Chapter 19: Making Memories
Bella POV
Bella, I'm joining the Army.
Five words I could not have prepared less for, particularly in my half-awake state. I looked at him shocked, any traces of tiredness now gone.
He had to be joking. He hated the army life; uprooting your life every couple of years, uprooting your family's life every couple of years...
Why would he subject himself to that all over again? I shook my head and pushed away from him.
"No," I replied simply and rose from the bed, feeling the tears burning in my eyes as I wrapped the sheet around my body and walked to the window keeping my back to him. "Why, Edward?"
The bed rustled as he moved across it and I felt his presence close in behind me, while still keeping his distance. "This is something I've been planning for a long time, Bella. Since I was about eight years old."
"I don't understand, Edward," I replied in a tense voice, trying to keep the tears at bay. "You've always told me how much you hated the Army life, and now you're going to thrust yourself right back into it?"
"I hated being the child in an Army household, not the Army itself." Edward finally placed his hands on my upper arms and rubbed them gently. "Baby, I told you all of this…"
I spun around to face him, no longer caring to hold anything back. The tears spilled over and ran down my cheeks as I continued to shake my head. "I didn't think you were serious, Edward. With everything you've said to me about this, what reason did you give me to believe you?"
"Bella, what reason have I ever given you not to believe me?" he asked calmly and I looked down to his chest.
He was right; outside of keeping his feelings for me hidden, Edward had always been nothing but honest. I didn't want to believe him, so I had chosen not to. I kept waiting for him to tell me that he was really just going away to college, or maybe taking some time to travel. Those would have been reasonable.
And temporary.
"Even so, Edward," I started once I found my voice again and lifted my eyes again to meet his. "Why haven't you said anything to me since then? You said, 'Nothing is going to take me away from you'. How is this 'nothing'?"
His hands cradled my face gently and he shook his head, stroking my cheeks with his thumbs. "Bella, listen to me. Joining the Army does not mean that I'm giving up on us. But I need to think of my life beyond June, and you still have two more years..."
"So go to college," I interrupted with a shrug, as if it that was the obvious choice. "You're so smart, Edward. Why not apply to UW or something? Or you could get a job, or... something!" I sighed exasperatedly, grasping at every possible option I could. "You don't have to run off and join the Army to make a life for yourself."
He pulled me back toward the bed, sitting down and guiding me onto his lap. I watched his hand gently rubbing against mine, and we were quiet as a thousand emotions ran across both of our faces. I could see the guilt etched in his features; I knew he hated causing me anger or pain in any way. I just couldn't imagine being here in Forks without him. At least if he went to college, even if it was across the country, I could still guarantee holidays and summers with him. You weren't necessarily afforded that luxury in the military.
"Baby," his soft voice broke through my thoughts and I bought my eyes up to his. "I can't not do this. I have thought a lot about this, through every possible scenario. But this is something I have wanted to do since I was a kid, as much as I hated moving around the way I did. I respected my father and I wanted to be like him, I just never wanted to put my own kids though that. I just know that if I don't do this, I will regret it for the rest of my life. And I don't want that hanging over either one of us."
I watched Edward's eyes and the torment in those beautiful green depths was heartbreaking. I wanted so much to be angry with him, to scream at him because things were finally so perfect between us; but I couldn't do it.
"You're right," I replied softly, letting my eyes fall back down to our now intertwined hands. I lifted them to kiss the back of his hand and then held it against my cheek. "So does this mean that… you know… you and I will never… have any of those things? Marriage. Kids… anything."
I felt the blush burning in my cheeks as I avoided his gaze and immediately regretted saying it.
"Bella, listen." My stomach clenched at his tone. "I can't say what's going to happen in the future. But I do know that I don't want us resenting each other for things we never did. Just as much as I need to do this, you just need to be sixteen. You're so young, baby. And I want you to be young, not to bury yourself away waiting for me."
I furrowed my brow and shook my head in confusion. "Edward… wha- what are you saying? I just told you tonight…"
"I know what you told me, Bella," he replied with seriousness in his voice that almost scared me. "But that was before you knew all the facts. And I need you to know that if you decide that this is too much... that you can't wait for me, I won't be angry. I will understand. Hell, I expect it."
Oh no you don't¸ I growled internally, finally finding the anger inside of me. "Do you love me, Edward?"
His eyes widened slightly in shock. "Of course I do, Bella. Why would you ask me that?"
I shifted slightly on his legs and turned to face him more, placing my hand on his face. "Do you want me?" I asked in a rough whisper, keeping my eyes locked on his.
"You know I want you, Bella. It's just…"
I cut him off, capturing his lips in a searing kiss before he could continue. His body stiffened slightly at the sudden movement but then slowly relaxed as he melted against me, parting his lips to tangle his tongue with mine. I shifted in his lap to straddle him fully, letting the sheet fall from my body; needing to feel him closer to me and pouring every ounce of passion I had for him into that kiss.
Minutes later, I pulled away slowly, keeping my fingers laced in his hair as I opened my eyes to look at him.
"Now you listen to me, Edward Cullen. And listen good because I am not saying it again," I said, my voice soft but leaving no doubt to the seriousness of my statement. "I will be here waiting for you to come back. We are meant to be together, Edward. There's not a doubt in my mind about that." His eyes fluttered open to meet mine and I traced his jaw with my fingertips, brushing a kiss against his lips. "If the last year has taught me anything, it is that you are worth waiting for."
His brow knitted together as his hand came up to cup my cheek and without another word, his lips met mine again in a deep kiss that sent a shiver down my spine. How could he ever doubt me? No one else could make me feel this way. He shifted us slightly to lie back down on the bed and we continued to kiss languidly.
When our lips finally parted, he cradled my head against his chest. "Go back to sleep, baby."
I curled my body against his, wrapping my arm tightly around his waist as he pulled the comforter over us. However, even as I listened to his heartbeat slow and his breathing even out, any hope of sleep finding me was completely lost. I regretted more than ever all the time wasted between us, but there was no way I was throwing this away. I felt complete in his arms like this and I would never take it for granted again. I pressed my lips to his chest and whispered, "I love you, Edward."
As I rolled over onto my other side, he drew a deep intake of breath in his sleep and turned toward me. I pressed my back against his chest, hugging his arm that now draped around me.
A few hours later, I heard movement out in the kitchen so I slid carefully out of Edward's arms and got dressed. I was relieved to find Alice in the kitchen making an espresso.
"Be a dear and make me one please," I mumbled as I sat down on a stool at the island bar, and let my head fall onto my arms on the counter top.
"Uh oh." The cup clinked against the counter as she set it in front of me, and I glanced up. "You look like you need this more than I do. What happened, doll? This isn't exactly the basking glow of a girl who just spent all night in bed with her man."
"I don't want to talk about it," I replied as I took the first sip of my coffee, my eyes staying firmly on the counter.
"Look right here, sweetie." Alice gently lifted my chin, forcing my eyes to hers. I tried to keep the tears at bay, but my exhaustion defeated my efforts. "Isabella Swan, tell me what's going on. Did he hurt you? Because I swear, I will beat his ass into the ground if…"
"No, it's nothing like that," I whispered softly, though the very thought of his words last night caused my heart to ache. The two years that we would have to spend apart, never knowing when exactly we would see each other, just seemed so long to be completely without him. With a heavy sigh, I averted my eyes again. "He's joining the Army, Alice."
"What?" she exclaimed loudly, her voice echoing through the silent house and I hushed her brusquely, not wanting anyone waking up yet; particularly Edward. Her voice lowered to a harsh whisper. "What do you mean he's joining the Army? After everything you two have been through to get to this point? And as much as he dislikes it? Oh god, you guys didn't break up, did you?"
She spoke in such a panicked rush that I couldn't get a word in edgewise, until she nearly sprung across the counter to grab my arm. I shook my head quickly and looked back down at my cup.
"No, of course not. It's just that... I finally get what I've always wanted and I'm so happy for the first time in as long as I can remember. Everything is beyond perfect. And then another obstacle gets placed in the way. I thought he'd go to college or something once he graduated. Never this. Never two years without him completely."
"Bella, you know that's not going to happen. He loves you too much." Alice sighed softly as she gently rubbed my arm with her hand. "He'll come back, you know. And they do have such things as leave." I looked up at her as she spoke to me soothingly, and then watched as a wicked smirk appeared on her face. "And you know, if you're ever still in doubt, you can always give him some extra attention between now and when he leaves. Make sure he knows damn well what's waiting for him back home."
My eyes widened as she wiggled her eyebrows at me suggestively. "Alice!" I hissed, looking behind me quickly to make sure no one else was in the room still. "I am not bribing my boyfriend with sex."
I could feel the burning of the blush coming to my cheeks, as she chuckled softly at me. "Silly Bella, it's not bribing," she replied, rolling her eyes and leaning forward on the counter toward me. "I sometimes forget exactly how innocent you are still. Now, listen to me and for heaven sakes, don't go all defensive on me. You've already gotten the most important part down. That guy's heart is yours through thick and thin. There is nothing wrong with staking a little claim on his body as well."
I started to protest, but she held her hand up.
"Hey, hey. Listen. If you want to go all girly on me, call it 'making memories with him that he will never forget'. But in real world terms... Bella, he's eighteen, he doesn't think with his brain. You need to blow his mind, no pun intended."
I blushed even more as she winked at me. "Alice, I…"
"I'm telling you, Bella. You give him something to remember you by, and you'll be on his mind even more than you already are. Morning baby," Alice said cheerfully, abruptly ending our conversation as Jasper emerged from the bedroom and made his way over, sweeping her against him for a passionate kiss.
I watched them for a moment, even though it felt completely wrong for me to stare. It seemed like Jasper and Alice had been together forever; they just fit together so perfectly. And the spark between them still wasn't fading. Most high school relationships fizzle and die in weeks or months. But he was still so devoted to her.
I averted my eyes discreetly and bit my lip. "I think I'm gonna go back to sleep for a while," I said as I rose from the stool, ignoring the soft murmurings behind me as I disappeared unnoticed down the hall and back into the bedroom. I stood at the door; leaning back against it with my eyes closed and then slowly opened them to allow Edward to come into my view.
'Making memories with him that he will never forget'.
What the hell did I know about giving him unforgettable pleasure? I sighed heavily and walked over to the bed, climbing in beside him and nestling against his body.
He grunted softly and then opened his eyes slowly to look at me, sliding his arms around me to hug me against him.
"Mmm, what time is it?" he mumbled incoherently, and I almost laughed at the vulnerability on his features.
I brought my hand up to run through his hair and brushed my lips against his softly. "It's still early, baby," I whispered softly, pressing another kiss to his chin. My lips lingered there for a moment, but were soon making their way down his neck.
"Bella," I heard him mutter softly, placing his hands on my arms to push me just far enough away to look at me. "What's going on, baby?"
I looked up at him, tracing his jaw line with my finger. "Nothing. Does something need to be 'going on' for me to want my boyfriend?" I asked in the most seductive voice that I could muster on so little sleep, pulling myself closer to him and kissing along his jaw again.
He tried to speak again but I quickly captured his lips with mine, holding the sides of his face in my hands. I parted his lips with my tongue and deepened the kiss, earning a groan from both of us while one of my hands traveled down his chest and abdomen; resting my palm against his very evident morning wood.
His body stiffened slightly and he broke away from the kiss slowly, his hand stopping mine. "Bella, you haven't slept since we talked, have you?"
I furrowed my brow as I looked at him in confusion. "Why does that matter?"
He brought my hand up to rest on his chest and kissed my forehead. "I'm not leaving tomorrow, baby," he whispered, pulling me closer to him to rest my cheek on his chest. I felt his lips on my hair and I closed my eyes, inhaling his scent and sliding my leg between his to bring our bodies closer. "Just sleep. Everything is going to be fine, Bella. I promise."
Yes, it would. I would make sure of it.
The next few weeks passed and though our opportunities were limited, I still made every effort to put Alice's suggestion into motion. But here we were, almost Thanksgiving, and I still didn't feel that I had given him anything more memorable than anything he'd ever had before. We were always either trying to rush through everything before Charlie got home, or keeping quiet and subtle at Alice's. Either way, I never felt completely comfortable.
I never imagined myself having the need to lie to Charlie before, but one week in late November, the heavens aligned and the perfect opportunity presented itself. Carlisle and Esme had gone away for a weeklong cruise for their anniversary, Alice went to see Jasper in Seattle for a gig, and I knew I needed to take this opportunity to spend some alone time with Edward. I knew Charlie trusted me when I said I was going to be spending the weekend at Alice's, so I wasn't worried at all about getting caught.
So now here we were. Just me and Edward, alone in this huge house. And as much as I loved listening to him play the piano, I definitely had something else in mind. He was so damn sexy when he was concentrating on his music. The way that vein in his forehead protruded ever so slightly as his brow wrinkled, his head bobbing lightly with each beat of the music, his hands flowing like satin over the keys…
That was it, I couldn't take this anymore. It still amazed me that just a few short months ago, I was pure and innocent; practically untouched. And now that I had experienced this Adonis of a man beside me and the way he made every inch of my body sing, I was insatiable.
I placed my hand just below his hip and slid it straight down between his legs, grazing him lightly through his jeans as I kissed his neck just below his ear.
"Edward, we're all alone," I whispered, flicking his earlobe with my tongue and then sucking it gently.
I felt his body tense at my actions, and he hardened slightly beneath his zipper. He gave a smirk but never stopped playing. This man had the will power of solid steel sometimes.
"Yea, I've kinda noticed that," he teased, casting me a sideways glance and then looked forward again.
Okay, Bella, time to go for the big guns. I snickered slightly at my internal monologue, but then traced my fingertips over the outline that was growing more prominent as his arousal increased. "It would be a pity to waste it."
"Yes. Yes, it would," he replied in that same tone.
So he was going to play that way, was he?
I kissed along his neck in soft, peppering brushes as my hand worked the button and zipper of his jeans and then slid inside his boxers. I let out a low moan against his skin as my hand wrapped around his length and slowly began stroking him. I kissed up to his ear and whispered in a low sultry voice. "I want you to fuck me, Edward. Right here. Right now."
His hands came to a halt as he turned to look at me, his eyes smoldering with lust. I had never been this forward before even that night on Alice's porch, particularly when it came to talking this way. But damn it, I was horny and I needed him. His hand moved between my legs and began stroking me through the brand new panty set I had gotten especially for tonight, under my short black mini-skirt I wore only for him. His lips were so teasingly close to mine I could practically taste them.
"Is that so?" he asked in a deep, seductive voice and I moaned softly as he applied a little more pressure through the fabric. "And since when did you have such a dirty mouth, Isabella?"
My free hand took his fingers and slid them underneath the fabric. I pressed them along my slickened skin, and gazed at him through hooded eyes.
"Since this is the effect you have on me," I hissed, dragging my teeth over his bottom lip. He closed his eyes and gave a soft groan, as my hand continued working on his now fully hardened erection. I loved this man with everything in me and I now knew I could show him that. With my free hand, I removed his from my panties, brought it up to my lips and licked his fingertips; sucking gently on each individual one. He twitched beneath my touch and his eyes fluttered.
So guys really do get off on that kind of stuff, I thought to myself. Interesting.
I lifted my body onto his lap, straddling his legs and kissing him heatedly while driving my fingers into his hair. I felt his hands slide over my hips and underneath the hem of my shirt, massaging the skin of my abdomen and finally lifting it up my body. Our lips only parted long enough to discard it onto the floor and he pulled me back against him but it wasn't enough. I wanted to feel him; something I never tired of was the feel of his skin against mine. I started grasping clumsily for the bottom of his shirt, but he smirked slightly and assisted me by removing it himself.
I wanted to share everything with him and I would sacrifice anything to make him happy and to pleasure him. After one last hungry kiss against his lips, I slid backward off his lap, lowering down to kneel on the floor; parting his legs slightly to rest between them. I freed him from his boxers and took his long hard length in my hand again, running my tongue from base to tip teasingly slow. I stalled momentarily as my tongue came in contact with the pool of moisture at his tip, but then ran the end of my tongue over it, causing him to shiver. Or was that me? This wasn't as repulsive as I remembered; and didn't taste nearly as bad.
"Baby, you don't need to do this," he asked huskily, tracing his fingers along my cheek. This was how amazing my boyfriend was. From the moment I let down my guard and allowed him to, he had gone down on me countless times and given me numerous mind-blowing orgasms with that mouth; not to mention those fingers, and the incredible sex. And he never once complained about not receiving anything but sex or the occasional hand job in return. All because I had told him that I didn't like it when he questioned me after James' obnoxious comment in the hallway that day.
However, he deserved to know how happy he made me, to receive pleasure as much as he gave. And we were all alone, with no holds barred. I pulled his face gently to mine and brushed his lips softly.
"I want to. I want to taste you, and feel you come in my mouth," I whispered in my best attempt at a seductive voice and apparently, something worked because he let out a shuddering breath and kissed me passionately. This talking dirty thing was fun… and apparently effective. I felt him pulse in my hand while I stroked him as our lips attacked each other.
"Oh fuck!" he exclaimed loudly as I broke away from his lips to wrap my lips around the head and swirl my tongue around it. I felt more heat pool between my legs as I watched his face, contorting so beautifully in ecstasy… ecstasy I was causing in him. His breaths became pants as I slowly lowered my lips down his length as far as I could go, filling my mouth.
I came back up, my mouth popping as it released the suction from him and he groaned.
"You like that, baby?" I asked with a wicked grin and he narrowed his eyes playfully at me, until they closed all the way again when my mouth returned to him, gliding up and down in swift movements. The sounds he was making were the sexiest things I had ever heard, and I felt his hands gently weave in my hair. Which in a way was kind of frustrating. Gentle was all well and good, but the desire rushing through my body right now didn't want gentle. A little hair tugging never killed anyone. I sped up my motions, showing him without words how I wanted it. I wanted him to take me, consume me, claim me and mark me as his. He was all I ever wanted.
His fists tightened slightly around the strands of my hair and I pulled off him, looking up to see his face. He was trembling, taking shaky breaths; it was beautiful.
"Bella," he breathed out softly, and I could tell from the sound of his voice that he was aching for release.
"Tell me what you want, baby," I whispered, taunting him with a taste of his own medicine as my hand slowly moved along his length; feeling him twitch and throb against my palm. "Do you want my tongue?" I asked as I flattened my tongue against the newly gathered dewdrop at his tip. "My lips…" placing a chaste kiss against him. "My mouth…" I devoured him in one quick motion but then pulled off again. "Tell me, Edward. Do you want me to make you cum?"
"Bell…"
I leaned forward so that his length rested between my breasts and pressed them together to surround him, stroking him gently and causing him to shudder.
"Tell me, Edward," I said in a little more forceful of a voice, and he looked down at me and nodded. "Say it. I want to hear you say it."
"I… want you…" he paused to swallow hard. "To make… me come…."
"You wish is my command baby," I smirked and released him, closing my mouth around him. His panting sped up as I moved quicker and added more suction to him before he finally let out a loud groan and I felt him spill into my mouth. But it didn't make me gag, or even taste as bad as I had thought it would. It almost had a hint of the peppermint tea he had been drinking earlier.
Need to keep that in mind for future reference.
Before I could attempt to form any words, Edward took my face in his hands and crashed his lips onto mine passionately. I moaned in response, wrapping my arms around him and dragging my nails down his back. He shivered slightly and broke away from my lips. "I want you, Edward," I whispered huskily, kissing him again.
I moved to bring my hand back to him to awaken his erection again, but his hand clasped around my wrist and he shook his head, almost looking angry. He stood up, pulling me with him, and lifted me up so that I sat on top on the piano. I heard random notes ring through the room as my heels hit the keys.
"Lay back," he ordered abruptly but as I looked more closely at him, I realized that I knew that look. That was lust and desire, passion so hot it threatened to burn me to cinders. I complied with his request and he unzipped my skirt and pulled it down my legs, tossing it carelessly aside.
I closed my eyes and groaned as his mouth met my skin through the fabric of my panties, his breath heating me all the more. My knees instinctively began moving together and he quickly stopped them with his hands; continuing to assault me through the fabric.
"Fuck… Edward," I hissed in a whisper, grinding my hips against his face.
"I can't hear you, baby." He was practically taunting me. I opened my eyes to look at him again and his expression was almost animalistic. I had never seen this look in his eyes before and it sent a shiver through me; it was so arousing. He slid his index finger underneath the fabric of my panties and began gently caressing me in a teasing motion, leaving me wriggling my hips against him for more. "No one is here to hear you but me, Bella. And I want to, baby. I really, really want to."
I groaned loudly when he slid his finger inside me with his last statement, and my back arched off the piano as he pushed the fabric aside and began massaging me with his thumb. I could feel his hot breath so close to my skin and I bit my lip. He had spoiled me and I now craved it. I lowered my back and lifted my hips toward him.
"Please, baby," I whimpered needily and I looked down at him to see a wicked smile on his lips. Without another word, he ran his tongue lightly over my sensitive skin. "Mmmm, more. Please more."
His moan vibrated my skin and caused my hips to lurch against him. He pulled away from me long enough to slide my panties off and throw them aside, and then secured his lips around my clit, his hands sliding over my thighs. The intensity of his motions knocked the wind out of me, and my hands drove into his hair as I gasped for air.
"Oh god, Edward! Yes," I panted, my teeth still clenched as I felt my climax quickly building as he ravaged my skin with his lips and tongue as he never had before. I was throbbing in arousal and so close that one more flick from his tongue would throw me over the edge. As if he could sense it, he stopped and began gently massaging me again with his fingertips. "Baby, please don't tease me. Make me come… please."
"Oh fuck, Bella," I heard him whisper in the most beautiful growl I'd ever heard, and his hands cupped my ass and lifted me toward him. His lips quickly returned to me and my palms slammed onto the top of the piano, bracing myself for the climax. My quick breaths finally ended in a loud groan as the heat rushed through my body in a sudden wave and my legs trembled with my release.
Edward's hands released my thighs and he began to kiss up my abdomen, sliding along my body and under my shoulders to sit me up. I immediately brought mine to the sides of his face and consumed his lips in a passionate kiss. I took his bottom lip gently between my teeth and gave it a slight tug.
"Lose the pants and sit down."
He visibly shivered and let out an aroused growl as he shoved his pants and boxers over his hips, kicking them aside when they reached the floor. I chuckled as his hands eagerly grabbed my waist and lifted me down from the piano top and onto his lap. Our lips met again passionately as I began rubbing against his already hardened length, his hands gently squeezing my waist. In one of my motions against him, I shifted my hips to take him inside of me.
We both groaned in harmony, echoing through the large empty room until he completely filled me and his lips met my shoulder. I ran my fingers through his hair as I began to move. His hands lowered to my ass as I picked up speed, my head falling back. Even the tiniest jerk of his hips sent shocks through my body as it caused his thrusts to move deeper. His lips brushed against my throat in between his breathless pants, causing my skin to tingle.
My hips began to roll slightly with each movement and my hands gripped his shoulders, feeling my impending orgasm beginning to build. I wanted him deeper and again it seemed as if our minds were one as he lifted me off the bench, my legs quickly wrapping around his waist. As we reached the couch, he released me and set my feet down on the ground. I watched him lay down with his back against the couch, taking my hand and giving it a gentle tug. "C'mere, baby," he said softly as he guided me down to lay down in front of him, my back resting against his chest. He parted my legs slightly with his hand and then slid back inside of me, resuming his thrusts inside me again.
The angle caused me to yell out into the open space. "Oh yes, Edward!"
"God I love the way you say my name," he moaned as his lips pressed kisses along my neck.
"Edward," I whispered this time, turning my head to brush my lips against his temple. He tightened his hold around me and I could feel the tight muscles in his abdomen contract against my back as he groaned, biting lightly on my shoulder. I was driving him crazy and loving every minute of it. His thrusts increased and then my legs began trembling and I began to clench around him. The last few moments just before release were almost as fulfilling as the release itself; with that increase feeling of friction. A string of expletives escaped my lips as I came hard again, and then rested back against his chest, turning my head to kiss along his jaw line.
"I love you, Edward," I whispered against his skin, feeling the stubble on his face prickle slightly against my lips and my palm on the other side.
Edward turned his head to brush my lips with his, his hand running along my thigh. "God, I love you, Bella," he whispered softly as his lips continued to move over mine, moving in and out of me more slowly now. I smirked against his lips as I squeezed my muscles around him, causing him to groan deep in his throat and his thrusts to become more urgent. I felt him throb inside me a moment later as he came.
Once his hips slowed to a stop, our kiss deepened as his hand threaded in my hair. I turned toward him to press my body against him, draping my leg over his.
Edward's lips left mine, his hand cupping my cheek gently as he stared into my eyes. "Bella? You do realize that you have nothing to prove to me, don't you?"
My brow knitted together and I shook my head slightly. "What?" I asked softly, thinking that this was a very odd thing to ask me.
A small smile came to his lips as he traced mine with his finger. "I heard your conversation with Alice that morning," he whispered quietly and I closed my eyes, feeling the blush take over my cheeks. I covered my face with my hands and buried against his chest, hearing him chuckle gently as he wrapped his arms around me and rubbed my back. "You don't honestly think that sex is what I'll be coming back for, right?"
"Well it certainly doesn't hurt," I mumbled and then pulled away to slap his shoulder. "You were sleeping!"
He continued to chuckle as he kissed my tightened lips while I tried to glare at him. "I'm a good actor. Why do you think I told you to go to sleep, besides the fact that you needed it?" he smiled, wiggling his eyebrows and then reaching back to pull the soft white blanket from the back of the couch to cover us. He pulled me closer and kissed my forehead, bringing his softened green gaze back to mine. "Baby, when are you going to get it into that silly little head of yours that I wouldn't care if you never had sex with me again. I'd still want you. It's you I love, not just your body."
"Really? Shall we test that theory?" I replied teasingly and wrapped my arm around his waist.
"I'd really prefer if we didn't," he chuckled, brushing his lips against mine. "I may not only love your body, but damn, baby."
I laughed as he kissed me again, this time a little more firmly until I snuggled against his chest again. I was exhausted but amazingly enough, relieved as well. Even through Edward's teasing, I could still hear the sincerity in his words. I could feel it in his kiss and in the way that he held me.
We would be okay.
"Stay here with me tonight. Don't move," I said softly as my eyes closed, wanting to spend the entire night in his arms; feeling his body against mine this way.
"Where am I going to go, Bella?" he chuckled softly, but I barely made it through my return chuckle before sleep began to pull me under.
