Chapter Twelve

"Yeah?" she asked, biting her lip and waiting for his answer. The idea of skydiving sounded amazing, but sharing the experience with Bella would be exhilarating.

The well of excitement lasted for several seconds, before reality came crashing down on Edward. "I really doubt I can get away with it, though. Besides my agent and publicist would have my head for it."

"I know a guy." Of course she did, but would this friend of hers keep it to himself?

"I'll think about it."

"Okay, let's get this research started." She happily started the movie, stretching out her legs on the couch between them. He gently grabbed her feet and pulled them onto his lap, rubbing her calves as the movie started. It was going to be a long night, but he wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

"Oh and Cullen?"

"Yes?"

"You know after today, we shouldn't be anywhere near each other, at least until you have to come in for a fitting."

He was afraid she'd realize their attraction was too strong. "I don't want to agree."

"Then don't."

He watched her watch the screen, her eyes growing bright under his attention. "We'll be okay."

"Yeah, now shush. My Cap is on the screen." She whispered under her breath, "On your left."

He rolled his eyes. "Chris isn't that nice of a guy, you know."

She smiled, still staring at the screen. "He's fantastic, don't try to kill a part of my Chris Crush."

"Chris Crush?"

She sighed over dramatically and paused the movie. "Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Chris Pine, but not in a particular order."

"I'm sort of insulted. You said you weren't a fan of mine when we first met, but you loved the show. Now I'm hearing you have crushes on Chris, but not me."

She threw her hands up in the air. "You played a villain!" He stared at her, waiting, because he knew there was more. "You weren't my favorite character, that was Damon or Alyssa. But you were the character I loved to hate. Why? Why do they insist in making some of the hottest fucking characters and actors the bad guys? Why?"

"Is that why you had a surprisingly long list of villains for me to dress as?" It was his turn to appear innocent in order to gather information. Whatever it took to be one step ahead of her.

Bella Swan, upfront and blatantly honest, blushed. She grabbed a nearby throw pillow and chucked it at him as he laughed. Minutes later, she finally forgave him for his teasing and they started the movie again.

It wasn't long before Edward caught the way her hands clenched in anticipation at a certain scene, as Steve Rogers barreled through walls to reach Nick Fury's shooter. Being the asshole he was, he grabbed the remote as the Winter Soldier rolled across the roof and he paused the movie before he had a chance to catch the shield.

Bella screamed like a fucking banshee—it was the funniest shit ever. She turned her fiery gaze on him and pounced, trying to reach the remote he held too far over his head. His free arm wrapped tightly around her, keeping her from going too far up. She straddled his thighs, and started to rub up against him as she continued her fight to win remote privileges.

"Cullen," she hissed and slid the tips of her fingernails over his abdomen. He stopped, embarrassingly out of breath, and groaned when he realized her breast was hovering over his mouth.

What made him think it was a good idea to stop the movie? He had encountered plenty of rabid fans and it was clear to him that with Bella, you don't mess with her watching the Winter Soldier. His only excuse was that he wanted her closer; plus, he liked getting her riled up.

She giggled and stretched higher, pressing her hips right up against his. Her breath caught as she realized what she had done, but her fingers wrapped around the remote. They remained absolutely still and then she fell off the couch and onto the floor where she stayed. He asked if she was okay, to which she cursed him for a solid five seconds.

He couldn't help but watch as she closed her eyes, trying to gather herself. "If you ever touch my remote again, especially during a Bucky scene, you may just come to regret it." He had no doubt about her love of all things Marvel now.

"Hey, Swan." Her eyes popped open, his fingers skimming her cheek softly, pretending to wipe away something from the corner of her mouth. "You got a little drool right there." She slapped his hand away and then decided to give a taste of payback. She sat in front of him once she restarted the movie, snuggling her back against his chest, and wrapping his arms around her stomach as she fed him popcorn.

If that was payback, he couldn't wait until she dished out some karma. "Hey, Cullen."

"Yes?"

"Sebastian Stan has a nicer ass than you." She laughed as he tickled her, refusing to take it back. "Where is the lie, though?"

"I concede," he grunted, then asked for her to play back a scene. "Let's see if I can get his moves right, give me a hand." She paused the movie after she replayed the scene, watching him mimic his stance in the same way the Winter Soldier did as he attacked Fury's vehicle. "He walks with his arms out a bit," he said, adjusting accordingly. "And sort of walks like he has a stick up his ass."

Bella didn't stop laughing after he said that, so he made them a couple of sandwiches and watched the rest of the movie with minimal tears, thankfully. Tears in her beautiful eyes would be his undoing. Twice, she replayed a scene so that he could get the expressions right.

By the time Civil War finished, Bella was emotionally exhausted. He had to find a way to put a smile back on her face. "Hey, Swan," he whispered, kissing her forehead as she wiped a few tears away.

She swallowed gently and gave him a watery smile. "Yes?"

"I meant to tell you on the phone the day, you know when I thought Jake was going to kill me. Do you remember?"

"If your self-portrait is an honest representation of you, then you have the most beautiful set of…"

Her smile widened, nodding, smiling knowingly. He loved the teasing, he couldn't get enough of it. Despite his blue balls.

"You have the most beautiful set of…" His eyes deliberately dropped lower. "Shoulders."

Instead of dropping him on his ass, or even slapping his arm for not going for the obvious, she snorted. And then to drive him absolutely crazy, she dropped one arm just enough for her top to fall, exposing a sexy shoulder.

"Cullen, you have the most beautiful cock I ever had the pleasure of seeing."

And she called him diabolical. He nearly choked on his words, jumped off the couch and stood back. "I'm going home."

She smiled widely. "I need you for a fitting next week, let's say Wednesday."

"A fitting?" Shit, how the fuck was he going to survive that? And next Wednesday? He wouldn't see her for almost a week.

"Is there a problem?"

He shook his head, grabbing his keys. She followed him and pulled on the back of his shirt, forcing him to stop. Blowing out a breath, he turned and captured her arms. "Wednesday is too far away," he finally admitted.

"You hired me to make you a costume and that requires time," she said softly, trying to smile. "It does seem far away, but we're barely holding on, Edward." She looked away. "I'll understand if you have to…I mean I know you're not mine or anything." Groaning, she tried again. "If you have to go out and meet up with a hookup, I'm not going to hate you for it."

Yes, she would and he would hate himself, too.

"Bella, I haven't been with anyone in months. I have no intention of fucking someone with you on my mind. That wouldn't be fair to her, you, and me."

"This is so hard."

"How about dinner at my place tomorrow?"

She wanted to say yes, he could read it in her eyes. "Just dinner?"

"I want to show you something."

She nodded, but her lips dropped into a frown. "I really do need to work on the costumes, but I wouldn't mind a text or two, maybe a call whenever you can."

"Will you behave if I do?"

"No."

"Good, you continue being you. Don't hold back because of all this."

She nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow, Cullen."

He held her close, dropping his forehead on her shoulder and sighing deeply. If this was what it felt like to fall for someone, he'd been doing it wrong for years on the screen. Nothing had ever felt so real, honest, and perfect. How does one capture a moment like this?

"Until tomorrow, Swan."

AN: At least Edward is aware not to mess with Bella and her remote now. So Bella's heading to his place for dinner, that should go well. I'm heading to Arizona to visit my bestie Kyla713 all week, we plan to watch Winter Soldier and Civil War, which always makes me itch to work on this. As for my other fics, I know some of you are curious, I swear I'm working on them, but slowly. Thanks for being patient, love you all! xoxox