End of Chapter 30
Edward and I, up to this point, had done nothing more than kiss. Those kisses, as of late, were becoming more passionate, and my love for Edward was beginning to burn. I realized lying there in my bed that I wanted more of him. I knew that Edward wanted that to, from what I felt when he pressed into me today. The idea of a gradual progression no longer made me nervous, but excited. I couldn't wait until tomorrow.
Chapter 31: Crazy Love (EPOV)
The new year did return Bella and I to the fresh start that I was hoping for, in fact, it was even better than that. As Charlie became further distanced from his surgery, you could see his health return to him. By the end of January, he was working at the station several days a week. I could tell it made him feel good to be back doing the work he loved. Our little town wasn't much, but he was protective of it, and his role as police chief allowed him to be our guardian. He still wasn't working any patrol efforts, and was mostly confined to his desk, but you could see the light in his eyes when he came home after a day at the station. I think being cared for emasculated this very proud man, and I was happy to see him regain some of his machismo.
This leant to a progression of Charlie's relationship with Sue, as well. She was as much of a permanent fixture in the Swan household these days as I was. While they shied from affection in front of us in the past, the walls were slowly coming down, and though I know it embarrassed Bella at times to see them kissing or cuddling together, I knew that she was elated at the fact that Charlie, after all of these years, had found his someone. I could see the relief in Bella's face that there would be someone to care for Charlie when she couldn't be.
Charlie's improved health and happiness also benefitted me, because a well Charlie equaled a happy Bella. She was the center of my world, and it was a blissful place when she had a permanent smile on her beautiful face. I was also starting to find that as Bella's stress over Charlie's health melted away, so had some of her trepidation. Her touches were becoming more prolonged and her kisses more passionate. I was not complaining about this. At. All. I was just frequently taking long showers or very cold ones. Lately, my desire for Bella colored every thought.
So here I was on the Thursday night before Valentine's Day, which happened to fall on a Saturday this year, sitting at the Swan kitchen table doing homework with Bella. We were planning on going to dinner in Port Angeles. Bella was excited because Charlie was taking Sue to Portland for a special evening out; a rare feat for Charlie. He had even pulled his suit out of mothballs. Bella sat there grinning while chewing on the end of her pencil, and I would bet that is what had her aglow.
There was something in looks Bella had been giving me all night that I hadn't seen before. Her eyes seemed to be darker; deep with thought. It was almost like she was thinking of me instead of seeing me. Occasionally, she would stare at my mouth, licking her lips, and breathing hard. My body was starting to take notice. So much so after an hour of pretending to study, that I excused myself to the bathroom. Once in there, I locked the door and gripped the edge of the sink, hanging my head trying to catch my breath and calm my traitorous body. When I returned to the table, Bella had her feet propped up on the chair next to her, while she read a passage from the book we were reading for history class.
"Baby, I've got to ask, what are you grinning about over there?" I gave into my curiosity.
"Saturday," is all she said as she looked up at me through her eyelashes and a devilish grin playing on her face. I swallowed hard.
"Do you still want to go to dinner?" I asked and my voice cracked. I groaned internally.
"Well, I was thinking," she said leaning forward and lowering her voice, "everyone else is going out, so I thought maybe we could just grab a pizza or something, and...stay...in."
Bella's emphasis on the last two words had my heart thundering in my chest, and my previously calmed condition raging to life.
"You're sure you want to," I swallowed hard yet again, "stay in."
"I think I would like to spend some time close to you on Valentine's Day," Bella said now, part of this new bravado slipping and a blush creeping up her cheeks.
"OK, then," I almost whispered.
The sound of the foot rest on Charlie's recliner snapping closed made me jump so much I banged my knee on the table, sending Bella into a fit of giggles. I glared at her while I silently yelled "ow" and rubbed my knee furiously. "Sorry" she mouthed back as she stuck out her lower lip in a sympathetic pout. That broke my frown, and I smiled back at her leaning in for a quick peck of a kiss.
"You kids about done?" Charlie asked coming into the room to put the cup and bowl he was snacking out of in the sink. "It's getting late."
"Yes, sir," I said as I looked up to see that it was after nine, and I started to gather my books into my bag. Bella started gathering up her own things to put in her bag and take up to her room. I stood and shook Charlie's hand exchanging good nights, before leaning down to kiss Bella on top of her head, whispering good night before walking to the front door, and heading out to my car. Just as I tossed my bag in the back seat, I heard the sound of the front door opening and closing. I turned to see Bella coming down the front steps grinning at me.
"You forgot your history book, Edward," Bella said louder than necessary handing me a book, as I saw the front curtains drift open, then closed.
"But, baby, this is your..." I tried to say, before Bella launched herself into my arms kissing me deeply. I moaned, and clutched her small frame to me.
"This was an excuse to get a proper good night," Bella whispered against my lips before seizing them once again in a searing kiss that I felt rippling across every nerve ending in my body. I was becoming dizzy from the kiss and just before it became all too consuming, she slowed down the tempo with a few soft kisses against my lower lip. "Good night, Edward."
"Good night, Bella," I panted back, holding her close as I tried to slow my breathing. "I love you so much."
"I love you, too," she said smiling at me, then reluctantly turned back towards the house.
"Off with you," I said giving her a playful swat on her butt. She squeaked in surprise, and ran up to the door of the house and waved as I got into my car.
On the drive home, I was both trying to think of anything to calm myself and hoping no one was downstairs when I got home. I pulled into my spot in the garage, and made my way into the house. Empty kitchen. So far, so good. Then, I turned the corner, and Emmett sat in one of the couches in the living room watching a movie alone.
"S'up, brother," he asked not turning towards me at first.
"Nothin' much. Heading to bed," I answered.
"Cool, good night, man...are you OK?" He stopped and gave me a strange look.
"I'm fine. Why?" I asked defensively.
Then I saw it. The look of dawning crossing his face followed by his big smirk. Then there was a shift in his features I couldn't place.
"Want to talk about it?" Emmett asked.
"Do I WANT to talk about it? Absolutely not. Do I need to? Maybe," I said resignedly.
I walked over and sat down in the chair next to where Emmett was sitting on the couch. Resting my elbows on my knees, I bent forward and put my face in my hands, before flopping back in the chair and sighing. Emmett just sat there waiting for me to figure out what I wanted to say.
"First, anything I talk to you about tonight is between the two of us. No Jasper. No Rosalie. And definitely not mom and dad," I started, and he nodded putting his hand on his heart. I rolled my eyes. "Secondly, don't make fun of me."
"I swear. No telling. No making fun," he said. "It's Bella, isn't it."
"Saturday, more specifically," I mumbled.
"I thought you were going out to dinner in Port Angeles," he said confused.
"Well, tonight she asked if we could stay in," I said sighing.
"I wish I could get away with that shit with, Rose," he said.
"No, you aren't hearing me. She said she wants to STAY IN," I said looking at him pointedly.
"Oh. OH!" Emmett said, understanding dawning. "How far have you {waving his hand} so far?"
"Just kissing really," I said. "Really hot kissing. I might have had some goes at second."
"Well, don't get to worried about it, then," he said. "Maybe she just wants to go for a double. Possibly round second without sliding into third. Bring something just in case. Do you need a condom? Side table drawer," he said nodding towards his room.
"Jesus, Emmett, no," I said. "I still have some left from Chicago."
"Wait! What?" Emmett said sitting forward. "Who?!"
"Christ, Emmett, keep your voice down," I said looking toward the stairs for signs of our parents. "Tanya. Summer vacation. Two years ago."
"Holy shit!" Emmett whispered laughing into his fist. "How did I not know about this?"
"I don't kiss and tell, Emmett," I said.
"Whatever. How did I not know about this?!" He was absolutely mirthful.
"Because you were tagging Irina in the boathouse," I laughed. Emmett's eyes lit in recognition, and raised his fist, which I bumped. When our quiet laughter subsided, he turned back to me.
"So why are you so anxious about Bella?" Emmett asked. "I mean, apparently you know how this works."
"Because I love her, Em," I said looking at him. "I want it to be right when the time comes, because it just has to be."
"You'll know when the time is right. You just will. Maybe it will be Saturday, maybe it won't. Don't put pressure on yourself or her," he said pointing at me with a protective look in his eye.
" I won't. You're right. I'm over-thinking things, as always," we laughed together. "Thank, Em."
"Anytime, bro," Emmett said standing up to head upstairs. "I love ya, man."
"Love you, too, brother," I said as I stood up and made my way up to my room.
I set my bag down next to my desk, and started getting ready for bed. Once I was done, I picked up my phone. There was a message there waiting for me.
I love you! Good-night! 3 B
I love you, too! Good-night, sweet girl. 3 E
When I woke up the next morning, I decided I would use Bella's behavior to determine her intensions. She had beat me to school, and was waiting inside her truck, because it was a cold morning. When she saw me pull in, a smile lit up her face, and I saw her reach to turn off her truck, and hurry over to my car. I climbed out, and pulled her into my arms, exhaling any anxiety I felt when we were apart.
I brushed her hair from her face, and cupped her chin in my hands. We stood there for a moment smiling stupidly at each other and just looking into each other's eyes. I slowly leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
"Good morning, beautiful," I said softly.
"It is now," Bella said smiling back at me.
I took her bag from her shoulder, and flung it over mine. Instead of taking my hand, she wrapped her arm around my waist, and we started into school. I pulled her close sharing whatever heat I could offer her, and kissed the top of her head. After I dropped her at her first class, the rest of the morning dragged on until lunch. The student council was selling roses at lunch, and after seeing Bella eyeing them, I happily handed over my dollar. She told me I didn't have to, but her eyes betrayed how happy she was as she inhaled the flowers rich scent. She kept her eyes on me as she brushed the soft petals along her cheek and mouthed "thank you".
We all spent lunch talking about what each other's plans were for Valentine's Day. Emmett was taking Rosalie to an elaborate dinner in Seattle. He was already complaining about having to wear his suit, but then Rosalie whispered something in his ear that lit up his face, and his complaining ceased instantly. Jasper and Alice were going to a concert in Portland. It was a small venue of a new band that they both really loved. I watched the silent energy pass between the two of them as they quietly talked between themselves. I had no over-protective feelings over what was passing between Jasper and my sister, because I knew he would never hurt her. There was a reverence in his gaze.
I looked down at Bella then to see that she was watching them as well, I reached my arms around her, and she leaned back into my chest. We took a collective breath and sighed, followed by our laughter at our twin reaction. She looked up at me then, and I saw all her joy and love in her face.
"I love you," I said softly, adamantly.
"As I love you, Edward," she whispered only for me.
The bell rang then, and we walked hand-in-hand to Biology class. I tried to focus on Mr. Banner's lecture on the cellular anatomy of frogs, but really my attention was focused on Bella's leg, which was casually rubbing against mine. When I wasn't writing, I would use the opportunity to reach out the pinky on my right hand and run a feather-light touch down the outside of her left. When I did this, she would inhale deeply, and her eyes would flutter closed, but only for a moment. By the time the hour was up, we both stood staring at each other trying to get control and remember we were in school.
For once, I was so glad that I didn't have gym with Bella after class, because my current state in gym shorts would mortify me until the end of time. So, I made my way to Spanish, and was thankful that no one, especially Emmett noticed how I had to adjust myself before sitting. Luckily, I was pretty proficient in Spanish, because my mind was completely absorbed with Bella. I was no longer nervous about what Saturday would bring. Instead, it couldn't get here fast enough.
After school, Bella and I said our quick good-byes, before promising to see each other later. It was Friday night, so that meant movie night at our house. Unfortunately, it was Emmett's turn to pick, so we were watching "Crank 2: High Voltage". I was sort of glad to have a movie I wasn't that interested in watching, because that meant I could focus more of my attention to the girl who would be snuggled up in my arms. Back at home, there was a disagreement about what take-out we would get for dinner that night, so Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, and Alice went to pick it all up together. Bella was getting wings and chips with Jasper and Emmett, while Rosalie, Alice, and I were getting Chinese.
At six o'clock, I heard a light knock at the door, followed by the sound of it opening and closing. I bounded down the stairs, knowing it would be Bella. Hurrying across the room, I swept her back into a dip and deeply kissed her, before swinging her back up into an upright position.
"Wow," she said touching her fingers to her lips and smiling at me.
"I know," I said in mock self-importance. "I am that good."
"Oh, whatever," she said rolling her eyes, and smacking me on my chest, as she walked toward the couch and plopped down on it.
"You are the one who said 'wow'," I reminded her.
"Where is everyone?" Bella asked.
"Well, my parents are at the Hales playing cards, and everyone else is still out getting our food," I said sitting down next to her.
"So we are alone?" She asked coyly, locking her gaze on mine.
"That we are," I said reaching down and putting my arm around her and pulling her to me.
I leaned down and started placing soft, slow kisses on her mouth. It didn't take long for us to both shift our heads and open our mouths to one another. Un-rushed, our tongues tasted and mingled over and under the other's. My hand snaked up into Bella's hair feeling the small shape of her neck in my hand, rubbing gently, and causing her to moan. Next thing I knew, she was climbing up and straddling my lap, never breaking our kiss. When she sat, her hips against mine, it was my turn to groan. She pulled back then, and gave me the most heart shattering grin, as she shifted her hips once more and my eyes rolled back in my head.
"Bella...," was all I managed to get out before her mouth found mine again. This time there was more need in the kiss. Hands in hair and tongues in mouthes, desperate to be closer. Just as my hands started to slide down her sides, and my thumbs reached out to brush the swell of the sides of her breasts, the garage door burst open with the sound of my siblings and our friends' laughter. Bella hurried from my lap, and we looked at each other trying to straighten each other's hair. We both laughed quietly together thinking of what our friends almost walked in on. I bent down then taking her chin between my thumb and index finger and kissed her gently.
"Christ, get a room!" Emmett bellowed as he came into the room. "Wait, never mind that, if mom and dad found out I was aware of what was going on, they'd have my balls."
Everyone laughed at that, and we settled in for our movie and food. We all ate first, as Bella and I listened to the other's adventure in getting dinner tonight. From the fry cooks at the Chinese place hitting on Rosalie to them telling us who they saw out together. Bella listened raptly to their stories laughing along with them, but I was fixated with watching Bella lick the sauce from her wings off of her fingers. Bless Emmett and Jasper for insisting on wings. I found as the meal wore down, I wasn't the only one staring. I caught Bella out of the corner of my eye as I was reaching out my tongue to pull some of my lo mein into my mouth. Her mouth was slightly agape, and her eyes were fixed on my tongue. I coiled it around the noodles before slowly pulling them into my mouth and chewing slowly. She shook herself from her stupor, and looked at me blushing. I winked in return.
Emmett started up the movie, and it wasn't far into it before the guys and I were all grumpy with the girls' talk of how hot Jason Statham was. They all tried to placate us by curling up with their guy. I tried to pretend I was upset, but didn't last long when I noticed Bella shiver, and pulled her between my outstretched legs on the couch, and laid her back against my chest. I grabbed the throw off of the back of the couch, and draped it over us.
The action of the movie was loud and constant, and I used the distraction to try to pick up a bit where we left off earlier. Gradually, my hands, which were resting on Bella's stomach began to wander. As guns blasted and cars chased, my hands were drifting along the soft cotton of her shirt. She bit her lip and her head dug into my shoulder as my long fingers traced and teased. She shifted her body, and I bit back a groan bringing my hands to rest on her stomach once again, as we quietly tried to return our breathing to normal.
All too soon, the movie came to a close. Everyone stood and stretched. It was only a little after ten, but since everyone had plans the next day, the Hales and Bella decided just to call it a night. I walked Bella out to her truck, and pulled her close; holding her in my arms for several long minutes, just feeling the warmth of her. She snuggled closer, and I relished the way our bodies fit together. For a moment, I allowed myself to fantasize of a future in which we could lay like this every night, and the vivid picture made me hold her all the tighter.
"What are you thinking?" Bella said softly, always sensing my thoughts.
"Of someday being able to sleep like this every night; with you in my arms," I said burrowing my face into her hair and neck.
"Speaking of cuddling, I'm looking forward to tomorrow," she said and pulled back to look into my eyes.
"Me too," I said kissing her softly, lovingly, before releasing her so she could get into her truck.
She started it up, and rolled down the window. Looking at her staring back at me with nothing but adoration, I couldn't help myself, but reach through the window taking her face in my hands, and diving into one more deep kiss before letting her leave.
"Until tomorrow," she said smiling. "I love you."
"I love you, too, baby. Drive safe," I said stepping back as she rolled up her window and waved one more time before pulling away.
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A/N: Thank-you all for your patience. I have already started into the next chapter, so maybe you will get another within the week. :) Thanks for everyone's reviews and support! Thanks to starfish422 for being my muse for this chapter! Mwah, bb!
Also, to the reviewer who corrected me on the college colors, The Ohio State University's colors ARE scarlet and gray. They played Texas in last years Fiesta Bowl, and they are my alma mater. Hard to believe I included that game in my story, huh?
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