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storyline - "Slippery"

prompt - whiteboard

I bit my lip, smiling at the words glowing back at me in the darkness.

I would've kissed you today.

Holding my breath, I pressed send, wondering what he'd think of that. I could just imagine his amusement.

The next day was Saturday. Honestly I was surprised he was asking me this now; if anything, I'd have expected him to ask me right before I left, kind of pulling a sly little move. But no: he was just laying it out there, putting the ball in my court.

He was so confident. Not quite cocky, just confident. I dug it.

Sure enough, the phone vibrated almost right away.

You need to come out asap, crutches be damned.

Muffling a laugh, I quickly responded.

Not trying for a break here. Sprain is bad enough.

Fine fine. Can't say I didn't try.

Will I see you tmrw?

Later on. have to run errands for my mom

I sighed inwardly, trying not to let disappointment sully my mood. I was here for Alice, after all, and to see her hometown – not just to run around with Edward.

As fun as that sounded.

Hello?

Yawning, I typed back.

I'm here. Tired. Hope to see you tmrw tho.

You will :)

Ok. Good night.

Night, Bella.

Tucking my phone underneath my pillow, I curled on to my side and fell asleep.

Alice had somehow woken before me and slipped out.

I sat up, yawning and blinking in the soft morning light as I swung my legs over the side of the bed.

She'd jotted a note to me on the whiteboard hanging off the back of her door.

Jogging w/ Mom. See you in a bit.

Grimacing, I hobbled out into the hallway and to the bathroom. Only Alice would choose to do strenuous exercise after staying up late the night before.

After managing a shower, I combed my hair into a ponytail and returned to Alice's bedroom. She'd come back while I was in the bathroom and was perched on her bed, one leg dangling off the side.

"How was the run?" I asked, leaning down carefully to grab my duffel bag.

"Good. I love jogging when it's cold out."

"Apparently," I laughed, collapsing on to the bed so I could get dressed. "Not me. I like sleeping when it's cold."

"Apparently," Alice teased back, poking me.

We chatted awhile about school and the classes we'd chosen.

"So," she said, and I could just feel a subject change coming, "what's up with Edward? You like him, huh?"

Shrugging, I ducked my head. "Yeah. Like, probably more than I should."

"Why do you say that?" Alice asked.

"Because. We live so far apart. I knew that when I got into this, I don't know why I'm even trying to explain…"

"And what's "this" exactly, anyway?" She made air quotes.

"You're seriously asking me to define my feelings for Edward?" I snorted. "What about you and Jasper?"

"We have… an arrangement," she said vaguely.

"What, hang out when you're both home and see other people when you're on campus?"

She turned a little red. "Basically."'

I didn't think that was too wise a plan but I kept the thought to myself.

"Later" turned out to be not that late at all.

Edward, Emmett and Jasper picked Alice and me up around two.

We drove to some park. It was freezing out, but really pretty, especially bits of with melting snow all over.

Edward and I sat back, watching the others make fools of themselves.

"You want to go for a walk? There are some pretty trails around," he said.

"Sure."

We walked slowly around, making quiet small talk. I couldn't remember the last time I simply talked with a guy for so long. From the moment we'd met to the present, it had been a near constant exchange of information, flirting and non-touching that felt like touching.

Edward paused, then stepped even closer to me, backing me against a tree. The cool air made our breath come out in puffs.

"So… you gonna?" he asked, his eyes lingering on my mouth.

I nodded, leaning more fully against the tree before letting go of my crutches. They fell with a little clatter.

"Or I could," he murmured, pressing closer. For the first time the front of me was in contact with the front of him. I shoved my shaky hands into the pockets of his jacket, staring up into his amazing green eyes.

He brushed his lips against mine. He pressed them, then opened them.

I kissed him back, my heart grateful and pounding.

He grabbed my hips and pushed me back so I was held against the tree. I sort of gasped into his mouth, clutching at his shoulders.

He nudged my face to the side and kissed all down my neck before returning to my mouth, his tongue sliding and warm and delicious with mine.

Kisses became kissing.

Edward finally backed away, adjusting his pants. "You're gonna be the death of me," he whispered, nibbling my earlobe.