EDGE OF DESIRE

Rose POV

Whoever decided to name me Rosalie should really be shot. I mean yeah, it was a pretty name, don't get me wrong, but was there any other black woman with the name Rosalie? I guess I couldn't be too upset. Having an uncommon name should mean I'm one-of-a-kind. I was adopted, but my new parents decided to keep my first name and add a middle one. That name was Rosalie Lillian Hale. I was six when I was adopted by Peter and Charlotte Hale. At the time, they had already had a son, Jasper, who was eight. At first it was a little hard for me to adjust because I was a little black girl, living with a white family, who came from an all-black foster home. But once I saw that they truly loved me, I knew I was in good hands. It was as if I had truly belonged with the Hales. My big brother Jasper, who I liked to call "Jazz," was my rock, my very best friend. He was always there for me.

As I grew older with Jazz, in Chicago, I became close with two other girls: Alice and Bella. They really were my partners in crime. They were the first girls to speak to me when I first moved in with my new family, mainly because they were sisters of my new brother's best friends: Edward and Emmett. Alice was Edward's little sister and Bella was Emmett's baby sister. Both Edward and Emmett were like my brothers and Alice and Bella were like my sisters. We were inseparable.

I still remembered the day Edward caught Jazz and Alice making out in the back yard at my thirteenth birthday party. Can't say I was surprised, because I always knew Jazz had liked her but never acted on it. Alice, on the other hand, had always said she and Jasper were going to be together. Bella and I just went along with whatever she said. We thought it was cute. Edward—not so much. He was livid. He never thought his best friend would make a move on his baby sister, but after he had cooled off, he later found out that it was Alice who had made the first move, telling him that Jasper was the one she was going to spend the rest of her life with.

We all could tell Alice was speaking the truth. She always knew things and was sure of it. We always joked around with her, calling her a psychic.

Edward wasn't mad for too long. He had received a taste of his own medicine a couple of summers later when Bella and Emmett had to go to Arizona to visit there mom and step dad. It was the summer before I started my sophomore year in high school and Jazz's senior year. Yeah, we missed them, but it was Edward who couldn't go one day without talking to Bella. We all just laughed about it until the day they came back, and he saw her standing at the baggage claim. He just ran up to her, simply grabbed her, and kissed her. Emmett was way too shocked to even say anything.

Ever since they became a couple, Bella and Alice—mainly Alice—was trying to get me and Emmett together. Truthfully, I thought he was too immature for my taste. I won't lie though, Emmett was one fine-ass white boy…just not my type. Besides, he didn't go for girls like me…he always dated the blonde hair, blue eyed type.

"Oh, come on Lee Lee, I know you and Em have something for each other, so why are your crazy asses beating around the bush?" Alice asked while she walked with Bella and I during our annual shopping trip on the last weekend before school started.

I smacked my lips, "Oh please, Ally , just because we flirt a little doesn't mean we're meant to be like you and your precious Jazz."

"Whatever, Rosalie…I know love when I see it."

I shot her the look of death. I hated when they called me Rosalie. I preferred Lee or Lee Lee.

Alice shook her head. "Okay, see? There's an example, we always get the look of death if we call you Rosalie but whenever Emmett calls you Rose or Rosie, all he gets is a punk-ass punch or something."

"Well, that's only because I know he only does it to annoy me on purpose. I don't know why you keep pressing the issue." I heard Bella laugh. We both looked at her.

"And what are you laughing at Bellie?" I asked, causing Bella to look up from her phone.

"Oh, nothing…just a text from Edward." I rolled my eyes. The two of them were almost as sickening as Alice and Jazz. But I was happy for all of them. Edward was like a brother to me so I wouldn't want him to be with anybody else. The three of us rounded out each other. Bella was the quiet, soft spoken one, Alice had enough energy for all three of us, and I took no bullshit from anyone. But, we all had each other's backs no matter what.

Now that the guys were off to college, it was kind of weird not having them there, even though they studied at Columbia, which wasn't far from home. They were about to start their second year there while we were starting our last year of high school. I couldn't wait to be done. We all decided we were going to join the guys at Columbia next fall, even though we were going to be studying totally different things.

"Bells, ask Edward what the plan is for tonight," Alice asked as we left out of Wet Seal.

"Oh, Edward said there's a party at Em's frat house tonight."

I smiled. "Ooh, this should be fun…finally I get to meet some nice college guys."

Alice scoffed. "Yeah, like Emmett will let that happen."

"Whatever. He is not the boss of me. Okay? For real. Lets go so I can find me a cute outfit for tonight."

After we all found outfits for the party, we went back to my house to get ready. The guys were already there, but they had one more person with them. A guy I had never seen before.

"Rosie! How's it goin'?" I heard Emmett's big mouth yell before I could get a good look at the guy. I didn't even look at him, I just simply stuck up my middle finger. Everybody in the living room just laughed, including the new guy. I sat next to Jasper who had Alice sitting in his lap. I got a good look at the new guy that was sitting next to Emmett. He was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. He had a nice milk chocolate complexion. His hair was cut into a nice fade with deep waves all around.

Once I got him to look at me, I smiled and held out my hand and said, "I guess I have rude brothers…I'm Rosalie, but you can call me Lee."

He laughed, took my hand and said, "I'm Royce. Emmett's frat bro…man he said Jazz had a cute sister, but I wasn't expecting you."

Emmett whipped his head around and looked at him and said,

"What's that suppose to mean? I told you she wasn't white."

"Yeah, I know that…but I wasn't expecting her to be gorgeous." I couldn't help but smile. At this point, I'd probably be as red as Bella whenever Edward told her sweet things.

"So, you coming to the party tonight, right?" he asked.

"Of course…wouldn't miss it." Royce smiled and nodded. Alice then stood up and said, "Okay, well, we need to start getting ready now." She grabbed my hand and pulled me up as Bella followed behind us. When we got to my room, Alice let out a squeal that almost made my ear bleed.

"Oh my God that was crazy." I fell back on my bed and closed my eyes.

"I know…he was so cute!" Alice sat on one side of me and Bella sat on the other side.

Bella laughed and said, "Did you see Em's face with he said Lee was gorgeous?"

My eyes flew open and I sat up. "What are you talking about Bells?"

"I think what Bella is saying, is that Emmett didn't seem so happy when Royce called you gorgeous," Alice said as she got up and started going through our bags.

Bella laughed and said, "Yeah, he tried to play it off, but I saw him shoot a quick look of death."

I deeply exhaled and stood up off the bed. "Whatever I'm not even worried about him...he shouldn't be worried about me…Isn't he still dating Lauren?"

Bella then rolled her eyes and sighed. "Ugh, yes…he's still messing with that hag…I swear if she says one more thing about me being pale, I will cut her."

Both Alice and I looked at her with our mouths to the floor. Bella being the soft spoken girl she was, she very rarely vocalized her anger, but apparently Emmett's girlfriend, or whatever, tended to get under her skin…all of ours, really. But I could really care less about the bitch. Lauren was the typical blonde bombshell heifer. When he first started bringing her around, she was too closed minded to understand how I could be Jasper's sister. She always irritated me, but now I just simply tuned her out whenever she was around.

Alice's voice knocked me out of my thoughts as she said, "From what Jazz was telling me, she may not be around too much longer…all they do is argue."

I looked at Alice and said, "Well, good…nobody likes her anyway…okay…enough about Em and his evil whore. I need to go shower."

Both Bella and Alice laughed as I went into my bathroom.

It took us about two hours to get ready. What? It actually takes time to look as good as we do.

Jasper and the other had gone back to their dorms, got dressed, and came back to get us by the time were just about ready. I decided to wear the shirt I bought today; it was a bright red halter which I wore with my hip hugging jeans, and my fire red baby doll pumps. Red was my color, so what?

Alice had put on a cute purple halter with black mini skirt that showed off her amazing legs perfectly, and then topped it off with killer purple pumps. Jazz was going to shit bricks when he saw her.

Now Bella…Lord knows I love that girl to death, but if it were up to her, she would have been going to this party in an AC/DC tee and some ratty ass jeans. Thankfully, we bought her this bomb-ass outfit from Vanity. She had on a teal top with the top of the back tied up which showed off her amazing rack. It also made her beautiful brown hair and brown eyes pop. She was also wearing tight, black skinny jeans. The only thing we couldn't get her to agree with was wearing heels…which was probably a good thing anyway because she was the most uncoordinated person I knew. So, we found her some cute flats that matched perfectly with her shirt.

When we were putting the finishing touches on our hair and make up, we heard the guys at the bottom of the stairs calling for us. I went to open my door when I saw Emmett standing at the door lookin' as fine as hell. I always thought he looked best in newsboys caps.

"What the hell is taking so long?" Emmett said with a look of irritation. I rolled my eyes and turned around and walked over to my dresser to put on my earrings.

"We are just about done…don't get your panties in bunch."

"Yeah, whatever….uh…where's the rest of your shirt?"

I looked at him "What are you talking about Emmett?"

"I'm talking about this piece of fabric you have on…what's all this in the back?"

I swear he could just as bad as daddy and Jazz sometimes. "Oh my god, Emmett, stop it…there is nothing wrong with this shirt."

"Hmmm…we'll see…JAZZ! COME LOOK AT LEE'S SHIRT!"

"Stop being over dramatic, Emmett." By then, Jazz and Edward were both in front of my door. Emmett looked at Jasper and pointed at me.

"Look at the back of her shirt…I don't think she should be goin' to this party dressed like that. Turn around, Rosie, and let him see the rest of your shirt."

I deeply sighed and turned around. I looked at Bella and Alice who were trying to keep from laughing. I rolled my eyes at them and mouthed "fuck y'all."

Jazz said, "I don't think it's that bad…compared to the shit Lauren wears, this is covered up."

Everybody except Emmett busted out laughing.

"Man, what-the-hell-ever…I'm just trying to look out for you. I know how the guys in the house are…I just don't want to have to fuck anybody up."

I turned around to look at Emmett. "You of all people know I can take care of myself. You have Lauren to worry about tonight."

Then Alice said, "I think it's safe to say that Lee's gonna have an extra person keeping an eye out for her anyway…Royce'll be there, right?"

I heard Emmett mumble "yeah" as he proceeded to walk out of my room. I went to grab my purse off my bed as Bella and Alice got up and walked over to Jazz and Edward.

I heard Edward say to Bella, "This color looks so good on you babe." I saw him standing behind her and place a soft kiss on her exposed back. They were just too cute for words. I heard Alice let out a squeal as Jazz pulled her into his arms. If I knew these two well…I knew one thing was gonna to happen and it was not going to be in my room.

"Okay you two, nasties need to get the hell out of my room and we need to get goin'." Most people would ask me if I felt like I was out of the loop because everybody was all coupled up…I would be lying if I said I didn't because sometimes I really did. But I guess I was just too picky when it came to guys. I had only had a couple of real boyfriends. They just weren't on my maturity level so I had to let them go. I thought I really found someone at the beginning of the summer, but I guess he was too good to be true. His name was Tyler Crowley. I thought he was a good one, but I soon found out he was playing me for some skank named Jessica. Since then, I had been okay with not having a boyfriend…but something tells me it was gonna change.

Emmett POV

When I took one look at Rosalie and what she was wearing, there was no doubt in my mind that she looked sexy as hell. I always loved it when she wore red. It went so well with her milk-chocolate skin. I didn't know what really came over me, but I quickly felt overprotective of her because I knew how the guys at the frat house could get whenever they saw a fine-ass girl…and Rosie is one fine woman.

When she met Royce earlier, I had quickly regretted bringing him over. He wasn't as bad as my other frat brothers, but I knew how he could get. I just thought Lee would be too good for him. I wouldn't say Royce was a player…I just didn't want to see her get hurt by someone like him. When I walked out of her room, my phone started to ring. I knew it could be only one person…the one person I didn't feel like dealing with tonight…but I had no choice. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and flipped it open. "Yes Lauren?"

I heard her sigh loudly. "Ugh, where are you?"

"The same place I told you in a text five minutes ago…we're at Jazz's…picking the girls up."

"I don't understand why you're bringing a bunch of high school girls to a college party." This bitch was really starting to get under my skin. I had been seeing Lauren for about eight months and I was about ready to cut her lose. All she did was complain. It was mostly about not spending enough time with her. This really wasn't my fault because I had been recently helping my old high school football coach with football camp. When I was done I was too tired to hear her whiny mouth.

"Lauren…just shut the hell up really. We're about to leave now. Or you could just ride with your friends if you're in that much of a hurry to get there."

She smacked her lips. "Just call me when you're on your way." She hung up. If it were up to me, I wouldn't let her go, but I knew I wouldn't hear the end of it. I deeply sighed and saw Rosalie walking out of her room. She really did look good. She was so confident about herself.

"You alright Em?" she asked as she walked up to me.

"Yeah. I gotta go pick-up Lauren…you wanna ride with me or you gonna ride with Jazz or Edward?"

She smiled. "I wanna ride in the Jeep!"

I laughed…I don't know why that girl was so in love with my jeep; she was really in love with cars, period, but she always wanted to ride in my jeep.

"Then lets go." We all headed out. Edward and Bella got in his Volvo, Jazz and Alice got in his Lexus. When we were in the Jeep and I got her started, Rosalie's hands went straight to my radio.

"Rosie…do we have to go through this everytime? Don't be touchin' my radio."

"Whatever Emmett…I do what I want, now drive."

As I drove, making my way to Lauren's, Rose sang along with the radio…she had an amazing voice. I guess I got lost in listening to her I didn't even hear her calling me.

"Emmett? Emmett!"

"What?"

"Did you even hear what I said?"

"What did you say?"

"I said what kind of guy is Royce?"

Without even thinking I asked, "Why?"

"Because I wanna know, you dimwit!?"

"Damn, you don't have to yell….uh….Roy…he's a good guy I guess…"

"Is he seeing anybody?"

Royce doesn't really "see" anybody. I wasn't really sure if I wanted Rose to get caught up with him. "Not that I know of. Lee Lee, I don't think he's really your type."

She sucked in her breath. "What makes you think that? And how do you know what my type is?"

"Now, don't get all defensive on me, I wouldn't say Roy is a player, but I don't think I've seen him with a steady girl….I just don't want you getting your hopes up."

We pulled up to Lauren's apartment complex. Before Rosie could say anything else, my phone started to ring. I loudly groaned as I flipped open my phone. "Lauren, I'm outside, damn." I heard Rosalie laugh and open the door.

I looked at her and said, "What the hell are you doing?"

"Getting in the back…I don't feel like hearing her mouth. I might end up punchin' the bitch." I laughed as she got out and hopped in the back.

I was looking down at my phone texting when I heard Rosalie say, "Oh my god…Jazz was certainly right about my shirt being covered up compared to her."

When I looked up, I saw Lauren walking toward my car in something that shouldn't even be called a dress. I shook my head and buried my face in my hands. When she got in the car, she leaned over and kissed me on my cheek. I just looked at her with utter disbelief.

She looked at me dumbfounded. "What?"

"What the fuck are you wearing?"

She let out this ridiculous laugh. "It's a dress silly."

I heard Lee giggle from the back and mumble, "Ah ha….dress my ass."

Lauren whipped her head towards the backseat. "Oh….I didn't know you were riding with us."

Rosalie just smiled and said, "Yep…where did you get that…'ensemble'?"

"My roommate Vicki made it…isn't it cute?" I turned to look at Rose and tried to get her to shut up but then her phone began to ring.

We mostly drove in silence…listened to the radio. Rose sang to the radio. When we got to the frat house, I saw that Jazz and Edward had already arrived. They were standing by the door when the three of us got out the jeep. Before I could try to help Rose out, Lauren had grabbed my arm and basically pulled me towards the door. I really could have slapped her for doing that. I looked back at Rose with the most apologetic look and mouthed "I'm sorry." She just smiled and waved her hand at me as she got out the car.

I saw her walk past us with her head held high. Gotta love Rosalie. She walked up to Bells and Ally and linked arms while they walked in together…Only Royce had met the girls, so I knew once the rest of them saw the girls they would probably act like children in a candy store. So, I looked over at Jazz and Edward and said, "You better stay close to them…I know how those fuckers can get."

They both laughed as they grabbed their significant others by their hands. I tried to call Rose over, but knowing her stubborn ass, she wouldn't listen. I saw Royce walk up to her.

Rosalie POV[LK5]

As soon as I walked in the door of the frat house, I started to hear whispers and whistles. This was going to be an interesting night. As I walked further through the house, I kept hearing voices say, "Damn who is that?"

I felt someone grab my hand. At first I was about start going off but I heard a familiar voice say, "Well, Miss Lee, you're lookin' pretty good tonight." I turned to see Royce standing next to me. I didn't want to him to see how excited I was to see him.

I slightly smiled and said, "Well thank you. You don't look so bad yourself." Who was I kidding…he looked like a walking wet dream. He had on this long sleeved grey shirt that showed off his toned arms perfectly and the fitted cap he had on just made him scream sex.

"Well thank you…can I get you anything? Something to drink?"

"No, I'm good for now."

He flashed his smile that just about made me weak in my knees. "Okay, well, why don't I take you around and introduce you to the rest of the frat. I'm hopin' I can get to know you better, too."

He took me around and introduced me to some of his frat brothers. It was still funny to see the look on people's faces when they found out I was Jasper's sister. When I wasn't meeting the rest of the fraternity, we were both trying to find out more about the other. I found out we both had a big love for classic cars. We talked about everything.

"So Lee, why don't you like to be called Rosalie? Rosalie's such a pretty name." Royce said as he grabbed me a drink.

"I just never liked my name because it was the name my birth mother gave me. I never knew her, but when Jasper's parents adopted me, they wanted to keep my first name. As I got older, I always thought it was weird for a black girl to have a name like Rosalie. I hated being called Rose or Rosie…but it seems as if Emmett can't let it go. He's lucky I love him." Both Royce and I laughed.

"Well, I will keep in mind not to call you Rose or Rosie. So, tell me, how come a young gorgeous knock-out of a woman like you shows up to this party alone?"

"Well, technically I haven't been alone since I got here."

He laughed. "I suppose you're right. I'd love to take you out sometime."

I smiled as he pulled me closer to him and started to move to the music. I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Oh, yeah?"

He nodded and just continued to move to the music. We danced the whole night. We caught up with Edward, Bella, Jazz and Alice. Every once in a while Em would come around. Lauren was off with the rest of her clan of blonde heifers. Royce and Emmett's frat brothers weren't so bad. There was a couple who were totally douche bags. The only two I didn't like were Mike and James. Those fools were just really ignorant. At one point during the night, Alice felt that there was a much needed girls moment with just the three of us. So, we went off and danced just the three of us.

"So, Lee Lee, you and Royce have been attached to the hip all night basically….what's he about?" Alice asked. I knew she had been itchin' to get me alone to ask me about Royce.

"Hmmm, well, he's twenty one, this is his second year at Columbia. He's actually a legacy here at Alpha Omega. His father and grandfather were both members of this fraternity. He's a business major…Oh, and he drives a 1965 Impala…he just finished rebuilding it with his dad. He said he would let me get a look at it sometime." Bella and Alice looked at each other and laughed.

"I don't think I've seen you so excited. You seem to really like Royce," Bella said.

"He's a really nice guy."

I felt some one come up behind me and say, "Rosie come dance with me."

I knew it was only one person. I turned to see Emmett smiling, flashing his oh-so-cute dimples. Before I could say anything, he took my hands and pulled me away from Alice and Bella. I laughed as we moved to an empty spot to dance.

"I feel like I haven't seen you all night," Emmett said as he pulled me closer to him.

"Well, whose fault is that? I've been around everybody else and you were off being dragged by Lauren."

"Well, it seems like you and Royce have been hangin' on to each other all night…so…who's to blame there? He's been nice to you?"

"A perfect gentleman. He said he wants to take me out."

"Yeah, he asked me, well he asked me, Jazz, and Edward. It was kinda funny."

I rolled my eyes. "I cant believe he asked ya'll. You guys are not the boss of me!"

Emmett started laughing. "Ya know you are too cute when you get mad, calm down. I told him it was up to you if you wanted him to take you out, but if he does anything to piss you off…it's his face." He tried to keep a straight face but he was so damn silly that he couldn't hold it for long.

It wasn't too long before I heard Lauren's annoying ass voice say, "Emmett, what the hell? I've been looking for you."

Emmett turned around to look at her. "Lauren, I've been in the same spot for the last forty five minutes, where the hell have you been?"

Oh shit, I could tell he was really annoyed at her. She tried to grab on to his arm while saying, "Well, I wanna dance."

He pulled away from her and said, "No, Lauren, I'm already dancing. I'll come find you when I'm ready." Oooh shit…damn. Knowing her…this was not going to end well.

"What the fuck Emmett? You're dancing with this little girl? Last time I checked, you came to this party with me." I could tell he was really getting pissed. He was not a happy person when he got really pissed. He pulled way from me and turned around to face her completely.

"Technically, Lauren, I came with my sister, her best friends, and my best friends…and you. I think it's time we had a talk." Shit…that couldn't be good.