I'm so sorry for the late chapter. I hope you're all well and I thank you dearly for the lovely messages! This story is far from over, however it has been running for near-on a year and while I still plan to continue it till it's finished, whether in one story or a two-part companion piece is undecided, the updates may be subject to change. Especially what with life taking it's selfish and distracting course, haha.

Thank you as ever for your charming reviews and I hope the following chapters bring as much drama and interest as usual. Of course, I will keep you all throughly updated. Enjoy!

'I swear to you, I had no idea. I-I-'

'You mean we could've gone without a condom this whole time?!' I curse, glaring at his dick and fucking loving and hating it simultaneously. I don't know why I'm hating it, I have no reason to be mad at him.

I probably tore the damn thing with my teeth.

'What?'

'Urgh, if I knew it was going to split, I would've told you not to wear one! I'm really sorry.'

'You're sorry?' He repeats, sounding unusually alarmed. 'My Love, I've just orgasmed inside you.'

I watch the features on his face change slightly as he starts to come to terms with the sentence, but perhaps fearing over excitement too early on, he reminds himself to be unnecessarily concerned. I raise an eyebrow at him and watch the realisation take place. He's still looking guilty though there's no reason to be.

'Well, it was just a precaution?' I remind him, rubbing up his shoulder soothingly. 'It's not like anything is going to happen, is it? Unless you think you need to get checked...?' I finish warily.

He shouldn't need to get anything checked. I'd had my visits to the Sexual Health Clinic, all very recently, infact. I was fine and dandy.

'Es!' He groans, more out of offence than anything else. 'Of course not. I know you're fine. It's just… well it's rude of me.'

'You're upset because it was impolite?' I question, trying not to smirk. The concern in his eyebrows is so endearingly sweet that I physically can't bear to tear my face away.

'No…' He begins, hesitating. 'Well… maybe. I just... It's like walking into someone's house in bare feet. It's just unfair of me, isn't it?'

'In this scenario are we referring to my vagina as the size of a house or referring to your dick as some gross feet? Because either way, it's not sexy.'

I spot his expression and let a snicker eat up my lips and soon, he snickers too and wiping the misjudgement from his flushed cheeks. I wrap a hand at his neck and snog him. He kisses me back, lovingly, guiltily and his thoughtfulness just makes it easier to adore him.

'Don't suppose you have any tissue?' I murmur, looking down ourselves to see where the lack of pubic hair has failed to catch our expenses.

My beautifully blonde muse is staring at it with a similar thought etched between two woven brows. He peers at it as if finally noticing the difference in texture from this morning's fun compared to this evening's. With a grin, he opens up his bedside drawer and passes me over half of his handful to wipe myself off. He does similar, peeling the condom off uncomfortably and glaring with hatred at it.

'Since when do you keep tissue in your drawer, you sex-pest?!'

He gawks at me, raising an eyebrow before squeezing my knee; 'Since my flatmate thought it would be funny to coat me in lube and watch me jack off.'

'That's a total lie, you didn't have tissue in there when we were having phone sex.' This I know for an absolute fact.

He snickers, leaning closer to nuzzle my nose. 'Snooping have we?'

'Are you mad?' I ask, suddenly concerned.

'Besotted.' He corrects. 'And rather alarmed at how quickly the tables have turned. I've gone from being unable to utter the words to shoving it into every sentence no matter how irrelevant.'

'You can tell me again if you want?' I offer, grin lighting up when he kisses me.

'I love you.'

I can't give him words so instead I just kiss him, reluctant to let him go, following his mouth into a smile before eventually pulling away. However, as he stands, rather too quickly, a blank look passes his face. I'm watching him carefully, unsure of the foreign look on his suddenly limp features. He frowns at the floor, hand jutted out when he wavers, dizzily and before I can tell him to sit down, he slips into a heap.

'Carlisle!'

Moving quickly and grasping his shoulder, I'm alarmed to find his eyes are squinted closed. My breath is already leaving my lungs when an exhaustive grunt leaves his lips.

'Shit, are you okay?!' I gasp, checking him over a few times when he puts a hand to his head.

'What happened?'

'You…' It sounds really pathetic all of a sudden. 'I think you fainted.'

'Really?' He pulls himself up to his elbows, even though I reprimand him for it. He can't help but laugh a little more though he's squinting under the light.

'It's not funny, Carlisle, you practically killed over. Are you okay? Do you need me to get you anything?'

He shakes his messy fringe, smiling with his split lip, still obviously sore. Looking more so in this lighting.

'I'm fine… I just need to stand up.'

'I don't think that's a good idea-' I start to say.

'Es, please. The medical expert in me knows I'm fine.'

'Don't get snarky, I was really worried.' I complain, but he kisses my forehead and then my lips. I can't help it, my gaze slips to his abdomen where the colour stands out brightly against his creamy skin. It's as if someone has simply stretched his abdomen over angles of hardened steel. Though it very much looks the kind that would crumble even more under touch. 'It's because you haven't eaten much today. You hardly ate dinner.'

'Probably dehydration.' He adds, making it seem that little bit more normal and therefore easier to dismiss. 'I promise, I'm fine. I just stood up too fast.'

With help, he gets to his feet, inhales and sighs it out, cheeks pink, excusing the red side, with his smile shy.

To make matters worse, it feels like I'm leaking a bucket load and cupping my hands beneath me, I awkwardly waddle to the bathroom. This is apparently hilariously funny and because I've left the door open, he follows in, walking heavily but still grinning.

There's a huge sense of pride that comes from looking at his semi as it slowly deflates and realising I took that with no synthetic help at all. For a bonus, I get to look at his ass, too as he reaches across to turn on the bath taps. While the water is running and foaming in bubbles, he nips downstairs and carries two pint glasses of water even though the water on his top lip is saying he's just reimbursed himself.

'Still thirsty?' I ask.

'Incredibly.'

Passing me one cup, he downs the other in mere seconds so that his throat is exposed, more marks left in its wake all because of my cursed mouth. Although those ones came from love. Not just love but passionate love, full of respect and admiration. They were marks made in the moment but not for it. Their purpose, their exposure and their affect, especially on him… lifelong.

He steps into the water first, shuddering when it catches up his ankles and slides himself into the water. He's exhausted, eyes purpled, stomach still sore and hair disarrayed where I've tugged at it but he sighs blissfully. Stretching his spine and clicking his neck, he holds his hand out to me with that beautifully swollen side smile. I take my time to step into the tub, water warming up my calves before sitting down between his legs, gently pushing my back to him and lying there. He kisses my temple softly, wrapping his arms around my abdomen and pulling me close.

'How are you feeling?' I ask, letting my hands rub the legs against mine, smoothing the bubbles into his skin and giggling when he very gently rakes his teeth against my throat. I deliberately let my fingers knot into his back locks to keep his lips there.

'Never been better. You?'

'Serene...but a little achy.' I admit, shuffling my hips a little. Again, I'm toning things down for our mutual benefit. I'm aching like hell but I'm worshiping every murmur of pain that passes through my nerves. it wasn't pain, it was a reward, a mark of effort... a medal of honour.

'Need any help with that?' He chuckles, sleepily.

Shifting up slightly, he reaches for the soap, lathers his hands generously and rubs around my shoulders, washing them before squeezing the muscles, massaging them deeply. I groan a little, shivering when he washes along my spine, around my arms, under them before hesitating at my breasts.

'You may proceed.'

'Sure?' He asks. I nod, pushing out my chest and resting my head against his neck to give him the luxury. I'm not entirely sure why he's initially shy but he moves carefully, his hands brushing delicately over the nipples, cupping the mass of them and washing the hot water down me. 'You're beautiful.'

'And you're tired…' I murmur.

He washes the rest of my body, letting me return the favour and eventually, helps me up to my feet to wrap a towel around me. It takes a little while longer to change the bedding, with the exhaustion seeping its way into heavy eyelids and a slow walk. Eventually, we just tug the duvet over it all, fold the towels in the basket and climb on the bed.

I'm lying on my side, unable to keep my head up. He crawls over, a hand in my hair to kiss me deeply before lying against my back, bodies into one. He says something briefly about Edward, I think Bella has text us but it's hard to tell with the sound of our tired voices drawn out to lazy lengths.

'Carlisle?'

'Mmm.'

'Thank you.' I wrap an arm around to scratch his hair, pulling his nose closer against my neck. I don't hear much of a reply but I feel those lips pull into its sweet smile.

Waking up in the morning pressed against him is something even I can't begin to put into description. Having his arms around me, locked against my skin, holding in the warmth is immeasurable in love.

'Morning, my love.' I whisper, over my shoulder.

'Stay here,' he murmurs, a little more sleep sober then me. 'I'll be right back.'

I don't just stay here. While he fusses about downstairs, I brush my teeth and wash my face before returning between the sheets, pulling them to my chest and outlining my naked body. My heart is about three seconds from exploding when he returns. He's carrying a tray of breakfast, just some toast and coffee but it's enough that I want to kiss him again.

He puts it gently on the corner, moving the cups to his table before leaning across, with a hidden grin and gently pressing his lips to mine.

'You're adorable.'

He shrugs shyly, turning on the television and pulling me into his side, though it obviously pains him, for comfort as I drink. It's glorious. It's sweetened to how I like it, without the bitterness. That's just Carlisle all over though.

'How are you feeling?' He asks, taking the slice of toast from my hand and biting off the corner.

Usually I would be annoyed but it's somehow just another stupid thing which has earned another rather foolish grin from my mouth.

'A little sore.' I admit, nuzzling his nose when his expression turns to the beginnings of worry. 'All perfectly normal. How about you?'

'A little sore, too.' He admits, though we both know his is not on account of our choice of entertainment for the evening. Picking up fabric from the floor, he puts his hand to the back pocket of his joggers, fiddles a little and produces an empty packet that I thought we'd long since chucked away. Considering its purpose was wasted. 'I also found this…?'

I take it off him, squinting at the words when finally I see it. Two letters. Now I feel really dumb. Maybe more so than him but either way, we are both very stupid and very hasty in our actions.

'Extra small?' I question. 'Extra small?! You're nowhere near small?! Why on Earth did you go for…?'

'Emmett.' He reminds me at the same time I think it.

'Emmett.' I repeat, warningly, remembering. 'I swear to God he did that on purpose.'

Carlisle nods knowingly, saying little but grinning just as wide.

'The next time I see him, I'm going to rip his throat out-'

'Not if I beat you to it. It's irresponsible and he knows it.' He adds, his voice stern but his lips pursed. I can't help it, I laugh, kissing the side of his face and repeating the action when I can't bear to stop.

'What?' He questions, an eyebrow raised.

'Nothing…' I sing, hiding my look of mischief by burying my head to his heart.

'Es?' He chuckles, cirling both arms around me and resting his chin on top of my hair. 'What is it?'

'You're so sweet when you're firm.'

The raised blonde eyebrow lifts even more. I've thrown the toast aside. Or back to the damn plate and move hastily to sit at his legs. He's lifted his arms to allow me the space and panning his eyes down my body, his mischievous smile widens.

We are, of course, both naked.

'Was that-?'

'It wasn't intentional but it's true nevertheless.' I explain, thigh to thigh on him, watching those curious blue eyes, their depth and tiredness. He carefully glides a hand over my hip, stroking it up my skin so that it tickles.

'Esme…' He murmurs, when I put my hands very gently to his sides but I'm quicker than he is, at least in this department, and before he can ask me what I'm up to, I have my hand in his hair, my tits at his chest and his semi touching my pubic bone.

'Did I ever commend you for your amazing technique, last night?'

'No.' He replies playfully. 'No I don't think you did.'

'Well, I have to say Doctor Cullen…' I put my lips to the side of his mouth, kiss gently along his jaw, nipping occasionally, tongue running over the pulse in his bitten neck when I take his earlobe. He chuckles, hands sliding up my spine, shoulders relaxed for me when I continue to make him laugh. 'I approve of your talent.'

'My talent?' He repeats with a scoff.

'But as ever… with talent comes hard work.'

I inch closer on his thighs, gasping playfully when he opens the stance of his legs, hands coming up my spine and down again to my ass cheeks and delicately repeating the action until my heart is flying. Almost deliberately, he smooths over the edges of my skin with a silky palm. Unlike usual, they're not dry and not coarse either but that might be because they, and the skin around him, is growing warmer with every second. All he is doing is rubbing my ass, delicately pinching my hips, spreading my legs wider and I can already taste the intoxication of desire salivate on my taste buds.

'Does it now?'

My long toffee waves tickle along his chest, the sweet scent of his natural woodland smell, warm grass and spiced mint shrouding me.

'A lot of hard work…' I continue.

I put one hand back into the longer locks of blonde behind his head, holding his gaze up to me when I make a show of these pert nipples. With the other, I reach behind myself to gather his right hand. I rest it on my breast and squeeze it against my heart beat so that his sigh catches in his throat. My hand can drop now because he knows how to please and tease in all the right manners. He begs for it. I'm begging for it, lip on his split lip, soothing it in my wet clasp and gently letting my sweetened tongue swim against his.

We've barely started and I can already feel myself grow excessively hot. That's only when he's touching me. When he bends his head away from me to suck my nipple, another high pitched groan tumbles from my mouth.

I try not to squeeze his hair so hard with all the other injuries on his body but it's simply a half-hearted accident caused by his enthusiasm to lick along my breast. He breathes on it, then makes the nipple wet and teases it so that the teasing pleasures of energy are running along my nerves.

'Please…' I urge, not meaning for the desperation to make itself known so imminently. Nevertheless, his right hand moves, he gently squeezes my waist in a way that's making me pant and rubbing my thighs, he lets one thumb play above where I need him too.

'Should I-?'

'Please.' I repeat, gasping with he touches just the very edge of my slit. He knows I'm ready, I'm soaking on his balls as we speak. That doesn't stop him though. He bites down a little, screwing with my sensitivity, teeth pressed gently into the pink nub but I'm halfway there, edging for him to just take me already.

'I meant should I go find a condom?'

Shame it wasn't the plural this time but I hesitate and pull his chin up. Admittedly I haven't brought any it a while. There is the pack in the bathroom that Edward and I were discussing the other day. If there's any left. Alice and Jasper did stay over. They normally have to use quite a few just to get her off.

And Emmett is always stealing loads when he can't be bothered to buy his own. What's the point in using something that's going to take away his pleasure?

'Esme?'

'Do we need it?' I ask him gently and I see the glimmer of disbelief wave over his gorgeous features again.

'It's your choice, My Love.'

I grin, nuzzle his nose and encourage for his hand to return to the original path of frustratingly glorious pleasure. He waits for me to say something and when I don't, he slows his hand.

'You know I'm not going to do anything without consent.' He warns, an eyebrow raised. He's being stern again. It's making me even more besotted. Oh Jesus, I need him so bad.

'Did you want it in writing, too?' I murmur, playfully, hands still trying to roam him and touch him but he's as patient as a marble statue.

'I'd love it in writing.' He returns with a shrug. 'But verbal will be enough.'

I nod my head, slowly, trying to entice him with my wide eyes, my warm centre. He clears his throat, smirking and I'm even more turned on by it.

'But you know what I want?' I remind him, trying not to grin when I snog him. He chuckles again.

'Do I? I have a choice of four?'

'I want you to make love to me.' I pant rather prematurely, making the words stretch with a sultry drawl. 'I want you to make me come as hard as you did last night.'

He smirks, hands fiddling on my body as I try to work out all these different angles to make them sexier.

'I nearly thought you were going to ask me to fuck you.' He confesses, relief returning the taste of my lips and once more making my heart and mouth choke when his thumb aligns to the top of my slit again. 'You have a rather devious smile on your face…'

'We have too much time on our hands to fuck.' I reply, pleased. 'I'll have to fuck and be fucked by you in a matter of urgency….'

'So you want me to make love to you?' He summarises, the smile doing its best to make the ferocity of his injuries pass unbeknownst to my sight. 'Even from this position?'

I nod again.

'My love…?' he warns, waiting with that glorious grin of excited satisfaction. Urgh, I love it. I love it so much. I need to be riding him this second.

'Yes.' I mutter, quietly.

'Pardon?'

He's playing with the edge of my slit again so that the pulse beats so hard I'm sure he can feel it on his thumb. Fuck I need him so bad. I'm literally just soaking the both of us in this taunt.

'Yes.' I repeat, louder. 'Oh God, yes!'

He kisses me deeply, using his spare hand to hold my jaw still, thus allowing the passion to pour from his tongue to mine and back again. I come up on my knees, no longer sitting but poised with my nipples digging into him. He takes back his thumb and instead, slides just the tip of his middle finger from glory hole to clit. The natural lubricant soaks him and with his grin against my mouth, he shifts to hold the base of his cock, breath trembling but his features perfectly still.

'Ready?' I ask him. He nods, still biting my lips and holding me close, hands soaked in desperation and delicacy. I'm just about to lower myself on to him when he gently pauses me with a hand on my waist.

'I really do love you.'

Once more, there's something about not just the words but the way he says them, the tone and the purity of thought he puts into them that makes it even easier to fall victim to his charms.

'You're my world.' I reply, kissing him deeply. 'My whole world.' And I love how quickly he's come to understand that I need his sentences. He nods his head for me to continue but I raise an eyebrow and clear my throat, expectantly.

'What?'

'I think you know what.' I reply smartly. He smirks.

'…Miss Platt… I would be forever appreciative if you would do the honours of allowing me to make love to you-'

'That's not what I'm asking for, Carlisle.' Not specifically at least.

He chuckles and rolls his eyes. 'Yes. Yes I would love for us to make love. Better?'

'Hold the sarcasm next time, Smartass.'

He chuckles and kisses me again, murmuring sweet everything's in my ear and loving me all over while still wielding his cock and rubbing it along my entrance. My moans slip so selfishly off my lips, they could be breaths. Moving slowly, my patience as careful and thoughtful as I've ever had it, I let his tip soak in my moisture. We both shudder, me more so from the direct contact so close to my centre…. He takes his time. Holding me gently, he steadies my hips, inching a little more in so that the head is pulsing inside me.

To be complete honest, I don't know how he's holding it together so well, excusing the parted mouth and the eyes squeezed shut as his only give away. It's making me a little nervous… and at the same time, I'm grateful for the selflessness. I groan, panting desperately at his face and trying not to slide onto him so hard. He feels so powerfully good as I move against every fine detail of his erection. The veins, the pulsing shaft, the pink tip. He eases himself deeper into me, waiting until I'm gasping and nearly orgasming on the spot before letting himself come deeper into me.

'You're so tight…' he groans, holding my hips still for fear of the fatally early excitement. 'You feel so… good.'

'Hon, please. Please I need more.'

He inches in a little more so that I grunt and tighten my fist in his hair. He's not even fully in yet and I'm squeezing him, needing more and more and ready to just try and come down on him as hard as possible.

'You okay?'

'Please.' I beg, squeezing his skin.

He inhales and very carefully, slides the rest of himself into my depths, a hand poised at my waist to hold my balance when he brings me down with him. I throw my head back and groan again, eyeing his own features of pleasure as he memorises my cunt around him.

Ugh, I am so full of him.

'Are you okay?' I return this time because he just keeps making me feel that good that I almost forget to check on his own sense of pleasure.

Weirdly enough, it never feels like I need to. Every smile of his felt like permission to give in to the cries of my body. As if it was a guarantee that by enjoying myself, there would be no better way to turn him on.

All I have to do to make him come, is come myself.

'You feel so fucking marvellous.' He pants, thumbing my nipple again.

I'm not sure if it's this angle or even the fact that I'm getting back aches from how big his hard cock is but my body needs movement and he only has to give in to the tiniest shift to have me grunting again.

'I could come so easily…' he confesses, without energy to be shy when he lowers his lips to my nipple, licking expertly again.

'Could or will?'

'Both.' He groans when I rock my hips along his, my stomach knotting at the bodily need. 'Urgh both.'

'How are we doing this?' I ask, barely able to balance with the edge already coming so close to me. He raises an eyebrow. 'Are you thrusting or am I rocking?'

He breathes again, shifts his hip up to meet mine and clasps me close when we both moan together. Fucking hell making love is exquisitly better than anything else.

'Both?' He repeats, smile struggling to stay on his features with pleasure taking over. While he's still, I rock onto him again, I try to gain a rhythm but with the sensation already sky high, and desperate not to let the moment fly, I have to stop.

'Carlisle, I'm going to come.' I pant, desperately. 'I'm so close already…'

'Yeah?' He asks, more breath than actual sound as he contemplates what this means.

'Make me come.' I beg, frowning hard when I try to grip onto a little reality. Our three week foreplay is so much now that I apparently can't even last two seconds on his dick.

Gloriously, he doesn't let me grip long. He holds me by my waist, kisses me passionately for as long as he can before I'm crying out again and thrusts deep. I'm pleading with him already, the high rippling through my body when he finds the perfect spot and starts to meet every thrust of mine until I'm hovering and shuddering for the slap of his skin pumping into me.

Every bit of him... its detail, every slight sensation of him slipping into me. It's so hot.

'Keep going.' I beg, nails sinking deep into shoulders, my back arched when I try and open myself completely to the ferocious intensity taking my body.

'Fuck. I can't…' He groans. 'I'm on the edge.'

'Please.' I beg, walls tightening around his girth as I plead and beg and pant.

He shifts his hip up again. Hitting me deep and repeating the action all over me. I'm screaming. The high is screaming. I'm moaning, my whines spontaneous and raw under his tongue when finally he edges against it. He, and his fucking glorious cock, keeps rubbing against the highest point of sensitivity. That perfect spot. I peak so hard that my lower half can't help but fall to the actions around it. As he thrusts into me, I drop onto him. The waves collide over knocking me senseless and I moan and cry so loudly that I can barely hear his own cry of pleasure at my tongue. But I feel it. As I'm coming onto him, squeezed around him, his own relief spurts so fiercely inside that my body twinges again and I'm blessed with a second wave, though not as intense, riding out the thrill of him and when its end finally comes…

I collapse forward onto him, trembling with my heart beat pounding against his.

He doesn't say much, he just breathes hard into my hair, gasping almost when he holds me close, trapping our remains together.

Time always manages to slip away when we lie like this. So much so that I'm not even sure if we fall asleep. All I know is the warmth of his cuddle, his open arms, securing me comfortably against his panting chest and not at all concerned by whatever pain he is in. He's lost all cares except for those dedicated to me.

'Did I-'

'Yeah.' I chuckle in disbelief. 'Yeah, you really did.'

'I'm sorry I didn't last long…'

'Carlisle you made me come so hard that I entirely forgot my surroundings. If you'd lasted any longer you would've done so alone.'

'So I actually made you…'

'Yes.' I repeat, breathlessly laughing. 'Made love twice and you're already the best I've had.'

'The best?' He repeats, disbelief to the tune of wonder evident in his tone.

'Number one.' I confirm.

'I don't know whether to thank my… self or the lack of contraception for that.'

'You.' I say, soaking in his scent, nose on his jaw, relishing the gentle curl of his fingertips against my neck. 'That was all you. All of it, every bit.'

'I love you…' he murmurs, once more. 'That's the only sentence I can think and the only one that's making sense.'

'Well then, I guess I return it.'

He chuckles dismissively, brushing through my hair with a free hand though he's breathing as sleepily and as deeply as me.

'What a whirlwind…' he whispers into my hair, hand combing it down my back as we pulse together. When he eventually slides out of me, we both shudder hard but he's weirdly thoughtful enough to keep me lying on him in order to capture what slippery mess we've caused. It's more so than yesterday and though I blush at it, he appears midly amused as he balances it on his lower mid-drift. He might be saying words but I'm so blissfully high on him that I very nearly forget to do anything but lie here, perfectly content.

After a few more minutes, he lazily reaches across to grab some tissues and hands some to me. He's a sleepy kisser, verging on the description of sloppy but really it's more of a compliment than it seems. It proves how spent he is. He groans gently, passing me the cold coffee cup to sit up, tissues bundled.

'Do you think he'll ever remember his Goddamn keys?'

'Huh?' I ask, looking at him, draining the bitter sweetness and following his line of sight to the broken window. There's not much to see though the purr of an engine is enough to make himself known.

Surely enough, there's a knock on the door, loud but not unexpected considering that we're all the way up here. Those gorgeous blue oceans roll again and though he goes to move, I slide my hand over his shoulder and cup the marks in his neck as gently as my hands will let them.

'He's probably just needing to drop off the car.' I dismiss, sitting up. 'Why don't I go answer him and you… finish breakfast.'

My hand slips down to his chest and around his stomach, judging the bruises with sympathy and accidently passing over that scar. He unintentionally flinches and then softens it by pulling my hand back to brush against him.

'Are you in pain?' I ask, my voice soft.

'No.' The knocking gets louder. 'Not with you.' He sighs deeply, locking his fingers into mine and laying it against his stomach. 'Never with you.'

A low sigh emanates in the room and though I quickly lean to capture his perfect lips again, his chuckle reminds me of our impatient housemate.

Typical Edward. Gives you five minutes of peace and destroys that peace before it's passed the thirty second mark. It's only Edward though so from the bathroom, I simply grab Carlisle's underwear and a jumper and wink at my gorgeous blonde. The knocking is even more impatient on coming closer to the door, louder, athletic. I'm rolling my eyes, wrenching the door open, halfway through a complaint when my eyes open. Wide.

'Emmett?'

Emmett.

'How long does it take to answer the door?!' He complains, frowning down at me with a grin. I'm suddenly regretting not showering. My hand goes into my hair, trying to brush it back, to tame the chaos and cover the scent of… us…. when suddenly, his large frame, and the expression to match it grows.

'Oh my God-'

'What are you doing here?' I interrupt, reeling back from him in confusion but he gets louder, thoroughly dismissing the question.

'Oh my God! You finally got fucking laid!'

'Emmett!' I gasp, glowing brighter than I might have ever done three weeks ago. He's barely stepped through the bloody door. Which I now hastily slam shut.

'Jesus, look at that grin. You so got laid! Go on,' he probes, poking my stomach like an older sibling though I slap his hands away. 'Tell me; who's the lucky fella?'

'Em,' I growl, desperate to get him off the subject but my sentences aren't coming together. 'Stop it,' I hiss, trying desperately to shut him the heck up.

'He's still here?! He actually stayed the night?!'

'Emmett!'

'Blimey, Es. You've changed your ways.' But his laughter grows louder. 'Go on, holler up to him. Let's see what the newest one is made of.'

'I'm not hollering to anyone. There's no one-'

'Was it worth it?' He asks but he immediately answers his own question. 'Course it was, look at that hair. I've seen Lions with thinner manes than that.'

I'm about to groan again when I'm caught by the mumbled sentence falling, without acknowledgment, from a third set of lips.

'-that perhaps the lack of condom made you more sensitive-' He stops, falling to the bottom step with a heavy foot and looking immediately from our guest, whose mouth has fallen open, to me. 'Emmett?' He questions, once confused and now irritated. 'What are you doing here?'

I'm wondering if he's thinking about the same thing I am; that fucking condom.

'No fucking way?!'

Suddenly alarmed and spotting my blushing horror, he looks down himself to eye his boxers and swallows like an apple is lodged in his throat. He's still not completely flaccid yet. Even if he was…

'No way?!' He yells, grin taking over that beaming freckled face like a fat kid with eyes on cake.

'Emmett…' Carlisle starts, rather pathetically… 'Nothing happened….'

Really?! He's playing the lying card?! Has he seen us?!

As if to answer, Em strides over to him. Carlisle shifts, standing up taller but letting his jaw lower as he places his held hands over himself. Suddenly investigator McCarthy is judging every inch of his exposed and blushing skin. The midnight blue catches mine, frown more severe with a look of warning. He's asking permission to rant at him. For once the answer is no. Not yet.

'Well either you've both been involved in a horrendous fight or you've fucked.' He laughs, and then takes in the sight of Carlisle's colourful neck, his split lip currently being hidden by teeth, his stomach and clears his throat, glaring at me as if to tell me off. 'Really…really hard.'

'Actually-' Carlisle starts to say.

'Look at the two of you!' And another round of laughter takes up his chest. 'I so called it. I just didn't realise you would be so rough with each other?'

'We weren't.' Carlisle snaps, expression hard. Either he's annoyed by the comment or he's thinking about the condom. Perhaps both.

I don't know how it's happened, one minute I was demanding for him to never breathe a word of this and next, I'm confessing our sins. Placing myself almost between them, I press my fingertips to Carlisle's hip, and raise a flat hand at Emmett. It sounds naïve to say of the most jovial man on the planet but I have never seen him grin so much.

'You can't say a word. A fucking word, Emmett.'

'So you actually did have sex?!' He demands, eyebrows bursting off of his face as my Saint's crumbles a little.

'We're not discussing-'

'You actually fucked?!' He repeats, louder, looking from me to the blushing landlord. 'You?!'

'Emmett!'

Like an absolute child, he throws an arm around Carlisle's shoulders and half hugs him though the resistance and embarrassment is clear.

'No wonder you didn't answer the bloody door, you nymphos!'

The grin is ecstatic.

'Not another word.' I repeat, pointing at him. I feel the exhale of a breath on my neck and pull the jumper a little lower over my hip. 'What are you doing here?'

This second sentence comes out more as a sigh. All I wanted was one blissful day of ignorance. Just Carlisle and I. For us both to guiltlessly revel in our entertainments, to devote that shared secret to each other… It lasted less than a night.

'It's Sunday?' He says, obviously.

He's still looking at the two of us with an expanding smile but I've frightened Carlisle enough that he stays rigid. He doesn't want to alter the situation to anything worse so he just stands there, silent, eyes on him like predator to predator. The only threat Emmett posed is that engulfing mouth of his. On cue, because someone upstairs clearly hates me and is punishing me for the virginity theft, Edward comes striding through the door, hollering as if he expected us to be upstairs. Then he looks to the small cluster of the three of us. And our apparent lack of appropriate clothing.

'Oh Jesus.'

Carlisle breathes out a little more. I can't tell if it's in a manner of disbelief or relief but his hands go to his forehead and he fights not to look at me.

'Err… hi Emmett?' The boyish smile turns crooked under our watch. He tries to say little. 'How's… err…'

'Where were you?' Emmett asks, chuckling. 'You nearly missed this whole revelation.' He gestures to us, as if we're a cute little picture of macaroni he made at nursery.

'Er.'

'Emmett. Keep. Your. Mouth. Shut!'

He jumps, still jovial as he looks at Carlisle's hard expression and attempts to calm himself with a sincere apology. 'Sorry… I forgot…'

'Don't forget. Don't mention it.' He reminds, threateningly.

'You're not telling the others?' He suddenly realises, smile falling when he realises we're absolutely serious.

'Obviously not!' I say, thrusting my hands in the air in case they go to his neck. Edward is fighting his smile, he keeps trying to catch Carlisle's eye but like an obedient guard dog, he refuses to let himself waver in my presence.

'But-'

'But nothing, Emmett. Drop it.' He reinforces, a new tone coming out in the form of a lost accent. It's kinda cute…

'Okay, I won't mention it…' he says quickly, surrendering eagerly. 'But Edward is right there.'

'I know, Emmett.' He dismisses with a laugh.

'Edward!'

'You know?!' He questions, beaming once more. Carlisle is rubbing his forehead with a squint and the two boys laugh as carelessly as if they were discussing some dumb video game match.

'Of course I know. I've had to put up with it for-'

'Do you mind?!' I interrupt, hands coming up again. They suddenly remember not only where they are but who they're talking about and smile guiltily.

'Sor-'

'Don't apologise, don't even acknowledge anything. Not another word.'

No one says anything. Which for once is blissful because it means Carlisle is happy to back me up as necessary. Both boys look to one another…to Carlisle and then the floor.

'If either of you say one thing, if you allude to it, suggest it or simply confirm anything-'

'There's going to be trouble.' Carlisle finishes, tightening his jaw.

Both of them nod. Until someone can't resist temptation and raises his hand. Those blue eyes roll.

'What, Emmett?'

'Okay, not another word. I won't say anything… but… you know….'

'What?!' He repeats, exasperated.

'It's a little obvious…' He starts gently, loosening it with a shrug though my growl grows louder. At least it's safe to say we're both completely over our morning together. There's no better destroying of hormones than these two jokers ruining my day. 'And Alice is outside…'

'What?!'

Fuck.

The fingertips force a grasp on Carlisle's arm, my jaw drops open. I am so fucking screwed.

'I've got to get dressed-' I blurt, turning on my heels and up the stairs. I don't hear what the boys say, nothing from what I can hear but I know they're desperately trying to crack a smile.

And I shouldn't but I love the fact that he's struggling to stay so unbiasedly neutral.

It's the quickest shower I've ever had in my life. Followed by perfume soaked into my skin and because I don't have time to tug on jeans, I pull on a summer dress and trainers.

'Es-'

'Shit!' I say, bumping into Carlisle so perfectly that my breath jumps. He's looking shy and guilty and despite everything I've demanded, I suddenly wish I didn't have to drag him down with my secrecy. He wanted to be open about it and I want to let him…

'I'm so sorry…'

'Hon, I'm sorry. I don't have time, Alice is outside…' He looks a little hurt but nods understandingly and steps from me. I pull him closer in the last second. 'But it's not your fault. Let me just see what she wants and I'll be back.'

When I kiss his lips, he lingers a little longer than he should, breathing me into him so perfectly that I almost forget about Alice. Almost. The worrisome smile is still on his face and though it should be a little pathetic… it's also really sweet of him.

'You look lovely.' He sighs, lowering his gaze to my dress and smiling gently. It's irritating how much I want to throw myself at him or even watch him get mad and yell at Emmett but it's not really the time or the place. Especially if Alice is outside.

I grab the earrings last minute, kiss him on the cheek and run down the stairs, flying past the two who have randomly moved onto discuss some baseball match that was on T.V. the other night.

'Good luck, Es!'

'Shut up, Emmett.'

Luckily and unluckily for me Alice is sat in the driver's seat of her little yellow car. She's looking patient but happens to be drumming her painted nails along the steering wheel and acknowledges my presence with a sly grin.

'And what time do you call th-'

For no real reason, or in fact all of the reasons pertaining to last night, I pull her into my arms and hug her tightly around the shoulders. She's slightly stiff but warms to me and before long she's squeezing me back just as hard.

'You know what I'm going to say.' She murmurs, eyeing my frown with a smile.

'I can guess.' I sigh, working my soft waves behind my ear and leaning back into the seat. She rolls her painted eyes and turns on the engine, already pulling out of the drive. Carlisle waves from the window, now dressed and she waves back, enthusiastically with her mouth shut.

The silence is a little concerning and even though she puts the radio on, it does little to put me at ease. So far so that it gets to the point that I'm breathing hard. It takes some time but she eventually pulls up at a park, open space greenery against my tired trainers.

'Fancy a walk?'

'Are you up to something?' I reply, checking around to view our surroundings.

It's an overcast day, threatening to rumble at any moment, the clouds making the scene dark and unwelcoming. She's unfazed and even though a glimmer of wonder crosses her face in response to my dress she simply locks the car and starts walking south. Down the tarmac path towards the large fountain in the middle of the park.

'You look nice…' she says suspiciously and because I can't bear to try and work out what she's saying I just nod.

'You're wearing a dress.' She reminds me, smile growing as if to ease me from my sudden shyness. Like a child I shrug, kicking at my feet. I hadn't noticed much, it was just a dumb dress. 'Esme?'

'What?' I mutter.

She rolls her eyes again. 'Don't give me that guilty face, smile will ya?'

I look miserably at her.

'Smile once and then we can talk about what happened.'

'I don't want to talk about it.' I say, firmly and suddenly just the freedom of not being in Carlisle's presence is enough to open up Pandora's Box. I don't have to pretend I'm okay, I don't have to be sympathetic and I don't have to be strong.

All of a sudden I'm balling my eyes out.

Alice is better at dealing with this than either of the boys and though I feel even guiltier at how inconsistent I can be with my emotions, I'm grateful it's her wrapping her arm around my shoulders. She pulls me down to a bench and with the cooling breeze nipping at my arms I find it's easier to cry even more. It takes a good four minutes of shock to regain myself. She's rubbing my back, smoothing my hair and smiling awkwardly.

'How did you know?' I gasp through my sobs.

She looks guilty but reaches into her bag to find her phone. I shrug at it. So she unlocks it. Sure enough, as if our day couldn't get any worse. There's a report of last night.

'Who even wrote this?' I groan, snivelling. She shrugs, leaning back into the metal bench and eyeing the tree above her.

'Are you okay?'

I don't answer.

'Okay then, how about Carlisle? Is he okay?'

'I… I think so.' I say, dabbing at my face with the back of my hand.

'Oh Babe…' She hugs me again, properly and for the first time in three weeks, I know she's hugging me without any intrusion of judgement or confusion.

The article is just a local newspaper thing. Nothing special at first except praising the efforts and hard work of everyone present, commending the decorations and celebrating the event. That lasts about six lines of the double spread. About thirteen lines are conspiracy theories to do with Mr Cullen, other lines are faulting the excess and pompous display of money and the rest… the rest is centred on Carlisle.

It starts from bad to worse, outlining him as somewhat simple, almost spineless and without enthusiasm for the event. The damn journalist even argues that he looked 'as if he wished he were elsewhere.' What was once a face of welcome and positivity 'underwent changes of misery escalating to full blown dread'. I'm not so overwhelmed anymore. Not with how hurt he is, or how much pain he is, and was, in. Not thinking about how he set all that aside to give me the best twelve hours of my life.

I'm angry.

Stupidly, I continue scrolling through the phone, irritated by the more hurtle of abuse when a line is thrown to me, criticising Carlisle's interest in 'his shapely escort'. My fury doesn't miss the suggestion. Not for a second but I move on furiously. It mentions a few more things, suggesting our eagerness to leave. To give the writer his due… it's not untrue. I just hate how improper he makes it sound. All of this snowballing into 'testosterone fuelled chaos', a scene which should've been avoided but for the 'juvenile hormones of the males present.'

He's made it sound like Edward and he were fighting. He's written about how I went 'running into the Younger's arms' and fought, 'through tears' for forgiveness. It even goes so far as to refer to the scene as an 'Arthurian legend', claiming me as the 'foolish Guinievere, stuck between the choice of a harrowed and beaten Arthur, compared to a charmingly suited Lancelot.'

'That's-' I start to growl.

'I know it's not but it's one of them…'

She takes the phone off of me and scrolls through a couple more posts from social media, complaining of how severely 'schooled' the young Doctor was. There is only one post which is semi-accurate. It accuses Mr Cullen of various other immoral acts, based more on money than that of relationships, and supposes how 'in a fit of rage', he 'viciously' attacked his son.

I shouldn't be as mad as I am considering how much support there actually is in referring to Carlisle as the maimed 'young intellectual'. However, my skin prickles and my blood boils the more I think about this shitty article getting all the attention.

That's why it's getting all the attention. Because it's bollocks.

'Is that why you wanted to see me?!' I demand, venom pouring into my words as I take a new stance on Carlisle's injuries. 'You just needed to see if it's true?!'

She gasps. 'Esme, of course not! I wanted to see if you're okay. Which you're clearly not.'

'I'm fine.' I snap, lip curling.

'Did you want to try that again without sobbing?'

'What is your problem?!' I yell, shoving her phone back to her. 'What have I done to make you hate me so much in the last few days?!'

Alice is even more against crying than me so to see her jaw drop in the frustration of tears is enough to make me shiver.

'Why do you think I hate you?'

'Alice you've spent every day criticising me. Every moment is centred on you second guessing my stupid decisions and if you're not pushing me in a certain direction, you're waiting for me to explain myself!'

'Esme-'

'I can't do it anymore!' I burst, the sounds louder and more extreme than I wanted them to be. 'I can't make you happy without being something that I don't want to be.'

'What does this have to do with me?' She interrupts, far more contained than me as she wields that disgustingly patronising concern. 'Babe, your happiness is my happiness. You're my best friend, why-?' She stops herself, breathes in and flicks her hair back. 'What do you not want to be…?'

'That.' I say, pointing to her cell. 'All of that. Escort? Escort?! Of course it's only foreseeable that someone like me would be allowed to fuck him but God forbid if I actually-'

'If you what, Esme?'

I turn away from her, jump to my feet and circle a little, breathing as deeply as Carlisle was doing with his three second rule. For no real reason, I try it. My lungs are happy for the break and immediately the oxygen flows into my blood stream like water down a mountain. When I focus on my surroundings again I'm satisfied not only to find Alice patiently playing with the belt loop of her jeans but that she's also wearing a plain look on her face. If she's judging me, I can't see it.

'He got me a job.' I say quietly. She pats the space next to her and moves side to allow me space. It's quiet for a few more seconds, I fiddle with my hands, the hem of my dres, I kick up my trainers and eventually, I take the seat next to her. 'A really, really amazing job-'

'Carlisle?' She guesses.

'It's a huge opportunity, it'll be fantastic for me…'

'But?' She goads.

'But I can't say yes without feeling like it's a mistake. He wants to move, Alice.'

'I know he does…' She murmurs and when I slump lower, she takes a hold of my hand and loops her fingers through to squeeze mine. Her hand is slight, more nimble than my own and wholly different to Carlisle's. The warmth is a different kind too but running at a similar temperature.

'I've lived with him for three years. He's the only stability I ever had…'

Well him and my hair. I've had the same haircut since I was eleven.

'I know.' She murmurs, again.

'And that's what we were discussing in one of the bedrooms. This other option. His father caught us as we were coming out and gathered the wrong impression.'

'Didn't you try to explain?' She asks, slowly. 'That you weren't doing anything?'

'It was pointless. He kept hurtling all this accusations and Carlisle just reached the end of his rope and…well… Eustace basically had one of my paintings and wrecked it. You know Carlisle, he can't stand for any kind of injustice and he just… lost it.'

'Lost it?' She repeats. 'Carlisle?'

'His father kept nitpicking at me, he had been doing so all evening and one comment…pushed him over the edge. He punched his father, sent me downstairs to then accept the onslaught of violence and I rushed to find Edward to stop it.'

'That makes sense.' She murmurs, still supportive.

'But my boss was downstairs and after a few further revelations… Carlisle got even angrier.'

'Angrier?' She questions, eyebrows joining. 'Because he doesn't like your boss?'

'It's a bit worse than that.' I say. The air is colder, it really will rain soon and I'm wondering why she's brought me outside instead of her warm house. I guess it was easier to talk in the cold. Words come out hastily rather than having to be nurtured with a cup of coffee.

'…Es…?'

'I hate this. I hate what this is doing to me. I've been crazy these past through weeks and if I'm not screaming at someone, I'm sobbing.' I try to dry whatever marks there might be on my face in order to make myself seem more presentable but her hand squeezes tighter.

'Are you… trying to tell me something?'

My shoulders shrug and I squint ahead with my eyes on the cracked marble of the fountain. It's so gloomy this morning, or this afternoon. I haven't even checked the time, I haven't needed to.

'Is this something to do with the coat and the cardigan?' She asks, her voice raising slightly. I nod. 'Esme…? What's going on?'

My sighs are heavy, full of all the weight and grief of the start of the month. It's making me feel sick.

'King… he's just been…' I cut myself off and rub my head. 'He tried to get me to give him a blow-job.'

'Your boss?!' She shrieks.

'If Tilly hadn't of walked in…'

'Tilly?!' She repeats. 'Tilly?! That insipid cow! That's why she accused-'

'Yeah.' I say quietly.

'She fucking knew and she-'

'Yes.'

She sucks a breath through her teeth and sharpens her jaw, her small hands are curled, the hand in mine fighting to not crush me. 'And Carlisle knows?!' She repeats through her pursed lips.

I hesitate.

'He knows little bits. He knows that I was…spanked.' My gut turns to metal, hardening and weighing me down. She gasps.

'Spanked you?! Oh my God… that guy from the bar. He grabbed your ass?!'

I nod. The understanding is hitting her at speed and with every new realisation, her face reveals more hasty disgust.

'Is it…?' She stops, her spikes flicking out from her cheek like the perfect threat. 'Was it bad?'

Just when I'm about to nod, a tear slips down my cheek again. Confused, I touch it and look up, there's a gentle rumble, like a hungry stomach. It gets louder and as it reveals its starvation, heavier tears start to fall onto my skin.

'I still have the bruises…'

'Oh…' She gasps again, looking at me though I've tilted my face to the rain. 'Esme… I'm so sorry… are you okay?'

She suddenly looks like she wants to cry.

'I'm okay.' I say, nodding. 'He's really been struggling with it, though. I've never known him to be so… hurt.'

'Why are you worrying about him, Esme? You're the one whose…' She stops and shakes her head. 'I feel for him but… you've got to put yourself first.'

'We are. He is, too. He's just so… angry for me.'

'Why?'

'I don't know.' This is a slight lie. I know why he's angry for me and I know he's putting me first. Yet I also know it has nothing to do with jealousy. The rain is getting heavier, falling without pattern onto my skin and cleansing away the shame. 'I think he's concerned. I'm not angry Alice, I haven't been in a while. I'm just…a mess.'

'You're not a mess.' She refutes, frowning cringing from the raindrops.

'I'm so emotional, though.' And I feel safe enough to share a shy smile, she sighs again, still gripping my hand.

'It's perfectly normal… It's normal for both of you to be acting warped…' She looks like she wants to say more but she stops herself and changes the subject. 'How is he?'

'Bruised.' I answer honestly and I forget myself enough to realise this is a comment that doesn't go amiss.

'Bruised?'

'His poor abdomen. He's sore right the way down to his…What?'

'How do you know that?' She asks, a slight smirk appearing on her lip.

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuckity fuck.

'I was there…' I say, shrugging but she shakes her spikes. 'And I… needed to check to see if he's okay?'

It's pathetic. Really pathetic but she nods.

'Judgements aside for ten minutes…' She murmurs and I let out a full breath. 'How ripped is he? Jasper says he's always working out.'

I forget myself completely.

'Jesus, Alice. He's gorgeous. Not an ounce of disgrace on his shape and that's after he's been hurt.' I gush, more droplets of rain soaking into my hair and shoulders. 'He's magnificent.'

'I would say that I'd pay to see that but I think I'd be more interested to see you speechless for once.' She laughs, leaning into my shoulder. 'I've missed you.' She sighs.

'I've missed you.' I reply, knowing how true it is and how grateful I am that I haven't had to miss her too much.

From the short walk back to the car, the rain pours harder. I try to say I'll phone the boys but I can't find the damn thing anywhere. It's just typical I choose to wear a dress in this awful weather. It rains so hard that I'm soaked through, my hair clinging to my face and every inch of my exposed skin damp with the weather.

'Spend the night?' She asks once we're back in the car. 'We haven't spent enough time together.'

It's difficult not to offend her so I tread the lines carefully and let my expression give her answer enough. She combs through her fringe, eyeing her make-up in the mirror and pouting at herself.

'It'll be fun?' She promises. 'Like a girl's night?'

'I'm laying off alcohol for a while.' I explain, pleased that we've managed to go a full twenty minutes without me lying. 'I don't want to risk temptation…'

'We don't have to drink?'

I wring my hair out into my lap, letting the moisture soak through the dress, too.

'Aren't we meant to be camping next Saturday?' I remind her. 'I'll stay then.'

She rolls her eyes but still offers a genuine smile when she turns the heaters on.

If I thought the rain was bad, it's worse when she parks up on my drive and though she promises to text me, hugging me tight, she doesn't fight my decision to stay home. She even waves to Carlisle at the front porch.

It rumbles louder, a flash of lightening coming up followed by another roar of weather. He pushes the door open behind him with his hand and grins at the state of me. I stand silently in front of his stance as we wait for Alice to drive past, my eyes cautiously on his shoes and my smile shyer than his grin. The moment she's gone, he frowns gently at me, holding me still though I'm soaking his skin.

'Is everything-'

Instead, I lift myself up to him and kiss him. Selfishly, I take the words from his mouth and align my lips to his. He holds me close, more to hold his stance when I push him through the door with a chuckle, attacking him lovingly with my lips and quite literally leaping up into his arms.

He catches me with a stumble, hands cupping my ass beneath my skirt because there is literally no other place for him to put them. A blush is creeping on his cheeks when he looks over me.

'We have… company.'