Finally! You guys don't know how much I agonized over this chapter and with the recent Robsten news. I was ready to turn this story into a tragedy, but I couldn't do it. So, I typed, retyped and typed some more until I finally got it just right.

Thanks to be beta, Darkredslice, for putting up with me.

I hope this is the exact amount of sweetness you guys like in a lemon cake.

Enjoy!

Chapter 21

With her hand firmly in his, Edward led them upstairs and toward his study in silence. From his earlier promise on the horse, she expected him to head straight for the bedroom.

"Would you like to have a seat?" He pointed to the empty chair in front of his desk as he took his seat behind it.

Bella sank into her seat cautiously aware of his turbulent mood and stormy eyes.

"Let's talk, Bella," Edward steeple his fingers together on the desk.

"Must we be so formal?" She asked with a small, uncomfortable laugh.

His lips curled up as she squirmed in her seat under his gaze. He was enjoying himself Bella realized with building annoyance. She bit her lip to keep from lashing out and demand that he just tell her whatever he wanted to say.

"Yes, because I don't think you take what I say seriously when we are not being formal," He answered her question staring at her lips as he did so.

"I take everything you say seriously," Bella argued feeling like an errant child. He looked at her skeptically.

"So," He begun, "When I told you to stop worrying about having a baby and you agreed, you were also taking me seriously?"

Bella stood in defense, "That's different. And I agreed to that more than half a year ago."

"Sit down, Isabella," His voice was not loud but it still commanded.

They both glared at each other, Edward's eyes daring her to defy him. She huffed out a breath and sat back down.

"Edward-"

"I thought Father and I explained to you the reasons why it may be a bit more difficult for you to conceive. I thought you understood and that we were going to take it slow. There's no rush, Bella," Edward insisted his eyes growing softer.

"I'm ready, Edward. I'm so ready to start a family with you," She said in a heartbreaking way.

He leaned back against his chair and asked, "This has nothing to do with the rumors, does it? Because they're not true, I haven't lost my affections for you. I'm not warming another woman's bed, nor am I ever going to because of how I feel when I'm with you. I love you and I will always love you. Bella, you consume my world."

A tear escaped her eyes and Bella quickly swiped it away.

"Don't cry, Bella. It's not like you don't know that I love you and adore you with everything that I am. Talk to me, please," He pleaded helplessly.

She finally looked at him again with glistening tears in her eyes.

"How can it not, Edward?" She asked referring to the rumors, "Do you not hear what they say?"

"I hear everything they say, and I am sorry that you have to hear it, too. I wish I could protect you from it, Bella. But you can't let it affect you this way, us this way."

Bella shook her head, "But there has to be something wrong with me, right, Edward? I mean, even Alice already has a child to hold. Why can't I? Is this God's way of punishing me for all the sins I've committed? It would serve me right, but why does he have to punish you, too?"

A loud bang on the table made her jump and she realized Edward had slammed his fist on the table. His knuckles were white as they angrily lay curled up against the wood.

"God damn it, Bella! Would you just stop?" He shouted and rose from his seat.

Bella watched as he paced the floor between them in silence, gripping his hair until it was a complete mess before leaning against the edge of the table to peer down at her. He was furious, Bella could tell from the thin line of his lips to the tightness in his jaw. With a sigh, Edward knelt down to be eye level with her. He took her hand in his and when he looked into her eyes. The anger was gone and replaced with a calm resolve.

"Bella, there is nothing wrong with you and God isn't punishing you. You are good and kind, an angel. Why would he ever punish you?" Edward shook his head at the mere idea.

"An angel? Don't be blasphemous, Edward," She stated pushing his hair back and out of the way.

"Bella," He called.

"Hmm?"

"Bella, I love you."

"I love you, too," She replied.

He smiled softly before saying, "You're all that I care about, all that I worry about. I don't care what those snooty, gossipmongers say and you shouldn't either. Nothing will ever make me stop loving you. I swear I will spend hours-no, days-making love to you to prove it. Can we just put aside all of this baby stuff for awhile and concentrate on us? Because I miss you, I miss my lover and my friend."

The look on her face told him that she wouldn't deny what he asked, but there was also a residual worry lingering in her eyes.

"Don't worry. I still plan on making love to you but not for the purpose of making a baby, but because I love you and I want to show you how much I love you," He stated vehemently, "Promise me, Bella. Promise me that you will relax. We can take a trip away from here if you like just you and me."

She smiled, "Our family is visiting before the end of summer. I'm not going anywhere."

"So, is that a promise?" He drawled.

She nodded, "I promise you Edward."

He crushed his lips to her, drawing her tongue into his mouth with a groan of satisfaction. Their tongues met with a slow laziness filled with love and victory on his part. Bella tangled her fingers into his hair, scratching his scalp gently with her nails driving him mad with want. She deepened their kiss by slanting her mouth against his tasting more of him. Their actions fueled by the heart-to-heart talk. His hands traveled up her waist to her bodice, but before she could feel the warm heat of his fingers. He tore himself away from her.

"I swear, Bella, you can kiss a man to his death," Edward said roughly.

She laughed, "I'm sure there's a compliment in there somewhere."

"Cheeky woman," He muttered fondly before standing.

She frowned as he adjusted his clothes, fully aware of the reason why as his erection was blatantly obvious. So, why was he moving away from her?

"Now that we have discussed that little issue, I can punish you," He said rounding the corner of his desk.

Bella straightened in her seat, "Punish me?"

"Hmm."

"What for?" She demanded.

His eyes were stormy again, but with a hint of mischief under the turbulent current. "As if you don't already know," He replied.

She gasped now realizing it wasn't coincidence that he was just outside of the marketplace waiting for her.

"You followed me!"

"Because I was worried about your safety, I just didn't expect him to show up," Edward shrugged.

"Well, if you saw then you know nothing happened. Just friends talking to one another on an open, public road," Bella stated.

He stared at her.

"What?"

"I hate him. I hate him and I wish I could shoot him square between the eyes," Edward spat.

She stood, "So you're going to take it out on me?"

"To make sure you know that you are mine," He smirked and leans back in his chair as if he was master of the universe or at least hers.

She sighed, "You know I'm yours."

"Well, in that case, you can show me," Edward stated gruffly causing her body to tense with the undercurrent of his voice and her eyes snapped up to his beautiful face.

His gaze was intense as he ordered, "Strip, Isabella."

Bella gave a huff of indignation, "I beg your pardon, husband?"

"Oh, beg you will, my love. I guarantee you that," His words were like a caress to her most intimate parts.

She was speechless, surprised, but not at all unwilling to obey.

"Would you like me to tell you again what I want you to do in French or Italian perhaps as you don't seem to understand English anymore," He teased.

Bella folded her arms across her chest, but his eyes immediately flew to her breasts which were now straining against the bodice. She immediately dropped them at her sides a bit frazzled by his blatant request.

"This is hardly the time and place," Her eyes scanned his study and settled on the couch nestled against the wall.

He gave a throaty chuckle aware of where she was looking.

"Au contraire, this is the perfect time and place. I did promise you that we won't leave until you find pleasure in my arms again and again…" His voice trailed off.

"Edward-"

"Undress, Bella," He interrupted. "For me."

Her stomach did a somersault in the air. She knew she couldn't refuse him now, not with those hooded bedroom eyes already searing through the layers of her clothes.

"Here? In-In front of you?" She stuttered nervously.

"Is there any other way?" He asked with a devilish grin.

To hell with her insecurities, Bella decided as she reached for the bow at the back of her gown and began to tug it loose. She saw the gulp he took when the ties to the gown fell on either side.

Reaching behind her once again, Bella made quick work of the buttons there causing the gown to gap little by little in the front. Edward watched enraptured by her delicate but sure movements as the gown began to slip off her shoulders. She clutched the front of the dress to her chest to keep it from falling, a slight blush building in her cheeks.

"There is nothing to be shy about, you are exquisite. You're the only woman I want for the rest of my life," He whispered clearly effected by her little show.

With such words of encouragement, Bella hesitated for another second before letting the gown fall. Edward gasped at the white silk slip that served as the only undergarment she'd don under her gown and the hem barely reached the middle of her thigh. She looked edible standing there and utterly unaware of his thundering heart.

He was there, pulling her flush against his body before she even realized he had moved. Edward's fingers grazed her bottom before pressing firmly against the small of her back to bring her pelvis against his.

"Do you feel that?" He pressed himself against her belly.

She nodded in response.

"Do you want me, Bella?" He asked a whisper between them.

"I want you always, forever," She replied against his lips before tugging his bottom one into her mouth to nibble on.

He humored her, letting her kiss him the way she wanted. She was truly a siren, his siren, the way she used her mouth to drug him. Edward shredded his clothes in record time leaving Bella's shift as the only barrier between them.

Her arms traced the subtle muscles of his back as he deepened their kiss by angling her head to one side while his fingers danced along her bare thigh, skimming beneath the thin fabric to his final destination to find it soaking with desire. It made him ravenous to know that he could put her in such a state by barely touching her.

"So wet," He whispered against her lips.

"Only for you," She whispered back making him groan.

"Bella…"

"Don't hold back, Edward," She laid open mouth kisses to his chest in no particular pattern.

"Oh, Bella," He sighed.

"Yes, my love?" She replied with her sweet tongue against his nipples driving him to distractions.

"I want to make love to you," He said breathlessly.

"How, Edward? How do you want to make love to me?" She asked curling her fingers around his throbbing shaft only to sweep the pad of her thumb over the wet tip.

A small hiss escaped his beautiful lips before she found herself in the cradle of his arms, dark eyes smoldering her as he carried her to the couch and gently placed her there before hovering over her like some avenging angel ready to stake his claim.

"How you ask? I want it hard and fast, Bella," His voice made her insides quiver with delicious anticipation.

"Yes, please Edward," Was her answering reply.

Those words were like fire straight to his groin and he shredded her shift with one tear straight down the middle with his bare hands.

"That was India's finest silk, Edward," Bella breathed accepting his full on kiss.

"I'll buy you a dozen more. I can't wait any longer," Those words were punctuated by a quick thrust of his hips that filled her completely to the hilt.

She gasped his name at the same time her back arched up meet his hips.

"Hold on tight, baby," He brought one of her legs high across his waist.

She locked them there, an anchor for him to drive into her hard and fast over and over without any sign of stopping or slowing down. His mouth and tongue intensified every sensation as they drifted over her breasts and nipples. The familiar coiling in the pit of her stomach had her gripping his arm while moaning with every thrust he delivered.

"Edward, I'm-"

"I know, my love. I am, too," He groaned out roughly.

"Faster," Her breathless demand brought his passions to new heights.

His hips drove into her faster and harder as she tightened around him. Her orgasm imminent and so was his tumbling together as one.

"Come for me, Bella. Baby, come for me," His words and the deep, hard thrusts drove her over the edge. Her muscles pulsed, gripping him tight just as he stilled and released his seed into her fast and hot.

He was still trying to find his breath when she trailed lazy kisses across his collarbone. Propping himself up on his elbows to offset his weight, he smiled down at her as he swept a sweaty strand of hair away from her face.

"Bella, that was-"

"Amazing? Sensational? I-want-to-do-that-again kind of thing?" She asked with a sly smile.

He chuckled, "All of the above, my love."

They shared a laugh that was both intimate and carefree. He pulled her into his embrace, spooning her with quiet satisfaction and soft caresses for several quiet moments.

"I love you, Edward," She whispered hands traveling close to his now almost reawaken member.

"Don't you wish to sleep?" He asked surprise coating his desire.

She turned placing her front to his and her pelvis in the perfect position should he wish to enter her again. Her warm hands began to stroke him into a rock solid existence.

"Ah, Bella, what are you-"

"Sleep? But I want to find pleasure in your arms again and again…" She trailed off using his previous words.

With a groan, he placed a hand over her stroking one to still her. The pout she gave him made him kiss her until they were both breathless.

"Turn around," He whispered roughly.

Without hesitation, she turned her back to him and Edward brought one of her legs to rest over his. Very slowly, he entered her from behind. The angle forced a long, sweet moan from her lips as he wrapped an arm around her middle to anchor them.

"Do you like this?" He whispered against her ear.

"Hmm," She rotated her hip, "It's…different."

"Is it uncomfortable?" He asked rolling a nipple between his fingers gently.

"No," She arched her back against him.

Edward pulled back halfway and entered her again, "God, Bella, you're so tight, always so perfect."

She turned her head to kiss him and he obliged with another slow thrust to make her moan his name.

"Make love to me this way, Edward," She said against his lips.

"Your wish is my command."

Bella kept her promise to Edward and visibly relaxed. Their new found passions were no doubt exercised on almost every surface of their house with spontaneous summer activities in between. On days when he didn't have to work, Edward would plan a picnic by the river or take her to a strawberry farm nearby to pick ripe strawberries. Their little excursions often times ended up in heavy petting and a mad dash home to finish what they started. Edward was teaching Bella how to row a boat on a river behind their house when he received news that a property in Eton required his attention. He offered to take her along, but because the journey would be a grueling one Bella decided to stay at home.

She had just returned from the tenant lands where the people were dealing with a leak in the irrigation system, and she brought men out to help fix the mess since Edward was away on his business trip. Thank goodness the men were able to fix the small leak and restore water to the tenants, because she would hate to think about them without water in this heat. Bella was suddenly very exhausted and in need of her husband but unfortunately he wouldn't be due back for another day or so. She missed him sorely.

She walked through the backdoor, tracking mud on the marble floors without a care as she proceeded to make her way upstairs.

"Halt!"

The sudden outburst made her pause with her back to the person.

"Who are you and how dare you track mud through my house?"

Edward was back? How? This should be fun, Bella thought keeping her back to him as she looked down at her outfit with a smile.

"I demand an answer for such insolence," He demanded working himself into quite a fit.

She realized that he probably didn't recognize her considering the way she was dressed and the fact that her hair was tucked under a cap. He probably thought she was some random man, albeit a very small man, but a man nonetheless.

"Speak at once or find a pistol to your skull," Edward warned, patience wearing thin.

Holy…He's scary when he's angry. Maybe it was wise not to try his patience, Bella decided and turned around finding herself face-to-face with her travel weary husband.

His eyes first narrowed, taking in her appearance from head to toe and then back up to her eyes again. It took a second, but his eyes went wide with recognition and then he shook his head in confusion.

"I'm dreaming, right? This is some ridiculous dream," He scoffed at himself.

"Or a fantasy come alive, husband?" Bella teased removing her cap and letting her hair fall in cascading waves wherever they may.

Edward gaped at her taking in the simple white tunic she wore over snug black breeches and muddy brown boots. The outfit left nothing to the imagination as it hugged all her curves like a second skin. Who knew that Bella in men's clothing would be his undoing?

"What are you doing in clothes like that? Actually, whose clothes are those because I'm going to kill him," Edward spoke as he walked a circle around her taking all of her in.

"There was an irrigation leak out on the tenant lands but not to worry. I hired a group of men to fix it. As for the clothes, well, I'd advise you not to kill him," Bella answered hiding a smile by biting her lip.

"I'll kill him first and then hunt down all those other men who lay eyes on you this very day," His growled words came from behind her.

She turned to him, "These clothes are yours, Edward, from when you were a lad. I hope you don't mind but Alfred suggested I borrow them when I was trying to find something more comfortable to visit the tenant lands in. I know it's inappropriate-"

"It's completely inappropriate," He corrected darkly.

"Well, considering I would probably have to lend a hand. I didn't want to do it in a prissy little gown and get it all dirty or ruined. What would your tenant's think of you, then? 'The Marquess' wife can't be bothered to get dirt under her fingers'," She pointed out.

"They wouldn't dare," He said eyes roaming her outfit with more intensity.

"Besides, what matters is it got the job done. Your tenants have water again, my lord," Bella smiled with self satisfaction.

"Our," He said studying the cut of the breeches hugging her slim thighs by letting his hands roam.

"Pardon me?"

"Our tenants," He corrected.

She smiled, "Semantics. It's all the same. Yours, mine, ours…"

"Bella, you're driving me crazy. Do you not see it?" He shook his head.

She was taken aback, "I'm sorry, I never meant to overstep my boundaries as a wife. I just thought if I could help you with one thing, then, you would have one less thing to worry about when you return from your business trip. I know that a woman has her place, but-"

"Stop, beautiful girl," Edward said gently.

With wide eyes, Bella looked up at into his serious face which broke out into a grin. She couldn't help but tentatively smile back.

"What?"

"You couldn't have made me prouder to call you my wife, my world. Remember when you first laid eyes on Rochester and you were afraid of how you were going to run our home?" Edward asked with a fond smile.

She nodded and he gestured at her, "Well, look at you now. You run our home, take care of me, and now even our tenants who are my responsibility. How did you become the most magnificent woman a husband could ask for?"

She sniffled, struggling with the tears in her eyes as he spoke. "Are you trying to make me cry?"

"Is it working?" He teased.

She punched his chest without any real force behind it and he pulled her into his arms, tucking her head just below his chin in a tender embrace.

"Bella, this is where I belong. Right here," Edward murmured into her hair.

"We, this is where we belong," She corrected inhaling his scent which she missed since he'd been gone.

He squeezed her tight, bringing his lips to press against her hair. "So, about those men who saw you in this scandalous outfit today?"

"Edward," Bella scolded pulling away from the embrace.

"Who are they?" He pressed following her upstairs. "I bet one of them was that blacksmith's son, eh? Was the carpenter there, too?" He continued suspiciously.

Bella refused to name names as he called after her, "Regardless, you are forbidden to wear such an outfit outside of our bedchamber again. I don't care how good you look in my clothes."

She smirked at him over her shoulder, "How good?"

"So fucking good, baby," He answered and realized he just cursed in front of his wife. Damn his loose tongue; he hoped he didn't offend her sensibilities.

Bella turned around at their bedroom door abruptly causing him to almost collide with her. She put her arms around his neck to steady him.

"That good, huh?" She quirked a smile.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to curse," He apologized.

She shrugged, "I like it."

At her bold statement his head rear back, both of them.

"It means you're not always the stuffy, proper Marquess everyone believes you are," She spoke as if they were sharing a secret.

"Because you know differently?" He asked staring at her lips wanting to devour them and so much more.

"Uh-huh," She licked her lips. "Do you want to show me just how improper you are?" Again with that tone, she was going to kill him before they even started.

"God damn it, baby, why do you always make it so hard-"

Her throaty laugh interrupted his words, "I always make it so hard, don't I?"

"Alright, that's it," He growled grasping her about the waist before opening their bedroom door and locking it behind him.

They both slept through dinner and when Edward woke in the middle of the night hungry, he tried waking Bella but she refused to be roused from her deep sleep. His poor wife, she must have exhausted herself with the tenants. Edward struggled to leave the warmth of her body but his gnawing stomach wouldn't let him fall back into bliss. So, with some loose night trousers, Edward wondered into the kitchens in search of something to eat.

His rummaging woke a few maids who offered to cook, but he shooed them back to bed and continued looking until two arms wrapped around his waist from behind. He almost jumped out of his skin when he thought it was a daring maid, but Bella's soft laugh at his reaction calmed his nerves.

Edward reached an arm behind him and brought it around her waist, "I tried waking you but you wouldn't budge."

"Hmm, I'm usually a light sleeper. I must be tired, but I can't sleep without you," Bella smiled lazily.

Edward rolled his eyes, "Lies."

"What are you accusing me of at this hour?" She rubbed her eyes to chase away the hazy veil of sleep.

"You managed to sleep without me just fine when we first married," Edward reminded.

"That was different. I barely knew you then. Believe me. It didn't take long before your charms caught up to me."

"Well, can my charms tempt you to make something for your husband to eat?" He smiled.

"Only if you help me," Bella replied.

"You want the Marquess of Rochester to help in his own kitchen?" Edward demanded in faux outrage.

Bella shrugged, "That or starve for the remainder of the night."

"You drive a hard bargain. You should really go into business," Edward chuckled.

"Hmm, you keep me busy enough. Let's start making the dough," Bella insisted.

By the time they were done, the kitchen was a mess with flour everywhere and bits of dough scattered about thanks to Edward. Cooking utensils littered the counter top and the both of them were on the floor with less than a plate of pastries and two empty glasses of milk between them.

"Thank you, my love. That was almost as sweet as you. Almost," Edward grinned running his knuckles across her jaw line.

She laughed softly and gestured to the mess, "Shall we clean up?"

"Definitely not," He chuckled helping her up.

"The cook will be furious tomorrow," Bella insisted as he guided her back to the upper house.

"I'll tell him a raccoon did it."

"Two very naughty raccoons," Bella amended.

"Exactly."

It was late afternoon when Edward returned from visiting his tenants to make sure everything with the water system was all and well. And of course it was. Now, he just wanted to have a lunch with his wife.

"My lord, good afternoon," Lindy greeted him at the door.

"Where is your lady? Has she had lunch yet?" Edward asked pulling his gloves off.

"Actually, my lady hasn't woken up. Should I-"

"No, that won't be necessary, Lindy," Edward cut her off and started up the stairs taking them two at a time in his eagerness. The past month felt like a second honeymoon, one that they should've had a long time ago and he wanted it to continue as long as possible.

Bella was still asleep when Edward entered, her breathing deep and even like she hasn't slept in days. What exactly was going on? Edward touched his hand to her forehead, no fever. He studied her hands noticing the dirt under her nails from the previous day, but nothing other than that. She never slept past eight in the morning before.

Edward went through an immediate list of diseases that would induce a change in sleeping habits, but none of them fit considering that Bella has never left the country before. Perhaps, he should write to his father and maybe have him pay a visit, but he was expecting them in a few weeks.

He nudged Bella softly and then harder calling out her name. Slowly, Bella came to fluttering her eyelashes a few times before opening them completely. She smiled up at him with a soft greeting.

"Hey, are you feeling alright?" His brows creased with concern.

She nodded, stretching out like a cat and settling back without an attempt to leave the bed.

Edward chuckled, "My love, it's past one in the afternoon."

Her eyebrows shot up, "You jest."

"I do not," Edward argued watching her sit up as if she had not an ounce of energy in her body.

"Are you sure you're feeling alright? You don't have a fever or does it looked like you overworked yourself while I was away," Edward pressed voicing his worry over her well being.

Bella giggled, "You checked while I was sleeping?"

"Your health is very important to me. Now, tell me where you feel unwell," Edward implored.

She waved him off, "I spent five hours in the sun yesterday and then you kind of overworked me when you came home."

Edward pointed to himself, "Me? This cannot be my fault when you blatantly seduced me."

"Seduced you?" Bella gasped.

"Do you want to show me how improper you are?" Edward mocked causing her to burst out laughing.

Her laughter was contagious seeping into his heart and he ended up laughing with her.

"Which reminds me, why were you home early? I wasn't expecting you until later today," Bella asked.

He narrowed his eyes at her, "I should punish you for asking a question like that. Do you think I enjoy being away from you? So, of course, I finished what I needed to and handed everything else to the solicitor and raced back home to you."

"You do love me!" Bella exclaimed falling back onto the bed dramatically.

He leaned over her, "That's a given, silly girl. Now, are you going to get out of bed?"

Bella lazily draped her arms over his shoulders, "Edward, I really can't move a muscle. Just let me spend a day in bed."

"That tired?" He asked.

"Nothing some food and a little more rest won't cure," She soothed his worried brows with her fingertips.

He nodded and kissed her lips once. "I'll ring for Lindy to bring lunch here for the both of us."

"You are an angel," Bella nuzzled his neck.

"You don't have to sweet talk me, I already agreed to let you stay in bed and whatever else you want," Edward said.

"Whatever else I want?" Bella drawled.

He nodded without hesitation.

"Well, in that case. I was thinking about Lady Fountaine's diamond necklace, it was really sparkly. And our stables could use two more Arabians, white. I'm also really starting to love that imported India silk that feels like I'm wearing next to nothing," Bella ranted.

"Consider it done," Edward agreed easily without batting an eyelash.

Bella gasped, latching onto his arm in horror.

"Is there really no limit to what you would give me?" She demanded quite surprised by his response.

Immediately he shook his head. "None," Edward confirmed.

Her eyes began to glisten with tears as she asked, "How were you going to obtain Lady Fountaine's diamond necklace?"

"I wasn't. I was going to design one that throws rainbows in the sunlight," Edward replied with a grin.

"Edward," Bella cried, wiping at the tears that fell so easily.

"Hey, what's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" Edward gathered her in his arms.

She shook her head against his shoulder, her sweet scent wafting around him. "I wasn't serious about any of that, but you-"

"Not even the silk from India?" Edward teased knowingly.

"That's not the point," She dried her eyes.

Edward chuckled, "The point is I love you and there is nothing I wouldn't give you. You only have to ask. You know this, so why the waterworks all of a sudden? Is it because I was away? If that's the case, I will rearrange my business so that I'm at home all the time. I'm sure you'll get sick of seeing my face."

"I would never get sick of seeing you. You're the reason I breathe," She confessed and pulled away only to capture his lips in a hungry kiss that surprised even Edward.

He knew that his wife was a passionate woman, but this was another level altogether. She was giving him emotional whiplash, but damn if he could concentrate when her lips were on his.

"Bella," Edward gasped for breath, "You should eat something."

"Uh-huh," She agreed sweeping her tongue into his mouth.

"I thought you were tired," Edward pointed out when she caressed his neck with her mouth.

"Not anymore, obviously," She insisted making him chuckle.

Before she could kiss him again and make him lose his train of thought, Edward pulled on the reins. "You have to eat. You're looking kind of frail."

She frowned, "You're ruining the mood, Edward. Since when do you refuse me?"

"I'm not refusing. I'm putting it on hold until after you eat something," He explained.

She pointed at him, "I won't forget this, Edward Anthony Cullen."

"You even dare to say you're husband's full name that way?" Edward asked sternly.

Bella grimaced realizing her error, "I'm sorry, I meant it in a joking way. Not in a disrespectful way."

He burst out laughing unable to hold his angry face any longer and Bella gasped realizing she's been played.

"Don't do that! It's not very nice," Bella implored.

"But it was funny," He grinned.

"It was not funny," She argued.

"It was funny, admit it," His grin was so adorably boyish, she had to give in.

"Alright, it was a bit funny."

He picked her up in his arms and set her down on her feet, "Let's get you fed, lazy bones."

With a ring of the bell pull to the kitchens, a lavish lunch was delivered to their bedchamber in the separate sitting room. Bella watched as plate after plate was set down in front of them. A maid poured both of them a glass of water and another glass with fresh squeezed lemonade.

"Do you require anything else my lord and lady?" Lindy asked once everything was in order.

"No, Lindy. Thank you. We'll take it from here," Bella dismissed both her maid and the house servants.

Once they were alone, Bella got Edward's attention by nudging his leg with her feet. "It's just the two of us. How are we going to finish all this?"

"I'm starving. I specifically told the cook to make all your favorite dishes scolding him for how thin you've gotten lately. I suppose I made my point," He glanced at the table and back at her with a heart stopping smile.

Bella laughed softly at his blatant use of power, but in the end it was all because of her. Edward served her first before serving himself, a gentleman through and through. He caught her staring and looked up with a raised eyebrow.

"Why did you insist that I marry you?" Bella asked. "You could've left me ruined. I heard before I came along, you were a rake of the worst kind. What was it? I must know how I took the most eligible bachelor off the market."

Edward smiled fondly as he took a moment to reminisce. "You won't be offended if I tell you the truth, will you?"

Bella shook her head in response.

"That night when I made love to you, Bella, you touched a piece of me that no woman has ever been able to reach. And you did it effortlessly by giving yourself wholeheartedly. I knew that I had to make you mine no matter the consequences. If you had really been a courtesan, I can assure you that you wouldn't stay one for long. I believe I would've offered marriage to you regardless of your status. You were mine after that night. I wasn't going to give you up for anything or let anyone have you either. You stole my heart," Edward spoke in a soft, even voice.

She wiped the few tears from her eyes, "Edward, I love you. More than I thought I could love someone."

"In my eyes, you are perfection," Was his only reply but filled with all the love and devotion he could muster in a phrase that spoke volumes.

Bella knew in that moment that everything would be all right as long as she had his love.

To be continued…

I hope this chapter was as sweet for you as it was for me. Leave your thoughts.

For3ver Immortal