Note: I know I said this was the big chapter, but it ended up being too big—over 14K words! And I'm still improving and expanding the back end of it, and honestly, it felt like too much sex to get through in one sitting. We're not all vampires with insatiable appetites, after all. So, I've decided to break it up. Don't worry, though—you won't have to wait long. I'll post the second part tomorrow and the final part on Monday.
Chapter 76: Fun and Games
Bella's hand stretched forward, her fingers nearly brushing the edge of Edward's jacket. Just as she thought she had him, he surged ahead in a blur of speed, leaving her grasping at air. In an instant, he was twenty feet ahead, a flash of pale against the dark expanse of the mountains. She smirked, shaking her head as she pushed herself harder, determined to close the gap. He was toying with her, letting her think she could catch him, only to pull away at the last second—again and again. She knew Edward could leave her in the dust if he wanted to—but where was the fun in that?
They darted through the Olympic Mountain range together, weaving through towering evergreens and skimming over rocky trails with effortless grace. The moon hung high above, its silvery light casting the forest in an ethereal glow. Every detail stood out in perfect clarity—the glint of damp moss on tree trunks, the faint stir of nocturnal creatures startled by their passing.
Occasionally, they paused on a mountaintop, standing shoulder to shoulder as they took in the sweeping views of the wilderness below. The air was crisp, and the stars shimmered against the velvet sky, untouched by the haze of city lights. It was a quiet celebration of freedom and companionship, no words were needed.
Eventually, they reached a sprawling lake, its surface smooth as glass, mirroring the night sky in perfect symmetry. Bella smiled at the sight, a playful glint in her eyes as she yelled to Edward, who was still ten feet ahead. "Let me show you something. Stick close to me—don't push forward or fall behind. Trust me, you won't like what happens if you do."
Edward slowed just enough to fall into step beside her, curiosity evident in his glance. Bella didn't explain, only offered a mischievous smile before veering toward the lake. As they neared the shoreline, she focused, placing her shields directly on the water's surface. The effect was instantaneous: they were literally running on water.
Edward's shock was palpable as he adjusted his stride to stay within her shield's range. The sensation was unlike anything he'd experienced—each step impossibly light, leaving only the faintest ripples in their wake. The lake stretched out like a mirrored highway, the stars above shattering and reforming with every step.
When they reached the far side, Bella came to a halt, her eyes alight with exhilaration as she watched Edward slow to a graceful stop beside her. For a moment, they stood at the water's edge, the cool breeze rustling through their hair as they looked back at the shimmering path they'd left behind.
"Well, that was freaky," Edward finally said, his voice carrying equal parts wonder and amusement.
Bella laughed, the sound rich and unrestrained. "It was." She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a quick hug. Her lips brushed his ear, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I like being freaky."
Before he could respond, she stepped back, her grin widening. "Come on, the night is young!" she called, her laughter echoing as she took off again, Edward right behind her.
Their playful antics soon morphed into friendly competitions. Who could reach the mountaintop first? Bella's competitive spirit refused to waver, even though she knew Edward was faster—far faster. Speed was his advantage, but determination was hers, and she wasn't about to back down.
One race turned into another as they moved seamlessly across the state, the night stretching out before them like an endless playground. Each challenge brought new laughter and renewed energy, pushing them further, faster. By the time they reached Mount Rainier National Park, the crisp mountain air filling their lungs, Edward had proposed a new game: tag.
The rules were simple: if Bella managed to tag him, she would get to choose their next destination after visiting Carlisle and his family. Edward's smirk when he made the suggestion had been pure confidence, his near crimson eyes gleaming with mischief. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Bella had accepted on the spot.
For the past fifty miles, she had been chasing him relentlessly. Time and again, she'd come agonizingly close—close enough to feel the faint ripple of his movement just beyond her reach—but every time, Edward would surge forward, pulling away as effortlessly as a shadow slipping out of her grasp.
The terrain was a blur of jagged peaks, dense evergreens, and winding trails. Bella pushed herself harder, her focus sharp, the cool wind rushing past her as her feet barely skimmed the ground. She refused to let frustration creep in; instead, she channeled her determination, watching Edward's form as he weaved through the trees ahead of her, a pale streak in the moonlight.
Finally, she threw her hands up in mock surrender. "Okay, okay—you win!" she called out, her voice carrying through the still night. "Stop already, will you?"
Edward stopped on a dime, spinning gracefully to face her. The sudden halt was so effortless it almost made her laugh. She came to a stop beside him, her breathing as steady as ever.
"Fifty miles," she muttered, her tone laced with dry humor as she brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. "Fifty miles, Edward. And I didn't even get close enough to grab your jacket."
His crooked grin was impossible to resist, his eyes dancing with amusement. He didn't gloat, but the spark of triumph in his expression was unmistakable. Bella rolled her eyes, but a smirk tugged at her lips despite herself.
"I hope you're happy, Edward," she began, her tone a perfect blend of mock irritation and teasing playfulness. Her lips curved into a sly smile. "I was going to suggest a secluded island in the tropics—somewhere we could sunbathe all day without prying eyes. Naturally, I planned to be completely nude the entire time." She leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Just between you and me, I think I'm looking a little pale."
Leaning back, her smile widened. "But alas, you're too damn fast, and now all my dreams of happy, naked fun time with you have gone up in smoke." She shrugged theatrically, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she watched Edward's expression shift. That fleeting moment of realization crossing his impossibly handsome face of —'oh no, what have I done'—was all the confirmation she needed that her words had hit their mark.
"Wait a second," Edward murmured, his voice low and deliberate as he closed the distance between them. His hands slid to her waist, pulling her closer until her body molded against his. His lips brushed against the curve of her neck, his words a heated murmur. "I guess I can be accommodating and let you choose our next destination." His kisses lingered, deepening as he felt her body react. The soft moan that escaped her lips sent a rush of desire coursing through him.
Bella's resolve faltered, her instincts taking over as her arms looped around Edward's shoulders. In one fluid motion, she jumped up, her legs wrapping around his waist. The feel of him against her—his strength, his warmth, the intoxicating closeness—ignited something primal within her. Her heaving chest pressed against his, and for a moment, she forgot everything but him.
"Oh no," she panted, her breath hot against his jaw as she tried to steady herself. "I need to earn that reward fairly." Tilting her head, she caught his mouth in a kiss, fierce and consuming, her fingers tangling in his hair as she pulled him impossibly closer. When she finally broke away, her ruby eyes smoldered as they searched his face.
"Don't worry," she murmured, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "There are plenty of other ways to challenge you. Ways where you won't stand a chance." Her smirk deepened, playful and confident, as her gaze danced over him. "We should spar sometime. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm particularly good at it."
Leaning back slightly, her hands glided down his chest, her fingers tracing lazy circles over the fabric of his shirt. "Honestly, you've been distracting me so much these past few weeks, I've gotten out of practice." Her eyes gleamed with wicked intent. "But when I win…" Her smirk turned devilish. "Imagine all the wonderful things I'll make you do…"
"That does sound interesting," Edward said, his voice thoughtful yet tinged with curiosity. "Carlisle was never one for violence, so I've never had any training in fighting. But I'd like to learn." His fingers intertwined with Bella's as they began walking through the forest, the soft crunch of leaves beneath their feet blending with the quiet rustle of the trees.
Bella glanced up at him, her smile growing as her mind lingered on his words. The thought of teaching Edward how to fight stirred her competitive streak, and she was more than ready to show him the ropes when the time came. But not tonight.
He looked devastatingly appealing under the moonlight, his sharp features softened by its glow, his copper hair catching faint hints of silver in the light. Every small gesture—the way his thumb brushed over her knuckles, the faint upward curve of his lips—drew her closer. Bella's heart, though long since silent, felt like it was racing. She needed their relationship to deepen, to move to the next level, or she feared she might explode from the longing that had been building between them.
Stopping abruptly, she turned toward him, her hand still clasped in his as her eyes locked onto his. Her smile was soft but tinged with an undeniable heat. "Edward," she said, her voice low and laced with intention, "I think it's time we find a hotel for the night."
Edward blinked, his eyes meeting hers, and she saw the flicker of realization in his expression. Before he could respond, she stepped closer, her free hand resting lightly against his chest. Her gaze traveled over his face, taking in every perfect line. "I want to be with you," she whispered, her voice dropping just enough to make her meaning unmistakable.
Hearing Bella's words, Edward released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. A century of waiting, yearning, and imagining this moment, and now it was finally within reach. His eyes softened as they fixed on hers, the moonlight casting a faint glow over her pale skin. "I want that too, Bella," he murmured, his voice rich with emotion, "but could we talk seriously for a minute?"
Bella stopped, her gaze locking onto his. Her head tilted slightly, curiosity flickering in her ruby eyes. She nodded, signaling him to continue.
Edward stepped closer, his hands brushing lightly over her arms before settling at her waist. He searched her face for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "I like you, Bella," he began, his voice steady but filled with quiet intensity. "I mean, I really like you. And before we take our relationship to the next stage, I need to say this—I want us to be exclusive."
Her expression softened, her lips parting slightly as she listened.
"I've never done this before," he admitted, his voice dropping as if confessing a secret. "I've never had a girlfriend. I've never even... done what I hope we'll be doing very soon." A faint, almost shy smile tugged at his lips. "I want everything to be with you and only you."
Bella's heart swelled at his words, her chest tightening with an overwhelming sense of joy and certainty. Edward's honesty and vulnerability were everything she'd needed to hear. She took a small step closer, her hands sliding up to cradle his face, her thumbs brushing over his sharp cheekbones.
"I want that too, Edward," she said softly, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside her. "Only you. I'll be your girlfriend. You'll be my boyfriend. And we'll go from there."
Her smile grew as she leaned forward. "And don't you dare feel self conscious about being inexperienced," she added, her tone light but filled with warmth. "I'm in the exact same boat. I've never had sex either."
She pulled back slightly, her eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and sincerity. "I might talk a good game," she admitted with a grin, "but trust me, I'm woefully inexperienced too. We can figure it all out together."
Her fingers slid down to his chest, resting lightly over where his heart would have once beat. "And that sounds just perfect to me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, her gaze never leaving his.
Edward pulled Bella to him, his hands sliding around her waist as he kissed her deeply. The world around them seemed to fade, leaving only the two of them in that moment. When he finally pulled back, his crimson eyes searched hers, filled with wonder and just a hint of disbelief.
"You've really never been with anyone?" he asked softly, his voice laced with genuine curiosity. "But you're so beautiful and kind. I would've thought men would be falling at your feet."
Bella's laugh rang out, light and self-deprecating, as she slipped her hand into his, tugging him forward while they began walking through the forest. "Well," she said dryly, "it certainly wasn't my intention to still be a virgin at my advanced age. It's not like I was waiting for some knight in shining armor... no offense. I tried, I really did—both as a human and as a vampire—but it just… never seemed to work out."
Her lips quirked into a wry smile as she thought back to her past romantic endeavors, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Take college, for example. I had a boyfriend for over a year when I was human. His name was David. He was sweet, very polite. But no matter what I did, he just never seemed all that… interested in anything physical, even when I was putting in some serious effort to get his attention."
Edward raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the conspiratorial edge creeping into her tone.
"Then," she continued, her grin widening, "I found out why. Turns out, David was a lot more interested in his friend Stephen than he ever was in me." She let out a laugh that echoed through the trees, tinged with a mix of humor and exasperation as she shook her head. "And, well, that was that." Her smirk turned devilish. "Sometime, ask me to tell you the full story of our last night together. It's a real doozy."
Edward chuckled, the corner of his mouth twitching upward, captivated by the way Bella told stories.
"And then," Bella resumed, her voice mock-dramatic, "the very next day—literally the next day—I met a guy at a bar. His name was James." She glanced at Edward with a smirk. "At the time, I thought he was the hottest guy I'd ever seen, and to my amazement, he actually seemed interested in me. And on my birthday, no less. Things were looking promising. I figured, hey, maybe a one-night stand was exactly what I needed to shake off the whole David debacle."
Her smirk deepened, her tone laced with humor. "But… I guess his girlfriend—or maybe it was his wife?—didn't quite agree. Long story short, you already know how that night ended." She gestured to herself, running her hand from her head to her feet.
Edward's expression shifted from amused to thoughtful, his crimson eyes sweeping over her as he absorbed her words, the underlying truth settling between them.
"After that," Bella went on, her tone softening slightly, "I just… never found anyone who did it for me. Not until I met you." She gave him a sidelong glance, her fingers tightening around his. "I did try. When I went back to college, I dated a human I liked. But when it finally got physical, I somehow broke his shoulder." She shrugged, shaking her head with a rueful smile. "After that, I decided my 'getting some' wasn't worth his life."
She stopped walking, turning to face him fully. Her voice lowered, becoming softer, more sincere. "But with you, Edward… everything feels right. You're the first man I've ever had these kinds of feelings for."
Her gaze held his, her expression open and honest, before her lips curled into a teasing smile. "So, now that you've heard my tales of woe, it's your turn. I already know about the pretty substantial ninety-year gap, but before that? Not a single girl turned your head?"
Her eyes sparkled, and her grin widened as she tilted her head, her teasing tone making Edward's lips curve into a smile of his own.
Edward shook his head, his expression softening into something almost wistful. "While I don't remember much from my human life, I'm certain there wasn't anything like that going on. I was very… conservative back then. I know I would've insisted on marriage before even considering intimacy." His lips curved faintly, though the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "That's just how things were back then—or at least for me."
He fell silent for a moment, his gaze drifting past Bella as if searching for something just beyond the trees. "When I became a vampire, the mind-reading made it… difficult. Being close to someone in any meaningful way was nearly impossible. Every thought, every hidden intention, every lie or fleeting desire—it was all laid bare before me. The truth of people, even the ones who meant no harm, was overwhelming. It made the idea of companionship feel out of reach."
Bella reached for his hand, her fingers intertwining with his. He glanced down at their joined hands and gave hers a gentle squeeze before continuing.
"There was a time I thought I might have a chance with someone. Mindy." His voice grew quieter, his eyes darkening with the weight of memory. "I asked her out on a date once. Just one date. I'd let myself hope… but my intrusion into her life cost her everything within the hour. Everything." His jaw tightened briefly before he exhaled softly, as if trying to release the ghost of that terrible day.
Bella's thumb brushed lightly against the back of his hand, anchoring him.
He met her gaze, his smile returning—this time tinged with a hint of humor to break the heaviness in the air. "And after my capture in Volterra, my prospects for companionship became… well, limited." He lifted his free hand, wiggling his fingers. Bella couldn't help it—she burst into laughter, the sound light and contagious.
Edward's smile grew as he looked at her, but something shifted in his expression—a flicker of thought. "Actually," he added after a pause, his tone thoughtful, "I did get propositioned by Heidi once."
Bella's laughter faltered into a curious grin. "Oh? And how did that go for you?"
Edward chuckled, the sound rich and low, resonating in the quiet night. "Not well. Let's just say it ended poorly... and you witnessed exactly how that particular 'relationship' concluded in the throne room."
Bella's smirk turned wicked. "Oh, you mean that screaming bitch you decapitated and torched like yesterday's garbage? Yeah, that was hard to miss. I guess I should be careful not to piss you off…" She nudged his shoulder with hers, her teasing tone undercut by the amusement glinting in her eyes.
But then, with a devilish glimmer, she added, "Oh, and let's not forget that memorable encounter you had with Tanya in the shower—the one where you got that free wank. She was kind enough to give me the play-by-play of how much you seemed to enjoy her helping hand. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't blow right there in the shower."
Edward's face twisted into a look of disgust. "Please don't remind me of that. Tanya was not the one I wanted to be in that shower with." His gaze met hers, steady and intent. "And for the record, I was trying to hold out. I thought it was you, and I didn't want the moment to end… prematurely."
Bella's grin widened, dark and full of promise. She slowed her pace, turning to face him fully. "Oh, don't you worry," she murmured, her voice dipping to a sultry whisper. "I plan to erase that bad memory from your mind completely. After tonight, you're only going to think of me whenever you step into a shower."
She stepped closer, her fingers trailing lightly down his chest, tracing every ridge and plane through the fabric of his shirt. "And trust me, Edward, when I have your long, hard cock in my hand, I'm not stopping until I've worked you over so thoroughly that you'll be coming for me again and again…" Her voice trailed off, heavy with intent, her eyes locking onto his, blazing with unrestrained desire.
Edward's breath hitched, his hands instinctively finding her waist as he anchored her against him. The tension between them crackled, thick and electric, as her words lingered in the air.
"Now," Bella continued, her lips brushing his ear, her voice barely above a whisper, "tell me—are you ready for me, Edward? Because I'm so ready for you. And honestly?" She pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, her ruby eyes smoldering with intensity. "I'm having a very hard time deciding what to do to you first."
Her hand slid down to grip his, pulling him closer until their bodies pressed together. She grinned wickedly as she felt the unmistakable pressure of Edward Jr. pressing against her stomach.
"Now," she said, her voice laced with anticipation as her fingers tightened in his, "let's find that hotel."
"You don't have to ask me twice." Edward's lips curled into a crooked smile, his eyes glinting with playful challenge. He gently disentangled his hand from hers, stepping back just enough to give her a teasing look. "How about this: first one out of the forest gets to undress the other first. Sound good?"
Bella's answering grin was pure mischief. "Oh, it's on, buddy."
Before the last word had fully left her lips, she bolted into the trees. Edward started to sprint after her, fully prepared to overtake her in seconds, but then—bam! He collided with something unseen and unyielding. The impact knocked him back, sending him flat on his ass. The force was so unexpected it took a moment for him to process what had happened.
Bella's laughter echoed faintly through the trees, fading as she raced ahead, her shield undoubtedly the culprit.
He couldn't help the grin that spread across his face. She'd outmaneuvered him. Pushing himself upright, he dusted off his pants, his gaze sweeping the direction she'd gone. The faint remnants of her scent lingered in the cool night air, guiding him forward.
Edward reached out gingerly, testing for the invisible barrier. When his hand passed freely through the space before him, he shook his head with a chuckle, muttering under his breath. It seemed Bella had earned the right to undress him first, and honestly? He wasn't about to complain.
His smile widened as he picked up her trail, his steps quick and purposeful. The night stretched ahead of them, full of promise, and Edward knew one thing for certain: he was in for a night to remember. And judging by Bella's laughter still lingering in the air, she intended to make it unforgettable.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. It's just the opening to their night of carnal pleasures. The entire next part focuses entirely on their first time… I always enjoy reading your feedback and comments, so if you have a moment, leaving a small note would mean a lot.