I can't believe that we are already twelve chapters in. Thank you so much for supporting this story. I love these characters so very much and I want to see them through to the end. They have so much more to say.

If you want to see pictures, follow me on Pintrest! Search: The Bunny Ranch

Let's be friends on Facebook and Twitter! Laila Bentz and lailabentz. I'd love to discuss the story with you guys!

Thank you to my beta, princess07890 for making me sound smarter than I am. You da best!

I own nothing.


~Edward~

Thank you for the flowers. I miss you too ~B

Have fun at dinner, Beautiful. I'll see you on Skype tonight ~E

Bella texts back one of those creepy little kissy faces, and I know that's all I'll hear from her until bedtime.

The workday drags unbelievably slowly and I know it's because I'm missing my girl. I'm working on a new acquisition, since Twilight has been put on hold indefinitely. I talk briefly to Mr. McClintock, and we agree to meet tomorrow at two to go over financials. He seems like a good man so far, and I'm looking forward to meeting him in person.

Joyce brings me my usual turkey sandwich for lunch, but it's just not what I'm craving. I decide to take a walk down to the McDonald's down the street, and grab a greasy burger instead.

I'm about half a block from McDonald's when I hear my name. "Edward!"

Turning toward the sound, I see Chelsea emerging from the building that she works in. She easily catches up and falls into stride beside me. "Chelsea."

I don't mean to sound so curt, but I honestly can't think of anything else to say. I really have no desire to strike up a conversation with her.

She seems to take it in stride, however, smiling as she continues to speak, "I heard you put a halt on the Twilight acquisition."

"I did."

"I was surprised. As long as I've known you, nothing has ever stumped you enough to stop pursuing a company."

I merely grunt in response. She doesn't need to know any of the dirty details of my girl's situation.

She grasps my bicep, and pulls me to a stop just feet from my destination; all I can think is, don't make this weird, Chelsea. It would be prudent if we could continue to work together. Chelsea is a genius with financials, and I've consulted her quite often in the past. I guess this is where the age old saying comes from: don't mix business with pleasure.

"Do you want to get together for drinks tonight? It's been awhile." She looks up at me from under her false lashes as she reaches for the lapel of my jacket. Her perfume surrounds me, and it's all wrong. "I'm beginning to think you're avoiding me."

I grab her hand to stop its decent. "I don't think so, Chelsea." Her blue eyes flicker with surprise, and then steel with resolve. I know, right then, that she's not going to give up so easily. She's a beautiful woman, don't get me wrong. She's tall and slender with shoulder length blonde hair and blue eyes. I definitely found her attractive at one point, but those days are long gone.

"Why not? We were so good together. We can be so good together. I've been patient, Edward, but now I'm ready for more. I deserve more."

I really don't want a scene here in the middle of the street, and it looks as though she's about to make one, but I've got to say my piece. "There is no more for us. You knew damn well what you were getting into with me when we started whatever it was that we were doing. I never made any promises to you, Chelsea."

"So that's it then? You get to decide everything? I don't even get a say in what happens to us at all?"

"No."

"Why?" Her bottom lip trembles, and I know it has more to do with her pride than anything she feels for me. Chelsea is an opportunist. She doesn't care about me. She only cares about what I can give her.

"Because there is, there never was, and there never will be an 'us'. I'm also not going to disrespect the woman that does have my heart one more second by standing here arguing with you over something that was over before it started. You used me as much as I used you. Don't try to paint it any differently. I hoped we could maintain a working relationship, but I see that's no longer an option. Take care of yourself, Chelsea."

And with those parting words, I leave her on the sidewalk with her mouth agape, and head into the McDonald's to grab my quarter pounder. I know I'm an asshole, but, damn, no means no. And I have very little patience for hissy fits unless, of course, they belong to a certain brunette.

It's crazy how someone comes into your life, and changes everything. I never thought I'd want to get married again, and I'd long given up on the idea of fatherhood, but those things no longer seem impossible. I know that Bella has a ways to go before she'd even consider those things, but at least they are real possibilities.

Kate never wanted children. She thought they'd infringe upon our lifestyle. No matter how much I begged, she was just not receptive to the idea. I, on the other hand, have always wanted kids. Maybe it's because I had such a great childhood, such great parents. I think that's why I hold on so tightly to the home in Nantucket. I know that I don't use it, but it's the last hope I have for someday having a family.

I can't get ahead of myself, though. I know that Bella and I are headed in that direction, and I know how she feels about me, but I need to be careful not to push her too far, too fast. She has a lot on her plate; the last thing she needs is an old man breathing down her neck about marriage and kids.

I am the master of self-control.

I can be patient.

I hope.

When I get to the office the next morning, I set to work on preliminary numbers for the McClintock acquisition. It's about three o'clock when Carlisle comes and sits at my desk, but I barely glance up from my computer screen. I've engrossed myself so far into work today that I don't even realize that I've skipped lunch, and now, I'm starving.

"I got a call from Victoria today. She's livid."

This doesn't surprise me one bit. Victoria is a viper.

"I expected as much. But I'm not going to touch that acquisition with a ten foot pole until Bella's situation is sorted out, and she decides what she wants to do with her part of the company. If she wants to keep it, we'll buy the others out, and keep it. If she wants to sell it, we'll do that. Victoria can wait."

"You've got it bad, brother." Carlisle chuckles as he teases me; normally I would get pissed, but not today. He's absolutely right, and there is no point in trying to hide it, so I merely nod as I continue to type. I'm about to ask if he thinks she'll do anything hasty when my phone alerts me to an incoming message.

I check it right away, and wish I'd waited until I was alone because, damn.

It's a series of three pictures. The first is a black and white snapshot of my girl's ass, in her Bunny costume, bent over a chair. The second is a picture of her at her last fitting for the black costume, and, fuck, she's falling out of it everywhere, and the last is just a picture of her in a black push-up bra. Holy mother, she's sexy.

"Problem?" My annoying little brother laughs as he gets my attention. I slam the phone face down onto my desk, and I swear my ears are on fire. This only eggs Carlisle on more. "Dude, what did she send you to have you blushing like a schoolgirl?"

"Shut the fuck up, asshole." That's the best I can muster; it really has no impact because I am indeed blushing. My little vixen. I can't resist picking up my phone, and scrolling through the naughty images once more, making sure to save each one. I text her back, just to let her know that she's sufficiently tortured me, and that she'll be paying for it when she comes home to me.

Her only reply is: "I'm counting on it." With a little winky face.

Next Thursday cannot come soon enough.

To be perfectly honest, I've never been in a relationship with someone who excited me this much. And I don't mean just sexually. She excites me in ways that I've never experienced before. It's both frightening and exhilarating.

Zafrina has dinner ready for me when I get home, and I'm grateful. After I eat, I head down to my gym, and manage to get a good workout in before Bella Skypes me. It's surprising how restless I feel until I'm able to see her gorgeous face.

She looks like sin when we connect, even with her freshly washed face and one of my white v neck tee shirts. I let my eyes flicker across her beautiful face, taking in every freckle before finally landing on her big brown eyes.

"Baby."

Her voice is breathy and sweet, and I can't help the smile that spreads across my face. God, I've missed her. "Hey, baby. How'd the shoot go?"

"Really good. It was so cold, but we got some great shots. I think you'll like them."

"I'm sure I will. You have a free day tomorrow, yeah?"

"Yeah. Alice, Carmen, Maggie, and I are going shopping on Fifth Avenue. I'm excited."

She goes on to tell me that she's going to buy a fancy purse and some lingerie, but that's it. I'm very excited about that. She teases me a little before Maggie comes into her room. She giggles at something Maggie says before turning her attention back to me.

"Maggie says that you're mean."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. She says that she's not even flirting with you, but you're still short with her." She's smiling as she says this, so I know she's not mad.

"She's very flirtatious, and I have no desire to flirt with anyone but you. If that makes me an asshole, so be it."

"You were short with me at first." She plays with the ends of her hair, a wicked smirk on her face.

"You made me nervous." Honesty seems like the best way to go in this situation.

"I did?" Her milk chocolate eyes widen like saucers. It's endearing that she has no idea how gorgeous she is. And her little spitfire personality is a force to be reckoned with.

"Very much so."

She smiles a shy smile. "You made me nervous, too. But not anymore. Now you make me happy. And horny." She gives me a glimpse of her panties as she says this. My naughty girl.

"Those are good things to be." I lean back in my chair, and rub my chin, hoping for a little more of a show. She glances over her shoulder, I guess making sure Maggie left, and then gets up to close and lock the door to her room. She pulls the shirt over her head, revealing her perfect, voluptuous, nude breasts and tiny black panties, and gives me the show I desperately want. It pales in comparison to having her here with me, but it's still very erotic.

The rest of the week seems to move in slow motion, but, finally, Thursday approaches. I've arranged to pick her up from the airport because I just couldn't imagine waiting one second longer than I have to in order to see her. She sees me as soon as she passes through security, and literally runs into my arms. Her suitcase, purse, and the bouquet of brightly colored flowers I'm holding all hit the ground with a thud as I catch her tiny form mid-leap. She wraps her long legs around my waist, and kisses all over my face, making the elderly man behind me laugh. It's in moments like this, when I feel like the most important man in the world to an incredible woman like Bella, that I wonder why I was ever so vehemently against public displays of affection. Her attention, her affection, and the fact that she kisses me with everything she's got, regardless of who is watching us, makes me feel about ten feet tall.

Once she's finally pulled away from my mouth, she buries her face in my neck, and holds me tightly for a moment before I set her carefully back on her feet. I tug at the hem of her dark blue velour jacket, knowing how much she dislikes it, and then bend down to pick up the fallen items. I hand her the flowers, along with her purse, and easily pick up the suitcase before reaching for her hand to lead her to my car. Hey, I'm getting the hang of this hand-holding thing.

She chats excitedly about her trip, and proudly shows me the new fancy purse she bought. She goes on and on about the hotel room, and insists that we need to go to New York together for a weekend trip. I'll definitely take her back there, but, for the first weekend trip we take, I'd love to show her the water. It'll be a couple of months until it's warm enough to enjoy it, though.

We head straight to my house so she can unload her bags and shower. We are meeting Carlisle and Esme for dinner but we have plenty of time. I lean on the door jamb as she flitters around the bathroom because she insists that she missed me too much to let me out of her sight. I can't complain, I get to see her in all of her naked glory, and then in sexy black underwear as she puts on her makeup. I'm always amazed at how different she looks fully made up. Definitely older, although she's stunning to me either way.

When she's finally dressed, we head to the restaurant. The host pisses me off right off the bat when he leers at Bella in the crudest way before asking us to follow him. He glances back over his shoulder as he easily navigates the room and asks, "Brought your daughter out for a fancy meal, eh mate?" His smarmy accent only adds to the insult.

I don't answer.

I pull out Bella's chair, and instinctively raise my hand to touch the gray at my temple when I sit down. I must look uncomfortable because Bella is immediately looking around asking, "What? What did he say to you?"

Thankfully, Carlisle and Esme haven't arrived yet.

"Nothing. Don't worry about it." I don't mean to be short with her, but I can tell that I am by the hurt expression on her face. I don't even have a chance to apologize when the asshole is back.

"What can I get you to drink, sweetheart?" I interrupt, mostly because I hate the smile that she gives him. "A bottle of Cristal." He smirks in my direction before turning back to Bella giving her a regretful expression. "I'm sorry, honey, I'm going to need to see your ID. Being with your father isn't enough in this restaurant."

She looks absolutely appalled before bursting into laughter. Full on, deep belly laughs, leaving both the waiter and me absolutely stunned and confused. What the fuck could she possibly think is funny about that comment?

"My father?" She swipes at her eyes as she asks, still fighting off giggles.

"Yes?" Now the waiter looks really confused, and I'm getting more and more pissed by the second. Not to mention how embarrassed I am.

She glances over at me with a knowing, evil glint in her eye before answering him. "What was your name again?"

His gaze flits over to me briefly before answering, "Justin."

She reaches over, and places her hand high on my thigh as she looks at him from under her long, thick lashes while she crosses her long shapely legs seductively. "Clearly, Justin, Mr. Cullen isn't my father." She lifts her hand from my leg to caress the hair at my temple before dragging it down across the stubble on my jaw. "Mr. Cullen is my lover, my soulmate, the man who holds my heart, and shares my bed. So, Justin, I'd really appreciate if you showed this incredible, very powerful man the respect that he deserves."

I'm in awe of her by the end of her little rant, and I don't know what comes over me, but I grasp her jaw, and lay a quick passionate kiss to her pillow soft lips, resting my forehead against hers afterward. "Thank you."

She merely wipes the smeared lipstick from my mouth, and smirks at me in response.

"Whoa, get a room." My little brother always has a way of ruining the moment.

Bella stands to hug Esme as I stand to one-arm-man-hug Carlisle, and then we switch before they take their seats at the table.

The girls discuss Bella's trip to New York while Carlisle and I discuss the conference call we have with a potential buyer for the McClintock deal. The buyer is in Japan, so, an eleven o'clock in the morning call for them, means a nine o'clock at night call for us.

After dinner, Esme will drop Bella off at her old apartment so that she can pack up all of her belongings; I'll meet her there after the conference call. We plan to just spend the night there so that she can be present in the morning when the movers come. We are both anxious to get her moved into her new apartment. Thank fuck this is the last time I have to sleep in that horrible bed. Her new, big enough for Edward, bed will be delivered to her new apartment tomorrow as well.

After enough PDA to make me slightly uncomfortable, Bella kisses me one last time, and then leaves with Esme.

The conference call goes longer than I expect, but it's productive, so I really can't complain. Eleazar calls Carmen and Carlisle calls Esme to let them know they're on their way home. I do the same, but the call goes to Bella's voice-mail. I don't worry too much about it, though, figuring that she's distracted by packing.

When I turn down her street, however, it's barricaded, and when I look up at her building horror and utter panic fills my very core. "Bella!" I shout as I hastily park my car, and rush toward the building. Two police officers stop me, "We cannot let you go in there, sir."

"But my girlfriend. That's her apartment!" I try with all my might to yank my arms away from these bastards but they only hold on to me tighter. My eyes are fixated on the building engulfed in raging flames.

"I need to find her. You don't understand, I need to find her." My voice catches on the last word.

"The evacuees are over in that parking lot, and there's a team of firefighters up there right now trying to get into that apartment. But I need you to remain calm. They'll get to her."

"How the fuck do you expect me to remain calm? That's my life in there!" My arm swings out, and hits one of the officers.

The officers glance at each other briefly, and then push me to the ground, twisting my arms painfully behind my back. Then, the big one announces,

"Sir, you need to calm down; you're a danger to yourself and others. I'm placing you in cuffs for your safety, and the safety of those around you."

After securing the cool metal handcuffs around my wrists, he yanks me to my feet, and then proceeds to shove me into the back of his car. I continue to resist, all the while fluctuating between watching the flames, and the front door. I pray hard. I make promises to God, and I make promises to the devil. I don't care what it costs me, I need Bella to be okay.

It feels like hours pass, even though it's only a few minutes, but when I see a firefighter stagger through the front door carrying my soot covered, unconscious girl, I absolutely lose my mind. I'm going absolutely bat shit crazy in the back of the cop car.

The big one taps on the window, pointing toward the front door, asking if that's her. When I scream that it fucking is, he promises to let me go, but only if I can calm down. I instantly stop moving because I'll literally do anything to get to her, but, as soon as I'm free, the firefighter takes one more staggered step and collapses. I run across the lot as quickly as my legs will take me, but I don't make it before she hits the pavement in a heap.

I scoop her tiny, limp body into my arms, and frantically look for the ambulance. Tears burn my eyes as I yell, "Somebody help us; God please help us!. She's not breathing!"

Everything is a blur around me.

I sink to my knees as the paramedics take her lifeless form from my arms.


I REALLY can't wait to hear your thoughts...

Lots of love, Laila xx