Hello all!

Welcome back! Thanks for sticking with us thus far, and I truly hope you're enjoying our little slice of goodness.

This chapter was fun to write - there's a lemon at the end, so if that's not your style, you can skip it.

Many, many hugs to Emmy415, my co-conspirator and my favorite person ever. Also, thanks to Pange for using her mad beta skills at the last minute for us.

We don't own Twilight. We do own the plot. End of story.

Chapter 13 (BPOV)

The sunlight streaming through my window brought me out of my restful sleep and I stretched out, only to feel a hard lump behind me. I turned my head to see Edward, rumpled and adorable, laying on his stomach with his face turned towards me. His hand was resting under his cheek and the sheet was draped across his waist. I pulled myself up onto my elbow, scanning my eyes across the toned, golden skin of his back. I trailed a finger down the length of his torso, feeling his lithe muscles underneath my fingertips. He still didn't budge, so I leaned over, pressing my lips softly to his bare shoulder, and made my way across his back. My lips got to the top of his spine when his hand shot out and gripped my wrist, somehow maneuvering us and pulling me into his arms, half crushing me with his weight.

"Sleep, Bella," he said, patting me on the head and nuzzling his head into my neck. "S'early. We don't need to get up yet."

"No," I said, struggling against his vice-like grip. "But I do have to pee, and you're kind of crushing my bladder."

He lifted his head and looked at me, his face sporting the most pathetic - albeit adorable - pout I'd ever seen on a grown man. "Fine," he huffed, rolling onto his back and stretching.

When I got back out of the bathroom, he was still in my bed, laying on his back with his hands clasped behind his head. He had completely kicked the covers off so his long, lean body was stretched out and he was clad only in his PJ pants. I paused at the door, trying to reign myself in before I lost control of myself and mauled him. Would that be so bad though?

"What are you doing all the way over there?" he asked, his voice groggy and a little bit husky from sleep.

"Plotting your demise," I said, completely straight-faced and folding my arms over my chest. "Look at what you did to my bed. It's a mess."

"Nuh uh. That was all you. Did you know you kick in your sleep? I think I have bruises on my shin."

I started walking towards the bed, glaring at him. "You are such a dirty, little liar."

He grinned back at me. "Oh, I can be dirty alright."

I sat down on the edge of the bed. "Where did my sweet Edward go? He's been replaced by perverted Edward. I want the old one back," I pouted, even though that wasn't completely true. Dirty, perv Edward was pretty hot too, but he didn't need to know that.

"Oh, I'll still pull sweet Edward out when the time is right. He's just hiding out until I need him to woo you."

"Sure, sure," I laughed "Sweet Edward does the wooing and gets me liquored up so Perv Edward can take over. I'm no dummy."

"You think you have me all figured out, don't you?" he laughed, grabbing me around the waist and pulling me down onto the bed beside him. "But you just wait, Isabella, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve." He ducked his head down and ran his nose up the column of my neck, stopping to suck my earlobe into his mouth.

I closed my eyes and sighed, thoroughly enjoying the close proximity of Edward's body to mine. I could have stayed in bed like that all day. Unfortunately, my stomach had other plans in mind when it made a loud rumbling sound.

"Hungry for breakfast?" I asked quietly, playing with the hair at the nape of his neck.

"Mmmmhmmmm. But I don't want to move. Do you think someone will deliver it to us in bed?"

I chuckled and slapped him on the arm. "Get out of bed Edward. I'll make you one of my world famous omelets if you're out of bed in five minutes."

"Awesome," he mumbled into his pillow as I climbed out of bed. "Come wake me up in five minutes."

I rolled my eyes and padded out of my bedroom into the kitchen, taking out my omelet pan and the ingredients to make us breakfast. I chopped some vegetables and got the eggs going in the pan, humming to myself as I went along. As I plated the first omelet, I looked out the corner of my eye to see Edward leaning in the doorway watching me. His hair was in complete disarray, even more so than usual. He still wasn't wearing a shirt and his pants hung low on his hips. My eyes traveled from his face, down his torso and to the V that dipped below his waistband. God help me. Please. He's killing me and I don't want to die.

I raised an eyebrow at him and pointed my spatula in his direction. "Get out of here, Mr. Chef. You'll hover over me and tell me that I'm doing everything wrong. Out."

Without a word, he laughed and held his hands up in defense and turned to walk back out to the living room. I cracked some more eggs and made the other omelet, sliding it onto a plate, and set it on the high-top counter in my kitchen. I grabbed a couple of coffee mugs and filled them both with the yummy-deliciousness that my $200 coffeemaker provided. I know I probably could've gotten away with a $100 one, but this one had all the bells and whistles, and had the coffee ready for me when I got up in the morning.

"You can come back in now," I teased, sticking my head around the corner to make sure Edward hadn't fallen asleep on the couch. His head perked up from the Vogue magazine that he was reading and I giggled.

"Shut up. I like the pictures," he said, laughing as he brushed by me and sat at one of the bar stools, kissing my cheek on his way by. "Thank you, by the way."

"For what?" I asked, glancing at him as I sat down.

He put his fork down and turned to me, taking my hands in his and looking me in the eyes. His lips turned up into his crooked grin that I had grown so accustomed to throughout my life. "Everything."

Edward left shortly after breakfast to get some much needed work done at Masen's, but promised to come back when he was finished to make me dinner. Asking him to stay last night in my bed with me was definitely unexpected, but welcomed nonetheless. Waking up with him beside me in all his half-naked, adorable, softly-snoring glory this morning didn't freak me out in the least, and it astonished me that we weren't having any trouble transitioning between friends to significant others. I was worried that being with him in a romantic capacity would be weird, but day-by-day that worry was slowly disappearing. Deep down, part of me was starting to believe that this wasn't just a short-term or trial relationship...ever since Edward and I were kids, we had always been on the same wavelength, and that never went away...maybe this was always in our cards.

I had just finished cleaning up my kitchen from breakfast when my cell phone rang. I glanced down at the caller ID and groaned. I was so not prepared for this conversation.

"Hi Mom," I said, answering the call and plopping down on the couch, resting my feet on the coffee table in front of me. Might as well get comfortable. This could take awhile.

"Oh, so you DO remember your own mother?" she began loudly, making me pull the phone away from my ear in fear of ear drum damage. "Too good for us small-town folk now?"

"Sorry, Mom. I've just been busy with work," I admitted, twisting a strand of my hair around my finger. I was hoping that she wouldn't see right through my lie. I wasn't ready for the onslaught of wedding and baby name websites that she would for sure be sending me if I let the Edward and Bella cat out of the bag.

"Emmett mentioned that you guys went out for a few of your work functions. At least he calls to talk to me every once in awhile." I rolled my eyes. Emmett had always been a mama's boy. If she only knew all of the things he did in high school that I covered up for him.

"Mmmmhmmm. He did," I said, distracted by the pictures of some hunky guy in my Vogue magazine that I had picked up and started haphazardly flipping through.

"Anyway, I heard something interesting when I was over at Carlisle and Esme's house the other day. Alice called and we had her on speaker phone," she said, and I cringed. Damn Alice. I should've known she would open her mouth.

"Oh yeah?" I squeaked, and cleared my throat. "I ran into her the other day. It's really great that she was able to move out here." I paused. "So, uh, what exactly did Alice have to say?"

"Well," she started, and I could tell she was trying to keep her excitement contained. "She may have let it slip that you had a date."

My cheeks flamed hotter as she talked and I buried my face in my hands. "Yeah?" I said, unsure of how exactly to reply to her statement.

Alice is so dead. I swear to God I'm going to wring her tiny little neck the next time I see her.

"Isabella...aren't you going to tell me who it was with?" she urged. I could tell I was annoying her by not just coming out with it, but damn it, I knew this was going to open up a whole can of worms that I was trying my best to keep the lid on.

"Fine," I sighed. "It was Edward, okay?"

She squealed and I wrenched the phone away from my head again. "Oh Bella, that's so great! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Mom, the reason-" I started, but was cut off when she started rambling on about weddings and china patterns and babies and a house in the suburbs.

"Mom!" I said again, a little louder, but she was still talking, completely unaware of my existence. "Renee!" I shouted into the phone, finally grabbing her attention.

"What's the problem, Bella?"

I sighed. "Mom, the way you're acting right now...that is the reason why I didn't want to say anything yet. We've only been on two dates. Two. There doesn't need to be talk of babies or weddings or anything like that right now. This is all new and I don't want to make a big deal out of it."

"Oh, honey. I'm sorry. I just got so excited thinking about it. You know that Esme and I have been dreaming about this forever. I'll tone it down, I promise," she said apologetically, her voice lowering a few decibels.

"Don't get me wrong, I care about Edward a lot, but it's way too early to even think about that kind of stuff. We're just having fun and enjoying each other's company right now."

There was a brief moment of silence before she spoke up again. "Are you being safe?"

"Mom!" I yelled, my eyes bulging out of my head. "Are you being serious right now? I am not having his conversation with you. I have to go. I love you and I'll talk to you soon. Bye!" I quickly ended the call before she could get another word out.

Before I got off the couch to shower, I typed out a quick text to Edward.

E- Mayday! Mayday! The mothers have found out. They're planning our wedding already. Will you be wearing a white tux or a black one? -B

Bella, everybody knows only the bride is allowed to wear white. My tux will be bright green. No arguments. ;) - E

I laughed, picturing Edward standing up at the altar in a green tux. I was still chuckling to myself as I stripped out of my clothes and hopped in the shower. I let the warm water pound down on my neck and back working out any tension that had accumulated. When I was finished, I dried off, heading to my closet to get dressed for the day.

I threw on a pair of black denim shorts - because it was hot as Hell outside - and a short-sleeved, plaid button up and set off to take care of my weekly errands.

A couple hours later, arms full of bags, I strolled past Masen's and peeked my head in the door, looking to see if Edward was there. I smiled when I saw him standing on the other side of the dining room, gesturing wildly to a laughing Jasper. I took a few steps into the restaurant and waited for him to turn around and acknowledge me.

"Bella!" he exclaimed, shooting across the room like a bullet as soon as he saw me. He took the bags out of my arms and set them on the ground before pulling me into a bone-crushing hug, his tall form completely engulfing mine. My feet came off the ground slightly and I buried my nose in his neck, breathing in his unique scent. He smelled of soap, and sugar, and Edward. I wanted to lick him.

"You were baking, weren't you?" I mumbled into his shoulder, noting the scent of sugar and the streaks of flour on his coat.

"Mmmm hmmmm," he said, and I felt him grin into my hair. "I may or may not be baking something to bring over to your place tonight."

I pulled back slightly from him, looking at him suspiciously. "I see what you're doing. This is that wooing thing you were talking about earlier. I'll have you know that It's going to take a lot more than baked goods to break me, Mr. Cullen."

He set me back down on my feet, gripping his chest like I somehow caused him pain. "I'm wounded. I assure you that I have no ulterior motives. Scout's honor."

I smirked and smacked his arm, walking past him and further into the room. "You weren't a Boy Scout, Edward. You can't fool me. I know you're just DYING to get into THESE pants," I said, licking my lips and gesturing towards my shorts. He groaned behind me and followed me over to Jasper, who was staring at us with an amused look on his face.

"Hey Jasper!" I greeted, "It's nice to see Alice hasn't killed you yet. I honestly don't know how you keep up with her, but more power to you."

He leaned up against the wall next to me, and grinned. "Darlin', I assure you, I have no troubles keeping up with Alice. In fact, last night, we-"

"No, no, no! No more talking about that shit with me around, Jazz, I mean it. That's my SISTER!" Edward hissed, taking my hand and leading me away from Jasper and back into the kitchen.

I giggled and trailed behind him. "Bye Jasper!" I yelled, waving at him over my shoulder before disappearing behind the kitchen door with Edward.

"I swear he says that shit on purpose just to piss me off and get a reaction out of me," Edward said, leaning up against the counter.

I sauntered over to him, leaning into him and putting my hands on either side of his body. His hands moved to my hips and I placed a kiss on his neck.

"Of course he does," I said, slipping my hands into his back pockets. "He's your best guy friend. It's practically his job to torment you."

He sighed and kissed my temple. "I know, but it's bad enough that I've got you tormenting me as well. I can only handle so much."

I pulled back and glared at him. "Me? Torment you? How?"

"Bella, your very existence is enough to make me crazy."

My eyes narrowed and I tried to pull away from him, but he held me tighter. "No, Bella, not like that. I meant in the very best way, of course."

"Yeah, sure," I huffed.

Edward grinned at me and leaned in to kiss my cheek before whispering in my ear. "Don't think I didn't notice that little pink bag you were carrying when you walked in the front door. I'm anxious to see what you've got in there."

"Oh?" I questioned, trying to stifle a giggle. "And what makes you so sure it's something you'd even be interested in? They do sell more than just fancy underwear, you know."

His beautiful mouth turned into a pseudo-scowl. "Don't tell me you bought bath stuff or those hideous sweatpants with words across the butt."

I laughed out loud, pecking him on the lips and skirting out from his grasp. "Wouldn't you like to know? Maybe those baked goods will pay off after all," I said coyly, glancing up at him through my eyelashes and then jumping away when he tried to lunge out and grab me around the waist.

"I've gotta get going. There's a really hot guy coming over to cook me dinner later and I still have things I need to do."

He nodded and reached out to pull me to him, wrapping his arms firmly around my waist and hungrily pressing his lips to mine, almost taking my breath away with the force of his kisses.

I pulled back after a few minutes, breathless and glassy-eyed, and waved dazedly over my shoulder as I exited the kitchen doors. Jasper was meandering around the dining room, checking to make sure everything was in its proper place when I breezed by him, mumbling "Bye, Jasper" as I gathered my bags and left. I heard his chuckle as the doors closed behind me, probably because of my mussed hair, swollen lips, and dazed expression. That's what happens when you're in the presence of Edward Cullen. He needs to come with some kind of warning: Do not operate vehicles or heavy machinery when under the influence.

Once I arrived at my apartment, I put the wine and other necessities away that I had purchased, and took the 'little pink bag' with me back to my bedroom, tossing it on my bed. Its contents were an impulse buy, but as soon as I stepped into Victoria's Secret, I knew I had to have them, and I knew it would make Edward crazy...if we ever got to that point...which would hopefully be soon if I had my way. I took the next hour or so tidying up my already clean apartment, setting my table with my nicest dishes, and picking out my outfit for the evening, laying it on my bed next to my new purchases.

I pinned my hair up and stripped out of my clothes, jumping into the shower quickly to wash off the sweat and stickiness that had accumulated from walking around the hot city. After lathering up my body and shaving my legs, I stepped out into the cool bathroom, wrapping a towel around my torso and venturing out into my bedroom to get dressed. I pulled the pink lace boyshorts and matching bra out of the bag and put them on, turning to check myself out in the mirror. The pink color against my pale skin looked incredible, and the boyshorts did excellent things for my ass. Perfect.

Reaching down to my bed, I slipped my dress over my head and pulled the zipper up in the back, smoothing it down over my curves. I released my hair from the clip it was in and it tumbled down my back in soft waves, thanks to the steam from my shower. I replenished my make-up, making my eyes look a little smoky and seductive, and swiped a pale pink lip gloss over my lips. Just as I finished, a knock sounded at my door, and my nerves kicked into overdrive.

I don't know why I was so nervous, but part of me knew that things were going to be different after that night. I wanted to take the next step with Edward, and God-willing, I think he wanted it too. I got to the door and swung it open, my breath catching in my throat when I got a look at the man on the other side. He was dressed in black pants and a button down, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and his arms full of shopping bags. But what topped off my version of heaven on legs were the black-rimmed glasses covering his eyes. He swallowed hard, his eyes growing bigger and bigger as he took me in. I stood rooted in my spot, lust building in my veins as I stared at the vision in front of me.

I broke him out of his trance by leaning forward and taking a few of the bags out of his hands, ushering him in the apartment and kicking the door shut behind him. We both set the bags down on the counter and his arms immediately wrapped around me, pulling me tightly up against his hard body, his lips descending down onto mine.

"You're stunning," he marveled, after he broke the kiss.

I sighed and smiled. "Thank you. You're not so bad yourself."

He immediately got to work in the kitchen, and I sat down at the barstool to watch him move about. I was entranced by the quickness of his hands as he was chopping up vegetables across the counter from me. Just watching his toned forearms and long fingers sent my heart into overdrive and I gripped the edge of the counter to keep me from tackling him. Stay put, Bella. He's holding a knife. He glanced up at me and winked, smirking as he dropped the vegetables into a pan on the stove. He knew exactly what he was doing to me. Sexy ass troublemaker. I'll show him.

I brought my hand up to my hair, and tucked it behind my ear, before running my fingers slowly down my neck and along the deep v-neck of my dress, just barely grazing the side of my breast, while looking up at him through my eyelashes. His eyes grew darker, and his mouth fell open, as his fingers fumbled with the package of salmon in his hand, almost dropping it on the floor. He got back to work, pulling out baking sheets and preparing the salmon, before pulling what looked like puff pastry out of the fridge.

"What on earth are you making?" I asked curiously, sitting up and peering over the counter to see exactly what he was doing.

"Salmon en Croûte. It's a pastry filled with salmon and veggies. You'll like it. Trust me," he replied, assembling the ingredients on top of the pastry and folding them up into little packets.

"You know," I teased. "They make those kind of things and package them, so you just have to put them in the microwave. They're called Hot Pockets."

"Smartass," he mumbled, putting the baking sheets in the oven and turning back around to face me. He poured us both a glass of wine and came around the counter towards me. As he got closer, my legs parted slightly and he slid between them, placing the glasses on the counter and taking my face in between his hands. My fingers drifted up his body and fisted in the front of his shirt, bringing him even closer to me.

"I can make you Hot Pockets, if that's what you want," he offered, the corners of his lips turning up in a teasing smile.

"No," I replied, bringing my lips within an inch of his. "Maybe we can just forget about dinner, if you want," I purred, wrapping one of my legs around the back of his thigh.

I pressed my lips softly to his and he parted his for a second before jerking his head away. "No! Damn you, woman! We are eating the dinner I worked so hard to prepare." He pulled away completely and walked to the other side of the counter, pulling out a bag of rice to start cooking.

"You stay over there, minx. If you come any closer, I'm going to end up burning our dinner, and then we WILL be eating Hot Pockets." He shook his head, laughing as he put a pot of water on the stove to boil.

"By the way, I'm buying you a rice steamer. I hate making it this way."

"I'm so sorry my kitchen appliances are not good enough for you, oh Master Chef," I joked, taking a sip of wine. "And I can buy my OWN rice steamer."

"Dinner was delicious, Edward. Thank you," I said, placing my napkin on the table.

"No, thank YOU Bella; for letting me use your kitchen to cook you dinner." He stood, taking our plates to the kitchen.

I followed as he continued to talk.

"I have to admit, I can't help but be a little bit jealous that your kitchen is larger than mine. I mean, after all, I'm the five star restaurant chef."

I let a giggle bubble up from my throat. "Yeah, I know my apartment is amazing Edward. You don't have to tell me." He laughed and I watched as he loaded the dishes into the dishwasher before he turned to look at me.

"More wine?" he asked, leaning up against the counter. The fact that his eyes were raking across my body didn't escape me and a small smile tugged at my lips.

"Yes, please," I responded, licking my lips. I may or may not have been doing it on purpose to get his attention. I turned to walk out of the kitchen and felt him close behind me. It had always been that way with us. Even when we were younger, I could always feel his presence before I saw him.

As we made our way back to the table, I reached for my glass as he reached for the bottle and refilled us both.

"Couch?" he said, angling his head towards the living room. I nodded and followed him, wine in hand. I sat on one end, folding one leg underneath me as Edward sat only inches away from me. He draped one arm along the back of the couch as I took a long pull from my wine glass. As soon as I pulled it away from my mouth, he was taking it out of my hand.

"Hey! I wasn't..." I started, but before I could finish my sentence, his mouth was pressed onto mine. Without hesitating, I brought my hands up to his neck, sliding my fingers through his hair. He placed his left hand on my neck as his right hand slid down my side and settled on my hip.

The kisses were gentle at first, gradually becoming more and more urgent. I felt his tongue sweep across my bottom lip, seeking permission to enter, and they immediately parted for him. He tasted of wine and I couldn't think of anyone that made me feel so alive the way Edward did, with just a kiss.

"Edward..." I sighed against his mouth, pulling away to take a breath "I want you..."

"Anything," he whispered, softly kissing up my jawline to my ear. "Anything for you, Bella." He nipped at my earlobe before working his way down my neck with soft, wet kisses. "I'll give you whatever it is you want. Just tell me."

He lifted his eyes to meet mine, and in them I saw so much passion and desire that it nearly knocked the breath right out of me. I bit my bottom lip, smiled and sat up, pushing him slightly. I recognized a faint look of rejection and confusion flash across his face before I spoke.

"That's it, Edward," I said softly, placing a lingering kiss on his neck. "I want you."

I stood up and started walking backwards towards my bedroom, begging him with my eyes to follow me. Edward seemed a bit surprised by my actions, as he sat and stared at me from his spot on the couch. I had to be honest; I was a bit surprised myself. This wasn't my normal behavior. I wasn't usually the one making these kinds of moves.

I turned and continued down the hall, listening for any indication that Edward was following me. As I reached the doorway to my bedroom, I paused and peered over my shoulder, knowing I'd find him only inches away from me. I smirked and crossed the floor to one of the windows, drawing open the curtains to reveal my view of the city. I leaned forward, placing my hands on the windowsill and my forehead against the glass as I stared out at the Empire State Building.

Edward let out a low whistle. "Wow," he said, walking up behind me. "That's some view."

"Yeah," I said, sighing as he wrapped his arms around my waist and placed a soft kiss on the back of my neck. "It's one of the main reasons I chose this apartment."

"Beautiful," he murmured.

I straightened and leaned back into him. "I agree. I love seeing the city lit up at night like this."

His chest vibrated with a low chuckle. "Bella, I wasn't referring to the city lights."

Turning around in his arms, I looked up at him and tried to convey with my eyes everything I couldn't yet put into words. I reached up and pulled his face to mine, brushing my lips against his.

"Bella, I-" He whispered, but I stopped him.

"No, Edward. No words. Whatever you're feeling, show me."

He pulled my body tightly against his, holding on to me as if he was afraid I was going to float away. As he fisted my dress in his hands, he greedily kissed me, occasionally grinding his hips into mine.

"Oh, God, Bella...I need you," His voice was low and it set my insides on fire.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, never wanting to let go. My lips pressed firmly against his and I started moving backwards towards the bed. When the back of my knees hit the edge, I fell back and pulled Edward with me. His hands were everywhere at once and it was the most overwhelming, unbelievable sensation. I hitched my left leg up around his thigh, pulling him even closer. He pulled his head back briefly to look at me and his sexy half-smile appeared as his right hand slipped under the hem of my dress. My whole body broke out in goosebumps as he leaned forward again and started kissing my neck.

"Is this okay?" He whispered as his fingers brushed back and forth across my thigh.

I nodded, breathless. "Yes. Please..."

His fingers inched higher and brushed across the lace of my underwear, and I shivered. He groaned and took my mouth with his again running his tongue along my bottom lip. His fingers slid beneath the elastic and pressed firmly against my core.

"These need to go," he breathed, grasping both sides and pulling them down my legs and off my body, throwing them somewhere behind him, before replacing his fingers back between my legs.

My whole body arched up off of the bed and a strangled moan ripped from my lips at his touch. He pushed me back down without breaking our kiss and began to stroke his fingers deliberately against me, driving me into a frenzy. When I began raising my hips to his touch he pushed a finger into me, slowly pumping, matching the rhythm of my hips, while rubbing his thumb over my clit. I strained upwards, wanting more, needing more, and moaning against his lips. I felt something building, like I was going to explode. When he added another finger, I turned my face and moaned into his neck with pleasure. I never knew it could feel like that.

"Oh, Bella,' he breathed softly. "That's it. Come for me, love."

The sound of his voice pushed me over the edge and I felt my muscles clamp down on his fingers repeatedly as I shrieked his name over and over again. I closed my eyes and lost myself to the sensations. When it was over, I lay still on the bed until my breathing slowed before opening my eyes to peek up at him.

He was smirking down on me, almost arrogantly. I raised my shaking, tingling hands to his shirt and began unbuttoning it, pushing it off his shoulders and down his arms, revealing his bare, toned torso to me. Holy Jesus. I don't know if I'm going to make it through this.

He slid off the bed, standing up next to it, and pulled me into a sitting position as my fingers worked diligently on his belt, pulling it free, followed by the zipper of his pants. I quickly pushed them down, along with his boxer briefs and let them pool around his ankles on the floor. He stepped out of them, and then pulled me to my feet, reaching around to unzip my dress, pushing it off my shoulders when he was finished, leaving me in just my bra. He placed a kiss between my breasts, and then his eyes took in my exposed skin. His lips trailed across my collarbone as his fingers worked at the clasp of my bra, before it broke free and he slid it down my arms.

"God, Bella. You're gorgeous," he rasped, pushing me back down onto the bed and layed down next to me, pulling me into his arms. His hands ran up and down my back softly and he gazed deeply into my eyes.

"Are you completely sure about this, Bella? We can stop now if you want." He looked agonized at the prospect and I smiled.

Pushing him onto his back, I rolled on top of him, straddling his hips and feeling his hardness underneath me. "No, Edward. I want this...and it's obvious you do too." I smirked, grinding myself down onto him. A fire seemed to ignite in his eyes, and he almost growled, pushing me onto my back and situating himself between my legs.

"We can do that later. I NEED to be in control right now," he gritted out through clenched teeth, before leaning down and taking my right nipple between his lips, making pleasure shoot straight through my body.

"Ed-waaaard," I stammered out, pressing my head back into the pillows. "Now. Please. I can't wait anymore."

He lifted my left leg over his right leg, pulling me as close as possible as he positioned himself at my entrance. "Wait, do I need...are you...I mean, is there any chance..."

"I'm on the pill, Edward."

"Oh thank God," he breathed out and then proceeded to push himself inside me.

I let out a low moan as he filled me completely. My entire body felt like it was on fire and I never wanted it to stop. He gripped my hip with one hand, and held my leg with his other, and began moving in me slowly. His eyes clamped shut and I could tell that he was trying to control himself and take it easy for my benefit.

"Edward," I panted. "Look at me, please."

He opened his eyes and gazed into mine, as he pulled back all of the way and then thrust into me slowly.

"Let go," I commanded, hooking my foot around his backside and urging him to press into me again. He groaned loudly and crashed down on top of me, kissing me fiercely. His hands intertwined with mine and rested on either side of my head. My legs wrapped tightly around his waist as he moved in me faster and faster. We became frantic in our movements, my hips raising up to meet his with every thrust. Our mouths were nipping, biting, tasting...like we couldn't get enough of each other.

"Oh god...Bella. Please, tell me you're close," he cried, nipping my collarbone and placing random wet kisses across my chest.

"Yes, keep going. I'm so close," I breathed out, wrapping my legs around his waist as tight as I could get them, forcing him to drive into me deeper.

I felt the tightness start in my stomach until it spread out to all of my limbs making me cry out his name in ecstasy. He pumped a few more times and growled my name shortly after, and we collapsed into a heap of sweaty arms and legs, his face buried in my neck.

Our hearts were pounding, our naked chests pressed together. As soon as our breathing slowed to a normal pace, Edward pulled away from me slightly.

"Wow," he whispered, tucking a damp strand of hair behind my ear. He gazed down on me reverently, and I could see the emotions swimming around in his emerald eyes.

"Yeah," I sighed, brushing his hair out of his eyes with my fingertips and trailing my fingers down his cheek.

His face then took on a worried expression. "I'm...sorry that I didn't last longer. It's just been a long time, and I wanted you so bad, and -"

"Shhhh," I said, placing my fingertip over his lips. "It was perfect. Beyond perfect, actually."

He sighed in relief and rolled off of me, laying beside me and wrapping his arms around me so that we were face to face. The bright city lights shown through the window, illuminating his face to me, and I was almost blown away by the emotion I saw in his features.

His brows furrowed together, and he looked as if he wanted to say something, but was struggling for words.

"What is it?" I asked. "You know you can tell me anything."

"It's just- this is all still so surreal to me. I mean here we are, together after so long. Not to mention, we're naked..." He shook his head in amazement and I giggled, pecking him on the lips.

His eyebrows furrowed again, and then smoothed out as he gazed at me in a way that could only be described as lovingly. "I'll never forget the night before I left for New York. I didn't want to let you go that night. Bella, you don't know this, but I worshipped you when we were growing up."

I gasped, my hand flying up to cover my mouth. "But, why-" I didn't get the rest of my question out, before he shushed me with his finger.

"I used to follow you everywhere, just so I could look at you...so I could spend time with you. I hated all of the other guys at school that got to talk to you, or go on dates with you, or kiss you," he said, shuddering at the memory.

He bent his head to kiss my shoulder and then took my hand in his, placing them over his heart. "When I saw you that first night at Masen's, I lost my mind. I was so nervous about the opening, and then I saw you, and it was like my entire world came to a screeching halt. I knew at that moment I couldn't let you get away from me again."

Tears prickled at my eyes with his words, and I opened my mouth to talk, but he placed his lips over mine, effectively ending my chances of speaking.

He smirked. "Let me get this out, Bella. I want you to hear what I have to say, before you say anything to me, okay?"

I nodded, and he smiled softly, rubbing the backs of my fingers with his thumb. "Bella, that moment that I saw you at Masen's, I knew, without a doubt, that I was in love with you."

I stared at him, a million thoughts running through my head at once. Was I in love with him? I cared about him a lot, and I could see myself with him for the long-term, but was it love? "Wow, Edward, I...I don't really know what to say..." I dropped my head down, refusing to look him in the eyes. I was ashamed that I didn't know how I felt, but I'd never really been in love before. I didn't know what it was supposed to feel like. I knew that I didn't want anyone else but Edward, and I knew that there weren't many people out there that would compare to him. We knew each other, inside and out, and I didn't think that there would ever be anyone else that would be better for me.

He interrupted my internal thoughts by placing his fingers under my chin, lifting it to meet his eyes. "You don't have to say it back, Bella. I just wanted to let you know how I felt."

I nodded hesitantly, and tried to unscramble my thoughts so I could respond to him somehow. "I care about you, Edward. A LOT. I'm just trying to figure out what that means. I do know that there probably isn't anyone on this earth better for me than you are, and I want our relationship to work out more than anything." I paused and took a deep breath. "But if I'm going to be completely honest with myself, you've always been on my mind. I think deep down, it's always been you. I guess I just never wanted to accept it or admit it or whatever and I'm scared I'm going to screw it up."

Our legs tangled together and he ran a hand through my hair. "Not possible. You can't screw this up, Bella. We're both learning as we go along. This is new territory for me, and I'm pretty sure it is for you too. Let's just enjoy it. I have NO intentions of letting you get away from me."

I smiled and nuzzled my face down into his neck, inhaling his scent and basking in the comfort of his arms. I felt him kiss the top of my head, and we both relaxed, just enjoying being together.

I heard him whisper "I love you, Bella," before my eyes closed and I drifted off into sleep.

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