The Learning Curve: Chapter 58
Edward Cullen's House
I moaned softly into Edward's mouth as I ground against him. It felt so intimate, even with our clothes on, to have his hardness rubbing against me. I heard his breath hitch and I wanted more, so much more. He was beautiful and sweet and charming and perfect, and I needed him to want me just as much, even though it was impossible.
I moved my hips against him again. The next few minutes passed in a frenzy of heated kisses and wandering hands. When I couldn't take anymore, I reached for the drawstring of his pants.
Edward's hand caught my wrist and held it away from him. "Bella...my mom is downstairs."
Even though it made total sense for him to stop us, I still felt stung. "You didn't care when it was my dad downstairs."
He rubbed his thumb over my skin. "Bella, your dad didn't know I was in your room then."
I climbed off him and folded my arms over my chest.
"Bella? I'm not trying to be mean. I just know how nervous you were about meeting my mom, and I figured you'd be really embarrassed if she came up to check on us and we were...you know."
"Right," I said, but I couldn't mask the tightness in my throat when I said it.
"Bella, are you...crying?" he asked, leaning forward to look at my face. "Bella, sweetheart, what is this about?"
"Why are you with me?" I asked him, feeling rejected and sorry for myself.
His brow furrowed. "What?"
"This obviously isn't about...lessons anymore. But I don't get it. Why me? You could have anyone you wanted."
Edward scowled. "Is this about what Jessica and Lauren said to you today? Because I don't want them. I never have."
I waved off his response. "I know you don't want them. What I don't understand is why you want me."
He stood up then, hands on his hips, all wild hair and flashing eyes, roguish with the bandage above his eye. "Who exactly do you think would be better for me?"
I shrugged, suddenly feeling as though I'd been sent to the principal's office. "Someone prettier, smarter...someone who knows how to do this stuff without being totally awkward. Someone better."
Edward dropped his arms to his sides with a sigh and then crawled toward me on the bed until I had to lean back on my elbows and he hovered over me.
"You listen to me, Isabella Swan," he said quietly, intently. "If I can have anyone I want, then I want a girl with sweet eyes and a gorgeous smile. I want a girl who is totally beautiful and has no idea. I want a girl who always surprises me and happens to be so adorable that I want to kiss her every second. I want you, Bella."
I'd never heard a speech like that outside of a romantic comedy, and I'd certainly never heard one directed at me. My whole body felt flimsy.
"I...um...thanks?"
He grinned at me and then swooped in and kissed me soundly. "See? That's what I'm talking about. Adorable."
A/N: Those of you that didn't understand the line about Emmett at the end of the last chapter, please see chapter 55. It'll clear everything right up.