All copyrights, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.

unbeta'd

storyline - Heart/Crystal Beachin'

word prompt - magic

Rose stepped out on to the patio with a tray full of pina coladas.

"I made yours with an extra cherry," she said, handing Emmett his. "The way you said you like."

"Thanks." He switched his spatula to the other hand and accepted the frosty goodness, which was heaven on a hot n' humid night. "Mm-mm. Damn, girl. You know how to make a drink."

Rose batted her eyelashes and smiled faux-modestly before going on to Jasper and Edward. She was wearing what she called her Marilyn, a short white dress with a flared skirt and a plunging neckline. She'd even applied edible body frosting, just in case.

Because it wasn't enough to just look good; you had to taste good too.

The boys had come over around six to get the grilling going. Fresh mahi mahi and veggie kabobs graced the grill while potatoes baked in the oven, filling both the house and patio with the most scrumptious of aromas. Emmett was, at the moment, manning the grill wearing his trademark chef's apron and jeans.

No shirt. He did that especially for Blondie.

Alice was in charge of the potatoes, so she bounced back and forth between the kitchen and chatting with Jasper. Edward sat beside them, trying his best to look interested. Really, he was wondering where Bella was. They'd already been there for a half hour and she had yet to make an appearance.

Alice noticed. "Edward… feel free to go on up and check on her. Sometimes she gets caught up in her emails, you know?"

Edward frowned. Bella was on the computer? "Um…okay. You sure she won't mind?"

But Alice was already re-enraptured with Jasper, showing him her latest tattoo.

Shrugging, Edward got up and went inside. The staircase was directly across, so he ascended them cautiously, calling Bella's name a couple of times to warn her.

He didn't hear her, but he did hear the sounds of a blow dryer and music.

The first bedroom he peeked inside was empty, but the second smelled like peaches and water lilies and strawberries and sorts of edible/floral girly magic.

"Bella?" He pushed the half-open door a bit so he could see inside.

There, dressed in little pink shorts and a little shirt, stood Bella, doing her hair. She was faced away from him, looking at a mirror as she pulled a brush through her long, shimmering brown hair.

Edward didn't get a boner, because he wasn't a middle school pubescent, but he did feel the flutterings of horniness stir deep in his loins. And maybe even his groin.

He moved closer and sniffed, his mouth almost watering at how good this girl looked (and smelled). Bella whirled around and shrieked, flinging the brush away so she could cover herself. It hit Edward square between the eyes and he staggered back on to the bed.

"Oh my gosh ohmygosh ohmygosh I'm soooo sorry!" wailed Bella, rushing over to him.

This kind of crap always happened to her; klutziness was the main Swan trait she'd inherited and loathed.

"It's okay," Edward mumbled, holding his hand to his face.

Suddenly a cool, wet washcloth was over his eyes.

Bella was straddling him, dabbing gently at his face. "Are you okay? You just really scared me…"

"Yeah…sorry, I didn't mean to sneak up on you. I called for you…"

"Oh, I guess I couldn't hear you over the music," Bella said. Madonna's "Dress You Up" was her favorite getting ready jam and she tended to rock out to it when she was feelin' fly.

Edward was actually better – he doubted he'd bruise or anything – but he was enjoying the feeling of Bella-in-daisy-dukes too much to say so.

"I like your little pant-things," he said, reaching out to touch them.

"Oh crap," she said, jumping off and taking her sweet female warmth with her.

"What?"

Bella didn't respond; instead she pulled her skirt on. The plan had been to flash the boy shorts later on, when she could blame it on drunkenness, not show Edward the whole deal just like that. Damn!

Edward sighed inwardly. There was no point in prolonging the injured act, especially now that Bella had gotten off of him. He stood up, touching his head gingerly. It was sore, but okay.

"Thanks, Bella." He handed her back the washcloth.

"No problem." She smiled sweetly.

"I'll wait for you downstairs," Edward said, taking a step back toward the door. "I didn't know you were still…" He motioned toward the mirror.

"No! No, I'm done. I was just…" primping for you "a little caught up."

A couple of hours later, after a gluttonous feast and a frenzy of frozen froufrou drinks, the merry six-some ventured back inside to play "I Never."

No one wanted to get so trashed that they'd miss out on the good times, so they stuck with pina coladas and daiquiris instead of taking shots.

"I'll go first," Rose said, to no one's surprise. "I have never kissed a girl."

Needless to say, Emmett, Jasper and Edward all drank.

Emmett cleared his throat. "I have never shaved my crotch."

This was a lie; he just wanted to see who would own up to it.

Rose had the good grace to blush a little as she sipped her drink.

They went in a circle until they got to Bella, who was the last to go. "Um… I never…I've never been out of the country."

Rose rolled her eyes and took a drink. Jasper and Edward did as well.

The group went another couple of rounds, with everyone's I Nevers getting raunchier and more explicit as time went on. Apparently, Jasper had part-timed as a male "dancer" the summer before in Panama City, making him even more of a perfect match for Alice. Emmett was blessed and could have – as well as give— multiple orgasms, and Edward had piercings in special places.

Meanwhile, Bella's admissions were as dull as dishwater.

"I've never shoplifted."

"I've never snuck out."

"I've never cheated on a test."

"Damn, Bella!" cried Rose, sloshing her mango daiquiri. "Give us something good! Jeez!"

"Fine!" Bella got to her feet unsteadily. She may not have done quite as much imbibing as the others, but she was feeling it all right. "I've never been properly, for real kissed! I've never had a kiss that made me tingle down there, okay?"

She downed her drink and stormed out, wincing at the brain freeze.

Alice raised an eyebrow at Edward. "Well, there ya go. Don't need much more of an invitation that that."

Edward got to his feet and stumbled after Bella. She wasn't on the patio. The gate leading to the road was open, though. He went through it and jogged across the empty street, just catching sight of Bella disappearing down the boardwalk. She had to slow down when she got to the beach, and Edward took the opportunity to grab her arm.

Startled, Bella spun around, her fist already flying.

But Edward was ready for it. He grabbed both her hands, pulled her against him, and gave her the kiss of a lifetime.

Operation Seduction was on like popcorn.