Morning,, Darlins! We're so glad you enjoyed the girl's night out. Let's jump on in to see the final leg of it.
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Thank you to Pamela for prereading!
-33-
Bella
July 11, 2023
Lighthouse Cove, Maine
I've never slept on a boat before.
In the past, I'd always thought the constant rocking on the surface of the water would make me sick, but it's surprisingly the opposite. I slept more soundly than I had in months.
Of course, being thoroughly exhausted probably helped too.
Edward is still asleep when I wake, and I take a moment to look at him. Our bodies are tangled together, his quilted bedspread kicked somewhere down our feet, leaving us in only the top sheet and the sunlight filtering in through the skylight over his mattress.
His skin is tanned from his days outside, but when I stop to look, I can see the faintest trace of freckles, probably left over from his childhood. I want to kiss each one.
His lashes are long and dark against his cheeks, and I can just picture his brilliant green eyes, the color of sea glass.
His thick brows are lightly furrowed in his sleep like he's dreaming of some sort of intense conversation or something. I want to press a kiss to the soft 'v' between his brows, but I resist.
He lets out a soft sigh, and my eyes travel down to his lips. His glorious, full lips are slightly parted as he sleeps. I have to really resist leaning forward and tasting those lips again.
He's got light stubble growing on his cheeks, and in the soft morning light, I can see that it's growing in the same light red/blond as his hair.
I follow the stubble over his jaw and down his neck until my eyes land on the hollow of his throat. He's on his side, his arms around me, so I have to lean back slightly to look at his strong torso.
He has a light dusting of hair over his chest and abs, and my fingers itch to run through it. Everything about Edward is so… mature… manly. It sounds so silly to think it, but I'm startlingly aware of the fact that up until now, I'd really only dated boys.
Edward is a whole new world to me.
My hands give up the fight, and my nails lightly rake across his chest, savoring the warmth and steady feel of him under my fingertips.
Edward lets out a soft breath that fans across my cheek, and my eyes flicker up to his face in time to see his eyes open.
The first look in his eyes is warm and unguarded. It makes my stomach tingle, and I find myself slinking closer to him, our knees knocking together.
"Morning," I murmur, pressing my lips to his chest. His hands slide around my back, pulling me flush against him.
"Morning," he rumbles, his voice low and gravely with sleep. It makes me shiver.
"I've never slept on a boat before," I say softly, my nose nuzzling his sternum. He hums, and it tickles me through our points of contact.
"And how was your first experience?" he asks, one hand sweeping across my back, toward my shoulder blades.
I grin. "I mean… with a workout like that, you could put me to sleep on the back of bucking bull and I'd be out like a light."
Edward laughs, and the sound is warm and rich, and makes me giggle.
"So, I wore you out?" he teases.
I huff a laugh. "Are you kidding, old man? I'm spry as a kitten. It's you we gotta worry about. Didn't pull anything trying to keep up with me, did you?" Edward is only three years older than me, and is in no way old, but I find I kind of like teasing him.
He chuckles, his face dipping down to the point where my neck meets my shoulder. He presses a kiss to my throat as his stubble brushes over my skin, causing my laugh to turn into a long moan.
My fingers sink into his hair as he presses open mouthed kisses to me.
It isn't long until I'm on top of him, fumbling to slide a condom over his gorgeous cock, desperate to feel him inside me again. The moment the condom is in place, I'm sinking over him, nearly crying because my body is definitely not used to this much sex, but it just feels so good.
My hands land on his chest as I rock over him, the pleasure building up almost immediately.
There is no sound but of our bodies coming together, our breaths turning to pants, and the waves lapping at the boat around us. Edward sits up, surprising me, and wraps his arms around me, helping me move over him as my body starts to falter.
Sex with him is on a completely different level than anything I've experienced before. He not only knows I have needs, but somehow, has already learned the signs from my body on how to meet them.
No one has ever cared so much.
I feel his fingers move over my skin, coming around to cup my breasts as his mouth takes one of my nipples between his lips. I throw my head back, my arms around his neck as I slide over him, again and again, my body shaking from exertion and mounting sensations of pleasure.
Edward's hand reaches up, gently winding around my hair, and he tugs lightly, making me gasp, my head throwing back even further. His chin scrapes over my nipple, brushing his stubble over me, and my body shatters, pleasure ebbing out of me as bright as the summer sun above us. I feel his body tense, feel him come, and I force myself to look at him, to watch as his world is momentarily obliterated by the pleasure we've built together.
He's glorious as he comes, which sounds silly, but it's truly mesmerizing to watch him. The strong, solid lines of his body, the rapture on his face, reminds me of a masterpiece by an antiquity sculpter.
Edward is beautiful.
I'm dizzy watching him, and maybe it's because I'm holding my breath, or maybe it's because watching him is like gazing into the sun.
My head falls to his shoulder, my breathing ragged as I try to find my balance once again.
…
"Alice just texted me," Edward says, as we lounge up on deck. I gaze at him from where I'm sprawled out, butt naked and sunbathing.
"What's up?" I ask.
He leans over showing me his phone.
Alice: Is Bella with you?
Edward: Yes, did you need to talk to her?
Alice: Tell her to send us a gif if she's still alive. Send two if she's been thoroughly dicked down.
I bark out a loud laugh as the text comes through, and look up at Edward, flashing him his phone. He snorts out a laugh, shaking his head. He looks slightly embarrassed, but before he can stop me, I'm pulling up his gif search bar, looking for just the right two to send back.
I find the perfect two and fire them off. I feel like I can hear the girls laughing at the house, all the way out here.
Alice: Girls night tonight?
I respond right away before closing Edward's phone and handing it to him. "Thanks," I tell him.
He nods, tossing it across the deck.
"What are they up to today?" he asks.
I shrug. "No idea," I say with a small yawn. "Though I'm sure they're both in a similar boat I am." I stop and giggle. "Metaphorically speaking, of course."
Edward laughs quietly and I gaze up at him. "Do you work today?"
He nods and sits up beside me, reaching into a cooler for two water bottles. He holds one out to me in offering and I sit up, taking it eagerly. I'm fucking parched.
"Yeah, tonight. Though I usually don't have that many calls on Tuesday nights."
I nod and crack the bottle, taking a sip. It's cold and crisp, and immediately makes me shiver.
"Any chance you'll be able to take us to the mainland?" I ask, capping my water.
Edward nods. "Sure, what time?"
I shake my head. "I'm not sure. The girls are talking about a night out."
Edward smiles. "That sounds fun," he says thoughtfully. "You three usually have a few of those out here," he says after a moment.
I shrug. "I guess when we don't have hunky men to distract us," I tease.
Edward flashes me a smile that makes my heart beat a touch faster.
"I think it'll be good for you to spend some time with your girls," he says softly. I don't take that any which way except for as the truth.
…
Eventually, Edward and I head into shore. I only have my bikini on me, so Edward loans me one of his shirts to walk home in.
He doesn't know it, but he's never getting this shirt back.
We part ways at the dock so he can get some errands done before his shift starts and I can go home and rest before my night out with the girls.
I enjoy the walk back to the house, even though I'm barefoot and look well and thoroughly fucked.
The time alone, even as short as the walk is, is nice. It's almost hard to wrap my head around the last twenty-four hours, but I try in the small window I have alone.
My mind tries to process everything, tries to understand what the feelings in me are called, but I just don't know.
The only one I can name, is happy. I'm happy.
In a way I haven't been in a very long time.
By the time I get to the house, I can't wipe the smile off my face.
I find the girls in the living room, and the greet me with cheers. I respond with some stupid imitation of a touch down dance that actually makes me wince because I am quite sore.
Eventually, I throw myself into an arm chair facing the girls.
"So?" Alice prompts, practically brimming with her joy.
I snicker. "So?" I feign innocence.
Rose chucks a throw pillow at me. I catch it, laughing.
"How was the ride."
I sniff. "His sailboat is beautiful," I say. "And fucking huge."
The girls cackle.
"I knew he had to be packing," Rose says, shaking her head. "Guys that look like him and Carlisle always pack."
I smirk, taking her word for it.
"And you're not panicking?" Alice asks, trying to check in with my mental state.
I look at her and let out a breath. "I'm always panicking," I tell her, throwing my bare legs over the side of the chair. "But no. I'm taking this moment by moment." It still makes me a little nervous, but I'm determined to override my fear on this.
"Good for you," Alice hums, her smile spreading over her lips.
I nod. "So, girls night?" I ask, wanting to shift the subject off me. The girls tell me what they've already planned, and I grin, happy to be plotting with them once again.
We're in for one hell of a night.
…
I'm comfortably buzzed by the time the girls and I are making our way down toward the docks. We've had the best time, giggling like we were in college again as we got ready. I didn't realize how much I missed spending time with them until now.
We need more time together.
The guys are sitting on the ferry when we arrive, and I feel a small thrum of excitement when I see Edward smiling behind the helm.
He stands when he sees us approach, and holds a hand out, helping us onto the boat one at a time.
I board last, and when I tumble on deck, I collide with his chest, giggling.
"Started the party early?" Edward asks, amusement coloring his voice.
"Yup," I say, popping my lips. "But don't worry, I'm saving plenty of party for you later." I slip my hand into the back pocket of his jeans, squeezing his ass. He jumps slightly in surprise before letting out a chuckle.
"Yo! Make out on your own time!" Emmett hollars.
I flip him off, even as I let Edward go. "Come here," Edward says, gently taking my wrist. He has me sit on the captain's chair, and I can't help grinning as I wind my arms around his chest, pressing my face against his back. I feel him chuckle as he starts the boat up.
I don't know what everyone else is doing, I only have eyes for Edward as he skillfully navigates us away from the island.
Once we're on our course, Edward glances at me, shifting so that one of his arms is around my shoulders.
"Can I drive?" I ask.
Edward shakes his head. "Not tipsy."
I pout, but then smile, grateful he's so responsible.
The ride to the mainland isn't nearly long enough, and I spend most of the time feeling up Edward.
By the time he's pulling us into the dock in Brighton Bay, he looks like he might ravage me right here infront of our friends.
The state I'm in, I really wouldn't mind.
"A toast!" Ali calls, effectively cutting off the tension. As she always does, Ali does an impeccable job at bringing the group together, and after we drink and dock the boat, Edward turns to me, a smile on his lips.
"You going to be okay tonight?" he asks, when he sees me stumble a little.
"Yup," I say again, even though the alcohol is definitely pumping through me right now. "Except, one thing," I say, beckoning him toward me. He steps in my direction, and my arms wind around him, my hands slipping up his back under his shirt. I feel him shiver, and I grin. "I'm sparing you having to hear my seagull screeching in karaoke tonight," I joke, making him laugh. "But that doesn't mean I don't want to hear you sing some time."
Edward's eyebrow quirks up in surprise. "What makes you think I can sing?" he asks.
I shrug, my nails lightly raking across his back as I push up on my tiptoes, my lips brushing his ear.
"Because of the way you moan," I breathe.
I feel more than hear the sound he makes, deep in his chest. He lets out a tight breath as I press a kiss to the corner of his jaw then slip down his body.
"Have fun with the boys," I giggle, jumping up to kiss his cheek before I let him go.
I can hear him huff a laugh as I scramble off the boat and join the girls on the dock.
…
When I compared myself to a seagull to Edward, I wasn't that far off. Sober, I can usually at least carry a tune without dropping it too much, but drunk, there is no hope. My range is everywhere, and the more into a song I get, the more chaotically I sing.
Fortunately, no one in the bar is much better—except Alice, who might have missed her calling as a pop star.
The beauty of karaoke though, is no one actually expects us to be good as we blast the hits, and we each make up in enthusiasm what we lack in talent.
It's during our group performance, in which I'm convinced we're all certain we're our own spice girl, that I notice Edward come into the bar with Jasper and Emmett.
Watching Edward from up on stage makes me hot. Not because of the lights or embarrassment. No, I'm hot thinking about how fucking sexy he is.
I bet he can really sing.
The girls and I wrap up our performance with flourishes and high notes that are probably closer to glass shattering screeches. When we're done, we tumble from the stage laughing.
I stumble across the floor, knocking into only one empty chair before I'm landing in Edward's arms.
"Hi," I giggle looking up at him.
"Hi," he chuckles. "Having fun?"
I hum. "The funnest," I confirm. "Will you serenade me?"
Edward glances up at the stage where a drunk guy is crying Piano Man into the microphone.
"I think the stage is a little full," he says, the smile on his face amused.
I lean my head against his chest. "Next time," I sigh, inhaling the scent of him. That lemon makes my mouth water, and I turn and press my nose into his chest. "Fuck, why do you smell so good?" I demand.
"What?" Edward asks, letting out a surprised laugh.
"You smell like lemon and salt and sex," I moan, my eyes shutting as I shove my face toward his armpit.
He lets out a laugh, squirming under me. "I use lemon oil to clean my boat," he says, winding his arms around me. Part of me wonders if he's trying to hold me, and part of me recognizes he's trying to keep me from burrowing under his skin.
"I like it," I tell him, leaning against his chest and letting out a soft breath.
"Are you ready to go?" Edward asks, leaning down to press a kiss to my cheek.
I hum. "Will you find the girls?" I ask, my head spinning slightly.
"Jasper and Emmett are helping them. Come on, let's get you back on the boat."
Edward gently spins me around, guiding me out of the bar and into the warm summer night. The air smells like salt and cigarette smoke, and I scowl.
"This place doesn't smell like your boat," I complain.
Edward chuckles. "Because we're not there yet," he says softly. "Come on. The walk will help sober you up."
Except, it does the exact opposite. By the time we're on the dock, I'm giggling like a maniac, challenging Edward to do any and everything that pops into my head.
"Could you catch me in midair if I fell into the water?" I ask, teetering toward the edge.
Edward swears, and in a moment I'm being swung around onto his back. I let out a surprised squeal as he urges my legs and arms to clamp around him.
"Hold on to me, Bella," he says with a laugh. I press a kiss to his throat and try to snuggle into him as much as I can.
Somehow, we all end up back on the boat in one piece. Once Edward has the motor going and the boat is pushing away from the dock, he turns to me, perched on his captain's chair.
"How are you doing?" he asks, reaching out with one hand and brushing my loose hair away.
"Peachy," I grin.
His responding smile is soft and warm.
"Will you stay with me tonight?" I ask, reaching out to touch his chest.
"Yes," he says gently.
My arms curl around him as his move around me, and I take a breath, eyes closing as I sink into the warmth and comfort that is all Edward.