Reminder: This fic is BxE, OOC, AU, AH. Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and its characters. This version of all human events, however, is mine.

Enjoy.

Chapter 12: The Morning After

A noise, I couldn't recall, pulled me into consciousness. The soft brightness of the day shone light yellowish-orange through my closed eyelids that didn't want to open. It felt as if I'd only just dozed off, even though it had still been dark when I had finally succumbed to sleep.

I lay sprawled out on my belly, comfortable and completely blissed out, luxuriating in the feeling of the soft linens draped over my tired, naked body. A smile, I couldn't stop, spread across my face as I noticed the light soreness between my legs that was present even in stillness. When I started to move and stretch lightly, I found that most of my body was laced with a similar light, almost pleasant soreness that reassured me, with absolute certainty, that the blissful memories of night before had been very real.

It had been a long time since I'd been intimate with a man. But not once in my life had it ever felt anything like this experience with Edward. Not even close.

I found that same all-consuming need, that Edward made me feel, didn't wane even after repeatedly satisfying my incessant need for more of him. In fact, fully gratifying that need had only made me yearn for him more strongly than ever and I immediately wanted him again—and even better, it seemed Edward felt the same. Sheer exhaustion was the only reason we'd eventually stopped. Finally, my body refused to obey my wish to have him again, collapsing and forcing me under the heavy swell of slumber that washed over me and held me down.

I hummed contently as I snuggled my face into the mattress, letting my tired body win out and began to drift back into unconsciousness. As I did, I replayed the night before, hoping the details would spill into my dreams and continue playing there for me as I slept.

"Happy thoughts, Bella?" Edward's silky voice broke into my recollection of the night before. His voice caused a flash of heat to race across my body, as it brought a whole swirl of additional memories that began to cascade blissfully into my mind, on top of the rest.

I lifted my head and turned it to the sound, resting it back on the mattress. With great effort, I fluttered my eyes open a crack. The exertion immediately proved more than worth it; my eyes were greeted with a wet, practically naked, Edward who was wearing only a fluffy, white towel wrapped around his waist. He was truly a vision, as he stood in the doorway between the bedroom and bathroom, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed and an amused smile playing on his lips. I grinned at this being the first sight I was treated to for the day, thinking how I wished every day, for the rest of my life, could begin in this similar fashion. Edward's bronzed hair appeared dark brown and actually lay in a non-chaotic fashion, weighed down with the water that saturated it. I watched as a drop of water dripped down off of a lock of his hair landing just below his collar bone. It then trailed down over every gloriously beautiful hard curve of his chest and stomach.

Lucky drop of water.

"Mmm-hmm," I said sleepily.

"I'm sorry to have woken you," he apologized. "I had thought about seeing if you wanted to join me in the shower, but you looked so peaceful, I didn't want to disturb you. Seems I didn't quite succeed at letting you sleep."

"Mmm. I really wish you would have disturbed me," I garbled sleepily and sighed. I was enjoying the erotic hotness that was Edward, wet and practically naked standing before me, but my eyelids drooped heavily. They won the fight for a moment as my eyes closed against my will. I struggled against them—not wanting to give up my amazing view—until I succeeded in peeling them open again. I smiled at my success.

"I'll keep that in mind for the next time," Edward promised with a smirk at my struggle with my eyelids and let out a breathy laugh. "Go back to sleep, love. You're tired. Besides, it's still early and you've only had a few hours rest. There's no rush for you to get up, unless you have to be somewhere?"

"Nope. I don't have anywhere to be. If I go back to sleep, would you lie with me?" I asked; sleep dragging through my words, blending them together. I hoped I spoke clear enough through the sleep that threatened to consume me, so he could understand me.

"I don't think I could turn down that offer even if I wanted to. Besides I was about to climb in beside you anyway," he said walking to the bed. I turned over and felt a dizzying wave of vertigo sway my heavy head back down onto the pillow, eagerly pulling me back into unconsciousness. Edward must have literally meant I'd only slept a few hours because I felt like I'd only just gone to sleep. In the next moment, I felt Edward climb into the bed, slipping between the covers and then his naked body pressed against my back as he gathered me in his arms, pulling me in close.

I hummed, contented as Edward gave me a sweet, chaste kiss on my neck and dropped his head onto his pillow. Though his kiss held no expectation, I found his lips held a surge of energy with them that shot straight through my body. I instantly felt alert and completely turned on with the feel of his naked body lying next to mine.

My previous plans of sleep, abandoned, I pressed myself more firmly against him and pushed my hips into his, satisfied to find, despite his simple kiss, he was every bit as ready as I suddenly was. Edward sucked in a quick breath and gripped my hip.

Unable to help myself, I did it again.

This time, Edward's hand slid up to the dip of the side of my waist and skimmed along my belly; the pads of his fingers trailed along the sensitive line on the front of my hips where my stomach ended.

I moaned and then turned, intending to face him, but I was only to my back when Edward's hand, splayed out flat, wantonly pressed against my stomach and slid up, between my breasts, across my neck and up to my chin. My neck arched back to draw out the sensation longer and my throat let out a noise of yearning and pleasure. I could feel the burning desire for him race through my body, chasing away every last ounce of exhaustion I'd just been weighed down by.

As he slowly slid his hand back down the length of my body, every nerve was alight with desire and anticipation, eagerly begging for more of Edward's caresses.

He answered my body's unspoken need by swiping his palm up along the length of my body once more; this time his hand took a detour to attend to my aching breasts. I felt my body sigh in relief and I arched my back, pressing my chest into his hand.

I turned my head toward him intending to pull his lips to mine, but my face met his neck instead and my nose brushed along his throat. I couldn't help myself from drawing a in a deep breath of his heady scent, as it traveled. When the tip of my nose brushed against his Adam's apple—his insanely erotic Adam's apple—I, unable to help myself, ran my tongue softly over it and then caressed it with my mouth, before trailing my lips along the bottom of his hard jaw line. Edward's short, soft stubble that covered it, lightly brushed against my lips as I moved my mouth to his welcoming lips that kissed me back eagerly.

Finding confidence I never knew I possessed, I hitched my leg over his hip and pushed his shoulder with my hand, pressing his back to the bed. When I sat astride him—courage bolstered by Edward's enthusiastic groan and his hands that eagerly caressed my skin—I broke my lips from his and breathed, "Where are the condoms?" leaving no doubt as to my intentions with him. I didn't care that the unforgiving morning light shone through the window and highlighted the body I'd always had many insecurities about. I felt unusually confident.

"God Bella. You're perfect—absolutely stunning," Edward murmured as he gazed up at me, running his hands appreciatively over my body as I straddled him.

My mouth opened automatically to correct him. I was anything but perfect. The list of things that were very much not perfect about me sat at the edge of my tongue, ready to leap off. But his expression stunned me, stopping the words from tumbling from my lips. He wore a look of reverence and awe as his eyes raked across my body greedily and I was distracted by the absolute beauty of the man beneath me. Edward was the most beautiful creature I'd ever known.

I opened my mouth, once again, to tell him exactly that, but he suddenly reached up, grabbed a hold of me and flipped me over, pressing me into the mattress causing a squeal of surprise and laughter to escape my lips, instead. He grinned playfully at me before giving me a passionate kiss, and then dismounted to reach over the side of the bed, opened a drawer and returned with a condom.

Not sure where the confidence was coming from, I swiped the packet from him, flashing him a mischievous grin before I kissed him, demanding dominance again, pressing him to the mattress, as I opened the wrapper. Too bashful to have ever even dreamed of attempting this before, even if the urge had ever crossed my mind—and it hadn't—I wasn't sure exactly what I was doing, but I wanted any excuse I could have to touch him there. Besides, even in the short time I had known Edward; I found that, not only had he made me feel and want things that I had never before desired, I felt far more comfortable with him that way, than I had with any other man in my past.

I wiggled my way down Edward's body, my eyes wanting to roll back into my head at the sensation of our bodies sliding along the other. When I was down at his hips, I peeked up, suddenly having stage fright, feeling his eyes on me. As I feared, Edward's eyes were trained on me, but they were indulgent and amorous, staving off my panic, putting me at ease.

My courage bolstered, I looked down and it was all I could do to not drop my jaw and gawk at him. I didn't have much for reference, having a limited sexual history, but none compared to the beautiful piece of perfection that stood before me.

As I stared at him, I difficultly swallowed the sudden urge that came over me, wanting to take him into my mouth. I blushed, at the thought, realizing that for as bold as I was feeling, that was still beyond me. Yet anyway.

"I'm getting a bit self-conscious here," Edward's buttery voice teased, breaking me out of the spell I was under. Though his tone was light and playful, I could hear self-doubt in his words that he didn't quite successfully mask.

I guess I hadn't succeeded at not gawking.

My cheeks flamed.

"I'm sorry," I stammered, embarrassed. "It's just—I—you—Edward, you should know full-well that you have nothing to be self-conscious about," I flushed even deeper.

Edward lightly snorted at my comment. I glanced up at him and felt my cheeks positively glow with warmth, when I caught his eyes. I quickly looked back down trying to convince myself he wasn't watching me and reached out with one hand, tentatively touching the skin at his hips, sliding it along the front where his hips met his stomach, knowing how good it had felt when he'd done that to me and seeing if it had the same effect on him.

He let out a humming sigh. I chanced a glance up at him again and found his eyes had fluttered closed. Feeling braver with not being watched, I picked my hand up and wrapped it around him, gripping him firmly.

Edward hissed out a breath, causing my eyes to flash to his, but his remained shut and I was relatively positive, the noise was not one of dislike.

I looked back to my hand and began to slide it up and down his firm, but soft and silky-smooth skin.

This time, he let out a deep hum.

I bit my lip in rapture, captivated with how my hand looked surrounding him, as it traveled back and forth, up and down. I found myself turned on even more, simply by that sight.

"Bella," he said in breathy plea, a minute later.

I snapped myself out of my trance and returned to the original task of putting the condom on him. After a few inexpertly fumbles and some difficulty, I finally got it in place; but he didn't complain, laugh, or lose any bit of stiffness, as he indulgently left me to the task.

I briefly wondered if it was uncomfortable. It seemed really tight and that fact was part of the reason for my difficulty with the thing. But I didn't have a chance to ask or wonder beyond that because as soon as the condom was in place, Edward sat up and grabbed me, pulling me on top of him, kissing me in earnest.

I eagerly parted my legs, sidling one on either side of him, hoping my inexperience with the position didn't show, as I lowered myself onto him. James had always taken control and having, at best only lukewarm feelings about the act, I was grateful that he had done what he needed to and got off of me. With Tyler, it was a little better and he had offered, but I declined; not having any desire to want to be in control, still not caring all too much for sex at all.

Hell, before last night I'd never even had an orgasm during sex. The few I'd had outside of that were alone and very few and far between. I just wasn't much of a sexual person in the past.

But Edward. Oh, God. When it came to Edward, I'd become the extreme opposite of my former self.

If I had known that it could be like this for me, I wouldn't have been willing to settle for the barely tolerable experiences in my past, as just simply the way things were. I would have actively searched for Edward and what he did to me, until I found him, no matter how long it took me or what the cost of it was. Edward was pure heaven—sexual ecstasy notwithstanding.

The release I was now becoming familiar with washed over me, as I pushed myself onto him. And as he entered me, we let out matching exclamations of relief with being joined, escape our lips.

I didn't know if I was doing it right—if there was even a right way to do it—so I just moved the way it felt good to me, hoping it was okay for him too. I rocked and pressed myself against him, rolling my hips, to take in everything he had to offer, as we kissed deeply and Edward's hands glided greedily along my body.

I could feel the sensation I was now familiar with, from the night before, building stronger. I started to rock faster, chasing that high I'd so quickly become addicted to. It was just within reach, when Edward's hands gripped my hips tightly, halting my movements.

I obeyed his restraining hands immediately with worry. What did I do?

My chest tightened, as my life-long insecurities, that had proved themselves accurate before, reared their ugly head and I was suddenly deeply regretting my brazen moment.

I never should have done this.

I looked down at Edward, dumbly watching his heavy breathing calm and his hands loosen from my hips, but my body was still frozen in place.

"Was that—? Did I do something wrong?" I whispered, while averting my eyes away from him.

He let out a breathy chuckle and held my face, forcing me to look into his now opened eyes that, to my surprise, held no judgment, no disappointment, no discomfort, but instead appeared adoring and heady. "Not at all. The problem was it felt far too good and I can't let myself be too quick to the trigger," he smirked playfully and mock whispered as if telling me a secret, "that isn't exactly something a guy wants to be known for, even if it's just because you do things to me I never before thought possible," he chuckled and I couldn't help but laugh with him, feeling better knowing that it wasn't because I was doing something wrong, apparently I was doing something very right. "Plus, this isn't just about me; I want to make sure that you to get there too," he said. Then he tacked on, "Well, maybe that is about me because I can't waitto watch you come undone. That has to be the sexiest thing I've ever seen."

My face burned and I bit my lip. He was going to watch me? The ease I'd felt a moment before, knowing I'd not made a wrong move, washed away as chagrin flooded me. I suddenly wanted very much to not be on top anymore.

"Why are you blushing?" he asked, studying my face, holding it with his hands.

"I don't think I can do this if I know you'll be watching me," I said chewing on my lip again.

"I watched you while you came last night and you were nothing short of breathtaking," he countered, running his fingers along my cheekbone.

"But I didn't know you were watching me," I argued, and then remembered opening my eyes, as I was coming down, when we were on the piano bench after my unexpected climax, finding his eyes transfixed on me and amended, "At least, not until after." I looked away from his eyes and moved to pull my leg from astride him, but he stopped me.

"Don't be self-conscious, love," he said and I felt my body thrill at his use of that term of endearment. "You have absolutely nothing to be self-conscious about. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. And when you come..." he hummed with deep pleasure. "...so sensual and sexy. You're absolutely stunning uninhibited like that. I've never seen anything so erotic in my life."

I was unable to stop myself from rolling my eyes in disbelief.

"You think I'm lying?" Edward challenged.

"Not lying so much as trying to calm my unease." I replied.

"You don't have a very clear picture of yourself, do you?" he quipped, his eyes turning hard with anger.

"No," I disagreed. "I know what I am and what I'm not. I've never been the knockout, I never will be, that's Rosalie's department, right along with models and actresses," I said sitting up, wrapping my arms around my stomach and chest, feeling very exposed, "and I'm honestly fine with that."

Edward let out a growl of frustration, shot up, grabbed me by the waist and flipped me over so my back was on the bed and he was lying on top of me. I was aggravated with myself, finding that the move completely turned me on and it was everything I could do to not let out a moan of ecstasy from the sensations it brought with it and just drop the subject that second. "Bella!" he chastised. "Neither Rosalie nor anyone else has absolutely anything on you."

"You can't tell me Rose is not gorgeous, that's the whole essence of who she is. She's the incarnation of beauty," I pressed stubbornly, refusing to back down on my argument. I knew that was the way it was. It was the truth, a simple fact and he wasn't going to get away with not admitting it.

Crap! I wanted to kick myself. How did we get from blissfully having sex, to me trying to get him to admit to me that Rosalie was gorgeous? What the hell just happened?

"Why do you hold Rosalie up so high on a pedestal? Yes, she's pretty, but she could never even have a hundredth of the attraction you hold for me. I've never met anyone else that has made me feel the way you do. Honestly Bella, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on," Edward insisted.

He sounded sincere. I wanted to believe him—I really did. But how could I when I knew otherwise. I had years of proof and countless testaments to that very fact backing me up.

"You still don't believe me. I can see it in your eyes," he said making a frustrated sound. "I'll get you to believe me some day."

My heart fluttered manically at the mention of us and the future.

But that didn't change the fact that I doubted his words. We stared at one another, neither backing down from their side of the argument.

"Look, Bella," Edward said sweetly, breaking the stiff silence that hung around us. "If it really bothers you that much, I won't watch you until you're okay with it. I don't want you to do anything you're not comfortable with. Alright?" He said as I watched his eyes soften and then fill with want. He stared at me so intently, I felt the air around us crackle and pop, thick with the thrill of electricity, just like the first time we locked eyes.

I could feel my argument melt and drain away; suddenly extremely insignificant when he was looking at me that way.

"Thank you, Edward," I said feeling the fear of being watched ease with his promise, as I kept my eyes on his, soaking in the sizzling feeling that radiated my body from the combination of our eyes holding each other's, as our bodies were connected. I reached up, rubbing my hand against his cheek, watching his eyes close as he'd promised and then pulled his lips to mine, where they belonged. He began to move inside me again, keeping up the steady rhythm that drove me wild. It was only minutes later that I couldn't take it any longer and with Edward's promise of not watching me, I once again found I wanted to get on top. I lightly pushed my leg against Edward's hip. He readily took my cue as if we'd had this unspoken communication for years and rolled us over to his back, without breaking our connection or our kiss. When I pulled my lips from his to better move myself in the position, I peeked up at him and saw he was dutifully keeping his eyes closed, as he promised.

God he was gorgeous. He took my breath away and I found it difficult to look away.

My desire spiked and I began to move with more determination, experimenting with what felt best, as I watched him move his body with me. I felt a little guilty staring at him, when I'd just begged him not to watch me, so, I closed my eyes too, letting my body just feel.

As I got close, I peeked up at him again, checking. I found his eyes were still closed but became mesmerized by his beauty and movements, unable to look away from the sight of him beneath me.

"That's not fair," he said grabbing my hips and accentuating the word with a rough thrust that shot through me.

I gasped almost going over.

"I can feel your eyes on me, Bella," he said snapping his vivid green eyes open, expectantly.

"You're paranoid," I lied.

"You're a bad liar," he said with a mischievous smirk, not letting me go from his gaze and thrust beneath me again.

Oh God. My eyes fluttered shut and rolled to the back of my head as my neck arched and I moaned loudly.

"Gorgeous," he breathed, sounding awed.

Gathering my composure, I opened my eyes and looked back down at him, still breathing heavily. Edward snared me in his emerald eyes and didn't let me go. A thrill shot through me, finding instead of being self-conscious, I was completely turned on with the way he looked at me. And my heart practically burst, filling with feelings I had never before known.

I began to rock myself over him again, still wrapped in his eyes, feeling the sensation heighten and build until it was almost overwhelming.

My breathing became heavy and disjointed.

Edward's hands clasped my hips tightly, trying to still me again, but I was almost there and I couldn't stop. His eyes flashed in warning as I ignored his hands and I pressed on harder, pushing my body against his stilling hands, finding the resistance to only help me get there faster. As I moaned, Edward came. The sounds he made combined with sight of him coming undone, instantly pulled me over with him.

I threw my head back as I panted and moaned with the influx of pleasure I was drowning in, until I couldn't hold myself up any longer and collapsed onto Edward's chest, trying to slow my heavy breathing. I could feel his chest rise and fall, as his breath calmed with mine.

"Okay, I see your point," I said breathlessly, feeling the weight of sleep bearing down on me.

I felt the shake of his near-soundless laughter. "My point that you're absolutely beautiful, especially when you come?" he asked with a smile in his voice, sweetly stroking my hair, knowing that wasn't what I'd meant.

"No, you know what I mean," I rolled my eyes.

"I do," he promised with a chuckle, kissing the top of my head.

A few minutes later, after Edward dealt with the aftermath of our tryst, he crawled back into bed beside me, holding me tightly to him. This time, I gave into my tired body and sank into his arms, dropping quickly into unconsciousness.

I'm falling in love with you, Edward. The thought wisped through my mind on the cusp of sleep, as I lie blissfully snared up in his arms, ignoring my rational side snapping her fingers at me, telling me it was far too soon. Instead of heeding her warning, I snuggled myself against him, trying to get closer. Then, I quickly sank deeper under, watching the yellow-orange glow of the early morning fade from the back of my eyelids, as I gave into sleep.

XXXXX

The sun was beating down on me, making me too warm and uncomfortable when I woke again later in the day. It now shone bright orange—almost red—behind my lids. I felt well rested, but it felt like it was late in the day and I wondered how long I'd slept. I opened my eyes, seeing the sun glowing brightly through the white gossamer, covering the large window in the bedroom, as it fluttered with the cool air being blown from the heating and cooling unit beneath it.

As I attempted to blink the sleep away from my eyes, I felt a bare body pressed to mine and the weight of an arm draped over me. Edward's body. Edward's arm.

A huge smile grew on my face, so wide it almost hurt, from the joy that radiated through me. I could feel its warmth spread throughout my entire satiated body; it was so strong I thought I might burst from happiness.

I turned to face him; Edward stirred slightly with my movement, but didn't wake. And I was greeted with a full-on view of the angelic Greek god that was Edward, looking breathtaking, even in sleep. I lie there staring at him, letting my eyes caress every nuance of him that I could, trying to commit exactly how gloriously striking he was to memory—watching as his chest rose and fell in a peaceful succession.

God, he was beautiful. I didn't think I would ever get used to exactly how striking he was, no matter how much time he let me stay in his life.

Not wanting to wake him, I suppressed the nearly overpowering urge to run my hand along his naked body, to make sure I had every swell and dip of hard muscle memorized. So, I contented myself with watching him sleep, marveling at the fact that I was in Edward Cullen's arms. Not Anthony Cullen, the famous actor who everyone thought they knew. No. Edward Cullen; the guy who seemed to have a great friendship with his brother; the guy who used to be in a garage band when he was younger; the guy who played the piano and guitar with such skill it rapt your attention; the guy who wrote amazing pieces of music; the man who confused the hell out of me; the man who, despite his looks and success, seemed to not be too sure of himself; the man who wore a look of genuine fondness when talking about his family; the man who seemed protective of me and made me feel special; the man who made me want and feel more than I had ever thought possible; the amazing man I was falling in love with faster than a heartbeat. That was the glorious creature that I was somehow lucky enough to have lay before me.

I wanted to remain right where I was forever, but my body reminded me that I was human and could not. I slipped myself out from under his arm, as gently as I could, to go freshen up. But when I took his arm, set it down on the bed and let go, it shot out and quickly and wrapped back around me as fast as a sprung trap, causing me to jump and let out a squeal of surprise.

"Where do you think you're going?" Edward's said, his sleepy voice teased, muffled by the pillow. Then he pulled me tightly into him with a quick jerk, so I was again lying flush against his body and nuzzled my head in under his chin.

"Bathroom," I giggled with his playfulness and found that my entire body thrilled with his action and started to practically vibrate with want for him—warring with my bladder.

"Hmmm," he said as if in debate. "Alright, I guess I'll allow it, as long as you come right back to me," he said begrudgingly, humor and sleep both heavy in his voice. Then he kissed my head and unwound his arm from around me.

"Well, thank you very much for your permission," I replied teasingly, the smile evident in my voice.

Edward laughed sleepily, his eyes still closed, looking like he could fall back to sleep in an instant, as I slid off the bed and hopped to the bathroom.

I had planned to be quick and head straight back out to Edward's arms, where I wanted to be, but then I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My hair was something to the liking of a haystack, while my smudged and smeared eyes—from doing up my eyes and not washing my face before bed—made me look like a crack whore. I hoped fervently that I hadn't looked like this earlier, when Edward had had a very good, long look at me.

Hmmm. As cringe-worthy of a thought as that possibility was, I couldn't remember earlier that morning with anything but bliss—even if I had looked this disheveled.

I walked across the cool, warm-brown colored, tiled floor to the glass shower door and opened it to turn on the water. I jumped in surprise when the water started spouting out of several different directions. I looked up to find multiple showerheads spraying warm water down in the large shower, that I noted would have more than easily fit both Edward and me.

I was sorely tempted to invite him to join me, but thought better of it, when I caught my reflection in the mirror again. I needed to get this make-up off first. So, instead, I found a couple of fresh towels on a rack, next to a large, lush potted fern and stepped in to the shower solo. It felt like I was standing in a very warm, summer downpour—it was luxuriously fantastic. The quick shower I'd meant to take, wasn't quick at all, finding I didn't want to leave the most lavish shower imaginable, even after I'd run out of things to do. I just stood there for several minutes, simply enjoying the water wash over me from every angle, before I finally decided I needed to get out.

I stepped out to dry myself and found a heat lamp shining above me, warding off the familiar rush of chill that usually greeted me upon stepping out of a shower.

Ostentatious or not, multiple showerheads and heat lamps were things I instantly decided I would add to my wish list for the house I was saving up for when I moved out of my apartment. I wasn't a person who had to have lavish things, but right then, fresh out of the most amazing shower I could have ever imagined, I decided that those two, relatively small, nuances were so phenomenal they would be worth saving up for—even if it wouldn't happen for a very long time.

I sighed.

Someday—though the savings account didn't seem to budge much, except to maybe go down. It seemed as soon as I started to get the amount to go up, something would happen and I'd dip back into it. The Trip being one of those somethings, though I wouldn't trade this trip for any amount of the money I'd spent for it. Meeting Edward made it more than worth any gains I'd had towards the house I would have had if I'd not gone.

I wrapped a towel around my body and another around my head, wishing I would have had a toothbrush with me. Instead, I took a swig of mouthwash that was standing on the counter and swished it around, hoping it would be enough to stave off at least some of the morning breath.

It would have to do.

I opened the door from the bathroom, to find that the large bed that sat in the middle of bedroom was empty.

"Edward?" I called, but I heard no reply.

I padded through the bedroom and stepped into the living room.

"Edward?" I called, but all was still quiet.

I could feel my eyebrows furrow and my chest tighten with something close to panic, somehow suddenly fearing he'd been simply imagined, despite where I was. I turned to head back to the bedroom, unsure of where to go or what to do, when I saw my purse sitting on the entryway table. I walked over to it, realizing I didn't even know the time and should at least text Rose to let her know where I was and that I was okay. I opened my purse and pulled out my phone.

It was dead.

Stupid, crappy battery.

I chewed my lip and walked back to the bedroom, snagging my toe on the carpet, nearly falling as I went. I sat on the edge of the bed and tried a couple more times—in vain—to turn the phone on before huffily shoving it back in my purse, finally accepting that it wasn't going to turn on.

As I sat alone in Edward's hotel bedroom, reality started to set in and my mind started to race with doubt. Chagrin suddenly washed over me, as I unwrapped the towel around my head, letting my damp hair fall chaotically over my shoulders and down my back.

What had I just done?

I'd just slept with a guy after knowing him for, what, two days? What the hell was wrong with me? Edward could say anything he wanted to me now, but the truth was; I was just a girl on vacation that had practically jumped him to get him into the sack and he was an unattainable icon passing through my life.

I tried to remind myself that it hadn't felt like emotionless sex. That the things he'd said to me, the way he looked at me, the way he touched me, didn't feel empty and detached. But without him next to me, it began to feel hollow and hard to believe. He could have told me anything he thought I wanted to hear. Convincingly, I might add; he was an actor after all.

Edward isn't like that. A small voice in my head pointed out to me. I wanted to believe her, but what the hell did I know? I barely knew him; I had no idea of his morals and values.

And to make it worse, I knew I'd not heeded Rose's advice, I didn't keep my emotions in check. I knew already that I was quickly falling in love with him. Every fiber of my being felt like it was saturated with that knowledge.

I sighed.

What have I done? I lowered my head into my hands, as I felt the threat of tears sting my eyes. I was such an idiot.

"Hey, you okay, love?" Edward's velvety voice broke my circling self-doubt. I looked up at him and felt my body stand at attention, all my doubts melted away at seeing him smiling softly as he walked towards me, wearing faded blue jeans and a white, threadbare cotton t-shirt making it look like the sexiest thing ever made. I could feel his nearness causing my body to cast all my self-doubt aside, telling me it didn't care what his motives were, what mattered was that he was there with me, looking at me with those intense, heady green eyes that instantly shot to my core. Who cared about tomorrow or the next day, today I had Edward. I would worry about the rest later.

God I was pathetically weak when it came to Edward.

"Hey, yes I'm fine," I said back, unable to contain my smile his presence conjured up.

"Em just called, seems your friend got pretty concerned when she couldn't get a hold of you."

"Oh no," I groaned at the thought of worrying Rose. "My phone died," I explained stupidly pulling out my dead phone from my purse to back me up. "I should head over to my hotel," I said as I stood up from the edge of the bed I was perched on, my eyes immediately searching for my clothes from the night before.

"It's alright," he said, closing the distance between us, brushing a wet strand of hair from my face, causing my stomach to tighten in the most amazing way. "I told him you were here and that you were fine. But you should probably talk to her yourself. You can use my phone if you'd like," he offered holding out his cell.

"Thanks, but like most people, since I never actually dial the number, I have no idea what it is."

"Actually, it sounded like Em was with Rosalie in a car, on the way to your hotel. I'll just call him back so you can talk to her. It sounded like she was pretty worried, I'm sure she'll feel better after talking to you first-hand," he said already holding the phone up to his ear.

No arguing with that, I guess.

"Hey Em. You're with Rosalie, right? Can you put her on? ... No Em," he said sounding annoyed. "Jesus. No. ... You've got to be kidding me," he sighed, resigned, "Fine, I promise. Okay? Are you happy? Good. Now can you put her on so she can talk to Bella?" Edward said sounding exasperated but yet, I detected an edge of wry humor in his voice. Then he handed me the phone wearing a small smile and shaking his head at whatever his brother said to him; my fingers feeling the thrill of warmth as they brushed his.

I wanted him again. Right then.

"Bella?" Rose's voice came through on the other end, as I recovered from the newest jolt of want and watched Edward rake his hand through his hair.

Focus. Best to not look at him so I can speak coherently to Rose. I closed my eyes.

Better.

"Hey Rose, sorry I worried you, my phone is dead, but I'm just fine," I said meekly, feeling like I was in trouble, opening my eyes, but dutifully staring at only my lap, so as not to be distracted by my favorite drug.

"You scared the shit out of me," Rose said sternly, but not really pissed at me now that she knew I was okay.

"Sorry," I said again.

"Well I'm glad as fuck you're alright," she sighed. "So," she said, drawing out the O sound that made it thick with implications, changing her tone, "you stayed with Edward last night, did you?" I could hear the Cheshire cat grin in her voice.

I could hear Emmett make some kind of exclamation in the background I couldn't catch. The only words I caught were "Edward" and "spin." But I didn't ask, as I was pretty sure that I didn't want to know.

Rose chastised him, but I heard Emmett whisper something into her ear that made her giggle. I sat there listening to their play, uncomfortable even at a distance. Then she realized she was still waiting for a reply to her question and prompted me to answer.

"Er. Yeah, I did," I admitted, blushing fire engine red.

"Isabella Marie Swan," she said with a grin in her voice, ruining her run of trying to act appalled, "are you telling me you finally did something reckless and impulsive for once in your life?! How was it?"

"So are you're heading back to our hotel room?" I asked dodging the question by trying to change the subject.

"Fine, don't answer me right now, but you know that you can't avoid my questions forever. Yes, I'm in a car on the way to our hotel to look for you. But you're not there, apparently," she said, a smile still coloring her tone. "Stop it," she laughed. "Emmett, I'm trying to talk on the damn phone!"

I was extremely grateful I was not in the car with them.

"I'll meet you there in a little bit, okay?" I said eager to be relieved from having to listen to the two of them play around.

Rose laughed again, weightlessly reprimanding Emmett one more time before speaking to me again. "Fine. Oh. Also, we can talk about it when you get to the hotel, but know that after we're done with whatever last touristy stuff we want to do today, I'm going to stay with Emmett again. So you might want to talk to Edward about shacking up with him again."

"Good-bye Rose," I said hanging up to what sounded like Emmett impersonating a grizzly bear and Rose's squealing laughter.

I looked away from my lap now that I didn't need to think straight and happily welcomed being pulled under Edward's spell, but found that Edward wasn't in the room any longer and heard the sound of music floating in the air.

I stood up and padded out of the bedroom to find him; the music, drawing me to where Edward sat, playing on the guitar. I recognized it immediately; it was the incomplete piece he'd played for me the night before. I noticed that it already sounded stronger, more solidified and complete than it had last night. And I liked the sound of the notes being strummed on the guitar.

Edward began to hum and softly sing along to the music, as he looked down at his guitar, deep into his song, not seeming to notice his audience. I couldn't hear most of the words—he sang them too softly for me to catch much—but the notes carried from his voice, in tandem with the guitar, made a powerful combination. I was simply awestruck by the talented, sexy man who sat before me.

It wasn't long before Edward looked up, sensing being watched and flashed me my favorite crooked smile that made my heart lurch and gallop.

"Everything alright?" he asked continuing to play seamlessly.

"Yeah, I told her I'd meet her back at our hotel in a little bit," I said setting his cell phone down on the coffee table, but unable to help myself, I added, "It sounds like the song has grown since last night."

He laughed lightly. "Yeah, it's coming together. I couldn't get it out of my head. It kept me up last night, so I played around with the song for a few hours until I could barely keep my eyes open, jumped in the shower and then joined you in bed.

"It's really beautiful, Edward. I hope to hear it all when you have it done," I admitted.

"You have my word," he promised as stopped playing and set the guitar down. "You have to be famished, I know I am. I was going to either order something up or make some breakfast for lunch. Which do you prefer?"

"I'm fine, you don't have to go through the trouble," I insisted.

"It's no trouble at all, Bella," he insisted.

I tried insisting I could feed myself when I got back to my hotel. I even refused to tell him what I wanted to eat, thinking he would just let it go and let me fend for myself, but all that accomplished was it prompted him to order practically an entire menu of food. I got angry and stomped off to the bedroom to get dressed, after hearing all the food Edward was ordering for just the two of us. But I couldn't even be properly mad at him. His triumphant smile and free laughter of his success was so endearing, I found myself wanting to rip his clothes off instead of being angry.

After the mountain of food was delivered and I begrudgingly ate with him, we both finally admitted that I had to go back to my hotel.

Edward called down to arrange for the car, we left the hotel room and descended the floors in the same elevator as the night before. As soon as we left the room, I noticed that Edward maintained a small distance from me, which honestly wounded me a bit because I didn't understand why. But at least he didn't look angry like he had on the ride up the night before.

A different man was keeping post in the lavish elevator waiting area and greeted us with a cheerful, "Mr. Cullen, Miss," as he held open the door for us.

We got into the waiting car and the moment the door closed, Edward pulled me snugly against him, sitting with his arms around me. I sighed contently. But even in Edward's arms, I couldn't chase off the feeling of a dream being dispelled and disintegrating the further we got from his hotel room. That combined with the fact that I knew I was leaving for home the next day, made me sit somberly as I watched the city pass by from the darkened car window.

"How much longer are you here for?" Edward asked, breaking the silence and pulling me from my sober reverie, when we were almost to my hotel.

"I fly out tomorrow afternoon," I said unable to mask my sadness about that fact, still staring out the window.

Silence sat between us for a minute; my words hanging in the air.

"I know it's probably a long-shot, because I'm sure you have something planned with your friend, but is there any chance I could I see you again before you leave? Sometime tonight?" he asked.

I felt my mood soar up and I turned to look at him.

"Yes."

"Yes?" he asked sounding happily surprised, his emerald eyes danced.

"Absolutely, I would love that," I said, blushing and grinning like an idiot.

The car arrived at my hotel and Edward's lips tenderly met mine for too brief a moment. Then he pulled back, kissed the tip of my nose and promised me we would see one another later that night. I reluctantly exited the car and strode into my hotel wishing for tonight to come quickly and tomorrow to not come at all.

AN: As always, thanks to MC for betaing this story and for being the biggest cheerleader for it.

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