Thank you to everyone that reviewed put this fic on alert or marked it as a favorite! What a compliment! My apologies for making you wait this long for the next update…RL is a bitch!

I explained to my TWCS readers that I'm writing this fic in EPOV 4 chapters, BPOV 4 chapters and so an and so forth. EPOV will therefore only start on chapter 16 again. I know a lot of you would have loved to read EPOV on the last chapter…but I like to think that some situations are a lot more fun when left to your own imagination…

Some of you also wanted to know how many chapters this story will have… Well, your guess is as good as mine! I'll be writing until I can figure out a credible way for these two to end up together!

Just a reminder that I don't own twilight or any of the characters. I simply like to play with them.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

-The Prevention-

To say that I've been avoiding Edward Cullen for the last couple of days would have been the understatement of the century! I've been ducking and diving every possible situation where Edward and I will need to be in the same zip code, let alone room. On Thursday morning, after the previous night when Edward so eloquently informed me that he knew…about me…and…well, you know? I got up before even Charlie's internal clock could wake him, showered and dressed quietly and escaped from my house that was slowly starting to become my prison. The mortification of realizing that Edward was awake during my introduction to the wonderful world that is Edward Cullen's humping abilities was gnawing away on my nerves. Just to think that he was conscious and aware of the fact that I was using his leg and ultimately his hand as I writhed and moaned and pleaded… Ugh… Kill. Me. Now.

I was at the office at half past five fighting my way through tons of paperwork in the moments I wasn't staring blankly at my wall, replaying his words of the previous evening. Imagining what I must have looked like to Edward as I came… Hoping that I didn't look like a complete sex craved fool.

I left the office just before eight, knowing that Edward would be late due to the hangover he was surely nursing. I sent him a shit load of work related emails and tasks that would certainly keep him busy for the next two days as I hid from him, licking my wounds…and ego. I also sent an email to his personal account advising him that I would be spending Thursday and Friday with my parents and that his 'services' will not be required for the two days.

By late afternoon on Thursday, after a long and exhausting shopping spree with Renee I received an email from Edward asking whether he should be sleeping over at my house. I quickly told him that it would not be necessary and that he didn't have to sleep at my house on Friday night either. I kept the emails short and professional, struggling to grasp onto the last straws of my dignity. He didn't push or ask any questions, clearly indicating that he could remember his admittance of the previous evening, and ultimately crushing my hopes for an alcohol induced amnesia miracle.

If Renee and Charlie were suspicious about the fact that they haven't seen Edward Thursday or all day Friday, they didn't let on…thank goodness. I just couldn't imagine fabricating any lies without my face bursting into the flames that so regularly accompanied my appearance these days. It was only after lunch at Pike Place Chowder in downtown Seattle that Renee finally enquired about Edward's whereabouts.

"Where's Edward nowadays?"

"Oh, he's just really busy, Mom." I shrug nonchalantly, pretending to navigate my car through downtown lunch time traffic with great concentration.

"Will he be coming over tonight?" She's a persistent one.

"No. You guys won't be there anyway, I have a lot of work and Edward wants to sort out one or two things at his house tonight." I lie and lift my eyes to the rear view mirror where Renee is watching closely from her spot on the back seat. Well, part of it was a lie. Renee and Charlie was really not going to be home tonight as they will be having dinner with an old college friend of Renee's.

"Oh, well I look forward to seeing him tomorrow then." She gives me a broad smile which I return with a watery one of my own.

"Yea tomorrow is going to be fun." I attempt to sound excited but as usual it falls flat.

"I still can't believe there is actually such a thing as a Daffodil Festival." Charlie mumbles from beside me, his eyes staring out of the passenger window at the buildings flying past us as I accelerate towards my house.

"Oh hush Charles." Renee giggles and taps him lightly on the shoulder. "I think it is incredibly sweet of Edward to take us."

"Edward wants to do something for the ladies, Dad." I defend my pretend boyfriend for who knows what reason. "Besides, I think you guys had enough of your own fun on Wednesday night." I cringe as the words leave my mouth. The last thing I need right now is to be reminded of that awful evening. My stomach immediately tightens painfully as the memories flash through my mind relentlessly. Edward's smoldering eyes…Edward's hands on my cheeks…Edward's soft lips on mine…Edward's hand on my crotch…Edward's words… Ugh!

"I'd say." Renee agrees with a jovial laugh and distracts me momentarily from my internal hell.

"It was okay." Charlie admits with a grumble.

"Please Charlie?" Renee once again giggles. "You couldn't stop talking about it all night. I hardly slept a wink with your constant mumblings about Emmett being a good kid, and Jasper being deserving of Alice. He even said that he wouldn't mind having Edward as his son in law." My mother's voice lowers conspiratorially as she eyes me from the back seat with gleaming eyes.

I roll my eyes at her in the rear view mirror in response and try to hide my shock. The mere thought of Edward ever being my husband is unnerving and surprisingly warms my whole body. At first, I'm stunned at the blissful feeling coursing through my system, and then I remember that it's all a lie and the warm feeling suddenly leaves me only to be replaced with cold resentment. The mere thought is ridiculous. I don't want Edward in that way. I'm his boss. I'm Isabella freaking Swan and I don't need a man to be happy…do I?

It's hours later when Renee and Charlie finally leave for their dinner date. I'm sitting on my couch with a draft chapter of one of my writers on my lap, Mumford and Sons playing softly in the background, second glass of red wine beside me and editing pencil shoved in the loose bun at the nape of my neck. I'm scanning over the various spelling and grammar errors and once again find myself perplexed at the fact that this person claims to be a writer in the English language at all. If it wasn't a half interesting story idea, I wouldn't have bothered taking on the novel at all.

There is a confident knock on my front door that startles the hell out of me. I gape at the door in surprise and rise from my chair with a confused frown. Who the hell could be at my door at eight thirty on a Friday night? I didn't order in. Alice and Jasper have a date night and my parents have a spare key to my apartment. I find myself sighing in frustration as the unknown person knocks again, toying with my already finely tuned irritation levels.

I fling my door open dramatically, planning on ripping the offensive guest a new one, when I practically swallow my tongue in alarm.

I'm staring at Edward slack jawed. He's standing outside of my door, leaning against the hallway wall with arms crossed over his chest. He's wearing a green sweater, which really brings out the color of his eyes, with the collar of a white t-shirt just slightly peaking out accompanied by dark jeans and boots. His hair is a proper mess and there is at least two day old stubble on his defined jaw. I notice the corners of his lips are uncharacteristically turned down…no sign of his usual cocky smirk.

I lift my eyebrows at him in question, seeing as he hasn't bothered to speak yet, and due to the fact that I'm still unable to find my voice. Edward is distractingly hot.

"You're avoiding me." He states in a gruff voice.

"That's ridiculous." I manage to mutter after the blow of his words.

"I emailed you." His facial expression is blank but I can see the annoyance in his eyes.

"I know." I shrug, struggling to remain unaffected by his hostility.

"I BBM'd you."

"I'm working."

He releases a huff and straightens from his position against the wall effectively towering over my short frame.

"Where are your parents?"

"They're out." I frown at him and fold my arms over my chest in an attempt to protect myself from his invisible onslaught.

"Good." He states and steps past me into the foyer of my apartment. I turn around in surprise and watch his retreating frame as he makes his way towards the living room. I follow the movements of his lithe body and finally close the door behind me in a huff.

"What do you want?" I ask accusingly as I approach his still standing form. He's holding the draft chapter I was editing before he interrupted in one hand, the other flipping through the pages lazily.

"This is crap." He exclaims and dumps the papers back on the table, before running a hand through his wild hair and turning towards me. I'm taken aback by the stormy depths of his eyes but do my best to stay focused on my growing impatience.

"Well that's my job to decide." I bite back as I scurry to straighten out the pages he haphazardly chucked to the side. "What the hell is your problem?" I'm practically shaking with pent up anger.

"What's my problem?" Edward exclaims with a sardonic laugh. "What the hell is your problem Bella?"

"I don't have one!" I exclaim as I throw my hands in the air in exasperation. My voice echo's through the apartment as we stare at each other in silence. Edward's eyes are shooting daggers at me and his posture is one of a jungle cat ready to attack his prey. I'm sure that I'm looking much the same as I size him up with a cold glare.

"You know Miss Swan? I'm really surprised at your adolescent behavior." His voice is low and menacing and rattles each bone in my body. I know I shouldn't be turned on by the threat in his voice or his condescending statement, but everything about his posture is primal and manly and it causes my body to awaken in ways I've never experienced before.

"Who do you think…?"

I'm interrupted by Edward's approaching body as he takes three steady steps towards me, pinning me against the side of the chair behind me. My hands are shaking as the familiar vibrations of his proximity stuns me into silence.

"You rode my leg. You fucked my hand. And now, you need to get the fuck over it." He breathes over me as I stare up into his fiery eyes. My mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water as I struggle to find anything to say in reply. "We didn't have sex." He continues as I battle to form a coherent thought. "We're not fifteen years old. There is no reason for you to hump and hide."

"I'm not – I didn't…"

"Let's not kid each other, shall we? You enjoyed it." And there it is. The smirk I've been missing since he showed up uninvited at my front door. "There's no shame in that."

I expel a heavy breath and try to move from the position he has me trapped in. Edward however, is faster than I am and grabs me by my shoulders.

"It wasn't that enjoyable." I groan in humiliation, the blush he must know so well by now, coloring my cheeks.

"Really?" His smirk grows exponentially, almost breaking into a full on grin. "I don't recall you having any complaints at the time. In fact," he continues without giving me a chance to rebuke, moving his hands from my shoulders and lifting a slender finger to the corner of his mouth, "I recall a lot of pleading, and sighs and…"

"Pleading for you to let me go." I comment snidely, knowing it's a lie, but refusing to give him the benefit of knowing exactly how good it was.

"You even cursed." He challenged with a raised eyebrow. "That was hot." His voice has taken on a husky quality that has me shivering with need.

"I was affronted by your forwardness." I fold my arms over my chest and stare at him pointedly.

"You thought I was asleep."

"I knew you were awake." I lie…again.

"Bullshit." He says lowly, his eyes' darkening in what I can only assume is desire.

"You'll never know." I offer him a victorious grin.

He smirks knowingly and answers with a slight shrug. It's officially a staring contest, each one of us standing our ground, trying to break down the others resolve.

Edward is the first to break the charged silence.

"Are you always that quiet when you come?" His question has got me choking on my own spit.

"No…I…well…yes." I stammer in reply.

"That's a pity." He feigns regret. "I like my woman laud."

"That's a good thing then," I struggle to recover from his vulgar statement, "seeing as I'm not your woman."

"You're the only one I'm currently sleeping with." He shrugs offhandedly.

"We're not sleeping together." I point out, crossing my arms over my chest defensively.

"Technicality." He sighs and then turns to make his way towards my kitchen. "You got any Heinekens in here?"

"Well, why don't you make yourself at home?" I call after him in frustration and follow him into the kitchen.

"I practically live here." He states as he searches through the contents of my fridge. I have a difficult time ignoring the dimples in his lower back as his shirt rises up to reveal skin.

"Technicality." I throw his words back at him and receive a short laugh from his bent over body. He reappears after a few moments and lifts the Heineken bottle he was able to fish out of my fridge in offer. I shake my head and point to the opened wine bottle standing accusingly on the kitchen table.

"Drinking by yourself?" Edward chuckles after opening the beer bottle with no effort and taking a swing from the neck. "Feeling dangerous?" He wiggles his eyebrows at me and I can't help the small smile forming on my lips.

"You saw the spelling on that draft." He nods and rolls his eyes. "Trust me, I need it." It would appear as if we've reached an impasse, and the relief is heady, causing me to finally relax in his company.

"I don't know why you guys waste your time with shit like that."

"It's not half bad." I sigh and rub by forehead with my hand. All the pent up nerves and stress of the last couple of days finally taking its toll. I'm exhausted.

"Mine's better." Edward remarks cockily and gives me a wink before lifting the bottle to his mouth. I find myself lost in the action of his Adams apple bobbing up and down as he swallows down the liquid.

"Arrogant aren't we?" I tease once I finally tear my eyes from his neck.

"Just confident." He nods and licks his lips, causing my heart rate to accelerate slightly. My body is such a traitor.

I laugh softly and follow as Edward moves back to the living room, grabbing the opened bottle of wine on my way out.

Edward drapes his body over the couch I was previously occupying and I reluctantly take a seat in the chair opposite him after grabbing the glass of wine long forgotten.

"Let's play a game." He suggests as I take a sip from my glass.

"If you're going to suggest scrabble, I'm going to have to decline." I shake my head steadily. Edward's eyes crinkle at the corners as he smiles at me.

"No, not scrabble." He says with a chuckle as he drops his eyes to the beer bottle resting limply in his folded hands.

"If you're going to suggest twenty questions, then once again, I'm going to have to refuse. That's what the binder is for." I point out and take another drink from the wine.

"Not twenty questions either." He shakes his head and watches me as he drinks from the neck of his beer bottle.

"What then?" I roll my eyes and lean back in the chair, attempting to look casual and aloof.

"Let's play word association. I say a word and you say the first word you think about."

I watch him skeptically as I consider his suggestion and all the possible ways the game can move into dangerous territory like the last time. It seems innocent enough, and seeing as I'm not in the mood to read the draft chapter any further, I concede.

"Fine. But this will not be a one sided thing right? We'll take turns?"

"Of course." He shrugs and then honors me with a crooked grin that makes my heart sputter.

"You start." I give him a small smile, clear my throat and straighten my posture.

"Color." He starts with a simple one, and I'm thankful.

"Purple." He rolls his eyes and I narrow mine at him. He raises his hands in apology and I grin at him triumphantly.

"Hair." It's my turn.

"Soft." He replies and I raise an eyebrow at him. He shrugs in reply.

"Music."

"Bob." I instantly reply.

"Dylan?" He asks looking surprised.

"Who else?"

"Good choice." He nods approvingly.

"Thanks." I smile and then ask. "Boss."

"Miss Swan."

"Good to know you still remember." I grin wickedly and fill my empty glass.

"Was that a test?" He laughs.

"Maybe." I shrug and give him a friendly grin. This is more fun than I expected, or I'm starting to get a little drunk. Either way, I'm glad we're doing this. It's definitely relieving some of the earlier tension. "I was actually expecting you to say Bruce."

"Mhhh…" Edward squints his eyes in contemplation, and I can't help but think to myself how cute he looks when he does that. "My second option would probably have been Tony Danza."

I lift my hand to my throat and gasp dramatically. "Blasphemy!"

We both chuckle softly, probably due to the fact that we're both surprised at how…pleasant…this is.

"Fingers." Edward says after a moment.

"Long." I blurt out and immediately feel the blush staining my cheeks. I lower my eyes.

"Beer." He says as I keep my eyes on the rim of my glass.

"Heineken."

"Good choice." I raise my eyes and see that he's standing. "But, I was just saying that mine's empty. I'll be right back."

"Oh…" I laugh sheepishly. "Okay."

I watch Edward walk to my kitchen and drop my head to my hands. I'm such a spaz.

"Okay, you're up." He announces as he reappears towing two beers along.

"Sugar." Sugar is safe.

"Sex." Guess not.

"Sex?" I exclaim in shock. "How the hell can sugar make you think of sex?"

"Fuck, I don't know?" Edward replies defensively. "It's sweet…it's sticky…fuck," he sighs and runs a hand through his hair, "it makes me think of sex."

"Men." I mumble and roll my eyes.

"Sex."

"Yeah, I get it," I reply after taking another sip, "sugar makes you think of sex."

"No, the next word is sex." My eyes jumps to Edward's and see him looking at me expectantly.

"Uh…" I stutter. "Jacob." Too much wine.

"Jacob?" A small frown is pulling Edward's brows together.

I shrug.

"Is he the last guy…?" Edward lets the question trail of as I look at him awkwardly.

"Not part of the game." Bitch Bella is back ladies and gentleman. I see the dejected expression on Edward's face and immediately feel bad about my cold response. So what if he knows? "And the answer is yes."

Edward is looking even more confused than before as he watches me pensively for long moments. I have no idea what to do, so I just stare back.

"How's that even possible?" He finally asks with a shake of his head.

"What do you mean?" I'm angry again. Is he suggesting I'm some kind of prude? Okay fine, maybe I am, but being careful with decisions regarding your sex life isn't prudish. It's responsible.

"I mean you're hot." Oh. Didn't see that one coming. Where is my hair shield when I need it? Wait? He thinks I'm hot? "Can't imagine how someone hasn't…"

"Well, no one has. So, can we just leave it at that?" I interrupt him and sigh as another silence engulfs us. He thinks I'm hot.

"Boobs." I try to break the tension but the word is spoken before I can even reflect about what the hell I'm doing.

"Jessica."

"What?" I shout and cause Edward to start as he's taking a sip of his beer, causing some of the liquid to drip to his chin.

"Fuck Bella." He chuckles and wipes his chin with the back of his hand. "Calm the fuck down."

"Sorry." I laugh. "But Jessica, really?"

"What?" He replies indifferently. "They're huge."

"Their fake." I shake my head in disgust.

"Boobs are boobs."

"That's nasty." I don't even try to hide my distaste.

"What's your problem with Jessica anyway?" His words cause the blood in my veins to boil. Is. He. Serious?

"Where to start?" I reply sarcastically.

"She's not that bad. A little delusional," he suggests, "but not a bad person."

"She's a skank."

"Shit, but you really are a stuck up bitch, aren't you?" The words aren't meant to be a joke. They are not said with humor. They are said with an underlying abhorrence that chills me to the bone.

"Excuse me?" The words leave my mouth in a hiss, and like earlier tonight, I'm so pissed I can feel my hands shaking. I place my empty glass on the table in front of me, afraid that I may actually drop it.

"You don't even know her." Edward accuses, his face distorted by anger.

"I can't believe you're coming up for that hussy!" I exclaim and jump up from my seat, unsure of where I'm going, but knowing that I can't stand to sit and listen to Edward defending that airhead.

"I'm not!" He follows suet by flying from the couch in a fit of rage. "I'm defending everyone you've ever made assumptions about!"

"I don't make assumptions." I say with a dry laugh.

"Yes Bella, you do." His voice is low and I can practically feel the resentment rolling from him in waves.

"Give me one example."

"You assumed I was asleep, for one." He smiles coldly and causes my breath to catch.

"So we're back to this." I fold my hands over my chest and glare at him frostily.

Edward stares at me for what feels like hours before a sardonic smile pulls at his lips as he shakes his head. "Guess not." And with that he storms past me towards the front door.

"Oh, so now you're leaving!" I shout as I practically run after him.

"Yes." He declares shortly as he reaches for the front door.

"Good." I just have to have the last word. I don't know why, but without it, it will feel as if I lost this…this…this ridiculous argument.

"You know what?" Edward asks as he spins around and catches me by surprise. I cower against the wall in alarm. "You're right. I shouldn't leave."

"I didn't say…"

"I won't leave until you tell me the truth." He challenges as he makes his way towards my shaking frame. Our breathing is labored and I can practically feel his breath on my face as he leans over me.

"About what?" I manage to utter as I stare up at him.

"You know about what." He breathes over me, his voice quiet yet demanding.

"You know what?" I say with a huff and smile at him grimly. "Fine, I thought you were asleep!" I practically shout. "I never would have allowed it if I thought you were awake."

Edward remains silent as he watches me closely, his chest heaving up and down from the exertion of our argument.

"And do you know what else?" I ask and answer without waiting for a reply. "I hardly felt anything." What a lie. I felt everything, and ungh…

"Me either." He's seething and it's obvious that I hurt his inflated male ego. I smile internally at my little accomplishment.

"Really?" I cock an eyebrow at him, recalling his hand that was splayed against my breast.

"I'm a guy. I'll hump a tree if it means I can get my rocks off." He shrugs coolly.

"Yeah? Well, your little effort just served as a reminder why I didn't sleep around after Jacob." Two can play this game, buddy.

Edward's next move catches me completely off guard. He grabs my hand and places it firmly on his jeans…over his penis…his very big, very erected penis.

I gasp audibly as he pushes my hand harder against the fly of his pants. Holy. Shit.

"Do you call that little?" His voice is gruff and sexy and causes tingles in all the right places.

I don't know if it's the wine, or the high caused by our exchange, or just Edward but I make a grab for his free hand and firmly place it over my right breast.

"Are you comparing me to a tree?" The look on Edward's face is priceless as we stare at each other in heated silence. We're both breathing as if we just ran a marathon, neither of us moving our respective hands. Edward rubs my hand against the bulge in his pants at the same time he runs his thumb over my hardened nipple. I moan. He hisses. He drops his forehead against mine heavily, and all I can do is stare at his darkened eyes through my lust filled haze.

"Can I tell you a secret, Bella?" His breath is wet against my lips, our mouths mere inches apart.

I can't find my voice to reply, so I only nod, causing his head to shift with mine, bringing our mouths even closer together.

"Since you finally told the truth," his voice is like dripping honey, "I'll tell you the truth as well." I'm practically lost in his eyes, the depths of his green embers hypnotizing me. "That morning?"

I blink in response.

"That morning after you came gloriously all over my leg?" I blink again and shift my gaze to his lips. He licks them slowly and I fight the whimper threatening to escape my own. "I touched myself." His voice is so soft when he speaks that I strain to hear what he's saying. My eyes lift to his in question.

"When you left to make breakfast, Bella." I nearly come as my name rolls over his tongue seductively. "I touched myself as I lay in your bed. Under your covers. Smelling you everywhere." My breath hitches at his words and I feel my heart hammering in my chest. He rubs his thumb over my nipple again, probably feeling the strumming of my heart. "I came harder than I've come in a very long time."

I close my eyes and moan, because shit, his words are dirty, and naughty and just freakin' killing me slowly.

"Bella?" He whispers and my eyes fly open to stare back into his. "I came, thinking of you coming."

Oh. Sweet. Loving. Cupcake.

There is nothing in this world that would have prepared me for Edward's declaration. No response. Nothing. I'm blank. I'm horny. I'm screwed.

Edward searches my eyes for a moment longer before he steps away from me. My arms fall limply to my sides.

"See you tomorrow at seven." He says with a solemn voice, before he turns and leaves through the door.

I don't know how long I stood staring blankly into space. Edward's words causing havoc with my mind.

He came. In my bed. In my house. Thinking of me.

Edward thinks I'm hot.