I don't own Twilight. I seriously wish I did though.

~ IX. ~

New Orleans, LA
Sunday, August 16, 1931

The heat in New Orleans is worse than anything I've ever experienced. The humidity permeates, makes you sweat, even if you're idly lounging, not moving a muscle. The sun singes your skin the minute you dare to step outside. The sluggish, brown Mississippi flowing along the riverbanks brings no refreshing breeze; the air is inert and stale.

The dirty, narrow streets are crowded at night and nobody is sober; the stench of the past nights' debauchery lingers the next morning. Despite the prohibition, people remained true to their vices. Yet, I like it here. There is a vibrant, electric current running through this city that makes you feel alive.

Music is in the air everywhere. I can hear someone playing a trumpet and the deep, melodic voice of a woman singing the blues carries into the room through the windows. My fingers are itching to touch the piano that's standing in Alec's library, but I don't want to leave this bed.

I barely slept last night, my eyelids feel heavy, and I might still be drunk. I don't want to sleep though. I'm waiting for Bella to return from her trip to a coffee shop that sells, according to her, the best beignets in the whole wide world.

I didn't want her to leave, but she insisted. "You cannot leave New Orleans without having tasted beignets," she told me. The loss of her skin next to me keeps me up. The sheets feel sticky and hot. I can only toss and turn while I wait for her. Sleep will not come until she crawls back into bed with me. Will I ever be able to sleep again without her next to me?

Alec still hasn't come home. I guess whomever he chose to go home with is prolonging his absence. I can't complain. I wish I could stay here with Bella forever, hidden and tucked away in this corner where nobody but us seems to matter. I don't want to think about having to return to Atlanta tomorrow. The train ride seemed to take forever, and I'm not looking forward to taking it again so soon.

When we arrived yesterday afternoon, every muscle in my body felt sore. I had worked several extra shifts before we departed from Atlanta Friday night, and fell asleep instantly when the train left the station, sitting upright in my seat with my head propped up against the window. I wished Bella had woken me up during the night. I'd wanted to spend time with her, but she insisted I looked so peaceful while sleeping that she didn't have the heart to wake me. Luckily, and to my surprise, Bella stayed with me at Alec's house in the French Quarter. They'd both told their families that they were arriving only today for the party, keeping their early arrival a secret.

Alec's house is opulent in comparison to most of the other buildings in this neighborhood. A high wall surrounds its perimeter so that onlookers cannot peer into the house or its gardens, giving it the appearance of a hiding spot. Shutters on all windows keep the inside of the house dark. In spite of the fact that the place feels and looks as luxurious as a mansion, Alec doesn't keep servants, not even a cook.

Spending time with him and Bella together turned out to be surprisingly pleasant. Watching their interactions yesterday, I'm no longer sure why I was ever jealous of him in the first place. Their relationship is more like that of two siblings; they belittle and tease each other relentlessly; their interactions are devoid of chemistry or romance.

After our arrival, we washed up and rested in the dark green, ivy covered gardens near the pool, before we went out for dinner last night.

Bella wore a long blue dress that left half her back exposed. The restaurant was barely lit. Glossy mahogany panels adorned the walls and heavy red velvet curtains covered the windows. The only light in the dining room came from candles flickering on tall brass candleholders, lending the room a golden glow. I stared at Bella's white skin against the deep blue dress for most of the dinner. In a dreamlike trance, my eyes passed over her chest, the peaks of her nipples straining hard against the fabric. I barely remember the food that was served; only that it was heavy and rich. Red wine was poured into weighty crystal glasses, bottle after bottle.

Alec had invited another guest to diner with us. His name was Riley. He seemed young, blithe, and after only a glass of wine, drunk. He had red hair and the bright, clear complexion of a small child. His attention was solely focused on Alec; he hung on every word that came out of Alec's mouth like it was the funniest, truest thing anybody had ever said. When Alec wasn't talking, Riley stared at him with shiny eyes full of admiration. I watched them with amusement and curiosity. The minute the waiters removed the desert plates, they excused themselves promptly and left.

"Let's get out of here," Bella suggested once we were alone at the table. We exited the restaurant and Bella insisted we walk home.

"Aren't you worried someone who knows you might see us?" I whispered in her ear, letting my hand rest on her hip as we walked. My inhibitions were low and her body, wrapped in tight fabric, was too enticing to resist touching.

"It's dark and none of my parents' social acquaintances would be caught dead walking here at this hour."

When we turned the corner, she pulled me by my jacket with her against the wall and kissed me.

"I missed you," I murmured, planting hot kisses down her neck.

"The house is only two blocks away," she said between sweet, low moans.

"What about Alec?"

"I don't think he'll be coming home tonight. Judging from the looks exchanged between Riley and him, they'll probably spend the night at Riley's place near Tulane."

I laughed out loud at my slow perception. I didn't know how I'd failed to recognize the obvious. The interactions I'd witnessed at the restaurant were that of two lovers: salacious glances and words of affection flowing freely between them. How could I have been so blind?

"Why are you laughing?"

I shook my head.

"I just can't believe … that I didn't see it! I always noticed there was something different about Alec, but I couldn't put my finger on it."

"Nobody knows and nobody can know. Do you hear me, Edward?" she said with a suddenly serious tone to her voice, as if she needed to protect him.

"Bella, I don't know anybody that would care about it," I scoffed. "Besides, I owe the man. My lips are sealed. Happy?"

"I know you wouldn't." She kissed my neck, sending shivers down my spine. "I thought you'd be more excited to spend the night me," she teased me with a wink.

"Who says I'm not excited?"

We'd reached the gate to the house and Bella pushed it open with one hand, bending forward to lift her dress with her other to take the next step over the threshold. Her dress shifted, exposing her strapless, naked shoulder. She'd been setting a seductive trap and I'd fallen right into it, all evening long.

"Do you want to go for a swim?" she asked in a husky voice, throwing me a quick glance over her shoulder as she entered the house. Her eyes, her smell, and her skin – everything drew me in. Resistance would be futile, I knew; so I surrendered and gave into temptation.

I silently watched and followed her as she walked through the house to the courtyard. The moonlight shone across the yard and made the ripples of water in the pool glow in a delicate grey light. She slipped out of her shoes and stumbled. I took a quick step to hold her steady. The proximity of her naked skin displayed so generously by the slipping dress was too alluring. So I let my fingers glide over her shoulder and down her back. I stared at her silver comb and placed a soft kiss on her neck, before bringing my arms around her waist and holding her against me, feeling her body mold against mine. She leaned her head backward against my chest and arched her back, pushing her butt flush against me.

"I want you," she whispered.

I felt my jaw tense in anticipation. There was no turning back. I didn't hesitate. I loosened my hold on her waist to look at the back of the dress and slowly pulled the fabric down, revealing only pale, flawless skin unobstructed by lingerie. She shrugged her dress off in one fluid motion, leaving the garment in a pool at her feet. I let go of her waist, and with steady, confident steps, she walked into the water.

I took my clothes and shoes off slowly to follow her, savoring the moment of watching her naked, retreating form in front of me. When I stepped into the water, warmed by the day's sunlight, she turned around slowly to face me. The water reached up to her waist and my eyes landed on her breasts. My fantasies had never done her beauty justice. Rosy peaks and creamy skin so mesmerizing. Her wet skin shimmering before me, I reached for her hand resting on the surface of the water. She stepped forward, her eyes locked with mine, closing the remaining gap between us. I was aching to feel her body pressed against mine unobstructed by clothes. I cupped her face, searching her eyes for doubt and kissed her slowly when I found none. I let my fingers trail along her neck and down over the side of breasts.

"So beautiful…" I whispered against her mouth. "Prettier than I could have imagined." I sucked in the skin behind her ear, palming her breasts, grazing over her hard nipples with my thumb. I felt her hands exploring my back, grabbing, pulling, and holding me closer to her as we stepped deeper into the water.

"So good, so soft ..."

I moved my hand to her butt and she boldly hitched her leg up to my hip. I felt her hot sex gliding against me and her hips rocking against mine, searching for friction.

I moved with her, her moans and soft whimpers encouraging me. I held her close so I wouldn't lose contact where I knew she wanted me and kissed her. Bella's body became frantic with need, slithering against mine until my cock rammed against her entrance. She stilled for a second, before reaching down for me with determination in her eyes. I held my breath as she touched me, trying to position me. I stopped her.

"Baby, wait, please. Like this," I whispered against her temple, taking her hand and placing it on my shoulder. I pulled her hips closer and reached my hand under her butt until my fingers found my erection. I pressed myself against her and started gliding along her slit in a slow, steady tempo, careful not to enter her.

"Edward," she panted shortly after.

"Does it feel good?"

I felt her nod and moan against my shoulder. "So good."

I groaned when I felt the muscles of her body tighten around me, her arms squeezing me, her legs clenched around my hips with force. After the tremors of pleasure had ceased, she hung limply in my arms. I willed myself to stay still until she'd calmed down, my cock aching and ready between her legs. She recovered quickly and her hands started reaching for my hair, pulling my mouth to hers. We kissed, tongues lazily exploring.

"I love you, Edward Cullen. You are so good to me," she said between wet kisses. I held her firmly and started carrying her out of the pool toward her bedroom. When we reached her room, she clung to me, refusing to part from my arms, forcing me not to let go and pulling me onto the bed with her.

"Are you sure?" I said, rolling to the side to lie next to her. She was touching me, teasing me and I barely managed to bring out the words, but I wanted to give her a choice, a way out.

Bella nodded and sat up on her knees beside me, smiling down at me. "Yes, I'm sure." Her hand reached up behind her head and long shiny waves of hair tumbled down her back, spilling over her shoulders and over her breasts. I pushed myself up to sit, mesmerized by the magic girl with her dark hair. She dropped the comb on the nightstand and reached for the nape of her neck to unhinge the tiny gold chain with the cross.

My fingers played with her soft curls, and I felt a smile spread across my face. "Toss my drawing, will you?" I requested quietly.

"No! Never!" she exclaimed with a frown on her face.

"I'll make you another one. You – the woman in flesh and blood sitting across from me – are so much more beautiful than I anything my imagination could conjure up."

A blush crept up to her cheeks. "You can draw me as many times as you want, but I will always keep the first one." She kissed me before I could argue. We lay down next to each other to kiss and touch. Her hands started to stroke me expertly and I felt myself tense. If I wanted to be inside of her before I came, I knew I needed to stop her. I pulled her hand away and moved her leg up my thigh before reaching my own hand down to feel her. I rubbed over her nub slowly, before sinking one finger deep between her slick folds inside of her.

I searched her face for signs of displeasure, before pushing a second finger into her. Her hips flexed against my hand in want.

"Please, Edward. I'm not going to break."

Every fiber in my body was aching to feel her, to move inside of her and when she pulled me on top of her, I had no strength to fight her with. I was naked and bare, hovering over her.

"I love you. I want to be with you, only you, for the rest of my life," I said, lost in her eyes with nothing left to hide. "Promise me you'll never leave me, please?"

"I promise."

With shivering hands, I reached between us to position myself and pushed. She was wet and slick, but too tight. Her eyes widened for a second when the tip of my cock pushed inside of her. She tensed. My body was shaking with want; I pulled back and pushed harder forward, until I felt the barrier break and I slid inside of her. I held still for a second, cherishing the feeling of completeness and bliss pulsing through me, while my cock twitched impatiently. When I could no longer resist the urge to thrust, I set a slow, steady pace with short strokes, barely pulling my hips away from hers. I kept my eyes focused on her face for signs of pain, but her eyes were closed and I could only hear soft moans.

"Open your eyes, Bella," I pleaded gently. I needed to see her eyes to ground me, tell me that this was good.

She glanced at me before lifting her head up to kiss me, her tongue darting out between swollen red lips and her eyes not leaving mine. Her hands moved over my back slowly and came to rest on my hips. I felt her lithe body starting to move with mine, spurring me on and matching my rhythm. Covered in sweat, we slithered and pressed against each other until we fell in sync. We were one.

Soft whimpers and whispered words of love brought me closer and closer to the edge, until I couldn't hold on anymore. Dazed and delirious, my orgasm hit me with force; I didn't pull out and spilled inside of her.

I want to say that I regret my actions, but I can't.

With great effort, I managed to be more careful for the rest of the night. The girl was insatiable and impatient, as if time was running out on her and she needed to experience it all in one night. Her body willingly took me in again and again – luscious, slick, and open for me. The sight of Bella, full breasts, slender hips and flawless skin made me rise to fulfill her every need. The feel of her skin, soft and hot, pressed against mine, made me beg for her touch; a touch that ignited a fire I'd never felt before. I couldn't stop myself even if I tried. The flush on her face when she came for me, because of me, told me that she couldn't either. I relished the taste of her, salty and sweet at the same time.

I will never get enough of her.

Dawn was near, I could tell by the sounds of the birds, when I thought she'd finally fallen asleep, sore and exhausted, lying next to me with her back pressed against my chest. Her breathing had calmed down to a slow tempo. I was tempted to drift off, but then she started swiveling her hips against my crotch in the most delicious way, letting me know she was awake, wanting more. I got hard in no time, itching to be inside of her, to posses her one more time before the night was finally over. I moved my hands over the soft flesh of her breasts to her flat stomach, moist with drops of perspiration, until I reached her sweet spot. I rubbed my fingers over her in light circles.

"Harder, please," she begged and I increased the pressure.

"Better?"

"I want to feel you."

I reached for myself with my other hand and pushed my cock against her swollen, tender folds. She rocked her hips against me, and I slipped inside of her with ease; her heated, wet center welcoming me, taking me in.

"You feel so good, Bella." I sucked and licked her neck, pushing into her in unhurried, erratic thrusts, until she turned her head and found my mouth to capture it with hers. "I need you so much."

"Please . . . " she moaned, writhing against me, alive and on fire. "More."

I gently lifted her top leg at her knee, bending it and placing her foot in front of her other leg on the bed, giving me more space to move. She held on to me, her fingers digging into my flesh, nails scraping against my skin and rocking her butt against me with fervor. I pulled my hips away to push back into her in one long, forceful stroke.

Something primal in me took over, as I pounded into her over and over again. The way she tightened around me, squeezed me and moaned, sent me into frenzy. I wrapped her long hair around my hand to suck and lick the revealed skin.

"Mine," I heard myself growl. "Only for me, Bella."

"Yours, always yours," she panted and I felt her release.

My thrusts became faster and more forceful until I knew my own release was close. I wanted to come inside of her badly to claim her completely, but I forced myself to pull out. The second I did, my girl turned around to face me, staring at me with wide, loving eyes. I grabbed my throbbing cock quickly and after three quick strokes, my orgasm took over and I spurted my fluids against her stomach.

I hope we can stay a couple of days longer. I don't want to return to my life back in Atlanta. I'm not ready for it. The pillow next to me smells like her hair. I wish she'd hurry up. The bed feels so empty without her.

Reviews would be nice.