Thanks as always to my wonderful betas, Ms_Ambrosia and Browns. I heart them a lot.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

"If I could walk on water, if I could tell you what's next,

make you believe, make you forget. So come on get higher, loosen my lips.

Faith and desire in the swing of your hips. Just to pull me down hard and drown me in love…"

Come on Get Higher by Matt Nathanson

EPOV

She wasn't going to know what hit her.

Alice told me Bella hated surprises, but I hoped she'd forgive me for this once she realized where we were going. It was only our one-month anniversary, but I felt the need to celebrate, to do it up big for some reason. I couldn't put my finger on why, hoping – fuck that – knowing –that we'd have many more anniversaries to celebrate together. But I wanted to do something sweet and romantic for the girl I was falling in love with.

What do you mean falling in love with? Admit it, Cullen; you're already there.

Some would say I was moving too fast, especially considering all Bella was dealing with. It might have escaped her notice, but I was well aware that something was going on with her. However, she had opened up to me so much already, and I didn't want to have her shut down because I pushed for more. So, I let her go at her own pace, telling me whatever she wanted to tell me, and only when she was ready. I knew she was hiding something, but all I could do was trust that she would tell me what it was eventually.

In the meantime, I would do whatever I could to make her feel safe…and loved.

This weekend wasn't about getting her to spill her guts though, as much as I fucking wanted her too. It was just about the two of us, away from the "real world" for a little while, connecting and enjoying spending time together.

I'd been working the same hectic hours I'd always worked since my residency started, but it was different now that I was with Bella. I hated being away from her for days at a time and when I worked those kinds of shifts that was exactly what happened. Thankfully, she was content with having sleepovers and spending every waking minute with me when we both weren't working, but…

We needed some time just the two of us. We were constantly fighting the intrusion of my work, of my brother or my sister and even Bella's job. Her co-workers called constantly, inviting her out for drinks or whatnot. I always encouraged her to go, even telling her I would go with her if she wished, but she refused. She claimed our time was limited as it was and she didn't want anyone or anything to interrupt us when we were together.

The problem was we were always interrupted. Be it by Emmett or Alice, my job, or her job, someone was always coming home or calling at an inopportune moment. Emmett laughed for three days after he walked in on Bella and me half-naked on the living room couch. Had I known he was going to be home anytime soon we would not have been there, but the asshole told me he was spending the night at Rosalie's. He'd forgotten his uniform and came back to get it, leaving Bella red-faced and refusing to leave my room until well after he was gone.

Fucking cockblocker.

Not that I was expecting to make love to Bella this weekend – or any time soon, really. Her panic attack over her scars was enough to show me that my girl needed some time – and healing – before she was ready for anything more than some touching and kissing. I tried to show her in every way I knew that I adored every inch of her, scars and all. It wasn't easy to always keep my raging libido in check, but I was more than willing to do it for my Bella. I hoped this weekend would go a long way to help show her that.

And if Eduardo was hoping that he might get a little sumin-sumin, who was I to crush his dreams?

Yes, I named my penis. Get the fuck over it.

I refused to apologize for the healthy sexual appetite that I had. I liked sex. I liked it a lot and I enjoyed doing it as often as I could. I wanted to have a relationship with Bella, though, and that meant sex was off the table for now. However, it didn't stop part of me from wishing that was different.

My cell phone rang, dragging me out of my sex-starved thoughts and I glanced at the caller id, even though I already knew who it was.

"Hello, Big Brother!"

"Hey, Baby Girl. How's tricks?"

"Eh, you know…things are good."

Alice sounded chipper, but it didn't stop the worry from clouding my mind a little. I had taken Bella's observations about my sister seriously and I knew that Bella wasn't imagining things when she said something was up with Alice. But just like with Bella, I was content to sit back and observe for now, waiting for her to come to me if and when she ever needed me. Despite the fact that Alice had friends and family around, she was still embarking on a new and scary journey. Her acting strangely didn't worry me as much as it might have if I hadn't known her so well. Alice just didn't handle change very well - no matter what form it was in. My sister had just moved to a new city, was starting a new business and coming to terms with the fact that her best friend was dating her brother. I knew she wasn't unhappy about any of these things, but they were things that required getting used to used to and Alice usually took more time to adjust than most people.

"I just called to let you know I have Bella's suitcase packed for the weekend and hiding in my room, so don't forget to grab it on your way out." I could hear the smile in Ali's voice.

"Baby Girl, you are my new favorite sibling. Thank you so much for helping me surprise her. I couldn't do it without you."

I have no problem sucking up when it is warranted, and in this case it totally is.

"You owe me, Edward. Do you know the shopping I had to do to make sure Bella had appropriate outfits for this weekend? By the way, expect her to give you hell. She hates it when I buy her stuff."

I sighed. "Ali, I told you not to go crazy. She's going to have a hard enough time accepting the whole surprise thing."

"I couldn't help it. I have a problem. I have no shame in admitting it."

I laughed. "Oh Ali, I love you."

"Love you, too. Her passport is in the front pocket; I won't even tell you what I had to go through to find it without her knowing." I could only picture Alice rolling her eyes on the other end of the phone, but I knew that's exactly what she was doing.

She continued in her sing-song voice. "I'm going to head out so I'm not around for the big reveal of your present. Just so you know, she's probably gonna yell."

"Thanks for deserting me in my time of need."

"Hey, a smart girl knows when to abandon ship, so I'm getting out while the getting is good. I hope you two have a fun and relaxing weekend away. Enjoy it."

"I hope we will. Thanks for everything, Ali. I mean that."

"I know you do and you'll pay up someday." Alice laughed and said goodbye.

I hit the button to end the call and surveyed the living room. My luggage was waiting for me at the door and all that I had left to do was meet Bella at her apartment by five o'clock.

I really hoped she didn't kill me when she found out what I had planned.

I ended up leaving earlier than I needed to for Bella and Alice's apartment, but I was anxious to arrive and sweep my girl off her feet.

Twenty minutes later – damn, Seattle traffic – I was letting myself into the girls' apartment. Alice had given me an extra key in case of emergencies, but this was the first time I had ever used it.

I looked at the clock, noting it was four-thirty and hoped Bella would be home soon. I wished we could've gotten on the road a bit sooner, but Bella had a class at three-thirty. I probably should've made reservations for us a bit closer to Seattle, but the resort I found had been too perfect to pass up.

I had made reservations for a romantic weekend package at the Brentwood Bay Lodge and Spa in Victoria, British Columbia. When I saw the website and read the reviews for the resort, I couldn't resist booking it. I reserved us a private suite for two days and two nights along with a spa package for Bella. I wanted to do anything I could to make my girl feel relaxed and pampered.

Along with the spa package, I also planned a trip for us to Butchart Gardens. The most important part of the whole weekend, though, was that we would have the privacy to just enjoy being together.

With no interruptions.

I heard Bella's key in the lock and realized I had been lost in my daydreams for longer than I thought. I smiled brightly knowing that in just a few seconds she'd be through the door and in my arms.

My smiled dimmed as the door opened and I caught sight of her face. There were deep, purple shadows under her eyes, and even though she was smiling, it didn't seem completely real. She just looked so…defeated.

I was immediately on my feet, crossing the floor to get to her and move her into my embrace.

"Baby, are you okay?" I asked, my jaw moving against her hair.

I felt her nod. "Just tired, it was a...long day." She nuzzled into my chest, burrowing as deep as she was able. I shuffled us a bit so I could remove her messenger bag from her shoulder. Once I had that dropped to the floor, I removed her coat as well. Her body seemed to sag beneath the weight of something and I wished that she would just let go of her burden and let me in.

I stood there and held her for a while, rocking her back and forth slightly. Eventually though, she pulled back and looked at me; I could now see some happiness in her brown depths.

"There's my girl." I grinned back at her, and then leaned down to kiss her lips. Her mouth opened under mine and I slipped my tongue inside. She moaned softly beneath me and I knew that if I didn't pull away, we wouldn't get out of here until much later in the evening. I took the high road and backed up, giving her one last soft kiss on her mouth.

"Do you want to change before we go?" I asked, keeping my arms wrapped around her waist.

She looked down at the skirt and blouse she was wearing. "What's wrong with what I've got on? Do I need to be more dressed up?"

I shook my head. "No, but I think you'll be more comfortable in something more casual. Jeans and a t-shirt would be fine for what we're doing."

She looked at me puzzled. "Aren't we going out to dinner?"

Smirking, I gave her an evasive answer. "Eventually…"

Bella rolled her eyes and huffed. "Aren't you going to give me something more to go on?"

"Nope. If you're comfortable the way you are, we can leave, but I really think you'll feel better if you change."

She sighed and her eyes were full of wariness. "O…kay. Give me ten?"

I kissed her once more before releasing her. "Take your time, love."

I followed Bella as far as Alice's room before sneaking inside to grab her suitcase. It was right where Alice said it would be and I yelled to Bella that I had to run to the car for something real quick and I'd be right back. I heard her yell a muffled, "okay" just before I shut the door.

I was back upstairs by the time Bella finished getting ready. She had taken my advice and changed into jeans and a light gray, long-sleeved t-shirt with a pair of Chucks. Her hair was up in a messy bun, and she looked very sexy.

Settle down, Eduardo. Settle down.

"Ready, love?" I asked, holding my hand out to her.

The smile reached her eyes as she slipped her hand in mine and walked with me out the door.

Almost four hours later, we pulled up to the front of the resort. Bella had fallen asleep just after we stopped for a quick bite to eat. She'd ranted and raved at my refusal to tell her where we were going before eventually calming down; ten minutes after that, she stopped talking to me completely.

I looked over to find that she had passed out in the seat beside me.

I didn't want to wake her, the dark circles under her eyes told me she hadn't slept well the night before. I knew that she had a hard time sleeping when I wasn't with her, and I felt guilty for all the time I spent away from her. I hoped this weekend would help make that up to her a little.

Leaning over the console, I ran my hand over her hair, and cupped the back of her neck before placing my lips on hers. I gave her a gentle kiss and she shifted a bit underneath me. I moved back and watched her eyes open slowly.

"We're here, love." Bella sat up and looked around.

"Am I allowed to know where we are yet?" she asked, grumpily.

I smiled. "We're just outside Victoria. I planned a little getaway for us."

Her eyes widened and her mouth opened in a little "o." Just then the valet approached the car and I turned to get out so he could take care of our luggage and the car.

I met Bella on her side of the car, taking her hand and following the bellboy into the main lobby. Check-in was easy and we were directed to our room in no time. Bella's eyes widened as we stepped inside; she removed her hand from mine to go explore while I tipped the bellman for bringing up our bags. A short few minutes later, our luggage was inside, the door was shut and locked, and I had Bella in my arms. She was standing on the patio and I knew in the light of day we'd be able to see the ocean from here, just as the resort advertised. Neither of us spoke; we just stood there, my arms around Bella's waist, her hands over mine, and took in the silence around us.

Feeling her shiver, I turned her around in my arms before kissing her softly. "Ready to go inside?"

She nodded and we walked, hand in hand, back into our room. I thought about asking her if she wanted to make use of the hot tub on the patio, but decided instead to light a fire. Leading Bella over to one of the chairs in front of the fireplace, I gestured for her to sit down. She gave me a small smile before curling up in the chair.

Fifteen minutes later, I had lots of smoke, but no fire. I could see Bella trying hard not to laugh. She hadn't said anything since she offered to call the front desk to see if I could get some help and I bit her head off.

It was just a stupid fire, damn it. I could handle this. I am man, hear me roar!

Bella slid down next to me and gently pulled my hands away before pushing me to the side of the fireplace. "I've got this, Cullen. Go wash your hands."

I sat there in disbelief, speechless at my girl. She turned over her shoulder and smiled at me. "Go wash your hands, they're all sooty. Then pour us some of that champagne they gave us. I'll get the fire started."

Not knowing what else to do, I stood and walked into the bedroom, toward the bathroom. How the hell did my girl know how to start a fire?

When I re-joined her in the living area, sure enough, there was a fire crackling in the fireplace.

"How did you do that?" The words were out of my mouth before I realized how stunned I sounded, and how insulted she might be by them.

Thankfully, she just looked amused. "We had a fireplace in California. Sometimes I wanted a fire and Joe wasn't around, so I had to learn to use it on my own." Her smile turned sad for a moment and I wondered if it was California she missed or something else. Not wanting to entertain that thought, I grabbed her up from where she was standing in front of the fireplace and brought her over to the chair she had been sitting in earlier. Instead of placing her in it though, I sat down in it myself, placing her onto my lap.

There was no protest from her as she placed her cheek on my chest, her head tucked under my chin. My arms were wrapped around her and I let out a contented sigh.

"Everything okay?" she whispered quietly.

"Hmmmm...I'm just very, very happy right at this moment."

Bella snuggled into me further. "Me too."

I ignored the voice in my head that wondered if she was telling me the truth.

The next morning dawned sunny and cool, and I told Bella that she might want to dress warmly, since we were taking a cruise to Butchart Gardens that day. We had lucked out weather wise, the winter and the rainy season was coming to a close in Victoria. There was also an indoor garden for us to enjoy if the weather drove us inside.

Bella had been less than pleased to see her suitcase packed full of brand new "Alice-approved" attire, but she kept her grumbling to a minimum when she realized that Alice really had thought of everything she would need. The night before a blush had lit up her face when she saw something Alice had packed, but she refused to show it to me. I had done a little grumbling myself then.

The package I booked for us included a gourmet breakfast, which was delicious. After having our fill, we headed down to meet the water taxi that would take us to the Gardens.

Two other couples, both a bit older than us, joined us on the water taxi. We all exchanged hellos before settling into our seats to enjoy the ride. Bella linked her arm through mine and laid her head against my shoulder as we pulled away from the dock.

"Warm enough, love?" I asked, pulling her closer to me.

"Hmmm…I am. I can't get over how mild it is today. It almost feels like spring."

I kissed the top of her head. "We lucked out, that's for sure."

She lifted her head and looked at me. "I think I'm the one who lucked out."

I shook my head back at her in answer. "Nope, that would be me."

We smiled at each other and I could help but press my lips to hers.

Before I knew it, we had docked at Butchart Cove. Bella grabbed my hand and we were off.

The day passed quickly, with the two of us enjoying the winter shrubbery and Show House. We had lunch at the Dining Room Restaurant, before heading back for one last look at the Japanese Garden. Bella seemed to have fallen in love with the quiet area, looking more peaceful standing there than I had seen her in weeks, if ever. She was quiet on our way back to the resort, but it was a calm, serene quiet rather than a bored or pissed off one.

We were both chilly by the time we reached our room, the temperature dropping with the setting sun. Bella slipped off her shoes before climbing into the big king-sized bed and burrowing under the covers. I joined her a few minutes later after – successfully this time – starting a fire. Thankfully, my girlfriend had schooled me in what I had been doing wrong the night before.

We snuggled together, quiet in our togetherness. Bella's head was pillowed on my chest, one arm slung over my stomach. I had one arm under her, and I pulled her closer as I ran my other hand over her arm.

There was no way to describe the contentment I felt. It was something that I never knew I was missing, because I had never felt it before. But being there, with the woman I loved wrapped in my arms, I was feeling nothing more than absolute peace and comfort.

I loved her.

I had been utterly fascinated and drawn to Bella for the last ten years, but over the course of the last month, I had fallen completely head over heels in love with her. My brain wanted to argue with this newfound feeling, trying to convince me it was much too soon for me to feel this way. Logically, I realized a month was far too fast for me to really say whether I loved Bella or not. Yet, if I didn't love her, why did I feel this way?

I never wanted to be away from her. When I was, I couldn't wait until the moment I was back in her presence, with her in my arms. She brought a smile to my face just thinking about her, and you couldn't wipe it off when I was with her. I wanted nothing more than to bask in her warmth and beauty, to laugh and talk with her as much as possible. Everything seemed so much brighter and happier since she'd walked back into my life. If that wasn't love, I didn't know what was.

We just seemed to fit together. The way her hand fit in mine, the way her head lay in the perfect spot on my chest. We laughed at the same jokes, had the same taste in movies and TV shows. We both preferred reading to doing anything physical, and the love and loyalty we felt for our families and friends was never wavering.

If I had to custom build the perfect woman for me, it would have been Bella. Always Bella.

Emotion overwhelmed me and I tightened my hold on the girl lying in my arms. She squeezed me harder and I sighed happily.

"I love you."

Fuuuuucccck.

The words were out before I even registered that I was saying them. I immediately froze, not sure what to do from here. I had wanted to think about it some more, to make sure that what I felt was real, and that Bella felt the same before I told her I loved her.

Instead, I let my emotions overwhelm me, and I blurted it out like a fifteen-year-old boy hoping to get laid.

If Emmett were here, he'd be demanding my man card back and handing me a skirt.

It was only seconds, but it felt like years before Bella moved. I was still motionless beneath her, barely breathing, eyes screwed shut. She shifted and I was afraid to look down at her. I swallowed hard, praying I'd keep it together when I finally opened my eyes and looked at her. I had no idea what she was going to say to me, and I was terrified it wouldn't be good.

Sucking it up, I opened both my eyes. Bella was gazing up at me, the hand that was on my stomach now resting beneath her chin as it lay on my chest. There were tears falling down her cheeks.

I opened my mouth to say something – anything – that would dry her tears and bury my embarrassment. I didn't get further than taking a breath when she spoke.

"Edward, I love you, too."

The tightness in my chest immediately lightened and I smiled so hard my face felt funny. I could see past the tears in her eyes now to the love and happiness that were there. My hands grasped her hips and I pulled her up so our faces were aligned.

"Really?" I sounded like a little boy who was just told the fuckton of presents under the tree were his, and his alone.

Bella bit her lip and nodded. My smile got bigger.

My instinct was to crush her lips to mine and devour her, showing her just how much her words meant to me, but that wasn't what the moment called for. The woman I loved just told me that she loved me back and I was going to treat her with the respect and reverence she deserved.

I slowly rolled us over, so she was lying beneath me. Framing her face with my hands, I brought my mouth down to hers, brushing her lips lightly with my own. Our mouths connected, tongues following soon after.

I had no idea how long we lay there, kissing and whispering "I love you" to each other, before my arms got too tired to hold me up any longer. I moved to my side so that I was facing Bella, and she turned to face me. Her fingers came up and started tracing my face, ghosting over my forehead, down my cheek, over my lips and back up. I stayed still, allowing her to do whatever she wished to me. My eyes slid shut while I concentrated on her tiny finger moving over my skin.

"Did you mean it?"

My eyes popped open at her question. There was a crease in the center of her forehead, and she was biting her lip once again. I could still see the love in her eyes, but there was doubt there now too.

"Absolutely. I'm completely and totally in love with you, Bella." Taking her hand from my face, I brought it to my lips. I placed a soft kiss against her knuckles before turning her hand over and kissing the palm.

"You don't think it's too soon?" The worry was still there, but the crease had become less pronounced.

I didn't answer her right away, actually thinking through her question. She wasn't voicing anything that I hadn't thought myself just a few minutes before. We had only been together a month…

…but when you know, you know. And I had no doubt, not when it came to Bella. Some might think it was too soon, but we were the only ones in this relationship and our opinions were the only ones that truly mattered.

"No, I don't. I know how I feel about you, Bella, and whether I said it out loud tonight or three months from now wouldn't change it. I love you. I am so overwhelmed and filled with love for you that I just had to tell you."

Bella's eyes lit up once more and she leaned forward to kiss me. When she was done, she leaned back a little, just enough so she could see my eyes, but our noses were practically touching. "Okay."

"Just okay?"

She gave me a brilliant smile. "I love you and I absolutely agree with everything you just said. Better?"

"Much." I leaned forward and kissed her once again.

Time passed while we stared at each other, exchanging kisses and feather light touches. We only stirred when my stomach growled and I realized we hadn't eaten dinner yet. Glancing at the clock, I saw it was only ten after seven. It hadn't felt like that much time had passed at all.

Bella padded to the bathroom to freshen up while I banked the fire. When I was done, I went to the bathroom door, leaning against the door jam, watching her. She was pulling a brush through her hair, a slight smile on her face as our eyes met in the mirror.

"Can I help you?" she asked coyly, never stopping her movements.

"Nope, I'm good."

Bella rolled her eyes at me and set her brush down on the counter with a soft clack. She turned and not even a second later, her arms were around my waist, her nose nuzzling my chest. There was definitely a happy feeling to her hug, but there was something else there. It felt…desperate.

"I love you," I whispered to her, hoping that whatever had popped up could be taken away by those three words.

"I love you." She pulled back and looked at me, a smile on her face and her eyes clear. My stomach growled again, and Bella laughed.

"Let's go feed you."

We hadn't called ahead for reservations at the resort's five-star restaurant, so instead we ate at the much more casual pub. We didn't chat much over dinner, content to just stare and smile goofily at each other. Since our declaration, something had changed between us again, but in the most fucking awesome way ever.

I can't stop smiling.

Whatever I felt earlier in Bella's hug had completely disappeared; there was only love and happiness in that moment. We held hands, laughed, fed each other off our plates. I noticed a few of the other patrons watching us, but their smiles seemed to reflect what we were feeling. There were no rolled eyes or "get a room" remarks, but instead, smiles and knowing looks.

Our behavior continued as we returned to our room. Bella's hands roamed my torso, and the wine we had during dinner made her giggle. I kept getting distracted by her movements, and it took me a few tries before I could get the key card in the lock. Finally, we were in and Bella immediately headed to her suitcase, hips swaying in front of me.

She turned and gave me a flirtatious look over her shoulder before reaching into her suitcase and grabbing something black…and lacy?

Fuck, yes!

"I'll be right back," Bella said as she moved past me to the bathroom. "You should make yourself comfortable."

She barely had the bathroom door shut before I had torn my shirt off and flung it somewhere in the vicinity of our suitcases. I toed my shoes off, and did a bit of a hop-jump over to the bed as I tore my socks off. I debated for a few minutes about taking my jeans off, but decided that might look a little too forward, especially since I wasn't exactly sure what Bella had brought into the bathroom with her. I could only guess where her mind was, and hope that we were thinking the same thing.

Lying down on the bed, I put a couple of pillows behind my head and adjusted the monster trying to fight his way out of my pants.

Yeah, I said monster. Eduardo isn't little, at all. Just sayin.

I took a look around the room and it was entirely too bright. I jumped up, turning off the light by our bedroom door. There was still too much light.

I ran around turning off the lamps by the bed, but then it was too dark. I huffed in annoyance, figuring I only had minutes before Bella came out of the bathroom. Then my eyes landed on the fireplace.

Duh.

I quickly made a fire. The flames were just catching as I sprinted back toward the bed.

Perfect.

That was when I heard the bathroom door open.

I'm in love with a goddess.

The firelight caught the red highlights in her hair, which was swirling sexily around her face and over her shoulders. She was wearing some black, lacy…thing that definitely caught my attention.

Eduardo was also standing up to say hello and get a better look.

As Bella stood in the doorway, biting her lip and blushing, it hit me just how fucking lucky I was.

I couldn't wait for her to make her way to me. The distance between the bathroom and the bed was much too long. I had to have her in my arms now.

Seconds later, that's exactly where she was, our mouths moving against one another. Her arms were around my neck, gripping my hair as my tongue slipped between her lips.

Never breaking our kiss, I picked her up and carried her over to the bed. I stood us next to it, waiting for Bella to make the next move. Considering how things ended the last time we had gotten this intense, I wanted her to make all the decisions about where tonight would lead. I would not upset her by making assumptions.

Assume, asshole, assume!

I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. What can I say? Eduardo was a bit excited.

My hands slid down Bella's back to her hips and I held them there. I was dying to pull her against me, for her to feel exactly how much I wanted her, but I held back, waiting to see what she'd do.

Again, my girl surprised me. Her hands moved from around my neck, down my back to my ass, which she grabbed as she pulled herself into me.

Fuck, yes!

The fireplace wasn't the only thing heating up our room.

Sweat was beginning to trickle down my back, and I could feel Bella's heart pounding against my chest. My grip on her hips tightened as she nibbled on my lip. Our breathing was heavy, the air thick with tension and I couldn't help the groan that escaped my lips as Bella pressed her body closer to mine.

Bella pulled back and looked up at me through her lashes. That one look alone was enough for my pants to tighten further. My hands tightened on her hips, bunching the lacy material in my fists. Breathing hard, it took all my concentration not to rip the material from her body. Four words gave me the clarity to relax and slow down.

"I love you, Edward."

She followed her declaration with a blinding smile that I couldn't help but return. I leaned down until our foreheads were touching. Bringing my hands up to cup her face, I kissed her.

I was more than a little unhappy when Bella pulled away from me. She gently reached up, and grasping my wrists, pulled them from her face. In the next instant, she had the covers pulled back on the bed and she slipped inside.

Her eyes were filled with lust and love as she spoke. "Make love to me…please?"

"Baby…" I breathed, and moved toward her. Before I could get very far, she reached out with her hands and touched the buttons at my waist. Her fingers touched the skin of my stomach and my eyes slid shut involuntarily. I could feel her pushing at the denim until it was down around my ankles. I quickly stepped out of them and joined my love on the bed.

I touched her, starting out gentle and slow at her feet and working my way up. I explored the silky smooth skin of her bare legs, making note when she let out a breathy little sigh as my fingers moved behind her knee. I glanced up to see Bella watching me, her teeth incredibly white against the pink of her mouth. My hands glided higher, moving the material of her lingerie up her body.

Creamy thighs and more black lace. It was almost my undoing.

I leaned down, placing one small kiss directly on the lace, right where I knew her clit lay. Bella's hips bucked up into me, and I smiled against her before making my way up her body.

I reached her stomach next and it was easy to feel her tense beneath me. I knew exactly what she was worried about and I wanted to make this as quick and painless as possible. Moving the material away, I looked at the scars crisscrossing her belly. Some were still quite dark, while others had faded to a light pink. They still stood out starkly against her white skin. My heart stopped thinking of what she had gone through to get them.

I did all I could think to do.

I kissed each one.

I would never be able to take away the hurt that Bella experienced from the accident, but I hoped with each kiss some of it could melt away, knowing I loved her and accepted her just as she was. I glanced up at her to make sure she was okay and saw tears streaming from her eyes.

I immediately moved up next to her, using my hands to wipe away her tears. "Bella, love, are you okay?"

She sniffled and nodded, moving to press her face to my chest. "Thank you," I heard her softly say as I felt her breath against me. I pressed my lips to the top of her hair, breathing in the scent that was completely Bella. We stayed like that for a few minutes before I felt Bella's lips trailing kisses across my torso. One of her hands reached up and pushed at my shoulder before I took her hint and lay back against the pillows. Her mouth continued to move over me, her tongue tracing patterns over my skin and nipples. I ran my hand over her head as she made her way up to my throat and jaw. Her lips eventually met mine in a steamy kiss.

Our movements became frantic – Bella's hands pulling at my hair, mine searching for the straps of her slip so I could slide it down her shoulders and bare her breasts.

Clothing was removed at a fast pace, our naked skin touching in the most delicious of places. I wanted to feel Bella beneath me; I flipped us over so I was hovering above her. My mouth moved against hers, down her throat to her pale, pink nipples. I plucked at them with my fingers before replacing them with my mouth.

My fingers moved over her body, caressing and touching until they were nestled in the dark curls above her pussy. She was panting hard now, pushing up into my body, trying to get me to move my hand.

"Patience, baby," I whispered against her skin. Kissing her once more, I let my fingers slide up and down her folds.

"Oh…" Bella moaned, pushing up to meet my hand. My fingers explored her inside and out, coaxing as much pleasure from her as I could. Her moans turned into cries and I could feel her tighten around my fingers. Not wanting her to come this way just yet, I withdrew them.

"Ed…ward…" Bella moaned and lifted her hips once more. My lips moved from her breasts down her body, following the path taken by my fingers until my breath blew against the curls. I stopped there, taking a minute to calm down when all I wanted to do was bury myself inside of her.

Bella wasn't having it. She pushed hard on my shoulders, making it clear exactly where she wanted me. If I wasn't so overcome with lust and want for her, I would've laughed.

Dipping my head, I took my first taste of her. She was hot and wet against my lips and I groaned as I tasted her for the first time. After a few minutes, I added a finger, then another. Bella's cries grew and as I wrapped my lips around her clit, she convulsed and came, moaning my name.

I stayed close, touching and kissing her gently under she calmed underneath me. I removed my fingers and crawled back up her body until I could see her face. Her eyes were closed, and there was a blissful smile on her face.

"That…was…amazing," she finally breathed out.

I leaned down, kissing her in answer. My lips against hers caused Bella to moan and I was shocked when her tongue came out and she licked my lips. My eyes widened as she tasted herself and didn't flinch.

I didn't think it was possible, but that made me harder.

Before I could move, Bella pushed me away from her and onto my back. Then she proceeded to show me just how much she appreciated what I had done to her.

As her lips closed around my cock for the first time, I had to start multiplying by twelve's so I wouldn't explode on contact. Her tongue swirled around the head before she engulfed as much of me as she could. I couldn't keep my hands out of her hair, wrapping the strands around my fingers and doing all I could not to grab her and force her down even further.

Whatever she couldn't reach, she used her hand to touch and stroke. She'd alternate between stroking, swirling, cupping my balls and licking my shaft.

"Bell…I'm gonna…" I could barely get the words out, but she understood my meaning. She lifted her head, looked up at me and gave me a small smile. She licked the tip of my cock once more before taking it in her mouth again. The minute her lips were wrapped around me, I came.

Seconds later, Bella was lying in my arms, a smug smile on her face and a very contented and happy one on mine. Her hands roamed my body, helping me come down from my high.

"I love you," I whispered as I leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

"I love you," she answered simply, placing kisses across my chest.

"Are you okay?" She seemed to be, but I felt the need to check in with her. She had told me that it had been awhile since she had been intimate with – and that train of thought needs to stop right there – I needed to make sure I hadn't pushed her too far too fast.

"I'm fantastic, thank you very much." She placed one more kiss straight in the center of my chest before moving so I could see her face. She looked radiant. Her skin glowed in the firelight and her eyes were sparkling.

"God, I love you." I ran my hand over her hair and touched her cheek. She leaned into my touch, giving me a bright smile.

"I think I melt every time I hear you say that," she replied, kissing me.

"Hmmm, I make you feel all squishy and smushy inside?"

She rolled her eyes at me and laughed. "Something like that…"

I ran my hand up her backside, over her ass. "Something like that, huh? Or something like…" My fingers moved lower, running down the crack of her ass and into her pussy. Bella gasped as I plunged a finger inside of her. "…slick and wet?"

A blush stained her cheeks as her eyes slid shut. "Um…oh…holy…hell."

"So Bella, how do I make you feel now?" I kept my voice low, moving my finger slowly in and out of her.

She didn't answer me. Instead, she crushed her lips to mine.

Within minutes, Bella was on her back below me and the tip of my cock was pressing up against her pussy. As I gazed into her eyes, I felt my heart swell.

"Love, are you – "

"Edward, make love to me." She arched her back up off the bed so she could reach my neck. She placed hot kisses along my Adam's apple and up to my jaw. "Please," she sighed against my skin.

Little by little, I pressed myself inside of her. I watched her face carefully to make sure she was okay, but all I could see was pleasure.

All I could feel was her.

She was hot, tight and warm, and I never, ever wanted to leave.

I moved slowly and Bella matched my movements, pushing up as I pulled out. We gazed at each other, all the love that we felt floating between us and around us. Her eyes would slide shut, only to open seconds later, looking unfocused and sexy. Her breasts were moving with her deep breathing and I could feel her nipples hard against my chest.

"Baby…" I whimpered, moving faster as I felt my orgasm approach.

"I'm…almost…" Bella's hand moved from where it had been resting on my back and came down in between us to rub her clit. Our bodies moved frantically, driving each other toward completion. I felt Bella climax around me just as she screamed my name. I was right behind her, chanting hers.

I collapsed beside her, breathing hard into the pillows. We didn't move for minutes, until Bella rolled over on her side and kissed my shoulder.

"That was…" She paused, I assumed to try to find the right words to describe what just happened.

"Fucking awesome." I finished for her.

Bella laughed. "That's an understatement."

I peeked up at her. "I have a feeling any word we use to describe what happens when we make love will be an understatement."

Her eyes softened, turning to chocolate goo. "I love you. I love you so much, I can't…put it into words."

I turned to face her and pulled her to me. "I love you, too. More than I can possibly express."

We snuggled close together, basking in love and sex afterglow. Eventually Bella moved away from me and climbed off the bed.

"Where are you going?" I asked, hating how it felt to watch her move away from me.

"To take a shower…" She looked back at me. "Aren't you coming?"

"Not yet." I vaulted off the bed and tried to catch her as she ran into the bathroom, giggling.

Leaving the next morning was incredibly hard. Having Bella to myself all weekend with zero interruptions was pure bliss. Making love to her the first time just helped cement the fact that I didn't want to be away from her for any length of time ever again. However, the real world was calling and we weren't left with much choice but to return.

We spent Sunday morning in the spa, getting a couple's massage that finished up with a relaxing rain shower for two. I tried to convince my girl to engage in some shower lovin', but she was worried about someone seeing us. Apparently exhibitionism wasn't her thing.

We made love once more upon our return to our room, and it wasn't hard to notice that we both clung to each other a little tighter after we finished. There was an ache in my chest as I watched Bella get up and move away from the bed to get dressed. I wanted nothing more than to pull her back to me and throw the covers up over our heads.

Had I known what we'd be going back to, I would've done just that.