them inside her, feeling for the pad of spongy flesh that would make her fall apart. Arousal seeped from my girl, her hands tangled in my hair, tugging my mouth toward her body while jerking her hips upward.

With a few more strokes of my fingers, I felt her muscles contract and grip them. She shuddered and clenched over and over again, her legs shaking. I slowed my movements, allowing her body to calm, and eventually rested my forehead on her stomach, waiting while she trembled.

Once her trembling ceased, I crawled my way up her body, my elbows resting on either side of her head. I smoothed her hair from her forehead and smiled at her when she opened her eyes.

"Good morning, my love."

~ oOo ~

Bella

Waking up beside Edward was a surreal experience. To finally know he felt the same way I did was a relief and a revelation. I never dreamed a visit to Forks would have this outcome, but I was so very glad I'd made the trip, even with the Alec debacle.

Even before I opened my eyes, I was aware of the heat of his body and the hard steel rod behind me, pressing into my ass. The feel of him there was comforting and intoxicating. The fire had burned low, but the light from the window was bright, the snow still falling.

Everything was a mash of sensations. Cool air, warm lips on my skin, fingers deliciously invading my body. Pleasure, like jolts of electricity, flashed through me when his tongue licked the soft skin between my legs, pushing me higher and higher until all sensation except those his tongue and fingers elicited faded into the background.

Begging words fell from my mouth, babbling my need. I couldn't feel the bed underneath me, nor the pillow under my head. A burst of ecstasy washed over me as my orgasm hit me, blood rushing through my veins, then singing in my ears.

Muscles in my legs, my stomach, and deep inside me clenched hard, and I couldn't breathe for what seemed like minutes. Warm hands smoothed over the skin on my forehead and, eventually, I opened eyes I didn't know I'd closed to see Edward's face inches from mine.

"Good morning, my love," Edward whispered, and those words warmed my heart.

I reached for him, pulling him down to lie on top of me. I felt boneless as every part of me relaxed into his embrace.

"Good morning," I repeated. His eyes blazed with emotion, and I could clearly read the love showing in them. I hoped he could see the same in mine.

I became aware of his hard length resting between my legs, still covered by his boxers. He flexed his hips, pushing the head over my clit, then withdrew to repeat the action.

"God, I want you, Bella." He stilled, then climbed to his knees, leaving my skin open to the cool air, my body spread under his. "I wasn't expecting you, so unfortunately, I don't have any condoms with me." His fingers tangled in his hair where he tugged at the strands in frustration before running his hands over his face.

Sitting upright, I pulled his hands away from his face. "It's okay, Edward. I'm on the pill, and I've always made Alec wrap it, and I've tested clean. So, I'm okay with it if you are."

"I was tested after my last girlfriend, and there's been no one since I moved to Forks. I haven't ever been intimate with anyone without a condom, either. If you're sure? No pressure, I promise. I can wait. I'm in this for the long haul."

I kneeled in front of him. "I'm so glad to hear that, Edward. I know we have a lot more to talk about, but for now, come here. Make love to me, please."

I dragged my fingers along the waistband of his boxers, encouraging him to take them off. He pulled his T-shirt off over his head, leaving us both naked. It didn't take long for the interruption to fade, and feelings to take over again. Our kisses became hot and heavy with desire, his tongue invading my mouth while his cock slid through my wetness. Lifting his head to look at me, his eyes asked the question again, and when I nodded, sure this was exactly what I wanted, he pushed inside me.

Unable to be quiet, the moan I let out echoed through the room. Finally, everything fell into place, his cock deep inside me, stretching me in delicious ways.

"Oh, God, Bella. I never imagined..."

Edward shuddered and swallowed, holding himself still for a few seconds before withdrawing and pushing back inside again. Propping himself up on his hands, he hovered over me, watching where his cock disappeared and reappeared from inside me.

Settling back on his heels, he gripped my hips before sliding his hands down my thighs and around, under the backs of my knees to lift them and open me up to him. His penetration was deep enough to pull a harsh breath, then a moan from my throat, and my eyes slid closed.

"Open your eyes, Bella." Edward's voice was insistent. "Look at us."

I looked back down as he demanded, watching as he filled me with every thrust, pounding into me harder with each one. With the head of his erection dragging against that sweet spot inside me with every thrust, I felt myself racing toward my orgasm.

Lifting my legs, I gripped him around the waist and groaned as he slipped deeper inside me, hitting that spot inside me at a new angle. Enough to push me over the edge, I cried out, Edward's name falling from me in a breathless gasp as a wave of intense pleasure washed along every nerve.

Edward's body jerked erratically, lost in pleasure, his cock pulsing inside me. His eyes closed as he stilled, his stomach muscles clenching. His breath harsh in his throat, he slowly lowered his body onto mine.

I could feel his heart beating in my chest as we lay together, our breathing synchronizing and slowing. Propping himself on one elbow and leaning to one side to take some of his weight from me, his gaze met mine, his emotions clear as he looked at me.

His large, warm hand, slightly rough with the manual labor he performed each day, cupped my face, his thumb brushing the line of my jaw.

"I love you so much, Bella."

He lowered his face, his lips brushing gently across mine. I wound my arms around his neck and opened my mouth, my tongue seeking his.

Embarrassingly, my stomach grumbled. I drew back, finishing the kiss with a peck at the corner of his mouth, then giggled. "Sorry, I haven't eaten since your mom handed me a plate of canapés yesterday evening. Do we have anything to eat here?"

Edward laughed and his softening cock slipped from me with a trickle of fluid.

"Ugh, I need to clean up."

"While you do that, I can sort out something to eat. I don't have much because I've mostly been eating at Mom and Dad's. There's a loaf of bread and some butter in the fridge, so I can make some toast. We can sneak into their house later and pick up some leftovers. You want coffee, love?"

"Please."

I slid out of bed, grabbing Edward's T-shirt and boxers from the previous evening. They would have to suffice until I returned home. Looking out the window, I realized that might not be until later today. Not that I was complaining; I was looking forward to spending the day with Edward and we still had things to discuss.

Edward tossed on his clothes and disappeared in the direction of the kitchen while I headed for the bathroom. The smell of coffee wafting through the house had me washing up quickly and using the facilities, then following the scent to where Edward stood with a steaming cup of the fragrant liquid.

He'd place a heap of toast on a plate on the kitchen island, along with a block of butter and a jar of grape jelly.

I picked up the cup, inhaling the scent and taking a large swig of the liquid. "Hmm," I said, savoring the taste. "You remembered how I like my coffee," I said. "And the grape jelly, too."

"I haven't forgotten anything, Bella," Edward said quietly.

Putting my cup down, I rounded the island and slipped my hands around his waist, hugging him to me. "I haven't either," I whispered.

We stood there for a couple of minutes, simply holding each other, before sitting on the bar stools and digging into the pile of toast. The silence was comfortable as we ate and finished two cups of coffee each. It was only disturbed by a quiet knock on the front door.

Edward looked at me and shrugged. "Only a few people know we're here, unless it's a client."

He headed for the front door. "Hey, Dad. What are you doing here? Is everything okay?" I heard him say.

A minute later, he returned, followed by Carlisle. I was thankful I was on the opposite side of the island and he couldn't see just how little I was wearing, although he probably guessed. As always, he was far too much of a gentleman to say anything or ask questions.

"Good morning, Carlisle."

"Morning, both of you." He set a couple of bags on the counter. "Edward, Mom sent me along with a bag of groceries and some leftovers from the party. She figured you'd be here, and she thought you might need sustenance." He smirked at Edward, and I dropped my head, feeling my face color with embarrassment.

"Bella, Esme has taken the liberty of calling Charlie to tell him you're okay and will call him later. I hope she didn't overstep any boundaries."

I shook my head and murmured a "thank you." A couple of minutes later, he was gone. Edward dug into the first bag to find tupperware containers filled with lasagna, sandwiches, and even cheesecake. She'd also added creamer, sugar, milk, bacon, eggs, flour, sliced meat, and some veggies.

"How long does she expect us to be staying here?" I asked as he put away the items in the cupboard and the refrigerator before sitting back on the stool.

"I've no idea what she's thinking, Bella. I admit, I told her I was hoping we'd get a chance to talk, and of course, she's always wanted to see us together." He rubbed his hand over his hair, leaving it standing up, and looked at me sheepishly. "I can take you home if you like; the truck will make it through the snow."

I hopped off my stool and pushed my way between the countertop and his stool, standing between his legs. "No way, Cullen. You're not getting rid of me that easily now I've found you again." I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. "How about you show me that shower, then we can snuggle back in bed and talk about what comes next?"

"I don't have many clothes here. Just a few pairs of boxers, socks, some T-shirts, and a couple of sweaters. Will you be warm enough?"

"I'm sure we can think of something to keep ourselves warm, and we can build up the fire. We were warm enough last night."

Edward's cock hardened between us, and he took my hand, leading me into the bathroom and turning the water on. Leaving me there, he walked back to the living room, collecting his duffel.

Checking through the bathroom, I found a couple of towels in one of the floor-to-ceiling cupboards, and pulled off my clothes before stepping into the shower and standing under the rainfall head.

The cubicle had filled with steam when Edward opened the door, letting in cooler air. Having dispensed with his clothes, he stepped in behind me, placing body wash, shampoo, and conditioner on the shelf and pulling me back into his chest.

We stood there with the warm water cascading down on the two of us. Edward kissed my neck, then reached past me to grab the shampoo bottle, pouring some into his hands. Lathering it up, he massaged it through my wet hair before rinsing the suds off and repeating his actions with the conditioner.

"Hmm, that feels good, Edward."

My moans and groans of appreciation were having an effect on Edward. I could feel how hard he was as he pushed his hardening shaft against my ass. I turned around and took him in my hand, sliding it up and down, twisting my hand around the head on the upstroke. Within minutes, he was pushing himself into my hand.

He reached out and gripped my wrist, stopping my movements, then kissed me hard. "I want to come inside you, Bella."

He spun me around, pushing me gently against the cool tiles, and pushed his knee between my legs, widening them. With a hand in the middle of my back urging me to bend, he slid his fingers inside me before replacing them with his cock.

"Ahh, Edward."

He withdrew, then pushed in again. I pushed my ass back against him, arching my back in pleasure as he plunged into me again and again.

"Don't stop, don't stop," I chanted. "Harder."

Already I could feel my orgasm building as his cock brushed against my G-spot, lifting my hips up to his every thrust. Edward rotated his hips, grinding his cock deep inside me until I exploded around him. He gripped me around the waist as my legs threatened to collapse under me, and his rhythm began to falter as he chased his own release.

A minute or so after me, he stilled, my name falling from his mouth in a hoarse whisper. He leaned over my back, resting his forehead on my shoulder for a minute, his breath coming in gasps I could feel wafting across my skin.

"Jesus, Bella. It gets better and better. Are you okay, sweetheart?"

"Never better, Edward, but I do need to sit before my legs give out." I giggled. "They feel like wet noodles."

Edward straightened and pulled out of me, leaving me feeling bereft. He stepped back, taking a seat on the shower bench before pulling me down onto his lap. I rested my head on his shoulder. He stroked my hair and back until our breathing calmed and the water cooled.

"Come on, let's get out, love. I'll build up the fire and make some more coffee."

I agreed and stepped out of the shower, grabbing a towel and leaving Edward to wash his hair before the water turned ice cold. I rubbed my hair dry, wrapping the towel around my body. I rummaged in his duffel, finding myself a clean pair of boxers, another T-shirt—this one with Cullen Construction across the back—and a pair of socks.

I headed back to the living room and shivered my way into the clean clothes before using the towel to wrap my hair. Edward appeared in the doorway, dressed the same as me, and immediately kneeled in front of the fireplace.

"We're going to need some more logs up here from the basement. While I fetch those, can you make coffee, please?" he asked.

"No problem, Edward." I left him to fetch the logs, and made the coffee, calling Dad to let him know everything was fine while the coffee machine gurgled and dripped its liquid gold.

I returned to the living room as Edward was building up the fire. The room was already warming, and we climbed onto the bed, covering up with the sleeping bags and the blanket we'd used at our impromptu picnic.

The room was quiet for a while as I gathered my thoughts, and Edward waited for me to initiate the talk I knew we had to have.

"You know I have a flight back to L.A. in two days—I've already taken most of my vacation time."

"If you were living with Alec, would you be safe going back? Do you have somewhere to stay?"

I lifted his arm and snuggled close to his side. "I've already called my friend Alice. She and her husband, Jasper, promised to collect my things from the apartment, and I'm pretty sure they would've been able to do that before Alec arrived back in L.A. I stayed with them when Alec and I split up last year, and they're more than happy for me to stay with them again until I know what I'm doing."

"As long as you're sure you'll be safe. I could kill him for hurting you. I can take a little time off to come with you, if you want me to?"

"I love you for wanting to protect me, Edward, but it's not necessary. I'll be fine. Alec is basically a coward, but if it makes you happy, I promise I won't be alone with him. Jasper will come with me if I need to go by the apartment."

"Okay, but where do we go from here, Bella? Now we've reconnected, I—I don't want to lose you again."

I turned to look at him, and he leaned down to kiss me, his hand cupping my face. "Oh, Edward, I don't want to lose you, either. When I came here, my relationship with Alec was already over, I can admit that now. But, I never imagined I'd find you again, that you loved me all this time, and I love you, too, so much."

"I love you, too, sweetheart. So, what can we do?"

"I haven't had any time to find out exactly what's possible, but your business is here in Forks, Edward. There's no way you can move it away, and I wouldn't expect you to give it up, either."

"We'll just have to do the long-distance thing for a while, Bella. Your job is important, too."

"At this moment, Edward, my career is secondary to the way I feel about you. That's not very twenty-first century, I know, but it's how I feel. As soon as I return to work, I'll speak to my boss and see if the company will be happy for me to work from home. If she doesn't agree, then I have some savings, so I'll be okay for a while until I find something else."

"You can't give up your job, Bella. It's important to you, and therefore, it's important to me."

The fire crackled in the hearth, the silence in the room comfortable. I'd already made up my mind what I was going to do. I slipped out from underneath Edward's arm and climbed into his lap, my legs on either side of his.

"I know, and I love you for thinking that way, but I've made up my mind, Edward. Where I work is semantics because I'm sure I can write anywhere. My dad, my friends, and most importantly, you are here in Forks, and that's where I'm going to be—with you. I'm moving back here, and there's nothing you can say to make me change my mind. Dad will be over the moon, so I know I can stay with him until I find work and an apartment."

I cupped his stubble-covered jaw in my hands and kissed him, deepening it when he opened his mouth under mine. His hands were firm and warm on the skin of my lower back, pulling me close. I could feel his relief in the kiss we shared. I pulled away when I ran out of breath.

"I love you, Edward."

The blinding smile on his face was its own reward. "Well, at least let me drive you to the airport, and promise me if you need help with anything, you'll call me."

"I will, I promise."

For the rest of the day, we avoided any further discussions about workplaces, apartments, and jobs, choosing to spend our time talking and getting to know all that had happened in our lives over the last nine years, knowing the rest of our story still had to play out.

~ oOo ~