Ch 5: The Agreement

~Bella's POV~

"Sure. I'll see you after school."

As I watched him walk away, I felt a sense of loss and uncertainty.

Could I really afford to let myself get close to him again, even if it was only pretend?

~Edward's POV~

It was the second time in two days I had to walk away from her.

This time was almost harder than the last.

I'm sure I couldn't have been more surprised today when the guys from the team asked when Bella and I would be stopping by Tye's party.

The laughter that had ensued when I gave them confused looks.

The fluttering in my stomach when Tyler clued me in that everyone knew Bella and I were dating.

I had tried to dismiss it as just a rumor, but I could tell no one believed me.

When lunch rolled around just an hour later, I knew I had to speak with her.

It was funny. I saw the exact moment she found out.

The sputtering and reddening of her face. How her mouth fell open, but was so stunned she couldn't speak.

I admit I felt devious. Knowing it would only add fire to the flame, I had to get her alone. If nothing else to assure her I didn't start the rumor.

Though part of me wanted it to be true.

I was glad she followed me out into the hall. I had to hold myself back from pushing her up against a wall and kissing her senseless.

But that was something only her real boyfriend could get away with. And despite the fact everyone thought I was just that, we both knew the truth.

Still I couldn't resist teasing her, as if she would have spread such a story. Watching her face redden even more gave me intense pleasure.

Nothing, however, could have prepared me for the shock at her admission she was responsible. It was just too unlikely to believe.

As she explained I felt myself grow angry. It enraged me that Bella felt cornered into a lie just to get someone to leave her alone. I made a mental note to kick Newton's ass later.

But then it occurred to me.

This could be the opportunity I had been waiting for.

A chance to get her to see me. To want to really see me. Like she did when we were young.

I could hardly believe what I was suggesting. Pretending to date.

I could see the wheels in her head turning. Trying to make sense of the offer. Trying to understand why I'd even be interested.

The fact she thought she thought so little of herself was almost too incredible to be true. Yet that vulnerability was there. Something I hadn't seen before.

She was amazing. And smart, and sexy, and confident.

But she didn't see that.

If she would give me the chance, I would make her see it.

Though I was glad she didn't write it off altogether, I was frustrated that she needed time. I understood why. She didn't know what it would mean, pretending to be mine.

So I had to walk away.

Class passed in a blur.

And I was grateful Mr. Danvers had a full lesson.

I wasn't sure I could take having to make more small talk with Bella, when I really just wanted to ask deep and meaningful questions.

I reveled in the fact she would have to open up to me at some point. Both our grades depended on it. Yet if I knew Bella, she would find a way to say a lot without really telling me anything at all.

My attitude didn't improve much over the course of my last class either. I usually enjoyed computer programming, but today I was ready for everything to be done. So I could talk with Bella; find out if she was willing to be mine. At least for pretend.

Unfortunately, I got roped into helping Mr. Adams move some desktops, making me leave later than usual. I was considering just knocking on her door when I got home, but as I walked out into the parking lot, I saw her truck was still there.

Curious, I walked towards it, noticing her head just peeking out from the other side.

Only something was wrong.

"Leave me alone. How many fucking times do I have to say it?!" I heard Bella's voice shout. I started running.

"I bet you made up that shit about Cullen, didn't you. As if he'd want trash like you."

I had just skirted around the side of the truck when, Bella's fist came into contact with Mike's eye.

He staggered back, shock and anger clear on his face.

"Touch me again, Newton. I fucking dare you." Her eyes were wild and I could see she almost wanted him to do it. So she could beat the crap out of him.

Neither of them had noticed me yet.

"You're a fucking crazy bitch!" He shouted lifting his fist to strike.

Something in me snapped and before I realized it, I had Mike shoved against Bella's truck, my hand wrapped tightly around his throat.

He gasped and made a futile attempt to loosen my grip.

I squeezed harder.

"You ever fucking touch her again, and I will break every last bone in your god damn body." I could feel the rage rolling off of me; I couldn't make it stop.

I could feel his pathetic excuse of a pulse in my palm and I wanted so badly to extinguish it.

"You hear me Newton." I shoved him harder, making him garble as I was severely close to cutting off all his oxygen. "She's off fucking limits. And if you even glance in her direction I will not hesitate to end your miserable fucking life."

I wanted to annihilate him.

"Edward," Bella's soft voice called, breaking through my rage. I turned as she laid a gentle hand on my shoulder. "It's not worth it."

That almost made me angrier.

She would always be worth standing up for.

With one last shove, I released him. Watched as he fell to his knees gasping for breath and scrambled away as fast as he could.

My instinct was to run after him and rip him to shreds.

A soft body suddenly surrounding me distracted me from the urge.

And I realized, Bella was hugging me. Her arms wrapped tightly around my waist, and her head resting on my shoulder as she squeezed me gently.

It tore a ragged breath out of me.

She was so warm and soft.

My hands enfolded around her, bringing her even closer. I felt our hearts beating rapidly between us.

She felt so damn good in my arms.

I was surprised when she didn't pull away, but rather let me hold her for a long moment, letting our hearts steady.

I was the first to break the silence.

"You okay?"

Slowly her arms relaxed and she stepped away, but not far. Her eyes were bright with emotions I didn't really understand.

"Yeah. Thanks."

She dragged a hand through her hair and leaned to pick her bag off the ground. When she looked up I could tell something was on her mind.

"If you still want to pretend, I'm down."

I felt surprised and disappointed all at once.

"He's not going to bother you again. Dating or not. His ass is dead if he comes near you."

Her soft smile was almost too much to bear.

"I appreciate that you're willing to stand up for me, but I'm not scared of Mike. I think I was angry enough to do some damage of my own. It was just really nice to have backup for once."

My heart pattered like a little schoolgirl with the way she was looking at me.

"And you mentioned it would help you out a lot if people thought we were dating. Let me have your back now."

Her offer was enticing. It really wasn't much different than the original arrangement. Only I didn't feel as good about it. Like she owed me, versus us equally providing something for one another.

"You don't owe me shit Bella. It was crappy of me to offer the trade in the first place. I should have kicked his ass regardless."

She looked surprised, then her brows drew in.

"So you get to help me, but now I can't do the same for you?"

The sad look in her eye had me wavering.

"Look, if things are changed now, and you don't want to go through with it that's fine. You were right earlier, people will get over it and everything will go back to normal. But if I can help you, I would really like to do that."

She was literally trying to give me the one thing I wanted and here I was balking?

Enough of this will-she, won't-I crap.

It was time for what I wanted.

I threw her a heated gaze; one I had perfected over the years. One I used to get what I want.

"If you're my girl, Swan, you're mine." Her eyes widened at the change in my tone. "That means there is no doubt who you go home with. It's me. Every party, you come with me, you leave with me. Anytime you go out, I'm there with you. I will touch you, I will kiss you, for all intents and purposes you will be mine. Is that something you can handle?"

I watched her throat work and her cheeks flush.

What do you know, little Mrs. Bella was getting turned on.

I felt my pants tighten slightly at the thought.

"Oh." She breathed. Then after a moment nodded her head slowly. "Yeah. I can do that. Just give me a little warning so I don't smack you by mistake." Her amused smile and willingness had me itching to grab her back in my arms.

"You're sure? You can handle someone you're not actually dating, grabbing and kissing you?"

She laughed, surprising me greatly.

"Are you clean?"

Her question was both insulting and yet totally called for.

"Bella, when I fuck, I always use a condom." She just rose one brow at me. I rolled my eyes. "Yes, I'm clean. I had a physical and STD test two weeks ago. Doc gave me a perfect bill of health. Satisfied?"

She nodded.

"Yes. And to answer your earlier question, I won't have a problem if you touch or kiss me as long as I see you coming. Grabbing me from behind may result in a black eye though. So you've been warned."

I couldn't help but feel excited I was finally going to get what I wanted.

"What if I were to kiss you right now?" I was pushing my luck, trying to see how far she was willing to go.

"Without an audience? Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose?"

I shrugged easily.

"Not if we need to practice to make sure you're good at it." I was definitely pushing my luck.

Her eyes narrowed for a moment, but then she stepped forward. Rising to her tippy-toes so that her lips were even with mine.

She looked on at me deeply and swayed forward so that our lips just barely grazed. Her breath soft on my face.

I felt her hands slide along my arms, over my shoulders, then up into my hair. She stroked the strands between her fingers and pulled just a little as she pressed her lips firmly against mine.

Her mouth was divine. Supple lips that sighed open to me. She kissed softly, teasing, making me want more. My hands found their way to her face. As I cupped her jaw in my hands, her mouth opened, tongue darting out to taste me.

And then she was gone.

Feet flat back on the ground she was looking up at me with a smug smile on her face.

"Was that good enough?"

Where the fuck had she learned to kiss like that?

If my pants were tight before, it was nothing to what they were now.

I eyed her suspiciously.

"You're a lot more devious than you look."

She laughed and bowed.

"Summer camp taught me many many things." Part of me was glad, the other part was jealous as hell. "So when should I be ready?"

What?

"Ready for what?"

Her eyes sparked with mischief.

"Our first date!" She said loudly in a high pitch voice. I couldn't help the cringe that came. She laughed again. "Tye's. If I remember correctly you wanted me to come and leave parties with you."

Oh yeah. That was tonight.

"Fuck." I looked down at my watch. 4:10 pm. "I was planning to help Tye set up around 5, can you be ready by then."

Probably not, girls always took forever.

"Yeah, no problem." She shrugged and opened her car door. "I'll walk over when I'm ready."

I didn't believe that would happen, but I gave her a nod.

With that she hopped in her truck.

"See you in a bit."

I watched as she left the parking lot, wondering what the hell I had just gotten myself into.

AN: I hope you all liked this update. Thanks for all the reviews and suggestions!