A/N: Thank you so much to Squalloogal for buying these and generously gifting one to Ninapolitan, tby789, and LolaShoes. This was what Nina requested, and I hope I've done it justice here. More notes at the end!

Thank you to TwilightMundi, who helps with my idiotic late-night mistakes and makes me giggle.

All copyright and trademarked items mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. The remaining content is all mine. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without my express written authorization.

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BPOV

I wasn't quite sure what Edward had meant when he thanked me for helping him with himself, but I let it go and drifted to sleep with him.

Thankful that I'd driven myself to his house, when I woke up in the middle of the night, I got myself dressed again and left. It wasn't that I didn't want to spend the entire night with him, but we both had jobs to get to in the morning and I knew I'd need a fresh change of clothes and a shower. As I crept out, I considered leaving a note, but couldn't find any paper or a pen and wasn't particularly in the mood to browse around at somewhere between four and five AM.

Once home, I fell into bed after setting my alarm, and slept comfortably for the rest of the morning. Showering quickly, I thought back to Edward and wondered what might come of our night. Perhaps it was simply a great opportunity for two single people to scratch an itch they had.

Walking into the coffee shop, I spotted my Barista Boy and gave him my usual smile. The only difference was, I had a slight pang of guilt that morning. Should I not be smiling at him anymore? I wondered.

I wasn't sure.

Edward had been a fantastic date, and I certainly wanted more, but I wasn't clear on what the rules were. He had kids, and I never wanted them. He had an ex-wife and I'd never dated someone longer than six months. He clearly made more money than I did, had been overall more successful in life, and had been through more life experiences. Could we ever make anything substantial work with such an imbalance in our lives?

Time wasn't on my side, so after a few flirty exchanges with the handsome coffee boy, I took my coffee to go and drove to work. Angela had my schedule for the day, and we were going to be predictably busy for a Friday.

Around eleven o'clock, Angela came beaming into my office. Between patients, I had moved to my desk to make some notes and check my email. And Twitter. And maybe LOLCats. Except, Angela's head appeared wrapped around the door jamb before I could really begin the goofing off.

"And just what did you do last night to earn these?" she asked as she pulled a beautiful bouquet of stargazer lilies from behind her.

Certain I was blushing a deep shade of red, I put my head in my hands and laughed. Desperately hoping they were from Edward, I opened the card as Angela giggled and sat down next to me. Angela read the card aloud, peeking over my shoulder.

To many more nights of stargazing together. Call me, please? Edward

His telephone number was at the bottom, and though I wasn't sure I could call him, I was certain I could text.

Thank you for the amazing flowers. Well, what will be amazing flowers once they open. -b

Leaving my phone behind on my desk since I knew I'd be tempted to look at it every five seconds, I grabbed lunch and saw more patients.

"Bella, your phone is going nuts," Angela said, phone in hand. "Can you just make it stop chirping?"

Laughing, I grabbed it from her and nodded. "Sure, sure. Let me see what Mister Cullen has to say..."

Not nearly as amazing as you, opened and beautiful. When can I see you again?

Blushing at his words and implication, I giggled. "Well, then..." I whispered, mostly to myself as I flipped to the next message, leaving the first unread.

Too much? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you.

Had it been too much? I was again unsure of protocol in this situation.

Not too much, just a busy day. I'm free tonight?

I spent a few minutes worried about being too available, but I wasn't the kind of girl to play games. When I wanted to spend time with someone, I wanted to be with them, I didn't want to dance around it and waste time. Since Edward's schedule was limited by the time he had to spend with his kids, I wanted to be available when our schedules would allow it.

Handing my phone back to Angela, I walked in to the next patient room and saw a few more animals. She reappeared a few minutes later, a wide grin on her face as she handed me my cell phone again.

Can't do tonight, but God do I want to. Kids. Sunday night?

Sunday night, was he kidding me? I needed to get ready for the work week and I had important things to do on Sunday night. Like paint my toes, and put on my mud mask.

Sure, they were small things, but I realized in that moment that these were the kinds of concessions I'd need to get used to. I could do those mundane tasks on Saturday, right? If I couldn't, there was no point in even seeing Edward again. If I wasn't prepared to put aside my normal expectations and ideas of a dating relationship, there was no point in wasting either of our time.

Leaving his message unanswered, I saw my last few patients. Friday night, and I'd be without a date. Again. How was this any different than the week before? At least this Friday, I had the prospect of a date on Sunday. And, I could call him, right? Maybe? I decided to get an answer.

I want to say yes, but can I call you tonight? Maybe once the kids are asleep?

His reply came only moments later, a confirmation that he'd call when they were asleep and he was available. He mentioned that he had some work he needed to wrap up quickly, but didn't anticipate it would be too late.

As I drove home, I decided to call Alice.

"Hey baby, how was your day?" Her calm and smooth voice soothed me immediately. Alice and I had been friends for so long I'd lost count of the years.

"Really good," I said. I only slightly attempted to keep the smile out of my voice.

"Oh yeah? Maybe I should ask how your night was?"

"It was ah-mazing, Alice. Edward is..." I sighed. "Edward is really great. But he has kids, Ali. Am I the kind of woman that can date a guy with kids?"

Alice and I had spent countless nights in our twenties discussing kids and marriage and the meaning of life. She always knew she wanted a house full of kids, and I always knew I didn't want any.

"Of course you can, goober. Don't be silly. How old are they?"

Searching my brain for the information, I thought back to my conversation with Edward at the pet store.

"Six and eight, I think."

"Those are good ages. What happened with their mom? She still in the picture?"

"Yeah, he said he has them on weekends and sometime during the week. He asked to see me, but then said he couldn't get together until Sunday. Should that bother me?"

If anyone would be able to help me sort out my thoughts and feelings on this, it would be Alice. She knew me better than I knew myself, often.

"Well, Bee, you need to decide if he's worth it. If you think he might be, why not give it a go? I mean, you'll never really know how hard it is to manage things unless you try, right? You'll just build it up in your head to being this terrible thing, and who knows? It might be easy."

"Yeah," I said, stuck deep in my thoughts.

She had a point; I'd never really know unless I tried. It wasn't like I was going to meet his kids that weekend. I knew enough divorced couples to know that I didn't really even want to meet his kids until or unless things got serious between us.

When I got home, I made myself dinner and soaked in the tub. The bubbles, music, and bottle of red I'd brought with me helped and I was utterly relaxed, happy, and content when my phone chirped. Grateful he'd called then and not later (as I might have just fallen asleep when I got out of the tub), I answered quickly.

"Hey."

"Bella? How are you?"

"Just a sec, actually. I need to climb out of the tub without killing myself. I'll be right back."

Setting the phone on the counter, I got out of the tub and dried off, then slipped on my comfy, fluffy robe. Picking the phone back up, I slipped under my cool sheets and snuggled into bed.

"Better. Still there?"

"I am," he said. "Bella, did you just say you were getting out of the tub?"

I laughed. "Yes, yes I did. I needed to unwind and relax after my long, hard day," I said, lowering my voice, hoping to tease him a bit.

"Are you...." He paused and exhaled audibly. "Are you naked?"

"Well, that depends on what you think of as naked. I mean, we're all naked under our clothes, right?" Laughing, I went on. "I have a robe on, though, to answer your question."

He was adorable, his voice a half-whine, half-pout. "Fuck. I wish I was with you right now. I miss you."

"You don't even know me yet, you can't miss me. And, I wish I was with you, too."

"I do, though. I miss your smell, your taste, your smile, the way you fidget when you're nervous, and the way you let go with complete abandon and take what you need. Fuck."

His last word was a whisper, and I was surprised he was ready to confess those things to me. Pleasantly surprised. Maybe he wasn't like the other guys I'd dated, and maybe this would be different. I could hope.

As much as I wanted to continue on that line of conversation -- who was I to turn down some good, old fashioned phone sex, after all -- it didn't feel right. Deciding to aim for a distraction, I asked a question I knew would take us off the dirty subjects and back to reality.

"How's Jake?"

"I don't want to talk about Jake right now," Edward whined.

"I know, but, I just don't think it's a good idea to head down that path." I could almost see his plump lower lip sticking out in his best pouty face. "Yet," I added.

"Alright, you're probably right that it's better not to. Jake's good. The kids adore him. He chewed up my favorite pair of slippers this morning."

"Aww. You need to get him some more toys, maybe."

"Maybe. I'll need to pay a visit to my new favorite store, I guess," he said.

"So, how long have you been divorced, Edward?"

My nerves had finally settled and it seemed like a good time to begin the serious portion of our conversation.

"A little over a year now," he said. "We agreed on almost everything and got the paperwork pushed through. There was no point in fighting her, you know? She wasn't in love with me and I wasn't in love with her either. I'm not sure I ever really was, if you want the truth."

Quiet settled over our phone lines, and I wasn't sure how to proceed. I could hear the hesitation in his voice and wondered if maybe I'd crossed a line.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up a painful topic."

"No, these are all topics that are on the table and up for discussion. You need to know all of these things about me. The kids were still so little when we split, four and six. I worry so much that I fucked them up forever."

Now we were at an area that I had a little experience in.

"You know, my parents broke up when I was just a baby. I spent most of my time with my mom, but then lived with my dad when I got a bit older. I don't think I'm too fucked up," I teased. "It was better, I think. I never had to deal with them fighting or hating each other. Do you guys fight?"

"No, not anymore. We used to, but now we just try to focus on the kids and what's best for them."

"And she's remarried?" I asked.

"Yeah. She and James got married a few months after our divorce was final."

"Do you think they'll have more kids?"

"Christ," he muttered. "I really hadn't thought about it. I have no idea. I hope not, though. Is that selfish of me?" He paused briefly. "Well, either way, I hope not. Victoria has her hands full with our kids."

"Do you want more kids?"

The line was so quiet and still, I panicked.

"I mean, I'm just curious. I know this isn't typical second-date conversation, but this isn't a typical second date," I teased again.

"No, I really don't. I don't think it would be fair to my kids to bring more into the picture. Do you want kids?" he asked.

"No." A simple answer seemed like the best plan.

"Well, that's good. At least we agree on that. Tell me, Bella, have you ever been married?"

Laughing, I shook my head, as if he could see me. "Nope. Never married, never close to married."

"Afraid of commitment?" he asked, his turn to tease.

"No, nothing like that. Just a lack of opportunity and the right guy," I explained.

"So what would this 'right guy' look like? I mean, on paper..."

"God, I can hear you grinning through the phone, you ass. I don't know. Someone kind, I suppose. Someone loving. Understanding, for sure. I make mistakes, and I need someone that understands that. Hmm, what else..." I thought about it and realized I was pretty low maintenance, with a few exceptions. "I need someone smart. I mean, I don't want to sound like a snob, but he has to be able to keep up with me."

Edward laughed loudly, and I worried for a moment he might've woken his kids, until I remembered just how overwhelmingly large his house was.

"I can keep up, I'm sure of that."

"Oh, Mister Cullen, I'm sure you can, too."

A peaceful quiet rested between us and I realized I was getting sleepy.

"I gotta get my beauty sleep soon. I have a hot date on Sunday and I need to be well rested."

"Alright, if I must let you go, I must. Can I text or call tomorrow?" he asked.

"I'd really like that."

"One last thing, Bella. I want you to know that I realize my life is full of complications. I'd never expect a woman like you to want to make endless compromises for me, but it sounds like you're willing to at least give it a try, and for that, I am truly grateful."

As I formed a reply in my head, I blushed and squirmed around a bit.

"Well, we'll see how it goes. No promises."

"No promises," he repeated.

"Talk to you tomorrow," I said, yawning at the end.

"Sweet dreams," he whispered, a hint of longing in his voice.

"You too."

Hanging up, I set my phone down on the nightstand. After I plugged it in to charge, I rolled over and pulled the covers up, thinking about everything we'd talked about. It was a lot to take in, but at the same time, it wasn't like Edward told me he had cancer; he had kids, and we could work around that, right? Besides, I still only knew surface Edward. Who knew if I'd even want to stick around after a few more dates? I hardly had a great track record when it came to getting to know men.

After a great night of sleep, I woke up to the most adorable photo text of what I assumed were Edward's kids and Jake outside. They looked like they were probably in the backyard, as I was pretty sure I recognized a few pieces of furniture, and they were obviously having a blast.

We traded a few texts throughout the day, as I got my usual Sunday errands done, so that I could spend whatever part of the day Edward had free with him. I'd brought my flowers home from the office, and tried to be patient for them to open. That night, when I'd scrubbed, been waxed, painted my nails, then put on a hair masque, I sat and wondered what our date would be like.

Are you taking me out tomorrow? What time are we meeting, and where?

Lying back on my bed, I thought about Edward and the planes of his body. The shape of his form, the timbre and cadence of his voice. Just as I was getting myself worked up, my phone buzzed with a text.

I thought I'd cook and we could enjoy a casual Sunday night in. You could pack a bag and stay the night, unless that's too fast?

Thinking, I realized that I really, really wanted to stay the night. I was an adult, he was an adult, why did we need to pretend and/or go at anyone else's pace but the one we were comfortable at?

I'd love to. Plans sound good. I'll dress casually, then. What time?

Walking to my closet, I thought about what I'd wear, and what I needed to pack for my overnighter. I didn't want to pack anything super fancy, or give Edward the impression that I was something that I wasn't; I was absolutely a low-maintenance kind of a girl. I liked to dress up now and then, just not every day.

Soon enough, I had my clothes and bathroom supplies packed, as well as a piece of lingerie and some comfy pajamas, just to be safe. I decided not to bring my laptop, but did bring a book I'd been reading.

How about six? I drop the kids off at five, and that should give me enough time to get some groceries...

It was already past dark, and as I read Edward's text, I was surprised by my phone ringing.

"Hello?" I answered, even though I knew who it was.

"Hey," he said. "Is it okay that I'm calling? I figured..."

"Yeah, it's fine." Inside, I was a giddy mess. "I'm glad you're calling. The kids looked like they were having a great time with Jake. He's a hit, I take it?"

"Yes, they love him so much already. I'm sure they're going to give their mother a hard time when they have to leave him here. So what can I make you for dinner tomorrow?"

His voice had lowered and I heard a rustling sound.

"Hmm, you cook? More than just mac and cheese?"

"I do," he said, shifting again. "The kids need to be able to eat a healthy meal, and I find that it helps my stress levels to get in the kitchen and cook. Girly, right?" He laughed at the end, and I could swear I detected a self-conscious tone to his voice.

"I think it's sexy. A man who knows his way around the kitchen and a woman's body? Mmm." Smiling, I laid back on my couch. "What do you love to cook, anything in particular?"

"I'm going to ignore the comment about your body, before we dive into that topic and never make our way out again. I make a mean lasagna. Or we could grill burgers and veggies. Whatever you want, really."

"Burgers sound good; nothing too heavy. Can I bring dessert?"

Okay, I was intentionally teasing again. It was just too fun with Edward. He seemed to respond every time (though, granted, there hadn't been a ton yet), and he wasn't annoyed at my behavior, like some of the guys I'd dated. He played along with me, instead of discouraging me.

"You are dessert," he said.

I'm pretty sure my heart stopped.

When I could think again, I responded. "Oh, I thought we weren't going to dive into that topic..."

Edward mumbled something about diving in and I giggled, then slid under the covers.

"It's almost bedtime, you know," I said.

"I know, but I'm not ready for you to go yet," he complained.

Yawning, I said, "Tell me a secret."

Edward hummed and I could hear him shifting around again.

"A secret?" he whispered. "Let me see... I really love my life, especially lately. I mean, I worry about the kids like I said last night, but at the end of the day, I'm doing the best I can. I have great parents, a job I love, great kids, and this gorgeous woman that seems to want to spend time with me."

Blushing, I giggled. How was it that he always reduced me to a puddle of schoolgirl glee?

"Your turn," he said.

I thought for a moment. What secret could I share with Edward? Though so many people seemed to know me on the surface, very few took the time to get know everything underneath.

"I always wanted a brother or a sister," I whispered. "Growing up was so lonely, and my poor mom, she did her best to keep me busy and play with me, but it wasn't the same."

The quiet stretched out before us awkwardly, and I wondered if I'd overshared. Just as I took a breath to apologize, Edward spoke again.

"God, that's … I'm sorry."

It wasn't the kind of glib comment he was just making to give me an apology; I could tell he meant it.

"I have Alice, she's like a sister to me. I'm lucky."

"You are. I had my two brothers, and although we get along great now, I spent plenty of days wishing I'd been an only child."

Laughing at the contrast in our childhoods, I wondered more about his life. I decided to be patient and ask him the next day at our date.

"I wish I was there to tuck you in," he said softly.

"Me too. Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow," he agreed. "Good night, Bella."

"G'night, Edward."

Once again, I slept deep and heavy.

In the morning, I went to the gym and then the book store. Alice met me at our favorite bistro and we had lunch and coffee, gabbing well into the afternoon. Finally, when it was time to leave for Edward's, I locked up my place and drove over. I tried to obey the traffic laws, but the speeding ticket I'd have gotten would totally have been worth it, I decided.

Knocking softly, I smiled when I heard him shout that he'd answer the door in just a minute. When he finally opened the large, ornate obstacle separating us, I almost gasped. In contrast to the other night, all suit and tie and business sexy, this Edward was casual and comfortable. He smelled and looked like he'd just showered, but the ease with which he carried himself was palpable. Sure, he seemed nervous like I was, but his obvious happiness at seeing me overwhelmed that.

Edward was in shorts and a t-shirt, feet bare, beer bottle in hand. Seeing my bag, he quickly set the perspiring bottle on a table in the foyer and lifted the bag from my shoulder. When he was that close, I could smell him even better, and nearly swooned. Apparently he felt the same way as my bag was quickly (but gently) set on the ground and before I even had time to think about it, was wrapped in his arms.

The door closed behind me, and I was suddenly pinned against it. I expected Edward to go in for the quick kill – the typical searing kiss, quick grope, move on to the eating type of greeting I was used to. I should have known better.

My body was pliable beneath his, and although he did press up right against me, he didn't immediately kiss me. His hands slid up my body to frame my face, and his nose met mine. Trailing down one side and up the other on my face, I swallowed in anticipation. His breath was warm and humid on my cheeks, lips soft and right in front of me. So close, yet so far. My breathing quickened and I just wanted him to throw me down right there on the marble floor.

The tips of his fingers scratched lightly at my scalp as he continued to torture me in the most delightful ways. When his lips had ghosted across my neck and up to the hollow beneath my ear, he started to press them to my skin. Soft, tentative, tender kisses grew harder as they reached my lips. When he finally kissed me, I momentarily forgot to respond.

His hands in my hair tightened and then left, moving back to stroke my cheekbones with his thumbs. A moment later, his kisses turned softer again, more chaste. Whimpering, I furrowed my eyebrows and finally brought my own hands up to his face, my pathetic attempt to keep him where he was.

"Dinner," he whispered against my lips.

I gave a strangled whine and gave him a few more sweet kisses before I let go. We walked hand-in-hand and I marveled at the professional-level kitchen he'd led me to.

"You want a beer, or some wine?"

"No thanks," I replied.

"Zucchini okay?" he asked, inclining his head to the cutting board.

Nodding, I walked around to where he was mixing up the burgers. "Mmhmm, looks great." Standing behind him, I pressed my body against his. He let out a soft groan as my hands began to wander. Starting at the base of his neck, I kissed and nipped at his skin. As his hands moved to the bowl to stir together the ingredients, I felt his biceps flex and tighten against the soft cotton of his shirt.

My fingers wrapped around his shoulders and squeezed his arms as I pressed my body closer still. The dress I'd worn hadn't allowed for a bra, and I felt my nipples tighten as he leaned back against me, seemingly intentionally brushing his body against my chest.

"Trying to distract me?" he asked. "Aren't you hungry?"

I hummed and laughed a bit. "Very," I replied. "Would you like me to leave you alone?"

"No, no. But I am going to be on my way to the grill in a second. Come with me?"

Quietly agreeing, I pulled my body away from his and we walked out into the backyard. Watching the burgers and vegetables grill, we sat at the patio table. Well, Edward sat at the table, I sat on his lap. It was his turn to tease me, his hands toying with the hem of my dress. I'd kicked my flip flops off in his entryway and was swinging my feet as we made out like teenagers, knowing we weren't going any further anytime soon. It had been so long since I'd just kissed someone just to kiss, and it was sheer pleasure as we waited for our food.

Soon, the warmth of the day and Edward's proximity to me were catching up, and I had to pull back a bit. As he got up to flip the burgers, I took his chair and we sat side-by-side while things finished up. When it was time to eat, we went back inside.

The entire time we dined, we flirted, kissed, laughed, and touched. It was playful and light, an ease and easiness to it unlike anything I'd experienced.

"I'm glad you're here," he said, his fingers playing with mine on the tabletop.

"Me too."

The sun had begun to set and the house was growing dark.

"Come on."

Edward stood and reached for my hand. As I slipped mine into his, he led me up the stairs again on the familiar path I knew to his bedroom. He'd stopped and grabbed my bag on the way up, which I was grateful for.

When we were in the giant room again, he walked to the French doors and opened them. I saw the same balcony I'd seen from below, though now I could see there were two chaise lounge chairs, and a small table. A cool breeze floated in and I smiled.

"Do I have time to change?" I asked, my voice suddenly quiet and small. I'd stayed by the door to the room, closing it quietly behind me.

Turning to look at me, Edward gave me a smirk. Shaking his head no, he began to walk toward me. His smirk shifted to a predatory smile and my heartbeat picked up.

"Ready for dessert?" he asked.

I just laughed, standing there awkwardly. Trying to take in all of the details of his room, I looked around, suddenly nervous. As he approached me, my eyes tilted closed.

His hands were in my hair again, then down to my bare shoulders. "You aren't wearing a bra, are you?" he asked, thumbs tracing over the thin fabric covering my breasts.

"No," I breathed.

Trailing his mouth down the same path his hands had just been, he kissed along my collarbone first. Using the elastic of the dress top to his advantage, he pulled it down and exposed my breast to his mouth. A quick tease later, he dropped to his knees and looked up at me. The vulnerability there, the questioning and desire, it was all immense.

As we locked gazes, he lifted the hem of my dress and brought his hands under the fabric. Carefully, he pulled my panties down, then moved his head beneath the fabric. My body tilted back, resting my weight against the bedroom door as he began to kiss and lick his way up my thigh.

Whimpering when he reached the top of my mound, my knees nearly buckled when I felt his mouth against my bare lips. Edward lifted one of my legs and slipped it over his shoulder, opening me up to his actions even more, and loved me with the same enthusiasm as before.

The room was quiet but for our sounds, and the noises of nature filtering into the room from the backyard. It was intense and erotic, the open door, the breeze wafting across our bodies, Edward beneath my skirt licking and sucking me, coaxing my orgasm from my body.

It took no time at all once his fingers joined his mouth, and I was pressing against the door to keep from collapsing as I came. Even as I recovered, his mouth still placing gentle kisses on and around my wetness, I wanted and needed more. Somehow, in his presence, I became wanton and greedy.

Pulling my dress over my head, I threw it off to the side and then tugged at Edward's ears, the only thing I could get a solid grip on. He laughed and lowered my leg off his shoulder, then stood. Once his hands were in mine, he pulled me to the bed and we fell together, laughing and kissing. Soon I had his clothes off, and he was hard and thick in my hand.

Unlike the previous time, I needed to feel, touch, see, and taste him. We didn't have all night; both of us had to work in the morning, so I quickly rolled with him so he was on his back. As I straddled his waist, both of us naked, I licked my lips and bent to kiss him. His mouth was soft and slick with me, and I let out a little moan. His hands roamed down my back to my ass, and he lifted his hips as he pressed me down, making known exactly what he wanted.

Except it wasn't what I wanted, and it was my turn.

I slid down his body, peppering kisses along the way. When I got to his thick, yummy dick, I placed a gentle kiss at the tip. Edward tried to buck up into my mouth, but I kept my lips closed and in a grin. Carefully, I snaked my tongue back out of my mouth and licked around the ridge at the head.

As I continued to work Edward's body into a frenzy, I realized the noises he was making were turning me on like never before. Typically, this was an act I participated in to pleasure a man and sort of … get it over with. Listening to the soft moans and sighs of encouragement, however, I realized I was squeezing my thighs together and, well, horny. My eyes flicked up Edward's body and I watched his mouth open and close, his tongue peeking out to wet his lips periodically. His eyes were closed and he was in absolute pleasure-filled bliss.

My name fell from his lips several times, and when his hands wound into my hair, I moaned around him. Taking pleasure in his pleasure was getting me worked up and I dropped a hand to my body. As I moved up and down his length, I trailed my fingers up and down between my lower lips. I imagined it was his cock, and moaned again.

"Bella, god, you are fucking amazing," he whispered. "But you have to stop. Please," he begged.

I simply moaned around him again; I wasn't ready to give up the intoxicating power I held over him at that moment. His hands gripped my hair tighter and he seemed to be waging a battle with himself over whether he truly wanted to stop me.

Suddenly, he sat up, taking away my fun.

Giving him the best pouty face I could, I considered crawling into his lap to finish the job, but he quickly pulled me onto him.

"How do you do that?"

I wasn't even sure how he could speak – his mouth was everywhere on my body, hands roaming, ramping me up to my orgasm again.

"Do what?" I panted.

"You have a fucking amazing mouth. More on this later. Right now, I need to be inside you."

Somehow, somewhere, he'd grabbed a condom and was opening it. I watched with rapt attention as he slid it down his length between us, then maneuvered me so that I was slowly sinking down onto him. His strong arms wrapped around me and his lips pressed to the side of my neck as he continued to talk, showering me with praise and love as he pushed up inside me.

Anchoring my legs on either side of him, I rocked my hips against his. One of his hands scraped gently across my nipple and came to rest at my clit, using just the right pressure and speed to bring me quickly over the edge of my orgasm. As I came, I bit into his neck softly, my own attempt to muffle my noises, and then felt him still.

His grip on my body was tight, and after a few minutes, changed. Edward began to stroke and caress me, leaning back onto the bed and taking me with him. Our lips were still teasing and tasting, not to build to something more, just to maintain our connection.

Edward got up off the bed to clean himself up and toss the condom away, I assumed, and so I took that moment to get into my pajamas. When he came back, I noticed he had on a pair of boxers as well, and we settled into bed together, wrapped up in each other. My thoughts were a haze of lust and worry as Edward pulled the duvet up and over us, our bodies warm, and the cool night air breezing around in the room.

"You know, I think that was the best date I've ever had," he said softly.

"Me too."

I burrowed deeper into his arms and expected sleep to come quickly, but Edward kept talking.

"You know, she hardly ever did that. How in the world did you get so good at that?"

"So good at what?" I mumbled against his bare chest.

"So good at …" He paused and bent to kiss me again. "I don't want to sound crass, but so good at giving blowjobs. She always hated it; said it was disgusting."

"Weren't you with other women before her?"

Surely he had been.

"No. We met in high school and she was my first and only girlfriend."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah," he chuckled, the vibrations shaking through my body. "Surprised?"

"A little," I confessed. "I imagined you'd have been so popular and the girls would have fought over you."

"Oh, they did. I just stuck to one. My parents and her parents were friends and it made sense at the time. I guess I never realized how miserable I was."

I wanted more information, but I needed sleep. Sidelining my curiosities, I closed my eyes and hummed softly, trying to indicate that it wasn't talking time anymore. My fingertips played with Edward's chest hair and I tried not to get ahead of myself with worry about exes and children and subpar sexual experiences, of which I also had plenty.

We still had so much to learn about each other, but I fell into an easy slumber, pleased with how things were progressing. I couldn't have asked for a better second date, and was already eager for our third.

A/N2: Just a reminder: this will be continued into a full multi-chapter once my current in-progress stories are completed. You can always check my blog for up-to-date information about what I'm working on! I'll also be posting the outfits and other information there.