Ok guys, if you are reading it and you like it let me know! Don't make a girl beg ;)
I do not own Twilight or the related material but I DO own Colleen.
I couldn't risk leaving Colleen in my bed, though I wanted to very badly. I gently stroked her naked thigh, eliciting a sigh from her sleeping lips. Leaning down, I gently kissed them, breathing in her sigh.
I gathered her clothes and took them to the servant's quarters behind the kitchen. Searching the closet I found a suitable nightgown, the old housemaid had lived with us and she left some behind when she left. Satisfied with what I had found I made my way back up to my own room.
Light from the gas lamps outside filtered through my lace curtain, it light up her creamy skin giving her an almost ethereal glow. Looking at her, naked, in my bed left my chest feeling warm, I relished the feeling.
I gently rolled her to her back, allowing my fingers to linger on the warm flesh of her stomach. Taking great care not to wake her, I put the night gown on her. It was almost sunrise, I didn't need my parents to come home while I carried our housemaid to bed, completely naked.
Scooping her up I made haste to the room behind the kitchen. Colleen stirred and opened her eyes.
"Hello," she smiled, her voice hoarse from sleep.
"Hello," I replied, kissing her forehead gently.
"Just going to dump me off in some strange bed were you?" she teased.
"Yes, well, I didn't think my parents would find it amusing that our new housemaid was naked in my bed," I quipped, covering her with the blanket.
Lovingly, I stroked her hair, loving the way her eyelids fluttered as she tried to fight sleep. I was amazed at how Colleen's hair seemed to give off it own glow, constantly reminding me of living fire. My bed would feel so much emptier without her in it, the mere thought made me long to stay here with her.
Knowing I couldn't be found here with her, I forced myself to stand and headed towards my room. Once inside the door slammed behind me. I was beginning to feel sad over what had happened, not because of my previous responsibility to Bella, but because I knew I couldn't be with Colleen, yet I was beginning to desperately want to.
Pulling a night shirt over my own head, I laid down in my bed, finding the spot Colleen had been in and breathing in her scent as I drifted into sleep.
"Edward, darling, wake up," My mother shook me gently to rouse me.
"Ugh," I groaned, covering my head with my blanket.
"Come on darling, Bella will be here in a few hours for lunch. Her father is coming too, how could you have forgotten?" she shook me again.
Like a bolt of lightening, her words woke me instantly, Colleen and Bella, in the same house?
"Mother, does Colleen have the day off?" I asked, hopeful.
"She would have but, since she was already here she agreed to stay and help. It was very kind of her, she seemed very tired. She said she didn't sleep well in the unfamiliar bed," my mother seemed concerned at Colleen's lack of sleep.
I could feel the blush rise in my cheeks.
"Edward, do you feel ok, you're flushed,"instantly my mother was fussing over me.
"I'm fine mother, nothing to worry about, I promise," I smiled at her and she relaxed.
"Well, clean up and get dressed, I'll send Colleen to fetch your dirty clothes and make your bed," with that said, she left my room.
Stripping off my night shirt I wondered to my closet, to pick my clothes for the day. A small knock sounded from my door.
"Come in," I said, knowing it would be Colleen.
She blushed so furiously that I thought maybe she had a rash.
"I've come for your clothes sir," she pointed her eyes to the floor.
"Please, shut the door behind you, have you no respect for my modesty?" I said coolly.
"Yes sir," she quickly shut the door but kept her eyes on the floor.
Stooping, Colleen gathered up my night shirt and the clothes she had helped me discard the night before, her face matching her hair in color. She stood as tall as she could and faced the wall opposite me.
"I will bring you warm water for your wash basin, it will take but a minute," I watched in awe as she balanced the pitcher of cold water and the dirty clothes, then rushed out the door.
Amused, I laid my clothes for the day on my bed. I didn't want her to act like a servant towards me when I could help it. It didn't suit her and I did not like it. I wanted to be her lover and friend, though I knew that to be unrealistic.
Her Timid knock sounded on my door, again.
"Enter," I held back the urge to chuckle.
Colleen strode in, the pitcher of steaming water in her hands, crossing the room to my small wooden framed was basin and mirror, the door closed behind her. I watched as she poured the water for me and readied anything I might need to wash and shave. Something about it was erotic.
Deciding the best way to crack her shell was to force it, I came up behind her and cupped her neck in my hand.
"Your skin looks lovely that shade of pink," I whispered, my lips brushing her ear.
The shiver I felt from her thrilled me, she did still feel for me what she had last night, my heart thudded loudly in my chest. Maybe I could make this work somehow, many respectable men had a wife and a mistress, but I didn't really want that for Colleen.
A sigh escaped my slightly parted lips.
Then the most wondrous thing happened, Colleen dropped my shaving kit splashing into the water, turned to me and crushed her lips to mine. Her small fingers caressed my naked sides, making me moan quietly. All this tension couldn't be goof for me.
I ran my tongue along her bottom lip and she darted hers out to meet it. Tilting Colleens head to make the kiss deeper, I grabbed two fistfuls of her skirt. Both of us started to breath heavily, nipping each others lips and touching any bare skin available.
I knew we had to stop so I tore my mouth away from hers.
"Not now," I breathed as she nuzzled my neck.
"Not now," she agreed.
While I shaved, I watched her make my bed in the mirror. Her soft humming filling my room with joy. I tried to imagine my life before she walked into it and it seemed much darker. I hissed when I cut myself with my razor.
Colleen immediately turned her full attention to me.
"You've cut yourself," she said gathering a washcloth to my face.
"Yes, I should pay more attention," I smiled at her.
Something I had seen before, but couldn't place, flashed across her eyes, followed by a blush on her cheeks. Tenderly, I kissed her pink lips.
After Colleen had finished tidying my room, I could focus on dressing for the day and joined my mother and father down stairs.
"Ah, good morning Eward," my father's smile lit up the room.
"Good morning," I replied.
"Bella will be here in an hour, I have the cook making a light lunch,"my mother patted the seat beside her and I took it.
"Ah, she will enjoy that," I said.
We sat talking or reading for the next hour, until we all heard the knock on the door. I heard the light footsteps I knew to be Colleen's heading towards the front door and I groaned inwardly. I did not want her to have to endure this.
"Right this way Miss," her sing song voice floated into the sitting room.
Colleen and Bella stood before me, Colleen in her grey dress and whit apron, Bella in her blue, vibrant dress, her hands soft and unworked. One who fit in my world, one who didn't. I sighed.
"Miss Swan and her father have arrived," Colleen curtsied and left the room.
I could have sworn she was more pale than normal.
I found myself thinking that it may turn out to be a very long afternoon.