I've had one hell of a time writing this chapter. School was extremely traumatic this week and it has really rocked me to the core. But! The effort I had to put forth to complete this (and it was an effort- I literally forced myself) was beneficial. I found a catharsis in the whole process and hopefully am healed (or on my way there). I hope that this journey to Bella and Edward's love (Compassion style) helps you all escape from all of the horrible stuff that happens in this world, for a while. My best wishes to all of you and thanks for taking the time to read and review. Much Love. : )

Disclaimer: I don't own anything even related to Twilight. Although it would be really sweet. : ) How we all envy you, Stephenie!

Chapter 6

Bella saw, rather than heard Edward pull into her driveway. This was only because she had positioned the curtain just so, allowing her to visualize the driveway through a slice of window. As his silver car purred before shutting off, she took three deep, calming breaths.

Calm. Breathe. Tranquility. She fought back panic that was creeping up on her. What would happen tonight? Why had she invited Edward over? What if he thought she was a complete idiot? What if he really liked her and wanted her? All options seemed to horrible to consider. What if she wasn't good enough for his tastes? Bella battled with the thoughts for a moment, before cutting them off, and with it, the anxiety. Shaking her head lightly, she hesitated in her foyer. Should she go meet Edward outside?

At that moment, it was too late, because Edward had already made it to her door. She heard his soft rap, and pictured him taking a half-step back, face expectant for her to answer. It was too late to back out, now. Bella took a deep breath to try and calm her heart that was attempting to beat itself right out of her chest at that moment.

Opening the door, smiling shyly, she greeted him and gestured him into the house.

They spoke cordially to one another for a moment, before an awkward pause filled her foyer. She offered Edward a beverage, or snack, but he politely refused. Then another short, awkward pause filled the second, and she suggested that they pick a movie.

"Sorry, I've only got chick flicks," Bella warned. They selected a title, very nearly at random, and positioned themselves on her comfortable couch, room still slightly lightened, movie quiet as they carried on a fairly steady conversation. Work, patients, Forks, the weather; all safe topics.

Bella had stared, searching his face, wanting to see inside of him, to know his heart, but it was hidden; a quiet, secret thing. It wasn't a struggle to understand this, but it was to accept it. He must have some feelings for her, perhaps only of attraction, but something must be there. He had sought her out. He had wanted to meet, to call, all of this was at his prompting. Lord knows she was too scared and insecure to do it herself. Closing her eyes, and sighing, she rested her head against the back of the couch. If Edward wasn't going to initiate anything, she wasn't going to force his hand. Bella didn't know exactly what she wanted Edward to do, sitting here, nervous, sweating slightly, but she knew that whatever it was, she really wanted him to step up, be the man and lead her. She knew she was supposed to be liberated and all that, but she really craved a man who would love her and teach her and guide the way.

She heard him shift, but didn't open her eyes. There was a slight waft of air past her exposed neck, and then the clutch of cool fingers slipping around her own. She hoped her hand wasn't sweaty, but only briefly, as the familiar energy flowed up her arm and warmed her whole body. It was extremely hard to think with that sensation filling her being. Bella looked down and witnessed the grasp, and a small smile grew at her full lips. She looked up shyly, nervous and anxious to see his face. Edward was staring calmly into her eyes, looking as serene as if he had just woken from a miraculously relaxing nap.

"Bella, I think a lot of you and I'm attracted to you. It's really wonderful to be with you right now. I hope you don't think I was too forward tonight."

His eyes pierced hers, ocher meeting chocolate, and she began to chew on her bottom lip, hesitant, pensive.

"Edward… I… I like you too." Bella was at a loss for words, and cut herself off there, knowing she would say too much, embarrass herself. She had a lot of emotions swirling around, fogging up her brain, and they were hard enough to distinguish, let alone articulate. She opted to smile softly, and let her eyes drop back to their joined hands. Edward's thumb had begun to stroke back and forth across her skin sending tingles rushing up her arm.

"Bella," he spoke softly, focusing her attention back on his face.

She raised her eyebrows softly, meeting his even gaze, expression open. "Yes?"

"May I kiss you?"

Bella chewed lightly on her lip, then released it and nodded infinitesimally. Somehow, he had shifted his torso as to be almost facing her, his unoccupied hand reaching up to grasp her face, gently, reverently. He looked steadily into her eyes, then watched his fingers as they swept across her features, appreciative.

"You are so beautiful," he murmured; face inching closer to hers. Bella's breathing had sped up, her eyes wide, excited and nervous. What would kissing Edward be like? What would it be like for him to kiss her?

His lips grew steadily closer, and she could now smell his sweetly-scented breath and it bewitched her. Eyes fluttering, air hitching in her lungs, heart pounding, she felt his cool softness meet her warmth, and a slight sigh slipped out of her mouth and into his lungs.

What a sensation!

Who knew kissing would be so fantastic? He ever so gently pressed his lips to hers, using the greatest of care, lips sweet and breath intoxicating. Bella pressed back, her mouth overwhelmed with the feeling of him. They continued to press against one another for a few minutes, breathing in through their noses, needing more of each other. The kiss deepened, and Bella's hands wound into his hair, pulling at him, demand evident in her motions. She moaned slightly, loving the feeling of the soft thickness winding around her fingers.

Push, pull, breathe, gasp; they demanded and gave of one another. One of Bella's hands slipped down to his shirt, trying to pull him closer, but he was stone; immovable. Instead, she wrapped her arm around his shoulder, and slid herself closer. This time, Edward moaned, as he felt all the soft femininity her body possessed so close to him, her humanity so obvious. They broke off for a second, looking into one another's eyes. Bella's lashes made her eyelids feel heavy, and the arousal she knew was pulling low in her belly made her whole body seem hotter than it was.

Now she was perched in his lap, and his hands were gently grasping her arms, pulling her close.

"Sublime," he breathed, smiling softly. Bella blushed, and chewed on her lip, trying not to grin like a fool. Bella didn't quite know how to take all of his simple, straightforward statements. They made her feel as though she did know exactly what he was thinking, but it was unnerving at the same time. Would he be so direct when he had unkind things to say? Or when he tired of her?

She simply nodded, and smiled and came close to his lips again, wanting more of this delicious feeling. He early met her halfway, seeing his need for her was equally matched. Bella shifted slightly, working her hips closer to his, and felt his erection.

My first, she thought happily, kissing him more intently and moaning softly. His hands now rested on the base of her neck and lower back, rubbing and pulling and needing her completely. She leaned back, flushed, but ready. Bella's hands slipped to the hem of her shirt, pulling it up and over her head. Edward's hands went to the cups of her bra at once, now kneading and appreciating her thoroughly. Maintaining only slightly enough composure to move her hands, she tugged at the material covering his chest, and he broke contact with her breasts only long enough to practically rip it off. Her eyes widened at the fervency of his touches as well as the beautiful, hard planes of his now visible torso. A thing of beauty. She sighed appreciatively, enjoying the sensation as he pulled her bra off and cupped her lovingly, kissing and peaking her nipples. His hands then slipped lower, gracing her warm belly cheek resting against her breast as he unclasped the button to her pants. She was so lost in the fantastic sensations he was creating in her body, she didn't think twice about lifting up, letting him release them and then work them down her hips, standing and holding her bottom tightly as he expertly snaked them down her dangling legs. Bella luxuriated in the feeling of him holding her, effortlessly, his strength so appealing. He sat again, this time, facing the arm of the sofa, with plenty of room to lay her down completely before him.

Edward pulled back from her lips, where he had planted another searing kiss, to look at her panties.

White cotton, with one small rose embroidered on the band. He groaned; feeling so much more aroused than moments before. They continued to kiss for a few moments, his hands urgent and lazy and exploring. Bella felt strangely calm until he laid her back against the cushions of the sofa, and felt his lips kiss past her breasts and belly. He had begun to work her panties down, sliding back as he exposed her flesh, appreciating and worshiping.

Then panic set in, and she gripped his bare, cold shoulder.

He stopped, looking up at her, as she lifted her head enough to meet his eyes. Bella was very unsure of herself, but that look in his eyes… he seemed so earnest. So open.

She could feel that pull again, letting her know she was ready for him. Was it ok to want someone like this? To do… this… it…with someone she really didn't know that well? He could really hurt her, she knew, but looking into those eyes, it felt safe, trust me they said, and she did.

A nod was all she could manage, before letting her head fall back to the sofa. Edward eagerly pressed against her, his lips cool and smooth. She yelped slightly at the sensation, so surprising, so… fantastic, so good-sososo good, her eyes watered and she tried not to cry at the overwhelming bliss. Edward kissed her sweetly, hands on her hips, having already dropped her panties on the floor, gently gripping, slightly spreading her for his touch. He moaned at her response, and opened his mouth slightly to suck on her, to lick and taste and pleasure. He lavished affection on her in this way, exploring with his mouth and teeth and tongue and she came undone swiftly, not knowing what to do or say, but simply existing and feeling a love for him so forceful it made the spot in her chest ache in a most pleasant way. She flew to the heavens, a soft and violent rejoinder as she shivered and shuddered and he moved still against her, knowing he had no desire to halt, ever, after having tasted the sweetness of this enchanting woman's nectar. His tongue dipped inside her, fingers now slipping down off of her hips and stroking her thighs, tickling and teasing, mouth never ceasing.

"Edward," she breathed, voice catching and hitching as he hummed a response to her statement. She couldn't speak past that, as he slipped one finger inside her, testing her and finding himself even more surprised and aroused at how deliciously wet she had become. He then felt her body tighten uncomfortably, stiffly, and stopped immediately. Thoughts flashed through his mind, questions. Edward lifted his head, meeting her eyes, swiftly taking in her body, heavenly, beautiful, so sexy. She seemed embarrassed, unsure.

"What love?" he inquired, hands stilling. He didn't notice the endearment, but her heart rate spiked.

"It… it hurts." She bit her lip.

The impossible seemed to be looming before him. No. No way.

Impossible.

"Bella," his voice was soft, sweet, but, admonishing too. "Are you a virgin?"

The lip chewing increased. She was silent. A look of trepidation crossed her face as she flushed.

"You are," he stated, seeing it written on her face. His own was impassive, as he brought both his hands to her knees, noting her grimace as he withdrew from inside of her. This was new.

"Wow. I never would have guessed. You're absolutely enchanting, Bella. How is it possible that you are untouched?" He stood, pulling a blanket off of the back of the sofa, not really wanting to hide her body, but unable to focus with it so exposed. He gently wrapped and tucked her in, sliding her legs completely onto the cushions, kneeling next to her, wresting his hand on her far shoulder and leaning in close to hers.

"I'm sorry. I was acting on some assumptions that were false. I do not want to act like some hormonal seventeen year old. Please forgive me. If you'll allow, I'll prepare better next time. I'll make it something special for you. If you want. If that's ok." His eyes were intense, apologetic, but shining. Golden and gleaming with mirth. Bella nodded shyly, feeling very sleepy and having a hard time keeping her eyes open. He kissed her lips tenderly, then her forehead.

"We'll discuss it later. Sleep now, love." Her eyes fluttered a few times, but eventually stayed closed. Edward watched her until her breaths were even and deep, and then carried her into her bed, watching over her until the sun rose and he had to take his leave.

I can feel my whole body hum when you walk into the room

There isn't too much for me, no, it's never enough

I want this you here now I can't say how much I miss you and need you and want you and feel you all ways.

Always.

Pleasepleaseplease make them see this is for you my everything my all my open heart.

Well, they finally get to it! Sorta! Lol, I just love keeping those two frustrated. Sorta. In any case, I hope you all enjoy, and I implore you, review. My heart really needs it. Let me know what you think. And what do you suggest for the next course of action?

What movie do you think they watched? Does anyone really care? More lovin'!

-Compassion