Disclaimer: The author does not own any publicly recognizable entities herein. No copyright infringement is intended. This is un-beta'd, all mistakes are mine.

A/N Okay so this lesson was called UST. The picture prompt was an almost kiss. Huge thanks to Hoodfabulous for the excellent lesson which can be found on the PTB. Please leave me your constructive criticism :).

Tiny bit of background before we begin. Charlie is Charlie Masen and Edward Masen is his son. Bella Swan is a girl in trouble Charlie is helping. Bella and Edward are NOT related lol. Just thought I'd clear that up in case people got confused :).

Ever since I was little I've been a light sleeper. Very light. You kinda have to be if you want to survive where I came from. The littlest noise and I'm wide awake staring in to the dark and trying to figure out if next doors cat got in to the trash cans again, or if it's an axe wielding mass murderer trying to creep in my room.

So here I am lying in bed fast asleep and the stairs start to creak and groan like someone's climbing them. I can hear Charlie snoring down the hall. I'm instantly awake. Everyone in town knows this is the Sherriff's house, so whoever is climbing those stairs isn't from around here. Fuck.

When the creeper hits the landing I spring in to action before the fear that's flooding my body paralyses my limbs. I climb out of bed—on the side closest to the door—and grab the baseball bat from next to my bedside table and hide in the corner. I'm hoping that when they open the door I'll be concealed by it. I can hear the blood rushing round my body as my heart tries to beat its way out of my chest. Sweat starts to bead on my forehead and my hands get clammy which makes my grip on the bat a little slippy.

With every footfall I hear coming closer and closer to my room my heart pulses painfully. I'm fucking terrified that I might pass out from high blood pressure. And then the door handle's turning. I tighten my grip. The door opens. And I can't fucking believe Charlie is still snoring!

As the door swings in I bite down on my lip and try and steady my breathing. It's coming in loud pants and I'm surprised the intruder hasn't heard me already. It's a man, I really fucking tall, huge man, but he doesn't turn on the light which works out better for me. He walks towards the dresser and picks up a photo frame. My brain is screaming at me to take advantage while he's distracted.

I step forward quickly on my tip toes and swing with all my strength. I catch him on the shoulder and he pitches forward in to my dresser—knocking the contents to the floor with him—making a hell of a racket. Good, I need Charlie in here with his gun. The guy's cowering on the floor and I'm yelling for Charlie while telling the guy to not even think about moving. It's a big old cluster fuck of a mess.

Finally Charlie comes barrelling in—looking a lot like John McClane, you know if John had had a moustache—with his gun pointed and ready. I step up on the bed out of Charlie's line of fire while he flicks on the light, and that's when things get really insane.

"Alright what the fuck is going on in here!" Charlie's red in the face and yelling. I don't blame him as I kinda want to yell too.

"This dipshit thought it was a good idea to break in to the Sherriff's house. Don't worry, Charlie, he didn't take anything, or touch me. I made sure he met Woody before he could even get a look at me." I'm not sure why I'm talking like that but it probably has something to do with the fact that I just beat a guy with a baseball bat.

"Can I say something or will the crazy bitch with the bat start wailing on me again?"

I open my mouth to tell him to shut the fuck up but Charlie beats me to it, well sort of,

"Edward? Fuck, son, is that you?"

Aww balls. I've just assaulted the Sherriff's son in his own home. I'm standing on the bed—still holding the bat—and staring at them like a moron as Charlie helps Edward to his feet.

I was right; Edward is a fucking giant, way over six feet for sure. My eyes travel up from his feet and over his body. I don't mean to check him out, but holy mother of god this man is beautiful. He's wearing black doc martins and dark—really dark—form fitting jeans that are tight around his thick thighs. I can't tell what his torso's like because of the thick jacket he's wearing but I'm imagining abs as far as the eyes can see.

And then there's his face, ungf, yeah I actually made that noise out loud. His jaw is sharp and covered in stubble. I can only imagine how amazing that would feel scratching against my thighs. My eyes linger on his lips as they're pulled up at the side in a cocky smirk. His mouth is pouty and full. I want to kiss him to see how red I can make them. Finally—after I finish drooling over his mouth—I notice the slight bump in his nose before I'm blinded by the green of his eyes. I die. They're so captivating. If he asked me to hit myself with the bat I think I would.

Charlie clears his throat which brings me out of my shock but I still can't look away from Edward. He's staring right back at me but the cocky, smug look is gone as shock flashes across his features. I don't know what he's shocked about, I mean besides the fact that I just attacked him with a bat and then eye fucked him hard in front of his Dad. Maybe a boob has fallen out of my top, I glance down to check but no, the girls are still resting comfortably in my tank top. When I look back up the smug looks back on his face, no traces of the shock left.

"What are you doing here, Edward? You should have called and I'd have waited up or something."

Poor Charlie, he hates surprises and no matter how happy he is to see Edward, this is still a surprise.

"I knew I'd be in late, Dad, and I didn't want to keep you up. I thought I could sneak in and see you tomorrow but the Warrior Princess here put a stop to all that." He's smirking at me and I don't know what I want to do more, kiss him or slap him.

"Fuck you, ass hole. I'm not the one sneaking around people's bedrooms in the middle of the night!" I'm making an awesome first impression here huh?

"Technically it's Edward's room, Bella, but that's not really important." I don't mean to but I kinda give Charlie the death glare, it's his own fault for not backing me up. I'm ignoring the fact that Edward is actual family and I'm not because it helps me rationalize my crazy, can you even do that?

"Well, it hasn't been his for the last three years, so he can suck a dick." I'm taking the mature road here, can you tell?

Edward laughs at my words and it just serves to make me angrier.

"Yeah laugh it up, chuckles, I'm still holding Woody."

He doesn't stop laughing but he does eye the bat a little wearily. Good. When Edward finally manages to stop laughing in my face he raises his hands in surrender.

"Alright, princess, I'm sorry. Put the bat down and we can all go to bed."

Did I mention that he's a prick? I give him the death glare for a few seconds just to make sure he knows I will kill him if he laughs at me again, and then I nod in agreement.

"So how do you wanna do this? Head to tails or would you rather spoon?" He smirks at me and yeah, now I just wanna slap him.

"You get in this bed, Masen, and I'll fuck you with this bat, and I won't be gentle."

Charlie throws his hands up and storms from the room, I'm thinking he's glad he only had one kid. Edward's laughing again and I'm seriously considering bashing his skull in.

"Alright, princess, calm down I was only kidding. I'll take the couch, it's no big deal." Then he blows me a kiss and heads back downstairs.

And that's how I first met Edward Masen.

~UST~

I stumble downstairs half asleep, and doing a real good impression of a zombie, completely forgetting about Edward the bedroom intruder. That is until I walk past the living room and glancing in through the open doorway I'm greeted with his lily-white ass. I shriek like I'm being attacked by Shelob, and jump into the kitchen which earns me a condescending chuckle from Edward. That asshole.

My cheeks are flaming red and my hair is a crazy, frizzy, bird's nest of a disaster—why didn't I run a brush through it before I came down? Edward walks, no, swaggers into the kitchen after me, thankfully wearing gray sweatpants and a Talking Heads t-shirt. Well, at least he has good taste in music.

He rakes his eyes over me and my entire body tingles as the green in his eyes darkens. I'm wearing black cotton shorts and a baby pink tank top. I've probably got mascara smudges under my eyes and my face feels a little puffy from sleeping, but his gaze heats me up until I can almost feel flames licking across my skin. It radiates through my whole body. I'm an absolute mess, but his stare is making me feel sexy.

There's a tension in the air, and I can almost taste his desire on my suddenly dry tongue. Edward licks his lips and my eyes follow the movement. I'm completely hypnotized. And then he ruins it by opening his smartass mouth.

"What's the matter, princess? Never seen a naked man before?"

Cocky motherfucker! I scowl at his stupid smug, smirk and turn to face the coffee machine. It's too early to have to deal with this shit. His smirk just gets bigger when I only pour myself a cup; he's really getting on my last fucking nerve. I pour myself some Fruity Pebbles—because the best thing about being an adult is being able to eat kid's cereals without being told how unhealthy they are for you—and sit down at the table just as Charlie walks in.

"Mmm, coffee smells good this morning, Bells. How was the couch, Edward?" Charlie doesn't seem to have picked up on the awkward tension in the room—yet.

"It was fine, Dad. Can I pour you some coffee? I'm not sure Bella can manage it, seeing as she only poured herself some."

I scowl up at Edward, but as my mouth is full of multi-colored balls I probably just look like a disgruntled hamster. Charlie shifts a nervous glance between the two of us. I think he's finally picked up on the atmosphere, and the awkwardness jumps another thousand levels from "want to face-palm hard" to "kill me now".

We sit around the table, each of us slurping our coffee and shovelling in our breakfast, trying not to make eye contact. I'm almost done, and the end is in sight. All I want to do is finish my breakfast and go hide in my room until the end of time, or until Edward leaves—whatever's quicker. But then he opens that stupid mouth again.

"That's a really good healthy breakfast you got there, Bella. What are you, five?"

I drop my spoon—it's probably a little melodramatic, but who gives a shit—and it clangs in the bowl loudly. That's it, this fucker is going down.

Before I can go fetch Woody from my room, Charlie clears his throat. "So, son, what brings you home?"

Okay, Charlie, I get it. That was a gentle reminder that he's your son and this is his home, so bashing his head in is not okay. Duly noted.

"The rig I've been working on needs some updating, so I figured I'd come home until it's done. Should be a couple of months, I think."

Great, I'm not sure I can last longer than a week with this guy if I'm not allowed to pop him one with my bat every now and then.

"Oh, that's great. It'll be real good to have you around."

And now I feel guilty. Charlie's obviously over the moon about having his son home, and all I can think about is smacking him silly.

"I can stay over at McCarty's while Edward's here so he doesn't have to sleep on the couch." I try not to look at Edward, but I can't help it. The man might be an ass, but he sure is pretty to look at.

His eyebrows are raised in question like he hadn't thought I might be a nice person. That's right, I can be nice. I resist the urge to stick my tongue out at him.

"That won't be necessary, Bella. I'll get the air bed back off of Billy, and Edward can sleep down here."

Charlie gives me a pointed look that says "there's no way you're staying under anyone else's roof while you're under my watch," and I nod my head slightly in thanks. Truth be told, I wouldn't feel safe with anyone else, never mind sleeping in one of the rooms above the bar.

Edward looks less than impressed by this suggestion. "You can't be serious? I can't sleep on an air bed for that long. Why can't I have my bed?"

I want to laugh. He sounds like such a whiny child. Now who's five! I sigh dramatically like I have a terrible burden, but inside I'm laughing like an evil genius.

"Fine, you big baby, I'll sleep on the air bed, and you can have your bed."

Finally I manage to wipe that smirk from earlier off his face and replace it with a scowl. I smile sweetly at him then get up and give Charlie a kiss on the cheek before skipping upstairs to shower.

Bella – 1, Edward – 0. Fuck. Yeah.

Eight hours later and I'm hiding at McCarty's. There's no sense in lying about it. I'm not proud of my cowardice but what are ya gonna do? There was no way I was hanging around at home any longer than I needed to, not after that awkward breakfast. I'm still cringing. Although finally making pretty-boy Edward scowl was fun.

The bar's having a fancy dress party tonight and I brought my costume so I could change here. No way was I walking through town wearing it. Haven't I already been embarrassed enough today?

"Hey, Rosie, I'm just gonna head upstairs and change into my costume, okay?"

After heading upstairs to the empty apartment I pull my hair back into a low ponytail and then twist it around into a simple bun. I pull on white tights and a pink leotard and then sit down to tie on the shoes. Finally I add a big, poufy pink tutu and—hey presto—I'm a ballerina. It's the only thing I brought with me—not the costume, obviously, but my love of dance.

I glide—okay, more like stomp—back downstairs to the bar when Edward walks in. Fuck. My. Life.

Edward's eyes light up with sardonic glee as he scans my ballerina costume. I watch in a trance as he stalks toward me. My breathing becomes heavy and my thighs clench together at the sight of him. He walks like a predator and I'm desperate to be his prey. Confidence oozes from him until it permeates my skin. I want him. Bad.

He's so close now that if I take a deep breath my breasts will brush against his chest. I can't pull my eyes away from his lips. The smirk's back. He leans close—still not touching—and his lips hover millimetres away from mine. His breath tickles my skin and shocks full of pleasure pulse through my body.

He opens his mouth to speak as I close my eyes. "Don't you need to have grace and poise to be a ballerina?"

Wait, what?! It takes a few seconds for his words to sink in through the lusty haze in my brain, and when I finally open my eyes he's walking away from me. My face heats in embarrassment. My cheeks are so full of humiliation I could stand outside and show planes where to land.

I'm furious—who the fuck does he think he is?! Gritting my teeth and clenching my fists I storm over to where he's propped himself up against the bar.

"What the fuck is your problem, Edward?" My voice is a little loud for inside, but I'm mad damn it!

"My problem, princess, is that I came home looking for a little R&R, but what I actually got was a crazy bitch with a bat sleeping in my bed."

My mouth drops open in shock. He's even more of a dick than I thought. I gnash my teeth together and spit out through my clenched jaw, "Outside, we need to talk."

I storm off into the parking lot. I'm about to rip him a new one, and I don't think the patrons need to hear it.

I've only taken three steps out of the building when he grips my left arm just above my elbow. He swings me around and slams me against the wall. It's forceful but not painful, and fuck me it feels good. He steps up real close, tightens his grip on my arm while fisting his other hand in my hair, and kisses me.

It's not a gentle kiss either. Edward presses his entire body against me, and I can feel the rough brick of the wall scraping against my back as his lips move against mine. He bites my lip with just enough pressure to make it sting when I don't open my mouth for him quickly enough. As soon as I do I feel his tongue flicking over my lips. He tastes like sin, minty fresh, and with hints of sweetness. Pleasure zips through my body and I moan into his open mouth.

Edward shifts his body so his thigh slips in between mine and holy fuck does it feel good pressed against me. I'm clinging to him my fists clench around his red t-shirt in desperation. I need him closer. I move my hips slightly to get more friction. Then it hits me—I'm dry humping Edward in the parking lot.

I shove my fists against him to get him to back up, and when he finally does I swing my open hand toward his face. The resounding sound of the slap echoes around the parking lot. It's very satisfying.

"Seriously, Edward, what the fuck?!" I'm not the most articulate person at the best of times but after a kiss like that from a guy like Edward well my vocabulary doesn't stand a chance.

His entire body is rigid with anger. His fists and jaw clenched tight while he glares at the floor and breathes heavily through his nose. Rage radiates from his entire being and I'm starting to get a little nervous. Maybe I shouldn't have slapped him. I mean, I did kiss him back. Just as I'm about to hightail it back into the safety of the bar he looks right at me and I'm locked in place.

"You don't want me, princess? Well, that's just fine." He shakes his head and walks back into the bar.

Just before he reaches the door he looks over his shoulder and gives me that goddamned smirk again. "I guess ballerinas can be bad-ass, who knew?"

~UST~

I'm stumbling towards home. I'm not black out drunk, but I'm not completely sober either, hence the stumbling. It takes me three tries but I manage to get my key in the door. I do a little victory dance in my head for making it home in one piece.

It's been a month since Edward got home and our hate/hate relationship hasn't really improved much so when Leah invited me out for cocktails I jumped at the chance to get wasted. Big mistake.

I start unbuttoning my jeans as I'm walking into the living room come my-bedroom-until-Edward-leaves when I'm startled by someone clearing their throat. I snap my head up and there he is, Edward, sitting on the couch, watching me trying to get naked. Fuck.

My eyes travel the length of his body and—Jesus have mercy—what a view. He's lying back, ass perched just on the edge of the couch and his legs—Jesus, his legs—are stretched long and spread slightly apart. They look so good wrapped in those dark denim jeans that all I want is to crawl in between them and beg him to let me worship him. What I wouldn't give to be able to feel those thick thighs under my hands as I got on my knees for him, or rubbing against my own while he burns me from the inside.

His arms are stretched across the back of the couch and the black Blondie t-shirt he's wearing cuts into his arms a little showing off his muscles. Edward works out. And then I get to his face—ungf—he is actually the prettiest guy I have ever met. Those pouty lips are pulled up at one side in his signature cocky smirk and they tease me with their softness. His jaw is sharp and that damn stubble has my fingers itching to feel the roughness.

His eyes flash with amusement and desire. He wants me. Fuck. His hair is that effortless bed head look that you spend hours trying to perfect. The image of fisting my hands in that auburn mess is so strong that I can almost feel the strands between my fingers.

"Edward." My voice is all breathy and I curse myself internally.

Why am I such an idiot around this guy? His grin widens at my obvious desire and I just know he's about to say something obnoxious.

"Well don't stop on my account, princess." He nods towards my hands where my fingers are still holding the tops of my jeans.

"I'm dying to see what kind of panties princess' wear." And then he throws a panty ruining wink my way. Ungf. This guy is dangerous.

I shove my hands in my pockets—I'm a nervous wreck and I don't really know what else to do with them—and glance towards the TV. He's watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show; I love this film.

I point to the couch and ask, "Mind if I join you?"

Edward nods his head the tiniest bit and I plonk myself down next to him. My co-ordination is a little off from all the alcohol and I end up a little closer to him than necessary, so I scoot back a little and mumble a quick, "Sorry."

He chuckles at my flustered state but doesn't take his eyes off of the TV. I can't take my eyes off of him. He really is beautiful. It's taking all my willpower not to lean against him and nibble on his jaw.

Suddenly I'm staring into green, green eyes and the shock of it takes my breath away. He shifts towards me the tiniest bit, and now we're sharing air. Every single inhale and exhale is shared, and it makes me light headed with desire. Edward licks his lips and tilts his head. Oh God he's going to kiss me. Warning bells sound in my head and the little guy that controls my fear is screaming, "Danger! Danger, Will Robinson!" I dip my head and move back in to my own space and focus on Tim Curry seducing Brad Major.

I watch Edward move back to his original position from the corner of my eye. The frustrated sigh that escapes his lips makes the butterflies in my stomach soar and swoop. I bite my lip nervously; I hope he doesn't think I'm a tease. I know that's exactly how I'm acting, but I can't seem to help it.

He turns my body into a needy mess just by being close to me, but the crazy mess that is my brain won't let me let go. I sigh in resignation; I think I'm going to have to give him an explanation as to why I'm all hot and cold.

"Look, Edward, I'm real sorry that I keep throwing out all these mixed signals. I'm not doing it on purpose, I swear."

Edward gives me a dubious look from the corner of his eye.

"It's obvious I'm attracted to you in a big way and my body wants to act on that but, well, I'm not really ready for any kind of physical contact at the moment." I lift my gaze from my lap to gauge his reaction, but when I meet his stare I can't hold it and my eyes turn back down.

"So when you come near me with all of, well, you,"—I gesture at his body, and he smirks a little— "Well it kinda throws me off and I end up acting all crazy."

A few seconds tick by—the room is filled with Janet Weiss's voice as she begs to be touched—and it makes me shift and fidget uncomfortably in my seat.

Just when I think his silence will drive me mad, Edward says, "Okay." And turns back to face the TV.

Well, that was kind of anti-climactic. I huff in annoyance. "Okay? Is that all you have to say?" My eyebrows are raised so high in disbelief that there's a real fear they may disappear in to my hair never to be seen again.

Edward doesn't even turn away from the TV when he answers, "Yeah, okay. What do you want me to say, princess? You want me to beg you to let me in your panties? Coz that ain't gonna happen, sweetheart."

I can't believe he just said that. I stare at him with my mouth hanging open. I'm in complete shock; how the fuck do you even respond to that?

I finally manage to regain control over my jaw. "Fuck you, Edward. I was trying to explain why I'm acting all crazy. It's called being an adult and having a mature conversation."

I take a few deep breaths to calm down; I really need to be friends with this guy so Charlie isn't living in a war zone. "Okay, we've gotten off on the wrong foot. Most of that is probably my fault. So, in the interest of starting over, Edward, I'm sorry I hit you with a baseball bat, and then slapped you. And for all the times I may have lead you on."

I look at him expectantly, the look on my face screaming "okay buddy, now it's your turn."

Edward huffs out a breath but then says, "Apology accepted. I'm sorry I slammed you against the wall at McCarty's, and I'm sorry for any sarcastic comments that may have annoyed you." Then he reaches out, grabs my hand in his and gives it a little shake.

So, we're gonna try the friends thing; this should be interesting.

~UST~

I wake up in the morning in Edward's bed. For a moment panic flashes through my mind before I remember him telling me he'd take the air mattress last night.

A massive headache is forming behind my eyes so I tilt my head up towards the ceiling and close them. Cool fingers press against my heated skin at my temples and it startles me so much I jump like I've been tasered.

Edward's voice rumbles low and gentle behind me. "Relax. I'm just trying to ease out the tension. You should drink more water, you've got a head ache because you're dehydrated."

He's so close the heat from his chest makes my skin tingle through the oversized black wife beater I threw on before I passed out the night before.

I close my eyes again as his fingers press gently and circle slowly. I can feel the tension draining from my body and it's making me lethargic. I slump back against his chest and he slides those generous healing hands down my face and neck, and then lower still down my bare arms. He leaves goose bumps where ever he touches and delicious shivers flow through my body. Finally his hands are in my lap cradling my own.

We've ended in an almost hug. We're chest to back and his thighs are pressed against my own. The rough material of his jeans rubs against my bare skin sending tantalising tremors through my body. If I rolled my panty clad hips I bet I'd feel his denim covered cock resting right against my ass.

My head is tilted back and resting on his shoulder exposing my neck to the room and to him. Edward's face must be turned in my direction because every time he exhales his warm breath whispers against my cheek and rolls down and across my neck. The embrace is mostly innocent but this is one of the most erotic experiences of my life.

My breathing starts to deepen until I'm practically panting. The goose bumps in my arms refuse to dissipate, and that just alerts my nipples to the fact that his glorious fingers were so close. They harden under the cotton of my top. I'm not wearing a bra and judging by the sharp inhale he's just taken and the slight increase of his heartbeat that's thumping against my back he's definitely noticed. This just makes them ache for him all the more.

Our heartbeats are beating in time now. Mutual lust can do that to a person. Every heartbeat I feel against my back pulses straight through to my own. I can hear Edward's calling my name and mines calling his back just as loud. I tilt my face towards him never opening my eyes. I don't think I could handle looking into his intense gaze right now.

Edward's breath fans across my face. It's hot and I can smell his minty mouthwash coupled with the coffee he's been drinking. I want to taste him on my lips and tongue so bad. Every flutter of breath against my mouth flutters against my panties too. It's as if he's breathing against those lips as well.

The thought of Edward between my thighs sends my hips circling. I was right; I can feel him pressed against me. Each circle from my hips against him makes him harder. His fingers curl against my own as his grip on me tightens.

I feel his lips brushing my own and I sigh into his waiting mouth, "Edward."

A growl rumbles in his throat as he moves to press his lips against mine.

"Bella, I'm leaving for work. Are you gonna be okay here with Edward?" Charlie yells from the bottom of the stairs and again I jump like I've been tasered.

I turn away from Edward and yell back, "Ye—yeah I'll be fine. Just be safe."

My voice has never sounded so throaty or unsteady before. Charlie mustn't notice because the next second we hear the front door open and close as he leaves us alone.

I turn my head back to Edward as a deep humourless chuckle leaves his almost-kissed-by-me lips. I cock my eyebrow in question because I don't feel steady enough to use my voice just yet.

"Charlie was always cock-blocking me as a kid. Guess something's don't change." He shakes his head in disbelief and I can't help but laugh back.

Our eyes lock again, his spring time green capturing my warm chocolate browns so perfectly, and the light-heartedness is replaced once again by the thick sexual tension. The tension's never really left since he first got here to be honest.

Edward reaches out and strokes my flushed cheek ever so gently. "I'll let you get some rest. I have a few phone calls to make, but I'll be just downstairs if you need me."

I watch him walk from the room like we weren't just about to fuck like horny rabbits. That dude has more mood swings than I can deal with, I'm getting emotional whiplash. Lying back against the smells-like-him bedding I close my eyes and try to ignore the throbbing ache between my legs.

I blink my eyes open only to find myself in darkness. How long have I been asleep this time? It can only have been a couple of hours at most. Movement seen from the corner of my eye catches my attention. I strain my eyes as I stare at the silhouette in the corner. Finally my brain registers what my eyes are seeing.

"How long have I been sleeping?" My throat hurts and my voice is raspy from dehydration. I'm overwhelmed with the sense of déjà vu.

Edward leans forward in his chair. With my eyes adjusting to the dark I can just make out the sharpness of his jaw, the slight imperfection of his nose and those masculine hands of his clasped tightly in front of his sinful lips. My heartbeat picks up as I hear the rustle of his thumb nail scratching against his stubble, and I don't need to see to know that his spring green eyes are staring with an intense heat. I can feel it all over spreading desire and goose bumps wherever it touches me. The man is a god.

Thick with what sounds like desire Edward confirms my suspicions. "Only an hour and half. You've been talking in your sleep."

Panic jolts through my system at the thought of what he may have heard.

"Nothing too embarrassing I hope." I let out a nervous laugh and cringe at my awkwardness.

I can't see it because they're hidden behind his hands but I definitely hear the smirk when he answers, "Only my name, princess."

Oh god, kill me now! I groan as my cheeks, neck and décolletage flush red with the utter humiliation of this day. I cover my face in my hands and will tears of embarrassment not to fall and make it worse. I feel the bed dip as Edward climbs on beside me, I don't remove my hands—if only they could be permanently attached to my face then I could hide for ever.

"Don't hide from me, princess. You can't even begin to imagine what hearing my name leave you in a breathy whisper did—does—to me."

He's so close. So fucking close. His body heat burns my side as he leans over me. His warm, minty breath blows across the back of my hands, fans across my cheeks and tickles the little wisps of hairs at my temples. It's completely intoxicating.

I slide my hands from my face, careful not to touch him because—Jesus—I couldn't handle touching him right now, and I stare up into his eyes. This is the closest I've been to a man in three years. I'm cursing my rotten luck that the inky blackness is stopping me from seeing the perfection that is Edward up close and fucking personal.

"If I kiss you are you going to pull away again?" He whispers his worry against my panting mouth. His vulnerability is oddly sensual in this oh so intimate moment.

His words make my eyes flutter closed and I lick my lips in anticipation. My head is screaming no while trying to flash pictures of his face through my mind, but with Edward this close my brain—and him—don't stand a chance.

I let my heart whisper, "No, I want you." And then my world explodes.

Soft, plump lips press against my own. Once, twice before opening for more. Demanding, always demanding more. His tongue seduces mine and I surrender to our lust. My needy fingers slide into his messy tangle of auburn hair—the strands tickling my palms—and I grasp and pull him closer. I've never been kissed like this, with desperation and need and passion, so much passion.

Edward groans into my mouth as my nails scrap against his scalp. In some kind of unspoken agreement he slides on top of me as I move under him. It's pure instinct that drives us now. Feeling his full weight on top of me, chest to chest with his stomach pressed so tightly against mine and his hips grinding against me, into me, is like nothing I've felt before.

I'm a moaning, whimpering mess as we grind and make out like teenagers. Every part of me aches for him and I beg him to touch me. He nods in… agreement? Compliance? With our heads resting together and our panting breathes mingling in the lusty fog building between us we shed our clothes. It's awkward in this position, and we both take an elbow to delicate parts as we undress, but it's perfectly us. Neither of us wants to stop touching the other.

And finally we're skin on skin. Electricity sparks and crackles around and in us. The tension thickens with every squeeze of wanting hands and every gentle brush of sweet lips until I think I'll go mad. Edward pulls back slightly—my nipples rubbing against the hard muscles of his chest—so he can convince himself I'm still in this with him I can only guess.

"Tell me I can, princess. I don't think I can stop." There's lust and desperation in his voice but also kindness and caring and maybe a little awe too. Like he can't believe I've let him this close and if I say no he'll accept that and move on however begrudgingly.

It melts my heart a little and suddenly this isn't about easing the sexual tension any more. It's about feeling wanted by another person without other agenda's sullying the pleasure. It's about taking comfort in the touch of someone who wants and cares about you. This started out as a onetime thing but now the possibilities are endless. In this moment anything is possible and I can't wait to embrace them all.

The enormity of how close I've gotten to Edward robs me of my voice so all I can do is nod before pressing myself, and my lips, so close against him. This kiss, while just as passion filled as the others, feels so much more intimate. My acceptance of him, of us, is in this kiss and I've never tasted anything sweeter.

Edward pulls his hips back and I can feel him there, pressing right against me. My breaths are coming in short and sharp, overwhelmed by the sensations and emotions raging within me because of Edward. I open my legs wider as Edward presses further, harder. And then I'm titling my hips for him and he's sliding in deeper and the way he stretches me is so, so fucking good.

He's groaning against my throat, lips pressed against my wild pulse, curses and "Oh gods," fall out of his mouth on hot panting breaths. With wet kisses he travels back to my mouth. We're so close I can feel him everywhere. Our foreheads are touching, noses sliding against the others, and Edward's arms are under my back as his hands grasp my shoulders for leverage. Chest to chest our stomachs slide together as our movements slick our skin. My legs are wide and lifted over his hips, and my feet are digging into his ass urging him to go faster, harder. To give me more.

Edward's thrusts are forceful. Hard and deep he gets me so good, delicious tingles pulse through me, and spill out as whimpers and moans.

To an outsider our actions may look almost violent, but I can hear the whispers leaving Edward's mouth like a prayer. "You feel so good, Bella. All tight wetness and heat that drives me mad."

His words tighten me—my pussy and my heart—they contract with joy at the fact that I'm making this man feel as good as he's making me feel.

Edward flicks his tongue against my swollen-from-his-kisses lips and groans, "You taste like candy. So fuckin' sweet."

I'm too far gone for words. I breathe and I moan and I feel Edward. I feel him everywhere. My world consists of us, it's beautiful. The pleasure coiling low, deep, tightens with every thrust and sound from Edward. The pressure in me builds, pushing me higher and closer. It's there, the blinding white light of ecstasy.

"I'm so close, Edward."

And then I'm there. In the white fluffy clouds of orgasmic bliss. Spasms of pleasure fire through me and force me up into the stars, into heaven and beyond. I float in the universe, shuddering around and under Edward as I feel him shake and spasm in me.

We lay there together, it can only be minutes but it feels like hours, just soaking in the warmth of our afterglow. My skin is hyper sensitive. My chest is heaving as I draw in breathes, and as it brushes against his sweaty skin it sends tantalising tingles from my nipples to my toes and back. I don't think I'll ever stop coming.

All too soon his weight on me becomes uncomfortable and I reluctantly slide out from under him. We stay close though, wrapped in each other's arms we stroke, caress and whisper of feelings that seem impossible but very real. I fall asleep for the first time in what feels like forever happy.