Bella's POV-

It's a good thing that Vampires can't fall asleep otherwise I might have seriously offended the mayor. His conversation on the economy was becoming a mix of angry and passionate as he argued with the bank manager who seemed intent on disagreeing with everything Mayor Harmon had to say. As the mayor got more and more annoyed a blush began spreading over his cheeks, his pules spiked into double time and he began sweating, releasing a mouth watering scent. Emmett, bless his vampiric non-soul was always looking out for me and as he sensed the tension in my body he squeezed my arm as a subtle reminder to behave and he shot me a look of sympathy and understanding, he remembered what it was like to be young. Emmett's self control wasn't anywhere near perfect and mine was usually a lot better than it currently was, but lately something had been bothering me and he knew that it was distracting me. The only problem was he didn't know what it was and I couldn't bring myself to tell him.
My older brother in all the ways that truly matter was about to politely excuses us from the conversation when we both saw the other female vampire, Esme, moving towards us smiling.

"Sorry for interrupting, but I was wondering if the two of you would like to join me and my family for a drink, we would all be very interested to hear about Asia."

"Of course we would like to join you, if you'll excuse my sister and I, Mayor Harmon." Emmett gave a polite nod of his head and we followed Esme to her brother and husband.

My brother pulled out a chair for me and I took a seat between him and Edward.

For a few minutes there was an award silence, as we all took each other in. But little did the others know that Edward and I were having almost a physic battle as he tried to read my thoughts and I rummaged around in his head.

Emmett acting like the laid back social buffoon he is at home said to Edward, " You can always hear peoples thoughts right,"

"Yes?"

"You mean even when they, " shooting a look at Carlisle and Esme, "Ya Know....."

Much to my relief He Laughed with a subtle hint of sarcasm, "Unfortunately yes, even then.' All at once the tension at the table melted away and we began a casual conversation, Emmett and I made up fascinating stories of our trip to Asia, as we pretended to be human.

Emmett and I made our farewells and left the party to go home and change. When we reached the edge of the city I hooked off my heels and hitched up my dress as we ran back home. While the trees were racing past I thought about our new friends.

Carlisle was kind and was in all truths a very interesting person to talk to, but then again hard not to have some good stories after over 200 years. Esme seemed very motherly and loving. Luckily Emmett toned it down after his first comment and didn't embarrass us any further, although I could see Edward grimace every now and again at one of Emmett's thoughts.

And on the subject of Edward...he was fascinating to say the least. Stunningly beautiful (in a guy way), intelligent, funny and I don't know how to describe it, almost compelling.
Looking into his eyes was like swimming in honey, They were almost mesmerizing with their golden hues. All that with his velvet voice and wow...just wow. Sometime during the night I decided to take a little wander through his mind, I learned that he was kind, protective and helpful towards others. But on the inside he was drowning, Carlisle and Esme had no idea to the depths of his pain, he thought of the people he had murdered, weather they were good people or not didn't matter..he had taken their lives.
When I heard this my un-beating heart was pained, longed to comfort him and tell him that he shouldn't continue to blame himself.

I remember watching him talk, his lips brushing together as they articulated words that came out like crushed velvet, I wanted to kiss him...wait what did I just think.
Kiss him, I had just met him.
Weird.
I decided to change to a safer path of thought, like how we had all agreed that Emmett and I would go home to change and then meet them at their place so that we could all go hunting together. We had to be very careful about what we said with so many humans around so we fitted it into a carefully constructed sub-text as we were leaving...leaving had been surprisingly difficult. When I left Edwards presence I almost felt a sense of loss.
Great here I go Again.
Wait, I'll be seeing him shortly, a pulse of exhilaration filled me as I smiled contentedly.

"You're in a good mood." My brothers voice pulled me out of my thoughts and back into the real world.

'I'm sorry dose that bother you?" Heavy on the sarcasm.

"No, it's just weird since we spent over 3 hours in a room packed to the rafters with mouth watering humans."

'I had a good time, that's all."

"You know what, I decided that I don't like you being in a good mood.'

"Charming.' again, more sarcasm.

"I wouldn't have a problem if I didn't think that this sudden attitude adjustment had something to do with Edward Anthony Mason Cullen. Does it?"

"No,' I lied, "why would you think that?"

"just because the two of you were looking at each other all night."

"really, he was looking at me?"

"Ha, I KNEW it!"

"You don't know anything."

"it's a shame you can't blush, you'd be as red as a tomato. I can't wait till tonight, Edwards going to have some fun reading my thoughts." We entered our house and I stormed up to my room. Taking off the dress and hanging it up I threw on a pair of black slacks and a black button down blouse. I took of my nice jewellery and replaced it with my usual gold crucifix. Sliding my feet into my hunting boots and shaking out my hair letting it flow freely, I left my room slamming my door.

I stormed back down the stairs and when I saw Emmett waiting I slunk into a predatory crouch and sprang. he saw me coming and tried to flip me off but my knee jerked up getting him straight in the face.

"OW, WHAT WAS THAT FOR!'

"Pay back for the last comment you made.'

"Wow, late reactions sis?"

"No, but I didn't want to attack you wearing a dress."

"Come on short stuff, let's go out to dinner with our new friends. Oh and don't worry I won't think anything or say anything or imply it... or mine it, your secrets safe with me."

We ran for 15 minutes west through the woods until we caught the scent that they were purposely going to leave for us. We followed it to a mansion that was white with gold accents, it was beautiful, just like the bronze haired angle waiting outside on the porch.