A/N: Thank you everyone so much for the love and support, you all show to this story.

Special shout out to Becky, aka princess07890, for editing the chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, SM does. I do not practice BDSM, so please don't use any of this content, as a reference. It's pure fiction.

Chapter 9

Reality slowly caught up with Bella and Edward as they realized they were still in his car. As they caught their breaths, Edward kissed Bella slowly, lazily moving his tongue against hers, before nibbling lightly on her bottom lip. Bella closed her eyes as she enjoyed this intimacy, running her hands through his hair.

The lust between them was unparalleled. She couldn't help but wonder what he'd think about her after she slept with him on the first date. Her inner conscious snorted at her. He wouldn't think anymore than he thought after she slept with him shortly after meeting him for the first time last week.

One week; but, if she were being entirely truthful, it was more like five days. Five days. Bella marveled at this. So much had happened since then. It felt like a lifetime, definitely not a handful of days.

Breaking out of her thoughts, she gazed into Edward's green eyes. She could see so much there, but she wasn't sure she understood it all. She pecked him lightly, before moving back to the passenger seat and dressing quietly.

Her hair had tumbled down from the bun she had made for the date, and her dress was completely wrinkled. She was sure she looked like a raccoon, imagining her makeup to be completely destroyed, and she tried to use her hands to wipe off any kohl that might have smudged from underneath her eyes.

She glanced towards Edward; she envied at how beautiful he looked, and how well the freshly fucked look suited him. His shirt was also wrinkled, and his pants were slightly off center, but that made him seem hotter to her. He ran his fingers through his hair, which still didn't want to cooperate. Instead, it made him look sexier. As he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, Bella saw the tribal tattoo on his arms, and she made a note to ask him about it whenever they ventured out again.

Suddenly she felt hot. She had jumped him, right in front of his house, and fucked him in the car like a sixteen year old. Moreover, she was already thinking about going out with him again, planning what she needed to ask him. She rolled down the window of the car, letting in some air to cool her burning cheeks as she continued to dress hurriedly.

Once she was finished, she looked over at Edward; he looked so freshly fucked. She ducked her head, not wanting him to see the dirty thoughts that crossed her mind.

What was wrong with her? They had just had sex, not five minutes ago, and she wanted to do it again, almost immediately. She was turning into a sex addict; and she needed help.

Bella cleared her throat softly, and said, "Well, that was something."

"Yeah, something." Edward said.

They looked at each other, smiling slightly at each other, chuckling lightly. And then they were laughing, not able to believe what had just happened. They were literally ten feet away from the door, yet here they were, in the car, banging like teenagers. Bella's sides hurt, as she tried to stop laughing, but she couldn't. They could have walked just a few steps, and they would have been inside the house, but they couldn't control themselves for one more minute. Wiping tears from the corner of her eyes, she thought that it was turning out to be a pretty darn good date.

Finally, after the last few chuckles, Edward turned to Bella, and said, "Would you like to come inside? I'll make some coffee, and we can talk, maybe?"

Bella looked at Edward apprehensively, considering his proposal. They did need to talk before this went even further.

What did this date mean? Were they dating now? Were they going out? Was she his girlfriend? Did she want to be his girlfriend? And if they were dating, how would the whole BDSM thing fit in to the equation?

Bella had seen that being a Dom was in Edward's nature. He couldn't control it; she was certain that he couldn't give up the lifestyle. And, to be fair, she didn't want him to, either. Admittedly, she didn't know much about it, but she was keen to learn. She wanted to be a submissive. Correction, she wanted to be his submissive.

That night, at the club, had been a different experience for her. The people there had scared her, but they had also awakened something in her. She wanted to be kneeling at Edward's feet, wearing his collar, showing the world that she was his submissive. When she had seen that woman being whipped on the makeshift stage, she had wanted to experience that. She wanted those welts to appear on her body, she wanted to experience that pleasure, the one you feel only after pain.

But, she didn't know how this could work out? Could they date and be in a BDSM relationship at the same time?

Bella broke out of her thoughts, when Edward tugged at her bottom lip. She realized she wasn't alone, and blushed as she realized she had been quite for a while now.

Edward sighed, "If you have an early class or something, I understand, but I really think we should talk sometime."

"No!" Bella said in a loud voice. Her voice echoed through the silence of the night, and she blushed again. She continued in a much lower voice, "I mean, no, I don't have an early class, and I would like to come in. I think we should talk as well."

A smile broke out on Edward's face, and Bella's heart flipped. He was so beautiful, the way his smile stretched across his face; it lit up his eyes.

"Stay," Edward said, before hopping out of the car. He jogged slightly to Bella's side, opening the door for her and helping her out.

They made their way into the dark house. It eerie, how silent and dark it was, and suddenly Bella felt a little scared, wrapping her arms around herself tightly. The house was suddenly flooded with lights, as Edward flicked on every switch, before guiding her to the kitchen.

"Tea, coffee, or wine?" Edward asked as he watched her sit on a chair placed around the kitchen table.

"Just water, I think," Bella replied, as Edward nodded, taking out two bottles, and placing one in front of her.

Fancy, Bella thought as she sipped from the bottle of Evian.

"So," Bella started, not able to take the silence.

"So?" Edward replied, smirking slightly, as he slipped into the chair beside her.

Bella squirmed uncomfortably in her seat, knowing he was teasing her. She squared her shoulders, refusing to expose herself as weak in front of him.

"How was the date?" Bella asked, with a wide grin on her face.

Edward barked out a laugh. "Isn't that supposed to be my question? After all, I'm the one trying to woo you."

"Woo me? Seriously, what century did you come from?"

"Don't you know; the century where little girls were spanked for being naughty."

Bella swallowed, feeling herself getting wet again. Gah! Him with his innuendos!

Edward chuckled, before saying, "All joking aside, Bella, seriously; how did you like the date?"

Bella looked at him, and saw that his face was now serious. Edward had told her on Sunday night that if she didn't date him right now, he would still train her, and, as he put it, continue to "woo" her.

But, to be honest, this was truly one of the most wonderful dates she'd been on, till now. Dates with Jacob were, well, not really dates. They would hang out in La Push, or go for dinner in the Diner, the local restaurant of Forks. They had once gone to a fancy restaurant in Port Angeles, and that had been nice, but nothing in comparison to tonight. She had gone on a couple of more dates, when she first moved to New York, but even they fell short by a long margin in front of tonight.

"It was nice, Edward," Bella said, earnestly. She put her hand on top of his, which was resting on top of the table, as she continued, "I'm not going to lie and pretend I have a lot of experience. But, from what I felt tonight, I had a hell of a time."

Edward smiled, as he said, "Bella, even I had a wonderful time. I, have had a lot of experience," Bella snorted at this, but Edward continued as if he hadn't heard her, "but all of those other nights paled in comparison to tonight."

Bella smiled widely, as did Edward, turning his hand to hold the one that had been on top of his. Playing with her fingers, he continued, "I told you I want to date you as well as have you as my submissive."

Bella nodded, squeezing his hand to make him continue. "I spoke to Peter. He is my mentor." Edward said, speaking slowly, framing his words carefully. "He married his submissive, Charlotte, and their relationship, or, rather, journey, is in some ways, quite similar to ours, and yet, in others, quite different."

Bella absorbed every word Edward said. Now was finally the time when all of their cards would be laid down, when they would decide what to do, and how to proceed.

"They started their relationship quite normally, as most BDSM couples do, playing a couple of days in the week, seeing each other only in a dominant and submissive capacity. Slowly, their relationship grew, and they moved in a twenty-four/seven relationship. You know what that is, right?"

Bella nodded slightly, before saying, "Doesn't that mean that you're practically playing all the time? I mean, I'd be kind of a slave, except that it's consensual?"

Yes," Edward said, "in a way. It's total power exchange. The Dom assumes total responsibility for the submissive, at all times, and the submissive voluntarily gives up all his/her rights, and lives by the rules of the Dominant. It is often termed as slavery, but you must understand that the submissive partner, in a way, gives power and authority to the dominant partner, in exchange for happiness, health, and well-being."

Bella nodded, thinking why would Edward explain it in detail, when it was just an elaborated form of what she had said.

"Anyway, back to the story," Edward said, "Peter and Charlotte moved in a twenty-four/seven BDSM relationship before realizing that they both wanted more; they both had feelings for each other."

"Wow!" Bella wondered. It was so beautiful. "And now they're married? Wait; are they still in that twenty four/seven thing?"

Edward chuckled, and murmured "thing".

"Yes, they're married," he said, "with two beautiful little kids. And no, they're not in a twenty four seven thing. Like I said earlier, it's different; it's what Peter suggested for us as well."

"What did he suggest?" Bella asked apprehensively.

"Well, you saw how easily I slipped into my Dom mode tonight, right? It's in my nature, and I can't help it. And this exactly what Peter said. He said, that even if we're not playing, and we're just Bella and Edward, sometimes my Dom nature will come through, as will your submissive nature."

Bella agreed that Edward's Dom nature would definitely come through. Tonight had been a shining example of that. He wouldn't be able to control himself, and it was justified, seeing as he was used to controlling everything around him, and he had also been a Dom much longer. It was bound to become an integral part of him.

But what she didn't understand was, how would her submissive nature come out? Would she suddenly start asking him what she should eat for lunch, or would she suddenly not be able to decide which route to take to get to her classes?

She focused back on Edward's words.

"Peter suggested that we enter into a twenty-four/seven relationship, but with some tweaks here and there."

Bella's face paled. She didn't even know the beginnings of BDSM, and suddenly he wanted her to submit to him all the time?

Edward squeezed Bella's hand, as he said, "Calm down, Isabella. I'm not throwing you to the wolves. Drink your water."

Bella obliged, still not understanding what he meant.

"See? This is exactly what I mean." Edward said triumphantly.

Mean what? Bella wondered as she sat there dumbfounded.

"Bella, we were having a conversation, you freaked out, and I used my dominant side to calm you down. And the best part is that you didn't even realize it." Edward said, smiling widely, clutching her hand tightly.

Bella was stumped. Edward was absolutely right. She had freaked out, and he had commanded her; the same way he had commanded her that night in his club. The only difference was that it didn't even register in her mind before she followed to do as he said. What was happening? But, more than that, Bella wasn't sure if it was a good thing. Today, she listened to him unconsciously about drinking water, but what if tomorrow she listened to him about something not so small, but something major, something that could alter her life, and get her into serious trouble?

Stop it, Bella! A voice rang through her head. She suddenly remembered the promise she had made herself, the one where she wouldn't let buts and what ifs get in between.

She looked at Edward's face. She could see the happiness shining on his face when she had followed his command without a thought. That's what a submissive does. You do not question your dominant; you trust him to do what is best for you. Suddenly, Edward's explanation about the twenty-four/seven relationship also made sense.

Bella smiled slightly, letting know Edward she was fine now, and that she was actually glad, that she had done something like this, in such a little time.

"I keep telling you, Bella," Edward said, kissing her lightly on the lips, "you're a natural."

Bella blushed, not sure how to react.

"As I was saying," Edward said, straightening up again, "we will be normal most of the time. As in, we'll just be Bella and Edward, and be who we are. I told you, I want you as my girlfriend. Now, I can't have that, if I'm constantly dominating you. If I ask you, whether you want pineapples on your pizza, I want you to tell me as Bella, and not answer me as a submissive who wants to please her Dom.

"Also, you're completely new to this world. It would overwhelm you immensely, and, I'm pretty sure that you'll either lose your mind, or your will to continue with this relationship. So, you see, obviously we will not do the traditional twenty-four/seven relationship, at least this early on."

Bella nodded, relieved. Edward had literally voiced her thoughts.

"But, sometimes," Edward continued, "I'll slip, or you'll slip, and at those times, we would need to behave as a Dominant and submissive. For example, just now, you were beginning to freak out, so I instantly slipped into my Dom mode. Just like before, in the car, you were pissed about me running a background check, and I slipped into my Dom mode to make you listen to me. From Fridays through Sundays, I'll train you to be a submissive. Do you understand?"

Bella nodded, "Yes, I think so. So basically, we'll act normal, when we meet, or talk, or whatever, but, sometimes, during that normal time, if one of us needs it, we'll slip into our dominant-submissive relationship? And then, from Friday to Sunday, you'll train me?"

"Kind of," Edward said patiently. "You have to understand, BDSM is not just sex; it's not just physical. It has to do with your entire being. It's also as much about submitting your mind and soul, as it is about submitting your body. It's not just about sexual pleasures. In BDSM, I can break your mind, even without touching you physically, or I can break you physically, while making you believe this is what you want. This is the power of BDSM, Bella."

Bella knew this. She had read all this over and over again in the papers, and on the Internet when she had done her research. Everywhere it had stated, that BDSM should not just be linked with bodily pleasures, but also with mental well-being.

Somewhere, it also stated, that BDSM was used a means of psychiatric treatment, where no physical relationship was pursued, but the patient assumes a submissive role, and the doctor treats them in the capacity of a dominant.

But hearing all this from Edward's mouth scared her a little. She was truly beginning to understand, that this was more than sex, and needed to give this everything she had within her.

"Bella," Edward continued, with a serious look etched on his beautiful face, "I know it's hard for you to understand why you would slip into a submissive if we're acting normal, or why I suddenly would use my Dom methods to calm you down. But, as we go further into this realm of BDSM, you will start to understand that there is someone out there who cares for you.

"Right now, you're very independent, and you have a perception, that you alone are responsible for your being. But, as we move down this path, you will slowly start accepting that I care about you as well. Your life will become my responsibility as well. I will take care of you, both physically and mentally. And once your mind starts accepting that, you will automatically try to find me, need me to command you, to guide you."

Bella gulped. This would be difficult. She had been taking care of herself for so long that she didn't know how to depend on someone else; she didn't know how to let someone else take care of her. She was the one who took care of everyone else. When she lived with Renee, or when she lived with Charlie, she would cook, clean the house, do the laundry; she was the one in control; she was the parent, not the child.

Even now, even though Rosalie didn't need it, nor asked, Bella still cooked as often as she could, and cleaned when she could. She told Rosalie it was her way of paying the rent, but the truth was, she didn't know how to not do it. She didn't know how to not take care of others, and let them take care of her.

Edward cupped Bella's face tenderly, and looked in her fear filled eyes. "Bella, I promise you, I will always try to be just Edward with you. And even when I slip, and command you a little, I will never misuse it. I will always do it for your good, for your needs."

Bella sighed, and closed her eyes. She leaned in, and kissed Edward, letting go of the fear that had a tight clutch on her heart.

Once they broke apart, Bella looked into Edward's deep green eyes, seeing them burn with passion. He chuckled, "Your big brown doe eyes and your pink lips! You're innocence personified, princess."

They both chuckled, their foreheads touching, and their hands clasped in between. This moment, right here, made Bella feel safe, and made her believe that she could do this, as long as Edward was beside her.

"Can I ask you something?" Bella asked Edward tentatively.

"Of course," Edward said, leaning back, so he could see her properly.

"You said that from Friday through Sunday, we would train?"

"Oh, right. You see, we would be in a twenty-four/seven BDSM relationship, but only when you, or I, really need it. And then, from Friday evening, through Sunday afternoon, I'll train you on how to be a submissive. We'll start with the basics, like postures and instruments. Then we'll move on, like your control, your submission in and out of the playroom, and so on."

This seemed about right, Bella thought. Not talking to Edward Monday through Thursday did not agree with Bella. She couldn't imagine meeting Edward only for three days a week, but she couldn't imagine being controlled throughout. She didn't think she could handle, not having any freedom, any privacy, and any thoughts. So, this seemed to be the best solution for them, so Bella agreed to this arrangement.

"Bella, there's more." Edward said.

Bella sighed. She had been dying to talk to Edward, but now she wanted to stop talking. She felt this was enough information for one night. But she knew this was important, so she motioned him to continue.

"We'll start, by me showing you the playroom." Edward said softly, and Bella's eyes widened. She hadn't thought about a playroom, in his house, but of course, it made sense. He was a Dom, and he would have his own playroom. She couldn't get the images of dungeons, cages, and chains, out of her mind.

"It's not dungeons and chains," Edward said with an eye-roll. "It's obvious, that's the first thing everyone thinks of when they hear the word playroom. I promise that there is no dungeon, and there aren't any cages."

Bella chuckled a little, and sighed. She was truly an amateur in this matter.

"As I was saying," Edward continued, "I'll show you the playroom, the first thing, so that you can get familiar with the room and all the instruments. This is very important. You need to feel safe in your environment, only then can you learn to trust me completely. This is the first step. Once you trust me completely, once you've given yourself to me completely, you will know I will never do anything to harm you. Then we can try out new things, like locations or instruments."

Bella nodded in understanding. Edward continued, "But, before I do that, I'll give you my checklist; I want you to study it carefully. Make your own, basing it on mine. Mark what you don't understand, search it, and we will discuss it on Friday, before we officially sign the contract. It is nothing to be afraid of. It will just be our limits, like what I like, what I don't like, what I'm willing to try, and what I will never try. As for the contract, it will just be a formality where you agree to be my submissive, and I agree to be your Dominant. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Bella said. She had read about this during her research. "It will be our hard limits and soft limits, right?"

Edward chuckled. "I'm impressed; that shows you read those papers." He leaned in and quickly pecked her, before continuing, "It will also contain requirement limits, as in, what is absolutely necessary.

"For example," Edward whispered into Bella's ear, "for me, it is absolutely necessary that you keep your hair down when we play. Do you know why?"

Bella looked at him with wide eyes, shaking her head slightly, "Why?"

Edward raised his hand, and ran his fingers down Bella's cheek, before his hand disappeared into her dark hair. Bella could feel Edward's fingers moving slightly within her hair, twirling the strands together. She whispered again, "Why?"

Edward clutched Bella's hair, and pulled it, making her head fall back. Standing, and looking down into her brown eyes, he said, "Because, I love how it contrasts against your pale skin. I love how it is so thick, that my hand disappears into it. I love how there is a handful for me pull."

Edward sat back on his chair, and pulled Bella onto his lap, her hair falling like a curtain around them, shielding them from the world. "And I love, how it separates us from the outside world; only you and I exist within it."

Then he kissed her, clutching her tightly around the waist, and holding her for his dear life. Bella moaned, and she could feel the wetness in her panties that had been a result of his words. She tightened her legs around his waist, as he sucked on her bottom lip, before biting it lightly.

Finally, after what seemed like ages, Edward broke the kiss and sighed. "Bella, I need to tell you, that I've never trained anyone before." He said, leaning back a little to look at her, but still holding her tightly around the waist. "I mean, I've always had someone with experience as my submissive before. I have assisted in one or two sessions with Doms who were training their Subs, and needed me for some particular act, but that was all."

He leaned into her, resting his head on her breasts, and said, his voice muffled, "So, you see, I'm kind of as new as you, Isabella. I've never done any of it before. What do you say? Will you join me on this journey, or have I scared you?"

Bella's heart thumped loudly. She didn't understand the smile that graced her face. Maybe because Edward had admitted to being vulnerable as well; or maybe she liked the fact that he had never liked anyone this much before. He hadn't wanted anyone else to be both his submissive and girlfriend. Whatever the reason, it pleased her.

Raising his head from her chest, she cupped his face gently, and kissed him deeply, ready to go wherever he took her.

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