Hey guys! This is chapter 6 coming to you! Hope you didn't mind that I updated so late, I'm really sorry and I wanted to make this chapter longer than my usual.

HINT: A lot of shit is going to happen and some yummy gooey stuff in store for you! Leave me some reviews ;)

Chapter 7

Special title: To control or let go?

"Holy shit!" Alice was the first to react after I finished telling them about the mystery and hotness overloaded known as 'Edward Cullen', the reason of my excitement and frustration at the time. I was just wrapping the conversation with Edward's call and the reason I was so giddy when I noticed that while Alice was squealing like a little girl (as expected), Rosalie was just sitting there with an amused smirk on her face while she listened carefully.

"Rosie? You've been so quiet, what do you think of all this?" Rosalie could be stubborn sometimes, but her advice was always regal and helpful and had saved me countless times.

"Honestly, Bella? You're head over heels for him. I can see it in the way your eyes sparkle when you talk about him or a particular thing about him, that you like. It's all written there, Bells. This guy is more than just a way to get awesome sexual pleasure."

Was that really true? Am I again following the path of that foolish shit called 'love'? Just so that what happened with Jacob could happen again?

I wasn't ready for all that.

Alice and Rosalie were both now looking at me with concern and pride and support mixed in their eyes.

Suddenly, I was really worried about the time. I can't go down memory lane. Not now. Not ever. I have already wasted so many years and my tears. The bastard doesn't even deserve a thought from me.

"Look at the time, guys! Don't we have a plane to catch? Your carry-on is still unpacked, right? Well, we better hurry."

Alice laughed softly and Rosalie busted into guffaws. I should have known these two didn't let go that easily.

"Be...ll...a!" Rosalie stammered through her guffaws as she managed to speak. "You weren't concerned with time when you were describing Edward's text message earlier, were you?"

Alice quieted down as she turned to make sure nobody was looking our way. Apparently everybody was.

She spoke in a hushed voice that implied that I wasn't to hear whatever she was about to say.

"Bella, you remember that cousin of Garrett's that was described as tall, lean and handsome when you were talking with Garrett on Kate's birthday dinner? Well, that cousin is Edward. Kate knew by the way you both were interacting at the wedding that this will be serious."

Rosalie continued on after that, ignoring the way my face had suddenly turned paler than the snow.

"According to Kate, Edward is a really serious man, no matter how playful he appears. All I know that he used to be like you, sleeping around the city but then he got tired of everything and wanted to settle down. He still does it sometimes when he's frustrated from his dates because all the girls want only money and his status. As far as Kate knew, something terrible had happened to Edward in the past. She tried to ask Garrett but it wasn't really his story to tell. Anyways, Garrett has told us to warn you that you shouldn't involve him deeply into whatever you're doing and then break it off. After you left, apparently, Isabella Swan was all that Edward talked about until he left. Don't do something reckless, Bells."

All this had made me wonder that was Edward as broken as I was? Could it possibly be? But he appeared so calm and carefree on the outside. But so do you, it doesn't matter. What matters is what's inside of him.

I needed time. Again. But I had to process all this, I couldn't just brush it off and jump into the bed with Edward.

Alice and Rosalie noticed my discomfort and once again, my friends were there for me to trust them and them to give me space when I needed it the most.

"Ok then! We have to go, and you have to catch a plane earlier than us, Bells. And with Edward Cullen! Ok, you're going to text me a snapshot of him before taking off and then after you land, we're going to meet at the hotel, and I booked us 1 grand suite that we'll be sharing on the top floor. And then we're going to listen all about the 13-hour flight you took."

Wow, what did she say? Oh yeah, I was going to be living in the snake pit for a week. With no privacy. Alice, of course was upbeat even after I was still processing Rosalie's story.

"We'll want details so don't hold back." Rosalie winked at me and I hugged them both before making my way back to the car.

All through the drive to the airport, the only thing my mind could think about was Edward. I needed to snap out of it! I mean, how could a guy get to me so much in just a day?

My feelings were still unmixed and somewhat worried when I saw Edward leaning against the door that led to the VIP lounge where we had to wait for 35 minutes before the jet was ready to board. He had sunglasses on and he was absolutely wetting my panties (Lacy, of course) with his white jacket and lavender shirt and white pants with a stunning black tie.

I grinned widely as the car rounded up to a stop in front of the VIP lounge. I wasn't looking so bad either. In fact, I would probably win if there was a competition.

Dressed in a crème colored loose top which so clearly showed my lacy baby pink push-up bra, I was making heads turn at my every step. I paired my top with a black pencil mini-skirt which complimented my ass brilliantly. To top it all off, I wore black Dolce & Gabbana high heels which made my creamy long legs look mile-high.

Edward's jaw nearly hit the floor when he saw what I was wearing and what was underneath my top as I had intended him to do. His eyes took in my curvy body which made men drool and under his hypnotic and lust-filled gaze, I felt strangely nervous and powerful at the same time.

Was I revealing too much? Did he like it? Or does he think I'm one of those sluts? Or worse, did he think I was a bimbo type?

I had never fretted over the thought that a man could possibly like my dressing or not. This feeling left me strangely unsettled. I did not like it.

A smirk fell onto his perfect face when he realized I wasn't dodging him and was walking straight towards him.

"Good morning, Isabella. I see you do know how to make a man hard."

I laughed softly and every strange or unsettling feeling of nervousness quickly dissipated and I felt foolish for doubting my sense of style.

"More like I know how to make you hard. It's not that difficult, actually. Your desire and want for me comes off in excessive amounts off you and I know that I got to you. I know I look sexy and that's true."

He took my hand and kissed it gently but with affection I never knew I could experience. "I could do more, but I don't want to get too carried away in front of public. Though we will have time for that later." He winked at me and put a warm arm around my waist which made us both jolt. I didn't feel that electric current when he touched me last night. We both looked at each other, eyes wide, and hearts beating loudly.

I ignored the weird feeling rising repeatedly in my chest and encouraged him to put his arm around me again. He smiled, obviously relieved, and led me to the sitting room which was secured from all the prying eyes of the public, eager to get a scoop on the world's most successful, hottest and eligible businesspersons.

Once we were seated comfortably, Edward motioned the waiter over and he took out his wallet.

"Oh no, that's fine, I can—

One look from him was all it took for me to realize that I wasn't going to win this argument with him. Once he was satisfied that I wouldn't argue, he smiled and paid the waiter, turning to me for my order. I suddenly had a headache but I brushed it off, thinking it was probably stress over business.

The waiter was blushing as he opened his notepad. And I just had to smirk at him. I couldn't help it; he looked like a lost puppy. "One martini please. Dry."

"Ok, Ma'am. Will there be anything else? Don't hesitate to call for me. Name's Eric." He winked at me and I found myself smiling at him as I did with every other eager guy.

Edward, however, was apparently pissed. Very pissed that I thought he was going to rip off the poor guy's head. He glared at him and snapped before he could say anything else to me.

"That will be all. We won't need you again. You can leave."

The guy stammered and stumbled as he ran out of the room with his tail between his legs. I actually felt bad for the poor waiter.

"Edward! That was really rude." I scolded him but underneath my disappointed expression, I was bursting with the joy that Edward was jealous. Many guys had been jealous over me and it was really amusing to watch. But, my god, Edward being jealous was hot. Smoking hot.

"Then he shouldn't have been talking to you like that. I didn't like the way he looked at you." He stated simply as if he was describing a toy. His favorite thing.

I knew I should've felt creepy but I actually like the prospect of Edward thinking me of his.

Again, what the hell was wrong with me?

But I couldn't resist teasing adorable little jealous Edward.

"And who gave you the right to dislike it?" I almost lost my cool act of patronizing when I saw the intense and amused look cross Edward's face for 5 whole seconds before his eyes glittered with amusement and that sexy smirk I've already grown to love morphed onto his face and he leaned in, far too close that I could feel his hot breath drenched with lust on my cheek.

"Should I claim my right, Isabella? Right here, right now? I suppose that will take a little time and we don't have that. After all, I'm not the quickie type." His breath fanned over my neck which suddenly became hot with a burning sensation due to his close proximity. I had a hard time snapping out of it and regaining my cool and calm composure. Of course, Edward could see right through me as I turned my face toward him, willing my voice to be smooth as his, our breaths mixing together as our lips were only inches apart.

"Really? So that means you will often be jealous? Cool, I like seeing you jealous."

He grinned widely and fell back onto the sofa, crossing his arms over his chest in a casual way. He looked at me with such an intense gaze that it pierced my soul. "Oh, I'll be a lot of things other than jealous. Would you like that too? That I become overprotective when you talk to another man with a smile like that? That I become excited whenever you look at me? And that I become breathless and flushed when I've just made you come countless times and now I want to go again because I can't get enough of you."

How he managed to change the mood from playful to serious in a flash, I'll never understand. But my breathless, flushed and embarrassed reaction was enough for him that he relaxed and smirked at me while I tried to control my panting, flushing hard and breathing wildly self-mess.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Please board the Swan Airlines. We hope you were comfortable while waiting. Thank you and boarding will be closed in 15 minutes."

"Come on, my lacy beauty. I think this will be a rather pleasant flight, don't you think? And, my god, that push-up bra makes your boobs look great. Let's go."

I was standing there with my jaw hanging open for a spilt-second as I watched him take out my bags from my car and head towards the jet.

This is going to be a very long flight.

"The bedroom is quite impressive, I must say. The bed is really warm and soft and comfy, just perfect for my nightly activities."

"Only in night? Shame. You know, you should utilize the daytime. Why wait until night time?" It was my turn to smirk at him as Edward stood in front of me, leaning against the front seat.

I closed my laptop and stared up at him, crossing my legs. I grinned when he gulped and clenched his fists and stared longer than he should have.

He leaned forward, whispering in my ear, my body shuddering with each breath. "I like daytime too, but the night feels sexier, dark, and intimate and the night brings anxiousness when you don't know what to expect. I'm standing in front of you in daylight and I plan on doing nothing, which you also know. However, you don't know what will happen in night. I could slip into the bedroom and touch you and make you moan and the night will get us both carried away. Won't you like that?"

I took in a deep breath and turned my face toward him, a gasp echoing from my mouth when I realize how close he's standing. Our noses are brushing, our lips are inches away, we both are panting and breathing heavily and our foreheads are joined. Edward leans in and I close my eyes, remembering his last kiss and the effects. How his kiss left me aching for more and now I'm actually going to get a taste again. I wanted nothing more than that, for him to swallow me and for me to drown in him, never surfacing again. To be lost in him and him only.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Please put on your seatbelts, we're landing at the stopover on our way to Venice. Enjoy."

I snapped my eyes open, and instantly leaned back. Edward looked confused but quickly recovered and stood up. I stood up as well, not allowing him any other opportunity as I walked towards the front to talk to the captain and when I returned, Edward was sitting in the seat next to mine. I sighed and sat down, opening my laptop which Edward closed down as soon as I had opened it.

"Look at me, Isabella." Something about the softness in his voice made me look up at him. The intensity of his gaze shocked me as he took my hand and placed it on his leg. The electric current pulsing between us was there again and palpable, but the earlier touch had shocked me so much that I didn't realize that this electricity between us was not bad but a really good feeling. I inched closer to him, squeezing his leg affectionately. All these feelings were so new that I decided to just go with everything now and figure out my actions and these feelings later.

"It's Bella. Everybody calls me Bella."

"Bella, talk to me. I want to know you. I don't why, but I really want to."

"I want to know you too."

"Good, now tell me, do you wear thongs to work?"

I laughed out loud, somewhat disappointed that he changed the topic and relieved that he did. The intensity was too strong for me to think straight. Intensity was bad because it could lead to serious things which I wasn't prepared for. I was afraid that if I didn't keep myself in check, I might smother him with kisses.

What was wrong with that, exactly?

Everything. I can't fall over that dangerous cliff again. It was too soon.

"No, I don't wear thongs to work. I wear thongs when I go to clubs. They stick up my butt crack and it makes me feel uncomfortable."

He busted into laughter but quickly smirked at my glare and said mischievously, "Ah, I see, they stick up your butt crack? Well, I would love to unstuck a thong from your butt crack. With my teeth. Wouldn't you like that?"

Oh god, his teeth. Just imagining that scenario made me squirm around. I took a deep breath and placed one of my own smirks on my face.

Two can play this game. Bring it on, Cullen.

"Oh, I would absolutely love it, but you're missing the main point here, Edward. We are not going to a club. We're going for a business deal, a merger between 2 companies. And I'm not going to wear a thong to a meeting where my dad is sitting right next to me."

He laughed and then smirked at me before leaning in and whispering in my ear, his voice sultry. "You just wait and see."

What was he trying to say? Or do? I couldn't understand for the life of me. Before today's phone conversation with him, I thought I knew Edward Cullen. But I was wrong. Oh boy, I was completely wrong.

Even when I heard about his identity, I still knew what was going to happen. I already knew what to expect from him, that he would be like another ruthless, cocky and arrogant businessman, and I already had known how I would react. I had planned everything out carefully, and now it was of no use. The Edward I had met last night was an eager and egotistical man. But now I understood that it was all a mask, a hard exterior for the world. But the Edward sitting next to me was a soft and broken man who could make blush and laugh in a matter of seconds.

I knew what was going to happen on this trip, but now, as I glanced at him, sitting casually, pressing a few options on his phone, I knew nothing. And not knowing what to expect from this man, and what was going to happen next, absolutely terrified and excited me at the same time.

He caught me looking and leaned in, kissing my cheek and went back to his phone, smiling at me. His warm lips left warmth in my body and on my face as I tried not to blush at the thought of what would happen if he kissed me on my lips.

Right now, at this very moment, I knew nothing about Edward Cullen and right now, as he occasionally glanced up at me to burn me with his intense gaze, I almost lost control again.

"Hello, Is this High Crescent? Yes, this is Edward Cullen." Ooohh, Edward in his cold, hard and business tone was really hot; it was like he was talking to his submissive. It made me cross and uncross my legs and, of course, Edward noticed and smirked.

Wait a minute. High Crescent? The five-star club in Venice? Where exactly was Edward going with this?

I raised one eyebrow at him, and he mouthed 'thong' at me. I choked on the martini I was drinking and was staring at him wide-eyed and open-mouthed.

The devil smirks at me.

"Yes, I'm calling to make an appointment for the VIP section for tomorrow night. I want it completely empty. No, I don't want rooms. I want the sitting room. Yes, a table would be good. Arrange it for two."

He snapped the phone shut and immediately placed a finger on my lips before I could start protesting. He knew me so well.

"It's all arranged. After the meeting tomorrow afternoon, we're going to rest and then I'm going to pick you up from your suite at 8. Be ready, look sexy, wear a thong and bite me."

"What?"

"That was a joke, Bella. Even if you come out wearing a garbage bag, I'm still going to bite you tonight, as that is my intention."

I blushed. A garbage bag? He'll seriously like me in a garbage bag? The thought made me blush even more.

And then his face morphed into a look of surprise as though his next words were completely innocent. Anything but surprise, I bet.

"Oh! I don't need to pick you up. My suite is on the floor below yours. What a coincidence."

Ha. A coincidence. As if he didn't change it on the last minute when he thought I was taking a little nap. I shook my head slightly and said sternly, "What if I had plans tomorrow night?"

He saw right through my mock anger and smirked at me before saying, "Cancel them, sweetie. You're not going to have any plans for 2 days. Tonight, I'm going to show you Venice. Maybe we'll stay at a hotel, other than the one we're staying at."

"I've already seen Venice! I opened my hotel there, remember?"

"Oh, I remember that clearly. But you only opened your hotel there. You didn't see the whole city. We're going on a tour tonight, and I'm going to make sure that you feel comfortable and have fun."

I could see there was no arguing him on this. Clearly, Garrett was totally right. Edward was trying hard, but why, I couldn't understand that.

When he saw my resolve breaking, he leaned in and hugged me. Then before pulling back, he grazed my lips with his and my breath shuddered. Our breaths were coming in pants and once again, I was ready for his kiss. I was ready for that moment when I would willingly jump off this cliff to wait for the next one. Consequences be damned. Just as I was about to give in and kiss him, everything broke.

Because he snapped my seatbelt on.

"Wouldn't want you flying across the plane now, would we?" I was sitting there, my cheeks flushed, my breathing heavy and my lips parted with the thought that he was going to kiss me.

He smirked and leaned back to sip his drink, the picture perfect of calm and relaxed. I was furious.

Apparently, Edward Cullen still didn't know Isabella Swan. I quickly put myself together while Edward drank, watching me the whole time while I fixed my hair and straightened my skirt.

I then leaned in, kissing his cheek and when my lips were inches away from his, I felt his smile widen and his cock fully erect with the thought that I was going to cave in and kiss him first. I put my hand on his cock and squeezed and he growled. I grinned and then looked him straight in the eye, moving my lips closer and closer and when he leaned forward, in hopes of kissing me,

I stood up.

Yes, I actually stood up and started to turn around, making my way to the bar. And when I looked back at him, his nostrils were flared, his eyes shut and his breath was coming in short and shallow pants. He opened his eyes again and pierced me with that intense gaze, standing up and stalking towards the bar as well.

He pinned me between the counter and him, his breath fanning over my neck. He leaned in and crashed his lips on mine. The feeling was so wonderful, I didn't want to let go. I instantly moaned and he slipped his tongue in my mouth. This kiss was soft and domineering slightly. It was like he had me but still couldn't get enough.

His hands gripped my hips and he lifted me up and sat me down on the counter, never breaking the kiss. Our tongues played languidly in peace, touching and tasting each other. I put my hands on his shoulder and made my way up to his hair at the nape of his neck. I tangled my fingers in his hair and gripped tightly. Edward growled and I took the chance to bite his lip. He gripped me harder and I moaned. He pushed himself closer toward me, spreading my legs open and stepping in between them. I wrapped my legs around his waist and we broke apart, both our bodies flushing with need and desire, overcome by the need to breathe. We were panting wildly and then his lips descended upon my neck. He sucked and licked, tasting every inch of me. I ran my hands up and down his covered back, inching him closer to me that we no longer could see each other. He bit my neck then soothed the sting with his tongue, enough to leave a hickey. The thought of him leaving a hickey on my neck, marking me as taken, was surprisingly erotic.

In return, I started sucking at his neck, making my way up his ear and then I bit his ear lobe then took it in my mouth, sucking softly. He growled and then I broke away, wanting—needing—to look at him. He was flushed and his face was red and he was looking at me in such an intense way that I instantly pulled him to me in a fierce embrace. He wrapped his arms around me in an equally needy way and we just hugged each other, for how many hours or minutes, I don't know, until the stewardess interrupted us.

"Ahem, Mr. Cullen and Ms. Swan, we have landed. The jet is ready to leave."

We broke apart and headed towards the two bathrooms at the end of the hallways. I looked at myself in the mirror and sighed. My face was bright red, my hair a mess because Edward had tugged at it really hard. Which I had really liked. My panties were a soaking mess and I headed to the toilet area to clean myself up and relive my throbbing pussy and give it some pleasure. I was going crazy with the need to have Edward.

When I emerged from the bathroom, Edward was leaning against the wall, waiting for me. I smiled nervously at him and he instantly appeared at my side, wrapping an arm around my waist as we entered the airport, making our way to the car parked for us.

"No need to feel strange. I'm right here, don't worry."

And with those words, the thousand unsettled knots of nervousness quickly dissipated in my stomach. I smiled and relaxed in his hold and he smiled at me, comforting me.

He led me to the car and opened my door, helping me into the car. Once we were settled comfortably, he turned towards me and started explaining the day we were going to spend together. He looked so fresh and excited, eager to spend time with me that I couldn't help but grin back at him. I looked forward to the day immensely.

"Ok, so we already took a nap during the flight so we're going to have lunch at a little café and then we're going to explore the famous river and then...well, can't give myself away, can I? The last thing needs to be a surprise. But I promise you, Bella, you're going to have fun today. No matter what, I'm going to make sure that we have a wonderful time. Even at this little stopover."

"How will we explore the river, exactly?"

"Easy. We're going to spend the evening on the bank of the river."

I smiled up at him and at once, a thousand feelings hit me at once. Edward was showing me a new side of the world, a side I thought was cruel and cold. But he's showing me the sunlight in anything dark.

I reached over to have a biscuit in one of the gift baskets, but Edward caught my hand and with his other hand, he grabbed my waist and then pulled me onto his lap. I gasped and he smirked at me, closing the privacy door that separated us from the watchful eyes of the driver.

"Your eyes are so beautiful, so warm and so soft. I want to bury myself in them and never come back up."

His words made my breath hitch in my throat and suddenly, there was no car, no Venice, no business merger. There was only me, Edward, his arms around me, our breaths coming in short pants and the little bubble we've managed to create at the moment.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and he rested his forehead against mine, looking into my eyes with such adoration and wonder that I couldn't help but kiss him softly. Our lips met and even though we just had a make-out session not 20 minutes ago, our need became clear in the way we held each other tightly. Before things could get any intense and heated, the car came to a stop. We broke away, and Edward traced my cheekbone with his fingers. "Let's not get too carried away."

I nodded and he got out of the car, coming around to open my door for me but he found the seat empty. I wrapped my arms around him from behind and pretended to whine like a brat. "You're so lazy! I'm way quicker than you, Eddie. Come on!"

I tugged at his hand and let him lead me to the small secluded café table set for 2 by the river bank. Edward laughed at me and traced my neck, making me shiver.

"Oh, you don't know how much fast I am, Bella."

"Really? I don't believe that."

"Once we're both in sheets, you moaning and me penetrating you hard, I'll show you just how fast I am."

I took in a deep breath and noticing that he had already gotten to me; he chuckled and wrapped an arm around me.

"Soon, very soon."

"No way, Cullen. You're going to work hard for me to even get past the kissing. You're going to have to prove yourself."

No matter how much I was already starting to feel for Edward, sex was not a good option right now. I needed to make him work for it. But deep down, I knew that I was going to lose this battle soon. Edward was just too intoxicating a drug that I just couldn't get away from him. I just couldn't get enough. And while a part of me wanted to explore these emotions I was feeling, to see where they could lead me from here, to experience what I've been missing for so long, another part of me just wanted me to stay put. I couldn't just become reckless again. The memories that part reminded me were enough to make me afraid of opening my heart and getting it broken again.

I couldn't take that. It was just too much. But I was afraid that I might lose. That my self-control and will power might be broken by this intoxicating drug.

"I will, then."

Somehow, those words and their seriousness made me feel better.

Once we were settled comfortably and our food was placed in front of us, Edward reached over and presses a tiny velvet box into my hand. I gasped and slapped his hand away playfully.

"Edward Cullen, are you proposing to me?!"

He laughed and his laughter and the casualness of the moment made me smile again. How this man managed to keep me smiling every moment was unbelievable but I decided to dwell on those feelings later. This moment was too good to be ruined.

"No, Isabella Marie Swan, I am not proposing to you. That's a normal box without any ring that you'll open after we finish our meal. We're going to use that for an activity we're going to do. No! Don't open it now."

"Ok, so we're going to do an activity! How fun that'll be!"

He smiled and I didn't notice the way his shoulders relaxed in a way of relief. "I'm glad you like that. I really want you to have fun. Ok, so while we eat, we're also going to play 20 questions. After all, didn't I say that I wanted to get to know you better?"

"Does that involve my choice of underwear? Or my body, Mr. Edward Cullen?"

"Not for the time being, no. But we will. In detail, with a little bit of illustration. And of course, practice makes perfect." He waggled his eyebrows at me and I laughed, shaking my head.

"Ok, you go first, Bella."

"Favorite color?"

"Green and Black. You?"

"Blue and purple. Favorite food?"

"Pussy." I glared at him and he chuckled, raising his hands up in defeat.

"Anything. I'm not a choosy person. You?"

"Anything with cream and cheese in it."

"Ok, favorite thing to wear?"

"Umm...dresses which have thigh-high slits."

"Oh god. If you don't want my boner poking you anytime soon, you better stop saying such things."

I laughed and stroked his hand which was holding mine. "What's your favorite thing to wear?"

"A suit. It's grown on me. Ok, what do you wear for comfort?"

"I parade around in my house naked. I like not wearing anything."

He choked and started coughing violently while I laughed and patted him on the back. "You walk around naked? What if someone comes to visit you?!"

"Relax, caveman. If it's someone close to me, I'll put on shorts and a tank top. If it's someone from work, then I'll probably wear something decent."

Once he felt better, he took a sip of his juice and smirked at me. "What if I was at your door? What would you wear then?"

"Hmm...That's a tough question to answer. Since you're someone I know and someone from work too...I'll probably be topless. Or wearing a bra and lacy panties. Lacy floral panties."

"You'll open the door topless? Hmm, when should I visit you? I'd give anything to see you like that."

"Maybe I'll let you see me like that soon." I smiled at him coyly and traced my bra strap visible through the sheer fabric.

He laughed and then stood up, throwing some bills on the table. "I'll be waiting anxiously for when that time might come. Come on, it's time for our activity."

"Look! There it is." Edward pointed to a big tree with red flowers by the river.

"Edward, that's a tree. With flowers."

He smirked and tugged at my hand, leading me to the tree. "No, not just a tree with flowers. A special tree. They call it the 'Tree of Hearts' around here."

"Why?"

"You'll see. Come on."

We stopped in front of the tree then Edward pulled me to the back of the tree. The middle was hollow, carved in a heart shape. Red flowers coated the outline. It was beautiful.

"Open the box. Go on."

I opened the box and found two black hearts tucked into the cushion perfectly. I gasped and picked up one of the hearts. It fitted perfectly in my palm.

"What do we do now? Why are these hearts black in color?"

"In this activity, it is said around here that these hearts are lifeless right now. We have to breathe life into them." He took the other heart out of the box and closed it.

"How do we do that?" I was so fascinated by the whole concept that I was holding the heart like it was as fragile as a butterfly.

"We drop it in the tree."

"No! It'll be lost."

Edward chuckled and pulled me to him. "No, it won't. It's all part of the activity."

"Ok."

Edward leaned toward the hollow section of the tree and dropped the heart. It fell with a tiny and gentle splash. "Ok, your turn now."

I dropped my heart and it too, ended with a splash. Suddenly, I noticed that our surrounding were surprisingly quiet. I turned around and saw that not a single person was near. In fact, the place was isolated except for Edward and me and that made it so much more romantic and personal. Even the new setting and quiet and warm place evoked new emotions in me and I suddenly found myself craving to be in more places where Edward and I would be alone and there would be not a single soul to interrupt us.

"I had it cleared out so we could enjoy our evening peacefully."

"What are we going to enjoy in the evening after this?"

"What I have stored for us later."

Suddenly, I heard a popping sound come from the tree. I spun around to find the heart resting at the end of a hollow branch carved out from the tree like a pipe. Behind it, the other heart, my heart, also came out. I gasped and snatched the hearts from the branch-like pipe to see that both hearts were red and had an unlikely natural glow to them.

"Wow. This is beautiful, Edward."

"Do you know what the hearts represent now?"

"Yes." I said as a sudden realization hit me. Red color meant they had blood in them. "They now represent life. They're alive now. We made them alive."

"Yes. Now they are our beating hearts."

Edward took the heart that he had dropped into the tree and kissed it and it popped open gently. He motioned for me to do the same to his heart still lying in my hand and it opened to reveal a slip of paper inside. "What are these for?"

"Now, we have to write our names on it. You write your name on my heart and I'll write mine in yours."

The whole idea and what it symbolized was so romantic that I couldn't help but shed a tear on this. Edward was asking me to write my name in his heart and he was writing his in mine. I found this activity, no, this whole projection of love, very romantic, endearing and beautiful. Suddenly, all my insecurities had vanished.

Edward wrote his name on my heart's paper and handed me the pencil. I wrote down my name on the paper and tucked it back inside his heart. I closed it and Edward did the same, handing me my heart. "Put it back inside the velvet box."

I carefully placed both hearts back into the cushion and closed the box.

"Ok, now come on." Edward led me to the river and bent down, touching the water softly as I sat down beside him.

"Now, drop the box." When he saw my horrified expression, he quickly wrapped an arm around me. "I promise it won't sink. Just drop it gently and you'll see."

I dropped the heart, kissing it as I did so. It floated on the water and continued to float far.

Edward pulled me towards him until we were sitting flush against each other, my back to his chest. I laid my head on his chest where his heart was and could listen his heart beat softly and in rhythm to mine.

"Look, the box."

I looked at the box and it was floating and floating, swimming so gently and alone in the river, just as the sun started to set. Edward caressed my hair slowly, holding me lightly as I relaxed in his hold. I kissed his fingers one by one and Edward placed a soft kiss to my temple.

"Why did you want to do this activity, Edward?"

"I just thought that it would be fun since every couple has done it here. They say the river is the most beautiful around here."

"It is. And I did have fun."

"Good. Now we have etched our names on each other's hearts. Now you can't get rid of me."

As I sat there, I wondered how one day had changed my life so much. I got out of the house, planning to sleep with Edward and then leave him, but everything has crashed onto me. I hold a special place for him now. Although I am sure I am not in love with him, I do know that I care for him. Probably more than I've ever cared for anyone else. Today, Edward has made me feel what no other man has. I had a feeling deep down that no other man ever could. Edward had spoiled me for any other man. It was terrifying and romantic all at the same time.

"I won't." I whispered just as the sun set and darkness took over the silent and beautiful place.

We just sat there, little streams of stolen touches and caresses passing between us, as we listened to each other's hearts beating.

Suddenly, the sky lit up with fireworks. I gasped and Edward chuckled softly behind me while I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Do you like the fireworks? I arranged them just so we could enjoy. I know I haven't had a day as relaxing as today and you haven't either."

It was true. I hadn't relaxed as much as I had today. And I loved the fireworks. But what was written in the fireworks was the thing that had surprised me the most.

"I do enjoy the fireworks. But you didn't have to write 'Bella' in them." My name was projected so beautifully that I couldn't help but marvel at the whole prospect. I had seen fireworks before, countless times, but these won the award. These were the best.

"I wanted to." His voice was barely audible as he captured my face in his hands and kissed me softly. HIs tongue collided with mine and I found myself drowning in him. He was everywhere. His scent, his taste and his feel, everything of his had captured me. And I never wanted to let go.

We broke away, panting for breath just as Edward nudged me to see the next firework, fighting to keep a smile. I turned just in time to see "Sexy Lacy Bella" displayed across the sky.

"You had them write 'Sexy Lacy Bella?!"

Even though I was only mock angry at him, I was very surprised. And embarrassed. Very embarrassed.

Edward must've noticed the red blush creeping up on my face. He held my chin and forced me to look at him. "Hey, nobody can see that except you and me. And I wrote that myself and sent it so that it could only be seen when it went up while you were taking a real nap."

That made me marginally better as I kissed him softly and then smirked up at him. "That's okay. Besides, the whole memo seems quite nice. And relatable. Reminds me that I'll probably wear my dark blue lacy baby doll set tomorrow."

Edward's expression changed from amused to surprise as I laughed at him. "You're really going to wear a baby doll while your father sits next to you? What are you going to wear on top of it?"

"A white loose blouse."

"Oh god, help me." He looked at the sky and kissed my head gently before turning me back towards the firework display.

Everything in my life was so peaceful and relaxing that I almost thought that it was a dream. But Edward's arms around me kept me in reality. A beautiful reality.

That night Edward held me as we fell asleep in our embrace. And I couldn't help but let out a tear as sleep took me. A happy tear. A tear that signified that I cared for Edward. And I liked him.

And that was okay.

That's it for today, guys! Hope you like this chapter. This chapter has been brought to you so much time later than planned because my internet was not working and the Wi-Fi had completely blocked out. I hope you forgive me for that and I'm really sorry. Leave me some love!

Until next time!