A/N: My deepest apologies for the wait, but I did warn you all. And I still haven't reached the end. I'm in the middle of tech rehearsals for my play and will soon be opening for performances. I've barely had the time to finish all the writing I have to do for classes, let alone anything extra.
Lucky for you all, I've been having some trouble sleeping. So what shall I do to pass the time…. Write a new chapter of course!
Warning: There is a very mild sexual situation in this chapter. Nothing graphic, but you have been warned.
Disclaimer: Disclaimed! :)
Of Curses and Cures
Chapter Twenty-Three
January 1st, 2009
12:01 A.M.
"Happy New Year, my love." He whispers into her ear. "May you find it in your heart to put up with me another year."
She shifts in her sleep, humming quietly yet still off key, and he smiles. She had tried so desperately to stay awake until midnight, but she'd been so exhausted from her poor night's sleep that she'd been out nearly half an hour ago.
She is breathing deeply, evenly against his chest – the two of them entwined on blankets and pillows Edward has set up on the floor.
There is a fire blazing beside them and he reached his hand out, hovering just above the flame. There is a faint warmth, but nothing compared to the places where his body meets hers.
She shifts against him in her sleep, unconsciously rubbing her soft body against his own. He bites back a groan.
"Why must you torture me, you little vixen." He whispers against her hair.
"Because I love you." She replies into his neck.
He is startled, "You're awake?"
"Mmhmm." She replies, and he can feel the warm vibrations against his cold skin.
"But your heartbeat… I never heard a change."
She stretches her arms around him and snuggles further into his chest. "Maybe because I'm so relaxed."
He grins in amusement, "Are you now?"
Before she can answer, the tips of his fingers find her sides and he presses them just hard enough to tickle, but not hard enough to harm her.
She squeals and wriggles on top of him.
"Edward! Stop! " She laughs, "Stop! Please!"
"What's the magic word?" He asks.
"I love you!" She cries through her laughter.
"Nope. That's not it."
"What?" She huffs. "How can that not be it?" She is laughing so hard that tears are gathering in the corners of her eyes.
"I'm sorry, the correct answer was tangerine." He lightens his touch until he's just grazing her sides with his fingers.
She shivers in response.
"Tangerine. How was I supposed to guess that?"
He smiles. "You weren't."
"Ridiculous." She sulks.
"It got you closer to me." He answers, gesturing to the way her body was laid flush against his.
She lifts her face up to be even with his.
"You do realize that you don't have to trick me into this, right? I am more than a willing participant."
"I know. But it's much more fun this way."
She yawns, and he brushes the hair back from her face.
"Happy New Year, Isabella."
"Happy New Year." She smiles, "Now take me to bed, Mr. Cullen."
He hopes she can't hear the breath catch in his throat. How can she not know what she does to him? Her mere voice makes the flames of lust lick at the inside of his chest.
So tempted. He's never been more tempted in his entire existence. Not even by her blood.
In silence, He wraps an arm around her middle and loops another under her legs. He lifts her effortlessly from the ground, then makes sure the grate is placed safely in front of the fire.
He carries her into the bedroom, the bed large and soft with blankets of a deep blue. It looks exquisite against her skin. She's already wearing comfortable pajamas and he shucks his shirt and pants, leaving him in just an undershirt and boxers.
She blushes, then tries to hide it. Unwilling to embarrass her, he doesn't comment. Once he settles onto the bed, she wraps herself around him, undeterred by his cold skin. Her leg slithers around his waist like a vine, and he instinctively places a hand on her bare thigh. His fingers dance across her skin, his hand much more daring than the rest of him.
Her hips tighten in response, and she pushes against him.
"Bella." He breathes.
She doesn't answer, but raises her eyes to his—dilated and darkened with desire.
"I want to touch you." He whispers against her temple.
She breathes out with something like anticipation and relief. She presses against him harder to give her permission.
His hand glides higher up her leg, and her breath grows loud and uneven in his ears. His hands detect every nuance in her skin—like silk even to his hands. He slips beneath the hem of her cotton shorts and curves his hand around the swell of her bottom. His fingers stretch out over the lace of her underwear, and he exhales loudly. She pushes out against his palm, and he tightens his grip.
She moans, and then opens her eyes wide. She rolls onto her back slowly, pulling him on top of her. He tries not to put any weight on her, but she doesn't like that. She wraps her arms around his waist and pulls until she can feel his weight. Even then, he won't let her take it all. He draws his hand away from her shorts and she whimpers in protest.
He drags his fingers up to her waist, his pace painstakingly slow. Goosebumps rise up on her exposed skin, and her eyes are shut tight, her lip clamped tightly between her teeth.
Beautiful. His beautiful Bella. Incomparable.
His fingers continue their journey up her body, barely glancing her skin here and there, just enough to keep her on edge.
He nears the swell of her chest and stops his finger at the bottom of the underside. She lets out a low keening sound, her chest automatically arching towards him. He takes a deep breath, gathering his senses, and brushes his finger slowly, meticulously up the slope of her breast. He is so very thorough in his movements, as though it is some sort of test or he's doing an experiment and must gather as much research as possible.
Finally, with so much anticipation that his body feels as if it's tingling, the pad of his finger runs across the distended tip, only her thin night shirt separating their skin. She gasps in response and clutches at his arms, her fingers digging into his skin.
He can smell her arousal, and feel the heat against his leg which is situated between her thighs.
He takes a deep breath and rolls off of her, closing his eyes tight to calm the electricity coursing through his veins.
She appears to be too shocked to do anything other than breathe, to protest his touch or the loss of it.
Her eyes are shut tight, and her fists clenched tightly at her sides, in pleasure, he hopes.
After a few moments, she begins to relax. She opens her eyes to reveal them brimming with tears.
"Happy New Year, Edward."
A/N: Short. I know. But it was this or nothing. And I like to think that the content of this chapter makes up for the shortness. Hopefully, I didn't cross the line between T and R… please feel free to tell me if you think I have and I'll take steps to remedy that.
On that note, I have reached a point where I need to make a definitive decision about the rating of this story. As I have said, I am comfortable with this remaining a T or being bumped up to M. What do you guys want? I will be making my decision according to your reviews, so if you have an opinion, the way to make sure it is heard is by clicking on the review button at the bottom! Either way, the advancement of their relationship will remain tasteful. If I do bump this up to M, it will not become about smut… it will remain focused on their relationship which is obviously progressing to a more intimate level.
So it's up to you…
Should this story continue to be rated T or change to M?
Review!