AN: To borrow Edward's phraseology, this chapter has nearly been the death of me. I had to use Edward's Uploading Solution, which, if you are unfamiliar, is on my list of Favorite Stories, to get this online. The frustration I have felt is somewhat akin to Bella's. So let's see if she finally gets to have her lemon cake and eat it too, or if Edward remains the ever-virtuous stud we all know and want to shake some sense into. Dessert is on the way, so fortify yourself with cookies and start reading. It's still Friday night and they recently returned from a fun trip to the Necessary Room. Things forbidden have a secret charm…
Chapter 15: Tempt Not a Desperate Man
A slim elfin woman dressed in black with a thick mane of burnished auburn hair tucked up under a chef's cap came out of the swinging kitchen doors. This was the fabled Margaret. She headed for our table, carrying a tray filled with delectable desserts.
Her voice was a seductive purr as she said, "Sally told me where you two were sitting and I had to come out to meet the fantastic pianist. You should know everyone in the kitchen was really enjoying your playing. Would you like to play here full time?" she offered.
Edward smiled and said, "You are too kind. You have a wonderful old instrument in there, I'm sure it makes everyone sound better than they really are."
"Oh no, it doesn't," she laughed musically. "You wouldn't believe some of the stuff we hear. But you were a real treat. Do you play professionally?"
Edward shook his head 'no.' Her eyes looked in my direction and she said, "Just for your sweetheart?"
I smiled and nodded and she continued, "Well, please urge him to play another tune after dinner. Listening to him play is a true pleasure." Then she said, "May I offer you a little indulgence tonight?" She set the dessert tray on the table.
She was clearly making the offer to me, which delighted me, as most women usually paid attention to Edward and totally ignored me.
"They all look so delicious I don't know which one to choose." I was practically drooling.
"You don't have to choose, dear, they're all for you," she said as she slid the tray in front of me. I looked down at a mouthwatering display of crème brûlée, ice cream covered with raspberry sauce, blackberry cobbler, a variety of cookies, and a slice of some sort of deep, dark chocolate cake. They all looked equally tempting.
"I couldn't possibly eat all those," I protested. "Although it might be fun to try."
"Just taste whatever you like and let me know if you find a favorite," she smiled warmly.
"You're just as wonderful as I've heard you were," I blurted out, overcome by her generosity of spirit.
She looked surprised as she said, "Just what have you heard about me?"
I looked to Edward, but he merely nodded, so I said, "Well, I heard about how you bought the Lodge from Manka and took care of her here until she died."
"Very few people know that, and it happened almost 20 years ago – you couldn't have been more than a baby. How do you know about that?" she demanded suspiciously.
Edward spoke now, saying, "My father told us. He's a physician, his name is Carlisle Cullen."
Margaret expression immediately softened as she turned to look at Edward. "I thought you looked familiar somehow. Is your father still practicing?"
"He's semi-retired," Edward lied smoothly.
"He had a superb grasp of medicine, despite being so young, and a wonderful bedside manner," Margaret affirmed with a purr in her voice.
My eyes widened involuntarily and I briefly wondered what Esme would think about this sultry woman talking about Carlisle like that.
"He just happened to be staying here during Manka's last week, and it was a blessing to have another doctor around. She had her good days and her bad days, and she got confused towards the end. She kept trying to tell me she knew Dr. Cullen from when she first opened the Lodge, back in the Twenties." She smiled enigmatically. "Whatever the reason… he was a great comfort to her during her final days. A great comfort."
"As were you, according to my father," Edward said. "He speaks very highly of you."
"Please extend my invitation to him to come back to the Lodge." Margaret directed her gaze towards Edward and looked at him intently. "It doesn't matter how many years have passed, I would love to see him again," she said sincerely. "And if there is anything special we can do for you, please let us know, it would be our pleasure."
"We're already having a wonderful time," I interjected.
She noticed the ring sparkling on my finger in the candlelight and asked, "Is this a trip to celebrate your engagement?"
"Yes," Edward quickly replied. "My father gave this place a very high recommendation and thought it would be a perfect retreat for us, to take a break from the wedding planning." All this was news to me, if it was true. It made sense; maybe that is how we ended up here.
"We have a special property with its own dock on Tomales Bay, called the Boathouse. We do a few weddings every year, and it so happens that we are hosting one there on Sunday at two. Please feel free to stop by for either the ceremony or the reception. There will be about 80 people, which is just the right number if two more want to join in the fun. The bride and groom have been coming here for about ten years, and I know they won't mind if an engaged couple wanted to see them get married in this unique setting. It might give you some ideas for your special day."
"Thank you for the invitation. If we don't have plans we would be delighted to look in." Edward could be so charming, and he truly seemed to be enjoying this conversation with Margaret. I was too, between bites of the delectable desserts.
"What room are you two in?" she inquired.
"Manka's Cabin," Edward answered quickly.
"Then you're already in our best accommodation. Can I send a bottle of champagne to the cabin for your nightcap?" she cheerfully offered.
"Thank you, but no, that's very gracious of you, but neither of us drinks," Edward explained.
"You young people today – so conservative. You're on vacation, live a little. If you change you mind, just let me know. We can run a bottle to the Cabin at any time of the day or night," she encouraged.
"After all the dessert Bella has had I don't think she has room for another drop of anything this evening," Edward pointed out, an amused expression on his beautiful face.
It was true. I had plowed my way through three of the five servings but had finally put down my spoon, showing a bit of restraint. I couldn't resist the crème brûlée, warm blackberry cobbler and ice cream. I smiled weakly. "They were all delicious."
Margaret had a huge smile on her face as she picked up the tray and said, "I'll wrap what's left and you can take it back to the cabin in case you get hungry in the middle of the night." With that she disappeared back into the kitchen.
"Wow, she really is something," I marveled.
Edward nodded in agreement and said, "As warm as she is, she has a very elusive quality, too. She's like a wisp of smoke that you can see, but can't quite capture in your hands. Very unusual; and to take care of Manka at the end like she was family, and at no charge, that's rare. She's very special."
"This whole place is very special," I said, smiling at him. "Whatever the reason, I'm so glad you brought me here." Although this trip was supposed to be for him, he was making it all about me.
I could hardly complain though; he seemed to be having a good time and I couldn't remember when I had last seen him so relaxed. I wondered if it was because he didn't have to face Charlie glowering at him. I loved Charlie, but his disapproval was still abundantly clear every time he looked at Edward. And poor Edward had to hear Charlie's thoughts, too, which he usually refused to relay to me. I knew they must be bad, and I wondered if they involved Charlie's service revolver. Ineffective on Edward, but troublesome all the same.
"It's totally my pleasure to see you so happy," Edward's topaz eyes were shining with joy.
Could this night get any better?
At that moment our waiter Derrick reappeared carrying a paper box filled with my desserts. "Margaret noticed you liked the blackberry cobbler, so she tucked an extra one in here with the chocolate cake. That should get you through the night; and the cookies are great with coffee in the morning, too," he giggled as he left our table.
Edward rolled his eyes. "I don't know where you put it all – you're a tiny girl. It is a total mystery to me," he marveled.
"I only have a big appetite when you're around. When you're gone I have to force myself to eat anything," I reminded him.
We were almost the last couple left in the dining room when Derrick approached our table again, bearing a small silver tray with two long-handled spoons. In the bowl of the spoons was an egg-shaped mound of what looked like chocolate butter.
"This is our final indulgence of the evening," Derrick explained. "Chocolate ganache."
When he noticed the confusion on my face he explained, "Ganache is just French for 'mess.' The story goes that a kitchen underling accidentally spilled some hot cream into a pot of chocolate and this is the mess that resulted."
Edward and I both picked up a spoon and while I tasted mine he said, "Thank you, Derrick. You've made a wonderful dinner even more enjoyable," and a blushing Derrick returned to the kitchen.
"Did you see his face?" I asked Edward, as I continued licking my spoon.
"Yes, he's on his way to the kitchen to tell Bradley what a cute couple we are. Sally has already told them she couldn't remember when she saw two people more in love, and they all had a peek at us when I was playing the piano," Edward smiled his crooked smile, seemingly unperturbed by all the attention we were attracting.
"Well, I've never felt more free to express how much I love you," I said, feeling a flush spreading across my cheeks. "But I've had it straight from Alice that part of being a Cullen is being meticulously responsible. I thought we were supposed to keep a low profile in general."
"You're not quite a Cullen yet, so you get a break. We're not supposed to attract undue attention, but this place is special; they're very discreet. A lot of people honeymoon here, and they will only remember us as that charming, young romantic couple. The beautiful girl with the long brown hair and the lucky guy who couldn't take his eyes off her," he finished, gazing at me with such intensity in his sparkling ochre eyes that I blushed again.
"I think you may have that backwards. I think they'll remember the handsome guy and the girl who couldn't take her eyes off of him," I teased.
"If you keep blushing like that I'm going to have more than my eyes on you," he whispered.
"Promise?" I tempted.
He smiled and offered me his chocolate spoon, saying, "Do you want this one, too?"
"Sure, it's delicious," I giggled, slightly embarrassed, but not enough to stop eating the most enticing chocolate 'mess' I'd ever tasted.
"Margaret is really wanting me to play the piano again," he said with a smile in his eyes. "She has a very interesting mind; she loves being an innkeeper, but she has a somewhat unique view of the job. She would like everyone to leave here stuffed like a Christmas goose with all the delicacies she and Chef Daniel prepare. She was thrilled to see you eating so many of the desserts she made. So was I, for that matter."
"I can't believe I ate all that, but it was so amazing I couldn't stop. I've never tasted those flavors before; even this chocolate is unique," I enthused.
"Margaret truly enjoyed watching you eat. She was thinking about how much joy she derived by playing a part in the discovery of what it feels like to be sensually swept away by food. She's very romantic. She likes to feed people and then imagine them going back to their cabins and…" he stopped speaking, and if he could blush I think he would have.
"And then what?" I prodded.
"Well, let's just say she imagines them consummating their relationship, so to speak. She wants the whole world to be well fed and in love," he concluded.
"That sounds like a noble aim to me," I concurred. "I'm willing to go back to the cabin and do my part to make her dreams come true, how about you?" I giggled again, licking the last of the chocolate off of his spoon.
"If I wasn't sure that was only grape juice you were drinking I would think you were drunk, Bella," he said with mock seriousness, reaching into his pocket.
Edward placed a 100 bill on the table next to the candle and came around to help me out of the booth.
"Will that cover dinner?" I asked doubtfully, looking at the price on the menu card as I slipped it into my purse.
"No, Bella, that's just the tip. The price of the dinner is being put on our bill, which will be paid when we check out on Sunday," he explained.
"Oh, I see," I said as we walked passed Louie, stretched out in front of the fireplace in the parlor. As we approached he didn't move an inch, but his tail started wagging. "Edward, I think he really likes you."
"He should, I fed him a side of venison, some crab and a whole duck breast. We'll be lucky if we don't find him waiting for us in the car on Sunday," he said dryly.
We were walking past the piano on our way out of the parlor and I said, "How about playing one more song?"
"Would you like me to?" he asked, stoking my neck with his long, cool fingers.
"Sure, sure, let's make Margaret happy," I replied with a smile.
He rolled his eyes, but sat down at the piano and pulled me down to sit on the bench next to him.
Then the stillness of the night was shattered by the crashing of the opening chords of the Rolling Stones' Let's Spend the Night Together.
I had never heard Edward play so raucously or with such abandon. The raw energy was palpable and the driving bass chords were making me vibrate on the bench next to him.
All of a sudden the door to the kitchen swung open and Margaret came out dancing, with her arms above her head. In the dim candlelight with her slim frame and black cap she reminded me of Alice as she danced around, giving Edward the 'thumbs up' sign.
The kitchen door swung open again, and Chef Daniel reached an arm out, grabbed Margaret around the waist and deftly pulled her back into the kitchen.
The way she vanished behind the door so quickly made Edward and I laugh and he played the provocative chorus one last time, singing to me, "let's spend the night together, now I need you more than ever, let's spend the night together now," ending with a tremendous crashing of chords. We heard a distant round of applause from behind the kitchen doors.
I had never seen Edward in rock and roll mode, and it was startling. He would have made a tremendous rock star, encouraging Mick Jagger into an early retirement. I was beginning to feel like a groupie.
He looked at my adoring face and smiled, saying as if by explanation, "Emmett is a big Stones fan."
He stood up and took my hand, pulling me off the bench. "Do you want to have another dessert before we head back to the cabin? It's a long trip and you might need the nourishment…"
I rolled my eyes and he took that opportunity to sweep me off my feet and slip out the front door and down the path under an almost full moon. I put my arms around his neck and before I knew it, we were back at our cabin.
"This has been the most wonderful day, just spending time alone with you," I said emphatically as he set me down in front of the fireplace.
I looked around and noticed that someone had come in and put more logs on the fire so that the room was toasty and had a wonderful hickory aroma. On the dining table sat a large thermos with a handwritten note that said: Hot chocolate for a nightcap, or to enjoy in bed in the morning.
The bed covers had been turned down to reveal a luxurious down feather bed and there were plump handmade marshmallows on the pillow. It was like the Lodge was staffed by elves; good-looking elves.
Edward chuckled as he set my dessert box down on the dining table. Then he walked back to where I was standing by the fire. Although his eyes were still amber, they looked hungry. Of course he hadn't just devoured one of the most rare and delicious meals cooked by two of the top chefs in the United States. I was full but not uncomfortably so, amazingly.
It was only the first day of our special weekend and Edward had already outdone himself. He was so attentive and so determined to expand my human experiences while I still had time. Of course there was one human experience we couldn't agree on, but judging by the look on his face he might be rethinking his position. I decided to find out, but this time I would use a little reverse psychology.
I carefully walked over to the bookcase and ran my hand along the spines of the leatherbound volumes. "I'm not really tired. I think I'll choose a book to read by the fire for a bit. Care to make a recommendation?"
Suddenly I was being spun around to face him. He had his hands on my shoulders and was looking in my eyes. Smoldering. I gasped. Ooh, this was going to be interesting. If I could maintain consciousness and respiration.
"If you are not tired, perhaps there's something else we could do besides read," he suggested, slowly sliding one hand down my side and resting it on my hip.
Heart pounding, I was already fighting hard to breathe and find my voice. He was so damned irresistible. But I couldn't seem too eager. Maybe this time if I made it seem like it was his idea he would go further than usual. I could try, anyway.
"Reading is one of my favorite pastimes," I managed to murmur as my pulse quickened, the rush of blood pounding in my ears. I didn't think I could keep resisting for much longer.
He instantly released me and took a step backwards. Oh crap, I had gone too far. I reached out and laid my hand on his arm, taking a step toward him. "But I'm willing to explore other options, if you have a better idea," I said as sweetly as I could.
Instantly his arms were around me and his lips were on my shoulder, trailing kisses up my neck, and when he got to my ear he whispered, "I can think of several things I would like to do with you."
I blushed furiously. He had to be able to feel the heat rising from my chest to my face. He moved his lips back down to my throat. This was such exquisite torture. The tension was starting to make me squirm in spite of my desire to remain still and not spoil the moment.
He swiftly brought his lips up to mine and began kissing me gently, pressing his body against mine until I felt the bookcase behind me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and ran my fingers through his soft bronze hair.
I felt such a wave of love for him sweep over me. He proved his love for me every moment he was with me, for it would be so easy for him to slip and end my life. The care and tenderness he showed me filled my heart. I thought of how long he had been alone, and how I wanted so badly to ease the pain he had suffered.
When we were together like this I could tell he felt joy. I was feeling it in every cell of my body. Joy mixed with longing for more. Always more where Edward was concerned. I didn't think I would ever be able to get enough of him, but this was a good start.
He dropped one arm to my waist, holding me closer to him, and with his other arm he reached up and took my hand from his neck and held it over my head, against the wall, pressing even closer to me. A shudder shook my frame; I wasn't sure if it originated within him or me.
He parted his lips and I inhaled his sweet breath, sweeter than any wine I could ever taste, and much more intoxicating. My head was spinning and my knees were so weak, it was a good thing he had such a tight hold on me or I would have been in a puddle on the floor.
He moved his lips across my face and down my neck again, giving me a chance to take some oxygen into my lungs. This was turning out even better than I had hoped.
He let go of my hand and I reached for his face, bringing it up so I could look into his eyes. They were bright and excited, blazing like pure fire. I felt his passion igniting in me. I pressed my lips against his greedily and he reached down and brought my right leg up around his hip. He was kissing me roughly now, with more urgency, and I felt like my heart would burst.
His kiss left me breathless and he pulled back slightly. But his mouth was ghosting over mine as he said "You have witchcraft in your lips." Then I felt his icy tongue trace the contours of my lips before he kissed me again.
I could feel his hand caressing my leg and it sent shivers down my spine and I felt like I was on fire at the same time. I wanted to feel his hands all over my body. I put my arm around his neck again and pulled him even closer to me. When he finally took his lips away from mine we both gasped but didn't move. I took a deep breath, unable to think clearly. I just knew this was the best ever.
"Still want to find something to read?" he asked slyly.
Read? My eyes could barely focus. "No," I admitted, my fingertips massaging the back of his neck.
He let go of my leg but immediately reached around and picked me up in his arms and carried me to the sofa. He sat down, holding me in his lap. I wasn't ready to stop, though, and I pulled his face toward mine again, ready for another kiss.
"Don't you think we should slow down, Bella?" He didn't sound totally convinced.
Was he serious? Did he really think I was going to say, 'sure, let's slow down?' I was just getting started. Slow down? If anything, I wanted to speed up. I was ready to rip his clothes off. And mine.
I suddenly realized I was wearing very little under this dress. It was constructed so that I didn't have to wear a bra. This could work in my favor, if I could just figure out how. But I wasn't thinking clearly. I still had his face in my hands, just inches away from my lips. His breath was the best thing I ever smelled. I inhaled deeply.
"I'm not tired," was the best I could force my overwhelmed mind to come up with. Thinking I needed to start somewhere, I kicked off my ballet slippers and we both heard them hit the floor with a thud. I felt as if I was about to be devoured by his intense gaze. The fire cracked and hissed as I felt the electricity buzz between us.
I slid my left hand down his chest and under the hem of his sweater, hoping to find skin, but instead discovered he was wearing a tee shirt. What was he thinking, dressing in layers?
I wondered if pouting would help in this situation. I pushed my lower lip out and looked at him from under my lashes.
He looked like he was debating with himself. "You are trouble," he said softly.
"That's right. I'm your biggest nightmare," I confirmed, deciding to go for it. I kissed him then, right on his cold, hard lips that seemed warm and soft to me. I traced his lips with my tongue and I heard a small moan escape those delicious lips.
I almost expected him to dump me on the sofa and retreat to the other side of the room but he surprised me again. He didn't object. In fact, he leaned into me and then I felt his hand on my knee. It sent a jolt through me, and my flesh where he touched me felt like it was burning. But it felt so good. His cool fingertips traveled under the hem of my skirt toward my thigh shooting cold, fiery sparks throughout my body. I arched my back and pressed against him. My need for him was more intense than ever.
I parted my lips slightly and brushed my tongue over his top lip. I wanted entrance but it was denied, for now. A moan escaped my lips and Edward moved his mouth to my neck.
I caught my breath in air that was drenched in his scent, and was ready to resume where we left off when he suddenly sat up and wrapped both arms around my back, pulling me to him, resting his head on my chest, inhaling deeply. A minute passed and he didn't move. He was listening to my heartbeat as it calmed down from a frantic thudding.
"I love you so much. Don't stop," I pleaded softly. Things had been going so well. I felt he needed some encouragement.
"I love you, too. That's why I am stopping," he said, his voice husky.
I groaned, knowing I had lost the battle. "You are so unfair."
He raised his head and gazed into my eyes. He was totally in control now and I felt I was drowning in a lovely sea of butterscotch.
"I am willing to listen to your arguments," he said reasonably.
"I don't want to argue. I want to do the exact opposite," I said with a sigh.
"Oh, not talk at all?"
"Are you trying to make me mad or does it just come naturally?"
His eyes suddenly held a new twinkle in their golden depths and he looked as if he were trying to suppress a smile. The corners of his mouth were turned up despite his best efforts. What was going on with him? He couldn't be happy about my scolding.
"What's so funny, Edward?"
"Nothing." Now he looked guilty.
I narrowed my eyes. He would tell me. "Explain yourself. Now."
He smiled then, and looked away. "It's just that I've never heard you say those particular words in that order, and I found it a bit suggestive," he admitted.
"What are you talking about?" I thought back over what I had just said and didn't see anything the least bit suggestive. Are you trying to make me mad or does it just… oh.
Despite my best effort I could feel my cheeks burning.
"Edward, really. You're not quite the prude Emmett thinks you are, are you?"
"Have you been discussing me with Emmett?"
"Oh, you're pretty much the number one topic of conversation at your house, didn't you know?" I thought he deserved some teasing.
He sighed. "What did Emmett say exactly?"
"I don't want to repeat it; but the gist of it was that he and Jasper have a bet about how long I'm going to remain "unspoiled" following our wedding. Emmett seems to think my untouched state is going to last for a long time."
"Emmett is an animal," he said matter-of-factly. "What does Jasper think?"
"He thinks you will crack; he says you won't be able to wait until the wedding night. I'm with Jasper on this one."
Edward threw his head back and laughed. "You will be the death of me," he managed to gasp.
No, it's going to be the other way around, if I have my way, I thought with satisfaction; but I didn't think he could take that much teasing so I kept my thoughts to myself and remained silent. I loved hearing him laugh like that and vowed to do whatever I could this weekend to make him happy. If he would let me. We had just gone a lot further than usual before he reached his limit, so I would have to take comfort in that.
"You are so lovely, Bella, but aren't you tired yet?" He sounded hopeful.
"I'm tired of being teased." I was afraid our romantic interlude was over, for now; but the night was still young and I wasn't about to miss an opportunity like this one. "Do you think Alice packed my tee shirt and sweats?"
"Right; I'm sure she didn't spend any time shopping for new sleepwear; that wouldn't have been any fun for her at all," he said, suppressing a chuckle.
"Frankly, I'm scared to see what she's come up with for me to wear to bed," I admitted. "Did you bring pajamas?"
"Yes, she insisted I bring a pair of silk ones. I'm just going to wear the bottoms, though. So you can wear the top if you want," he generously offered.
"Thanks," I said, already picturing Edward with no shirt and sending grateful vibes to Alice for 'just the bottoms.'
"Do you want to take a bubble bath or test drive that outdoor shower first?" he asked with a hint of a smile.
If you enjoyed reading about dessert, how about leaving me some sugar by clicking on that button on the left and writing a review (do you think Bella is going to choose bath or shower? Do you think Edward will join her?). Or choose the Story Alert option so you get an email next time I post a chapter. And thanks to everyone who has added this to their list of Favorite Stories... that's so cool!
AN: My beta, not done bakingis above the price of rubies. And go hit that link on my Profile page to see pictures of the dining room at Manka's Lodge, the cabin, and surroundings. It's magical.