Disclaimer All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Previously:

The closer the we get to Cumberland the more bouncy I become, I can't wait!

Finally we see the dock! We are here!

Chapter 9:

We parked at the dock.

At this point Edward, Jasper and Emmett go over to help with the docking of the boat.

What should we do? I look back at that kitchen. Maybe we can throw some lunch stuff together so we can have lunch out on the island.

"Girls, do you want to help me go and put some stuff together for a picnic basket?" I ask Rose and Alice.

"Sure" They respond.

I go and start to look through the refrigerator and the pantry. Hmmm... decisions, decisions.

I see someone was thinking though. There is already a large container of potato salad, and pasta salad. I get those out and set them on the counter. There are some sub rolls sitting in the bread box, and a large selection of lunch meats and sliced cheeses. I get those out and set those out as well. I see a head of lettuce, and a tomato.

Hmmm.. What else will travel well?

I wonder if there are any cookies? I could make a quick batch of monster cookies. I should have thought of this sooner. I wonder if they have all the ingredients I would need? Peanut butter? Check. Oats? Check. Butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, eggs. Check. Ahh.. But is there chocolate chips and m&m's?

"Score!" I yell, not really realizing that I yelled.

"Huh?" Five voices look towards me.

"I have the ingredients to make my monster cookies." I look to Alice and Rose with a grin.

"I think if I just make the big batch and then just cook what we need for the outing, I can cook the rest of the batter later. Sound good?"

Alice and Rose just nod, but three pairs of very male eyes are watching me like a dog watches a bone.

"What are monster cookies?" Jasper asks.

"They are are peanut butter oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips and m&m's."

Now all three of the guys eyes are shining with excitement.

"Please!" They ask.

"Alright, well, if I do this, you guys need to get the rest of lunch ready and packed up while I am doing the cookies." I start to direct.

"Emmett, you need to get containers for the potato salad, pasta salad, and some sort of picnic basket/bag together, as well as some plates, forks, knifes and such. Jasper, you need to get together towels, water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and maybe a first aid kit. Alice and Rose can you start to make subs and pack the baskets? Edward, you are helping me." I love bossing everyone around at times, I smile.

Edward calls out to Emmett, "There should be 3 picnic backpacks that have everything we are looking for in the walk-in pantry."

"Alright Edward. I need a large mixing bowl, a powerful mixer, measuring cups, measuring spoons, a cookie sheet, and hopefully a silicone baking mat."

A start to gather the ingredients that I know he has, starting with the butter. I throw the sticks in a bowl and heat them in the microwave to soften them up. As the microwave is going I start to measure the sugars out.

"Bella what do you want on you sub?" Edward asks.

"Ham, salami, peperoni, provolone, lettuce, tomato, mustard and salt and pepper. I would just go ahead and cut all the subs into quarters and then wrap the subs all in plastic wrap to keep them together."

Everyone is getting everything together. Jasper comes back in.

"Jasper, what is the strongest SPF you have there?"

"50, though we also have 30, and 15."

"Cool, thanks. Leave the 50 out for now, as I need all the help I can get if we are going to be out all day." I reply.

I quickly finish mixing the cookies and hear the oven beep to indicate it has preheated. Score!

I look for the cookie sheet which Edward hands me and I see they even have the silicone baking mat.

I dip out as many cookies as the sheet will hold and throw them in the oven and set the timer.

While the cookies are baking I start to clean up and put everything up. Though I notice everyone else is cleaning up their areas as well. I am glad to know no matter how rich they might be they do know how to clean.

By the time everyone is finished the smell of monster cookies is permeating the kitchen. Yummy goodness. Then the timer goes off.

"Oh! Edward do you have a cooling rack? I ask.

He is pulling one out of a drawer while I ask. Wonderful! I go and pull each cookie off of the mat and onto the cooling sheet.

"Okay people let's go ahead and put sun screen on and get back packs filled with water and towels and by then the cookies should be done and we will be on our way." I bark out.

Everyone starts to grab the sunscreen and apply. The next thing I know there is a tap on my shoulder. I turn and I see Edward standing there with the SPF 50.

"Will you put sunscreen on my back? I burn like a son of a bitch, with this reddish hair."

I grab the sunscreen he offers and squirt some out on my hand, as I am doing this he suddenly strips his shirt off. Holy muscles man, and his shoulders. Drool...

SQUIRT!

"Shit" I say.

"What?" Edward asks.

"There is white stuff everywhere." Wait.. What did I say...

"WAIT! I mean there is sunscreen everywhere." By this time I am turn bright red, I can hear Edward start to laugh, then chuckle, then full blown belly laugh. It is enough to have the rest of us laughing as well, even though there is sunscreen everywhere.

"Alright everyone, pull together. Let's get the sunscreen on and get this shit cleaned up."

We all finish getting everything done and before we know it we are off.

–- UT-

We decide to walk over to the Dungeness ruins. I really wanted to see some wild horses.

Crap! I don't have my camera.

"Does anyone have a camera so I can take pictures?" I ask.

"Edward does." Jasper pipes out.

"You do?" I question.

He pulls a DSLR Nikon, and hand it to me by the strap.

"Click away." He shoots me a grin.

Edward is almost like two different people to me. He can be this sweet, thoughtful guy, and then there is this domineering, controlling man. Both of them have qualities that I never new I was looking for in a guy, and yet they are all combined into one person.

I look out along the trail and start to take pictures.

Pictures of the Spanish moss draping along the live oak tree. The live oak trees and how the limbs drape and curve upwards and downwards, making natural seats in the branches.

Then we walk through the opening in the woods, we see the ruins of the Dungeness Mansion. It looks so serene and stark, seeing the brick tower up across the grassy lawn. You can tell it was a beautiful lady in its hey day.

Click, click, click. I get lost in the viewfinder taking in the beauty of the lush island.

Suddenly a hard arm bands around my body, and the hand from the other arm covers my mouth.

Umph.

"Be very quiet and turn with me to your right." I turn. "Your Right Isabella!" Shit! I am horrible with what is my right and left. Damn that voice just makes me hot!

I turn to the right and then my eyes widen.

Horses!

The wild horses are across the lawn at the edge of the trees nibbling on the grass.

They are so beautiful! I see Alice and Jasper frozen just as we are, Emmett and Rose must be behind us.

I slowly pull the camera up and try not to feel the rock hard body behind me. I start to click away and adjust the zoom lens so I can get the perfect picture. I love the camera. I love the way the camera can take what you see and capture it to keep.

Something finally startles the horses and the quickly start up and gallop away.

I turn in Edward's arms and just look up and grin at him.

"Thanks for pointing out the horses."

He just smiles back at me.

"Let's go walk towards the beach, I'm hungry." Emmett calls out.

We all turn and walk down the path that will take us to the pristine beach.

We exit the forest and walk through the sand dunes. It is so beautiful.

We decide to stop.

The girls and I spread the large blanket we brought. The guys start to unpack the picnic baskets.

I was ready to eat and starving.

I set out the six plates and started to grab the potato salad and pasta salad. I dished it out, and then from there we all grabbed out sandwiches.

Someone else passed out utensils and napkins, as well as bottles of water.

We all enjoyed the sound of the waves crashing while we all inhaled our food. There is something that tastes so good about eating a good sandwich at the beach.

"Bella, when do we get cookies?" Emmett eyed my backpack.

"Later." I left it at that.

We all started cleaning up after lunch, putting all the dirty plates and silverware in one bag, the remnants of food went into another bag. We were not going to litter while on a national park.

I decide it is probably time for another application of sunscreen, and start to apply some while getting out of my clothes, I'd like to sunbathe on a beach for a bit. Apparently I was not the only one with the same idea as I look over and Rose and Bella are doing the same thing.

I get everything on my front and before I can ask Edward grabs the sunscreen from my hand and starts rubbing some in on my back. Damn! His hands should be illegal.

I struggle to hold in a moan.

He finishes and I go to lay down on the towel.

It seems crazy to me that my best friends and me find someone special all at the same time, let alone that our someone specials are brothers.

I keep trying to be mad at Edward, but there is something about him, but again I have only known him for going on 3 days now, and for 2 of those days I wasn't even giving him the time of day. Further more as attracted as I am to him, and as much as my body might want to, I am not sleeping with a guy after knowing him 3 days.

As I am lost in my thoughts, I come back to and look around, everyone seems to be in an after lunch semi stupor from good food and the sound of the waves.

Hmmm... The devious side comes out again. I grin. What to do.. What to do...

Suddenly I realize that all of the empty water bottles are in my bag. What to do? Should I see if Rose and Alice want in and bring them to the deviant side? I creep up as quietly as possible and grab 3 water bottles. I go fill them up and walk back to Rose and Alice. I nudge both of them on the foot. They look up at me and I mime spraying the guys with the water bottles. I then give them a questioning look as if to ask, Do you want in?

They both grin and quickly hop up and grab a bottle.

We all look at each other. I hold out my hand. 3.. 2.. 1...

It was a free for all..

We started dumping water on the guys all at the same time, and then ran. We all three took off in different directions. All I hear is someone yell out, "Be back here by 4pm!"

I hear sand flying every which way.

All I can do is tell myself to run, and run very quickly. Never am I more thankful to the fact that I took up running.

"Isabella!" Shit! That voice is back out.

Don't stop, keep running!

Shit! The footsteps are sounding closer.

"Isabella, Stop now!" Don't listen, don't listen, I chant.

I keep running, suddenly my foot catches a piece of wood and I go flying... not in a good way.

Shit! I land hard.

"Fuck!" I hear, I glance up and I see a hard body trying desperately to stop, not having much luck. All I could do was brace myself for the hit.

The breath gets knocked out of me again.

I am now trapped in between the arms and hard body of one hot man, one hot man who also seriously turns me on.

"I caught you." Edward grins. "Now what do I do with you?"

Suddenly he picks me up with a wicked grin, and heads to the water.

My eyes widen.

"Edward..." My voice cautions.

The grin widens. I start to squirm.

"Edward, no.. Edward... No!" Edward just keeps walking into the water...

"Edward!" I shriek and he throws me in.

I go under, and come up sputtering.

Edward, looks at me, grins and then dunks down next to me. He comes up inches from me.

His face gets closer to mine. My breath hitches and picks up.

What is he going to do?

He leans his head even closer, then his lips skim my face and travel down to my ear.

"Bella are you ready to talk?"

My eyes widen and look at him. I was for sure he was going to kiss me. I decide I want to see what he wants, so I slowly nod my head yes.

He sits up, still hanging on to me.

"Alright, let's go over to that tree over there and lean up against it and talk."

We get up out of the water and shake off as best as possible.

We walk over and sit down.

"My first question for you is can we agree to disagree over whose fault our first meeting is?"

Hmm.. do I want to agree, I am clumsy, and I really wasn't watching where I was going, though he should have been watching where he was going.

"Alright."

"Second, Isabella there is something about me, I do not know how you will react, but you can't tell anyone. Though Rose and Alice will know soon enough."

"Isabella, Do you know what the term dominant/submissive relationship means?"

Oh shit! Was he for real? How has he read my mind. This is the stuff I have fantasized about since my first boyfriend and the stumbling, non satisfying sex we had... Well it was satisfying for him, not so much for me. Fuck! I am getting hot already.

Does this mean he wants to tie me up?

At this point I realize he is staring at me with his glowing green eyes, and then I realize that I haven't said anything for a bit yet.

"Ummm..."

Come on Bella, think... use your words, you are studying to be a teacher.

"This might be something I am interested in, but we have just met. I barely know you, and further more you live in Washington D.C. and I have one more semester left of school left in Statesboro. What are the logistics of this?"

Wow! How and the hell did all that come out clear and concise?

I feel those green eyes heat up. He also allows a smile to appear on his face.

"So are you saying you'd be willing to consider it?" The velvety voice asks.

"Yes." I reply softly.

There are thousands of questions running through my mind at the moment. How come he picks me, why the hell does he think I would want this, how does he know that this is something that interests me, I was so rude to him to begin with, what the hell made him pursue me.

"Edward, while this is lovely though, how would this work? I have a job and school starts on August 15th. So I have roughly until the 12th free."

"Would you be willing to give two weeks notice in at work and come with me to Washington for the remaining time you have left?"

My mind is still racing.

"Can I let you know later, like tomorrow? This is a lot to think about." I ask.

"Yes, that is acceptable."

I need to tell him my thoughts.

"Edward, while I am seriously considering you proposition, you need to know a few things. I will not jump into a sexual relationship lightly. I have only known you going on three days now. I want to get to know you better. I also want all the terms if we enter a dominant/submissive relationship in writing. I am not going blindly. I am also going to finish school. It is very important to me. That being said the last semester of student teaching is hard and a lot of work. I will not be available at your beck and call. I am also not someone who you can walk over. I will be defiant, I will do what I want, when I want. You can tell me to do something, but that does not mean I will follow directions. If you want someone biddable you'd better find someone else."

I hope I did not just ruin my chance with him, but then again if he can't accept me for who I am I don't know if I want him.

He looks at me thoughtfully.

"Isabella, I am fine with wanting to wait to get to know me better. In fact with what all the delcious things I want to do to you, it is probably better to wait. I understand school is important. We will work something out." At this point he shrugs and grins. "It's not like I don't have the money to do so. As for not listening to me, I do not mind you keeping me on my toes, but you'd best realize that I will be warming that hot ass when you do step out of line."

At this point he glances down at his watch.

"Come on babe, we got to meet up with everyone. What do you want to have for dinner?"

We start to walk back to the meeting point, everyone is already there.

Everyone seems to be a little thoughtful, I have to wonder what speech Rose and Alice received.

We all start back to the boat.

"What do you guys want for dinner?" I ask trying to lighten up the mood.

Suddenly, I stop, mid trail.

"Who wants cookies?"

I grab some and pass them out.

"Bella can I marry you?" Jasper drawls out. "These are the best thing ever! You can cook for me any day."

"She's mine!" Edward yells out. "All the cookies are mine!"

That of course starts the tussle between the boys arguing over cookies. I just look at Rose and Alice.

"So.. dinner?" I ask.

"Bella you should do your meatball subs. They are awesome, and easy to do. We can leave them simmering if need be, and then just have maybe the rest of the potato salad with them or chips. But Bella? Do you think you could make your cheese cake for dessert?" Alice, apparently has missed dinners at school.

"That sounds like a plan, but who will run out to get supplies?" I ask.

"Supplies? Supplies for what?" Edward pops up.

"Dinner, we decided on Meatball subs with chips for dinner and cheesecake for dessert, but I need supplies." I respond.

Edward looks to Emmett, Emmett nods.

"We have someone who can get your supplies to the boat, what do you need, can you write it in email form?" Edward asks.

Apparently when you are as rich as he, someone will meet your boat with supplies. Nice.

I quickly type the list out on Edward's phone and he emails it to someone.

By this time we are on the boat and are quickly on and the boat quickly disembarks from the pier.

"Bella if you plan on cooking you might want to go ahead and take a shower." Edward looks at me.

I quickly go down and take one trying not to take too long as the shower heads feel so good. I come out in a towel and go out to the closet to pick something to wear.

Hmmm... There is a simple light weight dress in blue that should be perfect. I grab some underwear and a bra, and head back to the bathroom to get dressed. I towel dry my hair and throw it into a messy bun.

I look at the time, it has completely gotten away as it is already 5:30. I need to get the cheesecake done and in the oven so it has time to cool and set. I've made that mistake before in trying to eat it too soon. It was runny but still oh so yummy. I grin at the memory. Cheesecake is Charlie's favorite food and that cheesecake we sat together at the table and ate it with a spoon.

I decide to stay barefoot and head up the stairs.

As I round the kitchen I see Edward coming out of what must be the bathroom up here. He is just wearing a pair of khaki cargo shorts, with no shirt. He is running a towel through his messy bronze locks. Fuck! This man is hot! Not really paying attention I start walking closer, close enough where I can smell his yummy scent. I look up to his face and see him smirk, he leans down and gives me a quick nip on my chin.

Well.. now I need to change my underwear again.

Alright...

"Edward are you going to help me make my cheesecake?" He gives me a surprised look.

"Okay."

I have Edward following my directions while I heat the butter up and mix the sugar and graham cracker crumbs to make the crust. I get out the spring form pan and start pressing the crumb mixture to form the crust.

I have him zesting the lemon. I finish the crust and put it in the fridge while I start mixing all of the other ingredients. Thankfully the cream cheese has already softened and I quickly whip it and all the sugar and eggs together. Yumminess.

I put it in the oven.

Now for the meatballs. My secret recipe for meatballs is to always use sausage. Make them 100 times better. I add all the ingredients for it and start making mini balls. I usually make them to be about the size of an inch in diameter. They are the perfect size for sandwiches.

I finish rolling out the meatballs in my own world, I notice that there is music playing. It is Shinedown, one of my favorite bands.

Now I go and throw those in the 2nd oven. God I love this kitchen!

I start mixing my marina sauce I use Italian diced tomatoes and tomato paste, it make a difference, then add some oregano and some sugar.

I had Edward get the crock pot out and I turned it on high threw the sauce in, the meatballs beeped for them to come out of the oven, I threw those in the crock pot.

Done!

I look around.. now for the part I hate... Cleaning.

I turn to look though.. What?

"I got it babe, you cooked, I got the messiness from cooking the dinner finished, we'll make the rest of them clean up." He throws me that super sexy grin, and gives me a swift kiss on the lips much to my surprise.

Beep! The cheesecake is done. I take it out and put it in the fridge, though I first smear a thin layer of sour cream on top. I can't wait.

It is now almost 7:30, I have been cooking non-stop. I am ready for a drink and dinner.

I go and take a seat outside while Edward finishes cleaning up. I notice we are now out in the area between Jekyll and St. Simons, this means we will get to watch the fireworks from Sea Island, St. Simons, Jekyll, and even Fernandina. Awesome!

This is going to be great. I sit down and Alice brings me over a margarita. Perfect.

I just relax, suddenly Rose appears with a hoagie smothered in meatballs, marinara sauce, and provolone cheese. I notice someone brought a large amount of paper towels out as well while I was relaxing.

All we hear while eating are the lapping of the waves on the boat. Then you hear the moans of everyone while consuming the yumminess of the subs.

"Bella these are AWESOME!" Emmett yells.

"I second that." Jasper comments.

"Bella you are in charge of cooking from now on." Edward demands.

I raise my eyebrow at him. He quirks his back at me.

We all finish and get cleaned up too stuffed to even attempt the cheesecake left. We all cuddle up in pairs on the lounges out on the boat deck.

Boom! Crackle! Zzzzzz...

The fireworks start.

This has to be the best 4th of July ever!


Thanks for all the reviews. So this is a much longer chapter than previous chapters. I am not sure I like the shorter or longer chapters yet. We will see ;) Thanks for all of your support! Please let me know what you think!