DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyers owns these characters. We've only borrowed them for this story.

Chapter 26

Bella's POV

Alice was busy doing my hair and make-up and I was so distracted, I wasn't even fidgeting. I began to think of what could happen with Edward and me sharing a room. I didn't have a problem sharing a room with him. I wanted him to lie beside me like we did so many times before. I missed having him hold me in that way. I began to realize that I wanted more than that; and all he was thinking about was 'reading a book or watching TV'? Hasn't he read enough books in the last 100 years? Distracted, at this point I was frustrated, and on so many levels. I must have been shaking my head because Alice yanked my hair lightly to pull me out of my fog.

"Ok Bella spill it. What's going on in that little head of yours?"

I replied in a whisper "Alice, I can't, he may hear us".

She whispered back, "Don't worry Bella, he is playing video games with Jasper in your room, and they are having way too much fun to bother listening in." I hoped she was right.

"You know, I just don't get your brother! He told me that he didn't mind sharing a room with me because he doesn't sleep, and that he would just sit and read or watch TV. Now he is playing video games, and I am sitting here thinking of ALL the possibilities that go with us sharing a room. Do you know what I mean?" She stopped fussing about and sat down next to me.

"Bella, I don't know what to tell you. You have already made up your mind about your relationship with Edward, but there is one thing wrong with your little scenario. You haven't told him yet. I think he is being careful with you because he doesn't know what you're planning or thinking. He doesn't want to risk rejection. And don't forget, he IS a 100 year old virgin after all. Plus, he is terrified of physically hurting you."

"I hadn't realized he was still…you know. I guess I figured he would meet someone after he left me. The thing is that I always knew that I didn't want anyone but him; is it too much to hope he felt the same way? Alice, I understand his fear of hurting me. We spoke about it many times. My point is that now I am a 20 year-old hormonal virgin and I am tired of talking. I WANT ACTION!" I hoped that wasn't too loud, but I just couldn't take it anymore. I needed him. I wanted him. I just couldn't wait any longer; I've waited long enough. Alice burst out laughing.

"Bella, I didn't know you had it in you? Good thing, I planned the perfect evening. Unfortunately, the rest will be up to you because my brother would never make the first move. Trust me, when I am done with you, you won't have to work so hard."

I'd grown accustomed to Alice's tastes for me. The dress wasn't as bad at all. It was a deep burgundy halter dress with an open back, and not too fitted. It fell just a few inches above my knees. Anticipating the temperature she also got me a matching wrap to wear. As Alice was finishing my make up, we heard a knock on the door.

"See what I mean? He is already anxious to see you, he is five minutes early." Alice went to answer the door and then I heard her yell "We'll wait for you in the lobby!" My stomach did a flip flop. I took a deep breath and walked out into the room. Edward was standing there casually leaning against wall, looking more handsome that I had ever seen him, if that were possible. I'd never seen him look at me that way, almost like he was devouring me with his eyes. His mouth dropped open and I could swear he licked his lips before he spoke.

Edward's POV

Jasper and I went to meet the girls. He sensed my anxiety as we walked down the hall and sent a rush of calm over me. I don't know what I was so nervous about, it was just dinner and the Ballet. Alice opened the door and swiftly moved passed me leading Jasper out, after giving him a quick kiss. Only to reignite my anxiety, she thought to herself, "Oh brother, you don't stand a chance against her tonight".

Thank god I was leaning against the wall when Bella walked into the room. I would have fallen on my ass otherwise. She looked exquisite; like my own personal goddess. She no longer resembled the girl I met two years ago. She was now a stunning and utterly desirable woman. Her dress accentuated every curve of her body. Her hair loosely gathered up in the back, left small tresses dangling down around her neck. I tried to focus. God how I want her. I was desperate to tell her all these things, yet the only thing I could manage to say was, "Ready to go?" Idiot, Idiot, Idiot. She nodded and walked past me. I could hear her heart racing. I watched her silently walk towards the elevator. I was afraid if I opened my mouth to speak I would say something stupid again. I was slowly losing my control. I must have been holding my breath; as soon as she stepped into the elevator her wrap fell and I caught a glimpse of her bare back. I let go an audible sigh as I let out the air in my lungs. She turned to me, and with such confidence in her beautiful brown eyes asked me, "So, Edward, you haven't said anything…how do you like my dress?"

The door had barely closed behind us. We were the only ones in the elevator. I lost all my control and pinned her against the wall of the elevator; attacking her mouth with mine. She allowed my tongue to explore her mouth as hers danced with mine. Her back arched against the cold mirrored wall. She moaned from the contact but never stopped kissing me. One of my hands was firmly holding the small of her back and the other holding the side of the neck. I left no space between us. She reached up and ran her hands up my back to stroke my hair. Her touch was driving me mad. I began to plant moist kisses against her neck and slid my hand down tracing her arms to reach her side. I moved slowly but deliberately to entice a response from her. I needed to feel more of her desire. I paused at her waist but gradually moved to her hips then gently cupped her bottom. I reached further and gently lifted part of her dress and grazed the soft skin on her leg with my fingers. She let out breathless moan and my lips crashed into hers all over again. My desire for her was evident as I moved my leg to slightly part hers and settle in between them. I pressed my body against her fully and she lifted her leg around my hip. I was completely lost in the ecstasy of the moment when suddenly, I heard the beep. Oh, shit! The elevator was coming to a stop. I quickly pushed the emergency button. We both needed a minute to recover. We stopped but remained connected breathing heavily. We were forehead to forehead with eyes closed and holding hands. Her ragged breathing and pounding heart began to settle down. I whispered sweetly in her ear, "By the way, Bella, you look stunning".

She let out a breathy giggle and looked at me smiling. She reached up to clean the lipstick from my face, "Whew! Um, thank you." She turned to the mirrored elevator wall, "Oh boy. Alice is gonna kill you when she sees what you did to me". We both laughed as she finished straightening herself out. I let the emergency button go and let the elevator doors open.

Bella's POV

I saw Alice standing there with Jasper waiting for us. Her arms were crossed and she was tapping her foot.

"Edward Cullen, what did you do? And Isabella Swan, shame on you! Good thing I brought my make up bag. And look at your dress! It is not supposed to be a miniskirt." She eyed my hem. I glanced down and realized it had hitched up onto my hip clinging to my underwear. I felt myself blush and pulled it down so it was back to its original state. Edward pulled me close and smiled at me. His glorious face shining like my own personal sun. I looked up but it was hard to concentrate. I swear I was dazzled but maybe it was the latent affect of our little encounter. I wanted him more than I ever thought possible.

"I'm sorry Alice. I don't know what came over us." Quickly it occurred to me that maybe it wasn't us. The kiss, the moment…it was so intense. I'd never experienced that with Edward. He was so passionate, even forceful. He didn't hold back at all. "Jasper did you have anything to do with what just happened?" Alice turned to Jasper with an accusatory look and he responded with shock in his voice.

"Oh no Bella, that was all on you guys. I had nothing to do with it; although, you made it really difficult for me to hold back on Alice. One minute longer and we wouldn't have been standing here waiting." He laughed loudly and Alice's sheepish smirk appeared as she kissed him on the lips.

Edward guided everyone out of the way of the elevators and toward the exit. "Shall we go then?"

Alice put her arm into mine and said, "Yes, let's." She looked up at Edward. "You know Edward it's a good thing we're on the 20th floor. If we were on the 30th I don't know what I would have found when the doors opened." I was astonished by her brazenness. I shook my head and glared at her.

Edward responded with a wide grin as he looked down at me. "Actually Alice, if we were on the 30th floor, I think the elevator would have been 'stuck' for the evening." He chuckled as we all walked out. I lowered my head and didn't say another word the entire way to the restaurant. I was now officially humiliated.