WOW. I was truly overwhelmed by the response to my last chapter. You guys are AMAZING!!! I really thought that chapter was good, and I guess you guys did too! Hopefully you'll like this one just as much.

I was a woman on a mission. Tonight, I wouldn't let Edward or anyone else stop me. I was bound and determined to give him pleasure in return for everything he'd given me.

Of course, during school, a certain overly-helpful pixie decided I needed her aid. I swear, Alice thinks she's some kind of fairy godmother.

When I went to the bathroom during English, Alice was lying in wait. "So, Bella," she began as soon as I entered, "how are things going?"

I sighed. "Good, Alice."

"What are you planning to do tonight?"

"Like you don't know?" I asked disbelievingly.

She looked slightly embarrassed for all of about a half second. "Well, I thought you could use some advice."

I groaned. "Alice, I appreciate the thought, I really do, but . . . this is just not something I need to be talking about with you."

"Actually, you do," she replied. "This morning, I saw Edward . . . resisting your advances, let's say."

"WHAT? That's impossible. There's no way I'm going to let that happen!"

Alice was apologetic. "Well apparently, Edward is capable of distracting you."

I fumed. This was ridiculous! How could it not work? "Does he just . . . not really want me that much?" I asked her in a small voice. She snorted.

"Bella, believe me. Jasper can sense his lust for you, and frankly I'm amazed at his self-control. He easily wants your body as much as he used to want your blood."

"Then why won't he let me . . . um . . ." I started the sentence venting my frustrations out loud, then remembered I was talking to Alice and blushed.

She rolled her eyes. "Same reason as always—his misplaced fear that he'll hurt you. And believe me, it is misplaced. Out of all the different scenarios I've seen since this whole thing started, not once has there been the possibility of Edward hurting you."

"Then why don't you tell him that?"

"I have, Bella. He just doesn't believe me. But, now that I've explained the situation to you, would you like my help?"

If I didn't know better, I'd think Alice was making her vision up, just so that she could interfere even more with my love life. However, at this point, I was desperate. I had managed to get so many concessions from him, but it just wasn't enough. He made me feel wonderful, and I wanted to return the favor, not out of guilt or gratitude, but because I wanted to give him pleasure. I wanted to do to him everything he'd done to me. I wanted to see the desire on his face, and I wanted to feel the evidence of his lust. So I reluctantly said what Alice already knew I would. "OK, Alice. What do you suggest?"

She grinned and began to bounce up and down. "Okay, so right now I see you trying to turn the tables on him in the middle of things. After he's pleasured you, though, he already really wants you."

This time I rolled my eyes and answered with the obvious. "That's sort of the point, Alice."

"Yes, but if he's already lusting after you, he won't trust his control as much. Also, he sees taking care of you, so to speak, as more than enough for one night."

"Then what do I do?"

"Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but the whole idea of this arrangement is to take things step by step while staying in control, right?"

"That's right." I was beginning to see where she was going with this.

"So you tell him from the start that this is the next step you want to take."

"And this will work?"

"Well, Edward will see it as being selfish--"

"If that's selfish, then what am I?" I interrupted.

She waved her hand for silence. "I know, I know, but that's how Edward thinks. He's too gentlemanly for his own good. But, if you convince him that this is what you really want, he'll be much more likely to let you have your way with him."

"Alice, do you have to talk about it like that?" I complained.

She looked offended. "Bella, I'm already using so many euphemisms that I'm running out of them. I know you prefer to dance around the issue, but if you want this to happen, you'll have to be direct."

I sighed. "Okay. Now that you've given me your sage advice, can I go to the bathroom?"

"Of course," she responded graciously.

When I returned to class and sat next to Edward, he raised his eyebrows at me. "That took a while," he murmured.

I blushed. "Alice wanted to talk."

He looked intrigued and asked, "What did she want to talk about?"

I grimaced. There was no way I would ever let him find out about the latter part of our conversation, but I told him the part that wouldn't get me into trouble. "She wanted to know how things were going, with us."

Edward grinned outright. "What did you say?"

"Ummm . . ." I was blushing deeply. "I told her things were going well."

He casually draped his arm across my shoulders and nonchalantly began to stroke my collarbone. "Just well?"

My pulse began to race and my voice was breathy when I answered, "Really, really well."

Edward chuckled and the teacher called on him.

I was understandably nervous when I got ready for bed that night. I took extra time in the shower, making sure to use plenty of strawberry shampoo and lotion my face with the overnight moisturizer/polisher Alice had given me that made my skin look like it was glowing.

I wanted to be fairly subtle and not have Edward jump me as soon as I walked in, so I wore a lacy peach camisole and matching silk pajama pants rather than one of my deep blue or more revealing ensembles.

Edward was waiting for me on my bed with his back against the headboard, and I smiled as I climbed in next to him. He reached for me, but I drew back.

I couldn't help but blush as I said, "Edward, I wanted to talk about tonight before we . . . get started."

"Yes, love?"

"Well . . . I want to focus on you tonight, Edward."

His initial look of surprise soon gave way to wariness. "Bella, I'm not sure that's the best idea."

"But practically everything we've done has been about me!"

Edward raised his eyebrows. "Are you not enjoying it?"

I nearly growled. This man was so frustrating! "You know I am, but for once, I want to do something for you!"

"I don't think we're ready for that, Bella. I want to give you pleasure."

"This will give me pleasure."

He frowned. "That's not what I meant, and you know it."

"But it's the truth," I replied. "Right now I want to do for you what you've done for me, more than anything."

"Bella . . ." I could practically hear his resolve weakening and I pounced in for the kill, using my new weapon.

I allowed a pleading expression to fill my face and let him see the longing in my eyes. Staring deeply into his gaze, I whispered, "Please?"

Edward closed his eyes and groaned. "Bella, you are positively lethal. I don't know how I can keep my control if we do what you're suggesting."

A huge smile spread across my face before I could stop it. "Just tell me what to do," I said. "If it gets to be too much, simply tell me to stop and I'll wait until you're ready for me to keep going."

Edward relaxed against the bed just slightly and I knew I'd won. He said, "All right, we'll try it. But make sure you only do what I say is okay."

"Of course." I couldn't wait. "So, can I take off your shirt?"

He grinned; this was an area we were already familiar with. "Go ahead." He sat forward so I could pull off his T-shirt. He'd recently started wearing shirts that were easier to remove and wouldn't press uncomfortably against my skin. I feasted my eyes on his bare chest for a few seconds before asking, "Is it okay if I touch you?"

"Yes." He drew in an unnecessary breath of air and held it as I began to trace the contours of his torso with the tips of my fingers. "Kiss me," Edward growled, and already his voice was strained.

I looked up innocently and asked, "Where?"

He groaned and grasped my head, pulling it gently towards the spot where his heart should have beat. I pressed my lips against it and Edward sighed, holding me in his arms. I moved my mouth to his flat tan nipple, wondering if it would be sensitive. Edward gasped and tightened his grasp on me, and I got my answer. I smiled against his skin and kissed my way across his chest to his other nipple. "What do you want me to do now?" I asked, making sure he felt my warm breath on his cold skin.

Edward growled softly and I felt the vibrations of his chest under my lips. "Lick me, Bella, please," he said huskily. "Let me feel the heat of your mouth."

I shivered at his words. God help me if he ever decided to really talk dirty to me; I was sure I'd melt into a puddle at his feet. As it was, I could do no other than what he asked. I opened my mouth and let myself taste him. The sensation made me shudder; he was sweet, fresh, more delicious than anything I could think of. His taste was an extremely concentrated version of his smell, and I couldn't get enough of it. I ran my tongue back and forth across his skin, sampling and savoring.

Edward moaned and I sighed in pleasure. I licked down his chest, and when I reached his stomach Edward gasped out, "Stop."

I made a face but obeyed, watching his strained expression as he took deep breaths and visibly got himself under control. When his face calmed and his eyes opened to meet mine, I asked, "Ready?"

He surprised me by grinning. "I don't think I'll ever be ready for this. You'll probably kill me, but at least I'll die happy."

I snorted and returned to his magnificent body, trailing kisses down his skin until I found his naval. His body contracted as I blew more warm air inside. I moved down just an inch and kissed, allowing my tongue to slip between my lips and taste him. Edward let out all his breath in a loud hiss and grabbed at my blankets.

I looked at him but his eyes were closed. "Edward," I murmured. He looked down at me and I touched the clasp of his pants, whispering, "Can these come off now?"

Edward shuddered and sat up, gently pushing me away. I started to protest but he placed a finger over my lips. "Don't worry, Bella, I just think it would be easier if I did this part myself." He stood up and I stared in anticipation as opened and stepped out of his pants. I looked up at him, but he must have known what I was about to say because before I could open my mouth he firmly told me, "The boxers stay on for today, Bella." I pouted but nodded.

He sat down again and lay back against the pillows, watching me intensely. His gaze was much darker than it had been earlier in the night. I knew I was stalling out of nervousness, and I finally turned my gaze to the parts of him that I could observe for the first time.

Edward's legs were strong and muscled. I moved my eyes up to his groin and blushed. He was very stiff. He had to be larger than most, I was sure of it, and for a split second I panicked. I had no idea what to do. However, I suppressed that reaction before Edward could sense it and remembered my promise that I'd let him take the lead in this. For once, I was grateful, because it meant that I could ask, "What do you want me to do?" without feeling like a complete imbecile.

Edward was breathing harshly and he practically growled out, "Touch me, Bella." I hesitantly brushed my fingers against his erection. It twitched, and I paused for just a moment before continuing. I spread my hand out and covered as much of him as I could with it, rubbing tentatively. Edward groaned and growled, "Harder, Bella. Do as much as you want. Remember, you won't hurt me."

Right. That meant I didn't have to worry about applying too much pressure, which was a relief. Keeping my hand against him, I moved up his body until our heads were level with one another and drew him into a deep kiss. He moaned into my mouth and licked my lips with his tongue, continuing to tease them even after they had parted. Meanwhile, I was pressing my hand against his erection as hard as I could, gripping it and moving my hand up and down. Even through the boxers I could feel the coldness of his skin, and somehow, this part of him seemed even smoother than the rest. Edward closed his hand over mine and guided me into a pumping motion, letting go when I caught on. I pulled up and down, back and forth as I broke away from his mouth and trailed kisses down to his chest.

Edward's whole body jerked when I traced his nipple with my tongue, and he jumped in my hand. "Bella," he panted, "you have to stop, love. I'm about to . . . I'm going to--"

I drew back and stared into his face, locking his gaze with mine. "Do. Please, Edward. I want to feel you explode."

He shuddered and closed his eyes, throwing his head into the pillows and arching his back as he spasmed into my hand. His orgasm lasted several moments, and I watched his face throughout it. Edward looked like he was almost in pain from all the pleasure he felt. Finally, his eyes opened and he grabbed the back of my head, pulling me in for a long, wet kiss. He drew back and said, so rapidly I could barely understand his words, "Bella, that was . . . beyond anything I could ever have imagined. I don't know how I got so lucky, I certainly don't deserve it. I just . . . I don't even have words." He took my mouth again and expressed his love through his kiss. When our lips parted he asked, "Would you like me to take care of you now, love?"

I think I surprised him when I shook my head. "No, Edward. This night was all about you. I don't need anything more; your pleasure was enough." And it was true.

Edward pulled me against his chest. "Bella, you are my only love. I am immeasurably happier than I ever thought was possible. You are my world, Bella. You're everything."

I sighed and snuggled in closer to his body. "I love you too, Edward."

Well, that was harder to write than I thought it would be. I'm not really an expert on guys' reactions, so it was hard to go into that much detail. Did I do OK?

Someone asked me to write something from Edward's POV. What do you guys think? I want to advance the story from Bella's perspective, but I could repeat the events from EPOV or write a companion story. If I did that, I could actually update it fairly quickly since I already have the events and dialogue.

One more question. Am I putting Alice in too much? She's appearing a lot. I'm not intentionally having her be a main character, but she just seems to want to add her two cents. Does it make the story awkward at all?

Please review, people! I would be ECSTATIC to top 100 reviews! And, as you all know, reviews=faster updates. I think I have at least another four chapters or so to go. Probably more.