The List

Chapter 11: Music

BellaPOV

I woke up with a big cat-like stretch and smiled into my pillow. I didn't have to wonder if last night really happened. I must have woken up a half dozen times over the course of the night, and every time I would sit up a little, realize I was still wearing my black dress, smile to myself and think, 'yep, it really happened,' before laying my head back down and falling back to sleep. I'm not sure at what point Edward left the bed. But when I was finally awake enough to open my eyes, they fixed immediately on a folded sheet of stationery and a single long-stemmed blush-pink rose. I pulled the fine paper close and flipped it open to see Edward's elegant script: Went for a quick hunt. I'll be back in time to make you breakfast. With my love, E.

I grasped the stem of the rose, smiling at the realization that he had removed all of the thorns. I brushed the silken petals against my lips, inhaling the sweet scent of the large blossom. I carried it with me as I pushed out of the bed and stumbled into the bathroom.

I froze at the sight of my appearance in the mirror. My hair was wild and my eye makeup had smudged creating dark circles below my eyes. My dress was disheveled and slightly askew. My body thought about being embarrassed by my appearance, but then a wave of satisfaction came over me. So worth it.

I stripped myself of my dress and folded it on the bathroom counter, biting my lip at the realization that I had on no undergarments-one having been helpfully removed for me...-and ran a brush through my hair. I grabbed a washcloth and removed my make-up, and as I rinsed the cloth my eyes traveled down my body. All at once I remembered, and I lifted my right leg up so that my toes rested on the edge of the toilet seat. There, in all its glory, was the mark I instructed Edward to give me. In case I need it, that would be my proof that last night really happened, thank you very much.

Smiling, I turned the water to the shower on and stepped in once it warmed. For a few minutes, I was all business, lathering my hair, then rinsing it, then turning to grab the sponge. But on some level, my brain was remembering Edward washing my hair, reliving the feel of that sponge as he washed between my legs, fantasizing about Edward kneeling, wet and beautiful, in front of me. All at once I was so turned on I could hardly stand it. All at once my unaddressed arousal from our little game last night hit me full force. Why was it again that I stopped him when we got in bed?!

I was absentmindedly rubbing the soapy sponge over my body as I made these realizations, and when I ran it over my breasts I whimpered. I immediately bit my lip. Edward will be back any minute. I can't....can I? Would he know? Of course he would know, wouldn't he? Okay, pull it together, Swan. I shook my head, and quickly finished washing, trying hard to ignore my body's reaction to the sponge as it passed over certain areas. I rinsed and shut the water off, intent on distracting myself with dressing and seeing Edward.

I wrapped the towel around me and walked out into Edward's bedroom. I noted that he had cleaned up from our little activities last night, but then something caught my eye. I walked over to the couch and noticed a hole in the leather on the top edge of the backrest. Upon closer inspection, I found that the top edge of the backrest had quite a bit of damage in two places: Exactly where I had placed Edward's hands. My hand flew to my mouth to cover my gasp.

A rational reaction might have been fear-here was physical proof of the danger Edward insisted that he posed to me. But my mind went in a completely different direction-here was physical proof of the affect I have on Edward. I wasn't scared of his strength; I was completely thrilled and turned on by it.

But, more importantly, here was the proof that he could handle intimacy without harming me. Who cares if a couch or a bed or a wall is a casualty? Those things can be repaired or replaced. There was the answer: Edward just needed a way to redirect any excess...enthusiasm.