War of the Roses

BELLA POV

"Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in its defense."-Mark Overby

All things related to Twilight belong to Stephanie Meyer.

I looked up at the ceiling of my dorm room and tried to count sheep but my brain wouldn't shut down.

It was Monday night, three days after I last saw Edward and I was still milling over every detail in my head.

Why is it that every single time I try to be good, really good, it always blows up in my face? I had made an effort to keep away from Edward in my thoughts all of last week. I couldn't really control what I dreamed about but that was a different story. I had tried to keep my thoughts pure of his devilish looks but he found me.

I didn't know if it was purposeful or not but Edward didn't seem as shocked to see me as I was to see him. He kind of acted the same way he did at the fountain. Like everything was planned and he was trying to have an end goal with me. He made that known when he slipped me his business card and basically recruited me to join his harem but it was all just a game to him.

Maybe it was for me as well but somewhere deep in my blood, I knew that this attraction I had for Edward was more than just physical. Of course, with a man like that, there was no changing him and it wasn't my job to try. If he just wanted sex then I wasn't going to deny him, That's what I would love to say but I wasn't some slut who slept with a man she just met last week.

Besides, Edward wasn't worth it.

I wasn't looking for a relationship per se but that was better than a roll in the hay one time before getting dumped on my ass. Even as I was saying it, I could feel my mental walls crumbling. I was walking a very thin line that was a dangerous one. I had to make sure to stay away from Edward because he could trap me, let me fall into his web and I couldn't afford that.

If I took his game seriously, I could end up getting really hurt.

I didn't want to sound like some weak, hormonal girl who didn't know that she was getting played but Edward was a hard catch to deny. I could even see that. He was majestic in his movements, sexual in everything he did. His walk, his speech, his hair, his fingers, his eyes. Oh God, his eyes were the killer, those things would take me down without a doubt.

His whole persona was about conquering women and making them his. I bet he had a list as long as the Great Wall but none of them would mean more to him than a quick fuck.

I rubbed my eyes and thought for a second what it must be like to live in his shoes.

What the hell kind of man was he that he had to bang a different girl every night?

I had a solid background in psychology since I wanted to be one for all my life until I realized that my money situation didn't allow me to spend six years in school. I had studied books and spent a good amount of time reading up on human brains.

From my experience or lack thereof, I would probably deter that Edward had insecurity issues just like the guys in high school. Or maybe Edward had been turned down so much in his younger years that he was trying to make up for it now. He was obviously narcissistic, egotistical and in need of constant attention.

What if someone turned the tables on him?

"That would be priceless." I laughed to myself, thinking about how taken off guard he would be.

If I was strong enough for it, I would lead him on and give into his advances but at the very last second, flip out and switch to positions, making me the dominant one. He would probably be floored but that would only make him want me more. What I wouldn't give for that. For him to want me like I wanted him? My libido would never catch up.

I would let him play his tricks with me, thinking that he was winning but the whole time, I would have the upper hand.

"Why can't I? I could pull this off." I muttered out loud.

I would lure him in. Maybe I would sleep with him, maybe I wouldn't but I would be the one to chose how this would play out, not him. I could leave him high and dry or I could go all the way, which I probably would but not before making him suffer. He was going to have to chase me and I would make him work for it. What the hell was he going to do with himself once he realized I wasn't as easy as the rest of his big titted, whores. Poor Edward.

I knew my plan was bitchy and incredibly mean but it was guys like Edward that made me sick. I wouldn't have even given him the time of day if he wasn't so drop dead gorgeous. With the way he acted, it was like an automatic turn off. Maybe I couldn't change him but I could sure give him a dose of his own medicine.

He probably thought that I was some withering flower who would just fall on my knees for him and I hate to admit that I probably would have if he wasn't such a jerk.

He had probably always been in control but he had never met Bella Swan. To be perfectly honest, I didn't have that much experience in dating but I learned a few things over the years dealing with high school douche bags. Mike also taught me a lot and since we never had any kind of real relationship, he used every trick in the book on me to try to get me to sleep with him until I eventually caved. I would have to thank him the next time we talked.

Game on!

That night, for the first time in a week, I actually slept a full eight hours without moving or dreams of Edward.

When my alarm clock beeped at seven, I stretched and detected a small smile on my lips.

If I could keep up my act, Edward was going to get played like nothing he had ever experienced.

I had a certain bounce in my step as I got out of bed, went to take a quick shower and then found something to wear for the day. Maybe it was the fact that I had a new found mission or maybe it was the fact that Alice had all but wiped out my closet, but I wanted to wear something new and nice.

I chose a pair of dark washed, skinny jeans and a light green, short sleeved Polo that was starched and clean. I was tempted to wear a pair of the heels Alice had bought me just to show her that I could but decided against that. I just pulled on a simple pair of Keds and then brushed through my hair.

By the time I was done getting ready and had all my stuff together, it was time to meet Alice for breakfast downstairs. I threw my backpack over my shoulders and went out of the door, heading towards the elevator with more vigor than I had experienced since I got here.

I made it downstairs and found Alice sitting on a bench outside of the dining hall with a book in hand.

"Hi, don't talk. I have to finish this page." She said quickly as we continued to walk.

I noticed that she was reading Pride and Prejudice, one of my favorites but I followed her orders. We went through a line filled with bagels and morning pastries. I picked up things for the both of us since Alice was busy with her studying. She shut the book when we sat down at a table and then let out a deep breath.

"I have a huge test today but I think I've got it in the bag."

"That sounds promising." I took a bite of a danish.

Alice eyed me suspiciously, "Okay, what's going on? You look…different."

"Nothing. I just had a great sleep last night."

"No more Edward sex dreams?"

"No. He wasn't there." I answered simply.

"Why? Did you kill him in your head?" She giggled.

"Something like that." The evil grin was back on my face but I hid it from her.

We finished breakfast quickly and then parted ways to go to our separate classes.

I went to my first math class and just sat there while the professor droned on about polynomials and easy equations. I had always been good at math so this wasn't too difficult.

Since today was Monday that meant I only had two classes, math and my literature one later on in the day. Northwestern had a weird schedule that was different from other universities in that its packed classes were on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday schedule and those were the days when we had the most classes. Mondays and Thursdays were used by students to search for job opportunities once we got into upper level years.

I was convinced that this schedule system was just a way for students to sleep off their hangovers from the weekend but it seemed to work for the staff as well so no one was complaining.

I sat on the grass in a quad that overlooked part of the river that flowed through the campus.

Many people didn't know this but the main campus of Northwestern wasn't in Chicago but in Evanston , a suburb on the north side of the city. It was closer to downtown than some of the other suburbs of the city. It was only a ten minute cab ride to some of the sights and around this area was where the rich families lived who had old railroad money or oil deposits in Texas.

It made me slightly jealous but I got over that quickly.

I pulled out my copy of The Jungle and prepared to dive headfirst into the gore and filth of early 20th century Chicago when I felt my phone vibrate in my jeans. I had decided to start carrying it around for some reason but since I barely knew anyone, it hardly rang.

I pulled it out of my pocket and stared at the number. I didn't recognize the digits and debated for three rings on whether or not to answer it. My curiosity eventually took over and I opened the phone, holding it to my ear.

"Hello."

"Uh…hi. Is this Bella?" I heard the smooth, cold, voice of Edward Cullen on the other side.

"Yes." I answered, my smirk from this morning back on.

This was better than I could have expected. Edward wanted me, that I knew but he had initiated contact meaning that he wanted me bad. I was about to turn his world around.

"How are you?" He asked in an awkward way.

He was nervous. Could he be nervous?

I put on an annoyed voice that I had to muster up from the depths of my throat, "I'm fine. Can I help you?"

"Uh…no. I was just wondering if you got home safely the other night."

"Yes I did all thanks to Tyler. We had a great time."

I heard him grumble something under his breath but it was indistinguishable.

He was acting like this was high school, which was perfect for my plan. I figured he had never been in this position before, therefore he didn't know how to treat me. He wanted to fuck me but didn't know how to get me that far. This was going to be fun.

"How's school going?" His voice was stronger than before and I suspected that he gave himself a little pep talk before opening his mouth again.

"Good. I'm adjusting well and I like my classes." I talked with clipped answers, like we had never had any interaction before.

"That's good…I guess."

There were a couple seconds of silence and I almost burst out laughing. This poor man had no idea what he was doing, which told me that he was used to getting what he wanted on the first go.

"Is there a reason why you called?" I asked very bitchy-like. It hurt me to treat him this way but then I thought about how he treated me at the fountain, at Carmel. I wasn't a piece of trash, damn it.

"I…I…" He stammered for the right words and I thought I heard a female voice on the other end. Now that I listened harder, I could definitely hear her.

I smiled and evil grin. He was being coached. Oh, he thought he was going to win. I think not!

"I was wondering if I could take you out to dinner." Edward gritted through his teeth.

"Edward, I have to go to class but I don't think so." I shut the phone before he had the chance to say anything back.

I threw my hands up in the air and lay back on the grass.

"Phase one complete." I shouted. I'm sure some people looked at me weird but at this point, I was done caring.

Edward was a persistent man and even from the few times I had met him, I could figure out that he didn't give up on challenges.

I was proven right when he called back every half hour, on the half hour for the rest of the day. I was going to accept his date but I had to hold him off and make him wait. I even thought to go as far as to bruise his ego and call him, accepting that way but that might be taking it too far. I didn't want to overstep my bounds.

I didn't let Alice in on my little game because I knew she would jump for joy and try to weasel her way in. That would only confuse me and I needed a clear head for this. I could plan Edward's war from his side to a simple equation.

I felt like I knew him.

He was going to "play" me until I whittled down and gave in to his scams. He would then proceed to impress me with his money or charm. I would act like it was working and then he would think that he was winning. When it came to go home, he would probably believe that I was going up to bed with him but I was going to string this out for awhile and milk him for all he was worth.

My willpower wasn't that strong and in about a week or so, I would probably let him have his way with me but it was going to be on my terms. That way, neither of us would get hurt and he would get a taste of what he dishes out on a regular basis.

I felt like an evil scientist in my lap, devising plans to take over the world.

That night, after I had done a fair amount of studying and completed my routine for bed, I decided to answer when he called next, which was exactly on the dot at ten. I suspected that this was his last call of the night and if I didn't get this one, I would miss him.

I waited for a couple of seconds before answering, "Hello?"

"Bella, is that you?" Edward sounded actually hopeful.

"Yes, sorry I haven't been answering but I was in class and then I had a study session in the library afterward. I didn't get home until about ten minutes ago."

"I was busy also so it wasn't a big deal."He played it off, "So…how was your day?"

"Fine, nothing exciting. You?"

"It was alright. I spent most of it wondering how to ask you out again so that you won't say no." I could practically see his smirk over the phone. The Edward Cullen that I knew was back. Gone away was the awkward voice from before and in its place was arrogance.

"And have you found out a way to do that yet?"

"You're a very peculiar girl Ms. Swan."

"How did you know my last name?" I asked, slightly perturbed that he was winning this battle.

"I have my ways but like I was saying, you a very strange. I have to admit that I have never had to go this far for a girl before."

"I figured." I said.

"You've provided quite the challenge but I'm willing to play. I would like to take you to dinner."

"I can't…"

"Yes you can. Tomorrow. I'll pick you up."

"I don't…"

"Is eight good for you? No, I think seven would be better."

"No… I already have plans and…"

"No you don't and stop trying to fight me."

"You don't even know where I live."

"Leave that to me. I'll see you tomorrow night at seven." He hung up the phone quickly while I sat stunned with mine still on my ear.

This provided an issue.

I never expected him to come back so strongly but that was okay. I wasn't planning on letting him take me down so quickly. I probably would have really gone out with him if I didn't have to study tomorrow night. I had a massive test the next day so my excuse was legit but he never gave me a chance to explain.

I shrugged off the loss and went to bed. Once again, my dreams were void of nightmares.

I woke up the next morning and went about my schedule as normal. I was ready to go by seven-thirty and opened my door to a sight that made me blush ten times the shade of hell.

There opposite my door on the other side of the wall was a bushel of bright yellow roses situated in an elaborate crystal vase. There must have been about twenty of them stuffed in there, all in full bloom with the petals open in the most beautiful way. There was a note attached to the vase.

I slowly approached the roses and read the card.

I am looking forward to dinner tonight. You'll have to look up what yellow means in the rose world yourself.

-Edward

That was all it said and it was slightly eerie in its simplicity. I looked around the hall, and nearly called the police.

Last I checked, we had some pretty tight security in this dorm and not just anyone could walk up. I suppose Edward could have had the night prompter at the desk downstairs bring them up but that seemed out of character for him. What the hell did I know though? I had only met the man three times.

I quickly picked the flowers up off of the floor and took them back into my room, setting them on the desk near the window.

I picked a rose out of the center of the bunch and couldn't help but smile as I pressed it to my nose.

No, Bella!

I set it back in the bunch and assessed the situation I was in. He was good, very good. I didn't know if he was fighting this war fairly or not but I suspected he wasn't. The roses were a nice gesture and he was winning this battle as well. That I did not like.

As much as I still wanted to hate Edward, I had to admit that he was playing this game very well.

I booted up my laptop and did a simple Google search for 'yellow roses'. The main words that popped up were joy, gladness, friendship, delight but one phrase caught me off guard: promise of a new beginning.

I pulled my bottom lip in between my teeth and thought for a second.

That was all it took, one second, for my walls to crumble. All these thoughts of 'what if' came into my head. What if this wasn't a game for him? What if he really did like me? What if he was trying to be a better person? What if, what if, what if…

As much talk as I was spitting, Edward either knew exactly what he was doing or had a really good coach. He was knifing his way into my brain. I had taken on a little too much for me to handle but now that I was on this train, I couldn't jump off.

"You have to stay strong. You can't fall for him." I ran my hands through my hair, "You can do this." I sighed and nodded to myself.

I turned off my computer and took another glance at the roses before leaving my room.

I met Alice this morning with a more subdued nature than I had yesterday.

"What's wrong with you?" She asked as we walked to the dining hall.

"I talked to Edward last night." I decided to let her in somewhat.

"Really?" She stopped walking, "What did he want?"

"He asked me out to dinner tonight." I said apprehensively.

"Oh my God. He did?"

I nodded, "And then this morning, there were some yellow roses outside of my door, in the hall. They were from him."

Alice covered her mouth with her hand, "That is so sweet. He likes you."

"Don't jump the gun Alice. He treats girls like shit. I bet he does this to all of them." I said as we got in line for food. I wasn't hungry this morning so I just got orange juice.

"Still, he's making an effort. That has to mean something, right?"

"I guess." I answered.

The whole day, I was on pins and needles because I didn't know if I should call Edward and explain or just leave him hanging tonight, waiting for me to come out for our date. As much as I wanted to embarrass him that way, it just seemed like too much.

Around lunch, I called the number that he had used last night and picked at some grass that I was sitting on. I didn't really know what I was going to say but I hoped he would understand that I wasn't trying to blow him off. Well…I was…but…

I've got myself in way too deep!

Edward was a pro at this and I figured that he knew I was playing with his emotions so he decided to participate in the most confusing way. He was turning that tables on me and that was not good.

He didn't pick up when I called at lunch or an hour later when I tried so I left him a message saying that I was really sorry about foiling his plans for the night but I had a test to study for and couldn't make it. Edward didn't call me back at all that day, making my nerves go haywire.

Did he care that I couldn't make it? Had he given up on me?

It was completely insane how he had turned things around in a day. I had gone from my confident bitch-self to the confused hormonal teenager that I was.

Alice picked my brain for the rest of the day, asking about what I was going to do. She said that I needed to forget about studying and just go out with Edward but I was a better student than that.

The only problem was that I couldn't study, not with my mind racing that night. I sat at my desk and watched as the clock on my laptop went from six-fifty nine to seven. I half expected Edward to jump through my window or knock on my door but there was nothing.

Seven.

Eight.

Nine.

Ten.

Eleven.

Not a call or anything to tell me whether or not Edward had accepted my apology for canceling our date.

The next morning, I woke up a little more down than I had been the previous days. Before I even went about my day, something told me to check in the hallway. I jumped out of bed and nearly ripped the door off its hinges.

There, just like they were yesterday morning, were a bushel of yellow roses in another glass vase. I smiled to myself as I picked them up and brought them into my room. The note was as simple as before.

So sad that we couldn't meet up last night. Tonight, same time? If I don't hear from you then I'll assume that's a no. Good luck on your test.

-Edward

I put the flowers next to the ones from yesterday and compared them. They were both beautiful and had long stems. I picked up a yellow rose from today's batch and smelled it deeply. It was sweet and floral without being overpowering. There was still some dew on the petals meaning that they must have been delivered right before I work up.

I was about to lay the rose back in its place when a thorn from the stem, cut my index finger, drawing a small amount of red liquid. I was usually repulsed by blood, like that night at Plasma but I didn't feel any pain or uneasiness now. Instead, I let the blood run from my finger, over the full petals of the rose I was holding, staining the yellow petal a pink color.

"What are you doing to me Edward?" I asked myself and thought about the trouble he was going through for me.

I didn't realize I was such a hot commodity but I guess I was. Two bushels of roses in two days. What a risk to take for a lay that might or might not happen.

I decided before I left for the day that I would call Edward and accept his invitation to dinner.

I called as I was walking to my first class but he didn't pick up. I left a message and was suddenly giddy. I reminded myself that Edward was a complete playboy who was just trying to fuck the life out of me but I was sure that I could hold him off until I was ready. I was still planning on winning this war, no matter how sweet or falsely sweet he was being. He called me back when I was in class and I was tempted to get up to answer it, but I didn't. We played phone tag all day and I eventually just gave up, leaving him a final message that I would be ready to go at seven.

I didn't have to ask Alice twice to help me get ready and she jumped over the table to hug me at lunch when I told her.

"Even though I'm mad at you for not giving me any warning, I'm so happy." She clapped her hands when she sat back down in her seat across from me.

"It's just dinner so nothing too fancy."

"You have a boyfriend." She mocked in a playful voice.

"That is exactly what I don't have. Edward is just a venue for sex. I know what he wants from me, he's told me and once he realizes that that's all we have, he can leave me alone."

That was what I was afraid of.

"I don't think so. He likes you. I have a sixth sense about these things." She tapped her temple, "I just know."

"I don't think you do. You'll see. After we get a couple good fucks out of our system, it's going to be over."

"When do you plan on letting him get that far? Hopefully not on the first try?" She hitched her eyebrow.

"I didn't budge the first two times he asked and I plan on keeping a little dignity. Maybe a week…does that sound good?"

"You're better than me. I would have jumped his bones in an instant. I don't care if that makes me a slut." She shrugged.

"I just need to make it past a couple of dinners, feel him out. I think he just expects me to roll over."

"Let me guess, you're trying to teach him a lesson." She rolled her eyes.

"Is that bad?"

"Stop kidding yourself Bella. Men like him rarely lose at this kind of thing and I can see it in your eyes. He's getting to you." She pushed herself up from the table, "See you tonight."

I held my head in my hands and tried to convince myself that Edward wasn't winning this but the truth couldn't be denied.

The rest of the day went well, the only problem being Tyler who thought that he could ask me out again since our last date was thwarted. I told him no and moved across the room in my literature class so he wouldn't be tempted to talk to me.

I got home at five and Alice was sitting on my bed, reading a magazine. She didn't even speak as she pointed to the bathroom. I jumped in the shower and made sure that I washed twice, shaved everything that needed it, and soaked my hair in shampoo.

I was jittery and nervous about this because as much as I wanted to break Edward's bad boy ways, I knew that it would only take a little for him to break me instead.

I sat in front of my mirror as Alice blow dried and styled my hair into a messy side bun. She seemed to like that style on me and was testing it out like I was a Barbie doll. On this occasion, I needed all the help I could get.

She did my makeup lightly, saying that I didn't need much and left me to put on my underwear. When I was done, I went into my room where she had a full spread laid out. I silently put on what she had for me.

The dress had a tag that said Herve Leger and it was a dark blue, not navy but royal color that looked amazing against my skin. It was a bandaged dress as Alice called it so it hugged my body all the way down to where it stopped a couple inches above the knee, making sure to show off what little figure I had. The sleeves were capped and the neckline was asymmetrical, cutting across my collarbone at an angle. It was very sexy without being slutty. There was a small cutout in a diamond shape in the back to show off some skin and I thought Edward would like a little enticement for tonight. Once again, the dress probably cost more than my life so I didn't ask.

The shoes were slightly frightening with their five inch heels but I had begun to actually enjoy being taller. That's not to say that I liked wearing scary, high shoes all the time but Alice was starting to convert me. Tonight's pair were white pumps that were closed toed and had a good inch raise on the front of them. I was still short as hell but I was trying so that must count for something.

"You and your boyfriend are going to have such a good time." Alice circled me and placed a purse in my hands.

"He's not my boyfriend. Just one week of this and I'm through." I stood up straight, turning to see myself in the mirror.

She just shook her head and mumbled something to herself.

"I think I'm ready." I said and put on a silver watch that used to belong to Renee but she gave it to me when I moved away. I only wore it sometimes.

"Hold on." Alice jumped to my desk and plucked a yellow rose out of the bunch, perfectly clipping the stem off with her nails.

"What are you doing?" I asked and tried to move away from her.

"It will show that you actually appreciate what he did for you. Come here." She placed the rose in my side bun and then back away, proud of her efforts.

"I hope he doesn't get the wrong idea with all of this." I grumbled.

"You'll do fine. Now go out there and get your man." She pushed me out of the door.

"Stop calling him that." I said when she shut the door, "You better be gone by the time I come back." I said from the other side and then stalked off towards the elevators.

I got in with a group of guys who looked like they were going out to a bar. I stood in the corner tapping my heel as we went down the floors. They kept looking at me and saying things under their breath.

"Is there a problem?" I snapped.

"No. We were just rating you." A guy nodded to me.

"Rating me?"

"Yeah, you're between a nine and ten. We're not sure yet."

"Disgusting." I said to myself and just kept my eyes forward.

The elevator doors finally dinged at the first floor and I went out quickly, checking my watch. It was seven exactly and the sun was still in the sky but about to set.

I stepped into the light and looked completely out of place among the jean dressed and tee shirt wearing college population. I decided to just wait for Edward because I figured he would make himself known. I sat on a bench under a tree and crossed my legs. As soon as my butt hit the stone, I heard the thundering engine of a car coming down the street and saw a cherry red sports car emerge, trying to honk its way past the slow students who were staring.

"Of course." I shook my head as I saw Edward behind the wheel.

He pulled to a screeching halt in front of me and my green eyed fantasy steeped out of the car, looking more like a model than a real estate agent.

Edward was in head-to-toe labels. Alice would be proud.

He had on a navy blue, pin-striped suit with pants that fit him to a T and an open dinner jacket with a light blue shirt underneath. The top few buttons were undone, showing off a sprinkle of chest hair and his shoes were gleaming in the setting sun. He had on a pair of black Ray Ban sunglasses and his hair was more tamed but still unruly.

He spotted me in the seat that I hadn't moved from and sauntered over to me with too much authority and a grin. He didn't say anything as he took my hand and lifted it smoothly to his lips. A jolt of fire went through my body at his touch and I was determined to make it at least a week before I gave in but it was going to be hard.

"Hello, beautiful." Were his first words and I swear to God that I almost ripped open my dress right there so that he could just take me.

Instead of showing my lust, I decided that bitchiness would be the best way to go so I replied with a, "Could you be more cliché?"

"I knew you would appreciate the extreme gesture." He waved his hand towards his car, "And I see you got the roses?" He pointed to my hair and tugged on my hand, lifting me off of the bench.

"Yes, they were very nice." I said a little too professionally but I didn't know how to act.

He was being nice but I knew there was an end goal so I didn't let him sneak his way in.

"I feel so bad that we couldn't go out sooner." He started leading me towards his car that had a few people around it. His hand was on the small of my back and I literally felt the wetness flood in between my legs.

Stay strong!

"I'm sorry about that. I had to study last night so…"

"No, I understand. I wouldn't want you to miss out on your studies especially since you are in such a critical point in your educational career."

I looked up at him weirdly.

"You're a junior, right? Isn't that when you start looking for job opportunities and master's programs?"

Shit!

"Oh, right. I've been so busy, I forgot." I lied smoothly.

The car beeped and the people around it scattered.

"Very nice car." I admired the sleek beast.

"Just one of many, beautiful." His pet name was warming my heart but I kept my mind running at full speed so that I wouldn't get confused.

Edward opened the door to his million dollar car and it went straight up into the air, not out vertically like a normal car door would.

"Wow." I said, slightly impressed and could tell that Edward loved my reaction. I mentally scolded myself for letting him affect me.

"That's only the half of it." He whispered into my ear before helping me into the car.

He closed the door and I used the time he was walking around to his side, to get some sanity back into my body.

This was going to be harder than I thought!

He got into the car smoothly and closed his door. The car didn't even need a key to start, he just pushed a button on the dashboard and it came to life with a rumble.

"So…where are we off to?" I asked, tying not to be too impressed by his vehicle that I realized could be a very Freudian way of showing off the rather large dick that I guessed was under those pants.

"I've been planning this date for a long time so I wanted to make it special." He took off his sunglasses and looked at me. My whole body tingled from his green irises. Good thing the tinted windows of the car weren't letting much light in or I might not make it if I had to see them fully illuminated.

I realized that it was time to stop acting so mousy around him. On his biography from the 'Chicago's Sexiest Bachelors' list, it said that he liked a confident woman. He already liked me but I wanted to pull him in further.

"You've been planning this for a long time?" I inquired skeptically, "You can't like me that much."

"On the contrary Bella." He sped off down the street with one hand on the wheel, leaning back in a very sexy way, "I find you fascinating and really intriguing. I just can't leave you alone." His voice was dripping with innuendo.

"Well then, I shouldn't have kept you waiting."

"That's what I was trying to say but you're a stubborn little thing. I realized that the only way to get what I want is to treat you more appropriately."

"Your coach must have trained you right." I propped my head on my hand and watched him, gazed at him, got mesmerized by him.

"My coach?" He chuckled.

"Yeah. I wouldn't expect you to really know anything about romance."

"Wrong again, beautiful. My mother raised three very romantic men. We might not always show it but we know how to woo." He smirked at me.

"So why do you act like such a dick." It slipped out before I had a chance to catch my words but I didn't regret them.

"Because I can." He said simply and then raised the speed of the car to a steady one hundred. I would have normally been freaking out but something about him made me feel calm.

"Where are we going? You're not trying to kill me are you?" I laughed and sat back in the black leather seat.

"If I wanted you dead, you already would be." He said jokingly but something about his tone told me he was serious. That was kind of scary, "I've rented us a boat."

"Rented us a boat?"

"Let me rephrase, it's my boat but I had to rent a captain. I would normally man the thing myself but I will be romancing you all night so I won't have the time." He ran his hand through his hair, almost causing my libido to explode.

"You're a man of James Bond-like proportions, aren't you? Fast cars, boats, obvious money coming out of your butt."

"James Bond wishes he were me." Edward sped up again, swerving through slower cars on the highway.

I didn't ask where we were going again but I recognized that we were heading in the direction of Lake Michigan. It took us fifteen more minutes of deathly, silent driving before we arrived at our destination.

"What's this?" I asked as he slowed the car into a parking lot.

"This…is the marina. All the boats dock here." He turned off the car and quickly got out. With lightening speed, he was at mine and opened it for me, taking my hand in his. The fire from his touch was back but I ignored it.

I straightened out my dress when I got out of the low car and Edward waited for me to re-fix myself before leading me towards the docks where more than one hundred boats were bobbing in the water. The sun was behind the clouds, almost behind the horizon, casting deep colors of pink and purple over the sky.

"This is where all the rich guys bring their boats after a weekend in the water." Edward snickered, "You should see them in the summer. It's pathetic."

"You're one of those rich men, are you not?" I grinned at him as he helped me down the stairs of the dock. I was actually surprised I hadn't fallen yet in my pumps.

"Through my father, yes. You'll soon learn that everyone in this circle has more to hide than what's on the surface." He said cryptically. Everything about this man was mysterious and that was just pulling me in further.

We made it to the wooden pier, with boats on either side of us.

"Which one is your's or your father's I should say?"

"My father just gave me the resources to make my own money. I own what's mine." He corrected me.

"A self made man, I like." I said stupidly.

He laughed, "I'm glad you approve, beautiful."

He kept his hold on me, which had went from the small of my back to my waist but I made sure he didn't dip lower towards my hips. We walked, our shoes making soft noises on the wood until we came to a massive boat, no yacht, at the end of the wharf.

"Please tell me this isn't your's." I walked in front of it and looked like a dwarf compared to the enormous ship. It was like standing in front of the Spanish Armada.

"Bella, I would like to introduce you to Capriccio." He patted the side of the smooth white painted yacht.

"Edward, this is amazing." I awed, all pretenses of trying to sound unimpressed were thrown out of the window.

"I bought it after I graduated Harvard Business." He crossed his arms and watched me circle the boat.

"Harvard? " I raised an eyebrow, "Your arrogance is showing."

"Your beauty is showing." He shot back. Even though it was probably the cheesiest thing I had ever heard, I blushed like the devil in heat. Something told me that the real Edward, the man underneath all of the wealth, would have said that same thing.

My new goal: find the man under the money.

I still kept up my blasé attitude towards him and rolled my eyes, "Just help me up on this thing Casanova."

The steps to the yacht were right at the pier line, so I didn't have to step very high but Edward wouldn't let go of me as we went up onto the deck of the boat that was illuminated by soft lighting from the floorboards and over head.

"What's all this." I whispered to him as I saw a waiting staff with pressed suits and pearly white smiles.

"They're all helping me romance you since I can't do it myself." Edward whispered back with a grin.

"Good evening, Ms. Swan." An older gentleman with a white beard tipped his head to me, "My name is Jerry and I'll be your guide for the evening." He clapped his hands and the staff quickly spread out, going to do different things, "Would you like a tour?" He offered me his arm and I took it.

The yacht in question was a Lazzara LSX 92, which Edward was quick to point out when I asked. He stayed behind Jerry and I, letting us walk ahead as we went on the tour but I would glance back at him sometimes and he would always have a warm smile.

The first thing about the boat I noticed was that it was very modern, not like I thought it would be since a lot of the other ships on the docks were older. I got the specific facts from Jerry and learned that Capriccio was ninety-one feet in length with a maximum speed of thirty-one knots. I had no idea what that meant but I figured that was fast.

The whole thing was built for comfort with two floors connected by a spiral staircase. Below deck, were four staterooms that looked like they could have been from any five star hotels in the world. They all had plush beds, cream carpets, comfy looking chairs and flat screens everywhere. There were kitchens downstairs along with bathrooms and windows that opened up to reveal the outside world.

Above deck, there was tons of space all on deep hardwood floors that looked like they belonged in a nice house somewhere. There were more TVs up here along with a long dining table that was adorned with candles, a white sheet and fine china. Edward explained that was for our date.

Jerry quickly left us on the deck after he finished the tour. Edward and I stood over the back railing as the sun began to set. The boat took off from the docks and we were soon sailing over Lake Michigan.

"This is...incredible." I said, looking out over the water, "Thank you."

"I didn't want to take you out to some restaurant. Then you'd be comparing me to that jackass you were with at Carmel." He replied.

"I just went out with him to get him off my back." I saw Edward move closer to me out of the corner of my eye.

"I could tell you weren't having a good time." He snickered, "I felt so bad for the kid. He was trying so hard."

"You're trying pretty hard yourself." I nudged his shoulder. It just felt like we had known each other for a long time and I was comfortable with him after that first initial awkwardness of the night. .

"Touché." He hit me back.

We stayed silent for a long time, just watching the moon overtake the sun and it was the first time that I had actually seen stars since I moved to Chicago.

"You truly do look beautiful." Edward said sweetly and I couldn't tell if he was serious or not.

"Thank you." I couldn't help but smile at him.

Damn it!

He was working his magic.

"Are you sure you don't say that with all your dates?" I asked.

"I'm going to let you in on a little secret." He leaned in, "I don't usually go on dates."

"Oh? You were on one at Carmel."

He groaned and pulled at his hair, "Her name is Vienna and I've known her for years. We had...a thing but I want to break it off. She's kind of insane."

"More so than you?"

"You have no idea." He sounded pretty serious.

"Dinner is served, Mr. Cullen." Jerry said from behind us.

"Thank you." Edward replied and led me to the table, pulling out my chair for me.

He situated himself opposite the table and I saw a single yellow rose in a slim vase in the middle.

"I hope it wasn't presumptuous of me to send the flowers." Edward unfolded his napkin and put it in his lap.

"No, they were nice. Can I ask how you got them to my door?"

"I have my ways." He said.

"That's what you said about knowing my last name."

"I can't give away all my secrets Bella. That would take the thrill out of the romance I'm trying to bestow on you."

"Well, you're doing a good job so far. We'll see if you can keep it up."

The waiting staff quickly brought out a sprawling dinner of seafood that looked like it had just been fished from the sea. I felt slightly awkward being served but I didn't say anything.

Edward and I talked over hot pasta dishes, filled with crab, shrimp, lobster and clams along with steamed vegetables. There was soup and a salad along with champagne that I took small sips of, trying to make him think that I was twenty-one. I hoped we never got that far in conversation because that was something I didn't know how to tell him about.

About an hour into the meal, I realized that I was actually talking to Edward and he was actually talking to me. Two hours in, we were laughing. Three hours in, I had fallen for him. I didn't know if it was the alcohol or just the fact that I was comfortable with him but this Edward wasn't anything like the one I had previously met.

He was kind, he was polite, he was charming and funny, witty and could match my sarcasm. I didn't feel embarrassed with him and my usual clumsiness seemed to disappear.

"So, what about you? What's your story?" I asked Edward as I swirled some red wine in the glass. We had talked about me almost the whole time and he usually avoided himself.

"What about me?" He shrugged, "I'm your normal, twenty-five year old, real estate agent. I come from a rich Italian family, I go to church every Sunday, I have two brothers and I can't cook worth a lick." He laughed and took back the rest of the drink in his cup.

"That was a lot to take in but you've already said all that. Come on, I told you where I was from and about my family."

"No, you didn't You won't tell me about your father or your mother." He accused jokingly.

"That's because they're weird. You don't want to know about them." I shuddered.

"I want to know everything about you. I told you, you fascinate me." Edward leaned back in his seat and kept his eyes on me.

Our desert was served and we talked some more about me. I had to make sure to keep my story straight that I was a twenty-one year old junior. I didn't want to talk about Charlie or Renee because he would just think I was from a white trash family compared to his rich, upper crust one. So basically, I created a whole new persona for myself but that was okay because after a week, it would be like I never existed in Edward's eyes.

I was still sticking to my plan of the no sex thing for a while and it had to be on my terms. I was doing well so far with Edward's tricks so I was pretty sure that I could hold out.

"Why the name Capriccio for your boat?" I asked as we were heading back into the harbor. The moon was high in the sky and I didn't even want to look at what time it was.

"It's an Italian name for a musical term."

"What does it mean?"

"It categorizes a piece of music that's free of form. Little is paid attention to tempo or key. It usually occurs when a person just sits and plays, letting everything go." He looked up to the sky and let out a deep breath.

"Do you play something?"

He laughed, "You didn't see the giant piano downstairs?"

I blushed, "I was kind of more focused on everything else."

"I know how you feel. My mother designed most of it and I still can't get over all of this sometimes." He held out his hands to show off his domain.

Edward was the strangest man I had ever met.

It was like talking with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I still remembered what an ass he was the other two times I met him but this time, something was different about him. He was relaxed.

The boat docked and Edward helped me off of the yacht. I thanked everyone for being so nice. I was in Edward's car, heading back into the city and that was when the real sexual tension began.

It had been building all night but Edward and I had been able to keep it at bay. Of course I saw him eying my chest and I even swiveled my hips a little more than necessary but I hoped he didn't expect me to put out so soon. Shame on him.

Edward kept his hands to himself on the drive home and I was surprised that he hadn't tried to ask me into his bed again. He was being surprisingly good, which confused me but I tried to act like nothing was bothering me.

Why wasn't he asking to sleep with me again? I had made most of my plans on the assumption that he was going to be a jackass so he was throwing a wrench into my path and that wasn't a way for me to win this war.

The car halted in front of my dorm and Edward turned it off.

"So, how did I do with the romance?" He shifted towards me.

"Good, I was pleasantly surprised."

"I knew you would be. How did I compare to Tyler?" He asked mockingly.

"Are you trying to find out which of you is going to be the better lay?"

"You keep a list?" His lip twitched.

"Maybe. You won't know for a while though." I bit my lip and saw him watching me lustily.

"A while? Is that how long it's going to take me?"

"Maybe."

"You are one fascinating creature." He said, almost to himself.

"I think that's the fourth or fifth time you've said that tonight."

"I'm sorry, I just can't help it."

We sat in the car for another minute and I check my watch, slightly annoyed that it was one in the morning.

"Well…goodbye. This was fun." I started to open the door, not really wanting to leave.

"Yes, it was." He replied.

"Thank you." I got out of the car and closed the door. I didn't know if he planned on setting up another date or what but I suddenly didn't want to leave him.

I started walking up the sidewalk, my heels clicking on the pavement when I heard another door close.

I was spun around gently within the next second and soft lips engulfed mine.

Edward crashed his lips to mine and something animalistic erupted in my blood. If felt like I had been kissing for years as I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. My hands immediately went into his hair and the taste of wine mixed with his natural taste was overwhelming. His lips were the most succulent thing I had ever tasted in my life and I sucked his bottom one gently while he took my top one into his mouth.

He licked my bottom lip softly and I opened my mouth while moaning against the force of our kiss. Our tongues thrashed together and I didn't even think I took a breath the entire time that we stayed connected.

We didn't bother with formalities as our tongues collided in a wicked dance of wetness that I loved. I began scratching his scalp involuntarily as his strong hands massaged my hips. My skin was burning, my ears were ringing, my feet were hurting but I could have cared less.

All the planning and war strategy that I had in my head were gone, evaporated with his kiss that was about to kill me.

I had to pull back when I couldn't breathe anymore but kept my eyes locked on his.

His left hand traveled up my body, from my hip to my neck where he left it for a second. It wasn't an inappropriate touch but one filled with a sensual nature that still felt caring. He moved some hair out of my face and put it behind my ear. I felt his fingers smoothly pull the flower out of my tendrils and he brought it to his nose.

"I think I'll keep this for good memories." He smirked, "Can I call you again?"

"I would like that." I whispered, still trying to pull myself together from that kiss.

"I would like that as well." He bent down to peck my lips innocently, once, twice and then pulled back completely, "Look out for my call in a couple of days. Goodnight Bella." He walked backwards to his beast, never taking his eyes off of me.

He got into his car and sped off like Batman while I was left on the sidewalk.

I almost died right there.

I went into the building, pulled out my id to show to the night promoter who let me in and then got into the elevators.

The 'what if' bug came back into my head as I went up the floors.

Edward didn't ask to come up, he didn't make any suggestions as to sex, he didn't even make a sick joke after our kiss. I suddenly realized that I was starting to like this Edward and if this is the one that I would be meeting from now on, I was in trouble. What if he liked me and this wasn't just a ploy? What if…

I didn't even realize that I was at my floor until the doors were about to close. I had to take off my heels to walk to my room because the high in my mind was making it impossible to walk. I put the key in and opened the door to an empty room.

I was thankful that Alice wasn't here because I needed to rest after that. I stripped out of my clothes and just climbed into bed in my underwear.

That night, my mind was set at ease as I finally found the perfect shade of green to describe Edward's eyes. It was spring green. The color of summer grass and it was all I thought about in my dreams.

I was woken up by my alarm clock and was still wondering whether last night actually happened or not. I sat up and just stayed in that position for a long time, thinking.

He was making me fall for him. He was tricking me. He was using me and I knew it. The problem was, I didn't have enough strength to stop him. I was through.

I got out of bed and was about to past the door to go into the bathroom but stood in front of it, debating whether or not to go out into the hallway. I took a leap of faith, not caring that I was only in a bra and panties, and opened the door.

On the other side was a large heaping mass of about thirty long stemmed, vivid orange, full pedaled, summer roses in another crystal container. They didn't have a note this time but it wouldn't have been hidden anyway by the flowers that were overflowing over the rim of the vase.

I picked the flowers up and brought them inside, setting them next to the other two groups. Two yellows and one orange. My smile was real this time, genuine.

I started up my computer and brushed my teeth while it came to life. By the time I was done, it was up and running so I logged onto Google, typing 'orange roses' into the search engine.

As I read the description on the first website that popped up, my foot was tapping and I was twirling a piece of hair around my finger. I had to read the summary four times before I understood it.

With their blazing energy, orange roses are the embodiment of desire and enthusiasm. Orange roses often symbolize passion and excitement and are an expression of fervent romance. A bouquet of orange roses will send a meaningful message.

I sat back in my chair and came to one final conclusion.

I was royally fucked!

HOLY EPIC FIRST DATE BATMAN

HOW WAS THAT FOR A EPIC CHAPTER? BY FAR, MY FAVORITE SO FAR. HOPE EVERYONE LIKED IT.

SO...WHAT IS THE VERDICT? HAS EDWARD REALLY STARTED TO CHANGE OR IS PLAYING THE HELL OUT OF BELLA? OH GOD, THE SUSPENSE IS KILLING ME. HE WAS SO SWEET WITH THE ROSES, WASN'T HE? BUT WAS IT ALL A JOKE?

GOOD LORD, WHAT WILL I COME UP WITH NEXT?

COME BACK NEXT WEEK TO FIND OUT!