Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Running on Fumes

Chapter 3

By: EJJCullen

I sat there completely frazzled.

"Ok," I said. "Go grab a suit, and I'll meet you out back by the pool." He nodded in response and exited the car headed in the direction of his house next door.

I sat for another moment to collect my thoughts. Why is it that whenever he looks into my eyes I just can't say no? I exited the car headed up the walkway to the house. I left my shopping bags on the floor by the stairs so I would take the up the next time I went. After dropping my car keys and cell on the kitchen table, I headed out the back sliding glass door towards the pool.

Outside we had a shed that Charlie converted into a bungalow of sorts where we kept all of our swim suits, towels and anything else pool related. Off to the side of that was an outdoor shower that was primarily used for when we got home from a day of fishing, or when I wanted to rinse off after swimming. I opened the door to the shed and pulled on the chain just above my head to turn on the light, casting the small room into a yellow haze. All the towels were lined and folded nicely on the shelf along the far wall. To the right was a bench that opened for storage, and off to the left were large bins that contained swim suits, sun screen, and old magazines and books I would read while sunbathing during the summer.

I pulled open the bin closest to me that contained my bikinis when I heard someone speaking in a hushed tone. I stopped what I was doing and crept over to the edge of the shed where there was a small window used for ventilation. If I stood on my tippy toes I could just make out the top of Edwards hair, but I could hear him much clearer. He must have been on the phone because all I was hearing was one side of the conversation.

"Yes, Dad, I know…I don't think that's necessarily true…are you sure that will put a stop to it? I don't want to take any chances, it needs to end completely…no loose ends, I can make sure of that…it has to be foolproof on your end…she can't find out or it will ruin everything…ok, I will update you by the end of the week, that should give me enough time…ok, bye."

I had no idea what I was supposed to take away from that. I clearly shouldn't have been listening in the first place, so it's not like I could just come out and ask out of the blue. I would just have to carefully file this away and then use it at a later date and time.

I heard the squeak of the side gate opening and slamming into place announcing Edward's arrival. In my haste, I turned quickly and knocked the bathing suit bin onto the ground with a loud thump. "Shit" I hissed grabbing fistfuls of bathing suits to throw back into the bin.

"Be-ll-a," I heard Edward sing-song, before he tapped on the shed door.

"Hang on Edward, I'm just changing." I instantly cringed – like that won't spark his interest. I heard Edward chuckle just outside the door and then heard the familiar sound of the door being slowly opened.

"I thought I would lend you a hand," Edward said, stepping up and into the shed. I stood up and threw the last handful of suits into the bin. "Having a hard time picking one?"

"Nope, got mine right here," I said grabbing at random material from the top of the pile. I held up a bright yellow string bikini top as I internally groaned at my luck of the draw.

Edward crossed the small space and sat on the bench crossing his legs at his ankles and putting his hands behind his head while he leaned back against the wall – the epitome of relaxed.

"Let the show being," he said as his eyes moved to the bikini in my hand and back.

"Edward…" I started, but thought better of it and decided to use this to my benefit. "Ok, I have an idea…how about for every article of clothing I lose, you answer a question?"

"Fair enough," he said.

I realized quickly that I would have to make each question count since I only had a few articles of clothes to work with. I pulled my t-shirt up and over my head before folding it neatly and placing it on the bench next to Edward.

"Why did you move to Forks?" I asked as I stood up placing my hands on my hips.

"You already know that one." Edward replied as he gazed at my chest.

"No, I mean, why did you? I know what your parents moved here, but you only have one year left of high school, why didn't you just stay with a friend for a year to finish it out?"

His smile slipped for a moment, but he caught the slip quickly and had I blinked I would have missed it completely.

"Let's just say that my parents wanted me to start over too. We all wanted a fresh start." He said. Edward gritted his teeth around the word fresh – leading me to believe that perhaps the idea of a fresh start was for his benefit.

"Ok," I said as I began undoing my shorts and slowing sliding them down my legs before they too were added to the pile next to Edward. "Do you get along with your parents?"

"Sometimes. My mom isn't so bad, she stays out of my way and it's not like she even sees what is around her anyway. And my father is always busy with work."

I felt like I was dissecting his every word and movement. I only refer to my dad as "dad" except when I am mad at him then he is my "father". I wondered if Edward was the same way. He didn't go into much detail about his father, so maybe there is something more to that.

"Do your folks get along?" I asked, while unclasping my bra and tossing it towards the pile.

"Bella, my parents are complicated, but let's just say that we don't have the picture perfect family that they would like everyone to think we do."

Well, that was cryptic. I bent forward to pick up the top to my bathing suit when Edward leaned forward and grabbed my wrist. I looked up meeting his eyes and saw him just shake his head. I dropped the top to the floor and he went right back into his previously relaxed position. I slowly pulled my panties down and off my legs. This was the last question I had in my favor and I had to make it count.

"Do you ever think that your parents should just get divorced then?" I asked. Edward noticeably stiffened, so I continued. "I mean, my parents got divorced because my mom couldn't keep it in her pants and my Dad is better off without her. So am I for that matter, if she stayed around it would have probably gotten really ugly and besides, I am so much happier with it just being me and my Dad. I guess she found some rich guy now, hence the Volvo." I slowly looked up to meet his gaze and found his eyes were furious.

"Someone's hard earned money is paying for that Volvo, just remember that." He said as he stood from the bench. Edward approached me slowly, and did a slow circle around me – taking in my nude body from all angles. He bent down to retrieve my bikini from the floor, and handed it to me. As he stood there with the bikini in hand I noticed his eyes roam the shed and land on the ventilation window off to the side of the shed. His eyes lingered on it for a moment and then he left me in the shed to dress.

Wow, I thought, I guess I hit a nerve with dear old mommy and daddy. I pulled on my suit and left the shed to join Edward out on the pool deck. He had left his towel on a lounge chair and was already waist deep in the water with his back towards the deep end. I tossed my towel on the lounge chair next to his and dove in off the diving board. As I came up for air Edward was right in my face.

"Why are you so interested in my parents Bella?" he asked.

"I don't know," I lied, "I guess I just wonder what its like to have both parents all the time."

"Bella," he tisked. "You're a terrible liar. Did you by any chance hear me talking on the phone when I was on my way over?"

"No," I said, hoping that I was convincing enough.

"Cause if you were, it might be better to just tell me now, then it would be if I found out that you had lied to me. I really hate liars Bella."

I had two options here…I could lie, or I could fess up to overhearing his conversation. He already knew I was a bad liar, I've know that since childhood – my ears burn bright red.

"I'll ask you again Bella…did you over hear me talking on my phone?" he asked as he slowly stalked towards me while I backed away until I was up against the side of the pool.

"Yes." I said. "I didn't mean to listen and I swear I didn't hear anything."

"Thank you for being honest with me." He said, his eyes told me something different entirely – they were dancing with excitement. "Maybe you deserve a little reward for being so honest with me."

He picked me up and sat me on the side of the pool before pushing my knees apart to stand between them. His kiss started out slow, but quickly turned into a need to claim my mouth as his. His hands held either side of my face as he turned my head slightly. I opened my mouth to him without hesitation. I felt intoxicated by his scent and taste. I could feel myself getting more aroused by the minute.

His hands moved to my hips as he thrust his tongue into my mouth, dominating the kiss. I moaned as his fingers dug into my hips harder, I would no doubt have bruises there tomorrow. Suddenly, Edward pulled me forward towards him with such force that the back of my thighs were scrapped along the cement outline of the pool deck.

"Ow," I yelled, as I broke away from Edwards lips.

"Oh God Bella, I am so sorry," he said as he lifted me up and into his arms. "I didn't mean to hurt you." As his eyes met mine I could see nothing but sincerity and regret reflecting back. He was truly sorry.

"Ah," I hissed as the chlorinated water hit the fresh scrapes.

"The cool water should help with the burn and the chlorine will help clean out the wound," he said. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah," I sighed. "I'll be fine." He hugged me to him and I wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders while my feet dangled unable to touch the bottom of the pool.

"You really are so innocent," I heard Edward say just above a whisper. I don't think I was meant to hear it, so I said nothing in return.

We stayed like that for hours it seemed. Me clinging to him and him wrapped around me. It was surprisingly comforting and gentle, but all too soon the breeze picked up and my body was instantly covered in goose bumps. Feeling my shiver, Edward hugged me tighter and whispered in my ear that perhaps we should vacate the pool. I laughed into the crook of his neck and inhaled his scent deep into my lungs before nodding slightly. He helped me out of the pool and used the towel on the lounge chair to wrap around me as he rubbed his hands up and down my arms to warm me.

Edward grabbed the other towel, threw it over his shoulders and sat down on the lounge chair with his legs on either side. He caught my eyes and motioned for me to come sit with him. Without hesitation I sat down chris-cross style in between his legs with my back pressed up against his chest. He took the ends of his towel and use them to create a cocoon around us as he allowed me to snuggle closer to him. His chin rested on my shoulder as he lowered his hands to my hips. His fingers danced along the edge of my bikini bottom as he turned his head towards mine and peppered my neck with kisses.

I closed my eyes as I relaxed into him further as my breath picked up and his fingers dove under my bikini bottom. His warm hands sent a chill down my spine as he slowly ran his digits up and down my soaked slit. I was panting heavily when he finally pushed two fingers into me.

I moaned in pleasure as he slowly moved his fingers in and out of me. It felt so good and the coil in the pit of my stomach began to tighten. I could feel him getting hard against my back as he began to move faster.

"Do you like that Bella?" he whispered into my ear while sucking my lobe into his mouth.

"Yes," I panted, "you make me feel so good."

He chuckled at my words, and continued working me with his fingers. I could feel myself on the brink of my orgasm, but was suddenly interrupted as I heard the familiar sound of my dad's car door closing.

"Oh shit, my dads home". I said panicking slightly.

"Relax," Edward whispered into my ear as he continued moving his fingers in and out. "He won't be able to see what's going on under the towels Bella. Just act normal."

My heart was beating overtime as my head and body warred with each other to both stop and keep going. The decision was made for me when I heard the side gate creak open and slam shut as my dad walked over to the lounge chair that Edward and I were currently occupying.

"Hey guys," Charlie said taking a seat on the lounge chair next to us. "Get everything you need today?"

"Uh, yeah." I replied a little breathless from Edward's ministrations.

"Good. You want to stay for dinner Edward?" he asked.

"Love to, Chief." Edward said as he sped up his movements bringing me to edge once again.

"Edward, please, call me Charlie. I knew you two would get along great, didn't I tell you Edward?" Charlie said as he started to get up, smiling from ear to ear. "I'll order some pizza, sound good Bells?"

"Yes!" I shouted as fell over the edge and pulsed around Edwards fingers deep inside me. "Ugh, that sounds great dad." I rode out the remainder of my orgasm as Edward slowed his pace and finally pulled his fingers out of me.

"I'm on it," Charlie called over his shoulder as he headed into the house.

"I'll bring dessert." Edward whispered in my ear just before he brought his fingers to his mouth and sucked on them with a moan.

A little over an hour later, Charlie, Edward and I sat around the island in the kitchen eating pizza. Charlie and Edward were deep in conversation about sports as I tuned them out and began cleaning up the discarded pizza box and dirty plates. While I finished rinsing the plates and put them into the drying rack off to the side of the sink I overheard Charlie say "yeah, sure Edward, you have my permission." I had no idea what Charlie was giving Edward permission to, but somehow I had the feeling like I was not going to like it.

Charlie got up and headed into the living room to watch some game he commented on during dinner leaving me alone with Edward in the kitchen.

"So," I started leaning against the countertop and looking up at Edward. "What exactly was my dad giving you permission to?"

"To you," Edward said giving me a crooked smile and walking over to me.

"Excuse me?" I said not understanding.

"He gave me permission to date you," Edward clarified.

"Oh, but don't I have to give you permission?" I said as he caged me between him and the counter with his arms on either side of me.

"What, you don't want to go out with me?" he asked faking hurt, while his eyes danced with amusement.

"I don't even know you." I said truthfully.

"Well, I just figured I should make an honest woman out of you." He said as he lowered his head and began kissing my neck.

"We would have to be having sex in order for you to make an honest woman out of me." I said, leaning my head to the side to give him greater access to my neck.

"I don't think that's far off babe," he chuckled, "besides, I can smell how much I'm affecting you right now. I bet your soaking wet right now."

I could feel myself flush with embarrassment, he was absolutely right. There was something about him that my body was just attracted to, that it craved. My head on the other hand couldn't escape the feeling like there was something else going on with Edward.

Still smirking, Edward pushed off the counter after giving me a peck on the lips and headed out the back door. "See you in the morning babe" he called over his shoulder. I stood there still stunned by his words with my mouth hanging open in shock.