Twilight character names belong to Stephenie Meyer. I own Dodge and Burn.

Much love and thanks to Pre-readers BtwntheStacks and Lemonmartinis and Beta-MsKathy

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Dodge and Burn / Chapter Twenty-Six / The Greatest Fan of Your Life

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The morning light in their villa's kitchen is softly diffused. Edward looks up and studies Bella as she pours them coffee. The scene looks like a modern day Renaissance painting, with the window light glow and a woman calmly completing her task. When she turns to him and smiles he snaps back into the twenty-first century.

"Any new emails about the project?" Bella asks as she hands him his mug. They've finally decided to open their laptops and connect with the real world outside their bubble. They want to make sure they haven't missed anything critical.

Edward nods, as he scans through his emails. "Yes, here's what I was hoping for," he says.

Bella pulls up a chair and sits down close to him.

"Wow, this is amazing!" Edward says happily, as he leans into his laptop screen.

"Is that what I think it is?" she asks.

"Yes! Look at the mural…Maria's almost done. It looks great," he says.

Edward pushes the screen closer toward Bella and she studies the colorful image spanning the screen. "Oh, it looks wonderful, Edward! Even better than I imagined."

He nods. "I agree."

"So did Sean send you these pictures? Yesterday you said he was going to check up on things for you while we're here," she says.

"Yeah, he sent them and look at these other shots. As soon as the mural is done all that's left is the carpeting to be installed and the linoleum floor in the center room. I can't believe it's almost done."

"Me either," she agrees.

"Oh look, here's an exterior shot." He double clicks on the icon and when the image opens, he leans in close to his computer. Overwhelmed, he closes his eyes and shakes his head before dropping his face into his hands.

"What's wrong, Edward?" She pulls the computer back her direction. "Oh, yes..of course. The sign."

She studies the bright, happy sign that says Esme's Place, and her heart swells. Somehow, everything about this project seems more real now. She thinks about how happy his mom would be.

"That's incredible," she says softly, concerned about his reaction.

She turns and pulls him into a hug, and he drops his hands from his face and sighs. "I just can't believe it," he whispers. "I think it's all hitting me."

"It's unbelievable, isn't it? Look what you've accomplished already. And the sign…well, it's just perfect."

"She would've loved it," he says, his voice heavy with emotion.

"I bet she knows about it, Edward. I really think she does."

He takes a deep breath and sits up straight again.

"I wish she could've met you, Isabella. She would've loved you so much. You're just her kind of girl."

"I wish I could've met both your parents. But I always imagine that I know them in a way since they are both so much a part of you."

"I like thinking that's true," he agrees.

He holds onto her another minute before turning back in his seat. He flips to his email screen and scans the list of incoming messages. "Here's an email from Alice." He begins to read.

"What does she have to say?"

"She sounds busy, but in control. No major problems yet. Except…oh…" As he continues reading, he shakes his head.

"What?" asks Bella.

"She had a meeting with Rose and the caterer."

"Is Rose okay?" Bella asks.

"Yeah, nothing's wrong. You see, the caterer is one of Rose's best friends, so she brought her in."

"So why's there a problem?" Bella asks.

Edward looks uncomfortable. "Well, it seems that Lauren showed up without warning to talk to Alice."

"Oh really?" Bella imagines that Lauren must be more involved with the fundraiser than she was hoping she'd be.

"Shit!" Edward shakes his head with frustration as he reads more.

"What?" asks Bella.

"They had a fight, Lauren and Rose. Not that I'm surprised, they always had issues, but it sounds like it got nasty."

Bella feels her cheeks flush and her stomach churn. "What'd they fight about?"

Edward reads more and then sits up and slaps his laptop shut.

"You know what? I don't want to even think about that shit. I'm here with my beautiful girlfriend in Italy."

"Is there something you're not telling me?" Bella asks, concern etched across her face.

"Nothing you need to worry about. Please, Isabella…let's focus on us and what we want to do today."

She takes a long sip of her coffee as she thinks, but by the time she sets it back on the table, she decides to let it go. Edward's right, they should plan their day.

"Actually, I was thinking I'd like to see some of the countryside and take pictures, then maybe have a late lunch at that quaint place we saw just outside of Lucca."

"Is that what my love wants to do today?" he asks, pulling her on his lap and kissing her bare shoulder. "And maybe a swim when we get home before the dreaded dinner?"

She nods happily. "And then tomorrow, Siena?"

"Sounds good to me," he says, closing his eyes in pleasure while she runs her fingers across his scalp.

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..~*~..

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"Will you stop shooting me," he teases as he sets down his wine glass and finishes paying the lunch bill. "You probably have a thousand shots of me from this trip."

"As if that's enough," she scoffs.

He holds out his hand toward her camera. "Here, give it to me."

"Are you crazy! No!" she insists, curling over her camera protectively.

"It's not what you think. I want to take a picture of you."

She makes a face.

"Please, baby," he insists. "It's only fair."

She begrudgingly hands over her camera. "Just one," she says.

"Yeah, right…just one." He holds up the camera and waits for her to smile. When she does, he snaps the picture.

"Okay," she says.

He smirks. "I lied." He hurriedly takes another shot and when she tries to grab the camera, he darts away from her. Quickly walking out of the restaurant with the camera, he dodges her while she trails after him. He heads into the nearby field and turns around to shoot her as he walks backwards, further into the tall grass.

"You!" she yells at him as he clicks away. "Stop taking my picture!"

"But these yelling ones are so attractive," he teases.

She rushes forward, and surprised, he falls back in to the grass.

Luckily, he holds the camera up as he lands. She crawls onto his lap and tries gets it out of his grasp while he's still shooting.

"You're so bad!" she says.

"And you're beautiful when you're angry."

She looks down at him, and he smiles, his eyes dancing. Everything about him, including his strength as he holds her back, is appealing. When she surprises him by leaning over to kiss him, he wraps his free arm around her and whispers, teasing.

"I like it when you chase me, Isabella."

As she trails kisses along his jaw and runs her hand over his chest, he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "So I sense you aren't angry anymore."

"Nope, I can't be angry when you're so appealing," she says.

"Hmmm," he sighs, before kissing her back and running his hands down below her waist and over her butt to pull her against him.

"Why aren't you shooting now?" she whispers as she slowly parts her legs until she's straddling him.

"Shooting now?" he asks, tilting his head back as she kisses his neck.

"This is the good stuff, the best stuff," she replies, rocking her hips instinctively when she feels him harden underneath her.

"I'm sure it is, but I'm not that skilled," he says while she brushes her fingers lightly over his cheek. He carefully sets the camera down next to them. "Besides, I'm way too distracted."

After another passionate kiss, Bella lifts up on her knees and scans the vista over the tall grass. Satisfied with what she sees, she reaches up under her skirt and starts to wiggle off her panties. "I had a dream about doing this," she tells him excitedly.

Edward's stunned. "What are you doing?" he asks, shaking his head.

She gives him a dark look. "Tell me you don't want this."

"Of course I want this. I always want this, but we're lying in some random field."

"So you can keep your pants on, just open them up. I'll leave my skirt on. That way if we need to we can make a fast getaway." She grins widely.

He feels the heat burn down his chest and up his thighs, all leading to the part of his body where he wants her most. "Fuck, Isabella. This is crazy." He fumbles as he quickly tries to undo his belt.

"Exactly," she moans as she watches him free his arousal from his briefs.

"Are you sure?" he asks, watching her slide her hand back and forth over him before lifting her skirt and scooting closer.

"Oh yeah," she says, moving up then slowly sinking down over him. Her eyes grow wide when she's taken all of him. "Wow," she pants. "This feels so good."

"Oh, God, so much for foreplay." He groans, letting his head fall back as she slowly lifts her hips then eases them back down.

She reaches over and picks up the camera.

"What are you doing?" he asks.

"I want to remember this…the way you look."

"So we're photographing porn now?" he asks, marveling at how she can slowly rock over him while still shooting.

"No, we're not shooting porn, Edward…we're capturing love. Sometimes it flutters around us like a butterfly. I want to have these images to remember every bit of it."

He looks at how she's trapped him under her.

"Is that why you've pinned me down like a butterfly's wings? This love that's between us…it's not going to fly away you know. I'll always want you, Isabella."

"Oh, I want you always, too," she says with a tone that suggests more than longevity.

She studies the fire in his eyes and knows that for all of the teasing, he wants her completely. When she moves and he gets lost in the feeling, she lifts up the camera again.

"Oh it's the look in your eyes…it's so intense." She takes several more shots. "I see passion, and I see love." She sighs as the shutter clicks.

"Indeed," he agrees, grinning.

He notices a flush move up her neck and across her cheeks, her breath hitching as he thrusts upwards. Reaching up under her shirt, he cups his hands over her breasts covered by her sheer bra, running his thumbs over her nipples.

Her head sways with pleasure.

"Now that's a picture, baby," he says as he watches her. The long grass waves around them, warmly lit by the afternoon sun.

"Edward," she whispers as he pushes up her skirt. He grips her hip with one hand and the other slides to just above where they're joined and strokes her.

He looks up at her with a smoldering gaze. "Put the camera down, Isabella. What I'm going to do to you now…you won't want to be holding on to anything but me."

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..~*~…

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"Ha, look at the grass stains on my knees," Bella squeals as she lifts her leg out of the water of the villa's swimming pool later that afternoon.

Edward shakes his head warily. "Can I tell you something about that?"

"Sure," Bella says.

"The whole time you were having your way with me in that field, I was worried we were going to get run over by a tractor or something."

She laughs heartily. "A tractor! You sure fooled me. I had no idea you were in fear for our lives."

"How did I look?" he asks.

"Like you wanted to consume me."

"Well, yes. But that's a given."

"And just for the record….you were having your way with me.

"Really?"

"You have re-defined the pelvic thrust for me. I think I'm actually bruised inside."

He looks smug. "So what you're telling me is that you're glad you set the camera down."

"Yes, I'm glad for that. And for the record, you're hot, Mr. Cullen. Very, very hot."

She leans back and lets her legs drift to the surface until she's floating. Her expression is completely peaceful and she drifts in the aquamarine shimmer.

"I wish I could do that," he says longingly.

She drops her feet and turns to face him. "Here, I'll teach you."

He laughs. "I swear I'll sink."

"The important thing is not to think that. You have to relax into it. The minute you stop fighting the water is when the water holds you. It's kinda zen."

"Really? Floating lessons from Ms. Isabella Swan," he says.

"Yes," she says, kissing his forehead before gently easing him into the water. "Okay, I'm going to hold you. Just relax into it."

She slips one hand against his mid-back and one on his ass.

"That's kind of distracting you know. You expect me to relax when your hand is on my ass."

"Shhh, you. Think soothing thoughts," she says softly.

"Like Leonard getting food poisoning and canceling our dinner tonight?"

"That's soothing? Oh, Edward, you're awful."

"Awfully wonderful. That's what you said when I made you see stars in the field."

"I don't know what came over me, taking my panties off like that," she says, shaking her head with disbelief.

He worries she's tiring, trying to hold him up in the water, so he takes a break from floating, drops his feet down, and faces her.

"You just sat on me like it was something we do every day…make love in a field."

"It's Italy. It makes me lusty," she admits, splashing him.

"Well, maybe we should move here. I really like lusty Isabella."

"But Esme's place…"

"And your photography business…"

"Well, we could have a summer home here," she says.

He skims his hands back and forth across the water as he thinks.

"Yes, but that would leave us with three residences to maintain," he says provocatively.

"Three is a lot," she agrees, leaning against the wall of the pool. "Unless of course, you lived with me. Then we would just have two. That's much more manageable."

"Why don't you live with me?" he asks.

"Well I'm the one with the pool. We can't float unless we have a pool." She grins.

"True. True." He scratches his chin while he studies her. "So do you want me to live with you?"

"Maybe," she says playfully, treading water slowly.

"Hmmm just maybe? Well maybe I don't want to," he teases.

"You want to," she insists. "You want to know why?"

"Why?" His eyes dance with mirth as he waits.

"Because you want me…" she draws the words out, but then he jumps in and cuts her off.

"Naked in bed with me…every single night and morning," he says, looking pleased with himself.

She laughs. "Actually I was going to say, to bake for you every day."

"Well, yes," he says, a bit embarrassed. "I love your baking."

"And the backrubs," she adds.

"And I wouldn't have to shower alone anymore."

"Because it's so lonely in the shower," she teases. "You know some people just don't like being alone."

"Is that what you think?" He takes her by the hand and pulls her through the water until she's in his arms.

Her cheeks color as she looks up at him.

"Hey you," he says softly, lifting her chin up with his finger. "It's not that I don't want to be alone, Isabella. It's just that I always want to be with you."

"Really?" she asks, her expression full of light.

He kisses her, pulling her tightly in, his fingers wide reaching as they move over her.

"Yes, really."

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..~*~..

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Edward is uneasy as they enter the restaurant. It's off-putting that Leonard is on his home turf while he's a stranger in a strange land. As they step further into the restaurant he sees a man, far better looking than he'd hoped, notice Isabella, step away from the bar, and move toward them.

He has eyes only for Isabella as he approaches and gives her that kiss kiss on both cheeks thing. Bella looks flustered as she steps away from him.

"Leo, this is Edward," Bella says, gesturing. "Edward, Leo."

Edward takes a casual stance as they shake hands. "Hey, Leonard, how's it going?"

Leo looks back at Bella with eyebrows raised. "Leonard?" he repeats, trying to imitate the crude Southern accent that Edward used.

Bella shrugs trying to play it off. "He likes to use formal names."

Leo turns to Edward. "Ah I see. Well, in that case it's Leonardo."

"Okay, sure," says Edward as he looks for the maître d`. "Shall we see if we can get a table?"

.

Once seated, Bella does her best to get conversation going. Leo keeps bringing up their times at Art Center and she keeps bringing up things she and Edward have experienced in Italy. Edward just keeps drinking wine and biting his tongue.

Halfway through his second glass though, he interrupts Leo's darkroom mishap story that occurred during one of the holiday breaks.

"Hey Isabella, speaking of holidays, is Jacob going to make it home for Thanksgiving with us?"

Bella looks at him warily, knowing he's trying to stir up trouble. She shakes her head at him after Leo turns his direction. When he smiles at her, he feels the weight of Leonard's stare.

"You know my son?"

"Sure," he says casually. "We've hung out and we talk on the phone. He's great."

Leo looks distraught that this stranger, this man that his Bella sleeps with, knows his son better than he does.

"I see. I just assumed since he lives on the east coast, and you haven't dated that long…"

"Jacob came home a couple of months ago for a conference," Bella explains. "He met Edward then."

Leo turns fully towards Edward. "Well, in that case please tell me, is he like his mother in his personality, warm and spirited?" Leo asks.

Edward thinks for a moment. "He's great, but no, I wouldn't describe him like that. He's pretty serious and really focused."

"Very much like his father," Bella says kindly.

Leo turns and smiles at Bella. "Well, I really wish he were more like you in that regard. He's already stuck looking so much like me."

"Yes, like that is such a hardship. Are you fishing for compliments, Leo?" Bella teases.

He looks affronted. "Of course not."

Edward pushes his chair back, realizing he needs a break before he becomes an ass. "Would you two excuse me for a minute? Isabella, I realized that I need to call Rodney the contractor. There's something important I forgot to tell him and it's morning in L.A."

Bella turns to Leo. "This is for the children's music center I told you about that Edward is opening."

"Ah yes," responds Leo. "Well then, by all means. It's such a noble cause. Don't worry about us…just take your time."

Edward starts boiling inside. I bet Leonard-O wants me to take my time.

"It's all right, Edward," Bella says, watching him carefully. "Just don't take too long." The look on her face is hard to read. He realizes that her words could mean many things as he turns and moves toward the front door.

.

Once Edward is out of their line of sight, Leo sighs and raises his eyebrows. "He's rather territorial, isn't he?"

"Why do you say that?" Bella asks defensively. "I think he's being rather low key, considering how awkward this is for him."

"He may not have talked a lot, but he hasn't stopped touching you all evening. He's like an octopus…all hands."

"I suppose," Bella admits as she thinks of his hand on her thigh while they ate, or his arm extended over the back of her chair grazing her shoulder. "He's a very physical man."

Leo looks irritated. "Yes, I imagine he is. Tell me, does Jacob like him?"

"Why does that matter to you, Leo?" she asks gently.

"I don't know. It just does. Humor me…"

"Yes, he likes him, but mostly because he makes me so happy."

Leo rests his chin in his hand as he watches her.

"So he does make you happy? Truly?"

She nods, her eyes softly smiling. "So happy."

Leo's shoulders sag a big. "I'm not going to lie. Part of me wishes he were a cad so I may find a way to be with you again. But the better part of me is glad for you, Bella. You deserve a man who makes you happy."

"Thank you, Leo. That means a lot to me."

She reaches over and squeezes his hand. Then taking another sip of wine, she looks toward the front of the restaurant hoping to see Edward heading back to them.

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Edward paces in front of the restaurant, his phone never having left his jacket.

Fucking Leonard-O…elbowing his way into his Italian holiday with Isabella.

Never mind that he's the reason for their trip. Edward had other ideas for who Leonard-O would be, one being a fat, bald, and married guy with a villa full of kids.

He doesn't like the way he looks at Isabella. He doesn't like that they share a passionate past together. And now he'll be coming around, being the man in Jacob's life. It's feeling like too much considering that he and Isabella just renewed their full relationship again.

He notices a couple, arm-in-arm, exit the restaurant and realizes he's already been outside too long. He digs in his heels and heads back inside.

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As Edward walks back in, Bella appears very interested with whatever her ex-boyfriend is talking about. When he approaches the table however, she looks up at him with relief.

"There you are! Leo was just telling me about the Cinque Terre. His cousin gives guided tours and she knows all the best places."

Edward takes his seat and nods. "Do you want to do that Saturday, baby?"

"Oh yes! Will you forward me her information, Leo?"

"Sure," he agrees. "I will contact her in the morning and give her your number."

Leo finishes off his coffee. "Well, shall we?"

"What about the check?" Edward asks.

Leo waves his hand. "It's taken care of."

Bella smiles at him. "Thank you, Leo."

"You're welcome. It's good we all got to meet. Edward, I'm coming to the states when Bella tells Jacob about me. I want this to be simpatico…as pleasant as possible for all of us."

"Yes, she told me. So we'll see you then, I guess."

They shake hands, then all rise from the table and start heading up front. When they get to the door, Leo turns to Edward. "May I have a moment alone with Bella, Edward?"

Edward looks over at Bella and then back at him, and nods before stepping outside.

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Bella looks at Leo with wide, sad eyes as she realizes their time in Italy is over. They both know that at another time in their lives this meeting would've had another outcome.

"Bella," he whispers, taking her face tenderly in his hands and slowly kissing each cheek. "Mama."

She smiles up at him.

"We will see each other again, soon. Yes?"

She nods. "Yes, very soon."

He pulls her into a hug. "Ever since you told me about my son, I feel as if my life is renewed. I now look at everything differently."

"I imagine that's a good thing?" she says, smiling.

"Oh, Bella, it's magnificent. I can't wait to meet him."

"I can't wait for that either," she says. She hugs him one last time then gently pulls out of their embrace. "Yes, well until then, Leo."

"Addio, Bella," he whispers.

She smiles sweetly at him. "Ciao." She pulls open the door and steps outside to find Edward.

.

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Back at the villa, Bella prepares for bed and changes into her most beautiful nightgown. She pulls on her silk robe, then brushes her long hair until it waves around her shoulders.

She thinks about the dinner and how relieved she is that both men made an effort to be civil with each other despite the complicated emotions involved. She's especially proud of Edward, who must have wanted to strangle Leo for kissing her during their first meeting, yet kept his cool knowing they have to figure out a way to get along.

She finds him the first place she looks, out on the balcony with his guitar. His gaze falls over her appreciatively as she stands before him. He reaches over and hands her a glass of wine, then takes a sip of his.

"Are you wearing that for me?" he asks, gesturing toward her silk gown as she sits across from him.

"Actually, yes…I'd bought it for our trip. How fortuitous that I still brought it, even though I thought you weren't coming."

"A little wish fulfillment perhaps?"

"At first I didn't want to bring it, but at the last minute I thought it would make me feel better. It feels special."

He smiles warmly at her. "You look amazing."

They sit quietly for a minute until she finally speaks up again.

She looks up into the sky. "It's a beautiful night."

He nods. "It surely is."

"You know, Edward, I was really proud of you at dinner. You handled yourself so well in what was a difficult situation."

"I'm glad you think so. It wasn't easy."

"I'm sure it wasn't," she agrees. "But I can tell he was impressed with you."

"Well, I don't care about that. But he needs to understand…"

"Oh, he does," she assures him. "It's pretty obvious how we feel about each other, don't you think?"

He smiles at her. "I imagine it is."

She leans back in her seat and takes a long sip of her wine, letting its warmth unfurl and relax her.

He starts to slowly strum his guitar as he looks off into the distance.

"Play me something?" she asks.

He leans into his guitar. "Okay, any requests?"

"How about that Edwin McCain song I like? The one you played for me early on."

"I'll Be?" he asks.

"Yeah, that's the one. I love that song."

He nods and thinks for a moment before his fingers start working over the strings. His voice stirs up Bella as he sings the opening lyrics about a man completely lovestruck with a woman. But it's the chorus that takes her breath away as she listens.

And I've dropped out, I've burned up,

I've fought my way back from the dead.

I've tuned in, turned on,

remembered the things that you said

I'll be your crying shoulder,

I'll be love's suicide

I'll be better when I'm older,

I'll be the greatest fan of your life.

When he finishes the last chord, he looks over and sees her wipe her tears away. He knows it's too much, the song too close to the fire they've walked through to be sitting there. He sets down his guitar, stands up, and steps in front of her. He reaches out his hand. "Come here, baby."

She nods and stands so that she can step into his open arms. He slides one arm behind her until his fingers spread across her back, pulling her closer. His other hand winds together with hers as he lifts it toward the starry sky.

He hums softly as they sway in a sort of slow dance. She presses her cheek against his. Their bare feet touch as they step side to side.

She doubts she's ever desired a kiss more. She holds onto threads of reserve as his fingers lightly run up and down her back. Her body is humming with the current passing between them.

She shivers as he presses his lips into her hair.

.

He closes his eyes and focuses on the feel of her in his arms…her softness, her strength, but most of all her devotion. It shatters him in its depth and beauty.

"Isabella," he whispers.

There are so many emotions melting through him like lava-warm, rich and decadent-an overabundance of desire.

"Will you kiss me?" she asks.

"In good time," he says, his fingers lightly tracing the edge of her face.

One of his hands lifts up and runs through her hair. "Beautiful," he says softly.

They sway and he turns her as they dance cheek to cheek.

I love you

Echoing between each heart beat.

I love you

She sighs contentedly.

"I love you," he says, now loud enough for her to hear.

She doesn't even have to reply because he can feel her love circling him. It's a powerful thing.

"Oh, Isabella, when I take you to bed…"

"Will you undress me?" she asks as his finger slips underneath her delicate strap.

"Yes I will…very slowly," he assures her, his lips skimming up her neck and across her cheek.

"Can I undress you?" she asks, running her fingertips along the waistband of his slacks.

"Please," he replies with relish. "But first…"

She looks up at him, waiting, her eyes filled with stars.

He lifts her chin up and gazes at her with his whole heart just before whispering, "Everything starts with a kiss."

.

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xoxo abbie

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