25.
After dinner, they did the dishes together and settled themselves in the living room to watch television.
Emmett had found a spot on the back of the sofa where he'd settled himself in for the evening. Edward found it curious that the cat seemed to have made himself quite at home in his home. Bella simply explained that Emmett wasn't very high maintenance, like her, he seemed to be able to make anywhere his home.
It warmed Edward's heart to hear her call his apartment, her home. He didn't think she'd get comfortable this quickly but given her childhood, he understood her so much more.
They sat and watched a movie together, laughing at the same parts and talking about it when it was done.
Edward yawned and told her he was going to bed, there was no way he could stay up past 10 pm, he hadn't done that in years and wasn't about to do it now.
Bella giggled telling him he was an old man.
Upon hearing her saying that, Edward pounced on her, tickling her sides and treating her like he would have one of his sisters.
Well almost.
Because his sisters certainly would not have pushed their breasts into his chest and his sisters would not have wrapped their arms around his neck. Oh and his sisters would definitely have not kissed him.
This time though, when Edward pulled back to look at Bella, he couldn't help but notice how dark her eyes were. She'd been on edge all evening, knowing he was right there, ready for the taking.
She'd been so attracted to him; it was hard to fathom keeping herself away from him for any length of time.
He'd told her he hadn't minded the peck she'd given him in the morning. She was afraid to seem needy or pushy but he had been the one to initiate the touching. He'd been the one to pounce on her and tickle her. He'd been the one to pin her down on the sofa.
He held her face between his palms, searching her face for any sign that he shouldn't go through with what he was about to do. When she'd said nothing, Edward leaned down and lightly pressed his lips to hers.
*sigh* :o)