Bella's POV

Jessica drove us back on the way home. She was thankfully a faster driver than Angela. I was practically bouncing on the seat, praying we got home faster than tomorrow.

"You okay, Bella?" Angela asked, looking back at me from the front.

I nodded. "Yep. Just need to really, really pee."

"On it," Jessica grinned and sped up.

"Thanks," I smiled gratefully. Jessica had really grown on me over the past few weeks. Beneath her gossipy-cheerleader mentality, she was a really nice girl. Also, the fact Lauren and Mike were now dating had definitely solidified our alliance.

My stomach was practically rolling with nausea as we got into Forks after a two hour drive. What if he didn't come over?

I recalled his multiple beeping as he drove insanely fast out of the car lot. I hoped to heaven I hadn't made that up for my own sanity. He'd been there. It couldn't be a coincidence. He must have followed us.

How had he known where we'd be? Or was it by chance we'd been in the same place by accident, again? The thought of Edward following us unnerved me. He must have eavesdropped… I wasn't sure how I felt about that…

So many questions – hopefully I'd get some answers tonight.

Jessica dropped me off first. I couldn't get out of the car fast enough.

I hurried up my driveway, stumbling a few times in the dark, and rushed to get the door open. My heart was beating hard; my hands were shaking. It took me longer than usual to get in.

The second the door open, I hurried up the stairs.

"Bella?" Charlie called.

"Yeah! Need to pee! Night, dad!" I yelled back.

"Night, Bells," he called back, sounding amused.

I actually did need to pee. I hurried to the bathroom and splashed water cold water on my red face. My heart was still pounding hard.

I needed to relax.

But I couldn't.

I was either finally getting answers or blown off again. I wasn't sure how much more rejection I could take from Edward Cullen. If he didn't come when I opened my window, I was never going to open it again.

I forced myself to take deep breaths as I left the bathroom and went to my room. I threw my coat onto my bed and kicked my boots off as I steadied my breathing.

I looked towards the window doubtfully, afraid of what would happen if he didn't come.

Well, only one way to found out.

I walked to my window and opened the latch, pushing the frame up as high as it would go.

Edward's POV

Bella slid the window open and stepped back. Her heartbeat kicked up again. I tried to squash my ego down.

Well, it was now or never.

I got out of my car and ran quietly over to Bella's house, jumping off the ground and catching her ledge.

I heard Bella gasp as I slid into her warm room.

"Edward," she breathed, staring at me with her wide, chocolate brown eyes.

"Bella." The relief was overwhelming as I said her name.

"You came," she said, marvelling at the sight of me. Her cheeks were pink.

I took her in, revelling in the sight of her. Excitement and surprise brimmed in her eyes. She was standing in her jeans and a white jumper, setting off the creamy pallor of her skin. Her floral scent, freesia-lavender was overwhelming in her room. It'd been so long since I'd been this close. I breathed it in, enjoying the burning ache that scorched down my throat.

Bella's POV

Edward was staring at me with slightly darker eyes, closer to honey than gold. They smouldered. My memories hadn't done justice to how beautiful he was.

He was in a blue shirt and dark jeans, subtly designer clothes that gave him the air of a model. My heart lurched as I drank in his perfectly sculpted face. This couldn't be real.

"Bella," he said softly, gazing at me intently.

I let out an unsteady breath. He had no idea how good it felt to hear him say my name after what felt like an eon.

"Are you okay?" he asked - always concerned.

I felt a smile spread on my face. "I am now you're here."

Shock registered on Edward's face. "Bella, I…" he struggled for words, staring at me in surprise.

"Where have you been?" I asked, a touch of sadness seeping into my voice.

"Bella," he sighed and looked down. "You know it's not good for you to be around me. I was trying to keep you safe."

"Is that why you were in Seattle?" I asked. "You followed us?"

"When Alice saw you decide to go to Seattle, I couldn't bear the thought of something happening to you again." Edward's voice was low and pained as he looked back at me.

"Saw us?" I repeated, confused.

Edward grimaced and nodded.

"I didn't see her anywhere." I tried to think back to anywhere we could've crossed paths but came up empty. "But how… how would she have heard us?"

"She was at home," Edward said uncomfortably.

"But then how did she see us?" I was so confused.

Edward stared at me for a long time before answering. "Alice can see the future."

"SHE WHAT?" I yelped.

Edward grimaced. "Your father heard."

"Bella?" Charlie yelled up the stairs.

"Crap." I hurried to my door and opened it a little. "Just reading a book dad!" I yelled back. "It's getting tense. Sorry!"

"Oh, all right."

I waited until I heard him shuffle back into the living room before closing my door. I turned back to Edward expectantly.

"Some vampires are gifted with unique abilities," Edward confessed, looking troubled to be telling me this. "Alice gets visions of the future, Jasper can control people's moods… I have a cousin who can emanate electricity on her skin."

I gaped at him. This just kept on getting better. "D-do you have a gift?"

The fear on his face told me he did.

"What is it?" I asked, hoping my voice didn't betray the fear I was feeling.

"I… I can hear people's thoughts." Edward was embarrassed.

I froze. "Everyone's thoughts?" Oh God. Oh God. Of all the superpowers he had to have—

"Everybody I've ever met except for you."

I thought my eyes would fall out of my sockets. "Me? You can't read my mind?"

Edward shook his head.

"Why not? Is there something wrong with me?" I fretted. Why was I the only anomaly?

Edward actually laughed. "I tell you I can't read minds and you think there's something wrong with you? You're incredible."

His compliment threw me momentarily.

"Are you all right?" he asked again, his face intense with worry.

"I think I need to sit down," I moved towards my bed and sat down on the edge.

Edward stayed where he was, watching me worriedly. "I'm sorry."

I looked at him in surprise. "For what?"

"All of this," he said. He turned towards my window, gripping the ledge.

Edward could read minds. He could hear people's thoughts – all except for me. Part of me was grateful he couldn't actually hear my thoughts – mostly the way I drooled over him in my mind. Gah.

"You don't have to apologise for anything," I said after a while. "Except for ignoring me all week. That was kind of rude."

I could see Edward smiling from the side of his face. "I'm sorry. I thought I scared you away."

"You don't scare me," I said, smiling.

Edward turned then, curiosity on his face. "I should. Most people don't like getting too close to vampires, even when they don't know what we really are. That base instinct of survival tells them to run away as fast they can."

"Maybe there is something wrong with me then," I said, trying for humour.

Edward didn't laugh. "I keep waiting for you to run away screaming."

"Why?"

"Because I'm a monster, Bella. You shouldn't want to be near me."

I felt offended – on his behalf. "You're not a monster. Stop saying that."

"It's the truth," he said matter-of-factly.

"It's your opinion," I countered.

Edward shook his head, smiling sadly. "You'll realise, someday."

I frowned at him and stood up. "Is that why you've been avoiding me? You're afraid I'll see you for who you really are?"

Edward merely stared back at me, his eyes full of a grief I couldn't understand.

"I've missed you," I said quietly, taking a step towards him.

His eyes widened.

"I can't stop thinking about last week." I took another step closer.

"Me either," he whispered.

"Edward," I hesitated, wondering if I should close the gap between us with a last step.

"Isabella," Edward's voice was tortured.

My heart stuttered.

"You have no idea what it's like for me to… to be away from you," he confessed in a murmur.

"So stop," I whispered, taking that last step.

Edward was so close. "It's not that simple." His sweet breath fanned onto my face.

I lost all ability to speak as his perfect faced took over my vision.

"Every time I'm with you, I risk your life," he said angrily. "Bella, nobody's blood has ever made me lose my mind like this before! Everything about you makes me want you!"

My breath hitched as his words shot into my heart.

"Edward," I reached out to touch his hand.

Edward flinched and pulled his hand back. "Don't," he said sharply.

"Why not?" I demanded, stung.

"If I touch you again I don't think I'll ever be able to let go."

The conviction in his words shook my soul. I stared at him as he gazed painfully aside, his arms clamped over his body.

It physically pained him to be here. It was against his very nature to be with me, to be with me and not satisfy the craving so natural to his body.

And yet, he'd followed me to Seattle out of fear for my wellbeing. He kept going out of his way to ensure I stayed alive – even denying his own innate hunger.

Slowly, I reached out and brushed my fingers against his cheek. Edward closed his eyes and shivered, his breath catching.

"Bella, please," he begged. "I'm not… good for you."

I lifted my other hand and cradled his face between my palms. "If anyone's undeserving here, it's me."

His eyes flew open in anger and he suddenly grabbed me by the waist. "Don't talk about yourself like that. Have you any idea how—how perfect you are?"

I dropped my hands from his face and clutched his chest. "That's how I feel about you."

Edward closed his eyes, pain striking across his features. "Bella, I'm a vampire."

My stomach twisted. "I know. But…"

"But?"

"I don't care," I realised.

Edward looked incredulous. "Bella, I'm not human."

"Yes you are. You have all the parts. You're just slightly different." I hoped I sounded convincing.

"Bella," he sighed and pinched his eyes shut.

"Edward, look at me, please," I whispered, sliding a hand around the nape of his neck. "Please."

Edward opened his eyes slowly and leaned closer until our foreheads were touching. His sweet breath blew out onto my face. "Bella, I don't want to be away from you. I'm so tired of pretending I can deal with it."

"Then don't," I whispered back. "Stay with me."

Conflict raged in his eyes; his hands threatened to loosen.

"Edward," I touched his cheek. "I don't want you to let go."

"Bella, how are we going to make this work?" he asked desperately. "This—me and you—what I am—"

"Edward," I interrupted, "relax, okay? We can figure it out as we go along. We don't have to have all the answers yet. All I know is that I just want to be with you right now. I want to get to know you."

Edward's face softened. For a moment, he was still. And then suddenly I was off my feet and crushed into his arms.

My body swelled with relief and elation and my heart hammered against my chest as I wound my arms around him and felt his breath against my cheek. "You've no idea how much I've wanted to do this again," he whispered, holding me like our lives depended on it.

I shivered with delight and twined my hands in his hair. "Ditto," I whispered.

Edward's arms tightened around me. The touch of his smooth skin against mine sent shocks along my body. It felt so right. He felt so right.

"Bella," he whispered, "my Bella."

My heart soared. I held him tighter, my mind filling with the glorious haze of his scent as sparks flew between our skins and settled into my bones. My whole body felt electric. I'd never felt so alive.

I'd never felt so at home.