A/N: Thanks for waiting so patiently for this chapter. I stupidly started another story while waiting for the right words to come to me on this one, and the other story kind of took over my life for a week. But I've established a balance (I think) and you shouldn't have to wait so long for an update the next time around.

Chapter 12 – A Memorable Night

BPOV

It had been three weeks. Three glorious weeks since the night I told Edward about my troubled past and the resulting closure I found over the entire ordeal after telling him everything. In that time, if any doubt lingered within me that I truly loved him, it was quickly dismissed as I fell for him deeper and harder than I thought possible. He became a part of my life so much that I couldn't bear the thought of him not in it.

I loved this man like none I had known before, and without a doubt, none that would come in the future. He quickly became the center of my world.

But did I tell him any of this?

Hell, no.

I was still scared shitless that he was too good to be true, and that he would disappear if I told him how much I needed him. Plus, I didn't know how he felt about me. I knew he cared for me. Why else would he spend almost every evening with me and call me every night before bed? But I didn't know if he loved me, the way that I loved him.

Angela and Rachel thought I was insane to be so insecure. They repeatedly told me he was in love with me. That they could see it every time he looked at me. But I just couldn't be sure and I wasn't going to risk running him off by revealing my feelings too soon.

There were times I had trouble controlling myself from blurting out 'I love you', though.

Like two Saturdays ago when he took me to a meadow that he had stumbled upon one day by accident, a place where he had never brought anyone else before. Just me. Which was so sweet, I felt like I was going to become diabetic.

We had stayed there most of the afternoon, feeding each other from the picnic he packed, and laying around, enjoying each other's company and body warmth.

And like two nights ago, when we had gone to the Seattle Mariners opening game with Alice, Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie, sitting in great seats behind the home plate, courtesy of Rosalie's inside connections. Since I had never taken the time to learn about baseball, besides the fact that they used a bat to hit a ball and ran around bases, Edward had patiently explained the fundamentals of baseball to me and answered every one of my questions, no matter how stupid it was.

Again, tooth-achingly sweet.

But the times that had to be the hardest for me to control myself were when Edward kissed me. The feel of his lips moving against mine, the velvety slide of his tongue exploring my mouth, his hands gripping me tight against him… it made my knees tremble and my brain turn to mush just thinking about it. Living through the experiences were far more wonderful than I had ever thought possible.

But every kiss was controlled. Deliberately planned and executed. He treated me like a china doll, on the verge of breaking at any moment if he applied too much pressure. Not at all like the intense moments we had shared in his office three weeks ago.

I was going crazy. Kissing Edward was no longer enough for me. And the longer he treated me like a doll, the crazier I became.

I wanted to take that leap. I wanted to push him because I was sexually frustrated as hell. I wanted to press him against the nearest hard surface and ravish him.

But I didn't know how to go about accomplishing those wants.

This was why I enlisted help from my two best friends, Angela and Rachel.

Besides, they were just as ready as I was for the physical part of my relationship with Edward to move forward. They wanted it because my sleep talking was becoming louder and resembling something closer to sleep moaning with each passing night. A fact they loved to tease me about at least once a day.

When they suggested bringing Alice in on our planning, I was speechless. To ask Alice to help me seduce her brother… it was unthinkable, not to mention embarrassing. But apparently Alice wanted mine and Edward's relationship to progress as well.

It seemed when Edward was sexually frustrated, he became very cross with Alice. Or 'pissy', as she so eloquently put it. So, she had concluded that he needed a swift kick in the pants to get past hitting continuous singles with me. (A baseball reference I now understood, thanks to Edward's meticulous explanation of the game.)

She had sat me down one day last week after Angela and Rachel approached her for me and told me she was in. And that Edward needed this as much as I did. So I asked her, in my blushing, stuttering way, what I should do, thus launching the 'Seduce Edward' plan.

She dragged me to her store that very afternoon, insisting I needed the perfect outfit. Because once I had the outfit, everything else would fall into place. Then she proceeded to bring me three tight-fitting dresses, all in midnight blue because it was Edward's favorite color on me, and instructed me to pick one for 'the night'.

This was why I was now standing in my kitchen in a tight, blue, empire cut dress, checking on the chicken for tonight's dinner that I was cooking Edward. Think the red dress Cher wears in 'Clueless' for Christian's seduction, but dark blue.

And the heels she had forced me wear. They were insanely high and, of course, they were stilettos. I feared for my life every time I took a step.

But when I had walked out of my room this evening both Angela and Rachel had cat-called and whistled at me, so I guess the ensemble worked. Also, both of them had made sure to tell me a few 'pointers' before they left for the night. Things like 'use what the good lord gave you' and 'bend at the waist to draw attention to your butt'.

I was pretty sure I wouldn't be using any of that particular advice. But Angela had been a little more helpful than Rachel. She had given me more specific advice. Like sexual tension is your greatest weapon, use it whenever you can. Touch him constantly. Feed him food from your plate. Watch him take the bite, and then lick your lips.

Apparently she used that one quite a lot on Ben. And it worked every time.

While that wasn't necessarily information I wanted to learn about her and Ben, I figured every little bit helped. Because when it came down to it, I was as clueless as Cher had been. I was a freakin' virgin, for crying out loud. What did I know about seduction and sexual tension?

And now here I was. Posed on a cliff, waiting for the jump that would bring me and Edward to a whole new level of intimacy. The roommates were gone, I was putting the finishing touch on my specialty – Chicken Madiera, and Edward was supposed to be here in about ten minutes. Then we would go from wining to dining to heavily making out on the couch, or what Alice had so delicately nicknamed 'dessert'.

I had hope, even though it was small, that we would transition from the couch to my bed, but I didn't want to force something onto Edward that he might not be ready for. Truthfully, I would be happy and consider tonight successful if all we managed to do was round first base and make it to second. At least it would be something different.

Checking the sauce one last time, I saw it was finally done, so I put everything in serving dishes and transferred it all to the dining room table. Looking at the clock for the umpteenth time that day, I noticed I only had five minutes until 7 o'clock. Time to set the mood.

I turned on my music selection – classical, just for Edward – and set the volume low for background ambience. Then I lit the candles Angela and Rachel had strategically placed around our apartment. Taking everything in once I lit the last candle, I had to smile at the great job the roommates had done. There was just enough light in the room so we wouldn't have to use the overhead lights or any of the lamps.

Perfect.

A knock sounded at the door, signaling Edward's arrival. I took a deep breath before walking over and placing my hand on the doorknob.

It's now or never. Just stay focused on what you want, I reminded myself.

Opening the door, I quickly drank in the sight before me. Edward was leaning against the door frame on his forearm, smiling his beautiful crooked smile, and holding a bouquet of red roses. He was wearing a black leather jacket and underneath it I could see a red silk button-up shirt. Simple black slacks finished out his ensemble.

In a word, he was sex. Walking sex.

If it had been physically possible, I would have melted into a puddle on the floor.

How had I gone almost a month without doing more than kiss this man? He was going to be in my bed tonight. No question about it now.

"Hey," he said smoothly before looking me up and down. His eyes widened and I saw him gulp. Both good reactions. "You look beyond gorgeous."

"Thank you," I said, my voice wavering slightly. Clearing my throat, I blushed and moved away from the door so he could come inside. "Dinner's basically ready, but I thought we could sit down and have some wine first."

"Sounds good," he answered, holding out the roses to me. "These are for you."

I smiled, taking them from him. Normally I hated anyone spending money on me, but how could a girl put up a fight when handed roses from a man as beautiful as Edward? I held them up to my nose and breathed in their sweet aroma.

"Thank you," I said, sighing happily.

Edward shrugged off his coat to hang it on the coat rack, and then followed me into the living room. "Wow. This place looks great. Very romantic."

"Thanks. Rach and Ang helped me," I said, blushing slightly at the compliment. "I'm just going to put these in water, so make yourself comfortable. I'll be right back."

I started toward the kitchen before remembering an important question. "Do you prefer red or white wine?"

"White would be great," Edward replied, taking a seat on the couch.

I scurried into the kitchen, quickly crouching down as much as this dress allowed me to in front of the sink to find a vase for the flowers. Thank God Angela insisted we save the one Edward had sent along with his first batch of roses. It was the perfect size. I grabbed it, filled it up with water, undid the string holding the roses together, and dropped them into the vase.

White wine, white wine, my mind reminded me every three seconds.

Oh, god. I needed to slow down. If I kept this frantic pace up all night, I'd be exhausted before we were done with dinner.

Besides, there was no need to hurry anymore. Edward was here and looking very lickable in the living room. The food was done. The course of tonight's events had been set in motion.

Just relax and commit everything to memory, I thought, letting out a deep breath. Because you won't want to forget a second of Edward looking like he does tonight.

Feeling much more relaxed, I grabbed two wine glasses and poured the slightly chilled white wine into them, while trying to remember what I had thought before opening the door.

Oh, right. Stay focused on what you want.

Edward. Naked. Bed.

Got it.

My determination renewed, I walked confidently back into the living room, putting an extra sway into my strut for Edward's viewing pleasure.

"Here you go, Edward," I purred, handing him a wineglass. Settling myself down next to him on the couch, I crossed my legs, which made my already short skirt ride further up my leg.

Glancing over at Edward, I found him tracing my legs with his eyes. Perfect.

"Have I told you how great you look tonight?" he asked, his eyes glued to my legs.

"Yes. I believe you have," I said softly, placing my hand on his knee and giving it a light squeeze. "But it's always nice to hear."

Angela's words floated back to me. Touch him constantly. I figured there was no time like the present.

I started lightly rubbing circles onto his outer thigh with my thumb, idly trailing my fingers millimeters up the inside of his leg each time I completed a circle. Trying to be as nonchalant about what I was doing as possible, I sipped my wine and watched the candle's flame flicker on the coffee table.

I was about halfway up his thigh when Edward broke the silence, clearing his throat and asking, "So what did you prepare for tonight?"

Your seduction, I thought wickedly.

"Nothing special. Just chicken with asparagus, a light mushroom madiera sauce, and mashed potatoes," I said evenly, reveling in my newfound devious side.

Who knew I had it in me?

"Wow. That sounds amazing." I could hear the awe in his voice, which made me smile inwardly. Just wait until dessert…

Still rubbing his thigh, I inched higher up his leg. Without looking, I could tell my little game was affecting him. He was breathing harder and had started shifting in his seat.

Boo. It was time to stop, leaving him wanting more.

That was really what the girls and I had planned for tonight – an evening of foreplay and sexual tension – until 'dessert', when I hoped he attacked me as feverishly as I was going to attack him.

"Hungry?" I asked innocently, regretfully removing my hand from his leg.

Edward swallowed loudly and rasped, "Yes."

"Follow me," I instructed, rising from the couch. I didn't look behind me as I sashayed out of the room. There was no need to. I could feel his eyes boring into my back as we made our way to the dining room.

Setting my glass on the table, I was about to pull out the chair when I felt Edward come up behind me.

"Let me," he said softly in a tone that dripped with unspoken promises of passion and desire. It was the kind of tone that made my knees weak and my eyes roll back into my head. I have no idea how he was able to convey all that into two words. But he did.

Inhaling some desperately needed air, I talked myself out of jumping him right this minute. I needed to be the one in control and my body was threatening mutiny. It begged me for Edward's control, in whatever capacity he saw fit. He pulled out the chair and waited patiently for me while I regained control of my body before I sat down.

Soon, I assured my body, placing the napkin on my lap and smoothing it out.

Edward sat down across from me and we smiled at each other. Mine was shy, while his was admiring.

"This looks great, Bella. You've truly outdone yourself," he said in awe.

"Thanks," I murmured.

Where was the seductress from ten minutes ago? Don't revert back to the shy girl now. Remember: Edward! Naked! Bed! my body yelled at me, renewing my desire and determination.

"You know," I purred, dropping my voice down an octave to a hopefully 'velvety' tone. "The chicken's much better if you pair it with some asparagus. Like this."

I held up the bite of food I had speared on my fork and urged, "Here, try it."

We leaned toward each other at the same time, our eyes locked. Edward's mouth slowly opened and his lips closed over my fork. My eyes involuntarily dropped to his mouth as he licked his lips, his perfect pink tongue making a rare appearance.

I was gone, unable to even be ticked that he stole my move. Heat pooled between my legs and my breathing picked up.

"Mmm. You're right. That's much better," he said in a way I felt down to my core.

Screw dinner. I want my dessert now! my body demanded. And since my head didn't respond, my body acted, taking control over me.

"Edward," I said breathlessly, raising my eyes to his. I hoped he saw the longing I had for him. His normally grass green eyes darkened. He looked… hungry. Just like that day in his office.

"Yes, Bella?" he prompted. Too caught up in his eyes, I had forgotten I was going to say something else after his name.

What was I going to say again?

Oh, right.

"I find myself not that hungry for food anymore."

"Oh? What are you hungry for, Bella?"

Here was my moment of truth. Could I take that leap off the cliff?

Looking at Edward was all it took to make up my mind.

Hell yes, I could take that leap.

"You," I breathed. "I'm hungry for you."

Faster than I had thought possible, Edward was around the table and kneeling on the floor beside my chair. He gently cupped my face in his hands and brought it down to his. The fire continued to burn in his eyes and I had to admire his control. My control had flown out the window the minute he touched me. I ran my hands through his hair as our lips met, pulling him toward me in a desperate need to have him closer.

Edward quickly took control of the kiss. His mouth was so hot, pressing and demanding until my lips were forced apart. Moaning, I latched onto handfuls of his silky hair, turning my entire body to the side and opening my legs to wrap them around him.

He still wasn't close enough for my liking, so I pressed myself harder against him, causing my dress to ride up considerably. Edward seemed intensely affected by my touch, his breath puffing like steam on my cheek, his pulse hammering in the soft place between his jawline.

His hands moved down my neck, to my shoulders, continuing their descent down my sides, until finally resting on my waist. All the while we feverishly assaulted each other, our tongues twisting and fighting for dominance, until Edward pulled back, breathing unevenly.

"Bella," he rasped, pleading for something with his eyes. Whatever it was, I was game.

I nodded my permission for his unspoken request before forcefully attaching my lips to his neck, sucking and kissing wherever I could reach. Both of his hands moved around to my back and gripped my butt so I was pressed firmly against him.

"Lock your legs around my waist," he whispered gruffly.

Quickly obeying, some part of my mind caught on to what he was going to do. Apparently I had agreed to be carried somewhere.

The bed. Please God, carry me to the bed, my body pleaded.

He rose from the floor as if I weighed nothing and carried me to the living room, turning so that when he sat down I was straddling him. I was in heaven. He wasn't even trying to slow down or stop this.

Have to remember to thank the girls, I reminded myself, hoping that little piece of information would be retained after the night of passion I foresaw in my immediate future.

Needing his lips against mine again, I kissed my way along his jawline until I reached my target. The feel of his lips moving with mine was wonderful, but the little groan he let out when I sucked his bottom lip into my mouth was my ultimate undoing.

Enough foreplay. I needed him naked. Now.

Releasing the death grip I had on his hair, I moved my hands down to his shirt and started unbuttoning it. Edward pulled back and ran his hands up my back, then back down, stopping at my waist.

"Bella, are you sure?" he asked, the concern he was trying to convey coming off weak with his heavy breathing.

I didn't even hesitate to answer. "Yes. I'm sure, Edward. I want you."

Finished with his shirt, I flung back the two sides and gasped.

Oh. My. God.

He was gorgeous. Male models had nothing on Edward. The sight of his eight pack – yes, eight pack – made me lick my lips.

How was it possible this perfection was hidden underneath that shirt?

Or, more importantly, why was it hidden? It was like hiding the original manuscript of 'Jane Eyre'. It just wasn't done. And it suddenly became my new goal in life to never have Edward wear a shirt around me again.

I hadn't realized I was staring, mouth agape, until he chuckled. My eyes snapped up to his face, my cheeks turning hot in embarrassment at getting caught ogling.

"Sorry," I mumbled.

"It's okay," he replied, amusement shining in his eyes. "I like you looking."

Taking that as encouragement, I dropped my gaze and slowly trailed my fingers down his chest, taking my time to outline his abs, which I planned on memorizing with my tongue very soon.

Edward sighed, closing his eyes. "That feels good."

I smiled at my effect on him, feeling empowered at such a small compliment. If my touch felt that good, I wondered how my mouth would feel. My smile turned wicked as I scooted down his lap, but my dress became very unforgiving with my new plan. So I did something that shocked me in its boldness. I hiked my dress up to my waist, revealing the blue boy shorts I was wearing, which happened to match the dress.

Edward opened his eyes, most likely to see why I was wriggling around, and they almost popped out of his head as he took in my new state of dress. It was my turn to chuckle as he stared, mouth agape, at my bare legs and underwear.

"See something you like?" I teased.

"You have no idea," he said softly, running his hands up and down my thighs. It was maddening how close he came to my center, but never touched me where I wanted him to.

The tease.

It was only fair that I teased him back, right? I retaliated by starting what I had originally planned before my dress held things up.

Slowly, I ran my tongue down his throat, planting a kiss in the crook of his neck where it met his shoulder. Edward's hand stopped their caressing and his breath caught in response.

Continuing down, I outlined his collarbone with my tongue and trailed a line of open-mouth kisses from one side of his chest to the other. Edward groaned and his head fell back on the couch.

I took that to mean he liked what I was doing.

And just as I was going to descend lower, the phone rang.

Of course the damn phone rang. It was only fitting that the world didn't want me to have what I had coveted for almost a month.

Well, screw the world. I wasn't going to give him up without a fight.

I guess I had hesitated long enough to make Edward lift his head, arching an eyebrow at me in question. "Are you going to answer that?"

"No," I stated simply, right before leaning back down and swiping my tongue across his nipple, then lightly blowing on it until it beaded. Edward moaned and dropped back his head again. I lightly scrapped my teeth over his now taught nipple as the answering machine clicked on.

You've reached Rachel, Angela, and Bella.

Moving over to the neglected side of his chest, I lightly licked a circle around his other already beaded nipple.

Please leave us a message at the beep.

Edward dug his fingers into my upper thighs as I flicked my tongue over it, running my hands up and down his abs.

Beep.

"Bella?" said the voice coming from the answering machine. A voice I hadn't heard in years.

I stopped teasing Edward and sat up as the voice continued. "This is Billy. Billy Black. I know it's been a while, but I wanted to be the one to tell you."

He paused and I heard some scuffling in the background. Billy sounded distraught. Why would he be distraught?

Why would he be calling me, distraught?

Edward was staring at me intently, most likely wondering why I was looking at the answering machine located next to us on the end table as if I was seeing a ghost.

Probably because I was seeing a ghost. Or rather, hearing one. I hadn't spoken to Billy since graduating from high school.

"I don't want to tell you what I have to in a message, so call me as soon as you can. It's about your father, Bella."

I snapped out of my daze at Billy's reference of my father, lunging for the phone receiver and picking up the call as I quickly moved the phone to my ear.

"Billy?" I answered, panicked. "What's wrong? What happened to Charlie?"

"Hey, Bella. You're there," he replied, ignoring my questions. I felt weird talking to Billy, who had been like my second father in high school, while straddling Edward, so I scooted off him and stood up, pushing my dress down.

"Billy. Please tell me what's going on," I said slowly. He was getting old. Maybe he hadn't heard my questions before.

"Bella, you father…" he paused and my heart started pounding. This was going to be bad. I just knew it. "I'm sorry I have to be the one telling you this, but I wanted you to find out from someone you knew."

"Please Billy, just tell me," I pleaded, walking around the couch to ignore Edward's concerned look.

"Your father was shot on duty."

Shit.

That was bad.

I steadied myself against the wall with my free hand as Billy's voice caught and he struggled to say the rest. "He died twenty minutes ago, Bella. I'm so sorry, but… Charlie's dead."

"No," I moaned, his words piercing my heart. Pressure built up at the back of my eyes. I saw Edward get up from the couch and walk toward me, but then everything started going hazy.

Billy said something else, but it failed to penetrate the buzzing that now took up residence in my head.

"I don't believe it…" I heard my own voice as if from far away.

There was a pinching sensation around my chest, and my heart could no longer sustain its own violent rhythm. Although my lungs moved in painful spasms, I couldn't seem to get enough air.

Charlie… dead? I thought before a thick mist rolled over me, covering all sight and sound, and I sank swiftly into the dark abyss that opened beneath me.

A/N: This last scene has been in my head since the beginning, so it's a relief to finally get it out. I have my reasons for killing off Charlie, which you will find out soon enough.

And there's no reason to be upset. He wasn't a major character in this story anyway.