Don't forget to vote on the lemonade stand blog site. Two chapters in one day.. yeah thats how much this story is getting to me.

Chapter 6- Don't think...

I managed to stay focused long enough for the second song to end, for the bridal party to leave the floor, our solo dance to start up, but after the second set of turns around the room Bella's frame replaced Tanya's again and it was just us.

Staring into those eyes made the world fade away, and I liked it. I liked it so much that when she spun away from me, even for a second, I missed her—so I'd quickly pull her back and clutch her close so that I'd be at ease. And the way that she stared at me—like I was the center of her universe and not the other way around— baffled me.

But I didn't have time to figure it out, because the song was over all to soon. Tanya's hands dropped from mine, and I looked over at my sister, who was fanning her eyes to keep from crying.

"Okay, again from the top," Angela ordered, and I knew that she was pleased with the results due to her lack of criticism.

The door of the ballroom creaked open and my brother poked his head in, "Sorry to interrupt your rehearsal Ange, I just came to steal Bella for a minute."

Bella was already heading in his direction, so Angela just waved him off with a smile. Bella was wiping tears from her eyes, and I fought the urge to see if she was okay. She pulled my brother into a corner by the door out of the way and they started exchanging words.

I looked over my shoulder at my sister, trying to ask her what was going on with my eyes, but Alice only shrugged that she didn't have a clue. I couldn't watch anymore because I had to go back to practicing, but a few minutes later my brother's booming voice brought us all to a halt.

"Oh God Bells, that's not what I meant at all!" I looked over to see both of them red faced, with Bella holding her hands on her hips, scowling. What did he do to her?

Tanya rolled her eyes, "What is he up to now?"

"Your guess is better than mine." I commented bridging my arm with hers.

Tanya just shook head, "He better not upset her too much. It's the day before our wedding and she needs to be focused."

"Really considerate of you Tanya," I muttered sarcastically.

She didn't even bother to defend herself, "Your brother better not ruin our wedding."

I looked up and saw Emmett coming our way, and Bella retreating into the back corner again. "Hey bro, can I talk to you for a sec?"

"We're rehearsing," Tanya reminded but dropped her hands from my shoulders.

I thought he was going to say something smart, but instead he just smiled at her, "Lovely to see you as always."

"Yeah," I nodded jerking my head to the door before turning back to Tanya, "I'll be right back."

Tanya was obviously displeased but didn't argue. I waited until the door closed behind him to get started. "So, what brings you down man?"

Em let out a sigh and got straight to it. "I need to apologize to you, about how I acted and the shit I said yesterday."

I didn't even have to hear it, I was more than ready to forgive my brother. I hated when we argued. "It's cool, Alice said you didn't mean any of it, we were both just angry and caught up in the moment—"

"See that's the thing bro, I did mean it." He corrected, but he sounded a lot more patient than I was used to when it came to the Tanya discussion. "I was just wrong in how I delivered it, I've spent this entire time letting you think I'm against this just because I don't like Tanya instead of helping you understand that it's more than that. Since we were kids you've always looked up to me, when I said something was hot and not to touch, you believed me. When I said something was dangerous you walked away.

I guess I'm just realizing that you're an adult, I know I should have figured that out with you being twenty five and all, but I guess I never thought I'd see the day where a woman would come between us."

"She's not coming between us, I want us to be as close as we always were, but you're set on distancing yourself." I reminded, because this wasn't what I wanted at all.

I know, I'm wrong with that too. If I don't accept your decisions as a man then you won't come to me later in life and we'll lose our bond—and I don't want that. You're getting married, and that's a whole new world of stuff believe me. And maybe if I handle this Tanya thing better, I can help you avoid a few of those inevitable nights on the couch."

Was he really telling me that he wanted to work on whatever his issue was with Tanya? "Are you serious, You want to try building a relationship with my fiance?"

"I don't know how far we'll get since we're like oil and water, but yeah I'm willing to at least try to have some type of relationship where we're not sneering through our teeth at each other. There's going to be holidays, family trips, children, and a whole mess of other shit it on our futures so if you're serious about marrying her," He looked around the resort pointedly, "And you obviously are,—I need to actively support you."

My smile widened, "You have no idea what that means to me, Tanya too. She wants to be apart of our family, she just isn't very good at knowing how to fit with us."

Emmett looked like he was practically biting his cheek to keep from releasing his knee jerk response, but instead he gave me more news, "I'll be at the rehearsal dinner tonight, your bachelor party later, and I'll also be toasting at your reception."

"Really?" I kept on cheesing.

He nodded, "If somewhere you look down the road and view this wedding as a mistake, or as the best decision you ever made, I don't want me being absent on the biggest day of your life to be in that memory."

My smile fell at him feeling like it was a mistake. "I love Tanya, she's the only woman I've ever loved.."

"I know you do bro," He sighed clapping a hand on my shoulder. "And choosing to make your first love your last is a really romantic notion. It is. But I know for a fact that the last person we love isn't a choice we make, life makes it for us.'

"We've been together five years—"

He interrupted me again, "—I met Rose on a cold random October day when my car broke down on the way to a date with Francesca Meadows. My phone was dead, and I went into this diner to see if I could use their phone. She was there getting take out and I remember being stunned stupid she was so beautiful and before I could even form the words to say hello, she was out the door.

I followed her, not knowing what I was going to say, but thankfully fate handled that. She saw my car at the corner with the hood up and hazards—who knew a girl like her had a thing for classic Mustangs."

I'd heard this story several times since they met, but I didn't interrupt him. Something about the way his eyes lit up and the more details of his own thoughts made it sound completely new—like there was a bigger point to it.

"She said she knew a few things about cars and offered to take a look. I didn't think she was serious but I humored her turning the engine over a few times so that she could get a look and listen. Not only did she know exactly what was wrong with it, she said if she wasn't in a rush she'd probably be able to fix it.

She called her father's shop and told him to send one of the boys to pick up their food, and to bring a tow truck for my car while they were at it. I listened to them rattle off in engine lingo and was never more turned on in my life. Watching her get lost, completely absorbed in her element absorbed me so much I probably could have listened all day. She walked with me back into the diner and asked one of the servers to keep the food under the warmer until someone came to pick it up, then she turned to me offered her hand.

I felt this spark and I knew, I couldn't explain it but I think the way we stared at each other she felt the same thing. But we both know how stubborn Rosie is, she just dropped her hand and told me that I was in good hands and good luck.

I thanked her and let her go but I was set on seeing her again. I watched her get in her car and pull off before taking a seat at the counter, and I think I was a halfway through my first cup of coffee when she tapped me on the shoulder telling me that we were in for a wait and the booths were a lot more comfortable, and the rest is history.

By Thanksgiving she was meeting Mom and Dad, and by Christmas we were road tripping to Vermont to pick up Alice and we were married the same summer. And each step I took I remember my mind telling me it went beyond all logic, that it was too soon, that we barely knew each other, and all of the other problems that could come with it. But each time my body just—took the leap on it's own—that's the last person you're ever going to love. The person that you just have a knee jerk reaction to let consume you. The person where you don't think about the consequences, the politics of what family she came from, or the risks, you just do and the rest comes later."

"And you think I haven't found that?" I asked figuring out his point.

He shook his head, "No, I'm not saying that, because I don't know. I'm just learning to accept that maybe your leap looks different from mine. I'm just saying I'm here whether it is or not, and I'm happy for you if you're happy."

He swung an arm around my neck to hug me, and I did the same."That's all I ever wanted." I clapped him on the back and let him go, another thought coming to me, "Not that I'm not glad you changed your mind on this—because I am—but what made you see things differently?"

He sighed and started scratching his head, "Honestly, several shots of Jaeger and Bella."

"Bella?" My eyes widened at the mention of her name.

"And Jaeger." He repeated looking somewhat guilty. "I guess Alice must have told her about our fight because she came to the room and told me to put on shoes because we were heading out."

"And you went with her..." I asked in disbelief trying to get the rest of the story.

Emmett laughed, "It's not like she left me much choice. She does this thing where she get's all determined and you can't help but listen to what she says. Hell if that didn't work I was pretty sure Rose would have thrown me at her anyway. But anyway—she opened up a tab and let me vent."

"You had girl talk with Isabella Swan," I couldn't picture it.

Em's eyes narrowed, "Call it brother, sister bonding because she vented too. Then she told me a a few harsh words to set me straight."

"Looks like I owe her a thank you," I realized beyond impressed. Was there anything she couldn't do? "Wait, then what did you do to upset her earlier?"

My brother flushed seven shades of pink—Emmett, blushing? "It was a misunderstanding, I forgot how prideful she was."

"What did you do?" I pressed again.

He decided to just tell me, "She paid for the tab last night and I offered to pay her back this morning, she didn't take it too well."

"What?" That didn't make sense, why would she get mad over that?

Emmett took it another way, "I know it was stupid, but she already paid for her trip here, she won't let us pay her for coordinating—"

"Wait, she's doing this and we're not paying her? Why aren't we paying her?" I was floored. She was working nonstop, missing actual work, and she wasn't being compensated for it.

"It's not like we didn't' offer, she'd just get mad anytime one of us did. In her eyes family doesn't get paid to help one another." Emmett defended before I thought the worse.

It still didn't make sense, "Well, It's my wedding, she doesn't know me. Why would she inconvenience herself for me?"

"She's not here for you Narcissus, she's here to help Alice so that she can be here for you." Emmett scoffed with a smirk. "Look, I gotta meet Rose for lunch, I already spent half of the morning sleeping off a hangover. I'm starved. What do you say we roll the credits on this chick flick?"

"Yeah, of course, go. I'll see you at the dinner." I rushed clapping a hand on his shoulder surprised our emotional talk lasted this long.

Coming back in I was on cloud nine, the things between my brother and I were fixed and I had Bella to thank. I definitely had to talk to her now.

"What's got you grinning from ear to ear?" Tanya wondered ducking under my arm and coming back around.

"Em and me are cool, he's going to toast us off." I explained reminding myself that the steps were quick, quick, slow and not just pick her up and twirl her I was so happy.

Apparently my smile was infectious, because Tanya flashed one of her own, "Good, now we'll both have our perfect day."

I nodded looking over Tanya's head at the brown eyed girl with her nose buried in note cards, and suddenly I couldn't wait for Angela to finish this up so I could talk to her. I was probably going to be in her debt for years to come.

"Okay guys, that's it. I'll work with the bridal party one more time in the morning so don't get too wasted at the parties tonight. Edward, Tanya, you both look as perfect on the dance floor as you look any other day—just don't lose that energy." Angela wrapped up looking over her glasses to point at me.

Everyone started to head off but the three of us lingered. "I better see you at my bachelorette party tonight miss." Tanya threatened with a smile and I fought to roll my eyes, she wanted to fire her not even an hour ago.

Angela smirked at me knowingly and I swore she had esp, "I wouldn't miss it for the world, see you at the dinner."

Once she left Tanya and I turned to each other, "Look, Bella's still there, don't forget to ask her."

"About the game, I know." I promised feeling guiltier about it now that I knew she was here on a volunteer basis, but I still needed to talk to her.

Tanya gave my hand a squeeze and gave me a 'see you tonight' before going off with Irina. The second they were gone I took off in her direction. Hell I probably would have sprinted if there wasn't a maze of chairs and tables I had to navigate first.

She looked slightly freaked out that I was standing in front of her, which made sense considering I was smiling like a Cheshire cat, not saying anything, and probably breathing hard. Not freaky at all. "Hi," I greeted reminding myself I needed to say something.

She was still guarded, but smiled up at me all the same, "Hello." Then my eyes and her's got caught in a stare off again and I was lost for words. I had completely forgotten why I rushed over to her. "So did you need some help with something...or did you—"

I just went for it, "This is going to sound weird but do you think we can go for a walk?"

She tried to blink away her confusion and glanced nervously around the now empty ballroom. "Um, I have errands to run—"

Was she trying to let me down and say no or was she telling me time couldn't allow it? "Then I'll follow you," I rushed not realizing how crazy that sounded until her eyes flew wide, "Okay that was creepy, I just mean—"

"I know what you mean," She absolved locking her lips in an attempt to keep from laughing at me, "What is it with you Cullen boys and your stammering today?"

I relaxed a bit once I realized she took it in good humor, "You didn't answer my question"

Bella Swan's eyes really did reveal all of her thoughts, I could practically see the gears turning in that head of hers tossing over the options, no doubt weighing what she had to do versus how much time I would take up. I thought she was going to tell me no but she surprised me, throwing the black binder into her bag and shrugging, "Sure."

—

"So what can I do for you Edward?" She pressed once we were outside and walking the garden space for the ceremony. There was a small layout issue she had to handle first, and I just sat back and watched her work.

I smiled at her, "Isn't it obvious? I'm here for my dream talk?" Bella's eyes widened in surprise, "You...weren't going to talk to me were you?"

Her eyes fell to her shoes and she shook her head, "I didn't think you'd need one." She admitted honestly, then her stomach growled and her eyes flashed back up with embarrassment, "Sorry."

"Don't be sorry, you're hungry and I'm keeping you from lunch, if anyone should be sorry it's me." She probably didn't eat a thing all day and I was no better. "Come on, let's go get something to eat."

She looked surprised but didn't fight me, the phone in her hands chiming a message. She sighed and slid her fingers across the touch screen before typing back a response furiously with both of her thumbs. "Do you mind if we go to a restaurant here, it'll help me kill two birds with one stone?"

"Lead the way," I didn't care where we ate, I just didn't want her out of my sight yet.

We walked and talked about the basics stopping ever so often for her to send another message, or to answer a call say a few words and hang back up. The stream of rings and alerts kept coming the entire walk and even through being seated and ordering. I didn't have her full attention until the waiter sat our food in front of us.

"Okay, I'm all yours," She promised sitting the phone down with another apologetic smile. The phone chimed again before I could answer and she hurriedly sent off another message and let the phone drop in her bag, "Now I'm really yours, sorry."

I chuckled letting her off the hook, "Does it always do that?"

"For a wedding your size, I'm lucky." She joked grabbing a fry practically moaning into her mouth at the taste.

The sound shot straight below the belt and made me drop my fork into my side dish of dressing. "Shit." I hissed trying to find the best way to fish it out.

"Here I won't need mine," She offered sliding the set across the table completely oblivious to her actions.

I cleared my throat and took the linen wrapped silverware to finish my salad., "Thanks."

"So..." She pressed peeling the tomato from her burger, "you obviously want to talk to me."

"Can I ask one question first?" I requested taking a few bites from my chicken Caesar before moving on. "Why wouldn't I get a dream talk?"

She took longer to chew the bite of her burger than the first one, undoubtedly trying o figure out what she was going to say next. "Honestly, I didn't think you'd need one," she admitted after a long swallow. "You seemed happy enough today."

"Because of you." I rushed without thinking. She gave me that wide eyed confused look again, "Emmett told me what you did."

She continued to chew and shook her head, "I didn't do anything special, just gave him a fresh ear to listen."

"You did something right, that we couldn't," I praised softly reaching across the table to touch her hand. I felt that volt but I couldn't quite tell if she felt it to without her looking at me, "thank you."

"You're welcome, Mr. Cullen." she choked out as professionally as possible before pulling her hand back.

We ate a few more minutes in companionable silence before I felt comfortable enough to start asking my questions. "So, you live in California?"

"San Francisco," She volunteered focusing less on her food and more on me.

"Are you from there?" I pressed trying to find the right question to get her talking on her own.

She shook her head, "No, originally from Phoenix, I moved to San Francisco to work for Happily Ever After, an event planning firm based there."

"Mom said you work for a pretty famous planner...that must be fun." I guessed.

She rolled her eyes and rocked her head back and forth agreeing and disagreeing at the same time, it was cute. "Yes and no, Zafrina can be a bit of a headache, but she is brilliant. A lot of people throw in their planning books after a year of working for her. She's hard to please and fills our schedules to maximum capacity."

"So, where would you be if you weren't here?"

She took a few sips of her drink, looking more at ease. "At the Versace Party in Miami."

"Versace?" I echoed waiting for her to elaborate.

She caught it, "Every year the designers for Versace throw a party at the mansion to release their coming line for the year. They let some press in, get the whispers and buzz going, celebrities are in the mix. It's supposed to be pretty fun."

"And you're blowing that off to come here? Your boss must have hated that."

She shrugged, "She wasn't pleased, but Alice needed me and I haven't taken time off since graduation. What could she do but give me the time off I asked for? As long as I'm in Sacramento by Thursday there's no issue."

"What's happening in Sacramento?"

"A very private union of two very private people," She whispered conspiratorially with a smile before returning to her food.

I waited, "Is that all I get? That can't be it."

"My named carved at the bottom of a twenty page confidentiality agreement says 'yes', that's all you're getting." She refused still smiling.

"So you're working with big names this early in your career. No wonder Mom and Dad are so proud of you." I grinned with her.

Once again she tried to shake off the compliment, "Esme and Carlisle are great, they'd be proud of me if I was still fetching Zafrina's coffee order. Which I still do sometimes."

"No Bella, let me tell you. I've never heard my mom speak so highly about someone that she didn't give birth to." I hoped she realized how big of a deal she was to them.

Her smile widened at the mention of them, "They're like parents to me, so it means a lot that they care."

"And your actual parents? They aren't just as proud?" I poked wondering why she hadn't mentioned them.

Her smile fell, "No, not exactly."

"Want to talk about it?" I offered after the server dropped the check off and kept going.

She sighed but was smiling when she looked back up at me, "There isn't really much to talk about. We didn't really separate on good terms when I went off to college. They saw my life going in one direction and I saw it going another."

"Which is?" I wanted to know, I had to know.

"Well, I turned down a full ride at Duke to go to Champlain." The way she rushed the words , like they were no big deal made my eyes pop out of my head. I could see why her parents wouldn't be thrilled, turning down an Ivy League school must have shocked them. "Yeah, that's the look when I tell everybody at first." The waiter came back with a receipt and she signed standing up and I wondered when she had time to pay. "Ready?"

I was going to argue her paying for our lunch but I didn't know her enough to not offend her, and I still wanted to talk to her so instead I thanked her.

Once we were outside I practically assaulted her with more questions. "What were you going to study at Duke? Why would you choose Champlain over an Ivy League university?"

"Easy Cullen," She laughed leading me to the next unknown stop, she was walking so fast her hair blew slightly. "I was going to study medicine, become a doctor, but then I helped a friend plan her sweet sixteen and I was hooked. I loved everything about it, the structure, the rush of fixing an emergency, the feeling of helping someone make their dreams come to life—even if it's for just a day— it's exhilarating.

I entertained the idea of continuing the path I thought I wanted since middle school but worked up the nerve to apply to Champlain just before the deadline my senior year. I figured, they get so many applicants that if I got wait listed or something, I'd have Duke to fall back on. I think my parents wanted to commit me when they found out I was giving up Duke to learn how to plan parties. They even cut me off financially for it thinking that would snap some sense in me, but I didn't expect them to understand.

I only wanted to be a doctor to help people, and in that field there's just as much sadness as there is the good stuff. With what I do now, I'm still helping people—but I also help people get their 'happy ever after' and doesn't that make the world beautiful too?"

I stared at her, just stared—because she told me she was a romantic at heart and made Duke, her plan B all in the same sentence. I liked her and questioned her sanity at the same time, but watching her talk about it she was obviously happy. Who could argue with that? "You're a strange creature Isabella Swan."

"I get that a lot," She smiled walking backwards into the sliding doors of the resorts lobby. She walked over to the front desk and started talking to some guy behind it like they were old friends. "Hey Kyle how's your day going?"

He perked up when he saw her, "Six hours down six to go how's yours?"

She grabbed the stationary on the counter and started scribbling. "Seven hours down, and to be continued. That is my phone number, I have a courier coming with something very special for the bride and I have to have it before the end of the night. When he gets here can you sign for it and call me at this number and I'll swing by and get it."

"Of course," He smiled shoving the number in his pocket, that number meant more to him than she realized. His smile disappeared when he saw me. "Do you know you have a shadow Bella?"

She looked over her shoulder and laughed, "He's the groom." She explained writing something else and giving him that paper. That pacified him, but annoyed me for some reason. She wrote something else, tore a piece of paper and did it again shoving both slips into her pocket. "You're the best Kyle, I'll see you in a few."

We went straight to the catering kitchen and I was almost knocked over by the pandemonium. Bella introduced me to one of the chef leads before launching into her check list. She was so focused in her world that there were several times she didn't notice me standing there and I didn't' mind because I found myself entertained just watching her.

She tasted a few new things and I was rewarded with hearing that same moans of delight finding myself wondering if she moaned that easily while— "Ready to go?" She smiled staring up only inches away from my face.

I nodded," Uh, yeah, no problem."

"This has to be boring you, why aren't you off with the guys having a beer or something?" She wondered guiding me back through the craziness of the kitchen towards the door.

She really didn't think I was here because I wanted to be, "No, it's exciting. I see why Alice called you in, I had no idea this much pandemonium is behind the scenes. Is it always like this?"

"Ha, this is calm and collected." She laughed but got back to her point, "But really, why are you here and not off with —"

Her eyes fell on a kid with black hair trying to cut a loaf of bread without squishing it, and failing. "Can you hold on a moment?" She didn't leave me a second to answer before she was at the teenagers side. "Hi, I'm Bella what's your name?"

"Uh—Embry." He stammered looking back at me probably wondering if he was in trouble.

Bella sweetly put him at ease, "I see you're having a bit of trouble there. Would you like to learn a trick?"

He nodded and stepped aside handing her the knife. Once she was in place at the cutting board, he stood behind her, getting close enough to look over her shoulder, probably too close but once again she didn't notice. "The thing about a french loaf, it's crusty around the edges, and if it wasn't it wouldn't be worth eating. Sadly, it makes it harder to cut, unless—" She flipped the bread over so the bottom was facing up, and started slicing it without effort. "see,when you cut from the bottom you don't have to use force, and you don't smash the bread."

She stepped aside and handed the knife back to him. "Thank you. I swear if I screwed up anything else today Sasha was going to have my job."

"You're in training, it takes time to learn the shortcuts." She reassured with a warm smile and a pat on the back. "This time next year I bet you'll be well on you way to being a catering lead too."

He blushed and thanked her and we were once again on our way. "So, why are you following me and not off with your friends?" I was still staring at her, "What?"

"That was nice of you," I complemented.

She brushed it off, "I learned that from this chef in D.C. while I was interning last year. I'd be an asshole not to pass it on. Now answer my question."

What was I supposed to tell her? That I wanted to know more about her so I was following her around? I had already thanked her for Emmett, so I couldn't use that excuse. I did have that one excuse still lingering, but I'd be a jerk to pull it. I didn't want be a jerk and put more work on her—especially since I got a glimpse of what she did— but I wasn't ready to part ways just yet either.

"Um, Tanya wanted the guests to play a game tonight during the rehearsal dinner—"

Her eyes flashed wide looking at her watch, "And when were you going to tell me?!"

"I'm sorry, I forgot. I told her it was too short of a notice—we don't have to do it." I tried to take it back.

She shook her head, "No, if Tanya wants a game, she gets a game." Bella put her phone to her lips pacing back and forth with narrow eyes.

"Are you mad?" I asked after watching her do it for more than a few minutes.

She shook her head, "I'm thinking."

"Do you want some help?" I offered shoving my hands in my pockets.

She shook her head, "No, that's okay. I need to figure out what I can throw together in a few hours. Something simple that wont take away from the —"

She stopped talking to stare at me, taking a few steps getting closer standing on her tip toes narrowing her eyes at mine. "Uh...Bella."

"You've helped a lot. Thank you." She breathed stepping back and dialing on her phone. "Hello Emily, it's Bella. I need a favor, can you email me the photos of the wedding party? Thank you."

I didn't really feel like I did anything, but not even two minutes later she was was downloading the pictures and opening them on by one. She took a seat on a bench and I sat next to her, watching her crop a photo of my cousin Tyler to just the eyes and his mask before saving it and moving on to another.

"What are you doing?" I wondered looking over her shoulder.

She didn't look up, "Why do people like masquerades?"

"They're fun," I guessed watching her work.

"Well that, and there's a sense of mystery behind not knowing who's behind the mask. " She explained, "A man asks a woman to dance, and she accepts. They don't know if they know each other since their faces are hidden, he's drawn to those smokey eyes, and her his straight chiseled jaw.

The thrill of the unknown plays the night through, the curiosity lingering to know who's underneath she's lost in his strong grip—"

"He's lost in hair that smells like strawberries." I added picturing the scene probably much more different than she was. She looked up at me and I corrected, "In theory."

She cleared her throat, and looked away, "Well, when the nights over they part ways, he doesn't get her name of vise versa, but the night sticks with both of them forever... At least that's what I think about when I think of masquerades."

"Okay, but where does the game come in?" I wondered.

She loaded them all into a file and sent the somewhere before answering me. "Your guests are going to guess the wedding party members based on the eyes behind the masks. I'm gong to make the call and get these blown up and hung around the dance floor and I'll figure out a prize once I make a few calls to set this in motion.

"Clever." I commended, "How exactly did I help with this?"

"The first thing I remember about you at the welcome party were your eyes." She admitted casually. "They're a very pretty green." She stared up in them a bit longer, and I think she got lost. I leaned closer to her without a second thought and she gave me that look like she wanted to kiss me.

Somehow she was able to break the spell and stood up. I let out a sigh unable to hold back, "Can we talk about something?"

"Sure, what?" She agreed breathless sending a message that had to be two pages long.

"The awkwardness between us."

Her head shot up, "We don't have awkwardness Edward."

"Ok so we don't need to talk about the Welcome party?" I argued in disbelief.

She shook her head, "You mean when I was choking on quiche? Embarrassing and maybe a little awkward, but I was caught by surprise, you can't blame me for that."

"And outside of our hotel rooms after that?" I added.

She was still adamant, "Not awkward."

"Okay, on the captain's deck on the way here, it's impossible for you to say that wasn't awkward." I listed knowing for a fact there was something there.

She ran a hand through her long curls in frustration, "Edward, please. Think about what you're saying. Think about what you're trying to get me to talk about. Think about the ramifications of what you're trying to talk about. Think about where it could go even if we did entertain the discussion."

She was right, I had sworn to stay away from her for this very reason and ended up spending the day with her. It was too complicated to even mention, so we shouldn't talk about it."You have a point." I sighed in defeat.

"I think I should go, I have a lot more to do, and I need to clear my head." She rushed away on her heels before I could respond leaving me sitting there with my thoughts.

Shit.

—

"Edward what are you—" Bella blinked up at me completely confused.

I pressed a finger to her soft red lips trying to shush her. "No, just listen for a second please."

She nodded silently. It wasn't like she could go anywhere, her back was pressed against the door of her room one of my arms beside her head and I was leaning so closely she'd be in my arms if she so much as turned.

I know how wrong it was for me to be here, and I could get caught any second, but I didn't care. I had spent the day with the most amazing woman I ever met and I had spent all rehearsal dinner wondering when Tanya lost that title in my eyes? The dinner was a success, which didn't surprise me, but the way she crashed my bachelor party—it broke what little restraint I had.

"I have been drawn to you since we met. I can't get you out of my head, you are in thoughts non-stop. I'm irritated that my family knows you and I don't, I'm frustrated that I want to know you and can't, and I'm driving myself crazy thinking about what it all means."

I dropped my finger from her lips and planted it back at the other side of her head on the wall, deciding to go for broke with my confessions. "All night I've been thinking about getting you out of that dress, touching you without you pulling away. Kissing you, and those lips actually opening up to let me.

I'm sick of thinking, Bella. For once, I want to just leap and worry about everything else later. I want to get lost in whatever this is because I'm worried that if I let it walk away I won't feel it again. God please tell me I'm not alone in feeling this way?" I begged trying to clear my thoughts from the strawberry intoxication.

"You're not." She whispered, her eyes never leaving mine, but they were torn and nervous.

I cupped her chin tilting her face up to mine. "Then leap with me Bella...because I'm tired of fighting not to kiss you. But I know if I do I won't be able to stop."

"Then don't." She challenged handing me the key card with trembling hands..

I wrapped a hand around her waist to support her enough to open the door and pressed her against it the minute we were both inside. I crushed my lips against hers, and all thoughts of the world outside her room left with it.

Her lips were soft, warm, and hungry. She moaned into my mouth and arched her body into mine grabbing my shirt. Our eager lips echoed with pent up frustration, our tongues untamed and raw with desire and sexual promise and when she pulled away from me to breathe we both knew—kissing wasn't going to be enough.

I pulled her closer, my lips finding hers again, and as sexy as that the satin dress was on her body, I wanted her out of it. Nipping at her collar bone my hands roamed the back of her dress searching for a zipper and I practically growled when I couldn't' find it.

Bella was too lost in unbuttoning my shirt and kissing me to offer much assistance, and after trying to find one on the sides I gave up grabbing the dress at her shoulder blade ripping the one strap holding it all up.

She gasped when the dress fell into a pool of satin at her feet. The lust in her eyes was unmistakable and she hurriedly undid my belt buckle while I shook out of my shirt. Leaving both of us in our underwear and at the point of no return. I touched the smooth skin of her bare torso and she trembled, panic setting in.

My lips were at her ear trying my best to put her at ease, "Leap with me Bella...don't think..."

I had to keep it short because if I didn't end it there it'd be too long. Now, I expect a lot of emotions from this chapter. Some of you will be excited, some of you will be frustrated i left you hanging, and some of you don't want this to happen at all but there WILL be a lemon next chapter. For the ones of you that follow my actual writing outside of fanfic you know what to expect from a sex scene from me. From those that have read my my fanfic stuff from earlier on, there is no FADE TO BLACK and all of a sudden I'm writing about the next morning. I warned you this was going to be more in my normal writing style so bare with me because it wont always be hearts and flowers. The characters wont be like twilight's versions and that doesn't make them bad... just more human. I hope I keep you all interested. Until next time.

DinishaRob