Chapter Five: Something

Summer days on the island were quite long. The sun wouldn't begin its descent until around nine in the evening, bringing with it pleasant, cool temperatures, especially on the coast. The silence in the air broke occasionally from the squawk of different birds, echoing through the trees. The scene laid out before Bella seemed perfectly made for a wonderfully long evening of eating, talking, drinking, and laughter. Memories of Gran's many bonfires and barbecues brought a smile to Bella's face, and the possibility of reinstating this tradition at the B&B filled her with a sense of belonging and purpose.


She could've sworn she felt her grandmother's presence as she looked out towards the fire pit where the men were currently setting up chairs and laying out blankets. Rosie was busy firing up the grill while Alice flitted in and out of the house, bringing different food items to a small stone table Gran had installed a few years before.


Bella's eyes drifted to Edward, as they always did whenever he was in her vicinity. The embarrassment from earlier in the day filtered back into her thoughts- a different kind of warmth now spreading through her body. The sight of him half wet and half naked had been enough to render her useless for the rest of the afternoon. She decided to lie down and rest before what she knew would be a long night ahead of her. If her reaction to him in such a state was any indication, then she would need her wits about her to control reactions that were quickly becoming instinctual.


Not that there was anything wrong with flirting or getting involved with a guest, but there was just something unsettling about it, as if there was some invisible "Handbook of Acceptable Practices for Innkeepers" or some similar nonsense. Bella quickly chastised herself for feeling guilty about being attracted to a guest and talked herself into believing that it was, in fact, okay to do a little flirting.


It wouldn't go much farther... it couldn't, she thought. He'd be gone in another week.


But, as Rosie so eloquently pointed out during a brief, private conversation in the kitchen, maybe Bella just needed "a stress-free roll in the hay."


Bella's romantic past wasn't much of one, really. Besides a couple of boyfriends in high school, she never really experienced the type of connection some of her other, more outgoing friends had. She wasn't inexperienced, and her memory of losing her virginity on prom night wasn't unpleasant. Garrett had been quite gentle with her, and considering it was the first time for both of them, it was pretty nice. They had sex together a couple more times afterwards, but Garrett left for college soon after, and Bella had decided to end things. She knew long distance relationships were virtually impossible to nurture, especially those born from high school infatuations.


Since then, her focus had been finishing college and getting back to her Gran, who was getting progressively sicker. Her priorities were far different from most attractive, single twenty-something women.. But she didn't mind. Bella always took responsibilities seriously, putting her social life on the back burner.


But ever since Edward entered her life, Bella found herself feeling things she hadn't allowed herself to feel in ages. She was so lost in thought she hadn't noticed Edward's amused expression as he caught her mid-ogle. She felt herself blush and quickly looked away. She thought she heard him chuckle to himself, but decided it was best to not chance another glance.


The evening progressed slowly as the guests gathered around the fire pit. Jasper and Edward watched Rosie as she moved fluidly from the prep table to the grill. She was in her element and looked as if she were dancing a well-choreographed waltz. Bella took in the scene before her and smiled. She finally felt a trickle of the happiness she felt all those years ago when Gran hosted these gatherings.


All the while, Edward continued to steal glances of Bella while she engaged Alice in conversation. Bella sat in one of the Adirondack chairs he had set out earlier, chocolate hair dancing in the breeze. The smooth skin of her neck peeked out from her sweater as she tilted her head, listening and giggling as Alice spoke and flailed her arms around for effect. Edward was addicted to her smile... addicted to the sparkle in her deep brown eyes as she emanated unrestrained glee. He hadn't noticed he was grinning in her direction, but Jasper sure did.


"You should take a picture, it'll last longer," Jasper teased.


That shook Edward out of his temporary daydream as he turned quickly to Jasper.


"I... um... What?" Yes, Edward. That sounded profound.


"Bella's quite a gal, isn't she?" Jasper asked knowingly.


Edward feigned nonchalance, taking a seat on the stone ledge surrounding the area. He quickly tucked into the hamburger Rosie had just handed him.


"She's a nice girl," he chews thoughtfully and smiles.


"And pretty too."


"She's attractive."


Jasper noticed something between Edward and Bella from the moment Edward walked into the house days ago. His intuition was especially heightened, he believed, since he had found love and happiness with Alice. Wanting everyone to experience what he had with Alice, he figured he could spread the love.


"Edward, forgive me for the possible intrusion into your personal life, and stop me if you feel I'm steppin' over the line. But I've noticed something between you and Bella. Now, I might be way off-base here, but have you given much thought to when you're gonna stop dancing around each other and just let her know how you feel?"


Edward froze mid-chew and his heart thumped loudly in his ears. Had he been that obvious in his feelings towards her?


Jasper chuckled at Edward's shocked expression, and mentally patted himself on the back for hitting the nail on the head. Edward felt something for Bella. That much was certain.


"I don't know what you're talking about," Edward replied after swallowing his food.


"What, you have a girl back home or something?"


"NO! No... I'm not with anyone."


"Seems like a shame to waste such an opportunity. She obviously likes you..."


"Obviously?" Edward repeated, surprised.


"Oh, come on, Edward. The way she looks at you? Seems obvious to me."


Edward stared at Jasper for a moment, trying to piece together all the new information. Well, it wasn't exactly new to him, but he wondered just how blatant he and Bella had been about their attraction to one another. He knew Bella felt something, but wasn't sure if it was attraction, or just a strange familiarity that she couldn't place. He was hoping to clue her in about who he was tonight, but he didn't want to just come out and say it. He knew he was being selfish, but he wanted more time with her. He wanted to be close to her, and was afraid that if told her everything- who he was and why he was there- he might miss out on what could naturally develop between them. He knew now that he was falling for her. He needed to know if she felt the same way. If she did, then what did that mean for them? How would this impact Bella's life?


Alice and Bella's laughter brought him back to the present; he stared at Jasper who grinned knowingly before tipping back his beer to his lips.


"What do I do?" Edward sighed. "I'm leaving in another week. I travel a lot. It wouldn't be fair to her." He was saying the words out loud but trying to convince himself that maybe staying away from her was for the best.


Better to just give her what belongs to her and to move on, he thought.


"I was never a big believer in fate, until I met Alice. It is possible that you being here is a catalyst for something bigger for you, and maybe even Bella. Trust me, you don't want to squander the opportunity you've been given. You'll never know unless you take the leap, man."


Jasper's words had Edward processing all of his emotions, as he stood and nodded slowly in silent appreciation for the other man's concern. He decided to do the one thing that always helped him clear his mind. Photography nourished his creativity, but it also helped him relax and see things more clearly. Hopefully Bella would see things more clearly too.


Now determined in his new plan, he hoped above all hope Bella would understand.


An hour passed and the lazy voices floated along with the dancing flames and smoke from the fire. Bella was quite content and relaxed after two beers, enjoying the gathering of newfound friends, despite the butterflies she felt every time Edward locked eyes with her.


Bella and Alice shared wonderful conversation about everything and nothing at all. Although she loved Rosie like a sister, it was nice to be able to share and talk with someone else. Alice was spunky, optimistic, and her overall happy demeanor was contagious. Just as they were discussing every detail of Alice and Jasper's wedding, Jasper sat next to his wife, cuddling up behind her as she leaned against his chest. Bella observed the silent gesture and smiled wistfully. She loved to see couples who could communicate without words- where one look or one touch was all it took to convey their soundless message.


Her thoughts turned to her parents, as she remembered the soft smiles and glances, the brief caresses her parents shared around the house when she was little. They were truly in love and Bella dreamed of finding someone who would be so connected to her that words would not be necessary. Of course, life dealt her a different hand, burying those desires and aspirations in exchange for the reality that now defined her.


Alice stared at Bella, noticing her faraway expression and wondered what her life must've been like. She wondered if this romantic setting made Bella the tragic heroine to some sad story. Alice had observed Bella since she arrived and knew that there was something about her that was unique ,vowing to uncover it before she departed from the island.


Just as she pondered how she was going to get answers from Bella, Jasper leaned in to whisper in her ear.


"Is it just me, or are these two completely clueless about one another?"


She turned to look at her husband and smiled knowingly. So Jasper had seen the same thing she had. Edward and Bella were sweet on each other, just too blind or cowardly to do anything about it.


"Completely clueless," she giggled. "I hope they figure it out before it's too late. Maybe we can do something to speed things up?" she whispered excitedly.


"No, let's leave them be. I have a feeling Edward has finally realized what he needs to do," Jasper replied, jutting his chin in Edward's direction. When Alice followed Jasper's gaze, she found Edward strapping his acoustic guitar on, quietly testing and tuning the strings before strumming random chords.


Bella, who had been lost in her thoughts and oblivious to Jasper and Alice's musings, started to dose off until she heard what sounded like music. When she opened her eyes, she found that everyone had gathered around Edward. Bella wondered how long she had dosed before she heard familiar chords waft through the cool night air. When she finally became more aware of her surroundings, she found that Edward was gazing at her, his eyes dark and reflecting the embers from the fire. It was at that moment she heard him sing the first lines. Once he began, she was paralyzed listening to Edward's beautifully haunting voice.


His voice was heartbreaking.


She couldn't believe what she was hearing. It was as if he knew what he was doing to her. She was spellbound to every nuance and cadence of his voice, as he sang one of her favorite songs.


Something in the way she moves


attracts me like no other lover


Something in the way she woos me.


I don't wanna leave her now


You know I believe and how...


Bella finally stood and slowly made her way to the group gathered around the fire. The notes and his voice called to her. She looked around, finding Rosie was grinning as she patted the seat next to her. Bella sat back and looked over to Jasper whose arm encircled Alice as they listened, totally engrossed in the music.


At least I'm not the only one dazzled by the man.


As he continued to sing and strum the notes to one of the most beautiful songs ever, Bella's mind drifted to memories of her mother and father dancing to the same tune in the living room of their home. She remembered how her dad would play the Beatles every day when he arrived home from his shifts, singing the words out loud and encouraging Bella to sing along. The Beatles would always be equated to her father in Bella's mind and she marveled at the coincidence in Edward's choice of music.


When he played the last chord, the guests clapped softly and praised his talents. Bella hadn't realized that she was still frozen in place until Rosie suddenly appeared, waving her hand in front of her friend's face to snap her out of her Edward-induced haze.


"You alright there?" Rosie asked slyly.


"Um, yeah. I'm fine."


"He just upped the swoon factor, didn't he?"


"Totally," Bella replied honestly.


"When are you going to stop appreciating from afar and start being proactive about this?"


Bella looked down towards her feet. "He's leaving soon, Rosie. It's useless."


"So? I'm not telling you marry the guy, just take the opportunity that has presented itself and have some fun."


"That's not me."


"Well, maybe it's time you change, then." Rosie raised a brow.


Bella looked up at that moment to see Edward laughing at something Alice and Jasper were saying before he glanced quickly in her direction. He smiled at her shyly, his hand scratching the back of his neck. Bella looked away, fluttery feelings enveloping her as they did every time his turquoise eyes met hers. Rosie's triumphant smirk abruptly broke Bella's fuzzy thoughts.


"You know he's all about you, too."


Bella rolled her eyes and sighed at her friend before dismissing herself, wandering towards the rocky shore. She needed some time to think things over, explore all her emotions, replay all that Alice and Rosie had told her. She never once stepped close to the water, but admired the flat, glistening plate-like quality of the harbor from her perch on the rocks. All was still. The cool dewy air smelled of water, wood and smoke.


Bella's thoughts were all jumbled up in a mess of memories, sadness, introspection. But within those thoughts, laced throughout like vines winding around a trellis, were feelings of nervousness, excitement, and... hopefulness.


What she was nervous about she couldn't quite pinpoint. She knew she had just met Edward, but for some reason she understood there was something more to him, something she couldn't put her finger on. She also knew and accepted the fact that she was quite taken by him, by his physically beautiful presence, as well as his quiet energy. She suddenly found herself imagining what his hands would feel like on her face, wrapped around her neck. How his fingertips would elicit goosebumps down her arms, how his hands would feel wrapped possessively around her hips. Before she knew it, she felt flushed and tried, unsuccessfully, to think of something else.


Moments later, just as Bella was finally able to steer her thoughts toward less excitable topics, she heard the crunching of footsteps on gravelly sand. Immediately, she felt the air change and charge and she just knew who was coming closer.


"Mind if I join you?"


His sexy caramel voice wrapped around Bella like a warm blanket.


"Um, sure," Bella said, almost inaudibly as she scooted over to give him room. His warmth was comforting as he perched himself next to her. Their legs brushed up against each other every so slightly, but it was enough to heighten Bella's awareness of him. She immediately noticed his guitar in hand.


Edward had watched Bella stroll over to the spot while he and Jasper conversed and couldn't for the life of him take his eyes off her. It was like she was calling him, drawing him in with her very essence. He controlled himself, however, not wanting to seem rude to present company. But being perceptive was one of Jasper's gifts and he wasn't stupid- he'd basically ordered Edward to go after her. When Edward caught Jasper's knowing expression, he couldn't deny what he was feeling for Bella. With a pat on the shoulder, Jasper sent him off.


"Penny for your thoughts?" Edward asked softly, afraid to break the silence around him.


Bella smiled timidly. "Oh, a little of this, a little of that," she said looking out towards the water.


"I was just thinking about Gran... how much she would've liked all this." Bella was careful not to divulge anything that would indicate her thoughts about him. Whatever they were.


Edward nodded, taking a moment to observe the still waters before turning his attention to the arresting creature next to him- the girl, now a woman, who left a lasting impression on him so many years ago.


The pictures from his father's office didn't do her justice at all. She had become a stunning, engaging woman. There was an understated beauty about her- it was completely effortless, and she had no idea.


"Well, I didn't know her, but I could speculate she would be really proud of you. Not just about tonight, but everything. You've managed to run this place all by yourself, you've taken the cards that life has dealt you and done pretty well for yourself."


Bella blushed before peeking up at him through her lashes. "You're way too generous. I've only done what little I can to survive. I really haven't done much... I mean, I haven't even been to a fraction of the places you've seen..."


"You need to stop being so hard on yourself, Bella. You've done wonderfully with what you got. There's nothing wrong with living simply. Most people would consider it a dream to live here like this." He gestured to their surroundings. The beauty and peace of the island had enough allure to make him want to consider a vacation home. Add the fact that Bella was there, and it was almost too much temptation.


Bella laughed quietly. "Yeah, I guess you could look at it that way, Mr. Half-Full," she said, nudging him gently.


"But look at you. You're a successful photographer, you travel around the world seeing places that most people only dream about, you play guitar..." Bella trailed off.


At once, Edward placed his guitar in his lap, wrapping his elegant, long fingers around the frets and strumming a random chord.


Bella's curiosity won out. "How long have you been playing?"


"Oh, I started guitar in high school. My friends put together a band and needed another member, so one of them taught me the basics. After that I played on my own, pretty much self-taught."


"Wow. I'm sure the girls were all about the hot guy with the guitar."


Bella's words came out before she was able to stop them. She hadn't intended to sound like a flirt, even though she had promised herself she'd loosen up and take Rosie's advice. And now, here she was telling the man next to her she thought he was hot... indirectly, but still.


Edward caught her fidgeting with her fingers nervously and smiled inwardly. So she thought he was hot. He felt like a teenager again as his nerves threatened to leave him speechless. So he strummed the strings some more in order to allow himself some time to recover.


He chuckled before answering. "Oh, that might have been my goal back then, but it rarely worked out. I was a bit of a nerd."


"Really? I never would've assumed that. You always look so confident. You sure you weren't Mr. Popular and you're just pulling my chain?"


"Ha. Yeah. No. Not at all. I was usually in the art or music room. We weren't very high on the popularity scale, I'm afraid."


"Well it seems to have worked out for you," she replied quietly.


There was an awkward silence before she continued. "I wish someone would've taught me to play. I've always wanted to."


Bella caught a little spark in Edward's eyes and a smile grew from the corners of his perfect lips. "I could remedy that, you know. C'mon, let me teach you a couple of chords." He was hopeful that Bella would take him up on the offer.


Bella eyes widened as she contemplated his suggestion. Edward smiled even wider when he took in her excited expression, which she punctuated with an enthusiastic nod. He chuckled and moved to place the instrument on her lap.


When Bella went to arrange her fingers on the fretboard, Edward instinctively raised his arm and covered her hand with his to help her with finger placement. The hum of silent energy that traveled through them at the point of contact stilled them both. Bella felt his warm, delicious breath on her neck and turned her head towards him to see where he was placing her fingers. She hadn't registered how close his face was, and froze when her lips brushed ever-so-slightly against the side of his stubbled jaw.


Edward's heart felt as if it were beating triple time as Bella's soft lips touched his skin. He froze for a moment, even though his gut told him to kiss her. He was so close... so close to her that he could smell her light floral scent, but he couldn't bring himself to close the proximity. He was in suspended animation before Bella decided for them.


She couldn't understand what was happening, but before she could get a grasp on the situation, her lips found his.


It was careful, gentle, and tentative. It wasn't even a kiss by definition. It was touch. It was connection. Both of them just feeling.


Her mouth moved first, placing a light kiss to his bottom lip. When she felt Edward's lips gently kiss her bottom lip, all caution flew out the window.


Just have some fun, Bella. Just have some fun.


Bella intensified the kiss by bringing his top lip between her teeth and gently tugging. She heard Edward groan faintly as he opened his mouth to her. Bella's instincts took over as the hand that wasn't covered by his on the fretboard came up to caress his jaw.


Edward's insides were a jumbled mess as he tried to make sense of what was happening. He finally gave up and gave in to the growing need he had to be close to her, to feel her. The guitar was quickly forgotten and set aside the ground before his hands found their place on her neck, his thumbs rubbing small circles on her cheeks. Her skin was warm silk, and he couldn't get enough.


Bella's tongue poked out and teased his open mouth in search of connection, and Edward responded by inhaling deeply before closing the gap and kissing her deeply and passionately.


Her hands had found their way to the back of his neck, grasping and pulling at his hair in an effort to get him closer to her. The need between them flowed through the darkness- silent except for their occasional moans.


When they needed to break away for air, he couldn't stay away from her skin and trailed his lips down the column of her throat with hot, wet kisses. His hands traveled to her sides, finally wrapping around her waist. His fingers splayed across her lower back as he pulled her towards him.


"God, Bella... you... what you do to me..." Edward gasped against her sweet skin between kisses. Bella moaned at feeling his breath against her and gripped his hair harder, not able to contain the need she felt for him.


Hands and lips and fingers continued to connect, feel, and pull... closer and closer, until they both forgot the world around them and reveled in each other's touch.