The List

Chapter 4: Additions

EdwardPOV

We were both still breathing hard as we lay on the blanket in our meadow, the sun having now significantly receded in the sky. Bella looked beautiful laying there, her face exquisitely flushed from...fuck.

I can't believe I just did that to her. Against a tree. Outside. She deserved better. I am a shit.

"Bella, I'm so-"

I was startled to feel three of her fingers against my lips, causing the words to die in my throat.

Her brow furrowed seriously. "Edward Cullen, I swear to God. If you apologize I will...," she sputtered as she strained to think of a viable threat. "Okay, fine, I don't know what I'll do. But you won't like it." She rolled onto her back and crossed her arms over her chest. I started to worry when I heard the most beautiful sound. She was giggling.

I leaned over her and stared in wonder. I couldn't help my smile; her laughter was infectious. "What?" I asked, softly.

"Edward, that was incredible, fantastic, even. Thank you for...going along." She blushed lightly.

"Bella, I didn't 'go along'. I want that-you-so very much. I just...I'm so...Bella," he rushed the words out this time, "I'm sorry, but are you okay? Did I hurt you?"

"God, no, Edward." Her body language softened as she looked at me, and then her eyes darkened mischievously. "And, really, now you're going to pay for apologizing when I expressly told you not to. Did I sound hurt to you?"

"No, you sounded fucking amazing to me." I was instantly mortified. What is wrong with me today? First, I attack her in her bedroom this morning. The scent of her arousal just absolutely drained my brain function. Then, I grind myself into her against a damn tree. And then I can't seem to control my verbal diarrhea.

As I was browbeating myself, a sound caught my attention. Her heartbeat. Racing.

When I focused on her eyes again, the hunger I saw there caught me off guard. She kissed me deeply, then pulled away. She smiled to herself and, God, did I want to know what she was thinking.

Before I had a chance to try to dazzle the information out of her, she sprung to her feet. She put her hands on her hips and looked down at me. I couldn't shake the feeling that she was somehow amused. "Charlie will be wondering where I am, Edward. I should probably be getting back."

I rose next to her and circled my arms around her. The heat radiating off of her was intense. And that close to her body again, I smelled her again. She was aroused. Her scent was intoxicating. I felt the venom flood my mouth and swallowed thickly, stepping back. I nodded. "Love, after," I indicated towards the tree, "I should probably hunt after I drop you off."

"Okay," she said softly, brushing a kiss on my cheek. "Will I see you later tonight or in the morning?"

"I'll come as quickly as I can." Her face blushed brilliantly and I looked at her curiously. I wasn't letting her off the hook this time. "What?"

She was biting her bottom lip hard. I growled. "I swear, Isabella Swan, tell me what's going through that beautiful head of yours right this instant."

She pulled her shoulders back and took a deep breath. I hissed when she swatted me on the ass. "Not a chance, Cullen." Then she slipped out of my arms, picked up the blanket, and calmly began folding it.

I watched her intently for a moment. She was specifically attempting not to look at me. I ran our conversation through my mind several times before my brain finally clicked. "I'll come as quickly as I can." The little vixen. I crossed my arms. Time to make her squirm. I struggled to make my tone innocent. "Bella?"