So...this is where things get a bit different.
Even chapters are italicized = past/third person. In the manuscript I had these pretty fonts...not here :(
It is SO nice to see so many people coming with me...again.
Forgive me if I missed changing a name. They were Seth and Sara not Edward and Bella. But I think I caught them all.
Your words picked me up big time.
Chapter Two
First Glance
The October sun was bright, painting the grass with shadows as it streamed through the crimson and ocher colored leaves. The campus of the University of Washington was beautiful in the fall, drawing students out to the quad in droves.
Late for class, as he always seemed to be, Edward Cullen took his time meandering across the grass. His attention was split between the eager co-ed who had attached herself to his side and the rest of the student body as they lounged in the sun.
Edward had turned his head to acknowledge a friend when he saw her. His feet suddenly refused to move, making the girl next to him stumble; giggling wildly as she nearly fell. His fingers, which just moments earlier had been drifting down toward his companion's tight ass, were now clenched into fists. The only thing that kept him from sprinting across the quad and dragging the mystery girl into his arms was his waning self-restraint.
Her dark hair was pulled back off of her face in a messy bun, as if there just hadn't been enough time to do anything else with it. A black bag was slung over one shoulder, stuffed full with books and he found himself wondering what else might be hiding in there. Were there condoms between the pages of her notes, just waiting for a chance to be useful? For once in his life, Edward actually wanted to discover the mysteries that might be hiding in the bottom of a woman's bag.
Edward's feet shifted awkwardly as he stood watching her. Never before had he felt uncomfortable in his skin. He'd always embraced his height, proud to stand six-foot-six-inches tall. His broad shoulders and long legs made him noticeable wherever he went. When you added in his copper colored mess of hair and bright green eyes, well you had a show stopper. But at that moment, Edward wished he were small enough to fit inside her bag.
Still hanging off his arm, Maggie was getting impatient. She dug her fake nails into Edward's bicep, attempting to drag his attention away from the plain looking girl stumbling across the quad, but it was too late. When her teeth nipping his earlobe and fingers raking through his hair didn't sway him, she sighed and walked away.
He was caught hook, line and sinker with just one glance.
*()*()*
Even though he knew skipping his Intro to Business class would put him behind, Edward was unable to help himself. He attempted to be covert as he followed the girl to Gates Hall, watching as she stood in line to get a cup of coffee. He considered handing in his man card when he sighed watching her little nose scrunch up as she blew across the steaming cup. And then felt his pants get tight as he imagined her blowing on something else.
By the time she headed into her dorm hours later, Edward still didn't have a clue what her name was. He did know that she was taking Intro to Physics, English Lit and Comp Sem. He had her pegged as an English major, probably in her second year. As she disappeared into McCarty Hall, he desperately wanted to follow, but knew he needed to be patient.
She would be his, but it would take time.
*()*()*
"Hello, my name is Edward Cullen."
Bella jumped at the deep voice that disrupted her reading. So immersed in the world of Shakespeare and Melville, she hadn't noticed the man standing in front of her until he spoke. Squinting up at the larger-than-life interruption, she tried to ignore the way his baritone vibrated through her. Even just the thought of the way his voice affected her, made her cheeks flush pink. Somehow harnessing her ingrained manners, she opened her mouth and introduced herself.
"I'm Bella Swan."
When she motioned to the empty seat beside her, Edward was thrilled. She was even more beautiful up close and he now had a name to go with his late night fantasies. He looked longingly at her hand, aching to hold it, to touch her, but knew he needed to wait.
Patience was a virtue.
*()*()*
The slow dance of attraction took place on an unassuming bench in the middle of Grieg Garden. Their first conversation settled around family and friends, interests and majors. Edward bitched about his boring classes while Bella complained over her overwhelming course load. Every day they would meet, if only for a few minutes between classes.
Three weeks after their first fumbled exchange of words, Bella finally got up the courage to question him about a rumor her friends had heard. She had a hard time believing that the shy, sweet man she had slowly been falling for was the manwhore her friends insisted he was.
"Edward, are you a slut?" she asked quietly, her eyes locked on the messy notes in her lap. When he remained still and silent next to her, Bella swiveled on the bench and looked up at him.
Edward had his eyes closed, his auburn brows scrunched tightly. He had to have realized one day his reputation would come back to bite him in the ass, he just didn't count on how much it would hurt.
"I used to be...free with who I gave my affection to," he said. Hearing the truth hurting more than Bella thought it would. She had to give him credit for the classy way of saying he was a player.
When he continued, the depth of honesty and sincerity in his voice shocked her. "That was all before I met you. I swear to you, Bella, since the day I saw you, I've been unable to see anyone else."
Edward knew it sounded like a line, but it was true. He wasn't looking to score. He was looking for his happily ever after. And he decided he would spend the rest of his life proving that to her.
*()*()*
Edward's palms were sweaty as he paced in front of their bench. He couldn't wait any longer. The need to take Bella out on a proper date and pamper her was overwhelming. He was constantly bringing her little treats; pastries and coffee from the pricy Café just outside campus and books she wanted, but couldn't afford.
Bella was a vision, as always as she walked toward him, catching her toe on a corner of the sidewalk and nearly wiping out. She looked around covertly, trying to see if anyone had caught her. Edward hid a grin beneath his palm as she came closer, her self-deprecating smile easing the rest of his anxiety.
"Shut up, you," she giggled, hitting him on the chest playfully when his smile stuck around. Moving quickly, Edward grabbed her hand, holding it tightly against the hard planes of his pecs.
"Go out with me," he blurted out, making Bella's mouth pop open in surprise. "You know you're the one for me. It's been you since the moment I saw you. Will you go out with me on Friday?" By the time Edward was done speaking, Bella's eyes were big and slightly shiny. When he quickly released her, his smile falling, she reached for his hand.
"Of course I want to go out with you. You just surprised me," she responded.
"I'll pick you up at seven, okay?" he rasped, his bravado suddenly sorely lacking.
"That sounds perfect," she sighed. Unable to help himself, Edward leaned down and pressed a kiss to her pink cheek.
*()*()*
Edward couldn't believe just how well his hand fit in the small of Bella's back as he guided her toward their table. He made reservations at Serafina, an upscale Italian restaurant close to campus. While it was pricier than the normal college student could afford, it wasn't pretentious. The last thing Edward wanted to do was to make Bella feel uncomfortable with just how deep his pockets went. His parents were comfortable, and spoiled him as long as he kept his grades up. He was currently pulling a 3.6 GPA, and his checkbook reflected that.
"Your server will be right with you," the hostess said, her hand lingering on the back of Edward's chair. Bella hid behind her menu, unable to watch Edward flirt with the woman. When his big hand yanked the leather binder down, she gasped. His green eyes were on her and only on her, the hostess forgotten.
"Did you want to order a bottle of wine?" he asked, his deep voice even more seductive in the sultry atmosphere.
"You know I'm underage," Bella whispered, her blush making itself known as it spread across her cheeks and down her chest. Edward couldn't wait to find out just how far that rosy color went.
"I'm not," he said simply, signaling their waitress and ordering a Barolo Bongiovanni in a perfect accent. Bella couldn't believe how arousing it was to watch as Edward examined the bottle and then the cork. The deep red liquid caught the light as it was poured into the glass and then handed to Edward for approval. His broad chest expanded as he took in the bouquet. His pink tongue came out, savoring the flavor as he sipped at the wine. After his nod of approval, his glass was topped off and Bella's was filled.
Even though she should have been uncomfortable in their setting, Bella was at ease seated next to Edward. Over asparagus ravioli and veal meatballs they laughed and talked, the conversation never lagging. Edward found that every bite he put in his mouth tasted amazing, but realized it had more to do with the company than the food. When coffee cups and dessert plates were empty, both Edward and Bella were disappointed because that meant the night was over.
The wine flowing through Bella's system gave her the courage to slip her hand into Edward's as they walked back to his car. The warmth of his skin bled into hers and she couldn't help but lean her head against his shoulder as they strolled along Eastlake Avenue. After slipping her safely into the passenger seat, Edward tried not to freak out that the night was over. Bella seemed to have had a good time, there was no reason for him to doubt that she wouldn't want to go out with him again…or perhaps take things a bit further before calling it a night.
This time, the hand in the small of Bella's back was shaking slightly as Edward guided her up the walkway of her dorm. Keys jingled in her hands as Bella struggled to get her door unlocked.
"Why are you so nervous?" Edward whispered, his breath brushing against the curls that had fallen free from Bella's ponytail.
"I don't know. I think…I think I'm waiting for you to kiss me," Bella whispered, her words coming out in a rush, and then fading away. Oh God…what had she done?
"Are you sure? Once I kiss you, I'm going to want to do more. I'm going to want you in my arms for the rest of my life," Edward said honestly, his hands coming up and sliding around the flare of her jaw. Her head rested perfectly between his palms as he tilted her face to the side. Time seemed to stand still as Edward's lips finally pressed against Bella's. As his tongue slowly slipped past her plush lips, he realized he had found his home, in Bella's arms.
*()*()*
"Edward!" His name was a breathy sigh pulled from the depths of her soul as Bella lay pliant in his arms. Weeks had passed since that perfect first date, and Bella had been struggling with the anxiety she felt when she was away from Edward. She had worried she was too needy, too clingy, but Edward seemed just as desperate to be near her. They were inseparable, gravitating toward each other as soon as classes were over. Nothing was off limits as they continued to get to know each other. Though there was one thing Edward was dying to know. Now that he had Bella lying soft and timid in his arms, all he wanted to hear were those words. He wanted to hear her say that he was the one, her first. He wanted to be the one, the only one to have her…for the rest of her life.
"Edward, I've never-" As his hands smoothed over Bella's back, he shushed her rambling words.
"I know," he whispered into her hair. His heart was thundering in his chest, his hopes realized with her fumbling words. "Bella, baby is this what you want?" he asked, sliding eager, yet modest hands over her belly. Shirts littered the floor, but both of them were still wearing their jeans. Edward's hands ran down the subtle swell of her stomach and ventured just below the waist of her jeans, fingers touching the band of her panties. He couldn't help but wonder if she had bought them just for him.
"I want you, Edward." Her quiet sigh made Edward's hands tremble. She was putting so much trust in him, not only her body but her heart as well.
"I love you." The words tumbled out of Edward's mouth without his permission. He knew it sounded like a line, but he had been keeping them in for days, weeks even. Bella sat up slightly, her hands reaching for him.
"I love you too, Edward." Bella's quiet response awed him. He felt woefully inadequate of her love, but he would take it. Pulling her into his arms, he held her close. His cock was hard and aching as it brushed against her hip, but right now, all he needed was her.
So...now we get an idea where they started.
Next chapter...probably tomorrow.
Did you really think I'd be able to sit on all these finished chapters?
Yeah...me either :)