Thanks for your patience, I know I'm not updating this story as much as my other one but hang in there!

Chapter 7

EM POV

I groaned, rolling over in bed. It had to be midday by now, I could feel a light pounding in my head as last night's scotch wrecked havoc on my body.

I turned my face, catching a scent I'd been dreaming about. I turned my face towards it, stuffing my face into a pillow way too nice to be in my rental, inhaling a heady dose of that smell. Bella. I froze. Was she here? No. Where was I?

I looked around the room and noticed my discarded clothes by the bed. A picture on the night table caught my eye: Bella and Kate, wide grins, arms around each other.

"Shit. Fuck. Not a dream. Not a dream."

In my scotch induced haze I'd booked a flight here, panicking about Bella's date with Jacob Black. I remember pounding back more booze on the flight here after barely getting a wink of sleep. I knew I'd taken a cab, so I wasn't driving in my state. I took a whiff of my armpit, okay good I showered and got cleaned up, hopefully before I came to see Bella.

Wait I came to see Bella. So…none of it was a dream. I'd really pinned her up against the door and… I licked my lips, remembering watching her body writhe above me, listening to her gasps and please, tasting her.

I looked around the bedroom, and grabbed my dress pants, yanking them on before using the bathroom. I checked the time; it was nearly seven o'clock so I'd probably been out for about eight hours. I could hear humming and soft music playing, following the sound until I spotted her. Hair tied up in a messy bun, ratty old college sweater hanging off one shoulder, and the shortest shorts…

I wasn't sure what the protocol was here; clearly she'd enjoyed what had happened this morning, but I didn't know where that put us, or her feelings about me.

I breathed in and groaned at the smell that hit my nose. Bella jumped, gasping at my sudden appearance. I was too caught up in smells coming from the kitchen to properly announce myself. I forgot how good she is at cooking, and I'll be damned if I haven't had a good home cooked meal since I last saw my parents.

"Food?" I asked, slowly stalking towards her, noting her body language as I approached to help gage the situation. Her group on the spatula tightened, and she pressed back into the counter a little, blush colouring her cheeks as she bit her lip. I don't think I'd ever seen Bella Swan this nervous, and the thought made me grin as I closed in on her, hands coming up to rest on either side of her, careful of the stove behind. Her eyes, which had been focusing more on my bare chest, now raised to meet my own, brain calculating what I'd said.

She nodded, as if only now processing my question.

I bent down, nudging my nose just under her ear, tongue flicking out to get just a little taste. She sucked in a breath, I waited for her to gasp, say my name, anything.

I did not expect a smack on my ass from the spatula she was still brandishing. I leaned back, shocked and amused at her feisty expression.

"Emmett Cullen, if you don't stop distracting me, I'm going to burn our dinner. So how about you" she pointed her weapon of choice at me, "go sit over on one of the bar stools" she now pointed it towards the stools on the other side of her kitchen island.

I grinned, and she blanked for a second before narrowing her eyes and pursing her lips, waiting for me to do as instructed. I held up my hands in a sign of peace, "alright, okay, I'm going."

She turned back around, opening a couple cupboards before coming over and placing two Advil and a glass of water in front of me, throwing me a quick smirk before she walked back to the stove.

I gratefully gulped down the medicine, hoping it would take effect soon, attention on her pert backside as she bent over to peek into the oven.

"What's cookin, good lookin?" I asked, winking when she rolled her eyes.

"Chicken parmesan" she blushed when my eyes nearly bugged out of my head, "don't get all excited, I haven't made it in forever. But I did remember Esme telling me you'd live off it if you could." She tossed me a block of cheese and a grater, "make yourself useful, Cullen." Then went back to stirring the sauce she had simmering on the stove.

How my idiot brother could have ruined things with such an amazing woman, I had no clue. But as I sat there and watched her humming to herself as she strained the fettucine, and went about plating all the food, I counted my lucky stars that he did.

I watched as she pulled the tray of chicken parm out of the oven, trying to hold in my drool as I watched her sprinkle fresh basil of the melted, crispy, cheesy, saucy perfections. She'd even made me what my mother always called an 'Emmett portion' which was basically twice what everyone else ate.

"How's that cheese coming along?" she asked, back turned to me so she couldn't see me frantically grating the cheese so that she wouldn't know I'd just been staring at her the whole time. "Good" I called back.

By the time she'd plated everything, turned off the stove fan, and poured two glasses of wine, I was done with the cheese, pulling off the grating part and following her to the table with the tiny bowl and two sets of cutlery with napkins, while she walked ahead, balancing both plates and glasses of wine as she went.

For someone so clumsy, Bella was always very smooth when it came to the kitchen or walking in heels, but apparently the latter was learned out of necessity to survive in the corporate world.

She set everything down and I was quick to pull out her chair, grinning as she smiled back before sitting down.

Nothing was said as I took my seat across from her and cut into the chicken, stabbing and twirling some noodles around it before raising my fork up and stuffing it all into my mouth. I closed my eyes, heaven, letting out a moan of approval that had Bella choking on her wine for a second before she giggled.

"Glad to hear someone appreciates my cooking." She teased, taking a bit of her own food.

"Bella, my god, this is the bast parm I've ever had…don't tell my mother though." I thought about it, "actually I bet she knows yours is better and is envious of your culinary prowess."

The chef in question blushed, "old family recipe, so I can't take all the credit. It is one of my favourites too though, so I'm glad I have someone to cook it for."

"Seriously," I said, holding back another moan, "make this for me any day, or everyday, don't care. I can't imagine anyone who would turn this away."

She got really quiet for a bit, twirling her fork around her plate but not really picking up any food. Shit. Of course, my idiot brother and his aversion to fucking tomato sauce. He didn't even really like pasta, but he raved about Bella's cooking all the time, so it was obvious she had plenty of other tricks in her apron.

"Hey" I said, catching her eyes, "you know this is fucking amazing. Don't get all sad on me now, Swan, not on our first date."

Her eyes widened, "date? Yeah, I guess this is a date…oh shit! I forgot I have to make a call, I was supposed to see—" she cut off, biting her lip as she looked to me with her phone now in her hand.

"Jake?" I offered, feeling a little deflated, knowing that she was going to see him again so soon.

"Umm yeah, he asked me to lunch tomorrow and I agreed. Look, Em, I'll cancel right now. I'd rather spend every minute you're here together before you go back tomorrow."

I sighed, nodding. It made me hopeful that she was so willing to cancel their plans, but I still found myself worrying over the fact that I was leaving tomorrow and probably wouldn't be back for at least another month despite all my best efforts to speed things along.

She sent off a quick text instead, then tossed her phone aside. "Alright, done. Now, let's get back to our date. I don't want anything or anyone to ruin our time together, okay?" she peered up into my eyes and I couldn't help but reach out and pull on her hand, wrapping both arms around her small body as she came within reach.

"Okay" I murmured, dropping a gentle kiss to her shoulder before releasing her and blowing out a breath, "time to really dig in now." She smiled back at my attempt to lighten the mood again, sitting back down and digging into her own meal.

We joked back and forth as we ate, it was nice to finally get to talk with her in person and without a bunch of other people around. I could finally lean over and brush her hair behind her ear when it fell into her face, tap her foot with mine under the table without having to play it off as an accident, and I could openly ogle her throughout the evening.

"Damn that was good, Bells" I groaned, leaning back and rubbing my stomach. "If you keep cooking for me I'm gonna have to make extra trips to the gym just to stay in shape" I joked, sighing happily at the thought of eating like this all the time.

Bella rolled her eyes as she stood, "like that would really be a problem, Em, your muscles have muscles. I think you'll be just fine." She winked, grabbing for our plates.

"Woah, woah, woah. Just what do you think you're doing, woman?"

She paused, looking down to my hand that was halting her from collecting my plate, back to my face in confusion. "Umm, clearing up?" she offered.

I was already shaking my head as I got up, "No, no way. All you need is to take is this," I handed her a topped up glass of wine, "go over here," I steered her over to her couch, tossing a fluffy blanket beside her, "and pick something for us to watch." I finished, going back to the kitchen.

"But—" she argued feebly from the couch.

"Only but I want is yours planted firmly on that couch, Swan. Get to scrolling," I said, motioning towards the TV screen with the sponge I'd picked up.

She'd already done a lot of the cleanup as she cooked, so all I had to do was clean up the spatula, pan, and pot, putting the rest in her dishwasher at her insistence. While I was washing up the last of the dishes, I had an idea, pulling my phone out and opening one of my go-to apps.

A few minutes later I'd settled onto the couch, not hesitating to pull her body into mine, the blankets wrapped around us as she hit play…on a scary movie.

"I'm already holding you close, Bella, isn't that the real reason girls watch these things?" I asked.

She looked up with hopeful eyes, "some girls, but not me. I love horror movies…but I can change it if you want—"

I snatched the remote, holding it out of her reach, "No, I was just checking, I'm cool with whatever, babe" I said firmly, settling back in with her curled into my side, legs thrown over my lap under the blanket.

She hit play and the movie started playing. I couldn't explain a single thing about the movie though, because the entire time I was watching her. When something scary was coming, she'd narrow her eyes, but slam them shut if something gory popped up, burrowing into my side to avoid looking at the bloodied limbs on the screen.

Partway into the film, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and paused the movie, she looked at me questioningly, "One second, beautiful, gotta grab something downstairs." I said, not giving any other details.

I took the elevator down, already grinning to myself, I met the guy downstairs and thanked him, leaving a tip before grabbing the box and heading back upstairs. I'd been asking Kate random questions about Bella over the past couple months, I mean I didn't have much else to do so I figured why not be prepared. It also couldn't hurt to do a little extra and make sure I knocked Jake out of the running for good.

I let myself back into her apartment, spotting her on her couch scrolling on her phone. She looked up when I came in, tossing it away. "So" I began as I walked forwards, putting the box down on her coffee table, beginning to undo the ribbon on top, "I heard from a little birdie that a certain brunette has a favourite dessert, so I figured since she made me my favourite dinner tonight, it only seemed fair…" I trailed off as I spun the open box towards her.

She gasped, eyes going wide with excitement, "you didn't" she said, sliding down onto the carpet in front of the coffee table to get closer.

"Oh baby, you know I did" I winked, plucking one of the white chocolate covered strawberries and bringing it to her plump lips, trying not to get too excited as I watched them open and wrap around the confection. Her moan of delight certainly didn't help with the whole behaving thing either.

"Em how'd you know!? Chocolate strawberries are—"

"Your favourite, you can thank Kate for me, I did a little digging while I was in the big apple."

"Mmm they're delicious Em, oh my god I needed this." She reached over, attempting to feed me one too, I indulged her, wrapping my lips around the berry, catching the tips of her fingers on my lips as she pulled away.

She watched me chew, eyes a little darker, "maybe next time we should make them ourselves," she leaned in closer, "I bet chocolate tastes even better when its drizzled on you." I nearly choked, remembering Bella was now on her third glass and probably feeling a little bolder.

But hey, I wasn't going to complain. "That can be arranged," I mused, feeding her another.

We ate the entire box, feeding each other every time like a bunch of horny teenagers. I just couldn't help it though, with Bella snuggled into my side as we watched the end of the movie, appetites sated with chicken parm and chocolate strawberries, I'd never felt more at peace.

At around ten her eyes started to droop so I shifted, scooping her up despite her ridiculous protests about being heavy. "Shut up, woman" I bellowed with a smack to her toned ass, "you weigh nothing, in fact I think you need to eat more, you'll need the energy if you're going to keep up with me when I'm back for good," I reasoned, tossing her onto the bed.

Her eyes sparkled up at me, and once again I hoped, no prayed, that this woman in front of me would be mine soon. I was about to join her when I heard a knock a the door then, "Yo bro, I brought by some clothes for your dusty ass! Hey Bell, bye Bell!" Garrett hollered as I heard the sound of a package sliding across Bella's floor in the front hall followed by her front door shutting again, lock clicking back into place.

I raised a brow at her, "Gar has a key?" I asked.

She rose up on her knees, poking me in the chest, "No, Kate does. Which means you gave Gar your key," she accused, tugging me towards the bed. "Which means, Emmy, that you've been bad; we all know not to give Gar a key."

I tried to contain my amusement as her small form tried to maneuver me around, but in the end placated her by crawling onto the bed and flopping back down onto it, eyes watching her curiously as she climbed up onto the bed with a Cheshire cat's grin.

"I also think" she murmured, hands going to the button on my dress pants, undoing it and slowly pulling down the zipper, "that turn about is fair play" she finished, small fingers hooking into my pants and pulling them clean off my legs as I lifted my hips, because gentlemen always help out the ladies.

"Shit, Bella, seriously you don't haaah—" apparently not one to be deterred, she grasped me firmly in one hand and didn't hesitate to sink her hot mouth down my shaft. She started working me over, using her hand for what she couldn't fit in her mouth. She paused suddenly, taking a deep breath before sinking down even further, deep throating me. It took everything I had in me not to thrust the rest of the way, because jesus this girl had skills.

"Oh, fuck, Bella. That little mouth knows what its doing" I growled, feeling her tongue flicking and swirling along as she moved. My reaction must've gotten her going too because she moaned in response, the vibrations in her throat nearly making me lose my load.

"Shit, Bells, I'm gonna, you've gotta move—" I warned.

She just hummed again, hollowing her cheeks. I came so hard I had to clench my fists tight to hold off from the urge to keep her mouth on me and grind out the aftershocks.

"God damn" I muttered as she giggled softly. I sat up, grabbing her by the waist and hauling her up my body to crash my lips to hers, unbothered by what she was just doing.

I went to pull her up further but she stopped me, "no, no Em. Yesterday was for me, today was for you. Now is for sleeping so snuggle up bear man" she ordered.

I laughed, pulling her close, "goodnight beautiful" I murmured, hearing her sleepy reply before we both passed out.

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B POV

The next morning I woke for the third time this year laying on top of large, chiseled chest, smiling to myself as I ran my fingers over the ridges of his abdomen, loving the way they jumped under my questing fingers.

"Hmmm, morning" he said, voice gravelly and rough, making me suppress a shiver.

"Mmm it certainly is," I said, not even bothering to try and hide my contentment at waking up to him, or at my appreciation for his physique.

He chuckled, sitting up a little, "it is" he checked his phone, "eleven o'clock, damn it" he muttered, arms coming around me.

"My flight leaves at four, so I'll need to leave in about an hour so I have time to swing by my place and grab my stuff." I sighed in response, not wanting to leave our little bubble. I was glad I cancelled on Jake, regardless of whether I still could've made lunch with him, the past thirty-six hours made me put my foot down on the dates and decide to be set on Emmett, like I was at the start.

I leaned up, locking my arms around his neck, "Em, I just wanted you to know before you go back that I'm not gonna go on anymore dates, I made the mistake of not being with you once, I'll be damned if I mike it again."

The second the words were out of my mouth he tackled me, lips claiming mine, hands roaming all over me.

"Thank fucking god, that's the best news I've had in a long time." He said, gazing down at me intensely, eyes roaming over my face, as if memorising me, memorising us in this moment.

"We're going to have to tell people eventually, your brother—" I said, pausing uncertainly.

"My brother will have to get over it, it's on him that he couldn't keep an amazing woman like you around…and boy am I glad he couldn't."

I decide to change gears, pecking him on the lips and sliding out of the bed, "well then," I tossed over my shoulder, biting the tip of my pointer finger, "let's get you all cleaned up for your journey home". I giggled, peeling off my top as I left the room, throwing it back in towards Emmett as he scrambled off the bed after me. I took off running, squealing when he caught up to me by the bathroom door, lifting me off my feet and twirling me around, shoulders shaking with our shared laughter.

We spent time in the shower washing ourselves and each other. Nothing sexual happened, but the intimacy spoked volumes, finally being able to be close to him and touch him after all the yearning and longing glances. I gave him a spare toothbrush from my bathroom closet and wiggled his brows making a comment about already have something of his at my place.

We spent the remainder of our time wrapped up together on his couch before leaving to get his stuff and go to the airport. Since he'd taken a cab here, it was a no brainer for me to cart him around the city before he left me again. Not to mention for selfish reasons I wasn't ready to let him out of my sight just yet.

But before I knew it, we were standing in the airport at the departures terminal, my lip wobbled a little as I looked into his piercing blue eyes. He reached out, cupping my face in his hands, "Aw, Bells, no. I'll come back to you before you know it, and then you won't be able to get rid of my annoying ass." He winked.

I nodded, still a little bummed out that he had to leave already, "just promise it'll be soon" I said biting my lip, even though I knew he couldn't really promise me that.

"As soon as I can, babe" he said, leaning down and kissing me once on the mouth, then the head before shouldering his bag and heading off towards the check-in counter.

I turned around, not wanting to be the girl who watches until he disappears, heading back to my car and driving home. I stopped off at the drugstore and grabbed a pint a of Ben and Jerry's, fiddling with the lid already as the elevator doors opened, I needed this shit asap.

"Woah, spoon first Bells, then we dig in" I looked up to see Alice and Kate at my door, each with their own Ben and Jerry's along with smiles on their faces.

"How?" I asked, having a feeling I already knew.

"Em called before his plane left" Kate admitted with a wink, knowing how that information would make me feel. It'd been a long time since someone I was involved with was so thoughtful and good to me. I sighed knowing I had a goofy little grin on my face, walking up to my friends, throwing an arm around each of them as we entered my apartment. I pulled out my phone, sending a quick message before joining my girls on the couch.

Thank you for telling Kate, text me when you get in!

We talked and laughed, eating ice cream until dinner when we ordered burgers and uncorked some wine. I went and checked my phone as Kate doled out the wine.

Just got in, I'm glad you have your friends. I'll be back before you know it.

I sighed, putting my phone away and grabbing one of the glasses.

"So" Kate started, "how are you gonna break the news to Jake?" All three of us paused, looking at each other before bursting into giggles.

"No, oh no" I said, calming down and feeling a twinge of sadness, "I'll have to call him tomorrow and break the news, I just can't pretend, and he deserves more than a girl who's stuck on someone else. And besides, I told Em I'd be here waiting for him whenever he gets that fine ass back to me."

"Damn straight you are, bitch, I'll drink to that!" Kate cheered with Alice hooting along as we clinked our glasses and took a healthy sip.

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I did get them together a little earlier than I'd originally planned, but there's more to come! Thanks for reading (: