A/N: Thanks ever so much to all who read, rec, review, and lurk this story! RK was one of the fics of the week at TLS this past week. Edward licks to Nic for the pimpin' and Dragonfly336 for the awesome review! Mwah!

I love my prereaders hard: Keye, Sandy, and Aleea. And huge thanks to my awesome betas, wmr1601 and Katmom, for wielding their Sparkly Reds and cleaning up my little messes. ;-)

Chapter 9

~Moves Like Masen~

I can feel you almost there
And it's plain to see
Going down so easily
I want you to look at me

Excerpt from Loaded ~ SEAL

~*RK*~

Over the past several days, Isabella's health has improved quite a bit. There's a tender pink undertone to her pale skin that makes her positively glow when she blushes, and her hair has gone from a dull, dreary brown to a lush mahogany streaked with many shades of golden brown and red. Her appetite and stamina have picked up, and we've started taking daily walks on the wooded paths around the cottage.

In the evenings, we watch Seinfeld and movies. Mostly Seinfeld. Isabella has what I consider a borderline unhealthy obsession with the quirky comedy. Personally, I find it ridiculous, but when I see the healthy glow brought to her cheeks when she laughs, I want to bring Jerry Seinfeld here for a private show.

Carlisle checks on her daily and seems encouraged by her progress. He's been working on the cure for the blood anomaly every spare minute and requested some time off from the hospital in order to concentrate more fully on it. Despite the differences I have with my sire, I'll never be able to express to him just how grateful I am for the effort he's putting in to save my mate. Somehow, although I've been barely civil to him since I returned, I think he knows.

I questioned him about Rosalie and Emmett when the subject hadn't come up over a period of days, and he informed me they've spent the past few months in Alaska, visiting with the Denali Coven. When I showed my surprise—two beautiful, bitchy vampires in the same house and all—Carlisle smirked. Apparently, Emmett and Rose were staying in an out-of-the-way cabin nearby.

Carlisle warned me about Alice blabbing that I was home, and he said he expects my missing siblings to return shortly. Internally, I rolled my eyes. While Emmett was a favorite because of his lighthearted and kind nature, I disliked his mate for being the antithesis of everything he is. Rosalie could turn Medusa to stone.

This morning Alice left a digital camera at the front door with a note.

Bring this with you when you go for a walk later.

~Ali

Today is chilly but clear, and I sit on the nearly frozen ground with my back against a tree, watching Isabella. I look on with great interest as she squeals over something near the brook and pulls out the camera. I smirk to myself, knowing Alice was right yet again.

Isabella is utterly adorable bundled up in a puffy blue parka, matching hat and glove set, and fleece lined boots. She shot me a dirty look when I walked out of the cottage in jeans and a t-shirt, but I have no need to pretend here.

"Edward! Come look."

I rise to my feet and walk over to her slowly, taking her in. Her back is to me, and she's hunched over something on the ground. I can hear the soft clicks as she takes multiple pictures, and I smile to myself, wondering what has her so captivated. The past few weeks, Isabella has been a breath of fresh air for me, helping to dissolve my apathy and giving me so many reasons to love life again.

"What is it?" I ask, placing my hands on her hips.

She startles, nearly dropping the camera. "Damn it, Edward! You really mustn't sneak up on me that way!"

"You called me over, remember?" I smirk, knowing full well I could've done a better job announcing my presence.

She turns to face me, bundled up like a toddler out to play in the snow, and my smile widens. Her nose is red, but despite the cold, this is where she wants to be. Our eyes meet, and I know I'm snagged; I was so caught up in my observations of her I forgot to school my features into my innocent look.

"You! You did that on purpose just to get a rise out of me!" Isabella slaps my arm. "Ow! Damn made-of-stone vampires," she mutters crossly.

"I have to say, you're cute when you're mad—like a fierce little kitten." I tap her pert red nose with my index finger.

She grabs my hand, pulling me with her. "Just forget all that. Look at this."

We crouch down together beside two large rocks at the edge of the stream. Between them is a perfect pink flower.

"Isn't it awesome? A flower growing here, in the winter, perfectly healthy. And the best part? There's a baby flower right behind it."

Sure enough, there's a little seedling with a closed pink bud on its stem directly behind the larger flower.

"It's beautiful, Isabella. Is this what you're taking pictures of?"

"Yes."

She seems overly excited about a flower.

"Can you explain why you're so excited by it?" I cock my head to the side.

"Well, look around. Do you see any other flowers growing out here in the middle of the winter? Maybe it's silly, but it seems like a sign to me. A flower surviving in an unlikely place and new life budding right behind it. I guess . . . my hope is this flower symbolizes me, and the little one . . . Hannah. And the rocks surrounding them would be you and your family." Suddenly her face falls, and she looks down. "Saying it out loud, I feel really silly. You must think I'm so foolish."

I tip her face up until our eyes meet. "No, Isabella. I don't think you're foolish at all. I love that you see things others don't think of. I'm going to make that dream come true for you if it's the last thing I ever do. I promise."

She squeals with delight and wraps her arms around me. I look over her shoulder at the flowers that filled her with such longing, and I hope to God I can deliver.

On the walk back to the cottage, she tells me that she's always been interested in photography but never had the chance to do anything about it. Once we're inside, I make her hot chocolate before bringing the pictures she took up on the computer. It's obvious she has some talent, and I'm glad Alice dropped the camera off.

Isabella is still shivering after an hour, and I suggest a soak in the tub. This idea seems to appeal to her, so I draw her a nice hot bath. There are some bath beads in the vanity, and I sprinkle some into the steaming water until it's frothy with bubbles. I find some candles, placing them in strategic places around the room until the bathroom is filled with a soft glow.

When I lead her into the room, she gasps. "This is beautiful, Edward. Thank you."

Turning her toward me, I kiss her slowly, my hands roaming over her back. "You're beautiful," I whisper.

I undress her, moving at an unhurried pace. We haven't gone beyond kissing and cuddling so far, and I keep my eyes on hers as her clothes hit the floor piece by piece. Her breath catches, but she doesn't object, and I continue to look into her eyes as I help her into the Jacuzzi tub.

"Oh . . ." she sighs, eyes fluttering closed as the warmth envelops her. "This is just what I need."

"Would you like me to give you some time alone?"

"I'd like it if you stayed," she answers, looking down shyly.

"Whatever you want." I swipe a finger over her heated cheek. "Your wish is my command." She has no idea how true this really is. I would do anything to make her happy, to see the flush of pleasure or embarrassment heat those lovely cheeks, to hear her infectious laughter.

I wouldn't exactly classify myself as cold and unfeeling, but I've never found myself concerned with anyone else's happiness before. Now, I'd stand on my head if I thought it would make Isabella smile. Her well-being is my only concern.

"This is divine." Her head rests against the edge of the tub, and her eyes are closed.

"Would you like me to wash your hair?" I can't believe I'm asking her this, but as I say the words, I find I'd love nothing more than to bury my fingers in her lush locks.

"Yes, please."

"Do you mind if I get in there with you?"

She looks up at me, startled, and lowers her lashes demurely. "I'd like that."

Before she has time to realize what's happening, I've shed my clothes and eased into the tub behind her.

"Oh! You move so fast." She looks over her shoulder at me. "And you barely left a ripple in the water."

I smile, pulling her back against my chest with my arms around her, again reveling in the fact she isn't repelled by my inhuman characteristics.

The steamy water begins to warm my cool temperature almost immediately, and the feel of her skin on mine awakens other urges within me. My cock hardens, pressing up against my stomach, and I place my hands on her hips, shifting her forward slightly. I want her desperately but don't want to risk making her feel uncomfortable or thinking I had ulterior motives by joining her in the bath.

Moving her hair aside to expose the back of her neck, I trail a finger along the delicate curve from just below her ear to the tip of her shoulder, eliciting a shiver. With a soft sighing moan, Isabella tilts her head to the side, offering me better access. I replace my finger with my lips, dropping gentle kisses along her fragrant skin until my mouth rests against her earlobe.

"You bewitch me," I murmur.

"I was thinking the same thing about you." Her heart picks up speed, and she turns to look back at me, running her fingertips over my cheek.

Leaning in, I take her offered mouth, sliding my tongue between her lips to explore the burning hot, petal soft interior. Isabella loops her arm up around my neck, moaning softly as the kiss deepens in intensity.

I snake one hand around her exposed ribs to cradle her breast in my hand, gently rolling the nipple between my thumb and index finger. Her body is so responsive to my touch, her back arching, pressing her chest farther into my hand. I bring my other hand around her waist, dipping down over her flat stomach until I can slide a finger between her lower lips, stroking over the rapidly engorging silken bud. It's so incredibly soft, slick, and warm inside her, and her body stays bent back toward mine, her fingers finding purchase in the hair at the nape of my neck as she accepts my touches.

She pulls back from the kiss with a soft 'Oh,' her eyes opening wide and meeting mine for a moment before fluttering closed as her head lolls back on my shoulder, and her fingers tighten in my hair. I brush my lips back and forth along the side of her neck, sampling her flavor. My arms now surround her body, and I continue playing across her nipples while swirling my finger over her sex with a feather-light touch. Every stretch of her body, each little sound she makes, and the convulsive clutch of her fingers in my hair tell me how much she wants and needs this.

I've been yearning to touch her this way for days, but I didn't dare to while she was so sick and weak. I'm grateful she's feeling better, but I know the drug Carlisle designed is only temporary; eventually, the leukemia will steal away her life—if he doesn't find the cure in time.

Pushing those thoughts from my mind, I concentrate on Isabella and bringing her pleasure. I run my tongue up the back of her neck, and she coos. I knead each soft globe in turn, experimenting with pressure and soft tweaks of her nipples—she likes medium pressure but enjoys harder pinches. When I slide two fingers inside her, rubbing slow circles over her clit with my thumb, she mewls so sweetly.

Encouraging her to sit forward with her knees bent, I'm able to penetrate deeper inside, curling my fingers as I stroke her. I place open-mouthed kisses over her upper back, suckling on the tender skin that stretches over each of her still-prominent shoulder blades. I lick along the shape of the bone there, unsure why it fascinates and turns me on so much.

Isabella pants, her hips pulsing forward to meet each thrust of my fingers.

"My God, Edward . . ." she whispers.

"That's my girl. Just relax, and let the sensations wash over you." I drop more kisses along the back of her shoulder. "You're safe with me. I'll never let anyone hurt you again."

Her answer is an incoherent moan, her hips rocking against my hand. She throws her head back, and I feel her body clenching and pulsing around my fingers as she comes.

"Yes, my Isabella. Let go for me."

When she finally comes down, she leans back against me breathlessly. "Oh, my God. That was . . . awesome." Despite my best efforts, her low back bumps up against my rigid cock, and she gasps. "You're so hard, I—"

"Shh . . . This isn't about me right now."

"But—"

"No buts."

Shifting quickly, I slide around the front of her, laying her head against the edge of the tub on top of a bath pillow. She's surprised when I appear before her, but she relaxes quickly, smiling. Her eyes are bright, cheeks flushed so lovely, and I can almost believe she's not sick and dying.

Leaning over her, I touch my lips to hers, a slow burning kiss. The warm tingling feeling spreads through my chest again, small sparks shooting through my limbs. The more I touch her, the more connected we become. I can feel the threads of the mating bond growing stronger, and though I know the closer we get, the more likely it is I will die with her if she goes, I welcome it. Life would be unbearable without her.

Her warm mouth opens under mine, and our tongues meet, both of us moaning at the contact. I'm fairly certain she's having the same responses to the ties that continue to knit together, binding us to one another. My hips flex forward, and I want nothing more than to bury myself inside her. It's with great difficulty that I don't; this moment is for her alone, and my own pleasure means nothing.

Kissing my way across her delicate jaw, I whisper against the shell of her ear, "I love you, Isabella."

A whimper escapes; her fingers try to find purchase on my shoulders, but they slide off. She locks her arms around my neck, gripping my hair.

"Edward, look at me."

I obey, pushing back so my hands rest against the side of the tub to either side of her shoulders. Her hands slide around from behind my head to caress my face, her gaze roaming over my features. When her eyes meet mine, they're brimming with tears.

"I love you, too." She giggles, placing a hand over her mouth.

"And that would be something to giggle over why?" I ask, cocking my head to the side.

"Oh!" She looks horrified. "Sorry. It's just such a relief to say it. I've been holding it inside me since we were in the cabin."

"You have?" I can't hold back my smile.

Isabella rubs her index finger along the curve of my lips, a matching smile lighting her face. "Yes."

"Say it again?"

"I love you, Edward. I thought what I had with James was love at one time . . . but since meeting you, I've felt things I never even dreamed of."

"I know what you mean. I've never felt this way about anyone. You accept me for what I am. I can't tell you what that means to me, Isabella."

I lean in to kiss her sweet lips again then make my way down the front of her graceful neck to pepper kisses over her breast bone. My lips go lower, beneath the water, to capture one of her velvety nipples.

"What are you doing under the water?"

Rising back up, I smirk at her. "Vampires don't need to breathe, sweet one."

I go back to circling my tongue around a nipple, gazing up at her, only my eyes and the top of my nose out of the water. Slowly I work my way down to her navel, now completely submerged under the evaporating bubbles. I'm already between her legs, but I sink lower and slide my arms under her knees, urging her to open to me. Vampires can hear well under water, too, and she gasps once she realizes my intent.

Parting her lips with two fingers, I lap at her sensitive little nub, which still pulses faintly from her first orgasm. I can taste her essence, so musky and decadent, but it's covered over by the fragrant oil of bath beads and diluted by the water. Isabella's back arches, and she whimpers as I run my tongue up and down her slit, greedily tasting what I can of her juices before they dissipate into the bathwater.

Gripping her hip with one hand, I hold her in place as I plunge my tongue deep inside. She moans, trying to squirm, the sweetest little sounds issuing from her throat. Her fingers finally find purchase in my hair, and she digs them deep, curling them tight against my scalp.

Wanting better access, desiring to have her laid out before me, I grasp the soft cheeks of her ass in my hands, lifting and pulling her toward me. Sliding her legs over my shoulders, I support her back by spreading one palm there, one perfectly rounded cheek still cradled in the other.

There's an unintelligible sound from Isabella, but it's definitely not one of distress, so I continue. Placing my mouth back over her vulnerable, wide-openness, I kiss from her throbbing little nub all the way down to her opening. With gentle circles, I delve my tongue inside her oh-so-slowly, going deeper with each pass.

"Edward," she pants. "I can't believe you're doing this in the bath . . . but it feels so good."

I continue my slow revolutions until she begins to beg me to go faster. To give her more. Knowing she's ready, I do what only a vampire can do—lave her with my tongue everywhere at once. From deep inside her warmth, my tongue moves out to flick at her engorged clit before darting back inside—always conscious of the signals her body is giving me, aware of how much pressure I'm using against her tender flesh.

"What are you doing to me?" she gasps breathlessly. "Oh, God, more. I want more."

I've been between many a woman's legs in my time, and not one of them has complained. But this woman is my mate; she means a million times more to me than all of the others combined. Bringing her to the heights of pleasure is all I aspire to in this moment.

Isabella reaches the brink, and I can feel her entire body freeze and stiffen for the briefest of moments before she cries out, her fingers tangling in my hair, holding on for dear life as she comes so beautifully. Her juices are captured by my mouth as my suckles turn to soft laps, the taste like nothing I've ever experienced. The richest, most robust blood I've ever tasted is nothing compared to the heady scent and taste of my mate.

Letting her down slowly, I rise up from the water, shaking my head and sending droplets everywhere.

"Edward!" she giggles, covering her face.

I slide a hand behind her neck, lifting her toward me, and pulling away the hand that keeps her from me. When we're eye to eye, I whisper, "You are the most beautiful and precious thing in this existence. I love the sound of your laughter, but please never cover your face from me."

"Okay, I won't." She smiles, caressing my face between her hands. "How did I get so lucky?"

"Because I slid under the water and—"

"Stop! I meant, how did I get so lucky that you're my mate? You silly vampire."

"Silly vampire? I've been called many things in my time—some of them quite colorful—but I've never been called silly. Scary, ferocious, a bastard, selfish, and things that would make a sailor blush, but leave it to you to come up with something unique."

"Are you angry?" Her smirk tells me she's teasing.

"Enraged. You're going to ruin my reputation."

"You know, you never did wash my hair."

"I didn't. Let's rectify that."

Slipping back behind her, I pour shampoo in my hands and massage it gently into her scalp. She moans as my fingers work their way through her long tresses. I've never washed a woman's hair before, but I enjoy the experience immensely.

"You're moaning almost as loud as when I made you come, sweet one," I tease, kissing the side of her neck.

"Not true! I've never screamed louder than when your tongue was—um, you know—doing that thing it was doing. What were you doing anyway?"

"Can't tell you that."

"Is it a vampire secret?"

"No, it's a patented Masen move."

"Tested, tried, and true?"

"No. Tried and true, but only tested out on you."

Isabella turns sideways so she can face me. She looks adorable with her hair all lathered up and her cheeks pink. I'm reminded suddenly of taking baths when I was a child. I always loved the way I looked when I stepped out and wiped away the fog on the mirror to gaze at myself. So innocent and pure. So clean and not a care in the world, as if I'd washed away all my misdeeds and was presented with a clean slate. I've since learned the hard way that there is no clean slate for any of us.

"Really?" she whispers, pulling me out of my thoughts. "You've never done that to any . . . others?"

"No, never. I slept with women, bringing them pleasure in return for a drink, but I never cared about any of them. I didn't desire to please them; it was a means to an end. With you, it means so much more to me than my own pleasure or need."

"You never cease to amaze me, Edward." She presses a kiss against the corner of my mouth then turns back so I can finish washing her hair.

By the time she's ready to get out of the bath, the skin on her fingers and toes is wrinkled. I step out and dry myself at vampire speed and have the towel slung low on my hips before she registers it.

"What the—"

"Cool trick, huh?"

"No! I was hoping to get a peek."

Lifting her from the cooling water, I place her on her feet and begin rubbing a fluffy towel over her nakedness before wrapping it around and securing it snugly. When I'm satisfied she's not cold, I tug her to me by the front of the towel, leaning down for a kiss.

"Isabella, soon enough you will get more than just a peek. I belong only to you now." And you are mine. God help anyone who tries to stand between us. I fight back the urge to growl possessively.

"And I belong to you, Edward Masen. Body and soul." Her warm fingers run over my pecs and stomach, leaving a trail of fire. When they reach the edge of my rapidly tenting towel, I grasp her wrist.

"Not now, sweet one. But soon."

"I want to bring you pleasure, though."

Her lower lip pouts out, and I capture it between my lips and suck on it, wrapping my arms around her petite frame. She can't possibly know how adorable I find her or how little I've given a damn about every other female I touched before her.

"Oh, Isabella, you have no idea what you do for me already. Making love to you will be the most cathartic experience I've ever had." I tip her chin up until her eyes meet my blazing ones. "You'll need your rest before that because I fully intend to worship your body for hours." This time I can't hold back the possessive growl.

Isabella draws in a sharp breath, and I smell a fresh wave of her arousal wafting through the bathroom. A smug smile tugs at my lips; she wants me just as desperately as I want her. When the time comes, it's sure to be mind blowing.

~*RK*~

A/N: A little lemony aside to soothe the burn. It was mentioned to me that this chapter didn't advance the plot of the story, but I kind of think it did. Opinions? The drama will return next week, but never fear—there will be schmexing in this story. Look who you're talking to here, hehe.

For readers of Broken Windows, there will be another update released early next week and another chapter the week after that.

I'm working hard on my novel, The Weight of Roses, and I apologize for delays on updates for some of my fanfics. I'm doing the best I can, and I greatly appreciate your support and patience. I do promise they will all be finished—no pulling and no abandoned stories.

Recs this week: Thump by Chartwilightmom and Prey for the Wicked by Aleeab4u. Both are nummy vampfics!

Thank you all for reading. See you next Tuesday!

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