Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer and Summit/Lionsgate. I just wrote a cute story with some of its characters.

A/N As usual, missrebecca looked this over for me. Go check out her new-ish Bella/Jasper Volturi fic Origins.

Chapter 6

Edward

Being around Bella was both as easy as breathing and nerve wracking. We fell into easy conversation over coffee, and I must admit I actually lost track of time while talking to her. When she mentioned wanting to scout locations for the bridal shots, I took the opportunity and offered to show her around. Her answering smile was radiant and I hurried to get our check settled and walk her to my car.

But once we were in it, nerves settled in my stomach. She was so close, and we were in a small space, just the two of us… It seemed as though her scent saturated the air around us, clouding my mind with tempting thoughts of making her mine.

I tried to concentrate on the road and driving to some of the scenic sights I thought she might like, and not say anything that would jeopardize any chance I had with her. I watched her as she took in the nature and the architecture, the snow still covering the higher slopes and the sun glittering off it. The way her eyes lit up when she spotted something she found interesting, and how her voice went up in pitch when she got excited… it brought a smile to my face. On several occasions she asked me to pull the car over so she could take a few shots and I was happy to oblige. Whatever it took to keep that smile on her face. She obviously loved her job, and I reveled in the fact that she was sharing it with me.

When we drove back into town, she started to put her camera back in her bag.

'Thanks for showing me around, Edward. You really helped. A lot.'

'Oh, we're not done yet,' I said.

'But, aren't we heading back?' she wondered.

'Yes and no. I thought I'd save the best sight for last.'

'Where are we going?'

'You'll see.'

I pulled up to the hotel and handed my keys to the valet before walking around and opening Bella's door for her.

'Are you warm enough?' I asked.

'I think so. Why?'

'You'll see,' I said once more.

I guided us to the gondola station, showed my season pass and purchased a day pass for Bella. She looked on in surprise. I took her hand in mine and proceeded through the gate, then helped her into one of the gondolas.

'We're going up the mountain?' she asked.

'Well,' I teased. 'As a wedding photographer, you must see the wedding deck they've got there. I heard the view is spectacular.'

'Wait, the wedding deck? That's perfect! I wanted to head up there tomorrow, but needed directions and stuff.' She looked out of the gondola at the diminishing town below. 'Guess I didn't have to look far.'

I smiled again at her words and settled in for the fourteen-minute ride to our destination, glancing at my watch. If we were lucky, we would make it in time for the sunset.

'Oh wow, Edward, it's beautiful up here!' Bella exclaimed, snapping away on her camera.

I stood back, hands in my pockets, watching her be in her element.

'And the light! It's exactly what I had in mind for some of the shots. I'm definitely taking Victoria and James up here for the sunset!'

I laughed at her exuberance, and she whirled around and made her way over to where I was standing on the middle of the deck, overlooking the Rocky Mountains.

'Thank you, Edward,' she said when she stood in front of me, close enough for me to reach.

So I did. I reached out and took her free hand in mine, pulling her closer.

'You're more than welcome, Bella,' I replied, my voice barely a whisper.

My hands wrapped around her waist as hers rested on my biceps. Her mouth was slightly open, her pupils dilated, and she was breathing heavily. If I hadn't wanted to kiss her yet, what she did next made up my mind for me. She bit her lip. That plump, red, pouty bottom lip of hers. I wanted it between my teeth. As I worked up the courage to finally close the distance between us, she appeared to have decided the same. Which meant she leaned up while I moved down, causing my chin to collide with her nose.

'Ow,' she muttered as I grunted, followed by a mutual, 'Sorry.'

She giggled lightly on an exhale, alleviating some of the tension, before reaching a hand up to the back of my head, pulling me down to her again. I licked my lips in anticipation and covered her mouth with my own.

Her lips were as soft as they looked and she tasted… heavenly. With a slight strawberry flavor. Lip gloss? I barely contained a groan as she opened her mouth to me and tentatively licked across my lips. I couldn't contain it when she moved on to nibbling on my bottom lip. I was done for.

And then she pulled away. Her eyes remained closed and she nuzzled my nose with her own.

'Salty…' she whispered, a smile lifting the corners of her mouth.