A/N: Buckle up. See you again at the bottom.
WARNING: This piece of fanfiction is rated M for slash, graphic language, and adult situations. Minors and wusses, click away, please. Also, S. Meyer owns all Twilight-related material. Thanks for letting us saddle up your pony, Mrs. Meyer.
Chapter 7: Word and Deed
"I'm the lucky one, baby," Edward breathed, bringing his hand up to my cheek and caressing it with his thumb. "Go to sleep, now, Jazz. I'll see you in the morning."
"'Kay." I snuggled closer into his warm, strong body, letting sleep take me down.
*~*~*
Warm.
Tickle. On my neck. Drifting down to my shoulder.
Tingle. Moving in gentle ripples up my back.
Caress. Slow circles smoothing over my chest, my stomach.
"Ja-azz." Whisper. Flutter of air against my ear, my cheek.
My heavy eyelids lifted. My lips automatically curved into a smile.
Edward's gorgeous mouth hovered inches away, pulled into a dazzling crooked smile of its own.
"Hi," I whispered back to him. His eyes shimmered in the morning light slanting through the window blinds.
"Hi," he returned. "Sorry I woke you."
My grin stretched even more.
"No, you're not."
His grin matched mine.
"No, I'm not." He brought his forehead down to meet mine. "It's almost nine. I've been up for a while, watching you sleep, and I couldn't take it any more."
His face in such close proximity to mine brought to my attention three things. One, I was naked and hard under the cool sheet that covered me. Two, I desperately needed to brush my teeth before I scared him away. Three, I needed to piss even more than I needed to brush my teeth.
I rolled away from him, sliding out of the bed and thumping my feet to the floor.
"Sorry, need a minute," I said sheepishly, looking at him over my shoulder. "Can we pick this up when I get back?"
He gave a short laugh, waving me toward the bathroom. I kept my back to him as I crossed the room and closed the door behind me. I stood in front of the toilet, ruefully looking down at my morning wood.
"Well, at least you're not shy," I told it.
Without sparing myself more than a glance in the mirror, I did what I had to do, scrubbing my tongue almost raw with the pink toothbrush. I grabbed a towel to wrap around my waist before heading back into Edward's bedroom.
He lay naked on the bed, eyes closed, the sheet draped over his lower half and his arms behind the pillow under his head. I let my eyes roam over him, luxuriating in his unselfconscious beauty. He opened his eyes and turned his head to watch me.
"Feel better now?" he asked.
I nodded, grinning. He patted the bed next to him, and I took a running leap onto it. Bouncing lightly, I moved over to put my head on his chest. His arm came around me, holding me close to him. I sighed.
"Is this real?" I heard him whisper into my disheveled curls.
I propped myself up on my elbows.
"I think so," I whispered back. He smiled and put his hand to my cheek.
"I hope so," he breathed, his thumb moving softly over my mouth.
The look on his face made my heart speed up. Leaning toward him, I pressed my lips to his. His hands came up to hold my head in place as he deepened the kiss, his tongue brushing my lower lip. I opened my mouth and let my tongue meet his, relieved that I'd brushed my teeth first. He had, too, apparently – he tasted minty fresh.
Heat flowed from my mouth down my spine and into my groin. I moaned into his mouth, and he returned it, his voice rumbling in his chest. We eventually pulled back to breathe, and his gaze fell to my shoulder.
"Oh, Jazz!" His eyes widened in horror, as his fingers tentatively touched the spot where my neck and shoulder joined. "I'm so sorry."
"What?" I tried to see what had him so upset, craning my neck back at an awkward angle.
"I hurt you. Oh, god, baby, I'm so sorry. I can't believe I was such an asshole…"
"Wait, wait, wait," I stopped him, shaking my head. "What are you talking about, Edward?"
"This," he said heavily, brushing that spot again. "When I bit you last night, I gave you a humongous bruise right here. God, I'm so sorry, baby…"
I put my hand over his mouth.
"Shh. Stop. It doesn't hurt at all."
"Well, but it was still an asshole move," he said through my fingers.
"Wait right there, baby," I said, getting off the bed again and tucking my towel more securely around my waist. I walked over to his closet and opened the door to reveal the full-length mirror on the other side. I bit my lip as I finally saw the large purple mark at the base my neck.
Edward came up behind me, the bed sheet wrapped around his shoulders. He hesitantly laid a hand on my arm. Our eyes met in the mirror.
"Are you mad at me?" he asked, a quaver in his voice.
"No." I reddened a bit and dropped my gaze. He drew in a breath.
"What is it, Jazz?"
"I—" I made myself look at his reflected face, my cheeks darkening. "I like it."
His expression turned incredulous. For a moment, neither of us said anything.
"You… like it?" he whispered finally.
"Yeah." My blush didn't seem like it would disappear anytime soon, at the rate this conversation was going. I pushed forward, trying to ignore it. "It makes what happened last night seem… real, I guess. It kinda proves that you really wanted me. I like knowing that."
"Don't ever doubt that I want you, Jasper." Edward pressed his body against my back, and I felt the heat through both his sheet and the towel at my waist. He wound his arms around me, burying his face in the nape of my neck. I turned in his embrace to face him. My towel fell to the floor, but I didn't care anymore. I needed to feel every line of Edward's body against mine.
He unwrapped the sheet from around himself and rearranged it so that it enclosed both of us. His skin burned against mine. He caressed my back slowly, his hands gliding up and down in an unhurried but still urgent way. I pulled him as close to me as I could. Our semi-erections touched, making me thrust my hips into him. I felt myself lengthening as his hardness grew against my thigh.
Abruptly, Edward stepped away, separating us by an inch or two.
"Jasper," he started, his chest heaving, "not that I don't want to do this, but… do you really want to do this? I mean, are you sure about this? I know we're going awfully fast, and I just worry that it'll be too much for you and you'll get scared and pull away, and I don't think I could handle that…"
"Whoa, there, baby. Take it easy." I put my hands on his shoulders to calm him. "Listen to me. I know it seems fast, but I'm ready for this. I want this with you. I'm not scared." I looked directly into his jade eyes so that he couldn't misunderstand me. "I promise that I'll tell you if we need to slow down at any point. But please don't worry that I'm gonna flake out on you and run away. I won't."
I didn't know how to explain this connection I felt with him after only one night. How could I make him understand? He'd made all my walls fall down with one glance from his smoldering green-and-copper eyes. There was no way I would give him up. How could I tell him all this without him thinking I was crazy?
Words failed me. I did the only thing I could think to do. I closed the space between us and kissed him with everything I had.
It only took a split-second for him to unfreeze and give me everything he had in return.
The sheet fluttered to the floor, forgotten. We melted down to our knees, locked in a fiery kiss fueled by sliding tongues, groping hands, and wordless groans.
Wanting to show him that I wasn't afraid, that I wasn't going to spook and bolt, I brought my hand down his chest, his belly, playing with the hair leading to his groin before slipping lower. He gasped into my mouth as my fingers wrapped around his shaft in a sure grip.
His hand flailed and grasped my wrist, halting my movements.
"Jazz," he whimpered, his breathing labored, "you don't have to…"
"Oh, but, Edward, I want to." My voice was husky but steady, I was pleased to note. I shook off his weak hold and continued to pump him slowly, feeling him grow harder in my hand. My thumb swiped over his head, feeling the sticky moisture gathering there and spreading it downward as I moved.
"Let me make you feel good, baby," I rasped in a low voice. He moaned and his head fell back, his eyes closing as he let himself get lost in the sensation. I stroked him like I would stroke myself, squeezing as I moved from base to tip, running my thumb just under the head. The noises he was making, little gasps and groans, along with his thrusting hips, spurred me on even as my own dick began throbbing and aching.
I nearly lost it when I felt his long fingers take hold of me and mirror my movements stroke for stroke.
"Oh, god, Edward," I croaked, my throat suddenly dry. My eyes met his before rolling back into my head in sheer bliss.
I lost my sense of time and space. All I knew was Edward, his shallow breathing and his moans, his pistoning lower body, his hand on my cock, and his length swelling in my own grip. I sped my hand, wanting to get him there, and he sped up, too. I clenched my jaw, needing to hold off, wanting to make him come first.
Just before I gave in and let go, he started to quiver.
"Oh god, oh god, oh god… Jasper!" As he cried out, his eyes shut tight and his brow furrowed. He was so incredible to watch. His cock pulsed in my hand and spurted onto his chest and abdomen. That's all it took for my body to send me over the edge, and I grunted as my orgasm wrenched its way out of me.
"Wow," Edward panted, his eyes still closed. I chuckled and pulled him to me for a light kiss.
"Yeah, 'wow' about covers it."
We were using my discarded towel to wipe each other off when both our cell phones chirped simultaneously. We looked at each other, puzzled. Edward got up to retrieve both phones and came back to sit on the floor next to me, tossing me my phone. We each looked at our screens, then back to each other.
"Emmett," we said at the same time. He grinned and I snorted as we opened our text messages.
Be there in 20. Brkfst on me. Em
I looked ruefully at Edward.
"What do you say we pretend not to be here when he comes?"
Just then, our phones chirped again.
Don't bother pretending not to be there. I'll just climb in thru the window. Em
"Damn Emmett," I grumbled. How did he do that?
"He's not kidding," Edward said, laughing. "He's come in here through the window before."
"Don't tell me. I don't want to know," I said, holding up my hand in protest. Edward stood and pulled me up after him.
"C'mon, sexy, let's grab a shower and get dressed before he gets here. If we're naked, he'll probably take pictures and post 'em on Facebook."
Considering the fact that we showered together – to save water, of course – we were in and out pretty quickly. Being wet and soapy with Edward left me wanting more, even though I knew we didn't have much time until Emmett showed up. Edward found clean boxers, a pair of jeans, and a maroon University of Chicago t-shirt for me. While he was in the closet choosing an outfit for himself, I decided to forgo the boxers and slid the jeans up my hips. Before I could get them all the way up, he emerged wearing jeans and holding a navy shirt. He stopped cold, staring at me.
"Uh, Jazz?"
"Yeah?" I said, smirking.
"You know that's gonna be torture for me all day, right? Knowing you don't have any underwear on while wearing my jeans?"
I leaned in to whisper in his ear.
"That's the idea, Eddie baby." I flicked out my tongue and licked the shell of his ear.
"Fuck." He licked his lips, and his eyes became hooded. "You're evil, you know that?"
"Maybe," I replied, "but you like me that way."
"You bet your ass I do." His hand reached out to grab the ass in question, giving me a squeeze through the snug denim.
The doorbell interrupted our fun. I zipped up my fly and Edward threw on his shirt before we headed downstairs.
As I shoved my feet into my shoes, Edward opened the front door to reveal Emmett leaning casually against the door frame.
That's when it hit me. Emmett knew I was gay. He had encouraged Edward to talk to me. He'd obviously known where to find me this morning. I felt my face heat up with yet another annoying blush. What did I have to be embarrassed about? Nothing! Yet here I was, red as a baboon's ass. Talking to Em about all this after so many years of avoidance was going to be harder than I'd realized.
If Emmett noticed my crimson state, he didn't say anything about it.
"Let's go, losers. Coffee Shop, my treat." He grinned and loped down the walkway to his Jeep, which was parked on the street. Edward shrugged at me and followed, taking shotgun while I jumped in the back.
I took a deep breath. I knew I needed to say something, to apologize to Emmett. I looked up and saw him watching me in the rear-view mirror. He winked, and suddenly, I knew it would be okay. I winked back, and his grin widened.
"Soooo," he said, raising an eyebrow, "how was your evening?"
Edward snickered, and I whapped him lightly on the back of his bronze head. Emmett's expression softened.
"I want you guys to know that I'm really happy for you."
"Thanks, Em," I said softly, meeting his gaze. "You're a good friend, you know that?" He nodded to me, and he might have left it there, but I felt I needed to say more.
"Emmett, I need to apologize to you. I'm sorry I didn't trust you enough to tell you. You've always been there for me, and I treated you like shit. I'm really sorry, man."
Emmett was shaking his head before I'd even finished.
"Jazz, dude, please. I totally get it. And you've been there for me plenty. Like, remember freshman year when that senior, Stephan what-his-name, threatened to rearrange my face? Who talked him out of it? You, man. You don't owe me anything, believe me."
That was Emmett. For him, friendship was proven in deed, not in word. I supposed I could live with that.
Emmett parked in front of the Forks Coffee Shop, our go-to breakfast joint. The food was decent, the prices were reasonable, and the portions were enormous. Plus, they had a giant stuffed moose head on top of the banquette in the middle of the restaurant. It was so cheesy, it was actually cool. We grabbed a booth in the back, where we could observe the rest of the place while keeping our conversation relatively private. Emmett took one side, while I slid in next to Edward on the other.
We refused the menus and gave our orders right away. I got the hotcakes with sausage, Edward got a veggie-and-cheese omelet, and Emmett got chicken-fried steak and eggs. Once the waitress brought our coffee and OJ, we settled back in our seats. I inhaled and gathered my courage.
"So," I began, looking at Emmett, "when did you know?"
"Know what?"
I rolled my eyes. He was going to make me say it. Out loud.
"When did you know I was… gay?" I lowered my voice automatically. Edward squeezed my hand under the table.
"Shoot, son, when didn't I know?" Emmett crossed his arms over his chest, an amused smile playing over his lips. "It wasn't any one thing. It was a lot of little things over the years. I just paid more attention than the other guys did."
"So, the others don't know?" This had been nagging at me subconsciously since last night, although I didn't think it was likely.
"Naw," Emmett confirmed. "They're clueless. Although I don't think it would be that big a deal if they did know."
I suppressed a shudder. I wasn't ready to deal with that yet.
"I don't know, Em," said Edward. "Those guys can really run off at the mouth. They're constantly calling each other 'fag' and 'homo.' Not exactly encouraging behavior."
"Yeah, well," Emmett tapped his lip with his thumbnail. "I think it's just a case of not enough exposure. I think if someone opened their eyes a bit, they'd come around pretty quick."
"No offense, Em," Edward replied, "but I don't know them well enough to trust them like that."
"Hell, I do know them," I chimed in, "and I don't trust them like that."
Emmett chuckled lightly.
"I'm not sayin' you guys gotta be the guinea pigs. I wouldn't blame you for keeping it under wraps until you get out of high school. I'll cover for you, you know that."
"Thanks, Em," Edward said. "Now, can we discuss the elephant in the room?"
I turned to look at him, having no idea what he meant. Emmett's eyes twinkled, however, and I knew that couldn't be good. For me, that is.
"Sure," he drawled, "if you mean the fact that your boyfriend ran all the way to New Orleans this past summer so he wouldn't be tempted to jump me."
Oh, shit! What's redder than a baboon's ass? Whatever it was, my face had it beat.
"Jeez, McCarty! Way to be gentle, there." Edward bit back a smile as he rubbed my leg soothingly. I hid my face in my hands, feeling the heat from my cheeks radiating into my palms.
"Shit, sorry, Jazz." Emmett didn't sound sorry at all. "But it's completely understandable. I mean, look at me! What's not to love?"
I peeked at Edward through my fingers.
"You mean, you knew the whole time about my… feelings… for Emmett?" I squeaked.
"Yeah, baby," he said quietly, a soft smile lighting his face. "He told me. He wanted me to know what I was walking into. He also said he wanted you to be with someone who could make you happy."
I lowered my hands and gazed into his beautiful face. His eyes spoke volumes.
"I am, Edward. You make me happy."
We stared at one another for an endless moment. The spell was broken by a throat being cleared across the table.
"Well, I guess my work here is done." Emmett's voice was smug, as was his expression. Edward laughed.
"Yeah, you're a regular matchmaker, Em." He laced his fingers through mine for a few moments, then released my hand as the waitress appeared with our food.
I dug into my hotcakes, not ready to look Emmett in the eye. I should've known he wouldn't let me get away with that.
"Jasper, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. Water under the bridge, man. You've got Edward, now, and we're still friends. No harm done, right?"
I looked up, forcing myself to meet his eyes.
"Right, Em. I'm over it if you are."
He nodded.
"So, am I right?"
"About what?" I asked, glancing at Edward. He seemed just as puzzled as I was.
"Jazz is your boyfriend, right Eddie?"
Edward turned to face me, his eyes questioning. The corners of my mouth turned up in answer. A million butterflies fluttered in my stomach as Edward turned back to Emmett.
"Yeah, Emmett, he's my boyfriend."
Emmett's smile almost extended past his face. He leaned over the table to clap us both on the shoulder.
"That's awesome, you guys! Now you've got each other, and I've got Rosalie." He sat back again with a flourish.
"She actually agreed to go out with you?" I asked incredulously. "How'd you pull that off?"
"She couldn't resist my natural charm and handsome physique. Hell, you can empathize with her, Jazz," he said with a guffaw.
"I'm never gonna live this down, am I?" I grumbled. Edward nudged me playfully, and I couldn't keep a smile from forming on my lips.
"Oh," Emmett continued, "and my sister found someone, too."
Edward and I exchanged a look.
"Yeah," I said, "she and Bella left the party pretty early last night."
"Oh, yeah?" Emmett chuckled. "I bet Alice talked poor Bella's ear off all night about this guy."
I gasped.
"What guy?" As the words left my mouth, my stomach sank. Edward grabbed my hand again, squeezing too tight.
"What's his name…? Gray, Gary… Garrett. Yeah, that's it. She met him at school in one of her classes. She's been going on nonstop about how smart and sweet and gorgeous he is."
"Fuck." I pushed my plate away and grabbed my wallet out of my back pocket. "Emmett, you gotta drive us," I said, throwing down a couple of twenties, hoping it was enough to cover breakfast.
"Whaddaya mean? I haven't finished eating yet."
"Sorry, man, but we gotta go. You gotta drive us to Bella's house. Right now."
A/N continued: As AngryBadgerGirl might say… DUN DUN DUN! Overflowing thanks to all of you who reviewed, favorited, alerted, and read the previous chapter. I may never be able to reply properly to all your brilliant comments, but please know that I read each and every one with a squeal and a full heart. Much love to you all.