Friends with Benefits

Chapter Seventy-Seven

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 Seventy-Seven

EPOV

"It's not fair," Bella grumbled. We were driving back from dinner, which she had to buy. "You're like gigantor. A full foot taller than me. It's like asking a cheetah to race with a sloth. Plus, you were on the damn swim team in high school."

"Stop bitching," I quipped, poking her side. "You agreed to the terms."

"But, I'd figure you'd take it easy on me since I'm a girl," she scowled, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You may be a girl, but I'm still competitive," I laughed. "Besides, it's one meal at Steak and Shake. I didn't ask to go to the most expensive restaurant in Phoenix, Bells."

"It's still not fair," she muttered, shivering slightly. We had spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the pool and ended up getting completely fried. The sun was hotter than in Chicago, turning our pale complexions bright pink by the time we got back into the suite. We also never put on sunscreen, further adding to our agony. "Can you stop at a Walmart or Target or something? I need some aloe for my back."

"Sure," I replied, finding a nearby Super Walmart. Bella and I went in, grabbing a jumbo bottle of aloe and some pain killers. I paid for that, plus a six pack of Gatorade because we were dehydrated before going back to the suite. We changed intopajamas and I was slathering the aloe onto my chest and arms. Bella padded out of the bathroom, her face as red as a beet and it wasn't from the sunburn. Wrapped loosely around her body was a towel. "What's wrong, Bells?"

"I need your help," she whispered. Turning around, I could see how red her back was. I hissed. "Can you put the lotion on me?"

"Lay on your stomach, Bella and pull your hair off your shoulders," I said, helping her to the bed. She bit her lip, trying to keep the towel around her chest but climbing onto the bed caused it to slip. I got glimpse of her breasts. I bit back a groan and discretely adjusted myself. Once on the bed, she twisted her hair up, giving me a grimace. "This looks painful, Bells."

"It's my own damn fault. Being out in the sun and in the water, I just forgot," she shrugged. "You're just as red as me. You're lucky, though."

"Why?" I asked, confused by her statement.

"You don't have to wear a bra," she snickered. "The damn thing was rubbing right on the most tender part of my back. Blah!" Snickering, I squirted some of the aloe onto my hands. I rubbed them together before placing them on her back. "OH, God! That's cold!"

"Sorry," I frowned, massaging the aloe into her warm skin. She whimpered quietly as I covered her back with the lotion. I was done when I checked on her. Bella's eyes were closed and she was sleeping soundly. I hated to wake her, but she was in the middle of the bed. And she was topless. I shook her shoulder. "Bella, wake up." She didn't stir. I lay down next to her, caressing her cheek. "Please, Bells? Open your eyes for me, sweetie."

"Comfy," she said, moving so she could cuddle in my arms. Her body molded to mine and her leg slid between my thighs. With a relieved sigh, she snuggled closer. Her bare breasts were pressed against my chest. It was heaven on earth. I loved being able to hold her, but the devil was just around the corner, taunting me with this vixen draping herself over my body. Tentatively, I wrapped my arms around her body. She let out a contented, happy sound and kissed my neck. "Missed this," she mumbled sleepily. "Love Edward..."

"Edward loves you, too," I whispered against her hair and allowed myself to just hold her.

Even for just one night.

I just prayed that she would eventually let me in.

A/N: Shorter chapter. Sorry, about that. It's opening the door for the two of them. Will it still be a friends with benefits type thing or something more? Up next...spring training baseball and Drunkward! He'll be a little loose-lipped. Leave me some!