Sorry for the delay guys…finals are next week and then it's summer so that should get the ball rollin'. :)

I don't own Twilight or anything Twilight related, except my very own Team Edward shirt. Be jealous ;)

Ch 8 should be up much faster than this one!

**

Bella

In any new relationship there are certain questions that must be answered. Some can be deal breakers, some can seal the deal. One of the questions I hate to ask because I dread the answer? "Any crazy ex-girlfriends?"

Ah, yes, the crazy ex's.

If a guy admits to having a batty old fling, it usually sends me out the door. I don't want some chick plotting to jump me because I met up with her ex for drinks. No sex is worth that to me.

But there's a question that most women usually are scared to ask themselves: Am I the crazy ex?

Over time, I've found some for sure ways that will make sure you're not the erratic chick he'll be warning someone about.

Before the break up there are about four things to keep in mind not to do. First, don't tell him you love him within the first week. We women live by our emotions, yes, and when we feel it, we feel it, but this will creep the dude out.

Second, don't plan your future with him. Men come with the invisible label of "Commitment phobic" so don't test them. Third, don't cling to him; they need their air and space, so give them a little breathing room.

And fourthly, don't ask for him not to break up with you when they're breaking up with you.

After the break up, forget him. Delete his number from your phone so you won't be tempted to call or text him. Don't overly apologize. If you feel the need to apologize, stick along the lines of, "I'm sorry this didn't work out," and leave it at that. A biggie: don't get jealous. Bashing the new chick he's with will not help out your situation.

And the most important yet? Don't pine after him; telling him how much you miss him will only drive him farther away. We all experience bad break ups and some of us still love our ex's deeply, but the truth of the matter is that life must move on.

And so must you.

My birthday was a hit. Does twenty-six entail some new friends and possibly new love interests? Your guess is as good as mine. I've made a few new good friends lately; A's J Suave, a guy I'll call the Punisher, and someone I'll refer to as Dr. Captious, or just Dr. C.

Life is moving on; October is looming, which means winter is on its way. Take comfort in your place on chilly nights with that new fling of yours and take notice in the signs you might be sending him—no need to scare him off too soon. Remember, attract, seduce, repeat.

-Bella Swan
Sinful in Seattle

***

"You have plans for tomorrow night."

Rosalie tossed something light on to my stomach while I was lying on the couch watching Top Chef. I arched an eyebrow at her, but she just pointed to my stomach, so I removed my hand from behind my head and reached down to touch the firm paper.

I lifted the rectangle to my eyes and grinned. "You're kidding."

She shook her head. "Do I ever kid when it comes to football?"

I shook my head and let my eyes roam over the ticket. "How did you get these? These are amazing seats."

She shrugged, tugging another ticket out of her front pocket. "I have connections."

"Connections my ass!" I sat up quickly, the television long forgotten.

Rosalie was an avid fan of the Seattle Seahawks; I was an avid fan of being somewhere I could drink at two in the afternoon and not be judged.

"Okay, well Emmett got them."

I arched an eyebrow at her. "Emmett?"

She shrugged and turned from me, hoping to appear nonchalant, but I knew better. "Yeah, a few of the players work out at his gym or something so they give him free tickets all the time."

I sat up as she walked into the kitchen. I watched her open and close drawers like she was searching for something. "So…" I started, feeling a sly smile form on my lips.

She looked up and frowned at me. "What?"

"Emmett and you seem close," I grinned, applying a nonchalant phrase, but my tone suggested otherwise.

Her eyes widened slightly and she shook her head. "No, not really."

"Rose."

"Bells."

"R."

"B."

I sighed and turned away from her. "Come on! You can't give me so much shit about Edward and expect me not to return the favor."

"Speaking of which," she said, coming back into the living room with a glass of water, "how's that going?"

I rolled my eyes at her not so subtle attempt to change the subject. "It's not."

"Why not? I thought you were all for it now," she asked me, slightly confused.

"I was—no I am. But he's just sending so many mixed signals." I flipped to a different channel on the television.

"Well you spent the first month of knowing him telling him you guys were friends. You can't be upset if he doesn't get the hint right away. How about you just ask him out?" Rosalie snatched the remote out of my hand.

I shook my head. The idea of approaching Edward and explaining that I wanted to be more than just friends…I wasn't totally convinced that I could do that.

"I'm serious! Turn the flirting up a notch or something. Just pin him down at the game and kiss him."

"Like I haven't tried. We've been so close to kissing again and—" I paused in mid thought and turned my head towards her. "Game? He's coming?"

Rosalie looked at me like I had two heads. "Of course…Emmett invited the three of us because the three of them were going. I didn't think I'd have to say that."

I groaned, tugging on my hair.

"Shut up," she scolded me, pressing a pillow into my face. "And what did you mean by 'we've been so close to kissing again'?"

I felt heat rise to my cheeks. "Um…" I stuttered. I bit my lower lip and avoided her gaze. "We've…almost kissed a few times."

"Few? As in three or four times?"

I raked my mind back to those memories, trying to count how many times Edward's lips almost came into contact with mine. Thinking back on it, Edward had only made two attempts to kiss me, both which were futile.

"No, just twice."

She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at me through apprehensive eyes. "Did you kiss him on your birthday?"

I lay back on the couch and sighed heavily in annoyance. "No." I tugged at my hair and ran my fingers through it, happy to feel the silky strands through my fingers. "I wanted to but when he dropped me off he kissed my forehead."

She cringed. "Forehead?" I nodded, feeling slightly embarrassed and ready for the conversation to be over with. "Ouch. Have you talked to him since then?"

The truth was I hadn't. It had been about two and a half weeks since my birthday. I hadn't been avoiding him like I was earlier in the month—this time it was completely unintentional. I wanted to run into him and talk to him but I never seemed to see him. I was so wrapped up in work and just stuff in general that I hadn't seen much of anyone in the past few weeks.

"No, I suppose I haven't." I sighed, sitting up again and turning off the television.

"Just talk to him."

I sighed and looked away from her. Suddenly I wanted the following night to come faster than ever. "What time does the game start?" I asked with a small smirk.

*

"I want a foam finger," Alice told me, tugging onto the back of my plaid button down.

Rosalie rolled her eyes and huffed at no one in particular.

I crossed my arms over my chest, hitching my purse higher up on my shoulder before swatting her hand away from my favorite shirt. "Then get one."

Alice tsked at me, shaking her head. "Like I would spend four dollars on a piece of foam."

Rosalie turned down an isle towards our seats without saying a word. I wandered down the concrete hallway before the stadium opened up around us. She glanced back down at the ticket in her hand before climbing up the flight of stairs.

"They're here already," she murmured. I glanced up and saw Emmett on his feet yelling already, Edward at the edge of his seat, and Jasper on his blackberry furiously texting away.

Suddenly, Edward turned his head to speak to Emmett and caught sight of us. He waved, one corner of his lips twitching up into the crooked smile I was growing fond of. Alice pushed past us to rush to Jasper. Rose rolled her eyes and continued climbing the stairs.

"Hey!"

Alice immediately sat at Jasper's side, and he didn't miss a beat; as soon as she was seated his arm wound around her shoulders. Edward stood from his seat next to Emmett and offered it to Rosalie. She smiled in response and thanked him before settling herself down in it.

Edward just grinned at me and grabbed my wrist, forcing me into the seat next to Rosalie as he sat down on my left.

"Hi," he cooed.

I grinned at his over eagerness. "Hey," I drawled.

He released my wrist and turned back to the game, but I noticed every once in a while he would cast a glance in my direction.

I wasn't the biggest football fan. Not that I couldn't enjoy the game, but rather I enjoyed it so much more when I had beer in my system. So deciding I needed to get a head start, I rose out of my seat.

Rosalie arched an eyebrow at me. "Where are you going?"

"I need a beer."

"It's one fifteen," she informed me.

I just shrugged and made my way past her. I had crossed in front of Jasper and Alice when Edward was suddenly behind me with his warm hand pressed to the small of my back. I looked back at him quizzically but he replied, "I want one too."

Edward followed me until the crowds cheers were no longer ringing in our ears. His hand never left the small of my back and despite the cool air whipping around us, his hand was burning into my skin.

I chanced a glance at him. His eyes were cast forward but he was chewing on the inside of his cheek fervently. "So," I said dully, not really sure of what to say to him. The last time I had seen him was when he had rejected me at my front door. Lord only knows what could have happened if he had just came into the damned apartment like I'd asked...

"So," he replied, grinning. He inched his hand around my back and let it wrap loosely around my waist. "I haven't seen you lately."

I reveled in his touch. "Yeah," I murmured, sounding more breathless than I meant to. "I've been busy. You know, my job is so demanding," I added with an eye roll.

He laughed. "Obviously." He led us to a refreshment stand and stood in line, keeping his arm around me the entire time.

"I've been good," I stumbled over the words, and then blushed, because I realized he hadn't asked me how I was. "I mean…how are you?"

He shook his head, smiling. "Perfect."

Perfect. Perfect because he spent the last two weeks not seeing you or because he's seeing you now?

Gah. Stop Bella.

I mentally smacked myself on the forehead and forced a smile up at him. I tried to calm my erratic breathing before I had an aneurism.

Sighing deeply in frustration, I closed my eyes.

He looked at me strangely for a moment before he placed his other arm around me and brought me closer to him. My breathing sped up, coming in shorter pants than it was before. His thumb hooked into the waist of my jeans, coming in contact with my bare skin. His eyes were locked on my lips and narrowed as I licked them nervously.

Suddenly he pulled me out of line and tugged me away from the refreshment stand. He stopped at secluded area a few feet away from the stand, before shoving me up against the concrete wall, putting his body flesh with mine. I gasped at the sensation, before I moaned in approval. His lips met mine in wild abandon, leaving a trail of fire from my mouth down to whatever skin he could get a hold of. He growled into the crook of my neck, nipping at my soft flesh.

His hand traveled up the hem of my shirt, slipping under my wife beater while his other hand sneaked around my button down to grasp my hip. His thumb slid across the lace of my bra, before he withdrew it and returned it to its earlier position to my waist. Edward ground his hips against mine, letting me feel his delicious arousal through the front of his jeans.

"Bella?"

Slowly, I opened my eyes.

I had to stop with the fantasies. Edward was looking at me in the most peculiar way as if I admitted I had two heads. I blushed, wondering if I had accidentally moaned out loud. He just grinned, his thumb brushing my side through my shirt, and asked, "Hungry?"

For food? Not at the moment. For you? Always.

I smiled seductively, placing my hand between his well defined pecks and letting it trail down to his stomach, letting it rest lightly there. "I'm feeling ravenous."

His eyes widened slightly before a grin graced his lips and he tucked me further into his side.

Edward ordered the two of us beers and a bag of popcorn. I tried to get him to get the small bag but he insisted, saying that if we were sharing then he'd have to get the large; apparently the man love his popcorn.

He also paid, which I protested greatly, but he ignored me and pushed me out of the way to hand his credit card over. Much to my disappointment, Edward's hands were full with his beer and the popcorn, meaning his arm couldn't resume its task of warming my waist.

I scowled the rest of the way back to our seats.

When we returned, Alice and Jasper were no where to be seen. Rosalie and Emmett were sipping on beers of their own and chatting about a player that trains at his gym.

The game continued somewhat uneventfully until it was almost over. Alice and Jasper never returned back to their seats, but Rose and I had a hunch they were far to busy to be bothered.

Edward leaned back into his seat, placing my partially filled plastic cup in his now empty one. I tried not to notice that he was watching me but I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck begin to rise.

I heard him shift in his chair and lean towards me. Less than a second later, I felt his hot breath blow across my neck as he whispered, "You look nice today."

I blushed deeply at his compliment. "Thanks," I muttered. I didn't chance looking at him, at the slight possibility that I would get locked in staring at those emeralds.

"I like your blush," he noted, leaning away a little bit but not quite enough.

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks," I told him, my voice dripping with sarcasm. We were quiet for a few more minutes, just watching the ball get thrown back and forth across the field and wincing whenever someone got brutally tackled.

"What are you thinking?" Edward asked. He looked past me at Rosalie who wasn't facing us but had perked up at our conversation. I wanted to shove her away and tell her to fuck off, but I decided against it.

"Nothing," I said softly. He didn't seem to buy it but he dropped the topic and started to flag down an employee that could grab him another beer.

I wanted to know what he was thinking as he was pounding back the little plastic cups full of beer. After noticing his fourth empty cup in his cup holder, I gently wound my hand around his wrist.

"Edward, how many have you had?"

He looked down at the cup in his hand and then glanced over at the pile of empty ones. "Five," he answered cheekily.

"You feel good?" I giggled, knowing that four and a half beers probably didn't do much to him, but how fast he was consuming them he had to be feeling a slight buzz.

He grinned and downed the rest of his beer. He held up his hands in defeat, chuckling. "I'm a little buzzed. Besides Jasper drove us here."

I rolled my eyes and averted them back to the game. Edward spent the rest of the game leaning on our joined armrest, making silly comments or trying to annoy me.

Towards the end of the last quarter, I had completely lost interest of the game. Emmett and Rosalie were yelling profanities to the field and we had still yet to see Alice or Jasper return to our seats. I crossed my legs and leaned into Edward.

"Write about any good sex lately?"

I jerked my eyes up to his. "Excuse me?"

He chuckled nervously and started to shake his head. "No, no. God, that's not what I meant. I was trying to be funny but it didn't come out that way."

I smiled at him. "No, it's okay. You just surprised me a little…"

"I guess I don't think before I speak sometimes," he admitted, running a hand through his copper locks.

I shrugged, "I think more people shouldn't think about what they say. Say what is exactly on their minds in the moment, because who knows whenever they'll have a chance to do that again. Most people never say what they were thinking."

"What do you mean?" he leaned his head slightly towards me to hear me better. Someone intercepted a pass, making the stadium erupt in applause and cheers. Rosalie and Emmett shot to their feet, yelling on the top of their lungs, while I just turned my head to look at him.

My hands twisted in my lap. "Like…if we suddenly discovered that we only had five minutes left to say all that we wanted to say, every single person would be on their cell phones calling other people to stammer that they loved them or that they were sorry, because no one ever has the guts to say exactly what's on their mind in the moment. We focus too much on the consequences or rejection..."

His green eyes bore into mine, effectively making my heart skip a beat. I swallowed audibly at the lingering truth in my words as a touchdown occurred, making Rosalie scream and jump next to me. Edward leaned towards me slightly and whispered, "Do you say what you're thinking?" with his voice husky and low.

"I edit," I admitted.

I looked away from his eyes for a half a second. But when I returned to look at him, his eyes looked sad. "I wish you wouldn't."

"Edward—"

"Bella—"

We both cut each other off and began to laugh nervously. He sucked in a deep breath and said evenly, "Bella, I need to ask you something."

My lips parted to answer, but I never got the chance. Instead I was ripped up form my seat by Emmett to be pulled into a hug with Rosalie. I hugged her back, silently cursing her actions but I knew it wasn't intentional; she had stopped listening to our conversation a few minutes ago. As I pulled away, I locked eyes with Edward again. They were trained on me, regardless of the fact that he had bumped fists with Emmett and they were both deep in victorious conversation.

"Let's go celebrate!" Alice piped up, returning with Jasper at her side.

I arched an eyebrow at her. "You missed half the game."

Jasper shrugged and lifted his jacket from the chair he occupied. "We got distracted."

I heard Emmett gag and saw Edward's face twist into a look of disgust from the corner of my eye. "Dude—our sister. Never again."

Jasper just grinned, and crossed his heart with his index finger.

"I like Alice's idea," Rosalie informed us. "Let's celebrate the Seahawks win!"

My eyes searched for Edward, but Emmett was already dragging him from the stadium, without even glancing back at me.

We agreed to meet up with the guys at a local pool bar that wasn't far from either of our apartments. I somehow had evaded Rosalie's prying thoughts; Alice's mouth as running a mile a minute the second we sat down in the car, not leaving even half a second for Rose or me to get a word in.

Edward avoided me the rest of the night like I had the plague. Dr. C's asshole side has come out to play. Jerk.

I was growing frustrated and was taking it out on my drinks. Emmett and Rosalie seemed happily drunk, celebrating with all the other sports fanatics in the bar. Alice had just grabbed Jasper to "teach" her how to play pool, while I was leaning against the bar trying to survive long enough so I could go home sometime soon.

I noticed a few attractive women, probably a little younger than me, flock around where Edward was at the darts. He rubbed the back of his head as they flirted and giggled, and if I knew right, he looked uncomfortable. He turned his head to meet my eyes, and not wanting to be caught starring, I snapped my head down to my drink.

Sooo bad, Bella.

I felt someone lean against me and brush their shoulder against mine. I glanced up to see bright green eyes smiling at me. "Hey."

I nodded and took a sip. "How's your fan club?" I asked, noticing how all of the women except one were sending not so subtle glares at me.

"I don't know. I don't care," he answered honestly, leaning into my ear a little.

I groaned silently. His whole Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde complex was beginning to frustrate me.

"Alice already knows how to play pool, doesn't she?"

I looked over at their table and nodded. "Why?"

"Because no one that had no idea what they were doing could have made that shot she just did," he stated.

"Oh." I sipped my drink again. "What did you need to ask me?"

He blinked at me for a moment. "Excuse me?"

"At the game…you said you needed to ask me something."

"Oh!" Realization swept across his face, along with faint blush. "It was nothing, don't worry about it."

I bit my lip and held my mouth shut, because deep down I had a feeling it was anything but nothing.

Edward tipped his beer back and nudged his shoulder with mine again. "Do you have plans for tomorrow?"

I stirred my drink, watching the ice rotate in a circle before meeting his gaze. "Not really."

He laughed and shook his head. He looked to watch Rosalie grab Alice from her game and began dancing to the song that came on the jute box, and Emmett walk over to Jasper and begin discuss about a new game of pool. "You're the only person I know that will answer a yes or no question with something besides a yes or no."

I sipped out of the straw. "Does that bother you?"

"No, actually," he leaned against the bar to face me, his elbow against the smooth wood surface. "I quite like it."

I rolled my eyes at him without moving my position of facing the pool table. "You were saying?"

He cleared his throat. "Yeah, tomorrow. No plans?"

I grinned. "No."

He inhaled deeply, making my heart sputter in anticipation. "Would you…um, go somewhere with me?"

"Go somewhere?" I repeated his words.

He chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, I have something to show you."

My heart swooned slightly. So was this like…a date he was asking me on?

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"I don't like surprises."

"So I've heard," he said dryly.

I scowled at his beautiful face. "Fine, I'll go with you. What are you showing me?"

He didn't say anything. Instead he pressed his lips to a thin line and acted like he was locking the secret up and throwing away the key. I sighed and pushed against his chest with my palm. "Fine, I'll go. Just no funny business." I walked away from him to join Alice and Rosalie. When I turned to cast him a glance from over my shoulder, he winked at me while taking another sip of his beer.

Oh, I do hope there will be plenty of funny business tomorrow, Mr. Cullen.

*

The next day, Edward arrived at my apartment at promptly three thirty in the afternoon. He didn't call like I had expected; instead he actually walked up to the door and knocked. When I answered the door he was wringing his hands nervously in front of him.

It made me grin.

"You ready?" he asked with a slight tremor in his voice.

"Yeah."

We walked all the way to the lobby and actually turned down the street to his waiting Volvo. It was sleek and silver, obviously built for comfort and speed. He opened the passenger door for me and shutting it behind me after I slipped inside.

He slithered into the car before cranking it and shifting it into first gear, and skillfully pulling away from the curb.

"Where are we going?" I tried again.

He grinned over at me and shook his head. "We'll be there soon enough."

I huffed in annoyance, making him laugh, and crossed my arms over my chest.

I had expected that if we got into the car we would be leaving the down town area, but instead Edward whipped the car into the University of Washington's parking lot. I glanced around at the familiar buildings as we passed them, throwing him looks of confusion.

"What are we doing here?"

"You'll see."

He pulled in front of the Auditoriums, parked the car and exited before I had a chance to utter another question. My door opened and a large hand was extended to help me out.

"What are we doing here?" I tried again.

"Shhh, Bella." Edward didn't say anything else; he grabbed my hand and led me toward the large front doors before pushing them open.

The campus was almost completely disserted, seeing that it was a Sunday afternoon and most people would either be in their dorm rooms or in the library.

As we entered the large lit up room, my eyes zeroed in on the large grand piano on sitting on the stage. I felt his hand pull mine and start to inch me forward as I zoned out on him.

"…remember, right?"

I shook my head. "Sorry, what?"

He laughed and shook his head. "Sit here," he indicated on the piano bench. I hadn't even realized we had gotten on stage somehow. I sat where he told me and watched as he settled beside me.

"I wanted you to hear this," he said softly, running his fingers lightly over the black and white keys, before pressing against them softly.

The loveliest sound filled my ears: Edward's music. It was faint and soft, yet strong and powerful at the same time. His hands worked in perfect harmony, creating the beautiful music that was floating around me.

My breath caught in my throat at all of it. As if I needed another reason to like Edward, here he was, practically throwing it in my face. My face heated as I watched him more intently.

His brows were furrowed in concentration, his lower lip was moist from running his tongue over it and his right cheek was pulled in slightly, like he was chewing on it nervously.

I'm not sure how long Edward played the piano. I assumed it wasn't for more than four or five minutes, but I never wanted it to end. The tune was slightly familiar, but as it grew to a close, the ending became something new I couldn't place.

It grew slower and sweeter, with light notes hitting chords that made my heart sing.

With the final note, Edward hung his head slightly, not removing his hand from the key, letting the note ring and fade into the empty room.

"Edward," I breathed. I was at a complete loss of words. He glanced up at me and his eyes widened. He cupped my cheeks, running his thumb over my wet cheeks to wipe away the tears.

I didn't even realize I had been crying.

"It's beautiful…" I said so softly I doubted he heard me.

"I'm glad you think so," he whispered, his gaze flickering between my eyes and lips. My heart started to beat frantically in my chest. "It's for you."

"M-me?" I stuttered, my eyes widening slightly as he leaned in closer to my face.

"Yes, you." He was barely away from my face, his breath hot and heavy against my lips. His breathing was a little heavier than normal and his eyes were slightly glazed over. "Happy belated birthday, Bella."

My breath caught in my throat. "This…" I took in a much needed breath. "This is my present?"

He nodded, his nose brushing against mine. My skin started to tingle as he swept his thumb across my cheek again. He tilted his head slightly to the side as I felt a gentle tug behind my head, pulling me closer to him.

Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. Finally.

"Bella, I…" he whispered, his lips so close to mine I could almost taste him.

"Edward…"

With one last breath, I felt his lower lip brush against mine. It felt like my heart stopped beating and had jumped up into my throat. My pulse throbbed in my ears, my hand rested on his chest, and my eyes fluttered close. And he hadn't really kissed me yet.

"Bella," he breathed against my mouth, brushing his lower lip across mine again. I felt his hand fist into my hair.

It took every ounce of self control I had not to latch on to him and thrust my tongue into his mouth.

I felt him take my lower lip lightly between his lips and press a kiss to it. My mind became hazy and completely non-functional as I felt him nip at my lip slightly.

Tired of his tender caress, I pushed my lips firmly to his. It wasn't rushed or forced, just Edward and me, putting everything we couldn't say into this kiss.

My hands went on to his shoulders. My lips molded to his, feeling like smooth velvety silk against my skin. My heart stuttered in my chest, making my hands grip him a little too tightly, sending my nails into his skin.

He groaned, pulling me closer to his body by tightening his hand in my hair. His left hand swept across my cheek to hold my face to his. I refrained from squealing like a little girl; he was kissing me.

Finally. This is so much better than the day dreams.

Suddenly I felt Edward's tongue slip across my lower lip. I parted mine to grant him access, and whimpered slightly as I felt him slide into my mouth.

Our kiss grew hungry and urgent and suddenly his hands were roaming, leaving my face and hair to rest on my hips. He gripped my waist firmly, sliding me closer to him so I was touching his legs with my knee.

I moaned into his mouth, my hands fisting into his glorious bronze locks, trying to plant his face to mine.

I didn't realize I needed to stop for air until Edward suddenly pulled away panting for air. My chest was heaving and I was feeling slightly dizzy from the lack of oxygen to my brain. He stared at me, his dark eyes smoldering, before his tongue darted out and licked his bottom lip.

Before I knew what was happening, I was being lifted from the bench. He grabbed my waist tightly and set me up on the piano. My ass hitting the black and white keys, sending a cringing sound echoing throughout the room. My feet were on either side of his hips as he ran his hands up the top of my thighs, pulling my legs farther apart while staring at me with his emerald pools.

He wasn't saying anything and neither was I. Right now, my body was saying more than I ever could. Between my thighs was throbbing for him, my heart was about to take off like a helicopter blade, and my eyes were heavy lidded.

Edward ran his hand up to my hip, slipping his thumb under my shirt and running it over my skin. I shivered from the contact. I took him in; his hair was disheveled more than normal, his cheeks were flushed, and his lips swollen and pink. I bit my bottom lip as his hand reached around to my back, rubbing soft circles on top of my spine.

I wanted him to kiss me again. Deciding that I didn't want to wait for him, I reached out and grabbed a fistful of his hair and tugged his face towards mine.

He hissed in pain but got the point. His hands grabbed my hips again and he pulled me off the keys down to his lap, grinding his obvious arousal into my center. I moaned, before latching my mouth back to his.

He didn't ask for permission this time as he stuck his tongue in my mouth. They fought for dominance, massaging and working each other, while our fingers and hands worked the rest of our bodies.

I had to break the kiss this time, realizing that I did in fact need to breathe. Edward's lips didn't leave my skin; he planted wet open mouthed kisses down my jaw to my ear lobe, grazing his teeth against the flesh.

"Bella…" he growled, sucking the soft skin right under my ear. I gasped and threw my head back, feeling every nerve on my skin being set on fire.

His hot lips let a trail down my neck until he bit down softly at my shoulder. I rocked my hips towards his, groaning when I was rewarded with the delicious feeling of him bucking his hips towards me.

My fingers clumsily went to work at his t-shirt. They trailed over his sculpted chest, feeling every dip and curve of his muscles, and down to his waist where I slipped my hands under the hem. He moaned into my neck at the feel of his skin on mine and forced his head up to take my lips in his.

Our kiss was interrupted by a buzzing sound coming from Edward's hip. His lips froze against mine but he didn't break the contact. His hands were gripping my hips tightly with his fingertips digging into my skin. He ignored it for about ten seconds before letting out an extremely frustrated sigh and opening his eyes to meet mine. We stared at each other for a moment, our lips partly touching, before he groaned into my mouth.

"You need to get that," I stated softly, pulling away a little bit from him.

"It could be nothing," he whispered, his lips moving slightly against mine. My own lips were beginning to tingle from the constant contact.

"Or it could be something…" I told him.

He sighed again, loosening his grip on my hips. He pulled his face away from mine and pulled the pager from his hip. I leaned back from his torso, still straddling his lap, and brought my hand up to my lips to make sure they were still attached; they currently felt like they were on fire.

"Fuck." Edward ran a hand through his hair as he stared at the screen of the pager. "Fuck, fuck, fuck." His voice was strained as he whipped out his cell phone and started to dial a number.

His gaze met mine and I saw the confliction in his eyes. "Hey, Lauren? It's Edward." He paused for a few minutes, listening intently to the woman on the other end of the line rant frantically about something. "There has to be someone else." He paused, his eyes slightly narrowing at me. "No one?" He nodded a few times, grunted once, but mostly stared at me. His face was contorted in irritation, his eyes narrowed to slits and his breathing was still heavy from our erratic kissing.

"Okay, I'll be right there." He flipped the phone shut and clenched a fistful of bronze hair.

"You're going to go bald if you keep doing that," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Bella," he sighed, placing his hands back on my hips. He rubbed the material of my jeans against his palms, trying to find the right words to say. He met my eyes hesitantly. "I have to go. There's an emergency at the hospital…" he trailed off, watching me apprehensively. "I'm sorry."

I shook my head and forced a grim smile. "Don't be."

I stood from his lap with him. I turned away from him, feeling my frustration show through on my face before his hand came on my shoulder and spun me back around. He cupped my cheek again and dipped his head slightly. For a split second I thought he was going to kiss me again, but instead he just rested his forehead against mine for a moment, I guess enjoying the close proximity. My heart was still stammering in my chest but I relished in the closeness, feeling my lips pull into a sad smile.

"Let me take you home first—"

"Stop, Edward. You have to go. Go." I pulled away from him and turned slightly. "It's not that far of a walk. And even so I can catch a cab."

"Bella—"

"No, Edward. Go. You said there was an emergency. If something happens because you insisted to drive me home I will never forgive myself, or you. So please…go." My voice trailed off with a slight broken sob.

He was quite for a second, but eventually I heard him move across the floor and towards the door. He opened it and paused, turning back to me. "I'll…I'll call you later…or something, okay?"

"Okay." And with that he shut the door behind him.

I collapsed back on to the bench and groaned loudly in frustration. Why did this always seem to happen with him? Finally when we had kissed it was interrupted. Oh the kiss…hot and steamy and erotic doesn't seem to even explain it. My lips were still tingling from the encounter.

He had been so willing—was he trying to put the things he couldn't say into his actions? I know I was. Why else would he have written me a song for my birthday? Why else would he have paid such close attention to me during the game, on my birthday, and any other time? But then why did make an exit like an awkward thirteen year old boy? Did he think it was us in some kind of moment and that it had passed? Was it? Did he just think I was a great friend and he wanted to show me that and it was just some kind of mood that washed over him that caused him to kiss me?

Rosalie was right—I needed to talk to Edward.

Sighing, I rose from the bench and made my way to the door.

He left hanging on the line every time he walked away. And as much as I hated it, I knew a part of me could never get enough.

**

Before you say anything:

Captious—apt to notice and make much of trivial faults or defects; faultfinding; difficult to please.

Why did I use captious? Easy. When Bella wrote the article, it was right after her and Edward's blow out. Even if she was all giddy and shit when she walked into her apartment, it didn't change the fact that he jumped to conclusions, and she realized it's a part of his personality. Therefore, she nicknames him that. It'll be addressed later on, too.

NOW, this chapter. You've all been asking for it. "WHEN WILL THEY KISS?" You guys got a kiss, and mind you, it was an earth shattering kiss (for both of 'em), so don't be pissed when they left it like that. The story has a plot, I swear. I'm not making this up as I go along.

And for all of you who are like, "Bella needs to get over Jake and just snag Edward!" She is over Jake as much as she will ever be. A fiancé is a hard person to forget, trust me.

Ponder this thought over until chapter 8—maybe Bella isn't the only one with some skeletons in her closet…

OH! I'm going to be publishing another story within a few days…if you like SiS, you'll like this. It's a lot lighter, not so much angst, but just as witty and fun…look for it.

Hmmm. Leave me some lovin'.