A/N: My betas, SSHG316, Charmie77, acireamos and Savage Woman have my undying devotion, because they are all the epitome of awesome. They take my diamond in the rough that is TLC and make it into something beautiful. I want to especially thank them all this time for laboring over this long chapter, which came in two parts because I refused to push them to work on anymore of my fiction on their weekends. I also want to thank my readers and reviewers for making me believe that my story touches you in ways large and small. Thank you all very much.
TLC - Chapter 21 - Wild Is The Wind, Part 2
"The sound of 'gentle stillness' after all the thunder and wind have passed will the ultimate Word from God." – Jim Elliott
EPOV
Edward easily found his way back to Charlie Swan's study and walked in without knocking. So much for good impressions.
Charlie was slumped in his chair, looking to the entire world as if he'd lost his best friend. Edward did not have or show any sympathy for him and launched right into what he had to say.
"Rev. Swan, in the time I've known Bella, she's had her feelings hurt repeatedly by an emotionally stunted cop, been physically assaulted by a thug, and now, devastated by her own father. There are a lot of people in this world who might not deserve your blessing, myself included, but your daughter is not one of them."
Charlie's face contorted quickly with anger. "I don't know who you think you are, young man, but you don't come into my home, making pronouncements about what my daughter deserves from me. You've been in her life what, two months? I've loved that child since she was just an idea. What you feel for her is nothing compared to the unconditional love I have for her and will continue to have even while she waltzes willy-nilly down the wrong path with the likes of you."
"I beg to differ with your assertion that she's going down the wrong path with me. Bella is the best thing that's ever happened to me in all the twenty-seven miserable years of my life, and by some miracle, she chose me over a guy whose resume reads like you wrote it. She means so much to me now, I would never do anything to hurt her. You may have your theology to back up your belief that we are all wrong for one another, but Bella has made me believe that the changes in my life defy your theological statistics. She saw something in me before I could see it myself, and somewhere in the midst of that, she became my life. I won't stand aside and watch anyone hurt her—not even you."
Charlie stood up so his eyes would be on level with Edward's. "My perspective as a father and a pastor may be blurred, right now, but my advice to her was never meant to hurt her or malign you. Sometimes parents and pastors have to speak the truth, in love, even when it's painful. You may say her faith is alright with you, but what happens when you are faced with a crisis and have to make some life-altering decision? Bella's first reaction will be to pray about it. What would yours be? Let's just say you eventually got married. How do you raise any children you might have together? My assessment of the likelihood of a relationship working between the two of you is nothing personal; it is based on historical data that has been borne out time and again in many such relationships."
"I'm sure people told you and Mrs. Swan something similar when you decided to get married on the heels of the civil rights movement. I would have expected a cult like COGS to have a problem with our relationship, but everything Bella has told me about you, your church, and the way you teach; this was not something I expected from you. I may not have graced the pews of an organized church in a while, but I was embraced by a man of God when I was in the Marines who accepted me and all my baggage with no judgment or intolerance. Wish I could have been able to say the same for you Rev. Swan?" With that Edward was done with his tirade and turned to leave.
"Edward!"
Edward turned back to Rev. Swan to see that his anger had dissipated into a smile that grew until his mustache was two times wider than it had been when he was raging. Then he laughed outright as Edward regarded him with an angry scowl. Edward's righteous indignation had him fuming at his girlfriend's father, who was now laughing in his face.
"I really don't see anything funny," Edward ground out. "With all due respect, sir, what kind of game are you playing here?"
Charlie wiped his eyes that had become moist from his laughing jag. "Believe me; I'm not playing any games, Edward. Close the door and have a seat." Charlie then took his own seat again, got on the phone and hit a button. Edward did as he was asked and sat down, albeit reluctantly. "Honey, can you get the door for a little while? I'm having a conversation with our daughter's boyfriend. It's fine, really.... We just need to get a few things straight. I'll be good... I always am... I promise."
Edward folded his arms, waiting to hear what Rev. Swan had to say, not altogether convinced that he was even sane at the moment. Charlie regarded him with a look that could have been construed as affection, and Edward's brow knitted involuntarily.
"Edward, I am nothing if not an obedient servant of God. And I'll be darned if He doesn't speak to us sometimes at the most inopportune moments. With that said, I just have to tell you that as I was railing at you, I heard a still small voice remind me that I had done the same thing when I approached Renee's father almost thirty years ago."
"No sh— kidding?" Edward was glad he caught himself before the expletive escaped his mouth completely. Rev. Swan gave him a dubious look and continued.
"This was a man who had labored beside my father during the civil rights movement, but who wasn't convinced that I had what it took to protect his daughter from all the ugliness that went along with an interracial relationship. What he failed to realize was that Renee and I were strong as individuals, but we were formidable as a team. When I had the audacity to approach him after his daughter had given him her own particular brand of grief about things already, only then was he convinced that there was something worth pursuing and preserving."
"Rev. Swan, you of all people should be confident in the fact that Bella learned everything she knows from you about compassion and discerning character. She would not jeopardize her relationship with you for just anyone." As he said those words, Edward realized the sheer magnitude of Bella's actions for the first time. Her feelings for him must have run pretty deep if she was willing to drive a wedge between herself and her father to be with him.
"You're right about that, son. Bella has never vouched for anyone as strongly as she has for you. And to be perfectly honest with you, Edward, I don't know how I feel about that, yet."
"Fair enough," Edward agreed. One thing he and Bella had in common was the fact that neither of them had ever been in love with anyone else before. While it might take some getting used to in his family, it would really take some getting used to in her family. Although he hadn't declared himself to Bella yet and neither had she to him, he was certain that what they felt for one another was the real thing. He needed to get this across to Rev. Swan without disclosing this information to him before he did to Bella. "Rev. Swan, I've only known one other person outside of my family that I might consider giving my life for, and that person actually sacrificed himself for me in Afghanistan. Bella is the only other person in the world that I would gladly give my life for."
"Well, if you'd lay your life down for my daughter, then surely you'd be willing to learn about the faith she has embraced since she was six, right?" Charlie asked, undaunted.
"That's one of the reasons I showed up at church with her yesterday." Edward's eyes never wavered from Charlie's.
"Contrary to the impression my previous reaction may have given you, I am not deluded enough to believe that every person who fills the pews on Sunday morning are pure in heart. I also know that there are people who eschew organized religion who are good through and through, but God asks us not to forsake assembling ourselves in worship of Him. As Bella's father and her pastor, I want to make sure that the man she's chosen above all others has the information he needs to make an informed decision about his own faith. Would you be amenable to attending my Men's Bible Study once a week?"
Edward didn't flinch. "Absolutely. Just name the time and place."
"Wednesday nights at the church, seven thirty p.m."
"I'll be there."
"Good," Charlie quipped quickly. "Now, you said that was one reason you showed up at church on Sunday. What was the other one?"
"I think someone's stalking Bella," Edward said without preamble.
Charlie's face drained of all blood until he looked chalky white. "Any idea who or why?"
"I'm guessing it might be Beauvoir or one of his thugs. I haven't been able to see the car or the person up close, but given the altercation on Saturday and his obsession with your family, he's the only likely suspect at the moment."
"So, the charges from Saturday didn't stick?"
"Not well enough to keep him behind bars over the weekend. His lawyer had him sprung two hours after he was booked." Edward found this out on Saturday night while Emmett and Rosalie were over. He'd stolen away for a few minutes under the guise of going to the bathroom and made a call to the precinct.
"What precautions are you taking for Bella's safety?"
"Well, we've been together all weekend," Edward began. Charlie raised an eyebrow, but Edward pretended not to notice and continued. "I won't leave her unprotected until I have an alarm installed in her apartment first thing tomorrow morning. We'll be stepping up awareness at the Center, and I'll be teaching all the volunteers some simple self-defense techniques and arming them all with pepper spray. Most of them already have cell phones, so I'll set up an alert system between everyone and myself."
"Good work," Charlie acquiesced. "But Bella can come home if she's afraid. We have top-notch security in this community, and I still know how to wield a weapon if necessary. I'll mention it to her later when I apologize to her."
Edward 's heart sank. He knew that his weekend with Bella was coming to an end, but it seemed that Papa Swan was bent on ending it prematurely.
~888~
Careful to emerge from Rev. Swan's study smiling, Edward wanted Bella to know that things had gone well for the most part. He felt kind of like he'd sold his soul to the devil, but Bella was worth it. Ben was in the foyer waiting to go into Rev. Swan's study when Edward came out.
"He in a good mood?" Ben inquired.
Edward waggled his hand in a "so-so" motion and clapped Ben on the shoulder. "Don't let him see you sweat," was Edward's whispered advice. Getting a quick glimpse of Captain Black, Mayor Barksdale, and two other gentlemen he didn't know in the living room, Edward opted to go through the dining room to get to the kitchen. He wasn't there to schmooze with his boss and his boss's boss. Bella was his solitary focus right now.
Working his way back to the kitchen, he found Renee with a number of women: two of Deacon Wilson's staff, a tall svelte woman who resembled Renee but looked a little younger, and two other women—all smiling as he entered the room.
"Edward!" Renee exclaimed. "You're smiling. Good deal." Edward was relieved that she didn't ask something more direct like "How did it go?"
The Renee look-alike laughed. "My sister has always been random like that." She moved to Edward and offered him a hand. "I'm Lonette, Renee's younger sister." Her emphasis on younger caused Renee to glare at her.
"Nice to meet you, Lonette," he said, smiling. "Bella and I recently saw Ghosts of Mississippi, and she pointed you out on the steps of the courthouse in that final scene in Jackson."
"Not many people know this, but that scene at the end wasn't shot in Jackson. The director re-shot it on a back-lot at the studio because they weren't pleased with it when it wrapped originally," she said with a bright smile. "Good to know that my niece is proud of her Auntie and still watches her one and only foray into Hollywood."
"That was a great only film to be associated with," Edward said cordially.
"Edward, don't let my sister hog your attention. Please meet Marva Barksdale, wife of his honor the Mayor of Tallahassee."
"Mrs. Barksdale," Edward greeted. "I met you briefly last fall at the Annual Policeman's Ball."
"Thank you for reminding me, Edward. I met so many uniforms that night. Everyone began to blend together after a while."
"I can imagine," he said.
"And this is Katie Brewster, wife of my law partner, William Brewster. Katie taught Bella and most of the aspiring ballerinas in Tallahassee ballet during Bella's gymnastics years. She is busy now, bringing other ballet talent to Tallahassee."
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Brewster." Edward shook her hand, as well.
After introducing him to Briana and Daphne, who worked with Ira Wilson's catering company, Renee ushered him toward the door. "Bella's fine. And I believe all your friends are here now."
"Thanks." Edward was truly appreciative of Renee and her support.
As he walked out on the patio, he saw Bella surrounded by her family, friends, and neighbors. He gave her a wide smile when she looked up at him with the obvious questions in her eyes. Edward knew she wanted to pounce on him immediately for details but realized that it wasn't a good time. It was all she could do to continue her conversation with an elderly woman, whom he recognized as Bella's Nana from the pictures he'd seen. As he headed for Bella, Emmett abandoned the open bar near the DJ's booth and stepped into his path.
"Bout time you showed up out here," Emmett harangued, handing him a beer. Edward took it gratefully and downed a fourth of it.
"Thanks, man."
"No probs, dude. I understand you probably needed that considering who you've just been talking to. So, did the Rev. divest you of the family jewels, or are you still able to father children after that altercation?"
He glared at Emmett, hesitating briefly before speaking. "Only you could come up with something so far into left field."
Oblivious, Emmett continued. "I'm really impressed with this shindig. I thought we would be served grape juice, pot-luck and little New Testaments as party favors."
"What gave you that idea?"
"I used to go to church at Crawfordville Baptist until I converted to Catholicism with Rose."
"Bella and her parents are not stereotypes." Edward took another swallow of his beer.
"I know, right? Her mom is a Grade-A MILF," Emmett whispered lasciviously, peering at Renee in the kitchen through the French doors.
"If I hadn't already used my 'free pass' with Rev. Swan tonight, I'd kick your ass right now," Edward growled. "Show a little respect, Emmett. Bella's mom doesn't deserve to be ogled by her boyfriend's barbaric friend."
"That was a compliment. I'm just saying old girl looks damn good, and her friend in there ain't half-stepping either."
"Emmett, don't drink anything stronger tonight, okay. I wouldn't want you to embarrass Bella or Rosalie with this adolescent crush you have on her mom and her aunt," Edward deadpanned.
"That other one's Bella's aunt? Dude, you don't have anything to worry about. If Bella's mom and aunt look that good at their ages, you've really picked yourself a winner."
"Emmett, you need some help, and I can refer you to a great therapist. Now shut up or I'm telling Rosalie."
Jasper extricated himself from Alice and joined them. "You must have said or done something really bad if your best man is threatening to tell your fiancée on you, Emmett. What gives?"
Emmett threw his arm over Jasper's shoulder and pulled him in close in their circle. "I was just paying Bella's mom a compliment, and Edward went all monkish on me. Don't you think Bella's mom is hot?"
Jasper chuckled and pulled away. "Oh no, I'm not going there."
"See, you're the only guy here with an Oedipus complex. Get a grip," Edward said, handing Emmett his empty beer bottle and walking away toward Bella, leaving Jasper to counsel Emmett's pervish ass. Bella had moved away from her grandmother and was now talking to Angela, Alice and Rosalie. Judging from the blush creeping onto her skin, they were having quite a conversation. He hoped it wasn't as embarrassing as the one he'd just had with Emmett.
"Hey, young man," he heard a gravelly voice say. Turning, Edward recognized Deacon Wilson from his visit the day before to Bella's church. Edward gestured to himself as if to say, "Who me?"
"Yeah, you," Deacon Wilson said sternly. "Come here a minute, son." Ira Wilson's formerly broad shoulders were slightly stooped and his hair was completely white, a stark contrast to his dark skin.
Cautiously, Edward approached the old man at the grill. "Aw, come on over here, boy. I don't bite 'hard legs,'" he declared, eyes twinkling, and promptly cracked up at his own joke.
Smiling, Edward extended his hand. "Deacon Wilson, I'm Edward Cullen." The deacon shook his hand quickly and got to his true order of business. "You came to church with our Bella yesterday, didn't you?"
"Yes, sir," Edward said. "That I did."
"I thought so. By the way, how did you know my name?" The deacon, whose dark skin was smooth and unwrinkled for a man his age, narrowed his eyes at Edward.
"Bella told me," Edward explained. However, he didn't dare tell the deacon they had discussed his penchant for falling asleep in the service.
"Right, right," the deacon said as he opened the lid on the grill and began turning the succulent meats and removing some of same into a warmer. He squinted up at Edward. "You call yourself sweet on Bella or something?"
Edward smiled and opted for the truth. "Yes, you could say I'm definitely sweet on Bella."
"That's all well and good," the old man allowed, "but if you hurt her, I'm gonna come after you with my shotgun, you hear?"
"Get in line, Deacon. Half of Tallahassee has already vowed to run me out of town and string me up on her behalf."
"All right, then. I just wanted to make sure you knew the score." Ira Wilson closed the grill and smiled a big toothy grin. "And now that you're 'In like Flint' with the family, so to speak, you can talk to her Nana for me, okay?"
Edward laughed. "I'll see what I can do, Deacon. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go spend some time with my beautiful girlfriend."
Edward shook his head. It seemed the women in Bella's family were not without a bevy of interested men in their lives.
~888~
BPOV
Bella watched Edward from the moment he came out on the patio. He didn't look upset or like he was ready to leave, so she gathered that things had gone well with her dad. When Edward had insisted on talking to her dad, she'd been afraid that they would argue and make matters worse. She couldn't imagine what Edward could have said or done to smooth the situation over, considering her father's strongly held beliefs on the subject matter.
After a couple of unsuccessful attempts to join her, Edward was finally headed her way again, and he looked determined not to let anyone else stop him this time. When he was within reaching distance, he took her hand and pulled her gently toward him, winding his arm around her waist. Bella smiled up at him and snuggled into his side.
"Hi, ladies," Edward said, addressing Angela, Alice, and Rosalie at once. "May I steal Bella away from you for a few minutes?"
"Sure," Angela said.
Alice grinned like a proud Mama. "Yeah, cuz."
"Don't you have any other friends around here?" Rosalie objected. She pointed at Emmett, Jasper, and Ben who were still chatting by the bar. "See that group of guys over there? Go. Mingle."
Edward looked crestfallen, and Bella did a double-take.
Rosalie and Alice laughed while Angela flashed Edward a sympathetic smile. "Just kidding, Edward. Can't you take a joke?"
"Yeah, Rosalie, I just... never mind," he chuckled and whisked Bella away toward the less populated side of the pool.
"How did it go?" Bella asked when they were well out of hearing distance of the others.
Edward stopped and gazed into her eyes, lightly cupping her cheeks. "I promised you it would be fine and it is. Your dad's sorry for reacting so harshly. He's going to apologize."
Bella's eyes brightened considerably as she beamed at him. "How did you get him to do that?"
Edward smoothed her hair back behind her ears on both sides. "We yelled at one another. He laughed at me. Then we had a meeting of the minds... and I agreed to attend his Men's Bible Study on Wednesday nights."
Her smile faded into concern. "And you're okay with this deal?"
"Bella, I would make a deal with old slew-foot himself to be with you," he said, pulling her close.
"I wouldn't want you to go that far, but thank you for smoothing things over with him." She pressed a chaste kiss to his lips.
"You're welcome. A little heads-up, though. I told your dad about the safety precautions, and he might suggest you stay the night here."
"He can suggest, but that doesn't mean I have to take him up on his offer." She grinned mischievously.
"Come on. Let's enjoy this party, then."
He took her hand and headed back over to their friends who were now dancing. The DJ had cranked up the volume on the stereo and began to play Charlie and Renee's favorite disco tunes. Even Bella's Nana was dancing with Emmett. Bella followed Edward into the dancing crowd and quickly introduced Edward to her Nana.
"Nana, this is my boyfriend, Edward Cullen. Edward, my Nana, Emily Higginbotham."
"Hello, Edward," Nana shouted, not missing a beat. "I'll have to chat with you later because Emmett and I are cutting a rug!" And with that, she allowed Emmett to take her hand and spin her slowly around.
~888~
Bella talked her Aunt Lonette and Uncle Jarvis into spending the night with her parents, so she could gracefully bow out of her dad's invitation. Her cousins Micah and Josiah were happy to do so because, while they liked spending time with their Nana, they much preferred all the neat things they could do at the Swan house. Charlie had been contrite and promised that he would make every effort to accept Edward as a serious contender for Bella's heart, but his overarching goal was still to help Edward overcome his aversion to the faith.
It had been a long arduous day, and Bella might have thought they would both have been tuckered out, but found Edward and herself oddly keyed up when they reached his apartment. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that this was their last night together at his place, and they were going to milk it for all it was worth. He put on one of their favorite CD's, Nina Simone's Wild Is The Wind, and opened a bottle of sparkling wine. They lounged together on the sofa, Bella resting comfortably in the crook of his arm.
"I still can't get over how you convinced my dad that he was overreacting about our relationship."
Edward shrugged his shoulders slightly as he took the wine bottle out of the ice bucket and poured them each another glass. "I don't want to dwell on the how, but more aptly that it was accomplished."
She touched her glass to his, and they took a sip of the freshly poured Asti Spumante. "To your awesome negotiating skills."
"To you," Edward said, touching his glass to hers in response. "And your willingness to accept me despite your father's misgivings."
After they finished sipping their wine, Bella took Edward's glass and her own and set them on the cocktail table. Craning her neck, she pressed her lips to the dimple in his chin. It was her second favorite place on his face to kiss after his lips. Although this time, she took things a little further and touched the indentation with the tip of her tongue and then gently suckled. Edward groaned and reached for her, somehow turning her so swiftly that she was on his lap before she could get her bearings.
He bent his head to hers, and their lips collided like magnets, his tongue immediately seeking, searing, and savoring hers. One hand slid around the back of her neck and into her hair to cradle her skull so their mouths could remain fused. His other arm went around her slim waist to pull her even closer to him. Her hands automatically went to his broad shoulders, and she clutched them frantically for support. The kiss produced an intense flood of desire flowing through all of Bella's veins. This time she moaned, but it did not escape her lips because, somewhere in the recesses of her mind, she knew that one of them should break the kiss. Neither of them did. She felt stunned and confused at the same time; she could feel herself begin to tremble in reaction to his intoxicating maleness. At last, Edward pulled back, and Bella looked up into his amazing green eyes that were burning, reflecting a fire she felt deep in her core.
The title song, "Wild is the Wind," began to play, the discordant piano keys marking the start of her personal favorite. "I love this song," she breathed raggedly, her voice cracking nervously.
Edward stood up, stretching his lean, hard body out to its full six feet three inches, and extended his hand to her. "Dance with me?" She nodded eagerly and took his hand. Edward helped her to her feet effortlessly and took her into his arms. He melded her soft form to his dense muscular one as Bella's heart vaulted in her chest, and her stomach simultaneously did somersaults. Would she always react so strongly to him?
Nina crooned, it seemed, just for them.
Love me, love me, love me, say you do. Let me fly away with you...
As they slowly moved together, Bella was reminded of the first time they had danced together at Cafe Cabernet. However, this time she was glad they were not in the company of others. As Nina's plaintive wailing continued, it was as if he were making love to her to this hauntingly beautiful music. A very hard part of him was making her want to move against him restlessly, but she settled for the light kisses he feathered over her face, in her hair, and on her lips.
For my love is like the wind, and wild is the wind...
Bella felt him press her closer, his hands traversing every inch of her back with sweeping caresses that spanned from her shoulder blades to the curve of her bottom. Her head lay on his chest, hearing the thumping of his heartbeat in one ear and the crooning of Nina Simone in the other. Her fingers danced over the muscles on his back, daring to take the same liberties he had and go lower.
Give me more than one caress. Satisfy this hungriness...
Edward held her so close that as he moved, her every muscle and limb moved in tandem with his, creating a glorious friction that sent frissons of delight throughout her body. She could feel the warmth of his skin through their clothing. The peaks of her breasts pebbled and seemed to strain to touch the muscles undulating on his chest.
Let the wind blow through your heart, for wild is the wind...
She felt his breath at her ear, and he blew gently before touching his lips to that sensitive place right behind her ear. Bella moaned and pressed into him, reaching her arms up and around his neck. Edward's hands moved from her lower back to her hips where he squeezed, and the gentle rocking of his pelvis against her own made her weak in the knees. But he held her so carefully, she didn't worry about falling. Following him was so easy because he was such a skillful dancer and so strong. Any missteps she might have made due to her body's traitorous reactions, he anticipated and guided her along gracefully.
You, touch me. I hear the sound of mandolins...
Their eyes locked as Bella stroked the tendrils of hair at the nape of his neck. He pulled her closer still until his mouth hovered over hers, but he didn't claim her yet. Instead, he kissed her lightly on each cheek, leaving a tingling that sent spirals of warmth through her body. As if on cue, he finally brought his mouth to hers as Nina sang the next refrain, not missing a beat. He continued to move them along with the music as they lost themselves in the kiss.
You, kiss me. With your kiss, my life begins...
Bella opened her mouth further to give him greater access. His tongue probed her mouth thoroughly, beginning a slow mating ritual that was equal parts tormenting and satisfying. When he kissed her like that, it effectively robbed her mind of the ability to form rational thought, and all she could do was moan with pleasure and ride the waves of desire that assaulted her body as they moved sensually with the music.
You're spring to me. All things to me...
Obviously, Bella had not been paying close attention, because when she opened her eyes again, they were approaching the bedroom door. Edward lifted her one hundred fifteen pounds like it was nothing, and she wound her arms tighter around his shoulders and her legs around his hips. Supporting her bottom with one strong arm, he opened the door and danced slowly over to the bed, holding her firmly with both arms and kissing her until her head spun. At some point, his legs met the resistance of the bed and he laid her down gently. She let her legs fall open as he climbed between them and hovered to kiss her deeply, yet again.
Don't you know you're life itself. Like a leaf clings to a tree...
Boldly, she pulled him down to rest some of his weight on her, the heat and hardness of his arousal making exquisite contact at the apex of her legs. They gasped in unison and continued the dance now that they were horizontal, straining to create the hot friction that would bring them their release. Their lips never parting, they took turns squirming out of their tops. Bella opened her eyes only when Edward's hands found the clasp on her bra, and she raised herself briefly to let his fingers do their magic. Slipping quickly out of it, she felt like singing along with Nina when their naked chests touched, her nipples hardening as he brushed them gently with his firm pectorals.
Oh my darling, Cling to me...
She could feel the wetness pooling in her underwear, but she didn't care. The throbbing need in her center required sating, and Edward knew just what to do to get her there. As their kisses and caresses grew more urgent and sure, their lower bodies continued the dance almost without thought. Edward assaulted her neck first with his warm mouth, kissing and carefully sucking until she was almost insane with need. When his mouth finally descended to suckle her breasts, he was there only a few seconds before she found her release, screaming his name in a loud guttural moan. Edward quickened his pace, the sensual movements of his pelvis against her own, and she felt him grow infinitesimally harder as he thrust repeatedly against her warmth.
For we're creatures of the wind...
Clutching his shoulders and pulling his torso back down to her, Bella found a pulse point at his throat and sucked in, reveling in the slight saltiness of his skin. Edward moaned and increased his pace, yet again. Getting a brief flash of inspiration, she wet her thumbs with her tongue, splayed her hands out on Edward's chest, and found his nipples. As she swirled the pads of her thumbs across his hard nipples, he finally found his release, collapsing slightly onto her body and claiming her lips in one final hungry kiss.
And wild is the wind, so wild is the wind.
Bella felt like the kiss would go on forever, but then he finally released her swollen lips. When she opened her eyes this time, Edward wasn't smiling, but looked almost gravely serious.
"I love you so much, Isabella Swan."
~888~
E/N: Don't you just love Copward? Our boy has come a long way, hasn't he? Show him some love by showing me love ;) Hit the button below, even if all you type in is a smiley face or a frown. At least I'll know you read and either approved, or disapproved.