Writer Q&A:
Q: "What the eff, Yummy? Four weeks since your last update? What gives?"
A: "I know. I have a lot of nerve. But in my defense, my head was in a bucket for 96 hours straight until I was finally hospitalized for massive dehydration due to a recurrent stomach bug. Then, we celebrated my son's 7th birthday with 16 little friends & 12 adults. THEN we prepared to say goodbye to the Major who's now far, far away from us doing super-secret things with the Marine Corps and the NSA. Solo-Yummy-Momma is now large and in charge for the next year. It's been a little taxing. I pray a delay like this never happens again. Forgive me?"
^^TotS^^
BPOV
I draw the limit at nine; this is getting ridiculous. My fingers are starting to prune from all the luscious juice dripping with every peel my fingers make along the thick, pulpy skin. How I ever lived without my favorite fruit for the last six months, I'll never know.
Edward would be embarrassed at the way I'm eating these like they're going out of style. Well, no...probably not. He always loved that I had an appetite to match his, and I really didn't eat much at dinner tonight. I was too nervous to try and keep anything down beyond a few tastes of everything on my plate.
I wasn't expecting to break down as much as I did during our heart to heart, but once the flood gates opened, a powerful rush of emotion just slammed into me and I crumbled. It was actually pretty cathartic. Though I know I've been healthy for the most part since I lost Mike and the baby, there are times I have a bad day, and that's okay and perfectly normal, from what my therapist told me years ago. The anxiety and excitement leading up to tonight, coupled with the emptiness over the loss of Nalani and then Edward...it all just built up and culminated in tonight's breakdown...breakthrough.
Whatever label we put on what occurred this evening, I'm proud of both of us, and I think we made an enormous leap in the right direction.
I suddenly have an itch to talk to him again, but if he's sleeping, I don't want to wake him since he gets up so damn early on his workdays. Maybe just a text, then.
**Outgoing text to Major Cap'n Crunch**
12:40 a.m. Still up?
12:41 a.m. Very much so.
12:42 a.m. I have a confession, sir.
12:42 a.m. Okay, I'm listening.
12:43 a.m. I just ate nine clementines. I'm serious. My crate is almost empty.
12:44 a.m. I only left twenty minutes ago!
12:45 a.m. I know! They were calling to me and I couldn't help it. They were incredibly juicy and sweet. So delicious. I was unstoppable. Like a woman possessed. Wanna come back for a taste?
I chuckle at the brashness of my double entendre. Maybe that last swig of wine put me over the edge. I start to panic as one minute turns into two and he hasn't responded yet. Too much, too soon. Way to go, Bella. I decide to message him again.
12:47 a.m. Hello?
12:48 a.m. Bella. You can't say things like that to me. The amount of willpower it took to leave you tonight was record-breaking. And now you're talking about juicy and sweet and you KNOW where you got your nickname from. Behave.
12:49 a.m. LOL, okay, okay...this is me behaving. But is it wrong for me to admit that I miss you right now, and I'm excited to see you again in the morning?
12:50 a.m. I hope not, because I'm counting the hours till I get to see you again, too.
12:51 a.m. Edward?
12:51 a.m. Yeah?
12:52 a.m. I have another confession.
12:52 a.m. Okay, hit me.
12:53 a.m. I wish I had kissed you right smack on the lips tonight.
12:54 a.m. I wish I had turned my face for it to happen.
12:55 a.m. I plan to have better aim tomorrow, Major.
12:56 a.m. I plan to maneuver so that you have no choice.
And I'm a puddle. I shimmy back under my blankets, feeling the warm cotton and his words surrounding me in the best possible way. Tomorrow can't come quickly enough.
12:57 a.m. Sweet dreams, sir.
12:58 a.m. With you as the star, Clementine. 'Night.
^^TotS^^
"This place is unbelievable," I murmur as we walk up the stairs to the second floor of the Kadena BX. The Kinser PX is one large hundred-foot square. "Why is there such a difference between the facilities here on the Air Force Base and the stores and housing on the Marine Corps Bases?"
Edward shrugs and looks from his right to his left, trying to decide which direction in housewares will be most successful. Apparently we're on a mission for a toaster. His didn't survive the trip from Hawaii.
"Well, I don't know all the politics behind it," he replies, scanning the shelves, "but if I were to hazard an educated guess, I'd say the Army, Navy and Air Force probably get the same amount of money. They each decide how they want to spend it, but the problem is, the Marine Corps is a small part of the department of the Navy, so the Navy has to figure out how to divide its money between the two branches."
"Hunh, never thought of that. Makes sense, though. So essentially, the Marines do everything the other three branches do, only with less money and faster because there's less manpower."
He pulls his gaze away from the toaster selection and gives me a wink. "Tip of the spear, baby...first to the fight."
Edward and I spend the next few hours stopping in different shops along the stretch of 58 between Kadena and Kinser. Before leaving the Air Force base, we stop in at the commissary so that I can buy two more crates of clementines just to be safe. Then, I find three different hundred yen stores and Edward humors me, joining me in my never-ending treasure hunt.
"My friend Garrett told me these places were like our dollar stores back in the states, but they're so much better than that." I start filling my little cart with all sorts of pencils, stickers and games for my kids in school.
"Garrett, huh?"
I look over my shoulder, my eyes narrowing. "Yeah?"
"Hmmmph." Edward finds a set of little pink Minnie Mouse chopsticks and studies the package like it contains the key to world peace.
"Something on your mind, Major?"
He tries to blow off my question with a non-committal look. "No...just...what else did your friend Garrett tell you?"
I stop in the middle of the aisle and turn around. "Edward Masen, is this jealousy I'm hearing?"
His "no" tumbles out of his mouth too quickly to convince me. That, coupled with his, "who, me?" look is all the evidence I need.
"I've never seen you jealous before."
His jaw tenses, but I pinch his side causing him to smirk and roll his gorgeous beach glass eyes.
"Spill, Major," I tease, closing the distance between us.
"Just…" he glances over my shoulder and then straightens his stance. "I seem to remember a disproportionately large number of males in your Facebook friend section, that's all."
I close my eyes, snickering and my forehead falls into his chest.
"Is that what this is about?" I chuckle, my voice still muffled. "Would it make you feel better to know that Garrett is gayer than the day is long?" I slip my index fingers into the front belt loops of his jeans and tug a bit.
His chest rumbles with subdued laughter. "Maybe. A little."
I lift my head in search of his gaze. In no time we're staring into each other's eyes, smiling like goofballs in the middle of the hundred yen store.
"Major Masen?" I whisper.
Instead of answering, he quirks an eyebrow.
"I might have two hundred and something Facebook friends, and yeah, maybe a good chunk of them are guys, but the most recent addition to my friends list is the only one I truly care about."
He tentatively places his hands on my hips. "Hmm, sounds like a very lucky friend."
"No," I disagree. "I'm the lucky one. I'm sure of it."
Edward's smile fades along with mine, and we've somehow shifted into serious territory. I'm suddenly aware that we're standing in a store surrounded by Okinawan shoppers, and I'm wishing we were very much alone and behind closed doors.
His Adam's apple slides up and down under his skin. It requires every ounce of willpower to keep myself in place instead of licking the path it just traveled. His aftershave, subtle and sexy, is too tempting and I find it difficult not to simply bury my face in his neck and inhale.
The pads of his fingers dance at the skin he's found where my shirt bunched at my waist.
"Wanna get out of here?" His voice is gravelly; it sends a shiver up my spine.
I loosen the grip my fingers have on his pants and back up a step, nodding. "Mhmm."
The ten-minute ride back to Camp Kinser is quiet, but not uncomfortable. My mind reels as we pull up to the BOQ. I'm desperate to know what he's thinking. The sexual tension at the store was so palpable, we acted as if we were ready to strip and jump on each other right next to the cheap do-it-yourself silk flower arrangement selection. But now? Am I chickening out at the thought that we might have sex? I don't think so…but we never acted as if this was going to happen for sure either.
This is all because I text-flirted on that damn phone last night. I don't want to pressure him— either one of us, really— into leaping into a heavy relationship again. If we're not on the same page, it would be the worst mistake we could make right now.
But I love him; I never stopped. I want to be with him in every sense of the word, and from everything he said last night, that's what he ultimately desires as well. It's all about the communication; I can't be fearful of the honesty. I'll let him know when I'm ready, and I just have to remind him that he needs to have equal say in what we're doing and how quickly we move our relationship along, too.
"You all right?" he hedges, unbuckling his seat belt.
"Yeah."
"I figured I could show you my place, and then maybe we could just relax and watch a movie. Sound okay?"
The look of relief that must wash over my face unleashes his million-dollar smile and he practically snorts.
"Did you think I was luring you back to my lair of seduction to have my wicked way with you?"
I giggle as we step out of the car at the same time, and he comes around the front, holding his hand out to grasp mine.
"I didn't know what to think," I say softly as we enter the building. "I feel like I'm overstepping and teasing you. First, those texts last night and then what happened back at the store…then my nerves kick in." I shake my head, rethinking my presumptuous words and actions.
We stop in front of a door, which he unlocks and pushes open for me to step inside. Before I know what's happening, he wraps his arms around me.
"I want to watch a movie with you, Bella. Sitting right there on my couch." He dips his head toward his living room. "Shoes off, legs kicked up on the coffee table. Later, I'd love to take you to this great little restaurant I discovered last week with Em and Rose." I tighten my grip around him and he hums. "I want to be near you," his soothing voice whispers in my ear. "Next to you, watching you laugh, hearing your voice, feeling the heat that comes off your body when it's close to mine…even when it's fully clothed. I just want to be near you."
I think that might've been one of the sweetest things I've ever heard. He's so deliberate with the words he chooses. This incredibly thoughtful man just wants to be in my presence. I breathe deeply and melt a little more.
"Is that all right with you?"
"It's perfect. You're perfect," I reply quietly, relishing his powerful arms around me.
"Nowhere near it…but if you think I'm good enough to be next to you, it's all I need."
I pull myself away from his strong chest in search of his face. The peace I feel staring into his eyes pours over me like warm honey, and I'm positive that nothing on earth could ruin this moment.
My throat is suddenly dry as the Sahara, and the bald eagles that have plagued me since I fell for Edward Masen are flapping around in my belly once again.
He gently grasps my chin between his thumb and index finger, tilting my head up to meet his in the most gentle brush of lips I've ever experienced. Back and forth, we dust each other until it's all too much and I need more. I open my mouth enough to pull his lower lip in between mine.
He moans.
And I'm done for.
Our tongues swipe together and start the familiar dance that's been missing for too long. Tugging and sighing, his fingers caressing my cheeks while I scrape my fingernails through his barely-there bronze hair.
We get lost in each other for a couple of minutes until he kisses his way down my jaw and rests his forehead on my shoulder. Our arms instinctively envelop each other once more, and I find myself choked up.
How fragile we were, and how quickly we lost what we had.
Never again.
"Jesus, I missed you, Bella. You have no idea how desperately I missed you." His words pierce my heart and unexpected tears spill down my face.
"I never thought I'd see you again," I croak, emotions overwhelming me. "I can't believe I'm back in your arms…this feels like a dream."
He pulls away and brushes his thumbs across my tear stains. His grin and the glassy look in his eyes tell me everything I need to know. "I'm never letting you go again," he chuckles, my smile growing ten times wider. "I hope you know that."
"That's good, because I was just about to say the same thing, Major."
^^TotS^^
EPOV
It's been three excruciating days since I've seen Bella, and it's killing me. To know she's here and accessible but unavailable drives me berserk. The rest of our time together on Saturday was fantastic. We channel surfed until we both dozed off together on my couch. Then I took her out to Arin Krin, this delicious little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that bases their entire menu around garlic. We teased each other that kissing goodnight wouldn't be a problem since we'd both be smelling and tasting like garlic cloves.
And kiss we did. We literally made out in my car for a solid ten minutes before I walked her to her door, and we went at it again on her landing. Pulling away from Bella is never easy, but I know it's the right thing to do. I'm ready to be with her again, so ready…but I really want to wait until it's obvious that she's on the same page.
She had plans with her island sponsor on Sunday and between my work and hers, meetings, projects and prior commitments, Monday and Tuesday were a complete wash, too. I'm hoping to snag her and take her out tomorrow evening, though. My girl is turning twenty-eight years old and we're back together. Plenty of cause for celebration.
Even though we haven't gotten a chance to spend more time together, we've had phone conversations that last for hours every night. We've spent so much time delving into the little and big things in life, I feel like I've known Bella for years. Our two months together in Hawaii were incredible; but, by her admission and mine, we agree that we never truly let each other in the way we're doing now. It was fun and pleasurable, passionate and exhilarating, but it only went so deep. The things we've talked about in the last week alone reaffirm the gut feeling that I know I want to spend the rest of my life with this woman. Anything less won't do.
"So, the index cards worked!" Emmett cackles and shoves half a breadstick in his mouth, chewing obnoxiously. He came down to Kinser today for a late-morning meeting and tracked me down so we could have lunch together at the O-Club.
"Fuck you…but yes, I guess they did." I take several gulps of water. "I did leave them in the car though, so at least I retain some cool points for that."
"Shooooot, you get the most cool points for getting your girlfriend back, brother. She's the coolest thing about you!" He waves his fork across the table at my plate. "What's with your salad?"
I look down and shrug. "What?"
"Don't 'what' me. In the twenty-two years I've known you, you've only ever eaten lettuce and cucumbers. It looks like the fucking salad bar exploded on your plate."
I glance at my dish again and smile. It's chock full of different vegetables, not to mention meat, cheese, sesame seeds, craisins and croutons. "Oh, yeah. I guess I've been eating salads like this for a couple months. Bella forced me out of my ho-hum box. It tastes better like this anyway."
"Fuck yeah, it does!" Emmett snickers. "You'll get no argument from me. I knew it from the moment I met her in Hawaii…everything in your life will taste better— be better— with her around." He sits back in his chair and pats his gut. "Just don't fuck it up again, and I'm not only talking about Bella. You hurt my niece once more like you did, and I'm coming after you with my Ka-Bar."
We both explode in laughter, and I realize that Bailyn has no idea that I've gotten back together with Bella.
Gears start turning in my head about how I can make this princess meet and greet finally happen. The planets might have to align, but with the way things have gone for the last week, I suddenly feel like I could lasso the moon without breaking a sweat.
^^TotS^^
"Let me take you to dinner tomorrow." The microwave beeps letting me know my post-midnight hot pockets are done, their lava-temperature filling ready to burn off the top layers of my tongue and roof of my mouth.
"Edward, I can't. I am so friggin' swamped trying to get all this stuff together for the festival on Friday. I know I'm going to be stuck at work finishing up the projects and displays," Bella whines. I can just picture her pouty lips turned downward and there's an inappropriate stirring in my pants.
"Well, let me help you then. It's my girlfriend's birthday, I have to spend at least part of the day with you."
"Your girlfriend."
I don't even hesitate. "My girlfriend. I don't have an orchid to put behind your ear this time around, but I'm hoping you'll let it slide."
"I definitely will. And we did get to spend your birthday together, I guess it's only fair to celebrate mine in the same way."
Memories bombard me and I can't pass up the opportunity to reminisce aloud. "Hmmm, I remember us celebrating in a very special way that morning when we woke up."
She's only silent for a second. "Mmm, that was pretty spectacular," she croons but then bites back, "Hey, quit making me fantasize about days gone by, especially when we aren't able to recreate the scene right now."
My stomach flips at her revelation. Could she be ready to take that step, too? I'll have to segue into a sex talk again sooner rather than later to get a solid read on her stance. "All right, all right. I'll be good. So should I just come to your classroom when I'm finished at work tomorrow?"
"Yep. I'll be in my room. You know where to park for the kindergarten wing, right?"
"Yeah, I know where you are. Can't wait to see you again."
"You, either. Sleep well, Major."
"You too, Clementine."
^^TotS^^
"Knock, knock!" I announce, walking into the colorful children's wonderland. I peek my head in the small office on the left and see her computer on, but the room is empty.
"Back here!" Like a prairie dog, Bella's head pops up over a shelving unit. "Hey, good lookin'!" Her smile just brightened what's already been a pretty stellar day. She really does make everything better.
"Time for you to take a break. I have pizza, salad, and a few other goodies."
She hops up from her position on the floor and throws her arms around my neck, peppering my face with kisses as I set the pizza and bags of food down.
"Happy birthday, beautiful." I lean down and reciprocate by dropping several slow kisses on her inviting lips.
"Thank you," she whispers, breathless. "I've missed your kisses."
I smile, opening the box and grabbing the paper plates to serve her first slice. "A Meatlover's with mushrooms, look at you spoiling me. How'd I get so lucky?"
"Well, Anthony's on base is decent, but I figured it would be fun to enjoy this little bit of nostalgia from our trip to the Big Island. Thankfully, Camp Foster is cool enough to have a SlutHut."
She giggles. "It's perfect. Here…let's have ourselves a little carpet picnic." She takes out some bean bag chairs for us to get comfortable while we agree on Lilo and Stitch as our background entertainment. My clever girlfriend has an arsenal of Disney and other children's movies to pull from for rainy days and down time for her students.
I pour two red Solo cups full of champagne, 'cause I'm debonair like that and nothing's too good for my girl.
"Aww, happy birthday champagne? You're too cute, Major."
I chortle, as we raise our cups. "To the birthday girl." We clink— even though it sounds more like a plastic tap— and drink.
"Mmmm, that's delish. Goes down awfully easily. And look at this salad you put together."
"Yeah, Emmett made some comments about that a couple days ago, too. I gave up on plain, old lettuce and cucumbers a while ago. Salad with flavor and color is much better," I add, a truly changed man.
"Just like life," she responds with a smile, propping herself up on her knees to come steal another kiss. "I'm glad you think so."
We feast on the pizza and salad and then I wow her by producing chocolate covered strawberries and a pint of mint chocolate chip for dessert.
"More champagne?" I offer, pouring the last of the bottle into her cup.
A dribble of strawberry juice escapes from between her chocolate-crumble-coated lips before she has a chance to swipe it away with her napkin. "Trying to get me tipsy?"
"Nahh, where would the fun in that be? We both have to work in the morning and we're stuck here finishing up these school projects…now if it were the weekend—"
She gasps, her eyes wide. "I totally was going to say the exact same thing." She quirks her eyebrow. "Great minds."
"All bets would be off, Clementine," I rasp.
We lock eyes, the sexual tension rising once again. "Promises, promises."
After the movie and a porn-worthy make-out session that we manage to end without tearing each other's clothes off, we get to her remaining work. It's been a long time since I've cut and pasted on construction paper and poster board. Two hours later, we're finished.
"Tomorrow's going to be great, I can't wait."
I stand behind her, wrapping my arms around her small frame as we look at what she's accomplished. "You made it that way. I bet you're going to knock the socks off all the parents and faculty who come out and see what you've done here."
She leans her head back against my chest. "Thanks for staying late to help me. This isn't really how I imagined spending my birthday, but being with you made it a thousand times better."
"I feel like a shitty boyfriend because your present didn't arrive in time. It's something I ordered, but of course it takes forever to get mail delivered over here."
Her lips touch my neck in a soft kiss. "You're here with me. Two weeks ago, I never imagined this would happen. You're the best present there is, trust me."
^^TotS^^
BPOV
From the moment the bell rings at the end of the day, I never stop running. That's saying a lot when spending almost seven hours with twenty rambunctious five-year olds is the calm part of my day. Edward, my hero, arranged to have a truck come over to my classroom early in the morning and had a couple of his Marines gather all of the displays that need to be set up at the festival.
By the time I get over to the field, the tables are positioned exactly as I'd requested and they even have the displays organized by grade. I know my boyfriend was the meticulous mastermind behind getting all of this done for me so that my job would be minimal by the end of my work day.
I look around the field and see several Marines hauling boxes and coolers with what I assume is the meat they intend to grill along with the rest of the food for the festival. Others are carting more chairs and tables from flatbed trucks. It's very warm today, and these poor guys have sweat dripping down their chiseled bodies. All of them have shed their blouses and are wearing only their cammie pants and tight green undershirts. Some are wearing Aviators. Everywhere I look, I see potential calendar material; they all look like pin-up models.
I see a stunning familiar form working several hundred feet away, and I inhale deeply with a sly grin.
That one's mine.
We have about ninety minutes before the crowd will start assembling for the festivities, and with all the preparation that Edward and his Marines took care of for me, I have very little left to do. I decide to head over and personally thank him before I get started on my work.
Edward is standing on the bed of a truck, lowering tables down to the men waiting on the ground. His biceps and triceps flex and bulge, while the muscles of his back and stomach ripple underneath his olive green t-shirt that's painted on like a second skin.
My heart starts to beat a little bit faster as I approach and a familiar heat— and dare I say, wetness— becomes evident between my legs.
This is a family festival, Bella. Let's keep it classy, sister.
After lowering another table, Edward looks up and does a double take seeing me approach. He whispers to the other Marine on the truck and then jumps over the side before jogging over to me.
"There's my beautiful lady."
"Hi," I giggle like a school girl. I'd love to wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him, but he's in uniform and we're in public.
Dammit.
I throw my thumb over my shoulder. "Thanks for everything you and your Marines did for me today. The display is halfway done thanks to you."
He puckers his lips with a kissing sound, giving me his sexiest smile. "My pleasure. Need any more help over there?"
"No, you look pretty busy, and Mallory will be coming in about ten minutes to help finish with the set up." I turn and glance toward the displays. "So, I'll catch you later?"
"Yeah, once we're done with our work here in the food tent, I'll be overseeing the grilling and just keeping an eye out on the operations in general, but I'll be around." He winks and rolls my shell ring between his fingers. "Later."
^^TotS^^
The festival has been an absolute blast. Mallory and I had everything displayed long before the field started filling with our school kids and their families. Family-friendly music was booming from the sound system the entire time while kids enjoyed getting their faces painted and participated in decorating cupcakes. There were multiple game booths, a cake walk, and hayrides running every half hour. There were tables set up for people to join the Key Volunteers organization and help with upcoming projects, and the Marines set up a Toys for Tots information booth in preparation for the approaching holidays.
The school displays were so well-received. Parents fawned over all of their children's projects, artwork and essays. My co-workers were very complimentary, and my principal found me later in the evening, thanking me profusely and praising the hard work I put into the event.
As the evening wears on, I spot Edward across the field from time to time. I send him a smile or a small wave and he flashes that crooked grin and a wink. Watching him in his position of authority is such a freaking turn on; I find myself staring for longer than what's either normal or acceptable. He's just so goddamn sexy.
Commanding his Marines? Sexy.
Hiking up a mountain? Sexy.
Making me a fluffernutter? Sexy.
Picking me up effortlessly, tossing me on the bed and then kneeling between my spread legs stroking his…Jesus, did the sun just crank up the heat again? It's 7:30 in the evening! Shouldn't the temperature have gone down by now?
I roll my eyes at my wandering thoughts, fan myself with a file folder and continue to meet and greet the remaining parents wandering around the displays of the students' work.
By quarter after eight, most of the families have left. Several groups of teens are scattered around the field, and the Marines, with my boyfriend at the helm, are breaking down the tables, chairs and tents at lightning speed. I supervise the collection of all the school projects and watch them get loaded onto a truck which then heads over to my classroom. The two guys Edward sent to help me are all business. "Yes, ma'am," "No, ma'am," "You're welcome, ma'am." Within ten minutes everything is packed securely back into my classroom and we've shut the lights and locked the doors.
I head back over to the field and find Edward in the waning light of day barking out orders while the grills and smokers are loaded onto the trucks.
"Hey."
"Hi," he says, wiping his brow. "Everything go okay back at your class?"
"Yes, perfect. Thanks for sending your guys over to help me. They had it all done in the blink of an eye."
"Good." He smiles as one of his Marines approaches.
"Sir, we're taking all this back to the warehouse and unloading tonight?"
"Afraid so, Carson. Don't worry, your little girlfriend will still be waiting for you at the gate at twenty-two hundred."
They both laugh. "Yes, sir."
I don't want to distract him anymore, considering they have more work ahead of them.
"Well, listen. I know you're swamped here, so I'm going to head home. I feel so sticky and sweaty from being out here all night. I need to clean up and unwind."
"I know what you mean," he guffaws. "Can I call you later?"
"Of course."
My eyes meet his and I can't help but notice their color has deepened, there's a hunger there— as if he's undressing me. I swallow tightly and have to lock my knees, fearing I may actually swoon and fall to the ground under his keen stare.
I'm tempted to launch myself at his sweaty body. Our flirtatious glances all evening have felt like the longest round of foreplay ever. We've been toying with and dancing around our physical intimacy for a week. Texts, phone calls and the times we've been together…I know he has to be ready and Lord knows I am.
I realize we haven't said anything for several seconds, and I clear my throat. "Well, I hope the rest of your night goes well. Talk to you later." He nods and I smile, turning toward the parking lot. A million different scenarios run through my head about what our reunion sex might be like.
Sweet and slow with promises of forever?
Animalistic and passionate with nothing said at all, only the sounds of our grunts and gasping breaths?
Maybe even some combination of both images; it really doesn't matter. I'm flushed thinking about any and all of it and decide it's time to make things happen.
^^TotS^^
"Hey, I was wondering when I'd finally hear from you."
"Sorry. I got back to my place about twenty minutes ago and immediately took a hot shower. I was a filthy beast," he laughs.
"I hear you. It was the first thing I did as well, followed by eating several clementines, of course."
His laughter echoes off the cement walls in his room. "Of course!"
I hear him get settled, probably on his sofa. I can just picture him stretched out. His head propped up on a pillow, his feet perched on the opposite arm of the couch.
"So, the festival seemed like an overall success, right?"
"Oh, definitely. My colonel was really pleased. It was a great turnout. Every time I looked over at you, you were swarmed with kids and parents. They were happy?"
"Yes. Everyone was extremely flattering. Most of my kindergarteners were there, too. So it was busy, you know, answering questions from parents about how their kids are doing in school." I laugh. "Always on the job. I remember I once ran into a parent at Food Lion in North Carolina, and she kept me there so long, we basically had our fall conference right there in frozen foods."
"You're an incredible teacher."
I snort. "You're just biased. You've never seen me teach a day in your life, Major."
"Okay, you've got me there, but I could tell just by looking around your classroom last night. You put a personal touch on everything that hangs in your room. And hello? Newton's Balls of Energy name tags? That was too much. Face it, Clementine, you're amazing."
"Well, thank you. But I still think you're biased."
"Okay," he chuckles, "perhaps I am slightly biased, but I stand behind my beliefs." I hear him breathe heavily before he speaks again. "I miss you."
Bingo.
^^TotS^^
EPOV
"I miss you, too," she whispers back. "It's so late, though. I know you must be exhausted after all the running around and heavy lifting you did today. Want me to let you go?"
My eyes widen. "No!" I shout a little too loudly, then chuckle when I hear her laugh. "I mean, yes, the day was tiring, but it was a real tease seeing you all evening and not being able to be next to you, hold your hand…kiss you."
She hums in response. "Yeah, watching you work in your cammies, sweating," she pauses, "your muscles rippling…a girl can only take so much, you know?"
My cock awakens, just hearing her breathy desires. "Bella…" I slip my hand beneath my sweats and readjust myself. Down boy.
"I wish you were here with me, Edward."
Her voice is killing me in the best and worst way. I look over at the clock to check the time. 11:10 p.m. Should I go over there? Is that what she's insinuating?
"What would you do if I were there with you tonight?"
"I'd grab your hand and walk you to my bedroom. Probably start kissing you before we even make it to the bed," she sighs. "While I trail my mouth down your neck, I'd scrape my thumbnails across your chest and over your nipples. I know how much that drives you crazy."
"Fuuuuck," I groan, pushing my head back into my pillow. My dick is now hard as steel and standing upright. I shove my hand inside my boxers again, gripping at the base and pulling up on my tight flesh. "Bella, baby, you keep this up and you're gonna make me drive over there."
"Really? I mean, you're ready?" She pauses, "You're sure that's what you want?"
"Christ Bella, every inch of you is what I want. There's nothing to think about. I want you. All of you. As much as you're willing to give me." That's it. I'm doing this. I leap up from the couch, grab a t-shirt from my pile of clean clothes, and throw it over my shoulder— I'll put it on in the car. "I swear it. Even if all we do is kiss and hold each other, I have to sleep next to you tonight, Bella. I need to feel you close to me." I grab my keys and wallet, stuff my feet into my sneakers and pull my 49ers cap on backwards. I grab the door knob and twist it, saying, "Is that all right with you?"
"It's more than all right," she whispers from a foot away, right there in front of me. Lowering her phone from her ear, a blush creeps across her face while a smile plays at her lips.
My jaw hangs open for a moment as she steps up to me, resting her hands on my hips, her shirt brushing against my bare chest.
"Surprised?" she questions, pulling her lower lip between her teeth. Before I have a chance to answer, she softly drags her fingernails up through my chest hair and across my nipples, just as she described she would. I can't help but hiss at the sensation.
"Stunned." I swiftly wrap my right arm around her lower back and crash my lips to hers, walking us a few steps backward into my place. Our mouths, wet and needy, tug and suck on each other's tongue and lips. Trying to remain upright, I drop my keys, wallet and shirt, and pull my hat off while kicking off my sneakers.
The door slams shut as Bella's hands make their way up my shoulders, through my hair and finally cup my jaw. God, I've missed this fiery passion between us. I pull away from the kiss to meet her eyes.
A flash of confusion crosses her face. "What?"
I shake my head, pushing her back against the door to grind my hips into hers. "Nothing, I just wanted to look at you…make sure this is really happening."
"It is," she rasps, tugging on my neck until our foreheads touch. "I want you." She presses her lips to mine again as her tongue slides into my mouth.
I waste no time unbuttoning her blouse. I kiss a trail down her exposed stomach before I get to her jeans. Standing back up and yanking the thin material roughly down her arms, I immediately reach around to unhook her bra.
She shivers as the straps fall forward and her perfect breasts are revealed.
"Spectacular." The only word that comes to mind in this moment. Now that I have her half-naked, my mouth can't stop nipping and licking at her elegant neck, shoulders…the swells of her breasts. I can't wait any longer and have to lift her up into my arms.
She wraps her legs around my waist; I know she can feel my erection poking underneath her ass. I walk us into my bedroom, gently lay her down on the bed, and fall forward, planting my forearms along her sides.
"I can't believe you were waiting outside my door," I chuckle before wrapping my lips around her pert nipple. A moan falls from her mouth while my teeth scrape along her sensitive flesh.
"More," she grunts, unabashedly. "I need more."
"Anything, Bella. Anything." I slither back off the bed and tug my sweats and boxers down my legs. Bella stares at me, dreamily. I enjoy watching her chest rise and fall with every shuddery breath she takes. I crawl back up her body and reach for the button and zipper on her jeans. Like a magician who rapidly pulls away a tablecloth but manages to keep everything in its proper place, I grab Bella's jeans at the ankles and rid her of them with a hard yank.
Her panties remain, but it's only a matter of time before we dispose of them, too.
I snake my hands up her creamy, toned legs to the apex of her thighs and try to catch my breath. When I run two fingers over the wet spot I see forming, she cries out.
Emboldened by her reaction, I have no choice but to hook my fingers into the damp material and gently peel them down the rest of her body.
Once she's totally naked before me, I place wet, lingering kisses starting at her delicate ankle and travel up her legs once again. When I get to her hip bone, I nibble softly and enjoy the whimpers of delayed gratification that escape her plump lips.
The need to be inside her overwhelms me. Before we get to the main attraction though, my face dusts across her soft, flat belly, and I peek my tongue out to flick and tease her clit.
"Yes, Edwaaaard… oh, dear God," she cries out, her hands flying to her hair. "Please, you've gotta fuck me now!" She throws her left leg over the backs of my thighs and pulls me down on top of her.
My cock hits her wet center and we both moan in pleasure. I swipe my hand up her slit to gather the pooling moisture and rub it down the length of my rigid dick to its base. Positioning the tip at her entrance, I look up to meet her wanton eyes.
She's panting, licking her lips. She nods to let me know that she's more than ready for me, for us to come back together.
Pushing my hips forward and sliding into her slick, hot walls, I watch, mesmerized. Fucking heaven. Slowly, I pull out almost all the way and thrust into her again with a little more force. She picks her head up off the pillow and attacks my lips with hers.
I find her hands clutching the sheets and I wrap my fingers around her wrists, bringing her arms above her head as our grunts and sighs get louder with each rock of my hips. Every time I drive myself into her, my pubic bone drags along her clit and she mewls in pleasure.
Our mouths attempt to come together in kisses, but instead our tongues continue to dart and lick at each other, sucking on an upper or lower lip or grazing along teeth. It's messy and unbridled and raw.
"Bellaaaaaa," I moan, feeling her squeezing my cock and I know I won't last much longer.
BPOV
With my arms pressed into the pillow at the top of my head, he controls the situation in every way.
It's so fucking sexy, I can't help but get lost in the moment of complete desire that's washing over me. I look down at our writhing bodies. His stomach muscles clench when he starts to pound into me faster and harder.
"Oh, fuck…y—yes!" I can feel the tightening in my body as my toes begin to curl. He leans down to lick my collarbone and then plants his face in my neck.
"Baby…I'm coming…I can't wait any longer."
I can only respond with a whimper as he rolls and grinds his hips into mine. Faster and faster.
And I'm there. In silence, I squeeze my eyes shut, when I feel his lips find mine again and he sucks my tongue into his mouth.
"Nnngh," he growls, losing his rhythm for a few strokes.
I haven't come down from my cloud before he swivels his hips some more, continuing to pump in and out of me, dragging out our indescribable pleasure.
His heaving chest presses into mine and he releases my arms, which I quickly wrap around his shoulders. When I open my eyes, he's staring intently at me. He rests his palm against my cheek and leans down to kiss me softly.
"You're magnificent," he whispers after several nips and kisses. "I love you, Bella Newton. I love you so fucking much."
He slips from inside me and rolls to my right, pulling me with him and adding a kiss to my forehead.
We lay in contented silence, catching our breath for several moments before I push myself up on my elbow and kiss him again.
"I love you, too," I sigh, unable to stop my lips from kissing his. "Forever, Edward. There'll never be anyone else for me," I softly confess as his fingers graze a trail down my arm, hip…his hand settling on my upper thigh. "Thank you for this. For last week, for this week. For loving me the way you do. I'll never want to be anywhere else but by your side." I roll my body on top of him, my mouth dusting his. "You're my home."
Military Terms:
BX vs. PX - The US Air Force (Kadena on Okinawa) calls their department store a BX (base exchange). The Marine Corps (Camps Kinser, Foster & several others on Okinawa) calls their department store a PX (post exchange). Just a different term for the exact same kind of retail store.
Commissary - Base grocery store
BOQ - Bachelor Officer's Quarters - furnished housing units on base where single Marine officers are eligible to live.
O-Club - Officer's Club; Usually offers lunch and dinner on a daily basis for officers and their guests. Also a place where officers can host parties, meetings, etc.
Ka-Bar - Combat knife used by the Marine Corps.
Blouse - The proper terminology for the jacket Marines wear with their 'cammies'. (camouflage uniforms) It makes me crazy that men wear "blouses," lol, but trust me, it's the way the USMC says it. ;)
**Special Clarification** It's an unwritten rule in the Marine Corps that while you're in any class of uniform, you don't engage in overt public displays of affection unless it's a very special occasion. (e.g. promotion, return from deployment, wedding ceremony, etc.) Bella knew this from having been married to Mike, and during Edward's promotion, she only kissed him politely on the cheek. On an average day, like the fall festival, it wouldn't have been appropriate to go in for a kiss...especially in front of all his junior Marines.
Key Volunteers - A family readiness program. The Key Volunteer Network consists of Marine spouses called Key Volunteers and they serve in both active duty and reserve units. KVs receive formal training either from classes on base or online and are appointed by the unit Commander. And yes, before you ask, I, Yummy, am a trained Key Volunteer.
Toys for Tots -The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. (Taken directly from the Toys For Tots website.)
A/N: How we doin'? We good? Friends again after that loooooong wait for an update? Hope so. ;)
Super-crazy love to Team Cabana for all they do for me. Crazy love for all those who read and take the time to leave a review. I swear, one of these chapters, I WILL get back to replying to reviews more consistently. Often times it's a matter of writing chapters or replying...and with waits like the one you just experienced, the majority usually would rather have an update than a review reply. Nevertheless, I love to be able to thank you personally. I so appreciate you being here and taking this journey with me.
xo, Jen