Damn! Shaking my head and sighing in defeat, I pulled over to the side of the road. Luckily for me, there were no other cars to witness my humiliation; however, it was more routine than chance that made it this way – no one ever really entered this rainy little town of Forks, so the lack of vehicles on the road was anything but surprising. Or so I thought. With a grumble, I got out of my black 2014 Hyundai Elantra, bending over to survey the damage. A flat-as-pancakes back tire greeted me, with enough holes to make a damn Swiss cheese jealous. Straightening up, I whipped out my smartphone, deciding that this was a job for the all-mighty Google. Seriously, there are just some things that cardio-vascular surgeons didn't have a clue about, and fixing a flat tire was one of them. Just as eHow was teaching me about wrenches and jacks and spares, I heard the telltale sound of a vehicle coming up the road, and in a matter of moments, a silver, expensive-looking Volvo had pulled up behind me. Great, just what I need, I thought. He's either a good Samaritan or an ax murderer. Anyway, they both suck. I don't need anyone's help; I'm an independent, modern woman! This guy can just get the hell out!

My antagonistic thoughts were flung out of my mind however, when the driver got out of his car. Before, his dark tints had kept me from getting anything more than his silhouette, so when he stepped out, I swear I nearly had a coronary. This man was just gorgeous. He was tall, with perfect pale skin, muscular legs wrapped up in dark pants, a navy pinstriped long-sleeved shirt surely hiding a six-pack, a straight nose, full, kissable, pouty lips, eyes as green as the foliage lining both sides of the road, and topped off with lush, messy bronze hair (whose hair is bronze?!). All in all, I had never seen a more beautiful, appealing man. The male model started walking towards me. Thank God I was wearing my white, three-quarter sleeved, short dress with my matching Louboutin pumps. At least I would look semi-decent next to him. My heart did a somersault in my chest as he opened those glorious lips of his to speak.

"Do you need some help, Miss…" he trailed off. His voice was soft and musical.

Somehow, I found the ability to speak, realizing that just because this man was good-looking, it didn't make him any less of a stranger to me, or any less of a jerk for assuming that just because I was a woman, I couldn't fix a flat tire.

"Swan. Isabella Swan. And my title is Doctor, not Miss," I told him evenly, looking him squarely in the eye and folding my arms across my chest. I wasn't going to play nice.

"I apologize then, Doctor Swan." He exaggerated the title, a smirk beginning to form on those lips of his. "But you haven't answered my question. Would you like some help with that tire? You really do seem to need it…"

I stiffened at his words. That bastard; I would show him! Who the hell did he think he was to imply that I was incompetent?! This stranger was seriously starting to annoy me. "Thank you, but I'm perfectly capable of doing this on my own. So no, I don't need help, especially not from strangers," I said coldly, through gritted teeth. I forced a small, obviously fake smile at the end. The beautiful man looked slightly taken aback, but the surprise in his eyes was soon replaced by amusement. A crooked smile tugged at his lips.

"Alright, fair enough. Let me introduce myself, then: I'm Edward Cullen, and I'm visiting my parents in Forks. I'm a prosecuting attorney for Washington State. Now are we still strangers, Dr. Swan, or newly- formed acquaintances?" He extended his hand towards me.

I looked at it suspiciously for a moment, and then shook it. He was being polite, and gentlemanly, so I supposed I could let go of my irrational resentment until he really deserved it. His palm was warm, the skin smooth. For a split second, I could imagine feeling his hands all over my body. Realizing he was waiting for an answer, I muttered, "Fine, we can be 'acquaintances'. But I'm still fixing my car myself." I scowled at him defiantly.

"Suit yourself. I was just trying to help you out. How about I wait in my car, in case you need me?" he offered pleasantly, smiling widely. He looked certain that I would need his help.

"I won't."

"On the off chance that you do, I'll be there."

Two hours later, he was still sitting in his car, headphones in his ears and a book in his hand, the picture of ease. I, on the other hand, was covered in sweat, grease and dirt, my pretty dress ruined, my hair sticking out in a thousand different directions. I felt like screaming, but I was still determined to keep my pride and do this on my own. Occasionally, Mr. Hotshot-Know-It-All would stick his too-pretty head out the window and sweetly repeat his offer of assistance. I would always decline, and he would chuckle and exchange a few more words with me, just polite conversation, getting to know each other better, before he retreated into his car. I realized I did know him… sort of. We had never met, but his father was a doctor in Forks, and knew my father, Charlie, who had mentioned the name 'Cullen' to me a couple times. They were friends, Charlie said, and had settled in a few years ago.

After another hour had passed, I threw the wrench into the trunk, turned around to face my all-too-polite observer, and smirked triumphantly, lifting my chin. I had done it. It was almost dusk, and I was hungry enough to eat my car, but I had done it; my car was fixed, without a bit of help from Edward Cullen. He smiled back, took his headphones out of his ears, and got out of the car, approaching me. My breath caught a little; even his walk was sexy.

With his bright green eyes twinkling, he charmingly laughed, "You did great, although it did take you forever. I don't know about you, but after all that, I'm starving. Care to join me for dinner, Dr. Isabella?"

I sighed. He was really irresistible when he asked so sweetly. However, there were things I needed to do first. Running a hand through my already-ruined hair, I replied, "I'd like to, but Charlie was expecting me to arrive two hours ago, and if I'm any later he'll dispatch a search party. How about tomorrow? I could meet you somewhere."

His smile widened. "Tomorrow sounds great. We could go to La Bella Italia, if you want. Say, seven thirty?" he asked.

"I'll meet you there, Mr. Edward," I answered, smiling back a little.

"It's a date then," he stated, green eyes intense as they stared into my brown ones. Gazing back into the emerald pools, I felt myself get lost. It was only then that I realized I had avoided looking at him for too long periods of time; his beauty was ensnaring, and by gawking extensively, I had just gotten myself caught. My gaze drifted to his lips, full and pink as they were. I wanted so badly to kiss the man I had only recently wanted to pulverize. And it looked like I was about to get my wish! He began leaning in, and my heart pounded in my chest, blood rushing to my lips. His face was so close to mine, I could feel his breath. And his soft lips met…. my cheek. What?! No! I thought wildly.

He pulled away after his soft peck, and his sexy smirk tugged at his lips again. Damn it! I should've been tugging at those lips! I mentally groaned, looking up at him. "I'll see you tomorrow then, Dr. Isabella," he said softly, sensually."I'm really looking forward to it."

The tease! "S-See you then," I managed to breathily reply. With a final smirk, he turned on his heels (giving me a spectacular view of his rear) and sauntered back to his car. I shakily got into my Elantra, with my 'acquaintance' following right behind. Driving towards Charlie's house, I sighed softly, as my cheek tingled with the ghost of his kiss. I couldn't believe he hadn't gone for it, and I couldn't believe how much I wanted him to! I would try my absolute best to rectify the situation the following night.