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Word Prompt: Spiral
Dialogue Flex: "Balance is the key."
Edward slides his lips to my ear. "Hey," he whispers.
My eyes open slowly. "Hey."
But he doesn't say anything else. He just backs up and looks at me, smiling a little.
"I've wanted to kiss you for along time," I say, and my voice shakes just a little.
"You didn't kiss me," he says, running his thumb over my lip. "I kissed you."
More staring, searching each other's eyes. I fist his shirt and pull him back, kissing him again. He wraps his arms around me, holding me close, big hands warm on my back. It's slow, and wet. And so good.
A little too good. Rein it in, girl. Rein it in! I end it before I lose control, kissing the corner of his mouth.
Averting my eyes, I loosen my grip. "Do you...still want tea?"
His lips curve. "Not really."
"Yeah, me neither." We're definitely not having wine, though, either. Not after...all of that. It's been a long time for me and guys like Edward don't come around often...kissing could spiral right into counter sex and with my luck Em and Rose would be banging on the door and then Em would remember his extra key...
Blinking, I yank myself back to reality right in time to catch the Edward's glance at the clock again.
"Do you have to go?"
"Do you want me to go?" he asks, inclining his head toward the door.
"No." I bite my lip, forcing myself past this adolescent-esque nervousness. "We could...hang out. Watch a movie? I have to stay up - I'm babysitting for Em and Rose. They'll be here in a bit."
"A movie sounds good." He nods, and if the thought of my brother seeing him affects him, he doesn't show it.
And honestly, I don't think it does bother Em. It comes down to having things I want to keep to myself, no conversations or explanations or big reveals. I want this to be mine for awhile, whether this was a one time deal or the beginning of something.
I can't lie: I want it to be a beginning.
Grabbing two bottles of water, we return to the living room, where I motion for him to sit while I look for the remote.
"Ouch," he mutters, shifting off of a dinosaur hiding between the pillows. He holds up the remote, too.
"Sorry; this place is a mess."
"I've seen way worse," he says, shrugging. "At least you can blame it on the kids."
"Why, are you the messy type?" I tease, sitting beside him. I leave a little space between us, though really I want to be all up on him. What did Rose say last week? Climb him like a tree?
Edward smirks at me.
"What?" I ask, my face warm as I realize that yet again I've spaced out.
"Where d'you go?" he asks, gently taking the remote and turning the TV on.
Covering my face, I laugh. "I...I totally get lost in my head. I'm sorry, Edward. It's a bad habit, and one I've had since I was a kid."
"I can think of worse habits," he says.
"Like what, picking your nose?"
Snorting, he sits back, resting his arm along the back of the couch. "Among other things."
We fall silent again. Hyper-aware of his eyes on me, I scroll through my movie channels. Seems he hasn't seen anything. Like, at all.
"I'm usually too busy," he says, running his free hand through his hair. "This is nice, though. It's good to relax."
One of the Bourne movies is on, and those are always awesome. We settle in to it, watching and commenting from time to time. It feels natural, being here with him.
Edward's thumb brushes back and forth over the back of my neck. It's so soft it almost tickles, but mainly it just turns me on. I finally glance over at him, only to find he's already watching me.
"Come here," he murmurs.
"Or you could come here."
It's all the invitation he needs. He slides on over, takes my face between his hands, and kisses me like we never stopped.
Rose's tired smile transforms into a full on Cheshire cat grin when she spies Edward on the couch. Her eyes flicker back to me, no doubt taking in my pink cheeks and messy hair.
"Well hello, Edward," she purrs, pushing past me. "Looks like you got roped into babysitting duty too, huh?"
"It was my pleasure," he says, and I couldn't be more mortified with these two if I tried.
"Okay, so, they're in Charlie's room," I say to Rose, pointing down the hall.
Emmet strides in right then, nodding at Edward. "Hey, man. You back already?"
Edward stands, and they perform a man hug, complete with a mutual back thumps. "Yeah. Opted for an earlier flight."
Em nods, glancing over at me. "Cool."
I keep my eyes trained on him. "Yup."
"All right, lemme grab these two," he says, disappearing down the hallway, Rose in tow.
I sit back down beside Edward, not bothering to leave any space this time.
Charlie eyes my coffee mug with great interest. "Mom. That's Peppa."
"I know." Nodding, I take another sip of coffee. "It was a present."
"A present?"
"Yup."
"A birthday present?"
"No, just a present." I peek at her. "From Edward."
"A birthday present from Edward?"
"My birthday is in September, baby. This was just a nice every day present."
She frowns. "But I love Peppa."
I hide my smile behind my mug. "I love Peppa, too."
After dropping her to school, I head over to Rose's. She's been hell bent on getting me my own gym membership, so today's the day. We make small talk while she gets ready, grabbing water bottles and towels.
"You need to get your own towel," she says, as we get into her truck.
"Why, when you always provide so readily?"
"Mhm." She reverses out of the driveway, glancing at me. "So, what happened with Edward last night?"
I turn my face toward the window. "We kissed."
"I knew it! I told Emmett...I could so tell. You looked...well kissed when you answered the door."
"What does that even mean?" I chuckle, shaking my head.
"Just. Guilty and blushy and...messy."
"Sounds like three of the seven dwarfs..."
"Anyway, it's about time. Wow." She sighs, drumming her fingers on the steering wheel. "How was it?"
"So good. I wanted to throw him down on my carpet and go."
"Haha!" she cackles. "Well, good for you. He's so hot, Bella. You deserve a little fun."
Her choice of words makes my belly churn with uncertainty. "I...I don't know if I want fun, though. I mean I want it, but it's not all I want. See, this is why I don't date. I'm going to come on too strong and he'll think I'm a psycho looking for a dad for Charlie -"
"Is that what you're looking for?"
"No! Jeez. I can't even think that far ahead."
She touches my hand. "I think it's good that you're careful. Whoever you date will inevitably be a part of Charlie's life. Edward already is - I think she has a little crush." She snorts. "As much as a three year old can crush."
Images of last night wash over me. I can't regret it - I don't. I want it again and again, and I want more. But I don't want to deal with the aftermath if things go south. Or if he leaves.
"What if he goes back to playing soccer?" I ask, staring at my hands.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."
I side eye her. "I can't wait til we get to it."
The gym appears up ahead, and Rose gets into the turning lane. "Look. Like with anything worthwhile, there's going to be a risk. But you can't live this half-life of fear and loneliness just because you're afraid of getting hurt.
"Okay, Oprah."
"Shut up, Bella. Just roll with it. Balance with key, right? You can enjoy yourself and have a relationship without planning a white wedding. Just -"
"I know, I know. Just chill."
She pulls into a space and jumps out, meeting me at my side. "I get it, okay. I think you're totally right to take it slow and be careful. You are an amazing Mom."
Her unexpected words make my eyes prickle with tears. "Thanks."
"I'm serious. I just want you to enjoy your life."
"I do enjoy it." I give her hand a squeeze and we make our way inside.
My eyes drift automatically toward the weights as we walk past. Edward's there, and he's got a shirt on today, which is too bad but apparently a gym rule. He's doing legs, but when our eyes meet he slows to a stop.
I'm already walking his way, leaving Rose behind.
xoxoxoxo