Paradise Retreat

by kacull

Bella is escaping a painful betrayal and escapes to a job at a retreat. She finds love and her place in life but somewhere out there, something dark looms closer, ready to destroy it all... Rated M for language and future lemons. AH. Cannon couples.

4. The Lake

So, you like so far? Thank you again to the fab Mab's. Thank you for taking the time for me and my story.

Mabinda has been super busy nesting in her house and still made time for this story, giving me some great suggestions. You are super woman Mabs!

So, what will happen next? Let's ask Edward.....

Again, S.M. owns it all. I own nothing of Twilight, except what I have paid for.....

A message from Emmet: 'If you are too young for lovin', go find a different fiction. This is the beginning of lemons'.

You have been warned.

Edwards Pov.

I had been secretly trying to spend some time with Bella, looking professional of course, but I wanted to get to know her, see what made her tick. So when she came up with a brilliant idea we could run with easily, I just had to take it to Aro. He loved it and with Jasper coming in a few short days, I knew it would all fall into place.

That seemed easy enough. The hard part was cracking Bella's shell.

She didn't look up when I came back from seeing Aro; just worked efficiently, getting everything done in record time.

I remembered she didn't end up eating her lunch. She must be hungry or something.

I offered her a cup of tea. That always calms me when I feel a little upset.

She said she was fine.

There's that word.

Fine.

That means everything isn't fine. That means something is wrong but I just can't ask her.

Is it her idea? Does she think I would take credit for it? I would never do that.

She agreed to the cup of tea, and I added a biscuit, hoping that would help some.

'I told Aro it was all your idea. He went for it too. We are getting a new IT guy in a few days and he'll help out with the newsletters. You did good girl! Smart and Beautiful. A real asset.'

Bloody hell. I did not just say that. My face felt like it was on fire.

She looked down, took a sip of tea and looked up at me through her lashes. I didn't think I could make eye contact with her for another moment without saying something else dumb.

I got to work immediately, turning to my work station, mostly to get my face out of sight and to fortify myself with my own cup of tea.

The dinner shift flowed smoothly, that is until we finished.

As we were leaving, Emmet arrived.

He was in a flap about something, wanting to talk to Bella alone.

I left, wondering what all the drama was about and then spotted Rosalie was nearing the rooms.

She was outside, enjoying the balmy evening.

We struck up an easy conversation, and laughed about the way some guy had come onto her during a massage. Some guys would try anything.

I don't even know what happened after that. I saw Emmet touching Bella's arm and then it was on between Bella and Rosalie. I was about to step in when Alice diffused the situation.

I am not sure what or why it went down that way. Maybe Rosalie hated Emmet and anyone to do with him. Bella and Emmet are friends, so, maybe she attacked the person she could physically defeat? Maybe Rosalie has the hots for Emmet and is totally jealous? Who knows?

The group split up after that; Alice, Emmet and Bella choosing to play cards. I didn't feel like it. Neither did Rosalie. We said goodnight and I went inside my room to shower and change for the evening.

Bella returned only half an hour later. That didn't seem like a long game of cards. I knew because I was counting the minutes and watching the clock until she went back to her room.

It still felt like forever to me.

I looked out the window and saw her watching Emmet go to his room.

Did she yearn for him?

She looked through my window, and I moved farther back into my room, out of sight. Could she tell that I had watched for her?

She took a quick glance behind her and raced into her room.

The next few days passed in a blur. We all worked hard and Bella, Emmet and Alice got closer. They seemed to stick to themselves more and more after the incident with Rosalie.

I tried to connect with her, but she seemed to shrug me off.

What was up with this woman? Was I coming on too strong and scaring her?

After restless nights and many early morning runs that didn't consist of running into Bella, I decided to go for a hike during the day. I had the early morning shift, and being a Wednesday, the retreat was quieter. After clearing lunch, I changed clothes, filled a bottle with ice water and set off.

It was such a beautiful day. It was hot, it was clear and it was quiet. It would help to sort out my thoughts.

I thought about going for a swim as I took the longer track to the lake. I had been walking/jogging for about an hour when I neared the lake. I could see the shiny clear water and my body ached to feel the weightless buoyancy it would provide me.

As I neared the swimming area, I saw something break the surface, and rise out of the water.

All I could do was stare.

My pants became uncomfortably tight all of a sudden, because, there she was......

Aphrodite. In a white bikini.

I am telling you, I have seen nothing like it.

The bikini fit her like a glove. I think I could see everything, or it could be wishful thinking.

She pushed her chest up and arched her back while squeezing the water from her hair. I could see tiny droplets of water all over her arms, chest, belly and legs.

My mouth salivated. I felt like a starving man and she was the best meal I had ever seen.

I remembered my water bottle and put it to my lips without breaking eye contact with the vision.

I drank greedily, wishing my mouth could be working in other ways.

My brain went into over drive. What would it be like to kiss her? Or touch her?

How would it feel to be allowed to run my fingers through her hair while I pushed my body into her? To have all her smiles directed at me? The more I thought about it, the more I wanted it.

My feet began moving of their own volition.

She was as unaware of me, as I was aware of her.

I was floating in a bubble of desire and curiosity, but bubbles burst....

'Come on Bella, I need to get back. I promised I would call home, and with the time difference and all, I need to do it before they leave'. Alice's voice broke through my admiring gaze on Bella.

My heart sank. Damn, she's not alone. I walked down the path, moving closer to the voices.

'That's ok, I'll stay here with Bella, and you go on back and make your phone call'. Emmet piped up.

'I don't really want to go all that way back by myself.' Alice said.

'Hey guys, how's the water? I didn't know you were all here.' I broke into their conversation.

Emmet and Alice looked up at me as I approached where they sat on a picnic blanket by the lake.

'Hey Edward, how are you?' Alice said, welcomingly.

'I'm well, thank you. Beautiful day isn't it? I was just about to go for a swim when I heard you guys and thought I'd come over and say hi.' I replied.

'Well, hi Edward, but we were about to leave man. Sorry.' Emmet cut in.

'We are just trying to get Bella to move. She wants a little more time swimming. It's not safe to leave anyone alone. Why are you hiking by yourself Edward?' Alice changed direction with her last question.

'I always do my friend. It is such a beautiful day, I felt like going for a wander. It's ok; I kept well within the boundary...'

'Maybe you could walk Bella back when you are both finished swimming. Emmet has another trail to ride with clients and I need to make a call, so, would you mind too much Edward?' Alice asked sweetly.

Thank you Alice; I silently thought. I will forever be indebted to you. I tried not to grin like a loony and said nonchalantly, 'Sure, I guess that shouldn't be a problem.'

'Great, well, we'll be off and we will catch up with you guys later. I'll leave the picnic blanket here if you want. Just bring it back with you'. Alice jumped up, and danced over to the water's edge where Bella had come to a stop when I had arrived. She hugged her fiercely and said- 'Come over later ok?'

'Sure' Bella said with a nod and a smile.

Emmet was next to hug Bella and says something quietly in her ear. She nodded again, rubbed his arm and smiled up at him.

'Are you on your own?' Emmet suddenly turned to me to say.

'Yes, why?' I asked.

'No reason. Just curious'. He said without looking at me.

Ok then. I basically just said before, that I was alone. Why is he checking up? What did he think I was going to do? A kidnapping? I felt a twinge of annoyance.

I watched them leave after we all exchanged small waves and smiles. Emmet looked reluctant to leave. I figured he must be worried about competition.

I turned back to Bella and asked her 'I hope it's ok that I walk you back?'

'Yeah, it's no problem. I wanted to stay for a little longer anyway. It's so beautiful here'.

'Yes it is' I agreed looking right at her. I was thinking she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

I threw my water bottle onto the picnic blanket and sat, untying my shoes. Once free, I wiggled my toes with a grin. 'Ohhh that's better!' I said aloud. 'Nothing like going bare foot'.

I stripped my t-shirt off and started toward the water's edge.

Bella looked away quickly.

'So, you like the water? It is so refreshing on a hot day. I come here when I have time off or a spare afternoon. It can be cold in the morning so I prefer the afternoons.' I rattled off a few random thoughts as I waded deeper into the lake. I wanted her to relax and start talking, anything to get her to open up to me.

'Ummm, yeah, well, we don't have a lot of swimming in forks. It sort of rains a lot, so this is kind of a novelty for me.' She said looking out over the large expanse of water.

'It's really pretty in fall, but it is particularly perfect right now.' I hoped she didn't hear my double meaning, but I just couldn't help myself. When I'm around this person, she just makes me feel all sorts of things.

I dove under the water, and swam as far as I could without taking a breath. I was trying to clear my head of thoughts and desires that were beginning to crowd in. I don't need this now. I need to be casual.

I broke the surface of the water a little way out. I couldn't touch the bottom here. I trod the water for a few moments and then called to Bella

' Hey, come out here, its deep! The water is an amazing temperature'.

I smiled at her, hoping she would comply.

'Um, me and deep water? Not such a good idea'. She looked at me then, and I could see the apprehension in her eyes and face.

Is it the water or is it me? I was going to find out one way or another. I started swimming back in toward her.

When I was a few steps from her, I stopped and looked directly into her eyes, and asked 'Do you want to go in deeper?'

'More than anything' she breathed.

I tried not to look, I really did, but her nipples were on high beam and her skin was all goose fleshed.

If I let myself, I could fantasise about what that could mean, but I chose to take it for what it probably was- cold lake water. I also didn't want to come too far out of the water because she might see that the cold lake water didn't affect me, but being with her did.

I held out my hand to her and said 'Trust me; I won't let anything bad happen to you.'

Something changed in her eyes after a moment's hesitation.

She hesitantly put her hand in mine and a shock ran up my arm. I don't know if it was real or imagined, if she felt it or not or it was just my adrenalin kicking in for being alone with her, but whatever it was, I felt highly aware of every moment near her.

I heard her breathing hitch a little.

Perhaps she was afraid, maybe it was the deeper in she got, the colder it got. She kept her eyes on me as we waded out deeper.

Once we reached a small distance from the shore. we stopped walking and started treading water. All of a sudden Bella's face lit up; she looked so proud and happy.

'You know, it's funny, but I always had this fear that there were things under the water in lakes. It's actually really fun and I'm super proud of myself for making it this far without getting hysterical!' She laughed at herself.

The noises coming from her were enchanting. The small pants and moans she made every so often made my nether region ache.

I decided to have some fun with her.

I pretended to panic and dipped under the water quickly. I swam around the other side of her and grabbed her leg. I could hear her scream and panic from under the water.

She was thrashing around until I came up out of the water and held her still with my hands on her waist and my chest pressed to her back.

'Sorry, I couldn't help myself. You totally freaked!' I said in her ear, enjoying her reaction.

'You scared me! This is NOT helping my phobia of lake monsters!' She berated me laughing.

'What if I'm the monster?' I asked, letting her go. I didn't want her to feel my erection that grew by the second because all I could think about was moving closer and rubbing myself against her hot core.

'Well then, I am dead meat! I think I'll head back to the shore.' she joked.

We made our way back and flopped onto the picnic blanket, sunning ourselves and letting the heat sooth the cold lake from our skin.

There were still a few droplets of water clinging to her skin, and I imagined what a turn on it would be, to lick them off her pale chest.

I involuntarily groaned and closed my eyes.

'You ok?' she asked looking up at me.

'Sure. Just enjoying the heat.' I didn't want her to catch me eye fucking her for the tenth time today.

'It is nice. Thanks for staying and letting me walk back with you. I mean, I know you like spending time alone and everything. I do too sometimes.' She added shyly.

'It's no problem. Bella.. I...' I felt like a school boy with a bad crush. 'I'd really like to be friends, if that's ok with you. I think you're an interesting person, and I'd like to get to know you better.' I bumbled on.

'Um, sure' she said biting her lip.

My tongue came out to lick my own lip. I wanted to suck where her teeth clamped down on her beautiful mouth.

'So now that we are friends, tell me, do you miss home?' I began.

'Yeah, I do. I miss my friends and dad a bit, but I'm pretty fine without them too. Space is good sometimes.'

'Yes; that it is. I miss my family all the time. My parents are great. Really supportive. My brother is great. He was working in the city for quite a while and we catch up whenever we can. He is actually coming to work here; I have to pick him up tomorrow.'

'Oh wow, what does he do?' she was curious now.

'He works in IT, and he's a brilliant accountant'

'Cool. So he will be the one to help Aro with the newsletters about the changes to the Retreat etc?'

'Yes. He is a very handy person to know if you have a computer or any gadget really'. I was proud of my brother, and I am sure it came through in my voice.

'Awesome, I'll keep that in mind; and what about you? Have you always wanted to create different foods and work in a kitchen?' she was really into the conversation now.

'If you are asking if it is my burning passion, then yes. I also make up recipes in my head. I put flavours together and Ideas together and make new things. Sometimes I just put variations onto old favourites etc. But, yes, I love creating anything and having a challenge.'

'Yeah, me too. It's dumb, but I think about food all of the time. My mind doesn't stop some days.' She said quietly, like it was an important piece of information to her.

'Do you miss your mum? You didn't mention her before?' I was dying of curiosity about her now.

'Yes, a lot.' She replied nodding her head.

I thought maybe I should ask about that particular topic some other time, so I got back to what I really wanted to know...

'So, what made you come to this retreat? Were you escaping something back home? Boy troubles?' that was the burning question that I really wanted to know.

'Um... Like, I guess. 'She looked at me for a moment before dropping her eyes and deciding to go on. 'His name was Jacob'. She started, and then paused again. 'He was my best friend and my boyfriend. I thought we would be together forever, you know? I guess he made other plans and forgot to tell me, whatever. I don't know, but the short version is, I found him having sex with this girl Leah on the beach'.

I watched her retelling her memory. I didn't know what to say. She looked really sad. I felt so sorry for her painful story but at the same time, I felt sorry for me, because, there was no way she would even look twice at anyone except for a rebound relationship.

I didn't just want to be the rebound fuck.

I mean, sure it would be great for a while, but that shit always came around to bite you in the ass.

I realised then that I would have to practice hands off for a little while until she was over the jackass that let her go.

I would just have to accept being friends for the moment.

Damn.

'I'm really sorry to hear that Bella. Are you ok?'

'I mean, like, sure. Most of the time, I think. So, do your parents come over to visit you and your brother at all, or are they not the sort to travel?'

I noticed her change the subject again. That just made me even surer she wasn't ready for anything.

'My parents love to travel. They come over basically once a year for a few weeks. We went to many places as a family when we were younger. We have been to Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, and Ireland and even to Egypt, amongst other places. All amazing experiences. I think that may be where I learned my love for different foods and how to prepare them. So many cultures have so many amazing cuisines.'

'Wow. That is so totally amazing to have gone to all those countries, and end up out in the middle of nowhere!' she looked surprised.

'Does it matter where you are, as long as you are happy? A country is just a place.' I said with a shrug.

'Yeah, I guess you're right.' She said with a sigh, laying her head back down on her arm.' I would still love to go overseas though.'

I wanted to promise her the world in that moment. I wanted to tell her that I would take her anywhere her heart desired. I would christen any bed or room or bench top that she felt inspired to. Give her anything she ever wanted....but, I was pretty sure I wasn't the person she wanted to hear that from.

After a while the temperature dropped a little, so we dressed and packed up to head back.

We took the quickest route back to the retreat, and not long before we got there, Bella asked:

'So, what's wrong with Rosalie? What is her problem with me?'

'Um, I actually don't know. I'm not sure what all that was about the other night. I kind of thought that maybe she doesn't like Emmet but doesn't want to take him on? I don't know.' I finished.

'You could ask her...?' she asked cautiously.

'Ok. I'll ask her next time I'm talking to her.' I promised. I think I would do anything this girl asked.

When we reached the retreat, Emmet was waiting for us again.

What the hell?

Is this guy a watch dog or something?

'Hey guys' He called. 'Want to go to dinner?'

'I'm beginning to think you're ruled by your stomach mister' Bella said laughing and poking him in the belly.

'You only working that out now Pixi?' He joked back.

'Are you coming Edward?' Bella turned to me to ask.

'Uh, sure. I might just have a shower first. I'll catch up with you all in a few.' I replied. I needed a shower after wearing my damp underwear all the way back from the lake.

Emmet and Bella moved off toward the dining room and I let myself into my room to shower and change quickly.

As I was leaving the room, I heard 'Hey Edward' behind me.

'Oh hey Rosalie, what are you up to?' I turned to say.

'I'm just headed to dinner now. Are you going there too?' She caught up to me and walked beside me to the dining room.

'Sure am. Its buffet every Wednesday and Thursday night. I went swimming in the lake today and I am so ready for dinner!'

We entered the dining room and spotted Alice, Emmet and Bella taking a seat with a plate of food. I remembered my promise from that afternoon and turned to speak quietly to Rosalie.

'What's up with you and Bella? I noticed there's a little friction there?'

She rolled her eyes and bent her head closer to reply in an annoyed tone. 'I just hate girls that act all weak and helpless and have the guys all running around trying to be hero's and save her from some imagined plight. Shit I hate that.'

'You think she's like that?' I asked quietly, not totally sure Rosalie had it right.

'Yes, I definitely do. Wait.......do you like her too?' she asked in a fierce whisper.

'No, she's just a friend; it's just that she didn't strike me as that sort of person and you haven't really gotten to know her...........' I trailed off with that sentence. Rosalie's eyes narrowed. She was pissed.

'Yeah well, you're a man so, trust me. A woman knows.'

I didn't know what the hell that was supposed to mean so I shrugged it off.

We grabbed a couple of plates, filled them with food, and headed over to the table with the others. They were all laughing and joking together. They were super close now and the dynamics of the relationships had changed at the retreat it seemed.

The laughter died down as Rosalie and I sat down at the table with the others. We all ate quietly after that, a discomfort growing over our group.

Bella was the first to leave the table and make an escape, dinner almost untouched.

Doesn't that woman require food to function?

We all finished and left the dining area to head back to our rooms.

I wanted to get online and refresh my music choice on my iPod and send off a few emails to family and friends back home, and also check when Jasper was due in tomorrow.

I got caught up researching recipes and replying to emails that it was a shock to find it was past midnight. I closed my laptop down when I heard the door close quietly next door.

I was hoping to catch sight of Bella when I spotted Emmet's head move past my window.

What the hell?

Did he just come from Bella's room?

I felt sick to my stomach with what this could mean.

I tried to calm myself. They are friends. They can talk at night..........late.

I went to bed and tossed and turned for hours until I could stand it no longer, deciding it would be better to get up and run my frustration off as hard as I could. I got ready quickly.

I felt like an animal.

I felt raw and ferocious.

I'm not sure what made me go around the back of the building and look in Bella's window, but I did.

Blame it on the full moon or the fact that I was feeling pissed at Bella and Emmet's blossoming relationship, but I just had to see her.

Alone in bed.

The bright moon, lit up the place almost as bright as day.

I crept up to her window and saw that the lace curtains were pulled aside and I could see her on the bed.

Her top sheet was scrunched at the bottom of the bed and she was wearing a white slip, her skin appearing almost as pale as the sheet beneath her.

She looked so peaceful while a small smile played on her pink lips, and her dark hair fanned out like sea weed around her head on the pillow.

She started moving her legs and rubbing her feet on the sheet beneath her, and then rubbing her feet up her legs.

She arched her back and exposed her neck to me.

I wanted to launch myself through the window and latch onto her neck, kissing and sucking. My cock throbbed desperately in my pants, begging to be let out to play.

I could hear a small moan escape her lips as she ran her hand up her stomach and rubbed a breast as the other hand grasped the sheet.

She arched her back a little more and as she moved, her dress rode up to reveal her white thong and fully waxed bikini area.

The air came out of my lungs in a whoosh and my legs started to shake. I gripped the window sill for support.

I watched as her rose coloured nipples hardened through her sheer slip and her head moved from side to side, as her back arched and the white lace, covering her holy grail became much more visible to me.

She looked like she was in the throes of ........an orgasm.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from the Venus de Milo in front of me.

I rubbed the front of my pants feeling over heated. My erection was the most powerful I had ever experienced; it was at the point of painful.

I could hear small pants and moans coming from her pink lips as they parted and she arched a little more. The sound was like a sirens song, beckoning me closer, and it was almost more than I could take.

I groaned involuntarily.

She gave one more moan and relaxed into the pillows.

That was the most fuck hot thing I had ever seen in my life.

I think I was drooling.

Just as I thought I was about to release myself into my pants, she opened her eyes and all of a sudden they were locked with mine.

Shit.

My blood froze in my veins.

Busted.

As she moved to put the bedside lamp on, I dropped and rolled, and ran back around to the front of the retreat and out toward the road. I needed to run my desire and my memories off. What I really wanted was a warm shower, some soap and my hand, but I didn't want to risk further discovery.

My brother would be here in 5 hours, and maybe he could shed some light on the problem.

Because; to be a gentleman or not to be a gentleman, that is the question.

Ok ladies. If you be good and review.....I'll write about what Bella was dreaming!

*licks lips* it's going to be good.

I wish you all well in life and I hope you all find or have found your brand of Edward.