The One That Got Away

Chapter Five

For those of you who read the Get Your Southern On contest entries, this is my contribution. I am tickled at the results ... first place in public vote and third place for the judge's choice. I've decided to break this up into smaller, drabblish chapters and it will be continued. The contest contribution is the first six or so chapters, roughly. I don't know how long it will be, but I do have it planned. Thank you to Bridget for betaing this for me and for Clo, who created the banner.

Thank you for those of you who have read this! I hope you continue to do so! Without further ado ...

Bella giggled anxiously. "I just never expected to hear you say that to me." She blushed, and it was her turn to chug her wine. "I've had feelings for you for as long as I remembered, but I didn't fit into your world. I was the prudish, nerdy girl whose father was the police chief for Tampa. I didn't have very many friends because of that."

"You're not prudish and definitely not nerdy," Edward snorted. "You are exquisite, timeless."

"Well, I am prudish, outwardly, but I've got a pervy mind," Bella snickered.

"Oh, really?" Edward smirked.

"Never mind," Bella said, waving her hand. "Any way, I never thought that you could feel that way about me. The way that I feel about you, you know?"

"And how's that?" Edward asked.

"God, I'm so emotionally stunted. I don't know," Bella blushed. "That you want me."

He slid closer to her, tucking an errant curl behind her ear. "I more than want you, sweetness," he purred, his fingers gliding down her cheek. "I desire you. I want to know if your lips are as soft as they look. I want to feel your body pressed against mine. I want everything."

"Shit," she gasped. She looked up at Edward, his evergreen eyes nearly black behind his frames. He moved closer, his lips millimeters away from hers. "Edward," she breathed.

"I want to kiss you, sweetness," he whispered.

"Please," she panted. Edward dipped his head and brushed his lips against hers. Bella's hands moved up to his tousled hair, tangling into the soft strands. He tenderly massaged her mouth with his, tasting and reveling in the softness of her pale pink lips. Feeling her mouth move with his spurned him on. Tentatively, he traced her lips with his tongue. She opened her mouth, allowing him entrance. She was moaning quietly, reacting to his sensual assault on her mouth and tasting him.

However, the quiet cough of the server broke them apart and blushing, they moved away from each other, feeling like they were busted by their parents. The server was smirking as she put down their appetizers. "Enjoy." Turning on her heel, she left.

"Thank goodness for small favors," Edward chuckled. "If she hadn't come, things would have happened in public that would have resulted in the chief being called."

"Yeah," Bella said, waving her hand in front of her face. "That was, um, wow!"

"You're telling me," he said, leaning over and pressing a soft, chaste kiss to her delectable mouth. "It was everything I ever dreamed of. And more."

"You dreamt of me?" Bella asked, arching a brow dubiously. She had dreamt of him and his dream incarnation was quite the exquisite lover, making her quake with numerous orgasms. Plus, every male character she wrote was based off Edward.

"Every night, sweetness," he murmured, threading their fingers together. He picked up their joined hands, kissing her knuckles.

She shook her head. "This is unreal. I mean, never in a million years would I ever think that you would be dreaming of me, kissing me, holding my hand ..."

"Why?" Edward asked, his brows furrowed.

"Edward, I've had feelings for you since high school as well, but you were always with Tanya. I always thought that she was what you wanted," Bella said, her face flushing.

"She never was what I wanted. She was what I settled for," Edward snorted derisively. "She was a manipulative, backstabbing, selfish bitch who only thought of herself and her needs. I honestly think that she poked holes in the condoms we used in college just to get pregnant. I never really trusted her and when she told me she was expecting, I was shocked."

"And to walk away from them in the divorce," Bella frowned. "Why?"

"If it doesn't benefit Tanya Denali, it's not worth doing," he said. "I wasted almost eleven years of my life with her. Four years in high school, four years in college and three while in medical school. She was never right for me. I knew it in my heart. I wanted you. Desired you. When I made love to her, I pictured you."

"Yeah, that's awkward," Bella giggled anxiously.

"Yeah, it is. Sorry," Edward laughed. "While my relationship with Tanya was a farce, I got two beautiful children out of the deal. I love them and they are my world, but I want more for them. I want more with you."

"Let's get through this weekend and then we can discuss the more," Bella said. "I feel the same way, obviously, minus the children, but let's enjoy the here and now."

"I can do that, as long as I get to kiss your sweet lips," he purred.

"You opened Pandora's box. There's no going back now," she whispered, looking up at him through her lashes. He moaned, covering her mouth with hers again, relishing in the perfection of Bella's mouth.

A/N: They kissed! GAH! Leave me some!