SM owns all things Twilight. I just like to make them do naughty things ;)

Carlisle Cullen was the sexiest man Bella had ever laid eyes on. His eyes weren't just green, they were a bright emerald color, and they sparkled with amusement. Dimples deeply indented his cheeks and his smile revealed perfect straight teeth. He didn't have the body of an athlete, but one of someone who definitely exercised regularly. His skin had more color than it should, so he either visited tanning salons, or didn't live around Forks.

Alice nudged her, murmuring something that sounded like, "Wake up, Bella."

"What?" Bella blushed and looked at Alice. Oh my God, how mortifying. "Sorry, I must have zoned out."

"Right." Alice dragged out the word, grinning. "That long drive here must have taken a lot out of you."

Bella glared while fighting the urge to do bodily harm to her pixie-like friend.

"You didn't drive the entire way, did you?" Esme asked motherly concern in her voice.

Charlie frowned.

"No," Bella assured them quickly. "We stopped in Redding for the night."

Bella had been careful to avoid any eye contact with Carlisle this entire time - he'd probably noticed her drooling earlier - but she could feel his eyes on her. She risked a quick glance from under her lashes and saw that he was smiling at her.

"Hi," he said his smile widening.

Bella's cheeks flared at being caught like a school girl sneaking peeks at her crush.

"Um, hi." She took a deep breath and tried to act like she had a truck load of confidence. Not an easy thing to do when your face could be mistaken for a tomato. "I'm Bella."

"Yeah, I thought so." His eyes twinkled. "You look more like Charlie than your friend does." He winked, teasing her.

"Yeah, she looks like Dad. I look like Mom," Alice joked coming to stand beside Bella. "No one ever guesses we're sisters."

Carlisle chuckled.

Esme's voice reached them from the kitchen. "Charlie, could you and Carlisle take the girls' things upstairs, please."

"Oh, we can do that." Bella reached for her bag at the same time Carlisle did.

Their fingers brushed and their eyes locked. Bella's breathing quickened, Carlisle's eyes danced with excitement. She smelled the sweet scent of his breath. What seemed like minutes, but were really seconds, passed with the two of them like that.

"Don't be silly," Carlisle whispered. His lips were inches from hers. Bella shivered. "Your dad and I can handle this." He ran his thumb over the back of her hand, whether accidentally or not Bella wasn't sure, and then was gone upstairs with Charlie.

Bella's head was spinning. What was wrong with her? Carlisle Cullen was just a man after all, like any other guy she'd met. Only…she'd never felt anything like this just from a simple touch from anyone else.

"Wow, Bella, do you need Charlie to turn the air on?" Alice asked. "You're looking a little flushed." She giggled.

"Shut up, Alice," Bella muttered as Esme walked in holding a tray of refreshments.

"Did I miss the joke?" she asked confused as to why Alice was laughing.

"Don't worry about it, Esme," Bella said helping her. "Alice isn't funny, anyway."

Bella set the tray down on the coffee table, helped herself to a glass, and then sat on the couch folding her legs under her.

"So, how are the wedding plans coming along?" she asked taking a sip of iced tea.

Esme's face lit up. "Everything is in perfect order. Like I was saying before, we have a dress fitting tomorrow, I have to talk to the caterers about a few last minute details, and I'd love it if you could come with me to the bakery."

"The bakery?"

"I've narrowed it down to two cakes, but can't choose between them. Charlie doesn't care either way; you know how he doesn't have much of a sweet tooth, so I wanted your opinion."

"Oh. Sure." Bella smiled.

"When are the other bridesmaids arriving?" Alice asked sitting in the recliner.

"Bella is the one and only." Esme slightly blushed. "I didn't want you to feel pressured into helping, so I didn't tell you. Charlie and I wanted something small anyway." She shrugged.

Bella instantly felt guilty. "Esme, you should have told me. I'm sure there was so much to do and you needed the help-"

"Its fine, Bella," she insisted. "The wedding is small and there really wasn't much to take care of."

"No one works better under pressure than Esme," Carlisle said descending the stairs behind Charlie.

Bella watched him sit opposite of Alice in the other recliner, leaving Charlie to sit by Esme. She frowned at his statement. "That still doesn't make me feel better," she muttered.

"So, Bella, Esme and your father tell me you're an English major," Carlisle said.

Bella looked at him and for a minute was lost in his eyes again. They were just so beautiful. She felt like the room was spinning every time she looked at him. And his mouth. Wow. His lips were perfect, so perfect that Bella couldn't help but stare at them whenever he said something. The way they moved was like an art. Oh, what she wouldn't give to have those lips on her.

Would they feel as soft as they looked? Was he a good kisser? Was he a gentle? Did he take his time and savour every second, or was he more forceful, taking what he wanted, any way he wanted it? And his tongue…what would that feel like on her? Sliding against her lips, mating with her tongue, slowly exploring her mouth. His teeth taking her bottom lip prisoner.

Oh my God his teeth! Nipping at her lips, her earlobes, biting her neck, and then moving down to graze her nip-

Alice cleared her throat bringing Bella back to the present where everyone was staring at her…while she still stared at him.

Oh, no. Her face was burning. Again.

Here she was, maybe two feet away from her father, having fantasies of his best man. Who also happened to be her future step-mother's brother, which made him her-

Oh, shit! No, she did not just go there!

Step-uncle?

Oh. My. God.

Wasn't that against the law?

"Um, Bella?" Charlie sounded worried. "Are you okay? You look a little flushed."

"She always looks flushed," Alice teased.

"No, Charlie's right," Esme agreed handing Bella her glass. "Maybe Carlisle should look you over."

Bella could feel her air way being cut off as she choked on the iced tea. Her eyes watered as she gasped for air.

"What?" she croaked.

"Carlisle's a doctor," Esme explained clearly trying to hide her amusement. "Well, a surgeon, but if you're not feeling well-"

"I'm fine," she said quickly. Her voice sounded hoarse.

"Bella, I'd be more then happy to help if you're not feeling well," Carlisle said leaning forward.

"Really, I'm fine." Great, now she sounded frantic. But he was about to get up! She forced a smile and briefly met his concerned gaze. "This happens all the time."

Alice snickered. Bella threw her a warning glare.

"Okay." Carlisle sat back still watching her.

"I'm sorry," Bella said, "what were you saying before?"

Carlisle smiled. "I was asking about your schooling."

"Oh. Well, it's really not that exciting. Alice," she said, turning to her, "has the interesting career plan. She's a fashion student."

"Really?" Esme immediately liked this. "You want to be a designer?"

Alice nodded. "I've always wanted to design. I love creating new styles. It's my dream."

"And she's amazing at it," Bella added. "You wait and see, in a few years Mary Alice is going to be hotter than Marc Jacobs." She beamed at Alice, who rolled her eyes, but was smiling.

"Mary Alice?" Esme asked.

"She's already named my line." Another eye roll. "Mary Alice is my actual name," she explained. "I just prefer Alice."

Bella's intention to get the focus off of herself worked. Esme and Alice were now in an in depth conversation about clothes, Charlie had excused himself and Carlisle…. Bella looked up and saw that Carlisle was still watching her. She quickly dropped her gaze pretending to listen to Esme and Alice.

"Esme," Charlie said returning to the room hands stuffed in his pockets, "since the girls are bunking together I offered our couch to Carlisle. There's no point in him staying at a hotel when we have an extra bed."

What?

Bella jerked her head up so fast she was surprised it didn't snap off. Carlisle was going to stay here? Under the same roof as her? At night?

"Of course Carlisle should stay with us," Esme agreed.

"Are you sure?" Carlisle looked at Esme, but sent a fleeting glance Bella's way. "It won't be too crowded?"

"Nonsense." Esme waved her hand dismissing the thought.

"It won't be awkward?" he asked this time looking at both Alice and Bella.

"Not for me!" Alice said a little too quickly.

Everyone seemed to look at Bella now waiting for her to agree.

"No awkwardness here," she finally said feeling exactly opposite.

Carlisle smiled. "Great!" He stood. "I'll just stop by the hotel to pick up my things and check out then."

"Maybe we can all go to dinner tonight," Esme suggested.

"Good idea, honey." Charlie said smiling warmly at her. The love that flowed between the two of them was almost suffocating.

"Okay, so I'll just meet you at the restaurant then." Carlisle finally said clearly feeling uncomfortable caught in a moment between his sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law. "Which one?"

"The Lodge?" Esme asked naming Charlie's favorite place.

Everyone agreed.

"Bella, should we freshen up?" Alice asked clearing wanting a minute alone to grill her.

"Right."

Bella and Alice retreated to Bella's old room to get ready. As she walked in, Bella noticed, aside from the new bed, this room was the only one not to have gotten a complete makeover. Everything was exactly the same and for some reason that comforted Bella. Being in her old room she finally felt like she was home and not just a visitor.

"There's only one bathroom, so if you want in there you better go now," Bella warned Alice.

"Forget the bathroom for a minute," Alice said flopping herself on the bed, "and let's talk about Dr. Cullen."

Bella rolled her eyes even though her heart raced at the mere mention of his name.

"He's movie star hot, don't you think?" Alice was practically panting.

Bella shrugged rummaging through her suitcase to avoid Alice's eyes. "He's just a man."

"Oh, please!" She paused, and then said the thing she knew would get a reaction from Bella. "The way he was watching you…"

Bella froze. "What?"

"Oh, c'mon, it was so obvious."

Obvious to everyone?

"Watching me how?"

"Like he wanted to rip your clothes off right there," Alice stated.

Bella felt the blush start to creep back into her cheeks. Why did she have to embarrass so easily?

"I think you read too many romance novels, Alice." It came out a whisper, her voice thick.

Alice snorted. "Whatever. I know what I saw."

Bella turned to face her friend.

"What?" Alice arched one perfectly shaped eyebrow.

"It's just…. Well, I had a thought."

"A naughty thought?" Alice grinned.

"No, it's kind of twisted." She sat next to Alice. "With Esme marrying my dad, and Carlisle being her brother, it makes him my step-uncle." Bella grimaced. "It's so twisted and sick."

"It's so hot!"

"Okay, you're twisted and sick."

"No, seriously, he's like, the forbidden fruit." Bella was afraid she might have to get a bib so Alice wouldn't drool all over her shirt.

"You're not supposed to be encouraging this, Alice."

Alice looked shocked. "Why the hell not?"

"Because it's wrong!" Bella exclaimed.

"What is so wrong about it? If it was reversed and Dr. Hotness was interested in me I'd want you to encourage it."

"Not that I would have to," Bella teased. "You'd probably have had him naked at the front door."

"Probably." Alice laughed and then she looked serious. "You deserve some fun, Bella. You've been shut down ever since James."

Bella shuddered at the thought. It had been over a year, but the image of James's betrayal was still fresh in her mind. She'd wasted five years with someone she thought she'd be with forever.

They'd met on spring break when she'd been with friends in California. Everyone had persuaded her to try surfing, and stupidly she's agreed. She'd wanted to impress Mike, a guy she had a major crush on at the time. She knew surfing would be her death even before the huge wave had dragged her under. And as the water filled her lungs, and she briefly wondered if her body would reach the shore, he was suddenly there, hauling her to the surface.

Fit, tan and tattooed. Hair the color of the sandy beach and an ego just as big. Mike was quickly forgotten as he carried her back to safety. The love Gods must have been smiling down on her that day because even though she looked like a drowned rat, he still found her irresistible.

His name was James; he was twenty-two, and just finishing up four years at Berkeley. He planned to move back to Phoenix after the summer. Bella took that as a sign they belonged together. Renee loved him, Charlie thought he sounded like a very nice boy, and all her friends were envious. At seventeen, Bella was sure she had found her soul mate. Her everything.

Until, five years later, she found her everything in bed with her college roommate. She'd been devastated, more than just heartbroken. She felt like her soul had been ripped in half. Alice was right, she had shut down. She'd stopped feeling anything.

Until now.

Until Carlisle Cullen looked at her.

"So, is that why you had that panic attack earlier?" Alice asked snapping her out of the past. "Because you realized you'd be technically related?"

"It wasn't a panic attack," Bella muttered, "but, yes. That and he's at least twenty years older than me."

"Who cares?" Alice groaned. "Really Bella, who gives a shit. It's not like you're marrying the guy. He's hot, he's available, he's a doctor, and he wants you."

Bella bit her lip bottom lip and watched Alice get up and go over to her suitcase. She plucked out the only skirt Bella had brought, red with a black trim that was an inch above the knee, and a matching halter top and tossed them at Bella.

"Let loose and have fun, Isabella."

Instead of thinking of more reasons why it wasn't a good idea to bang Charlie's best man, Bella got dressed and drove to the Lodge.

Carlisle was already there waiting for them. He'd gotten a corner booth, so they sat in a circle; Charlie and Esme on one side, Alice beside them, Bella was beside her and Carlisle was to Bella's left. They were so close their thighs almost touched. Bella found it hard to concentrate on the conversations going on around her being this close to him.

"So, who's older?" Alice suddenly asked. "I mean, neither you nor Carlisle looks a day over thirty."

Everyone laughed except Bella, who pinched Alice's side, to which Alice elbowed her in the ribs.

"I'm older," Carlisle answered smiling. "I'm forty-one." He looked at Bella as he said this.

Her heart rate picked up. Any faster and it would soon burst out of her chest. This couldn't be good for her blood pressure. If he could do that to her with just a simple look what would happen if he touched her?

She'd probably die of cardiac arrest. Good thing he was a doctor, he could at least try and revive her with mouth to mouth-

Mmm, mouth to mouth with Dr. Cullen.

Those perfect lips pressed to hers. His hand on her chest…. Maybe she should pretend to pass out right now. She could do that. She could hold her breath until he kissed her, er, revived her, and if her tongue just happened to accidentally invade his mouth….

Ugh.

She had to stop this. Thinking of kissing him should not be turning her on this much. She shifted in her seat, bumping his leg in the process. That innocent touch went straight to her core. Bella ground her teeth together against a moan. She crossed her legs trying to relieve some of the ache between them.

"You're awfully fidgety tonight, Bella," Charlie said.

Why did he have to be observant now?

"Uh, yeah, must be all that coffee kicking in."

"You mean those two whole cups you had all day?" Alice asked fighting a smile.

Bella glared. "You know my low tolerance for caffeine, Alice," she growled warning her to shut up with her eyes.

Alice ignored her. "So, being a doctor, Carlisle you must not get a lot of free time," she questioned.

Carlisle shrugged. "No, not a lot, but it's worth it. I love what I do. The only down fall is not being able to spend that much time with my family. Especially my son," he added like an after thought.

"You have a son?" Bella asked and then regretted it. The question sounded like she was disappointed.

Carlisle slowly nodded, studying her reaction. "He's twenty and is attending Juilliard."

"He's a very gifted musician," Esme added, pride filling her voice.

"Yes, he is." Carlisle's smile was almost sad.

So he was a father. Did that mean…. Bella's eyes flickered to his left hand, but his ring finger was bare. Not even a slight tan line. Even though she knew that didn't really mean anything, Bella felt relieved.

She reached for her water glass and was just about to take a sip when she suddenly felt a hand on her bare knee.

And she was pretty sure it wasn't Alice.