A/N: Well I'm not sure what everyone is thinking about this story after only one chapter but here's the second. I had a long conversation with my beta about what's coming up and she seemed to like it so I hope everyone else does too.

Please go nominate some stories for the Emerging Swan Awards. We have a few nominations for one-shots and short stories but we're hoping for a few more.

Thanks sister_liz for beta'ing and letting me spoil the story for you to get some advice. I should probably thank my husband for developing this story with me and approving of Edward.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or the characters involved.

Watching Alice and Rose whisper back and forth with Bella was irritating. I just knew they were filling Bella's head full of lies about me. It's what they were both good at. Any chance Alice had to make me look bad was the highlight of her life. Why did I care what they told this girl anyway? It's Alice's cousin for God's sake. I'm not interested in anyone connected to Alice. She's probably the same as Alice anyway; whiny, nosey, bossy, and a pain in the ass. She's not even worthy of a quick fuck. I have a whole hotel suite of girls ready and waiting later tonight. I don't need to go after someone I might actually be forced to see again at some point in my life. If circumstances were different, and she was just another random tourist, I'd totally fuck her. But if she's related to Alice, forget it.

I attempted to ignore the girls by looking out along the horizon and watching a school of dolphins in the distance. If this were a paying excursion I would have pointed out the dolphins, but since this was a favor to someone I typically couldn't stand, then forget it. If they aren't paying attention it's their loss.

Jasper came to a slow crawl across the water before coming to a complete stop. I hopped up and dropped the anchor while we set up for the launch. My job was always strapping the passengers in and this was no different.

I motioned for Bella to come towards me. She stood and hesitantly took a couple steps towards the back of the boat, nervously looking over at Alice.

"I'm not going to bite you. There's nothing to be afraid of," I said, irritated by how long it was taking her to walk the few steps across the boat.

Rolling my eyes and shaking my head, I continued to prepare the sails and the harnesses while she decided whether or not to go through with it.

"Are you sure this is safe?" she asked from behind me.

I stood up straight and turned around to find her standing just a couple feet away from me. Trying really hard not to let this girl get to me, I swallowed roughly and narrowed my eyes. "It's perfectly safe. We've never had an accident and we check our equipment regularly." It was the same spiel I gave everyone who questioned if there was any danger in what they're doing. Of course there is always a danger in being launched up into the air, but I wasn't lying when I said we've never had an accident and we check our equipment regularly. We couldn't afford for an accident to happen, regardless if we had insurance for the possible accident or not.

"What do I have to do?" she wondered looking around at all the equipment laid out in front of her.

"First of all, I'd suggest you take your clothes off." She stared up at me in horror after what I said. "There is a possibility you may get a little wet. Wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes is not a good combination with the water." She looked down at herself and blushed after realizing what I was saying. I watched as she took a deep breath and removed her clothes revealing a lime green bikini. She was hot for being Alice's cousin. The only thing I kept thinking was why did she have to be related to Alice? I could give this girl the greatest tourist attraction of her life if she wasn't related to the shrew.

"Wooo, you're smokin' hot, Girl," Alice's shrill voice shouted. Bella ducked her head and hid from embarrassment while Alice and even Rose shouted at her.

I handed her a lifejacket and watched as she put it on. She bit her lip nervously while she tried to cover her body up as best she could with her arms. I could tell she wasn't used to showing off her body like most girls who came around here were. "Now, just sit in the harness and I'll snap you in."

"How far up does it go?" she asked, trying to ignore the loud gestures from Alice and Rose.

"Anywhere between three-hundred and six-hundred feet," I answered. "How far up do you want to go?"

"I don't care. I was just curious." I looked down at her hands, which were visibly shaking from fear. Even her legs were shaking.

"Are you afraid of heights or do you get motion sickness easily?" I questioned thinking maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I wasn't sure if I wanted to send someone up who might be too nervous. She looked like she was going to puke already and she wasn't even strapped in yet.

"I don't think so. I rode on the plane here without getting sick," she answered through labored breaths.

"Have you ever been on a plane before you came here?" I asked with a raised eyebrow?

"No," she answered shaking her head. I was kind of shocked she'd never been anywhere before. How did she visit Alice if she'd never flown anywhere? Alice had been here forever as far as I knew.

"What's taking so long?" Rose asked from the front of the boat. "Did Bella make you forget how to do your job, Edward?"

"You don't have to flirt with her before you send her up like you do all your other costumers," Alice added to the mocking. "And you better not try to cop a feel."

"Will both of you shut the fuck up?" I shouted back at them.

Turning back towards Bella after shutting up Rose and Alice, I sighed and scratched my head. "Are you sure you want to go up?"

She quickly nodded her head and looked straight into my eyes with determination consuming her face. "I want to do this."

I shrugged my shoulders in defeat and continued to strap her in. "Alright, once the boat starts to move I'm going to let go of the cable and the wind will slowly carry you up into the air. I won't make it go up too high since you obviously seem a little nervous." She nodded her head in acceptance of my offer. "When you come back in for landing just keep your feet out in front of you and try to land on the launching pad. I'll be right here to catch you when you come in."

She nodded her head and bit her lip until it was white. I was afraid she might end up drawing blood if she wasn't careful.

"Are you ready?" I asked.

"Yeah," she answered while letting out a long exasperated breath. I pulled the anchor up and motioned for Jasper to get started. Slowly the boat began to move across the water before speeding up to the proper speed for launching. I let go of the cable and watched carefully as the sail brought Bella up into the sky. She squealed a little at first, but once she realized it wasn't that bad she seemed fine.

"She's pretty isn't she?" Alice asked from beside me. I didn't even know she was standing next to me until she spoke. I quickly turned my head towards her and saw her staring up into the sky at Bella.

"I guess," I answered vaguely.

Alice turned towards me with a serious expression I'd never seen from her before. "Don't you dare touch her," she warned.

"Fuck, Alice, I have no interest in your cousin." I resented Alice for even suggesting I would do anything to her.

"I just know how you operate, and I don't want your nasty dick anywhere near her."

"Like I said, I'm not interested. I don't need to fuck your cousin. I can find a dozen other girls who are more than willing."

"Good," she said smiling proudly at her accomplishment of keeping me away from her cousin. I don't know why she thought I'd be going after her cousin. I'm not that desperate.

Alice carefully walked back to her seat next to Rose while I glanced back up at Bella. The setting sun was the perfect backdrop to her flying experience. I glanced back to be sure someone was getting a picture, but Alice was busy talking to Jasper while he drove the boat, and Emmett and Rose were busy doing their typical flirtatious dance around each other. Not one of them was even paying attention to Bella in the air but me. I covertly grabbed my cell phone out of my pocket and quickly snapped a shot of her. This is an experience someone shouldn't forget and needed to be commemorated. I'm surprised she didn't ask Alice or Rose to take a picture of her. Or maybe she did but they didn't listen.

After about ten minutes up in the sky, I slowly began to reel the cable back in and Jasper slowed the boat.

As she got closer I could see her getting nervous about the landing. "Just keep your feet out in front of you," I shouted out towards her. She did as I said and came straight in landing perfectly right in front of me. I wrapped my arm around her waist to stop her and keep her upright on the launching pad.

"Oh my God that was amazing," she expressed excitedly while I began to unhook her from the harness. "I thought it was going to be scary, but that was so much fun."

"I told you there was nothing to be afraid of," I reminded with a smirk on my face.

"How was it, Bella?" Alice asked as Bella walked back to the seats in the front of the boat.

"That was so much fun. I want to go up again. I've never experienced anything like that before. It's like the greatest adrenaline rush."

"I thought you would like it," Alice said. "I'm so glad you had fun and I was able to do this for you." Alice hugged Bella and had her sit down next to her. I could hear them talking about the whole experience while I folded up the sail and put the harness away. When I was done, I motioned for Jasper to go and sat down across from the girls for the ride back to the dock.

"We should all have a bonfire on the beach tonight," Rose suggested as we pulled up to the dock and started our normal routine of tying the boat off. Of course Emmett agreed almost instantly, followed by Alice and Bella. Jasper didn't need to answer since Alice made his decision for him. They all turned towards me waiting for an answer. After I tied off the boat, I shrugged my shoulders and before I knew it I had agreed to a bonfire on the beach. Most of the time, I avoided hanging out with Jasper and Emmett while they were around Alice and Rose, but for whatever reason I agreed tonight. I didn't need to be at that party until later that night so I had a couple hours to spare.

After a few minutes of discussion the girls offered to go pick up something to eat while we made a beer run and got the fire started. About an hour later we were all on the beach eating pizza and drinking beer around the fire.

"Did you have fun today, Bella?" Alice asked.

"Yeah, I did. I'm glad you convinced me to try the parasailing," she answered. "And I'm glad I came for the summer. I think I needed this adventure."

"I feel bad I have to work so much while you're here. I wish I could take the whole summer off and just spend time with you all day. It's been years since we've seen each other," Alice said.

"It's alright, Alice. I understand you have to work. I can just hang out at your apartment while you work. I'll be here all summer so I'm sure we'll find time to do stuff together."

"Why don't you hang out with the guys during the day while Alice and I have to work?" Rose suggested.

"Oh, no it's okay. I don't want to get in the way," she quickly refused.

"You won't be in the way. I think it's a great idea," Alice added. "Jasper, would it be okay if Bella hung out on the boat with you guys while you go out on your appointments?"

"I don't see why it would be a problem," he answered glancing between me and Emmett. Rose linked her arm around Emmett's and gave him a pleading look. I knew instantly he'd give in to her.

"Yeah, I'm sure going out on the boat would be a lot more entertaining than sitting in Alice and Rose's apartment all day," Emmett answered. I knew it. All Rose had to do was give him a look. She had him wrapped around her little finger.

"Edward, are you okay with it?" Jasper asked. "I don't think she'll be in the way much."

"It's really not a big deal. I don't mind staying at the apartment. I'm used to being by myself," Bella interjected.

"Don't be ridiculous, Bella," Alice argued. "This is your vacation. I won't have you sitting in my apartment all day long by yourself. Going with the guys will be a great adventure. You meet new people every day and see new things on every trip. Maybe you can even go up on the sail again. It'll be great. Right, Edward?"

"Yeah, whatever?" I agreed with a roll of my eyes. I tipped the bottle of beer back against my lips taking another large swig. I glanced over in Bella's direction and noticed she had a saddened expression. I thought about the way I answered and wondered if maybe I hurt her feelings. It's not like I cared if she came along every day. I just hated how Alice and Rose always got their way no matter what. Jasper and Emmett couldn't ever say no to them.

A few moments later Jasper and Alice were busily making out and ignoring all of us, while Rose and Emmett took off along the beach, probably doing the same exact thing. Even though they weren't technically dating in a sense, they were very much committed to each other. Rose just decided when she wanted to give in to Emmett and when she wanted to play him.

Not wanting to sit there and watch Alice and Jasper any longer, I finished off the beer I was working on and stood up to take a walk. I just needed some fresh air and some peace and quiet away from everyone. I walked down to the water and watched the waves come in with the moonlight flickering off the water. It only took about a minute before I heard someone coming up behind me. Something told me it was Bella, and I was right.

"If you really don't want me to be on the boat while you're working, I don't mind staying behind. I don't want to be in your way," she offered.

I chuckled and turned my head towards her. "It's really not a big deal. You won't be in the way."

"You didn't seem too thrilled about me going, though."

"I just hate the way Jasper and Emmett do whatever Alice and Rose say. Even if it was a huge inconvenience to us they would still say yes," I explained.

"Oh."

"It's not, though," I assured. "You'll be fine." She nodded her head in acceptance before ducking her head. I began walking along the beach thinking I'd probably need to head back to the house to take a quick shower before I headed to that party I was supposed to go to.

"Can I ask you a question?" she wondered nervously while keeping in step with me.

"Sure."

"How did you get into parasailing? Did you always want to be a parasailing instructor?"

"No," I chuckled. "I didn't even know what parasailing was until I came here. Jasper and Emmett taught me everything I know."

"You know, I was really nervous about coming here since I've never really been anywhere before. When I got off the plane today, and Alice informed me I was going straight out to try the parasailing thing she'd told me about in letters, I was terrified. But when you were talking to me and trying to give me instructions I relaxed, and I wasn't as scared as I was at first. After being up in the air I decided I want this trip to be all about facing my fears and trying new things. The more dangerous, the better."

"Sounds like a good goal," I said with little interest.

"Do you know of any other activities I could do while I'm here?" she asked.

"There are lots of things you could do. You could learn to surf, zip-lining, wind surfing, snorkeling, cliff diving…"

"Cliff Diving?" she questioned with a shocked tone. "Have you ever cliff dived?"

"Yeah, lots of time," I laughed.

"Do you dive into the ocean?" she asked.

"That is essentially what cliff diving is," I answered sarcastically.

"Would you be willing to take me to try it?" she asked hesitantly.

I stopped for a moment and stared at her with a smirk on my face. There was no way this petite little thing was going to cliff dive, but I'd amuse her and probably get a kick out of her chickening out.

"Sure, I can take you to where I go after our appointments are over tomorrow," I agreed.

"Good," she said with a huge grin on her face. In a flash she leaned up and quickly placed a peck on my cheek before rushing away and going back to where the bonfire was. I stood there with a cocked eyebrow and a smirk on my face. What the fuck was she, twelve? I don't think a girl had kissed me on the cheek since I was a little kid. She was the poster child for pure innocence. Even if she wasn't Alice's cousin and entirely off limits, I'd still probably not fuck her because of her innocence. I'd feel entirely too guilty afterwards if I did. Even if I did use women for sex, I still had a conscience. Not one girl I'd ever slept with didn't know what to expect afterwards. The girls I went after were in a word, sluts. They intended to hook up with someone while they were on vacation for pure sexual release and bragging rights. They used me as much as I used them. I wasn't about to turn them down. However, with Bella, she wasn't like that. I wasn't going to take advantage of her apparent attraction to me for my own gratification. I could take her up to my cliff and have a good laugh without sex being involved.

I walked back to the fire and sat down to have another beer. I glanced over at Bella a few times who I could tell from the light of the fire was red from embarrassment. She kept her eyes down only peaking up occasionally to see if I was watching her. Every time I caught her eye I would smile crookedly which caused her to blush even more.

"I need to head out," I announced once Emmett and Rose returned looking freshly fucked. Rose must have been in a good mood tonight if she gave in to Emmett.

"Where are you going?" Alice asked. I rolled my eyes and gritted my teeth at how nosey she was. I had nothing to hide from her though. She didn't control my life as much as she wished she did. "I was invited to a party by some clients we had today."

"Really?" she asked condescendingly. "And who were these clients? A bunch of STD filled bimbos?

"Get off my dick, Alice. It's none of your business."

"You're repulsive," she sneered.

"At least I'm not a nosey bitch," I shot back. Alice glared at me and almost growled from anger.

"Edward, don't start," Jasper warned.

"She started it, if you didn't notice. Why don't you tell your fucking girlfriend to mind her own business for once?"

"Testy tonight aren't we?" Rose mocked.

I smirked at her as I stood up. "Hey Emmett, did you still plan to go with me tonight?" The look on Rose's face was priceless. I thought her head may explode from turning red with anger. Her jaw was clenched so tight, and her eyes narrowed as she glared at me, and then Emmett.

"What?" she sneered.

"Dude, what the fuck?" Emmett shouted.

I laughed before walking away and up to the house. I know I'm an ass to them, but sometimes they deserved it.

I quickly took a shower and changed my clothes before heading out in my beat-up, old truck. It was a piece of junk, but it ran and got me to where I needed to be. And right now, I needed a sexual release before I pissed Emmett and Jasper off any more than I already had and they fired me.

This party I was going to better deliver.

So what does everyone think of Edward and Bella so far? I hope you don't hate them. :)

Thanks for reading.