Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

~0~

~~Edward~~

I rolled onto my side and held her. She was holding on to me tightly, her fingers clenched, pulling me closer. Her sobs were from extreme relief and pleasure. I'd never seen anything more beautiful than Bella coming down from her orgasm.

God, the feel of her, her taste, the way she let go. It was fucking surreal. I kissed her again and again; deep, passionate kisses, trying to show her what it meant to me to be with her this way.

Her heart was thumping, I pulled back to look at her. Her eyes were closed, her lips parted as she breathed in. She seemed contented and I watched, mesmerized, as she slowly opened her eyes and looked into mine. The most beautiful smile spread across her face as she beamed. She was glowing and alive and seemed blissfully happy. I could see it in her eyes. Her love, her euphoria, she was like an open book to me and I couldn't stop grinning back at her.

I'd made her cum. More than that, she'd cum hard, like it shot through her whole body. She'd cried out that she loved me.

In my haze, I was fucking exceptionally proud of myself, but equally incredulous. I closed my eyes for a few seconds. Tanya faked it, every time. It hadn't been obvious then but fuck, she had, I knew it.

I didn't want to be thinking about Tanya, and I hoped to God Bella wasn't thinking about her ex either.

I felt the tips of Bella's fingers glide over my lips. I opened my eyes. She touched my cheeks, my eyebrows. She was admiring me openly and I basked in it.

Everything had changed. Bella had gone from trying to avoid looking at me yesterday, to absorbing me intently. I closed my eyes as she traced my jaw; I felt the tip of her nose touch mine then softly skim my cheek to my ear. She was still breathing heavily, still slowly coming down from her climax.

I recalled the feeling of her stroking me, her small hand expertly manipulating my body, giving me the most intense pleasure. Fuck, that was just her hand, imagine how it would be when we're making love, or when her lips are around me!

She nuzzled my ear, her warm breath sending a chill over my scalp.

"I am in love with you," she said softly.

Jesus, fuck!

I opened my eyes, my hand swept up to her face. "I'm in love with you."

I resumed kissing her, still full of passion, but not in a desperate way. We were both sated, we were both high on each other, post-orgasmic. As my tongue gently caressed hers I thanked God we'd got that tension out of the way, because I'd been just about ready to burst with desire for her. I'd thought about how her hands and lips would feel on me so many times over the last two weeks, and I'd not been able to deny my desire for her since she'd taken me to Laurent's.

Bella pulled away. I looked at her; she was still smiling.

We lay watching each other, gently touching, for what seemed like eons. There were no words; we didn't need to speak. Everything we were feeling seemed to pass between us secretly.

I could hear the birds outside, and nothing else. We were so far away from everything, everyone. I hadn't had this feeling of complete isolation in a long, long time; not since I lived in Forks. I was enjoying every precious second. Bella eventually broke the quiet.

"You should probably get ready to go," she said. "Emmett said you'd need to leave early." She went back to tracing my lips with her forefinger after she'd spoken.

Her touch was electrifying.

"I'm not going anywhere," I said. "I'm not leaving you, not now, not after…" I brushed her hair back over her shoulder so I could drag my fingers down her neck. I traced her collarbone, her shoulder. The thin strap of her dress was torn.

"You're staying?" she asked, sounding hopeful.

"Yes. They can do without me for a day or two, it's not like I've ever taken a day off before." I said, determined. I'll deal with the shit-attack Emmett's going to have when he gets back.

Her smile returned, she pushed her body forward and pulled me closer then rested her palm flat against my chest. We kept kissing. It felt as if I was living for the first time. I was feeling for the first time. With my eyes closed it was like there was an invisible force field around us. I wanted to protect her from everything, but I was calm in the knowledge that together we'd deal with anything. She loves me. We can do anything.

My hand slipped over the silky soft skin of her bare hip and to her lower back. I pulled her even closer. There was nothing I wanted more than to stay there all day, just kissing her skin, inch by inch, leaving nothing untouched. Practicality washed over me. I didn't have any condoms and I sure as hell wasn't going to ask Emmett if he had a few or if he'd go and buy me some. The thought made me shudder.

I knew I needed to be showered and dressed when he got back from his run. I couldn't confront him in my boxers and shirtless to tell him I was staying with Bella. I'd lost any sense of time. How long had he been gone?

Bella's fingers were running up and down my arm, making me shiver. I couldn't help but stare at her; her swollen full lips, the blotchy red mark on her chin, her hair in silken tangles. I could see the outline of her breasts under her wrinkled dress. I could still taste her on my tongue.

I licked my lips. I knew I couldn't make love to her here, but that didn't stop me from smirking like a damn idiot at the way she was touching me, looking at me, as I recalled the feeling of giving her pleasure.

"Come to the shower with me," I said. I felt bold powerful and so fucking cocky. I didn't want to be separated from her, not even for a quick shower.

I saw a tiny flash of indecision in her eyes. She bit her lip as she contemplated.

"OK," she said eventually.

Yes!

I sat up and helped her off the bed, holding her as I guided her to the bathroom. I was about to shut the door when she stood on her toes and kissed me on the mouth.

"I need to have a couple of minutes alone first." Her blush returned.

"Of course," I said. "I'll give you a minute."

"Two minutes," she said as she smiled at me cheekily. She closed the door as I stepped into the hall. I hovered at the door like a stalker then I walked into the living room to get fresh clothes from my bag. My phone was on top of my folded jeans.

There were missed calls and text messages.

I read the messages.

One from Heidi:

Photos gone global. Media going fucking ape wanting interviews. I'm not issuing a statement, I will not confirm or deny. Execs at the Studio love it. Everything will be fine.

Shit.

The next was from Alice:

Please tell me you've spoken to Bella?

John, my manager:

I know all publicity is good publicity, but your fans that hate Rose are livid. Pics spread around Twitter like a locust plague. Call me.

Jasper:

This must be a set-up or someone with mad photoshop skills, they look very convincing. Can you please call Alice?

Dad:

Edward, I'm sure it's all a publicity stunt. Your mother is really upset. Please call her and explain. The papers are saying you're secretly engaged?

Ben:

I knew you said it would look bad, it actually looks hot. Did you find Bella?

And then one from Rosalie:

I'm sorry.

I stood, squeezing my phone as if I could channel all my anger at her and shatter the damn thing into a thousand tiny pieces.

It was over; they were out there. There was nothing I could do except explain it to Bella. I threw my phone onto the sofa. Is this why Bella doesn't believe me? She saw the photos when she went to Port Alberni yesterday?

I picked up my clean clothes and took them into Bella's room, throwing them on the unmade bed.

Fuck! Why did this have to happen? Why can't I just be here, stay here with Bella for eternity? I closed my eyes. I wished I could just have her here all to myself, love her, please her. I didn't want to deal with the reality of my life anymore.

I walked across the hall to the bathroom and knocked. I took in deep breaths to calm myself.

Bella opened the door and wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me inside. Her lips went to my jaw and then my mouth.

We kissed. I couldn't get enough. Her touch instantly calmed me from worrying about the fuckery that was going on. Bella was backing up to the shower; she reached in with one hand to turn the water on.

She stepped back from me, staring at me intently as a blush appeared on her neck and cheeks. She reached down, crossed her arms to grasp the hem of her dress. I watched, completely entranced, as she peeled the dress up her body, revealing her slightly flushed skin.

She was standing completely naked and so beautiful in front of me, so glorious in her shyness; I felt my body surge with adrenaline at the sight of her. She'd pulled her hair up; her delicate features were in full view. Her pale skin flushed rosy pink; her breasts were perfectly proportioned to her petite frame. My eyes were drawn to the scattering of tiny freckles over her shoulders then down to her long and shapely legs. I was dumbstruck at how naturally beautiful she was, so unlike the Hollywood fakeness that I seemed to encounter daily.

She stepped towards me and gripped my waist.

Her cool fingers curled into the waistband and she slowly pushed my boxers down. My hands cradled her face gently.

The room started to fill with steam; it was swirling around us as if we were in a dream. Bella was looking into my eyes, admiring me. I stood in a daze as she pulled my hand away from her face and motioned me forward, tested the water then stepped in, bringing me with her.

As soon as I saw the spray from the shower hit her skin I was aroused, instantly hard and wanting. Her tiny body pressed itself into me. Jesus, the feel of her naked skin against mine, the warmth of the water, the steam, the smell of her wet hair; I was floored by the flood of emotion and sensuality I could feel just by touching her, kissing her, holding her.

There was nothing in my mind apart from Bella and the feel of her skin and the smoothness of her touch and the growing ache in my groin that wanted to feel her softness, take her body, claim it, run away with her, disappear forever and never have to deal with any of the bullshit that I knew we would have to face when we left this cabin.

~0~

~~Bella~~

I wanted him. I wanted all of him. I can make it happen. I can make him fall in love with me, not an act, for real. I can give him everything, be everything he wants. He'll want to keep me. He's not Riley.

His eyes roamed my face then dipped in a slow gaze to take in the rest of me. My heart was pounding, my guard completely down as he stared at me, totally naked in front of him. He had that same look, it was a look of desire and adoration, and it seemed to be real.

We stepped into the shower. I pulled him close. I pushed myself against him and closed my eyes when I felt his desire for me. I was kind of shocked. It always took Riley at least an hour to…

STOP! Stop thinking about Riley. STOP!

I kissed Edward lazily; it didn't feel like he wanted to do anything more, even though his body was ready. The lust was burning below the surface; the kiss seemed more about relaxation and closeness.

We have all day and all night together; he's going to stay, I chanted, wishing it would come true.

Edward pulled away first to gently turn me away from him. He took my shower gel and lathered the pink liquid to a creamy fragrant foam that he glided all over my back. His hands slipped to my waist and over my hipbones and slowly, slowly up to my breasts. I couldn't help the small whimpering sound that came out of me.

He stopped.

His large warm hands held my ribs. I wanted him to touch me; I wasn't sure why he'd stopped. I slowly placed my hands over his and slid them up to where I wanted them. I pushed my bum back into him. "Edward," I said wantonly.

"Jesus," he sighed. I felt him kiss my neck as he started moving his hands, slowly massaging my breasts. He pulled his hips away from me, even though I wanted to feel his body, all of his body against me. I wanted to let him take the lead in progressing further, but when he touched me the urgency I felt to keep going was uncontrollable. My internal conflict was confusing me and I was still undecided about what I could or couldn't live through.

Could I consciously be the Other Woman? The way he was slowly and delectably kissing my neck made my body scream that I needed him, anyway I could get him, whatever he would give me. His body spoke to mine in ways I couldn't fathom. I'd already had two orgasms and I felt so completely turned on again by the feel of his large hands gently cupping me, the soap sliding over my skin.

I turned and pushed my breasts against his chest. I kissed him hard on the mouth, and moaned from the feel of his erection pushing into my stomach. He didn't pull away.

Edward kissed me back. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he lowered his body to grip my bum.

He hoisted me and pushed my back up against the tiles as I wrapped my legs around his waist.

The dark look of desire in his eyes told me everything. He was going to take my body. My mind flooded with guilt, anger, lust, desire, shock, want, expectation, all battling for dominance. If he just shifted his hips, or drop me lower, he'd be inside me. All it would take was one movement. I knew what I was feeling, but I had no idea what my facial expression was communicating to Edward as he stared at me.

My body was on fire for him as the look on his face changing in an overwhelming flashes; determination, passion, desire, desperation, sadness.

"You're so beautiful," he said.

The words hurt. I was not beautiful. I was a mental case. I was an emotional parasite. 'Bella, you're so beautiful. I'm going to tell you every day.' Those were Riley's words, said to me while he worshipped my body, while his hands expertly pleasured me; his body merged with mine. Riley told me every day we were together that I was beautiful. It was all a lie.

"Are you," Edward swallowed, "protected?" he asked.

Oh God. I closed my eyes. He wants to fuck me up against the shower wall.

I wanted him to; I didn't want him to.

I wanted intimacy and passion; I didn't want a quick hard fuck in the shower.

I needed him to be inside me, I knew I shouldn't let him.

I told him the truth.

"No, I'm not."

I wasn't on the pill, and I wasn't protected against the hurt I knew he would inflict on me, not the physical contact, but the mental anguish that I would go through, knowing that he could just fuck me then go back to…the hotel, to her?

I couldn't open my eyes. In the darkness, my senses became hyper aware, the water's warmth beating a high pressure pattern down the left side of my body. I could feel the cold tiles against my spine and the shallow dips of the grout against my bum. I could feel the moist warm air and steam that surrounded us, the slow gentle movement of Edward's body as he breathed in and out.

I opened my eyes. Edward's restraint was waning, his neck tense, his nostrils flaring as he breathed through his nose, his brow furrowed. The strain of holding me in his arms with the soapy foam still on his hands became too much and his grip loosened, causing me to slip down against his hardness. That's when Edward's face turned ashen and I saw regret.

"Fuck," he cursed and instantly stepped back, lowering me quickly to my feet but holding my waist until I got my balance.

I felt the pit of my stomach drop while at the same time my whole body tingled from the brief exhilaration of having him intimately touch me.

"I'm sorry," he lamented. His hands traveled up my body to cup my face as he stared into my eyes.

"I can't make love to you like this. I want to, I want you. I have to explain something first."

Edward kissed me slowly. I let him. My heart was hammering out of my chest. We had been a split second and a few millimeters away from the point of no return.

A loud aggressive bashing on the door startled me so much I jumped.

Edward scowled. "It's just Emmett."

"Edward, we have to go," Emmett called out gruffly, urgently.

"Stay here," Edward pleaded. "Let me talk to him." Edward brushed his fingers over my lips, and purposefully stepped back from me before he stepped out of the shower. I stared as he towel dried his body, still erect and glorious. When he looked at me, he smiled, but I could see he was anxious.

~0~

~~Edward~~

I was a fraction away from losing self control and taking her. My hard as rock dick had slid against her and I'd felt the silky smoothness and heat. It could have gone either way. I could have pushed forward and into her, but the thought of being inside her before we'd talked, before I'd completely reassured her of my love, stopped me. I'd pulled away and for the life of me, I had no idea how I'd achieved it.

She was biting her lip as she watched me dry myself. The last thing I wanted to be doing right now was speaking to Emmett. No, speaking wasn't the word, we would be arguing. I knew he was going to rail on me when I told him I was staying in the cabin with Bella.

I tucked the towel around my waist and looked at her; the water flowing over her pale skin. She was distraught.

"I'm not leaving Bella, even though I know Emmett will be pissed with me. Trust me, OK, we have so much to work through, I'll be here when you come out of the shower."

I smiled to reassure her. Her face relaxed somewhat, but I could tell she was tense. I had no idea what was going on in her mind, but I had a lot of questions. Asking her about her ex was at the top of my list, but how? I hated the thought of making her talk about what he'd done – I could sense it was bad. I stepped back to her and reached out to brush my hand over her wet cheek.

"We have all day to talk." I leaned closer and captured her wet lips with mine. The taste of her, the softness, she was like a drug. The sexual desire burned so deeply within me that it hurt. I had no idea how I was just going to talk to her, keep my hands and mouth away from her body. I realized that my lust was dominating my actions and I needed to be stronger, strong enough to resist that urge, so that communication lines would open up and she would listen.

This is going to be the hardest thing I'll ever accomplish in my life.

I kept kissing her, in a daze. I opened my eyes and drank in the vision of her. Beautiful. She opened her eyes and we watched each other as we kissed, then she pulled away as if she'd been stung by my touch.

I was shocked as I recognized that I couldn't function coherently when my lips were on her or when she aroused me.

"I need to talk to Emmett." I repeated, forcing my legs to walk away from her.

I rushed into her room and got dressed quickly. I retrieved my iPhone off the sofa and shoved it into my pocket. I found Emmett placing his packed bag in the trunk of his car. He slammed it forcefully and glared at me.

He was sweating from his run and his skin was flushed.

"Get your bag and guitar, Edward, let's go," he said.

"I need to talk to you," I said, motioning us away from the cabin.

We walked to the waters edge and stood in almost the same spot we'd been after Emmett had pulled me out of Bella's bedroom. I took in a deep breath.

"I'm not going back today. The photos were published. I'm going to call Marcus and tell him I won't be back on set until Wednesday morning. I'll call Heidi and John to let them know as well. I'm staying here with Bella and you're going to fuck off to a hotel and leave me alone with her, and you're not coming back until tomorrow afternoon to drive me back to Vancouver. I'm not negotiating any of this with you and I'm sure as hell not going to change my mind regardless of what you say." I was surprised at how assertive I sounded.

Emmett's stern look didn't falter. He continued to glare at me. I was determined not to back down. Then his blank look dissolved into a shining grin, showcasing his dimpled cheeks and white teeth.

"Well, about fucking time Edward. Your balls dropped! Thank fucking God because I swear to all that is holy if I had to listen to you whine one more fucking second I would have pummeled you so hard," he laughed. "You should see your face. I'm glad you've found your fight, because you realize that this shit isn't going away. This is your crazy life and now maybe you'll own up to the fact that you've let people steer you while you didn't bother taking any responsibility for yourself."

I started at him, gob smacked.

"If you're going to make this work, with that girl in there," he said motioning to the cabin, "without fucking it, without fucking her up, then this is the Edward you have to be 24/7, none of that pussy shit. You are in control of your own destiny. Think about it."

"I have thought about it. I'm sure as hell not going to be the puppet anymore."

My resolve was set. Keeping mine and Bella's relationship thriving and out of the public eye was my one clear goal. God help anyone that gets in my way.

Emmett took in my determined face then slapped his huge hand on my shoulder. "Good for you. Hey, I hope you're not expecting me to leave right now. I need a shower and one of Bella's delicious breakfasts then I'll be on my way. I'll be back tomorrow at three," he added before sauntering off to the cabin.

I called Marcus first. I respected him and hoped he'd cut me some slack, but I also understood the pressure he'd be under trying to reschedule my scenes for two days, so I was prepared for him to be pissed.

"Hello," he said in his gruff voice.

"Marc, it's Edward,"

"Edward. I'm just looking at some very interesting photographs. Every gossip and news website has them larger than life. I mean, when you kids go for it, you really go for it," he chuckled.

"You know it was a set up, right?" I questioned, hoping to god he didn't think Rose and I were actually together.

He laughed. "Of course. Heidi warned me a few days ago. Lucky for you she had some idea about how long it would take for them to be published. You're off the hook Edward, but I need you on set bright and early Wednesday morning. With Rose."

"Rose? She's not going in either?"

"No, I just got off the phone with her, she's laying low too. I can spend the next day or so filming scenes where I don't need either of you, but I don't want the schedule to slip. I want this film wrapped by Thanksgiving at the latest. Wednesday, five a.m. not a minute later, OK?"

"Thanks Marc, I appreciate it."

"OK, and Edward, the song. I spoke to Jenks, he's visiting the set in a week, he said he'd be keen to get you into a recording studio, so unless some major disaster prevents it, the song will definitely be in the movie and on the soundtrack. Congratulations."

I was speechless.

"Edward?"

"That's fucking excellent news, thanks Marc."

"My pleasure. See you Wednesday," the phone disconnected.

Episode. Our song. I knew I shouldn't get my hopes up, but if Jace told Marc he'd get me recording time, then I was pretty sure it would happen. One good thing to come out of the junket was the conversation that I'd had with Jace; male bonding over several glasses of quality whiskey.

I couldn't help but revel in the buzz rushing through my veins.

~0~

~~Bella~~

I didn't dry my hair, I just squeezed as much water as I could out of it with my towel and pulled it back up into a high ponytail. I rushed into the bedroom and closed the door. I had a weird feeling that Emmett would talk Edward out of staying here and part of me hoped he would leave. How am I going to handle whatever it is he wants to say to me?

He could have taken my body, just then in the shower, but I'd seen the look on his face – regret and guilt? I was so confused. I wanted to feel the way I had after he'd made my body explode; everything had felt exactly how it should. Edward touching me and loving me felt so right. It felt so real. But now, now that he was no longer touching me, all those negative thoughts burrowed their way back into my brain. I didn't want them there. I wanted to know that Edward really did want me, that he had driven all the way here to tell me, and make love to me. Edward is not Riley, I kept chanting in my head.

I got dressed and walked into the kitchen.

"Hey Bella," said Emmett.

"Hi," I said, feeling my face flame. I was embarrassed that Emmett knew Edward slept in my bed last night.

"Can I use the shower?" he asked.

"Of course," I said.

"Don't suppose you can make me one of your egg and bacon breakfasts again, before I go?"

I stood still, absorbing his words.

"Um, yes, I can make breakfast," I said.

He smiled and disappeared into the hall. Emmett's leaving, he's leaving Edward and me alone? My heart started racing.

Edward and I had been truly alone only twice in three weeks. In his suite when he was drunk and he touched my stomach and I'd run my hands through his hair before he passed out and just now, when we'd touched each other to orgasm. I didn't count the short ten minute drive to and from Laurent's because he'd been concealed on the back seat both times and on the return trip, he'd been completely inebriated.

The thought of being alone with Edward, here in this cabin was scary and exhilarating. I heard the bathroom door close. I walked to the window. Edward was on his phone, standing by the water deep in conversation. His shoulders were tense and he was tugging his hand through his hair.

I had no idea who he was talking to and as my mind started to wonder, I shut that thought down. He says he's not with Rosalie. I don't have any reason to doubt him, apart from my experience with Riley and my own delusional insecurities.

I thought back to my diaries buried under the floorboards in my bedroom in Forks. I remembered the promise I'd made to myself – I need to move on from Riley. I couldn't be stuck as that fourteen year old girl, obsessively pining for a boy that I knew I couldn't have.

I had to accept that Riley had never loved me, that he'd just gone with the temptation when I'd thrown myself at him. I had to deal with the loss of him and acknowledge that if he had actually loved me, there would be no way I would have won the writing prize, or ever visited Vancouver. I never would have met Edward.

My mind drifted back to my sixteen year old self. If I'd gone to live with my dad, I would have met Edward before he was famous, when he was just an ordinary boy, like Eric, growing up with a supportive family in a small town. If I had gone to Forks High, my life would have been completely different.

I was busy preparing breakfast when Edward strolled in; he looked so relieved when he saw me. I watched as he threw his phone on the sofa and walked up to me, locking his arms around my waist and moving in to kiss me.

As soon as his lips touched mine all my insecurities dropped away; I felt whole. I loved him and I couldn't think of anything but touching him, holding him and feeling him hold me. His kiss deepened, and he was pushing me up against the kitchen bench, his hands glided up my body and started combing through my hair. The desperation we both had to be close was consuming every caress, every action.

The distinct smell of burning broke me away from his lips.

"The bacon!" I grabbed the fry pan and skidded it off the burner, a splattering of sticky fat flicked onto my fingers.

"Oww!" I hissed.

I automatically placed my index finger in my mouth to dull the burn.

"Let me see." Edward's voice was hoarse. He wrapped his warm fingers around my hand and pulled my finger from my lips. As he observed my finger, I looked up to his face; he was concerned.

It was just a flash, like an image in a movie or an old photograph; a flashback? I closed my eyes; the vision was burned into my mind. For that spilt second I wasn't in the cabin with Edward, I was standing in my kitchen in Sydney with Riley and I'd sucked my finger–the same finger–into my mouth because the thorn from a rose had pricked my finger and made it bleed. The rose was in the posy Riley had brought me.

"Run it under the cold water; it will be fine in a minute," Edward said and the image of Riley was gone. I opened my eyes as Edward guided me gently to the sink and held my hand under the cool running water.

I took in a calming breath. It was the second time this morning that had happened to me. The first was when Edward had kissed me in the shower. I opened my eyes and his eyes were staring back at me as we kissed. We watched each other, I saw his eyes roll back in his head and I broke away in shock. We stood panting, trying to recover. The flashback had taken me back to my fourteen year old self, under the gum tree, as Riley held me and kissed me after dragging me from the garage game of spin-the-bottle.

"Are you OK?" Edward's voice lulled me back to reality.

"Yes," I lied, and I wrapped my arms around his neck and burying my face against his throat.

What's happening to me? Am I losing my mind?

"Smells crispy, just the way I like it," I heard Emmett say, but I didn't move from my position in Edward's arms. I felt overwhelmed and dizzy.

"Bella," I felt Edward try to shift out of my tight hold on him.

He kissed me softly on the lips. I watched his brow furrow and I could see the conflict as he forced himself to pull away from me. I stood in a daze as I registered he was plating up the food.

Emmett will be gone soon and I will be alone, with Edward.

~0~