The characters belong to someone else but the storyline is mine. No infringement intended.

Chapter 4

True to his word, Edward called me the second he was back home in the privacy of his room. Like the night before, we stayed up late, lying in our beds, deep in conversation, except this time it was about the future and not our pasts. I found out that Edward was planning to attend Dartmouth like his father. His dad wanted him to study medicine but Edward didn't think he was cut out for medical school and was considering business instead.

When it came time to confess my own hopes and dreams, I was ashamed to tell him that I truly didn't know. I'd considered many career paths but there was nothing that I was really passionate about. It bothered me to admit to my lack of direction when he was so sure of his path. When I told him as much, Edward scoffed and insisted that I had plenty of time to discover my bliss.

Before hanging up I asked if I could see him in the morning. Unfortunately, his parents already made plans to have their family portrait taken but he was sure they'd be done by midafternoon. As fate would have it, that was about the time I was due at work. He promised he would stop by and see me at work before he said goodnight and hung up the phone. For the second night in a row, I went to sleep consumed with thoughts of Edward Cullen.

I attempted to sleep late, having no real reason for waking early but my telephone had other plans. The shrill ring cut through the silence and permeated the excellent dream I was having. My heart began to race as I lunged for the telephone, hoping that Edward's plans had changed and he'd be able to see me this morning.

"Hey there," I sighed into the phone attempting to sound seductive but likely just coming off as still half asleep, which of course, I was.

"Good morning darling," my mother's chipper voice rang out. "You're not still in bed I hope, it's almost eleven o'clock."

"It's summer, mom. What is there to get up early for? Especially here."

"Well I don't know but I hope you haven't been just moping about and sleeping all day while we're away."

"I'm not," I promised, "I've been working a bit, have to go in today actually, in a few hours."

I briefly considered mentioning the fact that I'd met someone but I knew she'd press for details and then she'd report everything I said back to my dad. I wasn't quite ready for him to know yet and so I kept my mouth shut.

"Good," she said, sounding relieved, "I'm glad you're keeping busy. Your dad and I miss you. You know that right?"

"Of course I do." It was a weird question for her to ask and I couldn't help but wonder what she meant by it.

"Well, we're having just a wonderful time and, uh, well…" she trailed off.

I sighed impatiently, too tired for guess what she was getting at. "Spit it out ma, or put dad on so he can tell me what's up."

"Alright, we were wondering if it would bother you if we extended our vacation a bit. We were thinking it would be nice to do a bit of sightseeing in Los Angeles after the ship docks and maybe drive up the coast instead of flying back. Your dad has a lot of time off saved up and we travel so rarely."

She was babbling, hoping to convince me to tell her it was ok. She had no idea just how OK with the idea I was. In fact, I was thrilled. I could put off telling them about my new boyfriend and Edward and I could spend much more time together away from prying parental eyes.

"Mom, chill. It's totally cool with me. I'm just fine here." I said, trying not to sound too eager.

"Are you sure? It means we might miss your first day of school."

I stifled a laugh. "It's not in kindergarten, mom. I'm a big girl and I think I can handle it. I'm already registered so all I have to do is show up."

"So you're really ok with it?"

"Yes, I'm really ok. Take your time, have fun."

"Alright, as long as you're sure. We'll call and check in with you often."

She talked a little more about their trip and all the fun things they'd been up to and dad took a moment to make sure I was keeping the doors locked and bolted. When they finally let me go, I pulled the covers back over my head and attempted to fall back asleep. However, sleep wouldn't come and so I rolled out of bed and reluctantly began my day.

The hours ticked by slowly despite my best efforts to stay busy and catch up on all the things I'd been neglecting. I threw in a bit of laundry and tidied up before heading to the grocery store to restock the fridge. Just as I was dressing for work, my phone rang once more and my heart leapt when I saw Edward's name flash across the screen.

"I miss you already," I blurted into the phone.

"I miss you too," he said quietly. There was a sadness in his voice and the happiness in my heart that his phone call had brought me quickly turned to worry.

"What's the matter?"

There was a pause before I heard him exhale loudly. "Something's come up, Bella. We were taking the family photos and then dad went and surprised us with an end-of-summer family vacation. He managed to take a couple days off and wants us to go camping one more time before school starts."

"So, does this mean you can't come see me tonight?"

"No, we're packing up now and heading out pretty soon. I'm sorry baby, if I'd known…"

"Stop," I cut him off, "it's fine. I'm a little bummed but it's not like you can help it. Go have fun with your family; I'll still be here when you get back. How long do you think you'll be gone anyways?"

"Dad has to work Sunday night so not too long. We'll probably come back Sunday morning, maybe even Saturday night but I'm not sure."

It was already Wednesday so I only had to make it through a couple of days without him. I could do that, right? When I realized I was worried about missing him for a period of time that was longer than the amount of time I'd known him, it made me chuckle lightly to myself. I tried to suppress the laughter, which only served to make it sound like a cross between cough and a snort.

"You ok?"

"Uh, yeah, my drink just went down the wrong pipe," I lied, not really wanting to explain. He'd already dealt with enough of my neurosis about the length of our acquaintanceship. "I'm really going to miss you."

"I know, I'm going to miss you like crazy but I'll call as soon we get back into town, I promise."

"You better," I teased and I swear I could hear him smile through the phone.

"Well, you better not meet and fall for some other guy while I'm gone," he teased back.

"What? In only four days? That's not possible." There was a pause and then I realized what I was saying. "Not again anyways."

He laughed a bit but then there was the sound of muffled voices on his end. "Alright, I gotta go babe. I'll call you as soon as I get back."

"I'll be waiting,"

I hung up the phone and allowed myself just a few seconds to wallow in disappointment before getting along with my day. I had to hurry to finish getting ready for work, remembering at just the last second, to grab a book to read and then headed out of the house.

At work, Mrs. Newton stuck around a bit later than usual, keeping me occupied with setting up new displays and filling me in on the local town gossip. Normally, her incessant and inane chatter would drive me crazy but today I welcomed the distraction and it wasn't long before it was time to head home again.

I spent the next several days sleeping, reading or watching whatever awful made-for-TV movie was playing at the time. I had to work again on Saturday night but since it was Labor Day weekend, the store was a bit busier than usual as several out-of-towners came in for information and supplies. As the hours ticked by that night, I found myself checking my phone with increased frequency, hoping Edward had come home early. But, the call never came and by the time I headed home and climbed into my bed I had to accept that fact that he wouldn't be home until the next day.

My sleep was fitful and hard to come by as I was about as excited as a kid on Christmas Eve. I couldn't wait to see Edward again but I was also worried that during our time away from each other, he had realized that he was no longer interested in me. I tossed and turned until I was finally too exhausted to stress anymore and succumbed to sleep.

The ringing of the phone caused my eyes to snap open and I was instantly as awake as I'd ever been. With the reflexes of a ninja, my hand snatched the phone off the nightstand as I sat up in bed, heart pounding.

"Edward?" I asked, having not taken the time to check the name on the display first.

"Are your parents home?" he asked, sounding breathless.

"No, not yet."

"Thank God," he replied and I could just make out the sound of a car engine in the background. "Come down and let me in."

I was up and at the window before he finished the sentence, just in time to see his silver car pull into the driveway behind my truck. I didn't even reply, just snapped my phone shut and threw it on the bed as I sprinted out of the room and down the stairs. He'd just reached the porch steps when I flung open the door and threw myself into his arms, my legs wrapping around his waist. He kissed me furiously for several minutes until we were both forced to come up for air.

He set me back on my feet and as his eyes traveled up and down the length of my body, I suddenly realized I was still in my pajamas, which consisted of a very small pair of shorts and a tank top, no bra.

"Fuck baby," he breathed, "we gotta get you in the house."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the house as I apologized, my face flushing with embarrassment. "Sorry, I was still sleeping when you called.

I had just stepped over the threshold when he kicked the door shut and I found myself up pinned up against it with Edward's body pressed against mine. "Never apologize for greeting me like this," he growled, "I just don't want the whole neighborhood to see."

His hands ghosted down the side of my body, barely touching me yet lighting my skin on fire. "Mine," he whispered softly into my ear and then pulled my earlobe into his mouth, sucking on it gently. The feminist in me wanted to be offended by his possessive claim but a much bigger part of me was so incredibly turned on. My stomach clenched and my knees began to buckle, forcing me to wrap my arms around Edward's neck for support. His hands were on my hips and as I clung to him, he lifted me off my feet until once again, I had my legs wrapped tightly around his waist.

"Your room is upstairs?"

"Yeah," I panted, my breath coming in shallow gasps, "on the left.

I buried my face in his neck as he navigated the two of us up the stairs and into my bedroom. Once inside, we fell back onto the bed with me on my back and Edward hovering over me. His lips crashed onto mine as I pulled him flush against me. He was afraid of hurting me but I needed to feel him. I needed to feel the weight of his body against mine. It was a need greater than anything I'd ever experienced. In that moment, I needed him more than oxygen.

His lips broke from mine and once again began kissing a trail along my jaw to the base of my ear and down my neck. To my surprise, he continued lower, allowing his tongue to dip into the hollow between my breasts.

"Is this ok?" he asked, looking up at me, concern in his eyes. "I need you to tell me that this is ok."

"More than ok," I gasped.

"And you'll tell me if it becomes not ok?"

I nodded, knowing there was very little he could to me right now that would not be ok with me. He lowered his face and placed a tender kiss on the swell of my breast before sitting up slightly. His hands slid up my arms and under the thin straps of my tank top, pausing momentarily as he looked to me for permission. I nodded in agreement and he slid the delicate straps off my shoulders and down my arm until my breasts were exposed.

"Fucking perfect," he breathed, cupping them in his hands gently, rubbing his thumbs, ever so gently over my pebbled nipples. He brought one hardened nub to his lips, flicking the tender skin with the tip of his tongue before taking the entire thing into his mouth, sucking gently.

"Oh my God!" I gasped, my back arching off the bed. The sensation like nothing I'd ever experienced. My reaction spurred Edward on and he began sucking with even more vigor, rolling one nipple tenderly between his teeth as he continued to rub his thumb over the other.

I needed desperately to feel his skin against mine and began tugging at the hem of his t-shirt, pulling it up towards his head. He quickly caught on to what I was trying to achieve and sat up briefly pulling the offending garment off in one sweeping motion. I had only a second to marvel at the perfectness of his chest before he turned his attention back to mine but the delicious heat of his body against mine more than made up for that.

I allowed my hands to roam along his back and shoulders as Edward began to kiss his way lower, along my ribcage and down towards my stomach. He had just placed one sweet kiss against my belly when the sound of a car just outside pulled me from my bliss.

"Shit, what was that?"

Edward sat up quickly and looked at me in alarm. "What?"

I became suddenly self-conscience of my near nakedness and tugged on my tank top to cover myself as I leapt from the bed and hurried to the window.

A blue car I didn't recognize had parked in front of the house. I watched in horror as the passenger door opened and my mother stepped out.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" I cried, turning to face Edward. "My parents are home."

"Now?"

"Yes, now. Quick, get your shirt on and get downstairs." I snatched the bra I'd left over the back of my desk chair and struggled to get it on as fast as I could.

"Downstairs? And do what?" He was up and pulling his own shirt over his head.

"Tell them we're going out and you were just waiting for me to finish getting ready. I just need you to buy me a second to get dressed and I'll be right down."

"Bella?" he questioned, clearly not a fan of the idea of meeting my parents alone and unexpected.

"Please," I begged, looking out the window to see both my parents pulling luggage out of the trunk. "We don't have much time. My dad's a cop, he has guns. Plural. More than one. Would you rather he find us both up here with me half dressed?"

That did the trick. Edward turned on his heel and was out the door in a flash. I pulled a t-shirt from my closet and threw it over my head before stepping into the first pair of jeans I came across, pulling them up and over the shorts I was still wearing. I stepped into a pair of flip flops and snatched a hair tie from my desk. I was at the top of the stairs pulling my hair into a messy bun when I heard the front door open.

"Who the hell are you?" my dad's gruff voice boomed through the house.

"You must be a friend of Bella?" my mother's voice followed, kindly but with a hint of amusement. Knowing my mother, I'd never hear the end of this.

I saw Edward rise from the couch and turn to face my father as I hurried down the steps, racing to save him any further awkwardness.

"Dad, this is Edward Cullen. He's a friend of mine and we were going to go get some breakfast but I was running late so he was just waiting down here while I finished getting ready."

Edward smiled at my slyly, clearly as impressed as I was with the ease that lie had spewed out.

"You're home early," I added, trying to mask the irritation in my voice.

"Mark broke his leg hiking yesterday. I had to come home and cover his shift tonight." Dad said brusquely, still staring at Edward with narrowed eyes.

"I was going to call you dear, but I thought it would be more fun to surprise you." Mom had set her bags down and pulled me into a tight hug.

"A little late for breakfast, isn't it?" Dad asked, turning to look at me for the first time. "It's almost noon."

"I slept in," I replied curtly.

Mom cut the tension with a light laugh. "Oh, don't mind your father. He's just tired. We got the call last night and drove all night to get back. You two go get some breakfast or lunch or whatever and let your dad get in a nap before work. We'll catch up later."

"Cullen?" Dad asked, returning his attention to Edward. "You Dr. Cullen's boy?"

"Uh, yeah, I am." Edward replied nervously.

Dad considered this information for a second before speaking. "Your father's a good man; I expect he raised you to be a gentleman?"

"Yes, sir."

"Alright then," he said with a resigned nod and then turned back to me. "Be home in time for dinner."

"Sure thing dad," I said, breathing a silent sigh of relief and stepped forward to give my dad a hug. "I missed you," I added, hoping to lighten his mood a little.

"Missed you too Bells," he said but before letting me go he whispered, "we'll be having a chat later, you and I."

Wanting to get Edward out of the house before dad changed his mind, I tugged on his arm and pulled him out the door, waving goodbye to my mother as we went. Her face was lit up with a knowing smile and I just knew she was going to assault me with questions about Edward as soon as we were alone. Mom was never very good at the whole parenting thing, she was always more of a girlfriend than a mother and it was clear this would be no exception.

We were in the car and driving towards the nearest fast food joint before I finally spoke, breaking the silence between us. "I'm sorry. I didn't expect them home for a few days."

"It's fine, baby. I had to meet them eventually right?" he said, shooting me a smile. "besides, maybe it's for the best."

"For the best?" I failed to see how any part of this scenario was for the best.

He sighed and pulled the car into a parking stall outside of the McDonald's. "It's just that we were both really caught up in the moment and I don't think either of us were thinking clearly. I doubt we would have slowed down if they hadn't come home."

"Who says we needed to slow down?"

"Bella," he began, but the frustration in his voice set me off and I refused to hear any more.

"No! Is this about waiting for the right time or me not being ready? Why are you the one who gets to make that decision for me? I'm a big girl and I'm capable of saying 'no' if I want to. I told you I was ready and I meant it. Each day that I know you only serves to solidify my decision. I'm not expecting a lifelong commitment from you if that's what you're afraid of. If we'd gone any further this morning, I wouldn't have regretted it because I would have experienced that with someone that I'm really beginning to care for deeply."

"That's just it," he interrupted. "You're only just beginning to care for me but you don't yet.

"That's not what I meant!" I cried.

"I know. I know that and it's ok but you deserve to have that experience with someone you love, not someone you just met who you think you might really like. I know you think it's no big deal but it is."

"And did you have this great magical first time with someone you love or are you just a hypocrite?" I snapped, sick of the double standard. I knew he was not a virgin and I was sick of it being ok for him but not for me.

"No!" he roared, "my first time was while I was shitfaced in the backroom at a party with a girl I not only didn't like but who I absolutely can't stand. I know I'm a guy and I shouldn't be so sentimental but it true that your first time will stick with you and I wish I had a first time worth remembering and that it had been with someone I loved. That's all I want for you."

I tried really hard to stay mad at him but the sincerity in his voice touched me even more than his words and melted my anger. "Well, you're going to give a girl a complex if you keep shutting me down and rejecting me."

"Rejecting you? Is that what you think I was doing back there in your room?" he laughed and I playfully smacked his arm."

"You know what I mean."

"I do and trust me, I fully intend to make you fall in love with me and then we'll have a night worth remembering."

He ended the argument with a kiss and then we made our way inside to eat. We spent the rest of the afternoon at the same park we'd gone to on that first night. The weather was warm and dry as we sat in the shade of a large tree talking and laughing until it was time for me to head home.

I watched him carefully as he drove me home and I thought about what he'd said earlier about making me love him but he didn't realize that I was already more than halfway there. Though I knew it was unlikely, I could only hope that he felt the same.

A/N: Ok, how many of you have been thisclose to getting busted by the folks?

Thank you all for reading. Means more than words can say.