Many thanks to my beta, lambcullen, and my lovely prereader, snshyne.

Hope you gals have your date knickers ready!

BPOV

I cranked the metal handle of the can opener around the small can of cat food. Shadow weaved in and out of my legs, purring loudly. The small smile curling my lips lingered, even as I shoved the processed meat into Shad's little dish.

Giddy was one way of putting how I felt. It had been awhile since I'd felt giddy about anything. It was good to be doing something outside of my boring routine of work, sleep, baking, and dinner at my parents.

Oh fiddle sticks. I hadn't told them I was going out tonight.

I bit my lip as I picked up the phone from its cradle and dialed the number. Squeezing my eyes shut, I chanted over and over.

Please don't let Daddy pick up. Please don't let Daddy pick up. Please don't let Daddy pick up.

"Hello?"

It was Momma; thank Heaven for small miracles.

"Hi, Momma. I'm not gonna make dinner tonight."

"Oh no, baby! Are you sick?"

"No…no. It's nothing like that. I'm going out."

Suspicion laced her voice, "What do you mean out? Are you and Leah Uley going out?"

"Um. No. I've kinda got a date." I ran my hand through my hair nervously.

"Good for you! Is it that Edward Cullen?"

I laughed, "Yes, Momma. It's that Edward Cullen. Dinner and a movie. Nothin' special."

She sighed into the phone, "Are you going to come to dinner tomorrow?"

"No, I've got some things to do tomorrow that I need to get done before work on Monday. Will you tell Daddy I'm just not feeling well?"

"Your secret is safe with me, baby. You be careful, now, OK?"

"Yes, Momma."

She could hear the slight aggravation in my voice, "Alright, then. Love you."

"Love you too, Momma."

I hung up the phone and smiled to myself. In all honesty, I didn't have anything to do tomorrow. I just didn't want the barrage of questions I knew would erupt if I showed up for dinner at my folks. And I knew Momma would not be able to keep it buttoned if I was there.

The time was nearing on five, and I decided I better get my butt in gear or I'd be keeping Edward waiting. While I showered, I could feel my stomach going all topsy-turvy. I tried to hush it, telling myself it was just a date, just dinner and a movie.

So why was I nervously giddy?

Wrapping myself in a towel, I walked barefoot to my bedroom and opened my closet.

And now the moment I had been dreading all day.

What in Sam Hill was I going to wear tonight?

Staring at my clothes on their hangers, I nibbled my lower lip. I highly doubted Edward would be suited and booted, so I started to pull out a pair of jeans, but then stopped myself. It wasn't too cold for a skirt. All he had ever seen me in was jeans.

So I pulled out my denim skirt and held it up to my hips. It would be a little short, but it wasn't that bad. I'd seen worse at that bar. It was a lovely dark denim that had buttons up the front.

I hunted through the hangers for a suitable top, and finally settled on a red chiffon gypsy top. It meant I could wear my red dress boots that I had gotten for my birthday last September.

I laid it all out, and went through the routine of hair, getting dressed, make-up. I was just shoving my lip gloss into a smaller purse when there was a knock on the door. I nearly jumped out of my skin, and my fingers shook as I zipped up the small handbag.

I watched Shadow scamper towards the living room, and saw her little body leap up to a sniper position on the bookshelf. She somehow managed to keep from knocking the knickknacks to the ground and settled with a lethal stare at the door.

I took a deep breath and opened it.

There he stood, in polished boots, a smart pair of wranglers, and a black shirt that buttoned up, except for the few buttons opened at his throat. A dark Stetson sat on his head, making him seem taller and more handsome. A gleaming belt buckle drew my eyes, and I realized I was staring.

Blushing, "Um. Hi. Do you wanna come in for a sec? I just need to find my earrings and we'll go."

He nodded and stepped inside. My head drifted a little on the smell of his cologne, and I caught myself sighing dreamily. God I hope he hadn't heard that.

"Wait here, I'll be right back."

I caught the toe of my boots on the carpet, and nearly went flying, but was able to catch myself in time. In my bedroom, I went over to the small box where I kept my earrings and found a small pair of rhinestones to quickly shove in. Grabbing my purse, I checked my softly waving hair in the mirror one more time. Satisfied, I walked quickly back out to the living room, where Edward stood.

I caught him staring at my legs, and giggled internally.

There was something different about his face, and I realized he had trimmed the beard down a little. He looked less scraggly rancher, and I could see his jaw a little more now. I resisted the urge to touch his face.

"Ready to go?"

I nodded, and he opened the front door for me. Stepping outside, I waited for him with my keys in hand to lock the door. He offered his arm, and we walked down the steps together.

"A girl could get used to these kind of gestures, Mr. Cullen."

We cleared the last step, "Plenty more where that came from, Miss Swan."

There was a gruff note in his voice that sent buzzing shimmers through me. It felt delicious, and I smiled, starting to relax with him.

He helped me into the truck, his hands lingering for a moment on my hips, and I felt warmth spread through me.

He was dangerous, Edward Cullen. Dangerous to my senses and my body.

There was something more between us tonight, it seemed alive, it crackled in the air. I hoped I wasn't the only one who felt it.

The quiet in the cab of his pickup truck was starting to wear, it was slowly moving past the point of comfortable to awkward. I knew I had to go slowly with him, but something told me if I didn't talk soon, things would bottom out prematurely.

"I haven't been this nervous in years. My hands have been shaking for hours."

He glanced at me from the road and then back again, "Why're you nervous?"

"Well. It's been a little while since I've done the whole dating thing. And well-" I felt my face flush and stopped before I said something stupid.

"Well what?"

"Nothing. It's nothing."

He smiled at me in the light red light of a stop light, "Must've been something'."

I cleared my throat, "You'."

He laughed, and I smiled in spite of my nervousness.

"Honey, you ain't so bad, yourself."

Those eyes, they were warmly appreciative, and I felt those little jolts run through me again, tingling my nerve endings.

The light changed green, and he turned back to the road. I shifted in my seat a little, and the old leather creaked slightly. Inhaling deeply, I tried to calm myself down; I felt like a teenager on her first date.

We pulled into the restaurant parking lot. It was a grill place with a nice bar, and I smiled: It was one of my favorite. Edward helped me from the truck and I walked with him, his boots keeping time with mine over the tarred asphalt.

We were seated in a private booth, and I nervously perused my menu. Eventually the waitress came, and we ordered. I played with the straw in my coke, and wiggled my toes in my boot.

Finally he spoke and I looked up, "So how do you grow up in this small town and not be around horses?"

"The closest I ever got was the fall rodeo during the county fair. I dunno, I guess, I somehow existed on the fringes of that world."

"Have you ever ridden before?"

"My first ride was with you." I felt my cheeks warm.

His eyes were warm at the memory, and I wondered if he remembered it the way I did. Pressed against him, with those strong arms around me. I shifted in my seat.

"I'm gonna have to get you up and riding at some point."

"I'm a terrible klutz, as you've had ample opportunity to observe. I'm afraid of falling."

"I won't let you fall, honey."

Those words made my stomach tickle from the inside out.

Oh God. Does he know what he's doing to me?

Our dinner arrived, and we talked some more about riding. Edward's eyes lit up as he described the progress of the new colt, Deuce. I could tell he truly did love his work, and when I had been around him and his horses, it was clear they adored him.

By the time the meal was finished, we had both relaxed, and Edward had actually smiled a couple of times. The bill arrived, and I reached for my purse.

"Do you want to go Dutch?"

"Put your money away, before you get me in violation of the code."

I giggled, "Is this the Cowboy Codebook, again?"

He nodded, "Yes ma'am, page forty-eight. You ain't worth your salt if your lady pays for any part of dinner."

"Are you sure?"

He passed a card to the waitress who came by to check on us.

"Are you trying to get my belt buckle revoked, ma'am?" His eyes were wide eyed and sparkling.

"No, sir." I said in mock seriousness.

"That's better."

I finished my coke, and the waitress brought his card back. He left a tip on the table, and placed the ketchup bottle over it before sliding out of the booth.

Back in the truck, we tried to decide on a movie.

I turned to him and said solemnly, "I promise not to subject you to romcom."

"Thanks for that. Any suggestions for what you do want to see?"

"There's that new action movie with What's-his-face?"

"Darlin, you're the woman of my dreams if you're suggesting action movies."

I laughed at him, "Well. I don't mind a bit of shoot'em up."

Our tickets were bought, and when I waited in line, he insisted on springing for my Red Hots. For a moment, it really was like being a teenager again, as I rattled my box of candy at him when we sat down in the theater.

"Want one?"

"Yeah, sure." he said.

"Hold out your hand."

I opened the box and stared at his work-roughened palm. I wondered how that palm would feel against my skin. My mind flashed to images of that hand running along the naked skin of my ribs, and down to the curve of my hip.

"You sharing that candy, or what?"

I blinked and cleared my throat, and shook a couple of little red hearts into his hand. I watched as he lifted them to his mouth, and I slipped a couple into my own palm. I hadn't had Red Hots for years, and the burning cinnamon flavor reminded me of high school football games.

The lights went down, and I straightened in my seat to watch the previews.

In the flickering dark, that hum of electricity seemed to nearly glow between us. His knee was only an inch from mine, and it was driving me insane. I wanted to feel the rough denim of his leg against my bare one. His hand rested in his lap, and my stomach did somersaults as I imagined it on my thigh. I licked my lips, and ate another piece of candy, as the lights dimmed further.

But concentrating on the movie was pretty much out, now that my brain was in a different place. All I could think of was him and me, doing things that were well past acceptable for a first date.

I could feel my heart beating in my chest, and every breath I took in I could smell him next to me. So lost in thought, I jumped when I felt him whisper in my ear.

"You're so far away. Are you OK?"

I held back the whimper as I felt his lips close to my ear.

"Uh huh," I squeaked.

Oh God, what if I was the only one who could feel this? Was I so hormonally unsatisfied that I imagined things that weren't there?

His lips moved closer to my ear, and I was aware of goose bumps on my arms. I nearly moaned as those lips pressed against my skin.

Well, maybe it wasn't all me after all.

"I've been wanting to do that all night." He whispered darkly in my ear, and I shivered.

I turned to him, and he kissed me softly, and I felt his tongue touch my lower lip. I opened my mouth, and touched his tongue tentatively. He tasted like Red Hots, and I dreamily closed my eyes, as our mouths moved, lost in the sensation. His beard slightly tickled, and I moved my hand to his cheek. I ran my knuckles over him first, before sliding my palm up his cheek and into the hair at the nape of his neck.

The arm rest poked into my ribs, but I just plain didn't care. This was where I wanted to be, his lips locked with mine, and that wonderful rough hand of his running up the thin fabric of my shirt. I whimpered when it stopped just shy of the underside of my breast.

A little voice decided to interrupt my thoughts.

Slowly, Bella. You're supposed to be going slowly.

We jumped apart when a huge explosion on screen rocked the theater. I looked down, slightly embarrassed.

I don't really remember much of the movie, and I don't think Edward paid much attention to it either. When the credits rolled, he kissed me softly and then broke away from the kiss. I looked down at the arm rest between us, panting.

His finger came up to my chin, and he tilted my face up.

"You wanna get out of here?"

"Only if you want to," I whispered back.

He took my hand, "C'mon. Let's go."

We stood up, and made our way to the aisle. We walked back to the truck, and when he helped me up, this time, both of us were all too aware. His hands lingered again, and mine were on his shoulders. He stepped forward, and there wasn't any hesitation between us.

This time the kiss was more urgent, any moment we could be caught making out like teenagers in the parking lot. His lips were slightly more urgent, and he held my face gently, his thumbs smoothing over my cheekbones.

My heart hammered in my chest, and I was never more aware of the frustrating way this bra felt against my breasts. He kissed my lips roughly again and then my chin, running along my jaw to the hollow of my throat. The rough texture of his beard tickled and teased my skin.

"Edward…"

"Mmm?" The purr of his deep voice in my ear did things to me.

"I don't think we should…"

He froze instantly, and I felt bad for the way I could feel his muscles tense under my fingers. His forehead touched mine, and I brushed my lips over his.

And before I knew it, he was backing away from me, I was sliding over the seat, and he shut the door. He was in the driver's seat, the ignition roaring to life, and a heavy silence between us, like a wedge.

I had messed this up somehow. It was too much, and the more the silence stretched, the worse I felt. Maybe it was all the sudden rushing feelings that were coursing through me, but at that moment, I could have used a hug. Something reassuring.

It was just so much responsibility, I felt like I had to balance myself and him on a tight wire. He seemed so unsure at times. I was learning too, though.

I had been with a lot of guys after Jake. At first, it had made me feel better, knowing I was wantable. Then it had felt like revenge. They became faceless and I was the predator. Until I realized I was just as faceless to them.

And it had hurt, knowing that they felt that way about me, and that I had allowed myself to sink to that low. I stopped wanting the meaningless sex. I wanted someone who wanted me.

But I continued to strike out. Alice said I had set the record for first dates that were last dates. When I had to move back home, I gave up.

And now I was sitting in the cab of the truck of some guy who I wasn't sure if he was interested in me, if I was scaring him off, if I was too full on.

I needed something. Something to tell me it was ok.

It built inside me, and I tried to swallow past the gathering emotions that were caught in my throat. It rushed like an out of control roller coaster, older insecurities forming dangerous loop de loops.

Stop it, Bella. Be an emotional wreck after you get in the door, girl.

I saw him reach over and turn the radio on.

Great.

The slow crawl back to my apartment was excruciating, made only worse by the crooning radio as they played the most depressing Willie Nelson songs. Ever.

Finally, he parked. The radio died and we sat for a moment.

I couldn't take it anymore. I just needed out of there.

"Well. I had a nice time. Thanks for dinner."

I opened the door, and didn't wait for his response as I nearly landed funny on my ankle. My boot saved me from going over on it, and I stumbled towards the stairs. I heard his door slam, and his longer strides caught up with me.

"Dammit, now hold up. What was that for?"

Oh damn. Now the tears start. I blinked to hold them back, and flat out refused to look up at him.

"Nothin'. I honestly had a good time." My voice broke unconvincingly.

His fingers brought my chin up, but I still wouldn't meet his eyes.

"Look at me. Bella?" There was something in his voice that pulled like a hook behind my belly button.

I blinked, and a tear made its way down my cheek, beside my nose. His thumb wiped it away.

"Why're you crying? Is it something I did?"

Oh God, I could really feel myself starting to go.

A harsh gasping sound ripped from my chest and up my throat, "C-can we not talk about this here, in the parking lot?"

He stood for a moment, and then inclined his head, "Alright. C'mon then."

We took the stairs, him beside me, and I became occupied by comparing our boots every time we shared a step. Red black. Small red, shiny black.

Arriving at my door, I pulled out my keys and unlocked the door. Shadow was waiting inside, and when she noted Edward beside me, she rolled her eyes and scatted for her hiding spot under the table.

"Do you wanna come inside?" I asked.

He shook his head, "I don't think it would be right, Bella."

Oh.

"You gonna tell me why you're crying, darlin'?"

The way he said darlin', it was like a caress. His voice was husky velvet, and some of my taut nerves relaxed slightly.

"It just…I just…" I stopped and started again, "I thought maybe I was coming on too strong for you, and you didn't say a word after we…stopped. I don't wanna freak you out. I don't wanna go too fast. I don't want you to think I'm some sort of loose-loose-"

And then I couldn't talk anymore, as the emotions I had bottled up in the truck finally broke through all the way. I couldn't see, and could feel my chest heaving. Knowing he was standing there watching me, made it even worse. I felt the door open, and my arm dropped limply at my side. He guided me back, and I heard the door click shut behind him.

Then his arms were around me, and I was crying into that crisp black shirt. He was warm, and his rough hands moved and snagged on the soft chiffon of my blouse.

His gruff voice was at my ear, sending waves over me again, "Sweetheart, you ain't movin' too fast at all. It's me, I guess. I ain't used to talkin' to folk, haven't properly done it in a long time. Guess I'm a little rusty."

"So it's not me? I don't suck and I'm not freaking you out?" My voice was all watery with tears and muffled against his chest.

He laughed softly and squeezed me, "No. You're not freaking me out."

This. This is what I needed.

Thanks for reading!