Sitting in my car as it idled, I shook my head. It was oddly dark. I left the living room light on this morning just as I always did when I knew I'd be working late. The extra number of cars, some strange and some familiar, parked along my street was yet another giveaway. This was something I really didn't need, especially today after my assistant announced she was quitting because her husband was going to be transferred overseas within the next month.
I asked them not to do this.
Debating on whether to put the car in reverse and drive the three-plus hours to Edward's or go inside just get it over with, unfortunately, I chose the latter.
I should have chosen Edward. I hadn't seen him in almost two weeks and we hadn't really spoken all that much either. It wasn't as if the communication between our previous weekends together was any less, but it wasn't any more either. I missed him. I missed him a lot more than I wanted to admit.
When he told me the myth about the constellation I still wasn't sure I'd really seen on the night we camped together, there was something definitely on his mind. He made love to me with an emotional intensity I'd never felt before, not even with Jake, and through it all, I felt him. I felt his pulse and tasted his breath when he was inside me. It scared and comforted and thrilled me all at the same time.
But I didn't ask. I didn't have the nerve to ask him, and I played it off the next morning too. So did he, at least I was pretty sure he did. When I woke up and peeked out of the tent, he was all smiles and beautiful and manly in his flannel shirt while warming a pot of coffee over the fire. A million 'what if's' ran through my mind and I asked myself Why ruin it? How much did I really want to know Edward, but more importantly, how much did I want him to know me? We parted just as we had the previous time; with a kiss and an "I'll see you soon."
A swarm of people - family, friends, strangers - had gathered in my tiny house shouting, "Surprise!" as soon as I walked through the front door.
I should have chosen Edward.
It was my thirtieth birthday. The big 3-0. I had asked them not to go out of their way and do anything over-the-top, but that's exactly what they did. Black balloons, yellow and black cautionary over-the-hill decorations (clearly my mother's version of humor at work), and a huge sheet cake adorned with black roses and Happy Birthday Bella scrawled in black over white icing. The only saving grace of the entire evening was my white chocolate birthday cake with raspberry filling came from my favorite bakery – the pink box on the kitchen counter gave it away.
Most of the guests I knew. Those I didn't know predictably turned out to be friends of Renee - each of them glancing sorrowfully toward my empty ring finger with every introduction.
James, my three-year-old nephew who shared the same flaxen hair as his mother, Rose, and the same vast dimples as my brother, ran straight at me and squeezed my leg.
"Happy day, Aunt Bella!" he shouted.
"Thanks, little man," I replied and ruffled his curly hair. Maybe the cake wasn't the only saving grace of the evening.
James was sweet and lovable, but a handful – so much like his dad. He was a daredevil and never seemed to be afraid of anything. I wondered how Rose managed to keep up with both him and Emmett, especially now since she was pregnant with their second baby and due any day.
I craned my neck, searching for my brother and sister-in-law. A booming voice called my name from behind me, and I smiled.
"Happy Birthday, Baby Sis!" As I turned around, Emmett already had me in his arms and a foot off of the floor.
"Can't. Breathe. Emmett."
"Oh, sorry." He laughed and plopped me back down on the floor. James, once again, hitched to my leg, was tugging at my skirt to gain my attention.
"Happy Birthday, Bella!" Rose called, making her way through the crowd. She was gorgeous, as usual.
"Thanks, Rose," I said, hugging her and kissed her on the cheek. "I thought it was just going to be us tonight. What happened?"
Emmett rolled his eyes and pointed his thumb over his shoulder toward our mom. James continued to jump up and down, calling my name.
"You know how she is, Bella. When she gets her mind set on something, there's no stopping her," he qualified.
I dismissively shook my head while patting James on his head. "I-"
Ouch. Motherfu-cheeseandrice. A searing pain shot right above my knee. I looked down to find James latched onto my leg by his teeth.
"James!" Rose shrieked as he giggled and ran away. "Oh, Bella. I'm so sorry. Are you okay? I swear I'm going to have to buy a rawhide for that kid."
Nodding, I grimaced and rubbed my leg. I wondered how bad of a bruise he'd leave this time. "Why is he still biting? And why does he only seem to bite me?" I asked jokingly – sort of.
"Take it as a compliment, Sis. It's his way of showing you how much he loves you," Emmett teased. Rose smiled apologetically before waddling after James.
"Yeah, well, let's try to teach him another way, okay?" From my periphery, I noticed Renee walking toward us, smiling hugely. "Because there'll be no more free babysitting for you if the next one pops out and tries to sink their teeth into me," I warned, poking him in the chest.
"Happy Birthday, Sweetheart. Aren't these decorations a hoot?" Renee announced. She wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly against her.
"Thanks, Mom." I pulled back, pursing my lips. "A little over-the-top, though, don't you think?" I said, motioning to the crowd. "And what happened to a quiet family dinner?"
"Oh, Bella. You only turn thirty once, and you may as well go out with a bang!" she cackled.
Go out with a bang?
"Mom!" Emmett chided, the two of us staring at her in amazement.
"What?" Renee laughed as she shrugged and clicked her tongue. "You know that's not what I meant. It's a new era, that's all. Twenties are gone, thirties are here." She waved her hands flamboyantly and eyed me from head to toe. "Bella, you should go change. No need to look all hoity-toity in your fancy suit."
"Mom, I just got home from work. What did you…"
She peered around Emmett's massive stature, ignoring me, and waved to someone from across the room. "Oh, there's Claudia. I need to go say hello."
Renee scooted between us, waving her hands, again, and yelling her friend's name in a pitch so high, I thought I heard glass shatter.
I stared back at Emmett, gnawing on the inside of my cheek. After thirty years, you'd think I'd be used to her snide comments, but they still stunned me every time.
"She's drunk, Belly. Don't let her get to you." Emmett was the only one who called me Belly and had done so ever since we were kids.
"Uh huh, easy for you to say, Em - you're never the recipient of her opinions."
"So not true. She told Rose this morning to take me to get a hair cut before the party," Emmett scrubbed the top of his shorter, brown hair, "and told her what shirt to dress me in tonight."
"She did not," I gasped.
Emmett smirked and closed his eyes, nodding. "Yup."
"How much has she had to drink?" My mom was such a light-weight; she'd have a few glasses of wine on special occasions or holidays, which always made things interesting. She was louder and even more opinionated than usual. Renee and alcohol were never a good combination.
Emmett answered my question by holding up two fingers. Perfect. She could potentially still down another two glasses. Maybe I could slip her a Mickey, and then Emmett and I could stow her in the spare bedroom for the rest of the night.
I looked around the crowd for any other familiar faces. There were a couple of people from work, family friends, but no signs of my dad or stepdad.
"Where are Dad and Phil?" I asked.
"Phil's around somewhere, probably hiding from Mom," Emmett chortled, "and Sue and Dad should be here any minute – he had to work late. There's a ton of food, do you want anything?"
I shook my head. "No, thanks. I'll get something later."
Emmett proceeded to tell me I needed to grab a plate full of wings and coleslaw Rose had made before it was all gone. She was an amazing cook and mastered everything from basic wings to filet mignon. Emmett excused himself to help Rose with James, who seemed to be on a sugar high as he darted back and forth, around, and between people's legs, shouting at the top of his lungs, "I'm Batman, I'm Batman!" with one of my white bath towels tied around his neck like a cape. He hadn't broken anything yet, but in that moment James could have been the poster boy for birth control – which reminded me that I needed to take mine.
For the next several minutes, I was polite and made small-talk with several guests, thanked them for coming, and assured Renee's friends I was perfectly happy being single and thirty… and screwing a man I barely knew, I added internally.
My dad and his wife, Sue, finally arrived. We chatted for a while, and my dad handed me a small box wrapped in light blue, foil paper. Sue, who was the polar opposite of my mom and so good for my dad, squeezed Charlie's arm as I opened it.
"Dad, Sue!" I squealed. "This is too much!" My hands trembled, retrieving the silver diamond pendant necklace from its box. "How can you afford this?"
"Hey, you only turn thirty once, kid," he said, and then looked toward the decorations. "It should be celebrated, not mourned. And don't worry about the cost, Bella. It really wasn't that much."
Sue rolled her eyes at Charlie, which told me the necklace probably cost more than he should have paid on a cop's salary. "Turn around, Bella let me help you put it on."
"It's beautiful. Thank you both… so much." I hugged Sue and then Charlie, and he whispered, "You're welcome," into my ear.
I could feel Charlie's arms grow tense and then heard an all too familiar voice behind me.
"Happy Birthday, Bella," Jake said.
Fuck.
I turned around and forced a smile. "Thanks, Jake. How nice of you to come." He gave me a small gift bag – I didn't open it.
Honestly, I really didn't mind that he was here; it was just awkward. But what I did mind was how Renee gushed over him.
Jake bid hello to Charlie and Sue, shaking both of their hands before being almost tackled by Renee. She hugged him and told him how much she missed him. I loudly asked where Leah was, hoping to shut my mother up, to which he replied that she was waiting in the car. Really?
Charlie, my hero, told Jake that it was nice of him to stop by and led him to the front door, and Jake turned to wish me a happy birthday again. It was a very strange sixty seconds.
I started to feel a little smothered, as if the air around me had suddenly become thick, and excused myself under the pretense of needing to change out of my suit and into something more comfortable.
Closing and locking the door to my bedroom behind me, I threw my purse and Jake's gift onto the bed. The party noises were still there, but muffled. I changed into a pair of jeans and a mother-approved, purple sweater, flopped onto my bed and audibly sighed.
Biting my bottom lip, I stared at my purse for a few moments and wondered what Edward was doing. No one would miss me for a few minutes, so I pulled my cell phone out of my purse and texted him.
Busy?
I held my phone tightly in my hands, waiting for a reply. The next three minutes seemed like three hours until he finally answered.
Never too busy for you. What's up?
What's up… hmm - I want to see you. I want to feel your hands all over me. I want your lips on mine. Just thinking about it made my nipples hard. I decidedly did not text any of those thoughts, though.
Nothing. Wanted to see what you were up to. Coward.
I waited for a painfully long period of time for him to reply. Maybe he really was busy and just being polite. It was Friday night after all, and I couldn't expect him to be sitting around doing nothing.
I'd give him another few minutes to text me back. If he didn't, I would text him to tell him I'd talk to him tomorrow because I wasn't sure how long I'd be able to avoid leaving my bedroom.
Tapping my cell phone as I held it, I waited for his response and wondered if the saying was really true: a watched pot never boils.
The shril ring of my cell startled me, but I grinned widely, recognizing the number on the caller ID.
"Cullen," I said, loving the way my tongue curled when I said his last name.
"Swan," he replied. "So, what's a pretty girl like you doing home on a Friday night?" His sweet voice in my ear was almost the perfect birthday present. Having him beside me in my bed would have been the perfect one.
"I want to see you." Shit. That's not what I meant to say. Sure, that's what I wanted, but for some odd reason my mouth trumped my brain. I intended to have a quick, flirtatiously witty conversation. "I mean, I know it's short notice, but if you're busy I-"
"I'm not busy," Edward said with a hint of excitement in his voice. "What did you have in mind?"
I racked my brain trying to think of a place somewhere in the middle where we could meet. There was a seemingly nice hotel I noticed when I drove down to see him before, and thought it might work.
"Well, can I email you the specifics a little later? I need to see if the place I'm thinking of has any availability." I nervously chewed on my thumbnail, hoping this hotel was as nice on the inside as it appeared on the outside - and that I could find it online.
"What if it doesn't? Does that mean I won't get to see you?" he asked with a sound of jest in his voice. My heart sunk at the thought of postponing our impromptu weekend.
I closed my eyes, shaking my head, knowing what I was about to say went against my rule – our rule – of keeping things casual. "It doesn't matter. I'll find something, or I'll drive down to your place." I wondered if I sounded heartfelt or just plain desperate.
Edward was quiet for a moment. Maybe I had sounded desperate and he was turned off, and why had I suddenly become a self-conscious fifteen-year-old girl?
"Let me know, and I'll be wherever you tell me to be," he stated.
*****
Sleep was almost non-existent. By the time everyone left the party, it was close to one in the morning. Rose mentioned I was noticeably more relaxed and possibly glowing when I came out of my bedroom. I shrugged off her comment, but by the way she squinted her eyes at me, I could tell she knew something was up. Rose could be trusted not to pry or make a big deal about Edward, but I wasn't ready to explain the whole 'using each other for sex' part just yet, which meant any conversations about Edward in general were off limits.
Luckily, the hotel I'd thought of did have an available room and from the pictures online, it seemed really nice. Pitching a tent with Edward was great and admittedly kind of fun, but sleeping with Edward in a soft, cushy bed and having room service delivered to us would be even better.
I checked in an hour earlier than when I told Edward I would meet him and asked the clerk to tell Edward I would meet him in the room. I imagined waiting for him in bed wearing the new lingerie I had purchased earlier in the week. The black, lacy bra and panty set had been intentionally bought just for him, but I didn't realize I'd be wearing it so soon.
The room was as it had looked online: a king-sized bed, a view of green, rolling hills, and a bathtub built for two. I checked the clock and still had time to shower. Not that I needed to - I just had the urge to smell nice for him.
After showering, blow-drying, scrubbing my teeth, and primping to achieve a look that seemed as if I hadn't primped at all, I slid into my bra and panties and crawled into bed and waited.
And waited.
I began drumming my fingertips on the bed after thirty minutes had passed. I checked my cell phone to see if he left a message to say he would be late – nothing – and then I flopped my head back on the pillow and switched on the television. I found myself scanning through channels to see if there were any reports of multiple car pile-ups, or bombs that might have been dropped on I-81 and then rolled my eyes at myself. Maybe I really was desperate. I finally settled on a DIY landscaping show to occupy the wait.
More minutes passed, and I was so involved in the host's lessons on how to rid a garden of grub worms, I almost didn't hear the click of the keycard outside the door. Frantically, I turned off the television, threw the remote on the other side of the room, smoothed out my hair and arranged the sheets as seductively around me as I could within two seconds.
Edward entered the room, tossing his duffle in a chair, and with a couple of long strides he was at the edge of the bed. I reached out to him, a look of apology written on his face he languidly crawled on top of me.
"I'm sorry I'm late," he whispered as he lowered himself onto me and nuzzled against my cheek. "You smell so good," he said, inhaling at my neck. I smiled, glad to have taken that shower.
His smell of clean laundry and a subtle hint something else, sage maybe, wafted all around me. Edward dragged his lips up the side of my neck, teasing me with the tip of his tongue along the way, every inch of my skin becoming alert to his presence.
"It's okay, but don't let it happen again," I said sarcastically, removing the barrier of the sheet that was between us. Edward rose and straddled me - his eyes travelled down my body, and he grinned, seemingly pleased with my selection of fuck-me-wear.
Edward bit his bottom lip as he slowly traced his finger from the center of my collarbone down between my breasts, continuing toward my stomach. He stopped at the edge of my panties, sliding his thumb inside to circle my clitoris.
"I'm really, really sorry I'm so late," he said as he glided my leg out from between his and laid my calf over his shoulder. His thumb pressed a little firmer against me and he licked the sensitive area behind my knee. Edward kissed and nibbled up and down my thigh and then stopped abruptly, removing his thumb.
"What happened?" he asked concerned, obviously noticing the bruise and teeth marks above my knee.
"I have a nephew. He likes to bite," I admitted. Edward smiled faintly, nodding once. I wasn't sure, but his face seemed to harden slightly.
"Does it hurt?" he asked and resumed kissing my thigh, his face softening again. I shook my head, lying about the pain.
Edward's hands moved down my sides, leaving a trail of goose bumps in their wake. As good as it felt, foreplay wasn't necessary.
"Take off your clothes, Cullen," I said.
He quirked his brow while I nodded in encouragement. "Demanding, aren't we?" he chortled and scooted off the bed.
I shrugged, moving out of bed to stand in front of him. He unbuttoned his white, cotton shirt while I unfastened his khakis, tugging them down his hips. Edward leaned in to kiss me, toeing off his shoes. His mouth was warm and urgent against mine and he tasted like mint.
Edward leaned down, taking off his pants and boxer briefs as I tangled my fingers through his soft, messy hair. He knelt in front of me, pulling my panties down my legs. As he rose, I left one hand on the base of his neck, pulling his head toward mine. He moaned as I cupped and massaged his crotch with my other hand. Edward moved his hands around my waist, our kisses becoming ardent as our tongues thrust into each others mouths. Our bodies pressed together, I pulled his length between my legs, teasing him with my wetness.
He moved his lips to my ear, and sounding almost feral, he whispered, "How do you want it?" as he unfastened my bra.
I squeezed his cock harder, licked up the side of his neck, and bit his earlobe. "Hard."
Edward yanked my bra down my arms and threw it to the floor. He leaned down to my breast, sucking and flicking my nipple with his tongue.
"Edward," I whispered, my entrance throbbing for him.
"Tell me," he said against my breast, his fingers dancing around my swollen clit. "Tell me how hard you want me to fuck you."
Edward sucked my nipple and moved his hot mouth to the other. My body quaked as his fingers moved faster. "I want you to fuck me so hard it hurts," I said breathlessly. "Now."
He rose, placing his hands roughly against my hips, and turned me around. I snaked my arms toward his head and knotted my fingers in his hair and pulled. Edward huffed, biting me from my shoulder to my neck as he pulled me forcefully into him, his hand between my legs again.
Edward moved us toward the dresser, and bracing myself against its surface, I pushed my hips back toward his. I lifted my head to watch him in the large mirror that hung above the dresser as he grasped his cock, positioning it at my entrance. Our eyes held each others as he plunged himself into me. I whimpered as he groaned while he bucked his hips against me.
I clenched myself around him, not wanting him to retreat, as he kneaded my breast, and I pushed my hips back further. My head dipped, and I closed my eyes as my climax approached.
"No, Bella," Edward said. "Watch yourself. I want you to see how gorgeous you are when I make you come."
I lifted my head, following his command, and looked at myself in the mirror. His words turned me on even more.
"Touch yourself." My eyes travelled to his full lips, and I licked my own searching for his taste. Once again, following his command, I moved my hand between my legs.
Edward placed his hand over mine as we rubbed my clit together. "See how warm you are?"
I nodded. My entire body tensed, and I squeezed his cock inside me.
"Are you going to come? Tell me," he panted. "Don't stop watching."
"Yes, Edward, yes," I gasped. "I'm. Going. To. Come… Fu-…"
Edward's hand moved mine faster against my clit as my orgasm exploded, and I moaned loudly, not caring who might hear me. He leaned forward, resting his forehead against my back as he stilled, his cock throbbing as he released inside me.
He slowly pulled himself from me, and I turned to kiss him, my hands cradling his face.
"I'm hungry," I stated between kisses.
Edward smiled. "We can't have that now, can we?" he asked against my mouth.
As Edward called room service, I went into the bathroom and decided that we needed to take advantage of the oversized tub.
Thirty minutes later, the tub was filled with warm water, a thin layer of bubbles on top, and our food delivered. Edward brought the tray into the bathroom and set it on the edge of the marble tub. He stepped into the tub and grimaced. I assumed he did so because of the temperature.
"Sorry, too hot?" I asked. I hadn't realized how hot the water might be until I noticed how fogged the mirrors were.
Edward shook his head as he positioned himself behind me. "No, I like my skin scalded," he said jokingly and I nudged him with my elbow.
I had no idea what Edward ordered and uncovered the first of three plates. A mixture of fruit was on the first. The second a platter which held two very large cheeseburgers and a pile greasy French fries. I glanced at him, rolling my eyes, although, a burger and fries really did seem good. I ignored the third plate momentarily – the burgers smelled good and both Edward and I were starving; the audible low growl from his stomach confirming this.
Taking one of the burgers from the plate, I leaned back against Edward's chest and held it to his mouth as he took a large bite. We ended up finishing most of the food on the two plates, and I settled comfortably into his arms.
Edward took a washcloth and dipped it into the water. He squeezed it over the tops of my breasts, and as he glided the cloth across my skin, he asked, "Satisfied?"
Nodding, I replied, "Very much," and tilted my head as he leaned in to kiss me.
I sat up to remove the tray from the side of the tub and place it on the floor and noticed the last plate hadn't been uncovered, assuming it was dessert.
"What else did you order?" I asked and lifted the silver cover. A large piece of chocolate cake with a candle and a book of hotel matches sat on the plate.
I looked at Edward questioningly. There was no way he knew it was my birthday – assuming that's what the single piece of cake, candle, and matches meant.
"I didn't order dessert, sweetheart," he said. "It must be your birthday, because it's not mine."
Edward sat up, waiting for me to reply.
I realized the cake must be something the hotel does for its guests. They would know my birth date from when I made the reservations.
"Yesterday," I admitted and wondered what he was thinking.
His soft expression didn't give anything away, and he smiled, taking the plate from my hands as I turned to sit on the opposite side of the tub to face him. Edward placed the candle in the center of the cake and carefully struck the match with his damp hands, lighting the candle.
"Close your eyes and make a wish, Swan."
I smiled and closed my eyes, and wished that things between Edward and I would never change, and blew out the candle.
A thin line of smoke rose between us toward the ceiling.
"What did you wish for?" he asked.
"If I tell you, it won't come true," I teased.
Edward placed the cake on the edge of the tub, and we leaned toward each other as he rested his hands on my knees.
"If your wish has anything to do with you and me," he motioned his finger between us, "I promise you it will always be good."
I hoped what he said was true and kissed him.
Our lips were still close, grazing each others, as he whispered, "Happy Birthday, Bella."
A/N: My beta's and pre-readers, Mac214, sncmom, and SueBob are worth more birthday cakes than anyone could ever have.
A few of you have asked about updating, and I want you to know a new chapter of Hints will come out every other week. Some have also asked if a chapter or two from Edward's POV could be expected. I didn't plan on including his POV in the mix, but I am leaning toward an outtake or two.
Thank you for adding Hints to your alert and favorite lists as well as leaving those lovely reviews. Wishing all of you a very safe and happy New Year!
