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Thanks for the lovely reviews...we're at the last regular chapter and then a small epilogue will follow.
Rated M for sexual content.
Chapter 15: A LOVE THAT GOES THE DISTANCE
The cab dropped them off at the Gramercy Park Hotel, one of the finest in New York City. Edward had called ahead and booked them into the terrace suite and sent for her personal belongs to be transferred from the previous hotel she had been occupying. They needed the privacy that the suite afforded, and each one of them hoped that their time together would result in the reconciliation they both longed for.
He wanted to take her into his arms as soon as the door closed behind them, but he knew he still owed her an explanation for his bad behavior, to sincerely apologize to her, and promise her a love that would go the distance, one that she could count on. It was a struggle finding the words to begin. Never in his life had he wished he were a more eloquent man.
"Bella, do you need anything sweetheart?"
Shaking her head "no", she wrapped her arms around her own shoulders in the self-protective pose he had seen a few times before during their relationship.
"Sit down, honey. It's my turn to tell you a few things", he said to her.
Bella perched on the edge of the sofa, not getting too comfortable, almost as if she were going to jump and run. He cleared his throat and began speaking, wringing his hands in that nervous way of his, occasionally tugging his pinkie. "I almost don't know where to begin. The coward in me wants to just let my song speak to you, but I owe you so much more than that".
He walked over to where she was and squatted next to her, bringing him to eye level with her. "First, I'm so sorry for leaving you night after night to go out partying. It was incredibly selfish of me. I'm the one who has been a bad partner. You told me from the beginning how you felt about the nightlife, and I disregarded your feelings. I'm sorry, baby, and I hope you can forgive me someday".
Her eyes remained locked on his, silently watching and listening, letting him speak.
"I know you thought about your daddy every time I walked out that door and stayed out all night and you wondered if I was doing to you what your dad did to your mom. Bella, I swear to you on my life, I never did. I've never been unfaithful. Even while we've been apart and I've been out partying and clubbing, I've been faithful, I swear to God, baby".
Her head dropped and he saw the tears fall on her forearms. It knifed through his heart but he continued.
"I put the house in L.A. up for sale. I can't...I can't live there ever again...I can't go back to a place that has imperfect memories for you, sweetheart...a place where I treated you so unfairly. I'd rather live on Peachtree Rd. with you if you'll have me. We can commute to L.A. when we need to for recording sessions and appearances, and we'll just rent a place short term as needed."
Her heart swelled with hope as she listened to Edward, seeing the truth and love in his burning green eyes.
" I haven't been partying and drinking, Bella, not for weeks now. I'm sober and I plan on staying that way. I need you, baby...I need us...I don't need booze and parties and the nightlife for good times anymore. I want all my good times to be with you, the two of us building this life together that started last year in THE BAR.
Her watery eyes beseeched him to continue, to acknowledge his most egregious error.
"I realized shortly after our argument in Georgia that I overreacted about your phone message from Jake. There was no need for me to get so worked up over that. I owe you an apology for doubting your faithfulness, and I owe you an apology for my terrible behavior that day. I started seeing a professional therapist who has helped me recognize a few things about myself and has given me the tools I need to overcome my temper. I'm in anger management, Bella and I know with all my heart I can and will conduct myself differently in the future. Oh, and I met Jake, honey. He loves you very much and you're lucky to have him as a best friend".
Bella learned about Jake's visit to their L.A. Mansion and his intervention with Edward on her behalf.
"Jake did that for me...for us" she whispered. He really was a best friend in the truest sense of the word, and she hoped with all her heart that one day Jake would find the love he deserved.
" He did, my love. It was one of the bravest things I've ever seen. Honestly, I don't know if I could have been as gracious and selfless if the situation were reversed. I can't imagine how he must have felt that day, loving you and wanting you, but willingly putting aside his own feelings just to make you happy".
"I do want you to be happy, Bella. I want to be the man you deserve and can always count on. I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so sorry for everything I've done to you and to us. Will you forgive me? Will you take me back?"
He had such a look of pain and desire and love in his eyes that she came undone.
Her hands reached for his, fingers entwining, softly squeezing in acceptance of his declarations and apologies to her. Cupping the back of her head, he leaned forward resting his forehead against hers. For long moments, they simply breathed in the scent of each other.
Bella stood and tugged him along with her to the door of their suite and opened it. He struggled to control his emotions as he watched her place the DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door handle. They would need their privacy for a while; they had some catching up to do.
She turned and he pulled her into his arms, unable to wait any longer to kiss her. He ravaged her mouth with his own for several seconds and they began tugging off their clothes in the living room of the suite, unwilling to even wait until they reached the bedroom. She stood before him in a matching bra and thong panty set that caused an instant erection when he looked at her. He unclasped her front-enclosure bra, freeing her gorgeous breasts and his mouth moved in for their taste. Lifting her, he carried her to the bed with a breast in his mouth, her moans filling his ears and acting as an aphrodisiac for him.
Edward lay his beloved on the bed, sucking harder on the nipple in his mouth, then going for its twin. God, he wanted to eat her with a spoon. If he had a spoon here, he would. Well he didn't, so his tongue would have to do. He pulled her thong off with his teeth and spread her legs apart with his hands. He was frantic to see her and smell her and taste her. With her legs spread wide and her moans in his ears, he kissed her, and then started licking and sucking and tasting his way down her body until he reached his prize. She was wet and creamy and ready and he tasted and finished every drop she gave him. This was their favorite thing in the world, and neither one of them got enough. She shivered and exploded on his tongue and lips and he loved the feeling of her cuming on his mouth.
Her arms were reaching down, grabbing him under his armpits, tugging him up her body. "Now, now, come up here now, Edward...I need you so much".
He did as she asked; knowing that she was still orgasmic and the tremors were still wracking her body. It was the best time to enter her...he loved it...and knew she did too. Edward controlled himself, not wanting to cum too soon. If he thrust inside her too quickly, and felt her tightness around him on the down stroke, he'd last only a few thrusts and that would be it. Oh no, he missed her too much for a quickie. He was determined to pace himself and be inside his girl for as long as he could. His hard dick was at her opening and slipped inside slowly. She wrapped her legs around his back and tried using her muscular thighs to pull him in but he backed out till just his tip was in. Damn, she was so hot and wet. He could still feel her contractions from the tongue-gasm he had given her. Bella's hands started to go to his ass to pull him in, but he caught them, putting them over her head and holding them there.
She cried out in frustration and bucked her hips up, just as he thrust forward. He went in deeper than he had planned but it felt so good, so good. It became a rhythm of pulling back out, just to his tip again, enjoying the painful pleasure, watching her face contort with desire and annoyance, then thrusting deeper, pulling out, deeper again and retracting... each time bringing them closer to the edge of completion. He released her hands, which went around his back to hold him close to her.
"Oh Edward, I'm not going to be able to hold this much longer ".
Her breathy words were such a turn on, and he felt her contractions deep inside her, felt the internal clamping down of her muscles on his cock and knew he wouldn't last much longer either.
"I love you...let it go, baby...I love you so fucking much...just let it go", he whispered to her, feeling her climax erupt.
Oh my baby girl, this feels so good, his only coherent thought as his own pleasure crested. His eyes were open and looking directly into hers as he finished, heart beating a pounding tattoo against her chest.
Bella sighed with contentment, pure love and commitment shining in the greenest eyes she had ever seen. We're going to be okay...
Author Notes: A happily ever after as promised!