Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in Twilight; I'm just enjoying their company for a while, playing dress-up with Alice, working on their cars with Rosalie, and wrestling with all the guys.

Chapter 10

Edward opened my bedroom door and walked into the living room.

"Good morning ladies."

I walked out just behind him and smiled as Jessica and Lauren's jaws dropped in shock. I was surprised Angela hadn't told them that he was here but pleased none the less that I had one roommate who wasn't a hopeless gossip.

"Good morning Edward, morning Bella. Did you guys get back to sleep after Bella's nightmare last night?" Angela called to us as she continued getting her breakfast. She acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary, as if Edward stayed over every night. You could always count on Angela, I really liked her.

"Nope, we stayed up talking the whole time." I called back to her.

I walked Edward to the front door. "I'll be right back with my clothes in a second."

He leaned over and kissed my cheek softly. I blushed bright red. I could feel the eyes of my roommates drilling into the back of my head. I heard Edward chuckle very quietly under his breath as he walked down the stairs and out to his car.

I turned to walk back into the kitchen but ran straight into Lauren and Jessica who were standing less than an inch behind me watching Edward walk away.

"Was that Edward Cullen?" Jessica shrieked.

"Yes it was."

"Did he stay over last night?"

"Yes he did."

"With you?"
"Yes."

Lauren's eyes narrowed and she glared at me. "You mean he's not gay?"
I shook my head, "nope. He's not gay."

"Did you have sex with him?"

I felt my face get very red. "Nothing happened. We're dating but we haven't done anything yet. You know how I didn't show up last night? I was attacked on my way to the club as I was getting my car at the yoga studio."

"I had to crash my truck to get away from the guy who kidnapped me. He wasn't wearing a seatbelt and went halfway through the window. Edward saw the accident and pulled over to help. He pulled me out of the car, recognized me and saved my life. My car exploded a few minutes after he got me out of the car."

"The police came, I gave them a statement. Edward forced me to eat some dinner because I was in shock. He dropped me off at home but when he started to leave I had a major panic attack. So he stayed with me to help me feel safe."

Jessica, Lauren and Angela stood dead still. Angela threw herself at me, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck. "Oh my God Bella! I heard about that accident on the radio last night! Are you alright?"

I nodded my head. How did the story get on the radio? What did they do to make the story look real? "Thanks to Edward there weren't any physical injuries. He saved my life. I'm still pretty shaken up about it, but overall, I'm okay."

"Do the police know who attacked you?"

"Yeah, you know that guy who has been kidnapping girls and dropping their cars off in parking lots with no physical evidence except a smear of blood? He attacked me. They police say that I'm very luck to have escaped. He's dead now, he won't hurt anyone else."

Edward knocked lightly on the front door and let himself in. He was carrying a duffel bag and a bath towel. Jessica and Lauren stared at him, following him with their eyes as he walked across the room. He stopped to kiss me lightly on the cheek and then went into my bathroom to shower.

Angela didn't even notice Edward had come back in the house. "I'm glad you are alright Bella. You are so lucky that Edward was there behind you. He's your own personal knight in shining armor."

I grinned. "I think of him more of my guardian angel."

Lauren shook her head. "How the hell did you get a guy like him?"
I knew I should have been insulted, but I was asking myself the same thing. I shrugged. Why such a gorgeous man would ever choose me, I wouldn't know.

"So, is he a good kisser?" Jessica stepped closer and lowered her voice as if Edward would hear her. If only she knew that he could hear her every thought.

"We haven't kissed yet. He's a real gentleman."

Jessica winked at me, "do you like him?"
I nodded.

"How much," she pressed.

"A lot."

Angela walked over and gave me a big hug. "You're a great girl Bella; you really deserve an awesome guy. He better treat you well or I'll have Ben beat him up."

She winked at me and I smiled brightly. I poured myself a bowl of cereal. My stomach was all in knots. I barely know Edward and my feelings may be completely irrational, but I knew without a doubt in my mind that I was falling madly in love with him.

The rest of breakfast was quiet. Jessica and Lauren left while I was eating for class and Angela went in her room to get dressed. I finished breakfast quickly and went in my room to check my e-mail. I sat at my desk and opened Internet Explorer. The sound of my bathroom door caused me to look up. Edward was standing in the doorway, a towel wrapped around his waist. Steam poured out the door behind him and the water droplets glistened on his bare, muscular chest.

My jaw dropped to my chest and my eyes grew wide. I knew I was staring and that he would know that I was lusting after him, but I couldn't help myself. What did he expect when he was standing mostly naked in front of me? Edward winked at me.

"Bella, do you have a blow dryer?"
"Under the sink."

"Thanks." Edward shut the door behind him.

"No, thank you," I murmured. Edward laughed and I cursed his sensitive hearing.

The blow dryer roared to life and I quickly perused my e-mail. Edward emerged a few minutes' later all dressed and ready to go. He looked amazing. "Your turn."

I gathered my things and hurried into the bathroom. I took a quick shower and hurried to get dressed. I pulled my hair into a low ponytail, brushed my teeth and left the bathroom. Edward was lounging on my bed looking at a framed picture of my mom and me.

"Bella, how many boyfriends have you had?"
I shook my head, "I haven't had any boy friends. My priorities were always on school. Mom had me really young and always encouraged me to wait for a relationship until I was out of school and had a career. I went on a couple blind dates in college but they weren't interested in me, they were trying to hook up with my friend."

He nodded. "Well those men were really stupid. Just so you know, I've never dated anyone either. When I was alive all I was interested in was politics and the Great Depression. My father was a lawyer and I was attending law school. After I was turned, I never showed interest in it because I thought my life was over."

I walked over and sat next to him on the bed. He took my hand in his. "And now?" I asked.

"And now, being near you, I feel more alive than I ever have before."

Edward placed his hand gently on my face. "Bella. May I kiss you?"
I bit my lower lip nervously and nodded. Edward leaned in and kissed my lips, first brushing them gently with his, and then pressing his lips to mine with more passion. His lips lingered on mine, his arms went down around my waist and he pulled me closer.

I had to pull away to breath. We stared into one another's eyes while I caught my breath and then Edward pulled me in again for another sweet kiss.