Hello again everyone. I hope you enjoy the next chap!

Huge thanks to Mabinda for all the help and love she gives me and in turn, all of you.

This is rated M for some simulated lemons. If you aren't old enough to drink legally, stop reading now, or I'll send the Volturi after you!

I don't own twilight. Stephanie Meyer is the lucky lady who does.

Bella's Pov.

The walk to the lake was hot. The sun beat down relentlessly. A light sheen developed all over me, making me uncomfortable. I wasn't used to sweating. The walk was beautiful, and I was glad I had put on SPF50+ sunscreen.

I am so white, I would probably blister and burn before we even got to the lake.

I was looking forward to the swim in this so called 'Heaven on earth' as Emmet put it.

I was hoping it was all it was promised to be.

When we got there, well, yes. Emmet was right. It was beautiful.

We all stripped off down to our swim wear and waded out a little way.

I had never done a lot of swimming before. I could swim, but not so well.

Emmet splashed around a little, and Alice just waded in and ran her fingers lightly over the top of the water, making small ripples.

'Hey Emmet' I called. 'You look pretty good with no shirt on. Just sayin'.'

'Thanks Pix. You look pretty good yourself. You can take your top off any time you like!' He joked back.

I tried to splash him with water, but he was too far out.

'You know what I mean, if you like that sort of thing!' I shot back.

'Don't pretend you don't Pix!'

'Whatever, Emmet! I know it's all for Rosalie, even if I wanted it!' I laughed at him. This had to be the most ridiculous conversation I had ever had.

'Well, you never know your luck in the big city. You could always try it, and see if you like it?' He was laughing hard now.

'Um, thanks but no thanks Emmet. Anyway, this isn't a big city!' I laughed with him.

'You can't blame a guy for trying!'

'Even if you don't mean it? You could have crushed my delicate female sensibilities!' I did a little pout.

'Awww Bella, are you upset?' He came closer to the shore now.

'No. Maybe if I saw you as anything but a brother and a friend, well........ maybe. But still no.'

'Damn, first Alice, and now you. I'll just have to try for Rosalie then!'

'Yeah, go for the marble statue. See if you can crack the heart of glass!'

'All I can do is try' Emmet replied a little melancholy.

'Oh you two! It's going to be all right Emmet. Rosalie is probably dealing with things herself out here. She might be escaping something nasty just like most of the people who end up here, are.' Alice broke into our banter.

Alice was right. I still didn't like the bitch, but maybe her problems with me, were more about her than it was about me. I tucked that piece of info away for further dissecting. I didn't want to think about her any more than I had to, while I was enjoying myself here.

Alice and Emmet got out of the lake and sat on the picnic blanket. This wasn't their first time here and it wasn't a novelty for them anymore.

I bent my legs down in the waist high water, and put my head and whole body under, holding my breath. I slowly came up out of the water, feeling the delicious feeling of leaving the cold water and coming into the heat. It was invigorating.

I knew I couldn't take all the time I wanted because Emmet and Alice wanted to get back for various reasons.

I could hear Alice calling for me to get out, and I felt overly heated again. I was absentmindedly wiping water off my arms, feeling them prickle and thinking I could dip in just once more before getting out of the lake when I heard an extra voice.

Oh my lord. HE was here!

My adrenaline kicked in then, but I just stood there, not knowing what to do. I wasn't even sure he had even seen me.

I was in my own little fantasy land when I realised- they were talking about me. Edward cut a quick glance to me and back again.

'Sure, I guess that shouldn't be a problem' I heard him say.

What? What was just said?

'Sure' I echoed.

Alice danced over to give me a hug and said 'come over later ok?'

'Sure' I promised with a nod and a smile.

Emmet hugged me next and said quietly 'You call me if there is any trouble. Are you going to be ok?'

I just nodded, rubbed his arm in that age old way of reassurance and smiled.

Oh, I was going to be more than fine. I was going to be alone with Edward!

I was glad my swimwear was already wet, because I think I may have shown exactly how excited I was to be alone with Edward.

After Emmet and Edward exchanged a few words, Alice and Emmet left.

We waved and smiled and then they were gone.

Edward turned to me and asked 'I hope it's ok that I walk you back'.

'That's ok; I wanted to stay a little longer anyway. It's so beautiful here'. I was trying not to do a little happy dance.

'Yes, it is.' He said looking at me. Could he tell I was about to throw my hands in the air, dancing around singing 'Uh huh, uh huh!'?

Edward sat on the picnic blanket and stripped off his clothes.

He was still smiling about his feet being free of his shoes when he took his shirt off.

My legs buckled a little and I almost swooned.

I had to turn away quickly; he didn't need to see me ogling him. I thought about stripping off my bikini top too, but thought better of it. I wasn't built like Rosalie, and I suddenly felt self conscious.

We made some small talk about the lake and my lack of experience with swimming when he swam much further out.

He called out for me to join him.

'Um, me and deep water? Not such a good idea.' No way José. I've seen horror movies. I wasn't about to star in one now.

Edward glided through the water back toward me and stopped a few steps from me.

He looked directly into my eyes and said 'Do you want to go in deeper?'

'More than anything' I breathed.

Hell yes! Wait, you mean the water...........NO!

I closed my eyes for a moment, begging all the angels in heaven to give me some serenity while telling myself to stop being a baby.

When he held out his hand and said 'Trust me; I won't let anything bad happen to you' I think I hesitated for a split second before reaching for his hand with 'carpe diem' echoing in my mind.

When I put my hand in his, I felt something resembling a light electric current run up my arm. I took a quick breath in before we started moving out toward deeper water.

I kept my eyes on him, fantasizing about how I would probably end up following him anywhere on earth; when we reached our destination a small distance from the shore.

I snapped out of my fantasy when I realised....... I did it!

I laughed at myself for being so silly and said 'You know? It's funny, but I actually had this fear that there were things under the water in lakes, but it's actually really fun and I'm super proud of myself for getting this far without getting hysterical!'

All of a sudden Edward disappeared under the water.

Oh my god.

The panic and fear radiated through me.

Something grabbed my leg, trying to pull me down to a gruesome, watery death, and I started thrashing around and screaming.

It felt like full blown hysteria was taking over when my leg was released and I was pressed onto a hard chest with Edward speaking in my ear.

'Sorry, I couldn't help myself. You totally freaked!'

However, I was freaking out all over the place about something new now.....His hands were on my hips and my back was pressed against his chest. I was glad I was panting from exertion and previous fright, because my panting was for a whole new reason.

'You scared me! Not helping my phobia of lake monsters!' I managed to say, laughing at myself for being so turned on with his hands only on my hips.

Before I could start rubbing my but against his crotch like a cat on heat, he let me go. My body ached at the loss of his touch.

'What if I'm the monster?' He asked seriously.

'Well then, I am dead meat! I think I'll head back to the shore.' I tried to joke because I was afraid he might have been able to tell that I was about to molest him.

When we got back, we flopped onto the picnic blanket on our stomachs.

When Edward groaned with the warmth of the sun on his skin, I mentally committed to memorise the sound. It was like sex in a sound. Oh lord!

I thanked him for staying at the lake so I could enjoy it longer, because I was aware he may have wanted some alone time.

He said it was no problem, and he wanted to be friends.

I agreed and bit my lip feeling a little shy all of a sudden.

Then he did something that I won't forget in a hurry.

He ran his tongue over his lower lip.

Ooohhh baby, come to momma!

I think I just wet myself again. I may or may not have been doing some dreamy eyes at his lips when he asked me the first of many questions.

We talked about home, our families and our passion for food and flavour when he asked THAT question.

About Jake.

I told him as basically as possible about what happened. I didn't want to go there yet because I hadn't worked it all out for myself.

It didn't mean I wasn't ready for something new, but it doesn't mean that I was either.

I changed the subject quickly to something less difficult, his parents and travel. When he talked about all the places he had been, I was amazed. And I had thought what I was doing, leaving home and coming out here was an adventure; He had been all over the world!

I had spent most of my life yearning to see all those places and to experience all the things he had. He was so lucky!

So when he said that a country is just a place, as long as you are happy, it really struck me as profound.

But I guess it's easy enough to say that when you have had all of those experiences and someone else hasn't.

We packed up to go back when it started cooling down and I felt confident enough to question him on Rosalie and her problem with me.

He didn't really know and threw an idea out there that it might be Emmet, but I trusted that he would find out. I mean, we are friends now, right?

When we got back, Emmet was waiting for us.

He invited us to dinner, all together, but Edward turned us down.

He wanted a shower, so we left him to it.

Emmet and I went to the dining room where Alice was waiting. We grabbed an Ice water and found a table that was big enough to fit us all at.

We went back to the buffet and filled our plates with food. I was feeling a little peckish after a big afternoon when Emmet said 'Shit girl, you took your time getting back. I started to worry.'

'Awww sorry.' I told them the story of Edward coaxing me into the cold deep water of the lake and playing his rotten trick on me, scaring me half to death.

We all laughed about me nearly shitting myself when I noticed Rosalie and Edward enter the dining room.

She narrowed her eyes and was bending her head toward him, talking to him quietly. He looked engrossed in the conversation.

'Hey, Emmet, I need to talk to you later if that's ok? Can we meet up in my room instead of Alice's?' I said quietly, looking at both Alice and Emmet.

Alice nodded her approval while Emmet took another mouthful and nodded also.

Alice and I started laughing.

'You always eat like it's going to be your last meal Emmet!' I said laughing and pretending to try to snake my hand over to his plate to steal his food.

I quietened down when I saw Edward and Rosalie approach our table with their plates.

I lost my appetite almost immediately, my previous hunger forgotten.

I pushed my food around my plate for five minutes before getting up and escaping back to my room.

I showered and changed into a white sheer slip and thong and added a dressing gown over the top. I dried my hair off with the hair dryer, and used a barrel brush to make it shiny. I knew I was the only one that would see it, but I felt like taking the extra effort to make it nice anyway. It was a warm night.

I had no sooner finished my primping when Emmet sent me a text.

He and Alice would be over in an hour or so. He had a few things he needed to do. No problem.

I used my time to check my emails and send a few off that I had been procrastinating on.

I left the ones from Jacob, unopened, and unread.

I had time on my hands and I let my mind go to the big fat problem in my head.

I started digging into the feelings I had denied for weeks.

I recognised anger at the cheating and creeping around behind my back.

Embarrassment over being an unsuspecting fool.

Horror at the discovery of my special person, naked with someone else.

Definitely emotional scarring from seeing two people having an intimate moment together, particularly when one of those people was, for all I knew, with me!

As I dug deeper, analysing my feelings that came to the surface, I found some things that weren't directly from Jacob, but bought all those feelings to light and I just assumed they were his fault.

There was despair over my own parents break up, and the feelings of abandonment I had from that.

Also embarrassment; over getting involved with my father's best friend's son, and it not working out. I had some stupid belief that my first relationship WOULD work, because I would make sure of it.

I guess a relationship only lasts as long as both people want to be in it.

My parents were young at the time and are just people who are looking for happiness too. They are human, so will make mistakes, as much as the next person.

It was time for me to forgive that situation and let the little abandoned girl within me grieve her last. They did and do love me, but maybe had trouble giving me what I needed at the time. Maybe they didn't know what that was.

I felt I had had a revelation, and I felt a lot lighter for it.

I was still mad at Jacob tho, and I didn't want to talk yet, but a large part of that anger had dissolved.

My train of thought was broken when I heard a light tap on the door.

Ah, Alice and Emmet were here.

Alice and I sat on the couch around the coffee table, Emmet on the floor, cross legged.

'So, what's going on Bell's? Are you ok? You didn't eat much dinner.' Emmet began.

'Yeah, I'm fine, I wanted to tell you something, but I'm not really sure how. I don't want to upset you, but....I just thought I should let you know...'

'Alright, out with it. What's going on?' He said impatiently.

'Well, I was talking to Edward this afternoon while we were walking back from the lake and I asked him what Rosalie's problem was....'

'Yes, Yes?' Emmet interjected.

'Well, he said; and maybe he is wrong; but that Rosalie might not like you and that's why she is targeting me'.

'Well, that doesn't make sense! What's it got to do with you?' Emmet said loudly and slightly annoyed.

'Hey, I have no idea, just repeating what I was told.' I shrugged and put my hands up in a universal sign of peace.

'No, that's not it. It's something else. I don't know what, but it's something else. Maybe you remind her of someone Bella, or maybe Emmet does, but something is missing here.' Alice finally spoke.

'Well, no one here reminds me of anyone that I hate, so I can't go off at anyone unless they start it!'

'Who do you hate Bella?' Alice asked. Emmet looked up curiously.

Here it is. D day, or hour or whatever.

'Well, there was this guy Jacob, He was my best friend.....'

I told them the story of us growing up together, of being best friends, of having our first kiss and first sexual experience with each other.

Our fathers were so proud. Thought they would be family someday.

A happy little package all wrapped up.

The ribbon fell off my fairy tale ending and happily ever after.

'..............So, now we aren't even friends. I miss our friendship more than anything else about our relationship, but I just can't talk to him yet; you know?

The others were quiet for a moment before Alice said 'Oh Bella, I'm so sorry'.

'Thanks, but I'm ok, really. I think I have worked a lot of it out.'

'So, you don't miss the lovin' then?' Asked Emmet while wiggling his eyebrows at me, lightening the mood.

'Do you only ever think of food and sex?' I asked laughing

''Well, that is.....' Emmet looked sheepish.

'Yes' Alice and I said laughing together.

Before we knew it, it was midnight. We all said our quiet goodbyes and I closed the door as silently in the still night as I could. Emmet went one way, and Alice went to her room on the other side of mine.

I went to bed as soon after they left as I could. I still needed to be able to function tomorrow, so I tried to go to sleep as quickly as possible.

I thought about what Emmet had said as I drifted off to sleep.

Did I miss loving Jacob intimately?

I don't know.................

I was back at the lake again. How did I get here?

Jacob was there. What was going on?

'I want to see you' he said.

'No' I said, backing away as he took a step toward me.

'We need to talk' He pleaded.

'No Jacob. I'm not ready.' I said, still backing away slowly.

He started taking his shirt off and his muscles rippled with the movement.

He was sort of beautiful.

He started walking toward me again.

'Jacob, go away. I don't want you anymore.'

'Bella' I heard another voice call.

I turned, and there was Edward on the picnic blanket.

'Come to me' He said in his velvet sex voice with his arms outstretched.

I looked back to where Jacob was, but he was gone.

'He won't bother you again tonight. The wolves are at bay.' Edward added.

I looked around, and the moon lit up the place like day. I hadn't noticed it was night time before.

Edward leaned in toward me and his lips touched mine.

My heart picked up, beating at a frantic pace.

I slid my hands up through his hair, feeling the silky strands between my fingers.

The kiss deepened and he lay me down on the blanket.

Where did my clothes go? This thought disappeared almost as soon as it flitted through my desire fogged mind.

Edward's hands were all over me creating a desperate hunger deep within me.

My blood pumped faster and I felt a delicious ache building.

'Do you want me?' He asked in a slow, lust filled voice.

'Yes' I managed to moan out.

He lay on top of me and gently and slowly pushed his hard, throbbing member into me.

I'm sure I heard a groan similar to the one he emitted when we were here earlier or maybe it was from my memory.

I arched my back trying to get closer to him, and feel his chest on my breasts.

I was panting and moaning now.

I had never felt this way.

He moved slowly at first, in this love dance, and then quickened his pace, building my ache into a crescendo until the waves of pleasure took over my body.

My spine arched again and my hands clenched the picnic blanket, as the feelings swirled and peaked bringing me the most intense pleasure I had ever felt and I had no choice but to ride it out.

I moaned, then sighed and began to relax, enjoying the remaining sensations and warmth that had spread to every cell in my body, like liquid gold.

That was the most intense orgasm I had ever experienced in my life.

I turned to tell Edward how amazing he had made me feel, when I opened my eyes and locked onto his, but he was much further away than he was before.

I felt confused for a minute as to where I was, and turned to light the lamp beside my bed.

I looked back to where I had seen Edward last.

There were only lace curtains, moving in the breeze.

It all felt so real.

I still had the remnants of the beautiful ache and heat radiating from my core.

Well, I was still thankful for the dream, even if it wasn't real. I wouldn't need to take Emmet up on his offer if I could have dreams like that! Not that I had any intentions of doing so.

It was still early, but I got up, and showered and changed to get ready for the early morning shift in the kitchen.

I was on breakfast shift, until after lunch, and Edward was on from lunch to dinner.

I wouldn't have to look at him and remember the beautiful experience we had together even though he had no idea he was part of it, and I was happy with that.

I had put together the breakfast picnic baskets that were ordered for some customers, when I heard Emmet call through the kitchen.

'Last night was a long night, and I'm going to need some sustenance if I'm going to make it through the day!'

I packed up a tray with a couple of muffins, a large fruit salad, 2 ham and cheese croissants and a medium bottle of juice.

'There you go bud, that should tide you over until morning tea is set out!'

'Thank you, you are too good to me woman, but I'll let you be even better....' He wiggled his eyebrows again with a cheeky grin.

'Oh, go on! Out!' I scolded in a jovial way, waving a stick of celery at him.

I waved goodbye with a smile and set about my work.

I still had a bit to do for the people that would have a late breakfast and I set to work thinking nothing of the odd looks the other kitchen staff gave each other.

We worked all morning, and then started lunch prep.

I heard Edward as soon as he entered the building.

He sounded happier than I had ever heard him.

'.......and this is where you will find me most of the time, the kitchen." Everyone, this is Jasper. He is in IT and you will find him in the office most of the time, so if you have any questions or comments about the computers or what not, this is the guy to come to."

Edward turned to make the introductions and when Jasper's eyes fell on me, they seemed to linger there for a moment.

'Hi' we all said after the introductions and they moved off, and we all got back to work.

Edward's brother looked nothing like him. His hair was much lighter, maybe even blonde, and wavy, and his eyes were blue. He was very handsome and no doubt charming, but Edward still held my interest.

Edward returned after a while to help with lunch, and by the time we were done, I wanted to get out of there.

Every time I looked at him, there was something in his eyes.

Now, I know it is only because I had had an amazing night with dream Edward, but I felt transparent, like somehow he would know what we did, the longer I hung about.

So when my shift was over, I high tailed it out of there, grabbing a left over salad on the way, to eat by the pool.

I was almost finished and about to leave the area to do laundry, when a couple came and sat either side of me, and looked at me oddly.

'Hi' I said, feeling uncomfortable all of a sudden.

'Hello' the long haired lady said.

'Um, can I help you with something?' I was trying to be polite, but felt ready to run.

'We couldn't decide if you were the Head chef here, or just second in charge or just a chef.' The man with a low ponytail replied.

'Well, I am second in charge. Is there a problem?'

'We were just wondering if you ever wanted to be a head chef.'

'Maybe one day, but I'm ok the way I am thanks.' I stood to leave, and they stood too.

'Think about it' they both said together, looking pointedly at me, before moving off.

Wow, random and weird, I thought to myself.

Alice appeared as this couple were leaving and asked 'Do you know them?'

'No'

'I don't like this Bella. I think you should stay away from them' she sounded worried.

'I didn't invite them over'.

'There's just something about them...' she said, trailing off, watching them walk further away.

'I'll try my best' I didn't know what else to say.

As the afternoon wore on, and I tried to finish all my jobs in record time, I still felt a prickle of unease, like someone was watching me.

Tonight, I decided, I would pop the question to Emmet.

My only hope was that he would be open minded enough to say yes....

*Squeee* what's going to happen? What question is she going to pop to Emmet? 10 points to the person who can tell me who the couple are, that approached Bella!

I thought I should put a little love in here early, so I hope you liked it!

Ka xoxo