Hi there. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I've been total fail on replies, sorry! This story is definitely winding down. I'm hoping to have finished writing it by the end of the week. :)

Thanks to Capricorn75 and killerlashes, as always.

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Thanks!

Blind Ambition - Chapter Eighteen

Edward grinned. "How did you know that's what I meant?"

Leah rested her forehead on Edward's chin and let one of her hands rest over his heart. "I just know you, I guess."

"Maybe you do know me," he chuckled, kissing her forehead and tightening his arms around her. "It's effortless, me and you."

"I agree," she said quietly.

"You know," Edward whispered, letting his hands rest on her waist. "I've been thinking that we should…get to know each other a little bit better."

She laughed before pulling him into a kiss. "Oh? You don't think we know each other well enough?"

"I think that we've spent the last few months being up close and personal with each other and my imagination can only get me so far, love."

Her knees buckled at the word love and the look in his eyes. The determination that was set there along with the small smirk on his pretty mouth.

"I agree with that," Leah replied. She took his hand from her waist and began to walk away. Edward followed hastily.

"Where are we going?"

"I thought you'd like a tour of the house. This is the foyer," she said before kissing him and taking a few more steps. "Here are the stairs." She stopped, giggling when he bumped into her halfway up, and kissed him again.

"Woman, if the next stop isn't your bedroom…"

Leah laughed again and tugged him forward by the front of his shirt. The floor changed beneath his feet: hardwood to carpet as the door closed behind him. She took both of his hands and pulled him against her.

"This is the bedroom; happy now?"

"It's my favorite room so far," he replied, his voice low. Leah smiled, pulling him into a kiss and settling her hands at his hips. She pulled away and lifted his shirt over his head, and then ran her hands over his chest. It was surreal to have him like that in her bedroom after she'd felt guilty for lusting after him the months they'd work together.

"You're quiet," Edward whispered as he ran his hands down her sides, and let his fingers play under the hem of her shirt.

"It's just strange."

"Strange?" he asked, dipping down to kiss her neck and pressing his palm to the warm skin of her stomach.

"I've just…thought about this for so long," Leah replied, breathless at his touch.

"Really?" Edward chuckled against her skin and pulled back with a grin.

She shoved his shoulder, but he pulled her closer. "Shut up."

"You've had your hands all over me for months, Leah. Trust me, I've thought about it, too," he said into her hair.

"Then we should probably get this over with, huh?"

He nodded. "Yes, definitely."

Leah laughed and threw her arms around Edward's neck. "Kiss me, you idiot."

He did as she asked, only pulling away long enough to remove her loose-fitting t-shirt. They stood chest to chest for a moment before Edward lifted his hands and rested them on Leah's shoulders. She took a deep breath as his fingers moved over her skin, trailing over her collarbone. He was gentle, and it reminded her of standing on the roof of the bar with his hands on her face. Leah knew he wanted to see her, and this was his way of doing so.

She watched as his hands continued their exploration. The little smile on his face let her know that he liked what he found.

"You're so warm," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her shoulder.

Leah hummed a response and took a step closer to him, resting her hands on his chest, feeling the movement of his breathing as his hands settled at the top of her jeans. He undid them and she helped push the denim off her hips, and then stepped out of them.

"What color are these?" Edward smirked while his finger slipped underneath the lace of her panties.

"You're a pervert," she giggled. "They're black."

"Sexy."

"With bright green polka dots," she added.

Edward nodded appreciatively. "I love you," he said.

She smiled as his fingers slowly trailed her jaw and then slipped into her short hair. He kissed her more purposefully than before, gently nipping at her lip. Leah sighed, breathing heavily when he pulled away.

"Bed," she managed to say.

"I'm blind, love. Show me the way," he teased.

She did, tugging him forward by the belt loops and giving him a gentle shove backward. He grinned and pulled her between his knees, and they fell back together. Her legs straddled his body and she rested her arms beside his head.

"Say that again," Leah whispered against Edward's lips.

"Show me the way?"

"The other thing."

"I'm blind?"

"Don't be an ass, Edward." She kissed him hard, feeling his lips curve into a smile.

"I love you," he repeated and she nodded.

"That's it."

Words were lost after that, as his hands traveled up her back to undo her bra. She helped him slip it off and discard, and then gasped quietly as his hands ran up her smooth stomach. His fingers were light on her sensitive skin, making her whimper quietly. Leah watched his face as he touched her, and wondered just why it looked like he was biting his lip to keep from laughing.

"What's funny?" she asked, as she rolled and brought him on top of her.

"Nothing," he replied and kissed her collarbone. His mouth traveled south and her hands tangled in his hair. "It's just…I'll have to tell Jasper he was right about something."

"Should I be concerned you're thinking about Jasper right now?" she said, and he laughed against her navel.

"No worries," he said, grinning as he slipped her panties off her hips and down her legs, "Alice'd kill me if I made a move on her man." He quickly settled back over her and she pulled him closer, feeling the denim against her thighs.

"You're still halfway dressed," she said with a scowl, but promptly stopped when his fingers slipped between her thighs.

"I'm getting to know you," he murmured, pressing his fingers higher and circling his thumb against her slick skin. Leah gave a breathless laugh as her back arched and he bit down on her earlobe.

"I think we should be doing the knowing together," Leah told him before wrapping her arms around his neck. His hand slipped away and gripped her hip as she gently pushed his shoulder.

She made quick work of his jeans and was hovering over him, eager to release months' worth of tension that had built between them.

"Do you have…"

"I'm on the pill," she replied to his unspoken question and bent down to press her lips to his. He held her to him with one hand, while the other moved between their bodies, guiding him inside.

"Edward," she breathed his name and settled over him, her hands on his chest and his on her hips, guiding her movements.

Leah watched Edward's face as they moved together: the way he closed his eyes, how he pulled his bottom lip between his teeth. Not to mention the way his hands were tight on her skin, how his body felt underneath hers, and just how much he filled her.

Sounds fell from her lips, and she made no effort to stop them. If he couldn't see her, then he could hear her. His little moans and murmurs only spurred her on.

His hands moved from her hips, one taking her hand and lacing their hands together, and the other drawing her face to his. He kissed her fervently, his hips moving with hers. Her free hand rested beside his head, and she pulled away, panting.

Leah pushed away and straightened up, still gripping Edward's hand as her body began to tighten and the pressure started to build. She cried out, letting it take her over, and felt Edward's body shuddering beneath hers.

They were still for a moment, quiet except for their breathing. Edward tugged her closer with the hand that was still gripping hers and rolled them to the side. He pulled her leg up over his hip and kissed her gently.

"Well, that was everything I dreamed it would be," Edward said after a moment.

Leah laughed and pinched him before resting her head against his chest. "You're crazy," she whispered back.

"Crazy about you," he replied with a kiss to her forehead.

"Mmhm."

"So, now what? I can't exactly sneak out of here or anything…"

"Edward!" she cried, and he chuckled, moving until he was hovering over her. Leah sighed and pulled him close, kissing him lazily.

"I'm kidding. Right here with you is perfect."

"I think so, too…but, what did you have to tell Jasper?"

"Oh, now you're t thinking about another man? How rude," he said, nipping at her lips.

"Just tell me!" She laughed.

"He said you had great tits," Edward admitted.

"Jasper's an asshole."

He buried his face in her neck and chuckled, his breath against her skin making her shiver. "Hey, he was right."