The List

Chapter 9: Games

BellaPOV

A piercing crash of thunder woke me up. It was eerily beautiful, intertwined as it was with the distant sound of piano music. I reached a hand out to my side, feeling for Edward's body. But he wasn't there.

I had no more finished that thought when I felt his cold hand grasp my warm one before pressing it to his lips. "Morning, love."

I smiled at him just as another booming crack of thunder shook the house. I couldn't help but jump. He pulled my body against his. "My, listen to your heart fly. Don't worry, my love. I've got you."

It was approaching morning, a dim gray light just starting to brighten the room. My body rebelled against being awake. "Lay down with me?" I murmured into his chest. He slid us down and pulled my back against his chest. I threaded my fingers through his and tucked both of our hands in a ball against my chest.

It felt wonderful just being with him. I loved the sound of a thunderstorm, and the multitude of windows in his room seemed to bring the storm inside. While I was very relaxed, the energy of the storm kept me from being able to fall back to sleep. Instead I closed my eyes, enjoyed the feel of our bodies intertwined together, and let my mind wander.

Last night had been wonderful in so many ways. Going out with Edward and his family somewhere where we could all be free and blend into a crowd was so normal and so much fun. Well, truly, they didn't blend well. But the crowded and dark nature of the club made it easier than usual. I felt so free on the dance floor. Again, maybe it was that so many people being there made me feel like I wouldn't stand out from the mass. But after the stress of the week, it had felt so good to just let go, to just feel, to just be.

My most significant experience with dancing before the club was at Prom. And between my cast, having been tricked into attending, the scrutiny I knew we were under by the other students, and the ambiance of the gym, I hadn't felt the ability to really enjoy dancing like I did at the club. And I was surprised to find that it wasn't really as hard as I feared. I'm pretty sure I had overthought the whole thing. So I closed my eyes and didn't think. I just listened to the music and my body responded. I found I really enjoyed it.

I danced out the remainder of my annoyance with Edward. I had felt guilty for snapping at him the minute I got into Alice's room to get dressed. And though my rational mind knew that he was just working through and discovering his own sexuality, my irrational and self-conscious mind had gotten the better of me, twisting the meaning of his words so that I felt like he thought I was dirty and disappointing. I knew I needed to apologize to him and explain myself, but I needed to be more awake to do it right.

When he finally came to me on the dance floor my good mood had returned completely. And was heightened by the sudden display of possession he put on by kissing me hungrily and repeatedly in the middle of the dance floor. If I accomplished absolutely nothing off the list between now and the wedding but got to go dancing like that with Edward even just once more, it might be an even trade. Holy crow! I had absolutely no idea how erotic dancing with him would be. I couldn't believe I could get that hot fully clothed and without him really even touching me. My heart was in my throat the entire time and I all I could do was pant and try to get myself as close to him as was physically possible. Dancing with him like that made me want to climb inside of him.

And I was completely thrilled to find that dancing with me was affecting him the same way. When he spun me around so that he was dancing behind me, the fullness of his erection was immediately clear. I couldn't help but press back into him. I loved the sound of his groan, the feel of his hands gripping my hips. But I almost passed out from the pleasure of his icy tongue dragging across my sweaty body from shoulder to ear. That was the point at which my panties became absolutely saturated and I thought for sure he must know what he was doing to me. So I decided to see if he'd continue to play along.