AN: Two hundred fifty to five hundred (or so on) words will be written as the beginning of the exercise and you the author must come up with what happens next. Anything is possible. The goal is to see what the possibilities could be and help with writer's block. Word count is unlimited and is completely up to the author.
All beginnings have been written by ericastwilight
Current participants: ericastwilight – kyla713 – SpunkRansom101
Challenge Two - Room with a View
Edward cursed when his elbow hit the doorframe. "Hey, Swan! Where do you want this box labeled..." he looked down at the label marked "bedroom" and nearly choked when he could see lots of lace and silk from the opening. "Intimate apparel?"
A squeak came from the kitchen, making him smile. He could imagine the color rising in her pretty face. The decision to move in with his sister's best friend was the second wisest choice he'd ever made. Right after he made it his mission to make Bella Swan his.
They had met when his sister brought her home for the holidays. The poor thing had lost all her family, but gained one when she came to visit the Cullen home over a year ago.
He wanted her from that first moment he met her. She had rich, brown hair with matching eyes, a body to die for, even when it was often disguised in oversized t-shirts and hooded jackets. He was damn thankful she preferred skinny jeans— she had an amazing ass.
However, when they had first met, he'd been living on the east coast, finishing school. While she was on the west coast, with a damn boyfriend of two fucking years, one she lived with, but for some damn reason, he'd never taken her home to meet his family.
There was something fishy about that shit and Edward's suspicions were confirmed when six months after he met her, she found out the bastard had a girlfriend back home. Even then, the timing had been off, because Edward refused to be rebound guy.
It wasn't until two months earlier, when it was finally set in stone, Edward decided to move back home. Job secured, he only needed a place to stay. As he looked for apartments, he remained at his parents' house, but he needed his own space.
However, despite his new employment, he figured there was no way he'd be able to afford a nice place on his own. Things worked out one night, during one of his family's Sunday dinners, Bella had joined them, after his sister, Alice, said that the poor woman was living on a ramen noodle diet.
That damn asshole ex-boyfriend had left her to finish paying the lease of their house when she couldn't afford it. She was slowly paying it back to save her credit, while living in a shithole apartment for the last few months. And before Edward could even think about it, he asked if she'd be interested in being his roommate.
The gloating smirks on his mother's and Alice's faces confirmed that their scheme to get them together had worked. At least he had their support and approval.
It was Bella's distressed, "Oh my God," from the dining room that had him dropping the box in his haste to get to her. When he found her in the dining room, staring out a picturesque window, the look on her face was both horrified and oddly fascinated.
What the hell?
It wasn't until he turned, to see what had her so transfixed that he'd seen them. Across from their condo, was an apartment they could see into; it appeared to be a bedroom. What probably had Bella's panties up in a bunch, was the fact that there was a couple really going at it on the bed. And sitting in a chair, facing them was another man, watching them, as he stroked himself.
Smirking, Edward threw an arm across Bella's shoulders and whispered, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
He didn't think it was possible, but Bella's beautiful brown eyes widened further. He wanted to laugh out loud, knowing that she'd blush. Then again, he thought, she'd probably run and hide.
With a trembling voice, she said, "We need to get curtains?"
Edward snorted and laughed so hard that he had to brace his hands on his knees, until he looked at her sweet face. "You're serious?"
Bella merely shrugged, but he noticed how she continued to watch the scene before them from the corner of her eye. Oh, the possibility of her being a tiger in bed sparked Edward's imagination. He could certainly work with that.
She was shy at the moment, but soon enough, he'd have her right where he wanted her.
"I was thinking more along the lines of you making the popcorn while I grab something for us to sit on," Edward said simply.
Damn, those lips distracted him, watching as she licked them one by luscious one. "You want to watch?" she asked slowly, enunciating each word as if she had misunderstood.
He knew he could scare her away, but he hoped if he made it seem as if it was no big deal, that she would do the same.
It was almost like watching porn. And what guy hasn't watched porn in his lifetime? Even a second of it, even though Edward had watched his fair share, thanks to the very visual aid type of guy his cousin Emmett, was. If he heard about a new position from a friend, he researched it thoroughly, and unfortunately, Edward had to either endure Emmett's descriptions using his wife, Rose, or watch videos.
At least Edward was well versed in the Kama Sutra, he just wanted to explore all the moves he studied with Bella and put them into practice. Lots and lots of practice since it had been a long fucking school year.
"Of course," he said. "Where's the fun in watching it alone, Bella?" Then, she blushed. Why was she blushing? His eyes narrowed, and then, he realized a possible reason, he smirked. Oh she's a naughty one. "Do you have fun watching porn?"
There was the lip licking thing she did that always drove him crazy again. Then she fucking bit it! Control was quickly spiraling out of Edward's reach.
Abort! Abort!
Edward shook his head, wondering why the hell he would want to abort watching the lip biting. It would be crying shame to stop watching her lick and bite and oh, Jesus … suck on that gorgeous, perfect, pouty, kissable mouth.
Seriously, her mouth, thinking of it had gotten him through the rather tough nights for months. The way the color deepened when she bit the bottom one at the center. Or how, if she sucked in the corner, as she did often when he watched her, the tiny dimple of her right cheek would wink at him. He'd dreamed of kissing those lips, licking at them and biting into the soft center.
Edward realized that he was making her mouth sound like Freshen' Up bubble gum, the kind with the liquid center. That made him think…Do not go there! He chastised himself. Not yet, at least.
"I'll make some popcorn," she said, smiling shyly and averting her eyes.
Yes!
Edward simply returned her smile and ran toward their living room. He cursed the fact that the dining room set they bought together wouldn't arrive until the following day. His eyes surveyed the room, looking for something suitable to sit on.
There were two matching chairs but seemed rather stiff backed, very little cushion too. As if he wasn't stiff enough. He ignored the near gnawing his cock was doing in an attempt to get to Bella and all that creamy fucking skin.
How he managed to remain aloof for the visits he made over the last year, he'd never know. Then again, it couldn't have been that convincing since Alice and his mother obviously knew he wanted her. Maybe it was because he came home more in the last year than the three previous before combined.
It was damn obvious. So why was Bella so shy around him?
He had asked Alice that once, and she said that Bella had had the one fucking boyfriend, the only guy that she'd been with that way. Not that Edward wanted to think of that fucking asshole at the moment. He'd still like to find him and pound the shit out of him for hurting Bella, and a few more for being the lucky bastard to touch her first.
He made a promise to himself that he would erase all the memories of that shithead from her mind by giving her what she really needed. She deserved a man that could give her multiple orgasms in one night and that would love her unconditionally. Edward was that man.
He continued to look around the room until his eyes fell on the large round leather coffee table they had bought together, too. He smiled at the memory, and the way she laughed at her own clumsiness.
"I think this would be perfect for a coffee table," she said happily.
Edward cocked his head from side to side, looking at the furniture piece from every angle. He was a bit ashamed to say that he was imagining using it for naughty reasons, with Bella in the starring role.
"It's round," he said stupidly.
Bella rolled her eyes. "That's what makes it perfect," she said, blushing. "I fall down a lot." She rubbed at a scab on her elbow where she had scraped it the day before, laughing at her own words. "I won't bleed all over the place if I accidently hit the corner."
Edward chuckled. "No, we don't want that," he said seriously. "We'd lose our cleaning deposit." Bella glared at him, punching his arm when he started to laugh.
Edward had to hurry before the trio finished! He pushed the chaise lounge that he and Bella had picked out earlier that day.
"Why are we getting this? Don't we have enough seating?" he asked as Bella tested a tufted cream leather chaise. She wiggled on it, sliding her hands over the supple fabric. Everything she did turned Edward into a damn hazard that should have one of those flags from the home improvement stores on it, to show drivers that there are things sticking out from the back of the truck. Except in his case, it was sticking out from behind his jeans.
"I thought you said you'd like to entertain," she said. "If that's what you plan to do, a chaise is kind of sexy for that."
"I'm not bringing women over!"
Confusion swept over her face, quickly turning to embarrassment. "I see. Alice didn't tell me that you were…you know, a man-whore."
"I'm not, nor have I ever been." Edward shook his head. "I think we need to set some ground rules." He bent down closer to her, his hands resting on the chaise at each side of her head. His nose nearly touched hers as he whispered harshly, "Neither of us are allowed to have someone over for that reason, do I make myself clear?"
"Yes," she replied softly, biting her bottom lip. "No, um sleepovers, got it."
"Not just sleepovers, Bella. I mean that you are not allowed to bring a guy over just to have sex with."
"And the same rule applies to you, too? You're not allowed to bring a woman over just to have sex with."
"Of course."
"All right," she said as the corner of her mouth lifted. It almost looked like a smirk. "I have a date with Tyler. He's supposed to pick me up tomorrow, does the rule apply to that or just sex?"
"Who the fuck is Tyler?"
Bella didn't answer Edward, only smiling as she went to find a salesperson.
Was he too late?
He had to believe that he wasn't. Then again, he considered what they were about to share could open doors he hadn't thought would open for months. A twelve step plan had been made, the friendship, earning trust, the wooing, and then finally, he'd be able to make love to her – for hours at a time.
As he pushed the chaise into the empty dining room, Bella walked in with a big bowl of popcorn and two beers. Once he found the perfect spot, he checked to see what the threesome where up to. He heard Bella walk up behind them.
"Those are totally fake," she said, pointing at the trio. Edward turned to smile at her, but found her looking down at her own chest, blushing.
She curled her shoulders toward her body, covering her small breasts with her arm, laughing softly.
"They probably are, which I find unattractive," he said, shaking his head. "Plus more than a handful is a fucking waste." He turned to smile down at Bella, finding her looking up at him. "Have a seat."
"Why the chaise?" she asked, her eyes drifting toward the window again. "There's only one corner."
Edward smirked, wiggling his eyebrows. "Exactly." He sat down, spreading his legs slightly and patting the area between with his hand. "Sit right here."
Bella's eyes widened for a moment as another beautiful blush rushed to her cheeks. "Okay," she gasped. She handed him the popcorn as he opened up his arms to allow her room. Once settled, she squeaked when he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer until she sat more snuggly against him.
Edward nearly groaned out loud. He wanted to thrust his hips against her bite worthy ass, but managed to control the urge. "Should we give them names?" he asked, taking his beer from Bella.
"Sure," she said, laughing. "Her name is Natalie."
"How about the guy that's still giving it to her from behind?" He felt her wiggle against him and had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep him from moaning.
"He looks like McSteamy."
Edward groaned, "Not you, too! Fucking Grey's." His mother and sister were obsessed about the show.
Bella giggled. "The other one is Daniel."
"There a particular reason for that name?" he asked, tossing a few pieces of popcorn into his mouth. Bella had placed the bowl on her lap, which was a shame. He wanted to try testing her limits.
"He looks like the first guy I ever kissed," she said softly, watching as McSteamy stopped his hips from slapping against Natalie's ass. Slowly, he maneuvered Natalie onto her back as Daniel stood up from the chair to join them on the bed.
"How old were you?" he asked softly, brushing some of her hair from her shoulder. He felt Bella tremble as his fingertips skimmed her neck.
"I was a freshman in high school," she whispered. "He was new, kind of a loner."
"You have a thing for bad boys," he stated, laughing and pointing as Daniel spanked Natalie's ass.
"What the hell?" Bella asked, her face flushing again. Edward wanted to ask why she was blushing. Was it because she was embarrassed, or turned on?
"Considering it's a threesome," Edward said slowly. "I guess it's not too hard to imagine that they'd be into kinky stuff."
"I…" Bella gasped, her breath coming out in pants. She cocked her head to one side before shaking it. "I don't know about that."
"You saying that you and that asshole ex of yours never explored the naughtier side of sex," Edward asked warily.
She turned to look at him, cocking an eyebrow. "Do you really want to know?"
"Not really," he said seriously. "But tell me anyway."
Bella returned her attention to the scene before them. "At first, Eric treated me like spun glass," she said softly. "Never wanted to try new things. The truth is, sex with him was boring in comparison to watching this."
There was more to confession, since she'd said something about her relationship before to him. But what was unexpected was the wistfulness in her voice. Did that mean she wanted a little kink? Hello, his brain told him, she's watching other people have sex while she's sitting on your lap. What do you think?
The smirk on her face had Edward pulling her chin up to look in her eyes. "But then again, that's probably because I'm with you," she said, smiling softly.
His breath exhaled sharply as his arousal tripled; the look her eyes gave him the incentive to move forward.
"Are you saying that it's not them that has your face flushed?" His eyes wandered to her neck and chest. "That I'm the reason your heart is beating so fucking fast?" His thumb brushed her skin, feeling that steady tattoo of her pulse against it. "And your nipples peaked, waiting for my touch?" His lips touched the skin where her shoulder met her neck. "For my mouth?" She moaned as his teeth nibbled on her gently, shaking his head when she tried to turn around. "Keep watching. Describe what's happening."
"About damn time," she gasped softly. "Thought I was being too subtle."
Edward's mouth stopped, biting a little harder, as his arm curled around her. "What the hell does that mean?"
The corners of her mouth tipped up into an undeniable devilish smile. His eyes narrowed as she smirked. "Do you really think I'd ask just anybody to test a bed?"
He felt himself harden further, which he thought was not possible, as he remembered the day they went out mattress shopping.
"Remind me again, why I agreed to this?" he asked, grumbling under his breath as he held open the door for her.
"It was either you or your cousin, James," she said with a shrug. "And you're the one that volunteered. I didn't ask you to come with me." James had been ready to take her, but Edward made sure he got lost in the kitchen pantry. He was sure someone would let him out, eventually.
Edward rolled his eyes. His cousin made it clear to him and Alice that he wanted Bella for himself. And that would only happen over Edward's dead body. James was notorious for womanizing, and after what Bella had already gone through, he didn't want James within a hundred feet of her.
"Do you have an idea of how much you're willing to spend?" he asked, his eyes narrowing as a smarmy looking salesmen started toward them. The almost predatory gleam in his eyes seemed less intent on making a sale than getting Bella's number. Without giving it a second thought, his arm clasped her to his side. "Play along. See if we can get a deal."
She looked up at him in confusion and then at the salesmen as he approached with wide amused grin.
"How can I help you?" he asked, offering his hand to Bella. "I'm Alec Williams."
"Bella," she said, gasping when Edward's hand rubbed against her hip suggestively.
"I'm Edward," he said, keeping his anger under control. "My girlfriend and I are looking for a king size mattress set."
"That's quite a lot of bed," Bella said, eyeing the one nearby. "I don't think we need that much room, honey." Edward wanted to drop to his knees and thank her for playing her part so masterfully.
Taking her hand in his, he said, "We really should upgrade to a larger side."
She looked thoughtful, her nose scrunching adorably that Edward wanted to reach out and tap it with a finger. Then kiss it.
"I'll show you," she said as she walked toward the side of the bed. "Look." She shimmed into the middle of the huge mattress, laying flat on her back and then turning to her side. "Come here, hun."
Edward was confused for a bit, but took the hand she raised in invitation. She pulled him down onto the bed, instructing him to spoon up against her. It was a really bad idea since the moment she climbed onto the bed, he'd been suffering from tight-jeans-syndrome.
However, he complied, not willing to blow their cover or let the opportunity to be that close to her pass him by.
"Now," she whispered from her position, pulling his arm around her to her lay on her stomach. "This is how we usually fall asleep, right?"
Edward only nodded, fighting to calm his ragged breath. The feel of her gorgeous ass against his groin had his heart rate going through the roof.
"See," she spread her arm out, not even reaching the edge of the mattress. "Why would we need so much bed?"
Edward's breath exhaled sharply before he said, "I see your reasoning." He pulled her infinitesimally closer, inhaling the enticing scent of her hair and skin. "But having more room on the bed could allow a wealth of opportunities."
"Opportunities?" she breathed, her hand unconsciously leading his over her stomach to just beneath the edge of her breast.
"To explore positions," he murmured, glaring as the asshole salesman adjusted himself.
"Oh," she squeaked, blushing and warming against his body.
Edward's smile twisted in a wry grin when he shook his head, cocking an eyebrow. "Now that I think back, you were not being very subtle."
She grinned and pressed her lips to his jaw. "I wanted to be sure you really wanted me, and not just for booty calls."
"That's not all I want from you," he said, nipping gently on her bottom lip. "I've wanted you since –"
Before he could continue, they both heard the unmistakable sound of his family coming down the hall of their floor. Their eyes both widened.
"Fuck," he hissed, looking at the time on his watch.
"I can't believe we forgot," she murmured, horrified that Natalie, Daniel and McSteamy seemed to have gotten a second wind.
Edward knew she'd be mortified and the front door of their condo was not locked. He didn't give Bella a chance to say anything further. He jumped off the chaise, tossing his beer and hers onto her lap, grabbed a hold of the end of the furniture and pushed with all his strength and speed.
As the front door swung wide open, Edward had just enough time to launch himself on the couch, his beer in his hand.
"We're here," Alice said, holding a couple of pizza boxes. "We got food!" Her eyes landed on Edward, seemingly waiting for some sort of response.
The only thing that Edward wanted to say was "Fucking cockblocker," but managed to keep it from slipping out. His gaze turned to Bella, who still looked flustered, surprised and downright edible. Her eyes were wide, her mouth open in an alluring round shape that brought cock twitching images into his thoughts.
"Thanks, Alice," he finally said, turning his grimace into a half-smile. "Who came with you?"
Emmett pushed his way past Alice with more pizzas. "Rosalie and Jasper are bringing up the rear." He placed the boxes on the coffee table, taking a look around. When his gaze landed on Bella, he grinned gleefully. "There's my Bellibear."
She shook her head immediately, trying in vain to get away from Edward's bear of a cousin. Emmett had been on a mission since he met her— to get her to blush as much as possible.
"Don't you start," she whimpered softly, her eyes looking toward the dining room. It was her first mistake. They all knew they wouldn't get their dining room set until the following week, so her gaze drew Emmett's attention.
"What's the matter?" he asked, looking both concerned and evil.
Her eyes snapped toward him and landed on Edward. He managed to shake his head before she said, "Nothing. Nothing."
Edward groaned internally. Her answer would only fuel Emmett's curiosity, which he was proven correct when his cousin started to walk toward the room. Bella jumped up from the chaise and asked if anyone wanted a beer while she grabbed the paper plates.
Edward could see Emmett's eyes narrow, before saying he'd have a beer. Bella looked too relieved and the moment her back was turned, Emmett flew into the dining room.
"No!" Bella cried out in vain.
"Fucking hell," Emmett said loudly, getting everyone's attention. "Did you two know there's a threesome going on across from your window?"
"What?" Jasper said, dropping a pile of DVDs and munchies on the couch. Before Edward or Bella could utter another protest, the rest of his family congregated in the dining room.
"Holy shit," Rosalie said, laughing. "Do they have any idea they're being watched?"
"Oh my God," Alice said, looking away. "That's gotta hurt."
Emmett laughed and waggled in eyebrows. "Hurts real good, according to the look on her face."
"I find it hard to believe that you're watching her face," Rosalie, his wife said. "They have to know that they're being watched."
"Looks like they're almost done," Emmett said. "Damn, they're really giving it to her, aren't they?"
Mortified, Bella and Edward looked at their family watching the trio. Edward turned to Bella and offered her a small smile. "How long do you think it'll take to get rid of them?"
She sighed, shaking her head. "The last time we got together for pizza and movies, everyone left Jasper's at two in the morning."
"Fuck," Edward hissed, closing the distance between them. He kept an eye on his family, who continued to run a commentary on the trio's sexual calisthenics. Keeping only a mere inch between them, he touched her face, brushing her cheek with a fingertip. "I hope we'll continue our conversation later?"
She licked her mouth, drawing his gaze to the tip of her tongue that slid across her bottom lip. He groaned and pressed his thumb to the area. "You need to stop doing things like that."
She bit the tip of his thumb, making him hiss in response. Her dark eyebrow rose along with a corner of her mouth. "Oh yeah?" she said, taking the last step between them. He felt the rise and fall of her breasts against his chest. "Is me doing this," she licked her mouth again, "making it harder?"
"God, yes," he moaned softly, stepping back. "Very hard, so stop that." She cocked her head, blushing as her gaze fell to his crotch.
Thankfully, his sister allowed him the breathing room he needed to retreat. It wasn't the time to fulfill one or two of his fantasies, the kind that plagued him since he first laid eyes on Bella. There would be a chance later, to talk, kiss and to feel all those beautiful curves against him.
"Hey, guys," Alice said as she stepped back into the living room. "Did you know what you can see from the window?" She pointed over her shoulder with a thumb, and then turned to see Edward and Bella quickly step further apart. She cocked an eyebrow, waiting for one of them to say something.
"Um, yeah," Bella said nervously, a light blush rushed to her cheeks. "That's why I didn't want Emmett to walk in there."
Alice grinned, rolling her eyes. "You need to learn to spice up your life," she teased Bella, only serving to make her blush more. "Who knows, maybe you'll learn a thing or two." Bella turned away from Edward's sister and said she had to make a call in her room.
Edward turned toward Alice and glared. "Real good, sis," he hissed. "Didn't she tell you that her asshole ex of hers said she was a bit of a prude and a cold fish?"
Alice's eyes widened as she shook her head. "She never told me. I would've never teased her." By then, everyone else had managed to catch their conversation.
Edward sighed, nodding. "I know," he said. "I don't think she wanted anyone to know what that asshole said to her. She had let it slip when we went out for lunch after looking at a few places together."
"We won't say shit, cuz," Emmett said and then smirked. "You dropped something in the dining room." He tossed several pieces of popcorn at Edward, laughing softly so not to alert Bella. "I take it the ex was way off?"
Edward shrugged, running his hand through his hair. "Big time."
"Should we go?" Alice asked, looking down the hallway.
"Nah," Edward said. "If you do, she'll think it's only because…you know."
"That's not all you want from her, right?" Jasper asked a little menacingly. Ever since Bella had become a part of the family and circle of friends, they'd been as protective of her as Edward was.
"No," Edward growled. "Haven't I made that real clear the last ten times you all asked me? I like her, really like her. The last few weeks have been amazing getting to know her. I think she wants what I want, too."
Alice smiled, nearly squealing as she wrapped her arms around Edward. "I knew you were perfect for each other."
"Yeah," Edward murmured, hugging his sister tightly. "We are." He pulled away and grabbed a slice of a pizza. "Stick around for a movie and pizza. Hopefully, I can entice her to come out of hiding with this."
The others piled slices on their plates, each grabbing drinks from as Edward knocked on Bella's bedroom door. "Bella?" he said as he walked into the room. Their gazes met, she stood at the foot of her bed, completely fucking topless.
He dropped the pizza, mouth agape, staring at all that skin.
"Usually people wait until they're invited inside after a knock," Bella chastised, throwing on a camisole. When Edward had yet to say a word or move, she walked toward him. "Edward?"
He groaned and grasped her face, pressing his lips on hers. Desperation drove the kiss, but lust ignited them both, as hands, mouths and tongues explored. Her fingers curled in his hair, while his curved to cup her breasts. The same ones he admired for only a few seconds, but gave him a glimpse of what she looked like. His imagination had fallen short, he never imagined how utterly perfect she was for him.
"We can't," Bella said breathlessly as Edward trailed kissed along her jaw. "They're waiting for us."
Edward groaned, nodding, yet continuing to taste her beautiful neck and shoulder. "Yeah," he gasped. "We need to go back out there." She moaned, pulling him back to hers, sampling his lips with the edge of her teeth and the tip of her tongue. Torched, seared, burned was what her kiss felt like on his mouth.
It was Edward that put the space between their eager bodies, but his lips still nibbled on hers. "Fucking hell," he groaned, pulling away. "Later. We'll continue this later." He averted his gaze since he knew one look at her half-lidded eyes, kiss-swollen lips and flushed skin; he'd take what he so desperately wanted. "Let's go now."
At the door, Bella looked over her shoulder at him. She smirked, cocking an eyebrow. "You may want to make a detour to the bathroom, give yourself a chance to…will it away." She laughed as she exited with a sexy sway of her hips.
Prude my ass, Edward thought. Eric was an idiot.
~oOo~
The night was turning into a torture of epic portions for Edward. He didn't take a chance to sit anywhere near Bella, who settled on the chaise, knowing her scent and her proximity would drive him crazy. It hadn't worked, the distance. Instead, the sly glances and soft touches here and there had his blood burning. He watched her through dinner and the first movie, one he hadn't a clue what it was about.
It wasn't until the middle of the second movie that it was obvious their guests were overstaying their welcome. He knew Bella wouldn't appreciate him kicking them out, but watching her rubbing her arms or legs unconsciously drove him to distraction. He wanted his hands to run along her curves, warm her with his touch.
Instead, he was watching some stupid movie with his cousin sitting beside him. After something exploded on the screen, he tried to pay attention since it obvious that they wouldn't leave until it was over.
A little over an hour later, the movie over, everyone started to clean up, except for Bella. "Shit," he groaned softly as he made his way over to her sleeping form.
Emmett whistled. "Sorry, Eddie."
Jasper slapped Edward's back. "Our bad."
Rosalie and Alice shook their heads, smiling at Edward. "They said they owed you for all the cock-blocking over the last few years."
Edward glared at them, pointing toward the door. "Out," he hissed. "I'm sure you'll stop by again later."
Emmett snickered under his breath, offering Edward some friendly advice. "If I were you, I might hold off for the moment. You wouldn't want things to end prematurely." Edward growled, practically booting them out the door. It had been a long and painful night, so he was in no mood to be nice.
Plus, his cousin was right.
If something happened after putting Bella in bed, in all likelihood, he'd come like a pubescent boy inside of a girl for the first time. Edward cringed, remembering his first time. It was awkward and over in under a minute.
Perhaps, it would be best to regroup.
As he closed the door behind his family and friends, he locked up and walked back to the chaise where Bella lay asleep. Kneeling again beside her, he twisted a curl of her hair around his finger. He had always wondered what it would feel like to have all that hair draped over his chest, stomach or his thighs.
Unable to resist touching her skin, he brushed the tip of his finger along her shoulder. He watched as it moved toward the thin strap of the lacy blue camisole, the same one that tortured him all night. The way the lacy edge lovingly fell forward anytime she bent to grab something from the table or the bowl of popcorn in someone's lap. She'd covered up some in a small throw blanket he'd given her a gift the day before, but the tiny flashes of skin he'd seen every time she moved teased him into such need.
However, as she slept peacefully, beautifully on their chaise, he knew he couldn't wake her. It would be too selfish of him; there would be time for all that soon enough. He'd make sure of it.
Edward carefully swept Bella in his arms. Her head rested along his shoulder as she mumbled his name in her sleep. Slowly, he made the way to her bedroom, laying her on the left side of the bed. He slipped her comforter over her, kissing her forehead before forcing himself out of the room.
It was going to be a long night.
~oOo~
Edward woke up the following morning, disoriented and horny. He blamed his dreams and the woman in the adjacent bedroom.
Would she pretend nothing happened?
God, he hoped not. Climbing out of bed, he peeked out into the hallway to find the apartment relatively quiet. He pressed an ear on Bella's door, listening for any evidence that she was awake. Hearing nothing, he made his way to the bathroom to take a quick shower and brush his teeth.
The apartment had two bathrooms, one in the hallway and one as part of a master suite. Being the gentleman he was, Edward had given Bella the master suite. Then again, if he'd taken it, there would've been chances to see her coming out of the other bathroom, fresh out of shower.
Damn his manners.
He quickly scrubbed away the sleepiness and a hard day of moving from his body, ignoring his erection for a bit. He knew had to take care of it, but he held off for as long as he could. Finally, he indulged in some of his favorite Bella fantasies and jacked off to very nice images, enhanced by the peek he had of her real breasts the night before.
Once finished, he slipped back into his sleep pants and padded across the hall to his bedroom. At the door, he heard the sounds of Bella puttering around in the kitchen. Excitement sizzled in his blood, that he bypassed his bedroom and went to seek her out instead.
By the time he entered the kitchen, he'd come up with a possible thing to say, something that wouldn't send her hiding behind her long hair. Whatever had come to mind, however, was lost the moment he caught a glimpse of her.
He was positive that his tongue had rolled onto the floor. Bella was clothed in those sexy but terribly named boy shorts in black with the same silk camisole she had worn the night before. Her ass, the one he thought he should erect a shrine to, had the bottom curves peeking from beneath of the hem of her panties.
His mouth had suddenly gone dry.
"Are you hungry?" she asked, though she hadn't turned to look at him.
"Fucking starving," he groaned. Though the hunger he felt had little to do with food.
"Come and give me a hand, please," she said, tossing a smile over her shoulder. Her eyes widened the moment they met his chest. He smirked, waiting as her perusal of his body caressed him. With an arched brow and amused grin, he ran his hand down his chest and lightly scratched his stomach.
Her beautiful brown eyes followed his hand, her mouth falling open from a small gasp. Edward hummed, "Smells good." He walked over, plucking the spatula from her frozen hand, flipping the chocolate chip pancake on the griddle.
"Set the snack bar," he said gently, using his hip to snap her out of her momentary silence. "It's the only place we can eat." She started, nodding quickly. Edward smiled as he plated the pancake and used the last of the batter in the bowl nearby.
"We need to hurry," Bella said, grabbing some orange juice from the fridge. "The furniture store just called, the dining room set should be here in about forty-five minutes."
That information made Edward's smile fall. What was with all the cockblockers? he thought bitterly.
"And I still have to get dressed," she continued, unaware of the sudden tension in Edward.
"Hell yes you do," he said, growling at the thought of someone else looking at her. "Walking around in something like that while they come to set up would not be a good idea."
"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"
She's kidding, right? Edward finished up with the pancakes and turned off the stove. The slightly amused expression on Bella's face looked very much liking she was teasing.
"Oh, I don't know," he said, stalking toward her. The corners of his mouth slid up into a smile again as he looked at the way her mouth parted and her breath hitched; her widened gaze and the nipples that had become noticeable beneath the silk of her top. That naked desire, tinged with the slightest hint of fear called out the hunter in him.
It was only natural that he pounced the moment she was within reach. She squealed and giggled as his fingers spanned around her hips, lifting her onto their kitchen island countertop. The juice bottle in her hands, bounced onto the floor as her hands wound around his shoulders.
Breathless, anticipation sizzling through his veins, Edward looked into eyes and smiled. "Hi."
She rolled her eyes, toying with the crown of his ears and lacing her fingers through his hair. "Hi," she said.
His hands gentle, but sure, brushed her hair from her face, watching as it cascaded over her shoulder. "Do you have any idea how long I waited for this?" he asked softly.
"About as long as I tried to deny it," she said with a shrug. His confused expression softened her expression, coaxing her to elaborate. "I wanted you from the first time I laid eyes on you. Even though, by then, Eric and I were having trouble, I denied my feelings because of I felt guilty."
"He didn't deserve you, Bella," Edward said, smoothing as hand up her neck. "I guess, in a way, I understand why you felt guilty, because I did too, for wanting someone that was taken and waiting patiently for it to fail. That probably makes me sound like an asshole, but I couldn't help it. I wanted you."
Her hand enclosed around his where it cradled her neck. "I went to visit him during his trip home to break it off," she said. "I couldn't pretend anymore."
He nodded. It was after a brief encounter at his parents' house that she suddenly left to see her boyfriend, only to return the same night, seemingly heartbroken and weary.
"I shouldn't have looked at you like that," Edward said, kissing her line of her jaw softly. "It was the power of the music, the tears in your eyes from something I played, and just I couldn't hide it anymore."
"I know," she whispered.
"You did?" he asked, pulling away enough to see the honesty in her eyes. "Then why?"
"I wasn't ready at the time to step into a new relationship. And even though I went to end it with Eric that day, I still found him in bed with someone else. Worse, he'd been doing it the entire course of our relationship."
"You were worried I'd do the same?"
"Then? Maybe." She cringed when he pulled away a little further. "You were this gorgeous man, who was a little arrogant and knew how to wield his powers over women to get what he wanted. I'd seen you in action, remember?"
He did remember. They had all gone to dinner and he used his charms with the hostess to get them a fantastic table. "What I was trying to do was impress you." He scowled. "But I dug my own grave."
She laughed. "Don't worry. That opinion didn't last long. I'd seen you with your family and how you treated me. Once I realized that you were nothing like Eric, I started to try to find a way to see if you were still interested. Nothing freaking worked, though."
Edward grinned and brushed his lips against hers. "I blame you. I was too distracted by your lips."
"Yeah?" she murmured against his mouth, catching his bottom lip with her teeth.
He groaned, pulling her bottom closer to the edge of the counter. "Hell yeah," he gasped when his hands ran up her beautiful thighs. "Fuck." The word was mostly a hiss of pleasure. She had the softest, warmest skin. "Your eyes didn't help, either."
He felt her smile against his mouth, growling at her playful giggle. "Any chance this distracted you, too?" she asked, taking his hand from her thigh, leading it over her hip, along the small dimples on her lower back before settling it on her ass.
"Oh, fuck," he groaned. Fantasies, erotic dreams and all his wild daydreams couldn't compare the feel of her beneath his palms. "The biggest distraction of them all."
"That's not exactly a compliment," she said, laughing when he bit her lips.
"Shush," he murmured. "I'm trying to seduce you. I must not be doing a good job."
Bella pulled away enough to look him in the eye. "All I ask is that you be yourself," she said, tracing his lips with the tip of her finger. "Now, come here and show me how really feel."
Edward growled again, rocking his erection between her thighs. "I feel hard, desperate, hot, and I'm so fucking in love with you," he said with urgency. "I can't wait any longer, baby."
She nodded and gasped when his arms formed a cage around her, rocking her against him. "Edward," she moaned in his ear, her fingers digging into his back and shoulder as her head fell back. "Oh God, more, please." Edward cradled the back of her neck, wanting to feel her warm, wet breath against his skin. He groaned loudly as her lips sealed over his neck.
Feverish hands pulled and pushed clothes off. Both laughed when her toes yanked Edward's sleep pants off, but moaned when his erection met the flushed wet skin between her thighs. "Christ," he hissed, bucking closer, desperate to feel all of her.
"Edward," she cried out as his fingers dug into her hips. "Please." He growled, trying to control himself, instead of taking her on the counter like an animal. She deserved better, he reminded himself. She must have felt his hesitance, because instead of encouraging him to take her to bed, she tightened her thighs around him, the heels of her feet urging him forward.
"Don't," she moaned. "Right here, let me feel you right here."
"Oh God," he hissed, kissing her deeply, slipping just inside her, widening his stance. "Condom?" He'd seen her pills before, a mortifying experience for them both, better left for another time to think about. Bella shook her head, her thighs shifting along his hips, to bring him in deeper.
Edward's mouth pulled away from hers, so that he could see into her eyes, holding that gaze. Inch by inch, he slipped further inside her, tension coiled in every muscle throughout his body and hers trembled. She pressed her forehead against his, looking between them, only serving to make him growl.
"Finally," she gasped as his hips met hers fully. Edward nodded, reveling in the feel of her. He felt her fingers curl in his hair again, as her lips nibbled his ear. "Love me. Show me who I belong to."
Edward nearly expired at her words and the clench of her muscles around him. "Mine," he grunted, pulling out to the tip of his erection, teasing her before driving inside. She cried out his name with every thrust, and moaned at his whispered words of praise, love and pleasure.
Her body tensed in his arms, lifting from the counter before she screamed. Edward groaned, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from climaxing. It was too soon; he wanted more, to hold out longer. As Bella's arms circled around him, still quaking as he hit deep inside her, once, twice, exploding when she whimpered in his ear, "I love you."
Breathless, he held her as he fell back in one of the stools nearby. Her lips danced along his shoulder as his explored her beautiful face. Even in the bright light from the dining room window, to see her sweat-slicked hair, flushed face, it seemed like a dream to him.
"Tell me I'm not still dreaming," he said, brushing strands across forehead, weaving behind her ear.
"Not a dream." She smiled and kissed his lips fully. "We should get dressed." He groaned at the reminder; the furniture movers would be there soon. Nodding, he helped her to her feet, basking at the freedom to touch her. His hands smoothed over her thighs as she shifted to find her panties and top.
"Damn, Bella," he hissed at the sight of her bending over. She giggled, slapping at his hands as he tried to pull her back to him. She ran, leaving him shocked and ready for another round in any room of their condo. He was on his feet and on her heels as they raced through the dining room.
From the corner of his eye, he could see something that made him cringe. At the window of the trio they'd seen the night before, he found them waving. Edward turned to see where he and Bella had just been and knew they'd seen everything. He heard her footsteps, before he could stop her.
"What's wrong?" she asked, but gasped when she saw what he was looking at. Her eyes were wide, her hands immediately covering her breasts.
As he pushed her out of view, Edward grumbled, "We're definitely going for curtains later today."
AN: betaed by kyla713. Like this ending, check out the other participants listed above. Thanks!