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Chapter 28

I watch as he shifts gears and I can't take it any longer. I need some sort of contact with him, something to ground me to this seat, so I don't attack him and cause a wreck in the process. I slyly place my hand on top of his and admire it for just a moment. While his hands seem polished and professional and scream that of Banker on one side, if I flip them over and clasp ours together, I would surely feel the rough calloused hands of a man that knows the true meaning of manual labor on the other.

I give his hand a good squeeze and he glances my way with a beautiful white smile that makes me feel like hot apple cider on a cold winter's day. I really don't know how any of the other men will ever compare to him and frankly I hope they don't. All I care about right now is being in this moment and enjoy this romantic day with him.

A little while later, we're pulling up to a little canoe rental place. I look up at Edward to gauge his reaction and he doesn't disappoint. He's just as excited about this as I am. I knew he would be which is why I chose this date specifically for him and us. This will let us test the waters so to speak and develop trust with each other at the same time. Plus, we'll be enjoying some beautiful country side as we paddle our way down this long flowing river.

We walk into the little store and the manager goes over the dos and don'ts of canoeing. Floating on the river is like second nature to me. My grandparents used to take my cousins and me all of the time while we were growing up. It's where I've done some of the best bass fishing as well.

Which reminds me.

"Edward, um… do you happen to have a current fishing license?" He looks at me for moment with that smirk of his, thinking over my question and teasing me with his silence.

He steps closer to me, and I think he's about to kiss me. He surprises me though, by reaching for something behind my head. He pulls a red and black rod and reel forward along with various spinner and buzz baits, and then walks us over hand in hand to the checkout counter.

The curious look on my face never subsides as we check out and head outside. Well technically the producers paid for everything off camera and it looked like we just had the stuff waiting, but that's the stuff they don't show on TV.

I swear five minutes have passed and he still hasn't answered me. I know I have a license on me, because I'm an avid fisher and we're filming here in my home state.

As the manager leads us to our hunter green canoe and hands us some life jackets and two wooden paddles, Edward finally turns to me, helping me into my jacket, firmly snapping and zipping it into place. He gives it a quick tug for good measure then leans into my ear and says, "Yeah, honey that was an odd requirement they made us all get once we got here for the show. Now I understand why." He gives me a quick kiss on my gaping lips.

I'm not sure why I'm gaping, I mean Edward screams outdoorsy man, but I really wanted to show him up today and teach him a thing or two. Looks like he'll be the one teaching me a few things out here though. He confirms it a few minutes later as we push off of the bank and slowly start paddling to the center.

"I'm so glad you picked me to come with you today. This is perfect. I'm a river rat back home and quite the fisherman if I do say so myself.

Well, looks like Mr. Cocky Green's might have met his match and as I steer the front of the canoe with a good long stroke through the swift water, I smell a bet beginning to form. Things are about to get a lot more interesting out here on this river. Camera crew be damned.

A/N: Thanks for reading. Probably won't be another update until next week, but I'll have a lot more time to write then. Finishing classes up this week for the semester. WOO HOO!