Chapter Nine
"What are you doing again?" Bella asked, leaning against the van. A couple of days after their trip to Oceano, Edward and his friends decided to try deep-sea fishing. It was costly, but so far, expenses had been limited since they ate mostly at Bella's or their place. They'd gone grocery shopping at the closest Hellmart, saving them even more money.
Edward couldn't blame Bella for her confusion; it was not even five in the morning. She sipped from his thermal coffee cup and hummed.
"Deep-sea fishing," Edward said. Alec suggested it, said it was fun. He had some doubts, but they all wanted to try something new. He caged her against the van, as they waited for the rest of guys to get ready. He loved that she had come to see him off, with coffee and a warmed up sticky bun that they shared.
She looked good sleepy-eyed and warm, dressed in his t-shirt. He wanted to know what else she was wearing under the thick blanket she had tucked around her. The guys would see though, and Bella's sleepwear was for his eyes only.
"What are you ladies up to?" He bent enough to skim his lips over her neck; she always smelled so fucking good there. His forearms rested on the van, on each side of her head. Fuck, he wanted to kiss her so bad.
"We're going shopping, probably in Pismo. I think I need a new bikini." She smiled up at him, riling him up on purpose. Ever since they had that awkward as fuck talk about their experience with sex, she'd been a lot more open to him.
The wall she had before was almost gone, but something was holding them both back. The future, it was something they always avoided. He had no idea if she planned to go to college, which he thought she should. She was fucking smart. If she did plan to head to college in a couple of months, what was her major? Did she have one? He had feeling it had to do with the environment, because she loved to watch that shit all the time on television.
For him, it was the fact that he was falling for her. He probably tripped when she called him captain and had been stumbling ever since. He was no Alec or James, who had more hookups than they had friends. Edward only had two prior girlfriends, fooled around with a couple of dates since then, but not much.
Edward wasn't the love and move on type like his brother. Bella wasn't, either.
Should they go further? Did she feel the same? Or as confused? He never questioned himself as much as he had in the last few days. It was fucking crazy. She had to know he wanted her, but did she know how he was starting to feel about her?
Something in his expression probably turned serious, because concern flooded into her sienna eyes. She touched his lip with her thumb, her way of asking for a kiss. His eyes on hers, he licked the tip of it, watching her eyes go darker. Her mouth fell open, a sexy sound escaping when he sucked her thumb for a second, letting it fall when he bent to kiss her.
The kiss wasn't as tentative as their first, or desperate as their last few. It was familiar, warm, and perfect send off before he went out to sea. He jokingly whispered to her his thoughts when they pulled away, making her laugh.
"You are too cute," she teased, pressing her pretty lips against his day old scruff. "Stay with me tonight." It was his turn to take the couch; he didn't mind since she joined him halfway through the night the last time. "In my room," she said softly.
Edward's breath shuddered out of him, because he knew what she was asking. He pressed his forehead to hers, closing his eyes as he tried to control his reaction. The guys would be walking through the front door of the house any minute; they'd never let him hear the end of it if they caught him sporting a semi.
"We could have dinner," she murmured, playing with the zipper of his windbreaker. That was not helping him, at all. "Angela is planning on staying with Alec in Morro Bay. We'll have the place to ourselves."
Riker growled at their feet, holding up the tennis ball Edward thrown earlier. John, Edward's neighbor, who had lost his beloved golden retriever the year before, had offered to watch Riker while they were going on trips where the dog wasn't able to join him. But that morning, Bella was taking Riker to the beach before dropping him off to go shopping with Angela. "The three of us," she added, laughing.
"Riker, buddy, I love you, but you have bad timing," Edward said, kneeling to take the slobbery ball and rubbing the dog's ears. Bella laughed, a little huskier than usual because she was still sleepy. She needed a couple more hours of sleep, because she'd need her energy for later.
"Guys! Time to go." Edward returned his attention to his girl and leaned in real close. Her breathing deepened, making him chuckle against her neck. Then he placed the ball in her hand.
She yelped and made a face, slapping his arm repeatedly. "Oh, you are so gross!" Riker happily agreed with her, wagging his tail and barking at Edward. She tossed the ball and tried to wipe her hand on his jeans. They were wrapped tightly together, laughing as the guys finally made it out to join them.
"Whose fucking idea was this anyway?" Eric asked; his usual neat black hair was a mess.
"Alec's," James stated, punching Edward's arm before taking the keys from him. It was his turn to drive for the entire day, and remain sober. They had no plans to drink on the boat since they were under age. No one had ever been deep-sea fishing and didn't want to risk puking their guts out if they snuck alcohol on the boat, either.
"Morning, ladies," Alec said, sounding bright and chipper. It was fucking unfair how much of a morning person he was. The guys gave him shit as they piled into the van, waiting for Edward to finish up with Bella.
She turned to Alec. "You hurt Angela, I'll hurt you," she stated, giving him a look that had Alec stepping back.
"I won't."
Alec had confessed the night before that he'd always been attracted to smart girls, but hadn't gone after them for a reason. Most didn't take him seriously. They saw his good looks and arrogance, and instantly thought he didn't have two brain cells to knock together. Very few people knew he was going to MIT in the fall. He'd been waiting for someone not to judge him instantly as most often did. Angela hadn't and had seen through the bullshit. It scared Edward's cousin, but not enough to avoid Angela.
Another kiss from Bella and they were off. Edward's anticipation was through the roof, but he had to tone it down and enjoy a day with his friends.
.
.
.
"Come on, Riker," Bella called from the towel she was lying on. It was Monday and the beach wasn't as full as it had been during the weekend. A few stranglers lingered, but most had hit the road the afternoon before. She had come out to the beach to read, the sun peeking occasionally from behind gray clouds throughout the morning. Angela had yet to wake up, and for once, Bella was grateful.
She knew Edward, all the good and bad of his past, but nothing about the future. A part of her knew they had purposely avoided the subject. She had never expect to start falling for someone during her stay. Edward made it easy, by being himself.
Far from perfect, the little flaws made him even more desirable. He snored like a bear if he slept on his back. Around his friends, he cursed a lot, but she didn't really care. She grew up with others her age that did the same. He had the nasty habit of biting the inside of his cheek, and tugging on his hair when he was frustrated. He had a temper that flared up too fast, sometimes out of nowhere, but never toward her.
He respected her in a way she'd never seen, aside from Angela and family. Other than drinking a little too much a few nights before, she'd never seen him touch anything else. There were plenty of drugs available during the bonfires and parties from outsiders, but it seemed his friends knew better than to have it in the house. They had a respect for him that she'd rarely seen outside her own friendship with Angela.
His singing voice was hot as hell, and something he rarely shared. He would play his guitar for others, but only sang for her. After hearing him sing Silent Lucidity and Sex and Candy, she wondered how she'd managed to keep from jumping him already. She wanted him, despite the uncertainty.
Tonight.