Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight characters, however much I'd like to own Edward…mm mmm. Unfortunately all these characters belong to Stephanie Meyer not me.

Genre: Angst/Romance. I'll try and tone down the angst but we'll see how it pans out...
Rating: M for reasons that the later chapters will unfold.

Previously:

"Why are you even here?" I whispered.

The sound of leaves under foot started as I saw Edward's vague outline near me again. I whimpered in defeat and waited for the onslaught as he stopped directly in front of me, his breath washing over me.

His hands were on my face, gently stroking the tears from my cheeks, when a whispered reply came, "Because you're here."

His mouth then descended slowly onto mine.

I didn't have time to register what was happening. He was kissing me. Again.

It was like the first time, soft and gentle. His hands were placed on the small of my back as he held my body gently to his as he devoured me. Everything was so light I felt like I would faint.

I struggled with the demons in my head for a good minute before I truly started to respond. I knew I shouldn't but after my rather powerful spiel I'd just broken down. I was already at the bottom, why not just go with it and make things worse for myself, being self-destructive was in my nature after all.

With this thought, I began to gain feeling back into my limp arms as I reached up for where I thought his head would be. My fingers graced the back of his neck gently at the base of his hair as they went higher, slowly gripping onto his soft locks and kneading my fingers through. This seemed to ignite something in Edward as with a soft groan, the miniscule space between us became non-existent.

He grabbed my hips, rubbing with his fingers and then caressing up and down my sides. I was suddenly grateful for wearing a top instead of a dress as I soon felt his cold digits tracing under my top and along my ribs. The sensation was amazing, never had I ever felt such pleasure of bare flesh on bare flesh. It almost made me want to take the whole thing off. But I managed to stop myself.

I concentrated back on what his glorious mouth was doing to mine. His soft kisses turned insistent and we groaned together. I started to feel a need for something I'd never felt before and I wasn't sure what that something was. I just know it resonated through my whole body making me cling to Edward's upper arms with force. It wasn't until I heard Edward hiss that I realised I'd been digging my nails in.

He pulled away slightly and immediately a sense of fear and shame ran through me. He settled me back down on my feet (apparently I'd somehow been lifted up through the mayhem) but didn't let me go. All I could hear was our unsteady breaths as Edward's nose brushed against mine. He reached up and pushed a strand of hair away from my face. Immediately I was reminded of Jasper and Alice's touching moment and new feelings started to spread through me.

"Be careful with the nails, yeah?" Edward rasped, still not moving his face from mine. I heard a smile in his voice that I struggled to picture. But as I was about to apologise ashamedly, his mouth was on mine again and all thought disappeared from my head.

It was like he was insatiable, touching anywhere he could with as much vigour as he could. It wasn't like I was any different though. As he wrestled with my hips, I pulled on his hair. As he lifted me up so I was straddling him, I squeezed my legs around his hips. I gave as good as I got.

At no point was I thinking this was wrong or that we should stop. Because it didn't feel wrong and I knew I couldn't stop even if I wanted to. Everything I'd been saying about Edward and how uncaring and manipulative he was just didn't seem to factor into it. I was acting purely on lust and the feelings Edward was evoking inside me. All logic was gone. I was gone.

Edward released my mouth and was now attacking my throat mercilessly as small moans escaped my lips. His hand found its way under my shirt again and up to my breast, softly rubbing against the material of my bra. I was getting dizzy from the reactions of my body and I stroked his hair gently, ensuring he didn't stop what he was doing.

It wasn't until I felt the vibration in my trouser pocket and heard the sharp ring that we froze. My phone was going off.

His face snapped up so he was only millimetres away from mine; his eyes bore into mine as if he was watching every nuance and every detail of every expression. I closed my eyes though, sighing, knowing that I was about to be pushed away and sneered at. Knowing he was going to make it seem like all of this that had just been going on was only in my head. His soft breath washed over my cheeks and I heard him open his mouth to speak.

"Aren't you going to get that?" He whispered. I could barely hear him he was so quiet. My eyes snapped open in shock. His face showed nothing however, except the same deep concentration as he studied my movements. I released his neck warily, unsure of how to play this. Immediately he took a step away, maybe to give me some space to answer my interruptive and highly irritating phone.

I reached for it and saw it was Angela.

"Hi." I answered, with a slightly shake in my voice. Damn, must get that under control. Although it wasn't like Edward didn't already know what he did to me.

"Bella! Where are you? I looked all over the house and around the outside but couldn't find you. I'm going to drive Jess's car home as she's a complete state and I stopped drinking hours ago. Apparently things didn't go exactly to plan with Mike. Wait, did you leave?" Angela ranted at rapid speed, shouting over the background music. "Look I'm sorry I left you for Ben, I should have been more sensitive. I knew you weren't completely comfortable at the party. I really hope you'll forgive me-"

"Angela, stop! I'm fine. I'm err, still here." I didn't exactly want to divulge any more information than that. I looked to Edward, who suddenly looked very awkward. His hand was scratching the back of his neck as he continued to watch me cautiously.

"You're still here? Oh that's great! Where? I'll come and find you." I could hear her moving away from the party noise.

"NO! No, I mean I'll come to you. I'll meet you by the car in a few minutes". I glanced at Edward again, his brow was furrowed and he still looked incredibly awkward. I barely recognised him.

"OK, I'll say goodbye to Ben and see you there!" She hung up sharpish.

I wasn't sure what to do next. Edward didn't look like he was ready to shove me to the ground but he also didn't look like he was going to give me a kiss goodnight. He hadn't removed his eyes from me the entire time but the distance between us had now increased to a couple of metres.

"Angela." I stated, waving my phone pointedly.

Edward shoved his hands into his pockets, "Yeah, I heard." I wanted to slap my forehead for being so dense.

"Right. So I guess I better go." I said it but I didn't move an inch. I was willing him to say or do something. He'd hardly said anything since my loud rant, except to kiss me and tell me to watch it with the nails.

"OK." He muttered monotonously.

Still I didn't move. Seconds passed and we remained staring at each other, clearly waiting for something. Maybe he was just waiting for me to leave so he could breathe a sigh of relief. I definitely didn't want to stick around to be mocked and taunted as usual, not after what just happened. I had to make a quick exit.

So that's what I did. Without another word, I walked away and didn't even risk a look back. He didn't follow.

Just before I reached the car, I dabbed my face for any leftover tears or streaks of makeup. I wasn't ready for Angela or anyone else to know about whatever it was that was happening between Edward and I.

When I neared the car, I saw Angela waving to me as she rushed around to give me a big squeeze. I was immediately comforted and relaxed in her embrace.

"Are you OK? Where have you been? I'm so sorry again for- ". But I quickly cut her off before she could go off on one again unnecessarily.

"Don't worry about it, Angela. You didn't leave me, I pushed you towards Ben. And anyway all I did was go outside for some fresh air. No harm done." I smiled, lying through my teeth. Because boy was there some harm done tonight!

She smiled back though, not noticing, and when I got into the car I saw Jess passed out in the backseat.

"What happened with her?" I asked, leaning back in the seat to gently push what seemed like all of her hair out of her face.

"Well, she got really nervous talking to Mike so decided that drinking would help. It didn't. She ended up blurting out that he had "the best ass in the school, especially in that tight football uniform" and that she thought they should "have some after-game fun on the field" but only as long as he kept his helmet on. But before he could reply, she threw up on his shoes."

I gasped and couldn't help but smirk at the story. I then felt bad for Jess because I knew what it was like to completely humiliate myself in front of everybody. "Poor Jess. She's going to feel rough in the morning."

The struggle to get her up to her room quietly and without waking her parents was difficult. She woke up the minute the car stopped and obviously started rambling and raving about how traumatic the night had been. But after putting her scarf in her mouth, we successfully shut her up and dragged her up to her room where we put on her PJs for her and tucked her into bed.

As we lay on the floor beside her bed, I couldn't help but think back to my own traumatic night. In fact, it wasn't as traumatic as it should have been. Besides the horrifically cruel speech I made to Edward and his very odd reaction to it, it ended up being a pretty good time. I couldn't deny my feelings for him. It wasn't a soppy, swoony kind of romantic feeling. This was something different altogether. I now lusted after him. The passion in his kisses electrified everything inside me. It scared me to think that I wasn't sure I ever wanted him to stop kissing me. In reality, I wanted him to do a lot more than kiss me.

Oh god, this wasn't good. Yes, Edward hadn't tore me apart emotionally as he had done before and yes his demeanour seemed oddly sweet and awkward after the event but that did not mean he suddenly liked me. You don't have to like someone to kiss them (I've seen the films). For all I know, he didn't even find me attractive. He hadn't mentioned what I looked like at all and that was the best I've ever looked. Maybe he wasn't bothered.

But then…what on earth was that whole "Because you're here" comment about? He saw how upset I was; he saw the anger and confusion about him following me and antagonising me. His reason being: because I was there? Did that mean he followed me because he liked to taunt me or he followed me because he wanted to be near me? It was all too confusing. I swear I was told things were always much more simple than this. Guy likes girl, girl likes guy. Guy asks girl out, girl says yes. Guy and girl go out. Sounds pretty simple to me!

I was interrupted from my thoughts by Angela whispering my name.

"Bella, are you awake?"

"Yeah" I whispered back.

"I just wanted to know, did you have a good time at your first party?"

I smirked to myself. Bless, Angela. "Yes I did. Probably too good of a time."

"Really?" Confusion was evident in her tone, "Oh, well that's great. I'm glad you had fun. Night Bella!" Angela murmured before rolling over to sleep.

"Night Angela." Sweet dreams, I thought to myself. I knew I was going to have some sweet ones.

That Sunday was spent recovering at home in my own bed. I'd clearly consumed more alcohol than I'd thought I had and was paying the price. Not as high a price as Jessica had to pay. She woke up in a terrible state. Refused to talk to either of us and just mumbled and groaned in reply to anything we said. In the end, we left her alone and went back to our own houses to recover.

Charlie laughed at my appearance as I walked through the door. I could tell he knew why I refused any food and why I told him I was going to spend the rest of the day in bed. But I thought as Chief of Police and as my dad, he'd at least be a little bit upset that I'd gone to a party where underage drinking had occurred. I reckon he was just too pleased I was out of the uncommunicative, zombie phase and into the world of socialising to care about the logistics of it.

So that was how I spent my Sunday, recovering and making myself sick with worry about tomorrow. Mondays meant English with Edward. We never sat near each other but that didn't mean I'd be safe.

God, I acted like he was an attacker of some sorts. Although…I guess he was.

So when it got to that lesson before lunch I had no idea what to expect. I took my seat by the window and attempted to remain calm.

Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. Edward walked straight in and straight to a table at the back without even glancing at me. Him being at the back meant that I couldn't look at him during the lesson without making it very obvious, which saddened me. Maybe he hadn't seen me when he came in. Oh who was I kidding? We were back to the usual avoid-at-all-costs-as-we're-in-a-public-place deal.

So I kept my head forward and tried my best to focus on the lesson Miss Rose was attempting to teach the rest of the rowdy class. I was sure I could sense somebody looking at me throughout the class though…

When the bell rang, I was first out of there. However on route, I made a furtive peep at Edward, who was surprisingly looking back at me. Instead of a sneer or a rude gesture (yes, he'd done that in the past), he just quickly looked down as if suddenly interested in the contents of his backpack. I frowned but continued my walk to my locker. That was odd.

Without even a chance to overthink it though, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Alice smiling broadly, her sparkly white teeth almost blinding me in the process.

"Hi Bella!" She virtually sang. I was shocked to say the least. I thought she was one of the popular kids and they don't tend to make a habit of talking to me. Well except for Emmett.

"Oh, hi Alice." I greeted suspiciously.

"I'm glad I found you. I just wanted to say thank you for listening to me rant on Saturday and for what you said. It helped a lot." She smiled and touched my arm softly. I congratulated myself again for being able to accept the touch without freaking out.

"You're welcome, although I really don't think I did anything! I was sure I was just drunk rambling…" I smiled back.

"Well if that was your drunk rambling, I can't wait to have a proper conversation with you!" She laughed. I was blown away by how nice she was. "I was the one who was in a silly panic about things. Which by the way, I didn't even need to worry about in the end!"

I quirked an eyebrow as I replied, "Oh, really? Why's that?"

"Because Edward came to me himself to talk. He told me he was sorry that he had reacted so terribly about Jasper and that in trying to be all protective over me, he'd ended up just hurting me and himself in the process. It was all very sweet! He said he'd isolated himself from everyone who actually cares about him and it was all his fault. He even smoothed things out with Jasper himself." Alice divulged.

I was taken aback. Edward had finally realised what he'd been doing to Alice and made a courageous effort to admit it was all his fault and apologise. Not only that, but he'd used my words from my rant to do so! Amazing.

"Wow." Was all I could say in return.

Alice smiled again and made an odd little jump as if she couldn't contain her happiness. Clearly the sad and dejected Alice that I'd come to recognise was not the real Alice. Alice was energetic.

"I know. I'm so happy now Bella, that Jasper and I can properly be together with Edward's blessing. We can finally be our close group again!" Out of nowhere, she leapt to hug me. I was almost knocked over by the force but I took it graciously and gave a small squeeze back.

"And listen, if you ever want to chat or just hang out, I'll be there. Because I really do owe you one!" She squealed. I had no idea why she owed me one but I was brimming with joy at the prospect of having another new friend. I was on a roll!

At that moment, Jasper popped up…he was as sprightly as Alice today, it seems. He put his arm over her shoulders, pulling her towards him and gave her a soft peck on her cheek.

"Hello lover, and Bella." He stated, making Alice swat him on his chest and me blush. I didn't know he knew my name as well.

"Well Bella, Jasper and I have to meet Rose and Emmett for lunch but we should get together sometime, hang out or whatever." Alice offered, giving me a short wave.

"Yeah all of us should. Emmett keeps saying how funny you are. You'll fit right in!" Jasper concurred as he steered Alice down the hallway.

I just stood there in shock, watching them walk away. What had just happened? Alice and Jasper wanted to hang out with me. Edward had apologised and clearly listened to what I'd said to him. Emmett thought I was funny. It was like an overload of information and feelings circling round me. What a mad day.

Thankfully, that was the extent of the excitement for the day. Well except for Jessica having a mini-breakdown in the ladies over Mike avoiding her. We tried to appease her, telling her that he was probably just as embarrassed as she was and that he'll talk to her again after a bit of space.

I didn't see Edward again, which I was glad for because I was sure he'd have ruined my day somehow anyway.

But then it was Tuesday.

Our Biology project sessions had been on a hiatus for quite a while due to the whole Edward not showing up anymore thing. I'd managed to continue with the project alone, but I was finding it difficult. I wasn't musical in any way and this was all Edward's idea.

But throughout the day, I was wondering if maybe he would show up this afternoon. There was something different in the way Edward was acting that gave me this hope. I was sure I wasn't being irrational. I noticed that he drove in with Alice in the morning as well as eating lunch with the whole group of them again. I watched how he threw fries at Jasper and laughed loudly when Emmett missed his chair, falling straight to the floor. I saw how he leaned in to quietly speak to Alice about goodness only knows what, with such intent and familiarity it was touching. I'd never seen him so comfortable and so…happy.

I know, I know. It sounds like I'm obsessing over him again. Well how can I not? The guy almost kisses the life out of me and I'm just expected to move on? Yeah right.

So there I was, at home, pacing back and forth in my lounge , just waiting. I am ashamed to say that I got changed from my casual school clothes into some skinny fit blue pants and a one-shoulder jet-black top. Just some of the new clothes Angela and Jessica had convinced me to buy. I don't know why I changed, I was sure he wasn't going to show up but I couldn't stop myself.

My pacing was halted when the doorbell rang. I went to open it cautiously and realised my hunch had been correct. Edward was again leaning on my doorframe (his usual stance) with a stickful of books in his hands and what looked like a guitar on his back. I couldn't stop my mouth from gaping ever so slightly. I never really thought he would actually come. Obviously I stood there a little too long as I heard him sigh dramatically.

"As much as I love to be ogled at, these books are pretty heavy. Can I come in?" I kept forgetting how he needed to be formally invited in.

"Err yes. Of course, come in." I stuttered, waving in the general direction of the lounge. He nodded as he walked past me and dumped the pile of books on the coffee table, taking his regular seat on the couch as he used to. I didn't know what to do, so I just parked myself down next to him with a large enough distance for me not to get all giddy.

There was an odd feeling in the air. You could cut the tension with a knife. Usually, I wait for Edward to say something condescending or derogative and I then ignore him pathetically while we try to proceed with the project. But after everything that had occurred, something was off. Edward wasn't saying anything.

I stole a glance to work out his actions. His hands were in his lap clasped tightly together as he tapped his feet up and down. I wasn't known for being familiar with all the regular human emotions but I could tell that Edward looked uneasy. I wanted to say something but I couldn't think of anything that didn't sound ridiculously lame in my head. God, the awkwardness of the situation was killing me! Someone needed to speak. Someone!

"You brought your guitar?" I blurted. I shouldn't have really asked it like it was a question because of course his guitar was right there in front of him. But I had to say something.

"Err yeah. I figured I'd been pretty absent from our project sessions and I maybe needed to contribute something." It seemed like a half-hearted apology but I was shocked that he was even here let alone making an effort.

"What did you have in mind?" I probed. He reached forward to retrieve his guitar out of its case.

"Well, I'm guessing you've done a lot of research on the plants. Playing music and such?" He glanced furtively at me as I nodded in reply. Of course he knew I'd done the lame bit, I was a Biology geek after all. "I thought that maybe today we could experiment with the human section of the project." Again he offered me an odd glance as if to gauge my reaction. But I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be reacting to yet, I had no idea what he was planning.

He reached into his bag and got out a black box with some wires. "This is a heart monitor. We can attach this to you and see how you react to different types of music." I eyes the wires curiously as I took it from him.

"And who have you stolen this heart monitor from? Am I an accessory to a crime right now?" I joked. Edward's face was a picture, he was clearly shocked that I could talk normally without shouting at him. But he smiled nonetheless.

"Dad's a doctor, remember?" I nodded in understanding. But I still had no idea how to work it so just held it in front of him questioningly. "Oh right. Let me help you."

He edged closer to me on the couch, our safe distance was no longer safe. My immediate reaction was to shift back. I could see his face contort slightly at my action nevertheless he took the machine from my hand and started to untangle the wires.

"OK, so we can pin the box here." He motioned for me to attach it to my pocket, which I did. "Then, err, these 2 pads stick onto your chest." Again he motioned for me to do so. I turned my back so he couldn't see down my top but as I tried to put them on, they wouldn't stick. I felt like a prize idiot and had to turn back around to Edward's inquisitive face.

"They won't stick." I muttered pathetically. Edward calmly took them from my hands and unpeeled something from the back of each pad. He then looked at me with unfamiliar innocent eyes.

"May I?" He gestured to my chest. I nodded and we both noticeably gulped. It was silly because his hand had been on my chest only a few days ago. I guess this was an entirely different circumstance after all.

His fingertips brushed my collarbone as he carefully pulled one side of my top down enough to expose part of my breast. My breath hitched as I felt the coolness of his hands gently press the pad to my skin. Unfortunately for me, our eyes met briefly and it sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. Which was noticed by Edward of course and he couldn't resist his trademark smirk. He secured the other pad, lingering for what seemed to be far too long until he finally moved away.

I was so glad the heart monitor hadn't been turned on yet, otherwise I would be highly embarrassed by the way my heart was racing from his actions. I had to calm myself down before I gave myself away. That would be a disaster.

I took deep breaths in order to steady my heart as he attached the final wire that led from the box to his laptop and turned it all on. I heard my heartbeat slow and steady and inwardly praised myself for achieving it. Edward gave me a curt nod before picking up his guitar.

The first tune he started to play was a very slow, sweet melody. He plucked each string gently with perfect precision and each note had a somewhat calming effect over me. I closed my eyes. There was no real substance to the tune, but I could hear my heartbeat on the monitor slowing and I smiled. Edward sure had a talent with music.

"Seems normal. Heartbeat isn't raised. Can you think of a word you would use to describe how you're feeling right now?" Edward questioned.

"Relaxed." I replied. Edward stopped briefly to write down some notes. He really was doing some work, just didn't feel like work to me.

The second tune was odd. It was off-beat and creepy. I closed my eyes again as he played but I couldn't stop the obvious shivers. It was a little frightening. I described that emotion as "Fear".

He picked up his guitar again and gave an quirky smirk as if saying 'you'll enjoy this one'. This time it was more of an upbeat tune, like one of those country square dance songs. This time my eyes were open as I smiled. Edward seemed to try to resist a smile but it crept up on him anyway. He started to tap his feet along to the music.

"Call your dogs and grab your gun, let's start dancin' and have some fun" He sung in a typical southern accent. I couldn't help but let out a small giggle at that.

"All jump up and never come down, swing your pretty girl round and round." He continued. This time my laugh wasn't small. He was really getting into it, slapping his knee and holding in a laugh.

"Ace of Diamonds, Jack of Spades, meet your partner and all promenade!" I was really laughing now. His accent was flawless and it was worrying how good he was with those lyrics. He finished on a classic end of dance note and bowed as I mockingly curtsied to him, naturally.

He looked at the laptop while I recovered from my giggling fit. "Slightly raised heartbeat, but not erratic. How would you describe the emotion?" The smile was evident in his voice as he wrote down some notes.

"Amusement." I answered. He eyed me suspiciously to make sure I wasn't making fun of him. I just shrugged my shoulders in response.

This time when he picked up his guitar, the smile wasn't on his face. He looked hesitant as he lightly touched the instrument. "The lyrics clearly had an impact last time, so I'm going to try something different for the next one."

I didn't like the way he said it with such trepidation, I was suddenly nervous.

The melody that escaped from his guitar was nothing I could put into words. His skill was insane. It was breathtakingly beautiful. My eyes slid closed of their own accord as he soon added lyrics to the music.

I fell in love next to you
Burning fires in this room
It just fits
Light and smooth
Like my feet in my shoes
Little one, lie with me
Sew you heart to my sleeve
We'll stay quiet
Underneath shooting stars
If it helps you sleep
And hold me tight
Don't let me breathe
Feeling like
You won't believe

There's a firefly
Loose tonight
Better catch it
Before it burns this place down
And I lie
If I don't feel so right
But the world looks better
Through your eyes

Teach my skin
Those new tricks
Warm me up
With your lips
Heart to heart
Melt me down
It's too cold
In this town
Close your eyes
Lean on me
Face to mouth
Lips to cheek
Feeling numb
In my feet
You're the one
To help me
Get to sleep

And hold me tight
Don't let me breathe
Feeling like
You won't believe

There's a firefly
Loose tonight
Better catch it
Before it burns this place down
And I lie
If I don't feel so right
But the world looks better
Through your eyes

It's only been
One night of love
And maybe
That is not enough

Hold me tight
Don't let me breathe
Feeling like
You won't believe

It's only been
One night of love
And maybe
That's not enough

Hold me tight
Don't let me breathe
Feeling like
You won't believe

There's a firefly loose tonight
Better catch it
Before it burns this place down
And I lie
If I don't feel so right
But the world looks better
Through your eyes.

I had no idea what was happening when he finished the song, I was lost in my own world. I couldn't wrap my head around it. His voice was beautiful and his lyrics were so meaningful, yet their meaning was confusing to me. I wouldn't for one second believe that it had anything to do with me.

I risked opening my eyes, knowing my heart will have faltered slightly during the song. I saw Edward staring at me with big green orbs pouring into my baby blues. I wasn't sure what my face was giving away but his was filled with apprehension and was that desperation? When he saw me open my eyes he averted his back to the laptop screen and looked confused.

"Err. Well, heartbeat was elevated. Rapid pace consistent throughout, with moments of erratic highs. It's still pretty rapid…" He looked back to me as I tried to avert my eyes. As much as tried to conceal my feelings, of course the bloody machine was always going to rat me out.

"Does that mean you liked it?" He asked. He already knew my answer, so I didn't say it. The silence clearly frustrated him though as he moved closer asking again. "Bella, did you like the song?"

Again I didn't reply. I didn't know why he was acting like this. He was an absolute douchebag to me one minute, a silent passionate kisser the next, then talking and making me laugh and swoon as if he was someone completely different and hadn't treated me like shit in the past. My head was in a spin and I was starting to light-headed. But that was most likely due to the fact that he kept edging closer to me. I could hear the heart monitor on the laptop going crazy.

I went to move off the couch in an attempt to escape from whatever he was doing again. But he grabbed my wrist and when he hit the spot that got me every time, the computer made a loud noise that made it sound like I was about to flat-line. I turned abruptly as I found myself pressed knee to knee with his hand on mine. I knew I was in deep trouble now.

In a sudden move, his face was right in front of mine. He looked briefly towards the computer screen, quirking an eyebrow. He looked back at me and reached a hand to the underside of my chin, lifting it forwards slightly.

"I just want to test something". And then again, I found his lips pressing gently onto mine. It was feather light, I could barely feel him. But of course I could feel all the effects his kiss was having on me as usual. The kiss was soft and short and ended as he looked back to the computer screen, still keeping his hand underneath my chin.

He smirked, "Interesting." Then looking back at me, without a question in his eyes, he moved for my lips again. This time it wasn't as soft; it was hungry and heated. I found myself trapped underneath him as he leant over me, pushing my back down to the cushions. His hands were now on my hips, then stroking my ribs. I was overcome with lust as his fingers traced my every curve. I tried to return the favour as my hands stroked up his hard back. He sat up suddenly when he felt me. I was surprised and immediately worried I'd done the wrong thing, when he slowly reached for my right leg just under my knee and gently moved it around his waist. He went for the other leg excruciatingly slowly until I found that my legs were secured tightly around his waist.

His actions weren't clear to me until he leant back down and I realised we were now chest to chest, hip to hip, closer than ever before. I also found it a lot easier to stroke up and down his back and even started to scratch when his lips found my neck. I let out a whimper as his clever hands found themselves on my breasts, gently rubbing circles around the tender flesh through my top. As his lips found my mouth again, I was lost in a battle of tongues. I found my body responding to Edward without a second thought. I was suddenly grinding my hips into his and elicited the most beautiful of groans from him. I wanted to hear that sound more, so continued with my ministrations, moving my hands to his glorious head of hair that I knew he loved to be stroked.

It wasn't until his fingers graced the top of my pants and ran along the button that was keeping them secured when I suddenly snapped back to reality. Without another thought I pushed his chest gently with my hand to create some distance. As his lips were torn from mine his face held a multitude of questions. But when I didn't give him a reason he tried to lean back down to my neck. This time I really pushed him away so he was sat upright and I was able to shift myself away from being underneath him.

"What's wrong?" He asked. We were both still panting, catching our breaths. I looked at him, so tempted just to grab his neck and continue attacking his mouth, but I shook my head in defiance.

"This isn't right. None of this is right." I muttered, to myself more than anyone else.

"Felt pretty right to me." Edward said cockily. Instantly, I knew I'd made the right decision. He just didn't get it.

I just wanted to ignore all of this and run away: my instant reaction in these types of situations. Oh, who was I kidding? I'd never been in a situation that was anywhere close to this. Hence my reason for being a hermit all these years. I went to get off the couch, ensuring he wouldn't catch me again.

"I think you should probably go." I stated shakily. Because that wasn't what I really wanted but this was all getting pretty ridiculous. Didn't he still think I was a weirdo dork or something? Why did he keep kissing me?

"Bella," He moved off the couch towards me, but I took a step back. I saw the same grimace I'd seen before flash across his face. "What? What is it? What's wrong?"

"Everything is wrong, Edward. You just need to go." I didn't think I was ready to have a big talk about things, I didn't think he would even want to. But it didn't seem like he was letting things go easily.

"No. I'm not going until you tell me how you can be all hot and whimpering for me one minute, then ice cold the next?" The way he asked the question angered me. He made me sound weak again.

"I'm hot and cold? What a hypocrite!" I shouted. I could hear the heart monitor making the most irritating beeping sound so I ripped the pads from my chest and threw the device at Edward. "This is all just a game to you, including this piece of machinery."

"Oh so you're angry about our science project now?" God he was frustrating! He just didn't get it.

"You were testing me Edward and you know it. Another move in this sick game of yours, see how the little weirdo reacts to sweet music and passionate kisses. Oh her heart rate is off the scale! Well, there you go Edward. All the results are on the screen plain to see. You can go laugh about it with everyone else now." I was so angry, I couldn't help all my feelings blurting out. I felt disgusted with myself and needed to get out of there. I went for the stairs but Edward quickly blocked my path.

"You think this was a test to see what reaction I could get out of you? Come on, Bella, I don't need a computer to tell me what I already know." His voice was taunting but at my shocked face his suddenly dropped as he tried to stop me moving again. "No. Damn it, that's not what I meant. Bella, I know how you react to my touches just as much as you know what you do to me." He trailed off.

I stopped trying to get past him as I looked at him stunned. What was he going on about? He was more confused to see the lack of understanding on my face.

"Oh come on. You must know." But after not seeing any recognition on my face, his shoulders drooped. "You don't know. But how-" He suddenly grabbed my hand and placed it on his chest. "Do you feel that?"

I could feel his heart racing, almost as fast as mine did.

"I don't need a computer to tell me that you love this because I feel your heart go wild every time. You should have felt mine do the exact same." His voice was deep and sultry as he was all of a sudden breaking down barriers between us. My face blushed at his words but I couldn't let myself forget.

"You say that we both love this. What is this?" I'd done it. I'd asked the ultimate question: what in the hell was going on?

At this though, his previous openness seemed to close slightly. This was clearly a question he hadn't anticipated or welcomed. He stuttered before trying to talk.

"This is us. It just is. It's whatever." Of course he couldn't answer. His hand reached to scratch the back of his neck. A move he did when he felt awkward it seemed.

"It's whatever?" I questioned. I shook my head again. I would tell him my version of what it was. "How about I tell you what I think it is? This is a little experiment of yours; you're seeing how far you can push me before I can break. I don't know what you think you're doing but that back there on the couch…that was too far." I really couldn't stop my head from strongly shaking now, it was like I was trying to shake out all of these negative thoughts.

Edward was close to me again, but I could see he was still unsure of how to act.

"It wasn't too far, Bella. You can't deny what you feel. You can't deny what's between us. There's some kind of electricity that is just uncontrollable. I thought it was just exciting as first because it was only I who you let touch you. But since then, it's like I've craved it; waited for it. I don't think I can stop it." His hand was clasping mine again and I let him. Everything he was saying was true. There was a force between us that I couldn't deny. But that doesn't change how he has acted with me all this time, it wasn't right. I wanted to ask him what he truly felt about me. I wanted to ask him what his song was all about. I wanted to ask him what would happen next.

But for some reason I didn't couldn't. I knew that if I didn't tell him how wrong this all was that we'd end up getting deeper and deeper into this and at some point we would go too far to a place that we couldn't come back from. It took a lot of willpower to stop him earlier, one day I just won't. But I couldn't talk anymore about it because he was here. He made it clear that he wanted me and he was here. And somehow that was enough for now.

We didn't go back to the couch though. He did pack up his things and promised he'd write up the findings of the science experiment we'd done. Although I was sure it wouldn't come up with anything, just show how pathetic I was.

He gave me a long, languid kiss goodbye at the door but left without a single utterance as to what was next.

I knew that whatever it was was going to be a rollercoaster, with maybe just me along for the ride.

A/N: Yes, another long wait from me. Sorry! But I hope you enjoyed it. This chapter was fun to write. I'm slightly unsure as to where I want the story to go next, obviously I have a plan but that plan might just change. Anyway I will try to update as soon as possible but knowing me that won't be as soon as everyone hopes it will be! Thanks for reading, please review if you can.

P.S. The song wasn't one I made up, it was Firefly by Ed Sheeran. I'm the ultimate fan :)