Stephenie Meyer owns these characters... I just wanted to play a bit. No copyright infringement intended. I don't own Twilight and everything here is fictional.
I haven't the words for my lovely partner in crime this week. You make me laugh and smile and I'd be lost without you! I adore you.. just know that.
I want to apologize for the delay – lots of stuff going on with the holidays and school and other projects, but I hope to get back on a regular updating schedule soon! More details at the end on the other projects!
Chapter 11
Edward's POV
Her eyes were wide, beautiful and innocent, asking a simple question, deserving of an honest explanation. I thread a few luscious inches of her hair through my fingers.
"What?" I asked, stalling.
"Adventure. It's on your voice mail."
"Oh, that. I do some work for them a few times a year." My eyes looked everywhere but in hers.
"The travel magazine? Oh yeah. I shot something for their Southwestern office a few years ago. Shit, what was it…?" She was biting her lip and searching her memory, buying me time.
I quickly flipped us over so that Bella lay underneath me. I placed soft, wet kisses along her collarbone, hoping to change the path of our conversation. Not yet, please not yet.
My fingers tickled down her ribs, my thumbs grazing the side of her breast. "Mmmm," she moaned into my ear. Grabbing my hand, she then kissed each of my fingertips tenderly. "I really need to get ready."
I offered one more slow, teasing lick to her plump bottom lip. "Where are we going?" A determined look settled in her still flushed face.
"We aren't going anywhere. But new guests are coming here tomorrow. So stop trying to fuck me and let me get to work." She playfully batted at my shoulders and moved to stand.
"Let me help, I want to help."
She sighed smiling and wrapped me gratefully in her warmth. She dusted sweet pecks over my forehead, then cheeks. "Okay, you get the bathrooms. I'll do the kitchen." And with that she moved to the door, adding a wink over her shoulder to the sway in her ass for good measure.
Oo~TWSL~oO
"Edward…" Bella called from downstairs. "Edward, your phone's ringing."
Bella held the phone out to me as she plugged in the vacuum at the base of the stairs. "I'll take it outside." I moved to the front porch and glanced at my missed calls. Sam.
I collapsed onto the porch swing and dialed tentatively.
"Hey man."
"I take it you got my message."
"Yeah, what the hell's going on? You have to do this, we've got a deadline," he insisted.
"I can't. I just can't. There's a conflict of interest and I'm pulling out."
"Edward, come on man. Tell me what happened. Aro's going to be so pissed."
"I don't care. I'll break my contract if I have to, I'm not doing it. I know the owner of the lodge… too well," I confessed.
"You do? The new owner? How's that?" Sam questioned, his suspicion growing.
"Listen, the place is great, perfect actually. She's not ready though, it wouldn't be a fair assessment. I don't give a fuck. I'm not doing it. She doesn't deserve to be blindsided."
"Something's up, Edward. But that's fine… I'll tell Aro in the morning. But you should brace yourself and get your portfolio current," he wasn't joking.
"Yeah, I know. But this… it's worth it, trust me. Thanks Sam."
Bella walked out of the front door just as I hung up. Her beautiful smile was just the icing on my decision. She stood in front of me, running her hands through my hair, as I grasped the back of her denim covered thighs. "I have a roast in the oven if you're interested," she said quietly. I nestled against her middle while she leaned down and kissed the top of my head.
"I'm definitely interested," I teased.
Oo~TWSL~oO
"Hello…" A deep voice echoed through the great room and beyond. The bellow interrupted a slow, sexy tease of a tongue swirl happening in the kitchen. Bella stiffened and pulled back suddenly. She furiously ran her hands through her hair and straightened her shirt. She was adorable and nervous.
As we made our way out of the kitchen, we heard a more poisonous pitch, "Christ, Emmett… what is this. Ring a bell or something." Oh boy. I ran a supportive hand across Bella's shoulder then down her back.
"Hi, welcome." Bella shook hands and moved behind her tall, antique buffet table masked as a desk. I introduced myself in kind, not exactly sure what my role was in the scenario. But by the look on the woman's face, I decided to stay close. She was dressed entirely too chic to be in the woods and the manner in which her top lip rolled up, she was well aware of it. I watched Bella do her paperwork as she shifted her weight anxiously concealed by the desk. The woman took charge of the credit card and paperwork while I struck up a casual conversation with the man. Rosalie and Emmett… they were on a weekend get away from their busy lives in Seattle. Their four children were with the au pair and instead of going their usual separate directions, him to the hunting camp and her to the spa; they came to the White Swan Lodge.
"Ugh. What the hell is that?" Rosalie exclaimed in disgust as Quil leaped onto the desk and stamped his paws across their payment receipt. Quil continued on to the designer handbag lying open. He climbed inside and wagged his fluffy ass right in the woman's face. "Oh my god. No. Absolutely not!" Bella quickly scooped Quil up and handed him to me.
Shit.
"I'm sorry. He's really harmless, just saying hello," Bella explained with a smile.
"Well, I'm semi-allergic to cats, so this is a problem," Rosalie sneered.
"What? No you're not," Emmett challenged. She offered her husband a look that might cause divorce.
Bella bit her lip as she reached for a stack of brochures. "Mrs. McCarty, I apologize. We are a pet friendly facility, though." She pointed to the text on the back. I held Quil gingerly in my arms, surprised he was allowing it.
"Don't worry about it. We have two Labrador Retrievers at home," Emmett said with a reassuring smile and picked up her handbag for her. "Let's go check out our suite."
As Bella led her guests up the stairs, she gave them a brief explanation of the trails, canoes, and offered to pack them a picnic. I released Quil from my arms as soon as they disappeared. For once, I had to give Quil credit; he directed his evil ways at the right person this time. That woman was obviously going to be a chore, but I would be there to help Bella with anything and everything.
We spent the rest of the afternoon staying out of the way. Bella watched curiously as the McCarty's walked by the edge of the lake and across the property to the edge of the woods. They didn't venture off to a trail and it appeared by their body language, one of them was more present than the other. "Do you think they're having marital problems?" Bella asked in a hush tone and concern. "Let's make them a romantic dinner."
She was considerate, thoughtful and beautiful and she'd just regarded us as a team. She was irresistible. I grabbed her tightly into a warm embrace and kissed her passionately reminding her and myself that we were definitely not having any problems.
She reciprocated the message with one hand in my hair, one hand on my ass and a tiny moan that hardened my cock against her. We lost ourselves in the stolen heated moment, still new, still exciting, still ours. Suddenly, the kitchen door opened and shut and the McCarty's quietly moved through past us. Emmett with a friendly grin, Rosalie with a challenging raised brow and scowl. Apparently, she was disgusted by the sight of our loving embrace.
Bella set a quaint table by the fireplace complete with a vase of freshly cut wild roses and fern. I built a fire and brought up a few bottles of wine from the cellar. Bella was taking the basil seared scallops off the burner when we heard voices in the foyer. Bella smoothed out her clothes and fluffed her hair on her way out to greet her guests with the surprise.
"Hope you two enjoyed your day. The weather was perfect."
"Yes, it was," Emmett replied.
"We prepared a complimentary dinner for you. There's basil seared scallops with angel hair pasta and asparagus she gestured at the table she set.
"We have reservations in town," Rosalie said coolly.
"Wow, this is really amazing. We could call and cancel, no problem," Emmett regarded his wife anxiously.
I spotted Quil near the fireplace casing the situation. Just as I moved to grab him he leaped onto one of the chairs at the intimate table. Rosalie gasped at the activity and rolled her eyes. "No, we can't cancel, because you promised." She pulled on her husband's jacket forcing him towards the front door.
"Well, have a nice evening," Bella said quietly with an obligatory smile and wave.
As soon as they were out the door and down the porch, Bella retreated to the kitchen. Pots were tossed, pans were scoured and patters were chipped. I rested my head on top of hers and rubbed her shoulders tenderly from behind. "Hey… hey. We probably should have asked them first."
She turned around, staring at me with a look not to far off Mrs. McCarty's. "Don't patronize me. I know we should have asked them first. Ugh." And with that I stepped back, stifled my amusement at her adorable anger and watched. She made a heaping plate of scallops and pasta, poured a large glass of wine and headed out. I waited until the door to her suite slammed shut before I moved an inch.
After waiting about an hour, I knocked lightly and entered Bella's darkened suite. She was in bed already with an empty plate and wine glass on her bedside table. I knew exactly what she needed to soothe the disappointment and frustration. I pulled my shirt over my head, unzipped my jeans slightly to ease my hardness and crawled in bed behind her. "Baby, please relax. You just tried to…" She interrupted me by shifting and tensing.
I reached out to feel and caress. My hand was met with flannel, a lot of flannel. She was covered top to bottom with dark flannel pajamas. Message received. I settled back into the down pillow and bit back a smile. She was quite the handful, but learning her mood and passion was the most satisfying feat I'd ever attempted.
Oo~TWSL~oO
The guests only drank the coffee that was offered with the blueberry scones with a fresh lemon glaze that Bella woke at up at six to prepare. I ate more than my share to compensate, hoping to warm her confidence slightly. I devised a plan to distract her from the disappointment that day. I made a thermos of hot apple caramel cider and a container of cookies.
Convincing her to go in the canoe with me across the lake to a secluded spot wasn't very difficult. She knew she needed the fresh air and a break also. The McCarty's were headed back into town to do some shopping, so Bella felt it was okay to leave for the lodge for a bit.
When she met me at the lake shore wearing a long sleeve white t shirt and a pair of faded jeans, looking incredibly gorgeous, natural and refreshed… it was all I could do not to scoop her up and head back into the suite. I adjusted my swollen cock and placed a kiss on her forehead. I felt her relax slightly, giving me hope for a better day.
We set out in the standard canoe, with me steering in the back and Bella paddling strong in the front. The sun was shining a pleasing golden yellow over the calm water as we made our way across. Relaxing on a blanket at the edge of the woods, we enjoyed our snack, a few heated kisses and some light laughs. "Have I told you how happy I am that you came back?" She said seriously, gazing into my eyes.
"If you haven't told me, you've certainly shown me," I teased. "Especially wearing those sexy flannel pj's for me." I winked and waited.
"Jerk." She giggled and tickled. "Listen, some days that turn to shit, require cozy pj's. I'm sorry."
"You're beautiful in anything, Bella." I cupped her face with my hand and kissed my favorite lips slowly, reverently.
On our way back to the lodge, we paddled a little slower, breathing in the fresh air and appreciating the beauty of the surroundings. We canoed closer to the lake's edge looking for signs of deer and other wildlife. We suddenly became entangled in a mass of sunken tree branches and twisted trunks. We laughed at our futile efforts and Bella stood to push off the bank with her paddle. Unfortunately, I did also. The canoe couldn't balance both our weight. And before we could sit, we were upside down, treading water, laughing breathlessly and struggling joyfully.
Thoroughly soaked and still reeling in delight from our comical adventure, we pulled the canoe onto the lake shore and assessed our damage. I pulled my cell phone out of my back pocket, it was ruined and we'd lost the thermos, but Bella had regained her smile. For that, I would have tipped the canoe intentionally. I realized she would experience many difficult guests over the years, but to watch the misplaced attitude from Rosalie towards Bella was not pleasant. I felt undoubtedly protective of her, a sign that my feelings were intensifying dramatically.
I wasn't blind to the outline of the lace underneath her now transparent white shirt. Raising a seductive eyebrow at her, she pushed my stomach playfully as we secured the boat and paddles. As we rushed through the great room to the suite in search of towels, we were greeted by the now familiar scowl. Emmett and Rosalie were standing in the foyer holding shopping bags staring at our drenched forms. The woman looked from her husband to us, then back to her husband. She caught his lip lick and obvious, helpless gaze at Bella's breasts, readily on view through the material. Everyone froze.
"Well there you go. You win, honey! Congratulations, first place in the wet t-shirt contest at the White Swan Lodge." Rosalie's words were wicked sarcasm laced with venom.
Bella reactively threw her arms across her chest and apologized profusely with explanation. Quil simultaneously darted down the stairs and leaped onto the desk again to the right of the guests. Rosalie caught his presence out of the corner of her eye as he hissed.
"You know what, save it. This is ridiculous. Your lodge is the most disgusting place I've stayed. And you… sweetheart are the most unprofessional host I've ever met. I should report this. We're leaving. Come on Emmett." She marched up the stairs with her husband in tow.
Bella ran into her suite trembling, slamming the door behind her. I immediately followed. She fell to floor near her bed in silent tears. "I don't know how my mom did this. I've failed… at everything."
I kneeled in front of her, pushing the wet strands of hair out of her face, my fingers trailing behind her ear, then following the line of her jaw. She turned her face from mine and wiped her tears. Grasping her chin gently, I tilted her head back towards me and placed a soft kiss on her lips. We pulled back slightly, gazing into each others eyes, knowingly. I ran my tongue along her lower lip as her mouth parted welcoming my comfort.
As my hands ran down her smooth neck, she shifted up allowing her body to meet mine. I wanted to coax the sadness and insecurity out and remind her how special she was. My palms teased over the swells of her breasts, barely covered by her shirt and I made lazy circles over one taut nipple. She shuddered at the contact as her eyes fluttered closed, reveling in my touch. I pulled her shirt up by the hem while she raised her arms straight up and took it off.
I kicked off my shoes and peeled my own shirt off. I grasped her hand and led her into the bathroom. She toed off her shoes and started working the button on her jeans. I reached into the shower, turned the water to hot, hoping the steam would soothe our chilled skin. Bella was struggling to get her soaked jeans off of her legs.
"Baby, let me help you," I whispered, kneeling again in front of her. My fingers dug into her ass pulling her closer to me, and then teased across her hips to the waist of her pants.
I slid my palms into her pants, over her ass, forcing the denim from her damp flesh. Her hands settled on my shoulders, while I placed a slow open mouth kiss at her center. As I continued to work her jeans down her long legs, my mouth teased her sensitive skin. Quiet, sensual moans vibrated above me.
Finally standing bare before me, I noticed the goose bumps covering her beautiful skin. I parted her legs slightly, breathing in her arousal that glistened between them. My thumbs touched her folds, rubbing the swollen flesh as her moaning increased.
Standing, I pulled my jeans and boxers down and pressed my body flush against Bella's. I walked backwards taking us into the shower and under the hot spray. She tipped her head back, letting the water warm her skin as I pushed the hair off her face. Her lips found the palm of my hand, nipping the flesh, then covering it with wet kisses.
She turned and faced the wall, leaning her head back on my shoulder, with my hard length throbbing between us. My hands slid down her slick skin and over her shoulders as her arms rose up grasping the hair at my nape. As I dusted my lips over her neck, I reached around her body, feeling the weight of her breasts in my hands, teasing her nipples as her ass moved back into me seeking friction.
"Bella, let me love you."
She took a step forward, leaning her forearms along the tiled wall. Looking over her shoulder at me with lustful eyes. "Please, I need you," she begged quietly.
I groaned as I moved over her back to the curve of her tight ass. My fingers pressed into her hips, moving her to an angle that would accommodate us. She continued watching me over her shoulder, her lip caught between her teeth in anticipation. I held my dick at the base, positioning myself and pushed into her hot heat.
"Fuck," I gasped as she surrounded me.
I pulled back and plunged back in, her hands searching for leverage on the wet shower wall. I lifted one of her feet onto the tile ledge and pulled her tighter to me, my arm wrapping around her, holding her steady. Her shaking hand slid down her center, feeling me where I entered her over and over.
"Touch yourself, baby. I want to hear you come," I breathed in her ear. I looked down where her fingers teased her swollen clit while her hips moved, meeting every thrust.
"Oh, god Edward… fuck… harder… faster."
My hips picked up the pace and my fingers joined hers at her core. I swirled, pressing down as my cock slid into her. A scream filled the tiny space as she shuddered. I continued to move while she rode out her orgasm. Squeezing her hips tightly I thrust twice more and exploded, coming hard inside her as she leaned forward bracing herself with the wall again. I laid my hands over hers on the tile wall, kissing along her shoulders, slowly catching our breath.
I slid from her warmth and turned her towards me. I enveloped her in strong arms and reassurance. She held me a little tighter than ever, burying her face in my heated, wet chest. "Can you stay forever?" She whispered.
A/N
Thanks for reading everyone and for sticking around! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter – and don't be too mad at our Edward. Please
A couple things… phoebespromise and I did a one shot for the A Christmas to Remember contest – it's anonymous so I can't tell you which is ours, but I can direct you to the listing of stories! Please read the entries and show the authors some love!
www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/u/2569316/
I have a blog – I post things I'm working on, banners, videos, blinkies I've made here … go check it out and sign up for alerts if you're so inclined www(dot)jaimearkin(dot)blogspot(dot)com
ON Wednesday phoebespromise and I signed up for the Dirty Cheeky Monkey's Squeeze My Lemon lemon writing exercise … put it on alert and check out the previous weeks postings! www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/6448546/1/
Just a couple recs this week:
Love is the End by phoebes(dot)promise you're missing out if you're not reading this heartwrenching story. It's beautiful www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/6445022/1/
The Companion & Ninety Days by samrosey – love love love TC and Ninety days just started but I'm enjoying it too! www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/u/2176391/
Blame it on Rio by DoUTrustMe HILARIOUS and a must read www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/6232596/1/
Drift by denverpopcorn is 1 chapter from complete and an excellent story, please go check it out www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/6388820/1/
And finally…
All the Wild Horses by elusivetwilight has quickly become a favorite – Rancherward ( 'nuf said) www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/6388820/1/