A/N: What SHOULD I be doing? Finishing the TWO papers I need to have done before tomorrow. TOMORROW. What did I do instead? I make awesome life decisions.

For the most part, Edward slept like the dead. When he woke, he did so slowly, reactivating one inch at a time-a twitch of a toe, a roll of his back, clearing his throat-leaving his mind to the last.

That morning he was thrown into wakefulness by a one-two sucker punch of sensation. The first thing that had his eyes flying open was the feel of someone drawing their finger down the sole of his foot where he was extremely ticklish. He started to lurch at the offender only to find his arms stayed firmly in their place above his head. He blinked, not quite comprehending what he was seeing.

It looked an awful lot like he was bound to his bed at the wrist by two very fuzzy very pink handcuffs. He was still staring at the damn things, trying to figure out if they really existed, when someone tickled his foot again. He tried to jerk his foot back only to discover it too was restrained, not by handcuffs but by…

"Holy fuck."

A rather evil smile spread slow as molten lava up Bella's cheeks. She was kneeling at the bottom of his bed, his foot in her hand, naked and glorious with her bedroom eyes and her hair wild around her. Edward groaned, trying to reach for her, remembering the damn fuzzy monstrosities belatedly. "Bella," he said with a groan. "What are you doing?"

"You are a very smart man, Edward Cullen," she said. She put his foot down, drawing the pad of a single finger over his toe.

Electricity shot from his heel right through the center of his being. Edward clenched his hands in fists. Bella just grinned wider. "I'm sure you can figure it out," she said.

Her voice was low and raspy, the sultry sound of it sending shivers down his spine. She held his gaze, the look in her eyes downright wicked, as she bent down, pressing a kiss to his ankles. It was a gentle kiss. It might have been tender except for the way she looked at him-like she knew her touch set fire to the blood in his veins. She took her time, overlapping kisses as she began, ever so slowly, to kiss her way up his legs. Her hair tickled his skin.

It was an insanely effective means of foreplay. He was ready. Hell, two minutes in, and he was pretty sure he was going to embarrass himself. He was stuck in a vicious cycle. The look in her eyes would drive the breath from his body; the brush of her lips sent his every nerve ending into a state a frantic, heightened state; any thought that had managed to form went straight out of his head-he forgot his own name, let alone the fact he was bound and unable to touch her like he wanted.

"Bella," the word was raw. He arched his back when she pressed the tip of her tongue to his knee. He moaned as she traced a slow, wet circle around his kneecap.

She rested her chin on his knee and smiled. "Yes, Edward?"

He ran his free foot up the back of her leg, nudging her ass as though he could push her up his body. "Tell me what you want," he said, a little breathless.

She pushed onto her hands and knees and crawled over him. He could feel the heat of her body on his skin. He was coiled tight, tense with desire, waiting for the relief of her weight on top of him, but she didn't let her flesh touch his. She ducked her head, hovering a fraction of an inch above his lips, but she didn't kiss him. Instead, she tilted her head to the side so she could whisper near his ear. "I want you to beg."

In the time it took his heart to start beating again, her glorious warmth was gone from him. He banged his head back against the pillow, swallowing a whimper as she resumed her licking.

His first impulse was to give in immediately. He would beg her. He wasn't quite sure what for. God, he'd been imagining her lips wrapped around his cock, her silky hair draped over his thighs for weeks, but if she wanted wanted to ride him into the sunrise, well, he wasn't going to argue with that either. But he did have some pride left, and he pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth to keep from begging.

Or screaming. He bucked and gasped when she found a sensitive spot on his inner thigh. Begging or screaming...both were equally likely to happen at this point, but he'd be damned if he was going to give her the satisfaction so readily. She could-

"Jesus, god, Mary, and chocolate-covered Christ," he blurted as she sucked lightly at a spot.

Bella raised her head, quirking an eyebrow. "Jesus and Christ are the same person, even if one of them is chocolate-covered."

He laughed, but it was a strangled sound. "Untie me," he said. His energy was all pent up, and he knew exactly how to spend it. The second he was free; he would pounce, and then they would see which one of them was begging.

Bella tilted her head and regarded him, resting her palm on his chest. "Hmmm. Nope. I don't think I will."

With that pronouncement, she drew her thumb over his taut nipple. He jumped, but she wasn't done. No. She circled his areola with her thumb, and then let her circles fall in wider arcs downward.

"Bella,' he said, his breath ragged.

"Yes?" Her voice was maddeningly calm. She traced a finger around his belly button, painfully close to where his cock rested against his stomach. Again he could feel the sensation of warmth and movement, but she drew back before she actually touched him.

"Oh, little girl. You're going to rue the day."

Her smile crawled up one side of her mouth. She said nothing at first, but she reached between his legs and rested the pads of each of her fingers directly on his balls. His whole body writhed, but she didn't move. She didn't bear down. She kept still, pinning him with her eyes. "Beg," she said, and only then did she move her fingers. It was a tiny movement, just enough to give him a taste. It was good.

"Oh, fuck. More," he said.

"What?" she asked, again flexing her fingers just a bit.

"God. Please. Please, more. I need…"

She cupped his balls, massaging. "Tell me what you need."

"You. Please."

Her grin was all teeth. "You're so pretty when you beg." She crawled over him again, this time letting their skin touch. He didn't bother to stifle his moan when he could feel her slick folds against his cock. "You feel this?" she asked. "I'm so fucking wet for you."

That did it. He was done. He raised legs, locking them around her. "Bella, I swear to God."

His movement had thrown her off balance, and her whole weight was on him now. They were face to face, and could see the hectic flush of her cheek and that her eyes were dilated. She wanted him. He had no doubt about the fact she wanted him.

Straightening again, she took his cock in her hand. Still locked in his gaze, she lowered herself down on him, enveloping him in her heat.

The frustration of not being able to touch her, to run his hands up her body, to cup her breasts and roll her nipples between his fingers, added an intensity to what was happening here. Edward thought he had been out of his mind with lust before, but it was nothing compared to this. He rolled his hips to meet the rhythm she set, but otherwise, he could only devour her with look alone.

Abruptly, he understood what she'd been talking about on their first date. This was a woman aware of and comfortable with every aspect of her sexuality, and it was glorious. She shifted on him, and he could tell when she'd found that sweet spot. Her hands rested on his chest and she threw her head back with a cry. She moved so her feet were up by his armpits, balancing herself on her hands behind her. She rolled her hips in a kind of figure eight movement. The view alone, her pert tits bouncing, tantalizing and untouchable, would have been his undoing.

Then, he was the one babbling like an idiot. Nonsensical words. Oh. Yes. God, Bella, please.

They came together, and then she all but collapsed on top of him.

"Bella," he said, still panting, blowing to try to get her hair out of his mouth.

She lifted her head, her hooded eyes finding his. "Hmm?"

"Fucking let me go." He tugged at his bindings in emphasis.

She had the audacity to giggle. Giggle. Like a little school girl. Like she hadn't just ridden him hard and good while he was tied up and helpless.

God, she was going to drive him out of his mind.

Her fingers trembled a bit, but she managed to hit the release on one then the other of the cuffs. The instant he was free, he wrapped his arms around her and rolled them so she was pinned beneath him. He grabbed her flailing wrists as she squeaked and pinned them on either side of her head. He looked down on her, still breathless. "That," he began, his tone low and dangerous. She held her breath, biting her lip. "Was the motherfucking hottest thing I've ever seen."

She giggled again. And she blushed.

Edward dipped his head and kissed until he couldn't hold himself up anymore. Then, he rolled them onto their sides and tangled their legs together, not caring that they were both sticky and probably a little gross. He wasn't in any mood to let her go anytime soon.

~0~

The next weekend, Edward went to Orange County to see Bella. She and Tanya were running trainings for their cooks and register staff. He went straight to the shop, and when he arrived, he lingered in the doorway.

Bella had chattered so much about what went into the design of the shop, Edward couldn't help but appreciate the small details she'd explained. He saw the eclectic photos hung about, uncommon perspectives on some of the world's most recognizable cities. They represented places Bella wanted to go but from the point of view of an insider. It was designed to invite the whimsical nature of adventure and yet the comfort of home.

When she was talking about it, he'd thought it was a somewhat odd concept, but looking around, he could see how the design worked. It was a cozy place that gave him a feeling that he was in on a secret.

"Hey, buddy. We're not open yet."

Edward looked over to find a blond young man of college age coming toward him, already waving him off. Before he could say anything though, Bella appeared from the back room.

"James, he's fine. He belongs to me."

Edward snorted, but he raised his arms to draw her to him. "Own me, do you? Have you paid my mother's asking price then?"

She looped her arms around his waist, looking up at him with a smirk. "Have to take you for a test run before I buy. Especially at the price she wants. I'm going to have to talk her down."

"Good luck. My mother thinks I'm amazing."

Bella hummed, tilting her head up. "I think you're all right."

He kissed her then, one hand cupping her cheek. It was a serious kind of kiss, lingering. The kind of kiss that had her melting boneless against him. Maybe she was joking, but her teasing was quickly becoming reality. If she didn't own him now, body and soul, she would soon. But he could feel the inverse was true too. She was his. Neither one of them could fight it.

"Aww, would you look at that?"

Tanya's voice brought Edward back, reminding him they had an audience. He broke the kiss, but he didn't let go of Bella. She didn't try to step away. She just angled her body so she could look at her friend and rested her head against Edward's shoulder.

Said friend made a face. "Ah, there it is. I missed that face."

"What face?" Edward asked, already amused.

"The face of a Bella who's been getting it on the regular." She wagged her finger at Bella. "Just remember we work before we play. You have to help me put these kids through their paces before you run off with pretty boy here."

Bella shook her head but disentangled herself from Edward's embrace. She pushed up on her tiptoes to kiss his nose. "Order something. You can be our first customer."

"Such an honor."

After he'd placed his order, patiently waiting for a stunning red-headed college kid named Victoria to ring him up, Edward sat back and waited for his girl to be finished.

He was amusing himself, watching James try to engage Victoria in conversation. Whatever he was saying, she just nodded occasionally, mostly concentrating on trying to perfect assembly of biodegradable to-go boxes. Once, though, she glanced up, offering James a patient smile.

"You are such a flirt," he heard the young man say, and he had to stop himself from rolling his eyes.

He didn't miss being a dumb college boy.

"Hey. Thanks for waiting," Bella said, surprising him by straddling him right in his seat.

Edward got over his surprise quickly enough and wrapped his arms around her, catching her kiss.

"This is one of those rewarding moments in life," Tanya said, sitting across the table from them.

Edward broke their kiss, looking over Bella's shoulder to fix Tanya with a mock-glare. "What are you talking about, Captain Cockblock?"

Bella, who hadn't bothered to turn around, stifled a laugh against his hair.

"You better believe your cock is being blocked. We have to pass a health inspection." Tanya snickered. "Anyway, it's just that I have such a fond memory of the virginal Freshman she used to be. God, you should have seen the color she turned the first time I got my hands up her shirt."

Bella went rigid in his arms. Edward's breath caught.

Tanya went on, oblivious. "Poor baby girl. She shook so bad that first time, and now look at her. You-"

Bella came back to herself all at once. "Tanya. Shut. Up," she said through clenched teeth. She made to turn around, but Edward grabbed her by the waist, keeping her facing forward.

He swallowed hard, still processing Tanya's words. Bella finally looked at him, uncertainty and guilt written plainly on her features. "What?" he said, because it was the only word he could get out.

"Oh, shit," Tanya said.

Bella bit her lip. "Um. Tanya and I were...together a long time ago."

Edward was only vaguely aware of one of the clerks, James he thought, saying, "Holy shit," in the background.

Tanya laughed, the sound distinctly uncomfortable. "Look, Edward it's ancient history. You got nothing to-"

"I'll meet you at your place," Edward said, getting up so quickly, Bella stumbled a few steps backward.

As he headed out the door, he heard Tanya yell at Bella, "Are you kidding me? You said you'd tell him."

~0~

Edward was only alone in front of her place for a few minutes before Bella drove up. She wrapped her hands around her arms when she got out of her car, watching him as he got out of his. They stared at each other. She opened her mouth but closed it just as quickly and walked passed him in silence. He followed.

She huffed out a breath as she shut the front door. "Look, it really isn't a big deal."

Up to that point, Edward wasn't sure how he felt. He'd been trying his hardest not to think, but with those words, he exploded. "It's not a big deal? In whose universe is this not a big deal?"

Her eyes flashed. "Are you really pissed off that your girlfriend isn't straight?"

He gaped at her. "Are you fucking kidding me? I don't care if you're bisexual. In fact, the reason this is a big deal is because I do respect that, and it makes her a threat."

She had the decency to look sheepish, but her tone was still annoyed when she spoke. "There's no threat."

"Oh, give me a break, Bella. You live with your ex."

"We were together for five minutes a million years ago when I was eighteen and didn't know what the hell sex was all about, let alone what love was about. I haven't touched her at all for almost eight years. We're friends. That's all."

He crossed his arms, glaring at her. "Uh huh. And who did you say takes all your pictures for your site?"

She took a deep breath, as though preparing to answer, but she couldn't. She pressed her lips together, and he figured it was because she knew there wasn't a good argument. How would she like it, he wondered, if his ex-girlfriend took provocative photos of him every other week or so? The answer written on her face was she probably wouldn't.

Bella's shoulders slumped and she walked the few steps to sit down on the couch. "So what now?"

Some of his anger drained, and he sat on the couch next to her, leaving a cushion between them. "This was important, Bella. Why didn't you tell me this?"

"After you made such a big deal last week about how you didn't want to run into anyone who's seen me naked?" She rubbed her hands over her knees in a restless gesture. "You just barely decided you could do this. I was going to tell you. It was just hard. It's been a good week. A drama-free week."

Edward didn't like it, but he could understand that answer. He ran a hand over his eyes, thinking. "Will you tell me about your relationship?"

Bella raised her head. "Do you really-"

"No. I don't really want to know." He blew out a breath. "It's a nice idea in theory to be friends with your ex, but I can't say it's enjoyable as your current. And I know this is one of those irrational things…"

Bella was already shaking her head. "It is, but this one is a lot more tangible. I get it. Obviously I get it or I would have told you right away. It really isn't a big deal, but I wouldn't like it in your shoes."

She shifted so her back was against the arm of the couch and drew her legs up. "Do you remember me at all from high school?"

"Of course."

"Then maybe you remember I was shy."

At that, Edward's lip turned up at one corner. He breathed out, taking a moment to miss the memory he'd held of her for so many years-innocent and beautiful. "Yeah, I remember that."

She shrugged. "It's like I said. I was a Freshman. Tanya was my roommate's best friend's roommate. Something like that. I had a crush. She knew it." Another shrug. "She was good to me and patient. She made me feel like a goddess. Beautiful and powerful. It was the whole college self-discovery thing. I wouldn't be as...confident as I am if it hadn't been for her."

Edward had to swallow down a knot in his throat. It was weird. If she'd told him that same story of Tanya, her friend, he would be nothing but appreciative that Bella had the woman in her life. Knowing she'd been her lover, though, brought too many images to his head.

"But we were never…I was never in love with her, Edward," she said. "Not even close. I don't even feel for her what I feel for you. I never did. It was an infatuation, and it was fleeting. We decided we were better as friends, and we have been. That's all. She really isn't a threat."

Still he didn't answer. He didn't know what to say. No part of him wanted to walk away, but he also knew he didn't like this newest development. At all.

After many long minutes of extremely uncomfortable silence, he grumbled, "I don't know what to think. It would be one thing if you were friends with your ex, but you live with her. It would be one thing if you lived with her, but she sees you naked, in provocative poses, doing sexual things, all the time."

Bella grimaced. "God, it sounds like crap when you say it like that. It's business. It's not sexy at all."

"Semantics," he said.

They were both quiet for another minute. "So what now?" she asked.

"I don't know," he said. "I really don't know."

A/N: SO! Uh. Um. Drama? Thanks to barburella and songster for this one.

Okay, I need to disappear in a cloud of homework and then I'm flying to Tampa. Sooo this will probably update in about two weeks. Ish. Maybe.