As always, thank you to all of you who have been reviewing or have just begun reviewing. Thanks also to those who've rec'd this fic those who've added this story to favorites and/or alerts and all of you for reading.
Hugs to MC for continuing to proofread for me to police commas and make sure that what I'm trying to say is what comes across.
Reminder: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and its characters, this all human version of events, however, is mine.
Enjoy.
Chapter 19: Meet the Cullens
"Bella, are you alright?" Edward asked as he turned off the road to a driveway sheathed so thickly in trees and plant life, the busy road behind us disappeared and quieted almost immediately.
"I'm fine," I assured him, not sure if I was lying or not as I looked out the window at the lush greenery. I'd been immersing myself in memories of the night before when Edward played to me on his guitar in my bed, trying to calm myself down. It was a very happy and soothing thought and something I couldn't help but hum in contentment when I thought about, especially when my thoughts rolled to all the other things Edward did to me in my bed last night.
Hmmm.
The problem was that even with those thoughts running blissfully through my mind, countless worries about meeting Edward's parents kept seeping back into my head; what would they think of me, would they like me, would they try to get Edward to realize just how out of my league he really was, should I have worn more make-up to show them I was trying, should I have worn less make-up to show them fully the plain me, was I dressed well enough…? The questions went round and round endlessly, torturing me, with no answers to shoo them away.
I looked down at my jeans and plain shirt with a grimace. When Edward and I had woken and finally pulled ourselves out of bed to get dressed this morning, he assured me no matter what I wore would be fine. He told me we were just going to be hanging out at his parent's place this afternoon and evening. Despite his assurances—and the fact he was wearing a rock t-shirt and jeans because he could wear rags and make them look amazing—I couldn't help but wish I would have picked something nicer, even though I couldn't think of anything I had that would have been perfect like I felt it needed to be.
"Bella," he said as he stopped the car and turned down the music.
Edward had just pulled off the road onto what appeared to be a long driveway. I was too nervous to look at him; instead I kept my eyes trained on the view outside my window. The peaceful quiet of the forest spilled out around us, blocking the sound and sight of both the road we'd just left behind us and the house I figured had to be somewhere before us.
"Hey, love, look at me," Edward ordered softly, reaching over, gently pulling my chin towards him with his electric touch.
I met his heart-stopping green eyes. The sight of him shot straight to my core. I had to remind myself to focus.
"Remember. Nothing you don't want to do. I mean it and that includes this," he said gesturing towards the house that I knew lay before us somewhere, his eyes earnest with honesty.
"I know," I assured him swallowing back my want. Because I did know that, I just never before wanted so much for someone to approve of me. The feeling was so overwhelming it was making me a little queasy.
"I shouldn't have even asked, it's too soon," Edward apologized in a mumble more to himself than to me after taking in my green complexion. Then more clearly he added, "I'm sorry. We'll go."
"No Edward," I insisted. "I'm fine. I'm glad you asked and I want to meet them. Really, I do."
"Are you sure?" He asked eyeing me skeptically despite the honesty I knew was evident in my voice.
I nodded; taking and blowing out a deep breath.
I was sure. I did want to meet the rest of Edward's family. I wanted to know anything and everything about the real him. It was just that I felt like I had a tall order to fill. Thanks to Jess, I knew the long list of leggy, strikingly gorgeous women that were speculated—a few of which were confirmed—to have been in Edward's dating history the past several years. I didn't fit their mold at all. Every last one of them was not one eyelash shy of a brick-solid ten—and that was just basing the comparison on looks alone. It was intimidating to know that—especially when I was well aware that I hovered around a six on a good day. Besides, who knew what kind of amazing things those women had done or accomplished on top of being stunningly gorgeous? I was certain that they probably bested me in education, personality, sense of humor, charity and everything else down the line as well. I still had no clue why Edward even looked twice at me and I was certain that whatever blinded Edward to my flaws and draw to me, wouldn't blind his family.
I was in deep over my head, but yet I stubbornly refused to go up for air.
"Really, Edward. I'm fine. I just don't want them to hate me or think I'm not good enough for you," I assured him with the core of my anxiety.
Edward breathed a laugh and shook his head at me.
"There is no way they could hate you, love or think such an absurd thing. I told you, Bella, they're going to love you," he paused and added cavalierly, "I should know, I'm kind of a reliable source on the subject," he teased, using my own words I'd said to him about missing him. His eyes danced; light and teasing but yet I could see behind the playfulness there was something intense and serious dwelling there.
My breathing hitched and my eyes studied his. My limbs felt light and tingly and my breath let out shakily. My heart raced faster as if it was trying to outrun itself.
I sat there frozen in shock trying to gauge the chances that he meant that the way it sounded. And while Edward's words had immobilized me, my acquired personalities, who didn't surrender to the same shocked stillness, began working fervently. Floozy Bella began her attempts to get me to catapult myself onto Edward so she could have her way with him right then and there—the dirtier the better—while Honesty Bella struggled with my voice box, desperately trying to coerce the actual words from my mouth that Edward seemed to have hinted at once again.
I briefly contemplated the odds that I'd heard him say something that never actually came from his mouth. It wouldn't be the first time that my active imagination had run rampant. I determined that the odds that he'd meant what he had said were not in my favor—at least not the way it sounded.
Edward's expression fell and turned wary as he studied me like he was face to face with a wild animal that he'd just startled and he was afraid any movement would send it running.
"What—?" The word escaped my mouth, my voice quivered lightly and my heart was pounding.
What the hell was I doing? Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!
"Yes?" He asked softly still eyeing me warily.
"What do you mean—?" I heard myself begin to ask. The answer to the question terrified me, but I was unable to stop the words because Honesty Bella somehow had succeeded in taking over the reins of my voice box.
At least she wasn't blurting confessions. I tried to assure myself.
However, before the question could be completed, Edward's cell phone rang out; distracting Honesty Bella for just a fraction of a second, but long enough for me to regain control and shut her up, saving myself from an answer I most likely didn't want to know. I was a wreck enough as it was, I didn't want to have my embarrassment from putting words into Edward's mouth he never said or meant added to the pile.
I cursed at Honesty Bella and sent thanks to the gods for whoever called Edward in that moment.
Edward ignored the phone, waiting for me to finish my question.
"You should get that," I insisted, looking away from his intensely curious eyes.
Edward looked at me for a beat longer—reluctant to give up finding out what I was going to ask—before he pulled his phone out, let out a sigh of light annoyance when he looked at the screen and put it up to his ear.
"Hey Em, we're almost there."
"I know bro," Emmett's voice carried in a soft buzz from Edward's phone through the silent car. "You're in the driveway. Did you forget Mom and Dad have a buzzer that lets them know when someone is coming up to the house? It went off like ten minutes ago, dude. Want to hurry up your quickie with the spinner? We're all waiting."
Embarrassment flooded me and I could feel a blush start to stain my cheeks.
"We were just talking," Edward exasperatedly protested.
"You don't need to lie to me, bro," Emmett laughed. "No judgment here. I just figured I'd let you know that we know you're here before someone goes wandering down the drive to see if you're okay and finds you naked-ass-up, taking liberties with my favorite little spinner girl."
Oh God. My face just went up in flames. Not only was I meeting Edward's family for the first time, but now they all were now thinking I was screwing him just outside their house. I covered my face with my hands trying vainly to hide from the embarrassment.
Fantastic. I thought sarcastically. What a great first impression.
Knowing it was futile, I looked around for a hole in the woods surrounding us that I could crawl into.
Nope, no such luck. Crap.
"Thanks for the heads-up Em," Edward said dryly.
"Hey, that's what brothers are for," he said with a hardy laugh.
"We'll be there in a minute," Edward said, signing off, ending the call and then looked over at me. "Sorry about that. You were asking me something?"
"It was nothing," I said shaking my head. Edward might have been sorry for the interruption, but I was eternally grateful for it. "We can talk about it later."
"Why are you blushing?" Edward laughed with confused amusement.
"I could hear Emmett," I confessed.
Edward laughed understanding. "I told you, Em doesn't have a filter," he said and laughed again. "Don't be embarrassed, love. I'm not. Nor would I be if that was what we were actually up to out here."
Edward's eyes danced mischievously then he leaned over, kissing me tenderly. I kissed him back feeling all my worries almost instantly melt away when his lips met mine, like some kind of magic, electric anecdote to my apprehensions that coursed through me until all that remained was Edward and me.
The kiss quickly grew into more until our breathing was heavy and I was on the verge of begging him to take me right there, not caring where we were or who was waiting for us—not with Edward on my lips.
Edward hooked his arm around my hip, pulling me against him with a jerk.
I moaned as my body thrilled and my breathing quickened.
I turned and slid my leg behind him and pulled him over me as I leaned back and our kisses turned more urgent. I couldn't help myself; I wanted him—needed him—right then.
Apparently there was some sliver of exhibitionism in me that I'd never been aware of. I wondered briefly if it was Floozy Bella or a whole other personality I had to tame and keep under control at the reigns.
God help me if they all got out and ran rampant together.
Wait. What was I doing? I couldn't lie for anything. One look at me and they'd know exactly what we were doing out here. Emmett's speculating was one thing, but my poor lying skills confirming it was another. And our relationship being purely physical was not the impression I wanted Edward's parents to have because, while our relationship was an amazingly highly physical one, it was definitely more than that—at least it was for me.
I broke the kiss to catch my breath and regain my thoughts, but it was a challenge given my thought process was still scrambled because I was breathing in large amounts of concentrated Edward scent. I rallied against my severe need to connect with him and spoke.
"We, uh, should, um," I said unable to pull together a full linear statement.
Edward let out a calming breath. "Yeah, you're right," Edward said clearing his throat, sounding reluctant to concede. "We should go before Emmett decides to start making that stroll down the driveway—because he will, if he hasn't started already."
He kissed me again and then pulled back just enough to look at me. He eyed me greedily and licked his lips in want. His expression reminded me of a person forced to put down a book or walk away from a movie right when it was getting really good—regretting having to part with it. Then, his eyes softened, turning wistful and he drew the back of his fingers down the side of my face before kissing me chastely.
"Later," he promised severely; his eyes dark with want; a look that made my body stand at attention. My stomach curled in eager anticipation.
"Definitely later," I agreed, my voice betraying my desire.
"My insatiable Bella," Edward said approvingly as he straightened up. He glanced over at me, catching me still eyeing him wantonly as I righted myself and slid back to my seat.
He smiled and shook his head before he adjusted himself, took a deep breath and resumed down the drive.
Moments later the trees gave way to lush green grass, the house came into view. It was a beautiful stone accented house that somehow managed to appear grand and homey at the same time. It was nestled into the edge of thick trees that separated it from the road and neighbors on the outskirts of Seattle, offering privacy without giving up the convenience the city had to offer. As we drew closer to the house, I noticed that I could see the waterfront sparkling behind it, making it seem all the more surreal in its perfection.
When we got out of the car, Edward took my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze as we walked up to the door.
"Hey Spinner!" Emmett greeted jovially as he stepped out of the front door with his signature contagious smile.
"Hi Emmett," I smiled nervously and blushed deeply knowing what he thought we were doing—and, well, almost did—in the driveway.
Emmett quickly swooped his arms around me in a big bear hug as he picked me off the ground.
"Have a nice 'chat' out there, Bella?" he asked as he set me back down, flashing a wink and smirked down at me.
I blushed so deeply, I figured I could probably rival the color of a cooked lobster.
"Emmett, leave her alone," Edward pleaded on my behalf.
"What?" Emmett asked innocently.
Edward rolled his eyes at his brother and shook his head as he took my hand back into his. Then he led the way out of the heavy warmth of the afternoon and into the comfortably cool house. Emmett looked out past us to where Edward had parked the car as if hoping to see something. Then he turned and followed us in, looking disappointed.
Something told me he was hoping to see Rose and it made me feel guilty for not telling her what I was up to this weekend because maybe she would have wanted a chance to see Emmett again, despite what she'd said on the plane.
The inside of the home was beautiful, light, open—far nicer than any home I'd ever been in and kind of reminded me of the way I felt seeing Edward's hotel room that first time in that way. But this place was far more inviting and warmly decorated. Much like the house was outside, the inside was grandly decorated, but it was also homey somehow and begged you to curl up on the couch with a good book. Everything was beautiful, light and clean, without leaving a feeling of sterility and coldness in its grandeur.
"We're all out on the deck," Emmett said, pulling me from my gawking and stepped around us, giving Edward a light smack on the shoulder and lead the way through the house.
The reality of the situation seemed to hit me just then; I was really doing this. I was about to meet Edward's parents.
My heart immediately took off, pounding with the thought.
Edward gave my hand another squeeze and looked down at me as if to tell me that it was going to be just fine. I took a deep breath and gave him the best smile I could muster, but it ended up looking more like a grimace than a smile.
He breathed a laugh and headed in the direction Emmett had gone rubbing soothing circles with his thumb on the back of my hand.
We veered to the left of the grand staircase, passing through a large, but cozy sunken living room with a beautifully marbled stone fireplace and a baby grand piano nestled in the corner. I stubbed my toe on one of the two steps that took us out of the living room to where the formal dining table sat that was large enough for eight or ten people.
"Are you okay?" Edward asked, as I cried out from the pain.
"Yes, I'm fine," I promised him through gritted teeth. "I do it all the time." I added with a smile trying to hide my embarrassment.
Edward breathed a laugh as he stroked my heated cheek with the back of his fingers.
My breathing hitched as I met his strikingly green eyes.
"Didn't you two get enough in the car?" Emmett's voice boomed with a laugh, surprising me as I hadn't realized he was still in the house with us. "Come on," he added before I heard him open a door letting in the sound of voices and laughter. Then the close of the door muted the sound again.
I blushed deeper and looked at the floor.
Edward slipped his fingers under my chin and tipped my face up, kissed my lips softly and smiled. "Come on, love."
The hardwood flooring of the formal dining room flowed right into a huge kitchen and breakfast seating area. It was then I realized that the entire back wall of the place was covered with huge windows leading out to the deck that overlooked the water.
As warm and welcoming as this place was, I couldn't help but feel like I did not belong here. Did Edward seriously think nothing of my little, run-down apartment when his parents' kitchen alone would swallow my entire apartment whole? I wondered how he had kept a straight face when he told me he liked my place when he was obviously accustomed to grandeur since his parent's house looked like this.
The lavishness pricked at a strange feeling I couldn't shake, a feeling that told me my coming from simple means made it appear to the world that I was just looking to get into Edward's money and fame. I knew neither was in any way true, in fact I would have much preferred the opposite, but the knowledge of the very real potential perception bothered me.
When we walked into the kitchen, I saw them; Emmett leaning against the deck railing, standing by four people I didn't know who were sitting at a table on the deck looking every bit as beautiful as Edward and Emmett, laughing and chatting animatedly. They all looked so perfect, sitting there at this beautiful house overlooking the gorgeous view of the water, that they seemed like they were people handpicked for a commercial—and I knew that whatever they were selling, people would be buying if it meant a life as wonderful as theirs. It was quite intimidating being surrounded by such perfection. Rose was one thing, a house-full of people her caliber was another.
I felt very insignificant in that moment, like there was no way I would ever measure up to them no matter how nice they might have been. I had a hard enough time wrapping my mind around the fact that Edward wanted me around; I didn't think that whatever luck I'd struck with that lottery would spread beyond him.
"Bella?" Edward's velvet voice broke my string of thoughts.
"Hmm?" I asked distantly, having a hard time looking away at the perfect family I was intruding upon as the odd duck that I was—my namesake dubbed me a Swan, but a swan, I was not, Jacob was the one in the family that filled those shoes.
"Look at me," Edward ordered softly again, something I eagerly complied with as soon as I figured how to look away from the people on the deck. The moment I did, I got sucked into his sexy green eyes that shot straight through to my core, making me wish we would have been up to exactly what Emmett had insinuated. Fears of meeting the people on the other side of the glass completely vanished as I swam in Edward's eyes
My tongue dragged across my lips, then realizing what I was doing, I drew my bottom lip into my mouth, trapping it between my teeth.
"You're determined to make this torture on me, aren't you?" he accused, his eyes narrowed as he released my lip from my teeth, but the amusement and want dancing in them gave him away.
"I told you, it's your fault I'm like this," I mumbled.
"Right, my fault," he said with humor as he smiled scratching his cheek with his thumb.
Dear God. Torture on him? Torture on me.
Then he cleared his throat and raked his free hand through his hair a few times before he spoke again. "They're going to love you," he said firmly.
I rolled my eyes.
"Trust me," he pleaded earnestly.
I did trust him. I trusted him far more than he realized. So I took a deep breath and nodded, even though it felt like I was being led into a room full of predators.
Edward led me to the door, opening it, letting the happy chatter from the other side spill into the house. Almost as soon as the door was opened, the chattering of voices quieted for the smallest fraction of a second as they all looked to the door and then they erupted loudly with welcomes, voices on top of voices.
I watched as their eyes slid from Edward to me, then from me to our hands clasped together. Various expressions that were gone far too quickly for me to read flashed upon their faces before they all settled into warm smiles. Edward let go of my hand and slipped his along the small of my back—a gesture I was becoming familiar with that seemed protective and made me feel special—and his thumb began drawing small soothing circles and I bit back a hum of contentment.
Edward's parents were the first to come to us, greeting their son with hugs and words of being glad that he'd made it home okay. Then they introduced themselves to me as Carlisle and Esme, both of whom initially went to offer me a hug of welcome, but then offered their hands as if they didn't want to make me uncomfortable by doing so.
Carlisle had blond hair, blue eyes and was the same height as Edward. I was struck with how handsome he was, remarking to myself that he could easily have been a movie star himself. Esme was slender but curvy and besides being very beautiful, she had one of the sweetest, kindest faces I'd ever seen, one of those faces you couldn't help but like the person immediately. She stood a few inches taller than me with caramel brown hair and brown eyes. Both Carlisle and Esme possessed a presence that made me feel immediately at ease and I could feel myself calm down with their warmness.
I took a deep breath thinking maybe I could do this.
The two other people I didn't know had stood from their chairs with smiles of their own waiting to greet us. The tiny woman I assumed to be Edward and Emmett's sister had dark, short spikey hair that was the same color of Emmett's, but reminded me of Edwards in the way that it seemed that each strand had its own personality, and also like how Edward's unruly hair suited him well, the same went for her. She enthusiastically hugged Edward and seemed to be almost jumping up and down with excitement to introduce herself to me, while the man standing next to her was absolutely still, making the pair look slightly comical. The man had wavy, golden blond hair, brown eyes and was slightly taller than Edward and Carlisle. He stood next to the tiny, excited woman calmly with a small smile of amusement on his face.
The very moment Carlisle and Esme left our side to get Edward and me drinks they'd offered us, she wrapped her delicate arms around me in a hug; surprised by her exuberance and strength, she was already letting me go before I could even think to return the gesture.
"Hi Bella," she said as she held herself away at arm's length , her hands resting on my hips, as if to get a better look at me; her wide, enthusiastic smile never left her face. Her smile reminded me of Emmett's in the way that it felt contagious and I found myself smiling back. "I'm Alice, Edward's sister."
I opened my mouth to reply the pleasantry, but Emmett piped in.
"My sister too, but apparently she's not claiming me today," he chortled. "I'm hurt, Pix" he teased flashing a wounded expression at his sister.
Alice turned to Emmett, letting out a tinkling laugh as she stuck her little tongue out at him, and then returned her attention to me. "It's so nice to finally meet you!" she exclaimed brightly saying it as if she'd been waiting to meet me for years.
I couldn't help but be struck by her emphasis on the word "finally."
I looked quizzically up at Edward, who shrugged his shoulders. I was startled when Emmett laughed loudly before cutting it off by taking a drink of his beer. My gaze moved to him to try to figure out if his laugh had anything to do with our exchange or something else entirely, but was left unsure.
"Bella, this is my husband, Jasper," she continued, drawing my attention back to her, taking a step back and gesturing to the tall man standing just behind her.
"Nice to meet you Bella," he said in a deep voice laced with a soft, smooth, southern drawl as he shook my hand and offered me a warm smile. I wasn't sure if it was because he was standing next to tiny little Alice or because he stood so rigidly straight, but he looked very tall and commanding. Strangely, at odds with his authoritative demeanor, as we shook hands, I felt suddenly at ease.
"Thank you, nice to meet you too, Jasper," I smiled awkwardly despite his calming presence as I could feel all eyes were on me and knew my cheeks had to be flaming red. I hoped their glow could pass as flush from the warmth of the afternoon.
When Carlisle and Esme returned with drinks for Edward and me, Edward guided me to a couple chairs at the table, surrendering his hand from my back to pull out a chair for me before sitting in the one next to it. I barely had grieved the loss of his touch as I sat down, when his free hand settled casually on my thigh.
Very high up on my thigh.
I very poorly attempted to not outwardly react to his touch, but my breathing still let out an audible hitch. In turn I felt my face grow hotter.
If he was trying to distract me from feeling like I was in the spotlight, it worked. While I still feared that the questions would start firing at me, making me feel like I was a prisoner in lockdown getting interrogated, the fact that Edward's very talented hand was only inches from my core was a pretty damn good diversion from that fear. Though now, all I could think about was trying to figure out a way to tie up and gag Floozy Bella so she wouldn't put on a show I was sure neither Edward nor I would want to give to his family.
It turned out my fear of interrogation was for nothing, however, because when we sat down, Alice began chattering, seeming to pick a conversation back up that they'd begun before we arrived, taking my fear of an inquisition away immediately, sending the weight of my anxieties away. Before I knew it, we were all laughing and joking together and I felt like I had known them forever. In fact, I felt like I really clicked with Alice—for some reason she reminded me of Rosalie, though they were nothing alike in looks or personality. I wondered if maybe it was just the simple fact that I'd felt like I clicked with her like I had with Rose or maybe it was the fact that they were both striking in beauty, then again maybe it had to do with the fact that Alice was very fashionable like Rose always had a knack for—I wasn't sure. But I really liked her; she was someone I could see myself becoming friends with.
After a few hours, the guys got the grill going and I attempted to help Esme and Alice in the kitchen, but there wasn't much to do, the table was already set, and most things were all ready to go as soon as the guys had the steaks cooked. It was kind of odd how normal it seemed. I wasn't sure why, but I somehow had gotten it into my head that they would be different than everyone else.
Esme checked the potatoes and put the rolls in the oven while she simmered mushrooms on the stove. Alice chattered while she darted around the kitchen gathering ingredients for a salad I was helping her prepare.
"You have no idea how shocked Carlisle and I were when Edward told us about you," Esme said looking out the kitchen windows at the men out on the deck as she sipped her wine. The comment seemed to be directed to me, though it seemed as if she said the statement more to herself than anyone.
I looked up from the large salad bowl in confusion, as she turned her head to me and she met my eyes.
My heart started pounding and despite how warm she'd been to me all afternoon. I couldn't help but assume this was where she was going to tell me what I already knew; Edward was way out of my league and I didn't deserve him. That fact should have been obvious to the entire world; most certainly Edward's mother would feel I wasn't good enough for him.
"You shouldn't have been," Alice reprimanded her mother chirpy tone as she loped around the kitchen. The way she moved it was almost like she was always on the verge of breaking into a graceful dance move. It was mesmerizing watching her.
Esme laughed. "I know. You intuition very rarely fails you," she said to her daughter indulgently.
Alice flashed her a bright smile.
I looked at them confused; distracted for a moment from expecting to be told I wasn't good enough for her son.
Esme, seeming to catch my confusion, explained.
"Alice has the most reliable intuition I've ever known anyone to have," she smiled turning her body towards us. "Before Edward headed to New York she told him that she had a feeling he'd meet someone there."
Alice looked up at Esme from the cupboard she was looking in. They shared a significant look that I didn't miss. I wondered what it was about but didn't ask; if they wanted me to know, they would have said something aloud to one another instead of a non-verbal exchange.
Then Alice looked back at me adding, "And he told me this was one time I was going to be wrong," Alice laughed again then sighed theatrically, "When will he ever learn?" She beamed.
I couldn't help but laugh along with her contagious laugh. Her personality was so happy and bubbly it was hard not to start feeling that way around her.
"I haven't seen him like this before," Esme said pensively looking at Edward through the window.
My moment of light humor from Alice vanished and I braced myself again for the knock down.
"I think you'll be good for him," Esme said and nodded as if affirming her words. "And I hope he'll be as good for you too, dear," she added, turning to me, smiling kindly. "The career my boys have chosen makes it difficult for relationships to flourish. I know it won't be easy, but give him a fair chance."
Wait. What?
I had been fully expecting her to tell me I wasn't good enough for her son—it wouldn't have been the first time I'd heard it, and this time, it was nothing short of true. Instead, it was as if Esme was giving her approval of our relationship and was hoping it was one that was good for the both of us, not just her son.
My head spun lightly and it wasn't just from the beer I'd been drinking all afternoon. I'd not expected that at all.
Edward came in from the deck with the now empty platter the raw steaks had been on. My breathing hitched taking in how gorgeous he was—something that I never seemed to get used to. Instantly I wanted him. My whole body began to beg for it and the only thing stopping me from pinning him down to the floor in that moment was the fact that his mother and sister were standing right there.
I shifted my weight trying to control the feeling that was coursing through me.
Edward's eyes went darker, easily reading my thoughts, and he gave me a sexy, lopsided grin. He stopped where I stood, placing an electric touch on my back. His honey and sunshine smell crashed over me. It had an edge of crispness to it from spending time outside, and was joined with the smell of beer and grill but it was still all Edward. I could feel the nearness of the length of his body lined up behind mine, almost touching but not quite. His smell and closeness made me have to wrestle Floozy Bella into a locked room to keep her from doing something that would make me never want to face Edward's family again and definitely would rescind the approval of me his mother just seemed to have given me.
"How are you doing?" he murmured softly, into my ear.
Oh God I wanted him. My breathing became shallow and disjointed in my efforts to not grin on him like a five dollar whore in front of his sister and mother.
I nodded to let him know I was fine; fearing if I spoke all that would come out was a throaty moan.
Edward rubbed a couple soothing circles into my back with his thumb and then left my side. It was only then I realized I'd closed my eyes. I opened them and took an unsteady breath that I knew couldn't have escaped the ears of the room's other occupants. I felt my face redden and I kept my gaze studiously on the salad as Edward went to the sink and washed the platter. On his way back with the now clean dish, he stopped by my side again. This time putting his hand on my hip, hooking his thumb in under my top and pressed against my bare skin.
Oh dear God.
My heart raced and I could hear Floozy Bella shouting from the room she was locked up in, begging Edward to slip his hand lower.
"Breathe Bella, they don't bite," he mock whispered, a smile evident in his voice.
Edward's breath wafted across my face, giving me a concentrated dose of his scent that both calmed me and turned me on even more at the same time. Then he rubbed his thumb against my skin a few times before he walked back outside.
I looked up trying to hide how forcefully Edward affected me and act as normal as possible. My poor acting skills apparently didn't work on them either because both were trying to stifle smiles making my cheeks flame even more hotly than they already had been burning.
I was so going to have to get back at him for that because I knew he'd done it on purpose.
XXXXX
I opened my suitcase that Edward had just laid on the bed for me as he shut the door to the room and returned to my side.
"Are you sure you're alright with this, love?" he asked snaking his arms around me from behind.
When Edward told his parents we were going to head to the hotel he'd booked for us to stay in Seattle for the night and be back in the morning, Esme tried convincing Edward for us to stay here. Carlisle tried to interject that we might have wanted to have a "quiet" night alone, making me blush, but the subtle mention wasn't caught by her. It seemed to me that Edward's insistence on going was more out of concern for my comfort and not getting a reprieve from his family than anything else, so I settled it telling them we'd stay. I knew Edward didn't get a lot of free time, so I figured that meant he didn't get to see his family too much. I didn't want to do anything that would pull him away from the family I'd both heard him speak of and saw him interact with such affection. I didn't want to be something that drove him away from them, especially since I already adored them all so much myself.
"I told you, Edward, it's fine," I smiled telling him truthfully.
I leaned back into him and letting out a hum of contentment as he dipped his head and began gliding his hands along the curve of my waist as he kissed along the underside of my jaw and down my neck.
My breathing quickly became heavy. I could feel my body fill with need, stemming from each point Edward's body touched mine and reached out to fill the rest of me then curled back deliciously into him. The parts of me that weren't receiving a concentrated dose of Edward began to protest, begging for his touch and attention—some parts more strongly than others.
"Is it still fine, knowing the things I wanted to do to you when we were alone in our own hotel room?" Edward asked in a deep, seductive voice that made my toes curl.
"Mmm? What sort of things?" I asked, my curiosity piqued as I felt my body try to stand even further at attention for him.
"I guess you're just going to have to wait to find out another time," he purred as he slipped a hand inside my shirt and began massaging my breast.
My breathing tripped over itself as I exhaled. I could feel his smile against my neck.
"Are you saying you can't do them here?" I managed to ask breathlessly, and then pointed out, "We are alone in this room."
"Hmmm," Edward replied as if considering my question as he expertly pulled open the button on my jeans and began guiding the zipper down.
My body completely forgot how to take a fluid breath in or out; both were now coming in intervals of short, staccato breaths.
"Well, I could," he continued reaching into my underwear, sliding his hand down until it curved, sliding along my sex.
I let out a moan.
"But I figured you might find that to be a problem," he said nibbling my ear as one of his capable fingers teased, pushing just past my threshold.
"What problem?" I asked in a loud throaty moan, leaning my head back against his shoulder as I reached back sliding my fingers into his soft, unruly bronze hair and grabbed a fistful of it. I couldn't think of one single problem with what was going on.
I felt Edward's breath hit my neck in short bursts and his chest shake in a silent chuckle.
"Nothing apparently, I just figured you would mind knowing that they could hear you. But if you don't mind, I certainly don't." He admitted kissing my neck with more ardor.
For a brief moment, I sank into him luxuriating in the feel of his body lined up against mine through our clothes; the feel of his body pressing against mine, showing me that I turned him on too; the blissful sensation of his hands on me—in me.
Then, his words caught up to me and I froze.
Edward noticed the change immediately.
"What's the matter?" he asked as he froze his body too, as if afraid he'd done something. I heard him swallow loudly waiting for my answer.
"Are you serious?"
"About what?"
"That they can hear us."
"Well, I don't know for certain. But if they couldn't hear you just now, they'll definitely hear you when you come for me," his grin evident in his voice, sounding eager, as he pulled me firmly against him again and ran his nose along the length of my neck.
My cheeks flamed and my heart picked up speed as chagrin flooded me and I swallowed loudly.
"I'm loud?" It sounded stupid saying it aloud, but it was the only question I could form through my apprehension.
Edward breathed an indulgent laugh through his nose. "Well since you've been present through every one of your sexual experiences and in turn every orgasm, I would have thought you'd know the answer to that question, but yes, you're quite vocal."
I was? I tried to remember making noise or not, but all I could remember was how completely fantastic Edward always made me feel.
"Bella?" Edward asked, removing his hands from me and turning me around to face him.
I cast my eyes down in mortification of this information that was news to me. Edward tipped my chin up, forcing me to look at him.
"What's the matter, love?" he asked, concern flooding his shockingly green eyes.
"I didn't know I—" my sentence cut off and I diverted my eyes away from his. I couldn't even say it I was so embarrassed though I wasn't entirely sure why. "I'm sorry," I apologized not sure what else to say.
"Sorry?" Edward asked affronted, stooping his face to make me look at him.
The sound of James' dog-like panting and loud pig-like grunts repeated itself over and over in my head making my stomach knot. It was a sound I was both disgusted by, but yet eagerly awaited for because it meant the chore of sex would be nearly done.
The sound twisted in my mind with a mental image of me and became the sound that came from my mouth when I came.
Ugh God no!
"Bella, why on earth would you be sorry? For making noise?" Edward asked sounding bewildered. "Love, look at me, please," he begged. Begrudgingly, I complied. "I love the sounds you make. I told you, watching you come undone is the most erotic thing I've ever seen. I wasn't lying. And the sounds you make when you do are part of that. The sounds that escape your mouth every time I touch you—it drives me crazy with how sexy it sounds, especially knowing I was the reason for them. Don't be sorry for it, love. Hearing how hard I make you come is a huge turn-on."
I looked up at him, eyeing him doubtfully.
"They're my favorite sounds, Bella," he insisted drawing a finger down the side of my face. "I can't tell you how many times the past couple weeks I played them over and over in my mind. Just the thought of them—" he trailed off, closing his eyes, making a contented hum of a sound. "I just figured you would be opposed to sharing those sounds with my family."
"Is it too late to change my mind and head to the hotel?" I asked and watched Edward's eyes grow darker as they filled with lust.
"No, it's not," Edward assured me and I swore I felt his dick twitch.
I stood there staring into his want-filled eyes, returning it back to him two-fold. But then sighed in defeat; as much as I wanted to go to the hotel—and dear God did I want to—I'd already committed to staying there for the night.
"No. We already told your parents we'd stay here. They miss you, we should stay," I said.
Damn me and my need to follow through with commitments.
"It's not like they're spending time with me right now. This is my time with you and I miss you, Bella," he said slowly sliding his fingers down the length of my body, teasing me through my jeans.
My breath let out sharply in want and drew back in unsteadily. "I don't think I can wait that long," I admitted, swallowing back a pant. "Maybe I could be quiet," I pondered as I stroked the soft-rough whiskers on his face.
"You think you can?" Edward asked, raising an eyebrow in challenge.
"You'd be amazed with the things I can do," I quipped in rebuttal meeting his eyes.
"Oh Bella, I already am," he confessed, swiftly closing the distance between our lips kissing me with ardor and then began pulling my clothes from my body.
See you soon. Until then, let me know what you think.