Hello again all. Here is some more Checkout originally written for Fandom for Texas Wildfires. Enjoy!

Chapter 2 – Supermarket Sweep Her Off Her Feet

EPOV

Tuesday was my favourite day of the week.

I'm sure most people preferred Fridays but not me. Sure, every day was much the same in this dreary job, but this one day stood out from all the rest.

Because Tuesday was the day I got to see her.

My Isabella.

Isabella M Swan to be precise.

We had never really held much of a conversation but I had studied her from afar for some time. I'd served her once or twice when I was called upon for checkout duty but, other than my announcing the total of her purchases, no real words were spoken.

I never thought I'd end up here. I know everyone says that. But I never thought it would happen to me. I was going places. High flying career in IT, glamorous girlfriend, I was even thinking of popping the question and finally settling down.

But of course it all fell apart. The company went under quite spectacularly and surprisingly quickly. I was unemployed for the first time in my life. When I failed to land another job despite months of trying, I was forced to swallow my pride and brave the local job centre to find something to pay the bills before I ended up homeless. Which led me here to my glittering new career.

As a job, it was okay. The pay wasn't great but it was better than nothing. No pressure, no targets to be met. I could just be me. Most of my colleagues left me to myself apart from a couple of young admirers that I seemed to have acquired, who liked to follow me around. Now that was tedious. That was the reason I was often lurking in the stockroom. Apart from when Isabella was here.

Of course my girlfriend was long gone. She expressed her distaste at my job prospects and when I came home and announced I had finally landed a job she was initially pleased, but once I explained the details she was out of the door in a flash. I can still remember the disgusted expression on her face.

I worked the long shifts that no one else wanted. It wasn't as if I had a thriving social life to rush back for. Despite finding work there was no way I could keep up the mortgage payments on our swanky city centre apartment. Luckily I had managed to sub-let it to a friend of a friend before I had to worry about it being repossessed by the bank. It was humiliating and when my parents offered me my old room back I accepted. It was easier than trying to find a friend to share with – everyone I knew was married and settled with families and I hated the thought of imposing on them.

But enough of my train wreck of a life. I'd rather talk about the object of my affection. Or obsession. Isabella shops every Tuesday, at around six pm. I had guessed so far that she had some sort of office job from the time of her arrival and the way she dressed.

I was also pretty certain from her purchases that she had a child. But no husband. I had lurked close enough to spot she didn't wear a wedding ring. Of course she could still have a partner. I knew the absence of a ring meant nothing, nowadays, but if she had my child I would want my ring on her finger. Yes I am that old-fashioned, it's how I was raised.

So I chose to admire her from afar. Yes, admire. She's gorgeous. A beautiful face, clear creamy skin and beautiful brown eyes. I could get lost in them. Oh and, of course, there was her rather spectacular arse. Well I am a man after all!

But despite being naturally beautiful there was an air of sadness about her. Her lovely eyes looked tired and her beautiful face a little strained. I was fascinated by her every expression and what caused them. I wanted to be the one to make her smile again.

I had thought about approaching her so many times. Perhaps I could help her reach something on a high shelf, or assist her in finding an item she needed. But every time I had got close to her, I either bottled out or had been interrupted. If I had a pound for every time someone thwarted me with a request at the wrong moment I would be, well, a lot richer.

This Tuesday had been another trying day. The time dragged even more than usual and there were masses of deliveries and reorganizing of the store to do, ready for Christmas. Even though it was only early September. Yep, go figure.

By the time six o'clock arrived I was flagging. I had been here since early this morning and was on until eight tonight before I could go home and crash. My parents were out for the evening at some fundraising event and I'd passed up the invite to meet some pals for a beer. Yep I was officially middle-aged.

I managed to position myself near the entrance so I could catch a glimpse of Isabella as she came in. I tried to do this every Tuesday. Oh dear I really was turning a lovesick fool.

I glanced at my watch. Six fifteen. This was odd. She was never late. I couldn't hang around the entrance like a bad smell though. I prowled the aisles, glancing for out-of-place items to kill some time. But after completing my second circuit there was still no sign of her.

Maybe she was ill? There could be any number of reasons why she wasn't here. Having resigned myself to disappointment I spent the rest of my shift in the stockroom, trying to shake the foul mood her non-appearance left me in.

Was I that pathetic? Hung up over a mystery woman who I had never really met?

When eight o'clock finally arrived I bade farewell to my colleagues headed out towards my car, my shoulders slumped. I couldn't help the feelings of despair. God, I needed a pick-me-up from somewhere. Maybe I should call Emmett and meet him for that drink? Every time I went out drinking with friends there were always plenty of girls hovering. Some female company could be just what I needed to pull me out of the doldrums.

As I was crossing the car park I glanced across and saw a familiar looking woman struggling with a laden trolley. Then I did a double take.

It was Isabella. Damn, she had been here after all and I missed her. I fought the urge to kick the ground like a spoilt child. Unable to resist, I found myself drifting closer to her, just to make sure she got safely to her car of course. It was dark and the car park was not at all well lit. I stayed at a respectful distance, I wasn't a total creep. Then she suddenly stumbled and...

"SHIT!"

I was at her side in an instant, the gentleman in me couldn't let her fall. I caught her and her trolley before there was carnage. As soon as I grabbed her, I felt her tense. Of course, she had no idea it was me and probably thought I was some lurking pervert. Hopefully she wouldn't knee me in the balls. It would be worth it just to be this close to her. God she smelled divine.

Down, Edward, down. Don't be a creep.

"Sssh," I murmured in her ear. "I've got you"

Please relax. I'd never hurt you.

She still struggled in my arms. I needed to calm her down somehow.

"Sssh, sweetheart," I whispered. "Don't hurt yourself."

I carefully lifted her onto her feet. I hoped she wasn't too badly hurt. I gently turned her to face me and she gasped, her eyes wide.

I looked her over cautiously. She seemed alright, and although stunned, it didn't appear as though she was about to punch me.

"I...I..." She stammered awkwardly, her eyes darting around looking anywhere but at me.

I'd never ever been this close to her before. Those deep brown eyes, her scent, it threatened to overwhelm me.

"Ssh it's okay...Isabella."

Her expression turned even more perplexed. Of course she had no idea how I knew her name.

'Fess up Edward, quickly before she completely freaks out.

"It's on your credit card," I blurted out.

"Eh? What?" She wasn't making much sense.

"Your name. It's on your credit card. I remembered it. I'm not a stalker, honest," I rambled, ending with a nervous laugh.

"Oh, okay." She seemed to accept this. Phew.

"Listen, are you going to be alright? It's very late and I'm concerned about you getting home safely."

I was worried. She seemed almost dazed. I couldn't leave her like this.

"I'll be fine, I always am," She insisted, nodding determinedly.

She turned away and tried to push the trolley towards her car. Of course she couldn't manage more than one step. She'd obviously hurt her ankle, poor girl couldn't put it down properly.

This was no good. I had to step in. I swept her up in my arms. She weighed next to nothing after all.

Oh she was delicious. I didn't want to let her go.

"I'll take care of you," I murmured in her ear. "Let me take care of you,"

She gave in gracefully, exhaustion winning out I guessed. I got her to my car, loaded the groceries in the boot and set off for her place, having asked basic directions. She tried to argue about her car but I persuaded her it would be fine where it was. I even had a word with the car park attendant to put her at ease.

The first few moments of the journey passed in silence. It was feeling very awkward so I decided to break the ice.

"So...Isabella...what brings you here so late?"

"I worked some extra hours."

Aha! So that was where she was. Work. But I wanted to know more. So much more. I started by simply asking where she worked. This opened the floodgates. She worked in a call centre, poor thing. I commiserated. I'd worked in them myself and knew how miserable it was.

Then it all came out. She had a broken marriage. The husband left her for his secretary. The stupid bastard. And as I thought, she had a child, a little girl named Lauren. Then there was silence. Poor girl probably thought I'd been scared off. I wanted to snort. Ridiculous. If anything I was even more hooked, together with this strong urge I had to protect her.

I took her hand in mine and gave it a reassuring squeeze, before stroking her palm gently.

"I'm so sorry, Isabella, that's rough. Really rough."

She took a deep breath, as if she was steeling herself. For what, I wondered.

"So what about you, Edward. What's your life story?"

I sighed and launched into my sorry tale about how I ended up where I am now. My fall from high flyer to loser. She was sympathetic and the more we talked, the more I realised how alike we were. Two people who had been dealt a shitty hand, but who weren't sitting back, instead doing their best to repair their broken lives.

Sadly our moment was over far too soon and we pulled up outside her house. Right, it was time to get her in. No way was I leaving her to fend for herself.

"Keys," I demanded, holding out my hand, expectantly.

"What?"

She needed another nudge.

"C'mon, give me your keys. Let me help you get your groceries unloaded."

She blinked at me, then seemed to snap out of it and handed over her keys. I helped her in and got her sat down in a chair, fetching ice for her ankle, then proceeded to unload the groceries and put everything away the best I could. It was the least I could do. There was no one there to help her. No sign of her daughter either, I noticed. Maybe she was with her father for the night. I shook my head. It wasn't my place to ask.

"That's it, all done," I announced a while later, popping my head around the door to check on her.

Now, what happened next was up to her. I really didn't want to leave but was running out of excuses to stay. Maybe I could make her a cup of tea?

"Umm thank you...so much," she mumbled, her eyes cast down, not meeting my eye. Her cheeks were flushed, she was blushing. It was adorable. I couldn't resist.

I had to touch her.

It started as just a gentle caress on her cheek but, I was stunned from the jolt of electricity I felt, just from touching her. I lifted her chin, gently so my eyes could lock with hers.

I saw it. I felt it.

"Do you have any idea...?" I breathed, slowly shaking my head. Did she? Did she realise how I had longed for her. How long I waited for this moment.

She continued to gaze at me.

I could feel the electricity crackle between us. One of us had to do something. My eyes strayed to her lips, longingly.

Then all of a sudden...

She was kissing me. She was kissing me.

After a beat I responded. Oh yes I responded. My lips moved with hers, cherishing her sweet taste. I could kiss her for a very long time.

She tasted heavenly. I needed more, so I traced her lower lip with my tongue.

Her lips parted and that was it. I was in deep. My tongue plunged into her mouth and I pushed forward, not holding back any longer as our kisses became more and more heated.

Christ she was all over me. This was so much more than I imagined. The horny male in me took over and I pinned her to the sofa, lips glued to hers, before kissing a trail to her ear.

"Oh Isabella..." I whispered in her ear.

I trailed more kisses down her neck, sucking her skin into my mouth. Oh the taste! I had to have more.

Her hands wandered over my shoulders and back, her nails scratching my skin. Oh yeah sweetheart, just like that. I groaned as her hands slid lower then...

She squeezed my arse. Oh God. I couldn't fight the reflex and pushed my hips into her, letting her know exactly what she was doing to me.

You're playing with fire, sweetheart.

This didn't scare her off. In fact she did it again. I growled. Fuck this was hot.

I pushed into her again, really letting her feel me as I raked my teeth down her neck, making her gasp.

Her hands were wandering under my shirt. I groaned as I felt her touch on my bare skin. It was no good, I needed more.

I sat back, trying not to chuckle at her mini pout.

Oh I'm not stopping sweetheart.

I pulled my shirt off and threw it to the floor. Hell yes this was on.

I grabbed her hands and gently pulled her up to sitting, before slowly peeling off her shirt, my eyes drinking her in, as I revealed her beautiful, creamy skin. I wanted to kiss every inch of it.

We reached for each other as our kisses resumed. Her fingers roamed all over my back, I groaned as I felt her bare skin against mine. Her bra was quickly dealt with and my mouth found her nipple, sucking hungrily and swirling my tongue.

I gave both her delicious full breasts the attention they deserved before sitting back and taking her hand. I wanted more, and as much as I wanted to have her right there, I knew it would be much more comfortable in her bed. I raised a brow and asked her the question.

"Bedroom?"

Her slight nod was all I needed. I scooped her into my arms and carried her upstairs.

Once we got to her room I flung her onto her bed, crawling over her greedily. I needed her naked, and now. I yanked off her trousers then slowly, tantalizingly peeled down her knickers, savouring the sight of her.

Wow. She was gorgeous. Part of me was anxious there might have been a wild unkempt bush down there but I knew it wouldn't have stopped me. I slid a finger inside her, slowly. She was drenched.

I groaned, as I felt how much she wanted me. I needed to get her to relax if I was going to stand a chance of getting inside her. From the amount she was writhing and moaning I knew it wouldn't take her long.

I gazed at her, watching her fall apart.

"Go on Angel...let go," I murmured.

And she did. I watched, transfixed, as she surrendered to her orgasm, feeling her clench around my fingers as she rode it out. I needed inside her. Now.

I freed myself quickly. I was aching, and weeping a little. I saw her eyes light up and widen slightly as she took in my size.

God I wanted her.

I stroked myself slowly, eyes roaming over her naked body as I leaned in to ask.

"Do you have a condom?"

I hoped she did. I wasn't in the habit of carrying them, well, not in my work uniform. If I couldn't have her I thought my cock might weep. Hell I might even weep.

She froze for an instant, then leapt up to rummage through the bedside drawers. Just when I was losing hope and resigning myself to my hand, she suddenly brandished one.

I had to chuckle as I saw the expression on her face. She looked as if she had won a prize.

No, I'm the one with the prize sweetheart.

I took the foil packet from her shaking fingers, unwrapped the condom and slid it on.

This was it. She had one last chance to change her mind.

"Are you sure?" I asked, leaning over her, panting.

Oh please say yes.

"Yes. Please," she begged, pulling me to her eagerly. I was only too happy to comply.

With a deep groan I slowly slid into her. I went as cautiously as I could, fighting the urge to pound into her. It had likely been awhile and I was rather large. Hell, it had been a while for me too.

Then I was all the way in and it did feel good. So tight. I stayed still to begin with, struggling to keep a hold on my self control.

I glanced up and locked my eyes with hers. Slowly I began to move. Steady strokes. All the way out then plunging back in. Oh god, this was too good. I wasn't going to last long, I knew.

I felt my control slipping. Our movements sped up as she wrapped her legs around me.

"Oh God, don't stop!" she moaned.

"Oh, I'm not stopping sweetheart," I growled as I lifted her legs higher, over my shoulders.

Then I really let go. I pounded into her like an animal. Fast and hard and deep.

But I still couldn't get enough. I rolled us slowly, gazing up at her in wonder as she slowly moved above me, my hands guiding her hips, then reaching for and caressing her breasts as she rode me, lifting my hips to meet her.

"Oh fuck...Isabella...so good."

I rolled her back over again and really let loose, pumping into her with abandon. Fuck! I was close. Then she started moaning really loudly, I felt her pulse around me. I slammed into her harder as she came for the second time, clenching hard, which was enough to send me over the edge. I thrust into her wildly then stilled, as the pleasure overtook me, and I spilled into her. My arms gave out and I collapsed on top of her, panting hard.

I quickly rolled back, worried I was crushing her, then lay by her side, clutching her to me as we slowly came back down to earth.

"Hi," I murmured as I glanced up at her.

"Hello."

We chuckled together before I had to break the moment, getting up to dispose of the condom.

I was only in the bathroom a few minutes but when I returned she was almost asleep.

Wow, I must have given her quite the workout.

I crawled back into bed with her. I didn't want to go anywhere. Wrapping my arms tightly around her, I closed my eyes, completely content.

I knew that come the morning there would be questions. But for the moment I was staying right here.

A/N

Thank you for reading. I'd love to know what you thought of Checkoutward.

Huge thanks to my pre-readers lels2768, Twilucy_uk and annetteinoz for betaing. Couldn't have done it without you.

HKP