:)

xoxo

Hehehe Thank you! :)

Thank you! We hope you continue to enjoy. :)

Thank you! Wasn't it sad? :(

LOL Yup. ;) Thanks!

LOL Thanks. So do we! ;)

If you don't like Assward I wouldn't read any further, he is going to be very controlling in this relationship, it will take on something similiar to a BDSM relationship

Guess you'll find out soon enough ;)

Thanks RPatzonly.  I hope you enjoy this!

EPOV

Over the years I had imagined meeting Bella Swan again many times.  We were always at the opening night of an art gallery exhibition.  Her blonde hair would be down, her beautiful shoulders bare as I walked up behind her leaving very little space between our bodies because of the number of people in the room.  I would whisper her name close to her ear and she would know immediately who it was, tilting her head to the side, her neck exquisitely close, the sweet smell of her skin driving me to distraction.  "Hello Edward," she would say as I pushed her hair over her other shoulder, goose bumps rising, showing I still had an effect on her.  "Your artwork is exquisite," I would tell her, looking around the room that was full of her paintings.

Sexy Bella would disappear for a few moments as she blushed at the compliment, her stance would falter just fractionally and I would place my hand on her hip to steady her.  She would turn to me, her brown eyes focusing on mine and we would stare at each other for the first time in many years, the attraction still intense.  "It's been a long time," she would say wistfully.   "It has. You left," I would reply.  She would seem a little nervous, looking down not knowing how to respond.  I would place my finger under her chin, bringing her face back up to mine, my fingers lingering along her jawline, caressing her neck softly, a sign that I forgave her for leaving without a word.  "I'm here now," she would tell me.  "You're beautiful," I would breath, barely able to control my lips from meeting hers.  Her smile would be that exquisite one that lit up her pretty face, the one that showed me her soul, so natural and beautiful and real.  "Come with me," she would say, taking my hand in hers and pulling me through the crowd behind her until we were in the darkened stock room.  My fantasies always changed at this point, sometimes I would push her up against a wall, our mouths rediscovering each other as I pulled her legs around my hips, sinking into her easily, her head falling back in ecstasy.  Sometimes I would push her down against a table, sometimes she would straddle me as I sat on a chair, her bare breasts bouncing as she moaned in exquisite pleasure.  But always we would end up in each other's arms, panting, sweaty messes as we devoured each other.  And from that moment on she would be mine again....and I would usually be left with a sticky mess in my right hand.

As I compared those fantasies to the reality of our meeting in Seattle I was overwhelmed with the need to see her face again.  Years of self-control no longer necessary, so I grabbed my tablet and typed the letters I had resisted for so long.

Bella Swan

I pressed on Images and watched as dozens of thumbnails of Bella's artworks appeared.  But it was the images of the artist herself I was most interested in.  Searching I found a few, but not many.  In the first image she stood in front of one of her paintings that was taken during a showing in Los Angeles about six months ago, her dark hair framing her face.  In the photo she looked a little shy and awkward, like she couldn't believe someone would want to take her photo.  The next image, taken in a Seattle art gallery, Bella stood with two men flanking her sides.  Looking at the names I realized one of them had to be her father, the other one was a Dr Jacob Black.  I bristled a little, realizing this must be the ‘Jake' whose name appeared in Heidi's diary from time to time.  There was another photo taken in New York over a year ago of just the two of them, her arm was around his waist and his was wrapped around her shoulder.  He was tall next to her small frame, his dark hair slicked back messily, his stance possessive.  Again, Bella looked somewhat shy and embarrassed, a far cry from the confident sassy girl I had met that first night in my hotel room in Chicago.  But definitely showing a side of her that I was all too familiar with. 

An irrational sense of jealousy that I hadn't felt in many years crept across my skin before settling in the pit of my stomach.  I was jealous of the role this man clearly played in my daughter's life, when I had none.  And if I was honest I was jealous as hell that he clearly had some sort of close relationship with Bella. What that relationship was I had no idea, and I had no right to be jealous of that, not when I was expecting a call at any moment from my girlfriend.  When Bella walked away I had begrudgingly let her go, hoping with all of my heart that she would find happiness and success.  However I selfishly never wanted to contemplate that that happiness could involve another man, I never wanted to have to see it.  My fantasies had all of a sudden taken a sickening turn as I realized I wasn't the one with her at the gallery openings, but this doctor was.

A feeling of desperation to be near them overcame me and stupidly I picked up the phone and called Bella to set up a time where I could meet Heidi, and if I was honest, see Bella again.  But my lack of sleep coupled with seeing pictures of Bella with a man that was also part of my daughter's life meant that I was short and snappy.   

Ending the call I was overwhelmed with a sense of guilt at my knee jerk reactions.  Bella was the mother of my child and one of the two loves of my life.  While I was still angry at her for the way she kept Heidi from me I knew I needed to take the time to sit down and listen to her side of the story properly.  Until then, all I could really do was reflect on my own behavior.   I had kept Bella like a mistress, a dirty secret.   I hadn't even shown her enough respect to allow her to come and go via the front door of my home, instead secreting her through the garage.   Why would she hang around?  What was it about my behavior that gave her the impression I was worthy of her love and respect, let alone that of a child.

Before I could reflect further, my cell rang and I looked down seeing it was Kate.  I knew she wasn't going to be happy given the message I left on her phone earlier cancelling my trip to see her next weekend.   I couldn't see myself making any trips to London in the foreseeable future and I knew that it would probably be the last straw, but I couldn't bring myself to feel anything but relief.

I breathed out and rubbed my eyes as I answered my cell.  "Katie, hi," I cringed, waiting for the barrage. 

AN: So...a few answers, and a few questions.  Yes, Kate is his girlfriend, he acknowledged her as such, so there's no smoke and mirrors when it comes to their relationship.  However, it remains to be seen how serious it is.  We saw Jake's name pop up in Heidi's diary in a previous chapter...so we knew he was going to be part of the story at some stage (if you don't like spoilers don't read the next bit OK).  Has Bella ever mentioned Jake in a regular chapter?  No.  So don't go over stressing and think there's something going on there okay!!.  But Edward doesn't know that ;)

If you have any comments on this chapter PM me, or better still, review a chapter you haven't and let me know what you think!!

soon!

This fic (in its original version as a one shot) won first place people choice in the UNRESOLVED SEXUAL TENSION contest... the entire fic is foreplay...lmao

:-)  I have written the first four chapters and will begin posting on the 20th. I just want to finish out RoaL which will complete on the 13th. But I can't wait to get this going. It's going to be a fun ride!!!!

LOL>... they are coming..posting starts next week!!

Thanks!!

Yea.. she is.. I love this Bella!!

Thanks for reading!!!

Oh darlin'... the food references have just begun ;)

it's coming up soon!!