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11

I collapse onto his chest, breath fast and heart thundering. He kisses my hair as we catch our breath and my heart clenches at the contact. I don't know where all these feelings are coming from.

His fingers trace the curve of my cheek and I look at him, his green eyes soft, and an an equally soft smile lifting the corner of his lips. While these new found feelings are putting me into a tailspin, I'm comfortable with him like this, which is not something I expected. Maybe I should be running, but I can't find it in me to go. There's a fear in the back of my mind that we've just ruined our friendship and stomach plummets, because I can't imagine him not in my life. He's been my best friend my entire life.

"I think we need a shower." He finally says, breaking the silence that had fallen between us.

I let him pull me from the bed, where I leave the dark thoughts behind, and to his en suite bathroom. We take our time, lathering each other, our hands roaming, but it wasn't in a sexual way. It was connection. I don't know what it's going to be like between us after tonight, but I know I will remember it forever, and I don't regret it.

My stomach growls when he's drying me off, making him laugh. "I need to feed you."

I shrug, feigning nonchalance. "I mean, we did work up an appetite."

"Smart ass." He rolls his eyes. The moment is so normal, like any other conversation we would have any other time. Maybe we would be okay after this.

When we're back in his bedroom, he goes over to one of his dresser drawers, taking out a t-shirt, handing it to me. I drop the towel and put it on. It falls mid-thigh. Edward stands in front of me, a towel wrapped around his waist, heat in his gaze.

"I like you in my clothes." His eyes take me in, lighting me on fire.

Once he's pulled his boxer briefs back on, I follow him to the kitchen, taking a seat on one of the bar stools at his island, watching as he digs around in his freezer, taking out a box of frozen waffles.

"This okay?" he asks, shaking the box.

I laugh, nodding. "It's perfect."

I watch him as he moves around the kitchen, putting the waffles in the toaster. I'm struck by how easy it would be to be with him. I can see us eating frozen waffles in the middle of the night and cuddling on the couch watching shitty TV movies. It would be so easy for me to fall in love with him. Too easy. And that scares me.

Unaware of my internal struggle, Edward puts the waffles on a plate, covering them with butter and syrup. When he turns, placing the plate between us and handing me a fork, I try to keep everything that I'm feeling off my face, because I'm nowhere near ready to talk about it. Jake and I just broke up, I need time to process that lose and my new feelings for the man in front of me on my own before I try to talk to anyone else about it.

"I'm scared, too." He says after we'd been eating in silence for a while. I look at him, seeing everything once again reflected back at me. "We don't have to figure it out right now."

"I'm afraid of losing you." I admit, using the fork to play with a piece of waffle so I don't have to look at him.

He sets his down, coming around the island, taking my face in his hands. "You won't lose me. Ever."

I like commanding Edward, but I think I like soft Edward even more.

Tears prick my eyes at his words, these feelings becoming overwhelming. I grip the back of his neck, bringing his lips to mine, pouring everything I feel into the kiss. I hear him suck in a breath through his nose, his kiss matching the fervor of mine.

When his lips go to my neck, mine find his ear, whispering words that will seal my fate.

"Make love to me."

See you tomorrow!