Waving \o/…Hi everyone…can't thank you all enough for the lovely reviews, they really do make my day. There is a LIME in this chapter…not a lemon, but a LIME…I could now write a couple more paragraphs in this a/n but there are some of you that would just skip it, so that you can get to the LIME…you know who you are! So, I'm stopping now and letting you read…well, after I tell you again that reading in the 1/2 page format (buttons in the upper right corner) make reading so much easier...okay, now go read...

…Chapter Four…

…Edward…

This was a lot to take in…my soul mate is a vampire. The pictures she shared in her mind with me took my breath away. Here I had felt like an X-Man when I realized that we could hear each other's thoughts, but this…this was bigger. She had briefly touched on the fact that there were also shape-shifters, people here, in my home town of Forks, who turned into giant wolves.

My world got larger in a heartbeat.

It also became much more focused. The center of my universe was now Bella…only Bella. And I told her so.

Throughout the entire reveal, my mind kept drawing away from what she was showing me. Not that it wasn't fascinating, but I could barely get beyond the fact of how much I needed to touch her, how much I needed her to touch me. The skin on skin contact we had right this moment, her face in my neck, my arms around her beneath her shirt, the skin from my forearms to the tips of my fingers pressed to her back, it just wasn't enough.

Even though she never showed me the process, I was beginning to suspect that the only thing that would alleviate the ache that was punishing my body, and hers, was beyond anything that I had ever experienced before, except in my dreams. I'm a seventeen year old boy after all and I had had some pretty vivid dreams…that usually culminated in stained sheets.

My sexual experience was minimal. I had kissed Sandi once. We had looked at each other and wondered, briefly, if there was something more there. Our kiss had quickly let us know that, no, there wasn't. The laughter that followed, on both our parts, had kept our friendship from becoming weird. We agreed to never speak of it again. That was my only close contact with a girl. Well, besides the time those two girls had accosted me in the hallway after school. And that encounter had just been disgusting, nothing sexy or romantic about it at all.

When Bella and I started kissing earlier, that helped the ache in my body and soul. Her tongue touching mine had eased the ache even more. That's when I started to suspect that this soul mate thing was going to become even more physically demanding on us both before too much longer.

Our kisses were assuaging the pain, but causing my libido to go into overdrive. Her deep kisses helped to ease the ache even more, but when I tried to reach into her mouth with my tongue she said that I couldn't do so.

My teeth, they're very sharp and if we're not careful you'll cut your tongue on them and that would be very bad at this point in time. The picture in her mind showed my blood mingling with the venom in her mouth.

Oh, because the blood might make you crazy or something? I asked.

No, because it would make you start to change into a creature like me…

I considered her answer. She had shown me the good things and bad ones about being a vampire. The good would be that I would be like her…durable and able to be with her forever.

"And that would be bad why?" I asked.

I could feel Bella stiffen beneath my hands. And her mind stilled completely. It appeared that I had surprised, shocked…amazed her.

Her fingers tightened on my hair and she put a bit of distance, like one centimeter, between us. Her eyes had darkened from gold to nearly black. I now knew that her eye color was because of her diet. A little shiver ran down my spine at the memory of those others with red eyes.

"Edward, you have your whole life ahead of you. You have parents and friends who love you I've seen that you want to continue with your schooling. You're so bright, you could be a rocket scientist, find the cure for cancer, you could become a concert pianist…or a father." Her mind flitted through all of those careers, picturing me in those situations. She came to a halt at a picture of me holding a small child with her brown hair and my green eyes. I felt her sadness over the fact that that could never happen.

I'm frozen just as I was at eighteen, Edward. I'll never bear children as my body doesn't change; I'll never be able to have your baby. Bella's mind flitted to thoughts of Esme and Rosalie and how they missed the possibility of children to an enormous degree.

First, I'm seventeen. I haven't given a lot of thought to children anyway. And the school thing, you all go to school, so I could still do that. I saw the newborn years run through her mind, the blood lust, the lack of control, the red eyes. Then I could do school after, when I got some control back.

I pressed my cheek up against hers, the coolness soothing my inner ache. Bella, I know that there will be some hurdles to overcome, even big ones, but right this minute all I can think about is the fact that I need to be closer to you. I need to be touching you. Bella, I need to be inside you.

I couldn't believe I was thinking something like that, much less saying it to someone that I had only known a few hours. But it was the truth. More profound words had never been spoken or thought.

Bella pushed me away and slipped off the counter. She reached out and took my hand.

Let's go to my room…

I heard passion, love, lust…and some anxiety in her mind. So, she basically sounded just like I felt. I nodded and she led me from the kitchen and up the stairs.

…Bella…

So many things were running through my mind as we walked up the stairs to my bedroom. Both of us were feeling the same urges, the need to be close was almost overwhelming. The feelings brought on by finding our mate were nearly out of control between us. It didn't matter that he was a human to my vampire. The intensity was growing by leaps and bounds to complete the bond and become mates in every sense of the word.

I was going to have to take us to the edge, but not let us fall over.

But I want to fall, and I want to take you with me…his mental voice was sharp with the ache that I felt too.

Oh, my love, so do I…but we have to think this through. You need to know everything. We had reached my closed door and I stopped him there with a hand on his chest as I looked into his dark green eyes. Before we go in here I have to tell you that we can't, um, go all the way.

A groan escaped him as he pulled me close to his chest, his hands seeking the cool flesh of my back again, seeking to assuage the hurt of not being close enough.

I had to try and ease his pain, and mine too. I know, beloved, but there are things that we can still do…and things that I can't wait to do with you and to you and for you. Things that will help us get beyond the pain that we are feeling now. I chuckled into his neck. I know that it feels like we'll explode if we don't do everything right now, but the fact is, once we do go all the way--once we have sex--that's the only thing that we are going to want to do for a very long time.

"And, again, that would be bad, why?" His voice was ragged with need, mirroring the sound his voice made in my head and I almost caved right then. I wanted to cave…completely and totally.

I lifted my head to look him in the eyes and spoke out loud, "Because, love, we can't just disappear for a year…or two. Your family and friends would miss you. A lot of people saw us leave the school today, together on your bike. We can't just walk away from everything right this minute."

He considered my words for a moment. "A year…or two?" A magnificent smile lit his face. "Do you mean to say that when we actually have sex, we are going to want to keep at it for a year…or two?"

Or three…I would have been blushing if I could do so. The wicked gleam in his eyes told me that this would not be a bad thing to his mind, and honestly, I couldn't see a lot of a downside either. But I had to try and think clearly, I tried to convince him, and convince myself too...My family has told me about when they found their mates. Thankfully they had discovered them before I was changed. Their memories of the mating years are intense enough; I can't imagine what it would have been like living with them. Whenever they remember those years, I just have to leave, even now…and run for miles to get away from their thoughts.

When he caught a few of the memories that they had shared with me, a growl erupted out of his chest and he picked me up and pressed me against the wall. Our lower bodies came together and the pressure of his arousal as he ground his hips against my pelvis nearly melted my bones. My legs came around his waist as I crashed my lips to his. Instead of trying to penetrate my mouth, Edward sucked my lower lip into his and nibbled there…a groan left me and he echoed the sound in his mind.

Move me over towards the door so that I can open it, I think the bed might be more comfortable than this wall. Although this is quite hot…He did as I asked. I reached down and turned the knob. He stepped inside and I kicked the door closed with my foot. Edward stopped kissing me long enough to look around the room. He spotted the bed and in four large steps we were there. He gently placed me on top of the dark blue comforter, his hands lingering along my jaw before he straightened up.

Keeping his eyes on mine, he lifted his shirt up and over his head, dropping it at his feet. A gasp left my mouth at the sight of his naked chest. He was gorgeous, all sculpted muscles with a light dusting of bronze hair that started high and trailed off down beneath the waistband of his low slung jeans. That summer job had done more than allow him to earn a motorcycle that was for sure.

I knelt on the bed and lifted my own shirt up and off, tossing it towards the floor. Considering this was the first time I had ever bared my body to anyone, I probably should have felt a little bit of embarrassment, but there was none. I wanted him to look at me, I wanted him to see me…I wanted him to touch me. Touch me, Edward…please…

Bella, you are so gorgeous, I want to touch you…There was no green to be seen in his eyes as they shifted and looked down my body. I nearly felt the heat of them passing over me.

Reaching behind me, I unhooked my lacy bra, grateful that Alice kept my lingerie drawer full of pretty things. But before I could slide the straps down off my shoulders Edward was on the bed kneeling before me. The heat of his knees as they touched the outside of my thighs was heavenly.

Wait, let me…He placed his fingertips on my hands where they rested on my jeans clad thighs and slipped his fingers slowly up my arms to my shoulders where the straps lay. Deliberately he pulled them down my arms, exposing my breasts to his gaze. He tossed the bra to the floor too. Again I could almost feel the heat as he looked at me.

Bella, I don't think I'm going to be able to keep control here, I've never seen a woman bare, much less touched one. And you…you are amazing…so beautiful... His fingers slid deeply into the hair at the nape of my neck and pulled my mouth to his. I slipped my arms around his waist and pulled our naked torsos close.

Relief filled us both at that amount of skin on skin contact. His body heat seeped into my skin, warming me like my own personal sun. A deep groan left his throat.

Best. Sound. Ever.

He started nipping at my bottom lip. After a few moments I slipped my tongue deeply into his mouth, stroking each part of it. I wanted to learn the contours of his teeth, I wanted to caress his tongue with mine. I want you so much…

***

Me too, my Lady, me too. Slowly Edward maneuvered us until we were lying face to face on the bed. I could feel his heart pounding in his chest and the blood flowing through his veins. The question of bloodlust ran through my mind, but I found myself totally in control of that aspect of my nature. The only lust I was feeling was for his body. We needed to connect in some manner...soon.

The warmth of his skin where he pressed against mine started to fill me with a heat that had nothing to do with body temperature. But I worried that he would feel chilled by being so close to me.

Oh no, Bella, the coolness is probably the only thing that's keeping me sane right now…you feel so good…I want to be closer…

I need to be closer too. Our legs tangled together. I stripped his socks off with my toes and ran the arch of my foot up and down his muscular calf. Each new place that our skin touched eased the ache that we were both feeling just that little bit more. I ran my hands down his back and rested them against his denim covered cheeks. I squeezed gently and he hissed into my mouth.

My touching him there gave him permission to touch me too. He moved his hands down from where he was holding my shoulder blades and grasped my hips; he pulled me roughly to him. I could feel his arousal against my lower stomach.

Edward shifted, rolling his hips into my body and then his thigh settled between mine. I bucked against him as I tried to get more contact. Our hands were busy, touching and caressing every inch of each other's naked skin. I love touching you, Edward; the heat of your skin is amazing…so smooth…I could become addicted.

The relief at actually touching each other so intimately was easing the ache that had been growing since we first met in class. Now that I thought about it, the urge to be close had started when I first smelled him at the beginning of the day. I was quite thrilled that he wasn't the old grizzled geezer guy that my imagination had conjured at lunch, but that he was this hot young man lying next to me, loving me, caressing me.

We were both becoming beyond aroused with the intimacy of our touches. My stomach was tightening and I could feel a coil of heat beginning to strengthen in him too. An outburst of some kind was imminent…

I need to be closer to you…Edward nudged my legs apart with his knee and rolled us over until he was lying between my legs. As his weight settled there I gasped at the pressure that his arousal was causing at the apex of my thighs. I gripped him tighter and he thrust against me.

If we had been naked that's when we would have come together, when we would have become one, when our one to three mating years would have begun.

As it was, I was arching my back to bring our chests closer together. We were pressing our pelvises against each other, pushing and groaning as we strove to get even closer. The friction of his denim covered cock against my sex was making me crazy. That's it, Edward, so close…

Bella…my Lady…me too, I need you so much…tilt your hips just a little and wrap your leg around me. That's it, my Lady, my Bella…ah, that's it…just a little more…

With another thrust of his hips he hit right where I needed him to…and I came apart. He saw it happening in my mind and his back stiffened as he threw his head back and my name came out of his mouth in a long groan as he reached his own peak.

I had heard others talk about seeing fireworks when they climaxed…I had even seen it in their memories, much to my dismay…but to actually feel myself reach that pinnacle for the first time was astounding…even more so when Edward came moments later. We were both experiencing each other's emotions and feelings and the waves of ecstasy seemed to roll on between us forever.

***

Finally the shudders eased and our bodies relaxed against each other. Edward slipped down and laid his head onto my chest. He buried his face in my neck, resting against me until his breathing calmed down. I hadn't needed the air, but I had found myself panting along with him.

Oh, my Bella, that was, well I don't think I have words for what that was I've read about it and dreamed about it, but there really aren't any words to tell you just how amazing that felt…Edward slowly moved off to my side, pulling me with him until we were once again face to face. Our chests were still pressed against each other and our legs entangled. I tucked my face into his neck as his strong arms came around me and pulled me closer.

Yes, love, it was incredible; you are right, it is almost beyond words. I had no idea it could feel that good. I've seen it in other's thoughts but never realized how overpowering it could really be. How do you feel right now? After our release some of the pains had been alleviated in my body. I feel better, less achy…do you?

I listened as he took mental stock of how he felt.

Well, I do feel a lot of relief, my Lady…the smug tones in his mind made me laugh.

"What? I do feel better! And I know you do too" He laughed as he kissed me on the end of my nose and rolled onto his back, pulling me close to his side. I lay my arm across his chest and settled my leg up over his thighs.

He wriggled just a bit as he adjusted himself. "Okay, that's just a bit, um, messy."

His comment made me laugh this time. I reached up and kissed him full on the lips. "Let me go get a pair of Jasper's pants. You have a similar build; I think his will fit you. Do you want to take a shower while I get them?"

Are you going to join me in there? His look was hopeful for a moment, but then he looked a little worried. I'm not sure how I'll cope being away from you yet…

I had wondered about that too. No time like the present to test it. I sat up and rolled away from him to the edge of the bed.

Pausing there, we waited to see how we'd feel when we weren't touching.

Okay so far…let's see how it is when I move away…not that I want to go far at all

I stood and stepped away from the bed. I felt a tug through my body, but nothing like the pull towards him it had been earlier. When I turned back to face him his eyes slid down my body and then back up before dropping again. That's when I realized that I was still only wearing my jeans.

"Hey, bucko, eyes up here!" I pointed to my face, which was covered by a very wide smile.

Edward laughed and leaped from the bed, catching me and swinging me around in a circle. Our upper bodies pressed tightly together once again.

You better get cleaned up unless you want to meet my family when they arrive in fifteen minutes in those messy jeans There are clean towels in my bathroom, now put me down. Edward smiled while placing me gently back on my feet. He didn't step away, but placed an open mouthed kiss in the crook of my neck and then rested his forehead against my shoulder. He slipped his arms around me and cupped my shoulder blades again. I loved that and told him so.

I feel the tug, but it's not like it was earlier. Let's see how it is when I'm in the shower and you are off somewhere getting me some clean clothes…He straightened up and walked away from me slowly, like he was testing the strength of the pull. I heard him sigh in relief when it didn't get hideous as he stepped out of my view and into the bathroom.

I swept my bra and shirt up from the floor and had them on before I reached my bedroom door. I was back in my room in a few seconds after fetching a pair of soft jeans from Alice and Jasper's room. Holding them up, I figured they would fit him pretty well. I tried not to imagine the denim hugging his perfect ass…I heard his laugh in my mind at my mental wanderings. Having someone in my mind was going to be hard to get used to.

The shower was running, steam beginning to fill the room when I stepped to the bathroom door.

I know you're out there. Did you change your mind and want to join me? Edward's mind was calm and tranquil, more so than it had been since I first met him in biology.

No, love…now that we both feel more relaxed we still need to talk about some things. And I think that if I step into the shower with you, we'll just start all over

"And what's so bad about that?" Edward's green eyes peeked around the shower wall, a smile in his voice, and I felt the pull begin anew.

"Nothing is wrong with that, per se, but we do have things to talk about and my family will be here any minute. Hurry up and get dressed…" I dropped the clean pants and his shirt on the counter and left the room. He was laughing at me as I went.

Guess I'm going to go commando…

Oh, that man was going to be the death of me. His naked butt notwithstanding, I tested my feelings and decided that things were still okay, that the tension was manageable. I had no idea how long the relief would last…how long it would take before we needed to connect again. Maybe my family would be able to tell me.

But then again, maybe not. I had never heard them speak of a vampire and human who had become mates. We had friends in Alaska who had taken human males as sexual partners over the past several decades, not as mates, but as flings, boy toys, one night stands. It had taken them a bit of trial and error to figure out just how to play with them…and not kill them. They were dedicated, though, and worked at it long and hard. They had never bonded with any of them; they just enjoyed them and then moved on.

I know this because they really did relish telling me about their conquests. Apparently my virgin status made me fair game for embarrassing stories. I could no longer blush, but they certainly enjoyed my discomfiture. Emmett was usually right there listening to them and watching me squirm, then teasing me about it later. Edward laughed again as I shared a couple of the stories they had told me.

Yes, it was going to take me a little while to get used to the fact that someone was in my mind for a change. I wondered if we'd be able to keep each other out at all? Maybe we could find a private channel inside our minds. My family had been able to keep some things separate from each other, but they had to work very hard to keep things from me. The double blessing, or curse, of being able to hear my mate and share my gift might be hard to handle, for both of us.

It almost seemed like it would be easier to just change him and then have our mating year…or three. But he had so much to live for. We definitely needed to talk, with each other and with the family.

I agree, we do need to talk and I think that I need to kiss you again, or at least hold your hand soon…The shower cut off and it took a lot of strength to wait here, sitting on my bed and not go into that steamy room, knowing that he was wet…and naked…in there. His scent was reaching out of the room towards me. The heat of the shower had magnified it. I breathed in deeply…beautiful.

Oh, so now I'm beautiful too? And hot when I'm on my bike? This relationship is going very well…his happy laughter rang out from the steamy room.

The sound of car doors opening and closing and then the front door opening steeled my resolve to behave.

That's too bad, I was looking forward to you misbehaving, in fact, I was going to encourage it…Edward stepped into my room as he pulled his shirt back on. Oh yes, the pull was still there and it was building again.

Edward reached his hand out to me and I walked over and took it. He pulled me close and I tucked my face into his neck. You smell so good, Edward…

You do too, my Lady…He pressed a soft kiss just below my ear and I could feel the tension and lust start to rise in us both. I kissed him back, enjoying the warmth of his lips on mine. I ran my hands up into his damp hair, smoothing the tangles out with my fingers. Pulling gently I tipped his head back so that I could run my nose along his jaw line. His voice was a soft rasp…I like it when you do that…

Before the rising heat between us could get out of hand, I heard steps outside my door. Alice was there and still chanting in her mind…

"Sister mine…you better come out of that room, get downstairs and talk to us. There are plans to be made and besides, the rest of the family wants to meet your mate!" Alice's voice rang out clearly.

I debated just ignoring her and starting round two of connecting with Edward when she yelled again.

"Don't make me send Emmett in there after you two! You've got an eternity of lifetimes to make out…and other things. Come on, Edward, your future Father and Mother-in-Law want to make your acquaintance"

Edward and I both gasped as we stared at each other. In-laws? Wait, what?