A/N - First and foremost - Lemon alert!!! Don't say I didn't warn ya!

Much love to my girls for the love, support and patience as I made my way through my first lemon.....y'all stopped me before I had my nails completely destroyed!! To my wonderful beta, ChangedbyEdward - I would be lost without ya! MWAH!!

To all of you who have stuck with me so far and left the kind reviews, etc.....THANK YOU!!! It means so much!!!!

Finally, Stephenie Meyer - thanks for creating these characters and letting us use them and if you ever decide to give them away.....LOL

And without further ado........


Chapter 7

(Esme's POV)

The emotions of the day had been overwhelming. I knew it was only a matter of time before Charlie would come to see Bella and in all honesty, I had been expecting him for days. But when I saw him standing there watching us and felt Bella tense beside me, it was all I could do not to grab her and run.

I had nothing but respect for Bella's father, and after his revelation to Carlisle that afternoon, probably even more so. However, that didn't stop the fear that he would take Bella away from us. I realized it was selfish to feel that way, when in reality we had already stolen her from him. I was stunned beyond belief when Carlisle gave Bella the news that she would be coming to stay with us. I had hoped, but never dreamed that Charlie would agree and the exhilaration in Bella's face was a pleasure to watch.

We headed out to hunt as soon as we arrived home and it was almost euphoric, running through the trees, following the small herd of mule deer as they scattered through the forest. For so long, it had felt like Carlisle and I were simply going through the motions of surviving, but finally having Bella on the right track and coming to live with us had given us a new lease on life, so to speak.

I watched Carlisle take down two large deer and almost followed suit when the succulent aroma of bobcat wafted through the trees. I immediately veered to the left and found the feline, grooming himself after his own successful kill. I have never enjoyed the darkness taking over, but my hunger for that glorious creature fuelled the change and I rushed towards him, pouncing and rolling down the hill as he fought my grasp. Only the sound of his final growl made me hesitate, but I ended his suffering quickly as I drank from his jugular. His muscular body went limp in my arms and as I set the lifeless body down on the ground, an overwhelming sadness filled me once again for the life I had taken to sustain my own.

I was not alone long before I felt Carlisle's strong arms envelope me from behind as he pressed his lips against my hair. I leaned back into his embrace and let the misery drift away, knowing that it would return the next time I killed. I believe this feeling alone is what has kept me from ever taking the life of a human. Although I am able to push the feelings of sorrow away after hunting animals, I know for a fact I would never be able to forgive myself for the act of taking another human's life.

We buried the remains of the animals and then lay together, watching the stars above. I rested my head against Carlisle's chest and gazed into the sky, enjoying the hypnotizing feel of his fingers playing in my hair. It was quiet for awhile and I knew his thoughts had turned to Edward. With everything that had gone right over the past few weeks, this was the one issue that nagged at his subconscious. Wanting to lure him away from his dark thoughts, I told him about Bella's bedroom and what I had arranged. I had tried to keep everything as neutral as possible because I hoped in time she would want to choose her own theme and colors. Bella had a true artistic side and was already very decisive as to what she liked and what she didn't and I felt with a little guidance, it was perhaps a path she might well enjoy following.

Conversation soon switched to the family and the plan we had for re-introducing them into Bella's life on a somewhat stagnated schedule. Alice, obviously, had been the most difficult to convince that we needed to take small steps, but once she played the scenarios through in her mind, she knew what we requested was in Bella's best interest. Although Carlisle had not wanted to ask, I did not hesitate and questioned Alice if she had seen Edward in any of her visions. She was silent for a long time and I thought at first she didn't want to answer, but finally she revealed that the visions concerning Edward were all over the place and she could only ascribe it to his own confusion – he kept changing his mind.

I believe it was at that moment that Carlisle decided he had waited long enough and was going to try to contact Edward himself. We returned to the house, changed and he disappeared down to the study immediately. I considered following him but knew that he needed the time on his own to compose his thoughts, so made my way down the hall to Bella's quarters to make one final sweep and make sure the room was in order.


I fluffed the cushions, straightened the duvet and gazed around at the room I had decorated in earth tones, hoping she would find it warm and comfortable. I glanced at her bedside table and smiled at the photo of her with Alice and Jasper that we had taken last summer. Although we had been hesitant about returning to the baseball field after the unfortunate events with James, Victoria and Laurent, the first crack of thunder had brought Bella rushing to the staircase, with Alice on her heels, grinning from ear to ear. They tossed baseball gloves over the banister to Emmett and Jasper as they sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" loudly and off-key. It was probably one of the brightest memories of the summer and the grins on their faces in the picture captured the moment perfectly.

Content that Bella's room was ready for her, I headed towards the master bedroom with another plan in mind. The fire Carlisle had lit earlier in the evening was still throwing off a warm glow and I inhaled the spicy aroma of the cedar logs burning. The wood fireplaces had been a strong selling point of the house. Gas is much easier, but I love the scent of a wood burning fire. I wandered the room lighting various candles and then stood back to make sure that I had the effect I wanted. Satisfied, I turned the bed down, put the stereo on low and headed to the bathroom to prepare. I filled the oversized claw foot tub with steaming water and added my warm vanilla sugar bubble bath before slipping in to soak away the day. I leaned back and closed my eyes, letting the whispered classical melody soothe my mind as I reached for my loofa and dipped it into the water. I rubbed it against my skin and took pleasure in the light tingle it created against my body.


(Carlisle's POV)

When I entered the bedroom, I saw that my darling wife had the same thoughts as me and smiled at the lit candles and soft music playing. I stopped to add a small log to the fire, and leisurely made my way towards the bathroom, not wanting to disturb her.

The scent of vanilla and brown sugar permeated the air and I was enchanted by the glorious sight in front of me. Her body was completely relaxed as she hummed along to the music and ran a sponge against her body, the bubbles waving behind the graceful movement of her hand. The water was quite hot and I watched the steam rising in the room, adding to the mystical vision that my enchantress had created. Soundlessly, I discarded my clothing and approached the tub, not wanting to spoil the moment.

I knelt at the tub and gently took the sponge from her delicate fingers as I brushed my lips against the back of her neck. She had pulled her caramel hair into a loose bun and a few tendrils had fallen out, curling against her neck with the humidity. She sighed contentedly as I ran the wet sponge along her shoulders and she moved forward in the large tub, giving me room to slide in behind her. After I settled in, she leaned back against me, turning her face up to look at me, her eyes dark with want. I crushed her mouth with mine, nibbling at her succulent lips as our tongues danced together. I lifted her in the tub and turned her to face me, her nipples hardening into tiny buds as she pressed herself against my chest, devouring my kisses. She wrapped her arms around my neck and her fingers found their way into my hair, pulling me close to her as she hungrily rubbed herself against me. Raising my knees to give her support as she straddled me in the tub, I took her breast in my mouth, suckling at the rosebud, teasing the other nipple with my soapy fingers. She whimpered in delight and rocked her hips back and forth, taunting my shaft with her wetness. The dark desire in her eyes begged me to satisfy her hunger. I nipped at one nipple, then the other, her nails digging into my triceps as she fought against the ebb of orgasm that was trying to engulf her. Pushing away, she stood in the tub and stepped over the side, reaching into the stall shower and turning on the water. I watched her every movement as she entered the dark marble encasing and pressed herself against the wall letting the streaming jets wash the bubbles away. She faced the wall and glanced over her shoulder at me, her eyes beckoning for me to join her. I was out of the tub in an instant.

I pressed my hard shaft against her and she moaned, bucking back at me. I chuckled and reached around to cup her breasts, pinching her nipples in the same motion, then gradually slid my hands down her stomach as I knelt in the shower. I spread her legs and teased at the gentle folds of her tender lips with my tongue. She gasped as I gently nipped at the edges, pushing first one finger and then another inside of her as I lapped at the sweet honey that flowed from her body. She turned slowly, like a ballerina performing an arabesque, and pressed her back against the shower wall, her hands grasping the sides of my head, silently pleading for my tongue and fingers to explore deeper. I buried my face into her and inhaled the sweetness, teasing her clit with my tongue, as my fingers stroked, bringing her closer and closer to the edge of euphoria.

"Carlisle, oh right there. Oh…" She moaned deliriously and pressed her tiny fist to her mouth as I felt the first wave take over her being. She writhed against my mouth and hands as I drank in her juices. I clutched her buttocks, earning me further access to her sweet nectar.

The hot water was starting to cool so I reached behind us and turned off the taps, slowly rising to stand as I ran tiny kisses up her stomach, between her exquisite breasts and up her beautiful neck to her chin. Her eyes met mine as our tongues tangled together, and I felt her wrap her wet legs around my waist, grinding her soaked core against my member. I moaned and pulled her close, stepping out of the shower.

Our lips never separated as I carried her back into our bedroom, bypassing the bed, and gently laid her against the luxurious bear rug that lay before the fireplace. Esme ran her delicate hands up my bare chest, attempting to pull me down to her. I smiled wickedly and shook my head which made her pout, silently begging me to give into her. I reached up to the large armchair beside me and pulled a silk scarf from its seat. Her eyes further darkened with excitement as I trailed the edge of the scarf across her breasts, returning her nipples to taut peaks. I leaned down and trailed tiny kisses over the path the scarf had just travelled, reaching for one of her hands and then the other, pinning them above her head. As I straddled her body, she arched her back, trying to provoke me to the point of no return. I chuckled and shook my head once again before wrapping the scarf around her wrists, and securing it around the leg of the armchair.

She whimpered quietly, knowing it would have little effect. This was a game she knew she could not win, no matter how hard she tried. Satisfied that my little minx could not escape, as long as she went along with my scheme, I reached for one of the candles she had placed so innocently on the end table. Her eyes glazed over and she moaned in pleasure as I tipped it towards her, letting the hot wax drip against her already hardened nipple. Her moans grew more urgent as I ran my finger through the hot wax, creating designs against her porcelain skin. The wax hardened quickly against her cool marble breast, but softened as I let more of the hot liquid fall against her skin. Her body writhed beneath me, and mine betrayed me in response, telling me the game was near completion. I leaned down and kissed her, more urgently this time, as I massaged the hot wax over her breasts. She pressed herself against my leg, so wet and ready for me.

Wiping the dried wax from her skin, I grazed her nipples with my lips and teeth once more as I positioned myself against her entry. My cock teased at the swollen edges of her opening and she squirmed again, trying to envelope herself around me. I grasped her dancing hips with my hands and thrust into her hot core, moaning as her velvet center claimed me as her own. Her hands came free from their silken bonds and she pushed her fingers through my hair, pulling my mouth to hers to distract me as she flipped me onto my back with her vampire strength. I heard her bell-like chuckle as she settled against my raging staff. She would show me little mercy now. Her nails trailed down my chest, and I moaned, urging her to ride me hard. It was her turn to deny me as she sat for a moment, taking pleasure in having my full erection inside of her. Slowly she began to move, her hips rising and lowering at a gentle pace. Her eyes closed and her hair had fallen from its bun, causing her to resemble a beautiful golden nymph. I was mesmerized by her beauty and the rush of love that coursed through my being at that moment was almost too much to bear. Sensing my need and her own, Esme leaned away from me, arching her back and quickened her stride. Knowing we were both close, she clasped her hands with mine and pressed my arms against the floor as she increased the pace again, my shaft sliding in and out of her, glistening with her hot honey. My body tensed against hers as we climaxed together in a rush, her glorious frame falling against mine as she pressed her lips to my neck, whispering my name over and over.

We lay tangled together in front of the fire for a long time, worshipping each other in silence. As the flames died away, leaving the embers to glow in the darkness, I pulled her against me, kissing the top of her head and moved to add one more log to the fire. She watched me closely, not moving an inch and held her hand out for me to return to our bed of fur. I lay behind her, pulling her against my chest, and we watched the flames together. I pressed my nose against her shoulder, intoxicated by the scent of her vanilla sugar bath. She sighed contentedly and snuggled towards me, the heat rising between us again. I leaned my face towards her, begging for a kiss, only to be distracted by the irritable ringing of the phone.

I lunged for the despicable piece of equipment, damning its invention to hell, as Esme giggled at my frustration. Her laughter quickly ended as I turned to face her, the answered phone pressed against my ear and a look of disbelief etched on my face.


End of chapter - hope you enjoyed it! Please, please review! Thanks!