As I place my hand on the door knob, my phone still pressed to my ear with the other hand, I can hear him whisper something I can barely make out. But I hear it vibrate on the other side of my door.
“Bella, please.”
And I open it.
All I see is the intense green in his eyes, reminding me of the lush Forks landscape. His brows are knit together. He’s nervous. I’ve never seen him like this.
“Hi,” is all he manages to breathe out.
“Edward.”
We both stand and stare awkwardly at the door, holding our phones to our ears, momentarily frozen. He’s the first to move, slowly lowering his hand and ending the call. I mirror his action and finally take the breath I didn’t know I was holding.
He looks tired, but still as beautiful as ever in worn jeans, a Clash tee, and an open plaid shirt. His duffle bag is on the floor in front of him.
“Wha...what are you doing here?” I manage to say above a whisper. I’m in total shock- both nervous and ecstatic that he’s right here in front of me. I want to simultaneously run away and throttle him. I’ve missed him so much, and he’s here.
He’s here.
Lowering his head and nervously shifting his weight from one leg to the other, he looks like a little boy.
“I um, wanted to surprise you...so um... SURPRISE?” He lifts one side of his mouth in a questioning grin with arms outstretched.
I can’t speak, I’m in a haze of emotions, filled with questions and giddiness. He notices and speaks, breaking the silence.
“Uh, can I come in?” I snap out of my temporary paralysis and move to the side, allowing him entry. He picks up his bag slowly, never taking his eyes off me, and enters my space, taking a few steps before he stops, uncertain where to proceed. I have to get it together here and be a proper hostess.
I can do this. I think.
I’m inches from him after closing the door and turning to face him; his gaze is intense, emitting an emotion I can’t describe. I want to immediately run my hands through his crazy hair and kiss the shit out of him.
“I’m sorry. I’m just shocked you’re here. Come in and sit on the couch and put your bag wherever. Do you want something to drink? Beer? Water? Wine? Juice? Coffee? I think I have ice tea too,” I ramble, as he takes a seat.
“A beer’s fine,” he smiles, and I melt the same way I always do when he looks at me like that.
I sit down next to him after fetching us two beers, tucking my legs under me and facing him. I watch his mouth as he takes a pull from the bottle and my legs squeeze together involuntarily. I have no control when it comes to him.
“So what are you doing here, in New York? I thought you were in Chicago?”
“The Red Bulls offered me a contract. I was back and forth with Felix on what would be the best route for me. It wasn’t easy. He was adamant about Chicago; they were offering a shitload of money, guaranteed endorsements, everything. At the end of the day though, I had to go with my gut.”
My insides are fluttering, because I have a feeling I know what his decision to come here is all about, but I want to hear him say it...badly.
I clear my throat before asking, “So, um...what was your gut telling you?”
He smiles, and I can see getting the words out is just as hard for him as it is for me. His hand takes an uncertain move towards me, and I’m already buzzing in anticipation for his touch. I feel the warmth of his hand cupping my face, his thumb gently caressing my cheekbone. I lean into it, closing my eyes and relishing the feel of it on my skin, my body immediately woken by the familiar tremble his caress causes within me.
“Bella, I’m putting myself out on a limb here. I don’t know if what you want is the same thing I want. But, I couldn’t stand one more day without knowing if what we had in London was a ‘thing’...or, or...if it happened because we were both lonely and looking for a warm body. Shit, that’s not what I’m trying to say...” he’s rubbing his hands over his face in exasperation. I’m kind of amused. I know I’m feeling something strong for him, even if I can’t label it just yet, but before I put him out of his misery, I enjoy watching him squirm for a few minutes as he tries to get the words out to tell me he wants me... as much as I want him.
“I guess what I’m trying to say, Bella, is that I came here to be close to you, even if it’s just geographical, even if, I don’t know, maybe you don’t feel the same way...I just, I want you to give us a chance...I want to take you out...like on real dates, you know? And I suck because I know you don’t do ‘dates’ and the whole relationship thing, and I really haven’t done it either in a really, really long time. But I just want to see if, you know, maybe we can...be...something. Bella, we’re good at just...”
“Being,” I finally say, because I just feel so bad for him, poor thing. And honestly, he’s just too fucking adorable.
He smiles shyly, “Yeah, we can just be...just, all the time, instead of just two weeks.” His hand hasn’t left my face, and I gently take it and bring it to my lips, pressing light kisses into his palm. He looks on in sheer admiration, his eyes smoldering and burning into mine.
“So, you signed the contract from New York, to be with me? Close to me?” I sound rather amazed, because frankly, I’m rather fucking amazed at this whole situation, at him, at me...especially at me. The old Bella would’ve bolted by now. But I can’t seem to tear myself away from Edward. I don’t want to be away from him. I want this. I know that now.
He slowly nods, taking his other hand to gently grasp my waist, pulling me closer to him, until I am sitting on his lap. I can’t hide the smile on my face. Neither can he.
“So, how’d you get my address?” I teasingly quirk an eyebrow.
He suddenly looks bashful, as if I caught him with his hand in the cookie jar. “Oh, uh...I asked Rose. Well, actually, I asked Emmett, who asked Rose. Oh, by the way, Emmett’s here with me too, he got a New York contract as well; we’re both stoked that we’ll be playing together again. He’s rather happy to be close to Rose too.”
“Shit! Does Rosalie know?” I’m kind of pissed if she did know all this time, and didn’t tell me anything.
“No, he was planning on surprising her tonight too.”
“Oh, God, tell me who came up with that brilliant idea?”
“I’m not ashamed to say it was me. I’m Mr. Romance, you didn’t know?” He chuckles. I love this side to us. It’s just so easy to be around him. As easy as breathing.
“Yeah, figures. So, what are you going to do now? I mean, do you have a place to live yet?”
“Yeah, actually a friend of my mom’s a realtor in the city, and I already knew if New York were to offer me a contract, I’d say yes, so, I called her the day after you left. She found a place in the East Village, and luckily it’s already furnished. I move in this weekend. Hey, do you think you may want to see it tomorrow with me? I have the press conference tomorrow morning, but I’m pretty much free after lunch.” The look of hopefulness is just too damn cute, I want to just straddle him and ride him until my eyes cross. But I control myself enough to respond, showing complete composure.
“I’d like that. I can leave work a little early tomorrow, and we can maybe meet up in the afternoon at a cafe or something...like old times.”
He smiles triumphantly, and in a flash he moves me so can he stand, walking over to retrieve something from his bag.
“I got you a little something before I left London, I don’t know if you’ll like it or not. I just thought of you when I saw it.” He sounds so bashful all of a sudden. He’s back on the couch with a square box, holding it out to me like a schoolboy handing his teacher an apple.
I take it from him and eye him suspiciously. I open it and my heart flutters.
“You got me a mug from the Sacred Cafe.” It was more of a statement than a question. His eyes are searching, and I can see he’s a bit nervous. Too cute. I want him.
“Um, yeah, It’s stupid, you don’t have to keep it if you don’t want it, I’ll totally understand...it’s totally lame...”
“It’s perfect!” I can’t hide my enthusiasm. My eyes are glassy, tears threatening, and I don’t know at what point I turned into a sap, but that mug is my new favorite object... like in the whole wide world.
He looks stunned, and he watches me as I hug the mug into my chest like a baby. I glance at him through my lashes and feel myself blush. I’m sure he notices because there’s a small smile playing at his lips that quickly morphs into The Smirk. Oh, Smirk...how I’ve missed you.
I gingerly place my prized mug on the coffee table and do something I’ve never done before, launching myself on top of Masen and wrapping my arms around his neck. God, he smells fucking incredible; he must’ve taken a shower before coming here.
Momentarily shocked, it takes him a few beats before he greedily wraps his strong arms around my waist, bringing me even closer towards his warm body. I can feel his large hands splay themselves against my middle and lower back like he always does, and he does this groan-slash-exhalation thing into my neck that makes me instantaneously wet. I kiss his neck, right below his ear, where I know he likes it, and whisper to him.
I want to thank him for being here, for choosing New York just to be near me, for sitting here in my living room, but I can’t say all of that, because it’s too much.
“Thank you...for the mug.” I immediately mentally kick myself in the stomach. Lame. Lame. Lame, Swan.
He chuckles lightly into my neck, then leans away a bit, kissing me quickly on the lips. His eyes are bright, like green vitreous glass.
“Wow, this is the response I get for a stupid mug? So if I get you a Red Bulls t-shirt, does that mean I’ll get lucky?” He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.
“First of all, don’t call my mug stupid. It’s beautiful, it’s perfect. And secondly,” I inch towards him, placing little kisses from his chest, towards his neck and scruffy chin and finally on his beautiful lips before murmuring into his mouth, “you don’t need to get me a t-shirt to get lucky.” And I mean it. This man just has to look at me form a distance and I’ll drop my panties right there.
“Oh yeah?” he taunts as his fingers edge the hem of my shirt and graze the skin there. Goosebumps break out all over me and I think I let out a little moan, but I can’t be certain because I’m already lost.
We kiss slowly first, our tongues finding the other almost immediately, as I hitch my leg over to straddle him. Before long, the intensity changes, and the desperation from being apart unleashes itself in the most delightfully passionate way. We’re always like this...always.
My hands fist in his copper tresses; it’s a bit longer and wilder, and I’m not complaining one bit. His hands find their way under my shirt, his thumbs caressing my ribcage. As soon as one hand finds my breast and squeezes lightly, my body takes over and my hips grind into his already hard cock. He groans into my mouth, the vibrations sending waves of pleasure down to where I need more friction. I can’t find a reason to stop, so I don’t. I’ve missed him badly, and I’m confidant enough to say he’s missed me just as much.
There’s a sound far away...a ringtone...my phone...I want to throw it out the window. I don’t want to stop, this is too good, and I’ve been without him for far too long. But it just keeps ringing, and I feel him slow down our kisses, until he stills and pulls away.
“You gonna get that?” he pants, his lips swollen and red. Sexy as fuck.
“I don’t want to, they can leave a message.” I want to bite his puffy bottom lip and suck.
“But it might be important, what if it’s work?” He’s so attentive.
I groan in frustration and pout, lifting myself off from him and feeling the loss right away. I see the caller ID. I take a deep breath.
“This better be fucking important, Brandon.”
“Is that any way to greet your best friend? I happen to be the bearer of good news, and I think you should check your little bitchy attitude before...”
And three...two...one...
She gasps, “Wait, you have company, don’t you? You’ve got a man in your house, don’t you?” she teases in mock surprise. She knows me enough to not be genuinely surprised.
“As a matter of fact I do. Masen’s here, he’s uh...he’s visiting,” I look over my shoulder to Masen who’s watching me with a quirked brow.
“What?! Soccer Boy is there?!!! Oh my God, is he moving to New York? He picked New York for you! I KNEW IT! Oh I love it when I’m right...”
She keeps babbling on and on rather loudly and I repel the phone away from my ear and cringe. I hear Masen chuckle behind me, and my eyes flicker towards him in fake
annoyance.
“Oh my God, is that him I hear? Oh, his laugh is delicious! I have to meet him! Which brings me to the reason for my call.”
“Yes, I was wondering when you were going to get to that.”
“Ha ha. We’re going out tomorrow night. One of my customers is married to the owner of pool bar that just opened, and she invited me and whoever I wanted to bring for drinks and a free table. Rose is bringing her Soccer Boy, and you better bring yours too...oh shit...wait a minute. Didn’t they both play on the same team?” She gasps and continues, “OH! That means they’re both playing here too?! That’s awesome!”
Damn, Alice. I never get used to her rapid-fire verbal assault.
I look at Masen who is now walking towards the kitchen to grab another beer out of the fridge. This could be fun.
“Yeah, it is...um, Alice, gimme a sec,” muting the call I turn to Masen who’s leaning against the counter, “Hey, do you want to play some pool with my friends tomorrow night? Rose is going with Emmett.”
“I actually have my cousin, Jasper coming in to hang out with me a few days, helping me out with the move and stuff...I was going to grab a drink with him, but I guess I can persuade him for a round or two,” He smiles, and all is good. I sigh, and there’re fucking birds and red hearts in my field of vision, like a cartoon. What the fuck is wrong with me?
“Hey Alice,” I reenter the conversation, “Sure, we’ll go, but do you mind if Masen brings his cousin? He’s in town to visiting.”
“Oh Sure! The more the merrier. Thanks for telling me actually, I’ve gotta call and let them know how many. So what do you say we meet there around eight? I’ll text you the address.”
“Ok, Alice, that’s fine, I’ll talk to you later”
“Later, my dear!”
As I end the call, I feel Masen’s arm encircle my waist and his warm breath in my hair. My neck automatically lolls to the side to grant him more access as his lips trail hot kisses up and down my neck, nibbling on my earlobe, and I’m suddenly very glad he’s holding me, because I’m a puddle of mush and if he wasn’t there my legs would probably give out.
“Do you have to go any time soon?” Ok, so I sound a little desperate.
“No, not really,” he mutters into my neck, as he pushes his hips against me, pressing his very impressive hardness towards my ass. I try to make words, and it takes me a few moments before I can.
I swallow hard. “Oh, good. We can watch a movie if you want, I still have some Chinese food if you’re hungry.”
“That would be fantastic,” he says, pulling away but grabbing my hand towards the couch. He sits, pulling me between his legs, my back to his chest. The feeling is surreal; I still can’t believe he’s here, for like, a long time. My heart races at the possibility of this “thing” we have becoming something “more.” And I have to say, I kinda like it.
I click through pay-per-view options and pick a random comedy; something not requiring a lot of brain power because frankly I’m quite tired. We share what’s left of the food, and drink what’s left of our beers. After we’ve had our fill, I settle against him comfortably, feeling the rise and fall of his steady breathing. His arms are around my waist, my hands resting on them. At one point our fingers lace together, and it’s right. All of it. He laughs and snorts at certain scenes and the vibrations in his chest make me feel at ease...at home. I’ve been living in this apartment for the last three years, and I’ve never felt as ‘at-home’ as I do right now.
We can just be. Like we always are.
I slowly try to lift myself away from him, but he shifts in his sleep, firming his grip on my waist, a deep rumble coming from his chest. I try a different tactic. I look up towards his face and raise one hand towards it, sweeping coppery strands from his forehead.
“Masen,” I whisper. Nothing.
“Masen,” I say a little louder. Nothing.
“Edward,” I say firmly, but not loud. At this, he startles, jolting from his peaceful rest; looking around rather disoriented and pouty. I smile at how absolutely adorable he looks. I want to lick him all over.
“Hey, what time is it?” He sighs deeply, and blinks rapidly, trying to focus.
“About twelve-fifteen, you were snoring like a freight train,” I tease.
“Was not. I don’t snore,” he yawns.
I can’t resist, so I lift myself towards his face and kiss him. It’s short and sweet, but it’s full of everything I want to say, but can’t.
“I’d ask you to stay, but...”
“No, no...I actually have to get going. I’ve got that press conference early in the morning and my physical with the team doctors,” he says sadly.
I’m a little disappointed but I try to hide it.
“Hey, it’s ok. We’ll see each other tomorrow, right? What time do you want to meet,” I question as we rise from the couch for him to gather his things.
“How about around three? I’ll meet you wherever you want,” He says, bending over to pick up his bag. Damn, his ass. I’d like to bite it. Several times.
“That’s fine, I’ll text you the place and address tomorrow morning.” And this is it. We have to say goodbye. But this time, it’s temporary. And I’m secretly thrilled.
Masen brushes his knuckles lightly across my cheek, looking at me....adoringly? I can’t even...
His hand then travels under my hair to the back of my neck, pulling me forward until our foreheads touch. It’s such an intimate gesture, I’m in awe of him. My heart feels like it’s going to pound its way out of my chest.
“This was one of the best nights I’ve ever had...except...you know,” The Smirk comes out to play, but he sounds sincere.
“Mmmm...same here.” I take the lead this time, wrapping my fingers around his forearm and kissing him deeply, once again pouring all my emotions, everything I’ve wanted to say but can’t, into it. We break apart, breathing heavily.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Bella.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Edward.”
I have to admit, saying his name makes me all giddy.
I close the door after watching him walk down the hall and into the elevator. Not a minute passes before I hear a text alert.
I look down at the screen, and smile.
I wish it were already 3. -E.
I respond within seconds.
So do I. Goodnight, Edward. :) -B
Wow, even typing his name sends my heart soaring. Tomorrow can’t get here soon enough. I clean up all the empty Chinese food cartons and beer bottles and finally make it to bed, already bursting with anticipation at seeing Edward again, in a cafe, where we can just...be.
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