I trusted Edward, but not enough to sleep. As Emmett and Edward bickered back and forth like brothers, I watched the city pass us by. I'd only ever been downtown in passing. Spending the night in an apartment in one of the city's many high rises kind of scared me. I knew I couldn't get too comfortable. Suddenly the smell of mild sauce got my attention. Involuntarily my stomach growled. I turned my head and was met with Edward's smile.

"I never do this, but I'd happily make an exception for you. Would you like to eat in the car or my place."

"I can wait. Thank you for dinner. Or perhaps I should refer to it as more of a midnight snack? And lunch. And everything really. I'm going to find some way to pay you back."

"Isabella there's no need for you to continue to thank me. What's done is done. We're probably about five minutes or so from the apartment. I'm going to wait, but feel free to help yourself."

With that he offers me the bag and seems to take a page out of my book. Without another word he stares out of the window, alternating between pulling on his copper locks and twisting the band of his watch around his wrist.

Sure enough, a few minutes later we're in front of a tall apartment building in what looks to be the heart of downtown Chicago.

"Emmett head to the garage please. It seems as if Bella has forgotten her coat."

I can hear the annoyance in his voice and I feel my face heat from my blush. I was in a bit of a hurry and I know that in a span of 24 hours, I've disappointed him more than once. I begin to chew on my bottom lip.

"The garage is heated. I'll carry you and Emmett can take the food and drinks."

And just like that, it seems as if all is forgiven.

Before I can prepare myself Emmett is parking and Edward is getting out to come around to my side of the car. He opens the door.

"Edward I can walk."

"I'm sure. Humor me. This way is faster."

Before I can protest again, I'm in Edward's arms. I'm slightly embarrassed. I hadn't anticipated there being a doorman. Edward pauses, me in his arms.

"Hello, James. If there are any packages in the next 48 hours, please bring them straight to the penthouse."

"I see we have a new guest."

"Eyes here James. I'll need equivalent building access for Miss Swan here. Garage too. When it's finished, just slide it under the door. Until notified otherwise, consider her to be a permanent resident."

With that we're off and into the elevator with Emmett.

"Bella, I know you're awake. That was James the doorman. He's harmless. You'll need keys and security codes for the various parts of the buildings. When they come in, we'll go over how to use them. For now, 1222 is the code for the elevator. You can use mine until your clearance comes through."

I nod against his chest. I don't trust my words.

The elevator opens up until a floor that looks like a hotel floor. Instead of multiple doors leading to multiple rooms, there seems to be only one. I expect him to put me down to grab a key or card to open the door. Instead, Edward very clearly and calmly says a word that I know I've heard before. It sounds like Latin.

"Smart. It's a dead language, so nobody should speak it or guess it."

"Very good Miss Swan. Semper. Latin for always. As much as I'm enjoying this, I do need to put you down. Perhaps give you a tour?"

I feel myself flush at his words.

"A beautiful blush Miss Swan."

I'm only just made aware of Emmett's presence by the sound of bags being put down.

"Thank you for carrying my things. I owe you one."

"Only if my Rosie kills me, Short Stack. Stop by tomorrow, Ed?"

"Fine, yes. Remember to have Rose call me. I know it's late."

"Sure bro. Later."

And just like that, he's gone and Edward and I are left alone. I take a brief glance around. The word 'apartment' seems to be an understatement. I can tell Edward didn't decorate this. While aesthetics are his thing given the status of Cullen Engineering, no man I knew would have had the patience for this. It was very monochromatic. The penthouse seemed to be all grays and blacks and browns and glass. Everything shined. There didn't seem to be a speck of dusk anywhere. Before I could decide I wanted out, Edward was pulling at his hair again.

"Now that we're alone, I should probably give you a tour."

I feel myself nod. I decide that this will be the true test of who Edward is. If he tries to get me into his bed, I know this is about sex and that I'll need a back up plan.

"I'll lead the way. Feel free to stop me if you have questions. First my wing, and then yours, if that's alright."

I nod again. This seems simpler than words.

I follow Edward down a hallway. I vaguely register him pointing out his office and bathroom. The bedroom is the quickest part of the tour.

"Closet's there, bedroom is here. If you can't find me and I'm not here, chances are I'm not in the apartment."

Another perfunctory nod. I noice a piano in the space between the bedroom and closet.

"Do you play?"

"Only in times of incandescent happiness, Miss Swan."

I blush again. The man is spectacularly formal.

"I usually sleep with the door open, but I'm a light sleeper, so if you need something, its pretty easy to wake me. I keep pretty early hours, so if I'm ever making too much noise, please tell me. I um... I haven't a roommate since college."

I'm speaking before I can stop myself.

"Who was it?"

"Emmett actually."

His smile is slightly sheepish and then we're moving on. No double entendre or convincing me to sleep with him for the night. We just... go. And in that moment, he's more of an enigma to me than ever. We cover the kitchen next.

"James, the doorman, usually stocks the kitchen once a week. I keep a pad of paper on the doors to the refrigerator and pantry, so if there's something you'd like that isn't here, write it down, and either him or Emmett will be sure to get it for you. I have to admit I don't do much cooking so we'll probably be living largely on takeout. I hope that's ok?"

"I cook."

"I know you're not interested in what I originally offered. No need to put yourself through the work. I'm happy to order in. I wouldn't dream of-"

"Edward, as to the rest of your proposition, I can't say whether my answer is yes or no, but I can cook. I like to. It's the least I can do to try and repay you for your generosity."

The green in his eyes darkens slightly and he shakes his head, almost in an attempt to clear it.

"I can't really show you where anything is."

"I'll learn."

"Bella you really don't-"

"Edward. I can't begin to explain what you've done for me today. If cooking you a meal or two makes your day easier or better in some way, I'm happy to do it. Just let me. If it gets to be too much, or worse, you hate my cooking, never again."

He nods, almost sheepishly.

"Are you allergic to anything?"

"Does the full spectrum of human emotion count?"

"Knock it off, Edward. I don't wanna cook you anything that could kill you. "

"No food allergies, Miss Swan."

I walk to his fridge with purpose. Where you would expect to see a fridge and freezer combo is a full fridge, with a full size freezer separately.

"How about jumbo shells stuffed with ricotta and mozzarella with meat sauce?"

"Shells are pasta? I'm sorry. My mother never cooked either."

I smile then. Here's something I know, that he doesn't. From my internet searches I can tell the man is brilliant.

"Yes. Pasta."

"Then shells it is. Although our Harold's might go to waste."

"For dinner tonight Edward, not a midnight snack."

I smile and transition the ground beef and Italian sausage to the fridge from the freezer. He watches me in what must be amusement, as I hunt for the locations of pots and pans and other cookware.

"As entertaining as this is, Miss Swan, I should show you to your quarters."