Chapter 9

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After closing out All the Rage, Edward and I shared a cab to my place and couldn't keep our hands off each other. We leaned against one another, limbs intertwined, as I stroked my fingers gently up and down his thigh. He held my free hand and drew patterns into my palm. The sexual tension was escalating quickly and if I didn't get some release soon I was going to spontaneously combust.

As we headed to my apartment, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed his body flush with mine. He began lightly kissing my neck and my hands fumbled with the keys while I struggled to keep from taking him right there in the hallway. I closed the door and my back was immediately pushed up against it. I was overcome with delight when Edward's luscious lips crashed into mine. The kiss was frantic and needy and it ended way too soon. He pulled back quickly and smirked, "I have been waiting to do that all night."

I brought my hand up to his face and traced his jaw line before cupping the nape of his neck and pulling him forward. "Me too," I breathed as I kissed him back. This kiss was slow and tender. We brushed our mouths together a few times before I gently took his bottom lip between mine and suckled it. I nipped it lightly with my teeth. He moaned and his tongue flitted out to lick my own lip and I eagerly opened my mouth to him. Our tongues swept back and forth in a sensual dance and I shuddered with pleasure. His touch was like a live wire that set my body on fire.

We continued to make out against the door, lips and hands exploring one another. He was rocking his hips into me and I could feel his erection rubbing against mine. Even through our layers of clothing, the sensation was marvelous. It had been so long since I was with someone and I was embarrassingly close to losing it. I had to get a little space between us before I blew my load right there. That could not happen. Emmett McCarty does not jizz in his pants. Ever. I gave him a final lingering kiss before pulling back with a smile.

"Come on in, Edward. Have a seat. Can I get you anything? I have water or juice, coffee maybe?"

He cocked his head and smiled a little at my nervous chatter. "Just water would be fine, thanks."

My lips were still tingling as I went to the fridge and grabbed our drinks. If the simple act of kissing could get me this flustered, I couldn't imagine how other more intimate activities would feel. I came back out to find Edward perched comfortably on the sofa. He looked really good in my living room. Seeing him there, just felt right. I joined him and turned my body to face his. I needed to get to know this beautiful man.

"So, Edward, tell me about yourself. All I know is that you're Dr. Cullen's son… and you have an amazing mouth."

I winked and smiled at him and he returned his own crooked grin to me, running his hand through his wild hair before answering.

"Well, I am studying to be a doctor and in my second year of med school."

"That's awesome," I said, impressed. "Where are you going to school?"

"The University of Pittsburgh." My eyes widened but I didn't have time to respond before he continued on, "I did my undergrad at the University of Chicago, though. Actually, I double majored in Biology and Music. It's an odd combination, I know. But, I guess it was my way of rebelling against my father. He had always wanted me to become a doctor and I agreed unquestioningly. Then it came to the point where I wasn't sure if I wanted it or if I was just trying to please him. For my own peace of mind, I wanted another type of degree to fall back on. And music seemed like the perfect fit. But I think I always knew, deep down, that I intended to work in medicine."

It was the most he had ever spoken to me and I would have been content to listen to that sexy voice forever. I needed to keep him talking. Plus I wanted to know more about him.

"Why Chicago?" I asked.

"With my father's crazy schedule, I never had the chance to travel much. And after high school, I couldn't wait to get out of Pittsburgh. I guess it was another way to separate myself from my father. I loved my time in Chicago, but I missed the burgh and decided to move back. So here I am. What about you?"

"Well, I am a burgh man through and through. I grew up here and am a Pitt grad myself," I smiled as his face mirrored my earlier expression of surprise. "Yeah… But, uh, we wouldn't have been there at the same time. I know I would have noticed you, if we had," I supplied honestly.

"What did you study?" He questioned.

"Oh, well….I can't say that I studied a whole lot of anything," I laughed. "I am not the best student in the world, but I got by. I have my degree in Business. And now I work for an investment firm."

"How do you like it?"

"Well, I uh…I kind of hate it," I answered frankly.

"Really? Why work there then?"

I shrugged, "It's a job. I have good benefits and make decent money, so I can't really complain. But I don't like being stuck in an office all day and I just…my job isn't very fulfilling. I'd love to feel like I was making some sort of a difference in someone's life, not just helping the rich become richer. Take you, for example. You'll be saving lives and dedicating your time to help others, that's pretty amazing."

His emerald eyes held mine for a moment before he asked, "Well, what would your dream job be then? If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?"

Something about those vibrant eyes made me feel safe, like I could say or do anything and it would all be okay.

"I don't know. I guess I've never really given myself another option. Maybe I'd be… a coach? Help kids to learn and grow in their athletic abilities and in life. Give them confidence."

He nodded his head in approval, "You might be onto something there."

"Yeah… maybe. But, enough about me. Have you decided on a specialty yet?"

"I think so. I'm actually really interested in oncology."

"Wow…really?" I asked in astonishment, my heart thumping wildly in my chest.

"Yes, I guess I'm following in my father's footsteps after all. Well, he also specializes in family medicine, but that is just too much school for me. I'm sticking with one specialty, at least for now." He paused a beat before asking, "So, I guess you know my father?"

"I, uh… yeah I do." I smiled tentatively and added, "I've been seeing him since I turned thirteen."

He nodded, but didn't ask anything further. He probably thought that Dr. Cullen was just my family practice physician. That was true, but it wasn't the whole truth. I knew if Edward and I were to have any type of relationship that he needed to know about my cancer. But, I couldn't bring myself to tell him. Not yet. That was too heavy a subject for a virtual stranger, even though he felt like so much more than that to me.

I had been so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear what Edward was saying. All I caught was, "…in the office. It's kind of stupid, I know, but I just can't help feeling that way where you are concerned."

Crap. He said something about me and how he feels. And I missed it? I am an idiot. "I'm so sorry, Edward. I totally spaced out." I smiled sheepishly. "Would you mind repeating that?"

He looked down and hesitated for a split second, his cheeks flushing a little as he replied, "Not a problem. It wasn't that important anyhow."

Somehow I didn't believe him, but I had no idea what to say. I felt horrible. "I, uh..."

"You know," Edward made to stand, "it's getting pretty late. I should probably get going."

"Oh, okay." I stood up with him, disappointed that I had screwed this up. I needed to fix it, but how? My mind was racing. He probably thought I wasn't even interested enough to listen to his side of the conversation. That's just great Emmett. Will I ever do anything right where Edward is concerned?

"I had a great time with you tonight, Emmett." He said quietly. His confidence had all but vanished and I couldn't have been angrier with myself for making him feel that way. I had to let him know that I was interested in him, well more like obsessed, but he didn't need to know that.

"Hey, can I get your number Edward? Maybe we could meet up again sometime?"

"Well…," he started uncertainly. My heart stopped beating. This could be it. I might never see him again. "Yeah, I guess that would be okay," he finished detachedly, as though he was no longer interested, but only saying yes to appease me.

I chose to overlook this, stating, "Cool," with a smile and handing him my cell so he could program his number. He didn't reciprocate, but at least I had something.

"Well, good night," he said softly as he headed for the door. His shoulders had drooped a little and I wished belatedly that I had paid better attention. I waved good night as I closed the door. When it clicked shut I leaned against it heavily. What had just happened? That Edward was totally different from the confident, sexy one that I was beginning to fall for.

My mind flashed back to the beginning of the evening when I had been pressed against this same door, but for a very different reason. I knew I messed things up by not listening to him, but could I have upset him that much? Well, there wasn't a great deal I could do about that now. At least I had his number and I definitely intended to use it.

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The next morning I awoke with a killer headache. I hadn't slept well at all and couldn't stop my mind from replaying last night's events, trying to figure out what went wrong. I was feeling depressed and alone. I would have called Rose, but figured she was probably still with Jasper. I knew she'd call me to exchange details as soon as she was free anyhow.

After taking a couple aspirin, I decided I'd better call my Mom. I had thought a lot about what Dr. Cullen said and realized that she deserved to know what was going on in my life, even if it dredged up the difficult memories of my Dad. At least I had good news to go along with the bad, for this month anyway.

Ring. Ring. Maybe she wouldn't answer. Then I could put off this conversation for a while longer. Ring. I couldn't leave this message on an answering machine. Ring. Well, at least I had tried. Ring. Ring. Maybe it would be better this way. Mom didn't need to know. Not really. What good would it do anyhow? Ring. She would only be upset, and I am okay for now. If that changes, then I'll let her know right away. Ring.

"Hello?" she answered, just as I was about to hang up.

Well, here goes nothing…