Chapter 9

"What are we doing?" Bella whispered.

Edward gently cupped her face.

"I don't know about you," he said, murmuring softly. "But I'm pretty sure I'm falling in love."

Her bright brown eyes softened as he leaned closer. Her gaze flickered to his mouth, and he did a mental fist pump when she moistened her lips with her tongue.

She wanted him to kiss her.

He wanted to kiss her.

Like Edward had told her, he'd never been in the habit of denying himself anything that felt good. While that had proven dangerous in the past, he couldn't find one valid excuse for denying either of them the physical connection they both craved.

So he didn't.

Bella moaned softly as his lips brushed against hers. It was innocent and slow, giving her the opportunity to protest. To slap his face. To push him away.

But she did none of those things.

She simply wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. With a groan, Edward deepened the kiss, letting his body press against hers. What started out as tender and sweet quickly escalated into something hungry and desperate, and suddenly, her body was pinned beneath his. Bella's hands slipped beneath the back of his t-shirt, and he moaned as her nails gently raked across his skin. He wanted to touch her everywhere, but for now, he was content with simply feeling her pressed against him and kissing her senseless.

They were both panting when they finally pulled away.

And they were both smiling.

"You look happy."

Bella grinned brighter. "So do you."

"No more denying of kisses?" he asked hopefully.

"No more."

To celebrate this amazing turn of events, he kissed her again, just because he could.

xxx

They spent the rest of the day in their bubble. Drinking hot chocolate, baking cookies, and watching cheesy Christmas movies on television. If they weren't in the kitchen, they were cuddled on the couch, wrapped in a blanket and snuggled close. They talked about everything. They talked about nothing.

The world outside was now dark, but the inside of the inn was still aglow thanks to the Christmas tree. It had been the most perfect day of his life, but reality had reared its ugly head, in the form of a phone call from Bella's father, telling her that the roads were now clear.

"I have a meeting in Seattle on Monday morning," Edward said.

Bella nodded and stared down at their laced fingers.

"Hey," he murmured, gently lifting her face toward his. "I'll be back. Every weekend."

"Yeah."

He could tell by the tone of her voice that she didn't believe him.

"Bella, listen to me. You're the one person on this planet I've never lied to. The only person I've never disappointed. I'm not going to start now. I will be here next weekend."

She looked into his eyes and sighed softly.

"Don't promise me," she said.

"Why not?"

"Because life happens. Unexpected things come up. Four hours separate us. One hundred fifty miles. There may be times when you can't come back, and I'll understand that."

"I'll come back, Bella."

"Don't promise me."

Edward sighed and leaned his forehead against hers. How could he make her understand?

"A very beautiful and wise woman told me that if it's important to me, I'd make it a priority."

"But—"

He kissed her tenderly, silencing any argument she was about to make. When he pulled away, she sighed.

"This is important to me, Bella. You are important."

"You're important to me, too."

They smiled at each other.

"But you also have responsibilities in Seattle," Bella reminded him.

"And I have no intention of avoiding them. I can work in Seattle through the week, and be here every weekend. Alice juggles her professional life with a family. Why can't I juggle my clients with my . . ."

He had no idea how to finish the sentence.

Girlfriend?

"With your . . . what? What am I, Edward?"

He could hear it in her voice. She needed to know. She needed to hear the words.

Suddenly, he had no problem finishing the sentence.

"My priority," Edward said. "You are my priority."

With a smile as bright as the star on top of the tree, Bella pulled his face to hers, kissing him tenderly.

xxx

It was after midnight when Edward decided to check his cell phone. It felt strange, being out of touch with everyone and everything, but he had to admit the peace and quiet had been nice. Unfortunately, that tranquility was shattered when he noticed he had about a dozen missed calls. Instead of listening to them, he decided to just call his sister.

"Finally!"

"Sorry," he muttered. "I've been busy."

"You always respond right away. I was worried."

"You worry too much, Alice. I was having a nice, peaceful day away from the city and enjoying the snow."

"And enjoying the pretty owner of Swan Lake Bed and Breakfast. Yes, I googled her. I wasn't expecting a brunette, though. That was a nice surprise."

Edward sighed. "Was there something you needed, Alice?"

"You aren't going to tell me about her, are you?"

"Nope."

"You like her."

"How can you tell?"

"Because you won't tell me about her."

That was true. Edward didn't necessarily brag about the women in his life, but he'd never failed to share details with his sister.

"I just . . . I really like her, Alice. We have a connection, and it's really hard to explain, so I won't try because it will just make me sound like a lunatic. I'll be back in Seattle on Monday, and then I'm coming back to Swan Lake on Friday evening."

"She must really be amazing."

"She is."

"You know, I've always believed in love at first sight. My marriage is proof."

"I've never believed in it."

"Until now?"

His silence was the only answer she needed.

She sighed happily. "Well, then, it's good that you called me back, because you'll need some time to prepare."

"Prepare for what?"

"When you didn't arrive for breakfast, and since you weren't answering your phone, our mother became a little paranoid. I promised her you were okay, but she knows we've always covered for each other, so . . ."

He tiredly rubbed his face. "Spit it out, Alice."

"Mom and Dad are coming to Swan Lake," she mumbled.