Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns all things Twilight. I just decided it was time to shake things up a bit in her characters' world. And I wanted a bitchy Bella, so here we go!
Oh, and all of the references used in this story in relation to the advertising and marketing company and accounts are only used here for entertainment purposes; no copyright infringement intended. Portions of U2 songs used in this chapter are also used for the enjoyment of readers; no copyright infringement intended.
Thank you to the following people: Angelicwish, who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to provide this insecure writer with loads of feedback, advice, beta services and great conversations; and to Jen – I'm so glad we reconnected! Love you!
And thanks so much to Latchkey Wife, who was kind enough to pimp out this story on her bloggy blog. Go check it out – Ramblings of a Latchkey Wife. She makes me laugh my ass off on a regular basis.
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Things are gonna get hot at the concert – hold onto your britches, bitches!
Oh, and one more thing before I leave you to it: I know there are a lot of you lurking out there, reading (thank you!) but not reviewing. I've begged and pleaded, so now it's time to bring out the big guns. To solicit more reviews from you lurkers, I will be offering a special prize at the end of this chapter. So read on and see the A/N at the end for more!
Chapter Twenty-three: With or without you
EPOV
After parking, the three of us walked across to meet up with the rest of our "entourage" for the evening. It was unseasonably warm for a night in late October and I delighted in not having to wear a coat. Entering the crosswalk, I made the mistake of looking up, and my eyes locked on the slender brunette in blue. She winked at me from across the street and I swear to God, my heart jumped into my throat.
Bella was a fucking vision -- in blue -- my new favorite color. Her slim, long legs were wrapped in dark jeans so tight I was sure she couldn't possibly fit another article of clothing under them. This information, of course, registered immediately in my dick. She wore a draping dark blue top that seemed to be clinging for dear life to her shoulders. If she shifted slightly, one side would slip onto the creamy skin below, exposing an additional sliver of flesh below her collar bones.
Oh please let me take that off her later. Please. She was wearing flat shoes and her hair was done in loose curls that cascaded over her shoulders and down her back. I saved her face for last, and was dumbstruck once more. Her ivory skin, accented with freckles across her nose, those big brown eyes and the pouty pink lips called to me like nothing else.
As she watched me approach she smiled and bit her lip, and I tripped over the edge of the sidewalk. Shit. I did not fancy myself a klutz by nature.
"Uh, easy there, son," Jasper taunted. I glared at him menacingly, knowing full well that at least he and Bella had witnessed the effects of her power over me.
We reached the group, and after Carlisle had greeted Esme with a kiss, I said hello and gave her a hug. It was good to see her again. As soon as I had released Esme, Alice practically launched herself at me, much like a little sister would I imagine, and pulled me into a fierce hug. She's strong for a little pixie.
"Edward, it's so good to see you again," she exclaimed. "We're so glad you and Bella were able to make it back in time for the concert. This is going to be a great night -- I just know it!"
I said hello to Rosalie and she introduced me to her boyfriend Emmett -- more of a bear than a man, actually.
"Edward Cullen, this is Emmett McCarty," she said. "Emmett, Edward works with Esme and Bella at S&P. He's their ad and marketing manager, right?"
"Yup," I said, impressed that she knew that. "And this," I said to Emmett, gesturing to the other two with me, "is my brother Carlisle and my buddy Jasper Whitlock."
Everyone shook hands and talked for a few minutes about their respective jobs and how we were all connected. After those introductions, Rosalie suggested we make our way inside.
"Emmett, thanks so much for the ticket," I said sincerely, clapping him on the back. "I've wanted to see these guys in concert for years!"
"Hey, sure dude, no problem," Emmett said, grinning. "Happy to do it. None of the other guys could make this concert, so I was glad to take 'em off their hands! Who knew that sports agents had lives outside of work, eh?"
As Bella walked past me I reached for her hand and pulled her back to me, away from the others. I waited until the others reached the doors and then turned back to Bella. With my hands, I held her face close to mine and kissed her deeply. It had only been a few hours since we'd parted at the airport, but it seemed longer. Her lips felt like home. She sighed into my mouth and pressed herself even closer.
"Good evening Ms. Swan," I crooned, deliberately lowering my voice. "You look absolutely ravishing. I do believe this is my new favorite color. Aside from your delectable blush, that is." Gently I traced my finger along her jaw, down her neck and across her collarbone. I stopped above the soft skin of her breast and whispered in her ear, "You look good enough to eat." And then, just to emphasize my point, I bit down on her earlobe.
She whimpered at my words and my touch and I felt her momentarily go limp in my arms. My body was a live wire as I held her, and I cursed myself for driving us both crazy just before a three-hour concert.
"Come on beautiful," I said, kissing her on the forehead and then pulling her toward the entrance. "The others are waiting for us. And Bono too."
We were ushered to our front row seats quickly, despite the throngs of people, and I couldn't help but be fucking stoked at my luck; we were sitting in the front row, just behind the metal bars that separated all of us from the stage and U2. This is fucking awesome.
"Dude, this is awesome!" Emmett's exclamation verbalized my thoughts, and the rest of our gang uttered sentiments of appreciation to Emmett, our new personal hero. Bella was vibrating with excitement beside me, and I wrapped my arm around her waist, glad that very moment to be with all of these people, and her especially.
We all talked and laughed for a while over the crowd noise, until the lights dimmed and the music began. The band started with a rousing rendition of "Sunday Bloody Sunday," one of my favorites, and immediately all of us were shouting, jumping and dancing. Bono and the boys were electric and the eight of us watched with fascination and incredulity as he bounced all over the elaborate stage like he was still in his twenties. Phenomenal. My eyes wandered often to Bella, standing beside me totally engrossed in the aging rockers and apparently impervious to my stare.
To my left, Emmett whooped and clapped in admiration as Rosalie stood with a smirk across her face. For a moment I was puzzled by the expression, until I watched Emmett jump as her fingers took a hard handful of his ass and squeezed. His meaty arms swooped down to her rear and picked her up, and as they laughed and kissed I looked away, focusing on my brother.
He and Esme stood together, his arms wrapped around her with her back against his chest. They were gently swaying with the music, and Carlisle's head was bent to Esme's ear in a private conversation. She smiled as he spoke and then she turned and kissed him. The two of them were so obviously head over heels and perfect for each other. I sighed as a momentary pang of jealousy hit me. They didn't have to worry about people finding out. They didn't have anything to hide. In an effort to distract myself, I shifted my gaze to the remaining couple.
Jasper and Alice were…I guess you could call it dancing. Alice was twirling herself around my friend, holding his hand in hers over their heads. I caught Jasper's eye and couldn't help myself from grinning at him. What the hell have you gotten yourself into Whitlock? He shrugged his shoulders as if he knew what I was thinking, grinned back and dipped Alice backwards. His kiss successfully quashed her squeals of delight. With a chuckle, I turned my attention back to the woman beside me.
Watching Bella sway her hips slightly, in time with the music, enthralled with the show mere feet from her was such a damn turn-on. And later, when the beginning strains of "Beautiful Day" began, she squeezed her eyes shut and threw her hands up over her head in a pure, unfettered celebration. I thought my heart might explode from my chest at the sight of her. At that moment, she seemed completely happy, at peace, unrestrained and wild.
"Touch me. Take me to that other place. Teach me. I know I'm not a hopeless case."
I could only hear her singing because of our proximity, and it didn't matter one bit that it was horribly off-key. My feet closed the small space between us and I crushed her against me in a fast kiss, effectively cutting off her duet with Bono. One hand kept her pressed against me while the other sought out skin and heat and Bella. Her hands, meanwhile, wound around the bottom of my shirt, her little fists pushing against my sides. I couldn't tell if she was hanging on or upset with the public display of affection. Oops. Didn't really consider that.
"Bella, I'm…I'm sorry, I…" I began after breaking off the kiss. Her hands stayed tangled in my shirt as I moved to put distance between us, inwardly cursing myself for not thinking. Stupid. Asshole. But then again, fuck it. It was completely worth it. Didn't everyone already know anyways? Jasper and Carlisle obviously did; would I be a fool for assuming Bella had told Esme, Rose and Alice? Well, if they didn't know, they do now. Shit. She's gonna castrate me.
Her finger on my lips abruptly muted my internal dialog.
"Shh. Edward, get behind me. Closer," she practically ordered. My dick nearly broke through my zipper and I struggled to check my body's reaction to her lowered voice. More like a purr, actually. Numbly I moved so that I was standing behind her, though I didn't know what she wanted. My hands hung limply at my sides as I debated what might be happening here.
Bella reached behind her and pulled me to her so that our bodies were touching -- close but not obnoxiously so -- and took my hand in hers. She continued to move with the music and for the rest of the song I just stood there, a bit dumbfounded by her gesture and her willingness to let me see her, and for everyone else to see us, like this. Then I rested my other hand on her shoulder so that I moved slightly along with her.
Then the familiar keyboard effects, the steady bass and The Edge's Infinite Guitar echoes elicited an appreciative roar from the arena, and from the eight fans in the front row. As the troubled love song began, hastily I pressed my body against Bella's, not giving a shit about who saw us. The longing and the heartache in the song drove me as I wrapped one arm around her waist and lifted the curtain of mahogany hair off her back with the other.
See the stone set in your eyes
See the thorn twist in your side.
I wait for you.
Slight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait.
And I wait without you.
In the kaleidoscope of concert lighting I discovered that Bella's back was exposed by the low drape of her top. The fabric hung below where her bra strap would normally be, and her shoulder blades and gentle slope of her spine were a work of art displayed for only me.
With or without you
With or without you.
Through the storm we reach the shore
You gave it all but I want more.
And I'm waiting for you.
Moving her hair over her shoulder, I focused my attention on the side that was exposed and slipped off the flimsy fabric, revealing more creamy skin. I heard Bella gasp as she realized what I was doing. To assuage her anxiety I kissed her shoulder and then began working my way up her neck.
"God, Bella, you are so fucking sexy," I murmured into her ear when I reached it. Gently I sucked at the skin behind her ear and then bit down on her earlobe, prompting her to whimper. Her hair shielded her face and acted as a bit of a screen from the others to our left. I used my body to shield her other side from any prying eyes, though I seriously doubted anyone was paying attention.
With or without you
With or without you.
I can't live
With or without you.
My fingers moved from her bare shoulder across her chest, dipping below the edge of the fabric and along the slope of her breasts as I refocused my efforts on kissing her neck. Bella sighed and then I felt her fingers dig into my thigh, anchoring my body against hers, as her other arm wound around my neck. She no doubt could feel how much this excited me.
"OhgodEdward," she rushed out in a sigh. With her arm still around my neck, Bella twisted her torso and captured my mouth in a hard kiss. My restraint all but gone, my hips rocked against her rear as we kissed, and she moaned into my mouth as she felt me.
And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give, and you give,
And you give yourself away.
Seeking more friction, I grasped Bella's hips and began moving our bodies together, slowly and in time with the song. In the darkness it looked like we were dancing; meanwhile it was all I could do not to take her right there in the arena. Her back pressed against me and her ass rubbed my dick; the body heat only intensified our arousal.
My hands are tied,
My body bruised
She's got me with
Nothing to win
And nothing left to lose.
Bella finally broke our fevered kiss and turned her head back toward the stage, her hands now firmly clutching my ass and keeping our bodies connected in the only way that was socially acceptable. I was sweating -- from the heat of the lights and the bodies around us and from the exertion of our movements -- and as I licked Bella's neck it was salty with a sheen of perspiration as well.
My hands moved independently of my brain, skimming her thighs, her stomach and then her breasts as I wrapped my arms around her. Her nipples pebbled at my touch and Bella exhaled loudly, as I traced a path from her shoulder up to her neck with my tongue. Without warning she turned around and threw her arms around my neck, stealing another kiss.
Our bodies were naturally drawn together in an intimate stance, as Bella straddled one of my legs and began moving us again slowly. Through her jeans and my own, I could feel the heat of her arousal, and it nearly drove me insane. Gently and sensuously she made little circles with her pelvis, sliding her hands down to my ass.
With or without you
With or without you.
I can't live
With or without you.
"Edward, I need you…now," she whispered, and I watched, rapt, as her fingers eased the other side of her top off her shoulder. The thin material was now only being held up by her arms and our chests pressed together. And I wanted nothing more than to rid her of it and the rest of her clothing.
The band launched into "Desire," and I rolled my eyes at the irony. This was a perilous state of affairs; the tenuous grasp I had on my self-control was gone, and the music only served as an aphrodisiac. My fingers wove through Bella's hair as I brought her face to mine, pulling her bottom lip into my mouth. As my thumbs grazed her cheeks, she sighed, pulling away from my lips.
"Can we please get out of here?" she asked, pushing her breasts against me as her breath tickled my ear. "I want to feel you," and then licked my earlobe and sucked on it, adding, "…inside me." I groaned, suddenly wishing Bono would wrap things up so I could sweep this woman away and into my bed. Inwardly I chuckled at the ridiculousness of it: here I was at a U2 concert and in the front row, no less, and all I could think about was leaving.
Bella's hair.
Bella's skin.
Bella's body…on mine.
But I didn't want to be a total shithead and leave everyone behind; we had all decided to go to a bar after the concert, and it was a chance to get to know Alice, Rosalie and Emmett better. If I was going to do this the right way, I couldn't ditch all of them and take Bella with me. I exhaled loudly in defeat.
"Baby, there is nothing more I'd rather do," I said, leaving a trail of wetness as I kissed and sucked on Bella's neck, "than take you back to my place and tear these clothes off you." She whimpered at the idea. "But Emmett was nice enough to invite us, and I don't want you to regret leaving early. And I'd really like to get to know your friends."
She only pouted for a moment, but then smiled and kissed me.
"You're too good, Edward Cullen," she said. "Do you know that?"
As I nodded down at her I recognized the beginning of "All I Want is You." Damn, it's like they have a direct connect to my brain. They were performing all of my absolute favorites tonight, and I smiled into Bella's mouth as I kissed her. Abruptly, an image flooded my mind.
"Bella, can I show you just how good I am?"
She looked at me, puzzled, until I grabbed her perfect ass and arranged her so that she was again straddling my thigh. I knew her jeans were thin; hopefully the seam would provide the friction that she needed. I wanted her to get her release.
Bella's eyes grew wide as awareness dawned, and she opened to her mouth to protest. Once more I silenced her with my own and began to move us again, this time adding upward and downward movements to our dance. Her face immediately flushed and she threw her arms around my neck. Our faces were inches apart, and the world around me quickly fell away as she became the center of my universe.
"Oh fuck, Edward," she moaned. I kissed her hard, spurred on by her dirty mouth, my own lust and my desire to make her feel good. "If you keep that up I'm going to…"
"I want you to come, Bella," I finished for her. "Come for me." I let my head fall against her shoulder as I continued and I felt her hot little hand cover my aching dick, letting my own movements act against her fingers. Shit.
"Fuck. Baby, move your hand or I'll come in my pants. We can play more later. Promise. " When she hesitated, I gently removed her hand, kissed it, and wrapped it around my neck. Immediately she wove her fingers through the hair at the nape of my neck and pulled. Fuck.
Her breathing accelerated with each pass and when she started to whimper I knew she was close. With one hand at the apex of her legs, gripping her upper thigh, I used my thumb and pressed down against the seam of her jeans and started rubbing in little circles. Our eyes locked and I was sure I saw flames flickering in the dark chocolate of her irises. She gasped and arched her back, her breasts crushing against my chest.
"Oh God Edward, I'm…"
I covered her mouth and her cries with my lips and kept them there, kissing her, while she rode out the waves of her orgasm. I will never tire of watching her face as she comes. The rousing strains of "Where the Streets Have no Name" garnered renewed applause and a thunderous roar of appreciation from the crowd. Bella's heavy breathing pressed her breasts against my chest every other beat; the sensation was tantalizing and I made a conscious effort to regain my own composure.
Her heated gaze remained on me, and we stared at each other, just breathing, for what seemed like an eternity. God, I am so in love with this woman. Help me. Only when I blinked did the world snap back into focus. It was suddenly loud and harsh and it seemed Bella was feeling the same way. She wrapped her arms around me and buried her face against my chest and shoulder.
"Hmmm…you're amazing," she murmured. I kissed her hair in reply. "I love you so much."
"I love you too Bella."
It was only then that I heard soft giggling and snickering coming from my left and I whipped my head in the direction of the sound. Alice immediately covered her mouth, though her eyes said it all. Mustering the most menacing glare I could, I released Bella and stepped toward her, knowing that Jasper would put himself between us.
"Whitlock, tell your woman to knock it off," I said, trying to peek around him to glower at Alice. "I don't know what she's giggling about over here, but if she doesn't stop I…"
"I won't talk to her for a week," Bella chimed in. "And we all know how Alice would feel about not getting any gossip for a whole seven days. So zip it, shortie." Bella then winked at her friend and turned her attention back to the concert.
Alice's mouth hung open in a shocked "O" and her expression clearly showed she had been blindsided by Bella's threat. Jasper smirked in Bella's direction and nodded his head at me.
"Damn, son, you got ya'self a good one there." He winked and went back to soothing Alice. But I was curious, so I tried a different tactic.
"Alice, I was only kidding about being mad," I began. Alice perked up a bit. "I'm sorry. But I still want to know what you were laughing about."
Her expression softening, Alice looked at me with what I could only describe as a knowing smile and said, "Just at how well you two seem to be getting along. From what I understood, you were like oil and water. Now…things have definitely changed. I just knew it! Jasper, I told you, didn't I?"
Jasper nodded. Huh?
"What? What do you mean Alice," I asked. She laughed again and leaned against Jasper.
"Oh, silly boy. We all saw this happening," she said. "The chemistry between you two was so obvious right from the start. God, I love it when I'm right. And Rose, Esme and I are all going to be bridesmaids!" She jumped up and down, clapping her hands like a child, and suddenly it seemed I had swallowed a rather large bug.
Bridesmaids? Wedding? Bella and me…married? My brain struggled to wrap itself around the concept. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, suddenly spurred on by the thought.
"Uh, Alice…" I began, but she held up a hand to cut me off.
"Edward, don't worry," she said. "Not yet. But I'll let you know when it's time." It was her turn to wink at me, and my pulse relaxed a little at her joke. Still, I wondered if the little pixie was clairvoyant or something. Weird.
After the concert we all drove over to Solo and took advantage of the time left before last-call. The drinks flowed as did the conversation but all I could think about, again, was Bella. In the improved lighting of the bar, I was able to study her; I was transfixed. She spoke with Emmett and their playful sibling-like relationship made me smile. Bella didn't seem off-put in the least when he wrapped his arms around her waist and scooped her up in a bear hug.
"Emmett! Can't…breathe…" she gasped, and I stifled my laugh when his face fell.
"Sorry B! Rosie's always tellin' me to go easy," he yelled with a toothy grin. "But only outside the bedroom, of course." One glance in Rosalie's direction confirmed that he would be punished for that comment, and this time I laughed aloud.
As we walked back to our cars, Bella grabbed my hand and held it until we got to Emmett's Jeep. With the others close behind us, I knew I only had moments to spare, and I really didn't want an audience for this.
"Bella, please stay with me tonight," I said, pulling her close to me. I wasn't ready for the night to end, and the thought of spending another one without her made me ache. Visions of undressing Bella and having her in my bed were making it difficult to get the words out of my mouth. "I need to have you with me." It was all I could muster.
She bit her lip as she looked down at my chest.
"Yes," she said simply.
I tilted her head up and kissed her just as Emmett and Rosalie, Jasper and Alice and Carlisle and Esme reached us. There were a couple of friendly "Ooohs," but I didn't give a shit. I said good night to everyone with hugs and handshakes while Bella discretely whispered to Alice. From the corner of my eye, I watched as Alice's lips turned up into a bright smile. Then she reached into the back of Emmett's Jeep and produced a small overnight bag. You've got to be kidding me! Apparently this was not Bella's idea; her face mirrored mine in surprise.
"I thought you might need this Bella," she said, handing her the bag and hugging her. "And I added a few new things for you to…um…choose from. Just try them. Please?"
Bella nodded like a bobblehead doll, most likely just to end the awkward conversation about what Alice might have packed for her. Quickly I escorted her to Carlisle's vehicle and helped her step up. I threw her bag into the trunk and then felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. Intrigued as to who might be texting me this late, I closed the hatch and flipped open my phone. And choked.
Edward, lovely mtg you in Chicago this wk. I'm in Seattle. Let's have lunch 2 discuss Aro's offer. When?
Tanya's text glared back at me in the dark street. Hastily I pushed the delete option and shut my phone. Tanya was here. In Seattle. Why? Aro had failed to mention that his little pet would be traveling here and I had already rejected his offer. Shoving the thoughts from my mind, I climbed into the backseat next to Bella and Esme.
"Edward, are you feeling okay?" Bella asked, looking concerned. Carefully I tried to arrange my features in a look of nonchalance; obviously my last attempt had failed. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I'm fine, love," I said, kissing her nose. In order to change the subject, I asked Esme how the week had been without us. Thankfully she obliged.
"Oh, Edward, it was fine," she said sweetly. "It's always a bit crazy when Bella's away, and it was especially hectic with you both gone this week. But I managed. I understand you two had a productive, educational week in Chicago?"
"It was great," Bella bubbled from beside me before I could respond. "Edward was great too. Everyone loved him and his presentation. We walked all over the city and it was great."
I'd never heard Bella use the word "great" so many times to describe working…and working with me. If she hadn't looked so damn cute when she gushed about it, I would have laughed.
Carlisle dropped us off at my house and after thanking him and saying goodnight to Jasper and Esme, I helped Bella out and grabbed her bag. She stood outside my house for a moment, examining it in the dark, and after a few moments, I gently nudged her shoulder.
"Wanna go inside, love? It's much nicer and cozier on the inside."
Bella laughed -- she sounded a bit nervous -- and smiled at me.
"Right. How silly of me," she said, reaching up on her toes to kiss me. "Lead the way, stud." Her use of the word "stud," of course, popped in my brain and then headed directly south. I could barely keep my hands off her long enough to let her inside.
Slamming the kitchen door behind me, I pushed Bella up against the wall, tossing her bag to the floor in the process. Despite my desperation to get Bella alone, deep down I knew I needed to reign it in. This was a big deal for me, and I wanted to do it the right way. After getting my dick on the same page as my brain, I set Bella down and caressed her cheek with the back of my hand.
"Sorry love; I was a little over-eager," I said, kissing her softly. She sighed but said nothing. "Would you like the grand tour?" She nodded, so I took her by the hand and headed toward the living room. It was a small house, but cozy. Two bedrooms and a third room served as a study, and a living room and an eat-in kitchen with a center island.
We climbed the stairs and Bella walked through the double doors, immediately going to the shelves that lined the far wall of the room. Her eyes lit up as her fingers skimmed the spines of the books and then traveled to my CD collection. When she reached the end of the shelves she turned and her eyes settled on the main focal point in the room.
"Edward, this is beautiful," she gasped, standing before the Steinway baby grand that had been in my family for 50 years. When my father passed away, my mother had insisted I take it; Carlisle had no desire to play after the childhood lessons were over. I had been playing religiously since I was five; to me it was my center, my anchor.
"Thank you. It was my father's," I said, walking over to her. "He and I spent many hours playing together on this piano. It reminds me of him."
For a moment I got lost in my own nostalgia, and only resurfaced when I felt Bella's hand on my face. Her eyes were clear and shining in the soft lamp light, her lips begging to be kissed and well.
"Edward, I'm sorry," she whispered. "When?" I smoothed her hair, attempting to reassure her that I was fine. I explained briefly: our father had passed 12 years ago from an aneurysm and our mother had succumbed to cancer four years later. It wasn't something I talked about, but I thought Bella deserved to know.
"Oh, Edward."
"Bella, honey, it's alright," I said, kissing her. "It was a long time ago."
"Edward, will you play for me," she asked, changing the subject. I kissed her deeply once more, leaning her against the piano.
"Yes, love, but not tonight. It's late."
She led me out of the study and I gestured for her to continue down the hall to my bedroom. Flicking on the lights, the room was bathed in lamp light, which warmed the grey-blue walls and thick, slightly darker, ceiling-to-floor curtains. They were excellent for blocking out unwanted early morning sunlight. Bella's eyes took in the room quickly, her gaze landing on my king-sized bed and its plush white comforter.
"I like simple, clean lines," I explained.
She walked around the bed and I put her bag on the floor. Suddenly I was unsure of myself. Was this a bad idea? Did she feel pressured into saying yes?
"Edward, where's your washroom," she asked. "I'd like to get changed, if that's alright with you." I quickly ushered her to the bathroom off my bedroom and told her to take her time. While she was in there, I assessed the room to determine if it was maybe-having-sex-tonight-friendly. I straightened the comforter, then turned it down. Fluffed the pillows and then tossed them off the bed. Then put them back on the bed.
I took off my shoes and socks, and then debated on taking off the remainder of my clothes. Fuck. Get a grip. It's not like you've never done this before.
Deciding on a compromise with myself, I took off my shirt. What's taking her so long? I sat on the bed and picked up a book from my nightstand: "A Moveable Feast" – one of my favorites. For five minutes and 37 seconds I pretended to read. When I heard the doorknob turn, my heart leapt into my chest.
Calm down! But once I looked up, calming down was simply not an option.
The woman standing before me was not the one who entered the bathroom thirteen minutes prior. This was a sex goddess. She stood just outside the door, her feet bare, long legs exposed to her upper thigh. The deep blue satin of her nightie taunted me, barely covering her. My dumbstruck gaze traveled upward, focusing on the slight swell of her taut stomach, her hips, her arms and her breasts. Two thin satin straps were all that held the flimsy material to her body. I shivered.
"Ahem. See anything you like, Mr. Cullen," she teased. Fuck. Me. Her use of my formal title and her sultry voice made my jeans abruptly uncomfortable. My eyes moved up to her neck, which was blissfully exposed, and to her face and her hair, which she had artfully twisted up and off her neck into a clip.
"Lots, actually," I managed. My brain struggled to process this new vision of Bella. "Um…that's…very nice."
"Nice?" she asked. "Just nice? Well, that simply won't do, Mr. Cullen."
A/N: I know you all hate me for ending a chapter like this, but come on! You know you're going to get some lemony goodness in the next one! Isn't nervous Edward adorable?
Please leave reviews! I love them like dry humping at a U2 concert!
Now for the reward. When I reach 550 reviews, I will write a one-shot of epic lemony proportions…and I will let YOU choose the topic. Leave your suggestion along with your review, and let your imagination run wild!