It's not a very long chapter but it's critical. No visuals this time. Sorry, guys, but when I originally posted things were hectic at school and I wasn't able to pull a Polyvore together. I know some of you like them as much as I do.

As always…

Disclaimer: Twilight and all characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended.

If I'm incorrect in crediting the songs it is by mistake. It's what's in my iPod, folks.

You see her, you can't touch her
You hear her, you can't hold her
You want her, you can't have her
You want to, but she won't let you

"Auf Achse" by Franz Ferdinand

EPOV

As Bella opened the box that held the bible I got her, my heart was nearly thumping out of my chest. I would have gone in with my siblings with their gift, but when I found out about the death trap they intended to give her, I told them I'd find something else. Seriously, that hunk of metal didn't even have air bags, and they thought is was a brilliant gift. If I had my way she would be in something that guaran-fucking-teed her safety. The only problem was I knew Bella had a problem with us spending, what she saw as, an obscene amount of money on her.

She gently peeled away the tissue paper that separated her from her gift, and I worried what she might be thinking. When she disappeared Sunday we were frantically trying to figure out where she was headed. It was Esme who figured she would be going to a motel. And for what? A freaking bible. Shit, I'd buy her an entire library full of the Holy Book and any other one, if it meant keeping Bella from going to that shit hole.

Bella took the book out of the box I wrapped it in and took a peek inside. I knew she would find the inscription I left for her. I hoped it wasn't too pretentious of me to sign it the way I did. Christ, who signs a bible anyway? It's not like I wrote the damn thing. I fought with the urge to run my hand through my hair. Would she put two and two together and realized I felt something for her? Would she know how badly I missed her, when she read the desperate message begging her not to leave again?

Without saying a word, Bella stood and headed away from the group. She had her back to the family and stood, looking off into space. I fucking knew I should have gotten her something else!

I stood slowly, as did the rest of my family. I was weary of what Bella was doing. Was she thinking about taking off again? Did my gift somehow make her uncomfortable? Even the damn dog, with her uneasy stance, was starting to whine at the possibility of Bella leaving.

I didn't even realize Bella rushing in my direction; I was so preoccupied with the mutt. She surprised me by throwing her arms around my neck and brought her body flush with mine. My hands and arms acted on their own accord and wrapped around her tiny frame. My right hand pressed against the small of her back and my left gently cupped the back of her head as she leaned into me. The only two people there were Bella and I. The hell with the rest of the world; it faded away.

I felt a shiver of excitement as her scent invaded my senses, and I felt the current of electricity pass through us. If Emmett's incessant complaints were a second later, I would have been mortified if Bella discovered the direction my blood was starting to collect. Luckily, at his voice, Bella ripped herself from my arms.

"That ain't right! He gets you a book while we get you a car, and he gets the hug?"

While both Rose and Alice slapped Emmett upside his head, Bella stepped away with her cheeks stained with embarrassment. I so badly wanted to tell her she was free to hug me like that any time she wanted.

While everybody followed, as Emmett dragged Bella out to "check out her new ride", Esme stayed behind with me. Seeing Bella climb into that tetanus truck would only spike my nervousness of her driving the damn thing.

"I'm proud of you, Edward."

I nodded my head. Carlisle and Esme always told me and my brother and sister, how proud they were of us. I never said "You're welcome" because one, it sounded weird, and two, I felt it was my job to make them proud.

"It was a beautiful gift, the bible."

I gave her a modest smile, even though I was proud as hell that Bella was thrilled about the simple gift.

"You like her," she said in an insightful voice. It wasn't a question. My mother knew me well enough.

Taking a deep breath, I asked, "Is this where you kick me out?" She turned toward me with a rueful smile. "Why? Bella didn't look bothered by my token."

"I want her to feel safe here, Edward. She'll need a place to go to when things with you get too stressful." I opened my mouth to object. I was ready to tell her I would never cause Bella that stress, when Esme softly placed her hand over my mouth and continued. "Every girl needs a place to escape and sort out her thoughts about a boy. It might be weird for her if you lived here too."

I lowered my head while giving her a nod. I understood what she said, but I felt like I was just reunited with Bella. I hated the thought of not getting to see her everyday. The past week nearly killed me.

Esme saw the pitiful look on my face and said softly, "It doesn't mean you can't come over. In fact, I expect you here every night for dinner." I smiled, hoping Bella might start cooking again.

"I'll give you one week," Esme said while giving me a sad smile. She raised her dainty hand and laid it softly on my left cheek. "You know I love you, right?"

I took my mother in my arms, hoping she could feel all the love I had for her.

"Treat her right, Edward."

~C~C~C~

I groaned as I looked down at the brown eyed beauty. She had a playful smirk on her lips, and I was trying to decide if I was the luckiest bastard alive, or if I was going straight to hell for the sinful pleasures I would gladly take from her.

Her pink tongue darted out and collected the pre-cum that had collected on the tip of my cock. My eyes rolled to the back of my head, and I moaned at how sensitive the crown of my dick was.

My eyes shot open as I felt the warmth of her mouth engulf me. It felt so fucking good. The suction she applied with the stroking movements of her soft hands nearly had me blow my load. Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew it was wrong. She shouldn't be going down on me. She was better than that. She was a goddess who deserved to be worshiped.

I surprised her by swinging her body around so her delicious pussy was above me. I let my nose graze through her fold as I inhaled her heady scent.

"Edward," she whimpered.

I soothed her with a shushing sound and told her how beautiful she was. I slowly traced the outsides of her hips with my fingers, hoping she would relax enough for me to get a taste.

When I felt her mouth cover me again, I took one long drag of my tongue down her slit. We both groaned each sending sensation where our mouths connected to flesh. She tasted so fucking good. Like a spicy, tangy fruit all for me.

I lapped at her dripping pussy and began rocking my hips. I wanted to feel her arousal drip down my chin. I wanted to know I was the one responsible for her pleasure. I wanted to hear her cry my name when she fed me those delicious juices.

She squirmed and bucked against my tongue, and I was drunk on her essence. I brought one arm around her body to anchor her to me and my other hand to play with her folds. I slowly spread them apart and dipped the tip of my tongue into her. She stilled her ministrations on my aching cock and whimpered at the intrusion.

When she eagerly went back to her attentions, I moved to circle her clit with my tongue. It was getting harder to hold off my orgasm and I grunted at the effort it took not to give her greedy mouth what it wanted.

I lapped faster at her clit and began pumping a finger inside of her. She rocked against it, and I added a second one to the mix. I almost stopped when I felt her tiny hand cup and squeeze my balls, but I was a selfish fucker and I wanted her cum.

I sucked her clit into my mouth and was rewarded when I gently bit down. Not only was her arousal my gift, but my goddess took me all the way down her throat.

"BELLA!" I shouted, while feeling my climax wrack through my body.

My eyes shot open and I was immediately confused. I was alone. Bella wasn't perched on top of me, and I wasn't drinking the sweetest gift known to man. It was a fucking dream.

My hand instantly went to my chest, afraid of any injury I might have taken. The first time I dreamt of Bella like that, I was woken up by Laurens fist to my chest. Instead my hand met sticky jizz.

It was official. I was going to hell.

~C~C~C~

With everything that happened with Bella I lost track with the outside world. I heard her and Alice in the kitchen and headed in that direction, while fishing my phone from my pocket. I scrolled down the list of contacts and dialed my friend, Garrett's number. Over the years we built a great working relationship. I composed the music, while Garrett pulled strings and gathered talent to turn my compositions into scores.

He picked up on the second ring, laughing, and said, "I knew it wouldn't be too much longer until you called."

I stopped in the middle of the foyer, baffled at what he said.

"Huh?"

"Lauren's driving you crazy, right?"

"No," I said while shaking my head. Like the sonofabitch could see me too.

"Really?" he asked with disbelief.

It was no surprise, really. His studio was based in Los Angeles, and whenever I needed to get away from Lauren's bitchiness, I made up some bullshit story that Garrett and I needed to work on a piece.

"No. No, I'm done with her," I answered.

"That's great, man!" I chucked at the way he didn't hold back. "So if you're not calling to set up a bogus business meeting, why are you calling?"

I sighed, saying, "I won't be able to take on that project we talked about."

"Are you sure, man? I heard Cameron was looking to sit in the director's chair."

I continued walking to the kitchen and stopped when I saw the two crazy women in there, making a mess. They were so caught up in the fun they were having, they didn't notice me lurking in the entrance.

"Yeah. Something came up," I told him quietly.

"Something or someone?"

I rolled my eyes because I knew that asshole heard the lovesick tone in my voice.

"Yeah, yeah. Bust my balls all you want," I said while walking back into the hall to finish the call. "Listen I have some stuff I've been working on, some side pieces. Do you think you could take a look at them for me? I know you'll be busy working on your next Academy Award, but it shouldn't take long."

"Hmm… And were these 'side pieces' inspired by a certain muse?"

"Fucker," I grumbled before hanging up on him. I knew he would look at whatever I gave him, but it didn't stop him from taking cracks at me.

I walked into the kitchen, where Bella and Alice were having fun destroying the place. The countertop was a disaster area. There was flour, eggshells, and containers all over the granite surface. With questionable substances staining the dishtowels, their hands, and the sides of their faces, they turned to me with matching, surprised 'o'-shaped mouths. My gaze might have lingered on Bella's mouth longer than appropriate. I felt a stirring in my pants when I thought about the dream I had, starring those luscious lips.

"Bella," my sister's voice rang out, drawing my attention away from the flour covered goddess. "I think I'm going to put on some clothes that are a little less expensive, or at least last season," she explained, holding up her goopy hands.

Bella nodded her head and shot me a shy glance before capturing her bottom lip between her teeth. So fucking cute. Alice walked past me with a knowing smile, and I was left alone with my angel. My week was almost up, and I still hadn't worked up the nerve to ask her out. I approached her slowly, unsure of how to start the conversation. Luckily, Bella started it for me.

"Alice says you're leaving," she said with a mix of sadness and accusation in her voice.

"Yeah," was my brilliant response. If I could have kicked my own ass, I would have.

"Where will you stay?"

I leaned back against the counter where she was working, and I ran my hand through my hair before saying, "Esme finished a smaller house last year, about a mile down the road. I'll stay there. I believe she offered it to you the week you were gone," I teased.

She fought against the smile that threatened to spread across her beautiful face.

"Yeah, I thought it was ludicrous that one person needed that many bedrooms."

I shifted my position because Bella Swan saying the word "bedroom" alone did embarrassing things to my lower region. I turned, facing the countertop, and rested my forearms on the granite. I made damn sure to avoid any sticky surface while nodding my head. I played with a small bottle of vanilla extract and said, "I'll probably change one room into a library and the other into a gym."

She tried to slyly look at the muscles that strained against my button down. When her eyes reached my smirk, she blushed and gave me the cutest scowl.

"Are you leaving because of me?"

"Yes," I stupidly answered, too distracted with the down turn of her pouty lips. As soon as I did, her face flinched, and I almost called Emmett in to kick my ass for me. "That didn't come out right. What I meant to say was, Bella, would you like to go out with me?"

Okay, I didn't intend to fuck it up, but it seemed where Bella was concerned, insert foot in mouth was a common theme. I straightened to my full height, waiting for Bella's answer. She jerked her head back at being blindsided, and she did that adorable sputtering thing she did when she was flustered. I cut her off, wanting to explain myself before she shot me down.

"Please, just hear me out," I said with my hands raised before me in a calming gesture. "I really like you, Bella, and being friends isn't enough. I'm not like Emmett or Jasper; I can't see you as a sister. I feel something other than sibling love for you. I-I can't stay here pretending I like you like they do. It's more than that, and I want to find out what it is. Something draws me to you. I won't be able to stay away from you."

"And that's why you're moving? You're leaving because you can't stay away?" she asked with a confused look on her face.

"Carlisle and Esme want you to feel at home here. If you don't return my feelings, it might be awkward living together," I tried to explain.

"Would you still leave if I did return them?"

I fought down the sheer fucking joy that Bella felt a fraction of what I felt for her.

"Yeah," I answered her question honestly. She frowned slightly like she was almost as disappointed as I was at my moving out. "It might be too tempting knowing you're in the next bedroom."

I clamped my mouth shut. Her eyes widened and I heard her gulp nervously. My mind screamed at me. Idiot! Fucking moron! Stupid stupid douche bag!

I hung my head and groaned at the fuckery that was my life.

"I didn't mean for that to sound as creepy as it did. I swear I didn't. I would never force you to do something you were uncomfortable with."

"Edwa—"

"'Cause I know you've been through hell. I realize that."

"Edw—"

"I respect you, Bella, and I would never hurt you like that."

"Edward!"

Her raised voice yanked me out of the ditch I was digging myself into.

"Yeah?"

She looked down and was keenly interested in the mixture she was stirring, while she said, "I don't think I can offer you the things you want. The things you're use to, I mean."

I struggled to take air into my lungs and my eyes were stinging. Her rejection hurt more than I thought it would, and it pissed me off. She wasn't the cause of my anger. I should have expected that reaction, but it didn't make it hurt any less.

I beat the beast inside me into submission. Yelling at her would not help me win the girl. I took a deep breath and l slowly laid my hand on the soft skin of her arm. I felt the current that told me we were in some metaphysical way connected. I heard her sharp intake but left my hand where it was.

"Are you saying you don't feel that spark between us," I gritted out. She looked at me with her big, chocolate, doe eyes, as I soothed my voice and said, "One date before the ball, Bella. If you don't feel anything for me after that, I'll never bring it up again."

Even though it would pain me to walk away, for Bella I would do anything. She looked down where our skin was joined. Without knowing, I had begun sweeping my thumb across her flesh, caressing her skin. She shivered and looked back into my eyes.

"Okay," she said a breathy voice. "One date."

A/N: Did you like EPOV? Huh?

Let's see what's coming up in future chapters. We have a first date, a garden party, a ball, and some visits from some old friends. Yea! (Can you guess who it is?)

As I mentioned in the last post, I'll be posting twice a week. "Control" will be updated on Sundays and Wednesday. Go me!