Title: R&R (Rebounds and Renewal)
Summary: Bella ends up in paradise recovering from a shocking betrayal but realizing a necessary end. Will a handsome stranger provide her just the type of R&R she needs?
Disclaimer: The author does not own any publicly recognizable characters herein. No copyright infringement is intended.
"Ummm, excuse me? EXCUSE ME? Can I get another, please?"
I slowly awake at the sound of my sister's voice, eyes still closed and slightly disoriented because hers isn't the voice I've woken to recently. I haven't lived with Angela since I was fifteen, and she was eighteen and on her way to college. Unless time travel has progressed leaps and bounds overnight, I shouldn't be waking up to her voice now.
It only takes the sound of the ocean, the breeze caressing my skin, and the distinct smell of sunscreen to remind me where I am.
I'm in paradise. On a romantic getaway. With my sister.
"How was your nap, Bells?" I look over and find Angela looking like the picture of serenity. Her floppy sun hat, oversized tortoise shell sunglasses, and pink-tinged cheeks bring a smile to my face.
It almost makes me forget how we got to be on this trip together.
"Good; how long was I out?"
"For about an hour. I almost woke you up, but you really need the rest, sweets. It's been a hell of a week for you."
We both laugh because that's the understatement of the year.
Two hours ago, we arrived in St. Lucia, and after checking in at the resort, getting settled in our room, and freshening up from the plane ride, we immediately hit the beach and the bar.
Forty-eight hours ago, I called my sister in tears, asking her if she wanted to take a trip to St. Lucia with me since my shitty ex is no longer coming.
Fifty-one hours ago, I left work early to get home and prep for my romantic beach getaway with my boyfriend of almost a year.
When I got there, I found him prepping in a different way.
Balls deep in the cute, blonde next-door neighbor.
We'd only moved in together three months ago, but apparently, it only took one month for them to decide that they wanted to be together. Clearly it was taking him much longer than that to end our relationship, and he somehow thought taking me on a Caribbean vacation before ending things would lighten the blow.
After discovering them and hearing his miserable excuses, it only took three hours for me to kick him and his things out (I'm sure he landed next door), have an emotional breakdown, and in the midst of shock and rage decide that a romantic getaway could become sister bonding time. Luckily, my sister is always down for an adventure; even luckier, she works for an airline company and was able to help me navigate all the steps to getting the ticket switched over into her name.
My sister was the perfect choice for a plus one because, although she is caring and concerned about me, she doesn't do heavy topics or emotions for long. She'd much rather ply me with liquor, sunshine, and good vibes.
Seeing that the server still hadn't arrived back with her drink and in need of my own, I decide to get off my ass and out of my head and try to be present in this beautiful place.
"Ang, I'm just going to go to the bar. I can bring you back a refill." She smiles in response and goes back to reading the steamy romance novel that was occupying her attention when I first dozed off.
It only takes minutes for me to settle in at the bar and capture the bartender's attention. As I wait for Angela's Mai Tai and my Margarita, sounds of joy and revelry to my left capture my attention.
A man with reddish-blond hair and a well-trimmed beard to match sits a few seats over, laughing at something the person beside him has said. While the scene itself is nothing special, his tall, toned frame, full lips, and green eyes are captivating. Not only is he gorgeous, but his laugh booms, and his following words reveal a honeyed cadence that wraps around a slightly raspy and deep tone.
My attention is recaptured by the bartender placing my drinks in front of me, but when I try to slyly peek back at the scene playing out next to me, my heart quickens as I realize that those green eyes are now looking directly at me. I don't know what he sees in my expression, but whatever it is causes those full lips to curve into a smirk, speak quiet words to his companion, and make his way over to me.
"Hi," he says; direct, a little cocky, and positively enchanting.
"Hi," I reply, direct, a little cautious, but completely intrigued.
"So, what has you double fisting cocktails all alone at the bar in the middle of the day?" Smirk still in place; lips so much better up close.
"One of these is for my sister, not that I'm opposed to double fisting." Before his eyebrows have the chance to raise, I feel the blush take over my cheeks; there's a slight pause before we both laugh. "Yeah. I just said that out loud, huh?" I hide my heated cheeks behind warm palms, but this only makes him laugh harder.
"Yes, you did. I like it." I guess he does because the smirk is now a full-on smile.
His smile and the sun and the sip of the margarita I take to cool down my embarrassment spur me on. "I'm, Bella. It's only right that you know my name now that you know something about me as personal as what I just shared."
He takes my hand, but instead of shaking it, he gently slides our palms together and entwines our fingers. "Edward. It's nice to meet you, Bella."
He slides onto the stool next to me and orders a Corona, asking me if it's okay if he joins me.
"What about your friend?" I ask, but then I notice that the person he was talking to earlier is no longer at the bar.
"Funnily enough, that was my brother. He's getting married here in five days; the rest of the groomsmen get in tomorrow so we can fit in a quick bachelor party before the festivities, but he and I came in a day early to make sure everything is ready for the wedding and to get in some surfing."
"Oh! That's so exciting! I feel bad for pulling you away from him."
Still holding my hand, now he gently caresses my palm with his fingertips. "Don't feel bad. He's got some work to do while he's here, so he went back to his room to hop on a business meeting. Besides, I've been the epitome of a best man, including coming early for setup. I've earned the right to spend some time with a beautiful woman."
My skin flushes and heats, but this time it isn't from embarrassment. It's from swirling feelings of lust, and crushing, and curiosity. It's not lost on me that these feelings and this moment with a total stranger eclipse all the feelings I've had over the last few days, and it further confirms that the demise of my relationship may not be such a bad thing.
While I was shocked, angered, and hurt at Mike's betrayal, I'd be lying if I said the loss of him and our actual relationship is the thing I'm grieving. I'm grieving what feels like time wasted in a relationship that just had me going through the motions. As a couple, we ticked off all the boxes, and I truly cared for him. But that care never reached the palpable heat and magnetism I feel in Edward's presence. It was never truly love.
I could feel bad about that and get stuck in my head or I could let myself feel in the best possible way. I've already questioned so much over the last few days, and the only real conclusion I've come up with is that somewhere along my journey I stopped truly experiencing life and creating space to be intuitive to my own needs. So, I decide to go with it. And him.
I invite him back to the spot on the beach where I was sitting with Angela, and he offers to carry her drink. Her look of irritation, likely at having to wait an exceedingly long time for said drink,
is quickly replaced with a look of bemused questioning.
"Hey, Bells! Are they giving away hot men with the drink orders today?" she asks with a glint in her eyes that terrifies me in a way that only a little sister can be terrified in the face of a teasing big sister.
"Ang, this is Edward," I say with what I hope is a warning for her not to embarrass me.
"Angela, nice to meet you." This greeting is less cocky and more charming, and the effect is immediate as my sister smiles genuinely.
We sit and chat about the resort and different attractions as we sip our respective drinks. During a natural lull in the conversation, Edward asks, "So, what brings you ladies here?"
With a devilish grin in my direction, Angela stands. "Well, I think that's my cue to go take a nap before dinner; I'll let Bella tell you those gory details all on her own." With a kiss to my cheek, she whispers, "Girl, he is fine!" We quickly make plans to check in later for dinner, and then it's just the two of us.
I turn to see him waiting patiently, curiously, and decide to just be honest. "Well, originally I was supposed to come here with my boyfriend, but he's now an ex-boyfriend after I walked in on him cheating on me."
The soft smile Edward held is immediately replaced by a look of shock. "Damn! That's horrible. I'm sorry you went through that, Bella."
I shrug not wanting to dive too deep into it and lose the spark Edward and I've had since he first sauntered over. "It is horrible, and I'd be lying if I said it doesn't still hurt, but being away from it all helps me to see that even if it could've and should've ended differently, the relationship did need to end."
"Well, I hate that you went through that, but I'd be lying if I said I was sorry that it brought you here – single, beautiful … and down for double fisting."
The laugh that tumbles from deep within my belly is one of surprise, and it's exactly what I need. He laughs too, and it's so nice to feel this unexpected spark and connection.
Less than an hour with Edward and he already reads me and my needs better than Mike ever did.
"I'll need many more margaritas to keep up with this joke about double fisting without bursting into flames."
"Well, say no more," he says while signaling to a passing server that we need two more drinks, and we settle back into our beach chairs.
We spend the next two hours that way. Tipsy and entranced, seamlessly navigating between jokes and stories of family and adventures, work and wishes. And yet, it feels like no time at all is passing.
...
Eventually, we realize the need to depart and connect with our respective siblings but not before exchanging numbers and planning to meet up later.
After a giggly retelling of our conversation to Angela over drinks and dinner at the resort's seafood and sushi restaurant, I hurriedly rush back to the room to freshen up and meet back up with Edward.
As I am tying the straps for my bikini top, I receive a text from him.
Meet you back at the beach? I'll bring all the drinks this time ;-) - E
See you there ;-) - B
"Wow! Look at you!" Angela says, turning me around in a circle for effect.
While this morning I was cautious, tonight, I'm anything but. After hours spent in his presence and even more time hyping myself up with Angela's encouragement at dinner, I've already decided that wherever this night leads with Edward, I'm going to follow it. Whether it was my choice or not, I am single, I am in paradise, and I am enjoying my time with a man who is as charming as he is considerate, and sexy as hell.
In that mindset, I went with the sexiest bikini I own for our meetup. It's blush pink with a top that consists of tiny triangles trimmed in lace and straps that crisscross to tie around the neck and bodice. Combined with the lace-trimmed high-cut briefs that leave little to the imagination, much of the body I've hidden for the last year under business casual attire or yoga clothes is on display.
"You look hot, Bells. Seriously." Spurred on by my sister's compliments and promises to her that I will do everything she would do and more, I leave to meet up with Edward.
I find him not on the main section of the beach but on a small segment that wraps toward the back of the resort, facing the pool and waterfall there. While this area was packed earlier in the day with a DJ and drink specials, tonight, it's practically empty, and the glow from the pool gives it a serene yet magical feel. I join him on one of the loungers and smile as I see what he's brought: two bottles of Prosecco and charcuterie.
"Now how did you manage this?" I ask since it's only been a few hours since I told him about my Friday night wine and cheese ritual with Angela.
"I have my ways," he says, cocky smirk back in place. "I figured since it's a Friday night, it's only right. Hopefully, Angela won't mind me subbing in for her this one time."
"I have it on good authority she doesn't mind you borrowing me for one night."
"Is that what I'm doing? Borrowing you?" The question comes out both teasingly but also tinged with the promise of something more. He cuts his eyes to me as he pours wine into two glasses, and I realize he expects an answer.
"For now. Let's see how the night goes, and maybe we can come up with a more long-term arrangement."
Slyly smiling and shaking his head, he lightly chuckles as he first hands me a glass, and then clinks his glass to mine. "I like the sound of that."
Neither of us know how feasible that would be because, for as much as we spoke about it earlier, we both carefully avoided the topic of where home is. I know he's single, owns a landscaping and floriculture business, and that he's close to his older brother, Garrett, who's wedding they are here to attend. I also know silly things, like his top three cereal preferences and sweetly intimate things, like the last thing he said to his grandmother when her health was declining in hospice. He knows all about Mike's betrayal, but he also knows how I felt stifled in the relationship for months and in some ways knew the ending was necessary. He knows that I work as a junior editor for a publishing house but secretly want to be an author myself; he knows my top four favorite colors, what my dream vacation is, and how Angela was the only person who could stop me from crying when I got hurt as a kid. But neither of us discussed anything remotely related to what could happen past tonight.
But whether we are talking about it or not, how we feel about each other is palpable. With each passing moment as we sip wine, snack, and play a game of "Never Have I Ever", we lean closer to each other, caress more, whisper in more seductive tones. Our game topics also get much more interesting.
"Okay; I have a good one!" he says as his right hand gently caresses my exposed thigh, and he leans forward. "Never have I ever had sex on the beach."
I take a sip of wine to indicate I have. He doesn't ask questions, but I offer details anyway. "Senior year in college on a beach week trip with my then boyfriend. It was a lot of fun. Almost getting caught by a lifeguard because it was broad daylight was not!"
"Wow! Look at you! I knew there was a temptress behind this sweet and innocent exterior."
I laugh gently and hit him with one. "Never have I ever had sex in a garden." I'm assuming he has because of his job, and when he takes a sip of wine, he doesn't disappoint.
"All right, you got me. The year after college at a friend's party with someone I'd gone on a few dates with who apparently got very turned on by azaleas."
We both laugh before he says, "Never have I ever had sex with someone I just met that day."
I don't sip my wine, but I do find myself leaning closer to him as he licks his lips and stares into my eyes. The air shifts slightly, and I shiver, and the hand that isn't caressing my thigh reaches up to tuck loose strands of hair behind my ear.
With each passing second, our breaths get heavier, and the want and desire grow more palpable. And who can blame me? He's so handsome—there's no denying it—but he's also charming, and sweet, and listens intently when I speak. I can't help but want all this man can give me.
He must be feeling it too because he softly says my name in desire, in request of something more.
I feel warm and open and soft, drunk off sunshine and sea and attention—and it makes me bold.
I lean forward and touch my lips to his, gently at first. This move must be the answer to his unvoiced request because he quickly threads his hands through my hair, gently massaging my scalp as he angles my head to deepen our kiss.
And then there is nothing but the best sensation—lips sucking and tongues softly gliding as we fall into one another. I don't know if it's minutes or hours before Edward gently pulls back and with that raspy, honeyed voice says, "Let's get out of here."
I don't respond verbally, but as I stand, I bring him with me. He wraps his arms around my waist, and we quickly enter the resort and head to the bank of elevators to take us up to his floor.
As soon as the doors close, I turn toward him, wanting and sick of waiting. Looping my arms behind his neck, I pull his face down and press my lips to his. I hear and feel the deep groan that Edward releases seconds before I feel his hands wrap around my waist. And then we're in motion. Lips nipping and sucking punctuated by breathy moans and searching hands—his kneading soft, rounded flesh hidden underneath trimmed lace and mine grazing taut skin hidden underneath cotton. Edward's kneading turns to gripping and lifting, and then I'm wrapping my legs around him.
A soft ding reminds us that we have yet to reach our destination, and in a swirl of lust and passion, Edward walks us off the elevator and down a hallway lined with rooms. I'm vaguely aware that there was a group waiting to enter the elevator as we exited, but as Edward's lips leave mine and trail teasingly across my cheek, graze my earlobe, and settle in the crook of my neck with soft, tantalizing bites, I can't find it in me to care or feel embarrassed. I definitely can't find it in me to stop.
Pressed together, I can feel everything. I can feel tight abs and taut muscles; I can feel every inch of his arousal and am so turned on I slowly begin grinding up and down and kissing on every spot of exposed skin I can find. I need to be closer. I need to be consumed by him.
"Fuck, Bella. You don't know how badly I want to be inside you." He whispers this in my ear as I feel my back press up against a door that I hope leads to Edward's room. Thankfully, he pulls out a keycard, and with a swipe, a buzz, and the click of a door handle opening, we're shrouded in darkness.
Edward doesn't stop moving until his feet gently hit the base of the bed, and then we fall, lips never disconnecting.
As his kisses continue to lick and bite my neck, I feel his hands slowly running back and forth just under the cups of my bikini top. "Can I see you, Bella?"
"Yes," I moan, and a second later, I feel him untie the straps of my top and tug it away by the cup of both triangles, exposing both of my breasts to the cold air coming from the room's AC.
"God, you are so beautiful. Can I touch you, Bella?" Hearing my moaned yes once again, Edward groans as he takes the puckered nipple of my left breast between his lips.
I can't help but sigh and arch my back into his warm, wet mouth. He licks slow, torturous circles around my left nipple while his right hand comes up to gently squeeze and massage my right breast.
As his mouth switches over to give my right breast the same tantalizing attention, his left hand teasingly trails across my left breast, pulling and tweaking the nipple there before continuing its descent with caresses across my ribs that make me squirm, a dip into my belly button that makes me squeal, and finally a slow drag down the front of my bikini bottoms that makes me shiver. He gently hooks his finger around the seam of my panties where I am soaking wet and slides them to the side and begins to rub slow, deliberate circles on my clit with his thumb.
"Shit!" I cry out; everything he's doing feels so good, and as he slides two fingers inside of me, my body is overcome with all the stimulation that he's providing me. I can feel the heat radiating off his body and his arousal pressed against my thigh, and all I want is to see and touch him, too.
"Edward, let me feel you," I somehow manage to pant out, on the verge of falling into the most amazing abyss. He moans but doesn't stop, and with each flick of his tongue on my breast and pass of his fingers sliding in and out of me, I fall deeper. Suddenly, my back arches off the bed, and my mouth opens in a silent scream; no sound or words are capable of capturing how amazing he's made me feel.
As I gently come down, I pull at Edward's shirt, urging him to take it off. As soon as he does, I lean forward and lick a trail from his belly button to the top of his chest, hands already pulling down on the waistband of his shorts.
Edward doesn't stop me, but he does pause me. "So, do we need to have the 'I'm clean' talk? Because I am. I haven't been with anyone in over six months, and I got tested after my last partner."
"I'm clean, too. The day after I found Mike cheating, I went to get tested at a clinic. I'm also on birth control, so we're good there, too, if you're okay with that."
He laughs softly, says "good talk," and pulls my bikini bottoms down my legs. He stands up long enough to remove his bottoms before returning to the bed. I notice how amazing his body is and how smooth, long, and hard his dick is; suddenly, double fisting seems very appropriate.
As he hovers over me slightly, I scoot down so that his pelvis is directly in front of my face. I give him a coy look as I say, "Can I touch you now, Edward?"
"Fuck yes" is the answer I receive.
I lean forward and slowly lick from the base of his dick to the tip, and after the third, teasing pass of my tongue, I take him in my mouth and gently pump my hands up and down what won't fit.
"Fuck, Bella!" he all but yells, as his hands find purchase in my hair.
I lick and suck as his hips push and pull, his hands gently directing me to meet each gentle thrust.
Just when I think my skin may actually be set aflame with how turned on I am and how much I want this man inside of me, he slowly withdraws and lays me back on the bed.
"Bella, I need to be inside of you. Can I? Can I have you?"
While I gently nod my head, I reach down and slowly pump up and down his cock while guiding him to the place we both need him to be. As we both line him up, I crush my mouth to his and suck on his lips, relaying my desire and desperation to finally be joined in this way.
Edward pushes into me, and we both exhale a breath of longing. He immediately sets a deep, slow thrust that makes me clench from every part of my being. As we push and pull, pant and moan, give and take, Edward pulls back and stares into my eyes with an intensity that makes me feel sexy and free and powerful. He moves to cover me with his entire body as his thrusts get harder, and the feel of his weight and warmth on me is indescribable.
"Oh, yes!" I pant.
"Damn! You feel so good." Edward grunts, going harder and deeper with each movement.
I can't do anything but focus on chasing down this euphoria. I'm so close to the edge, and I so desperately want to fall.
As if reading my mind, Edward says, "You're close, aren't you? I can tell. Come for me, Bella. Let me feel it." As he thrusts, he reaches between our slick and sliding bodies to press tight circles into my clit. The combination of his dick, his fingers, and his words cause my body to seize, my back to arch, and the most amazing pleasure to consume me, take me, lift me higher.
"Edward!" It's all I can whisper as my body shakes and shudders. As I start to come down, I'm aware of just how close Edward is to falling as well. I look at his furrowed brow and clenched jaw and know that he's almost there.
"Mmmm, just like that. Don't stop. I want to feel you come inside me," I say, meaning every word but also hoping it helps to get him there. Sure enough, his next groan is one of the sweetest pain and pleasure, his grip under my ass tightens as he tips me forward, going deeper than I thought was even possible. Suddenly, he's falling, too.
"Oh, shit" is all he keeps whispering as his thrusts slow down, and his hold on me tightens. His lips find mine as he slowly pulls out of me and lies down beside me.
For a few moments, there's nothing but labored breathes being shared between panting yet still seeking mouths. Edward gently pulls closer so that I'm half lying on top of him as he begins to caress my back.
As I sit in the silence, elated at what just transpired but already starting to fear never having moments like this again with this man, Edward speaks.
"Bella, where's home for you?"
It's the question I know we've both had on the back burner, but the fact that he now wants to know—needs to know—gives me hope.
"Home is San Diego for me. What about you?"
His hand pauses on my back, and my nerves increase ten-fold. But then, I feel him release a breath and laugh slightly. As he runs his lips across my forehead, he angles toward my ear and says, "Home for me is LA."
I breathe a sigh of relief; while seeing each other would still require some serious commuting time, it's not an insurmountable distance. I realize I'm barely out of one relationship, and I'm already planning to enter another one. Before I can chastise myself about it, Edward flips me over so he's hovering over me, cocky smirk back in place.
"Never have I ever had a long-distance relationship. Want to help me change that?"
Without any wine on hand, I answer with a kiss.