Hi ladies!

This one is a bit angsty...But I'm sure you will love it!

Thank you to Mabinda for Beta'ing and thank you all for reading!

I must apologise for taking a while to get this chapter out. There has been so much happen it is not even funny. Like I said, RL sucks. I'll have what Bella is having...

I don't own Twilight, but I am thinking of buying the board game to go with my New Moon one...

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Edwards POV.

I tried to get myself together and drive away the shock that wanted to render me senseless.

I urged myself into moving my eyes across the letter I held, with Bella's resignation printed on it.

I started reading and felt the fear and nausea build within me.

To whom it may concern.

Please accept this as my formal letter of resignation, effective immediately.

I apologise for the abrupt and unexpected departure, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I must cease employment at The Paradise retreat.

The ill treatment of certain staff members in the kitchen has unfortunately forced my hand as I can no longer deal with the stress and strain this is having on my person.

The 'Hand delivered mail' that is being left for me at all hours of the night or early morning has become incredibly unacceptable to me, as now a dear friend looks to be becoming a target also, so I feel I must remove the main threat.

I will always be grateful for the wonderful friendships that I have developed over the time that I have been employed here.

I am also immensely thankful for such considerate employers and will always be appreciative to have been able to further develop my skills as a Chef.

Sincerely,

Isabella Marie Swan.

I glanced over at Jasper. He was wearing an unreadable expression on his face; I then turned to look at Emmet...now HIS expression I could read.

'What the hell has been going on here?' Jane exclaimed.

'Ah... a huge misunderstanding I think.' I said finally, the other two staying silent.

'Do we know how long ago Aro left to take Bella? I see the note here but it doesn't tell me the time.'

'I have no idea. I'm sorry.' I said, shaking my head slowly, feeling ashamed of myself and the unnecessary pain I had caused.

'I've driven her away. She's gone. How could I be so stupid?' I berated myself silently, my throat threatening to close over with suppressed emotion.

Jane grabbed a set of keys off the table and ran out, leaving us all looking dumbfounded at each other as to what was going on.

'You fucking arse hole' Emmet growled out, glaring at me. 'It was you! You made her leave! You gave her hell and what for? Rosalie confessed to me the fucked up shit you guys were thinking last night. '

Emmet then pulled back his fist and socked me hard in the mouth.

I stumbled backward from the blow, landing on my ass with a thud.

Emmet kicked me in the side as he walked past me and outside. I watched him leave and I realised that with his strength, he could have kicked me a lot harder.

Jasper looked down at me and put out his hand to help me up. He looked none too happy and then said...'Well, if Emmet didn't do it, then I would have.'

I knew I deserved it. Hell, I wanted to hit myself. I took Jaspers hand and stood.

'Well, what do we do now?'

'I'm going to go and speak to Alice. You do whatever.' Jasper said walking away.

I began to panic as it struck me...I would never see her again, I would never get to apologise or make anything better with her, and worst of all, I would never get to love her.

I quickly went back into the office and grabbed the contact book with all employees' numbers in there.

Frantically, I thumbed through and finally found Bella's number. I grabbed the phone off the desk and punched in the numbers.

I tapped my foot impatiently, waiting for the call to connect.

'Hi, this is Bella. Sorry I missed your call just now, but please leave me a message and I'll....'

'Fuck' I swore in my head, fuming as I disconnected.

I jotted down her number to programme into my phone in case I had to leave a grovelling message on her cell if I couldn't get through, though I would be making every effort in my power to speak to her.

I walked back toward my room to find something to do and I passed Rosalie on the way to the dining room.

'Hey, are you ok? You're bleeding.' she said pointing to my face.

'Ah yeah, just a little something I picked up this morning.' I didn't want to go into it right now. I felt like an absolute bastard, and I didn't want to talk to Rosalie, my 'Partner in crime'.

'Hey, I wanted to talk to you anyway... I spoke to Emmet last night, while doing his massage, and by the way, we have a date tomorrow night! It appears that you and I had it all wrong about Bella. Apparently Emmet and Bella are just really close friends. He's been teaching her self defence at night in the Gym, and trying to protect her from some crazy stalker that has been breaking into her room at night to leave sick and random envelopes by her bed!'

'Uh, thanks Rosalie' I felt like shit by now, and my head was pounding.

'Fancy that! She did have a reason to need the boys helping her! And I've been so horrid to her. Emmet was a bit irritated with me, but I placated him by telling him I would apologise ten times to Bella if I had to, and I would make it up to her for as long as she wanted me to. So....wish me luck! I hope she's in a forgiving mood! Is she in the dining room do you know? I haven't seen anyone around yet.' She was looking in the direction of the dining room and was obviously in a cheery mood.

'Why the hell didn't you tell me that last night?' I spoke in a loud forceful whisper, trying desperately not to lose my temper.

'Because it was late when Emmet and I finished talking!' Rosalie raised her voice defensively and looking confused by my ferocity.

'Yeah, well, don't get your hopes up to apologise. She's gone.' I couldn't keep the dejected and bitter note out of my voice.

'What do you mean she's gone? Bella?'

'Yeah Bella. I mean, she's handed in her resignation because of US. She's left already. God knows where she is now!

'Ah hell. What do we do now then? Emmet's going to be blaming us big time.' Rosalie pouted.

'Well, I don't know about you, but I know he fully blames me' I said, fingering my lip that was only slightly swollen. 'I'm going to take a shower. I'll see you later.'

I started walking toward my room becoming increasingly angry at the fates that delivered me this huge blow. Why couldn't I have found out last night that this was all a huge misunderstanding? That I was acting like an arse hole for no real reason, that I had blamed and hurt someone that I really cared for?

I didn't want to talk anymore. Whenever I saw someone's horrified expression, it made my chest ache severely with the knowledge that I had caused so much heart ache.

I went inside my room and straight to the bathroom. I flushed my face with water and then looked in the mirror. There was a smear of blood from a small split on my bottom lip and a small amount of swelling. I knew it could have been a lot worse, and I realised that Emmet hadn't hit me with his full force even though I more than deserved it.

I stripped my clothing off and got into the shower putting the cold tap on full force, hoping the iciness would help to numb the ache I was feeling inside.

It wasn't working. Nothing was working. Sighing, I turned the heat on as well and soaped my body all over. I stayed under the shower for a long time until I couldn't stand the sensation of the water any longer.

I dressed for the day of work slowly, trying to engage my brain in menial tasks, anything to avoid thinking of the stress I had caused Emmet, Alice, my brother, Aro and Jane...but most of all, Bella. I had forgotten her concern over the weird note, and hadn't been friendly to her when she was getting the other ones, so she had no way of telling me about them anyway. I felt deep shame and regret as I recalled the memory of when she was so fearful and worried about her own issues, and yet she could recognise that I wasn't ok and she reached out to me, caring for me, and I told her to mind her own business.

I sat down on my lounge, staring at the blank television, feeling like I had lost a part of me when I heard a light knock on the door.

'Come in' I rasped out.

Alice entered slowly with a look of sadness on her face.

'If you're here to abuse me, I don't want to hear it.' I said in a deadpan voice.

'Oh Edward. I had a feeling you liked her' Alice said coming in and sitting beside me on the couch. She had obviously been speaking to Jasper.

'Yeah, well, it doesn't matter now. She's gone.' I could hardly speak the words, I felt so bereft.

'I'm pretty crushed about it too. I'm really going to miss her. She was a good person.' Alice said sadly.

'I'm really sorry Alice. I didn't mean to hurt her. I was just so upset by the thought of her and Emmet and I lost my mind for a while.'

'You should have told her...' Alice's voice was gentle.

'I'm such a fool....' I put my head in my hands, hiding my face.

'Edward. She wasn't just running from you, you know. There were a few things. She was really scared of that stalker and I don't think she was sleeping properly either.'

'It doesn't change anything Alice, she's still gone. Anyway, I'm going to work, so, can we think of what to do about it all later? I can't handle anymore of this guilt so I need to get busy.'

I stood up abruptly and watched Alice stand too.

'Ok Edward... Well, I'll let you know if I can reach her on her cell phone.'

'Thanks. And thanks again Alice... for everything.' I said quietly.

'No problem Edward.' Alice called moving toward the door.

I remembered Bella's phone number and I grabbed at the paper I had left in the bathroom when I had shed my clothes, with her number on it. I quickly programmed it into my phone, pressing the call button, trying to get lucky with getting through.

No luck; message bank again.

I headed out to work then, hoping for the distraction that I badly needed.

It was shitty in the kitchen without Bella's beautiful smile to dream about and her perfect little body to admire when she wasn't looking.

My guilt was bubbling up within me again by lunch time and I decided to go and see Aro in the Office.

I knocked and was bid to enter.

Aro was sitting behind his desk, peering at the computer screen.

'Ahh Edward! What a lovely surprise' he exclaimed when he saw me.

'Thanks Aro, it's good to see you too.'

'What can I do for you today my friend?' He asked cheerfully.

'Um, I just wanted to ask you about Bella this morning... Did you drop her off? I asked, sliding into a seat in front of the desk.

'Yes, I did as a matter of fact. She was quite adamant that she would like to leave today. I of course obliged her, and dropped her off at the bus station early this morning. I did try to take my time in case she decided to change her mind, but, well, she wanted to go.'

'Oh... Ok... Was she ok?'

'Oh, that is a matter of opinion Edward. She was sound in body, but in spirit? Well, that is another issue entirely. Her tears would break a lesser man's heart, but she was soon on her way. All is well now Edward, don't worry about it anymore.'

'Uh...Ok...sure. Thanks Aro.' I stood to leave, not knowing what else to say and still feeling like the piece of shit that I obviously am. I mean, don't worry about it? How could I not? It's written in black and white that the atmosphere in the kitchen had been less than ordinary. That meant ME. I was the one that had been giving her the 'ill treatment' and I knew that they knew it.

'My pleasure Edward, come again soon'. He said with a small wave and a smile, going back to the computer.

I left and returned to the kitchen.

I was realising just how much easier Bella had made working here, and wondered for a moment if I should resign too.

My brain started forming a plan while I worked. I was due for my week off soon, and so I would try to find out where she had gone and I would go and find her. I would confess everything to her and beg her forgiveness, and I hoped like hell that she would have mercy on me.

By late afternoon, the toll of stress, anxiety and guilt left me feeling quite weary.

I started thinking that I couldn't wait until the end of my shift so I could disappear to my room, away from all of the reminders that kept my eyes playing tricks on me. I was seeing Bella everywhere, and I started worrying about my sanity.

I noticed Alice and Emmet come in and put in orders for an early dinner, and then they went to a table and strew glittery stuff around the place, and lit some candles. They looked a lot more cheerful than they had this morning. They must be trying to be romantic or something with Jasper and Rosalie.

'Lucky fuckers' I grumbled to myself as I started preparing food. After a few minutes, I saw out of the corner of my eye Alice begin to wave and then Emmet rose up to stand... I was getting out a large steel bowl and whisk to begin mixing up my famous Aioli when I became aware of a vision in pink and black, gliding across the empty dining room.

My utensils crashed to the ground with a huge reverberation. She turned toward the sound, obviously stunned by the commotion and our eyes locked. I saw shock registered in her eyes, whether from the noise or from seeing me, I wasn't sure. What I was sure about was that I would never ever treat this woman with anything but utmost respect from now on. Gratitude flowed through my body like a huge wave. I could finally start apologising and trying to make things right with Bella.

She was the one to break eye contact with me, and then she walked toward Alice and Emmet, not looking at me again. When she got to them, Alice gave her a huge hug, obviously excited that she had returned. Next Emmet grabbed her for a huge bear hug and spun her around a few times. Her skirt was short and flew up at the back as he spun her, and I could see her pert bottom and sexy little thong. I gulped, like a man drowning, and indeed I was – in my own saliva as my mouth watered. She was just too hot for words and I could hardly tear my eyes away. Jasper turned up for a hug after a moment and then they all sat down to chat.

I did the best I could with their dinner, while keeping my eyes on Bella. They were quite cheery, and I noticed Bella didn't turn my way once.

They left when the crowds of hungry customers filed in, which was handy because I needed to concentrate on making beautiful food and doing it quickly.

I noticed Rosalie come in and grab one of the side salads waiting for consumption and then leave again, looking a little stressed.

I wondered what was going on out there with them all. I wished I could leave my post, but I would never do that. I started wondering why the hell Aro didn't tell me that Bella was back. All he said was that 'all was well now'. What does that mean to a person that is being eaten up with pain and guilt?

I'll tell you what...Absolutely nothing.

Kind of like when people tell you not to worry when you are completely stressed.

As if you can fucking stop!

As I worked away by myself, sautéing and wiping down plates, I had formed so many questions. The night finally came to a close and I breathed a sigh of relief. I could finally apologise and make things right with Bella.

She may not like me very much right now, but I still thought her the most beautiful, interesting woman I had ever seen and I was determined to finally tell her how I felt.

I set off outside without a backward glance, and strode purposefully toward Bella's room. I knew it was late, but she had been up later with Emmet this past week and a half.

No one was at the Gazebo as I walked past, and the place was quiet. I walked quietly toward our rooms and listened for anybody talking or any noise at all. I could hear nothing and no one.

Where the hell was everyone?

I guess it could be time for bed, if you wanted to go before ten.... I stopped at Jaspers door, and raised my hand to knock. Should I? What if he was with Alice? I raised my hand and then dropped it again, leaning closer to the door to listen for any sound inside.

Nothing.

I raised my hand and knocked anyway hoping that if he was asleep, he wouldn't hear it, and I wouldn't disturb him.

I heard the door unlock a moment later and Jasper appeared in his boxer shorts in the open door way.

'Hey man, what's going on?' he asked looking outside.

'Nothing. I was just wondering where everyone was.'

'We all decided on an early night. It's been a big day for everybody.'

'Yeah, I know what you mean. Ahhh....is... Bella ...staying or has she gone again?' I found those words so hard to say, but I needed to hear the answer desperately.

'Yeah. Jane raced out to get her back this morning and talked her into returning,'

'Oh, that's great' I breathed out a breath I didn't know I was holding. She was going to stay.

'You might have to leave talking to her tomorrow though Edward. She's pretty tired tonight.'

'Uh, ok. Um... was she ok?'

'Yes and no. I think she's still a bit emotional, but I think she'll be ok eventually.'

'Thanks brother. I'll try to catch up with her tomorrow.'

'Yeah, let her have some rest. I'll see you in the morning.

'Ok. Night.'

'Goodnight.'

I let myself through my door and sat on the couch. I wasn't tired, and I didn't want to watch television.

What I wanted was to see Bella. I wanted to spend time with her and hold her. The more I thought of it, the more I started to feel like I needed it.

I refused to wake her if she was tired, so I just sat there, leaning back and staring at the ceiling.

I just sat there for a long while trying to formulate the best way to apologise and tell her how I feel about her, without scaring her off with the intensity of my feelings.

I finally got up to shower and head to bed.

When I finally got to sleep, I was plagued with dreams of holding Bella close to me and then something would always happen and she would be torn away from me.

I awoke late, tangled in my sheets and sweating from heat.

Heat? What was the time?

I realised I had slept later than I had meant to and I jumped up with the first thing on my mind being Bella.

I got up quickly and showered all the sweat off me. I was living in hope that I could see Bella as soon as possible. Maybe I could catch her now...

I jumped out of the shower and got dressed, brushing my teeth quickly, and running my hands through my hair.

I looked at the clock. Damn, breakfast was over, and morning tea would be set out soon.

I put my uniform on and left, heading next door to see Bella.

I knocked on her door...no answer. I waited for a moment just in case I was mistaken, but there was nothing.

Damn. Where could she be? Everyone else was at work at this time.

I headed to see Jasper in the other office. When I reached it, I knocked on the door, and poked my head in.

Jasper was hard at work with his head buried in papers and his eyes glancing at a computer.

'Hey, how are you?' I asked when I saw my brother.

He looked up and grinned. 'Hey sleepy head, I'm alright, how are you today?'

'Feeling a bit better thanks...uh...have you seen Bella?' I asked hesitantly.

'I'm not sure. I think she was on an early shift today, you haven't been to the kitchen yet?'

'No, not yet. I'll head there now. I have to start shortly anyway.'

'Ok, cool man. See you later.' Jasper said going back to his work.

'Bye' I said as I headed toward the kitchen. I partially ran, but as soon as I hit the dining room, I slowed to a walk.

I walked in and spotted Bella just leaving.

'Um...Bella?' I called.

She turned around when she heard her name being called and sighed when she saw it was me.

I walked over to her where there were no prying ears.

'Hey' I said softly looking down at her.

'Hey' she said finally looking up at me.

I saw apprehension in her eyes and knew it was my fault that it was there. It had never been there before I had treated her so callously.

'Are you leaving already?' I thought to ask.

'Um, yeah, I have a couple of appointments, so I have to go now.' She looked back down at her feet.

'Oh, ok. Can I talk to you sometime?' I asked, disappointed that I couldn't speak to her right now.

'Yeah, sure. I just have to change and then I have a bit of an afternoon on, that's all.' She glanced back up at me when she spoke.

'So, you're not working in the kitchen this afternoon at all?' I asked feeling frustrated, because every time I tried to speak to her, my efforts were being thwarted.

'No, but you have a heap of people working in there, so I'm sure someone in there can Julienne carrots properly for you' she said, smiling un humorously at me.

'Uh...I'm really...sorry about that... Bella, you'll never know how much.' I felt pained again, and I wondered if it showed, I hoped not too much.

'Anyway, I have to go, so I'll talk to you some other time Edward.' Bella turned and began to walk away.

I walked after her and grabbed her hand, ignoring the warmth that spread up my arm from the contact and then looked into her eyes, pleading.

'Edward, I have to go.' She said firmly, and shook me off and then walked away. She wasn't going to forgive me anytime soon, but I would make sure I got my moment in the sun.

All I could do is watch her leave. With a sigh, I turned and headed into the kitchen, ignoring the curious glances cast my way.

After half an hour of working in the kitchen, I needed to see Aro about a few ingredients we were getting very low on and I popped out for a moment to go to the office.

As I got closer to the office I saw Bella talking to a big burly young policeman. He was touching her arm and smiling and winking at her. It was so apparent to me that he was coming onto her big time, and when I saw him hand her his card... I felt pretty shitty. This was her appointment?

She turned from him to leave with a wave and smile and walked away. I could see him watching her lustfully as she left. I pressed myself against the wall around the corner, but thankfully, she exited a different way and I wasn't busted. I headed back to the kitchen. It was obvious that Aro was busy................

I threw myself into my work and half way through I glimpsed Rosalie leaving with a small tray of sandwiches that someone had made her. I had wanted to ask her if she had seen Bella but she was out the door before I could even make a spectacle of myself yelling after her.

After the lunch rush, I went in to see Jasper. I kind of wanted to see a friendly face.

I opened the door to his office and poked my head in. He was in there with Alice sitting on his lap, and she was giggling at something.

'Oh, hey, sorry, I didn't realise you had company.' I said wishing I could talk to someone.

'That's ok. How are you going with everything?' Jasper replied.

'Um, fine, fine... I'll talk to you later about it.' I said, glancing at Alice.

'Its ok man, Alice knows everything anyway. What's up?'

'Uh, well, I don't think she wants to talk to me. She just blew me off this morning.' I didn't have to say who, I knew he would know.

'Just give her a bit of time and space. She'll come around. I don't think she hates you, just maybe a bit wary of you.' Alice spoke up to give me some insight into the situation.

'It depends on if she's worth it man.' Jasper added.

'She is. Ok guys, thanks. I'll leave you to it. See ya.' I closed the door quietly.

So, I have to give her a bit of time and space? Damn. That was going to be hard to do, but what choice did I have?

I got stuck into my work for the rest of the afternoon and evening. I wanted so badly to go and see Bella but I kept telling myself to leave her be. Everything within me wanted to go to her and fix this, but Alice was right, I needed to give her space.

So when they all had dinner again together, I tried not to look, or think or feel. I just got on with my work and tried to block it all out.

After I had finished my shift, and most things were put away, and prepared for the morning staff, I left and went straight back to my room to shower. I felt amped up, maybe from the opportunity to talk to Bella at some point or maybe because I had slept in that morning, but whatever it was, I knew I wouldn't sleep immediately.

I didn't want to go to the gym and I couldn't go running at this time of night, so I decided to do some laps in the pool.

I quickly dressed in some board shorts and headed out to the pool area, hoping for a little bit of quiet time to let myself think while wearing my body out.

The sight that greeted me when I got there nearly made me fall to my knees and weep, giving thanks to god or Allah, or Yahweh or who ever made my fantasy a reality.

There sat Bella, in the pool with a little pale blue bikini on, holding a glass of wine, with the bottle sitting on the side of the pool. Her hair was held up in a messy bun and petit, wavy tendrils escaped at the side of her face. Her neck was exposed as she laid her head back onto the side of the pool, and I squashed the urge to kneel down and kiss her there. Her eyes were closed and she hummed a familiar but beautiful slow song to herself as a small smile played at her lips. She looked like she was enjoying her solitude, but I couldn't resist the call of this Aphrodite and I desperately wanted to try to make things right.

I approached her cautiously, not knowing how she would take my presence.

'Hi, mind if I join you?' I asked softly when I was closer.

Her eyes flew open and she looked up at me, surprise registering on her face.

'Oh...ok, sure I guess'

I slipped in beside her into the clear water of the pool. The coolness was soothing on my heated skin.

'I hope I'm not disturbing you too much.' I said softly, watching for any reaction regarding my sudden appearance.

'That's ok.' she said, taking another sip of her wine. 'Want some?' she said motioning to the bottle of wine on the side of the pool.

'I uh, don't have a glass, so I guess not.'

'Here then... have some of mine' she said handing me her glass. 'It will be MY good deed for the day.'

I took the glass from her with a half smile and took a big gulp. I needed some Dutch courage for what I was going to say next. I felt the alcohol warm my stomach and limbs. I poured another glass, took a sip and handed it back to her. She sipped at the wine twice and handed to me again.

'I have already had a glass you know... you have to catch up to me' and then she let out a small giggle.

I smiled at her laughter. It was delicious, like the wine. I again took two larger draws on the wine and then began...My heart pounded, trying to leap out of my chest, but I managed to begin...

'Bella, I've been a dick...'

'Yeah, I know.'

'I thought you and Emmet...'

'Were shagging like porn stars. I know. The others told me what you and Rosalie thought. It's good to know the way I really come across to people.' She said dryly, rolling her eyes.

'No, you don't come across like that at all. I just couldn't see through my stupid jealousy over your friendship with him. I am so sorry Bella. I got so pissed when I thought you and he were getting together, that I took it out on you and I am completely ashamed of myself.'

'Oh...yeah well it wasn't so great on the receiving end either.' She said trying to lighten the mood.

'I am so sorry about it all now Bella, you don't have to go easy on me. I know I've been a right prick... I just hope that someday you will be able to forgive me.' I said, looking into her eyes and staying serious. I wanted her to know I meant my apology.

'I'll forgive you...IF...You tell me how you really feel...about me....honestly.' She looked up at me through her lashes shyly, waiting for some sort of answer. How could I resist? And besides, I guess I owed her this.

'Well...when I thought I would never see you again I felt like shit. It was torture knowing I had hurt you, I felt like such a prick...and I guess you should know...I've been attracted to you since the first day I saw you.'

There. I said it. Finally.

I almost couldn't look at her, but I wanted to gauge her reaction. Thank goodness the wine had started working, because I had felt like a nervous school boy writing a letter to my first crush...Will you go out with me. Tick the box...yes... or ...no.

'Oh, that's good to hear. I'm not the only one then.' She giggled and then stilled, watching me.

I looked into her eyes and I could see longing reflected in them. So she was attracted to me too?

Desire flooded through my veins and I took the opportunity to kiss her.

I leaned over and as I got nearer, I noticed her close her eyes and her breath hitched. I swooped in, capturing her lips with mine, softly at first and then more passionately. I felt her mouth open a little, deepening the kiss, and I rubbed my tongue on hers.

What happened next was the most erotic thing that I had ever physically felt, up to that point. She took hold of one of my shoulders and then straddled me. My first thought was that she might be offended about my raging erection that was trying to reach new heights, but she just sat on my crotch without a worry and laced her arms around the back of my neck and kept kissing me. I placed my hands on her hips and ran them up her sides, and down again to gently feel her bottom. I kept repeating the action, trying to feel all of her at once.

I was so turned on it scared me. My urge was to pick her up and carry her off to my bed, but I wanted to resist. I needed to know we could be ok, and that she wanted something more than physical gratification and it wasn't just the wine urging her on. I was aware that she had broken up with a long time boyfriend a mere 2 months ago, and I still didn't want to be her rebound fuck. I knew now that losing her a second time would crush me. I was in no hurry to go back to feeling that way.

She was breathing heavily now, as was I. She started to run her hands over my chest and I couldn't resist doing the same to her and she groaned into my mouth. Damn she's hot. I detected no resistance because of my wandering hands, so I gently tugged on the strings at the back that held her bikini securely in place so that I could have full access to her beautiful breasts. The ties gave way easily.

Bella broke the kiss off and looked into my eyes. Whoops...Maybe I went too far too fast.

Then she did something so incredibly surprising and sexy. She lifted the bikini top and whipped it over her head and then she threw it beside the wine bottle.

Her creamy breasts were exposed to me, and so close. My dick expanded if it was possible and gave a twitch. I had no idea if she could feel it or not. What I could feel is... where she was sitting on me was beginning to get very hot.

My breath was coming out unevenly now... I was beyond aroused. She began kissing me again and I took the opportunity to run my hands lightly over her chest

I circled my thumbs over her nipples that had become tiny pebbles and she started to moan into my mouth, and the sound almost made me come undone. It was the hottest thing I had ever heard, literally. When she started grinding herself on my crotch, I knew it was time to stop, but I just couldn't bring myself to end it.

Her moans became more urgent; I realised where she was headed, so I braced myself and kept up my ministrations on her breasts. God she felt good rubbing herself against my throbbing cock, I could hardly contain myself.

Just then, she arched her back and moaned out loudly a few times and then rested her head, panting on my shoulder, and holding on to me tightly.

'Ah shit Edward...I uh...didn't mean to do that, sorry' She let go of me slowly and looked up at me sheepishly, still breathless.

'Oh no baby, I'm so glad you did' I said as I began kissing her neck.

'Mmmm, I like that' she said, leaning back and exposing her throat to me further.

I kissed everywhere I could see bare skin. I was still wildly turned on but I managed to rope myself in, and just let her have her pleasure. I wanted to make it up to her for being an ass so badly.

'You make me so hot baby, and I can't stay away from you but... we need to slow down or I could get dangerous.' I said in between kisses to her face, neck and chest.

'Awww I was enjoying myself...' she pretended to pout.

'Yeah, me too beautiful, and don't get me wrong, I could stay here and do this all night, but I think we should wait to take things to the next level ,just in case you decide that I am a mistake or something, god forbid.'

She laced her arms around my neck again and rubbed her chest on mine. It was so sensual and I was becoming mesmerised again, my erection still straining at the seams of my shorts.

'Ok, so long as we can still do this' she kissed me 'and this' she kissed me again 'and this' she started kissing me passionately.

'We can still do that for as long as you want to be with me Bella, because I want to be with you...You mean a lot to me. I want you to be mine.' I groaned out as soon as the kiss ended.

She kissed me again and said 'You had me at hello.'

I laughed at her and said 'You're so beautiful'.

'Thanks Edward, I think you are too' she said shyly.

'As much as I want to be here, we probably should think about getting some sleep babe.'

'I guess you're right' she said with a sigh.

As we wrapped up in our towels and walked back to our rooms, laughing and stealing kisses along the way, a thought occurred to me-

This had been the worst day of my life and the best.

Sometimes the end of one thing really is the beginning of something else.

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Thank you to everyone who is reading and reviewing! I have no idea whether people like it or not!

There are some lemons coming up soon and I am thinking of doing a one shot side story of Emmet and Rosalie, and then maybe one of Alice and Jasper... Just a thought!

I hope you all get to have a night like Bella's with your own brand of Edward, in a pool at a retreat...