Spring Love Away Banner Challenge

Title: Candid Shot

Based on Banner Entry: #25

Word count: 952

Betaed by ohmyitsv

I've heard that the eyes are the window to the soul. Be it your eyes, your lips, your smile, or your laugh, I can see your beautiful soul radiating from every one of your pores. Every move your body makes, every turn of your hips, every swish of your hair…I'm addicted. I know I'm not supposed to mix business and pleasure, but you make me want to kick that rule out the window…

Sadly, another piece of crumpled up paper hit the floor of my apartment. I fisted my fingers into my hair and pulled with all the strength I possessed. At twenty-five years old, I should be able to put my feelings into words, but no, here I was with a mountain of crumbled and torn sheets of paper next to me.

Who knew that when the studio hired me to be the personal photographer for rising star Isabella Dwyer that I would find the real Swan she hid inside?

For over a month of being on the job site, I've remained silent, watching her in her day-to-day life. And I've come to learn what makes her sad, what makes her cry, what makes her laugh, and - my favorite - what makes her blush.

After about six months of pretending to be a wall, taking snapshot after snapshot, and calling her Miss Dwyer on the rare occasion she spoke to me, she snapped.

"DAMN IT, EDWARD!" she growled out viciously and stomped her foot down on the floor. She pointed at my camera then violently pointed at the floor. "Put the damn camera down and look at me properly."

Her sudden outburst startled me and I immediately removed the camera from my face so I could fully look at her. "Sorry, did I do something wrong?"

Isabella threw her arms up in the air then stormed out of kitchen where we were currently taking pictures of her in a homey setting out to her large patio. I stood staring, confused by her anger, debating whether to chase after her or not. I was just her photographer, nothing more, so what could I hope to accomplish?

Different scenarios warred inside my head, then it hit me; she was mad at me. Hesitantly, I placed my camera on the counter and followed Isabella outside. I found her sitting on a lounge chair by the pool, her elbows resting on her knees and her face in her hands.

"Miss Dwyer, are you alright?" I reached out a hand to touch her shoulder, but stopped short when she peeked through her fingers at me and her eyes were fuming. I swore her eyes grew even madder at my question.

She stood up suddenly, the crown of her head barely reaching my shoulder, she pointed a dainty finger against my chest. "Isabella Dwyer is just my stage name." She was on the verge of screaming, but at the same time, she tried to remain composed. "I'm Bella Swan." She crossed her arms over her chest defiantly.

"I know," I told her calmly. "I've known for awhile. The letters from your father addressed to a Bella Swan at this address kind of give it away."

Bella's mouth hung open and she stared at me speechless. "You knew?" she squeaked on those two words and I simply shrugged coolly in conformation. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"It wasn't my place to say anything, and I don't want other paparazzi coming around." I shrugged again, not knowing what else to say or do. Her expression turned heartbreaking and her eyes became glassy. Had I said something wrong? I started to panic and I glanced around the area for a solution, but found nothing.

"After all this time, you never said a word." She spoke just above a whisper and I had to strain my ears to hear her.

"I was doing my job," I murmured quietly, once again at a loss as to what to tell her. I saw the hurt in her eyes and knew instantly that I had said something terrible.

"Are you trying to tell me that after six months of being together, you don't feel anything?"

There were no words that I could use that would explain my feelings for this woman. None. "I never said that I didn't have feeling for you."

"So you do like me?" A smidgen of hope laced her words.

Her forwardness astonished me and all I could do was nod dumbly. She surprised me yet again when she leapt at me, wrapped her legs around my waist and her small hands latched on to my neck. Instinctively, my hands reached up and caught her around the waist so I wouldn't drop her. Before I could question her actions, she slammed her mouth against mine and I stumble backward and fell onto the other lounger.

We kissed for hours. I would take any amount of time she was willing to give me and I wouldn't push the issue, no matter how badly I wanted to. The sky was darkening when she pulled her lips away from mine, letting the night air chill them to an uncomfortable level.

"I'll show you mine if you show me yours," she whispered then bit down on her bottom lip.

"Show you my what?" Possibilities to that answer flew through my head at an alarming rate.

She let out a small and embarrassed laugh then looked directly into my eyes without faltering. "Your heart, silly."

Oh, well that was an easy request that I would be all too willing to grant. I smiled at her adoringly and placed my lips back on hers. So much for the thousands of letters I tried to write.

AN:

I didn't place but I really enjoy how this turned out even if it did change from what I was planning at first.