So, how do we like FighterWard? Isn't he swoon-worthy? Anyway, I hope you're enjoying the story … What's up next?

Up next will be Edward and Bella's dinner date, along with spending time in the hot tub. Will something more happen? Thanks for reading and thanks for your unending support!

What I own: Some hydrocolloid bandages for the aforementioned burn on my ring finger. Those things are magical!

What I don't: Twilight

Chapter Twenty-Six

Bella took a quick shower, changing into a navy bikini and covering it with a pair of jean shorts and a navy floral tank top. She braided her hair, draping it over her shoulder. In the kitchen, she pulled out a few salmon filets. She placed them in a baking dish, dressing the fish and putting that back into the refrigerator to marinate. Puttering around the kitchen, she got the ingredients for mushroom risotto, sauteed spinach and a fresh salad. She was placing a bottle of white wine into the refrigerator when there was a quiet knock on the door.

Padding to the front door, she opened it. Edward was standing on the steps, holding a gorgeous fall bouquet of orange, teal, and coral flowers. He also had a bag from the deli they'd gone to prior to their afternoon before everything imploded. "For you, beautiful Bella," he said, holding out the flowers. "They're not roses."

"They're exquisite," she whispered, inhaling deeply. "Thank you, Edward."

"I didn't want to come to your place empty handed," he shrugged, shooting her a crooked grin. "I also picked up the brownie bites, remembering that you really liked them."

"When you have a cheat day, you go all out," she teased, opening the door further to let him inside.

"It's rare that I give myself the opportunity. Your dad said I need to gain more weight," Edward said, following her to the kitchen. "How's your calf?"

"Still tight. I used my detachable shower head to pulse some hot water on it. That felt good, but the hot tub will be undoubtedly better," she said. "Do you want some wine?"

"I'm taking tomorrow off. So, yes," he replied, sitting down at the counter on one of the stools. "I'm only going to go for a run in the afternoon. No strength training or sparring."

"Slacking off while my dad's out of town?" Bella chided, pouring him a healthy glass of wine.

"Per his instructions, whenever I train in the ring, I take the following day off," Edward answered. Bella shot him a look of confusion. "I sparred with Wilson and your dad in the morning. I beat both of them handily."

"Wait, when you came to run with me … you were done for the day?" Bella asked.

"No, I had to cool down and I usually either run on the treadmill or do some yoga," he shrugged. "Yoga I do at home, but I saw you running on the treadmill. I wanted to join you. You're quite … focused when you're running."

"You do yoga?" she questioned. "I'm impressed."

"I found that it helped with the over-aggressive nature of fighting," he answered. "When I started, it was a way for me to get over the bullshit with my dad, the death of my mother along with paying for my education, but I was becoming someone I didn't like. My first coach and roommate, Garrett, he's the one who suggested yoga. It helped with my temper and my flexibility."

"Have you tried Pilates? It's another great way to work on flexibility," Bella suggested, taking a sip from her wine.

"I did try it, but it's not for me," he replied honestly. "I like that I can do yoga in my living room with my mat, a few bands, and a YouTube video. No one can laugh if my downward facing dog is atrocious."

"I'd pay to see that, Mr. Masen," Bella smirked. "But, you didn't have to run or spar with me."

"I didn't have to. I wanted to," he said. "We haven't had a lot of conversations since I started training full out and you were working with Rose on your physical therapy." A soft pink tinged his cheeks. "I missed you."

Bella eye's shot to his. His gaze was heated while his smile was sincere. "I missed you, too," she admitted quietly. His smile widened, reaching across the counter, and taking her hand, gently caressing his thumb across her knuckles. Like before, each pass of his thumb went directly to the butterflies in her belly. She wanted nothing more than to crawl across the counter and kiss him until they were both breathless.

Or naked.

"So, what's for dinner?" Edward asked, trying to keep his own desires at bay. Since her fall, they'd rebuilt their friendship and it was morphing into something more. Her gaze was unfocused, swirling with desire as he held her hand. "You promised me salmon."

"I did, with mushroom risotto, sautéed spinach and a salad," Bella said. "Are you hungry?"

"I am and everything sounds amazing," he said, smiling crookedly. "Do you need any help?"

"Nope. You took care of me when I couldn't take care of myself. I want to repay you in kind," Bella explained. "Just keep me company while I make our meal. Okay?"

He did keep her company, but he helped with making the salad and chopping ingredients for their meal. They talked about the early years of Bull Dog and some of the famous fighters that had used the gym. Bella shared some of her history, when she'd pretended to fight Eleazar Salazar, one of the most famous fighters from Brazil, when she was six. He happily played along with her, falling, and acting knocked out. It was her 'fight' with Eleazar that lured him to join the gym.

"Eleazar was lured to Volterra after he was injured," Bella frowned. "He wanted to continue fighting, but my dad, Carlisle and our team of specialists explained that it was time to hang up the gloves."

"Let me guess, they put him into a fight where he had no chance of winning and was completely pummeled," Edward sighed.

"After the fight, he was in a permanent vegetative state," Bella whispered, blinking up to him. "His long-time girlfriend believed he'd make a miraculous recovery. A year later, she made the decision to unplug him."

"He didn't have any other family?"

"A two-year old daughter with the girlfriend," Bella said, walking to the mantle. She plucked off a photo, handing it to Edward. "The girlfriend gave her up for adoption because Eleazar's care was not covered and Volterra refused to pay for the medical bills. She used his money to pay for his medical bills, but couldn't look at the girl." She pointed a beautiful woman with dark curly hair, black eyes, and toffee-colored skin. "Irina was adopted by a couple that knew Carlisle and Esme. She was adored by her adoptive family and now trains at the gym in MMA. She's making a name for herself."

"Are you friends with her?" Edward asked, handing it back to Bella.

"Before she turned pro, we used to fight in the same matches. But, yes. We're friends. She's currently fighting the circuit in Australia," Bella said. "I'm supposed to check in with her at the end of the month."

"You're flying to Australia?"

"We've got a couple of fighters down there, but yeah," Bella answered. "I'm going to do some travel for pleasure, go to New Zealand, Singapore, and Japan. If you're not fighting for Bull Dog, you could join me. My dad, he understands that I have to travel for the gym, but he hates when I go on my own."

"Hmmm, food for thought. Your dad thinks that I could possibly be ready by the new year," Edward smirked. "I've been to Australia, but never to the other three. If would like a travel partner, I'm up for it."

Bella's eyes twinkled as a slow smile spread over her face. "I'm planning my trip next week. We can meet up to pick flights to meet up with Irina."

"Looking forward to it, beautiful," Edward replied, sipping his wine with a crooked grin.

Dinner was delicious, eaten out on the deck and overlooking the water. Bella was rubbing her leg, grimacing.

"Your leg still tight?" he asked.

"Yeah," she sighed, standing up and grabbing her plate along with the platter that held the salmon and spinach. "It was cramping while I was sautéing the spinach. The hot tub is calling. Can you do me a favor? Take off the cover from the hot tub, turn on the lights and let it start bubbling."

"Sure thing, beautiful," Edward smiled, picking up the salad bowl and his own plate. He followed inside, putting the plates on the quartz countertop. He helped bringing the rest of their plates inside before flipping on the twinkle lights around the hot tub. He put his hand in the water, grinning at the temperature. He found the button to get the jets to work, along the lights at the bottom of the tub.

"This thing came with my house," Bella said, holding an armful of towels. "It was in bad shape, but the ex helped me clean it out. Once the leaves were removed and it was thoroughly cleaned, it looked amazing."

Edward's lip snarled, but he quickly hid it.

"I saw that," she laughed, putting the towels on the table next to the tub. "Jacob was a douche. Will always be a douche, but he had moments …"

"Did you and he …?" Edward asked, trailing off. He thought of the two of them in this very hot tub, naked, doing things he wanted to do her.

"Oh, OH! Oh, God! No! Ewww!" Bella said, shaking her head. "Jacob and I … well … he was very …" Her face flamed. "Until I found him in bed with two other women, I thought he was a prude. I was the adventurous one."

Edward's brow quirked up. "Really?"

Her cheeks were still pink as she took off her tank top and jean shorts. She hopped onto the edge, sliding into the water. "Definitely adventurous," she said, moving to sit on the far side of the hot tub.

Fuck. Me. Sideways, Edward growled to himself.

A/N: We'll wrap up the date in the next chapter. The gauntlet was thrown, hmmm? Just how adventurous is she? And, what about Edward?

Leave me some thoughts.