Friends with Benefits

Chapter Sixty-One

Things I own: my sanity (though, that's debatable at times), not enough time to write and incredible friends and family!!

Things I don't: Twilight, Edward and Bella (Damn. It.)

Chapter Sixty-One

BPOV

"I can't believe that Jacob Black, ew, kissed you!" Alice squealed. "He's a pot-smoking loser with really fluffy hair and acnescars."

"I'm so glad that you see past the physical, Ali," I snorted.

"He is! You go from hipster loser douche, Paul and the pot-smoking, pimply-faced Jacob. You're really luring in the winners, Bella," Alice giggled. "Why can't you and my brother pull your heads out of your asses and realize that you're made for each other?!"

"Alice," I chided. If she only knew...I'd seen her brother naked and we'd christened nearly every flat surface in our apartment, save for our kitchen. Heaven knows that's next. "You're hopes are misplaced. Edward and I are friends. Just friends."

"You would be amazing as more," Alice admonished. "Why can't you see him as more? He loves you and I know he'd treat you right. Bella, you deserve this. You deserve him. Open your eyes to the possibility."

"Edward has seen me at my worst," I grumbled. "He probably doesn't even think of me like that. I'm his little sister's friend. That's it."

"You looked awfully cozy in that picture in the Trib," Alice said, arching her brow. "His hand was grazing your ass. That's soooooo far past the friendzone."

"You lie. His hand was not as my ass. It was just below my shoulders," I scoffed.

"Whatever, Bells. His hand was on your ass and from the secretive smile you two were sharing, you both liked it," Alice said.Rolling my eyes, I looked out the window at the city as she navigated the streets to my apartment. And his hand really was on my ass. "Are you still willing to help out at the shop?"

"On a part-time basis. I could use the extra money," I mumbled. "A couple days during the school week and one weekend day."

"Excellent," Alice smiled. "I'll put you on the schedule. We can have you start training tomorrow?"

"Let me get over some of my jet lag. Sunday is usually slow for you," I said, pinching her arm.

"Fine, fine," Alice griped, parking the car outside of my apartment building. "I'll give you a call on Saturday. Perhaps we can go out for lunch and you can tell me more about good old Forks."

"It was cold, wet and rainy. The end. Wasn't that a very nice story?" I quipped. Alice chuckled as she put on her hazard blinkers. Working quickly, we unloaded my bags. Edward must have seen us in the window and he helped drag my luggage into the apartment. "Thanks for picking me up, Ali."

"No problem," she said, hugging me tightly. "I'm so sorry about forgetting to pick you up. Jane just...UGH! Thank God, she's gone." With a smile, Alice darted back to her car and zipped away.

I turned, slinging my messenger bag over my shoulder. Edward was standing, obviously cold without a jacket. "Hey," I smiled, wrapping my arms around his waist. He hugged me, guiding me up the stairs and inside, out of the cold. Once inside of the apartment, Edward caged me with his arms. "What are you doing?"

"You said I could kiss you; help you forget the nasty kiss that Jacob gave you," he said, cupping my face.

"I did, didn't I?" I asked, my fingers gripping his shirt. My heart was stammering and seeing him so sexy made my panties wet.

"No take backs," Edward whispered, his lips caressing my earlobe. "I've been thinking about kissing you, perfectly sober, sinceyou told me I could last night. I'm going to make it fucking count, too."

"What are you waiting for?" I murmured, looking up into his evergreen eyes. His hand moved from my cheek and slid underneath my hair, cupping my neck. His face was millimeters from mine and he had me pressed against the wall. His other hand slid down my body, reaching for my thigh. He lifted it, wrapping it around his hip.

"Hmmm," he said, moving his other hand from my neck and lifting me so I was pinned against the wall with my legs latched around his waist. "Much better."

"Don't like bending to kiss the dwarf?" I giggled.

"You're not a dwarf, Bells," he chided, his thumb brushing the apple of my cheek. "You're perfect and there's nothing about you that I would change." His thumb moved from my cheek down to my lips. "I hope that this kiss will change your mind. Kissing is so much fun." His mouth covered mine and my body ignited in flames. Every pore, every inch, yearned for more. My hands thrust into his hair, wanting to pull him closer to my body and have him devour my lips.

His mouth was soft, but rough against mine. I could feel his slight stubble abrading my skin. His tongue traced my lips, begging for entrance. Eagerly, I granted it, rocking against his growing arousal between my legs. Hungrily, we kissed each other and lost everything in that one solitary kiss. It was everything. Everything.

A line. A line that shouldn't be crossed.

The desire to cross it.

Pulling back, Edward looked at me, his eyes rheumy with desire. "Welcome home, Bells," he said huskily, nipping at my lips. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you, too," I murmured, losing myself in another of his amazing kisses. I'd allow myself to enjoy this for the one night, but after this, I couldn't kiss Edward. Not for any reason.

It was too...

A/N: I'm strangely proud of this chapter, folks. It's a turning point of sorts. Anyhow, we're moving forward. Edward andBella are going to have some fantasy time, but I'm not sure if I want it in Bella's POV or Edward's. Leave me some lovin!