Shaky Ground

Chapter Eighteen

Here we go again ... the plot bunny just couldn't stay away. Persistent little fucker. Originally, this began as a dream. When I woke up, I wrote down as much as I could, but it's morphed into something different.

I had every intention of putting a lemon in the previous chapter, but the bet came up and yeah ... it's giving them a chance to have some smexy times in Edward's bedroom, which means, the next chapter will be ALL lemon. A full one, with writhing naked bodies, tongues tasting and fingers teasing.

Chapter Eighteen

They stayed at Game Works until closing time. Alice was plastered and was hanging off Jasper, saying she wanted to ride his cock all night long. Rosalie was not much better, on Emmett's back and whispering in his ear. Jasper said he'd take Alice back to his place and Emmett went with Rosalie. Conveniently, it left Bella with Edward. "Are you sure you're okay to give me a ride?" Bella asked, smiling coyly.

He nodded, helping her with her coat. They left and clambered into Edward's SUV. He helped her into the passenger seat, jogging to the driver's side. Once inside, he turned over the car and turned on the heat. "Sorry. It's colder than I thought."

"I lived in Chicago. This is nothing," Bella quipped, her hands in her pockets. Edward chuckled, turning on the seat warmer before backing out of his parking spot. He pulled out and got on the highway to head back to his home. "What made you decide to choose this as your winnings for our bet?"

"As fun as our clandestine encounters have been, I've missed the company of a woman and holding her in my arms. I may be a cold, distant asshole, but ... I want that with you," he shrugged. Shit, did I say too much?

"Does this mean our arrangement is changing?" Bella asked. "Are we still 'friends with benefits' or something more?"

Edward thought about that. He was afraid of changing the nature of their relationship. What if Bella turned into someone who'd hurt him? "I don't know. I can't answer that, Isabella," he replied.

"Who hurt you so badly that you can't open yourself up? You're a good man, Edward. Yes, you are an asshole," she snorted.

"That's a surefire way to win my heart," Edward deadpanned.

"Let me finish, Dr. Impatient," Bella argued. "You are an asshole. But, there are moments where I see someone who wants to love another person, badly. During that quake when Jake was in the ED? You cradled me like I was the most important, precious thing, Edward. Like you have feelings, romantic feelings or feelings of friendship ... I don't know. But, I'm here if you want to talk."

He thought about what she said and she was right. Bella was smarter than he gave her credit for. On top of being a brilliant doctor, she's very perceptive and empathic. It was his fear, though, that stopped him from loving. For now, he'd just use his body for a physical release and for tonight, to hold and cuddle her. "Thank you for the offer to talk. I did share what happened with me to Jasper and Emmett. They knew me when it all went down," he shrugged. "Long story short, I was engaged to be married and my ex-fiancée had been cheating on me for our entire relationship of six years. I don't want to get into the logistics or whatever, but ..."

"When you're ready," Bella said, reaching across the console and tugging his right hand from the steering wheel. She threaded her fingers with his and he smiled at her, thankful for her understanding. He relaxed his hand, his thumb running along her knuckles as he drove them to his home and pulling up into the beautiful, but contemporary home. "I meant to tell you. Your house is gorgeous. A little on the minimalist side, but the exterior is beautiful."