Disclaimer: I am in no way connected to Ms. Stephenie Meyer. All references to and characters in the Twilight Saga belong to her.
A/N: This one is a little long but I couldn't shorten it and I couldn't split it. Enjoy!
EPOV
I watched Bella walk away from me, once again. The way her hips swayed, perfectly to the beat of the music, had me hypnotized. I was pretty sure I was drooling when Emmett slapped me on the back.
"Get it together bro." He said replacing the shot that Bella had taken from me. I looked up at four sets of eyes looking at me with concerns, questions, and humor.
"Why don't you just get over yourself already." Rose said.
"It's not that…Jesus. It's not that I think I'm better than her – it's that I don't think I'm good enough for her." I said slamming the shot down.
"Maybe, maybe not, but shouldn't she have the right to decide that?" Jasper said. I knew he cared about Bella, like he cared about his own sister, so his unspoken "permission" was a welcome relief. I'm not sure I would have waited for it anyways seeing how my strength to stay away from her was crumbling faster than I could comprehend.
I had spent all week trying desperately to avoid her, not wanting to get any more involved in something I knew wasn't possible. I didn't deserve her. I was an ass. She was…perfect. Her kindness – even though not always directed towards me – was incredible. Her intelligence unmatched; her humor was witty and sarcastic. Of course, her beauty was another reason I felt less than adequate.
Visions of her walking up to and away from me in that blue dress went directly to my crotch.
This is gonna be a long fucking night.
I never really responded to Jasper or to any of the others, I just sat there in my chair and watched the party pass me by. I watched Bella receive drinks all night from Newton, Tyler Crowley, Eric Yorkie, and hell even Em and Jazz were supplying her with drinks. I watched as she got progressively freer with her actions.
I watched Alice and Rose drag her to an open spot and start to dance to a song that I couldn't even tell you what it was. It was the only time I left my chair. I walked over to Emmett and Jasper who were staring at the girls.
"Didn't know Alice had it in her to move like that." Emmett laughed.
"Didn't know Bella had it in her." Jazz added laughing.
"It's the damn alcohol Newton's been forcing down her throat all night." I grumbled.
"She's drinking it, bro. Just cause someone's giving it to her doesn't mean she has to drink it." Emmett said.
"But you and I both know he's only doing it for one damn reason, it's really pissing me off. You can see it in his eyes every time she accepts his drink."
They both just shrugged and returned their attention to the girls. A new song came one and this one I knew. It was an odd song for me to know, I'll admit, but I honestly couldn't tell you the lyrics – until tonight.
Oh boy you looking like you like what you see
Won't you come over and check up on it, I'm gonna let you work up on it
Ladies let em check up on it, watch it while he check up on it
Dip it, pop it, twork it, stop it, check on me tonight
Holyfuckinghell
"Is she looking at you?" Jasper asked me.
Screw that?! Did she just bend over like that?!
If you got it, flaunt it, boy I know you want it
While I turn around you watch me check up on it
Oh you watching me shake it, I see it in ya face
Ya can't take it, it's blazing, you watch me in amazement
You can look at it, as long as you don't grab it
If you don't go bragging, I'ma let you have it
You think that I'm teasing, but I ain't got no reason
I'm sure that I can please ya, but first I gotta read you
And now she's singing it, while looking at me? Damn-it all to…fucking…back to the chorus and she...mmmmm
"You ok over there?" Emmett asked apparently hearing my moan.
I can tell you wanna taste it, but I'm gone make you chase it
You got to be patient, I like my men patient
More patience, you take might get you in more places
You can't be abrasive, have to know to pace it
If I let you get up on it, you gottta make a promise
That you gone put it on me, like no ones put it on me
Don't bore me, just show me, all men talk but don't please
I can be a tease, but I really wanna please you
Her eyes never left mine and against my own better judgment I took a step towards her before I realized what I was doing. She laughed noticing my advancement and winked at me.
I was beyond hard for her and I only had one goal in mind. Ending this stupid "game" I had started which she apparently could play better than me. The song ended and I came to an abrupt stop when Newton approached her. I couldn't hear their conversation but she didn't seem all consumed with it since she kept glancing over his shoulder at me. She nodded at something and followed him away from me. I turned around and sulked back to my chair.
"Get up." I demanded to the kid who had sat down in it. He instantly fled. Emmett, Jasper, Rose, and Alice all followed me and were standing around talking and effectively ignoring the cloud of shit that surrounded me.
"She was dancing for you, you know." Rose whispered in my ear. I jerked my head up and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Don't be stupid."
"What…?" I started to ask but was cut off when Tanya flopped down on my lap.
"Hey Eddie!" She said wrapping her arms around my neck.
"What do you want Tanya?" I asked.
"Don't be silly…I want you." She said then bent down to try and kiss me. I held her face still.
"Don't." I said and with that she went into full pout mode. I just rolled my eyes.
"You know she's not good enough for you right? She's just a poor ugly duckling. Why even bother with it when you've got…well me." She said sickeningly sweet. Before I could even process what she had just said, I realized both Alice and Rose inhaled sharply and glanced behind Tanya. I hadn't seen her walk up because of Tanya's face being directly in front of me. This was the first time she had come close to me all night…this of all times. Tanya was on my lap and had just insulted her. I wasn't sure if she had heard what Tanya said but it was evident she wasn't happy about something.
Tanya hadn't noticed that everyone around her tensed up so the next voice shocked her.
"Before you go trying to insult someone, you might want to get your stories straight. As I recall, the ugly duckling grows into a beautiful swan, the envy of everyone and everything."
"On what planet would I everenvy you?" Tanya said turning her head around to glare at Bella who had a smirk on her gorgeous face.
She shrugged. "Terra di pianeta."
"What did you just call me?" Tanya asked incredulously. Bella and I both laughed.
"I'm leaving." She simply said to Alice and Rose then turned on her heels, which were sexy as hell, and headed towards the door. I was still laughing but quickly sobered up when I saw Mike turn to follow her out the front door. I pushed Tanya off my lap and onto the floor with a thump and ran towards the door.
"Don't even think about it Newton." I practically growled at him as I grabbed his arm.
"But…" He started to protest so I gripped his arm tighter and hardened my stare. "Whatever Cullen." He finally said then made the movement to turn around so I dropped his arm.
I flew out of the door and down towards the sidewalk at her retreating figure. I was almost to her when she stopped and bent over to take her shoes off. The motion apparently sent her head in a spin and she almost fell on her face.
"Whoa." I said as I grabbed her. I heard her breathing hitch before she looked up at me.
"Oh thanks Cullen. Glad you could tear yourself away from your bimbo for the evening long enough to save me from more embarrassment." She hissed.
I rolled my eyes as she started to walk again. I seriously thought about letting her go, until she stumbled again and fell into my side.
"Oops!" she laughed, her mood changing drastically. I laughed at her alcohol induced state then swept her up in my arms, bridal style.
"Put me down!" She demanded.
"Not till I get you safely home." I said firmly causing her to cross her arms across her chest and stick her lower lip out in a pout.
God, what I wouldn't do to taste her…Shit! New thoughts, Cullen.
"Where's your key?" I asked her as I walked up on her porch.
"Hidden in that planter." She said gesturing towards the one right next to me. I set her down carefully and opened the door. After the door opened she stumbled her way into the living room and sat down on the couch taking off her shoes.
"Stupid shoes. I swear Alice thinks I can walk in these stupid ass things." She mumbled as she threw them across the room.
"You looked like you were pretty comfortable in them to me." I said leaning against the door way into the kitchen staring at her remembering how she looked dancing.
"Thanks Cullen." She said grinning then stood up. "Want anything or do you want to get back to the party?"
"I'm done with the party. I wasn't really enjoying myself any way." I was too busy watching you and making sure you were ok to have fun. I didn't even drink but two or three drinks all night.
"Oh…" She said then hesitated in front of me for a second before slinking by into the kitchen. "So did you want something to drink or not?"
"Whatever you're getting yourself is good. Thank you." I said turning towards her. She nodded and got two glasses of water.
"Well…I'm gonna sober up before I try to lay down or I'll regret it tomorrow when I try to explain to Charlie why I have a hangover when he gets home."
"Oh your dad's not home tonight?" I asked sounding surprised but I already knew that. She rolled her eyes with an expression making me think she knew I was lying. She chuckled before walking back into the living room and flopping down on the couch and turning on the TV. I stood in the doorway still looking at her.
"What?" She asked looking back at me.
"Nothing." I said smiling. Just admiring your beauty.
"Well are you gonna stand there all night or are you gonna sit down and make yourself comfortable?"
I sat down on the couch next to her and tried to focus on whatever she had on the television. I couldn't tell you what was on but I could tell you exactly how long it took for her to blush, mute the TV, and turn towards me. Ten minutes.
"Thank you Cullen." She said looking at me.
"For what?"
"For making sure I got home safely tonight and…for keeping Mike away from me."
So she wasn't oblivious to his intentions for the evening. "You're welcome." I said smiling. She grinned back and blushed a little more. Grow some balls Cullen. "Bella?"
"Yes?" She answered quickly. It made me chuckle.
"I want to…um…apologize."
"What for?"
"For acting like a jerk this week." I said laughing humorlessly thinking of her response to my behavior.
"Eh it's ok…you're emotional and was going through PMS. I get it." She laughed. I narrowed my eyes and growled at her. "Did you just growl at me?"
"Yes." I stated matter of fact. "Why?" I asked and she immediately blushed. I raised my eyebrow at her. Do it now Cullen. "Can we talk?"
"We're talking."
"No…about…us."
"Us?"
"Well, I…see Bella, I think you're...uh…well beautiful and I like you." I quickly said then took a deep breath. I chanced a glance up at her face and saw her grinning like a fool.
"You think I'm beautiful?"
"You're breathtakingly beautiful. I have to concentrate on breathing every time I'm around you."
"Thank you. But I'm confused now…well more so than I was just five minutes ago. If you like me like you say you do, why are you ignoring me?"
Of course she would want to know this. I took a deep breath and looked in her eyes.
"I don't think I deserve you and I don't expect you to return my feelings but I wanted you to know how I felt…" I stopped talking when Bella shifted on the couch and leaned closer to me. Her eyes flickered down to my lips and I stopped breathing.
"You are utterly absurd Edward." She whispered before she pressed her lips to mine. The feel of her smooth lips on mine was amazing. We fit perfectly together. She slowly leaned further forcing me to lay back on the couch. I pushed back and forced her the other direction until she was laying down with me hovering over her.
"Bella." I moaned as I went in for more. She met my mouth with her tongue and traced my bottom lip. I sighed and let her in; our tongues were caressing each other, sharing the dominance. She pulled away to breath but went to my ear and started sucking and nibbling on my lobe down my neck.
I was fast losing control over my emotions. I knew we had to stop this. I knew she was drunk and that this could possibly not be what she wanted to do and then that would make me no better than Newton. I had to stop this before it progressed.
"Bella." I said pulling away from her. She looked up at me with passion and confusion in her eyes. "We need to stop."
"Why?" She asked lacing her fingers in my hair and leaning up to kiss me again.
"Because I'm having a hard time controlling myself and I don't think I can stop if we…"
"Then don't stop." She said and tried again.
"Bella, I can't do it. You're drunk and I'm not going to take advantage of that." I said then sat back to my side of the couch.
I could tell by the look on her face she was hurt, rejection and embarrassment laced through her gorgeous brown eyes. I watched as they glassed over with unshed tears.
"Please don't cry baby. I'm not…I want to but I don't think I can stop myself and I don't want anything more to happen while you're, while we're both tipsy. I don't want this…us…to start that way."
"Start? You want to start something with me?" she asked a smiling playing on her lips.
"Bella, sweetheart, yes. I'm tired of trying to stay away from you. I can't pretend I'm not pulled to you."
My heart was pounding. I was sweating like I just got done running two miles. Was she going to turn me down? Was she going to laughing in my face?
"Ok."
Hoping to post again soon. Let me know what you're thinking!
