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Chapter 2

Eyes on Fire

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As I slowly awaken, the early morning sun shines brightly in my eyes. Groaning, I turn to bury my face in a pillow, but I immediately freeze when I brush up against a soft, warm body. I'm not used to waking up beside a one-night stand, and I'm briefly confused before last night comes crashing back into my mind.

Bella.

As sappy as it may sound, just the thought of her sends my heart racing. The feel of her lips, the touch of her hand, the softness of her skin—these memories only make me hungry for more. Last night was one of the greatest sexual experiences of my life, but at the same time, it scares the shit out of me. I don't want to get in too deep with this girl, other than my dick inside her.

My last attempt at a relationship completely altered my views on women. There are only two good ones in this world, my mother and my sister; all the rest can go to hell. The sting of that heartbreak, still alive and strong today, serves as a reminder of why I swore off dating, instead only using women for pleasure. I'm not a complete Lothario; they always know my views beforehand, and I'm always damned sure to make it just as pleasurable for them.

I shift up on my elbow and gaze down at the beauty sprawled on the left side of my bed. I need to find a way to keep her at arm's length, yet still be able to touch her, taste her. It can't be anything more than sex, but I know that I can't let her go. The conundrum weighs heavily upon me.

Putting it out of my mind for now, I run my hands slowly down her body, leaning forward to gently kiss the nape of her neck. She moans and arches into my chest, spurring my morning wood into a full-fledged hard-on. With that one little sound, everything flies out of my head, except the intense need to feel Bella writhing underneath me.

Her body twists, turning so that she can capture my lips in a searing kiss. Her taste is as exhilarating right now as it was last night. I've never been into the intimacy of kissing, but with Bella, I can't get enough. It astounds me and shakes me to my very core. I close my eyes and try to picture blonde hair and blue eyes, but the memory evades me as I feel Bella's body pressed against mine. This hasn't happened in so long; I feel exhilarated.

One of her legs lifts and wraps around my waist, pressing her wet heat against my cock. With a half cry, half moan swallowed by her mouth, I flip her onto her back and grind against her. Soon, I'm at the point where all I want is to be buried inside of her, so I pull back and gaze down at her after reaching onto my night table for a condom. Her eyes are heavy and dark, inviting me closer with a sultry wink.

I ease into her slowly, leaning down to lick and nibble on her full, moist lips. I stroke in and out, slowly and deeply, pressing my pelvis against hers with each movement. Even though I've only fucked her once last night, I feel like I know this girl's body so well. Like, I know that if I keep up this slow and steady pace, she'll soon get annoyed and become more demanding. That's exactly what I want and it's exactly what I get.

Bella grips my hair roughly and pulls my mouth away from the skin it was previously sucking on. Her eyes are blazing with desire and frustration.

"Are you going to fuck me, or what?" she replies, her voice husky with desire and left-over sleepiness.

Smirking, I grip her hips tightly and roll over so that she's on top. I sit up and stand, my dick never leaving it's warm home. One day, if I ever speak with my brother again, I might just thank him for instilling a strong work-out ethic in me, which helped create some fantastic upper body strength.

Bella wraps her legs around my hips, hooking her calves behind my ass, and grins as I walk the few steps across the room before depositing her on my bureau.

"My, my," she teases in a soft voice. "I bet that comes in rather handy."

I don't want to think about any of my other conquests while I'm with her. I don't want to think about anything at all. I push her back until she's resting against the mirror, and I start fucking her deep and hard. I reach out and cup the back of her neck, turning her face to see us in the mirror.

"Is this want you want?" I grunt, never breaking my pace. "You want to be fucked, right? Well, I'm gonna fuck you, and you're going to watch what I do to your body."

She shudders and moans, the sound going straight to my already rock-hard cock. I pound her harder and faster, until the bureau is shaking, and shit is falling to the floor. But I can't give a flying fuck about any of it. I feel like I'm a freight train, speeding through a tunnel, where the opposite end is nirvana.

Our eyes meet in the mirror, and I can feel the pull in my gut. I'm about to bust a nut, but she needs to come first. My pride will be wounded if she doesn't, so I let go of her neck and reach down to firmly rub her clit. She gasps and pulls me against her tighter with her legs. I can feel her tighten around me, and I know she's done. Well, at least I hope she is. If not, she's going to be mighty disappointed.

After a few more strokes, I feel the rush of adrenaline course through my system as I literally see stars from how hard I'm coming. My knees start to shake, and I collapse as lightly as I can manage against her torso, trying not to crush her small frame. Her fingers run lazily through my hair, and it feels so natural, soothing. She starts to shift underneath me and I realize that fuck, this position can't be comfortable for her with the way she's leaning against the mirror.

Sheepishly, I stand, my limp cock plopping against my leg with a wet sound, adding awkward tension to the room.

"Sorry," I mumble as I help her to her feet.

She smiles sweetly and winks. "S'okay, you've had a vigorous workout."

I'm sweaty and sticky, so a shower is definitely in order. "Interested in sharing a shower?"

Surprise and another emotion I can't decipher cross her face before she shakes her head.

"No, you go on ahead. I need a minute to regroup."

I feel a little apprehensive about leaving a strange woman alone in my bedroom, but something about Bella puts me at ease.

Stepping under the hot spray, I turn and let the water beat against my back, easing out any lingering tension from our morning romp. Flashes of taking her on my bureau cross my mind and I'm hard once again.

What is it about this girl that I can't get enough of? I need to get my shit together, and fast. I wonder if she'll seriously consider friends with benefits? Or better yet, just the benefits part? We could be on call for each others needs and desires, but not have to deal with any of the relationship bullshit. If there's anything I know, it's that I'm never tying myself to another woman in any way, shape, or form.

I swallow and press my forehead against the cool tiles. Life shouldn't be so stressful. I need a fucking vacation or something—some place far away where I can empty my mind of all this crap. Steeling my resolve, I rinse off and wrap a towel around my waist.

I step out into the bedroom, and a sudden wave of apprehension hits me in the chest. The bed is made, and nothing looks out of place except that the room is void of a beautiful, naked woman.

"Bella?" I call out, dread lacing through my veins. Nothing but silence.

Even though it's futile, I walk out into the living room to see if maybe she's just exploring my home. No such luck. Tears sting my eyes, and I'm not sure why. She's just a girl—one of many one-night stands, but I feel an indescribable loss.

This wasn't how I wanted this to turn out. I honestly don't know what exactly I do wish had happened, but her sneaking out like a thief in the night isn't it.

I swallow the lump in my throat and shake my head. Fuck this. She chose to leave, end of story. I'm not going to sit around and mope like a teenage girl over this. Just as I turn to storm out of the kitchen, a piece of paper on the counter catches my eye.

The feminine handwriting jumps off of the page, and the hope that springs up in my chest is hard to stamp down.

..

Dear Edward,

I'm sorry for sneaking out on you like this, but I didn't want to make this any more awkward than it had to be. Thank you so much for last night. It was one of the best of my life. Why did I leave like I did? Well, that answer is a bit more complicated than I care to get into, I'm sorry to say.

To put it quite simply, I had a really shitty day yesterday, and I needed to feel wanted and desirable. You accomplished that beautifully, and for that I will always be thankful. This morning, after our second round, you had this look on your face like you wanted more than these moments, and I have nothing but last night to give.

I could be completely wrong, and I kind of hope I am. That way you won't be disappointed about this. Again, I'm sorry, and I wish you all the best.

Bella

..

Motherfucker. Fury sweeps over me, and I crush the paper, throwing it across the room. Fucking gutless, little whore couldn't even tell me this shit to my face? What kind of fucking person sneaks out while the person who fucked them is in the shower?

My stomach drops, and I sink to my knees. Me. I'm that kind of person who fucks and ducks. It's my just desserts, right? To finally feel a connection with someone after so long, only to have her find me not worth it.

I'm done with this shit. I took a chance last night and I thought it might have been a turning point for me, but I guess I was wrong. No more breaking my rules. I'm better off that way; this just proves it.

AN: Chapter 3 has been donated to the Fandom4Heroes Compilation.