Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters. I am making no money…
Special thanks to Jayeliwood for your support and ideas, but most of all for your help with commas. She is the best beta a writer could ask for. I must also thank ObsessingOverEdward and TheSpoiltOne for all their contribution. All three of you rock!
Chapter 3: Flat Tire
Bella Swan
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. I knew Edward kept a spare tire in the trunk, but I had no idea how to change a flat. I had never owned a car and my father had never taught me. I ran my hands through my hair before picking it up in a messy ponytail. I would have to call Edward.
I went back to the car getting my phone. Edward was going to be mad and I couldn't blame him. He had told me to be careful and I had given him a flat tire. I speed dialed his number, biting my lip as it rang. Hopefully, he was done studying with Angela. I would hate to interrupt their time together.
"Hey, Bella!" He answered cheerfully. His mood was about to take a drastic turn once I told him my news. I leaned against the car, bracing myself for his anger.
"Hey!" I replied nervously.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" He immediately asked. Edward always knew how to tell when something was wrong with me.
"I'm fine." I assured him. "It's the car. I got a flat."
Edward stayed quiet for a few minutes. He was trying to control himself before he said anything drastic.
"I'm sorry." I added weakly. "It was an accident."
"I know." He sighed causing me to breathe easier. He wasn't mad. "Where are you?"
I explained my location, noticing a black car pulling up behind me. Was I going to get jumped too? Why did everything seemed to happen to me?
"I'm going to see if Jasper can give me a ride there." He said coolly, but I wasn't really paying attention. My attention was on the driver of the black car. I wasn't going to get jumped. It was actually Dr. Cullen.
"Bella, are you listening to me?" Edward inquired when he noticed my silence.
"I'm here." I said absentmindedly as Dr. Cullen got out of the car.
"Do you need help?" Dr. Cullen asked.
"It's okay, Dr. Cullen. I wouldn't want to impose." I answered with Edward still on the line. "Edward is going to find a way here."
"Nonsense, Bella. It's no problem at all." He replied kindly. "Do you have a spare?"
"In the trunk." I responded. The inner school girl in me was doing cart wheels. He was really going to help me.
"Bella, what's going on?" Edward questioned in an exasperated tone. I had completely forgotten that he was on the phone with me.
"Dr. Cullen is going to help me. Don't worry about it. I'll be home soon." I assured him knowing that I was in for major teasing once I got back. But, honestly I didn't care.
"Be careful, please." He warned.
"I will." I answered before hanging up.
"May I?" Carlisle asked as he motioned for the trunk of the car.
"Sure," I replied, unsure of what to do with myself. "Do you need any help?"
"I got it." He said with a smile. taking out the spare tire, the jack, and the lug wrench.
"Your boyfriend has a nice car." He commented as he positioned the jack.
"My boyfriend?" I asked curiously. Who was my boyfriend?
"Edward, I think is his name. No?" He replied causing me to laugh.
"Edward and I are just best friends. We grew up together. He's not my boyfriend." I replied, realizing what I had said. Now he thought I had another boyfriend. "I don't have a boyfriend."
"Oh," He added and I could almost see a spark of delight in his eyes. "He still has a very nice car." He stated. After lifting the car off the ground he began to work on loosening the lug nuts. His arms flexing and extending as he worked.
I found myself staring at him at he worked. He was incredibly sexy and had the body of some sort of Greek god. I wanted nothing more than to press him against the car and kiss him passionately.
"What made you want to go into medicine?" He asked, filling the silence.
"I've always known I wanted to be a doctor. I love to help people and the field fascinates me." I answered with a smile.
"It's a very challenging profession." He commented, taking off the damaged tire.
"I'm not one to be intimidated by a challenge." I answered with a shrug. Dr. Cullen seemed like such a nice man. And, I couldn't help but feel something growing. The more time I spent with him the more I wanted him.
Dr. Cullen
It felt almost natural to talk to Bella. She was such a sweet and caring girl. And, I knew she was going to make a great doctor. She had the drive for it. But, it was her statement that caught me off guard. She wasn't intimidated by a challenge. She meant it when referring to school, but it could mean so much more.
I replaced the tire, tightening the lug nuts once again. Her eyes remained on mine and I couldn't help but notice a flash of desire. Did she feel what I felt? I wanted her, but I knew it couldn't happen. It wasn't right and I wasn't even sure if I was ready to move on.
"There you go, Bella." I said, getting up and dusting off my pants. "Edward should get the spare tired changed. They are not made for too much use. You should probably take it easy with the speed, as well."
"Thank you, Dr. Cullen." She said, smiling shyly. "You didn't have to do this."
"It's no problem at all." I answered honestly. "And, please call me Carlisle while we're not in class."
"Thank you again, Carlisle." She repeated, walking towards me before giving me a small kiss on the cheek.
"You're very welcome." I whispered before she ran off into the Volvo.
I slowly walked back to my car after she had driven away. My cheek still seemed to tingle from her kiss. It had been quite the intimate gesture and I couldn't help but want to decipher what it meant. I was confused.
I drove back home, letting my mind drift. Was I really ready to put everything behind me and move on? Would Bella be the girl to move on with?
I parked my car next to my son's Jeep, but I didn't make a move to go inside. I knew that once I did I would be unable to think clearly. I rested my head back and closed my eyes. What would Esme want me to do?
Esme would want me to move on. She had told me one night as we laid in bed together. It was a month before her crash and it now seemed like she somehow knew it was coming.. She had told me that if she were to go; she would want me to find happiness. Happiness not only for me, but for our kids as well.
Even though I felt an immense attraction to Bella, it couldn't happen. She was my student. A relationship with her would break every single ethical rule of the books. You didn't date students, especially not students in your program.
"Dad!" Alice called from the door. "What are you doing out here?"
"I'm coming." I answered after I opened the door grabbing my suit jacket.
"Is everything alright?" Alice asked, kissing my other cheek. "Hard day at work?"
"Sort of." I replied after kissing the top of her head. "What's your brother doing?"
"He's at Rose's house." She revealed causing me to turn around. I knew I had seen his car in the driveway.
"Please tell me you didn't drive that monster truck home. You're not even supposed to be driving alone." I chastised angrily. Why were my kids so unreasonable?
"Come on, Dad." Alice said, rolling her eyes in exasperation. I had followed my daughter into the kitchen where she was boiling the spaghetti. "I can't see over the steering wheel in his car."
"I know he didn't walk ten miles to her house." I pointed out, going to the fridge and grabbing the tomato sauce.
"She got a new car and she followed us home. Emmett left with her after school. He says he'll be home by eleven." She explained while she drained the water.
"You could've least called and let me know you were home alone." I added, sitting at the kitchen table to have dinner.
"It's alright, dad. I don't mind." Alice answered with a slight frown before taking her seat across from me. "I know you're busy."
We finished dinner in silence. I had no idea what to say to Alice. She had grown up so fast and I felt I could no longer relate to her. She was practically a woman and I knew she needed her mother.
Bella Swan
I got back home to find a box of our favorite pepperoni pizza on the counter. Edward and I had been sharing a pizza every week since we had started high school. It was our tradition.
"So what happened?" Edward asked, handing me a Diet Coke can and a paper plate.
"Your car is fine. I'll pay for the new tire." I said before taking a bite of my pizza.
"Bella, you know I can very well pay for the tire to be replaced. What was Dr. Cullen doing with you?" He clarified, already half way done with his pizza.
"He found me on the side of the road, that's all." I answered honestly, knowing he wasn't going to believe me.
"And, he just happened to stop and help you?" He inquired skeptically.
"He's a good person, Edward." I added, causing him to laugh.
"Bella, you've seen him twice and you already know that he's a good person." He pointed out with a chuckle, reaching out for a second slice of pizza..
"I know he is. He runs a charity that helps the victims of drunk driving and their families. He's been dedicating all his time at the hospital for the cause." I defended, feeling rather protective of him.
"Hey, I didn't say he was a bad person." Edward replied, lifting his arms up in defense. "Don't kill me."
"I don't know, Edward." I sighed, taking my second slice. "I really like him."
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"I have found him attractive since the moment I saw him at orientation. He was good looking, but I didn't think much of it. A lot of men are good looking. But, today something change. He's a great person and has a big heart. The way he talked about Esme's Fund was mesmerizing. I feel like I can really have a relationship with him." I explained, biting my lip. I was setting myself up for a lot teasing.
"Bella," Edward sighed reaching across the table to take my hand. "I don't think you realize what you're getting yourself into. He's your professor and mentor. It's against the rules for him to be involved with you."
"I know." I replied, realizing I wasn't hungry anymore. "It's just a stupid crush."
I knew it was much more than a crush, but I couldn't explain that to Edward. He wasn't going to understand especially when I didn't understand.
"How were things with Angela?" I questioned, changing the subject.
"She's wonderful." He answered with a huge smile.
"So?" I urged causing him to laugh.
"We're going out to dinner Friday night." He admitted with a goofy grin. I knew they were made for each other.
"A date?" I teased, clapping my hands.
"I guess." He sighed, focusing on his pizza instead. "She's a really great girl. She's just a bit shy."
"You'll get her out of her shell, Romeo." I joked causing him to roll his eyes. "I'm happy for you. I told you, there were better women out there than Tanya."
I shuddered as I remembered the blond bimbo he had dated in college. She had been his first girlfriend after our breakup and I would never forget her. She had accused me of being jealous of her when in reality I just didn't like her. She was controlling and bitchy. She had walked right over Edward.
"Anybody is better than Tanya." He agreed with a laugh.
"I'm glad you have a date. I like Angela." I added, getting up and throwing away my garbage.
"You barely ate." He added with a frown.
"I ate a slice and a half. I'm not that hungry." I answered. "I just want to catch up on some reading and head to bed."
"Goodnight." He said.
"Goodnight." I replied before heading towards my bedroom. I needed to do some serious thinking.
I changed into an over-sized T-shirt before hopping into bed with my textbook. I got as far as the second page when I felt my mind wandering. I let my head hit the pillows and felt my eyes closing.
"Don't go, Bella." Dr. Cullen said, getting up from his chair.
"Dr. Cullen, this hardly the place." I replied, motioning to the fact that we were in his office at the school. "It's against the rules."
"I don't care." He answered, making it to me in three long steps. He closed the door behind me as his beautiful blue eyes bore into mine.
"But…" I weakly protested as his lips near mine.
"Tell me you don't feel it." He commanded, his hands touching my arms. "Don't you feel the attraction between us?"
"I feel it." I sighed just before his lips met mine.
His lips were soft and gentle and I knew I had never been kissed like this before. His hands traveled up my arms to my neck and I felt my legs growing weak under me. Our lips parted slightly and I couldn't help but moan as his tongue caressed mine. He was delicious, sweet yet spicy. Definitely the best of both worlds.
"Tell me what you want." He commanded when his lips left mine only to travel to my neck. "Tell me."
"I want you." I admitted with a shiver as he began to undo the button of my jeans.
"Good, because I want you." He replied as he lifted me up and my legs wrapped around his waist.
"Bella, can I talk to you for a second?" I suddenly heard, my eyes snapping opening.
"Come in, Angela." I said, hoping my breathing wasn't laborious. I had just been fantasizing about my professor. I was so going to hell. "What can I help you with?"
"I just wanted to make sure that you didn't mind me seeing Edward." She explained, turning bright pink.
"Why would I mind?" I asked as I sat up.
"Well, you two are close and all. And, I don't want to get in the middle of anything." She mumbled causing me to laugh.
"Angela, that trained already left the station. I love Edward, but I'm not 'in' love with him. I'm not going to lie to you. We did date for a year. But, that was back in high school. He's just my best friend and as long as you don't plan on changing that…" I trailed off.
"Of course not, Bella. I wouldn't dream of it.." She quickly answered. "I just wanted to make sure that all was cool between us."
"Be good to him, Angela. He's a great guy." I added, looking out for my best friend.
"I will." She said, looking down at my book. "I'll email you my notes on this chapter. It's not worth reading."
"Are you sure?" I asked, relieved that I didn't have to read a boring introductory chapter.
"Positive." She added before getting up. "I'll see you in class tomorrow."
"Definitely!" I replied, snuggling into my covers. There was a certain fantasy I wanted to finish in my dream.
A/N: Here is chapter 3! I am stunned by how many of you are enjoying this story. I love writing it, and I love reading your reactions.
Please go over to The Three Smutketeers Author Page and vote for both my stories that made it to the final round of the Steamy Movie Crossover Contest. The Quidditch Match and Saving My Life are both in the running. I would really love to win, and I need your votes. Voting has been extended until Sunday since the site has been down.
Next Chapter: Conference
Muggleinlove
