Hello everyone,

I am loving this story, and have lots of fun, sexy moments planned for them. I'm so glad everyone seems to be enjoying the story. Of course, I had to throw a wrench into the mix with Renee and Carlisle returning home early. I think you all will enjoy a little sneaking around, I know, I will.

Thanks for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following.

Please Review, and feel free to let me know what you think.

Edward played hell getting back to his room, dressing, and slipping out the door without being detected. Why Bella told Renee he'd gone to the coffee shop, he had no idea. He was sopping wet, his hair just starting to dry when he quietly snuck through the condo and out the back door.

His shoelaces were still undone, yet as he rounded the corner, heading toward the cafe, he realized he'd forgotten his wallet and his fucking keys. He rifled through his pockets for his phone, only to realize he'd forgotten that as well.

Aggravated beyond measure, Edward stumbled to a stop at the corner and turned back to stare at the doors to the condo. If it wasn't for bad luck he wouldn't have any luck at all.

The one chance he'd had to face his feelings for Bella and their parents had to come home early and ruin it. They'd been right there—right on the cuff of exploring this explosion of attraction between them and it was shot to shit.

Now what?

What was he supposed to do?

It had taken three years to admit it to himself. Bella was obviously still fighting it, and he understood her hesitation. Last night was amazing, and more than Edward could imagine, but Bella was apparently gun shy in the light of day.

The question was where would they go from here? He could just back the hell off and let her figure her own shit out. He could—but he wouldn't.

If anything at all was going to develop between them it had to be now. Decision made, he pivoted on his heel and hurried back to the condo. Edward would give Bella a minute to process this change, but he was going to give her a nudge in the right direction.

He'd just strode in the front door when the conversation underway floated down the hallway. When Renee's question reached him, he stopped several feet away from the kitchen to listen.

"Who did you have over last night?"

Bella coughed, hiding her mouth, shock written all over her face. "What? What do you mean?"

"There were men's boxers on your floor this morning. I half expected you to be in the shower with someone when I came in. Who did you have over?"

"Ah … ah," Bella blushed, averting her gaze to the island's countertop. Shifting nervously on the stool, she spotted Edward's shadow lingering in the hall. Just knowing he was standing there eavesdropping, made her all the more jittery. "Ah … umm …"

"Bella, it's nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm just hoping you are practicing safe sex. I remember what it was like to be young and wild. I just don't want you doing anything that will mess up your future. So, who was it?"

"Mom…"

"Come on, Bella, what's a little girl talk among adults? I just want you to know you can discuss anything … So was it that hottie from school you are always talking about?" Renee asked, shuffling around the kitchen.

"Who?" Bella asked, her throat so dry she couldn't swallow air at the moment. She was having difficulty focusing on her mother when Edward's presence lurked just around the corner. Finally, she managed to rip her gaze from his shadow. "Huh?"

"Must've been good if you are this distracted," Renee said with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

"Oh, my God, Mom. I am not talking about this with you." Bella felt her cheeks spike in temperature. She was pretty sure her skin was the color of ripe cherries.

"So, was it Demetri? I loved that picture you sent me of him. It's just too bad I didn't get here sooner. I would've loved to meet the guy my daughter can't stop talking …"

Edward was through listening to how wonderful Bella and Demetri would be. Just the mention of this other guy's name had the pit of Edward's stomach pitching. Rounding the corner, he faced his father's wife. "Hey, Renee, what are you doing home so soon? I thought you were supposed to be in Florida for the next two weeks."

"Hi, sweetie," Renee greeted with a soft smile. Her gaze followed Edward across the kitchen until he slid onto the stool next to Bella. "You know it's the life of being a doctor. Sometimes the best-laid plans are interrupted."

"Don't I know it," Edward mumbled, making sure to keep his hungry eyes off of Bella. Shifting on the stool, he let his leg press against hers beneath the smooth tan marble. Propping his elbows on the counter his attention darted back and forth between Bella and Renee. "So, what are we talking about?"

As he spoke, Bella wiggled on the stool, attempting to pull her leg out of his reach. The ass just moved with her, not allowing a chance for escape. The heat from his thigh and knee seeped into hers, sending an excited shiver through her.

"We were talking about Bella's handsome boyfriend from college. He's a real …"

"Yeah, yeah I have heard all about Prince Charming," Edward mumbled sharply, his response receiving a curious look from Renee. Ignoring the interest in her eyes, he motioned to the cabinet. "Is there any more coffee?"

"Yeah, sure," she beamed, turning to retrieve a coffee cup. "I thought you went to the coffee shop."

Edward's hand slipped off the table to rest on Bella's knee. The corner of his mouth lifted as she swatted his fingers trying to dislodge his groping hand as it slid up her thigh. "Yeah, funny, I left in such a rush I forgot my wallet. Guess I will have to settle for homemade."

When Edward didn't remove his hand from her leg, Bella smacked his hand. A smirk lifted his lips, and he tightened his fingertips over the cap. Shooting him a warning look, she mouthed, "What are you doing?"

Edward stared at her long and hard until she noted the hunger in his eyes. Edward mouthed back, "I can't help it. Have to touch you …"

"How is Tanya?" Renee wanted to know, turning to face Bella and Edward with his coffee in hand. Scooting the mug across the marble countertop, she grabbed the sugar dish. Edward had been her stepson for the last five years, and she knew him like the back of her hand. "Sugar?"

"You got it." He grabbed the cobalt dish with his free hand, making sure to keep his other hand firmly on Bella's leg beneath the table as he shrugged. Squeezing Bella's thigh, he wiggled his eyebrows in her direction when Renee glanced away. "We sort of broke up."

"Awww shoot." Renee looked between Edward and Bella. "Well, young love is very heartbreaking. I'm sorry it didn't work out."

With his free hand, Edward grabbed the coffee cup and spooned a few heaps of sugar into the steaming brew. He stirred his coffee, listening to the spoon clink against the ceramic. "It's no biggie. She just wasn't what I was looking for. Kind of has my eye on someone else, just not sure exactly where we stand yet."

Bella's lips fell open at Edward's explanation. Was he about to call her out right here in front of her mom? Yes, he was hot. And yes, she'd welcomed him into her bed with open arms, literally. Even while both things were true, she wasn't ready to face this particular battle.

Renee folded the rag she'd been using to wipe the counters down. She stared at the terry cloth. Curiously, she turned back to Bella and Edward. There seemed to be an odd vibe circulating around the space hovering between the two. "Since when do you two get along? The last time you were both home I thought you were going to kill each other."

"Still might," Bella smiled smugly before leaping from the stool. No way could she face her mother while Edward was secretly touching her. Something was daring, and naughty about the sensations he created. When she chanced a look in his direction, she wanted to smack the smirk right off his face. Of course, she knew what Edward's reaction would be if she hit him again. Even the memory of his dangerous, explosive anger sent a rush of blood shooting to her core.

If Bella had a chance in hell of fooling her mother about the change in their relationship, she needed to create some space from that wicked man. "Mom, I'm so happy you're home." She rounded the counter and pressed a kiss to Renee's cheek. Refusing to spare Edward another look, she started toward the hallway. The quicker she could get to her room, the fucking better. She just needed a moment to put everything into perspective. "I think I'm going to head for the aquarium for the afternoon."

Edward's gaze narrowed on Bella. Was she really going to try and escape him? He was just about to interject when Renee chimed in. And for the first time, he wanted to kiss his stepmother.

"Actually, Carlisle is probably going to be busy all day. Do you care if I join you? Heck, Edward can come too, it will give us all a chance to catch up. We can even get lunch … make a whole day of it." Renee noticed Bella's eagerness to escape. While she didn't know what was going on, the energy shift was so extreme there was no dismissing it.

Suspiciously, Renee watched Bella's tanned skin flush as if she were embarrassed … or what? What was that look about? Actually, she'd never seen Bella look more beautiful. Her skin literally radiated, shining in a whole new way. The biggest question Renee had was, what had inspired it?

Bella knew her mom would be so disappointed if she said no. Ignoring the amusement in Edward's eyes and her mother's curious stare, she nodded curtly. "Yeah, sure. I-I will just finish getting ready."

"Me too," Edward started hopping off the stool when Bella would've escaped down the hall. "Kinda left in a rush. Need to do my hair and nails," he joked, half jogging out of the kitchen.

He made it to Bella's door right before it shut in his face. Luckily, it just missed smashing his nose. His jaw locked with irritation mounting. Without hesitation, he turned the doorknob and found it unlocked. Edward immediately entered her room, and closed the door behind him, and quickly pushed the lock in place. "Bella, we need to talk."

"What are you doing in here?" Bella whirled around to face him, her fingers diving in her hair as she wrestled with everything happening. Her temples started to throb as the pressure of this insane situation intensified. "My mom …"

"Bella." Edward stopped talking as he watched panic bloom on her face. He had a feeling she wasn't ready to listen and no explanation would erase the fear in her eyes. He half anticipated her running into her bathroom and locking herself inside.

Those incredible, sparkling eyes pulled at his heart. He needed to approach this with caution before this woman ran straight back to college to escape their attraction--straight back to that prick Demetri. Just the thought had Edward's gut-churning. The last thing he wanted was Bella fleeing him. Whatever this relationship was, it would never get the chance to flourish if Bella made the mistake he did after senior year.

He'd been conflicted about these controversial feelings regarding Bella, and he'd run from them instead of facing it head-on. He was through running, yet he couldn't force this woman to be in the same place as he was.

Blowing a breath of frustration, he sat heavily on her bed. "Chick, if it's not obvious by now I will just tell you. I like you. I have liked you for a very long time and not in a sisterly way. I have never viewed you as my sister, and nothing can ever make me."

Bella stopped pacing. Her belly fluttered with his confession. Apart from her wanted to go over there and kiss all the worry from his eyes. Another part was screaming for her to keep things simple. Fiddling with her shirt, she backed away a couple of steps. "I-I … fuck. I like you too, but it doesn't change anything. My mom … your dad … they're happy, Edward. I don't want this to fuck it up for them. Oh, my God. I c-can't do that to them."

"So, it's done? We're done? We have this amazing chemistry but you will throw it away?" Edward shook his head as he felt his chance slipping through his fingers.

It was a fucked situation, but he wasn't ready to give up on it. On them.

Biting his cheek as he studied her, he said, "We don't have to tell them anything. This is between us. It has nothing to do with our parents."

Bella gnawed her nail. As much as she tried to hide it, intrigue lit her gaze. "I don't know what you want from me. This isn't something I can help with. I spent three years thinking about you. But I don't know … I-I'm fucking scared. My mom will freak."

Edward rose to his feet as hope blossomed when Bella admitted to liking him. Inching toward her as if not to scare her, he stopped directly in front of her. Taking her finger from her mouth, he kissed the tip, smiling when a rush of air escaped her lips. "If you can tell me you don't feel anything when I kiss you, I will leave you alone."

"Edward." She watched as his head lowered to hers, his breath tickling her lips.

Edward was alert to Bella's hammering pulse as he held her wrist. His frightened doe was skittish as hell. He was so focused on Bella's body's reaction he didn't realize he was moving until he had Bella pressed against the wall. An invisible string pulled him toward her until his mouth was an inch from hers. "One kiss. One sober kiss. If it's nothing, if the spark was just a drunken thing, I will back off …"

"Okay," Bella whispered breathlessly with a sliver of fear. She wasn't sure what she was more scared about, the kiss being meaningless or the chemistry Edward mentioned popping between them.

"Ready?" He whispered against her lips.

"Yes," Edward felt the word more than heard it. His blood was already rushing through his ears, and his heart was pounding, threatening to rip from his ribs.

Bella gulped as Edward kissed her. It started soft and tentatively, his lips dancing with hers. Even as she tried to resist, her lips and tongue followed his lead, each sweep drawing her deeper until she was drowning in the taste and feel of Edward. She shivered when his tongue tangled with hers. Moaning, she opened wider giving into Edward's exploration. As if her hands had a will of their own, her fingers slid up over Edward's jaw, curling into his hair. Helplessly, she anchored his mouth to hers, seeking, searching, leaving nothing untasted.

His hands cupped her cheeks, and Bella's arms slid up around his neck, her form melting into his. Edward's chest was pressed tight against her breasts, and he kissed a path along her jaw as passion consumed them.

Nipping her ear, Edward whispered, "I can't ignore this and neither can you."

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