A/N: Ok, I hope you guys don't hate me for taking so long between updates! Don't give up on this, I WILL finish it! Promise! Life has just been so absolutely CRAZY busy with the holidays, sick kids, and Christmas break from school (this means I have three extra kids in my house) that I've just been a bit overwhelmed... Sorry!

Because this has been so far between updates, I am posting without it being beta'd, however, as soon as it is beta'd, I will replace this with the squeaky-cleaned chapter. Ninmesarra and Prettyflour- I appreciate every second of time you spend working on my story!

This is about twice as long as normal updates... Hopefully this will mark the beginning of regular updates again.

Now, on to the story...

*~C2C~*

Chapter 13- Lesson Number Two

"Guys, I really can't. I have- ugh, I have plans," I told them over the phone. They'd conference called so that we could all talk at the same time.

"Bella, be real. We know it's just an excuse to get out of going dancing with us," Alice's voice sounded over the phone.

"No really, Al, it's not that at all. I have- I have a date."

"What?!" all three voices sounded over the line at the same time.

"Gee thanks. I can get my own dates when I want to, ya know."

"It's not that. Not at all. You just haven't lately. We don't want you to go back to the shell of Bella that you were after Sam. I still think you are hiding something there," Rose said.

"Yeah, Bella. You had us all scared for a long time after that. You have seemed happier than before lately. Now spill, girl!" Angela demanded.

"It's Eddie."

"Oh my God! The guy that you were telling us about before? The one with a bar?" Alice almost shouted over the line.

"Yeah, that's the one."

"Ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod!"

"Alice, I'd like to still have my hearing for this date."

"Sorry guys," she huffed.

"Bella! Since you are going out without us… you have to let us come over and help you get ready to go."

"I don't know Ang…"

"Oh please, oh please, oh please?"

"God Alice, settle down! What are you five?" Rose chastised her. "Seriously though, let us come hang out and send you on your way."

"You can come over while I get ready but you have to leave at 7:30."

"Fine," Alice huffed.

"I'd almost think you were afraid we'd scare him off," Angela said.

"Um, well….." I paused and let that set there, hovering over the line, waiting to see who would be the first to break the silence.

"Isabella Marie Swan! If you are going to date this guy, then we, as your best friends, demand the right to meet and interrogate him." I could hear Alice's nails tap-tap-tapping on something.

"Alright, but right now, it's just a date. He's a great friend, and I really, really like him. I don't know if he really sees me the same or if it's just a sympathy thing."

"B, get real. You are a fuckhawt woman. You are worth more than even this Eddie guy- in all his appearances of perfection- could ever give you."

"Thanks Rose. It isn't easy to remember that's all."

"Well, Emmett's screaming for dinner, I swear he's worse than a baby."

"Yeah, I need to fix dinner for Jazzy-kins, too."

"Alright guys, I'll see you tomorrow," I said. Everyone else said their good-byes and we hung up the phone.

Please, please, please don't let them make me look like a clown…

~*C2C*~

"Don't let the girls fix you up again, Bella. Your natural beauty is too great to cover it all up," Eddie grinned at me before continuing, "And besides, this isn't really you, is it?" The quirked eyebrow. Damn him and his quirked eyebrow! Didn't he know the power that the quirked eyebrow had over me? He could ask to tea bag me or something and I would agree, if he had the quirked eyebrow.

I have a serious problem. I need to get over this whole wanting to lick his eyebrow thing. It can't be normal. Can it? Who wants to lick an eyebrow?

"So you are telling me that the thick black eyeliner and bright red lips are not a good compliment for me?"

"Well, it would be great, if you were going to a biker bar. Especially since you are dressed all in black leather with a red bandana. What's all that about anyway?"

My hand automatically went to the red bandana that was tied around my head like a headband. The curls that fell around my shoulders were kept out of my face by it. "Hmmm. I told the girls that I was seeing someone so they'd stop trying to fix me up and this," gesturing at my clothing, "was the compromise. They were excited about it. They just wanted to help. Rose did the hair, Angie did my make-up, and Alice… well, Alice dressed me. I hope you don't mind…?" I trailed off, letting the question hang there. Did he mind if I looked like a biker chick? Or, did he mind that I told them we were 'seeing' each other to get them off my back?

"Bella, I don't mind at all that you look like a biker babe. I'm getting looks of envy- every guy here is jealous that I'm with the prettiest girl in the place. And I also don't care that you told the girls that we are seeing each other. After all, it's technically true," his green flashed with his amusement while I sighed in relief.

"Now, we have already discussed that you need more confidence, and you really are doing better with that. Now stop chewing on your lip. It's a nervous habit that is really cute, but you're going to end up looking like someone punched you if you keep that up. Red lipstick, remember?" He asked with a wink.

Mortified, I released my lip from between my teeth to scrub the offensive color from them. "Better?" I asked, baring my teeth at him.

"Much. It'd be better if you growled when you did that. I can never say no to a woman that knows how to growl."

I wasn't sure if he was making fun of me or not, so, I did. I let loose with the fiercest, "Grrrr," I could. It sounded like a pitiful, wet kitten.

His frame shook with barely suppressed laughter, which finally emitted into full-belly laughs when I laughed too. "That was a fierce purr, there, Kitten. I can think of a time when I'd love to get that reaction from you," he said with a wink.

I could feel my cheeks heat in fiery blush. I dipped my head down, thinking, Surely he didn't mean…? Did he? Oh Eddie, don't you know I'd let you do just about anything to me? You super fuck-hot man… Bring it down there, Bella. Can't go getting all turned on in the diner now…

Finally it was our turn to be seated. He pulled the chair at the table out for me and we ordered. "So, Eddie, you know way more than I thought to share from our last date, so I want to know about you. What were you like as a kid?"

The stories poured from his lips- of him and Carlisle as children and teenagers. He told me of how they'd filled his mom's bathtub to overflowing because they wanted to swim in the winter. Carlisle convincing him to sneak out and sleep in the tree house after they'd been told no, and how his mom was so frantic she'd called the police to find them.

He told me of his family and how he missed his step-dad. He told of his brother and sister-in-law and how they wanted a baby and Carlisle's crazy schemes.

His voice broke when he told me of the devastation his step-dad's death had on his mother and her subsequent tailspin into the bottom of a bottle. We walked for an hour before he finally glanced at the check the waitress had left; that hour was full of Eddie and his childhood. I felt like I knew him as well as I knew myself when he finally stopped talking.

"I may not know how you feel or what you went through, but I am so sorry that you had to go through all that. Eddie, I can't imagine watching my mother get beaten and then suffering the same fate for trying to stop him. God- you were just a little boy. I'm glad that your step-father was such a positive influence on you. God only knows where you'd be-"

He cut my words off, "I know where I'd be, Bella. I'd either be dead or in jail. Brian saved my life. He really did. I miss him every day, but I also am thankful that he isn't in any pain anymore. I'd like to think that he's up there watching me and smiling that I'm not that same punk-kid that I used to be."

I gripped his hand tighter in mine, "I'm sure he'd be proud of you."

He decided to tell me of his spiral into rebellion. Eddie had been so angry at the injustice of his childhood that he'd started taking money out of his parents' stashes and stealing small things from convenience and grocery stores. He got caught a few times and had to spend the night in juvenile detention. He'd also had to do many hours of community service. There were only so many times that Brian could get him out of the trouble he'd made for himself. "The last time that I got in trouble, Brian told me, he said that if I didn't get straight that I was bound to end up like my old man. It was a real eye-opener. I didn't want to be like Ed Sr. I wanted to be like Brian. He was my role model. He gave me a quote. Two actually and they've both stuck with me. He said, it's never too late to be what you might have been. That gave me hope to be a better person, that it wasn't too late for me, ya know? He also said, the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. That was the hope I needed that I'd never change if I didn't just try and start being different."

"He sounds like an amazing man."

"He really was. Now, I've told you enough for one night, I want to hear about you!"

"My childhood was quite boring actually."

"I don't believe that. Daughter of the police chief and all- has to be a story there somewhere."

"Really, I was afraid to do anything for fear of getting in too much trouble. My dad would have left me in lock-up for a week or more if he thought I was going to end up a delinquent."

Eddie laughed a little bit, "Really? Not one bit of trouble?"

"Wellllll, I guess if you want to count this, I did get in a fight at school once."

"That will count. Tell me about it."

"There was this guy named Tyler in school and he really wanted to take me to prom. I kept telling him no. Prom comes around, I went with my friends- just a big group of us. Apparently Tyler showed up at my house to pick me up. His girlfriend, Lauren and her crony Jessica decided to make prom awful for me. One stepped on my dress and ripped the hem of it. The other tried to pour punch down the front of me. Luckily, I fell into her and it went all over her instead. By the end of the night, I was sick of avoiding them, and they had started a rumor that I was pregnant," I stopped to chuckle, "I'd never even had a boyfriend before. So, Rose and I- she's been my best friend since grade school- we stalked them down and I punched Lauren in the mouth. She fell and started crying, but Jessica, she ripped her earrings out of her ears and screamed, 'Bring it on!' so I did. I punched her in the nose and broke it."

Eddie was doubled over laughing, "oh my goodness. You're a real little spit-fire aren't you? Remind me not to rile you up."

I raised my eyebrow at him and he pulled himself together. "For the most part though, I was a studious, honest, quiet girl. I did go to a few parties, but Rose and I weren't into that stuff. My mom left Jake and I were little. She didn't want us. Charlie, my dad married this heinous lady and she made Jake and I her little slaves whenever Dad wasn't around. I cooked and cleaned inside, Jake had to take care of the cars and yard. She had two kids, and Rachel is just as bad as her mom. But Seth, he'd always help me and Jake whenever he could. He's a good brother."

"Wow. That really- huh- it really sucks. It's good that you aren't bitter and jaded from it."

"Well, I could have been. But I didn't want to be. And besides, karma is a bitch. Rachel just married some guy named Paul and he is a creep. He was playing footsies with me at dinner and checking me out. I've never been so grossed out in my life. Sad thing is, he's not bad looking- then, he opens his mouth. I almost feel sorry for Rachel."

"Nah, I wouldn't feel sorry for her. Sounds like she got what she deserved. But you- don't you dare ever settle for less than someone that loves you."

"I almost did that once," I looked down and picked at my cuticles, "I won't make that mistake again."

"Good." His hand was on my chin, tilting my face up, "You deserve the world and someone that will treat you like the queen you are."

I felt my face flush with a blush. "Why are you blushing?"

"I just- I'm not used to compliments. It takes some time to get used to that, ya know. Charlie wasn't a very communicative person. I've never doubted that he loves me, but-"

"But, he doesn't express it well."

"Exactly. But it's okay. We have a good relationship otherwise. He used to take me and Jake fishing every Saturday morning. Get us up before the sun came out and we'd sit in the boat together and he'd talk to us. About school and what was going on in our lives, but after we'd answered those questions, it was just the three of us. Casting out our lines and spending time together."

"Sounds like a good time."

"Sure. It was unless I capsized the canoe."

He cracked up laughing, "Only you, Bella, only you."

I glanced at my watch. It was getting late; already a little after midnight and I had to work in the morning. He paid the tab at the diner and we left.

Walking down the sidewalk, back toward the car, he laced our fingers together and spun me to face him, pulling us to a stop. He sighed, "Is it weird that I don't want to take you home yet?" he leaned his forehead to rest against mine.

"Not any more so than me not wanting to go yet." I couldn't help but wonder if he felt the connection we had. Deciding to just be bold, I blurted out, "Do you feel this? I feel like we're connected somehow. Tell me I'm not crazy?" I whispered my plea, waiting, ever hopeful.

"You're not crazy, Bella. Not at all. I think about you all the time. I think you've wormed your way under my skin and I just can't shake you. But that's okay- It's a nice feeling," he said as he brought one of my hands to rest on his neck. The hand that had been gripping mine trailed down my arm, to the nape of my neck before it began a descent down my back, pulling me into a hug. I turned my head and kissed his cheek. It was cool from the cold wind that whipped about us.

"So, what are we going to do about these feelings?" I asked

"I think we should quit the charade of lessons and just date."

I felt giddy inside. It's exactly what I wanted. Raising up on tiptoe, I kissed him with all passion he'd stirred in me from the first night I sat down in his bar. He pulled back when we were both breathless. Pulling me into his side, he wrapped me up in him- his very essence surrounded me. His touches and caresses on my shoulder and arm flooded my body with heat as tiny flames flickered and danced under my skin.

We weren't far from an old fifties-themed bar and music was rolling from the speakers, just loud enough for us to hear it. He pulled me closer to him, grabbing one hand up in his and danced me around the sidewalk. Neither of us cared that we were getting curious stares and furious glares. We were focused only on each other.

Deciding to just go join party in the bar, we walked together to it. He held the door open for me and ushered me in with his hand on the small of my back. It was a feeling I loved. It made me feel so cherished and protected. Like he really, truly cared. I was starting to think that he did. It was a great feeling to know that he liked me for me. He didn't want to change me. At least not yet anyway. Everything he'd done so far was because I'd asked him too.

I glanced around at the retro décor in the bar. It was awesome. There was a jukebox in the corner- temporarily unused due to the live cover; Jackson Rathbone was playing and he was amazing- he had a voice that could melt your heart. The checkered black and white tiles and red tabletops, placed around an area cleared for dancing and a bar that looked like it came out of an old ice cream shoppe.

"Wanna dance?" his voice interrupted my perusal, but I didn't care.

"I have to warn you- I am not a good dancer."

"You can trust me not to let you fall, Isabella."

Score. He said Isabella again. I think my panties just went up in flames. "I'd love to dance with you, Eddie," I said as I grabbed his hand.

He led me to the dance floor as the song changed. The beat was heavy and erotic. I could feel it thrumming through my body. He spun me so my back was plastered to his chest, his hands going to my waist. "Feel the beat?" he whispered in my ear. When I nodded, he continued his whispered dialogue- hot in my ear, "Just let it move you. Sway with the rhythm." His hands continued to hold me and I set the pace, my hips grinding into his. I raised my hands to hold his neck and he dropped his lips to my neck. The gentle caress of his warm mouth moving on me and his hot breath against my skin sent my heart flying within my chest.

It seemed like our bodies were made to fit together. My head nestled just under his chin. His arms came around my waist to hold me tighter. I could feel his solid muscles dancing with mine. One hand slid under the edge of my leather bustier. His warm, calloused fingers slid along my skin.

I turned in his arms and wrapped my arms tighter around him, molding our bodies so tightly together that I wasn't sure where I stopped and he began. My head lifted and my eyes met his. His breathing hitched when I licked my lips. His green eyes darkened and he leaned closer to me. "Bella?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm gonna kiss you again."

"Please," the word barely left my mouth when his lips were on mine. Ravishing, devouring and consuming me with his lips and tongue. His tongue. Oh my GOD! The things he did with his tongue were indescribable and should be completely illegal. I could think of another place I'd let him use that particular skill. My lips were on fire and the passion flared between us. Heat built like a raging fire.

He pulled back and stared at me. "Wow," I whispered quietly.

"Yeah," he sighed.

We continued dancing together through so many songs, I'd lost track of the time.

He glanced down at his watch, "Oh wow. It's three. I better get the princess home before the rooster crows. Her prince may end up a rat."

"You, Eddie, are not a rat. You're actually really close to prince charming."

"Ya think? Just wait princess. Just wait."

We strolled across the street to the car, his arm wrapped protectively around me- it was a feeling of security that I'd been too long without. He opened the door and held my hand to help me into it. Carefully shutting it after he placed a kiss on my palm.

"Eddie, I'm really glad we came out tonight," I told him when he slipped into the driver's seat beside me.

"Me too. You know, I've never talked to anyone quite as freely as I've been able to talk to you."

I smiled in response to that and ducked my head down. What could I say? I felt the same way, but I was pretty sure it was obvious.

He drove to my house, and I couldn't help but yawn. "I'm so sorry that I kept you out all night. I should have brought you home instead of going to the diner."

"Eddie, I wanted to spend more time with you. Don't apologize. I'll be fine, I promise."

When he pulled up in front of my house, I had to stifle another yawn. I was so tired… My head was nodding as I fought to stay awake. My door was pulled open and strong arms were lifting me from the car. His voice, sex-infused music to my ears, asked where my keys were. I managed to whisper, "my pocket." Then his hands were digging in my pants pocket. Talk about heaven. I could have stayed like that all night. Held in his arms, with his hands in my pocket. It wasn't quite the place I needed them, but it was awfully damn close.

"Bella?"

"Mmm?"

"I'm gonna take you in your house now, ok?"

"'K."

"Do you need anything before I leave you?"

"Your lips."

"What?"

"I need your lips. I need'em on mine."

Oh, I can accommodate that."

Eddie placed my feet on the ground, and his arms were around me, holding me up. My tired eyes managed to open the slightest bit. And I gazed into his beautiful eyes. "You're really sorta beautiful, you know?"

His quiet chuckle reached my ears and he said, "Why thank you. I must say though, beautiful doesn't begin to describe you. You, Ms. Swan, are delectably gorgeous. I never know if I should take a picture and frame it, eat you, or both." His eyes were smoldering by the time he finished his speech.

I had no reply, however my gulp from swallowing sounded loudly in the silence. "Really?"

Long, slender fingers traced my jawline and he bent his head until we were a hair's breadth apart, "Yes," he whispered before his lips were slanting over mine, his tongue seeking entrance to mine. Once granted, he explored the cavern of it like a dying man searching for water. It was intense and heady, mind-blowing and amazing. He pulled back to suck in a breath before continuing his sensual assault on me. His hands slid up and down my ribs, caressing me through my top.

"Eddie," I whispered. His mouth moved from mine to slide along my jawline and down my throat, kissing and nibbling along my collarbone. His ear was within reach of my lips, so I sucked it into my mouth and nipped at the lobe.

His hands traveled up to where his thumbs were rubbing the underside of my breasts. I arched into his touch, seeking more. The heat that flooded me was enough to have me on my knees begging him to quench the flames. He was the only man that had affected me like this and I had a feeling he'd be the only that could quench the thirsty blaze. I swear, with each pass of his tongue over my skin, Eddie stoked the fire hotter, like the kids' story with king that threw the guys into the raging inferno- I was too caught up in Eddie to remember details- I just knew I was burning alive and he was the only savior I could see.

He pulled back and closed his eyes as his breath mingled with mine- both heaving in and out of our lungs. "I'm sorry, Bella. I got carried away."

"Don't. Don't apologize. It was the perfect ending to the perfect night. I had so much fun! And I learned so much more about you."

"Me too. But um, don't think you're off the hook yet, Isabella. I want to know everything about you."

"Are you sure?" I asked quizzically.

"Of course. I really want to see where this goes, Bella. This is- could be- I- well, I don't know even know how to describe it. But I think it will be the stuff of legends. Lion and lamb worthy."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Lion and lamb worthy? What?"

"Well, because I'm the bad guy and your such an innocent- we're like a lion," pointing at himself, "and a lamb," moving to point at me.

"You are crazy. I think you need sleep worse than I do. Are you going to be okay to drive home?"

"yeah, I'll be fine. I own a bar, remember? I'm used to long nights."

"Well, at least let me walk you to the door."

"Alright, if you insist."

"I do."

Eddie followed me to the door and assured me he'd call the next day. We needed to set our weekend schedule. He dropped a chaste kiss to my lips and walked to his car.

I closed the door and locked it, making sure to bolt and lock the other four locks on the door as well. I lived in a quiet neighborhood, but it wasn't worth taking any chances.

When I finally climbed into bed, I couldn't sleep because I was too busy reliving his every touch and kiss. My dream was seemingly turning out true. The man knew just how to play my body to elicit the desired response. I couldn't wait until it was more.

*~C2C~*

A/N: So we finally have an admittance of feelings and a whole lotta sharing... Still think they are going to start a fire when they finally come together... Or ya know, Combust... lol... Leave me some love! I'm working on the next update now, so, barring anymore crisis/holidays/sickness it should be up in two weeks. Thanks guys! :D