Bella's POV

I didn't know what to think about Edward Cullen. He was incredibly good looking and made good attempts at charming me… but I knew that he was a renowned ladies man. I was wary of him because I didn't want to get hurt. I would just be another notch on his belt, I was sure. He appeared to be a one night one girl type of guy, all about the chase.

I had fantasised about dating Edward Cullen; making him fall in love with me, on a desert island or something. For about fifteen seconds. Then I fell back to Earth. That could never happen… why would someone like Edward Cullen be interested in someone like me for more than a second? So to try and reduce the pain I could feel, I tried to stay as closed off and aloof as possible. I was not going to be just another notch on Edward Cullen's belt.

Besides, I had interests elsewhere.

Like Jacob Black.

Edward's POV

I couldn't thank the judge enough. He doesn't know how much of a relief it was to me – to know that although my charms had failed, I could still get what I wanted in the end. Little did I know that the fight was only just beginning.

While we walked to the restaurant, I talked. She talked. And I don't remember what we talked about, but I do remember that it was like we had known each other for years. I could talk to her so easily… it was like…

I can't describe it.

Usually the women I went out with would be boring, dumb or interested in superficial trash. Not with Bella – she was the very essence of articulation. Oh crap, I was falling for her.

Hard and fast.

We got to the restaurant. When I opened the door for her or tried to do anything chivalrous, she would shun my efforts by becoming cold and aloof. I didn't know why that was, and only started to notice it when she stopped talking so much. She began to offer less and less to the conversation, like she had caught herself and realised she was saying too much.

Bella's POV

Oh God, this was going to be harder than I had thought. Edward was so charming and nice, and it was so difficult to stop myself from falling for him when we were together. Every now and then I'd get caught up in the conversation and offer too much; and then stop myself and become as offhand as possible with him. I think he must have thought I was a schizophrenic or something. Every time that he opened a door for me, or pulled my chair out, they were all painful reminders that he didn't want my conversation or my personality. He wanted me for another story to share with his brothers.

I eventually got myself in the mind set not to offer anything. I think Edward could see through it; I think he knew that I wanted to say things but refused to only because it was him I was talking to.

EPOV

I couldn't understand it. Throughout the lunch she just became more and more rude and offhand, cool and monosyllabic. It drove me wild. Why was this woman different? Why did it matter to me so much that she didn't like me? 'Didn't like' didn't feel strong enough; she appeared to hate everything about me. But all through this torture, while she drove me insane with her ignoring-Edward act, I couldn't help thinking that she wanted to talk to me. She wanted not just that; I could feel it when she spoke to me or looked at me… she wanted me. Bad.

I thought at first it was my ego trying to repair the damage she was causing. Eventually, however, I knew that Bella Swan, deep down, wanted me as much as I wanted her. For a moment, I didn't worry about Jacob Black, because I thought I could feel hung strung frequencies in the air telling me she was withholding her feelings toward me. It repaired my bruised ego, just a little.

When we had finished our little luncheon, I asked to walk her to her car. She said alright, but very unwillingly. Our lunch had taken a long time, the service had been terrible, and it was almost dark now. It had been very humid all through the day, and I could feel an impending storm.

"Shoot," she muttered, rifling through her bag for her keys.

"What is it?"

"I left my keys on the table. I'll have to go back… don't worry, I'll be fine. Please go."

I wasn't going to leave that easy.

The sky had darkened significantly, and I sensed impending rain.

"No, it's fine. I'll walk with you."

"Fine!" she said, like a petulant teenager.

We went back and got her keys. We were walking across a park to her car, when it started to spatter.

"Ms Swan, I was wondering, would you mind… seeing me again."

She transformed, semi-unsuccessfully, her face into ice. I knew what she was going to say next would take some willpower.

"I'm sorry. I cannot…" I could see so clearly that she was lying, "I have to… go on a date… with my boyfriend… Tom."

"Ms Swan, I can so easily tell that you are lying. What is the real reason, may I ask, that you have been so offhand with me?" I pleaded.

"Edward Cullen!" She screamed. "Do you really need to ask?! I am TRYING to get through to you that I am not going to be messed around by some freakin' ladies man, OK? I'm NOT going to be another 10 digits on a line in your bloody black book!"

I was shocked. Never before had a woman screamed at me like that…

It was disturbing.

It was alarming.

But most of all…

It was incredibly sexy.

"Bella…" I reached for her hand and grabbed it firmly in mine. She had attempted to march off… stomp off, really… but I spun her back into me like a dancer would.

"Bella Swan, you are not, I repeat NOT, going to be another notch on my belt."

I then grabbed her chin and did the one think I knew would probably piss her off more than anything. I kissed her.

Our lips met and I was rougher than normal. I wanted to really give Bella Swan what was coming to her for ignoring me all day and judging me solely on my reputation.

But what surprised me even more than her outburst…

She kissed me back. She stopped struggling and passionately returned the kiss. We kissed for what seemed like hours; but what was probably just minutes. As soon as she wrapped her tiny arms around my neck, and I grabbed her waist, the sky broke open and we were saturated within seconds.

The feeling of being pelted by rain and kissed by one of the most desirable women I've ever met would have to have been one of the best I've ever experienced.

BPOV

When he pulled me into his chest I thought that my heart would jump out of my chest. It was worse still when he pressed his lips to mine – I nearly hyperventilated. I still struggled, though. I didn't want to get hurt, no matter how much I wanted his mouth on mine, I didn't want to get hurt.

I gave up soon after, though. I couldn't fight him any longer. The rain pouring down on us made it even harder to pull away.

I thought I'd found this amazing, charismatic, smart and charming guy. A prince charming.

And who did he have to be?

The one and only…

Edward Cullen.