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CHAPTER 6

EPOV ~

November 24, 2006 – Day after Thanksgiving

It was shortly after ten when we arrived at the Solamar in San Diego, and I couldn't wait to get my girl into our room. The air around us was cool, though not any colder than Vegas was, but I could still feel my angel shivering as she cuddled into my side. I couldn't wait to get her into the confines of our suite; I knew just how I was going to go about warming her up.

When I decided to ask Bella to join me for the weekend, I immediately thought of San Diego. I remembered the raving review Rosalie gave the Solamar and their Choreographer Suite and quickly researched it, deciding immediately that it would be perfect for our romantic getaway. I was happy they actually had the room available.

Moments like these, where I thought of all the dirty things I could do to my "mistress," I couldn't believe the man I became. Somewhere along the line, I became the guy who encouraged his wife to take a four-day shopping trip to New York with her mother, just so he could take his "mistress" away for a romantic weekend. No matter the fact, I knew the term was correct, I couldn't find myself agreeing with it. Bella in no way was my mistress. She was everything I wish I would have found first. She was everything I wish I could be, and everything I came to adore—an angel in every sense of the word. Even though she deserved more than a dirty title, it was all anyone could give her due to my lies.

As wrong as it all was, I decided I couldn't dwell too much on it—I had big plans, and I was going to enjoy each and every minute I had with my angel; showing her as much of the city as I possibly could—it was definitely going to be a mini vacation she would never forget.

My sweet girl was going to be pampered from head to toe right in the comforts of our suite, then enjoy a wonderful night out on the town. I also planned to spend a fair amount of time just getting to know my Bella—inside and out. It still broke my heart thinking about all she had to endure at such a young age; it saddened me to hear she'd never met her mother, but then to hear she lost her father at such a young age, that made my heart shatter. I learned a lot about her the night before, but there was always more to learn about a person … especially one as locked tight as Bella was. She told her stories with an ability to leave out details—as if she detached herself from the situation and was just repeating a script rather than telling her story.

When she told me about her time in foster care, I couldn't lose the gut wrenching feeling something had happened to my sweet girl. She didn't actually come out and say it, but the look in her eyes—almost as though she were a million miles away—as she spoke of the time she was there, and it made my heart sink. I'd kill anyone that so much as thought about hurting her, let alone actually following through with the thoughts. I knew then I needed to investigate the home she was in and made a mental note to do a little research while my girl slept that night.

I quietly slipped from the bed once she'd fallen asleep, careful not to wake her, and made my way into the living area of the penthouse. After pulling out my laptop, I settled onto the couch and opened the legal program we used at Mason Industries. I just wanted to dig up a little more information … not on Bella specifically, but on the home she was sent to. I knew what I was doing was sneaky, that if Bella really wanted me to know, she would have told me, but I honestly couldn't help myself, just the thought of something happening to my girl made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. I told myself I was just going to see if there were any complaints on the home, if so, what was done to fix the problems. If it needed to be shut down, I would see to it that it happened—soon! No one hurt my angel and got away with it.

Within moments, all common law records arose on Seattle Foster and Care Center. To say it would take me days to read all of the citizen records would be a vast understatement. There were over seven hundred hits. Most of the top instances were of bullying or low-test grades in school. I decided to narrow my search to try to find more specific details, because there was no way in hell my girl had low test scores—she was fucking brilliant.

Once I changed my parameters to violence and crime, my results narrowed significantly, until only the higher offenses were charted. Rape, assault, and battery were at the top of the list. One name kept appearing, Marcus L. Volturi, five counts of rape, three of battery, and nine more of assault second degree. Since I was looking up minors, his victims names wouldn't appear, but because of the number of his offenses and the fact that he was seventeen at the time, this douche was tried as an adult, gaining me full access.

Delving deeper, my blood ran cold when I noticed the dates in which all of these took place … if my calculations were correct, there was a strong possibility Bella was present in the home while these events were taking place. That asswipe better not have hurt my girl or he was going to have to answer for his grievances a few more times. I knew people on the inside who would take care of a woman abuser.

Sleep evaded me for the rest of the night after my research, causing me to zone out a few times during the day. When I couldn't keep myself occupied with something, my mind flipped to what I had read, and the pictures that flashed on my screen. Thankfully, since I had the ability to check legal documents and criminal backgrounds due to my CFO position, I was able to garner more information than most.

"This is beautiful, Edward," Bella spoke softly, wrapping her arms around my waist—bringing me back to the present. She was right; the room really was beautiful, decorated in brown tones and modern décor. "But why do you insist on spending so much money on me?"

I wrapped my arms around her, bringing her closer to me. I hated having any distance between us—there had been enough while I was away, and I was determined to keep her near me for the remainder of our trip.

I placed a kiss on her lips and sighed. I desperately missed the feel of her lips against mine. "Hey, that's all you," I whispered, placing another kiss on her plump lips. "If you'd taken the money for the lap dance, I wouldn't feel the need to spoil you now."

Total bullshit. She was my angel and deserved nothing but the best in life and I was determined to give it to her every chance I got.

"That's bullshit," she retorted, stepping out of my arms. I laughed, wondering if she could read my mind, because my girl definitely called it. "And you know it …. Besides, accepting money after what we did would have tainted what we have."

I cringed. It was already tainted by that point, sweetheart.

"Not possible, baby girl," I replied smoothly, grabbing her arm and pulling her back to me for another kiss—and because there was far too much distance for my liking.

I pressed my tongue against her bottom lip, silently asking for entrance. Bella whimpered, molding herself against me while I worked my tongue into her mouth, deepening the kiss as I backed her into the back of the couch.

"I want you," she whimpered, breaking the kiss as her hands went to work on unbuckling my belt. "Please, Edward?"

Like any straight, hell gay man, could say no to her.

"Jesus, baby," I groaned, crashing my lips back to hers in a deep and heated kiss. We were both panting when I pulled back. "I would give you the fucking moon, Bella. All you have to do is ask!"

You're fucking serious, aren't you? my subconscious asked, and despite my current predicament, I knew that statement was nothing but true.

What do you think Mrs. Tanya Cullen would say about that? that stupid voice asked, but I really didn't have an answer for it. I knew what I was doing—feeling—was wrong, but I really couldn't help how I felt—or what I wanted. For once in my life, I wanted to feel, not just pretend. I wanted the euphoria of emotions running through my veins and highs and lows in life. I wanted the excitement of being around someone who breathed life into my soul instead of taking everything they could get. I needed the thrill of wanting the one I was with verses only seeking a warm body.

I quickly pulled her tight little blue t-shirt over her head and tossed it somewhere to the side as I lifted her chin and stared deep into her eyes. I saw things in her eyes I'd never seen in my wife's, and I couldn't help but wonder what that meant.

Bella whimpered when my lips met hers, again, and it ignited a fire in me I'd never felt before. I was suddenly desperate to touch her, feel the odd electricity I felt every time my bare skin came in contact with hers, so I wrapped my arm around her, lightly caressing her skin with my fingers as I moved them to work the clasp of her bra.

My girl whined a bit when I broke the kiss and took a step back to remove her bra. I looked at her perfect fucking body, dragging my eyes over her perfectly round tits, and then down over her slightly fuller hips. It appeared my baby might have gained a little weight since I'd seen her last, but if I were being honest, she was a bit too thin for my liking anyway. The extra weight filled her out beautifully and gave her curves in all the right places … I always appreciated having something to hold onto when it came to the hip area.

"You are by far the sexiest person I have ever met," I told her, truthfully, before leaning down to pull her perfectly pink nipple into my mouth.

Yeah, Tanya was beautiful, and I guess you could even say sexy, but Bella … Bella definitely took the cake, she was a remarkable sight to see.

"It's you," was her whimpering response, as I continued to pay homage to her marvelous tit.

"What's me?" I asked, moving on to pay the same respects to the other.

Bella whimpered, holding my head against her breast, as she moaned, "You, oh, Edward … you … you, youmakemesexy!"

I make her sexy?

I pulled away to look at her while my hands remained on her waist. "What do you mean, I make you sexy?" She shifted nervously in my hold, her eyes darting everywhere not once landing on me as she gnawed her lip to the verge of blood.

I released her poor lip, rubbing my thumb over the delicate flesh, before she went on to explain, "I … the only time I ever feel sexy is when I'm with you—"

"You—" I started to say, but she quickly cut me off.

"No. I don't feel sexy, especially when I'm dressed like a slut and dancing topless …. Then I just feel like a whore. That's why I couldn't accept your money, Edward. You make me feel sexy and beautiful …. Taking that money would have made me feel like a whore—therefore tainting the money … cheapening what we did."

I cupped her face in my hands—lifting her head so I could see her beautiful face—and then spoke as honestly and as truthfully as I could. "You are not a whore. You are sexy, and beautiful, and smart ... and I promise you, I will NEVER look at you as a whore."

I brought my lips back to hers for a chaste kiss, and then added, "Truthfully, I'd rather you quit. I get why you do it, but I don't like it."

"Yeah, and if I didn't do it then we never would have met," she countered, and the words alone made my heart constrict. I couldn't imagine never meeting my beautiful girl.

"We still would have met," I told her, believing my statement were nothing but true because I couldn't think anything different.

I brought my lips back to hers as I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her flush against me. It didn't take long for our moans and groans to fill the room around us, and before long, Bella was pulling away, gasping for air.

She quickly reached down, gripped the hem of my shirt in her tiny hands, and started working it up my torso. I decided to help her out, and pulled it off completely, tossing it somewhere to the side as I brought my lips back to hers.

I quickly lifted her into my arms, making Bella gasp at the sudden movement, but she immediately wrapped her legs around my waist. I made our way into the bedroom, our lips moving perfectly together as Bella moaned and whimpered into my mouth, making the raging monster in my pants press painfully against the fabric of my jeans.

I deposited her onto the bed and broke the kiss, making sure to trail kisses first down her jaw, and then down her neck. Gently nipping and sucking as I worked the button of her short pant thingies, Capri's I believe my sister called them.

She whimpered when I slipped my fingers into her underwear and then between her wet folds. My girl was already wet, soaked actually, and I longed to bury my face between her legs, but I settled for stroking languidly, back and forth between her folds, occasionally dipping a finger in as my mouth worked its way to her chest.

"Edward …" she whimpered, grinding her soaked center against my hand. I pushed two fingers in, and started a rapidly increasing rhythm while my thumb stroked over her clit. "Ohhh …."

I swirled my tongue around her nipple and sucked it into my mouth, causing her to buck her hips and expel a whimpery moan. I desperately wanted to make her come, but the raging hard on in my pants desperately wanted to feel her come all over him.

I pulled away, both my mouth and my hand, making my beautiful girl whine. I chuckled, placing a quick kiss on her lips.

"Sorry, baby girl," I whispered against her lips. "But the monster in my pants is demanding …." With that said, I jumped off the bed.

I quickly leaned forward to remove her pants before discarding mine and crawling back on top of her, bringing my lips back to hers. The kiss started out slow and gentle, but quickly advanced to urgent and needy as we lay there wet humping.

I broke the kiss and reached for the drawer I'd put the condoms in earlier.

"I think it's time we discuss birth control," I grumbled, sitting back to slide the condom on.

I hate these fucking things, I thought turning to look at the beautiful girl beside me. Bella was flushed, her lip tucked securely between her teeth as she starred up at me from beneath her eyelashes.

"I actually have an appointment next week," she replied sheepishly, her face turning the most gorgeous shade of red to date.

I climbed back on top of her, whispering, "good" against her lips, before pulling her bottom lip between mine and sucking. Bella moaned as she wrapped her legs around me, allowing me to ease gently into her warm depths.

"Fuck!" I hissed, breaking the kiss. I still couldn't believe how tight she was. It was like nothing I'd ever felt before. It was as if she was made to fit me perfectly … or I was made to fit her perfectly. Every woman I'd been with before—my wife included—held nothing on the feeling of enclosure I felt being with Bella. The way her walls surrounded me, hugged me, and begged me to stay. I felt invited in every way. She permanently ruined me for any and all other woman.

Bella whimpered when I slid out then thrust back in, repeatedly. It wasn't long before my strokes started becoming erratic, and I struggled to hold off my own impending release. The sounds Bella was making, mixed with the feeling of her walls tightening around my engorged cock was quickly becoming too much.

I trailed kisses down her neck, lightly—okay, roughly—sucking, marking her as mine while my cock continued to pound into her … marking his territory.

My, aren't we a greedy bastard? my subconscious chastised. Laying claim to one wasn't enough?

"Oh … shit!" Bella cried, arching her back. "Edward … don't … OH, GOD!"

I felt her explode around me, I thrust twice more before losing my load in the condom and collapsing on top of her, both of us breathing heavy and laborious as we laid there in a sweaty heap of naked body parts.

I quickly rolled off her and pulled her into my arms, waiting until our breathing returned to normal before discussing our plans for the day. "I thought we'd get some lunch," I whispered, brushing the hair off her shoulder so I could place a kiss there. "And then head over to the San Diego Zoo …."

Bella rolled over to look at me, a small smile on her precious face. "Really, the zoo?" she asked, her voice carrying a hit of excitement I do believe.

"Uh, yeah? Is that okay?" I asked hesitantly. "I hear San Diego Zoo—"

"Its fine, Edward," she quickly interrupted, a brilliant smile on her face. "I used to love the zoo as a child; it's been a really long time since I've been. Sounds like fun."

"Good," I retorted, placing a kiss on her lips. "Then get your sexy ass ready before we end up spending the whole day in bed."

She giggled excitedly then placed a quick kiss on my lips before climbing out of bed.

"Though spending the day in bed could be fun too." She smirked over her shoulder, heading toward the bathroom.

"Yes, it definitely could be," I yelled after her. "But we've got plenty of time to dirty the sheets, my sweet."

"Having fun?" I asked, wrapping my arms around her as we stood watching the Polar Bears.

Taking Bella to the zoo was like taking a child, and I don't mean that in a bad way. The excitement she exuded gravitated to anyone around us. Her eyes stayed alight with joy and amazement as we wandered through the different exhibits.

She turned in my arms with a smile the size of California covering her face. "I am. Thank you, Edward. For bringing me here …." She seemed lost in thought for a moment but then she placed a kiss on my lips and went on, "My dad used to take me to the zoo all the time as a kid. The Polar Bears were our favorite exhibit …. I think we went just to see them, we'd spend the majority of the day there …."

I don't think she even realized she was crying until I wiped away her tears.

"Sorry," she replied, trying to pull out of my arms.

"Hey," I soothed, tightening my hold on her. "There is no reason to be sorry. You miss your dad, it's understandable …." She nodded, resting her head on my chest, but she didn't say anything.

We spent the remainder of the day just wandering the zoo, checking out each and every one of the exhibits. I learned that while the polar bears were her favorite, she absolutely hated the amphibian exhibit, but that the tigers were a close second to her favorite.

"I thought we'd just order some room service," I told Bella as we made our way back to the hotel. I chanced a glance at her and she just nodded, not saying anything before I returned my eyes to the road in front of us.

The ride back was spent in silence, I wondered what she was thinking, if the day had possibly brought about memories she'd so desperately tried not to think about, but I couldn't bring myself to ask her. I figured that if she wanted to talk about it, she would bring it up.

Bella immediately went into the bathroom when we made it up to the room and I ordered us some room service, opting for something light so we could stop for dessert on our way back from her next surprise. I settled in on the bed to wait for Bella, and after about ten minutes, my girl finally came out, looking paler than she normally did.

She quietly crawled onto the bed and cuddled into my side.

"Baby," I cooed, pulling her closer. "What's wrong?"

"I started my period …." At least that's what I think she said, because her face was buried in my chest.

I ran my hand the length of her back, letting it slip up and under once I reached the hem. I lightly caressed her bare skin with my fingers, soothing her with my touch.

Bella pulled back to look at me, her lip, of course, tucked between her teeth. "I'm sorry, Edward—"

"Hey," I interrupted. "Don't apologize for that."

"But I ruined our weekend …." She whimpered, tears filling her eyes.

I pulled her onto my lap, and lifted her chin so I could see her eyes better. "You didn't—" I started to say, but a knock at the door interrupted me.

It was room service. I quickly gestured for them to enter, and once they completed setting our meals up for us, I tipped them graciously and gestured for my girl to join me as they exited our hotel suite.

Bella and I didn't resume our original conversation, which was quite all right with me—it wasn't really a dinner discussion—but I fully intended to make it clear to her that she hadn't ruined anything. Frankly, I didn't care if she was on her period or not, it wouldn't keep me from enjoying my precious girl … and besides, the trip wasn't all about sex.

"Edward," Bella groaned into my chest as a violent shiver raked through her body. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see," I whispered, wrapping her tighter into my embrace. "Just be patient."

She groaned, but didn't say anything else. Luckily, it was only another second or two before we heard the clatter of the horse's hooves.

Bella's head popped up, and her big eyes locked with mine when the horse and carriage came to a stop in front of us. I just smiled, helping her into the carriage before settling in next to her. I quickly spread the blanket I had requested over the two of us and pulled her into my arms, pressing a kiss to her temple.

"Wow," she whispered after we started moving. "I've never been on a horse drawn carriage before …." She winced in pain, clutching at her stomach.

"Baby, are you okay?" I asked, pulling her into my lap.

"Yeah," she replied, laying her head on my shoulder. "Just cramps."

I studied her carefully for a moment, noticing the slight sweat that was starting to bead along her forehead and the slightly sunken pallor marring her iridescent skin and asked, "Are you sure? I mean, we can go back to the room, take a hot bath, and just watch movies the rest of the night."

"I'm fine—" she started to say but the newest wince told me otherwise.

"Excuse me," I said to the gentleman controlling the horse. "I'm sorry to do this, but my girlfriend isn't feeling too well. We should probably go back to the hotel."

"Not a problem, Sir."

"Edward," Bella whined into my neck. "I'm fine."

"You don't feel good."

It had been almost thirty minutes since we made it back to the hotel suite, and Bella had been in the bathroom the whole time—I was starting to get nervous, so I decided to check on her.

I knocked on the door. "Bella, honey, are you okay?" I called, pressing my ear against the door. I listened carefully, but didn't hear anything, so I knocked again. "Bella?" Again, there was no response.

I was starting to worry, so I decided to try the knob. I was happy to find it unlocked, though I was not prepared for what I found when I opened it.

There, before me, was my beautiful girl, lying on the floor, in a pool of her own blood.

"BELLA!" I screamed, lifting her off the floor and into my arms. "Honey, can you hear me?"

I checked for a pulse as I carried her into the bedroom. I was relieved when I found it, though it was extremely faint.

Still holding her in my arms, I dialed 911, impatiently cursing my fumbling fingers for not going fast enough.

"911 dispatch …. What is your emergency?"

**Author's Note**

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