Edward

We drove to Port Angeles mostly in silence, just enjoying each other's company. I reached over and took her soft warm hand in mine and kept it there for the duration of the trip. She smiled over at me and I felt a wonderful sense of anticipation. I hoped that she would enjoy what I had planned for our date.

We reached Port Angeles in record time and I was thankful that Bella had not taken me to task about my driving. She still hated it when I drove fast and there was no way I could make her understand the exhilaration of speed. It was one of the reasons I enjoyed running so much. And having to drive at normal human speeds felt like swimming through molasses.

I drove straight through downtown and to the east side of Port Angeles. Bella noticed that we were nowhere near the restaurant and looked over at me with a quizzical expression. I smiled at her reassuringly.

"There is something I wanted to do before we ate if that's alright." I said.

"Oh. Okay then. That's fine. I'm all yours." She said, smiling.

I parked the car and could not resist leaning over the console to kiss her softly.

"And don't you forget it." I teased, grinning at her.

"Never." She said, smiling and breathless.

I got out of the car and moved quickly around to Bella's side of the car to help her out. She stood up and took in her surroundings for the first time.

"The waterfront? What are we doing here?" She asked, bemused.

"You'll see." I took her hand in mine and we walked along the waterfront and down the pier. There were Chinese lanterns and white twinkling Christmas lights draped along the sides of the pier and a good number of people wandering around. As we reached the end of the wide dock you could see several musical instruments and their players on a raised dais. Some where tuning their instruments and others flipping through sheet music or simply waiting patiently.

"A concert? Wow, I didn't know they did concerts on the pier here." Bella said in wonder.

"It's something they do for a few weeks every summer. Usually the music is nothing I would want to listen to but I thought that you might enjoy this." I lead her to one of the long wooden benches that had been set up for people to sit on during the concert. We sat on the right hand side, a little ways back so that we could enjoy the music without interruption.

"What kind of music are they playing tonight?" Bella asked as we sat down. I wrapped one arm around her waist and she leaned into my shoulder.

"You'll see. They're about to start." I said, smiling down at her.

At that moment the musician, having received their cue from their director, took up their instruments and began playing a lively tune. I heard Bella gasp next to me and when I looked down at her she was smiling in pleasure.

"Swing music? My mom loves this. She would play it all the time around the house when she was doing housework. I think she had a thing for Count Basie or something." Bella said, laughing. Her eyes were sparkling in pleasure.

"I'm glad you enjoy it. I had hoped that you would. And Basie was something to see when he performed. He didn't play the music, he became it. It was pretty awe inspiring actually."

Bella looked at me in wonder. "You saw him play?"

"Yes, Carlisle and I went to a concert of his. I think Carlisle had a thing for him too." I said smirking.

Bella laughed. "I'm going to tell him you said that." She said before turning to watch the musicians play. She tapped her foot to the music and occasionally bobbed her head, just slightly out of time but it was adorable nonetheless.

This music reminded me of my younger days, while I was still adjusting to my vampire life and learning to live among humans. The times then had been a lot simpler, though the war was still raging. The music then helped people forget about their troubles for a while and just live in the moment. I found the sentiment fitting for Bella and me. Tonight we could forget about everything else in our lives and put all our focus on each other.

We sat there for over an hour as the band played through their repertoire and I leaned over to speak in Bella's ear.

"Are you ready to eat now? It might be best to leave before everyone else gets the same idea. I don't want you to get caught up in the crush."

Bella looked up at me and gave me a soft smile.

"Of course, let's go."

I took her hand and pulled her up. We made our way down the pier and back to my Vanquish. When we pulled away from the pier Bella turned to me.

"Thank you for taking me to the concert. Somehow you always seem to know what I will like. I wonder sometimes if you really can't read my mind." She laughed.

"Believe me, I wish I could. A hundred times a day I wish I could hear all the thoughts you have rolling around in that beautiful head of yours."

"Trust me, it is not that interesting in there." She smiled.

"I know better than that. Just the words you speak are fascinating enough. I'm sure your thoughts would be more so."

She just shook her head, smiling.

A few minutes later we were pulling up in front of La Bella Italia. I opened her door for her and took her hand as we walked to the entrance. I could not help but compare this date to the last time that we were here together. At least this time I was able to open her car door for her, I thought wryly.

This time felt so much different than the first time we were here. I did not have to hide what I was with her now. I was free to be myself and show her all the love that I felt inside. The same love that I had felt the first time we were here but now it was stronger, deeper. I would not have thought that was possible until this very moment. We were starting over, beginning our relationship anew, but on a much more solid foundation that we could build our lives on.

I held the door open for her and we walked inside and I was immediately inundated with the thoughts of the person standing at the podium.

Would you take a look at that? Damn! I need to get me one of those.

I looked up and growled low in my throat, too low for anyone to hear. The man waiting to seat us was looking Bella up and down unabashedly.

Man, if I had a woman that beautiful I would never leave the house. Forget that I would never even bother getting dressed again. His mind dipped then into a rather explicit fantasy with Bella playing the starring role. I blocked out his repulsive thoughts and stepped up to the podium.

"Two for Cullen." I said, menace dripping from my tone.

He immediately snapped his attention to me, flushing slightly. He registered my presence for the first time.

Whoa that guy is kind of creepy. Better get him seated. He looks like he wants to rip my head off. He was not far from the truth.

"R-right this way please." He stuttered, motioning for us to follow him.

Damn, looks and probably money too. No wonder she is with him. Us regular guys can't ever catch a break. I bet I could show her a better time than this guy. Hey babe, ditch the iceman and hook up with me. He thought.

The thoughts of the host were beginning to infuriate me. I had one arm on the small of Bella's back as I guided her through the tables and the other hand was clenched into a tight fist. Bella sensed the tension in me and looked up at me questioningly. I just shook my head and nodded in the direction of the host. Comprehension dawned and Bella smiled softly and shook her head.

He led us to a table in the back that was close to the one that we had sat at the first time.

"Your wait person will be out soon to take your order. Have a good meal." He said, his eyes never leaving Bella.

"Thank you." I said shortly and he quickly departed.

I was watching him weave his way back through the tables when I heard Bella laugh softly.

"What?" I said.

"The look on your face." She said, still laughing softly. "You look like you want to dismember him or something." She shook her head, smiling at me.

"Humph. Well you did not have to hear what he was thinking about you. You would not be laughing then." I said crossly.

She giggled at my disgruntled expression. "It is just funny being on this side of things. Usually I have to sit back and watch as every female in a fifty foot radius ogles you."

I smiled. "I only have eyes for you though. I don't even notice anymore. Especially when you are with me."

She laughed. "Edward Cullen you have officially cornered the market on 'sweetest-things-to-say-to-your-date'.

Our waiter arrived then and I had to listen to his thoughts as he openly admired Bella as well. Of course she was exceptionally beautiful and I could not blame them for their appreciation of her beauty but they acted as if I wasn't even sitting here! I would have been even more irate if not for the fact that Bella did not even notice. All her attention was on me, a fact that did not go unnoticed by our waiter.

What does she see in that guy? Our waiter thought. He is too…pretty. I bet he's gay and is using her as a cover. No real man is that pretty. The way she is staring at him I bet she doesn't even know. Maybe I should slip her my number and then I can console her when he comes out of the closet.

I rolled my eyes. This guy was completely pathetic. I blocked his thoughts before he could spew any more nonsense.

"Bella, are you ready to order?" I asked softly.

She looked up from her menu and smiled. "If we are going to do this right I am going to order the mushroom ravioli. We can share it like we did last time." Her eyes were dancing with merriment. We had found that it was easier to order one entrée and "share" it rather than face questions about why I was at a restaurant and not ordering anything.

"Two Cokes and one order of mushroom ravioli please. With two plates." I told the waiter. He was engrossed with watching Bella and I cleared my throat to get his attention.

"O-oh yes, of course. I'll have that right out." He turned and walked away.

We sat as we waited for our order, discussing the concert. Her food arrived soon after and she looked at me before beginning to eat.

"So…tell me more about your younger days." Bella said. "What was it like to live through the thirties and forties and fifties?" Her eyes were sparkling with curiosity.

I began to tell her about some of the things that I had seen during those times, people I'd met but I soon found my attention divided.

I was being tormented, tortured. I was being brought to the very edge of madness and before I could topple over the edge I was snatched back to sanity. Only to have the same cycle repeated again and again. And the worst part was my tormentor had no idea of the torture she was inflicting.

I watched as Bella took one of her slender fingers and drew it softly up and down her neck as she listened to my stories. She was watching me as I spoke and I was watching her fingers softly caress the skin on her neck. I had to shake myself mentally to be able to finish my story. Fortunately Bella did not notice my hesitation. I continued to tell her more about my past, my facial expressions masking the turmoil that raged within me.

I was mesmerized as Bella traced her collarbone with the tips of her soft fingers. She was enthralled with my stories and seemed to not even notice as she dragged her fingers across her skin. I almost came undone as she drew a swirling pattern in the hollow of her throat. I could hear the sounds of her fingertips as they glided across the satin of her skin. My skin. I had claimed every inch of her throat, her shoulders as my own. I knew every dip, every hollow. I had explored them all.

I knew that when I kissed her on the delicate skin below her ear she would shiver in pleasure. I knew exactly how sweet the taste of her skin was when I would dip my tongue into the silky hollow of her throat. I knew that when I traced the elegant column of her neck with the tip of my nose she would sigh softly and bury her hands into my hair.

I had to resist the urge to draw her into my lap and bury my face in the fragrant skin at the base of her throat. We were in a restaurant for goodness sake. I doubt Bella would forgive me for attempting to ravish her in a public place.

My fingers itched to touch her though. I could feel my body vibrate with the need to feel her soft skin beneath my fingers. Not being able to do so made the torment that much more agonizing. And just when I thought I could take no more, that I would give into the urge to snatch her up into my arms-Bella would stop. She would take a drink of her Coke or a bite of her food or simply rest her hands on the table as I told her about parts of my past. Then after a few moments she would begin again.

I was not sure how I made it through the rest of her meal without completely losing my composure. Every time Bella touched her skin with her fingers I wanted them to be my fingers. I wanted it to be my touch. I wanted to hear her breath catch in pleasure and hear her sigh my name in her sweet voice. I managed to hold on, but only just.

The waiter came to give us the bill in a small leather envelope and I immediately slipped some money into it and gave it back.

"No change." I said brusquely. I needed to get out of the restaurant, now. I vaguely heard the waiter, and then the host as well, tell us to have a good evening but I was not paying them any attention. My focus was on the beautiful woman at my side.

We made it to the car before I could stand it no longer. Bella walked to the passenger side door but instead of reaching to open it for her I reached for her instead. I turned her until her back was against the still-closed door and put my hands on the car behind her, effectively caging her with my arms.

She looked surprised for a moment and opened her mouth to speak but before she could utter a word I pressed my lips to hers.

I could taste the sweet flavor of the Coke on her mouth mixed with the intoxicating flavor that was Bella. Her warm soft lips moved with my cool ones and her fingers moved up into my hair, her nails scratching my scalp softly. I could feel a rumble in my chest and realized that I was purring. Bella seemed to enjoy it as her kisses became more urgent against my lips. I could not resist the temptation as I bent my head into the tantalizing skin on her neck and shoulders. I kissed her beneath her ear, feeling the shiver that I loved provoking in her. I ran my tongue softly up her neck, savoring the irresistible flavor of her skin. She sighed and whispered my name and I lifted my head to plant a kiss on her swollen lips.

I brought my hands to her shoulders, tracing her collarbones with my thumbs as my lips caressed hers. I could feel the supple texture of her skin beneath my fingers as I traced the line of her throat. I was become more and more lost in her allure by the second.

Loud voices behind me broke me out of the spell that Bella had weaved around me. I realized that I had pressed myself completely against Bella and she in turn was being pressed back against my car.

I stepped back, holding on to Bella's shoulders as her knees seemed to give out. I laid my forehead against hers as I took several unnecessary deep breaths.

"Wow." Was all Bella said.

"Mmm-hmm." I was incapable of real speech for a moment.

She was smiling up at me and her eyes were wide and sparkling. Her cheeks were the luscious pink I loved.

I ran my fingers down her flushed cheeks.

"I could watch you blush forever." I said softly.

"If you keep kissing me like that you might get your wish." She said, laughing softly.

"Hmmm, the idea has its merits." I said, bending to brush my lips against hers.

I reached behind her to open the door to the car and helped her inside.

We had driven for a little while before Bella spoke.

"Thank you for sharing your life experiences with me Edward. I appreciate the glimpse into your past. I love learning about your life. You will have to tell me more about yourself and the things that you have experienced. You know how much I love history." She giggled.

I smiled at her indulgently. "Of course. I think you would have fit in well back when I was human. You are so much more mature than any of your peers and I think that would have stood you in good stead back then. Plus I would not have had to wait so long to meet you." I grinned at her.

She laughed. "Yes an extra eighty or ninety odd years would have been nice but we can start making up for that now."

"I'm looking forward to that." I said, raising her hand to my lips.

The rest of the drive was spent with Bella asking me questions about the various decades I had lived through and I would answer her to the best of my ability. I was still distracted by her. She was so beautiful. That word was not enough. She was so much more than beautiful. Stunning, gorgeous, magnificent; even these were not sufficient. I would have to come up with a new word. She was everything I never knew I needed and everything I could ever want and more. She was simply Bella.

We pulled into the garage at my house and I got out to open her door for her. I led her into the house and she noticed how quiet it was.

"Where is everyone?" She asked, looking around.

"I believe that they all went hunting." I said. I sent a thank you to Esme for giving us this time to ourselves.

"Oh, so it is just you and me?" She asked.

"Yes. Would you like to watch a movie or something before going to sleep?" I asked. It was too early to go to bed and I wanted to prolong this perfect night as long as possible.

"Sure, but can we watch on the TV in your room? I don't want to nod off downstairs." She said.

"Of course. Why don't I pick the movie and you can go upstairs and change into something more comfortable. Call me when you are ready." In the state I was in I did not need to catch her almost naked again.

"Alright. See you in a minute then." She reached up on her toes and kissed me on the lips before making her way upstairs.

I quickly picked a movie and then spent the next few minutes waiting rather impatiently for Bella to finish changing. Finally she called down to me and I practically flew upstairs.

Only to find myself brought up short in the doorway.

She was trying to kill me. There was no other explanation. Nothing else could account for this.

Bella was sitting on my bed, her back propped up on a few pillows against the headboard. She had taken her hair down and it flowed around her shoulders like chocolate silk. But what had really drawn my attention, what had brought me to a complete standstill was what she was wearing.

Those damned blue pajamas. Did she know what they did to me? The satiny material whispered over her body and the color made her skin luminous in the soft light of the lamp on my bedside table. How would I get through this tonight? I already was hanging by a thread as it was.

I moved into my closet and changed into a t-shirt and pajama pants. I walked back into the bedroom and put the movie in the DVD player. I sat beside Bella on the bed and she immediately curled into me. I felt her soft breasts pressed against my chest through the thin silk of her top and her leg intertwined with mine as she rested her head on my shoulder to watch the movie. I had to close my eyes for a moment to regain my composure. I put my hand on Bella's back and realized my mistake immediately. Her pajama top had ridden up when she wrapped herself around me and instead of silk underneath my hand I felt Bella's warm soft skin. She tensed for only a fraction of a second before relaxing deeper into my arms.

I gently traced a pattern on the small of her back, testing my control. It was surprisingly easier than I thought. Touching Bella had become natural for me and this was no different. At least that is what I told myself.

We watched the movie for a while, though I could not tell you what happened in it. My attention was all on Bella. She started tracing patterns on my stomach through my shirt and I felt my muscles clench from the contact. She looked up to find me watching her. Her luscious pink lips were so close to mine and I succumbed to the temptation they offered.

I could never get over how sweet her lips were. They molded themselves with mine perfectly, moving in synchronization with my own. I slipped my tongue out and ran it across her lips. She responded by pulling my bottom lip into her mouth, her teeth grazing across my skin. I felt my body quicken immediately and I turned more fully into the kiss, my fingers tunneling into the shiny mass of her hair. My fingers cradled her skull, holding her in my kiss and her arms wrapped around my neck. She pressed herself into me and grasped my hair, tugging slightly. Bella leaned back, pulling me with her until she was on her back and I was laying half on top of her. She kept one hand in my hair and the other traced the column of my spine up and down. Her hand dipped underneath my shirt and she ran her fingers across my skin. Her warm fingers sent tingles up and down my spine.

I broke away from her mouth, my lips finding her throat and I pressed open mouthed kisses to her delectable skin. She tilted her head to give me better access and I moved my hands to her shoulders, my thumbs gliding over the skin that had been tempting me all night.

Bella whispered my name as my lips found her ear, my tongue flicking across her earlobe. She pulled her hand from my hair and reached up and took my hand. I was distracted by the sweet hollow beneath her ear and did not notice what she was doing until it was too late.

I felt something soft and warm beneath my fingers and raised my head. I looked down to see my hand resting on her left breast. Her hand was on top of mine, holding my hand there. My eyes flew to Bella's and she was smiling encouragingly. She nodded to me and I flexed my fingers experimentally. She arched her back and I felt her nipple tauten in my palm, pressing through the silk of her top. I gasped at the sensation.

"It's okay Edward, you can do this." She whispered.

"Bella, I-I-don't want to hurt you." I whispered back.

"You won't Edward. I'll show you what to do, how to touch me. It's okay. Please, just touch me." She said, her expression pleading.

I looked into her eyes and saw nothing but trust and love. I decided then that I could do this. I wanted to do this. Baby steps. I nodded my head hesitantly and Bella smiled beautifically.

She wrapped her fingers in mine and closed them around her breast. Her supple skin moved beneath my fingers and I watch in fascination as her skin gave at my slightest touch. I was amazed at the amount of pressure she applied with my fingers. I would have thought it would be too much but she was encouraging me to press harder still with my fingers.

She pulled her hand away from mine and I continued to mold her breast in the palm of my hand. My thumb brushed across her taut nipple and she hissed and arched even more into my hand. Her face was contorted with pleasure, her eyes scrunched shut. She was gorgeous. I wanted to see that face again and so I repeated the motions of my fingers, this time drawing the pert peak between my thumb and forefinger. She moaned aloud and giving into impulse I bent my head and took her into my mouth.

It was amazing. I could taste the sweet/salty skin on my tongue, even through the silk and I rolled my tongue around her taut flesh. She lifted almost completely off the bed, her hands digging into my hair, holding me against her.

Emboldened, I slid my hand down her torso and slipped my hand underneath her top. The skin of her stomach was pure silk under my fingers and I drew soft circles on it before cautiously allowing my hand to drift upwards. My searching fingers found her breast and molded themselves around it, gently kneading as my lips and tongue continued to caress her nipple.

Bella's hands left my hair and moved down to the hem of her camisole top, drawing it upwards. I lifted my head as I registered her intent. I looked into her eyes, questioning her with my own and she nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. I reluctantly removed my hand from her soft skin and reached down to help her pull the cloth up. She raised her arms and I pulled the top up over her head and tossed it to the floor. I looked back at her and felt all the breath being sucked from my body.

She was exquisite. Her skin was gleaming in the soft light and her hair fanned out like a cloud against the pillow. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes sparkled with love and passion. I looked down and saw her bare breasts before me and took a deep unnecessary breath to steady myself.

Perfect. That was the only word that came to my passion clouded mind. Her skin was the color of fresh cream and the peaks of her breasts were rosy and taut. I looked up to see her watching me watch her. Her hands found my shirt and she tugged upwards.

"It's only fair." She said, giggling softly.

I smiled back at her and quickly divested myself of my shirt. I sat beside her, resting on my heels and she sat up in front of me, mirroring my posture.

I closed my eyes when she tentatively reached out to run her hands across my shoulders. Her tiny fingers traced my muscles before trailing down my arms, wrapping around my biceps and forearms. She drew her fingers back up and dragged her open hand down my shoulders, outlining my pectoral muscles before decending lower to the contours of my stomach.

I opened my eyes to see her watching me with the same wonder I knew was mirrored in my eyes. I mimicked her motions, tracing her shoulders and arms before sliding my hands down and cupping her soft breasts in my hands. They filled my palms perfectly, as though made for my hands and I kneaded them gently, using the pressure she had shown me she liked.

She tilted her head back and arched into my touch. Her neck was exposed to me and I bent to kiss and nuzzle it as my hands and fingers worked on her breasts. I kissed lower and lower until closing my mouth once again over her nipple.

Delectable. Even more so now without the boundary of clothes. I kissed and suckled at her skin, nipping at her with my lips before switching and giving her other breast the same treatment. I gently pushed her back down onto the bed, my body half covering hers. Her fingers gripped my shoulders and her nails dug into my flesh as I continued my ministrations.

"Oh Edward." She breathed.

I lifted my head and looked at her. Her lips with parted in passion and I could not resist tasting her lips once more. I traced her bottom lip with my tongue and she surprised me by slipping her own out to touch mine. I froze for a moment.

"Bella, be careful." I admonished softly.

"It's okay Edward. It tingles a little but that's all. I think it will be okay." She said quietly.

I was not completely certain but I had to trust that she would tell me if my venom had any adverse affects.

I resumed kissing her, this time our tongues intertwining. I dipped into her mouth and was astonished at how soft her mouth was. I ran my hands up and down her torso, my fingers stopping over and over at her perfect breasts. She responded in kind, her hands roaming across my skin. Her fingers stopped on my chest and she pinched my nipple and the sensation was so powerful I came undone.

All the passion I had been holding in erupted and I pressed fervently against her mouth, my fingers stroking and pulling at her breasts. I rolled so that my body almost completely covered hers, my mouth ravaging hers. She ran her hands up and down my back, her nails scratching at my skin. I felt the same rumble in my chest as before and she responded to the purring noise with greater passion, molding her breasts against my hard chest. Her skin was so hot against my icy flesh and I wanted to draw her closer. I felt myself falling over the edge of my control as I wrapped my arms around her, drawing her up off the bed. One arm cradled the nape of her neck and the other snaked down to grasp her bottom, pulling her into me. She felt my very aroused state and whimpered into my mouth.

The sound brought me back to a semblance of reality. Baby steps, I thought. I was ready to take her then and there and knew I had to get myself back under control. Neither of us was quite ready for the next step.

I gently released my grip on her, lowering her back to the bed and keeping our chests flush against each others. I pulled my hands from around her back and rested them on her soft firm breasts. I was amazed at how natural it felt to put my hands on her where just a few days before I would have balked at even the thought of touching her, much less seeing her topless.

I gentled my kisses while I continued to stroke her skin softly. Eventually I drew my lips from her and rested my forehead against hers. We were both breathing heavily and it took me a few moments to regain control of myself.

"Bella." I said when I finally found the ability to speak again. "We have to stop. I think I have pushed my control as far as I dare to tonight."

She nodded against my forehead. "I understand. Thank you." She whispered.

I drew back in surprise and looked into her still-passion-clouded eyes.

"Thank me? I should be the one thanking you." I said, half laughing. "Thank you for your trust in me." I bent and brushed my lips against hers.

"Well thank you for trusting yourself. I knew you could do it." She grinned at me. I groaned and buried my head in the crook of her neck.

"I swear you will be the death of me, Bella." I said, kissing her neck.

She laughed softly, causing other parts of her to shake enticingly. I had to get her dressed again before I lost all of my self control.

I drew back gently and slipped off the bed. I found her pajama top where I had tossed it and handed it to her. She blushed prettily as she put it on and I was amazed again at the paradox she always presented to me. She was innocent and seductive, steel hearted and incredibly gentle, sweetly unassuming and yet confident in her own way. I doubted I would ever understand the enigma she was and I found myself not wanting to. She was perfect, made just for me and I loved it.

I left my shirt off and climbed back onto the bed. She crawled under the covers and curled herself around me again. I laughed softly when she yawned against me.

"Ok, sleep time for the human."

She looked up at me and kissed me gently.

"I love you Edward Cullen."

"I love you Bella Swan."