A/N: Thanks to my betas Clarisa and keepingupwiththekids

Disclaimer: I don't own them

ChApTeR TeN

Song for this Chapter: Muse~Starlight

BPOV

I think someone needed to medicate me. My moods were violently swinging from one end of the spectrum to the other throughout the entire week. After Edward carted me around town to run errands, I came to the dark realization that he wasn't going to be around to entertain or distract me all the time. As it was, I felt completely estranged from him all week. I stopped at his door several times during the week, poised to knock, and chickened out at the last minute. I mentally chastised myself every single time I felt like he was ignoring me. He had a real life job to do and was possibly quite busy. I didn't really know if he was busy since we had exchanged little more than ten words since our day out on the town. I beat myself up over the fact that I gotten used to his company the first week in my new home.

The second week was indescribable. I spent some time with Rose and Emmett. Emmett was always entertaining and a great distraction. I spent time with Renee and Charlie. It was somewhat comforting to know that they were settling in nicely. Renee was enjoying the garden club and had their yard looking immaculate with no help from the landscape crew Emmett and Rose employed. Now that she had something to focus on besides me, things were more comfortable between us. Charlie loved his job and took it very seriously. The first real action to happen on the job was when a reporter tried to break through the security checkpoint and it really tested his limits. He made fast friends with most of the police force in town and the men working under him were amazed at his dedication. He was a great role model.

I wiled away most of the hours reading my books for school. So many times I got lost in them and was completely captivated and excited about the things I was going to learn this semester. The only time I was truly happy was when I was reading. I spent most of my time on the balcony outside of my suite. I liked to think I picked that spot for the view, but I knew I picked it hoping Edward would come and join me. I didn't see him in the mornings for coffee; I didn't see him at night after dinner. I tried my best not to think of him or wonder what he was doing, but failed miserably. I don't know why I let myself get used to him. His antics, snarky tongue, and beautiful features starred in almost every daydream. I didn't come here looking for a relationship and I kept reminding myself of that.

I snapped out of my thoughts when my phone rang. I didn't recognize the number on the caller ID, but since it was a local exchange, I answered.

"Hello?"

"Bella?" The male voice flowed easily through the earpiece.

"Yes, who's this?" I asked curiously.

"This is Mike; we met on campus last week. I gave you the flyer for the party tonight."

"Oh, right, Mike," I started as I let out a sigh of relief, "what's up?"

"Well I was wondering if you wanted me to pick you up for the party tonight. I can't drink because of my job. So I thought I'd offer you a ride so you can enjoy yourself."

"Wow, that'd be great, Mike. Do you need my address?"

"You live with Rose and Emmett McCarty, right?" he asked.

"Yes," I said hesitantly. How in the hell did he know so much about me, and how in the hell did he get my phone number?

"My dad works with Emmett's uncle and he told me about your arrival." He answered my silent questions. "Pick you up around eight?"

"That sounds great. I'll be ready. See you then," I said.

"Bye, Bella," he breathed out quietly before disconnecting the call. That was strange. Was he trying to flirt with me?

Yes, you idiot. he was trying to flirt with you. Now hop on the beauty train and get your ass moving for tonight. We've got big plans!!

I rolled my eyes at the voice. It was always so boisterous no matter how much I tried to ignore it. I looked over at the clock and realized that it was already six-thirty. I jumped off the bed and ran downstairs to find something to eat. I made my way into the silent kitchen, assuming everyone went out to eat tonight, when I caught sight of the bropper-haired boy sitting at the table. I inhaled sharply as his profile came into view.

Still as gorgeous as last week. You really should try to hit that.

I opened the refrigerator as quietly as I could and rooted around for an apple. I found one, grabbed it, and closed the door. I turned to say something to him, but decided against it as I made my way out of the kitchen.

"Can't say hi?" he asked as I was almost through the sitting room.

"What?" I questioned as I turned to face him. He had lifted his head and was staring at me.

"I asked you if you couldn't say hi," he repeated with a stoic look on his face.

"Hi?" I said, unsure of what he wanted. I wasn't really ready to hold a conversation with him since he hadn't said anything to me all week. Seeing the look on his face right now sent my self-doubt spiraling out of control. I was sure he was avoiding me.

"If you're going to a party tonight, you should really think about eating something more than an apple," he stated seriously.

"Okay, Dad," I replied with a sarcastic smirk. "I think I can handle myself."

"Whatever, Bella," he snapped and turned his attention back to the table. I noticed a newspaper laid out over the surface. "Have a great night," he huffed as I furrowed my brow. I realized the conversation was over so I turned and left the room without another word to him.

I hurried up the stairs, chomping on the apple with every step. I finished the fruit by the time I made it to my bedroom and rushed through my shower routine. I flew through my closet like a junkie looking for the next fix. I emerged several moments later clad in a dark grey mini jean skirt, white skin-tight tank top, and the hottest black strappy stilettos that I had ever seen. I was pretty clumsy, but I felt so confident in these shoes that it completely overrode my klutziness.

Quit trying to fool yourself and get your ass downstairs so cronze-head sees what he's missing.

I hurried down the staircase at a quarter till eight and rushed into the kitchen. My breath hitched slightly when I took in Edward's appearance. He looked absolutely heavenly. His cargo jeans hung low on his hips and the black t-shirt left no question if he worked out or not. Black Diesel sneakers peeked out from under the hems of his pants. His hair was beautifully disheveled. I took a step back when he turned his fiery gaze on me. If eyes could fuck, that's exactly what his would be doing to me. His lids lowered slightly and the green of his irises took on a much darker hue. I swear I heard him utter a fuck under his breath as his eyes raked up and down my body.

"You don't approve, Dad?"

He snapped his head up and glared at me. "You are going to the party wearing that?"

I arched an eyebrow in defiance as he continued to glare. "Uh...yeah. Is there a problem?"

"Have you ever been to a college house party, Bella?" His tone was condescending and his mouth twitched into a smug smirk.

"N..no," I stuttered.

"That's what I thought. You should think about changing into something that shows...a little less skin," he clenched his teeth as he spoke and muttered, "not that it would matter," under his breath.

"I'll take my chances. I'm going to wait outside for Mike. See you around, Edward," I all but snarled. I thought my mood swings were bad. His were causing a dull throb at the back of my eyes.

Maybe his beauty is blinding. That could be why you are getting an eye-ache. Could have been all that eye fucking you did to him though.

"What?" Edward asked as I turned to leave the room. "He's picking you up?" His teeth were still clenched and the rage in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Yes," I said quietly drawing out the 's" in yes. "Do you not approve of that either? You know, I am a big girl. I can take care of myself."

He snorted and stalked across the room towards me. "You are still a child on the inside--a child that never got the chance to grow and experience life. That façade may fool the people around you, but it doesn't fool me, Isabella. Your carefully crafted exterior has fallen swiftly in my presence. The explosion will happen, and I think it's going to happen soon." His fury was raging through his features, but the passion pouring from his mouth was melting me with every word.

"You really don't know what type of lion's den you are walking into tonight, Bella. You don't know any of these people. They are going to treat you like a piece of meat," he huffed as his gaze flickered to the couch beside us. He ran his hands through his hair in a move of frustration as he took a deep breath. "You know what?" he asked quietly. "You're right. You are a big girl. So, I will leave you to your little party. Have a good time," He lifted his eyes back to my face and the light was gone, like his fire had been extinguished. I stared inro his eyes for a moment waiting for the fire to return. When the spark didn't reignite, I silently left the room. I escaped through the front door and waited on the front steps for Mike. I couldn't stand to be in the same room as Edward.

EPOV

I don't know what I was thinking when I made that promise to myself. I was staying away from Bella, but it was taking every shred of self-control I had. I wasn't ready for a relationship and this was the only way to get away from her siren call.

I disgusted myself with how much time I actually spent watching her and what she was doing. Slowly as the week progressed, I watched her slip further and further back into herself. Her eyes were guarded and the bricks I had torn down the previous week were slowly being rebuilt. I had never met someone with such a roller coaster of emotions. I figured out quickly that she was happiest when she was reading. I watched her almost every afternoon on our balcony, reading her new textbooks, her eyes darting across the pages, absorbing as much as she could, as fast as she could. The corners of her mouth would twitch and curl into a faux smile. It wasn't the real smile that lit up the room. That was gone somewhere around Tuesday afternoon.

I feared I was turning into a stalker. I watched her hang out with Rose and Emmett. I observed her from our balcony when she would meander down to the beach. I watched her go to her parents' house until I couldn't see her retreating form through the trees anymore. It was sick--I was sick in the head.

Get yourself some ass. You know Jessica is good for it. She will be all over that shit. Ridin' the Ed train all night long.

Even the voice was begging to get laid. I was such a sick fuck. I almost lost my shit when she walked into the kitchen wearing that. What the fuck was she thinking? Obviously, she had no idea what type of party it was going to be. I had to give her the benefit of the doubt. At least the angry kitten was back when I questioned if she had ever been to a college party. My smugness got to them every time. Girls liked cocky bastards. Did they have no self-preservation instinct?

I had a hard time keeping it together when I revealed I knew of her mask. She drew the most intense reactions from me. My instinct was to gather her in my arms, take her upstairs, and lock her in my room.

Yes and strip her naked. She's got a hot little ass. I bet she's fuckhot under that skirt.

I don't know when these instincts popped up, but I brushed it off as she searched my face for a moment then turned and swayed her hypnotic hips out of the sitting room and out the front door. I snapped out of my trance once the front door slammed shut.

I flipped my cell open and texted Jessica to ask her if she was ready yet. She told me to pick her up at seven and that had been changing every fifteen minutes for the last hour. If she wasn't ready by now, I was going without her. I wasn't in the mood for her inane chatter anyway. She was probably going to drag me to some lame ass club, get piss-ass drunk and puke four times on the way home. Girls were so predictable.

Correction, most girls are predictable. Not all the time though.

I headed out to the garage and hopped into my Volvo, thankful that Mike at least offered Bella a ride instead of risking her drinking and driving. I was somewhat glad he had a shred of decency. Asshat.

Jessica was ready by the time I got to her house. I didn't even get out of the car; I just honked the horn twice in quick succession. It was a total dick thing to do, but I really didn't want her to think that this was more than it really was.

"Hey Eddie," she squeaked when she got in the car.

"Don't call me that," I snapped as she buckled her seatbelt. She just giggled and told me we were going to some college party. "Great," I said sarcastically. I couldn't help when one side of my mouth lifted into a smirk as I thought about being at the same party as Bella. That would kill two birds with one stone for sure. I could keep an eye on the drunken idiots that would no doubt be trying to get in her pants and appease Jessica with small talk at the same time.

Jessica leaned over and kissed me on the cheek as she prattled on about how Lauren was so excited to see me. Then she mentioned Mike.

"Wait, you fucking know him?" I scoffed.

"Yes," she smirked and batted her eyelashes. "Why?"

"I saw him at the college the other day when I was there. I remember him, but only what sports he played. I can't really place him," I stated, trying to cover for my outburst.

Jessica just nodded and before I knew it, we were at the party.

"Whose house is this?" I asked, thinking if I heard the name again it might ring a bell.

"Justin Cassidy's--why?" She narrowed her eyes waiting for me to protest. I searched my brain for that name, but it didn't ring a bell.

"Just curious," I sighed as we climbed out of the car and made our way to the front door. Things on the outside of the house seemed normal. You couldn't really tell there was a party going on inside until the door swung open. The sea of drunken college students spilled out onto the front lawn as the noise level tripled. I furrowed my brow as we walked through the crowded house looking for a table with drinks of alcohol of some sort.

I lost Jessica in the crowd and when I finally found the alcohol, I stuck close to the table. I wasn't one for drinking and driving and I knew my limit. In a way, I was thankful that Jessica had disappeared. I could observe the idiots around me in peace without her yammering in my ear about some bullshit I could care less about and did not want to hear. My peace was short lived as Jessica came bounding through the crowd making a beeline straight for me.

"There you are," she yelled, slurring her speech already. "Lauren wanted to say hello again." She smirked and Lauren stalked around Jessica to stand in front of me.

"Hello, Edward," she grinned and tossed her hair over her shoulder. I'm sure she was trying to look seductive or attractive, but it wasn't doing a thing for me.

"Lauren." I nodded my head towards her and turned my attention back to the group of boys trying to do keg stands.

"So what brings you back to the beach? Did you miss the weather or the girls?" she asked trying hard not to slur her words, but failing miserably.

"I needed a change," I stated simply. I huffed out a breath of air in annoyance and turned my attention towards her again. "What do you want, Lauren? You obviously had Jessica drag you over here for a reason, so out with it." I was done beating around the bush. Literally.

She feigned innocence and widened her eyes before replying. "I just wanted to say hello, Edward." She batted her eyelashes and I rolled my eyes in obvious annoyance. She wasn't getting the message.

"So who was that girl you had with you the other day?" Jessica shouted, coming in between us.

"Bella," I stated, hoping they would drop it, but I knew it was a futile attempt. These girls were the gossip vultures of our town.

"Who is she to you, Edward?" Lauren asked, getting annoyed at my avoidance.

"She's Rosalie's sister. You know my cousin Emmett's wife?"

"Right," Lauren sneered. She was such a bitch. "Want to get out of here and head to Ben's party?" Lauren turned her attention back to Jessica who nodded furiously.

"I heard that Marcus was going to be there tonight. I need to see him before school starts." She winked and I tried to ignore their exchange, but when Ben's name left Lauren's mouth, my ears instantly perked. I was sure that's where Bella would be. "Wanna go, Eddie?" Jessica tilted her head and stuck her lip out slightly.

"Yes, let's go," I replied as I led the way out of the house back towards my car.

The ride to Ben's was full of Lauren belittling every girl at the party we just left. Girl X was wearing last season's Jimmy Choos. Girl Y's hair was a putrid color and made her skin tone look like death. I tried my hardest not to let them kill anymore of my brain cells with their screeching chatter, but it was hard to ignore when they both had such grating voices. When we finally arrived at Ben's ten minutes later, the girls bounced out of the car and up the walk to the front door arm in arm.

I strode into the house behind them and my eyes immediately began scanning the crowd for Bella's chocolate mane. I knew she was here; I could almost feel the energy that normally surrounded her hanging in the air. I started walking through the crowd towards the kitchen to find something to drink. I received several surprised looks from people that I quite possibly was supposed to know. I smirked at the fact that people still recognized me as The Big Man on Campus. The title still followed me even though I had been away from this town for years.

"Edward," a deep voice resonated against my eardrums as I turned to see Marcus Faraday strolling towards me.

"Marcus," I smirked and held out a hand for him to shake. We met each other in high school and became good friends when we ended up playing all the same sports. We had our pick of the girls at the school as we both shared the popularity. "How's it going?" I asked as he smirked towards a group of drunken girls in the corner making out with each other. I laughed as I followed his gaze. "Haven't changed a bit, huh?"

"Not one bit," he laughed with me. "How are you? I haven't seen you in ages."

"Yeah, I'm good. Decided to head home for a fresh start. Anything new going on in this place?"

"Nah, man, it's the same old shit, just a different lay...I mean...day." He chuckled darkly and I rolled my eyes at his obvious man-whore ways. The evil grin that crept across my face was involuntary as I stared at the group of girls slowly removing their clothing.

"Man, we got some fresh meat up in here tonight." Marcus' lips twisted up evilly as I arched an eyebrow in curiosity. "There is this one chick that came with Newton. She's totally fucking trashed right now, but fuck, she's hot--long brown hair and legs that don't stop. She's wearing the shortest fucking skirt I've ever seen, and some fuckhot shoes." Marcus' eyes glazed over as a grunt bubbled up from his throat.

I thought about who he was describing as the anxiety slipped down my spine. "Is her name Bella?" I choked, out trying to keep the panic from my voice.

"Yeah, how'd you know?" The left side of his mouth lifted up into a grin as he started again. "Man, if you aren't going to hit that shit let me know. I want in on that."

"Where is she?" I asked through clenched teeth.

His brow furrowed as he stared at me in curiosity. "What? Why do you..."

I cut him off as I repeated my question.

"Right there," he pointed behind me just as Pink's U and Ur Hand blared out through the speakers of the sound system behind us. I turned quickly searching the crowd for her beautiful eyes. I found her quickly as my eyes stopped and latched onto hers. She was staring at me and screaming the lyrics of the song while bouncing around with a bunch of girls. She looked like she was having the time of her life, but as I took in the people around her I noticed every guy within a ten-foot radius was staring at her tits bouncing with her every move. The fury and rage flared immediately as the urge to protect her became unbearable.

Fuck. I am so fucking screwed.

BPOV

Mike showed up at the house at eight on the dot. I liked punctuality even though I was always late no matter how early I left. He was eager to please me and I took advantage of his niceness, reveling in the fact that I had made the decision to let go for one night. I would take it all, absorbing every bit that I could.

We made it to the party relatively fast, even with Mike's careful driving. Small talk floated through the car as we tried to fill the silence. I discovered that he had a passion and eye for art. He was studying to be a museum curator. I found that fascinating and asked him if there were any museums in the area worth visiting. That set him off on a tangent and he continued telling me of all the fascinating museums in the area and some within a short drive of the town. We discussed the art in each museum all the way through the first hour of being at the party. I had knocked back several drinks and was feeling pretty numb when he started introducing me to people. I met some guy named Marcus that eyed my shoes and me as if they were cake and he was a deprived fat kid. He was very good looking in a man-whore sort of way, but he skeeved me out so I kept my distance from him.

I was introduced to a group of girls that all seemed really down to earth and approachable unlike the skanks I was faced with during my day on the town with Edward. Angela was the coolest of them all and seemed to be the ringleader of the little coven they formed. She was slightly taller than I was with dark hair and an olive complexion. Her features were very soft and her dark eyes expressed every emotion that crossed her face. Bree was short and tiny with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was very cute in a childlike way. Irina was tall with brown hair and bright green eyes. She was attractive in a subdued way. They all made me feel very comfortable and welcome as we discussed photography and the arts as much as my alcohol fogged brain would allow.

"Edward Cullen is here," Angela whispered loudly trying to be heard over the music, but not drawing attention to our circle.

My eyes immediately narrowed as I scanned the crowd for his unique hair. I found him standing only a few feet from us talking to Marcus. Bree giggled loudly as she looked at me. "You like him," she accused.

"I live with him," I seethed. I was completely pissed that he was here. The alcohol burning through my veins didn't help the anger that had been bubbling all week.

"You live with him?" Irina asked with her eyes wide.

"I do; he lives in the suite right next to mine at my sister's house. He's an insufferable ass," I stated as I raised my chin in defiance just as Pink's U and Ur Hand came blasting through the speakers. I laughed loudly as I started bouncing around bobbing my head to the music. All three girls joined me as we bounced happily and laughed. I spun in a circle and looked back towards Edward just as he turned his head and locked his eyes with me.

I'm not here for your entertainment
You don't really want to mess with me tonight
Just stop and take a second
I was fine before you walked into my life
Cause you know it's over
Before it began
Keep your drink just give me the money
It's just you and your hand tonight

I screamed the lyrics looking right at him. The shocked look vacated his features and was quickly replaced with a dark smugness. He smirked at me and raked his eyes up and down my body. He looked to my left and right quickly and met my gaze again with anger burning through his face. Why the hell would he be mad?

"He's giving you the 'come fuck me' look," Bree giggled.

I rolled my eyes and said, "Whatever; he can go fuck himself." I turned my body and angled it towards Angela so I didn't have to stare at his smug face anymore. I spun so I had my back to Edward and as I looked up, I noticed five guys dancing around me. I grinned and yelled, "Dance?" They all smirked and nodded. I moved closer to them as they formed a circle around me, each one trying to get me to give them individual attention. I just laughed and shook my head. I continued turning in circles glancing at Edward every so often. That Jessica girl was standing at his side saying something, but his eyes never left mine. The fury and rage were getting hard for him to control and I could tell it wasn't going to be long before he came stalking over here to try to rescue me. I was ready to give him an earful.

The music quickly switched to Usher's Caught Up. I laughed as I could almost pinpoint the second that the dam broke and Edward marched over to where I was dancing.

"Alright assholes, you've had your turn. Get moving," Edward sneered as I continued dancing. The alcohol was working wonders on my dance moves. They were getting more seductive by the minute and the guys around me didn't budge at Edward's request. I smirked and rolled my eyes at him. "Get the fuck off," he growled as one of the guys reached out to grab my hips. They all looked at him and scattered as soon as they realized he meant business.

"What the hell, Edward?" I stopped dancing and narrowed my eyes at him. "I don't need a fucking hero--especially only when it's convenient for you. So fuck off and go eye fuck the lesbos in the corner some more."

"You are absolutely infuriating," he hissed as he grabbed my hips and started grinding himself against me. I almost melted at his touch, but held myself together.

I'm so

Caught up
Got me feelin' it
Caught up
I don't know what it is
But it seems she's got me twisted
I'm so
Caught up
Got me feelin' it
Caught up
I'm losin' control
This girl's got a hold on me

Usher's smooth voice thumped through the speakers keeping our rhythm in sync. My flesh was quickly overheating from the contact of Edward's body and the hooded gaze he had fixed upon my lips. I raised my arms and tilted my head back slightly as I ran my fingers loosely through my hair. I swear I heard a groan rumble through his chest and I nearly jumped when he put the palm of his hand at the hollow of my throat, letting his long fingers splay out across my collarbone. The span of his hand almost reached across my chest. He was only a few inches short on each side.

I gasped again as he slid his hand down slightly and pushed me gently back while securing his other hand at the small of my back. I complied with his silent demand as I leaned back as far as I could go. I slowly dragged my right leg up his and hitched it around his hip. He lowered the hand at my throat down in between my breasts and stopped where my tank top rode up and exposed the flesh of my abdomen. "Fuck," he whispered as he pushed on my back to bring me back to eye level with him. I smirked as lust flashed in his gaze. He ground his erection into my hip causing a moan to filter up through my vocal chords. I closed my eyes and threw my arms around his neck. "You are so maddening, Isabella," he whispered into my ear.

"You're intolerable," I slurred back. "I don't need to you to fucking save me. I want to be here and I want guys dancing with me."

"I don't want you to get hurt," he whispered and I groaned as his tongue darted out and traced the shell of my ear.

"I'm a big girl, Edward," I said through clenched teeth. He was obviously trying to distract me and I wasn't over my anger. I wanted to be pissed at him for a little longer. "So fuck off," I ended brilliantly as he pulled back and stared down at me.

"Are you out to get yourself into some trouble?" he hissed angrily.

"Why do you care?" I shot back.

"Why wouldn't I care?" His eyebrows knit together in confusion as he ran his hands up and down my back.

"Oh, I don't know, maybe the fact that you've ignored me all week has led me to believe that you couldn't give a shit about what I'm doing or who I'm doing." I smiled cockily as his eyes narrowed again.

"You're right; I shouldn't care, but I do. I can't fucking help it. I have this urge to protect you. I don't want to see you get hurt. So fucking sue me." He dropped his hands from my back and took a step back. "Do whatever or whoever you want, Bella, but when you come crying to me after your feelings get hurt don't expect me to be waiting." He turned and left me in the middle of the dance floor.

"Fuck you, Edward," I screamed at his back. He stopped dead in his tracks and turned slowly. He walked quickly back to me and grabbed my hips forcefully before he crashed his lips to mine. It wasn't a slow or soft kiss, and at first, I was so stunned I didn't move a muscle. When his tongue insisted on invading my mouth, I gasped and mistakenly let him take control. He thrust his tongue into my mouth forcefully as our lips mashed together and teeth clanked and clashed. We were pushing and pulling at each other, wanting more but not going any further.

He pulled back quickly and grasped my upper arms roughly. "We're going home," he said in between pants. His lips were swollen from my kisses and as he spoke, I couldn't take my eyes from his tongue. He was the most beautifully infuriating man I'd ever met. "Now," he demanded as he dropped my arms and grabbed my hand leading me through the crowd. Jessica found him halfway through the living room and barked some kind of nonsense in his ear. "Find a fucking ride. I have to take this hot mess home," he snarled and she retreated quickly.

Mike approached us as we neared the front door. I just stared at him dumbly as Edward dragged me out the door. He threw me against the passenger side of his car and pinned me in between his lean, muscled arms. I stared wide-eyed and curious as he crashed his lips to mine again. I reached up and knotted my hands in his hair, tugging forcefully. "Shit," he pulled away and whispered, "Do you have any idea what the fuck you do to me?"

""No," I squeaked out just before his lips crushed mine again. He was still frenzied, but I had calmed down slightly, bringing the intensity of the kiss down a few notches.

"Shit, so fucking hot," he whispered as he peppered my neck with kisses. My labored breathing snapped him out of his trance long enough to open the door to his car and shove me in the passenger seat.

We made it home in ten minutes and my eyes were drooping heavily. Apparently when consuming large amounts of alcohol it's never wise to stop moving. "Bella," Edward's velvety voice was coming from my right. I opened my eyes wide enough to see that we were parked in the garage and he had the passenger side door open trying to coax me out of the seat. I tried standing gracefully, but fell back into the car. I decided that my shoes were preventing me from walking properly so I bent down and clumsily attacked the offending straps. I had them off moments later and Edward helped me out of the car.


We walked towards the house and I stumbled a bit, earning me an arm around the waist and a gentle tug into his body. "Do you want me to carry you?" He snickered as I glared at him.

"Fuck you, Edward," I slurred sleepily. "Haven't you ever been drunk before? Shoes aren't alcohol-friendly when you're drunk."

"It's not the shoes, Bella. Shoes are never the problem when you're drunk." He chuckled as I tried to comprehend his words.

"Cake," I cried out. "Do we have any cake? I think I really want cake...with frosting."

"No cake for you; it won't taste good the second time around."

"Fine," I huffed as he helped me up the stairs towards our suites. He walked me into my living room and through to my bedroom and deposited me onto the bed. I looked up into his face and he was smiling. My features stretched into a wide smile as he gently caressed my face with his fingertips.

"You're not wearing that skirt out in public ever again," he said still smiling.

"For the millionth time tonight, fuck you, Edward." He smirked and leaned down to brush his lips with mine. I fell back onto the bed as he started backing towards the door. "Please stay," I whispered as I rolled over towards the middle of the bed wrestling with my skirt. "Don't leave me again," I whispered as I stripped my lower half of the offending article of clothing.

He sighed and I heard his clothes rustling before he climbed into bed next to me. We lay motionless facing each other for several moments. I reached out and touched his face with feather-light pressure and he grabbed my wrist as he tugged my body towards his, tangling me up in his arms. I took a deep breath inhaling his scent and buried my head in his chest as the electrifying sensation raced through my body.

Fuck this feels good. I think I'm in trouble. I'm so screwed.