Author's Note:

Special thanks to my PTB Beta's: Jennrosee and blahblahblah.

Disclaimer:

S. Meyer owns Twilight. While I borrowed several obvious quotes from her books, no plagiarism is intended.

BPOV

My little payback scheme seems to work better than I originally hoped. Edward doesn't stick around long after my little show, mumbling something about needing a cold shower as he disappears through the door.

What did he expect the routine would be like? The song is about a stripper after all.

Jake was pleased with my performance too, but for an entirely different reason. I freaked out on him when I first put the costume on. I took one look in the mirror at my half-naked body and launched into a tirade about how there was no way in hell I could do this. He let me rant and rave for a solid five minutes before he simply got up and left the room without a word. I was furious with him when he returned with Edward in tow. I didn't understand why he was doing this to me.

At first, just having Edward in the room calmed me down immensely, but then his reaction to my costume confirmed my all fears – that I couldn't pull this off.

Then Edward said he was proud of me, that I'm beautiful, and he made me feel beautiful too. It's not like I suffer from a low self-esteem or anything, but in this instance, with the weight and the pressure of the upcoming audition bearing down on me, I must have needed to hear it.

But it was more than his words that dissolved my nerves. It was the way he looked at me, adoringly, like I was the most important thing in the world. And when he stopped us from going any further, even though my entire body was screaming for him, that action solidified every emotion I saw in his eyes. He truly cares for me, even though I could see he was afraid to say it out loud.

My attitude does a complete U-turn then. I wanted to show him. I wanted him to see. Granted, the audition routine isn't the most graceful example of my work, but it's all I have right now. He has never seen me dance before, and I want him to know this side of me, of my life.

It was then that I realized what Jake was doing. If I can do the routine in front of Edward, whose opinion mattered more to me than anyone else's, then a room full of music producers was going to be a cake-walk.

After I finished the routine, Edward stood up and walked slowly to me. He twisted his long fingers into the hair at the back of my neck and pulled my forehead to his lips.

"You'll be the death of me, I swear it," he muttered into my hair before kissing the top of my head and leaving the room.

After two more times through the routine, Jake lets me take off the slut suit. I have to keep the boots on though. I do need to practice dancing in these skyscraper heels.

The entire afternoon is spent in the studio, working on the audition and a few techniques I need to master before studio class tomorrow. It's well after dark when we finally finish, and by the time Jake begins to pack up his gym bag, I'm so anxious to see Edward that I'm literally bouncing up and down. Jake notices my restless mood and quirks one eyebrow at me.

"What?" I ask defensively.

Jake just shakes his head, pulls his sweatshirt from his bag, and yanks it over his head. He reaches into the side pocket of his bag and retrieves his cell phone and car keys.

"What time is it?" I ask.

Jake glances at the phone in his hand. "7:42. Why? You got a hot date or something?" he says with a smirk.

I narrow my eyes at him, but I don't respond. I'm relieved that it isn't too late. Maybe Edward and I can spend some time together tonight before I have to return to the grind of school and rehearsal again tomorrow.

Jake and I walk down the stairs and into the living room. Edward is there, pacing behind the couch while talking on his phone. He looks up as we enter, and I'm sure the smile that creeps across his face only mirrors my own. He gives Jake a quick nod before whomever he is speaking with grabs his attention again, and he's forced to focus on the conversation again.

I open the front door and follow Jake out onto the porch. Typically, Jake gives me a quick peck on the cheek with a "night, babe, see you tomorrow" before driving off into the darkness. But tonight, Jake stops and turns to face me, his expression serious.

"Bells, I'm just gonna say this once, and then I'll butt the hell out, OK?"

I don't like where this is going already, so I just nod.

"I've lived here my whole life. I was here when the Cullens moved to town. Granted, Seattle is a huge place, but Dr. Cullen has a very prestigious reputation. I realize I don't know Edward that well, but I do know he also has a - a reputation."

Jake takes a deep breath. "What I'm trying to say is, just be careful OK? Remember why you're here. Don't lose focus of your goal. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

I do understand what he's getting at, but I really don't want to have a long, drawn-out conversation about this right now. I silently nod again, hoping it's enough to appease him for now. Truthfully, I'd do a back flip right here on the porch if it would get Jake to leave faster. I'm so anxious to get back inside – back to Edward.

"Good, cause I'll be watching you. I'm not gonna stand by and let you get hurt," he says with a smirk. I know he's teasing, but I realize there is real truth to his words.

"Thank you, Jake. You're a good friend - my best friend," I amend, giving him a tight hug.

"Yeah, I know. OK, go back inside. You look like you're about to burst. I'll see you tomorrow. Love you."

"Night, Jake. Love you too."

Jake bounds off the porch to his car. I watch as he pulls out of the driveway and disappears down the dark street. As soon as his car is out of sight, I rush back to the front door, but I freeze the second my hand touches the doorknob.

Clearly Jake saw how eager I am. If I go back inside now, Edward will surely see it too. The last thing I want Edward to think is that I'm desperate and clingy. I step back from the door and take a few deep breaths to try to calm down.

As I stand in the quiet stillness of the dark porch and try to rein in my excitement, Jake's words unexpectedly and unwillingly repeat in my mind.

"He has a reputation."

What exactly does that mean, anyway?

Before I came to Seattle, Charlie warned me that Edward is a "trouble maker" and that I should simply avoid him. But I haven't seen Edward get into any trouble since I came here. On the contrary, he seems more like a loaner than a rebellious teenager. I wonder what kind of trouble he could have gotten into to cause so many people to form such a negative opinion of him.

Was he a criminal? Did he commit some act of violence?

I allow my imagination to swirl, picturing Edward in an array of wicked acts: spray painting graffiti on an overpass, holding up a convenience store wearing a black ski mask, robbing a bank like Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze in that surfer movie. Each thought has me chuckling harder than the one before it. It is all so ridiculous.

Since I've known him, I've never seen Edward do anything remotely scandalous. Well, except for that night he and Jasper got drunk at home while I was out with Jake. But who am I to judge; I was just as intoxicated as he was. Besides that incident, I could probably count on one hand the number of times he so much as uttered a bad word in my presence. But still, he must have done something to cause the two most important men in my life, Charlie and Jake, to feel they needed to warn me to be careful.

I sneak a quick peek through the illuminated windows. The curtains are closed, but I can see Edward through a tiny space between the fabric and the window's edge. He's still talking on the phone, but he's stopped his pacing for the moment. He sighs as his free hand comes up and runs through his hair. He looks frustrated, almost sad, and I want nothing more than to wrap my arms around his waist and comfort him.

Then I realize, with resounding clarity – it doesn't matter. Whatever he has done in the past is in the past. This is here and now. This is us.

Well, this is me standing alone on the porch. If I want "us," I should go back inside.

I giggle again at my inner monologue as I turn and walk back into the house. Edward has resumed his pacing again, still listening intently to the person chatting away in his ear. He looks up as I enter, and the frustration I saw through the window melts away as he smiles at me. My heart completely melts too.

Yup, it doesn't matter.

"Yeah. Yeah. No, that's fine. Uh, huh… yeah," Edward blabbers away to his caller.

I walk over to the couch and curl up on the soft cushions. It feels so good to finally sit down. I've been on my feet nonstop since breakfast, and my legs are starting to ache. I wonder, absently, if I should give Edward some privacy to finish his call, but the couch is so comfortable that I can't force myself to get up again. Instead, I snuggle deeper into the pillows and lay my head against the armrest, closing my eyes.

I can hear Edward's voice grow louder as he moves closer to me, sitting down on the armrest directly behind my head. His fingers softly graze the top of my head as he runs them through my hair. I open my eyes, turn my head, and gaze up at him. Edward bends forward and gently kisses my lips without making a sound. I roll back to my side and close my eyes again as Edward resumes stroking my hair.

"No, I'll tell him. I don't know. Yeah… she's right here. Of course, she's fine." Edward leans forward slightly. "Esme says hi," he says a bit louder.

"Hi," I reply, though it comes out more like a purr.

"She says hi." Edward repeats to his mother, and I can hear the amusement in his voice. "Yeah. I don't know. OK... yeah. Uh, I haven't seen him. I think he went over to Ro-"

My eyes fly open in horror as I realize he is talking about Emmett. I sit up abruptly, leaving Edward's hand suspended in the air, and begin frantically sweeping my hand across my throat – the international sign for shut the hell up!

"Err - no, I mean…" Edward shakes his head, looking at me with wide, questioning eyes.

"Tell her he's asleep," I try to whisper, but it comes out more like a rasp.

"He's asleep," Edward shakes his head. He looks at me again, confused and annoyed. "Of course, in his room," Edward scowls.

I grit my teeth and nervously begin biting my thumbnail. Edward takes in my worried stance, and instantly his expression softens to one of amusement. He leans toward me and grasps my hand in his, pulling it away from my mouth. Intertwining his fingers with mine, he raises our joined hands to his lips and kisses the inside of my wrist silently. Contented warmth spreads all over my body.

"OK. Alright." Edward removes the phone from his ear and hands it to me. "She wants to talk to you," he says, twisting his mouth downward in a mocking grimace.

Oh crap. She didn't buy it.

I take the phone from his hand. "Hello?" I say hesitantly.

"Hi, sweetheart! How are you? How is school going? Are you ready for your audition this week?" Esme fires her questions at me so rapidly it takes me a second to process everything she's asking. Thankfully, none of it is about Emmett.

"I'm good. Everything is good. School is going well, and I'm feeling better about Wednesday. I got my costume today. It's a little -" I steal a quick glance at Edward who smirks and looks away, "skimpy."

"Oh, well, sweetie, I'm sure it's going to be just fine. I wish I could be there to go with you."

"Oh, that's OK. Jake is going to take me." The last thing I need is Esme at my audition. That would make made me way too nervous.

"You call me the second you get done, OK?"

"Sure," I promise.

"Look, sweetie, the reason I called tonight is, well, things are going really well here. The book is doing better than we expected –"

"That's so great!" I blurt out.

"Yes, thank you, it is exciting. But the publisher wants to add a few more promotional stops on this little book tour so it looks like I'm going to have to spend another week on the road. I know Carlisle has been working a lot too. I just feel like we've been leaving you kids alone too much."

"Oh, no, no. It's fine, really. I'm at school and rehearsal so much anyway. Don't even worry about it." I don't want to sound like I don't want her around, but I can't help but feel delighted to hear we still have the house to ourselves.

"Bella." Esme's tone becomes serious and I tense. "Can Edward hear me?"

"Um," I steal a quick glance at Edward. During my conversation with Esme, he had walked over to the bar near the kitchen. He is leaning against it now, flipping through the pages of a magazine, but doesn't look completely engrossed in what he's doing.

I stand up and take a few steps away from the couch, pretending to mindlessly pace from the living room to the foyer. "No, I don't think so," I respond consciously after a few seconds.

"Good. He didn't want me to say anything to you about this, but really, how could I not."

My heart begins beating rapidly in my chest. Edward has been talking to his mother about me. I mentally kick myself for spending so much time out on the porch. I could have been in here monitoring - or even preventing - that conversation.

"He's worried about you, sweetheart," Esme confesses.

My eyes flash back to Edward. He's still occupied with his magazine and doesn't notice the sudden panic radiating off me in waves.

"Why?" I manage to squeak out, but my voice noticeably waivers.

"Edward tells me you've taken over a lot of the household chores. He's worried you are wearing yourself out between your school work, dance rehearsals, and trying to run the house."

Esme chuckles softly. "Actually, he's kind of beating himself up about it because he didn't realize it earlier. He assures me he's going to do what he can to help out around the house more to take some of the burden off of you."

I'm shocked, completely and utterly shocked. I don't know how to respond, but I manage to squeak out a harshly whispered "W - What?"

Esme laughs loudly in my ear. "I know. I was stunned speechless too. He was asking me about where to take the dry cleaning and how to change the bag in the vacuum cleaner. For a while there I couldn't believe it was Edward I was talking to."

I glance at Edward again and notice he's watching me. I'm certain he can't hear his mother from across this distance. He smiles, embarrassed at being caught staring, and returns his attention to his magazine.

"Now, Bella," Esme continues, her tone now scolding. "You know I don't expect you to, or even want you to take on those responsibilities. But I know you. It's just ingrained in you to take care of everyone around you so I know asking you to stop would be pointless."

"I don't mind," I insist.

"I know, dear. Just promise me you won't do too much, and you won't stress yourself out. And please, please, if Edward wants to help, let him. This could be so good for him." Esme laughs again. "That's part of the reason I don't want to ask you to stop."

Now it's my turn to giggle, "OK, I promise."

I slowly stroll back toward Edward under the pretense of mindlessly pacing while Esme prattles away in my ear.

"How are my boys doing?" she asks, returning to her normal, cheery voice. "They aren't running you crazy are they? I do hope they're acting like gentlemen."

"Yes, they're fine. I've been keeping Emmett well fed, but Edward here could probably use a cheeseburger or two."

I poke Edward in the ribs with my finger. To him, the gesture probably looks like I'm emphasizing that he's too skinny. But to me, the jab is revenge for tattling to his mother.

Edward recoils, grasping at his side with wide eyes, as if my little jab has truly injured him. Dramatically, he stumbles back to the couch and collapses with a flourish across the cushions. He pretends to draw his final breath and die. It's an Oscar winning performance, and I can't stop the giggle that escapes my lips. I have never seen him so playful, so happy.

"I'm glad you and Edward are getting along again." Esme's observation abruptly sobers me up.

"Ah - yeah. He's a… we're -" Shit. I don't know what to say. We haven't talked about this. We haven't talked about anything really. "Friends," I amend.

"I see. That's nice, dear. Edward could use a few friends like you. Don't repeat this, but I'm not entirely fond of that Jasper fellow. I'm not sure he's such a good influence on Edward."

"Uh huh," I mumble. Esme continues to prattle away in my ear about – something - I wasn't listening anymore.

I'm completely distracted by Edward. He lays unmoving on the couch, still pretending to be mortally wounded by my poke to his ribs. He looks so peaceful, so beautiful.

I take a few steps closer until I'm finally standing directly over him. A tiny sliver of couch remains unfilled by his body, and I sit down. I keep my eyes locked on his face as I lean back and make myself comfortable against his chest. His eyes remain closed, but he grins slightly before quickly composing his features back into his performance.

This is the first decent opportunity I've had to really scrutinize his face. I study the lines of his jaw, his lips, his cheek bones, his long eyelashes - all while Esme rambles on in my ear.

"Hello? Bella? Damn this stupid phone – "

I shake my head and snap out of my trance. "Oh, I'm here. I can hear you."

"Oh good, well, I was just rambling anyway. I should probably let you go. Give my love to Emmett when you see him. Tell him to call me, OK?"

"OK, sure." I agree.

"Bye, Bella. Good luck Wednesday. I can't wait to hear all about it."

"Thanks, I'll call you soon as I know something. Bye, Esme."

I close Edward's phone, lean forward, and place it on the coffee table. Climbing down from my seat, I kneel next to the couch, scooting forward on my knees to move closer to his head. He's still frozen like a statue, not moving a muscle. Cautiously, I raise my hand and gently stroke the side of his face. The stubble on his cheek tickles my palm, and I can see his lips twitch as he tries to fight off the smirk I know is brewing just below the surface. I decide to torture him a bit, tracing my fingers leisurely over his forehead, his eyebrows, around his ear, down his cheek and finally across his bottom lip.

The atmosphere between us slowly dissolves from childish and playful into something much more profound. I can tell Edward feels it too as his lips no longer look like they are resisting a silly grin. Instead, his mouth opens slightly and I feel a sharp breath pass over my fingers.

I can't stand it anymore. I lean forward and replace my fingers with my lips, kissing him once gently.

That got him.

He finally breaks his petrified stance and moves his mouth against mine, kissing me back eagerly. He reaches up, tangling his hands in my hair, pulling me closer and intensifying our kiss. After several seconds he lets go of my head and without breaking our kiss, he snakes both hands around my waist. Lifting me up effortlessly, he pulls my body on top of his. One hand instantly returns to my hair while his other hand gradually begins working its way under my shirt, gently stroking my back. I melt against his touch.

We continue that way for a solid ten minutes; kissing, caressing, never moving beyond simply making-out as our bodies twist and tangle together. Eventually, we are forced to break our heated kiss to catch our breath. But even then, I continue placing gentle kisses on his jaw and down his neck.

"Bella?" he asks breathlessly.

"Hmm?" I mumble, not slowing my actions.

"Where is Emmett?"

How can he be thinking of Emmett at a time like this?

"He's at Rose's house," I murmur into his neck. "Her parents are out of town. He's not supposed to be over there after her curfew."

"Oh."

Edward is silent again for several minutes. I can tell something is on his mind, so I reluctantly stop assaulting his neck and nestle my head on his shoulder, my fingers playing with the collar of his shirt. Edward holds me tightly against his chest, and he continues to mindlessly draw circles on my back with his fingers. I wait patiently, hoping he'll just tell me what's bothering him before I have to work up the courage to ask.

"Bella," he starts, "when you were talking with Esme you said 'we're friends.' Were you talking about us?"

"Yes. Esme made a comment that we seemed to be getting along quite well. I didn't know what to say."

Edward is silent again, but for much longer this time. I begin to worry that he's angry with me. Maybe it was the wrong thing to say. But what did he expect me to tell her? I mean, we are friends, more than friends, obviously. Did he not want anyone to know? Or maybe he's hurt that I didn't refer to myself as something… more?

"I'm sorry," I say regretfully. "I guess I shouldn't have said anything to her."

"No, Bella, you didn't do anything wrong. I just - I don't think we should tell them, or anyone, about this. About us, I mean. Not yet anyway."

So that's it. He doesn't want anyone to know about this. "Why?" I ask, trying to disguise the hurt in my voice.

I feel him shrug underneath me. "I just don't think they would like the idea of us being together while we are living under the same roof."

"Oh, OK," I mumble. "That makes sense."

He does have a good point. If his parents knew about this, they would probably never leave us alone, much less allow us to have the entire second floor to ourselves. But I can't help the nagging feeling that there is something else he's holding back. Before I can work up the courage to ask him, Edward speaks again.

"So," he says in a cheerful tone, "what was that you were saying about cheeseburgers?"

EPOV

Bella retreats up the stairs to take her shower, leaving me to clean up our mess from dinner.

When she tries to help clear the table, I firmly announce a "you cook, I clean" policy is now in effect. Bella looks at me skeptically for a second but doesn't object. With a whispered "thank you" and a soft kiss on my cheek, she escapes upstairs to her room. A moment later, I hear the faint sounds of water running.

This is the first meal I've eaten alone with Bella since our lunch date at the café. Dinner at home seems to be her and Emmett's thing, and on some level, I feel like I'm intruding. But since he's clearly not coming home tonight, Bella assures me I'm a good enough stand-in for her "Emmy."

I couldn't wait to rag him about that later.

We make cheeseburgers, cooking enough to feed a small army. I watch as Bella carefully wraps two of the burgers in foil and places them in a brown paper sack along with a bag of chips and a soda. On the outside of the bag she scribbles a quick note:

Have a good "day" at work!

Apparently, this routine plays out every night because when I look at her quizzically, I get a sarcastic "what?" in response.

I finish loading the dirty dishes into the dishwasher and set to wiping down the counters. Honestly, I'm glad to have these few moments alone as it gives me some time to think.

Esme's little comment to Bella about us getting along really threw me. I know we will have to "come out" to my parents one of these days. I just didn't think it would be on day one.

I know Esme well enough to realize she probably doesn't buy Bella's "we're just friends" routine. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Carlisle suddenly switches off the night shift and starts hanging around the house more. In fact, I'd bet good money that the second Esme hung up with Bella she was calling Carlisle, instructing him to do just that.

I thought I covered well. The excuse that my parents won't like us shacking up under their roof seems plausible. I just couldn't bring myself to tell her everything. I promised myself I would do it soon, just not today. I know we need to have a serious talk, but it just seems ridiculously early to be hashing out our future when we just confessed our feelings for each other twelve hours ago. We're still in the honeymoon phase.

Honeymoon.

The word conjures up all kinds of vivid images, and for a moment, I'm swept away to a tropical island, Bella and I kissing passionately in the warm sand as we –

"Edward?" Carlisle's voice breaks through my fantasy, and he laughs as I literally snap back to reality.

"Where were you just now?" he asks, clearly amused.

"Oh, uh, nowhere. I - I was just – "

"Daydreaming. I get it," he interjects, saving me from my mumbling. "It must have been a good one from the look on your face. I'm sorry I interrupted."

So am I.

"So, how are you?" he asks.

For the second time tonight, I visibly flinch. Carlisle hasn't addressed me so casually in months. For a moment, I stare at him with wide, surprised eyes.

Carlisle must sense my astonishment. "How is school going?" he clarifies, trying to lead me into a conversation.

"Its - good?" My answer sounds more like a question. I clear my throat and hesitantly continue. "My schedule is pretty good. I got into the A.P. Biology class I wanted."

This is weird. Are we seriously going to have a casual chat? Like father and son? Like we used to?

"That's great."

Carlisle is silent for a moment as he continues to study me. He cocks his head to one side and narrows his eyes. "There is something different about you," he says, almost to himself.

So this isn't a friendly chat after all. He's looking for information.

I huff and shake my head, focusing my attention back on scrubbing the counters. Here I am, thinking he's suddenly offering me a proverbial olive branch - such an idiot.

"My drug test this month was clear," I mumble angrily.

"I know that, but that's not what I meant," he says calmly. "I don't know. Something."

I stop cleaning and stare at him, the annoyance clearly evident on my face. My irritation doesn't deter him, and Carlisle continues to scrutinize me.

With a start, I suddenly realize what is different about me, what's changed - Bella. And I'm happy, truly happy, for the first time in a long time. Maybe it's evident to everyone else.

"Bella made your dinner, er… lunch?" I nod to the sack on the counter, trying desperately to change the subject as I focus on my cleaning again.

Carlisle walks over to the bar, lifts the brown bag, and smirks as he reads the inscription. "That girl is something," he muses.

"Yes, she is." I blurt out before I can catch myself. Carlisle's eyes flash to mine and he stares at me.

Shit.

His tone returns to the typical suspicious and untrustworthy tenor I've grown used to. "Esme tells me you and Bella have become – friends."

I knew it! She did call him the second she got off the phone with Bella!

"She's friends with Emmett too," I deflect, mentally patting myself on the back for pointing out that fact.

"Yes, she is. But that's different. Emmett has a girlfriend."

With whom he's shacking up with right at this moment.

I consider throwing that little bit of info out there and diverting the conversation off me completely, but I can't do that to Emmett. I might need him to return the favor one day.

"And," Carlisle continues, "Emmett isn't - you."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I ask belligerently.

"Edward, we talked about this," he says, clearly provoked by my defensiveness.

OK, here we go.

Carlisle is visibly growing more irritated by the minute, and I'm utterly pissed. We're so long overdue for one of our epic battles that I'm surprised he isn't shaking with symptoms of withdrawal. No doubt he's got some pent up ammunition, given my hermit-like behavior over the past two weeks. If this goes on for another minute, we will certainly be screaming at each other at top volume.

I toss the damp rag forcefully into the sink and turn my body toward him. "You know what, Carlisle," I twist his name like it's a vile word. I open my mouth again, about to unload how fucking sick and tired I am of his unrelenting distrust over something that happened months ago, when I hear the water abruptly turn off in the shower upstairs.

Bella.

I close my eyes and the image of her face appears behind my lids. A ripple of calm runs down my spine, causing me to inhale deeply.

I have to keep myself in check. If I let my emotions get the best of me now, I'll ruin everything. Undoubtedly, in the heat of the argument, I'd blurt out something about Bella and I being together and where he could stick his opinions on that subject.

I take a another deep breath and try to rein in my anger, lowering the volume of my voice before speaking. "What is so wrong with Bella and I being friends?"

"Edward," Carlisle begins, and I'm surprised by his clam, almost regretful, tone. "I've seen the way you look at her."

I don't know what to say to that. I can't deny it.

Just then, a door opens upstairs. We both look up to see Bella stride across the landing at the top of the stairs. She wearing her silk bathrobe, and her hair is wrapped tightly in a green towel, piled on top of her head. She disappears into her room without noticing her audience below.

As soon as her door closes, I turn back to face Carlisle. I feel the smile that had unconsciously materialized fade from my face. Judging by his smug expression, Carlisle didn't miss it.

"I'm sorry, but you know my feelings on the subject. I'm counting on you to do the right thing," he says decisively.

I don't move an inch. Sorry, Carlisle. Just go ahead and add this to my long list of failures because I'm not going to stay away from her any more.

Carlisle grabs the paper sack from the counter and leaves out the front door without another word.

I finish cleaning up the kitchen, putting the leftovers in the refrigerator since Emmett isn't coming home, and turn off all the lights. I make it halfway up the stairs when I hear Bella scream.

"OH! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! OUCH… OH… OUUU… SHIT!"

I sprint up the remaining stairs, taking two steps at a time, and burst through Bella's door without even bothering to knock. She is limping in circles around her bed, gingerly walking on the ball of her left foot. I rush straight to her, holding out my hands to catch her, but Bella pushes me away. She continues to hobble back and forth with a look of anguish on her face.

"What happened? What's wrong?" My eyes dart back and forth between her foot and her pained face.

"Charlie horse," she spits between her clenched teeth.

"What?" She isn't making any sense. Did she hit her head too?

"Cramp. Leg. Cramp. Hurts."

"What can I do?"

She looks at me for the first time but doesn't stop her pacing, seemingly trying to decide if there is anything I can do. After another pass around her bed, Bella walks directly to me. She grasps both her hands tightly around mine, and I feel her lean into the hold for support.

Slowly, she transfers her weight from her good leg and gradually begins lowering her upturned heel to the floor. She sucks in a couple of sharp breaths as she moves until – finally - she is standing flat footed on her offending leg. She exhales deeply and seems to relax.

"Better?" I ask, still holding tight to her hands.

"Yeah, I think so." She begins testing her leg, shifting her weight back and forth. "Yeah, it's over."

"What the hell was that?"

"A Charlie horse. A muscle cramp? You've never had one?"

"Not like that. You scared me for a minute there. I was concerned that I might have to avenge your murder or something."

Bella snickers. "No, but sometimes it does feel like someone is stabbing me when it happens. The only way I can make it stop is to stretch the muscle. You know, put weight on it, and that hurts like hell too."

"Does this happen a lot?"

Bella shrugs. "Only when I've been working out a lot. I guess I'm not drinking enough water."

"Well, let me get you something to drink." I try to turn and head back to the kitchen, but Bella still holds my hands tightly in hers.

"No, don't go," she says softly.

I finally take in my surroundings. I'm in Bella's bedroom again, the lamp on her nightstand casting a warm glow over the room. Bella releases my hands and takes two small steps backward toward her door, her eyes never leaving mine. She closes the door behind her and leans back against it, her hands disappearing behind her back. I hear the faint click of the lock engage.

I smirk. "Are you taking me hostage, Bella?"

She nods once, very slowly. I allow my eyes to drink in the girl standing before me. Bella's hair, still damp from the shower, drapes around her shoulders in waves of chocolate ringlets. Her white t-shirt is too big for her delicate frame and dangles low enough to cover just the tops of her bare legs.

"Did you really have a leg cramp, or was that just bait?"

Bella strides back to stand directly in front of me. She taps her finger against her chin, pretending to mull it over. "Hmm, and it worked so well. I might have to keep that in my arsenal."

I cradle her cheek in my hand. "You don't need to bait me, beautiful. You already have me." I pull her face to mine and kiss her softly, once again using my actions to convey the emotions I'm too much of a chicken-shit to say aloud.

Bella's hands skim up my arms, and she removes my hands from her face. She twists her fingers in mine and takes a step back, pulling me with her as she backs up toward her bed. When her legs meet the mattress, she lets go and drags herself backward up the bed toward the pillows. I follow closely, crawling on my hands and knees until my body is hovering over hers. I lean down, supporting my weight on my arms, and resume kissing her gently. She raises her hand, grasping the back of my neck, holding my face to hers.

Without breaking the kiss, I roll us both on our sides, freeing up my right hand to explore. My hand trails slowly down her side, over her hip and across her naked thigh. I grip under her knee and hitch it up over my leg, shifting her body closer to mine. My hand begins to revisit the path back up her thigh to her hip, but this time my fingers graze the skin under her shirt instead of above.

Oh my God, she isn't wearing any pants. How did I miss that crucial detail when I came to her rescue?

I barely pause as my fingers brush over the side of her underwear. My hand continues its path up her side, pulling her shirt up as I move until I finally brush against the side of her breast. Slowly, I run my hand across her soft flesh as Bella moans softly against my lips.

Bella's hands, which were tangled in my hair, move down my chest. She grips the hem of my shirt and pulls slightly. I sit up quickly and kneel on the bed beside her. I reach behind my head and grab a handful of fabric between my shoulder blades, pulling my shirt over my head and tossing it to the floor.

Before I can lie down again, Bella is on her knees in front of me. Her hands caress my chest as she kisses a path up my neck. Every touch of her lips feels like fire against my skin. At long last, her mouth meets mine again, and I grasp her face in my hands, kissing her as if I'm a drowning man and she is the air I need to breathe.

Too soon, Bella pulls away. She crosses her arms over her body, gripping the hem of her shirt, and pulls it up over her head in one fluid movement. Her shirt barely has time to join the pile of discarded clothes on the floor before I pull her mouth back to mine. My hands trail over her bare shoulders and down the silky skin of her back. I pull her body flush against mine as she wraps her arms around my chest.

Holding her close, I push back, laying her down gently on the bed. My body hovers over hers, and for the first time tonight, I pause and stare into her warm, brown eyes. I brush her hair away from her forehead and for a brief second her eyes flutter closed.

"You are - so beautiful," I sigh.

Bella raises her hand to touch my cheek, and I twist my head and kiss the inside of her wrist.

"Are you sure about this?" I ask, studying her face. She opens her mouth to answer, but I cut her off before she can speak. "I don't mean just this, I mean - me. Are you sure… about me? There is so much that you don't - you deserve to -"

I close my eyes and shake my head, unable to speak the words. I need to tell her she deserves someone far better than me, but I'm terrified. If she knows the truth about me, if she knows what I had done, what I'm capable of, she'll realize I'm right.

And then she'll leave me.

A sudden pain twists in my stomach at the thought of being without her.

"Hey, hey, don't do that." Bella's hands press gently against both sides of my face. "Look at me, Edward."

I open my eyes again and look down at the beautiful woman in my arms.

"Whatever it is, it doesn't matter. I want you, Edward. You." She smiles shyly up at me. "I want you more than anything I've ever wanted in my life," she adds quietly.

I stare at her, and I can see the certainty radiating in her eyes. "Bella, I…"

How can I tell her what she means to me? How can I explain this pull I feel toward her? None of the words swirling around in my head even come close to capturing the weight of what I'm feeling.

Except one.

"Come here," she whispers, clearly sensing my struggle. Bella pulls my face to hers as she captures my mouth in a gentle kiss. "No more talking," she commands, and I nod minutely without removing my lips from hers.

Our pace begins to quicken as our kisses become more passionate. I finally break away from her mouth, desperate for air, and nuzzle my face into her neck.

I fight the urge to kiss her soft skin. Instead, I tease her with just the lightest brush of my wet lips down her neck to her collarbone. Keeping my lips in contact with her skin, I continue my path lower at an agonizingly slow speed. I open my mouth slightly and exhale a warm breath as I move.

My reluctance at kissing her seems to be working as Bella's breathing becomes more and more labored.

"Why are you torturing me?" she hisses.

I smile against her skin. "No more talking," I repeat, my lips not breaking their connection with the top of her breast.

Finally, my mouth reaches her peak, and I circle my open lips around her hardened nipple. Bella whimpers quietly as I suck her into my mouth. I continue to caress her body with my mouth and hands. Bella can't seem to keep still, her legs bending and stretching while her hips rock from side to side as she writhes under me.

Bella's hands move to the waist of my jeans, and her fingers fumble with the button. I feel the fabric give way as she begins to undress me. She pulls my jeans over my hips, and they soon join the growing pile of discarded clothes on the floor.

Our bodies become a tangled mess of arms, legs, and hands; twisting and touching every inch without being able to get close enough. I slide my hand down her side to her hip, slipping inside her underwear, and push them down her thighs. Bella follows my lead, tugging my boxes down my legs, removing the final barrier between us.

My heart is pounding in my chest, and our breathing is labored and erratic. I lift myself up and hover over her, my weight resting on my elbows on either side of her head. Bella stares up at me, and for a moment, I'm lost in the flood of emotion I see in her eyes; desire and longing, lust and - love.

"Edward," she whispers, and I kiss her again. I'm determined to take this slow and cherish this moment as if this is the first time I've ever made love to someone.

I push myself inside of her and we both moan at the sensation. I stay completely still, relishing the feeling of our bodies connected in the most intimate way possible.

Gradually, I begin rocking my hips, slowly at first, then faster and faster, feeding the fire that is burning inside me. Bella raises her hands over her head and laces her fingers in mine, holding on tightly as I rhythmically move in and out. From the look in her eyes and the way her body continues to quiver under mine, I know she won't be able to last much longer.

I feel her grip on our joined hands tighten just before a spasm rocks through her body. Bella cries out, and her legs tremble violently with the sudden eruption of her orgasm. I feel her tighten around me in hot, wet waves, and I come undone, grunting and moaning as I release inside her.

I collapse against her chest, my shaking arms unable to support my weight any longer. Not wanting to crush her, I roll over and lay on my back beside her, trying to catch my breath and slow my racing heart.

After a moment, Bella turns onto her side and lays her head on my shoulder, her fingers lightly brushing back and forth across my chest. I touch her chin with my hand, raising her face to look at me. Bella twists her body again so that her chin rests on my chest. I look directly into her beautiful, brown eyes, and she gazes back at me, a content smile on her lips.

"Bella, I -"

"No," she interrupts. "No more talking. There is nothing you could say that can make tonight more perfect."

She's wrong.

Instead, I lift my head and kiss her softly again.

Author's Note:

This story is BABY FREE! Even though they just had unprotected sex, I promise there will be NO pregnancy.

Tweet Me! www[dot]twitter[dot]com/Viridian6