A/N: A million thanks to you guys! I love you and extend a virtual cup cake to you all.

As Always I do not own Twilight but I own this plot...and several fantasies surrounding Carlisle/Peter.

On to the chapter, enjoy!

CPOV

"Bella, what the hell happened to you arms?"

Leading her into the Cathedral I waited for her explanation. When she offered none, I knew in my gut exactly what—or rather who, had done this to her. Jacob. Mangy mutt bastard! In the dim moon light, the state of her arms was visible, but her skin was hot and beneath my fingers I could distinctly feel welts. Inside seeing was no longer a problem; in fact, everything was all too clear.

The tops of her slender arms were marred, angry, and red, raised welts in the shape of fingers. Jacob's fingers. He touched her and I wasn't there to stop it, to protect her, or beat him to a bloody pulp. Perhaps it was the play or flicker of candle light, but her skin appeared to be bruising, already. Where was that magic salve when you needed it? Overwhelmed by anger I stepped away from her sharply and sat on the pew. She remained standing, allowing space between her and me.

Space, I needed it at the moment, even if it burned me after a whole night away from my Isabella. Shame filled my pores. What transpired after I left the table to soak my agony? Perhaps I was being over dramatic but this night had been worse than I imagined. To see her face and smiles and not be able to share in them, to be separated by so much red tape and judgment, it was agony by its definition. One look at her arms and I knew it was something I could have stopped…if it wasn't for all this bullshit.

"Isabella, what happened and is he gone now?" I asked her, my voice taking on an icy calm I hadn't used in years.

Quietly she explained how he cornered outside the lavatory, that fact that he man-handled her was obvious. His words didn't matter to me, I could give a flying fuck what he said to her—the fact that he had been violent enough to shake the notion of safety in his presence was enough. Thank God for Rose, yet another thing I owed my gratitude to her over. If Rose hadn't been there…I couldn't finish the thought.

"Is he gone?" She nodded. "Do you see how easily he could have hurt her much worse than this Isabella?"

"Yes." She hissed through her teeth. Did she not see how serious this was?

"It wasn't very brilliant to antagonize him Isabella, why would you do such a stupid thing. Did you really think he wouldn't hurt you? He's been stalking you…stalkers aren't known to be the most rational of people." I heard a tiny sob echo through the medieval sanctuary and it took me a while to realize that it had come from her. She stood against the pew, looking at the ground, chastised, crying.

Because of me.

Fuck! I hadn't meant to make her feel that way.

"Come here please, honey." She didn't hesitate in coming to me, and for that I was grateful. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to be so harsh." I whispered as she settled against my lap. "Do you know how much you mean to me? How much it would have hurt me if something worse happened to you? I'm sorry."

Isabella didn't answer but I felt her nuzzle against my chest and figured I was forgiven. Her skin on mine felt heavenly, especially because my shirt was still somewhat opened. Kissing the top of her head, I buried my face in her hair, inhaling the soft scent of Lavender and Violets. She always smelled so lovely, so peaceful. We stayed that way for a while, peacefully quite. Every so often, she would sigh into my skin and hold me tighter, mumbling something unrecognizable against me. I almost thought she was asleep until the shrill ring of a mobile phone broke our joint tranquility.

Damn technology.

Bella jerked up and looked around for her bag—which was indecently in her hand. Finding her phone she frowned at the screen. Why, I had no clue but I rubbed her back, listening to her half of the conversation.

"Alice, I'm fine...it hurts a little, but I'm fine…No, I'm with Carlisle. Where do you think? In the Cathedral…I don't want to talk to Emmett right now. Rose doesn't need to say anything."

Emmett? What had he done? I tugged on a wayward curl to get her attention but she shook her head, mouthing that it wasn't important. The look on her face said different.

"Alice, can you send Felix in here please…Yes, I can't walk out like this, not with Carlisle. Oh…he did? Charlie's leaving…because…oh. Thank you Ali, and thank Jasper for me too. Bye, love you, kiss."

I waited as she took a couple of deep breaths. Her hands were shaking slightly, and a few errant tears slid down her face. "Why are you crying, love?" I asked brushing the slow falling tears from her cheeks, kissing her lips tenderly.

"Charlie's leaving tomorrow morning." I froze and sat back against the pew at the mention of Charlie. The man hated me, and saw fit to drill into Bella that she was making a huge mistake with me. I had an inclining that they had exchanged words, but now I knew they had. She started crying in earnest despite my cooing. "Carlisle, I'm sorry. I guess I didn't think about how this weekend would play out. I can't believe I thought it would be fun."

"Isabella, it has been fun," I started, tipping her chin up so I could look at her face, "not tonight and I suspect tomorrow night won't be too great, but our time together…that has been wonderful. You have nothing to be sorry about. We knew this was going to be challenging. My sweet girl, don't cry. Why don't we go back to your place, get out of these clothes and take a hot bath. We can soak away this horrible night and hopefully put something on those bruises. How does that sound, love?"

"Perfect…just you and me. It's always better that way, when we add other people…c'est quand tout va àl'enfer." I chuckled at her scowl, and softly reminded her that we could not live in a bubble. "I guess you're right, but it would be less stressful."

"Yes it would be Bella, but not very fun." She blushed and bit her lip before turning to me, her eyes alit with fire. Despite the wetness of her cheeks she was a goddess and it hardly mattered that I had had her just this afternoon, I wanted her now. Thoughts of defiling this scared place flitted through my mind as I took her in.

Christ! I'm going to hell for these thoughts.

Her dress was nothing short of sexy and short, bloody hell was it short. With her on my lap it rode up passed decency. The color suited her pale skin perfectly as did the wealth of skin it showcased. If I hadn't known better I'd say that she was nude beneath the black tulle. Her lips were red and swollen from our rendezvous outside and her hair looked artfully twisted to look like a windblown nymph. Utterly beautiful.

"We have a lot of fun just the two of us Carlisle." She whispered, trailing her finger across my cheek and down my neck.

My little minx. Holding her face in my hands I traced her lips with my tongue, kissed the corners of her lips. She made an impatient noise in the back of her throat when I pulled away. I chuckled, "Yes, we do have fun don't we. Ummm, have I told you how painfully sexy and beautiful you look tonight Isabella?" She shook her head, trembling as I rained kisses over the soft sensitive skin under her jaw.

"My mistake…Bella, you look delectable, good enough to eat."

"Haven't had dessert yet Carlisle?" She taunted, breathlessly.

I smiled against her throat and slid my hand under her dress to cup her sex. I couldn't tell what she had on but I could tell that it was ruined with her arousal, soaked through. My sweet, alluring girl is always so ready for me. "Isabella…you know my dessert starts and ends with you baby."

"God, Carlisle, you're driving me crazy." she moaned loudly, the sound reverberating off the saintly walls. That sound was directly connected to my dick. Considering sex in this place was blasphemous, but damn I wanted her.

The confessionals would offer some semblance of privacy.

What would my father think if he knew what I was considering?

"Fucking Christ! I had no idea I going to witness this when that woman asked me to go get Bellar. Shame on you Cullen, you old dog…driving her mad that way. Not very nice, and in the house of God too…tisk tisk. Fancy getting a lightning bolt up you arse, do yah Cullen." I turned my face to look at our interruption. Felix stood beside us, a playful smile on his face and something in his hand. I was rather sick of him tonight. "Bellar, Alice said you might need this. Carlisle, fine evening to get things off ones chest, wouldn't you say?"

"Felix," I greeted him tersely as Bella hopped off me and took the tiny jacket from him. Buttoning my shirt and retying my tie I dared Felix comment.

"You might want to go to confession Cullen, wipe the slate clean with a few Hail Mary's then after that you could confess something else to Bellar."

"Felix." I warned.

"Will you please leave Carlisle alone? Stop goading him. Just tonight, for me, leave him alone." Something passed between them, a sad understanding that left me on the outside looking in. Clearly, things were worse for her than I had thought and because Felix had planted the seed, guilt began to bloom within me. I didn't like the feeling. He nodded and kissed her cheek before explaining that his car was round the corner and he'd meet her there shortly. "Okay, I'll me—"

"You're not walking out there alone Bella." I left no room for argument, and took her hand.

Regardless of whatever prying eyes were around I wasn't going to let her walked out unescorted. The party was still in full swing; the dance floor littered with smartly dressed people and liberated couples holding each other intimately. I envied them instantly. I spotted Marcus and talking with a very tall pale man, whatever conversation they were having it wasn't a pleasant one—I dreaded to think what they were discussing and how it would affect Bella. Ignoring the thought, I walked her to Felix's car, helping her in. I kissed her irresistible lips and whispered to her that I'd see her soon and closed the car door. What I wouldn't give to simply round the car and get in beside her. From the other side I heard my old friend chuckle and found him watching me, just as smug as always.

"What?" I snapped, still rubbed raw over our conversation earlier tonight at the bar.

"You're in love with her." Felix told me after ordering his drink.

"No, Hammer…not yet anyway."

"Bullshit. You're in love with her. You have the same look my dad gets when mum comes into a room, it's fucking disgusting yet bloody fantastic all at the same time. " I opened my mouth to refute his words but he didn't give me the chance. "It's been ages since we've seen each other, and I don't know what happened to you but I know it was bad. Never the less, you love her, tell the girl and don't give her a reason to examine if you're worth the risk."

Worth the risk…nothing had ever sounded so painful to me.

"I love you, I always have, and you have been like a brother to me, but mate… you aren't worth the risk. You make her happy and that's nice, but without knowing that you love her you're asking too much of Bellar—blind faith in a man that lives a world away from her. Any rational person can see that she's risking too much…the relationship is off keel, she stands to lose much more than you. She has Canard to think about. She's out of sorts with her dad; she's never out of sorts with her dad. She's getting bad press; people are talking a lot of shit. Jake is popping up and making threats. You're thinking about knocking her up, making babies with her—don't think about denying it. I saw the way you been looking at her all day—the least you can do it tell her that you love her. She's standing out there all alone taking the blows this fucking city is throwing at her while you sit in the dark waiting for everything to be safe. Put yourself out there and meet her half way for fucks sake. Tell her how you feel because right now you two are nothing, but a time sensitive fantasy. That's not fair to her. Bellar isn't the type of girl you keep hidden, she's the one you marry. And as of this moment pray to God that the fact that you're her teacher never gets out. She could lose everything, faster than you can imagine."

"What exactly are you telling me Felix?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice down amidst my ire. How dare he suggest that I wasn't thinking of what she was sacrificing? "That I'm not risking enough or that I'm putting more weight on her shoulders? My career is on the line as well Felix, I'll have you know. Everything about this relationship burns me, you think that I like the secrets and lies, and ridicule from her father, that I enjoy being looked at like a pedophile or worse a scoundrel. I don't and I don't relish that she takes the flack for our relationship but what would you have me do Felix?"

He looked at me for a moment as if he was reading my mind and uttered his advice. "Stop hiding."

"Hiding? You think that this is a choice I enjoy? Hiding, it's the only option available to us."

"That's not the type of hiding I'm talking about Carlisle and you know it." He murmured solemnly.

"You think that because you watch us, you know what I feel for her or what I'm willing to risk for her. I'd quit if it weren't for the fact that I need to be on good terms with Sorbonne. Where is this coming from, has she said something or is this just you sticking your nose where it doesn't belong?"

"No, she hasn't said a thing. I love that girl, that's where this is coming from. I hope you never have to seeing her making herself sick because she can't control what she loses or who leaves her behind. You weren't there when Aro died and you weren't there when—

"Lower you voice for Christ's sake Felix—we are in public."

"—She's in deep with you and if you leave you'll break her. You say you understand but you don't. You don't because you're so fucking terrified of falling in love you can't see you're already fucking there. I know we promised never to pick women over each other—Mates before Birds—but I'm on her side. I never want to see that look in her eyes again and if it's one thing that I've learned in this life, it's that the people that love us the most are the ones with the power to destroy us. You love her…therefore you can break her."

"I don't love her yet Felix, it has only been a month. It's ridiculous and I have no intention of leaving."

The bar man handed Felix his drink, throwing a suspicious looking my direction. What the fuck are you looking at? My face must have said what my mind was screaming because he scurried away.

"See! Right there, you can't fucking admit it! Why do you think you can't leave her? You don't get how she's tangling you into her life. You don't get that she's introducing you to people and things and places that are important to her. Bellar is making you a part of her life, not just her bed but she risking herself, you fuck! What are you giving her besides sex? Time doesn't mean anything Carlisle, you love her, it's time you realized it. Tell her mate, you might be surprised to find out what she has to say."

I was reeling by his words, somewhere along the way Felix had grown up and I wasn't sure I liked it. Sure, I had known what she was putting on the line for me but to have it presented nice and neatly for me was an eye-opener. Choosing to ignore his declaration of my love, I changed the subject. "Why are you here Felix, how do you know about Canard?"

"I'm Bellar's lawyer…or at least I'm her lawyer where Canard is concerned, things aren't looking good Carlisle, not one bit. Watch out for that Marcus—he's a shady little bastard. I'm off to find that blonde women, but think about what I said, seriously."

I had been thinking about it, every word he spoke to me played on a constant loop in the space between my ears since our conversation. Contemplation was what led me inside the church in the first place. Before my parents' divorce I had always found it easier to sort my thoughts in church; my father's pulpit had been my rock during uncertain adolescent years, and his words my ultimate guidance. Though my faith had been rocked over the years the rush of peace that came over me when I stepped into a sanctuary never faltered. But once I wandered into the courtyard, I knew I only needed Bella, well Bella and a smoke.

Felix cleared his throat, reminding me that he was still watching me like a bug under a microscope. "I know that look Carlisle; you had it this afternoon when she played with the mop headed little lad. Tell her mate." With that he opened his car and told Bella something, more than likely to change the music. For all his dastardly ways, Felix only enjoyed opera and classical music—I blamed his mother for his limited taste. She was a stuck up, prune of a woman.

"Get her home safely, and Felix," I started. He looked up at me, curious as to what I'd have to add.

"Yeah Cullen?"

"Fuck off."

I could still hear him laughing as he closed the door and drove off. For a while, I stood there, in the dark alley watching as she got further away from me. There was a tugging in my chest that led me to question whether Felix was right. Was I truly too terrified of falling in love that I had been blinded to the fact that I was already there?

No. I couldn't give his words weight. This wasn't love…not yet.

Returning to the sea of empty tables and tipsy French men and women, as I searched for Rose and Emmett I was pulled into a conversation with a man named Massimo. He was a kind fellow—obviously not a native, even if his French was impeccable—and I learned that he was a close friend of Aro's. We chatted about this and that and mostly about how well my book was doing here; his words were free from condescending astonishment and I found it pleasant to hear him express a desire to work closer with me. He was so different from Aro but I could see why the men had been friends. When I spotted Rose and Emmett I kindly excused myself and he nodded and asked me to give his love to Bella for him.

I walked away from him smiling, knowing that Bella had at least one ally at Canard.

"Who was that?" Rose asked when I sat down in the chair beside her. I shrugged and said he worked for Bella. She arched a brow, sighed, and asked if I was ready to get out of here. Yes, I was more than ready, with Bella gone there was little to no reason to remain here.

Taking my silence as an acquiesce Rose and Emmett made their way to their car—they were a somber little party. Emmett was uncommonly silent staring at his shoes as he walked. Rose was positively furious, even with her ice queen mask firmly in place I could see past the exterior. I made to ask them what was had happened, where their "look at my ultra sound picture" joy had gone, but thought better of it when I caught the look Rose sent her husband when his hand ventured too close to her back.

Could it be pregnancy hormones?

No, definitely not.

Maybe.

Her eyes burned as he attempted to climb in the front seat. Wordlessly she looked towards the back seat and without the normal fuss he would have made Emmett climbed in. Needless to say the ride to Bella's home was an awkward one wrought with tension. Neither of them spoke and I found myself afraid to say anything.

Rose parked and ordered Emmett to stay in the car. As we made it to the front door, I couldn't contain my curiosity any longer. "Rose what did he do?"

She sighed and knocked on the door before answering. "He got drunk and started making sexual comments about Bella, you, and what you guys do behind closed doors with Charlie sitting right at the table. I may just be warming up to the girl but he embarrassed the fuck out her tonight, and me, and that's not right. Oh and he revealed to everyone with ears that Bella is your student. I have no idea how many people heard or understood him but he wasn't whispering, Carlisle. Charlie didn't like the blowjob comment too much. I wouldn't either if I were him."

I chose to ignore the blowjob comment because honestly I didn't want to know. "Emmett got drunk? All he had was wine."

"You know he's a light weight, three glasses and he's done. Maybe he's spending too much time around the twins, watching fucking Yo Gabba Gabba and not enough with adults. He's forgotten how to behave in social situations and—."

The creek of the heavy door as it opened stopped Rose midsentence. Alice greeted us both with a nod, commenting on what else had eluded Emmett tonight. "Apparently he forgot how to keep secrets too. Rose, Carlisle, come on in guys."

Rose nodded once and asked where Bella was, claiming that she needed to apologize to her for Emmett. Her being amiable with Bella was still odd for me. She disappeared into the house, her heels clicking on the stone floor. I hung back, hoping to give Rose time to say what she needed. Alice stepped outside, joining me on the steps leaving the door ajar, so she could keep an ear on what was going on inside. Her face was drawn down in a sad little frown unbecoming of her bright face.

She looked up and gave me a once over, taking stalk of me, before she started talking. "How are you doing tonight Carly?"

"Oh, Alice, you know," I laughed humorlessly, combing back my over grown hair, "Comme Ci, Comme Ça. You?"

"I've had better nights. I knew this would happen, you know. I told her Jacob was dangerous but he's not done…he was trying to tell her something by showing up tonight…I wish I knew what that was." She sighed and looked at the crack of light coming from the open door, listening to the muffled voices inside. "I didn't know Charlie was going to be so hard on her. That's surprised me."

"What happened?" I asked almost afraid to find out.

"Nothing, that's what worse. He didn't yell. He interrogated her— cold, detached—, and left when he got his answer. I know there's a considerable age difference, but if he'd only take the time to see that she's happy, he wouldn't be so upset. Carlisle, has she talk—"

"Assez!" A familiar voice shouted from inside.

Alice and I both looked at one another, shocked, asking with expressions of bewilderment what we didn't put into words. Was that Bella? Together we entered the house, searching the source of the commotion. As the voices escalated, Alice murmured that Bella was going "tan their hide". I laughed to myself because clearly she was adopting Jasper's vernacular. The scene we walked in on was, to say the least, unexpected.

Seth, Joshua, and Demetri were sitting on the divan smirking to each other. Jasper was by the fireplace, unbuttoned and sans tie with elbows on his knees watching them with mild disgust. Felix, typical to his personality, was leaning out the French doors smoking away with his back to everyone but I knew he was paying close attention to the conversation. Rose was sitting as cool as a duchess taking great pleasure in Bella's "Hide Tanning". And in the center of all of this stood my girl, glaring at her friends with her fists clenched at her sides, furious words of reproach flying from her lips.

Skirting around the table and divan I walked over to where Bella was standing and placed my hand on her lower back, hoping that it gave her the support she needed. I still wasn't sure what had transpired but I had the feeling my support was needed. Her cheeks were hot, a sure sign of either embarrassment or anger. Looking at her carefully I decided it was both.

"Bella, come on we were just playing. I hear you love playing…on just about every surface." Seth snorted, barely concealing his amusement.

"That's what I'm talking about! Enough!"

"It was only a bit of fun Bella, they didn't mean any harm," Joshua added.

"I don't care Bonbon it needs to stop. Now. This is no one business." She growled, looking from Seth to Demetri before throwing a quick glance at Alice.

"What needs to stop?" I asked.

"These dip shits have been jokin' about how much sex you two have and Bella has had enough. I think it's high time too. I'm plum worn out of havin' to listen to all y'all snicker about Bella and who she chooses to share herself with, yes darlin' that's includin' you. This is their business and they don't need any of ya'll meddlin' or puttin' in your two cents. They got enough of that already."

"Thank you Jasper!" Bella exclaimed. "How is it that someone who's known me for less time understands and you guys don't? I'm tired of everything I do being up for discussion or made a joke of. My sex life is not open for discussion…to anyone unless I decided to discuss it with you, got it."

Seth started to protest but Alice cut him off, "Ducky we just poke fun cuz we care."

"Maybe Alice does it because she cares but I do it because it's just too fun." Seth laughed, earning himself death glares from both myself and Bella.

" Seth, stop. If you can't do that then maybe you should leave, come to think of it, I'm tired and tonight was shit. I want all you guys to leave. Now."

Jasper came over and whispered something in her ear before gathering up Alice and Rose and walking out the door quietly. The boys left in a similar fashion and only Joshua apologized. Felix finished his coffin nail and bid us a good night, promising to lock the outside gate before closing the door softly behind him. Sooner than we could realize we were alone once again, blissfully alone.

"Care to tell me what brought all of that out?"

"No, it's done Carlisle."

"Alright love," I breathed, satisfied with her answer. "Quite a night we're having, huh?" She hummed in agreement, leaning back against me. Wrapping my arms around her waist I dropped my chin on her shoulder and listened to soft peats of rain. I adored the rain, even as a child.

Turning to place a kiss on my neck Bella asked me to meet her in the master bathroom in fifteen minutes. After the night we had I didn't want to be away her for more than I had to be, but I agreed, knowing that I'd count every minute as she left the room.

The rain was beginning to pick up so I walked around and closed the French doors, and discarded the ashes in the ash tray on the nearby table.

Fourteen minutes…Do something Cullen.

The rain drops rolled off the window panes, countless tears fell from the sky. Rain had always spouted the spirit of reflection in me and this time was no different. I turned over tonight's events and even an imbecile could see that it had been tainted by our circumstance, surroundings, and the company we kept. Perhaps she was right after all—in each other's arms nothing could harm us. I checked my watched and cursed.

Twelve minutes…that took all of two minutes.

Because I knew it would take some time I went around checking all the locks, drawing curtains closed and checking windows making sure we were safe. I thought I caught a flicker of red across the sprawling lawn but quickly dismissed it—the gate was locked and the walls were too high for anyone but Spiderman to scale.

As I made my way through Isabella's home, taking in pictures and little trinkets I found myself thinking about what it would be like to raise children in this home. I could see them, taking first steps on wobbly legs in the back yard, opening Christmas gifts in front of the tree, or staying warm in front of the fire on nights like this one. Bella and children, it was an ideal—if not completely mad—thought. Once again, I stood rooted in the doorway of the dining room eyes fixed on the heavy wood table—it was my favorite room after all. I doubted I'd be able to eat dinner on the table and not think about us. About what we did.

Nine minutes…

Blast! Would she object to my being early? Slowly I decided to make my way up the stairs, taking one step at a time. The rain had picked up, tapping loudly against the roof and windows, the sound relaxed me. When I reached the bedroom I discarded my jacket on the chaise, and in seconds my tie joined the party. Kicking off my shoes and toeing off my socks I sat on the bed to wait all the while watching the amber glow flicker from the gap between the door and the floor.

Two minutes…

"Carlisle." Isabella called out finally. I sighed with relief and went to join her. I wish I would have had some warning as to what I was walking in on.

The infamous bathroom I had heard so much about was everything and perhaps more than Bella had made it out to be. I couldn't tell you the color or décor of the room because it was awash with light from a dozen candles all ranging in size scattered all over—along the wide window sill, shelves, tables, even the floor. The walls were surely as rustic and aged as the rest of this mysterious place and the tiles felt like marble beneath my feet, but I could only focus my full attention on the two things.

In the center of the spacious yet warm room stood, like homage to a simpler time, a large claw foot tub, slowly filling with steaming water and beside it was Bella, in all her naked flushed glory.

My eyes lingered over her supple ivory skin, the dips and curves I yearned to caress. My God she was beautiful.

She smiled shyly at me before walking over and undressing me, removing one article at a time. It was erotically appealing watching her eyes burn, her arousal build as each layer was discarded. Lord knows my own arousal grew with hers. I groaned as her touch danced over my skin, lingering at my hips even after my trousers and boxer briefs were long gone.

I didn't have to ask her to touch me, instinctively she knew what I wanted—needed.

Her hand wrapped around my cock, stroking it at her leisure while she kissed me. Thrusting in time with her unhurried ministrations I kissed her back, sucking her bottom lip, exploring her mouth.

Swallowing her moans, I brought her flush to my chest, naked skin to naked skin, running my hands over her body, stopping my exploration only to cup her delicious derrière. The scrape of her hard nipples across my chest never ceased to thrill me.

She pulled away to look down at what her hands were doing and moaned. My gaze followed hers and my blood boiled, loving the sight of my swollen cock surrounded by her dainty hand. She chanted how much she loved touching me, how much she enjoyed bringing me pleasure, and suddenly I had to know exactly how much she enjoyed it. I brought my hand between her legs to feel her, lingering at her swollen lips. She was drenched and scorching.

I whispered her name while I parted her folds, shuddering and closing my eyes to the pleasure rippling through me. There was a languor to our actions that we hadn't experienced before, we weren't pressed for time. We had all night…and all day if it caught our fancy. Bella must have realized that because she stroked up once last time and dragged her hands up my stomach and to my neck. Her lips found my shoulder, pressing the lightest of kisses there.

"Come on Carlisle, let's take a bath."

Yes, lets.

xXXx

I woke before Bella the next morning, every muscle in my body slightly sore—a deep pleasurable ache only achieved by a long night of sensually exerting one's self. A wicked grin spread across my sleepy face as I recalled every blissful moment. Her soft contented moans echoing in the candle lit bathroom as my fingers drove her to sweet release after release. Sudsy water sloshing, spilling out on to the floor as I guided her hips while she rode me, too aroused to wait. My thrusts, when we managed to make it to the bed dripping wet, pushing her up the bed higher and higher, each one sending the iron headboard crashing into the wall, an escalating reminder that she, her body, her pussy and quite possibly her heart, were mine.

It had been a long night.

Stretching I sat up and surveyed the damage to the wall. Dents, cracked plaster, chipped paint…Nothing too bad, I was sure Bella wouldn't mind if the sounds she was making last night were anything to go by. I smiled down at the women beside me, naked, hair tangled and damp from both our bath and our antics. We hadn't bothered with sheets as our overheated bodies too sweaty to think about being covered, even by the thin sheets. If it was up to me, she'd be naked twenty-four seven. Highly impractical, but also, highly visually stimulating.

Goosebumps rippled across her skin and mine as the wind moaned outside. Obviously the weather had yet to calm, picking up the duvet I covered us both against the chill. She sighed softly and shifted until she found me, resting her head in my lap to close the minimal gap between our bodies.

I reveled in her constant desire to be as near to me as possible, no one had ever needed to be so close to me before. It warmed my heart, my soul. Stroking her hair, I waited for her to wake up and listened to the sounds of early morning.

Through the pelts rain still falling on the Provence, a rooster crowed somewhere in the distance, announcing the arrival of the new day. Despite the time, the room was relatively dark, the accompanying sullen dull haze beating its way through the sheers. It was an incredibly peaceful environment.

For a while, I was alone with my thoughts, but I was thankful when Bella began to stir. Her eyelashes fluttered as she slowly woke. She smiled up at me, once her eyes were fully open. I loved it when she smiled at me that way.

"Morning handsome," she whispered with admiration. From where her head was, I couldn't tell if she was talking to my dick or me. I questioned who she was addressing, earning myself a slap on the thigh. "As much as I like him Carlisle, I was talking to you, cheeky ass."

"Cheeky? Taking my words now, are we love? Well, I just wanted to make sure, you are very close to him and he does like you very much…he can't get enough of you." She arched a brow at my cocky—no pun intended—tone, her signature blush staining her cheeks down to the tops of her breasts. My fingers traced her hot cheeks. They would have travelled further had she not slapped my hand away playfully.

"Sorry for corrupting up your innocent morning greeting. Morning, love," I laughed. "Sleep well?"

She nodded sitting up and curling around me, laying her head on my chest. "I slept great. You?"

"Wonderful. What do you want to do today?" I smiled when her stomach gurgled before she could answer, "Breakfast?"

Bella smirked and threw her leg over my hip, straddling me. I groaned and reached out to grasp her hips, my dick already hardening painfully. Fuck, this woman… she didn't know the meaning of recovery time. "Later Carlisle," she whispered hotly into my ear, biting me mischievously.

How could I deny her when she did things like that?

xXXx

After a two explosive orgasms and a steamy shower Bella and I dressed and decided to get some sustenance. With the way we were attacking one another we were going to need food, lots of food. Bella whipped us up something delicious in seconds and like most things she put her hands to, it was perfect. At the counters we ate, sipping spicy red Mourvèdre and talked. Occasionally she would brush my thigh affectionately as she told me about her art show in June. I couldn't wait for it. When we finished Bella put on some music and cleared the dishes.

"I'll wash Carlisle, you dry," Isabella suggested, tossing a towel at me. We worked on the minimal dishes together, enjoying the normalcy of what we were doing.

With the kitchen clean and dishes put away Bella threw her arms around my neck, and started swaying back and forth, coxing me to dance with her but I was frozen, eyes glued to her arms. In my desire to have her I had overlooked their purplish hue, but they could only be ignored so long.

Gingerly unlocking her arms, I inspected the bastard's handy work, lightly tracing the marks. The rage that had been tucked away so neatly before began building in my chest with each breath. You know the saying about things looking worse in the light of day—well it had never held more truth than it did today.

Sensing my distress Bella reassured me that she was fine. "Bruises fade Carlisle," she whispered, toying with my hair. "They'll go away and it will be like it never happened, baby. Please don't frown like that Carlisle; you can't protect me all the time. It's not your job."

Her last sentence caught my attention. Tearing myself away from her arms, I looked at her eyes—such deep and soulful eyes and realized why this pained me so much—why I couldn't let it go. Felix was right.

I was in love with her.

A/N: *peeks out from behind hand* Let me know what you guys think, review s'il vous plait. I hope I haven't lost any of you and if I have...I hope you come back.

(=

Translations:

C'est quand tout va àl'enfer-That's when everything goes to hell.

Assez!-Enough!

Comme Ci, Comme Ça-Not good, Not bad.