Disclaimer- all these obscenely good-looking characters belong to the one and only Stephanie Meyer!

Hi guys! Wow, I am absolutely overwhelmed by your response to the story; I did NOT expect that! I hope you enjoy the next chapter of The Kiss, and PLEASE tell me what you think in the reviews!

Important note- this takes place ONE WEEK after the events of the first chapter.

In case, anyone was interested… Whilst reading the chapter, I listened to- 'Into You'- Ariana Grande (Fifty Shades Darker version), 'Toxic'- Marie Plassard cover and Crazy in Love – Sofia Carlberg cover.

Enjoy xo

2.

BPOV

My glasses slide down my nose, and my neck begins to ache. I shove my essay away lethargically, massaging my temples with my fingertips. Within the first week of being back at College, I already find myself swimming in work and desperately missing a summer full of indulgent lie-ins and relaxing days at the beach.

My exhaustion hasn't been helped by Alice's constant harassment over leaving the club last week. I roll my eyes, remembering her rant when she returned to our apartment the following day.

"Well hello dear 'best friend'" Alice said snidely, stomping into my room.

I groaned as she pulled on the string of my blinds, effectively letting the bright light stream into my room, uninvited.

"Ugh! Alice! What do you want?" I groused, blearily.

"Where the hell did you go, last night? One minute you were there, and the next I'm getting a phone call with a half assed excuse about you fucking leaving!"

I sat up on my elbows, raising an eyebrow, "if you didn't have your tongue down that blonde guy's throat, then maybe you would have known why I was 'fucking leaving'".

She flushed a deep, violent red, looking rightfully admonished "alright, alright. I'm sorry. I was just really worried, and you seemed really shook up on the phone."

She dropped on the bed beside me, her silvery grey eyes full of concern.

I suddenly felt really guilty about my hasty departure. My own cheeks turned pink, as I thought about my reasons for leaving the club the night before.

"I'm so sorry Ali. I was just not feeling that great. It was so hot, and I was tired from the travel the day before... I guess I just wasn't in the party mood."

Alice looked at me speculatively, searching for any other emotion. She had known me for three years now, having been roommates since our freshman year of college. She could read me better than anyone – even my mom and dad. I avoided her eyes, acknowledging that they were my biggest giveaway. My mother Renee would always comment on how they were like 'an open book': a true window into my mind.

"You sure?" she continued to prompt.

"Yes!" I sighed, "any way… you're back pretty late."

She finally took the hint, as a large smile graced her face "uh, yeah. Jasper gave me a ride back..."

And that had been the end of my inquisition. She had proceeded to gush about her tall blonde; otherwise known as Jasper Whitlock. Jasper is a year younger than us, and studying History at the University of Columbia. He's also, (according to Alice) absolutely incredible in bed and sure to be her future husband.

As Alice's best friend, I approve of Jasper. Besides him making her deliriously happy, he had also saved me from countless other probing questions on why I left the club.

I roll away from my desk and turn to stare out the window, into the dark street that is lit up with neon signs and brightly coloured billboards. I leave my mind to wander (not for the first time) to the man I had kissed at the bar. Edward. What would he be doing now?

Perhaps he is working at Eclipse; pouring scantily clad girls dozens of shots, with that pretty smirk on his face. Or riding down the busy roads of New York on a shiny black motorcycle… he definitely seemed like the type. Maybe he is sitting in his room strumming a guitar, identical to the one on his forearm.

Does he remember our kiss? The kiss that continued to burn my mouth hours later... The one that I fantasise about in the late nights, when I'm desperately trying to release some tension?

Probably not; but it's nice to pretend that he does.

To reminisce over the way he clung to my body, unwilling for me to leave. To remember the way he pleaded for me to kiss him, like it was a dying wish.

I am torn from my memories of his hand on my thigh and lips on mine, as Alice struts into my room.

I look up, surprised. I had been under the impression that she was spending the night at Jasper's. I am further stunned into silence however, when I see her attire.

She's wearing a long sleeved, fitted gold sequin dress that should make her look like a disco ball. Yet, she somehow manages to look like a fucking movie star. Her short black hair is set in it's usual spikes; delicate and pretty. Then there is that scary scowl on her face. The one that makes me want to hide under the covers.

"We are going out."

"Uh. No we aren't."

"Give me one good reason why we can't." Alice responds stubbornly.

"It's a Tuesday. Who parties on a Tuesday?"

"What's wrong with a Tuesday?"

"I have a 9am lecture tomorrow? And…"

"Isabella Marie Swan, you are a twenty two year old woman. For god's sake! Have you left this apartment, this week?"

"Y-"

"Other than for school and work."

Shit. I scrunch my nose up, thinking hard. Jesus, I really am turning into some old woman.

"Um. I went to the grocery store yesterday?" I offer pathetically "it's been a long week!"

"Okay, then it's settled. You are coming out with us. Tonight." She skips over to my wardrobe triumphantly, rummaging through my clothes.

"Us?"

"Yep!" she chirps, "Jazzy is picking us up in an hour. So hurry your pretty ass up, and jump in the shower."

I mock salute her, despite the fact that she is still working through my clothes like a tornado.

Ten minutes later, I am sat on my bed blow-drying my hair while Alice paints my toenails a siren red.

"So where are we going?" I shout over the noise.

She looks up excitedly, eyes dancing "You never guess what!"

I pause my blow dryer, "What?"

"Jazzy has gotten us into a Cullen party."

Alice gazes at me with a sort of expectant look on her face. As if she is expecting me to faint, or jump up and down.

"What's a Cullen?" I wonder, pulling a hairbrush through my tangled locks.

She gapes at me, "Y-you don't know the Cullen's?"

I shake my head.

"Fuck Bells, do you live under a goddamn rock?"

"No, I live with you. And you have never mentioned a Cullen before."

"Yeah, but they are like New York royalty! Everyone knows them! They are practically on every magazine cover!"

I shrug, "what's so special about them?"

"Well, Carlisle Cullen is a world renowned heart surgeon, and he's married to Esme Cullen who is a really famous socialite. They have two children: Rosalie who is constantly pictured on the red carpet. She has modelled for the likes of Burberry and Chanel since she was ten years old! Apparently she's even dating Royce King!" her head snaps up, a painful look in her eye, "Please say you know who Royce King is…"

I roll my eyes, "Yes Alice, I know who Royce King is."

Royce King is a hot and upcoming actor from Britain, recently rumoured to be taking up the part of the new James Bond. You really had to be living under a rock if you never heard of him.

"Good." She smiles contently.

"What about the other Cullen?"

Alice furrows her eyebrows turning her attention back to my nails "I don't really know much about Anthony Cullen, actually. He hasn't really accompanied his parents to any big events for years, so he isn't in any pictures. I think the last time he was seen with them, he was like twelve or thirteen? He apparently graduated from Julliard two years ago."

"Wow" I comment, impressed.

"Uh huh. So, anyway, Rosalie is holding a massive party at her penthouse at the Upper East Side tonight and Jazzy has gotten our names on the list!"

"How did he manage that?" I ask, bewildered.

"I dunno. He managed to pull a few strings. Apparently, he is quite good friends with someone in Rosalie's circle."

I nod, flicking the switch of the hairdryer back on.

Alice grins down at my newly painted toes, and pulls out the outfit she had picked out for me. It's a dress that I had bought months ago during a moment of weakness. It is extremely tight and black, with spaghetti straps that cross at the back. She then holds up of silver sandals, with a five-inch heel that make me want to cringe.

"Oh suck it up Bella!" she scolds, noticing the look on my face, "right, now that your hair is dry, while you straighten your hair I'm just going to do your make up. I'm thinking 'pin up glamour.'"

I nod, just going along with her. To be honest, you should never argue with Alice.

"I have a good feeling about tonight Bella! I can feel it."

Another tip: Never bet against Alice.

…

By the time we reach the party, it is almost twelve and I am already excited to jump into bed.

The building in which the party is taking place is… sophisticated to say the least. All marble floors and glass. I self-consciously tug the edge of my skirt. The dress reaches just below mid thigh, yet this place makes me feel like I need to wear a ball gown or something. I feel like Julia Roberts in 'Pretty Woman' when she walks into the posh hotel in her slutty clothes.

A comforting hand settles on my shoulder gently. I look up at Jasper, wondering if he could sense my nerves.

"You look lovely, Bella" he smiles kindly.

"Thanks Jasper."

He winks, his arm sliding around Alice "You ready darlin'?"

She beams at him, to which I smile at. She really does like him.

Alice has always had her fair share of admirers, but she had never shown a real interest in them. She had confided to me that her parents thought she was gay because of her lack of experience, but she was just 'waiting' for that special someone. And it looks like Jasper Whitlock is that guy.

"Let's go."

When we reach the top floor, it looks like the party is in full swing. Rosalie must have spent a lot of money on this thing because she has at least three or four bodyguards waiting for us at the lift, as well as a bar lit up with luminous blue lights and a live band.

The penthouse is brimming with people of a similar age to us, jumping up and down to the music. The lights flash wildly, glinting against the glass of a massive chandelier.

"Oh my god!" Alice squeals, "Are they New Moon?"

I look at the band and sure enough, the Grammy award-winning band is jamming out on a small stage.

The band is made up of four members- Embry on the drums, Quil on the guitar, Seth on the bass and lastly Jacob Black as lead singer. I held a little bit of a soft spot for Jacob, I mean… who wouldn't? Tall, dark and handsome, he is everyone's type. However, now looking at him in the flesh, I can't help but think that a certain handsome bartender is much more attractive.

"C'mon Bella, I love this song!" The pixie drags me by the hand to the dance floor. We jump up and down along with the massive crowd, singing along with Jacob's husky voice.

Yet while I'm dancing, I can feel the back of my neck prickle. Like someone is watching me. I turn around sharply, looking around, but there are so many people that I just shrug the feeling off.

"Okay guys!" Jacob shouts through the microphone, "I hope you are having a great night!"

We cheer in response.

"The guys and I are going to take a quick break, but please give a massive applause for our gorgeous, most gracious host – Rosalie Cullen!"

Everyone goes nuts as an absolutely stunning blonde saunters up onto the stage, kissing Jacob on the cheek.

She has long golden hair that falls like a waterfall down her back. She is also very tall – perhaps 5'10? –With an athletic body, emphasised by her undoubtedly designer red dress.

"Hello everyone!" she smiles "I just wanted to say- I hope you are all having a wonderful time!"

There's a lot of clapping and catcalling.

"I would also like to say a huge thank you to New Moon who have kindly agreed to perform! You guys are awesome. Now, enough of this, let's continue partying – yes?"

Whoops follow Rosalie as she blows kisses into the crowd, leaving the stage. Taylor Swift's 'Look What You Made Me do' filters through the speakers upon her departure.

Alice turns to me, "she is so sweet!"

I nod, "she was! I'm going to the bathroom quickly before the next set! You coming?"

"Nah, I'm going to check where Jazz has gotten to."

"Okay, I'll catch up with you later."

I hurry through the hordes of people, feeling a sense of déjà vu as I wobble. My trip wasn't as successful this time round, as I knock straight into a wall of steel.

"Shit! I'm so sorry!"

The body I knocked into shakes with laughter, two large yet warm hands holding my upper arms.

"Are you okay?"

I gaze up at the lead singer of New Moon – Jacob Black.

"Uh huh… y-you're J-Jacob Black."

I am completely gobsmacked and a tad starstruck. He is literally right in front of me. I look at him fascinated. His teeth are extremely white up close. They are almost as white as Ross's teeth in that one episode of 'Friends'!

"I sure am, and you are…"

"Bella."

He slowly releases my arms "well Bella, you need to be a little more careful; wouldn't want you to hurt a pretty hair on your head."

I flush; was the nation's heartthrob, man on hundreds of teenage girl's bedroom wall, flirting with me?

"I'm kind of used to it, I'm a bit of a klutz," I admit, coyly.

He laughs, "Looks like you need someone to protect you! You enjoying tonight?"

I can feel his body heat radiating from him. My neck prickles again.

"Yeah, you guys were amazing up there! I'm a big fan."

"It's always great to meet a fan, especially one as beautiful as you."

The prickling sensation is starting to get even more uncomfortable, and I feel an overwhelming need to escape to a bathroom.

"W-well, it was great meeting you, Jacob, but I just got to get to the bathroom."

As I am about to make my escape, he holds onto my arm "I'll catch you later, yeah?"

What was it with these guys and their persistence? I may be a fan, but I was no groupie.

"Sure" I mumble, making a dash to the toilet.

I rub the back of my neck again. Why did I feel like someone is watching me? And why, instead of feeling freaked out, I was feeling a little turned on?

I shake my head at my own absurdity. Looking around for where the toilet could be, a shadowy, hall catches my eye in my peripheral vision.

I quickly move down it, desperate to throw some cold water over my face. Make up or not.

Then suddenly a hand shoots out from behind one of the closed doors, pulling me inside.

Before I can scream, a hand covers my mouth, pinning me against the door.

I stare up with wide eyes into a pair of familiar, light eyes. Edward.

"Shh!"

I struggle against his hand but I am trapped between the door and his warm body.

"I'm going to put my hand down, but only if you promise to be quiet."

I nod furiously.

"Promise?"

I nod again.

He slowly puts his hand down, releasing his hold.

"How dare you! You scared the shit out of me!" I whisper harshly at him.

He smirks, "nice to see you too, Bella."

I roll my eyes, crossing my arms across my chest, "what the hell? Are you stalking me now? What are you doing here?"

Edward snorts, "don't flatter yourself. Why is it so strange that I was also invited here?"

"This doesn't seem like your scene."

"And what is my scene?"

I scrunch my nose up, "I don't know – a dark alley way? A smoky club?"

He laughs, "You make me sound like some thug. You don't really know anything about me. Mind you, you never really gave me a chance to prove otherwise."

I glare at him mulishly, "like I said before – conceited dickheads aren't my type."

"Oh? And pretty, boy-band singers are?"

"T-they are not a boy-band! They are a rock group!"

He laughs unkindly, "baby, if you think that they are a rock group, you have obviously never been exposed to good music."

I fume, "I didn't ask to be insulted Edward! Look, I'm not interested. I thought I made that clear at the club…"

He steps closer to me, bringing his body into contact with mine.

"Did you make that clear before or after you kissed me?"

"I… I didn't kiss you! You kissed me!" I splutter.

"That's not how I remember it. I remember you grinding your tight little body into mine. You weaving your hands into my hair, pulling me closer."

I can barely breathe. He's everywhere. His fingers trace patterns down my arms, then he entwines them with mine, pulling them up the polished wood of the door and above my head.

"Do you dream about our kiss, Bella? Did you feel the same electricity, I felt?" he says in a low voice.

"N-no," I say with as much resolve I can muster. Which isn't a lot.

He chuckles, releasing hot air across my skin. Goosebumps instantly rise.

"So stubborn. But we both know your real answer… don't we baby?"

I squeeze my eyes shut and tilt my head up. My body demands his attention.

He runs his nose down the column of my neck, "don't you?"

"Yes." I whisper in defeat. My whole being is hazed over by lust.

"Do you remember my cock pressing against your hot centre?" one hand is holding my hands against the door, while the other runs down to my thigh.

"Yes Edward."

His cock replicates his words, pressing lightly into my pussy. Softly. Infuriatingly teasing.

"Fuck."

"Do you want me to kiss you again Bella?"

His chest is against mine and I vaguely wonder if he can feel my heart hammering against his. My lips need to feel him. I need him.

"Please."

He bites my neck softly, making me gasp, "what, did you say?"

"Please Edward. Fucking hell, please!"

He growls against my neck. Then he picks me up, slamming his lips against mine. Jesus. Had I forgotten how incredible he made me feel?

Our lips fight for dominance. Then suddenly he is lying me down on the bed, our tongues sliding against each other sensuously. He bites my lips, licking the sting away, then sucking them into his mouth; suckling.

My hands are once again in his hair, gripping; pulling; pushing.

It's almost violent, the way we push and pull the other… but in the sexiest of ways.

I tug the bottom of his t-shirt. He easily pulls it off with one hand, over his head. I delight in the feel of skin; both of my hands hungrily sweep up his abs and his pecks. I can't see them due to the darkness of the room, but they feel strong, moving under my touch.

He slips his hands to the bottom my dress, not taking his lips off my neck and pulls it off so that I am left in my lacy black underwear.

He moves his mouth down to my chest, tonguing my nipples through the thin lace of my bra. My eyes roll into the back of my head, holding him against my chest. I then feel his hand trail up to my breast, slipping into my bra.

"Please Edward, stop teasing me." I plead, as he continues to lick around the lace, not touching my skin.

Then he's gone, totally removing his body from mine.

I stay still for a moment, half dazed by the lust coursing through my body and half confused by the abrupt stop. Only when I hear the door close softly, does my mind catch up with my body.

The asshole! He left me here! Needy and quivering on the bed, clad only in my underwear!

I curse under my breath and get up. I move aimlessly to the wall, searching for the switch.

I turn the light on, blinded for a moment. I can't believe he did that to me! I had felt his hard length against me – he was definitely as sexually frustrated as I was!

It is then when I register a sharp point against my breast. I furrow my eyebrows, digging my hand into my bra and pulling out a folded piece of paper.

I open it with shaking hands. Fury simmering in the pit of my stomach.

It was his number, written beneath beautiful, swirling letters.

The balls in your court now – don't play games with me this time.

-E