As always: Everything and anything related to the Twilight saga belongs to Stephenie Meyer. This is a work of fiction based on her writings. No harm is meant by it.

Special thanks and much adoration to my beta freakyhazeleyes.

Chapter Eleven: Five down, Twenty-One to go

Edward awoke with a start on Sunday morning and it wasn't because of a dream or a nightmare. It was because he had felt Bella shift over to the other side of the bed, and that was the last thing he wanted. He turned over to pull her back, but then pulled his arm back.

She looked incredibly peaceful, her naked body curled in the fetal position. He couldn't see her face from his position, but he could just imagine the calm that it would show.

He lay awake after that. Edward was one of those people that once he was awake, that was it, he was awake until he went back to sleep later that night.

He watched Bella sleep, mesmerized by the curvature of her spine. He had been tempted to run a finger down the bony column. From where he lay, he could see the chicken pox scars she acquired when they were six.

Their mothers had warned them both not to scratch. What did they expect? Hell, they couldn't even keep Edward away from Bella when she caught them, which led to him getting them.

If you sat down and thought about it, it was actually quite adorable. Just picture a six year old Edward Cullen throwing a temper tantrum so he can visit his sick best friend, and then in turn getting sick, which only managed to make him happier because one, he didn't have to go to school, and two, he got to spend the time getting better with Bella.

Edward chuckled quietly as his fingers subconsciously started running a pattern between the little circular scars, remembering how he had helped her scratch the places she couldn't reach as she did the same for him.

He stopped his motion when Bella stirred in her sleep. She let out a tiny wisp of a moan before rolling over toward Edward. He smiled widely as she nestled herself against him, her warm body feeling supple and succulent against his. His arm found purchase around Bella's back and his free hand quickly found itself woven in her hair. It was matted and tangled from yesterday, and yet it still felt soft between his calloused fingers. It even still held the faint smell of strawberries.

Again, he found himself smiling as he took a whiff of the sweet, fruity smell.

She had always used the strawberry infused shampoo. He never quite understood why women used products that made them smell like candy; he never really liked it, but he loved the smell on Bella. It was comforting and intoxicating, all in one.

He chuckled softly as a little line of drool started to slip down his chest from Bella's mouth. In most occurrences, if it was anybody else, it would disgust him, but after all the times he had held Bella as she woke up screaming in terror, this was refreshing and welcomed. It meant she was in a deep sleep, and that made him forget about the warm saliva that was inching closer to his belly button with every breath he took.

His arm was beginning to cramp under Bella's weight and yet he couldn't find the will or desire to move from the uncomfortable position. He was content where he was. At that moment, he was happy with Bella in his arms, but a quick glance at the alarm clock by his bed reminded him that he had to start his day. He needed to work on a new campaign for a new brand of toothpaste for kids.

He looked to Bella and then took another look at his alarm clock, groaning. He knew he had to get up, but the prospect of lying in bed all day with Bella, sounded so much better.

Slowly, he slid his arm out from under her and got up from the bed. He smiled as he watched Bella cuddle up to his pillow, wrapping her arms around it. He cringed seeing some bruises on her arms from yesterday. He had been rough with her, and not once did she tell him to stop, not once had she cried out in pain, and yet he still couldn't help feeling bad about the purple hand prints on her hips and the familiar red marks on her neck.

As he stepped further away from his bed, he stretched, groaning as a warm heat spread throughout his body. Everything hurt, but in the best possible way. Edward was experiencing, as Emmett often called it, "the good kind of sore". It was the kind of sore that let you know that you had had amazing sex the night before. In Edward's case, amazing sex four times the day before.

Every crick of his bones, every muscle that felt overworked and strained as he walked to the bathroom only made Edward smile even more. Walking by the living room, he stopped to admire the disheveled state he and Bella had left it. The couch was moved a couple of feet from where it belonged, the pillows were strewn about the floor, and there was the grape he had thrown at Bella during dinner that he had stepped on later on his way to bed.

His mind started flashing with images of him and Bella. Before his closed eyes, he saw Bella over the arm of the couch as he plowed into her, grabbing her wet hair and pulling her body up to his.

From where he stood he could see the kitchen and more images started to appear. There was Bella up against the cold, metal refrigerator, and down on her knees servicing him with her mouth. Then there was Bella on the table, her body writhing as he tasted every inch of her.

He was as hard as a diamond by the time his feet finally led him to the bathroom.

As he brushed his teeth, he couldn't get rid of the images in his head, and it was only making his erection throb that much more. Even as he stepped into the scalding water of the shower, he couldn't get her out of his mind. The water simply reminded him of her wet hair as he took her on the couch. The heat of the water reminded him of her touch, soft, soothing, and warm.

All of that only aided in making his dick twitch. Edward stood panting in the shower as he resisted touching himself, but as they say, resistance is futile, and slowly but surely, his hand crept down his chest, grazed his happy trail and traveled down to his hardened dick. He let images of himself and Bella play behind his closed eyes, as he teased himself first. He rubbed down his shaft slowly, tightening his fist as he went down, tightening even more as he moved his hand back up, his thumb playing with the slit in the head. He bit as his bottom lip as he tried to rein a guttural moan he wanted to let out and the memory of Bella's tongue flicking and licking the pearly pre-come came to mind. He shuddered as his hand tightened around himself once more, this time only half his fist cupping his dick. He let is blunt fingernails graze the vein, mimicking the motion of Bella's teeth. Again, he had to suppress a moan, Bella's name almost falling from his lips.

He was breathing heavily now as the water beat against his shoulders, and slithered down his back. He placed his left hand as firmly and securely on the shower wall as he picked up the speed of the hand wrapped around his cock. He stroked himself quickly and roughly, reveling in the way his calloused fingers felt almost as good as Bella's mouth…almost.

Edward's breathing became more unsteady as he neared his climax. It was as if each breath was a gasp. It sounded like someone who was coming out from being under water for some time, almost like double breaths.

It was only moments later that he came, Bella's name escaping his mouth in a whisper as she banged on the bathroom door.

"Edward, stop jerking off and open the door. I gotta pee," she whined, kicking the door loudly.

Edward watched the door, stunned. He watched it shake as his dick started to soften in his hand. He took his eyes off the door to watch the ribbons of come spiral down the drain, before turning back to the shaking door.

"Come on!" Bella groaned, still shaking the locked doorknob. "Open the door!"

He stood still, still staring at the door. He was nervous.

Why had she said it?

Had she heard him?

Or did she just say it for kicks?

"Edward, come on! I have to fucking to take a leak!" she yelled through the door.

As steadily as he could, he opened the door, trying to reassure himself that Bella hadn't heard him; that she was only joking.

He opened it slowly to let some of the steam out, and Bella grimaced as it poured out of the enclosed area, engulfing her as she stepped inside the moist room.

"Took you long enough," she commented as she stepped inside.

"Sorry," he apologized meekly, stepping back behind the curtain. He stood out from under the water; he was being incredibly paranoid at the moment. He had to know if Bella had heard him.

"Whatever," she brushed aside his apology as she alleviated her bladder. She had been ready to burst as she stood outside the bathroom.

Edward stepped out of the shower, as soon he heard Bella flush the toilet.

"Nice try, Swan," he jested, though his tone wasn't as playful as usual; it went unnoticed by Bella.

"Who me?" she replied innocently as she headed over to the sink to wash her hands. "I just wanted to get you out of the shower. You always use up all of the hot water."

"That's not true," he argued, wrapping a towel around his waist as he sat on the lidded toilet watching Bella go through her morning routine of skin products.

"It's so true," she warbled through her hands as she splashed her face with water. "What the hell do you do in here for so long anyway? Were you actually jerking off?"

Edward gave her a deadpan expression, trying to keep his resolve. Internally, he was rejoicing that she hadn't heard him.

"Just thinking," he answered. "Just work-related things. I've been rather stressed, lately. I got a lot on my mind," he lied, easier than he had thought.

"Really? I didn't know you were worried about things at work. You should have told me," she told him sincerely.

"I just did," he joked, getting up from his seat.

"Smart ass."

"Yes, and it's nice and firm too," he quipped lightheartedly, grabbing a handful of it.

Bella merely shook her head as she watched Edward leave the bathroom. From over his shoulder, he instructed her not to take forever in the bathroom. She told him off.

"Seriously, don't take long in there. I want to head down to the coffee shop for some breakfast."

"Okay, Dad. I'll be out in a jiffy," she answered, sarcastically, grabbing the door to shut it.

"Before you do what you do, I'm sorry."

Bella stared at him, curiously, gesturing with her hands for him to explain, but he kept on walking toward his room.

From his bedroom, Edward heard the bathroom door close and no less than five seconds later the bathroom door opened again.

"What have I told you about my fucking toothbrush?"

Edward laughed heartily as he heard her shriek. His boxers had been halfway up his legs when she called out. And just as his laughter was dying down, he heard the bathroom door fling open and a wet and naked Bella flounced into his room.

"You asshole!" she reprimanded. "You used up all the hot water. I'm going to cut off a very important appendage one day. Don't tempt me," she threatened, and Edward, in a normal male fashion, covered himself, moving one leg over the other.

"Then what would you do on the weekends?" he challenged, still cupping himself. Just the thought of anything sharp near his dick, sent chills down his spine. Hell, a simple flick hurt like a bitch, and the worst part of it was that it was always a delayed response. Flick…two seconds…pain!

"I have…things that can assist me," she blushed as she answered, turning around quickly to walk back to the bathroom, but Edward had other plans as he jumped up from the bed and followed her, admiring the little birthmark on her right ass cheek.

"Wait a minute," he called out, grabbing her by the elbow and turning her around.

"What?" she groaned, clearly embarrassed by her confession.

"You have…toys?" he asked, his tone semi-curious, semi-aroused. Bella nodded her head shyly and tried to shake her arm out of his grasp.

"How often do you use these gadgets?" he asked his voice huskier than before. He was picturing Bella and whatever collection of toys she may have purchased and hidden in her bedroom.

"Frequently," she answered.

"How frequently?"

"Edward," she pleaded for him to stop, but he couldn't. He had so many questions now.

"Have you ever used a toy when I was around? Was I ever in the house when you pleasured yourself?" he asked, leaning down to whisper in her ear. He felt and saw her shudder. A voice inside his head was telling him to pull away; he was crossing a line, breaking the rules, but by the time the thought even began to register in his head all the blood had already rushed to his dick, which stood proudly at attention in his boxer briefs.

"Yes," she gasped as his lips closed around her ear lobe.

"Mmmmm," he moaned, trying his damndest not to push his hips into hers.

"That's incredibly sexy, Bella. I can't believe you've touched yourself, brought yourself to your peak, while I was just outside your door. You're so quiet Bella, I can't believe I never heard you," he spoke softly as he pulled himself away from her. He watched as her body swayed a bit as he stepped away. Her eyes fluttered open, as her body flushed red. She cleared her throat, not knowing what to say. Edward chuckled at her embarrassment.

"Yeah, I'm gonna go shower now," she said, unsure, and Edward reveled in the fact that he had taken Bella out of her comfort zone.

"Before you go," he started, running over to his night table and pulling the hat out. He handed it to her. She shook it quickly and held it out toward him. He watched as her hands shook a bit as she held out the wool cap.

He made quick work of grabbing a slip of paper, turning around to read it, sticking his tongue out at Bella over his shoulder. He heard her murmur 'immature' under her breath but ignored it. He unfolded the tight paper and stared blankly at the piece of paper, befuddled by the letter. Not a single idea sprang to mind.

"Edward," Bella called, and he turned around, his face still showing his perplexity.

"Oh, that's a seriously confused face you're wearing there. What letter did you get?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Five down, twenty-one more to go-" he began to say, but Bella cut him off.

"Are you going to say that every time? Count down the alphabet, every time?"

"Yes, and you will indulge me as we do it, so please let me finish. Five down, twenty-one more to go, Double-A."

"Double-A? That's new. What's it supposed to mean?" she asked confused.

"It's the kind of battery that always seems to be missing from the remote controls, and now I know why," he winked at her and she blushed furiously, causing Edward to laugh as she walked away as red as a tomato or possibly one of her toys.