I have to give a special thanks to Projectteambeta and their betas, Duskwatcher and Multicolouredeyes, for their very valuable input into this chapter.
I would also like to thank my pre-reader, EveryDayBella, for her endless assistance with this story.
As always, I do not own Twilight. I wish I did. All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer
Chapter 3
Today was a much better day. I knew it from the moment I woke up. I just felt it. It was like there had been a giant shift in the cosmos in my favor, and all the problems from earlier in the week didn't matter anymore. All my nerves over the physical assessment test seemed to vanish. I knew that I would perform well today. And here I stood, having only one assessment left—the 300-meter sprint. I had already completed the mile-and-a-half run, running it in just over eleven minutes—my personal best—without tripping or falling, earning an eight out of ten possible points. I'd felt high as a kite after that. I'd performed well on the push-ups and sit-up assessments, earning myself another seven points. I had already exceeded the required minimum points to pass, but I still wanted to perform well on the sprint.
I stood along the side of the track with a small group of trainees, waiting my turn to run the sprint. Mike, Ben and Angela had already completed their assessment, easily reaching the required twelve points to pass. Tyler was currently on the track getting ready to start. I was in one of the last groups to go. I bent over to touch my toes, stretching my back and legs, when I saw two tennis shoe clad feet plant themselves right in front of me. As I lifted myself back into an upright position, I found myself face to face with a grinning Eric Yorkie.
I'm sure I grimaced in return. I couldn't help it. I didn't like him at all. Eric Yorkie was a little prick who thought he was entitled. His father was pretty high up in the Bureau and had a lot of pull, and Eric used it to his advantage as often as possible.
"Hey, Bella."
"Hi, Yorkie," I answered, wondering what he wanted with me.
"So, um, you're doing pretty well today."I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
"Yes, I am." I peered over his shoulder to see how soon before it would be my turn to do the sprint so I could ditch him. Damn, there are still two more groups ahead of me.
"I hear you want to be on the Volturi case?" I began to grow suspicious. Yorkie always had a motive for everything he did, and I was sure this was no different.
"That's pretty common knowledge."
"Yeah, well, my dad thought that might be a good case for me too." What? Crap, crap, crap, CRAP! I knew that Banner would only be taking one recruit onto the team, if any at all. If Yorkie had it, I was out. Shit. I tried to keep the emotions off my face, but inside I wanted to scream and pull my hair out.
"I didn't even know you were interested in it."
"Well, that's the thing. I'm not, really. But you know it would look good on my career resume. However," he paused, and I could see the wheels turning in his head. This wasn't going to be good. "I could tell my dad that you'd be a better fit, since, well, you want it more than I do." I narrowed my eyes in his direction. Yep, I didn't like where this was going at all.
"I don't really understand. I mean, it'd be great if you put in a good word for me, but why?"
"Oh, you know," he said as he reached out and rubbed my arm. I turned my gaze to follow the movement of his hand, feeling completely creeped out by the touch of his fingers on my arm. "I like to do nice things." He wanted something from me. I could feel it. I turned my gaze away from his slimy hand and glared at him. "Say, since we have the weekend off, I thought maybe you and I could go and have some dinner. You know, to celebrate the assessments and all." He took a step closer to me, and my whole body stiffened.
Oh my God, he is blackmailing me to get me to go out with him! No, no, no, no! That is not going to happen!
"Oh, well, thanks for the offer, but I already have plans tonight. I'm heading out with Angela, Mike and rest of the gang. We've been planning it for a while. "
"Oh, where are you going? Maybe I could meet up with you?" He gave me a very smug smile. I could tell he thought he had this in the bag. I could feel his whole hand rubbing along my arm now, and I had just about had enough. I was sure he thought, with sufficient persuasion, I would give in and say yes. I was desperately trying to find a way out of this situation, when I heard my name being called.
"Swan, Johnson, and Nemeth, you're up!" Salvation!
"Gotta go. I'll talk to you later after assessments." Not. I quickly jogged over to the track to get into position for my sprint.
"On your mark, get set, go!" I took off, running as hard as I could, pushing my muscles as much as they would go.
"Swan, 54.6 seconds." Yes! That added another five points to my total. Overall, I did great on my assessments, and I was glad to have them behind me. It was time to celebrate, sans Yorkie.
Later that night, I was in Angela's car, riding over to the bar. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders, and I could really relax for a change. I had been so worked up over completing the physical assessment, it was nice to have it behind me. Once we arrived at the pub, we made our way over to our usual table. Mike, Tyler, and Ben were already there. However, instead of pitchers of beer, there were shots. Yep, it was going to be a good night.
"Finally." Mike said with mock exasperation in his voice. "We've been waiting for you guys forever. We've already had our shots, but we have these little beauties waiting just for you." He grinned at us both and waved his hand across the shots as if presenting them to us. Angela squealed and plopped down in the nearest chair, grabbing a shot from the group on the table. I sat down between her and Mike and reached out for one of my own.
"What kind of shots are these?" I asked as I held one up to my nose. Tequila, oh boy.
"Tequila," Mike confirmed at the same moment my nose identified the clear fluid. He slid over the saltshaker and a bowl of lemon slices. "You guys have those; we have another round on the way, along with a couple of pitchers of beer."
"Mike, are you trying to get me drunk tonight?" I teased.
"Absolutely," he replied, reaching his arm around the back of my chair and hugging my shoulders. He handed me the saltshaker, and I proceeded to lick my hand and douse it with salt.
"Here's to kicking ass on our assessments." Angela raised her drink up in the air to clink it with mine. I grinned, tapped my shot glass to hers and poured it down my throat. I quickly grabbed a lemon wedge to cut the burn in my mouth. I grinned wickedly once I had finished the shot, ready for another. And, as if reading my mind, the waitress walked up with a tray full of tequila shots.
"Uh, Mike, this is more like two rounds of shots. You are definitely trying to get me drunk."
"Yeah, well, we're celebrating, and lord knows you seem to have needed it this week." I couldn't argue with him there. "Besides, this is likely our last time out before the program ends in six weeks."
We all downed the next two shots and then began on the pitchers of beer that the waitress brought over. After about the second beer, I was feeling mighty toasty and definitely had to use the ladies room. "I'll be right back. Nature calls." I stood from the table and instantly felt light-headed from the alcohol. I would have to watch my footing on the way to the bathroom.
I worked my way through the already crowded bar to the restrooms. When I got there, my spirits fell. How on earth does the line to the ladies room get this long this early in the night? There had to be at least eight girls in line outside the restroom and a few more inside as well. I took my place in line to wait, while enviously staring at the door to the unused men's room. It took thirty minutes for me to wait and finally relieve myself.
After I had checked myself in the small mirror in the bathroom and determined that everything was still in place, I headed back out to the bar to join my group. About half way there, I caught sight of our table. Jessica had finally shown up, and was currently perched in Mike's lap with his lips attached to her neck. Great, now I have to deal with their drunken PDA. As my eyes wandered over to the other side of the table, they nearly bugged out of my head. There was Angela kissing Ben. What did I miss while I was in the bathroom? Everyone except Angela knew Ben had a huge crush on her. I guessed she'd finally figured it out. I didn't see Tyler anywhere at the table, so I scanned across the bar to see if I could spot him. I didn't want to be the only single person at a table filled with kissing couples.
It took just a second to spot him at the next table, talking to none other than Eric Yorkie. Great, this is just what I needed. I either hung out with Tyler and Eric, or became a fifth wheel with the others. Just as I was deciding which would be the lesser of two evils, Yorkie turned his head and saw me watching them. He must have gotten the wrong idea, because a salacious grin spread across his face and he tried to give me a "come hither" look. Eww, no!
I had to get out of his line of sight fast and figure out how to salvage this evening. I turned around to head back to the bar to order a drink, when I smacked right into a rather tall and firm body.
"Fuck! Watch out!" I heard him exclaim. He was holding a pitcher of beer and a couple of glasses, and I watched in slow motion as he tried to maneuver the pitcher to prevent it from spilling all over both of us.
"Oh, shit! I'm sorry," I blurted out as I grabbed onto his shirt to keep myself from falling right on my ass. As my eyes scanned up, I was stunned to find the gorgeous face of the very man who had occupied my thoughts for the last week. What are the odds? I watched as his eyes widened with surprise and then recognition.
"It's not a problem, definitely not a problem," he said. I just stared at him, completely unable to make a coherent word come out of my mouth. "I've seen you before," he added, as he looked at me knowingly. Then his face split into a humorous grin. Crap, yes he has. Of course he would remember me. Who could forget the bumbling idiot who runs into things and falls down a lot? I was mortified.
"Uh." was about all I could get out of my mouth. I was sure I was looking much like a ripe tomato about now. He chuckled at my response.
"No worries. We all have our moments." He smiled at me then broke our gaze as he looked over to the table where my friends were sitting, motioning with his hand in that direction. "Looks like your boyfriend found someone else?" It came out more like a question than a statement.
Huh? I turned back around to see what he was talking about. The scene looked the same, except Yorkie was looking disappointed. "What do you mean?" I asked.
"The blonde, on his lap," he said, gesturing towards the table.
Does he mean Mike?
"Oh, he's not my boyfriend," I replied.
"Yeah, I get that now." He chuckled again as he looked down at me out of the corner of his eye. "And, how about the other hopeful looking one over there?" This time he gestured slightly to the right toward Tyler and Eric.
"Definitely not."
A mischievous grin returned to his face as he studied me. He nodded his head slightly as if agreeing with some internal thought in his mind, and his grin widened lighting up his whole face. I was momentarily stunned.
"Well, that's perfect. You'll need a beer. Here, hold this," he commanded, placing the pitcher and glasses in my hands. I obediently did as he asked, while he reached back over the bar to grab another glass. I was completely confused by his behavior, but still perfectly willing to go along with it. As soon as he had grabbed the additional glass, he took the pitcher and glasses out of my hands and grinned at me. "Now, follow me," he commanded again.
Okay. I think would follow him to the moon if he asked.
I gently grabbed onto the back of his shirt as I followed him through the crowded bar. I could feel the firm muscles of his back through his shirt, and I wondered if his skin was soft there. I honestly felt like I was in some strange alternate universe. Yesterday, I had made a complete fool of myself in front of this man and thought I would never see him again. Yet, here I was following him to his table. I knew I was being a bit foolish. I really should be more wary, but this felt so right, like this was where I was always supposed to be—with him. I wasn't about to turn back now. He made his way around the corner to a quieter spot with several small tables.
"Edward, about fucking time you got back with the beer." Edward, is that his name? It's odd, but fits. I peered around Edward to see a young man sitting at one of the smaller tables. He looked to be about the same age as Edward, with sandy brown hair and startling blue eyes. He stood up to take the pitcher from Edward and noticed me standing behind him. "Oh, and who's this?" he asked Edward casting a knowing look his way.
Edward turned and looked over to me. "Riley, this is . . ." He bent down next to my ear and whispered, "What's your name?"
"Bella," I whispered back.
"Bella!" he exclaimed, as if he knew all along. I couldn't help but chuckle lightly under my breath. Edward then pulled another chair over to our table and indicated for me to have a seat, which I did happily.
"Hey, nice to meet you." Riley reached over and grabbed the pitcher and began pouring beer into the glasses, handing me the first one. "So, how do you know Edward here?"
"Uh, I don't, really." I looked over at Edward, who was grinning at me. "We just seem to keep running into each other." As I finished my statement, both Edward and I began to chuckle at the same time.
"Bella, here, is training at the FBI." Edward stated, then leaned over to me and whispered in my ear again. "You are training at the FBI, right?" I nodded in response.
"Ha, a newbie. I remember those days," said Riley.
"You're both agents?" I asked. Well, I'd already guessed Edward was an agent.
"No, not me," Riley responded. "I started out in the Academy, but quit about half-way through. I realized being an agent wasn't really my thing."
"Riley, here," Edward added, "now works as an independent contractor for the FBI, the CIA, Homeland Security, and the military. Guess he didn't want to get bogged down with just the FBI."
"Is that how you two know each other? From training together?" I asked, as I took a sip of my beer.
"Nah," Riley replied. "We go way back. We were roommates at Dartmouth, and have been raising hell ever since." He and Edward smiled, clinking their glasses together and taking a gulp of their beer. "Somehow this fuckhead convinced me to follow him into FBI. It didn't take long to realize that I was not cut out for that shit. The tech stuff was cool, but the guns and law enforcement side of it—not my thing."
"But that's the best part," I blurted out.
"Ah, a girl after my own heart," Edward replied, as he raised his beer glass in the air. "Here's to shooting guns and taking out the bad guys." We all raised our drinks and downed our beers, and that is how the majority of the night went. I listened to Riley and Edward banter back and forth about their days in college and at the FBI. They were obviously long time friends. It felt strange to be sitting here with Edward. I hardly knew him, and yet, he was so friendly and open. I was completely at ease with him, which wasn't often the case with someone I had just met. It made me even more attracted to him, as if that were possible.
As the evening wore on, I had no idea how much time was passing. We drank, they talked, and I sat and listened with the most ridiculous grin on my face. I honestly hadn't had more fun in a very long time. They were absolutely crazy. I couldn't remember how many pitchers we had finished off by this point, but it was a few for sure, and we were all giddy.
"Ha, Edward, tell her about the time you were running naked . . . down the . . ." Riley was laughing so hard he couldn't finish his sentence. We had been laughing at the stories of all the outlandish things they did in college and training. It seemed as though Edward usually got the brunt of most of the pranks they played on each other, and I could see this one would be no different.
"Fuck, no, don't tell her about that."
"Oh, Bella, you have to hear this one." Riley composed himself and smirked, as Edward ducked his head into his hands and groaned. "Like idiots, we had been drinking in the middle of the day to celebrate the end of midterms and Edward had completely passed out. Somehow the rest of us got this brilliant idea that it would be damn funny to chain Edward to a flagpole in his underwear. So, we get him to the flagpole and strip him down to his boxers. Well, about this time the fucker wakes up, and the guys are trying to chain him through his boxers to the flagpole."
"There are a bunch of sorority girls all hanging out laughing their asses off. So we get the chain through his boxers and now Edward is fighting like a mad man. We finally get the chain around the flagpole and lock it, when Edward manages to rip his boxes clean off from struggling so hard to get away. Now, he's just standing there, bare ass naked, in front of all these girls. So what does he do? The fucker starts running down the street, totally naked, at rush hour."
"My God, you didn't." My eyes nearly bugged out of my head as I envisioned Edward running down the street completely naked. I had to admit, a big part of me wished I had been there too. I am sure it was a glorious sight to see.
"If he'd just accepted his fate, the worst part of it would've been him standing there in his boxers chained to a flagpole. Now the whole world saw him flapping in the wind. I don't know how the cops didn't catch him." Riley's laughter returned and Edward looked thoroughly embarrassed, but still laughed along with him. He reached over and shoved Riley in the shoulder, nearly knocking him out of his chair.
"Yeah, thanks fucker," he muttered, shaking his head. Just as Riley straightened up in his seat, his phone began to ring.
"That'll be Courtney," he said as he answered his phone. Edward turned and mouthed "his wife" to me. As Riley spoke with his wife, I noticed that the bar was beginning to thin out a little. I had no idea how much time had passed, and I am sure my friends were wondering where I was. I began to pull my phone out of my purse to text them and let them know I was still around, but Riley finished his call and began talking to us before I found it.
"Well, it's time for me to get going. Courtney's gonna swing by and pick me up. Edward, do you need a ride? Bella?"
"No, man. I think I am going to stick around for a bit longer, that is . . ." he paused and shifted his gaze to me, "if Bella will keep me company?" Edward stared at me with very hopeful look on his face. How could I say no to that? So, I just nodded yes. He looked back up to Riley. "My hotel is just a few blocks away. I can walk."
I watched as Riley got up and gathered his jacket. He grabbed his glass off the table and downed what was left of his beer. Edward stood and gave Riley a parting hug. I realized then that Edward was talking about his hotel, and it finally hit me that he wasn't assigned to a job here. I honestly think I knew this in the back of my mind the whole time, and their conversation certainly hinted at it more than once.
"Take care, man," Riley said to Edward before turning to me. "Bella, it was a pleasure. I hope to see you again, and good luck in the FBI."
"Thanks. I had a lot of fun hanging out with you tonight, too."
"Alright, be good kids," Riley replied as he began to make his way around the neighboring tables to exit the bar. I watched as he began to get lost in the crowds and then turned to look at Edward. He was watching me with a smirk on his face.
"What?" I asked.
"I really want to kiss you right now." Oh. Suddenly there were a multitude of butterflies fluttering inside my stomach. He was going to kiss me. I was excited, I was nervous, but most of all, I really wanted to kiss him too. I stared into his emerald green eyes, shifting my gaze down along his straight, sculpted nose to his full lips. God, he was beautiful
"Okay," I replied, my voice barely a whisper, betraying my nervousness. His smile spread across his face, and I was absolutely dazzled. He reached out with his hand and brushed my hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear. Then he slid his hand down to cup my jaw, bringing his lips to mine. I melted. His lips were so soft and plump. They felt perfect against mine.
As I began moving my lips with his, I could feel the intensity grow. I reached my hands up to his shoulders, bracing myself as I deepened the kiss. His hands slid from my jaw to rest behind my neck, pulling me closer to him, and I think I moaned into his mouth.
We eventually parted, and he rested his forehead on mine. We were both breathing hard, and his hand moved back to cup the side of my face. "God, you're an amazing kisser." I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face.
"You're not so bad yourself." He returned my smile and pulled back a little to look at me. It was as if he was examining a painting, and liked what he saw.
"Fuck, you really are beautiful." He looked down and smiled to himself. When he looked back up he an amused look on his face. "I remember seeing you here a week ago. You were staring at me, and I couldn't take my eyes off of you."
"You remember that?" I was surprised. I had only watched him for a moment and then he was gone. I thought for sure he wouldn't have remembered that.
He chuckled. "Of course. I was here with Riley. I'd just gotten into town, and we were catching up. I was trying to think of a way to come talk to you, when Riley told me he had to go home. His wife is pregnant and wasn't feeling well. In fact, I made him come back here with me tonight in the hopes that I would see you again."
"Really?"
"Yes." He laughed lightly at me again. I felt like a silly schoolgirl who just found out the popular boy liked her.
"I couldn't get you out of my fucking head, and then you fell out of nowhere, right at my feet." I laughed this time. Oh yes, I will never forget that.
"I was completely stunned, ready to come to your rescue, until I saw that guy with you. He was calling you all kinds of endearing names and had his all over you. I thought for sure the fucker was your boyfriend from the way he was acting around you. I was so disappointed."
"Oh, Mike is just a touchy feely kind of guy, harmless though, and quite sweet." Edward gave me a bit of disgusted look and I laughed. "No really, he's alright." I thought back to how Mike was acting around me that day at the track, and then I remembered Edward's reaction. "Oh, maybe that would explain the annoyed look on your face. I couldn't figure it out."
"I didn't realize it showed. Sorry, I was really annoyed with myself for feeling hopeful, for wanting a girl I didn't even know."
"But, it all turned out well in the end." I reached my hand out to grab his, intertwining my fingers and giving it a squeeze.
"Yes, it did," he replied. The intensity in his gaze changed as he leaned down to kiss me again. This one didn't hold the hesitation of the first kiss.
When we finally broke apart, I looked around the bar and realized it had thinned out considerably now. "What time is it?"
Edward checked his watch. "Uh, almost one." He seemed just as surprised as I was. How long had we been here kissing? "Shit, I have to catch a flight in the morning."
I was only half paying attention to him, as I reached down into my bag to find my phone. I needed to let my friends know where I was. I was usually home and in bed by midnight at the latest. I just didn't stay out that late. There was too much to do while in training, and besides, the instructors wouldn't want to hear about a bunch of trainees partying until all hours of the night. I was sure my friends were long gone by now. I quickly pulled my phone out of my purse and saw that I had three text messages from Angela.
Where r u? I'm getting worried.
Oh, Mike found you. Having fun?
We're leaving, but u seem pretty occupied. Call if you need me 2 pick u up.
I wondered what she'd seen. I could guess. Angela is going to be drilling me for information tomorrow. She'd be relentless.
"Everything okay?" His voice snapped me back into the present.
"Yes, just my friend, Angela, letting me know she was heading home." I glanced at the time stamp on the text message. "Yeah, that was about an hour-and-a-half ago." I chuckled.
"Do you have a ride home?"
"No, but I can call a cab. No reason to wake Angela up to come get me."
"I would drive you, but I'm not in any shape to drive."
"Me neither."
"Walk with me back to my hotel. It's only a few blocks, and we can call you a cab from there."
I nodded in agreement and we both stood from our seats. I could feel the room spin slightly and reached out for the chair to get my balance.
"Whoa there, you okay?" he asked. I nodded and smiled, lifting my hands up in the air to show him that I was standing on my own.
He grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair and then took my hand, giving a tight squeeze. He led me back through the bar toward the entrance. Once we exited the bar and hit the night air, I realized how much cooler it had gotten, and I let go of his hand to wrap my arms around my torso.
"You're cold?" he asked.
"Yes, it's a bit cooler than when I arrived. I wasn't planning on leaving so late." He took his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders. It smelled divine, and I immediately pulled it tightly around me so I was enveloped in both its warmth and fragrance.
"Come on, this way." He reached over pulling my arm free so he could hold my hand. We were both still feeling the effects of the alcohol, and it had us both in very merry moods. He began to swing our hands as we walked along the sidewalk.
"Bella, Bella, beautiful Bella." He twirled me around and I laughed. I felt on top of the world and I just didn't want this night to end, ever.
It didn't take long before we found ourselves at his hotel. We walked in through the sliding doors, and it was much warmer inside. I slipped out of his jacket and began to hand it back to him, but he reached for me instead, wrapping his arms around me in a tight embrace. He buried his head in my neck and traced a delicate line from my ear, across my jaw and back again with his nose, placing gentle kisses along the way.
"Stay with me tonight," he whispered softly in my ear. "Don't go, please."
I shouldn't. I'm not that kind of girl. This is not something I ever do. I can't do this. But, oh, I want to. I could feel my steely resolve rapidly slipping away. I just couldn't say no. I wanted him so badly.
"Yes," I murmured. I could feel his grin against my neck as his arms tightened around me, and I couldn't find it in me to regret this. He kissed my neck, and then found my lips. His kiss was passionate and needy, and I found myself clinging to him. He pulled away too soon, only to take my hand again and lead me to the elevators.
I'm crazy, I'm insane, but I don't care. I may not ever see him again after tonight, but I can have this night. I want this night.
We didn't talk the whole way to the room. He held me and kissed me on the lips, on my nose, along my jaw, and down my neck. I responded with my own gentle kisses to his temple, to his cheek, down his neck to his shoulders. It was all so new, and yet, it felt so familiar at the same time. My heart was pounding in anticipation and in nervousness. I knew I should go back down to the lobby and call a cab. But, I also knew I wouldn't.
Once we entered the room, it was a different matter entirely. We were grabbing, pulling, trying to take our clothes off. The need to feel each other without any barriers was overwhelming. My fingers danced down the front of his shirt, pushing each little button through its hole as his hands found the hem on mine, yanking it up and over my head. Once our shirts were off, his hands were around me, hugging me close. I ran my fingers over his chest feeling the muscles and light hair. I then moved my mouth across his chest kissing and sucking, finding one of his nipples. I heard him groan against my neck. Before I knew it he had my bra unsnapped and he was sliding the straps down my arms, exposing me to him. He pulled back to take in the view.
"So fucking beautiful, so fucking perfect," he murmured. He immediately brought his hand up to my breast, then bringing his mouth down to the nipple, sucking and pulling until my own groans filled the room. He slowly pushed me backwards until my knees hit the bed and I collapsed onto it. I looked up at him. He was staring at me with fathomless want and desire. I had never been so turned on in my life. I scooted my way up on the bed and crooked my finger, asking him to come to me. He didn't hesitate.
He was over me, kissing my lips, tasting my mouth, my tongue, while his hands moved over my body. I couldn't get enough of him. I didn't have enough of him. I reached down and placed my hand over the bulge in his jeans, rubbing up and down. He moaned at my touch.
His mouth and hands traveled across my chest from one breast to the other and back again. It was too much and not enough at the same time. I felt his hand slide down between us as his fingers worked to pop the button of my jeans. My hips bucked in feral response.
I felt the pull of the zipper as he slid it down to open my jeans. His hand slipped inside to feel me, pushing on my bundle of nerves, sending me into a frenzy of desire. I cried out at his touch, and it spurred him on, as his hand pushed further down and his fingers slipped into my folds.
"Oh, please, more." I whispered between kisses. His hand rapidly retreated out of my jeans and began tugging them over my hips. I eagerly complied, ready to be free of their constraints. He sat up on his knees above me, staring at me. He was beautiful. I stared back, yearning and craving more. I needed to see all of him too. I sat up, reaching for the button of his jeans, my eyes never leaving his. I slowly unzipped his jeans and hooked my fingers over the waist of his pants. His breathing accelerated as he watched me slowly pull his pants down past his erection.
Once he'd sprung free of the confines of his pants, I brought my gaze down to take in his prominent form. It was magnificent. I reached out my hand and ran my fingers along the underside of the shaft, then slowly traced along the circle of his head. He threw his head back and moaned. I grinned. I loved that I could make him feel like this, that I could have him respond to me in that way. I leaned down to kiss the top and felt his hands tangle in my hair. I pushed my mouth over the head and his grip tightened, tugging almost painfully. I glanced up through my eyelashes, catching the intensity in his stare as he watched himself move in and out of my mouth.
Soon, his hands moved through my hair and across my jaw, gently pulling my mouth away from him. "I want you, now. Not like this. I need to be inside you, Bella, please." I knew what he needed. It was what I needed. I lay back on the bed as I watched him crawl over me. His mouth met mine as our tongues intertwined around each other. I felt the weight of his body as he settled on top of me. We lay for a while, kissing, kneading, touching, nothing more.
His hands found their way between us as he messaged my little bundle of nerves again. He slid his fingers though my folds and slipped his finger inside. I moaned and arched my back. His thumb was still tracing circles around my clit as he pushed a second finger into me. I began panting as I felt my orgasm coming quickly. His lips suckled at my neck and he whispered gently, "Let go, baby. Let go." And I cried out as I let myself tumble over and into the abyss.
He quickly shifted his position, aligning himself with me, and I wrapped my legs around his hips in response. I felt him slowly slide in, opening me, filling me. It was heaven. He groaned and I sighed with the pleasure. We both moved together in a perfect symphony. We started slow, savoring the sensations of being joined, only to increase our speed as our need and hunger for each other consumed us. I was so close to the edge, all I needed was a little push, and, as if on cue, his fingers rubbed across my little jewel once again. I shook and clinched with the force of my orgasm, and I could feel him pulse inside me as he reached his climax too.
He collapsed on top of me. We lay still for a minute, both recovering from our lovemaking. Then I felt him shift, as he lifted off of me just slightly and kissed my neck. "That was incredible." He pushed up onto his elbows and gently swiped my hair off my face. He stared at me sweetly. "You are so beautiful." He lowered his face back to mine and kissed me softly. His arms wrapped around me as he rolled himself over onto his back, pulling me along with him. I settled my head on his chest, our legs intertwined, and I drifted off into a deep sleep.
I slowly opened my eyes to the bright light of morning sun coming in through the window. It took a moment of hesitation before the previous night came back to me, and a smile graced my lips. I pulled my arms over my head and stretched my naked body as I rolled over to face the other side, expecting to find Edward. Instead, I found an empty bed and a note. Please, he didn't. I immediately sat up and snatched the paper from the other pillow.
Beautiful Bella,
As you probably remember from our conversations last night, I had to fly out this morning. I tried to wake you, but you were out cold. I'm sorry. I didn't want to leave you with just a note. Last night was amazing, for me. You are amazing. I really don't want this to be just one night. I want to see you again, somehow.
I hope you will forgive me. I really wanted to be here when you woke up to show you again and again how incredible you make feel. I am leaving my number and I hope you will call me.
Please, please call me.
- E 312-555-7271
I stared at the note in my hand, not really sure how I felt about it. I was quickly becoming overwhelmed with emotions from the highs of last night and low of waking without him this morning. It didn't help that I had a headache from all the alcohol I drank last night.
I slowly clambered out of bed and gathered my clothes off the floor. I padded my way into the bathroom and found that Edward had left me with a toothbrush and toothpaste. I smiled. I couldn't regret last night. He was right; it was amazing. I wasn't sure what I would do from here. I wasn't sure if I would ever find the courage to call him. After I brushed my teeth and dressed, I found my phone and called Angela.
"Bella! Oh, how was it? I saw you kissing him. I couldn't believe it. How did you two end up together? You must tell me everything!"
"Angela, calm down. I will. I promise. But right now, I need you to come get me, please."
"Of course," she replied.
I proceeded to tell her which hotel I was in and promised to meet her in the lobby in half an hour. As I waited, I sat down on the edge of the bed and read the note again, and again, and again.
Angela's car pulled up outside the sliding glass doors, and I hurried out to her car.
"Hey, so, tell me everything," Angela demanded.
"Ben Cheney, huh," I replied, trying to divert her attention off of me. She blushed—Angela actually blushed.
"Um, yeah," she said quietly as she put the car into drive and pull away from the hotel.
"Well, spill. I mean, we all knew how he felt about you, but how did it finally happen?" She turned her head slightly and glanced at me. Then her face split into a huge smile.
"Oh, how did I not see that? He is just so, so, gah!"
"Gah?" I raised an eyebrow at her, and she laughed.
"I'm still not sure how it happened. When the light bulb actually went off and I realized what he felt for me and what I was beginning to feel for him. But once his lips met mine, I was a goner."
"So, did you guys, um, you know?"
"No!" Her resounding answer was firm. My bottom lip immediately found its way between my teeth as I tried to stave off the impending tears. Great, it appears I was the only hussy last night.
"Oh, Bella. I'm sorry. I didn't mean . . . tell me, what happened? You seemed pretty happy last night when I saw you. What happened last night? He didn't hurt you?" Her voice began to turn murderous with the last question.
"Oh no, not at all. He was perfect and sweet. It's just . . ." I looked at my hands, which were holding tightly to the folded-up paper in my lap. "I've never done that before. I've never even come close to having a one-night stand. Hell, I can count the number of times I've had sex on my fingers. I'm embarrassed."
"Did he say something this morning to embarrass you?"
"Uh, no. He wasn't even there when I woke up."
"What?" Angela exclaimed.
"No, it's not what you think. Here, read this." I shoved the note into her hands. She rolled up to a stoplight and unfolded the note, reading it.
"Bella, this is sweet. This is not a one nightstand. At least, it doesn't have to be. You're going to call him soon, right?"
"Um, no." I looked over at her shocked expression. "Maybe." It didn't change. "Ugh, Angela. I can't. This isn't me. I told you how I react in these situations. I don't know how to act."
"312," Angela said. "That's Chicago, isn't it?" Chicago? I probably wouldn't ever see him again. It was for the best. I would have this wonderful memory, and that would be that.
"So, when are you making the call?" she asked. I looked down at my hands.
"I'll call soon. In a day or two." Except, that I won't.
AN: I apologize for the late posting of this chapter. Real life caught up with me a bit. I also had a beast of the time with this chapter and probably went through four re-writes.
Things will remain busy until Memorial Day, and then I am freed up for the summer. I hope to get one more chapter out by Memorial Day. After that, chapters should come much more frequently.
Finally, I have a lot of hits, but very little reviews. I would love to know what everyone thinks of my story, so I am going to offer a little incentive. If you leave a review, I will send you a teaser to the next chapter.