A/N: Thanks to Ronnie, May and Meg for their feedback. Mistakes are mine.

SM owns, not me.

~NT~

Chapter 5: Tired of Waiting

The next morning, Bella woke early to help get things together for breakfast. After everyone had eaten, they had decided to split off into smaller groups for the day. Jasper and Jake wanted to fish, which Bella suspected would end with one of them falling out of the boat. Alice and Rose wanted to get some sun and maybe swim, so they were going to go with the guys. Vanessa, still glued to her screen, followed behind them as they left. Emmett was still passed out, which was a rarity since he never missed a meal, but apparently, he had overindulged the night before and just needed a little more time to sleep. He'd meet up with Rose later. Edward didn't want to fish, and soaking up sun while the girls gossiped was not high on his to-do list. Bella had researched before the trip and knew there were supposed to be some really great hiking trails with scenic vistas. She was resigned to the fact that it would have to be saved for another day since it wasn't wise to go alone, trying to remember which book she had packed in her things, when Edward had said he'd go on the walk with her if she wanted.

This was what set them off on the trail and to that stretch of land where she found herself being kissed like his life depended on it. They had made the hike up to the cliff without issue, pausing along the way to drink water and take pictures. They shared the lunch Bella had thought to pack as they sat on the rocks, not speaking, simply absorbing the scenery. Bella caught Edward opening and closing his mouth a few times, as if the words were on the tip of his tongue. His hands raked through his hair, a sign that signaled he was frustrated about something. She asked him only one time if something was bothering him, but when he shook his head, she let it drop. They cleaned up their rubbish and started to work their way down. Edward stood behind her the whole way, monitoring her steps. When they reached the clearing, Edward called out to her, asking her to wait for a minute.

His fingers trailed down her bare arm—she had removed her button down shirt when they had reached the cliff, leaving just her tank top—goosebumps pebbled along her flesh in their wake.

"Bella," he whispered in her ear. "Can you stay really still? I just want to try one thing."

Before she could reply, she was spun around and into his arms. His lips descended toward hers. The kiss was gentle at first, a few swipes of his lips along hers, but soon he deepened it, gliding his tongue over the seam of her lips, urging them to part. When she complied, her breath left her in a burst. The kiss grew in intensity, until they broke apart, allowing Bella the opportunity to speak.

"What are we doing?" She was breathless as she panted for air, her lips feeling swollen and tingly from their heated kiss.

Edward stood before her, his hair in utter disarray from the way her fingers had threaded and tugged at the strands. He swiped his tongue along his bottom lip, leaving it glistening.

"Something we should have done a long time ago," he replied, pressing his body closer to hers, hoisting her up around his waist and walking them a few steps forward. Her back scraped along the tree as he came to a stop in front of a large pine, the bark surely leaving scratches on her bare shoulders and upper back. The sting was soothed by the heat of his flesh, his arms engulfing her. She had never felt so protected and loved. Not in the nearly two years that she and Riley had been together.

"What does that even mean?" Her breathing had returned to normal, but her question still came out in a voice that was barely above a whisper.

"It means … I am tired of waiting. Of watching you date losers who don't know how much of a good thing they have right in front of them."

He brushed his thumb over her cheek, pushing the loosened strands of hair behind her ear.

"Of seeing you shed tears over assholes who don't deserve you."

Her eyes grew sorrowful as his words sunk in. She thought of all the nights they had sat on his couch, with beers spread across the coffee table as she lamented all the wrongdoings of the latest guy she was seeing. Edward would sit by her, mostly silent, as she cried and raged, never giving his opinion on the guy but always offering his shoulder. How had she not noticed this before?

"It means I am being selfish for once in my life. It means I want you. And I think there might be a part of you who wants me too. Am I completely reading this the wrong way? Because I hope not since I think we can be so good together."

"I … I …" She cleared her throat, her words trapped as her mind whirred. Was he reading into this? Or was he right? Did she want more than just friendship with him? Could she risk it all only to have it fail like every other relationship she'd had in the last decade?

He slid her legs back to the ground, leaves crunching under her feet as her boots hit the dirt. His arms which once caged her in, creating a bubble of warmth and love fell to his sides. It wasn't clear what he saw on her face, but by the way his shoulders hunched, his head tipped down in defeat, it couldn't have been good.

"Or maybe not," he said. He huffed out a breath, rubbing his hand over his stubbled jaw. "We probably should be getting back anyway. The others will wonder what's taking us so long."

A chill had formed between them that evening. Every time she would glance in his direction, he would turn away, unable to meet her eyes. Alice studied them worriedly but didn't question either one's behavior. When she and Jasper were getting ready to turn in for the night, she embraced Bella, whispering in her ear, "It's time." She skipped off, leaping onto Jasper's back before Bella could reply.

Wanting to put this day to bed, Bella told the group she was turning in as well. Jake stopped sucking face with Vanessa long enough to say goodnight before diving back into devouring the poor girl. Emmett, mid-bite, spluttered out "sweet dreams, don't let the snakes bite." Rose smacked him on the back of the head and told Bella to ignore him and that she'd see her in the morning. Edward watched as she fidgeted, unsure how to act around him after their exchange in the clearing earlier.

"Goodnight, Edward," she whispered.

"Night, Bella."

~NT~

Just one more bit after this. Let's hope Bella's pulled her head out her ass by morning.