Huge thanks as always to my lovely prereaders and beta. They are just amazeballs!

Any mistakes are mine as I tend to tinker right up until I post.

SM owns the pie. I just make it lemony.

A/N: I know we normally alternate POVs, but we're still with Bella here at the beginning. We'll hear from Edward later in the chapter. :) This is kind of a long one...

There are rules. Ignore them, and you're fucked. And not in the good way.

Chapter 10 - Blackout

BPOV

Sighing, I slid my back down the armrest of my couch, relaxing even more into its soft brown comfort. I was enjoying having the night off after the absolute insanity in the ER the previous night. Having slept all day, though, I was wide awake at eleven p.m. and happily watching Friends reruns on Nick at Nite when it happened. The TV went off just as Joey and Chandler's rooster crowed, signaling the beginning of my favorite episode of all time, and my entire apartment was suddenly plunged into darkness. My heart rate spiked, and my breathing quickened, sounding too loud in the silent blackness. I wouldn't say I was afraid of the dark necessarily, but I was definitely afraid of the unknown—and the dark was a pretty good fucking representation of the unknown.

I unlocked my iPhone and used it as a makeshift flashlight to guide me to my window. The whole block was dark, and it looked like a few of the surrounding blocks were as well. It rarely stormed here, so I couldn't figure out what might have caused a blackout.

I made my way into my kitchen to rummage for the candles I knew I kept in one of the cabinets. I wasn't the type to have them just out on random surfaces in my home, but I was pretty damn disappointed in myself when I discovered I only owned two candles. And they were tea lights.

Fuck me.

I knew I wouldn't be able to really carry these things around, so I took one into the bathroom and lit it, again using my iPhone as a light source to get me there from the kitchen, where I'd lit the other tiny candle.

I'd been in my apartment all day, but suddenly I was sure there was an axe murderer lurking somewhere inside. Logically, I knew it was impossible, but everything was just too damn quiet. Every little creak of a floorboard or thud from a neighboring apartment became someone hiding in my closet or the guest room, just waiting for me to walk in so they could ambush me.

As soon as I'd start relax a little bit, fear would skitter down my spine, making me flex my shoulders. I sat on the floor of my bathroom, back pressed to the wall, waiting and praying for the lights to come back on.

To distract myself, I started reading one of the many unfinished books on my phone. I glanced up after a while and noticed that the stupid tea light was already half gone.

I wished I could just turn my mind off and go to sleep, but there was no way that was happening.

When my phone suddenly buzzed in my hand, I let out a shriek and almost dropped it before opening up the text from Edward.

You ok? ~E

I wondered how he'd heard about the blackout. Nox wasn't too far from my apartment, so it could've lost power too.

And was I okay?

No. Not really.

I think so ~B

You sure? They don't know how long it's going to be out. It's awfully cold tonight. ~E

He sounded so worried about me.

Suddenly feeling chilled, I went into my bedroom and snatched the duvet off my bed, huddling on the floor of the bathroom again and looking mournfully at the dwindling candle.

I hadn't responded to Edward yet when another text came through from him.

My power's fine. Why don't you come to my place for the night? ~E

You're not at work? ~B

No. Garrett's got it covered tonight. Come on over. ~E

I chewed on my thumbnail for a second before replying.

I really shouldn't. ~B

Please. It would make me feel better. ~E

I sighed and rested my forehead on my bent knees.

It'd been over three weeks since the benefit—since our perfectly perfect date.

And I'd been avoiding him.

He'd asked to get together several times, to talk, to do what we normally do, even asking me to dinner once, but I'd declined each time. I was getting in way too deep, and I had to regroup.

I should've trusted my instincts when the very first rule had been broken, albeit unintentionally. I knew then that this could get very messy, and I'd been right. At least on my end.

My emotions had been a tangled mess for a while, but especially after the gala, when Edward had made me feel like I was the most important person in the world to him.

He hadn't come inside that night when we got back to my apartment, choosing instead to kiss me against my door until my brain liquefied, and my legs felt as if they couldn't support my weight anymore.

I'd gone inside and pressed my back to my closed door, sliding down it as tears slid down my cheeks.

Overcome with emotion, I'd touched my fingers to my lips and cried silently.

The next morning, I'd decided that I needed to stay away from him until I got my head on straight. I stayed busy, covering shifts for a few other residents at the hospital, but I never could get Edward off my mind.

Spending the entire night at his place was a really fucking bad idea.

Ok. I'll be on my way shortly. ~B

I groaned after I hit send, wishing I could snatch the message back from the universe.

Great. Drive safely ~E

I put my face in my hands and screamed into them, before getting up and running into my bedroom to throw a sweater on over my tank top. My yoga pants would have to work for now.

I grabbed my purse and keys, dashed into the bathroom and blew out what little was left of that candle, ran through the kitchen, blowing that one out too, and then hauled ass out my door and down the stairwell.

Thank sweet baby Jesus for cellphones.

I was enough of a mess as it was.

I made a mental note to invest in some flashlights and giant pillar candles.

When I arrived at Edward's place, he answered the door in green and blue plaid flannel pajama pants and a gray t-shirt.

His hair had grown out some since I'd seen him last and was just as chaotically beautiful as ever.

The scruff covering his jaw was rudely perfect, and the eyebrow ring was back in place where it belonged.

The gymnastic routine my stomach performed when he'd opened the door was not a good sign.

Not a good sign at all.

So much for regrouping.

I stood there for a good thirty seconds, seriously debating turning around and going back to my dark, cavernous, axe-murderer-infested apartment.

It seemed far less dangerous at the moment.

Edward just watched me with concerned eyes as I warred with myself. He finally crossed the threshold, stepping onto his welcome mat in socked feet and wrapping his arms around me. He buried his face into my hair and took a deep inhale.

My arms stayed at my sides for a moment before I brought them up to rest around his waist.

"Hey," he said into my hair.

"Hey." My reply was muffled, my face pressed into the soft cotton of his t-shirt.

"You okay?"

I nodded in response, closing my eyes and inhaling his clean, tantalizing scent.

"Good. Now, come on. Come inside. We're letting all the heat out." He laced his fingers with mine, and I only hesitated for another five seconds or so before stepping through the open doorway.

I stood awkwardly in the entryway once we were inside, my hand still in his as he turned to face me. "The place looks nice," I commented after noticing some of the new artwork on the walls.

"Oh. Yeah, I guess you haven't seen it since my cousin helped me redecorate."

"Your cousin?"

"Alice," he said with a smile. "She's a little spitfire. Kinda like you." He winked. "You'd like her."

I didn't know how to respond to that, so I just cleared my throat and looked away from him.

He squeezed my fingers. "Bella..."

I closed my eyes. I knew this was a bad idea. He wanted to talk. I could feel my walls crumbling as I worked desperately to rebuild them, revealing peeks of the scared little girl with a raw and bleeding heart on the other side.

It wasn't that I wanted to give up on love forever because of Riley's assholish ways. But the fact was that he did hurt me. So badly.

He was the first man I'd given my heart to, and he'd happily stomped all over it.

Then there was my career, my education. It was my whole life. I barely had time to eat some days, much less try to maintain a real relationship with someone.

Not that Edward wanted a real relationship with me, but something had changed.

"Look. That night…" he started and blew a breath through his nose.

"...was perfect," I finished with a sigh and looked down at our joined hands.

"Then why?"

I trained my eyes back on him. "I think you know the answer to that, Edward."

"Ah, yes. The rules," he said in a flippant tone.

"I should just go." I turned back toward the door.

"Wait," he said. "Where're you gonna go? Back to your apartment to sit in the freezing cold darkness?" Tugging on my hand, Edward tried to pull me away from the door, farther into his apartment and his life. "Come on. We don't have to talk right now," he assured. "Are you tired? Do you want to sleep?"

I looked into his kind green eyes, thankful that he wasn't going to push me tonight. "No. I slept all day."

"All right. Let's go sit. Wanna pick a movie?" he asked. "I'll pop some popcorn."

I let out a relieved exhale and nodded, letting go of his hand and dropping my purse beside the couch, before crouching in front of his shelf full of movies.

I got the movie set up and went to use Edward's restroom.

I'd been in here before, of course, but I'd never snooped, never wanted to know all the little details that would invade my mind and possibly endear me to him even more.

This time, I was too curious. His skin always smelled so fucking good, and I just had to know what kind of soap he used.

After washing my hands, I pulled the shower curtain back just far enough to peek inside. I laughed and shook my head. Axe Dark Temptation body wash.

Figured.

Fucker.

"You've got to be kidding me," Edward said as he joined me on his couch a couple minutes later with a bowl of freshly popped popcorn.

I inhaled the buttery aroma and gave him a sideways glance. "What? No good?"

"No, it's perfect. I'm just surprised is all. I wouldn't have pegged you as a Monty Python fan."

We munched on popcorn and watched the hilarious credits. Our fingers touched in the bowl every so often, and I could feel frissons travel up my arm each time. It was unnerving, which was slightly ridiculous, considering this man had been inside me more times than I could count.

My favorite scene started."Bring out your dead!" I called out in time with the movie, making Edward choke on his popcorn as a surprised laugh burst from him.

"I'm not dead!"

"I'm getting better."

"I think I'll go for a walk."

"I feeeeel happyyyy. I feeel happyyyy."

I was cracking up, wheezing at Edward's horrible English accent as he quoted along with the movie.

By the end, my stomach muscles were aching from how much I'd laughed. I realized then just how long it had been since I'd felt so relaxed and happy. My life was so carefully constructed, and I didn't often just let myself go anymore to enjoy something as simple as a funny movie.

Edward and I had finished the popcorn fairly quickly and spent the remainder of the movie pressed side by side on his couch. He dropped his large hand to my knee as he used the other to turn off the TV.

He angled his body toward mine slightly, and his wide smile mirrored mine. "How about some ice cream?"

"Good idear, oh lord!" I mimicked.

"'Course it's a good idea!"

He hadn't missed a beat.

I giggled uncontrollably, bending at the waist, and when I came back up, Edward took hold of my face in both of his hands. His eyes were happy and crinkled at the corners, and my chest felt too tight. He leaned forward and captured my lips, and nothing felt scary or too fast or 'against the rules' as his tongue slid against mine.

"Is this okay?" Edward whispered against my lips, his warm breath flowing into my mouth.

I turned my body toward him and slid my fingers up behind his ears as his lips moved in sensual brushstrokes over mine.

At my answering nod, he moved forward, pressing me down into the couch cushions, and I realized how much I'd missed having his weight on me.

His hands roamed my body, seemingly re-memorizing me. The yoga pants suddenly seemed like the best idea ever when he thrust against me and when his warm hand slid over my ass and down the back of my thigh.

I moved my hands to the hem of his t-shirt and lifted it up his torso. He reached behind his neck and pulled it off over his head, and I licked my lips at the sight of so much of his skin.

It had been too long.

His thumbs rubbed circles just under my sweater, and my eyes focused on the date tattooed over his heart. I brushed my thumb over it. "Will you tell me?" I whispered, looking up to see his eyes fall shut.

Edward cleared his throat and moved back, sitting up again on the opposite end of the couch. The loss of his body heat caused me to curl up and wrap my arms around my bent legs, resting my back against the arm of the couch.

He stared at the blank screen of the TV, and I was afraid I'd ruined the whole night with my question, but then he spoke quietly. "The 'J' stands for Jasper," he began. "He was my best friend. We grew up together, did everything together." He turned his face to me before adding, "Went to med school together."

My eyes widened. "You went to med school?"

He nodded. "Yeah." Clearing his throat again, he continued. "Surgery actually. Same as my dad and Rose. And you." His lips curved into the slightest smile, but it was gone a second later. "We'd been trying to decide on our specialty. I wanted to do plastics for obvious reasons, and he called me a douchenozzle for wanting to feel up women's tits all day." Edward chuckled a bit. "We were on the phone one day while he was driving to Tacoma to visit Alice."

"Your cousin?"

Edward shot me a tight smile. "Yes. They were engaged."

"Were…" I said, knowing where this was going but not wanting to know what made that haunted look appear in his eyes.

"He was giving me a hard time about plastics again, and I was trying to convince him that I was going to be a hero, doing reconstructions, not fake tits and nose jobs." He shook his head and snorted with little humor. "Jasper's voice cut out mid-laugh. I heard an 'oh, fuck', and then the loud crunching of metal, and the line went dead."

Edward dropped his head down and buried his hand in his hair, and I scooted toward him, feeling the overwhelming need to comfort him. My arms went around him, and I kissed his bare shoulder. He hadn't said it outright, but the way his face crumpled in grief and all the other details I'd garnered told me that Jasper hadn't survived.

"I'm so sorry you lost your friend, Edward. And in such a tragic way." I didn't know what else to say, so I leaned my head on his shoulder and held him. He'd shared a piece of himself with me—a few pieces, in fact—and I wanted nothing more than to be there for him in that moment.

"I quit school soon after," his quiet voice continued. "I was already annoyed with all the over-inflated egos around me, and losing Jasper just kind of broke the camel's back, I guess."

Edward's head was still bowed, and I ran my fingernails over his scalp. It broke my heart to see him so sad, and I felt guilty at the relief I felt that the tattoo didn't have something to do with an ex-girlfriend.

He cleared the emotion from his throat again. "I was a little lost for a while, but then a couple years later, I decided to open my bar. Rose and I had inheritance money from our grandfather, so I didn't have any debt from school, thankfully."

"The bar's great. It suits you," I said, wanting to reassure him even if he didn't need it.

There were so many things I found myself wanting to give him, and it scared me to death.

Edward swiveled his head toward me and gave me a crooked smile. "Thanks."

EPOV

"Do you remember the night we first met? At your bar?" Bella asked. Her hands were still on me, and I didn't want to move, didn't want her to stop touching me.

I chuckled. "I don't think I could forget if I tried. That dress…" I let out a whistling breath, and she giggled.

"Yeah, that was my 'take charge of my sex life' dress."

I lifted my eyebrows and licked my lips. "I'd say it was effective."

She smacked my arm lightly and jostled me a bit as we laughed. It was nice to have the mood lightened after talking about losing Jasper.

"What did you notice first about me?"

"Honestly?"

She nodded.

"That ass."

Bella laughed. "Okay, what else?"

"Well, when you sat down at the bar, it was your eyes." So dark and full of secrets.

"Uh-huh. You sure it wasn't the side-boob peeking out of the plunging neckline of that dress?"

"Nope. Eyes," I insisted.

"Side-boob."

"Okay, eyes and side-boob."

"Ah, honesty."

"Shut up," I said on a chuckle. "I noticed a lot of things about you," I continued. "Everything."

She leaned in slowly and pressed her lips to the corner of my jaw. "I'm glad I met you, Edward," she murmured as she pulled away.

"I'm just glad I got to you first," I countered. "Every guy in that place was looking at you like you were something to eat."

Shaking her head, Bella looked down and giggled. Her cheeks were painted pink, and she was adorable. "I wouldn't have taken just any guy back to my place that night."

"No?"

"No," she answered. "There was something about you. You were cocky as all hell, but I saw past that. My gut told me you were a good guy."

"It was a good night."

"Yes," she said, chuckling. "Very good. So good that you wanted to do it again even though I'd told you it was a one-time thing." She was smirking.

And I'm the cocky one.

She had it right, though. Bella had pretty much blown my mind that night, and I needed more of her. She'd told me up front that she just wanted one night, no strings attached, and that was fine by me. I remembered saying a silent thank-you to the big guy upstairs for it too.

I didn't do attachments.

When I'd asked if she wanted to do it again sometime, she'd hesitated a bit but ended up giving me her number. I knew for sure then that it had been just as good for her—not that her screams hadn't told me that already.

The next time we'd met up, she'd presented me with a sort of contract that she'd found online. I laughed, but the rules seemed like a good idea at the time. No complications.

Now, after months of trying to keep my feelings for Bella at bay, as I looked into her warm brown eyes, I knew that I wanted complicated.

With her.

I turned back toward her and rested my hand on her jaw, brushing my thumb over her cheekbone. She leaned into my hand, her eyelids fluttering closed. "Bella…"

She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. "We should get some sleep."

"Don't do that," I said, shaking my head in frustration. "Don't shut down on me again."

"I can't do this right now, Edward."

"Can't do what? You can't just talk to me?"

"We've been talking."

It hit me then. Like a ton of bricks.

"Who is he?"

"Who?" Her eyebrows pulled together in confusion.

"The guy who made you so fucking scared of this." I pointed back and forth between us and then flattened my palm against my bare chest. "Of me."

She blanched, and I knew I'd hit the nail on the head.

"That's not…" she trailed off.

"Not what? Any of my business? That's bullshit, Bella, and you know it."

She stood abruptly. "I should go." Taking a step back, she looked around, seemingly realizing for the first time where she was. "I'm sorry. I…"

"Don't fucking do this again, Bella. You can't keep avoiding what's happening here," I said, standing from the couch and taking a step toward her. "Whatever he did to you, however this guy fucked with your head, you need to realize that I'm not him."

As she closed her eyes, a single tear slid down her cheek.

When she reopened them, her eyes were glassy but dull, and she glanced toward the window. "The sun is coming up. I'm going to go. I'll call you."

As I watched her in disbelief and stunned silence, she gathered her things and walked out of my apartment. My chest felt hollow as the door clicked shut, and I was pretty fucking sure I shouldn't hold my breath for that phone call.

Fuck-buddy Rule #7 - No staying overnight. No exceptions.

Rule status - Shattered

Thank you for reading! Chapter 11 (the final chapter) is written, so I will do my absolute best to not make you wait long for it, considering how this one ended. Much love to you all!

Please check out round eight of The Twilight 25. There are so many great authors participating, and they are writing some amazing little stories! thetwilight25 dot com/round-eight/

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