Chapter 11 Outtake: Polar Play Zone

The Hot Corner

Chapter 12 Outtake: Polar Play Zone

Song Selection

“I'm Yours” by Jason Mraz

**Edward's POV**

The cold arctic air hit me hard when I entered into the Polar Play Zone part of the Aquarium. I was glad I had decided on wearing a light sweater despite the fact that the weather outside was not so bad. Bella, on the other hand, was wearing only a short-sleeved sweater so I hoped she would be warm enough. I should have brought a jacket for her just in case. God, what I would give to see her in my clothes once again. They were entirely too big on her, but damn if she didn't always look beyond sexy.

The loud squeal brought me back from my revelry. I turned suddenly, not believing it could have come from her mouth. Squeal? Did Bella just squeal? I guess she did because when I looked at her, there she stood with a bright smile on her face so wide that I never thought it was possible for anyone to be that happy. God she’s adorable! Aside from the breathtaking smile plastered on her awestruck face, her eyes were fixated on the penguins diving in and out of the water making that god-awful muffled trumpet sound. She caught my eyes boring into her and responded “What? They're my favorite. I could sit and here and watch them all day. I mean, what can I say, the penguins make me happy.”

I smiled brightly at her. I hadn't seen her look this happy since I had reconnected with her. Hell, I don't know if I'd ever seen her looking this happy. She was like a child in a candy store, with an unlimited amount of money. And she was honestly excited over these damn penguins. The innocence of the situation confounded me. I almost couldn't believe it and really had no choice but to laugh.

I turned back towards the penguin exhibit and watched as the trainer came in with a bucket of fish and began tossing them into the water. Holy shit the fish smelled! The birds were all diving into the water with amazing speed and darting for the fish. Several actually began to fight over their find in the water and once again I heard Bella laughing at their antics. It was at this point where I realized just how much I missed her laugh. How I went so long without it was beyond me, but I was bound and determined for this absence of her laugh to never make a repeat appearance in my life. Hell, if the damn silly ass penguins made her this happy, I would buy the entire lot of them.

I watched her carefully wanting to memorize every detail of her face and smile, the way her eyes sparkled in delight, and the way her hands danced across the glass of the exhibit trying to get as close as possible. I was going to have to find out if the Aquarium offered any type of program where they let people come into the exhibits with the trainers and feed the penguins and the other mammals up close. I knew she would just love it.

Her eyes sparkled at me when she glanced my way, and I almost had to wonder if she had read my mind. “Well I have to say, I'm a fan of anything that makes you happy and smile like that, so I guess I'm going to have to like them, too,” I said with a glint of mischief in my eyes.

She rolled her eyes at me and I laughed harder, causing her to try and slap at me. I loved that she was becoming more comfortable around me. It was honestly sort of adorable that she was constantly slapping at me throughout the day. It was the most basic form of flirting and it made my heart flutter just knowing what she was doing. However, I was ready to take the next step with her. I wasn't sure how she would take it, but I was willing to take the risk to be closer to her. So just as her slap was about to land on my arm, I snatched her hand away, holding it tightly in my grip. I smirked seeing her eyes pop open in surprise. “Now, now, Ms. Swan are you trying to beat me up? I won't be able to perform at my peak level if you damage my throwing arm. I'm not so sure if my other boss would approve of this abuse.”

She giggled in response. The cutest little girly giggle I had ever heard. It was like music to my ears. She apparently thought I was kidding though and tried to pull her hand away. I held it tighter yet, taking great pleasure in the lovely tingling and warm sensation it caused to my hand. “Uh uh ah. What do you think you are doing? For my own safety and for the safety of those around us, I think I'm going to have to hold on to this weapon my dear. I'm confiscating your hand for the rest of this visit since you honestly don't seem to have enough control to keep your hands off of me,” I teased her.

She huffed a little, but gave in and relaxed her hand in mine, letting me know she wasn't all that serious about the fight she was putting up. Which, I'm not going to lie, made me smile smugly. “Oh please, Edward. Don't flatter yourself my dear boy. If you wanted to hold my hand you could have just asked,” she said rolling her eyes. The twinkle in her eyes gave her away and I smiled again.

We walked on through the area checking out the other exhibits, but my body was so caught up in the feeling of pleasure from having her hand wrapped in mine that I found it hard to really focus. The most serene, peaceful sensation passed over me and I knew right then and there that I was never letting go. I was her's in any and everyway she'd have me and I wasn't going to stop until she knew, like I did, that our fate's were meant to be. That she was my forever.