All recognisable characters belong to SM. I just own the plot.

Thank you to A Jasper For Me. I tweaked this chapter after she went over it, so I apologise ahead if you find more mistakes than ever.

A week after the unveiling of Alec's foundation, I was still on the edge. The unease I felt seemed to increase as the days passed. Thoughts of Bella invaded my mind, leaving me wanting and more confused than ever.

"Prince Edward, it's Kate." Felix said, interrupting my musing. He had his hand stretched toward me, offering his cell phone.

Although his expression didn't give away anything, he and I knew what that call meant. There was no explanation needed.

A promise of sex. Even that didn't elicit any excitement in me.

I shook my head, not wanting to have to deal with Kate. Felix nodded, understanding my decision but never questioning. He proceeded to explain the situation to her, and I muted them out. I had tasked him to deal with Kate and this sort of situation, and it was up to him to make explanations for me.

It wasn't as if she would care anyway if I canceled. There was no relationship beyond casual sex between us. I made sure it was clear to her when we started almost two years ago all I wanted was the physical gratification she could afford me, and there was nothing more I could give her. No commitment – that was my very first demand when I made the proposition, and she had agreed to this kind of arrangement. A signed confidentiality agreement was enforced to ensure there would be no possibility of this to leak out to the press.

Flirting had been the best way for me to avoid dating. The press even dubbed me a playboy just because they had taken pictures of me with different women, but it was far from the truth. I didn't date – not anymore. Dating would just result in entanglements I didn't want. Having Kate was the best option for me, and it had been great so far.

"You didn't just decline sex, did you?" It was Jake. He was seated with one foot resting on his other knee, looking so relaxed.

"I did. What you gonna do about it?" I challenged.

"Nothing. But I gotta tell you …" he pointed two of his fingers that held a cigarette at me "… saying no to a woman when they're clearly asking for it is a mistake."

"I'm not in the mood."

"Damn, you're losing your touch. Maybe I could ask Kate-"

"Shut up, Jake."

He grinned at me, and I threw the pillow from the couch, missing him by an inch. Emmett took that moment to interrupt us by bringing in a tray of scotch. He looked relaxed, and honestly, this weekend had done him good.

We had been skiing the whole weekend, taking on steeper slopes one after the other. Emmett was pissed at first, saying I was not being careful, but had realized a few after our arrival I wouldn't be taking orders from him. It was my vacation of sorts and I wanted to enjoy without worry. He eventually resigned to have fun himself, and it showed on his face.

"Doing something fun isn't that bad, is it Emmett?" I wiggled my eyebrows at him.

He gave me a scowl, and I grinned.

"I thought after this weekend, you would have gotten that stick out your ass."

"Hahaha," he deadpanned.

"Relax, Em. King Carlisle is nowhere in sight, so you need to just … chill. Edward's having fun, the least you could do is take advantage of all the free amenities being with him brings." Jake had this no nonsense bullshit about him, which was why we clicked.

"It's just so easy for you to say that, Jacob. Prince Edward is not your responsibility."

"Nobody's saying you give up looking after him, but damn man, just relax. There's what – two or three other security with us here? You should let them worry about shit, or you're gonna die young because of all this fucking stress!"

Emmett sighed in defeat. I clapped him on the back as he sat beside me, handing me a glass. At thirty-four, he was only six years older than me, but the way he acted seemed like he was far older. Jacob was right, he needed to have a little bit of fun.

Tonight was our last night here in Aspen. It had been an exhilarating and relaxing trip, thanks to our ski resort's superb amenities, especially the spa. Sadly, we had to leave early tomorrow morning for me to be able to attend the meeting my father and I had with the Prime Minister of Spain.

"Felix's still on the phone." Jake made that observation. "It's a good thing you didn't give her your number. That Kate seems to be clingy," he observed.

I shrugged, because honestly, I didn't care. I got what I wanted from her, and somehow I was certain she got something from me. It wasn't as if we were friends, but Kate sure handled our situation with style, and I never saw her being difficult. Felix taking a lot longer to reason with her might have some kind of explanation other than her being clingy or bitchy. But whatever it was, it really didn't matter to me.

"Kate is not a problem, is she Edward?" Emmett asked, his brows furrowed in a frown.

I shook my head, ignoring his pointed look. I didn't want to get into another argument about Kate and our agreement, and the complications that could arise from it.

"I'd pay a million dollars to have someone like Felix to handle all my dirty laundry." Jake diverted the conversation away from Kate. Whether it was intentional or not, I was still grateful he did.

"Why don't you? You can afford it."

"I just wish I could, Edward. You know damn well, my dad had squandered all our money … including my damn inheritance. The money I have now is all hard earned, and although I fucking wish I could, I don't intend to waste any of it on inane things."

Jacob Black was rebuilding his family's business – BB Financial Holdings, which was on the brink of bankruptcy before he intervened six years ago. It had long been his dream to match, or better yet, surpass what his grandfather had achieved in the business. He was well on his way.

"Don't let Felix hear you say that. His services are not considered inane." I threw back the shot of scotch, hissing at the burn of the alcohol.

"Maybe you can lend him to me for a few months. There are a few women I would like him to take care of for me."

"Don't let the King hear you say that, Mr. Jake. He won't like it," Felix interjected, his tone so serious.

"Yeah, I hear you," was Jake's only excuse, taking a long drag from his cigarette. "We don't want to piss him off." The sarcasm wasn't lost to me.

Felix's jaw clenched, and it was all the confirmation I needed to know he didn't like what Jake said.

"Felix, leave us. I'll call when I need you."

"Yes," he replied curtly, glaring at Jake as he exited.

"The two of you are like fucking children," I told Jake and he laughed. Even Emmett joined in.

"He's the one who has an ass tighter than a duck's … just like his employer."

"What the hell? I'm his employer-"

"Whoa! I meant your father. Don't get your panties in a twist," Jake said, holding his hand up in surrender, a smirk on his face. "You know you're cool!"

"I know I am, and I don't need any one to tell me that."

"Arrogant bastard," he muttered, and I flipped him off.

OOOOOOOOOOO

I clutched the manila envelope Tyler had just handed me. Jake eyed me while I tucked the said envelope under my arm. I could see the disapproval on his face, but lucky for me, he didn't verbalize what was clearly on his mind.

"I need to go, man. I have a dinner to attend to." He gave another glance at the envelope. "You still do that, huh?"

I ignored his accusing tone, and instead I held his gaze, intent on acting nonchalant.

"Don't do anything stupid, Edward."

"I don't know what you mean," I denied, hating his unsolicited advice.

He knew me well enough not to push. Instead of making another comment, he just gave a nod and slid back into his Audi.

The document inside the envelope had been a debate between us. Although he couldn't do anything to stop me, he didn't waste time to inform me of his dislike of that particular decision. His friendship meant a great deal to me, and knowing he disapproved of something I did was like a thorn in my back.

I grabbed the small duffel bag I had and left Emmett with Felix to sort through my other luggage I had brought to the trip to Aspen. My office, which was just next to my room, was a little cluttered – books and some papers were still lying on top of my desk. I didn't allow anyone to just come inside to clean without my permission. This office was small compared to the one in The Palace, with a little less furniture, something I preferred.

I dropped the bag beside my table and held the envelope in one hand. It was best for me to lock it in a safe place. If word got to my father I had given instructions for someone to follow Bella, there would be hell to pay. It would be something the press would feast on, that was why I was careful.

I dropped down on the swiveling chair and pulled out the top drawer to place the document. I had every intention to open the envelope later, but the urge burned through me, and I gave up.

At the sound of paper ripping, my heart started to thump hard against my chest. There would be pictures of her – a few in fact, because Tyler was thorough and he always did what I asked him to do. The reason for the sudden rush that engulfed me was what I was to do next. In the past, I didn't look at her pictures. Even when I had them in my hands, I made sure to set them aside and just check out the list that had her daily schedule. Never did I once peek to see her face, even if it were in print only, because I feared I couldn't let go.

This time was different. I wasn't sure why, but it was.

The weekend in Aspen didn't dispel the longing I felt for her. I had thought a vacation with friends would clear up my mind, but it only left me more confused … more dissatisfied with my life.

She and I had a great thing, but my parents – especially my father – had thought otherwise. They had come to me a few days after Bella and I had celebrated our first year of being together armed with their decision. I needed to give her up, or as the words my father used … give up this madness you have with her. If I was given a choice, I would have chosen her without any regret, but I was never given that option. They had laid out their plans and I was okay with that, but it was Bella's decision that shattered me.

Maybe I should have come back to her when I promised to, but she looked so happy without me, so at peace at what she had been doing I couldn't just barge back into her life like I hadn't left for a year. I couldn't be so damn selfish … that was why I didn't return to her. I didn't fulfill my promise, and because that she would never forgive me.

With a sigh, I ripped off the edge of envelope to reveal what I was now familiar with – a list of her daily itinerary and some pictures of her.

I grabbed the photos, which were clipped together. Tyler did a good job of following her around because there were some very clear photos of her. There was one of her holding a large cup of coffee – she was smiling at something and her dimples showed.

I was mesmerized.

Her lips were plump and red … so inviting … and I remembered a time where I was free to nibble and lick and bite them; where I could devour her anyway I wanted to without worrying … because she was mine. Mine.

Her taste, although a distant memory, was still as potent an aphrodisiac as ever. The evidence was right here in my pants. I was so turned on. My cock was hard … begging for release.

It took forever for me to lower the picture down on my table. I closed my eyes and blew out a long breath, trying to control my surging lust.

Maybe not having sex for a little over two months made me blind to reason. Even the guilt of getting a hard on from just looking at her picture wasn't enough to will away my erection.

I tried to control the burning in my veins, but her face was etched in my brain and all I could see was her. The throbbing in my crotch increased, and I couldn't seem to make it stop.

Resigned, I slumped back in my seat and slowly palmed my straining erection through my pants.

Oh, God!

Bella. I didn't want to disrespect her like this … like she was some kind of sex symbol I could just jerk off to, but I couldn't stop. I didn't want to. My body ached for her … my cock ached for her, and she was all I needed to feel good.

Brown eyes staring … plump red lips sucking.

Yes, baby. Suck me.

My hand started to pull and tug as I moaned to the sensation. Trembling … desire raging. Fuck! I was so aroused. This always happened wherever she was concerned.

I unzipped my pants, freeing my cock from the denim prison. My hand wrapped around my shaft and started to stroke … harder, faster … again and again until I cried out, the evidence of my orgasm on my stomach.

I slumped back, needing a few seconds to calm myself.

Shit.

This was why my visit to her had not been a good idea, nor looking at her pictures. She had been a hard habit to break, but I was certain this time would be harder.

Just a reminder for some readers, please make sure to enable PM so I could respond to your reviews.

See you next week.

xoxo