Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight. I just own Edward's delicious, fictitious, spa experience. Yep - I'm ok with that..

Ch 24

"In the nude, huh?" Edward shot me a wicked smile as I gasped and shook my head no. For a minute, I almost had a panic attack as he played with the band of his speedo and I thought he might actually remove it. Edward laughed playfully at that and finally dove into the middle of the pool, suit intact. When he came up for air, he let me off the hook and replied "No, that's ok, Joey. I think we will just keep our suits on for now." I let out the breath I'd been holding and walked past Joey, a little self consciously, to the front of the pool.

Joey shrugged. "Your choice. I also have the music that you requested, whenever you're ready for it." He added mysteriously.

I took the first few steps down into the pool slowly, but somehow managed to miss the last step completely, falling into Edward's strong arms. I giggled over my perpetual clumsiness and clung to his perfectly muscled arms, aware of the proximity of his body, once again. The cold water ran off of him, down his broad, sexy chest, onto his washboard- flat, stomach, and then back into the pool as we stood there, in the shallow end, together. Time seemed to stop as Edward leaned his face down to mine, slowly, and I waited for the kiss that would no doubt leave me breathless. I wanted more than anything for Edward to completely make me his, in that moment.

Joey turned his head and looked at a book in his hands as he took a seat near the back of the pool to give us as much privacy as he could, under the circumstances.

"Yes, Edward...go ahead..." I muttered as I closed my eyes, and parted my lips, slightly. Instead of a passionate, heated, kiss, Edward only lightly kissed my forehead before releasing me. My frustration made rational thought obsolete. "I know you're trying to restrain yourself, but you're killing me, here, Edward. How can you be so chaste with me?? I'm ready to explode! Don't you want me as bad as I want you?" I whispered so low that only he could hear me.

He nodded, his eyes radiating, then spoke to Joey as he reluctantly dropped my hands. "I guess this is as good a time as any, Joey. You mentioned the music? Are you wired for sound out here?"

"Of course. If you can both excuse me for a moment. Let me just give the word." Joey replied, after ensuring that I hadn't hurt myself getting into the pool. He put his book down, turned, and strode back to the front of the building, shouting orders to someone.

As soon as he left, Edward pulled me back into his arms and whispered feverishly, as he pressed his lips to my throat, down my neck, and stopped as he reached the little silver ring on my bathing suit. "You think YOU'RE going to explode?! I suppose it's partially my fault for joking that I was going to jump in the pool, nude... but at the same time, I was playing. You, on the other hand, are very serious in the signals you are sending. You keep giving me that green light and I'm having a very hard time trying to silence the little part of me that keeps saying 'What in the hell are you waiting for?' "

"Mmmmmmm..." I moaned, my body on fire. "Edward, what ARE you waiting for?" He took a step back and paused, thinking of how to answer that.

"I love you more than words can say. And you're all I want right now, too, but we both know this isn't the time or place. Do me a favor - Just enjoy the ride. Make the most of this reward.!! Just understand that no matter how much you may want to seduce me right now, it can only go so far. If it makes you feel better, take consolation in the fact that I'm not really teasing you. A tease doesn't plan on ever giving in. I plan on following through with everything you're wanting. Just - not yet. So, think of it as ...foreplay... and understand that I'm right there, suffering with you. ok?" His eyes pleaded with me to understand.

I nodded and smiled seductively at him as I repeated the word ' foreplay ' .

I kissed Edward innocently on the mouth as Joey rounded the corner and came back into view. The music that Edward had selected started playing through speakers that were flush mounted in the ceiling and walls. Joey held his arms out, and smiled as if to ask "who 's the man?" He nodded his head as the guitar started and exclaimed "This is a hot sound! I commend you on the music choice. I've never quite heard anything like it. They're not an American band are they?"

"This is actually Bella's favorite band. And yeah- They do grow on you, after a while. This group is 'The Rasmus'. They're a Finnish rock band and I think this particular song is called 'Immortal' ?" I smiled and nodded at Edward, confirming he had gotten both the band and song name right.

Edward smiled and tapped his foot to the music. I couldn't help but dance around him and sing along to the lyrics as the beat picked up. I'd never been able to resist doing that if it was a song I was passionate about. Even in the car, I would tap out the rhythym on my steering wheel and sing loudly. It didn't matter if I was alone or not. I was thankful that I could carry a tune for the most part.

"...drink this blood and we'll become Immortal, baby... this love is breaking the one...last...bond"

The song ended and I still had the big stupid grin on my face when the next selection started playing. I grabbed Edward's hands and jumped up and down with excitement. He had chosen songs he knew I loved the most. They were songs he had heard me singing a hundred times in my room at night or listening to on my MP3 player. They were also very hard to find, here in the States. I'd had to import the music from overseas.

I squeeled and sang along loudly again, all the while impressed at the lengths Edward had gone to in order to surprise me like this.

"...Let me weep you this poem as Heaven's gates close. Paint you my soul, scarred and alone. Waiting for your kiss to take me back home. Hold me- Like you held on to life ,when all fears came alive and entombed me. Love me- Like you love the sun... Scorching the blood in my... my vampire heart"

I tensed up for a minute when the second song ended and I realized that both songs had been about vampires. Oh, well. No big deal. Maybe Joey hadn't even noticed.

"Wow!! You like songs about vampires, huh? That's so hot!! The accent from that last song sounds pretty similar to the first one. That wouldn't happen to be the same band would it"

Ok, so maybe he HAD noticed after all. "No. That last song was actually by a band called HIM. They're probably my second favorite band, though. Also from Finland. I'm surprised you picked up on that. The lead singer in that one barely has an accent when he sings. As for the vampire references, that was just a coincedence, but, yeah, I guess they're pretty hot... You know- ... If you're into that kind of nonsense."

I wondered if it was a coincedence that both of those songs had just played back to back and I hoped I had kept my answer casual enough to squash any suspicions and keep Joey's mind from wandering further. I noticed Edward biting his tongue to keep from laughing about something.

I groaned when the third song broke out with the lyrics "...I was turning over to 'til the vampires sleep. So dream a good one tonight. I'll listen to the bad ones when they come"

I knew I was in trouble as I caught Joey's surprised expression. Edward found something very humorous in the whole thing and was fighting back the laughter that threatened to erupt. I mouthed a single word to him. "Help!"

"What can I say, Joey? You found out our secret"

"Wait!!! Edward- " I warned, but he cut me off and kept talking.

"Now you know... Bella actually has quite the vampire obsession. She's heavy into that weird sort of stuff"

I was going to choke him.

Instead of the anticipated reaction, Joey burst out in a wide grin and became very animated. "Me too. I find the stories fascinating. Most people think I'm a little overboard because I've always got my nose buried in a vampire book. Don't you love how they have the power to turn into bats but are burned with holy water and the cross and all that? I've even started planning to take a trip to Transylvania to see the castles."

Joey must have noticed my jaw on the floor because he quickly became very business-like again and smoothed down his shirt as he regained his composure. "That wasn't very professional of me. It's just very rare that I find anyone else who has an interest in the vampire lore. I got a little caught up in the moment. I'm going to go back to my book now and I'll be right over there if either of you need me. I'm sorry if I was out of line."

"You weren't. You don't have to try so hard to be perfect. I'm having a wonderful time and I can't thank you enough for everything." I smiled what I hoped was a deeply appreciative smile.

We swam and danced to music for another half hour before I started to feel chilled in the pool.

"Bella, I think maybe we should move to the hot tub now. You must be freezing. You're lips are quivering, and I wouldn't mind a little warmth myself." Edward noted, and I heard the concern in his voice.

"Ok. Let's go." I said. I was having a great time, but I had to admit that I was suddenly very cold and the idea of being warm again sounded too good to pass up.

"Wait. Knowing you, you'll trip on the way out, too." he pointed at the steps, a faint smile on his face. I pouted, but allowed Edward to gently pick me up and carry me up the steps, out of the pool. The coolness of his body was even more pronounced once I was out of the water. I shivered as Joey came running over, robe in hand, and covered me.

"Th..th..thank you.." I stammered while my teeth chattered. Edward took his robe from Joey and threw it over his shoulder while wrapping both of our towels around my hair and neck for extra warmth.

"You were in there almost an hour. That's a long time. That water is pretty cold. Most people just take a quick dip and then head to the whirlpools. Let's get you warmed up a little. If you'll both follow me, I'll take you to the 'secret garden bath' whirlpools." Joey picked up my bucket of waters and carried them as we followed him to the rooms at the far south wing of the spa.

When we finally arrived at our destination, Joey opened the door to a lush, candlelit room with more various leafy plants and flowers surrounding a single bubbling tub. I knew why this was called the Secret Garden Bath. The intimate atmosphere was very promising and the steam coming off of the tub immeditely started to make me feel better. I couldn't wait to actually step into the hot water. Joey took my wet robe and towels and promised to send someone back with new ones.

"Can you be careful, my love? I don't think there's enough room for me to carry you all the way into this one." Edward said, regaining my attention by taking my elbow and leading me into the water.

I stepped safely into the whirlpool and sighed as I closed my eyes and let the warmth wash over me. "Oh...This feels so nice, Edward. Hurry up and climb in with me"

Edward lowered himself into the tub and let out a loud sigh, mirroring my mood. "This is heavenly. Very cozy!" he murmured and rubbed his leg against mine.

I started to run my hand up his leg, smiling seductively. The temptation to keep going was strong, but I stopped because I suddenly wasn't alone with him, anymore. The door burst open and the twins entered. Caitlin followed Kayleigh into the room and apologized profusely.

"I'm so sorry for that extremely rude entrance. We usually knock... Dont We, Kayleigh?!" she snarled at her sister as she set our robes and towels down on a rack.

"Hmmph!! Well, at least these two are clothed." Kayleigh spat as she gave me a dirty look. "I'm going to go back to help Seth out now, Caitlin. This really doesn't need two people. I'm sure you can figure out what oils they'll need on your own?" She shot me another sour look and walked out the door.

I leaned into Edward and took a breath. I didn't know what I had done to deserve that, but one thing seemed pretty certain. "She doesn't like me. What did I do?" I wondered out loud.

Caitlin's face went as red as her hair. "Oh. I'm so sorry. This is really embarassing. You didn't do anything. She's just... in a mood."

"But why?! Something must have set her off. People don't usually just act like that for no reason." Edward's brow furrowed as I tried to make sense of it.

"I know it's no justification of how she acted and please believe me when I tell you that her kind of behavior is not tolerated around here. Joey would can her if he knew she did that. I think she is just a little jealous of you."

I raised my head in surprise. "Of me? Why?!"

Caitlin shrugged using only one shoulder and looked me in the eye. "She's jealous any time another woman gets more attention than her."

I immediately thought of Rose. Of course, Rosalie was a saint compared to that girl's bitchiness.

"But Edward is in love with me. I thought she would've realized that right from the start. Edward isn't looking at anyone but me-"

Caitlin held up a hand to stop me, there. "It isn't Edward she's upset over. But don't worry. She'll get over it. She doesn't have a choice."

I had nothing to say to that, so instead I asked about the basket of oils she had brought in with her.

A/N: Yes - Edward knows why Kayleigh is having her fit. Obviously Kayleigh is a little taken with one of the guys..But you know Edward. He didn't say anything to Bella. He's always got a plan. He is going to use the whole thing to his advantage, so have faith. It will be ok..

Ok - anyone wondering about the song choices ... The first song "Immortal" by The Rasmus is one of my faves. And of course - they are my fave band so I'm plugging them. The second song was called "Vampire Heart" by Him ... very appropriate and another song and band I love. I was just at their concert a while back and they blew me away. The third song playing in the pool was "100 stories" by Alkaline Trio. All of those rock!! and I highly recommend listening to them. It might be harder to find Rasmus songs. I buy their stuff from Finland and from the UK.

BTW - only one person guessed correctly so far on who the massage choices will be and that was topaz addiction. Congrats!! Extra Congrats for knowing WHY they will choose those people.

And last but not least - thanks to my brilliant proofreader who gave me the green light to post this tonight.

Ok -if you guys enjoyed that chapter, please let me know. It'll fuel my passion to make me work that much quicker to get the next part out to you. :)