Romeo On and Off the Court

Chapter 30 – Point Guard

Shortest player and best ball-handler on the court. Responsible for directing the team's offense.

Edward

Seeing Bella standing in front of the stage among the reporters and next to my parents surprised the hell out of me. No wonder she hadn't wanted to share her location with me last night. I couldn't tell you how, but she was soon standing in front of me on stage. Dropping to my knee or kissing her were the only two things running through my mind. The latter was the better of the two options. When I dropped to one knee in front of her, I wanted to have the ring with me.

Her smile and flushed cheeks were all I needed. And with all the reporters around, I am confident one of the photographers captured the moment. Hopefully, I would be able to convince one of them to sell me the picture.

"I'll see you after the press conference," I whispered, after seeing her safely back to my parents.

~~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~~

Coach wasn't in the locker room yet, so I pulled my phone out of my bag and powered it on. Several messages were coming through, but one caught my eye – Isabella has shared her location.

Would she even cease to surprise me? I thought before noticing the time stamp. She had sent it to me a half hour before the game started.

I accepted and shared mine back before heading to take a quick shower.

~~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~~

The press conference was the same old, same old – questions about the game, what went wrong – until the end.

"Mr. Cullen, two-part question. How does it feel to be the Most Outstanding Player? And who was the girl you were kissing?"

I sat back and smiled, giving myself a bit of time to think. Coach had warned me the Bella question would be broached. Emmett and Jasper both glanced over at me. Drawing in a breath, I leaned toward the microphone in front of me. "First, it feels pretty amazing to be chosen for the honor. Although, my success is owed to my coaches and fellow teammates. As for the girl, she is my girlfriend. And my private life is just that, private. It has nothing to do with basketball."

I stood and turned my back on the reporters. Coach and the rest of the team followed my lead.

~~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~~

Dad was in the hotel lobby when we entered. I walked over to him as my eyes searched the lobby for Bella and Mom.

"Bella is upstairs, as is your mother," Dad said.

Turning, I made to head up the stairs. A hand came down on my shoulder.

"Edward, son. Let's sit a minute."

Bella was on my mind, and I wanted to see her. My eyes moved to the stairs and then back to my father. Seeing no way around whatever he wanted to talk about, I sighed and moved to a table.

"What's on your mind?" I asked.

The circles under Dad's eyes told me he needed to go to bed. Whatever was on his mind had him waiting for my return.

"Dad?"

He held out his fist. I wasn't sure if he wanted a fist bump or wanted to give me something. I went with the latter. Holding out my hand, I waited.

"I can't believe I am giving you this, but your mother thought you could use it."

Use what? I thought, accepting what he held in his fist. Looking at what he gave me, I found it was the single solitaire ring he had proposed to Mom with. I chuckled, handing it back.

"Edward, she wants you to have it. We both see how much you love Bella and have a feeling you want to marry her. This is our way of giving you our blessing."

I shook my head. "I bought a ring already. It's in the safe. And I already have Charlie's blessing."

Dad raised his eyebrows before laughing. "It's not often you're one step ahead of your mother and me. But this time you're two." He fell silent for a moment. "Have you given any thoughts on where and how you're going to ask?"

Oh boy have I. I've considered asking her outside the tutoring center, at the table we sat at as she reviewed my paper, where she had turned me down, and at the arena. None of them appealed, though they all held special memories. As to how I had no clue. I have written and rewritten a proposal, but they were just words on paper.

"I have and I've rejected each one. How did you propose to Mom?" I asked.

He smiled. "With a cupcake."

"A cupcake?"

"Yes. I needed help choosing a flavor for my graduation cake, or so she thought." He chuckled. "After she took a bite, I asked her what she thought about it for our wedding cake. I was on one knee, ring in hand when she turned to look at me. She didn't say anything for a full minute. Well, the rest is history."

Dad reached across and touched my hand. "You'll figure out the perfect way for you and Bella. Let your mother and me know if you need help. I bet Charlie will help too."

I nodded.

"I've cleared this with Coach before the game." He handed me a room key. "Bella is waiting, and your bags were moved already."

~~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~~

Standing outside Bella's hotel room, my heart pounded. It wasn't knowing she was on the other side of the door, but the fact that my parents and Coach knew I would be sharing a room with her. Bella had been staying with me off and on, not once had I hidden items she left. Mom came over every so often to restock the kitchen and had to have seen Bella's things. And then the redecorating I had Mom do last week.

Raising my fist, I knocked before inserting the plastic keycard. "Bella," I called, walking in.

I could hear the shower running. A smile split my face. I rapped my knuckles on the door after placing my gym bag on the stand in the small closet. Cracking open the door, I called out, "Sweetheart."

I hadn't known what to expect when I called out. All I wanted to do was to let Bella know I was in the room, not that I would mind if she walked out wrapped in a towel or nothing at all. I didn't want her to feel uncomfortable, even if we had seen each other all-natural.

"I'll be out soon, unless…" she trailed off.

"Unless?" I prodded, stepping into the bathroom.

The mirror and glass shower door were steamed up. I could barely see Bella, though I could tell her arms were up covering her breasts as she washed her hair.

"Join me," she said.

I could imagine the blush creeping up her face at the invitation.

"Please," she added.

Crossing my arms, I grabbed the bottom of my shirt and bunched it up as I drew it up and over my head. After kicking off my shoes, I hesitated with my hands at the button of my jeans. Like when she asked me to make love to her, I asked if she was sure.

Her laughter was unexpected. "Get in, Edward."

It wasn't long before I slipped in behind her, drawing her back against me. Bella's hands came back, gripping my hips as she turned her head to accept my kiss.

Bella

Intoxicating. That's what Edward's kiss was at that moment. Like it held some secret, something he didn't want to say with words. The kiss deepened when I spun in his arms. The water was cooling as it cascaded down over us, but the heat between us was enough to keep me warm.

Edward's left hand clutched my right knee, lifting it to his hip. I moved against him.

He whimpered against my lips, drawing back and gazing down at me. "We've got to stop before we both slip and fall," he said in a deep and hoarse voice that sounded like a loud whisper.

He lowered my leg before reaching behind me and twisting the handle.

A frown pulled down the corners of my mouth. I didn't want to stop.

Edward cupped my face. "Isabella," he whispered, kissing the corner of my mouth. "I don't want a quick fuck and that's what was going to happen." He pecked my lips again. "I want slow and tender. To cherish you. Worship you."

His words were making me melt. And they, like his kiss, held a secret. "I want that too," I whispered.

He smiled. "There let's dry off and move to the bed."