A/N : I took a little longer to update with this chapter cause, frankly, I'm nervous about it - and for more than one reason. I've re-read it, like, 50 times and re-wrote certain scenes about the same amount, but at the end of day I just figured I had to just let it go and hope you guys like it. I tried to keep everyone in character but, I don't know...

Also, I want to give a slight warning. See, the last few nights I haven't been able to work on this story and I fear the murderous writers-block is creeping up on me (I just knew I was going to jinx myself, I knew it!!!) But don't worry too much - I already had 09 chapters written before this happened so I have some time to smack the crap out of it and send my writers-block away, crying for it's mommy. Also, it always helps if I have something else to work on while I clear my mind so I started to post my Gilmore Girls fic - hopefully that will work.

I'm really hoping tonight I'll be able to churn out that 10th chapter, so keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Like always, I adore all my reviewers! The list is getting quite large - I feel so loved!! LoL :) But I have to give a special shout to flamingo 1325 cause you rock and I look forward to reading your reviews every time I sign on, checking my newest chapter!!

Ok, I'm done know - As always, enjoy and review, review, REVIEW!!

Disclaimer - Do I own Bella and Edward? Nope. But is Stephenie ever wants to sell them after the last book comes out later this year, I'll be at the first of the line (though I have no money...damn my broke ass!!)

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Chapter 05 - Flirting With Danger

I was frozen to the spot as Jacob openly growled and Edward raised an eyebrow. Dust was still filtering around from where Edward had skidded his Volvo into the driveway. I didn't need a psychic ability to know he must have sensed or heard Jacob nearby and flew to get here before I answered the door.

Alice, more composed now that her brother had arrived, stepped more onto the porch and turned toward Jacob. "You must be Bella's friend Jacob." Her tone had taken a harder edge to it, the soft lift she normally spoke with gone.

Jacob and Edward both turned to me now and I swallowed not meeting either of their eyes. Alice, ever civilized, kept her voice even, no matter that there was a show-down happening on my front porch. Turning to Edward she asked, "clothes?"

He handed out a bag without so much as taking his eyes off of Jacob and Alice retrieved it, glancing inside quickly. I thought I may have seen the siblings share a quick look and nod but I wasn't too sure.

"I'll go change," she said before going back in the door. I opened my mouth in an effort to stop her but no sound came out. How could she just leave me to handle this? She either thought Edward would be civilized or was clearly ignorant to my stress-handling abilities. Swallowing, I turned back to the two apposing men on the porch.

"Bella," Edward said after a long pause. "I didn't know Jacob was coming by today." I knew edward was slightly annoyed with jacob before he left, having seen in his mind how the younger boy felt about me, but I was extremely surprised by the hardness in his voice now.

"I didn't know she needed permission to see her friends," Jacob sneered, his voice no where near as civilized as Edwards' had been.

I opened my mouth to say something, anything really, but Edward beat me to it, telling Jacob cooly, "when it's dangerous for her."

"Oh, isn't that just hilarious." Jacob laughed then, though it was dark and menacing, in no way reminding me of my light and sweet friend. "I doubt I'm the dangerous one. I know what you are."

Edward's eyebrow shot up once more before he tossed back, "as I do you."

My eyes widened considerably at that information but I remained still, not sure how to handle the present situation. On one hand, Jacob was my friend and I cared deeply for him, but I told him last night I wasn't able to give him what he wanted, not fully. But on the other hand I had really thought I wouldn't see at least for quite a while and by then I would have come to a conclusion on how to handle his reappearance. What he was doing showing up at my house was beyond me.

But I did know that I had to swallow my emotions and find out quickly before things got out of control. The feelings rolling off both guys were not happy-go-lucky, by any means.

"Jacob," I finally forced past my lips, trying to keep my voice calm, but just saying his name made me feel like I was right back in my kitchen last night. I could feel Edward's gaze focus on me briefly before returning to their original target. "What are you doing here?"

He too just glanced at me quickly before answering, "I need to talk to you."

I didn't need to ask about what. Jacob must have been thinking about it also cause Edward suddenly growled, his eyes pinning Jacob with a nasty glare. Jacob seemed to literally flare up some as he eyed Edward right back, the two men standing face to face.

"Bella, you're being rude. You should invite your friend inside," Edward said suddenly, his voice gravelly, barely a step above a growl itself. I hadn't seen him this mad in a long time and I wondered if it would come to blows. I couldn't stop my mind before I pictured Edward and Jacob attacking each other. The scene in my head went dark right as one of them collapsed, not letting me see who lived or who died.

"No!" I exclaimed suddenly, my voice shaking. They can't fight, they can't fight, I screamed over and over in my head, trying to think of anything to stop it from happening, even if I had to toss myself in the middle of it.

Edward though, for all his malice a second ago, looked at me with softer eyes before telling me, "I just want to get a few things straight." As soon as his eyes left me the rough glare returned.

"I don't associate with leeches," Jacob spit out and I couldn't stop the gasp from escaping my lips when Edward clenched his fists. It would be like nothing for him to suddenly reach out and connect with Jacob's body, more than likely throwing him past the cars and into the woods.

Jacob turned to me now and paused, seeming to soften at my face and ask, "Bella?" His eyes drew me in and I stared back, my mind throwing me a billion reasons to look away but all it took was the deep sadness rooted into them to keep me lingering.

"Make it fast dog," Edward growled, evidently not liking what he was hearing in Jacob's mind.

"Get out of my head," Jacob boomed suddenly, his eyes roaming and letting me go, taking a step toward Edward.

I didn't need to see Edward take a step forward to meet him before I threw myself out the door, yelling at Jacob. My foot had barely hit the porch before I was pulled sideways, Edward's strong and lean arms grabbing me up fast and putting me swiftly behind him, taking a protective stance in front of me.

"Let her go," Jacob threatened, his hands shaking.

Edward didn't say a word but I did, wrapping my arms around his waist since I wasn't able to get around him. "Don't do this," I begged, placing my head against his back. "Don't fight."

Suddenly Alice was there, fresh clothes on and saying in a loud voice, "the neighbors are going to wonder what's going on here soon. Do I suggest we leave this alone for now?"

Jacob sneered and stepped back from her disgustingly. I bent down under Edward's arm and pleaded with him with my eyes to back off. He caught my look for a few beats before rolling his eyes, trying to blow me off. But it didn't work : I saw the heart-ache and sadness before he glanced away, the presence of it on his face making my heart sank.

"Whatever," he muttered before turning back to Edward. "It's alone...for now."

Edward didn't miss his threat - nor did I. But without a word Edward reached back and found my waist, lashing his arm around it and steering me toward the front door. I could hear Jacob lopping down the steps and by the time I turned to look he was gone.

Alice was smiling crookedly at me when I reached the door. "Wow Bella, from vampire's to werewolf - you sure know how to pick 'em, don't you?"

Edward sent her a glare and a very hostile growl but she just rolled her eyes. I felt the need to explain, even if to just make myself feel better and I offered softly, "it's not like that with Jacob." Even though I wasn't too sure if it hadn't been like that with him before last night.

I wasn't sure, but I thought I heard Edward mutter, "maybe on your side," but when I looked up at him he didn't seem to have moved.

Alice seemed oblivious to Edward and asked, "is he why your house reeks?" I opened my eyes in shock and she just shrugged. "He smells...bad."

I couldn't stop from smelling around me, but I didn't smell anything except some little remnants of sea water on myself. I saw Edward look away and I froze, realizing that if he left a smell from just being in my house that I had to reek of him last night...last night when Edward found me wallowing on the kitchen floor.

"I think I'm gonna go take a bath," I muttered after a pause, escaping up the stairs before him or Alice could stop me. I quickly grabbed my bath supplies and the closest clothes I saw and went into the bathroom. I had stripped down to my underwear before I stopped and stood there, slowly looking over my shoulder into the mirror.

It was confusing and slightly upsetting but a small part of myself hesitated to take that shower, hesitated in wanting to wash Jacob's smell off of me. He had no claim over me, none what so ever, but I didn't want to wash him off of my body, my life, just because I had chosen Edward.

I loved Edward will all my heart, body, and soul but I still held a special place in there for Jacob also. He had been my best friend all this time - we bonded in so many ways and I felt the need to protect that bond from the outside world, even if that world included my soul-mate. I had no idea if we would ever be able to continue our relationship but I knew I would fight to at least hold on to the memories I had of him.

The rational part of my brain reasoned with the other side, convincing me to finally climb into the shower and turn the water on. It squirted out roughly, the hot water scolding my sensitive skin, making me back up and hiss before steadying my resolve and stepping back under it. I gave up all pretenses and let a few tears cry for Jacob again, placing my face under the spray and washing away any traces after a few minutes.

It didn't take long until I grew frustrated with my self and grabbed a sponge, dumping almost a whole body of bath-gel onto it before scrubbing myself from head to toe, fiercely digging in until I knew I was good and clean, smelling like just Bella Swan and no one else. I had just tossed my sponge back into it's spot when my foot caught a patch of gel that had missed my loofa and I slipped, grabbing onto the rim of the tub, trying to keep myself from falling all the way down. I still remained on my feet, just barely, but I hadn't stopped my back from catching the bath fixture I could feel the stinging heat on my back.

Soap suddenly slid down my back and hissed, realizing I must have broken the skin and, moving as quickly as possible, put my back under the water to clean the soap away. The hard pressure from the shower head started to numb the spot eventually and I took in a deep breath, nearly laughing from the ridiculousness of it all.

Bad luck is my only luck.

I had just stepped out from under the shower stream, looking down and seeing the pink tint of the water pooled at my feet from the blood dripping down my back when a sudden knock came from the bathroom door.

"Bella?" Edward called through. "Are you ok?"

"Uh, yeah, it's ok," I called finally, wondering how he knew I had been hurt. "I just fell, is all."

There was a long stretch of silence from the other side of the door and then I could hear him sigh and admit, "I think it's pretty deep...I can smell the blood."

I froze and stood there for a few beats before nodding, not that he could see me or anything. I came to finally and turned the water off, slowly climbing out of the tub, wincing slightly when I picked up my towel and wrapped it around myself, the fabric catching my cut.

"Can I-" I heard him pause on the other side of the door before adding, "are you decent?"

At the moment I was indeed not decent, wearing just a towel. Moving as quickly as possible I called out, "just a second," and started to pull on clothing. I winced more than once when putting on my shirt, but I finished and finally pulled open the door, releasing all the steam out into the hallway.

Edward was standing there waiting as I walked out, looking me up and down for the spot. I saw him linger on my back before I offered, "it's ok, I'm sure. Just a scrap."

He rolled his eyes and told me, "with your luck?" Before I could argue he breezed past me and started to rummage under my sink. When he caught me staring at him he added, "I know your father keeps a steady supply of first aid items with you living here."

He fished out the large band-aids, peroxide and other items before standing back up. "Shall we?" he asked, gesturing to my bedroom.

I stayed where I was though, my mind trying to comprehend. "But, Edward, I'm bleeding," I stressed. "You don't-"

"It's fine," he insisted, guiding me into the room as I still gawked at him. I wasn't watching where I was walking and before I realized it my foot caught something on the floor and I tilted forward, my face stopping just a foot away from the broken desk on the bedroom floor. I looked down and saw Edward's hands around my waist and let my breath out with a gush. He easily sat me back up on my feet and I hissed, feeling something rub up against my back.

"Come on, lets get you patched up," Edward told me a smile, leaning down to kiss my forehead. "Or we could wait another 5 minutes and let the hospital staff handle it all," he joked.

I shot him a look over my shoulder and hobbled to the bed, my foot throbbing from where I had caught the desk.

I looked over and saw Edward run his hand through his bronze hair before saying, "I'll take care of that, promise. I'll have you a new desk and computer tonight.." I looked back over my shoulder and eyed him before he rolled his own eyes and added, "nothing too flashy."

"The computer might be salvageable," I mused from my spot on the bed finally.

Edward just crinkled his nose and offered happily, "no, it looks trashed."

It was my turn to roll eyes this time and Edward just walked over, sitting beside me, organizing all the stuff he had brought with him from the bathroom.

"Are you sure you can...ya know? Without getting too tempted?" I questioned. "Cause I can do it myself-"

Edward just looked at me and stated plainly, "you can't reach it." I opened my mouth to protest again but gave up, knowing it was useless. My tension must have showed though cause I felt his hand in my damp hair, lightly caressing my neck and shoulder before saying, "Bella, you can trust me - I'll be fine."

"I know," I said without hesitation. "It's not that-" I cut myself off and just said instead, "peroxide burns," trying to cover up my nervousness.

"I would have thought you'd be used to it by now."

"Ha ha," I mocked softly, wiping my hands on my knees.

I could feel Edward move closer up behind me and then reach for the bottom of my shirt before pausing. If I wasn't mistaken I thought Edward was finally realizing my hesitations. We had never gotten to the point where either of our hands had ventured under clothing, let alone on top of clothing, due to Edward's old-fashioned upbringing and the fact that I was human and very tempting to the teenaged vampire's senses.

"May I?" he asked finally, his voice soft and right behind my ear. I just nodded and looked forward, knowing when my shirt was moving as the cold air met my skin. I could feel the fabric resting on my shoulders right before a cold finger touched my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Did I hurt you?" Edward asked, his voice guilty as he pulled away.

"No," I answered automatically, bracing myself for when his fingers would return. His touch was tender as I felt them trace along side of the cut, examining it for some time.

"It looks better than I would have thought," he said finally. "You shouldn't need stitches."

"That's good," I added after a beat, slightly surprised because his hands were already back on my skin. I could feel their coldness at the touch but the trail they left was searing and hot, as if I was yet to feel the pain from being burnt.

"Ready?" Edward asked. I turned my head slightly, wondering what he felt the need to warn me about since his hands were already in contact, when I felt the cold liquid plash on my skin right above the wound.

I hissed automatically as the peroxide hit my cut and tensed, not thinking my back could get any more rigid until I felt his hands grasp my hips, gently and securely, and his body lean closer to mine. I opened my mouth and held my own breath as I felt his reach my skin, the sensation making my hands clench my knee's to keep from saying anything. His icy breath traveled the length of my back, blowing on the wound in an attempt to still the pain but all my body could decipher was his lips, so very close to sensitive skin, his hands resting on my hips in such a way to make my stomach drop and my heart nearly ready to burst.

I didn't dare close my mouth until he pulled back and moved his hands, going about unwrapping my bandages and starting to secure them. I fought every shiver trying to escape down my back from his touch and clenched my jaw eventually, refusing to let anything - a sigh, a gasp, his name - past my lips. His moved effortlessly down my back, placing the band-aids on quickly.

Thank god, I thought finally, feeling the last gauze be placed on. It was bad enough he had to see me loose it every time he kissed me; I was not about to let him see how much his hands affected me, since the feel and sight of my bare back seemed to do nothing to his superior control.

I started to shrug my shoulders, intending to let my shirt fall back down when I felt his touch once again. The back of his hand seemed to almost hover over my skin, only two of his knuckles actually coming into to contact with me but that was all it took. I dropped my head forward, my breath catching instantly and sealing my eyes shut, wanting to have full use of my other senses.

He was gentle and almost hesitant, tracing one of my shoulder blades before moving downward achingly slow. I felt him shift his body closer as his fingers continued to explore my tender skin, moving toward my side and grazing the skin below my arm, dangerously close to my front side. I fiercely grasped my comforter in an effort to suppress my emotions; I could feel my stomach drop and the flush crept up my face as I thought about just where his hand was.

His marble skin lingered for just a beat before he moved on and traced a pattern down the rest of my side, his hand ending on my hip, nestled as far down as he could go before my jeans stopped him. In the back of my fevered mind I wondered just where he his hand might have went if there were no fabrics to deny him and I shivered, the ache in the pit of my stomach intensifying. I felt the powerful grip as his hand dug into my hip, not enough to hurt but more than enough to take my breath away.

The first caress of his lips on my back nearly caused me to black-out, my head getting faint as I lost myself in his cool kisses. His lips were tender and seductive as he traced the same path his hand had before turning in the opposite direction, moving up my neck as his free hand held my hair up out of the way. My breathing came out ragged and unsteady as I forced myself to breath. His sweet breath tickled the base of my hair before he continued on his journey, moving down the other side of my back for a few moments before coming back up, burring his nose in the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply.

I could feel his hand moving from my hip and slowly around my waist, coming to rest palm down on my bare stomach, the coldness radiating off of it quickly being overtaken by my burning skin. It didn't take long for his lips to restart their inquisition and he quickly returned to nearly devouring my skin, his ache to taste all of my skin almost feverish now and finally sending me off the small edge I had been tittering on.

His name burst from my lips, the sound of my voice sounding foreign in my ears and I could feel the growl vibrate in his chest, possessive and heavy. My body reacted instantly with want and need and I squirmed to turn in his embrace, no longer content to be explored - I wanted to be doing the searching.

And then suddenly he was gone, my eyes flying open as I nearly fell off the bed without his arms to keep me steady. I quickly found him against the farthest wall, his hands pressed against the drywall and his head hanging low. I could see the veins in his tightly drawn arms and how taunt his back was, my eyes lingering on his perfect body. With his hands and lips no longer on me my shyness came back into factor and I nearly fell over, wanting to burry my head under the pillows nearby.

"Edward-" My voice shook with love, embarrassment, relief, need - there were too many conflicting emotions flowing through my body to be sure what I intended to say.

"Don't...speak," he growled loudly, his face hidden as he kept his back toward me.

I fought against my embarrassment, slowing my heart rate down and taking in deep breaths, trying to control my shaking body till I was able to move. My knee's were still shaky and I felt as though my legs were going to fall right out from under me but I stood anyway after a minute, slowly making my way across the room. I could hear his breathing become more erratic the closer I got, his back tensing even more through the thin fabric of his shirt.

"Bella..." His voice begged out as my fingers touched his back. I heard a crumbling sound and looked up, seeing his palms just barely start to push through my walls. I almost hesitated, not wanting to push his control anymore in one day.

But instead of backing up I placed my other hand on his back, slowly moving closer and letting them wrap around his body, coming to rest on his chest. I gently placed my cheek against him, waiting patiently and quietly as his breathing slowly started to become more regular, his muscles starting to loosen and finally relax under my touch.

"I could have hurt you."

I heard the anguish in his deep velvety voice and my eyes flew open. "You would never," I told him with conviction, my hands tightening around him instinctively.

When he spoke again his voice still held the same guilt but now it was also harder, the underlining anger coming through clear. "Bella...I lost control. And that is too dangerous for us. I shouldn't have taken advantage of the situation like I did. I'm deeply sorry..."

I picked my head up at that. "Hey, look at me." When he made no attempt to oblige I pulled on his shirt, hearing his sigh before he relunctingly faced my direction. I quickly looked up and captured his gaze, looking deep into his troubled eyes.

"You, Edward Cullen, have nothing to apologize for." After I was sure I had stressed my point, I added with a rueful smile, "and besides, it wasn't like I was trying to fight you off or anything."

"As if you could."

"As if I would."

He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, his hands balling into a fist for a second before he released them. When his eyes finally reopened they were smoldering as he muttered darkly, "you insist to flirt with very dangerous monsters, silly girl."

I tipped my head and leaned closer in, reaching up and gently rubbing the back of his neck. "I believe you're more cuddly than dangerous, any day."

"Only you would," he told me sarcastically but I saw the smirk tugging at his lips, hinting that his anger was more or less gone now.

I grinned and added, "and just about any other girl whose comes in contact with those dazzling eyes of yours."

This time he smiled back openly and leaned down, wrapping his arms around my waist. "You have nothing to worry about then, for I'm saving all that for you."

"You better be," I threatened, stretching up onto my tiptoes to press my lips against his mouth, keeping the kiss slow and sweet. By the time I pulled back my heart was thundering again and I took in a deep breath.

Not soon afterwards I felt his tense in my arms. "What?" I asked, still trying to calm my heartbeat down.

I felt his hands come up and push my hair back off of my face as he sighed. "Your dad is on his way," Edward said, his words making my heart jump back up into my throat.

I opened my mouth to protest but stopped, just letting my forehead fall forward to rest against his chest. "How long do we have?"

Edward didn't answer for a few beats and I looked back up, watching as he appeared to be listening to something I couldn't hear. Suddenly he grabbed my hand and headed for my bedroom door. "I don't think your father would appreciate me in your bedroom," he said, leading the way down the steps. It took me a moment to place the change in his voice, but I soon realized he was nervous; quite nervous actually.

"Wait, where's Alice?" I asked quickly, trying not to trip as we raced downstairs.

Edward paused at the bottom of the steps and listened for a second before telling me, "she's gone." He seemed to be trying to make his mind up, looking between the steps and the front door.

"Edward..." I let my question hang in the air, waiting for him to answer.

He sighed deeply and told me bitterly, "he knows I'm back."

I couldn't help but little a little gasp slip out and quickly demanded, "how? Did he see you last night or-"

Edward's hard voice cut me off. "Your wolf...he just couldn't wait."

The anger and hostility in his tone made a ball of tread swell up in my stomach, clenching my gut. I clearly heard the gravel in my driveway crunch under the weight of a car pulling in.

"How bad?" The urgency in my voice made Edward stare down at me he answered, "bad enough." I nodded and took in a shaky, deep breath. I heard the slam of a car door and I closed my eyes, swallowing down a lump in my throat before turning back toward him.

"Maybe you should go and let me handle this by myself," I whispered quickly, panic starting to set in. I saw him hesitate and I added, "please...I need to do this."

He stared into my eyes for what felt like years before leaning in, pressing his lips against mine fast and hard. "I'll be nearby," Edward vowed.

Then he was gone and I was all alone, my heart ramming in my ears as the front door opened.

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Ok, so there it was. I feel slightly relieved now that I've posted it...but then I just thought of your reviews and the butterflies are back!! But I'm a big girl, so don't hold back - let me know what you think! I promise I won't end up in the corner crying:)

Melissa