***I heart Twilight.***

Beware of minor lemons. :)

Edward and Bella walked into the house from the large garage holding hands. The minute they were through the door, they were greeted by Rosalie, Emmett and Alice, who had expected to interrogate Edward about the evening thinking he was alone. Each pair of eyes went wide at the sight of Bella, and wider still when they saw her holding Edward's hand. They smiled like children on their birthdays.

"Hey big brother, how was dinner? Is it the same as it used to be?" Alice asked, bouncing excitedly. She was the less patient of the group and wanted all the sordid details right away.

"Nothing has changed except the wait staff." Edward grimaced sourly, which made Bella giggle.

"What did you order? I hope you didn't make Bella eat that disgusting fish soup," she babbled, and looking at Bella said, "it used to give me nightmares." As soon as the words were out, she clamped her hands over her mouth in horror. "Oops, I'm so so so sorry Bella. Don't worry, nobody told me. I heard Esme discussing it with Carlisle one night, and I'm so embarrassed I let that slip out, and-"

Edward had to cut off his sister. "Alice, have you been drinking coffee again?"

Alice put her hands on her hips and stuck her tongue out at Edward, as Bella said, "It's okay Alice. I've been meaning to talk to you about it, I just didn't really know how to say it."

Alice giggled. "What, you've never had to tell someone you talk to their dead sister at night?"

Bella blushed, and Edward scolded his sister. "Ali, that's not very nice. And I'm sure Bella doesn't want to think about that tonight."

Alice shrugged dismissively. "If you say so. But for the record, I never knew Katie, so it doesn't bother me to discuss it." She glared at Edward, challenging him.

Edward frowned. "It doesn't bother me either, but this is not the appropriate time. So drop it."

Alice's enthusiasm could not be quelled. "Okay fine. So how was the drive? Did you guys do anything special after dinner?"

This time Rosalie stepped in. "Ali, let's give them some privacy. Maybe Em will let you do his makeup again," Rosalie winked at Bella, while Emmett was blushing profusely. Alice's eyes lit up.

Emmett mumbled, "It was only once before."

Everyone but Emmett laughed heartily at the thought of Emmett with blush and blue eye shadow. Alice grabbed him by the arm and dragged her pouty, muscled cousin upstairs with Rosalie trailing behind, trying hard to stifle her laughter.

Edward and Bella were left alone in the living room, as Carlisle and Esme were at a friend's house for dinner. Bella's palms started to sweat, so she casually pulled her hand away from Edward's and walked around the room, examining everything with overdone interest. Edward watched her move but said nothing. He was appreciating her petite figure, and the way her long hair fell down her back. He was certain he'd never seen anything more beautiful in his life. He sat down sideways at one end of the large couch, throwing his arm over the back of it, and watched her with great interest.

After a few minutes of internal pep talk, Bella joined Edward on the couch, sitting sideways to face him. She was fretting over everything in her mind while at the same time trying to fend off an anxiety attack. Bella wondered if her mascara had smudged, where to put her hands, should she cross her legs like her mother taught her, what were Edward's expectations, could her heart be beating any faster.

Edward sensed her nervousness. "I only used the term 'girlfriend' at the restaurant to get rid of the waitress. I know it's still early, so we can define things however you'd like."

Bella let out a nervous giggle. "I kind of liked it. And I'm not really the casual dating type, so it works." She finally worked up the courage to look him directly in the eye.

Edward scooted closer to Bella on the couch and put his arm around her shoulders. "Good. Because I don't want to share you."

"Oh, Edward…" Bella cooed, "You won't. I'm a one man girl."

Edward shook his head and cupped her chin in his hand. "No. You're a woman. And a beautiful one at that." He searched her eyes for any hint of apprehension at their proximity. Finding none, he asked, "Bella, can I kiss you?"

Bella let out a deep sigh. "Yes."

Edward smiled as he placed both one hand on either side of her face and slowly leaned in. Three inches apart; he could smell the after dinner mint on her sweet breath. Two inches; he could feel the heat from her rosy cheeks. One inch; Edward licked his lips in anticipation. "Breathe Bella," he whispered. She let out a breath, flooding his senses with intense desire. The moment their lips touched, Edward felt a strong sense of urgency ripple through his body, making his blood feel like liquid fire and his heart beat erratically. He controlled his reaction by kissing her softly and slowly, savouring the feel of her silky lips in his.

Bella eagerly accepted his mouth, and felt a sense of peace as their lips moved in unison. Edward was taking it slowly, almost painfully so. Bella licked at his bottom lip, asking for entrance. Edward groaned as Bella wove her fingers through his hair and deepened the kiss. His hands moved to her shoulders and caressed from her neck to her wrists. She felt empowered and sexy, knowing his body was reacting the same as hers. She moved closer to him, lifting her leg and straddling his lap while pushing her chest against his, their breaths becoming ragged. Bella felt a longing in her body as their kisses grew more frantic and heated, and she knew it could only be satisfied by Edward.

But they both knew it was too soon to explore an extended physical intimacy, so with great difficulty Bella eventually slowed her kisses and pulled her face back a few inches. They smiled at each other, still feeling the desire, but knowing this was an excellent time to stop. Bella pecked Edward tenderly on the lips a few times before rolling off him and onto the couch.

"Bella, you are wonderful." Edward's voice was raspy as he tried to slow his racing heart.

She smiled and looked at him. "You're pretty great yourself, ya know."

They chatted for a few minutes before Bella started yawning. Edward dragged her to his car and drove her home. When he walked her to the front door, he leaned down and gave her a light, lingering kiss.

"Good night, my beautiful woman. Thanks for a great evening."

"We should do this again sometime," Bella joked. They both shared a laugh before Bella went inside the house.

Everything was dark inside, and Bella nearly fumbled trying to turn on the light switch. Checking the clock, she noticed it was still before midnight. 'I wonder why Jasper's in bed already." She thought to herself. Taking off her heels, Bella carried them and her purse upstairs to her bedroom where she quietly shut the door behind her. Turning on the overhead light, Bella jumped when she saw Jacob sitting on her bed with the angriest look she'd ever seen cross his face.

"What the…?" Bella began, trying to wrap her head around Jacob being in her room. "How did you get in here?" She whispered angrily.

Jacob stood up and crossed his arms across his chest. "I have a better question. When were you gonna tell me you dumped me for him?" Jacob spat out, his voice escalating in both sound and intensity.

"Shhhh, Charlie and Jasper are sleeping."

Jacob rolled his eyes, but replied in a quieter tone. "Fine. Now answer the question."

For a moment Bella felt panic. How much does he know? Should she tell Jacob about the kiss? And what would Edward think if he found out she and Jacob were alone in her bedroom together? Then she remembered what happened, and felt her anger rising. She shook her head, trying to sort out her thoughts.

"It's not like that. We broke up because you lied to me, remember?"

"Is that right? Well I hear you and Richie Rich Masen shared an intimate moment while I was mourning my grandfather." Jacob sneered.

Bella blanched. "It's not what you think. I was blindsided. I told him it wasn't going to happen ever again."

Jacob took a step closer to Bella, his arms stiffly at his sides, clenching his fists tightly. "But it did happen again, just now, on the front porch."

Bella felt a lump of fear in her throat. "Jake, you and I broke up. I'm free to see whoever I want. This really is none of your business."

Jacob's face turned crimson underneath his tanned skin. "NONE OF MY BUSINESS?! YOU are my business. I've spent years protecting you, and helping you. How could you throw me away, just like that?!" Jacob was obviously no longer trying to control his voice, as he screamed those last few words at the top of his lungs. He took another step toward Bella; now there was only a few feet between them. He could easily reach out and hurt her if he tried.

Bella's eyes flitted around the room, trying to see if anything near her could be used as a weapon. Her heart raced and her adrenaline had her senses working overtime.

"Jake, you need to calm down. I still want to be your friend." She squeaked out.

Jacob took another step forward. He was now within grasping distance.

"What about Edward," Jacob spat out his name angrily, "Won't he be upset? Your new boyfriend might have a problem with you seeing your old boyfriend."

Bella trembled. "Edward knows I want us to be friends."

Jacob's face erupted in rage. He growled like a menacing, rabid dog and grabbed Bella's arm. "So he is your boyfriend now! I knew it! He stole you away from me, but I'll get you back. YOU ARE MINE, NOT HIS." His grip on Bella was tight and painful. Tears sprang to Bella's eyes, and just as panic was about to completely engulf her the bedroom door burst open.

There was a disheveled Charlie in his pajamas and bathrobe with his rifle cocked and ready. When he saw who it was, Charlie lifted his head from the gun's line of sight. "Jake? What are you doing here at this hour?" He asked, his voice laced with concern, anger, and suspicion. His eyes flickered to Bella briefly to make sure she was safe.

Jacob jerked his hand away from Bella and backed up two paces. "I'm, uh, just visiting Bella." He shot Bella a warning glance to communicate his desire that she agree with him. Bella may have been scared, but she wasn't an idiot. Adrenaline and anger still coursed through her veins.

"Yes, and now that you've behaved boorishly, it's time for you to leave." Bella gritted her teeth.

Jacob was trying his best to control his temper. "It's you who's behaved badly."

Just before Bella could argue, Charlie intervened. "Bella's not the one who's broken into someone else's home, threatened, and assaulted them. You may think me slow but these walls are thin and I heard everything."

Jacob hung his head in shame, while Bella covered her face in embarrassment. If he heard everything, did he know Jacob used to sneak in other nights?

"It's time for you to leave. And if I catch you here again, I'll arrest you myself. And don't think Billy isn't gonna hear about this either." Charlie growled angrily, finally lowering the gun.

Jacob stormed out of the house. As Bella lay down to sleep, she found herself wondering what the hell happened.