~Bella~

I woke up to warm lips running over my shoulder and a low voice in my ear. "Bella, love, we have to be at brunch in just over an hour. I let you sleep as long as I could, baby, but you need to wake up."

I rolled over, burrowing into his broad chest. "But I like it here," I whined, hating the thought of getting out of this comfortable bed and not being with him.

Chuckling, he wrapped his arms around me, dropping kisses on my head. "I like you here, too. And I would love to get back in bed and spend the whole day doing nothing but making love to you, but we have brunch, a quick meeting, and then we're on a late afternoon flight."

I tilted my head up with a frown. "You should speak to whoever made your arrangements. They didn't do a good job."

He laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest. "My perfect assistant would have done a far better job, I agree." He dropped his mouth to my ear. "But if you get up like a good girl, I promise to make it up to you."

"How?"

"Next Saturday: you, me, my bed—all day."

"Does this include breakfast?"

He rolled off the bed, completely dressed and looking perfect. Holding out his hand, his smile was wide. "You drive a hard bargain, but yes. I will even cook you breakfast."

I let him tug me out of bed, and I stood blinking for a minute, taking inventory. I was slightly stiff, muscles rarely used having been used a few times since we got back to the hotel. Edward had woken me twice in the night, making love to me both times—once hard and fast, the other time, slowly, entering me from behind, his voice low in my ear as the sun rose in the sky and I whimpered out his name as he claimed me yet again.

"You okay, love?"

I nodded. "I'm good."

"You look a little unsure." He frowned. "I didn't hurt, you did I?" He ran his hands over my shoulders, down my arms, as if checking. "Was it too much?"

I cupped his face. "No—not too much. I'm a little stiff. I'll be fine after a shower."

"Okay." He stepped back, and I began to walk past him when I felt something on my ankle. I looked down and gasped in delight. Glinting in the sun was a new silver anklet, the metal cool against my skin. I leaned down, touching the pretty piece, then looked up at Edward in shock. "How?"

He bent over, running his finger over the shiny metal. "I felt bad that you lost yours, and I wanted to get you something."

"It's lovely!"

Different than my old one, this was a thicker chain with crystals every so often. Attached was a more slender set of double tear dropped links, each one set with a green crystal. Even though it was obviously better made and, no doubt, more expensive than my old one, it was still delicate looking and I loved it. I fingered the small green crystals. "These match your eyes."

"That's why I picked this one. I thought you would like it."

I gazed at him. "You didn't have to do this."

"I know. I wanted to. I picked it up this morning while you were sleeping."

I tried not to grin, but failed.

"What?"

"It's a rather romantic gesture," I teased gently.

He chuckled and dropped a kiss on my forehead. "I'm aware, love." He sighed, the air drifting across my skin. "Somehow with you gestures feel right."

"Oh."

"I think, perhaps, a lot of things are going to feel right with you, Bella. I told you last night, everything is different now. I can't explain it, but that's how I feel."

My chest warmed at his words.

He grinned, looking almost shy. "I'm glad you like it."

I lifted my foot, shaking it, and admired the way the crystals caught the light. They shimmered and reflected, looking brilliant. I frowned as I looked up at him. "What sort of department store is open on a Sunday morning?"

"None that I know of. I got it here in the hotel. They opened the jewelry store for me."

I swallowed heavily.

"What's wrong?"

"Those aren't crystals, are they?"

"For what I paid, I hope not," he stated wryly.

"I can't accept this, Edward."

He looked genuinely puzzled. "Why? I want you to have it."

I swung my arm in the direction of the garment bags laying over the chairs. "The clothes and shoes . . . those were already too much. You can't spend that sort of money on me." I lifted my leg to the bed, fumbling with the intricate catch. "You have to take this back."

His hand stilled mine, and he slipped his fingers under my chin, studying my expression. "I want to give this to you. The clothes and shoes are so you can feel equal to any woman when we're out in public. Those are just window dressing. But this—" he tapped my ankle"—is a gift from me to you. A little memento of our first trip."

"Your memento probably cost more than my rent this month."

He smiled and bent low, kissing me softly. "It's my money, and I'll spend it as I see fit. I can afford it. Please, love, accept this from me. Wear it, so when I see it, when the light catches it as you cross those sexy legs of yours, I know you have a little piece of me with you. Please."

When he asked like that, his eyes burning as green as the small gemstones in the sun, I couldn't say no. I didn't want to say no. I loved it, and I loved his reasons.

"Thank you," I whispered, reaching up and pressing my lips to his. He wrapped me tight to his chest, pulling on my hair and tilting my head as he kissed me hard and deep. I clutched his shoulders as he cupped my ass, pulling my hips to his. I moaned when I felt his erection, hard and bulging between us.

"Edward," I gasped, palming him with my hand.

"Tell me you're too sore. Tell me and I'll stop."

"No, I'm not," I panted. "I want you."

"Fuck it." He growled. "We're going to be late for brunch."

~o0o~

Riley and James both smirked at us when we arrived late. But the real teasing was saved for Rose and Emmett, who strolled in long after us, both looking unkempt and gloriously happy. All of the wedding party was there, as well as parents and some other friends, and the private room was full.

Since the wedding was over, everyone was relaxed. There was lots of laughter and good-natured ribbing with everyone. The food was delicious, and I ate with gusto. Edward winked at me, leaning in and asking in the sexiest voice possible if I was "fueling up for more of him later."

I giggled at him, waggling my eyebrows and sipping my second, or maybe third, glass of wine. "Maybe you should eat up," I replied. "You're gonna need your stamina."

"Don't worry about that, love. I've got lots of that for you."

I could resist him when he was playful. I leaned up, brushing my lips along his jaw, tracing the sharp angle up to his ear. "I'm holding you to that."

His eyes smoldered as I pulled back. "You do that."

Riley groaned beside us. "Did you not get enough of each other last night? My God, the sexual tension in here." He waved his hand in front of his face, laughing.

I stood up. "Excuse me, I'll just go, ah, freshen up, and let the tension settle." I winked at Edward. "I'll be right back."

In the washroom, I studied my reflection, grinning like an idiot. Edward had a way of making me forget anyone else was even in the room. My cheeks were flushed and my lips still slightly swollen from his lovemaking earlier. I look a little tired. The best kind of tired—Edward-tired. I reached in my bag for my gloss, wondering how the rest of the day was going to go. I was so lost in my thoughts, I didn't even notice the door opening behind me.

"I hear you're his assistant," Victoria sneered at me, drawing out the word assistant like it was something beneath her.

Startled, I froze, my lip gloss clutched in my hand as I stared at her reflection. She had been down at the other end of the room during brunch and had scarcely even looked our way, seemingly only having eyes for her new man. Edward had visibly relaxed, his arm loosened around my shoulders. As the meal wore on, I had even forgotten she was there. But she obviously hadn't forgotten about me.

I drew in a deep breath and applied the gloss, snapping the cap on it and dropping it back in my purse.

"Not that it's any of your concern, but that's correct." I shrugged, and with a fake sense of bravado, checked my hair and straightened my blue sweater. Edward loved this sweater for some reason.

"Opportunistic little bitch, aren't you?"

I swung around, narrowing my eyes. "What did you just call me?"

"You heard me."

"From what I've heard, you should be saying that to yourself in a mirror."

She narrowed her eyes, and I couldn't help but notice the wrinkles around them. Close up, she wasn't as attractive as I had thought.

"Saw a rich, handsome chance at a step-up the ladder and took it, I'm sure," she continued. "I know your type. Quite the little actress you must be. I'm sure he was salivating over your innocent routine."

I cocked my head to the side. "That's what you think Edward is? A step-up the ladder?"

She sauntered past me, touching her hair, and studying her profile in the mirror. Obviously pleased with what she saw, she turned back to me. "If he's anything else, you're far more stupid than I think you are. He's not the settling type."

Before I could say anything, she spoke again.

"You're not the first you know, you won't be the last."

"Is that so?"

"Men like Edward aren't in it for the long haul. Surely you realize that."

I quashed my nerves and crossed my arms. "You think you know him so well."

"I do know him—in every way possible. Way better than you do, trust me."

I rolled my eyes. "If you're trying to make me jealous, it's not going to work. Edward has been very honest about his relationship with you." I looked her up and down then turned away in what I hoped was a dismissive gesture. "He's way over it; I suggest you move on too, and quit bothering us."

"Oh, am I upsetting you?"

I refused to let her see how nervous she made me. "I know that's exactly what you want, but no. You are annoying me, though. Leave me alone. Leave Edward alone. Neither of us are interested."

I went to move past her, and her hand shot out, gripping my arm.

"I'm not finished with you, you little tramp," she hissed, her fingernails digging into my skin.

I tried to wrench my arm away, but her nails dug in even deeper.

"You're hurting me!" I gasped.

The bathroom door opened, hitting the wall loudly. I jumped at the sound, and my breath quickened when Edward stalked in, looking angrier than I'd ever seen him.

"Get your fucking claws off of her. Now."

She dropped her hand, stepping back.

He held out his hand to me. "Bella, love, come here."

Without hesitation, I moved past Victoria, reaching for him and feeling completely safe as soon as his hand closed around mine. He drew me close, sliding his fingers under my chin.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Victoria and I were just . . . talking."

He sniggered, the sound low and rumbling through his chest. It wasn't a pleasant sound.

"Talking. That's being polite, I'm sure. Being bitched at is probably more accurate." He turned to her, glaring. "Imagine, Victoria," he began, "my surprise at realizing you were in here with my Bella. Given our chat last night, I would have expected you to show a little more common sense."

She said nothing, meeting his gaze unflinchingly.

"Did I not tell you to stay away from her?" he asked in a quiet voice. So quiet, I shivered. His tone was almost scary.

"I had to use the ladies room. I didn't know she was in here."

"Do you want to try again," he murmured. "The truth this time?"

"Oh, for God's sake. So I came in to check out your new toy! We all know you'll get tired of her and throw her away when she isn't all shiny and new, Edward."

"Is that a fact? And you were, I assume, sharing this with her?"

She tossed her hair, the color almost orange under the bright lights. Cattily, I wondered how real the color really was.

"And if I was? It's a free country. I can express my opinion."

"I've heard your way of expressing your opinion before, Victoria. You choose the most hurtful words possible to fling at people. You tear them down so you can build yourself up. Feel better about what a shallow, lousy excuse for a human being you are." He released my hand and stepped forward. "Listen to me, and listen good. Bella is not a toy. She's a wonderful, amazing woman who has more compassion in her baby finger than you can possibly even imagine. And she is with me. She is going to stay with me no matter how many nasty little tantrums you have. So take your pathetic self back to the table and try and act like a decent person. Smile and pretend to feel something other than bitterness. " He smirked. "I'm not sure you can pull it off any more, with all the Botox you've injected in your face, but it's worth a shot."

She glared at him and began to stomp past, when he gripped her arm. "Stay away from me, and stay the fuck away from Bella. I'm no longer your concern—not that I ever really was. You were far too concerned with yourself to ever bother much. Pity I hadn't seen that earlier." He bent his head saying something quiet into her ear. She glared at him then shook his hand off and stormed out of the washroom.

Edward turned to me, the anger draining from his eyes. He drew closer, looking concerned. "Bella, love, are you all right?"

"I'm fine," I insisted, trying to sound calm. I failed completely when my voice cracked on the last word.

Frowning, he pushed my sweater off my shoulder, cursing when he looked at my arm. I glanced down at the nail marks imbedded in my skin, the arcs red and angry-looking.

"She fucking touched you. She actually hurt you," he hissed.

"It's fine, really. She didn't break the skin. She was . . . upset."

"She's going to be more than upset when I finish with her." He growled, yanking my sweater back up. "She's going to pay for this little stunt."

"Edward," I pleaded. "Don't. If you react, you're only encouraging her. She only did it to get your attention."

"Well, she fucking got it."

"Going out there and screaming at her, or doing something else, will only play right into her hands. Show her that her actions mean something to you."

"What do you suggest I do? Ignore the fact she actually hurt you? Bothered you?"

I smiled at him, leaning my face against his chest. Instantly, his arms were around me, holding me close.

"I don't do protective, Bella, but with you, I feel like a freaking caveman. I want to throw her out the window for even approaching you. My past shouldn't touch you."

"That's part of being in a relationship, Edward. Pasts are just that—pasts."

"Am I going to run into some huge Neanderthal from your past one day, Bella? Watch him ogle you and have to resist smashing his face in?"

I tilted my head back, meeting his serious gaze.

"No. A bookworm and a mechanic. You can easily take either of them."

His voice was low. "Which one hurt you?"

I swallowed. "The mechanic."

"Point him out sometime. I'll work him over then laugh at him."

I frowned. "Why?"

"He deserves the beat down for hurting you, and I'll laugh because he was stupid enough to let you go."

I rolled my eyes. "Good thing you aren't protective."

He leaned down and kissed me. "Good thing, indeed." He frowned. "You want to go now?"

I shook my head. "No. We go back to the table and act like nothing happened. You don't acknowledge it, or her."

He nodded. "Right."

"But first . . . "

"First?"

"I think you would look good with a little of my gloss smeared on your mouth."

He grinned, pulling me close. "I think I want it all, Bella. She's way at the other end of the table. Have to make sure she can tell what we were up to in here."

I reached up, running my hands through his hair, messing it up even more than it already was. "Let's make sure she does."

Then his mouth was on mine.

Riley's lips quirked when we sat down. I knew my hair was mussed from Edward's impatient fingers. My lip gloss was smeared on the corner of his mouth and down his chin, the trail shiny. Giggling, I leaned over and wiped at his chin with my napkin. His grin was wide when I reached over and rubbed at his lobe. "Missed a spot," I murmured.

He pulled my face close to his. "I promise to let you make up for missing that spot later. And I'll return the favor tenfold."

"I'll hold you to that," I breathed.

With a low groan, he kissed me, only pulling back when a loud crash from the other end of the table startled us. We looked up to see Victoria storming away from the table, her new man trailing behind her, asking what was wrong.

Riley and James both burst out laughing.

"Nothing better than seeing the tail end of a bitch walking," James muttered.

"Amen to that," Edward muttered. Then he quirked his eyebrows. "Now, where we were?" He dropped his mouth close to mine. "Right here, I think."

"Good memory," I murmured.

"Addictive goods." He smiled, with another kiss.

He leaned back with a smug look on his face, tucking me to his side as he spoke to James. Riley caught my eye with a wink. I grinned back, trying not to blush and failing.

The day had been one surprise after another, Edward's fierceness in protecting me the biggest one.

What else would he do that I found surprising?

What indeed? Rules are falling by the wayside pretty fast. Thank you for reading, and for all your reviews. See you on the weekend!