"I'm really sorry about that, let me help you with your groceries," he pleaded.
"Um, sure. Thanks. Don't worry about it, a fall was enividable at some stage." He chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. I couldn't stop staring.
He picked up all the bags in one go and held the door with his foot while I gingerly picked my way up the stairs. About half way up, my shoe slipped on the edge of a stair and I started an involuntary descent backwards before a strong hand pressed into the small of my back and pushed me forward. I turned my head to offer my thanks but my eyes were exactly level with his lips - those perfect full lips - and I found myself incapable of coherency and quickly diverted my gaze back down to my feet.
"Which floor do you live on?" The velvety voice broke me from my reverie.
"Uh, umm the third." I knew better than to look at him now. If I did all that would happen would be the reignition of my internal debate on wanting to touch him.
A crooked grin spread across his face. I could watch him smile all day. "What a coincedence.
So do I," he chuckled.
My heart fluttered at the melodic sound - how could someone sound so damn good just laughing?
We both stopped at the same time. iYes!/i He lived across the hall. Excellent. An awesome
apartment. Fantastic kitchen. God-like neighbour. This building is great. I fished my keys
out of my pocket and dragged myself in side. My god-like neighbour/saviour followed me into
the kitchen and set the bags down on the island.
"This place is great," he said, looking around.
"Yeah, thanks. My room mate Alice did it. I love it." I felt like I should offer him something.
And I didn't want him to go just yet. "Do you want something to drink?"
"Sure, thanks. A coffee would be great."
"No problem," I said, flipping on the jug and walking towards the flashing answering machine sitting next to him. "So who do I owe this cup of coffee to?"
"Edward. It's a pleasure to meet you..?" He replied, offering his hand.
"Bella." I finished for him and took his hand. I shivered. Not from cold but from the feeling of his smooth skin on mine.
I turned quickly - I hoped fast enough to hide the blush creeping up my cheeks - to check the answering machine. Upon pressing the button, a loud screech emanated from the tiny black box, causing me to jump backwards and sock Edward in the eye.
"Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh. Shit! Edward I am so sorry!" I gushed, instantly pushing his hands
away from his face and cupping it with my own to get a closer look at the damage I'd caused.
He didn't even have a chance to reply before I babbled on again. "Oh god, that's going to bruise,
I am such a plague." I practically sobbed.
"Bella. Bella, Stop." He looked me in the eye. "I'm fine. It was an accident. Please don't be upset"
Edward crooned.
"Argh. Look at me. I'm such a mess. I hit you, and I'm the one crying. Gahh!" I sniffed. "Stay here.
I'm gona get something cold to put on your eye"
"Bloody Alice," I muttered as I sifted through the freezer for an ice pack.
Edward's musical laugh filled the kitchen again, "I'm taking it that was Alice screeching into the
answering machine?"
"Uhuh," I grunted while still rumaging in the freezer. "I'm going to have to talk to her about that."
I pulled out a bag of frozen veges and wrapped it in a teatowel before passing it to him and hauling myself up to sit on the counter.
"Thanks," he said, pressing up to his face. I just sat there awkwardly staring at him and inwardly cursing myself.
Edward grinned at me from behind the veges. All i could do was look down at my feet to hide what felt like my tenth blush of the afternoon. "So, what are you studying? I assume you're starting at Dartmouth?"
"Uhh, uhh yeah. Um, I'm studying English Lit." I looked down at my feet. I loved it but I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do with it.
A few seconds later I felt a pair of fingers under my chin lifting my face up. I kept my eyes down but it seemed as though Edward was waiting for me to meet his gaze before he spoke. I looked up into the brilliant green eyes and almost melted at the look in them. "Why are you embarassed?" he said softly.
"I dunno," I shrugged. "I love it. But it's not anything amazing. I bet you do something amazing right?"
He chuckled softly. "Doing something you love IS amazing. I..uhh, just started my last semester of Med school."
He was a doctor?! "Oh." I said dumbly. "Wow. Thats amazing. Do you love it?"
"Hmm?" was all the reply I got.
"Edward? Did you hear me? Are you alright? I didn't concuss you did I? Oh god, I bet I did. Shit, I'm such a
klutz. Concussed my neighbour in the first twenty minutes. Christ Bella! What a disease.." My rant was stopped
short when Edward's hands grasped my face and turned it towards his. I looked questioningly into his green eyes
to see them dancing with amusement and something else I couldn't recognise.
"Bella?" he breathed.
"Mmm?" I sighed, trying desperately to stay upright as my knees went weak.
"Shut up," he whispered against my lips before grinning slightly and brushing his lips gently over mine.