A/N: We don't own Twilight. SM does.
*Waves* Hello to our new readers and all of you that have stuck with us! Sorry for the slight delay with this one, but we made it a tad bit longer, so we hope you like it!
Chapter 17 (BPOV)
Saying goodbye to my mom and dad was hard, but Edward and I had to get back to our lives in NYC. We stayed for three additional days after Edward's talk with Jasper, and then agreed that we needed to get back to our jobs. Charlie was going to be okay after some intensive physical therapy, so we left our families with the promise that we would come back to Washington for Thanksgiving.
Even though Jasper was overseeing the restaurant, I could tell that Edward was a nervous wreck after he found out about Lauren. Masen's was his baby, and if Lauren did anything to jeopardize the already good reputation that the restaurant had, it would kill him. I tried my best to be supportive and loving, but I wanted nothing more than for him to fire her. I had never even met her, and I didn't trust her one bit.
I sat curled up next to Edward in my airplane seat, just thinking about how my life had changed since he came back into it. I had never even realized that something was missing until we found each other again, and I felt the missing piece of my heart click back into place. Even though we had never been involved romantically before, he had always had a piece of my heart, and he took it with him when he left for New York after graduation.
One evening at the hospital, while Edward and Esme had gone out to pick up dinner, my mom asked me why I had not looked him up when I got to New York, when I knew that he was still there. I didn't have an answer for her. After she put the question into my head, I thought about it and came to the conclusion that I was afraid of rejection. Since we stopped talking, I was afraid that he had moved on and didn't want to be friends anymore. I didn't want to contact him, just to be shot down. I didn't know if he had changed. I didn't know if he had become friends with tons of trendy city people and had twenty different girlfriends. Part of me wouldn't have been able to live with the fact that he moved on without me. I had gotten good at avoiding the subject. Call it selfish, but I think I was holding out hope that he would contact me again.
I felt Edward stir next to me, and picked my head up to see his sleepy eyes looking back at me. He had been napping on the plane, his head up against the window, for the majority of the flight. He was all rumpled and adorable and I couldn't help but lean over and kiss him.
"Good Morning, Sunshine," I said, reaching up to fix the hair on the side of his head that had been flattened from the window.
He blinked at me a few times, most likely trying to figure out where we were and what we were doing. "How much longer? My limbs are all cramped up. Airplanes are not tall-people friendly," he whined, slinging an arm over my shoulders to pull me closer.
"Shouldn't be too much longer," I said quietly, pointing out the window as the lights of the city came into view.
He sighed loudly next to me, resting his cheek on top of my head. "I know we didn't take this trip for fun, but I'm really glad we got to go home for a few days. It was nice being back there together, and to see our parents."
I nodded in silent agreement. "Thanks for going with me, Edward. It was a lot easier with you there. Do you really think of Washington as home? Even more so than New York?"
"When I first got here, I thought of Washington as home, and New York as just this temporary thing. But recently, New York has felt much more like home to me. You are my home, Bella," he said the last sentence quietly, turning his head to press his lips into my hair.
"This coming from the guy who has been in two fist fights in as many months," I said with a giggle.
"Hey! I was fighting for your honor," he said with mock disbelief, "Most girls would be swooning."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Hang on while I swoon," I said falling back against my seat and fanning myself with my hand. "Is it hot in here, or is it just you?"
With that, I collapsed in a heap of giggles; my exhaustion from the trip and the flight creeping up on me. When I got tired, I tended to get a little slap happy, and this was obviously one of those times. Edward sat next to me scowling, but I could see a hint of a smile playing at his lips.
"Ha, ha. You're ridiculously funny, Swan. Next time, you can fight your own battles. I am not going to be your Prince Charming anymore."
"Oh, but Edward," I crooned, draping myself across his lap, "you'd be ridiculously cute in a pair of tights, showing up on your white steed."
He huffed, crossing his arms across his chest, making his biceps more prominent underneath his gray t-shirt. "I was trying to be serious and nice, and you ruined it."
"Aww, sweetie, I'm sorry," I said, looping my right arm through his left one. "You know I appreciate everything you do for me."
"So, do I have your permission to slay more dragons for you?" he asked, grinning widely.
I sighed. "I guess so. As long as it's necessary."
He smiled wider, leaning down to kiss me. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
xxxxx
When we left the airport, we went to Edward's apartment, collapsing onto his bed in an exhausted heap of tangled arms and legs. We were both completely drained from the trip and needed a good night's sleep before we both tackled our respective jobs. I knew I would have a ton of work to catch up on, and Edward had the Lauren problem to deal with, so we both wanted to approach our jobs with clear heads.
We both woke up early, eating breakfast together and then parting ways, promising to keep in contact with each other throughout the day. I headed back to my apartment to shower and get dressed for work, dreading the day ahead. I could only imagine the amount of emails I'd have to sift through and I wasn't looking forward to it. I dressed quickly in a simple khaki colored skirt and a shirt and set off for the Times Building, grabbing a latte on my way. A jolt of caffeine was going to be the only thing keeping me from collapsing from exhaustion.
My floor was unusually quiet when I got off the elevator, and I quickly made my way to my office before anyone could catch me. God knew that if my co-workers started talking to me I'd never get my work done. I sunk down into my chair and turned on my computer, flipping through the random stacks of paper that had been placed on my desk in my absence.
"This is going to be a long day," I muttered to myself. Just then I heard a soft knock on my door and looked up to see Angela standing in the doorway.
"Morning," she said with a small smile and I waved my arm, motioning for her to enter.
"How's your dad?" she asked, sitting down across from me.
"Better than we expected. There was some serious nerve damage to his arm and he'll have to go through physical therapy. He might not gain the full use of his arm back, but other than that, I think he'll be alright."
"I'm glad he's going to be okay. That must have been a very scary phone call to get. Did Edward go with you?" She leaned forward in her chair, eyes twinkling behind her glasses. I had not told her much about my relationship with Edward. She knew we were dating, but I hadn't told her how serious our relationship was becoming.
"He did," I replied coyly, the growing smile on my face most likely completely giving me away. "He was amazing. He coordinated our flights, and kept me calm. I don't know what I would've done without him there."
Angela beamed at me and just as she was about to speak there was another knock at my door.
"Jake, hey," I said, surprised. I thought that after his altercation with Edward, he would have stayed clear of my office.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," he commented, "But, I heard about your dad and I just wanted to extend my well-wishes. I hope he's alright."
I nodded. "He's alive. He'll have to go through extensive physical therapy, but it's better than the alternative."
"Well thank God for that." He smiled genuinely, and I tried not to look too confused by his sudden graciousness towards me. It could have had something to do with Angela being in the room, but he wasn't being his pushy, asshole self so I was okay with it. He still wasn't my favorite person, but at least he was being tolerable. It was a step in the right direction.
He left with a wave in our general direction and Angela pounced on me once again. "So, are you guys official now? Are you in loooooove?" she asked cheekily, bouncing on her chair in a very un-Angela like way. I was perplexed. Jacob was actually being nice to me and Angela was bouncing in her chair like she had a package of pixie sticks for breakfast. What the hell happened while I was gone?
I decided to give her a few details so she would leave and let me get some much needed work done. "Yes, we're official. And yes, we are in looooooove," I said, dragging out the word just as she had done.
She squealed and almost catapulted herself over my desk to hug me. "I'm so happy for you, Bella! He seems like such a nice guy, and not bad to look at, huh?"
She winked at me as she pulled away, and I picked up a paperclip and threw it at her. "Go do your work and stop trying to steal my man away from me."
As soon as she left, I shut my door and turned on some music on my computer, settling in to sift through e-mails and paperwork that had accumulated in my absence. It took me most of the day to get through them, but once I was finished, I had a bunch of leads on events and restaurant openings that I could pick from to write about, and found that the next month or two was going to be insanely busy, as it normally was in the summer. I knew Edward would probably be busy sorting things out at Masen's, but I hoped that he would be able to have a few free nights to attend some events with me. My job was normally pretty awesome, but getting to enjoy my job and my obscenely handsome boyfriend at the same time was icing on the cake.
I hummed along to myself as I packed up my stuff for the day and shut down my computer, throwing my bag over my shoulder and shutting my office door as I left. When I got out of the building and set off towards home, I took out my cell phone and shot Edward a text.
How's it going? -B
Long day. I'll explain later. Will you wait for me at my apartment? I want to see you. -E
You just saw me this morning. Do you miss me already? -B
I looked up as I crossed the street and almost tripped over the curb when his reply came through.
Immensely. I miss your body, and your lips, and the way you scream my name. -E
Sexting me at work are you, Mr. Cullen? Don't you have a restaurant to run? -B
Yes. I'll be home around 7. I'll see you then, Beautiful. Love you. -E
Love you too. Don't eat dinner, I'm cooking tonight. -B
I walked the rest of the way home, completely excited about my plans for the evening. It was time to dig into my sexy underwear drawer.
An hour later, I arrived at Edward's apartment, grocery and overnight bags in hand. I got upstairs and then paused at his door, completely forgetting that I didn't have a key to get in. I knocked, hoping that Alice would be there to let me in. I heard footsteps and then the door swung open, Alice's smiling face on the other side.
"Bella!" She pulled me into a death-grip hug, causing me to almost drop my bags on the floor. "I'm so sorry to hear about Charlie. Edward told me that he's doing better. I was so worried about you guys."
I followed her into the apartment, dropping the grocery bags on the counter and my purse and overnight bag on the couch. She caught sight of them and giggled.
"I'm thinking that's my cue to go stay at Jasper's tonight...not that I mind." She winked, and I opened my mouth to protest. I completely forgot that she was sharing Edward's apartment. Although having sex on every surface of his apartment sounded like a good time, I didn't want to kick Alice out of her house.
She held her hand up before I could get a word out. "No, don't say a word. Trust me. I don't mind. I'm just so happy that you guys are finally together! We're going to be sisters!" She launched her tiny body at me again and wrapped her arms around my neck while I patted her back awkwardly.
Sisters? Does she really think Edward would want to marry me someday?
I was completely opposite of every other female I had ever known. I didn't plan out my wedding when I was a teenager, nor did I ever think I would actually find the perfect man to settle down with and have 2.5 babies and a white picket fence. Did I actually want that someday? Could I imagine myself walking down a white runner holding on to my father's arm, where someone at the end of the aisle was waiting to tie themselves to me forever?
I was expecting myself to freeze up and dismiss any ideas of marriage that I had, but my head, my heart, and my entire body were screaming 'Yes, yes, yes!'
Well, that's interesting.
Obviously, it was way too soon to entertain thoughts of me and Edward getting married, but eventually, I could see it. I could see us with a trouble making brown-eyed, bronze-haired little boy and a green-eyed brunette little girl. I could see us getting old and gray with each other and still wanting each other just as much as we did in our 20's.
Someday.
During my internal monologue, Alice had skipped off to her room to pack a bag, and was out of the apartment within minutes. Someone's a little excited.
I walked to the kitchen to put away the ingredients for the stir-fry that I was going to make for dinner and brought my bag into Edward's room. I had opted to keep on the khaki-colored pencil skirt and sleeveless black top that I worn to work, but I took off the boring cotton undergarments that I had wore and slipped on a black lace bra and panty set that I bought right after Edward and I started dating. The saleswoman had told me that they were "power panties" and she was right. I felt powerful, confident, and ready to ravage my man when he came home.
Thoroughly impressed with myself, I headed out to the kitchen to start our dinner. I chopped the chicken and vegetables, all while dancing around his kitchen in my bare feet to Katy Perry's 'California Gurls' blaring out of his massive stereo system. I rolled my eyes when he showed it to me, because it was entirely too big for the size of his apartment. But, he was proud of it, so I nodded along happily while he showed me all of the different features. Boys and their toys.
I continued to bop around the kitchen for a span of at least ten minutes, totally in the zone as I fixed dinner. My enjoyment was cut short, however, when Justin Bieber started playing.
"Oh hell no," I said out loud to myself. As I turned to walk out to the living room, I came face to face with Edward and nearly jumped right out of my skin.
"Jesus Christ, Edward, you scared the shit out of me!" I screeched, punching him in the arm. "How long have you been standing there?"
He grinned, pushing off of the doorjamb and wrapping his arms around my waist. "Long enough. I didn't know you could dance so well." He smiled down at me and I craned my neck to look up at him, not used to standing next to him without heels on.
"Sure you did. I danced with you at Jasper's concert, remember?" I reminded him, standing up on my toes and snaking my arms around his neck. My fingers raked through the hair at the base of his neck as I pressed my body into his.
He let out a content sigh. "Hmm, you're right. How could I forget? Though I must admit it was torture for me at the time; having you that close to me and not being able to touch you the way I wanted to." His lips brushed against mine. "The way I touch you now."
His voice was like gooey warm molten chocolate cake in my ear, and I knew I needed to get away from him before I burned our dinner. "As much as I want you to touch me right now, I really need to go stir our dinner before it burns," I explained, ducking out of his grasp and heading towards the stove.
He followed me, hugging me around the waist as I stirred the pot with the rice, and then kissed me sloppily on the cheek. "I'm going to go change. I smell like food," he stated, and then I was alone again. The music had since changed from Justin Bieber, to which I was extremely grateful, and I bounced around happily as I finished and plated our dinners. I set our plates down at the kitchen island as I waited for Edward to come back out, and poured us both a glass of wine, both of us needing it to relax us after our tiring days.
"Dinner smells good," Edward stated as he walked back into the kitchen. His hair was still wet from the shower, and the dim kitchen lights reflected off of it, making it more coppery than normal. He had on a v-neck shirt and shorts and was barefoot as he padded towards me, pulling me into a hug. I buried my nose into his shirt, smelling nothing but soap, dryer sheets, and Edward. "Yes, but you smell better," I mumbled, my voice muffled by the fabric.
He laughed, gently pushing me away from him before sitting down at one of the stools. "I'll let you huff me later...I'm starving," he quipped, quickly digging into his plate before I could properly scowl at him. I sat down next to him, and dug into my own food, when I remembered that he hadn't told me about the Lauren fiasco yet.
"So, what happened with Lauren today?" I asked, setting down my fork and turning towards him slightly.
He sighed and shook his head. "Nothing. We were slammed today and I never got a chance to talk to her." He paused and turned his head towards me. "I have a question, though. Does she seem at all familiar to you? Because I have this strange feeling that I know her from somewhere but I can't place it."
I paused, thinking back to the one time I saw her at Masen's. It was just in passing, but she did look a little familiar to me. I had not really gotten a good look at her though, so I really wasn't a good judge. "A little bit. I barely got a chance to look at her, so maybe she just has one of those faces that seem familiar."
"Yeah, I guess," he replied with a shrug. "But I just can't help but feel like I've met her somewhere else before. Oh well, it'll pass I suppose." He continued on. "How was your day?"
I got up and took my plate to the sink, rinsing it off while I talked. "It was busy. It took me forever just to go through e-mails. I also talked to Jacob today. He was actually nice to me. He came by to extend his well wishes to Charlie. It surprised me a little bit, but it's better than him being a giant dickhead."
Edward furrowed his eyebrows, standing up to bring his plate over to the sink also. We worked in tandem to clean the dishes and place them in the dishwasher. He still didn't speak, and his lips were pursed like his was perturbed about something. I was getting us each a beer out of the fridge when he finally spoke to me.
"Just be careful, Bella. Maybe he's trying to work a different angle. A leopard doesn't change his spots, and I'll be willing to bet that it's all an act."
I rolled my eyes, handing him the beer and walking out to the living room. "I can handle myself, Edward. Why do you always feel like you have to protect me from every person out there? It's like...if somebody even blinks at me wrong, you're ready to kill them. What gives?"
He set his beer down on the coffee table as quickly as I gave it to him and wrenched me into his grasp. His eyes were suddenly burning with intensity, and if it wasn't so damn hot I might have been a little afraid. "Because Bella, I don't want anything to happen to you. You're my whole world, you know that? And nobody, certainly not a deranged asshole like Jacob, is going to hurt you or lay a hand on you. Ever. Not on my watch."
I gulped, my legs starting to tremble beneath me. I instinctively took a step back when he moved towards me, and we played that same game until my back hit one of the living room walls, our eyes never leaving each others faces.
Edward pressed the length of his long, lean body into mine. His eyes were still locked with mine as he took my hands and held them above my head.
"Bella..." His voice was husky as he pressed his hips to mine and I groaned before I could stop myself. His lips grazed my ear, his breath hot against my skin. "You're mine, Bella. And I'm completely yours. And let me tell you something else..." he said running his tongue up the length of my neck and back to my ear. "I don't share."
I was breathing just as hard as he was, my voice trapped in my throat. "I want you." I nipped the skin at Edward's throat and felt his fingers tighten around my wrists.
"I want you more."
I actually felt wanted. I felt sexy, and desired, and had never really felt that way until Edward. He brought it out of me. Our eyes met again and I bit my lower lip, knowing what it did to him.
Edward leaned down and picked me up and I squealed as he began to carry me backwards out of the living room. I wrapped my legs around his waist and held on tight, pressing kisses to his shoulder and neck, and before I could even blink, we were in his bedroom. Edward set me down gently on the bed, and I reluctantly released him from the circle of my legs.
I unconsciously bit my lip again at the sight of his erection pressing up against the button-fly of his shorts. I groaned when he surged forward, pressing me back on the bed and covering my mouth with his in a frenzied kiss.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him tighter against me as his lips traced the column of my throat and down to my shoulder. He licked along the v-neck of my shirt.
"This has to go," he said, taking the hem and wrenching it over my hair before falling back down on me again.
He grasped the shoulder strap of my bra between his forefinger and thumb, slowly sliding it down my shoulder.
"I'm going to show you just how much I love you, Bella," he said, the fingertip of his index finger tracing a lazy pattern across my collarbones, dipping down to the valley between my breasts, and following the cup of my bra. I shivered again, the sensation unbelievably erotic, and my nipples tightened behind the lace of my bra.
Edward sucked in a breath and then leaned down and pressed a kiss to first one nipple, then the other, swiping his tongue once across each straining peak. Even through the fabric, the sensation made my eyes roll back into my head.
"Did you buy this for me?" he mumbled, and then sucked a bit of my skin in between his lips.
What had he just asked? "Um…yeah," I admitted in a breathy voice.
"It's sexy. We'll have to get you more like it," Edward whispered, his tongue now tracing the path his fingertips had taken as his hands moved lower. His fingers were caressing my ribs, my abdomen, dipping into my navel before tracing along the waistband of my skirt.
I buried my fingers in his hair and pulled his face to mine, opening my mouth to his so that our tongues could tangle. I took his upper lip between mine as he sucked my lower lip between his, and I moaned loudly when his hand swept down my abdomen, across my hip, and along my thigh before snaking back up under my skirt. I pressed my legs together, searching for any sort of friction to keep me from going insane. At that point, I wanted nothing more than the barriers between us to be gone so I could feel the slide of his skin against mine.
Edward's hands stroked back up my sides and cupped my breasts. His nimble fingers made quick work of the clasp, sliding the straps from my shoulders and discarding the garment off the side of the bed. I heaved a shuddering sigh as his lips found first one aroused nipple, then the other. He alternated between the stiff peaks as I arched my back and forced my swollen flesh even deeper between his lips as low groans and pants escaped my throat.
Restless, wanting and needing more, my hands smoothed across Edward's shoulders and down his back before wrenching is own shirt over his head. My fingertips explored the curve of his spine, palms coming to rest just above the waistband of his shorts, before venturing lower. I slid my hands into his back pockets and squeezed, making him grind himself down into my thigh.
Fed up with the barriers between us, Edward finally slid one hand between our bodies, his suddenly clumsy fingers working the hook on my skirt. I lowered my hips to give him better access, and he had it unfastened and the zipper down in a flash as he sat up on his knees, his fingers grasping the fabric at my hips and tugging it down my legs, my skirt joining my bra and shirt on the floor. I lay back again, clad only in my panties, and studied him through heavy-lidded eyes. His lips were red and swollen, his hair a riot of glorious tendrils that stood out in all directions from my fingers, and the look of desire in his eyes would've knocked me off my feet if I wasn't already laying down.
I pushed myself to a sitting position and then knelt as Edward was, reaching out to explore his chest. I pressed my lips to his chest just about his heart, reveling in the feel of his rapid heartbeat, opening my mouth to trace my tongue across the hard planes of his chest. My fingers trailed and teased along the firm muscles of his abdomen as I continued to kiss and lick his chest, collarbones, and shoulders. I traced my index finger down the center of his abdomen and dipped into his navel, then followed the trail of hair to where it disappeared into his shorts. The sight of him hard and ready for me made my mouth water. Although I had never particularly enjoyed going down on anyone, I suddenly wanted nothing more that to have Edward's cock fill my mouth, his hands fisting my hair, until he screamed my name.I reached down to cup his erection, squeezing once, then again a second time before I set my fingers to work freeing him. He pulled my face to his, kissing me desperately, his lips sucking, tongue stroking and teeth nipping.
"Off," I growled against his lips, taking the bottom one between my teeth and nipping, then sucking it full into my mouth the way I wanted to suck his cock.
"Impatient," he growled in return, approval in his tone and a smile on his lips. His fingers slid down my body, pausing to gently pinch my nipples, before his hands joined mine, our fingers fumbling in our haste.
"You make me that way," I told him, my lips tracing his jaw, my tongue rasping against his neck.
I pushed his hands aside as I wrested the buttons free. Edward's hands immediately went to my hips, hooking his thumbs in the elastic of my waistband and tugging my panties halfway down my thighs. He stroked his palm over my mound, the tip of his index finger finding and pressing my clit, making me groan loudly as a tremor wracked my body. "Wet," he moaned as his fingers slid through my slick, swollen folds.
"You make me that way, too," I told him, my fingers freeing the third button. Impatient, my hands moved to his hips, trying to tug down the half-fastened shorts. Edward released me with a reluctant groan, sliding back and getting to his feet at the side of the bed. I watched as his hands dropped to his shorts and he hooked his thumbs in the belt loops and tugged, the shorts sliding over his hips, down his muscled and hair-roughened thighs, past his adorably knobby knees and firm calves, and pooling at his ankles before he stepped out of them entirely.
Edward took another step towards the bed, but I put my hand up to stop him. He paused, raising an amused eyebrow at me, as I blatantly ogled him. His dark gray boxer briefs fit snugly, the impressive bulge beneath pressing against the fabric. I reached out to drag a fingernail from the tip to the base and back up again before folding my fingers around him. He fisted his hands at his sides, groaning loudly as that part of him under my hand twitched.
I slid my hands up to the waistband and then followed the band around to the back, plunging my hands beneath the elastic to grasp and squeeze his naked ass, drawing him towards me. Edward's lips collided with mine as he took my mouth almost violently with his. He pulled me to him, his arm holding me tightly as he put one knee on the bed, pulling off my panties and flinging them away as he eased me off of my knees and on my back again. He never broke the kiss as he settled between my legs, his boxers now the only barrier between us.
"Off!" I commanded again, sliding his boxer briefs down as far as my arms would reach. He reached down to help me, and I tossed his boxers without a care to where they would land as he returned hot, heavy and ready, between my legs. I wrapped my legs around his, tilting my pelvis toward him and feeling his thick length slide between my folds.
I reached up to caress his cheek with my hand, smoothing his brow with my fingertips. He turned his face to place a kiss on my palm, then nuzzled his nose against mine before placing a feather-light kiss on my lips. Edward's tongue teased my lips, which I opened to him with a quiet sigh. Our lips whispered against one another, tongues twisting, sliding and tasting, the kiss deepening with each passing moment. I slid the hand cupping his cheek into his hair, gripping and tugging, trying to pull him closer.
Edward let out a feral growl, his lips sliding from mine to latch on the sensitive spot on my neck he knew drove me crazy. He pressed me further back into the mattress, his lips dipping lower, pressing soft kisses to my collarbone, sliding down to tease my nipples with soft nibbles and licks before he moved even lower. His fingers pressed between my thighs, seeking and stroking. His thumb circled my clit as he slid his fingers along the folds slick with my arousal before suddenly plunging first one, then two fingers inside of me.
"Edward!" I cried out hoarsely, feeling my body already starting to convulse around his fingers. My hands frantically grabbed at his shoulders and back, his skin now slippery with sweat as he traveled lower. I tugged on his hair as his tongue traced my navel and dipped even lower still. "Please, Edward, no" I groaned, almost sobbing, as his perfect lips found my clit and sucked it gently into his mouth, his flattened tongue making broad sweeps as his fingers continued to pump in and out of my body.
Edward stopped the moment he heard the word 'no', looking up at me, his eyes dark with passion and lit with confusion. I groaned at the sight of him between my thighs, where I had imagined him so many times. "I need you inside me, please!" I cried, reaching for him, my hands on his face as I pulled him towards me.
Edward's confusion vanished and he climbed up my body to kiss me. I lifted my leg, running my foot along his calf and the back of his knee. "Please, Edward." I knew I was begging, but didn't care as he slowly surged forward, finally where I wanted him.
"Oh God, Bella," Edward groaned, pressing soft kisses to my face. His body was shaking over mine as he held himself still with rigid control. I didn't need his stillness. I didn't want his control. I needed him, just as wild and primal as he made me feel. I flexed my hips, wrapping my thighs over his, and I felt him quiver inside me.
He started thrusting, withdrawing almost completely before slowly stroking back in until his hips were flush with mine, then back out again, the pace maddeningly slow. I raked my nails down his back, grasping his ass and pulling him tighter to me. Edward's lips found mine, his kisses as slow and sweet at his lovemaking, building in intensity as the pace increased. I gasped, sighed and groaned into his mouth as our bodies moved together, closer, faster. His answering sounds fueled my desire.
Edward grasped my hips as he rose, kneeling between my legs. The change in angle hit a different spot and I trembled, feeling myself starting to come apart around him. His eyes were dark as he watched me, and he reached out to take my hand, lacing our fingers together and pressing my hand to the mattress beside us. His other hand slid down my hip, fingers exploring where our bodies were joined, and I felt my orgasm start the moment his fingers pressed against my clit.
Edward seemed to feel it too, and he increased the tempo and depth of his thrusts. Then all functioning thoughts ceased as my body quivered around him, pulsing on his length as I screamed his name.
Edward continued to thrust and stroke through my orgasm, drawing it out until I was almost sobbing. Just when I was winding down, he pressed deeply into me and I could feel his release begin, his erection throbbing within me and setting off another shorter climax. He leaned down to claim my lips once again, whispering a string of 'I love you's', our panting breaths intermingling.
Edward rested his forehead against mine, rubbing his nose gently across my cheekbones, forehead and nose as we quieted. I raised a trembling hand to his head, stroking his hair and then tugging lightly, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. He shuddered one more time, kissing me before he reached down and grabbed the covers, sliding behind me and pulling me to him, wrapping his arms around me and sliding his leg between both of mine as he covered us with the blankets.
When I awoke the next morning, I fully expected to find myself wrapped in an Edward cocoon but instead, I was alone. I glanced at the clock, taking notice that it was much later than I thought it was and figured Edward was already at work. Finally finding the strength to crawl out of bed, I made my way to the bathroom for a much needed shower. My entire body ached, but it was a good ache and it brought a grin to my face as I was reminded of the previous night.
Once I was showered and dressed, I texted Angela to let her know that I was running a few minutes late but that I would be in as soon as possible. Working for her was incredible. She wasn't pushy or over-bearing and I definitely considered her one of my very good friends. She could, however, whip my ass into gear when there was a strict deadline to uphold.
As I went to walk out of the apartment, I found a note from Edward taped to the door:
Bella,
I'm sorry I had to leave without saying goodbye this morning, but you looked too peaceful and I didn't want to wake you. Do you know how at home you look in my bed? I could get used that. I love you and I'll see you tonight.
xo, Edward
I smiled and tucked the note into my purse, continuing out the door on my way to work.
That afternoon, I sent Edward a text, asking him to meet me for lunch. When he didn't respond after 10 minutes, I figured he was too busy with work to answer. When he still hadn't replied after 20 minutes, I tried not to worry and decided to surprise him at the restaurant.
When I arrived, Felix - who was part of the wait staff - was outside smoking a cigarette and waved when he saw me approaching.
"Hey, Felix," I greeted, staring up at his almost 7-feet-tall frame. The guy was a giant. "Is Edward here? I sent him a text message almost 45 minutes ago and he never answered."
He nodded and held the door as we walked inside. "He should be. Last I heard he was in his office with Lauren."
My hands instinctively balled into fists. "Oh, okay. Thanks." I stalked off towards Edward's office, giving Jasper a fly-by greeting as I passed him.
The office door was closed, but as I got closer I didn't hear any voices coming from inside so I opened it just a crack and poked my head in. What I saw made my stomach drop to floor.
Lauren was straddling MY boyfriend in his desk chair and was shoving her tongue down his throat. I pushed the door open the rest of the way, the sound of it hitting the wall alerting them of my presence.
Edward immediately pushed Lauren off of his lap, scrambling up out of his chair to rush over to me. "Bella, I swear to you, it's not what you..."
Before he could even finish his sentence, I lifted my hand and smacked him across the face with as much force as I could gather. Then, without another thought, I turned around and ran out of the restaurant, sobbing the entire way.
A/N: Uh-oh. Lauren is causing some trouble, isn't she? Don't be mad at Edward...it wasn't his fault. He's going to explain his side of the story in the next chapter. Till next time! Leave us some love!