Okay, this chapter's dedication is split about four or five ways, lol, because I couldn't decide.

Dedications for e-mazing reviews; either for content or just for making me laugh: Eve Royal, Jagga-Love, sydneybristow89, and emamula.

Also, thanks to AlohaBEL for the most epic review ever. Ahaha. And to moonwitche for helping me with the summary, being my manager, and staying up with me, iaa.

BPOV

Did you ever think of me
As your best friend?
Did I ever think of you?
I'm not complaining.

Eden by Sarah Brightman

Edward skidded to a halt next to me, leaning on his knees and panting for breath. I stared at him wide-eyed, shocked and more than just a little worried. Was everything okay? Had anything happened? I was about to ask when he started talking first.

"Bella," he gasped for breath, looking up at me to meet my gaze.

"Why were you running?" I asked him, worried.

He ignored the question, but he was still trying to catch his breath too. "Bella," he panted. "Can we go to my place tonight? I want to tell you something. And I really don't want to tell you in a book store."

He looked so breathless and excited and wild-eyed it would have been impossible to say no even if I wanted to. Which I most certainly didn't. And besides, he quite obviously wanted to share with me something that he deemed quite important. I wouldn't miss it for the world, and I couldn't turn him down for it either.

"Sure," I told him, wondering what this could all be about.

Edward grabbed my hand in his as he began to walk and I had to resist the urge to gasp. How often had I imagined him holding my hand (among other things?) His hand was just as warm and large as I remembered, his grip firm and leading yet gentle and caring at the same time. No matter what he wanted to talk about, no matter how crazy and sudden this all seemed, whatever "this" was, I felt absolutely safe with him.

I memorized the route we were taking to his house, wishing wildly that it would not be the last time I would walk this path.

We were walking past a lot of upscale apartments, most penthouses. I was stunned but not really too surprised when we started to approach the doors of the largest one. It was a gorgeous building. On the inside at least. It had huge glass doors that were tinted enough that you couldn't see specific people but could see the hints of warm lighting from several huge chandeliers. The floors were marble, a swirling white and caramel color. The front desk was large and intimidating. I saw them swiftly glance at Edward's face and then they turned back to their work. Obviously, he was known, but he wasn't the only famous person here. In the short minute it took us to stride over to the elevators I spotted at least three people I suspected of being famous actors or actresses.

Edward stared at me intensely in the elevator, still feverish looking, and I shyly kept my eyes down.

We got off on the thirteenth floor, one of the top ones. There was one long hallway and only two doors on either side. We veered off to the right, Edward whipping out his card with practiced ease and sliding it through the expensive lock. Some lights blinked, and we were let in.

I was in a state of shock. It all seemed so surreal. Edward, Edward, was leading me to his couch in his obviously expensive, grand penthouse, seemingly out of no where, with bright eyes and blood high in his cheeks. No matter what he wanted to tell me right now, I knew it would be worth it.

He sat down on the couch and surprised me by picking up my hands, holding them tenderly in his own. My eyes were wide as they met his. It seemed impossible he couldn't hear my heart thumping embarrassingly loud in my chest.

"Bella," he breathed out, emerald eyes captivating as they held my own boring ones. "I want to tell you about what happened between me and my mother."

If it was at all possible, my eyes bugged even more. This was a subject he tended to avoid - I could see how it made him uncomfortable whenever the topic was breached, so I never pushed. Obviously it meant something to him. "Oh Edward you don't have to," I told him quickly, thinking of his brooding eyes from nights past. "I know that's really personal for you and - "

He cut me off. "Exactly," he said, eyes lighting up even more with a frenzied kind of excitement. "Exactly. Just listen please…"

How could I do anything else?

"I went back to Chicago two years after I left it. The guilt had gotten too bad, and I realized how stupid, how selfish I'd been, just abandoning her like that. So I went back. I went back to the house where we lived, but she wasn't there. I thought she moved, but eventually, I found out that she was in the hospital.

"So I went. And I learned that she'd been having failing health for the past two years anyway, and probably wasn't going to be able to make it this time. I went in to see her, and I remember how...how fragile she looked. Her hair had gotten much whiter than it should've been, her face hollowed out. I sat there while she slept, realizing that this was my fault. All of it."

Oh Edward, I wanted to say. I couldn't believe the kind of guilt that must be - the guilt of killing a loved one. And I knew, as any outside perspective would know, that it really wasn't his fault. Not to that degree. I opened my mouth to tell him so, but he placed his hand over it. I suddenly remembered my promise to just listen and closed my mouth again, trying to ignore the warmth from his hand. He went on.

"She woke up, and when she saw me...she looked so relieved. So happy. It was like a different woman was looking at me. And I really knew, could really see, how much I had hurt her, if that was her reaction. She talked to me for a while, and I just sat there listening - anything to make up for what I had done. She started getting tired, and her talking slowed. I decided that was probably the best time to apologize. And I started to, but by the time I was finished, I realized that she'd been asleep the whole time.

"...She never woke up again. Her heart failed during the night. She never heard me. She died thinking that I came back out of some...some...some preconceived duty; and not because I cared, because I loved her, because I was sorry for everything."

My heart was breaking. I could feel it. I'd always read about the feeling, but had never really known what it felt like to have the aching reality shoved down your chest - especially from someone you loved. Someone who didn't deserve to feel that way. It's not your fault, it's not your fault! I screamed inside my head while he stared at my hand. Why couldn't he hear me? It felt like he should be able to; the voice was so loud in my head. I felt the tears welling up in my eyes. "Edward…" I whispered.

He looked up, eyes meeting mine again. He spoke before I was able to. "For so long, I've been haunted by that. And it's…it's scared me more than anything. It's made me scared to get close to anybody, to be myself. I haven't been happy in a long time…

"But you changed that Bella." His eyes flashed with conviction. My world tipped. "You changed everything. I'm happy again, for the first time in what feels like forever. When I'm around you, I can be myself, and be happy with that. You make me want to be close, to open up, to tell you everything; to take a chance because you…you're the best thing that ever happened to me."

This couldn't be real. He couldn't be saying this. Because that…that was how I felt. I didn't get a chance to recover before his warm hands were cupping my face, eyes wiping away everything else in the world. "I love you Bella," he said. "I love you."

His lips were moving but the sound coming from them couldn't be real.

My heart stopped. Time changed. Something altered inside my mind, inside my body, inside my heart, and I knew things could never go back to the way they were. I would never be the same again. Instinctively I realized, for better or for worse, this was my life now.

Agains tmy will I was sobbing, and I couldn't resist throwing myself at him, arms locking around his neck. I felt him return my embrace, holding me tightly. As if I was going anywhere.

"I love you too Edward," I cried, speaking louder than I wanted to so I knew there would be no mistakes. He would hear me. "I love you so much. I don't want you to be sad." The next words spilled from my mouth before I had the chance to stop them. "And I don't want to be alone anymore."

"Never." There was promise in his voice and my heart leaped, jumped, bounded. He placed a hand under my chin and pulled my face back to look at him, his long thumb wiping the tears on my face.

I suddenly realized how cheesy I was. The man I loved just told me he loved me back and I was ruining the moment with crying? I let out a laugh at my absurdity. It came out shakier than I expected.

"Sorry," I told him softly, bringing a hand up to quickly wipe away the tears he missed. "I know these are bad timing."

His face was soft, smile tender. I melted. And then he was leaning toward me and I knew what he meant to do. My heart sputtered erratically.

Our lips touched in a hail of electricity. I wondered if he felt it too. The kiss was soft…gentle. Perfect. What I had always imagined my first real kiss to be like and more. It was made even more enticing by the fact that it was Edward. His smell clung to me, weaving around my mind and making me feel positively drunk.

Without even meaning to I was clutching closer, trying to mold myself to his sculpted body. His lips were hypnotic. Warm. Sensual.

I barely even noticed when he lowered me back on to the couch, laying me down. The only real thing that caught my attention was the weight of his body on mine. Hard and solid; masculine. Oh…There was a heat beginning to flood through me, flooding toward one location that had never felt a reaction to anybody - except for him. His head tilted, lips firm, pressing, pleasurable. I sighed, opening my mouth to him. He took the opportunity I wanted him to, gently pressing his tongue into my mouth.

Oh…god, could he taste any better? Our tongues touched and met, exploring gently. The fire in me wanted more.

"Edward," I moaned, and I buried my fingers into his hair like I'd been dying to do ever since our first meeting. It was soft and silky to the touch, just like I'd always dreamed. It was like running my hand through a more solid version of water. I scratched his head as I raked my hands through his bronze locks. I could do this all day.

But he broke away, panting. I suddenly realized that my lungs were burning for oxygen. Oops…it hadn't seemed so important before. It still wasn't. Especially when his lips stayed on my skin, dragging down to my neck and lighting my skin aflame where ever his lips touched. I wanted to whimper, to do something, but I wondered if that would be pathetic. My breathing was starting to get embarrassingly loud. The heat and wetness between my legs intensified. I could feel his own desire pressing against my leg.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he whispered as he made wonderful work on my neck, nipping at my jugular vein. Unable to hold back my moan but trying, the sound came out choked, like a strange gurgle. Way to go, I thought sarcastically. I'm sure he's dying to sleep you with now, weirdo.

But to my disbelief, I could feel him growing harder against my thigh and he shifted uncomfortably. Instinctively I reacted, grinding against him. Our hips met like puzzle pieces.

"Yes," I breathed, using his hair to guide him back to my mouth. I'd never wanted anything more in my life. I wanted him to fill me. "God yes…I've never done this before though," I suddenly admitted, feeling that it was necessary. What if he thought I was good at this kind of thing and I completely disappointed him? That sounded exactly like me. I tried to ignore it and just kissed him again and again.

"Neither have I," he told me quietly, smiling a little, and the words shocked me enough that he was able stand, pick me up and begin carrying me to his bedroom. It was so very hard to believe…but I trusted him. The idea that he was still as innocent as I was filled me renewed hope and excited me more. I attacked his neck with my lips as he carried me, craving the feel of his firm skin.

He groaned, and I suddenly realized that we were in his bedroom now. His arms released me into the middle of the soft monstrosity he had as a bed. He was over me in a second. "You're going to be the death of me," he whispered into my ear before his lips started making their homage down my neck and to the exposed skin of my chest that the tank top allowed. My breathing was harsh and ragged. He latched his mouth onto the top swell of my breast and began to suck. I was going to be the death of him? Oh no no no! This man would kill me first; I was certain of it.

"Edward," I whimpered to him, sounding pathetic to my own ears. "Edward, please, go faster."

I looked down as his lips curved up into a smirk against the top of my breast. My neck was heating. "No love," he murmured, and my heart leapt. His hands came up to push my jacket off and I yanked the offending article away from us. "I want to take my time with you."

Oh god…Yes, I was certain of it. I was going to spontaneously combust before this god of a man even got to deflower me. Damn.

His hands were gripping the bottom of my tank top, trying to pull it up. I sat up to make it easier and he pulled it all the off before dealing with it in much the same manner as I had with my hoodie. I laid back down and watched as his eyes immediately went to my chest. His mouth parted and his nostrils flared. I blushed. I hadn't put on a bra today because currently all of mine were drying at home. And what a night too… Fate must be kind because none of my bras were sexy. This was definitely better. I made a mental note to go shopping. And speaking of clothes…my Adonis didn't even have his shirt off.

"It's not fair," I told him breathlessly, sitting up to my elbows. His eyes never strayed from chest and to my surprise I felt flattered. I'd always been teased for being a slow developer. I was pleased that he didn't seem put off by my modest chest. Quite the opposite in fact. I watched as he shivered the tiniest bit.

"What's not fair?" he asked. His voice was an octave lower than normal and it turned me on more than should be possible - I couldn't help but to grin as the heat intensified.

"You're still fully dressed," I informed him, sitting up. He straddled me so close that I was fully pressed against him before I'd even sat up all the way. I resisted the urge to shudder as my bare chest met his clothed masculine body, the denim rubbing against my nipples.

Excited, I gripped his shirt after we discarded his jacket and helped him pull it up and off. I laid back down and pulled him on top of me, his bare chest against mine. I kissed his mouth hard, trying to release and understand this heavenly feeling of our flesh melding together. It felt so right. My every curve molded to every plane of his muscled chest. He was absolutely gorgeous. The perfect specimen of man. His tongue easily dominated mine and he explored my mouth. He was mine…

His hands, which had been resting on and caressing my shoulders slid down, his skin warm and dry. Rough in the way that men's hands were. Mind-blowing. He hesitated above my elbow before he slid his hands over to cup my breasts.

Our tongues and mouths broke away as we both moaned. This felt so right. I moved my hands from hair to grip his shoulders as I arched into his hands, aching to be touched more. His lips kissed down the skin of my neck (did he have a fetish? Must ask when I can think straight) and at the same time, he removed most of his hands from my breast. I was about to whimper in desperation when his thumbs and forefingers lightly trailed to my nipples, pinching and pulling experimentationally.

I let out an embarrassingly loud cry, my hips immediately thrusting up to meet his. How could he make me react so strongly? "Oh god…Edward…"

He grinned at me, pleased with himself, before his lips descended to my flesh once more, closing in around my nipple, his tongue doing amazing, incredible things to my pleasure receptors and my thinking process. His other hand kneaded my unsuckled breast, a fire flaming through me wherever his skin touched. I slid my hands from his toned shoulders to his hair, loving the texture on my hands along with everything else. I was panting, my breaths shallow and loud, head leaning back.

Unexpectedly, his teeth nipped at the sensitive flesh he'd just ravished and I automatically screamed, my hands in his hair jerking. I worried belatedly that I might have caused some damage.

But Edward was just smirking against my skin again. "Mmm…" he murmured, amused. "So Bella likes it rough does she?"

His lips left my breast to trail down my stomach. If he wasn't causing me to lose my mind, I might have been able to see truly how ridiculous my situation was. I had no idea what I didn't like and what I did - though I was quickly realizing that anything he did was pretty damn amazing. As it was, I could only let out a weak laugh. "What can I say?" I breathed, slightly amused too but more turned on that anything. My hands went to his shoulders as his mouth trailed ever low. I couldn't think about what I was saying. His lips felt too good. "I've always been curious if I could leave scratches down someone's back."

He froze right above my jeans, and I wanted to scream. Never speak again! I internally scolded. He was very close to where I was aching so… But then he growled. And it was probably the sexiest thing I'd ever heard in my life. I almost fainted right then and there I was so hot and bothered at this point.

"Well you can't do it to someone," he growled. "But by all means…I'm a willing candidate."

I would definitely remember that. The thought made me giggle - until I felt his teeth pressing at my center through the material of my jeans. I screamed without realizing it until after. Holy hell…was that even legal?

"Edward…" His name came out a helpless moan. "Oh god, more, please…"

I watched as his hands immediately scrabbled at the button of his jeans, pushing them down and kicking them out of sight in record time. What shocked me and turned me on even more was when he turned that magical skill on me too. My jeans were off before I could do more than continue my ragged breathing.

He stared at my underwear and that was when it hit me what I was wearing. The grin on his face was not helping me feel better about the situation. My face felt on fire. I'd worn my HP boy shorts today. Screw you Fate! Damn you to the bowels of hell! I take back what I said before about the bra. I sat up, embarrassment making me defensive. "Well," I stammered. "I wasn't exactly expecting to declare myself tonight and make love with you! Give me a break."

The man never ceased to shock me and make me feel like my bones had turned to jelly. Without responding, he bent his head back down and took the band of my crazy underwear in his teeth and pulled them down slowly, his breath cool and enticing as it passed over my center. I couldn't help my gasp. My arms lost their bones and I fell back on the bed completely, breathing harshly. This kept getting hotter and hotter. "More, Edward, go faster."

"I can't," he told me. He sounded amused. "Obviously, I'm not doing my job right if you can still form coherent sentences."

Oh for the love of - ! I growled in frustration, but unfortunately it wasn't nearly as impressive as his. His lips were sucking on my inner thigh, so close to me, driving me insane. I let out an unrestrained whimper of need.

His lips kissed up until they finally planted themselves lightly on the place of my desire, no doubt soaking wet. My hips bucked towards him naturally, needing more. Uncontrollable sounds were erupting from my mouth. How the hell was he so good at this?

He groaned. "You're so wet…" he breathed into me. I didn't even have time to react before his tongue was on my core and dragging upward, a long, languorous lick that left me panting. His amazing tongue penetrated me, and my moans came heavier, little cries now and then. I was squirming, head thrashing, hands gripping the sheets convulsively. His hands came up to my hips to hold me still, tongue exploring, lips sucking. "Touch me Edward," I found myself crying out. I could feel the dull, angry throbbing in my neglected bundle of nerves.

His thumb acquiesced and the minute he touched my clit I lost all control on my vocal cords, screaming out. In the back of my mind I thanked the size of his living quarters, hoping that meant nobody could hear me.

He broke away from me, panting, and shoved his boxers down. Oh my… From what I had seen in pictures and in movies, a man's penis had always looked strange to me. But him? He was beautiful. And he made my skin burn.

He crawled on top of my, and his hardness settled in between my legs. It felt like home already. Our hips connected perfectly. We were jigsaw puzzle pieces that fit, lining up just right. "Edward," I couldn't help to moan. "Please, let me feel you…"

He groaned himself, leaning down to kiss me again. I could taste myself on him and was surprised at how much I liked the mix. My arms wrapped around his neck and he situated himself to enter me. "You ready?" he whispered. He was nothing if not a gentleman. Trying not to think about everything I'd ever heard about the pain of the first time, I merely kissed him again. His lip's touch always sent everything else flying from my mind.

I felt the tip of him sliding in slowly. I breathed deeply through my nose as he pushed in just a little more.

A deep rumbling was coming from the inside of his chest as he nestled his head into my neck, the feeling sliding through my nerve endings. "Oh god," he growled. "Bella, you're so tight."

He was ethereal as he said that to me, half way inside my body. I couldn't think. "That's… good?" I groaned out, trying to remember how to speak. I was stretching, but I wanted him in deep.

"Yes," he gasped near my ear, his voice sending a shiver through my spine. "Oh god, yes…"

He was almost all the way in and it wasn't hurting exactly yet. But then I felt him hit my barrier, and I sucked in a deep breath. His lips covered mine, a deep kiss meant to distract me. I concentrated on the sensuality of his very touch, gripping his shoulders. His hips rocked forward, and my barrier broke. It hurt and I whimpered, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. I kept my lips glued to his, because it made me feel better.

His lips broke from mine. "I love you," he whispered. The way he said it…you'd think I was something to be treasured. It made me believe him, for just one moment.

"I love you too," I breathed. I'd never felt so complete in my life. He sat buried to the hilt within me, and I couldn't remember my own name. Just that I loved him, Edward, and I needed him to move. I thrusted my hips lightly against him.

He pulled out slowly and then rocked back inside of me. I automatically arched my body into his, our groans tangling and intermingling. I pressed against him as hard I could, wanting closeness.

He continued thrusting. It was easy - we worked so perfectly together. Our skin was taking on a light sheen of sweat as he began pumping into me harder than before. It was like every time he pushed in, he pushed a moan, a groan, a heavy breath from me in response. I clenched around him on occasion, his firmness filling me, and he seemed to like that. I enjoyed listening to his sounds, watching his face filled with pleasure.

I wanted more.

"Harder," I cried out, arching into him. "Faster."

He didn't deny me. He just let loose one of those erotic snarls that left me reeling for breath, and pulled out until only his tip was within me. He slammed back inside fiercely, hitting deep and eliciting a scream on both our parts. He did it again and again, our hips grinding.

I wrapped my legs around them, and he sunk in even deeper. I gasped, my head falling back in ecstasy as I moved my hips with him, stimulating the entirety of his skin surrounding his manhood. He hissed, his hips tilting and brushing my clit. I was whimpering, walls tightening.

His hand trailed between us, before his fingers took possession of my clit again and pressed firmly, rubbing.

"Oh god!" I screamed, fingers raking down his back unthinkingly. His head dropped next to my ear, the sound of his heavy breathing pushing me even closer to the edge. I was so close…

"Do you like that?" he breathed out. "Do you want me to rub harder?"

I couldn't take this! Not this feeling of being so close, not his erotic breath and words in my ear. Everything around me fell. "God…fuck!" I screamed, so lost. "Yes!"

He sucked in a breath and slammed into me so hard that I finally tumbled over my edge, my world exploding in waves and waves of intense pleasure. I was trembling and crying out wild sounds of pleasure along with him. It was a feeling so intense it bordered on pain.

Shaking slightly, he collapsed on top of me, his weight firm and solid. Languidly, still trying to catch my breath, I wrapped my arms around his neck. My legs had never uncircled from around his waist.

"I'm sorry," he chuckled softly after a moment, the sound drained and deep. "I know I'm crushing you."

I tightened my grip on him as much as I could in my loosened state. "No," I murmured. I never wanted him to get off of me. To pull out. "I like it."

He laughed faintly and slowly exited me, obviously not believing me, falling on his back and grabbing my waist, pulling me on top of him. I felt him pull the covers up over us.

I had never felt this content or comfortable in my life. And certainly never with another person. I closed my eyes, snuggling into his chest. He smelled so good, he felt so nice…I smiled at the thought.

"You're beautiful," Edward whispered to me. His hand rested on my back, brushing lightly up and down my skin.

I couldn't help but to laugh a little at his blindness. He needed to turn that statement on himself. "And that, Mr. Masen, is where you have it backwards." I yawned, letting my body settle down further into his. A thought struck me hazily. "You'll be here when I wake up right?" I asked, tired. He had completely worn me out.

"Depends on when you get up," he murmured back to me. I felt his face press into my hair. "I still have work tomorrow."

Work? How was that even possible? It felt like the world should just stop and let us enjoy this perfection. I smiled even wider, laughing at myself. I was such a sap. "Oh yeah, Mr. Super Star. I forgot. You have to go make countless women swoon." Unfortunately, it wasn't just a joke.

His voice was quiet and loving when he spoke next, his words mimicking the caress that his hand was applying to my hair. "You're all I care about, though."

I felt like I could cure the world from hate with the absolute love and happiness that filled my heart.

Thanks for noticing.

- Eeyore

Woo! 'Nother chapter down. Oh, just to let you guys know - for those who have read the one-shot, you might remember how I said that Twilight was Edward's next project, but I'm cutting that out of this story. It was really just the whole inside joke of Rob playing Edward. But to clear that up, this is NOT a Rob story. The references in the one-shot were just for laughs. This is definitely Edward. I love Rob to bits, but I don't want to write about him, lol.

This chapter was going to have the next scene, but this was so long as it was…lol. My smut is always so long. Maybe I should work on that.

News! Me and three other coolio authors (moonwitche, Raille/DQRC, and cdunbar) have started a podcast where we read, review, and discuss Twilight fan fiction. Not as formal as it sounds. We're insane and random, listen for a good time filled with laughs and awesome fic recommendations! We have two episodes up and the third one should be coming out shortly. It's in the editing process at the moment. The link is on the top of my profile!

By the way, you might have noticed that I changed the title and that was because it wasn't working for me. One, it was too long. And second, it only accurately described the one-shot. It only describes the beginning here.

Anyway, review, and I will update quickly! The hard part is over. The story continues unchartered (to you guys) from here…

- TRE