A/N: Thanks a million to my ever faithful betas Tracey and halojones.

As we all know Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight, I just made up this story and borrowed her characters for their star power.

Also, I do not own the excerpt from Carolina Moon. (Italics and Underlined) That would be property of Nora Roberts. FYI: Those of you who chose not to read rated M stories should skip this short excerpt.

Links on my profile for pics of areas along Hoh River where you can camp, fish, hike, etc. Beautiful. :)

...and so the story continues...

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Previously: BPOV (Memory)

"Aw, Rose, don't go covering up that glorious form of yours. I'll be sure to protect you from any bumps or bruises," he said in an effort to convince her to strip back down to her barely their two piece swim suit. She just shook her head, elbowing him as he tried to remove her shirt.

"Uh, Emmett if anyone should be complaining it's Edward and I. Really you live with Rose. You can see her day in and day out. But the two of us, we don't have that luxury yet," he winked at Alice who giggled. He pulled Alice to him with a searing kiss as his hands made their way under her shirt and up her back.

"My eyes, my eyes," Emmett chanted and Rosalie giggled.

I rolled my eyes as I turned towards Edward. "Edward, thank you for keeping your less than proper comments to yourself," I whispered tenderly kissing the side of his neck.

"Who said I'm keeping them to myself? Believe me when I tell you, I will be sharing them, but being that your my only intended audience is you I'll have to wait until I get you alone." His warm intoxicating breath below across my face, as his words made me shuddered with anticipation. Yes, I decided, this little trip was the best idea Emmett and Jasper had ever come up with, and a special thanks was definitely in order for the both of them.

/\/\/\/\/\

Ch. 11 Someone Should Be Taking Notes

BPOV (Memory)

We'd all had a good time playing football, and tossing the Frisbee around. Of course the guys even had to make that a competition. Alice, Rosalie, and I took that as our sign that it was time to bow out and head down to the river. We sat around sunning on the rocks and dangling our feet in the water. Fortunately, the guys could not have picked a better time to take this trip. It was predicted to be a sunny three days with showers only coming during the night. While the pitter patter of rain drops on the tent could be annoying, at least I had Edward to snuggle up to.

We talked about nothing in particular, just enjoying the time we had together. It had been awhile since Alice and I had gotten a chance to spend a great deal of time with Rose. Being married now and away at school for the past year, didn't allow her the freedoms we'd all enjoyed while we were growing up and we missed her terribly.

One thing we did discuss were living arrangements when the fall semester started. It was expected by our parents that Alice and I spend at least the first year in the dorms. But the thought of sharing bathroom facilities just didn't sit well with Alice. Rosalie thought it would be a good idea to see if we could find a three bedroom, two bath house that we could all share. While that sound awesome, it would be a cold day in hell before my parents would agree to something like that. Me living under the same roof as Edward, even if I promise to share a room with Alice, was not going to happen unless we were married. And if they had their way, that would definitely not be happening until after we'd graduated from college.

"When we get home we'll sit down together and figure out how much it will cost to stay in the dorms versus us sharing a house together. Maybe if they see that we've taken the initiative to save them money they'd be more willing to consider it," Alice suggested.

"Not going to happen, Alice. You know my parents, and I really don't see them giving an inch on this one," I said dejectedly.

"Maybe if you cried," I shook my head at Rose's suggestion.

"Why don't you point out the fact that come September your going to be nineteen. That you are an adult, and you've never given them a reason not to trust you. That's got to count for something," Alice pointed out.

"Hey, if were can find something that we all can share, I don't imagine that it will cost each of us that much a month. Plus, your classes will be paid with the scholarship you earned. If you get a part time job, I'm sure you could afford the bills yourself. If you paid for it how could they stop you?" I thought about Rosalie's suggestion.

"I don't want to upset my parents, but maybe we could get everyone together and gang up on them. Maybe with the help of everyone, we could get them to change their minds. Then if that doesn't work, I can let them know I'm old enough to make my own decisions, and this is what I want. I'll let them know that I understand how they feel and that if they don't want to help with housing under these circumstances I completely understand, but this is how it's going to be," I was an adult and it was time I started acting like one. It was time I started to do a few things to please myself, instead always basing my decision on what my parents wanted.

"All these are great ideas to consider. When we get home we'll have a meeting of the minds between us and the guys, and see how we should go about this. Plus, we have to figure out how much the is going to cost before you can even seriously consider going at it on your own, " Alice said.

After the discussion of housing ended, we headed back to camp to see what the guys had planned for dinner. With Emmett in charge of food, I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up eating beanies and weenies out of a can.

/\/\/\/\/\

Later on that evening, after Edward and I had gotten in an ample amount of snuggling and kissing, we decided we go outside and layout under the stars. The clouds had yet to move in, so the sky was clear.

As I stepped out of the tent, with Edward following close behind, I stopped short as I saw a giggling Rose and Emmett walking towards the river. Their bodies were wrapped tightly in towels, and I assumed in nothing else. I turned quickly pushing Edward back in the tent. There would be only one reason those two would be taking a late night swim; I shuddered thinking of nearly catching them during an intimate moment.

"What?" Edward asked in confusion.

"Um, I changed my mind, we can star gaze tomorrow night," I said turning giving him a slight shove back into the tent.

He eyed me curiously, and then pushed past me. "What going on out there?"

"Edward," I said with warning, "If you don't want to be blinded by a moon, I suggest you turn around right now and come back in here."

"What are you talking about?" He asked confused.

Slightly embarrassed, I bit at my bottom lip before I explained. "Um, I caught a glimpse of Emmett and Rosalie. They were headed towards the river."

"And?" I guess I was going to have to spell it out for him.

"All they were wearing were towels. I think their going skinny dipping." Luckily with it being dark my ragging blush would go unseen.

"Oh, you don't say? Maybe we should join them," he said as he nuzzled my neck.

"Out of the question," I said, heart pounding. He wasn't serious, was he?

"Ah, come on Bella. It will be fun. I'll show you my moon, if you'll show me yours," he teased.

"Forget it mister," I said swatting his chest. "Get the deck of cards. We'll play hearts or something."

"Okay, but could we play strip poker instead?" He chuckled.

"Edward Cullen. You're incorrigible. Now go. I don't have time for your nonsense." I'd like to have the time I thought. But the tent walls did little for blocking out noise. The cooing, sighs, and occasional moans coming from Jasper and Alice tent over the past hour were a perfect reminder of that.

/\/\/\/\/\

The next morning, I woke up to bright light radiating all around. I rolled over to find myself alone. I stretched as I sat up, rubbing my face to help wake myself up. I wondered where Edward was off to. I didn't really notice any noise coming from outside except the babbling of the river and the wind blowing threw the trees. It had rained during the night and there was still a slight chill in the air. Thank goodness I had a down sleeping bag and Edward as my very own personal heater last night.

I pulled on my sweatshirt, and slipped on my shoes. I had instantly felt alone with Edward missing, and wanted to see where and what he was up to. Unzipping the tent, I crawled out noticing a blurry eyed Rose helping herself to a pot of coffee that sat on the campfire grill.

"Good morning Sunshine," Rose returned my greeting with a groan. She plopped down in one of the captain's chairs, pulling her legs into her chest as she sipped her coffee. She and I were kindred spirits when it came to mornings.

After grabbing myself a cup of coffee I joined her, and we sat in comfortable silence waiting for the caffeine to its job.

Our peaceful silence was cut short with a high-pitched shrill. Rose and I turned looking in the direction of the noise to see Alice bolting out of a cluster of trees towards us with Emmett hot on her heels.

"Rose," she screeched, "Would you call off your bear of a husband?"

Rose looked to Emmett to see what was going on. In his right hand he carried a fist full of earth worms. "Emmett Cullen, you drop those disgusting creatures right this instant."

"Ah Babe, I was just havin' a little fun. I can't help it that she can't take a simple harmless joke?" He pouted.

"Em, how long has Alice been your cousin? You ought to know full well by now that Alice and I do not tolerate such antics. You should be counting your lucky stars that we even agreed to come along on this little adventure of yours," she reminded him.

"Come on babe," he pleaded for understanding as he lifted her out of the chair; planting her in his lap when he sat down. "Where's your spirit of adventure? Besides, she deserved a little roughing up after making that snide comment about me and the guy's ability to provide supper for you ladies tonight."

Alice had plopped herself in my lap, nearly spilling my cup of liquid energy, as if I had the ability to shield her from him. "I was just stating the obvious. When have you guys ever caught anything worth keepin'? The only thing I've ever seen you guys catch are fish the size of minnows. You're always having to throw them back."

"We throw them back because we are usually fishing for the fun and sport of it. Not for something to eat, Pixie. But tonight, you mark my words, we will be feasting on a few mighty fine specimens of rainbow trout," he assured us.

By this time we were joined by Edward and Jasper. Edward leaned down placing a soft kiss on my cheek, "Good morning, love," he said.

Alice did not budge from my lap, she only sneered at Jasper. I took that to mean that he'd not made any attempt to rescue her from her pursuer, and more than likely found the whole thing rather amusing. I secretly agree with him. Seeing Alice running full out across the meadow in her fuzzy pink slippers had been hilarious.

After grabbing a few granola bars, and refilling their thermos with coffee, they were off to "fetch" us some dinner. Emmett was turning on his cowboy charm he knew drove Rose crazy.

Once we'd finished our coffee and nibbled on a granola bar, we changed into our swimsuits. We spread out our towels in a windmill fashion. It was a beautiful morning and we intended to take full advantage of it, sunning ourselves while we became engrossed in a few copies of Alice's treasured Nora Roberts' novels.

Nora Roberts could be entertaining with a smidge of hot "sheet action" as Alice liked to call it. They generally weren't something I would choose to read, but Alice just couldn't get enough of her. The real reason that I'd rather not read Nora's books with my two cohorts was because they always insisted that all the "sheet action" scenes be read aloud. I blushed furiously every time, and wanted to run and hide my embarrassment. This of course only added to their amusement.

Alice was currently entranced by her copy of "Carolina Moon". I could tell by the expression on her face, she must be nearing a scene worthy of sharing. "Listen to this one girls..." she sighed rolling over onto her back. Using her uncanny ability to imitate any accent she began to read as if she were born and raised in South Carolina herself.

He unhooked her bra, drew it aside. But when she reached for him he pressed her hands flat on the bed sliding them back until her elbows locked.

"I want you to take this time, take until you can't take anymore. Then you'll let go, and you'll give...everything."

His mouth all but savaged hers, ripping down to her gut with one jagged and panicked thrill. She wanted to resist, to push him back before he dragged her over a line she'd sworn never to cross again. But then his mouth was on hers again, the scrape of teeth, the flick of tongue whipping hot points of pleasure into her. Her back arched; willful invitation, and her hips began to rock. Little cries and whimpers, she couldn't bite back.

Her arms trembled from the strain even as her body gloried in it. Something frantic was clawing inside her, fighting to break free. A fast hard orgasm shocked her eyes wide; left her stunned and embarrassed. Then he was pulling her against him, wrapping her close.

"Let go."

He rolled her back on the bed tugging off his shirt. Her eyes were blurred now; her breath as ragged as his. This time when she reached for him he slid into her arms. His mouth was urgent, his hands impatient as they molded, and pressed, and stroked.

She dragged at his trousers desperate now that nerves had been swallowed by needs. He stripped them aside, and then send her flying when he yanked up her hips and used his mouth on her. Her hands wrapped around the rungs of the bed as he'd once imagined. Her head whipped to the side as sensations, dark delights, swamped her.

Pausing she said, "Now there's a man who knows how to please a woman. Very attentive to the needs of his lover. He brought that lucky lady over the brink twice and he'd yet to even became one with her," Alice sighed, holding the book to her chest.

"Bella, are you taking notes?" Rose grinned at me deviously. "I mean since you and Edward have decided to wait to do a complete roll in the hay until after you all are married, and God only knows how long that's going to be, you're going to have needs that will need to be tended to. And with Edward having no experience in this arena he could learn a thing or two on how to meet those needs from this guy, that's for sure."

Good Lord. Why is she always doing this to me? As if I wasn't embarrassed enough just by Alice reading the scene aloud, Rose had to go and make comments like that. "Rose," I scolded, covering my face with my hands, fearing what her dirty mind might come up with next. It was at this time the guys came traipsing across the meadow, back from their morning of fishing and male bonding. I was glad to see Emmett proudly holding up a line with three large fish on it. I saw this as an opportunity to deflect the attention off of myself.

"We're back," Emmett said dangling the fish in front of Alice, flaunting his catch to prove to her that her comments from earlier were wrong. She rolled her eyes.

"Emmett, get those smelly things away from me. You're dripping their slim all over me," Rosalie said as she pinched him in his calf.

"Ow, babe," Emmett said jumping back slinging water from the fish on all of us.

"For the love of God," Alice squeaked. "Now we're all going to smell like we've spent the day at a fishery."

"Oops, sorry about that. But you girls aren't going to go hungry tonight. Like I've said before, we Cullen men, oh and Hale, know how to bring home the bacon," he said proudly. I almost expected him to puff out his chest, tap it with his fist, and chant, "I am man, hear me roar."

"Bella," Edward broke into Emmett's reverie. "For goodness sake didn't you remember to apply sunscreen? You're as red as a tomato. You're definitely going to be paying for that oversight tomorrow." Leave it to over protective Edward to show up and draw attention to what I had hoped to slip under everyone's radar.

"Ah Edward, that redness isn't from any sunburn; that would be stemming from Alice's impromptu book reading," Rosalie felt the need to point out. When my wide, angry eyes met hers, she gave me a wink and an air kiss. She mouthed, "You'll thank me later."

Thank her? I was going to kill her. I wonder if anyone would notice if only five us came back from the trip. I could make up some story about her falling in the river never to be seen again. That could happen, right?

"And just what exactly were you all reading and discussing that would make Bella blush so furiously?" Emmett asked innocently. As-if he didn't know. No doubt, when God created Emmett, as sure as the sun, he had created Rosalie as his perfect mate. There was no other explanation for it.

"Oh you know, just some hints on how Edward here could a...meet some of her more personal needs," she smiled sweetly fluttering her eye lashes.

By this time I was on my feet. I grabbed Edward's hand and drug him towards the cover of the trees.

"Oh," Alice said as if she were surprised. "You going to teach Edward some of those moves Cade was putting on Tory, Bella? Don't go doing anything we wouldn't do. Oops, I mean anything we would do."

I glanced a look over my shoulder, shooting death rays at them. They were now all in a fit of hysteria. Edward met my eyes, smiling sweetly he mouthed, "I love you." I rolled my eyes shaking my head as I continued my retreat. I began to plot different scenarios of how to rid the earth of two she-devils named Alice and Rosalie.

True to his nature, and knowing me well enough by now not to tease when I had let them get me this worked up, Edward let me drag him along as I marched several yards under the forest cover. I stopped, dropping his hand so that I could pace back in forth in front of him, my useless attempt to calm down.

Edward just stood watching me with that crooked grin of his that always drove me crazy. "What?" I spat at him.

"Nothing, nothing at all," he held his hands up in surrender.

I stopped pacing and plowed myself into him, wrapping my arms tightly around his middle. "I love you." As he slipped his arms around me, all my anger ceased to be. No worries though. My anger may have subsided, but my thoughts of revenge and possible death and dismemberment of my two best friends, raged on. A wicked smile crossed my face as I soothingly rubbed my cheek on Edward's chest taking in his amazing, yet slightly fish tainted, scent.

"Better now?" He sweetly asked me.

I nodded, not saying a word. I just wanted to relish in this moment alone with him for just a bit longer.

"What do you say, we go back, you get our packs together and I'll pack us a lunch. Then we can spend the afternoon alone together. We can take that hike up to that rock out cropping that overlooks the river. It's only a couple miles up. We'll be there in no time," his tone very soothing. Even now, in moments like this, I still had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I truly was a lucky girl to have him in my life.

"Okay," I agreed looking up into his brilliant green eyes.

I release my grip from around him, and he wrapped his arm around my waist pulling me into his side as we made our way back towards camp.

/\/\/\/\/\

A/N: So there you have the second part of the rafting trip. So what did you think? Good grief, the relentless teasing poor Bella must endore from her two best friends. Isn't that Edward just so dang sweet, cheering Bella up with a private hike? How many of you want a private hike with Edward as you personal guide? Or Jasper? Or Alice and Rosalie for the male readers? Sorry, but I'm keeping Emmett all to myself. I'm just selfish that way. lol

THANK YOU for reading my story. I know this is not a recent post, but I still read, appreciate, and respond to all reviews. Just a couple of words would really make my day. :)