Ch 40 - Magic

You've got magic inside your finger tips
It’s leaking out all over my skin
Every time that I get close to you
You’re making me weak with the way you
Look through those eyes
And all I see is your face
All I need is your touch
Wake me up with your lips
Come at me from up above
Yeah, oh I need you

“Magic” - Colbie Caillat

I laughed so loud I snorted. I covered my mouth with my hands to stifle the laughter but it wasn’t helping. I was losing it. People kept glancing in my direction, trying to figure out what the hell was up with the crazy girl laughing obnoxiously in the middle of the art gallery.

Edward was smirking, chuckling lightly. He wasn’t at all embarrassed by my idiotic behavior, he seemed to be finding it borderline amusing and endearing.

We’d been back in Seattle for a few days and were settling in. It wasn’t like before, when Edward was simply just at my apartment and hadn’t left. It was different now, more official. He brought some of his stuff back with him from Forks and actually moved it in.

He was utterly stubborn at first, demanding that since he was sharing my living space than we had to share the bills also. I, of course, didn’t like the idea of him paying for half of everything, but he was dead set on it. I finally caved and agreed, knowing it was one battle I wasn’t going to win.

But things were otherwise going great. Edward groaned a bit when I got my job back at the library, proclaiming if I’d just quit it we’d have much more time to spend together. He said he had enough money to support us for many lifetimes but I blew him off. My job was important to me and I needed it—it wasn’t about the money. Edward seemed to get that finally and stopped complaining—for now, at least.

Now that Edward seemed to think my safety was ensured and all the drama has died down, he’d been able to relax more and our time together has been more carefree and fun. He’d taken me out on dates, enjoying our nights together exploring the city. It was nice, not having to watch our backs constantly. Nice to have Edward’s undivided attention.

Tonight he took me to dinner and to the Henry Art Gallery on UW’s school grounds, which is where I currently stood, laughing hysterically.

We were at the Jacob Dahlgren instillation, standing in front of a wall covered entirely in yellow and black dartboards. Edward had the bright idea of handing me darts and telling me to try it out. Needless to say, none of mine stuck to the board but I managed to hit Edward with one and impale my own finger with another—me nearly drawing blood was where Edward drew the line.

“I can’t take you anywhere,” Edward said playfully, snatching the darts from my hand. He tossed them at the dartboards nonchalantly, both hitting bull’s-eyes.

I gasped and Edward shrugged. “You suck,” I whispered. He chuckled and leaned over, his lips lightly grazing my earlobe.

“Indeed I do,” he whispered.

I shivered involuntarily. He laughed some more and grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the next exhibit.

The gallery was fun—it was contemporary and relaxed with a slight romantic feel. After we made it through the entire gallery, we went outside and took a stroll around UW’s campus.

“Ever thought about going here?” Edward asked. I smiled and nodded.

“I applied once. Thought about applying again. Not so sure they’d accept me now though, with my criminal and mental history.”

“They’d accept you, I guarantee it,” he said confidently.

I laughed. “I guess with enough money you can get anything you want, huh?”

Edward shook his head, chuckling. “Maybe. But I wouldn’t have to bribe them, you’d get in on your own. Now if you wanted to go to Harvard or Dartmouth I could make that happen.”

I rolled my eyes. “No thanks. No Ivy League for me.”

I yawned after awhile and Edward glanced at his watch. “Ready to head home?” I smiled and nodded. We headed for the Volvo and climbed in and Edward drove us back to the apartment quickly. I stopped and grabbed the mail while he headed up the stairs. When I reached the top I saw him pull out his keys and unlock the door.

“Edward?” I said as I walked inside.

“Yes love?”

“How long have you had a key to the apartment?”

He froze, glancing at me. “Awhile,” he said softly. I smiled, shaking my head.

“Did you have it made before or after you started staying here?”

He hesitated for a moment, kicking off his shoes and stretching. I knew he was just stalling because stretching was futile for him.

“Before,” he said softly, almost too soft for me to hear. He looked at me cautiously, his face slightly panicked as if he were expecting me to snap. I simply chuckled and kicked my own shoes off.

He was surprised by my reaction and smiled. He walked over to where I was standing and pulled me to him, wrapping his arms around me. I lay my head against his chest and he leaned his head down to rest it on top of mine. He squeezed me lightly.

“I love you,” he said softly.

“I love you too.”

“I really think you should apply to college.”

I smiled again. “I will.”

He squeezed me once more before letting go. I went into the bedroom and grabbed some clothes, taking them into the bathroom. I turned on the shower and hopped under the spray of hot water. I washed up and got back out, drying myself off quickly. I slipped my pajamas on and headed to the bedroom.

Edward was already lying in the bed, wearing a wife beater and sweat pants. Although he was personally comfortable in anything, he realized it made me slightly uncomfortable to lay with him when he was wearing jeans and button up shirts. So he invested in some ‘pajamas’ so-to-speak. I appreciated the gestured. I knew he didn’t lay with me all night long, that sometime after I fell asleep he’d slip out of bed, but it gave me a sense of normalcy that I craved. It made me feel more as an equal with him. I knew Alice would have a conniption if she saw the clothes, though.

I stood back and gazed at him for a moment, slightly mesmerized. The shirt fit snug across his chest, accentuating his muscles. At first glance Edward appeared slightly lanky but that really wasn’t the case. He was firm and toned, perfectly proportioned. His arms were equally as toned, his strength evident. I let my eyes wander down his body. It was odd seeing him in sweats, and I nearly gasped when I realized I could faintly make out the bulge in his pants.

“Were you molesting me with your eyes?” Edward asked playfully. My eyes snapped up to his and I blushed deeply, the heat rushing to my face. He chuckled and I closed my eyes, embarrassed. “Aww, don’t be shy. It’s not like I don’t do the same to you.”

I opened my eyes and narrowed them at him. He held the cover up, motioning for me to join him. I slipped under them and snuggled up against him. “You ogle me?” I asked softly.

“Absolutely. Every chance I get.” I rolled my eyes and put my head down, but Edward grasped my chin and pulled my face toward him. Our eyes met and his expression was serious. “I mean it. I have a hard time keeping my eyes off of you.”

I blushed and he smirked. We stared in each other’s eyes for a few moments before his smirk fell. His expression softened but his eyes darkened slightly. I felt my breathing pick up, a charge surging through my body as the look registered with me. It was desire.

He leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine, kissing me passionately. I brought my hands up and wound them in his hair. I expected him to pull away but he didn’t—instead he pushed over on top of me slightly, pressing his body against mine. I felt his erection pressing into me and gasped, moaning as his lips left mine and started down my neck. Edward groaned but didn’t pull away yet. I felt energy surging through my body, my arousal taking control. I ran my hands up and down his arms, scraping my nails against his cold skin. He seemed to enjoy that, his body naturally responding with a light growl. It wasn’t menacing, it was a small rumble originating from deep within his chest. His noises set my body on fire and I thrusted my hips up, my body grazing against his erection. Edward hissed and pulled back quickly, his hands on my chest keeping me a considerable distance from him.

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly, realizing I pushed him too far. His eyes were darkened but he seemed to be completely in control.

“Don’t apologize. Just surprised me,” he said softly. His eyes were melting back to their usual color, the gold shining through.

“I’m surprised you didn’t pull away earlier,” I said. Edward chuckled.

“I didn’t want to, it felt too good,” he said almost apologetically. “I hope it didn’t frighten you.”

“Oh no, not at all, I enjoyed every second of it.”

Edward chuckled again, his eyes meeting mine. There was still desire in them, lust radiating from his body. I wanted him, more than I’d ever wanted anyone or anything. My entire body was tingling, his penetrating gaze setting me on fire.

He leaned forward and kissed my lips once before his mouth started moving down my jaw line. I moaned his name and felt his body tense up briefly, but his lips never left my skin.

His hands were stationary at my hips and I desperately wanted to feel them on me. I wanted his hands to explore my body.

“Touch me,” I whispered. Edward froze and pulled back, his eyes meeting mine. He looked caught of guard, his expression questioning.

“Touch you?” he asked hesitantly.

I nodded. My breathing was haggard from desire. “Please, touch me.”

Edward groaned and hesitated, seeming unsure. He didn’t pull back completely or flat out say no, but he didn’t act on it either. He continued to gaze at me, his eyes imploring me.

I sat up quickly, my movements startling Edward. He followed my movements, sitting up to face me. I was feeling brave, his positive reactions and the fact that he was allowing his limits to be tested a bit urging me on. I grabbed the hemline of my shirt and pulled it up, slipping it off quickly. Edward inhaled sharply, turning his head and closing his eyes.

“Bella…” he groaned, his voice gritty with lust.

“Look at me,” I whispered, silently begging his eyes to open and glance in my direction. He groaned and hesitated but his eyes peeked open and he turned his head toward me slowly.

I still had a bra on so I was covered. Edward’s eyes fell on my exposed stomach and my bra and he trembled lightly, his eyes intense.

I reached back slowly to unhook my bra when Edward yelled out, startling me.

“Wait!” I froze in spot. “Are you… sure about this?”

I smiled lightly and nodded.

“Okay,” he said softly after a moment.

I reached around and unclasped my bra. Edward was staring in my eyes, his gaze intense. My bra slumped forward and I allowed the straps to fall from my shoulder. I slipped my arms out of it and removed it, tossing it to the side.

It took a moment for his eyes to shift downward, away from mine. His eyes locked in on my bare breasts and his breathing seemed to hitch. He was trembling a bit and his eyes were dark but he wasn’t holding his breath so he appeared to be confident with his control. He glanced back up again briefly, meeting my eyes. His gaze at me questioningly, longing evident in his face. I smiled, trying to reassure him. He brought his hand up slowly, hesitating briefly before grazing his fingers over right breast lightly.

I threw my head back and moaned, his cold fingers causing my nipple to harden immediately. He groaned as I felt his fingers graze over the other breast.

“You’re perfect,” he whispered softly, his voice strained.

I closed my eyes, reveling in the sensation of his cold hands on my flesh. No one had ever touched me like this before and it was sending shockwaves through my body. He seemed to gain confidence, his hands palming my breasts and roaming down my stomach.

After a few minutes his hands left my body and I peeked my eyes open. He was smiling sheepishly, his hands in his lap.

I reached over and grabbed my shirt, slipping it on quickly. I’d pushed him pretty far, a lot farther than I thought would be possible, and I didn’t want to press my luck.

Edward lay back down on the bed and pulled me down to me. I lay with my head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around me.

“Thank you,” he whispered softly after a moment. I smiled widely.

“No, thank you.”