Rating: M
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer of Twilight fame, owns it all, I don't,
I just wish I did.
A/N…This is a longer than usual chapter, but it couldn't be helped. Enjoy. And many kudos to my beta girls, LovinRob and Amandac3, they are true authors and should be read and read often.
CHAPTER 3
Bella
I pull into the parking lot and find a spot not too far from the ski entrance. It's such a beautiful sunny day and it's bound to be busy on the hills which isn't always a good thing. I lower my tailgate to sit on it and put on my boots. I enjoy a cup of coffee as well as a little bit of people watching. I would be lying if I said I wasn't hoping to run into Mr. Denali-man but so far he's a no show. I sigh and pack up everything I need for the day, grab my skis, throwing them over my shoulder and start across the parking lot. Since I already have my lift ticket I make my way through the crowd toward the lift. This mountain has so many runs you need a map to get around unless you are familiar with it. I stop at the information board and find the run I want to take first, slip my boots into the bindings and push my way toward the lift. Once I get in line I yell out "single" since they frown upon one person traveling on the lift alone. I hear another voice yell "single" as well so I immediately step out of line to meet up with my travel partner and to allow the double skiers to go ahead of me. Once I meet up with the other single skier I look up and bust out laughing.
"It's you again." I say, shake my head with a big grin on my face. "Are you stalking me?" I chuckle at the absurdity of running into him for the third time in just two short days.
"I don't believe this!" He says, laughing. "I'm not sure what this is. Is it fate, luck, or maybe it is stalking. But whatever it is, it's nice to see you again."
I shake my head in disbelief, "Same here."
He looks all male and sexy in his all black powder gear, black skis and boots. I try my best not to look obvious as I scan him from head to toe but I hear him clear his throat and realize I was not successful. I feel the blush rush to my face at getting caught checking him out. I just shrug and give him a little grin.
"So what run are you taking?" He asks as we wait for the lift to swing around and pick us up.
"I'm starting with the Chute, how about you?" I answer quickly, grateful that he didn't expound on my embarrassment.
"The Chute it is." He says nodding in agreement. "So, if we must continue to meet like this, I think we should introduce ourselves." He says, offering me his hand, "Hello, my name is Edward Cullen…"
I adjust my poles under my arm and take his hand into mine and say, "Isabella… Bella Swan."
"Nice to meet you Isabella Bella Swan." He says, mocking me.
I laugh and nudge his shoulder with mine, "That was corny, Edward. Just Bella will work."
"Nice to meet you Just Bella." He continues to make fun, laughing at me. God! He's adorable.
"Okay, you can stop it now." I say, giggling. Trying to be firm but not able to hold a straight face to save my life I ask him, "What's my name?"
He looks directly at me, "Bella."
And I melt right then and there. I don't think I have ever heard my name sound like velvet before. Feeling the effects of the mere sound of my name, I turn and look out over the mountain and whisper "Breathtaking."
The view of the fresh snow covered mountains is majestic and they seem to go on as far as the eye can see. The view of the lake is equally stunning with the sun bright in the sky, shining on it. It's a beautiful day to be alive.
"Do you come to Squaw often?" He asks, bringing me back to earth.
I slowly turn to him, noticing how beautiful his eyes are in the sun and find I have to focus real hard to recall what he just asked.
"Hmm… what? Oh, I haven't been on a vacation in five years, but before then, I would come here often. I also enjoy Homewood and Heavenly; just about everywhere really. I love Squaw the best though. It's my absolute favorite."
I look out over the view again and then lower my eyes. After a few minutes of comfortable silence I turn and look up at him, admiring just how beautiful this man truly is. It's like the Gods created some perfect creature and set him in front of me. All I can think is what he must look like beneath those clothes. His muscles look defined and the way he carries himself says he knows things; like how to please a woman. Shit, am I blushing?
"How about you, you come here often, to coin a ridiculous pick up line?" I ask, finally breaking the silence between us and the wayward direction my thoughts were taking me.
"Are you trying to pick me up, Bella?" He asks jokingly.
"Why no, Mr. Cullen, I'm just here to ski." I say using my best southern accent and trying to sound properly appalled.
"Well that's too bad, Ms. Swan." He says, raising an eyebrow at me, mocking my accent.
"Edward, are you flirting with me?" I raise my own eyebrow back at him.
He holds eye contact with me and then shakes his head. He looks down at the ground, watching as it passes by under the lift.
"Can I take the first run with you this morning, Bella?" He asks, changing the subject.
"I'd like that." I reply, "This is my first time up in five years so I may be a little rusty the first time out but I'll be okay after that I'm sure. So if I'm too slow for you, don't feel like you have to stick with me."
He leans his shoulder into mine, "Like glue, baby."
I push back into his shoulder and smile at him. The lift drops us off and we make our way to the top of the run. I pull out my SPF 15 Chapstick and offer it to Edward.
"Want some? I promise I don't have cooties." I say to him with an ornery grin.
He looks directly into my eyes and gives me that half smile that put's Pink's 'Oh My God' in my mind's jukebox. I wonder if he does that on purpose or if he has an idea the effect it has on me. My guess is that he does it on purpose, but whatever it is, that look is lethal. He reaches over to take the Chapstick and I watch as he applies it to those kissable lips and then he hands it back to me with another smile.
"Thanks."
I take the Chapstick back from him and apply some to my own lips as he watches me.
"You're welcome." I say, licking my bottom lip, hoping to taste him, just a little bit.
I hear him catch his breath as he looks away and then he yells back to me over his shoulder, "Last one to the bottom is a rotten egg!"
And off he goes. Yeah, like glue my ass, Mr. Cullen. I hesitate, not in a rush to chase after him. I put on my gloves, adjust my goggles, take a deep breath and push off.
The moguls are deep but I hold my own and pick up speed about half way down. My knees and thighs already burn and are definitely going to be sore tomorrow. Thank goodness I have a Jacuzzi. I focus on each bump, smiling from ear to ear and let out a loud "YEAH!"
I feel completely exhilarated as I make it to the bottom all in one piece. I then dig my edges in and throw snow all over Edward. Serves him right. I bend over, trying to catch my breath and when I look up at Edward, he is grinning mischievously.
"Rotten Egg."
I bust out laughing and fall to the ground totally out of breath. He asks me if I want to try a different run this time and I nod smiling as he offers me his ski pole to help me up. My gloved hand slips off the pole and I lose my balance yet again and fall back down. But I just lay there, panting and laughing at myself with my arms spread out. After I recover, I stand up to follow Edward wherever he wants to go.
We ski together all morning until I tell him I am starving and that I need to stop and grab a bite to eat. He pauses briefly and points with his thumb towards the village.
"Hey, I have clam chowder in the crockpot at my place. Would you like to join me for lunch?"
I look toward the direction he is pointing, "Where's your place?" I ask wondering if it could be that close.
He takes his pole and uses it as a pointer, "See that balcony at the top up there with the black and maroon banner? That's my place. We can walk from here."
I must have been looking at him like I thought he was a criminal because he said, "You will be perfectly safe Ms. Swan. I promise."
I continue to look at him and grin at my inner thoughts. At this point I'm not sure who is safe and who is not because I am already so hot for this guy I might hump him the minute we step in the door.
"What?" He asks curiously.
I shake my head, chuckling, "Nothing, let's go taste your chowder." And I giggle again at my inner naughty girl thoughts.
We ski as far as we can to his condo then stop to remove our skis and carry them the rest of the way. When we reach his garage we drop our gear and head upstairs.
Once inside, we remove our boots and after putting them just inside the door I stand and look around the room. I am amazed at how utterly masculine his place is. It is pure male and decorated to perfection in black leather. Hmm, it appears that black is his signature color. He wore all black today and his home is decorated in all black and he drives a black vehicle; it suits him. It's definitely sexy on him that's for damn sure.
I follow behind him to the kitchen and he walks over to a wine cooler that is situated next to the refrigerator. He looks over the shelves contemplating what wine he wants and it must dawn on him that he isn't sure if I even drink wine because he looks over his shoulder with a curious look on his face.
"Would you like a glass of wine?"
"That sounds great" I say. He grins and then grabs a bottle and proceeds to open it. I immediately recognize the label, "Nice selection."
"You like this wine do you?" He asks, looking at me from the corner of his eye and I have to put my hands on the granite countertop just to keep my balance.
I am going to have to have a serious talk with myself about this tonight. I have had encounters with many good looking men, although not as attractive as Edward, and I have never allowed myself to react and behave such as this. I just pray that he can't see the effect he has on me.
"Yes, it's my favorite label. I don't think I've had a bad bottle from the Volturi winery."
He pours the wine into a couple of chilled glasses and hands one to me. He raises his glass to make a toast, "To you, Bella. The beauty that ran me off the road."
Oh hell.
I can feel the blush rush to my face and take a sip while looking at Edward over the rim of my glass. There is definitely something powerful going on here. I can feel it in how my body reacts to him. I can also feel it in my heart as I fear he is taking it from me very slowly.
I offer to dish up the chowder while he sets the table as a way to try and gain some balance here. He pulls some warmed bread from the oven and I place the bowls of soup on the dinette table. Wow! He has a great view. He can actually look out over the mountain from here.
"This certainly beats a salad from one of the restaurants in the village." I say, blowing on my spoon to cool my soup.
While we eat, I ask him if he skis at Heavenly often or if he skis more at Squaw since his place is here. He tells me that he owns a house at Stateline as well and that this condo is for the family to use.
"That really gives you access to just about any place you want to ski then, that's pretty convenient."
He looks into his bowl moving his spoon through the soup, "I don't get away as much as I used to. This trip was a fluke and only because it's more of the down season for us." He suddenly looks tired and exhausted.
I take another a sip of my wine and moan into the glass, savoring the excellent flavor and notice that he is watching me. He smiles and asks me if I like it.
"Yes, this is very good." I say as I look into my glass. "I brought a case of my own Volturi wines with me but I don't have this in that collection. Where did you get this? I wonder if I can order it directly from the winery."
He chuckles at that, "This is a private collection. I will send you home with a couple of bottles, how's that?"
I look at him in shock, "Edward, please, you don't need to do that if it's a private collection. You sharing this with me is nice enough. Thank you."
At that, he stands up, collects our dishes and puts them into the sink. He asks if I am ready to head back out and I say yes, ready to hit the slopes again. We put on our boots and coats and go back downstairs to collect our skis.
We race each other hard and talk a lot about nothing in particular while on the lifts. It is really nice talking to someone about things other than job-related subjects. We don't ask each other about our private lives at all, we just have fun enjoying each other's company.
After the sun goes behind the mountain it becomes chilly and my body is exhausted after the long day. I figure it is about time that I go home.
"I think I'm done for the day, Edward. I have a date with my Jacuzzi and I don't want to keep him waiting. I just hope my body will allow me to do this again tomorrow." I tell him as we reach the bottom of our last run.
"Edward?"
"Edward?" I say again.
"WHAT?" He shouts.
"I think I'm heading home?" She says, looking at me strangely.
He looks disappointed. It's cute because he looks like he wants to say something but then he doesn't. He just looks at the ground and then back at me, then at the ground again. That's why it sort of surprises me when he finally speaks.
"I was going to take a drive around the lake tomorrow to check on my place at Stateline. If you want to take a rest tomorrow, I'd like for you to join me."
Two thoughts come to my mind immediately. One is complete jubilation at the thought of spending more time with him and the second is that this is convenient because I wanted to take a drive around the lake anyway.
"I would like that. Thank you, Edward." I reply, smiling.
"Alright then." He says, beaming. "How about I pick you up at 10:00 tomorrow morning?"
"10:00 sounds great. Do you have your cell phone with you?" I ask, holding my hand out. He unzips his pocket, digs for his phone and hands it to me. "Here's my address and my cell number in case you have a change in plans." I say as I enter my information into his cell.
When I hand the phone back to him he looks at the information I have just entered. He then looks at me through his very long and sexy lashes that I am positive every woman alive would kill for.
"I won't change my plans, Bella."
I step out of my skis, bang them together to loosen the snow from the bindings and sling them over my shoulder before turning to him, "Thanks for hanging out with me today, Edward. It was fun and I had a great time." Then, "Oh, and thanks for lunch, next time it's my treat." I give him my best Princess-Diana-corner-of-my-eye look. I am so flirting with him.
He steps out of his own skis and looks at me, "I had a great time too, Bella. You are a great ski partner. Maybe we can do it again before we both have to go home?"
The idea of spending even more time with him is not at all unpleasant. "Okay, that sounds like a plan, but I don't want to monopolize all your time what with today and now tomorrow. How long will you be here?" I ask with the thought that the girls are coming on Friday and I know I will need to spend some time with them as well.
"I really don't have a set schedule. I was planning on being here through the weekend at least. My pain in-the-ass brothers are coming up on Friday for the weekend so I have to be here for that. I have to babysit my older brother. He likes to party a little bit and he's pretty much like a bull in a china shop. He'll trash the place in no time if I let him." He rolls his eyes at the thought.
"Well, I'm here for two weeks. I have my two girlfriends coming up on Friday for the weekend as well and they don't ski so I will be spending time with them. If you aren't here next week and if you want to get another day in, it looks like it will have to be on Wednesday or Thursday? Just let me know. But please, don't let me take up all your time." I say while kicking a hole into the snow with the toe of my boot. I would enjoy spending more time with him but it's looking like our schedules are pretty tight, especially if he goes home early next week.
Sensing an uncomfortable silence I say, "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then, Edward." and turn toward my car.
"Tomorrow, Bella." He says as he watches me walk away.
Suddenly a thought invades my mind, stopping me in my tracks and quickly turn around, "Oh, Edward? Since I'm going to be in the car alone with you tomorrow, there's no Mrs. Cullen or a soon-to-be Mrs. Cullen that I need to be concerned about is there? I'm not good with jealous wives or girlfriends."
He slowly crosses the distance between us and stands face-to-face with me, forcing me to look up at him and says very quietly, "No, Bella."
He is so close to me I can feel his warm breath on my face. "There's no Mrs. Cullen other than my mother and there is no future Mrs. Cullen for you to be concerned about either."
He is looking at me with such intensity that it makes me take a step back. He then lowers his head so slowly that I can barely tell it is moving and his eyes never leave mine. Oh my God, he's going to kiss me! My body starts to tremble and he puts his hand on my waist, pulling me toward him as he lowers his mouth onto mine. The kiss is so soft, so gentle. His tongue traces over my lower lip, begging for entry. My tongue meets his as my hand wraps around his neck pulling him even closer, deeper. Our lips open as our tongues dance and our breathing becomes erratic as the kiss intensifies further. I can feel pure passion emanating from him and I feel my body responding to him. He holds me so tight and has complete control of me. I drop my skis to the ground and wrap my free arm around his waist while my other hand works its way into that beautiful hair of his. I begin to feel that old familiar tingling in the pit of my stomach as it radiates to the very center of me. I want this man and I want him badly. He slows the kiss and the hand that held my head just a moment ago now faintly touches my cheek and is now tracing my lower lip, tugging it down. He lowers his mouth to me again, kissing me with more urgency. It's carnal. He pulls away from me and he looks intensely into my eyes again, our breathing is labored and ragged. I don't want to let him go.
He lowers his head again for another soft kiss and simply whispers breathlessly into my ear, "I'll see you in the morning, Bella," and kisses the corner of my mouth.
He picks up my skis for me and grins because he has to guide my hand to take hold of them. I have to use the poles as support to prevent myself from dropping to my knees. That was the most sensual, sexiest, intense kiss I have ever experienced in my entire life.
I need a conference call.
After floating back to reality, I turn to walk to my car, open the tailgate and say to hell with it. Instead of putting my skis in the rack I just stick them in the back of the SUV, remove my boots, pull on my Uggs and climb in behind the wheel. But instead of starting my car I just sit there and lay my head on the steering wheel trying to figure out what the hell just happened. That was fucking amazing. All I feel right now is confusion. I don't know what I am feeling but then again a part of me does. I hate that I don't know what he is thinking but that kiss certainly told me a hell of a lot. It was fucking perfect and amazing and wonderful and he made me want more.
'Don't do it, Bella' I hear my internal warning system scream at me. 'Don't you dare fall for him.' 'It was just a kiss.' 'A fucking amazing kiss!' I reprimand myself for my propensity to fall in love too easily.' Isn't that what you did with Jacob?' 'Did you or did you not fall in love with Jacob the moment you met him?' 'You know you did and you are about to do it again.'
I start the car and pull out of my parking space, heading for home, but not before I sneak a glance at his condo. I see him leaning on the rails of his balcony, his hands supporting him, watching me. Yep, it's time for a conference call
Oh, God, help me.
~BD~
Thirty minutes later, I pull into my drive and leave all my gear in the car as I run into the house to call the girls.
"Rose? Conference, now!" I say out of breath as I get Alice on the other line. "Alice, Rose?" I ask to see if they are both on the line. In unison they say "We're here. What's going on?"
"You guys will never g…guess!" I stammer out, almost too excited to tell them what happened today.
"You met someone!" Alice blurts out. I can hear her jumping up and down in her seat from here. How does she do that!
"I think so… no… maybe… I don't know." I say, confused.
I can hear both of them screaming, demanding the details. I tell them how I first saw him as I was driving to the lake, how I ran into him again at the gas station and then again in the lift line. I tell them how we had lunch at his place and that he drinks the same wine I do and then I tell them about the kiss. I tell them everything. Being the most awesome best friends ever, they grill me and make me tell them everything, not leaving out a single detail, and then I had to repeat it all over again.
"Okay you guys, I know you are excited for me and that I haven't had a man in five years, but I can't just…"
"BELLA," Alice shouts, "You were hurt by Jacob, and hurt bad. That was a long time ago and you MUST let that go. You need to start living again. You NEED to have you some hot and sweaty sex sweetie."
I listen to her and agree that it has been too long. "I know, Alice, I know."
"He's going to be here through the weekend at least. He has a place at Stateline and he asked me if I wanted to take a drive with him tomorrow so he could check in on it while he's here. Then he wants to spend another day skiing. Oh my god you guys, this is ridiculous." I say, taking my braid out and running my fingers through my hair.
Rosalie, never one to mince words, asks me if I was going to fuck him while he was here. Leave it to her to get to the heart of things.
"Rose, I would have dropped him in the parking lot if it wasn't full of dirty wet snow. That fucking kiss was the best of my life and had me lit on all cylinders. I think my ovaries might have exploded." I interrupt myself, laughing, "It has been too long since my body responded and felt like that. That kiss had sex pouring through it and I can't ever recall wanting someone on all levels like that. He wanted me too, I know he did." I start to giggle and then finally tell them, "He pulled me into his dick, you guys." I had to pull my phone away from my ear as I heard Alice scream.
Rose says, sounding all clinical, "Is it something you can work with, Bella?"
I feel a slow grin come over my face and I hear Yello sing , "Oh, yeah."
At this point they were talking over each other and I couldn't get a word in edgewise and finally say "Hey. Hey you guys, shhhhhhh, he said he has two brothers coming in this weekend. What do you think about me inviting them all over for dinner on Saturday? Rose you can cook your famous grilled salmon; you know the one with the pineapple? And Alice you can make that decadent chocolate thing I love? I'll take care of the rest. What do you think?"
They were both excited about the idea until Rose asked if they were single. "I asked Edward if there was a Mrs. Cullen that I needed to be worried about and he said the only Mrs. Cullen in his family was his mother, so it doesn't sound like his brothers are married. I don't know if there are girlfriends involved though. I will find out when I see him tomorrow."
"Did you interrogate this guy about his status, Bella?" Rose asks, knowing how I feel about getting involved in any way, shape or form, with a man that is already committed to someone else.
"Yes, I did, which led to that fabulous kiss." I close my eyes and trace my bottom lip, feeling and remembering his lips on mine.
"Okay, ladies, it's only Monday so we have a few days to plan. Bring your suits. This place has an awesome Jacuzzi along with two horny old men who live next door that like to watch." I laugh, knowing Rose will get a kick out of some public display of nudity just to give a cheap thrill.
"Do I need to bring anything dressy, will we be going out at all do you think?" Alice is always prepared for any situation. She is a complete girl scout.
"I don't know of anything off the top of my head but I would bring something just in case, you just never know. Alice, would you swing by my place and pick up that black and maroon dress that you like so much and bring it with you? I didn't bring anything and since he has a place at Stateline, I want to be prepared. Oh, and bring those shoes that match the dress." I say hoping we can find something to do rather than just hang out and look at each other.
"Okay you guys, I've been on the slopes all day and I want to get into that Jacuzzi so I'm not so sore tomorrow. Edward will be here at 10:00 tomorrow morning."
"Edward, huh?" Alice asks.
"Yeah, Edward Cullen."
"Why does that name sound so familiar, Rose?" Alice asks.
"I don't know, it sounds familiar to me too. I'll Google it and let you know if anything comes up."
I say my goodnights and make my way to the Jacuzzi with a glass of cabernet to relax me a bit. I lower myself into the warm rolling waters, close my eyes and begin to feel the kiss all over again. While I am meditating my phone blings signaling that I just received a text….
E: miss me?
What the…..
B: who is this?
I text back, waiting for a response.
E: the kissing bandit
Oh my god, its Edward…I can't believe he is texting me.
B: hello, Edward. I am just hanging in my tub
E: you didn't answer me Bella
B: what do you mean?
E: I asked you a question
I sat in silence not knowing how to respond. Is this a trick?
E: answer me Bella
I am getting so fucking turned on by this but something is telling me I don't want to not answer him. So I do what any self-respecting woman would do…
B: yes
I didn't hear from Edward for the rest of the night. He's good. He's real good.
A/N: I don't know about you, but I think Edward Cullen is really sexy and I think he might like Bella.