Thirty-Eight

B

Rosalie's phone rings while we're wrapping up the night, and she excuses herself with a red face.

"I'd bet my wedding dress budget that it's Emmett. He's so smitten." Alice giggles.

Edward pulls me closer. "You should know to never bet against Alice," he whispers in my ear, rubbing his three-day-old scruff onto my skin, making me shiver. "I missed you last night."

I burrow into his side. "Ditto."

I barely slept so I deep cleaned my bedroom. I also chastised myself for being so codependent. We haven't been together for very long, and I just want to be with him. Always. And I know Edward feels the same just by how he acts.

When Rosalie returns, stumbling through the backdoor with a shy smile, we all wait with anticipation.

"So ... that was Emmett. He wanted to know if I wanted to get a drink with him." She turns to me with a frown. "We had plans."

"To sit around, drinking wine coolers and watching the Pitch Perfect movies." I scoff.

"Yeah, but—"

"But nothing. You better have said yes and that you'll see him in twenty."

Alice is bouncing in place, clapping her hands in excitement. "This is great! I love that he doesn't want to wait until Friday to see you. How adorable is he?"

Rose chuckles and offers to drive me home so she can change real quick and Edward steps in.

"l'll see to it that Bella gets home safely." He eyes me. "If you want to have one last beer with these two losers."

"That sounds good."

I walk Rosalie out and warn her that I more than likely will have a guest over tonight. "If you even come home, that is." I wink.

"It's not like that," she defends, and her face softens. "Thanks for bringing me tonight. Alice and Jasper seem like good people, and Edward ..."

I bite my bottom lip and prepare for her to drop a bomb on me. "Edward is what?"

Rosalie smiles so wide I can see her molars. "I really like him. He's a little intense, but I can see how much he cares for you. You deserve the world, and I know Edward would do anything to give it to you."

"He really would. I lucked out that day I got fired."

"Okay, come give me a hug and maybe rub some of that good fortune on me."

I laugh and wait for her car to disappear before joining everyone in the back yard. I decline the beer and ask for water instead because I'm already buzzed, and I'd like to ride the mellow. I never was the party type, so I don't drink often, and when I do, I don't let myself get too far gone.

Alice is settled in Jasper's lap on a chaise lounge, and I sit between Edward's legs with my back against his chest. He wraps his arm around my middle and pulls me tight, sighing when we're sandwiched together.

Alice breaks her own rule and tells us about the recent wedding planning fiascos she and Jasper have been dealing with as of late.

We're laughing about the perils of cake tasting, which kind of sounds like fun, when Jackson wakes up. He's a cute baby, a perfect mix of Alice's elfin features and Jasper's fair complexion and hair.

Baby Jack adores his uncle Edward and clings to him after his diaper change. He's only nine months old but screeches in baby babble, demanding attention. Edward dotes on him, talking to him like he's a full-grown man. I find it very sexy.

When Alice settles down to feed Jack, Edward decides to call it a night, and she tells him she packed some leftovers and the rest of the cake for him.

"It's too much temptation to have that in my house while I'm trying to get into better shape," she jokes.

Edward, having enjoyed two slices of cake, is ecstatic to take the rest home. We say our goodbyes and head out. I'm surprised when he makes a left instead of the right that would take me to my apartment. When I ask, he turns to me with a bashful expression.

"I promised to take you home; that's exactly what I'm doing."

"Edward." I sigh, and he reaches over to grab my hand.

"I want to be your home, Bella."

"You are becoming that, but I think we're moving a little too fast sometimes. Like we're going to wake up one day and be unable to catch up with it. Does that make sense or do I sound mental?"

"No, baby. You're right. I can take you home if you want, but I had plans for you."

"Plans?"

"Uh-huh, you, me, and a couple of towels. You spread out on my bed and me eating carrot cake off your delectable body."

"That sounds exciting and messy." I hum.

"Or I could drop you off and go home to eat the cake straight out of the box. How boring."

"Indeed. Maybe I should save you from the boredom and come home with you."

Edward steps on the gas and squeezes my hand.

He insists that he can get the room ready, and I insist that I take a shower first.

"We're going to make a mess, so what's the point?" he asks and grabs a few large, fluffy towels out of the linen closet.

"The point is I spent the day cleaning, running errands, and baking with Rose. I feel gross that you're going to be doing ... what you plan on doing."

"Fine. You go do that, and I'll wait for you." He presses a firm kiss to my lips and leaves me, stopping to give me a warning. "Don't make me wait too long."

Luckily, Edward, my sweet man, encouraged me to fill the first shelf in his bathroom with my necessities. My shampoo, conditioner, and body wash sit next to his in the shower. I start the water and grab a razor because it's been a couple days, and I don't want to dampen the mood with stubbly legs.

Excitement for tonight fills my body while I shave my legs. We're quite adventurous in the bedroom, but this is new. I'm starting to notice that Edward enjoys messy sex. I'm not going to complain because I happily reap the benefits.

I'm drying off when he taps on the door. "I'm just checking on you."

"I'm fine. I'll be out in a second."

The night is messy but also one of the best times we've had so far.

True to his word, Edward polishes off the rest of the cake, using me as a plate, driving me mad with want, and screwing me until I stop breathing and literally pass out.