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Edward's POV:
I could tell by how tense Bella's body became when I pulled her into my lap that right now was not the right moment. "Don't stress, sweetheart," I chuckled breathing in her hair. "We've gone all summer so I'm in no rush now. There is no pressure, Bella."
"That's good to know," she breathed sliding off my lap to sit next to me. Her face was unreadable as she looked down at the notepad and pen on the coffee table.
"As for this, sure I could jot down a few names, if that would make you feel better," I began picking up notepad and pen. "But that is not what really matters. Yes, I've had numerous sexual partners, many of whom you do know, but what is important is that I have always used protection and always will. I have also gotten tested every year for the past four years, the benefits of having a doctor father."
"That's good to know, too," she sighed squeezing my hand. I often forgot how inexperienced Bella was. I'm sure she had gotten the safe sex talk, but it was easy to get caught up in the emotional side of the situation and forget about the practicalities.
"Look, Bella, I used to believe that it was my responsibility to say the right thing to get a girl to sleep with me. I actually believed that I had the perfect formula to get a girl. If there is anything I have learned over the past couple of months that is not true. Sure, I can shower you with smooth compliments and gifts and eventually get what I want, but it would be empty." I shocked myself with how deep I was getting with Bella, right now. "I've always prided myself on living life to the fullest, but all the girls and parties was only living life to fullest in certain aspects. Now with you, I can live life to the fullest across the board. Does that sound stupid or what?"
"It's not stupid at all." She smiled looking deep into my eyes as she ran her hand over my shoulder to rub the back of my neck. I loved when she ran her fingernails over my skin. "I'm looking forward to living life with you too, Edward. I am relieved to know that you've been living life pretty safely, though. You know how people talk."
"I'm sure they do, Bella. A lot of that was my own fault. Trying to be the big man and exaggerating stuff," I shrugged off with a chuckle. "As much as I hate to admit it there is a grain of truth to all of that bullshit, hon. If it's really important to you I will write down as much as I remember."
"You know what?" She snapped catching me off guard a little. "It doesn't matter, Edward. The man before me is the person you are, my boyfriend. You're moving forward and so should I."
"Wow. That is really awesome of you, Bella. I mean, I'm an open book. I will answer any questions you have, ever. I don't have anything to hide from you. Some moments that I'm not proud of, but nevertheless, moments that I have learned a lot from." I explained squeezing my knees with hands while breathing deeply. Even with all of the carnal pleasure that lived in my past, I tried not to dwell on it too much these days. I didn't want to get dragged down by that contagious behavior.
"Well," she smiled shyly. "I do feel like there is this whole other part of life you have lived that I know almost nothing about. I almost feel like I am missing out."
"Don't worry too much about that, babe. With me you're not going to be missing out on anything, but there is no need to rush into anything. We have plenty of time to live it up, so to speak." I assured her stroking her cheek with my thumb and index finger. I pulled her slowly into a kiss. I almost immediately knotted my hands in her hair as she straddled my waist. Will I ever get tired of kissing this girl? I keep waiting for that to happen, but every time she kisses me or touches me I just want more. If I was being completely honest I wanted to take her right now on her sofa, but this wasn't about me and what I wanted. When the time did come for us to take that step in our relationship I wanted it to be about Bella and not about me. I had my moment years ago, now it was about Bella.
As our kisses deepened and her hands wondered over my body I could feel myself getting excited underneath her. If could feel me, she never let on. Bella hadn't been too adventurous, but I figured the day would be coming soon or at least, I hope so.
"So your dad is going to be away this weekend?" I asked pulling back and studying her face.
"Yep, I thought that maybe you would want to hang out tonight. Watch some Netflix or something," she suggested rolling her eyes to the ceiling.
"You want to Netflix and chill, do ya?" I chuckled tickling her softly so she wigged her butt against my growing arousal.
"You wish," she laughed pinning my wrists down to my side. I loved her trying to overpower me. It was so endearing and spoke volumes about how she would be in bed. A woman in control was definitely a turn on.
"You bet your ass I do!" I exclaimed squeezing her butt between my hands. She continued to run her fingers along my neck until I buried my face in her neck kissing and nibbling up to her ear. "I love these moments with you."
"Yes, I much prefer this to the prying eyes of Forks High School," she laughed as I placed my head under her chin feeling her skin and breathing her in. Just as we were taking in the moment her the doorbell rang. "Let me get that."
"I'll be here, waiting for your sexy ass," I called after her, staying seated as she got the door. I picked up my phone as I heard a male voice at the front door. "Bella, who is it?" I called out and when she didn't reply I got up to see who had interrupted our moment.
"Edward, Jacob stopped by to see if we wanted to go to dinner with him and his new friend, what did you say his name was?" Bella smiled looking up at me. So the loser best friend could make friends after all.
"Her name is Denise. I met her in La Push, but she just started at Forks High School," Jake beamed as he corrected Bella.
"So you got yourself a little girlfriend?" I commented putting my hand on Bella's shoulder.
"Edward," Bella snapped elbowing me in the ribs.
"Sorry, man," I chuckled pulling Bella to me. "I'm really happy for you, Jake."
"Thanks. We've only been out a couple of times, but she is really relaxed and she gets me," Jake clarified shoving his hands in his jeans pocket. "Do ya'll want to come along?" he asked pointing at his piece of junk car.
"Where's your friend?" I asked not seeing her in the car or with Jake.
"Oh, her family owns a restaurant in La Push and she's working, but she gets a dinner break in a little bit. She wanted to meet my friends, especially Bella, so I just thought I would stop by and see if you were busy." He explained trying his best to not look completely awkward.
"That sounds like fun!" Bella exclaimed clasping her hands together. "I told you that you would meet the right girl! What restaurant do they own?"
"A new taco place. Kind of a family thing," he smiled pushing his hair out of face. The dude needed a haircut.
"That sounds awesome," I replied looking down at Bella. I could tell she felt relieved that Jake had made a new friend. "Do you mind if Bella and I take my car?"
"No problem," he chuckled, taking his keys out of his pocket. "Just follow behind. It's right when you get into La Push."
"Great. Just let me grab my stuff," Bella said ducking back into the house to get her keys and phone.
"I'm really happy for you, man," I smiled clapping him on the shoulder and I stepped out of the front door and on the walk-way feeling the evening's cool breeze.
"Look, Bella may think that you have changed or involved, is the word she used a couple of months ago, but I still see the same douche bag, who's dick I still have to hear about in the locker room," Jake snapped puffing out his chest almost challenging me. What the fuck was this dude's deal?
"Excuse me?" I scoffed squaring my shoulders to face him fully.
"I don't know what your deal is with Bella and this nice guy routine, but you're going to falter. When that happens Bella is going to finally see that you will never change," he continued coming even closer to my face.
"Seriously?" I can't believe the balls on his kid. "The only deal with Bella I have is that I love her. Eventually you'll see that's all it is."
"Ready?" Bella chirped bouncing out the front door, locking it behind her.
"Yeah, babe," I smiled a little, grabbing her hand and leading her towards my car.
"Everything okay?" Bella asked as I opened the door for her.
"Yeah," I breathed as I kissed her on the cheek and closing her door. Jake was getting under my skin. Who does he think he is? He gets a girlfriend and suddenly grows a pair? I followed behind Jake's POS, praying it didn't blow up in front of us. It was about a twenty minute drive. Jake led us to a hole in the wall tiny Mexican restaurant with a packed parking lot.
"Are you sure everything is okay? You were really quiet the whole ride here," Bella pushed as I pulled into a tight parking spot. I silently prayed that no one would dent my car.
"I'm sure, sweetie. We'll talk later, okay?" Smiling a little to show that I wasn't going to let Jake's comments bother me.
"Lighten up. This is going to be great," she skipped grabbing my hand as we met Jake at the door to the restaurant.
"I'm sure it is," I mumbled walking into the crowded restaurant as Jake held the door open. The place was packed, but Jake directed us to a booth against the back wall.
"I'm going to go find Denise. She works in the kitchen," Jake said as Bella and I scooted into the booth.
"The food must be really good here for so many people to come out on a Thursday evening," Bella smiled eying the menu that were already on the table.
"I hope so," I replied looking around at the people in the restaurant. The people of La Push always seemed be of a bit more grizzly in nature than even the people of Forks. "Get whatever you want. It's on me, sweetie."
"You don't have to do that, babe," she smiled squeezing my knee under the table. I was about to open my mouth with a reply, but Jake had returned with a very attractive, caramel skinned young lady. Her bright green eyes sparkled as she came face to face with Bella and me. I felt a knot twist in my stomach. She looked so familiar and I knew I was supposed to know who she was, but I couldn't place where I knew her from.
"Bella, Edward this is Denise Lopez. Denise this is my childhood best friend, Bella and her boyfriend, Edward," Jake gestured as Denise waved shyly. "Go ahead and sit."
"It's great to meet you, Denise," Bella glowed keeping her hand on my knee. "What's good here?"
"Oh, almost everything. The Carne Asada taco dinner is always a classic and the fajitas are a crowd favorite," Denise explained looking from Jake to Bella. I could tell that she was avoiding eye contact with me. Had I drunkenly hooked up with this girl? Or had she dated Emmett?
"Do you want to share fajitas, babe?" Bella offered running her hand on the inside of my thigh.
"Sure, whatever you want," I smiled as a waitress came to take our drink orders. After we ordered our food I had to figure out who this girl was.
"So, did your family just move to La Push?" I asked Denise cupping my hands together on top of the table.
"Uh, yeah, just over a month ago and we opened the restaurant a couple of weeks ago," she replied still not making eye contact with me. "Dad had a couple of restaurants in Seattle, but he wanted to get away from the city. So, when he found this place we jumped at the opportunity."
"Is it just you and your dad?" Bella asked sipping on her water.
"Yep," Denise replied looking down at her hands. Where did I know this girl from? It was going to drive me crazy if I couldn't figure it out.
"Me too," smiled Bella looking from Denise to Jake. "I didn't see you at school today, but did you enjoy your first day at Forks High School?"
"Yeah, it was great," Denise smiled a little looking up at Bella. "Dad preferred the schools in Forks to the ones here and since we live halfway between Forks and La Push it's not a problem getting there, especially with Jake picking me up. He has really been the sweetest."
"I'm so glad Jake met you," Bella replied as Denise and Jake exchanged looks. The rest of the meal Bella and Denise exchanged conversation about how Jake and Denise met and the work Denise does at the restaurant. Denise didn't once meet my eyes when I spoke and I kept racking my brain for where I knew her from. As Bella and I were finishing up the platter of fajitas Denise had to get back to the kitchen.
"It was great to meet you," I chimed extending my hand as she stood.
"Yes, it was," Denise said through pursed lips not taking my hand. "I hope we get to hang out again. I'll see you in the morning, Jake." With that Jake kissed her on the cheek and she quickly returned to work. Denise was attractive, if a little out of Jake's league, but I couldn't place where I had seen her. Maybe through dad or football camp as a cheerleader or a coach's assistant. My mind kept going round and round.
"Well, she's just lovely, Jacob," Bella breathed as we sat back down.
"I'm glad you like her. She's a really incredible girl," Jake glowed looking after Denise as she returned to the kitchen.
"What did you think of her, Edward?" Bella grinned pushing forward her empty plate.
"She's a real looker, man," I said half distracted with my thoughts on how I might be connected to her.
"Uh, thanks, I think," Jake rolled his eyes putting his fork down on his plate.
"Was there anything else about her you liked?" Bella pushed, locking her eyes with mine.
"Sorry," I smiled a little squeezing Bella knee. "She's seems very driven and hardworking, too. Does she play any sports or anything?"
"She hasn't mentioned anything about going out for any teams. The restaurant keeps her pretty busy and she enjoys the work." Jake explained looking from me to the direction Denise had walked.
"That's nice," I half smiled getting to my feet. "I'm going to go pay the bill."
"Here's for mine," Bella chirped, handing me a ten dollar bill.
"Just leave that for the tip, hon," I replied, kissing her on the cheek.
"Edward," she groaned as I walked to the front counter and paid our bill. As Jake and Bella said their goodbyes, I handed Bella my keys.
"Go ahead and go out to the car. I'm going to run to the restroom," I gestured as her and Jake headed for the front door.
"Will do," she said taking my keys and I walked towards the back corner of the restaurant in the direction of the bathroom sign. I passed by the kitchen door and through the slot in the wall where they passed the orders through I saw Denise prepping dishes. I thought about going in and confronting her about the cold shoulder, but thought better of it and went to the restroom instead. On my way out of the bathroom I was nearly ran over when I looked up and saw myself just inches away from Denise.
"Excuse me," she replied stepping back and looking down at the tile floor.
"I'm sorry," I smiled softly looking down at her. "Do I know you from somewhere?"
"You really don't remember?" She scoffed crossing her arms and popping her hip out still not looking me in the eye.
"I'm really sorry if we hooked up or went out, but I kind of put that life behind me. I'm a one woman kind of man now. So, I'm sorry if I wronged you or something," I explained putting my hands up. I was half expecting this girl to rip into me right there and I probably deserved that, but I certainly wasn't prepared for what she said next.
"You raped me," Denise muttered looking me dead in the eye. "Correction, you and your football buddies raped me."
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