I don't own anything except a pair of seriously old and pathetic pajama pants that are torn beyond repair, but which I refuse to ever part with because they are so comfy. Obviously, SM wouldn't bother with them, so I'm not her, nor do I claim to own anything of hers. :)


Chapter Seven

Sometimes, things are not what they seem.

Bella lay, warm and comfortable in her bed, alone, as the sun shone in through the window, illuminating her pale skin so it glowed. She felt a contentedness she had never experienced before now. It was an easy, light feeling, that settled into her bones and made them feel wonderfully weak and powerful simultaneously. Edward had done something to her last night. And not just the kisses, or the pet name -love- that he had used, or the way he discovered her body, but everything. Him. Edward. His essence? His being? Bella wasn't sure but he had affected her deeply last night, and she was resisting the urge to think too deeply about the new emotions that currently swirled in her chest. The heaviness was replaced with a lightness and some sort of bubbly feeling that excited and terrified her. To give it a name would most certainly be a mistake.

She recalled the way his pale face had gleamed at her, eyes shining as he kissed her, and the deep hunger within her returned, leaving a pulling feeling in her belly. She shifted her hips and her thoughts concurrently.

Something had… puzzled her last night.

Edward was cold.

Always.

She worked at her lip, brow furrowed as she recalled that he never warmed to her touch. Granted, some people's hands were always cold. Poor peripheral perfusion. But not their lips and chest and arms. That's abnormal. She pondered what could be the cause of his peculiar difference. Some sort of weird vascular disorder? A rare one, that hadn't been seen or heard of in fifty years? And his eyes… they were not a color Bella had ever seen. Before, she had always been so surprised and shy when he looked into her eyes that she could only think of looking away as quickly as possible.

And another thing: why did his lips never seem to redden and swell as hers had? Granted, she didn't have the most experience in the world, but she was bright and observant. People's lips swelled when they kissed for extended periods of time. Forcefully, that is, just as the pair had done. She gently bit her lip, considering the possibilities. Edward's body was hard. Very hard. Not like, hmm, what a delicious strong body you have, sir, may I stroke it again? but more like: wow, you feel like a stone and I just kissed you so hard my lip might be bleeding a bit. Bella smirked as her inner monologue's sassy nature emerged.

Seriously, what is it?

Bella got up, holding the sheet around herself, as she was still as bare as Edward had left her last night. This is so freeing, I had no idea it could be like this! I never want to wear clothes again. Walking to her bookshelf, she pulled down a text entitled Mysterious Medicine. It was a thick book dedicated to diagnosing rare illnesses. Thumbing through for a few moments, she attempted to look up Edward's symptoms. What is the medical term for hard skin? She frowned, and closed the book, at a loss for what she was trying to say and discover. Why not just talk to him?

Some autoimmune disorder? One attacked his dermis and made it… solid? It was very frustrating, and to top it off, she wasn't working today or tomorrow and would have to wait much longer than she would really like to see Edward again. Maybe she could just… happen to have forgotten something at work? Her cell phone. No one would know the difference; she'd just pop in and see if he was about.

She decided to get herself ready for the day.

Edward closed his eyes against the barrage of voices ringing in his head. Somehow after the silence last night, with Bella, he had become accustomed so quickly, and desired to exist in that blissful quiet once again. Her scent had filled his lungs, swirling around; making him lightheaded and hungry in a way he had forgotten was even possible. A part of his vast mind was absorbing the words on the chart before him, but the majority was dedicated to recalling the way Bella's body had shown luminously yesterday, displayed easily before him. And it was his! Untouched before his hands! What a concept, that she would preserve that most delicate part of herself for so long, and then deem him worthy to have it, take it.

The more he recalled, the more difficult it became for him to concentrate on the matters at hand. This woman was infiltrating his mind, silently, colorfully, and he loved it. No matter if they were doomed from the beginning, if they couldn't even exist—he wanted her and wanted to show her.

Edward decided to hurry and then call Bella. Perhaps she wouldn't mind going for a walk in the park, as it was a typical overcast day. That was innocuous enough, she couldn't say no. However, try as he might, Edward could only focus so much of himself to the task at hand, reviewing the changes in his patient's conditions over the last day. The rest of him was envisioning her heavy lidded eyes staring at him shyly, unsure of herself, and then how her lips looked after he kissed her, so swollen and perfectly red. He remembered the way her mind was a deep maroon and then a royal indigo, dark as the twilight, as her limbs shook around him, falling apart, coming and coming undone.

Now he panted slightly, trying to calm himself, as he had managed to work up quite a reaction from himself. Edward shifted and tried to ignore the pestering erection he had unintentionally produced. Bella's scent lazily wafted in front of him, teasing him, and he tried to ignore that also, but was surprised that the tantalizing aroma didn't fade with the memories. This piqued his curiosity.

Raising his head, looking about, he saw a dark haired beauty gazing at him longingly.

Her eyes smiled at him, biting her lip, and he crookedly smirked at her in return. Upon spotting her, he had unconsciously half-raised himself from his seat, charts and patients momentarily forgotten. Crouching, and realizing it, Edward straightened his legs completely and walked towards Bella purposefully. Both their faces broke into wide grins, the air between them alive and vibrant.

Bella held up her cell phone, sheepish, "I forgot this here. Silly Bella." Her tone was odd, a bit choked, and Edward suspected that was a ploy to see him. His eyebrows rose, smirking again.

"Is that so? Perhaps I might believe you if I hadn't seen it on your coffee table last night."

Bella's face burst into a hot blush, biting her lip, smiling coyly up at him through her lashes. Edward was quite certain he was a dead man; this woman had him in the palm of her hand.

"Darn. I knew it was a pathetic excuse," she giggled scrunching her nose and blushing even darker. Her expressions and reactions had him enraptured, and he felt desperate to see her more, and again.

"Bella, would you join me for an outing in an hour?"

Her teeth gleamed widely in response, and nodded vigorously several times. "I'll call you when I'm done here… since I know you have your phone now." He chuckled and she scowled briefly at him, blushing again, and fidgeting with her phone and fingers. Edward tilted his head, looking intently into her eyes and the space between them heated as their gazes locked.

"Until later," he breathed, nodding and turning, having to tear his eyes from hers and feeling bereft the moment he did so. Edward forced himself to sit and focus, quickly, so he might sooner rejoin Bella and enjoy her sweet, tempting company.

They met at a park near the hospital, Edward was wearing professional attire and looked stunning, and Bella was dressed casually, simply in blue jeans and navy blue blouse, but Edward had trouble taking his eyes off of her. They followed a trail down through lightly wooded area, where the trees blocked out sound from the nearby street, as well as dripped water down their backs. Edward took Bella's hand in his own to help her over a fallen tree that blocked their path, and he did not release it after assisting her. They enjoyed the current that warmed their bodies at their contact, and playfully bantered back and forth about their "chance" meeting earlier. Each felt a comfort, a camaraderie that hadn't existed before last night, and they relished it.

Bella was trying very hard to not think about the way Edward's lips and tongue on her body had made her feel, and in her effort, was missing some of the conversation. After Edward had repeated himself three times, asking about her family, only to be rewarded with a dreamy stare, his curiosity had overwhelmed him.

"Bella, tell me what you're thinking about." Her glazed over eyes flickered in response, and she blushed, head falling down, wishing she hadn't just gotten caught. He shook her hand gently in his own, halting his feet and pulling her to his hard body.

"Tell me," he breathed, eyes scorching hers as she met them. The burnt orange tinge to her thoughts gave him no clue, although her blush did. Bella chewed on her lip, as she fought for an answer that wouldn't seem too racy. She breathed out as she prepared to speak, her warm breath washing over Edward's face, and her sweet scent making his mouth water with human hunger.

"I was remembering how… nice of a time we had… last night." She smiled softly, and he joined her.

"We did, didn't we?" She nodded. His other hand found hers and he clasped it, squeezing gently, fingers twining together sweetly.

"It was so fun, I think we should do it again," Bella said, suddenly feeling brave and excited in his presence.

"Do you now? Hmm, I think I can fit you in my schedule," Edward trailed off, chuckling as Bella rolled her eyes. "Would you like me to cook you dinner, Bella?"

She hadn't expected that, and smiled up at him shyly, nodding again.

"Good." He smiled, and turned, tugging softly on her arm, leading her back the way they had come.

Edward pushed her against the wall, the cold behind her and before her permeating her body. Bella was burning and freezing and overwhelmed all at once. He kissed her open mouth, eager and excited for her. "Oh, love…" he murmured and found her breasts, teasing lightly through her shirt and bra, kissing down her neck, as her scent drove him wild. Bella's small hands gripped his shoulders, pulling him closer, silently asking for more. Her breathing bordered on panting as his expert fingers teased her nipples and his teeth nipped her neck and ears.

"Edwaaard," she moaned, when his hands slid down to her backside, gripping her ass and electrifying her sex as his mouth continued to excite her. He pulled her in close, pressing her against his erect cock, needing her heat and softness as much as she needed his cool steel. Her fingers fumbled with the buttons on his collared shirt, mind foggy and fingers clumsy. She only knew she desperately wanted this man, and would do whatever she had to do to make that happen.

She breathed out his name again, as she finished with his buttons and pushed his shirt back over his shoulders. The sight of his bare chest, all hard planes and sculpted abs made her breath catch in her throat. Bella's hands ran over his exposed flesh, savoring the feel of the rippling muscles beneath her fingers. She tentatively leaned forward, and kissed his sternum, then slid over to a nipple and bit down, unable to control the animal urge that rose up in her suddenly. He hissed and gripped her tighter, unconsciously grinding his hips into hers. He slid his hands down to her thighs, and gripped them, pulling her legs around his waist. He held her, hands on her ass again, and pressing his hardened length into the place where she needed him most. Bella groaned and brought her hands back up to his shoulders and her mouth to his lips and kissed him feverishly, frantically.

He felt her roll her hips into him, and he began to walk down the hall to his bedroom, kissing her all the while. Edward kicked open the door to his room and when he reached the king size bed, pulled his hungry lips back from hers.

"Bella," he said, eyes seeking hers out, trying to hear a whisper, anything from her thoughts. All he sensed was a big emotion, nameless, while lots of greens and purples swirled behind his eyes. She looked up at him, radiant goddess, hungry. Her expression was open, answering.

"I want to make love to you. Is this ok?" She moaned again, and gripped his waist more firmly with her legs, pressing into him. His eyes rolled back into his head momentarily.

"Yes, Edward, yes, please," she breathed, desperate. He smiled and continued.

"Bella, did you know that cunnilingus used to be referred to as a sort of male vampirism?" His lips twitched at his own joke, lost on her, and he began to lower her to the bed. She suddenly felt scared. What if it hurt? Or she was terrible at it? A look of distress crossed her face, and he paused, bent over her, face close to her own.

"If I hurt you, or make you uncomfortable, just tell me. I'll stop; no questions, love. Don't worry. I'll take good care of you." Edward sweetly kissed the tip of her nose, and she giggled, her apprehension slipping away as his hands returned to her breasts, kneading, still over her clothing. He wanted her to be so wet she would be writhing for him.

Edward gently tugged at the bottom of her shirt, and she arched her back, allowing him to tug it off for her. He exposed a hot pink bra, satin and barely concealing her ample bosom. Groaning, slipped the straps off of her shoulders, and she arched again, her own hands slipping behind her back to unhook her bra. Leaning forward to taste her sweet, freshly exposed skin, Edward licked and nibbled at her nipples, leaving Bella to pant and moan. She felt goose flesh fly across her skin, as her hands worked their way into his hair without her knowledge. As the sounds of appreciation emanating from her increased, Edward pulled back, inspecting her beautiful body again. Now he reached for the button of her jeans, and expertly unfastened them, and tugged them down as he looked into her eyes. Bella stared back, lashes heavy and face flushed. Edward licked his lips, seeing the indigo overtake her mind. Glancing down to her matching hot pink panties, he groaned, trying to control his need to rip them off and relieve his tension immediately.

Gently, reverently, he hooked his fingers in the waistband and slid them down her slender thighs. When a fresh wave of her arousal hit him, he fought back the urge to flip her over and pound into her. Never had a woman smelled so appealing.

He glanced back up to her eyes, silently asking for permission to continue. She smiled at him, and opened her legs further, inviting him in. Edward leaned down, still slow, trying to keep her calm and hide the fact that he was more desperate for this than he had ever been for anything. When his lips touched her softness, he found himself moaning, purring, as he licked and kissed and discovered her flesh again. Bella's hips had left the bed, unconscious, and she clutched the sheets, clenching her teeth. Edward could feel her stiffness, and all but tearing his mouth away, looked up and said softly, "love, relax. I didn't get a long enough turn before, so it might be a while. Might as well get comfortable."

Bella breathed out a lungful of air she hadn't realized she'd been holding, and focused on relaxing and enjoying the moment. Slowing, her muscles unclenched, and once Edward saw this, he ran his fingertips down her inner thigh, and inhaled deeply. He savored her scent before he returned to his position, with a hungry tongue at her clitoris. She gasped again, but let the air out, and whispered her appreciation at his work, trying to remain quiet for a reason she didn't know.

"EdwardEdwardEdward… ooh, it's so good, you're making me feel so good…" she wound her fingers into his hair, and he pressed against her more firmly, his hands working to either side of her hips and grasping gently. He lapped repeatedly at her button, like an animal in the desert. She quickly climaxed, never having felt such a powerful sensation, but he didn't stop, didn't even pause, but worked her through it, moaning only to show recognition of her first orgasm of the night.

Now he swirled his tongue around the sensitive bud, and with his soft lips created a slight suction. She let her legs drop flat against the bed, as her hips rose up a bit, and after a few minutes, she came again.

All the while, she sang his praises.

"Your tongue… make me feel so… oh god, I feel so good, you're making me… ohh…"

Edward hummed against her now, a delicious sound and sensation and she began writhing against him, eyes watering and hands still fisting into his hair. She was overwhelmed, overcome.

"Edward, it's too much, feels too good," he merely chuckled, and did not stop. For the next thirty minutes, Edward worked Bella's core, sweetly, roughly, quickly, slowly. Sometimes he dropped lower, tasting her delicious folds, letting his nose work her clitoris, and his tongue entering her only a short distance. Sometimes he barely touched her, letting his purring push her over the edge. Bella came four times, and was weeping from all the pleasure when Edward finally relented. He looked at her, smiling, face wet from her juice, and took in her beautiful body. He had never seen a more captivating creature.

She tried to raise her arm to pull him to her, but found she had no more control of her limbs than if all her bones had just disappeared. Edward saw her struggle, and smiled more widely, "well, love, it looks as though I did a good job."

She nodded. It was all she could do. He smirked, a crooked, cocky expression.

"Whenever you find your voice, you can thank me," he joked, and rested next to her. He was in no hurry. They had all day. Bella tried to scowl at him, but was in full afterglow mode and could only beam, no matter her expression.

"You are so beautiful. You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that to you. I'm still not really done, but all the screaming might scare the neighbors." Bella blushed, not even realizing she had been making so much noise. It just felt so good…

"Edward?" It came out hoarse, her voice cracking, so she cleared her throat before continuing, "That was amazing." She nodded, as if to further emphasize this truth. He smiled, and told her he was glad she enjoyed it too. Her eyebrows rose, and he smiled sheepishly, gesturing to his pants. A small wet spot appeared at the top of his bulge, but Bella couldn't believe it was semen. It must be precum. He's so hard, there's no way it's a second erection.

"What is it?"

He looked at her, "Bella, you're a nurse. I know you know what it is."

"Did you get off on that?" She sounded incredulous.

He laughed, "well, you did, repeatedly, if I recall correctly, so why shouldn't I?"

Her eyebrows shot up, disbelieving. "But you're so hard again. Isn't it a bit soon?"

The look on Edward's face changed, just infinitesimally, before he covered it, and smirked. "Bella, I have a very short recovery rate. Plus, it was just like a teaser. All my body wants right now it to be inside of you."

She blushed, but continued boldly, "well what are we waiting for?"

Yeah, I know. It's not very nice. But, there's going to be some magic coming up! :)

-Compassion

Glossary

Poor peripheral perfusion: basically, inadequate blood flow to your hands and feet

Vascular disorder: this would be a disorder involving the vasculature, or blood vessels (veins and arteries)