The List

Chapter 17: The Weekend, Part III

EdwardPOV

At some point she fell asleep in my arms and for a while I enjoyed the soft rhythmic movement of her chest against mine. As the fire started to die down, I gingerly picked her up and carried her into the master bedroom. She stirred slightly as I slipped her under the thick down comforter. I went around the other side and crawled in next to her and she immediately curled into my side.

The still and peace of the night allowed me to focus on the events of the coming day. I had a major surprise planned for Bella and I felt a little nervous about it. I turned my head and pressed my face into Bella's hair. Her scent, which had once upon a time driven me nearly insane with bloodlust, now had the reverse effect - it was calming, life-giving. I smiled at the changes I had undergone over the past two years. I am a new man. I pressed my lips to Bella's head. "I love you, Bella. Forever could never be long enough."

Two forty-one. Bella had slept peacefully until that very minute. I reveled as I always did in the feel of her warmth against me. If I trained my mind entirely on the sound of her breathing and heartbeat, I could almost convince myself that I was being lulled into sleep as well.

But then, as it usually does, her sleep pattern began to change. And, as it had happened more and more lately, her dreams caused her to become incredibly and maddeningly seductive. I smiled. Don't worry, Isabella. I'll make all those dreams come true. A few minutes later I shifted my hips. I grimaced at my growing erection. Not helpful. Ten minutes later, Bella hitched her knee up across my thigh, causing the wet heat of her naked center to radiate against me and the scent of her arousal to permeate the room. I inhaled deeply, savoring the bouquet. God, to drink that scent.

I swallowed hard. I want her. Now. I allowed myself to picture it. Rolling over on top of her. Sliding her robe apart. Pushing her thighs open with my knees. My head coming in contact with her slick folds. Pushing in. Argh!

How much longer can this go on?

It occurred to me: was I talking about her dream or my ability to restrain myself from taking her?

"Mmm...good," Bella whispered. I bit my bottom lip to keep from making a sound out loud. "Oh."

I closed my eyes. Really, how much longer can this go on? I wasn't sure I was going to be able to stand the temptation of her dream much longer. If it was just her sounds or just her small movements against me or just her heat or just her scent, then maybe. Just maybe I could keep my hands, my mouth, off of her. But, damn it all to hell, it's been twenty-seven minutes. Twenty-seven minutes of her writhing against my leg.

For the dozenth time her hand curled tightly around my shirt. "Please," she whimpered.

Please what, baby? Anything. Anything for you. God, Edward, not helping. I tried to think of something else. Redirect my attention. Distract myself. These were the strategies I had used successfully over the past several weeks to keep myself from going too far too fast. To keep myself from losing control.

Except, they just weren't working very well right now.

And then her next words, moaned and thick with sleep, unraveled me completely. "Taste me."

Oh Christ. God baby, I want to. So do it. No. Alice said it would be okay. No. I did it this afternoon. No, I didn't. Okay, I all but did it this afternoon. That's a big enough difference in this case. No, it's not. Yes, it is. Fuck, smell that. I know! Taste it. Can I do it? Maybe if I just.... No! It's not worth the risk. It is too. And there's no risk. I couldn't hurt her. Maybe just licking but no.... I groaned, realizing I was experimentally moving my lips around to see I could cover my teeth.

"Please....need you."

She's begging me. Oh God. I can deny her nothing. I'm denying her this. Only because I have to. Oh, really? At least admit you want it. Of course I fucking want it. Then take it. SMELL THAT. Christ.