Pineapple F*ck-Me-Up
2 oz Bacardi® 151 rum
3/4 oz pineapple juice
1 splash triple sec
Pour Bacardi 151 into a cocktail glass. Add pineapple juice, a splash of triple sec, and serve.
Chapter 13: Part 2
Fall for Him
Pound…Pound…Pound…Pound
"Hey Cullen – you lazy son of a gun. Open this door. Unless you're not alone."
Edward started to rustle in his bed. He swore he heard someone banging on a door.
"Cullen! Open up."
Shit, it's Jazz. Throwing back the covers, he put a leg into his jeans as he wobbled towards the shouting.
"What the fuck, Jazz? Give me a minute," Edward yelled back.
Finally reaching the door, he yanked it open to discover a fully rested, dressed and groomed cowboy.
"Howdy, Edward." Jazz was leaning against the door, hat in hand and boots on his feet with a smile as big as Texas.
"Well, if it isn't little Ms. Fucking Sunshine. I thought I said 11:00 a.m. What the hell are you doing here this early?" Edward moved out of Jazz's way as he walked into the hotel room.
"Hey, I'm still on D.C. time. It's one o'clock there, lazy ass." Jazz opened the curtains and Edward shielded his eyes. "I've been trying to reach you on your cell. Is it turned off?"
Edward found his cell phone and checked it. "It's set on vibrate for some reason."
"Good thing, TAT, didn't try to call you. She would've chewed your ass out."
"Whatever, Jazz. Why don't you make yourself useful and make me some coffee. Or better yet, call room service and order a pot along with some grub. I'm hopping in the shower."
Edward quickly showered and wrapped a towel around his midsection as he walked out of the bathroom. He heard a knock at his door as he walked passed it and opened it wide thinking that room service had arrived with their breakfast. But standing before him was a wide-eyed and shocked Bella.
"God, Ed... Mr. Cullen. Heck, I'm sorry… I, um… I had a question and tried to call you, but I didn't get an answer. I thought, well…" Bella blushed and tried to look away but his abs, and what was poking against his low slung towel, seemed to have a magnetic pull.
"Come in. I was expecting room service, so you'll have to excuse the towel." Edward enjoyed watching her fidget. He could see the effect that he was having on her. "I'll just go back into the bathroom and throw on some pants." Edward pulled the towel tighter against his midsection.
"I can wait in the hallway." Bella tried to peel her eyes away from the long and wide bulge covered by the thin white towel, but it was very difficult. Finally, she tore her eyes away and turned a soft blush of red.
"No, please come in, Ms. Swan. But I would like a penny for your thoughts." Edward spoke directly to Bella, not moving an inch away from her. He wished that he knew what she was thinking. Her closed mind drove him crazy.
Neither one of them noticed Jasper walking toward them. "Hate to break up this powwow but we have things to do today, and watching you dripping wet in a towel isn't one of them." Jasper motioned for Edward to return to the bathroom. "Clothes will be needed, so put some damn pants on."
"Hi, Jasper. Nice to meet you in person." Bella chuckled and held out her hand for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you too, Bella." Jasper placed his hand out and returned Bella's gesture. "You don't know how much I've wanted to meet you. Since Edward is in the bathroom, we can talk openly."
Jasper leaned into Bella and whispered close to her ear. "I've never seen anyone else get Edward worked up like you do. Do you have any idea what I'm talking about?"
"Well, I don't think he's heard the word no enough." Bella laughed as she saw a smile break out across Jasper's face.
"Damn, you're one feisty gal. Just what that old cuss needs, too." Jasper guided Bella toward the sitting area of the room. "Let's have a seat while Mr. Pretty gets ready."
When Edward finished in the bathroom, he was surprised to find Bella and Jasper laughing like old friends. Even though he hated invading Jasper's privacy, he wanted to know what they were discussing and sought out his thoughts.
When Jasper looked his way, he knew that Edward was listening. Hey buddy. I knew this girl was special, but man does she have that "it" thing. No wonder you've been pulling your hair out. Beautiful, poised and smart as a whip. She's really got you pegged too.
Edward didn't know how to respond to Jasper's comments. Bella still didn't know about his mind reading though it was becoming more likely that he would need to tell her the truth. However, Edward couldn't carry on a one-sided conversation without raising Bella's suspicions and he just wasn't ready to let her know yet.
"You two sure hit it off quickly." Edward spoke to Bella and Jazz as he made his way to the coffee on the conference table. "I'd love to know what you've been talking about but I can probably guess."
"Cullen, not every conversation revolves around you." Jasper rose off the couch to refill Bella's coffee. "We were just discussing why Bella chose the FBI. Do you even know?"
"As a matter of fact, we discussed it last night. Didn't we, Ms. Swan?" Edward turned to Bella and saw her amused expression.
"Actually, we did have some good discussions last night." Bella blushed as she took the full coffee cup from Jasper. "Well, I better get my suitcase packed and ready. Are we still meeting at eleven?"
"Yes, we'll meet in the lobby at eleven." Edward followed Bella as she walked towards the door.
"Okay, I'll meet you two there." Bella froze as she felt Edward's hand on the small of her back.
How could such an innocent touch spark these feelings in me? She turned quickly turned to face Edward and found her face inches from his.
Edward bent forward to open the door for Bella and quietly whispered in her ear.
"You look lovely today, Ms. Swan." Edward heard Bella gasp at his soft words. He couldn't help the wicked grin that crossed his lips.
Though slightly dazed, Bella made it back to her room and collapsed on her bed.
"Damn him!" Bella felt the emotional wall she had built between her and Edward crumbling. She couldn't deny her feelings or her body any more. She wanted him, completely.
What the hell am I going to do? I just can't stop this reaction to him. It's killing me.
Bella needed to discuss her feelings with someone. So she pulled her phone out of her purse and prayed that Rose would answer.
"Hey, Bella. How the hell are you?"
"Oh, Rose, I'm not doing so well. Do you have a minute?"
"Sure, Bella. I'm with my study group at Starbucks. Let me step outside for some privacy."
"Thanks, Rose." Bella felt bad interrupting Rose's study time, but she was desperate to talk with her.
"Okay, Bella. I don't like the sound of your voice. What's up?"
"It's about my boss, Agent Cullen."
"Why am I not surprised."
"Things have been different with him lately, Rose. I'm not sure how to explain it." Bella stopped to collect her thoughts.
"I knew that something would happen with him. He really had the hots for you when you were in D.C. I'll never forget how he went all caveman on Jacob."
"But I'm seeing a different side of him now. He still has that cocky attitude, but he's also been sweet to me. Even respectful."
"Sweet and respectful?" Rose couldn't believe what she was hearing. "I think I'll need more details."
"Well, he's kissed me several times." Bella paused. "And I kissed him back."
"Bella, are you're falling for this guy? You just broke up with Jacob, so maybe it's just a rebound thing with him." Rose was surprised by Bella's admission. "I'm still waiting to hear the sweet and respectful part."
"He's had opportunities to do more than kiss me and he stopped." Bella heard Rose quietly hum in surprise. "Last night, he walked away when I kissed him back… hard. He turned on his heels and headed back to his room."
"Wow, Bella. What have you done to this guy?"
"I don't know what's going on. I just know that I feel something different with him and I've never felt it before."
"It's called lust." Rose laughed before she continued. "Welcome to the real world, Bella. He may be playing coy with you now, but I'm pretty sure he'd be happy to have you in his bed."
"And I think I might like to be in his bed, too." Bella whispered the last part as she half hoped that Rose might not hear her words.
"Why don't you just go with your feelings for once in your life? Live a little. Have some fun." Rose was relieved that Bella finally had some passion flowing through her veins
"I don't know, Rose. He'll probably just take what I give him and then move on to his next conquest."
"I wouldn't be so sure. He's not the kind of man that quits kissing and walks away." Rose wondered if Edward was falling for Bella. "He's used to taking and possessing."
"One more thing, he's my boss. How do I get past that?" Bella asked.
"I'm not the person to answer that question. After all, I'm happily sleeping with my law professor." Rose giggled.
"So what do you think I should do?"
"I love you, Bella, but it's time you loosened up a bit. I'd tell you to be careful, but I already know you will be. That's why you called me in the first place. Trust your instincts. Okay?"
"I'll try. Thanks, Rose."
"Listen, Bella I've got to run. They're starting without me. Call me later?"
"Sure, Rose."
Bella placed the phone beside her on the bed. Trust my instincts? Even if they're telling me to do things I've never done before?
o.o.o
After Edward closed the door behind Bella, he turned around to see Jasper smiling knowingly at him.
"Wow, you two are smoking in the sexual tension department, buddy. I need to switch to iced coffee." Jasper pulled jokingly at his shirt collar.
"I'm trying not to read your dirty mind, Jazz, but you're right. There's a lot of heat passing between us. It's as hard as hell to keep my hands to myself."
"Yep, I bet it's hard." Jasper laughed as Edward rolled his eyes, comprehending his double meaning. "It's new territory for you. You've never had to deal with a closed mind before. You have to learn about her the old fashioned way like all us other saps out here in the real world."
"You're right. The closed mind is driving me nuts. But she's starting to open up to me. I could've had more than a kiss from her last night, but I walked away." Edward muttered the last few words.
"Cullen, you've fallen for this beautiful babe. Hard. Hell, have you ever walked away from a willing woman?" Jasper watched Edward's face as he looked towards the floor. "Just what I thought. Never."
o.o.o
At eleven, Bella walked down to the lobby. She found Jasper and Edward just outside of the hotel waiting for the car.
"Bella, we took care of your room so we're all ready to go." Jasper took her luggage and placed it next to his.
"Wait a second. Why do you get to call her Bella and I'm stuck with 'Ms. Swan?'" Edward raised a questioning look toward Bella.
Probably because I'm not trying to get in her panties, jerk. Jasper smirked as he saw his thoughts register with Edward.
"Leave the poor girl alone, Cullen. Right, Bella?"
Bella nodded in agreement and was glad to have Jasper there by her side. He was acting like her big brother and she wondered if he might protect her from her own actions too.
"Sorry I even asked." Edward walked to the driver's side of the Ferrari.
"Why don't I sit in the backseat? I don't think Jasper's legs will fit back there." Bella eyed the small floor area behind the front two seats. "It looks like it's made for small children."
"Thanks ma'am." Jasper tipped his imaginary hat at Bella. "I'm pretty sure my legs would have been pushing against my chest."
Jasper, being the Texas gentleman, opened the door for her as she tried to fit into the given space.
"We've run out of room in the trunk, Jazz. Bella, can we put his duffle bag next to you?" asked Edward.
"Sure, Mr. Cullen. I think there's enough room."
As the trio made their way to Forks, Bella tried to get comfortable. The space in the back didn't even have enough room for her small frame.
"Bella, are you having trouble getting comfortable back there?" Jasper noticed Bella wiggling and shifting in her seat.
"It's just my legs. They're feeling cramped."
"Why don't you just put them through the opening to the front seat? I'm sure Cullen won't mind you placing your feet on his leg." Jasper chuckled as he saw Edward's expression.
Bella removed her shoes and stretched her legs over the console. She angled her feet towards Edward and gingerly placed them on Edward's upper thigh. Meanwhile, Edward tightly gripped the steering wheel, knowing that the next three hours would be hell for him as he glanced at her pretty bare feet.
Just when Edward thought he was about to lose it, Jasper came to his rescue.
Hey Cullen, your knuckles are turning white. Relax, buddy. I'll find some tunes and get us talking, okay?
Edward relaxed and mouthed his thanks to Jasper.
Jasper tried to entertain Bella and Edward as they made their way to Forks. They laughed at his silly stories and made fun of his taste in country music. As they entered the Olympic National Forest on Highway 101, Bella found a comfortable position in the back seat and fell asleep.
When Edward finally spied the Kalaloch Lodge sign, he was relieved. Having Bella's legs pressed against him and wiggling around had pushed him to the edge.
Jasper observed his friend and laughed. "We're finally here. Bet you're ready to get little Miss Sleeping Beauty's feet off your lap."
"You have no idea." Edward spoke quietly and sighed.
While driving up to their resort, Edward lightly tapped Bella's denim-clad calves. As she woke up and stretched, Edward coughed as her heel came close to his crotch. Slowly, Bella pulled her legs to the back seat area as she looked out the car window and saw the lush green countryside.
"Wow, it's beautiful. Reminds me of a rainforest. The woods are so dense."
"It's green because of the constant rain. I think that's why the oceanfront property's price was reduced and it's still for sale. Not too conducive for tourism or vacations." Edward parked the car at the Kalaloch Lodge's main building.
"Well, it's beautiful today. The sun is shining bright. I guess we're in luck." Bella climbed out of the Ferrari and stretched. Her legs were stiff from the cramped space in the car. "I think I'm going to take a long soaking bath after we check in."
"I think our suite has a large two-person tub." Edward watched as Bella's eyes widened and he responded by giving her a wink.
Bella walked closer to Edward and whispered, "Don't you wish," as she moved past him and headed into the building.
"Damn it, Jazz." Edward glanced at Jasper. "I was hard as a rock the whole drive here. Thanks for suggesting that she put her feet two inches away from my cock. I tell you, she's killing me."
"And I'm loving every fucking minute of it." Jasper pulled his duffle out of the backseat and followed Edward into the resort's lobby.
As the duo approached the concierge, they saw an exasperated Bella talking wildly with her hands. Somehow they both knew that something was amiss with their hotel reservations.
"There has to be another room available. I know what the manager said but don't you keep a room open for just these types of mix-ups?" Bella's voice was slightly raised as she pressed the desk clerk for an answer.
"Ms. Swan, what's the problem?" Edward asked, concerned that Bella was upset. He wanted to make her happy and see that lovely smile back on her face.
"Mr. Cullen, I've tried to tell this gentleman that we will require two separate rooms, however he claims we only have reservations for one suite."
Edward heard Jasper's thoughts as he was trying to formulate his reply.
Great job there buddy. Looks like you have screwed the pooch again with her. How you going to get yourself out of this mess?
"Let me handle this, Ms. Swan." Edward pleaded with his eyes and continued. "We will take the Becker Suite, please. It has two separate rooms with an adjoining living area, correct?"
"Yes, sir. That's the suite we have under your reservations. I don't see any other rooms booked under your name. Mr. Cullen, right?"
Edward nodded at the concierge.
"Ms. Swan." Edward gently grabbed a hold of Bella's upper arm. "Can I talk to you for a minute? Over by the planter?"
Pulling away from his touch and wrapping her arms across her chest, Bella nodded and traipsed behind Edward.
"It seems highly inappropriate that we are sharing the same suite. Since I know about your player ways, I wonder what you have in mind. Surely it wasn't to save a few dollars."
"No, I was just… well, at first, I wanted to have you near for the wrong reason, but now things have changed. I feel very protective of you, Bella, and want to make sure that no one harms you. I can't really explain it, but…" Edward stopped and brushed a strand of hair across her cheek and whispered, "I feel like it's my duty to watch over you now."
Bella didn't know how to answer him and found herself closing her eyes as she leaned into his touch. His confession drove away a fear inside her because Edward spoke like a man who cared for her, deeply.
"You're acting so different with me now. Is it for real?" She looked longingly up into his green eyes and saw something different and reassuring. His gaze was soft and sincere.
"It's real. I've never felt this way about any woman. Just being near you like this is maddening to me. Please don't fight me anymore." Edward reached out and drew her into a tight embrace.
"Please?" He breathed into her hair as he held her.
"You should probably let go of me. We're standing in the middle of the hotel lobby. Look at Jasper, he's grinning at us." Bella started to giggle as Jasper shook his head and tossed his duffle bag over his shoulder.
"Listen you two, I'm going to take my things upstairs. Cullen, our suite has two bedrooms. At least that's what the desk clerk said. Bella can have the king and we'll take the one with two queens in it." Jasper tossed the suite's keys at Edward. "Here, catch."
Just call me the Cockblocker. Edward wanted to give Jasper the finger when he heard his inner comment.
"Thanks, Jazz." Edward punched Jasper's arm before he started to gather up the remaining luggage sitting around them. "I guess we should go get settled in. We'll need to leave for the Volturis in a little over an hour."
Once inside their suite, Bella placed her items in her room and opened the curtains. The glass door which served as the window opened onto a balcony. She opened the slider and walked to the edge of the banister.
"It's beautiful out here isn't it?" Bella gasped as she heard a familiar voice speaking to her.
She knew what would happen if she looked at him. She imagined his gaze searching over her and piercing through any resolve she had left.
"Yes, I've never seen anything like it. It's so pristine and untouched." Bella faced the ocean and her words echoed off the waves.
Silently, Edward walked up behind her and placed his hands on the rail next to hers. Taking a deep breath, he inhaled her lovely scent and placed his mouth by her ear.
"Beautiful and untouched." Edward exhaled against Bella's neck and his breath warmed her skin. "Just like you, Bella."
His lips lightly touched and caressed the skin behind her ear as he pulled her into his arms. Bella fell back into him and dropped her neck to the side giving him complete access to continue his kisses.
He wanted to see her face and experience the bliss that her surrender to him would bring. He needed to see the fight gone and replaced with desire. So he twirled her in his arms and looked deep into her eyes.
The resistance to his touch was no longer there. Instead her eyes begged for more.
Edward couldn't hold back any longer. His lips crashed into hers with a passion that he'd never known. It consumed him and burned a trail straight to his crotch. He instinctively pressed his body into hers and Bella felt his length, hard and long, against her. His arousal was undeniable.
"Bella, you've completely possessed me." Hesitantly, Edward pulled away from her. As they touched skin to skin, he'd listened to her thoughts. She wanted him.
Why am I stopping? She wants me and I want her. Shit, this woman has cursed me with a conscience.
"God, you have no idea how difficult it was to pull my mouth away from your luscious lips. I want to devour every inch of you, but we're outside for the entire world to see."
Bella melted at his words. They unleashed something wanton and desperate in her. She dropped her hands to his hips and pressed her body against his arousal.
"We need to get ready, Bella. Somehow we have to put on our professional faces for the dinner tonight." He walked her back to the sliding glass door.
"I'll try to get my game face on, Edward. Maybe I should start calling you 'Mr. Cullen' again." Bella opened the door and stepped inside her room.
Edward took hold of her hand and brought it to his lips.
"Call me Mr. Cullen at dinner. But tonight when we return to the suite, it will be Edward." He pulled her roughly to him and left her with one last scorching kiss.
God, please help me. I think I'm falling for this man.
Her thoughts startled him.
Edward released her from his grip and ran his fingers through his hair. She's finally falling for me.
"Meet me in the suite's living room in one hour so we can go over a few things before we leave. I want everything to run smoothly at dinner tonight. First impressions are the most important." Edward was thankful that Bella had looked past his initial displays of tomfoolery.
Bending down, he gently kissed her forehead and caressed her cheek. As he walked away from her, Bella held onto the door jamb for support. Her head was spinning from all the sensations running through her body. She needed a shower to soothe her skin and clear her mind, if that was even possible.
Returning to his side of the suite, Edward threw himself down on his bed and glanced over to Jasper.
"Okay, just spit it out. It's not like I don't know what you're thinking, man."
"What? What? I'm not saying a thing. Well, maybe just this. If you hurt her, I'll kill you. She's not someone to use and throw away."
"Funny you should say that, Jazz, I got a glimpse into her mind last night. She worried about the same thing." Edward stared at the ceiling as he spoke. "She just thought something as I kissed her that should have scared the shit out of me."
"What was it?" Jasper watched Edward's mouth move into a slight smile.
"She's falling for me, finally."
o.o.o
An hour and a half later, they were leaving the Kalaloch Lodge and driving into the dense forest surrounding Forks. The trio was dressed for the occasion and looked elegant and sophisticated in their business attire.
Jasper and Edward both chose black suits. However, Jasper had quite the battle with the iron after pulling his suit out of his duffle bag. Edward had packed perfectly, so he smoothed out his suit with his hands and sat on the edge of the bed while he watched Jasper duke it out with his wrinkled clothes.
Bella selected the chic tweed sheath dress that Rose made her buy at Ann Taylor a few weeks earlier. The base color of black contrasted nicely with Bella's pale complexion. A grosgrain ribbon at the waistband accented her tiny frame. She finished her look with the "big girl" pumps that Rose insisted she buy to wear with it.
Bella appraised the two dark suited men in the front seat and started to laugh.
"What's so funny, Ms. Swan?" Edward caught her eye in the rearview mirror.
"Look at the three of us. We look like the black brigade or something. We're just black, gray and white. Pretty damn sobering, really."
"She's right. We needed some color. I'm even feeling down." Jasper chuckled knowing that Edward was anything but depressed, because Bella appeared beautiful and stunning. Her dress showed just the right amount of leg above her knee. Just enough to make any man's mind wander and his hands sweat.
Edward entered a long driveway and was stopped by a heavily gated fortress. The vegetation was so thick that Bella couldn't see a house beyond the gate.
"When you said they lived on a gated property, I never would have imagined this. It looks medieval." Bella half expected to find a moat and castle on the other side of the entrance.
"That's the reason we've been called on this assignment. No one has been able to penetrate the grounds here." Edward felt a chill go down his spine as he thought about taking Bella inside the Volturis insidious world. He'd do anything and everything necessary to protect her. "We just have to keep cool heads about us."
Edward lowered his window as the guard approached his car.
"Edward Cullen, here to meet with Aro Volturi."
"Yes, sir. He's expecting you."
Cautiously entering the compound, Edward reached through to the backside of the car searching for Bella's hand. He noticed her eyes darting from side to side.
"You'll do great. Please don't be worried." Realizing that she was facing the enemy for the first time, Edward tried to encourage her.
Bella placed her hand in his and felt reassured by his warm touch.
"I know what's at stake here, though." Bella felt Edward's thumb rub lightly across her knuckles. "It's all the more reason to stop these assholes."
"That's the fight you need, Bella." Jasper peeked over his shoulder at Bella and smiled encouragingly. "We're going to discreetly kick their sick asses."
As the house came into view, Bella gasped. It reminded her of the home from her favorite movie, "Pride and Prejudice." This house was an estate worthy of the English countryside, built with pink sandstone, and had a rectangular plan with four corner towers. It was set on a low rise overlooking the deep green woods.
Edward stopped the Ferrari on the brick paved circle drive and assisted Bella from the back seat. The view of the home once she exited the car was even more astounding.
"I don't think the pictures that TAT gave us did this house any justice. I guess all she had were aerial shots, though. It's spectacular." Bella saw the look on her partners' faces and knew that she wasn't alone in her assessment.
"Let's go, Ms. Swan. They're expecting us. I hate to keep criminals waiting. After you, beautiful." Edward whispered the words as Bella walked by him. He placed his hand firmly on the small of her back and felt a shiver emanate from her.
They were greeted at the door by a house servant. The older woman was unmistakingly Asian and immediately they all wondered if she was a victim of the Volturi's slave trade.
"Please, follow." The woman spoke in broken English and guided them to a darkened library off the grand foyer.
Once inside the room, the woman took Bella's coat. "A drink for you?"
Edward had instructed them to never turn down an offer that might be construed negatively, so they would be drinking tonight but stopping after two.
"Yes, drinks would be fine, thank you." Edward signaled to his counterparts letting the woman know that they agreed.
After the woman left, they heard heavy footsteps approaching the room. The doors to the library swung open and in marched three people. Two of them were expected, Natalia Kruel and Aro Volturi, and one of them was not.
Riley, the tall and handsome son of Aro, stood next to his father. His eyes immediately found something of interest. Bella.
Damn, who do we have here? It must be Isabella. Dinner just got really interesting. Shit, look at those legs. I wonder what color of panties she's wearing under that dress. Well, I'll just have to find that out.
After Edward heard Riley's thoughts, he glared at him though his lust-filled eyes were still transfixed on Bella.
Damn that bastard. He was supposed to be at law school. He's not going to lay a hand on what's mine. I'll fucking kill him first.
A/N: We would liked to thank our Special Agents…..Betas Elizabethan and Aquariumjenn