My ever grateful thanks to my wonderful betas, MsAmbrosia and Browns. I don't know what I'd do without them and all their help. They're the reason this chapter is getting uploaded at all!

Read their fics, Blossom and Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave. Seriously, if you aren't reading these stories, you're missing out.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

BPOV

I felt lighter somehow.

It took some drama to get me there, but in the end, once I had decided to give dating Edward a chance – a real chance – my mind and heart settled.

That's not to say I didn't still feel apprehensive about agreeing to go out with Edward, but I tried to put it in perspective. It was only one date. We weren't starting a relationship; he wasn't asking me for anything more than to spend one night in my company. When I looked at it that way, there was no reason to be scared.

I continually ignored the voice in the back of my head that told me that this date could very well lead to a relationship. It was a voice that sounded strangely like Alice.

Damn that interfering pain in the butt for getting into my head!

The idea of a relationship with Edward scared me. It meant more walls would come down, but anytime I got nervous or freaked out, I pushed it down. Instead, I concentrated on being excited; I really was looking forward to what Thursday would bring.

I had no idea how Edward felt about me, but I knew how I felt when I was around him.

Safe. Cared for. Peaceful. Content.

Horny.

Come on, Thursday!

Alice and I went shopping on Tuesday, where we spent all day looking for the perfect outfit. Actually, Alice looked; I just went along for the ride, trying on whatever she threw at me and standing in front of her while she critiqued it. She finally settled on a pair of black skinny pants, and a sleeveless, fuchsia top. She paired all this with a pair of black ballerina flats – thank God! – and a cute necklace that she swore brought out gold flecks in my eyes. I let her prattle on and experiment with different hairstyles and makeup for me. Alice's happiness had a way of being contagious and I was content to bask in it.

Early Wednesday morning, my phone rang, waking me out of a sound sleep. I almost jumped out of my skin. I didn't even bother looking at the display to see who it was.

"No one I know would call at this hour," I growled into the mouthpiece.

His velvet chuckle came through the line. "Um, sorry?"

I sat straight up in bed, suddenly wide-awake. "Edward?"

"Yes. I'm very sorry, I really should've thought before I called. It's still pretty early."

I glanced at the clock. Eight a.m.

It's a damn good thing he's cute.

"It's fine, Dr. Cullen. Although, next time you better wake me up in person."

Holy crap. Did I just say that? Dear God, this man brings out the...everything in me.

There was silence from the other end of the phone before I heard some shuffling and a small, muffled cough. "Um, I... I, uh..."

Well, hell. I think I just made Dr. Cullen nervous. Go me!

Edward gave a slightly edgy chuckle before continuing. "Well, I, uh...I just got out of surgery and I'm not sure when I'll be free again. I just wanted to call to confirm our date tomorrow night."

"Oh, did we make a date? I'm having a hard time remembering."

"Ha. Ha." His tired sarcasm was evident even over the phone.

"We're still on, as long as you're sure you're not going to be too exhausted." I bit my lip, hoping he wasn't going to back out. It would just be my luck that I finally got my head to be where it needed to be and he'd break our date.

Edward replied in a low, sexy growl, "I can promise you that I'll be anything but tired when I see you."

Holy. Hell. Towel, please. I need to mop up the puddle I just melted into.

I coughed, trying to clear the lump in my throat. He left me speechless.

"I'll pick you up at six, okay?"

"Tha...that's, um, fine. Sounds good. Perfect, in fact."

Rambling, that's just awesome.

"Okay, I'll see you then. And Bella?"

"Yes?"

"Bring socks."

"Socks?" What kind of request was that?

"Just make sure you have a pair of socks, okay?"

"Um, sure."

"I'll see you in...thirty-four hours. Have a good day." He's counting down the hours?

Edward hung up before I could answer. I flopped back onto my pillows and sighed.

Socks?

Shaking my head, I decided to get up and shower since I was wide-awake. I took my time in the bathroom, thinking about all that happened yesterday after my shopping trip with Alice.

She had put in an offer on the second store we had visited and was currently in negotiations to buy the whole building rather than rent just the bottom floor. She'd talked it over with Carlisle and Esme and they both agreed that if the owner was willing to sell, buying would be a better investment than renting. Money obviously wasn't an issue for her. I knew Alice would feel better knowing she could do whatever she wanted to the place without worrying about a landlord. When she hadn't been busy searching for the perfect outfit for me, she had been on the phone with Carmen, the bank and her lawyer. Between barking out orders over the phone and throwing clothes at me, it was obvious she was in her element.

Rosalie had stopped by after we got home to hang out with us. Since Alice had been knee deep in reading the contract her lawyer drew up, it left Rose and I time to talk and get to know one another. I learned that she grew up in Rochester, NY and her parents and younger sister still lived there. She had gone to college at the University of Buffalo before heading to Chicago for law school. One of her professors had a good friend who was in the DA's office here in Seattle and had hooked Rosalie up with a job after graduation two years ago. She missed her family, but she made a home in Seattle and was happy to be here. She and Emmett started dating last May when Rose prepared Emmett for his testimony in a case she was prosecuting. They'd been together ever since.

Rose laughed about being Alice's alibi to leave Edward and I alone on Sunday. She had no idea what Alice was up to when she'd randomly shown up at Emmett and Edward's apartment that night. All Alice told them was that she missed Emmett and wanted to play Mario Kart with him on Wii. Rosalie thought it was a strange excuse, but Emmett shrugged it off, more than happy to oblige his little sister.

Rosalie hadn't stayed late, needing to be up for work the next morning, but in the few hours we spent together, I knew I found a new friend. Her confidence had a way of surrounding me, but instead of being intimidated by it, I found myself basking in it. I hoped someday I would feel that comfortable and confident in myself.

I was brought back into the present when I heard my cell ring. I grabbed a towel and went running for the bedroom. My phone was sitting on the bedside table where I left it and I flipped it open with a breathless, "Hello."

"Hello. May I speak to Isabella Swan, please?"

I didn't recognize the voice. "This is she."

"Isabella, my name is Kathleen Monroe and I'm calling from the English Department at the University of Washington. I received your resume from a colleague of mine last week and I was wondering if you had a moment to speak with me."

I was stunned. "Um, of course. Absolutely."

"Is now a good time for you to talk? We can chat briefly over the phone and then go from there."

"Yes, now is fine."

"Excellent. Well, Ms. Swan, as you may know, our semester starts very shortly, in two weeks as a matter of fact. I've recently had one of our adjunct professors leave her position to go accept full time work somewhere else. We are in desperate need of someone who is able to teach a couple of English courses for us as a part-time, adjunct. According to the resume I have in front of me, you seem to have the necessary qualifications. Are you still looking for work?"

I struggled to find my voice. "Um, yes, I...I am actually."

"Excellent! Now I'd like to meet with you in person to see if we may be a good fit for you and vice versa, but as I stated, time is limited. Is there anyway you could meet with me today?"

"Absolutely. I'm free anytime."

"Would ten o'clock this morning be too soon?"

Thank you Edward for calling and waking me up!

"No, that would be perfect."

We finished our conversation with her giving me directions for where I would meet her. As soon as I hung up the phone, I went tearing into Alice's room.

"Ali, get up." I ran over to her bed and shook her shoulder.

"Hmmph..."

"Alice! Get up! I need you!"

Alice rolled over, but didn't open her eyes. I huffed.

"Mary Alice Cullen, it's a fashion emergency!"

That got her butt moving. She sat straight up and opened her eyes wide. "Wha...wait, what? What's going on?"

"I have a job interview in an hour at UDub. I need help with what to wear!" I left her room and ran back to mine, heading straight for my closet. Alice was right behind me. I began pulling some of my old work outfits out, but Alice took one look at them and threw them down to the floor with a huff.

"Bella, this is all my fault!" she wailed, looking at the mess she was creating on my floor.

I stopped what I was doing, bewildered. "What?"

"If I had visited you more in California this never would've happened! I never would've allowed your wardrobe to get this bad!"

I rolled my eyes. "Alice, you can take me shopping for a whole new wardrobe if I get this job, I promise. But for now, just find me something to wear so I can actually go get the job!"

It took as a little while, but we finally settled on a black pencil skirt, a black blazer, a peach camisole with black polka dots and a pair of black shoes with a bit of heel. Alice said I looked professional, but young and hip at the same time, deeming me the perfect college English professor.

I dried my hair, leaving it in soft waves, since I had no time to straighten it. With some mascara and lip-gloss, I was ready. I grabbed my resume, which Alice had thankfully printed for me while I was changing, and my messenger bag. Alice, of course, groaned when she saw me with it.

"Oh, no, no, no. You cannot bring that old thing!" She hurtled off toward her room.

I sighed and glanced at the clock on the microwave. "Ali, I have got to go!"

Seconds later she was standing in front of me holding a large black Fendi bag. I immediately shook my head.

"No, absolutely not. I won't get the job because they'll take one look at that bag and think I'm rolling in dough and don't need any job they offer me. Mine is fine."

Alice rolled her eyes and took my bag off my shoulder. "This needs to be burned." I tried to grab it back from her, but she was already transferring my wallet and my resume into the Fendi.

"You are the most annoying creature that ever walked the planet, you know that, right?"

"You can thank me later when you don't look like a total mess walking into that interview." She handed me the bag. "Now go!"

I laughed as I walked out of the apartment. Sometimes pushy was not the word for my best friend.

Two hours later, I waltzed back into the apartment with a huge smile on my face. The minute Alice heard the door open, she was standing in front of me.

I grinned at her patiently held silence. "I got it!"

A smile lit up her face and she squealed. "Oh, Bella, I knew you would! I'm so happy for you!" She threw her arms around me and gave me a hug.

Stepping back, I put the purse on the counter and walked toward my bedroom, kicking my shoes off as I went.

"Kathleen, the department chair, is great. She really comes off as a complete no-nonsense academic, but once we got talking and I told her about my experience in Sacramento, she completely lightened up."

I made my way back toward my room, unbuttoning the blazer and taking it off, still talking the whole way. "I'm just going to be teaching two courses, both held on Tuesdays and Fridays. I'll have to hold some office hours, and share an office with another adjunct, but that's fine. I have to get started right away on a syllabus and finding books. Kathleen gave me the tentative outline the other professor had, so I can definitely work off of that, but I only have –"

Alice cut me off, laughing. "Bells, take a breath!"

I took a deep one, slipping a t-shirt over my head and then buttoning my jeans. "Sorry, I'm just so excited and I have so much work to do. At least I won't have to start from scratch, thanks to my predecessor's outline, but still...I only have two weeks before classes start."

"And you'll figure it out and do great. I'm so proud of you, Bella! Did you call your dad?"

I nodded as I looked at the joy on Alice's face. She really was thrilled for me and it made me feel bad about how I acted on Monday. My best friend was beginning a new and exciting journey of her own, and I had been too wrapped up in my own head that I failed to be there for her.

I moved to her, throwing my arms around her small frame. "I owe you so much. And I'm so excited for you too. I hope you know that."

She hugged me back. "I know, Bella."

We held each other tight for a few more minutes before we pulled away.

"I still have a contract to revise and you have a syllabus or two to prepare, so let's get to work!"

For the rest of the afternoon and evening, I worked on the syllabi for both classes. The professor scheduled to teach the courses had good outlines prepared and I felt comfortable using much of what she had laid out to do. I changed only a few of the required readings, and some of the written assignments. Kathleen had informed me that my classes were mostly taken by upperclassmen, so I made sure I included some assignments that were challenging. I knew I would have to get Kathleen's approval before any of this got to the students and she would let me know if I was off track with my requirements.

I worked until seven o'clock, finally coming up for air to ask Alice if she wanted to order dinner. She had been on the phone and Skyping with Esme most of the afternoon, planning the layout and design of the shop, talking wall colors and debating the merits of wood floors verses carpeting. I could hear them arguing from time to time, but it made me smile just as much as it made me sad. I was happy that Alice was including Esme in her preparations for her store, even if they didn't always see eye to eye. I was sad because I wished I could have just one more stupid argument with my own mother.

I didn't want my good mood to be brought down, so I focused on what my classes would be like, the students I would meet and the knowledge that I would impart on them. That was something to get excited about and that's what I would concentrate on – moving forward.

Alice and I ordered in from what was fast becoming our favorite pizza place, sitting around talking about her shop and my new job. We avoided the subject of my date the next night with Edward. We had seemed to come to a silent agreement that we needed no repeats of Monday and Alice would wait for me to talk to her about anything.

I'd like to say that I slept well that night, but there was too much going on in my head – my new job and all the excitement and worries that came with it, my date with Edward and the anticipation and fear I had about being around him, and the fact that there was a weight on my chest from how much I missed my mother.

The tears came easily and I hoped Alice couldn't hear me cry. My grief hadn't seemed to lessen since my mother's death, but I'd learned to get up every morning and live with it. It weighed on me some times more than others and tonight was one of those times. I wanted to be able to call her and tell her about my new job and my date with Edward. I knew she'd be thrilled for me and beg me to call her after my date so I could give her all the details. She had always been more of a friend than my mom, but it was a relationship that had worked for us. I loved her and her crazy, kooky ways. I missed her more than I could stand.

I spent the night crying myself to sleep.

I felt heavy and drained when I woke up the next morning. My slumber had been plagued by nightmares and dreams of my mother, and my face showed the signs of my sleep-deprived night. The alarm clock said it was just shy of eight and I decided it wasn't worth trying to go back to sleep. Stumbling out of bed, I opened the curtains to see that the sky was grey, but there was no rain. I stood there looking over the Seattle skyline for a minute before deciding that the best way to let go of the night before was to go for a swim.

It surprised me more than anyone that I had learned to have some sense of athleticism when it came to swimming. I couldn't walk over a flat surface without stumbling over something invisible standing in my path, but luckily that didn't seem to be an issue when I was in the water. This was newly required knowledge, since I only starting swimming since my accident. My physical therapist in Forks had recommended it once it was clear my body had healed enough for me to step up what I could do physically. I started off slow, but eventually could swim laps in an Olympic-sized pool with ease. I never swam for speed and I found that I was able to let go and relax when I was in the water.

This was definitely a morning for a swim.

I threw on my bathing suit, covering it with a pair of shorts and a t-shirt before heading down to the indoor pool in the building. Alice appeared to still be asleep, since her bedroom door was closed and I couldn't hear any noise coming from inside.

The pool was empty when I entered. I stripped off my clothes, laying them next to my towel on a lounge chair. I stretched for a few minutes before diving into the water. I had no goal in mind of how many laps I should do, so I decided to just swim until I felt better.

My arms sunk in and out of the water in smooth, fluid strokes. I concentrated on just gliding through the water, keeping my breathing even and relaxed. This was good. This was what I needed. As I cut through the water, I could feel the tension leave my shoulders, the stress and grief from the night before draining away. I could feel a small smile play over my face as I thought about what the night ahead would bring. As nervous and scared as I was for my date with Edward, there was a part of me that really was looking forward to it.

I was also anxious to see what I'd need socks for.

What did he have planned?

An hour and a half later, I was back in the apartment. I had no idea I had been gone so long, since I couldn't wear a watch in the pool and I'd forgotten my cell phone. I had swam until my arms and legs were weak with use. It felt good.

"Hey!" Alice was sitting at the counter, drinking coffee and typing on her laptop. She took in my appearance and then said, "Have a good swim?"

I smiled at her. "Yeah, it was great." I walked to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. I turned to her as I twisted the cap off. "Sorry, I forgot to leave a note."

Alice waved me off. "It's okay. I figured you didn't go too far since your wallet and phone were still here." She pointed to where I had left them on the coffee table the night before after I had emptied her Fendi bag of all my things.

I just nodded. "I'm gonna go get in the shower."

She tilted her head to the right and looked at me. "You okay?"

I winked at her. "Absolutely. Just felt like a good day for a swim."

She looked me over for a few more minutes, but just grinned back at me before turning to her computer.

My tension was released further as the warm water hit my back. I had a rough night last night, but I got through it. I found a way to deal with what I was feeling and I let it all go. Today I would work further on my plans for the courses I was going to teach and then I would get ready for my first date with Edward. And I would be ready for whatever tonight was going to bring.

Today was going to be a good day.

EPOV

She smelled like strawberries.

That was my first thought as Bella opened the door and she greeted me, a great big smile gracing her face.

I could feel my pants tighten and I swallowed hard, trying to get control of myself.

Her body was draped in a flowing pink top that followed the lines and curves of her body. Her hair lay in loose curls around her shoulders, except where she had pinned it up and back on the sides.

Would it be wrong to try to convince her to stay in and put out on the first date?

I shivered at the thought and realized that if Bella knew what I was thinking, she'd probably slap me.

Maybe she'd spank me instead? Or let me spank her? Hmm...the possibilities...

GET. A. GRIP. Fucking pervert.

I spent too much time with Emmett, obviously.

I got a hold of myself and smiled back at her. "Hey."

"Hi. Want to come in?" She bit her bottom lip, and I had to hold back a moan.

It was going to be a long night.

"Um, mind if we just get going? We have...reservations."

Her eyes widened and she glanced down at her body. "Am I dressed okay for where we're going?"

She could've been wearing a burlap bag and I would've thought it was appropriate. "You look beautiful. What you're wearing is fine."

She nodded. "Okay. I'm just going to grab my purse." She disappeared for a moment, then returned holding a small black bag and a black coat. She was trying to hold her bag, put her coat on and walk out the door all at the same time and she was having plenty of difficultly doing so.

So, like the gentleman I was, I helped her.

That it gave me an excuse to touch her that had absolutely nothing at all to do with my motives.

She smiled sweetly and a blush covered her cheeks as I moved the jacket over her arms and up to her shoulders. "Thank you."

"Anytime." I put my hand on the small of her back as we crossed the hallway to the elevator. As I pressed the down button, I asked her, "Did you remember your socks?"

Bella laughed and lifted her bag. "They're in here. Are you going to tell me what I'm going to need them for?"

I swept her hair back over her shoulder so I could see the creamy expanse of her neck. "You'll see soon enough."

She huffed and rolled her eyes. "Not even a hint? I really hate surprises."

"You won't have a long wait. Where we're going isn't far from here." Bella gave me a dubious look as I led her onto the elevator.

"Trust me," I said, as I reached down, putting my hand out for her to take. I had no idea what she would do, but I knew I had to touch her in someway or I'd go mad. My need to feel her, to be near her, was overwhelming me. I had waited ten years for this moment and I wanted to savor it and make the most of it.

Bella didn't move for a few seconds and I could see the side of her face as she looked down at my hand. Her bottom lip was in between her teeth and her pink blush was staining her face once again. Just when I was about to pull my hand back, she reached out and clasped it in her own.

I released a breath I didn't even know I was holding.

We held hands throughout the elevator ride and out to where my car was parked at the curb. I opened the passenger side door for her and she gave me a small smile as she slipped inside.

Fifteen minutes later, I pulled into the parking garage next to the combination pool hall and bowling alley I had chosen for our night out.

I told Bella to wait for me while I came around and opened her door. She looked a little shocked, but she stayed put.

What can I say? My mother taught me manners, and I used them. Most of the time.

I opened her door and again, held out my hand for her to take. There was no hesitation this time as she grasped it. We walked toward our destination, holding hands and glancing at each other every few steps.

Once we reached the doors she looked at me, eyebrows raised. "The Garage?"

I smiled. "Trust me."

The Garage used to be an old automotive shop that someone bought and remodeled into a pool hall, complete with a bar. They added the bowling lanes later and it's the place to go in our neighborhood for bowling and a night of classy fun. It's nice, clean and it's for the older crowd. The perfect first date place.

I escorted Bella over to the bar/restaurant area and grabbed us an empty table. "I thought we could eat first, since we have a seven-thirty reservation for one of the lanes."

Bella bit her lip and looked a little ill at ease. "Edward, um, I don't know if you'd know this, but I'm a little clumsy."

I raised an eyebrow. "Okay..." I said, slowly.

Bella chuckled. "Bowling might not be the best thing for us to do. I'm liable to drop the ball on my foot, or worse, on yours."

I smirked. "Has that happened before?"

Instead of the pink tinge that usually covered her cheeks, I was rewarded with the sight of a deep red flush crawling up her neck, over her face and upward toward her ears. Seeing it caused me to laugh.

"Your foot or someone else's?" I asked, still laughing.

Bella buried her face in her hands. "Mike Posada, freshman year of college. It was our second – and last – date. I broke his foot in three places."

I couldn't help it; I was down right howling from laughter now. My girl was completely embarrassed and it was absolutely adorable.

Bella moved her hands away and looked at me indignantly. "Oh, go ahead and laugh. You have no idea what I went through after that! He was on the soccer team and he was their best player. They were set to go to some tournament and here I go and break his foot! I was harassed for weeks. I couldn't go anywhere on campus without someone glaring at me or mocking me. It was awful."

Well, shit. Now I felt bad. I stopped laughing immediately. "I'm sorry, Bella. We could go somewhere else if you'd like. We don't have to stay her or go bowling."

Bella looked at me and smirked. "It's fine. The jerk deserved it when he kept trying to cop a feel all night. I told him to stop touching me."

I sat back in my chair. "I'll be damned. You did it on purpose."

She smiled as she picked up a menu. "Just wanted to give you fair warning. No need to suffer the same fate if you can help it."

I raised an eyebrow. "Trust me, Bella. If I'm going to touch you the way I want to, it's not going to be in front of a crowd at a bowling alley."

Her face flushed again, but I couldn't tell if it was from embarrassment or arousal.

Dear God, please let it be arousal.

I moved in my seat, trying to adjust my too tight pants without being obvious. It appeared to work, as Bella continued to look over the menu, paying no attention to me.

Our waitress appeared then, taking our drink and food order. I settled back in my chair, my hard-on now a mere memory. The waitress's too obvious attempt to flirt and make her interest in me known was more than enough to kill it.

"So, how was your week?" I asked Bella after the waitress had dropped off my beer and Bella's glass of wine.

The blush was back, and Bella avoided my eyes. "It was...fine." She hesitated slightly, and if I hadn't been paying such close attention to her, I would've missed it.

I raised an eyebrow. "Fine?"

Bella finally looked me head on. "Actually, better than fine. I found a job."

Pride welled up inside of me and I couldn't help the grin that covered my face. "That's great! Where? Doing what? When do you start?"

Bella laughed at my questions. "Wow, um, at UDub, working as an adjunct English professor and two weeks."

I reached across the table and took her hand in mine. "Bella, that's fantastic. I'm so happy for you."

Bella blushed, biting her lower lip again. There was a moment of hesitation before her hand turned and she intertwined her fingers with mine.

And the hard-on is back with a vengeance, folks!

"Thank you. I'm nervous, but mostly excited. I can't wait to get in there and start teaching people who are actually interested in the subject matter."

"What will you be teaching?"

"Early American Lit and Shakespeare since 1603. I have less than two weeks to plan for a whole semester, so I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, but it's a good overwhelmed, you know?"

Bella's whole face lit up as she talked to me about her new job. She was truly excited about the subject matter and I couldn't help but be thrilled for her. Her smile was brilliant, her eyes filled with hope and happiness. I found myself just taking her in, breathing in the essence that was Bella.

"I have to call your dad and thank him, I just feel like I should do more." I realized I had missed a whole part of what Bella was saying and tried to focus back in our conversation.

"More?" I asked, hoping she'd give me a clue as to what she had been talking about.

"Kathleen, the department chair, told me she got my resume from a colleague in the biology department, who had gotten it from a friend of his. Since your dad is the only person I gave my resume to, I have to assume it was him who got me the job."

I smiled. "He helped in getting your name out there, but you got the job on your own."

Bella just shrugged. "I just want to thank him for all he's done, both him and your mom. They've been wonderful to me for so long, but especially since...everything. I feel like a thank you isn't sufficient enough for all they've done for me."

I squeezed her hand. "It's more than enough. I'm sure they'll be happy to just see you happy and healthy."

Bella looked uncertain about that, but our waitress arrived with our food then and the topic was dropped. I knew my parents would want nothing from Bella as thanks – except maybe the grandchildren we could give them.

Whoa, wait. Where the hell did THAT just come from?

Apparently my mother's constant push for me or one of my siblings to have babies had become too much and here I was thinking about it on my first date with the girl I've been in love with for ten years.

There's nothing at all out of the ordinary about that.

I mentally shook my head, trying to clear it. I would think about all this later, when I was home, alone.

If I went home alone.

Is it too much to hope she puts out on the first date?

Dude, you just went from thinking about her having your babies to wanting to fuck her on the first date. Pick a side and stick with it!

I reined myself in, hoping that Bella hadn't noticed the conversation I was having with myself. She wasn't looking at me any differently, so I figured I was in the clear.

Dinner passed with easy conversation about her new job, my week at work – boring and long – and how she and Alice were settling in at the apartment. I noticed Bella tense up when I asked her about how she and Alice were doing living together, but her tone was even as she answered. Other than the tension in her shoulders, I never would have noticed something was not quite right. I debated asking her about it, but figured if something was wrong with her and Alice, Bella would tell me if she wanted to talk about it.

We finished eating and after paying our bill, I stood and took Bella's hand, leading her to the bowling area.

Bella went to choose a ball while I confirmed our reservation for a lane with the cashier behind the desk. He gave me our lane number after I paid him and then handed me a pair of shoes for both Bella and myself. I walked over to where she was looking at two different balls, biting her lip and looking contemplative.

"Everything okay?" I asked, approaching her.

Bella looked up and smiled at me and it almost knocked me back on my ass. Her eyes were lit up and she looked like she was no older than seventeen.

She was stunning.

"I was trying to decide if using the very girlie pink ball would make me lose face in front of you."

I picked it up and handed it to her. "At least it won't hurt as much when you drop it on my foot."

Bella grinned and moved toward our lane. I quickly found a ball of my own and followed her.

She had already put her socks on and was waiting patiently for my arrival with our shoes. She finished first, moving toward the screen to input our names. I finished tying the ugly ass things on my feet and moved in behind her as she stood, putting my hands on her hips.

She leaned back into me slightly, her ass just brushing the front of my jeans. My eyes floated shut and I tried not to give into the need to push forward into her. I stepped back slightly, but kept my hands on her hips and moved only my head forward to whisper in her ear, "Ready to start?"

Bella nodded and I could hear her swallow hard. Her body tensed, but before I could step away, she spun in my arms so that she was facing me. Her chocolate brown orbs were filled with uncertainty as she glanced from my eyes, to my mouth and back to my eyes. She stepped closer to me and leaning up on her the tips of her toes, pressed her lips to mine.

Before I could even begin to enjoy it, to even register what she had done, what we were doing, the sensation was gone and she stepped out of my arms. Bella had a small smile on her face and her cheeks were tinged with pink. My tongue slipped out, touching my bottom lip lightly, trying to find another taste of her as I stood there stunned.

"You first." She grinned and moved to sit in the chair behind the electric scoreboard.

I took a deep breath, trying to control my rapidly beating heart and unsteady breathing. I glanced up at the TV above our lane to see our names.

"EDDIE?"

Bella shrugged and giggled. "Don't you like that name?"

"No, Isabella, I don't." Bella's smile changed to a grimace and it was my turn to laugh.

Bella's eyes narrowed. "Let's bowl."

Our first game was fairly straight forward, with both of us trying to impress the other by bowling our best. Neither one of us did that great; Bella's natural clumsiness made it difficult for her to do anything more than hold on to the ball long enough to roll it down the alley. I hadn't been bowling in years, so I was a little rusty myself. By the time the game had finished, we were both just getting the hang of things.

"Up for another game?" I asked Bella as she rolled her last turn.

"So you can kick my ass again?" Bella smiled and pointed up to the scoreboard.

"I didn't kick your ass."

"There's a hundred points separating your score from mine. I think that's an ass kicking if I've ever seen one."

"Would you be willing to try again if we wagered on it?" I winked at her, wondering if she'd take the bait.

"What are you proposing, Mr. Cullen?" She bit her lip and looked at me warily.

"Just a small bet. Winner picks his prize."

"What if her prize is something the loser doesn't want to give?"

"Winner's choice. The loser will just have to deal with the consequences."

What I was suggesting was pretty out there for a first date, since it required a lot of trust on the loser's part to believe that the winner wouldn't do anything that would embarrass or hurt them. But I knew exactly what I was going to require of Bella when I won and I hoped that by her actions from throughout the night, she would be receptive to it. If for some quirk of fate she won, I trusted her enough to take it easy on me.

Bella pondered my thrown gauntlet for a moment before sticking out her hand to shake mine. Our palms touched as she said, "Deal."

If I thought our first game was serious, the second was cutthroat and neither of us was playing fair. Bella was up first this time and as she set up her shot, I sneaked up behind her and blew in her ear. I was lucky that she didn't drop the ball on my foot or hers. Instead it hit the lane with a resounding thud and rolled slowly toward the pins. Half way down, it rolled right into the gutter.

Bella spun around and glared at me. "Oh, it's on now." She stormed away as I stood there and laughed. I turned around to grab my ball from the ball return when I saw Bella sitting down, twirling her hair and biting her lip.

"Are you pouting?" I asked, incredulously.

Bella dropped her hair and gave me an innocent look. "No, just waiting for my next turn." With that, she reached up and placed her finger in between her teeth and looked at me from under her eyelashes.

Let me tell you, bowling with a semi is not easy.

On her next turn, I goosed her ass, but she still managed to make the shot, knocking down seven of the ten pins. On my next turn, I was just about to throw the ball when I heard her cough behind me. I looked over my shoulder to tell her that something simple as coughing wouldn't distract me when instead I saw Bella bent over at the waist, her perfect round ass staring me in the face while she tied her shoe.

If you thought bowling with a semi was difficult, try bowling with a full out hard-on.

As I turned from the lane and faced Bella, I saw her smirking as she met my gaze. Her eyes traveled down my body and landed on my crotch and the smirk left her face. Her cheeks lit up and her eyes widened. I couldn't control my grin.

Bella and I walked toward each other slowly, never taking our eyes off each other. The sexual tension was so thick I'm sure they could feel it throughout the entire building. All I wanted to do was grab her and throw her down, burying myself inside of her.

"See something you like, Cullen?"

She had no idea.

I swallowed hard, unable to push the words out through my throat. We were finally standing within inches of each other, her brown eyes locked on mine, a small smile playing about her lips.

"You need to take your shot," she whispered.

"I think I'm done here."

"You'll lose the bet; I'm ahead."

"I'm okay with that. Want to go?"

Bella chuckled. "Are you sure?"

I dropped my bowling ball in the ball return and was back at her side in seconds. Taking her hand, I walked swiftly to grab our coats and her purse. She dug her heels and when I stopped to look back at her, she pointed at her feet. I huffed, taking just enough time for both of us to remove our ugly ass bowling shoes and return them to the counter before I took her hand again, pulling her outside. Bella was breathing heavily beside me, practically running to keep up. I couldn't seem to control this need I had for her.

Finally, we reached the car. I truly meant to only reach down and open the door for her, but instead, I found myself pressing her up against the side of the car, covering her body with my own.

Our breaths were coming out short and heavy, both from the rush to the car and from the tension between us. I wanted nothing more than to devour the woman in front of me, to begin kissing her and never stop.

Our heads moved towards each other in eager anticipation and I knew I had to pull back the monster inside of me and calm down. I took an unsteady breath, and loosened the grip I had on her hips. Her arms tightened on my shoulders, but I didn't allow her to pull me down to her. Instead, I pushed away from her just a little, creating a bit of space between us, but not much. I didn't want our first kiss to be a rush of hormones and need, even if it was what we were both feeling. I needed to show her that what was happening between us was more than lust, that it was deeper than that on my end.

Bella was staring up at me, wondering. I could tell she was confused as to why we weren't making out like teenagers against the Volvo, pawing at each other. I could speak the words to tell her how I felt, but decided it would be better to show her instead.

I lowered my head slowly, giving her the opportunity to back away if she somehow changed her mind. I got my answer as her small hands moved from my shoulders up to the wrap around my neck. I hesitated once more, my lips just mere millimeters from hers. Our breath mingled, hers tangy and sweet from the wine she had drank earlier. The last sight I had before my eyes drifted closed and my lips pressed to hers were Bella's eyes drifting closed, shuttering the look of bliss I saw in them.

It was everything I had thought it would be – sweet, slow and sexy. Bella's hands moved from my neck and up into my hair, and I groaned low in my throat from the sensation. My hands moved from her hips to wrap around her back, pulling her flush against me. Our kiss did not change in intensity, both of us taking the time to explore the contours of our lips. My tongue reached out, touching her bottom lip lightly, and Bella opened her mouth to allow it entrance. Her tongue met mine and we gently tasted one another.

I withdrew slowly, knowing we both needed to breathe. I nipped a few times at her bottom lip before ending with a few small pecks and pulling away. Our breathing was still fast and dense, but the sense of urgency from before was gone.

We smiled at each other and I couldn't help but pull Bella toward me and tuck her into my body. She buried her face in my neck and sighed. I kissed the top of her head, breathing in deep to take in her wonderful smell.

How did I go without this for so long?

We stood there for a few moments, just basking in what was blossoming between us. I felt Bella begin to pull back slightly, hesitantly. I tightened my hold on her for a minute, but then let her go. While I never wanted to leave this spot, I also knew we couldn't continue to stand here all night.

I kissed her once more, just a small, sweet kiss, before opening the car door for her. She slid inside and I sped over to my door, not wanting to be away from her for longer than necessary.

I started the car and pulled away from the curb, reaching over and taking Bella's hand with my own. We were silent, but there was a strangely comfortable feeling over us in the car.

I wanted to ask her to come home with me, to spend the night with me, even if it didn't lead to sex. I couldn't imagine being away from her, not having her in my arms as the sun rose.

I was terrified to ask though.

I didn't want to move too quickly and scare her away. I knew that she was open to me in a way that she hadn't been with anyone else if our dinner on Sunday night had been any indication. Our kisses and playful banter tonight made me hope that we could continue on that path, but I knew not to push for too much too soon. Asking her to come home with me would be doing just that.

As I got closer to her and Alice's apartment, I could feel a sense of sadness and disappointment settle over me. I squeezed her hand tight in mine and glanced a look over at my beautiful girl.

Bella's eyes were cast down and her teeth were worrying her bottom lip. There was an air of uncertainty and nervousness about her.

"Bella, love, are you okay?"

She didn't answer me for a moment and I felt some uneasiness rise inside of me. As I pulled up in front of her and Alice's building, she turned toward me and met my eyes.

"Edward? Will you tell me about Tanya?"