Hope you enjoy! Purely B/E central! =]
Chapter 27:
We arrived back at the Cullen's family home approximately 5 minutes later, parked up and stepped outside. The weather was still uncooperative, as the rain poured down on our heads, but from the welcome wave of cool fresh air that ruffled my hair up, I could tell it was trying to ease off.
The party, in aid of Edwards show, was still in full swing. And although walking in hand in hand with Edward would feel extraordinary, I didn't really want to be subject to even more humiliation with the state I was in. Thankfully Edward had it all worked out.
"No, not that way…" he called me back as I focused on the front door to the house. "This way" Edward took my hand, leading me around a discreet side entrance which led to the back garden. I put my free-hand above my forehead, an attempt at shielding my face from the rain, not that it did much good now though.
As we walked I took note of the raised decked platform to my left (the rejection platform as previously labelled), a few people were talking beneath the canopy to shelter from the rain, but the majority were still dancing inside. I hoped my friends and brother were trapped within the confines of the indoor crowd; I really didn't want to have to face them right this second if they just so happened to spot me.
How would I even explain this?
From there we headed for the 'hut' at the furthest point of the grounds. It was a lot quieter down that section, and really demonstrated how massive their garden truly was.
As we reached the door, Edward whipped out a key; he slotted it inside the lock and turned the handle. I followed him into a cold dark room. The AC felt like it was on extremely high for some reason.
"I'll just get the lights" he said, as he released my hand, while I closed the door behind us; my entire body almost in a spasm at how bitterly cold I was.
The lights flickered on as I pulled off my shoes, leaving them near the door, as the expanse of the room hazily came into my awareness. But before I could take a nosey look around, Edward was standing in front of me.
"Cold?"
"A little" I admitted through my quivering lip, running my hands up and down my arms to warm myself up. And he nodded back; fiddling with a dial on the wall which I presumed deactivated the Air-con and switched on the heater. I hoped anyway.
"It should warm up in a minute" he said to me, "I'll get you a towel" he added walking away, and as I finally allowed my eyes to absorb my surroundings, talking was no longer on my to-do list.
"Wow" I managed to exhale, forgetting how cold I was, as I studied what appeared to be a layout of an open-plan miniature apartment. The outside had been deceiving, the interior resembled nothing of a hut or conservatory, as the exterior had led me to believe. The walls were slightly off-white, decorated with long full colour landscape photographs, one looking like the San Francisco skyline, another displaying New York Cities beloved Twin Towers. The dark brown furniture added further class, and the magnolia corner sofa added a touch of spring warmth. Only the roof which led to a point gave away its outside structure.
The space was separated into sections, it had a small living area with corner sofa and TV, a tiny work surface with kitchen sink, oven and cupboards positioned adjacent to it, and on the opposite side of the room sat a four post grand master bed. Everything was artistically laid out before me, with only what appeared to be the bathroom which was hidden from the main living space.
It was an odd arrangement, having everything, minus the bathroom, all in the one area, but it seemed to work perfectly well.
And there, right in the corner, looking as proud as ever, was Edward's grand piano. I always wondered where he'd practiced. And this definitely seemed like the perfect place.
"Here" Edward came up behind me, wrapping a towel over my shoulders. I'd almost forgotten he was there.
"Thank you" I smiled, turning back to him, but not long after I found my feet begin to wander.
"You like it?"
"Are you kidding? It's… amazing. I've never seen anything like it. Who designed it?" I asked through my wonderment.
"Well it was already built when we moved in, but the owners before used it as a storage room, it wasn't painted or decorated. So everything you see, the decorations, the furniture, the walls, it's all new… We use it as a guest house now, if we ever have family stay over, they'll stay here. But, to be honest, I get the most use out of it these days. I do my work up here, write my music, I like its secluded feel, I don't feel like I'm being spied on" he smiled lightly. "But it's pretty spacious as well, which helps me think better".
I nodded back, slightly dazed. "It's perfect".
"Yeah".
Slowly, I turned around. I found him watching me intently; he'd already changed his top, somewhere amidst all my gawking. It was only his jeans he hadn't changed; he'd simply turned them up at the bottom to prevent the soggy ends dragging on the brown wooden floor. I felt a little stupid now, and embarrassed having been so preoccupied with the surroundings, I hoped he didn't think I was rude.
"You're drenched" he commented as he looked at me.
"Yeah, a little" I said sheepishly, before I watched his smile broaden; a twinkle of humour in his eye. "Or, a lot" I chuckled softly, feeling my cheeks begin to glow.
Just great. Stringy wet hair and red cheeks were such a turn on.
"Are you feeling any warmer?"
"Erm…"
"Because if you're not, you can wrap the duvet around you?" he signalled to that magnificent bed, "Or, I could make you a hot drink? Whatever you want".
"Thanks I … I'll be fine" I smiled, feeling that usual sensation of awkwardness folding around us, as I tentatively walked over to the bed.
I stood before it, placing a hand to the large mahogany post and feeling its firm solidity. "Nice bed" I commented, turning back to look at him. "Big" I added embarrassingly. He'd silently made his way across to me, and was now standing several feet away.
"Yeah… I like it" Beyond all that discomfort, his eyebrows kinked ever so slightly, a quirk to his lips indicating his amusement. Well whatever it was, I liked it.
I smiled back to myself as I shyly turned away from him. Before I found words coming out of my mouth I couldn't prevent.
"You think it's always going to be like this?" I asked honestly, still looking coy at the bed. "That awkwardness whenever were alone" I added, hoping he wouldn't take it the wrong way, and it would end up being ten times more awkward than it already was. I was actually starting to find it rather amusing now, more than anything.
When he didn't answer I craned my head back to him, only to find him standing right behind me. His face intense, but passionate.
I locked my eyes on his. "Not if we don't let it" he said in the sexiest of tones, and stepped forward to catch my cheeks with his hands; my lips with his mouth. I dropped the towel, swivelling my body further around so that I could wind my arms around his neck; quickly I lost myself in his embrace.
He was an amazing kisser, reaching far and beyond any expectations I'd ever had of him. Especially when he caught me off guard like this; what a wonderful and unexpected surprise.
I moulded myself into him, even a millimetre separating our bodies wasn't allowed. I just hoped he didn't think I was too desperate, or obsessed. Which truthfully, I was on both counts, how could I not be after spending so long on the sidelines?
When he pulled away he looked into my eyes; his arms still around my waist.
Once again my lips said things beyond my control. "You're still not running away" I whispered, almost brushing his mouth as I did.
"No. Not this time" he confirmed, before recapturing my lips once again.
My hands fiddled with the bottom rim of his top, my finger finding the tenderness of his abdomen. And just as I almost went to slide my hand further up, he pulled away again. Damn him.
"We erm… We don't have to, you know" he spoke breathlessly.
And I felt my brow begin to pucker. I knew exactly what he was talking about and of course I feared for the worst. "You, don't, want to?" I asked nervously, fearfully.
He swallowed hard, getting his breath back. "No, it's not that. I do want too Bella, I just… I'd understand if it's too soon, if you want to wait?"
It took very little thought as I lightly shook my head. "I don't want to wait" I told him honestly. "I feel like I've waited years for this. Now I just want to be with you" I tried my best to maintain eye contact for as long as my embarrassment would allow.
Thankfully it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. He didn't laugh in my face, he didn't scrunch his expression up in disgust at my soppiness; he just smiled, the sweetest and most beautiful smile I'd ever seen.
But then, as always, my un-stoppable mouth had to ruin things. "Is that erm, I mean, is that... Ok?" I asked, hating myself for speaking such things. I cringed internally at the perplexed look on his face. "I just meant, that … well I'm not on the pill or anything, so, do you … I mean, do you have…?" I tried to explain.
Wow, and with that incoherent sentence out there, I'd literally killed any ounce of passion there was left between us.
"Oh" Edward seemed to find my drivel extremely entertaining, a small chuckle quirking his lips. "Yeah, its fine, I've got protection" he grinned, still amused.
"Right" I gave a nod. "Ok. Well, great then" I forced the muscles in my face into a smile, before my face fell straight, I felt sick, sick of myself. I let my arms fall down to my sides as I angled my body away from him.
"Ugh" I grimaced, "Why do I have to be such a loser all the time?" I asked no one in particular, as I felt his hands release my waist. And from the corner of my eye I caught his confusion. "If I'm not falling over in front of you, I'm garbling over my words" I hung onto the bed post away from him, completely embarrassed. "Why can't I be like those other girls?" I moped miserably; wishing we could retreat back to the tree where passion had completely overcome us.
"Bella, listen to me" he turned me around, sitting me on the bed in front of him, and I reluctantly looked into his eyes. "That would be the last thing I'd want for you. I love that you're awkward and a little clumsy at times" he mused lightly. "That you stammer over your words when you're nervous. And that you go bright red in the face when you're embarrassed"… that did it, cue the rosy cheeks.
His smile grew wide at that. Before his face softened, almost turning serious. But there was something else there, love maybe? He hadn't openly said it, but he'd hinted it just as much.
"That's why I like being around you so much. You're real. You're not fake like most of the girls I know. The way you are, your personality, your actions, even the way you dress, its all real to me. You are without a doubt, the most beautiful, most caring, smartest and sweetest person I've ever met… And it wasn't hard falling in love with you" sincerity poured from his eyes, sparkling at me with so much meaning.
My toes curled up in my socks, and the tears in my eyes became unavoidable; swimming down my cheeks at his words. He said he loved me. He'd actually said the words.
For so long I'd thought he saw me as nothing more than a friend. But how very wrong I'd been!
He embraced me then as I sobbed, pulling me tightly into his arms as he kissed my neck. I'd never felt so loved and so wanted in my whole entire life.
"I'm sorry …" he mumbled into my neck before pulling away, "I'm sorry it took me this long to tell you" he continued.
"It's ok. I understand why it did" I told him, as he wiped away the tears I'd shed.
"Really? Because I don't" his expression looked helpless at his words.
"Edward, you went through so much" I declared. "I honestly don't know how I would get through that, if it were me".
"You would've" he issued the smallest of head bobs. "You're a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for".
"So are you" I told him between snivelling, and he lightly shook his head. "But you are, Edward. You could've let them beat you. You could've let me walk away, but you didn't. You took control; you left your past behind you and you took that step towards moving on. That should tell you something at least".
His eyes were distant, contemplative, before they focused back on mine, "well I wouldn't have done that for just anyone".
I smiled at that. "I wouldn't want you too".
He gave another gentle nod and then took my hand, "Look, what do you say we just chill for a bit? How does a drink and a movie sound?"
Although I was disappointed my ramblings had killed the mood for a passionate session of loving making, I was pleased we were finally being straight with each other. "Perfect" I rose fully from the bed, squirming a little in my jeans as I did; I had a slight wedgy mishap, made so much worse by the dampness of my clothes.
"You alright there?" he checked, sensing my discomfort.
I pondered lying, claiming I was absolutely fine and forcing myself to stagnate, but this was the first night I would spend alone with Edward, as his (potential) girl friend anyway, I wanted it to be perfect, so the soggy shirt and jeans would have to go. "Actually, I kind of need to get out of these clothes. I feel like I'm decomposing or something".
He found that amusing. "Well I can't smell anything yet, but, yeah, you should change before you catch a chill. I'm sorry, I should've realised. I'll get you a shirt to change into" he offered, letting go of my hand as he walked around to the head of the bed, crouching down he pulled open the drawer, grabbing a shirt from off the pile.
"There" he handed it to me, "sorry it's one of mine. I'm sure it'll look better on you though".
"I don't know about that one, but thanks".
"The bathroom's through there. Feel free to use anything you want. You can use the shower if you want to?"
"No, this should be fine, thanks. I'll er, only be a minute" I told him, before plodding off towards the bathroom, flicking on the switch and shutting the door behind me.
Big bathroom, who'd have thought it?
There was a large bath tub/converted shower running along the back wall, and a toilet and bidet on the far left hand side. The marbled sink was in the opposite corner, accompanied by mirror, hairdryer and various other bathing necessities.
The red and white tiled walls created a stylish and exotic feel, the side walls simple in design, leading to the main feature at the centre of the wall, which displayed the image of what appeared to be a Greek woman sat on a rock pool bathing herself. It reminded me of what I imagined a hotel honeymoon suite would look like.
I slipped out of my clothes, thankful to be parted from them, and then roughly blow dried my hair. Once dry I slid on his shirt, doing up the buttons to almost the top, as I now wore nothing beneath it, apart from my pants of course.
I stood back and examined myself in the mirror. Not exactly the most attractive thing to have staring straight back at you. My hair was a long and frizzy mass; my legs were pale like milk bottles and the shirt looked, well, a little large. I was just thankful I'd remembered to shave my legs the previous evening. And being in Edward's shirt wasn't exactly the worst thing in the world.
Heading back out into the main area I spotted him in the 'kitchen', he was grabbing the drinks as I settled myself down on the couch. Crossing my legs and pulling the shirt down to ensure my pants weren't directly on show.
"Hey I was right, it does look better on you" his eyebrows rose as he noted my new ensemble; placing the cups down onto the table. Four cups to be exact.
I blushed at his compliment, even though I knew it was a lie. "Are we expecting company?" I asked, and I could hear the waver of apprehension in my voice, I prayed we weren't.
"No, I just didn't know what you fancied. So I did two lots, ones a hot chocolate, the others a fruit juice" he informed me; his consideration I found incredibly endearing. "And if you don't like them, well then…"
"It's great, thanks" I smiled up at him. I was so smitten.
"So what movie are we watching?" I asked as he closely took a seat beside me, our arms brushing against each other.
"Whatever you want" he picked up the remote control.
"Well, I'm not fussed, as long as it has a happy ending" I warned him. I had an aversion against heartbreaking movies where great loss was supposed to have a hidden meaning. Yeah, whatever. Where was the escapism in that?
"Oh yeah, I remember now. You're not so big on the tearjerkers" he said, and I thought back to that night at the cinema, the night I'd found out that Edward worked at the local multiplex, and I'd subjected myself to that joke of a movie. "Well that makes two of us" he added, flicking through the channels with an expression of contentment. There weren't many movies on this time of night, and the majority were pretty classic. "Dirty dancing?" he turned his face up a little, but didn't seem overly disinclined.
I lightly chuckled. "Sure."
I was all up for a little mambo fun, but when 'Hungry Eyes' came on on the sound speakers, the image on the screen went right out the window, all I could think about was the song lyrics. And I went rigid in my seat as I thought of them.
I've been meaning to tell you
I've got this feelin that won't subside
I look at you and I fantasize
You're mine tonight
Now I've got you in my sights
With these hungry eyes
One look at you and I can't disguise
I've got hungry eyes
I feel the magic between you and I
For several long seconds I robotically faced forward, unable to look anywhere else. This song could be about us.
Gathering some courage I attempted a glance Edward's way, but I couldn't bring myself to look into his eyes out of fear of turning bright red. So, instead I simply let my head rest on his shoulder, finding my entire body beginning to relax.
Well for a brief time at least. Because two seconds later his hand had found its way on my bare leg, stroking the skin on my thigh with his fingertips. My heart almost stopped beating at the intimate contact, and my breathing turned noticeably jagged. It was noticeable to me anyway, and I momentarily closed my eyes shut, trying to calm myself down.
*CRACK*
A thunderous bolt of lightening must have hit the local perimeter, because the lights flickered on and off like we were in a disco room. And the TV went from colour, to the black and white rustle of static electricity. We both jumped at the interruption; my head automatically bolting upright.
"Shit" Edward cursed for the first time I'd known him, feeling tense beside me. "Are you alright?" he turned to me.
I nodded back, a little jittery. I hated thunderstorms on an average day. "I'm fine. Just ... didn't expect it. Sounded close huh".
"Yeah, really close... So much for the movie" he sighed, flicking the TV off and putting it out of its misery.
"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked again, probably because my bodily stance suggested I was anxious, which I was. One second I had Edwards hand sliding up my leg, the next, the weather had reared its ugly head. The combination was almost too much to handle.
"Yeah, I'm fine" I swallowed away that lump of dread in my throat.
"Do you want your drink?"
"Yeah, I could take the juice" I told him, as we both simultaneously went for the cup in front of us. We smiled bashfully as we touched hands, both eventually leaving the cup where it was and pulling back at the same time.
I felt my cheeks warm up as I grinned, timidly returning my eyes to join with his. And as I did I met his beautiful smile, broad at first, before it softened out, his vision flicking towards my lips.
I couldn't help it as I bit on my bottom lip, giving away how nervous I truly was. And as his hand rose to cup my chin, his thumb touching my bottom lip, I felt the intensity we'd shared earlier sizzle in my veins.
We leant in like mirror images of each other, claiming the others lips with our own.
The kiss was careful at first and precise, but when his hand slid down my thigh, exploring parts of me I almost wasn't sure existed until now, the kiss swiftly deepened.
His hands went up my shirt, grasping me at my waist. I shuffled myself over instinctively, his hands around my waist guiding me onto his lap, until my legs coiled themselves around his lower body.
I was so comfy there, no longer caring what I looked like, or that the shirt had ridden up my back; my ass probably being reflected in the glass of the television screen.
None of that mattered to me now.
I moaned into his mouth, unable to stop myself as I grinded my lower half into the hard bulge of his jeans. It wasn't until I felt him tug at my clothing, his fingers undoing the buttons on my shirt that I tentatively released his lips, the knowledge that I was bra-less beneath the shirt coming back to my attention.
He held my eyes as he undid each button, working his way from the bottom up. But when he finally let the two sides of the shirt fall away, revealing my naked chest to him in all its glory, his focus immediately dropped, scrutinizing my breasts like they were the feast in the 'Last Supper'. I'd never been overly fond of my breasts, in fact I would've quite liked them a size larger, to get me out of padded bras if nothing else, but Edward didn't seem to mind my average sized domes, in fact he seemed mesmerized by them. I put that down to his effect on me however, I was incredibly turned on by him at present; ergo my perky breasts had probably swollen right about now, creating the illusion that they were bigger than usual, and my nipples were taut to a point. If I wasn't so consumed by his reaction, I'd probably be rather proud of them.
"You're amazing" he gushed, and once again I felt my cheeks begin to glow. They went from a warm red to a fluorescent pink as he unexpectedly clasped one nipple between his lips, sucking and tweaking it delightfully; only encouraging me to rub myself into him that much more.
Just as I was starting to enjoy a steady rocking motion, he swept me up, carrying me through the living room and over towards the grand master bed.
Half way into the walk I managed to shuffle my way out of the shirt, while his delicate and artistic hands pulled down my knickers, and I kicked them uncaringly onto the floor; leaving me naked in his arms.
He placed me onto the bed then, laying me down on the soft white duvet.
I let my eyes fall shut as I lay there in waiting. He was gone for almost 30 seconds. I knew that exactly because I counted each long second in my head. I also heard the rustle of plastic being torn, and I guessed that that would be my new best friend, the condom.
A moment later he was hovering above me, his beautifully sculpted body displayed for only my eyes to see, and boy did my eyes see it, taking in each and every inch of him that was on show.
He touched my chin to lift my head, and I'm guessing I must have taken the whole gawking thing to new levels. My eyes were no doubt bulging out my head, and understandably so, the guy was a god on so many levels.
When he kissed my lips once more, carefully pressing his body on top of mine, I knew the time had come.
I felt it just as much, near my entrance, his tip teasing and tickling me, creating the warmest of feelings down below, a burning and throbbing itch that yearned to be massaged was now at the forefront of my mind. My legs spread a part automatically.
Everything was a blur after that; he entered me slowly; working off my reaction as pain seemed inevitable. But as it soon subsided and I found other sensations begin to propel, we quickly found our rhythm.
I tried to savour every moment of it, logging each action and feeling into my mind for later retrieval, but no amount of concentration was enough. He spun my head, taking me to places I'd never dreamed about. His hands worked every inch of me, touching me in areas I could've literally squealed about, while his lips almost never left my mouth.
He really was an artist, on every level imaginable.