In The Right Key

Chapter 8: Like Whoa

Chapter 8: Like Whoa

I awoke, feeling more rested than I had in my entire life. It was cool in my bed, and there was something hard next to me. I ignored it. My internal clock told me that it was time to start the day. Part of me just wanted to lie there, breathing in a beautiful scent, feeling too content for it to be real. I remembered a dream I'd had about an attractive man that I had been kissing . . . a lot. I blushed when I realized it hadn't been a dream. A smooth object ran across said embarrassing face coloring and my eyes shot open.

Perfection. I was surprised and happy, not only because Edward was there, but for something else. As his cool thumb brushed across my cheek the gesture felt loving; not at all like the day before. That caress had been possessive. Even though I should have been completely creeped-out about a man touching my face in my sleep, I knew that the potential stalker hadn't been Edward. Looking up at his face, I couldn't fathom how I had even conceived a thought that accused him.

His golden eyes stared intently down to where his hand rested against my face.

"I love that," he murmured, brushing the blush to emphasize what he loved.

"I'm glad my bodily functions amuse you," I replied. We smiled at the same time. He told me he had to go back home and change and left me to get my human bearings.

I left my window open for when Edward came back. He certainly wasn't coming in the front door with Charlie here. I didn't know why, but I had the weirdest feeling that Charlie wouldn't like Edward. I cringed while thinking about the things Charlie would do or say to him if he showed up at our door. It would probably be like if he had caught Edward last night, except for that would have ended in Charlie shooting his gun at Edward. That was probably over dramatic, but Charlie was an old-fashioned guy. Nevertheless, a Charlie-Edward interaction would have to be avoided until I was ready for Charlie's "father" side to come out. I shuddered at the thought.

Edward came back almost as soon as I had finished getting ready for our day together. The latter sounded unbelievably enticing, even though I was going to be murdered by questions about my life while shopping for groceries. After walking back to my room from the bathroom, I was shocked to find Edward sitting in my rocking chair, pondering my Brontë's and Austen's. He looked so relaxed and unbearably gorgeous that my breath caught in my throat.

He stopped flipping though Sense and Sensibility, put it back, and crossed the room so fast it would have scared any normal, sane person. It should have bothered me that I wasn't either of those things, but right then I honestly didn't care.

"That shirt looks lovely on you," he murmured. My cheeks heated and I looked down at my blue sweater. He took my blush as a "thank you."

Edward put both of his hands very lightly on my shoulders. They ghosted up and down my arms slowly, they only sound was our breathing. His breath, sweet as anything, blew across my face as I stood there, paralyzed by the very essence of him. There was barely an inch between us. His face skimmed down to my throat, my body not even registering the possible danger. I felt his lips press against my neck, kissing where I was pretty sure my jugular was, and then skimmed back up to my ear. Confusion possessed me to ask.

"What are you doing?"

"Controlling myself," he whispered. Before I could question what he meant, my mouth was covered by his. A little wave of desire rolled in me and I put my hands on his sides and pulled myself closer to him, as I could not move stone.

He kissed me lightly, swiftly, sweetly. Edward brought his hands to my waist as I moved mine to his shoulders. He laid his forehead against mine and I remembered that life existed just outside my bedroom door.