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The boys were playing a set at some beach bar outside town. It was a popular spot during the summer - one of those places that had changed ownership several times over the years but always drew the same crowd.
Alice was still chomping at the bit to meet Edward, and Rose wanted to be introduced officially as well, so they'd come along for the night. I was relieved, frankly. I didn't like being relegated to the groupie table, even if I did like Kate and Charlotte.
My trip with Edward was the next day. I could hardly believe I was actually going to Hawaii, especially with someone like him.
Actually, scratch "someone like him". I couldn't believe I was going with him, period. Maybe I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop, for something to come along and happen to upset things. Maybe I was so used to having things low key and uninspiring that when something amazing came along it seemed a little too good to be true.
But frig it. I was going to enjoy this for what it was.
I watched Edward on stage.
He was always very focused when he played.
I was very focused too. On him.
When our eyes would meet it would send my heart into my shoes and back; he'd smile just barely like he knew and look at me just long enough before looking away, and our little not-so-secret secret would shimmer invisibly between us.
Halfway through Rose announced that she needed a refresher and asked Alice and I if we needed anything. We ordered another round of beers, and then Edward was coming toward the table, weaving between people and tables.
"You made it," he said, as if he was pleasantly surprised.
There was no way I wouldn't have, and for several reasons. One, I had it pretty bad for him. Two, the band – who, ridiculously, still had no name – was amazingly good. Three, I was admittedly suspicious of the groupies, some of whom were simply flirty and others who were downright slutty.
Take that chick Jessie, who looked like she'd had a few too many and was executing a rather burlesque spin around a pole near the bathrooms. Talk about second hand embarrassment. I'd wonder if she really got any action behaving like that, all sloppy and drunk and desperate, but then I realized that some guys were dogs and would have absolutely no problem hooking up with someone like her. It was sad really, on both ends.
So here I was, supporting the guy I liked while settling my own insecurities.
I grinned up at Edward, shading my eyes from the setting sun. "Of course I did. Edward, this is Alice. Alice, Edward."
They shook hands.
"Nice to finally meet you," Alice said. "I've heard quite a bit."
I resisted the urge to kick her underneath the table. Edward knew I really liked him; there was no point in hiding it, but still. He just smirked, shaking his head as he refocused on me.
"Did you pack yet?"
I nodded. "Yeah… did you?"
"No." He stretched his arms over his head. "It's gonna be a late night."
"That's where Rose went," murmured Alice, looking over at the bar.
I frowned. "She said she was going there, remember? She asked if we –"
"I know," Alice interrupted impatiently. "I meant that's where she is, chatting up the bartender."
It was true. Rose was leaning against the bar, and even though she had her back to us her posture said she was in full flirt mode. The bartender seemed to appreciate it; I could see the dimples from his smile clear across the floor.
"Well, if you'll excuse me, ladies… I want to get something to drink before we start up again."
"Maybe we should, too," Alice said as Edward walked over to where Rose and the bartender were still cozied up. "At this rate we'll never get our drinks."
"Okay." I shrugged, pushing away from the table. "After you."
No sooner had we sidled up to the bar another bartender noticed and us and took our order.
An unfamiliar voice cooed gently in my ear. "He's good, isn't he?"
A groupie was standing to my left, gazing pointedly at Edward, who was across the bar, laughing and talking with Rose and the bartender.
"Uh, yeah," I said uncertainly, assuming she meant his music. She was about my height, with silky black hair and striking green eyes, really pretty, if not a little glassy eyed.
"Enjoy it while it lasts."
"Thanks, I will," I snapped, annoyed at what she was insinuating. Yes, I got it. I knew Edward had a "love 'em and leave 'em" type reputation but what was I supposed to do? Not give things a try because of rumors?
"Hey, I'm just giving you a heads up. You know, so you don't get your panties in a bunch when he moves on."
Alice must have heard that last part because she slammed my beer down in front of me. "Ready, Bella?"
"So ready."
I followed her back to our table, seething inside. Most of me trusted Edward. I really wanted to, anyway, and I hated thinking that he could be shady with me. But a little part of me acknowledged that we'd only been acquainted for a few weeks. So what if we talked all the time, and had conversations that lasted well into the night. So what if we hung out a lot. There were still things I'd never know for sure – not unless I asked him – and I wondered if those things were things I'd want to know about anyway.
What pissed me off the most, though, was knowing these silly skanks were just waiting for Edward to drop me. They were like vultures, circling. Ugh.
"Don't even, Bella," Alice chided. "You know how girls can be."
"I know." I nodded, taking a sip. "It's just… this whole group is so damn chummy sometimes… I feel like there are all these private jokes and references to things that went on before I started coming around. It sucks when I hear things…"
"I'd just ask, if I were you."
"Maybe I will."
"You should. Just to like, ease your mind. Cuz right now you're doing exactly what that girl wanted, which is trip out."
"You're right. I know," I sighed. "It's stupid."
"What's stupid?" Rose asked, finally returning. She set our beers down; eyeing the ones we already had with a slightly sheepish expression.
"I should go inside." I kissed him a few more times all over his face. He had his eyes closed and he was smiling a little.
"Okay." But he didn't move. In fact, he tightened his grip and turned his face so that his lips were under my lips again.
We kissed for awhile. Every time his tongue swept through my mouth, sliding soft and wet against mine, it made me made forget my questions and my concerns. It made me want him like crazy.
He kissed my neck, right where my pulse point was. "Your heart's going so fast…"
"I can't imagine why," I said, moaning softly when his kissing turned to sucking. "Edward, I have to go. Our flight – "
"Is at nine. I know. Just be happy it's not at seven like it was last year."
"Yes, but we still need to be up early so we can get there early," I argued weakly.
"I like making you like this," he whispered, his fingers dancing around the button to my jeans.
"Me too," I gasped, catching his hand. "Stop. My mom's… right inside."
He paused, squinting out the passenger side window. "She can't see what's going on down here."
"Edward."
"Fine," he huffed, teasing me. "But when you want to do it in Hawaii, I'm going to cockblock you."
"Highly unlikely," I snorted.
He laughed. "Yeah, probably."
"Edward?"
"Hmm."
"Did you ever… date that one girl? The really pretty one with the black hair and green eyes?"
"Carmen? Uh… yeah. We sort of dated for awhile."
"Like how long?"
He backed up a little, removing his hand from where it had been squeezed between my thighs. "Did she say something?"
"At the bar… she said you were "good" and to enjoy it while it lasted."
I could see him scowling in the darkness. "She's the only one I dated more than once. I don't know… I liked her, but it didn't work out. She wasn't my type in the end."
"Girls like that are everyone's type," I said evenly.
"Maybe physically, but there's only so far that'll take you."
Relief began to seep slowly in. "That's true."
He nodded once, and then got out of the car. I sat very still, hoping he wasn't mad. He hadn't looked it.
He opened my door and pulled me out, leaning me against the side of his car.
"People talk, Bella. They say whatever it is they want to say. You can either be with me and believe what I say or you can listen to them. "
His face was so close, and nice, and the moon hit him in such a way that made the scruff on his chin look blonde.
"I believe you," I said, kissing him.
"You should." He kissed back, sealing our conversation with an unspoken promise.
Flying always made me anxious.
Not nervous, just anxious. It had been hard to sleep the night before and I'd awoken before my alarm went off. Edward would be by to collect me within the hour so I hurried though showering and dressing, deciding at the last minute my stomach was too funny to consider breakfast. I could always grab something at the airport.
Then I peeked out the window, at the way the early morning sun hit the grass and how the dew frosted it, making it sparkle.
Beautiful.
Just like that, I chilled out. I was unbelievably excited to be going on this trip – Hawaii was bound to be spectacular anyway but just the fact I was going with Edward made my heart sing. He still made me feel as excited as he did the very first night he'd held my hand in the back of Seth's car.
He made me feel sexy and appealing.
It wasn't like I had self esteem issues; I knew there were plenty of guys I could date, but Edward came from different stock. He was talented in many, many ways, so smart, and so damn good looking. And boy, did he have game. I wasn't going to pretend that it was only his sense of humor that kept me so sprung.
My mother's soft voice broke the silence. "All set?"
Turning from the window, I smiled, nodding. "Yep. I can't wait."
"You have your camera's charger? It would be a shame of it died while you were down there."
"Oh, crap! Thanks!" I shot back to my room and rustled through my desk drawer until I found the charger. I knew I'd already packed the one for my phone. Eying the book on my nightstand, I grabbed it at the last minute. Between Edward and the beaches, I probably would be too distracted to read but it was always wise to be prepared. He'd be in conferences a lot anyway.
"Bella," Mom called.
He must've arrived while I was dawdling about. Giving the room one last glance, I returned to the kitchen, where Edward was chatting with my mother. He smiled when he saw me and I smiled back, my stomach doing flip flops when his eyes drifted down my body.
Oh, yes. There was definitely going to be sexy time in the tropics.
"Well, have fun sweetie. Call me when you land, okay?" Mom said, her eyes glistening.
My heart tugged, but I also wanted to laugh. I guess I'd know how it felt when I was a mom, but really. I'd be gone for five days, not a year.
"I promise," I agreed, giving her a hug and a kiss.
"Goodbye, Renee," Edward said, giving her a polite, one-armed hug. Mom had insisted pretty early on "my beau" call her by her first name.
In the car, I wondered – not for the first time – what sort of man Edward's father was. I'd heard plenty about Carlisle Cullen; he was regarded in the community for being a compassionate businessman, often involved in charity work and fundraising. His company was extremely successful while socially and environmentally conscious. Still, those things told me little about what he was like personally. I had hope, though, in the way Edward regarded him. He spoke well of him, and fondly.
I just hoped he'd like me.
Turns out I had nothing to worry about.
Mr. Cullen hardly gave me more than a passing glance as he strode ahead of us into first class, his phone glued to his ear. His personal assistant (Edward said her name was Heidi) gave me a quick, sweet hello and then marched efficiently along behind him, a briefcase in hand.
"Sorry about that," Edward said, shrugging. "He's ridiculously busy. All the time."
"Does that bother you?" I asked, letting Edward help me stow my carry-on.
"Not really. The company is his passion, his purpose. He believes in it and it makes him happy to be like this." He paused, gesturing for me to sit by the window. "And no, he didn't ignore my mother and me in the process." He smirked.
"I didn't say that!" I laughed.
"No, but you were thinking it," he teased.
"So… if he's this busy all the time, then does that mean you'll be that busy one day?"
"Why? You planning ahead?"
Oh, my Lord. My face went up in flames.
But before I could stutter my way into defense mode he smooshed my cheeks between his palms.
"Holy crap, Bella, I'm just kidding!" He kissed my nose and then my lips, really lightly.
"I know," I whispered, confused at how his comment had made me react. Was I thinking that far ahead? For the love of…
He kissed me softly on my mouth, deeper this time.
I kissed him back, aware that people could see if they were to look over. We weren't being crass, just -
"Cute." Of course Mr. Cullen would choose now to introduce himself.
I jerked back but Edward took his time pulling away. He didn't seem too concerned.
"Dad, this is Bella Swan. Bella, Carlisle Cullen, my father."
"Nice to meet you, Bella. Glad you could come along," Mr. Cullen said, shaking my hand. He seemed very direct and no nonsense, but also quite friendly. I liked that.
"Hi…it's good to meet you, too. Thanks so much for letting me tag along," I said.
He winked, rather saucily. I could see where Edward got his charisma. "Business write-off. Why not?" Then he turned his attention to Edward, handing him a stapled set of papers. "This is the lineup. You're expected at the ones I've highlighted, all right?"
Edward nodded. "Sure. I'll go over it in a minute."
"And Bella, you can call me Carlisle. Mr. Cullen makes me feel old. Or like I'm back at the all boys prep school I attended for twelve years. I don't particularly relish the thought of either."
"Okay," I agreed, appreciating his candor. He did seem pretty cool.
He returned to his seat, leaving Edward and me alone again.
"I've never ridden first class," I admitted, stretching my legs.
"It's pretty great," Edward said, scanning the papers his father had left him. "I mean, you get what you pay for. "
I could only imagine.
Before today, I'd seen few places as naturally gorgeous as the coast near Ocean Park.
But this was a completely different sort of beauty, and its bright, pristine panorama took my breath away. I'd never seen water that turquoise - it was as if this part of the world had its own color palette.
I tried not to totally hog the window, since this was Edward's first time in Hawaii too, but it was hard.
"Wow," I breathed for the twentieth time.
"It's incredible," Edward said, pressing close behind me. His nearness made me excited in other ways and my mind started to wander as I sat back, allowing him better access to the window.
We landed in Maui's Kahului Airport soon after. Carlisle was familiar with the island, so he rented a car. Edward rented one too, although I didn't see the point since we'd just be at the hotel the whole time. Still, it was nice being alone with him in the car as we followed his father along the scenic road to the Grand Wailea.
To my credit, I managed not to gape in shock as we pulled up to the resort. It was splendid, the absolute ultimate in opulence and class.
It was almost too much to take in. I fought the urge to take pictures of the lobby as Carlisle checked us in and gave us room keys, not wanting to look like a tacky tourist. I figured I could be cheesy tomorrow, on the beach, while the men did business. As much as I wanted to cavort around with Edward, I was looking forward to having a bit of alone time too. Reading, tanning, daiquiri drinking…it was all very appealing.
"This is crazy," Edward chuckled as we rode the elevator to our suite. It really was. This was the sort of place you'd see on the Travel Channel.
Carlisle, who would be staying on a different floor altogether, didn't even pretend like he thought Edward and I would want separate rooms, even though that may have been more "appropriate". And it's not like it really mattered – our suite was enormous with two bedrooms, a living room and a "private lanai".
"Well… which bedroom do you want?" Edward asked.
"You're joking, right?"
He grinned, dropping his bags as he came for me.
Squealing I tossed my own bags at him and went running for the nearest room. He tackled me on the bed – which had been my intention all along.
"So you want to share?" he asked, nipping at my neck.
"Yes," I giggled, squirming.
"Good." He rolled to my side, pulling me so I was on my side, facing him. "I was just trying to be a gentleman, by the way."
Well, that was one way to melt me.
"Thank you," I said, kissing him shyly. "But I don't want you to be."