Chapter 7: Coffee Conversations

As soon as I got in the car I buried my face in my hands. I couldn't believe I had kissed her. I had taken advantage of her situation, and now she would probably never want to speak to me again. But the kiss had been incredible. The way her tiny body fit with mine was like two pieces of a puzzle.

I had to leave, I didn't trust myself not to do it again. I also couldn't take the rejection. Part of me knew that I had found what I had been looking for. Even though I had only known her for a week I could already picture a future with her.

I sighed as I turned on the car driving away. I had really enjoyed spending time with Bella outside of work. She was funny, intelligent, and just about everything I was looking for in a girl. But I had also realized that she had a very poor self-concept, and I knew exactly who was to blame.

I had always been taught to respect women, and I had a very hard time dealing with people who thought differently. My parents had always taught me to be respectful and kind, and to never disrespect anybody especially women.

It had taken ever ounce of self-control for me to simply walk away from him that night. He had not only made Bella cry, but he had also physically hurt her. And I was going to make sure he paid for his crime. I was not going to hold back if he ever did anything to hurt her again.

I easily found a parking space near my building, and quickly made it inside. After taking a quick shower, I realized that I wasn't the least bit tired. If anything I was so wired that I needed to relax if I had any hope of getting some sleep.

After staring at an open book for a few minutes I decided to unwind by playing the piano, something that I had not done in years. I stared down at the keys before starting to play a song I had written for my mom a few years back. It always had a way of calming my nerves, and taking me back to my childhood. It was really surprising that I had never quite forgotten how to play.

It was near five in the morning when I finally drifted off to sleep. But even in my dreams I couldn't escape her beautiful brown eyes. I dreamt that we were happy and together walking hand in hand on deserted beach during the most peaceful time of day, during twilight.

My wonderful dream came to an end when my annoying phone began to ring. "Hello." I mumbled sleepily.

"Hey man let us in. We've been knocking on you door for a good ten minutes. Or do you want to be alone?" Emmett said with a laugh.

"I'm coming." I said sleepily walking across the hall to open the door. I didn't even bother to put on a shirt.

"You coming?" Emmett teased with a sly grin as let them in.

I glared at him not responding. "You could at least get dressed for company." Jasper said with a pretend insulted look. I was dressed only in my black silk boxers.

"Neither one of you count as company." I retaliated going into the bathroom.

"Are you going to tell us what happened. Why'd you two suddenly leave?" Emmett yelled from outside the door.

"I could use some privacy you do know that." I replied opening the bathroom door after I put on a pair of jeans.

"Does it have anything to do with some guy named Mike?" Jasper asked taking a seat on my couch.

"How do you know about him?" I inquired curiously grabbing a bowl and a box of cereal.

"Rose and Alice had a few choice words to say to him a few minutes after you two left." Emmett explained grabbing another bowl.

"Let's just say we will never mess with those two." Jasper said grimacing.

"He's Bella's ex." I said. "I don't know why, but it seems like he totally brainwashed her. She think very little of herself."

"He seemed like an ass." Emmett stated with a mouthful of cereal.

"Don't make a mess, Emmett." I ordered throwing a napkin at him. "I need to leave in about an hour."

"You have plans?" Jasper inquired as I sat on the counter.

"I'm taking Bella out for coffee." I said with a bright smile.

"You got it bad." Emmett said hitting my back.

I simply nodded, I was not going to deny what I knew was true. "How did it go after we left?" I questioned watching both their faces break out in a smile.

"Alice is great, she's exactly the type of girl I would want to be with." Jasper said.

"Rose is unbelievable. As weird as it sounds I think I can actually have a relationship with this girl." Emmett explained throwing himself on the recliner. "Is that weird?"

"I think we have met our matches, men." I answered thinking back to the previous night's kiss. My lips still tingled, a sensation I hoped would never end.

"We'll let you finish getting ready. Jasper is going to cook dinner tomorrow night. Why don't you bring Bella? Alice and Rose are going to be there." Emmett suggested before dropping the bowl in the sink.

"I'll see." I answered. We always made a tradition of having dinner at one of our houses once a week, and it was Jasper's turn.

"Have fun." Jasper called as they left alone again.

I quickly washed the two bowls and put everything away before getting ready for the day's events. I was very nervous, and afraid that Bella would hate me for kissing her. After all, she had now had time to analyze the fact that I had taken advantage of her distressful situation.

The drive to her house was amazingly fast. There was no traffic, and barely anyone out on the street. After taking a final deep breath I knocked on the door gently. I heard some muffled talking from behind the door before Alice opened the door.

"Hi, Edward." She said brightly still wrapped in hot pink bathrobe her pink pajama bottoms sticking out from underneath it.

"Hi, Alice. Is Bella ready?" I asked.

"Just about. Come on in." She said opening the door wide for me.

"Thank you for staying with Bella last night. She's very defensive and always refuses to ask for help." Alice whispered looking around to make sure Bella's door was still closed.

"That guy seems like bad news to me." I replied sitting on the sofa.

"He's not exactly a bad guy, but he has a terrible temper. He was very possessive of Bella, and very degrading. But she always refused to listen to us." Alice explained smiling at Bella as she opened the door.

"Hi, Edward." She greeted with a smile. She looked beautiful in a pair of jeans and long sleeve striped pink and white shirt.

"How are you, Bella?" I said getting up and kissing her cheek. The smell of her perfume was incredible.

"A lot better, thank you." She answered.

"Are you ready to go?" I asked.

She nodded before grabbing her purse and keys. "I'll be back in a few, Alice." She announced before leading the way out of the apartment.

"Is there a Starbucks nearby?" I questioned when we got to the street.

"There's one two blocks away." She replied pointing to the left.

"Why don't we walk." I suggested as we walked quietly side by side.

Both of us appeared lost in our thoughts. It was obvious we both wanted to bring up the subject of the kiss, but didn't know how. I somehow managed to convince to her to let me pay for her coffee and brownie before sitting down on a small loveseat in a corner of the store.

"You really didn't have to." She said again with a shy smile as she took a sip of her White Chocolate Mocha.

"I know, but I wanted to." I answered before sipping from my own cup. I had decided on a simple Cappuccino.

"I'm sorry about last night." I finally said breaking the awkward silence.

"Sorry about what?" She asked curiously breaking a piece of the brownie.

"I was out of line to kiss you." I said looking down on the table fearing that my eyes would betray me. I didn't want her to know how much I had enjoyed the kiss.

"You do know that a kiss is not just a one person thing?" She said searching for my eyes. "It takes two."

"But I took advantage of your state, and I was out of line." I admitted.

"Edward, if you would've been out of line I wouldn't have returned the kiss and I certainly would not be with you here right now. If anyone took advantage of somebody it was me of you." She said biting her lip nervously, a trait that made her so much more endearing.

"How did you take advantage of me?" I inquired flabbergasted by the very possibility. I was the one who had initiated the kiss.

"For one thing I'm not entirely sure I'm ready for another relationship." She said. "I'm not exactly Miss Ray of Sunshine."

I laughed. "Bella, I may not know the whole story about what happened between you and Mike, and that may very well be a good thing right now. Because I would probably kick his ass if I did. But I'm willing to wait, and get whatever you offer right now." I honestly answered. I was willing to even just be friends with her.

"Edward, I really don't think you know what you're asking. I myself don't understand me. I feel like I'm broken. I'm incomplete, and I don't know if I'll ever be whole again." She responded tracing the coffee lid with her finger.

"All I know is that I can't stop thinking about you since the moment I saw you in the library. And I know I will never find a girl like you again, because you're truly one of a kind. So I'm willing to take this as slow or as fast as you want." I stated taking her small hand in mine.

She remained quiet for a few moments staring down at her lap. I really wanted to know what was going on in her head, but I decided it was best to remain quiet and give her time. She would answer when she was ready, and I was going to wait patiently.

"I haven't stop thinking about you either. I have no idea what it means, but all I know is that it scares me. But I'm willing to take the risk, because for some strange reason I trust you. And I have said more to you in the past twenty-four hours than I have even shared with my two best friends." She stated making eye contact with me.

I smiled softly at her watching her own face break out in a smile. I gently caressed her cheek with my finger before tucking away a loose strand of her hair. "You're amazing, Bella." I whispered as our lips inched closer.

"Is it alright if I kiss you?" I asked forcing myself to stop. I really didn't want to scare her, but she didn't answer. She quickly made sure both our cups were on the coffee table in front of us before kissing me lightly.

Her lips were incredibly soft and tasted like a mix of white chocolate and brownie. I did not deepen the kiss, because I knew it would be too much too soon. We were going to take things slow, and for once I didn't mind. Bella was different than all other girls, and I wanted everything to be perfect. I was going to make her whole.

A/N: I hoped this chapter gave a better understanding as to what Bella and Edward feel. I want you all to remember that Bella is taking a risk based solely on a instinctual feeling she has regarding Edward. It's going to take her a while for her to truly trust him.

Two people brought up the fact that my story is rated M. One person asked simple question which I answered. But another person was a bit rude, and did not leave a name or way for me to contact them. They went by xxxxx (not sure how many). The high rating is for my peace of mind, I don't want to make my story have to fit the confines of a lower rating. But the rating is specifically set for future chapters where things may not exactly be kept PG13. I don't want people to be offended if I suddenly up the rating. So I stay on the side of caution. I really hope that it doesn't bother anyone.

I want to thank all of you who are reading, and especially those who are reviewing. You guys inspire me, and make me happy! Please keep them coming!

Next Chapter: Edward and Bella talk some more (should be up tomorrow)

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