A/N: This entry is a drabble-length preview of a one-shot that I wrote for the Tricky Raven Author & Artist Silent Auction for my high bidder, Afke Deen. I actually donated two one-shots for high bidders for the auction this year and I will be posting both of them here on FFn eventually, beginning with the full-length version of this one-shot in a few days' time, so add me to your author alerts if you want to be notified when it is posted.

Pairing: Embry/Bella

Rating: M

Genre: Romance/Fluff

Preview, "How do I love thee?"...

Bella shivered as a delicate cross-breeze from Second Beach sent the filmy white sheers over the open blinds fluttering.

"Cold?" Embry asked, tightening his hold around her middle.

"Never, with you here," she swore, wrapping her arm over his where it lay under her breasts.

Pulling his arm from beneath hers, he slipped a finger under the thin strap of her silk jersey cami, running his knuckles the length of it down the bare expanse of her smooth shoulder blade. "This wasn't exactly designed for warmth," he said, touching his lips to her rounded shoulder, opening them so he could touch just the tip of his tongue to the skin there before he withdrew, her skin clinging lightly to his moist lips.

Reaching back to run her free hand down his stomach to the waistband of his grey boxer-briefs, she plucked at them and snickered, "Neither were these, you know."

Not that she was complaining. She loved the feel of the worn cotton rubbing against her as he inadvertently ground his hard length into the soft cleft of her bottom in his sleep. His legs would tangle with hers as they snuggled together and her little boy shorts would ride up, the rough hems of his boxer-briefs rubbing the backs of her thighs.

She shuddered delicately with desire, but tried to turn the conversation to take her mind off of it. "We can't lay here in bed all day, Emb. The summer session just started and we took off all last weekend, too, to move in. We need to study."

"Who says we can't study right here? Hmm? How about some British Lit?" he moved, repositioning her on her back in the center of the bed and sliding one long, muscular leg between hers. Parting her smooth, creamy thighs gently and easing them apart to make room, he nestled in the cradle of her hips. Propping his chin on top of his folded hands on her stomach, he smirked, "Gimme a beat."

"A beat? Are you channeling Quil? You want me to beatbox for your romantic poetic recitation now?"

He huffed in mock annoyance, "Fine. You want acapella? You got it."

Clearing his throat, he swept strong capable hands behind her lower back. His long, slim fingers stroked her skin as he moved up onto his knees between her legs and drew the little silk cami over her head, tossing it away without looking where it went.

He didn't care where it landed, as long as it was gone and all that luminous, pale pink flesh was bare to pay his homage.

Bringing his lips to her throat just below her ear, he murmured, "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…"

Bella shivered, cupping his cheeks to hold his gaze, telling him again without words how much she loved him.

But he knew.

This was his time—his time to show her all that and more.

Looking forward to reading more? I'm eager to hear your thoughts on where this one is headed!