A/N: I know its really only Sunday night, but seeing as it's 12:05 by my clock its technically Monday. And I'm going to be a busy bee tomorrow so here's your next chapter : ) XOXO
I woke into darkness at the sound of a soft knock on the door. Damn it. I was dreaming this whole time.
I wiped at my eyes sleepily and walked slowly to the door. Who the hell is knocking on my door at 2 a.m.? I glanced over at Alice's bed. She was sound asleep.
I opened the door slightly and squinted into the light from the hallway.
"Hey…" A male voice said.
"I squinted further, trying to make out his face. "Holy shit I wasn't dreaming…" I mumbled to myself.
"What?" Edward said.
"Oh. Sorry." I shook my head, trying to wake myself up. "Is everything okay with your room?"
"Yeah." He ran his fingers through his hair. "Listen I'm really sorry to wake you, but I can't sleep. I mean it's still…" He glanced down at his watch. "Only…11 in L.A. I'm not used to going to bed so early. I was wondering if you wanted to talk?"
I don't think I could ever deny this beautiful man anything. I was like putty in his hands.
"Um. Sure. But Alice is asleep." I gestured back towards a snoring Alice.
"It's okay we can go to my room."
"Okay. I'll meet you up there in a few minutes."
He smiled and started walking down the hallway. I closed the door quickly and considered waking Alice, but decided I wanted to avoid the teasing for tonight. I ran to the bathroom to brush my teeth and sprayed some body spray on.
On the way upstairs I stopped by the kitchen and grabbed us a pack of beer. My legs shook as I started walking up the staircase. Stop acting so nervous. He's just like any other guy. I made sure to tiptoe past the second floor, since Charlie's room was on the end. He'd have a bitch fit if he knew I was sneaking up to a guest's room. Especially a male guest. And especially with beer.
I knocked quietly on Edward's door.
"Come in."
I took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Edward?" I whispered. The room looked empty to me, besides some clothes on the floor.
"Sorry." He walked out of the bathroom in some pajama shorts, rubbing a towel through his damp hair. "I took a quick shower while I was waiting for you."
"Oh." My eyes unconsciously scanned over his body. "Sweet Lord," I whispered as they passed over his perfectly sculpted abs.
"Did you say something?" He shook his head out.
"What?" I looked up from my daze. "Oh. No." I laughed it off nervously.
"What are those?" He smiled and nodded towards my hand.
"Beer?" I held them up and shrugged.
"My kind of girl." He held out his hand and I tossed him one. "Well have a seat." He looked towards the chair sitting next to his bed. I cracked open a beer and sat down. He settled onto the bed.
"So Bella Swan. Tell me about yourself." He took a sip of his beer.
I looked down at my hands. "I don't know I'm pretty boring. That might put you right to sleep." I laughed quietly.
"Try me."
I glanced up at him and his face was completely serious, like he was really interested in what I had to say. I can't imagine my Plain Jane life even comparing to his. I was boxed wine, he was Dom Pérignon.
"Well. I'm going to be a senior at Michigan State University this fall. I'm majoring in Psychology."
"And what do you want to do with that?"
"Uh…I'm not sure really." I smiled.
"But that's the appeal of it right? That you don't know. It means you can do anything." It was like he was reading my mind. I've been trying to explain that to my parents for the last three years and they still don't understand. "So what else do you do when you're not in class?"
"I go to the city's baseball games. And usually work part time." I rocked slowly back and forth. This was coming out just as boring as I thought it would.
"I can honestly say I've never been to a baseball game." He laughed.
"Really?" I said in shock.
"Yeah. Maybe I'll have to visit you and you can take me."
"Yeah. So enough about me tell me more about you."
"Wow I thought that every little fact of my life was published somewhere." He laughed.
"Okay." I smiled deep in thought, trying to come up with a random question. "If you could take three items and one person dead or alive to a deserted island what would you take?"
"Hmmm…" He gulped down the last of his beer and took another. "Good question." He paused and thought for a moment.
"A guitar, a good book, and a journal. And I'd take you." He smiled at me.
"Why me?"
"Because you don't treat me like I walk on water. It's refreshing. So what about you?"
I laughed because I already have answers to this question prepared. I thought it was one of the most telling questions you could ask a person. "I'd take a Polaroid camera, an everlasting IPod….and toilet paper."
"Touché." He brought his can up and toasted me. "And who would you take?"
I hid my face in my hands. "It's embarrassing."
"Who is it?" He teased. "Weird Al? Borat? Bozo the Clown?"
"It's you," I whispered.
"Bullshit," he laughed. "You're just saying that because I said you and you feel bad."
"I'm not bullshitting you," I laughed back.
"Okay fine why? Give me one legitimate reason you'd take me with you."
"Because you're different than what I thought." I took a sip of my beer.
"And what's different?"
"You're just…you. No bullshit diva or bitch behavior. You're just you. It's weird I feel like I've known you for years." I shook my head and smiled.
"Okay my turn." He smiled and scooted closer to the edge of the bed. "What's the most selfish thing you've ever wanted for yourself?"
I slumped down in my chair. I'd never thought about that before.
"I want someone to write a song about me. I don't care if it's good or bad. But I think that would be amazing."
He chuckled. "Good answer." He lowered his head slightly. "I promise to write you a song someday."
"Okay. So what's the most selfish thing you want for yourself?"
He seemed hesitant as his face turned serious. "I wish that I could give it all back. The money…the fame….the fancy cars, the nice houses. None of it matters to me and all its done is bring me more than I can handle. I mean I love my job. I love it more than anything in the world. But sometimes I wonder if it's worth it."
"I think anything you love is worth it."
"Yeah I guess you're right."
We chatted for hours and hours about random things. What our favorite foods were, what our childhoods were like, whether or not we thought Tupac was in fact still alive.
The last time I looked at the clock it was 5 a.m. I had to be at work in three hours. Edward laid his head back on the headboard and starting humming softly. It lulled me right to sleep.
I jumped up at the sound of my phone. But I wasn't in the chair anymore. I was in his bed and had no idea how I got there. He was asleep in the chair, curled up in a ball with a blanket up to his chin and a beer still in his hand.
I looked down at my phone.
"Dad?"
"Bella where the hell are you? It's 8:30. You aren't in your room and you aren't at work."
Crap. I forgot to set an alarm. "Uh. I went for a run?"
"You went for a run? That's the most ridiculous excuse I've ever heard in my life Bella. You don't run." He sighed. "You know what? As long as you're okay then I don't care. Just get to work. Now."
I closed my phone and jumped up from the bed. Bad decision. The world started spinning around me. I wasn't expecting a hangover. It's not like I drank that much. I glanced at myself in the mirror and grimaced. Good thing he wasn't awake, I might scare him away. My hair was sticking out in all different directions and I looked just like I felt. Maybe I could sneak out without him noticing.
I grabbed my stuff from the floor and opened the door slightly. It creaked. I winced and looked back at him.
He was staring right at me smiling.
"Where are you headed off to?" He stretched his arms above him.
"I'm late for work. And I'm really hungover. Sorry I have to go." I started out the door.
He jumped from his seat and grabbed my arm. "Wait you forgot something?" I looked down and saw my key, phone, and hoodie sweatshirt. I hadn't forgot anything. He pulled me back into the room and pressed me against the back of his door before pressing his lips softly to mine. His one hand cradled the side of my face; the other ran down my side and rested lightly on my hip. My knees started to shake and they finally buckled under the pressure. He held me up, laughing against my lips.
"Have a good day at work." He smiled and released me.
"Thanks you too." I paused for a moment. "Well. You know what I mean." I made a quick exit and hurried down the stairs.
"One minute…" I held up one finger to Alice as I passed by the desk. She was tapping a pen on the counter and smirking at me.
I ran into my room and pulled my hair back into a pony and put some fresh clothes on. After brushing my teeth, I rushed back down to the desk.
"Where were you last night you little hussie?" Alice smiled.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I smoothed my hair back.
"So that's how you're playing it?" She teased. "I see." She reached into her purse and handed me some Advil. "Here takes these. It'll help with your headache."
"Am I really that obvious?" I said, panicked.
"No. But I'm your best friend. I know when you're hungover. And exhausted."
I took the pills and swallowed them quickly. Hopefully we wouldn't be too busy today. I didn't know if I could handle it. I laid my head down on the counter and closed my eyes briefly, just until the spinning went away.
They shot open when Alice cleared her throat. She smiled and nodded towards the staircase. Edward was walking down, scratching his head and smirking right at me. I tried to look down but I couldn't. I glanced at him from under my eyelashes and smiled. I couldn't lie. I was completely crushing on him, even more than before. He laughed to himself and disappeared into the kitchen.
"Well aren't you just a smitten kitten?" Alice teased, putting her hands on her hips.
"What?" I turned towards her and tried to hide the smile on my face.
"Don't try and hide it. You can't stop smiling and I think Mr. Hollywood is the reason why."
"Stop it Alice."
I turned my head towards the kitchen as some amazing smells started filtering out from it. Eggs. Bacon. Delicious and nauseating at the same time. My stomach hurt just thinking about it.
I smiled and put my head back down on the counter top, closing my eyes for a few more minutes.
"Is she surviving?" Edward laughed. I opened my eyes and looked up at him. He was carrying a plate of food in his hand.
"Barely," Alice said.
"Here…" He laid the plate down in front of me and I groaned. "That bad huh?"
I nodded my head slowly.
"Well you'll feel better if you get something in your stomach. I promise."
I shook my head. He picked up a fork and stuck some eggs on it. "Come on…" He made airplane noises and tried to feed me like I was a baby. "Come on little Bella…" he teased.
Alice laughed and I couldn't help but smile. I opened my mouth wide and he placed the food in.
"This is so good," I said once I'd swallowed the first bite. I took the fork from his hands and pulled the plate towards me, ready to devour it.
"Thanks." He turned and went back into the kitchen.
"Let me have a bite," Alice whispered.
"No it's mine." I pulled the plate away from her.
"Please just a little one."
"Fine. A little one." I pushed the plate her way and she took a bite that was way beyond little.
"Oh my Emeril! He's hot and he can cook. You hit the jackpot Bella."
"I didn't hit anything." I pulled the plate back towards me.
"No?" Alice teased. "You will soon."
"Alice!" I scolded trying to hold in my laughter. "You are so bad."
"Good. Maybe I'll rub off on you."
I finished up my plate and eyed the kitchen. He still hadn't come out yet.
"I'm going to go…put this away…" I held up my plate and walked towards the kitchen.
There he was. My Hollywood Golden boy. He was just finishing up the dishes.
"That was…amazing." I set my plate down next to the sink.
"Good."
Without warning he spun and picked me up, setting me on the edge of the counter. "Well after this morning I decided one would never be enough." He tilted my head up and pressed his lips to mine for the second time. I tried to keep my emotions in check as his arms snaked around my waist and pulled me closer. My arms went up and grabbed a fistful of his hair, holding his face to mine. I wrapped my legs around his waist and brought my hips closer to him. His lips left mine and traveled down to my neck. I laughed a little at the sensation.
"You're laughing?" He whispered.
"I can't help it when you do that."
I felt him smile against my skin and his hands flew instantly down to the countertop as he pushed me down. That sure shut me up. He bent over me and started kissing down the middle of my chest.
"Edward. We're in a…public place. Stop it!" I teased.
"I know. Someone could just…walk in. At any minute."
Something about that excited me. I grabbed for his face and pulled it up to mine. His hands wandered down by the hem of my shirt and slid just slightly underneath. He ran his fingers softly in circles over my ribs.
"Whoops!" Alice laughed, walking into the kitchen. "Sorry for interrupting." She winked and turned around.
"Bullshit Alice!" I yelled back. "You were spying." I pushed Edward back and hopped off the counter. "I have to get back to work." I pecked him on the lips and turned to leave.
"Bella?"
"Yeah."
"See you later?"
I smiled at him. "Yeah."
Alice was grinning from ear to ear when I returned to the desk. Edward left for his room a few minutes later.
"So…?" Alice pressed.
"So you can add amazing kisser to the list." I laughed.
"Looked like it. When are you seeing him again?"
"Tonight."
"Lucky girl. So are you in love yet?"
"No." I blushed and the butterflies started in my stomach. "But I'm definitely in like. In a lot of like."
"Good."
After work I showered and headed upstairs. I knocked but there was no answer so I opened the door slightly. He was pacing in the middle of the room with his phone to his ear. "Emmett do not tell him where I am okay?...Or her. Especially her….Okay. Bye." He motioned me inside.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah everything's fine. Just my stupid brother. He knows where I am."
"Uh oh. Is he going to tell anyone?"
"No I swore him to secrecy, but it still worries me. You give that man a burger and he'll tell you anything you want to know."
I laughed. "I know some people like that. So what does he do?"
"He's kind of my bodyguard. Which is why I told him where I was. He gets a little anxious when he doesn't know. Being my big brother adds to it."
"Yeah I can imagine. So you only have the one brother right?"
"Yeah. I mean my agent Jasper is like a brother to us. We grew up next door to him and his sister Rosalie. She's a model. She's actually dating Emmett."
"Wait your brother is dating Rosalie Hale?"
"Yep."
"Wow. She's…beautiful."
"Yeah she can be a downright bitch too." He took a step towards me and smiled. "I think I'm over talking for the moment." He bent down and kissed me gently.
I spent every night that week in Edward's room, talking until we fell asleep and waking up groggy and just in time for work. Edward had moved from his spot in the chair to sleeping in bed with me. It was comfortable, normal. I always hated leaving it.
Sunday was going to be a good day though. I didn't have to work. Which meant I could stay in bed with Edward as long as I damn well pleased. I don't think I've ever slept so peacefully in my entire life.
"Dang Edward. She's hot." I furrowed my brow and willed my eyes to open. I was so perfectly content I didn't want to wake up. But I had to see who this voice belonged to and how they knew about Edward.
"I can't believe you're here right now. I told you guys I needed some time alone." Edward sounded a little angry.
"Doesn't look like you're alone." The other man chuckled.
"Shut up!" I heard a smack.
"Don't mess with me little bro. You know I can kick your ass."
Little bro? Was Emmett here? I shot up out of bed and looked around. Edward stared apologetically at me. A large burly man next to him crossed his arms and grinned at me.
"Good morning beautiful." He winked at me.
"Shut it," Edward said.
"I'm Emmett." The man extended his hand.
"Bella." I smiled and took it, then went to stand next to Edward.
"Hey are you okay?" I whispered into his ear.
"Not really. But I'm better now." He smiled slightly and kissed my cheek."Could you give us a minute?"
"Yeah of course. I'll go freshen up." I headed towards his bathroom to splash some water on my face. I could still hear them talking in the other room. I felt bad for eavesdropping, but it was kind of unavoidable.
"So what's with the girl?" Emmett said.
I leaned close to the door and pressed my ear next to it.
"We've been hanging out. I like her."
"Just hanging out?" Emmett teased.
"Well we haven't slept together if that's what you're asking."
"Does little Eddie have a crush?"
"Shut up dick." I think Edward hit him again.
"You totally have a crush dude."
I walked out of the bathroom after a few moments of silence, not wanting to interrupt them or let them know I was listening.
"So how long are you staying?" I took Edward's hand.
"I don't know you'll have to ask Jasper…" He motioned towards the door.
I felt Edward's hand tense up in mine. "You brought Jasper?" He said through clenched teeth.
"Dude. He gave me a burger."
I tried to stifle a laugh.
"Where is he?"
"Down in the lobby with Rosalie trying to arrange a flight back already."
"Shit…" Edward mumbled and pulled me out the door. We walked down the stairs and I headed towards the desk to talk to Alice. There was a tall, slender, blonde man pacing back and forth and talking animatedly with his hands. A gorgeous blonde woman stood with her arms crossed by the door.
"Who's that?" Alice said as I approached.
"You don't know who Rosalie Hale is? What planet do you live on?"
"No not her. I mean the guy. Mr. Cell Phone." She nodded towards the man as Edward approached him.
"I think his name is Jasper. He's Edward's agent."
"He's cute." I knew that look. When Alice thought a guy was cute, she was instantly hooked, no questions asked. She had that look now, but it was different than any she'd had before. Almost something more.
I leaned forward to listen to Edward and Jasper's conversation.
"Edward you have to go back today. You have…obligations."
"Jazz I'm not going back. I'm not ready yet. I've only been here a week."
Jasper put his fingers on the bridge of his nose and breathed deeply. "Edward the studio execs are so far up my ass that I can't even walk right."
"Not my problem." Edward shrugged his shoulders. I could tell this was going to get nasty quick, but I had an idea.
"Edward!" I skipped over and smiled at him. "You didn't introduce me to your friend."
"Um." He looked slightly annoyed. "Sorry. Bella this is Jasper, my agent. Jasper this is Bella. Her dad owns the place."
Jasper nodded my way. "Nice to meet you." I detected a slight Southern accent to his voice. Alice would definitely love that.
"Can I borrow him for a minute?" I asked Jasper, pulling on Edward's arm.
"Go ahead. I'm on hold with the airline."
I pulled Edward away into the kitchen.
"He wants you to leave doesn't he?"
"Yeah. Apparently I'm grounded." He laughed and shook his head.
"Well if you want to stay…" I ran my finger down his chest. "I might have an idea."
"Enlighten me Miss Swan."
There was no need to beat around the bush. "Alice likes him."
A smile spread across his face. "I see."
"Do you think?" I prodded.
"I do." He said confidently.
We walked back out into the room.
"Okay Jazz I'll go if I really have to." He turned towards Alice. "Oh have you met Bella's friend Alice?" He motioned to her.
Jasper looked up from the floor and froze as soon as he locked eyes with Alice.
"No I haven't." He hung up his phone immediately.
"Jasper." He smiled at her and approached the counter.
"I'm Alice." She bent over the counter and gave him a kiss on the cheek. You could always count on Alice to be forward. Jasper was eating it up. I think the dimples on his face were becoming permanent fixtures.
"Are you guys really leaving today? We were going to have a barbeque at the beach tomorrow?" She turned playfully side-to-side with her hands in her pockets.
Edward and I glanced nervously at Jasper. He took his sunglasses off his face and set them down on the counter.
"Well I guess we could stay a couple of nights."
